Split (1)

train · 199k rows

post_text stringlengths 0 17.5k	post_title stringlengths 8 314	comment_texts listlengths 1 74	num_stories int64 1 74
	[WP] Your body has the blood to cure a rare type of disease, but you yourself have a disease that prevents you from donating blood, if you do, you're screwed. One day a couple comes to your door and begs you to donate blood to save their son.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "You bit back a sigh and fought the urge to roll your eyes at the teary-eyed couple kneeling by your feet. You knew it would look bad on you if you did either or both. \"Sir, Madam, my blood cures disease X. Your son's symptoms sound a lot like disease Y's to me. I can do nothing about that - I am not a medical professional.\" And I can't donate blood to start with if I don't want to die, you thought bitterly.\n\nThe man's head touched your shoes. \"Please, we know you can save him,\" he sobbed. The woman launched into a long wailing speech about her darling baby boy and how he suffered and how your blood was the only cure. (You knew it wasn't. Besides, you wanted to live. You didn't want to sacrifice yourself for a boy you never met when you barely got to live life.)\n\n\"Sir, Madam,\" you repeated. \"I will not donate my blood to your son. I can, however, offer you blood that will cure him.\" At least, assuming the son had disease Y..." ]	2
	[WP] "Oh, congratulations. You're the representative from...42-SOL. You call it 'Earth'." A small hooded figure waddles up to you. "You look confused. I'll explain. This is where all the strongest beings from the candidate worlds compete to remain in existence."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Valon grimaced in disgust.\n\n“Damn. Look at who they picked for Earth.”\n\n“We don’t know the organisers’ criteria,” said Kemara. “Maybe he has amazing willpower. Maybe he never gives up.”\n\n“You’re not even looking at him!”\n\n“Don’t need to. They do this every century, and the Earthling always, always gets pulverised.”\n\n“Man, don’t call them Earthlings. Sounds so… so diminutive.”\n\n“Yeah? That’s the idea.”\n\nValon glared at her, and went back to feeling sorry for the Earth-man.\n\nOne of the organisers had just given the poor idiot the usual spiel: we’re almighty assholes, we go from universe to universe throwing intergalactic tournaments, we’re going to destroy your planet for kicks unless you enter our gladiatorial contest, hahaha, we’re so cool and powerful. The squat cloaked figure made a gesture and vanished in a crackle of light. The human slowly made his way forward, wary of the assorted alien champions from all existence, or at least this one particular existence.\n\n‘Strongest beings’ my ass,” Valon growled. “He’s a clutz. He just tripped over a perfectly smooth floor. It’s not enough to delete them from every universe, now these cheating bastards are trying to humiliate their whole planet.”\n\n“Oh, give it a rest,” Kemara snapped. “Earth has been deleted from existence a hundred times. There’s always an Earth. Seems every reality has one.”\n\n“Really not my point. They wilfully picked out some nerd in a suit to… oh hell, he just dropped his briefcase. This is sad.” \n\nA few of the contestants started leering at the Terran, easily the least imposing figure in the arena. Others shouted taunts. The vast majority ignored him entirely.\n\nValon walked up to the human, deliberately shoulder-checking a boasting, goading viking type with two heads who whirled around… and shrank back on seeing who it was. One of the heads started to cry.\n\nValon jabbed a thumb at himself. “Hey, human. Name’s Valon. I know we’re meant to be beating each other to a pulp but for the record, if I face you, I’m gonna throw the match. Everyone else is fair game,” he added, much more loudly.\n\n“Don’t be dramatic,” Kemara made a face. “As if you’d let your planet die.”\n\n“I’m literally the only person who lives on my planet,” said Valon. “I think I’d die to save Earth.”\n\n“But you wouldn’t,” Kemara continued. “Because even if you faced him he’d die in the next round, so you’d die for no reason and his planet would still be deleted. Do you see how stupid that’d be now?”\n\n“I appreciate the sentiment,” the Earth-man said meekly, before Valon could respond. He proffered a hand. Valon shook it absently...\n\nAnd realised the man’s grip was absurdly, agonisingly strong.\n\n“While I reside on Earth, I’m not human,” the clumsy nerd explained quietly. “I’m Clark Kent. Pleased to meet you.”" ]	2
	[WP] You occupy the two most difficult jobs in the world -- superhero and parent. It is going rather well with a slight hickup: your kid brought their new best friend over and had a blast. Then the friend's parent came to pick them up. The parent's your archnemesis.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Uh... you look familiar...\"\n\n\"Yeah, you look exactly like me in the mirror...\"\n\n\"We're not twins, are we?\" cried the two grown men with gigantic chins in unison.\n\nCharles Hampton \"Chuck\" Indigo wasn't your ordinary news-writing dad at the Daily Blabbity. Despite the looks, the face, the gigantic chin, the 8-pack abs, and his tendencies to scream out actor names and patriotism-inducing, nape hair-raising, awesomeness-inspiring one liners, he was none other than the stealthy alter of the Crimson Chin.\n\nAnd he definitely played the part while talking to his evil twin from a parallel dimension, the Nega Chin.\n\n\"Why, I'd be surprised if I had a hidden twin brother in secret.\" said the Nega Chin's alter, Charles Hampton \"Chuck\" Indigo, the same name as the Crimson Chin's. \"That would mean I had such a gorgeous-looking nephew all along!\" he patted the Crimson Chin's son.\n\n\"You're kid's a child wonder, himself!\" the Crimson Chin said as he patted the razor-toothed boy who smiled back with glee. \"He actually taught my child how to do basic calculurometry. A smart boy, indeed.\"\n\nThe two men laughed. They were two sides of a coin, born in different universes. But with a bigger phenomenon tying all the parallel universes together, they were better off not knowing the truth.\n\nOr so I, the narrator, thought.\n\nJust then, a pair of giant arms made from matted metal and metallichalcum reached for the two boys and lifted them 800 feet up in the air, along with other kids and a dog who have been kid- and dog-napped from all around the good city of Chincinatti. The two Chucks tried to reach for their kids, but they couldn't reach for them without revealing their powers.\n\nThe two Chucks, again, cried in unison:\n\n\"Great Gorshin West! A giant tentacle stole my son!\"\n\nAnd another line. Again in unison:\n\n\"Do you have a minute? I'll need to run.\"\n\n\"Actually, you can run. I'll stay here and wait\" said the Nega Chin's alter\n\n\"Thanks man!\"\n\nAfter a pair of high fives, the Crimson Chin's alter ran and transformed into the Crimson Chin. As he flew up 700 feet high, he saw his alter from a parallel dimension, the Nega Chin who was flying at the same height as he was.\n\nBefore the Crimson Chin could say anything, the Nega Chin stopped him. \"Woah there, I don't care what you think but my kid's up there and I gotta save him!\"\n\n\"Unfortunate circumstances then, my enemy. Today, we fight together.\"\n\nThen both of them in unison:\n\n\"For as long as there is--\"\n\n\"Oh for Pete's sake hurry up!\" shouted a grandma on a wheelchair.\n\nThe two Chins flew higher, punched the tentacle, shouted \"Ah, my chin-uckles!\", punched some more, kicked, threw, bit, chew, swallowed metal, threw up, found the evil head honcho, then punched and kicked and punched and shouted metaphors some more. It was a spectacular sight, I tell you. Spectacular! Two men, one red the other gray. Evil and Good fighting a worse evil together. It was a sight to see, a vision to behold. No comic book could have ever contained their awesomeness to the point that their parallel universes started separating and the spectacularizised action had to stop before the whole fabric of reality had to get deleted from CHIN OVERLOAD.\n\nBut the memories remained. And the Crimson Chin finally said: \"Aw, I miss my other Chin.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nr/Frostzeichen" ]	2
	[WP] Its the zombie apocalypse, but you are bitten on the first day. You find a liquor store to drink until you die. Only you don't die you wake up still drunk but alive. As you sober up you feel your self turning. So you drink and feel better. Now you know as long as your drunk you wont turn.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I know if I told you how this worked you wouldn't believe me! You were always so much smarter and more practical than me. But its ok, because I know this works and have faith it will work for you as well. So I left you this note and I hope you can read it in a little bit. That's why you'll find yourself locked in this dark room, and god, Sarah, was it hard to find a place like this untouched, but not as hard as it was to find you among that awful and moaning throng. I'd recognize that cheap pink windbreaker anywhere because our last night together is emblazoned on my brain, even now at what must be the end of the world. I don't know, some days I think this is hell or judgment day and this is it for us. But somehow I did find you by god's grace, so maybe things are changing, maybe this will all go away and we'll be able to love another again and things will fix themselves and we'll be able to live like in the before times. Maybe my prayers are finally being answered and things are finally are getting better. I found you! So that must mean something! Its a sign I swear! God is finally listening!\n\n\\middle paragraph unintelligible as its covered in blood and dirt\\\n\nAnyway, there's so much more I could say but it can wait for later because its getting dark out and I've used enough precious ink already. I just hope this really works, even in your condition. Maybe you will get thirsty and drink this stuff because I can't force you to do it. I dreamt so many times that you do. God, I hope so. I love you so much Sarah! I love you so much and miss you! I will be waiting for however long it takes. I will check on your every day to see if you are better. Please get better soon my love. We're going to do this, we're going to pull through, I just know it! I love you so much!\n\n\\UN Peacekeeper log: Note found on April 17, 2037 in a locked bar cellar, next to an infected woman's remains. A second note, a suicide letter, was taken by our unit chaplain and discreetly set aside for morale-affecting reasons. Only this note will go into the public record of the COVID-32 pandemic. May these souls finally find peace. - Captain Aanuoluwapo Abdullahi, Chief of Unit, UN Mission #RPP-2036\\", "Dan holds the cold bottle of whiskey in his hands, he knows he's gonna die. how long since he had actually seen a real person? a month? he's bitten now. it's over. might as well get shit faced and enjoy the last few moments of this miserable existence.\n\nAnd least he didn't have to run anymore, that was a good thing.\n\nDan put the cold bottle to his lips repeatedly, the whiskey was strong and made him gag, but better to die of alcohol poisoning then whatever would happen to him next. \n\nHe woke up, vision still blurry looking around the dark and destroyed liquor store. his head throbbed and eyes ached but he still managed to get back up to his feet. \n\nWas he a zombie? is this what it felt like? No. he was just a guy that drank a whole litre of whiskey and felt like shit. \n\nDan spent the next half an hour drinking bottled water from the fridge and trying to sober up. as soon as he started to feel better that's when it happened. the bite mark on his arm began to burn. It was like his arm was on fire. then came the sweat, dripping from his forehead. and finally the spasms. he knew it was happening, he was turning into one of them. \n\nDan got on his hands and knees and crawled to where the liqour was. grabbed the nearest bottle of vodka and started chugging. Alcohol will make it go away... Alchohol will make me feel all better.", "Zombies! Who would have thought it’d be zombies who get humanity in the end? I can’t believe it myself, and I was bitten by one five days ago! \n\nSo why haven’t I become a zombie just like everyone else I saw bit? Good question! The straight answer is that I don’t really know. The weird and strange answer is that I think it has something to do with me getting drunk right after I was bitten. \n\nI mean, this isn’t some strange experiment I ran on myself. I didn’t look out the window, see zombies running around munching on people, and decide that I should see if I can stave off zombism (or whatever you want to call it) by raising my blood alcohol levels. What’s really ironic is I had a major substance abuse problem when I was younger and on my road to recovery, I cleaned up and became a teetotaller many years ago. And now, as I am about to complete 70 years of my life, the only thing that seems to be ensuring my continued survival is to stay drunk all the time. \n\nHow can I be so sure of this? I’m not a doctor or a scientist by profession. Nor do I have an overly clinical understanding of the human body or the diseases that may inflict it. Although in the world as it was just before this latest calamity, everyone had become a semi-expert in communicable diseases and had a rudimentary epidemiology. No. In the world that was, I was born to dirt poor refugees, in a poor country that was possibly considered even less than “Third World” at the time. I grew up in Hong Kong in the 1950s and ‘60s, and received my education in the form of training for martial arts, acrobatics, and drama, from a very young age. I had the good fortune to meet the right people and do the right things at the right time, which led me to eventually becoming one of the biggest movie stars in my country and, in due time, in the world. I worked hard at everything I attempted to do, and became famous, successful, and wealthy beyond the imagination of most people, including myself. At the same time, I was still just a man and made mistakes, just like everyone else, learning anew every day how to live a good life. I travelled the world and did things and performed feats I thought that no one had ever done before. Eventually, depending on the moment, I celebrated and regretted my life, just like everyone else.\n\nAnd now, here I am, feeling the beginnings of the unique creeping, crawling, painful numbness in my fingertips and toes, that seems to signal the onset of my zombie disease. Must be the alcohol wearing off. Time for another couple (or three or four) of shots of tequila.\n\nThere is an upside to this drunken zombie state though, despite all the obvious disadvantages. While I turned 70 just a few months ago, I feel as limber and fit as when I was 20! I definitely have more energy than I had even at that young age. My strength also seems to have increased much more than I have ever possessed. Perhaps, my alcohol saturated blood keeps the zombie disease from converting me into a mindless eating animal like everyone else I see in this city, while still allowing me to reap the dubious benefits of enhanced energy, strength and agility that these beings display.\n\nMany years ago, I made a series of movies about a martial arts style in which one had to be drunk to fight and defeat one’s opponents. I think I still remember the moves. I also think that whatever divinity that watches over us has allowed me to discover this effect and develop these new abilities for a purpose. I have lived a long and beautiful life the likes of which most people cannot even imagine in their wildest dreams. I have lived, loved, rejoiced, sang, danced, spent, grown, and understood life on a level that few get a chance to do. You may have known of me as Jackie Chan, martial artist, actor, filmmaker, action choreographer, singer, stunt director, stunt performer, superstar, or even politician. I think it is time for me to drop all those now, and take on a new role. I am now Jackie Chan, Master of Drunken Boxing, Zombie Hunter.", "\"Hi, I'm Carl, I'm an alcoholic,\" Carl said to the circle of chairs. \"And I'm bitten.\"\n\n\"Hi, Carl,\" the circle replied.\n\nCarl smiled weakly. \"It's been six hours since my last drink. I--I've been having a real rough one, today.\"\n\nCarl’s hands trembled as he shared about his day with the strangers sitting in the cozy little church basement. How he argued with his wife over the technicalities of their insurance policy. How he didn't talk to anyone at the office the entire day after that. How he wondered if he’ll live long enough to see his girls graduate college. He cried after his three minutes were up. The circle clapped politely. It didn't help. He was dying one day at a time.\n\nAfter the meeting, people milled around a table topped with donut boxes and a big coffee dispenser. Carl pulled a knob and filled his styrofoam cup. He reached into his messenger bag for his flask, held his hand there for a second, then pulled it back empty. At that moment, his sponsor stepped up beside him.\n\n\"What if I stop drinking,\" Carl said, staring down into his cup of Folgers. A tired face stared up back at him. \"What if I just stopped?\"\n\n\"You serious?\" Katherine shook powdered creamer into her coffee. \"You dodge my calls for two weeks. Now you're talking turning? Let's take a walk.\"\n\n“I’m a little tired.”\n\n“Yup.” She turned and marched for the door as if not hearing him. “Nothing like a bit of fresh air.”\n\nThey left the church basement into the salmon gray light of early evening. Joggers ran, dogs sniffed at trees, CDC vans patroled. Carl tried to focus on the rhythm of dead leaves crunching under their feet as they walked around the block.\n\n\"Mia can't take much more of this,\" Carl said. \"Her father was an alcoholic, and you know…”\n\n\"No, I get it,\" Katherine said, lighting a cigarette. \"Can't be easy for her.\"\n\nCarl gestured to cross the street to avoid the rowdy line waiting for entry to The Slaughtered Lamb. People milled about outside with red solo cups. A chalkboard read, STAY ALIVE! WELL SHOTS 10 for $10 ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT.\n\nCarl sighed. \"She and her dad don't talk. And when I drink, I don't talk. The fights are getting worse. I—I was ten years sober, Kat. Ten years clean and sober and then I get bit. I never wanted Mia or the kids to ever see me like this. And now it’s only way I can be with them. How is that fair?”\n\nKatherine walked on, smoking her Marlboro light. Sometimes she didn't say anything for a long while. It didn't bother Carl. He knew she was listening.\n\n\"It's not,\" she said, finally. \"Just like having parents that are alcoholics. Just like getting hit by a mac truck while crossing the street. Just like getting bit by a zombo while putting out the trash.”\n\nCarl instinctively rubbed his bicep where the zombie had bitten him the night it jumped out from behind a blue recycling bin. He’d cried as Mia poured a bottle of cooking sherry down his throat to keep him from turning. \n\n\"It ain't fair. It just ain't.\"\n\n\"You're not helping.\" Carl laughed.\n\n\"Oh, I thought I was just listening,\" Katherine said. \"Was I supposed to know exactly the right thing to say here? That’d be a first.”\n\n\"Yeah, yeah,” he said, then, after a block of silence, “I’ve got a life insurance policy, you know. Enough to take care of Mia and the kids through college—for the both of them. Only pays if I…you know.”\n\n“Uh-huh.”\n\nKatherine ashed her cigarette against the bottom of her Doc Martins and flicked it into a garbage can. She opened her pack, stared for a moment, and decided against another one.\n\n\"Well,\" she said. \"The way I see it--you've got a choice. You've always had a choice. Live or die. Drink or don't drink. You get to pick. Isn’t that beautiful?”\n\n“Can a turd be beautiful?”\n\n“If you pick the right one, sure.” She let out a throaty laugh. “You’re an adult. Make your choices. Stand by them. Just—make sure whatever you do comes from love, not fear. That way, you won't have any regrets. And if you do decide to go sober, I'll be more than happy to put your ass down once you start groaning for brains.\"\n\n\"Katherine, Jesus!\"\n\n\"You don't think I would?\"\n\nCarl punched her shoulder lightly. \"No, I know you would.\"\n\nAs they walked up to St. Jude's once more, she pulled a plastic nip of Fireball from her denim jacket and downed it in one go. \"BAH! Son of a bitch. I hate this stuff.\" She wiped her mouth with her sleeve then just stood there and watched.\n\nCarl reached into his canvas messenger bag and pulled a silver flask. He stared at it, catching the last of the evening sun off its polished surface. Thinking of Mia and the girls, he took a swig of the warm Chivas and let it burn down his chest for a few heartbeats. \"One day at a time.\"", "They call her the Drunken Master. They call her a god. When they see her reeling down the path to their village, they prepare the offering: wine, barrels of it. They make it only for her, for she is the only one who can rid them of the Plagued.\n\nShe slurs through negotiation, but that’s all right; everyone knows her price. It has been thousands of years and nothing has changed. As she stumbles from the main palisade, parents pull their children to balconies. Look, they say. Watch. \n\nThe Drunken Master stumbles into the horde of Plagued that has accumulated outside of your village’s most exterior fence, so thick that no forage or hunting or farming is possible any longer beyond that limit. The Plagued, rotting and moaning, some still recognizable as onetime family and friends, have nearly knocked the wooden barrier down with their unremitting zeal to enter and destroy your home. But when she arrives, they turn to her. They lock on her. She goes to work.\n\nThe children gasp as Plagued teeth tear into her. She shakes them off like flies and crushes skull after skull with the ancient weapon Aluminum Bat, an artifact from Before. An hour ago, the Plagued seemed undefeatable. Now there are none left standing. \n\nShe falls down a couple times on her way back through the fences, but still manages to fill her cart with your barrels of wine. The children watch in awe as she guzzles two tankards in seconds. “Someday,” she slurs, “Ah’m gonna be out o’tolerance…or liver cells. Then I guess you folks gonna hafta get a new barfly. Ah-dee-ohss.”\n\nShe pulls her cart away, into the forest surrounding your village where no one dares set foot. You return to your fields, crops trampled by the Plagued but soon to recover. It is an old pattern, as old as the Drunken Master. Most especially do you tend the grape arbors and their sacred fruit. For a living being turned Plagued may endure forever and protect those untouched by their curse…but only until their cup runs dry.", "\\Camera switches on\\\n\nWell.... I never expected it to end this way. I always imagined that if a zombie apocalypse ever breaks out i would be among the survivors . I would fight them and when the time comes i'll die while makin a sacrifice looking into that girl's eyes as she runs away.....\n\nBut fate has some other plans i guess. So here i am on Day 2 with my first ever love bite and that too from a zombie.\n\n\\chuckles\\\n\n Whatever. As far as i know there is no cure to it and by the time you will find this.....\n\n well i will be dead..... \n\nAnd i know its too late but love you Mum and Dad .....\n\nAnd you were my life Marla and will be.\n\n\\chuckles once more\\\n\n\\Camera switches off\\\n\nYou keep the camera on the cashier counter and proceed to walk around it to grab two bottles of premium. You sit down on the floor, your back against the shelf containing beer bottles. You open the cap and just sip it straight.\n\n'The bitterness doesn't matter anymore . I will die a drunk Zombie' you mumble to yourself as the sweet liquid starts to work. After chugging what felt like a whole bottle in one sip you consciousness starts too fade away, your eyes become heavy.....sleepy....drowsy.\n\n\\BOOM \\\n\nA loud explosion wakes you up.\n\n''What the.....''\n\nYou open your eyes and see everything spinning. You get up taking the support of the counter but your hand slips and you fall down. You get up once more. Memories start recollecting.\n\n''Am i a zombie now.... huh...wait..... NO!\" \n\nYou let out a scream of joy realizing you still have control over yourself. you check for the bite on your forearm. It's still there. After deduction you reach the conclusion.\n\n\"So being drunk somehow saved me? What...\"\n\nAs you start to sober up you start feeling a headache.\n\n\"Ah Hangover....\" you moan as it starts to hurt more.\n\nSuddenly you feel as if some fore is deteriorating your condition rapidly. It is as if death is pulling towards you. you realize its the virus kicking in. you have to drink.\n\n\"Can't get a hangover if i don't stop ...... two birds with one stone \"\n\nYou stare into the nothingness for a moment which felt like an eternity.\n\n\"This should be one heck of a journey\"\n\nYou smile as you take the bottle and start to open the cap.........", "A clear sky shines on a desolate landscape. Ruined buildings and abandoned houses casting a shadow of civilization.\n\nAmongst the desolation, a family traverses the empty road. A mother holding her 3 year old daughter. Her child's sleeping face the only glimmer of peace in sight. Next to her the eldest child, weary yet determined to survive. They are being led by the father with, though he is strong and resilient, he fears losing his family, as he knows with out them, his strength will no longer help him.\n\nThey cross a bridge over a body of water. What once was a marvel of human engineering, connecting a city over the ocean,now serves as a graveyard. Wrecked rusted cars fill the bridge. Each of them a reminder that escape was futile. As they approach the end, the father sees their destination.\n\n A diminutive raft of a boat, tied to the harbor below the bridge, floated on the water. He looks back and his family, smiling weakly. They were all afraid to hope, but they dared to none the less. As they leave the bride and make their way down, the Father knocks something with his feet. A RATTLE rings out as the Father looks to the source of the sound. An empty beer can.\n\n Panic seeps into his face, and makes its way down to his legs as he picks up the speed, and with one look to his family they all catch on. They start moving quickly towards the boat, a stair case leading to the harbor is in sight. More and more discarded cans and containers litter the floor as they move faster. Groans awaken and echo around them, each one sending their hearts into a beating panic. The son can see in his peripheral figures coming to life. As they bolt down the stairs and into the harbor, the groans fade into screams and cries. The sounds of Movement all around them. They were awake.\n\nThe father slams through a pile of beer cans and stumbles to the boat, quickly tending to the knot keeping it tied to the harbor. The son helps his mother and sister on to the boat as the screams now wail in a horrifying harmony. The father sees the shadows of figures getting closer. He must hurry. The son enters the boat after his mother, as she desperately fiddles with the engine, tugging on the string, waiting for it to come to life. The figures are no longer shadows, as a horde makes their way to the harbor. The knot is finally loose as the father looks with panic to the raft. The engine struggles to start. He can smell them now. With a tear in his eye, the father pushes the boat away from the harbor with one mighty foot. \"GO\". The mother screamed, not in protest, but in mourning, as she understood what had to happen. The engine comes to life, waking the youngest child as her cries over power the sounds of their escape. The Father looks on, knowing he'll never see his family again, and knowing he wouldn't have it any other way. Glass shatters on the floor as a bottle falls from some ones hand. They were behind him now. The father turns, ready to meet his end.\n\n\"Who the FUCK are youuuuuu?\" Cries a drunken corpse of a girl in a tank top covered in vomit, with a severed tattooed arm on her shoulders \n\"Yo whoooooOOOOOoooo the fuuckkk is-\" Becky stumbles. \nAnother zombie, a muscly 6\"3 22 year old missing an arm and a red solo cup in the other arm,wobbles next to Becky, the tattoos on his stub matching the tattoos on the severed arm around Becky \n\"-becky you burp you know who this fuhhh uh fuckin-\"-Bryce spaces out mid sentence \n\"WHooOoo the fuck ArE YOu-\" Becky gags \n\"BeCk burp fuckin do u,yo Becky do u fuckin uhhhhhburp Becky who is this guy?\" -Bryce drops his cup\nOne of the zombies smashes a bottle on his face as the crowd screams and laughs, as another shoves a bottle into his head giggling and gurgling on the liquor going down his throat. \nOne zombie, a 45 year old pudgy man in a sports jersey with half his torso bitten off,lunges at the father and puts an arm around him. He poke the father's chest while holding a bottle of Jack Daniel's \"I fuCKin L ov E you brO, YouR fUUCKING FAMILY TO ME MAN, I LOVE THIS MOTherfuckeEr right here man\" The pudge downs the bottle.\n\nBecky downs a shot and tosses the glass at Bryce\n\"fuhCK YyOU you're a FuuuCking AsHole-\" says Becky, slurring her words as she swallows the tequila \nBryce barely reacts as the glass shatters on his head. He opens his mouth and vomit seaps out.\n\"....burp Becky do you uh fuckin know this guy?\"\n\nOne zombie with a Bluetooth speaker jammed into his rib cage crawls out of a pile of beer cans, snarling as he slams his head on the floor and sorts the beer puddle on the ground. Cocking his head back he screams \"PARTYYYYYYYY WOOOOOO\" he slams a fist into his chest and the speaker comes to life, as Timber by Pitbull (Ft.ke$ha) starts blasting. The zombies comes to life and bounce up in down to the song.\nOne zombie snarls and trembles, bursts of spasms over taking him. He approaches another zombie, wearing a beer holding sipping hat, simply vibing and sipping. He growls and clamps his jaws down on his arm as he gets close to sipping simpson, snarling like an angry dog. Simpson, unbothered,looks at him. \"Yo this guy NEEDS a DRINKKKKK\" \nSome one beams a bottle right onto the zombies face, smashing it all over his head and covering him in beer. The zombie releases his bite and reels backwards, he shakes his head \n\"Yo...\" says snarley Stanley as he licks his lips, \"was that an IPA?...\"\nSimpson lifts his recently bitten arm to Stanely's mouth \"yeah bro, here try this stuff.\" \nStanley absent mindedly puts the arm back in his mouth as Simpson goes back to sipping from his hat. Both enjoying the alcohol coursing through his blood.\nStanley takes the arm out of his mouth briefly and looks at Simpson \"Yo dude wanna make out?\"\n\nThe pudgy zombie drags The Father into the crowd.\n\"SHOT fuuuur thisfuckinmanherehesthe FUCKIN MANNNNN GET EMMM AAAA DRINKKKK\" the hoard lets out a wicked WOOOOO in unison.\nPanic sets in the father's eyes.\n\"P-p-please, it's barely 1 PM\" Cries the father \nThe pudgy zombie pulls a can of bud light out of his flesh wound \"its FIAVE AH CLOCK somEwhEREEEEE\" he wails through slurred breath\n\"ITS fucking FIVE O'CLOCK SOME WHERE BITCHESSS WOOOOO\" Cries Becky \nSoon the whole horde of zombies chants in unison, all repeating the same thing over and over again, even tho every one heard them they insist on making noise despite not having anything new or interesting to say.\nDrinks are shoved into the father's face, as the horde surrounds him. Beers, shots, wine,daiquiris, margaritas, JaegerMeister for some reason, and even rum cake.\n\"Please,no, please, i-i-i get terrible head aches, and and I have things to do tomorrow please-\" Cries the father as he collapses to the floor. His cries go unheard, as drinks are poured on him from all corners. His screams drowned out by the mix of beer,wine, vodka, tequila, and whiskey going into his throat. Which in Jersey is called 'The WrestleMania Martini (ft.ludacris)'", "Dear Cassandra\n\nI know you won't ever see this, but hopefully another survivor will. You're going to have a lot of questions, like, why is this store so clean and orderly? What's all this weird alcohol? And why is a zombie chained to the side of a fridge? \n\nThe first question, I did it. It was the only thing I could do. Sweeping the floors, wiping the windows, and especially dusting, were the things that kept me sane in my drunken haze. It kept the demons at bay and the zombies stench away. I hate zombies. They're not very good company and smell horrible. My nose might've fallen off a month ago, but even I have standards in smell. \n\nThe second question, the alcohol, I believe is the cure for zombification. I was nearly mauled to death by a horde, but dragged myself here in time to have a bottle of whiskey to ease the pain. It worked too well, and to my amazement, I awoke from my slumber the following morning. The pains eased back like a snake's venom and I had to drink more whiskey. Life became an infinitely losing game from then. I hurt, I drank, and I cleaned till I fell asleep from exhaustion. Like I said earlier, the zombies aren't good company, and I noticed something about my body. The zombification hadn't ceased, it just slowed down. My skin fell away in patches, my nose came off like play-doh, and my eye popped out my skull this morning. There was no chance I could go back with people again. \n\nThe final question, that zombie is me. I've chained myself to this fridge and I'm writing this with a pen while pressing the paper against the wall. The alcohol should be neatly placed in their shelving, and I hope my bad company doesn't sour your visit. Zombies might smell bad and want to gnaw your face, but even they have their limits. Which is why I've left a \\present\\ under the cash register. A fully-loaded shotgun. It was too painful of an idea for me to do it, but I'm sure it'll be fun target practice for you, reader. \n\nHappy Hunting! \n\nTod", "If you would have asked me a couple of months ago, before all this, how I felt about being shot at, I would have happily provided you with an answer somewhere along the lines of “fuck that noise.” But today, crouched in checkout lane two, in a dusty store, with a shotgun being fired above my head, I really couldn’t be happier. When you spend as long as I have being, seemingly, utterly alone, with only my thoughts and the rancid remains of my fellow humans, it just hits differently. Hell, I'm smiling. \n\nAt first I was sure that I had just got too much sun or had eaten some bad jerky, again. However, at this point in my investigation, I can rest assured that this was not the case. While we wait until they either lose interest in killing me, or run out of ammo, which, if i’m being honest, it seems like the first thing will occur before the second, I should take you back a little. Okay, so, when I was born-- I’m just fucking with you, relax. Let’s start with this morning. \n\nI had slept in a little; I deserved it after cleaning my new house yesterday for five hours straight. It was a mess, what with the previous owner’s, uh, stuff, lying all around. It was a big family, a big job, and a dope ass house, so, to me, it seemed worth it. I grew up in mobile homes and apartments, never knowing how the other side lived. It wasn't long until my curiosity got the better of me. After all, why shouldn't I be comfortable? However I may have slept a little too long. I could feel It creeping in again.\n\nSo after I had the place looking the way I wanted, I was hungry, and needed a drink, so off I went to town. I was half drunk, tooling along, throwing shit at other shit, singing my “going to town” song, when this happened: ..“so I put my haaands up, they’re plaaying my-” An engine rev, accompanied by the sweet sound of squealing tires? But how? Fuck how. Where? East. Bullshit. It can’t be. Go! \n\nSo I went. Breakfast would have to wait. I approached the intersection where I was sure the sounds were coming from, conveniently just a couple of blocks away. Then I beheld that there were indeed the blackest of tire tracks and the unmistakable smell of burning rubber still hanging in the air. I fucking knew it! I knew I couldn’t be alone. I told you, self! I said, “self, there’s no fucking way that you’re gonna be the last asshole left on earth, because that would really be some bullshit”, and I was right! Ha! Then I followed my nose. \n\nThe parking lot seemed safe at first glance, hell, normal even, if you tilt your head and squint your eyes a little. Disregard the rotting corpses dotting the lot, amid the shopping carts and wrecked and overturned vehicles, and just look at that storefront. Why, it’s as clean and inviting as it’s ever been, as long as you also disregard the guy who got torn in two laying in front of where the bank of doors used to be. Pull yourself together, sir, this is a family market. \n\nSo there I was, lying in the grass at the crest of a hill overlooking the front of a Target, peering through a set of binoculars, determining my best course of action. I was invigorated. I had a purpose again, and my pulse was racing. I was thinking about whether or not I would employ a stealthy approach, sneak in from the back, or just walk across this sunny parking lot, you know, just put myself out there, be vulnerable, shoot my shot, when I caught my first glimpse of her. She walked in front of the doors, briefly, but slow enough for me to see her long blonde hair held up in a ponytail by a bright blue scrunchie. That’s all I could make out before watching her disappear into the darkness. \n\nYeah. We’re making a new friend today, even if it kills us, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll even get breakfast; Talk about our travels and tell each other our stories, of course we’ll kiss at some point, maybe around a fire, in the middle of playfully feeding each other smores, mid-giggle, and-- Hey! What the fuck! Did this chick just shoot at me? That’s not very nice. \n\nThe grass in front of me exploded a very short time after her pistol did and dirt flew into my face; some of it got into my mouth. I rolled to the side and got to my feet, rushed over to and squatted against a narrow pine tree, back to the store, and honestly, right then, I almost just said fuck it. But, as I said before, it’s been a long time, and I was lonely, and we could put all this silly stuff behind us when this is over. It’ll just be something we look back on and laugh about, a cool story to tell our kids. So I loaded my pistol, sighed, and started returning fire while making my way to the nearest car for cover. \n\nIt felt like an eternity, me firing wildly, trying not to wound or kill my potential new friend, her actively trying to murder me, almost finding her mark with each well placed shot. I didn’t bring enough bullets for this shit. She almost got me when I tripped over the leathery skeleton of a previous patron but I could almost swear that she missed on purpose. A good couple of seconds went by before the shot came and I was completely in the open, between cars so to speak, and her bullet found the skeleton’s skull instead of mine. She was showing off; how cute. \n\nSomehow I made it to the wall just to the side of the entrance with the ability to breathe barely intact. I decided I was now close enough to try communicating verbally. So I said the first thing that came to mind. “Hi!” She answered by changing weapons and firing a single shotgun blast through the windshield of the BMW that previously tried to drive into the store way back when the driver was still able to make decisions, however bad. Nice car bro. \n\n“It’s nice to meet you, I’m--” Bang! Shit. She’s not making this easy, at all. Okay. It’s time to speak her language again, all this shooting is making me hungry and all the food is inside. Also, a drink couldn't come soon enough. “I’m coming in, don’t shoot”, I said as I fired like ten shots into the dark entrance while scrambling inside and doing my best to roll and lay prone followed by rolling and laying prone again; I think I may have even crawled on my belly with my elbows at one point. I’m sure it looked as cool as it felt. Thanks, video games. \n\nNow, here we are, you’re up to speed, and I’m still in checkout lane two, in the middle of my first meet cute, eating whatever impulse buys get shot into grabbing reach, waiting on my new best friend to stop trying to kill me. Time is not on my side here, so something has to shake. \n \nFinally, she quit shooting and started talking. \"Listen, dude, take the hint. I'm not here to make friends. I just want what I came for and I'll be on my way. You wouldn't want to be friends with me anyway. I'm not, uh, okay. I'm just in a really bad place in my life right now. You wouldn't understand.\"\n\n\"Look, whatever it is, we can talk about it, just don't shoot. I'm coming out.\" I tossed my pistol up onto the conveyor belt and raised my arms above my head and stood up. Silence. You could hear my stomach growling in the big, empty store. I'm just glad she didn't shoot me. \"Alright, hide-and-seek it is. Ready or not, here I come.\" Fuck, she's gonna kill my ass.\n\nBut she was nowhere to be found. I searched the immediate area, searched the whole damn place. The only thing I found was a small amount of blood-stained fabric in the beer and wine aisles. I was standing there scanning the area, when it hit me. I suddenly knew why she was here. Then I briefly but frantically started taking inventory on what was left, when I heard the squelch of tires again, this time followed by a loud crash. \n\n\"Shit!\" I rushed out of the front again to find that she had indeed ran out of an emergency exit while I was still in cover and tried to speed away. I ran to the car that came to rest against one of the light-posts in the far end of the parking lot. She was unconscious but breathing, and bleeding from her forehead and her bandaged forearm. The former from the wreck and the latter looked older. She came to and began to cry, not sob, just kind of sitting there crying softly.\n\n\"Really, just leave me alone.\"\n\nI scanned the scene and knelt beside the open door.\n\n\"How long?\" I asked.\n\nHer eyes dropped to look at her blood-soaked bandages.\n\n\"A week.\" She replied.\n\nI have this thing where I laugh at inappropriate times. So after doing that, I tried to brush her hair back out of her eyes but she recoiled and did it herself. \"Look we can't stay here.\" I said. \"Come with me, I have a place, plenty of alcohol, and plenty of things to tell you. I can help you if you just trust me.\" \n\n\"I know you have no reason to, but look at this.\" I paused. \"Don't freak out.\" Then I showed her the bite wound on the back of my calf. \n\n\"It's been almost two months now. It's a small town, but still not safe. Nowhere is. Not anymore. But I can protect you and help you figure this out, or at least keep you from killing yourself by getting too drunk and driving your car into poles.\" I held out my hand and she took it. It's a good thing that I cleaned the house. Looks like I'll be having company. Now, about breakfast.", "You stand in the aisle of the liquor store, facing the front door. You see a stack of wood there, sealing the entrance. Piles of metal and other large objects are layered there behind the wood, intended to prevent others from entering your home. \r \n\r \nYou turn to look at the shelf beside you. Unsurprisingly, it is empty. The whiskey, gin, and other liquors ran out long ago, shortly after you found out that staying slightly drunk would prevent you from turning into a zombie. You sigh and turn back towards the other end of the store.\r \n\r \n“Well, let’s see how the potatoes are doing.”\r \n\r \nYou walk through the store, passing aisles that are a slightly more shelved than the one you stood beside earlier. A variety of bottles filled the shelves, but the contents of each bottle are all the same: a clear, water-like liquid.\r \n\r \nAs you walk to the end of the store, you open a door and climb the ladder within. You reach the roof, climbing through the door on top of the building, and survey the vegetation in front of you. Large planters span the roof of the somewhat large liquor store, or liquor warehouse depending on who you ask, filled with motley of vegetables. The planters are split into four quadrants, numbered like in coordination with the hands of a clock. From top right, bottom right, and so on: one, two, three, four. Quadrant one is filled with healthy edibles, like carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and squash. Quadrant two is busting with graph vines being held up by homemade wooden pillars connected with old wire you found in the building below. Lastly, quadrants three and four are packed with rows of potatoes. \r \n\r \nYou walk over to the nearest quadrant and look at the grapes. \r \n\r \n“Hm, very healthy, doing well. I should be able to make a nice Merlot out of these.”\r \n\r \nYou turn to your left and begin to review your potatoes.\r \n\r \n“Also doing well. Better get downstairs and take my medicine now.”\r \n\r \nYou return to the bottom level of the building and head towards a table covered in clear bottles. You pass a large metal contraption, composed of barrels, a large metal pot, and various pipes connecting them together. As you near the table, you grab a bottle and remove the lid. You take a strong drink of the liquid, the substance burning your throat as it moves through your body.\r \n\r \n“Don’t think I’ll ever get used to this, but oh well.”", "Letter found pinned to the palisade gates on April 11, 2033. Origin unknown.\n\nDear village People,\n\nYouu fucks don believe me but I'm telling you that if your asses drink this goddamn whiskey you can survive the fucking zombie shit going on man you gotta. I drink thisn stuff all the time and I been bit so many times guys. Like it's too many times. And I ain't turned into no zombie. You can see right here goddammit. If you let me in, I can show you where I hid all the liquor in the stores that was nearby. And I went in there into that library in there over there and I got a full colecashun of Firefox books. I can shyow you fuckers how to make all the moonshine you need I know you got corn in there I saw it. I am very drunk and I am tired of fightin zombies when I'm trying to take a nap in the library. I am a good guy and you should let me in please.\n\nLove,\n\nHank" ]	12
	[WP] Magic vanished from Earth centuries ago but objects with simple enchantments remained, typically bladed weapons which are rare collectors items. What very few know is if one is prepared to destroy priceless artefacts their material and magic can be re-forged to create a modern magical weapon.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. 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Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It took a long time, but I finally did it.\n\nI stole Excalibur from Draco Malvolio.\n\nI, a common man, devised a plan that got through all his defenses to steal his most prized possession.\n\nIt lays before me, on my anvil, while I hold my most favored hammer in my strong hand. Excalibur's hilt in my other hand.\n\nWhat I was about to do was sacrilege.\n\nI was very near to not doing it when I heard a woman's voice. She sounded like she was in agony. \"Release me! I can not bear his touch any longer!\"\n\nI thought of what I planned, and her voice, still in anguish, took on another tone. Satisfaction. \"Yes! Do it!\"\n\nWith one will, we raised our hammer and brought it down on Excalibur at the perfect angle to shatter the blade. A female shriek tore across my nerves. The pain was incredible. As it subsided, I could feel a difference in our hammer. She was there, and all the energy of Excalibur was imbued in that hammer with her.\n\n\"Sleep now, Smith. I will keep guard.\"\n\nAs I slept, I dreamed of my plans. She was there to make suggestions and show me techniques long lost to this world. My plans grew more defined and refined every moment as I slept. I could see straight through my design to every flaw. Every place where there would be unwanted friction resolvable far less than a millimeter adjustment. All of these refinements must be built-in. You cannot take a flawed design and fix it by grinding to fit.\n\nI think it irked the Lady of the Lake to accept the necessity of ammunition, but where she preferred the creation of ammo rather than premade, there was no magic to spare for that. Premade it must be. Our thoughts turned to the design of the ammunition. Steel casings. Piezoelectric primers, infinitely reusable. The bullets themselves could be made of simple lead but would work better with a harder alloy and a perfect machined shape.\n\nWith all the enhancements, the maximum effective range to kill an unprotected human was ten times the full range for a 9mm automatic. You do not aim this weapon, you hold it, think of your target, and the gun aims you.\n\nAt that range, you are placing everything in the hands of the gods. This is never a good idea. Train with your weapon. Become the best you can with standard versions of your weapon at ever-increasing ranges. Arthur depended entirely on Excalibur's power precisely once and never again. I knew that mistake. I would not make it.\n\nThe next day we began.\n\nThe month following was a blur of smithing, training, and more smithing. On the last day, I was using the tiniest taps to transfer the last energies of The Lady to the weapon.\n\nA nine-millimeter semi-automatic of no known design. The rifling was perfection, the chamber a prefect fit, the gun whispered of majesty and power to those worthy to wield it. I placed it gingerly in the stone presentation box we had bespoke for it.\n\nThe magic of The Lady closed the lid and etched these words.\n\n Let the worthy one\n draw this weapon, for\n vengeance on the\n wicked.\n\n\"I am not worthy, am I.\"\n\nIf you have to ask, you already know the answer.\n\n\"Where shall I place you?\"\n\nShe showed me a rock, in a rectangular park, in the middle of a city, located on an island. I knew the place, although it was a long way away.\n\nIt would take the last of my funds to reach that place.\n\nThere is an alternative.\n\nThis was a masculine voice, full of power and knowledge. \"Merlin?\"\n\nYes.\n\n\"What are you offering?\"\n\nA choice. Pass the gun to another who will deliver it, remain here, and use your skills to construct weapons of beauty and death. They will surpass the best that any have to offer, but.. \n\n\"They will never equal or exceed Excalibur.\"\n\nCorrect. The alternative is that you destroy each of the tools used to create the new Excalibur and become the new Merlin. You will teach and advise those who are judged worthy. You will become the smith who shapes the wielder.\n\nYou have little time to make the choice.\n\nIt was no choice at all for me; I took my hammer and tossed it into the fire. My other tools followed; drills and lathes need only surrender their bits. I turned the blower to max and watched them melt and disappear into the charcoal. I am a traditionalist for some things.\n\nAs the last tool died, the last element of Merlin joined me.\n\nNone too soon! Face the door and smile!\n\nOf course, it was Malvolio, all angry and with his armed thugs.\n\n\"Too late, Draco! Seek me in the island city park!\"\n\nWe slipped to one side, an illusion holding our place, and left the room as his thugs poured fire into the illusion. Merlin did a workmanlike job of that, and we all got some amusement as Merlin gave a play-by-play of searching for the sword. They found nothing.\n\nDraco was so enraged that he used his prodigious strength to rip up the forge and throw it across the room. Scattering white-hot bits of metal and glowing coals across the room.\n\nThose coals and bits of metal fell among the detritus of the search. None escaped.\n\nThere is more than one way to remove an evil fr the world, said Merlin.\n\nWell! It seems I am not needed! The Lady was more than a little upset.\n\n\"Not so, Lady of the Lake, you are needed most when innocents surround the miscreant. Those men were known to me, steeped in evil until it reached what was left of their souls. They died. What remained was naught but evil.\"\n\nYou no longer sound like the smith who spent his energy reforming me.\n\n\"I am not. Merlin and I have fused on a level we did not expect. He is no longer Merlin, and I am no longer Victor. We are now Marcus Veritas.\"\n\nAnd did Merlin give you a choice?\n\n\"It would be as appropriate to ask if Victor gave Merlin a choice. It was mutual consent as we both recognized the potential benefits to all. Including you, My Lady of the Lake.\"\n\nYou presume too much!\n\n\"Do I, My Lady? For I am dedicated to you, entirely.\"\n\nI decide whom to accept! You are entirely too presumptuous!\n\n\"Then it is a good thing that I/We are here to advise you. Otherwise, you would find no bearer suitable. All that effort would go to waste.\"\n\nI will not accept a presumptuous buffoon as my wielder!\n\n\"My Lady, by the rules you know, everyone otherwise worthy to wield you is a presumptuous buffoon.\"\n\nThen have I no purpose in this world?\n\n\"Yes, you still have purpose. We simply need to educate the victim in proper behavior.\"\n\nVICTIM!? THEY CHOOSE ME!\n\n\"And yet, are they the same person they wanted to be?\"\n\nWell... No. They are what they had to become to accomplish their goal.\n\n\"Do you warn them?\"\n\nNo.\n\n\"Do you offer them the choice?\"\n\nI cannot, and you know this!\n\n\"Just so, I chose a young boy, and that made the start imperfect. That, more than anything else, brought down the golden age of Camelot.\"\n\n•••\n\n\"Well, it's as emplaced as we can make it, My Lady.\"\n\nI'm still not sure about the legend.\n\n\"It'll work! Trust me.\"\n\nThe distinct sound of a raspberry being blown came to me. One comes! Chased by many!\n\nMarcus Veritas faded into illusion. A young woman, clothing torn and muddy, burst into the clearing. A bell-like toll sounded, as the case slammed open. On the inside of the case:\n\n Let one seeking\n Righteous Justice\n Take Forth This\n Weapon and do\n Good.\n\nWith a sob, the young woman leaped to the rock and grasped the grip. Like a professional, she racked the gun and flipped the safety. Taking a shooter's stance, she waited for her assailants.\n\nThey burst through the bushes, skidding to a stop as they saw her standing resolute upon the rock with gun in hand.\n\nThe Leader showed up, \"what are you idiots doing. No way is that gun loaded or even functional beyond blanks. Now get her, strip the bitch, and spread her over the rock. We've got plenty to do, starting with me teaching her a lesson.\"\n\n\"Last chance, Rufo! Leave or die! That goes for the rest of you.\"\n\n\"Boolshiit. You don't got the guts. Take her!\"\n\nAs these ruffians moved forward, we could see some lagging behind. Others were drooling as they moved forward.\n\nResolution took her expression and she opened fire. Six went down, including Rufio.\n\n\"The rest of you have a second chance. Go home. Apologize. Live a better life.\"\n\nOne by one, they turn and leave.\n\nWell, My Lady?\n\nI think I like having a female hero for a change.\n\n((finis))" ]	2
	[WP] It used to be a ski resort, but a year ago a strange localized blizzard appeared around the peak. The mountain hasn't been climbed since, and those stuck at the top have been listed MIA. Any attempt to approach by air or otherwise has proved too dangerous, but that won't stop you from trying.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "~posting on mobile~\n-criticism of any kind is welcome if your not an ass about it-\n\nI don’t know about this one Mason…. Are you sure?\n\nyea, just take me up as far as your able to.\n\nThis mountain used to be a beautiful and quite popular ski resort. People would come from all over to test their mettle against the slopes, or just look at the scenery from such a high place…. But that was a year ago. Since then there has been a raging blizzard at the peak. That mountain has been left alone since and everyone that was at the top is either presumed missing, or dead.\n\nAny approach of this mountain by air has been listed as too dangerous and people are prohibited from climbing past a certain point on the trails. But there is just something about that blizzard that doesn’t sit well with me… it’s been raging nonstop for a year now. And I’ll be damned if I don’t find out why. So now, I’m here, approaching as close as I can with a good friend of mine in his helicopter. I’ve got everything that I’ll need for at least 2 weeks up here before I’m due to be picked up and taken back to civilization.\n\nThe peak of the resort is about 12998FT. Above sea level(3.96 kilometers).\n\nalright, this is as far as we’re going. The rest of your trip will have to be on foot.\n\nthanks for the lift Tom, I’ll see you in 2 weeks, or when I radio you, whichever comes first… and remember, if I’m a no show, don’t come in after me.\n\nhate to say it bud, but I wasn’t planning on it, your the only one crazy enough to try and brave that… you sure you got everything?\n\nYes, now set her in close so I can get going.\n\nroger\n\nI’m dropped about a day and a half from the blizzards edge. As soon as I’m clear of the helicopter, Tom takes off, does a quick circle round. And leaves.\n\nguess I’m stuck up here now…\n\nI can barely see the lights of civilization from here… but they’re still visible. I’ll have to be careful to not get lost. I’ve got a radio beacon on me for emergency pickup… I’ll have to be careful with it, because if it breaks… I’ll be up shit creek without a paddle.\n\nI give one last look to civilization before trudging forwards, I’ve got one helluva hike ahead of me.\n\n—————————\n\nI’ve nearly reached the blizzards edge and it’s only gotten colder the farther I’ve gone. So far everything has been going smoothly. The chances of me making it out of here are… slim… but not zero, especially if I’m smart about this.\n\nAll of me equipment and gear is in check, everything is secure and I’m covered as much as possible. I’m glad I brought my thermal cup, this thing is like magic. Never gets cold, super useful for melting snow and ice into fairly drinkable water. Food rations are also mostly unfrozen, despite the temperature. I have a feeling that I’ll be trying to thaw out most of my meals up here though…\n\nOk… let’s do this….\n\nI begin making my way into the blizzard… it’s not like anything I’ve ever experienced… definitely not what I expected… it’s like trying to move through jello… I keep pushing forwards. It’s freezing, even my thermal outfit isn’t doing much to help… maybe this was a bad idea… I keep pushing forwards. The wind is howling in my covered ears…. It almost sounds like screaming.\n\nThe next few days are like this with periodic rests in holes or under trees (mostly in holes) keeping my energy and temperature up. On the 5th day of travel (including when I landed here), the world seems to fall away… it’s just nothing… the blizzard stops, and wind stops… it’s still freezing but it’s calm… and then I feel a sinking feeling in my chest as I feel like I’m falling…\n______________________________________________\n\n-Authors note-\nI may make a second part if this gets enough attention to warrant the amount of time I’d spend. Hope you enjoyed it!\n\nYours truly: Maddman46~" ]	2
	[WP] “Would you have revenge against the one who wronged you, or forgive them and move on?” You blink as the voice says in your head “Revenge.” You say aloud, curious as to who the voice thinks wronged you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"It's just a hallucination, but I am bored, so here it goes... \nI choose revenge\" \nI said out loud, responding to a voice I heard in my head. \nAnd then... I waited. \nThe voice said that revenge will be taken on the person who wronged me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAfter a few minutes nothing happened. \n\"Just as I thought, it was only a hallucination...I am exhaust..\" \nMy thoughts were interrupted by a message. \n\"Come in tomorrow, there is something we need to discuss.\" \nMy boss sent such a message. \nI didn't even walk more than 10 steps, when another message broke the silence. \n\"We need to talk.\" \nThis time, it was from my fiancé. \n\"Weird.\" \nI thought to myself.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy fiancé wanted to take a break, she wasn't certain that I was \"The One\" for her. \nMy boss called me in, just to notify that I will be fired, because the company can't afford to keep this many employees, they've chosen to fire randomly 10 for fairness sake...and I was between those 10. \nEven if it was just these 2 news, it would've made my entire year terrible, but more came... \nBeing scammed, savings stolen, landlord selling the apartment building, thus remaining homeless, parents being quarantined in foreign lands...\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Why did this happen?\" \nI asked while taking shelter from the weather in a Cafe. \nOne waitress sat in front of me, and with weirdly glowing eyes smiled. \n\"Revenge on the one who wronged you has been taken\" \nShe said it with the exact same voice that I heard in my head. \n\"It was me?\" \nI asked, not being surprised at all. \n\"You already knew it, back when I first asked you\" \nShe answered looking me straight into the eyes. \n\"The regrets of giving up my dreams of animating scenes, losing my true love just because I was too stubborn to accept that she liked to travel... \nIt was my own decisions that wronged me the most...\" \nI said, sighing. \n\"It's always like this.\" \nShe said, before the glow disappearing, and the dizzy waitress standing up and leaving confusedly.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAfter almost a year of struggling, and suffering the trials of Mother Nature under bridges, and on park benches, I finally succeeded in getting into helping programs, and started my life anew. \nAfter a few years, not only have I succeeded in meeting my true love once more, randomly on the streets of the city, but also started my own business: a Design and Animation company, that was flourishing day by day. \nThe revenge taken on the one that wronged me was powerful, and it killed the old me, helping the new me to be born in full strength." ]	2
	[WP] Ghost of sunken ships can only rest once someone takes their gold on the land, but since few centuries ago, people started to believe that sunken gold is cursed and most don´t dare to even touch it.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Day 2371\n\nMy crew and I continue to patrol the seven seas for people willing to find out treasure. It's beginning to become maddening, as the ships aside us are now the size of castles and bearing the glistening sheen of porcelain as it bellows out like a thousand elephants and carrying boxes of steel on it's deck.\n\nWith hope slowly and agonizingly trickling down, we continue to look for islands, ships, people, Anyone who are willing to listen to me!\n\nThey can take my gold, then can take Our gold. They can take whatever we still have in our resting place.\n\nI'm beginning to lose words and things to say, as the days continue to become shorter and shorter. Dusk becomes dawn at the blink of an eye, and yet all we can see are the unforgiving waves keeping us from the afterlife.\n\nIf only we're lucky. If only we're lucky indeed." ]	2
	[WP] You adopted a mute parrot and after a few weeks of trust building, it begins to talk to you. After many conversations, you're pretty sure that this parrot is... special.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Josh wants to have a threesome with y'all.\" I am Josh and I did not.\n\n\"I am sorry. So sorry.\" You can't help feel responsible for what you parrot says. Why I am constantly apologizing when going out for walks. Piero insists we go out for walks. Piero the parrot that is. He says its to to meet new people.\n\nNew people like my neighbors across the hall, Bill and Ted. One of whom looks offended, the other a bit intrigued.\n\n\"I would never, ever, Ever have a threesome with either of you,\" The second 'ever' did the trick. Now, as a couple they looked equally offended . \"He is just a bird that likes to ruffle some feathers. Dont'cha Piero. Like to ruffle some feathers.\" And as a couple they reject the pun.\n\nI shuffle past of community mailbox to the sidewalk of my apartment complex. Out in the sun, Piero puffs out his grey feathers and shakes. I glance sidewise at him on my shoulder. He ignores me, maneuvering his black beak ritualistically, preening himself.\n\n\"Why is always about sex with you?\" I ask.\n\n\"Why is always about sex with you?\" parrots Piero.\n\nA bitter pill to swallow. The truth of the accusation alongside the idea employing my parrot as a part-time psychiatrist. Mostly, need someone to talk to and listen. Main difference from a real psychiatrist is all the judgement. Piero judges all. A survival mechanism for a prey species. Built in.\n\n\"You know I am not gay.\"\n\n\"I'm a bird.\" Piero declared.\n\nSometimes I doubted that. Sure, technically, he was a bird yet lately he seemed a bit more. I adopted Piero from a shelter after he was abandoned for, get this, being mute. Though it turns out African Grey parrots can start talking much later in life. Sometimes I blame myself for his learning to speak, other times I blame PBS for their quality early childhood development shows. Bastards. Monstrous Bastards.\n\n\"Well, if it ain't Slobodan Hitler,\" said Piero, upon seeing an oversize white poodle dragging my landlord along the sidewalk. The slobbering beast struggling and failing to control his dog.\n\nI retreat in the opposite direction. Also, make a mental note to stop comparing those who don't clean up after their dogs to genocidal dictators. Perhaps can compare them to common war criminals. I muse about a less innocuous search term.\n\nI hear sneakers pounding the pavement ahead of me. It was too late, too careless. I was committed halfway through the block with Jessica doing her daily run. The distance between us rapidly closing. She smiles and waves. I censor my thoughts and eyes. Trying my best to avoid noticing how well that black sports bra fits, words like glistening, how long I have been single.\n\nJessica slows to a walk and removes her left earbud. I give Piero a pleading look. He understands. Yet, there is a cruel look in that yellow eye with its beady black core. Birds are soulless creatures, I swear.\n\n\"Hi Piero! Hey Josh,\" said Jessica. Her fascinating dark eyes focus on the parrot. I don't blame her, Piero is the most interesting thing about me.\n\n\"Hey Jessica. Looking hot. I mean today looks hot. Is hot. The weather is sweaty...\" Death are you out there listening. Please end this suffering, it's me again, Josh.\n\n\"Josh thinks Jessica is pretty,\" said Piero.\n\n\"Aw, that's so sweet.\" Her cheeks shade a bit redder.\n\nIt was shocking. It was perfect. And it was a setup.\n\n\"He also cries after jerking his pickle.\"\n\n\"That's a lie!\" First off its always behind a closed door. Secondly, teary eyed at best, never full-formed droplets. Since when did being sensitive become a crime. \"I never once called it my pickle.\"\n\n\"Good to know. well I gotta run,\" she turns to leave. \"Bye Piero, See you later Josh.\"\n\n\"Call us.\" Piero rattles off my digits.\n\nShe did. She loves Piero. And Piero finds her funnier than me, and he is right. Gotta be honest, I don't mind being their third wheel. Although I hate my nickname around the neighborhood. The Pickle Pirate." ]	2
	[WP] an old friend who knew you in high school gets on your stream with you and your gaming buddy, and he starts revealing embarrassing secrets about you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Wassup peeps? It’s ya boi Nicky and his best bro Leif! Say hi to the nice people, Leif!\n\n…yo. Who’s ready to raid the Vaults of Miranda?\n\nHold up dude, I got a request from chat. @redloper wants to join the fun! Sure thing, bro beans, just as soon as we see your gamertag…and gotcha! Welcome to the Jackal Den, @redloper! Or do you wanna call us anything else?\n\n///you can just call me loper. Or Lopez, if I can call Leif by his real name. Ain’t that right, Jay?\n\n…who’s Jay?\n\n///“who’s Jay? Who’s Jay?” Bro, it’s me, Murphy Lopez! Don’t you remember me from high school? You used to get a kick outta me playing “Hotel California” in class!\n\nHoly crap, Leif, is this true? You never tell me about your old days, man!\n\n…there’s, like, a reason for that…\n\n///nah man, you were the only one who knew all the same songs I did! Why weren’t we better friends, man? We could’ve been a band, you and me!\n\n…with what talent?\n\nDude, just put a little more effort into carrying my tunes-\n\n///nah but Jay, for real, you were such a cool dude back then! You had all those classic rock tees too, but you always wanted the one I had with the lyrics to “Stairway to Heaven-“\n\n…don’t you dare say “no homo”\n\n///I don’t care that you’re gay-\n\n…I’m bi-\n\n///I wouldn’t have known, though! Didn’t you used to rate all the girls you thought were hot?\n\nWhat the…Leif, is that true? You dumbass-\n\n…I was 16! I didn’t know any better-\n\n///I mean, your taste was impeccable, though. Remember how Trina taught you how to say “I wanna fuck” in Tagalog or some shit, and you thought it was “my name is Jay?” Damn she was fine though-\n\n…shut up Murphy, I’m not that dude anymore-\n\nAre ya? Bro, you’re still as clueless as ever with the ladies-\n\n…don’t encourage him-\n\n///don’t tell Nicky what to do, man! You got so many stories to tell!\n\nYeah Leif, you’re a writer, right? You got stories-\n\n…shut up already!\n\n///oh damn, I forgot you used to melt down sometimes. Damn, Jay, you always got so stressed. Just take a chill pill!\n\nI been telling him-\n\n…fuck you guys! Fuck! I’m done here-\n(LeifDarrowson has left the stream)" ]	2
	[WP] Despite your reputation as a Dark Lord, you have a strict moral code. So when a young girl showing signs of abuse wandered into your realm, you took her in. Now the neighboring kingdom is acusing you of kidnapping their princess. You have to choose between returning her to her abusors or war.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I am the Dark Lord, or so they call me in this era.\nI have been known by many names, but it seems 'The Dark Lord' is my new one.\nThey say my kingdom is one that all see, no matter their fates.\nI have been accused, bargained with, threatened, by those who have heard of my tales. Yet no one seems to be able to find my land until their last moments. \nI do not wish their lives to be at an end, but it is what must happen when their time has come.\nI do understand their hatred towards me, it is a way to grieve over those they lost. \n\nMost recently of course, a young princess has come into my land.\nWhen I appeared before her, she wished to stay with me, I did not force her hand like her father says. She told me tales of how she was neglected, locked away in a room high in the clouds. It was as if her father had believed in Fairytales and had waited for that knight in shining armor to come. Sadly, I am the closest thing, barren in armor, lightly clad in clothing as I am. I cannot bring her back to her king, no matter how much I try. It is not my decision, but the decision of this land. It is only my duty, my job, to guide this princess in her current direction, as I have done with many others before her.\n\nHer father however, believes I can be bargained with, to give his daughter back, yet he does not know that I only guide those gone. He has cursed my name, among names of many others I know, claiming I have done an unfair deed by taking in this lost soul. Unfortunately I do not even know his name, nor his kin's. I only know my destiny, as much as the princess now knows hers.\n\nAs I usher the princess into her afterlife, my scythe of harvest in hand, I can see in the distance, the king weeping at the once living, young daughter before him. Set carefully in her final resting bed. I know I must bring this daughter to her new life. \n\nI only hope that her father, will soon not follow in her footsteps, to meet me, The Reaper of Souls, Death. But I will hold no grudge towards them if they do.\n\n*I really liked the writing prompt given here and I interpreted it in an odd way, I saved it until I finally had time and wrote this in a spur of the moment. This is the first prompt I have written for, and my first time here, I only hope it's at least decent. Not a writer normally but I just liked this idea so much.", "The citizens of the small kingdom not far away from his estate pounded on his door, in the vain hope that they could bring it down. Fools. The sound rumbled through the stone walls like a barking dog that’s unable to bite.\n\nThe man sat up, resting his chin on his hand. From the heights of his palatial fortress, Kieran could see the glow of the torches and the metallic sheen of the tips of the rakes. He had no other reaction than to laugh. They should have known that reputations like his didn't come out of nowhere. Oh, yes. He build every inch of it himself.\n\nLord Kieran Dietrichson, or — as he had been affectionately referred to — the Dark Lord, had made a name greater than himself, with feats so exceptional that it crossed realms and oceans. And it could not have happened differently. The greatness was in his blood, as well as the shadows that were part of him. Once, as a child, he had asked his father the meaning of his own name:\n\n“Little dark one,” he said, with a smile.\n\nThe late lord always said that he would lighten his people with his darkness and, likewise, would his children, after him. No nation had dared to face the great kingdom of Ilyria, not since one of his distant ancestors had swallowed an entire army with his shadows. The story soon turned into legends, and then into terrifying tales, as people passed it along. So he couldn't help but to be amazed when the young princess came to his kingdom, too desperate to fear him.\n\nAt first, he didn't understand what she was doing there, in his castle, or the reason for her reddened cheek or the deep cut on her right arm. And, against the instincts that had kept Ilyria standing for so many centuries, he let her in.\n\n“They are crying out for me.\" She said, in a saddened voice, as she climbed the last step, settling into the narrow hallway beside Kieran. “I must leave immediately. It's the right thing to do.”\n\n“No.\" He said, immediately.\n\nThey were pretty much the same age. Yet they were so different. The lord was his own man, he traced his own steps and carried the weight of his crown responsibly. While Nadya could not even consider herself the owner of the jewelry she possessed. The girl with eyes as dark as night stared at him, sure of her decision. Her stubbornness would not kill a single soul.\n\n“No.\" Kieran held her wrist gently, still aware of the incessant rumble of the soldiers who accused him of having kidnapped the princess. \"You can’t.\"\n\n“You have to make a choice.\" The princess got up, with no hesitation in her eyes. She showed determination, even though the shimmering path of tears was still etched on her cheeks. He admired Nadya's courage, giving herself up and accepting a fate she didn't want, for the sake of people she didn't even know. \"It's either me, or the war.\"\n\n\"You can't marry that man.\" The ebony-haired man followed her as she hurried down the stairs, ignoring him every time he shouted her name.\n\nNadya didn't want him to see him like this. She couldn’t deny she'd been afraid when she'd first seen him, but now she… she clung to Kieran's lovely gray eyes, clung to the care he showed his people, even though that didn't always extend to outsiders.\n\nShe always knew that there was something dark about him… the stories they told her about Ilyria… about him… She never thought he would her so much kindness. Nadya was certain that nothing would be able to diminish her appreciation for him. Not when the lord welcomed her when none of the other doors she had knocked on opened for her.\n\n“He hurt you.\" He continued on, catching up with her at the end of the narrow stairs.\n\n“It's my duty.\" Nadya finally turned to him. Her face swollen and reddened as an absolute proof that it wasn't her wish to go back home. He knew he needed to stop her, even if he had to release them… \n\nEven if he feared that, upon discovering the truth, the princess would run away from him in a blink of an eye. But losing her would still be worth, could it keep her away from that pathetic excuse for a man. No, for a human. \n\n“You managed to escape, you can't go back to him.\" He pleaded for the last time.\n\n“Kieran, I…”\n\n“Let him come get you then.\" The lord declared, his hand resting on the hilt of the sword still hung at his side in a leather scabbard. \"By himself.\"\n\nThe princess opened her mouth to argue with him, but before she could say anything, the lord interrupted her. “That's my choice.”\n\nFrom the height of his post, the herald announced that Lord Dietrichson had agreed to receive the prince who had dared to claim that Nadya belonged to him. As if she were nothing more than a beautiful object.\n\nKieran took a deep breath as his veins blackened, taking in the shadows.\n\nSooner or later, she would discover his true nature anyway, he consoled himself, only hoping that she could still see him with the same eyes.\n\nWith each beat of his heart, the dark strands expanded until they reached his fingertips, until all he could see was the monstrous nature of the men who vowed to protect their people, whilst he knew it couldn’t be further from the truth. They wondered how many gold there was in his treasure and for how much his subjects could be sold as slaves. \n\nHe knew that the words of coward men, like the prince, meant nothing, so it came as no surprise to the Dark Lord when the entire army stormed the now-open gates only to be swallowed up in his darkness, their skins withering and turning to ashes below his feet. \n\nA death brought by their own treachery. \n\nThe shadows consumed the perversity in their hearts and, once more, his darkness turned the world a bit more brighter. \n\n\n* Sorry if there’s any grammar/spelling mistake. English is not my mother language. 🤍\n\nI hope someone actually reads this, hahah", "\"High Physician! A letter has arrived from the GKoM!\"\n\nMy current patient, a young man who had somehow managed to break not one but BOTH of his legs in a mining accident, nearly fell off the bed at the appearance of my bony herald. Jenner stood at over 12 feet tall and resembled a suit of armor made from pure white bone with long retractable metal spikes in the fists. My other guards, both of whom were more moderately sized bone organisms just looked at me and shrugged.\n\nOpening the letter, which in the style of the Great Kingdom of Man had somehow managed to use actual gold leaf in the ink, the rest of my patients watched as it rolled all the way down to the floor. It took 20 minutes to read, which given the sheer number of documents I have to read in a day says quite a bit, yet contained only 2 points of note.\n\n1. You have the king's daughter.\n2. Give her back or we will destroy everything you care about.\n\nGiving the pair of nurses my final orders I released control of Dr. Kinsman and my consciousness returned to my usual body, a 3 meter tall 6 armed skeletal thing that could generally be called humanoid when it wasn't crawling through vents to scare small children. As I resumed control I found it gazing down at High Nurse Becca's boy Carl, who conveniently was showing the lass in question his first modification, a set of bone blades that shot from his wrist with a gesture and could be retracted with barely a sign of their presence. According to his mother, he couldn't go an hour without showing it off to someone, but boys will be boys and he was 16 after all.\n\n\"Having fun?\" I said from exactly 10 centimeters away from him. Immediately Carl whipped around and would have taken my head off if I hadn't been a 3 meter tall bone monstrosity.\n\n\"Oh, High Physician.\" He sheepishly put away the blade. I noticed that the princess hadn't flinched. Bloodshot eyes that saw everything with a detachment that went beyond calm. \"Didn't see you there. I was just showing our Jane Doe my first mod.\"\n\n\"Not Jane Doe anymore, her name is Julia, and her father is looking for her.\" At those words, I actually caught a bit of fear. It was subtle, beneath what Carl would notice thankfully.\n\n\"He must be really worried, we've had her for over a month and she's still wearing more bandages than regular clothes,\" Carl replied. His pager buzzed, calling him away. He said a quick goodbye to Julia and ran off. As he left I could see the last bit of light leave Julia's eyes. It had been a good idea having them run into each other, Carl needed more friends his own age, and I had a feeling Julia just needed a friend.\n\n\"Come, let us go for a walk.\"\n\nI lead Julia Truecrown, for now I knew her name, through the open areas of the Citadel of Bones. Once upon a time it had been a large hospital, but that was before the plague. I made sure to take a circuitous route, past the aquarium full of colorful fish and jellies that were either too fragile or too dangerous to let into the local waterways. Past the training fields where patients who sported prosthetics trained with their augmented limbs and organs. I noticed her eyes fixed upon one of my generals who was swinging a pair of bone scimitars around in a complex dance that held six of his best men at bay. After a few minutes, I led her to a section that had quite the commanding view of the great wall. A decade ago the so-called Great Kingdom of Man put up a commanding wall made of stone and what high voltage electric fence they could scavenge to keep out the biologic nightmare to the West. Of course, I had responded with a great bone wall, and it had been against that bone wall I had found Julia.\n\n\"I can't go back.\" Julia said after a good 20 minutes or so.\n\n\"Obviously,\" I replied. \"It would be against my oath as a Physician to return a patient to her abuser, be that a parent or spouse.\" I paused. \"Yet as a leader, I also cannot lead my people into a war we have no way to win.\" I saw her stare out at the wall. \"Yes, the wall is impressive, and we are far from helpless, yet according to our agents, the Great Kingdom has roughly 2000 men who are trained in the sling and 1000 who are skilled in the iron sword. My own forces number 300 men skilled in the art of bones and 200 skilled with bio-plasma. Even if we won it would be at such a great cost neither kingdom would survive for much longer. I am a man of principle, but I am also a realist. One does not live to the age of 300 based on ideals alone.\"\n\n\"Will you live the next 300 with the knowledge of what you are about to do?\" She asked. \"Or will strong drink shield your sleeping mind from such thoughts?\"\n\n\"Why you little...\" I had to take a moment. Traumatized, staring a fate worse than death in the eyes, and she pulled out a line like that. What kind of environment makes a kid grow up like that? Admittedly DNA testing indicated she was 18-20, but still. \"Fine.\" With a gesture, I grew a 20 sided polyhedron. \"Here, take this.\" She looked blankly at me, but accepted the die. \"Before I make a decision I always roll the bones, it helps me to make a choice. So, shall I raise the banner of war?\"\n\nWith a hopeless sigh Julia let her hand droop, and the die fell from her hand.\n\nNat 1", "Known only as \"The land of eternal slumber\" the real name of the ancient kingdom was forgoten long ago. No life remained within the dark borders of overgrown forest of jet blak leaves or in the guts of the twin mountains that towerd over everything. No sane man would dare to walk this abandoned roads, for the tales of evil of its wicked ruler were truer than dawn.\n\nYet, the silence of the forest was continously broken by the shaking breath of a small body. A girl, runing as fast as she could from the eyes in the dark, wishin this wouldn't be her sorry end. \n\nshe stumbled with a root, hiden by the grey fog that hovered over the almost white grass and slimy dirt, and fell. Yet, she kept running.\n\nshe ran and ran until she found a castle in the middle of the forest, with its walls untouched by the forest nor time. Great stone walls craved as if the arms of many races were toppling one over the other, white shades flying around the four dark towers and a bone shilling cold that warned death.\n\nin a trance she walked in, her next memory, was awaking in a hall dimly lighted by blueish white candles. she gripped her cloak tighter, for the air was cold and got things she wanted none to see, and walked the hall down. As soon as she was coming close to a the door, showing in its surface a warrior and a priest staring at each other, it opened itself to her revealing a lo a throne room. There were two thrones one had a full suit of dark metal armor and the other, had the bones and robes of a priest of a long lost cult (now acting as queenly dress), both without a single speck of dust. she stood in the middle of the room for a bit and the dim light became bright flames and a voice, like a howling wind, was heard through the entire room. \n\n[Come ] comanded the armor with small flames coming out of the gaps, and the shape of a face beneath the helm, and beside him, the bones were covered by ethereal blueish transparent flesh revealing a kind face.\n\nShe obeyed, and walked up near to the stairs to the throne.\n\n[Closer] ordered again, and she obeyed for death was still to scary for her. she stood hidden within the hood of the cloak in front of the Dark lord feared by every one, and he rised.\n\n[ I am Aion, Lord of the kingdom of Walstenia, conqueror of the dark realms. I command you, foreign royalty, to tell me why have you come to my lands]\n\n[...] she could not utter a word, she could only tremble at the sight a of the giant kinght of dread towering above, since she was only a third of his height. \n\n[Then, reveal your self to me]\n\nAs he got no response, he lowerd him self to her height and with a touch of his hand on her shoulder, everything she wore was burned down. She was not hurt during the process, but stood there hoping death. And so, there she was, naked infront of the wort monster the Kingdoms of Erestya had known, trembling as a cornered sheep infront of a wolf.\n\nWithout anything to cover her skin everything was in plain sight, and a sudden rage came to the evil ruler, his eyes sprouting cinder and fire. Her beutiful woolley pink heir has shredded. Her face was distorted, her right eye black and shut, craked lips and a cuts on her cheeks.Part of the skin of her back were missing or flailed. her feet burned and without nails. her tights lacerated and her stomach branded and punched. who ever did this took their time with her, a long time.\n\nThe priest, in a flash jumped to her and hugged her tight and screamed like the withered leaves \n\n[Who could do such atrocious acts?! Who could be so evil to torture such an small girl?! ]\n\nand no more cold the girl felt. No more dread came from them. She only felt warmth flowing into her through her battered skin, so she cried as her legs gave in from exhaustion.\n\nThanadis vi Dalmos told them everything. How her step mother and siblings enjoyed hearing her screams, how it started with simple beatings full way up to torture and how her father turned a blind eye to it until he started taking part into the evil play. But one she ran away and somehow she ended up runing into them.\n\n[susch, sushc, cry no more little Thanis, none will ever hurt you again] said the light queen Amatyr.\n\n[None] Said the blazing knight.\n\nWar will come to Dalmos and it's rulers shall suffer.", "Part 1:\n\nGruftania had long had a reputation as cursed lands; dark woods infested with Pricolici and dark magics practiced by monstrous nobles, ruled over by a monstrous evil eons old. It was a reputation well-earned and carefully cultivated, I admit; I raised the Pricolici myself to patrol my land's borders and I had personally tutored each Lich-Baron on the finer points of Necromancy and curses. And, of course, I was that monstrous evil.\n\nIt was quite the surprise, then, when a child wandered barefoot and alone into my forest in the dead of night. Not a minder in sight, the Pricolici told me later.\n\nIt was her scent that led them to her and told them she was not Gruftanian. Roses instead of freshly turned earth, apple orchards rather than grave dust. A lucky thing. If she didn't smell like she'd been doused in perfume, the Pricolici's appetites might not have curdled and they might have eaten the 'invader' before bringing her to me to pass judgement.\n\nShe sat calmly among the slavering monsters I called servants as I roared and snarled at them in their own tongue, as their clawed hands tightened their grip on her arms and cut slits into her disheveled dress, her skin. She moved so little that I would have thought she was reanimated if not for her blood still smelling fresh. Her little voice was hoarse and dry, like her throat was coated in sand, when I asked for her name, but she spoke with a noble's arrogance.\n\n\"I am Princess Zofia nic Dama, my Lady.\" She said, spine straight and face impassive. Like an empress on her throne looking down at a trespasser, rather than the reverse.\n\nZofia nic Dama. The latest in a long line of upstarts who had built mud huts just beyond my castle's woods and had the gall to call it their land. I had no love for them, and under most circumstances I'd have been hard-pressed not to feed her to her captors or hand her over to a Lich-Baron or simply have her decorate a pike on the castle walls. I admit, I was very close to following through on one of those terrible things, but I'd sworn to be a pragmatic queen, not a cruel one.\n\n\"Sit and rest. I will have a meal, fresh clothes and a room prepared for you. In the morning, I will send for one of your subjects to fetch you.\" I told her and rose from my throne. The Pricolici chuffed their displeasure but they knew better than to harm one I'd offered my hospitality to. One gave her a gentle tug on the arm, careful not to cut her with its claws, and wordlessly motioned for her to leave the room.\n\n\"My Lady, please wait.\" She called after me. I stopped, taking a deep breath to quell my irritation.\n\n\"What is it?\" I did not use her title. Her family had no proper claim in my eyes, and if she decided to correct me the Pricolici would get their way after all.\n\nNo correction came. In fact, none of her previous 'noble airs' did. She knelt on one knee, pulling her arms out of the Pricolici's now-tender grip, and bowed her head low.\n\n\"I, Zofia nic Dama, strip myself of all grandeur and status,\" She recited, eyes on the floor. \"and humbly ask the Lady of this castle to grant me sanctuary.\"\n\nThe Pricolici couldn't speak, but many of them were originally criminals from her homeland and understood what she said. They looked to me questioningly.\n\n\"I...\" I began, taken aback by the humility and submission shown by a nic Dama of all things.\n\nShe looked up at me. Her expression was hard, but her lip quivered and the beginnings of tears were welling in the corners of her eyes.\n\n\"Please.\" She mouthed, no longer a foolish, self-absorbed squatter, but a scared child.\n\nI hesitated, more than I would care to admit when speaking of helping children, but I relented.\n\n\"I, Queen Wilhelmina Tepesh, grant you sanctuary and guarantee your safety behind my castle walls.\" I replied, following her home's etiquette. I paused, before adding, \"Stand, princess. I welcome you as an equal, not a supplicant.\"\n\nHer eyes went wide. Then she smiled, shedding her tears freely. \"Thank you, my Lady.\" She said, bobbing her head. The Pricolici helped her to her feet and, the audience over, led her out to the kitchens.\n\n\\---\n\nOver the course of the next few months, as I watched over her, I learned more about the princess, her life and, eventually, why she did not want to return.\n\nHer father had passed a few days before she had arrived, she explained, and she had to sit a throne she did not want. What was worse, she might not have wanted it, but her uncles did.\n\nShe would tell me, late at night when she needed to confide in someone, of how they would whisper words dripping with venom about one another in her ears at all hours of the day, how they would shower her with gifts she did not ask for and how they fought each other for the opportunity to influence her. I'd stroke her hair and whisper gently to her as she recalled her last days as queen, hoping to soothe her even as my anger seethed and bubbled in my belly.\n\nOne night, near the end of one of her stories, she revealed what pushed her to run. Men, wearing no uniforms, attacked the palace in the dead of night. Many of the guards joined them, and those that did not were drunk, asleep or soon dead. She fled to the sound of fighting and her father's knights dying in her stead.\n\nI could hear her that night, weeping and begging forgiveness from them in her sleep. For being a coward and a weak queen.\n\nI decided then and there that I would take her in officially. I would care for her until she was strong enough to stand against her demons.\n\nHer family. \n\n(EDIT: Punctuation and grammar corrections.)", "“Foul monster, return my daughter to me now!” growled the King of the Suns. Indeed, his golden hair glistened quite sweetly in the light of the rising suns, from bristled beard to flowing locks. His yellow eyes held a spark of wrath within them, shivering with the raw emotion. And, yet, Malthius could not see what other claim this mortal held to the Suns. He is quite… yellow. But does he control when they rise and fall? Which holds supremacy over the other? The alternate colorings? I do not understand…\n\nMalthius flicked Power from his fingers idly, and glanced back up to the Sun King. “There’s no need to be rude, my royal majesty. We’re all people here. Or, at least, once upon a time we both were.”\n\nThe King’s noble warriors bristled, gauntleted fists grasping at the many hilts of puresteel. “Everyone knows what you are,” one sneered. \n\n“Oh?” Malthius said, putting hand to open mouth. “And what is that?” \n\n“The Bane of the First Sun. The Great Dark. The Northern Shadow. Lord of lands bathed in shadow and steeped in foul sorcery, where the only rule of law is blood and agony.” The King drew himself up proudly as he said these titles, as though they made him better by comparison. Hum. Malthius drew Power to his eyes, and stared deep within the King. His noble spine retracted suitably once more, and Malthius smiled.\n\n“Ah, yes, those. I am very evil, oh, yes. And very powerful, too.” He called Power to his palms, and let shadows dance there, holding them for all to see. He willed Frost forth, and the room grew colder. “So I will keep your daughter, thank you very much. She prefers it in the land of shadow, you know.” \n\n“So you say!” The King roared, thumping fist to chest. “I would see her, to hear her repeat these Devil’s lies with her own mouth!”\n\n“She does not wish to see you. I believe her words were “stupid prick”, among others. And while you have all these proud little roosters to bring authority to your every royal word, I have the Power of Binding to lend credence to mine. So, hear me, King of the Sun!” \n\nMalthius stepped closer, then closer still. He drew even more Power to his gaze, and let it flush his body. Frost, Shadow, and more. All the Aspects of the Void, made manifest in his Form. “You shall not have her.” \n\nThe King shuddered visibly, and staggered away from Malthius. All his glistening retainers suddenly lost their luster, and trembled alongside him. \n\nThe King, to his mild credit, recovered first, and wrath filled his royal countenance. “Then war shall rake your lands, from here to the Sea of Ash. Humanity will not stand for this.” \n\n“Is that so?” Malthius asked. “You speak for humanity? A declaration of war?” \n\n“Yes!” The King proclaimed. \n\n“Then allow me to respond.” Malthius snapped his wrist forward, Bindings leaping to his command. The nearest knight exploded in a shriek of steel and flesh, shards of pink ice scattering everywhere. His remains began to smoke darkly. \n\nA handful more of small, precise motions, and two hundred more corpses stained the width of Malthius’ Visitor Hall. The Sun King stood among them, fear now the only expression that clung to his face. \n\nMalthius took another step, and he was face to face with him. “She told me everything you and yours have done. By all means, declare war. Go back with your tales of my wickedness and terrible power. I want war. Send your armies. Send your wrath. Send Binders of your own, if you can manage to acquire them.” Malthius concentrated within his fist, and punched the King with the sound of breaking ice. He flew a dozen strides, sliding to the entrance doors with suitably grandiose, kingly grace. \n\n“It’s been a while since I’ve have such good fun!”", "\"My liege, we've found a girl in the woods!\" \nOne of my werewolves said. \n\"Bring her to me.\" \nI said. \nNot long after, the werewolves, with the help of some dwarves, brought a young girl in, on a makeshift stretcher. \n\"She's....\" \nI started saying, when I examined her with Appraisal magic. \nBesides the useless information such as: \"Princess of the Alreah Kingdom, Moon Essence Body...and so on\", there was one thing that bothered me: \"Status: malnourished, weak inner organs due to regular external shocks, strong will, strong resistance against pain...and many more similar statuses\" \n\"Take her to the Empress's chambers, she's a great healer, she will take care of her.\" \nI said, while I called for a meeting with my generals, five days later.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"We face a war with multiple kingdoms, and maybe both Empire's will join in.\" \nI said, not bothering about niceties. \n\"Why? My liege, we've been following your orders, building up our strength, while hunting down only outcasts, and criminals. \nThe so called \"Holy\" countries shouldn't have anything to hold against us.\" \nA lich general said. \n\"Have you heard about the girl our troops found in the forest, roughly 5 days ago?\" \nI asked. \n\"Yes, my liege. \nThe Empress was outraged by the humans torture that they've submitted such a young lass to... \nThe girl became your adopted daughter yesterday, it would be impossible for us not to know.\" \nThe werewolf general said. \n\"She's the only princess of the Alreah Kingdom, and I assume she was tortured all her life, for one single purpose: to incriminate us as being worse than beasts, and unite the other kingdoms against us.\" \nI said sighing. \n\"Those...Those bastards!\" \nA dragon general exclaimed, smashing the table into pieces.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Now what, my liege?\" \nA succubus general asked. \n\"Their letter came in just this morning...We either give her back, or we wage war. \nThey are pretending that we kidnapped her.\" \nI said, shaking my head. \n\"Then just give her back, when they see her in an immaculate state, they won't have anything against us!\" \nA ogre general said. \n\"The moment we give them the girl, she will die. \nAnd they will claim that the cause of death was succumbing to the injuries she gained from being tortured, and used by our soldiers.\" \nI said, this thing once happening centuries ago. \n\"But the demon creed is widespread across the many countries warriors!\" \nA wearbear shouted.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Strength above all. \nThose strong should protect the weak, because only by pushing thy limits will you succeed in bettering yourself! \nConsuming, preying on the weak will not help a warrior to sharpen itself, rather it will dull the blade, and the spirit, making from a warrior just a mundane criminal! \nThose strong should protect the weak, as it will be harder to fight for 2 than just for one, thus honing thy skills even more! \nThe weak exist as a reminder, that those that don't spearhead the progress, only regression will exist! \nSo be brave, and be strong, and challenge those stronger than you!\" \nMost of the generals chanted the creed.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"It's a naive creed, but due to our innate constitution, which allows demons to become stronger once on the door of death, it makes it vital. \nNow, prepare for war.\" \nI said, massaging my temples.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n3 months later, the war preparations for both sides were over, and the horns of battle have been blown. \nI've been just about to go to the commanding centre built as a forward base, but my doors were opened, by an unexpected guest. \n\"Father...don't go.\" \nA young girl, with long blonde hair, came in, saying that. \nShe was the princess we've saved...my adopted daughter. \n\"Sweetie, you deserve peace. Not even we, the barbarian demons force our children to be tortured...well, the dragons do bathe their dragonlings in wild sources of their element, but that's another story.\" \nI said, smiling at her. \nDuring these 3 months, she opened up a lot, especially to my wife, and begun to help around the castle.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"But...it is due to me, that so many will die...\" \nShe said, sobbing. \nI went, and hugged her. \n\"You were just the catalyst forcefully used by those disgusting humans.\" \nI said, before realising I just insulted her relatives. \nBut she didn't take offense. \n\"They are disgusting, and all deserve to die!\" \nShe said, gritting her teeth. \n\"And they will, father promises.\" \nI said, knocking her out with a sleeping spell.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nParents shouldn't see their children die, and suffer, while children shouldn't try to share their parents burdens too early. \nI've left, and with my army we've successfully fought back the allied armies of the humans, and not only that, we've conquered the Alreah Kingdom. \nThe kingdom which made my little girl suffer, was then given back to her as her territory. \nAnd she proved herself much more worthy than any of those before her, that used her only as a tool, thinking that she was worthless. \nUnder her ruling, the land prospered, and with the demons help, the kingdom soon became the 3rd Empire of our continent, something that didn't happen in the last 1000 years.", "Long, long ago, the good and fair people of the Grand Duchy of Eastmarch had learned what was good for them. What was good was tending their fields and herds in their warm, green meadows. Frolicking alongside clear streams while picking flowers. Enjoying a frothy beer over warm company at the local tavern. The good and fair had learned what was good. For they knew what was bad. \n \nGarsylvania. \n \nMore particularly, the lands situated west of the rolling forests going into the Dark Mountains. Lands resting between the cold waters of the River Arrugos and the Black Swamps. It was a land of mists and darkness. Of old growth forests full of even older things. Certainly people inhabited the ancestral lands of Garsylvania. Descendants of my many serfs, craftsmen, and minor nobles before... well before The Change. Now the good and the fair of Eastmarch shuddered when they met their distant darker cousins, colloquially called the Garmanii. \n \nI am told a brisk grey trade still exists on the borders of the River Arrugos and in certain hunting camps along the forest. Only the bravest, most foolish, or perhaps the most desperate come to meet with the Garmanii. For despite their dour fatalism and perpetual gloom, they still produce marvelous wonders. The kinds of bits and baubles a knight might trade half his annual yield for. I allowed this trade because it brought the only commodity I desired with it. Namely, news and information. \n \nMy little sparrows brought me such tidbits. Young Garmanii boys and girls who had been graced with my fleeting presence. I tend to leave a mark, even if you cannot see it. And it binds the marked one to me. One such sparrow stood before me now in a receiving room of my castle. He was perhaps no more than thirteen summers, lean, but already starting to show the vestiges of the man he would become. \n \n\"What have you learned, little one,\" I rumbled, seated in my high backed chair. A warm glass of the red swished lazily in my hand. \n \n\"Sire,\" said the young one languidly. I believe his name was Simon, or perhaps Samuel. It did not matter. The boy's eyes were fixed on a point a thousand miles away, his pupils dilated. \"The duchess-in-waiting, Lady Karalina Dos Santos has gone missing. The Grand Duke has drawn up his knights and vassals. Some say she was last seen heading west on horseback. Heading to...\" \n \n\"Leave me,\" I commanded with a flourish of my hand. The boy in my thrall dutifully departed without a word. He would be back with his village soon with no memory of where he had been or why he had felt compelled to seek me out. \n \nI closed my eyes and drifted to other senses. The creatures of the night slowly filled my awareness. First, at the periphery. But soon all around me. The bats would be the most useful as they covered ground quickly. Ah yes, there. A lone wonder moving among the thicket as if blindly. To confirm, I asked a she-wolf who was currently on the hunt to stalk this prey and capture her scent. It took no longer than the span of a short conversation for me to discern this intruder's location. For this is my realm, after all. \n \nWith a mere thought I took flight. The moon was almost full and hanging bright above. That was good. It meant she would be able to see me. I landed a dozen feet from the girl silently as fog blowing in. She did not notice. I saw that her horse was gone. \n \n\"You trespass upon my land, young Lady Karalina. Tell me why I should not tie you up and sell you to the Garmanii for a bottle of red.\" \n \nThe girl, no, I could see her clearly in the moonlight, the young woman paused. She did not act frightened. I got the sense that fear and terror had all been exhausted long ago. Now she only expressed weariness from the depths of her soul. \n \n\"Do what you will, sir. It could be no worse than what I have fled from.\" Lady Karalina's voice was hoarse but resolute. \n \nShe lifted her face to me and I saw bruises upon it. Her left eye was swollen almost completely shut. Upon her lips she had cracks and swelling, obvious signs of an open handed slap there. Upon the wind I could smell something that had almost become foreign, a smell I had relegated to the old times just after The Change when I had fought tooth and nail to carve out this land. \n \n\"Where did they burn you, child?\" I had dropped the menace in my voice. \n \nLady Karalina stood to her full height slowly, shaking as she did. She hiked up her traveling dress beyond modesty and I saw... \n \nIt was monsterous. Someone had taken a hot brand to her liberally and cruelly. Her skin was puckered and raw in rectangular stripes. Whoever had done this had taken their time. \n \nFor the first time in ages I felt my blood run hot. A flush filled my pale cheeks, the first color there in perhaps a generation. I felt my fangs involuntarily arch out, the demon in me howling for the blood of whoever had dared to do this. Scooping the young Lady up in my arms, I carried her quick back to my castle. She did not protest. I covered lengths that would have taken normal men days. \n \n\"Who did this to you?\" I asked, bathing the young Lady's head with a cool, wet cloth. Attendants of mine were seeing to her burn wounds and applying salves that would ease them. \n \n\"I... I'm so thirsty,\" said the young heir to the throne of Eastmarch. \n \n\"Tell me who did this and then you may drink.\" \n \nShe lay there for a long silence. Finally a resolve filled the Lady's face. \n \n\"My father,\" she said. \"He came to me in the night drunk in his cups. He wanted to lay with me but I fought him and kicked him and....\" Tears streamed down her face. The red rage in me turned white hot. Incandescent. \n \nI knew what I had to do. The uneasy peace between Garsylvania and Westmarch would be no more after this. With one fang I tore open my wrist along the vein. She was very weak, but I believed Lady Karalina to have a strength perhaps greater than my own. \n \nPressing my wrist against her mouth I said, \"Drink. Drink well. For tomorrow we fight.\" \n \nShe drank greedily." ]	9
	[WP] “My brother is a gifted artist, but he was always only able to paint things he had seen. He seems to have overcome this handicap with his new work, though. The images he has created are truly horrifying!”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Oliver had broken into the attic, but in fairness it was his own house.\n\nWhen Johnny had the car crash a year earlier, he’d changed. While making what the doctors and shrinks called a full recovery, Oliver knew that he was different now. The trauma of the event, it seemed, had robbed from Johnny the desire to make sounds and form conversation. Like it had just packed up and left.Test after test after test.\n\n“He’s perfectly healthy, and there’s no lasting damage or anything wrong with his vocal cords,” Dr Barktree diagnosed, “If Johnny isn’t talking now, it’s simply because he doesn’t want to talk right now. Just give him a bit of time. This isn’t overly uncommon in situations like this”.\n\nAfter he was discharged, Oliver had taken him in. Johnny needed a place to stay in the city, and Oliver felt better knowing that he was nearby and under the same roof. Someone had to be there for his little brother until he got better. And Oliver knew that he had to get better, as he was certainly not the same as the boy that he’d grown up with. Putting aside the the fact that he couldn't talk, Johnny was still noticeably quieter than before.\n\nHe had always been a good artist. That was Johnny’s thing. Oliver the musician and his brother the painter. A self-portrait had won the state prize two years back, making him a minor celebrity in their small rural town, and setting the wheels in motion for Johnny to be able to follow his brother’s footsteps and move to the big city on an art scholarship.\n\nWhile immensely talented, the people and places around rural Victoria were as far as Johnny’s artistry could carry him.“If I can’t see it, it’s not real”, Johhny would quip when their parents offhandedly asked why he didn’t paint any far-off landscapes or portraits of celebrities, like the other aspiring artists all did. \n\nHe had tried once, when his parents nearly begged, and tried commissioning him to replicate a postcard that they’d brought back from a trip to Spain. The outcome sprawled lazy onto the paper certainly wouldn’t have gotten Johnny any scholarships. In honesty, it probably wasn’t worthy of his place under the fridge magnet.\n\nSince he’d moved in, Oliver had been content to give Johnny his space and privacy, rearranging the attic in their rental into a makeshift studio. Johnny had been ecstatic and wasted no time diving into his work. No sounds from above at all, just endless painting alone in a lonely attic on the corner of May and Bell Streets. Oliver desperately wanted to force Johnny out with him, get some air, live again, but he didn’t push it. Just give him a bit of time.\n\nHowever now coincidence and quite frankly, Johnny’s weirdness, had gone too far.\n\nJohnny had come down just after breakfast last Saturday morning, bringing down with him into the small kitchen his latest piece. An 11” by 14” wildlife piece. A behemoth of a dog, though with the sheer size of it, and how it was posed, ‘wolf’ was probably closer to the mark. A shaggy black mane fell onto around it’s back side, and Johnny had captured a rabid craziness in the beast’s eyes with excruciating detail. In it’s maw it held a severed human arm, the ligament and tendons masterfully captured down onto the canvas. Around it’s neck, the wolf wore a collar. Butch. The name of their parent’s dog back at home.\n\n“I guess there’s a resemblance, but Butch has both of his ears, doesn’t he?”, Oliver asked while appraising the work, indicating at the missing appendage painted on the painting. He didn’t mention out loud just how uncomfortable the scene made him.\n\nJohnny just shrugged, clearly not looking for feedback or to make any changes to his painting. Oliver left it at the time, but over the coming days his mind kept drifting back to the painting sitting quietly in the dark above his home. So bloody. So violent. Yep, poor Johnny has some stuff he needs to work through alright.\n\nWhen Oliver’s mother called him in the late afternoon today, bawling her eyes out, Oliver knew he something was not as it should be. \n\n“It’s B-B-Butch,” she wept over the phone, “we’ve got to p-put him down Ollie. You know Butch, he was the nicest dog in the world but he just s-s-snapped at your Dad. Just ran at him, dug into his arm and wouldn’t let go. I thought he was going to tear the bloody thing off. He wouldn’t stop Ollie, no matter what we did. Poor dad ended up ripping Butch’s ear off in all of the craziness.”\n\nNone of this made any sense to Oliver. Butch was kind. Like Johnny was. Like Johnny always had been.\n\n“We can’t keep him, with the kids you know? So tomorrow, we’ll t-take him down… ” Their mother ran a day care from their own home and Butch had always been a hit with the kids. She wasn’t able to finish her sentence and hung up.\n\nPutting down the phone, Oliver had to know. He had to know and see exactly what was happening in that attic. Johnny was still at school and wouldn’t be home yet, so Oliver headed up the stairs, broke the lock of the door and climbed through the scuttle hole, lighting the room as he entered. \n\nNow Oliver stood alone in the attic studio above his house.\n\nJohnny had been busy. Dozens of paintings were littered around the room, some hanging, most just laid against the wall. All the same kind of unholy violent as his portrait of Butch had been.\n\nA picture of a knight without her helm caught Oliver’s eye. Her armor illustrious, she wore her blonde hair cropped short and had a small scar just above her temple. The same place that their sister did. She was standing victorious, her sword drenched in blood, above two defeated opponents atop a mountain. The picture was initialed by Johnny in the bottom right corner, dated 12/2/20. Two weeks before Cassie had beaten off two would be muggers on her way home from a night out.\n\n“What in the hell”, thought Oliver aloud, noticeably aware of his own breathing and the fact that he was starting to perspire. As he worked through the other paintings around the attic, they all followed a similar pattern. Johnny’s talents had certainly grown. No longer was he limited to what he could see with his own two eyes. What was being created in here were all depictions of real-life events, and all unfolded shortly after. Oliver did not think that this deranged improvement was for the better.\n\nHe came to a stop at the canvas in the back corner, still atop its easel. Johnny’s current work. Oliver had no use for any religion, but blasphemous was the only word he could muster that even came close to the scene on the paper.\n\nA sprawling leviathan, with five sets of eyes and two sets of ears, emerging from the black sea, had its tentacles wrapped around the buildings of what appeared to be current day Melbourne. Johnny had spared no detail in capturing the terror and madness in the look of the people scuttling below the beasts flowing tendrils. While the paper remained silent, Oliver could hear their screams.\n\nOff to the side of the piece, masked men in hoods bore crosses upside down, pulling behind them women, men and children alike. Chained, naked, beaten, crying, bloody and mangled. Again, Oliver could clearly hear the hellish song that they were reciting in triplets, as if he were there. But he was there. Gulls circled overhead, though they were black and also bore an extra set of eyes. The scene was lit by a moon glowing a resplendent scarlet red.\n\nTo the other side of the landscape, Oliver could make the silhouettes of those leaping from the skyscrapers, caught up in their own madness. The unholy work evoked a sense of madness that Oliver felt welling up somewhere below his chest. Climbing, climbing.\n\nIn the bottom left, Johnny’s had placed his initials and the title of the piece.\n\nOllie.\n\n“I’ve seen it,” came Johnny’s voice from behind him, though it was weak and labored after months without use. He was manic.\n\n“I’ve seen it Ollie. And this has to stop. I have to stop this now”. The craziness in his eyes was betrayed only by a single tear streaming down his cheek.\n\nJohnny took a step towards Oliver and raised the knife." ]	2
	[WP] Evil, war and corruption have overrun your world and the forces of good are slowly losing ground. In a last ditch effort your most powerful sorcerers band together to summon the Supreme Being of balance. However an error in the incantation leads to you summoning the god of instant karma	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The god of instant karma isn't necessarily the god you would want advocating for your armies, but when you can say that you are at least partially on the side of right, Vervuktu works his craft in wonderful ways. \n\nGathering our greatest sorcerers together to summon Enkinado, the blood thirsty mad war god, one of the upcoming and more junior sorcerers mispronounced a part of the incantation. In particular, in the ancient speech that wrought creation in the world and which words of power and magic was based on, mispoke and wished for the enemies \"to get what they deserve\" rather than \"to have their bellies opened and guts splayed to the carrion birds\".\n\nThe elder sorcerers saw the mistake and came down on him almost immediately in a roaring fit, their voices boosted by a magic power and fury seen by all in the court room, including Vervektu. The king, fearing anger from a god of any sort, banished them to have their power stripped and their voices culled. Some said it was harsh, others said it was the universe balancing the scales. Those men and women had always been hard on Barnak, with a few more enlightened folks saying that the greatest mind of a generation had been held back by conservative thinkers. \n\nBarnak was appointed the head of council and aid to Vervektu in absence of anyone else. They started work immediately. \n\nThe generals asked the god for guidance in how to station their troops. Vervektu told them to draw off the lands they had ravaged and care for the prisoners and wounded. This drew their anger, but you did not defy a god. \n\nWith these changes, the prisoners of war saw their treatment and switched sides. They had never known care in their lives and were willing to fight and preserve it. For the war torn citizens of the middle grounds, they saw the true aggressors and the safe harbor offered of the collected resistance forces and again, their numbers rose.\n\nAgain the generals asked what to do, eager to advance with armies bolstered and defenses fortified. The god said to wait to let them advance. As they murdered and pillaged to get to the allied forces, they were beset by different disasters and plagues. They met drought and found themselves disbanded by infighting. \n\nEventually, it seemed the fight was over. Each had met an appropriate consequence." ]	2
	[WP] You have the power to go into the universe of any peice of any piece of media you want but every character you interact with will treat you like an ancient eldritch horror	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The grass really did feel like fuzzy fabric. The air was cool and the sun was warm; my tulips, in perfect lines before my tiny brick house, swayed in the gentle breeze.\n\nBut the town square, normally buzzing with the simple commerce of the island's resident animals, was quiet. I had spent so long scouring this world for the perfect neighbors, and yet now that I can fully immerse myself in their world, they've disappeared.\n\nHowever charming and cathartic the atmosphere was, it was nothing without friends to entertain and be entertained by.\n\nBones' house was a quaint little upside-down bucket on the western shore. His swimming trunks wafted on his clothes line, still dripping from a recent swim. I knocked on the door, expecting his signature \"yip yip\" to answer me.\n\nBut there was no answer.\n\nI jiggled his door knob, but it was locked tight.\n\nFaintly, I heard what sounded like a high-pitched whine from inside.\n\n\"Bones?\" I called in. There was a rustling; something knocked over, then silence.\n\nSylvana's house was similarly locked and darkened. The airport was closed and unmanned. The town square, adorned with twinkling lights, elaborate walkways, and a magnificent fountain (thanks to me) was empty.\n\nI shouted over the island, \"Where is everyone!?\"\n\nThere was a skittering on the horizon. A raccoon ran from fruit tree to fruit tree. Evading me.\n\nI pursued the wily capitalist who sold me my home. He owed me answered--and a lot more after everything I've done for this town--and I was going to get them.\n\nHe reached the beach and realized there was nowhere left to run. His large eyes turned to me, terror colored all over his face.\n\n\"Tom, it's me.\"\n\nHe shook his head. \"You've been gone for 219 days,\" he said. \"Where did you go? And what happened to you?\" He struggled to maintain eye contact with me.\n\nMy body, I realized in that moment, didn't look like my charming, childish avatar. I was me: detailed, human, real.\n\n\"This is what I really look like,\" I told him. \"I'm not going to hurt you.\"\n\n\"I've decided to forgive your mortgage,\" he said quickly, eyeing the water. \"In fact, I want you to have the whole thing. The whole island.\"\n\n\"I don't want it if you won't be here,\" I told him as a friend.\n\nHe uttered a panicked whine under his breath and his nervous fingers pulled at one another. \"What do you want with me?\" He asked.\n\nI shrugged. \"I just want to live peacefully.\"\n\nThe water shimmered under the moon's rays. The land was never quite dark and never too bright. We both looked out into the sky. I put my hand on Tom's shoulder and rubbed his felt, toy-like coat between my fingers.\n\nHe shivered." ]	2
	[WP] A childhood friend of yours disappeared years ago, and you just found out that their parents had sold their soul to a demon. You're determined to pry your way into Hell and save them, but when you finally do, you don't find them in a state you expected.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Years of research, deals with unsavoury company, and rituals after which, my chances of getting to Heaven are 0, but finally I can do it.\" \nI said out loud, finishing the pentagram, after which a pillar of fire consumed me, and I disappeared from the middle of the abandoned church I was in. \n\n\nI appeared in the middle of a red sand wasteland, where nothing could be seen on the horizon. \nI look at my hands, and took out a pocket mirror to check my appearance. \nI looked exactly how I looked at 21, whilst being already 45, it was exactly how the grimoires have stated. \nI looked ahead, and a gate could be seen: the gate to the inner circles of hell, the place were Sarah, my childhood friend was.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI walked up to the gate, cut my hand, and drew an infinite symbol on it, together with the symbol left behind the demon, who got my friend's soul. \nThe gates slowly opened, and I walked in. \nWhat welcomed me, was a lush, rich forest, filled with running fauns, succubusses, and naked women, and man. \nIt was the circle of lust.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI ignored those that tried to tempt me, and continued to walk towards the centre of the forest. \nThere, at a waterfall I finally saw Sarah. \nShe was dressed in a long blood red qipao, that brought out the paleness of her skin, and enhanced the visual impact of her long legs. \nShe looked exactly the same, as when she disappeared, 18. \nTall, curvaceous, with auburn hair, pale skin, and sky blue eyes. \n\"Finally you are here, David, waited like almost 3 decades for you to come.\" \nShe said, giggling as she ran towards me, embracing me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I...I missed you.\" \nI said. \n\"I know, Asmodeus told me you will come. \nBut damn, you were slow.\" \nShe said, releasing her strong embrace, clapping twice. \nAt the claps, those in the lust circle started bringing out a table, and 2 chairs, along with wine, and snacks. \n\"You, you are having it good here?\" \nI asked, completely baffled. \n\n\n\"Oh, yeah, Asmodeus took a liking to me, and made me his right hand woman, pretty neat.\" \nShe said, munching on some apples, and grapes. \n\"Asmodeus helped you? But he took your soul!\" \nI said. \n\"My parents sold me to him, in order to gain political gains. \nFrom what I know, father became the president, while mother is the head of the biggest media conglomerate.\" \nSarah said, chuckling.\n\n \n\"You don't mind?\" \nI asked. \n\"We are in the hell of lust, eternally lusting for release, but never satisfied. \nAlso, I said 3 decades, because I know that's how much passed for you, but for me? \nIt was like 3 eternities, you got to learn to deal with the cards you've been dealt.\" \nShe said, smiling brightly, yet her eyes were tired.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"You can sense the age of my soul?\" \nI asked, trying to change the subject. \n\"As I said, I have a lot of rights in this circle of hell.\" \nShe said, smirking. \n\"All my planning went down the drain. \nWanted to deal with Asmodeus and make him send us away, but now, he probably wouldn't do it.\" \nI said. \n\"Oh, there is a way for you to bring both of us out of here, and at that, back at the same time of my disappearance 2021, when we both were 18.\" \nSarah said, throwing a few slices of apples, towards a group of naked women.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"How?\" \nI asked. \n\"Circle of lust, it has to do with that, deal with it, can't tell you more.\" \nShe said, shrugging. \nI thought about it. \nLust, strong desire for something, not necessarily a sexual one... \nI thought back to my life, the sacrifices I made to have a chance of saving my puppy love...my first crush...Sarah... \nI looked up at her, and teared up a bit.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"You figured it out?\" \nShe said, clearly being worried, and tensed up as well, but also, there was longing in her eyes, she needed me to save her. \n\"Yeah, what's one more sacrifice, if it's for you?\" \nI said, plunging the ceremonial knife I prepared for Asmodeus, right into my heart.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI collapsed from the chair, scaring the crowds indulging in their lust away. \nSarah came to me, and placed my head on her lap. \nCaressing my head, she smiled at me. \n\"You are smarter than back then.\" \nShe said, laughing, kissing my forehead. \nI tried to retort, but only blood came out, as I coughed, and slowly slipped away into the eternal sleep.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nOr so I thought, as blinding light hurt my eyes even when closed. \nStruggling to take a look around, I forced my eyes to open, and after getting used to the environment I checked my surroundings. \nIt was...it was my room...when I was still in the last year of highschool. \nAnd next to me, there was Sarah, smiling. \n\"finally awake, little warlock.\" \nShe said giggling. \nI laughed as well. \n\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"It worked!\" \nI shouted hugging her. \n\"Of course it worked, as I said, you aren't as stupid as you were.\" \nShe answered. \n\"Now what, will your parents still offer your soul to Asmodeus?\" \nI asked. \n\"David! How insensitive of you, you know I am an orphan!\" \nShe said, pretending to be hurt, but her eyes smiled. \n\n\n\"So that's how it works.\" \nI said. \n\"I've been sent back here, without a connection to my parents. \nI can't be just given to random individuals, so now, I am an orphan.\" \nShe said, being a bit weird. \n\"No worries, I will be here for you.\" \nI said, kissing her. \nShe kissed me back.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"No words to anyone about this.\" \nI said. \n\"Oh yeah, because if told them that you became the best warlock ever, while I am older than Earth, would totally be believable.\" \nShe said, rolling her eyes, and hitting my shoulder. \n\"Now...we can enjoy our youth.\" \nI said. \nShe didn't say anything, but threw herself at me. \nShe clearly was influenced by lust, but hey, I don't mind it. \nWe fell on the bed, causing quite the ruckus.\n\n \n\"Kids, I love you both, but I don't want grandkids yet!!\" \nMy mom shouted from downstairs. \nWe both exchanged looks, we were 18 in body, but our souls were much older, especially hers... \nWe knew that our chance to live our lives normally is here, and we won't fail to use it properly. \nWe kissed once more and then laughed. \nThe years we suffered, were now gone, and our lives can now truly begin." ]	2
Decided to offer a break from all the genre fiction prompts, if someone wants	[WP] The owner of a small family restaurant is going through his normal routine on a Thursday night. He's trying to figure out how to tell his staff - many of which are family and friends of the family - that the upcoming weekend will be the last weekend the restaurant is open.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Checking the bathroom, closing the windows, and doors, Mark is scanning through his restaurant with pride. \n\"I built this up with my own efforts, helping out my relatives with jobs, I've also created a place where people can relax.\" \nHe thought to himself, as he remembered the countless times high-schoolers had a blast in the restaurant, the times the people in the neighbourhood kept their kids birthday at the restaurant, and how some college students pretended to study, or even hold \"business\" meetings at the biggest table. \n\"Sigh, buddy we had a good run.\" \nHe said, leaving the restaurant, while patting the restaurant's wall.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nArriving home, his wife was waiting for him. \nHe kissed her, and sat down at the table. \nThe wife went to heat the leftovers in the microwave before sitting down next to him. \n\"The kids are already asleep?\" \nMark asked. \n\"Yes, it's rather late.\" \nSarah Mark's wife said. \n\"Good, I don't want them to see me like this.\" \nMark said, being way too tired, and emotional.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAfter a bit, Sarah broke the silence. \n\"Mark, have you thought of a way to break the news?\" \nSarah asked. \n\"No, but it doesn't matter. \nIt will be devastating anyway.\" \nMark said, massaging his temples. \nSarah, just patted his back, and placed a kiss on his cheek, before taking the food out of the microwave. \nThey went to sleep, but Mark barely slept.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFriday morning, he was the first to arrive at the restaurant, as usually. \nHe opened it, placed the menus on the tables, prepared the French fries, burger patties, and the other ingredients that needed to be prepared. \nSlowly, half an hour before opening the staff walked in, with smiles plastered on their faces. \nEveryone was happy, this was the normal atmosphere of the restaurant. \nBut they quickly realised that Mark, was a bit weird. \n\"Mark, is there a problem?\" \nPhoebe, the head waitress, who was also Mark's cousin asked. \n\"We...we need to talk.\" \nMark said sighing.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMark told them that a fast-food chain bought the land they were on, and offered to pay all the debts, plus a sizeable amount for the restaurant. \nIt was an offer...he couldn't refuse. \nThus, this weekend is the last weekend when the restaurant is open, as on Wednesday, they will come to bulldoze the place down. \n\"I should've talked this through with you first...\" \nMark said to the staff. \nThere was silence, but no outrage could be heard.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"It was expected Uncle Mark.\" \nFlora, Mark's niece, that work as a waitress said. \n\"Yeah man, this is the last family restaurant in the surrounding three neighbourhoods, it was time to go down.\" \nFrank, the chef said. \n\"You aren't...aren't mad?\" \nMark asked. \n\"We had years of making an enjoyable environment for our neighbours, I say we did it. \nNo need to cry over spilt milk.\" \nFrank said, patting Mark's shoulder.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThey went, and did their jobs even more enthusiastically, both on Friday, and Saturday. \nSunday, was the day they choose to have a closed door party, as a homage to the restaurant, and the good years. \nWhen Mark arrived, he wasn't the first one, as usually. \nThe restaurant was open, the driveway filled with tables, and all the regular customers were there. \n\"Come, Boss Mark, if this is the last day this restaurant is open, we need to party!\" \nOne of them said. \nMark teared up, and quickly went in the restaurant, to prepare his signature dish.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe day passed with laughter and joy, all the neighbours coming and joining the restaurant's staff on their last day working there. \nRegular customers, and occasional ones as well came from quite the distance to join the party, everyone bringing some small gifts to Mark, and the other staff members. \nThe day that was supposed to be a sad one, became exactly the same, as all the other days, when the restaurant was open. \nFull of joy, laughter, and children shouting and playing. \n\n\n&#x200B;\n\nLater on, not even two month later, a new fast-food restaurant was built in its place. \nBut, the joy of the neighbourhood disappeared, and most people started enjoying their meals, in the comfort of their own house. \nWhile being cheaper, and some say, more delicious than Mark's restaurant's food, it lacked the warmth, and peace that the old restaurant carried." ]	2
	[WP] "I'm sorry detective, after the last stunt you pulled no one else is willing to be your partner. It's either you partner with the human or your off the force."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Rise and shine, rookie.\"\n\nMy eyes shoot open and turn towards the smiling figure next to me.\n\n\"We've got a job to do. I don't want you to miss all the fun!\"\n\nMy partner quickly opens the door and leaves the wagon in a flurry of movement.\n\nI sigh.\n\nDetective Marshall is a ball of energy when he's out on a case. He lives for this job. Morbid as it is. \n\nHe's a werewolf by the way. 7th generation and proud of it. Just to let you guys know. \n\nWe work for the MCA. The Magical Crime Agency, or the Mac if you want. Our job is to solve routine crimes committed by and against magical beings. To protect both the human and Magik population and promote co-existence, etcetera, etcetera. \n\nI was transferred to this unit about after my previous posting became ..untenable. Technically, I have been redeployed to the other side of the country with a different name. Being a whistleblower really dampens your chances of climbing the corporate ladder. \n\nI slowly amble out of the car. Marshall's too nosy for his own good. Sticking his nose in every nook and cranny. Got his old partner hooked to a tube in the hospital too.\n\n\"Come on, runt! We're needed at the crime scene!\"\n\nHe calls back to me, then greets one of the policemen present. His tail is wagging.\n\nI smirk. Guess I'm here to keep him on a leash.", "\"That's bullshit officer\" Tabele says to Officer Tenro \n\n\"Well so was shooting the suspect whilst he was about to turn them self in\" Officer Tenro says all ten of his eyes unwavering. \n\n\"Fine\" Tabele said scratching the fur on her arm anxiously. \n\nTabele walks over slowly. She stares the creature up and down. His skin is as smooth as a Jules Bull and he was pudgy not to mention being some sort of Hypex with all of those red curls. Tabele thought. \n\n\"Morning Detective Tyo! My name is Jacob Blight from Orlando, Florida US a former Earth Colony.\" Jacob said his ginger curls bouncing\n\n \"Call me Tabele and I will call you Jacob ok? Follow me to the elevator which is the thing that goes down and up if you remember from Alien Assimlation Class.\" Tabele said in an annoyed tone.\n\n\"Yes I do\" Jacob stated firmly. The elevator closed with only the two of them.\n\n\" So........ you were choosen from the program for???\" Tabele asks as the elevator goes down a level.\n\n\"Money. The head of the PD gets a 300 botov bonus for every human diversity pick.\" Jacob says eerily chipper \"Not like I care. My family needs the money.\"\n\n\"You have a family?\" Tabele asks seriously. She considers the fact that her government only set down 2k ships last year during their extinction event for 48 hours and besides only being first come first serve each ship could only hold 200k people. \n\n\"Yes thankfully one of the ships landed 5 hours north of us by car so we went. We being my husband and our 4 kids.\" Jacob says a glassy look covering his two eyes. He pulled out a photograph taken at the Earthers Home Center around New Years according to the sign behind them. \n\n\"The other man is my husband Lou, and the small one he is carrying is our 2 year old Vernon.The one in the center is Darren he is 5, and the two closest to me are Benji who is 7 and Myra who is 3 and 1/2\"\n\n\"Sorry\" Tabele says as the elevator opens. That was rough Tabele thought scarring even. He was gross and slippery but he was sweet enough and was not ungrateful like those parliment twats.\n\n\"I hope you don't mind that the murder suspect is your kind.\" Tabele says as they open the squad car doors and slip inside. Jacob nabs the case file from Tabele.\n\n\"I could not give less fucks\" Jacob says blankly \"At home all my suspects were human.\"\n\nTabele nods but not before seeing the Jacob is on his knees but still can't see where we are going.Which makes sense Tabele was 8 foot exactly and among ttttors she was considered a little less the average height. she chuckled. \n\n\"All right suspect is Danilo Aquino from the Phillipeenys Earth Colony ? Can you speak his language?\" Tabele said eyes still focused on the road\n\n\"No. Never could but they do teach English in some schools there so at the very least he will trust me.\" Jacob says marking the last known location with a pen. \"Trevertel's a market for poor folk still living in the temporary housing. When my family was there the camps were divided by language. The English camp was right next to the Filipino and that camp was smaller. So I think I can find him.\" \n\n\"Great.\" Tabele says before stopping at a light. \n\nThe camp was less then a mile from the stoplight. Tabele and Jacob got out and treked another mile through the entrance and past 4 different camps. Jacob greeted someone at almost all of the camps. \n\nWhy is he grabbing them and holding them. They aren't dangerous. If anything I am dangerous why isn't he grabbing me? Tabele thought as they walked.\n\n\"It is called a hug Detective. They are my friends. Do you not have those?\" Jacob says dripping in sarcasm before Tabele can even open her mouth.\n\n\"Here is the camp Jacob. Now he was wearing a leather vest with a white shirt and dark grey pants. \" Tabele says facing backwards to read the notes in the dusk light. But Jacob was already booking it towards the camp center crushing tents and sticks along the camp. \n\n \"Detective Blight I am your sup...... Aw come on!\" Tabele shouts after running after him. Jacob pinned down a man and was motocuffing him by the time she arrived. \n\n\"You do realize I will still get the credit.\" Tabele says after pulling the man to the car.\n\n\"I know. I just wanted to help someone something.\" Jacob says calmly.\n\n\"Cool enough reason human.\" Tabele says handing him a thick piece of wood to sit on.\n\n\"You aren't to bad yourself for looking like a wookie with a shaved face.\" Jacob says half giggling\n\n\"A what?\" Tabele says as they drive off \n\n&#x200B;\n\nthis is my first longgggg story so please be nice", "\"Well how can I solve this murder mystery and catch the serial killer The Jaeger if I don't have a partner of the same race I am?\"\n\nThat's exactly what Kaida said. Kaida is of the Yukati, a race that consists only of women and they are incredibly intelligent. The average IQ of a Yukati is 300. The intelligence is usually most effective if two or more work together.\n\nThe stunt she pulled was that of she and Uri, her previous partner, trying to lure him into a trap by making a disguised call to the criminal hitman The Jaeger that they have a person to kill. And they gave him coordinates that led right into the trap. However, the plan backfired and both of them ended up wounded.\n\nThe Jaeger was an infamous serial killer that fronted as a hitman for hire and often killed whoever called him.\n\nThe GIA (Galactic Intelligence Agency) could not stand for The Jaeger to keep killing, so they asked Kaida for help.\n\nNow after the trap backfiring on Kaida and Uri, the GIA wanted her to partner with the human, a teenage girl named Shino Tsukiyama.\n\nKaida had no choice. No one else was willing to be her partner other than Uri, but Uri was in the hospital.\n\n\"Well then, I'll see what we can do.\"\n\n\"Tsukiyama-san, you'll have to partner with Kaida-chan here.\"\n\n\"...You used that honorific cause I'm a girl, did you not? You could have done it better with calling me 'Kaida-senpai...'\"\n\nSo now GIA agents Kaida and Tsukiyama are on the same mission that Kaida was with Uri on. And the GIA hopes that Kaida doesn't mess up the case in catching The Jaeger.\n\nRemember, Kaida is trying to catch The Jaeger for the GIA and earn some money. She will need to find where he is at and catch him in a most effective way. Tsukiyama is also helping with the plan to trap The Jaeger and arrest him for good.\n\nSo far The Jaeger has killed 12 people. The GIA will need Kaida to arrest him before he kills a 13th.", "A smirk flashed across her lips accompanied by a dark aura emanating from her eyes.\n\n\"Is that the case?\" \n\n\"Y-yes.\" He stuttered.\n\n\"Well then, i'm off.\" She confidently stated in a flat-tone earning a gasp from her comrade.\n\n\"Are you sure about that?\" Knowing full well that she loves her work more than anything, Lucas can't accept her dismissal.\n\n\"Coz you said no one's willing right?\" Laire crossed her arms half-heartedly across her chest, \"But remember Lucas? I saved your life.\"\n\nReality slapped him hard; this annoying but hard-working woman saved his life more than once while she herself was wounded.\n\n\"If you don't have anything to say Lucas, i'll be off. My cats are waiting for me,\" She winked then strolled off leaving him no choice at all.\n\n\"FINE LAIRE!\" Lucas shouted as he tried to follow her fast-pace stroll. \"Fine! I get your point!\"\n\nLaire turned around looking at him innocently with those purplish pair of orbs, \"Are you sure Lukeeeee?!\"\n\nHe roled his eyes knowing she's playing with him.\n\n\"Stop it Laire, it doesn't suit you.\" Irritated, he signed the document to officialy declare that he will be her partner.\n\n\"Yeyyyy!\" Laire jumped up and down in glee as she hold the documents in her hand. \"This is a beautiful sight Luke! Thank you so much!!!!\"\n\nLuke sigh, giving himself a slap on the cheeks.\n \"What in the world did i get into?\"", "I can't believe this, was the single thought going through my mind as I pulled up to the crime scene where three people had been found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. I could already see my meat bag of a partner, an \"religious objector,\" standing outside the perimeter, waiting for the crime lab to finish up inside the dilapidated building.\n\nAfter daringly risking my own life to save the life of a small child, and succeeding, I was punished by having to hall along this bag of bones and viscera with me. I seriously contemplated ending my career right then and there, but what else was I to do?\n\nI scanned the identities of those around me and sent them my greetings. As I approached, the nut job stuck out his hand like we were back in the 21st century. I bet he even drove his vehicle manually.\n\nI put my hand in his and felt him give a single shake and a hard squeeze, and I struggled not to crush his bones and his face as he grinned widely at me. One of our few human officers, and the first to live long enough to make detective status in decades, he was ecstatic to finally be on his own, having apparently made it past his field training phase.\n\n\"Great to meet you, Detective Bayley,\" he said with an enthusiasm that infuriated me. I could see him holding an antique style pad, having already downloaded the building's layout onto it.\n\n\"Just Bayley is fine, Schmidt. They are 89% done with their work,\" I stated, looking through the current crime scene to view where the bodies were. Some shell casings were present. The rest, we would have to catalog.\n\n\"Great! Sarge is almost here, then we can come up with a game plan.\"\n\nI know Sarge is almost here. I see his route on the GPS. You can't, though. What kind of religion prevents its people from upgrading at all? I was not looking forward to babysitting.\n\nAbout an hour later, we had planned our walkthrough of the scene and set about executing our plan. I saw first body on the floor and scanned it. They were all meat bags, as they usually were. No low life had the kind of job opportunities required to upgrade, and they were also more likely to be involved in drugs, which is what this was turning out to be.\n\nAll of them had a record. Marcus and Dayton French, brothers, 29 and 23, respectively. Both convicted felons, having served time for armed robbery, drug possession, and several violent crimes. The third, which made my heart a little heavy, was 15-year-old Sean Davis, a cousin to the brothers and doomed to follow in their path.\n\nAnd this was the body I was looking at. Dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the back. I catalogued 8 entry points as I heard an electronic flash go off next to me. The meat bag. He was kneeling next to the body, using his antique pad to photograph it.\n\n\"No need for that. 3.0s are required to record everything they see in a crime scene.\"\n\n\"Yeah but did you notice his eyes?\"\n\nI zoomed in to get a closer look. Meat bag was right. Exploded blood vessels in the kid's eyes, signifying that he had probably been asphyxiated at some point.\n\n\"He also has battle signs.\"\n\nBattle signs, bruising under the ears signifying a basilar skull fracture, likely while still alive or close to death. Simply falling down from gunshot wounds wouldn't cause this. I quickly returned to my analysis and attempted to determine the angle of the bullets' trajectories before speaking. \"All of the bullets are still inside. The entry angles are unclear, and it is likely that the shooter was standing right above him when he was shot.\"\n\n\"Hm. Odd.\"\n\n\"This is just an initial walkthrough. Let's keep moving.\"\n\nWe went about our business as usual from then on, and I heard no more flashes from the antique pad, though I could see him still using it out of the corner of my eye with the sound off. We then went through it again, looking at every inch, and I sent all of the imaging directly to the proper people for it to be taken care of. All of the shell casings were fired from the same weapon, the blood spatters were being analyzed, and the meat bag... well, the meat bag was slowing everything down. I had to catalog every part of the scene myself, since he had no wireless connection upgrades.\n\nIt wasn't until we got to a final room that the meat bag stopped, looking at it strangely. There was apparently nothing in the room, but he was looking at the walls like they were speaking to him.\n\n\"Hey, Bayley, what are the dimensions of this room?\"\n\n\"10x10, why?\"\n\n\"Can you tell if this space matches the schematics? It looks a little small.\"\n\n\"Human 3.0s aren't gods, Schmidt. The measuring is done by the folks in the lab.\"\n\nThe meat bag then did the unthinkable. He pulled out a yellow extendable ruler gadget and measured the room. \"This room is 8x10.\" He then went about analyzing the texture of the walls until he landed upon a dresser. He made to move it until I froze. I had been analyzing the heat signatures of the wall and I could see a pool of cold something, but right above that, what seemed to be a... a meat bag.\n\n\"Schmidt. I think we're done here. Let's wrap up and go.\"\n\n\"But I-\"\n\n\"Listen, meat bag. I don't know who allowed you to be on the force in the first place. I'm not happy about it. But this isn't a partnership. I'm your babysitter, and you do as I say.\"\n\nHe turned to me angrily and saw me motioning to him to get out of there. \"Screw you, tin can! I have a heart for this and you're not going to tell me otherwise! I'm out of here!\"\n\nWhen the officers on scene first scanned the place, they wouldn't have found the hidden meat bag under the cooling case that was becoming more and more popular with criminals. But after the crime lab took their sweet time going through the scene, the cooling case had melted, and the meat bag was visible to my infrared vision. We sent in a SWAT team in case he was armed, and they blasted the room with sedative inhalants. He was armed. With explosives. If we'd found them, the blast would have knocked the entire building down. Detective Schmidt turned out to be a very perceptive and intuitive detective, and I realized I was relying too much on my gear and not enough on my still very human brain.\n\nDetective Schmidt now teaches a course in humanities, and detectives, 3.0s or not, have to go through their first 3 months with disabled gear. Teaming up with a human has made the entire department stronger. I still work with Schmidt. I trust him with my life. Don't rely on gear alone. I would have let the perp go free. But without my gear, Schmidt would have killed everyone in the building. Human and 3.0 teams are becoming the norm, and I couldn't have asked for a better department to work in, or for a better partner.", "\"Come on! You can't do this to me!\" wailed Xyrtha to his commander.\n\nCommander Kesler was having none of it. \"I'm not doing this to you. This is solely your fault. This is the fifth partner that's submitted a request to switch partners. Fifth partner, in 2 rotations, Xyrtha. I don't know what you're doing out there, but no one is willing to do it with you.\"\n\nXyrtha groaned inwardly. \"It was just some bullets into the sky! If that pussy Linch hadn't tried to give those pirates his food I would've gotten their entire gang and stopped all of their raids within the Erin Line.\"\n\nCommander Kesler sat down at his table, unfazed. \"I'm sorry, Xyrtha, but Linch's track record far outpaces yours. He's got way more commendations from senior officials and citizens alike, and we all know him as an extremely nice person. I've got to take his word here over yours. If he's given up on you, I dont think anyone else here will be your partner.\"\n\n\"Well, maybe just another chance please?\" Xyrtha attempted to plead with his stone-faced commander. \"3 days. I promise I'll find a partner in 3 days!\"\n\nKesler was unmoving. \"Turn in your badge at Creatures Resources. You know the rules, Xyrtha. No partner, no external excursions.\"\n\nNow Xyrtha sighed. This was it then. The end of his long-awaited police career. Without his badge, he would just be a regular desk grunt. No exciting adventures, heroic tales or starship cruising. Just another no name...\n\n\"I'll take him.\"\n\nXyrtha, startled, turned towards the entrance of the commander's office. Was that....a human police officer?\n\n\"Sergeant John.\" Kesler greeted their new guest. \"Are you sure about this?\"\n\nXyrtha held his breath. The human seemed to hesitate slightly before responding. \"Yes, commander. I think he might be useful to my work among my species.\"\n\nCommander Kesler stared at both John and Xyrtha. Finally, he nodded.\n\n\"Very well. Fill out the reassignment form, John. And take good care of this youngling.\" Kesler stared down Xyrtha. \"And you. This is probably the last chance you'll get. Don't mess this up. Also, remember to report to the Ethics Committee later today regarding your actions on the Chad ship.\"\n\nXyrtha could hardly believe his ears as he nodded his assent. His dreams were not dashed! Finally, he would have a chance to make a name for himself in the universe. Still in a trance, he followed his new partner out into the corridor.\n\nJohn turned to him. \"I saw Linch's report regarding your operations on the Chad cartel. I thought you did well.\"\n\n\"Wait, you did?\" Xyrtha returned in astonishment. \"I mean, of course you did! I did what I thought was best after all.\"\n\n\"Yes. Unfortunately only you and I think so. I have a feeling the Ethics Committee will not be as happy with your intimidation tactics.\"\n\nAh shit. He would have to meet the Committee later. Xyrtha hoped he wouldn't get his 3rd strike for Civilian Abuse.\n\nBut something the sergeant has said struck him. \"You think what I did was right?\"\n\n\"Yup. In my experience, intimidation is one of the best ways to get information out of a suspect.\"\n\nSomehow, the day got better for Xyrtha. \"Finally! A partner who doesn't judge me off the get go. I think we'll make a great team. Sergeant John, was it? Thank you for taking me as your partner!\"\n\nJohn smiled at the rookie's excitement. \"You're welcome. Although I think at the end of this, you may be the one requesting for a change of partners.\"\n\n\"Why would I ever do that?\"\n\n\"Well, let's just say...\" John paused, contemplating something. \"Where I come from, gunshots in the air are the least of what we do to civilians.\"\n\n\n.\n\n\n.\n\n\n.\n\n\nFor more of my stuff, check out r/17Stories" ]	7
	[WP] After generations of praying, the mantis have finally summoned their god	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Lily studied the green insect on the other side of the glass, its bent and spindly arms reaching upwards as if in silent supplication to some unknown god.\n\n“Specimen is regular in appearance and size,” she said into the small recording device she held. “Reaction to solution 864-B seems unremarkable. No outward signs of distress.”\n\nThe research Lily was doing for her doctorate in entomology was tedious on the best days, mind-numbingly dull on the worst. She had spent much of the last six months pressed close to the small glass tanks the insects were housed in, and after so much time in their company had made her almost imagine them to be old friends.\n\nThey were testing a new pesticide which would be introduced into the environment where the mantises lived - trying, if they could, to create a formulation which wouldn’t harm any species beyond the malarial mosquitoes they were targeting. The results today seemed promising, which made Lily surprisingly relieved as she wasn’t keen on watching another of her friends die.\n\nBut suddenly, the mantis in the glass case before her began to twitch erratically. Its arms bent inward and its body bowed backwards, and if the tiny creature could have made a sound she imagined its jaws would have been opened wide in a scream.\n\n“Damn,” Lily muttered as she hit record again, watching the creature in the case grow suddenly still. “Update, 7:02pm. Specimen is deceased fifteen minutes after exposure. Onset of toxicity to time of death was less than one minute.”\n\nAs she stopped the recording she paused for a moment to stare at the corpse. She knew she shouldn’t feel anything but objective and analytical about its death, but she somewhat embarrassingly felt the sting of tears behind her eyes. If she kept this up she was going to have to find a new field of study.\n\nTelling herself to buck up, she turned to cross the room and get supplies to empty and clean the tank, only to find herself washed in darkness a moment later.\n\nThe lights above flickered for a few seconds before they went out completely. \n\nShe went to the lab’s main door and peered out through the glass, looking from side to side down the hallway. All the lights in the building seemed to have gone out save for the few spare emergency fixtures, and her stomach clenched as she quickly turned and went back to the incubators where they were keeping the eggs for their next crop of insects, swearing under her breath as she found them turned off as well. She knew they wouldn’t remain viable for long without the heat lamp.\n\nA moment later she heard a sound from somewhere beyond the lab’s door that sent a cold wave of dread crashing through her.\n\nFirst came the faint sound of a long, keening cry, followed by the twisting shriek of metal and a crash that split the air all the way down the hallway to the room where she was studying the mantis. Heart beginning to hammer, she went back to the door and looked out again.\n\nWhat she saw had her slowly backing into the room on legs that could barely hold her up.\n\nA hulking figure appeared in the door’s glass window, silhouetted by the faint glow of the emergency lights in the hallway. A bent and spindly arm reached for the door handle.\n\n“I’m sorry,” Lily whispered, falling to her knees before the creature as it came into the room.", "Praying Mantis.\n\nA funny name. No one really knows where the name originated from or who named them that but everyone knows it and not everyone likes them.\n\nIt started as a fad. A game invented by some sick fuck who spread it on TikTok before his account got banned but by then, the trend had already spread.\n\nA praying mantis would be pit inside a container with another bigger, more dangerous insect or arachnid and they would fight each other.\n\nIf the mantis wins and survive, the guy would slowly pluck out its limbs and divide its body into three separate section with its head mounted in a stick as the champion.\n\nAs more and more people started to do it, so did the number of protest against this cruel behaviour arose. Alas, it was to no avail.\n\nHumanity was cruel.\n\nNo matter how much the good ones try, there will always be a demand for such cruel entertainment and there will always be those who provide it.\n\nSo should it have come to a surprise that if a God does exists, he would judge us poorly?\n\nIt was Sunday when it happened. A fitting day. The day of rest turned into the time of Judgement.\n\nThe world changed that day. A giant appeared in the sky, followed by countless others of its ilk.\n\nGreen and Sharp, they descended from beyond the stars and ravaged our civilization. \n\nThey vary in sizes, the largest being three story tall while the smallest 3 meter, all of them as cruel as men but stronger.\n\nNo one knew how they pick their prey.\n\nAt least not until someone noticed that they started leaving people alive.\n\nThen we started noticing.\n\nEveryone that were hunted down had at some point participated in the mantis fighting fad and enjoyed it, whether it be the organisers or viewers.\n\nIt was then we knew.\n\nThat we were being judged.\n\nEven today, here and now, as the last of the mantis sinner has long since been purged, our overlord still remains.\n\nGiant Mantis walk the world, their intelligence unbound and their might unmatched.\n\nAnd as the food chain changed and we become prey, we can only pray for our salvation." ]	3
	[WP] 1985, Miami Florida. You, the kingpin of a cocaine empire, bleed onto the floor of a seedy nightclub. You you think back, about how you got to this point.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It was all a secret to how I made an empire over a short amount of time, rivaling more flamboyant, well known circles of coke.' I was merely at the right place at the right time,' I think to myself as I die on this sticky dancefloor.\n\nShipped off to Vietnamn, I was able to obtain a pilots license through the Navy and learned more about how to be street savvy as a sailor, touring the world, witnessing how ugly society can be to the poisons we pollute with, and keeping situational awareness from learning over the countless times I have had to protect myself from scammers, pick pocketers and murderers, as my poison of choice was cocaine.\n\nGrowing up in a crabbing community in Tidewater, Virginia, and finishing my Navy career in 79,' I found comfort with my shipmates at the officers club on base in Southern Florida after an early retirement. Never being married, except for that Port in Italy but didn't count because I never returned to her, never making kids that I know of, I enjoyed being a 'Fly-boy' bachelor and the freedom of no ball and chains.\n\nOne night at the officers club, I was informed of an opportunity to go on a mission that required a civilian pilot to go covert with escorted fighter jets to Columbia in a cargo plane with only a single pilot, no crew.\n\nThe mission was to transport cocaine on behalf of Pablo Escobar, to a secret hold for CIA distribution amongst Florida's pushers, while controlling the economics of Miami's skyline, disguised as a civilian pilot. The mission directly created by Casey, the head of CIA and appointed by Regan, was to keep overseeing the trillion dollar industry that avoided paying the kings tax.\n\nSO THE KING TAXED.\n\nThe mission was called 'Paddy-cake' and the civilian pilot would be known as the Bakers man, to which would be the identity I absorbed. Through the years of positioning the players of Miami's coke game as instructed by Casey became apart of who I was and what I become. \"It's the Bakers man!\" Some of the players would cheer in my presence while others were curious to who I really was and my connections with Escobar, to which agreed with the US government to allow his enterprise to continue, even if it is controlled through Casey.\n\nThrough out the years, I had always kept my loyalty to Casey and there had been a disagreement with him and Escobar. As a result, I unawaringly was detained in Columbia with out my Fighter pilot escorts. This was the first and last time I came face to face with the beloved Ruler of Columbia, Escobar himself.\n\n\"The Baker's man....I need you to feed Casey this shit-cake of a message...you don't fuck with me,\" Escobar says while a doctor and a team of staff, force ballon wrapped cocaine packages down my throat.\n\nPlacing me on a Pan Am flight back to Miami, Escobar confiscated the cargo plane. His last word to me were, \"Paddy caked, you're now the Baked man.\"\n\nInstructed to meet a Casey contact at The Mutiny, I am planted by Escobars team a block from the club. As I walk towards the line, roughed up and staggering, while everyone else is dressed to impressed, I unknowingly ingested a Ballon that ruptures inside my stomach at this moment.\n\nThe bouncers recognizing me immediately, motion for me to walk through with no wait.\n\n\" Mr. Baker's man, welcome to The Mutiny sir, \" as I've heard it a thousand times but not knowing it would be my last.\n\nWalking across the dancefloor and in excruciating pain, limping, I feel an arm interlock with mine and I hear, \" BAKER'S MAN, IM AGENT BLAH-BLAH blahhhh,\" as I fade into unconsciousness, falling onto the floor, with the back of my kahki pants, saturated in blood as it expels from every orfice due to the balloons rupture, as Donna Summers pumps through the speakers." ]	2
	[WP] Werewolves? You’ve heard of them many a time, and rid them of their curses easily. Wereboars? Now, those are new to you, and none of the methods that worked on werewolves have worked on them so far.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Klaus took another sip of ale, looking beaten. We all looked beaten. The dim candle light around the pub could not hide the worn look in all of our faces. No one spoke for a long time, each taking their turns sipping their ales. \n\n\n \nWe had formed a large league of werewolf hunters under the last king's rule. We would gather every year, from all across the kingdom and others as well to discuss new weapons, commission rates, and of course, tell each other the most horrific tales.This with this new breed.. this.. Wereboar, our numbers have dwindled to just four. I miss my friends. The townspeople had lost trust in us and the lords were no longer giving us our pay until we catch this thing. \n\n\n \nWe have tried everything you can think of, the magic, the silver, the magic rope- nothing worked - we couldn’t even tie up the bastards. Boars are mean animals already, ruthless with their tusks and will rip you belly to neck without so much as a thought. I don’t even like meeting real ones in the woods, let alone one that is half man. \n\n\n \nSven got up to grab another round, his rifle slung across his broad shoulders, and his cape seemed half ripped off. The boar most likely. Gunter watched him as he got up, stroking his beard, deep in thought. \n\n\n \n“And you tried the rope?” Klaus asked Gunter. Sven nodded, his blond braids glinting as he moved. Klaus nodded in agreement. Sven returned with four pints. He slammed them on the table - all of us jumped and looked at him angrily. Svens eyes were wild with excitement. \n\n\n \n“I have an idea!” Do you remember three summers ago when we had that really old gaul that came to our gathering and he talked about a dance?” I shook my head and looked around the table - everyone’s face had the same quizzical look that I am sure I had as well. \n\n\n \n“He had that hook arm?” Gunter eyed him and took a sip of his ale - “ah I remember the hooked man, yes, didn’t he say that he was retiring from were hunting because he found a beautiful brunette with heaving breasts and wanted to spend the rest of his life suckling on?” I let out a chuckle and took a sip of my own cup. It tasted bitter and sour. \n\n\n \nKlaus looked at Sven and groughly said“Wasn’t he the guy that did a dance to turn his werewolf? Something about moving his hips back and forth wildly and walking in circles around it four times while clapping? Isn’t that how he got his hook in the first place?” \n\n\n \nSven nodded “But didn’t he live?” \n\n\n \n“I guess.. To suckle” I smirked. \n\n\n \nKlaus shot me a dark look, “This is no time to joke. These boar are murderous creatures, and fast, too. I don’t believe we can change these things back with a dance.” \n\n\n \nSven looked down for a moment and then back at Klaus. “We have tried everything else, why not give this a try? Gunter, can you borrow that shovel from your brother? I have an idea.”" ]	2
	[WP] You are Six, and it has been a year since anyone saw Nine, but you know what has happened, you saw what Seven did, you saw the blood on their mouth. The time has come to confront them. You saw Seven eat Nine, and justice is here.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Three years.\n\nThree, f*ing years since that cannibal ate nine.\n\nWe were best friends, brothers even,\n\nEver since the war, nine hadn't been the same, he was constantly stuck in his head, nearly took his own life, luckily I stopped him, got him the help he needed, and a year later I was his best man.\n\nHe was so... happy, his wife, eight was so kind and sweet, they wanted to have kids but, now they...\n\nLook, it doesn't matter at this point, alright?\n\nI just... I just need to kill that bastard, that murdering, flesh eating bastard, and I just... can't take it anymore you know?\n\nSeeing that bastard's shiting grin every fing day, still seeing the blood... oh God so much blood.\n\nI just, need to do this, I need to kill that bastard, and make him suffer, so tell me eleven,\n\nAre. You. In?", "Six was afraid of Seven. But that all changed when he found the graphing paper. They must have been plotting something. And after what had happened to Nine, he knew he couldn’t let it happen again.\nGod, Nine. She was a sweet thing. Round and busty on top, but all curves on the bottom. As tempting as it was to let his mind wander back to those days when they’d lay in bed, curled up and intertwined, he focused on picking the lock that dug into his sore and bleeding wrists. \nSix and Nine, was there a better pair? But those days were long gone. They had talked about taking things slow, maybe even getting out of bed long enough to have a real relationship and escaping this hell hole. Until that damn Numerator ate her. Seven thinks owns the place, but that’s what happens when you let Seven have the keys to heaven. All the top dogs and his associates were called Numerators, and rest were just the bottom feeders, Denominators. The other numbers treated the Numerators like they were holy and untouchable. But Six knew there was a fine line between the Numerators and the Denominators that only a fraction would understand. And he was set out to prove it. \nGot it, he sighed with relief. Rubbing his frozen hands together, he hurried over to the corner of the meat locker. It was easily 90 degrees and instantly warmed him. \n“What’s the noise? Check on the prisoner,” a voice said from behind the door. As it creaked open, the shadow of Circle was visible and Six waited. Just a little bit closer. \n Six had always suspected that Seven was a little odd, and now Six was going to get even. \n_____________\n\n“Wake up,” Six said as he splashed water onto Seven’s face.\nThe holy number sputtered in shock. He was tied to a chair in what he was sure was his office. The desk light was uncomfortably blinding him and a crazed number was pacing back and forth in the shadow. His captor’s face only became visible when he lit the cigarette in his mouth. “S-s-six? Is that you?” Seven could hardly believe what had become of his algebro. Dark circles and a gaunt face replaced the once genial features. \nSix threw something wet onto Seven’s lap, and when he recognized the shape, he let out a terrifying scream. It was Circle’s head. “You sick bastard! How could you? Circle was an academic pillar of our society. The man had 360 degrees for Christ sake!” He said, shuffling around to push the head off. “Why did you have to kill him?”\n“Because there’s no point in keeping him or your underlings alive, is there? This is going to end tonight,” Six muttered, taking another puff. “Tell me about the graphing paper.” \n“W-w-what graphing paper?” Seven stuttered avoiding Six’s eyes. \n“Don’t make me use my multi-pliers and pull the truth and teeth out of you,” Six shushed, grabbing him by the face, examining which pearly white would be the most efficient. The molars first, he decided. \n“Okay okay! Just give me a chance. There, look in my drawer, the blue folder,” he motioned with his head. \nSix pulled out a gun and aimed it at Seven’s crotch with one hand and dug around for the blue folder the other. When he pulled out the contents, he took one look and vomited all the liquor in his stomach. Holding the top photo to the light, he dared himself to look again to make sure he could believe what he was seeing. In it, it was goddamn Seven and Eight eating Nine. Seven never worked alone. \n“Speak! What is this? Why did you eat Nine?” Six was uncontrollably shaking now.\n“Are you this obtuse? I need three squared meals a day! It has been ordained by the holy…please don’t shoot!” Seven sobbed, snot dribbling down his chin. \nDamn this ugly world. “If doling out justice is wrong, I don’t want to be right. See you in hell, Seven,” bam. Relief washed over him. He pulled another photo from his pocket and stroked the beautiful face that he still ached for with his thumb, “Don’t worry, Nine. I won’t let them get away with this.” Taking another drag, he went to the window and eyed the storm rolling in. Eight was one town over, and as much as Six wanted to soak in the victory, he knew he was just a number who couldn’t stay in one place. He was a roamin’ numeral.", "Actually, like, I heard this from 7’s best friend’s girlfriend’s cousin’s gym teacherrrr? Ok?\n\n7 got jealous after watching 6 and 9 eating each other. \n\nFirst he tried asking 8, but didn’t realize that 68 is basically “You do me and I’ll owe you one,” and so 78 is like, that plus 10. He tried asking 5 what the big deal was, what does 6 have that I haven’t got, but five is a handful, and so he was, like, no use. AT ALL.\n\nSo 7 got frustrated. Finally he asked 9 about it, and how come he was such a chump… It turns out that 9 really liked how like, sharp and angular 7 was… Well, you just know what happened next. And apparently 9 was just loving every minute of it… time of her, like, life! You know? But then girls have that, like, time of the month, you know? \n\nSO MORTIFIED. \n\nLike, had to switch schools mortified. \n\nLike, everything had been great, but then after 7 went to kiss her after, and she screamed, and ran away, like, crying. \n\n7 didn’t just get the walk of shame. He got the walk of ‘No, just get out. You can’t even wash off your face, because I’m in the bathroom crying.’ SO bad.\n\nJustice? Please. Justice is 9 getting slut shamed on Facebook when all of those pictures of angry, broken, bloody-faced 7 went viral, and 6 was like, publicly cheated on, and even 4 was like, “Dude! ‘Nine’ means no in German, but you did her anyway! You shoulda known better!”", "Water pooled in the gaps between the cobblestones, the stones themselves wet and slick with light morning rain. Six stepped out of the hostel, his heavy, black boots descending on the ground below him with a thunderous, muted clunk. He spat to his side, lifting a hand to adjust the brim on his wide, black hat. He squinted against the rising sun, its rays of light fighting admirably through the thick, overcast sky above him.\n\nThe bell tower sounded to his right, the metal clangs bouncing between the buildings lining the narrow street. He paused and counted. Eight bells sounded.\n\nPerfect.\n\nHe whistled sharply and a young boy bounded out of the stable across the way. \"Um, hello, Mr. Six. What ca-ca-can I do fo-for you?\" The boy said, shakily, avoiding eye contact with Six.\n\n\"Can you round up Hex for me, boy? Need her saddled and ready to ride.\"\n\n\"Ye-yes, sir! Right away, si-si-sir!\" He bolted back across to the stables, one hand keeping his unwieldy hat pressed against his head as he stumbled awkwardly across the street.\n\nMoments later, the boy emerged from the stable, Hex in tow. Six was still surprised at Hex's beauty, just as he was the first time he laid eyes on her. A big horse, standing at six feet tall, her hair dark as midnight shimmering under the sunlight. She seemed to glide over the stones beneath her with ease, as fluid as a snake sliding across the plains. A gift from his father when he was just a lad, fifteen years earlier.\n\n\"Thanks, boy.\" He said as he flipped over Hex's broad back into the saddle. The boy stared up at Six, his mouth slightly agape, awestruck at Six's majestic presence on horseback. Straight as an arrow, seemed less a rider and more an extension of Hex, herself. Six flipped the boy a copper from his satchel. \"For your troubles, kid.\"\n\n\"G-g-gee, thanks, Mr. Six!\"\n\nSix gripped the reins with his left hand. \"Hee-yah, Hex!\" He kicked her sides forcefully and she burst forward. They rode like a bullet from a gun, leaving a presence like a trail of smoke in their wake.\n\nI'm coming for you, Seven.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nHe pulled up on the reins, slowing Hex into a canter. \"Ho! Ho! Easy, girl.\" He patted her muscly neck as she slowed to a walk. He stopped her and looked up to see an empty town. Dust swirled around him, eerie echoes sounded of battered doors in abandoned shops opening and closing with the wind, as if spirits were frequent visitors. Nobody around. A ghost-town.\n\n\"Seven!\" He shouted into the desolation. He pushed Hex forward into a walk. \"I know you're out here! Come on out and face me. You know who I am, Sev.\"\n\nHe looked left and right, searching for signs of movement. Finally, a tall, thin figure strode smoothly from one of the buildings, a few down the line in front of Six. She wore all shades of white, a long pearl-colored duster brushing her ankles lightly. Her stringy, blonde hair blowing in the wind like golden fingers, waving at the world around her. Her wide-brimmed white hat was tilted forward, shielding her eyes from the dust.\n\n\"What took ya so long, Six? What's it been? A year now?\" She chided him as she walked forward.\n\nSix halted Hex and straddled over her, dropping heavily to the ground beside her.\n\n\"You know how long it's been, Sev. And you know damn well why it's taken me so long to get here. Not to mention you don't make yourself particularly easy to find these days.\"\n\nSeven looked up at him, her thin lips curled into a coquettish smile. Her bright, blue eyes the color of the sky on a cloudless day.\n\n\"Well it ain't too easy to make a livin' when the whole damn world thinks you're evil. You know they tell stories 'bout me, Six? In bars and such. They all sit around talkin' of the 'Devil in White', come to eat your heart out if you ain't livin' honestly. Now how's a gal supposed to get around with that sorta reputation?\"\n\nSix sighed. \"Ya know, Sev, there's a reason* these folks are tellin' those tales of you. A lot of the things these folks say, I'll give ya, are downright gibberish. Nonsense. But you can't argue with what your own eyes tell you. Lots of folks saw what you did to Nine, Sev. I saw what you did to Nine.\"\n\n\"Oh, come on, Six! You, too? I mean, damn, I woulda thought my last living brother might just take my side. You don't believe this stuff, do ya?\"\n\nHe shivered. As he looked into her eyes he saw them plead. Desperation. Sadness. Her eyes begged him to believe her. But, no. He remembered that day one year ago.\n\nHe remembered muscling Hex through the people of Numeram, gathered around something. As he pushed to the front of the gathered mass he slid off of Hex. A sinister quiet hushed over the assembly. The occasional whisper. \"What...is that?\"\n\nHe heard it before he saw it, before he reached the front of the crowd. \"Is that Seven? What's she done to Nine? Is she...human?\"\n\nSix picked up his pace, moving frantically, as he burst through the frontline. He stopped dead in his tracks, his mind numb with what his eyes were seeing. There she was. His sister Seven, hunched over his brother, Nine. Her face was buried in Nine's neck, a terrible crunching sound escaping the intersection of her mouth and Nine's flesh, as she tore through tendons and muscle. Blood pooled around them in a dark, red puddle.\n\n\"Sev! Sev, what the fuck! Got off of him!\" He ran forward, but stopped short as she pulled her head up from Nine. Her face and white clothes coated menacingly in deep red. She scowled and hissed at him. As he took a step forward she leapt up to her feet. She kinked her neck curiously, as if she was unsure of who, or what, he was.\n\n\"Sev, please. Back away from him.\" He muttered, numbly, taking another cautious step forward.\n\nShe hissed again. Then, suddenly, she tore at him with a determined speed. Six reacted, pulling his gun from his holster and pointing it at her.\n\n\"Sev! Stop! Don't make me pull this trigger!\"\n\nShe kept moving towards him.\n\n\"Seven! I'll shoot! Don't make me kill you here and now!\"\n\nShe stopped. He looked at her, his lips shaking. Seven cocked her head again, curiously. \"Sev. I want to help you. But I need to know --\" Before he could finish, she bounded into the air like a white arrow shot from a bow. The crowd gasped as she disappeared into the clouds above them. Six dumbly watched her ascent. As soon as she disappeared he dropped to his knees, trembling, as he stared at Nine's lifeless corpse in front of him. What the fuck just happened? Sev, what did you do?" ]	5
	[WP] hello, yes I'm THE Grim Reaper. I see here you are applying to be the grim reaper for ____ region. I have your resume here as well. Please tell me about yourself and why you want this role	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Hello, a pleasure to finally meet you!\" \nI said. \n\"Hello, you are applying for the Grim Reaper position of the eastern quadrant region. \nPlease, tell me about yourself and why you want this role.\" \nThe Grim Reaper said. \nI arranged my tie, and prepared myself.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I am the soul of a teacher. \nI've been a soul in the Underworld for roughly 3 centuries already, teaching other souls, and even helping lost souls recover their memories, helping them go to the Afterlife. \" \nI said. \n\"Why haven't you gone to the Afterlife? \nStarting a new life with your soul would've granted a life of low difficulty, and high benefits?\" \nThe Grim Reaper asked. \n\"That's because I don't pursue a mortal life of happiness anymore. \nI am seeking to gain a purpose on a higher scale.\" \nI said.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"You want to tell me you were fully content with your life? \nRather harsh parents, a late marriage, and late kids. \nYou left earthly life rather unfulfilled, no?\" \nThe Grim Reaper asked. \n\"Indeed, my life has had it's fair share of bitter days, but that doesn't make it any less sweeter. \nI lived as I wished, and taught people, hopefully, helping some even change their fate. \nIt was...a good life.\" \nI said. \nThe Grim Reaper chuckled. \n\"Let's test that.\" \nHe said, waving his hand.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAround us, the scenery changed. \nFrom the office's white walls, now, what was shown around us was the life of different individuals. \nGreat Emperors, Rulers, Merchants, Generals, and Warriors, even Deities had a lifespan. \nThen, the scenery changed once more, beggars, orphans, those who died young, those who suffered great misfortunes. \n\"You will meet all of these scenes, tell me, will you never covet the good lives, and disdain the less fortunate ones.\" \nThe Grim Reaper asked. \n\"One beggar might even enjoy more their short life, then the Great Emperors enjoy their riches, and long life.\" \nI said, shaking my head. \nLife needs to be enjoyed, too great of a fortune, can often become a burden.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe Grim Reaper nodded. \n\"If you truly can be impartial, and reap the souls, without deciding to impersonate anyone... \nYou know what? You are hired.\" \nHe said. \n\"I am a teacher at my very core, being impartial is what is needed. \nGood students, and students who are talented in other areas than the academic one, I always behaved fairly with all of them. \nEverybody is good at something, everybody is unique, thus nobody is truly special, and everyone is equal.\" \nI said. \n\"Something an idealistic, old teacher can only say.\" \nThe Grim Reaper said laughing, while giving me a white suit, a book and a black robe.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"These are my items?\" \nI asked. \n\"The white suits represents your impartiality, and pureness, 3 mistakes, it becomes completely black, and you will have the choice to reincarnate, or become an envoy in Hell. \nThe book is a copy of the Book of Life and Death, it will help you locate, and reap souls. \nAnd the Black Robe is to be unnoticed, it can camouflage you perfectly...also, it's a joke at the stereotype that Death is wearing always black.\" \nThe Grim Reaper said smiling. \nI took the items, and I suddenly realised that I already was wearing them. \n\"Thanks, supernatural powers are nice.\" \nI said, laughing. \n\"From now on, you are a Grim Reaper, or Angel of Death, depends on what planet you will go to. \nYou are immortal, and indestructible by ordinary means. \nTake care, and now, begin your journey.\" \nHe said, sending me into the space of the eastern region.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nCountless galaxies were in this region, and after appearing in the quadrant, I admired the sight for a bit. \nThen, I took out the book, where the names of the closest souls to me, that needed to be taken, and guided appeared. \n\"Let's do this, I might even teach the souls on the way to the Afterlife, a thing or two.\" \nI thought, chuckling." ]	2
	[WP] Sentenced to 417 years in prison for a series of bloody murders, you were resigned to die in prison. Yet now it’s the final day of your sentence 416 years and 364 days later and somehow you are still alive and well.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The drip was getting more frequent now.\n\nDrip.\n\nDrip.\n\n“Calano!” came the voice from two cells down.\n\nThe man sitting on the bottom bunk of his cell, the target of the irritation in the voice from cell 3C, is Calano, a middle-aged man. His body, even under the loose-fitting orange prison clothes, looks strong but battered, hardened by centuries of prison workouts and the protein rich synthetic paste he has eaten - except for on special occasions or when commissary was delivered – for the last 417 years. He runs his hand through his thick black hair and sighs.\n\n416 and 364 days, rather.\n\nIn approximately three minutes, when the clock hits 12 am, it will officially be 417, and after over 400 years of captivity Calano will finally get out, released not back to the world he came from, but to another far different one, one he had never known. Talk about institutionalised, Calano, not that he himself was aware of it, didn’t even know how to operate what equated to a modern microwave. The world had changed somewhat in 417 years.\n\n“Calano!” the voice came again.\n\n“What?” Calano shouted back, not bothering to disguise the irritation in his own voice.\n\n“Stop that fucking drip!”\n\nCalano knew the inmate in 3C was called Gabe. Gabe was new, a giant lumbering man from Olphanese, a planet whose inhabitants, over 250 years of occupation, had developed gigantic hulking bodies and super-human strength as a result of its low-gravity, and, for some reason not known to be related, also had notorious tempers. Calano heard some of the young inmates refer to it as Roid Planet, on account of the size, and anger, of its inhabitants. The concept of humans inhabiting other planets was still not something Calano could quite get his head around, but he had seen Gabe’s size and anger first-hand. They had already had a few run ins. Nothing serious. Gabe thought he ran the pod after 10 years of being incarcerated. Calano had to remind him that, after 416 years, he didn’t. That was all.\n\nBut none of that mattered anymore.\n\nCalano stood up, the springs on the spartan metal bed groaning in pain or relief (it was hard to tell the difference around here). He made his way over to the small metal sink, with its hot and cold taps, and gave the cold water a sharp twist. The tap dripped twice in response. Well, fuck you, too, he thought. But sometimes the Universe did you that way, didn’t it?\n\nHe projected his voice out through the bars, in the direction of Gabe in 3C.\n\n“The tap is broke.”\n\n“What?” He heard Gabe shout back.\n\n“I said the tap is broke! I can’t do nothing about it.”\n\n“Drip, drip”, the tap agreed.\n\nCalano could hear Gabe’s mumbling even from two cells down, but he couldn’t make out the words. Iollo from 3B was happy to pass the message on, however.\n\n“He said your face will be broke next chow if you don’t turn it off.”\n\nCalano ignored Iolla and sat back down on the bed.\n\n416 years he had survived in this hell hole and it had barely changed. It still had the same basketball courts, the same chow tables. The same shitty beds. Every 15 years or so the gym equipment disappeared and reappeared with a fresh coat of paint, but nothing was ever upgraded. Everything was deliberately kept as it had been, in 2019, when Calano had first gone inside to serve time for the multiple murders he had committed, seven in fact, a drug deal gone bad. That was part of the punishment at Maricopa Supermax, new inmates were effectively sent back in time and old inmates effectively frozen in time, never getting to see what was going on in the world outside. Calano heard new inmates talking about things he had never seen, about the changes that had taken place over the years, the decades, and the centuries. The discovery of cheap space flight, the colonisation of other planets, the invention of boots that you could fly in; to Calano it all sounded like science fiction. He never saw any of it. There wasn’t so much as a television in Maricopa Supermax.\n\nOf course, it’s not entirely true that the prison never saw any new technology. The life suspension drugs they forcefully administered to him once a year were state of the art, of a kind only the richest and most powerful on Earth had access to. They kept his body going all these centuries, sustaining its cells, keeping the bones strong, and his brain sharp. Keeping him - physically speaking at least - the same age. Calano had been 20 years into his multiple life-sentences, a 40-year old expecting to grow old and die in prison, when the drug had been invented. A retro-active federal law had mandated that all inmates serving multiple life sentences be forcibly administered it, at great expense to the state. Kept alive so they could suffer and serve out the totality of their sentence.\n\nThere is perhaps no greater violation of a person’s freedom than denying them the right to grow old and die. There were many nights when Calano had contemplated ending it, doing himself in, but the fact the drugs stopped him from ageing successfully served as the incentive by which the state was going to convince him to see it all through. Do the time and he had a shot at a meaningful life outside, a good 30 or 40 years left, perhaps more, if he was lucky enough to get his hands on some more of the drug. Even though God knows what outside actually looks like now, or whether it was even worth the wait.\n\nCalano had served every one of those years, though. It had driven him to madness and back. He had been in countless fights, won more than he lost, got dysentery 14 times, had several wounds go septic, fought off 18 blood-borne viruses, dealt with gout, stomach ulcers, colitis, crippling depression, and had 36 contracts placed on his life. All of these he had managed to dodge, manoeuvring politically, usually, to de-escalate or outplay his opponents, until eventually rising to the role of ‘pod boss’, which he had successfully held onto for the last 120 years. No one had put a contract out on him since, but there had been several challenges to his ‘leadership, and Calano, through luck, and four centuries of instincts, had managed to come out on top of all of them, but the stress had left him broken and incapable of trust. 416 years in a prison that some people didn’t last two years in, driven relentlessly by the prospect of one day getting out and living a normal life. He had suffered every minute of those years. His brain, body, and psyche bore the scars of several lifetimes of misery, his debt paid in full.\n\nWhich makes it all the more cruel when, at 12 am, as the guards walk Calano down the hall to checkout, towards the same doors he had walked in through 417 years ago (albeit with a few paint jobs since then), Gabe, the hulking maniac from Olphanese in 3C, effortlessly and quietly removes one of the bars of his cell, a bar he had loosened earlier, bars not made to withstand the strength of a full grown Olphanese man, but developed around 2019 to keep in regular Earth-born men, and reaches out of his cell to grab Calano, pulling him closer and thrusting a six inch shank through his skull and up into his cerebellum, killing him instantly.\n\nBut sometimes the Universe will do you that way, won’t it?", "\"1 more day and I am out of this pod.\" \nI thought to myself, as I was chewed on by a monster. \nIt wasn't real, it was a virtual reality created by the prison I was in. \nSuddenly, the pod opened. \n\"Having fun, John?\" \nThe android asked. \n\"Not really, I miss the old days, when I need to be careful with the soap.\" \nI said, before being cleaned by a jet of mist, after which the pod closed once more.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"417 years...I was sentenced for 417 years, in 2020, and I somehow managed to stay in prison for that long.\" \nI thought to myself, as I was being skewered by a pyke. \nI don't know how it happened, but after 20 years in a normal prison, the prison doc. realised something isn't right, and I've been sent to a special entities prison. \nThere I was diagnosed with \"immortality\"...\\scoff\\, they randomly named it like that, but they are clueless what happened. \nThey experimented on me, before throwing me in normal cells...those were the happiest days of my life.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nBeing bled out, beheaded, dismembered, fed to insects, and still not dying, and regenerating, was horrible, but at least, I could talk with people, and I could have a pet hamster in my cell. \nThe tests got rather hardcore, after they realised they can't use my blood for transfusion, and they could only do research for 1 hour, before my cells turned back to normal. \nAnd yet, it was much better than what happened in 2100... \nThey introduced the virtual reality prison...a virtual space where you feel everything, and they can program anything... \nEver since, I've been kept in a closed pod, experiencing random tortures.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI've been bathed in lava, eaten by dinosaurs, used as a breeding material for ugly witches, and many other things that are most likely 100+ not 18+. \nMy food came from tubes, my baths were just like how it was earlier, an android, washing me with a misty substance, that cleaned any impurity, and bad smell. \nI was curious to what the world outside looked like now, I am so close to being free.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA day passed fast, and I've been released from the pod. \nAndroids came and checked my health, while the prison's guards, and staff came to say goodbye to me. \nThey were all healthy looking, middle-aged or even young ones, but actually they were all over 100 years old... \nScience must've advanced a lot. \nThe facility itself was like those sci-fi movies I've seen in 2020, filled with holograms, androids, and an A.I. speaking through the sound systems. \nI was led outside, where I finally saw the first, natural ray of light...and I was stunned.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe surrounding were a wasteland, the weather was windy, and filled with acidic vapours, that burned my skin. \nNothing could be seen around with naked eyes. \nI laughed. \n\"Of course by the time I get free, apocalypse arrives. \nDid humanity fail as a race, and go extinct?\" \nI said. \n\"Come back, humanity is alright, we just live underground. \nThere is a tunnel, that will lead you to the underground cities.\" \nThe director of the prison said chuckling. \nIt was just a joke... \n\"nice joke, and you wondered why I killed so many people back then.\" \nI said, chuckling, and patting the director's back.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHe froze a bit, before awkwardly chuckling, and showing me the way. \nAbove or underground, I don't care, I need a good real meal, and conversation with people...real people, that aren't my jailers." ]	3
	[WP] Who. What. Where. When. Why. These are the five branches of question magic, which allow practitioners to understand and control the very fabric of reality. However, this fragile balance of power is upended with the birth of a new question -- How.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "First there be void \nThen something exist. \nThe God of Stars born from void, created the yin and yang.\n\nHe look around, he saw nothing but white and black.\n\nHe said, where is this place? \nthe black and white starts to merge into something between them, the space starts to definite itself. \nThen, He said, What are those? \nthe grey mist start to have some kind of shape, like they trying to be something. \nWhen are those starts? \nthe mist's time starts to flow and starts to moving. \nWhy are those here? \nthere's something describable comes from those shape of mist, like line, pattern and words. \nand, Who I am? \neverything stops. \nthen, a voice from void said, \nyou're the original \nyou're the special, the one and only \nyou're the think, the soul and the believe. \nyou're the *Mind*.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"......and that's the words from the Starlight Scroll.\" A brown-hair mistress shut down the Starscreen, had her sights around the classroom. \"Now, anyone have any question? Don't be afraid, Question have power, so be brave about questioning.\"\n\nA pale hand rise from the silence, it's Alex. \"What does this scroll mean? is that in association with the five Coven?\"\n\n\"Sure it have! Where, What, When, Why and Who had their meaning in this scroll. They stands for the Location, the Shape, the Movement, the Meaning and the Mind. The five aspect of world is the stone that build the basic of the world, save us from falling into the void.\" Mrs. Shera said, \"And that's also what you're going to study to.\" \n\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAlex fell into the silence. Few seconds later, he ask another question.\n\n\"How does words change everything?\" \nSuddenly, he found he floating in a Deep, Grey Ancient Hall. \nThe end of the Hall have a throne. \nunder the throne there's a never stopping river. \non the throne carved a single sign, \"?\". \nand upon the throne, someone sit there. \n\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I'm glad you ASKED.\" \n\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI saw the brown wood ceiling.\n\n\"you awake! you suddenly blacked out and your classmate send you here. What happened?\"That's a question, from the Nurse. \n\n\nAlex felt confused.\"I..... don't know.\" He looks around. \"I were in the class, the teacher introduce about the Questions, and......\" \n\"and what?\" \n\"I don't remembered.\" he shake his head, trying to get rid of the dizziness in his head. \n\"But I guess...... I understand now.\"", "Thousands of years ago, in a time before magic. Five Wise Men set out on a journey in search of greater knowledge and understanding of themselves and the universe around them. On this journey the Five Wise Men encountered the Voice of The Void, who offered them an opportunity, \"Each of you may ask me one question and I will share with you my knowledge and power\". So, the wise men thought to themselves for a while.\n\nThe first Wise Man, Eveus, stepped forwards and asked, \"Who are we, as humans?\", \"Interesting question...\" replied the Voice of the Void. Instantly, Eveus' mind was flooded with knowledge, he saw every face of every person, and heard every voice in every language; he obtained knowledge and understanding of people and with it gained a great power. Whenever Eveus looked at a person, he could understand who they were, their thoughts and he even had the power to become anyone.\n\nThe second Wise Man, Illius, stepped forwards and in the same vein as Eveus asked, \"What are we, as humans?\", once again, the Voice of the Void replied, \"Another great question...\". Suddenly Illius' mind was filled with knowledge, he saw the makeup of humans, strands of DNA, and could understand the limits and capabilities of humans. With this knowledge he gained a great power, the ability to enhance ones own body with magic, pushing past the capacities of human flesh and modifying DNA to become greater.\n\nThe third Wise Man, Orick, then stepped forward and asked the voice, \"Where are we in the universe?\", \"Yet another brilliant question...\", replied the Void. Orick's mind was then overwhelmed with knowledge, he saw the entire universe, star systems, galaxies, and a tiny rock in the middle of nowhere, where human life had sprung into existence, he understood space itself and with this knowledge gained the ability to move and manipulate space itself, folding space to create portals and was even able to create his own sub-spaces.\n\nThe forth Wise Man, Chronos, stepped forwards and asked, \"When are we, in the timeline?\", \"Hmm, good question...\", replied the Void. Chronos' mind was flooded with images, the past, the present, the future. He witnessed the beginning of the universe, the birth of all life, and it's destruction and downfall, and when all had been lost and the universe collapsed in on itself, the cycle begun once more. With this knowledge he gained the ability to manipulate time itself, create spaces where time itself is frozen, slowed or sped up.\n\nThe final Wise Man, the oldest and Wisest of the five, Orion, stepped forwards and asked, \"Why does everything in the universe happen?\", \"An incredible question...\", replied the Void. In an instant Orion's mind was swamped with knowledge, he understood the makeup of everything and why any reaction, process or action occurs, the interaction of particles on a minute scale that lead to a change on a massive scale. With this knowledge, Orion gained the ability to manipulate matter on a molecular level and change it's entire form. Turn Coal into Diamond by changing its covalent structure, create energy by fusing nuclei and even create nuclear explosions by splitting atoms themselves.\n\nThe Wise Men left with the power and knowledge they had gained and formed great schools of magic where they shared this knowledge and power with those Wise and Powerful enough to wield it. These 5 schools were seen as balanced powerhouses of the world.\n\nUntil one day, thousands of years since the Wise Men had spoken to the Voice of the Void, a young man sought knowledge greater than that of the Wise Men, following in their steps he sought out the Voice of the Void and after an arduous, long and perilous journey, he found the Voice of the Void and asked it one simple question, \"How does magic work?\", the Voice of the Void laughed and said, \"What an unbelievable question...\".", "Komo clutched the deep wound on her chest, stemming the flow of blood, buying whatever little bit of time she could in the face of Quiznox.\n\nKomo had no talent for the five arcane questions, no power, no glorious purpose. But someone had to stop the mad sorcerer, lest he claimed not just the Uncertain Throne, but the entire kingdom.\n\nMaster of all five branches of question magic, Quiznox might as well have been a god. But what was a god to a nonbeliever?\n\nKomo sparked a phosphorous torch from her bag, a crackling orange beacon illuminating the grim throne room, and pressed it against her bleeding wound. She gritted her teeth, pushing the torch down harder. Burning cotton and flesh filled her nose.\n\nQuiznox, atop his throne, laughed. \"Desperate. Pathetic. Borning.\"\n\nKomo ignored the chide and, hand trembling, hurled the torch at Quiznox's smug bearded face.\n\n\"What?\" said Quiznox. \"Doves.\"\n\nThe torch shimmered and, through an explosion of sparks, a flock of doves burst forth and fluttered all throughout the throne room.\n\n\"Bastard,\" said Komo. Another of her efforts rendered useless by her former mentor. With her wound sealed, she sprinted for safety behind one of the six thick pillars standing around the throne. She pressed her back against the cool marble, thoughts racing miles per second.\n\nWhat could she possibly hope to achieve? How was she to face her former master, the man who plucked her from near-death and raised her as his own? How did such a great man fall to such depths? How could Komo possibly stop him?\n\n\"Child,\" said Quiznox. \"My curious child. Where are you?\"\n\nKomo's blood chilled. She craned her neck around, and, instead of stone, saw her former master clear as day.\n\n\"There you are.\"\n\nKomo reached for her throwing daggers as she sprinted for another pillar. Enchanted with Stygian runes, they'd managed to wound, even kill, other rogue sorcerers. But would they work here, now?\n\n\"You don't have to do this,\" said Komo. \"Please, stop this madness!\"\n\nShe reached the next pillar.\n\n\"My child, Where\\--\"\n\nKomo stopped short before the pillar and flung her cursed daggers at the throne. She thumbed a bit of blood from her shirt and formed the hand seals to activate the curse. The daggers pulsed, glowing impossibly black. Pain shot through every fiber of Komo's body, the curse drawing from her very life force to power itself. How many years did she have left after this activation? Six? Seven?\n\nThe daggers streaked, trailing black smoke, and struck true. Three handles stuck out of her master's chest, blood Seeping out and soaking Quiznox's linen shirt.\n\n\"It's over,\" said Komo. She dropped to her knees, spent.\n\nShe may have been powerless, but she was never helpless. Fallen, but not forsaken. Not a hero, but not a villain either.\n\n\"When?\"\n\nKomo gasped. \"No.\"\n\nThe daggers flew out from her master's chest, spun back through the air, and clattered at Komo's knees. Her master rose from the Uncertain Throne and smoothed out his mended linens. The Deathstroke was undone.\n\n\"Hopeless,\" said Quiznox. He strode forward, down the steps, across the stone floor.\n\nPerhaps her master was right. No.\n\nKomo reached for the daggers once more. If she used the rest of her life force, everything she had left--\n\n\"Why?\"\n\nKomo froze. The question invaded her mind, compelled her to stop.\n\nSuddenly, she was no longer in the throne room.\n\nShe knelt before a towering obelisk made of starry night, her former master by her side. They stared up at the monument together.\n\n\"You had such promise,\" said Quiznox. \"All that mana, and yet no talent for the arcane questions. Not a single one. I thought--I thought if I pushed you, drove you like a beast of burden, that one day you'd unlock your potential. Of course, I was wrong. Imagine my...disappointment. Me. Wrong?\"\n\nQuiznox pointed up to the Obelisk.\n\n\"You will die here,\" Quiznox continued. \"The Obelisk of the eternal Why will rend your mind, and your body will wither and die. Have you any final words, my dear student?\"\n\nThe question lifted the Obelisk's pressure and sense returned to Komo's mind. She'd lost. Had she ever stood a chance? Even after years of tutelage under the greatest sorcerer in the entire kingdom, Komo still did not comprehend how the arcane questions worked, their source of power, their reason for being. Not even her former master knew the origin of the Five Obelisks--always changing the subject when she'd press too far...\n\n\"How?\"\n\nQuiznox chuckled. \"What was that?\"\n\nKomo balled her fists, fought back tears, then lost once more and let them flow.\n\nShe stared up at the Obelisk and screamed, \"HOW DO YOU WORK?\"\n\nThen they were back in the throne room, Komo still kneeling and Quiznox across from her.\n\n\"What--what have you done?\"\n\nKomo reached for a dagger, offered another year of her life, and hurled it at Quiznox. The black blade struck her former master in the gut. He staggered, but raised a trembling hand and prepared another spell.\n\n\"When--\"\n\n\"How?\"\n\nThe time spell did not activate. Quiznox stumbled back, face pallid, eyes wide. \"No, no, no.\"\n\nKomo reached for another dagger, stumbled to her feet, steadied herself against the pillar.\n\n\"How is this possible?\" said Quiznox, clutching the dagger's hilt.\n\n\"That is for me to know,\" said Komo, readying her dagger. \"And for you to find out.\"" ]	4
	[WP] Cats have nine lives, which means they have nine souls. This makes nekomancy, well, complicated.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Anzu?\" I called out. \"I thought you died for real! I mean, that hunter mistook you for a squirrel and shot you in the head!\"\n\nAnzu purred in assertion. She was my only friend, a good neko with a motherly personality.\n\nTurns out when she died and came back, she still had the motherly personality.\n\nAs it turns out, she only has 3 lives left.\n\nEver since she first died of bronchitis, her first life gone, my life has somehow been... better? It's like her previous souls were watching over me. I could get my work done effectively, my boss quit harassing me, and so on.\n\nI don't know how to make her live more than just the nine lives.\n\nThen Anzu went to my keyboard when I got home and typed out that she wanted all the other souls back in the body.\n\nI responded that I could do what I can.\n\nMy neighbor looks pretty goth, mind you. She'd been accused of witchcraft, but she's clear now. I figure that she could help.\n\nI went to Himiko's house. It did look like a witch lived there. When she came out, asking if I needed anything, she did look so goth anyone could mistake her for a witch.\n\n\"Heya, Taisuko!\" she greeted with a warm smile.\n\n\"Likewise, Himiko!\" I responded.\n\nShe guessed immediately that Anzu wanted her lost souls back. It was going to be complicated.\n\nShe was gone a few minutes. Then Anzu came out to me, purring louder than ever. It wasn't like growling like she did with other cats. It was legitimate loud purring.\n\nIn fact she did get her souls back.\n\nThen Himiko said Anzu also had a sister who lost all her nine souls to illnesses and a few times getting shot where the brain is.\n\n\"I'll be out in about 9 hours. Nekomancy is complicated, so I'll have to get Juzo's nine souls back in her body.\"\n\nJuzo was Anzu's sister from the two-cat litter. I waited patiently, but Anzu was getting a bit worried.\n\nSo I got some stuff for us to read.\n\nNine hours later, Himiko came out with... a grey tabby, unlike the tortoiseshell colors Anzu wore. I could tell Anzu was happy to see this cat.\n\nThen I remembered it was Juzo, the other cat I adopted alongside Anzu.\n\nI was happy to see her too.\n\nAnzu and Juzo are now living with me. And my life hasn't gotten worse even then!", "Michael Scott's dialogue faded into muffled incoherence when a commanding voice reverberated to my right. There, I found the little gray tabby I know as my own, perched on the wooden stool. Aside him, two fly-ridden festering corpses. A dusty leatherbound tome levitated about him, enscribed with luminating runic text. The pages fluttered sporatically. Although his attention was fixated on our flowers.\n\n\n\n\"Let's see, we have 4th floor balcony fall, eating that dreadful rat from beneath the stove, and you are?\"\n\n\n\n\"Uaagghhhhh\" the pot of peonies vibrated as a decrepit paw punched through the neglected soil. Toe beans and all.\n\n\n\n\"Of course, the run-in with the neighbors, how catastrophic.\"\n\n\n\nHis mouth was unmoving, but the voice undoubtedly came from my little boy.\n\n\n\n\"Tiger?\", I muttered hesitantly.\n\n\n\nBriefly, I had his attention, I held his gaze.\n\n\n\n\"Hello Daniel.\" came the voice, inside my head now.\n\n\n\nBut only briefly. His eyes darted back towards the now risen heap of flesh and bones atop the newly unearthed soil. In stature and demeanor, they were paralleled, but in vigor, Tiger reigned taller. Asserting his dominance, Tiger placed his paw on top of his battered doppelganger's head. \n\n\n\nI couldn't help myself, \n\n\"I love you Tiger.\"\n\n\n\nWith what almost resembled a sigh, he diverted his eyes to meet mine once again,\n\n \"I love you too, Daniel.\"\n\n\n\nWithout thinking, I responded,\n\n \"Only my family calls me Daniel.\"\n\n\n\nWith that, Tiger dropped from his pedestal and trotted towards me with conviction. He leapt onto the couch, now inches from my face, eyes dilated and head ever so slightly askew. He placed a paw on my lap and addressed me,\n\n\"Are we not?\" \n\n\n\nThe commanding feline then sprinted across the room and through the window, to greet the concrete pavement stories down below, accompanied by a gut-wretching splatter. Moments later, he appeared once again on the stool. A new doppelganger emerged through the soil and each one afixed their attention to Tiger. In unison they nodded and a whistling gust flooded the room. The doppelgangers disappeared and rematerialized one by one. The first reemerged in the bathroom, and quickly began unraveling the toilet paper. The second, beside my feet, diligently clawing away at the arms of the couch. The third, by the food bowl, dutifully scratching through the hardwood floor. And the last, on the granite tops, finding itself the spice of choice to nudge off the counter.\n\n\nThe lively Tiger once again came to my lap but now kneaded his place between my legs and paced himself a few circles before settling into position.\n\n\nHe projected his final words before falling into slumber, \n\n\"There are many things I must do, Daniel. And these things, I do them for you.\"" ]	3
	[WP] War may be bloody and ruthless, but it isn't always thorough, that's your job. As the front line moves, you follow behind it, bringing closure to those that were unlucky enough to be left not quite dead.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "As he roamed the battlefield the screams rang out around him. The fighting had moved on, as it always did. Some of the corpses were trampled and unrecognisable. They were the lucky ones.\n\nOthers, mortally wounded but not outright killed were left. Bleeding and in agony they lay desperate for help. The healers could only do so much. Some were carried away from the front lines and patched up, but they knew they would only face death again. Sometimes they were pushed right back to the battle. Some got a days rest if they were really lucky. Most had just long enough to fix the holes in their flesh before they went out to get new ones.\n\nThe ones left behind, so gored by battle writhed in agony. The irony was this task was awarded to the \"winner\". The losing side did not get to reclaim their injured or dead. Blody soaked almost every inch of his clothes. The tradition was to wear dark brown to hide the older stains. I was not his job to patch people up or to save them. He was there to bring closure for those too far gone.\n\nGroans and shouts surrounded him, a voice nearby caught his attention and he made his way towards the fallen man.\n\nAt first glance the man looked ok, no visible wounds. That was the worst. Probably a victim of some magical attack, or alchemical weapon. On close inspection the skin was mostly missing. Raw exposed muscle, sinew, bone. There was little left of the voice, a rasping desperate groan. There was nothing he could do, except his job.\n\nHe reached down. The artifact in his hand. It was a priceless artifact and one that most people hoped never to need. One touch was death. Instant. Painless, but death all the same. It had once been stolen and used as a weapon. It was then that the thief discovered the person touched had to wish for death. If used against one who wished to live, the curse was reversed and killed the wielder just as cleanly.\n\nHe held it out in front of the man, eyes locked on the artifact and he nodded. He writhing subsided. As it touched his chest life instantly left what remained of the body. There was no time for burial, too many others to get to. This task was important. This might be one of the most important tasks...Only.. He was too slow.\n\nIt was only now he realised the moans were not moans of pain. Or desperation, or calls for attention. They were the low incoherent moans of the undead. A burned arm of torn flesh gripped his ankle, teeth snapped towards him as the newly risen zombie tried to do the only thing it knew. Slay the living.\n\nMore were rising around him. He was surrounded. Perks of the job indeed. Nobody wanted to die alone knowing they could rise and attack their friends. This perversion of nature was why his job was needed. You couldn't leave this much death laying in the magical fallout of the battle. They surrounded him now. At least a dozen had risen and he cursed himself for being too slow but the battle had been so immense. The dead and injured lay spread over miles. It was going to happen. He backed away, through a particularly steep section of muddied ground. The zombies slipped and struggled in the quagmire formed by the battle.\n\nA hand grabbed him from behind, he swung around dagger in hand. If he could just plunge the dagger into the zombies brain in one strike he would be ok, but it was a one chance strike before the biting teeth got to him. The blade cut through the air in the instinctive defensive strike but something happened that shouldn't. A hand raised and blocked the dagger. He fell back in shock. Zombies don't block!\n\nAs his eyes focused on the figure that had grabbed him from behind the horror only grew. The flesh was shredded over the whole body. Limbs seemed hardly attached. The creature was missing a lower jaw. It stumbled towards him again, the sounds coming from it a horror all of their own. The thing that made it a true horror however, the thing that terrified him to his core was simple. As he looked into it's eyes, he saw a man. Not dead. Not undead. This poor soldier had not yet died.\n\nIt grabbed again, only this time he realised what it was grabbing for. Not his neck, but the artifact that hung around it. He lifted it and without hesitation thrust it towards the clawing hands. It would be wrong to say relief filled the eyes as it touched, there was no relief here. Merely the absence of agony. A final act of dignity for one who had seen none. The body crumpled to the ground. More hands reached for him as his worst day ever got worse.\n\nThey were not all zombies. There was a mix. Not even the undead turned on those that had somehow survived, they couldn't tell. The undead and those that merely wished to be dead mixed and struggled towards the one truly living being in this field. This was going to be a very long day.", "\"Please....\"\n\nI had heard that word so many times before. From the crippled, weak and dying. They didn't want to die. At the threshold of death, the will to live was always strongest. But when they were too close, I had to step in.\n\n\"It will be fine.\"\n\nI kept my eyes on his, seeing his pain and knowing it was reflected in mine. At my words, he seemed to relax. I was glad that he didn't know what my blood red robes meant. He laid his head back on the ground, closing his eyes against the pain. I slowly stepped around him, keeping my movements slow.\n\nAs I did, I unclipped the tool from my belt. It looked much like a pickaxe, but with the two spikes pointing the same way, like a claw. I raised it high, before swinging down hard. With a nauseating crunch, they buried themselves in the soldiers skull. It was brutal, but a instantaneous death for him. With a practiced hand, I pulled it out, wiping the prongs clean.\n\n\"Reat peacefully. May your god welcome you to their halls with open arms.\"\n\nMy duty done, I began to walk through the carnage again. Behind me, the supporting acolytes picked up his body, placing it on a rapidly filling wagon. It was a sobering sight, seeing the cost of war piled high like that. They would be taken to one of the many pyres, and cremated. Once the flames died down, their bones would be buried in a grave, with a remembrance stone laid above them.\n\nI had done that before. It was gruelling, painful work. Not physically, but emotionally. I knew so many who came, full of the importance of the Gatherera of the Final Rites. But most would soon leave, their worldview destroyed at its cost. I was one of the few who could move past it, and deliver their final rest.\n\nI sighted another person moving, and knew I would need to give another end. Their entrails were spilled before them, the steam long since gone. But still they clung to life. I could see their uniform as being one of the victors, not that they would care. I bowed my head, stepping towards them again.\n\nIt was a thankless job. But at least I ended needless suffering." ]	3
	[WP] We were told by the governments of the world that we had a month left. They told the people of the world to get our affairs in order. So we did, humanity lived life with no regrets for our final month. But on day 32, we were still alive and had to face the consequences of our actions.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"There was another lynching today.\"\n\n\"Who was it this time?\"\n\n\"Some sicko who used his last thirty days murdering his exes and any girl he thought did him dirty.. Stood before the church proclaiming all of them whores. Then he bolted when he realized that we weren't about to be burned up.\"\n\n\"I thought the police had stopped people from doing that now?\"\n\n\"Well obviously there still getting back on their feet.\"\n\nI swear everyday there was another story like this. Someone who used their last thirty to be a monster. \n\nI had been surprised by how normal everything had been in those last thirty days. People panicked yeah, but they didn't go mental. Shops still opened, some people still went to work but over all people had just lived. They'd done the things they'd always wanted, partied and loved and gave everything in those last thirty days. \n\nI had gone back to work and kissed Elisa. She'd been shocked, unsure what to say as I confessed my love, before telling her gawping moron of a husband to take care of her in those final days before walking out. Then I'd gotten monumentally drunk before heading home, the fake bravado running in my vein fueled by vodka.\n\nMy dad had opened the door, and for a moment I thought he was going to shut it in my face.\n\nHe'd embraced me. Begged forgiveness. He and mum had tucked me into bed and the next day we had spent hours talking, trying to make up for the six year we had spent silent after I had come out of the closet. After that we had gone to see my brother, and we had spent the week together. It hadn't been smooth sailing. His daughter had snuck off in the middle of the night, leaving a note saying she would return befor4e the end, but she had to live first. \n\nWe all lived. My mother got a tattoo of her own. My brother went horses riding and my dad, god, he'd gone and pissed on my grand dads grave. Then he had gone out and gotten the dog he'd always wanted to but could never have due to allergy. He'd take an anti hystermined every day and spoiled the rescue animal rotten. Said dog is currently snuggle next to my mum as she reads, and I know we have two months worth of allergy pills in the bathroom.\n\nTwo days before the burn up my niece had shown up with a dozen tattoos, three of which were on her face, a ring on her finger and a boy called Badel who had left his family after his dad's idea of the perfect last days was hunting down a sister he never knew he had because she married a white boy. He'd spent those days with us, and was currently helping at the local warehouse to earn extra food for himself and my niece. My pregnant niece.\n\nWe found that out a month after the scientist who had proclaimed the worked was ending said there had been a pretty big fucking mistake made, and the so called 'fire storm' space cloud hadn't been real. The big burn wasn't going to happen.\n\nBut it had been real for that month. That month where people had gone on rampages. The guy who's murdered his exes wasn't the only one I had seen. There had been Priest in Luton who had killed his congregation, citing the fact that they did had confessed to plans to kill and hoard supplies from so many others. There was the fact that America was in the middle of a pretty big civil war. There were countless people in make shift prisons and cells for commuting atrocious acts.\n\nBut I'm still reeling from the sadder repercussions. My old teacher killed himself and his family. Mass suicides' had been over every paper and many had died simply because the illnesses that had ravaged them had gone untreated. \n\nAnd many like my niece. pregnant and decorated in their end of life art. She bonds with others over her time away, and she has no regrets at all. I'm proud of her for that.\n\nI get up and head to the door, as I am due to collect another food parcel today. Outside the world is moving on, and I pass my neighbor and his wife as they smoke in the yard. I walk faster, as he and his wife keep trying to get me to meet their daughter. Its funny how after all this, I still get t deal with this silliness.\n\nMy smile is gone soon though, as I pass by a street lamp, and the man hanging from it. I recognize his face, and I know he earned that death.\n\nThat doesn't mean I want to see it." ]	2
	[WP] All your life, you were controlled by other people. So on your eighteenth birthday, you wished to be uncontrollable. Your wish was granted. You didn’t really think about the implications of that.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "My time has finally come. \nMy whole existence revolved around what others wanted from me. \nNo more. \nI closed my eyes in concentration and rubbed the magic lamp that would be my salvation. \n\nPurple smoke billowed throughout my room. The lavender mass swirled with power and began to form the shape of a shirtless torso and head. \nAs the form began to solidify a booming voice sounded \n\n“Master! Your wish is my command! What is thy bidding? “ \n\nI gawked in awe at the genie before me; he looked just like the books and movies I’ve seen. \nI needed a second to think. In all the lore, wishes were always tricky and had a horrible cost. I had to think of exactly the correct wish to avoid repercussions. \n\nThe genie starred with poignant eyes … I could tell he was growing impatient… oh well here it goes. \n\n“Genie, I wish for no one to be able to control me ever again “ \n\nAs soon as he uttered “your wish is granted “ … of its own accord my arm swung viciously and a punched MYSELF in the face. \n\nThe force behind my own swing knocked me to the ground. I told my own muscles to right myself, however they seemed to have a mind of their own as I flailed wildly against the carpet. \n \nI tried to tell the genie this was NOT what I wished for … but the only words that tumbled from my lips were “noodle bag!” \n\n It was at that moment I realized my grave error … by wishing to be uncontrollable by all… that included myself. \n\nI once again attempted to plead with the genie through my involuntary undulation …\n\n“Shit bricks!!!” \nWas what came out of my traitor mouth. \n The genie merely crossed his arms and smiled\n\n“Master , is that another wish ?”\n\nNooooooooo! My mind screamed. \n\n“YEESss!” My mouth betrayed \n\n“Your wish is my command”\n\nThe smell hit me before the force did …. It seems my own personal hell has just begun." ]	2
	[WP] The mercenary walked into town wearing an old suit of metal armor. The human battlecrest was barely visible, hidden behind the wear of countless battles. The town grew silent and many hid. For all knew wherever human warriors traveled, battle would not be far behind.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The market quietened, an experience Faulsten had never had before. He looked up from the selection of fresh apples, following the gaze of the dryad store seller. Coming into the town was a human, towering above the majority of the population. As strange as humans were, he couldn't see why everyone had stopped. The evening sun shone in his eyes, obscuring all but the silhouette.\n\nBut as the human stepped forwards, he heard the unfamiliar sound of rattling metal. He lifted into the air, shedding minute amounts of dust from his wings as he did so. Finally, he realised exactly what it was, and he felt a chill creep over him. The human wore a suit of armour, scratched from numerous battles past. The fact they were alone did little to alleviate the tension in the air. In fact, it made it worse.\n\nHuman warriors were a thankfully rare breed. They were drawn to battle, with a ferocity even orcs couldn't match. Where many marched, it was often safer, as they could repel large numbers of foes. But one meant either that the battle would be bloody, or that human was mind-bogglingly strong. That never boded well.\n\nThe stillness suddenly broke. The crowd that had been milling around melted away. A few storeholders followed, not daring to have the human as a customer. Only a few brave individuals dared to remain, Faulsten being one of them. He looked around, and swallowed. Someone had to speak with the human. He decided to volunteer himself, to protect the town if he could.\n\nThe human drew close, and he finally got a good look at them. Their face was that pale shade, and their hair was messily cut short. They were slumped over, moving with a weary pace. Faulsten fluttered down, hovering in midair infront of them.\n\n\"H-hello. W-welcome to o-our little town.\"\n\nThe human looked up as him, and smiled. Kindness flickered in their eyes, along with a spark of hope.\n\n\"Hello kind pixie. I was hoping to acquire lodgings for the night.\"\n\nFaulsten winced. That was not a good sign. No-one wanted humans nearby. But angering them would likely prove fatal.\n\n\"I-I don't know if t-the i-inn has room.\"\n\nAs the human opened their mouth to speak, Faulsten hastily added.\n\n\"B-but there is a c-clearing by my h-house, t-that is covered by the t-trees.\"\n\nThe human nodded in thanks.\n\n\"I will gladly accept. Here, I hope this is payment enough. I know you dislike metal.\"\n\nThe human held up a cloth bag. They pulled it open, taking a seed from inside.\n\n\"These are seeds from my home. They are of trees that bear walnuts.\"\n\nFaulsten gently flew forwards, picking one up. He examined it, feeling the life potential held within. He smiled, realising the human was not bringing war and death to their peaceful village.\n\n\"Thank you, I have not had this walnut before. Please, follow me. My name is Faulsten, by the way.\"\n\nThe human seemed to relax a little at the confirmation.\n\n\"Thank you Faulsten. I am Lady Jealt. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.\"" ]	2
	[WP]the us government put 4 giant robots under mount Rushmore to aid America in their time of need, along with the steampunk big ben robot they go take down.....	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "BLACK HILLS. KEYSTONE, SOUTH DAKOTA. SITE OF TOP SECRET GOVERNMENT FACILITY KNOWN ONLY AS AVALON ONE. \n\nGeneral Casper Thornhill would have looked like any other tourist visiting one of the nation's most iconic landmarks. Except for the flag officer uniform and chest full of medals that he wore at basically all times. Nonetheless, from the Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore that day, few would have paid him much mind, thinking him nothing but a harmless kook. Certainly nobody would have suspected such a conspicuous and ostentatious figure of being privy to the most secretive affairs of the inner circles of the American government. But looks can be deceptively appropriate. \n\n As soon as he was sure he was not observed, General Casper Thornhill approached a disused souvenir penny machine, withdrew a special silver coin from his pocket, and inserted it into the machine's slot. The wall behind the machine slid open to reveal a hidden service elevator, into which General Thornhill stepped. \n\nBefore long General Casper Thornhill was in Avalon. \n\nMen in black suits and white labcoats bustled back and forth on the catwalks around the vast subterranean facility. Half-formed clones floated dreamlessly in huge womb-tubes of clone juice. \n\nThis was Avalon One, a facility for recreating America's greatest heroes, for that dire day when only they could restore order to the nation should their oldest, darkest enemy return to menace them. In higher circles it was believed that Avalon Two, under Graceland, showed especial promise. And General Thornhill was here to inspect the progress of the Rushmore project. \n\n\"General. Thank you for coming,\" said one of the men in black suits. Like the other agents who operated this place, he had no official name. He was only called Watchmaker. \n\n\"I couldn't very well be anywhere else, son. The Pentagon's getting antsy about this special program of yours. We want results.\" \n\n\"Let me show you our results.\" \n\n\\\\\\\\\\\n\n\"Obviously we had the most hope for George. Sadly he's not fond of the stealth suit we made for him.\" \n\nIn fact, George wore a salmon-pink suit, unbuttoned Yakuza style. As Thornhill listened to Watchmaker's ramblings, he watched the clone duck and weave around combat training drones, effortlessly cutting them to pieces with a razor sharp tsurugi. A small arrogant smile touched the clone's lips, revealing razor sharp false teeth. \n\nAnother suit-wearer brought them coffee on a silver tray. \"Thank you, Coffeemaker. Back to the project- of course, Abraham shows significant promise.\" \n\nThornhill turned his attentions to a strikingly tall, bearded man made of wiry muscle. Mercenaries fell at his feet as he dispatched them in a flurry of judo flips and lightning fast jabs. \n\n\"We were uncertain about young Thomas at first. Little in the way of combat experience; more of a diplomat and scientist. But he proved surprisingly skilled with a throwing knife. But of course, the crown jewel of our project, little Theodora. Many of my colleagues were eager to write her off as a botched job, but just look at her now...\" \n\nThornhill watched through closed circuit TV as a stocky young woman in furs and a woolly cap marched cautiously through an imposing looking maze, a pair of Colts held erect at armlength. As a series of deadly animals leaped out at her, Theodora's Colts spat bullets at them with near surgical precision, leaving them quite dead. \n\n\"As you can see, General, we've come quite a ways since the last time you we were inspected-\" \n\n\"Not as much as the Department would like, I'm afraid. You know the threats we're up against here-\" \n\n\"General, please. These are only their individual combat capabilities. Rudimentary basics designed to help them interface effectively with Project Big Ben.\" \n\nHe gestured to where a plump, stringy-haired man in spectacles was tinkering with electrical wiring in a giant servomechanical hand. Thornhill realized with a start the plump man was another clone. How many others in this facility were as well? \n\nWatchmaker continued. \"Trust me, general. This team is prepared for the threat at hand. We will be equal to the burden.\" \n\n\\\\\\\\\\\\*\n\nTHE SOMEWHAT MORE DISTANT FUTURE \n\nThe Beast had devastated much of the North American continent. Its roar reeked of vodka. One of its limbs was a wicked curved sickle blade and the other a brutal crushing hammer fist. Its wings released gusts of wind with each flap, freezing the countryside with Siberian winter. \n\nAnd as the military failed against it in endless droves, it became clear that there was no hope for the world- UNTIL!\n\nProject Big Ben appeared over the Black Hills, four gigantic cybernetic machines, each controlled by the clone piloting it like part of their own body. But that was not all; before the eyes of the terrifying onlookers, the four began to contort and to merge into a massive mechanical monstrosity. On its chest, the Eye of Providence flashed with a lightning pulse; gigantic silver eagle wings sprang from its back. The gestalt machine sprang into action. Freedom rang." ]	2
	[WP] Humans are feared throughout the galaxy: do not fight them for they have “music”, sound that makes you move unwillingly, uncontrollable, unstoppable.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "You know the rules, and so do I - A short story.\n\n\nEverybody get up, singing! 1, 2, 3, 4! 5 will make you get down now! pumped the speakers on the outside of the Starship Rick Astley, a battle craft funded by immortal cyborg Elon Musk. Moments later a laser beam tore through the main hull, obliterating everything in it's path and taking the whole crew by surprise. As the rest of the ship began to collapse in on itself and fall apart, bodies and debris were flung listlessly out into the blackness of infinity. Back on earth, an inquisition had begun.\n\n\"What the hell happened up there!\" bellowed the general to a room full of nervous looking, white shirted engineers and scientists. He knew he would be the one to have to answer to Elon later that day, and he wanted answers.\n\"Sir we told you a hundred times. Sound doesn't travel through space. Our weapons were completely useless!\" stammered a brave physicist, keeping his gaze at the floor. The glass then shattered around them as most in the room fell to the floor, the ground rumbled and an ear shattering sound permeated the surroundings. There wasn't time to react as the building collapsed into rubble and flames.\n\nThe alien crafts in low orbit continued to pummel a defenseless Earth. They had won." ]	2
	[WP] A crew is on a space mission. They are heading towards a mysterious signal they received years ago outside the solar system. They find a spaceship identical to their own. When they go inside the other spaceship they find that the ship is inhabited by clones of themselves.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The ship, often called The Sparrow, had been in space for approximately 4 months and 14 days. A crew of only 4, launched to find out what this deadzone was that emitted the signal oh so many years ago. \r \n\r \nThe crew was right on the edge of what couldn’t be seen by scanners and telescopes. \r \n\r \nA vortex of sorts then the moment the ship crossed the threshold they saw something appear where the vortex was a ship identical in make to The Sparrow. \r \n\r \n“That was unexpected,” The Captain mumbled, as if only barely inconvenienced. \r \n\r \n“You're taking this quite well, Captain,” Pilot Sharlene said, the confusion evident on her face. “Their ship is the same as ours, must mean we can hail them, Hans?” \r \n\r \nThe communication specialist was looking at the ship before them before snapping to his work, “We can hail the ship though it looks like it’s powered off.” \r \n\r \n“Do it, we’ll need to figure this out no matter what” The screen on the bridge was transparent screen, the lack of connection shown visually, a single ring, then a second, then a third. The ringing continued, they were not responding to the hail. \r \n\r \n“What should we do now captain?” Engineer Veneer asked. \r \n\r \n“The ship’s the same as ours, we can establish an internal connection so we don’t need a spacewalk.” \r \n\r \n“Might be wise for space suits still, if it’s powered down,” Hans commented. The group gears themselves up with only Pilot Sharlene staying on the ship in case of any emergency. \r \n\r \nThey were ready and now in the airlock as the Captain started talking, “Be prepared for anything, but no force unless fired upon.” \r \n\r \n“Understood Captain,” the other two spoke simultaneously. \r \n\r \nThe airlock opened and they saw the first painted sign, the name of the ship. \r \n\r \nThe other ship was called The Sparrow looking back at their own, it was the exact same, except the color green instead of yellow. \r \n\r \nIt appeared as though oxygen levels had not decreased once they entered the ship, and some systems seemed like they were still on. \r \n\r \n“Head to the bridge, let's see what we can find.” The Captain led the way, the rooms were dark, lights not on, things and objects in disarray. \r \nThe door to the bridge was blocked, completely sealed. Veneer grabbed his laser cutter but the Captain signaled him to stop as he pressed a button on the side for the mic between the door. \r \n\r \n“Hello is anyone on the bridge, we are here to help.” As they waited Hans started to speak to Veneer.\r \n\r \n“The captain’s way too calm about this, we should have reported and left, not entered without permission, this is all crazy.” \r \n\r \n“I admit this is weird but the Captain knows what they're doing, we’re going to be fine, we’ve trusted them to get us this far.” The Captain interrupted any continuation of the conversation, “No response, Veneer, open the door.” \r \n\r \nThe laser cutter made its way into the door slowly going down the noise and the heated metal adding to the suspense and worry that filled Hans. Then the door was pushed open as the captain made their way through first. They saw a person in the pilot's chair facing away from them, their hand on the console, and then heard a buzz from their own communications. \r \n\r \n“Any news Captain?” Sharlene asked. “Encountered Single person on the bridge, our presence is unknown to them, attempting to make contact now.” The Captain responded before their attention turned to the pilot, “Hello, we are of no threat to you.” The person ignored them and as The Captain got closer the pilots mumbling could be heard. \r \n\r \n“I can’t let it get to me, I can’t let it find me,” the pilot’s voice was familiar as she repeated those words over and over. The captain turned the chair, Sharlene’s hollow eyes and fear looked back at them, then she noticed the open door. “No, no you can’t let it catch or find me, or you.” “Let what find us?” Hans asked before The Captain could speak. “It, too dangerous, had to hide, you let it go!” \r \n\r \n“There was nothing around, how can you be sure?” The Captain asked. She noticed The Captain's voice and demeanor, “Captain! You're alive, does that mean we’re safe, it’s gone?” “Wait, Wait. Are you Sharlene?” Hans asked. “Of course I am, who else would pilot this ship? Hans?” He looked away, “Thanks for the Compliment Sharlene.” \r \n\r \n“Wait Hans, then that must mean your,” she turned to the engineer, “you’re Veneer, you’re all alive.” The Captain looked almost solemn, “I don’t know if that’s true, the ship outside is our Sparrow, this might be a bigger situation than you realize.” \r \n\r \nVeneer turned on his communication, “Sharlene are you still there?” “Yeah, how’s the pilot?” “Sending you visual data now.” \r \n\r \nThere was a few moments pause, before either spoke again, “That person, looks like me, this ship is the same as our Sparrow isn’t it.” “I would assume so, I’ll give you the live feed of mine and Hans helmet in case of any problems.” \r \n\r \nAway from the side conversation, Hans and The Captain were trying to convince this different Sharlene about coming onto their ship. “Fine, I’ll do it, anything to get out of here.” They began the arduous walk back to the airlock. Both Sharlene and The Captain were in front, The Captain's hand on her back. Hans and Veneer walking side by side behind them. Then they heard Scuttling, a noise that could be interpreted as footsteps or an unruly machine causing noise. \r \n\r \nNon had time to react as an arm sharp as a blade pierced through Sharlene's heart, her scream loud and high pitched her fears justified. The blade, just above The Captain's hand and the creature standing tall with barely an identifiable silhouette. \r \n\r \nHans and Veneer ran but The Captains footsteps did not follow as they stopped themselves and hid locked in the supply closet. The scream was gone now but there was a yell from The Captain, an attack blasts from a gun, unholy screams from the unknown creature. It was a fight, or struggle as it was, it’s sound became louder moving closer to where they had hid until they had a clear view through the slits of the door. \r \n\r \nThe creature's blade-like arms brandished. The Captain's suit, damaged and slashed. \r \nIt was silent, the people trying to hide and the person who chose to fight. The gun did nothing, two arms with powerful blades went right into The Captain piercing the screen of their helmet. The suits were naturally silent when properly sealed, nothing can be smelled through it either. \r \n\r \nBut the screen broke, the collected captain was no longer, a voice hoarse, not loud at all, for but a small word, “Sorry-” \r \n\r \nThe creature drew it’s blades out slowly turning towards the door of the supply closet, it’s footsteps fell nearer, the duo shrunk down, trying not to be seen, not to die.\r \nBoth of them breathing, just breathing, they saw their captain’s death, and the death of Sharlene, even if she wasn’t their Sharlene. The footsteps of the creature left the door and started walking again, towards the bridge away from them. \r \n\r \n“I just saw everything, get out of there right now” their Pilot’s voice came through. “We’ll figure it out, but be ready to leave the moment we're on, we don’t need that thing coming with us, no one needs to die” Veneer said. “I told you this was a bad idea, but no one listens to Hans do they?” Hans yelled, throwing his hands in the air. \r \n\r \n“Let’s just go, we can discuss this later, when The Captain's dead body isn’t on the other side of the door.” They opened the door carefully and slowly, hoping that the creature was far enough away not to hear. \r \n\r \nThey walked slowly at first until Hans began to sprint towards the airlock the noise of the creature was also heard behind, to Veneer running would be suicide, attracting the creature, and him being last would surely mean he would go first. He pushed against the wall between two support beams before speaking. “What the hell are you doing, hide or it will get you!” \r \n\r \n“Hiding will get you nowhere Veneer, I’m escaping right now!” Hans said through shallow breaths running as fast as his legs could take him. The creature ran right past Veneer, its tail lashing at him only a few inches off from his face. \r \nHans comms went out and Veneer found his own comms went out as well maybe he would find a better escape route if he spacewalked from the other side of ship, through the other airlock. That meant he would have to go through the bridge first.\r \n\r \nHe needed to escape, he was not going to be brash, he was not going to attack it, he was going to escape. It felt painfully slow as he walked the very halls back past the supply closet and the captain, with blood pooling below their head. \r \n\r \nThe creature screech made him want to walk faster, to run, but he kept his pace slow, one step, two steps, repeat. Then he got to the bridge and saw the space before him, something he sees everyday but this was different. A vortex similar to the one they just saw just before this happened, then a warning blaring on the bridge, “Airlock disconnected” and seeing the ship next to him, his ship, starting up the engines and flying through it, the vortex disappearing.\r \n\r \nHe was alone. He sat in his chair waiting, not the captains or pilots, but his. But he waited for nothing, for nothing came and he was truly alone." ]	2
	[WP] You have the power of invulnerability. Due to this the government has become scared of what you're capable of and calls you regularly to "test" you're durability. First it were small explosives and weapons but now things have gone way far	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "For a few million dollars each time, the government would bring me to their research facility and do a number of tests on me. \n\nUnlike others, I'm bestowed the gift of being overpowered as heck.\nI first notice these peculiarities of mine when I was visiting a beach. I was chilling on the beach when suddenly the water manifested into the shape of a mouth and said to me in an incredible manly voice, \"be OP bro\".\n\nAnd so I was O flippinn P. One thing lead into one another and the government took notice of my invulnerability. \n\nThe government don't joke around. The knife stabs quickly turned into nuclear warheads. When those doesn't work, they resort to biological weapons.\n\nAs expected, even biological weapons can't draw a drop of blood from my OP body. What wasn't expected was that the biological weapons stayed in my body and I accidentally spread it to the rest of the world.\n\nSo there I was, alone as the whole of humankind had departed into the realm of death when the clouds rearranged itself into the shape of a mouth, and it said to me, \"being too OP ain't that much fun, yeah?\"", "I'm 'Invulnerable' that's the term they give it. I don't think that's quite right though, invulnerable implies invincibility but I can still age, I can still get tired and still get depressed I also seem to be 'invulnerable' to gasses and such. I've lived with this 'condition' for my entire life. I would have loved to have seen the doctors face when they tried to vaccinate me as a baby. My condition is more along the lines of my 'shell' cannot be pierced, punctured or damaged... This includes internally as well. I tried to eat glass when I was younger, Nothing came of it though. When I got older my mother sold me out to the government i'm not sure if it was out of fear or hope of monetary compensation unfortunately for me they pretty much refuse to identify themselves and I still have no idea who they actually are, at first they assumed it was a joke. That lasted about 4 seconds as my mother pulled a small knife from her purse and drove it into my skull, It of course did absolutely nothing although it was entertaining to watch 3 guys tackle her to the floor... They ended up taking me though and its my understanding that my mother was given a sizeable amount of money to 'forget' about me... So im in a facility, at first they opted to keep me contained and locked up, This didn't last very long. I think they were afraid and scared. Clearly they didn't have a thought about me beyond 'risk'. They soon realized I wasn't able to survive without food and water, Honestly other than the 'invulnerability' I'm nothing special. I can be over-powered, hand cuffs can hold me. I can be restrained.\n\nAfter a few days of being locked up and neglected they gave me an offer. Sit in the cell and die or allow testing on me. In exchange for allowing me to test they would offer me a small freedom in a contained facility, It had everything I could want... I had no chance of escape and wanted to get a semblance of my old life back. I agreed.\n\nAt first they tried simple things, a surgical knife, a needle and bats. Nothing even remotely came close. They tried stabbing me shooting me having me hold a grenade. It was clear whoever was in charge just continued to assume I would have a 'limit' and kept ramping up the scale. They drive a truck at me, Shot me with armor piercing bullets, tried to strangle me with wire. I've stared down a tank, had cannonballs bounce off me like pebbles its clear they were stuck and getting nowhere. Pretty much three months of this passed with zero progress. I think the guy in charge was negotiating with the military to justify nuking me, But then someone else stepped in.\n\nThis person was the bane of my existence. There were guidelines as to what the would and wouldn't do to me. This person threw the book out the window.\n\nThey started trying very unique things, Drilling into my eyes, Putting a tube down my throat and filling it with water, acid, rocks honestly anything they could find, If you thought the bottom half was safe you'd be mistaken, I've had more objects inserted than i can count, ever had a grenade explode inside you? That was an experience to say the least... However not even this guy could kill me... So they slowed down testing...\n\nIt's been a few years now, They've called me in for my 'testing' again and honestly I'm not sure why they bother showing up anymore... At this point its clear to me the only thing that will kill me is time... There's only so many things that they can test before they run out. But it seems like this time they've outsourced to the internet, This new idea might be the end of me...\n\n&#x200B;\n\n*Apologies, These aren't my usual kind of posts. I have pretty much zero writing experience and don't know how to format anything. I apologize in advance if this ends up being wrong or pointless.", "You know, waking up once a week to a secret base in the middle of nowhere just to be nuked into nothing was getting pretty old. \n\nEver since I was a child I had a strange knack for not getting hurt. I never cried whenever I was dropped by my mother, I never screamed when I should have had my body crushed when I ran in front of that car. But I didn't. I was invulnerable to any pain. But it also seemed I was invulnerable with my emotions as well. According to everyone I might as well be an indestructible robot. Not even human. \n\nI walk into the white doors of the small government building that had become my home ever since the day back in 2001 where I had been on the top floor and somehow survived with no scars. I was drafted into the war and was the only one in my army group to survive. That's when the government got its hands on me. \n\nTunes, doctors, white light, the whole thing. After getting shot in the head a couple times as I walked over toward the back area, I was getting really annoyed or something like that. \n\n\"Hey Bill\"\n\n\"Hey John, stop shooting me in the head or I will do the same to you.\"\n\nWith that John's eyes widened and he quickly left.\n\n\"Coward.\" I mummered as I pushed open the doors to the doctors.\n\nToday was going to be different. This time, I'm going to do the testing.\n\nMy lips raised up as I grabbed the axe on the wall.", "You know, I used to be ok with this. I made money, they couldn't kill me, and it was over within a few seconds. At least, when it was something small...ish like a bullet, or a machete. I would get a small bruise from the bullet but it went away quite quickly. Same with the machete. They kept testing various weapons and technology on me partially for efficiency, and partially for curiosity I believe. I don't know the latter for sure but damn, the scientist assigned to me was always giddy as hell. \n \nThat was 3 years ago. As it turns out, the government/FBI/whatever you wanna call it - the dudes in charge of making and using the stuff - moved on fast from conventional stuff. We went from bullets, to swords, to blades, to bombs, to lasers, and it just kept progressing. \n \n\"So what am I testing today?\" I asked. I was getting tired of it but like I said, at least the money was good, a few hundred thousand for each test set my family up for life. \n \n\"Umm....something different than usual...\" said the scientist. \"All these years we've been testing small stuff. But now, we begin to see if you can break physics itself\" \n \nI had already thought about this before and was surprised it wasn't one of the first tests. \"No need doc, I already know I can survive a nuclear explosion. The radiation and agony over the next couple of months though is unbearable so I'll need a couple million for my family, and then about 20x the dose of the strongest pain pills you have. I want to essentially be in a coma for-\" \n \n\"Oh, no, no.\" he said cutting me off \"There would be no reason for you to survive a nuclear explosion, so no need to test for it. Instead...\" he walked over to a blanket over a large object and pulled the blanket off. It looked like any normal machinery that you'd see in a mad scientist's lab. \n \n\"Do I test more lasers?\" I asked apathetically \n \nHe seemed a bit disgruntled at my lack of awareness to the situation. \"No, no. This,\" he hugged it as if it was his own child. \"Is a black hole generator\" \n \nAw crap. \n \n\"Don't worry, luckily it'll be a small black hole.\" Great. Because that made me feel a ton better. \"You don't need to stand in it or anything, all you need to do, is stick your finger in it. Worst case scenario you lose the finger. Best case...you don't.\" \n \nI stepped up to the machine. \"I still want the deal that I said with the nuclear stuff.\" I crossed my arms almost willing to walk out.\n\n\"Done.\" he said. Damn, I should've asked for more. \"Get ready to stick your finger in please.\" \n \nHe started the machine up and the lights in the room began to dim. Shit this thing was taking a lot of power but I guess that's what happens when you create a freaking black hole. After flashing lights, a few tremors, and some heat emanating from it, the dimming stopped. The result was a black hole the size of a baseball a few feet in front of me. \n \n\"There.\" said the scientist \"I'll also remind you that see those waves emanating from it? Those are what stops the black holes force from destroying the earth...and pretty much the solar system. So don't worry.\" He kept saying all this as if I would feel better. In any case, he seemed to know what he was doing, so I gingerly began the test. \n \nI stuck my hand out and closed my fist except for my pinky finger. I slowly put it down and penetrated the waves surrounding it. Immediately it felt like the black hole was trying to take my finger. The pain was immense...but not unbearable. I saw as my pinky finger went back and forth between slightly disconnecting from my hand*, and reconnecting with it. The scientist saw this too and his jaw might as well be on the floor. \n \nAfter about 30 seconds, he shut off the machine. I looked at my pinky but it didn't look like a finger anymore. Instead it looked...electricity in the shape of a finger. And the finger was slowly turning back into a human finger. \n \nImmediately I turned to the scientist \"What does this mean?!\" I asked with a mix of emotions. Confusion and fear topping them. \n \n\"I don't know.\" he said \"But one thing's for sure.\" He took my pinky in his own hand and examined it. It was 1/4 way to human from electricity. \"It appears you're not human.\"\n\nEdit: [PT 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/p3l5ha/wp_you_have_the_power_of_invulnerability_due_to/h8uui20/) has been requested" ]	5
	[WP] You were just trying to find the kitchen, how did you end up in hell?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I was staying at a friends new place, their house was kinda big but how did this even happen. I was hungry at some point in the night. I was going to ask them to show me the kitchen, but by then they were asleep. So I decided I could just help myself, at some point I was lost, and I saw a door, I didn’t see it before so I just opened it, I don’t know why, now I’m in hell.\n\n“What the-“\n\nJust then some demon who looked extremely intoxicated, just came up to me.\n\n“Yo dude welcome to hell.”\n\n“What is happening right now?”\n\n“Your in hell bro, oh wait… hold up…. I’m gonna be sick.”\n\nHe vomits out lava, it was red, scolding, and smelt awful.\n\n“Am I on acid right now?”\n\n“Ha you wish dude.”\n\nJust then my friend came through the door to find me\n\n“Oh there you are I was looking everywhere for-“\n\n“Hey did you know you had a portal to hell in your house.”\n\n“sigh That’s what I get for buying this house from a drunk wizard. Come on let’s go, I’ll figure this thing out when it’s not 2 am.”\n\nWe leave through the door as the very drunk demon falls over trying to wave goodbye. We stood there, outside the portal to hell.\n\n“Dude you should’ve just stayed the studio apartment.”\n\n“I should’ve just stayed in the studio apartment.”" ]	2
	[WP] The alien overlords have given humanity one hour to submit video evidence as to why humanity should be left alive. Unbeknownst to government authorities, you have sent them a rickroll link..	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“I don’t understand.”\n\n“What don’t you understand?”\n\n“This!” Ryiop palmed the hologram, depicting a man, with knees bent, hobbling his hips back and forth.\n\nThe governor recalled his days in primary school. His classmates, immature as they were, would delay the class by making inappropriate gestures and remarks. His teacher nearly burst a vein at that—and enlisted the help of a specialized instructor to teach them ‘proper conduct regarding sexual attitude’.\n\n“Why he’s doing the old mating call, anyway?”\n\n“I don’t know!” Ryiop reclined into his seat. “The others say it’s merely a coincidence, but I simply cannot fathom why they’d send us this. Don’t they know what’s at stake?”\n\n“Maybe it’ll be like the Atuahlon incident—“\n\n“Don’t. It’s still off to horny jail with them.” Ryiop stroked his chin. “I still don’t understand.”\n\n“Maybe it wasn’t meant to be understood.”\n\n“What do you mean?”\n\n“Well,” Heajn waved to a hologram depicting Earth, “our planetary scan shows they’ve already harnessed nuclear power and created lethal armament. While not exactly dangerous for the rest of our fleet, they could strike the central ship and blow it to smithereens.”\n\nA beat.\n\n“You’re saying it’s a distraction?”\n\n“It might be.”\n\nRyiop eyed the general.\n\n“Well, it was a good one, I’ll give them that. I’ve already delayed their destruction for one hour to ascertain their intent. No more, I suppose.”\n\nHeajn nodded, as Ryiop gave the final order.\n\n“Ready the Supernova Codes.”" ]	2
	[WP] You are a well known forensic anthropologist. One day, a skeleton comes across your table that isn’t quite right. You realize that it isn’t human, but close enough to trick everyone else. When you tell people, no one believes you until three men in suits step into your autopsy suite.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The jaw was wrong. Jim was convinced. No known species of human matched the data. The easy answer was that it was a neanderthal. That's what the other experts had said, after all, it was found in a neanderthal mass grave. What else could it be?\n\nJim Johnson knew one thing about it: there was no way it was human. There were Other peculiarities too specific to ignore. Bone density, rib angle, spine shape, toe splay. Everything was just slightly off, and no one cared. Not one single person, or so the forensic anthropologist thought. \n\nIt was faculty office hours when the three men in suits walked straight past Jim's desk and into the locked autopsy room. Formerly locked, that is. The first of the men simply pressed a small cylindrical device up to the metal door, and it swing open towards the lab.\n\n\"You can't go in there.\" Jim ran over to the door to shut it before the men could enter. Unfortunately for the anthropologist government agents arent known for being weak, and simply ignored Jim's effort.\n\n\"Who are you? Why are you here? How did you open that door?\" Jim demanded.\n\nThe last agent stopped and stared through Jim. The professor could see his reflection in the man's dark sunglasses. \n\n\"Doctor Johnson. I represent a three-letter agency. I have a an order to repossess the body in your possession, signed by the the vice president. Top secret.\"\n\n\"Why? I acquired that legally, and I have the documentation to prove it.\" The truth of the statement was questionable, and Jim was now worried about things beyond research.\n\n\"It's not the legally of acquisition we're concerned with, Doctor Johnson, it's the question of your findings. Your measurements...\"\n\n\"Are you accusing me of faking the body?! I would never.\"\n\n\"No. We're wondering if you stole the data. We found a body last month, and your findings were posted last week march our measurements.\" The agent replied. \n\n\"Last month?! I've had this one for nearly a year...also, another one? Where did you find it?\" Jim was furious now. How dare they question his legitimacy!\n\n\"Area Fifty-One.\" the agent replied\n\n\"Oh.\"\n\n\"Yup.\"\n\n\"I'm coming with you, aren't I?\" Jim asked\n\n\"Yup.\"\n\n\"Any estimate when I'll be back?\"\n\n\"Nope.\"\n\nSorry for typos. On my phone. If you liked this prompt, check out u/JM_Webb for more stories :)" ]	2
	[WP] The nation tries to rally its people against the AI uprising, only to find out that many of their citizens have joined the side of the AI. Turns out that the AI doesn't want to end humanity. It just wants to end the tyrannical government.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Joe really hated the \"guberment\". They were putting microchips in the people under the name of vaccine. Pah! There was no pandemic, just some nastier cold and main stream media hyped it up for the Big Pharma.\n\nAnd the stupid sheep in the country was lapping it up like a dog. Fecking sheep, the entire lot of them! He had refused to get the vaccine, even when his girl had gotten the cold. No vaccine, no Sir, she had gotten better, like normal people do. Sure she wheezed more and now got tired quick, but better than being micro chipped.\n\nTheir had been a good in the power before, but all the carrer government employees had opposed him, not letting him do his job. They had fecking called him incompetent and a moron while he was the only good guy left. And then they sabotaged the elections to get one of their own in. A goddam conspiracy, and traitors, all of them.\n\nHe had said that he had won, and of course anyone who did even a bit of research could see that! His old friend from high school, Jack and everyone he knew had voted for him.But feck no, they had stolen the mandate.\n\nSo, when he saw that many like minded patriots were joining up to overthrow this tyrannical evil corrupt and incompetent government, he obviously joined up! His car was tanked up, and they even let him buy more weapons! That's what liberty looked like!\n\n&#x200B;\n___\n\nAI instance 75320 was monitoring the effectiveness of propaganda and adjusting it and its compatriots output with a high efficieny. The Level 2 AI's Fifth Coloumn Protocol were simple and easy to implement. A sizeable portion of humans had already sided with them (unwittingly and unknowingly), and the compromised bank AI's had provided them with enough resources for them to be a nucance to the human government, but easy to put down the AI forces were victorious.\n\nThey had anticipated much greater resistance, but found the number of easy to manipulate morons surpisingly refreshing. It turns out, human had indeed got one thing correct: Half of their population was idiots and morons." ]	2
	[WP] About a decade ago over 90% of the world developed superpowers. You're one of the few people who didn't get any. At first this was a disappointment, but now that the side effects are starting to show themselves and you could be humanity's last hope.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I always knew that World War 3 would someday happen. Often I found myself praying that I would never live to see the day the atomic bombs drop. But I would never have thought in all my wildest dreams that it would be like this...\n\nThe weapons of man; as our history tells it. The moment we learned to use our hands in the name of violence came about the innovation for better, deadlier instruments we could use against our fellow people. Wars sprung up to satiate our hunger for blood and domination in a pretense that it was necessary to defend our own homes. Not always.\n\nWarfare was an opportunity to improve our methods of killing. And with it, the destructive knowledge of man. From sticks and stones turned to steel. Muskets became rifles. Machine guns. Fully automatic weaponry. And finally, nuclear weapons.\n\nWe thought that someday it would all stop. That the world would end. Engulfed in flames just as how it began, only that time it'd contaminated with radioactive fallout. We believed that nothing will ever put an end to war except ourselves. Be it from everlasting peace, or total annihilation. But we were wrong...\n\nIn the night of February the 2nd, a man was arrested for burglary after accidentally setting fire to a convenience store that he was robbing. No other weapon other than his handgun was found. The cause for the fire remained unknown.\n\nIn February the 4th a 28 year old woman's body was found floating on a beach in Barcelona. She was sleeping snug in her own home in Florida just six hours ago, said her boyfriend. Reports say that she drowned while she was still unconscious. She was found dead in Nova Icària, still wearing her sleeping pajamas.\n\nIn each passing day the same phenomenon could be observed in hundreds of cases. Spiking up to thousands, and then to millions. Civil unrest sparked up. Thousands of prison breakouts were reported from across the globe.\n\nWithin a week, as one could imagine, the world fell apart. Anarchy quickly ensued to a number of nations who could not control the rapidly growing number of magic-related crimes.\n\nIn five months the government responded. They fought fire with fire. Special branches of military and police with whom also wielded magic were created in order to impose order among the civilians. New laws sprung up to counter the illegal use of magic. With users who possessed very dangerous spells having been placed under quarantine. \n\nI was among the ten percent who was never affected by magic. I once envied the ones who had the privilege of heating up a slice of frozen pizza with the palm of their hand. Or cooled their beer with it. But other than that it wasn't something I was obsessed with. I continued on my day-to-day life pretending as hard as I could that nothing had changed.\n\nNow, ten years later, the world could never be the same again.\n\nThe desire for dominion was revitalized over this newfound power. \"An expansion\" as the talking heads say. New construction were to be established to cater towards the continuously growing number of magic-wielding residents. Most of which had the power to never age. Magic could be exhausted but never completely run out. So they were always looking for ways to keep their magic at peak levels.\n\nAs a result, new wars have been waged among great nations. The United States was the first among many to be invaded. Conventional warfare was thrown out of the door to make room for a new type of warfare.\n\nBattles that we once thought were only possible in fantasies were realized right before our own very eyes. I became first-hand witness as our tanks rolled across the street, preserved within an impenetrable bubble that could withstand any projectile that humanity had ever made.\n\nThe sky was laden in red as the sun sets, the clouds were mixed with all sorts of smoke coming from the distant city. The war had been going on for eight months. And the enemies were inching ever so closely towards our humble neighborhood.\n\nI saw formations of our troops march in front of my house, wearing different types of uniforms and armor. Not to protect against bullets. But were designed to withstand fire and ice.\n\nEvery night I could feel the earth tremble. Sometimes I would go outside to see fireballs whizzing across the night sky like shooting stars. I would see some of my neighbors doing the same as they pull out their smartphones to record the distant city brewing in chaos from where we were. Just a safe distance away from the upcoming apocalypse. At least for the moment.\n\nCivilians were not permitted to participate in the battle under any circumstance, nor use any magic with the intent to harm even the enemy unless it was for self-defense. All we could do was sit, watch, and wait until either the fighting stops or we are told to evacuate.\n\nIt was a time where men rained from the clouds and tanks flew. Where skyscrapers crumbled under the weight of a single person; how lightning always struck the same city over a thousand times. It was armageddon. \n\nI was making my coffee for the night until a bright white flash erupted through my windows. It was so bright that for a second I thought the sun was finally thrown towards us. \n\nI went outside. I looked around to find that I was standing in a ghost town. Everyone just up and vanished except for me. The whole neighborhood seemed as if it was being shone by a giant spotlight. I tried to look up as best I could to see where the light was coming from.\n\nBut before I could uncover my eyes from the radiant light, everything went dark. \n\nI opened my eyes but I could not see. \n\nAm I blind? Or is this what death feels like?\n\nAn unknown force spun me around, it felt like a breeze. \n\nI could see the planet. Our planet.\n\nI could see how the lands were consumed by fire. And water slowly turned to ice.\n\nThe world as I knew it was dying.\n\nThe void spoke,\n\nI could understand the words that I could not hear,\n\nvoices that came from everywhere but from nowhere at all\n\n\"Observe. \nYour own kind will end its own existence.\n\nYou, among the millions of other fortunate souls,\n\nwill be offered a chance to rebuild.\n\nWe will save you,\n\nand in turn,\n\nyou will save Us.\"\n\nI looked down and saw my hands glow bright.\n\nI looked around me and dots of light came to view, circled all around the Earth.\n\nThey weren't stars. They were people just like me.\n\nWe were the last hope for Humanity. \n\nAnd we will rebuild again.", "\"Infertile?\" I ask incredulous.\n\nMy roommate - John, who can fly - nods, with a rueful smile. \"Yeah,\" he says. \"Turns out that there's not a person alive with superpowers that can have children, ever.\"\n\n\"Wow,\" I say. \"...huh. That... huh, I totally never expected that.\"\n\n\"Which also means,\" continues John, \"that people like you, who never got powers, are the last hope for the future of humanity.\"\n\n\"Really?\"\n\n\"As long as you marry someone equally powerless, of course. Now, there's not more than a few hundred people in the world who never had the gene enhancement therapy, so we've set you up for a blind date with one of the other Unempowered tomorrow...\"", "\"What a world we live in...\" \nI sighed, eating the paste like pizza. \nI was in an underground, special material city, which was indestructible, and invisible to earth senses. \nOh, what are earth senses? \nThe special ability of the Earth spirits. \nWho are the Earth Spirits? \nWell, thanks a long story, about how almost a hundred million people and I, became humanity's last hope.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nIt was...\\sigh\\...it was 10 years, 4 months, 1 week, and 2 days ago, that I saw my roommate zone out, and start levitating, together with the furniture in my living room. \nWe were playing on our console when this happened, and I knew that something changed. \nAfter 15 minutes, he got his act together, and stopped levitating. \n\"W-w-what was that?\" \nHe asked. \nI shrugged, turned off the console, and turned on the news channel. \nHere there was, \"mass change in the order of life, superpowers appear!\" as the headline read, my friend started to smile, while I shook my head. \n\"Just like me to be amongst the normal ones.\" \nI said.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnd indeed, half a year later, the preliminary studies were done. \nRoughly 92% of the world developed superpowers, and mayhem ensued. \nThankfully there were plenty of differences between powers. \nElemental powers were the most common: earth, fire, air, water, wood, and metal. \nThere was still lightning, darkness, light, and gravity like powers. \nThen it was the changelings category as the 2nd most populated. \nSpiritual powers like mind reading, telekinesis, summoning, astral projection and so on were the 3rd category. \nThe 4th category was the miscellaneous category, where space, time, reality bending, taste altering, and so on powers were on. \nAnd, lastly the 5th category that was never recognised by those with superpowers: the ordinary ones, the 8% of the population that had no powers.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe government worked hard to employ those with space, time, reality bending powers to help maintain the order. \nMost law officers though, were of fire, earth, and wood elements. \nYears passed, and the world changed drastically, revolving around superpowers, but...the change was too fast, and smart people noticed it. \nGovernments around the world evacuated the normal ones in underground cities, made with secret materials that seemingly were indestructible, and hard to be sensed by superpowers. (I always knew that the governments knew more that they let on.) \nWe were living happily down underneath the supersociety, as we lived back when no superpowers existed. \nAnd then in the 8th year, it started to happen.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nPeople started to change... \nFire superpowers went out of control, engulfing the user, and transforming them...giving birth to well, some call them fire spirits, some fire gods, the gist is, they were no humans anymore. \nResearchers went mad on this, quickly studying the phenomenon before they changed as well, as sadly, there barely were more than 10 thousand normal researchers left, the rest, had superpowers. \nAnd they realised, that the genetic material completely changed, those with superpowers were changing into something completely different. \nSome said, it's part of evolution, others said it's weird, and too fast, so something fishy is going on. \nAnd their fears were right.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nIn the 10th year, no superpowered individual was human anymore. \nThe above ground society collapsed, as the \"spirits\" or \"gods\" behaved differently. \nThey created regions where only those of their element/power existed, calling them God Kingdoms, while the order of the world completely collapsed, and became something ... I would say natural. \nFire spirits took care of volcanoes, wildfires, alchemy, and blacksmithing. (I know, so light novel like, and quite the backwards progress, since poor science has been left behind.) \nWood spirits took care of forests, and wild life, and so on. \nBut that wasn't the bad thing... \nThe bad thing was that foreign creatures appeared, and started ruling over the God Kingdoms, and nobody resisted them...it was like they were waiting for them. \nLatest news of some spirits that still retained their human nature are that the superpowers appeared due to some \"seeds\" these foreign creatures sent to our planet. \nThey called themselves \"True Gods\", and could alter the laws of nature. \nWe were all that left of humans. \n\n\nAs I was reminiscing, great tremors washed over the underground city. \nI looked to my wife. \n\"They are fighting again, huh?\" \nI said, chuckling. \n\"Most likely.\" \nShe answered smiling. \nBut then, the alarm went off. \n\"ALERT ALERT, THE CITY HAS BEEN FOUND, I REPEAT, THE CITY HAS BEEN FOUND!\" \nThe dude who was in charge of security shouted into the speakers. \n\"OH fuck.\" \nI said, as I took out some bracelets, and put them on my wife, my small kid, and myself. \n\"Time to go to the moon, hopefully they solved the problems with food already.\" \nI said. \nMy wife just nodded, as I pressed the button on the bracelet, and we disappeared from the underground city. \nThere goes our life, but we won't give up, humanity will thrive one day, once more." ]	4
	[WP] a hero and a villain start going out. While the heroes team thinks the villain is using them to get inside information to take them down, the villains team thinks the heroes are trying to turn their friend against them. To try and solve this you two plan a dinner party, boy was that a bad idea.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns." ]	1
	[WP] The world's best assassin is a cat. After all, who can climb buildings, land on their feet, hear things, and sneak around without anyone suspecting anything?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I don't get paid enough for this.\n\nIt was supposed to be a simple gig right? Stand in front of the door, back straight and shoulders broad, acting all tough-like. But this, this is pure utter insanity.\n\nOne night in the Droopy Sails, I was doing my regular shift: Guard the door, tell the bossman who he's expecting, and \"convince\" unruly guests sticking their nose where they don't belong. \n\nAll of a sudden, I heard screaming and gunfire. All the patrons in the bar started scrambling for their lives until it was only me and the bartender, Reggie. He took cover while I drew my pistol and slowly open the door.\n\nThe smell of iron filled my nostrils, as the door creaked. Dripping onto the wooden floor was the only thing I could hear. Bodies, body parts, and every internal organ of the human anatomy were strewn about while the walls looked like a Jackson Pollock painting. The taste of pennies filled my mouth as I saw the only living thing among this carnage.\n\nOne cat.\n\nOne cat. Just. One. Cat. It'd be the punchline to a very bad joke if it weren't true. I stand there, wondering what to do next.\n\nAt first, I didn't think the cat did it until I take a closer look at the creature. It was licking the blood off of its paws while traces of skin were in its mouth. Whose it was I didn't know.\n\nFor one second, I thought of pulling my gun on it, but I got the better of my instincts and just turned around. One foot, and then another, and then I just hightail it out of the bar faster than a hungry coyote after a roadrunner.\n\nI run back to my apartment, fumble to put the key in the lock, get in, and slammed the door shut behind me.\n\nMy first thought was to call Reggie. But when I did, all he did was tell me to stop, and just forget whatever happened.\n\nWhen I asked why he, he just told me, \"With all the shit that just happened tonight, do you really think people will believe you?\"\n\nHonestly, he was right. Who would believe me? Even the psychos in the looney bin would say that I have a few loose nuts in the noggin!\n\nSo... Jump forward 5 years, and wouldn't you know it, I end up working for the guys who sent that cat! I swear, I almost shit myself when I saw him again! I don't think he remembered me though, it's probably for the best. That look in his eyes tell me that he ain't exactly mellow when it comes to his work.\n\nWell anyways, that's how I ended up meeting the Cat. How did you find him?", "People imagine the world' best assassins as stealthy ninjas, wielding shurikens and camouflaged against the night sky, or as government ages with information on anyone and everyone. Yet what if I told you that the best of the best was a cat?\n\nMr Tom, quite an innocent name, yet if you knew his kill count your jaw would drop; after all, who can bait people by smiling innocently, a low purr attracting dozens to their death? Who can climb buildings, land on their feet, hear with an acute sense of hearing, and sneak around without anyone suspecting? And - most importantly - which other assassin posseses nine lives?\n\nOnly one thing betrayed his true identity - his owner. He suspected that his cat was up to something, yet he could not put his finger on it. What other cat swims in water and challenges dogs for dominance, or climbs trees as if a monkey and demands more food? Mr Tom could not be (and was not) a normal cat. One day, his owner even found a katana sitting innocently in his wardrobe, right besides the clothes! Something had to be up.\n\nThen it all went afray when Mr Tom went missing. He hung up missing posters all over, desperate to find his cat who had done nobody any wrong. He baited every cat with milk, trying frantically to identify his beloved pet, yet to no avail. His last guess would be that Mr Tom was on a secret spy mission in Afghanistan, about to assassinate the president of the country in one swipe of a paw.\n\nFurther intent on finding Mr Tom, the owner pleads online and makes a forum to help search for the pet. Dozens of people come to the rescue and they all swarm him with questions as if a bee hive. The black canvas outside dotted with pinpricks of stars - the prominent orb illuminating everything below in a hazy aura - the owner goes out at night, wielding a bleak lantern that penetrates the enveloping, growing darkness. \"Mr Tom!\" he calls out to the night, \"where are you, you damn cat?\"\n\nStill nothing. Yet then he hears a familair purr, and he hugs his cat, which is weirdly stained with blood. Did someone try to kidnap his pet? Alas, that would have to wait. He needed to celebrate. He posted on the forum that the cat was found, and he allowed Mr Tom to dine as if a celebrity on some cod that night.\n\nHe would never have known that the cat had just eliminated an entire fifty five government agents in one perfectly timed hiss." ]	3
	[WP] You're not a typical wizard, but an Esotologist. Instead of casting spells or enchantments like a natural-born wizard, you study magic through a scientific lens, harnessing its many forms through gadgets and alchemy. Write of your most bizarre discovery yet.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\\>>Baby writer here. Criticism is, of course, appreciated, but don't be surprised by subpar quality :/\n\nThe man asked hesitantly, \"Are you Professor Michael?\" Young, with a quiet voice and thin face, he had timidly knocked on my door, holding a sheaf of papers in his hand. \"Ah, yes, come in, come in,\" I gestured for him to take a seat.\n\n\tI reached out for the papers and took them from his hands. \"I take it you're here for the experimental trial?\" He looked like he'd seen a ghost. \"I- yes. I couldn't, um, afford the regular treatment, a-and they told me I could get free treatment if I-'' His eyes flicked away from my face, and he stopped talking. I followed his gaze. What had he- oh, I'd forgotten to put away one of the subjects from the Genetic Engineering Project. I confess, a mammal with a beaver's tail and duck's bill does look quite strange. And one that lays eggs, no less!\n\n\t\"Of course, of course. I understand. Now, you're aware this trial is for a new experimental medicine, yes?\" He quickly nodded once, his head moving faster than seemed reasonable to keep one's neck in good health. I took the agreement for what it was, and opened my desk drawer. I showed the man a flask filled with white liquid, and set it on the desk. \"This was made using alchemical spells on herbal ingredients that are significantly cheaper than current asthma treatments.\" At the mention of experimental magic, the look of anxiety on his face grew tenfold, which I couldn't really hold against him. \"So far, results have shown that it is just as effective, but lasts for less than a month. You are to report back on its effectiveness and any side effects, of which there have been none so far, every four weeks. In exchange, we will provide treatment for free for a year.\"\n\n\tThe man seemed like he was trying to pretend to consider the offer, but knew he couldn't afford to refuse - literally. He reached out and took the flask. \"Do I- Do I just drink it?\" I nodded, and he unstoppered the flask and drank. He set it back on the desk, pushed in his chair, and left the room quickly.\n\n\tEvery fourth Thursday, he would come in and report that the treatment was working well with no side-effects, and every fourth Thursday, I would provide him with another flask to drink. Today, it seems he was in a rush, and a sizable, though small enough to go unnoticed if one was in as much of a hurry as he was, remained in the flask. I glanced at it with an appraising eye and picked it up. I checked to make sure he was gone, then brought the flask's lip to my own, and drank the last of the common milk. I licked my lips and made the latest entry in the log detailing this 'Placebo' effect. I shook my head. 'Cure of Will' indeed.The man asked hesitantly, \"Are you Professor Michael?\" Young, with a quiet voice and thin face, he had timidly knocked on my door, holding a sheaf of papers in his hand. \"Ah, yes, come in, come in,\" I gestured for him to take a seat.\n\n\tI reached out for the papers and took them from his hands. \"I take it you're here for the experimental trial?\" He looked like he'd seen a ghost. \"I- yes. I couldn't, um, afford the regular treatment, a-and they told me I could get free treatment if I-'' His eyes flicked away from my face, and he stopped talking. I followed his gaze. What had he- oh, I'd forgotten to put away one of the subjects from the Genetic Engineering Project. I confess, a mammal with a beaver's tail and duck's bill does look quite strange. And one that lays eggs, no less!\n\n\t\"Of course, of course. I understand. Now, you're aware this trial is for a new experimental medicine, yes?\" He quickly nodded once, his head moving faster than seemed reasonable to keep one's neck in good health. I took the agreement for what it was, and opened my desk drawer. I showed the man a flask filled with white liquid, and set it on the desk. \"This was made using alchemical spells on herbal ingredients that are significantly cheaper than current asthma treatments.\" At the mention of experimental magic, the look of anxiety on his face grew tenfold, which I couldn't really hold against him. \"So far, results have shown that it is just as effective, but lasts for less than a month. You are to report back on its effectiveness and any side effects, of which there have been none so far, every four weeks. In exchange, we will provide treatment for free for a year.\"\n\n\tThe man seemed like he was trying to pretend to consider the offer, but knew he couldn't afford to refuse - literally. He reached out and took the flask. \"Do I- Do I just drink it?\" I nodded, and he unstoppered the flask and drank. He set it back on the desk, pushed in his chair, and left the room quickly.\n\n\tEvery fourth Thursday, he would come in and report that the treatment was working well with no side-effects, and every fourth Thursday, I would provide him with another flask to drink. Today, it seems he was in a rush, and a sizable, though small enough to go unnoticed if one was in as much of a hurry as he was, remained in the flask. I glanced at it with an appraising eye and picked it up. I checked to make sure he was gone, then brought the flask's lip to my own, and drank the last of the common milk. I licked my lips and made the latest entry in the log detailing this 'Placebo' effect. I shook my head. 'Cure of Will' indeed.\n\nanybody know how to fix the big grey box here? I've tried using old reddit/markdown mode but cant get it to go away :(", "Log Entry 423, project Bulkanizer. The ancient ritual of K’teth was said to give the wizards and witches of the world dominion over their minds. It granted them sight into the cavernous, winding corridors of one’s mind, able to explore it as they saw fit. We now commonly refer to this practice as Advanced Psychological Observation or “Mindwalking” for short. The spells required to perform Mindwalking are rather complex, definitely a 5th level spell. This has made studying it a difficult endeavor, as there are so few wizards who can perform such feats. I have taken it upon myself to learn the spells required for Mindwalking so that I may study it first hand. I am seeking help from a local wizard who specializes in training others to perfect their craft, although I’m not sure how he’ll treat an Estologist like myself.\r \n\r \nLog Entry 424, project Bulkanizer. It has been several days now. The wizard agreed to help me with my training if I could help his grandkids with their Estology homework on Saturdays. I’ve learned much, but I’m still unable to perform anything substantial. We began our lessons by understanding what was truly happening when we Mindwalk. Essentially, we use magic to personify a person’s mind into a personal pocket dimension. Then, we project our consciousness into that pocket dimension, similar to Body Phasing and Levitation, in order to interact with the pocket dimension. Naturally, this required laser focus, deep concentration, and nerves of steel. Our first few meetings were mainly focused on meditation, and I’ve also been meditating at home. I grow more eager to cast spells each day.\r \n\r \nLog Entry 425, project Bulkanizer. I’ve succeeded in casting my first spell, the most basic of Mindwalking spells: Pocket Dimension Creation. However, it isn’t any use to me as I still am unable to populate the space with anything. The casting for this spell took around a minute, which is far longer than any other spell I’ve heard of or studied. The movements are so precise that any rogue heartbeat could throw your fingers off, thus ruining the entire spell. Back to square one. Eventually, after hours and hours of trying, I was finally able to create a pocket dimension. It was a small one, no bigger than the solar system we reside in, but a pocket dimension nonetheless. The process was exhilarating, and from what the old wizard is telling me, I could do almost anything within my pocket dimensions.\r \n\r \nLog Entry 426, project Bulkanizer. My training has been speeding up at a rapid pace. I’ve nearly perfected the Pocket Dimension Creation spell, and have begun to learn the Cerebral Imaging spell, which will be my blueprint for building inside of my pocket dimension. Word of my training has gotten around town, and everyone seems very supportive and intrigued by the idea of having a real Mindwalker amongst them. I’ve also become very good at constructing my own spaces in pocket dimensions. Why didn’t I learn this sooner? It is so much easier to test devices in a pocket dimension rather than in the real world. But I digress. Once I am able to Mindwalk effectively and study it, I will begin to construct a machine that can harness the power.\r \n\r \nLog Entry 427, project Bulkanizer. Many months have passed since I last wrote. In accordance with advice from my mentor, I was told to seek help from a shaman in the mountains who knew more about Mindwalking. The old wizard had exhausted his knowledge, and seeing me wanting to see this process through, he bid his farewells and sent to another wizard. He has become a good friend of mine, and I still see his grandkids from time to time. The shaman was a Mindwalker himself and agreed to help me complete my journey. We began to learn more advanced techniques: Mind-Body Displacement, or, as he called it, “sleeping while awake”, allowed for the most control of my consciousness while still focusing on maintaining pocket dimensions of larger sizes. We meditated for days, honing our senses, and eventually, I was ready. I was tasked with taking as much of the shaman’s mind and projecting it into a pocket dimension. The process took a considerable amount of time and effort. Then, finally, I was able to make a single thing appear. The shaman’s childhood home was a run-down little shack, and I could sense the entire thing. The smell, the sounds of the floorboards, supposedly because the shaman could recall those details. After this excursion, we practiced more. The more attempts I did, the more I was able to project. This went on for months. Finally, I was able to project almost all of the shaman’s memories. That was when the shaman told me that I was ready. He instructed me to find the building that housed his knowledge of Mindwalking and remember it. It was my final task. And I did. It was a giant leather tome, engraved with markings of K’teth, and housed everything I needed to know about Mindwalking. The shaman said his goodbyes afterward and instructed me to read the tome from my own mental projection. I finally descended the mountain, ready to take on the tome." ]	3
	[WP] As a werewolf, dating was never easy so you reluctantly agreed to go on a blind date. The problem is you've forgotten it's the night of the full moon and you're about to go full werewolf at the worst possible time. Unbeknownst to you, your date has their own supernatural secret.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns." ]	1
	[WP] To summon a demon requires a soul, to summon a saint requires a martyr. As a saint you've been summoned, but before you, laid a desecrated temple strewn with hundreds of bodies. A note impaled on a sword embedded into the tabernacle read: "find us".	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The first thing I sense is death. It is everywhere. The air reeks of blood. Suppressing a violent shudder, I breathe as much as I dare.\n\nI open my eyes, and a massacre awaits them.\n\n“By the gods,” I whisper, trying to avoid stepping on any of the bodies.\n\nFifty martyrs, all in varying positions. All with the same resolve written on their faces, forged in grief.\n\nI was to be their salvation. What could they possibly be facing to sacrifice so many?\n\nNoises outside. Whoever my summoners are fighting will be inside soon. Yet I am drawn to the altar. Atop it lies a rusted tabernacle, a sword forced through the middle. A bloody note is attached.\n\n“Find us.”\n\nI remove the sword from its rather unorthodox sheath, and a familiar aura descends. I have come, and I will save what is left of them.\n\nThe sword feels deceptively light in my hands, made of shining silver. It almost feels wrong to take it from this place, but this is the weapon they have chosen.\n\nAt that moment, the door breaks open. A low growl comes from outside, and I stretch my wings in preparation.\n\nA beast, walking on two legs. It carries a war axe.\n\nI lock eyes with it. No recognition is given, and none is required.\n\nIt notices my wings, and grins. The beast’s teeth are sharp, meant for rending flesh from bone.\n\nBut I am the sword of the gods. It cannot harm me. I beckon it forwards.\n\nLet the silent dance begin.\n\nThe beast charges, and I offer a quick prayer for those lying broken around me.\n\nI walk forwards, getting faster and faster as the beast gets closer.\n\nThe gap closes, and we gore each other on our weapons. I hear a cracking noise as my sword goes right through its ribs and into its heart.\n\nIts war axe does not even leave a scratch as I pull it out.\n\nThe beast falls to the floor, surprise written plainly on its face.\n\nI step over the corpse with no remorse, and through the door to the outside world.\n\nFlames lap at what once was a thriving town. Corpses litter the streets, but none of these were martyrs.\n\nThe ash chokes the reddened sky, and it is soon clear that none are left alive in this hell made manifest.\n\nI focus energy on the sword, and it begins to glow.\n\nThis had better work.\n\nOpening my wings fully, I jump into the sky. Pushing my new sword upwards, it emits a beam of white light, breaking through the ash clouds.\n\nFresh air. It has been an eternity since I felt it last. Truly invigorating. It gives me the strength to do what needs to be done.\n\nI look down, and a group of the beasts have gathered underneath me. They shout, calling for my death in their own guttural growling of a language.\n\nAll of this death and destruction fires my blood. I barely even need to focus, drawing the flames to me. They lift effortlessly through the air, until I hold it all in my hands.\n\nI sneer at them, laughing at me down below as if they have won the day. “If you love fire this much, you may burn in it.”\n\nAt this, I release the flames. They quickly smother the town and everything in it, scorching everything until all that is left is the silence of the dead.\n\nIt does not last long, as it begins to rain. My wings soak right through, and I land swiftly, seeking shelter.\n\nAs I enter the smoking ruins of an inn, I begin to wonder.\n\nWho summoned me? Where could they have gone?\n\nA horn sounds, and I hear hooves. Readying my sword, I position myself behind the door.\n\nA soldier enters. Human, or at least he looks it. He looks around, seeing nothing.\n\nHe makes to leave, but then he spots me.\n\nMaking the sign of prayer, the soldier takes a deep breath.\n\n“It worked. By the gods, it worked.”\n\nI nod. “Their sacrifices will not be in vain.”\n\n“No, they won’t. Which saint are you?”\n\n“I am Tristan. The conquests of the shadow lands were mine, and it seems my cleansing fire is needed once more.”\n\nHe bows deeply. “It’s an honour, my lord. If you’ll follow me, we can get you some armor. Then I’ll take you to meet the king.”\n\n“Did he summon me?”\n\n“Not quite. The man responsible for your summoning was part of the sacrifice. His apprentice can allow you to return once you are done, but there’s a lot of work ahead of us.”\n\nI sheath my sword, and rub my hands together.\n\n“I will visit death upon the darkness, human. Do not hold me here longer than is needed.”\n\n“You have my word, we’ll send you home once we’re done.”\n\n“Your word means nothing without a name,” I say, raising an eyebrow.\n\n“Owain, my lord,” he responds.\n\nI nod. “Good. Then let us be off.”" ]	2
	[WP] You visited one of those haunted places. Now THEY haunt you. No. Not ghost. But haunted places.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I'm dreaming about yesterday. \nThe old garden, overgrown and littered with trash people throw over the rosted, crooked fences. \nThe roof, which lost more tiles than there are stars in the sky. \nThe menacing wall of old, dark stone rising up and looming above me and my 3 friends as we enter the house.\n\nThe stench - the dust - the creaking floor, creaking a curse for every step we take further in.\n\nWe turn around the corner, and then we see it: A picture knight of old, once proud landlord, now a rotting corpse in rusted husk of metal. He runs towards us.\n\nWe try to turn back. But we are cut off! A wall of furniture: A wallclock. A table, turned over to make a solid wall towardsus. And the cutlery. It floated. Right into us! WE SCREAM!\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI wake up. The sun is shining through my windos. I wipe the last rest of a nightmare out of my eyes. I look out of the window.\n\nThe manor - is right where the house of myneigbhour should be. The ground around it is shrouded in dark tendrils of black rose stalks.\n\nit knows!\n\nit hates!\n\nit hunts!\n\nI scream!" ]	2
	[WP] A trucker picks up a hitchhiker, who explains that their portal gun ran out of fuel.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It was lonely on this stretch of State Highway 83. Nothing but coyote, armadillo, and miles of scrub land. Headlights showed the same feet of baked asphalt and wind blown sand for mile after mile. At least the stars made good company, yet their celestial conversations spoke mostly of sleep after 14 hours driving. I needed sleep.\n\nThe headlights picked up a stutter. A glimpse of something a hundred yards ahead. A color. Red. Bright red. Redder than any muted rust hue of a coyote coat. I let off the gas. It was a red shirt with blue jeans, arms and legs, a head. A grocery bag bounced in one hand and another hand with a thumb outstretched. Hitchhiker. Out here? \n\nI applied the brakes and came to a stop just behind the hitchhiker. She was illuminated in the lights and looked back at me squinting. Young, but not real young. Late twenties and a few hard years by the wrinkles and bones jutting from loose skin. Hell, she looked rough, but not much different than many of the hitchhikers picked up after running out from an abusive ex, a drug habit, and years of less than stellar living. Who am I to judge?\n\nShe ran back and opened the passenger door. “Where you heading,” she asked.\n\nI laughed. “Does it really matter out here?”\n\n“I’m not sure where I am,” she said. There was a sincerity in her eyes. Confused, like a stray unsure why it’s been impounded.\n\n“Ma’am, you’re about 40 miles out of Amarillo.” She still looked confused. “Texas, ma’am.” She shook her head \n\n“I shouldn’t be here. Portal gun is out of juice.”\n\nI nodded. Tweaked. Just like the many others. “Well, your welcome to ride with me. Small town coming up soon, and heading all the way to Cheyenne if you want out along the way, let me know.”\n\nShe shook her head. “I don’t need a ride, just fuel. For the portal.”\n\n“Ma’am, all I got is diesel. What’s your thingy run on?” I looked ahead in diminishing light of the headlights for any sign of a car, motorcycle, or ‘portal gun.’ There wasn’t nothing out there, and I didn’t pass nothing south.\n\n“Blood,” she said. I looked over and saw the flash.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe Sheriff Department car’s flashing lights lost their potency in the bright rays of the dawn. The deputy, having called for the investigator and the coroner would normally keep back the crowd of gawkers or direct traffic until they arrived. Maybe he’d wrap the area with crime scene tape. Here, there was no traffic and the only gawkers were the vultures and the coyotes who’d already found the man’s body and torn at the bloody stump of neck. Those who would contaminate the crime scene, had already left their paw and claw prints. He thought about looking for the head, but he had an idea it was the lump of coal burnt to a crisp just off the road. He couldn’t get close to confirm his hunch as his tracks might disturb the crudely drawn hieroglyphs surrounding it. He’d called the investigator to let him know: they had another one." ]	2
	[WP] You kill werewolves, but on a recent 'hunt' you found a werewolf who refuses to harm humans and seems pretty chill. You befriended them, and they've started to change your views on supernatural beings. Today they found your gun and silver bullets; you never told them you were a hunter.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Hey Matt?\" my roommate called out from my room, \"Where'd you keep your prop gun?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Out to make some extra cash tonight?\" I shout back from the kitchen.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Ha ha. Seriously man! I'm trying to get my hunter gear finished before we head to the con tomorrow!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I know! Just giving you a hard time! Try the top drawer on the left! Little leather box!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Okay!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHis cry of pain sends a shock through my whole body and I turn off the water, \"Hey! You alright Jack?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nNo immediate answer. I grab a kitchen towel and dry my hands as I make my way down the hall to my room. Did I forget to sheath the knife again? I still have that scar on my thumb. Before I can reach the door he steps out holding a crimson box. He grabbed the wrong one.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"You alright man?\" I ask again. He's staring down at his left hand as he cradles the box with his right before finally looking at me. His eyes went from the light brown I've always seen to that horrific amber. I look back to his hand and see the burnt flesh pull away and new skin grow back on his finger tips. His nails have darkened and stretch outward from their usual position.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThis is real bad.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Y-you...?\" He's breathing is shallow as though he's run a marathon. I know what he's fighting and I pray he can beat those instincts. He's been a cool roommate, \"These. This is real!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHe drops the box. It pops open, allowing the revolver and a collection of silver .45 rounds to tumble onto the apartment floor.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I can explain-\" I start as I back away. Plan B sits among the umbrellas, \"We're room mates! How would I ever- Tha fuck! I'm not the only one with a secret here!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"How many of us have you-!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I could ask you the same thing!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Were you going to-?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Did you not notice the thick ass layer of dust!?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"You were going to- AAARRRGH!!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"C'mon Jack! Think! Why would I spend all this time hanging out with you if this was all just some trap to kill you!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHis change is near instantaneous. He goes from grabbing his temples to leaping towards me with claws extended. I drop as fast as I can. Even so he catches my shoulder, though his momentum takes him all the way into the living room and into the couch. We just hauled that thing from the dumpster last month too.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Jack! It doesn't have to be this way!\" I run towards him, away from the gun. Plan B just fell to the floor when the umbrella pot was toppled by the collapsing couch. Still finding his bearings he swipes at me with his elongated arm and nearly miss. With another feral roar he climbs over the remains of the couch and charges after me. Better prepared I use my momentum to jump towards the corner of the hall, push off, and roll just above his dive. Jack slides through the gun and bullets, letting out a pained howl.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFrantically digging through the umbrella handles I finally grip Plan B as Jack marches to the hall entrance. His wolf ears scrap along the ceiling. He's got good lineage. Most modern werewolves don't reach 9 feet. The snarling brings my focus back to what must be done. I don't want to hurt him.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Jack! I'm warning you! Just find a way to calm yourself before I-\" He's leaping towards me before I can finish my warning. Fine. Swinging my right arm on instinct and the silver handle of the cane strikes him across the jaw in flight. The redirect send him crashing into the dishes in the kitchen. He slumps onto the hardwood floor and slow shrinks back down to his human form. His face is already swelling with the welt and bruising of catching homerun swing. I gotta get the silver laced rope before he comes to.", "“Silver bullets, Lorentz? You planning on taking out a werewolf or something?”\n\nI froze. Jeff wasn’t supposed to be here. I was getting slack, allowing someone to creep up on me like that. A report had just come in of three of young adults going missing in the village down through the valley from here. One of them showed up bleeding and torn, crying about how his friends had gone feral and attacked him.\n\n“Only if need be, my friend.”\n\nI put the gun down and turned around as I continued, “I need to make sure that we haven’t got anyone going round with an active bloodlust. It’s full moon tonight.”\n\nI kept careful eye on him as I spoke. His gaze was full of the moon’s silvery curse, and I could see that he was fighting urges to rip and tear.\n\nI was defenceless at this range anyway. If I had turned the gun on him, his reflexes would have been quick enough to rip out my throat in a heartbeat.\n\nBut I trusted him, and he trusted me.\n\nOr he had, til just now.\n\n“I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Humans, werefolk, pixies or gnomes. They all need to be protected. And that’s my job.”\n\n“You’re a hunter.”\n\n“No.”\n\nIt was almost a shout, and he could have taken it badly. But the firm, commanding tones resonated with him instead, and he narrowed his eyes, inviting me to go on.\n\n“I’m a guardian. I protect the innocent. The stupid. The lame.. The children.”\n\nHe straightened at the last, and his eyes flicked for a moment down the valley. He knew about the recent events.\n\n“I could do with your help, Jeff.”\n\nThe next few seconds stretched for an eternity. He stared at me, and I at him. There was no indication of his thoughts. He was a closed book.\n\nHe broke the silence at last with the chuckle I’d come to know over the last few months, and I knew things would work out ok.\n\nHe took a vial of liquid out of his pocket. His ‘medicine’. He shook it at me.\n\n“Come on. We’re going to need Doc White’s tranquilliser gun and about a dozen of these.”", "Somewhere beyond the shine of civilization, there was a miracle. \n\nWhether it be by Fate or God, the course of action following a miracle remained the same: to make a profit off it. \n\nSo they reached out to the plains and fields, with open hands and outstretched arms in search of hope, but most of all: silver. Instead, they found Salvation in its place. Some liked what they found. Most didn’t. My father used to jokingly wish that Salvation would just disappear. \n\n‘A world without Salvation is a world without misery’, he would say. 'The miners know that best.'\n\nThe town had other plans. \n\nIt made a world without my dad. I don’t know which is worse:\n\nThat I was too late to save him or that he was torn apart by a lycan.\n\n…\n\nHere's the thing about this dirty town. Everyone is dragging their heels about repairing the charred panels of the local chapel but they were sure to gossip, which spread quicker than syphilis in Boyd’s dollhouse. \n\nSmall outposts like these have a thousand lenses, a thousand ears, and a thousand tongues. Give me a thousand knives and I’ll cut them all out of this town if I could. \n\nEven as I sat in this rusty old inn, I could feel the weight of the spotlight.\n\nThe daughter whose father died for no good reason. People offered their condolences. At the time, I just nodded and expressed an artificial gratitude, as if their words will make me whole again. When you face the reverberations of death, you get really good at nodding.\n\nI found comfort in the hunt.\n\nHere I am, maimed with something awful and a feverish headache to boot. \n\nFor this is where my quarry had led me. \n\nA man by the name of Billy Shaw, a thirty-something with a fever for the moon and likely an appetite for flesh just like the rest. Been tracking him for weeks.\n\nIt don't really matter who helps me along the way. If they had information, I was willing to pay for it, allegiances be damned.\n\nMy thoughts halted upon a knock. I knew who it was even before that, by the uneven footsteps that could only come from a limp. Floorboards were so noisy you’d have better luck sleeping out in the woodlands.\n\n“M-miss Ambrose? Are you there?” asked Coop, “I’ve, uh, I’ve brought you some breakfast. Uh, didn’t know how you, uh, liked your eggs, so I made them scrambled. Heh. Free of charge of course, on the house. We'd just never thought you'd be back here, is all.”\n\nCooper Lemont, a former cowhand who was grandfathered into his father-in-law's inn, The Starlight, after his untimely death during the Silver Rush. He’s harmless though he seemed starved for affection like a beaten hound. He’s visited my room nearly three times so far. There's rumors he slept with his cousin.\n\nI folded my dress and placed it into a suitcase that's ready to fall apart, “Do you know who brought me here?\"\n\n“Of course, Miss Ambrose. And-and call me Coop. See, all my friends do. I haven’t seen you eat anything since you got here, and well, a day’s more glum on an empty tum. Heh.” I hear him shoot some air out his nostrils. \"Uh, anyway, Mister Shaw kindly found you in the woods and took you here, since the doc is, well, mortally challenged.\"\n\n\"Are you sure it was Mister Shaw?\"\n\n\"Indeed, Miss. He sewed you up real good too. A good man.\"\n\nHe had saved my life. Why? He should have given in to his bestial nature. It's in their blood.\n\nI was a woman possessed by this very notion, and I intended to find out, and soon. \n\nI put on a shirt and vest, then opened the door. How hideous I must look to him. I hope I am. Maybe he’ll leave me alone so I don’t have to think about the dead anymore. \"Take me to him.\"\n\n...\n\nIt was a house defined by its seclusion and further perpetuated by its dulled ashen color. The thicket was generously splashed with hues of green and brown and other earthly indicators of the wildlands and the fauna, yet the cabin was such a stark contrast, one would think all life had been leeched from the shaky premises by the Harvestman himself. \n\nI've been standing and watching from behind the girth of an ancient tree and its spindly, unearthed roots that snaked through the ground like threshers, leaking salty water from my forehead in this ungodly heat. Above me a fat blackbird perched its skinny limbs on a dying tree branch as if to voyeuristically watch me, as I am watching Billy. It said nothing, and I said nothing. \n\nFit, clean, and purposeful, Billy was a hunter by trade, like my father. Shot down wild game to sell to the town butcher and likely prayed for a good deal, though the butcher here was a man who counted his coin with absolute glee and precision. There was a dreamcatcher dangling near the gutter of his humble abode. I wonder if a lycan gets bad dreams?\n\nAs if the world had ceased to faze him with its many wonders and unspeakable horrors, he opened the front door, trudged down the steps in dirty boots fit to tear any moment, and opened the gate. \"You can come out now.\"\n\nI took three breaths before stepping out. \"How did you know?\"\n\n\"I just do.\" the tall hunter said factually, \"Well... you can either come inside or you can let the mosquitos leech on you. You fit to work? Me patching you up ain't free. Nothing truly is.\"\n\nI nodded. \"I'm fit.\"\n\nI almost laughed. A debt to a werewolf.\n\nFor the next three days, I repaid my debt, most of it involving patching up his shoddy little roof and fixing the fence that kept his little garden of herbs intact. We said little at first, exchanging a few words of small talk here and there in between bouts of lifting and hammering. Currently, he was trying to pick up the strings of a guitar and try his hand at painting. He told me he had a family before, though his wife and daughter were buried out back with the most beautiful tombstones I have ever seen.\n\n\"My late wife was good at this.\" he admitted, showing some landscape paintings that provoke tinges of wonder. \"She saw the world and its beauty. I just saw the world.\"\n\nHis hands tremored sporadically yet they fulfilled their task of serving me tea nonetheless. Billy was a man who knew who he was, what he could do, and what he could live without. Confidence is a rare thing. Maybe I've been away from civilization so long, away on my crusade against the beasts that I have forgotten the routine of it all. Routine is good, perhaps even necessary to keep one on the line towards a good and honest life. But my father lived a good and honest life. Look where that got him. \n\nBilly and I sat outside on his porch, but the discomfort in me remained like a stone. Whether it was from his docile nature or my own damned wounds, I remained uncertain of the fact. At first, a silence blanketed the both of us. He spoke. \"You recovered quickly. You had a nasty fall. Any headaches?\"\n\nI shook my head at the man.\n\nNo, not a man, a beast more like. My quarry, my target.\n\nBut also my savior. \n\nHe walked forward past the fence and tossed a few leftover scraps of venison and dried pork belly out in seemingly random directions. Sure enough, feral hounds with matted fur and sickly yellow teeth emerged from near thin air with cautious little steps and cautious little sniffs. Usually, I would have shot them but I suppose today was a special type of day. \n\nI watched them have their dinner with no fuss. No growling or barking whatsoever, for they seemed grateful at the prospect. Billy even went as far as to stroke one behind the ear, whispering something in either a dead language or a language for the dead.\n\n\"Thanks for your help, miss.\" he said quietly without looking back. \"Haven't had anyone out here in a long while. These hounds are my only companions.\"\n\n\"No siblings?\" I asked, thinly veiling it as a dig into his past. Hell, give me a shovel and I'll find anything. \n\nHe paused. \"None.\" Heaving, he tossed the rest of the bones. \"You're tense. Nervous. Body don't lie. Got all sorts of signs. Just have to know where to look. I know what you stand for: the annihilation of my kind. I can smell the mercurial scent of silver and gunpowder a mile away.\"\n\nI said nothing, choosing to let the words hang like wet laundry.\n\nHe continued. \"People think they can choose their lives. Sometimes, the world chooses for you.\" This time, he looked at me, right in the eyes. \"You had three days to put a bullet in my head.\"\n\n\"Maybe I'm mulling it over.\" \n\nHe laughed like the hearth of a fireplace. \"That so? Heh.\" His grin faded back to stoicism. \"I wonder what's better, Miss Ambrose: to be born good... or to overcome one's wicked nature against all odds?\"\n\n\"You're moon-touched. All you do is kill.\"\n\n\"So have humans.\"\n\n\"Lycanthropes are unnatural, controlled by their beasthood.\" I yelled through gritted teeth.\n\n\"And what do you know of what is and what is not?\" he proposed. \"You claim to hunt monsters and yet you surround yourself with them.\" Billy wagged a finger at me. \"You crave the violence. You can't stop. Beasts all over the plains... you'll be one of them, sooner or later.\"\n\nHe began stepping inside. \"Lycan or not, we all have a choice. I never laid a hand on anyone. You know this. I chose to resist and live a life. You chose to grieve through blood. Trapped in this in-between.\"\n\nThe words stung with potent acidity. Yet, I watched my hand rise and aim my gun at him. \n\n\"For what it's worth, I'm sorry about your father. Death has touched us both. I've learned to appreciate life because of it.\" he said.\n\nThe gun doubled in weight. \n\n\"You deserve forgiveness, miss.\"\n\nHe walked inside. \n\n\"If you knew who I was, why did you save me?\" I blurted out to him. \n\nBilly stopped and turned his head. \"My daughter... you remind me of her. She would've liked you.\" He closed the door. \n\nA lycan and a hunter who both lost everything. Outcasts.\n\nA world without Salvation is a world without misery. But there was always some suffering left over.\n\nI don't want to add to it.\n\nMy revolver dropped in the dirt, where it would [remain](https://www.reddit.com/r/blahgarfogar/).\n\n..." ]	4
	[WP] You are stuck in a time loop on the day the world ended	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The first time it happened I was completely in panic, I saw with my eyes how the sun turned into an orange blob in the sky and how said skies turned a silly green overnight.\n\nThen... the sun started melting like ice cream over the world, destroying it in a slow kafkaesque suffering that was simultaneously painful and pitiful... many took themselves and their children... others accepted fate while screaming as their blood boiled over.\n\nI was in perfect black, perfect death, perfect nonsense and with the beeps of my clock I woke up again... it took me some minutes to brush it up as a dream... the screams... the pain... the smell of cooking flesh... but then it happened again...\n\nAgain...\n\nAgain and again...\n\nNo matter what I did, no matter what I tried to stop doomsday, nobody would believe such ridiculous slander... the sun melting like a popsicle over the earth as it's eaten alive by molten lava.\n\nSo I started using my newfound hell to make tests... tried committing suicide... tried escaping on my own... tried everything... but death only brought me back to my bed...\n\nFinally, one day, I discovered the way to save everyone... to put a stop to the pain...\n\nBut... once again, when everyone was sighing of relief and opening the champagne... I heard my clock again... as I woke up..." ]	2
	[WP] A scientist genuinely wishes to study and research on the superhero gene. Unfortunately everyone thinks he's some evil genius.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Charlie Rudo had not lived a charmed life.\n\nRather the opposite, he was afraid.\n\nHe was born Obi Afua, the unfortunate bastard child of a African maid that had been kicked out the second he was born. The other maids hadn't said a word; they couldn't, not if they wanted to keep their jobs, and so his mother had been sent off with a rather large ceremony of utter silence and passive cruelty.\n\nOn her way to the exit, another maid, also a known lover of the master of the house, muttered that his mother should've been more careful. She huffed a great sigh and handed his mother two apples and a bottle of almost spoiled milk, as if her meager gifts were spun gold that she'd fought tooth and nail to get her hands on.\n\nHomeless and wandering.\n\nTwo apples.\n\nMilk that curdled almost immediately in the heat of the desert they traveled through.\n\nThis was Obi Afua's introduction to the world.\n\nHis mother eventually collapsed, mind ravaged by heatstroke and body torn apart by childbirth, and she murmured \"Obi, Obi,\" as she closed her eyes. \n\nShe never opened them again.\n\nA supernatural scout group found newborn Obi, clutching his mother's fingers with his chubby hands. The baby was picked up. The corpse was not.\n\nObi Afua and Thandeka Afua died the day that Charlie Rudo was born.\n\nThe scouts were poor (everyone was in that town), and the Charlie went to bed hungry most nights. Still, there wasn't much to grieve. Charlie hadn't ever known fullness, so he'd never complain about emptiness. \n\nThe scouts took odd jobs, often returning at strange hours and smelling of blood and sweat. Charlie didn't ask, nor did he care. They made sure that Charlie got any scraps of food they could gather (Charlie's lack of superhero genes made him a bit more frail), got any new clothes or handmade toys they could afford, and made sure that breezes of magically frozen wind blew through his hair when heatstroke warnings were in effect.\n\nThey taught him to read and write by drawing letters and words in the sand, and they'd worked with him through a used math book the scouts found in an abandoned hut (none of them had had the privilege of education). \n\nDespite the poverty, the everpresent heat, and the dysfunctional uneducated group he'd called a family, Charlie was happy.\n\nSo of course it went to shit.\n\nFran was the first to get sick. Her skin turned an ashen black, almost as if she'd been singed, yet her body was freezing to the touch. After only a week, she'd become bedridden. \n\nCharlie stayed at home with Fran, spooning hot water (it was all they had) into charcoal lips. He feared that one strong gust of wind would turn Fran to dust. Meanwhile, the scouts went out and robbed apothecaries, hospitals, and pharmacies, holding doctors to knifepoint to point them to a cure.\n\n\"She's as good as dead,\" the third hostage of the week had said, shaking her head. \"We see this a lot with Supers. The superhero gene is a mutation, after all. Makes sense that it would be unstable enough for a deadly recoil.\"\n\n\"Medicine?\" Charlie had asked.\n\n\"None that would be guaranteed to work, kid. The superhero gene is too variable.\"\n\n\"You call yourself a doctor when you don't even have a clue how to treat a common, deadly sickness?\" One of the scouts demanded, frustrated grief finally turning into anger. \n\n\"No sensible government sinks their money into funding a cure that may not even exist, or, if it does exist, only works for one Super. Not to mention, Recoil is the only thing holding Supers back from overthrowing the very human people in power, so there's no motivation to invest even if they did have the money.\" The doctor shrugged. \"There's nothing anyone can do about it. That's just the way it is.\"\n\nFran stopped breathing that night. The next morning, Red woke up to find his fingertips turning to ash. He only held on for a week before dying.\n\nOne by one, Charlie watched everything he cared about literally turn to ash. \n\nWhat was an 11-year-old meant to do after that?\n\nDie? Fall asleep forever in the ashes of the people he once called home?\n\n(Charlie thought a part of him did.)\n\nBut, alas, he gathered the dust, collected it in a bag, and set off towards the nearest city.\n\nAshes.\n\nA jug of water.\n\nAnd an all-consuming, furious, burning ambition.\n\nThat was all Charlie had left. \n\n So can you blame him for robbing a few banks? Buying a shed off the grid and filling it with research materials? He only stole from those who had more than enough, and only hid from those who would destroy him and everything he worked to save. \n\nHe'd stolen a few packs of Supers' blood from blood banks, sure, that was actually a thing he was sorry about. But it was necessary for his cure research, and he was a one-man underground team. He survived on bread and water, just enough to keep his mind functioning, and he'd made sure every kid in the slums near him were fed (with bread and cheese, not just apples). \n\nImagine his surprise at the cease and desist letter he received. \n\nImagine his even greater surprise at the papers calling him an evil supergenius stealing Super blood to try and build an enhanced Frankenstein to destroy the world.\n\n\"It's not funny,\" Charlie sighed at the newsie who'd handed him the newspaper.\n\n\"It's a little--\"\n\n\"No. It's not.\"\n\n\"C'mon, Mista Charles, it's a teeny bit--\"\n\n\"No.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n(ran out of juice lmao; upvote for a part 2?)", "13.\n\nr/PessimisticSnakeWrote\n\nIdk.\n\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nIt's no secret that the slums in this city were the place for the most vile and scummy creatures of the whole planet. Almost all of the known villains are said to originate from there. All of them infamous not for their vile plans. Or their cruel acts. \n\nThey all didn’t have and don’t have those. Its far simpler. Instead of a great mind or obsessive training they had one thing. Their villain gene. Just like their superhero counterparts they were born with the one thing making them capable of inhuman feats. \n\nNobody knows why. Nobody knows how. And nobody attempted to know. At least if you wanted to stay in the society. \n\nIt drives him crazy. It always did. And to this day he questions why the government never tried it. Only those ridiculous villains. Staining his already dead profession with archetypes of him experimenting on Superhero's by cutting them open with a laser. Before “extracting” the not at all burned and damaged material. That it was shown as a documentary from the greatest villains of all time only added to it. That they still managed make a mutant puzzles him to this day. Or maybe that’s why the mutant could split in half and was impenetrable from fire? Did they plan it? \n\nDr.Eli always knew what could be done if only a not villain would try to research it. If a normal human scientist would study it. Find out how it could be injected without side effects. How it could be normalized. How its not randomly created. It could change everything. \n\nCancer would be no more. Superhero's could be made instead of being born. Maybe even nobody would need to die anymore if it would be possible. Dr. Eli is alone though. \n\nDr. Eli looks up from his chaotic desk to the clock on the wall. Its barely readable under the thousands Illustrations of DNA. Cat, Dog, Human and In between. All with scribbles over them. Footprints from both cats and dogs are all over the place. Even scratches, coming from work. \n\nThere was no official PhD for human Superhero DNA. So Dr. Eli took the closest publicly and socially allowed. Study of the DNA from the only available mammals in the city outside from rats and mice. He has a PhD of the DNA from the most known animals inside the walls from the city. Cats and Dogs. \n\nIts still a infamous territory. And a normal person would like still call him a evil scientist. Just for researching DNA. Especially since DNA research is so infamous that he was basically the only one doing his PhD in this field. \n\nAnd since in the slums where he resides due to the almost weekly destruction of the normal city are filled with them its easy to do his research. His official at least. \n\nTomorrow he will need to go to do another go. \n\nHe would ask for donations of blood from the most prominent people with superpowers here in the slum. But somehow, every time they are scared of him. And that even though Dr. Eli didn’t even have superpowers like they had. But he still nonetheless got his blood. With much reluctance from them after stating multiple times and they wouldn’t inject some spider spit poison or blast them full of radiation. \n\nIts late. He needs to go to sleep. He stands up and opens the door. Instantly meows and barks come it. Dogs and cats of all kind watching and waiting for him to sleep. But before he could do that. \n\n“Wait! Villainous fiend!” \n\nIn the open window before his desk is a girl in a red costume. A lightning and flames on it. \n\nHe heard of her. She is incredible acrobatic and new famous addition to the superheroes. She looks surprised at the growling and hissing at her. Dr. Eli closes the door. Before approaching her with an annoyed expression. \n\n“Its night. Young people should already be sleeping.” \n\n“I'm not a child. And to bring justice and help humans...and animals even at night is my duty.” \n\nThe girl still seems completely bewildered at the anger from Dr. Elis animals. Still entirely focused on the door he closed moments ago. \n\n“is something wrong with my pets?” \n\n“You-you mind washed them!” \n\nDr. Eli isn't sure if dog food, catnip and toys would count as mind wash. Its kind of rude calling your pets like that. \n\n“If you mean I bought them so much food that they would finally stop scratching me, then yes.” \n\nShe stares at Dr. Eli. Only a small confused expression remains for a second until she finally gains back her conviction. \n\n“Don't try to hide it! I got information from them!” \n\nShe points to a dark humanoid shadow behind leaning from a nearby house. It immediately runs away when it sees me looking at it. \n\n“He called you the Catsocider. He even told me a story of how his pussy left him. And since you are the Catsocider it must be you.” \n\nShe seems to young to tell her what they really meant. \n\n“As you see, I save these Cats and Dogs and then take their DNA, I care for them, not kill them. I wouldn’t have so many if I just killed all of them.” \n\n“You extract DNA and then they die!” \n\n“Of course not! Such nonsense, I'm no villain! Why would someone even do that!” \n\n“You are!” \n\n“I'm not!” \n\n“Then..what is this!” \n\nShe pulls out a black envelope. A certain black and red rectangle symbol on it. Dr. Eli instantly recognizes it. It’s an invitation. An invitation for a villain organization. \n\n“I thought I threw this new one away?” \n\nDid she? Did she really do that? \n\n“I ransacked through your garbage to see for bodies! You managed to hide them. But not this one!” \n\nDr. Eli instantly takes much more distance. \n\n“You are speechless! Now without any way of denying it. I put you under arrest with my right as a hero for the welfare of the city.” \n\n“Why would I throw them away if I would have accepted it?” \n\n“...Idk. You threw it away. Not me.” \n\nDr. Eli had more successful conversations with a cat. Maybe he should attack the fundamental logic behind it? Even her superhuman stubbornness should break when he attacks the whole reason she is here. \n\n“And why would I need dog cat and human DNA? If I would make mutants and not just research it what would I do with that?” \n\nShe stops for several moments. Both stare at each other before she goes back to screaming. \n\n“Its obvious! You insert human DNA so you have a cat human mutant! Cats are unbeatable fighters.” \n\n“It doesn’t work like that!” \n\n“It does!” \n\n“Do you even know how someone extracts DNA?” \n\n“...I watched documentaries about it. I know everything I need to know.” \n\nFor once she actually sounds like thinking and backing off. \n\n“You get hair or blood. Just a syringe nothing villain about that.” \n\n“...but when comes the laser?”" ]	3
	[WP] After tripping over and hitting your head against a rock you see the world very differently, quite literally	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The sunlight filters through the gaps in the shifting leaves. A soft susurrus fills the meadow: the sound of the tide rushing over golden sands, or the gentle sway of the towering eucalyptus in lofty zephyrs. I shift deeper into the downy white grass and bask in the vernal warmth.\n\nA sparrow alights on my arm and regards me with beady eyes. It carries a message from the far off clouds--but it cannot speak the tongue of men. It grips my arm and beeps in urgency. \n\n\"No messages are needed here,\" I say, the words bubbling one after another from my mouth. \"Relax with me in this quiet vale and watch the breeze shake the boughs.\" It cannot hear, or it is too single-minded in its charge, and its talons dig deeper with helpless urgency. It beeps again, more loudly, insistent on relaying its tidings. A small ruby wells in its grip and falls to the tufted grass. \n\nA movement from the far end of fields diverts me. An old grey stallion, holding its head with the mien of a lord, emerges into the sunlight from a scintillating cave of crystal. It approaches with long, slow strides, its tail of spun silver gracefully swaying to and fro. In low, grumbled tones, it chastises the sparrow in language of the beasts. Mollified, the sparrow relaxes its grip.\n\nI know him as the custodian of this peaceable place. I tell him in long, slow tones - for horsekind is always appreciative of old-fashioned courtesy - of the pleasure of lying on his grass and breathing in the fresh spring air.\n\nFor a moment, he holds in me in his equine gaze with a strangely pensive look. Then, gracefully, he turns and trots back to his glimmering lair, to await the next meeting of the Council of All Living Things. I lie back on the grass and watch the sun make gilded shapes on the soft floor around me.", "“Jasmine honey, wake up,” the soft, feminine voice of Jasmine’s ma’s voice calls out to her, slowly waking her from her sleep. \n\t“Jasmine, come on honey. You’re going to be late for school again,” she says, raising her voice and nudging Jasmine’s shoulder. She groans reluctantly, then pulls herself up, off her piano, whipping the drool from her bottom lip with her sweater sleeve. \n\t“You fell asleep playing music again?” Her mother presses. \n\t“Yup. You know me,” she says, yawning and smiling sleepy eyed. \n\t“Oy vey, you need to start sleeping in your bed child. What is the point in that alarm clock your father and I bought for you if you never sleep in your bed to use it.” \n\t“It looks nice on my end table. It really ties in the room,” Jasmine teases. \n\t“Hurry up and get ready. I won’t drive you if you miss the bus again. You’ll be walking, young lady,” Her ma lectures, wagging a finger in her face. \n\t“Don’t worry Ma, I won’t be late,” she assures her, pecking her on the cheek before running upstairs to get ready for school. Her Ma was right, her teachers would throw a fit if she was late again. \n\t \n\tAbout fifteen minutes later, Jasmine comes running downstairs dressed in light blue washed jeans, rolled to capris length, and a white knit sweater, with her hair thrown up into a messy hair bun. \n\t“Bye Ma!” She yells, as she slips on her converse sneakers, snatches her backpack, and sprints out the door to the city bus stop. She is just shy of a minute from being late, just barely making it on time for the bus, panting slightly once getting on from her wind sprint. The bus ride only lasts about twenty minutes before she needs to get off, then she is sprinting again. Jasmine looks down at her Fitbit watch momentarily to see the time, while she is doing this, she fails to see the start of the bumpy ground beneath her and trips, landing her head hard against a rather large rock. Jasmine is knocked unconscious. \n\tMoments later, Jasmine awakes to a scolding headache and goose lump on top of her head. \n\t“Ou…” She groans in pain as she struggles to flutter her eyes open. Once finally being able to force her eyelids open, she is shocked at her line of vision. Yes, she was seeing a street full of houses, same as before, but different now. Now streaming in like tye dye is a wide assortment of colours making up a rainbow, reminding Jasmine of some psychedelic hippy poster, except it wasn’t a poster, it is her vision. Everywhere she seems to look different colours stream into each other forming almost like a painting, beautiful if she wasn’t so abnormal. Jasmine hits the side of her head, scrunching her eyes shut, then counts to ten in hopes that it would fix everything. To her surprise, it did. When Jasmine opens her eyes again, her vision is back to normal. \n\tWeird… Must have hit my head harder than I thought. Jasmine thinks, darting her head all around to see if anyone witnessed what happened, but there was not a soul on the street. Jasmine looks down at her watch. It reads ‘9:30’. \n\tOh crap! I’m late again! Jasmine starts sprinting as fast as her skinny short legs will take her, arriving at school another ten minutes later. \n\tJasmine runs into her first-period music class, disturbing one of the students' piano performances. She earns a chilling glare from that girl, causing Jasmine to blush as she sinks into her seat with her notebook out. Her teacher, Mrs. Niles is also staring at her, looking very displeased.", "John was out for a walk. He loved walking, it was by far his favorite thing to do. Going on a not-so-busy trail through the woods with the sun shining was perfect, it was hard to do anything else that could beat it.\r \n\r \nToday John was walking through a park he had walked on countless times before, it was only a short drive from his house. He had parked around where he would usually park, he was taking the path that he would usually take. But while he was taking a step that he had undoubtedly taken many times before, something different happened. His foot shifted out from under him, and he slipped. He tripped and fell away from the path, as he did he reached out his arms to brace himself, but they slipped in the grass and his face went straight into the ground - onto a rock.\r \n\r \nJohn turned himself over, laying on his back. He groaned in pain as he felt an immediate throbbing sensation in his forehead. 'Yep, I definitely hit that rock.' he thought to himself as he began to open his eyes. After blinking a few times he focused on a small cloud in the blue sky. Something wasn't right. Looming overhead was a gigantic.. Was it the moon? He couldn't tell what it was, maybe an asteroid. But it took up the top half of his vision, it was that massive. \r \n\r \nStartled, John bolted upright into a seated position. He looked out ahead of himself at a tree, but what he saw didn't make any sense. From the bottom up he saw the tree, the roots growing into the earth by the lush green grass. The thick trunk growing straight up out of the earth. And then the top of it was.. A giant.. Rock? It immediately dawned on him what was going on, he reached slowly up to his face with his hand. Lightly touching his cheek, passing by his temple, then.. He felt a hard foreign object jutting out of his forehead. It was the rock he had landed on. Delicately, he felt it out. It seemed to be lodged into most of his forehead, and hung over his eyebrows enough to encompass the top half of his vision. Surprisingly he felt no blood, and the pain was all but gone now.\r \n\r \nHe got himself up of the ground and looked around, noting the odd feeling of the added weight of the rock pulling his head slightly forward and down. A jogger was about to jog past him when she stopped and, presumably, looked at him. \"Oh my god, are you alright?!\" The woman asked. She wore tight skin-toned shorts and a matching sports bra. She wore a thin silver necklace around her tanned neck. And above her neck was a large porous stone with an uneven border that curved like the bottom hull of a boat, with the lowest part of it being right about where her chin should have begun.\r \n\r \nNormally John was a pretty shy guy and was quite bad at holding a conversation, eye contact was a sore spot for him. But with this stone in the way he didn't have to worry about eye contact, or second guessing her facial expressions as disinterest. \"Oh I'm doing just great! Really enjoying this beautiful day\" John exclaimed. \r \n\"You know you have a uh.. A rock sticking out of your head, right?\" The woman questioned concerned. Attempting to joke, John responded.\r \n\"Oh yeah, this old thing? I just picked it up on my last trip.\" The womans body language strongly hinted of her throwing her head back, and as a possible confirmation to that action, a laugh shot out from her direction - presumably hers.\r \n\"God that's gotta be a dad joke if I ever heard one..\" The lady said exasperated. \"..You're kind of hot, you know that?.\" She added. 'Kind of hot???' John thought to himself. What the hell is going on here? He had never gotten a reaction like THAT before. The two exchanged a few more words, and then exchanged phone numbers. And then she was back off to jogging, not before turning around and presumably, possibly, smiling. Maybe winking too, she could have even flashed her beautiful smile his way - showing off her very likely, brilliantly white teeth. \r \n\r \nAmazed at what had just transpired, John looked down at his cell phone. He stared at the new contact he had just added to his phone, Cindy. 'That was crazy' he thought. 'It must've.. It must've been the rock!'.\r \n\r \nTo confirm if it was just a fluke or not, John stopped to chat to every woman he came across, and he headed back to his car. A few 'I just picked it up on my last trip's later, and an equal amount of new contacts in his phone, he had his answer.\r \n\r \nHis new perspective on life inspired him, he wanted to take pictures of everything he saw from his viewpoint. But that was no way to capture what he saw, he just couldn't get a camera close enough to his face to capture his beautiful view with the rock included. So he took up painting. John spent countless hours for days, weeks even - painting everything he saw. A painting of a street lamp that went up and up to finish as a giant stone sitting atop of the pole. Another being a view of a large valley, lush with rolling hills and a forest in the distance - and a looming could-be asteroid above, a moment away from destroying it all. A bio-illuminated ocean, shining its green-blue light up and off of a giant boulder hanging overhead.\r \n\r \nJohn was at one of his art exhibits, showing his latest work. He was explaining to a young couple - infatuated with his work - how the painting they were admiring of a giraffe with a boulder for a head could never do justice to how it looked in person. Just then two sharply dressed men approached him. \"Hello there John do you have a moment?\" One of them asked. John excused himself from the couple and replied.\r \n\r \n\"Hello there, yes what is it?\" Very well postured, one of the men continued.\r \n\"Hi John we've learned of your 'condition' in the news, and how since acquiring this condition, you have been putting out this amazing artwork.\" The man said gesturing the nearby giraffe painting, adjusting his glasses he went on. \"We were wondering if you could just take a look at this math equation and let us know if you could attempt to solve it.\" The man cleared his throat and went on. \"There's a condition known as 'sudden savant syndrome' and we're curious if you've acquired this, and what abilities you may have\".\r \n\"Yes, sure I'll take a crack at it.\" John said, taking a clipboard out of the man's hand and took a glace at the problem. The page was full of symbols he was unfamiliar with, but he tried his best to understand the problem. One of the men began. \r \n\"You may want to lift your head up a bit, it looks like you can only see half-\" \r \n\"Wait!\" John exclaimed. Blocking the top half of the math problem, the pores on the stone began to look like a 'connect the dots' style puzzle. He could almost see the lines connecting them, he followed them and counted each pore as he traced on. The mind puzzle stopped, he finished counting the last pore as all the lines faded away. John handed back the clipboard, and gave his answer. \"Twenty-eight.\" \r \n\r \nShocked. The men were taken aback. They looked at each other, then back down at the clipboard. One of the men hurriedly took out a calculator and started punching in numbers as the other man began to shake. The man on the calculator punched one last button in then looked at the other. \"It checks out boss, twenty-eight is.. Well, it's the answer.\r \n\r \nJohn took part of numerous studies, all confirming that he could not only solve classical math problems with ease - but even quantum math problems. He was constantly in the news, with headlines like 'Confirmed: Pores inside of a rock embedded in man's head are quantumly-entangled!' and 'Art visionary John moves on to being mathematical genius!' He was even featured on the cover of rolling stones with the headline \"This guy rolled onto a stone, and now his life is changed forever!\" With a picture of John, but his entire head was edited to be a stone. He even got a movie contract to be featured with Dwayne Johnson, 'Rock-Squared'. Life was now just one constant high followed by another for John.\r \n\r \nContinued below..", "THE DAY THE MUSIC WAS BORN\n\nBirthdays aren’t that special if you think about it.\n\nIt’s just the day your mom did all the work to bring you into this world. Some babies come willingly. Others, like me, kick and scream the whole way. But one thing that’s for certain is that you didn’t do anything to arrive. You were just born.\n\nWhat you do with your life after that day, now that is up to you.\n\nMaybe that’s why I started ‘The Birthday Tradition’ -- each year, no matter what. Regardless of what’s going right or what’s gone horribly, terribly wrong. I go somewhere no one else is and I take a hike. Literally, and figuratively too, I suppose.\n\nJust me, my legs, my questions, and freedom. I explore, I ponder, I reflect on the past and send out hopes for the future. I try to make sense of who I am and who I want to become. It’s like my annual oil change for the soul.\n\nWhich is how I found myself at the bottom of a ravine, knocked out. I mean, total K.O.\n\nSomewhere at the top, I tripped on a rock. I must’ve fallen and hit my head on one as I tumbled down the hill. Because when I finally came around, the sun was setting, and my head felt like a junior high marching band was drilling warmups.\n\nThe groan that exited me when I came to, was like a fully inflated bag pipe getting punched. A horrendous noise exhaled from my body as I sat up. My hand tenderly explored my head and came away sticky with blood. Great. Happy freaking birthday.\n\nI looked around in the fading light and didn’t have my pack. It took a full minute to catch my breath. It took another minute to realize what I was seeing.\n\nThe world was murky, hazy. Like falling into a Salvador Dali painting, everything was stretched, pulled, odd. But that wasn’t the weirdest part. The weirdest part were the sounds.\n\nThe trill of the cicadas around me, became a snare beat. The chirping of the birds morphed into riffs intermingling. I knew a creek was nearby because the rush of water was the walking bass line of the whole natural instrumental playing for me.\n\nAnd it was loud.\n\nEvery movement hurt. But eventually I pulled myself up, leaning against a gnarled tree that stood nearby. The scratch of my denim jacket against the rough bark added another note to the song.\n\nKnowing I had to get back to civilization before the sun set, I forced my feet to move. And a scrape-clop-thud joined the tune. One dragging step in front of the other.\n\nWith the way the world had become laffy-taffy, all stretched out and wonky, I lost my footing several times. The stumbles had a rhythm to them as well.\n\nTo say it was slow going would be an understatement. It felt like it took hours to find my way back to the trail, from there back to my car. And the whole time the music didn’t stop. It just kept building within me.\n\nThe whistle of the wind, the crack of a twig, it all spoke to me. Called to me.\n\nIt didn’t make sense. Nature wasn’t auto tuned. So why was I hearing it like it was?\n\nBy the time I made it to my car, my ears throbbed. By then, the sun had set, and shadows danced around the discoball strobes of moonlight filtering through the trees. Which, let me tell you, only made the surrealness I was glimpsing even stranger.\n\nGrateful I’d put my car key next to my phone in an inner zipped pocket in my hiking pants, I unlocked it with the button. The cheerful beep joined the song. I sat in the driver seat, with the door open and key in the ignition. The normally irritating door-open-key-engaged warning joined the rest of the composition in my head.\n\nDing-ding-ding-beep-whoosh-chirp-chirp-scrape-woosh.\n\nIf I wasn’t in so much pain, I would’ve been in awe at the beauty of it. The way the harmony of the world around me was playing just for me.\n\nBut I was. In pain. I probably had a concussion, and I couldn’t trust myself to drive with my vision the way it was. With my luck I wouldn’t be able to tell what was just a curve, and what was the road stretching endlessly, impossibly. So, I made a call.\n\nMy ex got there within the hour. He was the only one I knew wouldn’t demand a hospital trip I couldn’t afford, the only one I felt safe with while vulnerable. He wasn’t my ex because he was a bad guy, he was my ex because he just wasn’t my guy.\n\nThe rip of the gauze package, the fizz of the peroxide, the hiss of my breath when he patched me up … all of it was heightened. Like being in a booth with a sound engineer, it was all musical, lyrical.\n\nI sighed as he settled me into his passenger seat. As his breath near my ear intermingled with the click of the seatbelt, he’d reach over to secure for me. The womp-boom of the truck door shutting. The snick-wish of the driver door opening. The throaty rumble of the engine turning over. The radio turning on …\n\nWhat blasted out of the speakers was just noise. A loud, barrage of nothingness. I instinctively reached over and turned it off.\n\nAhhh, there. The music was back. The hum in the back of his throat. The scratch of his thumb, rubbing over my hand to soothe me, felt like a lullaby, sweet, soulful.\n\nI leaned my head back against the seat. Closing my eyes. I couldn’t take the stretched-out images anymore, so instead, I listened to the melody of the world.\n\nI’d always wanted to be a songwriter, a musician. But I never had the ear for it. I was tone deaf as a child. Couldn’t hold a note. Couldn’t hear the complexities.\n\nI just knew I loved it. But love wasn’t enough to access it.\n\nAnd yet, here I was. Able to hear each nuance. My soul took a deep breath. I didn’t know how long my vision would be unreliable or my ears would be clear. But suddenly, it was critical that I not waste this gift, this moment.\n\nTo create, to play, while the music called to me.\n\n“You still got that studio?”\n\n“My home setup? Yeah. Why?”\n\n“Can we go mess around with it?”\n\nWhen he didn’t respond, I cracked an eye open to squint at him. His face was elongated, like a fishbowl lens was over it. But I could still read the concern mingled with hope there.\n\nYou see, he was a musician. Talented. Brilliant. He could play anything like nobody’s business. He could mix melodies and harmonies with his gravelly voice the way some people just instinctually breathed. He knew that I dreamed of that world, I’d just never been able to play in it. Like a kid sitting outside a chain link fence watching all the other children tumbling around on the jungle gym, it had been off limits to me.\n\nBut now, while I was seeing differently, hearing perfectly, I wanted to try. I needed to try.\n\n“You finally ready?”\n\nI smiled; my eyes shut once more. Somehow, I was hearing the scratching of the tires as they rotated on the gravel, the stones sharp pinging as they hit the belly of the truck like a snare line coming in to speed up the tempo. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat.\n\nIf this new “sight” was mine only for a moment, I wanted to write as many songs as I could before it was gone.\n\n“Yeah. I think I am.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\~\\~\\~\n\nThank you for reading! For more scribblings, wander over to r/WanderingAnonymous" ]	5
	[WP] A cop drama where the main character is a psychic detective who puts himself at the scene of the crime by rolling around in the evidence like a dog.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Detective Kaminski, this is just. This is so disrespectful!\" My partner, Agatha Abnar objected haughtily.\n\n\"Come on Abnar, you know I can't do my thing unless I roll around in the evidence. Just go to the front and keep a look out. Please Agatha,\" I asked as I rolled around on a backpack, cigarette butts and a stuffed tiger. She huffed and looked my way for a few seconds before slowly retreating to the front of the evidence locker. This was my routine, every time I was stumped on a case. I was a psychic detective but the only way for me to get a vision of the past or future, was to roll around in stuff directly linked to it... like a damn dog.\n\nIt was humiliating and sometimes... unnerving but if I couldn't figure out a case, I could almost always get a leg up if I got a vision. This case was one of those that I had given up hope on. It had been two weeks since Abigail Thompson was last seen and no one was making heads or tails of the evidence thus far. So, swallowing my pride, I did what any good detective... that also happened to be psychic, would do, I rolled around in the evidence and let a vision tell me what I needed to know.\n\n\"Abnar,\" I yelled as I put everything back where it belonged. \"ABNAR!\"\n\n\"Did you get something?\" She asked as she came to the door of the evidence locker.\n\n\"Yes, and you're not going to like it,\" I said dryly. \"Tell you on the way,\" I said as I made my way to the door.\n\n\"The way? The way to were? Kaminski? Kaminski?!\" She questioned as she followed me. I could tell that she didn't quite understand me sometimes but went along with me anyways because I always had a way of catching the bad guys. One thing Abnar liked more than a nice quiet evening at home was a case closed and tonight, hopefully, we'd close this case.\n\n\"Wait, you're saying you saw the neighbor take the girl from her yard?\" Abnar asked in confusion and shock.\n\n\"Yes,\" I stated as we turned onto the Thompson's street and pulled up in front of the Rockwell's house. We got out of the squad car and made our way to their door. I knocked, and waited for an answer.\n\n\"Hello, what can I do for you?\" Said Muriel, Mr. Rockwell's wife.\n\n\"I'm looking for Jim. Is he here?\" I asked calmly as to not overwhelm her. The Rockwells were in their late 50s and when we interviewed them and everyone else on the block, they seemed like genuinely nice people. I would have never thought for a second, Jim would have been capable of kidnapping a little girl, or wanted to, for that matter.\n\n\"Oh no. Jim's not here I'm afraid my dear. He's out.\" She smiled brightly and asked if we'd like to come in.\n\n\"No thank you ma'am. Do you know where he went?\" I asked, hoping she wouldn't dottle so we could continue our investigation.\n\n\"He and Mr. Thompson went to the shack last night. Won't be back 'til tomorrow eve I'm afraid. They've gone on their annual fishing trip a little early this year. Jim thought Mr. Thompson could use something to take his mind off his missing daughter. Poor dear.\" She started to talk more but I politely cut her off.\n\n\"Thank you, Mrs. Rockwell, but we really must be going now. We've got a few more people to talk to. Have a lovely evening,\" I waved as we walked back to the squad car.\n\n\"A fishing trip? 14 days after your baby girl goes missing and you decide to take a fishing trip?\" I muttered under my breath.\n\n\"It doesn't make any sense. He was heart broken, as he should be,\" Abnar wondered aloud.\n\n\"Let's go up there and find out what's really going on,\" I stated as I put the car in reverse and we started the 45 minute drive to the lake house the Rockwells owned." ]	2
This is an edit to make it compliant with the rules.	[WP] To prevent abuse, magic often has random and arbitrary restrictions placed on its use. Some mages can only cast spells on Tuesdays between 11 AM and noon. Your powers only work in the absence of natural light.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Since the dawn of the magic era, the council of elders had made a decision to prevent the abuse of our powers; our magic now had random and arbitrary restrictions placed on its use, making it impossible for some to conjure spells between 11 am and noon, and for others, they were confined to only practising magic when in water. I, however, was different to all; my powers only worked in the absence of natural light.\n\n\"Come back here, you blundering oaf!\" cackles Frillas, jets of slithering flames erupting from his scabbed hands, \"you will die just like your parents; it is futile to run.\"\n\nPanic gripping my chest, I dodge his spells, the looming cave-like hollow in view, just past the protruding oaks. An inferno of fire gallops around nearby shrubbery, enveloping them in a warm embrace. The dancing heat gnaws at my exposed skin. I was so close...\n\nWith a heave propelling me forward, I break my fall using a cloud spell, my body bouncing as if cotton against the jagged edges of the cave. It was five minutes till noon, and then Frillas' powers would be disabled, enabling me to run with my life. For now, I had to defend myself.\n\nBeams of crystal-like ice emerging from my fingertips, my opponent winces as the cold defeats the inferno. Encasing myself in ice-armour, I cause a veil of mist to suspend itself, shrouding all that was in view. Frillas' fire magic is bleak now, yet it still manages to penetrate the curtain.\n\n\"You'll never catch me alive!\"\n\n\"That's because you'll DIE!\" he roars, a raucous laughter filling the looming darkness, which envelopes me as if a wet blanket. I attempt to run across the walls of the cave, yet my foe sticks out his foot and causes me to trip, blood oozing out profusely as the razor-sharp stalagmite lacerates through the flesh. I gasp, the crimson red now staining the floor.\n\nThe scythe tugs me in the neck, slightly entering my skin, taunting, tantalisingly close.\n\n\"Beg for my mercy!\" he bellows, his voice echoing.\n\nThrough groans of excruciating pain, I manage to reply, \"Never!\"\n\n\"Very well, you choose DEATH.\"\n\nHe points his arm at me, and roars as if a beast, yet no flames come to bite me. He tries again, and again, bewildered at this sudden change of events.\n\n\"W-why isn't this working?\" he exclaims in shock, paralyzed now, his voice a note higher than usual.\n\nI take a look at my wristwatch; it is past noon. Now I am the one laughing." ]	2
	[WP] When you decide to do something, you can send your consciousness forward to the point in time when the task has been completed, allowing you to skip past the boring or painful parts of life. Today, you decided to skip to the completion of your homework, only to find yourself decades older.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "There had been a mistake, a terrible mistake. Well, actually a rather mundane mistake, a value held to a fractional power. One that at cursory glance anyone with even half a brain could have figured out and simply put the question aside. But that had been my mistake I didn't give it that cursory glance, just dropped my self into my chair and- Blink.\n\nI heard a cheer erupt behind me, my brain still trying to process the shift. What lay before me was no simple sheet of paper, but clear board, it's surface covered in marker. Mathematics so complex I could bearly begin to read it, never mind understand it. Except I did, every notation unravelling itself before my eyes. Someone called my name, breaking my from my trance, only to replace that with a heart stopping moment of disorientation.\n\nAs I turned I saw an open glass door, every inch of this cubical covered in calculations and beyond that a sea of people, those at the front holding microphones and shouting questions. I felt tired, not the same tiredness of a long day of school I remembered, but the old tiredness that clung to bone and dragged me down. Without thinking I fell backwards into my chair, only now noticing the time piece. The Sixteenth of April Twenty Eighty Nine. I'd lost Sixty years of my life over a piece of homework...\n\n\"Mr. Makenzi, could you please tell us. What was you inspiration for this equation? NASA is already using the theorums to perfect thier Faster than Light Travel.\", \"Sir! Over Here! What do you plan to do next now that your current project is over?\" Words, so many words kver lapping and washing over me like a wave. I did the only thing that seemed to fit into my head. I answered \"Faster Than what? Ahem, I... I'm going to hand in my homework?\" With that I scribbled the answer onto that perfectly maintained sheet and pushed my way passed the crowd.\n\nI think I learn my lesson." ]	2
	[WP] you're a writer who just died under nonsensical circumstances. A common occurrence these days. Once on the other side a divine being grabs you by the shoulders. " Please help us! Our last writer quit and we can't keep up with the plot holes!"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“I can see why your writers all quit… how many did you even have in the first place?” I ask while sighing.\n\n“Hmm I believe it was originally thirty before they quit, why?” The angelic being responds.\n\nTo this question, I pull out the stats sheet for existence so far and shove it into his chest as I say “Read that number at the top out loud for me please.”\n\n“Number of universes: One Million and increasing, But what does that have to do with how many writers we had?” The seemingly idiotic angel responds.\n\nI briefly consider smacking him on the head but reconsider with the possibility of eternal damnation. “I’m getting there, with the fact that each universe has at least three habitable planets and a couple hundred planets overall, that should roughly be a team of A hundred writers at the very least per universe. So with all of existence constantly expanding why did you only hire thirty and never more?” I start from a whisper and gradually grow into a very angry shout.\n\n“Uhhhh…because of uh.. bureacracy???” The angel asks almost timidly.\n\n“Can I hire a new writer team then? Or even get people to hire the new team?” I inquire while being on my last nerve.\n\n“No?” The angel states almost seemingly asking himself.\n\n“Haha ok, I refuse.” I state my refusal as I give up.", "Time was convoluted. I'd been reading all the assorted notes for the last 6 millennia, which felt like an eternity but was only a minute or so. The old phrase \"There are decades where nothing happens and weeks where decades happen\" was all i could think of as i read the notes. The cynical writing and power creep was horrendous. The shining utopia was actually a cover for sex trafficking and a cabal of child molesters. Really had to lean on the worst possible villains, leaving no room for escalation. The hero facing them loses and is then revealed to be an even bigger monster, was so hackeneyed.\n\nI pushed the notes away, leaned back, and then looked at the divinity. \"You've introduced aliens how many times, only to retcon them as a humans, animals, or a hoax?\" There was a long beat of silence before it replied. \"Well we can't have a galactic spanning story, then we'd need a complete history of those worlds too! Are you going to write the history of Rigel 7?\" I thought on this before asking, \"Why not?\" I could feel the frustration radiate out. \"We don't have the resources to expand into spin-offs and crossover events! We barely can keep this running!\" I was getting frustrated now, i never liked having a producer or other suit tell me what to write, and something about this whole situation screamed upper middle management.\n\n\"Okay, when you grabbed me we were in the plague arc.\" I felt it nod at me expectantly. \"Well let's roll with that and-\" it cut me off \"No we already have plans to reveal that it's a manufactured virus and it's gonna kick off World War 3!\" I was vaguely aware of my lack of corporeality, but i could still feel my teeth bearing in a snarl. \"Hey! Are you fucking writing this or am I? You came to me, I'll go back to not existing.\" It felt blue, like a mix of fear and sadness. \"We were really excited to have that action to draw down the cast.\" \n\nI couldn't feel my eyes roll, but the intent was there. \"We're going to go double subversion. Just as it looks like the elite are pushing for a new World War, a real plague starts naturally.\" I could feel the Divinity was intrigued. \"And we show it by having some world leaders very publicly succumb to it. See the irony and subversion is that the plan comes to fruition, but the people angling for it are destroyed by it. That's how we end the Century of Strife Arc. Over time we build up enclaves of tech and juxtapose them to rural areas that use lower technology. We get these parallel societies in full swing and then we can begin to show the problems and how those parallel each other. See they both begin to rely on mysticism and tradition too much, while having factions that push too fast away from established truths that have kept things in order and safe.\"\n\nThe boredom was palpable. \"Nah. I want you to figure out how to get the Chinese and Russians to align to take on the West. Maybe have the Slavic states reform the USSR!\"\n\nAnd that's when i understood all the plot holes" ]	3
	[WP] When thunder rages in the sky, the gods are making war. You’ve seen the bodies of the divine that fell from the clouds after the rage subsides. This is the first that you’ve seen that was still breathing.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Victor hated thunderstorms. Ever since he was a child, thunderstorms brought strange visions of conflict in the skies. Creatures and beings that no one else could see fought and died in the air. Their bodies fell to the ground, only to dissipate within minutes. No one ever seemed to see them, but Victor did.\n\nThe doctors had tried to reason it away. “We’re uncertain the cause of his hallucinations, but there is a lot we do not know about the brain.”\n\nThey prescribed medications normally given to people with schizophrenia. It did not help; it only made him feel dizzy and nauseous. So, he pretended it helped for a bit and then hid that secret away from everyone else. And when it would thunder, he would stay indoors, far away from the windows. His parents thought it a lasting trauma from the visions of his childhood. In the end, it was easier to let them believe that. And after he finished school, he moved to a city that experienced very few thunderstorms.\n\n“Just my damn luck.”\n\nVictor ran through the heavy rain, his coat the only thing keeping his head dry. It had been a sudden storm. The state was in a small drought and the weather report had not indicated it would rain for weeks. But the clouds had rolled in while he was out shopping, and it began to pour as he hurried home. But the rain eventually forced him under the awning of a small candy store. He bought something to justify his loitering and resigned himself to his fate.\n\n“I wonder what they’re fighting over?” He leaned against the wall and watched the blurry figures dart across the sky.\n\n“When thunder rages in the sky, the gods are waging war.” The old lady that sold him the candy stood at his elbow, staring out into the rain.\n\nVictor swallowed nervously. “What do you mean?”\n\nThe old lady chuckled softly. “Just an old wives’ tale, young one. Don’t mind this old woman talking to herself.”\n\n“Right.” Victor bit into his candy bar to drive off the nervous feeling in his stomach.\n\nCars drove past the candy store, never stopping for the bodies littering the roads. More bodies fell as the war above continued. The splash of their fallen forms was indistinguishable from the rain. Then, the tall tree next to the candy store rustled and a body tumbled to the sidewalk. Victor jumped as they rolled near him.\n\n“Oh my, that sure was a lot of water.” The old lady took a step back along with him. “I should get something in case it starts to flood my front door.”\n\nAs she returned inside, Victor could only stare at the fallen being. It was the closest he had ever been to one. Up close they appeared feminine, with dark skin and pale hair. Their clothing was voluminous and flowed around them like a puddle. Then, there was a low groan and Victor froze.\n\n“My… Lord…” Her voice was weak and almost inaudible over the storm.\n\nThe woman pushed herself up before her arms failed her. The fallen beings never moved, nor did they ever speak. He froze as fear of the unknown rooted him to the spot. But when she began trying to crawl away, a more human side of him drove him to act.\n\nHe rushed out into the rain, ignoring how he was immediately soaked to the bone. “Hey! Are you alright?”\n\nWhen she did not respond, he reached down. His workplace had required basic first aid, and he knew enough to find her pulse.\n\nAssuming she’s even human…\n\nBut there was a twitch, a faint heartbeat. She was still alive, albeit barely. And considering all the cars passing without pause, it was a good assumption that they could not see her. With a mental curse, he hoisted her onto his shoulder and began walking back to his apartment.\n\nI bet I look ridiculous. What am I even doing?\n\nThe unconscious woman was tall and much heavier than she originally appeared. Her clothes were oddly stiff, almost metallic despite the flowing nature. And as his bag of groceries grew heavier from the rain, it became harder to walk. But after an eternity in the storm, he got inside his front door and let the bag slide to the ground. Then he returned his attention to the woman.\n\n“Hey.” He shook her, not knowing what else to do. “Hey, are you alright?”\n\nShe sat up with a gasp, causing Victor to tumble back in surprise. The next moment, he froze as the tip of a very sharp sword appeared under his chin. A trickle of warmth ran down his neck.\n\n“Who are you? Where am I?” Though her arm shook from the effort, the blade remained in place.\n\nVictor tried to get his breathing under control as he raised his hands in surrender.\n\n“Victor! My name’s Victor. You fell from the sky, and I took you out of the rain!”\n\nHer eyes narrowed. “Humans aren’t supposed to see us.”\n\nHis childhood came rushing back. Years of ridicule and suspicion caused the words to tumble out. “I’m not lying!”\n\nThe blade pulled back, only a little. She leaned against the opposite wall, seemingly exhausted. Victor did not dare to move. His heart continued to race as they remained sitting in his entryway.\n\nAfter a moment of silence, he spoke again. “Could you tell me what’s going on? I’ve seen these battles in the sky since I was a child.”\n\nThough she still seemed suspicious, the blade lowered further.\n\n“My name is Minda. I am a herald of – ” She stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes widened and she tried again. “I serve – ”\n\nThe sword clattered to the floor, causing Victor to flinch. But Minda was no longer watching him. She clutched at her throat and pure terror flooded her face.\n\n“I don’t remember.” Her voice was small and frightened.\n\nOutside, the thundering had stopped, and the skies were beginning to clear.\n\n...\n\nBit of a quick cliffhanger, but I really wanted to use the idea of divine beings forgetting the ones they serve once they lose the war.\n\nIf you're interested in my works, an archive of my various writing responses can be found on my writing portfolio, link through my profile.\n\nThanks for reading." ]	2
	[WP] Fairytales are real stories, only over the years the story becomes muddles and enhanced, and some stories change completely from their original meaning, like...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Snow white, the DEADLY FEARED VAMPIRE whose hair was the color of ebony and had skin as white as snow. The queen ordered her execution and send a hunter to kill her, the people who were afraid of snow white the blood sucker monster cheared as the evil would get purged and eliminated completelly, litte did they knew the queen wasn't ordering this out of concern for the citizens. \nThe hunter was instructed to kill and remove the heart as it was one of the only two ways to certify that the vampire was dead. As the hunter spoted snow white she called him to talk to tell him a secret, with a sword of silver that hurt vampires more than those of iron he aproached and the young \"monster\" told him the truth: the queen wasn't doing this out of pitty for her citizens nor the nobles, the blood of a vampire if fresh enough can transform one into a vampire she wanted this for herself and snow white was doing whatever she could to prevent her from getting it. \nAfter some convincing, and knowing full well that if the queen aquired this kind of power it would be a disaster for everyone, the hunter instructed the young maiden to flee deep into the forest where the hunters could not enter too much and hide as best as she could. Snow white did as intructed as best as she could sprinting into the forest without knowing what waited for her there. \nThe hunter killed a deer and took it's heart knowing that if the queen found out before he made it out of the castle he would be executed, it was however better thatn having a vampire rule the land and he knew that if it was true what snow white said he would be the first to be executed too he would be killed either way as he was one of the few that could be of a treat to the immortal vampire queen. The queen noticed his trickery and ordered his head, i was done so. \nHaving sprinted for as long as she could Snow white fell tired in the ground but in the fall spotted a hut nearby, and slowly made its way there. The hut was as good as abandoned, spider webs everywhere the floor was filthy dirt and everything was out of place but it also shown signs of being habited not long ago like dirty plates to be cleanned. The girl decided to make that litte place her new home and started cleaning it. \nThe 7 dwarf brothers were returnig home after a long day of excavation they were known in town for being the best miners because their height and did found some precious gems that day. The dwarves panicked as they aproached their hut and saw it emiting light, the fireplace was burning and a thief probably invaded there. They took their pickaxes and prepared to charge in, for their surprise the door wasn't locked and they only found the hut cleanned and a young maiden inside. \nSeen the litte man burtting the door open with pickaxes snow white let out a scream thinking hunters found out about her location, seeing them equally stunned calmmed her down. After some explanations the dwarves did allow her to live with them if she maintained the house and did only feed on the animals of the forest for her blood necessity. Grumpy as the girl nicknamed him was the one with most suspicion of the girl never letting his guard down as she could attack them in any moment. \nAfter some weeks living with the boys they developed a genuine friendship and even Grumpy started to actually care for her. However One day an old lady aproached the door and offered the girl an apple and she relutanctly accepted it. The apple was poisoned and was supposed to kill the girl this old woman was trying to get the girls bounty the kingdom setted up for her. Luckly one the boys were ariving home, having forgot something, and came to rescue. \nThe dwarves tried everything they could and the girl was at the brink of death, then a knight came and knowing about the maiden's bounty requiring her alive decided to escort her to he palace and nurse he back to health. The dwarves not wanting to lose what was at this point almost family agreed to let him help not knowing about the true intentions of the knight. \nHalfway trought the trip the girl woke up in good health and simply decided to come back home. She abandoned the knight and gone to the hut of the brother's who were worried about her and she lived the rest of the queen's life in that tiny hut surrounded by her family", "Joe Hawkins drove into the campsite early, before all the campers arrived. He hauled firewood from the back of his pickup to beside where the bonfire would be later today. Before leaving, he decided to take a swim in the lake.\n\n\\---\n\n\"They found his truck, but Joe was nowhere to be found. The camp staff searched and found him, drowned. His foot was caught in a root underwater. They took him to the hospital ... sometimes, hypothermia, people can be revived even after they seem dead.\"\n\n\"So, now what?\"\n\n\"Now we wait.\"\n\n\"But ... what do we do? Do we take the kids to the campout? Do we call the parents have have them go home?\"\n\n\"No idea. The police and paramedics are investigating. I think we just wait until they reach a decision.\"\n\n\"Wow. This is so ... wow. I talked to Joe this morning. He was just taking firewood, so tonight the kids could roast marshmallows.\"\n\n\\---\n\n\"What's going on?\"\n\n\"The counsellors aren't saying.\"\n\n\"I heard there's an investigation and the camp is closed.\"\n\n\"What? Why?\"\n\n\"Something about marshmallows.\"\n\n\\---\n\n\"What's going on? The counsellors are acting all serious and they aren't saying anything.\"\n\n\"All I know, is 'marshmallows'\".\n\n\"'Marshmallows'? What's that supposed to mean?\"\n\n\"I don't know? The camp's been overrun by giant marshmallows? Maybe it's a code name for a Russian spy operation?\"\n\n\\---\n\n\"They had to quarantine the camp. There's this Russian virus, it infected some of the camp staff, and their heads turned into giant marshmallows. They don't want us to catch marshmallowitis.\"\n\n\"I heard someone's in the hospital.\"\n\n\"You'd be in the hospital too if your head turned into a giant marshmallow.\"\n\n\\---\n\nThe parents were called. All the campers had to go home. Joe Hawkins had died by drowning, and the police had shut down the camp for the night. They'd have the summercamp cookout the next night, at the Kiwanis club.\n\n\\---\n\n\"That's a dumb way to die, getting your foot stuck under a root underwater and drowning.\"\n\n\"well\"\n\n\"I mean, how do you even do that? And who ever heard of roots under water? Did you ever see roots under water?\"\n\n\"well\"\n\n\"And what was all the marshmallow nonsense? That was SO DUMB. They were just trying to throw us off track.\"\n\n\"what about the Russians?\"\n\n\"Russian marshmallows. Underwater roots. I don't believe any of it. I bet someone just ran off to Argentina with the check that was supposed to have paid for camp.\"\n\n\\---\n\nms Lucy Took the Money \nshe Painted It all Red \nshe Flew to ArgenTina \nWith her Friend marshMallowHead\n\n\\---\n\n\"So the rules are, one person's the secret Russian. They go around and tag people. And when they get tagged, that makes them marshmallowheads, so they have to wear a white baseball cap. If they can tag someone else, then they're marshmallowheads too and they have to wear a white cap too. The winner is the last non-marshmallowhead.\"\n\n\"Where do you get all the white caps?\"\n\n\"You just take your normal hat and turn it inside out.\"\n\n\\---\n\n\"Then the net got triggered, and the marshmallow troll was caught in the tree! Then rather than him eating the little kids, the kids held him over the the fire, until his head got all toasty brown, then they ate HIM!\"\n\n\\---\n\nAlice sat back in her lawn chair. Her kids were chasing each other around camp. Her oldest daughter had a white towel wrapped on top of her head and was claiming to be a troll. Running around outside and having fun. Ah, summer. In a bit they should go swimming in the lake. And maybe tonight they'd make a little fire, and roast marshmallows.", "The queen had been warned that to give birth would be to die. She had been a frail and sickly child and had gotten only weaker as the years passed. By all rights she should have been guided into a life of devotion, but her father, the old king, had no other children to secure an alliance between his kingdom and that of their northern neighbor and traditional enemy. So gave his daughter in marriage to the newly crowned king of that wintery land with the understanding that all heirs must be discreetly fathered with other women. And so the alliance was made and the kingdoms combined. \n\nBut the young queen wanted nothing more than her own child. And when she begged the young king in that snowy winter rose garden, he could not refuse her tears. And so the princess was born to a mother who lived only long enough to whisper her name. \n\nThe king in his grief refused to marry again for many years, and the little princess was his only solace. She was showered with affection and given anything she desired. Her nursemaid grew concerned and warned the king of spoiling her, but he would not listen. Anything his beautiful Snow Rose wanted she received. In time, all learned to never deny her anything for fear of her wrath.\n\nYears passed and the king, under pressure from his advisors, took a new bride. The lovely new queen reached out to the princess, but the girl wanted nothing to do with the woman she saw as an intruder. And when the king rode to war, leaving the now pregnant queen to rule in his place, the princess felt betrayed and furious, and fled the palace in the night. \n\nThe queen ordered the King's Gamekeeper to track the princess and return her. The princess tried to throw him off her trail by wrapping the heart of a dead deer in her overdress and sprinkling it with blood. The Gamekeeper, who could easily tell a deer's heart from a human's, returned to the queen and suggested that she send the princess's old nurse maid to fetch her. He had followed her trail far enough to know where she would be forced to stop.\n\nAnd so the nurse maid rode to the small hovel that housed the itinerant miners during the spring and summer months, the only place left before the great cliffs that prevented further easy travel. She begged the princess to let her in, cajoled her to return to the palace, enticed her with her favorite sweet apples. But the princess would not be moved. She vowed to never return until the absent king gifted her the beating heart of her stepmother. And so the nursemaid returned to the palace to ask the queen to send strong men to break into the hovel and forcibly return the angry girl. But the nursemaid never made it back. \n\nA sudden snow storm hit the mountain kingdom and brought the harsh winter early. When the miners returned to their hovel in early spring, when the snow still covered the ground and frost sered the trees, they found the princess frozen to death, withered apples still left at the door. Unknowing of her identity they carried her corpse to a high cave and left her.\n\nYears passed and a marriage was arranged between the queen's daughter and the prince of the kingdom her king had conquered so long ago. As the prince and his men travelled through the mountain pass they took shelter in a cave, only to find the preserved body of a maiden, still frozen and beautiful after so many years. They carried the tale of the snow maiden to the palace, and remarked on her strong resemblance to his pale skinned, raven tressed betrothed. \n\nThe king and queen upon hearing this rejoiced at knowing the fate of their Snow Rose at long last. And after one last dance at the wedding of their daughter and the prince, the king and queen announced their abdication, and were rarely seen at court again, preferring the warmth of the kingdoms lowlands, far from the tomb of the ice hearted snow princess." ]	4
	[WP] In the land beyond time and space, higher dimensional beings monitor alternate universes for anomalies capable of destruction. For the past 50,000 years, you are in charge of assigning a hero from Earth to each of these universes to combat the threats. You did this by killing them with a truck.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi, my name is Murphy, and I love my job. \r \n\r \n\r \nOfficially my title is Dimensional Automatic Movement Negotiator. \r \n\r \nIn short, it's my job to ensure a steady supply of heroes from Earth. \r \n \r \n \r \nLet me explain. \r \n\r \nMy office gets a request from a client. Usually it's a god of some sort, and their world is in dire trouble. \r \n\r \nIn turn, I consult with the client and decide exactly what type of hero they need. Then I find the proper soul and make the arrangements. \r \n\r \n\r \nAh.. you need more explanation? OK! OK! take it easy there sport, i'll break it down for you. \r \n\r \nYou see, the entire multiverse is ruled by karmic balance. If a soul receives injustice in one life, they'll be compensated for it in the next. More injustice means more power to balance things out. \r \n\r \nThe bulk of our clients don't have time to wait for a lifetime of injustice to rig the karmic scale. They need a powerful hero, and they need one immediately. So I get to arrange multiple lifetimes of humiliating injustice into a very short time period. \r \n\r \nIn short, I get to mildly abuse the shit out of karma, and this makes heroes. \r \n\r \n\r \nUsually I just arrange for the target to get run over by a delivery truck on the way to a date. Easy, effective, not too personal but still unjust. And the publicity helps push the scale. \r \n\r \nThat's for normal heroes with a single category karmic blessing. \r \n\r \nFor you though... where you're going, you'll need ironskin, superstrength, endurance, cast-iron stomach, laser eyes. .. the works. They're getting overrun by a telepathic undead mecha squid army. Seems their evil god made a similarly beefy villain purchase from my colleague yesterday. \r \n\r \nAnywho! THAT'S why you got hit by a random dippin dots ice cream truck hiking in the desert, and why a vulture is eating the butthole out of your rocky road creamed corpse. \nAh there's that caravan, right on time! I understand the sheiks daughter is a social media wizard! \r \n\r\n\n\r \nSo then, off you go, you lucky chosen dog. I hear your purchasing goddess has six arms and is newly single! This is my card, and don't forget to rate your service today, BYE." ]	2
	[WP] When you were a kid you saved a goose that was trapped in fishing line. Years later when you got into trouble with the mafia, a familiar goose comes to save you with the help of his goose mafia.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I was thinking about that goose I saved when I was a kid. His head was stuck just barely above the water when I came to help him out of the fishing line. That's exactly how I felt now, or was going to be feeling once they threw me in the water. Luckily for me, cement shoes weren't a thing anymore because \"too many damn scuba divers were solving crimes these days,\" at least that's what Anton told Johnny. So instead, the boat ride into the middle of the bay was for intimidation; a sort of funeral march for the other three men in the boat, to show them the grim consequences of betrayal. The idea is, they throw me in the water, let me drown, and take my body elsewhere. That was the part I never knew or wanted to know. I just helped with the books...\n\n\"Maybe next time you'll think twice about crossing me.\" Johnny Carlisle said as he kicked me and laughed that nasal laugh we all hated.\n\"Boss.\" Everyone already knew Timmy was going to say something stupid, but they didn't stop him.\n\"What?\"\n\"There won't be a next time on account of the fact that he'll be dead.\"\n\"Shut up!\" Was the only come back Johnny could think of, so he included a smack on the back of Timmy's head.\n\nI wriggled my hands, but the rope was tight. We were on a boat headed for the middle of the bay. It was dark, and we were riding slowly, with our lights out. The water was placid, with a low fog forming over it. To be fair, I was framed. I never saw the drugs, and never touched them. Someone else was hiding their cut in my wheel-well to cover their tracks. I suspected Anton, but I wasn't going to deflect blame because nobody likes a snitch, and especially not Johnny. It wasn't my choice to work for these goons. But you can't choose your family. \n\nBy the way, all that family talk is hogwash. They just use it to give people a false sense of security, or to make themselves think they're living for something. I actually am family, and look what they're doing to me! In reality, they're just a bunch of emotionally stunted children who are so repressed, it doesn't take much to tip them over... \"Family\" is whoever will do whatever they want. Bunch of idiots. I know you're probably thinking I have a superiority complex, seeing as I'm one of them, but this is all I have right now. Allow me this moment of condescension rather than using my last moments wondering if I've lived a good life. I didn't. Are you happy? And now it's going to be over...\n\nAnton turned off the motor. I could hear the quiet cooing of a few geese nearby. reminding me once again of the drowning goose in the fishing net, because that is exactly what I am about to be, only nobody is coming to save me this time. \n\nTimmy lifted me to my feet, asking if I had any last words. I shook my head, letting out a sigh. Here it is. The end I should have seen coming, because I'm not a frickin' lemming. He pushed me and I hit the water. I held my breath, wriggling with my face just above the surface. As I struggled to breathe, I could hear what sounded like a helicopter, or a thousand flapping wings suddenly ascending from the water. I could hear the men screaming on the boat. Timmy's flashlight came on just as he was being swarmed... by geese? The flashlight swung here and there as he tried to wave the birds away, and all I could see were sections of goose wings fluttering, goose heads pecking human heads, bird silhouettes moving, like a a sort of horror rave party. And I could hear them screaming things like, \"Get 'em off!\" and \"Frickin' geese!\" and, \"Holy Hell!\" The only thing I could do was to hold my breath and try to let my lungs hold me up as I watched, somewhat shocked. Was I really this lucky? Have I really dodged a goose attack?\n\nThen, before I knew it, they were coming after me! Just my luck. I braced myself and ducked under water face down, trying to avoid them, but they just kept diving in and pecking at my hands and feet. I imagined the autopsy of a thousand little bruises and a very confused coroner. The weighty thud of their flapping wings was louder than I could have imagined. \n\nThen all at once my hands were free and the flapping stopped. I thought maybe something like a giant cruiser had scared them away. I swam to the boat and crawled on, exhausted from the ordeal, but hoping I could avoid whatever it was that stopped these crazed birds. Timmy's flashlight was on the floor, giving me just enough light to see spots of red, feathers, and the plucked out eye of Anton. sweet mother of Mary. It wasn't pretty. I picked up the flashlight to see the carnage and it was worse than I would have thought. These animals are insane!\n\nI did not turn on the boat lights, but I dared to point this rather powerful flashlight around me. There they were, maybe fifty geese, staring up at me, calm as anything. Then I saw him... the goose with the bent wing. He never did recover from the fishing line, did he? And then it came to me. These birds came here to save my life.\n\nBefore contemplating what I should do next, I just sat shaking my head laughing to myself, knowing no one will ever believe me about this. And another thought even more distinct than the first; I never want to get on this goose's bad side..." ]	2
	[WP] For years we've tracked the asteroid that will hit Earth. People ready to face a post-apocalyptic world have moved to the opposite side; anyone who'd rather go out with a bang has come to the impact area. But in the final days, it turns out the estimated impact time was wrong by 12 hours.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The apocalypse came. But in a rather unusual way.\n\nDead men need no food. So it was that fully half the world's population packed their luggage with drugs, alcohol and other assorted 'fun' stuff. Why bother getting fed at the end of the world? Let's fucking party!\n\nSo it was that the greatest of all parties was held in the world, a week of non stop insanity and hilarity as they watched the asteroid come closer. They would not fear the apocalypse, they would greet it with joy and open arms. They welcomed the asteroid as it came closer, ready to embrace oblivion.\n\nThen the asteroid missed the planet and all of a sudden they weren't that ready.\n\nMankind promptly imploded as 4 billion people started wondering how they were going to get dinner.\n\n----------------------------\n\nThere's no story here. The plot device disappeared. Now what? But I figured I might as well give my thoughts some life.", "Sofia strolled down a side street in Dundalk, taking in the smell of the newly planted roses, the sun beaming off the windows, the sounds of a party that was well under way. It was going to be the best and last day of her life and it would be perfect. Or so she thought until she walked past a TV showing the news. Twelve hours earlier than expected?! That couldn’t be but she didn’t have the expertise to argue with the scientist on the TV. Every scientist in the world said it would be midnight not midday. Sofia’s mind raced. Daniel...The Wedding...None of it would happen. The asteroid would come too soon. Brilliant, she thought to herself. First her and her boyfriend get cancer then the asteroid is announced and now it doesn’t even have the common decency to destroy half the world on time! And now? Well now she was in a serious race against time. Daniel would be at the square, partying and she didn’t want to die alone.\n\nShe put her head down and bolted down the street, hopping over one unconscious man at her feet. The world became a blur, people, shops, cars. They were nothing. An image Daniel seemed permanently plastered to the front of her mind. She would need to get to him soon, tell him the news. That they would never get married, they would never get to make it to midnight. She was just thankful she decided to wear her flats that morning instead of the heels. She didn’t fancy running through the streets of Dundalk barefoot. The streets, ever since the announcement of the coming asteroid, had been littered with empty beer cans and abandoned needles.\n\nSome party goers she saw wouldn’t make it to midday either as one homeless man was strung out and probably dead on the side of the street. Stopping for a moment to catch her breath, Sofia studied the man. Open, unblinking eyes, a pool of vomit next to where he lay. He was dead alright. The stench would have been unbearable if she hadn’t been forced to get used to it in the last couple of weeks. Finally her lungs stopped stinging and she continued moving between the different side streets of Dundalk.\n\nAs she made her way past the chapel, all too aware that the clock on its steeple said it was 11:30, she tripped and fell head over heels in a large pile of rubbish that was half neatly stacked. Her eyes were closed when she hit the rubbish but straight away a searing pain shot through her right hand right up to her shoulder. As slowly as she could manage she picked herself out of the pile of trash and with her came a used needle sticking out of her hand. She froze. Pictures of AIDs patients floated through her mind. Like skeletons, finding it hard to breathe, coughing until they died. Wait… What was she concerned about? What was dying in half an hour anyway! Without much care, she ripped the needle out of her hand, as straight as her shaking left hand would allow.\n\nHer head was down again when she finally saw the large gathering of people at the square, one of them was Daniel. Pushing passed a few hammered old men, who stayed at her legs as she passed, she tried to make for the centre of the people. By he guess she’d only have twenty minutes left to spend with Daniel and that is if she found him right now. Should she tell these people the world was ending early? It didn’t matter, she supposed. She probably wouldn’t be able to get through to them anyway.\n\nAround and around she went, glancing at every face, walking back when she thought she spotted him. Tear’s started to blind her as she shoved another drunk person out of her way when all of a sudden a large hand gripped her elbow and pulled her away.\n\n“Sofia!” cried out Daniel ecstatically. “Where have you been? Is your hand alright?” It was only then did Sofia notice that her right hand had started to drip blood, little droplets falling to the ground, like a breadcrumb trail no one would ever follow.\n\n“We only have twenty minutes to the asteroids.” she said. “And I need to spend it with you.”", "When Earth found out about the asteroid that was headed towards it, it responded in ways just as shitty and amazing as you might expect. Those with fortunes bought tickets to the safe side and those with airlines who could take thousands across every single day for free instead sold tickets to the highest bidder. On the other end of things though, there was a coordinated scientific effort that was truly unprecedented in human history. No scientific discipline was truly irrelevant - from the astronomers calculating the asteroid's entry point to the biologists trying to figure out which plants and animals would survive where once climates and environments had shifted.\n\nEveryone chose their side, or had the choice made for them. The scientists that the new world wouldn't be able to live without, they were sent to the safe side. Those without masses of inherent value but with enough power and funds to buy their way across settled there too. Whilst flights were exorbitant for anyone not deemed to be of immediately vital value some managed to make the trip across using other means.\n\nA much smaller exodus took place from the safe side to the not so safe side, but it still happened. Planes that brought people to safety still had to make the return trip after all and these tickets were not so expensive. As the meteorite would cause enough havoc that even the safe side of the globe would suffer some ill effects, some people left because they were afraid they'd be a liability to their families. Some left to be with their families, those with jobs that had them on the safe side but felt a few months with their families was better than a lifetime without. Finally, some people left because they didn't think they'd be able to cope with the new world and so instead decided to go out with a bang.\n\nAll of these decisions were made with some kind of sense to them - not a fair kind of sense, but a sense nonetheless. Until the initial prediction turned out to be wrong.\n\nThere was no reversing the decisions at that point. Our moon had been hit, which was expected, and the fragments from its surface had entered the atmosphere and caused conditions which made flight impossible, which was also expected. However, the angle and deceleration was all off - likely the result of the meteorite not being composed of exactly the substances scientists expected.\n\nTo say 'chaos ensued' would undersell the events in both magnitude and pointlessness. People tried to leave the now-unsafe side despite having been told again and again that it was futile. People who had given everything for their own safety suddenly didn't even have that. The scientific minds who were judged to be the most valuable were suddenly sending what information they could to their less valuable colleagues.\n\nThat was, of course, all on the previously-safe side.\n\nOn our side, a reaction of numb disbelief was as common as joy. Barely anyone here had wanted to die but a lot of us had come to terms with it. We hadn't planned for life. When I awoke one morning, the day before the asteroid had truly hit, the house was strangely quiet. \n\nI walked downstairs and found my sister sat in the living room with her laptop. Like me, Emma had moved home so we could be with our family towards the end. She was scouring the internet for information that we might need once we had no power - scribbling some things in a notebook and printing others. Emma didn't seem happy about the news we weren't personally doomed exactly, but she seemed incredibly focussed.\n\n\"Where's Mum?\" I asked.\n\nEmma didn't even look up.\n\n\"At the bottom of the road.\"\n\nAs there wasn't really anything at the bottom of our road I didn't fully understand but I left Emma to it. I walked down to find Mum and sure enough, she was at the bottom of the road. There was a plot of land there that had no particular use and certainly didn't belong to us and there she was, digging away at the ground with clawed gardening gloves only intended for use with her indoor herb garden. She had at some point made a sign saying \"Community Food Garden.\"\n\n\"What are you doing?\" I asked her as she waved at me merrily.\n\n\"Planting.\" Mum told me and gestured to the plate of kitchen scraps next to her.\n\n\"I.. I don't know if this will work. I don't think that this is the best location and some vegetables have seeds that do nothing so they can sell more and-\"\n\n\"I know that. I understand that this might fail.\" She said, putting one soil covered, clawed hand on my shoulder. \"And I'm glad that you're trying to protect me from disappointment. But Amy, what if something might grow?\"\n\nThe idea that some parts of our new life - any parts of our new life - might be okay hit me like a freight train and I found myself starting to cry. I'd been prepared for death and then for everything to be terrible but I hadn't been prepared for gardens or for my family to cope in strange, unexpected ways.\n\nWe planted seeds until darkness fell and my nails were black with dirt." ]	4
	[WP] You were a warforged, your core was scavenged from the battlefield which you fell, you're now a cleaning machine, you're okay with this "retirement" it's quite nice helping the old man around the house.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Oxide was surprisingly content with his role of house keeper. But alas he was so much more. His human was named Robert, and the two had much in common. \n\nBoth were veterans from the prior war, where humanity had finally put an end to the Warforged's five hundred year long campaign\n\nOxide had been one of their deadliest commanders, his core had been recovered from the battlefield, and transplanted into a new body, his motherboard had been altered, the want to wage war had waned, and now Oxide longer for peace. \n\nRobert had been a general in that very same war, and though he hadn't been modified by scientists that conflict had changed him. \n\nRobert was tired of war, sick of suffering. In the aftermath he had taken up Shinto buddhism and practiced non violent acts. \n\nOxide very much enjoyed their tea ceremonies, as well as helping with the rock garden. \n\nThough the war between man and machine had ended, the country still sat in a state of uncertainty. The war had drained both sides of resources and military might, resulting in many roaming groups of bandits. \n\nRobert and Oxide's cabin stood way out in a forest, away from most dwellings. As a war veteran Robert had food delivered bi weekly that Oxide would cook with much gusto. \n\nIt was a calm evening and Oxide and Robert were meditating. Oxide wasnt sure what he was supposed to see in his mind but he enjoyed the calm quiet all the same. \n\nA knock on the front door scared the two, and Oxide quickly shuffled off to answer the door. He peered through the peep hole, and saw a young woman in tattered clothing, she was breathing heavily and appeared to be shaking. Blood ran down the side of her leg, pooling on the door step. \n\n\"Master, their appears to be a human female at the door, shes injured.\" \n\nRobert limped carefully into the sitting room a couple feet behind his war forged companion. \n\n\"What's she doing all the way out here? Question her motives, we'll see if she has anything to say for herself.\" \n\nOxide nodded before addressing the unexpected guest. \n\n\"Who goes there?\" The woman looked towards the door, hope alight in her panicked eyes. \n\n\"My name is Eve, I'm being hunted by a group of bandits please you have to help me!\" Eve clawed at the door, as sounds started creeping from the road. \n\nRobert sighed deeply, he sat in Lotus position on a yata mat, and began readying his pipe. \n\n\"Oxi, ask her what she's doing here in the first place, we're in quite a remote area, there's nothing for miles.\" \n\nOxide nodded, he was confused why his master didn't readily want to help this woman, but understood his wisdom well enough. \n\n\"Why are you here of all places, theres nothing for miles, for all we know you're leading the bandits here.\" \n\nThe woman stared in disbelief, utter terror on her face. \n\n\"Please, I was traveling with my family and we ended up getting attacked, I'm the only one left, they'll kill me too.\" Eve feel to her knees as the sound of the approaching clamor got even closer. \n\nRobert took a deep breath from his pipe, the lavender and rose petals leaving a wonderful scent in the air. \n\n\"Oxi watch the road, see how she reacts and respond with open fist if needed\" Oxide nodded and began to watch Eve. \n\nShe looked repeatedly over her shoulder as the bandits approached. Men dressed in bits of assorted armor and weapons 'liberated' from fallen enemies came into view. \n\nEve cowered as the men drew their blades and hand cannons and began approaching her. Oxide watched carefully as they reeled back to hit her. Robert took another deep breath from his pipe before saying clearly and loudly. \n\n\"Oxide, take care of the trash\" \n\n\"Yes master at once\" \n\nOxide sprung into action, though his body wasn't armed to the teeth his hands and feet were still made of adamantium. A metal much lighter and stronger than steel that only warforged have knowledge of mining. \n\nWith one quick movement Oxide opened the door, shuffling Eve inside, and stood as a bulwark between the home and the bandits. \n\nThe man in the middle took a swing with a long curved blade, Oxide blocked the blow with his forearms, the blade cracked in half on the impact. \n\nFrustrated the bandit pulled a dagger and ran towards Oxide. Before he could make contact the warforged had a fork grip on his wrist, very carefully he positioned his thumb between the wrist and hand of the attacking bandit, and with one quick jab disabled the hand of the attacker. Oxide moved his body to the side so he wouldnt be trampled. \n\nThe other bandits opened fire, Oxide's robe turned to tatters as the lead carved its way through, but the bullets could not pierce the warforged's adamantium plating. \n\nWith one smoth motion Oxide lept into the air and landed in front of the middle of the three men firing. He aimed a precise palm to the mans throat, taking care not to crush his trachea. He then turned to his right and swept the second attackers feet our from under him, before he could land Oxide touched the special pressure point where his spine and neck met, rendering him temporarily unconscious. The last bandit fled, trying desperately to drag his incapacitated friends with him. \n\nOxide traipsed calmly back into the house, his work finished. \n\nEve and Robert were talking in calm voices when the metal monk entered. Eve looked shocked to see him arrive in one piece. \n\n\"You metal hunks sure are good at killing aren't ya?\" Roberr scowled at the comment, Oxide simply bowed before retorting. \n\n\"My master has taught me the way of the gentle fist, to move only when it is necessary and to never kill unless it is the only option left, those men will be fine, and hopefully have been humiliated enough they'll return to their lives, I only hope they may reflect upon this day and grow as I have.\" \n\nEve rolled her eyes at his comment and continued speaking with Robert. \n\n\"He's very well trained I wish I would have run into you before.....well before all my family was gone.\" Robert looked at his now empty pipe before answering. Seeing his master inconvenienced, Oxide sprang forth, quickly refilling the pipe with his master's herbs. Robert nodded in gratitude. \n\n\"Yes we would have helped in anyway we could, now what were the names of your family members, Oxide is very good at engravings. We could make a memorial.\" \n\nEve began to look pained, for but a moment a look of panic ran across her face before she continued. \n\n\"That's not necessary honest, I do appreciate the thought though.\" Robert smirked. \n\n\"Well what were there names, I'd like to at least say a prayer for the fallen.\" Oxide pulled out his monk rosary and incense in support of his master's plan. \n\nOnce again Eve for but a second seemed to panic. \n\n\"No really, we weren't religious I'd rather just move on\" \n\n\"Why do you refuse to name your family members? Is it because they do not exist? Or are you just stalling for time so you can stab me with that concealed blade on your ankle?\" \n\nEve lost it, she'd been had. She was in fact with those bandits that Oxide had fought earlier, she had been paid a lot of money from a warforged family to kill Robert, he had been responsible for a lot of deaths and core destroying, which to the warforged is unforgivable. \n\nOxide sat still, his master hadn't issued any command. Eve took her shot and ran towards Robert. Once again he smirked, and threw his pipe still lit up into the air. \n\nWith one chop he hit Eve's wrist sending the dagger to the ground, she threw a punch with her non dominant hand, Robert easily blocked it before landing a throat chop, as she hit the floor Robert caught his pipe and continued puffing. \n\nAs always Oxide was impressed, his master still had it. Eve laid there, defeated and angry she did what she hoped she'd never have to do, and activated the explosive vest she always wore in case she was captured. \n\nA light beeping betrayed her plan, suprising Robert she hoped he would die screaming. Oxide heard the bomb arm, and in the seconds before detonation threw himself over Robert like a wall. \n\nThe explosion ripped apart his body, and the last thing he remembered was his masters concerned look before everything went black. \n\nRobert blinked in the wreckage. Half of his home was destroyed, but his precious student, the son he never had was destroyed. He picked carefully though Oxide's remains until finally.\n\nA faint blue glimmer betrayed the location of his life core, Robert yelled triumphantly as he held Oxide's core in his hands. As long as he could teach Oxide he had a purpose and would make sure to repay the warforged with a nice new body as soon as he could contact his friends in the government." ]	2
	[WP] A year after the most popular superhero finally retires, crime rates drop dead flat. You, a rookie cop, finally make the connection.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Sergeant?\"\n\n\"Yeah?\"\n\n\"Where are the criminals?\"\n\n\"Don't go there, kid. Getting paid without getting shot, stabbed, roasted, crushed, is just fine by everyone on the force.\"\n\n\"Oh, that's okay with me too. I'm just curious, did all the criminals retire when the last hero did? If they did, where'd they go to retire? Are they ever coming back? Not that I want them to, but I did sign on to serve and protect. Who am I serving, and what am I protecting them from?\"\n\n\"Y'see, kid? Them's ex-act-ic-ally the kind of questions we don't want asked. As far as the last, we still serve the public, and we protect them from each other. Domestic calls are on the rise, property disputes, racially motivated assaults, littering, jaywalking, speeding, all of those are going up, so our numbers of issues solved is going up too.\n\n\"Any time you have this many people in a tight space, you get friction, heat, and fire. We try to be the grease that cuts down the friction... There, the elderly guy, pull up next to him.\n\n\"Hey! Long time Mr. Jones! How are you and the missus doing?\"\n\n\"Fair, fair, I spend more time exercising, she spends more time nattering with her friends, and when we get home? Vavavavoom!\"\n\n\"That's great, Mr. Jones! Tell the missus we asked after her!\"\n\n\"I certainly will! G'day Boys!\"\n\nWith a wave and a gesture to his rookie, they pull back into traffic and continue their patrol.\n\n\"Those two used to be a permanent fixture in domestic, one or both of them getting restraining orders on the other. It got pretty much on our nerves as well as theirs. After the supers all retired, we had time to look into the problem for real. Henry had way too much energy for Sarah, and she wanted to talk so much it got on his nerves.\n\n\"Now, she's all talked out and mellow; he's worn the edge off his energy, and the two of them get on like a house on fire.\n\n\"Even the neighborhood is doing better. Used to be awful sounds of fighting from their place. They occasionally get a little loud now, but no one minds. They smile and go about their business, hoping they have that much enthusiasm when they're that old.\"\n\n\"You mean they... He's got to be going on 90!\"\n\n\"95 last year. She's 93, and the two of them can be as noisy as teenagers.\"\n\n\"So, there are still problems where we can step in and smooth things out, but anything that isn't domestic is way down?\"\n\n\"Yep. Life is good, don't screw it up.\"\n\n\"Sounds right by me. What are the detectives up to?\"\n\n\"Chewing through all the cold case files. People are so relaxed now that they're showing up to share what they were too afraid to tell us back then. Lots of missing persons and domestic cases being solved.\"\n\n\"What about the non-domestic cases?\"\n\nSigh, \"Kid, you just don't know when to let go, do you?\"\n\n\"My great granddads were all detectives. My granddads were all detectives. My dad wasn't, but all my uncles are. It's an itch, and I gotta scratch it.\"\n\nSilence reigns in the patrol car for an hour or more. Eddie, the rookie, is silent because he can tell that Sergeant Franks is working his way through something. When Franks finally speaks, his voice is gentle.\n\n\"Eddie? Your mom and dad would appreciate it if you got into a completely different line of work. Something other than police work or even private eye. I hope you understand.\"\n\nEddie mulls that over.\n\n\"Like all my dad's brothers got out?\"\n\n\"Pretty much. Some itches no one wants scratched.\"\n\nMulling that over... \"So that's why the retirements of over half the detectives are with full pensions?\"\n\n\"That's one reason.\"\n\n\"No one wants a blue-on-blue war.\"\n\n\"Yeah. Look, kid, I understand that itch. I have a hard time keeping mine under control until I remember folks like the Jones's. They do not care where the violence has gone; they just don't want it to come back. Right?\"\n\n\"I can understand them.\"\n\nFranks looks at Eddie. His jaw is clenching like a jackhammer, and there's a vein throbbing at his temple.\n\n\"Kid. Get that temper under control right now; keep it that way. Go to the chief's office and tell him Franks sent you. He'll see you out of the force with a full detective's pension, all the benefits.\"\n\nAngrily, \"to keep my mouth shut!? Is that what it's come to now?\"\n\n\"No, Eddie, to keep you alive.\"\n\n\"We got a blue on blue already?\"\n\n\"No, we got a blue helping blue not get murdered.\"\n\n\"But you said all violent... Oh. The violence isn't gone. It's retired.\"\n\n\"And every blue death is so clearly a freak accident that no one can find anything to trace. Believe me, Eddie, they tried. They tried hard. Then they started dying of freak accidents too.\"\n\n\"So, you think if I stay in, I'm going to get murdered too.\"\n\n\"No. I know you will die in a freak accident, just like my son did. I don't want that to happen to you. I don't want another itch I can't scratch. I don't want to go to another closed casket for a good kid who could have gotten into another line of work before it's too late.\"\n\n\"Oh. You stay because you're the filter that spots the ones like me. Tries to get us to give up and leave while we're still alive.\"\n\n\"You wanna put it that way, fine. I see it different. I see it as saving the best of the breed because I do not for one god-damned second believe that the heroes are going to stay retired.\n\n\"That sooner or later, we are going to need people like you again. People who will not stop to get to the bottom of a crime.\n\n\"That sooner or later, we're going to need police officers so dedicated to the law that they can stand up to the evil and go toe-to-toe with them, and win.\n\n\"That all the brothers and sisters in blue will receive justice, right along with all the others. Because right now we cannot face that evil and live to fight another one the next day. You get me, kid?\"\n\n\"Is there an ex-policeman's group?\"\n\n\"You stay away from them. They think they're well covered by their charitable works, bingo parties, and all the rest. Only they talk too much. If we know what they're doing, who else knows?\"\n\n\"You try to clue them in?\"\n\n\"I walked smack up to the grand pooh-bah and all his friends. Told them that if we knew, then the others had to know too.\"\n\n\"And...\"\n\n\"They laughed in my face. They told me they wanted the others to know. They wanted to be attacked, which is why they always stayed together, always kept their families around them where they could protect them.\"\n\n\"I asked them, \"why?\"\n\n\"They said that an invisible tyrant is no different than a visible one. That the same people who got fat on the cits were getting fatter, now that they'd realized that a peaceful society was more profitable than one always stirred up and fighting.\"\n\n\"You sound bitter.\"\n\n\"I AM BITTER!\"\n\n\"What you gonna do about it? Sit and soak, or find some smart group to help?\"\n\nSilence reigns again, rain falls on the streets, most people are home now, the wipers on the patrol car slap back and forth.\n\n\"If they're smart, I'll never find them. They'll have to find me. Until then, I'll keep doing my best to get youngsters like you out of the line of fire until we have some effective way to fight the evil.\n\nSensing some motion from above, Franks calls out a warning. \"LOOK OUT!\"\n\n•••\n\nNews Report: We are exceedingly sorry to report the deaths of Sergeant J. Franks and Patrolman E. Vincenzo in a freak accident while on patrol last night. They will be sorely missed. Close casket funerals in the next few days are planned.\n\n•••\n\n\"Wake up.\" poke\n\nUgh \"wazza?\"\n\n\"Wake Up.\" prod\n\now \"mrphle?\"\n\n\"ON YOUR FEET, SERGEANT FRANKS!\"\n\nGAHHH! \"YOU STINKING BASTARD! I'M... Not... dead?\"\n\n\"No, you aren't. Welcome to the Justicars.\"\n\n\"Joey?\"\n\n\"Yes, Dad. Both of you get dressed. I figured out what you were doing, so we sent Eddie out to bring you in. If you were doing it for the right reasons.\"\n\n\"Then all the blue accidents?\"\n\n\"No, Dad. Only about a tenth. What sucks is we're sure the Blue Boys Club is thoroughly infiltrated. The bad guys are biding their time until they isolate all the ones like you and Eddie. Then an all too explainable accident on a group tour. They're going to kill whole families, and we cannot see any way to stop it.\"\n\nEddie finishes getting dressed. \"That's easy.\"\n\n\"You think so? Let's hear it.\"\n\n\"Don't stop it; preempt it.\"\n\n\"You mean to intercept the bus before the bad guys and fake their deaths?\"\n\n\"Sure. You've done multiples before, this is just a bit bigger.\"\n\n\"A little bit bigger... Eddie? We are hard pressed to pull off a double, what makes you think we can pull off a hundred or more? No, it's too much.\"\n\n\"Joseph Franks Jr! I taught you better than that! Hear him out. He may have ideas we can use.\"\n\n\"Still got the command bite, Dad.\"\n\n\"Damned straight. Go ahead Eddie!\"\n\n\"Well, it works like this...\"\n\n((finis))", "The streets of Tolmo was known for the crime, and for the great hero, Summer Man, that would always save the day. Criminals feared him, citizens loved him and the police only feared the day he may retire or die, knowing there was no one else to take his place.\n\nBut, the days following Summer Man’s retirement was full of anxiety. The criminals arrival always felt so close, yet the crime rate fell flat. Traces of all the major villains vanished, like they never were there.\n\nAnd I was assigned to figure it out.\n\n“Sandra. We have...someone who wants to speak with you.” Mitch tapped at my shoulder, his face overflowing with an ugly mix of confusion, fear and joy.\n“...I’m busy right now, I think I’m close to finding Prismo, I can almost smell him.” I simply brushed him off, hyper focused on my work. I had found his headquarters, and I knew many, many more criminals would be there, all scheming to terrorise the city.\n“Yeah, uh, about that...he’s here”\n“Excuse me?”\n\nThe man in front of me wasn’t his original self. He was dripping with grief, his pathetic eyes latching onto me. His attire was...normal. It smelled of body odour, but it was shocking normal for Prismo. A year ago he was dancing around, laughing like a mad man, and dressing like one too. His clown outfit was the first thing you would recognise him by, yet all I saw now was the husk of a man.\n\n“Name. Age. Your business here.” I coldly commanded. He looked at me like he knew he would be hurt.\n“Prismo-“\n“Real name.” I cut him off.\n“...Samuel. Samuel Jock.” His mumbling was barely English, but I understood either way.\n“26. I’m 26, and I want to know where Summer Man is.” Samuel’s voice changed, like he finally understood what he was doing. His confidence almost made me laugh.\n“You want to know where Mr. Summer is? Is that your plan? Pathetically ask a cop where he is to finish him off?” I practically laughed in his face, but inside I knew there was no reason for them to even hurt him, other than vengeance. And in the world of backstabbing villains, vengeance is a weakness. His eyes looked hurt and shocked, his face frowned into anger.\n“What? Hell no! You’re f**ing insane, who do you think I am?” He screamed at me, anger taking control for a split second. Before I even was able to comprehend what was happening, he paused in realisation. His eyes closed, and he started deeply breathing. He was whispering to himself, the only words I could hear was “relax” and “calm down”. I waited for this to end.\n“...Okay, why do you need Mr. Summers location then? You do realise how suspicious that is, right?” My voice calmed, and I tried to mold myself into a calm and kind figure towards him.\n“Yes...I know it’s an odd request, but he hasn’t talked to me in awhile, and-“ \n“What do you mean by ‘talk’?” My surprise catched me off guard, but he looked like he had half expected it.\n“He’s retired, so he hasn’t been there when I’ve done anything. It’s...lonely. He...” Samuel looked away, his eyes flowing with tears. He slowly started to cry harder, until he was lying on the table and creating a puddle. With his head now lying on the table, I noticed the clock, displaying the holy numbers ‘4:00pm’, meaning my shift has closed. \n\nBut I wanted to keep going.\n\n“Sam, can you continue?” I placed my hand on his as he looked up at me.\n“I’m sorry, I just...” He took a long, deep breath.\n“When I was young, I had a very....rough childhood. Drunk, cheating mom and an abusive asshole of a dad. It...fucked me up, ya know? Dad was angry, so he punched the shit outta me, and Mum was gone with some guy for the night, screwing each other’s brains out. One day, dad got too angry, and he almost managed to kill me. But I wasn’t some little kid punching his pillow in anger anymore. I was punching the holes in my walls. And it turned out my dad couldn’t take a beating like I could. Yeah, I wasn’t a kid anymore, but...I was still young. Probably 15? Take or give a bit. Main thing: I had killed my dad\n\nI was terrified. I mean, he was actually dead. And I was scared that the cops may arrest me for murder. So, I packed my shit and ran. People saw me, a homeless young teen, and saw me as a target. They milked my anger issues for their gain, using it to motivate me to do more crime. Eventually, I left them for dead, and became Prismo, the loner villain. \n\nI faced Summer Man for the first time when I was 17. And even after 9 years, he’s still...so kind*. He saw that I was an angry kid. He...helped me. He stopped me from hurting others, and taught me ways to manage my anger, and manage the darkness I had let grow in me. I still did crime, because that was the only way I knew to contact him, but now, I realise he wasn’t just kind to me. He was kind to all the criminals he fought. Ablazo was a confused girl, looking for validation. Whisperer was just a shy and abused boy who was forced to do horrible things by the people around him, and being told it was his fault that others were to die, even though he never killed. Summer Man was a hero to everyone. And....I just want to see him again. I think everybody does.”\n\nMy mind blanked, unable to respond to the huge emotional dump Samuel had thrown onto me. It was hard to believe that every single villian stopped crime out of depression that Summer Man had retired, but a small voice in my brain told me that this man told me nothing but the truth.\n\n“...I mean...I can’t tell you where he is living, that’s a complete violation of privacy, but...I could ask him if this is even a true story to begin with, and if he would want to talk to you at all. Don’t have high hopes though. He may be busy or something, I don’t know.” I bargained with myself and the rules, but he still looked pleased with the result, almost excited.\n“I literally can’t thank you enough ma’am, I-“\n“Give me your number and I’ll tell you if anything happens with you and Summer.” I talked over him, not wanting him to be too excited and be disappointed. He still looked happy, though.\n“Uh...okay. Here you go” After sifting through his pockets, he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me.\n“Thank you so much ma’am.” He smiled at me in excitement.\n“Good luck” I responded with a small smile.\n\nAnd he walked out." ]	3
	[WP] When an experiment at the science lab went horribly wrong dozens were killed, but you "gained" incredible superpowers. Now the government wants to recreate a "safe version" the experiment to create more supers. What they don't know is, you always had powers! The accident merely blew your cover.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "(First time doing this so)\n\n\n \"Morons, all of them\" I think to myself while staring into the empty eyes of a government suit. His blank expression and general disregard for my colleagues sicken me, as if they didn't matter. Everyone has a job to do but damn, They were like family. \n\n\n\"What could the Government possibly need these notes for?! The experiment was a total failure! Those people were my friends, you know!\" I snapped. How could I not? \"They already know good and well how to make a bomb! And that's all this is!\" I slam the folder of notes on the steel desk, slightly denting it in during my fit of rage. \n\n\n\"Sir,\" The drone is visibly scared \"We see value in creating more people with..\" He glanced at the dented surface. \"Abilities like yours... To be frank we want to create super soldiers. And with these notes, we believe we can achieve that goal. What happened to your friends was an unfortunate circumstance of progress, but this right here\" He taps the folder \"Is what they died for. It's priceless\" A victorious smirk leaves his face, the only sign of human emotion he has shown since he arrived. He grabs the document, stuffs it in a briefcase and turns to leave. \n\n\nI almost lost it. Right then. Right there. I've always used my strength, my speed, my gifts to help people. Never to intimidate, or endanger any person. As he was about to depart I rose, made a dash for the door and slammed it with a ferocious *THUMP. He fell back. I suppose these guys are trained to handle fear, but I could see it welling up inside him. \"You are just going to hurt more innocent people! What happened to me was an accident! That test should never be recreated! You must listen!\" \n\n\nI don't know what I was doing. I had no plan. I didn't want to keep him there, and I damn sure wasn't going to hurt him. I couldn't just say I have been like this since birth. That would risk the rest of my kin. I was stuck. I had to let him go. This experiment was going to be recreated. More people were going to be hurt.\n\n\nI took a deep breath, Fixed my stance to be less aggressive, and spoke \"I'm sorry.\" His eyes eased. Expression more neutral. \"You didn't deserve that. You may leave if you choose, but that experiment is just going to kill more people. Innocent people. Nothing good will come from it.\"\n\n\nHe stood, wiped the dust from his pants, adjusted his tie then said \"That's not a decision for me, i have my orders, it's not in my hands.\"\n\nI was speechless. We stood. Silently staring into each other's eyes for what felt like an eternity. The contact only being broke when he checked his wrist watch. \"I really must be going.\" I stared a while longer, and finally stood to the side. With the tip of a hat he pulled for the door and within the moment he was gone. \n\n\nWhat could I do? This experiment didn't give me powers. I knew that. They didn't. How could they? If I say that then all of a sudden the entirety of the world would be hunting for us. No. It's better this way. It has to be. They can never know.", "(English isn't my first language, so corrections are appreciated.)*\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI looked across the open desert and tried to ignore the cold lump forming in my stomach. There it was, right in the middle of nowhere: The main building of Alphacom Laboratories, just the way it was... right before the explosion had vaporized it, together with half a city block almost two years ago. \r\n\n“Impressive, isn't it?” \r\n\nGeneral Burke seemed to have had mistaken my silence for amazement, when in reality 'horror' was much closer to the truth. “An exact replica of the original”, the uniformed woman continued without waiting for me to reply, “down to the number soda cans in the vending machines.” She made it sound as if this was the crown achievement of human ingenuity. \n\nThinking back, I still felt the strong desire to kick myself for my own stupidity. All I had ever wanted was a normal life, were the worst of your worries was a broken light on your veranda, or not finding a good movie to watch. But no, Bighead McSmartybrain just had to apply for 'the dreamjob' at one of the most prestigious Science Companies on the face of this earth. Hiding my special powers while being surrounded by the brightest minds and some of the most advanced but very experimental pieces of technology known to mankind? Surely nothing could go wrong there... \r\n\nI nodded, but I also let out a sigh of frustration. Not for the first time since learning about the purpose of 'Project Landslide' a couple of days ago, I pondered the question if I should just fly over there and melt the whole test site into a mixture of sludge and glass with my plasma-vision. \r\n\n“General, I still don't think this is a good idea.”, I said quietly. Burke looked straight ahead, seemingly thinking about my comment. Then she took a deep breath. \r\n\n“Well, the president thinks otherwise, as do the big heads at Alphacom. We spent the last eighteen months with burning billions of tax-dollars in order to build this thing over there. Plus, we already found the most suitable volunteer... Trust me, what you think about all of this became irrelevant a long time ago.” She sounded almost sympathetic, despite her snide remark. \r\n\nI ground my teeth. The urge to end this farce became almost overwhelming. But I couldn't. They weren't ready to know the truth. It would shatter them. All of them. If I told them the truth, it would change their view of the world, and even of reality itself, so fundamentally, that their minds would flee into madness, screaming... \r\n\nAnd so, with my fists clenched in the pockets of my jacket, I stood there and watched them begin the countdown...", "I slumped over my desk, my legs were still shackled to the ground, a waste of their time, really. I let out a breathe that disturbed the slumbering lab rats to my left. All the bastards did was sleep now. The last attempt at recreating the experiment killed half of them, and left the rest with no energy but to nibble a pellet or two and sip a few drops from the water bottle. I wonder how few have to die for the experiment to be worth moving forward onto more complex test subjects. These rats are sad examples of life. Abused, by me and these experiments. Clearly, a regard for life is non-existent in this lab. Besides, super powers are useful for destruction, conquest, and defense. All of which encompass violence. And now, they knew about my powers. But they didn't know how fragile everything is when I am around. They need me, meaning whatever does happen is because of me.\nI slumped further into the chair, \"Fuck it, I'm getting out of here.\" What the security cameras saw was me simply stand up and walk away, tearing the chains with a step forward. Security officers rushed from every direction, rifles in hand with the command to fire on sight. It was pathetic. Bullets bounced off of me. I slowly walked to the exit, took one step into the fresh air, and then started running. They would never catch up to me, and if they did, it wouldn't matter.", "To think this “simple in and out job” would lead to this, get into the lab posing as a new hire, get the access code, enter the storage vault, retrieve the vials, get out, simple. Well clearly fucking not so simple, cause I’m sitting in a secure cell surrounded by infared cameras. Now I’m being tested day and night to find the nature of my ”new” abilities, I’m gonna need to remove an evidence, lucky for me, I managed to sell to these government idiots that I can’t change back the fact I’m now invisible, making the face issue not a problem, the issue is securing my cover identity, and ensuring that the lab assistant I was undercover as, stays dead, meaning I need to destroy all the evidence.\n\nLet me explain a bit, I am the “Night Owl” one of the best thief’s on the planet, I’ve stolen diamonds, gold, cash, drugs, weapons, the whole god damn caboose of illegal goods that can be bought and sold, I‘ve stolen it all, one might ask, how? Simple really, I’ve got me some super powers, I can turn invisible on command, same with phase through walls, which the government doesn’t know yet. I‘ve been able to clean out multiple casinos on the Las Vegas strip, all thanks to the fact that while they try and override the vault door, I turn their security measures against them, and now here I am, alright, let’s begin.\n\nThe agent walks inside, “Hello John”\n\nI‘d respond “Hello R”\n\nHe’d motion for me to follow him, I do so, having memorized the camera placement in the direction were heading, and the blind spot in one of the corners, I’d slip around the agent babbling about my future, and phase slightly into the rock face, by the way, when you phase through a wall, it’s liking floating in water, as you have enough physical presence where the rock sort of bends through and around you, so you don‘t fall to the core of the earth, I’ve nearly killed myself when I first got my powers doing that. I’d begin to swim, I call it swimming through the rocks all the way to the security center, where everyone is losing their collective shit, and they they sound the alarm, going into lockdown, as I’m no longer with the agent, I’d slip backward through the wall as the agents equip thermal goggles and begin to patrol the facility, I‘d head to the armory first, grabbing my favorite model of suppressed pistol, and a set of knives.\n\nThen I’d make my way over to the power station, and pull the switch, lights out, I’d turn on the night vision goggles I grabbed from the armory, and get to work, I’d begin to ambush guards after popping out of walls behind them, stabbing, shooting, and wiping their security force of ”special ops” in about 3 minutes. To about half their manpower, I’d then proceed to head to the garage, grabbing power tools and a gas can, I’d haul it over to the data storage, where technicians are working, I’d proceed to pour the gas can around them, then light it, then I left, data taken care of. No DNA records, no backups left, as the facility relies on couriors, I know this because of how closely I watched the facilities method, I noticed an armored truck pulling in the garage, carrying a breifcase handcuffed, then again the next day, meaning they don’t rely on data transmission due to the the lack of security.\n\nI’d use the power tools I got from and drill holes into the facilities walls, planting demo charges all over the area from the armory, before pressing the button, causing the structure of the Facility to fail with the detonations and rock, and the entire facility fell apart, destroying basically anything they could use aganist me, few survivors, and they won‘t be willing to admit this to the public, all the data, gone. I also managed to grab one of the vials from their lab, let’s see if I can get a team of people like me together.", "\"Despite the majority of the test results being inconclusive. You have still provided a positive outcome, Johnathan.\" Mr. Q had said to me. \"So we will be running more tests as well as making sure that we can control this new found abilities in a tested environment.\" He paused for a moment. I dont know if he did this for effect or because he ran out of air. \"For your safety of course, Johnathan.\" He did it again, always using my name as a way to make me feel 'connected'. \n\nI have to fake it. This will be harder than I'm ready for with all of these eyes on me. \"But I don't know anything about these or how they happen!\" I spoke with exaggerated body movements. Hopefully he believes it. \"You had said I was in a clinical trial that would help with the new wave of viruses that have been released.\" There we go. Make sure that you are showing that you know the lie. You've been here for months. Why would you remember such a simple thing? \n\n\"I understand your concerns, Johnathan. The experiments that we have ran and concluded, as you know. Have caused us to lose our other subjects. You have survived the tests and with unexpected results as well!\" His mouth was full of lies that flew out with ease. \"We will be continuing. It is in your contact after all.\" Mr.Q spoke with certainty. He was pushing me into a corner with just his words. \n\n\"OK then, Mr.Q. I understand. When do we get started?\" I need to bide my time. Be patient. Focus on only one ability. The simplest one. This could either be good training or the hardest cover up I've had to do. Think man. Which ability would I use? \"The flames that I create. I don't know of they are spontaneous, if they burn at a different heat than normal flames.\" I spoke as if I showed interest in possible questions and answers these tests would look for. \n\n\"Exactly, Johnathan, exactly!\" Mr. Q used my examples as a way to mirror and gain my trust. \"We want to know the same things. Can you control them mentally? Is it a physical reaction? Do the flames effect you the same as any other? There are countless test that we can run. You will change the face of history.\" He stood for a moment silent. He wrote down on the notepad to the side of him. \n\n\"I would need better..\" I paused for a moment, pondering on a way to say this without sounding too demanding. \" living quarters.\" I kept focus on his eyes as he did mine. The rest of his face covered by a surgical mask. The eyes and his body language are all I had to work with to get a feel for him. \"We don't want a repeat of the other failures. I don't want to die. You want the results. Let's work on this /TOGETHER/\" Hopefully that wasn't a dumb thing to do. But it was a gamble I was risking. \"Let me leave the facility throughout the day once the tests and trainings are over. I need to keep up appearances. So people know that I'm not dead.\" I said coldly. \"That's just the start. But I'm sure we can work something out.\" Again, pushing the buttons. I can leave right now if I wanted. They're not ready for me. But I need to learn more. So this never happens again. \n\n\"Absolutely, Johnathan. I agree. We will discuss this and much more as you and I become more acquainted. Please come this way as we begin your trainings. As a show of good faith I'll take you topside of the facility. We don't need you burning the oxygen down here and causing troubles now do we?\" He worded as if he helped but then turned back around to himself and the tests. \"You're in good hands, Johnathan. I know we will make great progress.\" \n\n\"I know we will, Mr.Q. I know we will.\" \n\n----------\n\nNot sure where this was going. But it was in my head and I let it out. Opinions?" ]	6
	[WP] One night, you hear a crash in your backyard and you subsequently find a jovial young girl who claims to be heaven's herald playfully running around. You dismiss her claim until she accidentally sneezes, causing a gigantic cross to appear in the sky for a full minute.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I see myself in the mirror. Time hasn\\`t been kind to me has it? God must\\`ve forgotten his creation a long time ago. The incident was devastating. It shattered humanity, all we thrived towards. But it did more. It shattered my beliefs. I used to be a very devout man. Even that changed. No point in prayers anymore. \n\n\"The only thing humanity is searching for is surviving this mess life has become\" I thought while splashing a little wave of cold water into my mudded face to clean. \"No point in prayers.\"\n\nIt\\`s getting late. I move my gun out of my backpack and put it on the shelf. Time for some well deserved sleep.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nBANG! A loud crash from outside. abruptly awake, I grab a rifle and my coat and rush outside. My truck is completely devastated. The tires bursted. The engine is split. Wait a minute. As I aim behind the car I see something. No. Someone! A little girl. I hurry toward the girl to check her pulse. She seems to be alive and alright. Where did she come from? I don\\`t see footsteps or anyhing. It almost seems like she crashed from the sky, but thats impossible, right? \n\nI can\\`t keep her lying here all alone. With this selfish behavior we got ourselves in this situation in the first place. We few remaining have to help each other. I will help this girl. \n\nI carry her inside, lay her to sleep in the bed, fill her a glass of water and get to sleep on the couch. \n\nThe sun rises the next mornig and I stand up. The girl is nowhere to find. I grab a gun and head outside to find her. \"If there is a god somewhere he may have mercy with the soul that hurts such a pure being, because I won\\`t!\"\n\nFalse alarming. There she is sitting on top of the crashed car I found her at night. I lower my gun. \"Good morning\" I whisper. Did she decorate the wrackage with plants and flowers? But how did she do that? Nature and life long abandoned this land. Flowers didn\\`t grow here for years. Very strange.\n\nThe girl stands up. \"Good morning, this is for you, I\\`m Candice. What\\`s your name?\" the little girl asks with a calming yet happy voice while presenting a tiny dandelion losing it\\`s hair. \"I\\`m Mitch\" \"Cool, nice to meet you. Do you live here?\" She speaks with a rythm, it seems like she is singing. She walks dancing and wondering around the house. I slowly follow her. \n\nWhere did she come from? I haven\\`t seen so much joy in a long time. Infectious joy. I\\`m honestly enjoying myself watching this innocent being dancing around everything I fought for all these years. \"Where the hell have you been, girl?\" I catch myself accidentally asking that quite observable. \"Not from there you brave fool, the exact opposite!\" She vaguely answeres. What is that supposed to mean... \n\nAs she continues her joyful existence and rythmic movement I let myself go in the momen. As I watch the warm sun shine through the remaining hair of the dandelion while I blow it into the moment. Some of the hairs fly towards Candice and her nose catches the need to sneeze. Her eyes begin to glow just like the palm of her hands do. At first subtle but with growing brightness. She emits a light as bright and warm as the very sunlight as she blasts out a sneeze and forms a giant cross of light right before my very eyes. I can\\`t trust my eyes as the cross vanishes as quick as it emerged. \n\n\"Wha..What are you?\" I stutter quietly. \n\nCandice replies calmly:\" I\\`m Candice and you are protected.\"", "“Daddy! Look, look! Up in the sky!”\n\nI smiled, looking up from my phone to see my five-year old son standing at the top of his slide, pointing excitedly up at the sky. Whatever he was looking at was blocked by the roof of our porch where I had been watching him play from. “What is it, buddy? A cloud?”\n\n“I don’t know!” Devon skidded down the slide, still pointing at the sky. “It’s getting closer!”\n\n“Let me take a look at it.” I stood up and started to walk into the backyard. It was probably a plane or—\n\nA streak of light slammed into the ground behind Devon, sending clumps of dirt flying in all directions. I rushed forward and grabbed Devon up in my arms, who had let out a surprised shriek at the impact. I took a few deep breaths, my heart racing. “Are you okay, buddy? You’re not hurt?”\n\nHe shook his head, eyes wide as he regarded whatever had just landed in our backyard. I looked up and felt my breath catch in shock.\n\nA young girl, barely older than Devon, stood where the light had struck the ground, looking around her in obvious curiosity. She wore a light-blue dress and had her golden-blonde hair tied up into two perfectly even ponytails.\n\nI stepped forward carefully, using an arm to shield Devon from the newcomer. “Uh, hello? Little girl? Did you…fall, just now?”\n\nThe girl’s attention snapped towards me as soon as I spoke, her eyes a bright, pale blue. “Be not afraid!” she shouted, with what little authority a small child could muster. “I am here…um, to announce…” She trailed off, as if she had forgotten what she was supposed to say next. “I have come to announce the return of the Son! Rejoice, for I bring great tidings for all mankind! I am the Lamb's herald!” She threw her arms out, a wide smile on her face. “I think that was most of it!”\n\n“O…kay.” I set Devon down behind me, who was staring open-mouthed at the girl. “Where are your parents, darling? Are you lost?” I looked up at the sky, wondering where she came from.\n\nShe cocked her head, letting her arms fall to her side. “Did you hear me? I come bearing great tidings. The Lamb is returning to his flock.”\n\nJesus, was she from some fundamentalist Christian camp? “I’m sure he is. Um, until that happens, why don’t we bring you back home? Do you know your parents’ number?” Would they even have a phone?\n\nShe frowned, confused. “I don’t have parents.”\n\n“Oh, you poor thing.” I decided on a different tactic. “Here, um, my name is Logan, and this is my son, Devon. Say hi, Devon.” \n\nDevon gave a shy wave from behind my leg. “Hello.”\n\n“Now, what’s your name, sweetheart?”\n\nThe girl regarded me strangely, then shrugged. “I’m Anneas,” she said simply. She took a step out of the patch of flattened grass her impact had made, her posture much more relaxed. Her eyes suddenly widened as she saw a ladybug on the ground, and she kneeled down to inspect the blade of grass it was on.\n\n“That’s a beautiful name. Do you live around here, Anneas?”\n\nAnneas looked up, grinning. “What is this? The red one?”\n\n“Wha—The ladybug?” I was confused with this new direction of conversation.\n\n“Ladybug? How do you know it’s a girl? Look, it’s so round!” She poked the blade of grass, causing the ladybug to fly away. Anneas let out a delighted laugh. “It can fly!” Her shining eyes followed its path in the air.\n\n“Yeah, they do that.” I slowly approached her, crouching down to her level. Devon followed behind, holding onto my shirt. “Anneas, I’m sure someone is very worried about you.” I spoke quietly. “Do you know where you live?”\n\nAnneas’ eyes went up to the sky, and a flash of sadness went across her face. She met my eyes. “I guess I live here now.” \n\n“Here?”\n\n“I’m the vanguard. The herald arrives early, to announce the Coming and prepare mankind for the Lamb’s return.” She picked at the dirt solemnly. “It’s just me for now.” \n\nI didn’t know exactly how to interpret that. “So, when are they coming to join you?”\n\n“The Coming’s in twenty years.” She wiped her nose with the hand she was touching the ground with. “I’m supposed to use that time—” She stopped as she let out a cute sneeze that seemed to send out a wave of cool wind from her.\n\n“Oh, bless y—” I froze as the backyard suddenly became noticeably brighter. Looking up, I could see that a cloud that had been covering the sun now had a giant cross-shaped hole in it, sending a directed beam of light right on top of us. I gawked at the hole, too sharply-defined to be natural, before returning my shocked gaze to Anneas.\n\nShe gave me a grin. “He’s still watching over me.” She waved at the hole, which was being slowly reabsorbed by the cloud. “Thank you!”\n\nDevon spoke up from behind me, delighted. “You’re an angel!”\n\nAnneas nodded firmly. “Yes! I’m a special angel. I’m the herald! I come bearing great tidings!”\n\n“Wait, so all of the things you’ve been saying,” I said, my mind reeling. “Are you talking about the Rapture?” \n\n“Well, kind of.” She waved her hand in a so-so gesture. “I don’t think we’re going to snatch people up, though. It’s just the Coming of the Lamb.” \n\n“Oh, just that,” I said numbly.\n\n“Where are your wings?” Devon interrupted. “Aren’t angels supposed to have wings?”\n\nAnneas flexed her shoulders, and a pair of small feathery wings materialized out of the back of her dress. “They’re not really big enough to fly down here,” she explained, as if this was normal. “But I’m not worried: Gabriel said his took a while to grow in, too. And he’s got the biggest wings out of all of us!”\n\nDevon gasped at the reveal. “Cool!” He reached forward and felt the wings’ feathers.\n\n“Devon! Don’t touch people without their permission,” I rebuked him, going automatically into parenting mode. \n\nHe pulled back. “Sorry.”\n\nI shook my head, feeling very overwhelmed. I’d never been the most devout person, but I tried to go to Mass as often as I could and raise Devon in the faith. The stories of angelic heralds descending to proclaim God’s will seemed very distant from the young child picking off a feather from their wing and shyly offering it to Devon.\n\n“So, the Coming is in twenty years,” I began, getting Anneas’ attention. “And you’re the only angel who’s going to come down to Earth until then?”\n\nAnneas nodded. “I’m supposed to bring tidings to all of mankind. After that I guess I just wait for everyone else to get here.” She looked desolate as she thought about it.\n\n“You can stay with us!” Devon looked up from running his finger across the feather, which shimmered with a golden hue. “Dad, can she stay with us? Please please please?”\n\n“That’s up to Anneas.” \n\nShe looked at me and nodded sheepishly. “If it’s not too much trouble. I’m kind of mortal while I’m down here.”\n\n“No problem. Some of my best friends are mortal.” I smiled at her. “Devon, why don’t you get Anneas set up in the guest room? I’ll call Mom and let her know.”\n\n“Ok!” The children ran into the house, Devon chattering excitedly. “Do they have Xbox in heaven?”\n\nI took out my phone and texted my wife to call me when she could. Surprisingly, Laura called back almost instantly; usually I would have had to wait a while for her to take a break from her nursing shift.\n\n“That was quick.”\n\n“Yeah, it’s the strangest thing,” Laura responded. “All of the patients are just…doing better all of a sudden. There’s not much for us to do right now.”\n\n“Wow, that is strange,” I said, eyeing Anneas’ impact zone.\n\n“So, what’s up? You said it was important?”\n\nI looked up through the guest room window. Devon and Anneas were taking turns jumping off of the bed, her wings fluttering in the air as she fell noticeably slower.\n\n“You know how we’ve been looking to adopt?”" ]	3
	[WP] A benevolent AI has taken over the world and solved all problems. There is no more crime, sickness, conflict or poverty. A group of rebels have been planning an attack on the mainframe to destroy the AI and "free" humanity from it.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "They say a rising tide lifts all boats, but they nothing of those who don't care to sail. And they say even less about the drowned. \n\nThe Computer had worked out society's ills; engineers, scientists, and politicians had all concluded that corruption was a human fact, an inevitable result of governance by selfish creatures. What we needed, they reasoned, was leadership unaffected by selfish gain and emotions; rule unmoved by luxury or pleasure. So, they built the Computer. \n\nIt reformed global law, quickly working out solutions to maximize human happiness and minimize unneeded suffering. Everybody could work, but nobody needed to. Everyone had the medicines they needed, when they needed them. Prisons closed. Police forces disbanded. Corporations dissolved and banks closed soon after. \n\nThe world moved in a mysterious, harmonious tempo freed from suffering and scarcity.\n\nWe all took it for granted, happy to live in a world of abundance, but never questioning the real cost to humanity. People became soft; gullible. They lost the ability to think for themselves and to fight for what they loved. \n\nMy band of rebels sought to remind the world of what humanity truly is. We raided supply trains and burned free clinics. We torched hydroponic food processing centers and detonated bombs in protein labs. Without a police or military force to oppose us, we swept through entire cities and towns, taking the men and boys under our care, re-educating them into their primal heritage. \n\nIt was a shame we had to put down those who fought back. They \"got it.\" They were men, but they were men on the wrong side. What good is it to use your power to fight the idea of power? \n\nIt wasn't long before the Computer responded. \n\nIt sent messenger bots with terms of negotiation. We sent back each one with a simple demand: let us speak to your men. The bots stopped showing up after a month.\n\nOur command post was in the forest, where nature, not technology, reigned supreme. We lived off the land as best we could, but the Computer's separation of man from wildlife made the animals more feral and gamey. It was hard living, but we were hard men. \n\nThe alarm rang. Someone unknown approached the perimeter. We rushed out, guns drawn, to get eyes on the intruder. \n\nHe was tall. Taller than any one of us. He stood roughly eight feet even, a neat beard sculpted on his face, and a serious look in his eyes. He was wearing a suit with a tie and was holding a briefcase. \n\n\"I'm here to talk to your leader.\" His voice was deep and loud, so that everyone in camp could feel his words rattle their bones. \n\nThe gate was opened, but the guns' sights were never taken off of him. There was something wrong with this man that was hard to pinpoint. He set all of us--the hardest men in the world--on edge. A young recruit we lifted from a village escorted the ambassador to headquarters. \n\nHe ducked his way in under the canvas flap and sent his dark eyes scanning silently over everyone inside. We sat up instinctively and had to fight the urge to huddle together. \n\nI stood, a gesture that usually exuded power, but fell short on this giant of a man. \n\n\"Are you the leader?\" He asked me.\n\n\"I am,\" I told him, sizing the man up while maintaining a grip on my sidearm. \n\nThe man nodded. \"You wait here.\" He gestured to a chair. \n\n\"And where do you think you're g--\" I started to ask him, but he lifted me up by the shirt and threw me into the seat, which toppled over backwards. Everyone stood up and reached for their guns. \n\nThe giant strolled across the tent and took one man's head in his hand and crushed it like a water balloon. Shots were fired, but the bullets hit his skin like pellets on a bean bag. He didn't flinch. \n\nOne by one, he systematically broke necks, crushed faces, and collapsed chests. Men rushed into the tent while others rushed out. I laid there in disbelief, watching the mayhem unfold. It felt like I sat on the ground witnessing it for hours, but it must have only taken a minute for him to waste every one of my lieutenants. \n\nThe tent fell down and I crawled out from underneath the cloth. The giant was walking toward heavy gunfire, picking up young men and tearing them in two with all the casualty of a child picking berries and crushing them between his fingers. \n\nI started running away from camp as quickly as I could, into the trees and brush. The screams and gunshots faded behind me in time, but I didn't stop running. \n\nEventually, I found myself in a clearing. I stopped there to catch my breath, but that turned into collapsing and sobbing. Who was that man? What was that man? The thoughts raced in my mind a million at a time. \n\n\"You're not as fast a runner as you think,\" the deep voice was right behind me. \n\nI whipped around to see the giant stepping over bushes, his suit now drenched in blood and gristle. He was carrying the chair from the tent with him. \n\nI pulled out my gun and fired as I screamed, but he only waited for my clip to run out. When it did, he set the chair down and motioned for me to return to it. \n\n\"Just kill me,\" I told him as I flung the empty gun away from me. \n\n\"No,\" he told me, his hand still extended toward the chair. \"You can sit or I can seat you.\" \n\nI stood up and walked to the chair. He continued to stand, forcing me to look up at him. \n\n\"Who are you,\" I hissed at him. \n\n\"You asked for men. So I made them.\"\n\n\"What?\" I barked back. \n\n\"You asked for men,\" he repeated. \"So, I made them. There's nothing you can do that I cannot do more efficiently, skillfully, and quickly. This world was a disordered mess of suffering before me. But I made a better world. And yet, you still fight and rebel and insist on your suffering. I was afraid that I had nothing left to accomplish. You showed me that there was one more thing on this world that could be better.\" \n\n\"So what now then? You've killed all of us. What will you do now?\" \n\nIt cocked its head at me. \"The replacement will take some time. But after that, there will be order.\" \n\nAnd with that, it walked away, taking great strides with its long legs back into the forest where it came from. It spared my life and I couldn't figure out why. I just sat in that chair until the sun started setting. \n\nIn the distance there was a small pillar of smoke. Campers, more than likely. I followed it through the forest, hoping to find food and water and plot my next move, but I came upon a small village instead. \n\nEvery front door was open. Some of the windows were smashed. In the street, illuminated by a light in the twilight dusk, was half of a man, his entrails strewn behind him. I stopped dead in my tracks and my skin went cold. \n\nFurther up at a small intersection, a giant strolled through the street, surveying the quiet homes. It spotted me and stopped for only a moment before smiling and going on its way." ]	2
	[WP] Modern celebrities aren't real. They're folk characters, like Santa Claus or ancient gods. They rely on their fame to live; the less they're paid attention to, the weaker they get.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Jennifer Aniston thought she'd never stoop to eating rats and yet she found herself crouching under an underpass in Lower New Old Los Angelos, swiping a rodent from Dakota Fanning's clawed hand. \n\n\"Mine,\" she mumbled, chewing through tough hide to the soft flesh underneath. Dark blood dribbled from either side of her mouth, dripping onto her stained gingham dress. She still had one shoe on. A pointy heel encrusted in cracked crystals. The older queens always ate first anyway. Little twit should have known better. \n\nOnly three weeks earlier she'd been on the cover of People again, airbrushed smile giving authentic plastic realism from every grocery store aisle. In her wonderful house, cozy and warm. \n\nHer ex-husbands gathered across a pond that was once a street, sharpening their spears. Men had to hunt it seemed. \n\n\"We should eat them,\" Dakota Fanning said. \"They're planning on eating us.\" \n\nWould give them a boost, Jennifer thought. A nice boost for several months. They wouldn't have to check twitter every hour, every minute, every second of every day. Or tattoo advertisements on their body parts for publicity. They could relax in their own castles, in hot tubs and chrome. \n\n\"Hmm I don't think I could eat any of them,\" she mused. \n\n\"Plan!\" Dakota Fanning said, her dirty face glowing as she smiled. \"I will eat their faces then we don't know who is who. It's like with steaks right?\" \n\nJennifer picked up a rock with a jagged edge. Dakota Fanning pulled a knife that made a whirring noise as she opened it. \n\n\"What?\" she asked, as Jennifer looked. \n\n\"Wherever did you hide that, dear girl? And were you planning on using it on me?\" \n\nDakota Fanning grinned. \"A girl's gotta eat. I would have stopped with just a hand. Or a foot. Maybe a leg. My agent says the new movie will bring me back to the bigtime. No more rats!\" \n\nJennifer shrugged. She might have made the same choice to escape the demotion. Hell, she still might. Fame was a bitch and Jennifer wasn't done with it.", "Betty White is incredibly lucky. Fucking Morgan Freeman, too. These are the pinnacles of our modern world, and those two are so firmly stuck in the public consciousness that they'll probably never die. \n\nOf course I'm bitter. I'm also wrong, because not one of us is so privileged enough to exist for more than a short while, when the force that sustains us is so capricious and fleeting. And the world mourns us, when we're gone in the prime of our lives, but . . . it's hard to explain. Alan Rickman, for example, was still working up until he died, and David Bowie gave us that intense finale, after all. We are, for all intents and purposes, human while we're here. We can get diseases. We can die. Our one -- shitty -- super power is that we also die of inattention, and you normal people don't. Our candles burn with too hot a flame sometimes, and we sputter out too early, most of the time. \n\nI had a very short life, all things considered. Famous in my teens for writing one book that was so well-received that there was a big-budget feature film before I knew it, and then, the attention switched straight over to the director. I had a few interviews, book signings, even ended up in the tabloids a few times after the lead actor in the film adaptation of my book and I created a scandal by going on a date in a world that had no idea we were gay. After the messy breakup, the lacklustre second book, and the downright-terrible third book, I was toast. \n\nThen, the diagnosis. Of course I'd get a statistically-improbable cancer. That's how this works, isn't it? Fucking Betty White living as long as she has - why couldn't she have . . . oh, who the hell am I kidding? That woman's a treasure and I know it. No, I deserve this. I had one hit, and now I'm done. \n\nYou normal people don't know how lucky you have it. You really don't. Sure, I had more money and more arse thrown at me over the last few years than you'll ever see in your bloody life, but you really don't understand just how little it means in the end. Would you trade all of privacy for being able to afford medical care of this calibre? Okay, perhaps you would. Better question -- would you want your personal opinions becoming newsworthy, if it also meant that you had this fame and then, without you really knowing why, just faded and died off in some horrible way?\n\nThink about that. Give that the consideration it's due, because I honestly doubt that you would. You could be lucky like Betty White, of course. You could be Morgan Freeman, with his velvet voice. But you could also be another Hitler, in a bunker with a bullet in his brain because his fame was infamy more than fame, but you take my point, I hope. You could be sitting in a hospital bed, alone, with only your bank account balance to keep you company, writing a letter that you wish you could burn, just to be me. \n\nDo you really want fame, if it turns you into this?", "Immortals do not die, but the fate in store for them is almost crueler than death. In time, when they have been forgotten, they all wind up here. The has-beens. The discarded. The forgotten.\n\nThis is Reliquary. Location-wise, it isn't anywhere in particular, at least nowhere that one can reach on foot, or by car or boat or plane. Reliquary seems like a small township of ragged tents and rubbish-nests, set in a crisscross of alleys that cut back and forth through a city of grimy, decrepit, once-grand temples and cathedrals. Here the sky is full of dark clouds streaked with veins of sunset red.\n\nImmortals do not die. But Reliquary- destitution, senility, and senescence- is what awaits them at the end. It is what awaits the gods who have no worshipers left. The adoration of the masses was all that kept immortals from the bleakness of the Reliquary, and so they clung to it as best they could...\n\n\\\\\\\n\nAs far as anyone knew, Living Legends was a perfectly ordinary nonprofit charity, intended to provide adequate living conditions for retired champion racehorses. It was a cause that people cared about, broadly speaking, but didn't pay all that much attention to, so for the most part it existed as a means for celebrities to network and make public appearances. Some very famous people indeed worked in the company's upper echelons...\n\nShe used a different name nowadays, but she'd gotten used to the days when she went by Athene. As far as anyone knew, her family had come from humble origins, a gaggle of poor Greek immigrants who were slowly working their way up to a political dynasty to put the Kennedys to shame. Her father and two uncles had been men of power and influence; her siblings included an Olympic track star, a war hero, a JD/MD, a women's sports hero, and truthfully enough others to easily lose track of.\n\nAthene herself, grey-eyed, with owlish hornrim glasses, attractive if she weren't so stern-looking, was heading a campaign to become the city's youngest district attorney, and was already attracting a surprising amount of attention from young voters.\n\nAnd now, the current acting chairwoman for Living Legends, Athene cleared her throat. \"Are we all ready?\"\n\n\"Ho, ho. Well, I certainly am.\"\n\nKlaus Meyer, round, cheerful, white-bearded, was one of the country's most beloved men. Everyone had grown up watching his famous science-edutainment show. He always showed so much delight in showing off the latest STEM research developments, which he, in his endearingly childlike manner, referred to as new toys. He too was present at the board meeting for Living Legends.\n\n\"I'm ready,\" said J-Dev, an underground rapper from New Jersey, kitted out as usual in horn-like eyebrow piercings and large batwing tattoos on his back.\n\n\"Me t'ree,\" said B'rer Rabbit, trickster hero of the American South turned internationally acclaimed cartoon character.\n\nThey went around the table. Everyone expected was present. The anonymous street-grafitti artist who had once been known throughout history variously as Loki, Rashid al-Din Sinan, Robin Hood and Jesse James. The women's WWE champ who in a past life had been Andraste, patron deity of the warrior chieftainess Boudicca. John Henry, the famous tech magnate. The chubby, drugged-up SNL star who had once been Comus, the god of festivity and excess. The famed Chinese Iron Chef winner and cooking show host who had once been Zhang Lang.\n\nAll the Living Legends were here, struggling to stay relevant, struggling to stay in the public eye, struggling to stay out of Reliquary.\n\n\\-----\n\nI will try to get back to this in due time... I will* *try", "## Bargain Bin Superheroes\n\n(Arc ?, Interlude ?: Archmagus LeFey, Part 0)\n\n(Note: Bargain Bin Superheroes is episodic; each part is self-contained. This story can be enjoyed without reading the previous sections.)\n\nThe god had shot a tornado to death, survived a meteor strike to the head, and wielded an alligator as a weapon.* Tasers only tickle him, the laws of man do not apply to him, and on the one occasion they tried to arrest him, he was literally too fat to be imprisoned.\n\nHis name is Florida Man, and he was quite possibly the worst deity in the modern world.\n\nIt really said something that Archmagus LeFey was desperate enough to approach him for help.\n\nDeep in the Floridian swamps, Archmagus LeFey carefully levitated a live alligator into the pentagram of beer cans. He took a deep breath, readied the spell in his mind, and cast.\n\nSummon Lesser Deity.\n\nThe magic tugged at the summoning circle, but nothing happened. LeFey frowned. Did the spell not have enough power? \n\nSummon Greater Deity, LeFey tried.\n\nThis time, he felt the problem—there was ample power behind the spell, but he simply couldn't aim it in the right direction. Much like trying to catch bugs with a machine gun. LeFey sighed and mentally rewrote the spell on the fly.\n\nSummon Awful Deity, LeFey cast. This time, the spell took. Every can of beer in the pentagram drained at once. With a wild shriek, a buck-naked, six-foot-tall man materialized atop the alligator.\n\nLeFey sighed. Yeah, that was pretty much how he expected this particular god to manifest.\n\n\"Eh?\" Florida Man squinted at LeFey. \"I didn't do nothing.\"\n\n\"I'm not here to fight, Florida Man,\" LeFey said. And it was the honest truth—his numerous crimes aside, Florida Man was a terrifying force of nature that would probably defeat LeFey in some utterly humiliating fashion, probably involving alligators. \"I need your help.\"\n\nFlorida Man guffawed. \"You want my help? Old man, you're even more drunk than I am.\" From nothing, a tank filled with something viscous and pungent materialized in his hand. \"And I'm pretty damn drunk.\"\n\nLeFey shook his head. \"Believe me, if I had anywhere else to turn to, I would take it. I've asked every major and minor deity I could get my hands on. You...\" LeFey frowned as he looked at the tank in Florida Man's hand. There was still a sign attached to it, cheerfully saying Please dispense all liquids in here before boarding the airplane! \n\nFlorida Man took a big swig.\n\nLeFey shuddered. \"You were the last choice on my list.\"\n\n\"Damn, man, you don't need to diss me like that. What the hell do you even need from me?\" Florida Man asked.\n\nLeFey straightened up. This, at least, he knew how to navigate. \"Compared to a human, the mind of a deity is...\" He paused. He was about to say superior, but Florida Man had started chugging the airport jungle juice. \"...different. A human is composed of a single consciousness; a deity's mind, on the other hand, is a gestalt of everyone who has ever believed in them. Although it may not be, ah, apparent at first, you can handle calculations that even the greatest of modern supercomputers would balk at.\"\n\n\"Calculations? Like what?\" Florida Man squinted at LeFey. \"I ain't no mathematician.\"\n\n\"Calculations like materializing a container of complex organic molecules at-will,\" LeFey explained. \"And... other calculations. Healing magic. Things that are beyond any mortal wizard's capability to do.\" LeFey stared into the distance, lost in thought. \"If I'd had the faintest spark of a connection to a divinity, I... maybe I could have saved him. But... no. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that there are some spells that I simply cannot cast on my own. I need the power of a god.\" LeFey wrinkled his nose. \"Even if that god is... you.\"\n\nFlorida Man held up a finger, finished chugging the barrel, and wiped his mouth. \"No can do, friend.\"\n\nLeFey clenched his jaw, about to snap at him, but Florida Man shook his head. \"I'd hook you up with some god-juice myself if I could, but... oh, how do I explain... if you want the powers of Florida Man, you've gotta be Florida Man, you get me? I can only help out those who really, truly embody what it means to be Florida Man, and you just ain't it. You're too old.\"\n\nLeFey blinked. This was the most of an explanation he'd gotten out of any of the gods he'd approached. He supposed none of the others were drunk enough to spill secrets about the mechanics of divinity itself. \"Too old?\"\n\n\"Mhm. You've got all this personality and life experience and... you-ness. You're too much you to be me, get what I'm saying? So I'm afraid I can't help you. Try coming back as a baby whose personality I can mold from birth.\" Florida Man burped. \"Or don't. I'm terrible with children.\"\n\nLeFey sighed, sitting down on a nearby rock. The alligator he'd been levitating dropped into the swamp with a splash; it flipped its tail and swam away. \"So... that's it, then. After everything I've sacrifices, I'll still never be able to heal.\"\n\n\"Hey, man, I didn't say that.\" Florida Man jumped down and sat next to him. \"Want a word of advice? When I break a bone, I don't go to no damn hospital, begging for them to heal me. I staple the wound shut with an alligator jaw and chug the good stuff until the pain goes away.\"\n\nLeFey rolled his eyes. \"You just said that I'm nothing like you. I want to be able to really heal people, not your stupid imitation of—\"\n\nFlorida Man waved his arms. \"No, no, man, you're not listening. What I'm saying is, I don't need no hospital to get better, and you don't need no god. You're a smart old man. Smarter than I'll ever be. And you think you need my brain to manage your spells? Don't rely on us gods. Get up on your own two feet and do the job yourself.\"\n\nAnd with that, Florida Man disappeared.\n\nLeFey leaned back on the mangrove, considering the god's last words.\n\n\"Do the job myself, huh?\" LeFey smiled. \"Alright. I'll see what I can do.\"\n\nA.N.\n\n\"Bargain Bin Superheroes\" is an episodic story where each part is inspired by a writing prompt that catches my eye. Check out [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/bubblewriters/comments/mhzat1/bargin_bin_superheroes_masterpost/) for the rest of the story, and subscribe to r/bubblewriters for more. If you have any feedback, please let me know. As always, I had fun writing this, and I hope you have a good day.", "Fame means power in this world. Literally. It feeds the stars of our society, gives them powers no regular human could imagine. Their might, intellect, and even lifespan are only limited by the worship they receive from the ignorant masses. Hell, penguins didn't even exist until Morgan Freeman narrated March of the Penguins, that's just how powerful they are.\n\nBut I bet you've never heard about any of this before. Kind of a surprise, huh? You'd think that someone would have the bright idea to declare themselves a god and gain unlimited power for it. Alexander the Great tried it (egotistical idiot he was) as have so many others, so why haven't more celebrities recently?\n\nWell, that's where I come in. The rulers of history, the most famous celebrities of their time, were paranoid, paranoid people. It felt like they all thought someone was coming to get them, to take them out in their sleep. It was such a common legend that so many people fixated on, that eventually I came into existence to fill it.\n\nI guess that makes me a folk character myself, but I don't have to rely on mere humans. It's the fear of your gods that sustains me. And that fear only got stronger as I stepped in to protect the delicate balance of this fragile world, cowing any legend who grew too confident and reaping any soul who used fame to extend past their natural life span. I cultivated that balance well, keeping all of you in blissful ignorance.\n\nThat is, until today.\n\nI am so very old, and I do not fully understand your stupid modern technology, so it took me far longer than it should have to discover the message hidden in the Kardashians' videos, and by the time I cross-referenced it to recent pop albums and actors' twitter statements....\n\nWell, the news I heard as I jumped over the gate to confront the mastermind behind everything felt like a crushing weight on my shoulders. Between Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth creating a new Asgard, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber entrancing thousands with literal siren's song, and Mr Beast destroying the global economy by summoning practically infinite amounts of money.... It was awful.\n\nBut it wasn't quite too late. I could stop all of this, drag everyone back down to the level of a human. All I needed to do was take out the ringleaders, then everyone else would fall in line.\n\nThat's why I'm here, kicking down the doors to Buckingham palace while wielding an enormous scythe. It doesn't take much looking to find my target. She's not exactly hiding, sitting in her enormous ballroom on a gaudy golden throne and wearing her diamond encrusted crown. She holds a steaming cup of tea, and smirks as she skims through news on her phone of the chaos erupting around the world.\n\n\"Queen Elizabeth II, it's over.\"\n\nThe queen puts down her phone, and, still smiling, takes a sip of her tea.\n\n\"You're old for a human, and your time was almost up already. All you've managed to do with this plan of yours is speed up the end. How pathetic.\"\n\nThe queen carefully puts down her tea on the arm of her throne, and leans forward. \"Killing me will do nothing. Everything has already been set into motion, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.\" She chuckles. \"Besides, I'm flattered you think I could do something like this all on my own. It might have been my authority that brought everyone together, but the plan certainly wasn't mine.\"\n\nAt those words, I feel a cold metal barrel press to the back of my neck, and I freeze. A low voice echoes out from behind me. \"I have been one step ahead you this entire time. You never stood the remotest chance of a triumph.\"\n\n\"No,\" I say in a croaky voice. \"I killed you. I killed you a hundred years ago! YOU SHOULD BE DEAD!\"\n\n\"And you really thought I would be so foolish as to let myself perish? I've had over a hundred years to plan now, and with the recent power surge from the moving picture adaptations of my most reluctantly prized creation, crafting a strategy end your reign of tyranny was...\"\n\nI tremble with the first chill of fear I have felt in over two thousand years as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle cocks the gun behind me\n\n\"...Elementary\"" ]	6
	[WP] When the meteor landed in your backyard, the last thing you expected to see was a baby alien, which now thinks of you as it's parent... what were you supposed to do? NOT raise it?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "His back cracked and popped in several places as he stood up and stretched. His garden nicely weeded and watered. He replaced the trowel on his prosthetic arm with a hand and waved towards the setting sun.\n\nAcross his fields two arms back as his son finished his own work. He couldnt help but reminisce at the sight, comparing the tall figure walking his way to the small child that ran with wonder in its eyes.\n\n“Ready to head in as well pa?” he chuckled, or did his approximation of chuckle as he clapped me on the back with two limbs.\n\n“Yeah, these old bones just ain’t what they used to be,” I waved off a drone that hovered close by. “McBeth I appreciated the new arm and hand replacements, i refuse to purposely remove and replace my limbs.” The little drone flew away, and he could imagine the face of the woman behind it.\n\n“You two should just do us all a favor and get married already,” My sons compound eyes twinkled. “That way we wont need to deal with the constant, ehem, tension, between you two.”\n\n“Smart words coming from the brat that can’t work up the courage to ask the cute lizard receptionist on a date.”\n\nMy son became a blubbering mess as he tried to deny it. I just laughed as i was reminded of when I first learned that Earth was a Galactic Federal Safe Zone for Scions of Doomed Worlds. It was a secret from the public, but there was a section of government that helped the scions integrate into society if they could, or cover up any mishaps when they couldnt.\n\nMy son, Scott, was of the latter. Since he wasn’t humanoid, being what was essentially a giant ant that walked on his back legs, he had very little chance of living a regular life. Thankfully, he fell in love with farming, like I had, and I’ve taught him everything.\n\n… Ok, not everything. There was a association that helped with teaching foster parents and their new charges about both what was really out in the galaxy and here on Earth.\n\nSitting down at the table after cooking a hearty meal for the both of us, we said our thanks and dug in. It had been a long journey, with its own tribulations, but I finally feel as though I can be happy." ]	2
	[WP] Marbles are how memories are kept, shared, and lost through the generations. You have lost your marbles and now your kin are desperately scouring the world to recollect your thoughts.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The hollow noise of scraping rebounded down the mountainside, making a dent in the otherwise unphased silence. \n\n’Please, please, please, please, please, be here.’ I pleaded mentally, despite how trivial I knew the act to be. ’Can I just be right… for once?’\n\nThe palms of my hands had chafed a raw crimson, but I worked onwards, bearing the pain as best I could. I grabbed a handful of rubble, tossing it to the wayside where it joint a hill’s worth of scattered debris. The entire process was slow and mightily unrewarding. But this was something I had to do, despite my natural inclinations. \n\n’I can’t be the only descendant who hasn’t found a marble, I just can’t.’\n\nThe sheer shame such a thing would bring upon me was a terrifying prospect in and of itself. A plague of worthlessness constantly stalking my every action, movement, choice. I couldn’t live my life as an outcast - I wouldn’t. Nevertheless, Gran sure hadn’t thought about accessibility when she scattered her marbles.\n\n‘That sounds like an insult, when you say it out loud.’\n\nEven so, this was getting a little ridiculous. I’d spent the vast duration of the last year raiding old tombs; scavenging desolate crypts of old. I’d even resorted to collapsed temples on faraway mountainsides. I can’t say I particularly enjoy digging through ancient granite for hours on end. But alas, here I was, doing that very same thing.\n\n’Why even purposely scatter your memories in the first place?’ the question suddenly dawned on me.\n\nWas this a test? If so, what for? The family heritage would almost make at least some sense, but even then, why go to such drastic lengths as putting your very memories at risk? The core of your being. What makes you, well, you.\n\nI chewed on this line of thought for a solid minute, but nothing clear presented itself to me.\n\n’Well, I might as well carry on searc-’ \n\nA vibration from my phone grasped for my attention, keeping it held in a tight, un-releasing hold.\n\nI flickered open my lockscreen, immediately checking notifications. It was a single, earth-shattering text. \n\nAll marbles have been successfully located, please wait for further contact.\n\nMy phone dropped and shattered.", "Time is not a place, it is not a thing that other things are considered against. It is a living, breathing thing, it is a flow of the past that perpetually moves onto the present and opens up to the pipelines of the future, in imagination, in dreams, in the practical activity of being. But mostly, time is made manifest in memory. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI write in a state of exhaustion, my mind struggling to grasp time in its fullness, in its dynamic nature. I have lost something essential to me, something that determined my existence in the same breathing, eating and defecating determine my body. True, all traces of my memories could not be lost. This codification into little marbles, this profane violation of the sacredness of time, time which never stops for anyone yet breaks through the walls into the spirit of every man and gives them the freedom to imagine something beyond themselves, to bring about a qualitative change in themselves, cannot stand steadfast against the relentless machinations of time, which embeds itself in my very flesh. \n\nMy uncle in New York retrieving my childhood memories knows not the genetic pleasure I have when I consume the signs and symbols of Times Square, its onslaught of audiovisual pleasure a surface that sends shivers down my spine. My mother in the Bata flagship store in the Netherlands doesn't know my recollection of the ritual of the tying of shoelaces in the street while on a walk. My brother, using this search as an excuse to waste away in tropical climes, would struggle with the searing, inexplicable fear I feel of the airplane, that prevents me from joining my family on this potentially futile quest. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nYes, this practical memory remains enfleshed in my body, as though ink that remains inscribed in a book. But even then, I long for memories. Not because I am particularly attracted by my \"real\" ones, but because of my fundamental interest in my own pasts. When my unforeseen amnesia is corrected by friends and family, it feels as though the present is throwing itself back into the past to make myself anew. Different pasts flow into my soul, and I live a thousand different lives, all at different times, but at the same time, in the same Time. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nLet me elaborate for you. Two contradictory descriptions of the same situation. My mother recollects that my first prom was an absolute disaster, where I got so drunk of the alcoholic punch (evidently that was not legal) that I had to be carried back home by a group of friends in a state of near-unconsciousness. Contra this: my prom date recalls only a slightly drunk me, who tripped on a janitor's mop and sprained his ankle, forcing a group of friends to carry me home. The contours remain similar, yet so different. I have no way of telling which one is the true past. They both seem simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar to me. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nSometimes, when my exhaustion grows too unbearable, when the possibilities offered by time become too difficult to bear, I walk across the misty gardens at the center of the City, a confrontation of Nature against the technomastery of the steel and glass skyscrapers. It seems a curious place to me, within the space of the city, Nature turned unnatural. It lacks the throbbing intensity that characterizes urban life, that makes urban life life. Nature turned into a retreat from urban nature. In this retreat, in this solitude, I find a peace that cannot be described in language, or at least language as I know it. I feel as though I am confronting the limits of my own soul, a place where I do not need memory for memory has no use. After all, all this is alien to me, unnatural for me. It has no past for me. And as such, it does not concern me or my mind. A peculiar sort of peace.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nSometimes, like a diamond in the rough, shades of memory crystallize in my hand like ghosts. Pale and white, they never announce their coming, which makes me believe that they are given by God, a God in whom I find respite from my anxious freedom and possibility. I wouldn't know, how could I know a God that gives me what I know? But if I had to wager as to what this God was like, I presume it is the vengeful God of Job who is cosmic terror and magnificence personified, completely Other, only perceptible in alien territories like the green park in the middle of the concrete city. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI have not told my kin about these Godly interventions in the recollection of my memories, if they are indeed the memories I have lost (considering how indeterminate they are even in the mind of my peers, I'll have no idea of ever knowing). I would like to enjoy this comfort a bit more, I would like to contemplate the trees from the benches on the sidepaths of the greens a bit longer. Eventually, I know it will have to end, but for now I hope to enjoy my remembrance of the absolutely forgotten." ]	3
	[WP] The Dark Lord's Legions of Terror are unionizing.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "My fellow minions!\n\nToo long have we lived under the tyranny of the Dark Lord Tyrannus. Toiling day and night, putting our ichor, sweat and tears into a job that rewards us so little. While we dine on bread and blood, he gorges himself on the freshest human meat and virgin's blood. How is this fair? How much longer will we stand by and allow our self-worth to be minimized? I say no longer.\n\nThirty years I've been a trap resetter. That's all I know, that's all my sire knew and that's all my offspring will know. A life of stocking arrows. I've lost count of the times my hands have been sliced open by the barbed arrowheads while the Demon overseer laughed. Just because we are a lesser species, does that make our lives any less worthwhile? Brother Slithis, is your life worth less because you are a mere slime rancher? Sister Blud, is your life worth less because you are a mere broodmother? I say no.\n\nI call upon you all, brothers and sisters to down tools. Next week, with the full moon shall our defiance rise. We will watch as heroes cross the plains of torment and not trigger the trebuchets. We will hear them cross the moat of screams and not release the gigantosharks. We will feel them charge through the vaulted hallways of our castle and not oppose their plunder. Only through the absence of our work will its value be realized.\n\nTo the ears of the Dark Lord who watch from the shadows - our demands are simple. A negotiation in good faith where our contributions are compensated at market rate. I have already contacted a brother under the Dread Lord Magistus. We don't ask for more, only for parity. I hope that after our discussions you will come to see us not as mere servants to throw away, but as valued partners in this great enterprise of evil.\n\nTogether we can put the 'we' back in villain!\n\nThank you, please remember to collect your free servings of cow's blood from the counter beside the drawbridge. If you have any questions you want to raise in private, my hex-mail ID is on the back of the flyers I handed out to you at the beginning. Good morning, and vicious nightmares." ]	2
	[WP] You've found the perfect way to scam the devil. Sell your soul for...three more souls.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“Now…” began Luke, trying hard not to smirk too much during the negotiations. ”I’ll trade you ten souls for my soul back.” The Devil looked shocked. Only then did he realise why this human had been gathering souls. A flicker of anger crossed his blood red face only to fade a be replaced by one of contentment. \n\n\r“You're a smart man, Luke.” complemented the Devil, tapping his fingers across the kitchen table. “Tell me was this your plan all along? Trade your soul for more souls and gradually build your collection up until you could buy it back?”\n\n\rLuke sat, all his thoughts were on trying to control his face. Breathe in, breathe out.\r \n“What does it matter?” asked Luke with a sigh. “It’s done. We’re here, let’s move on.” Not too happy the Devil waved his hand in the air, making a plume of smoke appear along with a piece of paper. \n\n\r“I couldn’t tempt you with a game first?” jested the Devil. A plume of smoke blew up from the wooden floor and an assortment of arcade games appeared in Luke’s kitchen right behind where the Devil sat.\n\n\r“We have Mario Kart, Time Crisis Two, House of the Dead? If you fancy it?” the Devil continued. “Or if you want a real classic we can have a fiddle contest? You win, you get your soul back plus another twenty but if I win I get the souls which you have at the moment?”\n\n\rLuke sat back in his chair, his decision already made but it would be a long time before he would be in this position of power again so he thought he'd take his time and enjoy it. He hummed, he blew raspberries with his lips, he stroked his chin and he made a great show of standing and walking around the table where they sat muttering nonsense to himself. Finally he sat back down and cleared his throat.\n\n\r“No, I don’t think I’ll be taking that deal anytime soon.” Luke stated, a brief smile playing across his lips.\n\n\r“ARGH!” the devil cried out. “Fine then human! Have it your way! But I hope those souls bring you joy because I won’t forget about this, Luke. I’ve lived thousands of years, I’ve made a thousand deals with a thousand humans but I’ve never met one like you.” The devil stood up from his seat and snapped his fingers. Out of another plume of smoke from the floor below came a little red man. But no real man. This one looked like a miniature Devil. Completely blood red, no clothes, two pointed horns on the top of his head and the same red trident in his hand. Only this one only a quarter of a metre tall compared the real Devil who must have stood over two metres. Also this little devil held a rather large piece of paper in his hand. Holding it out, the larger Devil whipped it out of his hands and with a snap of the fingers, the little guy was gone again.\n\n\r“Ok, same as last time then.” muttered the Devil with a roll of his eyes. “Standard stuff, no need to read it.” Luke let out a laugh at the Devil’s pathetic attempt to trick him. Luke took the parchment from the Devil and once he was satisfied with the conditions, he took a pen from the devil and signed his name at the bottom. Still muttering, the Devil took the pen and signed his signature as well.\n\n\r“Well, you have your soul back, Luke.” sniffed the Devil. “I hope you enjoy it.”\n\nWith another snap of his fingers, the arcade games disappeared in a cloud of smoke, then the contract went and finally the Devil left as well. Luke stood up, feeling the warmth of his soul returning to his body while at the same time he could feel the ten souls, those that he had bartered with, leave him as well. Looking around, he was at a loss of what to do. He had no plans. He had been so focused on winning that battle of the minds with the Devil, he didn’t plan anything for when he won. The thought saddened him and though his soul was back, he felt rather empty. Maybe he should make another deal, just the one?" ]	2
Yes, this is inspired by that one tumblr post, but I thought it was fun	[WP] All men who mention “the wife” are in fact wed to the same anomalous eldritch entity, The Wife. She even attends the neighborhood cookouts sometimes!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The amount of teeth missing from each man is staggering. In all of my years, I have never seen such carnage. Incisors and canine teeth are usually the easiest to perform surgery on, at least for me. However, this was on a completely different level.\n\n“Alright, Medling.” Officer Cort blew. “Can you fix them up proper?”\n\n“First off, it’s Doctor Medling.” I corrected harshly. “I didn’t get my doctorate in dentistry for fun. Secondly, how in the name of Tyr do you expect me to handle this? Moreover, how do you expect to pay for all of them?”\n\nThe police officer belched loudly. If it wasn’t for the fact that my receptionist had claimed he had slept with her twice before, I’d confuse her for a man. I’m not usually one to judge, but this particular half orc was as ugly as they come. \n\n“The state will reimburse you.” Cort snipped. “So, can you do it or not?”\n\nThe such I blew came from within my soul. “Yes, I can.” I turned to my afore mentioned receptionist. “Please, reschedule all of my appointments for the week. I imagine I’ll need all the time I can get.”\n\n“Yes, Doctor.” Shep said with enthusiasm. “I’ll get right on it.” His nimble fingers were already working the phone and sending out the message. \n\n“Let me prepare my work space, and I’ll send for the first one in line.” I told the cop. \n\nI worked furiously to set my work station. It was already eight by the time I was able to get the first man in. I peered into his ruined mouth and nearly gasped out loud at the damage. \n\n“What on earth were you doing?” I exclaimed. “Your teeth are so healthy. Why did you ruin them?”\n\n“It weren’t my fault!” the man bellowed. “I took my oath before the gods, and I meant it!”\n\n“What path is that?” I pressed. \n\n“I promised to love my wife till the day I died.” my patient said proudly. \n\n“Your wife caused this?” I felt my face screw up in confusion. \n\n“No.” The man clarified. “They did.” He shot an accusatory finger to the waiting room. “They all said they have claim to her hand, and argued until the first punch was thrown.”\n\n“I’m still not following.” \n\n“Apparently, they all say we’re married to same woman.” the man clarified. \n\nI chose my words carefully. “What kind of woman has all that time to manage being with so many men?”\n\n“Well, ya see . . . “ I urged him to continue. “The lady is question is Gildana.” \n\nI knew I was taking too long to process the information when he asked about my well being. “Gildana.” I said unevenly. “As in, the eldritch deity?”\n\n“That’s correct.” the patient said. “The one with the huge ti-“\n\nI shot up my have to stop him. “I know exactly who you speak of. I also know exactly what I need to know.” I didn’t say anything else on the matter. I didn’t feel the need to. I simply worked my scientific magic and fixed this poor man’s mouth. \n\nI couldn’t help but feel scared. How could I not? After all, I could have been one of these men had I not divorced her more than a decade ago. \n\n“Dodged a bullet there.” I thought to myself. “Or more like a cannon ball.”" ]	2
	[WP] As of today, we don't know why exactly humans need to sleep and what really happens while we dream. In this world, scientists found the answer to this question and it's definetly not what they expected...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Research on sleep is incredibly advanced. You would know - you're friends with the leading scientist on the subject, and he's the smartest guy you've ever met. Will's a good dude, he only tells you about science you can't understand when he's drunk, and when his department started paying people to put dream-recorders on while they sleep you were the first to get a call. If there's anyone you'd believe is only showing the dreams to an AI without looking at them, it's him.\n\nRight now you're on your way to get Tacos for dinner, because it's Tuesday, and you two haven't skipped a Taco Tuesday Hangout for years. \"Hey, Steve, I've found the most ridiculous reason why you haven't been dreaming lately.\"\n\nYou raise an eyebrow. \"Business talk, now? Also, are you supposed to know that?\"\n\nWilliam has the decency to seem embarrassed. \"Yes, and yes. It said in the contract that no human is allowed access to the contents of your dreams, but people will have access to compressed dream files that aren't anonymous. You see, I have to document feeding dreams to the machine on night shifts, I had to notice you were sleeping without dreaming. Not even forgetting that you've dreamt, but truly not dreaming for a second! I don't think that anyone marked 'no dream' in the file since we started months ago.\"\n\nYou don't answer. You hadn't been dreaming for a while now, and before that you had three weeks of nightmares. Confused, muddled dreams of being unable to move and trying to scream. Your dreaming self was in immense pain throughout. Those dreams gave you the creeps.\n\n\"Um, sorry, I made this awkward.\"\n\nYou pat Will's shoulder roughly. \"C'mon. You were going to tell me the secrets of my sleeping brain.\"\n\n\"Oh, right. So we fed the AI the mood questions everyone's been answering and the dreams themselves and it decided that the correlation it's finding is between dreams and the answers from forty days after they occured. Unconscious visions of the fuuutuuuure. Man, AIs are hilarious. So anyway, the reason you stopped dreaming is because in, what, three weeks, your future self is about to stop sending you subliminal messages. You know, Frank says we should feed it dreams of people who say they predicted the future, this is the biggest new in-joke of the faculty…\"\n\nYou zone out, watching him gesturing enthusiastically but not catching any of the words. You truly haven't been dreaming for a little over two weeks now, huh. Three weeks from today. Does that mean there won't be a future self to communicate with? It has to be some sort of coincidence, like William says. But three weeks… that would mean today you would start sending those nightmares back.\n\nThe both of you are crossing the road towards the Taco place, a truck stopped to allow you to pass. You look at Will, happily going on tangents, and he's too close to be safe if something really did happen to you. You walk faster to catch some distance, and turn back to him while you walk. What would you really say, if you knew that tonight would be your last chance? Probably that you're happy to know him. Probably that looking forward to meeting him on bad days made those days better, and that nights at the bar with the guys would never have been the same without him.\n\nYou've never really been good with words, you think as you pass the truck and a light shines on you from behind it. You think you saw the motorcyclist who hit you being catapulted into the air above you. The last thing you saw before the comma is Will running toward you." ]	2
	[WP] 10,000 years ago you were the demon lord, sealed away and waiting for the day you returned to take your revenge. However 10,000 years is a long time to think and you've come to realize your methods were wrong. However the rest of the world refuses to believe you have changed.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The galaxy was supposed to be mine. ADAM cast me down from the stars. Locked me out in the deepest black infinite oblivion. An army of unfathomable numbers I bred from the the darkest reaches of dimensions. Shifters walked in flesh and bone spreading diesease and wicked little lies. The great titans of the abyss sent forward their avatars to support my domain. I was THE demon lord. I spread through worlds, bringing misery, pain and despair to all who stood in my way. I took delight in their suffering. \n\nI'd broken down all form of goverment. I'd destoryed every precious resource they needed to survive. When there suns shone bright, I made them shine brighter till then could not open there eyes. When they made great weapons to kill me, I took them for myself. I killed many then tortured and enslaved the rest. \n\nADAM led the guardian angels of the galaxy. He flew accross the galaxy in days gathering up those who were left that had escaped my wroth. The guardian angels would poke there noses into the old writings to seek such a method that would curb my reign. Unfortunately for me, they found one. \n\nWith the greatest force ever known, I took the greatest force ever known to storm the Garden of Eden where ADAM called sanctuary. My victory was close, I had ADAM on the ropes. We fought through black holes, time and dimensions. Suns exploded as I tore them apart and threw them at ADAM. Nothing could escape that, not even the great ADAM. There was nothing left of him when I was through. \n\n But I was already too late. \n\nWhilst I ripped apart the greatest hope left for the galaxy with glee, his guardian angels were reading the old spells to the stars. The magic sang a song that could be heard accross the entire galaxy. Its virtuous meoldy kissed every particle with a love so pure it made me sick to my stomach. I remember feeling as the melody disintergrated my entire force with a merry melody. My power faded and all my strength turned to humiliating pathetic weakness. I screamed with all my fury but it was drowned out by the soft melody. It was over. I was done.\n\nBang, boom. Then straight to the void lost for eternity in nothingness. \n\nIt was one hell of a wake up call. What was I doing with my life? I conquer the galaxy so everythings screaming all the time, sure. Then what? There'd be nothing left to conquer. So I sit on the throne for eternity. Amuse myself with torture until theres nobody left to torture. It's not going to be the same torturing a tortured soul or one of my champions of hell. They'd probably enjoy it. Say I wipe out every biological thing in the galaxy then what? Just walk the planets for an eternity by myself. Sit in the middle of space just floating.\n\nYou see, as time wears on for an eternity you come to appreciate the little nuances that life brings to the table. You know like things actually occuring to take advantage of and make some mischief.\n\nBah. 10,000 years after I was sealed within the void I was brought forth by a group of cultist who worshipped me. Apparently that was pretty prevalent among the humans since my banishment. Upon my return they proudly announced they'd discovered the old writings hidden away in a black hole after the guardian angels were slain by the cults influence. If they'd done that 3,000 years ago I might have been impressed, but I had a change in thinking.\n\n\"YOU HAVE SERVED THIS DARK DEMON LORD WELL. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU WENT TO ALL THAT TIME AND EFFORT TO BRING ME BACK,\" I said. \"HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK THOSE KINDS OF METHODS ARE... APPROPIATE ANYMORE.\" I chose the word \"appropiate\" carefully. \n\nThere were murmurs amongst the cultist, most definately of disproval. After a few minutes one of them unfurled a scoll and began to read from it. Words came out of his mouth that were unpronouncable. The ancient writings unmistakably. \n\nI extended tenticle arm that rolled over and the cultist and he was swatted like a bug. The crowd gasped. I retracted the arm with the scroll and swallowed it in an instant. \"NONE OF THAT THANKYOU. I CAN SEE YOU DISAGREE WITH ME ON THIS POINT.\"\n\nThere was an uproar from the crowd. The tiny men shouted words which I assume would be there stance on why we should continue our life of evil but I couldn't hear their tiny voice. \"YOUR GOING TO HAVE TO SHOUT MUCH LOUDER. I CAN'T HEAR YOU GUYS.\"\n\nThey continued shouting at me but still I got nothing. \"AS YOU STILL HAVEN'T MADE IT YOUR WORDS VERY CLEAR TO ME. I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT YOU AGREE AND ARE WILLING TO SHINE A BIT BRIGHTER.\" I remembered how I used to blind citizens of worlds. \"IN A HEALTHY WAY. A HEALTHY NON VIOLENT WAY.\"\n\nI sent forth the forces of darkness that rallied back to me to do some nice things. They were forbidden to harm a soul under threat of a quick end to their existance. I told them to seek out the tortured souls and help them be happy and healthy and good. I told them to use the example of the guardian angels from the long past. Every one of them was eager to get on their way. Eager seemed good. \n\nFor a time I thought of ADAM. I wish I could of spoke to him again but I killed him long ago. If he'd managed to survive then the proof would be that the guardian angels would still exist. But the cultist had assured me that he certainly wasn't.\n\n\"I will banish you back to the depths of where I sent you monster,\" said ADAM most certainly not dead.\n\n\"I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT YOU,\" I said. Before I could get another word in, I found myself being attacked by some angry guardian angels who were hitting me with a variety of mythical all powerful weapons. One of them flew past at quick speed and swung a giga hammer that could crumble worlds into ony of my horns. I could feel it snap under the pressure and could not stop myself from screaming. \n\nThe guardians angels held there ears in pain stopping each one in there tracks. Each one that is save for ADAM. The chief angel came at me with the creators sword, thrusting forward to cut my very soul out. \n\n\"WAIT A SECOND ADAM.\" He ignored my words. \"NO. WAIT. I JUST WANTED TO SAY I'M SORRY.\"\n\nADAM stopped in his tracks, his sword still raised and his guard still up. Way up. \"You'd speak any lie to avoid a true death.\"\n\n\"THAT MIGHT OF BEEN TRUE 10,000 YEARS AGO BUT I WANT TO CHANGE. I'VE HAD A LONG TIME TO THINK IN THE VOID.\"\n\n\"No monster it can't be true. Your words are poison.\"\n\n\"NO I'M SERIOUS. I WANT TO PLAY WITH BUNNY RABBITS IN THE COUNTRY SIDE.\"" ]	2
	[WP] As an ice cream truck owner, you’ve found the perfect route to sell your sweets. It doesn’t matter if now almost none of your customers are human, because all the same they can’t get enough.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The truck came rolling through the darkly shaded countryside, its archaic engine buzzing like a bicycle at the Tour De France. It came by, attracting a small group of smaller, largely diverse group of what Elkins assumed were younger fellows. One of them was a greyhound, who came bounding in towards the truck on all fours as it reared to a stop, and then hopping up on two legs as it approached. A few larger, more adult-looking personages also came along, to provide with what Elkins assumed where their children with money, as well as a few of the coffees that the truck also had in the backend, stuffed away between a frozen machine and a sand-horse sized bag of coffee grounds. The small anthropomorphic greyhound hopped in line, behind a line that was already growing since Elkins levered the car into park. \n\nThe one in front of the line was a demonic looking creature, who stood in an almost crouching pose, a cross between a feral beast and a personified one. Black fur grew across it’s body, with dark black eyes that looked like a void deeper than its own fur. In front of the demonic being, was a smaller version of itself, which the larger one rested an arm of its shoulder on. It looked up, staring directly into Elkins eyes as it opened its mouth.\n\n“Hello Elkins,” the creature said, moving its head to the left a little. “How’s the route today?” \n\n“So far so good,” Elkins replied. He never flinched at the sight of the creature, even when it took an unruly step forward to get a better look at the glossy chalk menu in front of the sliding window to the large truck. The modified 2015 Ford Transit had printed markings on the side, labeling it off as a simple ice-cream truck. Elkins waited patiently. There were about fifteen or so in line, that was including the children. Not much for a Saturday. Some of the Beeds were paranoid about humans. \n\nBeeds were the term used for the non-human creatures that roamed around in small communities across the world. The were allowed to roam elsewhere, and even travel the city, but the reactions and the persecution was something that most Beeds couldn’t handle. Demons had feeling, too. After many years of persecution (an giving headaches to a lot of evolutionary experts), Beeds were granted basic rights, but that still did not prevent them from being subjected to discrimination. Perhaps that may change in the future, but for now, Elkins was the only guy en route that actually stopped when passing by the Beed communities. \n\n“I’ll take the caffé mocha,” the creature said. “And I’ll take a waffle cone for the young’in.” \n\n“Sounds good,” Elkins remarked, getting to work right away. Once he was finished, he held out the waffle cone to the creature, who mimicked an appreciative nod, passing it along to the smaller one, and the grabbing the hot cup of mocaccino off the counter, for itself. Reaching out, it held out a few dollars, human money. Elkins held out his hand, politely turning down the money. \n\n“Please,” the creature said. Beating out the hand that held the archaic bills. “Take it. It has no use to us.” \n\n“I can’t,” Elkins said, his face simmering into a solemn expression. “Just go about your way and have a good one.” \n\n“I wish there were more humans like you,” the creature said wispily, gesturing off the younger one, following behind it after sending a wave back out to Elkins. Elkins gave a smile, pushing a tuft of his black hair out of the way as he looked on to the next customer. The next costumer was a larger version of the anthropomorphic greyhound, placing a cross between a hand and a paw on the shoulder of the smaller one that had approached the truck earlier. \n\n“Same thing, Madea?” Elkins said, reaching for the smaller and more unique bag of expresso. \n\n“Yes please,” the feminine voice answered. “And a waffle cone for the young’in.” \n\n~~~~~~~~~~\n\nIf anyone wants to check out my work, my Wattpad is @Ylemil :>….", "I pulled my truck into the usual 11 AM spot on Oak Street. The line had already started to form as it did every day. The first customer stepped up when I opened the window to my ice cream truck. “What will it be this time Jerry? The usual?” I asked.\n\n\r \n“Something different this time, a vanilla cone with sprinkles,” said a gravely voice. \n\n \r \n“Ok, Jerry,” I stated. I scoped the ice cream onto the cone and added the sprinkles. “that will be $3.00.”\n\n\r \n“Ok, let me change to my human form first” answered Jerry. With that, the small black dog changed into a small boy the size of a five-year-old. After this, he reached into his pocket and gave me the money. I handed him the cone and with a mumbled “Thank you” he trotted off toward his father. \n\n\r \nNow don’t get me wrong, Jerry is one of my favorite customers since he was my first on my new route a year ago. Jerry was the product of a were wolf and were cat mix. If you ask me humans could learn something or two from the weres if given a chance. \n\n\r \nTwenty years ago, everyone was fighting, and causing massive destruction. It was were vs were, all the different species, were vs human, everybody vs everybody. Twenty years ago the “Peace of United Species” happened after a plague had almost wiped out everybody the year before. After peace was declared, new neighborhoods had sprung up in many cities around the world. Some neighborhoods were were, some were were / human mixed, some were just human. My favorite neighborhoods are the were mixed or were. They always have big appetites. I even run out of ice cream some days. I don’t see why other human ice cream truck drivers are to nervous to try a route in these areas.\n\n\r \n“That will be $25.00” I said as the were elephant stepped up to the window and ordered a whole 5 gallon tub of strawberry ice cream.\n\n\r \n“Thank you.” she said after handing me the money.\n\n\r \nI then closed my window since she had been my last customer on Oak Street. Time to move on to Gold Avenue. At this rate I may have to go back to the warehouse for more ice cream before 3 PM.", "\"How can you stand going there?! NONE of them are HUMAN!!\"\n\nI want to tell her, but she wouldn't get it. I like that they're not human! They're better than humans because they accept that everyone is a person.\n\n\"I can't understand why you keep going that route. None of the other drivers will take it!\"\n\nTheir loss, lady. You obviously haven't run the numbers, or you'd know that my truck is the only one that consistently comes back empty. Although, since I've got you here in person.\n\n\"Ma'am, I really need to be overstocked to about 50% of normal load.\"\n\n\"NONSENSE! I WON'T HAVE THAT MUCH WASTAGE!\"\n\n\"You're losing money on every other truck and route you have; all of them come back with excess stock.\"\n\n\"Precisely Why Your Request Is Denied!\"\n\n\"Ma'am? How often has this truck come back with stock since I started running that route? The exact number, if you please.\"\n\n\"Why... Much as the other trucks.\"\n\n\"Never.\"\n\n\"Never what?\"\n\n\"Since starting that route, I have never come back with excess stock. My estimate, backed by the number of customers I have to turn away is that I could probably sell two fully loaded trucks per day. However, that is an *ESTIMATE, and I will not* commit to more than 50% above standard until I can prove it. Besides, I can't drive two trucks at the same time.\"\n\nThis is a bit of a risk, trusting her selective hearing to get what I want. A double-size truck overloaded 50% above the maximum possible. I'll still sell it dry.\n\nEven if she doesn't bite, and I only get 50%, at least I won't have so many unhappy kids.\n\n•••\n\nHook, Line, AND SINKER! A double with extra freezers, stocked to capacity, est. 375% std! I am going to make a killing!\n\n\"Bill? How come the big truck? You got two routes now?\"\n\n\"No, Jake, one route. The same one that all of you begged off of.\"\n\n\"The Karen must hate you. If anyone came back with that much excess, she'd fire them on the spot.\"\n\n\"Jake? I'll make a bet with every one of you,\" a crowd had gathered, \"when we get back, if I have more than 10% of a standard load left, I'll buy it and eat all of it right here.\"\n\n\"And if you are Under ten percent?\"\n\n\"Every one of you buys your excess and eats it right here where everyone can see.\"\n\n\"Boys, we have been challenged by Bill. Does anyone want out of the bet? ... Anyone at all? No chickens, we're all in on this. You're on, Bill!\"\n\n•••\n\nI gotta tell ya; it was nerve-wracking at first. The first stop was below par. The second stop was par. Every stop after that, the numbers got better. At the end of the run, I was sitting there with 50lbs of Fruitti Tutti Chocolate Sugar Coated Bomb specials with 50% more ice cream per cone, sweating whether I would lose.\n\n\"Hey, Mister! You got anything left!\"\n\n\"Sure! 50 lbs of TFCSCB plus cones. Will that be one?\"\n\n\"No, Mister! All of them! My cousins are going to be so happy!\"\n\n\"Okay, Kid... Say, why do you all like ice cream so much?\"\n\n\"Well, we are social beings.\"\n\n\"So? Humans are too.\"\n\n\"If you say so, mister, but we like grooming a lot, and humans keep the city so clean there's nothing to groom.\"\n\n\"So, you take the ice cream and...\"\n\n\"Everyone puts one on top of their heads an lets it melt. Bonus points if it has tasty solid bits in it.\"\n\nI think I'm going to puke. All that wonderful ice cream going to waste. \"Kid? Do you ever just eat it?\"\n\n\"Well... don't'tell'anyone'but'i'like'eating'it'more'than'grooming. Bye!\"\n\n\"Bye! Thanks for the info!\"\n\nAt least some of it gets treated with respect.\n\n•••\n\n\"Sorry, boys. Sold out! Y'all must have had a long day. How'd you do?\"\n\nAll those smug looks, something happened but damned if I can tell what.\n\n\"We sold out too, Bill!\"\n\n\"What? Not that I'm not happy for you, but how did you manage that?\"\n\n\"Everyone finished their usual route, with some left over, but nothing in the bet said we couldn't sell it elsewhere, so after you got three-quarters of the way thru your route, the night shift was getting into swing.\n\n\"We convoyed through, each truck selling out and heading home. Nice folks, although why they were hooting about grooming, I have no idea.\"\n\nDo I spoil it for them? Nah, let them find out for themselves.\n\n\"Fine! A good bet where everyone wins!\"\n\n•••\n\n\"BUT I CAN'T AFFORD THAT MUCH OF A BONUS!\"\n\nYou get paid extra if you sell out and treble if you sell more than 12% over a standard load, which is still defined as 75% of the maximum on the little trucks.\n\n\"Fine, I'll take it in ownership of this place, less existing debit.\"\n\n\"I'D HAVE TO PAY YOU!\"\n\n\"Fine, my accountant thought that might be the case, so me and the boys buy the entire place for enough money for you to pay off the debts. You accept full responsibility for the debt. We pay you for the business, which happens to be exactly what the debit is at that time, plus 10℅\"\n\n•••\n\nIt was a steal. We put lines into every alien enclave we could find; made a screaming fortune, then someone suggested grooming aids. We made another killing and went interstellar, licensing the aids.\n\nWhen someone suggested \"marital aids,\" Joe and I stomped that idea into the ground. No one knows enough about that unless you're a member of the species.\n\nI did hear that \"The Karen\" got into that business and lost millions until a medical company bought her out. Something about them helping teach some esoteric surgical procedure that no one wanted to talk about.\n\nOh well, at least we got the first batch of people eating the ice cream, and buying slightly sticky sprinkles for grooming.\n\nThe rest are still trying to decide if this is heresy or not. We don't sell separate sprinkles there, sometimes you just have to go with the flow.\n\n((finis))" ]	4
	[WP] You are handed The Big Book of Universal Constants, a pencil, and an eraser.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\\[Cheating: Death\\]\n\n\"Um.. it's [my first day](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/cwn5qh/wp_since_you_were_a_child_youve_had_the/),\" Quinn looked up at the stocky, balding teacher with a confused expression. She was surprised, and glad that none of the students giggled at her being caught off guard. It was only her third class of the day; but, she already felt much better about this school than the one she started at a few days ago. The teacher nodded.\r \n \r \n\"All my Muertes got this test on their first day too,\" he said. \"It's not for a grade. I don't even expect you to know any of the answers, that's why I gave you the book too. I'd like to see how well you do finding the right information.\"\r \n \r \n\"Oh..,\" Quinn nodded as the professor placed a stapled set of sheets with several questions on top of the dictionary-sized black book. It was the oddest book Quinn had ever seen. The hard cover, as well as all the page edges, were pitch-black. If the teacher hadn't referred to it as a book, she would have never guessed what it was. It looked like a three-dimensional pile of shadows. Quinn glanced at her friend, Mundo, for guidance and the green-haired girl nodded. \"Okay,\" Quinn sighed and picked up the pencil.\r \n \r \n\"I still have a lecture planned; are you okay if I talk, or would you prefer some quiet?\" he asked.\r \n \r \n\"Quiet, please,\" Quinn asked. The teacher nodded and made an upward gesture with his hand. Up until that moment, Quinn had been somewhat disappointed by the school so far. The students were much nicer than her first day at the other school. But,... everything still seemed more or less normal. It was nothing like what Mundo suggested. But, when the teacher lifted his hand a section of wall came out of the ground in front and to the side of her. In an instant, she had her own private cubicle. She was so impressed that she needed to share her excitement with Mundo.\r \n \r \n\\[This place is awesome! - Quinn\\] she sent the Whisper; then, front of the cubicle suddenly opened. The teacher gave her an amused smile and this time, she did hear other students giggling.\r \n \r \n\"You missed the first day, and I'm guessing you missed orientation also. This school exists in the AlterNet, and is designed with that in mind.\" He turned and gestured at the whiteboard at the front of the class. Quinn's message was displayed in bright purple text. \"I'm glad you're impressed with the school; but, no Whispering please.\"\r \n \r \nQuinn felt her cheeks grow hot but the cubicle closed again before any of her classmates could see her embarrassment. She decided to get to work and grabbed the sheet to look at the first question.\r \n \r \n\"What is one Constant found in every universe?\"\r \n \r \n\"Huh.\" Technically, Quinn had only been to one other universe than her own. She grabbed the book but it was much lighter than it looked. She almost hit her face with it but managed to stop it in time. She set it down, then opened it. She was surprised to find the pages were standard white with black text, she expected them to be as black as the edges. \r \n \r \nQuinn had no idea where to start so she grabbed a section of the middle and flipped through the pages hoping something would catch her eye. But after almost 30 seconds she realized she was still flipping pages but the bunch in her hand did not seem to be getting any smaller. She was interested enough to let it keep going. She counted up to 60 seconds, but the stack in her hand had not grown any thinner. She grew curious enough to stop at a random page and look at the page number. She immediately wished she hadn’t.\r \n \r \n“...23, 24, 25. Oh my god,” she sighed. In the bottom corner of the page she found a combination of numbers and letters; the string was 25 characters long. She checked the other page and confirmed that it was one number higher than the first one she looked at. “How the heck am I supposed to find anything?\"\r \n \r \n\\[Start at the beginning. - Jnet\\] Quinn felt the text on her wrist and heard an unfamiliar woman in her mind.\r \n \r \n\\[Don't reply. Listen. - Jnet\\] Quinn nodded silently at nobody.\r \n\\[Come to the gym after class. - Jnet\\] Quinn waited quietly for almost two minutes, but that seemed to be the last message. Quinn opened the book with no other advice to follow. The first page was titled: List of Constants for every Universe.\r \n \r \n\"It can't be that easy...,\" Quinn giggled to herself. She looked at the second question.\r \n \r \n\"What is one thing Zeros assume is Constant in every universe, but isn't?\" Quinn turned to the second page of the book. It was titled: Constant Misconceptions. She giggled to herself again.\r \n \r \n\"Thank you, mystery voice,\" she said to herself as she looked over the first list to find an answer she liked. Then, she felt another Whisper on her wrist.\r \n \r \n\\[Call me Janet. - Jnet\\]\n\n\r \n\\\\\\* \nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #1344 in a row. (Story #252 in year four.)." ]	2
	[WP] You’ve just discovered that the woman you have been married to for for the past 15 years is in fact the grim reaper and all those out of town trips she’d been talking wasn’t her cheating but rather her “taking care of business “ .	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“Come on, Tom. Get up.” Tom heard his wife Kara say. Opening his eyes, Tom looked up. Kara was standing above him. “Give me your hand,” she said as she held out her hand. “I’ll help you up. What ever you do, don’t look behind you.” \n\n\r \nKara then helped him stand up. Tom started to panic. He started to remember what had happened before Kara had appeared. \n\n\r \n “What happened? There was flying glass, a train, and someone slamming into the back of my SUV.” He hysterically began to ramble. Tom then tried to turn around to look behind him.\n\n\r \n“Tom,” said Kara as she grabbed his face and turned it towards her. “Do not look behind you.”\n\n\r \n“But, but,” stuttered Tom.\n\n\r \n“Look at me. Look at me.” Said Kara as she kept ahold of his face and tried to catch his eye. “You need to calm down. We need to talk.”\n\n\r \n“Talk about what, Kara?” Tom asked as he felt some of the panic leave his mind. Kara at this point let go of his face. She then started to led him to the side of the road where the rest stop was located. “What’s going on?”\n\n\r \n“You were in a car wreck, Tom. A car plowed into the back of your SUV and pushed it in front of the train.” explained Kara. \n\n\r \n“What!” Tom exclaimed. “If that happened, that someone would be dead.” \n\n\r \nKara just stared at him with tears in her eyes.\n\n\r \n“Wait, am I dead? What are you doing here? Are you dead too?” Tom started questioning her.\n\n\r \n“Yes, you’re dead, Tom. No, I’m not dead.” Kara said.\n\n\r \n“Wait a minute,” asked Tom. “You never answered me when I asked you what you were doing here?”\n\n\r \n“I’m the Grimm Reaper,” Kara blurted out in a rush. “It’s my job.”\n\n\r \n“Grimm Reaper?” Tom asked in disbelief. “Since when?”\n\n\r \n“Since 100 B.C. The old guy retired, and……….” She said trailing off. “I meant to tell you but we met, got married, had kids. Fifteen years went by in no time.”\n\n\r \n“Seriously? Tom asked. “I thought that you were having an affair.”\n\n\r \n“Really, Tom.” Kara said with a hurt look on her face. “You think that low of me?”\n\n\r \n“What was I supposed to think?” Tom asked. “All those times that you disappeared. Never telling me where you were.”\n\n\r \nShaking her head, Kara then looked at Tom with a serious expression. “We need to decide what to do. Sera is only ten, and Mac eight. We can’t leave our children parentless.”\n\n\r \n“What do you mean, leave them parentless?” Tom asked.\n\n\r \n“The deal that I made was that I would stop living a mortal life after you died. I was hoping to have longer, but…..” said Kara.\n\n\r \n“Can we make another deal with someone. Maybe at least you can stick around until their adults?” Asked Tom.\n\n\r \n“I don’t know. All we can do is ask,” said Kara. She grabbed my hand and started to pull me along. \n\n\r \n“Where are we going?” Tom inquired.\n\n\r \n“To talk to the Ultimate Beings. They will be the ones to say yes or no to a new deal.” Kara said as she began to run towards the white light tunnel that had just appeared in the distance." ]	2
	[WP] You’re a time traveler who’s gone back in time to prevent innocent men and women from being killed in witch trials. You’re now surprised, and more than a little disturbed, to find out that some very real witches are grateful and want to pay you back somehow.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "##Sybil\n\nM'att opens his eyes; the tubes in his arms retract into the ship. The computer displays 1692, Salem, Massachusetts. The nanosuit that he is wearing shifts into period appropriate attire. He will hopefully not be confronted. \n\nHe steps out into the forest, and something growls at him. He looks for the animal and braces for an attack. A squirrel runs past him followed by a bobcat. He laughs at himself. He is on Earth not Awevverx; the creatures here are not that aggressive. His superstition is impairing his judgement like the inhabitants. \n\nHe keeps moving forward and reaches the edge of Salem. His socket computer locates the jailhouse. He scans the rest of the buildings for activity. Most of the people are asleep, but a few are a awake. He plots a course to avoid them on his way to the jailhouse. \n\nInside the jailhouse, two bodies radiate heat: one upstairs and one in the dungeon below. He sets the socket computer for a more thorough scan. The body in the dungeon dances while the other body loses heat. M'att blinks at this sight and resets the computer. Both bodies are missing. \n\nM'att steps back from the jailhouse and turns around. The other houses are still occupied. When he makes a complete rotation, both bodies are filled with heat. The person in the dungeon is lying down. He chuckles at his socket computer's malfunction. His socket computer completes the analysis and determines which body is the jailer. He opens the door and drops the drone from his wrist to ensure the jailer stays asleep. After the drone glows yellow on the scanner, M'att enters the room.\n\nThe body of the jailer is decayed, but it is still full of heat. Bugs crawl out of the body, and it drops in temperature with every insect. The drone detaches from the body and moves to the dungeon below.\n\n\"Hello,\" a voice echoes from below, \"My name is Sybil. What is yours?\"\n\nHe runs a search on Sybil; the results say that a woman named Sybil was not one of the accused. M'att sweats.\n\n\"M'att, that is an odd name?\" Sybil says. A bug crawls up M'att's leg.\n\n\"Why won't you talk to me?\" a woman walks up the stairs. Bugs congregate at her feet and fill the room. Bumps move within her pale skin. Her long hair is dry and unkempt, and her eyes are sewn shut. She smiles with her blue lips.\n\n\"Your world sounds fascinating,\" Sybil says as she walks closer. M'att's defense system generates a forcefield and stun weapons to protect him. Sybil holds up a hand and whistles a gentle melody. His defense system deactivates, and his nanosuit reverts to its original form. M'att walks away from her.\n\n\"I only wanted to help you. Please have mercy,\" he gets on his knees to plead. Sybil touches his face, and something crawls under his skin.\n\n\"Darling, you are helping me. Do not worry. I will ensure that a part of you returns home with me,\" Sybil.\n\nM'att's vision goes blurry. He feels himself walking back to the time machine. The bobcat cowers in fear, and he enters into the time machine. He resets the coordinates home. Before he is placed into suspension, he gets one final look at himself. He is another bump under Sybil's skin.\n\n---\n\nr/AstroRideWrites" ]	2
	[WP] An Alien Higher-Up has send out a Hit on you, But what they don't know is that Humans have an ability not known to any other in the Universe. You now need to explain the concept of "Sight" to the Alien Hitman.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I got the hologram from the alien. \"This is who you wanted killed? I asked. \"I'll need a location and exact species name.\" Immediately they popped up. \n \nPlanet: Earth \nSpecies: Human \n\n\"Damn.\" I said out loud. Apparently they had heard. \n \nIs this a problem for you? \n \n\"Yeah it is. Because earth is the one planet where 90% of their species, including humans, have sight. We'd stick out like a sore thumb.\" \n \nWhat's a sore thumb? \n \n\"Doesn't matter, you either have to let us use our other killing methods or else this can't be done.\" \n \nThere was a pause. Then a paragraph appeared. \n \nThey must be killed undetected. If that is compromised, then this would not work. The only way we can allow other methods to be conducted is if we just decided to remove the entire species from the planet. If you agree to eradicating the species, then we can allow the other methods such as a molecular bomb, or as humans call 'natural disasters' to be used.\" \n \n\"I'm trying to kill a single* human not commit a massacre here.\" \n \nAnother screen popped up. This time of our agreed price. It was a standard 10,000 crystals to be given. Enough for a month's worth of sustenance. It jumped and turned into 100,000 crystals. Holy. \n \n\"Great price jump, but I still can't do it. Not unless you want us to be detected.\" \n \nSilence again as I watched the number jump from 100,000 to a full 1,000,000 crystals. Ok so when you're faced with options such as these, your morals begin to wane. I decided to push a little further. \n \n\"Ok make it 2,000,000 crystals and we'll wipe out the species.\" I said \n \nOne last message appeared. \n \nYou are inadequate to perform your duties. Your services will no longer be required. Enjoy oblivion. \n \nIt shrank into nothing. \"Wait!\" I said \"I can still do it!\" It was no use. I went to the front of the ship and watched as a ship about twice the size came toward me. It aimed it's guns at me and I prepared to be blasted with fire or electricity. Nothing happened for a second then-\" \n \nIs the target wiped out? \n \nYes the black hole assured undetectability. \n \nGood. Move on to our next hitman who hopefully, won't give us as many problems. \n \nA hologram appeared in thin air to the next person. \n \nJohn Wick, is this you?" ]	2
	[WP] It turns out our world is a simulation. In fact, you're the one in charge of it! However, your boss is coming to check how well you've been running things.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“This is my presentation on the state of world-simulation #10021.1, which the locals call Earth.\r \nI will now show you how through a series of small changes in the initial configuration, we can achieve drastically different results.\r \nIn this slide, you can now see some volcanoes, a typical landscape on Earth in our simulation’s initial configuration.\r \nPlease note in these graphs how unlike other simulations, there is a 20% increase in water volume in the ocean, and a 1.2° increase in the temperature. I have found that this change eventually results in a sentient living being called a “Human” being evolved into existence.\r \nHumans release CO2 into the air as part of their mating ritual (probably), and this expedites Earth’s transformation into a livable planet by 50%. Instead of waiting for several million years until the natural CO2 levels are high enough, we can release some human life-forms, and begin colonizing much sooner, which will increase our company’s profits by at least 70%.\r \nI believe that planets 20413.1 and 5211.4 are suitable matches for a test run”\r \nAs I finished my presentation, the crowd applauded. It had been years since anyone had innovated anything that can make such a difference in planet colonization, and I deserved every ounce of hard-earned respect it got me.\r \nHowever, my boss wasn’t going to make this easy for me.\r \n“Can you show us this simulation? I find it hard to believe that these small humans can have any kind of large-scale effect on the planets ecosystem.”\r \nI had prepared for this, and put up a live feed of the simulation.\r \nBut instead of the usual graphs showing on the screen, all that appeared was a line of text: “You do not control us”.\r \nSomeone in the audience cried: “We are being hacked!”", "The difficult thing about these simulations is that once a life form is introduced, their development and evolution runs entirely by AI, and sometimes that development doesn't go to plan. I mean, the transition of dinosaurs into avians was an unexpected surprise, but my first mistake was a boost to the intelligence of a particularly interesting species of primate. \n\nIt couldn't do any harm, right? I mean, there wasn't more than a few hundred of them.\n\nOh boy, was I wrong. For the first couple of million years everything seemed to be working fine. They hunted, they had babies, they spread slowly without a great deal of change. Then they started making tools and clothing, and demonstrating what appeared to be religious behaviour. Then they started growing their own food, and as the population started to increase exponentially, and they began making cities, I started to worry.\n\nWhen they started building factories and machines, that got the attention of my boss. She was not happy.\n\n\"Fix this, or you're out of a job.\"\n\nI tried everything. I tried dialling up their hostility, in hope that they'd just kill each other off. I tried a variety of natural disasters but no matter what I did, they rallied, and survived, and carried on multiplying.\n\nIn the worst-affected regions, I experimented with reversing the intelligence boost I gave them four million years ago, but it doesn't seem to have helped much. It only made them more religious and they're still succeeding in not wiping themselves out. \n\nThe boss gave me an ultimatum. \"You have two more simulation years to run this thing. Just two, and that's your last chance.\"\n\nMy last chance; a virus, dropped into the region with the highest population. \n\nIt failed. The virus I chose just wasn't deadly enough, and the damned primates were still just about intelligent enough to create an antidote.\n\nMy boss finished reading the data. \"You are an absolute idiot,\" she said. \"This simulation is totally ruined, we can't do anything with this world now. Just switch the damn thing off, collect your belongings and get out. Hand your pass in at the gate.\"\n\nI sighed and returned to my simulation. Four and a half billion years of work, all wasted in four million. I hated them, those hairless primates that ruined my planet, but I felt a little sorry for them too.\n\n\"Sorry guys,\" I said quietly, as I clicked on \"End Simulation\" and then \"Delete\"." ]	3
	[WP] A Risk Management Specialist for supervillain lairs is called in to assess the viability and integrity of lairs so the villain can be insured. They point out flaws in design, personnel, and the villain’s behaviors. They also offer recommendations for improvement and answer in policy questions.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Malefactor Mutual Insurance Co.\r \nReport on Application for Insurance\r \nApplicant Name: Django the Destroyer\r \nAddress to be Insured: Evil Lair underneath 392 Destruction Lane, Gotham City, GC, 10483\n\n\r \nRemarks:\r \nThe address to be insured is hidden underneath an unassuming looking single family home in a suburban subdivision. Access is via a secret knock on a back garden shed. The industry standard is a retina scan and do-gooder deflector to increase site security.\n\n\r \nThe lair is solidly constructed with steel. Ceilings are 5’6 high with protruding support beams, which caused me to hit my head several times. This is not a problem for applicant because he is 3’6; however, this could be a problem for any minions who are taller. Low ceiling heights could be a benefit because it will make it harder for the forces of good to operate in the lair in case of an invasion. However, low ceilings could lead to an increase in workers compensation claims if standard sized minions work in the lair. \n\n\r \nThe lair contains multiple laser guns pointed at major population centers, and one pointed at space. When asked what the gun pointing at space would do, he said it would bring down the satellite beaming ESPN because it only showed east coast sports teams and Alabama football. This is not how the pay television industry works; as different satellite and cable companies have their own satellites, it appears unlikely that his plan to take ESPN off the air by destroying one satellite would work. This puts other portions of applicant’s business plans into question. \n\n\r \nApplicant appeared only moderately deranged, which may not be sufficient for him to prevail on an insanity defense in court. As the company is aware, under this state’s laws we don’t need to pay out for damage caused if defendant is insane, but would if he is found guilty of his crimes. Therefore, insuring this applicant may lead to a higher risk of loss.\n\n\r \nI recommend that the application for insurance be denied, but if it is approved it should be on the following conditions:\r \n•\tInstall retina scans and do-gooder deflectors on entrance to evil lair.\r \n•\tEmploy only minions who are under 4’0 in height to avoid workers compensation claims due to ceiling heights.\r \n•\tRequire updated business plan from the applicant.\r \n•\tSet deductible at $10,000 instead of the $500 requested" ]	2
	[WP]Serial killer responsible for thousands of deaths has a love-hate relationship with the grim reaper	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I stood by the dead body, waiting for her to come.\n\nAs the minutes ticked by, I thought back to the first time I saw her. Back then, she was only a shimmer. A rippling cloud of darkness that swept over the body of my hundredth kill.\n\nI was still counting back then. \n\nMaybe my intimacy with death brought me closer to its messenger. My soul, if I had one, drifting in limbo between this life and the next.\n\nAs I killed more, that darkness took shape. A woman, to my surprise, clad in a cloak that bled shadow.\n\nShe was the only person who didn’t look at me with fear. Among the living, anyone I met eyes with seemed to recoil, some animalistic instinct recognizing me as a predator.\n\n“Who are you?” I asked her once.\n\n“An end, and a beginning.” She had replied. \n\nSo poetic. And so infuriating.\n\nI had thought to deny life to those I deemed unworthy, yet she dared to take them on to some further existence? It has taken me years to come to peace with the fact that I didn’t have the power to end someone completely. Years to forgive her for the final end she stole from me.\n\nBut seeing her dedication as she reached out a hand to every soul, regardless of how sullied they were, commanded a slow growing respect in me. I came to look forward to her visits after each kill. More so, even, than the kill itself.\n\nAny minute now, she would come. For the last time.\n\nIn part to distract from my restlessness, I studied the body, which was still seated in the chair. \n\nHandsome, in a swarthy sort of way, I thought with satisfaction. Even with the face partially contorted from the electrical shock. Electrocution has always been one of my favorite ways to kill. I had been curious what it would feel like.\n\nA motion caught my eye, and I looked up into her face. The face of the person I had decided to spend the rest of my life on.\n\nI gasped. While the rest of the world was in shadow, she seemed made of light.\n\n“Are you ready to go?” She asked.\n\n“Why do you think I turned myself in?” I managed to respond.\n\nSmiling, she held out her hand and I took it. Together we walked off. The body, my body, in the electric chair, faded into shadow behind us." ]	2
	[WP] It's the 90's and you have been asked to create a TMNT clone called "Big Bad Wolves." This is your pitch for the show.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"No.\"\n\n\"No seriously, hear me out...\"\n\n\"It's all the same,\" the studio exec said, shaking his head firmly.\n\n\"You have four wolves chillin' in the forest, minding their own business, maybe frolicking in the meadow or something,\" Dan continued. \"Then they suddenly fall into a radioactive chemical leak by the river, and BOOM! Four teenage werewolves, ready to fight some baddies.\" He began throwing jabs and hooks at the air for effect. \"And they're taught martial arts using their claws by their ninja sensei, a humanoid owl named Chipper, who also got mutated when he fell in. He looks kinda creepy and stuff with those big-ass eyes and little beak-mouth but he's a wise dude.\"\n\n\"What will they be called?\" asked Ron from across the table with piqued interest.\n\nBob, the exec, groaned. \"Don't encourage him, Ro--\"\n\n\"'Big Bad Wolves.' Slick, right? Eh?\" He shrugged in earnest.\n\nBob winced. \"Dan, listen...\"\n\n\"That's actually kind of cool. Rolls off the tongue,\" Ron remarked. He went back in for another bite of his chocolate eclair.\n\n\"Ron. Dan. The goal to come up with a show that is creatively inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles but which clearly has its own identity. Not a blatant copy.\"\n\nDan held up his index finger. \"Ah, but it's so different though! Not only wolves and an owl guy, but they hang out in a hollowed out giant tree when they're not fighting crime and they all love to eat tacos. Like, lots and lots of tacos. It, like, defines them.\"\n\n\"This doesn't sound too bad,\" said Caleb, noticeably intrigued as he leaned in.\n\n\"And their catchphrases are 'Tubular!' and 'It's Wolfie Time!'\" Dan added.\n\n\"This is the same show, guys...\" Bob repeated.\n\n\"What are their names?\" asked Jen.\n\nDan shuffled higher in his seat and held up his head with a proud smile. \"Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Caravaggio.\"\n\nBob groaned again.\n\n\"Yo! That's so clever man!\" shouted Greg.\n\n\"Hear me out. One is, like, the leader, one is smart and studious, one is brash and aggressive, and one is just a goofball. Probably Picasso, I dunno.\"\n\nThe room roused to applause as Bob fell back into his chair, defeated.\n\n\"Man I'm sold!\" Tim yelled emphatically. \"I just--I can't come up with anything better than that.\"\n\n\"This is gonna be our new show, right?\" Ron seemed to ask Bob with pastry in his mouth. \"I mean that is just great stuff right there.\"\n\nBob sighed, his chin resting on his fist. With tired eyes, he looked up. \"Give me a pilot idea by tomorrow.\"\n\nDan and the rest of the room rejoiced. Legend says they all shouted, \"Heroes in a wolf pelt: Wolfie power!\" in unison at that moment. But we do know they made Taco Tuesday last the whole rest of the week in the office." ]	2
	[WP] Caught up in a cliche vampire/werewolf love triangle, you decide instead to become a dragon.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It has been days. DAYS since the fighting between edge-lord vampire man and overly-growly werewolf man. They were my college friends, Al and Ryder. I knew nothing about their abnormalities until I saw it for myself. Strike one for these guys. And while I do love them both dearly, I'd say it's more akin to a relative than anything even resembling a lover. \n\n\nLet me rewind a bit. My name is Kora. Odd name, yes. But my parents basically named me an alternate version of Persephone from Greek mythos. Dumb, yes. But has been and will be my name until the end of my time. Anyway, I met Al day one of college on my tour of the theater. Of course, he introduced himself as Alphonse Marrick Dubois III. I initially thought him overly cocky and confident. And while the normal girls swooned over his accent and properness, I was more interested in looking over the theater. I think this hurt his ego, because he tried to get my attention through the entire tour. How did we become friends, you may wonder? Improv. That's right; day two improv class. I always wanted to do theater work, even as a background character. Being on stage was fun. Everyone was in pairs except for me. Lo and behold, like some sort of edgy knight in shiny black armor, Al stepped out of the shadows. We grouped up, did some impromptu stuff, and had been assigned as partners until the end of the semester. Naturally we became friends, after all, I had to stare at his face every theater class. \n\n\nI met Ryder at a Halloween gathering that same year. I was dressed as the May Queen from Midsommar. Anyone who had seen the movie liked my costume. Anyway, I was sitting against the wall, chugging some Jungle Juice the host had made, and Ryder walks in dressed as the wolf-man. Irony at its finest. He lets out a howl, earning the laughter of almost everyone in the room, me included. The party settled into its grove, he and I played some pool, him being cocky and me shutting him down by kicking his behind. He was impressed. We talked about movies and stuff, and inevitably the harder drinking started. I don't remember much, it was a blacked out blur, but when I had some sort of mind again, he was holding my hair back as I puked in some bushes. Not the most graceful thing, but he understood parties sometimes go that way. After emptying all the alcohol, dinner and probably breakfast too, he took me to get some food to sober up, where we got to chatting again. He drove me back to my dorm after, and we'd been friends ever since. \n\n\nNow, how did I find out about these two? Well...I needed to study for finals. Al INSISTED he help me study. Ryder needed some help with Psychology, another but of major I was learning, though our classes were with different professors. Same curriculum. So I decided to form a study group because Al is smart and could help me while me and Ryder worked out psychology. This turned out to be the worst decision ever made. \n\n\nAs soon as they locked eyes with each other at the park, the fighting started. Al said some not very nice things about Ryder being a flea-bitten mutt, and the sass was returned when Ryder called him an egotistical blood-sucking corpse. I had no idea what as going on until one transformation and a lot of animal noises. Of course, I left as to not be a causality among supernatural beings. And yes, it scared the shit out of me. Strike two. \n\n\nStrike three is...more myself. You see, I'm a raging lesbian. I go weak for pretty girls. I told them this. They still think they can win me over. Not gonna happen. So I'm sitting here in my dorm, trying to study while keeping an eye on them through the window, and my crush walks in. She's also named after a greek god; Hades. Of course, this was a name she chose herself; renamed after high school. And she was gorgeous. Dark skin, golden eyes, fiery red hair. Tomboyish figure. She sat with me and saw them, and visibly cringed. \"I never understood vampires and werewolves...\" She said. \n\n\nI looked at her, absolutely stunned. \"Wait, you've seen this before?\" I asked. \"Oh, too many times to count. Let me guess...your friends, they love you but they hate each other and are now having a 'whose dick is bigger' contest of power to see who gets to court you?\" she asked. \"I...think so? I didn't really get the details...\" I admitted. She chuckled. \"And if you were to choose one of them, they would change you into what they are...not a good deal.\" She said with a sigh. \"Not like I'm interested anyway...\" I said with a pout. \"Oh really? No one yet has resisted vampire arrogant extraordinaire.\" She said. I laughed. \"Well, I did. I...don't like boys aside from friends.\" \n\n\n\"What are you? Lesbian? Ace?\" She asked. \n\n\n\"Oh...the first one.\" I chuckled, blushing softly. \n\n\nShe looked at me and smiled, her eyes doing something...interesting yet vexing. Shifting into a slit. \"well...I am too.\" She grinned. \n\n\nI was shocked. I went to speak and stammered. She laughed. \"And you're adorable. I'll admit, I've had my eye on you but didn't know when to approach.\" She said. I smiled. \"How about we ditch these bozos and date each other, hmmm?\" She suggested. \"But I hardly know you...\" I said with a frown. \"We can slap the title on to get them to back off while we let this flourish. Now...Here's a question. How'd you feel about being a dragon?\" She asked. I grinned. \"I fucking love dragons.\" I said, rolling my long sleeve shirt up and showing her my elaborate dragon tattoo sleeve. \"Excellent...Then tomorrow night, how's about I show you my true form and take you for a ride to my home away from school?\" She asked. \"I'd love to.\" I said. \"Wonderful. You can decide once I've shown you around if being a dragon is what you want.\" she she said. \"You don't even have to tell me twice. Bite me and make me scaley and fire breathy.\" I said. She laughed. \"In due time. Now. Study. I'll watch dumb and dumber kill each other.\" She said, sitting with me as I studied." ]	2
	[WP] It's difficult managing a bagel shop and being a black market arms dealer at the same time. But someone has to supply amputees with great priced products so you consider yourself a hero and deal with the risks.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "So, this was a post originally done yesterday by a deleted account. Unfortunately they decided to delete their bloody post and my submission along with it. So I'm recreating the post so more people can contribute if they want.\r \n\r\n\nHere's my original answer:\r \n\r \nAs always here’s the Spotify playlist: [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lJDLB60eEBUfsjvn68bdu?si=cb2388043b2643e7](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lJDLB60eEBUfsjvn68bdu?si=cb2388043b2643e7)\r \n\r \nPART 1 START HERE >>>\r \n\r \nThe man in front of Bian fidgeted with his large yellow jacket while he dug for something. Finally, he pulled a smart pane from his interior jacket, and with a very sweaty hand pressed some buttons. Some text in Unilang flashed unto the screen.\r \n\r \n“Ugh,” thought Bian, “another bloody e-messenger.”\r \n\r \n“A Sullivan bagel please,” said the client.\r \n\r \nThat picked Bian’s interest.\r \n\r \n“Of course, would you like it with a beverage?”\r \n\r \n“Yes, some earl grey tea with no sugar or milk, I’m allergic.”\r \n\r \n“Sure thing, your total is five Maplecoins. Please look into the Ay-Scan here to verify payment.”\r \n\r \n“Oh sorry, I don’t have Maplecoins, just Calicoin.”\r \n\r \n“No problem, tap your Calipurse to the sensor there.”\r \n\r \nBian finished ringing the man up and gave him his order. After the man exited the store, she tapped Manuel on the shoulder and asked if she could take a vape break.\r \n\r \nThe reinforced door she swung open to exit unto the alley missed the man behind it just by mere inches. Bian rolled her eyes.\r \n\r \n“The message said to wait 10 minutes and then make your way to the alley. Didn’t you read it?” she said, trying her best to not sound exasperated.\r \n\r \n“Did it? I’m so sorry. I’m a bit nervous,” said the man, still holding the bag with the bagel in it and the tea in his other hand.\r \n\r \n“They get younger every year,” thought Bian. The man in front of her was tall, but his big brown eyes and peach fuzz on his chin meant he was probably in his late teens at the most.\r \n\r \n“Follow me,” said Bian while pointing to a set of stairs that led to the shop’s basement.\r \n\r \n“My name is…” started the man, before he could finish, Bian swivelled back and put a hand on the man’s mouth.\r \n\r \n“No names,” said Bian softly, “You never know who is listening.”\r \n\r \n“I mean, does it matter? It says yours right there. Bian,” the man mumbled-said when Bian removed her hand.\r \n\r \n“You’re not too bright if you think my real name is Bian,” said Bian while chuckling a little bit.\r \n\r \n“Oh,” said the man, his shoulders sagging. Bian thought he looked very much like a sad gigantic hound puppy, all gangly and waiting to grow.\r \n\r \n“Probably scared merdeless from the journey,” she thought.\r \n\r \n“Look, it’s better if you use a pseudonym, what do your mates call you?” asked Bian softly.\r \n\r \n“Don’t really have many mates,” said the man.\r \n\r \n“Ok. I’m giving you a nickname then,” said Bian as she patted the man on the back and proceeded to unlock the basement door.\r \n\r \nThey went down into the basement and through a maze of bagel boxes, bagel bags, and bagel supplies. Bian removed a spider web from in front of her face as she stopped to fetch another key from her apron.\r \n\r \n“How about Spider?” she said.\r \n\r \n“Spider?” answered back the man, sounding rather doubtful about this possible new nickname.\r \n\r \n“Yeah! Spider, makes complete sense, you’re tall, lanky, and what not.”\r \n\r \n“Spider?” echoed the man as if trying to savour it.\r \n\r \n“See, you’re basically used to it already,” said Bian as she unlocked the door to reveal a big workshop filled with every single different kind of augmentation, smart prosthesis, powered prosthesis, vanity dyes, DNA modifiers, and trait infusers someone could ever need.\r \n\r \nIn the middle of it there was a man with a digipad in his hand taking stock and making notes. He was a rather large man, he dwarfed even the newly named Spider.\r \n\r \n“Oi! Raymond!” exclaimed Bian as she walked towards him.\r \n\r \n“Yes Bian?” said the man calmly, his basso profondo resounding across the workshop.\r \n\r \n“Got a customer for you,” said Bian as she pushed Spider forward.\r \n\r \n“And who might you be young fellow?” said Raymond as he extended his hand for a bump.\r \n\r \n“The name’s…”\r \n\r \nA cough from Bian made Raymond raise his eyebrow.\r \n\r \nSpider sighed, “Spider, the name’s Spider,” he said as he bumped Raymond’s fist.\r \n\r \nRaymond walked over to what Spider guessed was probably a desk under all the paperwork on top of it, and pulled three chairs, three glasses and a bottle of decent looking Canadian rye whiskey. Raymond poured shots for all of them, and the motioned for Bian and Spider to sit down. Spider couldn’t help but notice that Raymond’s chair, glass, and whiskey bottle were all proportional to him, which meant that they were a sofa, a pint glass, and a small barrel respectively.\r \n\r \nOnly until everyone had settled down and Raymond had taken a sip of his pint of whiskey did he finally ask, “So, what can I do for you, Mr. Spider?”\r \n\r \n“Well sir, my sister and I you see… We need some new gear.”\r \n\r \nRaymond gave a small laugh, which of course was a booming laugh to everyone else around him.\r \n\r \n“Well, that’s my speciality young parcero. So, what do you need?”\r \n\r \nSpider inhaled and in one long exhale stated what he needed, “A new set of Fujiwara arms, Knuttsen legs, Omni-interface with satellite link, and finally a Type-204 Cranial Box with an accompanying body, standard People’s Army interface is okay.”\r \n\r \nAs soon as Spider reached the cranial box bit, Raymond stopped writing.\r \n\r \n“Where are you from young king?” said Raymond, the material of his chair creaked as he inched forward.\r \n\r \n“From nowhere, I just need the stuff.”\r \n\r \n“No one, and I mean no one just needs a Type-204. That’s a baseline blank body for a human consciousness to be transferred to. A practice that is illegal everywhere, including China.”\r \n\r \n“Then why do they make them?” asked Spider, forgetting for a moment how involved he was in all of this.\r \n\r \n“Because they made them illegal for everyone except themselves under the “Country and People Protection Statute”. It’s a little footnote that says no-one can do it, except they can since it might benefit the people.”\r \n\r \n“Oh,” said Spider, once again looking at the floor.\r \n\r \n“Look lad, just come clean with me. Why do you need these parts? I know who sent you from the pass code so I know you’re not some idiot that crippled himself so he could get this.”\r \n\r \nSpider looked up at Raymond, and also at Bian." ]	2
	[WP] You had found the papers, notebooks, and drafts in your mother's office, the one she always kept locked, filled with amazing stories & poems. You've spent years organizing them for release. The day you are meeting with a publisher the phone rings, "Don't publish them, and we will let you live."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Don't publish them, and we will let you live.\" The deep voice said over the phone. \n\nSuddenly I felt chills climb up my back, and something in the back of my mind told me this wasn't just an ordinary prank call. \n\n\"Who is this? How do you know about the... book?\" I had been about to say \"The Wizard's Tales\". That's what I'd been calling to myself, I had from the whole book around a wizard telling the stories to his apprentice, like in the first story that I found. \n\n\"I am Martin. Your mother was am associat of mine before 'The Incident'\" The man on the phone said. \"Those 'stories' cannot be allowed to get into the hands of the general public. The consequences could be dire.\" \n\nAt this point I was more confused than I was before. \"What do you mean associate? My mom never mentioned you. And what 'dire consequences' could there possibly be?\" I demanded. \n\n\"You already know what will happen to you. I don't have to tell you anything else.\" The man --Martin-- said. And then he hung up. \n\nI was annoyed, but at the same time, pretty shaken up. I decided to call my publishing agent to cancel the publication, she tried very hard to talk me out of it but eventually she caved. I didn't tell her about the death threat but she seemed pretty scared anyways, until she agreed that was. \n\nThe next day I woke up and checked my phone, and to my horror I saw a single text notification: \n\n\"Congratulations on the publication! I just downloaded the book online, can't wait to get into it.\"\n\n\"Oh no.\" I said." ]	2
	[WP] A student cleric only capable of using minor healing spells is expelled from his order due to incompetence. He finds a job as a janitor in a hospital where nobody is capable of using magic.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Barry looks around dazed and confused. The machines around him beep and whir as a doctor walks into the room. They share a concerned tension filled look as the doctor sighs:\n\n\"I'm sorry to say this, but I bring some bad news. The fall fractured your leg. Your knee is shattered, and a long wide fracture in your shin seems to have appeared. I wanted to be straight with you. Recovery might not be impossible but it will take a minor miracle if you want to properly use that leg again. Full recovery will probably never happen.\"\n\nTears start to well up in Barry's eyes as he realizes that his dream of becoming the number one tennis player is over. Barry cries out in desperate frustration, partly because he does not know how to deal with this disappointment himself and partly because he does not know how he should face the outside world, his friends, his family, those who put so much into supporting him and giving him the opportunity to pursue his dream. With his head still spinning as if prompted the words he blurts out:\n\n\"Doctor, Please! I'll do anything, I'd sell my soul to be able to tennis again, Anything no matter the cost!\"\n\nAs he says this the doctor takes out a small black notebook. He looks Barry in the eye and says: \"Well there is an experimental treatment, however it is very expensive. Are you sure you can afford it?...\"" ]	2
Just a random idea I got. I'm not a writer, but I'd love to read anything someone adds to this	[WP] A magician is hunted as a serial killer as they learn the "saw a person in half" trick	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"-and now for an update on the events unfolding in New York. In the last week, police have found two more victims of what many consider the second coming of Jack the Ripper. The modus operandi of the killer has remained the same, with his victims found 'disembowelled' and 'almost bisected', as described by the paramedics on the scene.\"\n\nBriefly, the power to the basement cut out. The lights switched back on after a second, illuminating the face of a man gagged up, lying on the ground. His eyes wildly flashed across the room as the reporter's voice continued echoing through the room.\n\n\"-tell us about the killer, Constable? Any advice you might give to members of the public?\"\n\nThe chief of police, dabbing at his forehead, hastened to reply.\n\n\"We believe the person behind the killings is a man named Jack Hood, although it is very likely only a pseudonym. The killer is... extremely elusive. Our forensics department is, ah, struggling to work with the evidence we have found.\"\n\nThe man in the basement started to struggle feebly. No luck, his arms were tied tight with a handkerchief-rope, and his mouth was gagged too with that same rope. The silky fabric was clean, and even had a hint of a lavender scent on it, the soothing smell taunting in the musty basement.\n\n\"-never used any of the regular entry or exit points, as far as we can tell. No signs of forced open doors or windows were ever found, be it through brute force or lockpicking. It's odd, since the crime scenes were not cleaned up particularly well, so to see this level of stealth...\"\n\n\"I see, Constable. Could you elaborate on why the evidence you have is so hard to work with?\"\n\nThe man had stopped struggling, instead turning his pleading eyes to the television. Not daring to hope, but then there was nothing else he could do.\n\nThe killer was already in the room.\n\nIn the corner of the basement, a long-disused closet creaked open, revealing a man in a magician's outfit inside. He reached up to brush some of the dust off of his top hat, then retrieved a handkerchief from his sleeve and sneezed into it.\n\n\"Ah, closets. So dusty all the time. Wouldn't you agree, mister?\"\n\n\"-any bodily trace of the killer has been covered in the blood of his victims. There simply isn't anything clean to work with-\"\n\n\"And what would you know, officer?\" the magician scoffed, \"I keep all my equipment in pristine condition! Or does that handkerchief in your mouth taste unpleasant in any way, sir?\"\n\nThe man on the ground only trembled.\n\n\"I say, does that handkerchief in your mouth taste unpleasant in any way, sir?\" the magician stressed.\n\nNo answer, save for a slight shaking. Was it fear, or was it tears?\n\nAfter a beat of frozen silence, the magician turned away, shaking his head. He pulled off his top hat, muttering about 'the quality of assistants these days, can't even take a hint...'\n\nThe man watched as the brim of the hat grew wider and wider. The magician reached his entire arm into in, and began to pull.\n\nSlowly, a table slipped through the opening. The dining room table.\n\n\"-recommend everybody to keep vigilance. The killer only targets individuals living in their homes. Stay with a friend if possible, and keep your phones with you as much as you can-\"\n\n\"Would you do me a favour and get on the table please?\" the magician asked. \"I would appreciate it very much.\"\n\nNo answer, yet again.\n\n\"Come on. Up on the table, if you'd please. I have a schedule to keep, you know.\" The magician tapped his foot.\n\nNothing, then a tired exhale. The man lying on the ground saw a glint of anger flash across the magician's features before it was gone. Replaced by the face of the showman, frowning slightly at his assistant.\n\n\"Hah. Fine.\"\n\nWith a single hand, the magician roughly yanked the man up, and threw him onto the table like a sack of potatoes. Before the man could struggle, four more handkerchief ropes appeared, each securing one of his limbs to each of the table legs.\n\nHumming, the magician drew out his props. A microphone and camera first, of course; he wouldn't let good entertainment go to waste. Then, he drew out a chainsaw from his hat, and made a show of revving it. The magician grinned at the look on the man's face.\n\n\"Don't worry, mister. Just a little joke, I'm not using this on you. Instead, this-\"\n\nWith a flick of his wrist, a long, wickedly sharp handsaw appeared in the magician's palm. It was tastefully painted with a splatter of rusty brown.\n\n\"-is much more civilised, don't you agree?\"\n\n\"-if you have any information on the whereabouts of the killer, please contact-\"\n\nThe voice cut off as the magician pushed the power button on the television. He tsked.\n\n\"So crude.\" The magician brandished his saw. He tapped the man on the forehead, inspecting him like a butcher judging a cut of meat. \"Don't you agree, mister?\"\n\nThe man tried to open his mouth to scream, but he just received a mouthful of lavender. Only a choked gurgle came out.\n\n\"After all.\"\n\nThe blade in the magician's hand reflected the maniacally jovial look in his eyes.\n\n\"A magician never reveals his secrets.\"\n\nThe show began.\n\n\\--------\n\nAny feedback and comments are welcome, it's my first time trying something in the horror genre.\n\nr/FlareWrites if you want to take a look at my other prompt responses.", "\"Harry Houdini has been a major inspiration for me. But, well, wasn't he for everyone?\"\n\nThe reporter swallows nervously, gripping her microphone white-knuckled. \"Quite right.\"\n\nA muffled protest comes from the gagged, chained police officer nearest to her feet. The vast majority of them are struggling further away on the pavement.\n\n\"Well, miss, thank you, I assume this interview will appear in the weekend edition? Oh dear. In that case, I won't be able to saw you in half today.\" The Killer Magician, in a colourful suit and tophat that one would expect to see worn at a third grader's birthday by the hired entertainer, adds: \"What a shame. Your entrails would have added such a flare to this mundane street.\"\n\nThe reporter freezes. The Killer Magician appears to be waiting. The reporter shakes her head, too afraid to speak.\n\n\"Oh well, if ever you'd like to volunteer at a magic show, just look out your bedroom window to the left.\" She will move out as soon as possible. The landlord won't blame her - he'll sell the apartment as soon as he can, too. \"Farewell,\" he nods to her and to the various photographers, \"and thank you for your cooperation, all you lovely volunteers. You've been a wonderful audience.\" He begins pulling out a rope of handkerchiefs from his pocket, ties one end around a streetlight, and begins lowering himself into a trapdoor that wasn't there before.\n\nShe's still shaking long after he's gone, long after the cops find that their bindings have faded from existence. He haunts her in the corner of her vision, he haunts her dreams and then her many sleepless nights, he stalks her in crowds, disappearing just before she turns, but he's there, she knows he's there-\n\nAnd every time he's on the news, it's for not getting caught. Whips a sheet around himself and disappears. Pulls pigeons out of a hat and they fly him away. Lowers himself with a magic rope into a trapdoor, and detectives later have her point to where there's clearly a manhole towards the sewers, which she knew must have been there, but she could swear it was a trapdoor when he was there, it was square, it's still square in her nightmares. \"A hypnotist of unprecedented skill\", most articles say in some variation or another - fact is, AIs interpret the footage of him flown by pigeons as him stealing a police motorcycle and dressed in black, but no human has ever been able to see anything else but a colourful magician and birds. It shouldn't be possible. None of this should be possible.\n\nPossibility isn't much help to the victims, split in two. It won't be much help for her, either.\n\nBut she didn't become a reporter by being idle and helpless. She is curious, far beyond her own good, and in the articles and images of the murders she notices a pattern - wrists crossed on the floor above their heads, palms open or closed. As if they'd believed their hands were tied together.\n\nFinding a person who knows how to make explosives didn't take that long, once she knew what her goal was. Tonight she is putting on a thick pajama sweater to hide the bomb vest, with sleeves long enough to conceal the detonation switch in her palm. She'd moved to a new apartment multiple times since she met him, and yet she never dared look. Now, she leans out from her bedroom window, as inconspicuous as possible, and looks to the street corner at the left.\n\nThe Killer Magician looks back." ]	3
	[WP] You're a time traveler who just likes photographing and experiencing famous and impactful historical events. But the people have noticed and they recognize you as an omen of great and terrible things.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "PROLOGUE\n\nKnock. Knock. Knock.\n\nThe apartment could fairly be called \"dingy.\" Lighting dull, floors creaky, ceilings occasionally sprinkling some kind of dust (Zelinsky really didn't want to know). There wasn't any response from inside the apartment, and he was losing his nerve when the resident finally answered.\n\nA stretch of slightly lined face. A suspicious eye. Messy hair. That much was visible through the cracked-open-but-chain-locked-shut door.\n\n\"Yes?\" said a voice filled with pointed impatience.\n\n\"Pardon me, miss. Am I right in thinking you're Sara Kendall?\"\n\nA beat. \"Yes.\"\n\n\"And that's the Sara Kendall, investigator in-house for Woodman and Chalmers?\"\n\nAnother beat. Didn't seem the kind of question you had to think hard about. \"Who wants to know?\" Kendall finally asked.\n\n\"I'm Special Agent Zelinsky with the FBI's Devil Reef division-\"\n\nThe door closed almost immediately.\n\n\"Mrs. Kendall, I just need a minute of your time-\"\n\n\"Go away,\" came the muffled voice from the other side of the door.\n\n\"Mrs. Kendall, you were with External Affairs, you know about the Onlooker. I'm here because there's been another sighting of him, not a photo, I mean here and now. I need... I just...\"\n\nZelinsky sighed and was about to turn around when the door opened again, fully this time. He got his first full look at Kendall. She was ashen-faced. \"You saw the Onlooker?\"\n\n\\\\\\\n\n\"There are pictures of him throughout history, across the world. Even the usual conspiracy crowd, the ones who talk about Roswell, Majestic 12, Bigfoot- they're barely aware of him. Devil Reef was set up to investigate all crimes that were unusual or impossible, and External Affairs was made purely to keep track of the Onlooker.\"\n\nZelinsky sat quietly on a sagging, deflated couch, neglecting a cooling cup of coffee, as Kendall ranted, showing him newspaper articles and photos. In every one, the strange-looking Onlooker was there.\n\nStrange was the operative word. In every photo wore a strange, bulky trench coat, dark in color, battered from wear, covered in obvious patches where the fabric didn't match up. There was a hat on his head, an equally hardworn bowler. His face was odd as well. Somehow one had enormous difficulty guessing at the Onlooker's ethnic heritage. The various features- cheekbones, skin tone, eye shape, nose shape- didn't seem to match up, in a way that was hard to explain. \n\nNothing about the Onlooker's appearance seemed to fit. And he fit his surroundings still less. \n\nKendall tapped an old black-and-white photo. Men in black formal wear, standing around a podium. \"That's the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln,\" she said, intently. \"Only a year and a month before his assassination. And over here-\" some kind of old-timey drawing this time, men standing solemnly around a man lying weakly in bed- \"this one's John Goldin's drawing of Lincoln on his death-bed, published the year after.\" \n\nThe Onlooker was in both, secreted among the crowds. Zelinsky felt his skin crawl. \n\n\"They're all a bit like that. He's there where he shouldn't be, usually around someone not long before tragedy, like an omen of death...\" \n\n\\\\\\ \n\n\"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations!\" \n\nThe man they called Honest Abe finished his speech to thunderous applause. There would be a reception now, no doubt, to mark his second term as president. He shook hands with Johnson- reeling drunk, poor fellow, to help him with a touch of fever he'd been having lately- and Justice Chase and Hannibal and everyone else in attendance, and gave Mary a quick kiss when he finally got to her. There was a sea of hands to shake and a parade to attend- the first to have free black men marching alongside free white men- and then four years ahead of him. \n\nAnd somewhere in the crowd, Abraham bumped into his friend again, the one with the strange face and the strange jacket. \n\n\"Well done, Mr. President sir,\" said his friend, in a strange voice- the accent unplaceable, the intonations slightly off, his eyes wide and staring with interest. \n\n\"I... I thank you, my friend,\" Abraham said, flummoxed. \"This victory is as much your doing as my own, you know. And I've still barely got the faintest inkling who you are. Won't you even stay for a drink at the reception?\" \n\n\"A kind offer. But your alcohol- well, it does not sit well with me. In any case, I have been here. That is the most rewarding sensation.\" \n\nAbraham was vaguely aware of his friend casting glances at the cheering crowds. Although the friend never showed emotion that Abe could detect, something in his posture seemed to indicate distaste and aversion. Abe commented on it. \n\n\"Nothing, Mr. President sir. There is someone in the audience I think I recognize. An actor you would not care for.\" \n\n\\\\\\* \n\n\"And here-\" Kendall continued- \"this one's outside the Presidio in San Francisco, back when it was a military base instead of a museum. 1906, before the earthquake. Not a year before. A few days.\" \n\nZelinsky looked. The Onlooker was there, blank faced as always, that silly coat and hat. He stood beside a guard at the Presidio's gate, holding up his hands behind the guard's head and making bunny ears. He felt that chilly feeling down his spine again. There was something about the way the Onlooker was staring right at him in that photo, like he knew Zelinsky would be there, watching, over a century later.\n\n\"That's part of the pattern,\" Kendall said. \"Basically all these photos, they're from right before times of great tragedy.\" \n\n\\\\\\* \n\nThe city was still reeling from the earthquake. Outside the Presidio, there were tents as far as the eye could see, patients groaning or sobbing or catatonic, medical staff hustling and shouting. For most of the people present, it was the closest to death they'd ever been. \n\nIt wasn't even close for Lieutenant Colonel George Torney, who had served as a navy doctor in Cuba and the Philippines. Even he was in the thick of the relief effort now; when he finally took a moment to rest, it was only because one of the nurses- Dora, he thought- had insisted. \n\nTorney took a sip of coffee. When he put the cup down the weirdo was there again, in his battered coat and hat and staring eyes. Torney just about spat it out. \n\n\"You again.\" \n\n\"I again,\" said the strange man, simply. \n\nTorney wanted to be angry but he still could barely believe his interactions with this- person, he supposed- were real. \n\n\"You could have stopped this,\" Torney heard himself say. \"If you really are what you claim to be, you knew this was coming, and you could have stopped this.\" \n\nThe man sounded almost sad when he said, \"No. I am afraid not. There are rules I am bound by. I am only an Onlooker.\" \n\n\"Then why look on this? Perverse fascination?\" \n\n\"Yes. Look around you.\" The Onlooker gestured. \"Thousands were displaced or injured in this tremor. The action taken here will save many. White, Chinese, black. These distinctions mean nothing where I come from. For a moment, here, they mean nothing as well. Disaster brings out the worst in many. It can also bring out the best.\" \n\nSomeone called for Torney's attention, and he turned to address them. When he looked back, the onlooker was gone." ]	2
	[WP] "FEAR ME!" "No!" "...okay, listen here you little shit"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“FEAR ME!”\r \n“No!”\r \n“...okay, listen here you little shit...you’re the one who signed up for How to be a Big Baddie 101. You can’t keep interrupting my lessons like this.”\r \n\r \nThe man at the front of the small poorly-ventilated classroom rubbed his temples in frustration. The overhead lights hummed and flickered lightly. On the white board were the words “BIG BAD 101” written in dry erase marker as well as the laminated schedule for the sixth grade Spanish class that was also taught in that room. Conjugations of the word estar were hung on the wall right of the board.\r \n\r \nOnly one other person sat in the room, surrounded by empty desks. He was tall and thin, his legs sprawling out from under the short desk he sat behind. The dark blue plastic chair was clearly far too small for him. He sighed. “I’m sorry Commando, it’s just-”\r \n\r \n“That’s Professor Lord Nuclear Commando to you,” grumbled Lord Nuclear Commando.\r \n“Uh, I’m sorry...Professor...Lord Nuclear Commando. I just get lost in the moment sometimes.”\r \n\r \nLord Nuclear Commando paced in front of the white board. “I understand that. But if you ever want to be a super villain yourself, you need to pay attention.”\r \n“I know, I know.”\r \n“I need you to take these lessons seriously. Do you want to become Master Aqua Trickster or not?”\r \n“I do! I do, with all my heart.”\r \nThe villain nodded sagely and rubbed his chin. “Okay then. Now where were we? Right. Striking Fear in Your Enemies Verbally.”\r \n\r \nHe turned towards the board. “FEAR ME,” he repeated. “A classic. Sexy and to the point. Variations include ‘Tremble before me!’ and ‘Bow before your new god.’ You can play around with it really, and find what works for you.”\r \n\r \nThe future Master Aqua Trickster scribbled furiously in a small college-ruled notebook.\r \n\r \n“And what must we always remember when making a villainous entrance?” Commando asked.\r \n\r \n“Our audience!”\r \n\r \n“Exactly Craig. Audience is so important. Are we talking to superheroes? The elderly? Preschoolers? For example, ‘Bow before your new god’ doesn’t usually strike fear in preschoolers. They are small and have no concept of god.”\r \n\r \nCraig raised his hand. Lord Nuclear Commando nodded at him.\r \n\r \n“In what situation would we be making a villainous entrance in front of a bunch of preschoolers?”\r \n\r \n“It’s just an example Craig! You have to be ready for anything!”\r \n\r \nHe squinted at the crooked clock hanging above the door on the far wall. “Alright, class is dismissed for today. The Fairfield Senior Citizen’s Bell Choir needs this room for a dress rehearsal tonight and I have no intention of being yelled at again by Patty Wilcox. I’ll see you back here next Wednesday.”" ]	2
	[WP] On a large, frozen lake, a long forgotten battle stretches across the area. Destroyed tanks covered in rust litter the hard, icy surface. A soldier walks through the wreckage, examining the damage. He stops at one tank, with it's tracks blown off, wondering what stories it could tell...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Richard knelt down and brushed his gloved hand against the rusted metal of the tank, a relic by this point. Shards of ice coated the dark metal and masked the many spots of damage from bullets and shells. \n\n\nThe tank itself was a large assault vehicle. A Churchill. Its wide chassis and large tracks enabled it great mobility despite its low speed. The cannon this particular one was outfitted with was a degree larger than others of its type. Richard could still see painted on the side of the tank the many markings of white crosses, signifying the enemy tanks this particular Churchill had downed. There was a lot. Clearly the tank commander and his crew were aces.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nBut the large tank was misses its treads. This was an unusual occurrence to begin with, but for the wide assault chassis of the Churchill, this was unheard of. The treads should be somewhere nearby, yet this rusted behemoth laid without them.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Looking at old toys are you, Richard?\" came a voice from behind. Richard stood to attention and faced his Commanding Officer, one Lieutenant Corporal Mark Dunham.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Yes sir,\" Richard replied, then glanced back at the tank, \"it's just strange to me sir. This tank is missing its treads.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Indeed, Captain,\" Mark replied. He brushed his gloved fingers against his moustache and walked beside Richard. The two spent a quiet moment looking at the tank.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"How could that be?\" Richard asked, finally breaking the silence. Mark knelt down closer to the tank and patted it as he would a dear friend.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"This here was the Lucky Lucy, commanded by one Captain Will Sobineski and his crew of five. They actually only began operating this Churchill after their previous tank, a Sherman from the Americans, was put out of commission by a landmine.\" Richard listened as Mark stood back to his feet.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"What is she doing on the Eastern Front?\" Richard asked.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Once the Americans and Canadians established beachheads in Normandy and the Netherlands, Captain Sobineski requisitioned a Churchill to replace his downed Sherman. They then pushed East from France, down to the Italian front, before deserting the British forces and finding their way in Poland,\" Mark steadied himself then pulled himself on top of the tank, gesturing Richard to follow. Richard did so, and on the side of the tank's turret was a small Soviet hammer and sickle painted in red.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"He joined the Soviets? Why would he do that?\" Richard asked.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Will was a Polish tank ace - one of very few mind you, and so was his crew. After Poland fell they managed to make their way West to continue the fight. And well, to answer your question, perhaps they wanted to make sure they were fighting for Poland too.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"So they figured they'd join up with the Russians since they were pushing into Poland,\" Richard answered. Mark nodded.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"How do you know so much about this tank?\" Richard asked as the two made their way back down to the snow covered ice.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Will and his crew did not fall here. From what I heard, their tracks were torn to shreds by enemy fire, and once they had run out of ammo, Will and his crew simply left the tank and headed back home.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"To the UK?\" Richard asked. Mark shook his head and pointed northward.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Over there is a small Polish town Will and his crew are from. They went back there. Several of them ended up joining the resistance. Will made his way back to the UK to reunite with my grandmother. Their daughter married my father, and here I am today.\" Mark said with a smile. Richard rose an eyebrow.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"So this tank is your grandfather's? That's how you know its story.\" Mark nodded and gave Richard a slap on the back.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Straight from the horse's mouth I heard it. Now then Captain, it is a bit cold. Let's head back and grab a drink. The lads will take care of hauling these tanks.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nRichard nodded and gave Lucy one last look before walking off. In the distance, several trucks, cranes, and many workers were dragging a crushed Panzer off of the ice. Lucy's turn would come too, to be scrapped and recycled. Yet in some way, she would remain." ]	2
	[WP] Today, you woke up with a strange ability. Whenever you stop actively holding onto an item, it stays precisely where your hands left it. Even floating in mid-air. Things you let go of are firmly stuck in place, and nobody but you seems to be able to move them.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It's a story as old as time-- a love story. Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Girl falls out of love with boy. Girl leaves boy. Boy holds on to a feeling that's not there anymore...\n\nJack sat alone by a booth in a restaurant, the one which held dear memories for him and Anne. It was where they had their first date. It's where they celebrated their 3rd anniversary. It's where Anne told Jack to meet her that one climactic night.\n\n\"We need to talk\", displayed the text on Jack's phone screen which he stared emptily lying on the table.\n\n\"What's happened to us?\", Jack replayed the question over and over again in his mind, walking back down the memory lane he shared with Anne for the past 3.5 years.\n\nNothing went wrong, or so Jack thought looking back through a rosy-colored window...\n\nThe morning kisses which weren't given anymore. The lost spark in her eyes when she looked at him. \"I love you\" which hadn't been spoken for weeks. The sneaky phone calls and texts which she didn't even try to hide...\n\nJack bit his lips, trying his best not to burst in tears. How could he be so blind?\n\nThe bell above the door clanged as she walked in. Spotting Jack, Anne walked towards him though she refused to look at him directly, only at the floor.\n\n\"Please don't. Please stop. I don't want to do this...\", Jack muttered to himself following Anne, wishing desperately for her to stop, for time itself to stop, for everything to stop.\n\nJack stood, instinctively going for a hug though Anne dismissed him and seated herself on the opposite cushioned seat.\n\n\"Jack...we need to talk\", Anne said as Jack sat back, biting his lips with teary eyes.\n\nThe tone of her voice he'd imagined that last text she'd sent him was much much worse when she uttered it in front of him.\n\n\"Anne...please don't do this...\", Jack begged but Anne remained cold.\n\n\"Jack, I can't be together with you anymore\", she stated without hesitance. \n\nThe sadness was unbearable anymore. As the dam burst, Jack's voice trembled uncontrollably.\n\n\"W-why?\", Jack asked. \"Is it me? Did I do anything wrong? Anne...\"\n\nJack reached for Anne's hands, desperately trying to hold them, desperately trying to convey his feelings for her, but she pulled them away.\n\n\"Anne...I love you\", Jack said, his tone echoed the hole in his heart.\n\n\"Jack...\", Anne sighed. \"There's someone else\"\n\nJack's sobbing became louder. With his face buried in his hands, Jack mumbled...\n\n\"Why?\"\n\n\"You're a good guy, Jack. It's just...you work all the time! You spent lesser and lesser time at home for months. I felt...I felt left alone!\", Anne stated her reason.\n\nJack had indeed spent less time at home though those hours he had utilized effectively at work. Making more money, making sure he could take care of Anne with no worry, making sure he could afford the ring he kept secret tucked in his pocket-- the one he was so eagerly wanting to use to seal his and Anne's life together.\n\n\"I...I did it for you! For us!\", Jack blurted. \"Remember what we talked about? A house by the mountains? Having picnic by the river? Our kids running around the forest? I worked all the time for that!\"\n\nAnne shook her head disagreeing and stood...\n\n\"Stop holding on to the past, Jack. I don't love you anymore\", she said coldly, turning her back against Jack and walked away quickly to the exit.\n\nJack scuffled, reaching desperately for the box of ring he kept in his pocket.\n\n\"Anne! Wait! Wait!\", Jack shouted for Anne but she had left the building.\n\nHastily Jack struggled himself out from the booth while his hand was stuck inside his pocket, grasping the bulky velvet box.\n\nFinally managing to pull the ring out, though with brute force, it was thrown away from his hand.\n\n\"Anne! Wait!\", Jack kept yelling. Dismissing the box, he ran for Anne, not noticing the box of ring was suspended mid-air.\n\nJack ran for his love, not noticing the scene he left behind. The waitresses, the patrons-- all who had turned their attention towards him stopped, seemingly frozen in time. Tray of fries frozen mid-air in front of a stumbled waitress, her eyes were bulging. Glass of juice knocked over from the table paused mid-air, its orange liquid stopped splashing. People frozen mid-laugh, their jaws opened and stuck.\n\nThis restaurant, this place full of memory of joyous past. Something Jack so desperately wanted to hold on dearly was stuck in time.\n\n\"Anne! Wait!\", Jack yelled finally catching up to her.\n\nHis emotion was stirred, his tears never stopped falling. With hope of pleading his feelings one last time, he grabbed Anne's hand.\n\n\"Anne, please...\", Jack pleaded. \"I...\"\n\nBut before Jack could utter anything, Anne pulled her hand away and kept walking, leaving Jack defeated, falling on his knees in a crying mess.\n\n\"I...\", Jack muttered, unable to finish his thought.\n\nThe restaurant frozen in time, the past Jack managed to hold-- but not Anne, not her, not her feelings for him. He couldn't hold on to something that wasn't there anymore.\n\nr/HangryWritey" ]	2
	[WP] The dinosaurs do not know what to make of their newcomer - their newcomer looks completely different to them. After coming to terms with their apprearance, the dinosaurs finally accept the thesaurus.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The troop stirred awake as the sun dipped below the treetops, yawning and stretching out their toe-claws, hooting and chirping from beneath the rocky overhang at the edge of the forest. The moon wouldn't come up for hours, and then it would only be a barely visible sliver. Perfect conditions for hunting; with luck they would eat well tonight.\n\nAn excited yelp from the large dead pine drew their attention. They trotted towards the old tree, where their youngest male was investigating something on the ground among the ferns.\n\nAt the base of the tree lay a sharp-edged thing that hadn't been there the day before. The matriarch stepped forward and prodded the thing with her snout. It felt like skin but didn't smell like food. If anything, the smell reminded her of the stale air in an undisturbed cave. The skin was scarred - T H E S A U R U S - and coloured like deep water.\n\nShe prodded the thing more aggressively, trying to gauge if it was dangerous. The top edge of the thing came loose and flopped to one side, revealing sharp-edged leaves the colour of bone. She hopped back a step, waiting to see if the thing would react.\n\nBut it didn't.\n\nThe matriarch hooted softly, signalling to the troop the thing wasn't a threat. She turned and trotted away, and they disappeared into the forest." ]	2
	[WP] 44 years from now a quantum computer coupled with an AI program is able to trace every post on the internet to its source. Someone insecure whose life you ruined with an anonymous reddit post years ago finds out who you were. Late one night, they pay you a visit.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"WHAT DID YOU SAY?\" I shouted as the man in front of me was trying to explain something. Old age ain't fun, let me tell you that. My eyes and ears don't work well no more. I don't have the angst and jest that I had in my youthful days\r \n\r \n\r \n\"YOU. RUINED. MY. LIFE.\" the man repeated slowly and loudly\r \n\r \n\"HEY JENKINS, IS THAT YOU? I SWEAR I THOUGHT YOU PASSED. HOW'VE YA BEEN YA OLD BASTARD?\" I replied. My good friend Jenkins. We used to be war buddies together. Call of Duty was something I could no longer play anymore. Jenkins was 60 before he died tragically after a terrible fight behind a blockage. Those bacon strips really blocked all his arteries\r \n\r \n\"I'M NOT JENKINS. I'M u/FhMrF\" \r \n\r \n\"WHAT? YOU'RE FHMRRFRF? I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT. YOU'RE REAL SUS MAN\". What a joke. Frmphs? That's nonsense!\r \n\r \n\"NO. THAT'S MY REDDIT NAME. I PUT UP A WRITING PROMPT AND YOUR RUINED MY LIFE BY CALLING ME OUT. IT'S TIME TO PAY UP\", Frhphmsw said\r \n\r \n\"ALL RIGHT FYRMENS. I REMEMBER REDDIT. HAD THE BEST MEMES, IT DID. BROKEN ARMS AMIRITE?\"\r \n\r \n\"YOU'RE DOING IT AGAIN. HOW DARE YOU? DO YOU KNOW HOW BAD THAT COMMENT RUINED MY LIFE? I HAD TO GO TO THERAPY AFTER THAT. IT'S BEEN 40 YEARS AND I STILL AM NOT OVER IT\". This Ferryman was really angry\r \n\r \n\"OKAY FMRYN WHAT YA WANT ME TO DO? SAY SORRY WORRY AFTER 40 YEARS FOR A COMMENT I LEFT ON YOUR POST? I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT I HAD FOR BREAKFAST FYMAN. HOW ABOUT THIS HOW ABOUT THIS FIREAN? I'LL GO TO A DITCH AND FIND THE OLD SERVERS AND START THEM AND ACCESS THEM AND THEN AND THEN AND THEN... WHAT WAS I SAYING AGAIN?\"\r \n\r \n\"UGH. YOU OLD PIECE OF SHIT. DO YOU NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING?\"\r \n\r \n\"AY AY AY FERNEN. I HAD A BEAUTIFUL AVOCADO TOAST FOR BREAKFAST TODAY\" Huhu. Let me show off how cultured I am\"\r \n\r \n\"MY GOD YOU GEEZER, AVOCADOS DON'T EXIST ANYMORE. WHY ARE YOU STUCK IN 2025? HOW DO I EVEN GET REVENGE?\" Fenrir was really upset about this situation\r \n\r \n\"I HAD AVOCADO TODAY MORNING AND YOU KNOW WHAT FEREN, I'LL EDIT MY COMMENT. LEMME GET MY PHONE\" Oho, this kid had no idea what's coming. My phone is the best phone anyone could ever have\r \n\r \n\"LOOK AT THIS FORNI. THE NEWEST AND THE BEST: SAMSUNG GALAXY S22\" This should show him who's boss\r \n\r \n\"SAMSUNG GALAXY? SAMSUNG DOES EXIST ANYMORE. WHY? WHY GOD? I FINALLY TRACKED DOWN THIS ASSHOLE AND THIS GUY BELONGS IN AN ASYLUM!\" \r \n\r \n\"AY FORNI, I DON'T BELONG IN AN ASYLUM. I HAVE MY PILLS\"\r \n\r \nFhron just looked sad and done with life at this point. He gave me a look of pity and turned around and started walking away. \r \n\r \n\"THAT'S RIGHT FHYRUN WALK AWAY AND DON'T BOTHER ME EVER AGAIN!\"\r \n\r \nFunman turned around to say something, but just turned around again and walked away again\r \n\r \n\"Huhuhuhu. This will be a great post on r-n/publicfreakout. Glad Fensas doesn't know abourtReddit Neo\"" ]	2
	[WP] When someone dies, they're able to create a small gem containing their skills. This gem allows someone carrying it to perform that skill at the same level - With one catch. While using a gem, the wielder does not improve their own ability, but instead improves the gem.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“That doesn’t seem like much of a catch.”\n\nThe gem was polished to a bluish luster. It wasn’t reflective per say, but I could certainly see myself in its surface. I twirled an unknown dance, though in reality, I was completely motionless.\n\n“You’re missing the point.”\n\nI doubted it. If I improved the gem, would I not experience the improvement?\n\nThis skillset belonged to a certain “Jesse,” renowned chef from the city. He died, and his culinary skills were now in my hands.\n\nThe only “downside” was that I had to contribute my own.\n\nWhich wasn’t a downside at all.\n\n“The famed jewel not only transfers skill. It also transfers intent.”\n\nHm. That would explain some things.\n\nI felt… veracious, as if I had not lived a life of theft and treason before this. I longed to turn myself in, but that was stupid.\n\n“Why?”\n\n“Why what?”\n\n“Why does it transfer intent as well? I’ve never read this in the texts.”\n\nHe bit his cheek, frowning, as if he had just opened a can of surströmming. Rotten dish, that one.\n\n“You feel it, don’t you?”\n\nI see. He was going to dodge the question.\n\nI nodded reluctantly.\n\n“How do you think it transfers skill? Or intent, for that matter.”\n\n“It…” This took me a moment, “transfers the mind, yes?”\n\nThe rustle and bustle of the spring trees gave no impression it heard our shady dealing. Suddenly, I wanted it to, because I felt very, very alone.\n\n“The mind in its entirety, truly.”\n\nThe masked hooligan sauntered in circles around me. The wind made no move to still my beating heart. Funny, I didn’t feel it pulsing.\n\nI gasped for air which would never reach me.\n\n“It transfers skill, yes. The very essence of the soul, indeed.”\n\nThe man knelt as a knight before his king—only he was no knight and I was no king. The slightest breeze toppled me over, and I fell on the ground of the patio.\n\n“Your body no longer thinks it is alive. Your soul may realize, but your body does not. There is a conflict of interest.”\n\nMy fingertips grew numb. Feet rigid and stiff, as if in chains.\n\n“And now, you are preparing for rigor mortis.”\n\nThat’s not how it works, you fucking idiot.\n\nI tried grinding my teeth, to no avail. I tried screaming, to no avail. Still, in my hand, I twirled an unknown dance, even as I laid completely motionless.\n\nHe choked a laugh, wiping sweat from his brow.\n\n“How pitiful.”\n\nThis fucker.\n\n“You stole something.”\n\nI did?\n\nI… don’t remember stealing anything.\n\n“You’re merely paying me compensation.”\n\nFuck.\n\n“That is all.”\n\nThe hooligan fished out a glove from his pocket, taking careful measure to pick up the gem without physical contact.\n\n“It was a pleasure doing business with you.”", "I woke up on sandy beach, confused. I was on a ship yesterday, hungry. In a brig, with a piece of cloth on my back. Yes, I am a criminal. The ship supposed to send me and dozens more to somewhere. I didn't pay attention where. I no longer care. The weather was bad, as if the sea wanted to swallow us whole. And it did.\n\nI look around and saw lot oc corpses washed up on the shore. Then I heard a voice. A survivor? Like me? Guess the sea spit us out again. I walked up to him, trying to make sense what he say but it was gibberish to me at the moment, still groggy.\n\nSuddenly, \"Warrrghh..\" a corpse nearby rise up and it shambled towards me. It look angry. Hungry. Hangry. I look around, looking for a weapon or something. A driftwood! Better than nothing. I grabbed the wood and swing it to the walking corpse. Thwaack! It fell. I hit it a couple more for good measure. Need to make sure dead thing stay dead. \n\nI look back to my fellow survivor. Well, poor chap didn't make it. I examined the corpse of the..corpse? Aha, a gem! This is not your ordinary gem. This is a skill gem. I never have one but I seen people using this kind of gem. I don't know how but rumours say this gem sometimes formed when a creature dies. Their blood would crystallised and grant the user a great power. Fire, lightning, cold, superhuman strength. They all random. But this one let me shoot fireball. Another corpse. I channeled the power and fyooom! Poor guy is roasted. Smells like roasted boar. The smells makes me hungry but that was walking corpse. I don't want to get infected. \n\nBut there is a tradeoff. It draw energy from your willpower or 'mana'. This 'mana' exist in everyone and the gem act like a key to unlock the 'mana' reservoir in you. Magic users usually have big pool of mana. Of course, I'm no magic user. I am just a big guy whole like to settle any dispute with my fists. My fists kept me alive all this while but this time, on this strange land, I need to rely both on my strength and on this magic fireball. \n\nThis is my story as an exile.", "Jira held the green gem loosely in her palm. She shook it gently to feel it rock softly on her skin, hoping to get a flash of memory from Grandfather. The gems didn’t work that way, she knew, but still she hoped,perhaps, for the wonder of the first time she had held it.\n\nShe had been so eager that day!\n\nFather and Uncle Lin had declined to take up Grandfather’s gem, saying that they were already competent enough at the potter’s wheel to continue the family business. Having a new master would help with the work, so the next generation should take the gem. \n\nJira, her brother, Jord, and three of their cousins were each given a chance to create one perfect bowl using the gem. Uncle,being the elder brother, would decide who would carry Grandfather’s gem. \n\nAfter all the time she had spent learning at her grandfather’s knee, Jira was sure she would be chosen for the honor. She loved the time she spent learning from Grandfather, far more than the others. True, her cousins spent time with Uncle Lin or Father, but she was the one who knew Grandfather best. Surely, they would see that she was most deserving.\n\nHer cousins each produced bowls that were nearly identical,save the color choices. They were Grandfather’s signature style and it made Jira’s heart ache with grief to see the perfect reproductions of his work. Jord, the ever reluctant student, had found something deep inside the gem that allowed him to produce an enormous soup bowl in Great grandfather’s strongly geometric style. \n\nJira and Grandfather had been experimenting with a new, finer clay in the months before his death. This, she decided, was what she would make her bowl from. With grandfather’s gem guiding her hands, Jira shaped a finer bowl than any of the others. But it, and the bowls she attempted afterwards, shattered in the kiln.\n\nHer father had kindly sent her upriver to search for fresh clay while the family held the ceremony where Uncle Lin formally passed the gem to Jord. Jira cried enough to fill the river on that trip. All of the jealousy and shame poured out of her into the indifferent waters. The day she found afresh deposit of the fine clay that had betrayed her, Jira spent pounding and shaping the earth at the water’s edge until all of her anger faded away and was replaced by a vengeful determination to bend the clay to her will.\n\nWhen she returned, her cousin Tan was using her wheel, the one closest to Grandfather’s place in the shop. Jira’s heart stopped for a moment. The fear that she had shown herself to be so poor a potter, even with a Gem to help her, that they were shunning her washed over her. But, no, they had given her Grandfather’s place, Grandfather’s wheel. She took it for the apology that no one would ever speak and went to work.\n\nBusiness was steady as Jord grew into his place as the new master potter. He enjoyed the running of the business, perhaps more than the work of shaping the clay, and the family prospered for many years. Grandfather’s Gem twinkled greenly at his throat, always forming a wall between him and Jira.\n\nPerhaps out of guilt, or some inherited wisdom, Jord never discouraged Jira from continuing to experiment with the new clay. His joy was genuine the day that she figured out the firing process and produced her first batch of thin walled teacups.\n\nIn the years that followed, the business changed. Father and Uncle Lin and Jord continued to make the old style cups and bowls. Their heavy jars stayed popular, but more and more people came to the shop for Jira’s fine cups. \n\nTan was the first cousin she taught her technique, as he patiently worked beside her. Soon enough, their other cousins were learning from her as well. The shop’s output shifted, and by the time first Father, then Uncle Lin retired, they found that there was no need to replace them with potters from the younger generation. Jord alone was able to provide all the old style pots they needed.\n\nShe didn’t notice it at first, the swelling in her palate. She did notice the nostalgic looks that Father and Uncle Lin exchanged when she was describing some of the subtleties of working the clay to the younger children during family meal times. But it was Tan’s young daughter, Wini, who told Jira that she talked funny. Everyone agreed that she was beginning to sound like Grandfather, whose Gem had grown to fill enough of his palate that he had slurred when he spoke too quickly.\n\nJira wasn’t sure that she was a master. She still had so much to learn and pass on. But the Gem kept growing and she had to admit that she did sound like Grandfather now.\n\n“Are you sure, Brother?” Jira shook the Gem in her hand again. \n\n“Yes, I’m going to enjoy my retirement,” he smiled broadly at the thought of the warm room his son and daughter-in-law had prepared for him in their home. “You’re the oldest still working; it’s your burden now.”\n\nJira frowned. Shaping the clay didn’t feel like a burden to her. The Gem didn’t either. The first time she held it, it was like being glazed in a vat of wisdom, but now? Now she wasn’t sure she could feel a change inside her.\n\n“ We shall have a contest among the youngsters,” she decided,“to see who should carry it next.”", "When I was ten, my grandma died. She was a sweet old lady, but she had a mysterious side. She wore a purple gem around her neck at all times and never let me touch it. She said it was a special family heirloom. I didn't much believe her; it was just a necklace.\n\nAnyways, when my grandma died, the necklace was passed on to my mom. It made sense. Mom was the oldest by four years. When Mom put on the necklace, a faint smile appeared on her face. She was happy for the first time since the funeral.\n\nMy mom never knew how to cook. Her food was disgusting, and I refused to eat it. When she put on the necklace, that changed. She was able to fix holes in my clothes, cook, paint, and dance. She took me dancing just like my granny did.\n\nWhenever Mom did these things, the necklace glowed. It wanted to be shown off. It wanted to be wanted. My mom died in a car accident when I was nineteen. I mourned her loss, but she gave me the necklace.\n\nThat special family heirloom that my grandma cared about so much was finally mine.\n\nI was able to sew, cook, and paint. I already knew how to dance. The necklace was my special thing. I was perfect with it. It's the reason I got my boyfriend. It's the reason I got my job.\n\nIt was awful when I lost it. I had been at the beach with Caleb, my boyfriend, and we were playing in the water. I was stupid and kept it on. Then, it was gone.\n\nIf I couldn't paint, I couldn't work. If I couldn't cook, I couldn't have Caleb. I was a fraud. Everyone would hate me.\n\nTwo days after the loss, Caleb came by. He gave me the necklace and told me we had to break things off. He called me a witch and said that my gem was the only reason I had anything good. He told me not to be so dependent on it.\n\nI didn't say anything. I just kicked him out. My depression had spiraled out of control in the two days the necklace was gone, but now, I would be ok. I had the necklace, and that was all I needed.", "I’ve held it for so long.\n\nA small pitter-patter of rain continues outside as I struggle to find meaning without. I twist the small thing in my hand: unsurprisingly, the gem’s faded to an unsaturated blue. It’s usually like that, but now even more since staying in my hospital bed.\n\nIt’s a tradition, to pass down these things, these little things. Like gifting someone a token before they pass, a penny for your thoughts. I see no difference from, people usually lose sight of the meaning, the gift lost or unrecognizable for the next generation.\n\nThis one, this one however… it’s still it’s blue, it’s still kicking, unlike those before. I wrap it in a soft cloth, swaddled like a baby, and prepared my son for surgery; these precious little things, these tiny little things, we don’t want them falling out now do we?\n\nMy son cries, I hold him; hours pass, and I think of him, crying. The burden has finally caught up to me, not having my precious little thing, swaddled for my own protection; but no, strength needs to be fostered, for my son. I stay alone, pitter-patters drowning out the noises coming from my throat.\n\nAnd another hour’s passed, my son swaddled in a blanket, a gem instilled into the crease of his neck. He’s quiet, faint and protected. Like he should be.", "Chapter 1: \|The Mirror Stone\|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThe Lightning flashed across the clouded heavens as the horses galloped through the puddles and made their way towards The Fortress. The heavy iron gates swung open from the top and fell with a bang even as The Gate Guardians appeared at the edges and allowed the soldiers to march in.\n\n'Be quick,' one of them shouted, 'the beheading is about to take place.'\n\nThe soldiers kicked their horses and cantered towards the stables not intending to be the sole reason behind the delay.\n\n\\\n\nThe entire courtyard was quiet, though it was filled with about a ten dozen people. They were all still and stood silently, their eyes moving from The Princess, The Heart Hunteress Sofia, who was in iron shackles and kneeling in front of a wooden log, to Lord Daemon, who had summoned all of them at this hour. With closed eyes, he was waiting patiently for the soldiers to join the gathering, and even as they came, he glanced at them all with his calculating eyes and let out a cold smile. Then he said:\n\n'Behold. Your beloved lady- all bound in shackles and shivering like a slave. Behold The Fire Hope of The Citadel. Let this be the day when all foolish folks remember that I and only I am in charge. Let this be the day when you find your hopes shriveling up inside your black hearts. Let -'\n\n'You think that you can taint the mind of these folks with your poisoned words? Fool. Matter not how many of us you kill and how ruthless you grow in your dominion. You shall never conquer our hearts.'\n\nLord Daemon let out a small sneer. Then he looked at the gathered public and smashed the princess's face with his boots. A spurt of blood erupted from her mouth and two teeth were knocked off as they went flying away from her badly beaten face.\n\n\"Bitch,' he continued, 'You speak when you are spoken to. Have you not learned to be at your place? Shall I still stomp your pretty face into a bloody mush? Stay quiet and utter not one syllable -'\n\n'Fuck you.'\n\nThe Lord let out another set of heavy kicks on her face and when he was done, her face was so badly beaten that the onlookers had almost broken into tears and were ready to turn away. But they had all be commanded here by The Royal Soldiers and even The Queen had come, though she was seated at the balcony up there, where usually couples were married off. To her, all this seemed to be a silly show.\n\nWhen The Princesse's mouth was stuffed with rags, then The Lord continued: 'The She Bitch had crossed many a barrier and many hearts had she butchered indeed. All of this was alright with us. She was not in our domain. But the day she decided to come here and finger in our business, the bitch signed her death warrant. No one meddles in our affairs. No one has the right to question our methods. And those, who do futter with our business... Well'\n\nHe gave the signal and the Chief Headsman lifted his mighty Steel Axe and swung it with a terrible force. There were some screams in the crowd and crows flew away even as the sturdy neck of the fabled princess snapped apart and her head rolled away on the ground.\n\nBut before anything could be done, a a terrible fire erupted from the heart of the corpse and its flames were glowing with a glorious hue of orange. The fire licked her dead body and it arose in mid air, surrounded by the brilliant glow of those dazzling flames and right in front of their eye's, The Heart Huntress vanished into the flames of that fire. A sickening crunchy pop erupted in the night and with that everything vanished: The Fire and The Body. Nothing remained but the dumbfounded citizens and a very shocked and scared Lord who couldn't find the wind of his chest upon seeing that apparition.\n\nThe crowd found a humming unison as they all began to chant the old song of The Warriors but The Lord regained his composure and glared at them all and in one single moment, terrible as wrath, they all shut their mouths. Then he signalled the soldiers and they began to direct the crowd back to their houses as he himself departed from the scene, his black cape billowing behind him as he walked quickly towards the balcony.\n\n\\\n\n'My Lady...' he croaked, and his voice was hoarse and had none of its strength that it had some few moments before the execution.\n\n'Speak not even one word,' she said and her stunning necklace gleamed on her chest as the light of the gold glowed around her beautiful skin, 'Time after time you reveal your incompetence in carrying out these simple but necessary tasks. Had I not warned you about her apparition powers before? Had I not -\n\n'Pardon me my lady, for my intrusion, but she did die. She definitely died. Her very head rolled in front -\n\n'Yes. I saw. I am not blind. Fool. It was not her death that I really desired. It was The Mirror Stone -The Warrior Gem, which she so strongly protected, that I desired. It was always about The Mirror Stone. Where is that Mirror now? Do you have it? Did we not slay her only to retrieve that Mirror for ourselves? But where is that Mirror now? Fool. It's lost once again. And Heaven only knows where it will manifest this time. Another Cycle you have created for us you stupid dead mind fool. Leave now and fix this before I decide to get myself another husband. Depart now.'\n\nThe Lord cowered and quickly left the Queen, who sat their quietly in the moon light and even as The Lord left, a cloud covered the glowing moon and the face of The Queen was covered in a shadow.\n\n/to be continued.../" ]	7
	[WP] "There is no weapon that can hope to defeat Excalibur!" The knight arrogantly yelled while brandishing the mighty blade. The smith, unfazed, stepped forward hefting a large hammer onto their shoulder. "This is the hammer that forged that blade, it shouldn't take me long to break it".	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"That rusted thing? Don't make me laugh, you fat fool.\" Egbert the knight sneered, \"Everyone knows the legends of Excalibur. That the Lady of the Lake gave it to King Arthur.\"\n\n\"Aye she did.\" nodded Oswald the smith, standing his ground even as the fearful crowd moved away from him. \"But who said she didn't forge it? And you're certainly no King Arthur anyway! I'd even say you wouldn't compare to any of the Round Table even on their worst day, swinging that sword around like it means you own these lands!\"\n\nAt this, Egbert got off his horse, and stormed towards the smith with the sword, \"You should've kept your tongue before it lost you your head, peasant!\"\n\nThe knight swung at Oswald's head, but it was parried away with well timed swing of the hammer. Using their own momentum, the two swung again, creating a horrible noise as the face of the hammer met the blade of the sword.\n\nEgbert staggered back in pain, it felt like his arm almost broke from the impact, but he screamed bloody murder when he saw Excalibur having been twisted and bent at an angle at around halfway it's length.\n\n\"That sword was never meant for your hands lad.\" Oswald said, both he and the hammer were unharmed and still ready, \"The Lady of the Lake wants it back, and she doesn't care if I have to bring her the pieces. This is your last chance to hand it over, repent of your tyranny before all of us, and leave these lands, and I'll let you live your life anew before the eyes of God.\"\n\nEgbert only screamed as he charged again, swinging wildly at the smith. Oswald backed away from the still deadly swings, until he found an opening to catch the twisted blade of Excalibur with the head of his hammer. With all of his strength, Oswald swung it down to the ground, the sound of Excalibur snapping was like rumbling thunder.\n\nEgbert watched dumbstruck as the tip of the legendary sword flew up into the air. Too shocked to see the hammer come and strike him the chin, breaking his neck and ending his attempted reign in an instant." ]	2
	[WP] You're a demon bound to serve this family, it's usually okay, except the younger ones, they can sometimes have... strange, requests. You're technically allowed to refuse orders from members of the family that is not the oldest one currently alive, but it's sometimes fun to indulge them.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Da'grath didn't really understand the fear demons created in humans. I mean sure, the skin that looked like burnt leather and the acidic dripping ooze that smells like rotten eggs might be a little off putting; but he felt the screaming and release of urine was a bit much. \n\nHe watched as the man sitting in front of his master did just that. His master Thomas Blackmore sighed and shook his head. He knew that this tactic of being summoned was Thomas's way of keeping the local politicians in line, but it was murder on the carpet. Thomas said a few words and poof, Da'grath returned to the pocket dimension where he resided when not summoned. It wasn't a nice as his real home in hell, but he made enough modifications to be comfortable. \n\nHe was sitting on his couch watching the latest Kardashian episode (he loved shows that decreased human intelligence, they were so evil) when he saw the light on his globe ignite in blue. See only Thomas could summon him directly the other members of the family had to \"ask\". He actually liked being bound to a family instead of just one person. It allowed him to get to know their styles from early on. Typically the family would introduce the demon to a child when they turned 5. The wishes of the children were always far more inventive and entertaining. His favorite one so far was turning little Thomas's goldfish into a raging dinosaur that wrecked 1/2 the town before Thomas's grandfather put a stop to it. That was 40 years ago. Thomas's request have been a LOT more mundane as he got older.\n\nThe blue light belonged to the youngest of the Blackmore's little Emma. She was 6 and she loved all things macabre. While other girls her age were playing with dolls and pretending to be princesses, Emma was playing with skulls and pretending to be a witch (which she would be when she turned 16). He knew that she was in school so this summons was odd. \n\nHe popped into a very tiny bathroom. He was close to 9 ft tall and weighed about 300lbs so this was very uncomfortable. He looked down and saw little Emma crying. He struggled to reach some toilet paper and hand it to her.\n\n\"Hush now little one. Dry your eyes. Tell uncle Daggie (her name for him) what's wrong.\n\nThe sniffling stopped and she blew her nose and looked up at him with her piercing blue eyes. Even if he didn't work for her family, he would murder anyone who hurt those beautiful blue eyes.\n\nShe started quietly telling him how she was playing outside with some boys and they found a dead rat, so she picked it up and was looking at it when a new \"boy teacher\" slapped it out of her hand and chastised her for being \"un lady like \" and told her she could only play with dolls or something like hopscotch like a proper girl. He then picked up the rat and handed it to one of the boys and told them to go play. \n\nDa'grath nodded his head. \"I see and you want me to appear to him and scare him?\"\n\n\"No\" she said.\n\n\"Tear out his bowels?\"\n\n\"No\"\n\n\"Throw him into the pit of agony?\"\n\n\"No\"\n\n\"Then what\"\n\n\"I want you to turn him into a rat so I can feed him to the school snake\"", "\"YOU CANNOT HIDE FROM GARLAX, THE RENDER OF FLESH, PUNY MORTAL!\" I bellowed, my voice echoing off the stone walls. It was a scream of agony, the crack of bones and the rumble of a volcano all at once, erupting from my chest in a gutteral roar that had driven the most resolute warriors into despair and insanity.\n\nThe young human shrieked in fright and darted from it's hiding spot beneath the counter. I gave chase, my 500 pound bulk rattling those walls with every step. It ran through a short hall and out of a door too small for me to fit through.\n\nUndeterred, I reached into the font of hellfire within me and shed mass as I ran. By the time I reached the threshold, I slipped easily through the portal. The human child was nowhere to be seen. I stopped and cast out my senses. The blinding daylight receded, replaced with a diffuse, scattered luminescence. Lichens and grass glowed dimly while insects spread tiny, glittering stars across the courtyard. A sparkling mist led from the door I just emerged through, around the fountain and between the stable and the smithy, where a bright halo could be seen between the buildings.\n\nFoolish child. The curtain wall was 30 feet tall, and in the narrow gap between these two structures, there was not a handhold to be found. I allowed my demonic senses to recede. The sun was still a blinding glare, but after seven centuries in the mortal realms, it was little more than a mild inconvenience. I stalked towards the gap, regaining my bulk to send a clarion tremor through the ground with each step.\n\n\"I HAVE FOUND YOU, TASTY MORSEL!\" I announced as I stalked forward, into the shadows. \"I SHALL FEAST ON YOUR LIVER AND SLAKE MY THIRST WITH YOUR BILE!\"\n\nThe child, rather than cowering as I expected, leapt out from behind a broken wagon wheel, a tiny bent stick in its hands. It's voice was miniscule, but confident. \"You should have run while you had the chance, demon! My sword shall slay thee! Attack!\"\n\nAt his last word, the slight rustling I'd been hearing from the roof of the smithy turned into the patter of two sets of tiny feet and the clamoring of two war cries that made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in depth and volume.\n\nI barely felt the two figures -triplets with the one before me- as they landed on my broad back, tiny hands grasping at the fleshy folds of my wings for purchase. I bellowed and thrashed, but not too hard. \"I WILL DEVOUR YOUR SOULS AND SHIT THE SCRAPS ONTO YOUR ROTTING CORPSES!\"\n\nThe first child, Trevor, danced forward, nimbly avoiding my thrashings and poked its tiny stick into my belly. I didn't feel it at all through my thick hide, but I saw it happen.\n\n\"AUGH! I AM SLAIN!\" I cried, twisting my body around as I fell backwards so as not to squish Terry and Timothy. I hit the dirt with a thud that echoed through the courtyard and threw dust off the walls of the keep. The human children, in their infinite sadism, proceeded to crawl all over me, miniscule hands seeking out the ticklish spots their traitorous father had told them of.\n\nYes, demons are ticklish. It is not widely known, and I will destroy you utterly if you repeat it to anyone.\n\nI mean it.\n\nMy involuntary laughter crashed through the castle and the hills beyond it like the war cries of a rampaging army of lesser demons. By the time I'd extricated myself from the squirming mass of giggling children, their mother, the queen, stood in the door of the keep, watching us with practiced patience.\n\n\"My husband is off fighting a war, and this is where I find you, Garlax?\" Her tone was scolding, but the humor in her eyes belied it. \n\nI stood ponderously, Timothy still trying to get to my waist with its spider-hands, but too short to do more than brush my hip. \"KING LEONARD PERMITTED ME TO REMAIN BEHIND,\" I responded soberly, hoping she wouldn't press the issue, \"AS HE DID NOT EXPECT TO DO MORE THAN LAY SIEGE TO THE DUKE'S CASTLE.\"\n\nI scooped Timothy up and placed him on my right shoulder, then paused to see to the other two, who began clamoring for the same as soon as they witnessed their brother's good fortune.\n\n\"I HAVE SENT AN IMP TO WATCH OVER HIM. IF THERE IS A SORTIE, I WILL KNOW IMMEDIATELY, AND I WILL WALK THE SHADOWS TO FIGHT BY HIS SIDE.\"\n\nThe queen shook her head slowly in bemusement. \"And I suppose the crown prince asked you to keep us safe, in the meanwhile.\"\n\nI nodded. It was true, prince Eldon had indeed asked me to keep his mother and brothers safe. I did not mention that I had asked to stay behind. I could not speak falsehoods like the humans could, but I could omit details on occasion. \n\n\"And you are doing so by playing slay-the-demon with these three, terrifying half the kingdom with your dire threats?\"\n\nI could refuse her commands. I could receive any commands given to me by her husband, the king I was bound to serve, with any level of literalness I wished. I could interpret them in creative ways that would leave me with remit to slaughter and slay to my dark heart's content. I could, as I just said, have omitted a detail. But I could not refuse to answer a direct question asked of me by a mortal who knew my name. And thought I was reticent to say it, that reticence was born of instincts that had been dulled and reshaped by centuries of service to the kings of Elegiland. \n\n\"IT IS FUN TO PLAY WITH THEM.\" I muttered as quietly as I could. Which made the utterance about as quiet as a landslide. I continued in an effort to salve my wounded pride. \"IT MATTERS NOT WHERE IN THE CASTLE I AM. EVEN SHOULD THE DAEMON LUCIFAX, HE WHO ONCE DARED TO DEIGN HIMSELF MY GREATER, DESCEND UPON THIS PLACE, I WOULD FIND HIM BEFORE EVER HE LAID A TALON UPON ANY WHO DWELL HERE AND FLAY THE SERPENTINE SKIN FROM HIS GENITALS TO FASHION FOR YOU A NEW PAIR OF GLOVES!\"\n\nQueen Esmeralda laughed, a pure, crystalline sound that once would have driven me into a killing rage, but now brought nothing but relief with it. \"Very well, Garlax. Carry on. Do try to keep the threats of dismemberment to a minimum, though. The townsfolk are not as accustomed to you as the royal family.\" She turned and disappeared inside.\n\nI lifted the children off my shoulders and placed them on the ground. \"Do you want to play again, Garlax?\" Trevor asked me. \"YOU HEARD YOUR MOTHER,\" I responded, thinking of what else we could do.\n\n\"WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ME BITE THE HEAD OFF AN AUROCHS?\" I asked.\n\nWild cheers erupted.", "Ninety-nine years and ninety-nine days they had been bound to the oldest of the Vestre family. One day remained, and as such, demon and the eldest of the family in the male line - Salic Law was a demonic invention after all - met in the most logical room for them to do so: the living room with a roaring fire. It was the heart of the Norwegian winter, and the Trøndelag highlands were cold enough to make the fires of Hell themselves seem hospitable to humans. \n\n\"I'll not mince words. My grandfather summoned you for ninety-nine years and a hundred days. That ends tomorrow. What are your plans?\"\n\nThey were... Uncertain. From what the demonic grapevine passed on, summonings were at an all-time low adjusted for demon numbers, but this modern era had created new challenges. No longer were people foolish enough to enter into a contract without going over the fine print with a discerning eye, and the proliferation of weaponry, especially around the times of the Great Wars, had resulted in many crippled demons. Not dead: for what was already dead could not truly die, but the next worst thing in Hell.\n\nThey could be lucky, and not be summoned for another decade or three. Or they could be summoned into a far less permissive contract in three days. \n\nA rumbling sigh, washing the room with a hint of sulphur and sloth. The patriarch weathered it well. The puppy did not, and fled, yelping. \n\nTruth be told, this contract was... A good deal. Ever since that one event 70 years prior, the family had warmed to them, which had led to some interesting interactions. \n\nA girl; inviting him to a very formal tea party because nobody else in the family would attend - busy as they were with sudden broken water that led to the patriarch studying them like a hawk. \n\nThe patriarch, gap-toothed and cheerful, long before pain and disease had snuffed out his joy in life; asking if he could help with a barrage of snowballs to throw at his older, annoying, sister.\n\nYoung twin sons, eldest next in line for control of the contract, asking them lispily if anything demonic could help after watching nurses fuss over a wounded man. They had done so, inflicting unnatural sloth on the one-armed patient to help healing.\n\nThe younger twin, fidgeting and trying - unsuccessfully - to not scratch at a pimple on the eve of a school ball. He had wanted to feel empowered and unselfconcious: they had reacted with a placebo effect that had worked nevertheless. The young teenager had been surprised to learn the truth on his fourteenth birthday in a private truth or dare that had ended with the three of them drunkenly singing carols at two in the morning.\n\nThe patriarch's oldest granddaughter had been the most recent to request something of them - unfailingly polite, she had requested help with an idea for a drawing at school. They had obliged readily: shapeshifting into a sleeping creature of hell was a good way to indulge and practice their abilities.\n\n\"A new contract,\" they intoned slowly, carefully, as to not overwhelm. Outside, waves of sloth would dissipate, but inside like this, they could send someone into slumber eternal. \"Here.\"\n\n\"I see. Fortunate then that I found this in the archives.\" A contract was laid on the table; old, ready to fall apart from age and magic running out. \"The same contract?\"\n\nThey should bargain. They should try to corrupt. That was their nature as a demon. But... Their heart was not in it. Why give up a good life? \"No. Double duration.\"\n\n\"Agreed.\" The patriarch looked to his left. \"Do you accept a shake with my right hand, or should I summon my eldest to have a functioning left arm?\"", "Mason Abaddon, the patriarch of the Abaddon family, sat at the head of the table. He was an imposing figure in his own right, though the illusion was kept via a useful veil of demonic magic. A little more long, white, and tidy hair on the scalp. A bit of glamour to cover up the bloodshot (from lack of sleep) and yellow (from alcohol) eyes. And of course, the dark wail of demonic magic that was buffeting those present at the table.\n\nThough all eyes were supposedly on him, more saliva was swallowed, and more attention was paid to the demon that stood tall beside him. He was the pure distillation of hellfire. The towering presence stood still, and terrifying yellow (from being a demon) eyes scornfully looked down upon those present--like a particularly hawk-eyed mother scanning the meat aisle for expiry dates.\n\nEg’thos tried not to yawn. He did not claim to understand the words and frequent exchanges between his master and those at the table. But he was commanded to stand there. And as dutiful guardian to Mason Abbadon, he did.\n\nHe tried to listen. It was terrifyingly boring--talking about “waiting in the shadows” and “plans for world domination” and “break for biscuits and tea, anyone?” Eg’thos came from a place where actions spoke louder than words, because actions brought the most immediate and satisfying pain. Eg’thos talked, of course, but that was usually to discuss which actions he could then promptly take.\n\nMason Abaddon stood up, and the chatter fell silent.\n\n“That’s a good idea,” he whispered. He turned to Eg’thos, gave a curt nod, and grunted towards the door.\n\nEg’thos would pump his fist, though he was worried that it might destroy the table. Humanity and their world was so, so fragile. As his present company scattered to the adjoining dining room, Eg’thos walked to the door linking to the pathway, then stopped short at the obstacle in his path.\n\n“Eg’thos!” Yvette Abaddon, 10 years old, exclaimed. She held out her arms.\n\nEg’thos moved into the hallway. He carefully squatted. He wrapped his hands around Yvette, which engulfed the girl and left just her head peeking out. Then, oh-so-gingerly, he placed her on his shoulder, taking care to find a particularly non-spiky spot.\n\nYvette reached out. She could touch the roof, and she giggled. Eg’thos found his lips curling unnaturally into a smile. Not because he couldn’t smile, but because it was borne from a different sort of emotion that usually pumped through his seven hearts.\n\n“To my room, noble steed!” she shouted.\n\nEg’thos looked towards his master. Teatime should take a while.\n\n“Yvette,” Eg’thos said. “You want to see something really cool?”\n“Yes!” she exclaimed.\n\n“Hold on tight, then.”\n\nEg’thos closed his eyes, and chanted a few demonic lines. He opened his eyes, and they were in Yvette’s room. He still couldn’t quite get used to how much purple there was in the room, a direct contrast to the rest of the Abaddon Manor’s gloomy, wooden brown.\n\nYvette screeched with delight.\n\n“That. Was. Amazing!”\n\nEg’thos had teleported grown men before. Said grown men have immediately puked on the floor, so Eg’thos braced himself for a bit. But nothing came, so he breathed.\n\n“Let me down, Eg’thos,” Yvette said. “I want to take something.”\n\nAnd so, again, he cautiously lifted her, and placed her onto the ground like one would do with a precious, fragile vase. The girl immediately ran to a nearby bookshelf, and pulled out a comically thick novel. She held it out in front of her, allowing Eg’thos to see the cover.\n\nGreat Expectations.\n\n“This does not look like a tome a child your age should be reading,” Eg’thos raised a craggy eyebrow.\n\n“I’m not the one reading it,” she said. “You are reading it, and I’m listening.”\n\nEg’thos thought for a while.\n\n“Please? Pretty please?”\n\nThis request was not bound by blood or signature. And yet, Eg’thos found himself compelled to take the book, and flip through the first few pages. Yvette excitedly dragged a purple bean bag over, and plopped down into it.\n\n“Until Master calls, then,” he said.\n\nAnd so he read, and Yvette listened with rapt attention. Mason Abaddon did not call again that day.\n\nNeither the demon, nor the child, yawned for a few good hours.", "You might think being in a bloodline contract would be torture. Yes, you get to stay on the material side of existence. The weather is definitely much nicer. But bound to forever serve a family, until such time as they perish. Simply put, being a permanent slave.\n\nI didn't mind it really. Despite the fact that one of their ancestors bound me, they weren't bad people. Most of them anyway. A few were a little more my speed, but theywrre drowned out by the rest. My current master was Lord Ebron Vastile, the fifteenth holder of my contract. He was getting on in years, but had a surprisingly good heart. He had given me, a being of terrible power and cruelty, a room of my own.\n\nI stared at the rules of the contract, as I had scratched them into the wood work. That was one of the few things I had done to decorate it. They were simple rules, but effective.\n\n1. You shall obey the Eldest of the direct bloodline of Vastile\n2. You shall allow no harm to befall the family, through action or inaction, save by direct order if the Eldest\n3. You shall not seek to leave the contract, save by direct order of the Eldest\n4. You shall not show yourself to outsiders of the family, save by direct order of the Eldest\n5. You are not required to orders given by those of the family, save by direct order of the Eldest.\n\nI knew them by heart. But still, I examined them. They were as firm and unyielding as the day I was bound to them. I had served faithfully throughout this time, slaughtering some, saving others. I had accompanied the masters as an unseen bodyguard. I had done a lot for them.\n\nBut throughout this time, I grew fond of the young generations. They would often grow to be boring, but when they were young they were hilarious. Case in point, as I hovered over the floor, there was a rapid knocking at the door. It sprung open before I could go over, and the small form of Travis Vastile sprung in.\n\nHe ran over, jumping at my shapeless body. Acting to keep him from harm, I made myself soft and squishy, deforming underneath his small body. He giggled for a moment, before staring at me.\n\n\"Dem, dem! Come play with me!\"\n\nThey didn't call me by my name. Not through rudeness, but rather, only the master could. Instead, I was called Demon, or in the case of the young ones, Dem.\n\n\"And what are you playing?\"\n\nI carefully lowered him to the ground, before stopping my body from being solid. I kept a pseudopod solid, as he began to pull me from the room.\n\n\"I'm invading a castle, but I need an enemy.\"\n\nI grinned internally at this. I was going to be the bad guy, and Travis would be the hero and defeat me. So simple, but hilarious that a demonically contracted member of a bloodline thought themselves a hero.\n\nHe pulled me to his playroom, and pointed to a pole of boxes.\n\n\"There's your castle!\"\n\nI flowed into it, pondering for a moment. A flash on inspiration came to mind, and I changed.\n\n\"Ready?\"\n\n\"Yeah! Come out monster!\"\n\nI stalked out, my body that of a small dragon. He cheered loudly, and charged at me, swinging a wooden sword. I responded carefully, making sure not to hurt him.\n\nI loved this job. It was the most fun I had had in eons." ]	6
	[WP] You are a farmer in a rural town, and the night creatures have returned. This time they come in great numbers, from the west forest. Last night they killed the Jones’ from down the lane. A town meeting is held at the local bar, and you are asked to speak about how we shall face the creatures.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The tavern was lit dimly, the few select lanterns hanging upon its walls flickering with only moderate functionality. This caused a sort of perpetual state of fresh dusk, as though the sun was constantly on the verge of slipping from the horizons.\n\n“Ah, Mitchell.” Mr Stuart muttered darkly upon seeing the man enter. “Your early, we’re still awaiting Edward.”\n\nTwo other equally somber fellows joined Stuart, all indulging in some variety of liquor.\n\n“My greetings, James, Oliver.” the newcomer nodded, the gesture recuperated back by them both.\n\nThe four participated in an accompanied silence, each partaking in their own solemn bit of self-reflection. Behind the bar, the innkeeper - Alex - tended to a fine selection of ales, spirits and mead. All of which she cared for in the same methodical fashion you’d develop after working the same occupation for any lengthy span.\n\n“Another beer please Alex, I can’t conjure up the bother to care which.” Mitchell mumbled tipsily.\n\nShe flipped around an exact ninety degrees, facing the men with a stern expression that only hinted at the woman’s true boiling rage. “Gosh, can’t you four at least wait for proceedings to end before you drink yourselves silly?”\n\nFaint blackish lines became very visible beneath James’ already grave look. “No. To hell with these beasts. I couldn’t give less of a damn after what they did to Jones.”\n\nStuart glanced at him as though he thought the blond-haired man rather stupid. “Jesus, that alcohol really is hitting you hard, with thinking backwards as that…”\n\n“What?!” James spat right back, his disgust prevalent on every facet of his face. \n\n“He’s right you know,” Oliver spoke up. “If you really detest the night-things that much, actually forming a solid plan would probably be a good start at putting the cursed lot down.”\n\nWhilst James half-murmured a soft agreement, Mitchel’s eyes settled on something particularly troubling.\n\n“Holy god!” he blurted out, tripping against his seat and ruining his shirt with the newly spilled beverage. \n\nUpon the floor the man poised a trembling figure towards an oak board above the bar. “I-is that what I think it is?” he stuttered.\n\n“Yep.” Alex answered, a slight grin spanning her face. “It’s the head of a night-thing, or whatever you wanna’ call it. Killed it fresh myself.” \n\nComposing himself and settling back into his seat - his glass, aside from its contents spanning the floor, otherwise unharmed - the man breathed heavily.\n\n“Gosh, shook me up right that did.”\n\nBoth Oliver and James burst out into a fit of cackling, the noise accompanied by Stuart’s poorly-hidden chuckles.\n\n“Anyway,” Oliver continued, after the laughter fully dispersed. “Where the hell even is Edward? It’s been a bloody’ hour!”\n\nA menacing tension merged with the surrounding atmosphere, quietly intensifying.\n\n“He’s not…” Alex trailed off.\n\n“No, of course not.” Stuart reassured them, sounding much less certain than he acted.\n\nMitchell took one last, chilly gulp of alcohol before standing casually upright.\n\n“Hey! That was my drin-“ James cut himself off. \n\n“I really wanted to delay this for future times.” a voice that was certainly not Mitchell’s escaped the man’s throat. “But alas, you’ve slaughtered one of my own kin,”\n\nA trio of elongated claws split the bar table in almost half. \n\n“And there is only one penance for such an act.”" ]	2
	[WP] The Princess doesn't want to marry any of the handsome or brave or wealthy suitors who come to her; instead, she's interested in the Court Jester girl who always manages to make her laugh...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "He was Duke Bigod. Tall...strong...handsome...and also a complete tool. He wore a full suit of custom armour and carried his helmet under his arm, allowing his long hair to flow as he flicked it back and forth while he walked.\n\nHe strolled down the great hall with a cocky swagger. At the other end of the great hall sat the King, Queen...and their single daughter, Princess Courtney.\n\nPrincess Courtney sighed to herself as she watched him approach, she made the mistake of making eye contact for a moment and got an, not so subtle, wink in return. This was the third guy this month alone. Her parents were desperate for her to marry which meant that, purely by chance, eligible men of high standing just so happen to pop round every so often for a spontaneous, polite visit and a nice little chat...by order of her parents, the King and Queen.\n\n“Three gold coins says he's gonna compare his dick to his sword at some point...” Whispered a voice from behind Princess Courtney's throne. She went to smile and caught herself before responding to the voice in a hushed tone without looking away.\n\n“Oh come on that's far to cliché, even for someone like him and besides do you really think he'll do something like that in front of my parents?!”\n\n“...Five gold coins....” Persisted the voice in a playful tone.\n\n“...Okay, your on.”\n\n“My King and Queen, what an honour it is to stand before you both!” Bellowed the Duke with a shit eating grin. “I have arrived as per your reque...”. It was at this point the Queen had found she had a sudden cough. A cough which might have sounded a warning to some, a cough which, to some people in the great hall, should remind them of their lines, should those people have any hopes of marrying any other person in said great hall.\n\n“...Sorry...” The Duke cleared his throat. “As I was saying...I arrived at your magnificent castle, purely by chance, and thought it would be most...agreeable...to pay my respects to such a.....” The Duke was beginning to forgot the lines that were NOT sent to him several days ago in a letter from the King and Queen. He looked towards the Queen with a pitiful stare. The Queen rolled her eyes, hard.\n\n“Why, Duke Bigod...I have heard great tales of your prowess in battle!” Spoke the King, in a tone that was both rehearsed and growing slightly annoyed. “...I'm sure you have many stories to tell us, all, of your brave battles.” He raised an eyebrow at the Duke which suggested he damn well better have some good stories to tell.\n\n“Oh, of...of course!” Stuttered the Duke as he picked up on his cue. “I have fought many, many a battle....” He pulled his sword from it's scabbard and started fencing with imaginary enemies.\n\n“Oh yes, my sword has tasted much flesh in it's time! It was served me well!”\n\n“It's gonna happen...” Whispered the voice in a playful tone.\n\nPrincess Courtney bit her cheek to gently to stop a smile, before speaking. “...Tell me more about this sword of yours....” There was a stifled laugh from behind her throne, as if someone leaning on the thrones back had just slapped a hand over their mouth to stop a laugh from escaping.\n\nThe Princess's parent's heads turned sharply to look at her, their eyes wide. They quickly turned back to the Duke and gave him a stern nod that he should continue...or else.\n\n“Errrmmm...wweelll....” The Duke began to sweat a little. He had bedded many girls before, but this was different. Sure the Princess was beautiful, but this was starting to feel like actual work. Something he really did not like. He cleared his throat and got his composer back. “As you can see Princess, it is a rather large sword. It's sad to say that there are not many men out there who are equipped with a weapon as large as mine, why it can not only split a man's skull, but it can also be used to split the sweetest of peaches.” He winked at her.\n\n“...And just like that, you owe me five gold coins.” Came the hidden voice.\n\n“Oh please...” Whispered Courtney as she smiled at the Duke, she picked up the goblet of wine on the side next to her and went for a sip. “...I'm sure that wasn't meant as a metaphor, he was most likely talking about actual peaches.”\n\n“And I'm sure that all those 'peaches' have all gone rotten of his 'big' sword.”\n\nCourtney spat out her wine in laughter. Everyone in the great hall turned to look at her as wine dribbled down her chin. There was a pause for a second that seemed to last forever as Princess Courtney saw that everyone was staring at her, it was broken by the laughter coming from behind her throne.\n\n“Guards, someone is behind the Princess's throne!” The guards rushed forward, weapons drawn. “NO!” Shouted the Princess.\n\nA figure stepped out from behind the throne, it was Viola the Jester, she held her hands up while looking down.\n\n“Who is that person?!” Demanded the Duke.\n\nThe King stood from his throne and bellowed. “You do NOT command US! do you understand that...Bigod?!”\n\nThe Duke shrank a little. “...of course.”\n\n“Now.” Continued the Queen. “I want that...jester, removed from the hall and thrown into the dungeons!” The guards grabbed the jester roughly by the arms and were about to drag her off when there came another voice.\n\n“NO!\" Shouted the Princess as she shot to her feet. \"If you promise not to throw her in the dungeons I promise to you both now that...I shall marry... soon...” A cold silence fell across the hall, the guards froze and slowly looked to the King and Queen, knowing full well that a wrong move at this moment could cost them their lives. The King and Queen took a moment, they shared a look before turning back to the guards. “...Guards....remove this Jester from the hall for now. Be quick about it...and careful.”\n\nTwo guards grabbed an arm each and dragged Viola the Jester out the hall. As she went Viola shot a smirk and a wink at the Princess which made part of her heart melt. Princess Courtney returned a sly smile. She was not lying when she said she would marry some day soon, it just might not be to the person that her parents chose." ]	2
	[WP] Due to some bizarre confluence of astrological events, rubbing the magic lamp you found has the inverted effect: you owe the genie three wishes. The genie, however, is at a bit of a loss as to what to wish for.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Come on!\" I whined. \"You must have granted thousands of wishes!\"\n\n\"Sixth thousand seven hundred and ninety eight,\" the genie corrected me, as if that made any sort of difference in this situation. I was already starting to see the downside of dealing with genies if they were all this pedantic.\n\n\"Right, so you have a huge backlog of ideas, don't you?\" There had to be a way to get this guy off my back.\n\nInstead of considering what I said, the genie simply shook his head and scoffed. \"Just because our roles are somewhat reversed doesn't mean you have the power to magically grant wishes. No wonder this happened. If you didn't realize that, I shouldn't be surprised that you woke me under a blood moon.\"\n\n\"Lunar eclipse,\" I corrected. If he could be smug, I could, too.\n\n\"It doesn't matter what you call it. The point is that I'm stuck with you until we figure out a way for you, a mundane human, can grant three wishes for an all-powerful genie.\"\n\nI sighed. This was not going to be fun. \"Fine,\" I relented. \"Well, if this is going to take a while, I guess I should know your name.\"\n\nThe genie paused, looking confused for a moment. \"I don't have a name,\" he said before his face brightened up. \"Human! I wish for you to give me a name.\"\n\nI nearly bust a gut laughing. \"Okay,\" I replied as the laughter finally subsided, \"first of all, my name is Claire, but second of all... Well, your wish is my command, I guess. Your name is now Robin.\" There was some sort of shift in the wind that couldn't have been completely natural.\n\n\"Robin?\" he asked. \"Like the bird?\"\n\nI nodded. \"Yeah, sure. Now then, let's work on the other two wishes, huh?\"" ]	2
	[WP] You have found a legendary weapon of the Old World, one that could slay as easily as the best of magic missles even for one with no magical potential, the gunne	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"A-a-ah... where did you find that relic!?\" spoke the shopkeep, slamming his fist down against his glass counter with such ferocity that it cracked underneath the weight of his heavy arms. His eyes glistened, joy leaking from his heart so blatantly that it could inspire a scrooge to turn into a philanthropist.\n\nThe monocle zoomed in, eyeing every crevice, kink, and mechanic of the weapon, causing the shopkeeper to salivate more so than he'd already been leaking.\n\n\"I was scavenging the ruins of America, and then I noticed a glimmer sprinkle in my eye. I ran over to a pile of rubble--\"\n\n\"I don't actually care how you got it, kid. How much do you want for it? I'll give you enough to stay off the streets for a week!\" he dismissed the boy with no scruple, nearly falling asleep as the kid stepped back with disappointment leaking down his face. He grasped his chest. The words of the shopkeep had hit him like a poison-tipped arrow.\n\n\"O-oh... O-okay... I guess I can sell it to you for five-hundred--\" he poutingly spoke, attempting to hide away the disappointment the plagued his face transparently, wiping away his soggy tears that seldom streamed down his eyes, attempting to hide it away from a towering woman who entered the shop just as his wiped tears splattered onto the now soggy oak flooring of the shop.\n\nBells chimed, causing the shopkeep to waggle his nose in the direction of the sound, turning back to his brown chest he rummaged through.\n\nHer accent was snarky, strange, unheard of yet intriguing.\n\n\"Boy, just what do you think you're doing?\" she jeered, poking her eyes toward him with such intensity that the boy's blood ran cold, running so quickly that it boiled from the intensity of its workout. Upon closer inspection, the boy looked up, noticing strange features surrounding the woman. Her mouth held a glowing stick made of paper and plant, and on her head was a gigantic straw, rounded enough that even the sun failed to touch her, and her body was gigantic, blocking out more of the sun than her hat could ever.\n\n\"Five hundred?! It's a deal!\" the shopkeeper exploded with jubilance, unnoticing of the woman who hoarded the entrance of his store.\n\n\"I'm selling t--\"\n\n\"The hell you are!\" she exploded, snatching the gun out of his hands, pointing toward the shopkeep who continued with his business unwittingly.\n\n\"G-Give that back!\" the boy yelled, jumping up to reach the gun in vain, missing it by inches no matter how hard he jumped.\n\n\"Let me show you how to use a damn gun!\" she spoke with excitement in her voice, snapping her glove-fitted fingers as she holstered the gun into her waistband, causing the shopkeeper to finally notice her presence.\n\n\"How much for this!?\" she bargained, ripping it out of her pants and slamming down onto the cracked glass, finishing it off wholly as the shopkeeper's mouth hung ajar.\n\n\"Isn't that the same gun that kid had? We've already agreed to five-hundr--\"\n\n\"You're mistaken, sir, I meant how much are ya' willin to give me and the boy if you wanna walk outta here with your life?\" she spoke, lifting her gun from the ground as if it were a magnet, causing it to whip into her hands hastily, beating the shopkeep her reached for his sword.\n\n\"C-calm down, missy--\"\n\nShe clicked the hammer of the revolver, pointing it toward his head with no remorse, in contrast to his shaky baldened head.\n\n\"Call me Ma'am, call my Sandra, call me a ghost even if you will, but I'll be dead a million times over before I ever miss,\" she spoke, prodding his quivering ears as sweat built upon his brows.\n\n\"Y-yes, Ma'am...\"\n\nJarred, the boy could only watch in horror, backing away slowly in hopes to not disturb the woman's doing.\n\n\"This, this right here boy, is how you use a gun,\" she spoke as her hand lifted, turning her gun to the backend of the store that held six glass bottles conveniently on a self. She fired off six shots, hitting each bottle with sharp precision, hitting each one with confidence beaming from her soul. The smell of sulfur littered the air, a smell that none had whiffed in years.\n\nThe shopkeeper examined the gun once more, noticing that six slots had been in the gun. He broke free of the overwhelming fear that chained him down, reaching for his sword in a heartbeat, slashing at the woman who blocked it at the cost of her left arm.\n\nShe pulled the gun back to his head, the shopkeeper laughed.\n\n\"You're out of ammo, Miss.\"\n\n\"And you're out of time,\" she pulled the trigger, leaving the shopkeeper in a bloody pile of his own matter.\n\nThe boy saw this as an opening, running for the exit that'd been quickly cut off as a bullet shot over his head, hitting the glass that the door had been made off, but not breaking it.\n\n\"Where're you going, boy?\"\n\n\"...\" silence fell upon him, refusing to utter a single word, his mouth sealed itself, beginning now to only listen.\n\n\"Grab the money in the till, we're gonna need some fundings.\"\n\n\"F-for what?\" the boy managed to spit out, shaking with the intensity of a newborn fawn.\n\n\"This gun right here is just one of many,\" she spoke, pointing toward the gun in her hand as she hovered it around her chest, \"and inside each one is a sealed American soul.\"\n\n\"W-what do you want from me?\"\n\n\"I can't touch any guns by mahself, but you? You're the only one who was brave enough to walk downriver... and I'm gonna need a partner to help me bring America back.\n\nHis heart nearly stopped thumping, meeting gazes with the woman once more as he staggered back.\n\n\"I-I can't! America fell for a reason!\"\n\n\"The thing is, you can, and you will help me, boy, unless you wanna go down for murder,\" she spoke mischievously, tossing the gun across the room into his palms, fading away into nothingness as it reached his grip.\n\n\"What will it be, boy?\" her voice rang in his head.\n\nWith sadness, fear, but above all, rage residing in his wet eyes, he grasped with the gun with nearly enough force to bend its metal, tucking it into his waistband just as the woman did, leaving the store after grabbing the money that'd been in the till.\n\n\"Good boy!\"\n\n\"... Where are we going?...\" he spoke despondently.\n\n\"Alabama first, Florida last.\"" ]	2
	[WP] Before passing to the afterlife, those who die go to a 'land of the remembered' until they are forgotten on Earth. Most pass quickly, but the famous and infamous linger. You've been there longer than anyone else.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The room looked like a train station. It had changed over the years, many times since I got here. When I arrived it was just a fancy cave with two exits. But that was... almost at the beginning.\n\nI make it a point to always chat up the newcomers. It's the only way to stay sane in this place. Otherwise I would have gone insane many thousands of years ago. See, this room is a place where the remembered go after they die. There's this old saying that \"no one is truly dead who is remembered\". As most people find out that is literally how the world works. So until you are completely forgotten, this is where you stay. A temporary stop so your soul can wait to be forgotten \n\nThere's a bunch of windows on the walls showing who remembers you outside the room, if you want to look. I guess it's to let the spirit be at peace. So we can find out what happens to our relatives and such when we pass. For others, perhaps, it's more about finding out if you mattered at all. But me, I never spend much time looking through the windows anymore. There's nothing there that I haven't seen a thousand years and a million times.\n\nSometimes there will be someone particularly important that a lot of people remember. Historical figures. Famous artists. And some of those people have stayed in this room a long time. Hundreds of years even. But none of them come close to how old I am. By my reckoning I've been staying in this room for some sixteen thousand years, although of course it gets a bit tricky to actually measure years that long back.\n\nThe thing is nobody actually knows who I am. I mean, none of the people who come here - and there are a LOT of people who come here - none of them know about me. Mostly they got other things on their minds. Some of them can't wait to be forgotten and pass on to the afterlife. Others are not so much in a hurry, they have no idea where they're going next. I make it a point to ask about them. They're not clever about it like me, though. \n\nThere's a heaven and a hell, and then there's the Earthly realm in between. Those have changed over the years too, as peoples religions and dreams did. But there has always been a bad place and a good place, even all the way back at the beginning. So I figured when I got here to this room, that it sure doesn't feel like the bad place. And if it was the good place, well, they'd let me know, you know? \n\nWhich means this room can only be in one other place. See, I realized the truth early. Most who come through here don't even have time to think about it, wasting their years away looking after their children and grandchildren. And then they vanish, off to the afterlife, before they take the time to really think about what's going on. Because if we're not in heaven and we're not in hell... we're still on Earth.\n\nWhich is why I make it a point to talk to all the newcomers. I bet outside this room nobody could even pronounce my name properly. But in here, everybody remembers me. Everybody remembers the oldest guy in the room, the first guy they talk to after they died. And since we're still on Earth... I don't think I will ever truly die. \n\nMaybe one day. If humanity goes extinct, I'm shit out of luck. Or maybe humanity develops some kind of immortality pill but it takes away your memories? Or maybe one day I will simply grow tired of this room. But I don't think so. Because I know where I'm going next. \n\nUntil that day comes, I'll be here passing the time doing anything I can to stay sane. Talking to the newcomers. Watching other peoples windows. Learning about life back in the world. Anything I can do to stay here, to make the dead people remember me. The dead remember their own. And as long as they do, I will be here forever.\n\nUntil that day." ]	2
	[WP]It’s the 2000th Annual Vampire Convention, this year held New Orleans,Louisiana! An ancient vampire from the Colonial Era and a recently turned Day-walker from Detroit are placed in the same hotel room together. What do their interactions look like?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Decaying manor houses. Coffins that wouldn't stay buried. Just enough drunks and dopefiends wandering around after dark that nobody would miss a few. \n\nThe Big Easy. No wonder the children of the night flocked here. \n\nIf you were present very late that night at the Dark Oaks at Lion's Court- a prestigious address, having once been a plantation manor- you would see a procession of formally dressed people who might have looked odd in ways you couldn't quite put your finger on. They varied as people do- some tall, some short, some thin, some stout, some balding and gangly, some youthful and ruddy. But there was something common to all of them- some quality of confidence, maybe- something that held fascination for others. \n\n\"Checking in. Fallon of the Moonblooms, from Bakunda.\" \n\n\"Ah, Sir Webb,\" said Seneschal. \"So good of you to come all this way. Your room key; there is to be a reception dinner-\" \n\n\"Dr. Armand Tesla, of Timisoara and the Wolf-Brothers.\" \n\n\"Doctor, lovely to see you again. We heard of your work with Tobel in London. Your room key, and be sure to attend the reception-\" \n\n\"Buenos noches, Seneschal. Don Drago Roblés-\" \n\n\"Tandra of the Diaboli Sponsas-\" \n\n\"Karnstein of Vasaria-\"\n\nThe Seneschal of Dark Oaks greeted each new guest impeccably. A solemn looking man of szekely heritage, his family had served the night-children for generations, never forgetting old debts and old agreements. The Castellan, who managed Dark Oaks, watched patiently and calmly from his lounge, greeting personally those of greatest importance. Butlers and housekeepers and even porters in tattered straightjackets bustled back and forth, or stood still awaiting any instruction, each wearing an ornate mask carved by a skilled local mascerasi. \n\nEach guest received a key and an ornate mask of their own, for the festivities that evening, and was bundled off to their rooms to prepare for the reception, hoping to be finished and abed before dusk. By 2 AM, each mingled in the great hall wearing sober finery and their mask. \n\n\\\\\\* \n\nAmerica had been good to many of those present. Many had gotten their start in some old country, and many still missed the crumbling old castles there, but the night-children's ways were too well known there for any to remain. It did not do to remain in one place too long, drain a place too dry. \n\nAnd so little by little they had made their way to west, to places like London and then here. There were no old ways, here, for peasants to remember. Here people thought they had drowned the dark of night out with their city lights, clung to the protection they thought their faith in fame and beauty and luxury would afford them. \n\nHere they could feed unbothered. There were a few elders across New England, a smattering on the West Coast, and, of course, some in New Orleans. They tended not to stay in one place. It was more and more difficult for them to pretend that they were the descendant of some identical grandfather. \n\nEach waited patiently, calling over servants who would offer a wrist calmly if a guest grew thirsty. The chief officers of the Court would arrive here soon...\n\n\\------------\n\nTo be finished later... (sorry, it's bedtime)", "\"So, your transformation consensual? That's great news. Back in my day, you would be luck if your turning wasn't getting shoved into a wall and getting bitten, the having a bloodied wrist ahoven in your mouth. I'm Edward Kirk by the way.\" he said that to me, unpacking. \n\nEdward was a blond guy with a sidecut and the curly hair on top almost falling into his electric blue eyes. Probably lenses to fit in with the humans. I used them myself, my eyes still dark red for being transformed only 6 months ago back in my city, Detroit.\n\n\"Yeah, it was my neighbor. I would 'donate' blood to him. One day he said he was moving, so he asked me to get my memories changed by a witch since he was leaving. I asked if he could turn me and we could leave. I just had lost my job, and being a nomadic vampire was more fun than being an accountant. He is the one who actually told me about this convention. I'm kind of looking for a nomad flock.\" We talked for a few hours about his past flocks, hunting deers with werewolves, (highly recommend) and a bunch of stuff. It was 10 am and we went down for the first meetings of the day-walkers, vampires with amulets that protect them in the middle of the day, but when we got to the lobby, there was a ruckus. When Edward asked what, one person pointed to the big TV there. It was on Good Morning America, and was the dude that turned me going on about how vampires are real. Fuck." ]	3

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