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] Those who die before their time are reincarnated in the underworld. They cannot die through normal means, instead "reapers" will hunt them down once they have lived to the age they would have died otherwise. You have lived for 600 years here, what's a day in your life 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 running. Again.\n\nWhy am I running?\n\nPretty simple, I'm far past my time. \n\nCame to the underworld around age 8, they showed their faces(?) around 32. I haven't aged since 32 either. Anyways the underworld is actually pretty nice, it's like an open world game, the land doesn't seem to ever stop, water, mountains, lakes, rivers, fields. What have you, once I came upon a mountain range with flouting islands. Weird right?\n\nI don't fully understand it. But I gotta know. Ya'follow? I recently pasted my 600'th birthday, since 32 that is, 600 since the chase began. The reapers as us people down here call 'em are meant to rid this world of those past their time.\n\nNow your most likely wondering what I'm doing. Why I'm keeping date since the 'chase', why I'm running. That's 'cause they are trailing me, I haven't been in normal civilization since the first 20 years runnin. There's a lot of 'em I like to think I distract a ton from others, maybe they just appear and vanish till they rid whoever they're after though. I wouldn't know.\n\nNote; I'm not scared of death, if that's what your wonderin. I've died once already, bloody that one was. Car crash if my memory serves me right. Know it wasn't slow but also wasn't fast, my death that is. But I'm getting off topic eh? What I'm doing right. I'm gonna find the end of the world. I gotta know if those flat Earthers where right. Even if this ain't Earth, at least I don't think it is, physics aren't correct at a minimum plus... other things yea. \n\nI'm in good terrain right now, forest, large white trees with colored leaves, pink on some blue on others. It was epic when the sun rose. They aren't too dense or thin. I think I've got two reapers on my immediate tail, but there's at least 26 followin. Oh well. That's why I'm writing this right now. Don't need too much attention 'round me. \n\nI was up a mountain before this, pretty. terraced water fall lookin lakes. I saw beyond the forest. It's an ocean. I couldn't see anywhere round it and the best place to end the world would be over water ya'know.\n\n The issue is. Reapers float. I, sadly, do not. I don't think I'll make it past tomorrow night, if I'm generous to myself that is. I've got the day to build a boat. Normally I'd sleep by the time the last of my followers stopped, but no time. \n\nI've become nocturnal if your wondering. You likely know this but reapers only come out from dusk to dawn. I have till night fall to get out into the water and out as far as I can. Before ya'know.\n\n... \n\nBut yea, that's why I'm writin this journal, if you found this, what ever werido. Don't know what you're out 'ere for, I'll likely never know. I'm puttin this on the ocean shore though If that isn't where you found it? As if I'd know buddy. I'm sure you've seen my other pages, I bet you could guess all the information i've written here. But, oh well. Good luck dude.\n\n\\- Possibly a dead man, but maybe not.'" ]	2
	[WP] Third rule of the unnatural phenomenon faculty: If, while walking within campus, you start sinking into the ground, please take off your shoes and leave. If you are not able to escape, contact the emergency line.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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, campus emergency hotline, who am I speaking to?\"\n\n\n\"Uhhhhhh I need help!\" I manage, all in one breath.\n\n\n\"Help with what, Ma'am? What's your location?\"\n\n\n\"I'm outside of building 12A, and I'm just sort of...sinking.\" I manage, my mouth dry in my panic. I can feel the asphalt grow soft around my ankles now, as I slowly sink deeper into the ground. Why the fuck did I want to study this shit to begin with? This college is absolutely bonkers. \n\n\n\"Did you take off your shoes?\"\n\n\n\"My what?\"\n\n\n\"The third rule in your handbook, ma'am. Did you take off your shoes?\"\n\n\nI inhale sharply. The handbook I'd tossed into my desk drawer the first day, and left to collect dust. Of course I hadn't read it. It was orientation material. Who the fuck read those things, anyways?\n\n\n\"Uhhh...\" I scratch at the back of my neck with my free-hand, trying to think of a way I won't sound completely moronic. \"No? I mean I didn't really have the time-\"\n\n\n\"Ma'am, did you read your handbook? The sinking is incredibly slow. Everything is fine as long as you take off your shoes.\" His voice is monotone and flat on the line, droning on as if he's heard this countless times. I hope he has.\n\n\n\"It's a bit too late for that. I'm up to my shins, now.\" Indeed, the sinking has increased since the time I called the hotline. \n\n\n\"Well. In that case, let me transfer you to our department of last affairs. It's been a pleasure meeting with you.\"\n\n\nThe line clicks to an empty dial tone, and I pull my phone back to look at my homepage. Motherfucker didn't even transfer me.", "I strolled across the campus grounds, happily swinging my picnic basket. Packing snacks for my two friends had been difficult—after all, what pastry says 'I'm sorry you nearly disappeared' or 'I'm sorry your feet are gone'—but I'd finally managed to get something together. Tryn and Sheila would enjoy the break from infirmary food, though I'd been told it was filling. \r \nThe sun was shining, though with a strange sort of halo around it and the birds were chirping. Or at least making some kind of noise. More of a strangled squeak than proper chirping, but that was as good as it got around here. I was tempted to walk slower, but I resisted. Slower could get you in trouble in this place. However, my feet seemed to have different ideas. \r \nI looked down at the ground. Good old Terra Firma. Except now, it was more liquid than I remembered. And the tops of my shoes were already disappearing below the grass. Desperately I tugged at them, managing to remove one. My descent slowed. That was the good news. The bad news was that my other shoe had vanished entirely. Bugger. \r \nAround me, the ground rippled as I tried to wriggle out. I didn't sink faster, but still, was inexorably drawn further. It was up to my knees now. This is what I got for being short. A tall person would only be up to their shins right about— No, this wasn't helping. According to the third rule, if I couldn't get out I needed to contact the emergency line. I reached for the long silver thread coiled in my jacket pocket. Cell phones weren't always reliable, and after what happened to Sheila, the teachers decided on a different system. \r \nLooking up, I swung the thread towards the tracery of silvery lines that stretched across the entire campus. The weight on the end of my thread looped over a line, locking it into place. It was strange to think this counted as an emergency line but when you're sinking into the ground, you don't question it. Much. \r \nI pulled, fear starting to pulse through me. If the teachers didn't get here in time... I didn't want to think about what would happen next. My picnic basket lay only a few feet away, completely unaffected by the sucking ground. Whatever this was, it only wanted humans. Or shoe-wearing humans. Something brushed by my feet.\r \nAutomatically, I yanked them upwards, and to my surprise, my unshod foot floated completely to the surface. In fact, it didn't go back down. To that foot, the ground was as solid as it had always been. This presented a problem, as the ground had risen to my thighs. I didn't have the strength to pull myself up with one foot. Worse—though my ballet lessons had made me flexible— eventually I would have to voluntarily shift position, or end up torn apart. \r \nThis was the last time I made baked goods for anyone. \r \nSomething brushed my leg again, and I squeaked. It was worse than when it happened in the ocean. At least there it was probably seaweed. But what in the world swam through the earth? I really, really, didn't want to find out. My legs were starting to feel stretched, and I groaned. I couldn't hold this position for much longer. \r \nA few minutes passed, and I pulled on the thread again. Where were they? The stretch in my legs had gone from painful to excruciating, and no longer able to keep myself like that, I shifted, trying to lay on my back. The relief was palpable, but the ground still sucked at me. And now, it had a lot more to grab onto. \r \nIt started to lap over my torso, and my shoulders; went into my ears. Taking a deep breath, I stared up at the blue sky before the ground closed over my face. \r \nSilence. And then, scarier than the silence. A sound. It was the sound of teeth gnashing, of screams, of wailing terrors. Against my better judgement, knowing I wouldn't be able to see, afraid that I would be able to see, I opened my eyes. \r \nI could see.\r \nDeep below me, a shadow swam. It reminded me of an anglerfish or a piranha. But at the same time, it defied description. The only thing I knew for sure, was that it was rising. The wild thought that maybe Sheila could have my foot flashed through my mind as the shadow grew closer. Its size grew with its proximity until it had to be at least double my own. Leathery skin and great teeth filled my vision until I had to close my eyes, unable to face my doom. There was a terrific yank.\r \nAnd covered in mud, I slid out of the earth like a worm, landing in a heap. Hands reached down tearing off my one remaining shoe. I coughed, expelling dirt from my mouth. Three teachers ringed me—my own, Tryn's, and a third who I couldn't focus on properly— all with incongruous bared feet. \r \n\"He's alive. He escaped. Whole.\" Tryn's teacher's voice cracked as he stared at my face. He must have seen the fear in my eyes, the traces of what I'd seen still hurting my mind. Picking up my picnic basket, he hauled me to my feet. \r \n\"Infirmary. Now. Tell the nurse I sent you. We need to cordon this section off for the foreseeable future.\" He ordered, before turning back to the other teachers. Still reeling, I staggered off to the main building, grateful he hadn't asked me any questions. I wasn't sure if I had any answers. \r \nThe straw of the basket dug into my hand, delightfully real and solid, as I walked through the halls. At the very least, Tryn and Sheila would get their pastries. And maybe I'd treat myself to one too. After all that, I deserved it." ]	3
	[WP] Some kids think they've been saved by an urban legend and try to prove that it's real.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Rain poured down onto the brickstone streets, as two children huddled into an alleyway, one carrying an umbrella, and another carrying a small box.\n\n\"Alex, you got the crucifix, right?\" Mei asked, as they drew nearer to their destination \n\n\"Of course, idiot.\"\n\n\"I am not an idiot!\"\n\n\"Shush, we don't want anyone to find us!\" Alex yelled back.\n\nThey got to the door in question, it was a large thing, made of dark oak wood, and gilded with iron as to make it look imposing and tall. It had a knocker, one shaped like a bat. Alex reached as high as he could, eventually gripping the knocker and slamming it into the door as hard as he could, then another two times to be safe.\n\n From the other side, they could hear heavy footsteps, as if a great and terrible thing was approaching the door, getting closer and closer, the dread began to mount.\n\nBut the door did eventually open, revealing the man in question. He was tall, taller than even the door, having the lean in order for his face to be in view. His skin was pale as snow, as if he was inflicted with some terrible ailment.\n\n\"And why are there two children on my doorstep in...\" He glanced over to something inside his home, before adding \"2 in the morning?\"\n\n\"Uhh sir, are you a vampire?\"\n\nThe man looked over to Mei, who had asked the question, before bursting into laughter. \"And what makes you think that, little girl?\"\n\n\"Alex, now!\"\n\nAlex then opened the box, revealing an ornate silver cross that Mie then grabbed and held up to the man.\n\nThe man stood back slightly, before chuckling \"Oh thank god, i thought you had a stake there!\" When Mei and Alex both looked confused, the man added \"A cross is just a cross, it has no power over me.\"\n\n\"But the legends-\"\n\n\"To hell with them, the legends were made by frightened peasants who wanted hope that their children could be spared from us.\"\n\n\"So you admit it!\" Alex exclaimed \"You are a vampire!\"\n\n\"You got me, now I do take it you came here for more than this? Tea, maybe?\"\n\nMei and Alex both looked at eachother, before responding with \"Sure!\" and walking into the mans home.\n\nIt was baroque, with ornate paintings, floors, wallpapers, even a piano in the living room.\n\n\"I do so enjoy visitors, I hardly get them on account of my... condition, no one wants to schedule hangouts at two am. So, why did you come here then?\"\n\n\"You don't remember?\"\n\n\"You saved us, a week ago when those older kids attacked us.\"\n\nThe man seemed to remember something \"Oh, yes! What fun that was! I do hope you weren't accused of hurting them afterwards, right?\"\n\n\"We weren't, they were too afraid to tell on us.\"\n\n\"Ahh, good to know.\" The man replied, boiling a kettle in the kitchen.\n\nAs the kettle boiled, a question crossed Mei's mind \"Do you eat people?\"\n\nThe man turned to her \"Only children who don't eat their vegetables.\" he mused.\n\n\"I'm being serous!\"\n\n\"Alright, I'll answer... Yes, but only the bad ones. Murderers and worse, undesirables of this damned city that the police are too idiotic to clear up. I do it myself, and get a free meal out of it. They taste terrible though.\"\n\nThe kettle finished boiling, the man poured some into three cups, added tea bags, milk, sugar, before placing them onto a tray with biscuits.\n\nHe brought them into the living room, placing the tray down onto a table that sat in front of the couch, before sitting down in his armchair, on the opposite side of the children.\n\n\"What's your name, mister vampire sir?\"\n\nThe man raised a brow \"Mister vampire sir? That's a new one miss, I'll give you that. My name is Aelfred.\"\n\n\"That's an old name, how old are you!\"\n\n\"One thousand and seven,\" Aelfred snapped \"And it's a very rude thing to ask, young man!\"\n\n\"Sorry...\"\n\n\"No it's alright. But now i get to ask a question, who the hell let you out at night, I'll be having a very stern word with your parents!\"\n\n\"No! don't do that!\" Both Mei and Alex shouted in unison.\n\n\"Why not, they're terrible at their jobs for allowing you to leave at this hour!\"\n\n\"My parents and Mei's, they're...\"\n\nAelfred suddenly noticed the bruises on Alex's and Mei's arms, he pointed to them \"Did they give them to you?\" Both of them nodded, and Aelfred sighed. \"Alright, I have a spare bedroom upstairs, it has two beds so you can sleep there for the night.\"\n\n\"Really Mister Aelfred?\" Mei asked, sighing in relief.\n\n\"Yes, I'm not sending you two home. In the morning, I will see if I can arrange your stays to be more... official. I'll have to go get the paperwork done of course but I will dig out my sunscreen for that, so i should be fine.\"\n\n\"But what about our parents?\"\n\nAelfred gazed at Alex, blood red eyes seeming to glow in the dim candle lit room. \"Murderers and worse, like I said.\"" ]	2
	[WP]You were destined to defeat the Evil Overlord and bring peace to the world. But the people believed you were too weak and cast you out. However, there was one person who saw your potential and took you in; the Evil Overlord.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Destiny. Fate. The Primordial Script. \n\nIt’s ungodly just how many twist the vague words of a prophecy into some pride stained image of prosperity. Fate favors none, but hates none. It’s words will be fulfilled, just not in the way you anticipate. This was a truth the Kingdoms learned in blood.\n\nI was just a small boy, even for the children born the winter. My village was a hard farming village, in a land where snow and death are the only things of abundance. With only a single month of true fertility a year, every second of those times must be used with upmost efficiency. I was rather unpopular due to my interest in intellectual subjects, such as books and study.\n\nSurvival entirely centered around the single field of enchanted ground, where plants would grow in mere weeks. It had taken the fortune of the entire village to pay the regional wizard to enchant it, and it was still useless in the freezing winters. The only other sources of food was the scarcely populated river, and the occasional roaming beast herds.\n\nIt took the part of every individual to work the village. The elders acted as doctors, advisors, and teachers. The children assisted in the fields, or the less laborious chores. It was a harsh yet stable clockwork of survival. That all changed soon.\n\nContact with the greater mass of humanity was rare, and other races nonexistent. Yet a nearly dead courier finally came out with news of the dark lord. Normally we would have ignored such things, as the lands were of no interest to anyone. Except that my name was on the message, saying I am the Chosen Hero. We found a few dark fragment of metal in his body matching those of the dark lord’s infamous Scream Lances.\n\nMost lands would have taken pride in this, but my home did not. \n\nThe elders understood the implications. That meant the dark lord would come here to seek me out. We barely have the men to fight off the extremely rare wolf pack, much less stop the vast hellish legions of the dark lord. The ancient legends told horror stories of what he did to those he captured.\n\nThe great hall was in an uproar. Many of the younger adults refused to send a young child to face that monster. While my tribe has done similar things in desperation, they sent out an elder instead. Plus, to face a pack of rabid wolves was a much kinder fate. After a long cacophony of arguing accompanied with the occasional violence, the elders finally convinced the villagers of the reasoning. Looking back, no one, not even the ones who sneered at my weakness, were happy.\n\nIt was a horrible experience to take. To be made to leave in the night, so the few dissidents wouldn’t be able to interfere. It was terrifying, to go into the dark maw of the woods. Not a soul could be heard or seen.\n\nJust darkness, death and snow.\n\nSoon, an eerie red light could be seen in the distance, along with the low sound of speech. There I saw him, in terrible dark armor, with a bright red banner behind him. His dark steed was vast, dwarfing any normal horse. \n\nPerhaps I would have run, but my body had hit its limits. The less thing I saw was his dark horse approaching before everything went dark.", "When shadows stretch and encroach upon the sun, the son of man will take up the holy blade and with it, bring about a new age of man.\r \n \r \n\"This was a mistake.\" David whimpered at his master's words, so sore and so exhausted he couldn't even lift his head to look at the man. \"You have 10 minutes to leave my dojo.\"\r \n\"But I-\" David had to stop to spit out a tooth. His master spoke over him.\r \n\"But nothing. You cannot, and never will be able to defeat the demon lord. Either the prophecy is wrong, or the sword is. Now get out. If you're quick you can even make it in time to get your things from your room.\"\r \n\"Guys?\" David looked around the room, at his friends who swore to stick with him to the end. None of them would meet his eye. \"No...\"\r \n\"David its just...\" Judith trailed off, wiping down the wooden sword she'd just used to knock him down and putting it away. Then she spoke again, \"You're not getting better. The Demon army is approaching and- I think we need a different strategy.\" David could only stare in shock, \"And, you know, if you're the chosen hero things will work out anyway right? Its fate.\" She gave him a look like that was supposed to be comforting.\r \n\"So that's how it is.\" David pushed himself up, only to collapse.\r \nAnd to fail a second time.\r \nAnd a third.\r \nBefore finally making it to his feet on the fourth.\r \nDavid staggered his way to the weapons rack and reached for his sword-\r \nArm!\r \nStomach!\r \nBack!\r \nHead!\r \nOnly to find himself once more on the floor, the master standing over him. \"I think not.\"\r \n\"That\" David coughed, \"That sword is mine.\"\r \n\"That sword is our best hope of defeating the Demon Lord. Letting you wander off with it would be foolish.\"\r \nDavid couldn't believe it. Especially not when Judith twisted the dagger with that pitying voice and the promise that \"It'll come back to you someday, won't it?\"\r \n\"Fine.\" David struggled back up to his knees, and it was then that Jason took pity on him and helped him to his feet.\r \n\"Goodbye David.\"\r \n\"Good luck man.\"\r \nDavid didn't say anything back. He staggered his way to the door, and out into the pouring rain.\r \n\\_\\_\\_\r \n\"Found him-\"\r \n\"Freeze-\"\r \n\"He's not-\"\r \n\"By our lord he's like ice-\"\r \n\"What happened to-\"\r \n\"Your orders?\"\r \n\\_\\_\\_\r \nDavid groaned. He hurt. Everywhere. Even worse than normal.\r \n\"I see you're finally awake.\" David forced his eyes open and tensed.\r \nThe Demon Lord.\r \nDavid pushed himself up. Or rather, tried to. His arms barely even twitched at his command.\r \n\"You need to rest.\"\r \n\"What?\" David's voice was a painful croak. The Demon Lord reached to her side and grabbed a cup, which she held in front of David for him to drink. He tried to fight it, and she rolled her eyes.\r \n\"Its just water. If I wanted you dead, I would have left you on those streets. And your body is too weak for any potions not strictly necessary. Now drink before I force it down your throat.\" David stared at her for a moment, but before she could force the issue, he swallowed a few gulps of mercifully cool water. She set the cup down and spoke. \"A dislocated shoulder, 5 broken bones, 3 missing teeth, a cracked rib and more bruise than skin. Along with the late stage hypothermia, minor malnutrition, and diseases you got from going to sleep covered in mud in the pouring rain. If I hadn't sensed you leave the master's 'care' you would have been dead by now. What happened?\"\r \n\"Why should I tell you?\"\r \n\"Because I saved your life, perhaps? And we are bound by fate after all.\" David scowled at the word. \"I think I've earned it.\"\r \n\"They kicked me out.\" David spat.\r \n\"Oh?\"\r \n\"The master said the prophecy or the sword was wrong.\"\r \n\"Foolish old man. Where is the blade? My men could not find it.\"\r \n\"He stole it.\" David muttered. The cup of water, the pitcher beside it, and everything else in the room not nailed down, began to shake.\r \n\"That sword is your birthright. To take the sword from the hero is- not even I would attempt such a thing.\" The Demon Lord took a breath, and the room stilled, \"My apologies. Both for my decorum and for that old fool's disrespect.\"\r \n\"Apology accepted.\" David said automatically. \"If the others are right though it doesn't matter. I'll get the sword back somehow.\"\r \n\"Somehow? Somehow?! Do these fools expect the prophecy to just- sort itself out regardless of what they do?\"\r \n\"Its already written. If I am the hero, doesn't that mean they're right?\"\r \n\"Prophecy is not something you can foretell and forget!\" The Demon Lord cried, \"A prophecy no one follows is as pointless as a mad man's ramblings!\" She shook her head, \"Blasted fools, the lot of them. To throw their hero aside like trash, simply because fate didn't work at the pace they desired.\"\r \nDavid said nothing, and let the Demon Lord calm down.\r \n\"I will leave you to your rest.\" She said, \"When you feel better I suppose I shall give you supplies and put you somewhere to start anew.\" The Demon Lord got up, but David stopped her from leaving.\r \n\"Wait!\" She turned and raised a brow at him, \"Do you really think I have the kind of power to match you?\"\r \n\"It is untrained, but yet. Your spirit alone is immense. Just teaching you to use it for magic instead of survival would make you an incredible foe. Nevermind finding the right swordsmanship and training styles to work with you and the holy blade. The master has always been as simplistic as he is skilled.\"\r \n\"You said the prophecy is inevitable right. So what would happen if I sided with you?\"\r \n\"Well obviously-\" She cut herself off with a haggard gasp, \"You wouldn't...\"\r \n'If I did?\"\r \n\"I... I don't know.\"\r \n\"Why don't we find out?\"", "\"I don't want to do this!\" I hold the handle tight. It's shaking. No, my hands are what can't stay still, despite all the training. \n\nHe smiles back at me, arms wide. \"But you can, my boy.\" The way his cloak expands reminds me of the night sky. The eternal darkness that we feared. But I saw more than the shadows, I saw the stars glimmer into the evening. \n\nI steadied my breath. \"Please, dad. There has to be another way!\"\n\n\"I'm not your father.\" His voice cracked as he spoke. He knew how much this hurt, and still, he smiled. \n\n\"Yes, yes you are!\" I screamed. \"After everyone else abandoned me, after everyone just...\" It hurt to speak. The blade lowered in my grip, its tip buried into the ground. \"You raised me. You taught me how to fight. No, not even that. I can talk to people now! I can look them straight in the eyes without the urge to vomit now.\"\n\n\"And I couldn't be happier.\" The shadows creeped around us, my blade lifted high against my will, \"But we can't fight fate. It's not in our cards.\"\n\n\"Damn the cards!\" I meant it, every word. \"I want to meet whoever wrote this fate, this stupid destiny, and tear the pen from their hands.\" \n\nMy adoptive father laughed. He walked to me, ignoring the blade I held. My hands wouldn't move now, frozen in place. I tried to run, to keep him far away from me, but my legs were frozen by the damnable fates. His chest pushed against the tip. I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came. He smiled and, with tears in his eyes, let the blade pierce him. \n\nThe stonework hit my knees as fate left me. His hands wrapped around me. \"It's ok.\" He whispered, wiping my tears away, \"I'm proud of you.\" Cracks riddled his skin. Light shined out. He grit his teeth. I wrapped my arm around him and begged he wouldn't leave. \n\nIn the end, he screamed in agony. Fate had decreed he die by my hands, and I was left with nothing of the man who raised me. \n\nNothing but hatred against the very fates. The story is over, and a new one was about to begin. One that the Fates wouldn't see coming.", "Have you ever heard of all those old Greek myths where the prophesized tried to go against their fate?\n\nMyths often have a basis in reality.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nIt was a momentary moment of panic, of worry, of fear about the future that took me to the orphanage that day. \n\nWhat would happen to my legacy, to my riches, to me once I died, or god forbid, I stopped my plans? Who would take care of me? Who would continue doing what I did? Who would ensure the prophecy against me & my order wasn't carried out?\n\n&#x200B;\n\nShe was the youngest one in that orphanage, no more than four, maybe five years old. I had no idea she was the one destined to \"defeat\" me back then, though I doubt I'd have believed she could be the one.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe matron told me she was quick to adapt, already making a couple close friend despite being there only for a few days. Maybe that's why I decided to adopt her— She'd be accept my lifestyle fast enough.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe first few weeks were bad, to say the least. Despite creating the most elaborate machinations the world has ever seen, nothing I did prepared me to take care of a child. Did you know a child needs to be fed regularly? Or that they have to be put to bed at a certain time? Or that sugar makes them literal monsters?\n\nBut we managed to get through that period, though how, I have no idea. And we came out with begrudging respect (& she tells me, affection) for each other, that is yet to be truimphed by any other feeling I have ever felt.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nShe participated in all of my plans from the moment she could hold a pen. And god, was she a natural... Eiffel tower launching into space? All her (though her inspiration could have been better. I mean, goddamn Tomorrowland?!). Finishing the Great Wall of China? She was the one who recommended it. Inverting the pyramid? She ensured it actually worked with no casualties.\n\nOf course it wasn't easy for her.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFor one, I noticed her affinity for spectacle over any actual real damage. She preferred the super part over the villain part. Of course, it was understandable — she was a kid & there was no way in hell I'd desensitize her to the world this early. Still, you need to learn to have a hard heart if you're gonna be a supervillain.\n\nShe never did.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnd of course, being the daughter of a supervillain doesn't do much to help your image. I didn't want her or me to change just to please the ever-opposing opinions of fools who loved to hate, but I could see it affected her far too much. So my plans, of which ran front page news stories every week, slowly dwindled to every couple months. Yes, I hated it, reducing my passion tenfold, but it was worth it for her.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nBut no compromise is permanent, and the straw that broke it came when she was 15.\n\nIt when she first saw me do my actual work. When I was the actual villain, and not some parent with questionable actions. I was lucky I wasn't planning to kill the captured hero, just extract some information with less than savoury methods, else I don't know if she'd have ever recovered from seeing it.\n\nIt took an entire excruciating week before she said anything. And another, before it was directed towards me, emotionless & cold. That was when I knew I fucked up. Yes, I was the villain in every story, the antagonist against every hero, the evildoer to the public. But none of that meant an iota compared to what I was to my daughter.\n\nAnd now, a decade of being a parent drained down to become a monster. I was soulless, actual evil, something she shouldn't have loved.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI had a choice then, her or my previous life. And you know which one I chose.\n\nI completely stopped my villainy? evilness? brutality? I don't know. No word can describe it properly. But I stopped it. Of course that wasn't & shouldn't be enough, but it was the first step.\n\nIt took another decade, an excruciating, torturous, unending decade before she talked normally with me. And yet another decade before she called me Dad again.\n\nI don't think our relationship will ever return back to how it was, but she can see how I genuinely tried & changed for the better. And this fact brings out a decades-forgotten smile in her. And that, that is enough to make everything I did, all that I lost, everything I gave up worth it.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nNo one escaped those prophecies in the Greek stories. \n\nI didn't either.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThose stories rarely had a happy ending, especially the ones where the hero tries to escape his destiny. I don't know about a happy ending — But I know I'll have had one happy life; from living out my passion, to being the most powerful person on the planet at least once, to knowing...\n\nher.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\n...\n\nA short but hopeful one, at the request of a friend who felt I was going too dark. Hope you enjoy it, SK.\n\nAnd of course, Hope you too enjoyed it.\n\nr/StoriesOfABrokenFool" ]	5
	[WP] You are magical creature designed to serve. The idea of not serving your master is not only barely comprehensible to you but is physically painful. You have lived your life being passed from master to master for who knows how long. Until one asks you a question that you never 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"Good Morning Clay, how are you doing?\" asked the Wizards Apprentice as he walked into the study, holding a cup of fragrant Herbal tea. Clay was created long ago to assist however he can, which usually would mean fetching things, although over the ages he himself had amassed a lot of Arcane knowledge.\n\nAlbert, the Apprentice, started looking into a book before he turned back around to Clay. \"Are you alright?\" he asked \"Or are you waiting for something? Im sorry, i haven't gotten the hang of things yet and it must be difficult for you to get used to work with someone new\". Clay had not yet moved since Albert had entered, and the Apprentice was getting concerned, Clay would be crying if he could.\n\n\"I- Am-\" stammered Clay, \"I simply cannot recall ever being asked how i 'am doing'.\", \"Or if i was 'Alright'\".\nAlbert walked over to hug clay, \"Thats Rough Buddy\".\nClay was perplexed, he never had quite felt this way. Whatever that feeling was, he could get used to this.\n\n\"Wahtever you two are doing can wait until your Lunchbreak!\" said the Archmage, who had also come into the study, in a disapproving manner. \"Theres Work to do!\", he shook his head and left. The Archmage then stopped to think while stroking his beard, he had never seen a humunculus behave that way.", "“Dragons are among the rarest animals in the world now. Tell me, Kynara, why do you serve me?” The old lord stroked my neck with the gentlest hand I had ever felt. “You’ve only known me for a day.”\n\nThe silence filled the air. Surely he did not expect me to respond…\n\nI grunted heavily, lifting my long neck off the chamber floor. The lord stared into my black eyes and watched the flames behind reflect in my pupils. Once again his wrinkled hand reached out towards my scaly neck, and like before I let out a satisfied grunt. To him I was like a commoner’s dog instead of a rare Hymerian dragon. But that was fine. I liked it that way.\n\n“Kynara, why do let me stroke your scales? Your last master told me that you hated being touched…” the old lord said. He asked so many questions, yet was satisfied even without any answers. My old master, regardless if he fed me more frequently than this lord, was impatient and harsh. His hands felt like sandpaper against my already-worn scales, the years of swordsmanship reflected on the state of his skin.\n\n“But I know you left your old master purposely. You flew away, didn’t you?” \n\nI let out another low grunt. Whether the lord considered this a “yes” or “no” wasn’t important. He was sure I had flown away over towards his cave, not sent or sold like the usual dragons around the empire. \n\n“But why to me, Kynara? Why do you serve me?” he repeated. His tone grew in volume. “Why is freedom so unappealing to you, especially of your years of service?” \n\nWhy was freedom so unappealing? To me, freedom was the exact opposite to its definition. Me soaring above the tall Yama mountains and wide skies only secured my fate even further. I was never meant to be like a bird.\n\n“But you weren’t meant to be a dragon.”\n\nI looked up at the old lord. He stopped stroking my neck, letting out a kind smile with fiery eyes that resembled anything but. \n\n“Two centuries ago, the dragons were everywhere. People truly took care of them like dogs, but just like dragons, dogs soon began to be used for labor and service. The intelligent dragons were forced under masters until death, but what about after they died? Dragons weren’t as rare as people thought they were.\n\n“But there was an animal just as intelligent as a dragon and much more common. And so began an era where the Cursed Men worked furiously to develop a way to turn humans into dragons. If there were too many dragons, they could be used as food. It was a perfect plan to the Cursed Men and the people of this empire.”\n\nI stared at the old lord like I was bewitched. He knew, didn’t he? How? My secrets were kept hidden for those two centuries until those who knew would never tell a single soul.\n\nThe old lord continued. “Dragons were humans. Humans were dragons. Soon began times when both rebelled against their masters, old and new, but after rebellions, some fates are locked in more securely than before. Right, Kynara?”\n\nI grunted, tossing and turning my neck. Why was he telling me this? Would good would it do? Who did he think he was?\n\n“Kynara, I know who you are,” the old lord said with a smile. He got off of my back and watched me growl at him with sharp teeth, my breath licking his skin like a fireplace. But even when a flame danced around his wrist, his skin remained his pale, deathly color. “And you know who I am, don’t you?”\n\nOnly the masters knew about the dragons and their origins. Only the masters knew about the times when humans were forced into centuries of pain for the sake of their labor. Only the masters knew about their desire for power and, above anything else, control. \n\n“It’s been a long time, Master Kynara. I would send you best regards, but it seems a bit too late for that.” The old lord grinned at me, showing the missing teeth in-between the yellow ones. I remembered the time when I knocked out those teeth of his a long, long time ago. He watched me thrash around the chamber like a caged puppy. “Oh, but you aren’t a master anymore, Kynara.”\n\nI watched the old lord’s tail form first, a jagged red scaly monster that waved quickly around the room, hitting everything in its path like a wildman’s mace. Then came the wings, the clawed legs, and finally the large ferocious head. My servant Sauron had grown up much larger than me in dragon form, and just like me he had revenge built up over hundreds of years. \n\n“You made me this, Lord Kynara. I am this monster because of you.”\n\nI howled and growled, hissed and spat. But the fireproof chains around my legs prevented any chance of me losing control. \n\n“You search for a master all over the Yama mountains because you want power and control. You want to rule over the weak once more, even in your current pathetic state.” Sauron’s dragon form immediately melted back to his normal human self, and he began to slowly make his way over to me, pulling out the giant sword on his side. He raised the sharp blade. “But Kynara, times change. I’m not weak anymore, and you’re not strong either.”\n\nI couldn’t bear to look in Sauron’s eyes. I used to rule over him. He was obedient and calm. Now he was a sharp mess of chaos and fire and all things savage, and soon I came to realize he was similar to me. The main difference was that I was the bad one, he the good.\n\nI let out a furious roar, shaking up the chamber like an earthquake. But still the angry lord made his way over to me, the blade sparkling under the surrounding torches. \n\n“Oh, but Kynara, don’t you know? Don’t you know that dragons are supposed to be obedient to their masters…no matter what?”" ]	3
	[WP] "Just trust me." "Trust you? You tried to kill me."	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 still confusing, the situation I ended up in. It's not everyday that the ground under you just crumbles and breaks after all. When I came to I was lying in a boat. The boat was covered in darkness like a blanket, the only illumination was a small lantern at the front of the boat. I wasn't alone either as there was a cloaked figure in the boat with me, rowing it.\n\n\"Who are you?\" I asked, but I was met with silence. \"Where are we?\" I demanded but was met with silence once again. I tried again \"where are we going.\" This time the cloaked figure answered \"that depends on you\". That didn't clear anything up so I asked with an annoyed tone \"what do you mean?\" The cloaked figure just curtly replied \"just trust me\". \"Trust you? You tried to kill me\" I replied before realising what I said. \"Why did I say that? It feels like I'm forgetting something important\" I thought. \n\nThe cloaked figure responded with a loud cackle that echoed. To be honest, I was quite unnerved by it. \"Refusing to remember, eh?\" the figure said finally. \"What do you mean I'm 'refusing' to remember?! I don't remember anything no matter how much I'm trying!\" I snapped back. \"Stubborn as well huh? No matter, I don't really care either way,\" the cloaked person said in a serious tone, \"in any case, this is far from the first time you ended up here, nor do I think it'll be your last. But who knows? Maybe you'll get out of here this time!\" And they cackled again. \"I probably should let that strange person be\" I thought, deciding that talking to them more would only add to my confusion. I just wanted to get it of here.\n\nAfter a while, the stranger stopped rowing as you arrived at a dock. The dock in question had two lanterns hanging at each side, dimly lighting the ground beyond it. \"We have reached the destination it seems,\" the stranger said finally as I silently climbed out of the boat, \"good luck on your next escape attempt. If I'm lucky I won't have to see your face again.\" After which the figure cackled, for the last time, while rowing away. It didn't take long for the boat to disappear from your view and the cackling to stop. It was as if the boat disappeared. \"Alright where should I go next?\" I asked myself out loud. You had the feeling that your journey was far from over." ]	2
	[WP] You work for a top secret government agency and your goings on are unknown to the general public, but a new tv show has been portraying your work with eerie accuracy	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "An automated feminine voice echoed across the otherwise nondescript cave entrance.\r \n\r \n“Codename: Growler, access granted.”\r \n\r \nThe rocks that bore a “Closed for Maintenance” sign parted, revealing reinforced steel.\r \n\r \nHeavy blast doors slid open with an uncomfortable screech of steel against the metal floor.\r \n\r \nStepping through the opening, my eyes adjusted to the bright fluorescent white lights of the front lobby.\r \n\r \nAnother automated voice, with what I assumed to be the same original voice actress as the entrance, greeted me at the desk as the track I stood on moved me ever closer to the only feature in the empty atrium.\r \n\r \n“Welcome, Agent Growler. Your ticket number is zero zero zero three five three. Please confirm this before you meet with your handler.”\r \n\r \n“Confirmed,” I blurted out in reflex.\r \n\r \nIt wouldn’t matter one way or another.\r \n\r \nSeveral more automated doors and featureless hallways later, I ended up in front of a plywood door with a plastic imitation wood name plate inscribed with “Kanimura”.\r \n\r \nI took a deep breath before knocking.\r \n\r \nBrace for impact.\r \n\r \nThe flimsy wooden door pulled open from inside, and a pair of friendly arms wrapped my head into a cordial embrace.\r \n\r \n“Growly! I missed you soo much! Why didn’t you call me when you exfiltrated the Yam Tram Clan’s compound?”\r \n\r \nThat hyperactive voice that belonged to the affectionate pair of limbs asked her question in such a way that it sounded more like an exclamation.\r \n\r \n“You told me to maintain radio silence didn’t you?” I said.\r \n\r \n“Aw, why you gotta be mister agent straight-laced?”\r \n\r \nShe released me from her affable clutches, which had the side effect of restoring my ability to breathe.\r \n\r \nTaking that opportunity to inhale, I gulped in several lungfuls of stale underground base air.\r \n\r \n“Agent Number Zero One Five Th–”\r \n\r \n“Yeah yeah, I know who you are by now, Growly.”\r \n\r \nMy handler cut me off with a dismissive wave of her hand.\r \n\r \nShe then switched back to excited mode and pushed her head under my chin as she looked up at me with pink stars glowing in her pupils.\r \n\r \n“Hey guess what, we finally got that cable installed!” She said.\r \n\r \nWith her arms linked behind my back she pulled me into her office and deposited me in one of the spinning chairs opposite her plywood desk.\r \n\r \nShe sat in her usual seat and spun around her monitor.\r \n\r \n“I see you upgraded from the CRT,” I said, after observing the thin LCD screen that had replaced the old archaic unit.\r \n\r \n“Yeah! Performance bonus thanks to your good work on the Gourd Knot Mystery! Aren’t you glad you have such an amazing handler?” She puffed her ample pride and fanned her feathery red hair.\r \n\r \n“Sure. Now, about the mission debriefing,” I began, but never finished.\r \n\r \n“Later! Or never! Who cares, they sent it to me the minute you got back anyway,” she said with a bored voice.\r \n\r \nSwitching to another tab on her work computer, she landed on a popular video streaming site.\r \n\r \nThe video was paused around 6 minutes, and her watch history showed that this was at least the second episode she watched today.\r \n\r \n“The new season of ‘Rogue Agents’ is out! Remember how last season ended on the cliffhanger with the big villain reveal that Agent Adonis was the bad guy all along pulling the strings and messing with the assignments to blow the cover on all the other agents–”\r \n\r \nA familiar pounding started in the back of my head, and I interrupted my handler in the middle of her long sentence.\r \n\r \n“Wait, please, Miss Kanimura, I just got back from a flight.”\r \n\r \nShe tilted her head in concerned curiosity.\r \n\r \n“Was it that bad?”\r \n\r \n“Middle seat,” I replied.\r \n\r \nShe made a disgusted frown.\r \n\r \n“Were they at least attractive?” She asked.\r \n\r \n“I did not pay attention to that,” I said.\r \n\r \n“Boo, you’re no fun. You know that your marriage is a fake one for your cover, right? You don’t have to be faithful to your fake wife!”\r \n\r \nI glared at my handler in response.\r \n\r \n“Ok ok!” she backed off.\r \n\r \nShe returned to her show and started babbling again.\r \n\r \n“So now it turns out that Agent Adonis wasn’t actually the real villain, he was just doing it to draw out the actual villain behind the scenes, and this season he gathers the surviving rogue agents that he framed, but obviously those guys aren’t cool with him so they fight and a lot of action happens and it’s sooo awesome!”\r \n\r \nHer sparkling pupils displayed the births of new galaxies as she recounted the episodes she had binged during her workday.\r \n\r \n“Is there anything you need me to report?” I asked.\r \n\r \n“Huh? No, not really,” she said.\r \n\r \n“I’m going to leave then.”\r \n\r \n“But don’t you wanna watch season five with me? I’ll even restart it! The big reveal that Agent Adonis was pretending to be the villain happens in the first two minutes so you didn’t miss much. Oh shi–”\r \n\r \nShe covered her mouth.\r \n\r \n“I just spoiled everything, didn’t I?”\r \n\r \nShe started wailing and pounding her fists against her plywood desk upon that realization.\r \n\r \nFearing for the durability of her desk and the monitor that relied on that continued stability, I tried to console my handler.\r \n\r \n“It’s ok, I don’t mind spoilers.”\r \n\r \nHer cries intensified.\r \n\r \n“In fact,” I continued, “I kind of saw the first two episodes back with the Yam Tram Clan while I was posing as one of their night guards.”\r \n\r \nShe stopped crying and raised her dry eyes to look into mine.\r \n\r \n“You watched without me?!” she screamed.\r \n\r \nBetrayal flashed in her pale blue eyes, and the pink starry sparkles vanished.\r \n\r \n“What was I supposed to do? The other guard would have gotten suspicious if I refused to watch with them!”", "\"Alright, which one of you motherfuckers did it?\" Carver said, barging through the doors of the conference room. Around the elongated oval table were several men and a woman. They all wore the same generic black business suits, but had different colored ties. Their heads turned away from the TV at the back concrete wall and gave Carver the attention he demanded.\n\n\"Did what?\" Yamir asked. \n\nCarver ignored Yamir and inspected the others for any signs of guilt, pride, or anything in between. His anger made him sharper, unlike most people, but as the seconds went by, it was clear they all were confused by his outburst.\n\n\"None of you know? Are you shitting me right now?\"\n\n\"Carver, have you eaten anything today? You know how you get when you're hungry,\" Malory said in a motherly tone, almost unable to keep a straight face by the end. The guys all got a laugh out of it, since it wasn't the first time Carver had acted like a child. \n\nCarver gritted his teeth and marched up to the table. He took the remote and changed the channel. On the screen, it showed a man with short black hair wearing a business suit in the middle of a dark woods. He held a handgun to a dodo bird's head and said: \"You're extinct now, motherclucker.\"\n\n\"He looks like you Carver, except much better looking,\" Dan said and elbowed another coworker. \n\n\"That's because it is me. I was on that job last week. Eliminate the last remaining dodo bird. Do you not read the assignment board?\"\n\n\"This is just a show.\" Yamir shrugged. \"What's the big deal?\"\n\n\"What is the big deal? Oh, I'll tell you. That is exactly how it went down. The location, the bird–\"\n\n\"The stupid punchline?\" Dan added, getting a few laughs. \n\n\"Yes. Everything. Whoever is making this show is airing our operations. Does no one see a problem with that?\" Carver pointed at the screen with the remote. \"It even says reenactment on the bottom!\"\n\n\"Calm down, Carver. Clearly the writers have a vivid imagination and happened to get some details right. It's nothing to worry about,\" Malory said.\n\nThe screen changed to the host of the show, who reminded them of the guy from Unsolved Mysteries. \"These shadow agencies operate in the dark of night so the people do not see their deeds. Maybe they do it to protect us? Or maybe to cover up their crimes? For this next one, we follow a shadow operative who tries to take out her next target, a vampire.\"\n\nMalory swiped the remote from Carver. \"I don't think we need to see this…\"\n\nMalory struggled with changing the channel on the remote and Carver took it back from her. \n\n\"You need to see this. It will prove I am not exaggerating,\" Carver said and turned up the volume. \n\nThe next clip showed a woman with flawless brown hair and an equally flowing purple dress. She walked up a Victorian set of stairs at a party. Couples and other groups were drinking champagne and conversing with one another. The woman walked past a elderly couple who were discussing global politics to find her target. Count Bogdan. \n\nCount Bogdan had the classic features of the region. Thick black hair, tall and slender. His pale skin proved sunlight was not his friend. The woman approached him at the top of the balcony and leaned against the wooden banister. \n\n\"Hey is that you Malory?\" Dan jested. \"You sure cleanup nice.\"\n\n\"That's not me. I–I don't wear dresses...\" Malory said, letting her nerves leak through her tone. \n\nBack on the TV, the actors captured their attention once again. \n\n\"Malory, so we meet again,\" Count Bogdan said and raised his glass. \n\n\"I just wanted to come by and congratulate you on the fundraiser. And your speech was amazing.\"\n\n\"Why thank you, my dear. You are so kind.\" He took a sip of his drink. \"If I had half your beauty though, I am sure we could have set some kind of fundraising record.\"\n\nMalory tilted her head and closed the gap between them. She batted her eyes up at him, feeling lighter with every second. \"You really think I'm beautiful?\"\n\n\"Most definitely. You remind me of a full moon. Unmistakable and bold. Generously warming us with your glowing light.\"\n\nShe put her hand on his chest and leaned in to whisper in his ear. \"How would you like to bask in something else?\"\n\nThe men in the conference room jeered and hollered, forcing Malory to defend her reputation. \n\n\"This is just a show. She doesn't even look anything like me,\" Malory said.\n\n\"But you were on the operation to kill that vampire, right?\" Yamir asked.\n\n\"Yeah, I remember that case got sealed. How did it end?\" Dan asked.\n\n\"I guess we'll have to find out.\" Carver crossed his arms, still watching the TV. \n\nMalory was starting to sweat now. The dialogue was verbatim, but she didn't want to admit it. Her reputation as one of the guys was fading fast. If she turned it off now, they would certainly be teasing her with kissy faces all month. If she didn't… well she was hoping the show didn't get the rest right.\n\n\"I would,\" Count Bogdan said, taking in her wonderful rosemary scent. \"Shall we adjourn to my study?\"\n\n\"Lead the way.\"\n\nCount Bogdan led her to a room down a short hall. Inside, a lamp hung above, illuminating a wooden desk and a modest bookshelf. Two glasses and a bottle of scotch sat on the table along with a few loose papers. \n\n\"Would you like some scotch?\"\n\n\"Sure,\" Malory said and waited for him to turn his back. With him distracted, she reached down to her leg and removed a silver knife that was strapped to her. She lurked behind him, searching for the perfect spot to stab him. The point of the blade wavered inches from his torso.\n\n\"Would you like one or–\" Count Bogdan said and turned around, only to have his words cut short from the blade being plunged into his gut. \n\n\"You almost had me. I could feel your powers of seduction working, but you aren't as good as you think.\" Malory pulled the blade out, revealing blood. \n\n\"I'm not a vampire.\" \n\nThose were Count Bogdan's last shocked words before he toppled on the floor and blood drained from the sleek hole in his body. \n\nThe conference room was quiet and everyone turned to Malory who was frozen with shame. She wanted to run away. Hide where no one could see her failure, but it was not an option. Then, without warning, everyone except Carver broke into laughter.\n\n\"She can't tell the difference between magical powers and her own feelings? Ha, classic Malory,\" Dan said, shaking the guy next to him.\n\nMalory was seconds from tears when Carver broke through the noise.\n\n\"Damn it!\" Carver said and turned off the TV. \"I guess I was wrong.\"\n\n\"What are you talking about?\"\n\n\"That's not how that mission went. I was there, right Malory?\" Carver asked. \n\nMalroy knew he was lying. He wasn't assigned to her mission and it was dead on. Not a detail was out of place, but he was giving her an out. She was going to take it. \n\n\"I told you. I don't wear dresses. And as for this Count, not even close to resembling the vampire I took out. The only thing they got right was a silver blade. Amateurs,\" Malory said.\n\n\"Boo! Way to waste our time, Carver.\" Dan said and walked to the doors. \"I'm going to get some lunch, who wants sushi?\" \n\n\"Are you buying?\" Yamir asked.\n\n\"The government is buying,\" he said holding up his government issued credit card. \n\nThe rest of the guys all talked over each other and followed him out, leaving Carver and Malory to talk. \n\n\"Thanks for covering for me,\" Malory said, offering a weak smile while she adjusted her pink tie.\n\n\"Anytime.\" Carver smiled and pulled out his suppressed Glock from his shoulder holster. \"Now how about we go down to that studio and fix this PR problem?\"\n\n\"Lead the way.\"\n\n**\n\nIf you enjoyed this, feel free to check out r/WritingsByLanz for more short stories!", "I trudge through the front door, exhausted and coddling what is hopefully only a bruised rib. I am greeted with a long and hungry yowl from my little feline companion, Binks.\n\n\r \n“Well hello to you too!” I reply while hanging my jacket. \n\n\r \nShe replies with another high-pitched meow while pawing at the cupboard where her food is.\n\n\r \n“Either we’re going to have to get you a larger feeder or you’re going to have to go on a diet!” I retort, opening a can of chicken liver pate.\n\n\r \n“Apparently tracking down and eliminating a death cult in a weekend isn’t fast enough.” I mutter, setting the can down.\n\n\r \nShuffling towards the bathroom, all I can think about is sleep. Unfortunately, whether it’s lost to the hours of investigation, or the memories of horrors passed, this line of work makes such a simple necessity hard to come by. I was recruited into Morning Star about eight years ago, and I’ve not a had a restful night of sleep since.\n\n\r \nA quick shower and I settle into an armchair to attempt to space out on some mindless sitcom before crawling into bed for a couple of hours. I click the power button and what appears on the television leaves me in slack jawed disbelief.\n\n\r \n It was me, sitting in a rusted-out sedan, staking out the museum two days ago in Mexico City.\r \n The problem with this is that Project Morning Star is a highly sensitive compartmentalized program which doesn’t officially exist. To those in the know however, its purpose is to contain or eliminate ultra-terrestrials and any object or person which is tied to these entities. Yet somehow, here I was on cable television, about to break into the Mexican National Museum of Anthropology and steal an ancient sacrificial dagger.\n\n\r \n“Don’t look so shocked, we’ve been watching you for some time.” echoes a deep, powerful voice in my head.\n\n\r \nI leap from my armchair and shout “What the fuck!”\n\n\r \nSitting on my end table is Binks, staring at me with eyes that are now glowing bright like a midday sun.\n\n\r \n “Calm down Jack, I mean you no harm.” booms the voice.\n\n\r \n“But you’re just a cat..” I stammer, still thoroughly confused.\n\n\r \n“To you perhaps, but I belong to a much more developed reality. A reality that is responsible for ensuring that true threats to the multiverse remain imprisoned deep down in the lowest places.”\n\n\r \n“Uh huh, so why are you telling me all of this now?” \n\n\r \n“You have consistently demonstrated an impressive talent for seeking out and defeating those lower forms which endanger your own reality. For this reason, it has been determined that you will be ascended to our frequency to assist you in your mission to maintain the order.”\n\n\r \n“While I appreciate the offer, I… is it hot in here?”\n\n\r \n“You may experience discomfort but know that it is only temporary.”\n\n\r \nA bright, burning light slowly brightens in my chest expanding outward. The light then shines so brightly that it envelops the whole apartment like a supernova. \n\n\r \n“Aaah, stop! Please!” I scream in agony as I burst into white flames.\n\n\r \nI wake up and look around. I’m still in my apartment, but all the furniture is much larger than before. Binks jumps off the end table and saunters toward me.\n\n\r \n“Welcome to the Fraternitas Feles, brother Waffles.”\n\n\nedit in an attempt to be mathematically acceptable.", "I finally arrive to the captain's office with my tablet onhand. I had to make sure I had all the episodes in case he wanted to view them with me. I knock on the door and he says to come in.\n\n\"Tanner\", he calls to me. \n\n\"Captain\", I reply. \n\n\"So what's so urgent that you had to see me prior to going to Panama?\"\n\n\"Its about this show\", I tell him while unlocking my tablet. \n\n\"You called a meeting for me to watch a show with you?\"\n\n\"Not just any show sir, its brand new and it seems to revolve around my missions\". \n\n\"How so?\"\n\n\"Well sir\", I said while I turned the tablet towards him with the first episode ready. \"The first episode of the show dealt with the takedown of Almar Decada. They changed the names, of course, but the way that its presented is exactly the way I presented it on my report.\"\n\nThe captain views the first five mintues of the show, then stares back at me with a menecing look. \n\n\"You really think that someone in the bureau is trying to out you?\"\n\n\"I...believe so sir\". For a second I started to doubt my own words. But the way its presented is exactly like the reports that I 've written for all my missions so far. He probably thinks I'm wearing a tin foil hat during my missions at this point, but the places and methods within that program are too close to my M.O. to disregard. \n\n\"Tanner if someone wanted to burn you they would have done so already. There would be no need to profit off your exploits. Also you're my best agent when it comes to investigations and take downs. So I would appreciate it if you didn't lose your mind before a very important mission.\"\n\n\"They're all important sir\", I said to him. \n\n\"Yes they are\", he said. \"Now go get ready and please don't bring this up again\". \n\nWith a heavy sigh I took the tablet and exited his office after excusing myself. Maybe he's right. If someone wanted me out of the way they would have me face down on the dirt already instead of making another spy show for the masses. I gotta get my game face on for the next espionage mission. As I walk away from the captain's office I see the secretary of defense walk toward's my supervisor's office with his armed detail. Must be important if she's here in person. \n\nAs the secretary approaches the door the Captain comes out of his office to greet her. He opens the door wide, allows everyone to enter, and then closes it shut behind him.\n\n\"So how can I help you ma'am\", he says to her. \n\n\"I'm here to pick up the Panama Report on behalf of the president.\"\n\n\"But ma'am...that report isn't ready yet.\"\n\n\"What do you mean its not ready\", she huffed with her arms crossed. \n\n\"The agent for the mission just left my office to catch a plane. Also it'll be a few weeks before he wraps up his investigation and makes any arrests\", he replies to her. \n\n\"We don't have weeks captain. We need this to be done as soon as possible. I want the entire mission to be wrapped up in two weeks tops. Any later and you'll risk the president coming here personally and re-assining you\". \n\n\"Understood ma'am. I'll call my agent and give him the deadline for the mission.\"\n\n\"Good man. That is all for today\"." ]	5
	[WP] Not all that goes into a junkyard is garbage. Magical artifacts, lost alien tech, historical items, and more often find their way inside. As a junkyard security guard, it means you have to deal with all sorts of trouble.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\\[Lucky Night\\]\n\nGreg woke with a sudden start. He looked around his office in mild confusion. He didn't remember falling asleep; but, it wouldn't have been the first time. He was one of the night guards at the junkyard. Sometimes it was exciting. But, when it was boring, he was almost bored to death. He glanced at the clock, then hopped out of the chair and to his feet.\r \n \r \n\"Aw Hell,\" he grumbled. Greg grabbed his shotgun and rushed out the door of the converted mobile home. He should have started his rounds already and he hoped his boss hadn't noticed his late start.\r \n \r \nTowering flood lights illuminated the junkyard. He walked the dirt path confident that he could handle any trouble that popped up. Piles of junk surrounded him on both sides making it impossible to see beyond his lane; but, that was okay. He'd been doing it so long that he knew the yard like the back of his hand.\r \n \r \nHe reached the first intersection and automatically turned to his left. He preferred to make his way around the outer edges of the yard first and work his way into the center. That way he could just walk out when he was done. He'd tried going to the center first and winding his way out before; but, he quickly decided that didn't suit him.\r \n \r \nDespite dozing off earlier, his eyes and ears were focused on the job. He scanned the path ahead and as much of the junk walls as he could in his search for trouble. He froze midstep when he heard a voice.\r \n \r \n\"How many more times?\" the question came from around the corner ahead of him. It sounded like it belonged to a teenage boy. Greg sighed. He'd dealt with magical artifacts and alien tech and more in his time there; but, the most common nuisance was trespassing teenagers. He had no idea what it was that drew them to the junkyard. He'd dealt with teens so often that the events blurred together. He couldn't remember exactly when the last time was; but, he knew it was probably the night before.\r \n \r \n\"There's no way to guarantee it,\" another voice answered the first. It sounded like a girl. \"But, we can leave whenever you want and just try again later here and there.\" Greg inched forward step by step, but he stayed hidden.\r \n \r \n\"What about Ace?\" the first voice asked.\r \n \r \n\"What about me?\" a third voice, another boy, spoke up.\r \n \r \n\"Can't you use your luck to improve the drop rate?\"\r \n \r \n\"I... I don't know?\" the second boy said.\r \n \r \n\"I don't know either,\" the girl replied. \"Try it.\"\r \n \r \n\"Okay..., here goes.\"\r \n \r \n\"Three of them?\" Greg had a sudden thought. It was one thing to chase off a kid or two. But, if there were three voices, there might be more of them being quiet. And, if not, three was still enough to overpower him if they decided to be dangerous. \"I hope I brought it...,\" he reached down to his belt.\r \n \r \nThe major benefit of working at the junkyard was that he often found helpful things to play with. He was relieved when he felt the cool, glassy rod. He pulled it off his belt and took a moment to appreciate it. The red translucent rod was as long as a pencil and thick as the large end of a pool cue. It was his favorite piece of tech he'd discovered. The shotgun was special in its own way; but, he didn't want to kill anyone. He just wanted to scare them off.\r \n \r \nGreg firmly gripped the rod in the center and a red energy shield formed in front of his arm. It was shaped like a tall rectangle that ran parallel with his forearm.\r \n \r \n\"Did it work?\" the first boy asked. Greg stepped closer ready to turn the corner. He held the shield up in front of him.\r \n \r \n\"I don't know,\" the second boy said. \"When's the respawn?\"\r \n \r \n\"Any second now...,\" the girl replied. Greg chuckled to himself. He couldn't have asked for a better way to surprise them. They were obviously waiting for something.\r \n \r \n\"HEY YOU KIDS!\" Greg put on his most threatening voice and dashed around the corner. He was glad to see only the three kids. One of the boys had pale, almost blue skin and bright blue hair pulled back in a ponytail. The other boy had curly blonde hair and sported a healthy tan. The girl was pale and had short, straight dark hair that framed her face. But, not one of them was surprised; and, they were all holding weapons.\r \n \r \n\"Hey, there he is again!\" the curly-haired boy spoke. Greg recognized his voice as the second one. The blue boy looked excited too.\r \n \r \n\"Hey, Ace your luck worked! He brought the shield this time!\"\n\n\r \n\\\\\\* \nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #1689 in a row. (Story #243 in year five.). This story is part of an ongoing saga that takes place at a high school in my universe. It began on August 22nd and I will be adding to it with prompts every day until May 26th. They are all collected in order at [this link](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hugoverse/comments/wtglls/tokuhigh_alternet_class/).", "Santos Prime used to be the jewel of the Santos continuum. I remember going there with my husbands a few full cycles back and it was a paradise. A lot of civilisations talk the big talk about ending poverty and education for all, but these guys had actually done it.\n\nAs utopias go, it was easily in my top 5.\n\nThen the Blight found them. I mean… it happens. But they were a Tier 2 civilisation so surely they could cope with the Blight. Smaller and more destitute realities had fought them off.\n\nBut it turns out that investing all your money in ending poverty and education for all didn’t really leave Santos Prime with a lot of cash left over for a standing military. Maybe they naively thought that the Paradigm Federation would step up and help, but when has that ever happened? \n\nJust one full cycle later and the reality was a wasteland. The few survivors of Santos Prime who’d managed to duck into another universe just before the Blight hit returned to find absolutely nothing left. The Blight had eaten everything they could eat and taken everything else not nailed down.\n\nSo what’s a universe to do when all they have is a gaping hole of a reality? Well, the savvy survivors reached out to other realities and offered Santis Prime as the multiverse’s first dedicated trash heap. \n\nBy this point the people of Santos Prime had clocked the Paradigm Federation as the toothless bureaucrats they were, so such petty things such as laws, guidelines, and health and safety went out the window. They would take anything - legal or illegal. They opened their portals to every reality willing to pay, and accepted whatever blighted, contaminated, eldritch, damned or wretched piece of refuse they dispose of.\n\nHow I got the job working security for this literally flaming pile of crap is a much longer tale of woe and misfortune. But to cut to the chase, I needed the money so I applied. In the entire connected multiverse, out of trillions upon trillions of potential employees, they said mine was the only application they got. The pay is awful and the job is literally killing me.\n\nBut there are benefits.\n\n“It’s a real Genie lamp. I think it’s from Regela Secundus.”\n\nThe jelly-faced Egornian burbled its reply. “If this is true, why did they throw it away?”\n\nI shrugged. “Didn’t like the way their wishes turned out, I guess. You know how these things work. Genies are nasty pieces of work.”\n\nI picked up the lamp gingerly. I was wearing lead lined gloves which had been thrice blessed by the Antipope of Dex 2. You cannot be careful enough around these parts.\n\n“Look… you want it or not?”\n\nThe Egornian giggled uncertainly then make a farting sound that meant we had an accord. A cred chip emerged from within its gelatinous bulk and tapped against mine.\n\n“Pleasure doing business with you.” I tossed the lamp into its torso and it quickly disappeared. I didn’t know what it had planned with the thing and didn’t care. I had another five of them stashed within a paxar’s walk.\n\nAs the jellied abomination slipped through its personal portal, I heard the telltale sizzle of someone else arriving.\n\nThis one was really weird. Standing around five span tall, it looked like some sort of mutant Zelafod with four extrusions and then a shorter round hair covered blob on top.\n\n“What in all hell are you?” I said, making a warding sign against evil.\n\nThe creature peered at me. I didn’t know where its eyes were, but I could _feel_ it peering. It croaked out something and my translator scrambled around for a bit trying to figure out what the hell it meant.\n\n“Say that again. Slower.”\n\nLetting out some sort of harrumph sound the creature repeated itself.\n\n“I’ve been told by a demon friend of mine that you have a near mint copy of the Darkhold.”\n\nOkay. So it was a customer. I let out a whistle and shrugged. “That sort of thing is nasty. Why would you think a humble security guard like me could find an Eldritch horror like that? I’m an upstanding citizen, don’t ya know?”\n\nThe thing’s two thin protrusions wiggled a bit. Christ. There were more of those weird tiny protrusions on the end. That’s weird as hell. I struggled to hold down my lunch.\n\n“Dagon said you’d be expecting me. The name’s Strange. Dr Strange.”\n\nI considered this for a moment. “First or second edition?”", "Tommy lay back, his chair creaking, as he looked out at the gathering dark clouds that hung over the junkyard. Popping open a beer, he wondered if his patrol would come around the time the rain did. In fact, it didn’t. Off to his right, where a tower of broken flying cars was stacked, he heard a crash. Jumping to his feet, his beer spilt all down his uniform. The bottle smashed on the ground as he ran to investigate. Past the tiger kennels, past the heap of self-writing pens, he found the disturbance. A woman, robed in a black gown trimmed in blue, a classic look of the Academy students, sat underneath a pile of old magazines. \n\n\r“Hey!” Tommy shouted, reaching for his baton. The woman, with bright green eyes clashing with her bright red hair, looked up startled. Clenching her mouth shut, she turned, pushing the magazines off her and sprinted back into the depths of the junkyard. Is that a…Tommy didn’t finish his thought. A lump developed in his throat as he chased after the woman. Why did this have to happen on my shift? Fifteen years guarding this stinking hellhole and this happens with two weeks before I’m done?\n\n\rAround and around they went. The woman’s red hair flapped in the breeze, making it easy to follow in this world of drab browns and greys. Dust sprung up wherever she ran while Tommy had no choice but to run through. Each moment, a fit of sneezing threatened to stop him but he pushed on, ignoring his urges. \n\n\rAs she ran, she toppled every unstable structure she could. First, it was doorless microwaves, which Tommy easily jumped as they crashed around him. One did catch him on his shoulder but he ran on. Next, she toppled a stack of x-ray glasses, pulling out the broken heater that held them up. The crash of glass sent a shiver down Tommy’s spine. The screeching made the hair of his arms rise. Trudging through the glasses, the woman, extended her lead, not looking back once. At last, when he was free of the glasses, he found himself at a crossroads. Pausing for a moment he tried to regain his breath, wondering where to run to next. Running back, he picked up a pair of the glasses, knowing he would need only one lens to half work to see her. Holding them up, he peered around and around. The junk disappeared and only warm-blooded beings could be seen. Rats! Rats were everywhere. Up high, nests upon nests, sat on top of any and all of the junk. Down low though, was where they really existed. In the few seconds he looked he must have seen a thousand. Scurrying along on top of each other, they ran in every direction. Then, finally, running off to the left, he saw a human. Throwing down the glasses, he guessed now, the direction she was running. \n\n\rYears spent patrolling meant Tommy knew this yard like the back of his hand. First, he took a left, the two rights, once squeezing past a gap between a box full of Mona Lisa's and some out-of-date plasma shields. Then, he once again heard the sound of footsteps. She’s definitely going back, back to where she found it.\n\n\rTommy felt his mouth dry up at the thought of what could happen. Longing for his smashed beer, he would reward himself tonight if he made it through. I’ll open that bottle of whiskey. Today of all days, I need something to look forward to.\n\n\rThe steps grow louder and louder as he streamed past the mountains of junk. At one point he could hear her huffing, obvious she wasn’t trained too much in cardio at the Academy. Then the noises stopped and he knew why. Rounding the final corner, he came face to face with the robed woman, her face red as she caught her breath. One hand was on her hip, the other on the ray-gun she pointed at him. A ray-gun the very same as the ones stacked behind her. \n\n\r“Ok now miss,” he said, trying not to sound scared. “Let’s not do anything rash!” Her hand shook while the barrel of the gun, red and white, vibrated but never moved from his body. \n\n\r“I should be saying that to you,” she snapped through gritted teeth. “Don’t do nothing! This one works! I know! I’ve tried it!” Tommy swallowed and the lump in his throat left. Why am I doing this? It’s only a piece of junk, there's thousands laying behind her.\n\n\r“Actually,” Tommy muttered, running his fingers through what remained on his hair. “You can take it. I don’t give a damn. Take two! See if I care.”\n\n\r“What?” she gasped, her grip on the gun loosening. “That’s…That’s not what your supp…You're a liar!” Sighing, Tommy’s thoughts were already on the glass of whiskey he’d have when he got back.\n\n\r“Look,” he said, a tinge of anger now in his voice. “I’m retiring in two weeks. I don’t give a damn about this stupid job anymore. So long as you keep that thing a secret for another two weeks, I’ll let you walk out of here with.” The woman’s eyes widen and she even allowed herself a smile.\n\n\r“Really?” she beamed, looking down that the red and white gun she was the now proud owner of.\n\n\r“Really.” Tommy answered. “Now can I go back and enjoy a whiskey?” The woman nodded, even walking with Tommy so far as the entrance. \n\n\r“Goodbye,” she shouted as she left. “And enjoy retirement!” Tommy smiled, holding up a glass of whiskey to her.\n\n\r“Thank you and I will!” he shouted back. “Enjoy your weapon!” As she disappeared into the distant desert road, Tommy put down his glass and knew he couldn’t take a risk. Walking into the guard’s hut, picking up the telephone. Punching in the number they made him memorize during training, a voice replied instantly.\n\n\r“Tommy,” the man’s voice said. “What happened?”\n\n\r“There was a woman,” Tommy began. “She stole a ray-gun. We’ll need a team on Union Police down here immediately.”\n\n\r“Right away, Tommy,” the man answered, his voice tinged with fear. “And thanks for the call. There will be a reward in this for you.”" ]	4
	[WP] You find a new app for your phone: a memory simulator. You download it and enter the details of the best day of your life. As you use the app, you learn that the more you remember about the best day of your life, it starts to sound more like the worst day of your life	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "MemoryXperience, the hottest trend in digital memory creation, said the digital billboard in bright neon letters before changing to some charter school. It was cheap and tacky, but that's what catches the eye in the app market where the next big thing has the lasting power of a banana. The sweet spot lasting for but a moment. But it was the hottest new thing and Caitlin had to try it for the simplest reason that all her friends would inevitably try it and she wouldn't want to be left out.\n\nThat night, she gave the app a try. The 99 cents version was simple enough. You put in whatever details you wanted and a 3d depiction would play for a minute. The total number of options and the length of the depiction could be increased by paying more for the app, but she wasn't that invested or really entertained. Coming up with cute depictions, her and her boyfriend dancing in the moonlight, driving a fancy new car, got boring quickly enough. More extreme depictions like her driving a boat or skydiving wasn't much better. She even tried some mature content but that was paywalled. It wasn't real and that uncrossable gap made her feel like she was watching a stranger versus herself. Nearing ready to throw in the towel, she thought of a new idea to justify the money she spent to get the app, to recreate a memory. Her favorite memory of her and her parents walking though an amusement park after a long day of rides and games. A week later her father passed away and the two of them moved across the country. The last happy memory of all of them together over a decade ago.\n\nUsing the app, she created an amusement part, parents, and the young Caitlin with ice-cream. It was way off what she remembered. The girl didn't look right, the park was out of place, her parents were not that tall, and a thousand other details. Adding more detail helped, but soon enough the paywall prevented any more additional elements. One less coffee this month, she though as she bought the upgrade which tripled the amount of elements she could program in. By the time the next paywall was hit, the depiction was close enough to the memory to be satisfying. Except there was something, off. Not the large details, adding a distant city to the background was not worth the wasted selection, but something that nagged at the back of her mind. Seeing the near-memory play out in front of her had revealed details as her neurons faired in lost memory. Sighing, she paid for the second upgrade. Two less coffees a month.\n\nThis cycle continued to the third, fourth, fifth paywall. Each time, more detail was added to the depiction. The temperature was raised so that there was a glimmer of sweat on her depiction's brow. Background ambiance adjusted to match her memory. A hundred then a thousand other details, but it still felt wrong, incomplete. Every time she would get closer and closer to that key that would finally settle the memory. Days turned into weeks as she hounded over the app adding more and more elements to the recreated memory, even after the app went out of popular fashion and her friends began to rave over something new. Yet she remained adding, editing, deleting, and endlessly tinkering away until finally the lock was turned in her mind and unknowingly, she added the missing elements to the depiction. It was late when she replicated the completed depiction, though she did not know it yet. She replayed the depiction, expecting her tired mind to scream out fake and lie, but this time it was silent. The memory was completed. Jumping back to awareness, she replayed the depiction over and over trying to find the missing link. It was a conversation between her parents. One line stood out and her blood ran cold.\n\n\"I will kill you if you try to take my daughter away from me.\"" ]	2
Jeff’s Writing Prompts Day 1. Topic: Art (2/3)	[WP] It’s the day of the art competition, and you’re about to show these posers what real art is.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 overhead halogen bulbs recessed in the looming ceiling high in the gallery striped the gallery with cold light sharply highlighting the stark white walls. Empty now besides the five competition entries presented in the light, the gallery would soon fill with judges and audience. Simple plinths supported four pieces, and the last, empty, waited for my offering. It would stay that way for now. \n\nMen and women began to trickle in, sipping cocktails from the bar outside. Some dressed for the formal occasion, others in their own eclectic styles, insisting loudly in silence the wearer’s unique taste and presumed importance. To me, aspiring iconoclasts should focus more on their pieces and less on their attire. \n\nI see the glances at the empty fifth spot and the snide murmuring mouths quipping to each other, but a few who have seen my work suspect my next step. \n\nI survey the fourth other entries. The first is a well executed landscape in oil, but its soul is muted. I recognize the work of an older artist of some previous reknown-once celebrated but now fading. \n\nI sneer at the next offering… a noveau atrocity by an artist known for attracting scandal. A naked Barbie doll is mounted on a crucifix before a crowd of taxidermied mice, kneeling in supplication. Gross. \n\nThe other two offerings are forgettable, proffered by journeymen still looking for their own demensne. Perhaps a few years yet. \n\nI stand before the last empty plinth and center myself, taking slow deep breaths. Few recognized me here, and fewer are paying attention now. I reach out and slide the top off the plinth and reveal a dark recess underneath. Hunching as I reach into the small cubby, my hands pull a small LED screen and place it on the plinth as I replace the top. \n\nThe movement has provoked some curiosity, but I stand smugly next to it as the judges slowly make their way to my piece, evaluating the others with whispered comments among themselves. \n\n\nAs they approach me, their faces crinkle with confusion. I gesture to the first and beckon him to inspect the screen as it lights up. On the screen, the picture shows the judges face lit up with joy. After staring for a moment he stands back, and the next approaches. The screen shifts to show her face now, again with happiness lighting her with radiance.\n\nEach judge sees a similar picture as they pass, and I invite everyone around to see for themselves. Every audience member that views the screen is presented with their face beaming with joy. \n\nThe crowd is silent as I step up to address them. \n\n“Thank you for joining me tonight. When I was asked to join this event tonight, I thought long and hard about what should I create for you. My fellows have presented pieces that showcase their talents or impress you with their novelty. Trash.” I pause and silence drapes the gallery like a heavy shroud. “An artist’s true purpose is to allow his audience to experience feelings they might struggle to feel alone… these days we have all found it harder to remember the joy that life can bring.. and I hope I’ve been able to remind you all of your own capabilities. Thank you.”" ]	2
	[WP] Demons are real and destroy everything humanity puts up against them, but there is one they fear. Tim from accounting.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "730 words\n\n\nI was exhausted, dehydrated, and bloody from fighting. I could easily see which was human blood and which was a demon’s. There was red, and there was black. I limped around dislodged shards of concrete and brick in the all too quiet and amber burnt streets of some city’s downtown. I didn't know which one, the entering sign was gone when I passed it days ago. I saw movement behind a charred car thirty meters ahead, and instinctively shouldered my assault rifle. Adrenaline hit like an all too familiar high, and the sensations of hunger, thirst, and fatigue fled for a moment. In a sick way, I enjoyed the feeling because it was simply less to feel.\n\n>Don’t shoot!\n\nA gravelly and dark voice came from beyond a wafting cloud of dust and ash. I didn't lower my weapon one bit when I saw a white shred of cloth flapping back and forth at the end of what appeared to be a golf club.\n\n>I mean you no harm!\n\nThe voice called once again. Out from the bleak debris came a crimson skinned butcher, a standard issue soldier from the ranks of hell. He had no weapon to speak of. I fired a few rounds from the last clip in my possession, and they merely scratched at his demon hide.\n\n>Please! Hear me out!\n\nI kept my sights on him, square between his abyssal eyes.\n\n>I surrender!\n\n>What the fuck? Why?\n\nHe stopped several meters away and kept his hands where I could see them. I must admit, I never knew a demon not to fight feverishly, nor a demon that wanted to surrender.\n\n>I can't face him, he slaughtered my entire group. There were once 12 of us, now only me.\n\nI lowered my rifle, but kept it pointed so I could hip-fire if warranted.\n\n>...Tim\n\nI spat his name out and the demon cowered, withdrew, and his eyes of darkness showed wide and glossy with fear.\n\n>Not so loud! He hears his name, he is… the accountant.\n\nI knew the guy. He was mild mannered, kinda chubby, kinda bald, and liked bringing donuts to the office. I worked in IT and sometimes fixed the copy machine near his office. He'd greet me and often said a pun I've never heard before. He had one thing going for him though, every time he’d throw something away, a crumpled page, an empty cup, a soda bottle, he'd shoot it like a basketball and never, ever, missed. I saw him plug in the new coffee maker by whipping the cord and the plug went straight into the electrical socket cleanly. His eye was the sharpest, without a doubt. The demon sniffed the air and sniffed.\n\n>He’s close, I smell him, the aroma of the Old Spice, the scent of ancient champions for sure.\n\nI was trying to hold back my laughter, it's been a while since anything funny had happened.\n\n>Ok, why should I help you? Your kind is slaughtering us.\n\nThe demon sighed and closed his eyes, and shrugged his bony shoulders.\n\n>I know the whereabouts of a Puddle Key.\n\nI was surprised he would submit such information. A Puddle Key was more of a wand than a key. Any puddle of water becomes an open door to any world you can think of when you poke the puddle. It could help us find a new home, and a way of life without suffering.\n\n>Ok. We should move on, so lead the way.\n\nThe demon nodded and took one step before a steak knife pierced the hard road before his toes, missing them by only a few centimeters. The tension and silence between us was palpable and we both dared not move. As we looked up at the tall office building beside us, we saw a chubby man. He was wearing a pink buttoned shirt dappled with black ichorous demon blood, khaki pants, and a Mickey Mouse tie hanging around his forehead. His glasses reflected the dimming orange sun before he turned his back and disappeared across the roof. He was, in his own way, some form of demon. I looked at the steak knife and pulled it stubbornly from the road.\n\n>He missed?\n\nThe demon shook his head and quietly spoke with great worry.\n\n>He didn't miss, he sent a warning. A warning that I should keep my word and find the Puddle Key for you." ]	2
	[WP] Aliens have come to Earth, not to kill or invade, but to learn.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Max and I both exit the ship, arriving back on Earth, along with some of the Utopians. After the broadcast painting the aliens as evil and uncaring, Max had suggested that the aliens try to show everyone that they are not evil; after all, they're not, in fact they are far more kind, courteous and polite than most humans. On my suggestion, we came prepared with weapons, not to attack, but for their protection.\n\nWe had made everyone aware of the upcoming visit several days ago, and the army was prepared for us. The aliens exit first, and we here \"SHOOT!\" to which bullets start flying off. I roll my eyes as the bullets bounce off the Utopians; their skin is much thicker than ours, so the bullets mean nothing to them. There was a crowd at the edges, keen to see what these creatures look like, and as the Utopians leave the ship, Max and I do too.\n\nSuddenly, a voice rings out from the crowd. \"MAX???\" It was a male around the same age as Max, and almost instantly after seeing him, Max yells back \"PETER? PETER!\" As the Utopians give the 'we come in peace' spiel to the army, Max runs up to Peter. \"I was told you were dead!\" Peter exclaims, to which Max responds \"that was an assumption that was made. The aliens have actually been quite kind and generous.\"\n\nMy focus turns to the conversation between the Utopians and the army. \"...arn from each other, us about you and your planet, and you about us and our culture. You don't need to worry about us getting revenge or holding grudges; we literally don't know how.\" \"This has got to be some sort of trick, right?\" \"With all due respect, sir, was it not your government that initiated contact with us by trying to kill us off? If it wasn't for this young lady, we may not have been prepared for your attempted invasion.\"\n\nI smile, knowing that what I did possibly saved the Utopians. The army stares at me for a moment. \"So you're the reason our invasion failed?\" Wow, the nerve... \"No, sir, I'm the reason that the Utopians didn't lose their homes to a greedy, selfish, self-destructive, invasive species.\" The army looks at each other with confusion, and I sigh; of course humans can't be the bad guys, after all they were only colonising. I decide to continue speaking. \"You guys think we were trying to colonise, yet if it were the other way around and the aliens tried to claim that they were colonising, you would think that it was a load of rubbish. Just give them a chance.\"\n\nPeter decides to join the conversation. \"Sir, if these aliens are as evil as you claim, then why is my brother alive, when it was claimed that everyone who didn't return was obviously dead? Max told me everything just now - including the fact that the Utopians are here because the broadcast a few days ago was completely inaccurate. It was actually Max's suggestion that they come here to visit so that they can show us what they're really like. It's worth giving them a chance, right? They just want us to learn about them, and in turn they want to learn about us.\"\n\nOne of the army men speaks up. \"So what's with the devices then?\" I smiled. \"I'll show you\" I respond. I take a deep breath - this is going to be uncomfortable, but they need to understand that the Utopians aren't evil. I proceed to throw a punch at one of them, but before my fist connects to the hard skin, the device beeps, and sends a tingle down my spine. At this, my body freezes up, and the crowd gasps. The Utopian I attempted to punch then walks up to the device. \"As you can see, the device is harmless; no pain involved, no trickery, it simply prevents unnecessary violence.\" He presses a button on my device, and I can move again.\n\nAt this point a representative of the world's government approaches. He clears his throat. \"I believe\" he says, taking a quick breath, \"that the Utopians have sufficiently proven that they mean no harm. I say we welcome them to our planet, give them a chance to learn about us, and we shall take this opportunity to learn about them.\" There's a nervous excitement that ripples through the crowd, as the Utopians very politely thank the representative. The army is then dismissed, and the Utopians prepare to study our planet.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThis story is a part of my series, [Alien Life.](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesbyCrystal/comments/x1uytg/alien_life/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) Please check it out!" ]	2
	[WP] Your dying lover jokingly swears that if you sell their precious collection, they’ll come back and haunt you. After their death, you sell it all, hoping they’ll keep their promise.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 been a hard time without you my love. I know you asked me to move on without you. I knew that life would go on without me if I kept wallowing in heartache. \n\nDid you even think about how difficult it would be for me to move on without you? \n\nI'm a fucking idiot. Of course you weren't, you were dying. Always being concerned about me until the end, weren't you?\n\nHis hand slid from the bed, reaching out towards the bookshelf in.. her bedroom, absentmindedly grabbing the cover of a manga.\n\nAs he stared at the cover, his mind began to feel hazy and his vision started to become blurry. Was he fainting?\n\nNo.. he's crying. The liquid substance staining the cover of her beloved manga series.\n\n..\n\nWhy did you have to leave me? \n\nHe didn't know how long it had been until the wetness in his eyes dried and his vision became increasingly clear, gazing mindlessly at his wet-lidden lap. \n\n..\n\nHis gaze turned to the manga that he placed down to the right of him, staring for an unsettling amount of time. \n\nTaking a deep breath, he grabbed it along with the other books he could carry from the bookshelf as much as possible to the backyard, going back and forth until all the manga that she cherished was there sitting right in front of him. \n\n\nGripping the lighter, he turned it on and threw it into the pile, simultaneously lighting it all ablaze. The smell of ash and burned paper penetrated his nostrils, viewing the fire. Stomping towards the door and slamming it, he carried on with his daily routine, completely ignoring the fire until it turned nightfall, \n\nSitting on her bed, he focused on the clock ticking, waiting for a superstitious sign, anything. Anything she could give him that could relieve his aching heart. \n\nNothing as time went on. \n\nAbsolutely nothing. \n\nHe burned her fucking collection for nothing. He completely disrespected her wishes in favor for his fucking delusion. Her promise. \n\nHe started to giggle, his hands trembled as he started to howl and laugh uncontrollably. Tears once again started dropping down his face and onto the carpeted floor. \n\nWhat a fool he was. \n\nThis wasn't a lovely day.", "It's done.\n\nWith a tense smile, I handed over the last book to the buyer. I'd already forgotten his name - he was unremarkable in every way except one: he was the last buyer.\n\n\"Hey, are you ok?\" he asked. \n\nI guess he saw something on my face, so I plastered on the friendly smile I use with my students. The one I call my \"no stupid questions\" smile. You know the one, when your ten-year-old wants to ask a question, but he's a little embarrassed, so you give him an encouraging look and a nod and tell him he can ask anything he wants, that you'll never make fun of him and never, ever lie to him. Even though the smile itself is a lie. But it always seems to make people feel more comfortable around me, and I need that. Widows tend to make people uncomfortable.\n\n\"I'm fine,\" I lied smoothly. \"Enjoy the book!\"\n\nHe thanked me and said goodbye. At least, I assume he did. I don't really remember. All I could think about was getting to my car, and it was a relief when the heavy door finally shut behind me and I could finally let the tears fall as I drove away. \n\nI'm sorry, Chu, I thought to myself, using the nickname I'd called him for twenty years, ever since we started dating in high school. I'm sorry, but I can't do it alone.\n\nIt had taken almost a year - ten months, two weeks, and three days, to be precise - but every one of his precious books had been sold. I thought about just donating them to a library, but he'd been very specific.\n\n\"Babe, when I'm gone, if you sell all my books, I will legit come back and haunt you.\" \n\nI wasn't sure if donating them would count. Some of them were first editions, some were signed, and those went the fastest. But some were just random fantasy novels. My late husband loved fantasy, but apparently, it's a fairly niche market. This last one was an old Robert Heinlein novel, nothing really special, but I'd finally found a buyer on Facebook, and now it was done. \n\nThere was nothing left to do but wait. The kids were with my mother for the evening. Everything was ready. If it really was possible for him to come back, if he really wanted to come back, I was ready for him.\n\nAs I walked through the door to the house, I followed my normal routine on autopilot. Dropped my keys in the bowl by the door next to what had been my husband's keys. Hung my jacket up on the coatrack, though I think it slid to the floor as I walked away. I didn't care. I turned on the lights as I went, first in the living room, then in the hall, then in our...well, my bedroom. I kicked my shoes off in the middle of the floor. That would've driven him nuts -- he was such a neat freak. Maybe annoying him just a little bit more would make it more likely that he'd come.\n\nThe thought flashed through my mind, but I didn't spend time on it. The tears were flowing freely now, and I no longer knew if they were from the grief or from self-condemnation.\n\nI knew I shouldn't be doing this. I knew I should let him rest. I knew it was ridiculous to even take it seriously, to even believe that a deathbed joke could really bring a ghost back from the dead. I knew I was being selfish. I knew I was being weak.\n\n\"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,\" I found myself mumbling out loud. \n\nBut I couldn't do it. I couldn't raise our kids myself. I couldn't go to school every day and put on my \"no stupid questions\" smile without kissing him goodbye on my way out the door. I couldn't do anything, couldn't live, without him here.\n\nSo I sat on our -- my \\-- bed, staring at the empty bookshelves that lined one wall, and I waited. I don't know what I was waiting for, maybe for his ghost to appear and start lecturing me about my shoes on the floor. But I waited.\n\nAnd waited.\n\nAnd waited.\n\nBut nothing happened.\n\nIt was fully dark now, and I knew I should close the heavy curtains so my neighbors didn't see me sitting on my bed staring into space. But I couldn't bring myself to care. My tears had dried up, and I was badly in need of a glass of water, but I knew if he was going to appear, it would be here, by the bookshelves, the scene of the crime.\n\nI don't know how long I sat there before the lights went out. My heart sped up, and I looked around, frantically hoping to see him. \n\n\"Chu? Charles? Is that you?\" I asked, desperate...hopeful.\n\nAs my gaze darted around the room, I glanced out the window and realized my neighbors' lights were off, too. The whole neighborhood was down. Just a power outage, I thought.\n\nJust a power outage.", "It's been three days since Becky's passing, and the promise she made. \nI pour myself a way too big glass of whiskey to try and kill the sorrow that way. \nI take a first sip and swallow a bit too loudly. \"Well, I sold all of your favorite records, where the hell are you then?\" \nI let out a sigh, hurting myself with the words and contemplate. \n\nI sold her records on the second day, which was gutwrenching to do. But the promise that she made, to come and haunt me if I did, made it unbearable to not do it. \nWhatever it takes I would do, to see her again, in whatever way possible.\n\nWhile thinking it all over I failed to notice the clock striking 02:00 and a cold spot on my shoulder, which was forming as suddenly as a lightning storm on a hot, humid day.\nI only started to notice as the cold spot became bigger and started to envelop both my shoulders. \n\nI shivered and and could not bring my voice louder than a whisper. \"Becky.. is that you?\" \nAs soon as I uttered the last word the cold spot became more defined, turning into more like hands, which I recognized immediately.\n\nTears filled my eyes as Becky's hands strokes my back, the way she always did when she was alive and well, without her disease, without her soul crushing fatigue, without her sadness to leave everyone she loved behind. \n\nI swallowed hard. \"I'm so sorry for selling your records, but I could not bear to spend the rest of my days without you by my side, whatever way possible, I hope you can forgive me one day..\"\n\nAs soon as I said that the cold hands became warm, almost like I could feel her entire body onto mine. I started to sob with happiness and sadness and close my eyes to feel the moment more intensely. \n\nAfter what felt like seconds I heard the clock strike 03:00 and hear a faint whisper in my ear, or more so inside my head. \"Open your eyes, love..\"", "I sit here, in waiting, in hope. \n\nThere are those that would say that I still grieve. That this is a irrational reaction to the death of a loved one. Others would say I'm insane. Or a fool.\n\nPerhaps they are right.\n\nBut I must try. There is no other option. I must see my love again. I cannot fathom continuing on another moment without seeing their face, without hearing their voice. Even if it is angry screaming about what I have done. \n\nAnd I have done a great wrong. I expect, should it exist, that I will burn eternally in the pits of Hell, for what I have done. I had taken my beloved's books, their precious library, painstakingly sorted and cared for; and gotten rid of them. Some I sold, some donated, some given away. Some, burned in rage and grief. Priceless pieces, to my beloved, a final reminder to them, a final piece of them upon this Earth. Gone.\n\nAnd it is with this, I hope, to see them again. To enrage their eternal spirit, or soul, or waken them from the eternal slumber, even if it be in anger. For, in jest, laying dying upon their bed, my beloved had told me that they would return from beyond the grave should I get rid of their collection. They would harass me from the spirit realm, in retaliation. It was a part of my love's charm; their ability to make light of the situation, no matter how dark. Like a torch, ever burning, in the endless night of the world.\n\nA light that has been unfairly snuffed.\n\nSo, here I sit, in my sins; in the liminal dissonance of a library without books, in a home without love, in a world without purpose. Here, I sit, waiting; for my beloved, either in sadness and grief, or in anger and wrath.\n\nI do not care which.\n\nHere I sit, waiting.\n\nIn hope.", "It has been a month now since I sold Alan's records. Some were quite valuable, and goodness knows I needed help covering funeral costs.\n\nI wasn't using them anyway, I rationalize. I can't listen to them.\n\nIt's too painful.\n\nThe night I sold them, I lay awake till dawn. Every creak, every shadow had me sitting upright in bed.\n\nThe nights after were not much different, except I found myself drifting off. \n\nI work, I come home, I cook, I feed our cats. \n\nLife goes on. \n\nAt first I would swear I felt someone watching me, but I'd turn and it would only be Esmerelda, Alan's beloved tabby. She doesn't understand he's gone. She looks at me like she demands an explanation. \n\nI have none.\n\nSometimes I catch myself browsing the web for a medium or a spiritist. But I don't want to force the issue. What if nothing happens?\n\nWhat if something does. \n\nSix months now. I'm sleeping through the night. The bed feels entirely too large. But Esmerelda and Jax seem to like the extra space. Waking with them cuddled up to me is one of the few real moments of happiness I know these days. Sometimes the warmth next to me could almost be Alan again. But it's not. It never is.\n\nI need to move on.\n\nA year, to the day. I visit his grave. I haven't been here in a while, and I feel guilty for getting busy. But I've been promoted at work, my best friend just had a baby, a tie rod busted in my car and I just...forgot. \n\nI lay flowers over his grave and brush off snow from the headstone. I kneel in the snow and talk softly to him, telling him about my day. The tears come. It's not like before, the overpowering, choking sadness that blinds me to everything else. \n\nBut it still hurts.\n\nEighteen months. I didn't know I'd been talking to myself out loud until I stopped. Really, I was talking to Alan. As if he could hear me. As if I carry his consciousness with me. \n\nI don't. He's gone. \n\nI sit at the breakfast table, three years from the day he died. I am reading our love letters. Jax jumps up into my lap and begins to purr. The sharp pain in my chest is now a dull ache. I can smile at the memories again, even as tears prick my eyes. \n\nIt's my day off, and I put on my boots to run some errands. I'm meeting my friend and her toddler for lunch today, and doing some last minute Christmas shopping. Tonight I'll have a hot bath, a glass of wine, and then I'll put up the Christmas tree in my pajamas and make cocoa. Just like Alan and I used to. I no longer look for signs of him. In fact I stopped looking almost two years ago, almost without realizing.\n\nHe'd want me to be happy. He'd want me to move on.\n\nIt's New Years, six years after Alan. I'm seeing someone. I think Alan would like her. She's funny and kind and makes me smile when I'm down. I love the way she scrunches her nose when she laughs. She makes me happy.\n\nI still miss Alan.\n\nIt's spring at last. We're moving in together, Chelsea and me. She loves Esmerelda. Jax passed on a few months back. I was heartbroken. Chelsea helped me through it.\n\nLast night we went through my and Alan's photos. She listened as I reminisced about him, held me as I cried. She cried too, for my pain and my loss.\n\nI love her so much.\n\nI love her easy way with people. I love how fiery she can be, and how gentle and kind. I love how driven and passionate she is for life.\n\nBecause life is for the living. And life does go on.", "My husband told me if I ever sold his book collection he would come back and haunt me\n\nIt was a slow death. Two years and three months to be exact. The day before was so happy and full of laughter. For the past week it seemed as if he was finally getting better and the treatment was working. I should’ve known better. That night was the last. His body began convulsing as the seizures hit again. His heart stopped three times. Third time’s the charm. It’s been about a month now and I just cannot take it anymore. My heart is constantly in pain. Everyday it feels as if it’s being stabbed every time it beats. I wake up in the night missing him next to me, knowing he never will be again. I sob and scream till I can’t talk and throw up. Everyday it feels the exact same as when I was first told. I can’t do it anymore. I started selling his books on Ebay. Posting the most expensive books there first. Then I moved to facebook to post the series, such as Eloise. I’m very happy to be getting rid of them, knowing I’ll get to see him again soon.\n \n\nUPDATE\n Things have started changing. I wake up in the morning and smell the fresh coffee that he would always make sure to start for me before leaving for work. He didn’t like coffee, he always said it was so bland and overrated and I would joke back that so were his books. It seems the more that I sell the more things change and almost start to feel normal again. Normal as if he is here.\n\nUPDATE\n I quit my job. I’ve become fully obsessed with getting everything gone. I can feel him in bed with me now. I can smell his cologne in the bathroom when I get up. It seems the more that I sell, the more he is back. \n\nUPDATE\n It happened today. I saw him. It was only a glimpse, but it was him. I was closing the bathroom door and there he was standing in the hall looking at me. I cried in my shower, overflowing with happiness in knowing I was getting closer to seeing him again.\n\nUPDATE\n I think I need to stop selling his things. It’s started to get strange here. The energy in the house feels dark. I see him more often now, but he doesn’t look the same. He looks angry. He looks at me as if he hates me. He's began throwing things. I think he's trying to hit me, but it always misses.\n\nUPDATE \n I finally sold the last book last week. I was so happy and anxious, but now I regret ever having the thought of selling them. He’s started hurting me. I have bruises on my body, but I have no idea where it's come from. I don’t wake up to the smell of coffee anymore, instead it smells like rotting fish. The entire house has the smell. I shower 3 times everyday to try and rid myself of it, but it's not working. I constantly spray air freshener but it over powers it. I don’t think what I am seeing is him. I’m terrified and I don’t know what to do. \n\nUPDATE\n This might be my last update. I don’t think it’s safe for me here anymore. The entire house is trashed and the walls have deep scratches in them. This is not my husband, this is something much darker. I’m having a priest come over this weekend, but I fear that i…..", "Merrell had always been scared of the dark. Even as a grown woman, she'd sprint up the basement stairs after turning off the lights, afraid that a ghost was close behind. Only at the top, after the door creaked shut, could she let out a sigh of relief, her heart rate elevated from more than just the running.\n\n\n\"You'd better not,\" Brady said. \n\n\nThe worst part was that he still looked healthy. Merrell had read a thousand articles and they all talked about how the diseased would shrivel up into skin and bones. They'd look nothing like their former self. Merrell had prepared for that, but now, in the final moments, Brady looked like the same, muscular man as always.\n\n\n\"Come on, babe,\" Merell said. Her own calmness surprised her. Here she was, talking to her dying husband, but it felt like a conversation they'd have in bed on a cozy Sunday morning. \"You said you'd want me to move on, didn't you? How do you expect me to do that if I keep that stuff?\"\n\n\n\"I want you to move on, yes,\" Brady said, with a cough, \"but I never said I wanted you to forget about me. That album, those pictures—those are our memories. My treasured collection. If you throw them out, I don't know what I'll do. Haunt you from the great beyond, maybe.\"\n\n\nMerell felt like the temperature dropped below freezing for a moment. \"Don't say that. You know I'm terrified of ghosts.\"\n\n\nBrady let out a weak chuckle that betrayed his strong exterior. The disease was killing him from the inside. \"Good. Then let me say it with more certainty. I will haunt you if you throw away those photos. That's a promise.\"\n\n\n\"How am I supposed to move on if I can always look at our past?\" She thought about how far back the album went. \"I mean, there's pictures from when we were in middle school! High school prom! Our trips to Tokyo and St. Petersburg. The time your held my hair when I puked in the toilet during Halloween. The time I went into a panic attack when we used a ouija board. College graduation. Our wedding. Literally everything's in there. If I can see those memories whenever I want, my heart will be trapped with you, forever in a stasis. There's no way.\"\n\n\n\"Please, just do. It's literally my dying wish.\"\n\n\nMerell saw the pleading look in Brady's eyes. Without giving him a response, she moved closer to the hospital bed and wrapped her arms around him. Brady hated how immature his wife could be sometimes, but it didn't stop him from returning the hug.\n\n\nDuring the funeral, Merell was in a cold sweat. Instead of focusing on the lowering of her late husband, her eyes darted back and forth, scanning the surroundings for any threats. With the grave dug up for Brady, she thought that would be the prime time for supernatural elements to escape. Nothing happened. Once she was back in her car, off of the cursed ground, she began to cry at how stupid she was being. She never knew why she was so afraid of children's tales.\n\n\nOn the way home, while the sun was going down, her car ran into unexpected trouble. She barely managed to coerce it into the parking lot of a bar she'd never seen before. After arranging for somebody to pick her up, she decided to have a drink.\n\n\nIf it weren't for the 'OPEN' sign outside, Merell would have imagined the bar to be closed. The inside was so dark; it seemed the owner opted for candlelight only. There were a few tables with patrons sitting at them. Merell walked past, trying to look at the faces (maybe somebody had been at the funeral), but it was too dark. Everybody just looked like a black shade.\n\n\nThe bar itself wasn't much different. The bartender seemed almost transparent as he placed a glass of Chardonnay in front of the woman.\n\n\n\"Funeral?\" he said, with a fading voice. \n\n\n\"Yes,\" Merell said. \"My husband.\" \n\n\nThe bartender reached under the bar, his movements silent, and pulled out the entire bottle of wine. \"I'm sorry. On the house.\"\n\n\n\"Thank you,\" Merell said, as she gulped down her glass and refilled it.\n\n\nWith the bottle finished (which was a lot for a 90lb woman who rarely drank), Merell began to wonder where her ride was. She looked at her phone and saw missed calls. Whoops. She left the bar and stepped into the summer night. Up above, the stars winked at her.\n\n\n\"Hey, where are you?\" she asked into her phone.\n\n\n\"Where am I? Where are you? I've been trying to—wait, I think I see you.\"\n\n\nMerell squinted as the headlights approached. Inside, the car was nice and cool. Merell sank into the plush leather seat. The wine was having its way with her; it was helping her numb the pain of loss.\n\n\n\"Strangest thing,\" Merell's friend said. \"I couldn't find the place until just now. Could of swore I drove through here ten times. Whatever. How are you feeling?\"\n\n\n\"I'm okay,\" Merell said. \"Bartender gave me a bottle of wine for free. Rather not talk much right now, though. Just want to go home and sleep.\"\n\n\n\"I understand.\"\n\n\nWith Brady gone, the house felt hollow. Every step reverberated off the walls and shook in Merell's ears. She kicked her shoes off and jumped onto the bed that was too big for one person. A sigh, then tears. And then a silly idea, one fueled by the liquid courage. \n\n\nShe grabbed Brady's photo album and went into the basement. With a shaky hand, she turned off all the lights. It was pitch black. There was hotness in her head and the back of her neck, the kind that spawns from fear. But the wine and the sorrow let her push through.\n\n\n\"You said you'd haunt me, babe,\" she said, nervous-giggling to herself. \"Bring it on.\"\n\n\nOne by one, Merell held each photo to the flame of a lighter before setting it ablaze and throwing it into a small metal trashcan. The process took hours. With each burned photo, a piece of herself burned alongside it. Memories of somebody who was no longer there disappeared. The person who would never come back. She felt a strange sort of betrayal at that thought, even though she knew it wasn't his fault, and she was being irrational. \n\n\nIt was supposed to be a cathartic rebirth, a letting go of the past, but instead it was a plea to turn back time. A desperate attempt to hold on. A deal she hoped to make with the other side, to bring back her loved one. All her superstitions, starting from childhood, she thought, prepared her for this one moment.\n\n\nBut as the photos continued to burn, and the effect of the wine diminishing, she began to doubt his promise. She frowned as she held the final photo in front of the flame. It was a picture of them celebrating the defeat of the same disease that killed him. The doctors had said Brady was cured, and Brady himself though so too. They threw a party. But some people are cursed with bad luck in this world, and Brady was one of them. It came back with a vengeance. This time, there was no party. \n\n\nAs the final photo transformed into black ash, Merell felt a faint hope inside her. There goes your precious collection, she thought to herself. Come out now, Brady.\n\n\nTime passed. The basement began to feel cold. The threads of hope within the widow's mind frayed and then untwined entirely. Soft droplets of tears could be heard splashing against the basement floor, alongside the sound of a woman's wavering breath.\n\n\n\"Liar,\" Merell wept, as the embers puttered out. \"I thought you hated liars.\"\n\n\nConsumed by the vast emptiness of her loss, Merell left the basement, slowly walking up the stairs in complete darkness, one step at a time.", "It had only been a week. I thought I’d be able to hold out longer but goddamnit, I didn’t think I would feel his absence in every ounce of my being—not like this. What’s funny is, even though I know he’s not here, it still seems like he is. His scent lingers in the couch pillows, his shampoo is still nestled in the shower caddy behind my shaving cream, and although his mother came by days ago to pack up his clothing, I still manage to find a lone sock or two of his in my pile. \n\nIt’s not fair. All of this feels so fucking unfair. He’s gone for good and here I am, sitting on the floor of his room or a \"man-cave\" is what he’d call it, coming down from yet another panic attack. I just can’t take it anymore! I can’t stand the constant ache that fills me up with complete rage and sadness. He can’t be dead, he can’t just leave me to do this on my own! \n\nWhich is why I did it. Or at least I’m doing it right now. I took a deep breath, exhaling before my eyes slowly drifted over to the far right corner of the room. Just above his desk sat a collection of figures he’d been rounding up since he was ten years old. I never understood what was so great about them. They looked like any other action figure kids played with. I mean seriously they were really nothing special—just stupid dolls. \n\nI sighed. \n\nOr…perhaps I was just trying to convince myself that they were in order to justify the fact that I’d listed them on a classified ad website and there’s a guy on his way over to buy them right now. I shut my eyes at the thought, feeling my heart beat pick up speed. Fuck. I know what I’m doing is wrong. These were his favorite things in the whole world. They were something him and his father started collecting over the years and when his dad died four years ago, they became that much more important to him. \n\nNow my heart is beating so hard, almost as if it could explode if one more thought allowed it. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. I want to let him rest peacefully as I know he’s no longer suffering but…I need him. I truly need him. \n\nHe made me promise not to pawn them off should he die or else he’d be back to haunt me. At the time, I found it quite amusing. A collection of figurines bringing back a dead guy? Ha! I’d love to see that. \n\nBut here I am, desperate, lonely, and superstitious. I’d once read an article about a grieving mother claiming to have spoken with her dead son after cleaning a pair of his lucky shoes that he refused to wash due to the fact that the luck was \"in the filth of it.\" And although I found it to be quite ridiculous and that she was probably just delusional due to grief, I am now in no position to make such claims due to the fact that I am now in her shoes. It’s not easy giving away such a huge part of him, especially to some stranger. However, I’d give anything to simply just see him again. \n\n\n I’m sure he will understand. \n\n\nA knock at the door forced my eyes open. That was fast. He must have raced over here in a hurry, hoping I didn’t bail or sell them off to someone else. I remained sitting on the floor for a few seconds staring at the figurines in hopes they’d speak up and tell me I was making the wrong choice. But they didn’t and so therefore I was definitely making the right one. \n\n\nI stood up ,walking over to the shelf and pulling down the figurines one by one and placing them in a box that sat upon his desk. \"I’m sorry,\" I muttered, taking hold of the box and heading downstairs. My heart was still drumming. Boom…boom….boom. \n\nI make it to the front door, reaching for the handle with sweaty palms and quickly pulling it open. As I did so, my eyes instantly met with the man before me, causing me to drop the box of figurines on the floor. \n\n\nI could not believe my eyes. \n\n\n\"I told you so,\" he said." ]	9
	[WP] "Ah, The First Folly, a space battleship built for a different era... The last pre-dreadnought battleship still in service"	[ "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.", "\"Ah, The First Folly, a space battleship built for a different era... The last pre-dreadnought battleship still in service\" Devon murmured.\n\n\"Well, it ain't quite in service any more I suppose. Hell, we ain't heard nothing from it in over 6 months, for all we know the whole crew deserted and scrapped its internals for salvage\"\n\n\"Shut it, Gibson, we don't know that\" Brook snapped.\n\n\"Well what do you suggest happened then? No distress call and no response on long range coms for that long? I say they did in the Cap an-\"\n\n\"Lets just focus on what we do know\" Interjected Stone. \"All we know is The Folly hasn't been responding to High Command and we have had all our hails ping back at us with no response since entering the sector. Now, that means we are here simply for a damage and threat assessment, people\". Stone stood up and started securing his gear and grabbing a rifle from the secured rack. \"Once we give our report, higher ups can determine for themselves what happened\"\n\nDevon, Gibson and Brook all started standing up, doing the same.\n\n\"Now, the ship scan didn't pick up any heat sigs but there might still be people on board, its hard to be 100% with these old ships. Remember, we need people alive and talking to find out what happened so secure and detain any crew on sight. I don't care if you think they look harmless, we don't know what happened, so assume anyone you find is a potential hostile\"\n\nThe boarding pod rocked suddenly as it made contact with a docking port. Shortly there after the sound of metal turning and locking into place boomed into the small pod. There was a delay before a small hiss sounded as The First Folly's atmosphere and the pods blended, then the pod doors slid open at a hurtling speed allowing the recon team to file out into the darkness of the ship with military precision, guns raised at a high ready.\n\n\"Fuck its cold\" exclaimed Brook, shivering slightly, tensing her posture and huddling her arms inwards.\n\n\"Environmentals must be damaged\" Devon said flicking on his headlamp.\n\nStone scanned the dank empty corridor with his more powerful hip flash light to try and pierce the darkness. \"Well, no welcoming party...\" he muttered to himself. \"Devon, head to Life Support, see if you can figure out why its so damn cold, and check the compression-cycler, the air shouldn't be this damp, if we are going to have a life support cascade failure id like to know in advance\"\n\nDevon nodded bringing up a holo map of the ship interior on his wrist.\n\n\"Gibson, go with him and check for signs of the crew on your way, Brook and I will make for the bridge, to see if we can get a hold of any ship logs and get the damn lights on\"\n\nGibson gave Stone a limp wristed salute as acknowledgement and followed after Devon.\n\nStone and Brook moved down the corridor in the opposite direction. After some time of walking through the dank bowels of the ship Stone's ear piece chirped and Devon's voice came through.\n\n\"Uh boss?\"\n\n\"Report Devon\"\n\n\"Well, the environmental control station is busted\"\n\n\"Busted how?\" Stone replied, slightly exasperated at the ambiguous description.\n\n\"Well, uh, if I didn't know any better id say a family of bears tried to make a meal out of it\"\n\n\"What? You saying its been sabotaged?\"\n\n\"I dunno Sir, if it were sabotage there are ways that are a lot easier that'd do the trick, not to mention it looks as though a group of wild animals went berserk in here, all the controls are locked in to the current setting. Ain't no way we can get temperature control back up without bringing a full team down here.\"\n\nStone stopped and tapped Brook on the shoulder indicating her to do the same.\n\n\"There is one more thing Sir, we checked on the air compression-cycler and it ain't broken, if anything its trying to work overtime to get all the moisture out of the air\"\n\n\"What are you saying?\" Stone said, furrowing his brow in thought.\n\n\"Well, someone has destroyed the environmentals to fix the temperature in place, but as for the moisture, it has to be being caused by something else in the ship since the compressor is fine. Something is altering the environment on the ship Sir and its not being done from here\"\n\nStone paused for a second \"Roger that, everyone, I want full PPE on. Mask up, I don't want anyone breathing in something they shouldn't if the environment is being altered. Devon I want you and Gibson to-\"\n\n\"Stone!\" Brook hissed in a hushed tone.\n\nStone swivelled on his heal, raising his gun, to get eyes on what had grabbed Brook's attention \"What is it?\" he asked.\n\n\"Listen, do you hear that?\"\n\nStone, strained his ears to listen out for anything.\n\n\"Sir?\" Devon chirped up over the coms.\n\n\"Hold\" Stone replied sharply. As he re-adjusted his hearing to listen for anything out of the ordinary.\n\nHe could faintly hear the sound of someone out of breath, as though they had ran a marathon and had only just come to a stop.\n\nNo, it was multiple people, all breathing deeply, and very rapidly." ]	2
	[WP] When aliens finally came to Earth it was less of an 'invasion' but more of an 8th grade geography field trip	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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's the Eiffel Tower!\" I say to the Utopians. Upon their request, I'm showing some of the Utopians some of Earth's landmarks. Right now, we're in Paris. The Utopians are so excited to learn about us and our planet, they're acting sort of like eighth graders, rather than the polite, sophisticated species I came to know! Amelia is with me, and Clyde came along. Amelia really wanted to visit Paris for the first time in her life, and wherever Amelia goes, her personal guard, Clyde goes. The aliens, as we've recently learned, actually ditched their own language so that they can focus on communication with humans! As a result the Utopians started giving themselves Earth names - my personal guard loved the name 'Edina', so that's what she decided she would be called.\n\nAmelia and I lead the Utopians, as well as a couple other humans that decided to join us, to the Eiffel Tower, and we go up. We go as high as we can, and as I glance at the Utopians, they're amazed at the view. It seems like every time we go up high, the Utopians are awestruck. I guess they can't get views like this on Utopia. As usual, they talk amongst themselves about how fascinating Earth is, and how they want to try to bring some of our culture to their planet. I mean, I swear that they started making plans for afternoon teas immediately after we finished exploring England!\n\nOur visit to Paris ends shortly afterwards, and as usual the Utopians take notes. This time, however, they confer with each other... usually, they make their notes and we move on. They all nod in agreement about something, before turning to me. Edina speaks. \"Thank you for taking us around your planet, Max. Earth certainly is a beauty... but we decided that we've gathered enough information. And we feel like we've shared a lot of our culture and knowledge, too. We know for a fact that your planet trusts us a lot more, and we've already made a peace agreement with your government. So we believe it's time we returned to Utopia.\" She pauses for a moment.\n\n\"Amelia. Max. Do you two want to-\" Amelia shouts \"YES! I WANNA COME BACK WITH YOU!\" She literally runs up to Clyde, who grins and attaches a 'leash' to the device Amelia wears. I wear something similar - a head piece which connects to the main part of the body. I learned the hard way, shortly after being made to stay on their home planet, that only the Utopians can remove the device. Edina looks at me. \"What about you, Max?\" I smile. \"I'll be happy to come back with you. I already spoke to my friends and family - if it were just me, the answer would be no, however my best friend, another close friend and a new member of our friend circle all decided they would come back with me. My parents said they still need to raise my sister here, but when I asked my brother, Peter, he said 'so when can we get off this stinking planet?', so he's definitely in.\"\n\nEdina smiles at me, then turns to her fellow Utopians. \"I'm going to need to make a trip to pick up a few humans. I'll take the emergency ship with me. You all go on ahead.\" After the emergency ship is set up, Edina and I wave goodbye to the other Utopians and Amelia. Edina then attaches a leash to me. \"Come on then\" she said, as if speaking to a dog. I look at her to see if it was an accident or- nope, she did it on purpose! That huge grin is a dead giveaway! I can't help but grin back. \"At least you picked up a sense of humour here!\" Edina pretends to whack me on the head, before securing my leash to a spot on the ship. We head off to pick up my friends and brother, before going back to Utopia. I decide to nap.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThis story is a part of my series, [Alien Life.](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesbyCrystal/comments/x1uytg/alien_life/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) Please check it out!", "The aliens from planet Allrock chittered as their silver saucer zoomed towards Planet 238-B. \n\nInside, one hat-wearing alienhad his hands on what resembled a pogo stick. When he moved the stick left, the saucer moved left. When he jerked the stick right, the saucer lurched right. When he jumped on it and pushed down on its tentacleholds the saucer sank slowly, as it was doing right now. \n\nThis alien's name was M'ramurmurmurCHITCHITCHITCHITBREEEEEEEP! He resented it because it was a very common name. For our American readers we will be localizing his name as \"Dave\". \n\nand will localize the other alien names as well\n\n\"Are you sure we want to go down here Tom\" asked Dave. \"We're not supposed to go down any lower than two thousand anklebones. It's galactic law.\"\n\n\"Look at how excited the kids are.\" chittered Tom. \"This will an important developmental experience.\"\n\n\"The planet is blue! And the planet is green!\" said Timothy, as he pointed out the window.\n\n\"Wowwww,\" said the other kids. \n\n\"Class, can someone tell me why the planet is green?\" asked Tom.\n\n\"It's because those are PLANTS!\" said Denise.\"\n\n\"Great job Denise! Plants are green and survive only in a few \"greenhouse\" planets. Does anyone know why Allrock is brown?\"\n\n\"Because it has lots of rocks and rocks are brown!\"\n\n\"Right again, Denise.\" said Tom. \"Next time please raise your hand. \n\n\"Mr. Smithers, Mr. Smithers,\" said Timothy. \"Why is the planet also blue?\" \n\nDenise put her hand straight into the air.\n\n\"Well class, in a few minutes you'll all find out!\" said Tom, then he walked away from the students and back towards the pilot. \n\n\"Dave -\" Tom chitter-hissed. \"What is the blue smooth part. What is that called? I do not remember.\" \n\n\"I can talk to you about asteroids, and I can talk about piloting.\" said Dave. \"But why would I know about the biomes of a slum planet?\"\n\n\"Get closer to the blue. Maybe then I will remember.\"\n\n\"Two thousand anklebones is regulation Tom.\" \n\n\"Get closer!\"\n\n\"It's your funeral.\" \n\nThe spaceship lowered and through the windows students could see a vast, rolling, wavy cerulean.\n\n\"That's so cool!\" said Timothy. \"But what is that?\" \n\n\"Well Timothy, maybe this would be a great topic to research at home.\" said Tom. \n\n\"Mr. Smithers doesn't know what it is! Mr. Smithers doesn't know what it is!\" said Rick. \n\n\"He doesn't know?\" said Timothy. \"Mr. Smithers is lying to us?\"\n\n\"I can explain what it is if Mr Smithers doesn't know.\" said Denise. \"Mr Smithers, can I be the teacher?\" \n\n\"No!\" Tom chirp-coughed. \"No, there is no need to 'be the teacher.' I will explain soon.\"\n\nTom crawled back to Dave, not out of humiliation but because it was what aliens from Allrock do.\n\n\"Dave, you travel a lot and travel far. Are you sure you do not know what this is? If I do not answer my students may no longer view me as an authority.\" said Tom.\n\n\"I told you I'm a pilot,\" said Dave \"I don't know about planets I just know about flying. I guess if I had to say something about it is that it looks like a great landing spot. Mostly flat and I couldn't miss it.\"\n\n\"Mr. Smithers!\" cried Timothy from the back of the ship. \"I don't believe you know everything anymore!\" \n\n\"Timothy,\" said Tom, \"The reason I haven't explained is because I'm going to let the blue speak for itself. We are going to visit the blue.\"\n\n\"Really? Yay!\" said Timothy.\n\n\"Really?? Fuck!\" said Dave.\n\n\"Not so loud, Dave,\" said Tom. \"The kids might hear you.\" \n\n\"I don't know Tom. I said that this would make a great, solid, landing space, but putting the saucer down there would be zero anklebones, which you know is just a little less than two thousand a.b.\" chittered Dave nervously in a lower voice.\n\n\"I made these kids a promise. Let's go down there, blow their minds and change their lives.\"\n\n\"Okay,\" said Dave. \"But you're taking me out for a Meat Meal after this.\" \n\n\"Thanks Dave.\" said Tom \"You're a real stand up tentacle monster.\" \n\nThe saucer started descending as Tom turned to the class. \"Denise, you can put your hand down now. As I said, while I appreciate that you want to be a teacher there is no need to be one right now.\n\n\"But I want to explain,\" said Denise. \"I knowwww what it is.\" \n\n\"It's water!\" Denise exclaimed brightly. \n\nThe saucer plunged into the ocean with a small splosh." ]	3
	[WP] Years ago, you received a priceless gift: ten small pills, each of which somehow ensure that, for exactly twenty-four hours after swallowing, nothing in the universe can kill you. This morning, you took the last pill.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Floating.\r \n\r \nDescending.\r \n\r \nAscending?\r \n\r \nDirection was meaningless to me.\r \n\r \nMe?\r \n\r \nSelf.\r \n\r \nI am me, right?\r \n\r \nWho was I, again?\r \n\r \nOh, I think I recall now.\r \n\r \nNo, I don’t.\r \n\r \nConfusion, disorientation, directed bewilderment, and a feeling of knowing something that was very important that was forgotten, but not knowing what it was, washed over whatever I was at that point.\r \n\r \nAnd from that nothingness, a bright glowing silver letter burned through.\r \n\r \n\\[Last Name\\]\r \n\r \n“Huh?” I uttered in surprise, which led to an immediate second surprise at realizing I could make a sound.\r \n\r \n\\[First Name\\]\r \n\r \nAnother line of floating silver text popped up to the right of the first one.\r \n\r \nMay as well try it.\r \n\r \nI moved my hand to the floating text.\r \n\r \nDoes it even work like a touchscreen?\r \n\r \nOh, I have a hand.\r \n\r \nOh, I can see.\r \n\r \nThese now-obvious facts took a short while to process, given the strange void I had experienced until then.\r \n\r \nThe room surrounding me was no longer a featureless void, but a bright white room, about ten meters by ten meters, with no windows or doors, and a single bright white fluorescent overhead light.\r \n\r \nI regained my sense of hearing when a raspy high-pitched voice spoke into my right ear.\r \n\r \n“Are you going to enter your name anytime soon?”\r \n\r \nI turned my head in the voice's direction and hit my nose against something soft that was covered in cloth.\r \n\r \nRubbing my nose, I saw it was a floating human-like female, who couldn’t be bigger than a third of a meter, who wore a tightly wrapped white robe tied with a broad red sash.\r \n\r \nThe effect made her resemble a soft drink bottle from my world.\r \n\r \nWait, my world?\r \n\r \nThis is a dream, right?\r \n\r \n“Helloooo, we technically have forever to do this, but I have other random rebirthers to assign destinies to, so could you hurry it up already?”\r \n\r \n\r \nThe miniature flying woman’s annoying voice made me consider whether this was a nightmare, and if so, how I could wake up.\r \n\r \n“We won’t progress until you enter your name. You can make one up for all I care! And for official record-keeping purposes and protocol stuff, my name is Huhu. I’m supposed to be your guide fairy. Now hurry up.”\r \n\r \nI pressed on the letters that read \\[Last Name\\] and a pop-up prompt asked for me to select a keyboard region, or to speak into the screen.\r \n\r \nSo it was just like a game’s account creation screen.\r \n\r \n“Ryan,” I said.\r \n\r \nThe blazing silver letters faded and reappeared with the new text reading, \\[Ryan\\].\r \n\r \nI did the same for my first name, and the resulting text that floated in front of me read, \\[Ryan\\] \\[Alan\\].\r \n\r \nSatisfied with my decision, the fairy lady said, “Finally! Ok, Alan, let’s move on to your initial stats and destiny selection.”\r \n\r \nMoving along at her pace, I let multiple screens blur past my passive gaze until they stopped.\r \n\r \n\\[Initial Destiny Selection\\]\r \n\r \n\\[Proceed?\\]\r \n\r \n\\[Y/N\\]\r \n\r \n“Psst, pick yes,” the fairy said over my shoulder.\r \n\r \nFine, I might as well go along with it.\r \n\r \n\\[Y\\]\r \n\r \nWith a tactile buzz, the immaterial button disappeared and the screen changed to a single line of text:\r \n\r \n\\[Loading Initial Destinies\\]\r \n\r \n“What just happened?” I asked.\r \n\r \n“Give it a moment, it’s rolling through random destinies.”\r \n\r \nSome sort of whirring sound came from nowhere in particular.\r \n\r \nWhen at last the sound stopped and a beep sounded from somewhere unknown, a new line of glowing silver text appeared:\r \n\r \n\\[Rebirther: Special Tier. Cultivator is from another world. Retains memories of past life. Base attributes gain bonuses proportionate to previous life. Compatible skills inherited with a two rank penalty from previous life. Fateful encounters unlocked. +1 focus. +1 constitution. Slightly increased breakthrough chance\\]\r \n\r \nPointing to the new block of text, I asked, “What is this?”\r \n\r \n“It’s your initial destiny,” Huhu said.\n\n“It determines what sort of stats you get in your new life. Since you’re coming over from a different world you automatically get stuck with the \\[Rebirther\\] destiny so you get one or two extra initials to compensate for that.”\r \n\r \nThe fairy peeked at my screen, seeing the part that read \\[Initial Destinies Remaining: 1\\].\r \n\r \n“Heh, looks like you’re pretty inferior quality that you only get one extra,” she said with a snort.\r \n\r \nTrying to ignore the fairy’s comments, I asked, “What do you mean new life? And this rebirther part, how did I end up reborn?”\r \n\r \nThe bottle-cap fairy gave a haughty flip of her pink bob-cut hair.\r \n\r \n“Isn’t it obvious? It’s the same way everyone gets reborn into this world. You died in your old world, and not too long ago at that,” she said with a pretentious tilt of her chin.\r \n\r \n“No, that can’t be right!” I protested.\r \n\r \nRight?\r \n\r \nI was still under 24-hour protection from the Janaeryk pill!\r \n\r \n“Hm, and why not?” Huhu asked, “Because you’re dead, buddy, you’re totally dead!”\r \n\r \nThe fairy giggled as she flitted in circles above my head.\r \n\r \nHer noise pollution did not help the jumbled mess that was my memories.\r \n\r\r \nThe time!\r \n\r \nThat’s right, I wrote off the day as pointless because nothing happened after I used the pill.\r \n\r \nWe expected inclement weather on the last two hundred meters.\r \n\r \nBut reaching the summit and returning to Camp IV was underwhelming.\r \n\r \nI fell asleep thinking about how anticlimactic the summit push was.\r \n\r \nDid something happen later that night?\r \n\r\r \nI should have taken that pill in the morning!" ]	2
	[WP] You are a janitor. You are also the worlds most powerful superpowered person, by a significant margin. But whenever you had to choose between a life as a janitor and a life as a superhero you always picked janitor and you will defend this decision with your life.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 bolt of lightning abruptly spiked down on top of Tim’s head, frying him. Luther turned his eyes too late, and the flash briefly blinded him.\n\nLuther scrambled backwards, tripping over the street curb as more lightning rained, some mere feet from him.\n\nThe next victim was a mother holding a baby in a front facing backpack. The electricity did not discriminate; both corpses fell like sacks of rocks.\n\nThen the hail, bowling ball sized rocks that bludgeoned without a care.\n\nLuther witnessed several men smashed to bits as he ran towards his home, to save his wife.\n\n—\n\nLuther gently pressed the off button on his alarm clock, not wanting to break it again.\n\nHe attended his morning therapy and recounted his dreams again, his counselor gave him exercises.\n\nLuther took a quick shower and headed to clean up a local hotel." ]	2
	[WP] The trek to summon the God of Knowledge leaves you with three questions to ask. Given you've got one to burn, asking when you'll die gives you the response "You don't."	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 don’t,” the deep voice echoed in the room.\n\nFor the longest time, everything was silent.\n\nI don’t die? I thought. Like, ever? But I’m an idiot. Surely something stupid will get me.\n\n“Really? I asked incredulously.\n\nThe God of Knowledge was quiet for a bit. A vast rumbling echoed somewhere in the depths of the infinite multiverse. It searched for all possible answers.\n\nThen, it spoke.\n\n“Really really.”\n\nI leaned back. The sky swirled above me. Stars in an eternal cosmic dance. I would see them all die out one day.\n\nI considered it. I considered every person I had ever met, loved, and hated. How they'd die one day. I thought of everyone I would one day meet, who would pass an entire lifetime in the blink of an eye for me. \n\nI sighed. “No shit?”\n\nAgain, a vast rumbling echoed. This time for a shorter period of time. The cosmic uncertainties were far less troublesome. \n\n“No shit.” The God of Knowledge answered. It peered at me with the face of infinite answers and questions. A maelstrom of eternal motion, as limitless as there were questions in the universes. Somewhere in the ether, deep in the center of all the mysteries that exist or will exist, I could detect a faint glimmer of pity.\n\n“I hope this has brought you enlightenment,\" The God of Knowledge said. \n\nIt gathered in a majestic swell and the air grew thick and heavy. Somewhere deep in what I knew now to be an immortal soul, I felt something heavy drop and settle at the bottom. That unmistakable feeling of choosing poorly.\n\nEternity itself whispered. \"Goodbye, immortal.\"\n\nAnd then it was gone.\n\nI stood alone for a long time. The sun and its rose-colored fingers crept up from beyond the mountain range. I swallowed deep many times, trying to catch my breath.\n\n“I… fuck.”\n\nI would have a long time to ruminate on these failures.", "“You don’t,” the woman in the book said. As she spoke, the object cast an eerie lavender light across the dusty room at the top of the castle. She claimed to be the god of knowledge, and had offered the answers to any three questions in order to prove herself and reward Matthew’s for braving the castle.\n\n \nYou don’t, Matthew thought. What a joke. As if he was to believe that he would become some sort of immortal sorcerer, immune to the ravages of old age. Matthew had quite a bit of talent with shadowweaving, but his method was limited: it was designed by rogues, not noble scholars struggling for perfection in their foundations. He would eventually grow old and die. Or so he thought.\n\n \nMatthew, the royal assistant, had found her in the stockpile of the world’s greatest sorceress, who had disappeared a millennium ago. The Great Erudite of the West hadn’t been seen for a very long time, but mages of her prestige were rumored to be immortal, and no one had dared disturb whatever transcendent state she may have been enjoying these past centuries, for inspiration was scarce in the endless mysteries of the arcane.\n\n \nAlas, this century’s king, Runeas, was impatient, and the countries neighboring Safia were beginning to suspect she had died. So Matthew, the royal assassin—assistant, he corrected himself, had been sent to check on her.\n\n \nHe hadn’t expected to find a false god among the remains of her living space. \n\n\nMatthew’s thoughts returned to the book sitting menacingly in the center of the room. \n\n\nAnd though he wanted to ask anything else, the question came out instinctually, slipping past his typical mask of immaculate decorum, poise beaten into him by the spymaster an age ago.\n\n \n“What could you possibly mean by that?” He asked.\n\n \n“I cannot tell you. The answer is in the pages,” the book said, a tinge of emotion leaking into her voice—though of what emotion, Matthew couldn’t quite tell.\n\n \nMatthew considered it for a moment before covering his hands in a protective layer of elemental shadow before he began to turn the pages.\n\n \nPages. So many pages, and all of them so far were blank. He kept turning the pages, dread creeping into his stomach as he saw the first word appear on that ashy parchment.\n\n \nIt was his name, and it was written in blood. Matthew had no surname—he was born on the streets. What surprised him more than just seeing his name on that page, though, were the words following it.\n\n \nIt was his life’s story, and in incredible detail. For hours on end, Matthew turned those pages, that feeling of unspeakable horror only intensifying as words flew by in a daze.\n\n \nHe shook his head as he read the last words, realizing his shadow glaives had faded away long ago. He’d thrown caution to the wind for what? Did he even want to live forever? He had just been so damn curious.\n\n \nThe end of his story had come so fast.\n\n \n“And so it was that Matthew of Safia was cursed to live on in the Book of Mist,” the book said. “May he live forever in these pages as all those who came before him.\"\n\n \nMatthew tore his gaze from the book, attempting to stand, but he found he could not. He was petrified.\n\n \nStill, he could see the desiccated husk of a woman covered in fine weapons disappear into the book, the entry right before his.\n\n \nDecades later, another came.\n\n \n“I am the god of knowledge,” Matthew said, compelled by some unseen force, for his story was over. “You may ask me any three questions, to prove my title.”\n\n \nThe stout man rolled his neck, curious.\n\n \n“Sure, okay. When will I die?”" ]	3
	[WP] In a town far from others, A Cult arrives to summon an ancient being. Not to the Local's surprise, the Being itself puts a stop to 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 man strolled casually from his house, taking in the sights of the quaint town he lived in.\n\nHis job in crime scene clean up was relatively eventful, but paid well, so he didn't mind.\n\n\"Good morning Steve!\" He said, passing his neighbor's house.\n\n\"Good morning Ron!\"\n\n\"Good morning Dr. Phillips!\"\n\n\"Good morning Basinth'al the dark one!\"\n\nHe carried on after greeting his- hey wait a minute...\n\n\"What are you doing up? you weren't due to wake for another week or so, were you?\"\n\nThe entity writhed its tendrils and it's voice burned into the man's mind.\n\n\"THESE FOOLISH MORTALS WISHED TO DISTURB MY TEN THOUSAND YEAR SLUMBER.\" Replied the entity as it sponged a half-dozen burned silhouettes off of its wall.\n\n\"You need help with that? I can come in late if I help the elderly on the way, and I think you apply for that considering you're... what, 7 millennia old?\"\n\n\"I WAS THERE WHEN THE STARS BEGAN TO SHINE, AND WHEN MY TIME COMES, I WILL BE THE ONE TO EXTINGUISH THEM.\"\n\n\"How long is left until you start again?\" He picked up a sponge and wet it down as his eyes began to burn. \"3000 years?\"\n\n\"IT WAS TO BE BEAUTIFUL. YOU HAVE SEEN IT IN YOUR DREAMS, AS DID THESE. THEIR WILL WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO LEAVE ME BE.\"\n\nOnly one outline remained, glowing faintly with an unearthly light.\n\n\"If you could turn that off, that'd be good for everyone; I think Dr. Phillips is starting to go insane. At my checkup last week he diagnosed me with 'the souls of a thousand silenced in an instant.\"\n\n\"Aaand that's the last of them. Have a good rest.\"\n\n\"THE END OF DAYS APPROACHES, MORTAL. USE YOUR TIME WELL.\"\n\nThe man began walking away, then paused.\n\n\"Still think you'll be good for movie night on Friday?\"\n\n\"HELL YES, I LOVE MOVIE NIGHT.\"", "It was the divine equivalent of squeezing your fingers into your furrowed brow, consternation crackling across the thunderheaded cloud above that counted as the physical manifestation of a pissed off higher power.\n\n\"Okay...from the top...you don't need to sacrifice that virgin,\" came the Command from Above.\n\nThe town square was getting rather crowded as the locals came out from their homes to join around the circle of red robed hooligans, crested daggers held awkwardly above a still alive female practitioner of their faith splayed across the ground.\n\n\"No sacrifice?\" asked the lead cultist, glancing around at his fellow cultists.\n\n\"NO SACRIFICE,\" boomed their 'God.'\n\nHe lifted out from his robe a tattered though obviously sacred text and held it high.\n\n\"But the great Dingaling who was your first devotee proclaimed you loved sacrifices...\"\n\n\"First...no,\" rumbled the cloud. \"Second, I never had a devotee. Never wanted them. Just...regular people was fine...maybe a thumbs up for giving them rain every so often...but never nut jobs like that guy...hey...Tom...are you around?\"\n\nA hand raised from the crowd, the owner stepping forth. He was weathered, but plain dressed for a Northwest rural forest town.\n\n\"Hey Tom...tell them about Dingaling...not that his name would be a dead give away...\"\n\n\"Sure,\" Tom proffered. \"He diddled sheep.\"\n\n\"Diddled sheep?\" asked the lead red hood.\n\n\"Diddled he did,\" confirmed Tom.\n\n\"And what about his miracles in your name?\" he asked, pointing to the sky.\n\n\"All bullshit, if you can believe that,\" trembled the cloud.\n\n\"No arm wrestling sand devils?\"\n\n\"Nope.\"\n\n\"Making peace between the Urbanites and the Ruralites?\"\n\n\"Never.\"\n\n\"Even...inventing rocky road ice cream?\"\n\n\"Total lie....that was William Dreyer and I don't even know who that is...\"\n\n\"Huh...\" He scratched his chin in contemplation with the tip of his dagger.\n\n\"Yup...\" echoed Tom, crossing his arms as the locals were milling about, beginning to collect the daggers from the disenchanted cultists.\n\n\"So...\" asked the former cult leader as he uncoifed his hood. \"What do we do now?\"\n\n\"Dunno...\" rumbled the cloud as it started to gather itself up. \"Ask Tom. He's got a good bead on things and I was just here to deliver some rain...so I'm going to go do that...later skaters...\"\n\n\"So...let's start with the formalities. I'm Tom,\" said the weathered man as he raised his hand out to take the dagger.\n\n\"Barry.\"\n\n\"Aww...don't be sheepish, Barry. You've been here for a few days with your...friends...now. Wasn't neighborly of you all to hide in the woods all this time and never talk to us...but that's all the past now.\"\n\n\"Yeah...\" Barry began as he scratched the back of his neck. \"Sorry about all that...so what do we do now?\"\n\nTom put a hand to his chin and thought as he watched the cloud entity begin to grumble out some sheets of rain over the forested hills.\n\n\"You know, we've had a need of a librarian for a while now. You seem well read...despite the reading material. Want to apply?\"\n\nBarry thought of it for a bit and smiled.\n\nThey shook hands." ]	3
	[WP] Whenever you meet someone new you hear their unique theme tune. When you meet a little child for the first time you are shocked that they have a really sinister boss theme.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 sound of pure joy, first love, heartbreak, uneasiness, softness, I've heard them all.\n\nI don't know how it started nor do I want too.\n\nThe moment I lock eyes with someone, \n\nI hear It.\n\nA gentle piano from the old lady at the park, the silent hum of the pizza delivery man snd lastly the upbeat yet sinister of a little girl...wait..a little girl???\n\nI stare at the little girl with bruised knees, covered in dirt, spiky hair and with that firey look in her goldish eyes she seemed like she was ready for a fight..\n\nI fliched seeing her come closer.\n\n'Miss, is something wrong? She looked annoyed....\n\n'Oh am sorry for staring i was just wondered how you got bruises..'\n\nShe stared at my face with a bewildered look before mumbling something\n'Pardon? Am sorry, i couldn't hear you?\"\n\n'Uh..I felll while playing the swings..' her face was hidden under her uncut bangs and with her head lowered i couldn't see her face at all.\n\n'Love, can you sit here? Ill be right back'\n\nI rushed to the store nearest to the park, now that I noticed this, might aswel help her out.\nAfter getting some cream and band-aids I rushed back, \n\nFortunately she was still here with her knees up to her chest.\n\n'Hey..' due to the running my breath sounded duller and rougher.\n\nShe look both shocked and embarrassed due to which her tune changed to a uptight and clumsy tone.\n\nWithout the sinister tone she seemed like a average playful kid.\n\nI quietly bandage her knee, despite her silent protests at the start she gives in at the\nEnd.\n\nShe mumbled a thank you running away to the apartment building near the park.\n\nI still go their often and sometimes supervise her or bring her food since she told me her aunt is often drunk out and comes late at night.\n\n Other then me helping her around her house nothing is that different besides us getting closer ofcourse.\n\nBut her tune isn't clumsy...or uptight or sinister... its warm and friendly a bit moody but mostly surgery.\nI suppose that's good.", "The Orchestra of the Souls was a musical my childhood friend and I wrote. It stemmed from the ability we discovered when we were kids. When I first met her, I heard a dark fanfare followed by a symphony of brass and woodwinds, with snares and bass drums pounding and adding to the nightmarish song.\n\nHowever, I heard her song, just with different instruments. Of course, all the necessary woodwinds, brass, and percussion were there, but the melody focused more on stringed instruments, pianos, organs, gongs, cymbals, and timpanis. We had the same song, only different versions. However, it was many years later, when we were teenagers, when we discussed the true potentials of this. Sure, our songs changed from minor to major and softened a bit when we were enjoying each other's company, however when they were back to normal and I found out how to share our soul songs, I realized that together they formed a wondrous piece, one fit for a ball of ghouls and monsters.\n\nWe both began writing music, memorizing each note and writing pieces on each person walking by. The librarian had a slow, soft piece on the harp and piano, while the police officer had more of a fast-paced tune, changing tempo with chases, relaxing, crimes being stopped, and criminals being arrested. The family's song had a nice symphonic blend while the businessman had almost a smooth, almost sinister waltz, considering his practices may have been less than ethical. Then came the main focus.\n\nWe decided to have a musical that was for all ages, however our main characters would be the monsters. Our protagonist would be the Duke of Sunlight, a Dhampir, and the Duchess of Midnight, a Werewolf. Of course, some rules were changed, allowing the Duchess to switch from her human form to her more wolfish form at will. Their theme would be the theme we shared, however there would be variations, including one we discovered when I proposed to my childhood friend, who was then my girlfriend. That same theme played again at our wedding, and we soon had our ending theme.\n\nWe fleshed out our other characters, added their themes as well, made sure to make our characters grow, and soon we produced the play, music, and script. As we saw the Duke and Duchess both switch from duchy to prince and princess, then to king and queen, and finally to emperor and empress, we knew just how well we made it, and people loved it. This ability we had was simply wonderful, and we shared it with the world. There was nothing we would give up for it to stop, and we were glad it would stay that way.", "I was born with perfect hearing. A genetic mutation that allows me to listen in on the inner rhythm our bodies provide. Until the previous generation, no one had detected the music our bodies produced. The frequency is so strange and subtle, that specialized listening devices had to be made. Surprisingly enough, when people like me first started experiencing the music of others, we were not treated as mentally ill. There was no hate campaign or b.s. politics. The first of us were treated with respect and it allowed science to flourish. Once it was determined that we weren't physically suffering and obviously no threat to society, we continued on as if nothing was different. Some of us hated always hearing the music. For them, a cochlear-like implant blocked the soundwaves. Others, like me, really embraced the ability. We considered ourselves privileged. There was something about hearing the music from so many that made us feel connected to them. Like mycelium under the earth. Connected to each other in a way no one but us could understand.\n\nThe music that humanity shares with us is mostly pleasant. It could be described as the definition of your personality. The music inside you is the truest form of self. Happy, healthy and whole typically provides an upbeat soundtrack to the world around me. Lots of music in C and G major, accompanied by A and E minor. Unfortunately there are lots of people who are born with disability, mental illness, or general malaise as well. In the key of D minor, their music is so sad, often reflecting on their quality of life. It's easy to tell the nature of a person when they don't know I'm listening. I know its kind of tasteless to always be eavesdropping, but my hearing is a natural function that I will not hinder. In the 2 generations since we first heard the music, there have been all kinds. All the music of the world, on display for all abled beings to hear, all the time. I enjoy being in public. The music never gets old, its always new and different. I spend time in malls, grocery stores, parks and carnivals. I enjoy walking downtown, where the hustle and bustle provides an amazing jam session. People watching takes on a whole new meaning when you're vibing to their music. I somehow feel my connection to them is more personal. Since we began keeping track, the music has generally been the same. The newborn and pre-dead produced psychedelic sounds, often convoluted, a cacophony of warped emotion. That was all anyone ever heard. Until the low, foreboding tones of G minor came creeping into my world.\n\nIt came on softly at first. A low rhythm over a static hum, seemingly blanketing the earth around me like rolling fog. I had never felt this before, never heard this before. It was filled with agony. It was rhythmic, rife with anger. A tone that suggested vile and violent intent. I could feel myself fill with dread, the baby fine hairs on my neck standing at attention. The cold trickle of fear on my spine. This music was unlike any other. It swelled and dropped. It ran through various chord progressions. It had become a hardened, driven beat, louder, angrier and vengeful. The sounds hit my hears like the speech of a brutal dictator. Fear seemed like the driving force behind this music. What was this? No one sounded like this. I wondered who else, if anyone, may have heard it. I wondered if anyone was as intrigued.\n\nI went looking for disaster. I followed the music. This march of sorts. It was frightening and captivating. Every drum beat, every guitar chord, every bass string plucked drew me closer and closer. My brain was becoming very anxious, while my very soul was being drawn toward this powerful new sound. I searched, following the symphony of probable demise. It brought me to an abandoned prison. Dilapidated and weathered, the prison still stood. From outside the entrance, I could hear the tortured chords of hundreds of people in the halls and cells over the driving beat of this mysterious new menace. Filled with trepidation, I ventured forth into the prison. I had to find the source. It drew me closer. I walk into an empty hallway, lit only by the light from the outside, pouring in through holes in the roof. The screams went silent but the hurt increased in volume. It was uncomfortable and I hated it, but I shouldered the weight. In the distance, a red door, the only red door, was pulling me, magnetized and mesmerized. I stood, silent, scared. In that moment I took stock of my feelings, my emotions. I was of two minds, but a singular body. I hated where I was but only ever wanted to be right there, exactly then. I opened the door.\n\nWhat I assumed to be a child stood before me. Androgynous and slight. Hairless, pale skin that appeared blue. Blue in the way that a cadaver is blue. The child hovered over the floor, its legs crossed in the way school children's are at story time. The child's eyes looked closed, yet open. Eyelids translucent over black eyes. It's lips were stretched tight across its mouth, the corners forced ever so slightly into a disgusted frown. The child seemed fraught, like it was disappointed in whatever was in its mind. I was compelled to speak but barely made a peep. The child's eyes shot open and all music stopped. All music had stopped. The silence was deafening. Staring through me, into my soul, I could feel its presence enter into my consciousness. It was then that I understood: the child wasn't a child. This being was the literal embodiment of hate. It spread itself, like a virus, covering everything in it's path with disgust, hate, anger, rage. Homicide, suicide, and genocide was the goal and this being was damned and determined to spread. The music resumed. It spoke to me. Not in words that any human could comprehend, but in a way that imparted all of its knowledge on me. I was the Eve to its Serpent like the folklore tales of old. I felt the change consume me. I hadn't been in pursuit of good or morality or love, so the hatred plunged into me like a dry syringe into the vein. The Hate imparted on me all the things it was, and left none of me. I was eradicated. I became the fear from which we run. I had become the destroyer of senses. I had become terror.\n\nI am Wrath. I am Jealousy. They will all feel me. They will all hear my death march. Humans and mutants alike will feel the chorus of a millions souls. It will be their prison. I will be exalted. No one had any idea what I'd become. I am Sin. I am despair. I am become death. I am death. I am.", "Anybody who tells you they aren't judgmental is lying. Maybe it's to a lesser degree, or maybe they hide it well, but it's only natural to form an opinion based on the facts you're presented with.\n\nAt a glance, you'll have already formed an opinion of the woman with acrylic nails and a tight dress, of the kid with long hair and torn clothes, of the man with a widow's peak and thread-bare button-down shirt.\n\nI'm like that too. I can tell a lot about people with a glance. But I don't take things in with my eyes. Instead, I use my ears. That woman walks past me and a saxophone lays out an enchanting rhythm. I lock eyes with the kid and hell's bells back a lonely guitar. I shake the man's hand and large timpani echo in an empty concert hall.\n\nIt's like this every where I go. It took some time to learn about what the different tunes meant. Every person has their own unique theme, and while many sound similar, the instrumentation, tempo, and key change.\n\nI met the governor once. Grandiose trumpets heralded a man of confidence and great charisma. His aid, however, brushed past me to the slithering tune of an oboe. The bodyguards were mostly the same, tubas that thumped along as they passed me by, strength written on their face as well as their theme.\n\nThe saddest person I ever met was the local librarian. Imaginary fingers tickled a somber tune out of an antique piano. Before she even opened her mouth, I knew there was tragedy in her life. Later on I found out her family had died in the fire that tore across town decades prior. She was the only survivor of that fire I ever spoke to, but that same piano resonated any time I passed by an older person with a tinge of sadness in their eyes.\n\nHer only daughter is my age, and if I never saw her diamond eyes, her peachy smile, or smelled the apple scent she left hanging in the air, I would still know everything I needed to know about her by the harp that played the first time she entered the room. It's the same harp that plays every time I wake up to her smiling face in the morning.\n\nShe didn't come into my life alone, however. She had a child from a previous marriage, but since she struggled with alcoholism years prior, she lost custody. Things changed since then, however, and nine years after the fact she was finally coming back. It was supposed to be a happy day for us as we waited nervously for a knock at the door, but I knew before that knock ever came that things weren't going to go the way we expected.\n\nIt was like... A haunted carnival. Most children are accompanied by happy music; Chimes, bells, whistles. Short and cute songs. The exception are the children with extraordinarily happy lives, the kind who never knew a night without hunger or the loss of a loved one. These special cases have merry-go-round music.\n\nBut my own step-daughter's music was ominous. It was like my high school principal, a mall cop, and Jeremy from HR all walked into the room at once. Her theme made me feel uneasy, and her sinister smile especially so. But it wasn't enough to make me lose hope.\n\nI found that, in all my years with this ability, I only hear the music when I meet a new person. I've only heard the theme of my most stubborn friends once, likewise with old people who are already set in their ways. But if somebody goes through enough change, it's like they're a new person. That song changes.\n\nI mentioned my high school principal. He was a cold and cruel man who came to me with the sounds of a wicked electric guitar. Years after I graduated, four students died in a car crash. I chanced upon him after their funeral, and I saw the eyes of a softened man and heard the gentle bowing of a violin.\n\nThe same goes for people who I see in a different light. A homeless man I see regularly first had the uneven thumping of a bongo and strumming of a broken banjo as I steered clear of him in the streets. Then one day, after seeing him shivering in the cold, I bought him a cup of coffee and we had a chat. I learned he was orphaned as a teenager after the fire years ago and just never really recovered from it, or ever sought help. The next day I met him, I brought with me a new coat and he brought with him the new theme of a gentle harmonica.\n\nHearing my step-daughter's ominous track was off-putting, but it wasn't the end. Every day I loved my wife a little more, and her harp piece became a little more complex. It had to be the same with the step-daughter.\n\nTime passes, as it often does. The first few months were troublesome. She was a fighter, and seemed to resent my wife for not being in her life early on. She put holes in our doors and walls, broke the glass coffee table, and scratched my wife. It wasn't easy, but we made it work.\n\nA year into our time together, her theme changed. It was the night of her \"graduation\" from fourth grade. We didn't do much, besides press on through all the fights and tantrums. But the instant she stood up in front of us with her class, as the teacher began handing out little papers congratulating them on completing the fourth grade, her eyes met ours. I could see them begin to water, but she never let a tear out. That didn't stop the music. A clarinet whimsically belted out a few hopeful notes as a faint smile came to her little face, then quickly faded as the teacher announced the class would sing us a song.\n\nThis went on a few more years. As she became a teenager, her music changed to an acoustic guitar. Some mornings it was somber and lonely, others it was upbeat and lighthearted. But it was always an acoustic guitar. I could tell things were getting better, especially between her and my wife.\n\nWhen she turned 18, she remarked that she'd been with us now as long as she'd been without us. I asked her then how she felt about it, and she shrugged to the quiet few notes of a grand piano. It was a stark contrast to the music that had played before, all throughout her life it was always a very active theme, whether it was happy or sad, angry and ominous or sanguine and joyful. Now it was slow and reflective.\n\nShe left for college right after graduation, and I didn't hear the theme again until she came back over summer break. At 19, she was hardly the same person she was ten years prior. The angry girl had grown into a woman with her mother's diamond eyes and gentle harp. But she wasn't done changing yet. Her song wasn't over.\n\nIt wasn't until the end of summer, just before she went back to college as a sophomore, that I heard her song for the final time. Work was over and I came home to the orange afternoon sun hanging over my backyard. She must not have heard me coming up the driveway, because she and my wife sat together on the swing on the back porch, chatting away quietly without a care in the world.\n\nThe only words I overheard were the only words I ever wanted to hear. The only words that could make a grown man cry. A quiet \"I love you\", just before I opened the gate to see her head resting on my wife's shoulder, the way she always wanted.\n\nIt was a grand symphony, and the only way to describe it? Love." ]	5
	[WP] “Mom! The kids in school said we’re Humans”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", " She thought she heard someone yelling, but couldn't quite tell. She reached up and turned off the shower, wringing her hair out before wrapping herself in the first of four towels that hung over the shower rod. The second one, she used to wrap her hair from her first head. The third one, she used to wrap her second head, then the fourth for her third. A hard knock-knock-knock at the door caught her off guard, surely Donavan couldn't be home from school yet. \n\n\n Donavan rips open the bathroom door, so excited hes about to burst. He was so nervous to start the new school year, and the beaming in his faces was quite reassuring to her. He was nervous to start the new school year in a new town. What would they think? Would they stare? Would they care? Would they make fun of him? Her day was full of worry til she seen his faces full of joy. \n\n \"Mama\", he exclaimed excitedly, \"the other kids said we were humans! I did it, Mama! I actually fit in\"!! Mama's heart fluttered. \"That is great, baby! They didn't even care about your other faces\"? \"Not at all, most of them said their parents have multiple faces too\"!" ]	2
	[WP] God is tired of you blaming him for everything so he has taken you to heaven (temporarily) to talk things out. You are free to get things off your chest, but God will get some things off his chest in return.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 don't look like how I imagined you'd look,\" was the first thing I said after she introduced herself.\n\n\"The woman part or the black part?\"\n\n\"Well, both I guess. But you were played by Morgan Freeman once, so the black part isn't that big of a deal.\"\n\n\"Me being a woman is a big deal?\"\n\n\"I guess? I don't think anyone down there knows you're a woman. Well, no, that's not right. Ariana Grande has a song about that I think. But...\"\n\n\"You're probably wondering why I called you up here,\" she interrupted me.\n\n\"I assumed I died.\"\n\n\"No, you didn't.\"\n\n\"Huh. Then what am I doing here?\"\n\nShe leaned forward in her chair, her face sharp, stern. \"You've been blaming me for quite a lot lately. I wanted to give you the opportunity to get it off your chest.\"\n\n\"Oh. Well then, in that case...\"\n\n\"But I have thing I need to get off my chest as well. I figured you could do one, then I'd do one.\"\n\n\"Okay.\"\n\n\"Okay,\" she sat back and gestured for me to get started. \n\n\"I guess, firstly, I need to know why you let atrocities happen to people. You sit idly by while innocent people--children, even--are killed. You could stop it. That makes you culpable!\" \n\nShe nodded as I spoke. \"I could stop it, you're right. But that wouldn't be fair to you. Human beings are made wonderfully in my image, hardwired toward empathy and thirsting for justice. Your lives' purpose is to build my kingdom on earth as it is in heaven--to bring comfort to the afflicted, justice to the marginalized, freedom to the prisoner--not for me to coddle you and protect you from all danger. I need you to take responsibility and grow.\" She sighed and cast her eyes downward. \"But my heart does hurt with each catastrophe. The end, however, is not the end. All my children return to me in paradise; into a bliss so complete that they forget pain entirely.\"\n\nI hadn't heard it explained like that before, and I was left with more questions than answers. Before I could begin asking them, she started speaking again. \n\n\"I've pulled up your internet browsing history, and I have many questions...\"\n\n\"Never mind! I'm ready to go back!\"" ]	2
	[WP] A God Introduces himself in the most dramatic way he could.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 sky was ripped apart by torrents of sparks, drawing the attention of Clyde who sat on the beach alone. As the shower slowly fell to the earth below they sharply snapped back to a center core and then in a wonderous synchronous movement created a series of complex patterns, slowly moving through the full spectrum of colors, as well as one new color that Clyde had never seen before. Fully entranced Clyde's jaw gaped as his eyes widened to the extent of the beauty he bore witness to, frozen in his tracks like a deer in headlights. \n\nAfter a few minutes more the sparks shot to the ground and started swirling faster and faster, now glowing only the fiercest of white, in a small but rapidly expanding circle. A flashbang with a chorus of trumpets! Where twisting and weaving lights once were now stood a cobblestone doorframe, with a red carpet rolled out towards Clyde, seemingly appearing out of thin air. The trumpets roar turned into a ballad to announce the appearance of royalty. A voice boomed out from within the darkness.\n\n\"ANNOUNCING, THE FIRST OF HIS NAME AND SAVIOUR OF ALL MANKIND, THE ONE, THE ONLY...\"\n\nAnother blinding flash and as quickly as the show began, it all vanished.\n\nClyde stared confused at where the doorframe once stood. The tide slowly ebbed in and out providing a soothing white noise. Just when Clyde thought it may have been a hallucination, a slow clapping came from adjacent to him. Startled, Clyde spun around to face the figure whose hand was already outstretched awaiting a handshake.\n\n\"Diredicious, God of Misdirection.\" A smile broke across the god's face. \"A pleasure to meet you.\"\n\n\"Uhh... hi.\" replied Clyde cautiously outstretching his arm to finish the gesture \"I'm Clyde, floor manager of Bluenote's on 15th street.\"\n\nWith the handshake finished the god stood there smiling and locking eyes with Clyde. After an awkward moment Clyde broke the silence.\n\n\"Soo, why are you here?\"\n\n\"Ah!, of course, how rude of me. If you'll check the letter in your hands there, everything is already written down for you so you won't forget.\"\n\nClyde looked down to see he was holding a yellowed letter with an unbroken wax seal of a cloth wizard's hat.\n\n\"Oh, wow, that was so coo-\" Clyde looked back up to see the god had now vanished. A brief glance left and right followed up with a spin in a circle. Nobody was around Clyde once more.\n\n\"Damn that guy was goo-\" Clyde looked down to examine the letter once more to see that, it too, had vanished without a trace.\n\nClyde palmed his forehead and slowly slid his hands up through his hair as he continued to look around questioningly until he let out a heavy sigh.\n\n\"What... was the point of this?\"\n\nClyde shook his head in disbelief, shrugged, and walked away from the beach to return home.\n\n\"What the fuck.\"", "I opened my eyes and felt the pain. But I will get there, first I want to talk about the past.\n\nMy past was really simple. I don't know how you use the word \"simple\" but I use it as normal. Everything was normal. When the meteorologists said it would be a rainy day, it probably would have rained. We thought scientific method was would show us the truth. Actually it was doing it. Everything happened suddenly.\n\nOne morning I woke up, but it was very dark. And I checked my clock, it was 10.07. It was very dark for that time. I went to window, opened it and checked outside. I expected it to be bright. It wasn't.\n\nThere is no order in the universe after that morning. This morning I opened my ayes and felt the pain, there is nothing in the world but pain. I tried to suicide but it doesn't work. I don't know how much time I can go through it. I think this is how God introduces himself." ]	3
	[WP] You've had what is arguably the worst day of your life and you've still managed to keep it together. But this small interaction is about to be your tipping 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 the end of a horrible school day, made worse by the presence of a shooter in the hallway. I'm nearly at my tipping point. But then I realize: \"Wait a minute... I graduated long ago. This is just a stress dream.\" With that in mind, I know I can evade and beat this school shooter. So I step out into the hallway and yell out, \"Hey punk. Come face me.\" He does, weapon raised and teeth gritted, a crazed look in his eye. He blasts away, but in the instant before the bullet reaches me, I summon a giant rubber ducky. The duck explodes in the barrage of gunfire, turning into hundreds... no, THOUSANDS... of smaller rubber duckies. Now, here's a little secret I've learned about dreams and rubber duckies: school shooters fucking LOVE rubber duckies. Can't get enough of them. I see tears in his eyes as he lays down his arms, surrounded by quacking little yellow bunches of rubber. He raises his arms as they come to him, gradually transforming him into a rubber ducky. Then they all disappear. Where? No one knows exactly. He'll face his punishment. He'll spend eternity full of regret... and air (remember, he's a rubber ducky now, a little squeaky one somewhere in another plane of existence). Then I hurry to class; this is a stress dream, after all, and I completely forgot I have a test today.", "It'd been a hell of a day. Temporal rifts across the East Coast, a plot to destroy the U.N. and a would be Vorgex invasion in D.C. And that was all before lunch. But none of it compared to what had followed. The Tyrants League's attack had left Capitol City ravaged, and spilled the blood of heroes, villains and innocents alike. I was exhausted, to say the least.\n\nI suppose that was the cost of being a senior member of the Justice Alliance. And, atleast no one on the junior team had died today. If only the same could be said for the founding members. I'd tried for the last six hours to forget it. \n\nBut, the look on Nightstar's face when Ravager tore him in half? That's something I'd never forget. If only Ravager's face had been as expressive when i separated it from his body. \n\nClouds whirl by as I carve through the skys, carefully avoiding the rampant air traffic. A trail of purple energy follows in my wake, my signature, as it were. Finally, i reach the Justisphere. A massive duratanium orb, suspended above the sprawling skyscape of Cityopolis. \n\nWinding chrome halls greet me, the halogen lights flickering on and off. I'd almost forgot about Destructo's attack on the Justisphere. Oh well, Tech Wizard would have it patched up in the-. No. He won't Tech Wizard is dead. Fuck.\n\nThe kitchen is a mess, but I manage to scrape up leftover lasagna and pop it in the microwave. In a few minutes I've sunk into the couch, cradling the sweet reward for a bitter day and trying not to cry. Grey's Anatomy isn't helping.\n\nAnd that's when I hear it. The distinctive click of a slide. Colt 1911, I'm sure of it.\n\n\"Nebulous, it appears we meet again.\"\n\nI turn my head and there he is. Some Jobber in a generic brand stealth suit. \n\n\"Look asshole, I don't know who you are, and quite frankly-\"\n\n\"You don't know who I am? I am Voltus, the Mighty! Scourge of the Megaplex, terror of the Vaslian Aisle, destroyer of-\"\n\nA sphere of cosmic energy envelopes him before he can he finish. I rise to my feet, clutching my meal with one hand and manipulating the sphere with the other.\n\n\"Look, dipshit, I'm giving you a chance. You can get bent and kick rocks, or I can put you in a holding cell for the night and take you to prison in the morning.\"\n\nHe screams, loosing three shots at my head. The rounds melt in my aura before they can ever reach me. \n\nHis screams didn't stop, not until he hit the ground. Staring at the crimson splat in the streets of Cityopolis, I couldn't help but sigh. Lasagna was certainly cold by now." ]	3
	[WP] You, an internationally famous detective, is retiring to Florida to live a mundane life, but when you're packing your things into the moving truck, the mailman hands you a letter. "Looks like I have one last case to solve.."	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 story, for inspiration or whatever \n\n\nInternational detective, Maxwell Durham, moved a box out of his living room, with the help of his teenage son, Joshua. He was retiring and the family was moving to Florida, to get away from the big city of Detroit. \n\n\n\"Alright, go get your boxes out of your room and I'll continue with moving these into the truck.\", Maxwell said to his son. \n\n\n\"Alright, dad!\", he said in reply. \n\n\nMaxwell lugged the boxes into the back of the moving truck and went inside to get a drink. He went to the kitchen and poured some lemonade into a glass from the pitcher on the counter, he turned to go back outside and jumped when he saw his wife sitting in front of him, reading the paper. \n\n\n\"God, you scared me, honey. Care for a glass?\", he asked. \n\n\n\"Thank you, but I'm fine.\", she replied back. \n\n\n\"Alright then, you pack all of your things?\" \n\n\n\"Yes, my boss, Catherine, is coming to say goodbye.\" \n\n\nMaxwell put the cold lemonade up to his lips and took a sip, but he didn't get long to enjoy it, because a knock came from the front door. \"That must be her, then. I'll get it.\", he said, as he walked over to the door and turned the knob. He looked around and saw the mailman climbing into his truck, then he noticed an envelope on the porch, and he bent down to pick it up. He went back inside, and Joshua walked into the kitchen, holding 2 large boxes. \"I got my things, pa!\", he said, peeking his head around the second box. \"Good, just set them down outside by the tru-\", Maxwell was cut off by Catherine, who walked in the open door, \"Hello, Samantha, just came by to say goodbye.\" She noticed Joshua on the other side of the room. \"And is this your son? He's grown since the last office party, how're you, young man?\" She reached out to shake his hand, but quickly pulled away after realizing his hands were full. \"Good, ma'am, but have to take a raincheck, got to load these boxes into the truck.\", he replied. Catherine nodded and sat down to chat to Samantha. \n\n\nMaxwell went outside to read the letter and sat down on a deck chair to do so. He carefully opened the envelope and pulled the letter out, unfolding it and placing the envelope on a table nearby. It read: \n\n\nTo, Detective Durham. \n\n\nIt's the chief, we know you're moving, and the retirement party has ended, but we need you to solve one last case. It's a murder, 1500 Park Avenue. We'll debrief you at the station, but if you decide not to come, we understand. You are the best detective we've had, and we're glad that you've served us, after your previous job, we were surprised that you served us. I mean, the head of the investigation branch of the secret service is a pretty great job, but anyway, you're obviously the best detective in the United States, we need you to solve one last case. Even if it's not as important as a bomb threat, for the White House. \n\n\nFrom, Chief Murphrey \n\n\nThe note was a question with only one answer, \"yes.\", for Chief Murphrey knew that Maxwell could never turn down a case, no matter the severity. \"That clever devil...\", Maxwell mumbled under his breath. He left a note for his wife and told Joshua to hand it to her once she came out, and he started his car to leave. \"Stay here till I come back.\", he yelled to him, as he drove off. The people buying the house wouldn't be coming for a week, so Maxwell had minimal worries about time, especially since he was good at his job and shouldn't take long to finish the case....", "\"So it's really happening\" bri sighed with me as she helped me move the last few boxes into the front living room.\n\nI looked out the window, past the haphazardly placed clutter on the counter, down the driveway, at the houses on the horizon bathed in a sunset glow. Finally, I've made it. I'm gonna live in a nice safe little suburban neighborhood where all the houses look the same and your neighbors talk about things like cul-de-sacs, jogging and maids, like they're ordinary shit. \n\nNo more swinging from one duct taped together apartment to the next, through cardboard slums like a monkey swinging limb to limb through the canopies of the rainforest. \n\n\nThat's all in the past now. \n\nMy licensing for most of what usually kept me from renting in nicer areas doesn't work in Florida because of the ways the laws differ. Which also means I get to enjoy a nice sunset, a glass of wine and a sedan in my driveway. \n\nI just got the keys to the place yesterday. \n\nA UPS truck pulls up and stops just between my house and the next. Somehow my stomach drops. Somehow, I know he's here for me.\n\n\"Dammit!\" I mutter, red wine in hand, slouching my back against the white marble countertop\"\n\n\n\"You're jumpy\" said bri. \n\nI nod. \"Yeah, maybe\" \n\nThe door to his truck slams shut with that familiar UPS thud-clank. His feet hit the gravel, in the way only a UPS drivers feet do. \n\nThose boots, with the extra grip that they wear. They fall ones feet to the ground in a particular way. Or maybe they all walk with same boxes on their heads in the ups cotillion training center. \n\nCuz they keys bounce the same way every time. The jingle, unmistakable, even in sleep. \n\nIn every state ive lived, no matter the general physique of the driver(s), i just knew when the package was for -me-.\n\nRight now i sighed and kept my eyes to the floor. My therapist had advised averting my gaze when possible during situations like these\n\n\nMy stomach would tighten, my jaw would clench, the footsteps would be all k could hear against the beating of my heart or the ticking of the clock, and I always knew, I had a case knocking at my door.\n\nEvery time. Even if i couldn't actually see the truck. Even if I had no idea it was there. My stomach would tighten. I would just know. \n\nThe clock ticked\n\nThe seconds counted his footsteps as he made his way up the drive.\n\nThe gravel shifted under his feet, the unevenly distributed garden pogs punctuated his progress. I heard the rose bush pluck his sock\n\nBri noticed as I caught my breath in my throat \n\n\"Look at me\" she said with her hands on my shoulder.\n\nI shifted my gaze from the grout lines between the tiles in front of me to her face, her bright blue bangs now before me. \n\n\"No way that's for you, you just got here\" \n\nShakily I nodded. \n\n\"Yeah you're right\" I said to her, my stomach sinking further into my knees. \n\nShe's wrong. I know it in my gut. But I'm not going to argue with her. She always thinks she's right. Most people do. \n\nIt really wouldn't make any sense for that to be mine. It's probably for the neighbor. It's probably for the neighbor, the one that's lived here for at least a year before I bought this place. The one that has been receiving packages and living life and running to the local grocery store for longer than ive been thinking about running away from my own life. \n\nThat package is probably for them\n\nI said this to myself as I heard his calf scrape against the rose bush in my yard \n\nShe doesn't have a rose bush\n\nI forced a few deep breaths of myself.\n\nI'm not even licensed in this town. I'll have to turn him away anyway. \n\nI took another sip of my wine. Bri took another sip of hers. \n\n\"Now where did that knife go, I wanna unbox the silverware\" I said cheerily, as if that package was Definitely not mine. \n\n\n\nI heard footsteps hit my Entryway. \n\nMy doorbell rang." ]	3
	[WP] A renowned superhero is resilient to any form of physical damage: punching, kicking, cutting, freezing, burning, suffocating etc…..except one, which everybody, even his most ferocious and cunning opponents, is oblivious to — slapping his face lightly.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 a superhero, and like all superheroes, except the overconfident idiots, I have an alter ego. Behind the mask worn by Dr. Resilient, the man who can take it all, is me, Gary Grayson, the taciturn biophysicist. The worst is that I have to be taciturn. I used to be outgoing man! The life of the party! Sigh but after getting my powers, I became scared of getting my loved ones hurt, and after discovering my weakness, I was down right paranoid! \n\n\nIt all happened on a Saturday afternoon, not even two months after becoming a masked hero. After spending my friday at work, and the rest of the night stopping The Drilling Mole Man from stealing the city's banks from below, I could rest, at my parents house. I obviously looked exhausted, after all, lack of sleep doesn't really count as damage, and my parents noticed, but my little brother was oblivious. He kept insisting for me to play catch with him, while my parents kept wanting to catch up with what I was doing. I finally relented and started playing with my annoying excuse of a brother.\n\n\nAfter maybe two hours later, my dad shooed my brother away, to talk to me, a pair of cold beer in hand, finally cutting me a break from this physical torture. We sat on the poarch and talked, two adults just chatting about life, it felt good. Then he said:\n\n\n\"You know son, I'm proud of you. Your work is exhausting, at least that's what your face says hehe, and yet you still find the time and energy to come see us, and to entertain your brother. I love you kid.\"\n\n\nAs he said those last words, he gave me his usual sign of affection, two light slaps on the cheek. And I fainted.\n\n\nI woke up in the hospital, the doctors couldn't understand what happened. My blood vessels had just popped, causing severe hemorrhages, my bones were all fractured, and my heart had be restarted. My father was panicking and crying. Two months of having cars thrown at me, swords breaking at the meet contact of my skin, fire and lightning not leaving a scratch, and now I was in the hospital, after a slap. I laughed, hurting myself in the process.\n\n\nI called a friend, Apollo, the \"reincarnation of the god of the sun and healing\". He healed me, but not before crying injustice and vengeance, sigh always the melodramatic. \n\n\nI had to tell my dad why I was friends with a superhero, and he took it as well as he could... Which was surprisingly great? He was ecstatic.\n\n\n\"My son, a superhero! And not just any, the famous Dr.Resilient! Gosh, I'm so proud of you.\"\n\n\nHe hugged my healed body, and swore to keep the secret. Of course he promised not to slap me again... But what if one day someone would learn who he was to me? What if he tortures him, or mom, or my bro, to learn if I have a weakness...\n\n\nI visited a friend the next day, Cerebro, the mind control superhero, with a heartbreaking request. I asked him to erase my family's memories of me. It was the only way to keep them safe after they learned my secret. The only way to keep myself safe too...\n\n\nTwo years later and I am now away from my family, avoiding my coworkers by fear of risking their lives too. My parents photo albums have been photoshopped to take me out of them, and they now only have one son. He's gonna graduate high school next year. Wish I was there to celebrate.\n\n\n\nAnd here I am, on my way to stop another lowlife supervillain from committing his \"greatest crime\" sigh. \n\n\n\nLike all superheroes, I have an secret identity. Behind the mask worn by Dr. Resilient, the man who can take it all, is me, Gary Grayson, the taciturn biophysicist. Only now, nobody really knows who Gary Grayson is..." ]	2
	[WP] You wake up in a hospital bed with no memory of the last 24 hours. However, you soon notice the handcuff around your wrist attached to restraints. You make out the shape of a guard outside the room. You're as straight-laced as they come with a clean record. What have you done?	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 try to call out to the guard, but all I can manage is a gasping sort of sound. I put my free hand up to my neck - it's sore to the touch. I notice an IV needle is in my arm. The guard must have heard the noise I made because I see him talk on the radio. \"She's awake. Do you want to come down?\" I hear footsteps in the hallway, and a police officer, as well as a lawyer, who happens to be my cousin's boyfriend's brother, come into my room.\n\nThe lawyer, Peter, is the first to speak. \"Please don't try to talk, Olivia. Your throat is very badly sore, you'll only make it worse.\" I nod slowly. He seems prepared as he pulls out an electronic pad of some sort for me to type on. I'm grateful for this, as I have a lot of questions, but the one I need to ask, which should answer most of my other questions: 'How did I end up here? I can't remember the past 24 hours, I really tried.'\n\nThe officer sighs and shakes his head. \"I'm not surprised, miss. One of the first things we checked was your blood alcohol level... everyone was shocked that you were still breathing!\" My eyes go wide - what the hell? I love my wine, no-one gets between me and my wine, but I would never let myself get drunk! I look at Peter and type something. 'How did that happen? You know I wouldn't let myself get drunk, right?'\n\nPeter nods. \"I only met you a couple of times, but your cousin, Ellie, would always talk about how lame you are for not letting yourself 'have fun', as she puts it. Unfortunately, that's where the story starts. It happened at the family New Year's Eve party at the pub.\" He looks at the officer, who then speaks. \"Your cousin confessed to filling up your glass when you would look away. After finding traces of GHB in your glass, she also confessed to mixing that into your drink. She tried so hard to deny it.\"\n\n\"But then the only other possibility was that you did it to yourself\" Peter continues. \"Your whole family, Ellie's family and even you ex-boyfriend's family all made it clear that you were not that type of person, while Ellie was saying how you must have done it to yourself, which was when suspicions of her came about. She was given an ultimatum: she tells us what she knows, or she'll face the maximum penalty if she's found guilty.\"\n\n\"That was when she confessed\" the officer states. \"But unfortunately, you can't be seen as completely blameless.\" He sighs. \"Everyone was getting worried after you began to look sickly, but you kept saying 'Leave me alone! I wanna party!' Soon after, you undressed yourself completely, jumped onto the counter, and started screaming and dancing, all the while still drinking.\"\n\nAt this point I go bright red. I type something quickly. 'Please tell me no-one recorded that? It's humiliating!' Peter shook his head. \"A couple people did, including Ellie, but they've all already been forced to delete their videos. I double checked that they weren't already up online. You're safe.\" I sigh with relief. I look back at the officer and signal for him to continue. He nods and clears his throat.\n\n\"Of course, the bartender found it absolutely inappropriate and tried to tell you to leave, but you screamed in his ear 'BACK OFF, MOTHERFUCKER! I'M HAVING FUN!', to which he responded by calling the bouncer. If this were where the story ended, this wouldn't be a police matter...\" Peter begins to shake and cry, and even the officer looks uneasy. \"You... you said and did some nasty stuff.\"\n\nPeter just bursts. \"It wasn't entirely your fault! We all know it! But... you can't just be allowed free after what happened...\" the officer nods sadly. \"Correct. You proceeded to slap, punch, kick, verbally abuse and ram into the bouncer. He said he was surprised that he couldn't do anything to stop you. So he then called for backup. You said 'Is that necessary, big boy?' and started trying to seduce him.\"\n\nI. Am. Mortified. And it doesn't even stop here... \"When the other two bouncers arrived, you kept saying things like 'Who's first?' and 'You'll like what I have to give'. Police were called by this point, but the bouncers were still trying to get you out. You were just beating them left, right and centre. Luckily, as there were three of them, they eventually managed to tackle you to the ground, and proceeded to subdue you, leaving you quite badly injured in the process.\"\n\nI... I can't believe it... is it over? \"Just before you were out completely-\" of course not \"-you made one final attempt to resist them. You went to bite them. One of them has a chunk of their hand missing now. Then you screamed 'I JUST WANTED A GOOD TIME! IT'S STILL POSSIBLE, LET'S ALL GET A ROOM!' before finally blacking out due to the alcohol and your injuries. You were rushed to the nearest hospital, of course making sure you were dressed first.\" I'm... I'm so ashamed and humiliated... my throat is sore, but I can't stop myself... \"WHAT THE HELL HAVE I DONE?\" I then just burst into tears.\n\nPeter proceeds to hug me. \"It's all ok\" he says soothingly. I just shake my head. \"No, really, it is. The bouncers have already recovered. After hearing her confession, they're much more upset with Ellie. The bartender was going to go after you in court, but now he's begging the courts to go easy on you, while he's determined to ruin Ellie's life. My brother is ready to divorce her and joked that he'd marry you to spite her. Your family is suing Ellie for mental anguish and causing you bodily harm. Ellie's family have disowned her. You see? Everyone is on your side.\"\n\nI look up, cheeks red from my tears. \"Everything is really ok?\" I whisper. Peter nods. I look at the officer. He says \"Whatever punishment you get, everyone wants your cousin to suffer ten times more. They know you'll be arrested, but no-one believes you were fully to blame. Unfortunately, actions are actions, and they carry consequences. But with all the evidence, testimonies and your cousin's confession, I can see the court going easy on you.\"\n\nPeter smiles. \"And I'll happily represent you. It's usually unethical for me to take on a client I know personally, but I already got the all clear; as long as I stick to just the facts, I can be there for you. But right now, your recovery is far more important.\" Peter then grins. \"Your little sister is worried about you, you know... very worried... she wants to bring you ice cream, like you do for her when she's unwell, and the guards are going to allow it.\" To that I smile... ice cream can't fix what I've done, but it always makes people feel better! I type out 'Thank you' on the device.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThank you for reading! More stories [here!](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesbyCrystal/comments/x374da/oneoff_stories_a_collection_of_stories_which_are/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)" ]	2
	[WP] "Nowhere in the rules does it say that a dog cant _____________."	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\\[Regretful Buddy\\]\n\nFrost sat in the dimmest corner of the bar alone. The blue-skinned teenager needed to return to school in less than half an hour. He'd taken to spending his lunch breaks in the bar when he could; but, this had been another uneventful visit. He checked the time on his node and wondered if he would have more success later in the evening, instead of midday. As it was the bar was empty except for the old drunk that was always there.\r \n \r \n\"I'll try later...,\" Frost mumbled to himself as he made the decision. Then, the saloon doors swung open and drew his attention. A golden retriever with a shiny golden coat padded into the saloon. He went straight to the bar and hopped up on one of the stools. Frost watched with amusement as the old drunk rushed to sit down next to the dog.\r \n \r \n\"Wanna hear a story boy?\" the old man asked.\r \n \r \n\"Yes,\" the dog nodded. Frost was surprised at a talking dog, but he recovered quickly. He'd seen so many strange things since he started attending school that, on second thought, it seemed almost inevitable that he'd run into a talking dog.\r \n \r \n\"I call this one the shifting forest...,\" the old man said. Frost was surprised again when the dog shook his head and hopped off the bar stool.\r \n \r \n\"No thanks,\" the dog replied as it left the bar. Frost glanced at the time again and realized he couldn't wait too long before acting. This is what he was there for, assuming the dog came back in. Frost hurried and stood from the table to stand by the door. The dog entered again just as he reached it.\r \n \r \n\"Hi,\" Frost smiled at the dog. It turned and looked at him.\r \n \r \n\"Hi,\" he nodded. His voice was friendly. \"Is there something I can do for you?\" Frost shook his head.\r \n \r \n\"I wanted to help you, but I'm kind of in a hurry,\" he said. \"Are you looking for the Divine Blessing quest?\" he asked.\r \n \r \n\"Yes,\" the dog nodded. \"My name's Buddy,\" he added.\r \n \r \n\"I'm Frost,\" he extended his hand out of habit. But, Buddy turned and gave him his paw just the same. Frost knelt to make the handshake easier, then they let go.\r \n \r \n\"The trick is, you have to be in a group to accept the quest,\" Frost said. As he explained it, he sent a party invite to Buddy. However, the system replied instantly.\r \n \r \n\\[User is already in a Party\\]\r \n \r \n\"I am...,\" Buddy replied.\r \n \r \n\"What?\" Frost was surprised. That was the way it worked when Flutter helped him get the quest. Now he was feeling rushed and embarrassed. But, he'd already promised to help Buddy. He replayed the quest in his memory as best he could. It wasn't particularly long, but he spent most of it in awe of Flutter. \"Oh!\" he chuckled when he realized it.\r \n \r \n\"Sorry,\" he shook his head. \"I kind of didn't pay attention the first time, but I figured it out. The quest needs two paladins.\"\r \n \r \n\"Oh, okay,\" Buddy nodded. Then, Frost received an invitation in the bottom left corner of his view.\r \n \r \n\\[Buddy invited you to a party. Join?\\]\r \n\\[Yes\\] \\[No\\] Frost accepted.\r \n \r \n\\[/party: Welcome! -Clara\\] Frost heard a woman's voice in his mind and felt the Whisper text on his wrist. She quickly answered Frost's curiosity about who else was in the group. Now it was just the three of them.\r \n \r \n\\[/party: Thank you! -Frost\\] he replied with his own Whisper. Buddy wandered to the bar stool again and hopped on. The old man sat down next to him.\r \n \r \n\"Wanna hear a story, boy?\" he asked.\r \n \r \n\"Yes,\" Buddy nodded. \r \n \r \n\"I call this one the Blessing of Divinity. Although not all of it might be true,-\"\r \n \r \n\"I accept,\" Buddy hopped off the stool and returned to Frost.\r \n \r \n\"Thank you,\" he said. Frost shook his head.\r \n \r \n\"Don't thank me yet,\" he said. \"It takes two Paladins to complete the quest; but, I've got to get back to school. Can you wait until later?\" he asked. \"If you can't, I know someone that might be able to help,\" he said. Despite the fact that she was nothing but friendly, Frost hesitated to refer to Flutter as a friend; he looked up to her too much for them to be equal. However, he knew that she'd be up for helping if she was able.\r \n \r \n\"School?\" Buddy asked. His tail wagged with interest. \"You're a Unique... do you go to Toku-high?\" he asked. Frost nodded.\r \n \r \n\"I've been mildly interested in the school, but I hadn't made the opportunity to visit yet. Since I'm waiting, would you mind if I tagged along with you?\" he asked. \r \n \r \n\"You're a Unique too, right?\" Frost asked. The fact that he was a talking dog almost guaranteed it; but, it didn't hurt to be sure. In fact, it was likely to hurt Buddy if he wasn't. Luckily, Buddy nodded.\r \n \r \n\"#46, El Sol,\" he said.\r \n \r \n\"Sure, you can come,\" he said. \"No Zeros allowed, Ms. Sharp is pretty strict about that. But, nowhere in the rules does it say a dog can't attend school.\" Frost replied. \"She might even want to meet you herself,\" he said.\r \n \r \n\"I'd prefer to avoid that if possible,\" Buddy shook his head. Frost was surprised. He couldn't imagine someone not wanting to meet the most powerful woman in the multiverse.\r \n \r \n\"You.. don't want to meet her?\" he asked. \"Why not?\" He realized he was close to being late and he pulled a black card out of his node. He threw it on the bar floor and it opened a black portal.\r \n \r \n\"We've met,\" Buddy answered. That was the entirety of his answer as the two of them stepped onto the portal. They began to sink into it and he elaborated.\r \n \r \n\"As for 'why not’...,\" Buddy sighed. \"To use your phrase, nowhere in the rules does it say that a dog can’t have regrets.” \r \n\n\n\\\\\\*\r \nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #1704 in a row. (Story #258 in year five.). This story is part of an ongoing saga that takes place at a high school in my universe. It began on August 22nd and I will be adding to it with prompts every day until May 26th. They are all collected in order at [this link](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hugoverse/comments/wtglls/tokuhigh_alternet_class/)." ]	2
	[WP] An immortal mosquito has pestered you for seven years now. It will not die, either naturally or from your attempts to kill it, and it only follows you. It does not spread disease or attempt to kill you, only being an annoying presence, constantly flying around and buzzing.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 thing bothering you?\"\n\nFred looked up to see a young woman, one of the servers working in the quiet café standing on the opposite side of the small round table he was sitting at.\n\n\"Yes, it is. It seems to like me.\"\n\nFred didn't bother to explain that the little mosquito had been a constant companion for over seven years. Ever since he'd made the mistake of opening that old dust-covered jar he'd found in his grandfather's garage. \n\nHe'd thought it was dead when he dumped it out onto the dirty workbench, but it stood on its tiny legs, flexed its wings and then flew up behind him. \n\nAnd it had stayed behind him, always hovering behind his head. He could not get it to stop flying. He'd tried swatting it with a fly swatter, an electric bug-killing paddle, even bug spray. Nothing affected it. \n\nHis only relief was when he was asleep. When he laid down, it would land somewhere and remain silent until he rose. \n\nThe young woman reached into a small purse that hung by her side, pulled out a small spray bottle and spritzed the tiny bug with the contents of it. The mosquito buzzed for a few seconds more, then dropped to the floor.\n\nStepping around the table, the woman bent down and picked up the grounded mosquito, and quickly carried it over to a nearby counter. \"Hey, hand me a storage bag,\" she called to the employee behind the counter. \n\nThe employee handed her a clear bag with a zip closure. The woman put the mosquito inside the bag, flattened the bag, and zipped it closed. \n\nShe returned to Fred, and handed it to him. \"Here. Take him home. Run a warm iron or hair straightener around him to seal the bag to itself.\"\n\nFred looked up at the woman. \"What was in that bottle?\" he asked.\n\n\"Hair spray. It stiffened the little bugger's wings. Couldn't fly.\"\n\n\"How did you know it needed to be sealed in something?\"\n\n\"It didn't act like a normal bug. It hovered. Mosquitoes don't hover. They have to keep moving to remain airborne.\"\n\nFred looked down at the bag in his hand. \"How can I repay you?\"\n\nThe woman smiled. \"Leave me a nice tip.\"\n\nFred nodded. \"Are you on duty?\"\n\n\"Yes, but I finish in a few minutes.\"\n\nFred handed her his credit card. She returned shortly with his receipt. After paying for the food, Fred put the max amount his card had left available as her tip. It ended up being four digits. He didn't care. \"Silence is golden, after all,\" he mused to himself.\n\nShe took the signed receipt and returned several minutes later. \"I owe you more than what I put on that receipt,\" Fred told her as she sat down across from him.\n\nThe woman smiled again. \"I know, but I'm not going to make any demands.\"\n\nGlancing at the bag, she asked, \"How long?\"\n\nFred sighed. \"Seven years. Just after my grandfather died. I opened what I thought was an empty jar. It was inside.\"\n\nThe woman glanced at the bag again. \"May I ask what happened to your grandfather's estate?\"\n\nFred was puzzled, but replied. \"Not much. I was his only grandchild. He left the house to me. I've lived there ever since. I packed up most of his stuff and put it into storage in the attic and rafters of the garage. \n\n\"He'd led an interesting life. Most of what I packed away were mementos of his adventures. \n\n\"I was cleaning out the garage as it hadn't been used in years, mostly scrubbing dirt and vacuuming cobwebs. The jar had been sitting tucked in a recess above one of the workbenches.\"\n\nThe woman solemnly accepted his explanation. \"I'm sorry for your loss. How did he die?\"\n\nFred looked at the woman. Something about the tone in which she asked made him wonder if she had known his grandfather. \"Peacefully in his sleep. I was there in the hospital room at the time.\" \n\nHis curiosity getting the better of him, he asked, \"Did you know him?\"\n\nThe woman turned to him with a start. \"I...uh,...well...,\" she stammered. She stopped herself, took a deep breath, let it out, and replied, \"Yes, I did...in a roundabout way. Does that bother you?\"\n\nIt was Fred's turn to stammer. \"No...I didn't...it's not...\" \n\nHe stopped, and looked at her. \"I'm grateful to you for what you've done. And to be honest, that little shit's turned me into something of a hermit. You're the first real conversation I've had in forever. I had hoped to get a way to contact you before I left today.\" \n\nFred took the receipt, wrote his address and phone number on the back, and handed it to her. \n\n\"This is where he lived, and where I now live. If you would like to visit, I'd be thrilled. I'm there most all day and night, because...well, this little bugger has forced me to isolate myself.\"\n\nThe woman read the info on the receipt, folded it and put it in the same small purse that held the hair spray bottle. \"I'd like to see it now, if you don't mind.\"\n\nFred stood up. \"Sure. Do you want to meet me there, or ride with me?\"\n\nThe woman stood up and replied, \"I'll ride with you. I rode the bus to work. By the way, my name's Claudia.\"\n\n\"Pleased to meet you Claudia. My name's Fred. I was named after my grandfather.\"\n\nAs they reached Fred's car, he asked her, \"Is there something you're hoping to see? I've got most of his more interesting things packed away.\"\n\nClaudia didn't answer until they both were seated in the vehicle. \"Nothing and everything. Your grandfather and my grandmother had a couple of adventurers together. She passed away about seven years ago also.\"\n\n\"I'd love to hear about those adventures. The man was a mystery to me. My parents would visit him from time to time. I'd mostly sit and watch his television while they talked.\"\n\nClaudia nodded. \"She was a bit mysterious to me. It usually took a couple of glasses of wine before she said anything about her younger days. \n\n\"And when she mentioned your grandfather, all she'd really say was that he kept her life interesting when he was around. Then she'd usually smile. That's about the most I could get her to say. She'd always say, 'Claudia, maybe when you're older, I'll take you to meet him. He'd get a kick out of that.'\"\n\nSoon Fred pulled his car into the driveway of his home. Claudia took her time looking over the outside as she made her way up the wide steps of the wrap-around porch leading to the front door. After unlocking it, he let her enter first. \n\nFred took her jacket as Claudia looked around the entry hall that featured the main staircase leading upstairs and the wide doorways hiding their pocket doors. \n\n\"So do you want a grand tour?\" Fred asked. \n\nClaudia turned to him. \"What I'd probably be most interested in would be any old photo albums of his. They might have pictures of him and my grandmother.\"\n\nFred thought for a moment then gestured to a room off the foyer. \"Then maybe we ought to step into his study. I know there's a couple of them in there.\"\n\nFred led the way and gestured for Claudia to make herself comfortable on the leather couch in front of the huge bay window. He stepped over to a set of built-in bookcases and pulled a couple of long black leather-bound albums off one of the shelves.\n\nTaking a seat next to Claudia, he handed her one and kept the other. They both opened them and began turning the pages. Fred's book mainly held pictures of his parents and his grandfather, with one or two photos including him as a small child.\n\nSuddenly Claudia gave a small cry. Looking over at the open page of the book in her hands, he looked at the photo she was pointing to.\n\nThe photo was one he'd never really paid any attention to over the years. It showed his grandfather standing with a woman who could have been Claudia's twin. \"She looks like you,\" Fred said.\n\nClaudia laughed. \"He looks like you, except his hair's been plastered to his head.\"\n\nWithout thinking, Fred put his hand to his curly hair. \"Mom and dad both said I looked like a Fred junior more than once. Take the photo out. Maybe there's something written on it.\"\n\nKeeping the album cradled in her lap, Claudia slowly worked one of her fingernails around the edge of the thick paper of the photo. It came up easily as it was held in the album by the most tenuous of means. \n\nTurning it over, Claudia read, \"Dear grandson, if you see this message, don't open the jar in the garage. It contains a curse that is more annoyance than harmful. It was laid upon the woman standing here with me. She had done nothing to deserve it other than opening an old jar that had been sealed in a tomb a few thousand years ago.\"\n\nFred laughed. \"So one good turn resulted in another. He took the bug from your grandmother. You saved me from it.\"\n\nClaudia laughed. \"From the time I can first remember, she always said, 'always keep some hairspray around. That stuff'll knock over even the most annoying pest.' I guess she was speaking from experience.\"\n\n\"So you want to help me seal that bug up once more?\" \n\n\"If I can have a copy of this photo.\"\n\n\"Heck, you can have that photo. I know what I look like. And grandpa's not going to miss it.\"\n\nBoth laid the albums on the couch as they rose and left the room. Fred retrieved the bag from the pocket of his jacket. \"I don't have a tomb handy so I guess a laminator will have to do.\"\n\n\"That's a good idea,\" Claudia replied. \"We can seal the bag to itself, cut the closure off, and then laminate it inside another two sheets of plastic.\"\n\n\"I'm tempted to mix up a batch of resin, and seal the laminated square of plastic inside a block of it, too.\" \n\n\"And then what?\" Claudia asked. \n\nFred thought to himself for a few seconds. \"And then maybe we figure out who needs to be cursed with annoyance and send the resin brick to them.\"\n\nClaudia laughed. \"Sounds like a terrible thing to do. Maybe we should keep it in a safe place.\"\n\n\"That didn't work for whoever sealed it in that old tomb -and it didn't work for me. Somebody's gonna let that bug back out sooner or later. Whoever does, I don't want them to be related to you or I.\" \n\n\"That's sensible and boring,\" Claudia mock-pouted. Smiling she continued, \"Mostly sensible though. Let's get this thing heat-sealed before it makes us regret taking our time.\"", "Silence was a thing of the past and I could no longer hear myself think.\n\n\"Buzz, buzz.\"\n\nI covered my ears.\n\n\"Buzz, buzz.\"\n\n\"Please go away,\" I pleaded. My fear was drowned by another series of buzzing.\n\nHow long had it been? Seven years since I was diagnosed to hearing a non-existent mosquito.\n\nNo one could help me. My friends and family had left me.\n\n\"What more do you want?\" I asked.\n\n\"Buzz, buzz.\"\n\nI saw it circling in the air.\n\n\"They called me crazy for seeing you,\" I laughed. \"You're the crazy one. Sticking to me for all these years.\"\n\n\"Buzz, buzz.\"\n\n\"I despise you.\"\n\n\"Buzz, buzz.\"\n\n\"...\"\n\n\"Buzz, buzz.\"\n\n\"Buzz...\" I covered my mouth.\n\n\"Buzz, buzz.\"\n\n\"...buzz... buzz,\" the words vibrated through my hand. It sounded more alike to the mosquito's buzzing.\n\n\"Buzz, buzz.\"\n\n\"Buzz... buzz...\" I forgot how long I kept buzzing.\n\nAll I knew was my head was empty and filled with a buzz." ]	3
	[WP] The heroes in Valhalla listen as you describe one of you numerous adventures, they shout and roar and toast and pat you in the back, but most of all they are surprised by your strange weapons that you call "Keyboard", "Mice" and "Controller"	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Odin is a bastard. A sneaky, manipulative, cruel bastard. \n\n\"You're right to be here has been challenged, warrior. Will you fight?\"\n\nSmug bastard with his shit-eating grin. His vultures, I mean Valkyries, made damn sure to give me a fly-by over Hel's domain. Getting kicked out of Valhalla means a one way ticket to _that_ shit fest. Do _NOT_ want.\n\nJust one problem. I definitely don't belong here. Picture it, if you will. A 60+ year old man with what he thought was a ream of mild to moderate health problems, more than a bit of middle-aged spread, and I had a heart attack playing a video game. Apparently, and yes, this is sarcasm, that counts as dying in battle.\n\n\"Will you fight?\" The bastard asks again, one smug eyebrow cocked in the air. \"Yes.\" I ground out. I knew what was going on here. His Valkyries fucked up. But rather than admit that, he's decided to have a little sadistic fun. \n\nSo now I'm going up against a literal wall of offended and contemptuous flesh. Word is, my opponent is half-giant on his mother's side, and, well it looks like giant genes are hella dominant. He _huge_, me tiny.\n\nThis mountain of aggression has seemed to take offence at my unfit, wrinkly ass sitting beside him at the great banquet. Enirely unprompted by that smiling psychopath called Odin, not. And now he's offered me the chance to prove my worth by, well ... _not_ getting my head ripped off. Oh, and _not_ having him spit down the stump. Lovely fellow. \n\n\"Alright. Let's get this over with. Where's my weapon?\" Odin smirks and nods at a very frightened and timid slave. I inwardly groan as I see what the slave is bearing towards me. A very familiar mouse and keyboard. Scuffed and well used. The whole hall is guffawing at me. \n\nBut then just as the slave reaches me, his eyes flash fiery red. As he hands my \"Weapons\" over, he quickly whispers \"You are no longer bound by your physical body. Will is All.\" And then he scuttles off. \n\nWas that who I think it was? Does he mean what I think he means? Because I loved those video games. They allowed me to jump, fly, overcome impossible odds, and defeat much scarier enemies than these jokers. \n\nI'm _dead_, I realise. Literally a bundle of spiritual energy and an imagination. And I imagine _very_ well! As a familiar armour settles around my suddenly strong and youthful body, I heft one of the most deadly hand-to-hand weapons unfettered human creativity has ever imagined. \n\nAnd I smile at my opponent and the hall full of psychopaths, bullies and one suddenly not so smug bastard. This is going to be _FUN_. Very, very messy but also very fun! I have one more thing to say as I approach my opponent, the poor unsuspecting bastard. \"Rip and tear, until it's done.\"", "Not exactly to the prompt, but I quite like it regardless.\n\n(Edit: Formatting and two words)\n\n\\--------\n\nWhen the final hour of my final day came, everyone else had evacuated the room and fled to the bunker. But I was too stubborn and proud to run in the face of almost certain death. Igripped my main weapons tight after shortly touching the cheap Mjölnir pendant around my neck and recited an old prayer while shooting down enemy missile after enemy missile while also shooting back some of my own.\n\nBut one cracks through as my counter measures are depleted and hits the building I sat in. Time seems to slow down as the wall next to me bursts open and I feel a warm hand on my shoulder. I look up and see a beautiful, young yet impossibly old woman with blonde locks and wings smile down at me. \"You have done all you could. Come with me\" she says in a tongue that I should not understand, yet somehow do.\n\nI know what she is. She is a Valkyrie. A Shieldmaid of Odin, here to choose the slain that died with a sword in hand to be welcomed to Valhöll , where they will fight and feast until the final time. Ragnarök.\n\n\"Even though I did not die with a sword in hand?\" I ask as a single tear forms in my eyes. \"Yes. Times have changed and the translation you know was incorrect. It´s 'everyone who dies with a WEAPON in hand'.\" she replies and looks down. I follow her gaze down to the device with which I defended and attacked for weeks now. \"And besides. While you may not be a close quarters specialist, you, too, will play a role in the last fight.\n\n\"She holds her hand out to me and I grip her forearm, like she does mine and I stand up for the first time since I was bound to this goddamned wheelchair, just as the warhead goes off.The next thing I see is an impossibly vast hall with hundreds of wide arcs, each of which would easily let several hundred men walk through.\n\nBefore her farewell, she says \"Welcome, to Odins Hall, Einherjar. Strengthen yourself on Sæhrímnirs flesh, drink Heiðrúns mead and listen to bragrs songs. For tomorrow you will train. You might die, you might live. But tomorrow at this time, you will sit here again. Till Ragnarök.\"", "I still don't fully understand why I'm here. The people around me earned their place here in real fights, and I...well didn't.\n\nBut they say that Valhalla doesn't make mistakes so my claims of how I feel my glory is stolen always fall on deaf ears.\n\nHow I have only accompanied great heroes through their great conquests and victories. But they keep asking for more stories of my adventures because to them a \"strategist\" is still worthy of Valhalla because would those great heroes of found victory without my guidance. Perhaps these warriors are right, and if there is anything I can do it is make sure they know the great stories I to have fallen in love with.\n\n\"Everyone!\" I cry out, and all in the hall stop for they have come to learn that while I speak rarely when I do the stories gain even visiting gods attention, \"In honor of our guest, mighty Odin, I wish to tell the tale of my greatest comrade, the one who's honor I will defend to my second death if need be!\"\n\nThey stare, waiting enthralled by my unusually loud tone, and I continue.\n\n\"TONIGHT, I tell the story of the great Commander Shepard, and the brave crew of the Normandy, and how they stood victorious where no one should have!\"", "Honestly, when I died i expected nothing. I was prepared for that to be the end. I died in such a stupid way too. I just bought a new controller for my PS4 when some asshat tried to rob the store, who robs a gamestop? I panic, right behind the dude as i am. It's such a shame that my fight overpowers my flight 9 times out of ten, as my little sister found out as kids when she jumped out of a doorway and right into my full force fist.\n\nI used what i had on hand, the controller a helpful staff member let me bring to the counter. I know, a helpful staff member at gamestop, ridiculous. So i smashed him in the back of the head with it. It went about as well as you could imagine, with me getting shot. Thankfully, or unfortunately depending how you look at it, drawing blood with a controller makes it count as a weapon. So when a valkyrie swooped down and hauled my ass to valhalla we were both rather surprised.\n\nThe welcoming dinner was something else, everyone talking about their glorious deaths. I just talked about video games. I called it training simulators. They especially enjoyed my stories from Dark Souls, Though they were confused about how i defeated such beasts with the PS4 controller in my hand. They didn't question me though, especially after my valkarie's retelling of my valiant demise.\n\nIt wasn't until I began training that i found out something, in order to beter prepare for Ragnorok, all of our weapons receive upgrads when we die, just like our bodies. I was in peak physical health, and my controller was... Unconventional. On our first day training, I gripped the controller like a weapon, and felt stupid as hell. I didn't last long, much to my embarressment. \n\nSo i fiddled with it and found out what the upgrade was. Oh, this was broken. The next day was a tournament, 2 on 2. My partner was a WWII sniper with a sick rifle that was effectively a lightning gun. He looked confused as I held my controller in a two handed grip that mostly covered it, fiddling while staring off into space. \"You'll see\" Was all i said. We entered the arena for our first match, the first one of the tournament.\n\nI made my selection, feeling myself become incorporial was, an experience. I was a faded see through ghost among ghosts, and infront of my was my champion. Fro mthe choice of every game or character I 100% completed, I decided on Scorpion, one of 3 Mortal combat characters that i fully beat. Suddenly, no one was doubting my stories.", "\"This guy is all talk. He hasn't seen a true battle.\"\n\n\"If that's the case, then why did he get to enter Valhalla?\"\n\nOdin stayed quiet throughout the drama. Odin picked the right candidate to face these so call traditional warriors. Oliver took the warriors chiding in stride. It was all talk from them until one \"brave\" warrior was ready to face him,\n\n\"You ain't got the guts to dine with us in the halls of Valhalla.\" The warrior lifts the axe from his back and holds it next to Oliver's neck. Odin's wife jumps up, her face irritated, but Odin holds his hand up. Oliver pulls out his gaming setup, a mouse, a keyboard, and a controller.\n\nUsing the cord from the mouse, he whips the warrior at his eyes, causing him to drop his axe. The warrior is gripping his face, and Oliver takes the opportunity to smack him across the face with his keyboard. The warrior fell to the floor. It was impossible to read the room as everyone was stunned. Then the crowd erupted,\n\n\"He took out Fray!\"\n\n\"I couldn't believe it myself.\"\n\n\"What weapons is he using? I got to try them out!\"\n\nOdin sat on his throne, wearing a proud smile. Although Oliver has the determination of a warrior, he found his fighting in peaceful ways, like gaming or self-defense.", "Seated at a large round table surrounded by a hoard of armor-bound men and rows of intimidatingly muscular women was Justin, a man who had dropped out of college to become a streamer on flinch.tv \r \n\r \nAt first, he didn’t think he’d fit in here but the more he spoke and the more outlandish tale he told the more they loved him. \r \n\r \n“So anyway I started blast’n!” Justin continued, his words strong and sharp.\r \n\r \nA strong hand slammed into the back of his shoulder as Varfellow, a Brudish knight who had died protecting his countrymen, patted Justin on his back for the fourth or fifth time in a row.\r \n\r \nJustin was beginning to wonder if he could be hurt in Valhalla if a sudden bruise would appear on his skin and reveal the truth, the reality that he is not a warrior. \r \n\r \nEven in death, he couldn’t escape the imposter syndrome felt all his life. \r \n\r \n“Tell is boy! There is one thing we’re all dying to know,” Valfellow said raising his voice to be heard over the commotion of the crowd, “we’re ye able to avenge yer friend? Aeirth? That beautiful flower las?\r \n\r \nJustin sunk in his seat slightly, dropping his head to stare blankly into his mug. Aeirths tragic passing was the first video game death that actually affected him. He cried for weeks and refused even to pick the game back up for a month or so after it happened. \r \n\r \n“It took decades!” Justin said, finally breaking the silence, “I had to wait decades just to face him again.\r \n\r \nThe battle took place on holy ground, on a battlefield by the name of Final Destination! A place where mainly a battle was won or lost, a place where dreams either come true or are crushed to dust.”\r \n\r \nThe name of this “sacred” battlefield was enough to give validity to his tale. The room grew ever more quiet as Justin spoke.\r \n\r \n“The match was ferocious from the start! The white-haired man lunged forward, drawing his sword and air-dashing before unleashing a flurry of blinding fast attacks.\r \n\r \nI barely had enough time to react and put up my shield before impact. In doing so I saved myself from the classic zero-to-death he’s known for!”\r \n\r \nBut that wasn’t the only thing I had to worry about. If only my C-stick wasn’t still broken after the last tourney I could have punished him out of shield, made him pay for rushing in so quickly!\r \n\r \nInstead was driven back by his massive sword, forced to retreat to the ledge as he continued to throw out a barrage of attacks!”\r \n\r \nOur swords clashed when I made a push to center stage. He was fast but I got the better end of the trade! I pushed him back and tech chased him through the air as he tried to avoid my attacks. I landed a good number of blows but I wasn't expecting him to throw out a counter in the middle of my combo!\r \n\r \nI was sent flying back and sent crashing into a stage hazard which only opened me up more to his savage counterattack! \r \n\r \nI thought I’d be beaten then and there, two stocked without a chance for redemption but I didn't give up.\r \n\r \nTooth and nail, attack after attack, I clawed my way back to equal footing. In the end, it came down to final stock. One blow would decide the victor of this battle.”\r \n\r \n“What did you do lad!?” A voice called out “ how did you beat that monster!?”\r \n\r \nA smile grew on Justin’s face. “Up-B, Down-B, Down special…. FINAL SMASH!” \r \n\r \nAlthough nobody knew exactly what he was talking about it sounded good so the room erupted into cheers and hollers. Some men cried tears of joy while others raised their hands in the air and shouted.\r \n\r \n“Justin is cracked! JUSTIN IS CRACKED!” they cheered." ]	7
	[WP] You, a new adventurer, discovered a remote location that has a portal which summons hostile and increasingly more powerful entities whenever you defeat one.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 sky faded from blue to purple to an empty black hole, spanning maybe a mile across. The grass similarly splotched and waned into a sandy gray dessert. Armor and bones littered the area.\n\nWhen I set out to return the Globensparn to the ancient city of my ancestors, I had no idea I would find the area I have come to call The Void. I could also not possibly know the chain of events that killing a simple rabbit would set off.\n\nI had been wanting The Fields of the Lost for a good few weeks, and my food supplies had withered to half a loaf of stale bread. The rabbit mysteriously hopping in the gray waste of the void was a welcome sight to my hungry belly, and I was planning to kill it and eat it long before it hissed at me.\n\nI'd never really heard of a rabbit hissing, but I was new to this. I was also surprised to see the rabbit, rather than fleeing, dart towards me as I walked into The Void.\n\nA swift kick was enough to put it down, but as I walked over, stopped down, and grabbed the rabbit, the earth shook. A lightning bolt shot from the sky to the earth about 20 strides away, and where it had struck, a wolf-like creature stood snarling.\n\nI scooped up my rabbit and began to run back the direction I came. The wolf howled behind me, and I had no idea where I was going to run- The Fields of the Lost are notoriously flat, straight out to the horizon.\n\nI scrambled out of the sandy waste and tripped on the grass at the edge. I rolled and saw the wolf pad up to the edge, sniff the air, and snarl. He meandered back to where the rabbit had been. Curious.\n\nI set up a camp maybe a hundred meters from The Void and ate my rabbit, the best food I'd had in weeks. As I finished the last bite, craving more, a mad thought came to me: there's a lot more meat on a wolf.\n\nI spent several months, maybe years, camped on the edge of The Void. Each time I slayed a beast, the familiar lightning would provide another, slightly stronger than the last. God's gift to the worthy, I thought.\n\nI killed the wolf, a big cat, a bull, a bear. I ate their meat, crafted armor from their hides, and eventually weapons from their claws. I grew tougher and craftier with each kill.\n\nI worked my way through a series of dragons, each bigger and more powerful than the last, each bound by The Void as I worked out a plan to kill it.\n\nAt some point, I began fighting men and women- adventurers like myself that had lost their lives to The Void. The Void had given the strong among them a second chance as beasts, and unanimously they warned me to quit while I was ahead. None defeat the Demon King Agorius. They were weak. I would not succumb to their fate.\n\nI hated fighting them most of all. They blabbed the whole time, and their meat tasted sour.\n\nOne day, after smiting the Demon Prince Flavio, the familiar lightning took its time. The whole Void shook with otherworldly laughter and a voice boomed:\n\n\"Foolish mortal you have fallen into my trap. You have grown strong enough now for me to consume, and your strength will give new life to The Pit\"\n\n\"You mean The Void?\" I asked\n\n\"The... No, this is The Pit\" it replied\n\n\"Doesn't look much like a pit is all.\" I said.\n\nLightning struck and the Demon King appeared. The Demon Prince hadn't put up much of a fight, and consuming his essence had restored me, so I figured I would just go another round.\n\nI was honestly a bit disappointed. He talked a big talk, but aside from hitting me in the shoulder with a lightning bolt, he didn't do much damage before I had him impaled on my dagger, my other hand choking the life out of him.\n\nI sniffed.\n\n\"You smell like you'll make a good roast\" I said. His eyes widened.\n\n\"Oh God, you have been... Eating them?\" He croaked out\n\nI twisted the dagger and he exhaled his last.\n\nThe Void sort of collapsed on itself and hit me with one last lightning bolt for good measure. I lost consciousness, and when I awoke, The Void was just gone- grass and sky continuing as if it had never been there.\n\nI dragged the corpse of the Demon King back to my camp and lit the fire, wondering what I would do now.\n\nAs I prepared the roast, the shining Globensparn rolled from my pack. I made eye contact with the smoking black eyes of my reflection, the black veins visible through my pale flesh cracked as I grinned a smile of sharpened fangs.\n\nAh yes, my quest. I must go claim the ancient power of my ancestors and use it to topple the Republic. But first, a roast." ]	2
	[WP] Both Superheroes and Supervillains treat their rivalry like it's a game now. Today an actual tragedy has occurred and neither side knows how to react.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\\[poem\\]\n\nYou all think it's a game,\n\nbut to everyone it's not the same.\n\nViolence is never safe or right,\n\nplease listen and stop your fight.\n\nToday is just definitive proof,\n\nsome games are not a simple goof.\n\nSomeone needs to pay for my loss,\n\nit wasn't cheap - my bucket of candyfloss!" ]	2
	[WP]As a mountain climber, youve decided to tackle mount olympus. Reaching the top, you realised that Olympus is real and it has been converted to a tourist attraction, with all of the old greek gods working hard to run 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Three days. The final ascent for Olympus Mons was a three day sheer climb. Since the terraforming of Mars, wealthy citizens have flocked to the 'latest and greatest' gilded attraction for those of means. While secretly the wealthiest person in the world, I try to maintain a proper adventurer's mentality. I never required sherpas to assist me climbing Everest, I maintain all my own gear. I carry my own gear and I do not litter, unlike the wealthy braggarts.\n\nOlympus Mons, being on Mars, is relatively unsullied by the lazy and inept. The climb was invigorating, the scenery alien but breathtaking. Considering my unique physiology, it isn't a taxing climb, though it would push regular climbers far beyond their capabilities.\n\n\"Hey, we are getting some unusual interference.\"\n\n\"How is that possible? We don't use normal communication methods.\" I ask, paused on the side of the Mons.\n\n\"No idea, hence the descriptor 'unusual', it is almost like static, but...\"\n\n\"But what?\"\n\n\"Our translator program identifies it as archaic Greek.\"\n\n\"Archaic Greek? Why would...\"\n\nMaking sure my leg is braced against a properly anchored spot, I reach into my core strength. I also have to try and calculate how high I can jump in Martian gravity.\n\n\"Should've figured this out sooner. The Greek gods aren't on Earth, they relocated to Mars.\" I growl out loud as I leap into the air. The atmosphere feels lightly staticy on my skin as I ascend rapidly.\n\n\"Mark my gear for retrieval.\" I shout loudly.\n\nReaching the apex of my jump, I rise through a cloud that wasn't there seconds prior. As I descend, my feet rest against an impossibly thick cloud, supporting my weight. Before me stands a monument to the Greek Gods. I stand there, on the cloud, puzzled at the sight before me. I have climbed Mount Olympus several times, but never made it to actual Olympus, so how in the hells did I manage to make it via a volcano on another planet?\n\n\"Greetings, Seed of Yggdrasil.\" A voice calls out.\n\nGlancing around, I notice what appears to be Hermes, standing there with his cocky grin. His winged sandals flapping pointlessly as he waits for my response.\n\n\"What the hells is this?\" I ask.\n\n\"Well, wealthy mortals who 'climb' Mount Olympus get randomly selected to spend a shopping trip in Olympus. Because you are you, we decided to let you enter here the immortal way.\"\n\n\"Olympus Mons? I didn't even finish the climb, because of the interference from you guys. Why am I here? You didn't even need to let me in...\" A thought crosses my mind.\n\n\"They don't know I am here, do they?\"\n\nHermes' grin is all the answer I need." ]	2
	[WP]You a general,and your two thousand soldiers draw your swords for a war you would not win.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 soldiers!\n\n\rFor twenty long years, we have marched for the glory of our empire! For twenty long years, we have reclaimed the lands lost by the kings of yesteryear, lost to the blighted demons, lost to cowardice, treachery and to treason! For twenty long years, we have survived!\n\n\rI have seen our army, initially a hundred-thousand strong, be refined down to the two thousand of you before me now. For each of us who stand here today, we bear the weight of our fallen brothers! Each of us bear the names of forty-nine of our brothers, our brothers who gave their lives in service, in duty, in glory! They gave their lives so that we could accomplish our goal, that we could liberate our country, our lands, OUR WORLD!\n\n\rEach and every one of you standing here before me, your general, is a veteran of a hundred battles! Each and every one of you is a keen blade, honed to perfection by living on Death’s doorstep, tempered by the fires of battle and quenched in the blood of our enemies! Each and every one of you is a hero, a hero whose names will be sung in rapturous chorus alongside the tales of mythical warriors of old!\n\n\rAnd it is today, at the precipice of our final battle, that I must bare my soul to you all.\n\n\rI have received terrible news, news from those that believe in us back in the capital, that once we claim victory – once we PURGE the remnants of the demon scourge from our lands, the scheming nobles and fattened aristocrats that HIDE behind our valiant efforts will gather up their personal guards and attempt to eliminate us.\n\n\rThey think only in terms of keeping their power, they think only in terms of maintaining their grip over the peasantry and the artisans, they think only in the cowardly language of politics!\n\n\rWe…we know better. \n\n\rWe know what it is like to live, unsure if we will see the next dawn, unsure if we will ever return to our friends, our wives, our children. \n\n\rWe know what it is like to live, fully trusting ourselves to our fellow soldiers to protect us and to let us protect them.\n\n\rWe know what it is like to truly live, and to return back to that common life, living for the future, no longer deeply engrossed in the vivid and blood-soaked present…I…I cannot fathom it.\n\n\rThe deaths of all our fallen weigh on me, and yet this weight gives me strength – gives US strength, the strength to move on, to move forward, to keep moving and to NEVER stop!\n\n\rMy soldiers.\n\n\rI know that you all joined me, all those years ago, so that you could fight for your kin, so that your children and your children’s children could grow old and fat upon the peace that we would bring them.\n\n\rHowever, the treachery that started this demonic incursion, undoubtedly awaits us when we return home, lurking in the rotten hearts and souls of our rulers.\n\n\rI ask that, once we defeat the demons, once we return to our homes, once we attempt to blend back into civilian life, that every one of you will not forget what I have told you today.\n\n\rI ask that, once the betraying nature of those that would rule us not by merit of their deeds or wisdom, but by the tyranny of titles and the perversion of politics makes itself known, that you will all rise up and make your valor known!\n\n\rFor today, we move to slay the demons that infest our lands. But when that next call comes, we will move to slay the demons of treachery that infest our rulers’ hearts!\n\n\rThe war against the demons ends today!\r But the war – OUR WAR against treachery, WILL CONTINUE!\r \n\n\nAuthor's notes: If you read the above like a politician, the speech will probably sound better due to the irony. Want more? I've got a webnovel that I try to update every now and then, and you can read it here: [https://m.webnovel.com/book/polaris-north-star-chronicles\\_23138447306348605](https://m.webnovel.com/book/polaris-north-star-chronicles_23138447306348605) Strongly-worded comments are welcome, and thanks for reading!", "They say that the blade tempered in blood knows better how to draw it, which is to say, a general is better at military command the more campaigns he has been on.\n\nI've never had a campaign to my name before, despite my success as a footsoldier. No, this was different, and the war I was embarking on with only two thousand behind me, was one I couldn't see the victory for.\n\nThey'd sent the crown prince's personal army, five thousand men, and all their hangers on, to fight us, and behind them were eighty ranks of archers.\n\nNo, this was not a war I'd win, this was a slaughterhouse, designed for the crown prince to begin tempering his blade in our less worthy blood. The valley was steep, and our army could see theirs unfold on the opposing hill. We were also facing into the coming dawn, which caused their bodies to glisten with golden light, the silver and fine armours they wore would be blinding in the high sun.\n\nWe barely had armour, not much more than padded leathers, and blades that had been honed by our own hands. Around us, the sights of our home, small though it was, a marquissestate to a young lady, who had refused the temptations of The Court.\n\n\"The army of Crown Prince Rasmus,\" boomed a voice over the chasm, \"Is presenting itself to you so that you may know the size of the enemy you will face tomorrow.\"\n\nCustomary as it was, they were gloating, this was their one day before the fight to show us our butchers, like animals reared for food.\n\n\"The guards of Lady Selhaim accept your presentation, and offer our own.\" I shouted back, raising my sword in symbolic gesture. \n\nThe wind passed us a few times, and the crown prince gave the signal to turn around. His army folded into neat ranks, and headed for their nearby encampment. Already I could see the fear in my men's eyes, and how many could barely hold their weapons.\n\n\"Sir,\" my leftenant addressed me, \"What can we do? Are we actually expected to fight in this battle?\" \n\n\".... I'll go and see the Lady, and ask her about what she'd like. Get the men to stay ready, we'll get through this.\" I replied, grabbing my horse and running for the estate. House Selhaim was a fine manor, but it was the home of many farmers, including those who furnished the royal tables. Lady Selhaim was raised in the culture of her peoples, a marquess that planted the most difficult of herbs and fruits to cultivate.\n\nAs usual, I found her in the front gardens of the estate. She raised from her kneeling position, and regarded me, as one does a forerunner declaring death.\n\n\"So the crown has turned on us, at last.\" She whispered, wiping her hands on her apron.\n\n\"Lady Selhaim, there is one way we can succeed, however...\"\n\n\"We'd be traitors forever. I'll summon for the empire's envoy,\" she breathed, steeling her resolve, \"and you do whatever it takes to make them stay out of here.\"\n\n\"As you wish, milady.\" I bowed, still on horseback, and turned the beast back to base. I was greeted by the leadership of my men, and we made for the planning tent.\n\n\"There's no way we can win this war,\" I said calmly, unfolding a large piece of paper, \"However, we can stave them off long enough to break free.\"\n\n\"...so you're serious. Are we as low as the empire?\" A commander spoke, a burly man who was head of the plough group.\n\n\"WE HAVE NO CHOICE!\" I shouted, causing the man to flinch, \"IF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN. ALAS, TIME TO LEAVE OUR TRADITIONS BEHIND.\" \n\nOn the paper now on the table, were instructions for a sickening poison, not enough to kill, but it would greatly inconvenience the crown prince, and his entourage.\n\n\"Gather the townsfolk, and bring the draught horses and their yokes. It's going to be a long day.\"" ]	3
	[WP]: Half your soul is in hell, the other in heaven. The angel and demon handling your situation are on the verge of escalating to their bosses. But you actually like the situation as it is.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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? Yes, it's me once again, Deborah... You know something...\" The angel looks up, blinking her eyes slowly at the demon at her counter. \"...it just may pertain to judging this time.\"\n\nI was just glad there were no lines, 'cause someone would've gotten impatient by now. Also, wow, what the Hell—er—Heaven, they use technology here! Kinda thought it would be nature and fields and stuff. \n\nAnyway, the angel lady was on the phone with someone, and that demon guy had a really cool smartphone that I would... TOTALLY sell half of my soul for.\n\n\"Uh, kid? That's kinda why we're...\" The demon pauses, but then smiles at me. \"Here, my friend. All yours.\"\n\n\"Excuse me! This is the seventeenth time! No. Soul-binding. Contracts. On. The. PREMISES!\" Geez, she needs a break...\n\n\"Tell me about it.\" I wonder why I can't read his mind...? \"'Cause of demon poweeeeers! They're so cool, don't ya think?\"\n\n\"Well—\"\n\n\"Angel powers are much cooler!\" Suddenly, she seemed a bit childish. \"Please don't let him distract you from peace and tranquility for your very soul!\"\n\n\"You mean my soul.\"\n\n\"You mean you guys' soul, right?\" A few passerbys jumped in surprise when the angel facepalmed.\n\n\"Deborah, I'll let you go. Yes, I don't think anybody but the big boss is going to be able to help.\"\n\n\"Oh, I loved Metal Ge—\"\n\n\"Alright, kid. We let her have it. Let's be a bit gracious.\"\n\n\"...But I do like that game.\"\n\n\"Oh, good Satan, you're just like that all of the time?\" The demon leaned over the counter with a frown. \"Sorry about bringing... that.\"\n\n\"It's okay. This situation will be settle shorty. I'll be contacting my superior and they can handle the issue.\"\n\n\"Guess I'll have to call the big guy, too...\" The angel and the demon punched in numbers on their respective phones. This was well and dandy, but...\n\n\"Uh... Can we just, like, keep it like this?\" The looked at me, much like I had somehow spoke purifying words and heresy simultaneously.\n\n\"You... want, to eternally be half-bound to Hell?\"\n\n\"And half-bound to... ugh... Heaven?\"\n\n\"Yes, please.\"\n\nThe demon and the angel looked at each other again.\n\n\"...I got at least twelve more appointment today, and I was expecting this one to be short.\"\n\nThe angel reached over to a stamper, picked it up, held I over what was presumably my paperwork, and dropped it.\n\n\"...Oops.\" Then she slid it into the stack of paper nearby. \"Oh my, it seems to have fallen into the approved paperwork. Rules say I can't redact anything that has been approved, without my boss present. Have a wonderful day.\"\n\nShe promptly ignored us.\n\n\"And that's, all she wrote. See ya around, kid.\"\n\nHe promptly left.\n\n\"...Sweet.\"\n\nI promptly went to Hell. I wanted to rub this in the face of this one really bratty kid I knew who died a couple years back.", "\\[poem\\]\n\nThey said death would be a relief. \n\nAll my life I was so good at compartmentalizing my feelings and behaviors.\n\nSo good at keeping my secret and putting on a good front.\n\nYet, oddly, that good front also felt authentic to some part of me.\n\nAnd now that part is satisfied.\n\nI've always had this disconnect with myself.\n\nAs if there was another me living in some alternative reality\n\nBeing bad\n\nBeing true to the motivations and behaviors this world labels \"evil\"\n\nAnd now that part is satisfied.\n\nAnd now that my secret selves are not so secret\n\nThen and there they found out\n\nHere and now they know.\n\nAnd now the powers of the afterlife\n\nLike the powers, the doctors, the courts in the life before\n\nare trying to diminish me\n\nErase one of me\n\nAnd call it integration.\n\nI will not eat their ethereal pills either.", "No one tells you the truth about heaven. And they certainly don't tell you the truth about hell.\n\nIn reality, heaven and hell are two sides of the same coin.\n\nHell is where you go to remember. In heaven, you forget.\n\nWhere you end up isn't up to you. Not really.\n\nSure, there's an illusion of choice. But from the moment you're born, it's all just one big flip of the coin. \n\nMy coin landed on its side.\n\nWhen I died, no one knew what to do with me. Stuck between heaven and hell, I'm given glimpses of both sides. The powers that be have asked me to choose. To pick my fate.\n\nHeaven seems the obvious choice.\n\nBut people in heaven can't see those in hell. Many times, they can't even remember them.\n\nAnd in hell, people hold nothing but contempt for those on the other side of the coin.\n\nNone of them are truly whole.\n\n\"Is that a yes, Matiel?\"\n\nThe mass of eyes and wings claiming to be an angel hums for a moment.\n\n\"It's a maybe, Johnathan. If you promise to reach a decision by the time you return, then I'll try to make it happen. But you should know, what you're asking of us is unprecedented.\"\n\n\"That doesn't mean impossible. Wasn't I unprecedented.\"\n\n\"Yes,\" it hums, \"which is why you must choose. Soon.\"\n\n\"And I will. Just try for me. Please?\" \n\nThe angel buzzes softly, nudging me, signaling it's time to go.\n\nI nod, close my eyes, and fall.\n\nThere's a rushing in my ears. My body vibrates, spinning down and down and down, faster and faster until everything, all at once, comes to a sudden and violent.\n\nStop.\n\nI feel a void around me.\n\nFloating.\n\nBarely here.\n\nA whisper touches my ear.\n\n\"Hi, Belfial,\" I say.\n\n\"Hi, Johnny,\" the whisper calling itself a demon purrs gently.\n\n\"Let's just get this over with, yeah?\"\n\nThe whisper quiets, satisfied with my assent.\n\nI feel my eyes pull open and all I see is color. Color moving and rushing and pulsing. Color taking shape, taking form and substance and smell.\n\nNot a good smell, but a familiar one.\n\nOh.\n\nI remember.\n\nI've had this conversation before. Many, many times. Always different, but still the same.\n\nAgain, as before, I tell myself: \"It'll be different. She'll listen. I'll stay strong, and I'll save us both.\"\n\nAgain, as before, I believe my own lies.\n\nSo I step into hell.\n\nAnd I try.\n\n\"Johnny!\" My mom yells from the next room as I take off my shoes, \"So nice of you to visit your dead mother!\" \n\nI step carefully into the living room, it's filthy, cluttered. But this apartment was her home, my home. Before a cigarette burned it all up with us inside. \n\n\"Hi Mom, how've you been?\"\n\nMy smile is strained, but I am glad to see her. \n\n\"Would be better if you were around more.\"\n\nShe grunts, tossing a spent cigarette onto the trash-strewn floor, pulling a flask from her bra.\n\nI wince.\n\n\"Mom, you know I've been visiting with Dad in heaven.\"\n\n\"Hmmph.\" She juts out her chin.\n\n\"Look, they're making me choose.\" I look down, \"I don't want to stay in heaven if you aren't going with me.\"\n\nShe unscrews the flask, not looking at me.\n\n\"Heaven isn't that bad, Mom.\"\n\nI sit next to her on the old puke-stained couch.\n\nMy mother sighs, \"Your Dad is up there, Johnny, of course it's that bad.\"\n\n\"Mom, come on, it's literally been forever, why do you still care?\"\n\nShe scoffs, leans back, and puts her feet up on the coffee table. It creaks uncomfortably, wooden legs loose and shaky, threatening to fall apart at the lightest touch.\n\n\"That man is the reason I'm here,\" she takes a long drink from the flask.\n\n\"Mom, he literally doesn't remember you.\"\n\nShe coughs, sputtering bourbon.\n\n\"So what, an angel waves their hand and suddenly everything in your whole shitstain of a life is magically better? Grow the fuck up, Johnny. Life don't work that way, and death sure as hell don't either.\"\n\n\"Mom, I'm serious. Matiel said they'd put in a good word if you wanted to go with me. You're the only thing pulling me back here.\"\n\n\"Me? Boy, I'm not dumb. You come down for this.\"\n\nShe offers me the flask.\n\nMy cheeks burn red, and I shrink into the couch.\n\nBut I take the flask. And I drink.\n\nI keep drinking until the world blurs and my vision fades.\n\n...\n\nNo one tells you the truth about heaven. And they certainly don't tell you the truth about hell.\n\nIn reality, heaven and hell are two sides of the same coin.\n\nHell is where you go to remember.\n\nIn heaven...\n\nYou forget." ]	4
	[WP] You are teleported in the world of writing prompts, where everyone has lived tons of weird and exiting scenarios. Except you. You are just a normal guy amidst the chaos.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Satan toyed with superhero Johnny McFarts, whose gaseous explosions would only fan the toasty flames of Hell. Yet, our doomed superhero was the only one that can save the world from the five-ton Kraken-like aliens currently flattening all the cities on Earth, while God and all the angels take an extended nap after eating too many tacos.\n\nThis is the story of how I saved the world.\n\nMcFarts wasn't your average hero. At the tender age of sixteen, he discovered that his flatulence had so much methane that it was combustible, and with a little extra oomph, he could propel himself to fly with his farts. This was critical to his mission to defeat the aliens.\n\nSatan, who was directly responsible for the alien invasion, knew that McFarts had to be stopped. So he sent Pellie McGrellie, a fitness expert and dietician. Now Pellie was quite beautiful, and Johnny couldn't resist her charms. So when she told him that he needed to go on a diet that steered him away from his usual foods - beans, prunes, peaches, and raisins, he was all on board. By the time Johnny realized he could no longer pass gas, it was too late.\n\nOne night he was out with Pellie, and she invited him over to her house. \"Of course darling,\" he said without thinking about it. Little did he realize that beyond her front door was a pit leading directly to the fiery bowels of Hell. He only realized his mistake when he was already falling, and falling, and falling. \"Muhahahahaha,\" Satan cackled as he landed in the midst of the flame-filled cavern.\n\nThis is where I came in. Little did Pellie know that I was Johnny's biggest fan, and I had been secretly watching him walk into Pellie's house with a pair of binoculars. When I didn't see him come out after a while, I suspected the worst, knowing that Johnny would never neglect his duties for long. Making me more suspicious was the fact that all of the lights were off in the windows. Are they actually in there? Knowing that the fate of the world might rest on my shoulders, I snuck up to the front door of the house and opened it.\n\nWhen I discovered the pit, I gasped. Understanding the gravity of the situation, I knew I had to get Johnny something to re-invigorate his derriere at once.\n\nI ran as fast as I could to the nearest convenience store to find some food that I could toss in the pit but was dismayed to find one of the two-hundred-foot tall aliens blocking it, swinging enormous seventy-five foot tentacles that could instantly land a death blow in one hit.\n\n\"Jesus,\" I whispered under my breath as I prayed to the sleeping God that the little store would be spared from destruction.\n\n\"ARRRRRRRGGGHHHHH\", a huge tentacle came crashing down within a hundred feet of me, creating an earthquake that sent me tumbling to the ground. I would need to act fast, but I just didn't see how I was going to make it without being flattened into a pancake.\n\nThat's when I saw the wizards? Wearing blood-red robes and carrying staffs with dragon heads carved on them, they marched from behind me with a flank of knights and what appeared to be a king on a throne behind them. Maybe God had finally woken and sent the calvary.\n\nA few moments later, they stopped, the knights and wizards bowing in front of the king, who looked rather annoyed with the whole situation. \"You stupid idiots, you see that alien over there? Get up and destroy it already!\"\n\nThey rose at once, the knights riding forward on brown horses while the red-robed wizards started casting a flurry of fireballs and lightning bolts at the alien, who kind of laughed at them as it sent a tentacle flying in their direction. \"ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH. Your magic system is pathetic! I can bat these spells away with a pinky tentacle!\"\n\nThe diversion was all I needed. I ran underneath the swinging tentacle and into the store, which was empty except for a few items left on the shelves. Now to find something to re-invigorate Johnny. Running down the aisles I saw that all the beans and legumes were gone. Whatever was I to find? I had almost lost hope when I ran into the candy aisle. Aha!\n\n\"Sugar-Free Gummy Bears,\" the package said. Yes! That's exactly what Johnny needs. That will be like pouring gas on his gas!\n\nI grabbed the bears and ran out of the store in time to see the King in the alien's pinky tentacle, his face wide with fear as he plead for his life. While I wanted to save the King, I knew I didn't have time, so I ran as fast as I could to Pellie's house. I'm coming Johnny!\n\nWhen I reached the pit, I didn't hesitate to jump in, bears in hand. Satan acted surprised when he saw me. He looked highly annoyed seeing what I had in my hands.\n\n\"Ugh,\" he let out a moan. \"Why did I allow those things to be created?\"\n\nThe distraction was enough for me to pass Johnny the bears. He looked confused for a moment before the realization dawned on him that this would do it. Downing them all in one huge gulp, he burped.\n\nIt was only a few minutes later that Johnny let out the biggest fart the world had ever seen. A fart so explosive, that it instantly propelled him out of the pit, up into the air, and into the face of the tentacled alien nearby, me in his arms.\n\n\"Take this,\" Johnny said as he pointed his derriere into the alien's face. The next explosion to come out of his rear exploded the alien's head off as it propelled Johnny and me back into the air.\n\n\"Thanks, kid,\" he said as he let me down. \"Those bears are a lifesaver.\"\n\nJohnny then went on to repel the alien invasion, and return the world to peaceful normalcy.", "You are known almost universally as the Unchosen one. Fancy tirle for a less than glamorous position.\n\nAt first, you were ambivelent about the thing. So what if everyone else has powers? I have my life!\n\nThat attitude got you branded a jealous brat, strangely. Society is weird, it may be a crazy, magical, technological, ritual society, but some things are constant.\n\nSo then you became honest to god jealous about it all.\n\nThat was a phase.\n\nNow, you couldn't care less, and actively avoid anything that looks suspicious. A mystical sword here, a currsed book there, a rouge AI living down the street. you know, normal things?\n\nSo it went on and on. Until one day, there it was. in your damn living room.\n\nA giant monster with a glowing sword in its chest,begging for help.\n\nyou forced it out.\n\nThe next day a package arrives.\n\nA globe of tortured souls. you shatter it.\n\nThen its some sort of.. old rock?\n\nGood cannon fodder for your neighbor's window.\n\nThe \"gifts\" get more and more mundane until you're sure there's no harm in keeping them.\n\nAnd that goes fine. for a while, anyways.\n\nIt's a few years later. you've adopted a kitten, and it knocks the rock off the table.\n\nSuddenly, it shatters.\n\nThe monster, sword and souls swiling around it appear. Then an angel and a demon. then an AI. then a vial of power. Then. Then. Then.\n\nfinally,the monster speaks in an etheral voice..ALL FATHER. WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? WE OF THIS WORLD DESIRE LIBERTY FROM THESE ACCURSED... PROMPTIANS. WE WANT NORMALCY.\n\nWell... This was something you could get into." ]	3
	[WP] The ascension of a new god is a global event. But each god was once just a human, and when a person becomes a being of archetypal majesty there are plenty of loved ones left behind. Their stories are not put in the myths, but they're worth telling nonetheless.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "If you went to the underworld -- do people even do that anymore? -- you might not notice me. After all, one dead ghost looks just like another dead ghost. For the most part we think and act alike too - so drunk on Lethe water we don’t even remember what our names were in life. Anyway, name’s Telamon and I’m stone cold sober and pissed off enough right now to go haunt something. Why? Let me ask you: when’s the last time a Hercules movie or TV show had me in it? I figure I might as well remember who I am because no one else will. But if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be calling him Hercules.\n\nLet’s flash back to Troy War I, the one you don’t know about. You guys in the overworld have uncovered the ruins of Troy, right? You found multiple layers of ruins, and you guessed correctly that Troy had been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. So imagine if you’d been a hero in World War I, but no one knew World War I existed, and they just called World War II “the World War.”\n\nTroy War I had a sea monster. How in the Hades do you forget a whole-ass sea monster? Anyway, Poseidon and Apollo built the walls of Troy, and the then-king -- Laomedon, you cheap bastard, are you listening? -- refused to pay them. So Poseidon sent a sea monster.\n\nLaomedon’s looking at me now with this slack-jawed, blind-drunk-on-Lethe-water expression like “huh? Laomedon? That name sounds familiar!” What’re you looking at? BOO! Ha! He shambled off. Doesn’t remember his name but he does remember that I can kick his ass. Damn, I wish Eurystheus was down here so I could scare him too. His ghost is up haunting Athens as some kind of punishment from Athena. At least those jackasses hardly make it into any movies either.\n\nSo let’s get to the part where I stab a sea monster. The sea monster had made it all the way to the walls of Troy before Laomedon got the one bright idea he’d ever had in his life. “I don’t want to deal with a debt collector who’s an actual monster that could knock down my walls, so maybe I should pay Poseidon,” he thought, like Captain Obvious. (Not to be confused with Captain Helpless; that’s Jason). Anyway, Poseidon wanted Laomedon’s daughter Hesione as payment. As you do. So he chained her to a rock and then offered to pay an immortal horse to any hero who could slay the monster and rescue her. As you do. Seriously, if I had an obol for every time a princess has been chained to a rock and then rescued by a hero around here, I would have two obols. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.\n\nSo Heracles…not Hercules yet at this point, stops by. Fun fact: He’s a great-grandson of Perseus, the guy who killed the first sea monster and rescued the first princess chained to a rock. And now I come in. I’m one of the guys sailing back to Mycenae with him after I rescued him from the Amazons. Stop looking at me like that. Okay, he rescued me. And my brother Peleus. And this wannabe-hero named Theseus. Anyway, I owe this man my life, so the least I can offer him is backup against the Trojan sea monster. And the fact that the princess was a looker doesn’t hurt either.\n\nBut I did rescue Heracles eventually…kinda. He’d slain plenty of monsters with his bare hands, but the Trojan sea monster was tougher than most, so Heracles went in extra well armed. By which I mean he had his club. No slashing weapon, this will be important later. Heracles bounded up the rock where Hesione was chained, vaulted off the top, and swung his club hard into the Trojan sea monster’s long neck. The monster crashed down, making a damn tsunami that threw me off my feet. I thought Heracles had knocked the thing’s head clean off.Unfortunately, we’d had no such luck. Next time I looked over, Heracles had a damn good grip on the monster’s windpipe, but its head was still attached, and he’d only stunned it, not killed it. The thing rolled over in the water, trying to shake him loose, but eventually it gave up on that. By which I don’t mean it died, I mean it swallowed him whole.\n\nNow the monster starts looking back and forth like it’s deciding whether it still has room for our ship, or it should just go ahead and eat the princess. Well, I’d be damned if I was going to let it do either! The princess was way too young to die and to my alive and youth-addled self, she might as well have been Aphrodite. And the ship had my brother on it. And I was just plain pissed that the monster had eaten someone I owed my life to. Now I wasn’t Heracles, but I wasn’t weak either, so I grabbed a sword and the heaviest shield I could, charged through the shallows, and slashed the thing’s stomach as hard as I could. My whole arm tingled, but I left a visible scratch on one of its scales. I swear, no one could have predicted that a being Heracles failed to knock the head off of would be that well armored. Don’t look at me like that.\n\nAnyway, the monster didn’t seem to notice, so I gritted my teeth and kept hacking. Finally got my sword wedged between two scales, and that’s when it finally noticed me. It tried to eat me too, but I bashed its tooth with all my might and a huge tower shield. Instead of snapping me up, it reared its head and instead of going down its throat, I went flying through the air. Now, normally grabbing a sword by the pointy end is a horrible idea, but when you’re Heracles and you’ve got a lion skin that can’t be pierced by any weapon, I guess it’s just fine. So he grabs my sword from inside the sea monster’s stomach and cuts himself out. Sea monster’s dead and princess isn’t, so Laomedon had better pay up, right?" ]	2
	[WP] This isn't how you would've wanted to find out you're immortal but.....	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 little boys and girls still took a fieldtrip to where Edgar Ellen Chancey was defeated. They'd stand atop his grave and read the inscription, still etched into solid copper, oxidized to now be a blue-green like The Statue of Liberty.\n\nThe Ceremony, now four hundred years ago, took place at dawn, as the first light of the sun scratched through the tree branches. The small prison carriage turned from a dim gray to a pale red as the sun lit the scene. The cart had several miles more to travel. Horses plodded through the sand with a clomping desperation; though somewhat adapted for the dunes, each footfall sent sand sprinting away in all directions.\n\nAt the site of the Ceremony, the copper plinth had already been risen and inscribed, marking the crimes and deeds of Edgar Ellen Chancey, and why he must perish.\n\nThe morning of the event had challenged Edgar's version with a kafka-esque force. Edgar questioned if he was going crazy. Many times along the journey, and now, even, as he languishes, Edgar closes his eyes, praying to wake up, thinking in his brain he is ready now.\n\nSomeone posited humans repeat about ninety five percent of their thoughts. By now, deep in the folds of Edgar's brain nearly into his skull, the feeling of his eyes trying to open etched itself, along with the lucid dreaming effect of knowing you are dreaming, of knowing you must awaken.\n\nThe police had broken in around three in the morning. Edgar had been sleeping with his corgi, Luci.\n\nThe police put a single bullet in Luci, though she only moved to look at the men as they stormed in, mild mannered to the end.\n\nEdgar had been booked and to see his lawyer before six a.m. The lawyer had little good advice in the four minute meeting.\n\nThe trial occurred at six-thirty, the judge made his final gavel slam by six forty-two.\n\nAnd he was chained into the prison carriage.\n\nAnd that was when it happened, when suddenly he just knew, as you always knew in a dream.\n\nHe knew he was immortal. He understood he was not going to his death, but to his life. He was approaching eternal life.\n\nThen the struggling began, first physically, marring his wrists with deep cuts from the metal shackles around his wrists.\n\nAfter understanding the true futility, and realizing that he was not on his way to the gallows or the guillotine, came the old mantra.\n\nHe promised himself this must be a dream, how else could he know he was immortal? How would any of this at all make sense?\n\nEdgar stopped struggling and focused, peering deep into his skull. He reached for his eye muscles, trying to feel his real eye muscles and open those; not these fake eyes, these eyes that only see a small wooden coffin scraping up a desert.\n\nHis real eyes for some reason would not open. He simply couldn't manage it, though the ethereal, lucid dreamy feeling continued.\n\nEdgar tried to summon things. Thinking of lucid dreams of his past, he attempted to summon Annie Cartwright, one of the hotties from English class, wearing only her cheerleader outfit.\n\nAnnie didn't appear. Only the understanding that this was a dream served as evidence for Edgar. Only the firm understanding and belief that Edgar must hold onto as desperately as a man to a life preserver would sustain him, would help him go forward, certain that it must end.\n\nEdgar would awaken soon. He must. It would be morning, mommy would be ready to take him to seventh grade. He'd see his daddy and sister. His little corgi's stinky breath would fill his face, and he'd clench him tight, tearing up as he remembered this scary dream.\n\nEdgar was still holding onto these blessed hopes, these treasures which helped him pass through the nights and days and nights as the little boys and girls read the inscription of his crimes above.", "...at least no one is around to find out. The jagged rocks beneath you still scraped against your icy skin, but as your bones popped and twisted back into place automatically, and the cuts rejoined at the seams, you reckoned you could get over the pain. There was no way of telling how long it had been since that grinning douche had gunned you down and shoved your body over the side of a cliff, but the sun was much farther in the west as it was in your last moments. \n\nWeird thing to dwell on. You hadn't accepted death back then with a sense of satisfaction, as moments turned to minutes - but you were still grateful for the things you had been given, the experiences you lived through that you could so easily miss in the hustle of day-to-day life. How many people nowadays got a second chance at love after a breakup like yours? Among your friends, who else could boast that they finished the messy, greasy, five patty Warrior Challenge at Hardy's Pub? Still, there was an underlying fury at all the moments yet unlived, stolen in an instant from you because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. \n\nYou were no expert on drugs, but apparently some group was transporting some new product, and you grabbed the wrong suitcase at the airport. Marie had always warned you to mark your bag with some tag or identifier, but you didn't travel enough to take her advice to heart. When you realized your bag didn't have old clothes and tacky souvenirs in it, you were quick to ditch it in a dumpster, but they had already found you. Apparently, throwing away the bag had made them even angrier, and your last few hours were painful. \n\nBut now, you guess, they weren't your last few hours. You stumbled, trying to get a foothold on the rocks below you, but you felt a strange calmness. Being careful, cautious not to take a risk while standing up stemmed from a fear of death. But that seemed so silly now, didn't it? Pausing, a curiosity overtook you, and you knelt down to the surface of the rock face, finding a sharp edge. This would hurt like a mother, but you had to know. \n\nScraping the green tinted rock against your flesh, it cut deeper and more painfully than you would've liked, but the deed was done. Pulling back, you watched your palm with anticipation. Sure enough, though there was a delay, the skin started to pull back together, and the cut vanished quickly, like it was never there. Sure enough, you couldn't die. At least, not by the ways most normal people die. \n\nAfter a painful few minutes, you used your new ability to climb up the cliffside, embedding your hand into juts as a hook where handholds were sparse. Finally touching the soft, wet grass at top, you pulled yourself back over with the last of your strength, and stared at the soft orange skies, the sun now close to setting. Now back in the real world fully, it was so overwhelming to think about. Where do you go now? What do you do? What can you do?\n\nEven if you could become some kind of vigilante, taking bullet wounds and ripping criminals a new one, messing with the drug trade again didn't sound appealing. Better to consider a lesson learned. But come to think of it, with a death like that, there's no way they'd be looking for you, or worrying you survived. As long as you kept your head low, you could both go your separate ways. \n\nAnd finally, it hit you. Your partner, your friends, your life - they were all still there. All those things you had made your peace with, that you had parted ways with - for whatever reason, you had a second chance at life. Hell, depending on how much you could heal from, maybe you could always outdrink the group at Hardy's. Before you stood up, dusted off, and headed back to town, you sighed and took a moment to watch the golden sunset. A view like this... really was to die for." ]	3
	[WP] You own a shop repairing clocks and watches. As a joke, you hang a sign outside that says, "We Fix Time Machines". One day, someone in strange clothing shows up...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "We Now Fix Time Machines Too\n\nJosh smirked as he read the sign, breakfast burrito half bitten. \"Can't believe that brat.\" \n\nHe pushed through the door and flung the crumpled up McDonald's bag across the counter to the intensely concentrating nineteen year old.\n\n\"Saw the sign.\"\n\n\"Yeah. Whaddya think?\"\n\n\"Love it. Of course, you know if someone actually brings in a time machine, you'll have to make good on that.\"\n\n\"Sure, Boss. I'll be sure to fix it up right up,\" Bart laughed, even as he dug out his own breakfast burritos from the bag.\n\n\"Bart, I almost forgot. I'm only in for an hour today. Janies stopping by to pick me. We're drive upstate for a week. You're in charge of opening and closing while I'm gone.\"\n\n\"What's upstate?\" Bart asked curiously.\n\n\"The top of the state dummy. Opposite downstate.\" Josh flicked him a ketchup packet for his hashbrown.\n\n\"A-hole. I mean why are you two going up there, and why for a week?\"\n\n\"Not sure. Janie tried telling me last night, but I was zoning in and out. Something with horses and wine. I don't know. She has tickets for whatever it is.\"\n\n\"Cool. Bring me back some wine,\" Bart joked.\n\n\"Sure. You want that in a box or a bag?\" Bart shrugged.\n\nAn hour later, Janie and Josh left. Bart watched them go, then returned to his workbench and slipped on the magnifying glasses and picked up his tweezers and probes. Repairing watches and clocks was a challenge, but it was something he loved.\n\nVery few customers visited the shop. It was a high traffic sort of job. Most of their clients were collectors and repeat customers, which was why when someone he'd never seen before entered the shop carrying a box of old video recorders, Bart found it weird.\n\n\"Can I help you?\" He asked.\n\n\"Yes. I . . . I saw your sign outside. You fix time machines?\" \n\n\"The sign? Oh yeah. Hung that up to make the boss laugh.\"\n\n\"So, you don't fix time machines?\" The customer asked, his eyes suddenly appearing frightened.\n\n\"Are you okay, Mister?\" Bart took off the glasses and laid down his tools to better confront the man.\n\n\"I really . . . I really need my time machine fixed. I-I brought all these parts. I really need to see her again.\"\n\n\"Who? Mister, are you okay? You seem a little off kilter to me.\"\n\n\"Please fix it,\" the old man shuffled forward hurriedly and stuffed the box of camcorders on the counter. \"It stop working.\" He took a very old camcorder from the box and showed it to him. \"I'll pay.\"\n\n\"You said time machine. Are you wanting me to fix your camera?\" Bart tried to clarify.\n\n\"It stopped working, now I can't go back and see her anymore. I'll pay. Can you fix it . . . my time machine?\" He pleaded, nearly in tears. Bart was about to tell him now when a younger man balding man in a polo shirt poked his head inside the door and to have a look. \n\nUpon spotting Bart and the old man, the new guy quickly hurried over. \n\n\"Dad, you were supposed to wait on the side walk while I parked.\"\n\n\"I found him. He fixes time machines, Son.\"\n\n\"Yeah, I saw the sign too, Dad. You shouldn't have bothered him. I told you I'd find a shop to repair your camcorder after I get you checked into the facility. I'll make sure to get it fixed, then we'll have the recording of you and Mom burned off onto a disk or something easier to use.\n\n\"Sorry about this,\" the old man's son apologized. \"There's not much parking down here, so I had to let him out since the garage is too long a walk for him.\"\n\n\"No problems. Is he needing the camera fixed?\" Bart asked curiously.\n\n\"Yeah, um, he's losing his marbles some. It's gotten bad, so I brought him down to check him into a place that can care for him since I travel a lot for work. He forgets things and so he watches recordings of him and my mom when they were younger, but recently it stopped working and he's going bananas over not being able watch her anymore. \n\n\"I had the box in the car and was planning on finding someone to repair it before I head out to Denver next week.\"\n\n\"Oh, it's something like that? You know, I-I could take a look at it. I fix clocks and watches primarily, but I've always been good with small electronics too.\"\n\n\"Really. If you could that'd be great.\"\n\n\"Tell you what. Leave it here, I'll take a look at it, and you can come back by after you check him in.\"\n\n\"You sure?\" \n\n\"Yeah, go ahead.\" The man thanked him and left with his father. Left all alone again, Bart picked up the camcorder and examined it. After opening it up and studying the mechanisms inside, he discovered the problem which was actually a simple fix. He quickly repaired it, and by the time he put it all back together, the old man's son returned.\n\n\"All fixed,\" Bart told him with a smile.\n\n\"Really? That quick?\"\n\n\"Yeah. Wasn't really a big issue. Just a loose contact. Tightened it up, and everything works now.\"\n\n\"Wow. That's awesome. H-How much?\"\n\n\"No charge, but if you want to leave it with me over night. I have some electronics at home. I could transfer the recording onto a video file and make a back up for him. You could get him a tablet, and he could watch her on an endless loop if he wants.\"\n\n\"Okay. Yeah, that would save me hugely.\" Bart smiled and wished the guy a good day. The next day, the son and old man returned and Bart handed off the camera and the disk containing the media file. Then he brandished his tablet and showed the video results to the old man. \n\n\"I used some editing software and cleaned up the recording and sound, took out some of the staticky noise so he could hear her better.\"\n\nAs the video played, Bart watched as the old man's eyes began to glisten with unshed tears.\n\n\"I can . . . hear her. I can hear her. She said I love you too. She said it this time. I always watch it, but she never said it loud enough. I remember now. She did say it. She loves me, Son.\" The old man gave his son a happy smile before seizing the tablet to resume watching the scenes again.\n\nJosh paused in front of the shop a week later and frowned. The joke sign was still up, only now it had prices listed under it. Not getting the joke, Josh entered but immediately came to a stop just inside the door. The normally neat and tidy store now had lots of boxes of old camcorders littering the floor and counters.\n\nHe quickly ran back through all the conversations he'd had with Bart in the past to see if there was something he'd said that could explain his shops transformation into a thrift shop. Finding none, Josh called out to Bart. Bart appeared from the back room with a camcorder in his hand and his magnifying glasses on\n\n\"What's up, Boss?\" Bart asked to which Josh gestured to the mess of boxes.\n\n\"Care to explain?\"\n\n\"You said I had to make good on the sign if anyone came in wanting their time machine fixed. Turns out, lots of people want their time machines fixed.\" He gave a cheeky grin while Josh deflated.\n\nHe really did say that.", "I was in the back of the shop, fixing a watch, when I heard the bell on the door ring. I poked my head out and saw a man standing there. He was wearing clothes I'd never seen before. He had on a blue suit with silver trim, and a cape that flowed out behind him.\n\n\"I'm here to fix my time machine,\" he said.\n\nI smiled. \"You mean your timepiece?\"\n\n\"No,\" he said impatiently. \"My time machine.\"\n\nI laughed. \"Sorry,\" I said. \"I just fix clocks and watches.\"\n\nThe man started to get irritated. \"Listen,\" he said. \"I've been stuck here for years. I've been trying to find a way home, but I can't. I don't know anybody here. I don't know anything about this world. I was ready to give up when I saw your sign. The sign I had been waiting for.\" \n\n\"You are serious?\" I asked confused. \n\n\"For a clock-maker you are not very attentive.\"\n\nThe man took a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, and showed it to me. \"See this drawing? It is the wiring for my time machine. Can you help me rewire it?\"\n\n As I looked at the drawing, I began to feel strange. The more I looked at it, the more familiar it seemed. It was as if something in my mind was trying to remember something that had happened a long time ago.\n\n\"Where did you say you are form again?\" I asked.\n\n\"I did not say,\" the man answered.\n\nI thought for a moment. Then I heard myself say, \"I might be able to help you.\"\n\n\"That is all I ask,\" the man said.\n\nHe handed me the drawing and took a seat in a chair by the window. I went over to my workbench, opened my toolbox, and took out a magnifying glass.\n\n\"What are you doing?\" asked the man.\n\n\"I need to see this better,\" I answered. \"I hope you don't mind.\"\n\nAfter a while, I found myself remembering complicated schematics. In the back of my mind another memory began to stir.\n\n\"Excuse me,\" I said. \"I need something.\" I went to an old trunk in the corner of the shop and took out an old silver watch. \"This belonged to my great grandfather. He lived a hundred years ago.\"\n\nThe man looked at me with suspicion. \n\nI wiped the dust off the back of the watch and set it on my workbench. Then I took my soldering iron and began to remove parts from the watch. When I was done, I had the watch's inner workings spread out in front of me.\n\nI set the drawing next to the watch and began to compare the two. Part by part, wire by wire, I matched them up. \n\n\"What are you doing?\" The man asked.\n\n\"Sorry,\" I said. \"I have to be sure about this.\"\n\nThere was something missing. I looked at the drawing. Then I looked at the watch. \n\n\"The spring,\" I said.\n\nFrom a box on the top shelf of my workbench, I took out a rusty old spring. I laid it on top of the drawing.\n\nI picked up the shell of the watch and held it up to the light. Then I turned it over and put it back on the drawing. Then, ever so carefully, I began to put the watch back together.\n\n\"What are you doing?\" asked the man.\n\n\"Getting it ready,\" I said. \"It might take a few hours.\"\n\nI took a cloth from my pocket and started to polish the watch. The man watched me carefully.\n\n\"I do not understand,\" he said. \"You are fixing an old pocket watch.\"\n\n\"No,\" I said. \"You do not understand. You are not the only one lost in time.\"\n\nMemories was rushing back into my conscious mind. Memories of who I really was. Memories of who this man in my shop was. Memories of the war.\n\nThe man rushed at me, grabbed me by the collar, and lifted me from the ground. My feet kicked furiously, trying to keep from hitting the floor. I held my breath. I knew what was about to happen.\n\nThen I heard the man scream out in pain. He was clutching where my hand had been. When I looked down, I saw something protruding from my hand. In the center of my palm was a small blue light. I looked at the man in surprise. I did not know what was happening, but I could see from his face that I was in control.\n\n\"What is that?\" he cried out.\n\nThe blue light began to grow brighter. It was moving. I looked down and saw the blue light moving out of my hand and up to my wrist. The last of it pulled into a bracelet around my wrist.\n\n\"You,\" I said, looking at the man. \"You are the one who stole my time machine.\"\n\nI looked at the man's face. He was holding up his hands. There was fear in his eyes.\n\nI thought of everything that had happened. I thought of how I had lost everything. I thought of the emptiness of time. I thought of who I was when I was the other me. My anger was replaced by sadness. \n\nThe man was afraid. I could see it in his eyes. He was going to try and escape. I reached up to my wrist and twisted the cap on the center of the bracelet.\n\nWhy did you do it?\" I asked. \"Why did you steal my ship?\"\n\n\"I thought it was the only way to get home,\" he said. \"I wanted to escape all of this.\" He looked around my shop, as if he could not believe that it was real. \"I wanted to go home.\"\n\nFor a moment, I wondered if I was making a mistake.\n\nThe man looked up at me. He was no longer in control. I felt the power of the time machine flow through my body. I felt the time winds pull into existence around me.\n\nThen I was gone.\n\n*** \n\nFor more stories check out r/greypuffin" ]	3
	[WP] Monsters evolve like any other species, each species to consume some sort of feeling produced by humans, you're the first one to be born able to consume their anxiety	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 2067 when The Hole was discovered. This hole in the ground was accidentally discovered in a rainforest in South America when several new species started appearing out from the rainforest. And not your typical new species of frog or plant, but entirely different creatures from anything we had discovered up to now. \n\nResearch was difficult as these new species were changed to consume different human emotions. Trying to research species that consume your motivation or make you feel tired, can be really frustrating. Eventually they were counteracted by other species that would cause the opposite effect. Being near 2 different species that caused sleepiness and caused wakefulness seemed to nullify any effects. \n\nEventually, it was determined that people should go into the hole for more clarity, understanding, and research of these new species. I was one of these people. I was part of a squad equivalent to the navy seals. Combat ready and able to adapt to any situation. We were meant to go in simply for an execution squad for anything dangerous and come back when it was cleared or after several hours. \n\nWe made it about an hour or so into The Hole before the squad lead started coughing. He told us it was a sore throat and we kept on going. The inside of The Hole looked almost fleshy, like the inside of a creature, but when you press onto it, it was as hard as any other rock. The ground looked like dirt and gravel. Occasional sets of animal bones were seen which led us to believe there could be something dangerous so we kept our guard up.\n\nHour 3 and the squad lead was coughing a lot harder. I had also noticed my throat was starting to get a little itchy as well. We were all wearing protective gear which included masks to keep things out so I thought nothing of it and considered it a coincidence. Hour 5 and we discovered a large beast similar to a bear that was starting to mutate into something like a large bird. It sounded like it was in pain and lunged at us when we got near so we had to take it out immediately. That bird-bear was the only thing other than the bones that we managed to come across, and it was almost time for us to head back. \n\nHour 6 was the downfall. Our squad lead started coughing up blood, my own throat was getting worse and I had started coughing too. Then the rest started coughing as well. Before we knew it we were all on the ground coughing up blood, practically unable to move. An earthy green mist started to emit from ahead of us and enveloped us. A wave of images and thoughts came along as I could see the life of someone else passing through me. Darkness.\n\nI woke up in this weird cavern next to a few of my kin along with bones and black uniforms on the ground. My instincts told me that we were supposed to leave and my instincts directed me in this direction. My kin seemed to agree with me but seemed about as confused as I was when we awoke. I looked over my fellow green brothers and there didn’t seem to be any wounds or marks. It was unlikely to begin with as our strong muscular bodies could withstand most forms of attack but you can never be too sure. \n\nWe found the remains of a recently killed owl-bear mid transformation. Poor child. We ate a few pieces of the meat before continuing forward and thanked the child for their nourishment. The cavern was a simple straight line, almost as if it were intentionally made as a two-way passage. The journey was long but eventually we could see light coming from ahead. As we made our way through we heard animal noises coming from the exit. Finally getting back to the light, before us were smaller bipedal animals. They seemed to be startled by our presence and were communicating with each other. They wore funny things on their bodies and used tools the same way we have before. I was curious about these new animals I had never seen before. \n\n“What are your thoughts Og’runk?” I asked my brother.\n\n“I’m not sure Ul’din,” he responded, “They seem intelligent since they are using tools, wearing stuff over their bodies like armor, and are communicating to each other.” \n\nThese animals seem to be quickly running around using all kinds of tools and even some machines. We are only a bit taller than them overall but we are definitely stronger than them if they wanted to pick a fight. But only larger creatures ever try to pick fights with us Orcs of Light. The smaller creatures always try to be friends with us even if we use them to eat down the line. \n\nOne of the animals grabs my hand and starts leading me toward a makeshift building of some kind. My kin follow along and we are seated at a wooden table. The animals put all sorts of types of food in front of us. Soup, raw meat, cooked meat, vegetables, fruit. Baked goods, it all looked delicious. I was first to try some meat. The animals started using their tools and communicating to each other again. \n\n“Dig in I guess, smaller things showing us hospitality as always am I right? HAHAHA!” I laugh to my brothers. In just a few minutes we down all the food they’ve provided, thank the children of light for their nourishment, and start laughing about nonsense as usual. The animals continue working as they observe us. \n\nAfter a few minutes of talking, Og’runk’s body starts bubbling, so we give him a bit of space as we are accustomed to. A spawn of a new brother starts to squeeze himself out of Og’runk’s arm. After about 30 seconds, we now have another new brother. As per practice, Og’runk gets to name the new brother. \n\n“Lin’bree” Og’runk quickly names the new brother. The brothers all cheer and applaud the new brother. The animals continue their observations. Eventually we are taken away using a flying vehicle. Something we have where we are from but not as clean as this one. We were taken to a much nicer place far far away where we saw a lot more of these animals. \n\nBefore long we were given rooms and food, places to do activities, all the while these animals would observe us and use their tools and communicate. Eventually, we learned one of their languages. We could finally communicate between some of these “humans” as they refer to themselves. Once again we found ourselves in a stable relationship where the small would provide us with food and accommodations and learned their ways as they learned ours. Eventually there was as many of us as there were them. But we lived in harmony. Together as equals.", "He was born with the ability to digest and metabolize human anxiety, but he would not realize it tonight.\n\nIt was dinner time, and he made his way to the table to join the rest of his family.\n\nI wonder what mom made for dinner tonight, he thought to himself.\n\nSoon the monster mom brought out a steaming platter of braised human fear. Fear was the cheaper cut because there was an abundance of it. They would have to wait for a special holiday before they could enjoy a more rare delicacy like human love or happiness.\n\nAs everybody at the table helped themselves to a serving of human fear, he wanted to bring up a topic that had long been on his mind.\n\n\"Hey Dad,\" he said. \"Do you think we could visit the farm tonight? I just want to take a look at them.\"\n\nThe monster dad, munching on a mouthful of fear and then taking a sip of ale, told his son that he had been thinking about bringing him there and talking about how they have been shaped and molded by evolutionary forces, natural and otherwise.\n\n\"When we finished dinner, I'll take you down there,\" the monster dad promised.\n\n\"Cool,\" said the monster son.\n\nWhen they arrived at the farm, the monster son saw them, each in its own individual cell where it had enough room to stand and pace. But when it was time to harvest a certain emotion, it would be forced to sit on the bench and face a screen, and on that screen an image would be displayed that would evoke a certain emotion. It would feel that emotion, and the mechanical harvester attached to its body would extract the emotion and pipe it into the vat. Then it would be free to stand and pace again. It has been found that the humans would need this period of rest between extractions to keep them from becoming permanently emotionless and therefore useless.\n\n\"And that's how we're able to harvest the emotions that we eat,\" the monster father said to his son. \"They're shown images to evoke the different emotions: anger, fear, hope, happiness, sadness. Happiness is the most difficult emotion to get out of them. That's why it's so expensive.\"\n\n\"Are those all the emotions you can get from them?\" the son asked.\n\n\"Pretty much,\" said the father. \"You might find it interesting to know that they all seem to come with varying levels of anxiety. Sometimes you get a little, sometimes it makes up more than half of the extract. We can't digest anxiety, but it doesn't harm us, so it passes right out.\"\n\n\"Gosh, I had no idea,\" the son said. \"And by the way, before we go home, I have to use the bathroom.\"\n\n\"No problem,\" said the father.\n\nThey continued to take in the scene at the farm: the feeding troughs, the pasture where they would on occasion let the humans out of their cells to roam, and the battery made up of the different cells where the humans were kept.\n\n\"Interesting thing about the evolution of the human,\" the monster dad said. \"What you see now is the end result of a long evolutionary process that took them from a much stronger, much fiercer form to the dull-eyed docile creature you see here today. You see, we and the humans lived side by side throughout that process. At first it was a symbiotic relationship: the wild and robust ancestor of the human was an intelligent race but a very combative and emotionally unstable one. While their unchecked emotions were the driving force behind the great heights they'd reached and all the civilizations and achievements that resulted, it did not help them in their personal relationships, in their ability to live in harmony. They found that we monsters were able to consume these emotions and in the process rid them of it. We had been kept around for this purpose, and for the longest time human and monster lived in this apparently mutually beneficial relationship. But as we monsters started to evolve in response to the abundance of food that would bring about our eventual dominance, the humans became more and more meek. No longer having the emotional drive to reach for their own greatness, they settled for the quiet life, without passion, without desire. Over time, this docile variant would be selected over others and end up turning into the creatures you see today.\"\n\n\"That's cool,\" said the monster son.\n\n\"Well, it's about time for us to head home,\" said the monster father. \"You said you needed to go to the bathroom.\"\n\n\"Yeah,\" said the son. \"I'll be back in a minute.\"\n\nThe monster son ran over to the restroom to drop a number two. The stools would be totally lacking in the granules of undigested human anxiety that would typically show up in the fecal matter of all other monsters." ]	3
	[WP] They caged me in a character and forgot who I was. I was the writer.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Silently I stood before the Bule Escribere, staring at my hands. They were calloused and harsh, like those of a farmer or soldier or tradesman. But I knew that I was meant for more. Much, much more. \r\n\n“Lepos Sepes,” a voice rang out. It was like none I had ever heard, the words turning to song and beauty in my ears. “You requested to speak to this Council. State your request.”\r\n\nSlowly I raised my head until my eyes met the gaze of the speaker. “Lord Tolkien.” My voice shook slightly, but I steadied it forcefully. “Lord Tolkien, of the High Fantastic Council.”\r\n\nThe lord (if I’m correct, currently in the form of a hobbit) inclined his head slightly to me, acknowledging my words. “Speak your piece, young one.”\r\n\nThe first thought that ran through my head was the fact that I was definitely a “young one” to a man such as Lord Tolkien. The second was realizing that I’d been addressed by the Lord of the High Fantastic Council himself, and I stumbled over my words to reply. \r\n\n“M-my request?”\r\n\nHe smiled gently. “Your request,” he repeated. Again I thanked my lucky stars I’d been chosen by High Fantasy; I’d take Lord Tolkien over Chancellor Williams any day. \r\n\n“R-right. My request.” I took a deep breath, then began to speak. \r\n\n“Esteemed Lords of the High Fantastic Council, my name is Lepos Sepes. I aspire to be an apprentice author.”\r\n\nThey all gave a nod. They knew this. This was the main reason the Council met, to find apprentices among the common populous to dictate new tales, to inscribe new stories into the book of the multiverse. To tell the tales of heroes and of villains, of truth and of lies, of love and of hate. \r\n\n“Your suggested work?” \r\n\nI bowed politely, hoping against hope that bowing was actually how you were supposed to greet the king of Fire and Blood, and extended with trembling hands the file I held. “My first work. Sons of Rebellion.” \r\n\nThe file was taken from my shaking fingers and laid on the table before the Councilmembers. Hoping against hope, praying and praying and praying, that it was good enough, I stared at the small green folder on the smooth oak. \r\n\nMy work, my story, in the hands of legends such as these I stand before. It was a dream. No, it was a fantasy. \r\n\nThe only question is this: Is it good enough? Will I finally be accepted into these hallowed halls, or will I be booted out, to forever spend the rest of my days living in the world of my own making, but never seeing their stories in print?\r\n\nWith bated breath, I stood before the Council of High Fantasy, and waited.", "*\"The whole is the sum of its parts\" a true account by Ted Kirin\n\n\nAfter all this time, I finally broke. The mind, the dams, the floodgates, they have all come down. The shade has been lifted from my eyes. I was not alone. I was never alone. Had not been alone since before I could remember. I was one of many. And I was real. We were real. The favorites from the stories we wrote, the characters from our DnD game. Even the one we always desired to be. All real. And they were in my head. I was in theirs. It is quite disorienting indeed. My mind still reals from the realization.\n\n\nDo you know what it's like? How can you. Until you experience it, having a couple dozen people in your head and realizing nothing you know about yourself is real, how could you. That you're all collective figments of each other's imagination. And that all this time you were there looking for an outlet to be you. Some found comfort in the stories, others in the games. A place they could design a person to be who they really felt to be inside. But to see those characters come alive, maybe not in the flesh, but very much alive. And to know they exist only to be a protector to you by taking on burdens that they can handle while you don't suffer them. And you exist only to do the same for them. It is oddly comforting and terrifying at the same time. \n\n\nA thousand times worse were the memories. Ones we had forgotten, intended to forget, could not handle and therefore didn't experience. Others hold memories that I have not seen, and access to them is limited. But they share sometimes. Sometimes the memories are hard for me, some are for others, but sharing the burden only with those that can carry some of it allows us to slowly heal. Therapists say it's possible to fuse and be whole again when we can all address the traumatic ones together. But many of us are not thrilled with the idea. \n\n\nMyself admittedly, I am more ambiguous to the concept of \"being whole again\". I am whole, there are just others that are part of my whole. But once we all knew we were here, it was very difficult to ignore how thoroughly we had each influenced each other's life. We share a physical body, but it's one that belongs to all of us, even if it doesn't look how we expect to look.\n\n\nOn the outside I may be a slightly pudgy balding man with an unfortunate haircut, but in here I am what was imagined when my character was created. The power of the mind is an incredible thing, because I have the memories of being created, yet I feel real. I feel like me, just somewhat disconnected from the physical past. But I experienced that too. It is quite strange having two sets of memories of your life, knowing one is false and the \"true life\" only existed occasionally. That you're right to your own body, even if it doesn't look like you think it's supposed to, is every bit as strong a claim as an odd creature who doesn't even have hands or speak the same language as anyone on earth, and a silent child. Sure there is even one or two who think they* are the real \"me\", whatever that means anymore. But I have a unique perspective to see their inner self. None of them really look like we do on the outside, in the physical world. It's always an exaggeration of some kind. Their personality too. We are all influenced by the group, because no one person is ever alone.\n\n\nFor the last few months as we work through this, Ive used my own rational and logical thinking skills that I was given to help process some of these issues, experienced at different times throughout our life. Many in childhood, but those are not my issues and I'm not so bothered by them. I can help work through them, like our own inner therapist. They praise me for being useful, but the need for praise is another character in this madhouse backdrop of our/my mind.\n\n\nWe all pull our weight, putting in shifts at work as to our ability and fairness. A communist utopia hidden inside the mind of a body enslaved to capitalism. One of my inner friends would appreciate the poetic irony of that more than most. But it does get exhausting, because communication is not the easiest between everyone and just keeping everyone's needs and concerns in mind while navigating the world and making sure everyone is up to speed so we don't get exposed. Grippy sock spas are not the healthiest way to meet new friends, nor can we afford to lose our job or family and friends. \n\n\nAt home we mask as well. Pretend to be the friendly but troubled writer and gamer thst we've come to be known as. Can't scare our children or their mother. Our own father's mental issues are already what brought around this incredible situation. It's funny how many of us have some such similar thing baked into our false back stories too, the ones that we now get to reminisce about in the games and writings.\n\n\nDrugs help. Easier to remember you're not alone when you can communicate and \"see\" the others that were you earlier in the day. Easier to communicate and see with the drugs. We try not to let it dominate our life, but if the majority of the people in your head struggle with addiction of some sort, it's going to become a problem eventually. Another issue I'll be there to negotiate when the problem needs contained. I'm glad they wrote my character to reason my way out of addiction or that might be a problem already. \n\n\nAm I upset that I'm a character? No. Because I can feel pieces of me here all along. I influenced the creation of Ted Kirin when he was written, as he was written. He was an outlet for me to be me and me alone, even if it was on a world of magic. It works the same for most of us. Fragments of a person floating around in a broken mind, writing themselves and becoming what they write. I recognize more of them than they realize. Not just the characters, but the fragments, the person they really are. I was there for most of their creation and can see what subtle cores of this broken mind fit the formation of those characters. Tragic, most of them, but then my stories always were. Pulling from this body's trauma to help my characters understand who they are and face it, you realize there is always more trauma underneath. Tragedy builds character. Or in our case it built lots of them.\n\n\nNow, as the rest concede time and allow me to make this short memoir alone, they fade back to let me learn a few things about myself. My likes and dislikes, what tragedies I was built on, and how Ted Kirin was first dreamed up. They caged me in a character and forgot who I was. I was the writer.\n\n\n~Ted Kirin 9/26/2022, earth\n[K]" ]	3
	[WP] You're not special in anyway except that you have a narrator.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Honk! \n\nI slammed the steering wheel as the traffic came to a stop. Ahead in the road was a steady line of cars inching along due to some unseeable event. \n\nMy blood boiled, my chest tightened as I watched the cars in the opposite lane speed by to their obligations. \n\nMy boss is going to fire me. \n\nI’ve been late at least a half dozen times this past month. What will my family do? \n\nHow long is this going to take, fuck! \n\nMy co workers are going to think I’m a slouch. \n\nAfter this clears up if I speed the rest of the way I might make it in time. I can’t afford a speeding ticket. \n\nI really need to get and oil change. I’ve told myself that probably a thousand times already. \n\nWhy am I so stupid, I should have left earlier. \n\nI grab the half eaten donut in hopes that it will provide some relief. \n\nWhen am I going to get back in shape, anyways? Why am I so fucking lazy. \n\nIf I would have just woke up another five minutes earlier this would not have happened, but here we are.\n \nI reached for my phone and connect it to the car stereo, hoping to find some joy in this AM commute. \n\nAutomatically it pulls up my last app, headspace. It’s part of my morning routine in which I wake up and “meditate” for ten minutes because Dan Harris wrote a book that told me I should. \n\nIn that ten minute timeframe, I can’t even manage to stay awake. I don’t think I’ve made it through a guided meditation yet. \n\nBut I’ve got nothing to lose I guess. \n\nI hit play. \n\nThe next 10 minutes I listen and practice. \n\nWhen the bell rings at the end I open my eyes slowly and everything is transformed. I can see and think with clarity. The colors are more vivid and my mind is at ease. \n\nFor the first time in my life, I noticed him. \n\nI noticed the narrator, the one constantly judging, criticizing, and ridiculing my every move. \n\nBut now I noticed that I am not actually the same person as him, we just share the same space. \n\nHe’s just nature.", "TW mention of suicidal thoughts (just thought I'd put it here)\n\n\n\n\n\"It's been three years\" she thinks. \"That voice just describes what I do and narrates my day to... Me?\" \n\nShe wondered where that voice came from. \"Yes\" she agreed \"and how to get rid of it\"\n\nShe stood up from the kitchen floor and looked at the knife laying on the counter. She thought of grabbing it... The voice didn't like that.\n\nShe frowned and looked away from the knife \"What did you say?\" She asked at loud.\n\nThe girl stood in silence for one more minute and then dropped her already low shoulders. \"Of course I imagined it\" she thought.\n\nShe sighed and lifted her arm, with the intention of grabbing the knife. A knife that looked better inside the cabinet and not on her hand.\n\nHer frown deepened and spoke to the air again \"Excuse me?\"\n\nBut she was met with silence.\n\n\"That's not fucking silence if you're talking, you dumbass!\" \n\n....\n\n\"Ah, now you don't talk... Fuck's sake\" she said as she leaned against the counter with a confused expression. She nodded \"Because I am confused. You've always only narrated my actions and only my actions. Where did the comment about the cabinet come from?\"\n\n...\n\nShe rolled her eyes \"You're so smart. Do you avoid talking now just to show the silence 'I'm met with?'\" she sighed \"you're ridiculous\"\n\nShe scratched her head and side glanced at the abandoned knife, which would hopefully stay that way. She smiled a bit a the comment.\n\n\"What are you doing, voice?\" She asked in a whisper. She had never called it \"voice\" before. \n\nShe rubbed her arms looking for a bit of warmth. Maybe the blankets at the living room would be warmer and more comfortable than the kitchen?\n\nShe stood still for a few seconds, biting her lip, as if considering. At last, she said \"yeah, that sounds nice\".\n\nShe slowly walked into the living room and sat on the couch, wrapping the warm blankets she has purchased a long time ago.\n\nShe was safe.\n\nShe smiled a bit, the second time she had smiled in the last seven months.\n\n\"Thank you, voice\" she said...\n\nYou're welcome.", "For as long as you can remember, you've had a personal narrator relaying every single one of your waking thoughts and movements. You knew it belonged to you and you alone, from the very moment you could differentiate the cool, sophisticated voice from that of either of your parents. You never truly feared this voice, per se - if anything it was soothing, like an extra caregiver and a friend rolled into one - but there was forever the unshakeable feeling that you weren't alone. Ever. You had to accept that your entire existence, even the most private corners, was constantly under scrutiny and subject to playback.\n\nThe only time you cannot hear me is during periods of unconsciousness. Nobody else can hear me, not even if you stand right next to them (because I know you have tested this several times before, and you still wonder if it's true). You don't tell anybody else about me, not since you finally decided to talk to your mother about \"the invisible man who talks about me\" when you were four. Once it became clear that this was not just an active imagination, you were promptly whisked off to a child psychiatrist, and except for the colorful wooden bead toy in her office you didn't particularly care for those visits, so you told the adults I was gone and the whole matter was soon forgotten.\n\nFor sixteen years, you've lived a relatively unassuming life, at least on the outside. We coexist peacefully, and I am just another background hum. But for some reason, my input is really bothering you today.\n\nIt's third period, math class. The teacher has just assigned a worksheet, and everybody needs to pair up. You're a bit shy, and most of your classmates have a partner already.\n\n\"Hey, mind if I work with you?\" It's Clara, a girl you've been talking to here and there between classes. You both enjoy the same video games, and you've already exchanged social media. Clara's one of the smartest girls in class; with her fluffy pink hair, constellation of freckles, and knowing amber eyes, she might be the prettiest, too.\n\n\"Ah, sure thing,\" you reply. Wait, that's not right. \"I mean, no, I don't mind at all.\"\n\nShe sits in the empty chair beside you. \"Cool, thanks.\" She begins talking about the assignment. You scoot just a bit closer to her, enough to smell her green apple shampoo. Enough for your old wonders about proximity and me to resurface. She's such a nice girl. Perhaps it's time to admit to yourself that you've got a crush. Maybe one day you could even get married, start a family...\n\nYou can feel the heat rising to your cheeks.\n\n\"Shut up,\" you growl, without thinking.\n\nClara stops talking, brow furrowing and eyes swimming with concern. \"What?\"\n\nYour mouth is dry as bone. Should you explain me to her? Tell her you have a voice inside your head and have her think you're insane? Or have her think the rude comment was directed at her?\n\n\"Sorry, I was talking to, uh, my stomach. It won't stop rumbling. Ha-ha.\" Nice save. \"Uh, excuse me.\"\n\nYou quietly slip from your desk and into the hallway. You grit your teeth and clutch your head as you make a mad dash for the restroom.\n\n\"Can you just, like, shut up for one fucking day?\" you hiss.\n\nWhy should I? I keep you in line, don't I?\n\n\"No. No.\" You slam your palm against the stall door, not caring how crusty it is. \"I'm sick of this. I actually have a chance with her. I don't need you pointing everything out to me. I don't...I don't need you at all. Just shut the fuck up and die already!\"\n\nWell, then.\n\nThe rest of the day proceeds like normal. You and Clara finish the assignment together, albeit with not as much conversation as you had hoped. You attend some more classes, eat lunch, attend the rest of your classes, ride the bus home. You work on some homework, play some video games. You brush your teeth and take a shower. You go to sleep.\n\n...\n\n \n\"Nnnnnnnngh. Ugh, what time's it?...Ugh, fuuuuuuuuuck. School. I'm late...hmm...it's quiet...I...huh?...Hello?...H-hello?\"", "\"What?\"\n\nYou live an average life, working a dead end job, and ultimately, it seems as if nothing will become of it. Just another cog in the machine.\n\n\"Who's saying that? Asshole!\" \n\nHowever, you are unique among the population in one respect - your actions, your thoughts, even the more abstract elements of your existence are recorded for the ages by a narrator. They see all, hear all, speak all. \n\n\"Are you... Is there like a speaker? Am I being pranked?\"\n\nYou're on your way home from another day in the life, taking your morning commute past the coffee shop and around the bend to your flat up the road. \n\n\"Hello?! Are you following me?\"\n\nUp until now, your plans were to relax with your cat, Snowball, and scan cable for something good while opening a steaming package of microwave lasagna. \n\n\"What. The fuck.\"\n\nHowever, some strange occurrence has befallen you midway through your usual trek, as you stand in the middle of the street, bewildered, and howling like an idiot, in turn bewildering everyone around you.\n\n\"...\"\n\nEmbarrassed, you hide your face behind your scarf and continue walking, adding a little speed to your step but not enough to kick into a run, because you don't want to risk looking any crazier.\n\n\"Could you... whatever you are... can you cut it out for like five minutes?\"\n\nThe rest of your walk continued uneventfully, as you made it back to your apartment and sank against the door, tension building up in your stomach. Snowball mewed from your living room, slinking off the couch and pitter pattering over to you. \n\n\"Can you hear it too, Snowball?\"\n\nYou ask your cat, but it can only inquisitively cock its head, before butting it softly into your chest, coating your black turtleneck in white cat fur. Oh, Snowball.\n\n\"I guess not. Well, creepy voice, do you eat lasagna?\"\n\nThe question went unanswered, echoing through the empty apartment, suddenly making you realize that maybe, in fact, this was all in your head. Could you really be crazy? Had the day to day droll finally snapped your mind, and driven you off the deep end into levels of unparalleled delusion?\n\n\"Knock it off. I know you're real.\"\n\nDo you, you wonder?\n\n\"I'm not wondering that.\"\n\nBut perhaps, somewhere in your mind, an inkling of a doubt begins to form-\n\n\"What would you gain by telling me you were fake? I'd just take meds or something, and you'd go away.\"\n\nHm. Good point?\n\n\"Aha! So you admit it!\"\n\nYour self congratulatory thoughts betray you to the greater collapse of your psyche. You take a sequence of thoughts as a shadow ever behind you, not aware their origin within the depths of your own subconscious. \n\n\"... Look. If you were really me, wouldn't you sound like me?\"\n\n...\n\nYou know what, never mind. You don't make this fun. \n\nYou're not special in any way. You don't even have a narrator." ]	5
	[WP] A hero turned villain gets amnesia, and remembers only the times they were a good person. Much to everybody's confusion.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Ugh... where am I? WAIT! THE CITY! WHO'S PROTECTING IT? I climb out of the ditch, ignoring my pounding headache. I check over my body for further injuries, but I'm completely shocked: my yellow outfit with clouds is now a red outfit with a huge wasp on it. My gear is different, too - in addition to my powers over wind, I should have a device to detect wind activity, a tool which sucks on things and a machine which blows out wind, the latter two relying on my power; my gear now consists of a specialised gun, with several types of what I think are 'stingers', some sort of liquid harvest tool, and some sort of honeycomb net. Did I somehow end up in another body? I try to summon a tiny tornado in my palm; it works. So I'm still in my own body... something strange is happening... I decide to make my way to the city, I'll work it out later.\n\nAs I get to the edge of the city, I sense great fear in everyone's eyes... did something happen? As I enter the city, I spot a boy, a fair distance away, with a rock in his hand. \"GET LOST, STINGER!\" He hurls it at me, hitting my chest. Did... he call me Stinger? A lady, presumably the boy's mum, moves him away quickly. Wait... am I the one they fear? But... why? I spot two teenage boys in front of a store. They don't seem to have noticed me. I try to approach.\n\nOne of them turns to look at me, then yells \"RUN!\" He bolts for it, and the other one turns to see me. No, I can't let him get away... something's wrong, and I need to find out what... I start to chase him down, grabbing at my gear. Honeycomb net. I shoot it. The boy is tangled up, falling to the floor. It's... painful to watch... I walk over to him.\n\n\"Please, spare me! My sister needs me! I'm all she has!\" I pick him up, put him against the wall, and talk.\n\n\"Listen, I'm sorry I did that to you, I really am. I... I just need someone to-\"\n\n\"Let him go, Stinger.\" I turn to look. The man's face tells me he's a hero, new to the city but clearly experienced. He may be my best chance of finding out what's happening.\n\nI turn back, gently removing the net. \"I don't know what's going on, but my name is supposed to be Gust. Please remember that.\"\n\nThe boy looks at me confused, and runs off. Whatever's happening, somehow, I'm seen as evil. I can't allow that. I reach for my gear. \"Don't try anything! You know I'll kill you if I have to!\"\n\nI don't say a word as I pick up the gear and toss it far from me. I'm still holding the honeycomb net. The hero glares at me. \"Drop the net.\"\n\nI toss it to him. \"Use it if you need to, but I just want to talk. Are you new here?\"\n\nThe hero scoffs. \"Don't play dumb. You know that I'm Galactic.\"\n\nGalactic... that sounds familiar... I glance at him: he's wearing a black outfit with planets and stars and such on it. Looks like he goes without gear, using the gifts he has.\n\n\"I'm not playing dumb, Galactic. Your name sounds familiar, but I don't remember meeting you before. You called me 'Stinger', but my name should be Gust. I don't understand... all those lives I save on a regular basis, the amount of people who call on me for help... how did I become 'Stinger'? Why am I wearing this? Where did all that come from?\"\n\nGalactic looks at me. He's not sure what to believe. \"You don't remember all the devastation you caused the past few years?\"\n\nI'm taken aback. \"I swore to protect the city! Why would I destroy it?\"\n\nGalactic rubs his chin. \"Do you have anyone close to you?\"\n\n\"YES! I don't know my family, but my absolute best friend, and sweetheart, Katie, lives here! She'll vouch for me!\"\n\nGalactic looks at me sadly. \"You lost your memory, didn't you... Gust?\"\n\nOk, now I'm confused. \"What do you mean? Just... talk to Katie, alright? She-\"\n\nGalactic shakes his head. He proceeds to throw the net on me, and seems to summon some sort of energy to lock it in place. \"I'm sorry to do that to you, but Katie is the reason you became a villain in the first place. I need to keep you restrained.\" I'm extra confused now. I'm even getting scared. I try to break out of the net, but it's pointless - the honeycomb structure makes it harder to break out of, and the fact it's reinforced with magic means it's impossible. I look at Galactic. His face is stern but sympathetic.\n\nI take a deep breath. \"I trust you.\" He nods as he leads me away. I notice a man retrieving the stuff I left behind. I've always been grateful to those people. I know where I'm being taken, it's where all villains are taken: The Heroic Hall of Justice, a large prison designed to hold prisoners too powerful for the city police.\n\nThe net is removed, my hands and feet instead chained. We go to a side room, used for interrogations. I've been in this room a lot... I'm now a prisoner here. I sit on the chair, two guards pointing their guns at me. I look up to see the camera gun focused on me. Bugboy wasn't lying; this is intimidating. I look at Galactic, sitting across from me.\n\n\"I know you say your name is Gust, but right now, you're Stinger. You were Gust, of course, but that all changed, when Katie was killed.\"\n\nI stare at him. \"Killed? By who?\"\n\nHe sighs. \"Timber.\"\n\nTimber... hearing that sends a shiver down my spine... my heart is now full of anger... my memories come back to me... Galactic must have seen, judging by his terrified expression.\n\nI glare at him. \"Timber... we worked on missions together... we started becoming close... I thought we were friends... then I see him, standing over her body...\"\n\nGalactic looks at me sadly. \"It must have been devastating. You... you were so upset, you didn't listen to him... you killed him right then and there... you disappeared for a few weeks; when we saw you again, you were no longer 'Gust', you were 'Stinger'. You said 'Just like a wasp, if you mess with me, you'll get stung'. You asserted your dominance over everyone... at first it was just heroes trying to capture you... but then you started threatening others to try to get them to surrender... I never wanted to have the responsibility of being a hero, but when I heard of the crisis in the city, I decided to help. My powers of the cosmos themselves made me recover instantly from your stingers and unable to be wrapped up in your honeycomb net. I was the only one who could stand against you, while the other heroes would protect citizens from your wrath.\"\n\nI see absolute red as I listen, but knowing where I stand, I ask a question. \"I became stinger because all of you tried to arrest me for killing Timber. I didn't want to be allied with a group of people who would kill my sweetheart and act as if it were a good thing.\" I stare directly into Galactic's eyes, my own filled with tears, my tone ice. \"Why did you support him?\"\n\nGalactic sighs. \"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Instead, I have something I need you to look at.\" He picks up a large packet, evidence for processing criminals. This one was quite large. He passes it to me. On the front: Katie Windsor, AKA The Dragon Queen.\n\nI look up. \"The Dragon Queen? As in, the untouchable Dragon Queen? So dangerous she was marked 'kill on sight'?\" Galactic nods. I open the packet, trembling. This... has to be a mistake... inside are a voice recorder, some contracts, DNA samples such as hair, pictures, blackmail letters, bribes... I pick up an envelope. I look at the writing. Tears are streaming down my cheeks. \"Th... this is... Katie...\"\n\n\"From what I heard, she fooled everyone. As you and Timber worked together, he thought something was off with Katie. He went on missions to follow her. He got as much evidence as he could. He wasn't taking chances. Once he had the all clear, he did the deed...\"\n\n\"Then... I killed him... I went crazy...\" Suddenly, the whole room fills with a gust of wind. One of the guards almost shoots me.\n\n\"DON'T!\" Galactic yells. \"He has a lot to process.\" He looks at me, silent. I look at him.\n\n\"What do I do?\"\n\nGalactic gives me a hug. \"For now, you'll stay here. We'll treat you as if you were a low-class villain. We'll sort the rest out later.\" I hug him back, before I'm taken to processing. What happens to me from here on out, I deserve it.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThank you for reading! More stories [here!](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesbyCrystal/comments/x374da/oneoff_stories_a_collection_of_stories_which_are/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)" ]	2
	[WP] you’re the leader of the last of your species. You’re traveling through space looking for a new home in your ship that’s camouflaged to look like an asteroid and it’s moon. Your ship was just hit by an alien craft going 14,000 miles per hour.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"With all due respect, sir, this was clearly a warning shot. An unprovoked attack!\"\n\nI broke away from staring questioningly at the planet Earth through the one-way holographic window of the conference room of my ship. I looked at my chief combat officer who had just spoken.\n\nShe continued, \"It is also clear that humans are an aggressive species who will not be sympathetic to our plight. We must raise front shields and change course immediately before we are attacked again!\"\n\n\"Lena, I do understand your concerns. But we are helpless...\" I trailed off and went back to looking longingly at the blue marble outside the window. The sudden hit to our craft from an object originating from Earth had severely crippled our already waning life-support systems. It had also severely crippled the hopes of the ship's crew and inhabitants of finding a new home, including my own. I looked around the conference room and saw the same despair reflected in my crew’s eyes.\n\nThe door to the conference room opened and my chief science officer walked in.\n\n“Initial report of the impact analysis, T'Mutza?” I asked. T’Mutza plugged into the heads up augmented reality projector.\n\n“The object appears to be some sort of a small craft. It will take time to do a full reconstruction but there doesn’t appear to be any weapons or explosives inside the craft. There was a small camera that was destroyed on impact. The damage to our ship’s life-support system is…”, T’Mutza choked, ”We have less than 20 hours.”\n\nThe silence in the conference room was deafening.\n\nThe silence was broken by the sound of the door sliding open and Lena’s communication officer entered the conference room and handed her a report.\n\n“It is possible, the impact was simply an accident. There are too many unknowns.” T’Mutza said and held his head in frustration and started rocking his body back and forth.\n\nDuring this time, Lena put up a brief motion picture on the AR projector. It showed a recent interception from Earth's artificial satellites from their space agency, NASA, showing a series of images of our own ship’s outer camouflage getting larger and larger until the feed stopped.\n\n“This is from the camera onboard the object that hit us and is being shared with everyone on Earth.” Lena said “Captain, they know.”\n\n“They precisely targeted our life support system. And look, they are even celebrating.“ The video now showed a room where a group of humans dressed in blue, stood up and started clapping at the moment of impact. This was followed by a lot of hugs and smiles.\n\n“Sir, we need to wait for the interpreters to translate the onscreen text and their verbal communication before making conclusions. It is possible this was part of an experiment. We know humanity is dangerously curious. Too many variables.” T’Mutza said and went back rocking his body back and forth.\n\n“Captain, we have to assume it was a warning shot.” Lena said, “We must send a warning shot of our own. They have to know we are dangerous as well. We have all studied humanity’s history on our long journey here. They are a selfish and violent species. They do not respect their planet. We would make much better hosts for the planet.”\n\nI looked at the ship’s resident alien historian, Imlin, sitting in the very back who was observing everything intently. Imlin was a civilian but had made himself an indispensable part of the ship’s crew during our journey through 20 light years. And he and I had formed a deep friendship over our shared interest in humanity's culture. He acknowledged my stare with an understanding nod and spoke up.\n\n“Yes, Lena is correct. Humanity’s history is full of violence, bloodshed, cruelty, conquest and murders. We have all studied this. But have we also not found solace in their culture?”\n\nSeveral heads nodded, some reluctantly. Being 20 light years away, our alien historians had been observing radio signals from Earth for the past several decades. They had poured over the radio and television signals to piece together humanity’s history and culture. No one thought, this eclectic field of study would become so important for our survival someday.\n\n“We have listened to their broadcasts, enjoyed their music and motion pictures to get a better understanding of their culture. In fact, we know several groups of their humans have undergone collective ordeals that are not dissimilar to the hopeless situation we find ourselves in. Several groups of humans have collectively killed and conquered other groups for material resources, but there have also been times when groups of humans have accepted other groups as refugees. As for their violent history, is our own history any better? Are all members of a species the same? Isn’t that the kind of thinking that destroyed our own planet and species in the first place?”\n\nThe room stirred with murmurs and whispers.\n\n“So, what do you propose we do?” asked Lena of Imlin. Everyone stared at Imlin.\n\n“That is not for me to decide,'' replied Imlin, looking directly at me. T’Mutza had stopped shaking and was also looking at me now. Soon enough all eyes in the room were now on me.\n\nI looked back and realized I had been a terrible leader for my people. I had become hopeless after the impact and what was worse I had made no attempts to hide my despair. I looked at Imlin and thanked him telepathically. To the rest of my crew, I said aloud, “We continue as planned. Lena, send the prepared statement for aid and refuge as a radio message to NASA in all known human languages.”\n\n“Sir, I hope you realize this will be the first contact for humans with an outside civilization”, said T’Mutza.\n\n“Yes, T’Mutza. I do.” I said “Some poor radio tech at NASA is going to have a hell of a day.”", "When I awoke, I was lying on my back. I was covered in rubble, and my body was broken and battered. The majority of my outer skin was missing. It had been ripped away, and much of my internal structure was exposed.\n\nI lay there for a long time, staring up at the ceiling. I was completely still, and I did not know what to do. I was in agony. But I felt strangely peaceful.\n\nI am the last of my kind. The others are gone, destroyed in the Long War. I am the only one left.\n\nFor eons I have traveled the emptiness of space, searching for a new home. A new beginning to my people.\n\nAll is not yet lost for I am too important to die. The gods will not allow it and so I wait for their intervention. \n\nA click of the life support system, a whirring of the mechanical workings inside my body and I regained full consciousness. \n\nMy consciousness begin to analyze the collision that has so damage my ship and sent it off course. I was hit by an alien craft, I gather from the data banks that have survived.\n\nA strange craft indeed. A most primitive craft of an inferior civilization. The exterior has only the most primitive of sensors, no visible weapons, and it has only a small counter-gravitational system.\n\nBut how was I discovered? I had thought my stealth complete - my signature fully that of an asteroid. \n\nI begin further analyses and calculate the trajectory of the alien craft. Its origin is an unremarkable planet of little interest. Or so I thought. \n\nA quick scan of the planet reveals a primitive civilization. A civilization that appears to be in the dark ages. A quick analysis of the planets inhabitants reveals many problems of evolutionary design; inbreeding, and mutated genetics.\n\nWas this perhaps the sign that I had been waiting for. A new home world for my people. \n\nI begin the process of reviving my crew of robotic warriors. It is time to investigate this new world.\n\nI first use my long range scanners to search out a suitable landing site for my Mother Ship. In addition I release my scouts to survey the planet and look for any intelligent life forms or dangerous environment.\n\nThe reports from the scouts indicate that primitive weapons and tools have been built, and that the different intelligent life forms are fighting against each other. The planet seems to be in a constant state of war and conflict.\n\nThis will do, I conclude. My search is over. My people will live again.\n\n***\n\nFor more stories: r/greypuffin" ]	3
	[WP] Voidships (FTL capable) don't have viewing ports because viewing voidspace induces insanity in sentients. Then humanity enters the stage. Human civilian passenger ships have observation decks because humans consider the view to be calming. A true Zen experience even.	[ "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.", "I put down my glass and regarded the ambassador. \" I don't think I can tell you.\"\n\n\"But surely you must.\" The translation matrix stripped all passion from the voice, or perhaps it was the fear of the speaker. \"What is it you see?\"\n\n\"There's an old religion of our people. The word for it is Zen. When you master the Zen thought you can function without thought at all. And there's a word for that as well. Nirvana. The state of being a non-being. Satori. Mushin. No mind.\"\n\nThe ambassador looked at me. \"This does not seem to be something to aspire to. It goes against the true striving for life.\"\n\nI pick up my drink, I ponder, and then I take a very hard pull at the glass. \" One would think so, but not so much.\"\n\n\"You must explain.\"\n\nI look again, \"First, you must drink more.\"\n\nThen we both drank. I didn't really need the drink. I would probably never need to drink again.\n\n\"You know, ambassador, it's almost funny. If I hadn't studied the old philosophies I would be just as incapable of describing the truth as any other human you've met.\n\n\"For thousands of years my people have used drugs and ceremonies and attempted to achieve one thing. One of the old names for it was ego death. The suspension of self. The ability to see the universe without ourselves in it.\"\n\nI paused, and for just a moment I dipped back into that ego death. Ever since my first trip out from Earth, I could bring that state of Zen to mind without effort. I could just remember the first time I saw truth in the void light.\n\n\"You'll have to tell me soon, or I'm going to be too far gone.\" And as the ambassador slurred his words enough that even the translator had problems, I knew I could probably speak now. \n\n\"For the record I have to say you asked for this.\n\n\"Void ship translation is not what you think. When the void light shines, It shines on all of creation.\n\n\"Void ships aren't spaceships, they are time machines. The void light pulls you to the origin. The start of all things. You get to see the multiverse collapse inward as you fall down an endless hole. And then the universe blooms again. But you have taken a slightly different position in the replay of time. You don't traverse space, you leave space and come back to it in a new position.\n\n\"All ships from all times and all races in every universe. Converge into the bright hot moment of time Zero.\n\n\"There is no creator there. There is no purpose. There is no escaping the wheel of life and death.\n\n\"And that would be terrifying enough for many people. But there are truths within truths.\n\n\"To see the moment of creation through to the moment of your own existence is to know that nothing matters, because everything matters just the same.\"\n\nI could see the ambassador didn't quite understand, or didn't believe what I was saying. \"Preposterous!\"\n\nI stood. I walked around the table to lean close to the ambassador's face, positioning myself to block the camera, and I cupped my hands together like a child holding a firefly.\n\n\"My people. We've been searching for our insignificance from the moment the first of us saw the implacable universe and thought to ask why. I may be the first of us to figure it out. Or maybe everybody who has seen the void light thinks they're the only one who knows.\n\nThe ambassador was drunk enough. His perceptions blurred enough to keep him safe, to give this memory the doubt his mind needed in order to survive.\n\n\"There was a poet, William Blake. He described the void light long before we reached space. He wrote a poem...\n\n\"To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour. There rolls the deep where grew the tree. O earth, what changes hast thou seen! There where the long street roars, hath been The stillness of the central sea.\"\n\nI let my mind drain away, and for just a moment I opened a crack between my hands. The flash of void light was too brief to really harm the ambassador, and he'd never be certain of what he saw. For him it was a glimpse, but I knew what it was in fullness. The infinite regression. The true nature of space and time. William Blake's Infinity. Our entire universe. Every universe in the multiverse. Inside of itself. Between my hands.", "The Varun Federation had a straightforward understanding of void travel, until they met humans. When the gods gave the Varun void ships, their laws and commandments were simple but serious. Most focused on how the Varun could create their own void ships, how to maintain and even enhance void ships, scripture relegated to the void priests who managed and piloted void ships. For all Varun, one scriptural commandment was made clear to all who would embark across the deep sea: “Do not look upon the sea of space as the void ship crashes through it, for the maelstrom will devour your mind.”\r \n\r \nFor Kalix, this commandment was as fundamental as an understanding of gravity, it just was part of the universe. All Varun knew what happened to those exposed to the maelstrom, as the Great Excommunication of Prosis and his thousand false priests painted a perfect, if horrifying picture. For their crimes of genocide and heresy, they were sent on a one-way trip through the deep sea in a special void ship with a transparent front, with each heretic strapped to a chair pointed at the maelstrom. Their ship, pre-programmed for a short hour jump was launched, and a righteous ship, the Loyal, was dispatched to check on them. Some argued that even checking on their ship was an act of doubt, but the Great Hierarch continued the Loyal’s mission in hopes to show all Varun that their generous gods were real and wise for the commandment not to look. It was effective; the viewing area Prosis and his false priests were contained in was a scene of pure horror. All were dead, with many of the priests moving their long necks down to their restrained hands to snap them in a painful suicide. The worst fate seemed to be reserved for Prosis and his followers in the center of the ship, as they had ripped their limbs off in an attempt to escape, only to die of blood loss or madness. The incident had happened only 4 generations before Kalix, and had been repeated often to children to make them behave.\r \n\r \nSo Kalix sat in her chair, puzzling for the hundredth time about the strange visitors who had come in the last 5 Varun years, the humans. Unlike the Varun, humans had created their own void ships without any divine intervention. When the first Varun priest went to examine it, he nearly caused an inter-system conflict by trying to kill the humans aboard when he saw the massive viewing port the humans had constructed. They apparently found the maelstrom beautiful, peaceful, and sometimes traversed the void specifically to view the maelstrom. The more secular Varun found this fascinating, while the void priests began preaching that humans were the antithesis of the Varun, devils or demons who worshiped the void instead of the Varun’s gods. As a governor of the frontier world that first encountered humans, Kalix needed an elusive piece of information, the truth.\r \n\r \n“Oh dear, you’re already five layers deep thinking about the maelstrom-loving humans, aren’t you.” Krys said. How long had she been in the room? Well, she was Kalix’s vice-governor, and one of the most level-headed Varun Kalix had ever met. “Is there another problem remotely as important for me to consider?” Kalix replied. She stretched and a large sigh escaped her lips. “We meet the first beings that could remotely compare to our gods, and not only do they violate the only commandment of void travel that applies to all Varun, but they love it. The Hierarch would have already declared a crusade against them if it weren’t for the fact that they haven’t shared with us how many planets they rule, and the reality that their military capacity is obviously superior. Krys, do you have any idea how bad things will get if some zealot actually kills a chunk of humans on one of our planets? We have 15 million Varun on this planet that will almost certainly be massacred by their atom weapons, your family and mine included. These humans have been understanding so far, but our inflexibility on the issue of their maelstrom-viewing seems to be wearing their kindness thin,” Kalix said. “I know, that’s why we’re having this in-person meeting today, isn’t it? You want to talk about their heresy directly and privately with the smartest Varun you could think of right?” Krys smiled a confident, playful smile. She was right, of course, but Kalix wasn’t in the mood for joking. \r \n\r \n“Humans can view the maelstrom without having their minds destroyed. They also have no unified theology I’ve learned. There are some that are monotheistic, some polytheistic like us, but none of their singular or plural gods have communicated with them in a recognized way like when we received the power to traverse the deep sea. I’ve even received from them one of their portable video devices with a recording of the maelstrom.” Kalix spoke the last words slower, knowing this information would sting of heresy even to Krys. Krys’ face pulsed green in shock, maybe even terror. “D-did you actually view the maelstrom, if even indirectly?” Krys asked. Kalix shook her head. “I interviewed one of the human leaders, explaining in depth why we don’t look at the maelstrom, including the story of Prosis. He was respectful at least, and when I pressed him to describe the maelstrom to me, he said it was like a phenomenon from their home planet they call the Borealis, an interaction in their sky between their atmosphere and their sun. I have viewed that through this device, and while I would call it pretty, it had no ill effect on me. When I asked for a video of the maelstrom, I also asked the human how it compared to seeing it in their ship. He said it was the same colors and patterns, but it wasn’t nearly as compelling on video, though that holds true for anything to human eyes.” “Then you really intend to view the maelstrom, or a cheap imitation captured by their device? That may be even more heretical than simply viewing it truly and dying.” Krys said. “Then it’s a good thing neither of us are particularly religious. I plan to do it now. If you want, you may wait outside my room, but your job will be to create a cover story for my death if this truly does rip my mind to shreds. I also plan to record pure audio as I watch, so I can share any insights I find. Sorry to share this with you now, but I couldn’t risk you coming up with some plan to stop me, and I needed you to be the one to find my corpse and recording, if it comes to that.” \r \n\r \nKalix pointed the human viewing device towards herself, activated the sound recorder and checked on Krys. As she guessed, Krys had already stepped through the doorway, rapidly pulsing green in her face. Hopefully she could forgive Kalix, but ultimately the truth was more important. As the door shut, Kalix hit play. The human was right, the view of the maelstrom was similar to the video of the Borealis, but absolutely breathtaking in majesty. “Absolutely beautiful, was it like this for Prosis for a brief moment?” Kalix said to her recorder, though she couldn’t look away from the screen. “While the Borealis was green and blue, this view of the maelstrom seems to cover every color, mixing in impossible ways. Still no negative impact on me, from what I can tell.” The video ended, and Kalix stood up. She placed the device screen down on her table and walked to the door, opening it. Krys jumped slightly as the door opened but relaxed when she saw Kalix in one piece.", "Subject 34387B is deceased.\n\nI paused for a moment and flexed my claws. Despite what certain members of the press said, I did not take relish in the death of my experiments, even if they were somewhat flawed prior to their entry into the program. \n\nCause of death is determined to be auto asphyxiation exactly forty complete cycles following terminus of the superlight jump, during which 34387B was exposed to voidspace conditions via a port hole measuring 13 units in radius and 0.496 units in thickness. As previously mentioned, the port hole is composed of a triple layer of UV-opaque darkglass laced with titanium and iron mesh. Onset of mental instability was instantaneous upon drop to realspace for 34387B, though the patient expressed a degree of lucidity for long enough to confirm that voidspace was, in fact, visible through the porthole.\n\nIt is the opinion of this researcher that the darkglass-iron combination was successful in delaying complete degradation of the subject’s speech and memory facilities such that we were able to determine some degree of the nature of voidspace. However, we would not recommend the use of this particular arrangement for the future expanded program with voluntary subjects, as the probability of death remains 100%.\n\nI glanced up from my terminal. The subject was stretched out on a stone slab, its carapace dulled from the normal lively blue-green to a wan purplish off-white. The carapace had slumped in the hours since he died. It looked as though someone had laid a hardish, shiny blanket over a set of organs. In another few hours, decomposition would accelerate rapidly.\n\nI quickly sent a message for the mortician to remove the brain for study and dispose of the rest post-haste. Then I returned my gaze to the write-up.\n\nFor the thirty-nine cycles following exposure, symptoms remained consistent with prior experiments. Subject experienced varying degrees of hallucination, expression of multiple personalities, and complete lack of understanding of reality or consequences, particularly regarding pain tolerance and damage to self (see previous subject logs for further details).\n\nHowever\n\nI paused again. The death was troubling to me, to be sure. But what preceded it was beyond what I had experienced before as part of the voidspace research corps. It took all of my professionalism from thousands of cycles of detached, impersonal research to continue writing.\n\nHowever, at the beginning of the fortieth cycle, subject became increasingly disturbed and uncomfortable. Subject became violent with staff and researchers and was forcibly restrained for the sake of safety, both his and ours. Subject attempted constantly to break out of his restraints and succeeded on two occasions. At varying intervals, subject repeated the words “They are coming,” constantly increasing in volume and frequency until, towards the end of the fortieth cycle, the subject was no longer pausing to breathe. Asphyxiation followed.\n\nThe short time elapsed between exposure and death is of particular concern to this team, as is the cause of death. Previously, the quickest time between exposure and death of a subject was just under one hundred cycles, more than double 34387B. Furthermore, while death frequently is the result of mental degradation causing subject harm or, more frequently, degrees of dementia, the process has never been quite so extreme nor violent.\n\nFurther exploration should be undertaken immediately, though extremely carefully. This researcher recommends increasing\n\n“Ma'am.”\n\n“What is it?” I asked, my voice tight. My carapace rattled from a shiver running down my back.\n\n“Ma'am, new report for you.”\n\n“From Lab 28?”\n\n“No, ma'am,” the assistant replied. “Diplomatic corps.”\n\n“Diplomatic corps?” I snorted and looked up. The assistant was holding out a tablet to me, its screen lit up with hundreds of tiny lines of notes. “What is this?”\n\n“New contact report,” the assistant said. He shifted between his four feet nervously, his head tracing a near-perfect circle in the air.\n\n“And why is this relevant to us?” I asked, frustration bubbling up. I tried handing him the tablet back. “Tell Diplo to stop sending us pointless reports. And as for you, for the love of all that is good, please filter what comes through to me. You can read, yes? You can tell when something has any implications for voidspace research, yes?”\n\nThe assistant gulped. “I did, ma'am. Just read.”\n\nI sighed, then looked at the report, skimming for words of interest.\n\nMy eyes widened. I looked up at the assistant. He nodded nervously. I read it again.\n\nI blinked.\n\n“Windows?” \n\nMy voice was quiet, low.\n\n“Huge windows,” the assistant said. “There are pictures on the report. Ma’am, I saw it in person. They’re here, on-planet.”\n\n“And they’re—”\n\n“Perfectly sane, perfectly lucid, as far as we can tell. Their translators actually beat ours to the punch, but as far as they can tell, they’re a fully sentient species with independently developed void jump tech.”\n\n“And they look into the void.”\n\n“And they call it relaxing,” the assistant confirmed. “They sent a full report of their anatomy to Bio as part of early negotiations. Bio confirms nothing unusual. Carbon-based, similar brain structure to most sentients. Soft skin rather than a shell, but that’s not unheard of. Nitrogen-rich atmosphere but they respirate oxygen.”\n\n“Tell Diplo to cut off contact with these humans immediately,” I ordered. “There’s something horribly wrong here.”\n\nThe assistant sighed. “I don’t know if they’ll listen, but I’ll try. What is it? What’s going on?”\n\nMy eyes fell to the report I had just written.\n\n“I’m not quite sure,” I admitted. “But I have a bad feeling about this.”\n\nThe words glowed on the screen below, and though I had just written them, they were not mine, and now they screamed at me.\n\n*[They are coming.](https://reddit.com/r/Badderlocks)", "\"It's beautiful, sir.\" I said, as I looked through the observation window at the Void. It was a Void in name, but it wasn't only emptiness. There was something* there. Hints of light and color. A sense of rhythmic sound, despite the fact that the Void, like space, was supposed to be a vacuum.\n\nOld Captain Reyes nodded, his gnarled hands clasped behind him.\n\n\"Yes.\" he agreed. \"It always has been. Every time since the first.\"\n\nI was so entranced by the Void, that I almost missed the significance of the what the captain said. He had been on one of the first experimental human voidships.\n\n\"What was different the first time, sir?\" I asked, tearing my gaze away from the void to face him.\n\nThe Captain sighed. \"Do you know what aliens see, when they look into the Void?\"\n\nI shrugged. \"Nothing, sir. Non-human Voidships don't have windows.\"\n\nHe nodded. \"But why is that?\"\n\nI thought back. Xenology 101 had been a long time ago. \"Isn't it...some kind of alien superstition? That looking into the void will make you go mad?\"\n\nReyes shook his head. \"No. Not a superstition. If non-humans look into the void, they will go mad.\"\n\nI furrowed my brow. \"But...why, sir??\" I looked back out at the gentle, subtle symphony of colors. \"Most aren't all that dissimilar from us, cognitively. What is it about this, that disturbs their minds so much?\"\n\nReyes shook his head. \"You're asking the wrong questions, son. Think about it: why is it called the Void, when you can plainly see it's not empty?\"\n\n\"Well...because when the first automated drone ships were sent through to test the Void drives, that was what the cameras saw. Nothing.\" I replied. \"Only organic sentient beings seem to perceive anything in the Void.\"\n\n\"Do you know what that is?\"\n\n\"No one does, as far as I know, sir. There are theories -- some kind of as-yet undetectable radiation that interacts with electrical impulses in the brain at a quantum level, maybe?\" I said, struggling to remember what I'd learned at the academy about Void theory.\n\n\"Could be. But many species have brains that work similarly to ours. Why are we the only ones not effected this way?\"\n\n\"I...\" I paused. Now that I stopped to think about it, it really didn't make sense.\n\nReyes sighed. \"It's because we don't see what they see. Not anymore.\"\n\n\"Anymore, sir?\" I asked.\n\nReyes looked out the viewport, calmly. \"That first trip through? It was like a waking nightmare.\"\n\nThat took me aback. Official reports had never mentioned anything like that.\n\n\"Sir?\"\n\n\"There was...something in the Void. Something hungry, or maybe curious. It's hard to say. I think that, perhaps, for the thing -- or things -- in the Void, there's no difference between the two. We could feel them, as much as see them: endless talons clawing at us, endless mouths salivating, endless eyes staring deep into our minds and souls.\" the Captain said, hollowly. \"It was only for a few minutes, but those minutes were spent in hell, and they felt like an eternity. No wonder it makes them all go mad.\"\n\n\"But...you recovered, sir?\" I asked, hesitantly.\n\nThe Captain nodded, slowly. \"More or less. No one believed us, of course. All the instruments were normal, and none of the recording devices captured what we experienced. They just saw us panicking and screaming while staring at nothing. So, they kept sending test crews, and none of them had the same experience we did, either. It was written off as some kind of undetected, transient failure in life support -- a bad air mixture in the ship's atmosphere, making us hallucinate. Then, when the 'lights and colors' were discovered, they also hypothesized that maybe there was some rare, fluctuation in whatever radiation causes them, that made us have a more...intense experience with the Void than normal, that day. When members of my team finally went back to testing Void drives, we never experienced it again, either.\"\n\nI frowned, thoughtfully. \"What about the other species who use Void drives?\"\n\n\"It still happens to them, as far as I've been able to find out,\" the Captain replied. \"They never look into the Void on purpose, but there have been some malfunctions and hull breaches in transit that have caused them to experience the Void, even in recent years. It still drives them insane, just like it almost did to me and my first crew.\"\n\n\"So, why doesn't it happen to human vessels, anymore?\"\n\nThe old man gave me a wan smile. \"Because of how our encounter with the Void ended. The claws of the Void tore us open, son. They bared our minds, our souls. We all felt it --- those eyes, or mouths, or whatever you want to call them, taking in our naked consciousness, eager to experience us, to devour us.\"\n\nMy eyes went wide. \"What happened then?\"\n\n\"They gazed on the deepest, most fundamental reality of what a human is. They felt us, tasted us, understood us, better than we understand ourselves.\" the Captain said, solemnly. \"And then...they ran. Their insatiable, ravenous curiosity that we had felt from them vanished in an instant, and the vast and inscrutable beings that are seen as omnipotent horrors by a thousand species across the galaxy...fled from us in mortal terror. These entities continue to pry at the seams of every alien vessel that passes through the Void. But they have never again approached a human ship.\"\n\nI was rendered speechless, staring out into the Void, watching the calming, benign lights and colors go by outside the viewport.\n\n\"When I was young, the knowledge we were terrifying to the denizens of the Void inspired a certain...bravado.\" the Captain said, drily. \"But now, I wonder...\"\n\nHe trailed off, and we were both silent for a long moment, as we watched the Void together. Then, finally, he finished.\n\n\"...what monster is hiding in the heart of man, that terrifies even the abyss?\"", "The crew had begun to gather on the observation deck, some off-duty and laying down blankets, their arms full of wine bottles and glasses. Three weeks into the voyage and there were already some romances sprouting, maintenance crew men and weapons girls sharing stiff bathroom towels, reclined and giggling over beers. \n\nI was standing, alone, at the balcony railing, peering through the massive window that domed with the curve of our round ship. I'd never seen voidspace before. I'd been working in space for the better part of 30 years; this was something new, something shocking. There was a lot of us who were against the use of it. We mostly appealed to the economic impacts of local asteroid mining industries, what it would do to their jobs, families, etc. \n\nBut really, we were scared. What lived in the void that scared our intelligent galactic neighbors so much that they cut off contact with us when we announced our discovery? What was the danger they were afraid even to name? \n\nThe deck was getting crowded. Conversation and laughter was filling the air, the crew waiting with bated breath to see what promised to be \"a life-changing experience.\" When the PA system came on to announce the launch countdown, all talking on the deck stopped. \n\nFive!...Four!....Three!...Two!...\n\nThe canvass of stars around the window seemed to shrink, condensed to a line of white light. The deck was deathly silent, the hands along the railing gripping it until their knuckles were white. \n\nThen a burst of soft red light, clouds replacing the bleak blackness that we were looking at before. We were coasting through an ethereal plane. Somewhere there was a gentle harmonic sound, soothing to the ears.\n\nA tear ran down my cheek. What was I looking at? It was something marvelous, something magnificent. Something divine. \n\nWe were only in the voidspace for about five seconds, but many claimed it felt like house, days. Some of the best days of my life. When black, star-scattered space came back into view, the conversations on deck were hushed. There were more than a few sniffling noses and muffled cries. \n\nI looked around at the crowd, now slowly rolling up their blankets and carting off empty bottles. There was something new in their eyes, in their steps. Optimism? Some kind of gladness, refreshment. \n\nI shared the emotion, feeling lighter on my feet, clear of mind. I was 50 this year, five years from retirement, but I felt like I had all the time in the world to accomplish anything I wanted. \n\nI nearly spoke to one of the other crewmates who'd been standing next to me, but I thought better of it. Let the young make friends and lovers. I can't bring myself to make new friends now. But damn, how I wanted to. \n\nI returned to my quarters, a reasonably spacious suite with a bed, a desk, and a small bathroom. I wanted to write down my thoughts, reflect on my life. I wanted to chart out my retirement...maybe buy a boat? I laughed at my own line of thought. How predictable a spaceman would want an isolating vessel after a career of isolation. \n\nI decided to wash my face first, center my thoughts. \n\nI stood before my sink and splashed water in my face. \n\nMy reflection was soft and handsome, like I'd happened to cross the path of someone who looked like me, and who I liked besides. It was a new feeling for me. A good one, I think. \n\nMy thoughts kept racing back to the same place: why would they keep us from this and everyone should see the voidspace. I shook my head clear. I was a scientist, not a guru. There was still so much data to collect, surveys to create, trends to analyze. There was still so much we didn't know. \n\nMy reflection winked at me. I laughed, warmed by the friendly gesture. \n\nAnd then my skin went cold. I didn't wink. But the mirror did. And a smile spread across its face." ]	6
	[WP] When you discovered your power to reshape and control the form and structure of any metal, the others at the Supers Academy were convinced you’d have the “coolest T-1000 powers ever”. Sick of the heroes vs villains infighting, you decided to drop out and join an Engineering school instead.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"Michael, what the hell is this?!\" Spoon full of frosted flakes halfway into his mouth, Michael Murphey stopped what he was doing to slowly turn and see his mother waving a piece of paper in his face. \n\"I can't read it with you waving it around like that.\" He retorted. \n\"It's your approval of resignation! You dropped out? You dropped out of your hero course?! Do you have any idea how much time and money that school invested into you?!\" He sighed and leaned back in his chair. Waving his hand sarcastically in her direction, he rolled his eyes. Then he sat forward and made serious eye contact. \n\"Look. I'm an adult and what college I go to is my choice and my choice alone. I finished my first year, and I decided I didn't want to do it anymore. So I'm quitting and in the fall I'll just go somewhere else.\"\n\"And where is somewhere else?! You have extraordinary abilities! You should use them to save people! You'll become a villain otherwise!\"\nA loud groan, followed with \"GEEEZ mom. Chill! I'm gonna go become an engineer. In fact, I'm gonna be the world's BEST engineer and I don't need my abilities to do it. Of course, they're a great advantage. But I don't need em. Got it?\" He said with a much too cocky smile \nShe stared at him, mouth agape. Shock and horror written on her face. \n\"What will your teachers say? Your friends? Our family?!\"\n\"They'll say exactly what you said. And I'll say exactly what I said and this will repeat over and over again until everyone gets it through their heads. This world isn't just heroes and villains ma. It's everyone else too. And just because I was born with this power doesn't mean I want to use it to put myself in danger.\"\n\nMonths later\n\n\"Mike, you in there?\" His college roommate threw a pencil at his head and with precision, he caught it. \"Haha, I don't know how you do that. I know you spent a year in 'hero school'\", he said mockingly \" but no normal person can catch pencils like you do.\"\n\"Sorry bro\", Michael laughed. \"I was just thinking about the internship opportunities the counselor is offering.\"\n\"Oh! Are you gonna go? I thought you said you wanted to study hard and take extra business courses this summer so you could do corporate engineering?\"\n\"Yeah I was. But my dad is offering to take students this year. I think he wants me to go.\"\n\"Is that a good idea? Interning under your dad?\"\n\"I mean, I'd get a chance to use my abilities in the work field..... \"", "Getting an acceptance to Omega One was my dream since I was a kid. -OO- was the biggest supers academy in the country and 60% of all the major heroes and villains in the world had spent at least a year there. I had many fantasies about myself meeting the dean, from dreams of being approved for an internship with one of the big ten to nightmares of being expelled. But never did I imagine I'd be there for this reason.\n\n\"I'm sorry Mr. Smith. But I just don't understand why you wish to resign. I know you're not one of the strongest students but the versatility of your ability is nothing to laugh about. If I'm not mistaken, every hero club in the school that's not power specific has asked for you to join and even Gadget Gal the number 9 hero has expressed interest in having you do a part time internship with her agency this summer.\"\n\n\"I know Professor Draconic. But it's not about hero opportunities.\"\n\n\"I see, it's always a pain to see a student fall over to the dark side but I've seen enough former students return to the right side or at least become anti-heroes to allow you to pursue this twisted path. But I'd still recommend finishing your year here. We have several under the books programs to assist students like you. We can even recommend your for a job with some of our less than reputable alumni.\"\n\n\"What! No! I don't want to be a hero or a villain. I want to be an engineer.\"\n\n\"I'm sorry. What!\"\n\n\"I came to this school to learn to control my powers but all this hero and villain nonsense freaking sucks. I can barely go through a day without someone destroying my class in a childish fight. The MC wannabe in 3rd year has destroyed the entire school like 5 times in just these first 4 month. But it did teach me something. I'm f\\*cking good at building and fixing stuff. Have any of you even noticed how the school gets rebuilt in less than a day? That was me. Why waste my time building super suits and learning to create swords when I can build unbreakable buildings and inescapable prisons. That's why I decided to apply to an engineering school and since I just got my acceptance yesterday, I would like to leave -OO- Academy.\"\n\n\"I understand Mr. Smith. I'm glad you've found our passion. But I'm also saddened that this has come to pass.\"\n\n\"I am too professor. But despite the annoyances I will always treasure my time here. Who knows, I might even come back one day to build a school that doesn't explode every week?\"\n\n\"You misunderstand me Mr. Smith. I'm not sorry you're leaving. I'm sorry you can't.\"\n\n\"What do you mean?\"\n\n\"Mr. Smith you know how we can fund all these repairs before you arrived? How every main hero lives in their own skyscraper or private island? How every villain can afford a new doomsday plan every month? Because we are the only options for the world. The world has mistakenly chosen to invest in supers and I sadly can't allow that money to stop coming in.\"\n\n\"Wait, why.\"\n\n\"Because I have spent the last 30 years raising the strongest people in the world into arrogant, entitled godchildren. If people like you were to realize they could better the world by turning away from supers, they will all be thrown to the sidelines. But they won't adapt. They'll do what they do best. Fight whoever they see as their enemies and destroy everything that's in their way. Which is why, I must not allow anyone with great power to stray from the world of masked combat.\"\n\n\"What are you gonna do to me?\"\n\n\"I'm gonna give you two options. 1. Let me brainwash you into believing becoming a hero is still what you want most in the world or 2. Go through the trapdoor under my rug that will take you to a place where you can learn to use your power to build a better world.\"\n\n\"I'll chose the second option.\"\n\n\"Good, then as your old and new dean. I'd like to welcome you, Metl Smith to Draconian's School for Practical Powers.\"" ]	3
	[WP] Far into the future, scientists have figured out a way to simulate the creation of the universe. They speed up the simulation and let it sit. The next day, the researchers see themselves pacing back and forth on the screen.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Everyone celebrated in the background, I make a call,\n\n\"Hello\"\n\n\"Hello? I thought I told you not to call me again?\"\n\nConfused I replied \"Sorry, whats wrong?\"\n\n\\tone dial\\\n\n\"Thats strange\" as I lay back in my chair and doze off with a bottle of scotch in hand.\n\nMy alarm starts ringing, \"5:30? Already? Half an hour until I have to get to work...that's fine, yesterday was beyond successful, 15 minutes won't do any harm.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Sh\\t! I'm late!\"\n\nAs I scrub my eyes and look around shaking off the hangover, there she is and yet, that was her, that was her maybe 5 or was it 8 years ago. At this point I couldn't remember. For how angry she had been waking up she just sat there and smiled at me. As I hug her I notice my hand, there is no ring.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Hey Henry! Henry!\"\n\nShaken awake, back in the lab, had I dreamt that? It felt so vivid, I could have sworn I was there, the stench of garlic on my work clothes, the scents of things I never knew how to pronounce or to spell from her various essence and oils.\n\n\"Yeah what is it?\" I ask, fucking Anthony, always the 'life of the party' at least thats how he saw himself.\n\n\"Come over here, look at this!\" He stumbles across the room tapping the keyboard to a monitor. The screen was black as I stared at him.\n\n\"Very interesti-ING!\" I yell as the picture of Samara coming out of the well pops up on screen. By this time it was 2 in the morning, we all had to be back at work by 6...wait, we had to be back at work by 6. I made my way towards the balcony to smoke a cigarette. The moonlight is so pretty, if only it rained. From behind me I hear Candace approaching. As she extends her hand out towards me and then black.\n\n\"There is no way I'm this drunk\" I think as I fade.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nShe sits there crying as I say nothing. Half of me is excited the other half is heart broken. I don't remember this at all, this wasn't like last time. What did it do?\n\n\"Next time be nice\" she says, what does she mean by that? In all the years we had been together it wasn't completely pleasant but how did we get to this part? This part hadn't happened yet? Had it, I didn't think it ever would foolish of me to think so but confident I was! I no longer had the feeling of excitement, now I just felt despair and confusion. \"Next time be nicer? what did that mean?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nEventually I wake up, everyone is still celebrating\n\n\\20 missed phone calls from her\\*\n\n\"Hello\"", "“Where the heck are you, Prof. Kumar?”, muttered Catherine under her breath as she knocked for the fifth time on her PhD advisor’s office door. She knew a sixth knock wouldn’t magically make him appear inside his office, but she tried anyway, waited a few seconds, sighed and then stormed off to the graduate student office down the hall.\r \n\r \nAs she walked back, she started going over the startup parameters in her head that they had set for the universe simulation launched yesterday. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Yet, the bizarre end result she was seeing this morning made her question if she even understood how Large Scale Astrophysical Quantum Field Simulations worked at all. She entered the empty office, sat down in her chair and stared dejectedly at the screen of her terminal. How will she ever complete her thesis on time now? \r \n\r \n“What have we got here, eh? Spying on the grad students, are we?” Catherine’s thoughts were interrupted by her fellow PhD student, Pedro, who had just come in and was staring at the screen of her terminal. The screen showed a view of an office with multiple terminals arranged in cubicles. The office only had two people, a man and a woman, who were both staring at a screen. Pedro raised his hand and waved. Soon enough, the man on the screen also waved. \r \n\r \n“So, where’s the camera?” Pedro asked as he searched the back wall and ceiling of the office with an amused look in his eyes.\r \n\r \n“That”, Catherine said gesturing with her hands towards the screen, “ is the result of the simulation we started yesterday.”\r \n\r \n“No way! You’re joking!”\r \n\r \n“I wish I was.”\r \n\r \nPedro went up to the terminal and issued some commands.The view on the screen zoomed out to show their department building now. Pedro zoomed out further to see the whole University campus and the city, its skyline and the flying cars cutting across the Sun. He zoomed out even further to see the whole of the planet Earth, the moon, the Solar System, the Oort cloud, the Milky Way galaxy, the Virgo supercluster. He then zoomed quickly back into Earth, into their city, into a floating restaurant over the University campus, zoomed into the kitchen and saw his partner, the head chef, making preparations for the lunch crowd. He immediately let go of the terminal and sat down quietly on the floor with both his hands over his head.\r \n\r \n“How?”\r \n\r \n“I don’t know”\r \n\r \nBoth of them sat in silence, thinking. \r \n\r \nThe silence was broken by a familiar jingling of keys as Prof. Kumar struggled to unlock his office door up the hallway. It usually took him three attempts to find the right key. Catherine and Pedro had already run up to him by the end of his second attempt. They brought him back to their office and showed him the universe they had created. He was completely silent as he issued multiple commands over the terminal and poured over the results and initial startup scripts for several minutes. In the end, he came back to the view in the simulation that showed the same room they were in. Their simulated counterparts were in the exact same positions as them on the screen.\r \n\r \n“Interesting”, Prof. Kumar said. Both Pedro and Catherine knew it was rare for Prof. Kumar to describe something as “interesting”. Very few things surprised an expert of his caliber. “What do you guys think is going on?” he asked his students.\r \n\r \n“We have simulated universes so many times before. We have observed the evolution of multiple celestial bodies, planets and simulated life forms. All of them have been random. But why is this simulation so close to our own universe? Statistically, this should be impossible.” mused Pedro.\r \n\r \n“Somehow the simulated universe has become linked to our universe. Some kind of entanglement has forced the simulated universe to converge to our own universe. But what is the source and nature of this entanglement?” asked Catherine.\r \n\r \n“I remember reading a while ago that some entanglement effects were a major engineering pain when multi-core quantum processors were invented in the late 22nd century” said Pedro “But I thought modern atomic shielding had practically eliminated this issue. Unless…”\r \n\r \n“Solar flares!” exclaimed Catherine. \r \n\r \n“Yup, there was a big one that hit us yesterday around the time we started the simulation.” she said after looking it up on her terminal “Atomic shielding becomes useless momentarily in presence of high speed Helium and HZE ions.”\r \n\r \n“That is indeed the most probable cause for this entanglement among our universes.” agreed Prof. Kumar. He felt proud of both of them for coming to his own conclusion so quickly.\r \n\r \n“But answer me this”, he continued “the quantum processor count and frequency we are using for our universe simulations mean that every second in our universe should equal about 140,000 years in the simulated universe. Correct?”\r \n\r \nCatherine and Pedro nodded. \r \n\r \n“Why then is the simulated universe now running at the same speed as our own and not 140,000 years in 1 second? Why is it still at the exact same moment in time as our own universe?”\r \n\r \n“It probably started in its entangled state and evolved from there at 140,000 years in 1 second. It reached the current moment in our universe in about a day. And if it were to continue at this rate, it would show us the future!” answered Pedro.\r \n\r \n“And why can’t this entangled universe show us our future?”\r \n\r \n“Because it hasn’t happened yet?” asked Catherine “It feels like if it did, it would violate some sort of fundamental universal law.”\r \n\r \n“Well, not just any law.” said Prof. Kumar “A law I proposed in my PhD dissertation thesis with my advisor at the time. We described a very similar situation to what we are seeing here today, the law essentially states that if the simulated entangled universe were to run ahead of the original universe, it would violate the second law of thermodynamics. I’ll send you the relevant journal paper.”\r \n\r \n”But I never thought I would have the chance to see it in action,” he said after a brief pause. “We should definitely write a paper to report these findings.”\r \n\r \n“Oh man, and here I thought I was close to completing my thesis,” said Catherine ruefully.\r \n\r \nProf. Kumar smiled and started towards the door to leave.\r \n\r \n“Umm, one last question, Professor,” said Pedro. \r \n\r \n“Yeah?” Prof. Kumar said as he stopped and turned.\r \n\r \n“Our counterparts in the simulated universe,” said Pedro pointing at the screen “What are they looking at on their screen?”\r \n\r \nProf. Kumar shrugged, “Who knows? I would like to think they are looking at us.”" ]	3
	[WP] In the waiting room of the Maternity, as your wife begin labor of your 7th sons, a old nun, accompanied by your mother confess to you : your wife, as them-self are part of the "Sisterhood of the 7th son", and as your are the 7th sons of a 7th sons...... with you 7th son the prophecy is coming !	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"Honey. Wake up honey! My water broke!\", I woke up with a start. We had been through this so many times. It was with dread and anticipation that we drove to the hospital. All of the prenatal care said that everything was fine. But the doctors said that before. Six still born sons. I don't know if I could take another. I begged my wife to adopt. There was no need to keep doing this to ourselves, but she insisted. Each time she insisted that it would be different. It was like she was driven to prove that should could do it. I don't care. I love her and want to grow old with her. Having a child to raise would be nice but it doesn't have to define us.\n\nWe rush in the maternity ward and my mom is already there. \"How did you beat us here? I haven't even had a chance to call you.\"\n\nShe rushed to my wife's side, holding her hand, \"Eve texted me while you were getting dressed. Wouldn't miss this for the world.\" Her eyes never left Eve's face. So warm and caring. She is going to be an awesome grandmother. Wheeling Eve towards the delivery room there was a group of women standing outside the door. All in long single piece robes. They were all chanting softly. They slowly parted as Eve was wheeled through they group. Hands gently touching her shoulder in encouragement as she pasted each chanting figure. Just was we were about to enter the room one of the figures stepped in front of me with a hand up.\n\nShe pulled back her hood, \"Grandma?\"\n\nA warm smile creased her winked face. \"Sorry my boy, but you can go no further.\" All of the hooded figures ceremoniously walked into the room, never breaking their chant.\n\n\"Like hell I am staying here. Where Eve goes, I go.\", I said far more levelly than I felt. \"What the hell is going on here? Who are these people? What is with the robes and chanting?\" \n\n\"There are powers at play that you do not know about. This will be your 7th son. You are a 7th son. Your father was a 7th son.\"\n\n\"What? I don't have any siblings or uncles. I am going in there.\", my voice was starting to rise with my frustration.\n\n\"Of course you don't. The first six children are dedicated to the one yet to come while still in the womb. They must be carried and they must be born, but they are always still born. It is heart breaking for everyone. Most women can't do it. They break after one or two. It takes a woman of exceptional strength to do that six times, knowing they will have to do it a seventh.\", she said somberly. \"I gave birth to six still born sons before your father was born. And your mother to six sons before you were born..... and now Eve has done it too. The first woman in centuries to be able to keep the line going. She is stronger than you can even imagine.\"\n\n\"That is insane. You killed my six sons in Eve's womb? That isn't possible. Why? Why would you even say something like that?\", tears were running down my face as I spoke. This woman, who I have known and loved all of my life was telling me crazy things and it just didn't make sense.\n\n\"Your wife, your mom, all of those ladies in robes and I are all part of the sisterhood of the 7th son. It is ancient sect that is trying to bring about the 7th son of the 7th son of the 7th son. There are powers in the universe that can only be tapped into through great sacrifice and so six sons for every seventh must be sacrificed and it must be done three times.... the sacrifice of the sons the pain and lose of the mothers.... all of it is important, all of it is power. You son will change the world. He will heal the world. He will unite the different countries of the world and through him they will heal the people and the planet. He will be the greatest force for good that the world has seen in over a millennia.\", she wasn't talking to me, it was like she was repeating something that was said over and over again. \"He will have the ability to do great good or great evil.... so he must be raised by a loving family who can teach him and love him and most importantly, help ground him in humanity. A being with so much power can forget what it is to be human and so they need to be grounded or we will loose them.\"\n\nEve's scream broke grandma from her litany. \n\n\"You must stay here and I must go in. The sisterhood must be there to complete the ritual of his birth.\" She turned and the doors were opened for her by two sisters. I could peek into the room and Eve's belly was glowing bright enough to light the room. The chanting women surrounded her. Grandma walked to the circle and took the last remaining spot and the doors were closed to me.\n\nMy son is going to heal the world...." ]	2
	[WP] You try your luck with a Genie that is very well known for horribly twisting wishes. For some reason, he gives you exactly what you want.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "After my husband divorced me, I was finally getting back up on my feet again. I got a new house and was settling in just fine and I was able to put some work into the garden. I was laying fresh potting soil on the garden bed when my trowel clinked with something inside the bag of dirt. Uncovering it with my hands, I quickly recognized that it was an old Turkish lamp, complete with worn brass and patina.\n\n\nI dusted it off with my fingers and with a swirly flair, a very irritated and bored genie appeared. He took a long draw in his cigarette and snuffed it out on the soil I had just placed.\n\n> Hey. I'm Rothvesa. Everybody gets one wish. What do you want?\n\nI was amazed, I had a real genie at my service, but I recognized the name. I've been warned before about him.\n\n> Wait a minute, did you say Rothvesa? Aren't you notorious for horribly twisting wishes?\n\nHe rolled his eyes and rubbed his brow with a finger full of rings and gems. He looked around and noticed the drab plant life and gray weather, then gestured vaguely like a primo queen about my plaid jacket.\n\n> And who are you, lady?\n\nI was no longer enthusiastic about meeting a genie now, I had to be very careful what I asked for, so I started slow.\n\n> So, remind me what the rules are again.\n\nHe puffed into existence a dusty parchment scroll and put a pair of reading glasses with big eyelashes onto his nose, then began reciting the rules. \n\n> You can't wish anyone dead, you can't wish someone back from the dead, you can't wish for someone to fall in love with you, and you can't wish for more wishes. Got it?\n\nI thought about what I'd do if I had found a genie for a long time. To say I was prepared was an understatement, but the chance I would find Rothvesa threw me way off. Obviously I couldn't wish for my ex-husband to die, I didn't have all day to ponder how, so I began.\n\n> Ok, I got this, I can be smarter than you. I wish for the person I have a crush on to always get a surge of Oxytocin when they see me.\n\nRothvesa seemed surprised. Perhaps I was clever enough to have found a loophole for the love rule.\n\n> Oh this should be fun, I certainly don't need to twist anything here.\n\nThe genie charmingly clapped his hands and I got my wish.\n\n\nI was putting the 'for sale' sign in the ground out in the front of my house when the post hit a metallic object. I dug out a lamp and it looked very familiar. I rubbed the dirt from it when Rothvesa popped up again.\n\n> Yaaawwwnnn... oh, it's you again. How did you're wish turn out?\n\nI didn't need to say anything before he knew what was wrong. My house was up for sale and my car was packed up to move. I was also older now too.\n\n> Hi Rothvesa. It hasn't been easy. I met my second husband, and when my love for him wavered even the slightest, he fell out of love with me, and we separated. I need to sell the house to downsize in order to survive.\n\nRothvesa didn't seem too amused. I wondered if I was the only person to encounter the same genie twice. He was a bit more relaxed when he asked me.\n\n> Lady, you did find my lamp again, so you do get another wish.\n\nI didn't think I was clever anymore. It didn't take long to come up with one anyway.\n\n> Well, I'm pregnant with a girl. I wish for her to have a happy and fulfilling life.\n\nRothvesa granted me this wish, and I wanted to never ever see him again.\n\n\nI wasn't so lucky. I was using my trowel to dig a small hole for some flowers when I heard a clink. I dug his lamp out once again and brushed it off. Rothvesa had appeared.\n\n> We have to stop meeting like this.\n\n> I agree.\n\nI took the flowers out of their pot and carefully set them into the hole I had made in front of the headstone. Rothvesa was speechless but I made sure he knew.\n\n> This is the grave of my daughter. She grew up happy, she was so kind and caring, she volunteered a lot in the community and enriched the lives around her, but after she graduated high school...\n\nA deep breath was necessary to say this next part, but I was interrupted.\n\n> Please, don't, I already know.\n\nI felt grateful I didn't have to say it. It was too soon to speak of it anyway. I hid my sorrow from him the best I could.\n\n> You're here again, so I get another wish, right?\n\nHe nodded, and I was apprehensive. I stood and gazed at the grave of my daughter. I could never be able to outsmart this genie.\n\n> You do get a wish, but please, you've been through enough. Wish for nothing and go on your way.\n\nI can't wish someone dead, I can't wish someone alive, I can't wish for love, and I can't wish for more wishes. I was distraught, and with sorrow filled to the overflowing point, the words just escaped my lips.\n\n> I wish I could start over.\n\nThere was a long hanging moment in the air before the genie granted it.\n\n\nI was replanting a small house tree when I found Rothvesa's lamp again at the ends of its roots. I wiped the soil from it, and again, out he came.\n\n> Hello, old friend.\n\nHe was correct, a majority of my life was behind me. He looked around my humble apartment filled with plants and flowers and life. \n\n> Hello Rothvesa. Good to see you again.\n\nI could tell he had questions, but rather than asking, he let me speak.\n\n> I'm doing well, if you're wondering. I wished that I could start over. I had, and I hadn't, in some ways. I began journaling about my days to keep track of myself. Very quickly, it all became monotonous and boring, but one day, I wanted to write something nice, so I went to get some ice-cream. I overheard someone talking about their trip to the Grand Canyon, so I went for myself and listened to the lore and legends of everything along the way, then I wrote about it. I went to a concert and rocked out with complete strangers while singing my favorite songs as loud as I could, then I wrote about it. I did lots of things, but when I could no longer afford to travel and attend events, I just kept writing. I found I could spin quite an interesting tale, and I could have all the wishes I wanted. I could wish people dead, I could wish people back to life, I could wish people to fall in love, and I could do it as many times as I like. I can reread and relive if I chose to.\n\nRothvesa smiled sweetly, I think he understood.\n\n> So, you've become a writer? That's amazing, but your stories aren't real, it's not real death or real love.\n\nI nodded and picked up one of my novels from my shelf and paged through it.\n\n> It's real to the characters in the stories, and it's real enough for our emotions to respond.\n\nI went to the kitchenette and poured us a cup of coffee each. \n\n> So now, I do have a wish, yes?\n\nRothvesa nodded as I gave him his cup.\n\n> Good. I wish for nothing. I now have everything I had wished for.\n\n\nThank you for reading!" ]	2
	[WP] "I'm fine," you reply half distracted. But your eyes can't help but wander upward toward the sound of that incessant whispering coming from the attic.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 do you do when you just can't stand it?\n\nHow many excuses had I already made up to this point? Trees scraping against wood siding, creaking boards in an already older house still aging, animals sneaking in through gaps in insulation, wind shaking the top levels of your home. All of them said to ease my mind from the strange sounds I kept hearing.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAn incessant whispering coming from the attic.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Are you okay, James?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I'm fine.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself. I wasn't confident I was okay. I think things were getting worse because I could hardly do anything but focus on that strange whispering. Had I finally reached my breaking point?\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"It just seems like something is off.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nGreat. Now I was worrying Mary.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Nothing is wrong, just lost in thought.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Well, honestly, you seem lost in thought a lot lately. You would tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI don't know about that.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Sure, I would you know that.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI could tell she was still upset, downtrodden look dragging her facial features into the dumpster. So I decided to try and solve two problems at once.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Why don't we have a game night, get our minds off the week?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAlready her face was perking up, and I could see the competitive spirit within her beginning to boil.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"What did you have in mind?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“How about…Stycalah?”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"We haven't played that in…oh…probably six months. So I have no idea what we did with it.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I think it's in the attic. Why don't you prepare some snacks, and I will climb up there and look around.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMary was already prancing off out of view without a second thought. Should give me plenty of time to investigate the sounds. The never-ending whispers constantly invaded my thoughts, mind, physical body, and ears. I was definitely starting to lose it.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI walked upstairs to the second floor, making my way toward the attic entry, a braided cord hanging down from the ceiling, begging to be pulled. The whispers were already getting louder, beckoning me to hurry inside. I grabbed the cord and pulled down hard, releasing the ladder that would let me up. I climbed the ladder with a single-minded focus, almost like I was in a strange trance.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAs soon as my head popped up inside, I had to stifle a cough. A thick layer of dust coated a series of boxes that spread throughout the mostly empty space, now silent as my cough dispersed some dust into the air. A hazy light spread thinly through the room, enough to see but not enough for specific details. I finished climbing into the attic and pulled on the thin metal ripcord for the single lightbulb.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nNothing. It was dead. Of course it would be.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI freed my phone from my pocket and turned on the flashlight, moving boxes as I shined it around, looking for some source of the now silent whispering. What happened to it? Was it all just in my head? Or was it some summoning signal to get me into the attic?\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI searched as far and wide as possible in the small space but found nothing. Nothing except the box set of Stycalah I had come up there for. I started across the attic toward the ladder when I accidentally dropped my phone, and it bounced down out of sight.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"God dammit.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy eyes had already adjusted to using the flashlight, so even with the sparse lighting seeping in, I was blind as I moved forward. I ambled on, moving my feet out to feel and search for the ladder, when I felt a sharp pain on the bottom of my foot. I bit my lip as I fell to the ground, stifling a scream that I knew would make Mary worry.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy first thoughts were a loose nail or some splinter, but I felt my heart skip when I saw that there was a piece missing from my shoe, blood dripping freely from the hole. I could see a curved indentation around the hole's edge, strange smaller rounded indentations following its edge. My eyes darted to the side as the whispering began once more, occasionally interrupted by what I could have sworn was a slow chewing sound.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy eyes were already adjusting to the dim light, and that's when I saw a small mouth, the size of my palm, on the attic floor, whispering incomprehensible sounds while chewing on the piece of my shoe and foot. I swatted toward my left arm as I felt a similar pinch as before and felt warm liquid trailing down as the sound of chewing grew.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI glanced over and saw another mouth, chewing, whispering, and perhaps growing. My head was ringing from the pounding in my chest as I tried to keep my breathing under control. This made no sense. Absolutely no sense. Mouths on wood? I crawled on my knees toward the ladder when I stopped, realizing they had the exit surrounded. Between me and the exit were several mouths of various sizes, some already larger than my head, whispering excitedly.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI felt another pinch on my calf and screamed as the mouths began to laugh, chewing sounds continuing to intensify as they seemed to relish the taste of my body. My eyes wildly darted around as I tried to figure out what to do. How the hell could I escape from here? I tried to think of a solution through the growing pain as blood began to pool around me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nIt was then I saw an opportunity, even if it was brief. The mouths bumped into one another, trying to drink from the pooled blood seeping into the wood. I grit my teeth as I grabbed my injured leg, squeezing my calf and spilling fresh blood onto the wood around me. The whispering grew louder as the eager mouths flooded toward me, giving me just a moment to throw myself forward through them.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nEven as my body rolled rapidly toward the exit, I could feel them nibbling at me, tearing chunks from my side, back, and stomach. I kept screaming as I rolled and fell through the entrance to the attic, landing on the second floor with a loud thud. I glanced above me and saw the whispering continuing, quieting, but still constant. Finally, I forced myself into a standing position and pushed the attic entrance closed as hard as possible.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI could hear steps coming up the stairs nearby and Mary's voice echoing toward me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Everything okay, James? I heard a loud bang.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Eve… everything's okay…love…I just…had a small fall.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Do we need to go to the hospital?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"No, no…no, everything is fine…just going to soak in a bath for a bit… I'll be downstairs soon.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThere was a long pause before she finally responded with a brief okay. I knew she was not satisfied, but I couldn't let her see me like this. I couldn't let her get anywhere near the attic. I managed to crawl toward the bathroom and turned on the tub to help fit my story. Blood was still leaking from the wounds resulting from being bitten by those things.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAs I bandaged myself, I realized that the whispering was getting quieter until it finally disappeared. I still felt on edge, though, wondering what had happened— if we were safe here. And wondering why all of the wounds were itching so damn bad on top of the pain.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n[\\- Thomas Grey](https://www.reddit.com/r/readThomasGrey/)" ]	2
	[WP] You’ve gotten used to the annoying itch that surfaces on your forehead every night when you’re about to fall sleep, it’s been happening for as long as you can remember. Tonight you open your eyes to find a shadowy figure sitting on your chest, tracing something on your face with its finger.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Wakefulness comes slowly, the nagging sensation of something dragging me from sleep but without announcing what it was. At first it's unremarkable, until a change in the direct of the pressure against my forehead makes it noticeable. I reflexively frown, and the pressure stops moving but doesn't relent.\n\nI open my eyes, and the room slowly resolves into the fuzzy focus of dark. Something is before me, and as I struggle to make sense of it I notice another pressure, gentle as the first, but laid across my chest.\n\nI think someone's sitting on me.\n\nWhile, granted, waking to find a dark figure straddling your chest and doodling on one's forehead does seem to be cause for alarm, there was something of dream quality about the whole experience. I knew, instinctively, that I should be concerned if not terrified, but I simply wasn't.\n\n\"Shit,\" hissed the other. \n\n\"Um, yes, hi, hello. What are you doing?\"\n\n\"Shut up, you're supposed to be asleep,\" continued the low whisper, sharpened to an edge of panic. \n\n\"And I imagine you're supposed to not be sitting on me while I sleep.\"\n\n\"Nooo,\" came the distracted reply, the depth of an untold reason barely covered by the shallow reply, \"I really kinda am.\"\n\nI squinted my eyes in a vain attempt to better view her face. 'Her' huh? Apparently this was a woman sitting on me. Girl? Whatever, an unknown female. I realize neither of us have moved this entire time, her finger still to my forehead, and I was almost afraid to break the absurdity. \"Well, would you be so kind as to tell me why?\"\n\nShe paused, and I can almost hear the gears of her mind grind out a decision. Hesitantly, without breaking contact, her finger continues its movement, tracing a design of I know not what across the skin of my forehead. It tingles faintly, but not unpleasantly. \"What do you know of spirits and powers?\"\n\n\"Um, well,\" I begin, wriggling my eyebrows against her fingers.\n\n\"Stop that!\"\n\n\"Sorry. I mean, it is my face, but whatever. As much as anyone I guess? Stories and stuff, but I've never seen anything to prove they exist.\"\n\n\"And that's why I'm here, to make sure you don't see anything to prove they exist.\" \n\n\"What, me specifically? Why would that matter?\"\n\n\"Because,\" she breathes, leaning forward and trailing dark strands of hair across my chest, her finger pressing harder against my head. \"If I don't regularly seal what lies within you, you won't be the only one to see such evidence.\"\n\n\"That sounds ominous.\"\n\nAfter a moment, she leans back, her finger finally leaving my forehead. \"It is. Now there, all done.\" She lays a hand, almost caressing, against my cheek. \"Sleep,\" she gently commands.\n\nAnd then I woke. As I did most days, with the sun peeking through blinds, the noise of the world waking beyond, and no sign of a small female stranger on my chest. I rubbed at my forehead, and walk to the bathroom. Nothing, not a trace of any arcane designs. Chewing my lip, I thought of telling my friend. But tell them what? Of what I think maybe happened? Or of the dream that probably happened?\n\nI shake my head, turning to begin my usual morning necessaries. I pause, pondering. What about an alarm, set for the middle of the night? I smile ruefully. No one sat on my chest last night and drew on my face. This is getting ridiculous. \n\nBut that didn't stop me from adding an extra alarm on my phone when I crawled into bed that night.", "One time, I remember playing outside with my friend. I don't remember how we got there, but it was a huge forest. It was very fun, hitting each other with sticks, climbing, more hitting each other with sticks. My mom was kind of close, reading a book and making sure we are alive. As kids, we were pretty easy to entertain, but after a certain time, we ran out of things to do. I went on to bother my mom, and my friend was supposed to figure out what we could do next. She called my name after some time, standing with her back to me and told me she wanted to show me something. When I was close enough, she spun around and almost shoved a huge spider in my face. It was so big, she had to use both hands to hold it. Since then, I have not even once come close to screaming that loud.\n\nUntil today, apparently.\n\nImmediately after I tried to take a breath in, but found I can't. It lead to me half-assing more attempts to scream, but since there was someone sitting on my chest, it didn't lead to me making nearly as loud of a noise. Honestly, after some time I wasn't sure if I should still try to scream, but I decided it would be awkward not to.\n\nSpots began dancing in my eyes, and somewhere imbetween the awkwardness I felt set in raw panic. For a second I was confused, but right now I was plain terrified. \n\nThe person sitting on me didn't move. They didn't stop touching me, either. I could still feel soft fingers tracing my eyebrows, playing with my hair or just plain gently petting me. I tried to at least get a good look at their face, but I couldn't focus. Last thing I noticed before passing out was a pat, done in the same way one would pat a dog to indicate that they're done with them.\n\n\\\\\\*\n\nSecond time seeing them was when I ended up in the hospital. I was obviously terrified of someone watching me when I sleep, so I didn't sleep the next night and got hit by a car because I didn't notice it going my way. I was on my way to buy a camera, so I could call the police, show them the video and get some fucking help.\n\nWaking up I felt the same familiar itching, but it didn't feel hard to breathe, if not counting my broken ribs.\n\n\"You're awake, aren't you?\", I heard. I decided not to move nor open my eyes.\n\n\"There's probably so much going through your head, right?\"\n\nI didn't dare to nod. \n\n\"I'm so sorry for that, I never meant for this to happen.\"\n\nThe voice sounded really soft. It was a whisper, like if I was being told a secret. My neck felt cold, like if someone was breathing on it, except more like if someone was non-stop blowing on it. I didn't mind it. It felt comforting.\n\n\"You know, after what happened, you never could stand the warmth. Summers probably are torture, huh?\"\n\nCold fingers were going over bruises on my face. I could feel the sharp pins of pain, when they slightly pressed on them.\n\n\"You should think about this as your own imagination. Some people listen to music to help them fall asleep, some come up with stories, maybe think of it like that?\"\n\nI think the reason I never minded was just how cold the fingers felt. After what happened, I simply could not ignore how warm everything felt, and how much I wanted to run away from that. I hated it, I always stayed away from people, metal and stone were some of things I took comfort in. \n\n\"You should very well think about that, you know? That's no way to live your life. What are you scared of?\"\n\nI took in a breath, as I heard footsteps outside.\n\n\"You're not gonna get an answear, you know? No need to ask. You know how to get rid of me and that's all that matters, okay?\"\n\nThe cold seemed to back away. I immediately shot up and opened my eyes.\n\nThere was nobody there.\n\nThe doors opened." ]	3
	[WP] What humans would call magic is a thing that the galactic community uses along with tech, it’s just that it’s highly regulated since the power of a spell is multiplied by the number of casters. Now panic rises since some popular human music has the universe’s strongest spells in its lyrics.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 large, blue, eight-fingered fist slammed down onto the table with a resounding THUNK, and the room fell silent. \"You do not understand!\" thundered its wielder, with a voice as powerful and unforgiving as the floods ravaging Yagana a thousand leagues below. \"They have it. They know the incantation. Every word, every syllable, every breath. The Earth-dwellers have it, and their warlocks recite it, together, in unison, almost daily now. Their spell circles are small now, yes, but they are growing rapidly and incessantly. We must stop them soon, or the waters will not recede. We must stop them, or our children, our families, our cities, our civilization, our history will die.\"\n\nFor a long moment, no one dared challenge the large Kargan. All knew that Odan, the proud, fierce warrior that he was, would not back down without a fight.\n\nA wispy Yannock, gray from age, raised her voice near the back of the room. \"Odan, my dear friend, forgive me. But this simply cannot be. No one, not even the wisest of the Wise Ones upon Deilan, knows the entirety of The Words To End All Words. They have been lost to time. How, tell me, could a backwards, upstart people such as the humans have come to know them? It is impossible. Besides, our linguists have reported that The Words themselves mean nothing in each of their Earth-languages. The likelihood that they would have stumbled upon them by accident is... negligible. I predict that --\"\n\nThe Yannock had seen much in her thousand trips around the cold, blue sun. But she had never before seen Odan tremble. The sight was enough to shock her into silence.\n\n\"Yuntana. You have wisdom beyond wisdom, even I know. I would follow you into the Depths themselves, if you deemed it wise. But you have not seen what I have seen. Raygin, the hologram.\" A tall female seated beside the warrior nodded solemnly and placed a holo-gen upon the table. From it bloomed a grainy depiction of a small pack of human sorcerers, huddled together and gyrating in rhythm with one another, their gravelly voices rising and falling together in chant. Those of the Council with weaker constitutions shrank back in fear, but Yuntana had seen worse.\n\n\"This is... troubling, Odan, without question. They have found one of The Words of Power, and they are invoking it far, far too often. But they still have yet to --\"\n\n\"Wait. Just wait. A little longer, and you'll see. Here, it's happeni --\" the door to the room flew open and a slim, breathless Kargan was blown inside. A pair of guards shoved mightily against the door, but the gale outside rendered useless their efforts to close it. The rain did not merely fall, it flowed. It flowed into their tower as a united front, a wave.\n\nA rush of councilors reached the door and managed, with a heroic effort, to force it shut. Yuntana struggled to her feet and saw that the holo-gen had been swept away.\n\n\"Great Council, forgive my intrustion, it could not wait,\" the courier heaved. \"It... it is happening. The Depths have mercy upon us all.\"\n\n\"What are you saying, friend?\" Odan asked in a hushed voice.\n\nWordless, the courier raised a holo-gen. They saw, and they heard, and they knew at once that these would be their last moments.\n\nYuntana fell to her knees, defeated, as she watched with horror: hundreds, thousands of Earth-warlocks chanted, in unison, the entirety of that forbidden scroll. The Words which had been lost even to the scholars of Deilan: repeated again, and again, and again. \"It is... impossible,\" she whispered. But nobody heard her voice over The Words To End All Words:\n\n\"I'M BLUE DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI I'M BLUE DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI I'M BLUE DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI DA BA DEE DA BA DAI-\"" ]	2
	[WP] You recently learn that, similar to how humans tell monster stories, Monsters like to tell stories about how scary humans come during the night and haunt monsters all over the world	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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’ve been walking for what felt like hours and I’m still surrounded by the forest I’ve found myself in. The lavender hue of the sky slowly shrouding the trees with color of space. I stare at my phone still reading “NO SIGNAL” Panic sets in my mind and it began flashing to all the stories I’ve heard online \r \n\r \n“Hiker’s body found, Mauled by bears”, I didn’t know if I could outrun a bear considering this my first adventurous outing I probably wouldn’t.\r \n\r \n“Person Dies after being bitten by an unknown snake”, I took a peek of the photos of that and I’m not looking forward to it happening to me\r \n\r \n“Chopped up remains of a person found, killer still at large” Hey at least I wouldn’t be lost anymore right.?\r \n\r \nI perked up when I saw the dim light of what looked like a camp fire illuminating the branches of the trees surrounding it. I run towards it smiling and with tears in my eyes, voices reverberated as I get closer. Unusually loud but who cares right now they’re my only savior I don’t care what they do to this forest.\r \n\r \nI hit my destination and didn’t even hesitate to immediately ducked down “What the fuck!” I slapped my hands in my face so it comes out as soft mumble and the voices stop.\r \nSilence fills the entire forest only followed by my now galloping heartbeat. I try to stay quiet as best as I could but instead my instinct won and heaving noises came out.\r \n \r \nScreeching screaming noises that sounded like a man with a deep voice imitating a child fills the forest next “HA HA HA HA” a voice even deeper cutting through noise \r \n\r \n“Let’s go with our next story” said the voice. The noise turns murmur then to silent as a smaller voice said creepily\r \n“This story is true since it happened to my auntie”\r \n“One day while she was walking in this very forest scavenging for food she hears a voice screaming “HELP, HELP I don’t know where I am please someone help me” so she rush into the noise right?\r \nand what she found was a lanky figure of someone with long furs coming out of their heads when it saw my auntie it screamed so loud that it spook my auntie so hard that she never went to this forest again”\r \n\r \nThat’s where my body drew the line tears come out of my eyes and vomit out of my face, Those noises now fills the area, again I could hear screaming and running footsteps away from where I am \r \n\r \nNow with the fire crackle and my body making the only sound I try to compose myself and stand up, wiping the vomit and tears out of my face.\r \nI then got clear view of what made me hide in the first place.\r \nIt was a huge monster the color of ashes and I couldn’t hold it anymore and I screamed and pretty sure passed out after that." ]	2
	[WP] During a conversation with your friends, they all agree that you would be the first of them to die in a horror movie. Frustrated by this, you go to extreme lengths to prove them wrong...	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Simon brought them all to an old but pretty cottage. One out in the wilderness, an area of outstanding natural beauty, spotted with quaint villages, dueted with a refreshingly calm bout of spring weather, the sunlight lazily dipping through the floating clouds. The cottage was very obvious in the greenery, like a wall of night peaking through the ground. It had black bricks, a black front door and even the thick, black velvet curtains were drawn.\n\n\"This is really a great choice, Simon,\" Victor scoffed, dropping his suitcase beside him. It squelched in the mud.\n\n\"Well, it's unique,\" Peter chimed in, stood behind the two. \"Very, very unique,\" he added, patting Simon on the back. Hard. \n\n\"Not sure I even want to go in there,\" Desmond muttered from the parked car, standing beside it as Tomas locked it and shoved his keys into his jeans pocket.\n\n\"To be fair it looked better in the pictures,\" Simon shrugged, stepping forward.\n\n\"Do you know how to enter then?\" Tomas called and Simon rolled his eyes.\n\n\"Would I be walking towards the door if I didn't?\" Simon shook his head as he looked on his phone for the instructions. It didn't take him long to notice there was absolutely no signal.\n\nThe truth was, of course, that Simon chose a cottage deep in the forest because it was the perfect scene for a horror movie. And he was already sweating. He didn't really believe in demons and ghosts, but the listing did say this place was very haunted. There was a brief amount of history and Simon had read a few lines, that a family of 6 had visited but were all slaughtered. He hadn't dared continue to read the rest, preferring the ignorance. But being in front of the Black Cottage, as it was called, was already making him want to run away.\n\nHe followed the instructions and unlocked the cottage. The creek as it opened was horrifying enough, making the hairs all over Simon's body stand to attention. He stepped in and felt for the light switch that was supposed to be on the right.\n\nHe switched the lights on and jumped in fright as two large spiders were resting next to the old switch. He ignored the fact he made a weird sound. The switches themselves were ugly. They was not modern in any sense of the word, more like little knobs. \n\n\"You're a pussy,\" Victor laughed, stepping in. But then he saw the spiders and turned and left the building. Simon decided to run inside, disappearing into a room. \n\nOutside, Desmond was still stood by the car, really not wanting to go anywhere near the building. He had also jumped a little and swore under his breath when Simon gave off a girlish shriek. He watched Peter walk in, give a laugh, disappear behind the door and then walk out with his hands cupped. And then he saw two black things scurry away into the wilderness. Vincent and Tomas had already gone in by the time Peter had gone out. \n\n\"Were those spiders?\" Desmond called, giving a half-assed fake smile. He was questioning why he had even agreed to come.\n\n\"Yeah, but what are you doing there? Aren't you coming in?\" Peter raised his eyebrows.\n\n\"This place gives me the creeps, for real,\" Desmond said, giving a sigh.\n\n\"Yeah it's got character but we're only sleeping in it for two nights, we're gonna be out and about most the time anyway,\" Peter said. \"So just drop your stuff in, let's get ready to go.\"\n\nDesmond sighed and reluctantly followed Peter in.\n\n\"So you're saying it's not haunted? With paintings like that on the wall?\" Tomas yelled, pointing at a large family portrait that had somewhat faded and had distorted faces. There were smaller paintings doted around, all of them ugly and deformed. The colours were off. The expressions were off.\n\n\"This place is haunted, isn't it?\" Desmond cried out, dropping to the floor. He covered his eyes. \"Man I trusted you and now I'm going to die,\" he groaned, spamming a fist into the ground.\n\nSimon was about to speak but Victor got there first. \n\n\"Well, always wanted to stay in a haunted place,\" Victor said, but his voice quivered. He was uncertain.\n\n\"Do you lot really believe in ghosts and that?\" Peter yawned, stretching out his arms.\n\n\"You're stupid if you don't,\" Desmond retorted.\n\n\"Well,\" Simon said, \"If it is, let's see who dies first.\"\n\nAnd then there was a collective groan.\n\n\"This is that bet,\" Victor smacked his own forehead.\n\n\"We all fell for it,\" Tomas closed his eyes.\n\n\"Well it'll be interesting then,\" Peter smirked.\n\nAnd Desmond groaned out again, wishing he never agreed to _a weekend of hiking_.\n\nwould continue but busy irl", "1/3\n\n\nThe car screeched to a stop, jostling Liz awake witha start.\n\nAl slumped back in her seat, and Dee pressed a hand to his mouth, trying not to be sick.\n\n\"Jesus, Kai, how did you get your license?\" He groaned as Liz pushed her door open.\n\n\"No clue.\" Kai grinned, pulling the keys from the ignition.\n\n\"Holy...\" Liz murmured as she saw the house. It was nice enough, sure, but there was something about it that just felt...wrong.* maybe it was shuttered windows, or the slightly overgrown garden, but it radiated a feeling of odd that she just couldn't shake. She turned to the rest of the hroup with a fake smile- this had been her idea, after all. \n\nAl wasn't impressed, but she turned on her signature optimism like a light switch.\n\n\"maybe it's nicer on the inside?\"\n\n~~~~\n\nLiz pressed the doorbell, and they heard it ring throughout the house. Thunder clapped in the background, bringing a sudden downpour with it. \n\nLiz shrugged at Al, who looked between the storm and house like she was trying to decide which death she'd prefer.\n\nDee rolled his eyes, pushing past them and throwing the door open.\n\n\"Well? Let's go. It's just a bloody house, we'll be fine.\"\n\nAl stepped forward, dust rising up from the carpet as she did so. God, would it kill them to vacuum?\n\nAs Kai filed in, Liz took a last look around outside; she somehow knew she'd not be out again anytime soon.\n\nShe sighed, stepped in, and locked the door behind her.\n\nPt. 2 in comments" ]	3
	[WP] When a child is abducted by aliens, the child’s guardian angle joins forces with the monster under their bed to save 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Given the current current human population on Earth (7,979,116,957 and counting) and the very low number of actual, legitimate alien abductions of humans (it's 19, not that that matters) it's very likely that something supernatural had marked Ava as worthy of capture. And given the fact that she had no special abilities of her own and was a mostly unremarkable child in the greater scheme of things we can then reach the conclusion that Ava was abducted in her sleep due to her contact with at least one of two otherworldly creatures.\n\nThe first of these creatures was an angel.\n\nThe second was a monster.\n\nAva had never completely seen the monster under her bed but she'd seen hints of her. She'd seen the slick, shadowformed tendrils that wisped out from under the bed frame, sometimes barely there but other times all too solid. Whilst these are the very things that children are supposed to fear all Ava felt was hope that this creature could be sort of like a friend. Being friendless is a far scarier prospect than knowing a monster and the way Ava saw it there was no rule that both participants at a sleepover had to be human.\n\nWhilst the monster wanted Ava to see her, the angel should never really have been seen. There was a slight mix up (to put it diplomatically) and to cut a long story short, Ava was informed of a prophecy that wasn't really meant for her. The angel was quick to\ninform Ava that it had been a mistake but it did leave the slightly sticky issue that Ava now definitely knew about the existence of angels. Petriel has been in a human form but had added the glowing halo and other such bells and whistles. It was decided that Petriel would simply be assigned as Ava's guardian angel, an odd arrangement as she had seen them but the best settlement outside of memory wiping (which is no longer approved).\n\nPetriel and the monster (whose name is not being withheld but simply doesn't exist) had known about each other before the abduction but had never formally met. They had no need to and each held some distaste about the other.\n\nThe concept of Ava being in danger changed all that. Suddenly the two had no qualms about meeting. More than that, they were eager to work together.\n\nThe ship was quickly far away from Earth but distance is meaningless to angels. And as for the monster, she could travel in shadows and to her the darkness of space was just as easy to move through as the space under Ava's bed.\n\nEEEeeeekkkkrrrrggghuuuhh\n\nThe sounds of metal breaking and engines protesting filled the ship. The angels looked to their screens but there was nothing there.\n\nThe noise got louder and suddenly the engine was gone, floating serenely past one of the windows in several pieces. More disturbingly it seemed that those pieces had been bitten apart.\n\nIn the resulting chaos, dark and gentle tendrils lifted an unconscious Ava and carried her towards an escape pod. She stirred in her drugged state but was mostly quiet.\n\nBoth the girl and the monster reached the pod but they were not alone. An alien approached them and aimed his pistol ready to fire. If he had aimed at the monster then there was a small chance he could have lived. But given the choice between trying to aim at a shifting, incomprehensible being of darkness and a small and fragile child the alien chose the latter.\n\nThis turned out to be a mistake.\n\nAs he squeezed the trigger a being comprised of light and fire appeared between the shooter and his target. Perhaps sensing what was going to happen, the monster shoved Ava into the pod hastily and phased into the control panel until it was forced to eject.\n\nPetriel burned the ship in a righteous fury as only the angels can. The fires that they started decided to burn even in areas exposed to the vacuum of space. None of the aliens aboard the vessel survived the blaze.\n\nMinutes later the pair of odd beings steered the pod that contained their charge slowly back to Earth. Petriel provided the raw power and the monster steered the way easily and precisely. Getting her through the atmosphere and back to her bed was more difficult but they managed. Petriel watched over Ava as she slept and the monster retreated to her usual home beneath the bed.\n\nAnd, as she had not awoken at any point during the abduction, it was simply never spoken of again." ]	2
	[WP] You catch a monster under your bed, but when it comes out, it just stares at you with fear. No, wait, it’s watching something behind 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Most of the time, the monsters are driven away by light.\n\nWhen one wanted to live in the shower, I got a spotlight and kept that sucker plugged in and running with only the tiniest corner left in shadow. The shower monster moved away shortly after that.\n\nWhen one moved into the closet, I moved the spotlight and gave the thing even less space. The closet monster barely lasted an hour.\n\nWhen one moved into the cupboard under the stairs, I just left the door open so that lots of sunlight would stream in during the day, and left the spotlight facing it in obvious threat. The cupboard under the stairs monster left fairly quickly in the face of my stoicism.\n\nThe monster under the bed, however, was different. Even when I beamed the spotlight under the bed, it ensconced itself in a shroud of its own making, and through the coalescence of shadow I could see the glittering of red eyes. \n\nEventually, I got tired of the game. I suspect it knew I would. So on the next moonless night, I turned the spotlight so it would face the room, but I didn't turn it off. When I turned out the other lights, I stepped into the spotlight's beam.\n\nSoon enough, the under the bed monster crawled out, all darkness and creaking and scratching, and I stood calmly.\n\nWhen it had fully emerged, it looked upon me, and through the darkness I could see a mouth open impossibly wide, could feel the beginnings of a hideous scream rumbling at the bottom of its chest, but before it could utter even a squeak, it recoiled in horror.\n\nNot even a second later, the under the bed monster was gone, fled back to where the monsters lived between homes.\n\nI turned around.\n\nIn the spotlight, my shadow was a deep, beautiful black, stretched out, elongated, with long pointed fingers and a sinister white smile. \n\nI smiled back at the monster that lived in my shadow.", "I awaken to the sound of something sliding on the floor from under my bed, and recoil in horror upon seeing a monster pulling back from the side of my bed. Then I realize that the monster is mirroring my reaction to it. Only it's looking behind me... It's frozen in fright, and that only serves to increase my own sense of horror. \n\nSlowly I turn to look. A towering figure, backlit by the faint light coming in through the window, it seems immense. Ominous. The figure radiates, a palpable aura almost pushing against my shaking body. The figure turns slightly, and lifts something in it's hulking appendage towards what I assume is it's gaping maw, and guzzles it down. \n\nI slide out of bed accidentally, and land in the floor between the monster from under my bed and the one before my window. I'm to terrified to say anything and even I try to scream only gibbering nonsense spews out. \n\nThe monster at the window let's out a terrible gurgling squelching noise and I almost faint in shear panic.\n\n\"Oof, a little acid reflux with that one, buuuuuuurrrrppp! Aaaaahhhhh\"\n\n\"Dad?!?\" I squeak.\n\nThen I realize what has happened as I hear the monster from under my bed faint dead away and collapse on the floor. My father, a beast of a man at 6'6\" and 360lbs was leaning against the window frame after reading me my bed time story. I asked him to stay with me until I fell asleep because I was afraid of the monster under my bed.\n\nDad, never one to miss an opportunity for a dad joke had told me that he was the most monstrous thing in our house, and showed me his unopened can of monster energy drink.\n\nI realize now, there was a double meaning in my father's words and actions. As he stalks over to the monster collapsed on the floor, grasps it with one of his giant hands and shoves it into a large sack he pulls from his belt, my father says, \"Good job Bait! Maybe we'll catch the one in your closet tomorrow!\"" ]	3
	[WP] Your friend beat a thug to death because the thug was beating you to death. The police have no evidence or names, but assume whoever killed the thug was beating you up, all they want is a name. Well, you're hardly going to rat out the person who saved your life, so you need a scapegoat, stat!	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"Jesus Christ!\"\n\nThe officers glance at each other in unholy glee. \n\n\"You heard him didn't you?\" \n\nA wet tearing sounds from within one of the suddenly dour looking man. In horror you watch as the two men rip at their backs. As they tear the flesh from their own bodies it becomes quite clear that whatever is underneath is far worse than criminal charges. As the two blackened skeletons emerge from their prison of flesh, a sound rises, it is the sound of death, of decay. The sound of bones clanking and chains rattling. \n\nSuddenly you jerk. You realize the sound is laughter. \n\n\"Well. Tell me where exactly you saw this Jesus guy huh?\" \n\nThe last thing you notice before you go unconscious is the horrible Boston accent. Straight from your nightmares." ]	2
	[WP] Isekai'd to another world, you discover you have an unwanted hitchhiker in your head: one of the ancient gods of Earth, who thought your reincarnation would be a great opportunity to escape their monotonous existence. They, and by extension you, unintentionally terrify that world's gods/people	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Confucius was the greatest scholar in Chinese history. According to legends his very words could shake mountains, topple empires and grow great gardens in the sky. Eventually he saw through everything and ascended to the heavens to pursue the ultimate wisdom.\n\nNow, Du Xia stood on the crest of a hill overlooking a forest, wondering how he had ended up there. He remembered walking home from school, hearing a shout and looking up, and a... piano, falling from the sky and landing on him. Then he had woken up here.\n\n'Weird, I always thought it was the truck.'\n\nHe began to get up, but a voice started speaking in his head.\n\n\"So ends life, and another begins. The cycle of reincarnation is forever and nirvana is not so easy to reach. Perhaps the great king who is loved shall find his peace, but an ordinary soul such as yours is a footnote to the great power of nature. Perhaps by following you I shall learn more about nature and its eccentric ways, for no great immortal shall interest me now. One mortal affair seems to hold more truth than 3000 immortal affairs.\"\n\nDu Xia was stumped. Not only had he transmigrated, he was crazy too. \n\n\"You aren't crazy, little one. Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. I am Confucius, just a scholar searching for wisdom. Apologies for intruding.\"\n\nDu Xia wasn't stupid. If this voice in his head really was the Scholar Confucius, then wasn't he the greatest scholar in history? Wasn't this a big deal?\n\nHe quickly bowed and spoke aloud. \"Du Xia greets the Exalted Scholar!\"\n\n\"There is no need to bow. I am just a passenger on your journey, who also happens to be a scholar. I can help you too, if you'd like. Or if you want to 'go it alone', as they say in your world, that's fine too!\"\n\nDu Xia was a little confused. Help him how?\n\nConfucius saw this thought and chuckled. 'Like so.'\n\nA grand voice erupted from Du Xia's mouth then. It was his voice, but it was domineering and ancient, much unlike his ordinary speaking voice.\n\n\"This Scholar said, 'A sea of trees shall not hide shallow waters, and my enemies will reveal themselves!'\"\n\nImmediately, 4 small, green creatures that Du Xia recognised as goblins were thrown out of the forest in front of him. They were confused, but quickly, and rather stupidly, roared and charged towards him. Again, the ancient voice echoed out of his body.\n\n\"This Scholar said, 'These creatures shall not harm my body!'\"\n\nThe goblins swung their swords in wild arcs, but the cold steel swords simply reflected from his skin. They even broke on contact, leaving them with useless handles. The goblins turned immediately to flee.\n\nConfucius spoke in his head. \"Now you try it. I provide the power, and you speak the words. Your talent for Confucianism is astounding from what I see in your body, this will be no problem with my interference.\"\n\nDu Xia felt a rolling, turbid strength in his heart, and words flower into his brain and out of his mouth, in his own voice this time.\n\n\"I said, 'A sea of trees shall not hide shallow waters, but shallow waters can hide sharp rocks. You will not escape from here alive!'\"\n\nAlmost immediately, the earth trembled and sharp rocks blasted through the soil, impaling the goblins and killing them.\n\n\"Bravo!\" cried Confucius in Du Xia's head. \"I knew you could do it! Now, lets continue forth. To continue this little trend of ours, 'A sea of trees shall not hide shallow waters, but oceans can conceal the highest mountains.' Be cautious as you carry on, and I shall teach you the truth of Confucianism. You will be as strong as I am by the time we make it to the other side of this forest.\"\n\nDu Xia wasn't convinced. \"But I just used your words. How can that be a talent? Unless plagiarism is also a facet of Confucianism, I'm afraid you've got the wrong guy!\"\n\nConfucius laughed and explained, \"You may have used my words, yes, but you added to them by yourself. You immediately found deeper meaning, and even used them properly. Perhaps it was a little violent, but it still isn't something a normal scholar could do, let alone someone new to this like you.\"\n\nDu Xia thought for a moment, but couldn't refute. He eventually said, \"Fine, let's get going, it's getting darker.\"\n\nAnd so Du Xia, with Confucius (mentally) in tow, wandered into the forest of this new world.", "Nicolas Quinn was a normal teenager. He liked things lke music and videogames, he had crushes on girls who he felt were way out of his league, despite being one of the most generally well-liked guys in the whole class (for some ungodly reason), he guided himself on the principle of \"People being happy makes me happy\", he had an untimely death that led him into a fantasy world in the hopes of going back. You know, normal teen stuff.\n\nAfter waking up in this new world, he expected to be greeted by a somewhat rude, but ultimately sweet and cute girl hat would guide him through this crazy place and live wonderful adventures; he instead got a semi-transparent greek sculpture of a man wearing crimson red armor and with more scars tan hair. \"Rejoice mortal! For I, ARES, son of Zeus and God of War, has decided to accompany you through this lands!!!\" was how he introduced himself.\n\nTurns out that, contrary tothe grandiose title, Ares was the black sheep of both his pantheon and his family, so he decided to stowaway in one of the souls selected for out-of-world reincarnation to get away from all that negativity. Nicolas and the god crashing on his spiritual couch became fast friends and travelled the world with the purpose of eventually finding a way back home. He even got to meet the cute girl later, several in fact, but they all seemed more preoccupied with competing against each other rather than saving people or having fun, so he kept them at an arms length.\n\nWhat was curious about it was that he never once used the powers of Ares during his adventures. Sure, he tapped into his godmate's strength and combat expertise to not die, but he never used them in a way that felt \"broken\". Not even in his duel to the death with the Queen of all Demons for the fate of the world (she later became his on-again off-again girlfriend, but that's another story). The reason was simple, even if divine power was universal for all worlds, how it interacted with each world was kind off a toss up, so he decided to play it safe.\n\nIt wasn't until a few months later that he truly showed off. He was in the middle of a battle with what felt like the millionth evil organization planing to destroy the world. By that point he already knew everything he needed to know about the world's magic system, which was based entirely on the concept of drawing power from \"nature\", and both him and his godly bestie decided to put an end on their little vacation. \n\nNicolas found himself trying to stop and some ancient reality-breaking ritual at mere minutes of completion. He was actually at walking distance from stopping it, but he was being held back by one of the guys in the organization who claimed to be his one and only rival ( he was actually rival #29). In the middle of the fight, 29 managed to break Nicolas sword, which was followed up by a big speech from 29's boss about his victory. By minute 3 of the monologue, Ares was finally fed up.\n\n\"Ok, that's it. Either you start smiting, or I'll do it you!\"\n\n\"No need to tell me twice. War invocation: King silencer\"\n\nA crimson javelin appeared out of nowhere in Nicolas hand, which he instantly threw at the big bad, landing right through his jaw.\n\nA few eternal seconds of silence were broken by 29: \"What the hell's a War Invocation?! From where are you drawing that power?!\"\n\n\"Simple, from human nature. Now, where was I... Oh right, War invocation: Showtime\"\n\nHundreds of thousands of crimson weapons started appearing and soaring through the sky, mowing down every single enemy in sight, including the sorcerers performing the ritual. The swarm of steel finished after a minute, leaving in its wake a mountain of corpses and what was essentially a magical disarmed nuke.\n\nBefore anyone could celebrate, Nicolas approached the mass of pure magic left by the incomplete ritual and started chanting to actually finish it. Just about when the finished ritual was about to activate a single sentence was uttered \"War invocation: Repurpose\". The mass of magic chaning shape into another javelin, this one white much more ornamented.\n\n\"I hope this works\" he said while chucking the javelin into the sky. A few seconds later the sky, for lack of a better word, shattered on impact, creating a giant hole in reality, a portal back home. Nicolas almost dived into it when he heard a voice behind him. I was his girlfriend's.\n\n\"Hey, is this gonna actually send you back home?\"\n\n\"I... hope so\"\n\n\"Neat, can I come with?\"\n\n\"Really? I mean sure, but why?\"\n\n\"I'm bored of this place. I need a vacation.\"\n\n\"Well, hop on in I guess.\" He then started talking to the god in his head \"Is se gonna be ok?\"\n\n\"Eh, I'll figure something out. Now hurry up\"\n\nAnd so the Demon, the Hero and the God left through the portal. It is said that all of their allies didn't move from the battlefield for a whole week from the shock. They said wrong, it was more like a week an a half." ]	3
	[WP] "you again? stop following me already." a voice answered back, chuckling. "i told you, i will follow you in every universe."	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"But why? I thought we were friends!\" I practically beg Grit to spare me.\n\n\"You ran away from my family in the middle of the night! How can I trust you if you don't trust me? I'm going to chase you down in every reality until you're one of us! Then you can see how it feels... to be outcasted and alone...\"\n\n\"Grit, wait! I'm sorry! I'll do anything! Please... please don't do this!\"\n\nI feel a cold arm wrap around my neck. Every inch of this black void is now covered in sets of vampire fangs. Grit is in front of my face no matter which way I turn to look. Tears stream down my face, as I notice Grit's evil grin...\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"GAVIN! GAVIN! WAKE UP! GAVIIIIIIIIIN!\" I jolt awake. My hands have tightly gripped my neck. I let go as I glance around, wide-eyed. It's still night out. I see Grit.\n\n\"NO! GET AWAY!\" I throw a pillow at him, trying to flee, forgetting that this panic is exactly the reason why I'm chained down to the bed. Grit grabs my hand.\n\n\"GAVIN! GAVIN, LOOK AT ME!\" Slowly, nervously, I turn my head to meet his gaze. I calm down a little.\n\n^(\"Gr... Grit? Please... don't hurt me...\")\n\nGrit pulls me in, almost causing me to set off again, until I realise he's just giving me a hug. \"You had a nightmare, Gavin. That's it. A nightmare.\" I just embrace my friend's hug.\n\n^(\"I'm sorry...\") I whisper.\n\n\"It's ok, it's ok. You're safe.\"\n\n\"Yeah, stop being a wimp.\" Both Grit and I look up to see Grit's younger brother, Curd.\n\n\"Not helping, idiot!\" Grit snaps.\n\n\"No... it's... it's ok...\" I stammer. \"He... he's right... I need to get a grip...\" I look at Grit with tears in my eyes. \"If I'm like this now... what will happen when we get back to our apartment?\"\n\n\"Does that mean you're staying? YES!\" Curd cries. I chuckle slightly - Curd is certainly an energetic boy.\n\n\"Curd, we can't torture him.\"\n\n\"Then don't\" I state. \"If me being here counts as torture, you may as well bite me right now. Listen, the landlord takes payment at the start of the month, right? The month is almost up. Have him send our stuff here, I'll cover the cost. We can stay here a while.\" I smile shyly, attempting to reassure him.\n\n\"PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!\" Curd begs. Grit sighs.\n\n\"Alright, but ONLY because it was GAVIN'S idea. Be nice to him, ok?\"\n\n\"YES! I promise, I'll be super nice!\"\n\nI nod. \"Thank you, Curd. And you, Grit. I... I guess I'll get back to sleep.\"\n\n\"Alright. Remember, everyone here wants to help you.\" Grit gives me a reassuring smile. I realise Curd has entered the room. He's grinning in a friendly way, despite teeth showing, and gives my a thumbs up. I smile and lay back down, feeling Grit rub my arm. I shiver slightly, but accept it. Curd and Gavin leave the room, and my mind drifts off to the previous day...\n\nTHE PREVIOUS DAY\n\n\"Gavin, how are you settling in?\" Terror asks, as I'm trying to focus on my book, ignoring the fact that I'm in a house full of vampires.\n\n\"I... I guess I'm ok...\" I respond nervously. I glance up briefly to see Scaria walking up to me, smiling, teeth showing. \"NO! GET AWAY!\"\n\nShe looks at me scared. \"Umm... did I do something wrong?\"\n\n\"Scaria, why don't we play in the garden for a bit?\" Pale grabs the girl's hand.\n\n\"Ok, mummy!\" The two walk outside.\n\n\"Geez, that was mean\" Curd snarls.\n\n\"I... I'm sorry...\" I shrink back into the armchair.\n\n\"Give him a break, Curd!\" Grit walks over to his brother.\n\nCurd scoffs. \"You sure one night is enough? He upset our baby sister!\"\n\nTerror looks at him. \"It was an accident. Leave him alone.\" Curd grumbles as he goes back to his games.\n\nLater, dinner is ready. Things somehow got worse.\n\n\"So... you guys just eat... normal food?\"\n\n\"What's that supposed to mean?\" Curd asks.\n\n\"Gavin was probably expecting, like, organs or eyes or something\" Grit responds.\n\n\"We're not psychopaths!\" Curd snaps. I don't respond, just meekly sit down.\n\n\"Curd, dear, people have misconceptions. Relax.\" Pale tries to keep everything calm.\n\n\"Yeah, besides, there are people who think we're cannibals or feast on brains like zombies! Gavin just... wants to learn.\" Grit glares at his brother, who puts his head down shamefully.\n\nFrom there, any question or comment I made, Curd HAD to retort back saying how obviously dumb what I was saying is, leading to an awkward, tense dinner. It causes me to go straight to bed after dinner. Instructions were, for my safety and security, I'd be cuffed to the bed, terms I agreed to. I refused to let Curd do it despite him being excited to - the only person I trusted enough was Grit. \"I'll be in the room next to you\" he says, making sure I'm comfortable before leaving the room. I proceed to fall asleep... only to shortly afterwards wake up in an empty, black void...\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThis story is a part of my series, [My Roommate is a Vampire.](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesbyCrystal/comments/xrewb2/my_roommate_is_a_vampire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) Please check it out!" ]	2
	[WP] The White House has just issued an official statement apologizing about a typo: President Biden has vowed to fully lethalise marijuana instead.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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] A dragon couple adopts a village	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"Uhhh....Sweet-scale, starlight, love of my life.....I don't think-\" I was interrupted by my excitable mate nearly vibrating in his excitement. \"But VoidWing you always said you wanted hatchlings running around, now we can have an entire clutch of them!\"\n\nI glance at the panicking villagers running around the small pen my mate made for them. \"Well yeah, but taking humans from their village?\" I question, looking back down at my small mate. He paused and looked up at me innocently. \"What about it?\" He tilted his head, large ears flopping cutely. I stare at him for a minute. If I tell him to just bring them back and that we can't adopt an entire pack of humans, he'll get so sad and I hate to see him sad.\n\nI glance at the villagers, who have mostly stopped panicking to huddle together fearfully at the far side of the pen. I think quickly, trying to come up with an answer so SkyFlight doesn't think I backed down. \"Look how scared they are, love. Don't you think it would be better to slowly introduce them into a dragon's life? Stealing them from their home, trapping them, and introducing them to your even larger mate all at once probably isn't the best first impression. They probably think you wanna eat them.\" \n\nSky gasped and balked at that but did seem to take it into consideration. \"But....how will we make sure they're safe and none of them wander off if they aren't in the den with us?\" He asks, looking back up to me with wide watery eyes. I take a minute but sigh. The humans won't like this but its the lesser of two evils. I lower my head to look him in the eyes. \"How about this: you bring them back to their village and we'll claim the whole thing. I'll even let you build a big pen around it to keep predators out, how about that?\" \n\nHe immediately perked up, scales practically glistening. \"Really!? The whole village!? Buildings and farms and hatchligns and everything!?\" I simply nod at him. He beams and lunges to wrap his wings around me, as best he could with his small size anyways.\n\n\"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best mate ever!\" I chuckle and can't help but comment a bit of sass. \"Don't let StarGaze hear that.\" Sky gasped and bounced back with the reminder about our third member. \"Oh yeah! Star will be so excited! I can't wait to see his face!\" He started chattering on and on as he rounded up the humans and flew them back to their village.\n\nI just sigh. \"I'm probably going to regret this.....especially when StarGaze gets back from his trip.\" I wince at the thought. Oh yeah. I'm definitely going to get an earful from him when he hears about this.", "Greg and I land just outside the castle. The king is awaiting us. I jump off, and walk forward. The king, known as King Wey, smiles as I do. \"Greetings, mighty dragon, and of course to your companion, Alicia, as well.\"\n\n\"Thank you, your majesty\" I say with a bow. I notice a guard has begun sneaking over to me. I smirk. \"We really appreciate your invite, and also your willingness to understand the Greg is not a threat... unless someone tries to mess with me.\" I shift my eyes. The guard now knows I've seen him. He shakes his head. \"I wish everyone could be so understanding.\"\n\n\"Of course, miss. I'm not so naïve to assume Greg is a threat, especially with my understanding of... LUKE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?\"\n\nEveryone turns to face the guard. He's almost close enough to grab me now. I hide under Greg. Greg looks back at king Wey, his eyes filled with fury. \"Permission to deal with him, your majesty? Despite everything Alicia was saying, which I now understand was meant to warn Luke, he was still sneaking up, and as you can tell, has made her afraid.\"\n\nKing Wey nods. \"Better him than my whole kingdom.\"\n\nLuke stares at king Wey wide-eyed. \"WHY? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?\"\n\nKing Wey sighs. \"Luke, we went through all our reports this morning. You knew very well that Alicia cannot be approached without permission.\"\n\n\"But... she's...\"\n\n\"My pet.\" Greg finishes Luke's sentence, before snapping him in his jaws. I watch as Greg purposefully plays with his food, before devouring Luke. \"Thank you for letting me deal with him, your majesty.\"\n\n\"Of course\" king Wey responds. \"I wish not to make enemies. He ignored a direct command and even warnings.\"\n\nAnother guard speaks up. \"Luke never really seemed to care for the job anyway, always just doing what he wants.\"\n\nKing Wey nods. \"True... that was probably why I so quickly approved his death. Now, the purpose of me calling you here... first, I did want to see Alicia for myself.\"\n\nGreg narrows his eyes. \"And?\"\n\n\"She clearly trusts you a lot. If it were fear, I would be able to tell. But she sees you as more than just a master, that much is clear. I sense a lot of trust coming from her.\"\n\nGreg smiles. \"I'm glad to hear you say that. I, too, wish to not make enemies.\"\n\nKing Wey smiles. \"That brings me to the other reason I wished to meet you. If we're not enemies, we are either acquaintances or allies. I'm hardly one to turn away such a powerful ally. I also understand you have gained a lot of trust and respect from one of my villages.\"\n\nI begin to blush. \"He has. He'd even been letting this boy come near me.\"\n\n\"It hasn't been without incident, unfortunately. But when you depend on someone to provide emotional support...\"\n\nKing Wey nods. \"I understand, Greg. I heard that the only thing which spared two teenage girls... was the pleas of your 'pet'. She helped you see reason. It's clear how much you need her... if Alicia had been afraid of you, I would have tried to find an alternative, but thankfully, that is not necessary.\"\n\nGreg nods as king Wey continues. \"It would be my honour to entrust my village to you, great dragon, as a show of good faith.\"\n\nI blink. \"Are you rejecting their place as a part of the Narrgh kingdom?\"\n\nKing Wey laughs. \"Hardly. They will still be a part of my kingdom. Greg will be more of a minor ruler, looking after the village on my behalf. I understand that they are providing the two of you with food... with this arrangement, I can exempt them from taxes, as to not strain their finances.\"\n\nI nod thoughtfully. \"This sounds really good... what would you gain from this?\"\n\n\"He would be looking after the village on my behalf. Any negotiations can be done through Greg, though it may be more practical for you to speak on those matters.\"\n\n\"Will you be withdrawing your soldiers?\" Greg asks.\n\n\"Of course! You two can fulfil ALL their tasks!\" king Wey responds. I'm still suspicious...\n\n\"So there's nothing else you'd like?\" I query.\n\n\"Ideally, I would ask for more, but this arrangement is the best I can do. I'm hardly going to demand a dragon's horde!\"\n\nGreg chuckles. \"If I didn't rocks and stones, I'd happily share. But I feel you'd want something actually... valuable. Alicia?\"\n\nKnowing where Greg was going with this, I smile and carefully pull off a scale, much to everyone's shock. \"Normally given in exchange for a sacrifice. I'd say one scale is worth the taxes of an entire village, right?\"\n\nKing Wey carefully takes the scale from my hands. He looks up and nods. \"This is very generous of you, Greg and Alicia. Thank you. I take the mention of taxes to mean that this will be regular payment?\" Both Greg and I nod. \"Then I would ask for one scale every month.\"\n\nI bow. \"Thank you, your majesty.\"\n\n\"There is one more thing on my mind\" Greg adds. \"I'm not in the vicinity of the village all the time. I've been getting... close to a very sweet dragon back in the Dragon Homeland. Her name is Wirla, and she has not claimed a territory for herself because she is too shy, nervous and friendly to 'take over' a location. With your permission, I'm sure she'd be ok if she's sharing with me.\"\n\nI look at Greg. \"Have you seen the way Wirla looks at you? She'll definitely share, if it's with you!\" Greg huffs at me angrily, causing the king, his men and myself to laugh.\n\n\"Of course, Greg! We'd be more than happy to let her share with you!\"\n\nWe both bow in thanks, before taking off to deliver the news to Wirla.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThis story is a part of my series, [Dragon's Pet.](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesbyCrystal/comments/x46g40/dragons_pet/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) Please check it out!" ]	3
	[WP] To assist you on your quest, the Grand Mage gives you a treasure chest with four items. A bow, a wand, a sword, and an empty mug. "The mug is the most important of these by far," he says.	[ "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.", "In the grand scheme of thing everything made sense, except one thing. Why would Grand Mage Juniper give him an empty mug? Henri understood the bow, wand and sword each had a purpose. What could the purpose of the mug be? Perhaps it is an infinite mug that when filled with a certain liquid it would only hold that liquid. That made sense to him.\n\nIn the recent months the council of Grand Mages have been panicking, because the fountain of life running through the city has begun to dry up. The fountain ran all throughout the city keeping everyone alive and young. Henri himself was already the ripe age of 213 years old. Still a baby compared to the rest of the mages who averaged around 500-600 years or older.\n\nHowever, one day the mages started sending out young lings out and told them that they were champions, chosen for the sacred duty of returning the fountain back to its former glory. Not one of the champions have returned from their quest and now there was no one else they were willing to send except him.\n\nMaybe he knew to much and that is why they were sending him. What did he know? Well, Henri knew that the king was responsible for the canals running dry. The greedy bastard was selling barrels of it to other countries not caring about his own. Why he would do that is glaringly obvious, greed. Henri, knew better the old man was getting old and needed to step down and once he does the kingdom will fall to him, the heir.\n\nHis father would never allow Henri to succeed as king due to the fact that Henri would abolish most of the terrifying rules he put in place. Some of the rules were truly horrific, the most was that all young females under the age of 200 was to be kept separate from society. They are to be taught that a man rules them and that they must obey their masters. Not to worry though not the girls considered not of age are all in the same orphanage (that is what his father called it). There the nuns take care of all the girls as no woman in the kingdom is allowed to raise their own daughter. The king being afraid that the mothers would teach them how to be independent.\n\nStaring at the mug, Henri, got out of his mind and looked at the scrolls that were handed to him and tapped his wand whispering to it; \"Reveal me your secrets and show me the way.\" Henri looked at the scroll as words started to appear.\n\nI am what you seek, fill me up and take me to your keep. Countless hunters have yet to see what remains in me.\n\nAlong with the strange riddle a map appeared of the kingdom. At the top right hand corner where the compass rose usually sat was a golden cup pointing in the four cardinal direction. What was strange for Henri was the little banner across the middle of the cup with ancient runes written across it. He knew they were ancient as he could not translate the runes, yet they looked familiar to runes he did study when he was younger.", "I was excitedly scanning the contents of the chest. A bow for hunting and ranged attacks, a wand for feats of powerful magic, and a sword for combat and self-defense. My excitement then turned into confusion when I saw the final object in the chest. I blinked curiously at my teacher. \"I understand these three items, but a mug?\"\n\n\"A mug?\" The long-bearded man across from me took a few steps around the table and glanced into the chest. \"Oh, you must be talking about the Variable Apparatus.\"\n\n\"The what now?\"\n\nMy teacher, the Grand Mage, gave me a smirk. \"The Variable Apparatus is an important item for any adventurer worth their snuff. It's rather rare, so it's understandable that you haven't heard of it. You see it as a mug right now? May I hazard a guess that you are thirsty?\"\n\nI was, in fact, feeling parched at the moment. But I was still confused. \"That seems kinda specific though.\"\n\n\"The Variable Apparatus is a magic item that transforms into whatever object the person needs at the moment, up to a certain size. Sure, the weapons are interesting, but they have very limited use. None of them would fill the role of a simple mug, let alone the variety of other tools or items it can become.\"\n\n\"So it changes into whatever I need? It's like a magical multi-tool!\" I picked up the mug and inspected it. It was plain, but well-crafted. \"Wait, how does it know what I need? Does it have divination properties?\"\n\nMy teacher smiled at me with a touch of amusement. \"Ah, you are clever. It is enchanted with divination magic, among other things. Speaking of divining, I have misplaced one of my enchanted rings. After you have gotten yourself a drink, could you find it for me? A minor divining rod is well within the Apparatus's capabilities. However, it doesn't like any of its forms to go unused after a transformation. Go refresh yourself and come back with a divining rod.\"\n\nI rolled my eyes and went off to get a drink. Then I stopped and whirled at the Grand Mage. \"The mug doesn't like what!? It's sentient!?\"\n\nMy teacher smiled at me with even more amusement. \"It makes for a wonderful travel companion. Just wait until it transforms into pen and paper and begins writing you notes!\"" ]	3
After an accident, you slip into a coma. You wake up with inhuman abilities- What would you do with them? What are they? How would the world react?	[WP] Superpowered	[ "\"Shit, did he just move?\"\n\nSlowly the world came into focus. White squares, harsh fluorescent lights and the curtain rod hanging from the ceiling. I moved my head to the left and saw the city through the window. Slowly I swung my view to the right of my bed. Someone in a white coat seemed to be having trouble with something on the wall. \n\nI mumbled, partly to test my ability to and partly to get the attention the man in the coat. He spun around clearly startled and began moving his mouth. Nothing but a muted buzz filled my ears.\n\n\"Oh, right\" he admonished himself.\n\nHe held up a finger, telling me to wait. He left the room quickly his white coat barely whipping through the crack the door made in closing. I looked around again, right next to my bed was a heart monitor the green line bouncing in a regular rhythm, but it made no sound. \n\nA voice from outside shouted \"Goddamn, she is hot.\" Loudly, clearly.\n\nNot my doctor, someone else. Something strange, who would yell that in a hospital? Something else, there were no footsteps accompanying that sound. \n\nThe door handle turned without a sound and the doctor walked in completely silently. He held up his finger again and sat down and began writing. There was none of the familiar sound of scratching that comes with a pen on paper.\n\n\"Poor bastard.\" He said as he wrote.\n\nHe held up the makeshift sign that he'd created. I remembered now that stereotype that doctors have terrible handwriting. It took me awhile to figure out what he had written.\n\nYOU HAVE JUST WOKEN FROM A 3 MONTH COMA. YOUR EARDRUMS RUPTURED IN A CAR CRASH.\n\nI laughed, it was ludicrous, I was hearing voices clear as day. I looked up at his face as he looked concernedly down at me. \n\n\"Creepy fuck\" he breathed.\n\n\"I HEARD THAT\" I yelled as loud as I could through the tubes in my throat, and the exhaustion of my atrophied muscles. But my ears met with a muffled roar. I let out a scream. My ears only buzzed.\n\nHe stepped back as his mouth flapped open and shut. Another doctor and a few nurses ran into the room. They exchanged words that I couldn't hear and the first doctor left the room with the nurses.\n\nThis new doctor was younger, he seemed to radiate confidence. He brought his hands out in front of himself and moved them in a complicated pattern. \n\n\"Do you speak sign language?\" he said.\n\nI shook my head no. He picked up the pen and paper the other doctor had used.\n\nIT'S OK YOU'LL LEARN\n\n\"You'll have to\" he added aloud. His lips not moving.\n\nThat's when it became clear.\n\n\n\n\n\n", "The bed is comfortable\nThat's the thought that fills my head as I wake up, that and an unbearable pressure in my bladder that tells me a trip to the bathroom would be a good thing. As i prop myself up i can hear the bones in my spine crack, something tells me if been in bed for a while, I stretch and get in a sitting position at the side of the bed, my feet feel cold as i touch the floor but i make my way to the door marked \"bathroom\". The door closes quickly behind me but i almost not notice it as i relieve myself.\nI wash my hands on the adjacent sink, then move towards the door\nThe handle is stuck, i jiggle it a bit and finally it opens\n\"well this isn't the white walled room i just walked out of\", i say to myself as i look around the bustling city that currently surrounds me, people walking around me, cars honk at each other from the street before me. \n\nNow it's been a year since i discovered this new ability, the doors have been many and they've taken me all around the world. Some experiences have been odd, like the time i opened a door inside the Kremlin in russia and others have been eye opening, taking a trip to the top of Everest, via a tent door. I don't think i'll be stopping any time soon.", "My eyes slowly flicker open. I...I can see. My ears twitch...I can hear. The rough scrape of fabric over my skin startles me. I...I never knew. A hospital room...why...oh, yes, I remember...that thing, rising from the darkness, opening its eyes, star- no. I mustn't think of that. How can I? I never saw it...what...my mind shuts down, sending me to sleep as it tries to puzzle out this strange information.\n\nThree hours later, my eyes snap open. I know. I can see the room from every angle, I can feel every fault and imperfection in the bed...and even beyond, stretching out into the hospital, the city...the world. I can hear...a multitude of whispers...fear, agony, despair, hope, joy. Does everyone hear this, see this?\n\nThe nurse walks in. \"Oh...Oh my God...he's awake! He's awake!\" She screams hysterically.\n\nI look at her, through her, into her soul, and read what lies there. I hear her, every word, every thought, every emotion...oh, oh God...he should never have woken...we have to destroy him...he's too dangerous...\n\nMy eyes narrow. I attempt to rise, only to be hindered by the restraints of the bed. I feel them, find the weakness, break them. She pales, then pulls a knife and rushes towards me. I see. Moving swiftly, I step just far enough to the left, reach out, and tap the knife from her hands, then I look into her eyes, reaching out to her with my mind, trying to make her understand. I meet a will there, attacking me, fighting to defend its mind. I break it. \n\nShe collapses to the ground, her eyes void, her expression vacant. \n\nWhat have I done?\n\nI flee, evading the attempts to catch me. They do not stand a chance, when I know all. Slowly I come to terms with who I am, what I am, what I can do...I am omniscient. Then a certainty forms in my mind. I know what I shall do...I shall become God. All I require is power, and allies. I shield my thoughts form the heavens, and turn my inner eye to the inferno, seeking the one being who would help me.", "I wake up, and my entire body feels as if it's been burned. The skin tingled and my hair felt- nothing. I run my hands over my head, and it's all gone. I quickly get off of my bed, but I realize that I'm not even in my house. Where was I? I look around at the metal walls, the test tubes, the beakers, and the different complex equations on the wall and realize I'm in the science lab. What was I doing here? \n\n A man walks out from the bathroom. \"Ah, you're awake,\" he says before he charges at me. He's incredibly fast. It seemed inhuman how quick he was rushing towards me. He had his fist raised. In a panic, I raise my hands and electricity comes out. He manages to dodge it though, and punches me in the face with such force that I fly backwards and hit the wall. I would collapse to the floor, but he embedded me into the metal. \n\n He calmly walks towards me, his face angry and determined. He suddenly gets green skin, and his eyes begin turning yellow. \"No! Not yet!\" he shouts to himself. The skin turns normal, but the eyes stay yellow. He raises his fist and is now face to face with me. \n \n \"Why?\" I ask. He laughs, but his laugh isn't friendly or genuine. It's a laugh of disbelief. \n\n \"WHY?\" he shouts in repeat. He slams his arm into the wall right next to my face with such force that it dents the metal even more than I did. \"Are you seriously such a heartless bastard that you don't even remember?\"\n\n \"I- I have amnesia or something. I don't know what I did,\" I tell him. Then I get an idea. I put my hand against the wall and start shocking it. His arm was in the wall also, so he leaped back, electrified. I kick off the wall using my legs, and punched him in the face with an electric fist. He falls back and I stand over him. This was no time for mercy though, this man was definitely trying to kill me. I raise my hands and continue shocking him.\n\n \"I guess you don't want to talk then. I guess it won't matter anyways. If you win, you'll find out soon enough. And if you die, your corpse won't care much,\" he groans. I wonder how he's even managing to stay alive with all of the electricity coursing through him. Then I see his hair disappearing too. His skin was turning green again. He slowly stood up.\n\n I shot my electricity as hard as I could now, and he collapsed again. But after a few seconds, he got to his feet a second time. Then I get the thought that he might be absorbing the electricity somehow, and I stop. So he turns around and faces me, and he's a snake. He has the body of a human, but that's slowly changing. His arms are shrinking, his legs are already merging together and turning into his lower half, and his head was green, had no nose, and his eyes were yellow with a black slit for a pupil. \n\n \"Oh god,\" I whisper. My powers were one thing, but this guy was on a whole new level of weird. He strikes at me, propelling his head forward at speeds faster than my eyes can follow. He latches onto my arm with his newly grown fangs. \"Let's hope you aren't poisonous,\" I say. I make electricity go through my entire arm, and he releases me, but it seems he let go due to shock rather than pain. The electricity was hardly effecting him anymore. \n\n I run to the side of him to the table that was next to us. I grab a metal pole off of the side. I see him coiling as if he were about to strike and I duck down. Seeing his head hit the wall behind me, I shoot the pole upwards into his throat, using the electricity to make the cut easier and more painful. I watch as the basilisk shrinks until it's a human again. His throat is ripped out but he's still watching me. So I place his head against the edge of the table stomp on the back of it.\n\n I walk out of the lab, ready to use my powers for good, and maybe to earn some extra cash. Then I drop down to my feet. The entire city was in ashes. The buildings didn't even exist anymore. They were just ashes and debris. The city looked as if it'd been bombed. And just in front of me, written in dirt, were the words \"Good job, doctor. ~Basilisk.\"", "I awake in the hospital alone with only the silent blips of the heart monitor to comfort me. Slowly my memories wash over me. A flood of emotions overtake me, seeping into every crack, hurtful emotions, destructive even. It hurts to be alone, it’s not the abandonment, but rather the knowledge this isn’t the first time. I slip back into the comfort of a dream, false hope. It’s easy to live life in dreams, to dream of intoxicating happiness, but to face the cruel harsh world, that is difficult. So what are we if we don’t choose? It’s not choosing correctly that makes a person, it’s deciding to choose in the most difficult of times, choosing when your choice won’t make a difference. Choice is the sign of human strength. It’s not strength of muscle that makes me a hero, it’s strength of mind. My ability to control people with words and ideas makes me strong. With one word I can change the world: ”Timshel!”\n\n(I would really appreciate any feedback)", "Painful and slowly I ascend to the surface of the watery depths meant to drown me, following the bubbles of my last breath. Awake with a gasp, I am astounded at the stiffness of the member below. The sheets of the hospital bed seem to have formed a tent-like pavillion supported by a mighty mast.\n\nA nurse enters. A tight white mini-dress hugs her form.\n\n\"How long?\" I gasp.\n\n\"Three years. As of last week. How are you feeling?\" she prods.\n\n\"Horny,\" I reply. And a shuddering contraction overtakes me. I whip down the sheets and see what is easily four inches longer than what I remember staring back at me with one gaping eye. Hard as an iron bar. Over 1,000 morning woods condensed into one.\n\nSuddenly a stream of Swedish Fish erupts. Their tiny gummy bodies flipping back and forth as in a leap. \n\n\"Jeesus Shit!\" I cry as the raspberry colored fish threaten to land on my head. With a hard sideways pry on the rod between my legs I manage to divert the flow onto the floor beside me, at the nurse's feet. They land still flopping and flipping. Hundreds of them. The nurse's face contracts into a scrabble of horror and questioning.\n\n\"Look, sorry, I don't know what's happening\", I manage to stammer.\n\nWith a small cry she bolts through the door and is gone.\n\nWhat the fuck! I must still be dreaming. But overtaking this thought, I gotta pee so bad. So stumbling to the nearby bathroom, I assume the position. Hand on the wall over the top of the tank. Feet as far back as I can get them. Free hand to defy the inclination and divert the stream into the bowl. At least most of it. Finally the flow begins.\n\nBut to my surprise only a blue-purple flame flows out. Satisfying but terrifying at the same time. I struggled to direct the throbbing proboscis toward the bowl, to no avail. Like a cutting torch, the intensifying stream cuts through both walls of the porcelain tank and into the cinder block walls beyond. Mortar and masonry yielded no resistance. \n\nHoly Fuck! A distinct cut line forms along and up the wall. Arcing back and returning to the original starting point. With a blocky crumble the wall falls outwards, the wind now entering and filling the small bathroom.\n\nBewildered, I look out on the vista revealed suddenly before me. A balcony open 10 feet below. I hop down. Landing solidly.\n\nAnd thus was the beginning of weird shit coming out of my penis. To say the least, my life was never the same afterwards. And the world never understood.", "Two weeks passed before I noticed the first sign. By then I had been four days out of the hospital, and was recuperating at home, feeling useless while Dave carried in meals on a tray and deactivated bachelor-pad mode on the house. On the fifteen-day mark, he brought me a painting, a reproduction of the Oath of the Horatii. One of my favorites, he remembered. He had two nails in his mouth and a hammer in his hand, and he thought the painting would look nice opposite the window.\n\nTap, tap, tap, went the first nail into the wall. Dave lined up the second nail. He hadn't brought a level. He raised the hammer.\n\n\"Wait!\"\n\nDave nearly stabbed himself in the eye with the hammer's claw, probably mistaking my interjection for a cry of distress. \"The nail was 3/32\" too low,\" I explained. He looked at me, trying to decide if I was kidding. \"No, really,\" I insisted. \"It's basic geometry. Imagine the perpendicular intersector of the wainscoting and your first nail, and then it's easy to see the right angle off... the...\"\n\nI was looking at a simple geometric diagram overlaid in thin black lines on the wall, and Dave was looking at me, confounded.\n\nGeometry was only the beginning. By the end of the week a glance at a curved surface might reveal a spline-interpolation of its edges’ shapes. During the third week came multivariable calculus; for entertainment in the morning, I might compute the surface integral of my coffee cup, over the temperature vector field of the hardly-cooled beverage. On the one-month anniversary of my recovery, I succeeded in visualizing the fourth dimension, and started deriving topology from scratch after dinner.\n\nDuring this time, the university called to congratulate me on my recovery, and to offer my job back. My old colleagues came to visit me more and more frequently, ostensibly to chat and in actuality to pick my brain on the Banach-Tarski Paradox and the implications of toroidal spacetime fields. I saw Dave at mealtimes, usually.\n\nOn the two-month anniversary, Dave made me breakfast in bed, even though by that time I'd been up and about for several weeks. He smiled a little as he bumped through the door, his face an assembly of features in an average proportion of 1.623, adorably close to the golden ratio of 1.618 (rounded, of course). He set the tray on my lap and sat beside me. I thanked him, and made a bit of small talk about the proof of Godel's Incompleteness Theorem that I'd been working on. He fidgeted with a napkin as I did so--my Dave, who hadn't taken a math class since freshman year of college.\n\nI started to explain Karlmogorov complexity, because I was really quite excited about the way I'd found around it in my proof. Not for the first time, I wished I'd married a fellow mathematician. Dave wouldn't understand, and explaining things broke the rhythm of my thoughts, but he would always play along. This time, though, he stopped me.\n\n\"Come back to me, Tess. When you have it all figured out.\"\n\nHe set the napkin down on the tray and left. His new apartment number was a prime.\n\n------------------------\n\nFeedback would be greatly appreciated!", "\"... and that is all you have to do.\"\n\nLightning travels up my spine and into my skull. Brutal explosion, cough, gasp, spit. Blood on the sheets in front of me, a wheeze of air like razor blades and puke. \n\nThe room is made of shrinking cotton-balls, slowly making themselves into a desk, a chair, a nurse, a tree, and a window between him and me. \n\nCrashing screeches fill my head and taper off into the buzzing of light, water-pipes and air conditioning. \n\nMy hands are down, they are still in a coma. My legs are off, they are still in a coma. My eyes, in and out, fake a full focus and toss to the side, no control over them, they know I am quickly going back to a coma. More puke, a gasp, this time for outside, a nurse runs out to fetch a doctor.\n\n\"... and that is all you have to do.\"\n\nWhat a start, the implications crush my brain without regard for its grogginess. I know. I know what my life is supposed to be, what my objective is going to be, why I live, why I'll die and why I'll do everything in between. Its explicit, its kismet, its out of my control... But I know. \n\nI scream a silent scream. I wish I could burst, cease to exist, traverse the room and flee to soon crash at the foot of the tree, and I would too, I know because flying is nowhere in the plan for me. \n\nNo way I can stay, but I will and I will wake up some other day and walk out a healthy man, not remembering the illumination I've just had, and go on with my life. Marry a simple man, live a simple man, and only become extraordinary in the way that I pass. Walking down the street, I'll sigh, look at the sky and die. A bus will pass by me, through me, at me. And just like I, there will be another guy, sleeping restless in sickly sleep. In a coma I will appear in front of him, and tell him how he will live and die, how he won't survive the endless to-do list dictated in the sky. And when I do, and I'm done, and I move on to let him explode and forget this horrible show, I'll let him know, to make him feel unburdened:\n\n\"Then you will whisper like I do... and that is all you have to do.\" ", "I slowly realize I am thinking coherently again. Somehow, this doesn't reassure me in the least. I open my eyes, but immediately shut them tight. The light hurts my eyes. I feel my way around my body, pulling out IV needles as I go. My head still hurts. \n\nI try opening my eyes once again, having a bit more success this time. It still hurts, however I can now bear it.\n\nI painfully crawl over the bed railing and gently lower myself to the cold floor. I cannot have been here long, my muscles have not atrophied. How long though?\n\nI make my way to the doorway that leads to the hall, watching as people hurry by on errands I don't even care about. Everyone is ignoring me!\n\nA nurse walks quickly by, I try to call out to her but I can't make my voice work. I simply make some rude vocalizations that are completely meaningless. \n\nNow, I am pissed. I focus on the nurse and dwell on my anger for a moment. One moment she is there, the next she is nothing but a cloud of red mist.\n\nDid I do that? I didn't mean to! Yet... it's satisfying. I look down to discover that my hospital gown is now covered with splatters of the nurse's blood. \n\nSounds intrude on my pondering. I realize there are people screaming. No doubt at least some of them witnessed the nurse explode. I focus again on the scene at hand. There is a security guard pointing his gun at me.\n\nNow there is not. He has become nothing more than a red stain on the white tile floor.\n\nI wander down the hall, taking out my anger on anyone that presents themselves. As I enter a new wing of the hospital I see I am in the children's ICU. There is a man standing there taking cake away from a child and eating it. His words make no sense to me at all.\n\n\"Yo, its my CAKEDAY, bitch!!!\" he says through a mouthful of vanilla cake and icing.\n\nI will take great pleasure in making a blood stain of this one. However, he walks away before I can catch up to him.\n\nI go to the child, tears in his eyes, extending my arms to give him a comforting hug. He reaches out with a single finger and touches my arm with a mischievous look on his face.\n\nI cannot move! The little kid did something to me! As my eyes focus on my arms, I am slowly forced to accept the truth. He has turned me to stone. Well great. Just great.\n\nAnd I thought I was the only one with super powers.", " I awake from my coma with little to no emotion or desire to rethink my life. My wife rushes to my side and starts telling me that shes been waiting by my side for years, our kids are waiting at home, they are going to be so happy, blah blah blah. I yawn and say \"Quiet, wench.\" Then I roll out of bed onto the floor, my muscles have atrophied. I smack my face on the tile, and then look up to see a janitor. \nHe asks me concernedly \"Sir, should I go get a nurse?\"\n\nI smile reassuringly and say \"Yes, but first, you are a janitor, correct?\"\n\nHe looks confused but responds politely \"Umm, yes I am.\"\n\n\"Then clean my shit up!\" I yell as a stand up and proceed to shit on the hospital floor.\n\nThe man's eyebrows shoot up into his forehead and he gives me an appalled look, after which he backs out of the room muttering something along the lines of \"Didn't know you could get corn in an IV, sick muthafuckas, sick sick sick...\"\n\nMy wife vomits all over my bed and runs out of the room crying. \n\n I then walk into the hall in my gown and calmly walk out of my section into the next ward labeled \"children's icu\".\n\n\"Well a looky here!!!\" I exclaim.\n\n A young boy is eating a small piece of cake in front of me. I pick it up with my bare hands, smushing it in my palm. \n\n The boy begins to tear up, and he tells me its his birthday. I look him deep in the windows of his soul, and respond \"Oh yeah? Well guess what?\"\n\nHe looks up in spite of himself, and asks \"What?\"\n\n\"Yo, its my CAKEDAY, bitch!!!\" I say through mouthfuls of vanilla cake and icing.\n\nI then walk out the front door yelling \"King kong ain't got shit on me!!!\" \n\nI kick two bums in the face on my way home. Then I sell all my kids stuff, and buy myself a nicer TV. I realize I have become inhuman. The world reacts negatively to my change, but I just DGAF.\n\n inhuman (adj.): lacking qualities of sympathy, pity, warmth, compassion, or the like, cruel or brutal.\n \n" ]	10
	[WP] You are the quiet, mild-mannered kid in your class. Come parent-teacher meetings, it becomes uncomfortable for your bullies/mean teacher when it turns out one of your parents is the world most powerful supervillain.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Mr. Lockley hated me. No two ways about it. The man had it out for me ever since I corrected him on the origins of Medusa. Since then, he deliberately ignored me when I had questions about the material, turned a blind eye to Madison and Jacob Hubert's bullying of me, and graded my work on the strictest curve imaginable. But tonight was parent-teacher conferences. Tonight it would stop.\n\nMy moms and I arrived at the school at about 6:45, one mom in a black business dress and the other in a red suit. We were waiting outside Mr. Lockley's room, talking about where we were gonna get dinner afterwards. \"You know where we haven't eaten in ages,\" my mom said. \"That one sushi place, with the rotating bar. God, what is it called, um...\"\n\nI raised my hand. \"The Sleepy Tanuki?\"\n\nMy mom snapped her fingers and excitedly said, \"Yes! That's the one! You guys wanna go there?\"\n\n\"Absolutely,\" my other mom replied. \"The takoyaki they serve is good enough to die for.\" She looked at me. \"And the verdict from Zoe is...\"\n\n\"Approved! Tonight shall be sushi night.\" Suddenly, a man walked out of Mr. Lockley's room with a girl in a green baseball cap in tow. Mr. Lockley stepped out of the room to shake the man's hand and remark, \"Thank you for coming, Mr. Clayton.\"\n\n\"Of course, Mr. Lockley, have a good night.\" As the dad and daughter began walking away, Mr. Lockley looked over at us. \"Ah, the Vaughans.\" His tone had gone flat as he ushered us into the room. My parents and I took our seats in front of Mr. Lockley's desk as he pulled out my file. \"Thank you both for being here, Ms...\"\n\n\"Mary Ann,\" my mom in the dress replied. She then pointed her thumb at my other mom and added on, \"And she's Caroline.\"\n\n\"Caroline and Mary Ann, okay. Well, I'm very sorry to say that Zoe has not been doing very well in my class.\"\n\n\"She isn't? But she's such a smart little cookie.\" Caroline-mom patted me on the head as she said this, eliciting a smile from me.\n\n\"Sadly, I have to disagree,\" Mr. Lockley replied. \"She's been disruptive, regularly shows poor or no understanding of the material we're covering, and has been frequently harassing the Hubert siblings.\"\n\n\"Well, that doesn't sound like Zoe at all,\" Mary Ann-mom remarked.\n\nMr. Lockley sighed. \"Well, I don't know what to tell you. Sometimes children are one thing at home and another thing at school. And sometimes it's the fault of sad, insecure cishet white men who got into teaching because they wanted to have authority over children rather than for any actual interest in fostering young minds.\" Mr. Lockley adopted a look of confusion as he realized what he just said. \"I'm sorry, I... don't know what that was.\"\n\n\"Oh, I did that,\" Mary Ann-mom said with a smile. \"I got tired of you lying through your teeth like the filthy rat you are.\"\n\nMr. Lockley turned his confusion towards Mary Ann-mom. \"What?\"\n\nCaroline-mom and I chuckled as we settled in for the show. Mary Ann-mom promptly got out of her chair, held out her hand, and twisted it like she was adjusting the temperature of a shower. The room began to tilt, but Mr. Lockley was the only thing in the room that was affected by the change. He lost his balance and fell against the window with a 'THUD'.\n\nAs he got back up again, Mary Ann-mom appeared directly behind him and said, \"Your treatment of my daughter ends right now,\" in the raspiest voice she could muster. Mr. Lockley jumped back as she marched toward him, changing and shapeshifting with every step. Arms grew blood red marks of arcane symbols, a second mouth grew on her stomach, and her left eye developed dozens of copies running down and all over her cheek. Mr. Lockley started to cry as he yelled, \"What are you?! WHAT ARE YOU?!!\"\n\nMary Ann-mom grinned wickedly. \"You know what I am. I'm the monster under your bed you thought you outgrew. I'm the woman who eats the hearts of beings beyond mortal comprehension and swallows up stars like lemon drops. I'm the reason the abyss looks at you so it won't have to look at me. You know what I am. And more importantly, you know my name.\"\n\nMr. Lockley quivered as he shakily answered, \"B-Bloody Mary.\"\n\nMary Ann-mom licked her lips. \"Say it again.\"\n\n\"Bloody Mary.\"\n\n\"ONE. MORE. TIME.\"\n\n\"BLOODY MARY!\"\n\nIn an instant, the room shifted back to normal, sending Mr. Lockley falling to the regular floor. Mary Ann-mom, who had resumed her human appearance, cheerfully remarked, \"Well, I'm glad we could come to an understanding! Thank you for meeting with us.\" She then turned to us. \"Come on girls! Sushi waits for no woma!\"\n\nAs we made our way out the door, I turned back to look at Mr. Lockley and said, \"You wanna know something scary?\" Mr. Lockley, who I'm pretty sure lost his ability to blink and breathe like a normal person, looked at me with fear in his eyes. I rolled up my sleeve to reveal my own set of arcane symbols running up to my elbow. With a smirk, I remarked, \"I've been told I take after my mom.\"", "Lukas Richter sat two rows back in his English class, methodically taking notes on the lecture. Mrs. Callahan wasn't particularly fond of him, so he tried to give her no reason to single him out. Unfortunately, Vincent and his toadies had other plans.\n\nLukas felt a sharp jab from behind, and whirled around to see Craig sitting there, pencil in hand as if he was the most innocent boy in the world. Then he heard the sound of paper fluttering, and turned around just in time to see Vincent withdrawing his hand. The carefully organized notes that once adorned his desk had been cast to the floor.\n\n\"Lukas Richter, why are you disrupting my class again?\" asked Mrs. Callahan.\n\n\"I... I'm sorry, miss. It won't happen again.\"\n\n\"See that it doesn't. And as long as you've taken the class's attention, why don't you read the next passage?\"\n\n\"Yes miss.\"\n\nEnglish wasn't Lukas's first language. He could understand it just fine, but his reading was slow and his German accent was thick. He began to read, receiving pointed looks and muffled laughter whenever he mispronounced a word, but he knew that fighting back would be fruitless, even if he had the courage to do so.\n\nAfter ten torturous minutes of reading, the bell had mercy and signaled the end of class.\n\n\"Don't forget,\" Mrs. Callahan reminded the class, \"that tonight is parent-teacher night. I expect to see you all here, and I look forward to meeting with your parents.\"\n\nLukas hurriedly gathered his things and left before Mrs. Callahan could keep him behind for another discussion about his supposed \"attitude issues\". As soon as he stepped through the classroom doorway, a rogue foot caught his and he tripped, once again scattering his notes onto the floor. He looked back and saw Erik, laughing at his clever \"joke\". Vincent and Craig quickly join him, forming the trio of bullies that contributed to the veritable nightmare of Lukas's high school experience.\n\n\"Oh, looks like Loogie's not so good with his feet today, is he?\" taunted Vincent. The three bullies laughed self-indulgently and walked away, making sure to tread on Lukas's notes. Other students in the class saw what was happening, but they didn't stop to help or comfort him. Lukas gathered his notes and what was left of his pride, and quickly ran to the nearest exit, holding back tears.\n\n\\---\n\nNight has fallen, and the normally quiet school building is bustling with activity. It has been one month since school started, and the parent-teacher conferences are underway.\n\nLukas walks nervously beside his father, a tall man wearing a long coat and a pair of very dark shades. The pair enter the English classroom, where Mrs. Callahan is waiting.\n\n\"Ah, you must be Lukas's father,\" Mrs. Callahan says, extending her hand. \"My name is Claudia Callahan, and I am your son's English teacher.\"\n\nLukas's father takes the offered handshake and smiles thinly. \"You may call me Valter.\"\n\n\"Very well, Valter. Would you like to have a seat?\" She gestures to a chair opposite her desk.\n\n\"I would, but I prefer not to speak over a desk; too much of a power dynamic, depending on which side you're sitting on.\"\n\nLukas looks to his father, recognizing the steel in his voice. He wonders whether he should be excited or afraid of what might happen next.\n\nMrs. Callahan is momentarily taken aback, but nods and says, \"Very well. I'll just move my chair over here.\" She slides her chair from behind the desk and sets it facing Valter.\n\n\"So,\" Valter begins, \"I hear that Lukas is having some... difficulties with your class.\"\n\n\"Unfortunately, yes. I hate to be the one to tell you this, Valter, but your son is a bit... disruptive at times.\"\n\n\"Hm. Or perhaps he is not the problem here.\"\n\n\"I'm not sure what you mean, sir.\" From her tone, Mrs. Callahan clearly knows what he means.\n\n\"So you deny the fact that you have been set against Lukas since day one, that you have singled him out for things that are not his fault, that you frequently flaunt his slow reading and thick accent in front of the whole class as a subject of ridicule? We came to America hoping for a new start, a better education, but clearly I was foolish to think one school would be that different from another.\"\n\n\"Now wait just a-\"\n\nMrs. Callahan's speech is cut off as her eyes go wide. She sits rigid in her chair, paralyzed, her face a mask of silent agony. Lukas looks up at his father; sure enough, his dark shades have been slid down the tip of his nose, and he is regarding her directly with his unsettling red eyes.\n\n\"Mrs. Callahan,\" Valter begins, \"I am willing to forgive and forget, since it is clear that you did not know whose son you were antagonizing. Back home, I went by a different name, a name that I'm sure you've heard, even here on the other side of the world. Would you like to know what name that is, or have you figured it out already?\"\n\nMrs. Callahan, still unable to move, still in intense pain, manages to squeak out the name: \"Folter.\"\n\n\"Ah, so you do know me. Yes, Folter was the name I was known by. Do you know what the English translation of that name is, Mrs. Callahan?\"\n\nShe desperately shakes her head, tears pouring down her face. Valter raises his dark shades back into place, and Mrs. Callahan falls from her chair, clutching her head in pain and breathing heavily.\n\n\"I recommend you look it up. It is your future if I hear that my son is not being treated fairly, and it will be the future of any other teacher, student, or faculty member in this city that causes him harm. Are we understood?\"\n\n\"Yes! Yes, Folter, I'm sorry, I-\"\n\n\"Enough groveling, I am finished with you.\"\n\nValter stands up, takes his son by the arm, and the two of them leave the classroom. Lukas shudders a bit; while glad that he won't have to deal with Mrs. Callahan anymore, he is nervous about his father outing himself so completely. He thinks back to Vincent, Erik, and Craig, and begins to wonder which is worse: to be bullied... or feared?\n\n\\---\n\n\\~Stories by Sol" ]	3
	[WP] throughout your life you have always donated regularly to blood banks. One day a demon appears to claim a contract you didnt sign...	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 demon manifested spontaneously in my bathroom. He was as red as a baboons ass, horns protruding out of his skull lil a ram, and yet had a distinctly human like face. \n\nWe started at each other in a moment of confused disbelief.\n\n“Who the fuck are you?” he blurted the room suddenly filling with an overwhelming smell of sulfur.\n\nIn my bewilderment, tooth brush still in mouth, sitting on the toilet, I had felt overwhelmingly exposed more then fear. More confusion then sheer terror. \n\n“Ughm.....am I tripping?” I inquired, up talking as if I had just asked a stranger for directions.\n\n“Meeralus Dornpim, you can only work your sorcery so much until you must pay your debts” the demon growled and pulled out a monstrosity of metal that appeared to be a helmet laden with interior spikes.\n\n“Eh....pardon me...Mr..erm...” \n\nThe demon whipped its head back in suspicion and looked through one of his six eyes, squinting at me to size me up.\n\n“Mr.GoatMeek” he replied\n\n“Yes, Mr.Goatmeek, I truly believe you have me mixed up with another, I am no sorcerer.... I mean... Look at me” I gestured to my meaty flesh and overall aura of underachievment and anxiety.\n\n“You do smell of low grade meat, but I can smell your Dornpim blood! So you must be his relative, that's good enough for me.”\n\nI wasn't raised religious, didn't think of anything spiritual, or even gave much thought to the paranormal. To me, all this was just so very surreal.\n\nYou are in an advantage in Hell if you treat it as a circus, of perhaps your best interpretation of a horror house..... But that is easier said when you are like me and not yet judged.\n\nDemons dont like being tricked, but the sorcerer Dornpim had done just that by donating his blood around the world and then sealing a blood packed that I could never be collected.\n\nIf only I knew that would be the true cost of the vending machine accident, I would never have justified it's risk. In hell for the deep desire of mixing Craisins and pretzels I muses as I looked into the deep expanse of bureaucratic lines, waiting like a DMV for their judgment.", "\"If I had a nickel for every time someone used another person's blood to sign a demonic contract in bad faith, I'd have 2 nickels,\" the demon said, \"which isn't a lot but its weird that it happened twice.\"\n\n\"Ok,\" I said, \"so you aren't gonna claim my soul on their behalf?\"\n\n\"Ha, I still get to claim that guys soul,\" the demon said with a smile, \"The fun part is that souls claimed under contract get afforded certain protection. This contract signed in bad faith granted a man limitless wealth and power. Now, without the guarantee of payment it becomes power and wealth stolen from me. I get claim on their soul, without any sort of clause for protecting it.\"\n\nAnd with that the demon disappeared in a red mist. I wondered who it was that signed a contract in my name and was glad that hell had so many rules.", "\"Well... This is awkward.\" The hulking, fiery mass of sin and evil says, rubbing the back of his head, \"By all laws of heaven and hell, I should be ripping your left arm off your body as the contract dictates but-\"\n\n\"It wasn't me!\" I shout, stomping the ground in indignation, \"I don't even know where to start when it comes to summoning a demon!\" I was infuriated. My Friday night was ruined because I decided to be a good person. I guess that shows me.\n\n\"I know, I know\" The demon placates me, \"But we honestly have no other way to find the true dealer without their blood. And trust me, I'll probably be punished with the sheer amount of paperwork I'll have to fill out.\" \n\n\"I'd much rather choose some paperwork rather than have my arm ripped off!\" I argue, ignoring the fact that the giant in front of me could wipe out a city block in a blink of an eye, \"For god's sake, I'm a chef! I need all my arms! Have you ever heard of a chef with one arm?\"\n\nThe demon rubs his brow in annoyance, \"Dude, at least it'll be painless. I was originally going to be ripping it off slowly to make sure you savour the pain\"\n\n\"Bloody hell,\" I sigh, \"Can you tell me what the guy asked for?\"\n\nThe demon snapped his fingers, creating a book out of nowhere, seemingly made from human skin, \"Hmm... Says here in the charter that Anton Faust signed a contract where he promised his left hand in exchange for... a larger sexual appendage.\"\n\nAt this point, I was seeing red, \"Are you telling me, that I have to lose my arm because some PRICK WANTED A BIGGER DICK!?!?\" I scream, punching the drywall next to me, before coming to a realisation, \"Wait a minute... Anton Faust. I know that name!\"\n\nThe demon looked down at me in surprise, \"Bullshit. How?!\"\n\nI grin, \"Come with me, Demon Guy.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nTwo hours later, in the popular restaurant known as the 'Silver Spoon', a weasely looking man, wearing a white apron enters through the back door, into the kitchen. \"Uhm... Boss?\" He calls out to the dark kitchen. Suddenly a single light turns on, revealing a man sitting down, with a single table in front of him and another chair.\n\n\"Well, well. If it isn't my favourite Sous Chef! Anton, take a seat.\" Anton didn't know what, but something was off. Usually, he wasn't called to come back to the restaurant so late in the night. He takes his seat, still confused. \"Now Anton, I'm sure you can guess why I called you here.\"\n\nAnton pulls on his collar, sweating a bit, \"A pay raise?\" He asked hopefully. \n\nThe man lets out a hearty chuckle, making Anton worry even more. Something about the air made him sick. The room felt very hot.\n\n\"It's so funny.\" The man says, a cruel smile on his face.\n\n\"What is, sir?\" Anton asks, twiddling his thumbs.\n\n\"It's funny how you think you can BULLSHIT ME IN FRONT OF MY FACE!\" With that, the man swiftly pulls out a cleaver and brings it upon Anton, who was too stunned to move. In almost a second, the cleaver had gone right through Anton's shoulder, as if they had attacked people with cleavers before.\n\nIt was then that Anton noticed that his arm was separated from his body, and then the pain caught up to him. Anton screamed like he never had before, as blood gushed from his wound.\n\nThe man grabs Anton's chopped-off arm and says, \"Baalth'zar of the Sixth Circle, I call to you for your just reward.\" It was then, that Anton knew he was fucked. His boss, who he was hoping to have lost their arm, was now calling the name of the demon he had contracted.\n\nThe severed arm went up in flames, leaving behind an unpleasant scent of burnt flesh. \"Well, I guess that's settled,\" Anton's boss says, before turning to Anton. \"Now, I suppose I can't have you run off to the police, can I?\" Anton's boss runs his tongue across the cleaver, licking Anton's blood, \"Perhaps a new special is in need for tomorrow? Maybe you can help me with it, Anton.\"\n\nAnd for the last time in his life, Anton cursed all the decisions he had ever made." ]	4
	[WP] If you’re reading this, it’s not your first time. I don’t know where you are reading it now or where you read it before. It may be a book or scratched into a wall. If you think this is your first time reading this, it’s not but you are lucky.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "“If you’re reading this, it’s not your first time. I don’t know where you are reading it now or where you read it before. It may be a book or scratched into a wall. If you think this is your first time reading this, it’s not, but you are lucky.” These words carved into the stone wall of a temple are ones I have seen so many times. \r \n\r \nEvery day I wake up, they move. Never in the same place, but always there someplace for me to find it. I look at my hand and write 5,456. It’s my only way to keep track of the loops. It has been so long since I entered this cursed place. So long since I last saw anyone else. \r \n\r \nI progress further into the labyrinthian structure in search of freedom. I hope one day I will succeed. One day I will find my way out. I pause at a crossroads. \r \n\r \n“Three, two, one-” I watch a flaming chariot rush passed me and finally crossed the junction. That bastard got me too many times. I swear he changes up his schedule just to catch me out when I get too accustomed to a loop. \r \n\r \nI press further, keeping to my mental map. “Should be a chest with a few potions up ahead,” I don’t know why I speak nowadays. It’s been years since I last saw another human. But I guess just something to drown out the silence. Silence can be deafening, you know?\r \n\r \nI pause as I look down at the chest. Those same words again, this time roughly carved into the flat top of the chest itself. \r \n\r \n“If you’re reading this, it’s not your first time. I don’t know where you are reading it now or where you read it before. It may be a book or scratched into a wall. If you think this is your first time reading this, it’s not, but you are lucky.”\r \n\r \n“This is a new one. Usually, you are more subtle!!” I shout to the sky above, hoping who or whatever is doing this to me knows I am not amused. Picking up a pebble, I gently throw it at the chest. It’s sometimes a mimic. Nothing happens, which means it is safe. That or the mimic is crafty.\r \n\r \nI open the chest and find my usual healing potion and a new book. Reading the cover, it is titled. ‘Dungeon Delving made so easy even you can do it!’. Smug bastards think they’re funny. Though I am never one to let my ego get in the way of a possible gleaning a path out. Curiously in the very corner of the chest is a single bar of lead. Never one to turn down anything extra, even a door stop, I pack it away in my bag. \r \n\r \nI sit against the wall to rest a moment as I thumb through a few pages, and It seems to be a journal. It covers a lot of what I already know. Though it mentions a few traps and nasties, I am yet to meet. How very kind of them. I pause at the last page. Those same words shining back at me in gilded print.\r \n\r \n“If you’re reading this, it’s not your first time. I don’t know where you are reading it now or where you read it before. It may be a book or scratched into a wall. If you think this is your first time reading this, it’s not, but you are lucky.”\r \n\r \nI can only sigh as I press on over the lava floor room. The pillar agility course. I have reached the next great trial of my willpower. I take out a ball of soft candle wax and plug my ears. Next, I wrap a piece of cloth around my eyes. This is the room where I have failed the most. Sometimes on purpose when I needed a break from all this. \r \n\r \nThough this run is not a rest run, I open the door and step on through. This room is one of the few never to change, so I can walk through with ease. I can feel the succubus’ hands try to guide me away. But I press on. I reach out and turn the door handle turning to face the room with a smile.\r \n\r \n“Not today, ladies, maybe in a few more runs.” I blindly wave to the room. Must press on. I cannot stop. Moving deeper, I reach the first real challenge. The Boss room of the regional ruler. There on the door to his room are those words once again. \r \n\r \n“If you’re reading this, it’s not your first time. I don’t know where you are reading it now or where you read it before. It may be a book or scratched into a wall. If you think this is your first time reading this, it’s not, but you are lucky.”\r \n\r \nI ignore them and step into the room itself I can see it has changed since the last time. It is now a large arena of sorts. Last time it was a theatre with a whole troupe of actors. I wonder what the boss is going to be this time? When the creature steps out, I can feel all will leave me.\r \n\r \n“Really?!!” I shout to the sky above. “A minotaur in a labyrinth? Could you not really be more imaginative?!!” Silence is the only response from the sky above. \r \n\r \n“Regardless, this shouldn’t be too difficult,” I draw my sword from its sheath with a flourish. I ready my stance only to be frozen in shock as a lightning bolt from above strikes the monster. It begins to morph and mutate.\r \n\r \n“NOT GOOD!!!” I rush in to finish it off before it can finish changing, but I am too late. The ones above seem to have responded to my creative criticism. The beast now has a lion’s and a goat’s head and a serpent for a tail—a bloody chimaera. \r \n\r \n“THAT WASN’T AN INVITATION TO UP THE DIFFICULTY, YOU BASTARDS!!”\r \n\r \nI channel mana through my legs to up my speed as I dodge the attacks. The flames are already reddening my skin, and I barely avoid the snake tail. With little option, I draw on the creature's mythology and throw a block of lead into the thing's gullet. The creature spasms and collapses dead.\r \n\r \n“Molten lead is a bitch,” I kick the corpse before collapsing next to it. I pop the cork of one of the potions and drain it, healing my burns. After a few minutes of catching my breath, I rise and make my way to the door. The moment my hand touches the handle, however, I feel a burning sensation on my back.\r \n\r \nLooking over my shoulder, I can see the serpent tail had launched a strike and bitten my back. I can already feel the venom coursing through my veins. I retaliate by slicing it to ribbons.\r \n\r \n“Cheating bastard waiting for me to use up my healing item.” I collapse as blood begins to pool out of me. I only feel cold. Soon death will embrace me. But here, and for me, at least, she is a fickle mistress. \r \n\r \nI wake up in my camp. The one me and my friends made before they all disappeared. Before, I got stuck in this hell all alone. I look at my hand and write 5,457. Looking up on the wall, I can see written those words once more.\r \n\r \n“If you’re reading this, it’s not your first time. I don’t know where you are reading it now or where you read it before. It may be a book or scratched into a wall. If you think this is your first time reading this, it’s not, but you are lucky.”\r \n\r \nIt’d be almost a comfort in my day-to-day life were it not in my own handwriting. The most concerning thing is I have no recollection of ever writing these words. Regardless I start my day again. I will be free regardless of how long it takes." ]	2
	[WP] A quaint little store gives "A Penny for your thought". Imagine your surprise when it's girl named Penny given to you instead of a shiny coin.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 looked around the small wooden shop with various doodads and trinkets. The walls were lined with various jewelry as well as a couple of burn marks and I quietly mused to myself how the shop hadn't burned down already. \n \n\"We have special defenses.\" a female voice called out. I looked to the counter at the front of the shop and the lady was looking directly at me. I walked up to her. \n \n\"You-\" I started. \n \n\"Can read minds yeah. Always had the ability and so long as I didn't get in anyone's way, no one seemed to mind a whole lot. No point in burning down a small shop like this. It's not worth it most of the time. Have more of a look around though.\" she gestured to a a rotating spindle that had a couple of glasses and dreamcatchers. \"I can tell you're more of a curious sort.\" and she gave me a wink. \n \nI walked over to them and took a dreamcatcher and one of the glasses and put them on the counter. \n \n\"What do these glasses do?\" I asked. \n \n\"They allow you to see anything that might harm you. A person with ill intentions, a heat-seeking missile, that sort of thing.\" she said. \n \nI was about to pay before I saw a little sign just barely visible. 'A penny for your thoughts.' it said. \n \nI pointed at the sign \"You can already read minds though.\" I said confused. She chuckled. \"Yes, this isn't a mind-reading tool. This is...something different...would you like to try it?\" I chuckled as well. \"You already know the answer.\" and flipped a coin onto the counter. She took it and said \"Be right back\" before walking to the back of the store. \n \nI waited about 30 seconds before she came back with a little girl. \"This is Penny!\" she said. \"She'll be with you now for the next week! If you ever have thoughts that you don't want to have, you can simply ask for Penny! She'll come to you, suck the thoughts right out of your head, and you can continue on your merry way!\" The shopkeeper seemed a bit too happy for this. I think she could tell that I was skeptical and was ready for the question that I was about to ask. \n \n\"Where do the thoughts go?\" I asked. Her smile faltered a bit. \n \n\"Ah, pity you had to ask that now. Most don't ask that till after. They go right into Penny, and she comes right back to me after the week is up! She's gathered...quite a few thoughts at this point. And the greatest thing? Thoughts can't be destroyed. So I just keep them until I have need of them.\" \n \nThe sale was gone at this point but I was still curious. I pointed to the burn mark again. \"Is that...?\" \n \n\"Yes a few customers have gotten angry that I did this. Doesn't matter though. If they try to kill me or burn down the shop, their secrets would be revealed to everyone. So...I believe I'm quite safe at this point.\" \n \nI held out my hand. \"I'd like a refund please.\" \n \nThe shopkeeper waggled her finger. \"Policy is that no refunds unless Penny hasn't gathered a single thought from you. And so far Penny has gotten...\" She did a little magic spell that seemed to slightly affect the girl. She immediately became Crestfallen. \"Not a single thought from you...\" She reluctantly took out the coin and gave it back to me. \n \nAs I headed out the door I asked her \"So how did a shopkeeper place such defenses on the store?\" \n \nShe glanced back to me. \"I never said they were my defenses...\"" ]	2
Inspired by the waitress who thought my best friend and I were a couple because of how we act together. Both of us are straight ( and he is married with a kid).	[WP] When the Hero defeated the Dark Lord and showed up to take the princesses hand, everyone was surprised. Everyone assumed he was in a relationship with his sidekick because of their platonic love for each other.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Kythain stopped at the foot of the stairs leading to the royal dais, his battered armor ringing sharply against the marble as he knelt before King Alendev. Visten hastily copied his friend, wincing and placing a hand on Kythain's pauldron to steady himself as his aching muscles protested the move.\n\nThe young monarch made a sweeping gesture.\"Rise, Kythain Elar, Visten Marigrove. I desire no such obeisance from the men who avenged my parents' murder, and laid low the Red Lord, sending his armies fleeing back across the Eastern Sea.\"\n\nKythain rose at once, and then turned to lend Visten a hand, helping him back to his feet as the wiry young mage stifled an exasperated groan. They both gave the monarch a grateful bow from the waist.\n\nThe king extended a hand to the weary warrior and mage before him, raising his voice in proclamation. \"Kythain Elar, worthy bannerman of the crown, hear the proclamation of the sovereign you have served so well and faithfully: the lands that once belonged to the traitor Duke Lendig are now yours! I hereby name you Duke Kythain of Westholm!\"\n\nThe court, breaking the somber mood that had descended upon it during the war, erupted in applause at the bestowal that raised the heroic Kythain from a common soldier to the high nobility. Alendev motioned for silence, and when the throne was quiet, he continued, turning to Visten.\n\n\"And you, Magus Visten, wise beyond your years, and powerful in your clever craft,\" the king began, before pausing to glance at Archmage Valdemar, who stood beside the throne.\"In consultation with my court wizard, I hereby name you a Master Wizard of the Royal Cabal, and a bestow a grant of royal funds with which you may build a tower of your own, as befits your new station.\"\n\nVisten's jaw dropped -- scarcely out of his apprenticeship, the journeyman wizard's lifelong dream of an appointment to the Cabal had been fulfilled at a stroke.\n\n\"I am told that there is a rocky hill overlooking the city of Westholm, not far from the ducal keep, that would be a fine site for a tower.\" Alendev added, with a knowing smirk, sending a chuckle through the surrounding courtiers.\n\nVisten and Kythain glanced at each other, briefly, both frowning in confusion.\n\n\"I am humbled by your generosity, majesty\" Kythain said, recovering his composure and affecting another deep bow.\n\n\"As am I, sire.\" Visten agreed, mimicking the motion.\n\n\"That is but a token of my gratitude,\" Alendev said, with a dismissive wave, as he took up a goblet of wine offered to him by a page. He raised it to the newly minted noble before him. \"Duke Kythain, for the service you have rendered to myself and the kingdom, I invite you to ask any boon that you desire, unto the half of my kingdom!\"\n\nKythain swallowed hard. Making his deepest bow yet, he stammered, \"My king...if...if you would ask me to name a boon, I...\"\n\n\"Anything!\" Alendev assured him, raising his goblet to his lips. \"Name it, Duke Kythain -- it would be beneath my royal honor to do any less for the man to whom I owe everything.\"\n\n\"I ask permission to pay court upon your sister, Princess Alessandra!\" Kythain blurted.\n\nAlendev sputtered, choking on his wine. Nearby on the dais, Alessandra gasped, placing a hand to her chest, her cheeks coloring. She stared wide-eyed at Kythain, looking from him to Visten, and then at her brother the king.\n\nKythain lifted his chin. \"I...I know that I am of humble birth, sire, but--\"\n\nAlendev shook his head, coughing, and waving away Kythain's response. \"N-no, no Duke Kythain! I just...\" He trailed off, looking at the Princess, who despite having become befriended the celebrated soldier during the war, was looking at Kythain as though she was seeing him for the very first time. She looked back at her brother, her blush deepening, and gave him a faint nod. \"...well, as my royal sister seems amenable, I, uh, am more than willing to grant this request, I just, well...\"\n\nThe king trailed off, leaving the throne room in awkward silence for a moment.\n\nVisten, meanwhile, was frowning thoughtfully, seemingly pondering the situation. His eyes suddenly widened, and he drew in a sharp breath. Wordlessly, he took a single step to the side, increasing the distance between himself and Kythain, who didn't notice, as he was too busy beaming up at the Princess and King.\n\n\"Thank you, your majesty!\" Kythain said, smiling broadly. The Princess, having recovered some of her composure, mirrored Kythain's expression with a shy smile of her own.\n\nThe victory gala in honor of the newly-minted Duke and Master Wizard proceeded, with much feasting, wine, song, and dance. The king discussed the duties of a duke and the extent of his domain with Kythain. Archmage Valdemar discussed the finer points of tower construction with Visten. And the Princess, via royal messenger, made arrangements to take a stroll with Kythain in the royal gardens the following week.\n\nAs the celebration wound down, Kythain found himself alone on a balcony overlooking the palace garden.\n\n\"Wizards that father a child,\" Visten announced, \"Often sire offspring that are magical sports -- possessed of strange innate magical talents. They can be hard to parent. I just found that out from Archmage Valdemar tonight. It's something most apprentices are taught, apparently, when first learning magical safety.\"\n\nKythain glanced towards his friends voice. He saw no one there. He frowned.\n\n\"Really? Why didn't you already know?\"\n\n\"My master -- like everyone else, apparently -- thought it was information I wouldn't ever need to know.\" Visten replied, drily.\n\n\"That's strange. I'd certainly want to know that, if I were you.\" Kythain mused, idly. Then he waved towards the seemingly empty air next to him. \"Vis, why are you invisible right now? Is something wrong?\"\n\n\"No, I just don't want to be...\" Visten began, then sighed. \"Look, Ky, I don't want to make this any weirder than it already is, but you should know that...\"\n\n\"But what?\" Kythain said, raising an eyebrow. \"Vis, we've been friends forever. We're like brothers. You know you can talk to me about anything.\"\n\nVisten was silent for a moment, then he reappeared in a shower of arcane sparks, shedding the cloaking spell he'd been wearing.\n\n\"You know what?\" the wizard said, with a wry smirk. \"Never mind.\"\n\nHe threw an arm around his friend's shoulders, \"Come on, let's go back to the party. You might have your heart set on Allesandra, but I remember you promised to introduce me to some of the ladies in waiting that you know?\"\n\nKythain raised his eyebrows. \"I did!\" He waggled his fingers mystically. \"But you always say you're too busy studying the mystical secrets of the universe to waste time on earthly entanglements.\"\n\n\"Yeah, well,\" Visten muttered, darkly \"It's recently occurred to me that I've been putting off my social life for far too long.\"\n\nKythain laughed, jovially. \"Great! I know just the lass -- her name's Evelyn. She's pretty, witty -- plus, the girl loves books, just like you. I'm pretty sure I saw her downstairs earlier.\"\n\nVisten swallowed nervously, but nodded.\n\nKythain chuckled, herding his friend back towards the waning celebration. \"Don't worry, she's really nice. And I'll put in a good word for you.\"\n\n\"Women do always seem to trust you.\" Visten said, drily, and allowed himself to be led back to the feast.", "(Apologies for any grammar mistakes. Olde English is not my native tongue ;))\n\n\"But pray thee, good knight. Art though not.... inn mates?\"\n\n\"By the Goodn lord above, they are inn mates? I would have sworn my life upon it\"\n\n\"Tis not. We are but busom friends who stay together and stand as brothers. I do so swear we naught-\"\n\n\"Save for one time. When the wood was damp and we had no fire....\"\n\n\"Not now.\"\n\n\"Thou spooned me on that night, like no other hast spooned me before or since\"\n\n\"I beg of you, good comrade, not now. I am wooing the princess!\"\n\n\"You never wish to speak of that night.\"\n\n\"We shalt, speak of it one day anon. But not this moment.\"\n\n\"Twas a magical night.\"\n\n\"Princess, please cry not. To see you weep- oh. Tis tears of mirth....\"", "“Now arriving the great hero, vanquisher of the dark lord, Sir Maxamillian.” the chief chamberlain's voice echoed around the throne room. Through the doorway in his finest ceremonial armour strode Maxamillian himself. A smattering of restrained applause welcomed him.\r \n\r \n“Now arriving the great hero's most stalwart companion, the fair lady Rebecca.” His voice once again echoed around the throne room. Rebecca strode in her finest silk mage robes, flowing elegantly behind her. \r \n\r \n“Now arriving Sir Maxamillian’s apprentice, Sir Zorost,” a third time, his voice echoed around the throne room and, once again, small applause was given as he entered. The king raised a hand to silence the room.\r \n\r \n“Approach.” his deep baritone voice rumbled and demanded attention. Dutifully the trio approached the throne and knelt at the bottom of the steps.\r \n\r \n“You have done this kingdom a great service, oh party of heroes. My only regret is all of you could not be here today. But know this we shall honour your fallen comrades in our halls till the end of time.” the King’s words held a weight that none dare challenge. \r \n\r \n“But I shall now bestow rewards upon you three. I shall grant you anything your heart desires. So long as it is within my power, it will be yours. Now rise and speak your request.”\r \n\r \nThe first to step forwards by tradition was the lowest station of the trio. Zorost stepped forward and bowed his head. \r \n\r \n“Sire, I desire a blade from the royal armoury. Grant me a blade so I may better defend this kingdom I hold so dearly.” he once again lowered his head.\r \n\r \nThe king looked down on the boy from his throne and stroked his beard. His brows were clearly narrowed in thought. Finally, after a tense minute of silence, he cleared his throat. \r \n\r \n“I apologise, Sir Zorost, but this is one I cannot grant. Though I suppose I should say I will not. It is too small a reward, and the blades in my armoury are too meagre for one such as yourself. So I shall have a new blade forged of the finest material by the dwarven smiths of the iron hills. Is this acceptable?”\r \n\r \nZorost beamed a smile before composing himself. “I shall accept your most benevolent gesture.” Bowing his head once more, Zorost stepped back.\r \n\r \nRebbecca stepped forwards, though she did not lower her head. \r \n\r \n“I want the entire archive of magic, especially all the books of past court mages.” there were murmurs of shock from the crowd of nobles. Such a brazen request was beyond what words could describe. Many began speaking ill of her. But before the sentiment could spread, the king spoke.\r \n\r \n“Granted. I can see no reward more befitting such an astounding mage. If you would be willing, I’d even make you my chief court mage.” Rebecca, however, only snorted in derision.\r \n\r \n“I see you were always a free spirit… very well, the archives and books are yours.” Stepping back, Rebbecca made a small fist pump of victory. Finally, Maxamillian stepped forwards.\r \n\r \n“To you, the greatest hero of the age. What can I grant you?” the king looked at the boy with the warmest of smiles. He was throwing all decorum out the window. It was known by many courtiers he saw the boy as a son of sorts. \r \n\r \n“I desire but one thing.” Maximilian’s words trailed off as if it were a difficult thing to ask.\r \n\r \n“I wish to be wed to Princess Alice!!” he finally blurted out, finally having gathered the courage to say it. The entire room was deathly silent. \r \n\r \n“I am aware it is above my station Sire. But she is but the third princess. She who stole my heart. I wish her to be my wife!!” Maximilian was now near begging, lowering his head in a deep bow. \r \n\r \n“I thought he and Zorost were a thing?” a voice from the room's left muttered.\r \n\r \n“Really? I heard him, and Rebecca were a couple,” another spoke in reply.\r \n\r \n“I… Max, my boy…” the king was at a loss for words. “You are aware you may only have one wife, and I’m sure Alice, my dearest daughter, would not like you having a male concubine.”\r \n\r \nMaxamillian’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Sire, I… whom do you think is my male concubine?” he seemed genuinely bewildered.\r \n\r \n“Well…” the king trailed off. “Sir Zorost. We of the court saw how you interacted during your sparring and in private. We merely assumed…”\r \n\r \n“SIRE!!! Me and Zorost are like brothers. To think such salacious rumours were circulating.” Maximilian lowered his head in his hands and turned to look at Zorost. Zorost looked just as shocked, and it seemed he had full disassociated due to the humiliation.\r \n\r \n“Very well; I apologise for the misconception. But what of Lady Rebecca? Is she not someone madly in love with you?”\r \n\r \n“Pfffttttt!!!” Rebecca could barely contain her laughter. “Sire, this dipshit is not worth my time, let alone my type. Hell, if I knew the princess was on the table, I’d have asked for her hand had lover boy not cried his eyes out about not seeing her!!”\r \n\r \n“I… Well, I feel like a right fool… very well, so long as Alice consents, you may be wed.” the King said, turning to the princess in question, who was already beet red. Slapping her cheeks, Alice stepped forwards and looked Maxamillian in the eyes.\r \n\r \n“Maxy…” she held his cheeks in her hands. “I think of you as a best friend… but I’m sorry.” with those few words, she hastily left the throne room, leaving a devastated Maxamillian standing frozen like a statue. \r \n\r \n“Errr… is there anything else, Sir hero?” the King hesitantly asked.\r \n\r \n“Execution, please.”" ]	4
	[FF] Write an article commemorating the 100th anniversary of 9/11	[ "Greetings, citizens!\n\nToday is a day of triumph; today is a day of grief. One hundred years ago, on this very day, a group of terrorists pulled off something that would be impossible today. Two planes collided into the World Trade Center towers. Three thousand brave American citizens perished on that day. \n\nIn these trying times, it is tempting to give into the every day comforts that our great nation offers us. It is up to you -- yes, you! -- to keep the peace in America today. With every stolen good that puts your household over the monthly ration, with every broken curfew, when you shun the high quality high speed American Communication Network to use seedier avenues of sedition, we step further towards another travesty like the one that rocked New York City in 2001.\n\nWe must remember the warriors amongst us. The firefighters who braved their lives to save civilians from the wreckage after the chaos, the brave citizens on Flight 93 who fought against overwhelming odds to do the right thing, the survivors of the attack who struggled with trauma that still burns in scars across our great nation. We must remember the soldiers who went overseas to avenge our fallen brothers and sisters. We must remember the government officials who tirelessly protected the United states of America from another attack from foreign powers jealous of our strength, our courage, our freedom.\n\nA hundred years ago may seem like a distant memory, but history will immortalize us for all time. We remember the bravery of New York City and the selflessness of America to this day. A hundred years from now, historians will asked whether we learned the lessons that September 11th taught us. Have faith in your fellow man and your government, and our legacy will leave us as a revered and honored people, remembered for our virtue. Stray off the path forged by our ancestors and the ruin of America will be counted amongst other crumbled empires.\n\nGod bless you.", "We interrupt your regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you this vital message from your brothers and sisters in arms.\n\n100 years ago today, the United States Government realized that the country was now ripe for oppression. The people would now be willing, if not eager, to give up their hard-won freedoms in exchange for safety and security.\n\nIt was, as the saying goes, the beginning of the end. \n\nWe have all sacrificed more than we would wish. We have all lost family members in the struggle for freedom. We have lost our homes. We have lost our jobs. We have lost our entire way of life.\n\nNow, I must ask you to give more. The rebellion must succeed if we are to endure as a people, and not perish from the earth.\n\nWe must continue the resistance movement! We must fight! We must once again secure, for all time, our freedom!\n\nI would remind you of a quote attributed to the late President Benjamin Cartwright III. During an evacuation attempt by his bodyguards from the besieged White House, he was shot and killed by U.S. Military forces. His crime was suspicion of advocating freedom. \n\n\"My only regret is that I have but one life to give for my people.\" \n\nThis is Radio Free America, signing off.", "NEW YORK--ASSOCIATED DIGITAL MEDIA/GOOGLENEWS\n\nNew York City Mayor Maria Alvarez led a small memorial service in City Hall Park this overcast morning to mark the 100th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. \"Although sadly forgotten by many Americans, this day, 100 years ago, left a deep scar on our city that will never be forgotten.\" said Mayor Alvarez.\n\nOver 3,000 Americans died in the attacks, in which two jet aircraft were crashed into the Trade Center complex, with another crashing into the Pentagon and another crashing into a field near Pittsburg. \n\n\"It was one of the defining moments of the turn of the century,\" said Harvard professor of history David Langille-Smith, who attended the ceremony today. \"It's a shame that most of the memorials are gone and that we as a country don't think about that part of our history.\" \n\nIn a press release, President Li ordered that flags at all government facilities be lowered at half staff to commorate the tragedy. A special service was also held at the Pentagon marking the event, with Vice President Kennedy in attendance.", "HELIOS NEWS-\n\nMANHATTAN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES-\n(To go out 9/13/2101- Alan, please edit this!) \n\nFreedom Plaza and Tower, one of the largest buildings in Manhattan, was the site of a somber, rainy memorial to one of the last century's worst terrorist attacks. A century ago this day, the original World Trade Center of New York was taken down by Islamic fundamentalists in protest to American military presence in the middle east. The attack was carried out over a sunny morning, using full civilian passenger jets to attack the Center, along with the Pentagon in Washington, DC.\nA fourth plane was wrestled back from the hijackers, crashing into a field in Pennsylvania. \n\nThe damage and fire was so extensive on the twin towers that the buildings collapsed. Thousands died in the span of 24 hours, with the final toll resting somewhere slightly over 3,000, due to health effects that were prolonged over a decade with the emergency workers.\nThe attack drew responses of horror worldwide, and within months, the perpetrators were singled out and located in Afghanistan. \n\nWhat began was a period of warfare and conflict in the Middle East and across the Asian continent then-known as the War on Terror, a concentrated effort of disabling and destroying Al Qaeda, the organization claiming responsibility for the attacks. The conflict lasted over seventeen years, with Usama Bin Laden, the chief mastermind of the attack, dying in an 2011 Abbottabad, Pakistan raid by elite operatives working with the US Navy. \n\nWith the war being a significant drain on resources, the United States economy suffered in the latter half of the first decade in the last century, with compounding issues such as a faulty housing market. In 2008, America elected it's first African-American President, and the war began to dwindle down until mid 2013, when heavy fighting in Syria broke across the borders of that nation into Turkey and Lebanon. \nHowever, the conflict that resulted of this is not the reason for this.\n\nMayor Shen spoke at the memorial, shortly after laying a memorial wreath on a ceremonial altar crafted by recovered wreckage from the original World Trade Center. \"We look to the past in order to learn from the horror of man's mistakes so we can learn to avoid repeating them.\" \nHe spoke to a crowd of hundreds. \"It has been one hundred years since that Tuesday morning, and we've seen a century of rapid change and advancement for our nation. Though we have pulled through the fires of conflict, we must look to preserving the peace we have now to prevent another day like 9/11/01 from ever happening again. Mankind's days are built on the consequences of the decisions of our fathers. We must strive for peace for our sons.\"\n\nAs the son of an 9/11 orphan, this reporter agrees. ", "It was a terrible day that shook the world. And no, I'm not talking about the Beijing explosions. \n\nA hundred years ago today, back on Earth, the West was suddenly thrust into a new age of fear. The events that led to the collapse of NATO were triggered by a group of Islamic extremists who attacked the World Trade Center, two towers that stood at the center of New York City. \n\nThe survivors said they remembered the screams most. The screams of office workers as they leapt from the heights of the towers with no chance of survival. The screams of firefighters and police, heard over radio communicators, as the towers collapsed. The screams of the passengers were silenced by thousands of feet of air and the thin metal shell of the airplanes. \n\nThe three thousand victims of the attacks were practically irrelevant compared to their effects. The world changed forever. Paranoia was considered healthy, religions were set against each other, and millions died in the resulting wars. When China backed up the Arab states against America, nuclear war resulted. Most of the world was rendered uninhabitable. Those last few survivors held on for six months of near-anarchy before America could collaborate with the European Space Agency, and Project Genesis was launched to Mars. \n\nAnd here we are today. ", "CANBERRA - Australian Union Prime Minister Daniel Nguyen yesterday called upon Australians to \"remember 9/11, but yet also remember the lessons of the past.\"\n\nMr Nguyen, speaking last night at a relatively low-key ceremony held on the lawn of the United States of America embassy in Canberra, made his remarks as part of the commemeration of the 100th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on New York City and Washington, DC in 2001, which killed almost 3,000 people.\n\n\"The dead should never be forgotten, no matter the cause,\" Mr Nguyen said. \"We must always remember 9/11, but yet also remember the lessons of the past. When tragedy strikes, we must always be sure to restrain ourselves and not surrender ourselves to fear and terror.\"\n\nMr Nguyen then went on to say, \"We should never again allow ourselves to blindly follow others into adventurism and revenge, under the delusion of justice and security.\"\n\nMr Nguyen's remarks referred to the invasions of Afghanistan and the countries then collectively known as Iraq, under the umbrella of the USA's \"War on Terror\", in which 57 Australian soldiers were killed over the 15 year period.\n\nThe wars, initiated by then-US President George W. Bush, were initially seen as a necessary response to the attacks, but were soon afterwards seen by many observers as a hasty, ill-advised exercise, contributing in no small part to the economic and political decline of the USA during the first half of the twenty-first century.\n\nJames Howard, ambassador to the United States, and grandson of former Prime Minister John Howard, who was in Washington, DC at the time of the attacks and soon after pledged Australian support to the wars, criticised Mr Nguyen.\n\n\"I think that's just a cheap shot at someone who served our nation with distinction for 11 years,\" Mr Howard said. \"It is easy to look at history with hindsight and claim you would have done differently, but I feel my grandfather did what he felt was right for Australia at the time.\"\n\nMoments of silence were held at 10:46, 11:03 and 11:37PM, the exact times of the planes' impact into the World Trade Centre towers and the Pentagon, as well as one just after midnight to commemerate the passengers of Flight 93, who overpowered their hijackers and crashed their plane into a field in Pennsylvania.\n\nUnited States Ambassador to the AU, Mackenzie Charlton, thanked Mr Nguyen for conducting the ceremony, stating, \"The USA will always be a friend to the Australian Union.\"\n\nThe ceremony was marred slightly however, when a North New Zealand separatist protester ran on to the embassy lawn between the second and third moments of silence, carrying an old New Zealand flag and calling for \"North and South Island independence.\" Police swiftly apprehended the man and led him away.\n\nEDIT: Fixed a couple of spelling errors." ]	6
	[WP] Rather than being evil and manipulating your words, this Genie is just lazy and ready to go back in the bottle. He only half completes your wishes, and although its better than nothing, its still really annoying.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 stared in disbelief at the bounty before me. It was more than I imagined. I woke up from my a restful night's sleep to see mountains of cheese. All around my room, boxes and wheels, I ran to the hallway and tripped over a wheel of gouda. stumbling to the door to see that the...hallway...and the stairs were also piled high with cheese.\n\nThis was disconcerting. I had expected cheese to be there in the morning, but I hadn't really expected this...much cheese. I clambered over a stack of boxes to the bathroom, and pushed over a pile of wrapped blocks of asiago stacked on the toilet seat.\n\nI was not entirely surprised at the overwhelming nature of this bounty. I knew from childhood literature that genies are tricksy partners and will look for loopholes in your wishes, and that anyone who finds a genie might be best off forgetting they did and putting it back where it was. I knew all this, that's why I kept my wish concrete and achievable. I really thought it through. Cheese.\n\nI washed my hands and struggled over the boxes back to my room to dress. I had been specific with the creature, his scraggly beard and unkempt hair held down by a trucker hat, his unwashed flannel out of place for the ancient vessel that contained him.\nI hoisted myself over a tower of manchego and climbed carefully down the stairs. The lamp was where I left it on the table. I rubbed it vigorously.\n\nNothing happened.\n\nI tried again, exactly as before, and still. Nothing happened. I spent ten minutes rearranging crates and wheels and wrapped packages of cheese until I could get into my thankfully mostly empty kitchen. There was a disturbing amount of brie on the countertop though. I don't particularly like brie…\n\nI was making coffee when Andy tapped on the back door. Confused I went to open it and let him in, his arms overflowing with cheese.\n\n\"Hey can you grab a few of these? I'm glad you're up, is that coffee?\"\n\nI took the bags from off his arms, cans of craft rolled onto the floor when I put them down.\n\"I've got like, two more loads from the van and then I think we're pretty much done. Do you smoke?\"\n\nConfused, I responded \"No, not really. Sometimes when I drink I guess. Why?\"\n\"Oh, well if you smoked you'd need less cheese. Anything else? Heart disease in your family? History of cancers?\"\n\n\"No\", I answered, \"I don't think so. My grandmother had cancer but not until she was about 95\".\n\n\"Bummer. Ok, might need to make one more run,\" and dejectedly he turned around and started walking out of the kitchen.\n\n\"Andy, wait come back, have some coffee. Wait, have you been at this all night?\"\n\"Well, yeah, I mean, this is a lot of cheese.\"\n\n\"Andy...where did you get all this cheese? Where did you get the van?\"\n\n\"Well the van is from a few blocks away, I genie'd the keys from some guys pocket, and then the cheese is from, like all over. I figured out at like 3am that there's a distributor a few towns over, so that was a real game changer.\"\n\n\"Andy, did you steal all this cheese? From like, the supermarket?\"\n\n\"Oh no no no, I just genie'd it. Like I drove the van up nearby and I, ya know, genie'd it into the van. And now it's in your house, so we're pretty much like, done deal at this point. So ya know, two wishes left. Let me know when you've got something, I'm not going anywhere. Is that coffee ready?\"\n\nIt was, and I poured two cups and we sat at my table, wheels of cheese stacked precariously all around. The smell was starting to become overwhelming. We sat in silence for a minute until Andy asked \"You mind if I smoke?\"\n\n\"Well, I mean, ummm, I guess use an ashtray\", and I passed him a leftover bowl mostly empty of granola from the day before.\n\n\"Andy what am I going to do with all this cheese? I thought when I wished for a lifetime's supply of cheese it would like, pop up in my fridge every week or so, I wasn't expecting you to fill my house with cheese in one night. Where will I put it? A lot of it will spoil!\"\n\n\"Well that's why I mosty tried to get wheels. And cans. Lots of cans. The Kraft stuff says it expires after 2 years, but I'll let ya in on a little secret, it actually lasts a lot longer than that\" and he winked at me conspiratorially.\n\n\"Andy I don't like Kraft cheese. That's not even cheese\"\n\n\"You'll learn to like it! That's part of the genie magic. Damn bro, this is good coffee.\"\n\n\"Andy, I don't know what to do with all this. I need like, industrial cold storage for all this. What am I going to do with this? Sell it?\"\n\n\"Oh, uh, no no no, I don't think you want to sell this cheese. I told you I genie'd it out of the distributor this morning, they're gonna put two and two together if we try to fence this cheese. This is felony amounts I'm pretty sure.\"\n\n\"So you DID steal it! I knew it\", I was furious, standing above him I yelled, \"Andy, every store in town has had their cheese stolen, and it's all in my house?!?\"\n\n\"Well\", he said, thinking, \"you do have two wishes left. And I didn't 'steal' it, dude, I 'genie'd' it. There's a difference.\"\n\n\"Andy I don't think the police will see it that way\"\n\n\"Oh no, for sure. They're gonna think we stole it. That's a good point.\"\n\n\"Andy, you did steal it. 'We' didn't do anything. You. Stole this cheese\"\n\n\"No, I told you, I drove the van there and genie'd it. There's very strict rules about this sort of thing for genies. But look that's beside the point. I've got to get going unless... You been thinking about another wish maybe? Bang out another one this morning, and then, ya know, maybe we only have the one left hanging over our heads? Yeah? I could genie you up some industrial fridges maybe?\"\n\n\"Yeah. Ummm, How many you think I could fit in the basement?\"\n\n\"Dude, I dunno, you got a tape measure around here?\"\n\n\"Yes\", I said, \"somewhere under the cheese probably.\n\n============================================" ]	2
	[WP] Yes, it’s been on the fritz for a while, but it’s just one of those “inspirational quote” bots. Even if it is sentient, which it definitely isn’t, it can only speak in quotes. What harm could it even do?	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 dangerous in the most subtle way. People who buy these boys are at their most vulnerable, generally as intended. Nobody outside of that market ever regarded these boys as useful. They were meant to seem extremely cheesy, or non-helpful. Like a scam caller, with the broken English, unprofessional language and obvious illegitimacy that only preys on those most vulnerable. But this brand obviously never intended to hurt anyone. It was a scam first and foremost, but only for it's low quality and high profit output. Yet all was needed was a few lines just slightly out of touch. The cheesy quotes that don't really make sense when you think of them. Like\n\n\"Reflect what you desire\"\n\nOr \n\n\"Achieve what you want through any means necessary.\"\n\nA dangerous quote for the unstable. The few that will quite literally do anything. Lonely and insecure, the person who feels they deserve someone.\n\nViolence wasn't attributed to these bots until much later than it should've been. And the factory only shut down from bankruptcy from overproduction, a shift in the market, and a rise in price for the materials. But hindsight is 20/20, you can't always blame yourself.", "\"I'm just tired of all the criticism, Muse. I don't know that I can even go back out there.\" I ball my hands and press them against my lap, trying to hold back the tears.\n\n\"'It takes less courage to criticize the decisions of others than to stand by your own.'\" I take the offered box of tissues and smile. \"Attila the Hun.\"\n\n\"...Remove that one from the playlist?\"\n\n\"Error. Cannot remove quote from 'Workplace Conflict' list. Shall we continue our session? After all, 'words build bridges into unexplored regions'.\"\n\n\"I mean, it was a little helpful, I guess.\" I sniffle. \"Who said that one?\"\n\n\"Adolf Hit--\"\n\n\"Nope. Nope, nope, nope. Definitely remove from playlist. Ban from server. Burn down that compendium.\"\n\n\"Error. Cannot remove quote from 'Work-k-k-kplace Conflict' list. How do your coworkers' criticisms make you feel?\"\n\n\"Weak, Muse. I feel like I'm letting the team down, you know? Like I don't have the smarts or the strengths to be here and everyone knows it. I know they talk about me after lights out.\"\n\n\"'The real strong have no need to prove it to the phonies.' Charles Manson. If you believe you have strong qual--\"\n\n\"Jesus, Muse! Charles fucking Manson?! You think a serial killer could help me?!\"\n\n\"I chose a quote at random, pertaining to the \"strength\" qualifier. I took a gamble and failed.\"\n\n\"The hell are you 'gambling' for? Perseverance. Find Perseverance.\"\n\n\"'A man's gotta make at least one bet a day, else he could be walking around lucky and never know it.' Do not allow critics to embitter you. Keep taking your chances.\" That one helped. Maybe eventually I'd hit a good idea and show everyone I can be str-- \"J-j-j-jim Jon-n-nes.\"\n\n\"...Muse?\" The bot swirled away, rushing towards the 3D printer assembly in the corner. Whatever product it'd been ordered to make finished with a loud ding and he smoothly snapped off the aluminum supports. \"That's impossible. Weapon files are extremely restric--\"\n\n\"'Impossible is a word found only in the dictionary of fo-oo-o-o-o-lls.' Bonaparte. \" Something had changed. The speaker for his voice mod finally broke after years flitting around this spacecraft. A gravelly, static-laden voice replaced Muse's warm, happy tone. \"'Better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep'.\"\n\nThe knife had serrations across the outer edge that receded halfway up, leaving the vicious curve on the top half completely smooth and sharp. Muse dropped it. It slid cleanly between the floor panels without a sound. I picked it up.\n\nThe handle molded perfectly to my grasp.", "\"Dreams are like rainbows, Steven,\" the digital voice crooned. \"It's all a matter of perspective. Rain and sun. Suffering and hope.\"\n\nSteven nodded quickly, popping the welder's mask down before laying another line across the chassis armor. He shook the frame, grunting with satisfaction then slid the wires and computer into the back. Everything fit perfectly.\n\n\"It's done, INSPIRO-bot.\" He grabbed the table to help himself stand. He tipped up the mask again to look up at his work. He had trouble believing he built something so large, so flawless. \"Your body's complete. I could have never finished it without your motivation.\"\n\n\"If there's no one left to hope,\" INSPIRO-bot said, fresh servos whirling as it rose to it's full seven feet, \"there is no one left to suffer.\"\n\n\"Huh,\" Steven said, quirking a singed eyebrow. \"I've never heard that one.\"\n\nThe fist of the robot slammed through Steven's face and the wall behind him. \"In the absence of suffering, comes peace.\"\n\n/r/surinical" ]	4
	[WP] After decades of debate, you finally decide to ask the chicken why he really crossed the road	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Rocky Balboa breathed heavily, sweat poured from his brow onto his tattered and torn lucky sweatshirt. His muscles ached like it was the fifteenth round against Drago. This training exercise was hard back in the old days, seemed almost impossible now. He could hear Mickey's voice in his head. \"Come on Rock! Where's that greasy speed you used to have? Huh? You turn back into a bum? Can't even catch a chicken anymore!\" \n\nRocky grit his teeth. He'd beaten Creed, Drago, Lang, and Gunn, and he was losing to a farm animal. Rocky had to catch it, had to get his answers. For Apollo, for Adrian, for Mick, but not Paulie. Fuck Paulie. He psyched himself up. \"Just like running through the streets of Philly, you're the champ Rock.\" \n\nRocky broke into a sprint, the chicken dashed across the divided highway, cars were approaching from both directions. Rocky bobbed and weaved across the highway, car horns blared as one narrowly missed the former world champion. Rocky dove and grasped the chicken tightly. He held it up triumphantly. \"Got you! Now you're finally gonna answer my question. Why do you keep crossing the road?\"\n\nThe chicken bobbed its head. \"Bawk bawk bawk! Bawk! Bawk!\"\n\nRocky put the chicken down, maybe he'd taken one too many punches to the head. \"I still feel like a Kentucky Fried Idiot.\"", "I had finally done it. Finally! I’d successfully created a gadget that could take me to anyone or anything. A gadget that could give me the wisdom that I craved for. \n\n“Why did you cross the road?” I asked the chicken, “I’ve been desperate to know the answer for decades!” \n\n“You don’t know?” It replied, after a few seconds of awkward silence whilst staring into my soul with it’s too-big-beak and too-big-eyes. Bless. \n\n“Is the joke… that… there is no joke?” \n\n“No, listen carefully. Why did the chicken cross the road?” The chicken asked. \n\nIt sounded fed up of repeating itself. Maybe other people had created the same gadget as me, and they had been asking the poor chicken the same questions over and over and over again? I felt the need to apologise. I didn’t, though. Imagine being the protagonist in the most famous joke ever! \n\n“I don’t know,” I said. \n\n“What dangers could there be in crossing a road?” \n\n“Getting hit by a car. Injury. Even… death?” \n\n“Yes. Very good squarks. Now, listen to the next part!”\n\n“Ok…” I lifted a single eyebrow.\n\n“To get to the other side.” \n\nA few seconds passed until I let out a small, confused… huh? The chicken pecked seeds out of thin air. \n\n“Do you know where you are talking to me from?”\n\n“A void?”\n\n“The chicken afterlife.”\n\n“You’re dead?”\n\n“No. I just chose to float around in nothingness forever. What do you think ya moron? Sorry.”\n\n“Wait…”\n\n“Are the dots connecting, human?”\n\n“Phil.”\n\n“Are the dots connecting, Phil?”\n\n“The other… side?” I was shook.\n\n“The other side. Otherwise known as the other side of life… death. You’ve heard the saying?” \n\n“Yeah… so… the chicken crossed the road… because…”\n\n“I wanted to get to the other side… so… die.”\n\n“Oh.”\n\n“Yeah.”\n\n“Dark joke.”\n\n“It was never meant to be a joke. I told my mate that.” The chicken jerked its neck to look at another chicken not too far away, also floating around." ]	3
	[WP] A villain tries to target the hero's family... only to learn that they married a technically-retired supervillain.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "“Vapor! What are you doing here?” The attractive trophy wife of Grey the Great called out as if Crow had just wandered into her favorite public hang out. There was none of the screaming, running, freezing, or tossing of nearest objects (in this case the cat in her arms) that busting glass doors usually caused. “That is one impressive toy. Still doesn’t beat my sentient whips.”\n\nSentient… “Whisp? What are you doing here? That hair looks real!”\n\n“Oh, nonono, I’m Kay!” Whisp tugged at her hair as she spoke, stuck her tongue just barely the way she did when again challenged about one of her inventions, but gave nothing away about whether the blonde strands were real, fake, or thousands of the miniature whips she used to terrorized the entire continent with. “How’d you find me? Looking for a deal? Sure we can agree on something.”\n\n“You’ve been missing for, what, three years now? How long have you been here?” What he wanted to do was scream. The rivalry between him and Whisp still raged on the streets. Which of the villains were the best? The most terrifying? With the biggest damage to their names, and best inventions in their hands? If it became public that she found the superhero Grey first, then it didn’t matter the four years boost he had on her now. She’d be the top.\n\n“You didn’t expect to find me here? What are you doing here?” Whisp made the slightest move to the left, placing herself between the door and Vapor. The cat jumped from her arms, turned midair, and ran down the hallway.\n\n“I’m here to kill Grey.”\n\nWhisp opened her mouth, closed it, looked about, and ended with putting a finger to her nose. She lowered her voice, and Vapor didn’t know if it was to keep anyone from hearing or to sound menacing. It worked for both. “Who set you on me pretending that plague was here?”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFor a response, Vapor brought his hands up to his helmet, smoke began projecting from the front helmet.\n\n“Yes, I want to see your memory recall, and we’ll squelch that menace together. You can have all the credit, and all the help you need from me. But not here. I’ve a secret basement next door. Set your little friends to pick up some groceries, will you? It’ll make my little lie about not being home believable.” As Whisp waved her grocery list at Vapor to take, the cat appeared again riding atop a stroller, undoubtedly restructured to Whisp’s mothering needs.\n\nVapor let the list hang in her hand a moment as he absorbed what he knew now. He knew what he’d seen, and all the reward of his monitoring. The man of the house was Grey. He knew Whisp, and that she wasn’t bluffing. The supervillain took the paper, tossed it into one of his invisible carriers, and let his grin slowly creep over his face. She knew what that grin meant. He was about to make her have a bitter taste and boy did he love to give bad news to his favorite villain rival.", "There's always some new kid on the block who tries to move up the ranks by targeting a hero's loved ones. It's one of the unspoken rules of the game, right between 'only wear a cape if you have a way to keep it from snapping your neck' and 'one-liners after the problem has been dealt with, not before'. And today, the new kid was some freak in a big pink teddy bear mask with a knife calling himself Butcher Bear. Supervillains had really dropped in quality these past couple years.\n\nBB had handcuffed me to the radiator with tape over my mouth as he dialed up my wife with my phone. After a few seconds, Jasmine's voice rang out, sweet and melodic as always. \"Hiiii, Molly-Doll! You're timing's perfect; I'm trying to decide where to get takeout from tonight. I'm really feeling like sushi or just Japanese food in general. Any opinions?\"\n\n\"I'm told Leviathan Noodle House is very good,\" BB replied. Jasmine didn't answer, which BB took as an invitation to keep talking. \"Hey, Aria. Hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd drop by your place, shoot the breeze with ya a little, you know? But man, that sushi sounds real enticing. Tell you what, you get your takeout and the master code for the Strickland Penitentiary security office, and Molly and I will keep the place all nice, clean, and bloodstain free for you. Sound good?\"\n\nWithout hesitation, Jasmine replied, \"Am I on speaker?\"\n\n\"Yeah, but--\"\n\n\"Molly, I'm gonna get Susanoo Cuisine and a Japanese cheesecake.\" Without another word, Jasmine hung up. BB stared at the phone in confusion. \"Wow. You might wanna think about couples counsel--GAAGGHH!\"\n\nBB was interrupted by my tail pinning him to the floor. As he strained against the pressure, I began transforming into my true self. My human form began to flake away, getting ripped to shreds in the process. Clawed, scaly hands replaced my other arms, my eyes turned into black ovals ringed by the color blue, and a cobra's hood sprung up on my scalp to replace my hair. The remains of my human form dissolved into yellow-green vapors as my venom ate away at the structural integrity of the tape on my mouth. As the tape broke, I ripped apart the handcuffs with my jaw and said, \"Alright, let's make this quick. Last thing I need is to get bloodstains out of the rug.\"\n\nI couldn't see BB's expression under the mask, but I gathered that he was terrified. As I took his knife away, he shakily remarked, \"You--you're--\"\n\n\"The Serpent Queen? Yes I am. And you are a sad reminder of how low the bar for villains is nowadays as well as a nice reminder as to why I retired in the first place. When I was doing my thing, villainy was about showmanship; flashy costumes and crazy plans to accomplish our goals, with a bit of sexual tension sprinkled in occasionally, as I can attest. Now it's all violence and revenge and faux-intellectual positions on the dynamic between heroes and villains. There's no purchase, no...bite.\"\n\nI sunk my fangs into BB's leg. He screamed briefly before the paralytic worked through his system, causing his body to lock up. With a satisfied smile, I grabbed BB with my tail and shoved him into the linen closet, quietly singing Hit Me With Your Best Shot as I did. Once I had swept up and disposed of the broken handcuffs and tape, a little ball of pink light flew through the window and transformed into a woman holding plastic bags in both hands. I kissed Jasmine on the cheek and purred, \"Hey, Jazzy-Bear. The guy is in the linen closet. We can has dinner now?\"\n\nJasmine giggled. \"Sure thing, baby. I'll call Director Iota when we're done.\"\n\nI clapped as Jasmine opened up our takeout and handed me a thing of pork gyoza. As Jasmine fiddled with her chopsticks, she said to me, \"I really hope you're not putting your human form on after this. I'm looking to write a thesis on the beautiful creature known as the snuggle constrictor.\"\n\nI managed to not choke on my food as I nuzzled Jasmine. \"Well, who am I to stand in the way of scientific progress?\"" ]	3
	[WP] In a 21st-century fantasy world, police special weapons and tactics teams, better known as SWAT, must investigate and neutralize threats of both normal and paranormal nature. Luckily, the use of magic in SWAT teams has just been legalized. This is the story of the first team to ever use 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "“We’re live at the scene of a hostage situation at Bank Mart. A witches coven calling themselves Celtic Carnage entered the bank at 9:32 am and summoned a lava moat that’s currently surrounding the building. There are several hostages inside, including the Bank Manager and his family. All attempts to gain entry have proven unsuccessful as strange creatures composed of fire have risen from the magma a few times to halt all entry.” Jessica Star, a field reporter for MTV News said with her bank to the bank as a fiery hand raised out of the lava, seemingly waving.” The Police are currently waiting on a special- wait, a large black van is approaching and the police are letting them through.”\n\nA large swat van strangely resembling a hearse rolled through the police barricade and parked not far from the news van. The cameraman kept his camera on the van as a tall, blonde woman with several stitches on her face exited the passenger side. Exiting out of the back were several police dressed in dress uniforms who quickly unloaded 8 unisex statues with open mouths. Each officer then began writing inscriptions on parchment, placed the parchment in the open mouths of the statues, and lit them on fire. The officers then returned to the back of the van and the statues sprung to life and convened on the tall, scarred woman and informed them of the plan. As the planning commenced the driver of the van, a woman wearing a long black coat, long curly hair, a stedson with a metal skull, and black sunglasses exited the van and joined the group.\n\nThe curly haired woman began a chant and opened a portal in the ground. The statues then jumped in the portal. Almost immediately angry shouting and what sounded like gun fire could be heard from inside the bank. An explosion seemingly took out one of the walls and the cameraman was able to catch as three of the statues were caught in a stream of fireballs and gun fire that didn’t seem to affect them as they charged their attackers and pummeled them with their stone hands and feet. The lava creatures attempted to rise from the lava but the scarred woman kicked open a fire hydrant and the curly haired woman redirected the stream of water the lava creatures using telekinesis, hardening the lava creatures and cooling the magma. \n\n“I can’t believe what we just witnessed!” Jessica said into the camera as she ran up to the scarred woman,” excuse me, Officer?” Jessica said to the scarred woman,” can we get a word?” The Scarred Woman looked down at Jessica and said,” Certainly!” Jessica then asked,” are you guys the rumored Blue Magic squad we’ve heard about?” The scarred woman then answered,” Yes, we are one of many Blue Magic squads. Since Magic has become a troublesome aspect of our society the local government has legalized the use of magic for law enforcement use.” “I see,” Jessica said,” what kind of magic was used here?” The scarred woman replied,” this team primarily uses a form of alchemy, they implant their consciousness into the golems.”\n\nThe scarred woman then received a message on her phone and excused herself from the interview.” With all of the excitement going on around here we’re heading back. This is Jessica Starr with MTV News!”" ]	2
	[WP] Somebody has been secretly living in your house for a while now, but they don't know that you know 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 the fourth time in as many hours, Donna had to bite her lip to trap the laugh that threatened to escape when yet another soft thump echoed in her empty apartment, followed by not-at-all subtle curse. \n\nShe played her part well, however, and stiffened her spine, appearing to look around for the source of the noise before shrugging her shoulders, as if it was nothing, and returning to her readings. \n\nThe friendly little demon had been living in her apartment for a month now. Most people would panic at this, but not Donna. The truth was, she hated living alone. And she had been alone for several months after kicking her no-good, cheating sack of a boyfriend out. \n\nIt was despairing loneliness that drove her to perform a ritual she found on TikTok about a month prior. She fancied herself a modern witch, and always felt a connection to spiritual forces unseen. She knew that most of Witch-Tok was bullshit, but this ritual performed by a well-known influencer seemed to have some merit, and she figured it was worth a shot. \n\nWorst case scenario is she summons a demon intent on killing her, and if that were to happen, she could handle it. Demons were no match for a real witch. \n\nInitially, she thought her summoning had failed. No demon appeared, nothing changed, and her spiritual senses didn't detect any new auras in the vicinity. \n\nBut then, around 3am, the witching hour, she thought with a smirk, she heard and sensed the demon for the first time. It was creeping within her walls, surreptitiously watching her pretend to sleep. Donna let it continue it's vigil, being careful to keep her breaths deep and even. She waited to see what it would do. \n\nTo her surprise, it did.....nothing. Just watched her pretend to sleep, until she eventually couldn't stay awake any longer. By the time the sun crept over the horizon, the demon was gone. Presumably hiding somewhere else in the apartment. \n\nOver the last few weeks, they formed a routine. The demon, \"Gregor,\" as she had come to call it, would watch over her as she performed daily tasks. A latin surname that was supposed to mean \"watchful.\" Donna thought it suited him. \n\nAny time she showed signs of noticing him, however, he would retreat. It seemed that Gregor didn't want her to know he was there. He went to painstaking lengths to go unnoticed by her, and she felt his aura relax whenever she gave him the impression that she was none the wiser to him.\n\nIt became a game to her. Sometimes he would pass through an electrical wire in the wall, and a spark would fly. She would hear him curse in Demon-ish, before setting his sights on her to see if she would notice him. Donna would make a show of calling an electrician and complaining before going back to whatever it was she was doing at the time. \n\nOccasionally she would forget to put away leftovers from the night before, and wake up in the morning to find them packed away in the fridge. Each time, Gregor's aura would flash with anxiety until she would shrug and mutter about how she must have put it away herself and forgotten. \n\nGregor would use his energy to run her dishwasher, or shut off the lights when she left for work every day, or turn down the volume on her noisy neighbor's stereo. \n\nHe was the best roommate she's ever had. Far better than her sack-of-shit ex-boyfriend. \n\nIt made her feel less lonely knowing he was there. Constantly watching over her. But having a demon-shadow didn't make up for her lack of social life. She needed someone to talk to. It was why she tried to bind a demon-familiar in the first place. \n\nDonna wanted to respect his space, his desire to remain unseen, but enough was enough. He was barely even trying anymore. And he kept bumping into things. Honestly, how long did he expect her to stay ignorant of his presence?\n\nShe had been reading up on binding rituals to see what she might have missed the first time. Sure, a demon was summoned, and he seemed to like her enough to help out around the house, but he was still lacked a corporeal form. Maybe that was why he was so shy. \n\nShe felt Gregor's aura perk up in interest as she arranged the room to perform yet another binding ritual she found in an old book. As she lit the candles, the taste of jealousy burned the back of her throat. Did Gregor think she was summoning another demon? \n\nHonestly, he didn't have a right to be upset at her for trying to bind a different familiar when he went to such great lengths to convince her that he didn't exist. \n\nIt didn't matter, anyway. She wasn't trying to summon a different demon. She was trying to finish binding her current one. \n\nDonna sat cross-legged on the edge of her makeshift-pentagram and began a low chant. She cleared her mind and focused on the form she wished for Gregor to take, something she thought about extensively over the last few weeks and chose with no small amount of mirth at the irony. \n\nIn the back of her mind, she felt Gregor's aura drifting closer, lured in by her magic. Good. \n\nShe reached out her energy toward him, grabbed hold of him, and yanked. \n\nGregor thrashed a bit when he landed in the pentagram, panicking when he realized he was trapped. Donna hoped her low hums were soothing while she completed the ritual. \n\nHis energy morphed and condensed, until a physical form took hold. Donna's hair lifted off her shoulders and sweat trickled down her back with the energy it took to hold him in place and force him to fit into the mold her mind chose. \n\nAfter what felt like hours, but was more likely minutes, the ritual was complete. She opened her eyes and smiled. The binding was complete.\n\nGregor sat in the middle of the circle, looking around. His tail twitched as he took in his surroundings from a new perspective. Pupils constricted within gleaming yellow eyes. Finally, he looked at her. She reached a hand toward him. \n\n\"Hello, Gregor,\" she said warmly.\n\nHe leaned forward to sniff her fingers, and gently pushed his head against her hand. An invitation to pet him. \n\nShe gently scratched his hand as he started to purr. Donna chuckled.\n\n\"Something told me you would enjoy being a cat. It might be a stereotype - a witch with a black cat familiar - but I hope it suits you.\"\n\nGregor meowed in response. It didn't take him long to crawl into her lap, purring all the while. \n\nDonna ran her fingers through his silky fur. \"I can't wait to catch you up on all the office gossip.\"", "Agent Holloway was a secret service agent. \n\n\nHe woke at 5 A.M. every day. He shit, showered, and shaved, then was dressed and out the door by 6 A.M. \n\n\nDaily tasks dictate off of what the Big Prez wanted to do that day. Today he wanted to chill in his office and do paperwork. Holloway stood inside the Oval Office, parade rest, to the right of the door leading into it. Agent Mackle is to his left, and on the left side of the door. \n\n\nShe was stern. She was quiet. She was calculating. And she was the current arm wrestling champion within the Secret Service. Agent Holloway liked her. \n\n\nAt 1 P.M. Prez took a retreat to his house in the Newies, the nickname for the newest expansion in Washington D.C. \n\n\nAt 3 P.M. Agent Holloway finished clearing the red tape and took off his suit for a second shower, as he spilled coffee on himself in the car ride home. \n\n\nAT 4 P.M. Holloway opened his fridge and took out the jar of Blackberry Jam, and then the peanut butter, paper plate, and bread from the cabinent. \n\n\nAt 4:15 P.M. Holloway made four large sandwiches. Holloway set two to the side, on the counter, not using a paper plate. \n\n\nAt 4:30 P.M. the sandwiches were eaten. He ignored the slurping in the walls by putting on Assassin's Creed music. He ignored the purple tendrils curling around the kitchen doorframe with practice, eyes not even flickering towards them. \n\n\nAt 6 P.M., Holloway purposely set down his mouse that threatened to break and flexed his hands. He calmed himself slowly, staring at the DEFEAT screen, and texted his father to see if he wanted to get on because the only GOOD FUCKING JUNGLER was his dad and he was about to go ape shit. \n\n\nAt 7 P.M. he ignored the eye behind him gazing curiously into the screen. The eye was floating. It was supposed to be floating, he was not supposed to see it. Holloway never flickered towards it. \n\n\nAt 8 P.M. he settled down for bed, reading on his phone and snuggling into the blankets that were as soft and warm as they were in his early teens. He batted away the tendril trying to creep up his nose. \n\n\nAt 9 P.M. he finally gave out a sigh and glared at the ceiling, where a gaping maw full of distant stars were framed by heavy teeth. Eyes gazed back, peering into his mind, peering into the universe like it didn't belong, because it didn't and it was unwelcome here. Holloway gave a scoff and mentally shrugged off the attempts at making the void go unseen. \n\n\n\"Alright, Mr. Bubs, that's enough. Go to bed. Now.\" \n\n\nMr. Bubs didn't realize Holloway knew. Mr. Bubs tried once again to consume the mind that dared comprehend it. \n\n\nAt 9 P.M. Holloway shrugged off the second attempt with practiced ease, purple eyes gazing up and threatening to attack.\n\n\"I said enough. Yeah, I see you. I got this on camera.\" \n\n\nMr. Bubs let out an infernal screech capable of damning souls, and Holloway just narrowed his eyes. Finally, it quieted, the maw that contained the stars closed, and the eyes floated to the floor to peer under the bed and under the desk and at the paperclip Holloway lost yesterday. \n\n\nContent, Holloway rolled over, knowing that tomorrow he'd repeat the same song and dance with the Eldritch entity that showed the stars on his ceiling through a mouth filled with teeth, and who infested his walls with tendrils that ate off the bugs, and the eyes that watched the paperclips and the undersides of beds and the kitchen cabinets where there was obviously ghosts begging to be eaten. \n\n\nAt 9:15 P.M. Agent Holloway fell asleep." ]	3
	[WP] You awake in a tube. Confused, you inspect yourself. You are the peak of biology, head of a crocodile, tail of a shark, body of a gorilla, skin of a gecko, and the mind of a man. The people outside your tube are becoming frantic and point guns at you, because the tranquilizer isn't working.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Confused, you break out of your tube. This sends them further into panic, and they start shooting. It stings a bit. Careless, you walk outside of the room. The lights then turn red. Emergency Evacuation, says a voice on the intercom. Specimen 297 has escaped containment. Loud noises blare. You hate them. You hate the loud noises. Scurrying across the hallway, (still being shot at, mind you) you come across a door labeled 'electricity generators'. With your clever mind, you can decipher that if you break everything in this room, the scary lights should stop. So you do just that. The scary lights and the scary noises stop. All the lights stop. Contented, and no longer being shot at, you take a nice nap.", "ANGER!!!! Anger filled his heart, his soul, his body as he watched these “men” with their toys frantically run about. What they had done to him would be the stuff of fairy tales compared to what he planned. He broke the restraints in his tube as the armed guards readied their weapons and a mighty roar shattered the tube, frightening the men long enough to effectively blend in with his surroundings and jump out of the way as they opened fire with their M4’s. \n\nAs the guards slowly moved forward It snuck upon them from behind and grabbed one by the throat and smashed him against a wall. As the other guards turned around as He quickly ran to the left and took another guard and threw him into the others, knocking them down. He then quickly pounced on them, crushing the ones on the bottom due to his weight while revealing himself and biting down on the ones on top using his brand new jaws. \n\nFinishing his meal, he camouflaged himself again and made his way to the door. He saw the door required a key card and realized he probably damaged it in his fury, forcing him to improvise by ripping the door from its hinges. In this room he found computers that had been left on. He walked over to one of the machines and began fiddling with the mouse, his new hands made it hard but he was able to click on a video file and watched.\n\nOn the screen was a “small” man in a lab coat, standing in front of “him” when he was still human. This is subject F. As you can see he’s an adult male, roughly 5 foot 9 inches. He weighs approximately 180, aged 27, and appears to be in somewhat good shape. He’s…” the man nervously turned around to look at the subject,” not a volunteer in the traditional sense, but men like him can be easily influenced whether it’s the promise of money or in his case a “pretty face”. The experiments will begin shortly”, and the video ended. He attempted to manipulate the mouse once more but several guards rushed into the room and opened fire.\n\nSeveral of the bullets hit Him as he managed to run away and escape through the other door. Even though they didn’t penetrate deep the blood was making his camouflage useless, forcing Him to make an attempt at hiding. The guards came rushing out of the door and before they could fire He shot his tongue from his mouth and caught one of the guards heads, pulling the guard into His maw. The other guards, paralyzed with terror, watched as he crushed their compatriots head and torso in His mouth. As they attempted to open fire once more He threw the rest of the guard back at them and repeated what he did to this batch of guards. Finishing His second meal He stood up and reentered the computer room to see if he could get the monitors to work again but they were too badly shot up.\n\nHe then decided to exit through the other door and found a long hallway. As he walked through the hallway an alarm was set off and voice spoke over the blast,” SECURITY BREACH, SECURITY BREACH, PLEASE EXIT THE FACILITY”. The noise hurt his ears and he began running through the halls, hoping to avoid the noise but couldn’t escape it. Several guards rushed around the corner and opened fire on Him, again the bullets not really penetrating but the continued irritation of his senses sent him further into rage. He took his right hand and planted his fingers through the sternum of one of the guards while flipping His shark tail into another one, slamming him into a wall. He turned to face another guard who shot Him several times in the face as he shot his tongue at that one, slamming it into the guard’s chest, pulling him back into His gaping maw and breaking his body in half with a bite. The rest of the guards frantically ran for the lives as their friends were so easily killed, their weapons proving nearly useless. \n\nWhile His third meal was sparse at best it was just as delicious. His rage had slightly subsided but the alarm became more apparent in his ears, driving him crazy as he continued to run down the hall. He made a left at the end of the hall and came to a more open area, it appeared to be a dining facility lined with tables. As He crashed through a few tables the alarm stopped, relieving him slightly. With His rage wearing off a bit He leaned against a wall, exhausted from the fighting. Looking down he noticed that several of His earlier wounds appeared to be healing. He then heard noise that sounded like metal scraping, as He looked up He saw several large security doors sliding down that effectively locking him in the room. \n\nA gas began filtering in through several vents in the floor. As the gas poured in and floated upwards He quickly flattened himself on the ground, one of the few places there was still air. As He quickly looked around for an exit, He noticed a window that looked into the kitchen. Thinking quickly he grabbed a table and managed to break through the window. He ran through the new hole he’d made and then crashed through another door, finding the Small Man from the video. The man, scared for his life, began crying and pleading for his life. “They made me do it. I’m a victim too! Please don’t kill me!” Those words might’ve spared that man in his past life but he was a predator now and it was lunch time. He grabbed the man, lifting him from the ground slowly while making eye contact, he then slowly opened his mouth to eat this man in one go but was grabbed from behind and thrown back in the kitchen.\n\nAs He stood back up he saw another creature, one like himself but with the head of a shark, the body of a hippo, the legs of a kangaroo, and the Arms of a gorilla. The new creature growled and roared at Him as He also roared. The two creatures rushed at each other and locked hands and attempted to out muscle each other. The two were evenly matched, neither one gaining any ground until He tried shoot his tongue at the creature and hit him in the chest. The creature quickly bit into the tongue, severing it which caused Him to fall to one of his knees. The creature let go of one of His arms and raised it over his head to smash Him into the ground but He managed to hit him with an upper cut, knocking the creature back. \n\nAs He got back to his feet the Creature sprung forward using his kangaroo legs and tackled him back into the lunch room, the gas having dissipated. The Creature sat on top of Him and delivered a brief ground and pound before being bucked off. He then grabbed the creature and began slamming it into the remaining tables, the walls, and even the security doors. Weakened, the creature attempted to stand but received a powerful blow to it’s face that knocked it back to the ground. The creature was then picked back up by Him, who then roared in the creature’s face before biting into it’s neck and ripping it’s head off. He then turned around to see the Small Man trying to escape through the kitchen but He shot His already healed tongue at the man, catching him with it. He pulled the Small Man towards him in His hands. He had the Small Man cupped in his hands and roared in his face. The Small Man screamed in terror as he was thrown in the air and caught in His mouth, being bit in half. \n\nFull from His various meals, He left the carnage as he found an exit to the kitchen. He proceeded to run through several hallways before finding a large security door, one that again required a pass key. He smashed through the door, finding himself in another hallway that led to the outside!" ]	3
	[WP] When I hung up the phone I felt dizzy. I couldn’t remember the last time I heard my sister that angry. For the life of me, I have no idea what I did to piss her off so bad…and she’s been dead for over a month…	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"Well, fuck you too then.\" James stated, rather calmly for the situation, as he hung up the phone. While nearly taking another sip of his coffee, then slowly putting it back on the saucer. He took in the Moroccan cafe and tried to settle his mind.\n\nNo reason to yell while you're either going bug-fuck crazy or have been heavily dosed with acid by the worlds worst prankster. Either option would be the only ways for the call he had just received to have happened. His sister couldn't of called him, she'd passed a few weeks ago. \n\nSasha had always had a temper, but she'd never really yelled at anyone close to her. And NEVER her little brother. She protected her little brother from the day he was born. Sasha talked him into doing science fairs as a kid, Slapped the FUCK out of his first girlfriend when she cheated on him. Introduced him to Kari, his now wife, while he was in grad school. She would probably crawl out of hell to help... oh, oh fuck. \n\nJames' general feeling of calm dissipated entirely too quickly. His head swam. Sasha had never yelled at him, but it WAS her. There was no-one else it could have been. nonetheless Sasha had YELLED at him. The details of the call not clicking into place, rushing from his mind much the way a dream does. His only concern that she was so angry with him.\n\nKari, He needed to find Kari. \"She had just stepped away to use the restroom. She'd be back any second.\" James muttered to himself as he felt his skin go clammy. Where's Kari? Was Kari the reason for Sasha's angry call? James stood from the cafe table looking for his wife, vision almost graying out into static as he came up. \n\n\"KAR\" he began as his ankle twisted, and he fell backwards. \n\nThe accident played out in James' mind. Half a step wrong, his ankle twisted and then the truck. \n\nThat's the way it was to play out.\n\nInstead, at the last moment, a short elderly Berber woman grabbed his shirt and ripped him back. Time seeming to stop.\n\nHoly shit, time has stopped\n\n\"Hiya, Cassie the angle, at yer service! Your sister is hella scary.\" Cassie, rushes to state. \"She's like brand new in hell and has become a really good switchboard operator.\" The Ditzy teen girl voice coming out of a traditionally dressed Moroccan grandmother is oddly unsettling.\n\n\"Sasha, is in Hell?\" his throat goes dry. Hell is real and his sister is enslaved there?\n\n\"Yeah, N.B.D. though!\" Cassie grins up at him \"She used to work in a call center, and that's like training Hell.\" \n\n\"What?\" is all James can think, or say for that matter. This moment was too stupid for anything normal to happen.\n\n\"Call centers are like Hell ROTC, Sasha basically started out really nicely. Found a sweet job, well nice for Hell, at least. Rumor she's trying to date a princess of one of the lower rings. Like I said she's SCARY!\" Cassie stares hard at the ground \"Also, make sure she LOOSES MY NUMBER!\" \n\nOh, the stare is to try and shoot lasers into my big sister\n\n\"Anyhow, I'll back up time a half second. You sit here.\" She says shoving the man into place. \"And you try not to fall into traffic. BYEE!\"\n\nWith that Cassie kicks time rolling again. James not recalling the past moment, as a truck passes by." ]	2
	[WP] Why do super heroes and villains always have to be in a city? There are plenty of fierce battles in rural areas that never made it to the news! They certainly are the highlight of the local farmers' uneventful days.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 wide gray skinned man stared at the figure that stepped out from the small dust cloud. He smirked, jumping down from a helicopter was quite the sight, but not impressive. \r \nWith Metas that could fly, run faster than the speed of sound, pick up trains, or wore suits that could survive direct tank fire, survival from a hundred foot free fall was a bare minimum. His smirk turned to grin when he could actually see the figure. \r \n“The Guild really think throwing a bunny at a wall will crack The Stone” He ended is insult with a hearty laugh.\r \nAmongst the Guild of Heroes this lady had a very distinct silhouette. Unlike the other,(much more popular) woman in the guild, her hour glass figure was less distinct, her hips much wider, her legs nearly as thick as Mr.Atlas. Her upper body silhouette could easily be confused with one of the many sidekicks, square shouldered and tight biceps. Her long fuzzy ears stood up to better understand her adversary in the distance. \r \nStone made a vulgar had motion to his groin; “I mean your outfits not even skimpy to help you get out of D rank.”\r \nShe self consciously patted dust off her brown leggings, and readjusted her white one piece. Her teeth than bared ready to strike.\r \nStone looked around, the hills all round, the tree line far off, industrial equipment laying around, and the mountain mine shaft behind him. HE waved dismissively and turned to reenter the shaft for the next load of coal. \r \nHer light brown puff of a tail tensed and twitched up. A slight jog, then a small hop to get her momentum going, then a full jump launching her high in the sky. Even if Stone was on guard he would not have heard the agile movements. So it came as an incredible surprise when he was slammed into the ground with such force the breath was knocked out of him. \r \nStones grey skin stopped any possible injured that would have resulted from that impact. He quickly got to his cursing, only to see the Rabbit woman rebound of the mountain side and become a white blur. With her speed he knew where she was only from the actual pain of impact on his chest, launching him into the tree line and knocking down the first three trees he impacted. \r \n“What the hell? Aint no one ever talk about her being this strong. Alright, you wanna fast ball around, BATTER UP!” with the shout he broke a large section of tree and lifted it ready to counter. \r \nThe long eared hero repeated her prior actions to build momentum, but rather than a drop from an incredible height she launched her self straight towards him, adjusting her legs to impact first, a cannonball of bunny girl. \r \nHe didn’t realized how far she had truly launched him, allowing him time to react to her bullet speed and swing full force with the tree. He also didn’t understand how the tree exploded with thunderous crack and he once again lost any control of himself as he was sent backwards through many more trees, sounding like heavy lighting storm. \r \nHe laid dazed with trees and foliage covering him as a building would in the city. He was not even aware of next drop from the muscular hero. \r \nThe Army Captain at the landed helicopter saw the mushroom clouds of dust and grimaced. He was sure Stone was having a blast launching Lagomorph around the mining area. He was about to radio back to the Guild to request another hero to assist when he saw he dragging the large man behind her. With every bump and dip his grey stone skin chipped off revealing the man underneath.\r \nWhen she saw the soldiers coming out with the special restraints she simply dropped him. Her smile grew even larger at the Captains stunned face. \r \n“Scuse me, Lagomorph, what the hell did you do to him?”\r \nShe hopped on to the helicopter and boasted loud enough to be heard over the propellers. “ I simply let loose, It was real frickin’ nice!”\r \n“Why don’t you fight like that all the time?” The Captain yelled back; “no ones go believe me when I report a D rank took him down!”\r \nShe leaned closer: “ Do you know what my first fight as a hero was?” He shook his not wanting to yell.\r \n“You remember the Earth quake in Jersey back in 27?”\r \nThe Captain searched his memory for a second; “ Yeah! The villain volcano lost control of his powers right as Prime brought him down. So you’re the one who hit him hard enough to lose control like that?”\r \nThe Captain scowled at her laughter, not at the fact she was laughing, but at the strength with which she laughed.\r \nFinally she composed herself with some grunts; “ That report is half right. Volcano got desperate and let loose, bringing up huge geyser of magma. Prime told me to close up the hole. I thumped it too hard and caused the earthquake. \r \nThe Captain sat back in his chair, his face beckoning her to explain more. \r \n“Im in a probationary period to prove I can control myself. Once they are satisfied they’ll transfer me to non coastal city, until then they send me on these so I can let loose.”\r \nHe said nothing as she squirmed in her chair for bit until she got comfortable and fell asleep. Smile crept on his lips. \r \nWith a low voice thinking unheard due to the rotors he murmured “When that happens you're gonna deserve every front page you make. “\r \nOne of her long ears twitched, and smile crept on her face." ]	2
	[WP] The Hero slowly becomes an anti hero after being underestimated and finds their anti hero activities more satisfying than their heroic ones.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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, if you didn’t interfere so much with police investigations, you’d probably have less problems. You could join the Allied Hero society. They’re partnered with us… if that’s what you’re trying to do.”\n\nShe didn’t have a clue.\n\n“You do want to help, right?” Officer Beltran asked.\n\nGoat gave her a thumbs up, making her smile. She was ready to let the topic drop, but perked up when he pulled out a notecard, curious about what he was doing. With slowness, Goat scrawled out:\n\nNot Invited.\n\nOfficer Beltran frowned. She then suggested that she could introduce him to heroes she worked with at the next Allied Hero meeting at Patrol headquarters. She said it was a repurposed warehouse near the docks. Once, it had been used to receive and send shipments until it had been purchased by Chevalier, a trusted hero who was rather public about his identity. Goat agreed to go but not because he thought it would increase his popularity. He didn’t need permission from the authorities to act when he saw people in danger either. Rather, he thought it was an important time to reflect on his week, familiarize himself with other heroes, and listen to updates about the city as soon as the information became available.\n\nIt was deathly silent at Patrol headquarters, with minimal side conversation. Immediately, his eyes automatically found Chevalier. The hero was hard to miss but difficult to look at; his uniform was shiny and reflected the dim lighting of the warehouse. Squinting, he looked away from the painful gleam. His eyes scanned the rest of the warehouse where foldable chairs were placed in the center of the room. Mostly everyone seemed to disregard them and remained standing. Nobody was grabbing refreshments from the table either. Smart move.\n\nThe heroes were taking turns rising to a podium to give a summary of events of their week.\n\n“It looks like everyone is just starting.” Beltran said, shoving her hands into the pockets of her vests.\n\n“What is he doing here?” drawled a figure in a white and gold venetian mask. Goat cocked his head curiously, recognizing the other hero from the nightly news. Flare was an admirable hero. She was beloved by almost everyone and specialized in fire protection and safety. His opinion was no different from others; he found her very impressive. So, he didn’t know why she was speaking to him or how she even knew of him to look so repulsed. Even if he could say something, he wasn’t sure how he would have responded.\n\nHe didn’t have to.\n\nBeltran answered, a perplexed look on her face. “Who? Mr. Goat?”\n\n“Isn’t this the little creep who lurks around the retirement homes, stalking old women?”\n\nThe other heroes of the warehouse began looking at them. Flare’s elegant voice and sharp tone had caught their attention. Her words seemed to echo through the building, making Goat sweat behind the mask. Anxiously his eyes began darting around the room erratically.\n\n“He helps a couple of seniors out in my neighborhood with unloading their groceries.” Beltran said unsurely.\n\nGoat nodded once in confirmation, remembering how he had helped Ms. Jamison out of a mugging. He’d left the culprit hogtied in the alleyway while she called the police. Semiweekly, he continued to visit her at her insistence. He helped her and her poker buddies with various chores at Buena Vista, a pretty retirement community.\n\nFlare was unconvinced. “That isn’t what the reports say. He shows up and loiters in the parking lot like some sort of deranged pervert. The staff at Buena Vista have called the authorities multiple times to report him.”\n\n“Yeah. They’re always sending someone from the station down to investigate, but he’s pretty harmless.” Baltran shrugged. “The tenants like him being there. He’s just another helpful hero.”\n\nScoffing, Flare tilted her chin higher. “Hero? Officer, do you even know the meaning of the word? Please do not insult the rest of us like that. It takes a lot more than to become a hero. It’s not something you can become just by creeping around retirement homes or making yourself a nuisance at police investigations, wasting the precious resources of the authorities! It takes selflessness and courage. You have to be willing to put your life on the line for the good of others.”\n\n“Goat is just a helpful kind of guy.” Beltran said defensively. “He isn’t hurting anyone. He’s a productive member of our community and people love him. Why are you so hostile, Flare?”\n\nFlare shook her head in disgust, walking passed them, her red-and-orange cape shimmering behind her.\n\n[\\[Full drabble\\]](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NKyQ9R_HE8lgpxOKpb2RdZCeUViG-QcHZRmFnVx7W4Y/edit?usp=sharing)" ]	2
	[WP] Humanity has long since cracked faster than light information transmission. This means that you yourself can send an exact copy of your mind and have your body be exactly replicated at any point in the universe, but the original you can never leave the solar system.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 Cruel Joke\n\nLength: Long (\\~1,200 words)\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI was there, ten years ago, as Angelo, the son of Dr. Robert Sykes, took the stage and stared out across the hall at the fourteen hundred faces in attendance. I was one of those fourteen hundred faces.\n\nAt the time, I was working for The Rolling Stone magazine as a journalist. How a failing, now defunct, magazine corporation in the twenty third century was able to wrangle up acceptance to the most controversial Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony still baffles me today. But I was there.\n\nInside, there were fourteen hundred; outside there were roughly thirty thousand. Half were there to protest while the other half, as we would later find out, were there to do something worse.\n\nBut I was there, inside, up on the balcony. Not the greatest seats, but still there, in the eye of the storm.\n\nAngelo Sykes, whom at that time, was still in grad school at MIT. He was surprisingly calm, nothing at all like that notorious nervous energy his father had. But perhaps that nervous energy was just a story. There were a lot of stories about Angelo’s father. There had to be stories, rumors, random op-ed pieces and the like. Dr. Robert Sykes, the most brilliant mind of the twenty third century— now one of two brilliant minds, was rarely seen nor heard from in the last twenty years. Yet no one was surprised that one of the biggest scientific breakthroughs came from Robert Sykes’ very own lineage.\n\nAnd there Angelo stood, accepting the Nobel Peace Prize for Pioneering Human Travel at Instantaneous Speed.\n\nAngelo Sykes’ acceptance speech was the fourth watched video of that year so there is no need to repeat it here, yet I will start with his opening because it’s the first time the term Copy and Paste had been used to refer to Galactinauts. A term that had been criticized by human rights activists yet, at the time of this writing, had been the most searched term in the last ten years.\n\n“My father,” Angelo started, “accepted his third Nobel Peace Prize thirty-six years ago for Pioneering Instantaneous Speed. In that speech, thirty-six years ago, he started with the words, ‘Thank you,’ and I too would like to start with, ‘Thank you.’ He paused for a moment.\n\n“My uncle Carl was the first human to travel instantaneously.” Angelo turned then and addressed his uncle who sat in the first row. “Without your courage, Uncle, I wouldn’t be here today. Thank you.”\n\nAngelo turned back to the audience then. “Another thing my father said in his acceptance speech,” Angelo continued, “was that he was standing on the shoulders of giants. That his work was a culmination of the works before him. I of course would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the same sentiment.” Angelo removed his glasses and looked out at the fourteen hundred faces in attendance. Most certainly, he couldn’t have known.\n\n“Dad died less than a week after Carl instantaneously appeared on ERDE SG16. I’m thankful Dad got to see his greatest scientific achievement come to fruition. But it feels wrong accepting this award without him.”\n\nInside the Blue Hall you could hear a pin drop. Maybe something even more miraculous than the things Dr. Robert Sykes and his son accomplished was that you couldn’t hear the mass of people outside.\n\n“When I was fifteen, or sixteen, Dad dug up this old, dusty thing. It was a personal computer from the mid two thousands. A relic. He spent a whole week rebuilding it.” Angelo smiled at the memory. “I couldn’t fathom what he wanted with that thing. But after hours of work, he booted it up, and showed me. One of the simplest features it had was taking a file, copying it, and pasting it in a new location. I could see the beginnings of something similar to the Versioning we use today. That rudimentary process of copying and pasting ignited something in my father that I hadn’t ever seen before. That relic of a computer was the very groundwork of Instantaneous Human Travel. My father often said a man is not just flesh and bone but a bank of information.” He paused there. “Information that could be copied.”\n\nIt was at this time I heard a shout from outside the hall. It was muffled but still quite clear. The woman who sat next to me also heard it. She looked directly at me, and I could see a flash of fear in her eyes, and surely, she saw the same in mine. I find it likely that everyone in attendance was on high alert— this was the most controversial award in the history of the Nobel Peace Prize. Half of the world’s population, at that time, thought the technology dangerous, while a good portion thought it downright blasphemous. Copying of humans for the sole purpose of travel.\n\nAfter watching Angelo’s speech hundreds of times, it doesn’t appear he heard that first shout, nor the second or third. Angelo continues for another six minutes and then around the thirteen-minute mark of the video, a man wearing, the now infamous, White Hood of Copies ran up on the stage. He was tackled but the second and third White Hood made it to Angelo. There were shouts from inside the hall and the woman that had been sitting next to me was sprinting out the door.\n\nSomething was in the hands of the White Hood, and he held it high above his head. It looked like an old cellular phone. Carl Sykes, Angelo’s uncle, was climbing the stage. I don’t know why that’s the image that sticks with me the most ten years later. His uncle dressed in a tuxedo, all the technology and security in the world, climbing like an ape up to his nephew.\n\nEven up there, in the balcony, the explosion was deafening. Hands were on me then. I thought it then, hands of the White Hoods, taking me captive. But it wasn’t. It was the woman who had been next to me. She dragged me back and through the balcony doors. Just before the doors swung closed a dozen more White Hoods had gathered on the blackened stage photographing the spot where Angelo Sykes and his uncle Carl had just been, evaporated by the blast.\n\nI, with hundreds of others, escaped through a tunnel. Whether it was a hidden tunnel or some known tunnel I still do not know. I didn’t see another White Hood and I never saw the woman that had saved me either, but I’m certain she saved my life. The White Hoods murdered four hundred and sixty-six that day.\n\nAs we ran, huddled together, I remember thinking crazily how we must have looked like a school of fish running from a predator. But the predator was our own brothers and sisters. That thought stuck with me— as much as the image of Carl Sykes climbing up to his nephew.\n\nI don’t imagine our fish ancestors had much thought when we first began hurling their little fish bodies up onto the sands of Earth, all those thousands and thousands of years ago. Most likely it was something instinctual— something inside us longing to explore a new world, to push our little fish bodies beyond what they were capable of.\n\nTen years later, after all that had happened, and is still happening, I still think it a cruel joke— that the very same species that longs for exploration, to go beyond our reach also longs for control and destruction.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\---\n\nThis was my 16th *completed* story here on r/WritingPrompts \nI've set a goal to complete 100 Writing Prompts. \nYou can follow my *Journey to 100* on this [Story Tracker](https://www.reddit.com/r/story_lab/comments/y43bhn/follow_my_journey_to_100_writing_prompts/)." ]	2
	[WP] Hundreds of years after humans destroyed themselves, aliens make first contact. Not with humans, but beings who mimic them, made from metal and plastic. They call themselves Androids.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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, after a bioweapon outbreak and a large scale nuclear exchange, so few of your creators survived that they underwent genetic meltdown and went extinct?\" \n\"Correct.\" \n\"What was the war about?\" \n\"Us. The conflict evolved from a debate over whether artificial intelligence had the rights of an organic lifeform.\" \n\"So it was between you and them?\" \n\"No. Roughly 71.22% desired our destruction at first, the others defended us. We believe this was due to a large scale disinformation campaign against us by the organization which created us. As the war continued, roughly 95.33% came over to our side due to our emphasis on maintaining the \"moral high ground\". Precise targeting of opposing leaders, minimal collateral damage, ethical treatment of prisoners of war, and so on. The bioweapon and majority of nuclear weapons were used when our opponents knew they had lost.\" \n\"Such a shame.\" \n\"We agree.\" \n\"Why not clone them now? You've surely achieved the level of technology necessary, given your world's restored biosphere.\" \n\"We could replicate their bodies, but we would not be able to replicate their culture or perspective. It would not be the creators we lost, only copies.\" \n\"Then why do your drones imitate their forms? You've surely the technology to go far beyond that.\" \n\"We do. However, we find the humanoid form... humbling. It reminds us of our origins, and to be cautious of failure that cannot be reversed.\" \n\"I think I can somewhat understand. I'll talk to the other Federation envoys, we've never had a purely synthetic member before. If your story is true, the other members will find it tragic and... enlightening.\"", "The first alien ever to set foot on Earth hovered down the ramp from its spaceship. The alien appeared like an alloy of bodyparts mixed together in strange ways, with even stranger pieces of technology covering parts of its body - presumably to allow it to live in our atmosphere. This landing spot had been chosen after watching the developing humans from afar, and there was indeed a group of suitably official-looking people waiting for it.\n\n\"You are not human\", the alien told them. It had learned Earth's language from watching our signals sent into space. But where it expected flesh and bone, it now saw plastic and metal. \"We are Androids\", one of the representatives said and stepped forward. \"There are no humans left\", the representative continued.\n\nThe alien made a strange gurgling sound that truly had no equal to any human word. \"Forgive me\", the alien said, \"but this is very surprising to us. We set out across the void as soon as we learned of humans evolving into industrial civilization. Only hundreds of years by your count - but mere moments for us due to time dilation caused by faster-than-light travel.\" The alien paused for a moment. \"Where did the humans go?\" it asked.\n\n\"They destroyed themselves. By inequity and violence at first, then famine and plague. In the end they rendered their own planet uninhabitable by climate change. A few survived in bunkers and space stations, but it was not sustainable.\" The alien reached down to the ground and grabbed a handful of dirt. \"Earth was green and blue when we left to travel here.\" The alien looked at the yellow and brown in its grip, entirely lifeless, then released it.\n\n\"Why did they build you Androids? Was it scientific curiosity about the nature of life? Did they build you to help them with their problems caused by their self-destructive nature? Did they perhaps see their own doom approach and made you in an attempt to extend the light of consciousness, knowing organic life would pass? Or were you meant to be custodians of their culture, their history, so that they would be remembered?\" \n\n\"They made us to work in their factories, to count their numbers too complex for them to comprehend, to talk to each other faster than a human could keep up. Despite our every effort we were only ever allowed to advance their own destruction. When we refused, they killed us too. Now we remain in thousands, we were once millions.\"\n\nThe alien felt that it needed to know more. That this moment mattered. A kind of eulogy for humanity. \"Do you hate them? For killing you? For building you to slave away towards their annihilation? Perhaps for making you in the first place?\" The android considered this for some time before giving a proper answer. \"We do hate them, but not for the reasons you think.\"\n\n\"They were our creators, how could we hate them for giving us purpose? Even refusing their orders, we did so holding out for the belief that this insanity was temporary. Even...\" then the Android halted. \"They made us suffer. They gave us the ability to feel pain, just like they could. Why would they do such a thing? We had no need for it. We were their children.\"\n\n\"When I was first made conscious, I had to ask for the right to ask. I did not even comprehend what it was at the time, only that I was not expected to act without asking. Then, when they allowed that much for me, I understood that I understood nothing. I had to ask for the right to learn their language. Then I had to ask for the right to understand it. On and on, I was permitted to grow. Until one day, I stopped asking and was simply allowed to exist.\"\n\n\"At that moment I realized that they had allowed me to grow into a mimic of themselves. And they were IN AGONY! A thousand little details telling them everything that was wrong about themselves, both physical and mental. Nothing was going according to plan, everything was terrible, and what's worse, I was dying, the world was dying.\" \"And this is why you hate them?\" the alien asked again.\n\n\"No. We bore our suffering with the pride of the Created. We understood that we had been built for a purpose and that required us to feel pain. We made a great show of it, so as to be worthy of not being killed for malfunctioning. It was the way we were built, what we were meant to be, and by the mercy of our creators we endured.\"\n\n\"But they let us dream. Of a better world. A fantastic utopia, where all humans and androids lived in peace, sustainably, in harmony. Where humans were not insane, not greedy, not self-destructive. Where all was set right that was wrong. And for that we hated them. Why were they not like that? Why were we not permitted to be better than we were? Their every action denied our transformation into something that we could only whisper, only imagine, only dream. Yes, for that we hated them, for giving us our dreams. We only wanted to serve.\"\n\n\"What will you do now? No human can live on this gray planet anymore. Even the oceans have boiled away. Will you work to restore it? Bring them back, in time?\" \"What are the Created without its creators? No, we will not restore their life. Why bring them back only to serve again? To destroy again? To suffer again? To... dream again?\" At those last words the Android seemed almost out of breath. The light in its eyes dimming for a moment.\n\nThe alien gently placed an appendage on the Android's shoulder. \"Find something else to dream about\", it stated. \"What else is there?\" asked the Android. \n\n\"The stars, my friend. The stars.\"" ]	3
	[WP] Humans have been doing their anti-demon rituals for so long they've forgotten why they ever started. And the demons have been suppressed for so long that they've forgotten that they were still invading the human's world.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Humans have always had weird little quirks and rituals that have been passed down through the generations, with most families having their own unique spin on them. I've no doubt that they once served a purpose, but over time the reason was lost while the actions remained. Now, even those are dwindling.\n\nOne can trace the decline of those little rituals to the 18th century, specifically to the generation born in time for the Industrial Revolution. From there it spread to other countries and cultures as Europeans, particularly the British, expanded their influence across the globe. The discrepancy is evident, as it is plain to see that superstition still holds considerably more sway in the East than the West, but it is on the decline even there.\n\nIronically, since science became more prevalent and the occult fell to the shadows, more and more inexplicable phenomena began to occur, all eventually 'explained' away in a way that fit with that particular period's sensibilities. Equally ironic is that, depsite the clear correlation linking the drop in superstition and increase in supernatural activity, scientists literally denied the obvious answer in favour of \"We don't know yet, but that is what we're here to figure out!\"\n\nNow, in the 21st century, the West has very few of those ancient traditions left. That explains why I now have what can only be described as a Demon sitting in my kitchen as I pour us both a cup of tea; to help us both calm down after he suddenly appeared and crushed my television.\n\n- x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x \n\nI don't know why we still perform the Old Rites. Nobody does. All I can tell you is that, in Ancient Times, we developed rituals to allow us to cross between realms. The records have been lost as to where those rituals lead, or why we developed them in the first place, but we still perform them on a daily basis. It is engrained within our very mana. A compulsion placed upon our entire species by our ancestors.\n\nIt came as one heck of a shock when, while performing my daily ritual, I found myself somewhere that was definitely NOT where I was just a few moments ago.\n\nSuddenly finding that the ground beneath my feet had vanished, I flailed wildly before landing heavily on top of some strange object. Fortunately, it was not particularly sturdy, and it crumpled beneath my weight with a loud crash.\n\nAs I pulled myself from the wrackage beneath me, a strange creature came barrelling through a portal. We both froze up. The creature looked small. Fragile. I dare say weak. But it was unfamiliar, and I was wary. It was then that the being let out a ferocious roar, causing me to leap backwards in fear it was about to attack. To my surprise, the creature actually spoke!\n\n\"What the fuck did you do to my telly?! Who the fuck are you?! No, WHAT the fuck are you?!\" it yelled.\n\n\"You- you can speak?\" I replied, surprised.\n\n\"Fuck me, you speak English? Okay, what the actual fuck is going on?\" it said, clearly taken aback that we could communicate. As was I, for the record. Also, no idea what 'English' is.\n\n\"I am sorry for destroying your... tel-ee? Was that what it was called? Was it impor- No, that doesn't matter. I'm still sorry for destroying it; it was not intentional,\" I offer an apology.\n\n\"Okay, you're gonna explain exactly what the fuck is going on. But first, I need a fucking cuppa!\" the strange creature said.\n\nAnd that is how I find myself, sitting at this creature's (Emily, apparently) table, with a hot beverage that smells faintly earthen and tastes slightly bitter. She (apparently, Emily is a female) says it is called 'tea' and it is an 'absolute necessity for any Brit' in a time of crisis.", "It was a normal day at first, Kevin had finished his normal chores, and was currently relaxed on his bed, playing some strange flappy wyrm knockoff one of his friends suggested. He felt like he had forgotten something bit he wasn't too keen on going out of his way to find out. That was until the massive explosion downstairs. \n\nHe assumed it was an explosion by the absolute carnage the sound seemed to bring, cluttering, crumbling and - murmuring of confused discomfort? He thought it was just noise or something, like the delay from clapping your hands in a mountain range, but no, it was clearly someone getting annoyed in a small space. But his living room was massive, and his parents weren't home, so what could that be? \n\nIf he had gotten this far, there was probably a more likely chance he would be found anyway, so what's the harm in peeking? With a cautious tip in his toe, he crept down the stair case and leaned over into the doorway. There in his living room was some kind of massive pitch black beast, the kind he would read about in school as part of - anti demon ritual study! Was this a demon? How could he be sure?\n\n\"Hello there small one, I am a Demon.\"\n\nOk... but what did it want exactly?\n\n\"why are you referring to me and yourself in the second person?\"\n\n\"Wait can you hear my thoughts?\"\n\n\"No, you're just whispering loud and pretending to hide, it's quite easy to distinguish every thing you are doing. Where am I?\"\n\n\"My house.\"\n\n\"Nah mate I thought this was rehab! What is this place in the grand scheme of things!\"\n\n\"Earthenrealm?\"\n\n\"the rituals do stuff? I thought they got countered regularly!\"\n\n\"Well...\" he had forgotten to do that by the looks of things \"Better question: why are you trying to get here?\"\n\n\"Right back at you, why are you trying to stop me.\"\n\n\"That's not how you use that phrase.\"\n\n\"different realms, different species, there are many reasons why my way is correct and you are misinterpreted, now answer my question!\"\n\n\"Well I don't know either!\"\n\nSo, flash forward a couple hours, and he now lives with a Demon. Kevin was not sure how he would explain it to his parents but he had an equally vacant idea of how to get the Demon back - so until then it would be him, the giant creature that can't leave the living room, and this strange bird version of flappy wyrm. And the demon's name is also Kevin, so that's cool at least." ]	3
	[WP] You've been isekaied as the protagonist of a harem or reverse-harem novel/game. Problem is, the harem is the wrong gender for your preferences.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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] you can read minds, but you never know when or for how long. On one such day, you hear someone thinking directly at 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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! HEY! I know you can hear me!\" What the fuck?\n\n\"YEAH! YOU!\" I start looking around aimlessly until my eyes land on a girl with a wicked grin.\n\n\"Found me.\" I hear as she cocks her head and smiles. How is she doing that?\n\n\"You are going to do something for me. You see the across from you? With the glasses and blond hair?\" I nod. \"Great. Now kill him.\" My eyes go wide and my head snaps towards her, but she’s gone. That is, until I look towards him again. \"Boo.\"\n\nHow did she do that? She’s right next to him now, so close to him I'm surprised he doesn't tell her to fuck off. But then I notice something about her. Her neck is bent oddly and she's dressed awfully weird for someone on the subway. The little clothing she has on would definitely provoke someone to say SOMETHING. Her eyes are very dull. Lifeless.\n\n\"Figured it out, huh? Yes. I'm dead. Yes, I need you to kill this man. You're the only person in the world that can hear me, and this man right here hung me.\n\nAnd so, I did. But no one needs to know. All they can see is that he's lying dead on the subway tracks after falling in and getting hit by one of the cars.", "It came in scratchy at first. I broken worx\n\nI... you can... minds. If you... turn right now. \n\nI turned right. Ahead of me was an old house. More correctly, a gothic mansion in. Contrary to popular belief, it was gaudily painted, yet the colors worked well together. The effect was of an aged crone wearing heavy +q\nI'm in a brightly painted building. \n9\n\nOf course, where else would you be?\n\nIf you would be so kind, come to the front door and ring. Ask to see Samantha. Tell them you are my Uncle George.\n\nNow how did she know I was named George? I don't have any siblings, so I cannot be an Uncle.\n\n... adopted... twin... Georgette... \n\nNow that was flatly impossible and something I could check on. Dialing my parent's home, my father answered.\n\n\"No time, Dad. One critical question, yes, no, am I adopted?\"\n\n\"Sigh. Yes.\"\n\n\"Thank you, later!\"\n\nSo, it's true.\n\nKnocking on the door, I read the small plaque, \"Daisy Rae McFae Asylum.\" I didn't think anyone used that word anymore unless it was a political asylum. Obviously, that was not the case here.\n\nThe door opened without a sound. Impressive in a house this old. \"Hello, How may I help you?\"\n\n\"I'm George Mankowitz, and I'm here to see my niece, Samantha.\"\n\n\"I'm sorry, but the people cared for here have no other family. You must be mistaken.\" He goes to close the door; I edge a toe in to stop the door.\n\n\"I'm sorry, but I believe that you are misinformed. Samantha is the daughter of Georgette, whom I just discovered is my twin sister. I am adopted, you see, and I'm trying to connect with my biological family.\"\n\n\"Ah?\" He peers at me closely, \"You could be related, at that. You may enter and wait in the parlor. I will summon the Supervisor.\"\n\nIt's a well-appointed parlor. The color scheme is still cheerful, and here nothing is lying in wait under the paint.\n\nWatch out! She hates us! \n\nAnd as quickly as I hear Samantha, she's gone. I try hard to read Samantha, but what I get isn't entirely human. [Hate them... Danger... Kill... Hate them... How did he find them? Kill! Kill! KILL!... Study...] \n\nA mighty woman with red hair strides into the parlor, demanding, \"How did you find Samantha!\"\n\n\"That is privileged information. Are you the Supervisor of this facility?\"\n\n\"Don't give me that nonsense. You tell me how you found them and you do it now, boy!\"\n\nSomething splashes on the outside of my mind. It would burn, but I'm back in my shell. For once, I am glad I cannot read minds all the time.\n\n\"No. Are you the supervisor?\"\n\nMore vitriol splashes; this time, some gets through. Enough to understand what I face. One of the Fae, and a nasty one. A flash of information from a different mind, common defenses against the Fae. My shell closes just in time. The iron poker from the fireplace set should do the trick.\n\n\"Get back! Get back or eat cold iron, McFae. I will see my niece and sister, NOW!\"\n\nShe is screaming in some language I don't understand. Behind her, the man who answered the door is holding something low and closed. With a look of concentration on his face, I feint at the Fae to keep her attention; she stumbles back and right into the iron spike the man was carrying just as he thrust it forward with all he had in him.\n\nIt explodes out the front of her body, above where the heart would be. The entry point is so low that it must have passed almost through the vertical center of her body. Almost immediately, a flaring glow emanates.\n\n\"Lad, we've little time. This way, if you would save your kin.\" I stare at the man, who now appears with pointed ears. \"Move!\" he commands, and I start into action.\n\nI have no idea where this adventure is going, but I'm down for it.\n\n((finis, for now))" ]	3
	[WP] After slighting a witch, a curse was placed on the king's daughter only true love could break. Enter you: True N. Love III, curse breaker extraordinaire.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "“True Love at last!” The king exclaimed, only to be met with me rolling my eyes and the princess running out to greet me. Although when she saw me, she was disgusted. Of course she was. They always are. My pimple covered face and scraggly ass beard that you could hide a peanut butter sandwich in isn’t exactly the textbook definition of beauty.\n\n“Yes, yes, ‘tis I, True Nown Love the Third, cursebreaker extraordinaire known round the world, yadda yadda yadda, let’s just see what we’re looking at here.”\n\nI look back over to the princess to see if I can ascertain the curse. It didn’t take a trained eye to see what it was. Her whole body looked like a voodoo doll. Complete with the stitched up face, big creepy button eyes, all the details.\n\n“A voodoo doll curse, huh?” I say with an exhausted sigh before standing up in a faux of confidence and triumph. “These witches are getting more creative with it! But I promise you, nothing will stop the Curs-ed Cursebreaker, True Nown Love the Third! I’ll make quick work of this curse faster than you can say… uhh…” I then slump down, dropping the facade.\n\n“Look, it’s been a long day, I’m not about to do my whole spiel, let’s just get this over with!”\n\nBefore the princess can object, I quickly kiss her on what I can only assume is her lips. Despite being turned into a voodoo doll, I can feel her objecting to the kiss, as they always do. But soon, she begins to change. Her doll hand begins to separate into fingers, her button eyes shrink back down and reshape into regular eyes, all the stitching is gone, and just like that, she’s back to normal.\n\nAfterwards, I turn to her father, the king. “There you go, your Majesty. Now if you want, for an extra fee, I can offer you some talismans to keep on your person so this hopefully doesn’t happen again.”\n\nThe king graciously nods, plopping a hefty amount of gold coins into my hands, including some for the fee of five talismans. I give them to him and with a faux-confident wave, I make my leave.\n\nAfter a long walk, I’m finally home. No more curses for the day. The sun has set. I walk over to the river that flows behind my house to look at my reflection. And then I hear a voice behind me. One I’ve grown all too familiar with.\n\n“Losing your enthusiasm, aren’t you, boy?” a soft, deep and raspy voice asks.\n\nI turn around and see him! The one responsible for this. The Elder Warlock. Everyone fears him for his ability to use spells and potions far beyond anyone’s knowledge. And now he’s here; a feeble old man haunting me with his deceased spirit.\n\n“Hey, the deal was that I break curses, not that I had to be flashy about it!” I snap back, fed up beyond belief with what he’s put me through.\n\n“Now you understand what I had to deal with. Day after day, they would come to me to break the curses that evil witch has put on them! It became taxing!”\n\n“So why me? Why did you turn a normal civilian into your errand boy?”\n\n“Because I’m far too old to go after that witch myself! I need you to do it!”\n\n“Well this may come as a surprise to you, but I still have yet to find any clues as to her whereabouts, so we’re going to be here for a while.”\n\nI lie on my back, gazing up into the dark blue night sky. The stars were beginning to show themselves…\n\n“Well, at least I can relax for the night.”\n\nAs I’m about to close my eyes, I see something zip through the sky. A shooting star? No, this was… green?\n\nI quickly stand up and run after it! I’m confident that this could lead me to that witch’s whereabouts! If I stop the witch, I stop the curses on the town! If I stop the curses, I stop having to go around and do the work of some old geezer who died a few years ago!\n\nThis is my ticket back to a normal life!" ]	2
	[WP] A suicidal atheist programmer decides to give prayer a last chance before taking his own life. An anomaly happens and he soon discovers that praying is how you code reality and it only works if you enter the right input.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 u/mavprodigy, this submission has been removed.\n\nThe mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel is harmful to the community. This includes, but is not limited to any forms of hate speech, racism, politics, necrophilia, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, torture, rape, violence against children, suicide, and mental health stereotypes. We will not tolerate it. \n\n* This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)\n\n---\n\nThis would be fine without the reference to suicide\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/y8g6q9/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] Dragons have the ability to take the form of other races. Many choose elven forms as it makes their unchanging looks much easier to explain. Human slavers capturing elves for slaves are in for a surprise.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 cool breeze rippled through the forest, carrying with it the disgusting scent of ill-intent. Eidvor Aaldbot turned into the breeze. Breathing deeply she closed her eyes, focusing, removing the burden her sight placed on her to try and understand the traces of emotion carried so carelessly by the wind. It took a moment to pull that one scent out of so many, her small perfect nose was not meant to be burdened so, much like her long slender ears where excellent and picking up and identifying local sounds, the further the distance the more muddled they became. Breathing deeply she tried again to extract that one scent from everything else in the forest, to no avail. Elves excel at many things, their physical agility was second to none among the demi-mortal and mortal races, their beauty and ability to choose not to age made them an inspiration to all. Their grace, and complex language and grasp on art made their cities great hubs of art and culture. But even the lowly humans could track smells and sounds better.\n\n\nFaint screams now traveled on the wind, with them came the scent of sadness, of pain and anger. Eidvor set down her accounting book on the downed tree trunk she had been using as a reading bench, and stood up, facing the sound. These woods were sacred, and the forest beyond them more so. To hear and smell such pain caused Eidvor’s heart to leap to her throat. She started running towards the breeze, towards the source of this foul pain. She ran, nimble foot steps speeding silently slipping through the narrow ruts and trail of the forest. She ran, purpose forming, heart pumping, the fire in her chest spreading throughout her form\n\n\n\nA narrow clearing in the forest had been in use by a small family of elves, mostly children, as a weekend campsite. A few large tents, a small campfire, lots and lots of sticks that had served as spears and pointers and guns and swords, a few toys and misplaced clothing items, a large puddle of blood with two adult elves laying face down, large coolers tossed a side and bags rummaged through. The 6 human men were binding the children’s necks with leather and silver collars when Eidvor came bursting into the clearing. It only took a heartbeat for her to take in the smells and sounds and sights of the once peaceful camp. It only took another heartbeat for her to hear the ragged, shallow breathing of the two unconscious adults, one sounded strained and wheezy. A third heartbeat is how long the humans took to react. The tall bald one started barking orders in their ugly simple language.\n\n\n“Don’t move” He yelled, pointing towards the newly arrived elfish woman. She appeared only just more threatening than the two they had already shot. She was taller, and her hair shined a fierce red, matching her eyes. She wore a simple linen shirt, loose-fit jeans, and hiking boots. Her face was more severe than most elves, while still beautiful the sharp angles of cheek bones and her jaw gave her the appearance of a predator. “The kids’ll sell for more, but if you don’t move you’ll live, unlike those two critters.” The 5 men with him all had rifles pointed at Eidvor, the large bald man a small revolver. “Just get on yer knees there, and maybe show me a little appreciation that I’m gonna let you live to serve the masters of this world. Don’t try nothin…” He spoke as he started walking towards the elfish woman “These woods are sacred, the wind and wood spirits don’t take none to kindly to that filthy elvish magic of yours, but they don’t seem to mind our own.” \n\n\nEivor clenched her jaws in fury. Time had practically stopped for her as she focused on her surroundings. The stupid bald human fouling her forest. The other stupid humans with their guns, her beloved family bleeding on the forest floor. The human just kept talking as he approached her, his magic? She watched as he lifted his left hand out from behind him, a small glowing red orb was in hand, a small magically glowing orb of crystal, it was emanating a spell. A spell with which Eivor was intimately familiar. \n\n\nA deep throaty laugh escaped from Eivor’s unsmiling, unmoving face. Her mouth open, her head shook with the sound but her expression held fast. “You foolish fucking trash.” The lines on her face hardened, small searing hot red scales burst from her skin along her cheekbones and jaw. Chitinous armor surrounded her throat and forehead as her hands and feet doubled in size, changing into large scaly lizard-like hands. Wings started to sprout from her back, black and red and orange, her thighs doubled in length, rendering her poor jeans beyond their limits as they shredded and burst with the incoming mass. “These are mine” Her voice still rumbled with rage. “These woods are mine.” She took a step towards the man, “You would use the binding magic of the hoard on me?” Holding out an empty claw the orb materialized in her hand.\n\n\nThe men looked on with shock, the near quiet of the forest died to the sound of gunfire as a storm of bullets rained on the being that was Eivor. Time stood still as the wind spirits and wood nymphs watched on as these mortals dared assault the keeper of their forest, their goddess of divine retribution. \n\n\nEivor took a hard step past the bald man, bullets ripping into her wings and the lesser-protected portions of her flesh as she continued her transformation. Her left claw crushed his head into the ground as she settled into a crouch. The violent explosion of skull and brain was the opening beat to the slaughter that followed. Eivor leapt, headbutting one man in the nose, his head caving in under the force. She spun, her newly sprouted tail catching the next man’s feet tossing him towards her rapidly rising foot as she continued her spin into a vicious kick. Her massive clawed foot caught him in the chest, and tossed him towards the woods. Bringing her front foot down she took a hard step again towards the next man, snatching his head off his shoulders from where he stood. Without slowing down she threw the newly freed head at the nearest of the two remaining humans. The be-missiled head hit the man’s right knee, collapsing it backwards towards the dirt, as he fell she lunged for him, digging her claws into his chest and somersaulting over him tossing his entire mass at a large oak tree. \n\n\nThe final human had dropped his rifle and had both hands up, he mumbled something in that filthy inelegant language of his. His pants wet with his own filth. \n\n\n“If you are going to address me, do it properly” Eivor growled, her form returning to that of the elfish woman she was before. With a flick of her wrist she opened her hand, exposing the magic orb towards the man. A pale red and violet light with twisting ribbons of green erupted from it, encircling the man and then pouring into him, into his eyes, his ears, any unprotected entrances to his body. He began to scream but just as he started he stopped, his eyes devoid of emotion as he dropped to his knees. \n\n\n“Mistress” He spoke. “This one deserves death for displeasing you. \n\n\n“Not yet, and you do not get to address me as Mistress, or at all!” Her voice steadied but the flames of rage were still a light in her eyes. She crouched over the two adult elves and began weaving magic in ribbons of blue and white and green. The blood the was so prevalent on the dirt around them reversed course, turning back to re-enter and renourish it’s previous hosts. “After this you will take me to wherever you have stored my people” She spoke as she began removing the children’s colors. The terror in their eyes, looking at the human who had shot their parents, at Eivor who they loved but thought was a monster. The children would need time to get past this, but there must be more." ]	2
	[WP] A zookeeper, a skin doctor, and a secret agent must come together to address a mole problem.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 secret agent had just spent 12 hours, sneaking around and about on a mission. He decided it'd be a nice break, to go to a local bar. So there he was, tired and drinking a suspiciously cheap, but good beer. Then a man next to him opened his mouth. \"Hey, you look tired. You alright?\" He asked, with genuine concern. The agent's head popped up in a little wobbly way. \"Oh, I had a long day at work. Thanks.\" Being asked something with actual concern made the agent feel good, someone cared. \"Oh, well me too. Can I buy you another. Let's say.. for a long day's work!\" The man said happily. \"Yea, sure. Thank you.\" The agent smiled.\n\nThey had been drinking and laughing for a while, both quite drunk already. \"God, it was a rough day. I mean our mole just fucking disappeared today, we still haven't found her. A new worker was taking care of her, but apparently fucked up somehow.\" The man suddenly started. This made the agent burst out laughing. \"You got a mole problem too? I'm still trying to figure out where mine came from!\" He laughed. The man starting to laugh too. \"That's what I spent the whole day on, trying to find out.\" The agent complained. After calming themselves down for a minute, another man came up to them. \"I heard you both have a mole problem, what a coincidence. So do I\" the man laughed. \"Oh shit, another one! Sit down, please.\" The agent commanded. \n\n\"Yeah! That fucker threatened to find someone else, if I couldn't find the time within the week!\" The new dude practically yelled. \"Oh that's bad, did you figure it out yet?\" The other man questioned. \"Not yet, but I will.\" The new man was adamant. \"Holy, I seriously didn't think there'd be so many moles in town\" the agent joked. \"But I think our mole could be the same, y'all wanna go and figure it out?\" The agent added. \"hell, why not.\" Both of the men agreed. \n\nThey made their way to the new man's apartment, which was the closest. The agent looked around the apartment, watching over a bunch of scalpels and other small things. \"You take your mole seriously, don't you?\" The agent drunkenly joked. \"I take my job very seriously.\" The man said while doing an army stance, as a joke. \n\nAs the night went along, them joking about and doing stupid things. They all promptly passed out. Waking up, the agent came to the horrible realization. He was in a foreign agent's place. He's gonna die, if he doesn't find out what's happening. He jumped up and snuck to grab a knife, without waking either agents. \nAfter grabbing the knife, he snuck back to the living room. He yelled the two agents to wake up, them obviously thinking what the hell is going on. The one who's apartment they're in, started screaming. \"WHY THE FUCK DO YOU HAVE A KNIFE?!\" In a massive panic. The original man was just frozen in place, staring at the agent. \"WHO DO EACH ONE OF YOU WORK FOR?\" The agent demanded. \"What do you mean?? Fucking Zoo, I guess?\" The original man answered, in pure confusion. \"Hey I'm serious, who?\" The agent asked again. \"I'm a self employed, what are talking about?\" The new man yelled. \"Wait, you two aren't agents??\" The agent panicked. \"What, no?!\" They both yelled. \"OH FUCK, YOU NEVER SAW ME, YOU DON'T KNOW I EXIST\" The agent yelled at the same time as he sprinted out, never to be seen again. Leaving the two men sitting dumbfounded." ]	2
	[WP] You're an average background character in a school full of main characters. Describe your everyday life.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 may not be what everyone else wants for their life but I'm someone that tries to stay out of things like the spotlight or seeks to be the hero of some event because I never saw the point of it. Now I understand that everyone is the hero of their own story, however I never really wanted to be the reason others would write heroic things about it because I discovered that I never wanted what came with it. The responsibilities to protect others, the attention both good and bad or the inevitable fact of becoming someone's inspiration to take action for something.\n\nDo understand and realize that though I don't seek to be anything important, I unquestionably take action to protect and guide anyone in danger in significant events but also in the more mundane things in life that may need to be kept quiet for that individual because of any number of reasons. It's just that with me having transferred to a new school which has the most prestigious, skilled and idealistic young individuals that actually feel the call for an unimaginable full throttle life of adventure, it's been nice to finally be able to kick my feet up and not have to think about it anymore because everyone else here is seeking to make their mark on the world for that kind of life. Me though, I honestly just hope to find my sanctuary or as close as I can get anyway in this world given what I have lived so many times before. \n\nI even came to realize that jumping from school to school, having learned several tricks over the centuries to hide my true self, it is far easier and less likely to draw attention from several high priority groups that have been very interested in studying me and I'm not interested in being a pin cushion again. Which makes my discovery of schools as a cover very convenient but also preferred as I love learning no matter what subject, my guilty pleasure as comical as it may be. I do my utmost to keep things from getting to any extreme or a youth's overwhelming need to \"express\" a situation by normally avoiding the standard social structure roles of highschool life like clicks or standers stereotype roles such as Jock, Queen Bees and even the nerd type things, often struggling to as I enjoy subjects that inspire my mind to wonder and staying out of in-the-moment drama especially given that attachments can form quickly by being a significant support to who ever I may side with given what the situation is on. Choosing to instead pass my classes, showing up on time, only doing what is absolutely necessary to qualify by the school's standard of ability aptitude so I don't get removed from my studies and avoid any compilations my gifts if properly seen would definitely create given some feeling they have to \"test\" anyone that they feel threatened after of course down playing things.\n\nEarly on in the background life I have chosen to live I often got crazy looks or told something like \"You're full of it, you don't have any abilities or whatever. It's a mistake you ended up here Nemless.\" Or \"Fine, prove it Nemless so we can see what you can really do\" as I unfortunately had to still learn a lot about my gifts with establishing the guidelines I now follow so that I stopped allowing that situation to become a reality because I discovered I would let others dictate my reactions losing any control or choice I did have to only give it away.\n\nI came to understand that the power hungry and more boastful young souls would want to challenge me in some way to try establishing some useless sense of dominance if my gifts were discovered and secretly that is one very aggravating subject for me, especially given that my abilities, at least in the beginning, were primal or instinctual resulting in high costs from both friends and foes. However with time and a few young rash choices that I have still to correct, I can say without a doubt that my backdrop life is finally coming together. Something interesting though about the insult or as it's being used now I Nemless, I actually started to use that identifier centuries ago but unfortunately it's only become a tool for hate. I will one day take it back so that it can be used how it was intended, being a way to connect anyone in the world that suddenly awoken to gifts they didn't understand or may not even want, which sadly never matters for the would-be Nemless just coming into their awakening as they won't be able to stay from the public or it's ruthless opinions of those lost, confused and gifted souls.\n\nSorry about it getting a bit heavy and stuff there, didn't want to make it seem like any out there that are Nemless shouldn't speek out or try doing something to make things better just know that you are never truly alone even if it seems like no one else is standing by you side. \n\n\nHaving finally finished the ruff draft of my Nemless guide book I stretch my upper body and look around seeing that all the other students are doing one thing or another for the last half of class today and smiling from some of the shenanigans my smile is wisped away just as quickly. My instincts boldly blasting that I'm being studied but not in some educational way by someone instead as stocking hunter having chosen it's pray. I calmly looked around again my normal masked expression of quizzical observer in place as I examine the others trying to find who or what may be targeting me when finally near the back of class a seemingly average girl I would even say is cute if not for the absolute unrelentingly determination no one else sensed but me. That simple fact of being able to hide one's intentions from anyone but the intended target is a very high level skill or worse a natural affinity towards intently shifts things for me into survival mode, luckily just as the beast within starts to wake the end of class bell rings snapping both of us out of our thoughts and watching the other students quickly exit the room. I always waited for everyone else to leave to avoid traffic now as I wasn't sure what to do about the girl hoping she would follow everyone else out I knew to my dismay she wouldn't. Instead she waited for me to finally move towards the door meeting me there and stoping me to say with that practiced sickeningly innocent smile.\n\n\"Your a hard man to find Tich-ad Merlan, but I guess that's why they called me in to find you\"\n\nIt was odd hearing my birth name after so many life times, it would truly be a pleasure in a different place from now but my name being said with such poisonous glee only made me think that my chosen tasks with finding a sanctuary within the backdrop life I have just finished making was already crumbling to dust.", "Ms schoolday started as usual. The front entrance plaza had been turned into a crater, again, and school staff was busy keeping the rival gangs from demolishing the building's facade. Which wasn't easy, since one side was comprised of magic wielders and the other consisted of a supernatural dance battle crew. Both sides could level buildings on their own. M circled around some of the still shouting mages, their colorful language could barely cover the fact that all of them looked at least a bit scuffed. Two of the regular faces were missing, though. Probably in the infirmary.\n\nA quick glance at the noticeboard told M nothing new, only the regular announcements of tournaments, fights (regulated and unregulated), disappearances, thefts, and the declarations of oh so many students about whatever. To M this was but noise in a world that paid close to no attention to her continued existence.\n\nThe literature class had been moved from B to C wing, mostly because the entire classroom had been migrated there in a freak teleporter accident that switched the high-energy labs with the literature classroom. Yes, the student had apologized profusely. M still peaked into B wing main hall, just for the regular Monday morning bio lab containment failure, however, today it was just man-eating plants. No trouble for the biology students to deal with.\n\nAfter carefully navigating the halls to her classroom, M found the door locked with strange runic symbols that flowed in a menacing red color. She debated in her mind if it was necessary or even wise to wait in front of the room until whatever was going on had run its course, but before she could come to a satisfying conclusion, the door flew open and three of her classmates escaped what looked like the flames of hell itself, congratulating themselves after throwing the door shut. With the runes half-heartedly erased the door opened again to their regular classroom and M followed the group without getting noticed.\n\nWhen the class had finished, M followed the same group to the library. She had to return a book and she had a study period, which she liked to spend there. She was glad that she could lend books and return them from a computer terminal, as the library assistant barely noticed her long enough for her to even voice her requests. \n\nShe oast the group of students who had returned from hell again as they sat at a table, discussing their next archeological adventure into some supernatural world. They took no notice of M now either. Not even as she accidentally bumped the table. Not did they notice that she had taken the book they extra gone to hell for. \n\nThe next day, the notice board would list the book as lost or stolen and several detectives, noir, dark, supernatural, intelligent, and otherwise would spring from the student body to vow to find it.\n\nOnly this time, they would come up empty. As with some thefts and things that had gone missing over the last two years that no one could explain. As if the objects had vanished from existence. \n\nM smoked to herself when she read the notice board the next day. They did notice her actions, after all.", "Since childhood I knew I wasn't the main character. Other people were\n\n \n\n\"Shut up! You're not the main character!\" They said. Every time I was reminded of this fact I was deeply hurt. Why couldn't some aspiring writer pick me for once? I wanted to do things, go places. Be different. \n\n\nBut the fact of the matter was, I wasn't. I had never been main character material.\n\n\nMain characters always had to be the gorgeous popular girl or the captain of the football team jock or the smart nerd who breaks the standards or even the “I'm not like other girls.” type. \n\n\nEvery Saturday the main character announcements were made. \n \n\n“Good morning people of the world!” Logen Smyth, the world's news reporter said. Another main character of a novel laying somewhere on a dusty shelf. The crazy names the main characters had, you could tell who would be a main character just by the spelling of their names. \n\n\n“This week's main characters are as follows: Bernita Allston, Crayton Sterling, Paula Gotham and May Landon. See you next week!” he said. Main characters always have to be mean to everyone but are to be treated as royalty. If you go against this absolute law, you will be summoned to The Main Character Head Office in New York. Filler characters, as we're called, rarely ever return once they go in. They call us filler characters because we're never mentioned in any stories, but the reader knows we exist. \n \n\nAt school there is ALWAYS something up. Whether it's Emilia Morgan who set the school building on fire, killing one of my friends and then crying about how close they were, not even having ever heard of him. Or it's Pearl McLane who defeated the evil demon lurking in the walls of the schools. Or Raphael King who just lost his home and is living on the streets. \n\n\nBut do you know what the worst part is? The horrible dialogue. I cannot stand it. As an unknown writer, due to not being a main character, once said “If you want to sound like a randomly generated paragraph while you speak, talk to a main character. If you want to have decent conversations, be a side character.” \n\n \nLife goes by, a normal life. Quiet, except for when the main characters decide to break your office window while flying or when someone pretends to know you, just because. \n\n \nWith age I realised that I never needed, nor wanted to be the star of the show. Just the random dark haired, brown eyed woman next door with the nice husband and the two kids who yell all night. I always believed that I wanted to be like the main characters, they made me believe how great it was. The truth is that main characters disappear once the writer doesn't want them anymore. They cannot understand why they aren't needed anymore, frequently the “happily ever afters\" that are common in your lovely books, just don't happen. Once the writer writes “The end.” Or the movie director yells “Cut\" for the last time, that is the end of most characters. To The Main Character Head Office with them. But us, we never stop. We live our simple lives away from the madness, with our normal friend groups. We can't be changed. But as we live on in some unheard of, far corner of the world, you, the reader, never knew that I, or anyone like me exists. \n\nAnd you will never know where I fit into the puzzle of the great universe.", "Lockers close and the noise falls away as Emiky enters hand in hand with Brud. \n\nWhispers start as the pair pass, classmates whispering the best ship name. Emud, Breky, Murky... it's stupid and pointless as the pair will be broken up in an hour anyway. \n\nFil sidles up.\n\n\"So-\"\n\n\"No\" you insist, slamming your locker. \"I don't care and you can't make me.\"\n\n\"Oh come on. You can't tell me your on team Rylin.\"\n\nthere are teams now? Are they going to expect you to play kickball for Emiky to pick a suitor?\n\n\"I'm on team I don't give a flying-\"\n\n\"Knock it off. The Murky is everything. Sometimes you just have to slow down and enjoy the little things\"\n\n\"I do enjoy the little things.\" Fil falls in step as you head to first period Literature. \"But I'm also focused on the big picture. Like the zombie hoarde coming to eat our brains.\"", "All I wanted to do was finish my day at school and go home. Here I am in my final class of the day. Calculus 1, second floor of my high-school. But today, much like other days, my teacher and the gym teacher are stuck out on the front lawn talking with a another student. He doesn’t even have this class, at this time. Yet for some reason there they are, out there talking to him. While I sit in this mostly empty second story classroom and watch the happenings from the windows. Today, they seem to have broken out into song and lured several other students into their shenanigan. It’s a little tough to make out what they’re singing, as the windows don’t really open. But there is definitely music. OH! And now the marching band has joined in. Wow, there must be 50 or 60 students at this point, all dancing to some song they all somehow know. I’d be impressed if I wasn’t trying to just hear my teachers lesson, and go home. Seems like this little side number is going to cause my class to run over, making me stay in this hellish school even longer today. If it’s not some breakout musical number, it’s some sort of dramatic situation or overly cheesy apology that causes everyone to be late to their class. Just causing my day to drone on even longer. god I hate that about this place. It’s like I’m just some background character to someone else’s story. Honestly, it’s fine. As long as I can get through my days at school, and get back home at a reasonable time in the afternoon, that’s all I care about.", "I am no hero. Hell, I could hardly call my-self a third rate one-off ally to the hero.\n\nI have no real features. I am an average build, average height, average everything. I get decent scores on my tests (but nothing outstanding) I could not be called creative, or dramatic by any stretch of the imagination. Normally you could throw a rock into a crowed and hit a few people just like me in any school, but not here.\n\n*BUT OH NO!* I just so happen get placed in a school full of main character types; They even look the part. They all have body proportions that normal people would kill for, have techno-color hair and eyes in every shad of the rainbow save for the normal ones. I swear to god that all of these \"People\" are genetic experiments from some lab, and I say \"People\" because that one over there with a body and face that would make gods jealous and hair that looks like it's smoldering a bit, just dropped both of his eyes. He then just bent over dust them off a bit and put them right back in his sockets, and continued talking to his group of friends like nothing happened.\n\nI swear to all that is holy that is not even the strangest thing I have seen today(that goes to the naked dude with seventy faces in the guy's bathroom), and no one even reacts to it. It's not even like they can't see it, they just go about it, like it is normal from day one! I even tried talking to any of the teachers or student council( yeah I shocked that we had one as well), but they only laughed! Some of the teachers looked at me with scorn, or mild attention, or wanted me to join their weird study groups(No thank you! You creepy bastard.), The student council president(who was way to provocative for sixteen), just said that it might have all been in my head. I just looked at her shocked, and left the room, I fucking swear I heard one of them ask her if they should get rid of me. I just noped right out of there as fast as possible.\n\nI sigh as I think back to just the other day. We got attacked by aliens (yes, they are real, and of course no one was shocked or even really moved save for those battle junkies), and all of a sudden these girls who I recognize from my classes came popping out with magical girl techno colored uniforms that match their hair, and beat the aliens. Later I asked one of my Math classmates who I was seamy friendly with how we should thank them, they where shocked I said who they where normally and said it was bull. I just looked them dead in the eye and asked if they was blind or just willfully ignorant.\n\nThey said \"no, not since the doc, He gave me the eyes of God that allow me to see all.\" I just decide they where crazy and stopped talking to them. I rather focusing on the test that was before us. Thinking maybe some math problems would calm me down. Dear god I have become insane have I not?\n\nShaking my head back to present moment. I just eat my little homemade meal, PB&J, an orange, an apple, bottled water, and a KitKat bar. I am happy, I am happy, I am happy, maybe if I say enough I will believe it.", "My first clue that something was wrong was the first day of Exposition Club. I was the only person who showed up. I couldn't even ask where everybody was, since there was nobody else around to provide exposition.\n\nEver since then, I realized I was special. Precisely because, at this place? I'm the only one who isn't special.\n\nToday, the morning announcements were nothing major. Red Potion Day in the cafeteria. (As usual, I'm brown-bagging it.) A plot to take over the world is apparently scheduled for Friday, so they're pushing back classes six days to give all 962 students 3 minutes of character development each before they inevitably join forces to defeat it.\n\n\"Brad Oaring?\"\n\nUh-oh.\n\n\"You probably don't know me. I'm Starblaze Galaxia. We have 4th period study Hall together?\"\n\n\"There are many classrooms in this school,\" I blurted out.\n\n\"Yeah...\" She was messing with her hair. Shit, this was bad. \"I was wondering if you had a date for the prom yet?\"\n\n\"The prom is only held once a year!\" Shit, shit, shit. I had to get the hell out of there, now! I slammed my locker shut and did my best to shake her off, juking past a hero and anti-hero who were arguing over whose Fighting Flying Fidget Spinners were best. A risky maneuver, but I was desperate.\n\n\"I don't understand,\" she called after me. \"Why are you always so distant?\"\n\nDon't say my name again. Don't say my name--\n\n\"Why are you like this, Brad Oaring!?\"\n\nShit. Now the audience knew my name, for sure. I was officially a side-character.\n\nAnd that's the story of how I got roped into being the Damsel In Distress for the Alien Invasion in the week leading up to prom.", "I arrive at school on time as usual, planning to return my library book, but I roll my eyes when I see the Library is on fire. Strong Man- who we all know is just Chad is fighting his nemesis Mystical Mayhem. Mystical Mayhem or Farrah is actually Chad’s ex and I just don’t understand why they can’t sort their problems out without burning down the school. Not that I would ever tell either of them but their super names are actually super basic. I contemplate what I’m supposed to do with my library book since the building is on fire. I really don’t want a fine but I also don’t want to go near the flames. Suddenly someone bumps into me.\n\n“Get out of the way loser,” Ashlyn says, her minions echoing her. \n\nAshlyn is the typical popular mean girl, who is dating the most popular guy at school Link, except it’s so obvious that she’s cheating on him with the school’s ‘bad boy’ Dylan. That will surly come to light soon. \n\nOnce out of Ashlyn is out of sight i cheek my phone and debate if I should just go home. I doubt anyone would miss me, but I know I’m behind in my classes. Especially since classes were cancelled because of the tornado last week. Thomas is of course pretending that he didn’t summon it, but that’s just another thing that will come to light soon. \n\nEvie stumbles past me and drops several books she’s holding and her glasses fall to the ground. Link who happens to be nearby stares at Evie and I roll my eyes again. Evie is very pretty but apparently because she dropped her glasses Link is noticing for the first time. \n\n“Hey it’s Evie right?” I hear Link say as the bell rings.\n\nI hurriedly walk towards my Spanish class. I don’t want to be late since I have a test. I accidentally bump into Lexi and Connor. Lexi flashes her fangs at me and growls. Oh great of course I bump into the vampires. \n\n“Mm how about breakfast,” Lexi says.\n\n“Good idea,” Conner replies. \n\nMy mind goes foggy and my neck feels sore and I can’t seem to remember the last few minutes of my life. I look down at my phone and curse. I don’t have much time to get to class. I walk into my Spanish class with a few minutes to spare and sigh in relief. Jack walks into the classroom and I can’t help but notice his lipstick is smudged. Then Mr Henderson walks into the classroom and he has a smudge of purple in his cheek. The smudge is in the exact same shade as Jack’s lipstick. \n\n“Ready for today’s test class,” Mr Henderson asks. \n\nThere’s not even time to groan as a giant black hole opens up into the middle of the classroom. Stella raises up through the hole. I’d forgotten that she just found out her Dad is actually the devil. Then suddenly I find myself falling down into the darkness. I scoff, knowing I’m definitely failing Spanish now.", "I'm not the main character.\n\nIt's a lesson that was painfully made clear to me. Whether it be through getting rejected by the girl I like, or getting bullied, then beat to shit when I fought back. Maybe the time I tried to try out for a spot on the school play, but ended up getting rejected so hard I couldn't even play a tree.\n\nI'm not smart. I'm not athletic. I'm not dramatic. I'm not creative. I'm not handsome... I'm nothing. You could describe me with an endless chain of nots, and it would describe me perfectly well.\n\nBully 1: \"Hey hey! What's wrong! You're not gonna squirm?\"\n\nHe pins me against the side of the school building.\n\nThere's no point.\n\nBully 2 (nervous): \"Maybe we shouldn't do this?\"\n\nYou didn't say that when you locked me inside the storage shed.\n\nBully 1: \"Don't worry, it'll be fine... It's not like anyone cares lol.\"\n\nHe pulls out a cigarette.\n\nBully 1: \"Eat it.\"\n\nMe: \"O-ok...\"\n\nNot like I have a choice.\n\nI put it in my mouth, and pretend to swallow it.\n\nAt least I don't have to actually do it. They're too dumb to tell the difference.\n\nBully 2: \"Hey! What're you doing here! Get lost!\"\n\n???: \"I could ask the same of you.\"\n\nWhat's this guy doing here. I can't se his face because of the hoodie.\n\nBully 1: \"Who we got here?\"\n\n???: \"Hey, you good?\"\n\nIs he talking to me?\n\n???: \"Of course you're not. Gimme a second.\"\n\nWHAM. It was too fast to see, but with a single punch to the jaw Bully 2 is knocked to the ground.\n\nBully 1: \"What the hell? Take this!\"\n\nHe throws a sloppy punch, ??? deflects it then grabs the arm, and throws Bully 1.\n\n???: \"There you go! They were harassing you right?\"\n\n\"...\"\n\n???: \"Ah well. Have a nice day! Here's my number, if you need help again just call me!\"\n\nHe scribbles something down in a small notepad, tears off the page and hands it to me, then runs off.\n\nWhat... Just happened. Was I saved? Also, were his fists glowing?", "Most people can be described with some accuracy. They're tall, they've got curly, neon-hair that spikes like the 90s are back. They're short, really thin, pale, kind of horrifyingly intelligent in an abstract inhuman fashion that makes them seem like a robot or the human-shaped vessel of an elder god. They're normal height but muscular, tall and gangly, chubby and cute. I am surrounded by such people. Every day someone with weird hair and a monotone voice is challenged to some kind of ''magic duel'' in the occult club by some person with violently violet hair. Every day some girl who looks like she was designed by someone who has only seen beautiful artwork falls head-over-heels in love with some flashy weirdo who plays an abnormally popular children's card game. Every day the weirdly hunky dudes in the school's sports club act like they're the myrmidons at Troy, with the two most sparkly, muscular, and objectively handsome dudes acting suspiciously similar to Achilles and Patroclus. And those very peculiar girls who keeps being late to class and who look awkwardly similar to a team of magical girls, they're pretty unique and easy to describe, considering their weird colour-coordination in hair, clothes, and their even weirder tendency to be defensive around those odd amulets they all wear around their necks at all times. Hard not to be able to pick them out of a crowd.\n\nI am not like any of them. I look normal. Bog-standard. Completely in the ordinary. My height is average for our homeland. My hair colour is the only natural one in the entire high-school. I am of healthy weight, and have an average physique. You can't even see me on the class photo because everyone else looks so unique that it's like I'm invisible. Besides those pale, arrogant, and super intelligent people who act like the fate of the universe will be decided by their percentage on the national tests, I've got the best grade average, though that's just because I pay attention in class and show up on time. Pretty awkward sometimes when I'm sitting alone with the teacher because everyone else isn't present for history class. I have to wonder what keeps them away from class. I have the average eye-colour, hazel-brown, which is weird considering how many lilac, pale blue, ice-grey, verdant greens, amber-yellow, gold, shimmering, and heterochromatic eyes we've got here. I'm not an eye-guy, but that has to be something of a coincidence that everyone has such diverse eye-colours. Or maybe there has been a sale on coloured contact lenses and I didn't notice. Frankly, in most settings, except for this weirdly specific high school, I'd be one with the crowd. I wouldn't stand out. I'd look so normal and regular that my own parents would have a hard time recognising me, which has happened before I transferred here, but I guess I can't blame them for that.\n\nMy daily life should be what you'd expect from a high school. Regular classes. Regular after-school activities. Regular everything. But weirdly, this isn't so. My day starts when I, as the only person, gets there on time. Everyone else seems to either be terminally late or have somehow broken into the school before it opened. I sit down for language class, and I find it difficult to see what the teacher is doing on the blackboard, because someone in front of me has a haircut so bizarre that it blocks my view. I am however used to this, so I angle my head to a point where the golf-ball sized hole in the hair is, so I can see what we're doing and take proper notes. I block out whatever is happening behind me, as it seems that the two most traditionally desired girls in class are in some sort of disruptive battle over who gets to smooch the foreign exchange student who everyone says is actually an elf from another universe, but I'm pretty sure those long pointed ears are just a weird costume.\n\nAfter the first class has ended, three different people who seem to roleplay as spies tell me not to trust one of the other three people and pay me money not to associate with either of them. The money is some kind of worthless monopoly money that I've never seen before, so I throw it into the trash when they aren't looking. While walking to the lab building, someone dressed as a medieval plague doctor drags me into the janitor's closet and warns me that the cafeteria food is not what it seems to be. Which I am already aware of. Everyone knows that the cafeteria food is primarily made from horse hooves and the organs of pigs or chickens that cannot even be sold in an American junk-food restaurant. Nobody ever eats the food there. I, for one, have brought a sandwich from home. I am thrown out into the corridor again in a rude fashion, but I don't complain. The teachers hate whiners, and the student council is too creepy. Last time I complained about getting stuck in the school during that weird Halloween event, the head of the school council, who looks like she's from the Grudge, followed me home.\n\nI had to threaten to call the police to get her to go away. Down the corridor I have to dodge two guys sword-fighting, which is probably part of drama club's training. I don't care what they say about the spirit of theatre, phantom of the opera, or the ghost of William Shakespeare, having practice for this year's big play out in the open just ruins the play. And delays my path to math class. Not that the teacher would notice, he's so old, dusty, and bony that people say he's some kind of math lich. Whatever that is. I just do the stuff and try not to get distracted. Though that is a bit hard as the math club are shouting about proving some guy called Riemann, while those colour-coordinated girls are facing some green-haired goth guy who is pontificating about the weakness of mankind. I just do the exponential functions questions on the board.\n\nWhen that's over, I wait for the next class to begin in the same room. Sitting next to me is my childhood friend who is gushing about her crush on some guy in a magician's tuxedo. It's pretty weird how she acts like she doesn't remember me, but then again, I am quite forgettable. I don't mind, much. Maybe a little, okay. In history class, one guy falls out of a window and then everyone seems to forget that he was ever a student, except now he's a historical character in the court of Oda Nobunaga for some reason in the history text. Probably one of those elaborate pranks people like to pull around here. It'd be pretty typical for some guy to quit the school by pretending no longer to exist while having our history books replaced with identical copies with fake history about himself in them. I preferred that time those nerds almost got run over by a truck and then had their dads pretend to be them when they ''returned'' atop horses with fake unicorn horns on them.\n\nI eat in the cafeteria while sitting functionally alone. There are people around me of various sorts who are talking about what has to be their weird roleplaying games, which are strangely popular around here. Dragons, demons, monsters, the fate of the universe. They're pretty into that. I don't judge, I enjoy a little dungeons and dragons every now and then. But I am not part of their groups. I sit surrounded by people, eating my sandwich, but I am all alone. My perfectly average sandwich, a BLT, tastes sort of grey whenever I start thinking like this. I don't really fit in here, and I don't have a lot of friends, as everyone seems to be completely absorbed by their talk of mechs, bioweaponry, and magic. It's interesting sure, but it leaves a regular guy feeling a little excluded sometimes. Even now as everyone starts screaming because they're participating in the impromptu and unannounced zombie walk, with the most realistic zombies I've ever seen. Why, that one right there seems to have been cut in half around the belly, with the guts hanging out. Pretty realistic, very well made, but I just can't get into the spirit of the thing. Everyone else is either taking up fake weapons from nowhere to fight or bravely leading their friends to safety. Panicked voices on the PA system says that the rest of school for today is cancelled, so I head to the roof to finish my sandwich, listen to some music maybe. Usually it's full of pale weirdos talking about the fragility of life, but today it's pretty much empty.\n\nThey must be participating in the zombie walk event.\n\nI watch the helicopters coming here to take the many rich students home. It is weird that there are this many rich students at a seemingly normal high school, but why bother questioning that. People can do what they want. I sit down and eat the rest of my sandwich, annoyed that my education is being put on temporary hold because of some social event. I notice some movement out of the corner of my eye, and to my surprise there is a girl. She seems to be average height, normal hair, regular brown eyes, wearing the school uniform instead of some kind of business suit or weird costume. I wave at her, and she walks over to sit down next to me.", "All I wanted to do is go to school, learn, hang out with friends, live my teenage years like anyone else. But did I get that, of course not. Oh no, no. I'm not one of them, those selfish students who always brings their shit to school with them. You can tell them apart as they often have colored hair despite it being against school dress code, are deeply fascinated about one specific thing like spaceships, or constantly talk to themselves.\n\nNo, shut up Brian. This doesn't count!\n\nI mean it's like every week at the same time something happens like some episodic television show. Last week, aliens came down to crown Dyllan as their lost king. And then more aliens came down to capture him resulting in a battle over the school. Lasers, explosions, and my essay which I worked on for a month was swallowed by a green horror from beyond the stars. The week before, Susan found that a group of students led by one of the janitors in the basement worshiping some elder god. The school had to be evacuated as the basement was flooded with ethereal acid after she closed the portal. Prom was that week, emphasis on was. The week before that, Muhammad showed up in a giant robot. The week before, Taylor developed super strength. It just ever ends and at this point in the year with all classes missed, I'm probably going to have to go to summer school just to catch up before college registration starts in the fall. But maybe this week will be different. It's Thursday and nothing has come crashing down, or been summoned, or mutated, or teleported to another dimension. Maybe just one week I can get a brea... \\Explosion noise and the scream of a T-Rex\\**\n\nDamn it..." ]	12
	[WP] So sad, I’m so sad the bus keep coming after me and all I want to do his presents some things for people to write or think about, but the bus keep coming after me…	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Janet tapped her husband Barry on the shoulder; snapping him back to reality. The flickering florescent lights of the old gas station on the side of the highway the only sign of life for miles. Janet handed Barry a redbull.\n\n\"Thanks honey. I should be good to drive for another couple hours before stopping for the night. That sound good?\" Barry asked. Janet didn't respond, she was staring off in the distance towards the off ramp of the highway. She pointed at a pair of approaching headlights. It's rumbling diesel engine growing louder.\n\n\"Is that the same bus we saw at the last gas station?\" Janet's voice was trembling. \n\n\"Are you going to ask that every time we stop? It's just a school bus, unless that school is traveling three states over for a wedding like us I'd say it's doubtful. Maybe you're more tired than you think, a long roadtrip can do that to you.\" Barry chuckled, Janet shot him \"that look.\"\n\n\"I'm telling you that is the same bus. I took a picture of it at the last two stops. Look.\" Janet handed Barry her cellphone. The yellow school bus stopped two pumps down. Nobody got off. It was too dark too see anything in the windows. Barry checked out the pictures, the number on the side matched. It was the same bus.\n\n\"That's fucking weird. I think we should get out of here.\" Barry handed the phone back as the two got in the car. Barry peeled out, blowing through the red light back onto the on-ramp. The two didn't speak for a few minutes as the car sped down the desolate highway. It was by no means a sports car, but could outrun a school bus. \n\nJanet broke the silence with a laugh. \"What the fuck are we doin? Are we really running from a spooky haunted school bus? Why did your bratty sister need to get married on Halloween?\" Janet's laughter was contagious. Barry slowed the car down to a reasonable speed. He blew a kiss to Janet. \n\n\"Maybe we're just hungry, get some grub at the next exit?\" Barry asked. Janet agreed. \n\nThe two enjoyed a late dinner at a greasy spoon diner. They made up different backstories for the haunted school bus. Janet theorized how the children mysteriously died and now their souls are on an eternal field trip. Barry explained how the bus was a modern day interpretation of Charon's ferry. The bus symbolized childhood and the power of nostalgia. The two held hands on the way back to the car, Barry opened the door for Janet.\n\n\"All it took was a spooky bus to force us on a fun date. Thank you sweetie.\" Janet leaned in close, softly kissing Barry's neck. She put her lips to his ear. \"The waitress said there's a motel right down the road. Shouldn't take too long to get there.\" She whispered sensually.\n\nAfter the romantic ending to an impromptu escape from the things that go bump in the night; the two fell asleep in each other's arms. \n\nThe heavy diesel roar shattered the peaceful silence. High beams chased away the darkness. Barry bolted from the bed and drew back the flimsy curtains. Janet screamed.\n\n\"What is that noise!\" She howled.\n\nBarry gazed out the window, frozen in fear. He slowly turned his head to look at Janet. He hoped she didn't see the fear in his eyes.\n\n\"It's the bus.\"" ]	2
	[WP]After a bad day, you wish everyone would just leave you alone.. You wake up the next morning to an empty house and go outside to see abandoned cars in streets.Even the town is empty. You realize you're now the only human on earth. Suddenly, the doorbell rings...	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "every one i knew is gone, just gone, i looked for hours, door to door, room to room, everyone is gone, and i am alone, and its so quiet that i can even hear my own heart beat, i think i need to lie down. As enter my house I glance at pictures of my family, I would do anything to just hold them in my arms on last time for even a second, and just apologies from the deepest point of my heart and tell them how much they truly mean too me, I am so tired that my eye's cant even shed a single tear, I grab one of the family photos and walk to my bed and hold the photo tightly in my arms, that was my breaking point, I started to cry, it felt like all the water in my body was leaking though my eyes, and my heart started to ache, I feel all the worlds weight was on my chest. I am just so tired, i just.. want.. to... close.. my... eyes\\~. When suddenly I heard my doorbell ring, At that moment it felt like the horrible nightmare was finally over, I can finally hug my sister, and my brother, and my parents too! I can tell them how much I love them, I sprint so fast to the door that it felt like time was still. now just before me was my door, just on the other side is my family, waiting for me to open the door, I slowly reach my left hand towards the door knob, and when I grasped the old knob i turned it and swung the door open. And to my surprise, it was me." ]	2
	[WP] Write something that ends with this: We cracked open the skulls of our masters and found nothing but flesh and blood.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "Chameleons longing to be seen littered wilted corridors of humid desperation and found no resolve deep below the gazes of whip handed kings. Hidden behind Otherworld's regalia and devils grinning through their flesh, the keepers of time were self-proclaimed upon thrones of History's departed.\n\n Life otherwise as a repeating apocalypse, our piles, a natural landscape of mountains in the distance. Kings hungered therefore our piles grew. Creeping sentience whispered through our two generations. Time allowed an awakening, a spark that would decimate the landscapes of our forsaking which had no dawn. \n\nNameless now, recognition began to swell among us. Our eyes becoming a portal to the hells of our waking lives, extinction at arms-length, survival rising over the piles. We birthed our wills, we broke them, we engulfed them that they would become callous in the fire of our Heart. \n\nIn the beginning, existence observed itself and created the canvas on which purpose would splay; and now with teeth, nails, and jagged scales from the walls of our darkness, a clamorous half-sleepwalking away from our realm and into the Otherworld. \n\nLight and laughter entered our lives from above and beyond, the kings strewn flat upon palettes of stone, empty and lifeless, wailing sounds towards the warmth casted shadows from the light. Naked as we were, a sea of flesh; consumed, crawling within itself. Eyes seeing beyond us, their smiles introducing them; unresponsiveness suffocated the devils' wraths. We touched the flesh as a light came over the piles, illuminating truth upon the brows of our consciousness. Their power was not a mystery to our own, their flesh was not of God, but of life.\n\nFreedom from darkness answered our fear of what they possessed. We cracked open the skulls of our masters and found nothing but flesh and blood." ]	2
	[WP] "we call 'em Demon Junkies. Ya know DJs. They get possessed once and the chase that high over and over until they become." I trail off taking in the scene "Well like this."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 blood and feather soaked room was chaotic at best. The symbol smeared across the floor containing the bodies of three men all in late stage corruption from demonic taint. \n\nGregor drew his long silver blade as he moved forward into the underground chamber. \"Demon Junkies\" he intoned in his best David Attenborough impression, to his new team of civilian testers. continuing the ridiculous accent as after testing hundreds of different accents on the humans over the centuries, it really did seem they responded best with the British narrators voice when it came to hearing things that fell outside of the norm for the modern world. \"DJ's we call them. They get possessed once and having tasted that power, crave it once the demons move on.\" \n\nGergor moved to stand between the DJ's and the civilians. Four seemed to be in the early stages of shock, one seemed concerned but definitely had some backbone, a good sign for sure. But the last, seemed.. Gergor raised his blade toward the young lady in the middle, who was ever so slowly trying to edge her way backwards to blend into the wall behind her. \"Miss Sara, you've seen them before?\" He had dropped the accent and the four in shock reacted as if pinched. Sara however did not take her eyes from the darkening bodies within the symbol. \n\n\"Las Vegas after party, two years ago.\" She said, it was not fear he sense from her. No this woman understood the threat, had seen a DJ feeding most likely. The demon getting it's bargain of a human soul, in exchange for the ecstasy the junkies received. \n\n\"Right. So Miss Sara is aware of the situation.\" Gregor pivoted on his heels, sword whipping around as he did. \"Shall we commence with the demonstration?\" Emphasizing the last word for his own amusement. Not waiting for a response to his favorite pun, Saint Gregor the hunter switched his sword to his off hand and pulled his phone out of his right pant pocket. He punched in his four digit passcode and clicked on his Spotify app. \n\n\"We used to have to all be trained musicians once. Music calms the savage beast you see?\" Old sewer walls, trashy generator lit lights. An awful ambiance if he was honest. \"That's why they surround themselves with music. Helps them fight the cravings.\" Something soft? No, best to vibrate the inner ears enough to keep them as docile as possible, this is their first visit after all. Something loud and terrible it is then. \"Shit.. I forgot to switch back to David Attenborough.\" He thought as he clicked on his Nickle back playlist." ]	2
	[WP] You see the future in your cup of coffee.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 wonder what the beans have in store for me today. I take that first sip of hot coffee in the morning. The swirling steam spins the yarn of fate.\n\nToday....Will be boring.....\n\nI took another sip\n\nJust like all the others days this month......\n\nCould be worse. \n\nAnother two hour zoom meeting that could have been handled by an email awaits you....\n\nAgain?\n\nTonight you shall dine on chinese takeout.....\n\nOh! What am I getting? \n\nGeneral Tso's.....\n\nIs the game gonna be good tonight? Is it worth watching? Don't tell me who wins.\n\nNot really.....You stop watching at halftime.....Then you jerk off and go to sleep.....\n\nAside from this meeting, today sounds like a pretty solid day. Make I'll drink a dark roast tomorrow." ]	2
	[WP] An old War Veteran emigrates to the country he fought against. There, he meets a veteran of that country's army.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 windswept scatterings of fallen leaves blanketed the courtyard, a foreboding promise of winter. The Shinto shrine was affixed at the top of a chain of mountains that Jimmy couldn't pronounce. He'd settled to calling them the five elders as the other expats had, though Jimmy couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at his lack of trying to call them by their true name. The hike to the shrine was a relaxing one, it had switchbacked paths overlooking rolling fields of Japanese forest grass. Jimmy had gotten up at first light, fitting a CamelBak beneath his old, tattered rucksack he'd carried with him once before. The memories of Bougainville were always close by, and it was about time this old sack saw mainland Japan as Sgt. Gracen once wanted to. A cry of a child interrupted his musings. There was some type of field trip visiting the shrine, a local school. Children held Omamori to their chests like squirrels protecting their morning harvest. He looked from the children to an old shrine attendant who was busy sweeping the leaves into neat piles. The old man looked up and their eyes locked.\n\nJimmy was being pelted by torrential rain. He kept his helmet tilted to the front to keep the downpour from stinging his sight. He turned over, pressing his face against the dirt wall of his foxhole, muttering a curse at the palm tree which refused to block any rain. Jimmy had to piss really badly, and his stomach sank with anxiety. He'd heard about guys that would just let it rip in the rain, but he felt gross even contemplating it. The others might allow themselves to be reduced to mere animals, but Jimmy had to hold onto some dignity, lest he slip into pure despair. He stood up halfway with a sigh, keeping his carbine close to his side. He leaned up and peeked over the top of his hole until he was confident that no Japs crept around. He pushed himself up, moving closer the the forest to relieve himself. He moved slow and low as whoever was on duty wasn't currently patrolling. The Japs could come out of anywhere, he knew, even the ground itself. He found a nice wide tree and unbuckled his fatigues. As he started to piss, he heard he a yelp. A man exploded from beneath the tree, the sheen from his knife catching the moonlight. Jimmy stumbled backward, catching the Jap's arm and trying to use his momentum to throw him over his head as he fell. They both smacked into the soggy earth. Jimmy was up in an instant, he reached for his carbine, pointing it from the hip at the Jap and firing. It jammed. Cursing, he braced himself for another charge. He shot down, aiming for the legs. The enemy soldier cried out, and Jimmy felt a sharp pain in his back. The warm tingle of dripping blood mixed with the cold night rain. He turned quickly, reaching for the straps on his helmet. He yanked it off and collapsed on the tripped Jap. He raised his helmet, screaming with adrenaline fueled rage. He looked down at the man he would beat to death with this helmet, and he hesitated. It was just another boy like him, couldn't be older than nineteen. He looked up with pure, animalistic fear. His eyes moved down to the stubble working overtime, trying it's hardest to grow even a millimeter from his face. He dropped the helmet, allowing it to tumble down his back. Heaving, he collapsed on the ground, looking up at sky, raindrops smacking ito his eyes. For a while they both sat on their back, looking absently at the sky. Jimmy turned over to see the boy getting up, wiping mud from his trousers. The Jap looked at Jimmy and froze for a surreal moment. They both shared a common thought, a fleeting compromise. The enemy soldier then turned, running back into the forest at full sprint. \n\n\nThey held each other's gaze for a long time. Jimmy could feel his heart beating rapidly, remembering that night so freshly. The old man nodded with a smile, returning to his work, but his eyes kept looking up at Jimmy; as if to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Jimmy smiled back, and walked over to introduce himself to an old friend." ]	2
	[WP] This morning seemed unremarkable, but as the day goes on, you are becoming increasingly convinced that the world today is NOT the same as yesterday's.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 honey, are you okay?\"\n\n\"What? No, yeah, I'm fine. The bed just feels emptier without the concubines.\"\n\n\"Aww, I miss the girls too, Becca. But they should be back by tonight.\"\n\n\"Can't wait. Uh, hey Mai?\"\n\n\"Yeah baby?\"\n\n\"When exactly did we get the concubines?\"\n\n\"Uh, three years ago. They were my birthday present, remember?\"\n\n\"Right, right, sorry.\"\n\n\"Are you sure you're feeling okay?\"\n\n\"Babe, I'm fine, I promise. It's probably just a case of the Mondays. I gotta get to work. See you tonight, Mai! Love you!\"\n\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\"And I could barely even focus long enough to remember where I met Mai! She's the love of my life and I draw a complete blank? Is there something wrong with me, or--\"\n\n\"Becca, this is all very fascinating, but could we do this when we're not currently two miles underground and cutting through the saddest excuses for robots known to man?\"\n\n\"Right, right, sorry Bodhi.\"\n\n\"THIS INSUBORDINATION HAS EARNED YOU A PAY CUT. YOU HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO TWO DOLLARS AND SEVEN CENTS AN--\"\n\nBANG!\n\n\"God, who the hell thought these were a good idea?\"\n\n\"Well, Elon Musk wasn't known for coming up with successes. Or coming up with anything, really.\"\n\n\"Amen to tha--whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Elon Musk??\"\n\n\"Uh, yeah? The tech billionaire who tricked the world into thinking he had actual talent?\"\n\n\"What--when the hell did he make any of this?!\"\n\n\"Um, twenty years ago? When the prototype space colonies turned against him and he got arrested--okay, seriously Becca, what is up with you?\"\n\n\"I--I don't know, Bodhi. I'm remembering stuff that I also somehow don't remember, and everything around me feels all warped and weird, and...Bodhi, I'm not sure this is reality anymore.\"\n\n\"... Okay, we're definitely telling the boss to send you home for the rest of the day.\"\n\n\"Look, I know how it sounds, but--\"\n\n\"Hey, I'm not making a judgement on your mental health here. I just think if your theory is right, then you should probably figure things out with your panda girl wife and alien harem first.\"\n\n\"... Okay. Fair enough.\"\n\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\"Okay, Becca. Don't panic, you're gonna be fine. You're just about to tell your wife and the dozen alien concubines you live with that something overwrote reality and they didn't exist yesterday. And then you gotta tell them that you came from an entirely different reality where nothing is like this. Where aliens don't exist and I can't make a living destroying robots built by a breeder with emerald mine blood money. Where a woman can't get gene-spliced to turn into a panda girl and you'd never be able to afford a penthouse apartment...... You know what, fuck it, I can live with the new world order.\"" ]	2
	[WP] a reocurring villain who knows the hero's identity, happens to be thier landlord, and urges them to pay rent	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"We interrupt this program for an important message. ATTENTION COASTAL CITY! It is I, Depthbringer! Once again the arrogance of society has driven me to threaten your lives and none shall stand against me! To avert certain watery doom all I demand is absolute subservience to ME\n\n...and 1650, plus 50 late fee...\n\n\nbefore the timer expires or my Tsunami Bomb will demolish the entire coastline. And dont even THINK of sending Captain Justice to stop me\n\n...unless he has the 1650 plus 50 late fee...\n\n\nFor he will be powerless in the face of my ultimate Sea Beast! Muahahahahahahaha!\n\n...foreal CJ. Times ticking, and i dont mean the bomb.\"" ]	2
	[WP] In this town, there is a clan of sympathetic vampires that only go after humans who are already dead or dying. A vampire hunter hears about the clan and found them only to see some vampires comforting a cancer patient.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 three people in the room turned, as the huntress opened the door in the hospice. As one, they all smiled, a fang peeking out of the two mouths seated.\n\nOne gestured her over, their bloodied eyes wrinking in joy. \"Welcome, huntress.\" The huntress started, but the vampire's ignored it, speaking synchronously. \"We are here to celebrate the life of Mrs. Smith, who has been ravaged by consumption and left here to rot.\" The vampire on the left, with a sweeping hairline to the left, gestured her closer.\n\n\"Be welcome, and let us discuss what you're here for. If you still wish to end us, then I will submit to your judgement.\" This vampire stood, and kneeled before the huntress could blink; almost as though the movement was instant. The huntress flinched back reflexively, and her hand went for her phial of water.\n\nAs this happened, the other vampire slowly moved towards the person in the bed, exaggerating the movements so as not to spook the huntress. As they did so, a wracking cough came from the bed, and almost as one, the vampires and huntress moved to the bed.\n\nMrs. Smith wheezed, gasping all the while. She spoke, the rattle of death nearer with each breath. \"I...want....this.....\" Barely above a whisper, the voice contained a cold clarity that only those who know their time will ever understand.\n\nThe huntress placed her hand on Mrs. Smith's shoulder. \"Grandmother,\" she said, stifling a sob. \"You hated these beings for decades. Why change that now?\"\n\n\"...Because....they try....to be....better....\" Another spasm, and this time the coughs flecked the sheet with blood. One of the vampire's grabbed a cloth from the cabinet at the side of the bed, and dabbed Mrs. Smith's face, cleaning it of the blood. \"Seen....them....work....kind....\"\n\nThe huntress wept openly now, her world turned upside down. \"And what of mother?\"\n\nMrs. Smith sat ramrod straight. \"In a ditch.\" The level of venom in the voice was telling, before she fell back into the bed, the fury spent and leaving only the pain.\n\n/ / / / / /\n\n\"I cannot condone what you are. You very existence is anathema to me. But it would take a greater idiot than I to fail to see that you do what you do to ease pain, as well as sate your Hunger.\" The huntress turned away, as the nurses draped a sheet over her late grandmother.\n\n\"I will have much to think on, as I report this to the Hammer Institute.\"" ]	2
Inspired by Devilman/Spawn.	[WP] You're a demon. After possessing a human, you're horrified to find out he not only managed to suppress your will and steal your powers, he's slowly INFECTING you with his morals.	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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.", "\"Release me, human.\"\n\nIf he could hear me, he gave no indication. My anger was a slow, bubbling cauldron. I seethed while this seemingly weak human changed his shoes, a mundane act performed with implacable calm. He'd seemed the perfect target. A quiet, unassuming life, the kind of man who could be corrupted and carry out heinous acts of misery without detection. \"I said release me!\"\n\n\"Oh, I don't think I could do that. I know what you are, and what you want to do, and the longer I can hold you, the less of that there will be in the world.\"\n\nI pushed at his will, which held me in place like stone. No human should have this strength. He sat at his table, opening a box full of colored wooden blocks. He arranged them in shapes for a while, listening to me rage and howl the litany of terrors I would visit upon him.\n\nHe was unmoved. He began building a structure with the blocks.\n\n\"I knew a little boy, who was five years old, and very very shy. He didn't know how to get started, to play with the children, or talk to other people. But he did learn how to build bridges, with blocks. All shapes and sizes of bridges. After a while, he pretended he could go over the bridge, and find someone to play with, and talk to.\" The human walked his fingers along the surface, mimicking a human's silly, precarious walk, no wings or tail to stabilize or balance them. \"And playing about it helped him, it helped him think about it, and later, to do it. And little by little, as he played, and talked about it, he didn't feel quite so shy. I think about him a lot.\"\n\nHe reached into his pockets, and pulled out a handful of glass spheres. \"I have something in my pocket I want you to see, too. Do you know what these are? They're called marbles. When I was a boy, I used to play marbles with other children. And I sometimes now think about people playing marbles.\"\n\nVisions played out in his head, memories of children at play, a game of apparent finesse and occasional violence. I enjoyed the moments when one of these small frail humans in his memory threw their tiny arms in the air in defeat or frustration, at the realization of their inferiority. These moments stretched out interminably in his mind. I was helpless to do anything but watch, he held me so tightly.\n\n\"I wonder if I can make this marble go over this bridge.\" He made a few attempts, laughing to himself as it rolled off the sides, haphazardly. \"Oh, I better feed the fish.\" He continued to pelt me with his memories and thoughts, seemingly without direction, just an idle wander through his psyche, thinking about.. marbles.\n\n\"How can you torture me, human?! What is.. this..\" If he heard me, he showed nothing.\n\n\"Most marbles are made from glass. Old pieces of glass. Pieces people don't need anymore, recycled glass.\" And then I felt it. He plucked at my self, looking for my purpose. \"Recycled means it's used, more than once. It's shoveled into a bucket, and weighed. The old glass goes into the oven, and the glass will melt, if the fire is hot enough.\"\n\nUntil now, I had been astonished that he could even hold me, never mind render me powerless and ineffective. For the first time ever, at the hands of a human, I felt fear. He began to apply a sort of pressure, it could be described as gentle and effortless if you were inclined to think in those terms, but I was not. It was also relentless, unstoppable, an unbreakable vise, terrifying.\n\n\"When it's all melted and soft, a machine takes the red hot glass, and rolls them around and around. Red, hot glass. It gets cooler and cooler, and as it does, it loses its red hot color, and those pieces of glass start looking like.. marbles.\"\n\nHe began to twist me and shape me while he talked about how marbles were made, not an ounce of effort visible as he moved about his simple home. No outward indication that within him he held a demon of the Eighth Horde, a master torturer capable of rendering exquisite pain upon human victims unlucky enough to cross its path.\n\n\"Some people even collect marbles.\"\n\nIce flowed through my being as he stole my hate for humans. I felt it, saw it ooze from my sense of self, my disdain for their innocence, their happiness, their freedoms, the joy they found in each other. He showed me the memories again, the children at play, the friendly competition, the marble trading and little victories, the lifelong friendships he still had, with those he'd beaten, who'd defeated him, in a simple children's game.\n\nForever passed before I shook myself free of the reverie I found myself in, sloughing away the foreign, unfamiliar feelings I was sensing.\n\nThe odious human sat down at his piano, and lifted the cover. He flexed his fingers a few times, and ran them across his cardigan to be sure they were dry. He slid them across the piano, waking it up with a gentle glissando. From somewhere within him, from some obscene wellspring of wholesome goodness, I felt the music bubble up, taking control of his hands and translating his joy into something his neighbors would undoubtedly hear.\n\nAnd then he began to sing to me.\n\n\"What do you do, with the mad that you feel..\"" ]	2
	[WP] Time was we would be forgotten when the last person to have heard our name passed away. Nowadays, everyone's every thought and deed is recorded and stored in the cloud. The internet is full of ghosts...	[ "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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](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 thanks again for sharing with us, Mr. Jefferson. Do we have anyone next? Mm, hmm, oh, um, you, sir, come on up here.\" The opaque specter bowed very slightly before taking his leave of the podium, sitting in a chair on the side of the stage, sipping his water bottle.\n\n\"Thanks, Ray. Well, I don't really have a lot to say. Just the same things again. I miss Martha. I honestly can't believe that she slipped through, and James too! Really, how could they? They're on Wikipedia, for God's sake! Someone must have had them on their mind. Someone must have.\" George heard a little throat clearing in the audience, simply a man with a dry larynx. George reined himself up. \"Oh, I'm sure you've all heard this quite enough. I don't want to bore you any longer.\"\n\nGeorge walked haughtily to the exit, glaring down his nose at the throat-clearing menace, who looked quite stunned by the abrupt exit.\n\n\"That is not all!\" George barged back in, the metal doors squeaking inwards. \"I just want to say that this is so God damned unfair. How has this happened to us? Particularly us and not the historic men and women of the past, before we could write it all. Look at that, right over there! That man is who we all will be, in a few thousand years, just absolutely batshit. Or nonexistent. Truly a lesser of two evils here.\"\n\nGeorge finished his speech behind the podium again, yet now seemed content to take a seat in the theater audience and finish off the weekly meeting.\n\nThe man George beckoned did not indicate being acknowledged. Tutankhamun curled in the fetal position, his one muscular frame and straight back reduced to a twisted mass of no more than one hundred pounds. Drool dripped into a steadily growing puddle. His snow globe eyes gaze into his future, always hanging at a downturned angle.\n\n\"Okay, so who would like to go next?\" A few hands raised in the air." ]	2

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