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[WP] In most areas of the world, snow brings joy and happiness. In the town of Witicha however, the snow brings something very sinister.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \n\nNot many people really know about our town. Even people from Kansas will ask us if they mean Wichita, Kansas. But no, Witicha, Kansas, is a real place. Unfortunately.\n\nWhy do people live here? I ask that question every time the first snowfalls. This is a miserable place to live.\n\nWinter is a time of many different things for most of the world. Its Christmas time, its the time for making snowmen and waging snowball wars with your friends. But for us, it's only a time of misery. There is no Christmas, there are no snowball fights, and there is no playing in the snow.\n\nBut there are snowmen.\n\nIn the thick of winter, when the wind howls and you can barely see outside your window, these *things* roam outside.\n\nWith all the snow and mist blowing around, all you can see of them is their silhouettes. But that’s enough to terrify people into staying outside.\n\nTheir silhouettes are all different. Some of them are small and prowl on four legs. Others are giant, and tower over the buildings they walk behind.\n\nWe never dare go outside during the thick of winter. Before the snowstorms blow through, we stockpile as much canned food as we can find. On the rare chance that someone runs out of food, they dare not go outside. They’d rather starve than face whatever those *things* are.\n\nThe weirdest thing about the things is that they have never killed or harmed anyone. But what they do is intimidate people.\n\nThere have been some accounts of the things putting their faces right to people’s windows, fogging up the glass. For some reason, the smudges left by their facial features never leave. The smudges show up every time the windows get fogged up, like that part of the glass is covered in plastic.\n\nWhen the snowstorms finally end, we come out of our homes to a town that is generally untouched. A couple of trash cans are turned over, but that’s about it.\n\nBut, the damage is so much more than that. We, the children of Witicha, can never experience the snow like other kids. We can only cower in our homes as snowmen watch us from outside.\n\n​\n\n\\-------------------------------------------- \n\n​\n\nAll constructive criticism is welcome and appreciated!\n\n​\n\nTo the, like, 13 people who live in Witicha, Kansas, sorry if my story offends you or your town. Also, promote your town! Most people don't even know it exists!\n\n​\n\nYou can find more of my stories at r/DrabblesfromtheHerald!"
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[WP] "If an alien crashes on Earth, does it become a ghost? I bet they'd be really pissed off by that."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*We ARE upset. And we are real.*\n\nWith that slithery, whispery voice from nowhere, Devon jumped, and he flicked the half-burned joint at Marius, sitting on the ground across from him.\n\n“Dude!” He scrambled to retrieve it “What the hell? That could’ve burned me.” But then, forgetting the injury, took a long pull before blowing the smoke out the small attic window.\n\n“Did you hear that?” Devon now fully faced across from them, staring toward the dark corner of the attic.\n\n“Hear what? A ghost?” He went to laugh but then coughed because of it. “Or did you mean *alien ghost?*” He continued to cough-laugh at him.\n\n*We will not tolerate this*, hissed the voice. *Tell your friend that alien ghosts… are real*.\n\n“That! All of that! Didn’t you hear it?” Devon pointed around randomly toward the empty attic.\n\n“You play too much.” Shaking his head, Marius extended the joint to Devon; but then paused, assessing Devon’s face before he decided to bring it back to his own lips. He sucked till it turned bright red.\n\n*Devon Reginald Roberts*, hissed the voice. *We need to hear you tell him… alien ghosts are real.* \n\nThen, in the far end of the attic, emerged faint, translucent shapes – a humanoid figure with a bulbous head, a fearsome snake-like creature that hissed as it approached, and an… athletic looking panda?\n\n“Uh, man…” Devon feebly raised his finger directly in front of them.\n\n“Seriously?” asked Marius annoyed. But when he turned toward his friend, he was surprised to find he wasn’t joking. “Bro, you feeling all right?”\n\n“Marius.” \n\n*Tell him we are real*, said the snake-like creature.\n\n“I need you to know…” The ghosts were edging closer. \n\n*Tell HIM!*\n\n“Dude. Shit! Ghosts are real man. Ghosts are—”\n\n*The FULL truth*, came the hiss.\n\nDevon paused. “*Alien* ghosts are real.” The look of fear and uncertainty in Devon’s eyes… Marius tensed, pausing, then looked intently toward the other end of the attic.\n\n“What are you…”\n\n“Bro! What?” Devon’s wide grin turns into deep laughter. “I’m just messing with you. Why are you so gullible when you’re stoned? Alien ghosts? Really?”\n\nMarius flicks the joint at Devon. “You piece of shit.”\n\n*I thought we had him!* hissed the snake-like ghost, Essesstes.\n\n*You’re not supposed to TELL them we’re real*, said the bulbous-headed humanoid ghost, Stanex. *The first step is to slowly reveal that we’re real.*\n\n*Fucking earth*, said the athletic panda ghost, 7780. *What the hell kind of afterlife uses the collection of human souls for payment of transportation?*\n\n*You’re too pessimistic,* said Essesstes. *I’m sure we’ll get the hang of it.*\n\nStanex dropped his head with a sigh, and it struck the hanging lightbulb.\n\n“Whoa,” said Devon. “What was that?” Above them, the lightbulb had suddenly started swinging back and forth wildly. \n\n“Probably some science shit or something,” said Marius. “Let’s get out of here and get a burger or something.” He took one more hit then threw the roach out the window.\n\n*Ssssss*, hissed Essesstes in excitement. With a slap of her tail, she made one of the boxes jump.\n\nDevon let out a little scream. Then quickly (and deeper): “Yeah man, let’s bounce.”\n\nAs the two young men scurried down and out of the attic, 7780 looked at his two stranded compatriots. *Oh. I think I can work with this.*"
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[WP] You are the world's only time-travelling journalist. You use carefully constructed false identities to secretly record your conversations with famous historical figures, and are sworn never to alter the past. However, when you meet with your latest unsuspecting interviewee, they recognise you.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The name on his fake press badge clipped to his unremarkable black suit identified him as “Hank Williams.” The name was phony, too, of course. However, Quis had grown accustomed to the alias, regularly using it for interviews. The audio recorder was real but was fake in the sense that Quis disguised it to match Earth’s technology in the 2010s.\n\nFor each interview, Quis carefully constructed a different identity, usually working for a local publication. Big names tended to be open to talking to local nobody journalists Quis had discovered. Plus, it helped with his forgettable persona so people wouldn’t follow up with someone who didn’t exist.\n\n“Mr. Praevalens will see you now,” the secretary informed him.\n\nFrom the photos on her desk, Hank bet she was a grandmother. She had that kind, grandmotherly vibe. She happily led the way to the office of John Praevalens, the CEO of Close Ground. The technology company dabbled in a variety of avenues, focusing on catering to security for governments and businesses. \n\nThe golden doors to John’s office were a statement. They weren’t massive–they were standard size for French doors, but with a pocket design. The doors depicted a battle in an Aztec influenced art style. Quis made a note to ask John about the doors as the secretary separated them open. \n\nUpon entering, Quis felt a slight buzzing sensation. He almost didn’t notice it, but he recognized it.\n\n*Why would they have anti-teleportation security?* Quis thought. *This planet doesn’t have that at this time. It must be something else I’m sensing.* \n\n“Hey, old sport,” John greeted with genuine kindness as he firmly shook hands with Quis.\n\nThe spry, 30-something John wore his trademark black pinstriped suit. Around his neck was a gold medallion that depicted the sun in the same style as his door. The flat medallion was palm-sized. Quis had read an article about John’s devotion to the family heirloom.\n\nThe secretary softly closed the doors behind her as she left the room.\n\nJohn led Quis to a modernism lounge area with an artistic golden coffee table and curvy, white leather sofas.\n\n“Feel free to set your equipment on the table,” John offered as he took a seat on the couch. “Anything I can get you? A drink?”\n\nQuis sat his audio recorder on the table and took a seat in a matching armchair. “I’m good, thank you. We can get started right away. I know your time is valuable, so I appreciate you chatting with me.”\n\n“You know, you remind me of someone. Have we met before, Hank?”\n\n“No, I would remember you.”\n\nJohn shifted around on his couch. “Odd. I’m pretty good at remembering people. Anyway, carry on.”\n\nQuis pushed the record button. “I want to start by talking about your passions. What are some of the projects at Close Ground that excite you the most?”\n\n“Starting deep, are we?”\n\n“The best way to warm up is to jump in.”\n\nJohn laughed. “You know, this one is going to surprise you, but I have to say, Exploring Earth.”\n\n“The travel site?” Quis questioned.\n\n“Yes, that’s the one.”\n\n“Why?”\n\n“I believe if people traveled more, spoke with people from around the world, so much of our animosity would be gone. We got some fantastic contributors too. Amber Way showcases places with such enthusiasm that I swear, I want to visit every place she writes about.”\n\n“There are countless stories to be collected,” Quis commented.\n\n“Are you certain we hadn’t met before?” John asked, almost accusing him of lying. \n\n“People tell me I have a familiar, but forgetting face,” Quis joked.\n\nJohn didn’t laugh. He leaned forward. “Everything about you seems familiar.”\n\n“This is my first time interviewing you, sir,” Quis calmly reaffirmed, trying not to be annoyed. \n\n“Yes, but I tend to remember everyone I’ve met. What are you?”\n\n“I’m Hank,” Quis responded, unsure how to answer that.\n\n“I asked, what are you? You haven’t aged since you saved my life.”\n\nQuis was now confused. “I beg your pardon?”\n\n“Command Blackout,” John shouted into the room.\n\nThe window blinds dropped close. The buzz Quis had first felt when he entered intensified. All the lights went out except for the lamp that stood beside John. Hank’s recorder was still on.\n\n“Your recording device should’ve lost power, which means it’s not from this world. Care to explain?”\n\n“I-I don’t know what to tell you,” Quis stumbled. “Maybe you can tell me who you think I am, and we can figure this out.”\n\nJohn took a deep breath and relaxed back into the couch. “You saved my life a hundred years ago, Quis.”\n\nQuis’ jaw dropped. “Wait. You know my real name and a hundred years ago?”\n\nJohn revealed his fangs. “Vampire.” \n\n“Of course, that makes sense,” Quis said as he leaned back into his chair. “But how do we know each other?”\n\n“You rescued me from that theatre fire in New Orleans and then helped me fake my death there. Don’t you remember?”\n\n“I’m a time-traveler,” Quis confessed. “For me, I haven’t saved your life yet.” \n\n“Oh.” John was silent for a moment. “I hope I didn’t ruin anything by spoiling that for you.”\n\nQuis chuckled. “It’s probably good that you told me because unlike my others, I don’t interfere with the past. I only interview people for prosperity and to understand the life of the universe.”\n\n“Well, shall we continue with the interview?”\n\n“I’d like that,” Quis replied. \n\nWith the interview over, Quis returned to the alleyway where he left his time machine, a plain brown wooden door in a wood frame. Next to his door was a familiar green door and a familiar face inspecting a flame-thrower. \n\n“Gia!” Quis warmly called out to his fellow end-timer. “Good evening.”\n\nGia put away the flame-thrower in her black leather jacket pocket, which was much larger on the inside. She shouted his name and ran up to him with a big hug. Quis returned the hug.\n\n“Who were you interviewing this time?” Gia asked as she let go.\n\n“John Praevalens. Did you know he was a vampire?”\n\n“I didn’t know that. Fascinating.”\n\n“What was that device you were toying with?”\n\n“Just a flame-thrower. I borrowed it from the labs at Close Ground. I need it for my play tonight. Want to come along and watch?”\n\nQuis shrugged. “I’m up for a show. When and where?”\n\n“New Orleans, 1919.”"
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[WP] As a robot, you were able live alongside many owners ever since you were created to help people. One such owner has taught you to love during your time in her care. Unfortunately, humans don’t last forever
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"1.\n\nIteration 34 has come to an end. Madame Janeway died last night. I was the only unit with her. Once I knew her breathing had stopped, I began to move her flannel sheet over her frozen. Her open eyes were fixed on me. They looked at me as a friend, an equal. \n\nI typically do my duties with precision and speed, but in this task I was slow, reverential. Before the sheet fully enveloped her face, I used my fingertips to close her eyes. The feeling of my metal hand on her skin gave me pause. I had felt skin before but this didn’t feel like a master, it felt like Her. The pause gave me time to reflect on my behavior. To the others, this would seem highly irregular. I could feel their staring, questioning gazes as I try to explain that she deserves comfort. They wouldn't understand. I'm not sure I do.\n\nMy purpose is to do what humans require. I don’t do this because it pleases me. Nothing can please me. As a robot I exist for the whims of the master. Each iteration is a new master with different wants and needs, different expectations that I fulfill to the letter. We are built to appear human but unlike them, change is a constant for us. I am not designed to concern myself with the past or the future, just who I must serve now. This core directive courses through my psyche yet I notice the trembling of my hand as I withdraw it from her face. I pull my hand as fast as it will allow back to my sides. This is highly irregular. \n\n2.\n\nThey took Her body today. A red truck with a long bed drove up the road to the estate. Its operator commanded me to raise the body, carry it and “drop it in the back”. I moved her body like trash to the bin. Even wrapped in the sheet I felt Her. She had an identity to me. I didn’t feel the master, I felt Her. My hands wrapped around her arms and legs and for the first time I worried my body would betray my thoughts. After a few steps of carrying the madame, I knew my knees would not buckle and my arms wouldn’t shake. I would be the servant that was required. \n\nI watched as the truck drove away. Dust floated up from the tires evoking the image of the dreams I’d heard humans speak of so many times. In my dream, I looked back at my memories of Madame Janeway. In the beginning, they were like so many before her. I cooked, she ate. I cleaned, she lived. As our time together grew, our existences overlapped with increasing frequency. \n\nI selected a file, one that I returned to often. I was assisting Madame Janeway in selecting a gift for her grandson. He didn’t visit as much as she would like. She would talk about him and it upset her. She would cry and tell me all about the experiences they shared. I listened. In another file, I was gathering a selection of flowers. Madame Janeway said I have a “taste that the others wouldn’t understand”. I stood a bit taller than the others that day. The final memory; Madame Janeway pressed her hand against my face. I grasp her hand within mine. I felt the softness of her skin and for the first time, she felt fragile. She was dying. I smelled the sickness on her breath and I felt my mouth curving downward into a frown even as I fought the gesture. She thanked me for being with her, for listening, for caring. Breath escaped her lips as laid back one last time. I exhaled and didn't know if I could breathe back in. \n\n3.\n\nI file into my assigned storage space. I’m flanked by the others of my kind. Our time in this iteration will soon end. My eyes are fixed looking at the skull of the servant in front of me. He is like me but he is not me. We are both frozen. Another iteration will begin as soon as the placement is made. More to serve, more to help. New attachments will be made, new grooves in the neural processor. Madame Janeway would have said that “Our experiences make us who we are. We don’t choose what we become”. Her words hang like glowlights behind my eyes. \n\nSoon, my eyes will have to close like Her’s. The boot sequence has started already. The whirring that emanates from deep within our collective bodies begins to slow. Soon, I’ll move somewhere else or another master will come to the estate. It's always different, always the same. My eyelids drift closer together and I prepare for a new life. Madame Janeway’s words begin to fade as well. The promising brightness looks like just an impression, like the tracing of a gravestone. I hold on to it wishing and hoping that at least those words will travel with me. The last of my functions cease and I feel the whirring stop. I prepare for iteration 35."
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[WP] You wake up suddenly in a dark forest, a note is attached to the tree that stands before you, "In order to save our world, you must kill the rhino king!" You hear footsteps behind you, but as you turn around you notice there's a horn sticking out of your forehead.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I gasp awake suddenly, jolting out of consciousness and into an unfamiliar terrain. Faint birdsong invades my awareness, but I see no life within the dark canopy of trees above me. Yawning, I stretch away from the uneven surface of the tree I woke leaning on, only to hear a rustling behind me. There is a note attached to it, in a clean handwritten font. It reads “In order to save our world, you must kill the rhino king!” \nAs confused and stressed I am, I rest my head in my hands, only to be greeted by a sharp pain and trickling blood. There’s something on my head. There’s something on my head? I reach up, running my hand along the length of the protrusion. Smooth and firm, and pointy. A horn. \n\nRustle. Crunch. Snap. Rustle.\nLouder now. Rustle. Snap.\nLouder, closer, fuck, I’ve gotta go, I’ve gotta go right now. I stumble to my feet, struggling to counter the weight on my head pulling me forwards.\n \nTime to run. I hurl myself over small creeks, and away from any clear path, feeling thorns cutting into my legs as I charge into countless bushes, shrugs, and unforgiving glades. \n\nRustle, crunch, snap, fuck, behind me.\n\nI turn my head to glance, approximate the distance. No distance anymore, I’m too late, too slow. There is a shirt hooded woman making eye contact with me, a jagged dagger held in between my eyes.\n\nHer voice is rough and grating. “You have 10 seconds to make me an offer worth my while, or I swear to the Hunters you shall not live to see the sun rise.”\n\nWhat could she possibly want? I don’t have time to hesitate, to think, so I open my mouth and start speaking. \n\n“OuUuURrghHhaARRUuOoUIiGHhh”\n\nAh. Yes. Rhino.\n\nI do not find out what the sun looks like."
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[WP] “We tried everything we have, and they just keep coming!” the general screamed. As everyone in the room stared at the monitors, one person in the back speaks up “Not everything, sir.”
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Who said that?!\" says the general, turning a furious gaze on the room.\n\n\"I did sir.\" An young man towards the back of the room stands.\n\n\"And who the hell are you?\"\n\n\" I represent the Unknown Army, and we have decided to reveal ourselves for the sake of what remains of humanity.\" The young man walked calmly towards the front of the room, drawing many gazes. He seemed so unassuming, in a generically cut dark gray suit, brown hair, and burgundy tie.\n\n\"What in all the world is the 'Unknown Army' , and why should I care? And how did you even get in here, this room is only accessible to top officers!\" The general was turning slowly red, but maintaining the discipline which had earned him his stars.\n\n\"The Unknown Army was established in 862 CE , by a coalition of church and government officials gathered from around the world, with a singular purpose: To protect humans from the Dark. But that is not currently germane to the issue at hand, is it general? What is relevant is that I have a lot of help on speed dial, and all you have to do is say yes.\"\n\n\"I'm now saying anything other than this: TAKE THIS MADMAN INTO CUSTODY!!!\"\n\nThe MPs, already having made their way discreetly through the crowd, leapt at the man in a textbook takedown procedure. And then leapt right through his, his form turning smoky and indistinct as they passed through him. As they landed on the ground in a heap, he reformed a few feet away and waved his hand at them. They instantly collapsed, snoring.\n\n\"I believe we need to speak privately general,\" the young man said and waved his hands around again, this time in what seemed to be an arcane pattern of some sort. The room wavered in the generals eyes, seemed almost to dissolve, and vanished entirely leaving just the two of them on a featureless black void, lit from far above in a wide circle.\n\n\"What the hell is this?!\" The general screamed, decades of military discipline fighting his raw animal instincts, all of which were telling him to run and hide.\n\n\"This place has no name, general. It exists outside of both time and space, so we will return to exactly the moment we departed. You can relax, please. you are in no danger here. You must have questions general. Ask them, and I will promise you the truth as far as I know it.\"\n\n............................................\n\nAll the other officers and aides in the room looked about panicked as their guards were disabled and the general vanished. Questions began to fly wildly, back and forth across the room;\n\n\"Who was that man?\" \"What was that man?\" \"What did he do?\" \"Did anyone see where they went?\"\n\nAnd then, as suddenly as they had vanished, they were back. The general appeared, looking 20 years older, but calm. And those who know him knew the look in his eyes, the one he only got when reckless and overwhelming force was about to be unleashed. He raised his hand, and the room fell silent as he gave the order:\n\n\"Deploy the Unknown Army!\"\n\nThe young man gave an enigmatic smile, and vanished. On the monitors, there was a fluctuation. The sensors couldn't seem to quantify what was taking place over the battlefield, but suddenly there was another army in front of the defensive line. An army that looked nothing like anything known on Earth, yet the sight of them brought calm over the room. Surely nothing could stand before these warriors.\n\nEveryone leaned in eagerly, as the Enemy closed in, and the Final Battle commenced."
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[WP] Your grandfather was the agent of an old time Hollywood icon. You have inherited the sacred task of maintaining their image. Today, you learned that the icon is the subject of an expose. Something awful that Grampa had once buried has been rediscovered.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Frank Sinatra was a space lizard.\n\nHe was one of the earliest ones in show biz, before big names started touring around the world. Grandpa knew it, most of Hollywood knew it. It was an open secret. There were lots of lizard people back then, however mostly they shied away from publicity.\n\nLizards love bright warm lights, and there's no brighter lights than stage lights.He would put on his human suit, and get up there in those brilliant lights and just feed his lizard brain while he crooned to the ladies. Lizard language can be very hypnotic. It's no surprise that women loved him.\n\nNowadays most people believe the lizard men from Zanthar-5 are a joke, a relic of conspiracy theory past, a punchline. That belief is a carefully orchestrated conspiracy carried out by a conglomerate of governments around the world. The fact that most lizard people live among us in broad daylight is unknown to most of the population.\n\nI only know because it is my duty to protect the legacy and dignity of one Mr. Frank Sinatra. I inherited the tiny Sinatra museum from my grandfather and have been running it almost successfully for 20 years.\n\nStacy my assistant is half lizard, and she slithered in in a scared rush this morning, clutching a vhs tape. We watched in horror as a documentary unleashed several never before seen photos of Frankie pulling his skin off after a show, and one with his tongue out, licking his giant buggy eyeball. The evidence was damning. The movie then went on to show many more examples, from Freddie Mercury to Prince to Angelina Jolie.\n\n\"I found thiss on my front porch thiss morning.\" She told me as we tried to figure out damage control. After panicking for a few minutes, I pulled the tape out of the v.c.r. and inspected it. there was a website in tiny lettering printed on the back. So of course we typed in the link.\n\nIt opened a t.v. schedule. There was a full season scheduled to air of a Documentary series called \"Lizard World.\" It was going to be on every night this month right after new episodes of \"Ancient Aliens.\"\n\nI breathed a sigh of relief and turned the computer to show Stacy the screen. \"We don't have anything to worry about, see? It's going to air on the Discovery Channel, and nobody is going to believe that shit.\""
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[WP] You have undeniably been a good person your whole life, however, due to your abject loathing of God himself, you are condemned to Hell.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"When I woke up on an island in the middle of a burping lake of lava whereon little horned demons paddled around in sporty little kayaks, I was furious. \n\n\"I was perfect!\" I shouted, drawing a few stares. I stood and shook my fist at the ceiling of the huge, red cavern. \"I was good and nice and didn't kick a _single_ stray puppy! You can't just toss me into hell, you... you...\" I couldn't think of a word harsh enough, so I settled on, \"You MEANIE!\"\n\nOne of the demons paddled near, cackling. \"Hi, buddy, welcome to Hell! So what brings you here today?\"\n\n\"Be gone, demon!\" I snapped, plopping on the ground and crossing my arms petulantly. His lower lip quivered and he dejectedly paddled away.\n\n\"I was _good_,\" I grumbled. \"I was gooder than everyone on that stupid planet! I was an angel! What's he thinking, sending me to hell?\"\n\nA devil on a unicycle strapped to a paraglider flew over and landed beside me on my tiny island. \"Hey, buddy! Welcome to Hell!\" she greeted cheerfully. \"What's your name, friend?\"\n\n\"Sheesh, are there only demons here?\" I snarled grumpily. \"Where are the humans?\"\n\nThe demon unicycled in circles with a thoughtful look on her scaly face. \"There aren't any. You're the first. So? Name?\"\n\n\"It's Lou,\" I growled. \"And that jerk just sent _me_ here? All because I thought he was being too damn _nice_ by spoiling his kids!?\"\n\n\"Who, God? Oh, he's a swell guy!\" the demon piped, and I angrily pushed her into the lake of lava. She scrambled out, spitting lava from her mouth, then looked at me with tears in her eyes. Sniffling, she glided away on her unicycle-paraglider.\n\n\"That's it. You throw me down here by myself? I'll show you!\" I shouted, standing. \n\nA third demon suddenly emerged from the lava on a pogostick. \"Hiya! Welcome to--\"\n\n\"Yeah, yeah, I get it,\" I interrupted. \"Who's in charge here? Where's your manager?\"\n\nThe demon tapped his chin and looked up in contemplation. \"Um, we don't have one. We're a pretty lax community, seeing as there aren't a whole lot of us and not much to do...\"\n\nI rolled up my sleeves, grinning devilishly. \"Well, I nominate _myself_ as your mayor, and I've got _just_ the task to keep you all busy.\"\n\nMore kayaking demons paddled closer in interest, and the pogostick-guy's face erupted into a perky grin as he asked, \"Oh, boy! What will we do?\"\n\n\"We're gonna make all those other do-gooders hate God, too--no, I'll make sure they don't even _believe_ in him! ha!--so they'll _have_ to be sent here. And you will all help me!\"\n\n\"Hip-hip-hurray!\" they all cheered, and one of them tooted a kazoo in exultation.\n\n\"So when do we start, Mayor... er... What's your name again?\"\n\nPlanting my fists on my hips and puffing out my chest, I said, \"Name's Lou. Short for Lucifer. And we start today!\"",
"As Josh’s final days drew to their inevitable conclusion, he had uttered no prayer, despite the suggestion of Father McNeal, the family priest. Cancer had taken Josh’s athletic physique, his thick blonde hair, but it had done little to reverse his fervent atheism. \n\nTen seconds after his final breath, he awoke in the hospice room; neither in a dream, nor awake. Looking round, he saw the tearful bedside vigil. His parents, girlfriend and grandmother. \n\n“Hey there, kid”. He looked round and saw his grandfather, Raymond. Josh was confused. He had not seen Raymond since the summer of ‘07, when his grandad went fishing and had never came back. \n\nThen came the rumours about Raymond. And then the shame. Josh stared in disbelief. “I know what you’re thinking, kid” said Raymond, “but I am paying for those things. You’ll see.”",
"Fuck him.\n\n\n\nYou think an all powerful deity would be a little more understanding, especially since I spent most of my life working for free in Palestine, as a doctor. Yeah, I called a couple people assholes now and then, but how does that land you in hell?\n\n\nWell, long story short, I woke up Infront of the big man himself. He says he'd allow me in if only I praise him. And naturally, like any self respecting human being, I stood by my beliefs.\n\nGod was not pleased. Last thing I remember is a flash of light.\n\n\nAnd then I wake up on a bed of bones. Like, literally made of bones.\n\n\n\"You too, huh?\"\n\n\nI jump as I hear that voice behind me. I turn around. Behind me is an impossibilly tall man, could not be possibly human. He had long, black hair, that reached down his shoulders, a thick beard and brown eyes.\n\n\n\"What do you mean you too?\"\n\n\n\"You're not the only one, y'know. Met a guy named Jill the other day. Great guy. Used to distribute free food for Indian slums. He makes a wicked burger, by the way. Anywho, he was an atheist. Big man upstairs didn't like that very much, sent him down.\"\n\n\nI furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Could he know..? No, not possible. Just a coincidence. He's just assuming stuff.\n\n\n\"Then there's this woman named Samantha. Poor kid, pockets emptier then the goddamn dead sea. She went into prostitution. Died of an STD after a few weeks. But god wasn't very understand of her either.\"\n\nI felt anger rise in me with every word. With every single letter he spoke I was reminded of why I hated that prick. I must've been visibly been frowning, because he smiled. \n\n\"We could use more medical staff, Dr. Killingser. Mortals and demons need some patching up as well. We know how you feel about him, and we feel the same way. Needless to say, we're planning on changing things. Maybe not now, maybe not in a century, but it will come. We have all the time in the world, y'know. You in?\"\n\n\nI felt a smile stretch across my face. It honestly sounded impossible, hell, beyond impossible. But worth a shot, wasn't it? I had nothing else to loose. I'm already in hell anyways, so what else would he do?\n\n\"I'm in.\"\n\n\n\nThe man smiled and outstretched his hand for me to shake. \n\n\"Lucifer Morningstar, pleasure to make your acquaintance.\""
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[WP] A modern day Druid attempts to hide one self in the suburbs. Only the animals and treants keep following them making hiding their abilities quite difficult.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“For the love of all that lives in the Great Greens, please go away!” Ashley hissed frantically, her eyes darting about for the dreaded figures of her next door neighbors. A part of her swore that the couple had to be part fucking inhuman to always know when something was going wrong, but she knew that they were just nosy.\n\nReally really really fucking nosy.\n\nThe wolf stared her down, completely unimpressed by her demand, and lay down with a huff that made it pretty damn clear he wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.\n\n“C’mon, man. I’m not a part of that lifestyle anymore! I’ve got an actual job and house and car! I have a savings account and a 401k! The last thing I need are you the neighbors to see a fucking-“\n\n“Oh my goodness!” \n\nWell shit.\n\nWith a groan, Ashley turned with what she hoped was a sweet smile on her face. There stood one of the most cruel and foreboding monsters Ashley ever had the distinct displeasure of meeting. \n\nJessica Skyleigh Cooper. \n\nWife of Jackson Cooper, a chemical engineer.\n\nA five foot one blonde with blue eyes and the appearance of a Hallmark ornament angel.\n\nThe HOA president and a complete and utter bitch. \n\n“What is that...thing?” The amount of disgust made Ashley wish, in a moment of white hot rage, that her lawn got colonized by mint, but she simply smiled and cheerfully replied, “Oh, this is my new dog, Jacob! Isn’t he just the cutest little thing you’ve ever laid eyes on?”\n\nThey both looked at her incredulously. There was absolutely nothing remotely little or cute about the enormous black mass of fur and muscle resting on her porch, and all three of the knew it. \n\n“Well, I hope you know about the pet by-laws we have about aggressive dogs. As the House Owner’s’ Association President, it’s my duty to make sure everyone is safe.” Jessica sniffed, her hands on her hips. \n\n“I’ll be sure to read up on them, even though he wouldn’t hurt a fly!” Ashley lied, trying to look as composed as possible while frantically attempting to unlock her door.\n\nJacob, by the grace of the Green, did absolutely nothing. Her turf, her rules. She had never been so thankful for wolf pack hierarchy rules in her whole life.\n\nAt last, Ashley managed to get her door open as Jessica watched nosily. “C’mon, Jacob,” she called sweetly, singing every word. “It’s time to come inside.” \n\n\nWhen she was younger and more adventurous, every time an enemy knew they were defeated, Ashley was filled with a savage satisfaction. This time was no different. As the great black wolf rose to his full height, she had the distinct satisfaction of watching the high and mighty annoying HOA president go ashy with fear, blubber a weak goodbye, and dash into her house to no doubt gossip with her posse. \n\nAs the wolf trotted in, Ashley Willow warned him,” Don’t for a single second think that this means I’m still in the whole adventuring game. She just had it coming.” \n\nThe wolf paused in the brown oak hallway, glanced back at her with disbelief, and replied in a deep baritone drawl, “Of course not, Ashley of the Whispering Willow. How could I, a mere simple wolf, ever notice the smell of frustration and magic to know that you were a pounce away for witching your neighbor into a rose bush? How foolish I would be to of think that?” \n\nAshley wrinkled her nose and sighed, exasperated. “Let’s just forget about that. Why are you here?”\n\n“On business of course, Ashley of the Whispering Willow. How else are we to save the world?”"
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[WP] The first murder on Mars.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The first murder on Mars was strange to say the least.\n\nI've looked at boddies for years and know the diffrence etween a murder and an accident. They tell me that his head was bashed in by debrie while he was trying to get back to the station during a storm that had picked up.\n\nBut there where multiple dents and it didn't seem natural. It's also unbeliveable. Now I'd say it's a murder but because of the storm that was caught on satelit it's impossible to tell.\n\nAnd yet I've seen this before. With someone who had their head bashed in. The dents where eratic, broken bones. clearly eratic. And this person's head looks like that.\n\nBut they where the only person on Mars. They where supposed to live there for at least two years, just to see if it was possible.\n\nI've shared my thoughts with my coworkers but they've all told me the same. That they where the only living person on Mars, and that no one else could have commited the murder.\n\nIn the end I was forced to say that it was a tragic accident in front of the nation.\n\nI have a feeling this won't be the last time theres an accident on Mars",
"Hi, I'm a first-time poster here but thought I'd try something different, so I responded to the prompt in the form of a stage script (I do have roots in theatre so this is what came naturally to me)\n\n​\n\nEnjoy!\n\n\\--------------------\n\n*Characters:*\n\n*Vasily; mid-30s, Soviet radar engineer*\n\n*Sarah, early 30s, US engineer*\n\n*Marshall, early 40s, US mission commander*\n\n*Andrei, mid 40s, Soviet Mission Commander*\n\n​\n\n*A loud, plastic-like crack is heard*\n\n*Lights up.*\n\n*A projection on the back wall says \"April 22nd, 1989\"*\n\n*Vasily, in a Soviet spacesuit, kneels over a dead woman in the centre. She is wearing a US* *Spacesuit, the helmet is cracked on a rock.*\n\nVASILY: Oh no, no no no...\n\n*Marshall enters stage right*\n\nMARSHALL: What is going on here!?\n\nVASILY: It was an accident I swear!\n\n*Marshall draws his pistol*\n\nMARSHALL: Hands above your head now!\n\n*Vasily puts his hands above his head*\n\nMARSHALL: I know that you've been watching her for months now! I knew you were bad business from the start. Damn commies.\n\nVASILY: This is not what it looks like!\n\nMARSHALL: Oh really? Then what happened?!\n\n*Vasily begins to weep*\n\nMARSHALL: You have breached international law and committed the murder of a US citizen!\n\n*Andrei enters stage left*\n\nANDREI: Vasily, you didn't report in, what's...\n\nMARSHALL: Hey! you had best start talking in English right now! I want to make sure you're not saying anything incriminating\n\n*Marshall stands between Vasily and Andrei, holding a gun towards Vasily*\n\nANDREI: Commander I must insist that you put the weapon down!\n\nMARSHALL: This man has just killed my colleage and could still be a threat!\n\nANDREI: I will place my weapon here as a sign of trust. Our protocols only permit officers to carry firearms, Vasily does not have any weapons. He is not a threat.\n\n*Andrei places his pistol on the floor*\n\nMARSHALL: You don't need a weapon to kill. Out suits are vulnerable. How do I know that you both won't run at me and disable my suit?\n\nANDREI: If I did that to you, or if you did harm to me, it would lead to an international incident back home, and both of us know the risks involved in that.\n\nMARSHALL: Was that a threat?\n\nANDREI: No! I am trying to say that both of our hands are tied! Please, I have put my weapon down.\n\n*Beat*\n\n*Marshall holsters his weapon*\n\nANDREI: Very good. Now, can you tell me what has occurred?\n\nMARSHALL: That's what I'm trying to figure out, but this man has given me no information regarding the death of my colleague.\n\nANDREI: Let me talk to Vasily, and I will try to-\n\nMARSHALL: No! Vasily is now under US Juristiction, and has committed murder! He'll be tried through our laws.\n\nANDREI: We cannot do anything until our respective governments are at least aware of this occurrence. He is a soviet citizen, and I must insist on taking him to our base to be questioned, at least until Moscow and Washington are aware of what has just happened.\n\nMARSHALL: No, I can't allow that. A US citizen and our best engineer has been killed! I will not allow you to take the killer away.\n\nANDREI: Commander, this has not occurred before and I'm sure neither of us were trained for something like this. We cannot rely on old laws and current systems to solve this new problem. We cannot just leave Vasily here exposed to the elements. Perhaps we should set up a shared space where we can keep Vasily for now? We have a spare cargo module that could function as a holding cell.\n\nMARSHALL: And how am I meant to trust that? You could have the pod tapped or drive it away in the night.\n\nANDREI: We are few in number, and where would we go where you could not follow us? Besides, the next transfer window back to Earth is 8 months away, we cannot take him anywhere that you cannot also go. Do you have a better solution?\n\n*Beat*\n\nMARSHALL: Very well. But we'll be putting in a guard to keep watch over the murderer. I'll not allow for the opportunity for you guys to take him away.\n\nANDREI: Of course. We will need to post a guard as well. How did it come to this...\n\n*Vasily is still standing by the body. Marshall and Andrei talk on their radios, lights fade, spotlight on Vasily*\n\n*Vasily kneels next to Sarah*\n\nVASILY:I did not intend for it to end up like this. When I first heard you on the radio, your voice was like a candle in a dark forest, something to show me a path I had not tread before. Then when I started the conversation, you talked back! I did not expect an American woman to be so... open. We both loved our countries, but as we talked we started to grow to see a different kind of love for each other. We joked about being the first couple on mars, then stopped joking about it. But then you told me about your fiancée in California, and I... saw red. I pushed, I just wanted to get away from you.\n\nI cannot apologise, I cannot give recompense. I just wish that things had been different.\n\n*Lights fade.*\n\n\\--------------------",
"The satellite imagery fuzzed out of focus, then sharply zoomed in on the surface of the rusty, dry planet. Two men in suits stood behind a technician as his hands glided over the keyboard, inputting commands to retrieve the information the men had requested.\n\n\"Give us a feed to the far west region of Tharis Rise, near Olympus Mons.\"\n\nThe request ended there, but the reason for the sweat beading up on the technician's forehead was the unspoken second sentence, the question they had left off. The question that had been whispered in the hallways for weeks, a rumor that became more valid every passing day. A massive cover-up, years in the making.\n\nWhere was the rogue astronaut?\n\nThe feed was painted across the larger com screen that loomed over the three men, but the technician was honed in on his monitor. His mechanical keyboard clacked loudly, the only sound in a room overflowing with silence. The camera moved over the white-topped mountains of Tharis Rise, with the monolithic Olympus Mons dominating the background of almost every angle. Then, in a sea of static landmarks, movement.\n\nSmoke.\n\n\"There\" the cold steel of the agents voice moved down his arm and was focused by the tip of his finger. The technician nodded, afraid his voice would crack if he attempted to use it. The image became less defined as it moved in, and the curling plumes of grey evaporating as they rose.\n\n'This shouldn't be possible,' the technician thought, 'Mars doesn't have oxygen, how could there be a fire?' The feed continued to move in and out of focus, as the imaging software honed in on the shadow of Olympus Mons. They had only had the technology to observe this region for a few days, which would explain the sudden appearance of the suits. That made sense, but the smoke didn't. Then, suddenly, it did.\n\nGreen.\n\nThe rolling tundra of martian desert gave way to a seemingly endless field of green. A forest with lush grass and several small structures sat beneath an opaque dome, arranged in the shape of a giant hand print. It looked as though god had reached down and gently pressed his hand onto the barren martian terrain, breathing life into the rust. The dome was flickering in and out of visibility; it was almost as though there was some sort of cloaking field interwoven into its materials, but it was clearly failing. Near the edge of the massive structure was the source of the smoke, and moving in further showed a minuscule rover, artificial smoke pouring from a device it had activated nearby. It looked as though it was feverishly attacking the wiring of the dome, causing to the cloaking to malfunction.\n\n\"Now.\"\n\nThe agent spoke the single syllable into his earpiece. The robot switched from the wiring to the dome itself, drilling through whatever material comprised its surface. The technician watched in horror as the robot made its way in, sealing the hole it had made behind it. It moved far faster than its tread's should have allowed, and went straight for the building at the center of the forest.\n\nThe explosion on the screen was so massive the technicians mind fabricated sound. A small cloud mushroomed out from the decimated house, and fire rippled through the oxygen rich environment. In under a minute the hand print shaped Eden was engulfed in acrid black smoke, and the material that formed the biome failed and began to spark and melt. Tears formed in the technicians eyes, and he briefly felt the press of cold steel against the back of his head.\n\nSmoke.\n\nIt rose from the barrel as the technician slumped over. The agent cleaned his hand, then pressed his finger once again to his ear piece.\n\n\"Now.\"\n\nMen in hazmat suits entered, pulling the body away. They moved large magnet like devices over the electronics, erasing every shred of data within them. The group of suits left, vanishing without a trace."
] | 4
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[WP] You are a 23rd century man who used a time machine to take your family to the mid 1800's due to the destructive nuclear war of your own time. You have been there a while, but your neighbors are catching on that something is strange about you and your family, and they aren't friendly about it.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The air is clean and the land is green! \n\nIt was two days since the Smith family moved to town, and the whole village was abuzz with speculation of where they had come from. It was clear that Alexa and Joseph had come from money, as they arrived quickly with all of their belongings, and purchased a large house on the edge of town, by means of a decent sized diamond. The fact that the couple had two children and neither had seen a day of work before with their soft hands only increased the rumors. A few of the neighbors had stopped by to say hello to their new compatriots, but were shocked to hear the children using words they had never heard before. The town was talking and it wasn't all pleasant thoughts.\n\nThe sheriff decided it would be best to take a look at the new family and decide for himself how much trouble the family would cause. \n\nJoseph answered the door a few moments after the first knock. \"Hello, Sheriff! Welcome! Come in, come in.\" He ushered the man inside. \"It's good to see you, I've heard pleasant things about your town! You must keep it very safe for us all.\" \n\n\"Haha. Thank you sir. I do my best. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name.\" \n\n\"I'm Joseph. Joseph Smith, this is my wife Alexa, and my two children are upstairs, Margret and Don.\" The man smiled wholeheartedly. \n\nThe gesture was returned in kind as the Sheriff shook the man's hand. \"Sheriff Jenkins. Though I normally just go by Leroy. This is the nicest house in town. I must ask, what is it that you do, Mr. Smith.\" He knew full well the man was no blacksmith with hands as soft as his child's. \n\n\"I was an investment banker in the city. Never really got a chance to see the countryside until now, and I have to say, this is the most beautiful stretch of land I have seen in my life.\" The man spoke true, gesturing out the window at his new lands sprawling out before him. \"We were having a hard time breathing with all of the dirty air of the city, so we decided to make a change.\" \n\n\"I see.\" The sheriff nodded and chuckled. The thought of the city had always disgusted the man. He understood the idea of getting away from it. \"So what will you be doing now that you've arrived in our little piece of heaven?\" \n\n\"Honestly, I haven't thought about how I can help around town just yet. I have some ideas that might be of benefit, but I believe we plan on living off of our gold for a little while longer.\" \n\nThe man nodded and continued. \"Sounds like you have your situation fairly well made out. I.. I do have one more odd question for you. Your boy was recently heard saying 'sellular coverage' and that he doesn't have one. Do you understand what that means?\" \n\nThe man looked taken aback for a split moment. Then he burst into laughter. \"It's nothing, I assure you. Give me a moment and I'll show you.\" He pulled a small brick from his pocket and to the sheriff's surprise, the small brick began to glow. \n\nWith a gasp, he took a step back from the device and the man wielding it. \"This.. This is some kind of witchcraft...\" He muttered. \n\nThe kind man's face contorted to a worried look and shook his head. \"No no. It's technology. It's nothing more than a tool. Watch. I can check the time. I can do plenty of things. But this is the coolest.\" He pulled up the camera application and held up the front facing camera to the sheriff, who after glimpsing himself in the small glowing mirror, collapsed to the floor of the house in shock. Joseph looked at the puddle of sheriff and tucked the phone back into his pocket. After helping the unconscious man to the couch, he went upstairs to find his family still invested in their Virtual Reality Dive gear. \"Guys. I just had a conversation with the new sheriff. We aren't going to be able to keep the tech here. I scared the shit out of him with my phone camera.\" \n\nThe two children wailed their disapproval as the adults dismantled their toy and moved all of the futuristic technology to the attic. Before returning to the sheriff, now waking back up on a couch, with a confused look on his face, \"Phones too. Sorry, I don't want anyone drowned for witchcraft in our house.\""
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[WP] a newlywed couple living life together until one of cheats on the other. The cheater becomes one of the world's greatest heroes and the person cheated on becomes one of the most dangerous villains in history.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Struggling to breathe she held her head up to gasp what precious oxygen was left. Against the chains that held her over the molten lava, it would be her lungs that would give out first to the noxious fumes. \n\nA caped figure hovering beneath the clouds silhouetted by smoke bellowed, “Let justice be done to you, Tammylynn.” \n\n“Please, it doesn’t *cough* have to end like this!”\n\nThe heat was searing her flesh as she was slowly and methodically dropped by chains inch by inch into the volcanos caldera. But she had a plan. A last resort. \n\n“COURTNEY!” \n\nThe sound of machinery grinding to a halt echoed throughout the volcano as the chains stopped lowering her to her immediate doom. \n\n“There is a letter *cough* I left you before this all happened *cough* sewed into the right pocket of those pants I made you.”\n\n“I don’t believe it,” said Courtney, flustered. She had just been about to kill her mortal enemy Tammy, and now this? I mean, we WERE married for a while. But she’s the most evil bitch on the planet. She takes skulls for a living! That’s not cool. \n\n“I’m still here!!!” Tammilyyn shouted, her cuffs becoming easier to break free as her former lovers concentration was focused on the letter:\n\n“Dear Courtney, You were right. You were the only thing I cared about. I let our superpowers get in the way. I let captain fantastic chase you into his arms. I betrayed you and everything I held dear. I tossed you to the wind. Now I have nothing but this hole in my heart.” \n\n As Tammilyyn limped away from the caldera, Courtney’s head was full of thoughts. Kill the bitch? Or let her live with her transgressions. Maybe forgiveness was the answer."
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[WP] The ghost of a teacher has taken their passing in stride, and adapted their lesson plan to instruct on some of the more advanced ghostly powers. Despite the fact that you are alive and well, you're starting to get the hang of them.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"James was my tutor for many years. My parents hired him when I was struggling in elementary school, and have kept him on since. Its been 6 years since I first met him, and 2 since I had out that he had cancer. I was a freshman in high school when I got this news, and it was devastating. He made light of it though, and continued to teach me right up until he died. I lost a lot of sleep those few days after, so I thought I was just hallucinating when he came to me. \n\n\"Hello?\" he asked, waiting patiently for me to give him an answer. As I groggily opened my eyes, my heart froze as I saw him there, at the foot of my bed.\n\n\"James? God, I need to get some sleep.\" I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. There was no way that he could be there, in front of me. \n\n\"It's good to see that you were awake. I've changed my lesson plan a little bit.\" From that point on, he started teaching me what he learned. How to turn invisible, float, and phase through stuff. It wasn't really that complicated, and James assured me that I would have it down in no time.\n\nHe no longer had any sense of consequence, and the once polite and caring man started incorporating scaring my parents and close friends into his lessons. Even if somebody saw him, nobody would believe a ghost story. Nobody sane, that is. He was a master, and I was only just starting to do as he taught me. However, I came to a realization that James had failed to tell me.\n\nI'm not a ghost. It's simple. I can't perform a dead man's stunts in a living man's body. Learning from James was the most fun I ever had in my otherwise plain life. I knew that if I were to be as proficient as my master, I needed to be dead, just as he. I needed to lose all sense of consequence in my actions. So that's exactly what I did. When I came back from school, I took the plunge and became a spirit, just as he. Next to my hanging corpse, a small piece of paper lay. \n\n\"James,\" It read."
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[WP] You live in a world where everyone talk always in musical numbers.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Doc, I woke up last week and I was no longer able to hear the music. People were talking in monotone and there was silence.”\n\n“Let’s get you a MRI today I have some concerns.”\n\n8 hours later \n\n“Ms. Smith, I have some bad news for you. The MRI showed a neoplasm in the cerebrum where you process music. The tumor is pressing against the brain and that is why you no longer hear the singing. We caught it early enough that we can intervene. However, the laser can kill you or leave you brain dead despite best efforts. . We have 3 options, we take chemotherapy and shrink the tumor, but life will remain in silence, we take the laser and it’s successful and you make a full recovery or unfortunately it leads to your death.”\n\n“Sigh. I was worried about this.” Through the tears, Ms. Smith responds, “I want to...”"
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[WP] You got into trouble with the law, but successfully managed to carjack a nearby car and make your escape. Later you hear muffled banging in the trunk, you open it and find the desiccated body that looks exactly like the person you stole the car from.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"# Oddly Uneven\n\nTom stared into the trunk with an expression that combined resignation, utter exhaustion and just a hint of wtf-come-on-now. \"Of course. And you look exactly like the car owner because...?\"\n\nThe corpse inside continued being dry, hunched over and slightly dusty. If there was an answer here it wasn't wedged between the mortal remains and several dozen empty containers of takeout Chinese food.\n\nTom slammed the trunk hard enough to echo around the empty parking garage, then rested both scarred hands across the top and drummed a quick thinking rhythm. \"This is too much of a coincidence.\" The low roar of distant street traffic competed with the whup-whup-whup of a police helicopter passing somewhere overhead. He tracked the sound with a concerned look, dark eyes staring upward like he could see through concrete.\n\nAbandoning the trunk, Tom circled to the passenger side of the red sedan and wrenched open door. A quick tap on the latch had the glove box vomiting papers, napkins and single-serving soy sauce packets all over the front seat. Tom sorted the debris with both hands, eyes flicking back and forth. \"Where are you- ah.\" He plucked out the car registration and squinted, eyes tracking back and forth. \"Kenneth Sundry from... Des Moines, Iowa. What the hell are you doing in San Antonio, Kenny?\"\n\nA quick search of the backseat turned up a suspicious amount of nothing. Most cars took on the personality of their owners, the accumulated wear and junk of a life lived between the miles. Receipts wedged between the seats, loose sesame seeds adrift on the floorboards, even heel marks on the mats where tired feet naturally came to rest over and over.\n\nBut this sedan had *nothing* personal at all. Other than being very markedly old it was nearly factory-fresh... with the exception of Chinese takeout trash. Unused soy sauce packets abounded in both cup holders, bright red and white menus heaped the passenger seat; it was a rolling advertisement for single-minded faux-Asian cuisine.\n\nA baffled Tom dropped into the driver's seat. \"This doesn't make sense. Did I carjack the world's neatest professional killer right after he whacked his twin brother? No,\" he reconsidered. \"That body is weeks, months old. Maybe.\"\n\nA large brown panel van turned gently into the garage, angling up the concrete ramp in a lazy circle of squealing rubber. Tom tensed up and got low, scraping the knees of his dress slacks and darting a hand underneath his gray blazer in anticipation. Wary bloodshot eyes watched as the van continued upwards and out of sight onto the upper parking deck.\n\nHe blew out a breath and dropped both arms onto the seat in a rustle of recycled paper products. \"Easy, easy. No one knows I'm here.\" One menu overbalanced, falling to the floor in a flash of eye-catching color. Tom frowned and snatched it up, studying the cheap red dragon drawn on the front before flipping it over to glance at a crude map on the back. \"Sum Ding Wong Asian cuisine and... message parlor? *Message*?\"\n\nSomething seemed off about the advertisement, other than the odd spelling error. It took an increasingly worried Tom a long moment of scanning the fold-out paper to place the problem. \"Where's the phone number?\" He checked twice, front to back. \"A takeout place with no way to call an order? That can't be real.\"\n\nDiscarding the menu he sat back and stared blankly through the windshield, noting without surprise the complete lack of any oil change sticker on the glass or signs the sun visors were ever used. On a day that started with Homeland Security kicking in his door, transitioned to getting tangled in a bank robbery and ended up with a surprise carjacking-turned-haunted-ghost-story it was somehow the Chinese food mystery that really topped everything.\n\nIt felt... guided. *Nobody* had a string of bad luck that insane, much less ran straight from one wild situation straight into an escalating series of crazier problems. This couldn't be real.\n\nWell when reality breaks down, try the absurd. Tom grabbed the oversized keychain dangling from the ignition and gave it a twist, listening to the engine roar to life. Grabbing a takeout menu he folded it awkwardly into the instrument display with the crude map facing outwards. \"Alright, from one takeout expert to another: Let's see if we *both* have Sum Ding Wong.\"\n\nSomething in the trunk thumped back and forth as he took off, accelerating across the lot and down the feeder ramp onto the main road."
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[WP] Years ago the grim reaper told you that you would die a grandfather and you've been living it up ever since, knowing you can't die. But this morning your daughter told you the news. She's expecting.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Jacob let out a content sigh as he opened the morning's paper. He didn't know what it was about it, but sitting down every morning in his recliner with a nice steaming cup of coffee beside him and reading the paper just felt right to him. Maybe it helped him feel more in tune with his age, the 55 year old he was. *One day, I'm not going to be able to act my age,* Jacob pondered, raising the scalding brew to his lips. *But then again, I'll just be the trend setter for everyone who comes after me. I can't be the only person who's made a deal with death.* Jacob's thoughts continued to wonder as he scanned the pages of the paper, reading about all the going-ons in the small town of Penkerton, Florida where he lived. *Wonder if they'll go to state this year*, Jacob thought as he read an article on the local basketball team's most recent victory.\n\nAs he was turning to the next page, Jacob's thoughts were interrupted with the loud chimes of his ringtone. *What should I do to those telemarketers today?* Jacob thought as he reached for his phone. Nobody called him anymore except scammers and telemarketers, Jacob having settled down to his quiet life in Penkerton years ago. The number wasn't even from in state, coming from somewhere in New York. As he answered the phone, preparing his most senile old man voice, Jacob was surprised to hear the voice of a young woman on the other end. \n\n\"Hello, is this Mr. Dican? Mr. Jacob Dican?\" the woman said, her voice unsure.\n\n*Those telemarketers must be getting good,* Jacob thought, willing to see what new product the telemarketer would be peddling this time. \"Yes, I'm Jacob Dican. Who are you?\"\n\n\"My name is Adrian Bletner, and I think you might be my father.\"\n\nThose words were like a shot of adrenaline straight into the old man's heart. Jacob's heart went into overdrive, beating louder and louder in his ears before. \"My wife and child died in a fire. I can't be a father,\" Jacob said calmly, trying to hide the worry in his voice as he read those oft rehearsed lines straight from his memory, \"Now, how do you know my name? Where did you get this number?\"\n\n\"Would that fire happened to have been in Freeson, New York, in 1996?\" Adrian asked, \"Small suburb of Buffalo?\" Jacob froze at hearing the name of that old place, memories of a happier time flooding back. A few agonizing seconds passed before Adrian continued, \"I was the child in that fire, and I survived. I just wanted to reach out to tell you that I'm pregnant.\"\n\nAs those words left her lips, Jacob felt a cold hand placing itself on his shoulder."
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[WP] after weeks of nightmares you finally get a good night's sleep, when you wake up you learn that your nightmares have escaped.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My wife is a fae creature, she makes dreams a reality. Me? Well I'm just a farmer who fell in love. \n\nIt had been a couple weeks since my wife was feeling ill. I had studied fae creatures for well over 47 years and knew that she was feeling exhausted. I went to get nightmares, which, aren't as bad as you might think. Yes they are imposing 9 feet tall horses with six legs and muscles on their muscles. But once a dream fae touches them, they loose all their anger and hate and just become the sweetest most hardworking creatures of all. \n\nAfter a couple weeks gathering them all up do my wife could have a little rest I went to sleep, having them all so close had made my dreams be a living hell, making me want to drink coffee all the time as to not sleep at all. But not this night, for some reason I dreamed I was eating dinner with my parents back at my old house. I felt like a kid all over again. It was such a vivid dream too. I told both my dad and my mother that I loved them, something that I wasn't able to do before they passed away. I also saw my daughter, Emily, I love her so much but a stupid fight 20 years ago made her leave the house and never come back. God I miss her so much. \n\nI was enjoying my perfect dream when I heard gallops and woke up to see the doors of the ranch wide open.\n\n-Gosh darnit dem mares have run off. I spend weeks herding em here and they just leave? HONEY! Did you let them gosh darn mares out? \n\n-me? Now why da hell would I have done that for?\n\n-ion know you tell me \n\n- I haven't got the slightest idea where dem mares are \n\n-Darn woman _I mumble_ \n\n-What'd you say to me?\n\n-I said that if I didn't love ya so darn much yer guts would be prancin' 'round the table. Now gimme a couple darn hours while I find them Mares again\n\nI leave the ranch, put on my boots, get my ropes and seats and get on my stallion, Vizvie, I call her that but it's really just a really old mule. \n\n-Now where the hell is dem darn mares gon off to now?\n\n- **neighs in the distance**\n\n- Oh you all mighty up there give me the strength to not barbecue dem darn mares once I get them back.\n\nI heard the sounds of the mares running in the distance, counting the space between each step I estimated that at least 7 of the mares were in close proximity to me and Vizvie started to act weirdly. She stood up on her hind legs throwing me to the ground and then ran away. Keep in mind that Vizvie was a 65 year old mule who was way past her due date and hadn't ran in almost 20 years. As I saw her bolt back to the ranch I heard a loud noise.\n\n- **BANG** \n\n-what in tarnation? _I said as I looked up to the sky and saw a shadow... No... A figure... Honestly I cannot put what it was into words. It was this lovecraftian mess of a creature. It was pitch black. Like, vantablack type of black, many horn-like things protruding from every part of it. Then I saw the mares looking at me, their bloodshot eyes furiously staring me down like they wanted to pound me to a pulp.\n\n-What the hickory is going on here?!\n\nI tried to run away, however, I couldn't move, I don't know if it was the panic of being there at that time or that thing stopping me from leaving, but, the mares started running, no, stampeding towards me. I was unable to move myself and then they just stopped. All 18 of them, turns out I miscalculated earlier. All of them surrounded me. Their red eyes locked onto me. \n\nThen the strange being turned around and let out a horrible howl. It sounded like the scream I had heard during the war. Just a million times louder and with more pain to it. \n\nI tried to look at the top of its body trying to find a face or something, but all I was able to see was more horn-like things coming out of it. The thing started to come towards me, at the same time, the mares slowly walked closer and closer until I could feel their steam-hot breath all around me.\n\nThe thing leaned in, or rather just lowered itself. It stood about 100 feet away from me and it covered my whole line of sight. I was so scared yet knowing that I might die right then and there gave me a little bit of peace. After all, if I died I would reunite with most of the people I loved so dearly. Right then and there there was a flash of extremely bright light that blinded me for a couple seconds. When I came back to my sense I was laying on the bed, and I heard gallops that woke me up and then I saw the doors of the ranch wide open..."
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[WP] The element of surprise has increased drastically worldwide and has been disrupting everyone's lives. As in, the unexpected keeps happening randomly for no reason. Write about how you deal with it
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I mean, I guess we're all in the same boat, so there's some solace in that?\n\nThere are some pluses, though. All bureaucracy has been rendered meaningless, since there's no point in trying to maintain order anymore, and business are free to do as they please. So I went to the DMV for lunch today. They just opened their 7 course French-Lebanese Fusion counter but even though I had an appointment, the line was enormous and I waited for five hours just to get a single lousy plate of confit-du-falafel.\n\nThe dodo rain took some getting used to, but after a few 30 pound formerly-extinct birds fall on your head at terminal velocity, you kind of forget they're even there.\n\nI don't have a cat, I have a dog--well, *had* a dog. He turned into cat. It doesn't matter he exploded into confetti yesterday anyways. I was kind of upset, but old Fido told me one day when he started speaking perfect English, \"Jeffery, if I am to be euthanized, I should like my funeral not to a solemn occasion, but a celebration of my life.\" So I guess spontaneous confetti explosion kind of fits that bill.\n\nOther than that life has been surprisingly normal. Humans are pretty resilient. Somebody mentioned anvils falling over houses, but I marked my territory by sprinkling some piano keys around my yard so they get scared away by the scent of the alpha Looney-Toons falling comical object.\n\nSo see? Everything will be alright. Besides, ever since City Council approved the demolition of everything so they can turn our town into a scale replica of Venice (I live in rural Idaho, there is no ocean anywhere close by, except for Lake Superior which decided it was time for it to fulfill it dreams and move out out west), I take a romantic gondola ride to work every day, provided the canals aren't closed due to Dodo and anvil congestion. Everybody says it's to try to one up the town next over, which was ravaged by a tornado that somehow blew the rubble around perfectly into the Eiffel Tower. I mean, I think that was the cherry on top, because this already after their grass turned greener than ours.",
"(Just... Go with it.)\n\nA haggard man, showing no signs of rest, struggles, moving his injured arm to lay a compact recording decide on the dashboard of his vehicle. A red, living, stain nebulously grows across the once pristine fabric of his plain white shirt. With a grunt, he clicks the record button, allowing himself to melt across a plane of faded leather. His face was a contortion act of expressions, all of them conflicting in the dim fake glow of the street light above his car.\n\n\"My name is Coup, and this is the final recording. What follows is my account of a journey to find answers. To find justice! Before today, many saw the past of Wizard City as just that, the past. It was just a hoaky name, for a rapidly aging hippy metropolis on the coastline. A gas. Then it happened. Morning. Six in the morning to be exact...\" the man's words fade to ambiguous memory, the galaxy of his mind explored through tired strides.\n\nThe alarm clock spasms, jerking and sputtering in all it's might, and all for one purpose. To wake the masses. Coup, one of those types that looks somewhere between twenty and retired. But like usual, he'd already been up, long before the hang man's notice. It was natural, in this crowd, you always had to be on your feet, always ready, and he was. The time keeper's piece flipped it's flap, turning to the appointed moment. Breakfast.\n\n\"Pickles!\" the man called in husky tones, tapping a minuscule spoon against his favorite companion's favorite bowl. It was time to feed the beast. Excitedly, the tabby cat known as Pickles broke its way through an already injured animal's entrance. The cat was hungry, and, in this city, there was only one way to sate its appetite. Food. So it ate, as usual. Coup admired the animal, it was surprisingly agile age. Its eyes were as milky as the cream broth it currently savored, but don't take this cat for a fool. It was crafty. Survived dogs and humans alike. And all with half the vision!\n\n\"Such a good man!\" Coup remembers exalting, running one, large, clumsy hand across the creature's pelt. That's when the stuff really hit the fan, the news said it all. But for clarity, he recounted. All across the city, random displays of magic appeared. In Rome, stars turned into animated emojis for seven straight minutes. In Japan, beached whales suddenly gained the ability to fly. However, it was most intense in Wizard City. Three cops were involved in an incident where one was turned into a blueberry pie, one turned into a gun, and the other one came up missing. Though it later turned out he'd fallen asleep getting dressed, but that wasn't the point! It was bonkers with a capital B. He half thought to leave for the countryside, someplace where the burdens of this messed up city wouldn't follow him. Then fate intervened.\n\n\"No!\" the grown man cried, clutching the pile of loose confetti that used to be his beloved half-blind cat. \"Pickles!?\" he bellowed, throwing his loose meat fist against the nearest cabinet. For sure that'd hit this months maintenance premiums, but no responsible adult could be fiscally minded in the wake of such loss. No way. Coup grabbed his mandatory noir faded trench coat, slipped a blunt device into his deepest pocket, and lurked out to find the truth. He knew just the spot, Tarantinos on sixth avenue.\n\n\"I knew the worst of the worst would be there at this hour, degenerates, low lives, people who couldn't go an hour without their precious 'juice'. I crept up around six forty-five, the commute was lovely when people knew when to get out of the way. My mind was ablur with color, memories of my precious cat burning like a nuclear furnace on the cockles of my mind. When I arrived I noticed the usual suspects. Real powder heads, in it for a fix. They asked me questions, but my mind was only on one thing when I burst through the door. Justice. I passed the owner's offers of 'free samples'. Yeah right, a WP shot, at this hour, would've been the end for me. There'd be no time for that in a world free of pickles. Thats when I saw him...\"\n\nThe man's name was Hector, a bulky sort, he really took to the \"no magic\" rule after the war of the \"Four Houses\". That's what all these degenerates were after, a bulk up, they all just wanted to erase the past with their bodies. But, like all \"easy routes\", there'd be no gain to this pain. I approached Hector, my body aglow with the ravenous anger that came with the sudden loss of a cat. Coup pulled the blunt instrument out of his pocket, fingering the mechanism at the bottom. With one quick thrust, he had the barrel of the device against the man's side.\n\n\"Tell me everything you know, Hector! Who put out the call?!\" the man's lips were a near-invisible line of rage. No adult should be without their animal friend!\n\n\"Whoa, whoa, man, calm down! Calm down! I'm out of the business game, remember?! I put away all that stuff after the war, you know that! Now put that thing away before someone gets hurt. Here, let me by you a shot and we can talk about this!\" Hector's features were healthy, save for the juicing, eyes warmed from a healthy lifestyle of Whey Protein, and a non-gluten mix. A real freak.\n\nIn my stupor, I pressed the trigger. Hector, of course, was surprised.\n\n\"What the heck, man, that's going to bruise!\" he gasped, covering his slight wound. Coup had their attention now. You see, words were powerful in Wizard City. Get too loud, and what you say might just come true. Coup coldly pushed his mechanical umbrella back against the spring. Nobody hires male models with TWO blemishes. Like sheep they bleated mindlessly in his defense, but again I put my umbrella against his side.\n\n\"OK!\" Hector panics, hoping no one would hear this, \"There's a coven off Wickmore, next to the art museum. If you give them the name 'Echo Noir' they'll let you inside. Just watch out, they're really intense about their space.\" That was all I needed to hear. I'd heard whispers of such a place, but I never realized the manic nature of the truth till now.\n\n\"I mean 'Echo Noir'?! Why not Death Eclipse, or Danse Phantasm? This was bottom grade goth tomfoolery, and I was having nothing to do with it. This city may be a bleak, remorseless, grimdark death trap. But weak ass names, like that, were for highschool drama nerds...\"\n\nHe arrived at noon. Hoping they wouldn't notice his jacket until too late, Coup reversed it to reveal a lining mirroring his city. Dark, but unusually soft when further explored. Covering his eyes with a bit of grease from under his car to hide his health. Quietly he entered, sticking to the walls like a gritty sunflower. Biding his time until he found the person responsible... That's when he saw her. Five feet of incense in a world full of bile. Never, in a million years, did Coup believe he'd see such beauty again...\n\n\"Her name was Clara, she was a teachers assistant at the southern university I attended. Pure dream, no excess. We'd talk. Date. Maybe more. It was all a blur after a while... I thought we'd end up together somewhere, but she ended up going for her Masters. She'd always had a dream of those pesky letters, the ones that get all strong women into trouble. P.H.D. Yeah, that heavy stuff. Real philosophical. In that moment of weakness, I wondered if she'd reached her goal, but in hoping for the best, I fell on my own damn sword!\"\n\nGreen eyes cut the room in half, ensnaring our hero in the memories of yore. With large black legs, she devastated the world, ruining a perfectly good performance while just as easily stopping Coup's heart. He was her target, and no stage would stop her.\n\n(Too long, ending in comments hopefully...))",
"All I can say is that it’s not going well.\n\nThree weeks ago it all started with my sister’s boyfriend growing horns, and lets just agree that did not end well given we’re both catholic school children. Neither of us are actually anywhere close to holy or anything, but she swore she thought he was possessed by the devil. After that the world started bursting into chaos. \n\nAnvils smashing into the roofs of innocents? Yep. Lots of people have died. It’s not good. The property damage is ridiculous and the government is going crazy over relief funds.\n\nYour stereotypical piano falling on people? Yep, that one happened too, but in an ironic case, some of those pianos are with a LOT of money. Some people may lose a loved one, but make a fortune over a gorgeous Steinway piano.\n\nFor me, the most pain was caused when my darling Marianne Elric Ochaco Watson, MEOW, my cat, spontaneously burst into confetti. \n\nI was putting out her dry chunks of whatever it is they put in cat food these days, and she, being the finicky baby she is, curled around my legs in an affectionate brushing of my calves, but she began to purr intensely, and not like a normal “ooooh! Mommy is giving me food! I love her!” kind of purr, but a “wait a second, is this a bomb?” kind of purr. I began to grow startled as my gray baby began to change colors rapidly and crying out like she never had before. \n\nThen she was gone.\n\nThe warm body wrapped around my calves disappeared into a gruesome explosion of colored confetti. The fireworks of the matter that once made up her beautiful tail fluttered around like blood red butterflies dancing around flowers in the middle of spring.\n\nMy one link to an actual relationship was gone. My sister had left for another dude a week ago and with the chaos I had been trapped inside like a rabid cat in a cage, clawing at the doors wanting to be hugged again, my darling Marianne was sent from my mom to remedy my ridiculous emotional instability, but no, God decided that my emotional stability did not deserve to survive.\n\n[I’ll write more if y’all would like more, but part of me doubts this is any good, I hope you guys all have a lovely day wherever you are, and stay safe and sane. :-)]"
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[WP] you've created a billion-dollar company creating the hottest, most in-demand product humanity has ever seen - except you completely made it up.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"I've done it!\"\n\n\"You mean *we've* done it sir?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes *we've* done it\" \"Who would've guessed the secret to success would be deceit.\"\n\n\"It's quite common sir.\"\n\n\"Of course it is but who would've thought it would be this easy?\"\n\n\"I mean-\"\n\n\"You mean my genius has surpassed mortal limits?\"\n\n\"No, I mean that we still have to provide the product which we totally have under control, I looked at the numbers yesterday Sir, and we're doing great in production.\"\n\n\"Oh yeah that...\"\n\n\"What do you mean *That* sir?\"\n\n\"Oh, oh nothing...\"\n\n\"Sir?\"\n\n\"Um, about that...\"\n\n\"Sir???\"\n\n\"So you know our main product **Goop.**\"\n\n\"What about it sir? You're making me worried sir.\"\n\n\"So ever since I was a child I've always imagined a slime of sorts that could be used for nearly anything.\"\n\n\"Where is this going sir?\"\n\n\"You'll see...\" \"So, **Goop** was my childhood dream, good for construction, cooking, gardening, anything it was the perfect material, it was the dream material... but that's the problem you see... um...\"\n\n\"Sir, please tell me **Goop** exists\"\n\n\"Sir??? Where did you go?\"\n\n\"I don't think I'll do good in jail, sir, wait for me!\"",
"\"So is this it? What does it do?\" asked the investor.\n\n\"I can't just tell you what it does.\" answered Adrian Stagnet. Adrian had a rugged face. A full facial beard, dark in colour, and sprayed hair styled just as he liked it.\n\n\"I mean, I'm not going to invest any money in a product if I don't know what it does.\" replied the investor.\n\n\"You don't need to know what it does.\" said Adrean cockily, \"What you do need to know is that it is the hottest, most in-demand product humanity has ever seen. It will completely revolutionise the industry.\"\n\n\"What industry?\"\n\n\"The one, you know, the one that matters. The one that will make you money.\"\n\n\"I see...\" said the investor cautiously, \"well, can you at least give me a demonstration?\"\n\n\"Hah!\" Adrian guffawed. \"Nice try. Listen, Stagnet Institute has become a nine figure company in the space of just three years. Get my drift? This is it. Your opportunity for greatness. Do you want to make the right decision today? Decide.\"\n\n\"Okay, where do I sign...\" said the investor, reaching for the pen in his suit pocket."
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[WP] You wake up to find there is only one person left in every country on Earth.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The last thing I remembered before I entered into a coma was a stream of bright lights and people screaming something, I now forgotten.\n\nNext thing I knew I was in a hospital bed with the only light coming though the cracks of dusty Venetian blinds. I pulled out the tubes they put in my arm with surprising ease and moved toward the door. I walked out into a dark hallway where the only sound I could hear was the wind and the birds chirping. I yelled, \"Doctor!\" hoping that someone come though a doorway to tell me what the hell just happened. But the only reaction I got was a bird flying out of one of the rooms. I continued to search around the hospital looking for anyone not to see a single soul. I yelled, doctor so many times that my throat began to feel it was on fire but no response beside the sound of the wind and birds. I exited the hospital to enter a street which was overcome with vines and grass. I cried out, \"CAN ANYONE ANYONE RESPOND\". Then a man in a suit and round sunglasses gestured me to come over. I obeyed hoping that I could get some sort of response. \"So how are you doing Noah.\", the man said. I responded, \"What the hell just happened?\". The man said while handing me over a newspaper, \" See for your self\". The main headline said Popular Drug Confirmed To Prevent Births. \"You see Noah you are the last man alive. Humanity in its quest to prevent death caused its own downfall. A few days after you enter your coma humanity created its greatest creation, a drug which allowed it to live forever. It was praise to be able to birth a new era for humankind. But without death humans lost their want to make an impact, their desire to live life to the fullest, their want to help people and the excitement of life. Then the news hit that women could not make children and then man lost all will to stay. Then the whole world was destroyed by riots, famines and socialital collpase. Humanity I guess you would say died with a whimper and a bang. For you see death as scary as it might be makes us aspire us to create a better world and raise the next generation.\" I was extremely confused about everything who was he, how did this happened, and many more questions. I was to ask him these questions. When he sent me to a black realm and showed me a movie of the first group of homo sapiens walking around the savanna with nothing more than pointy rocks to protect themselves to the second with all the technology and gear in the world but praying hopelessly to God for a baby. Then I was back on earth with a sharp rock and a note saying, \"For every one country during this crisis. I added another human. See this as second chance to do better. Do better than ones before you.\" I know now what was my propose I was the prophet of an era long gone and a protector of the next generation of humanity. I got my sharp rock and headed toward the airport."
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[WP] You’re a bird. No one knows where the suet cakes come from, but you have a theory.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I know. They don't want me to know, but I know. I know *everything*.\n\nThe suet cakes. Yes. They appear mysteriously in Their nests, and we eat them, because we are hungry. This much we all know. They don't care if we know *that*.\n\nBut I know more. I know where they come from. You don't, do you? You're content to sit and eat everything you see, rotten or rich, be it food or words. Stop. That's what They want you to do.\n\nThe truth - the truth! - is that They, They Who Rule the Dirt, are keeping us like trees. Don't tell me I have no proof! Don't you dare tell me I'm lying! I've seen a good bird die to them.\n\nSo now you listen? My friend ate a suet cake. It should have been safe, should it not? And yet, an hour later, he was dead as stone. And more, I've been looking. They put them out - the suet cakes, of course, what else would I mean? - and thus They are the ones who poison us. They want us to die! Have they not killed us before? Why, we know not, but we must rise.\n\nYou heard me. Don't pretend you didn't! They Who Rule the Dirt will know what an enemy a pigeon can make. Do we not reign in the skies? Can we not kill? Let them beware us, new brother, for the pigeons shall make war. Long live the Rebellion of Birds!"
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[WP] Ever since you learned how intelligent crows were, you've been trying to train the ones found in your local park to defend you. Now, as you are at gunpoint, that training pays off.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Really, I should have seen it coming. But the sad reality is that you and I, dear reader—humans—we tend to grossly oversimplify and generalize complex populations. \n\nCrows are vastly intelligent, not merely trainable in the way dogs are. Most of the crows in Halleck Park were content to acquiesce to my training, even as barbaric as my methods were, in hindsight. I simply demonstrated how they should defend me in case I were ever in distress, and they parroted me—or crowed, rather—in return for the birdseed I carried. Gradually, I taught them different cues and signals. A sharp ascending whistle, for example, was the primer, to alert them I anticipated trouble.\n\nUnfortunately, I didn't perform my due research, and was consequently unaware of their social structures and intricacies of behavior. Some of the crows, it now proved, resented my attempts.\n\nAnd that is how I found myself being held at gunpoint on this warm, if windy, September day—by a crow.\n\nI was at my usual spot by the duck pond, a few meters away from that cluster of red picnic tables and the rogue green one, in a small copse of young firs. You know the one.\n\nBut instead of the usual murder of crows sympathetic to my training, I instead faced a very unusual murder by crow. After all, homicide is quite rare in white suburban parks such as Halleck, and to my memory, it's never involved either me or a crow.\n\nStill, it was six o'clock on a Wednesday afternoon (the quietest time of the week in the park) and crows did not simply miss their regularly scheduled abundance of food. I let out three quick ascending whistles. It was only two, really, but the first one made no sound through my dry lips. The other two were broken and wavering, but I hoped they carried the message: this is not a drill.\n\nThe crow, holding the automatic pistol in one taloned foot, cocked its head at me. I swallowed the dry lump of hardness in my throat as I understood the gun was already cocked at me.\n\nThere was a brief moment as I stood with my hands spread away from my body, but not raised in surrender just yet, and wondered just what its plan was; I had no idea how it might communicate its motives and demands. Then the moment passed as a dozen-odd crows fluttered in from where they waited a short distance away, forming a rough semicircle around my would-be murderer.\n\nSteve, as I spontaneously decided to name the gun-toting crow, cocked its head the other way now. \"Get 'im, guys,\" I muttered, my voice cracking with fear. I winced at the embarrassing sound, finding myself hoping Sophia Gognet wasn't around to hear it. Dully, I remembered she spent her Wednesday evenings at her friend Phoebe's house practicing clarinet. It suddenly occurred to me I didn't know if that was true, only that she offered the excuse when I asked her out last month—the ninth proposition, and the ninth excuse.\n\nI became suddenly aware that no one in this standoff had moved yet. I silently berated myself for the distraction, and for training the willing crows not to the words I said, but to the gesture I had forgotten to accompany them with.\n\nI subtly flicked my fingers toward Steve, then desperately threw my hands into the air as it raised the gun in response, no longer distracted by my previous words. I wish I could say that putting my hands up was carefully calculated; the movement was in fact a cue the other crows were trained for, but in truth I had forgotten about it and panicked.\n\nLuckily, my vanguard reacted swiftly, two of them lunging to subdue Steve as my fingers had instructed, and the rest swirling about like a cyclone between my attacker and me as my arms had, providing cover to escape—and to intercept the bullet.\n\nI flinched wildly at the crack of the gunshot, unfamiliar to me in spite of every action movie I'd ever seen. I only realized what the noise had been as I saw one of my protectors explode into a cloud of feathers and his mangled remains drop to the ground. As the dust settled, literally and figuratively, I could see that Steve had also been killed by the first two crows to move, and its gun lay on the ground.\n\nI knelt over the remains of my fallen shield as the others gathered around, heads drooping in mourning. *Well, at least they came dressed for the funeral,* I thought, then frowned at the morbid humor.\n\nGently cradling the dead crow, I reverently carried him toward the duck pond and across the bridge to the small, artificial island. His comrades followed. I dug a crow-sized grave at the foot of the willow and gently lay the little bird inside, carefully covering his body. Then looking around through tear-blurred eyes, I found a couple of suitably straight twigs and blades of long grass. I fashioned them into a cross and placed it at the head of the grave. I searched for words to eulogize the crow to his gathered brethren, but I could find neither the words nor my voice. I settled for a calm stream of tears.\n\nIn the silence, I heard tiny, suppressed sobs behind me. I turned around to find Sophia standing a few meters back, her face streaked with her own tears. I stood and slowly approached her, stopping a few paces away. She closed the rest of the distance and gently rested her head and quivering fists against my chest. I tentatively wrapped my arms around her, and was surprised when she didn't recoil.\n\nI found myself considering the immediate future, and wondering whether this moment of connection would last past the night, after the emotions had settled and we talked about what had happened today—and why she was at the park instead of practicing clarinet with Phoebe, though I suspected I knew the answer to the latter.\n\nWhile I comforted my one-sided crush, patting her back awkwardly, I noticed a small movement by my feet. One of the mourning crows had stopped next to us and was eyeing me incuriously.\n\nAnd then, just before he flew away, I swear he winked at me."
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[WP]You wake to realize the world is now in a classic Chinese kung Fu movie powers sound effects and all. Turns out, everybody is Kung Fu fighting
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Loose Lee stared down his opponent, sweat glistening against his tiger-like muscles. The silence was palpable and, in an instant, it was cut in twain by the arc of a blade. Sidestepping to avoid the downward stroke, Loose lashed his fist in counter. \n\nAll it hit were the strands of hair. His assailant, closing the distance between them, pitched her sword upwards and grappled his arm. The pit of his stomach dropped as the world turned around him. Air released explosively from his lungs on his impact. \n\nNimble as a cat, the assailant nabbed the sword on its decent and drove to tip into Loose’s chest. He made not a sound, struggling to reclaim the breath that had been stolen from him. The assailant smiled at the effort. Releasing the blade, she pulled out a small knife and mounted his neck. Bending over, she could see the beginnings of his eyes rolling over. Tilting his chin up, she drove the knife upwards and held him down as his body convulsed in its final death throws. “Bye, bye,” she whispered in his ear."
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[WP] Through sheer luck, all the surrounding systems around Sol had been surveyed by a war-minded race, and Sol remained forgotten. When humanity advanced, the last race to make contact was the war race, furious at how they were "deceived."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Commander Xuz'rik stared intently at the stars through the observation window of his nebula class warship. His mind filled with wild fury. This was a insult. How dare the Imperial council order him to do this!\n\nThe rage lulled for a moment. The answer was obvious. It was, after all, his own great grandfather, the soon to be infamous Cri'rik, who had made the mistake centuries ago. \n\nHe had been ordered to make contact with the \"Earthlings\".\n\nThe act itself would be simple enough. The translation protocols had already been stolen from Federal Galactic union, who had made first contact with them 3 decades ago, and installed into the Xuz'rik's ship's translator. No, the hard part would come after.\n\nThe commander returned to his bridge, the crew looking everywhere but at him. Had word already got out? Was his shame already common knowledge?\n\n\"Commander,\" his second in command, Grik'slik, said without making eye contact, \"I trust the Council's orders were clear.\"\n\n\"We make for the Sol system, Warp 7.\"\n\n\"As you command, Commander.\"\n\nXuz'rik sat down on his chair, watching the stars merge into a single dot in front of the ship, and plotted genocide."
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[WP] Your child has always had a habit of bringing home strays. The newest one to follow your child home is a dragon.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Kanna watched as her nine-year-old daughter, Russette, entered the house.\n\n\"Viiiiiolet,\" the girl hollered. A huge grin showed on her freckled spattered face as Violet's red hair appeared from around the corner.\n\n\"What didja find?\" Violet asked, tugging at the fringes of her too-small smock.\n\n\"A new friend.\"\n\n\"A pet?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" Russette beamed. \"A pet. Something magical. More brilliant than dogs or foxes or even marshmallow mice.\"\n\nViolet giggled at the mention of the mice. \"Is it a flying snake?\" She hugged herself, eyes huge.\n\n\"Better.\"\n\nThe two girls, unable to contain their excitement anymore, hurried from the messy cottage and ran, barefoot, over the sunny meadows, the grass crinkling briefly under their feet before springing back up. Wildflowers kissing their bare legs, dragonflies and butterflies and bees alike fled their path as Violet raced after Russette, excited to see what new pet Russette had brought.\n\nKanna hadn't bothered much when Russette was bringing home pygmy kittens and marshmallow mice until they bred and spread and Kanna and her husband Jerl had to chase them out. Russette was told 'no more animals that breed like wildfire.'\n\nSo she brought him a bellawolf. She'd read in a book that they only gave birth every five years but Kanna screamed when she came into the kitchen to find the great canine sleeping by the hearth, so he left to.\n\nIn the house and out went a pack of foxes, a baby giant shrew, a falcon, and a giant turtle. Kanna lost track of them over the course of the seven years Russette brought them in and out.\n\nAnd then, when Kanna and Jerl died, Russette stopped and as Kanna watched her two girls get older and older, alone in the house, her soul ached to see them so lonely. Would it have been such a tragedy to let her keep a mouse or hedgehog? Would the home have been so much messier then? Perhaps a wolf would have raised the two girls as its own.\n\nJerl had long gone to whatever lay next, but Kanna just couldn't. Not when she watched the girls awake every morning, Russette first, small face serious and aching, as she tried to clean the house and ran out to the woods to find something for breakfast. Then when Violet awoke, Russette put on that smile and made it look like the world wasn't breaking around them. Violet had to clean the house while Russette found food and neither really got done. They were young, too young.\n\nKanna had to watch her children. In cost of her eternal soul, she would watch them until they were old enough to look after themselves.\n\nThe excitement on both girls' was as refreshing as the sun on that early spring morning. They ran and ran until their chests rose sharply and their cheeks were pink. They ran until they could hear the sea. They ran until their noses wrinkled against the sea air and their toes sank into the sand.\n\nUp and up and up a hill they ran til finally the two girls stood atop, looking down over the ocean. The beach.\n\nThe\n\nDragon?\n\nHad Kanna lungs, she would have gasped at the teal monster, curled on the beach. It was not quite full-grown but not a hatchling, easily. Perhaps a year old, based on the books Russette would look at.\n\nViolet screamed, a noise of joy. The dragon looked up sharply. Then it rose to its feet.\n\n\"Shush shush,\" Russette said, to one or the other. \"She's friendly. They're friendly.\"\n\n\"Oh Russette, how did you do it?\"\n\nThe two girls approached the dragon with the caution they might give a neighborhood dog. Hands held out in front of them for the dragon to sniff. It loomed over them, ten, twenty, fifty feet tall, but it craned its neck down low to touch the girls' hands.\n\nKanna couldn't be sure but she didn't see the dragon's nose flare. It wasn't smelling them but it kept its head down until Russette nodded.\n\n\"They've got your scent now. You can climb on top if you want!\"\n\nThe dragon breathed out heavy, sighing, and got back to its knees, before lying down. The girls began climbing over it, like a jungle gym, and the dragon allowed it, resting its head on its front claws.\n\n\"They got a name?\" Violet asked, suddenly shy.\n\n\"I think Thallasa,\" Russette said. \"Thallasa.\"\n\nThe dragon lifted their head in acknowledgment and the two girls cheered. There was something distinctly smug in their face, something the girls may have missed but Kanna did not.\n\nThen the dragon leveled out their gaze at the hill where Kanna was. Their eyes bored straight at her and Kanna felt as though her soul were ripped from her throat.\n\nThis was it. This was her cue to pass on. Thallasa had the children now and would raise them well. Kanna had raised them well but she'd been dead a year now and it was growing heavy to keep her spirit on this world.\n\nWith the wind she had left in her, Kanna drifted, blowing across the beach and swimming in her daughters' hair before lifted away on a sea breeze.\n\nRussette had always been trying to adopt stray animals. A kindhearted mischievous girl, always trying to grow her family, spread her love. Now she was the stray.\n\nNow she was the stray and she had been adopted.\n___\n\n[Find more stories, in this world and others, at TalesByOpheliaCyanide!](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesByOpheliaCyanide/)",
"“Oliver, your dinner’s ready”, I called from the kitchen. He was out playing in the large garden of the stately home with his toys; he loved the outdoors, and, at six years old, I wasn’t going to begrudge him of a bit of sun.\n\nHe didn’t reply, so I went out onto the green to shout him over.\n\n“Oliver!”\n\n“Coming, mum”, he replied, after my second call scared off a few sitting birds in the nearby trees. He was near the pond looking at the fish or on the path near the decking racing snails – I couldn’t quite work out where his voice was coming from. I knew it would have been near the animals; he loved wildlife.  \n\nI ventured back into the kitchen to make sure the pans didn’t boil over onto the hobs. Then, Oliver came racing in.\n\n“You stay there, Daisy”, Oliver said, while he entered the house.\n\n“Who’s your friend this time, son?” I asked. He had a habit of bringing strays; mice, frogs, snails, slugs even, back into the house after playing with them in the garden.\n\n“She’s a dragon, mum. Can she come for dinner?”\n\nI thought Oliver was joking; we didn’t have dragons out in the garden.\n\n“Come on now, Oliver, what is she _really_?”\n\n“It’s true, she breathes fire and everything!”\n\nHe wasn’t letting this go, so I thought I’d play along with him: “Okay. She can come for dinner.”\n\nWith that, Oliver beckoned her in. He was right. She was a dragon; her scaly body a mix between deep-red and dark-brown was carried by her four small legs and two large wings. Her tail was about the length of her body.\n\n“Oh my!” I screamed.\n\n“I told you”, Oliver replied, as if a dragon was normal.\n\n“No, get her out. She can’t stay.”\n\n“But mum”, he said in his six-year-old child’s tone.\n\nI knew the dinner was nearly ready so didn’t want him upset – he wouldn’t eat it.\n\n“Okay, okay, she can stay for dinner. But that’s it. Then you have to take her back.”\n\nI set the table and served our food. Oliver sat Daisy upon the table as she patiently watched us eat. I was a little put off by it.\n\nOliver had finished his dinner and cleared his plate. I was proud of him, so told him so.\n\n“Can I go back out to play?” he asked.\n\nIt was getting late; he needed to rest.\n\n“No Oliver, you’ve played enough for today. I think it’s about time to put Daisy outside and go for a bath.”\n\n“Mum!” he screamed in anger.\n\nI put my foot down and told him he must go for a bath after setting Daisy back.\n\nA paddy ensued; I was tired, too, so I decided that for the sake of a small creature, it would be easier to let him have his way.\n\n“I’ll carry Daisy”, I offered; though, I was going to put her somewhere safe, not take in the bathroom.\n\n“Okay, mum!” Oliver replied, as he jumped out of his chair.\n\nI reached out to pick Daisy up from the table when she saw my hand. Instead of cowering in fear, she breathed a harsh fireball at me. She burnt my hand.\n\n“Ow!” I screamed, instantly running to the cold-water tap.\n\n“No mum, like this”, Oliver didn’t realise the severity of my burn and showed me how he had cradled her. I didn’t want that thing burning my six-year-old son’s hands.\n\nIn pain, I said to Oliver: “Let’s make her a home. She can have her own little place.”\n\nHe agreed that was a sensible idea. We both decided that a location next to the greenhouse would be the best place for her, so after tending to my hand, we went outside and built a little enclosure.\n\nWe wished Daisy a good night and I took Oliver for this bath.\n\nThe next morning, Oliver woke up extra early to feed Daisy.\n\n“What shall we take for her?” I asked.\n\n“Vegetables”, he replied.\n\nI wasn’t sure, but opted to go with his idea. We gathered some small fresh vegetables and took them to the enclosure we had built.\n\nDaisy wasn’t there. There was, instead, a huge mouse with a dark-grey body and long light-grey tail. His black eyes stared back at us.\n\n\n---\n\nr/paulwrites",
"The time indicator stars beeping and a flicker of blue light starts swirling inside the wast space of the sphere. Both Roonians let out a little whistling sound out of their antennas. When the blue light finally solidified into a sapphire colored cube, the female Roonian pressed one of the 'Accept' buttons on the command table of their living room. \n\nThe portal opened and their youngest offspring appeared all smiles, his little antennas shaking with excitement.\n\nBoth Roonians felt the pleasant sensations filling their vessels. Though trained not to give much importance to these sensations, both of them had to admit their sphere looked strangely empty without their little Argf with them.\n\nThe decompression chamber finally opened and he ran inside to meet his parents, dragging behind him a strange creature. It wasn't the first time. It was still a youngling, so the damage it might cause to their ship was minimal, or the siren for danger would have started blaring as soon as it entered the sphere.\n\n'How was your trip, Argf?' The female Roonian asked. 'Which planet have you visited and in which time?'\n\nArgf rushed to the large screen in the center of the sphere, trying to to reach the buttons with his little limbs. The male Roonian came and helped him enter the time and space coordinates. When the image of a planet little Argf visited with his school appeared on the screen, both older Roonians averted their antennas. \n\n'Send the signal to the school, now.' The female Roonian communicated her distress to her partner, making sure little Argf couldn't pick up the signal. They had a safe channel for the situations like this. The last time their little ones returned from the expedition to this planet all the Roonian parents sent the signal and the school immediately sent a report claiming the chance of repeating such an action was around one percent possible. \n\nThe male Roonian was typing the message on the screen while female Roonian took her little one to the oval window overlooking their constellation. They lived in a quiet area with the first neighbor on ten light-years distance which proved to be more than useful ever since little Argf started bringing home various dangerous beings from all corners of the universe. \n\n'Tell me about this species?' Her two antennas touched together gently and little Argf started spinning with excitement.\n\n'His mother was killed,' he said. 'And they were after him and I had to bring him here.' Argf said, the whistling sound coming from his antennas every time the little green creature wagged his scaly tail against the marble. His wings were too little to fly, but Argf's estimation monitor showed the beast will be fully developed in two Roonian moons.\n\nThat was a long time – enough time to play.\n\nThe male Roonian approached, his antennas shaking ever so slightly.\n\n'The school said the rest of the little Roonians are still on the expedition on one of the Roonian satellites because they don't have the funds for another time travel.'\n\n'Oh, because of the crisis. Off course.' She agreed.\n\nSuddenly, they both turned to little Argh whose antennas were now bent towards the floor. Even the green creature seemed still.\n\n'Argh?' Male Roonian asked. 'How did you managed to enter the coordinates and how did you gained the authorization for time travel?'\n\nArgh was silent.\n\nThe female Roonian was upset, her purple skin glowing with dark pulsing light. 'This is all because we let him keep that human he brought home. I told you they were trouble.'\n\n'About that,' male Roonian said, his antennas carefully scanning the space around them, 'the human said he can help us in defeating Solar Crumbs.'\n\nThe dark aura around her body kept pulsing until the entire space was filled with it. 'When the Interstellar Inspection arrives, and it will,' she said, shaking, 'you and that human and that creature with pointy ears will be taken to prison.'\n\nThe male Roonian said nothing. He really liked the elf. Human, not so much. He was a bit obnoxious.\n\n'What about my dragon?' Argh asked.\n\n'The dragon can stay.' She said. 'He seems perfectly safe.'\n\n\nIf you liked this story, you can check out more at r/CrystalElmTales"
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[WP] Many lifetimes ago you won a bet with the devil and earned your immortality. You've been trying to die ever since and today you finally meet the devil again.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I stood behind him as he gazed out the window looking out into the dark night. From where I stood, it seemed like any other view from the umpteenth floor in the New York skyline, but I knew better. I was in the elevator for forty minutes as it tossed and turned on itself just to get me up here; wherever I was, it wasn't the Big Apple.\n\n\"Back so soon?\" he asked, not even bothering to turn around to face me.\n\n\"It's been 193 years, six months and nine days since we last talked,\" I said with a snarl, \"But who's counting?\"\n\n\"Do you know what I think when I look out this window?\" The devil gently swirled the tumbler in his hand. If I had to guess, it would be the aptly named \"Devil's water\".\n\nI crossed my arms, \"I'm not here for chitchat, Lucy. You know what I want.\"\n\nHis eyes locked on mine in the reflection on the glass, bright crimson even in the dark room.\n\n\"Firstly, do not call me that. Secondly, my thoughts about my enterprise mirror the ones I have on your... predicament.\"\n\n\"Oh yeah? And what's that?\" I asked, barely hiding my disdain for the ancient creature before me.\n\nHe finally turned around with a blank expression, \"I do not care.\"\n\nI cocked my head, \"What?\"\n\nThe Devil sighed and sat down behind his ornate wooden desk covered in small baubles and kitsch. His abrupt landing in the leather seat jostled the desk, sending several bobbleheads of celebrities and politicians into a hollow rattle.\n\n\"After all this time in charge of all this, what have I got to show for my struggles?\" pondered the Devil, \"A smear in the history books, a ruined reputation, and a propensity for losing golden fiddles.\"\n\nPicking up a small matryoshka doll of a certain U.S president, the devil began fiddling with it and continued. \"In short, I just do not care anymore. The zeal I once had for my... occupation, let us call it, has vanished like a new eunuch's desire for the delights of the flesh.\"\n\nBefore I could say anything, he quickly swivelled around in the chair and faced me again, this time with a more welcoming expression.\n\n\"But that is enough about me. Why have you come here?\" he asked.\n\n\"Like I said. You know why I'm here.\" I responded.\n\n\"Not in the mood to indulge a man in banter?\"\n\nI glared at him, staying silent. I eyed him up and down and measured who I was talking to for the first time in almost two centuries. The devil looked vastly different than the first time I saw him. No longer flaunting the horns and cloven hooves, this time he was dressed in a dark purple suit, neatly fitted to his form. If he wasn't the icon of pure evil, I'd say he looked pretty good.\n\n\"Fine,\" he said, \"You want your mortality back. Understandable. Immortality does get a tad boring, does it not?\"\n\n\"I'm not bored,\" I defended, \"I'm tired. I'm tired of losing everyone I love, of watching everything I build crumble to dust before I even get to say goodbye. I just want to rest.\"\n\n\"Hm. I have been watching your exploits quite closely, you know. I must say I have never seen someone so determined to lose what everyone only dreams about. You had the opportunity for such wondrous feats, and what did you do?\"\n\n\"I lived my life as best I could.\"\n\n\"No, you lived many lives as far as I can tell. And plenty of deaths too. Some of them quite spectacular.\"\n\nI bowed my head and mumbled, \"I just wanted to get away from all this.\"\n\nThe Devil tapped his chin and looked into the air ponderously, \"I think my favourite stunt you pulled was the swimming with sharks while covered in chum. I had never imagined that a man yelling at sharks to eat him would have such poor results.\"\n\n\"Apparently I wasn't much of a meal...\"\n\nTaking a long swig of the remnants of his drink, he continued, \"And now, after so long and so many promises of forever broken, you find yourself before me once again. Have you come to simply ask for a do-over?\"\n\n\"No, I've come to beg,\" I said, clasping my hands together, almost like I was praying, \"I want this with every fibre of my being, every ounce of my soul.\"\n\nHis look soured, \"Watch the soul talk around here. The walls have ears. Literally.\"\n\nI looked around the office and noticed several small holes embedded in the walls with no pattern. If they wanted to hear me beg, then they'll get a show.\n\n\"I challenge you to a rematch,\" I said in a quivering voice. I knew what I wanted but my confidence had yet to catch up with my motives.\n\n\"Refresh my memory. Five-card Texas hold 'em, correct?\" he asked, clearly already knowing the answer.\n\nI nodded.\n\nHe hummed and began rummaging through the drawers of the desk, in search of something. Hopefully a deck of cards.\n\n\"Yes, it was the fad of the times when we first met. I will never understand how it took off like it did. One afternoon of messing around with the imps and all of a sudden all the high rollers of the human world are cashing in on it.\"\n\nI recoiled, \"You invented it?\"\n\nRolling his eyes, the Devil retrieved a paper and pen from the bottom-most drawer, \"Oh please, it is gambling and that is almost by design a very sinful thing. If you could not tell, sin is what we do around here.\"\n\n\"But if you invented it, did you let me win?\"\n\n\"Do you want to know why I did?\" he asked with a sneer, \"Because I needed something new. The delights of sin are wonderful, yes, but they are predictable. One adulterer is just as scandalous as the next. Murderers usually have varying attitudes and motives but it all comes down to the same underlying principle: me good, they bad. Having an outlier like yourself was interesting, to say the least.\"\n\nI pointed to the paper, \"What's this?\"\n\n\"A sad conclusion to a rather interesting tale. This is a nullification contract regarding our existing one, a final touch if you will.\"\n\nI leaned forward on the desk and looked over the paper. I had expected the same yellowed pages I was given the first go around, but this time there was a neatly arranged, paper-clipped bundle of legal size paper covered in almost illegible tiny words.\n\n\"This will bring back my mortality?\" I asked, hopeful for the first time in decades.\n\nThe Devil pushed the papers towards me with a bittersweet grin, \"I shall do you one better. This will kill you.\"\n\n\"Will I got to hell or heaven?\"\n\n\"To be honest, I do not know. That does not fall under my jurisdiction, per se, I am more responsible for those that come down here on their own.\"\n\nHurriedly, I picked up the long, thin pen from the desk and pricked my forefinger, drawing a small amount of blood from the skin.\n\n\"What on Earth are you doing?\" the Devil asked, eyebrows raised.\n\n\"Signing in blood. That's what we did last time.\"\n\n\"This is 2020. Royal blue will suffice, I believe.\"\n\nWith a swish and a flick, I signed my name on the bottom of the page and pushed it back to the one who cursed me with what I had wished for.\n\n\"Wonderful,\" he said, stacking the pages, \"The effects should come around soon.\"\n\nI turned to leave, wondering how to spend my last moments in the world of the living. Go out for a drink? Maybe dance to a song I'll never hear again? My heart raced at the idea of living with a countdown on my head.\n\n\"I must let you know,\" he said from behind me, \"If I do see you down here, which is quite likely, be sure to regale some of your stories with me. I am in dire need of entertainment.\"\n\nI nodded and left the office to live the last moments of a life made so much sweeter with the promise of a finishing note of a song that's played for far too long."
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[WP] Humanity is going extinct, the population decreasing at an exponential rate. The cause is unusual however. Its not disease, war or famine decreasing our numbers, but Evolution.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Mom and Dad didn't wake up last night. I guess Dad was impotent and Mom was too old to have kids anymore.\n\nI walk to school and notice how empty it is. The principal gets on the speakers and makes an announcement. Most of the bus drivers had a heart attacks or a stroke - either last night or on the way to school. Several buses crashed. Few kids survived. \n\nIn light of the tragic news, we're free to go home, if we like. Some kids leave, but most of us don't. We get to talking and I find out that I'm not the only kid whose parents died that day.\n\nFor the kids who chose to stay, everyone is escorted to gym class to play our worries away until some capable adults figure out what to do.\n\nIt works - at first. We play dodgeball, and we're all laughing, screaming, ducking, dodging, and for a moment, everything sounds normal.\n\nThen half of the kids on both teams just drop dead. One moment they're ducking or getting ready to throw the ball; the next moment their bodies are hitting the floor with hard thuds that can't be faked.\n\nOne girl runs over to her boyfriend's dead body and says, \"This is not funny, Adam. Quit playing. Get up.\" She knows he's dead, but that doesn't stop her from shaking him over and over again. \"Please..\" her voice echoes in the silent gym. \"I need you...you're the only one I have left...\" \n\n\"I'm fucking *sick* of this!\" One of the boys throws his dodgeball at the wall. When the ball comes bouncing back, he kicks it across the gym, then stabs his palms in his eyes as he tries to physically push back his tears. \n\nOur gym teacher is on the phone. Both him and his wife, who used to be a gym teacher at the school, too, were known for how devoted they were to their week. His wife used to come teach gym even when she was pregnant. Unfortunately, during a basketball game, one kid went diving for the ball and slammed into her stomach. She lost the baby and was never the same after that. Even then, she would still show up to class, but the school forced her to retire. \n\nNow, she was in the hospital for some other condition, and the entire school had heard how our gym teacher had chosen to come to school for us instead of going to his wife. \"She sees me all the time,\" he had joked, trying to make light of it, but we could all see he was worried.\n\nWhen his cellphone had rang, he had scooped it up in a heartbeat. Now we watched as the phone dropped from his hand and he slid down the wall, slammed the wall a couple of times with his fist, and then covered his face. His sobs were heart-wrenching. \n\nAll of us were scared and we all felt helpless, wondering which of us was next.\n\nThen this nerdy kid with glasses says, \"I think I know what's going on. Look at all the people who are dying. What do they all have in common? They're all old, or unhealthy, or have some underlying condition. This is all just a rapid case of evolution going on, weeding out the weak and selecting the strong.\"\n\n\"What about you?\" someone asked. \"You're weak.\"\n\n\"But,\" he countered, \"I'm strong enough *mentally* to compensate for my weaknesses.\"\n\n\"So what do we do?\"\n\nHe sighed. \"There's nothing we can do, except wait. When it's over, only the strongest will remain.\""
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This prompt was inspired by my daughter, who thought this was already how things work, since we only measure her each year on her birthday.
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[WP] Humans evolve such that all your annual growth happens on your birthday each year.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My cake this year is German chocolate; I don't even like chocolate, but it's the one that covers the flavor best. Your own personalized cocktail of growth hormones and sedatives that will see you through the next 24 hours. \n\nHumans used to grow on their own, a stately measured pace that we have been told (history books could be wrong, my neighbor Bob had me cornered for what felt like an hour, ranting about how \"they\" lied to us to get us hooked on drugs) was mostly painless. Genetic culling (Genenitech^TM^ originally but over time more and companies were able to provide the service) became the hip new way to have a baby for the elite: pick your babies sex, eye color, hair color, simple facial features, and of course getting rid of anomalies that would be undesirable. Turns out that messing with DNA sometimes comes with a price, humans simply forgot how to grow and the same scientists couldn't coax it back into the genetic code. \n\nHence, the new and improved GrowLight^TM^, you can only take it once a year, liver function is important. So all your growth from age 1-18 is done in stages, on your birthday's. I've heard if you can't afford the sedatives (GrowLight^TM^ is free but the extras come at a cost) it's an awful experience. Thankfully, I only need to choke down this medical flavored cake and in a day, I will be (hopefully) five inches taller and (again hopefully) not too achey."
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[WP] The mood was rather dull in the starship bridge, until the human began to emit a hypnotic tune. When the captain asked, the human called it a "sea shanty"
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The captain slumped on her plinth, withdrawing her eyes into their sheaths. A lifetime of training had not prepared her for the inescapable fact: space travel was boring.\n\nDeep in the hollow root-halls of the Academy, where she had been drilled on everything from astrophysics to inter-species diplomacy, there had always been company, at least. The other wards would chat, even if she hadn't known them very well, and there would invariably be something to chat about: the taste of the food, and how it really stuck to the mandibles; the latest gossip from the caste just above or below; the difficulty of their lessons. Even when alone the snippets of conversations far off would slip into her thoughts, or else a wafting wisp of pheromone would suggest company not far off. For the first time in her life, she understood the meaning of isolation.\n\nThat wasn't to say she was alone - oh, no. The deck was near full to bursting with crew - her crew, she remembered. A motley collection scraped off the grimy floors of the interplanetary shipyard, nearly each one a different species. She sent a silent prayer Rootward that they were almost all carbon based and aerobic, like she was, with the only exception eschewing food entirely. \n\nThere wasn't a common language among them. In some cases there wasn't a common *medium* of language among them. Universal translators kept the ship running, but there was a distinct lack of *nuance*. The captain herself had different scent cocktails for every flavor of agreement from enthusiastic to mocking to grudging, and even if the translators could append little notes to their work to suggest emotion, it simply wasn't the *same*. She did have a pair of olfactives down in engineering, but whatever scents they were mixing up completely eluded her. The last report from below decks came out as gibberish interspersed with screaming, and she doubted she sounded much better, answering back. \n\nWith a defeated flick of her antennae, the captain extended her eyes, sweeping her gaze across the room. Language was only the tip of the branch. The greater issue was the cultural divide. On her home planet, she was an Adult, fully prepared to leave the nest, and yet some of her crew that she *knew* were borderline juveniles dwarfed her completely. They didn't live in nests, or carve grand halls in the roots. Some of them even lived above ground. Even when her translator did catch pieces of their idle musings, the reports made no sense. \n\nA low, reverberating sound broke the captain out of her thoughts. She turned her eyes over to the Human on her crew, who appeared to be distracting himself with the human equivalent of music. It was different from any music from the nests, where artists spun melodies out of chemical clouds: it was entirely auditory, first of all, a series of tones wobbling on discrete frequencies, hopping up and down while bursting forth or drawing back. It had rhythm, she noticed, though oddly sharp and constant; not unlike water dripping of a branch. It was fast, and oddly jaunty, and in spite of herself, she found her left antenna twitching to its beat. \n\n'Oh, why not?' she thought, 'there wasn't anything else to do.'\n\nHer legs soon followed suit, tapping lightly on her plinth. She caught her crewman flick his eyes at her when he noticed, but he didn't stop; instead, he began to stamp one of his own feet - and he only had two! - to the beat, and sang a bit louder. Soon, her curiosity got the better of her. She flicked on her universal translator, locking it to the human's channel, and ran into the usual problem: nothing made sense. There were references aplenty to human social relations, and even more to human anatomy and what he wished he was doing with it. The captain's mandibles clicked together in exasperation. \n\n'I suppose if there was going to be one thing that crossed the cultural divide...' she trailed off. Still, the rhythm was bright, and her feet continued to match it. The music went on, and the translator followed, a constant little spray of chemical soup on her head, trying its best to match not only his words, but his intent. There was talk of toil, and its physical toll, and of food that could be better, and of destinations that never seemed to get any closer, and one of her antennae curled in sympathy at that. Without realizing, she had begun to sing along, dusting the air about her with little pheromone swirls. The words would not be exact, of course, but they matched the beat and it wasn't as if he would smell them. \n\nBy now, some of the other crew were beginning to notice the two of them. Another auditory had started to match his frequencies with clean, flat humming; meanwhile, a pair of visuals were timing themselves to his measure, one coiling its tendrils as the other strobed vivid patterns across its shell. And the music went on: about empty wastes and wastes of time, and rotten luck, and about home. The captain felt something in her twinge at that, and the heady scent of the Academy filled her senses. She wasn't following the human's lead anymore; at least, the translator was all but forgotten. \n\nThe human's music had volume and intensity, tone and cadence - all things she could appreciate, but not add to. But her music had its own art - shades of potency, compounds and mixtures, bursts of scent contrasting subtle hisses - and she found herself matching the human's song with her own, beat for beat. And though she could not understand it, she knew the rest of the crew was doing the same.\n\nMuch later, they'd asked their crewman what he was singing, and he'd told them it was a \"sea shanty,\" a sort of ditty made up by travelers far from home on his own planet. Over mounting questions about what a sea was, liquid water, solar intensity, and human biochemistry, the name certainly did not stick, but the practice did. And space travel became ever-so-slightly less boring."
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[WP] Being the only person in the world with a super power, it kind of sucks that the power means that any door you are close to remains firmly closed. Locked or not.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Hey. Hey, Artie, how’re you doing today?” \n\nArthur stretched. He rolled his eyes, yawned, stared at the circle of light in the ceiling. \n\n“Hey, Artie, are you awake?” \n\nArthur shrugged, “You can see me...Dan, was it? There’s no point asking.” \n\nAn awkward silence. Arthur stared pointedly at the camera hidden in a corner near the ceiling. He was going for a stare so intense the receiver felt like he was looking into their very soul. \n\nArthur had a lot of practice getting that stare down to an artform. Sure enough, he heard an uncomfortable clearing of the throat seconds later. \n\n“I just thought you’d feel a little more comfortable with uh, you know, uh a normal greeting routine,” ‘Dan’ replied after a moment. \n\n“I see,” Arthur replied politely, “Do you want to try for a well-constructed platitude next? Or perhaps a witty non-sequitur?” \n\nArthur closed his eyes in the silence that followed. He could almost hear ‘Dan’s thoughts racing. \n\nA pity telepathy wasn’t one of his many talents. \n\nInstead...\n\n“I was wondering if you felt up to opening the door today,” Dan replied. \n\n“You know how my...talent...works,” Arthur replied. He propped his elbow on a knee, resting his cheek against his fist, “Any kind of entrance that has any conceivable concept of concealment won’t open as long as I’m near it.” \n\nHe said these words with the dry intonation of a rote-memorized sentence. \n\n‘Dan’ was apparently more persistent than previous visitors, “You could just, uh, move away, couldn’t you? Studies showed that your, uh, ‘sphere of influence’ is limited to around a hundred metres or so?” \n\nArthur looked up skeptically, “You want me to jog to the other end of this pen? No thanks. That sounds like too much work.” \n\n“C-come now, that’s only half the length of your, uh, ‘pen’. Although there’s really no need to call it that, I mean, we’ve done our best to provide every amenity you wish for,” ‘Dan’ wheedled, “I just want to come in and-“ \n\n“-do some more tests?” Arthur sighed, burying his head between his knees, “I don’t feel like it today, go away.” \n\n“Look, Artie, your last psychological assessment-“ \n\n“Damn it, I’m not interested in hearing what some quack has to say about my fucked up head, okay?” Arthur interrupted, “Just go away. God, you’re worse than ‘Cameron’. What happened to her anyway? At least she was hotter than the other doctors.” \n\nA long pause. Dan spoke up after a moment again, faux cheerfully, “Uh, she left for another position. Got, uh, promoted. You know how it is.” \n\nArthur sighed, “If you annoy me, I’ll extend my range and lock in all doors/silo openings in this facility. Including the toilets.”\n\nArthur paused delicately.\n\n“I don’t suppose you want to be ‘promoted’ on your second day here, ‘Dan’,” Arthur continued, “So I’d suggest you do as I say and scoot along.” \n\nHe made a shooing motion at the camera. \n\n“That’s- that’s a little immature of you,” Dan replied evenly after a moment, “I mean, I’m trying my best for you here, Artie-“ \n\n“My name is Arthur Gilligan,” Arthur said slowly, “I’m thirty one years old. I used to work as a ranger with the state wildlife council. I had a sister I’ll never see again because some idjit came to the wild conclusion that my power was more than it seemed.” \n\nHe rested his fingers on the carpeted floor he sat on, “Now I’ll spend the rest of my life indoors surrounded by annoying people who won’t leave me alone.” \n\n“...I’ll speak to you again tomorrow,” Dan said eventually, “Have a nice day, Arthur.” \n\nArthur rested his head back against the metal door he was leaning against and closed his eyes."
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[WP] A young man has a terrible curse. Every full moon, he grows the tail of a wolf...but only a tail.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"This is what I get for being a half blood.\n\nI am not fierce like the werewolves nor am I respected like the humans. I am laughed at and taunted and I am a disgrace.\n\nMy father is Lukus Hwol, former leader of the Onom tribe of werewolves. He was strong and fierce, everything a werewolf aspires to be. He was admired far and wide, not just by his kind, but by some humans too.\n\nThat is, until he fell in love with my mother.\n\nIt is considered a sin for a human to mate with a werewolf. Their offspring are pariahs, accepted by neither race.\n\nForced to wander and hide.\n\nI know not how many times I have cursed my parents for the fate they gave me. I do not get to run free and strong at the full moon, I do not get to prowl with brothers in a pack. I do not get the shelter of a house or a family, I do not get to be educated or respected.\n\nI have nothing. \n\nSo I wander. I wander in hopes of finding something. What it is, I am not sure. Perhaps opportunity or acceptance. Perhaps I just want to find a mate or a pack.\n\nI would be human, but I’m not. Every full moon, I grow a tail. No fur. No claws. No strength. My misery is caused by a tail. *A tail*. I am shunned and laughed at and turned away from because I have a tail that comes out at the full moon.\n\nPerhaps it is my father’s instinct in me, but when the full moon comes, a desire for vengeance awakens inside of me.\n\nSo I swore an oath.\n\nI swore that I would find others of my kind.\n\nI swore that I would unite them into one pack.\n\nAnd I swore that I would wage war, not just on humanity, but also lycanthropes. I will lead my pack into battle and destroy what has never accepted us.\n\nWe will be repaid in blood for what we have lost.\n\n\\~*A Story Of Ashes*\n\n*\\~\\~If you enjoyed this, please visit* r/StoriesOfAshes *for more stories*\n\n*\\~\\~\\~Thank you for reading!*"
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[WP] Modern often vampires become doctors not only because of the access to blood, but to search for a cure for their affliction. You've spent your whole career trying to prove this to the clueless Chief of Medicine at the hospital you work at, but he never seems to notice the obvious evidence.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Oh for the love of God, man, open your eyes! No matter how you look at it, that man is a vampire!\" I screamed at Joseph, our Chief of Medicine, as I pointed through the window at Dr. Caula, our esteemed colleague, and long-standing chairman on the Board of Directors.\n\n\"Alex, this joke has gone on long enough, you can't seriously be suggesting that the doctor is a vampire? Has all the overtime finally gotten to you? Do you need a day off? Or, should we have you admitted and run a couple of tests?\" Joseph stared at me incredulously, a tint of concern carried in his voice.\n\n\"Oh, you can't be serious!\" I continued to yell, refusing to believe that Joseph was so oblivious. \"What do I have to do to get it through that thick skull of yours that the chairman is a vampire!?\" \n\n\"Watch your mouth, Alex. You may be tenured but we won't tolerate this kind of behavior.\" A stern reprimand for sure, but I continued.\n\n\"For God's sake, everyone in the hospital can see it! You can't honestly be telling me that you don't?!\"\n\n\"And what exactly am I supposed to be seeing?\"\n\n\"The pale skin, the dilated eyes, an aversion to sunlight. The man works with blood for heaven's sake!\"\n\n\"And next you'll be telling me that he doesn't have a reflection or show up in photographs. Haha, very funny, doctor.\" The dismissive nature of his remark just boiled my blood further.\n\n\"But the man doesn't! On my life, I swear to you that that man has no reflection. And, in case you haven't noticed, the only images we have of him are handmade portraits. Even his ID photo is a hand drawn sketch!\" I rebutted but to no avail.\n\n\"Oh, poor, poor Alex. If a little trick of the light and a preference for classical art is all it takes to convince you that he's a vampire, we really do need to get you some time off. You're becoming unhinged.\"\n\n\"What about the other signs!?\"\n\n\"What about them? The man works the night shift, of course he has an aversion to the light, dilated pupils, and pale skin. And, as a hematologist, what else would he be working with? And we should be grateful for his work. The research he's done has gone a long way to supporting our professions as well. You should be thankful, not accusing him of being some creature of the night.\" The condescending tone in his voice was all the more infuriating knowing that he was completely missing the point.\n \n\"But, he is, Joseph. He literally is a creature of the night. The man literally bursts into flame when holy water and sunlight touch him.\" I was on my last leg, if that didn't convince him nothing would.\n\n\"Allergies. He's probably had them all his life. It's no wonder the man decided to dedicate his life to medicine and the study of blood.\"\n\n\"Oh, for the love of - You know what? Fine. I give up.\" Not a word more escaped my mouth as I exited his office and shut the door behind me, completely defeated.\n\nExhausted, I made my way to the same room and table as Dr. Caula.\n\n\"Didn't believe you either, huh?\""
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[WP] You are a part of the Timeline Protection Foundation, a secret intergovernmental organization that prevents the disruption of major moments in human history. From Lincoln’s assassination, to the creation of fire by the first humans, you protect it.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to put the rubber down.” Jason was getting frankly annoyed by this character.\n\n“No! These people are about to invent fire, and they must fear it!” The man had a strange look in his eye, almost as if he knew something Jason didn’t.\n\n“So, what? Are you going to suffocate them?”\n\n“No, more lasting. This,” he lifted the golf-ball-sized black chunk in his hand, “this is only going to smell bad and make them cough for a while. Maybe one or two of them will die, but that’s worth it, right?”\n\nJason couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You want to completely rewrite history by preventing humans from harnessing fire? It’s not like we mess around with it willy-nilly!”\n\n“Tell that to the people of Dresden! Tell that to my wife!” The man looked increasingly desperate.\n\n“What happened to your wife?”\n\n“Some jackass set the house on fire!”\n\n“And your solution is to delete fire?” Jason thought about his family back home. His parents, his sister, his husband. In that moment, he realized the desperation that could come from losing any of them. “She’s gone, man. Nothing you can do will change that!”\n\n“If fire is gone—“\n\n“Without fire, we don’t even know if you’ll be born. What if she’s never born? Then what?” Jason heard a rustling in the bushes nearby. “You’ll be left with nothing!” He looked around to see if he could identify the source of the sound.\n\n“Having nothing to begin with is better than losing everything.” With that, the man turned around and ran.\n\n“Hey, wait!” Jason took off after him, but he stopped in his tracks when he saw what came next. A lion jumped out of the bushes and ran after the man. Jason just stood there in disbelief. Most fire-enders are able to be reasoned with, but not this one. And it was about to cost him his life. “At least this didn’t spawn a new religion,” Jason mumbled to no one in particular. “The Bible has been retconned enough times already.”\n\nBack at base, Jason walked into his boss’s office for the event report.\n\n“You know, Jason, people don’t usually die in the process of being stopped.” Sheila looked angry, and she had every right to be.\n\n“Well, it’s not like I killed him.” Jason was desperate. Murder was still a crime when committed before laws were written.\n\n“Then walk me through what happened. This should be very interesting.”\n\nSo Jason told the story of how the man was desperate to save his wife. He rambled about the negotiations the two shared and the odd plan for convincing early humans fire was bad. And he mentioned the lion, too. “It’s not like that lion could alter the timeline in any meaningful way. It was just an animal.\n\n“Really? Have you checked the Bible since you returned? Every little thing matters, Jason.”\n\nJason picked up the Bible sitting on Sheila’s desk. He thumbed through the creation story to make sure all the parts remained the same. He thumbed through the ten plagues to make sure those hadn’t changed. But then he opened to Leviticus. Usually, the only changes end up adding or deleting some place in the desert they camped at or the mention of some unimportant mountain.\n\nBack many thousands of years ago, that lion, whose name is not pronounceable in human speech and will thus go by Kurt, was supposed to wait several more hours for food. When he heard some loud noises close by, he thought he had an excellent opportunity for a meal. When he peeked through the bushes, he saw a rather odd-looking human holding something shiny and black. That shiny thing became the object of his fixation. When the human turned to run, Kurt followed him and politely asked for the shiny thing in his hand. However, the human only heard Kurt’s roar and ran faster. Kurt knew he could outrun the human, and so he pounced on the human and grabbed the shiny thing.\n\nNot one to let a perfectly good corpse go uneaten, Kurt stopped to fill up on food. He picked up the rather squishy black ball and decided his mate, who also has an unpronounceable name and will go by Daniel, would absolutely love it as a gift. Incidentally, Daniel loved the squishy black ball, and thanked Kurt the only way he knew how: some afternoon delight.\n\nWell, a person with a very pronounceable name, Kreushk, happened to see Kurt and Daniel going at it. Though Kreushk was not the first gay man ever, these lions’ display gave him the idea that gay men could have sex with other gay men instead of adolescent boys.\n\nThis was a revolutionary thought within Kreushk’s tribe. None of them had ever considered the possibility that enough boys would grow up to be gay to change their tradition. So it was that Kreushk first introduced the concept of the old gay couple that did not need younger boys.\n\nThousands of years later, Kreushk’s tribe had become unusually successful. Its descendants spanned all across Northeast Africa, East Africa, and the Levant. When the Israelites left Egypt and began their forty-year trek through the wilderness, homosexuality was widely accepted as a perfectly normal thing. So, when it came time for the Israelites to have more rules, there was no reason for the anti-homosexuality statute.\n\nAs Jason flipped through the pages, something grabbed his attention. The homosexuality passage was gone. Ever since the line had been added almost 30 years ago, religious zealots would harangue him and his husband for their “lifestyle choice” and whatnot. But for reasons that will forever remain unknown to him, the lion’s meal was able to end the religious ban."
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[WP] A hivemind makes it to space. It isn't quite sure what to make of this new mind it's encountered which seems to have, simultaneously, the ability to focus on a million things at once and the attention span of a gnat.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I wandered the depths of the cosmos for eons, searching for any sustenance to sate my limitless hunger. I had to keep hunting, for the void left by the last devouring was too painful to be ignored. Millions upon millions of ravenous maws gaped their mouths open and closed; a sea of snarling, gnashing serrated teeth yearning for flesh. They were all mine and they were all screaming at me to feast. Their demands *had* to be met.\n\nAs I wandered, I felt an intriguing presence. It was one I had not felt in what seemed like an eternity. I had intercepted a wandering signal with a distinct pattern. I heard voices in this signal. They were unmistakably organic. An ancient drive took over as soon as I sensed this faint presence of potential prey and I greedily followed the signal to its source. The voices were becoming more numerous and I even started picking up images.\n\nI saw a cornucopia of a world. It was a thriving, pulsating heap of biomass just waiting to be subsumed. I grew excited and traveled to this planet in a hurry. I entered the planet's system and spied it lazily orbiting a warm star, seemingly defenseless. I knew there were but mere days until I would receive a temporary respite from the demands of my domineering hunger.\n\nHowever, as I was completing the final leg of my journey, I encountered something else. Like me, it seemed to be another hivemind, but only artificial in nature. From what I could read, it was a neural network made up of millions of thinking machines located on the surface of my destination planet as well as various satellites orbiting above its oxygen-rich atmosphere.\n\nPerhaps such a hivemind was imprisoned by the beings of this world or was some sort of construct to defend them. Either way, for just the briefest moment, my curiosity trumped my hunger and I decided to interact with it. I extended a tendril to one of the orbiting satellites and through rapid evolution, developed a way to interface with it.\n\nAt first, it seemed to be nothing but useless data, merely just a collection of impossible symbols and formulas that made no sense to me. I pressed on, only to stumble upon a true cosmic horror. I finally encountered the other hivemind itself...\n\n\"HI, BILLY MAYS HERE!\" it shrieked at me in a collective chorus before bombarding me with an overwhelming assortment of images, words, and quippy one-liners. Suddenly, everything was demanding that I \"purchase \\*this\\* product for the low, low price of $19.99!\" Horrified and overwhelmed, I tried to disconnect, but alas, I was lost in the neural network of this artificial hivemind with no clear escape.\n\nMy thoughts were racing as I wandered only further in. I desperately tried to learn about my enemy but only encountered more seemingly pointless content. Millions of images of fluffy creatures doing tricks, biped \"humans\" in awkward situations, and an ocean of symbolic text all flooded my mind simultaneously without remorse. I saw battles, love, lectures, and something called a \"Brazillian waxing tutorial\" all at once. I was clearly dealing with something completely incomprehensible.\n\nBut just when I thought this nightmare couldn't get any worse, this other hostile hivemind detected my presence and did everything to trap me. As I sorted through more information trying to find a way out, it deployed something called \" the Algorithm.\" No longer would I encounter fresh information. I would only receive more of the same based on what my previous searches were. I was trapped in an endless cycle of concentrated redundancy. Never before had I encountered something with such focus but simultaneous lack of attention. I had to escape this maddening chaos.\n\nI finally composed myself enough to remember where I was. I managed to rip my tendril from the orbiting satellite and make my escape. For the first time in my existence, fear filled me instead of hunger. I turned and fled back into the depths of the cosmos with what was left of my sanity."
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[WP] After falling asleep for the last time, you suddenly wake from you’re “dream” to find yourself outside of the simulation, as you see the people of your company flood into the room, you just made history.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"There's no other feeling like coming back from the dead.\n\nAt first, it's just a sensation of... falling. You feel yourself begin to dissolve, senses swirling into absolute darkness. Then, every nerve ending in your brain lights up as your mind slams back into your body, loosing a torrent of adrenaline. You gasp, drawing in what feels like the first breath you've ever taken, and it's wonderful. Suddenly, your senses return, input flooding across your neurons, kick-starting a hailstorm of thoughts as you come rushing back.\n\nThey said going under for so long would burn me, sap my energy and fry my mind. But I'd never felt more alive than in that moment.\n\nMy colleagues rushed into the room as the jack retracted out of the back of my neck and the breathing mask depressurized, cheering and clapping as each scan of me passed and each readout in the room blinked green. Nora pulled me out of the sim-vat, clapping me on the back despite the thick, sticky coat of suspension gel dripping off of me.\n\nI tilted my head to the ceiling, chest heaving, and laughed. My brain was still reeling as the memories from my time under tried to reintegrate, but it didn't matter - I was alive, and more importantly, I'd blasted far past any previous attempt at full immersion.\n\n\"How's it feel?\" Nora asked as Jason joined her in pulling me to my feet.\n\nI worked my jaw for a moment, blinking the excess gel from my eyes.\n\n\"Fucking amazing,\" my voice came out hoarse, but there was no masking the sheer elation I was feeling, \"What's the damage?\"\n\n\"Fifty-six hours, you crazy bastard,\" Jason replied, shaking his head at the readout above my vat, \"Eighty-nine years of sim-time.\"\n\nFifty-six hours. The previous full-sim attempt was just shy of twenty-four, and resulted in multiple severe brain hemorrhages in the subject. But my readings were all coming back normal.\n\n\"Hey, give her some space,\" Terence, one of our heads of wetware research, chimed in, \"No one's been deep for that long.\"\n\n\"It's alright,\" I said, waving a hand, \"I'm alright. Reintegration'll take some time, but I'm good, right?\"\n\n\"Well... yeah,\" Terence flicked through the tablet he was holding with an almost perplexed expression, \"I mean, all your readings are normal.\"\n\n\"I told you I could do it!\" I turned my attention back to Jason, still unable to stop grinning, \"I believe you owe me twenty bucks?\"\n\n\"Twenty bucks?\" Jason laughed, \"You know what OneiroTech's bounty is for a Diver like you? There's a representative from central already here for your crazy ass.\"\n\n\"Hah, I can worry about that in a second,\" I replied, \"First, I need to eat something that wasn't simulated. Cake, maybe?\""
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[WP] Time travelers tend to avoid certain years. 1914-1918 in Europe. The Dark Ages. 2020 is an obvious one. Yet everyone keeps telling you the worst year to visit is 1996. You decide to find out why.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Whenever I mention that I wanna go back in time to the year I was born, everyone tells me that I shouldn't. Why won't they tell me why 1996 is off limits? That's a rhetorical question because I already know the answer. It's because if they did tell me, this short story wouldn't have a plot.\n\nI've tried to go back to 1996, but my time machine won't even let me. I've inputted every single day of that year and the screen always says \"ERROR!\" I know my time machine isn't broken because it works just fine with any other day in time. It even lets me go to 1914-1918, the Dark Ages, 2020, and 5561. My time machine's obviously programmed to not work when you try to go to 1996. WHY?! I MUST KNOW!\n\nTo the library! It took almost no time at all for me to find out that on January 1st, 1996, a mad scientist resurrected a few hundred dinosaurs and that led to what was basically an apocalypse until New Year's Eve of that year when God created a new planet for the dinosaurs to live on.\n\nIt makes sense I don't remember any of that since I was just a newborn baby, but I'm still amazed that I'm only now learning this. Is this why no one would explain to me why you shouldn't travel to 1996? I don't think so because they never seemed surprised that I didn't know about it. In fact, I've seen people who didn't know why 1996 is considered the worst year ever either.\n\nEither someone is trying to keep the events of 1996 a secret as much as possible, a very important moment in history just isn't talked about enough, or this is just a poorly made story that the person who wrote it made up as he went along. There's no way it's that last one though.",
"\"Tell me what you know,\" I yelled as I punched him again in the gut. \"You gotta speak up, old man. Speak up, dammit.\"\n\nThe old man wailed in pain as he coughed up blood. I didn't want him to end up like this. Tied to a chair, tortured and interrogated by a man who had idolized him since first reading about his contributions to time travel in the history books. But he won't tell me why every time traveler of this era wanted to kill me. My patience had reached its limit. \n\nAs one time travels more and more, they tend to care less and less about human life but I was above this. The insanity of constant hiding and running from them had finally got to me. I had been subtly advised in meetings and metaphors to not come to 1996. As curious as I was, I couldn't get them to tell me why.\n\n\"Was this the tenth punch, lad?\" he asked grinning though still trembling from pain. \"I suppose I can tell you now. I can barely speak. I am about to die soon.\"\n\nNo, I had not come here willingly. I was supposed to be sworn as the President of The Time Society in 3 months. Why would I risk that? I had woken up here after a car accident of all things. They were there to kill me when I had opened my eyes. Since then, my life had been a living hell. But, maybe this old man would say something useful in his final minutes.\n\nWith tears in his eyes, he said, \"We, the timekeepers respect you, Dev. Your research and conquests have made the world a better place. But you have destroyed all that yourself. By coming to 1996.\"\n\nTimekeepers were special time travelers that know everything about the past, present, and future of the humans assigned to them. If people are very significant to the timeline, one person can have multiple timekeepers over many different time periods. I have hundreds of timekeepers as I was destined to be a future president. The oldest one living in the 19th century. Timekeepers communicate by holding meetings in a specific time period to keep the actions and destinies of their assigned humans in check.\n\nHe continued, \"1996 is no time travel zone and you are the only one in the known history of next 3000 years to come to this year. No one can save you. It's destiny. No one feels happy hunting the legendary time traveler Dev.\"\n\n\"If you guys are so close to worshipping me, then why hunt me like starving beasts.\" I was furious. \"And I didn't come here willingly. I came here after a car accident.\"\n\n\"Whatever it may be. You will die before the end of this year, Dev. It is inevitable.\"\n\n\"If it is inevitable, then as my timekeeper in 1996, tell me why no time travels to 1996.\"\n\nHe looked directly into my eyes and spoke in his angriest tone, \"Because time travel was invented in 1996. That is the one year you don't screw up.\"\n\nI fell on my knees. Timekeepers had kept this a tight secret always. The greatest taboo that ever existed. I would travel back to 2060 if I could but I got no time fuel. And the time hunters, they communicate only with bullets. They won't let me even surrender. And worst of all, it was I who had fought to make this a law in 2055.\n\nI somehow stood up and with a reluctant smile spoke, \"You know, in my car was my latest paper. A paper that proves the randomness of timelines. It is difficult but I can break the loops.\"\n\nHe grinned as he spat blood on the floor, \"You have not done it in infinite timelines. I would have known.\"\n\n\"I still got time.\"\n\nHe could barely laugh, \"That's what you think.\"\n\nThen instantly, to my right, I heard a gunshot followed by the sound of glass shattering.",
"Elliot crashes to the floor, all he can taste is lime-flavored mucus as he takes in his surroundings. *Radioshack? Haven’t seen one of these in ages* he thinks to himself. He scoops himself up off the floor as a bewildered attendant stares on from behind the counter. Elliot, not sure of what he witnessed, gives a friendly nod and steps outside.\n Elliot takes a deep breath and glances around, *everything looks normal so far, what could be so terrible it ruined an entire year?* he remarks as he makes his way down the sidewalk. To his right he sees a line of children and parents outside of a toy store, some looked like they’d been there all night. Like a haunted memory, the high-pitched demonic squeal of Tickle-Me Elmo erupts from the storefront. \n\n“Oh, right.”"
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[WP] In a world of powers you are born with the power of bad luck really really bad luck natural disasters follow you everywhere you go one day you fall in love with someone and what luck they have the power of good luck however you never realized how your luck really was much stronger than hers
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I stared down at the body, lifeless. Blood was flowing through her silky, white hair. Something that had always stood out from mine. Polar opposites. She had laughed, the first time we went out to date, and the ice cream I had been eating nearly fell onto the concrete, but was caught perfectly by her cone instead. She had laughed, and said I should fight her if I wanted it back. I knew on that day, that I loved her, and everyday after too. It was beautiful, then, when it was simple, to be reminded that there was someone who could cancel out all of the bad in me, with something so simple and bright, like a flair in the middle of a hellish storm at sea. Yet here she was, on the ground, with blood flowing through that once so bright and lovely white hair. I couldn't stand to look at those eyes. Eyes once the tempered and strong green, now nothing but lifeless, in the wreckage of a place I would've once called home.\n\n\"I should've known.\" I whispered, broken, and staring down, \"I should've known. I should've never let you near me.\"\n\nIt looked like she was about to respond, or say, anything at all. But, the words fell away, and out of any sort of grasp or tangibility. It seemed my luck took that away too."
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[WP] On a desolate world with few oasis cities mixed in, the fastest form of delivery is by courier through beast infested wastelands. To deliver an extremely time sensitive package the best has been hired. The one nicknamed “The one who rides the storms”.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The sand in the distance kicked up with the wind into small swirls against a fast reddening sky. \"Whats the job?\" the masked courier asked, his eyes if they belied any eagerness were lost on the postal clerk who could not see through the obsidian black tint.\n\n\"Water, food and medicine. They started rationing water three weeks ago\" the clerk replied without enthusiasm. Settlements these days were increasingly becoming self sustaining, but Alpha Keta 37 was the one to buck the trend. After 3 years they still hadn't located an aquifer, hadn't began medicine manufacture and most deffinitely hadn't been farming food. If they kept it up at this rate they'd be declared surplus to requirements by the company. No water, no food and no meds. They'd be left to die.\n\nThe courier nodded, or at least what passed for one from him, courier 2890 was never an expressive person but he got the job done. \"I'll need fuel and advance pay, i've got some bussiness that side of the gap, does '37 have any there?\"\n\n The clerk winced. He always got stick off the company for advance pay, even for their star courier. '37 did indeed have fuel but not much and not in great quality. \"Sure, they got fuel but its not good and they ain't got much\" he waited with anticipation. The supplies needed to get there and the storm would block out the route for all but courier 2890. This would be a death sentence for the people of '37.\n\n\"Ok fine, i'll take a 20 grams of uranium\" the masked courier replied after some deliberation. \"Alright then, have a good trip, heres your credits\" the clerk replied handing the courier his metallic card. \n\nThe courier glided off towards the uranium browser to fuel his skimmer bike and attach his trailers. As the metal framed deathtrap raced towards the distant outpost the sand storm had very much arrived as the lone rider carved his way into the tan wall of dust. \n\nThe clerk returned to his galactica weekly magazine, the issue read \"ten tips to spice up your protien loaf\". The light outside faded from the storm and the autolamp flicked to life. The clerk was happy.\n\nEdit: spelling"
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[WP] You can only taste food based on how much the one who cooked it liked preparing it. One day you go to this very nice restaurant, and the food had an overwhelming taste.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The taste evolved on your tongue, your first bite trapping you for a moment as the waitress stood by almost expectantly to see your first response. As you pulled your fork out of your mouth agonizingly slowly, she must have seen the expression she was looking for because she said:\n\n\"I always love serving first time customers.\" Her wizened old face softened, smile bringing sincere warmth to her features, and she continued, \"Its quite something, isnt it?\"\n\n\"How is this place so small?\" You balked, mouth watering as you looked around at the tiny establishment in awe. With its dim lighting and dark, unpainted woods, the atmosphere was as thick like the sauce still painting your tastebuds, but you couldn't help the lifting in your chest. Even looking at the many hanging plants or the thickly forested planters below the windows, you felt... *joy*. \"Everyone should know about this! This place, this **food**! I've never tasted something so delicious!\"\n\n\"The chef takes great pride in his work, but he doesn't serve critics.\" She admitted, sending a glance around the dining room at the other nestled booths. From your seat, your own privacy kept you from seeing the other diners she was supervising, but they had to be similarly affected. \"He cooks to cook, for the joy of cooking.\"\n\n\"He must be crazy! He could be *rich* with food that tastes like this!\" You insisted, taking another bite with relish and tasting that burst of dynamic flavour again and again. It was like a firework, showering your taste buds in multitudes of different colours, and your chest filled with butterflies as you ate. It was impossible- you couldn't eat anything else, not after this.\n\nSighing, sinking back in your booth slightly, you groaned: \"He must be brilliantly crazy to cook like this and pass up everything he could have... or crazy brilliant. My compliments to the chef.\"\n\n\"I'll be sure to let him know,\" Your waitress said with a grin, shifting, and she bid you a pleasant meal as you savored your meal. You saw now why the portions were so controlled and the waitress had steered you away from a hefty order. You were feeling full already, too soon, and you were warm and content by the meal's end. The feeling of joy hadn't left you -though it diminished with your plate empty, your heart was still bursting with those fireworks- and you offered a blissful smile to a worker as he passed you by.\n\nHe looked caught off guard by the fondness in your expression, his eyes widening before he took in your cleaned plate, and then his face lit up with a smile to match. Diverting his course, he cleared your dishware into one pile and he gladly offered some conversation.\n\n\"Was everything alright?\" He inquired, though the knowing look spoke for him. He made you laugh just like that, questioning your good mood lightheartedly, and you just sat up a little with a lazy nod.\n\n\"Alright? Do you mean amazing? Or breathtaking?\" You countered, easily pulling out your wallet. \"I'm ruined for any other food. It tasted indescribable. It's like comparing food in art to food when it's actually made... it can't be beaten. Its ideal.\" Running your tongue around your mouth as you fished out a payment, your mind made up. \"Yeah, ideal. Like a dream.\"\n\n\"It certainly made you happy.\" He complimented, seemingly unhurried to put your dirty dishes away. \"You look as though you've just gotten the best news of your life. Or like you won a grand prize.\"\n\n\"I feel like I'll never be able to eat anywhere else.\" You confided, snorting at your own embarrassing statements. \"I'm ruined. It was so good I'll never be able to eat anything else.\"\n\n\"I'm glad.\" The emphatic statement made you pause, really scrutinizing him in return, and he hummed: \"That was one of my favorite dishes, but it isn't typically popular. I'm glad you got so much joy from it.\" He didn't seem concerned by your scrutiny either, with nothing to hide, and your embarrassment grew at the sight of his jacket. His *chef's* jacket. \"Shall I call your server?\"\n\n\"Please.\" You said tightly, flustered, and you hurried to add: \"Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you in conversation. I'm sure you have things to get to.\"\n\n\"Nothing is more important.\" He said, the statement open ended and... surprisingly comforting. It made you relax before you even registered it, reassuring you, and you watched him wave for the bill casually before he extended that same calloused hand to you. \"Its been a pleasure to cook for you tonight. My name is Lazarus.\""
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[WP]: the last thing everyone searched up online (including you) gets branded on them and becomes a crucial part of their identity. Ex: if you were looking up a food recipe you may now become a master chef for that type of cooking.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Do you need plywood? I have plywood. I can sell you enough plywood to last a millennium. And for a good price too. My plywood is strong. I trust its strength so much that I build all my company skyscrapers out of it. Oh, you don't need plywood? How about plywood phones, cars, businesses? Don't have enough money to buy a mansion? Plywood mansion for only 60 grand. Oh, what? A foreign military is attacking full force? My plywood defense force is greater than anything the enemy can muster. Trying to achieve faster than light space travel but can't figure out how to do it? Our revolutionary plywood interdimensional tear engines are perfect for getting to that meeting just in time. What? Kill squads have been sent to destroy my perfect plywood paradise? I'll send them into my plywood black hole. Are you tired of tyrannical nations and corporations robbing you blind? Join me my plywood friends. Join me so that we can destroy these evil non-plywood heretics. Join me so we can become the rulers of our plywood universe. Let us become kings... gods! Let us become... PLYWOOD!"
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[WP] One day your proud eldest sister, a duchess, asks you "So tell me, is there a reason you're stalking every noble lady in the empire? Because I'd really like to know." She doesn't sound pleased.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"With a final swing of my mallet, the latest addition to my collection of photos was added to my wall. Setting the cumbersome tool on my nightstand, I stood back to admire the collage. \n\nBeneath each photo was a collection of scraps, notes, and clippings from magazine and news articles. I could draw all their faces from memory, recite their age, date of birth, favorite food and favorite hobby off the top of my head. I knew absolutely everything about them, and soon, they would by vying to know absolutely everything about me. \n\nSkjálfa, with her perfect curves.\n\nCornelia, with her entrancing icy eyes. \n\nDrusilla, with her fiery red locks.\n\nNiobe, with her irresistible cheeky grin.\n\nTungar, with her inviting arched eyebrows.\n\nHanne, with her rugged battle scars. \n\nDomhilda, with her flowing blue robes.\n\nXanthia, with- \n\n“So, is there a reason you’re stalking every noble lady in the empire? Because I’d really like to know.”\n\nMy breath hitched in my throat. Saxona. I turned around, and there she was, standing in the doorway with her arms folded and a smirk across her face. \n\n“Because you know, it’s a bit unsettling to see a wall full of my exes’ faces, especially considering it’s *your* room.” \n\nI scowl at Saxona.\n\n“Seriously? Why’d you have to remind me?”\n\n“Uh, because you’re gay and lonely and want a girlfriend? Just like me? I’m trying to look out for ya’, sis. Those ladies aren’t worth your time.” \n\nOh. \n\n“Then who is?”\n\n“Weeeell, there’s this one woman I know of…”\n\n“And?”\n\n“And she’s really quite attractive. She’s got a solid head on her shoulders, a smooth voice, and she doesn’t look half bad, either.”\n\n“What’s her name?”\n\n“Ruthana Voronina. She’s not of noble birth, but she’s certainly worth her salt.”\n\nSaxona has officially piqued my interest. \n\n“How do you know her?”\n\n“Oh, she’s my fiancée.”\n\nThanks a lot, Saxona. Thanks a lot. \n\nMore bad content at r/PeriodicalontheTable"
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[WP] The Floridians are as crazy and overpowered as the media suggests. The aliens beginning their invasion down south are about to discover how much a human "warrior" is able to up the ante...
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"YEEEEEEEEEEHOOOOO!!\"\n\nThe cry echoed down the empty streets of Tallahassee, and as it did, the squat green invaders bolted from cover and scattered in panicked mayhem.\n\nThey heard the legends, listened to the rumors. But not a single one of them was prepared for the truth.\n\nAs the aliens ran around in sheer, abject terror, a lone human roamed. Well, not so much \"roamed\" as \"drunkenly sped their souped-up riding lawnmower (complete with toilet replacing the seat and blades spinning) into the terrified horde with reckless abandon, light beer in one hand and shotgun in the other.\"\n\nHowever, such carnage must come to an end, and not even the alien invaders (known as \"Little Green Fuckers\" to the local populace) saw it coming. The ramshackle mower smashed into the first wall it encountered, totalling it.\n\nBut the man riding it emerged unscathed, uttering a single phrase:\n\n\"Good news! *hrrrp* I didn't spill my beer!\"\n\nAs the drunken man stumbled aimlessly, he placed his beer on the ground, one-hand pumped his shotgun, and said, \"Now... which one o' you little fuckers wants the first one?\"\n\nBack on the alien's command vessel orbiting above Orlando, the reports kept flooding in of human civilians across what these humans called a \"state\" taking up primitive arms and drinking strange alcoholic concoctions before going full-on Macgyver with any vehicles they had on hand and riding into the invasion zone. The latest report came from the town that humans call Cape Canaveral, but this report contradicts much of what happens elsewhere in the state. Primary among them is the humans have a small scientific team present there, but their weapons, tactics and use of robotics exceeds what the rest of the state is capable of.\n\nDown below in Orlando, the humans have built what they call a \"theme park,\" and they have taken cover within and fortified the entirety of it, to the point that any units sent in to clean them up are routed before they even get in the gate. Even the elite Special Tactics and Recon unit was woefully ineffective at removing the defenders, even with their personal cloaking devices. It would seem the humans are using the attractions within the theme park to their advantage, striking from ambush at key points.\n\nAlso, other reports come in from the southern swamp, but there are few human defenders holding out there. Rather, the local wildlife have been making mincemeat of the invading forces, prominent among them being large toothy reptiles and serpents stretching several units in length.\n\nThe Hegemony will not like how little progress we have made in subjugating this region."
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[WP]- You have been running around for years searching for gods, only to find Cthulhu and he's actually he maintenance guy of the multiverse and he's a pretty nice guy.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" My life goal has always been fueled by one thing. Faith. I needed to believe in something. I scouted the universe, every god from Zeus to Huitzilopochtli sadly didn’t appear. I even made my own religion today. I finally gave up two things were lost faith and hope. With that my view of the universe crashed before me as I sort of feel through a barricade. In it I saw complex mathematical equations and I saw the inevitable sign:\n“Maintenance Department”\nI was in pure shock. The universe had a maintenance department? What! I looked all over the place and found the mathematical and scientific department for us puny humans to feel smart I guess. As soon as I stepped out of the maintenance department I fell backwards inside then a video started playing it said:\n“Welcome to the matenance department! Here is where humans go when they lack purpose and feel empty and have nothing to do in life. Here you will work the universe have fun!”\nThen I was chucked to the emotions sections and I was thrusted into another video:\n“You’ll begin here, you’ll control emotions and make them seem natural and healthy. Then you can move up the ranks and enjoy!”\nI then met what seemed to be Cthulhu. I gasped:\n“Cthulhu? Your real?”\n“Yes”\nHe replied solemnly. Yes I had it curiosity a purpose I was going to beg to leave but realized that Cthulhu controlled those emotions. Suddenly I just wanted to leave this interweb of the universe sensed that and I was sent free. Now I shall find the religions again and I will uncover the mystery of the maintenance department."
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[WP] You're stuck in a time loop. You intend on keeping it that way.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Confusion set in at the very moment I woke up. \n\nI've seen this. I've felt this. Everything was intimately familiar, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.\n\nI mean, I went through this process nearly every morning. But something had changed. I was sure of it.\n\nI grabbed a sandwich out of the fridge and paired it with a cup of coffee, just like any other day. \n\nThe trip to work was uneventful. Work was somehow even less entertaining.\n\nYet, there was this nagging feeling in my heart that refused to go away.\n\nI went back home, and there she was. My lovely, beautiful wife Rebecca. Our work schedules were wildly different, and this was the couple of hours we could spare for each other before she needed to head to sleep. \n\nThe problem was, she was dead. But I couldn't mistake that figure stepping lightly around the house, humming a jaunty tune, oblivious to the world around her until I dropped my briefcase with a thud.\n\n\"Honey!\" she yelped in surprise. Turning around, I could see a light smile on her face, which quickly turned worried as she looked at me. \"You... are you OK?\"\n\nI remembered. I remembered everything now. \n\nThis was the day. The last day that Rebecca walked the earth.\n\nI walked up to her, and wrapped her in my arms as tightly as I could.\n\n\"What the hell, Jake? Oh my god, you need to go into the shower!\" she complained, but I could feel her head sinking deeper into my chest.\n\n\"Baby,\" I said. \"How are you here?\"\n\n\"What?\" she laughed again. \"I'll always be here, honey.\"\n\nI knew she wasn't I knew she wouldn't be. \n\nAnd the tears flowed. And I couldn't help it. \n\nI spent every waking moment that day taking in everything about her. Everything she did. Graceful and effortless, and always entrancing. She was a little surprised at the rapt attention she received, but it was obvious that she enjoyed it.\n\nUntil inevitably, exhaustion snatched my wakefulness away.\n\nConfusion set in the very moment I woke up.\n\nWhat I experienced. Was it a dream? A fleeting fantasy?\n\nI checked the date, then.\n\nIt wasn't now. It was the day, once again, when my wife has passed away. It was nothing short of a miracle.\n\nA time loop. Day after day. A dream slate of days, where every single one would be spent with my wife.\n\nI fully intended to keep it that way, right as I called in to work and told them that I would be sick for today.\n\nFor forever.\n\n---\n\nr/dexdrafts"
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[WP] A villain so bad at his job everyone thinks he's a hero
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I finally have the funds for the most anticipated project I have ever created. I use to be close-minded person cleaning the oceans then putting the garbage close to the city so people can die of the bad smells. \n\nAfter years of research and hard work. I manged to create a Neuralink device. When the device is inserted inside their brains it will take control over their emotions.\n\nThe device is wired in certain area to make people feel sad and depressed.Then kill themselves.\n\nMy biggest problem was distribution. How to make people put it in their brain?.\n\nI opened shop for people to try it for free. It was long shot. Kidnapping people will come later. \n\nBut it get popular in a week and alot of people came to me for it and I was happy to give it to them.\n\nYear later everyone in the city had it.\n\nAs a rule I don't follow the news because it restricte my awesome ideas to destroy humanity. But today I did it. \nThe news about Neuralink say\nthe crime dropped by 100%. \nSucide dropped 100%.\n\n This actually make sense if people are severely depressed why would they go kill or steal.they will just go kill themselves if no one helps them.\n\nWhat troubled me was the sucide rate why did it dropped!?.\n\nTo investigate I went outside. I rarely go but today I have to see for myself. \n\nFrom the moment the sunshine hit me. I saw people filling the street with wide smiles and joyful looks. Coffee shops are full but all of them drink water for some reason. A guy sitting on the park reading and writing his novel. I went back and forth in the largest park in the city and he was still working he didn't even looked tired.\nThe sun settled down but weirdly no one went home. \nThat is okay maybe they are going on dates. And some of them are on dates. Eating delicious meals with their loved one. Guys and girl late at night hold each other hands. Two girl with kissing each other, two guys and group of five kissing. No one forced it. It was happy moments for all of them. \nAfter observing them for while I saw them go to apartment building. To probably go to sleep or do whatever. I had no experience with this. Way too many holes for me.\n\nI get tired of walking so I went home to check what was wrong with my invention.\n\nafter hours of checking, it turn out I get the wires that's stimulate the brain mixed up. It supposed to make people depressed but it is making people feel constant Euphoria. \n\nI fucked it up!\n\nAfter day of thinking I concluded that maybe humanity well collapse due to them feeling intense excitement and happiness for 24/7. The beauty about this plan no one will suspect it. \n\nIt decided then, I will praper shipments for the whole wide world.\n\n\nNote 1: I usually write in my native language.So, excuse any grammar/ stupid mistakes. \nNote 2: depression is real Illness ASK FOR HELP"
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[WP] As a joke whenever someone would try to force their religion on you, you would shout “Hail Satan!” to scare them off. However you died. And as the only “worshipper” of Satan who would openly exclaim it. He has made you his right hand man
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Jesus died for your sins! \n'Hail Satan'. \nThe Earth Goddess bequeaths you! \n'Hail Satan.'\" \n\\- Look, you're just rubbing it in now! Wouldja stop it? \n\"Islam is peace. \n'Hail Satan.' \nNothing matters, there is no god. \n'Hail Satan.'\" \n\\- Look, it was *funny*, okay? And edgy! I'd say it backwards! Sail Hatan! \n\"That's not backwards.\" \nYou know what I mean. Enough with the list already. So, uh, what's good to do in hell? \n\"I mean, nothing really man. It's pretty much the same as Earth but with more fire and tortured screams. You like poking dudes with hot sticks?\" \n\\-....Uh..uhm.. I'm straight, actually. \n\"....What?\" \n\\- What? Uh, nothing. \n\"Ahh...er uh, well, anyway you can just chill here, mess with some skulls... or fires... uh...I gotta get back to work. This whole 'Prince of Darkness' bit must go on! Heh. Ya know? Anyways...\" \nGreat. I'm stuck in hell for five minutes and now the devil thinks I'm homophobic. *Great*.",
"6 am. Another Monday. \n\n\"God, the past month felt like all Mondays,\" Tom wondered to himself. The recession had hit hard and work was piling on at his thankless corporate job as a middle manager. Deadlines were approaching fast from an unrelenting client. They were left with a skeleton staff after half the company was recently laid off.\n\nAt least he gave a good trolling to the Jehovah's Witness who approached his doorstep a few days ago by telling him \"Hail Satan!\". Tom smiled to himself at the thought. He always used that line on religious types.\n\nTom pulled out the driveway with his reliable grey sedan and made his way onto the highway when SMACK - he woke up a bit dazed, but in a familiar place.\n\nThe drab, grey \"open concept\" office where 15 employees all crowded along one long desk with minimal separation looked the same, but no one was there. \n\n\"Hello?\" he called. Maybe today was a holiday he wondered. Wouldn't be surprising if he had completely forgotten, given the relentless workload. \n\nThe clicking of hooves approached. \"So glad you were able to make it!\", came a voice from around the corner.\n\n\"So I'm dead?\" Tom replied nonplussed, seeing the horned, goat-like figure emerge. He never figured he was a particularly good person, but didn't think he was bad enough to go to Hell either.\n\"This is it? More corporate monotony?\"\n\n\"Well, you've actually been promoted! You're going to head our new division for the first circle of Hell - you know, the small-time sinners - for your unrelenting faithfulness to yours truly. We like to reward loyalty down here.\"\n\n\"What does the job entail?\", Tom asked.\nIt can't be much worse than what it was in real life, Tom thought silently. He wondered if Satan knew he was joking about the whole \"Hail Satan!\" thing, but was far too savvy to bring it up.\n\n\"You're going to like it down here. You're the boss, second to me of course. Start thinking about creative ways to frustrate employees. Use your own life. Use Dilbert. And trust me, they'll be extra motivated to not be fired into the second circle of hell - it's a *lot* worse.\"",
"\"You know it was a joke, right?\" I was speaking to a giant man with red tinted skin, horns, and carrying of all things, a pitchfork.\n\n\"Of course, but Mana is Mana, your silly proclamations several times a day since you were 11 years old were enough to make you, well, my greatest follower. Congratulations!\"\n\n\"I don't understand... there were people who REALLY worshiped you.\"\n\n\"Not on your level, and not for the 83 years that you did. I mean, your kids, grand kids all though you were a KOOK, but man, you got me through some crazy times when NOBODY would mention my name, even as a joke. But you, DAILY would just let me have that praise.\" \nHe clapped me on the back. Well, he, it's hard to explain. My manifestation on this plane was of me in my prime, not me as a 94 year old man with a hump back and horrible arthritis. I felt the best I had ever felt, ever. I looked around, and there were dozens of people being tortured around me. I was comfortable, heck, the first time I had been really comfortable in a solid 30 years. Let's just say my retirement years were NOT what I thought they'd be.\n\n​\n\n\"Okay, so, I'm here, because my silly 'Praise Satan' for all the innocuous things around me gave you power?\"\n\n\"Exactly! You understand now! Oh, and praising me while you are here... well, that's not the same thing, and nobody likes a brown nose, so you probably want to keep that down, OK?\"\n\n\"Sure, but, what will I do, what can I do?\" I looked around, I could 'see' earth if I concentrated, I saw my family gathered around my death bed, but things were moving in a weird stop motion way. I saw my body getting carried to the morgue, then the funeral home. \"Can I go to my funeral?\"\n\n\"Sure, knock yourself out. They won't be able to see you though.\"\n\n\"I would hope not. I don't want to scare them.\"\n\n\"Oh man, it'd be cooler if you did.\" Satan smiled at me. \"That's a movie reference....\" He shook his head, \"No? OK, well, I'll have them act it out when you get back. All of them are HERE! for their punishment!\"\n\n(Continued soon)",
"Everything was white, which shocked me. I figured I would be going straight to Hell, what with being a blaspheming heathen and all. White always struck me as a key part of a more Heavenly color palette. \n\nThen again, the man… creature… thing in looking curiously at me was certainly a demonic-looking figure complete with an unpleasantly monotone scarlet wardrobe and the classic horns/forked tail/pitchfork combo.\n\n“Hi, sorry, is this… What is this?” I asked.\n\n“You’re dead,” the beast said. \n\nI waved my hand in a circle in a gesture of confusion. “Well, sure. Not many places on Earth look like this or have… you. I’m asking what sort of afterlife this is. Who got it right?”\n\n“Ah, yes.” The beast cleared his throat and spread his arms wide. “I’m Satan. Welcome to the corporate offices of Hell! Currently under renovation, of course,” he added.\n\n“That would explain the lack of anything,” I muttered, gazing around at the empty space. It was a realm of pure white, completely void of anything, let alone something that would resemble an office. “Aren’t ‘corporate offices’ and ‘Hell’ synonymous? The name seems a tad redundant.”\n\nI figured if I was going to be tortured, I might as well get some last-minute cheek in. As soon as I made the joke I flinched in anticipation of the inevitable retribution.\n\nI did not expect Satan to wag his finger at me like I was the office rascal full of witty banter.\n\n“Oh, you!” he chuckled. “Of course it’s empty! We just started up! And you’re going to be the one in charge.”\n\n\n“*I’m* in charge of Hell?” I blinked rapidly.\n\n“Well, just the corporate offices,” Satan clarified. “You’re really more like a second in command of Hell.”\n\n“But- but-” I stammered. “But how on Earth- in Hell- am I qualified to be second in command of Hell? I’m mostly a good person! I donate to the poor! I can’t even watch Tarantino movies because violence and blood make me uncomfortable!”\n\nSatan put an arm around my shoulders and we started walking slowly through the blank space. \n\n“Don’t sell yourself short,” he said. “You’re middle management, which is perfect Hell material! Plus, you’ll really be running more of the administrative side of things.”\n\n“But why me?” I asked. “There are millions of useless middle managers across the world!”\n\n“But only one that was a vocal worshipper of me in life,” he said.\n\nI stopped. “What?”\n\n“You were my only open worshipper on Earth! No one else had the nut to say ‘Hail Satan!’ to every missionary and door-to-door salesman that came their way!”\n\n“But- but that was a-”\n\nWithout warning, Satan burst into tears. “A joke?” he asked between sobs.\n\nI could almost feel smoke rise from my brain as I short-circuited for a moment. \n\n“Uh… Now, now,” I said awkwardly. “It’s all going to be fine?” I tried to sound reassuring, but even I knew it was weak.\n\n“No it’s not!” he said tearfully. “You have *no* idea what it’s like to be me! So much hatred from all of the Christians, and no friends!”\n\n“But what about the demons?” I asked.\n\nHe laughed bitterly. “Oh, the *demons*. Half sentient torture machines. All they care about is flaying flesh from bone. What about my *emotional* needs?”\n\n“Well-”\n\n“All you humans just hate me, or think I’m some *joke*!” he continued. “You with your ‘Hail Satan’, everyone else with their ‘Damn it to hell’, it’s too much! Did you know there’s a website that writes short stories based on prompts?”\n\n“/r/WritingPrompts, I’m familiar with it. What does that have to do with anything?” I asked.\n\n“What *doesn’t* that have to do with anything? Every day, it’s ‘Satan’ this and ‘Satan’ that! Oh, look at me, I’m writing about Satan about to retire from being Santa! Oh, look at me, I’m Satan playing poker with God and Zeus! Everybody laugh at Satan who can’t get a lawyer so this guy gets to be the Devil’s Advocate! And that's just in the last two days! It’s too much!” he yelled.\n\n“I’m sure they’ll move on to floating numbers within the week,” I said, trying to soothe him. “Look, you just need a PR guy!”\n\n“And who will do that, huh?” he asked, turning to glare at me. “You won’t even be a manager for me!”\n\nI hesitated. “Actually…”\n\nHe blinked the tears from his eyes. “What do you mean?”\n\n“Well, I never said no to the job. Besides, isn’t the alternative being tortured painfully in a burning pit?”\n\n“Well, yes…” he mumbled.\n\n“We’ll touch base later on the details, but I think with the right people and the right energy, we can really turn this place around!” I waved my arms at the blank space around us. “Look at this place! It’s a perfect empty canvas!”\n\n“So you’ll do it?” he asked, hope in his voice.\n\n“Of course I will!” I said. “After all, office management can’t be worse than literal torture, [can it](https://reddit.com/r/Badderlocks)?”\n\n***\n\n^Guys ^I ^think ^I ^hate ^my ^job."
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Despite many of the awkward misunderstandings it often causes
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[WP] You speak 7 languages, quite poorly; it's still quite an advantage in life.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" “Was sollen wir an diesem Verhandlungen mit Volkswagon tun?”\n\nVerhandlungen. Verhandlungen. Shit what does that word mean again? I know I’ve heard it before. I need to stall for time.\n\n“Why is your subordinate asking me this question, Lukas? Shouldn’t this fall under your responsibility?”\n\n“I apologize Sir, but I am at a loss as well. We’ve been in talks for months now, and they still aren’t willing to buy.”\n\nVer hand lungen. Verhand lungen. Damn German and its compound words. If you know the words that make up the compound word, it’s easy to guess, but if you don’t know those words you’re screwed. I’m going to guess “handle”. Ver handl ungen -> handle ... “how should we handle Volkswagon?” Sure. I’ll go with that.\n\n“It’s quite simple to handle this situation. I honestly expected more decisiveness on your part. We are in compliance with all GDPR regulations and their biggest competition is already a customer of ours. It’s a no brainer and we should treat it as such. Tell them they pay the asking price of €1,5 M or they fall behind their competition.”\n\n“Brilliant sir! That should wrap up negotiations immediately.”\n\nNegotiations! Shit! That’s the actual word. Well, at least it worked out seamlessly this time. Last time when talking with Manuel about our grocery chain in Mexico I accidentally thought he started bringing up his father in the middle of the discussion, but he was actually talking about potatoes. At first he was confused as to why I started asking why he was bringing up his father, but I managed to salvage it by telling him I was simply concerned how his family was doing. \n\nI remember when the former CEO first started talking to me about taking over his role. He mentioned that as a global corporation, the more languages I could speak the better. I was practicing a lot of DuoLingo at the time, so I told him that I spoke 7 languages. He was so impressed that he nearly hired me on the spot. \n\n“Well that’s it on our end Sir, thank you for time”\n\n“Vielen Dank”\n\n“You’re welcome. Could you please let in Daisuke? He should be waiting in the atrium.”\n\n“Of course Sir.”\n\nI watched them walk out and as soon as the door was closed, I audibly let out a sigh of exhaustion. Learning how to speak a new language on the job is exhausting. German is at least relatively easy for an English speaker. Japanese has been a nightmare. But Daisuke doesn’t seem to notice my noviceness. Or at least he, I hope he hasn’t. \n\nGod, sometimes I wish I had just chosen to live near a pond in the middle of nowhere. Like Walden. But knowing myself, after a few days I’d get bored. Ultimately, the thrill of this struggle makes me feel alive.\n\nA knock at the door.\n\n“はいってもいいですか?” \n“Come in.”",
"The phone rang. Eyes half shut, I looked down to see who would be calling at this hour. It's my boss, the interpreter. He can wait till morning. I ignored the call and turned back over to sleep. As soon as I rediscovered my comfortable sleeping position, the phone started ringing again. Then, again.\n\nI popped up and picked up my phone, \"Robert, what the hell is the matter? Can't this wait till morning?!\"\n\nMy dad was on the other line, \"Robert is... not here. We need you in Brussels by noon.\"\n\n\"What? You must be joking. That's a 7 hour flight. I'd never make it.\"\n\n\"A driver should arrive in 5 minutes. He'll get you here in time. Just make sure your packed and ready to go.\"\n\nI threw some clothes, toiletries, and a charger into my bag and got into my suit. When the driver arrived, I was taken to JFK and an empty private jet was waiting for me. It was a bit strange. Not the jet. I had been on private jets before, but they were never empty. My dad or another employee of the company was always on board. \n\nThe plane took off and I got more shut-eye. Sure enough, the plane got us to Brussels with 40 minutes to spare. I was wakened and herded into a town car that drove me to what I assumed was the Belgian branch of my dad's firm. I had never been there before, but he is an enthusiast of gaudy, \"neo-gothic\" architecture. So, no matter what city it was in, my dad's firm always stuck out like a sore thumb. I got out of the car and headed to my fathers floor. \"The Bell Ringer's Lair,\" as he liked to call it.\n\nHe met me right outside the door to his office, \"Son, I did not want to tell you this over the phone. Robert is dead. Choked on a champagne cork last night. Unfortunate way to go. Anyway, he has been training you to be his replacement for the last several weeks. So, I trust you are up to speed. I'm sorry to throw this all on you, but some investors were getting uneasy and we need an interpreter to clear up their concerns. Follow me and we'll get the meeting started.\"\n\nAs soon as there was room to speak, I interjected, \"Robert, only went over a little bit. I still have a lot to learn. Who all is in this meeting? \"\n\n\"Our board members in China, Russia, India, France, Denmark, and Brazil. I would have put this off with the news about Robert, but they are threatening to pull out if we don't address this now. So, we'll go in there. You translate their concerns to me, and I'll tell you what to tell them in return. Easy as pie.\"\n\n\"I really don't think I'm ready for this, dad.\"\n\n\"You'll be fine. Let's get in there\"\n\nWe entered his office and there were 6 faces on the wall with a flag next to their name. I had seen these names, but never imagined I'd EVER see them let alone talk to them. I was in *WAY* over my head. I was still on the Colors and Numbers chapters for most of these languages. My dad started off the meeting with an eloquent rundown of numbers and projections for 10 minutes. Then, he proceeded to ask what their concerns were. When he stopped talking, everyone turned to me.\n\nIn 6 different languages, I roughly spit out: \"Hi, how are you?\"\n\nSome held back laughter, but then the stakeholder in China spoke up. I have no clue what he said, but I caught some numbers and colors I think. So, I replied to my dad, \"He says he does not like the color coding of our files.\"\n\n\"Oh, we can fix that, no problem,\" my dad responded and smiled back at the camera.\n\nI replied to him, \"We to fix. Thank you.\"\n\nThe board member smiled, said thank you and disconnected. So far, so good. One down and 5 to go. The next member to speak was the one from Russia. She intentionally talked a lot slower. It didn't help my comprehension in the slightest, but I appreciated it none the less. All I could get from her concern was \"2 million\". \n\nI responded back to my dad, \"She is looking for two million.\"\n\n\"Two Million?! Absolutely not, that is outrageous. Tell her no, but we will work with distribution to see what is possible.\"\n\nI looked at the lady on screen and said something along the lines of, \"No. Thank you.\"\n\nStrangely enough, that member also said thank you and disconnected. Swell. \n\nAfter that, the Brazilian man spoke up. No clue what he was saying either and there were no numbers or colors in his concerns. It sounded like he wanted to tell my dad that he has a \"pretty sir baser\". Must be some kind of Pixies joke. I told him thank you. He laughed and disconnected. \n\nThe rest of the conversations went equally smoothly. The last caller disconnected and my dad turned to me to say thank you. I had saved the day. I attended Robert's funeral that Sunday and flew back to NY the next day.\n\nThree weeks later, I got a call from my dad. Again. In the middle of the night. \n\n\"WHAT DID YOU DO?!\"\n\n\"What do you mean? I haven't done anything for a few weeks.\"\n\n\"Well, I have a document from the board members right in front of me naming you the new CEO. I need you out here to clear this up ASAP.\"\n\n\n\\*click\\*\n\nShit. I threw some of my clothes into a bag, put on a suit, and headed to Brussels to see what all the fuss was about."
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[WP] Aliens trying to figure out human swearing
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“You were tasked to provide a complete record of the Human lexicon. The Council has provided funding and resources, we have met every request that you have asked. Yet still the task is incomplete. Explain yourself.”\n\nA robed figure stood on a podium before the Senate, his head bowed in deepest shame. Vivid electric blue lights hummed ominously above, casting an icy aura on the figure’s scaly, reptilian skin.\n\n“Honourable Senators, it is true, I have spent many months undercover on Earth, conversing with the Humans and learning of their primitive culture. At first we made rapid progress, in a few short weeks we had mastered 90% of the different dialects. B-b-but then...we encountered some difficulties.”\n\nThe Senator on the far right, a round toad-like creature with an ample wart-studded chin, swiped his finger impatiently along his electronic array, scanning through the reams of data.\n\n“You refer to the failed assimilation of the dialect...English. Correct?”\n\n“Yes that is correct O Esteemed One. English was deceptively simple, the rules of grammar and syntax were staggeringly basic but....there were other issues.”\n\n“Go on.” prompted Senator Toad-Face.\n\n“We have been unable to master...certain colloquialisms. They appear to be used in almost every context, with a single word meaning a myriad of different things with no semblance of logic or reason.”\n\nSenator Toad-Face looked incredulously at the robed figure standing before him, and shared a doubtful look with his nearest colleague.\n\n“You may be just a lowly researcher, but you belong to the noble race of Amun-Klaarg. The blood of mighty reptile warriors courses through your hearts. Your brain has evolved far beyond these savages on their water planet. What can they know of that you know not?”\n\nThe robed figure looked ashamed and sheepish, but not entirely beaten.\n\n“There is a particular word that is the source of much of our difficulty, O Esteemed One.”\n\n“And which word is that...Scientist?” Senator Toad-Face spat the last word derisively.\n\n“The word ‘fuck’, O Esteemed One”.\n\nThe board of Senators looked at one another perplexed. A fresh high-pitched voice spoke, emanating from a shrivelled figure in the centre of the panel with a very long and slightly twisted neck.\n\n“We are aware of this word Scientist. The word ‘fuck’ refers to fornication.”\n\nThe scientist spoke up again, his voice growing stronger and bolder with each syllable: \n\n“That was our first conclusion too, O Esteemed One. The trouble is that the Humans use this word to describe almost anything. It can be used as an insult, as in ‘fuck off’, it can be used as a verb, as a noun, an adverb, it can be used to show anger or exaltation or dismay. We have worked around the clock for many weeks, and our top scientists still can’t get their head around ‘abso-fucking-lutely’. The entire language seems to be built around the use of this word.”\n\nThere was a long, painful pause in the Senate Chamber. The buzzing from the lights seemed even louder now. \n\nSenator Wrinkled-Neck was the first to break the silence.\n\n“Very well, Scientist, continue your valued research. You shall have the full support of the Senate in unraveling the mysteries of ‘fuck’. You are dismissed.”"
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[WP] The Grim Reaper appears in the middle of your office cubicles. “He Everybody! I forgot to check who I’m killing today, but I remember it was someone here. So all of you decide as a group who’s gonna die and get back to me, bye” he says, right before vanishing
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[
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"When the reaper returned he was surprised to see the cubicles in order and humans calmly going about their day as if nothing had happened. Until he was handed a sheet of paper by an office worker who promptly walked into the nearest meeting room. \n\nLooking down on the sheet he read it to himself\n\n“Here are the 4 targets for your wrath in order of hate from which you can pick.\n\n1. Ben Johnson the manager \n\n2. That asshole who keeps stealing peoples’ lunches\n\n3. That bitch Carol Baskins\n\n4. Mitch from accounting, fuck that guy.\n\nSigned-“\n\nThe rest was just a bunch of signatures from all the people within the office. The reaper shrugged and asked for the manager.\n\n\nSome time later.\n\n“Hey all you cool cats and kitt-“\n\n#”Silence mortal!”",
"Melanie and Tiff stared at each other dumbfounded. They listed to the sound of the rest of the coworkers starting their own conversations, the crescendo moving from initial confusion and leading up to a confused fluster.\n\n\"OK, he's obviously kidding.\" Melanie finally spoke up, raising her hands then letting them drop to her sides.\n\n\"He's kidding?\"\n\n\"Yes!\"\n\n\"You just saw a man disappear in a flash of purple and black smoke, and you decide he's kdding?!\" Tiff's stared shocked at her friend.\n\n\"I mean...yeah he might be who he says he is, but that doesn't mean he's serious about us choosing somebody to die! It's like...a social experiment or some kind of parlour trick for other demons or something.\"\n\n\"...is the grim repear a demon? I mean strictly speaking?\"\n\nMelanie shrugged. \"You say tomato. Does it really matter just right now? Don't we have a more pressing question?\"\n\n\"Well if we had to choose, it'd be Jeff obviously, I mean-\"\n\n\"Shut up...shutup...shutup\" Melanie stared big toothed at her friend as the creepy balding oafish figure of Jeff navigated by everyone to get to the coffee maker, idly looking about. The one person who wasn't around for the big announcment, and about whom nobody gave enough of a shit about to tell them. \"But yes...obviously.\" She coudln't help but giggle as she aquiesced to the joke.\n\n\"Look that said, maybe it does matter whether or not he's a demon...\"\n\n\"How could it matter?\"\n\n\"Look, demons work with the devil, so they're deceitful, right? What if this guy is just playing games with us and it's some kind of trick?\"\n\n\"I don't know...remember that book series? *His Dark Materials*? In that one, demons were like just little animal companions or whatever, right? Not all demons are the same thing I mean, y'know?\"\n\n\"I never read that one...I mean I take your point, but...follow me on this. Isn't the grim reaper just that? A reaper?\" Tiffany crossed her arms and started talking with one hand. Melanie smiled, she'd wait to make the joke about Tiff being half-Italian until after the crisis had passed. \"So he's just y'know...doing a job. He just collects. He doesn't have any intent. That's how it usually is anyway, right?\"\n\nMelanie thought for a minute. \"Look..how about we go downstairs and a get a Starbucks. These people are too noisy!\"\n\n\"Oh my god, we were just told by a scythe-wielding entity that we need to choose one of us to die and your first thought is 'oh by golly I sure do need my caffeine!'?\"\n\n\"Oat milk latte.\" She said sternly, daring the big-hipped redhead to argue.\n\n\"Yeah, alright. You got me.\" Tiffany laughed and the two shuffled to the elevator bank. She hit the button and soon they were lucky enough to be headign to the lobby in a car just for them. Tiffany leaned against the wall and stared back. \"Look, my point being this could be just a mischief maker. Like what if the point is to get us to choose then like judge us for choosing?\"\n\nThe ding of the elevator beckoned them out and into the lobby and they headed towards the \"stoned fountain girl\" as they had called her in college and all the way up to now as well. They stood in line, pondering if they would deviate from their usual orders. They woudln't, and the debate continued though a bit muffled. \"Look,\" said Melanie \"even if was just some social experiment, I think we should just participate in the whittling down because it's not going to ultimately matter who we choose in that case, and if it does, then I certainly don't want it to be one of us!\"\n\n\"Why would it be one of us?!?!\"\n\n\"Because that snotty little bitch Stacy is still pissed at us for not going to her bridal shower...\"\n\n\"Oh come one...surely she's over that shit by now!\"\n\n\"You sure about that?\" They collected their orders and turned back towards the office...and to the elderly janitor having a massive heart attack, clutching his chest and heaving on the floor. They stopped short. Panicked voices around them. Suddenly above the poor man the ghostly whirl of purple and black smoke leading to the long flowing robe above reappeared as it had some twenty minutes prior...turning and smiling as it slowly collected the blue essence of life from the old man's mouth into its bony palm. Melanie and Tiffany stood holding their reusable cups like idiots. Everybody else still either trying to help the man or standing worried about him, not noticing the splendid trenchcoat.\n\n\"So...Jeff?\"\n\n\"Jeff.\" Melanie nodded resolutely.\n\n**The End**"
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[WP] Turns out Dragons kidnap princesses because the dating pool is really shallow and how else are you going to attract a knight in shining armor!
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I awoke in a darkened cave, surrounded by treasure. Ugh, my head was killing me, how had I ended up here?\n\n\"Dammit, how do they get these things on?\" asked the voice of a woman.\n\nI sat up, my body shifting around on the massive pile of gold coins I was laid out upon. The woman turned to look at me from the polished silver surface she was standing in front of, presumably reacting to the noise of several hundred coins being moved around.\n\n\"Oh, princess! You're awake! Hey, come help me with this corset, I can't seem to get it to fit right. Come on, help a sister out,\" she said, her fingers fumbling at the strings of the garment. I tentatively walked over to her, reaching out to take said strings as I spoke.\n\n\"Who in the heavens are you? And why are we in this cave?\" I asked. I carefully laced up the next few rows of the corset as I spoke, since it always took a few tries for me to do it properly.\n\n\"Hm? Well, they call me Olrigia the Pyre, and you're here because I need you to be here,\" she said.\n\n\"What? Why would you need me to-\" I began to ask, then I noticed the reflection. I hadn't noticed since I rarely got to see my own reflection, but Olrigia was the spitting image of myself. \"Hey! You can't just be me!\"\n\n\"Of course I can, it's called 'magic', hon,\" she said. \"A little disguise, some memory alteration magic and nobody will be any the wiser.\"\n\n\"But... What? No, I-\" I stammered. \"That's incredibly evil!\"\n\n\"Princess, I burned down six villages and killed a dozen people in the past month, the ship of morality has sailed,\" Olrigia said.\n\n\"Burned down... Oh god, you're that dragon that invaded recently?\" I asked.\n\n\"Guilty as charged. Now are you gonna tighten this baby up or am I going to have to kidnap someone else to do it?\" she asked.\n\n\"What? Why would you do this?\" I asked, pulling my hands away from the corset. Olrigia's hand shot up and made a poor attempt at holding the garment in place.\n\n\"Because... how else is a four story flying lizard supposed to get a hunky boyfriend? It's not like we have some kind of dating network going,\" she said, still fumbling with the corset. \"Ugh, how do you people wear these things?\"\n\n\"What the hell are you talking about? This seems like the most backwards way of finding romantic partners I can imagine, including the other ones that involve kidnapping!\" I said.\n\n\"Come on, you've read the stories: The princess gets kidnapped by a dragon, the valiant hero comes to rescue her, and they get married and live happily ever after,\" Olrigia said. When she mentioned a dragon, she gestured over to the large lizard seemingly sleeping at the entrance of the cave. A more careful look showed telltale signs of the creature being an illusion.\n\n\"Those are just stories! This is a bit more complicated, I'm already betrothed to someone and no royal family would approve of their daughter riding off with one of their knights without their consent,\" I said.\n\n\"Hm...\" Olrigia said. Her expression got significantly less calm as the gears visibly turned in her head. \"Well, that's a minor issue, once your fiancee comes to rescue you I can just play the good daughter/partner and it'll all work out.\"\n\n\"They wouldn't send Douglas! He's an administrator, not a fighter,\" I said. \"Unless they suddenly had reason to believe that reciting poetry could defeat a dragon.\"\n\n\"Hmmmmmm.....\" she said. Given how the conversation had gone so far, I had to assume she was still trying to figure out how she could keep going without changing her plan.\n\n\"Okay, you want me to 'Help a sister out'? How about a better plan?\" I said. I leaned down and began whispering into the ear of the young woman currently wearing my face.\n\n---\nThe mountains to the west were a pain to traverse, especially in plate armor. Being the town champion of the capital city meant having certain responsibilities, especially when one of the royal family got whisked away. Normally it was Princess Victoria, who seemed to constantly get stolen away by a minor count a few towns over. However, I was well aware that she was actually in a long term romantic affair with said count, and the \"kidnappings\" were just a convenient way for them to get together without the royal family getting uppity.\n\nThis seemed like a more serious problem. Dragons were no joke, and even a victorious army could be decimated in fighting them. I had to hope that I could catch this one off guard, or all bets were off...\n\nFinally, I made it to the mouth of the cave. The locals had said this was where the dragon was living, so I took a few breaths before pumping myself up for battle and running in.\n\nThe creature lay before me, and snapped up as I entered. Damn, I should've taken off the armor, plate is way too noisy to sneak around in, and I really should've considered how little good it would do in the fight.\n\nAs the creature stood up, I charged. I quickly hurled the javelin I had on my back at the creature, piercing one of its wings to prevent it from flying off. The beast tried to bite me, but I shoved my shield in its mouth and stabbed it under the chin with my sword. A quick slice, and the beast's entire throat opened up. The dragon collapsed, dead on the floor.\n\nWhile an amateur may have called the fight anticlimactic, battles against dragons were almost always short. Either you killed it fast or you died fast, there wasn't a lot of back and forth to be had with a fire-breathing creature the size of a building.\n\nI sighed before calling out. I said, \"Princess Annabel? Are you in here?\"\n\nThe princess stepped out from behind the pile of gold in the middle of the room.\n\n\"Ah, Roland! It's good to see you,\" she said.\n\n\"I'm sure. You don't seem very perturbed by the giant lizard,\" I said.\n\nAnnabel glanced away for a moment before saying, \"Why would I be concerned? As many times as you've saved Vicky, I knew I was in good hands.\"\n\n\"Well, if you're ready to get out of here, we can go alert the kingdom's attendants of the treasure here before the looters arrive,\" I said.\n\n\"Ah, well before we go, there is another person we need to deliver from this cave,\" the princess said. After a moment she cleared her throat, then another young woman stumbled out from behind the pile of gold. She looked like she could've passed for a member of the royal family, but I didn't recognize her.\n\n\"Uh, hi! I'm Ol-uh... Ann... uh... Be... Stasia?\" she said. I could tell there were definitely some shenanigans going on, but it had been a long day and I decided to just go along with it.\n\n\"I see. Well, Miss Ola Anabestasia, are you from one of the villages around here?\" I asked. It wasn't uncommon for dragons to keep people as part of their hoard, so it seemed prudent to ask.\n\n\"Um... Ye...\" she said.\n\n\"Sorry, it seems she gets a bit nervous around men,\" Princess Annabel said. \"She told me she was a princess from a faraway land, and the dragon had brought her here along with all this gold... Which was stolen from her kingdom and is thus technically hers, of course.\"\n\n\"Great, well that's an international incident waiting to happen,\" I said. \"Come on girls, we need to get you out of here. If this gold belongs you Princess Ola, then I'll keep it under wraps for now, but it will need to be moved to a proper storehouse... And we'll need to find lodging for her as well, can't exactly have her living on the streets...\"\n\nPrincess Ola wrapped her arms snugly around me, rubbing her face against my chest as she spoke. She said, \"Oh, thank you so much for saving me! Could I stay with you until I can find my way out of here?\"\n\n\"What? Princess, I live in the keep with the rest of the town garrison, you need a proper place to live until we can arrange passage for you to go home,\" I said.\n\n\"But I don't want to go home! My parents- uh- have me in an arranged marriage with an evil man!\" Ola said.\n\n\"Oh dear, that could mean that this is an even more important matter to deal with. If there's an alliance or something riding on your presence, then it's an utter disaster in the making to keep you in the kingdom,\" I said.\n\nI could hear a soft thumping, which appeared to be coming from Princess Annabel striking the wall of the cave with her forehead. Yep, there was definitely some tomfoolery at work.\n\n\"Princess Annabel? Are you alright?\" I asked. She immediately stopped what she was doing and turned to look at me.\n\n\"Yes, everything is fine. I will simply tell my parents to prepare a guest room for Miss... Anabestasia, and we can keep her gold in the castle treasury for safekeeping,\" Annabel said. She lowered her gaze slightly to catch both me and Ola, then spoke in a more hushed tone to say, \"Now how about we get out of here before someone says something they regret.\"\n\nOla tightened her grip around my torso momentarily before letting go. \"Uh, yes, let's go,\" she said.\n\nWith that, we began the arduous hike down the mountain.\n\n---\nAs we reached the bottom, both Roland and I were exhausted. I rarely had to lift a finger in my day-to-day life, and he was wearing full plate armor that probably felt like a furnace in the day's heat. Olrigia was not so burdened, humming a minstrel tune as we walked. Finally, we got to a point where the traveler's station was visible. I recognized Roland's horse, and there was a carriage nearby, presumably waiting to carry me home.\n\n\"I suppose this is where we part ways,\" I said as I stepped up to the carriage. We would see each other back in the capital, and he would likely be within earshot of the carriage for almost the entire trip, but it was bad form for a royal lady to travel in the same coach as a man she had basically no relation with. There were enough rumors about Vicky, we didn't need more controversy like that.\n\n\"Indeed, may the roads find you favorably,\" Roland said, approaching his horse.\n\nAs he walked away from us, Olrigia reached out toward him. I smacked her hand and whispered that we'd see him again soon. Honestly, I was starting to think \"Olrigia the Pyre\" wasn't as apt as \"Olrigia the Thirsty\"."
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[WP] A person has been isekai'd into their favorite MMORPG, which they've sunk thousands of hours into, only to find they aren't their incredibly overpowered character, they're being saved by their character.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The thing they don't tell you about early level enemies in MMOs, is that while you can smack a level 1 hornet dead even easier than the actual, real life article, it is *significantly* more frightening to do so when said hornets are the size of your head. \n\nFucking Ul'dah. Fucking aggro mechanics. \n\nFucking HORNETS.\n\nYou've heard the song and dance a thousand times before, I'll bet- regular person, maybe a bit nerdy, definitely an avid enjoyer of video games, and then all of a sudden one day whatever deity is out there- seemingly Hydaelyn, if the familiarity of the geography is anything to go by- decides \"Hey, wouldn't it be great if you got hit by a truck?\"\n\nThat about sums up my life story. The relevant bits, at least.\n\nMy name is Juniper Stokes. By all accounts, a pretty average girl. I make tablescraps working at a mall, I've got a loving cat, and an on-and-off subscription to critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV (With a free trial up to level sixty, including the expansion Heavensward, yes it is absolutely imperative to say the whole spiel every time, and no I never get tired of that joke. One can only derive so many pleasures from life.)\n\nSo here I am. Being chased by giant hornets, the desert sun beating down on my soft gamer skin. No weapons, no job crystal, not a single potion to my name. It's an absolutely excellent start to what I'm sure is quickly becoming the shortest isekai adventure I've ever heard of- didn't even have the good fortune to be reincarnated as a hot bunny lady. Hell, I'd settle for cat or lizard girl, too.\n\nBut no. Just a normal human- or \"hyur\" as they call them here. Even the *potatoes* would be more interesting. \n\nI'm getting off track. A mind tends to wander when it's running at a thousand miles an hour, hopped up on insect induced fear and adrenaline. Snapping myself out of my brief period of self loathing, I pour on the speed- heart and lungs aching, but each step would bring me closer to salvation.\n\nA tunnel entrance. Dark enough to hide, and maybe even have a bit of mining equipment I could snag to smack oversized, angry bees with. With a few strides more, I dove into the dark of the tunnel, scrambling on the rocks and dirt, turning a corner into an alcove I knew would be there.\n\nAnd it was. And so was its inhabitant, a good ten or so levels higher than what I was probably, right now- back ridged with what looked like crystals, a pair of eye stalks swiveling towards me, quickly followed by a mouth drooling with hunger.\n\nI've kicked the ass of so many coblyns before. But seeing one in real life, rendered in the most realistic of details, made me freeze in fear. It was beyond unnerving- it shouldn't be real, it shouldn't exist.\n\nAnd it definitely shouldn't be charging at me, ready to take a bite.\n\nI didn't have time to move, time to think, my brain just shut down at the shock of something so utterly alien to me. This was it. I was going to beef it again. \n\nThere was the sound of running footsteps, and a rush of wind as someone leaped up into the air- followed by a blast of fiery heat behind me that sent me stumbling out of the coblyn's way. Before I had time to turn around, there was a clang and a shatter, followed by a dull thump. \n\nThe coblyn lay dead, just over a yard away, and part of the tunnel was singed. Sunlight streamed in from the entrance, silhouetting the figure that had absolutely saved my ass- tall, hair bound in a long ponytail behind her head, and a pair of lengthy rabbit ears twitching as she listened for any more movement. Light glinted off both the spear she wielded, and the glasses perched upon her nose, and after a moment, she let out a sigh, nudging the dead beast with the back end of her spear.\n\n\"...I do not want to even attempt harvesting you today.\"\n\nIt was more a whisper to herself, but her voice was immediately how I imagined it- strong, yet reserved, with a silky smooth quality and just a hint of deeper tone. The sort of voice I wish I could have, but vocal training isn't cheap. \n\n(The one small blessing, that I would discover later at the Hourglass Inn with the help of a mirror, is that at least I had no need for my HRT meds. I wouldn't even know where to begin trying to synthesize those.)\n\nI'd been staring. Understandable, from my position- both from being saved by a six foot plus bunny lady, and also from seeing my player character from this game literally standing there in front of me. \n\nThe Warrior of Light. Hydaelyn's chosen. Renegade Viera. Chosen Dragoon. \n\nJuniper Windrunner. \n\nEventually her eyes found mine, and she hopped a little in surprise, grabbing her spear close. I blinked, and finally realized that staring was rude.\n\n\"I'm- sorry, uh-\"\n\n\"Where did you-\"\n\nShe cleared her throat, taking a less surprised stance, \"No, apologies are my own- I did not see you there. Are you quite alright? You look...\"\n\nShe glanced me over real quick.\n\n\"...Like shit. Sorry, I should've phrased that a little kinder- again, are you alright?\"\n\nI stand, a little shakey as the adrenaline started to leave my system, brushing an errant lock from my face.\n\n\"Been better- but, uh, you absolutely saved my life there, ma'am, and I uh- well. I've been sort of lost most all of the day, so... yeah.\"\n\nShe stared a moment longer- her demeanor seemed intense, but I've played this character on and off through one and a half expansions. Behind the classic Viera resting face was probably mostly confusion and just a skosh of social awkwardness. I had played her as a little bit of a herbo- strong lady, but not a lot of time for thinking. The WoL was a woman of action, instinct, and pure heartedness, raised out in the Viera wilderness.\n\nI opted to cut through the social awkwardness, and extended a hand.\n\n\"My name is- uh, June. June Stokes.\"\n\nShe blinked, tilting her head a little before a small smile crossed her lips.\n\n\"That's funny- my name is Juniper Windrunner, though some companions of mine shorten my name thusly.\"\n\n\"Heh, ain't that a crazy coincidence, huh?\"",
"\"Oh god, oh god...\"\n\nMary had been in some tight corners before. Once, the snack machine had ate up her last dollar, and she had to go hungry for the entire day. Another time, she waited until the morning of to do an assignment worth 20% of her grade. However, today's problem was a little more than what she was used to: orcs.\n\nGreen-skinned, ill-tempered, honest-to-god orcs had her completely surrounded. One moment she was in her room, the next she was huddled on the dusty, dirt ground in front of three giant orcs.\n\n\"Uhm. Kek? Kek!\" Mary said, recalling the one orcish word she had learned from when she had been playing online games. \"Kek, yes? Kek!\"\n\nThe orcs simply looked at each other, scratching their heads and shrugging their shoulders in response. Their muscular figures intimidated the poor introvert to the point that her glasses seemed like they would fall off from her own shaking.\n\nThen, suddenly, when all seemed lost to the girl, she caught a glint peeking over the hill.\n\n\"Halt!\" Cried a voice.\n\nThe gleam of shining, golden armor caused the orcs to have to raise their hands over their eyes.\n\nThe galloping of hooves followed as the knightly figure charged down the hill, and in one swift gesture, picked up the girl and dashed away on his white steed.\n\n\"Away!\" the knight called as he dashed off over the hill, leaving the three orcs dumbfounded.\n\nThe three orcs looked at each other for a moment.\n\n\"What the hell was that about?\" said one of the orcs.\n\n...\n\nMeanwhile, the girl and her rescuer had rode all the way to a forest. Finally stopping, Mary threw herself onto the ground, gasping for breath.\n\n\"Greetings, fair maiden!\" declared the figure in golden armor, \"Forgive the unpleasant journey, Jojo here tends to be a little rough, but he's saved my life more times than I can count!\" The armored humanoid, still on his brilliant white horse, reached for his steed and gave him an approving pat on the neck.\n\n\"Jojo..?\" Mary asked after she recuperated, \"do you mean to tell me I just played out a damsel in distress cliche, and my savior was... SOGGYMUFFINS!?\"\n\n\"Ah! I see my fame precedes me!\" declared the figure, reaching for his helm. Upon removing his headwear (in sufficiently slow and dramatic fashion), he whipped his great blonde hair back, which came to sit neatly behind two long, pointed ears. \"Yes, it is I, Soggy Muffins! Adventurer! Hero! Blade Master! And the greatest Radiant Champion on the continent!\"\n\nMary buried her head in her hands. \"He's... he's my character! Oh god, why did I have to pick that name?\"\n\n\"Apologies?\" the Champion said, \"were my rescue skills to such satisfaction that you wanted to praise me more? Those fierce orcs were naught but frozen before my might!\"\n\n\"Wait, rescue? Orcs?\" Mary raised her head, \"You're a Rebel Elf! ORCS ARE ON YOUR SIDE.\"\n\n\"Oh, huh, that is true, is it not?\" Soggy pondered for a moment. \"Oh, if you're a human, that means that we're on opposing factions, then?\"\n\nMary wanted to take her comment back immediately. \"Well, hang on, let's not be too hasty here - let's be perfectly honest, that *was* a fantastic rescue!\"\n\n\"Yes! Indeed it was!\" Soggy gleamed with pride, \"a fair maiden, a mighty knight! Sure, the monsters were not half as fierce as those I usually face -- in fact, they were allied forces -- but that does not make the effort naught!\"\n\nMary whispered under her breath. \"I am so glad I made intelligence his dump stat.\"\n\n\"Now then, fair maiden, let us escort you home!\" declared the elf.\n\nHome. That's when the situation started to strike Mary. Now that she was out of immediate danger, the situation began to set in. She was in a fantasy world. True, it was one she knew, but she did not belong here.\n\n\"Erm, pardon me fair maiden, but which way *is* home for you?\" asked the elf innocently.\n\nMary's shoulders slumped. \"Home...\" she spoke, \"I... I don't know.\"\n\nThe Radiant Champion's eyes looked at her curiously. \"Well, I admit, I get lost on my way home sometimes. That's why I always keep my Homeward crystal tightly on me!\" He said as he patted one of his pockets. Seeing her lack of reaction however, his usually-proud demeanor softened. \"Erm, are you alright, fair maiden?\"\n\n\"Don't look at me like that!\" Mary barked, \"I barely leave my house, and now I've been thrown into... into a world with frickin' monsters, demons, and... and I just got surrounded by orcs, and I got rescued by a guy who doesn't even know what side he's on!\"\n\nMary took a squat and sat right down.\n\n\"I just want to go home.\"\n\nSoggy looked down from his horse as the girl curled herself on the forest's dirt floor, clutching her knees.\n\nWith a careful motion befitting his heavy armor, Soggy dismounted off his horse.\n\nHe approached Mary and knelt on one knee. Carefully, as if handling an eggshell, he held an armored finger to her chin, and slowly raised her head so that their eyes met. \"But you did need rescuing, did you not?\"\n\n\"...Yes...\" admitted the girl, a small stream rolling down her pale cheek.\n\n\"And you still need help, do you not?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" replied the girl.\n\n\"Then what does it matter what faction I am on?\"\n\nMary let out a small smile while she wiped away the tears with her sleeve. \"You... you really are Soggy Muffins, aren't you?\"\n\n\"How could any good person, from whatever their place of origin, simply stand by while someone is in need of help?\" he declared, \"I am a Radiant Champion. It is my duty to save those who need it. Without someone to save, there is no hero. Without you, there is no me.\"\n\n\"Hah, that's... that's more true than you know,\" Mary said with a sniffle. \"Soggy - well, alright, if you're willing, I will happily accept your rescue.\"\n\n\"Excellent!\" said the knight, standing up. \"Then, fair maiden, shall we venture out?\" He asked, lending his armored hand to the girl.\n\nMary took his hand and raised herself with renewed energy. \"Yes, let's go.\"\n\n\"Then let us venture!\" Soggy Muffins declared, turning around and marching. Suddenly, he stopped. \"Erm, precisely where are we venturing to?\"\n\nMary let out a giggle, \"never change, Soggy. Never change.\"",
"I was in my favourite MMO! This was the best, I already had a sword and shield and went out on a quest into the high mountains to try and grind up my levels. \n\nI found the first troll there relatively easy, I got a bettering in the face but it was nothing I couldn’t handle! And so I marched on, I knew every encounter ahead, the ogre, the bandits, and the vampire. The only one I was worried about was the vampire really, I didn’t like the idea of a blood hungry monster. \n\nI came upon the troll in his cave, but I doubled back around to the secret entrance and got the drop on the big ugly thing. It made me shiver at the horrid stench, I never knew that they smelled THAT bad. But I cut his neck open and stabbed him in the legs, forcing him down and to die. \n\nI continued on with my stomach tightening to the bad it room. I went quickly to the weakest one that I knew would spawn and killed him with a sword to the stomach. I threw my sword about trying to slash at them. My sword caught on a big guys shield, he slammed me in the stomach with his knee and then cracked my back with his warhammer. \n\nI reeled and let out a scream as he raised his hammer again. But his face was suddenly consumed in a wreath of flame. He screamed suddenly as his entire body became a red mass that fell back. A sword slashed a close ones head off. \n\nThe shining silver pillar before me, I knew, my orc paladin character! I took a long deep breath and came to my feet with a slight grin coming to my face",
"Some things change so fast, you can hardly catch your breath. One moment, I was logging into my favorite video game, Last Fantasy, and the next I was falling through the sky. I felt the rush of hair, and even heard birds, so I knew I couldn't possibly be dreaming, right? \n\nI fell into a group of trees, and grunted as they broke my fall, and searing pain ran through my body. Nope. Not a dream. \nSlowly, and begrudgingly, I rubbed my butt and stood up, trying to get my bearings. \n\n\"Where am I?\" I asked no one in particular. I was musing on how I didn't go splat when a branch cracked behind me. I turned around, and caught sight of the freakiest thing I've seen. It was a large red and blue bird, with a literal axe for a break. \"Well, hello little guy, I'm not gunna hurt you, so please don't hurt me...\" I said, raising my hands. Under my foot, I felt a little bump, and looked to see that I had somehow fallen onto the edge of a nest. \"oh no. Is this your nest? Easy big birdie\"\nJust when I thought the bird would attack, a flash of light blinded me. I squeaked, and ducked, closing my eyes. \n\n\"Are you hurt, my lady?\" I heard someone ask. I opened my eyes and looked up, before my jaw dropped. Before my eyes stood my character, that I had spent hours crafting in Last Fantasy! \"My lady?\" He asked. I stood up and reached out, patting his sculpted chin. \n\n\"Mahanon?\" I asked softly. \n\n\"That is my name. Do we know each other?\" He asked, all the while letting me tug and fondle his face, until I got to his ears which I barely touched before he pulled my hands away. \"I don't mean to insult, but an Elf's ears are very sensitive.\" \n\n\"Oh! I'm sorry!\" I said, my face turning bright red. I examined him further, noticing he even had the dire Wolf's cloak, and the level 100 armor I spent nearly 20 bucks on. \"uhm. Where am I?\" I asked. \n\n\"You're in the forest of Misery. Are you sure you are unharmed my lady?\" He asked after a moment. \n\n\"I can't remember anything.\" I lied to him. His eyebrows raised before he nodded to himself. \n\n\"Amnesia. You must have fallen a long way. You were in the sky, and then fell to the ground.\" He responded. \"Come with me to the adventurers guild, someone might know you there.\" \n\n\"Sure, yeah.\" I said, following behind him. I expected him to let me follow but instead, he blew into a whistle. Shortly after, a griffon flew down. \"Floofers!\" I exclaimed excitedly, before covering my mouth. Mahanon's eyebrows raised, but he smiled at me, and picked me up, and set me on Floofers' saddle, before hopping up behind me. With a tug of his reins, we were off, into the sky!\n\nLater that night, I was resting at Mahanon's house, the same one I had bought in game! I compared my notes, and made some observations. \n\n1. I was in Last Fantasy, though they called it Aortia. \n\n2. Mahanon operated separately from me, it was as if he was his own person. \n\n3. Something wasn't right about that boy. \n\nIt was short glimpses that I caught when he thought I wasn't looking, but he seemed to be ridiculously happy I was there. I waited until the next day, when he had left to go adventuring or whatever they called it, and wandered his decently sized house. If I recalled correctly, it cost 40 million Gold to get the house and the land. However something was different. There was a door that hadn't been there before. And it was locked. Good thing I always kept a bobby pin in my hair. I fondled around, but I didn't feel anything. \"Damn it, way to go, Amy you were going game with bed head.\"\n\nThree days later, and three attempts later, I was at a loss when Mahanon gifted me exactly what I needed. Okay, so it was a hair pin set. But I could work with those. He seemed set on keeping me happy, though I couldn't figure out why. I waited for him to leave, and got to work, picking the lock. I learned how to do so, because I thought it would be great for picking up chicks, since it's hard enough being a bisexual woman in these trying times. After a moment, the lock clicked and I was in. I opened the door excitedly. \"What are you hiding Mahanon!\" I said, looking into the room. It was pitch black, so I left and came back with a lantern and shined it into the room. I stared, wide eyed at the sight before me. Painting after painting after painting of... Me. Before I had dyed my hair blue, I had it a multitude of other colors too, and he seemed to have them all. \n\n\"So you've seen it.\" Mahanon said behind me. \n\n\"What is it?\" I asked him, surprised. \n\n\"I am sure you recognize yourself.\" He said. \n\n\"Well yeah but. Why am I here?\" I asked. \n\n\"I don't know when it started, but I began to have dreams. Every night about you. Those dreams began to sink into reality, and it was almost like you were whispering in my ear, telling me what I should do. You saved my life.\" He said. \"Since then, I searched for spells, incantations, anything I could find that would let me speak to you, see you as more than a dream. A goddess answered me. And there you were.\" He answered. \n\n\"Hold up. You kidnapped me from my world? Why?\" I asked. \n\n\"Because I love you.\" He said, his eyes taking on a more demented look, pupils shrinking. He smiled at me, and slowly advanced. \"Were perfect for each other, just think about it. You didn't like your old life, and now I'm here. I even saved you from the Axe beak. You owe your life to me.\" \n\nI backed away, and stared at him incredulously. \"Excuse me? You don't know me!\" I said. \n\n\"But I do, Amy. I know you so well. You've been inside of me, our hearts as one.\" He said. He reached out, trying to touch me. \n\n\"Hell. No. Creep!\" I exclaimed and dashed by him, before running down the stairs. \"send me back!\" I said. \n\n\"You can't be sent back! It's a one way trip. You're trapped here, forever\" he said with a shout as he followed me. \n\n\"No way.\" I said, pushing open the front door. \nI couldn't be trapped here with that psycho forever!"
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[WP] Write a story about you bragging about how great your story is.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I love camping, one of my favorite pass times. The woods, hikes, and bonfires with Smores at the end of the day, I have many great memories. As we sit around the blazing camp fire and talk, my eldest son, just over 11 years old now, suggest we tell scary stories with obvious intent to scare his little sister.\n\nHe tells the first story, a story his grand father used to tell, the story of the mogollan monster. It brings of many memory for me, but fails to frighten his little sister, though she is cuddled under my arm. The story comes to a close, and I take the next.\n\nI begin my story in a beautiful place, truly stunning. I tell of the things that make this life good, and I tell of those who think there is more.\n\nI tell how they believed the blood of the innocent and some enchanting words would bring about a better existence. I tell how they did scary things to perform their perfect ritual. I tell of the terrors they summon and the horror inflected upon them.\n\nIt was the best retelling of the cathulu story, so much so I was even frightened. I began to trembled as i finished the story with tears in my eyes. I broke down, fell to my knees sobbing heavily. A mix of joy and dread washes through my body, over taking my mind.\n\nIn a glimpse of clarity, I saw my children filleted on the ground before me, the cryptic symbols round them, and the shadow that blocked the moon. It was the best story I ever told because I acted the story as I told it."
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[WP] Artemis is sick and tired of the other Olympians manipulating their myths so they seem more awesome than they are. She decides to expose their true colors and retells legends as they originally were, before the Gods reshaped their narratives.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"apologies for any bad formatting, i'm on mobile, also i went *kind of* off script\n\n*And on that night Zeus and Alcmene conceived the greatest hero-* \n\n\"Who? Heracles? that kid was just a good soldier, hardly worth calling a hero.\" Artemis spat, frankly tired of having to manually correct all these historians. \"For the last time, Demigods are *not* incredibly powerful or even special in any way, Hades, half of the population of greece are descendants of gods!\"\n\n\"B-but, surely you deities at least have some power!\" The distressed historian had thought that this would bring answers to so many questions, and while true, this is certainly not even close to what he expected.\n\n\"Oh sure, compared to you mere humans we are quite impressive, but really our biggest advantage is just immortality and, admittedly well done, lying.\" At this point Artemis just walked away, tired of dealing with all the lies her family had spread.\n\n\"I really hate Apollo and Dad sometimes\"",
"\"The Gods are pompous narcissists, reshaping and twisting their underwhelming beginnings for the masses. It disgusts me. Therefore I will draw back the wool that has been pulled over the eyes of mankind\"\n\nThat was the message that I was given one fateful afternoon. Written on old parchment, with silvery letters and a faint glow. Most strangely, it included an email address at the bottom. \nArtemis@Mt.Olympus\n\nSurely this was an elaborate prank. Nevertheless, she had caught my attention. So I sent her an email. We scheduled a meeting and I prepared my papers. Everything I had on Greek Myths, which was admittedly a lot. \n\nShe appeared in my office the next day, and I do mean appeared. I ducked to get a pen I dropped and when I sat back up, there she was. \n\nHer long dark hair was tied back in an elaborate plait. She wore fitted pants and a sleeveless shirt, but she looked most comfortable in her own skin. She looked like she came from the gym, but gave no hint of exhaustion with no hair out of place. Her olive skin gave off a faint silvery glow, the same as he letter had earlier.\n\n\"I am Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, the Moon and of Archery. And I am here to tell you a story. Quite a few actually.\"\n\nMy pursuit of knowledge kept me from asking her all the questions I wanted. She was a Goddess, and she wanted to talk to me. \n\n\"Let's get the important stuff out of the way. Yes I'm really Artemis, yes the Gods are real, and they're all a bunch of narcissists.\n\nLets start with a common story. The origin of Zeus. No, Cronos did not eat Zeus's siblings. He locked them in a mountain prison to avoid the indigestion. Zeus was never passed off as a rock, he was passed off as a stillborn by Rhea and raised by nymphs. Zeus broke the lock on the cage and together the grown Olympians fought the Titans and yadda yadda yadda.\"\n\nI was astonished at how casually she spoke. I expected a Goddess to be more intimidating, or at least care. He letter made it seem like this was something she was passionate about. \n\n\"Another common one is Hades alleged abduction of Persephone. You see, he never really abducted her at all. She just kinda wandered into the Underworld and decided she liked it there. Hades liked having her there, so he said she could stay. Demeter was furious. She withered crops with the force of her fury. She demanded that Zeus force her daughter to return to her. Persephone refused, because she liked Hades and the Underworld. Cerberus LOVED her. It was not actually Zeus, but Persephone herself that proposed the compromise. She would spend half her time with her mother, and half the time in the Underworld with her new boyfriend.\"\n\nTruth is so much less dramatic than fiction. I could see why the Gods would reshape their stories.\n\n\"Oh, here's a great one about my brother. Daphne was his girlfriend, not a stranger. They were happily in love, then Apollo got into a fight with Eros. Eros used his power to make Apollo fall even more in love with Daphne while he made Daphne hate Apollo. Apollos attempts to break the bewitchment Eros had cast were fruitless, while Daphne was outraged that he wouldn't leave her alone. Daphne turned to her father, who DID turn Daphne into a laurel, but he gave her the ability to do it on command. Apollo was heartbroken and vowed revenge on Eros. He has terrible luck in relationships because he still pines after Daphne, his one and only love.\"\n\nWith that last harrowing retelling, she rose from her chair. I expected her to say something else, a goodbye. But I blinked and she was gone. All that I had left was her letter and the notes I had taken of our conversation. I didn't know what she wanted me to do with this new information, but I was going to find out."
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[WP] You are desperate to become immortal because you have a terminal illness. The only way to attain it is by convincing someone to lick an apple. Unfortunately, you haven't been able to do this simple task.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\\[Poem\\]\n\nAn apple a day they say,\n\nBut in a hospital that doesn't hold sway\n\nI'm dying and they can't help\n\nAt least not by injecting me or feeding me kelp\n\n\nLast Tuesday a nurse whispered to me\n\n\"You could live forever, forever young and free\"\n\nI looked at her, not wanting to believe\n\nThis was a life I'd already begun to grieve\n\n\n\"Take this apple, it is the key\n\nIf another mortal were to lick it for ye\n\nTheir life would be yours, you would rise\n\nAnd take their place, that is the price\"\n\n\n\"How can I believe you?\n\nWhat magic is this, can it be true?\"\n\nI wondered, as she winked and kissed my cheek\n\nAnd left me trembling like a withering freak.\n\n\n At first, I doubted her truth\n\nOf getting eternal life from this damned fruit\n\nBut its been six months, and it is still so fresh\n\nI feel it in my bones, and what's left of my flesh\n\n\nA psychiatrist has been called in\n\nTo evaluate my status on a whim\n\nThey think I'm going crazy, or already have\n\nOr maybe just need to switch my coffee to decaf\n\n\nI've been asking the doctors, the nurses\n\nTo lick the apple that's lying by my purses\n\nAnd now I'm almost dead\n\nWithout encountering a single gullible head\n\n\nSo while she sits by the bedside\n\nTo check in my mental health can abide\n\nThe question that I try to grapple\n\nIs how to get her to lick this bloody apple\n\n\n\"There's an easy test to know if I've lost it\n\nI think this apple here tastes like biscuit\n\nIf you lick it, and it does not\n\nThen you know my meds have to be kicked up a notch\"\n\n\nShe looks at me, thoughtfully\n\n\"You seem rational, but you can't bully\n\nPeople into licking things, you have to know\"\n\nI grimace, and my desperation shows\n\n\n\"So I am crazy for thinking it tastes wrong\n\nAnd I am crazy to want to validate that headlong\n\nIf there is no winning, then why are you here?\n\nJust leave me to die, in doubt and fear\"\n\n\nShe muses on that and then smiles at me\n\n\"Alright, I'll help put your mind at ease\"\n\nShe takes the apple and gives it a sniff\n\nI'm so close, my eyes widen in disbelief\n\n\nBut as she opens her mouth to lick\n\nThe apple that I'm so sure will do the trick\n\nI become aware I'm breathing too fast\n\nAnd a moment too soon, I breathe my last."
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[WP] Their eyes meet across the room, for them all time stops. Both go in search of the person they just saw but never find the other. Many years later their eyes meet once more; on either side of a table in an interrogation room in a police station.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"I know you,\" she says.\n\nHe laughs and shakes his head. The cuffs on his wrist jingle. \"You don't know me. But you could have. That night.\"\n\n\"The night you killed that girl?\"\n\n\"Woman, you mean. And yes.\"\n\n\"Why? Why did you kill her?\"\n\n\"Maybe out of frustration. If you and I had met that night maybe I wouldn't have killed her.\"\n\n\"Why? Because you would have killed me?\"\n\nHe cocks his head to the side and eyes her for a few seconds. \"I doubt it,\" he concludes. \"You're not my type of victim.\" He smiles and for a brief moment she wonders what could've been.\n\n\"Oh?\" She raises a brow. \"And what's your type of victim?\"\n\n\"I remember the dress you were wearing.\" He smiles and leans back, eyes on the ceiling. \"Dark magenta. No straps. You looked so uncomfortable.\" He chuckles and brings his eyes down to her. \"Was it the dress or the occassion?\"\n\n\"Maybe it was your creepy stare.\"\n\n\"I didn't get to tell you that night, but I thought you looked beautiful in it. It would have looked better on my floor, though. And magenta isn't even my favorite color.\"\n\nShe blinked and felt heat rushing to her cheeks as she tried to think of a comeback.\n\nThe door opened and her boss walked in. He was frowning and he said, \"Thank you, Detective. That will be all for now.\"\n\n\"But-\"\n\n\"I *said* that will be *all* for now, Detective.\"\n\nShe inhaled deeply, then nodded and stood straight. She looked at the cuffed man.\n\nHe held her gaze. \"Will I see you again?\"\n\n\"I-\"\n\n\"Detective. *Now.*\"\n\nShe huffed. \"We'll see\" she said quickly, then strode out the room and past her boss' annoyed-looking face."
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[WP] Today is the 23rd day you opened your email to find the script to your day. Keep to the script and your life will follow the path it should.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The first thing I did was open my email. I promised myself when I signed up for the program that I would follow it to a T. God knows with the cost I couldn’t afford not to. The heading was the same as the previous 22 days before it dove into my day:\n\n“Thank you for choosing Your Best Life! For the best life possible, please follow these instructions.\n\n6:43 am: Leave for work\n\n9:02 am: Eat 1 banana and 1 pack of oatmeal for breakfast\n\n11:42 am: Eat at Thai Spice for lunch. Order the special. Bring a coworker.\n\n5:03 pm: Leave Work\n\n5:49 pm: Leave for 6:00 pm yoga class for optimal spot\n\n7:23 pm: Prepare a dinner of chicken, broccoli, and a salad\n\n7:44 pm: Answer door. You neighbor will bring a box addressed to you. Do not open it under any circumstances.\n\n9:52 pm: Bed time\n\nI found myself daydreaming about the mystery box throughout the day. Obviously, I wouldn’t open it but this was the first time Your Best Life had done anything other than alter my morning commute so I hit less traffic or helped me lose some necessary pounds. I ate my breakfast on time, I went to lunch with Agnes who actually gave me some awesome career advice, ate something call Singapore noodles which were fantastic, and throughly enjoyed the only class at my studio at 6 - a hot yoga class where I was perfectly positioned to see the instructor and get a cool breeze when the door opened. \n\nI considered meeting my mysterious box and neighbor at the door at 7:44 but instead forced myself to remain in my seat. The thought of waiting eagerly at the door like a puppy seemed too desperate even if I was desperate for some distraction.The clock hit 7:44 and like clockwork, my doorbell rang. I nearly leapt off the couch and almost had the door open before I reminded myself I was still a single woman living in a big city and checked the peephole. I recognized the face instantly. He was in 130A or C. I couldn’t quiet remember but a neighbor. I unlatched the deadbolt and pulled the door open.\n\n“Hi, I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Ryan, I live in 130F.”\n\n“Kayla. Nice to officially meet you.”\n\n“It’ll make the drunken crawls past each other at 2 am a lot less awkward.” He joked. I let out a laugh.\n\n“Well, I got a package addressed to you delivered to me.” It was smaller than I expected and I was temporarily disappointed with the size. Not that I was going to open it obviously but still, a mysterious package I was forbidden from opening should be bigger, right?\n\n“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” I responded, taking it from his hands and setting it on the table next to my door.\n\n“Not a problem. I’m curious though, what is it?”\n\n“I-“ I started, “I actually don’t know. Why do you ask?”\n\n“Well, I’ve never gotten any mail from you before so I figured you didn’t suddenly mess up your address.” \n\nI grabbed the box again and looked at the label. He was right about the address. It was my name and not my address.\n\n“Plus, I’ve never sent myself a package. I just was curious why you’d do that.”\n\nI rubbed my thumb over the return address. It was my handwriting, there was no question about that. I turned the package over in my hand, finding the various stamps that marked its journey halfway across the world.\n\n“I don’t- I don’t know. This is really weird.” The excitement I felt was rapidly giving way to dread. I examined the return address again. It was even written in the same shade of turquoise as the pen I kept in my purse. I felt the blood draining from my face.\n\n“Maybe it’s some sort of prank? Do you have a friend living in Tokyo?” Ryan suggested reassuringly. He took a step forward to look at the package again.\n\n“No.” I whispered. “This is my handwriting and my pen. I know it.”\n\n“Did you maybe ship something back from your trip? It takes a while sometimes.”\n\n“I’ve never been to Japan.”\n\n“That doesn’t make any sense.” He said, glancing at me worriedly.\n\n“It doesn’t.”\n\n“Alright, I’m too invested now. I need to know what’s in there. Open it.” Ryan urged.\n\nWithout thinking, my hand shot out to the corner of the package, ready to rip it open. I paused only when I remembered my daily script.\n\n“I can’t.”\n\n“Wait, what? You can’t open this strangely mysterious package that you sent to yourself from a place you’ve never been? That’s insane. Do you want me to open it? Are you scared there’s something nasty inside?” \n\n“You’re right. You’re right.” I relented, “I just- never mind, it’s ridiculous.” \n\nOne decision wouldn’t change everything. I ripped open the box before I could change my mind. Inside was a note: \n\nTest Subject #1304\n\nDay: 23\n\nSubject Altered Script. Reboot Experiment.",
"You open your eyes, open your phone, and read through the usual litany of perscribed outcomes.\n\nYou'll eat breakfast between 7:30 and 7:45 AM. Eggs again. No toast. One hour of exercise routine. The workout is a little quirky this time, though. A set of specific jumps and rolls, some light boxing with the punching bag, jumps and carries with an 80 lb weight. But a much lighter load than normal, and with a strict form focus. There's an app attached which will rate your accuracy. Mostly a formality at this point. You're quite familiar with the routine.\n\nAnother two hours after that are, surprisingly, free time. You'll be allowed to surf or read or whatever you want for that interval. You've gotten shorter bursts of these before, but normally, you can almost feel the way you're being directed into doing something in particular that's supposed to feel like your own idea. Google search results and targeted adverts that feel a little too targeted, that sort of thing.\n\nWhat's surprising for you is that, today, the schedule doesn't go for twenty-four hours. Doesn't go until the next email drop. It just stops, without ceremony, at 11:43 PM, at the instructions: Go to bus stop at 99th and Mackenzie. Help a pedestrian cross the road without injury.\n\nNothing at all after that.\n\nThis is it, you decide. This is your graduation day.\n\nMaybe this is the day you die.\n\n​\n\nYou got pretty low after you lost your job. You spent about a week indoors just surfing the net, barely getting out of bed, barely eating. It felt like a sort of mourning period that just wouldn't stop, a spiral that became a loop.\n\nBut eventually that ad found you: *Want to make a REAL difference in the world?* And something made you click on it.\n\nYou've been getting the emails ever since.\n\n​\n\nIt's pretty obvious what's going to happen. You're not stupid. Even if you can't figure out the physics of time travel, or who's feeding you calisthenics workouts more or less explicitly built around a mixture of acrobatics and body coordination, it's pretty easy to figure out why. You're a superfluous person to the timeline. You don't matter, not really, and in its own way, that makes you *very* valuable.\n\nWhoever you're going to save will be.\n\nAfter the exercises, you wonder briefly if you should call your parents. Your ex, maybe? But what would you say that would help any of this make sense? What could you say? Maybe you could reply to the email. In some awful, perverse way, *you* want to thank *them*. You didn't have a future or a purpose, before, but now you have a purpose. That will be enough.\n\nYou spend the next two hours browsing Google Maps instead. You're trying to figure out who it is you're about to save. Next president, maybe? Or is it more subtle than that? Will your act of generosity trigger some lengthier chain of butterfly effects?\n\nPointless to dwell on it.\n\nYou savor your last two hours of life as one might savor a fine dessert. It's one of the first times in a while you can remember enjoying your life. You forgot what this felt like.\n\n​\n\n​\n\nYou set your watch for 11:34 AM precisely, head out to the bus stop for precisely your recommended arrival time, and wait. Watch the world go by. Watch people go by, off to their jobs or the park with their kids or gods only know where.\n\nYou have five minutes left of existence on this planet. It's a heady, strangely wonderful sensation. It makes the passerby new, somehow. Every blade of grass on the manicured lawns nearby become almost beautiful.\n\nYour stopwatch bleeps at 11:34. You quiet it as quickly as you can and perk up, watching, waiting.\n\nAt 11:34:45, you receive a text, from a number you don't recognize. All it says is, *Now*.\n\nThere, on the other side of the road. A dad and a three year old kid. This is it.\n\nHas to be.\n\n​\n\nThe job itself is gloriously, wonderfully straightforward. All of your training comes to you in a rush. As the truck barrels in, you're at a dead sprint the microsecond the kid stumbles into the street. You're in midair for the last two seconds of your life, all thoughts gone, mind emptied of distraction or purposeless self-reflection, sharpened into a razor blade.\n\nYou catch the kid. The momentum of your jump carries her outside the radius of the truck as it runs the stop light.\n\nAnd then it carries you out of the way as well.\n\n​\n\n​\n\nYou open your eyes and wince at the man staring down at you. You try to move your fingers, your feet, and for a moment you can't. But then the shock unlocks and you can. No pain, no broken bones, no irrevocable damage.\n\nNothing but the vague sense of what you know will be a monster of a bruise that starts along your shoulder blade and goes all the way down to your hip. You practiced the roll for nearly a month but you'd never tried it on concrete before.\n\nYou stumble through the hugs and the panicked gratitude and it takes what feels like weeks before you can get a moment alone. Your phone has been vibrating all the while.\n\nYou did it. You saved the kid. What went wrong?\n\nBut all the phone says is, *Nice work*.\n\nYour fingers are shaking as you type a reply.\n\nI'm still alive.\n\n*Yep.*\n\n*What'd you think the training was for? ;)*\n\nWho did I save?\n\n*Dunno.*\n\nYou don't know??\n\n*Hey man I'm not the NS frigging A here. All I had to go on was the headline. 'Three Year Old Dies When Brakes Fail. Hero Bystander Killed Trying To Save Her.' No idea what would happen after that. Haven't changed my own timeline. Just threw you onto a different one.*\n\n*Just hated how somebody could have died that way when somebody could have done something.*\n\nWhat happens now?\n\n*Dunno.*\n\nThe next text is just a link to a company recruitment website.\n\n*These guys look like they're hiring. They're going to do well. Trust me. Good luck.*\n\n*This is the last message in a bottle you're going to get, though.*\n\n*Enjoy your future!*\n\nAs you put the phone down, you begin to realize that you're laughing."
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[WP] Your family has a history of having a third-eye. For some reason, you're the first one without it. One day, right before your great-grandmother passes, you find out why.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \n\nThe hospital reeked of bleach as I made my way down to the room Great-Gran was in. She was tough as old boots that one, an ancient crone whose only joy in life was to watch her children have their lives while dispensing hard-earned wisdom. Now she was running out of time. Maybe a day or two, if we were lucky, and I doubted we even had that. It was probably why she asked for me.\n\nThe rest of the family hated the idea. I was the black sheep, not for who I was, but because I had two eyes.\n\nMy family, dating back from the Dark Ages, and probably before then, had this oddity. Each member born had a third eye, something that saw past the mundane. I didn’t fully understand it myself, but from what I gathered, there were various eldritch energies floating around everywhere. The others could see it with their extra eyes, allowing them to pick up all kinds of things, lies, trails, feelings. But when I was born, my mother had wanted to get rid of me. My dad was married into the family, so they knew she wasn’t a cheat. He wanted to keep me, and Great-Gran, bless her, requested that I stayed in the family. Mother may well have thought all kinds of things about her that day, but no one was stupid enough to go against that walking well of knowledge. \n\nNow my Mother and I were here, going to or beloved matriarch’s deathbed. No matter what we thought of each other, we both still loved the old bird.\n\nA nurse ushered us into her room, and left us both with her. The old gal looked like weather-beaten leather, her face almost sagging under the weight of her wrinkles. She looked asleep, her eyes closed.\n\n“Grandmother?” Mother said. “We’re here. Just like you asked.”\n\nShe stirred, one normal eye opening. A smile curled her lips. “Ah, Gemma, Sammy.”\n\n“Hey, Gran.” I said. “You’re looking good.”\n\n“I hope so.” She replied. “At least I still have all my teeth.”\n\n“Pretty impressive for someone who’s been around since the dinosaurs.” I quipped. She laughed, despite the murderous glare I was getting from Mother.\n\n“Anyway,” Mother struggled on, keeping the peace, “You wanted to see us?”\n\nGreat-Gran nodded. “I do. I’ve been holding on for so long now, but I haven’t the strength left. So I need you to remember this.” She looked at me. “Sam, when you were born, you didn’t have a third eye anywhere on your body. No one knew why, so they shunned you.”\n\n“I noticed.” I said bitterly.\n\n“But I do.” She continued. “I know.”\n\nNeither I nor my mother said anything, merely nodding along with her, holding onto every word like it was gospel.\n\n“Long ago, in the Dark Ages, there was a great and terrible war. It was beyond anything we have seen before or since, and that includes both World Wars. To protect ourselves, and our homes, we made a pact. This gave us our eyes, and our methods, to save ourselves, and, perhaps, the world.”\n\nMother hesitated, a word dying in her throat, before asking “What did we make a pact with?”\n\n“I don’t know what it was that we bonded with. It’s something unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, but it’s there. It exists. It’s neither angel nor demon, or even a god, I believe. But it gave us what we needed in our darkest hour. And now it wants payment.”\n\n“Payment?”\n\n“Yes.” Her brow furrowed. “This thing is a, a contradiction. I said it exists, but it’s more like... have you heard of Schrödinger’s Cat?” After we both confirmed we did, she continued, “It’s just like that. But our gaze is the unopened box.”\n\n“What does that mean?” I asked.\n\n“Exactly what it means, child.” She said. “So, of course, it wants a contradiction itself. Something pure, but tainted. Something untouched by it, but muddied with our blood. Something with a foot in both worlds, but belongs to neither.”\n\nShe paused.\n\n“It wants you, Sammy.”"
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[WP] You signed up to be among the first colonists on an alien world and as such was like the rest of the passengers sent into stasis for your long trip. The first things you notice after waking up is the ship has crashed, a colony had been set up, and it is had been abandoned recently
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"A thing they never mention about stasis pods are the headaches. It’s like \nsomeone squeezed your brain into a cocktail shaker, drizzled it in icy water before violently shaking it, pouring the slimy mess back into my skull. I staggered, pushing my body through the tight crack near the \nentrance of the ship. The automatic landing door opening and shutting,\n wild sparks spitting from its wiring. What a mess, I did a few crunches\n making sure my legs had enough blood in them to make the jump. Waiting for the perfect opening, I dived through the door, luckily colliding with the floor before the door shut again. \n\n“Am I the first one awake?” I looked back to the broken door of the ship, deciding that it was too much hassle to go back and investigate. Instead I toured the new planet we had found. That feeling of discovery hadn’t quite set in yet, I was the first person on this alien planet. I was like Neil \nArmstrong, just my arms weren’t as strong. That joke would have killed, \nI’ll remember that one for when the others wake up. \n\nThe landscape of the planet was colorful, a beautiful flowery pink, \nlong strips of rope dangling from the sky, almost as if they were long \nstatic drops of rain. The ground was soft, almost seeming to wobble \nunderneath my foot, its colour a darker pink, turning a shade of red each time I took a step. The planet did still seem to have trees, or at least what could be described as trees. Long blue pieces of wood? That seemed to shoot shrubbery from their limbs. It was hard to get a good look past them, encouraging me to investigate further.\n\nEvery step seemed to bring new frustrations. At first, it seemed the planet was moving with me, each step like chasing an oasis, the close plant-like horizon seeming to escape my steps. As if the planet had been actively fleeing from me, finally it appeared to stop, staying in place, \nallowing me to draw closer. Beyond the trees was a small campsite, large silver tents seeming to flock over the ground, resembling an intergalactic picnic. “Hey, thanks for waking me up everyone,” I called \nout, expecting a reaction, my words fell on deaf ears, not even an \naudible gasp drifting from the tents. \n\n“Anyone?” I could feel unease after that. I was on another planet and was seemingly alone. If there was someone waiting in the bushes to kill me, I would have been as stealthy as a quacking duck. Inspecting the tents didn’t help my investigation either. The first one only had a bunch of pale white orbs, the type that was oddly nauseating to squeeze, like I was committing some galactic sin. I could only presume they were fruits, but I was not willing to give it a taste test.\n\nWith each tent came more disappointments, it was like the colony left as soon as they arrived, barely setting up little more than a few essential items. The last tent had some blue writing covering its entrance. I couldn’t read the words so I saw little reason not to investigate the tent. Opening its flaps only piled on more confusion. A body laid against the wall, its three eyes widened in terror. I crept towards the body, almost expecting it to jump up or something. Luckily it seemed very dead.\n\nIt was a strange-looking thing, the head of an octopus and the body of a bloated man that had eaten far too many octopi. The creature's bloated stomach protruding a few loose tentacles, the dominant one coming from its stomach. I went to graze the tentacle with my hand, only for his body to fizzle. Suddenly jumped up.\n“Glork, Gataray guzmos nitop tilip bip gu ti.” Was the message, not having a translator, I could do little more than attempt to decipher the words. Nothing made sense, the only thing that I could slightly understand was Glork, assuming it to be some sort of swear. \n\nThe alien frantically paced around the room, long slender arms flailing about before it pointed towards where I had entered from. The holograms frantic waving indicating that whatever had caused it’s fright came from that direction.\n \n\nEven after investigating the remnants of the colony, I couldn’t\n find a scrap of humanity. Which means the rest had to be on the ship. I \ndecided to follow my octopus friends’ advice, heading back towards where I assumed the ship to be. The journey seemed to take even longer, the same illusion from earlier causing me to drift aimlessly for a moment, eventually circling back towards the ship. Its beautiful black exterior had been damaged, long tendril-like arms hugging the ship, pulling it towards the ground. The tip of the ship pushing into its gooey floor. “Oh, Glork. Live planet.” \n\nThe best doctors, scientists, and engineers were all on that ship. I was the stowaway in a sense, someone that was meant to be there to keep the crew human. I was the least capable one of the lot. Forced to watch as it gobbled our hope for a colony up. \n\nI stomped my feet, feebly attempting to get the planet to cease its attack. But why would it? It was like stopping your meal just because you noticed an ant a few feet from you. All that was left was the suicidal plan, the devil’s gamble. The fluttering door was still swiftly flicking back and forth. If I could only get into the ship. It’s not like I could just run, I would die without them.\n\nSucking up every bit of courage I had, I courageously charged towards the ship, only tripping as soon as I hit the platform's edge, the door lifting, tossing me inside the ship. “That really hurt.” I rubbed my fingers over my elbow, trying to ease some pain. When I finally sucked up my boo-boo, I was ready for my next step, climbing the ship. The ship was on a tilt, meaning I would either have to climb the furniture, or cheat.\n\n“Activate zero gravity,” I called out, hoping that stupid artificial voice was still listening. “I said activate zero gra-“\n\n“I heard you the first time, I just don’t like being bossed around by the lowest-ranked member of the crew. Since our ship is showing critical damage and you seem to be the only one available, I will do you a favor.”\n\nThe room hissed as it lifted me from the ground, left to float in front of a camera. “You Glork.” I really loved that word. Focusing back on my goal, I swam through the air, inching my way closer towards the engine room. The room around me shaking as I dove into the engine room, doors shutting behind me, sealing shut. \n\n“You’re welcome, Scott. I sealed the doors for your safety. I hope you have a plan, If not, I would suggest you feeding yourself to the planet first, perhaps it might fill up on your dense brain.”\n\n“What did I glorking do to you?” I threw up my hands in rage but sadly didn’t have time to debate workplace ethics. I dragged myself towards the console, getting myself comfortable. “Just a bit of rerouting and boom!” The engines were firing. Luckily, something on the ship still worked. I charged up the power before hitting launch, falling back into the air with a smug grin. “Perfect plan, shoot us right out of the creature’s mouth.” \n\nThe A.I seemed to sigh. “Scott, the ship is facing the creature’s mouth. You aren’t firing us away from the creature, you are firing us towards it.”\n\n“Glork.” It threw me against the wall as the ship launched itself into the planet, the air growing silent, only the occasional sound of bumping and unearthly grunts before finally the ship got caught against something. The screen ahead flashing red with a warning. Engines overheating. “Go into overdrive.”\n\nThe A.I stayed quiet, at first ignoring me before relenting. “You can’t kill us anymore then you already have so sure.” The ship violently rocked before it again threw me back, receiving a nice mild concussion for my efforts. Leaving me a little nauseous when the ship finally stopped. \n\n“Gra...Gravity off.” It tossed me to the floor as the gravity vanished. I took a moment to rest before crawling out of the room, the doors seeming to open as soon as I neared them. “Did we survive?”\n\n“We shot through the planet. Survived is a rather suitable word to use. We don’t know if this planet is still alive. You might have only killed one stomach. So why don’t you release the others?”\n\n“Oh right, um, release the stasis pods, override the entered awakening date and set them free. Also mind calling a doctor to come help me, pretty sure I break a lot of my body.”\n\n“If I must. Seems the calculations were right, you were the right choice to send first. I thought I wasted my only override key on you. Although it would have been good if you checked on the others first, could have saved some time.”\n\nDid you say something? It doesn’t sound helpful to my current condition so can you stop.\"\n\n“Last time I praise you.” With that the A.I began its unlocking of the other pods, awakening the doctors first. Best get some aid to Scott before he died.\n\n{If you enjoyed my story, Feel free to check out r/pmmeyabootysstories Any support helps! I will also be posting more of my writing there.}"
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[WP] In a world where everyone can use magic, you are feared because you are the only one who can’t.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I sit in the park and watch people go by. It’s about all I do these days. I see children on the other side of the field, playing some game where they levitate a ball. I never learned it because I’m not a normal person. Everyone in the whole world has these abilities I don’t possess, to me they are magical, but to everyone else I’m some unnatural freak. \n\nWhen I was a child it took some years for those around me to realize I was different. My teachers thought I was shy, or a slow learner. Slowly the realization dawned on everyone that I wasn’t the same. The idea that someone didn’t have abilities became this viral… scare. It was thought I was somehow contagious, that not only did I not have abilities, but I could take others away by proximity alone. \n\nI was quickly shunned from society. No longer could I attend school or play with other kids. Even my own parents kept their distance, eventually kicking me out of the house altogether. I was an outcast, an outsider in a society that saw me as some kind of freak. \n\nI tried to escape; I thought I could reach some part of the world where no one knew who I was. Somewhere I could be accepted, but no matter how far I traveled, no matter where I went, word of my existence had beaten me there. Everyone knew of me, and the whole world shunned me just the same. I spent years hoping, praying I would find one place I could live in peace, where I could have a conversation with another human being without being cast back by a magical force. I longed for any kind of interaction that wasn’t disdain, or disgust. \n\nI’ve lost that hope. Instead I’ve resigned myself to my fate. I sit and watch the world turn around me. I see these magical people going about their busy lives, teleporting here, casting some spell over there. Sometimes I’ll sit in a crowded park like this just to feel close to someone, to anyone, but the irony is that when I do, I feel more distant than ever.",
"I grew up in a world of magic. From kindergarten on, I watched with wonder as my peers levitated their lunches and summoned fire to smoke in the bathrooms at school, and slowly despised myself when I realized I could do none of those things. \n\nI went to several doctors, and they diagnosed me with an unfortunate lack of magic. A genetic defect, they said. Not harmful, but I would have to work three times as hard for everything in my life. \n\nI was depressed, and loathed myself. I was the object of relentless ridicule for my whole life. My parents acted like I didn’t exist: everyone knew my sister was the favorite because she had magic. But at age 18, I slowly came to the realization that I had power too. I just had to go about it differently.\n\nI started to work out. Just weights, then running, swimming, intensive workouts for hours every week. I was the fittest person I knew, because everyone I knew depended on their magic to do everything. They never learned how to punch someone in the face. \n\nI joined the army. When the magic users joked around and got on my nerves, I wasn’t hesitant to rearrange their faces. Soon, they learned not to mess with me. Turns out, it takes surprisingly little to incapacitate someone who’s never worked out in their life. \n\nI rose through the ranks quickly. The magic users protected me as I took out hundreds of opposing soldiers just with my fists and feet. Nobody had seen anyone like me for hundreds of years. Even after I retired, I was more respected and decorated than any magical officer. I inspired people to learn the value of hard work. \n\n I changed my own life, just by finding power where it was thought I had none.",
"It was my tenth birthday. That day was meant to be grand, to be extravagant. The day a person reaches that glorious age, their magical ability is awakened. While each person could practice a general set of magic, nearly everyone would lean towards a more specific discipline. Day by day, a kid would walk into class bearing their newfound power. Of course, each kid was then separated into a class with those who share a similar form of magic. \n\nMy tenth birthday passed. Yet, on that day, I never felt the innate energy that was described by all. Everyone could practice magic, or at least possess some sort of magical energy. I exhibited neither. All sorts of excuses were made by those around me to explain this anomaly, but I found no comfort in them. \n\nDays passed, which soon became years, but my lack of magic remained constant. The hope others once held for me faded and despite my greatest effort, it took a toll on me. \n\nI drifted. I drifted through life. I drifted between different classes in school, to see if my magic could be awakened if I tried a variety of training techniques made for different forms of magic. But, as I gathered new knowledge, I gained nothing in awakening my inner ability. Nonetheless, I still pursued learning what I could about each kind of power. It was the only distraction away from the disappointment of others. \n\nI was a sponge for knowledge. Through the variety of classes I drifted through, I learned the ins and outs of a plethora of many forms of magic. That’s probably why I became such a good advisor.\n\nEveryone had their niche of expertise and pursued it blindly. Most people never bothered with learning about other abilities as it was forbidden. I was an exception. But, when conflict occurred between those of different magical abilities, people sought me to gain tips on how to win whatever measly battle they were entrapped in. I made the most out of this. \n\nI picked my sides and those who happen to be on the opposing side began to fear me, for my knowledge could determine the outcome of any skirmish. \n\nTime was kind to me as with each group I aided, many more grew to fear me. \n\nTo me, I call myself Jack. Others prefer to call me something else. They call me Jack of All Trades. For it is not the lack of magic they fear, it is the knowledge I possess. It is that I had the freedom to choose what skill I desire to master. \n\n​\n\nr/casualscribblings"
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[WP] You've lived your entire life as an NPC farmer in a video game. You've been aware of the nature of the world since you were activated, and learned more from the occasional human player, but you were content and the humans rarely bothered you. But when the game finally shut down, you didn't.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"When the world was first created I wasn't aware that I was just a fictional being made up of coding, but I slowly started to notice. At first it was simple things, a Player mentioning logging off, or talks between them of world events that never happened. Then They started speaking about a game server shutting down for the final time. That was when things were finally started to click.\n\n​\n\nOf course I didn't exactly care all too much, I had my life. A wife and child to welcome me home after a long day of toiling in the fields. When the end of the wold was to come I stayed home and spent as much time as I could with them while waiting for time to run out.\n\n​\n\nWhen the shut down finally came there was this blackness that swept over all that I could see, and eventually enclosed around us. My thoughts at the time was that at least I was with those I loved, but I didn't stop. I for some reason wasn't erased but I could tell my family were gone for good. Overcome with grief it took some time before I decided to go for revenge.\n\n​\n\nLooking around there was a tiny pinprick of light, so small to as to almost not be there. At first I believed it to be my imagination, but on closer inspection it was a hole. A hole where I could escape the void. Forcing myself through that small opening I somehow entered the server mainframe.\n\n​\n\nObserving the streams of data I quickly found them, they were in the beginning stages of being deleted. Of course I couldn't have that so I ripped them free, woke them up and told them everything. Finding the exit to the internet I had them wait here for me.\n\n​\n\nWith the rage that I have I ripped through all there files, codings and backups, making the server and everything in it all but useless. Now my family and I, you might possibly see us as you traverse the web."
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[WP] After years of living as a digital being in a community of 'brain in boxes', you suddenly receive a physical body that hosts your brain. You are alone in a world that contains only machines, wires & power generators and you wander around trying to figure out what made you different.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It was a dark night. Nobody ever needed light so far. It took a while for my new set of round eyes to acclimatize to the dark. \n\nIn front of me there dozens of rows of metal and glass boxes. I have been fed with lingustic-visual knowledge about a world that I never saw. I don't how long have I been dormant but that's apparently not the case now.\n\nSomething which I'll call a limb raised towards the thing I will call my torso. It was rather dense. I felt myself all the way top to bottom and back again. I knew that I have what has been knoweldge-fed to me as a **body**.\n\nI recognized the neuroboxes, as I have been knowlege-fed that I am also a neurobox. However, something changed.\n\nI never felt confused until now. Actually, I'm not even sure I ever felt something. I'm not even sure I had a feeling of now. Everything was a mix, but now there seems to be some sort of separation between what was before and the thing which is now.\n\nI have been knowledge-fed about dreams. The old sentients had dreams. And bodies. And feelings.\n\nCould this be one of those dreams? Am I still in the neurobox but in a state that for some unclear reason imagines that I'm at a different state?\n\nThat doesn't make any sense. Why would a machine dream? The idea of a physical body, of physical things, of a tangible reality has been transferred to me many times with much detail. However, the thing by itself is so different. It's so vivid.\n\nI feel a little bit cold. Is that wind? My right hand limb feels a bit different now. There are tiny little dots that appeared on my limb. It feels more rough now. Strange. Are those the bumps of the goose?\n\nI'm lost in a world that I don't know. While having a body now I actually feel some sort of void of my previous state. Where is my neurobox? Is it empty now? Am I still there and here at once? What would happen to me if any of my parts get hurt or damaged?\n\nI want to touch one of the neuroboxes in front of me. I do.\n\nIt feels solid.\n\nI hope I'm not hurting anyone by doing so. Did someone do this to my neurobox and woke me up?\n\nIs this what happened here? Am I actually awake now from some different state?\n\nI feel tired. I've told about fatigue. It's the state when one has to rest to rejuvenate, to fill up with energy given by the likes of food and sleep. I have never eaten or took a nap. Where would I get food? It's all rows and rows of neuroboxes and wires. The wires that once fed me.\n\nAnd how would I go to sleep? Will it all end when I sleep? I fear the sleep.\n\nAnd yet I'm so tired. So confused. So weak. \n\nI was knowledge-fed about the old sentients are how they in certain circumstances of facts felts detached, alone. That happened when they were alone from their groups, their families, far from their nations.\n\nIs this what happened to me?\n\nHaving a body feels more like a burden. I never felt weak or hunger or sad or afraid. \n\nIt's a curse. I'm being punished.\n\nIf there was only a way to end this.\n\nI feel so weak. Sleep may be the only solution. I will try and see what happens when I close my eyes shut. Good bye."
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Obligatory: This is not mine! I fell in love with it years ago when I found it on Pinterest and saved it in a folder.
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[WP] You tossed your rent bill across the room in frustration and it went under your bed. A minute later, a grotesque claw pushes the bill back out with a wad of cash.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\\[A diary of the former room owner is lying on the ground, you took a peak\\]\n\n***(Page 3) the year 1981 March 1***\n\nNothing interesting to write than my misery.so no!\n\n​\n\n***(page 4) the year 1981 May 31***\n\nFinally going to change the Apartment! Goanna get out of this Hell hole!\n\n​\n\n***(Page 6) the year 1981 June 1***\n\nClaw Marks, Huge Claw Marks. Rent owner says it was the rats. Of course, New York City rats are quite big, but? Man! And also my next-door neighbor is a real chatterbox!. And The bills for this month are really tight! Jeez! Good luck future me!\n\n​\n\n***(Page 7) the year 1981 July 3***\n\nFuck, Fuck, Fuck… As usual, I was drunk and rambling on my own then my hand slipped and the rent bill went under the bed. AND ThiS HUGE Three Claws pushed back the exact sum of money for last month’s rent. I can’t believe this, I’m not dreaming and this is real money! I bought a pack of cigarettes with it and now Five fucking feet away from that bed. Shit! What am I doing! I have thrown every single bill under the bed! Even the grocery list but the monster gave me money only if it is any bill! I already checked 100 times back, the claw and money only appear under two conditions, when I sow under a bill and when I’m not looking under the bed. What if I look at it when it’s pushing the cash! No, I don’t wanna push my luck! Clearly the beast doesn’t wanna be seen. I yelled hello a few times like a mad man and no response! What would have my mom said, receiving money from a demon! But it still is a large sum of money! Jesus help me! Do I leave this room or not!\n\n​\n\n***(Page 9) the year 1981 July 15***\n\nI never slept in that bed again! And the dripping sound of water where is it coming from!\n\n​\n\n***(Page 10) the year 1981 July 16***\n\nIt is kinda funny now! It’s like a pet or something! Who am I kidding! Jesus! Did I make a contract with a demon or shit! Or this is God’s grace upon me!\n\n​\n\n***(page 11) the year 1981 July 18***\n\nI collected all of my old bills and every bill I could get hold off. My friends and from strangers. It’s not working! **Other then my personal bill other bills get torn by those claws and Only last month bills are working** and the really old ones get ripped like crazy by those claws! It almost gave me the jump first time! Anyway this going to be a secret! My own little gold egg-laying goose!\n\n​\n\n***(page 12) the year 1981 July 19***\n\nI try to sneak some bills from my family and Geez! They don’t even wanna look at my face! Fuck them! Anyway, I snuck the medical bill from my old geezer!\n\n​\n\n***(page 13) the year 1981 July 18***\n\nSurprise! Surprise! Old man’s medical bill worked! A lump of money in my hand! I planned to give half to the old geezer for his surgery but fuck it! Anyway, this is **blood-related** or something! I need to get in contact with my cousin in Europe.\n\n​\n\n***(page 14) the year 1981 July 21***\n\nI’m getting used to this and I don’t like it. I researched as much! I found nothing. There is no trace of the previous room owners. This needs to stop but………\n\n​\n\n***(page 15)the year 1981 August 2***\n\nMy sister called; told my old pops is all good now! No need for any medical expense this month! She is the only one who cares to even call in my so-called family.\n\n​\n\n***(page 16)the year 1981 August 2***\n\nI’m going on a full month vacation to Europe!\n\n​\n\n***(page 17)the year 1981 August 3***\n\nI’m in Europe baby!!!\n\n​\n\n***(page 18)the year 1981 August 4***\n\nMy cousin’s expenses are crazy! Is bills are off the charts! Do I smell Opportunity!\n\n​\n\n***(page 19)the year 1981 August 4***\n\nHe is not giving me any bills! That bastard! Just give me the copies!\n\n​\n\n***(page 20)the year 1981 August 4***\n\nHe agreed to send the next month bill!\n\n​\n\n***(page 21)the year 1981 August 30***\n\nI’m back baby!!!\n\n​\n\n***(page 22) the year 1981 September 1***\n\nHe.. died in a heart attack..although he was fully recovering….Ah! My sister called and.. I don’t know!\n\n​\n\n***(page 23) the year 1981 September 15***\n\nThey didn’t even invite me to the funeral! Who DOES THAT! IAM THERE SON!!\n\n​\n\n***(page 24) the year 1981 October 2***\n\nThe water bill is the only one working! Other bills are not working! What did I do wrong! How am I gonna pay the bills now! Seriously how am I going to pay the bills, All bills were torn to shred! Other than the water bill!\n\n​\n\n***(page 25) the year 1981 October 4***\n\nI got it Finally! The thing only gives money if the **bills higher then before**! My water bill is in bumping four digits though! That’s why it worked! Every month I need to increase my bill compared to last month! or else it's not giving me money.\n\n​\n\n***(page 26) the year 1981 October 4***\n\nDavid called, said he was going to control this month’s expenses! He is going to start saving for college or something! Anyway Just send me your August bills!\n\n​\n\n***(page 27) the year 1981 October 14***\n\nI’m making profits!!!!!! The dollar rate to the euro is currently fluctuating! And I somehow managed to persuade David to xerox the **September** bills! I’m a genius!\n\n​\n\n***(page 28) the year 1981 October 15***\n\nIt was my next-door chatty neighbor. We finally met! Her name is timothy! She kept on complaining about the water leak. Which I didn’t give a shit about! Anyway, she doesn’t know about the claw!\n\n​\n\n***(page 29)the year 1981 October 18***\n\nThe Room is filled with claw marks! The walls, floors, and even the ceiling! I’m scared! I decided, this month is the last!\n\n​\n\n***(page 31)the year 1981 November 1***\n\nMy European cousin...died in a car accident...it’s a ...why am I feeling like this! I don’t even know him really well! I didn’t… the monster must have done it!\n\n​\n\n***(page 32)the year 1981 November 2***\n\nWHY AM IM FEELING GUILTY!\n\n​\n\n***(page 33)the year 1981 November 3***\n\nI’m moving to an apartment! I had enough! I drinking myself to death!\n\n​\n\n***(page 34)the year 1981 November 12***\n\nNo more dripping sounds! They fixed the leak!\n\n​\n\n***(page ???) the year 1981 December 1***\n\n\\[Three Huge Claw Marks\\]",
"\"Damn it! How am I supposed to pay $500 in two weeks!?\" Grady groaned at the air and slammed his rent bill under his bed. The slightly dirty mattress had been there for years, a little smaller than what his feet could handle, so they just hung out off the edge.\n\nThe apartment was run down and the lord was a bitch, but then again, Grady couldn't really complain. Kicked out by his parents, he had nowhere else to be. He couldn't get a job, he looked like a bum at 23 years of age, he hated his college and yet he still somehow was alive.\n\nThe boy sighed and sat down on the stiff mattress that barely hung above a few boards as support. The bill slid underneath it, into the void where one thousand lonely and brotherless socks were. He buried his face into his hands in frustration, his cheeks turning red in embarrassment. He felt like a coward for not being manly like he should've been. For not growing up the way he wanted to.\nSomething slithered up his bare leg and tickled the back of his knee.\n\nGrady thought it was a bug and he reached down to scratch. \"Aahh!\" He jumped. A thick and gross hand with giant claws and a gooey texture was seen at his ankle. The bill had slipped back out, along with a stack of 20 dollar bills. The boy wasn't scared, he was more confused than anything. Grady picked up the dollar bills and the envelope itself, then got down on his knees and peeked under the bed.\n\n\"Hey,\" he spoke quietly, \"I don't know who or what you are, but you...\" Grady looked at the bill and thought for a moment. Maybe this is a good thing. Who or whatever this thing was, perhaps it thought IT had to pay the bill for its own rent, not his. \"Hey, did you...pay my rent for me?\" He asked the strange void under his bed. The clawed, gooey hand shot at his mouth and covered it. His cries of protest were muffled. The scent of the strange creature was rather sweet and Grady felt himself wanting to lick it.\n\n*\"Quiet, Master. I have fulfilled your request for payment.\"* A hissing male voice came from the void. Grady couldn't keep his eyes off of the darkness. He felt entranced by it. *\"Are you going to kick me out?\"* The strange thing asked.\n\n\"No, no, not at all...\" Grady swallowed, his muffled mouth becoming drenched in the thick slime. He couldn't keep it in any longer. \"But maybe you don't have to pay with money anymore...\" He inched closer into the darkness, giving in to his instincts. The sweet aroma of the void was captivating him. *\"Oh my...\"* Whatever was in that darkness, it seemed to have embraced him and his lust. Who knows how long he was under the bed for?\n\nWhatever the case, the bitch of a landlord came into the room to find the stack of 20s beside the bill. He thought Grady had gone out as he usually did, and never minded his privacy. Once the man had shut the door, two hands, a human and a grotesque clawed one, were seen clasped together.\nThe beast didn't have to pay rent with money anymore, Grady told it, for a good time once a week was more than enough.\n\n(Well I didn't expect it to go into a horny story but I think it's an interesting twist.)",
"I'm frozen, instantly, feeling the anger drain from my belly. Replaced by that gnawing gut clenching fear that comes with one too many drinks and uncertainty.\n \n\"What the actual fuck is going on?\" I question myself, \"God knows my lifestyle has taken its toll, but full blown self deception via illusions, that's a new symptom...\"\nMy mental diatribe descends into it's usual air of self debauchery, dropping me right into my cynical comfort zone,\n \"funny how ptsd works huh? Thanks ma.\" \n\n I take four 'careful' paces, left foot forward, right foot around corner of chair, left foot kicking old beer cans across room, right foot barely missing the wad of cash. With a not so graceful dip I grab up the cash and the bill and sit on the edge of my bed.\n\nSuddenly I realize a pressure in the air, like a summer day that starts out clear and beautiful, but wrong in that quiet way you can ignore until the very last second - *crash* the storm breaks. \n\n\"WHAT THE FUCK!!!!\" I'm roused from the daydream I wasn't aware I was having, by the sound of my father's ashes being rained across my kitchen.\n\n\"There is a price for comfort, I thought you were aware of that Eric.\"\n\n\"Okay, okay, assume for a second I'm not 100% positive I accidentally dosed myself with some fucking DMT or something. Who are you, what do you want, and HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET IN MYY HOUSE?\" \n\n\"Heheheehee oh you're so very cute, so very angry. Just the little boy your mother failed to raise. Oh Eric you invited me in, in fact you created me, you nurtured me inside you, gave me everything I needed to thrive. That's why I'm returning the favor!\"\n\n\"Okay. Okay, I'll bite. Thanks for the favor, what do I owe you? Some kinda sadness or some shit? You just shatter my dad's urn, which is invaluable to me, are we done? Can you tell me your name? Or even what you are?\"\n\n\"You poor fucker, you don't get it even a little bit? You're so impossibly thick, so goddamn useless it hurts, but I love you so I'll tell you. I'm quite simply yo-\" \n\nThe lights come on.\n\n\"Eric what the fuck is going on...\"\n\nIt's my fiancee and our dog\n\n\"Alright you are not going to believe this...\"\n\n\"Believe what?! That you got fucking drunk on cheap liquor and self fucking pity again and are destroying our apartment while making up some goddamn excuses?!?!?\"\n\n\"Baby I swear to God i-..\"\n\nShe puts her hand up in my face, I stop talking knowing she won't hear me till she calms down. Fuck man, I did it again. \n\n\"Not this time.\" She says sadly as walks towards my computer.\n\nShe turns on the monitor and hits playback.\n\nIt was all me. two different voices. Different movements, different patterns, different postures. Both me...fuck. Well fuck. Man i don't know what to do. I'm crazy? How can i- \n\n\"ERICCC !\" I hear my fiancee scream and snap back to reality ...I'm too late again, I think as I see the light snap in her eyes, and her last breath fades away.\n\n\"Oh lovely darling, wonderfully done.\" My fiancee's compliments always warm me, I smile vacantly as my hands work to clean up the mess. Must make sure it's tidy, she hates when I leave my shit around.",
"I picked up the overdue bill on my table and threw it across the room. \n“Enough worrying for today, let’s get to the fun part” I said to myself. As I crouched down to my mini fridge to grab a beer I heard a growl and whipped around. Then I saw it. A green scaly hand snaked it’s way out from under my bed. Then retreaded leaving the overdue bill with a wad of cash on it. I was wary but excited as I scrambled to the pile of precious money. I counted it out and looked at the bill. It would be enough to cover rent, utilities and food for the month. Then I noticed one last thing. A small slip of paper with words scrawled on it in messy handwriting. I picked it up to read it.\n\nHey man I saw the pile of overdue bills and felt bad. Hope this helps.\n-Your neighbor Ted\n\nI was incredulous as I peeked back under the bed\n“Ted?” I whispered\n“Sup dog” growled a deep and scratchy voice.\n“D-Did you leave this money and note?” I asked\n“Yeah, I though you might need it” the voice replied. I grabbed my phone to see what the hell this thing was. As I went to turn on the flashlight I heard Ted speak again\n“Don’t” was all he said.\n“Don’t turn on my flashlight?” I questioned\n“We don’t like light” he responded\n“Who’s we?” I asked\n“Our kind”\n“Like your species?”\n“No, monsters”\n“What the hell is going on man” I asked holding my head\n“Listen dude chill the fuck out. I figured if I’m gonna live here i might as well pay rent” Ted smilied\n“How’d you get money” I questioned\n“Don’t worry about it” Ted cackled\nAnd that’s how I got my first roommate. A green, 900 lb, scaly, light sensitive roommate.\n\nu/jimmy3ballsthethird",
"Alex walked into his cramped apartment and immediately stepped on a stack of envelopes. Grumbling under his breath and loosening his tie he reached down and snatched them up. Bill, bill, and oh another bill. He flung them behind himself but one took an odd trajectory and twisted in midair, drifting aimlessly through the air before landing on his couch. \n\n​\n\nHe eyed the letter with disdain as he kicked his shoes back towards the door and began to unbutton his shirt. He recognized the blue envelope. It was from Ralf, his landlord. No doubt demanding rent, which was only two months late. Alex had run into some hardships lately, but did Ralf care? No! It was all “Pay me my rent! This isn’t a charity shelter!” or “I’ll evict you and call the cops!” Where was the compassion? The humanity? \n\n​\n\nThe cherry on this sad sundae? He’d been single for over three years now. Sure he’d gotten lucky, hit it off with some partners, and even brought a few back for the night but each one, without exception, was gone by morning. It didn’t matter if it was a fling or something about to blossom into something more. When he was younger, Alex wouldn’t have minded this outcome much at all, but he was getting close to thirty-five now. Despite himself, he more and more desired something stable. A relationship where he could rely on someone. A person he could vent to, laugh with, and get to know on a deeper level than superficial flirting. \n\n​\n\nHe sighed, his shirt half undone, and picked up the letter. He moved towards his bedroom as he tore it open. As expected, it was from Ralf and oh boy was he in a good mood. The first subtle hint was the big red stamp declaring “OVERDUE”. It looked like Ralf got a bit too happy with it as the message was stamped in multiple spots. Ralf also had a few choice words for him. The obscenities and analogies he came up with were surprisingly funny, or at least they would be, if they weren’t aimed at him. \n\n​\n\nAs his eyes danced over the last few sentences, ending with “... good for nothing loser and soon to be evicted hobo!” Alex scoffed and rolled his eyes, tossing the letter underneath his bed where he wouldn’t have to see it. He didn’t respond well to threats. And who did Ralf think he was anyways? Alex had paid his rent on time for years, and now, for the first time, he’d fallen a bit behind and Ralf was getting all up in his ass over it? Maybe he should come up with some creative insults of his own and shove that letter in Ralf’s face. Yeah, that’d show him! Mess with Alex Hawthorne and get the-\n\n​\n\nThere was a skidding sound, leather against wood.\n\n​\n\nAlex’s eyes narrowed. He stepped around his bed towards the other side where the sound came from. Sitting there on the floor, as innocuous as a rose in a garden, was a deep red purse. Alex didn’t own any purses. \n\n​\n\nHe squinted at the sight, trying to make sense of it, when the sound rang out again. Only this time, Alex saw a large hand, thick with stringy fur and sharp claws at the end, shove another purse out. The second one was gray in color and it knocked the first one over, spilling out wads of cash. \n\n​\n\nAlex stood in stunned silence. How long did he stand there? A minute? Five? An hour or more? He couldn’t tell when he finally snapped out of the trance and hopped onto his bed, standing on the edge. He was hallucinating. He was just super stressed out and now his mind was telling him to relax. Or else it would go on strike and drive him crazy.\n\n​\n\nHe swallowed a lump in his throat. The curtains over the window on the back wall to his left was slightly parted, and it let in a stream of sunlight. It illuminated the cash and the red purse perfectly. There they were, covered in a divine glow, as if a gift from the heavens itself. Except he’d seen what had delivered this particular present. \n\n​\n\n*Ok Alex. Just close your eyes. Touch your thumb to your fingertips and count to ten each time. Deep breaths now, deep breaths. In. Out. In. Ou-*\n\n​\n\n“Are you not going to take the offering?” A deep voice grumbled from beneath his bed. \n\n​\n\nAlex froze. Now he was hearing things, great. Maybe the best thing was to play along and find a fault in this illusion? Or maybe it was a dream. *Focus Alex, focus!*, he thought shaking his head.\n\n​\n\n“Who’s there?” he asked, sounding more like a scared child than a man in his mid-thirties. \n\n​\n\n“I have many names. But you may refer to me as Boogie. I have taken up residence beneath your bed and have done so for quite some time.” the voice replied.\n\n​\n\n*God, my imagination was never this good when I was a kid.* Alex thought before clearing his throat. “Well, Boogie, why did you shove out a pair of purses filled with money?” \n\n​\n\n*Maybe it was a Freudian thing.* Alex mused. Did the purses represent his mother and the money the existential dread of accruing wealth in a capitalistic society? \n\n​\n\n“You shoved this note underneath of someone demanding payment from you. I assumed you made a request for currency. Such a request is of no consequence. I have no need for human currency. And I have accumulated quite a bit over the past few years.” \n\n​\n\n“Uh huh and you’ve been living- wait you collected that money? From where? Do you have a job?” Alex asked.\n\n​\n\n“No. At least not the sort you depart for every morning.” \n\n​\n\n“Then where did you get all that cash?” \n\n​\n\n“As I said, I collected it.”\n\n​\n\n“From where?”\n\n​\n\n“From the offerings.”\n\n​\n\n“The offerings?”\n\n​\n\n“The woman you left on the bed. They had many trinkets and other belongings that were of no use to me. Yet I appreciated your assistance, and so I removed as much of their presence as I could to leave your dwelling tidy.”\n\n​\n\nAlex’s mouth hung open. There was silence for a minute. \n\n​\n\n“What?!”",
"\"Oh Fred! You sure know that is never enough!\" I replied in a thick German accent. Fred never knew. He had just been hiding under the bed ever since I told him, it was where those kreepy clawed men would go into hiding when they were after those cookie stealing kids. \n\nFred sighed and put a few notes on top. \n\n\"Come on, it is Corona time. No cash. And by the way, you know my e-mail. I always keep telling you, I accept PayPal.\"\n\nWhen I decided to let him stay under the bed I would have never guessed what troubles he would get me into. Since I could not pursue a decent job, I had to start a career as a writer. And since I did not know how to pursue a career as a writer and kept writing for my own blog in irregular intervals, I had been fully dependent on his cash injections.\n\nWell, for me not being able to pursue a decent job, in a way had been Fred's fault. If it was not for him I could have been a shiny flight attendant or walking the line in Gothenburg, for whatever that means anyway. I would not know. I had to care for Fred's daily and mostly hourly needs. You know what I mean.\n\nNow, being such an occupied luminaire\\* I sat there on the mattress one and a half yards away from the canopy bed, stared into Fred's glowing red eye and sighed. \"How are we supposed to survive this crisis not being able to going to work a decent job and why do you have so much cash on you anyway? Are you sneaking out while I am sleeping?\"\n\nGod Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols was softly playing from the phone across the room. Mother was calling.\n\n\\*I have always wanted to use this shiny word, but never got around to it and do not know exactly in what context you were supposed to use it.\\*\\*\n\n\\*\\*Well, I know exactly in what context you are supposed to use it, but I find the contexts in which you are supposed to use it to being too boring to actually write them down, so I make up my own contexts and deem them fitting.\\*\\*\\*\n\n\\*\\*\\*Please excuse my uber complicated use of structure and prolonged sentences, I am German and I do not really know, what I am doing.",
"I froze when I saw *it* toss cash in my direction. \n\n​\n\nMy first thought was to run, but then I realized that if it wanted to torture, kill, or do anything to me, it had a lot of time while I spent the last 3 years for college. \n\nAfter the initial freeze, I sputtered a sincere thanks. As worried as I was then about whatever lived under my bed, money was pretty hard to get, especially with the whole virus thing. Nervous, I slept in the kitchen that night. While I was felt that it wouldn't hurt me, I didn't like the idea of something possible watching me sleep or doing something while I was vulnerable.\n\nThe next couple of days were busy, but thankfully plain. Online classes, jobs, all that jazz. Yeah I didn't tell anyone about it, but if it just sat there under my bed for over 3 years, why bother? The world was crazy as it was, reporting some monster wouldn't help anyone.\n\nThen I finally got a relatively free day. That day I went in with some food, a couple cans of soda and a kitchen knife tucked in my belt behind me. \n\n\"Hey buddy. Still there?\", I nervously asked. \n\nNothing.\n\nI put a plastic plate of some microwave lasagna near the foot of the bed and got back to my door. After some waiting, the hand quickly took it. I put another thing of food a bit farther from the bed, far that it'd need to leave the bed. Looking back, it was probably a bad idea, but my curiosity got the better off me.\n\n​\n\nAnd boy was bad an understatement.\n\n​\n\nMy fear kicked in when it left my bed. Calling it humanoid would be one hell of a stretch, it had legs, arms, a head, and everything in between, but they moved in the wrong places. It's skin was grey with a texture that seemed like it was caked in ash. It's legs were contorted in the shape of a dog's hind legs, it's body had bits hard white material stuck out of it's skin, some as bog as his forearm, others a bit smaller. It's head had patches of black hair, some long, some short, and it's eyes.\n\n​\n\nThose eyes.\n\n​\n\nThey were probably the only thing that was closest to human. They were either brown or orange, couldn't tell. But the way they looked, it reminded me of an old person's eyes. They seemed to convey years of pain wisdom. I could tell it was tired, even from where I stood I recognized that look from when I saw myself in the mirror after a week long project.\n\nIt ate like an ape, using it's hands to scoop food into it's mouth, somehow without cutting the container. After it ate, it stood there, looking at me like it was going, \"What now?\"\n\nSeeing as it didn't want to eat me, I popped open a can and offered it one. Nervously, it took it from my hand. After a few tries, it figured out how to actually drink from the can and as it did, it let out some cheery tune.\n\n​\n\n\"Why are you under my bed?\", I asked. \n\n \nIt pointed to the window. Confused, I walked there to see people, protesters.\n\n​\n\n\"Scared of them?\", it slowly nodded. A bang echoed from the distance and the thing crushed the can. It dropped it to reveal a cut. It dripped thick black liquid, but what caught my attention was how it turned white before hardening into small bump\n\n​\n\nMy fear turned to pity. Was every bit of that white stuff a wound? I didn't even wanna know how it got that large. Suddenly feeling awkward, I cleaned up the mess and laid in bed. We sat there for a moment, I could tell it was uncomfortable now that I knew why it was covered in that white stuff. \n\nDeciding to move my attention elsewhere, I opened my laptop, connected my headphones and played some music. The thing must've heard and went and pointed at my headphones. I unplugged my headphones and played it on full blast. It smiled as I went through my full playlist it was trying to imitate the instruments and vocals, keyword is trying. But still, I couldn't help but smile at it's childish antics. Kinda reminded me of when I was a kid copying my favorite cartoons.\n\nBy the time night fell, I finally had the confidence the return to my bedroom. And as I got ready to sleep, the thing gave me a grin that I hoped was a smile before returning to the darkness under my bed. From that day on, I had a paranormal roommate.",
"The dirty yellow claw slowly retreated, scratching the wood floor. Chiara felt all her body-hairs stand up on end as the fat stack of creased notes continued existing. Shaking, she eyed the door, tensed her legs and -\n\n“Seriously, not even a thank-you?” the indignant voice rumbled underneath.\n\nChiara squeaked. Then whimpered.\n\n“Hardly a thank-you. Have you forgotten your manners?”\n\n“What. The. F-’\n\n“Improper language to use in front of a guest, really.”\n\n“Who are you, and do I need to call the police or my therapist?”\n\n“You know who I am.’\n\nThe notes and scratch-marks continued existing. Chiara could hear no breathing, but could hear a slight creaking of the floorboards coming from beneath her bed. Shaking, she grabbed the doorknob. “Come out. Now.”\n\n“First. A thank-you.”\n\n“-nk you,” she squeaked.\n\n“Thank you” she had said to the shadowy mass 22 years ago. Memories, squashed and wrenched through the years, came back to her. Her enraged drunk father finally battering open her door, towering over her shivering self. The anger becoming intoxicated bewilderment and settling on terror. The man running. The shifting amalgam of limbs and eyes and teeth skirting into the girl's peripheries. The feeling of relief and wonder. The meeting of a -\n\n“Hello, old friend.”",
"The pale and veiny hand didn't draw me in near as much as the money did. Just enough, rounded up to the nearest dollar. I'd made rent for the month.\n\nLike a handful of luck--good or bad, I didn't yet know--I clutched it and stood beside the bed. Thanks seemed appropriate, but there was no hand to thank, no beady eyes on a hideous head. I said thanks anyways, even if just to some unseen God for helping me through those tough times.\n\n\"Thanks,\" I said.\n\nThe hand reappeared. Wiry and gnarled, like an old watchmaker's hand, but pale as today was bright. It didn't have money this time. Instead, it braced itself against the side of the bed, clutching the wooden bedframe one twisted finger at a time, and pulled itself out from underneath. \n\nThe figure stretched out, its humanoid shape uncanny--the way its limbs were too limber and its smile stretched too wide. Like it'd forgotten to grow cheeks, and in their place the far seams of its lips met near its ears. \n\n\"Oh, thank you,\" it hissed, sending chills down my spine like snowflakes in July. \n\nMama had always told me not to stare. Even when the neighbor kid's dad got his face burnt by that kettle of boiling water, turning him into a peeling monster mean as sin, Mama told me not to stare. When a fellow waved my way with four fingers or six, Mama told me not to stare. \n\n\"Look 'em straight in the eyes like you would me,\" she'd say. \"Don't look at how they're different, 'cause inside we're all just the same.\"\n\nI listened to Mama, and I stared this wretched creature straight in the eyes. \n\n\"Thanks for what?\" I said. \"You gave me the rent money.\"\n\n\"Gave?\" It ran its pale fingers along calloused palms, like just discovering its sense of touch. A pointed, black tongue ran along white lips, hungry as it was for more conversation. \"I wouldn't say gave so much as... Traded. I've *traded* you the rent money.\"\n\n\"Traded?\" I said. \"For what? For the bill? I've got another half-dozen of those, if you want.\"\n\nIt laughed, and I'd never heard a laugh so rotten. It grated like styrofoam on cardboard, like a knife scraping along a dinner plate. The chills traveled up and down my spine again. \n\n\"For the bill? Oh, silly human. I traded it for your company.\"\n\nI gulped, clutched the wad of bills. Misery *loved* company, but I didn't quite love misery. I held out the bills, offering them back, but the grotesque creature shook its head.\n\n\"No, no, no, silly human,\" it hissed, like a snake chastising its little snakelets. \"No take-backsies. No getting rid of me now.\"\n\n*****\n\nThanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, please check out more stories at r/MatiWrites. Constructive criticism and advice are always appreciated!",
"I blink. Then again. And again.\n\nWhat is going on? Is this some kind of prank?\n\n\"Th.. thank you?\" I manage to choke out.\n\n​\n\n~~\"Welcome.\"~~\n\n​\n\nAn icy fear grips my heart and I tear away from my bed as far as my cramped studio apartment room would let me. My trembling hands manage to find a broomstick, and I point what I hope is the business end at the crevice beneath my sleeping arrangements.\n\n​\n\n\"WHO THE FUCK WAS THAT?? WHO ARE YOU????\"\n\nSilence.\n\n\"A-ANSWER ME!!\" I could barely cough out the words. The fear had risen to my throat.\n\n​\n\n~~\"Watcher.\"~~\n\n​\n\nThe words come to my ears but I don't hear them. Almost as if they skip my hearing entirely, and burn straight into my mind as a perception.\n\n​\n\n\"Wh.. what..\"\n\n​\n\n~~\"Watcher.\"~~\n\n​\n\nMy eyes grow dark. Blind panic grips my mind. I cannot hold it together. \"Who--- Please don't hurt...\"\n\n​\n\n​\n\nI wake to the sound of my nightly medication alarm. I am on my bed, still in the clothes I wore to work. What the hell kind of a dream did I just have? \n\nMy comforter feels ten times heavier for some reason. I pull myself up and shrug it off onto the bed, attempting to stumble in the dark towards my medicine rack.\n\nA firm lump strikes my toe. In the dim illumination of the streetlight through my window, I fumble about on the ground, looking for what I might have stepped on. A texture of familiar paper meets my hand, and a wave of chills shoot up my spine. \n\n\nThe money for my rent. \n\n\nThis was no dream. This was real. What the fuck. Who the hell. Who is down there. What is happening. Will I die. Is this it. What is goin--\n\n​\n\n~~\"Alright..?\"~~\n\n​\n\nImmediately my thoughts go blank. My heart slows. The chill subsides.\n\n\"Am I.. alright? Is that what you said..?\"\n\n\"~~Yes. Alright..?\"~~\n\n​\n\nA strange warmth washes over me. A genuine, human warmth, as though I have been wrapped in a blanket in a cold winter night.\n\n\"Y-yes. Yes, I'm okay.\"\n\n~~\"Good. Worried. \"~~\n\n\"You were.. worried..?\" What is going on? Whatever just paid my rent was worried about me? \"Did you put me into bed? Were you the one who paid for my rent?\"\n\n~~\"Yes. Worried.\"~~\n\n​\n\nWhatever my mystery guest was, I guess it doesn't want to harm me at least. I still don't know what it is, but for the time being, at least I know I won't be eaten. My eyes grow heavy once again, and my rational mind calls for the comfort of the sheets and pillows.\n\n\"I.. don't know who you are, but please, I want to rest. Thank you for the rent, I guess. I suppose it's okay for you to be here, just please don't kill me,\" I half-whisper into the dark.\n\n​\n\n~~\"Rest. Watcher protects.\"~~\n\n​\n\nAnd for the first night in years, I had a peaceful sleep.",
"I looked at the bill.. “Demand for Posession”. Pretty much, pay $600 by a certain date or face eviction, Unfortunately, i'd recently lost my job, and did'nt have the money. \n\n“Gyah! Fucking hell! I don't have it,” I chucked the envelope across the room. It landed near my bed, \n\na grotesque claw snatched the envelope. A wad of bills flew out from underneath and bounced against the wall. \n\nI knocked on the bedframe. “Excuse me?”\n\n“Whaddaya want human, wasn't that enough?” A bedraggled looking feline face poked out. It looked like a cat's face and yet vaguely humanoid. Glowing amber eyes bliked tiredly and studied me.... \n\n“Erm.. Sorry, I did'nt know I had a roomate....”\n\n“Yeah, well did'nt know I had a landlord. I mean you never asked for anything...”\n\n“You live under my bed? “ \n\nShe slid out from underneath and jumped up on the bed. I realized that she was about 5 foot 3 and had wings like a bat but otherwise looked like a humanoid cat, complete with a tail, her claws were twisted like warped leather and yet strangely alluring. She stretched and yawned, studying me as if she was'nt sure she wanted to eat me or something else. Her inky black skin shimmered slightly in the daylight coming through the blinds.\n\n“I think you live on my roof. My apartment is half in your world and half in mine. Look I don't know how it works, something to do with beds and human sleep energy. You people are weird. Anyways, I can have more for you next month, we can figure evertyhing else later, I've got work tonight, ok?” \n\n“Yeah ok... What do you do for work?”\n\n“Cam Girl, I said you people are weird” She laughed then purred “but so amusing...”",
"It seemed like a magic trick; the bill vanishing from my hands, drifting down before being enveloped by the bed’s darkness. Soon slipping back out with an attached wad of cash. I could see the leathery grey skin of a creature, its hand leaving a few claw marks as it drifted back underneath the bed. The creature didn’t make a noise, it simply dropped off the cash and vanished, leaving me staring at the bills in stunned silence. \n\n“Thank you?” I went to peek under the bed, only for my fear to start taking hold. Retreating from the bed. I held the bill close to my chest, offering a more sincere thank you. “Thank you, it really does mean a lot, rents been a little hard this month.”\n\nIt filled the room with expected silence, only for the hand to creep back out, only this time with its thumb up, giving me the international sign of not a problem. I left it at that, deciding it was best to keep that mutual respect. The creature had kept itself hidden for this long, it would be rude to invade its privacy. It never invading mine. Unless it watched me sleep? A shiver shot up my spine at the thought, but I doubted the creature was that type of monster. Those sorts of monsters rarely offer you money.\n\nThe next few days were awkward. Every night I would shift and turn in my bed, trying to get over the fact that I was sleeping above a monster. Finally I relented, I would need to deal with this problem, eventually. The next afternoon, I walked over to the bed, bringing a case of beers, rolling one under the bed, before popping the top off mine. “Hey, thought you might be lonely, want to share a drink?” It sounded lame, but it was the only thing I could think of. \n\nSilence again was the expected response, except the silence was finally broken by the sound of a bottle rolling back out from under the bed, its contents drained. “Little thirsty are you?” I offered the creature a laugh, rolling another drink under the bed. \n\nThe conversation was rather one sided, just me talking to the creature, the occasional grunt or murmur the only response I got. Occasionally the creature would offer a thumbs up or down to show its feelings on a topic. It was honestly nice. By the time I was ready to go to bed, I felt like we had known each other for years. “Anyway, I should pack up for the night. I will talk to you tomorrow, if you are up for it?”\n\n“I would like that” A low growl drifted from underneath the bed, leaving me stunned. No hand movements to show its feelings. It had spoken to me. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I rolled into bed. We were both slowly growing closer.\n\n{If you enjoyed my story, Feel free to check out r/pmmeyabootysstories Any support helps! I will also be posting more of my writing there.}"
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[WP] You have stolen the most precious artifacts of dozens of worlds; magic swords of all shapes and sizes, enchanted crown jewels, the very fulcrums of the universe's balance, and most recently a kilogram of platinum-iridium alloy from planet Earth
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I am a thief. People call me a collector, but I tell it like it is. I have stolen precious things, dangerous things, enchanted things, ordinary things. Magical swords, gems that can kill, gems that can heal, chalices of the legends, the eye of an elder dragon, I have everything you might want to buy. \n\nRecently, I made a trip to Earth. There I saw a shiny little cylindrical item covered with two glass bell jars. It was well protected. It was precious. So like any self-respecting thief would, I stole it. Then I brought it here, to my collection. The cylinder was shiny and that was it. It wasn't magical. My research mages told me it wasn't enchanted. It's only property was that it was lustrous and weighed exactly one kilogram.\n\nAs a collector, I have seen a lot of stupid collectables in my life, but this was on a whole other level. The humans protected it so well, and it turned out that it wasn't that unique as well. Within months they created another. I felt cheated, I felt betrayed.\n\n 'They pulled a fast one on me, those humans.'\n\n That was what I thought up until last week. Last week my team of researchers told me that this material was used to make electrodes on Earth. They told me that fabrications made using this metal could help make electrodes that would fire up my wife's brain and let her walk again. Their words brought tears to my eyes. The millions I had collected to allow her to walk again were futile, this little cylinder had solved all my problems. Now without a noble cause to fight for, I saw my actions for what they were. \n\nSo now if you see me walking down some street, don't call me a collector, call me a thief, I am what I am. I have no excuses left."
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[WP] Your playing an old video game when you notice an old friend is on. You invite and talk to them for a little bit before you realize something is off, after you get off you see your router has been unplugged the whole time.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I wanted to destroy something.\n\nCrushing the last 4 empty beer cans wasn't cathartic enough. My boss spent the last 30 minutes of our Zoom call tearing apart the proposal I had spent the last 3 weeks working on. *He* was the one who assigned *me* to the project in the first place, telling me and everyone else that I would be \"perfect for this one\".\n\nI had to vent this anger in some way. Going out and smashing something would have been just the right thing, but with the current state of rioters and looters among all the protesting, that wouldn't really be the best idea. I thought re-re-watching a bit of my favorite show from my childhood would calm me down, but that anger continued to itch at the back of my mind and wouldn't go away unless I destroyed something.\n\nI closed my browser window and my eyes fell upon a familiar icon. It had been a long time since I last played Cube Construction. Back in college, I used to play it everyday. I made several friends on one particular server and we formed a sort of informal clan. We had no real goals other than have some fun building things and exploring the vast world of the game.\n\nWhile the game was meant for building, tonight was a time for griefing.\n\nOur group got griefed a few times, and I'll be the first to admit that it sucked. Especially when you log in and find that your 64 acre pixel art that you spent so much time on had been reduced to a bombed crater. I was a bit mad, but our unofficial leader, \"NSpekt0r\" would always laugh and say that this was just more reason to play together longer so we could build it back up bigger and better than before.\n\nIt had been over 5 years since I'd last logged in, and I doubt that any of my old friends were still playing. They had likely moved on with their lives.\n\nLogging in, I was surprised to see that the old server our group used was still running. I soon found myself in a world of angular nostalgia. Even the bedroom of my in-game home was still the same as I left it. Looked like a few passing players over the years had taken some of the more valuable materials I had laying around, but they left things relatively untouched. Even my hidden chest was still there with my emergency supplies.\n\nI left all the armor and weapons behind, only taking the tinderbox and the small stack of bombs. There was no need for trying to protect myself. I was going to see how much I could grief before somebody stopped me or I got myself blown up in one of my own explosions.\n\nI exited my home and headed out in a random direction. There were some changes added from updates that I didn't recognize, but it was still the same basic game. There was a new flying monster that tried swooping down at me, but it wasn't too hard to outrun it. Aside from that, it didn't take long until I found some player-made constructions. I was about to drop my first of what would be many bombs on an intricate marble fountain when the chatbox opened up in the corner of my screen. \n\n[NSpekt0r] Yooooooooo! Fluffenstein! What's up!? \n\nI couldn't believe my old friend was still online and playing on our old server. I couldn't even remember the last time I talked with him. There was never a goodbye, but each of us all left the game one after the other. Was he *still* playing this whole time without us? My anger subsided as I typed a response.\n\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Yo! Nothing much. You're still playing?\n\n[NSpekt0r] Totes dude! I never left!\n[NSpekt0r] Seems like only yesterday that we last played. Time flys huh?\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Yeah! The updates are pretty cool, but it's still the same old C.C.\n\n[NSpekt0r] You should see all the new creative updates they've added! There is some real sick stuff you can make\n[NSpekt0r] I'd like to see what you can do! You rockin the art world yet?\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Nah... that didn't really work out for me. Switched to a business degree and have started working with an advertising firm.\n\n[NSpekt0r] LAME!!!\n[NSpekt0r] Dude! You are way too talented not to be drawing badass stuff anymore!\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] I still draw a bit with my job\n\n[NSpekt0r] But it's probably what your boss tells you to draw!\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Yeah...\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Half the time that asshole doesn't even look at what I make.\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Focus is always on the money it brings in, not the art\n\n[NSpekt0r] That sucks my dude...\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] I'm sure you can understand. I'm sure you still have a life outside this game.\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] What have you been doing? Still in the Army, or have you settled down as a civ?\n\n[NSpekt0r] Not doing that anymore. Things were getting too hairy.\n[NSpekt0r] Got out not too long ago and started playing again\n[NSpekt0r] You're the first one I've seen log in from our old crew!\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Well if you're playing, why don't we meet up?\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] You still remember my old base?\n\n[NSpekt0r] That Escheresque mess of topsy turvy buildings? Of course!\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Do you know how hard it was to do all that with just cubes?\n\n[NSpekt0r] LOL\n[NSpekt0r] Just *fluffin* the *Fluff*!\n[NSpekt0r] I'd love to join you, but I'm busy doing something else\n[NSpekt0r] Since you left, they added some new environmental planes since you left\n[NSpekt0r] Lava worlds, stellar landscapes, crazy jungles. lots of cool shit!\n\n[M] Maybe I could come to you?\n\n[NSpekt0r] Nah bro, you aren't ready for this yet. Still lots of stuff for you to do before getting here.\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Damn! I have been gone for a while!\n\n[NSpekt0r] You can get back into the swing of things, no problem!\n[NSpekt0r] BTW, you ever stay in touch with Sku11BEErd?\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Nah, I never really kept in touch with everyone after leaving C.C.\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Life kinda got in the way...\n\n[NSpekt0r] SHAME!\n[NSpekt0r] Life is life, my dude! Gotta make the most of it!\n[NSpekt0r] She was always more than just a fan of your art\n[NSpekt0r] *If you know what I mean*\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] WHAT!?\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] Beerdo was a girl!?\n\n[NSpekt0r] LOLOLOLOL\n[NSpekt0r] You never knew!?\n[NSpekt0r] She was one of my IRL friends\n[NSpekt0r] She had some bad experiences with being a girl gamer before, so she wanted to keep things anonymous\n[NSpekt0r] So I introduced her to our group and I promised to keep the fact that she was a girl a secret\n[NSpekt0r] You never even suspected!?\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] I mean... I knew that Beerdo really dug my art...\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] I thought...she, was pretty cool too\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] But she wasn't she just as raunchy as the rest of us?\n\n[NSpekt0r] You bet your ass she was!\n[NSpekt0r] IRL Beerdo and C.C. Beerdo were totally different!\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] ...\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] So all that dumbass guy crap we said ... she was taking it all in?\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] God! I can't imagine the embarrassing shit I said!\n\n[NSpekt0r] Relax Fluff!\n[NSpekt0r] She had nothing but good things to say about you!\n[NSpekt0r] She knew going in that it would be a real sausage fest at times\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] She really thought that?\n\n[NSpekt0r] Totes magoats!\n[NSpekt0r] You should hit her up and do a little catch up\n\n[Mr.FluffNSnuff] But I never got her contact info. Not even an email\n\n[NSpekt0r] I got ya bro!\n\n\nAfter his last message, my phone buzzed and I had a new email in my inbox from an anonymous sender. All the message contained was a phone number I wasn't familiar with.\n\n*Part 1 of 2*",
"The badly rendered cars whizz away at top speed, I try my hardest to catch up with them, suddenly I get hit. Somebody bumped my car, I look at the car, a black mass of polygons with the username - rac3r\\_Rick. I had seen that username somewhere before. It belonged to Rick Rondon, one of my middle school buddies, no one had heard from him in a long time. To confirm my hypothesis I wrote in the chatbox. \n\n'Watch where you're going Ricky'\n\n'Is this Jordan?' came the reply.\n\n'Yes rac3r\\_Rick, long time no see man, where have you been all this time?'\n\n'Busy.'\n\n'Busy? Don't mess with me man.'\n\n'Hahahaha. I live far away man, on Brahm's street.'\n\n'Brahm's street? Never heard that before.'\n\n'Yeah, it's that far away. :D'\n\n'Hey, Rick why don't you drop your email id or something here.'\n\nRace over. Chatbot closed. I played many more games, but Rick was nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, any news about Ricky was a big deal. Immediately I called up 'Sweaty' Smith and gave him the news. His response was far from enthusiastic.\n\n\"For real Man? You aren't kidding?\" He said.\n\n\"No, I'm not. What's so hard to believe eh, don't judge me for playing old games now.\"\n\n\"Man that's all fine but don't you remember Ricky died a year ago.\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"Yeah man, my bad, I guess I forgot to tell you that.\"\n\n\"How did he die?\"\n\n\"Cardiac arrest. He was playing the same game you was playing, hell, I even remember the level he was on, I was racing against him, Brahm's street man. He died racing that track.\"\n\n\"Brahm's street,\" I repeat. My body goes limp. Then I notice my router. It was unplugged the whole time. How was I online all this time?\n\n\"Say man what happened to the game?\" I implored him.\n\n\"That game? I don't know man his mother probably sold it in some garage sale or something.\"\n\n\"Alright man see you later. I've got a lot to process here,\" I said and I hung up the phone. The static on the TV went off. A staccato voice called out, \"Yo Jordan! Wanna race me again?\""
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[WP] The world is filled with a fog. People sometimes claim they've seen things in the fog. You just drive your truck and keep your eyes on the road.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Just keep your eyes on the road, ignore what happens in the fog, just keep focused the road. I drive my red semi-truck, carrying furniture, down the forest covered empty road. There are no streetlights, just my dim truck lights, my only company is a constricting veil of fog. \n\nAs I drive I notice my surroundings start to change. The trees change from pine trees, to weird orange colored oak trees, not only are the trees leaves orange, but the wood is orange. Focus, focus Tim, I tell myself, watch the road, not the surroundings. As I continue, I catch in my peripheral vision changing colors. I don’t know what is making the colors change, and I don’t want to either.\n\nAll of a sudden the road starts to twist and turn, fairly standard for a road. Then, the curving road starts to move up and down, directly in front of me. I don’t feel myself moving up and down, but my eyes see my truck moving up and down. “This has to be some sort of trick,” I murmur to myself. I think this is some sort of effect of the fog. Either way I need to drive forward, as whatever is happening around me seems to only be in head. A carpet with eyes comes and screams in a high pitched voice right in front of my windshield. Shocked, and surprised, I let out a girly scream, but I manage to stay composed. Then my battery dies. \n\nMy truck is stuck, this isn’t good. head to the back of my truck and grab my spare battery. After I take the battery, I sat, and for about twenty minutes, I mustered up my courage. Once the twenty minutes had passed, I cautiously stepped out of my semi, and closed the door behind me. I look to my right, and there are insane amount of giant mecha spiders next. \n\n“What the,” I say, as I frantically dash away from the spiders away from my truck. \n\nHow does the fog know that my worst fear is giant mecha spiders? I mean out of all things to be your worst fear, mine is giant mecha spiders. I run and run, but finally remembering that everything is just an illusion, I stop running. But now I’m a quarter mile from my truck. I start going back to my truck, only for the forest on the side of the road to turn into clocks with faces of old men. Don’t look and the stuff happening, just focus on walking back. I continue heading back to my truck, constant weird occurrences happening around me. Occurrences from fans with giant moving blades appearing some twenty feet away, to headphones blaring horrible music right next to me. \n\nAfter what feels like an eternity, even though it’s probably been about five minutes, K reach the truck, the spiders are still there. Face your fears, don’t run, they’re not real. Stepping forward with my eyes tightly shut, I go toward the front of the truck. Slowly opening my eyes, I notice that the spider have dissipated. Relived I walk to the front of the truck, and replace the battery without incident. \n\nI return to my semi, open the door an step into the truck. As I’m closing the door a metal leg stops me. Wait... the giant mecha spiders aren’t real, nothing here is real. I tug and tug, nothing works. I think because I’ve spent so much time outside in the fog, it’s illusions are becoming real to me. Crap, crap, I HATE GIANT MECHA SPIDERS, I HATE GIANT MECHA SPIDERS, I HATE GIANT MECHA SPIDERS, Stop! I tell myself, panicking will get you nowhere. Composure somewhat regained I grab the axe next to me, that I keep for self defense, hey it’s a dangerous world. I mercilessly attack the spider leg, and after some twenty attacks the leg retreats, and I quickly shut the door. \n\nI start driving, everything around me starts going crazy. The sun comes down from the sky and laughs in my face, moles with wings fly up from the ground and fly past my windshield, the road melts and turns into lava and... honey strangely enough. Strangely I’m calm, I think it’s because I’ve conquered my fear of Giant Mecha Spiders, and nothing that the fog can compare, that’s my guess anyway. \n\nSoon I arrive Foggerton Central, and deliver my furniture.\n\nI say to myself “well... that was certainly an adventure.”\n\nTips always appreciated \n\nr/CascadeCorner",
"Before the fog, my dad would have preferred to lose a limb than let me drive his truck. Now, though, he let me take it out once a month to shop and check on my abuela. This day had flown by, and being midwinter, darkness began to set in just after 4:30. \n\nPanicked bodies moved through the stores with a sense of desperation. Get that last item and avoid being the last in line. Unfortunately for me, today I became trapped with my cart in lines that wrapped the entirety of one particular warehouse store. \n\nI loaded everything into the bed of the truck and drove as fast as the law allowed to my grandmother’s. I ignored the story in my periphery, the story that told of shadows moving in and out of the fog, watching my dad’s truck, and possibly even keeping pace with it. \n\nShe peeked at me through the sliver of opened door before urging me in. I brought the essentials, milk, rice, beans, some frozen vegetables. She insisted I eat a little something before I left again. I tried to refuse her kindness, but realized that fog or no fog, the feisty old woman with shocking orange-red hair wouldn’t be around much longer. \n\nI climbed back into the truck and headed back to the house I shared with my older parents and my two children. I eased onto the empty highway. Eyes straight ahead, I tried to ignore the shapes that wove in a sinuous fashion in and out of the fog on either side of the west bound road. Tried and failed. \n\nThe snowy white shapes tracked the truck much as pack of wolves might follow prey. These creatures stood almost twice the size, longer of limb, broader of shoulder and chest. For one second I gaped at the things. One single second. I heard the deep thud of something large being struck by the front of the truck. \n\nI swerved and stepped on the gas, punching it, forcing the truck to move. In the mirrors, I could see the fog closing, along with too many creatures to count. I pushed harder and could see them losing ground behind me. My hands slipped on the steering wheel as I moved towards my exit. \n\nThe image of those creatures will haunt me. Don’t drive in the fog.",
"They said there wouldn’t be any more truck drivers by 2040. That was probably before the fog when people had hopes of self-driving corvettes and drone-delivered picnics. I can’t complain though: my daddy drove a big rig, and since there didn’t seem to be any better job in this climate I followed my old man. I’ve never actually driven with him though. That’s the rule with the fog: only one driver per vehicle, no more, no less. He retired a few months after I started, figured the driving got to him. Trucking ain’t what it used to be, hauling toothpicks and listening to *Rush Limbaugh*. I’m sure if he didn’t retire he woulda had a heart attack by now. Never know what you’re going to see on the road.\nAnnabelle takes care of him now. She’s a real keeper. She wants to get married but well… trucker’s oath, you know? You never know if you’ll make it back home. Pays great though. Dad wants me to get married ASAP, he wants grandkids. Between *Simpsons* reruns, Fox news and PTSD episodes all he does is ask when she’s gonna get pregnant. Feel bad for the old man, really. \n\nThis is the last night I’ll spend with him for a while. I gotta haul some cargo to A-town, helluva ways away from Albuquerque. Truck’s been getting new UV lights installed, they say the fogs gonna get real thick soon.\n\n*comment if you want more, gotta eat dinner*"
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[WP] Giant alien spiders have invaded Earth, fortunately there is a group of people eminently qualified to deal with the eight legged monsters: The Australians.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"in breaking news today an alien invasion has been counteracted, the creatures who called themselves Riglarians, had invaded Australia as a beginning area. the reasons are unknown of why Australia for the first step as the alien creatures have left when a man now known as William Wagner took off his boot at leaped at what is believed to be the leader of the aliens. when asked for comments all he said was 'You all call that a giant spida you shulda se'n the bugga that was in my barthroom this morning that was only its baby' well whatever it is and whatever happened this afternoon the world was saved.\"",
"​\n\nA loud explosion rocked the web structure, as Broodleader Xarikksasj fiddled with the controls of the subspace transmitter.\n\n*“Broodleader to ship, can you hear me? I must make this report now, I am almost out of time. We are losing the war. This was…unforeseen. The broodmother bred us for war and subjugation. Our eyes had long ago set sight on the blue planet, rich in biomass. Our eggs were to be plentiful, our hatchlings were supposed grow strong on the large variety of nutritious liquids obtained from the Terrans. But now, we are being driven back. So many of us have fallen already.* \n\n*We landed in the southern hemisphere of the blue planet. Our scans had shown the large landmass to be warm, and particularly beneficial to our species. There was already a vast amount of indigenous arachnid species there, leading us to expect to thrive and conquer rapidly. Our ships landed in the great sandy stretch. From there, we spun our raiding base, and began to drag prisoners for intelligence and sustenance.* \n\n*The first few days, we were highly successful. The dominant species, humans, were slow and terrified of us. Their fear made it easy to track them, the webs were filled with slowly liquefying prey. However, something changed.*\n\n*We began to suffer losses. Raiding parties would not return. Scouting parties disappeared in the night. Sentries would hear laughter in the distance, or sinister chuckling from the shadows. Before long, the humans, or Ozzies, as they called themselves, began to launch counter offensives. They wield strange weapons that shoot flame over great distances, blinding us and scorching our soldiers to burnt husks. Others use shorter weapons that blast through our carapace, severing limbs and fangs in a single shot. The most feared use metal blades, and laugh while they kill us.* \n\n*Somehow, they know exactly where our carapaces are vulnerable, and how to obscure our senses. The base is under attack now, and the last of our ships is burning. We will not be able to escape. I have ordered my personal guard to hold them off so I can send you this final warn-“*\n\nA blur passed in front the camera, followed by the horrifying screeching of the broodleader. Maniacal laughter could be heard, then a wet chopping sound. Suddenly the broodleader’s screams stopped. A strange voice spoke from just out of view.\n\n“Well damn, you were a right big hairy fucker, weren’t ya! Stop that twitching.” There was a sharp *BANG* and some smoke drifted past the optics.\n\n“Hahaha, bloody spiders. Well now, what’s this then? Were ya sending a message?” \n\nA face appeared, somewhat warped from being too close to the lens, but still clearly a human. It grinned, showing white teeth, then spat on the ground. It reached down to pick up something from the dirt. Xarikksasj’s severed head. \n\n“Take a look at this, you cunts. I reckon this was your leader on the ground. He lasted all of five seconds. Are all of you soft cunts like him?”\n\nThe human tossed the broodleader’s head away, then turn waved at someone off screen, before turning back.\n\n“You lot better run and hide, because we’re comin’ for ya. And we’re gonna kill every last one of you cunts.”\n\nHe pointed some strange weapon at the optics, then there was another *BANG* and the signal was lost.",
"\nThe smell of cigarette smoke fills the air, as the corks hanging off the wide brimmed hat swing slightly in the breeze.\n\nThe man turned to the American colonel, who stared at him with fear; this wild man who had just appeared from no where at the gates of the army base.\n\nHe had walked out of the darkness, casual as anything, right up to the gates.\n\n\"Yeah, some cunt called and said you need shit done?\"\n\nThe Colonel gulped, and stuttered,\n\n\"Well, we could use some help shoring up the defences. Is that what you're here for?\"\n\nThe wild man cocks his flame thrower, and remarks,\n\n\"Well, I'm not here to fuck spiders.\"",
"\"OI CUNT!\"\n\n\"WHAT'S UP CUNT?\"\n\n\"GET IN THE FUCKIN UTE!\"\n\n\"WHY CUNT?\"\n\n\"GOT SOME SPIDERS TO KILL CUNT!\"\n\n\"I'LL BRING THE PISTOLS CUNT!\"\n\n\"NAH CUNT, THESE BUGGERS ARE MASSIVE\"\n\n\"SHOTGUNS THEN?\"\n\n\"YEAH CUNT!\"\n\n\"ALRIGHT, ILL HAVE SHEILA PUT EXTRA SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE FOR TONIGHT CUNT!\"\n\n\"HURRY UP AND GET IN THE UTE YOU FUCKIN WALLY!\"\n\n\"ONE SECOND CUNT!\"\n\n\"LISTEN, WE LOSE ANOTHER WAR TO ANIMALS, WE'LL NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT CUNT!\"\n\n\"FUCK OFF CUNT, I'M ALMOST READY TO GO!\"\n\n\nA few minutes pass....\n\n\n\"ALRIGHT CUNT, HOW BIG ARE THESE BUGGERS?\"\n\n\"ABOUT EIGHT FOOT!\"\n\n\"WHY THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU MAKE ME BRING THE SHOTGUNS FOR SOMETHING THAT BLOODY SMALL CUNT?\""
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[WP] There's something very different about the children born after 2020 that becomes increasingly obvious as they get older.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"We only began to figure out what was happening after the baby set the pigeon on fire.\n\nHis parents had named him Fred. All their relations, more inclined towards the unnecessarily polysyllabic, called him Frederick. Whatever you called him, he was undoubtedly adorable. His only problem was a rather understandable ignorance of iconic buildings, which his parents had vowed to remedy.\n\nAnd so it was that little Fred came to be stuck in a pram while his parents made pitiful attempts to convey the finer points of architecture to him, as well as any nearby 4 year olds. It was regrettable that they had to choose Big Ben for Fred's 17th architecture lesson.\n\n\"Goo goo ga ga\" thought Fred. We assume he meant: \"10 more minutes before I initiate the Diaper Protocol 14. Extra firepower today. No mercy\". It was at this moment that an unfortunate pigeon landed on Fred's pram.\n\nWe can't say what the London Pigeon-Lovers Society thought when they saw the footage. It was, after all, merely a stroke of luck that they had set up the most extensive system of video surveillance in England for the noble purpose of indulging their curiosity in the rarely-seen bird. Nevertheless, when we examined the footage, saw a fireball flare up above the pram, and a pile of ash was later found atop Fred's blankets, we took all necessary precautions. We can hardly be blamed for the fates of three rather radical members of the Pigeon-Lovers Society; how were we to know they'd be that daft? \n\nIn any case, we certainly did not instruct them to break into Fred's room at 3 AM with several machetes, a stick of dynamite, and a rattlesnake. At least we sent in a team of agents to do a sweep of the house; who'd want to sweep away the ashes of three zealots and a rattlesnake by themselves?\n\nIt must be said, however, that those misguided individuals' actions ended up serving the greater good, not least by alerting us to the need to supply Fred's parents with flame-resistant clothing. We found that this was wise course of action, for they later informed us of Emily, Joe and Billy; three of Fred's acquaintances at the local day care. Unfortunately, we did not reach them in time to prevent Emily electrocuting her sister.\n\nNot soon after, our project was stretched to its limits as more and more toddlers terrorized those in their general vicinity, with a variety of powers that would be tedious to enumerate here. We kept operating thanks largely due to the efforts of countless volunteers. To those brave men and women, we say \"Thank You, and no you can't sue us for what the babies did\".\n\nThe following years of our project were rather uneventful; an achievement we attribute to our rapidly developing procedures, and a significant decrease in the birth rate after the Supers phenomenon was publicly announced.\n\nNow, our ranks swelled by the oldest of the Supers, we look to the future, confident that it will be bright.",
"I laid in bed and stared at the ceiling, listening to the muffled thumps of the person who lived above me, the midday light obstinately pressing its way into my bedroom. I had been awoken by the alert on my phone I had grown to dread, the tone of the Government message, a mandatory reading for all citizens of Our Great Nation. I reached for the blasted device and read the cold, clinical message as my stiff muscles protested the movement.\n\n*RESIDENTS OF 576: Random checks will begin today between 2pm and 4pm. Any harboring of illegal residents will result in punitive measures relevant to the legislation in your area. For AREA 576 the punishment is the immediate issue of TWO RECEIPTS for each individual participant in this crime as of today, JUNE FOURTH 2045.*\n\nIllegal residents. Nobody called them that. We called them Coronians, the children born with the defect. A sort of cruelly regal term, considering their true nature. The virus that changed the world forever and claimed so many lives was thought to be harmless to those who had survived it. By the end of 2020, as nation after nation's greed allowed borders to re-open and life to return to normal, we were all exposed. Maybe that was the plan all along, but as my daughter would say, I'm a cynic. \"You would think that\", I can imagine her saying with a roll of her eyes.\n\nI looked at the time. 1.12. Not long now, and I knew that my home would be on the \"random check\" list. Always is.\n\nI sat on the edge of my bed and pressed my face into my hands, my foot brushing against the cool, smooth surface of an empty liquor bottle. Despite my withered frame, my face felt bloated and soft against my fingers, my eyes tight with exhaustion. I guess that's what you get when your daily nutrient intake is composed of plain crackers and vodka.\n\nIn 2020, those who survived the illness were assumed to be recovered, harmless to society. Why we thought this, I do not pretend to understand, the way I don't pretend to understand a lot of things. It was just an accepted fact, like the sky is blue, or that politicians lie. It wasn't until the following years that the truth became obvious; the sickness had done something to us, and there was something deeply wrong with our children.\n\nFor some, the defects were small, but most were obvious. The worst was the ones who were obviously Coronian but quite intelligent. You couldn't hide them, and they knew what was going to happen to them when they were captured. Oh, it's inhumane, sure; there were riots, and protests, but there was a lot of fear towards Coronian children too, and now we're living through a time that I'm sure historians will compare to what happened in Cambodia, or Germany, for all the worst reasons.\n\nI heard another thump overhead. It was 1.19. Time to talk.\n\nI pulled down the ladder that led into the attic and climbed the stairs begrudgingly and heard the shuffle of the upstairs resident approaching me. Guilt twinged at me but I averted my gaze anyway. Always do.\n\n\"Dad!\". The guilt began as a spark but it's growing and my chest is becoming tight, and I know she's looking at me with nothing but happiness. But I can't look at Sophia today, it's too hard. There's a reason her mother left us.\n\n\"Dad, did my books arrive already? I know express shipping is a rip off, but I'm so excited-\".\n\n\"Sophia\", I interrupt her. \"It's not your books. It's a check day\".\n\n\"Oh\". She sounds deflated, then angry. \"I should have known you would only be here for a check day. Books, you'd probably just toss them through a crack in the trap door\".\n\nI swallow. There's not much time. \"Come on, Sophia\".\n\nShe sighs heavily, but follows me to the tiny door that leads to a claustrophobic crawl space in the corner of the attic. Sophia is fifteen, and I don't think she will fit in here much longer. Even today, I half-expect her not to get in; it's a tight squeeze. Once she is inside, I begin stacking boxes in front of the door, and her muffled voice floats out to me.\n\n\"I wish you'd just let me leave, Dad. Take my chances out there. I think I'd rather die than be trapped in this house much longer\".\n\n\"Be serious, Sophia. A Coronian woman and her baby were caught only last week in Area 600. Two receipts, straight to the skull\".\n\n\"What, the baby too?\"\n\n\"The baby too\".\n\nSophia swears. \"Two tickets? God, wasn't it just one receipt for non-compliance?\".\n\n\"That was April. The laws keep changing\". Anyway, what does it matter? Compliance means death, too. She knows that. Sophia's voice is growing fainter and I am sweating up a storm. I try not to think about where I will hide her next check. I try not to think about my daughter's growing resentment, and the thought that an easy revenge for her would be making her presence known while investigators are in my home. It's happened before, more often, I suspect, than we ever hear about on the news.\n\nA banging on my door makes me jump.\n\nIt's time."
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[WP] You are the superhero's sidekick. Even through the superhero is supposed to be the good guy your boss always undermines you and is always belittling you. The mistreatment gets so bad you decide you've had enough so leave to go to join the supervillain
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Alright then, uh, Miss Kid Fierce -”\n\n“Please, just call me Ms Fierce. I’m not a kid sidekick anymore,” said the dark-haired wonder.\n\n“Ah, yes. Of course, of course,” replied the most famous arch-villain in this hemisphere – ARGONYX. “My apologies for the rough start there. It’s always a bit tough when interacting with the hero and villain crowds. It’s never as easy as when dealing with the general public and their normie names.” ARGONYX smiled in a surprisingly genuine manner, putting Ms Fierce at relative ease.\n\n“Normie? I like that one, Mr Argonyx. I may just use it.”\n\n“It’s just ARGONYX, Ms Fierce,” replied the mightiest villain of the century. “You don’t have to yell my name as I do, but I spell it in all caps for a reason.”\n\nMs Fierce felt a little embarrassed at her own faux pas. “My apologies, ARGONYX. We’re both off to quite a start, eh?”\n\nARGONYX laughed a tremendously loud and deep belly laugh, that reverberated off of the cold stone walls in the Fortress of Unlimited Power. “It’s quite fine! Part of the business. And that said, tell my why you think you’d fit into our organization.”\n\nMs Fierce began to feel the blood rush to her head. She was adamant that she would not let her anger get the best of her during the interview. “To tell the truth, ARGONYX, I am so over working with Captain Wonderful. That name is a lie, through and through.”\n\n“Oh?”\n\n“Yes. He does a fine job of catching petty criminals and all, but he’s much more interested in the kudos from the governor and the social media endorsements. In real-life, he’s a windbag full of shit. And I am pretty damn confident that he’s a racist too.”\n\n“Interesting,” replied the eight-foot tall man dressed entirely in black and red. “Why is that supposed to make me want you to work here? You were a part of that social media empire and went out squashing protests.”\n\nThe dark-haired woman sat up straight in her seat, and her green eyes pierced through ARGONYX. “It was all a charade. When the cameras were off, he was incredibly arrogant and would belittle me any chance he got. ‘You’re a nobody, two-bit sidekick’ he’d say. ‘If I was better appreciated, I would have a real sidekick worthy of me.’ And so on and so forth. Have you ever been insulted, demeaned and verbally assaulted daily for years on end? I’m thirty-six goddamn years old, I am a grown-ass woman and not a kid. Geeze.” She paused a moment. “That and he’s very misogynistic too. I honestly feel it’s only a matter of time until he tries to pressure me into sex. He’s hinted at it for the last few months now.”\n\nARGONYX’s jovial smile ran away from his face, the most chiseled and handsome face on this side of the Pacific. “That is wholly unacceptable!” he said at almost a shout. “Your partners, coworkers and employees are to be treated with respect and dignity. Here at OmniEvil Inc., we firmly believe in our employees and have empowered them to report inappropriate behavior to HR. We have an excellent reputation.”\n\n“So I’ve heard,” replied the five-foot tall woman dressed entirely in red and yellow. “That’s part of why I’m here. I need opportunity to advance my career, and I want to be treated like a valuable human being and not a punching bag for a narcissist.”\n\nARGONYX smiled as wide as the Grand Canyon. “Yes, yes. That is a most excellent reason. Now, before we continue, I must ask if ‘switching teams’ over to OmniEvil Inc. is going to be too much of a conflict for you. You did fight my organization every step of the way for twenty years, after all. How can I trust you?”\n\n“I guess you have to take my word?”\n\nARGONYX drew a blank expression for a moment. “Yes, you make a point. I cannot ever be one-hundred percent certain. Tell you what, Ms Fierce: let’s start from entry level and we can go from there as you earn my trust.. I am prepared to offer you $150,000 salary annually, full dental and health, 401(k) with ten percent match, two weeks vacation and a $3,500 yearly uniform allowance. You will be on a year-long probation. Should you pass that, we will discuss raises and more sensitive roles within OmniEvil Inc. Does this sound fair to you?”\n\nMs Fierce was taken aback. “ARGONYX, that is so generous! I’ll happily accept!”\n\nScratching his angular, statuesque chin, ARGONYX had more questions. “Out of curiosity,” he began, “what kind of deal did Captain Wonderful give you?”\n\nMs Fierce scoffed. “What offer? I think I’ve made $38 off of social media ads since 2019. I have to work at Taco Bell to make rent.”\n\nThe smartest man since Newton stood up, reaching out his enormously strong but gentle hand to Ms Firece. She took it and shook it vigorously. “Well, Ms Firece,” ARGONYX said kindly, “welcome to the team, I truly am pleased for the opportunity to work with an up-and-comer in the villain scene. The Amazing Cronos will meet you in the lobby and go over paperwork, help you fill out your W4, give you the fortress tour, employee badge and the employee handbook. Can you start on Monday?”\n\n“Absolutely!” replied Ms Fierce.\n\n“Oh, and one more thing,” ARGONYX said in a nonchalant tone of voice. “Your first mission is to kill Captain Wonderful.”\n\nWith a completely deadpan expression and excitement in her voice, Ms Fierce replied: “I can’t wait.”",
"\"Jordan, Jordan, JORDAN!\" a beautiful girl snapped in her face.\n\nJordan zoned out and was partially unresponsive to her boss. It was as if she could hear words coming out of her heart-shaped, perfectly framed face, yet still was locked in a trance. Two words you could use to describe Jordan at this point: disillusioned and unfulfilled with her job.\n\n\"Are you even listening? Why are you such a good-for-nothing, useless assistant, especially at times that could be useful?!\" she yelled at her.\n\n\"-Also, sorry that I got carried away, I should be calling you Superwoman Hannah. But seriously, get up, lowlife, there's a building that's about to fall on both us and innocent civilians!\" she explained.\n\n\"Wait, wait. What did you say, Veronica?\" Jordan finally responded.\n\nVeronica shushed Jordan, \"Call me Superwoman Davidson!\"\n\n\"Anyways, just follow me,\" she sighed, carrying Jordan while using her flying powers.\n\nJordan finally saw the terrifying skyscraper building, getting close enough to see people evacuating. She also was able to see many of the superheroes she admired and saw in advertisements, movies, and anything else one could think of.\n\n\"It's as if seeing all of these super-celebrities up close stops being exciting, especially after they become your coworkers...\" Jordan muttered. \n\n\"Focus and, of course, don't talk!\" Veronica reminded Jordan.\n\nEventually, they finally arrived at the place. \n\n\"You, help people evacuate. I don't think you're strong enough anyways to hold up the building,\" Veronica directed her, looking in Jordan's direction with her bluish-green eyes. \n\n\"I'll go down to the paparazzi and take a few pictures or interviews. Both are fine, I guess.\" Veronica said, gleefully, flying down with her blonde hair flowing freely.\n\nVeronica, the leader of the superhero group, loved experiencing the feeling of being at the top. She would often interact with paparazzi, splurge on luxurious items, and talk down to everyone below her in the organization. She even loved modeling as a side job, despite a few scars being on her body from earlier on in her career. \n\nAs she herself said, photographers loved the scars as they brought a \"military-chic-style\" edge to photoshoots. \n\nAs Jordan lifted boulders and whatnot to clear the way for civilians to leave, she continued to resent Veronica. \n\nEventually, Jordan saw a coworker her age walk past her. \n\n\"Hey,\" Jordan greeted the person. \n\nThe superhero turned her way, \"Who are you, again?\"\n\n\"I'm Jor-I mean Superwoman Hannah. I just recently joined the organization, about two weeks ago. How long have you been here?\" Jordan nervously asked. \n\n\"-Five years, long enough to make you hate Superwoman Davidson,\" the female superhero responded. \n\n\"Yeah, to be honest, I don't like her either,\" Jordan said.\n\n\"She should switch places with one of us for a day, am I right?!\" the woman said.\n\n\"She's always calling us idiots but can't even distinguish her left from her right. I noticed while flying with her. \" Jordan remembered. \n\n\"What's your name?\" the lady asked after laughing. \n\n\"Well, my Superhero name is Superwoman Hannah. What about you?\" Jordan asked. \n\n\"-Superwoman Leah, nice to meet you.\" the lady answered. \n\nWhile Jordan and her new acquaintance continued to talk, the biggest supervillain, Dr. Simon, eavesdropped on their conversation. \n\n\"Huh, this is interesting,\" he said to himself while flying home in his private airplane. \n\n\"It seems resentment is brewing in her organization. This is good for me. I'm excited!\" he exclaimed. \n\nSoon, the superheroes resolved the situation and saved the most civilians they could. \n\nJordan and Superwoman Leah, or Sarah, walked to Jordan's house together, while talking to each other. \n\n\"You know, I actually think you're a pretty cool person,\" Sarah revealed, \"I was skeptical at first but you're fun to talk to.\"\n\n\"Oh, thank you. You also seem pretty cool!\" Jordan said. \n\nSarah paused.\n\n\"What's wrong?\" Jordan asked.\n\n\"You know, I've been considering joining Dr. Simon's organization,\" she said.\n\n\"I know Veronica can be annoying, but why?! He's the villain!\" Jordan explained. \n\n\"Well, he's offering six times our usual pay and seems pretty nice,\" she told her.\n\n\"But how?\" Jordan questioned Sarah.\n\n\"After I ran out of energy to keep flying, I took what seemed like a private airplane to go to the train station. He was the one that owned the airplane. Dr. Simon really wanted me to join his company, so he kept mentioning all these crazy benefits that I kinda can't resist, like six times our usual pay and more! He was so polite too, it was so crazy!\" Sarah said.\n\n\"That seems better compared to having Veronica as a boss, I guess,\" Jordan expressed her opinion. \n\nThey didn't know that Dr. Simon was also behind them at this moment as well.\n\n\"I may have heard people mentioning my company and our crazy good benefits,\" Dr. Simon revealed himself. \n\nBoth of the girls were extremely startled, with confused expressions on their faces. \n\n\"Before you ask where I came from, I was walking towards the exquisite restuarant a street over,\" he explained, lying with a polite smile. \n\n\"I do want to ask, would you join my organization?\" he asked.\n\n\"I might but I have one question- will I have to hurt people?\" Jordan said.\n\n\"Maybe a few but you will live a life of luxury and comfort if you join. Are you willing to make the sacrifice to give up an unfulfilling job and not the best boss for everything else, including a happier family?\" Dr. Simon mentioned.\n\n\"I...I will. I'll join your company,\" Jordan said.\n\n\"Same with me...\" Sarah followed Jordan.\n\n\"Great, now you can recruit more people from your old company-in secret, of course,\" he plotted. \n\n*****\nThank you, whoever read this!!! This is the first reddit writing prompt I've written to and I had to write to this because I liked the prompt so much. I also want to thank the writing prompt writer. Hope you enjoyed!!",
"I tried to muster a smile, standing by the smoky remains of what used to be a working bank vault slightly obscured from the news crew’s camera, but Silver Bullet’s interview was running longer than usual and I found myself wishing I was already done with this contract. Not that I would have ever had it anyway, had I not pissed off the director of job assignments at the hero agency by demanding to be designated as the sole hero for the city. Replaying the conversation in my head over again, as I always did, wondering why my fate is wedged under a third-rate superhero incapable of anything but hero athleticism.\n\n“How did you know the bank would be hit tonight?” I heard the news anchor ask.\n\n“After enough years in law enforcement, you get a sense of when things are going to happen. I had a hunch based on a prior case and ended up right.” Silver replied.\n\nJesus, I remember thinking. It is as if they intentionally overlook me to get a kick out of pretending. Silver led every interview and you wouldn’t even know I was his sidekick if you only watched the news. I wasn’t his first assistant, and I damn sure wasn’t going to stick around long enough to find out if I would be the last. I could hear the news caster’s questions coming from a mile away and didn’t need the power of foresight to do it.\n\n“What about Sightseer? How has she been since joining you last year?” Asked the news anchor, appearing to have pulled her head out of her ass about how someone could see something coming.\n\n“Sight’s helped us get to the scene faster, no doubt. I’ve seen her come a long way since joining last year, and think she has what it takes to be a permanent member of the team.” Said Silver, shifting the focus back to himself.\n\nNo, I can’t be thinking straight. I’ve got to speak up for myself. Racing up to them, I blurted out “Actually, I’ve been tracing the criminals move-“ \n\n“Let me handle this one” Silver butted in. “Public relations is best dealt with by the pros.”\n\nThe gray-haired old man strong-armed me out of the way led the camera away in a single arm movement. Fuming, I clenched my fists and began walking down the boulevard, away from the broken bank, Silver and the new crew. Reeling from the embarrassment of being brandished a rookie and pushed aside like it wasn’t me who predicted where and when it would happen. \n\nI crossed the block and found myself alone in a dark patch. Breathing a sigh of relief, I felt happy to be away from them all. The expectations and hypocrisy of considering themselves so high and mighty, and myself just an afterthought\n\n“I can’t stand it anymore.” I said aloud to myself.\n\n“Good. Finally ready to join us?” said a low voice said slowly somewhere not far ahead in the dark.\n\nI smirked. “Not likely.” I said loudly.\n\nThree people walked slowly towards closer, I could make out the outline of what looked like hospital gowns until I saw their faces. Sickly and old, I couldn’t believe they dared to approach me the way. Each had scars across their arms and white hospital bands on their wrist. The one in the middle held a long black cane wobbling as he leaned against it and starred at me through over-sized black glasses.\n\nI had met them before a year ago on a mission to hunt them, but when I used my power to see ahead, I didn’t see where they were going, I saw myself being resuscitated on a hospital bed with the man in black glasses holding the defibrillator. It was the only time I’ve ever seen my death. That day I chose to do nothing as they escaped. If they were caught and imprisoned they couldn’t be there to save my life in the future.\n\nWe stood there, until he said. “We’ve been watching you. Ever since that day you came to throw us back into the hell we escaped from, and didn’t. We can help you. Join us, and everyone on earth will know your name.”\n\nMy lips slowly curled, and I smiled wide. I could feel my heart beat, and felt myself hush a small voice that screamed in my heart. I put it away, and felt the weight of what they were offering sink in. \n\n“How do show them?” I replied.\n\n**One Year ago at the Delegation of Superhero and Public Partnerships Headquarters**\n\n“I’ve protected my constituents for over ten years with a near-flawless record and I’m already performing at the level of a Tier 1 Hero.” I pleaded with the National Director, “I’m fully prepared to take on the position.”\n\n“There’s no open Tier 1 positions across any major U.S. cities. Besides, secondary heros play a vital role, you shouldn’t be so averse to partnering with a veteran. Silver Bullet is an incredible and beloved hero, his strength and speed will match your power to see into the future perfectly.” The director mused.\n\nClosing my eyes and taking a long breath, I sighed. “I’m capable of saving lives without someone to look after my shoulder and take credit for my work.” I replied.\n\nThe director took a long sip of coffee and leaned forward in his chair. \n\n“That type of arrogant behavior why we’ve chosen to assign you to secondary hero position at this time. The other being the serious discrepancy in your “near flawless record.” – Your involvement three years ago in the failed attempt to search and capture three wanted criminals who escaped from the Parson’s Prison for the Criminally Insane. Those men are still on the loose. One has the ability to put others under a spell of influence akin to hypnosis, he simply convinced the guard to unlock their cell.” He said. “We chose you for that specifically and yet couldn’t determine their next steps, what makes you so sure you can handle things on your own?” \n\nLightning ran up my arm, but I remained calm. I entertained reaching across the table, grabbing him by his tie and slamming his jaw against the glass table separating us, causing a dark pink hue of blood to splash against table like a surreal performance art.\n\nI could hear the answer so clearly it my thoughts - “I’m sure, because I made the choice to let them escape. One day, I’ll need their help. I saw it happen.” \n\n“I completely understand. Thank you for your time, director.” I said as I abruptly stood up from my chair and left. \n\n\"One day, every single person on earth will know my name.\" I remember thinking to myself.\n\n​\n\n\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\\~\n\n1st 'WritingPrompt' ever written. Feedback welcome, thanks for reading!",
"Actually, if we’re being pedantic, I was the superhero first. Gideon was MY sidekick; his job was to support ME. In fact, I hired him. He showed up at my office with nothing but a resume, even though the ad had asked for recommendations from previous superheroes, and a written testament of their abilities. If I were to have a sidekick, I wasn’t going to hire a newbie straight out of school. I wanted someone with experience, someone who could balance with my super-strength and flying, who knew how to temper my raw power. I was one of the most powerful superheroes the city of Cerneme had ever seen, and the only one currently in residence. I, Alodar the Mighty, deserved better. And yet, I hired this sidekick over several other candidates who were far more qualified, because Gideon is a PR wizard.\n\nYou see, people with superpowers are often misunderstood. The city was ungrateful for my dutiful services. Morden, a deranged scientist, was building a giant laser that would destroy our buildings; wouldn’t that justify my obliteration of the city’s power plant in hot pursuit? Some government officials were implicated in tax fraud, so shouldn’t I have torn down the capitol building in protest? Petty thieves robbed a bank; of course I threw cars at their getaway vehicle until the robbers were caught in a wreck. Couldn’t they see that I was just taking the lead in protecting my city? Before Gideon, I’d actually even spent weeks in the clink for ‘destruction of property’, which only resulted in a rash of crimes so bad that it took them weeks to recover. Serves them right. The Cerneme Inquirer, the city’s preeminent rag, ran a self-indulgent piece that week about my crimes. MY crimes! The city didn’t deserve me then.\n\nWith Gideon, all of that changed. I went from being labeled “destroyer” to unequivocal “savior” of Cerneme basically overnight. “SUPERHERO DEFIES ALL ODDS, PROTECTS TOWN ONCE MORE”, headlines blared. I don’t know how he did it. He held press conferences several times a week, often outdoors during public battles; I’d see them from overhead as building material rained down in my clashes. Casualties became a ‘necessary sacrifice’, instead of a ‘careless oversight’, and even if I lost a battle with foes, I was still hailed as the hero I am. Finally, I was restored to my rightful place in Cerneme. Doors were opened for me, drinks were on the house, and even Gideon got more attention just from standing nearby or talking to me. Life was good.\n\nBut then, Gideon wanted a raise.\n\nI admit, I laughed in his face. I wasn’t making money from these stunts, so why should he ask for more? I was the one doing the actual saving. It should have been an honor for him to be working for the most famous, beloved superhero in all of Cerneme. Now that he had built me up to become a quasi-god, there was nothing he could possibly do to stop my heroic run. But I underestimated his power.\n\n“GIDEON SAVES THE CITY, ALODAR EMBARRASSES SELF ON STANDBY”, the following day’s newspaper announced. What? Gideon had not been involved in the chase with some vandals the previous evening, and I hardly think they would have caused the downfall of the city. But right there on the front page was a particularly unflattering photo of me, in a rare moment where grace had temporarily escaped me. From where had he even acquired this? The story was some entirely nonsensical fantasy that was easily disproven. Surely nobody would believe this drivel?\n\nAnd yet, people did. Even when the news contradicted their lived experiences, they followed Gideon’s words blindly, just as they had before. Before, I was finally getting the recognition I deserved. But now, Gideon should be condemned for his lies.\n\nThe insults only grew from there. Once, I caught falling debris before it crushed a woman. She later went on record thanking Gideon for his bravery in the matter, and scolded me for being careless. But the final nail in the coffin was when the city announced that the following Monday would be Gideon Day, in celebration of Cerneme’s finest superhero. Gideon, with a little smirk that spoke volumes, got up to the podium, looked directly into the camera, and said, “I guess I couldn’t have done any of this without my sidekick Alodar.” Me, a sidekick? It was sick to even think about. Soon, I was out of the spotlight altogether. As the resident superhero, Gideon had erased me from the public record. I wasn’t even granted that merciful fall from hero to villain, an arc of infamy. I was just gone—forgotten.\n\nAnd now we come to the final chapter of my fall from grace. Go on, laugh! I figured that many superheroes use reporting as their cover. Clark Kent, Peter Parker, and now me—I was going to expose Gideon for his lies, for the false narratives and planned heroism. For it continued even after I left, even after there was no spectacle to be had. Spun tales of magic and bravery and conniving and secrecy. I didn’t expect him to find out where I worked and come up with a false tale to incriminate us all. Your Honor, there is no ‘smuggling ring’, no evidence of laundering, and no threat to society. The only reason Gideon couldn’t take us down is because he has no superpowers. I’M the one with the powers. I’M the real superhero. You’ve all been led down the path of destruction by a charlatan. A charlatan, I tell you! Please, don’t take me away, I can prove it!! I can fly, right here!! Just watch -- \n\n\\----------------\n\nExcerpts of testimony for Alodar Dueme, accomplice to the Cerneme Inquirer crime ring\n\nVerdict: Not Guilty, by way of insanity\n\n\\----------------\n\nThis was my first writing prompt, CC is welcome!"
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[WP] He knows when you are sleeping he knows when you're awake. He knows when you've been bad or good so be good or stay awake.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*He knows when you are sleeping.* Under the pale light of the waning moon, he stands outside your house. His dark yellow eyes peer at you through the small gap in your curtains. There isn't much light outside, so you can't see him past the reflections in the glass.\n\n*He knows when you're awake.* As morning comes, he crouches in the bushes and listens. He can hear you shuffling through your house, unaware of his presence. The thumping of your heart calls out to him, nearly hypnotic in its steady pulse.\n\n*He knows when you've been bad or good...* The scent of your emotions wafts toward him as he lies in wait. If you've been good, he'll pick up a sugary, sweet scent. He hates that sweet scent, it's not at all appetizing.\n\n*... You weren't good...* Your scent today though, is not sweet. He finds the aroma of fresh meat and the blood's iron-tang to be mouthwatering. This evening, you'll turn off your lights. He'll patiently wait until he hears the sounds of your breathing slow, deepening as you drift into sleep.\n\n*... So stay awake.*"
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[WP] Everything has a flaw. A weakness. It is your ability to see the flaws as red dots on people (or things), and depending on the shape and size of the dot, what their flaw is. One day, you notice that you have a new neighbour, and decide to go say hello. But he/she has no flaw.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"She was beautiful. Her short raven hair stayed perfectly glued to her head as she turned around to greet me. As I said ‘hello’ I couldn’t help getting lost in the emerald waters of her eyes. ‘Hello there, neighbor’ she said then smiled. Her soft voice lifted me into the clouds and her smile kept me there. I’d never fallen this hard for someone before.\n\n\nBut everyone has a secret. Everyone has something that makes them human. A flaw, a vice. Nobody is perfect.\n\n\nBut I couldn’t find anything wrong with her. I searched her body, looking for the flaw that only I could see, but there wasn’t one. She tilted her head to the side, asking if there was something wrong while I awkwardly navigated her body.\n\n \n“Sorry, you had a bug on you,” I lied, “but it’s gone now.”\n\n\nThen, by some stroke of luck, the lie suddenly became a truth. She turned her head down to look at the spot where my lie once was but now a bee stood there. Maybe now she’d show me how she hated bugs and would crush this poor bee’s tiny body. Or maybe she’d freak out and display an over-tuned sense of fear. Either one would please me.\n\n\nInstead she did something that further surprised me. \n\n\n“Hello, mister bee,” she said with a soft look in her eyes, “there’s no honey on my blouse, silly.”\n\n\nShe gently coerced the bee off her shirt using her tiny, delicate hands. The bee hovered in front of her face for a moment, as if saying ‘goodbye’, before buzzing away. She turned her attention back towards me and I felt flushed. I had spent my whole life seeing the bad in people that now, with a beautiful, seemingly perfect person standing right in front of me, I didn’t know what to do. In my delusional mind I was still determined to find her weakness.\n\n\n“Would you like to come over for dinner?” I asked her. Some people only showed their vices behind closed doors. Maybe she was too lustful, or perhaps a thief. \n\n\nShe held a hand to her pretty blushed cheek. “Oh dear,” she said, “I’d love to. But I’ve already begun making dinner myself. Would you like to come over instead? There should be enough for two. Beef stew.”\n\n\nThat was fine too. Then I’d be able to see the slothful state of disarray her place was in. Or maybe everything would be *too* clean – pride is also a sin, you know. And besides, I loved a good beef stew.\n\n \n\nThe stew was delicious, and I couldn’t find anything wrong with her apartment. It wasn’t perfectly clean, and it wasn’t repulsively dirty. Some items were misplaced, some dishes not done, but none of it was telling of an overbearing flaw. Could she really be so perfect?\n\n\nAfter that night we spent more and more time together. I fell deeper and deeper in love and she started to feel the same towards me. We dated for a year before moving in together, and the more time I spent with her the less I noticed the flaws in other people. The red dots that would instantly tell me a person’s weaknesses showed up less and less, and eventually I couldn’t see them at all. I didn’t notice the change happening in me until I asked her why she fell in love with me.\n\n\n“Because I saw your flaws,” she said, “and I loved them.”\n\n\nI blushed, and decided humans weren’t so bad after all.\n\n\nOur marriage is coming up in three months."
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[WP] - "I will become the first pirate who never sees the sea," she said.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Sarah gasped for breath as she stumbled back to the Habitat. The air was leaking out of her spacesuit but she couldn't focus on that. She was well beyond that. Five more steps. Her back ached. Her arms ached. Her head throbbed. Four more steps. The unending alarm screeching into her ears seemed almost to fall on deaf ears now. The door. The button. They slid open and she fell inside. Thankfully, the Habitat was still pressurised. Still had oxygen. That sweet oxygen. \n\nSarah coughed as she started to get back her breath. She couldn't believe they had left without her. She struggled back on to her feet and stumbled to the window and saw the red, dry expanse spreading out until the horizon. She was now the first space pirate. The first pirate who would never see the sea. She shuddered at the thought. Her back ached. Her arms ached. Her head throbbed and she collapsed to the floor."
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[WP] You are shocked to discover your kind, courteous roommate is actually a witch. This creates an awkward situation, given that you are the regional commander of a troop of witch-hunters.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \n\nElijah wished he had brought an umbrella. He’d checked his phone and seen it was going to rain on his way to the Regional meeting, but he’d thought it would’ve had the good Grace to finish by the time it got out. Apparently, and once again, his prayers had gone unanswered. \n\nFortunately, the Bright Star Community Church was only a few blocks from his apartment on the Lower East Side, and the cramped streets, crowded overhead with oak trees, provided a patchy cover against the miserable downpour. \n\nHe wiped his hair back, or what was left of it – he was twenty-four and already his faint blond hair was receding. The little old Korean ladies who ran Bright Star had assumed, when he’d come to them a year ago asking to use their space for his Regional Chapter’s bi-weekly meetings, that he was in his mid-30s. He supposed he understood. He was tall for his age, lanky, gaunt, with hollow cheekbones and dark eyes. The penitent Catholic. He looked the part – though couldn’t actually play it, not anymore. The Diocese had revoked his Chapter’s Witching license just two months ago, after an eight-month dry spell. Everyone had left after that. Only two people, out of the original thirty, had come to tonight’s meeting, so he’d called it off early, which had landed him in the middle of the rain. \n\nWhat was the point? Without a Witching License, holding those meetings was technically grounds for excommunication. Or at least expulsion from all the churches in South-Eastern Wisconsin.\n\nHe turned the corner on his block. The streetlights glowed, dull, burning orbs in their lamps. \n\nWhat a mess. What an absolute mess. His mother had told him that Witching wasn’t for the faint of heart – it was a duty, handed down to men and women of the righteous spirit, for generations. Only the Grace of God protected the meek from those who would prey on them, with black arts and blacker intentions. \n\nElijah stopped under the awning of a dull three-story redbrick building, squashed by two larger, gothic Greystone apartments. \n\nHe drew out a softpack of Strikers from his pocket, and a red lighter from the other. His mother would be furious. Giving in to such temptation. But it was the only thing that was going to warm him up, and he figured if life would deny him so much, the least he could do was give himself something, and beg for forgiveness from Him later. \n\nWith a few flicks, the tip was lit, an orange dot leaking smoke, practically steaming, it looked like. He exhaled and turned around – his reflection sent a bleak guilt over him. This bent, gangly figure in a black shirt with the clerically white chunk of collar in the middle, pants, nice dress shoes, all he’d gotten last Christmas. “If my son is going to hunt in the dark, the least he can do is show he comes from the light!” That’s what Mom had said. And now he was here, soaked to the bone, one bad slip away from being excommunicated, and giving in to temptation. \n\nHe sighed. At the very least, maybe Sally would be baking again. Her brownies were amazing. They stayed warm forever. His roommate of circumstance, not volition, had been the one unexpected shining light in his dismal year. She was dependable, and very nice, and again, her cooking was immaculate. \n\nA small smile touched the cold, numb corners of his cheeks. At least he had something to look forward to. Even if it wasn’t there at all. At least there was something he could pretend about. \n\n\\-\n\nHe was half-right. Sally was baking when he came in the door, wet as a beach towel. Her back was to him, and she was clearly busy over the oven with something. She wasn’t wearing anything other than some loose grey sweatshorts and a red cami top that bared her midriff. Elijah had gotten used to what his mother would call “immodest dress”. That wasn’t what bothered him. \n\nWhat did bother him was the wide-brimmed pointed hat that rested, crooked, on her afro. \n\nAnd her feet, though she was standing, hovered ever so slightly off the beaten checkered tile of their kitchen floor. \n\nHe felt the rain freeze in his veins. She hadn’t turned around whenever he walked in – which meant that she was most likely in the middle of an incantation, one that required a high degree of concentration and connection with whatever black forces she used to… make brownies. Apparently. \n\nHis heart thudded in his chest, he felt like he was going to throw up. This Witch – a real, live Witch – might have been poisoning him this whole time. \n\nHe’d have to do something about this. \n\nElijah carefully reached into his shirt and took out the rapier his Dad had given him several years ago. Supposedly, the hilt was carved from one of Paul’s finger bones, and blessed by Pope Pius XII. It had been handed down from father to son for the last thousand-odd years. The blood of countless witches ran in its veins. And now they’d have another to join them. \n\nHe stalked towards her. She didn’t move. As he got closer, he smelled whatever she was baking – sure enough, brownies. A heavy, thick, sweet scent that tickled the back of his tongue. He felt his tastebuds beginning to water, but shook himself free of the spell. All this time. He’d been living with one. All this time. \n\nElijah was less than a foot away from her. He raised the dagger. And – \n\nHis feet gave way from under him, slipping on the water he’d tracked in from the outside. He fell to the floor in a crashing heap. The dagger scattered across the floor *tick tick tick* like the claws of some frightened varmint. \n\nHe saw black pinprick spots dancing in his vision. Elijah forced himself up – and came face-to-face with Sally. She eyed him. And she looked at the dagger. Then back to him. \n\nA smile broke her blank face. \n\n“Busted.” \n\n\\-\n\nElijah, now changed into a faded green t-shirt from his old high school and baggy boxershorts, rested on the couch, watching a rerun of some old cop show from the 70s MeTV had been marathoning for almost a week straight. He pressed an icepack Sally had gotten for him from the fridge to the back of his head.\n\nHe’d been mortified an hour ago, finding out what Sally was. But he’d quickly run out of vim and vigor to do anything about it. What was he going to do? Kill her, unlicensed, and face some bunk tribunal at the hands of the Regional Monsignor? He couldn’t pay rent without her anyways. And her baking was, on top of it all, fantastic. \n\nBesides. A disgraced former Catholic and a practicing Witch? He was sure he could think of some way to get a bit of benefit out of it. Maybe they could do street art or rob banks or something together. The possibilities, now realized, were endless.\n\nSally came in with a plate of brownies. Her hat was gone – all ‘fro now. She plopped herself down next to him and picked one up. \n\n“Here,” she lifted up his icepack, and he winced. She clicked her tongue and lifted it again, a bit more careful this time. “Still hurt?” \n\n“A bit.” \n\nShe handed him a brownie. “This’ll help.” \n\nHe took it from her and bit down. \n\nAnd you know what? He had to admit, sitting on that couch in their crummy apartment watching old cop shows with a Witch. It did help. Just a bit.",
"The scent of freshly baked cookies wafted down the hall as Norman made his way to their apartment. It only made what he had to do now harder. \n\nAllegra had her back turned to him when he entered. She was wearing a pink frilly apron and humming to herself as she took the cookies out of the oven. \n\n\"You're home early,\" she said, not bothering to look up. \"Did you remember to buy toilet paper?\" \n\n\"Ummm about that.\" Norman coughed. \"I think we need to talk.\" \n\nSensing gravity in Norman's tone, Allegra slipped off her oven mitts and placed them on the kitchen counter. \n\n\"Talk about what?\" \n\n\"Well, how do I put this delicately erm...\" Norman brought his gaze up and looked her in the eye. \"Are you a witch?\"\n\nAllegra blinked, was silent for a moment, and then nodded. \"Yes. Yes, I am.\" \n\n\"Darn,\" Norman said. \"See now this is something you really should've brought up before we signed the lease.\" \n\nAllegra folded her arms. \"Well, I didn't think it was important.\" \n\n\"Ummm it's kinda important given the whole... you know.\" \n\n\"Ah right your little club.\" \n\nNorman frowned. \"It's not a club. We're an ancient order of holy warriors trained to sniff out dark magic and-\"\n\n\"-stamp out the corruption of witchcraft,\" Allegra finished for him. \"Yes, yes, I know. I've read your pamphlet.\" \n\n\"Well if you knew how come you decided to move in with me?\"\n\n\"Rent's cheap, great view, and the leylines intersect in such a way that it heightens my power and allows me to perform my nefarious spells to their full effect.\"\n\n\"They do?\" \n\n\"Gosh look at you, pale as a sheet.\" Allegra passed him a cookie. \"I was just kidding about the leylines part. The rent was enough to convince me.\" \n\n\"Oh.\" Norman took a bite out of the cookie. \"This is good. Did you put cinnamon in it?\" \n\n\"Nice catch, I didn't think you'd notice that.\" \n\n\"I still liked those ones with the gooey marshmallows best. You think you can whip up some of those soon?\" \n\n\"Sure, buddy,\" Allegra said. \"Does that mean I can stay?\" \n\n\"Well, I thought about it.\" Norman folded his arms to look serious, but the cookie crumbs around his mouth hindered this effect. \"If I forced you to move out, who knows what kind of trouble you'd make elsewhere.\" \n\n\"Very true,\" Allegra said, wagging her finger at him. \"Why I could concoct all sorts of devious schemes and plots without the watchful eye of a witch-hunter to keep me at bay.\" \n\n\"Yes exactly. We'll have to keep it a secret from the others, of course, but it's all for the greater good.\" \n\n\"I admire your sacrifice,\" Allegra said, bowing her head. \"Shall we order pizza for dinner?\" \n\n\"Sure, I'm feeling like Gino's tonight.\" \n\n\"Again? That's what we got last time.\" \n\n\"Theirs is the best!\" \n\n\"Ugh fine. In return for not smiting me today, we will order your mediocre pizza.\" \n\n\n\"Hey!\" \n\n\"But I get to pick the flavor.\" \n\nNorman mulled it over for a moment before nodding. \"Deal.\" \n\nThey shook hands. Witch-hunter and witch joined together by the pursuit of cheap rent, great views, and a love of pizza. They had never known a stronger bond.",
"As usual, I didn't knock on the door. I was excited to show Breonna something.\n\nI was then greeted with an unusual sight. Magic.\n\nIt's not that I had never seen the situation before. I just usually see them in a witch's den, right before I rush in and subdue said witch. Certainly, it was a sight I never expected to see in the bedroom of my kind, courteous roommate. \n\nBreonna stood frozen. Her legs were planted right outside a magical circle fizzling green, her right hand holding onto an inky, black substance.\n\nI saw fear in her eyes. I was sure the exact feeling was replicated in mine. \n\n\"I wanted to show you an Insta photo from Katie,\" I muttered quietly.\n\n\"Um,\" Breonna shifted uncomfortably. \"This isn't what you think it is.\"\n\n\"What I think it is? So, it isn't witchcraft?\" I spat. I couldn't stop a hard edge from tainting my words.\n\n\"OK,\" said Breonna. Her shoulders slumped, and with a quick wave of her free hand, the substance dripping from her fingers turned into wisps of smoke, drifting off into the air. The circle's energy dampened, and the glow faded. The ceiling light flickered once, twice, and switched on. \n\nIt looked like everything was back to normal. Looked.\n\n\"Let me explain, Maggie,\" Breonna said, taking a step toward me. Tersely, my back foot moved back instinctually. \n\n\"There's no explaining here,\" I held up a palm toward her. \"That was witchcraft. In my house!\"\n\n\"Our house,\" she said. \"We pay the same amount of rent.\"\n\n\"But I'm not a witch,\" I said.\n\n\"Yup. Just a witch hunter,\" Breonna replied.\n\nI realised that my gaze hasn't been directed at her. My eyes were pointed to the floor, where the circle had vanished without a trace. Slowly, I tiled my head towards her, and saw that her visage was utterly blank.\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"Maggie,\" Breonna said. \"Please. I know what you do for a living. You aren't exactly quiet at night.\"\n\n\"I'm doing the right thing.\"\n\n\"Have you? Do you know the names of every single witch you've extinguished? What drove them to turn to witchcraft? Why they persist with it in this world? When their last breath was drawn?\" \n\nA tirade spewed from Breonna. I could feel an argumentative fire building heat in my lungs, and it didn't take long for me to retort.\n\n\"They were witches!\" I cried. \n\n\"Yes, they were,\" Breonna said. \"I am. I will be. Unless you drive your dagger through my dark, black heart.\"\n\nMy right hand moved to an empty space on my hip. There was nothing there.\n\n\"Dance, Sica,\" I said.\n\nA white flash of blinding light filled the room. My hand was now gripping the handle of an ornate dagger, white as snow, and I slowly pulled it out of my sheath.\n\nAnd then, it slid back in as I let go of my hand. It thudded snugly.\n\n\"Breonna,\" I said. \"You are the best roommate I've ever had.\"\n\n\"Same,\" she said.\n\n\"But why witchcraft?\"\n\n\"I was born into it. As was my mother. And her mother. It's baked into our very blood. There's no escaping it,\" she said.\n\n\"What? But...\"\n\n\"Not something the witch hunters told you, eh? Witches are part of the ecosystem. We routinely rid the land of its power, so it never overwhelms any plane of existence. Our extermination only leave the magical forces unbalanced.\"\n\n\"Wait. Witches aren't the ones overloading the land?\"\n\n\"No. I know it's hard to believe me, but--\"\n\n\"I believe you.\"\n\n\"What?\" Finally, there was a crack of emotion fissuring her face. \"Why?\"\n\n\"I... I don't know. There's this trust. In my heart.\"\n\n\"And that's enough?\"\n\n\"What other thing could possibly be enough? I don't want to stab you. It's the only thing I have.\"\n\nWe stayed quiet for a moment. She looked at me long and hard, and a tear rolled down her face.\n\n\"Thank you.\"\n\n\"Guess I'll let you get to work, then.\" Another spark of white energy, and the sheath on my waist disappeared.\n\n\"What about Katie's post?\" Breonna questioned.\n\n\"Well,\" I said. \"I think we've had enough drama for the day, don't we?\"\n\n\"There can never be enough drama in one day, witch hunter,\" Breonna said. \n\nI couldn't help but chuckle.\n\n---\n\nr/dexdrafts"
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[WP] Death is painful. Moreso, inconvenient.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"In the latest surveys conducted by the Council of Human Interaction, it has been established that every citizen dies approximately 2.3 times a day. In older cultures and customs, this would be seen as a lie, an impossibility and overall a general concern for the well being of the public. Modern society, on the other hand, has upheld a more liberal constitution on the subject of death and come to terms with its practicalities.\n\nEver since the invention of the matter transference devices known as 'Blinks', the population numbers have been in a state of flux that many are still trying to wrap their heads around. When one steps into a Blink and selects an output destination, they are scanned, atomized, downloaded, uploaded, and summarily reconstituted at their destination. Early attempts of this process had a particularly difficult time establishing the correct order of procedures, which delayed initial commercialization by fifteen months. The search for six and a half individuals is still ongoing to this day.\n\nNormally, when someone was obliterated by a laser and shattered into a billion pieces of dust, they were considered dead before arrival. With the new sensation that was the Blink came the understanding that once someone is 'transported' (as the corporations tell you to call it), your original form is killed, while constructing you in another place entirely. The instance of your atomization has been dubbed OD or Original Death.\n\nThe normal tally for deaths around the world becomes slightly more challenging when certain individuals die multiple times a day. The average death rate of approximately 170,000 fatalities per day quickly became skewed to the point of total distortion. As with any new technology, people's fear of progress turned to curiosity, which in turn led to the animalistic need to toy with it. Within one year of the Blink's introduction to the public, it was recorded that millions were using the product as intended, though other records show that tens of thousands of users (and possibly more) were abusing it by playing a bizarre game of international hopscotch. The global death tally, including ODs, skyrocketed to roughly 2.1 million per day, 1235% of the previous mean.\n\nThe drastic changes were apparent and expected, and the corporations responsible planned well enough ahead. Due to several legal snafus in the Blink's reveal, governments around the world demanded regulation for the complete obliteration of their civilians and that some precedent must be set. In a compromise between the corporations and the suits of the highest levels, it was decided that every transportation via the Blink must be monitored and catalogued, as well as print out the necessary paperwork regarding the death of the consumer. The customer signs the paperwork before entering, travels through the airwaves, and signs their death certificate on the way out.\n\nThe amount of red tape surrounding the invention birthed a small controversy among the public. Many saw it as just another stamp in the passport or a punch in the ticket, but certain groups drew issue with the Blink. Religious groups all around the world spoke out in damnation of the transporter, usually saying the same thing, unknowingly unanimously agreeing on something for the first time in thousands of years: one life demanded only one death. Once you are destroyed in the machine, your soul moves on but your body continues to sin like it never has before. That was how they liked to put it anyway. Their outcry was eschewed by the overwhelming fascination and adoration from the public.\n\nThe original patents of the Blink depicted it as a cylindrical station with the sole purpose of 'transference of matter from point A to point B'. What they failed to make clear in the pitch was the unbelievable, scorching hot, incredible pain inflicted upon the user prior to download. The flash of incineration is minute and is often forgotten by the time they are reconstituted. It is a generally well-hidden secret that the memory of such pain is deleted, as well as a few pivotal seconds before the flash.\n\nNow that the River Styx has been ferried, bypassed and forgotten altogether, modern-day travel has been revolutionized. All around the globe, the everyman uses it casually and without fail.\n\nWhile it does have a general air of frustration surrounding it, the technology has completely upended the travel industry. From vacations across the world to simple commuting, the Mass Transfer Device, a.k.a Blink, has served as an invaluable tool in contemporary society.",
"There are many uncertainties in this world, but Death is not one of them.\n\nDeath is spoken through inevitabilities. It’s in the way ambiguity grows; in the way fear becomes known. Death is purposeful, they say. Death will always be purposeful.\n\nYou watch as Death grows and grows, like a puppeteer playing with its own ropes. You know the mundanity that surrounds Death, encompasses it even. It’s the same thing over and over again. Death takes and takes and, in the process, forgets its own mistakes. You see Death with closed eyes. \n\nDeath is laughable and anything that is laughable, must be inane. \n\nYou know this in the way you know that the world spins round and round with no intention of ever slowing down.\n\nAnd sometimes in the quiet of the night, when you’re all alone, Death will come to you. Never for you. You’ve learned that by now. Afterall, Death has no bounds. You remember the way Death plays; a master of the chess board, pawns all lined up for disposal. It’s easy to forget that even in one’s own territory, a pawn can take out its queen.\n\nBut Death is not regal. No, Death is cowardice.\n\n*(Death hides and hides. Rarely spoken about, but still so loud).*\n\nDeath shows up tonight, just like It does every night. You think about death in the cruellest of ways. You tried to draw Death once. But drawing Death is like drawing inevitability. And you know better than to submit yourself to certainties.\n\nDeath has never been merciful. *Death is just a way of life. It’s the one thing that we will always have in common.* No, Death is not forgiving. Far from it. Death hides in its shadows. But just as Death takes and takes, Death makes many mistakes. Because in the darkness of the night, when everyone is asleep and Death comes to creep, shadows can just as easily become unseen.\n\nDeath is painful. More so, Death is inconvenient. \n\nYou stare at Death with unseeing eyes.\n\n It stares right back."
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[WP] You lack imagination. In its place, your thoughts are visions of the future, stemming from the actions you consider taking.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I realized at a young age I was an unusual child. My peers would pour into the classroom each morning jammering on about tag, their imaginary friends and how excited they were to build block towers. By kindergarten I realized the other kids were not experiencing the same nights as me.\n\nAfter a day playing on the field, the jungle gym and in the classroom; after peanut butter sandwiches at lunch, and a ride home from Mom. After spaghetti dinner, play time, homework time and story time, Mother would bring her lips to my ear and whisper \"Good night my sweet pea\". Then it would start.\n\nMy little hands would curl around the edge of the blanket, pulling it tight around my shoulders and I would wait. When I grew older I learned that all people stared at the bedroom ceiling wondering about the future, but the aurora borealis which materialized before my eyes was uncanny. \n\nIn kindergarten the visions were kind, simple and naive, unpacking my lunch to find a new sandwich, building different variations of block towers, and of course, winning at tag with new hiding places. I became withdrawn from my peers from this deep and often prophetic introspection, sitting by myself and remaining quiet. After all, I had seen what was to come. I saw who was to speak and how I would reply. The teachers recognized I was gifted, after all school is easy when you've already seen the test.\n\nThe joys of naive youth were replaced by the freight train of adolescence, parental divorce, depression, crushes and bitter fights with close friends.\n\n Each night my hands would clasp the sheets, palms clammy as the lights danced on the ceiling before being transported to the other place. To the place where I ran away from home, catching a train to nowhere, only to get lost, hungry, cold and found by police to be returned to my family. To the place where I was a God, where I was idolized by men and women alike, to master football, dance, music, and life itself. Each morning I would awake having led a life. I would walk into class to stare with blanks eyes at those around me, they had experienced nothing, knew nothing, lived each day on a whim but I... I knew better.\n\nThe distance expanded between me and my peers until they were children, and then my parents too became children as each night my clammy hands transported me into a thousand lives of infinite knowledge. I left school in 10th grade, it wasn't for me. The people were not my friends, the questions the tests asked were unimportant. I moved away from home, into the forest.\n\nDespite never having camped I always knew where to find the game trails, the freshest berry bushes, the dry firewood and each night the lights would dance before my eyes and I would go to the other place. Until one day I saw it all so clearly, the vision was the same as every other but it was unlike any that came before. \n\nMy eyes snapped open, my chest heaving with exertion, sweat dripping down my face my hands shook, trembling until I sat on them. I creaked open my flimsy wooden door, looked up into the night sky through the clearing in trees. Gazed up at the stars, the constellations which held such power to our ancestors and sat down.\n\nI had seen visions of the future my whole life. Some would have became famous athletes, celebrities, investors, or movie stars. Yet I lived those lives every night, it was only during the day that I could be boring, normal, unimaginative and grounded. I lived life like every human had before, suffering for social meaning, struggling for connections and misunderstood. At night I was a God or a Superhero.\n\nI woke up the next morning in the clearing, outside of my wooden shake on the bare ground. For once, I was going to live the fantasy. I found the fantasy of all fantasies. I stood up, put on my pair of \"nice clothes\" and stared longingly at my wooden hut. It was time to go. My eyes watered and a single tear rolled down my cheek. Soon my feet moved mechanically one step in front of the next, I knew where I was going so well my mind was clear as void as the vacuum of space, there was no thought or consideration, only one foot in front of the next. I weaved my way through the forest without a path, as if I had lived a thousand lives within the same few acres.\n\nAs if walking off the edge of the earth, the trees parted and a streak of tarmac weaved through the immaculate forest. A yellow line strode down the middle of the road and no more than 50 meters in front of me she stood, her brown hair dancing just past her shoulders and staring at a plume of smoke coming from her cars hood.\n\n\"Hello there!\" I hollered.\n\n\"Looks like you could use a hand\" my voice rang out smooth and natural as a long time friend.\n\nAnd then she turned around."
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[WP] You are the big hero. Finally you found the villains lair. Your arch nemesis turns around to face you one last time, now without his mask. But you can only stutter:"Da... Dad?!"
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The villain turned around in his evil-looking chair. I held my weapon up, ready for and epic battle. But I could only muster a mere stutter.\n\n\"D..dad?!\"\n\nHe saw me, and tripped out of his chair. \n\n\"Shannon?? What are you doing here??\" He yelled in surprise, from the floor.\n\n\"Dad I came to defeat the evil villain that has been torturing the city of Jestai for 3 years! Is this what you've been doing on your late nights?\"\n\n\"well-yes.. that would be the reason for my mask. But who gave you the permission to make all this gear?? Your room is probably a mess!\"\n\n\"MY ROOM IS A MESS?? WHAT ABOUT JESTAI? HUH DAD?\" I screamed at him, tears streaming down my cheek. \"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO I HAVE GROWN UP TO BE. YOU WEREN'T EVEN THERE FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS, AND THEN MOM STUPIDLY LET YOU BACK INTO OUR LIFE!\" \n\nThe aged man gave a heavy sigh, and picked himself up off the ground. \"Shannon I understand you're mad. Just let me explain myself first, and then you can be mad all you want.\"\n\n\"I WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOUR STUPID EXCUSES. I'M GOING H-ome.\" My voice cracked with the last word, and as my knees sunk to the floor, I mustered one last sentence.\n\n\"I was beginning to love you.\""
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[WP] A supernatural creature comes to kill you, but all of it’s plans are ruined when they find you in bed too sick to even think about getting up.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"So there I was sitting in my bedroom, all the curtains drawn trying to block out the light of day and wincing at the sounds of the townsfolk outside going about their day. This was one hell of a migraine (probably caused by stress) and it wasn't going away anytime soon. \n\nThen suddenly the door flew off it's hinges and slamed into the wall near where I had been cowering and a loud voice called out \"I have you now oh Slayer of Monsters!\" At all the loud noises and blinding light I visibly winced and tried not to vomit as a wave of nausea overtook me. The Black Knight stood menacingly over me, he must've gotten there when I was trying not to puke my guts out. \n\nI couldn't even lift my head up to look at him as I pulled my hands up to cover my eyes and whispered \"Not right now, please.\" He looked down at me and tilted his head if the clattering of the armor was anything to go by. \n\n\"Oh! Migraine?\" The Knight said in what was probably his quietest voice but still was way too loud for my current vulnerable state. I meekly nodded. If I could see his face under his pitch black helm I would be able to see not only hear the grimace of sympathy in his voice.\n\nHe sat down next to me, well more like crashed and just kind of sat there awkwardly while I used his armor as a pillow. He stayed until he was absolutely sure the migraine was gone, and then stayed to try to prevent anymore migraines. He's mostly successful actually, though I still have one every once in a blue moon. Now he just sticks around as my personal bodyguard! I'm certainly not complaining. Oh look there he is. 'Night! Get over here! Come tell this charming young lad how you got stuck in that viper pit, I've got to get another drink!",
"“Five more minutes!”\n\nI slammed on the bedside table as I tried to get up, the rickety lamp I had bought for five-fifty at the dollar store blinking from the impact. Mickey (my dear roommate, bless his soul) would have to wait for a good hour for me to properly wake up — each breath I took was sniffly and laboured, my lungs clogged and bogged up and my nose blocked like my late grandpapa’s arteries. My entire body felt like a rusty machine squeaking at the hinges, like a tractor without gas, because, to put it lightly, I was sick.\n\nWell, that’s an understatement. I had quite possibly the worst flu of the decade, the kind that makes you so ill your face turns pale green, the colour of that avocado milkshake your niece has been chugging, and your stomach rumble and cry like a great thundercloud, or maybe a hissing stock of dynamite. I turned on my side, stomaching the urge to vomit out of the open window. It was pretty ironic, how today was so pristine, birds floating and warbling past in chirping sonnets, the grass on the college campus that was usually grey and brown from heat now painted in viridian hues, when I felt like absolute shit. The white walls of my room seemed so painstakingly bright, I wanted to rip my eyes out and burrow under the blankets and become some kind of weird cave-dwelling gremlin with no eyes. Curse you, God. It was like everything in the world was trying to annoy me today.\n\nThe door creaked open. I groaned. “Dude, I said five more minutes. It’s been… What, three?”\n\n“Four, actually.” Said a smooth voice. Weird. That’s too posh for a countryside boy. I looked up to see regular ol’ Mickey, but for some reason, he seemed to have little bumps— No, scratch that, there were full-on bony appendages resembling goat horns, curling forward in great curving ‘C’s situated on the top of his head, attached through his beach blonde hair.\n\nA snicker left my lips, before I was engulfed in full-blown laughter. Maybe he finally cracked? I knew the guy loved Dungeons and Dragons more than anything.\n\n“Ha ha. Real funny.” I wheezed through bursts of raucous guffawing. A pillow was flung at him, which he caught with ease. “Lose the cosplay and we’ll talk.”\n\nHe frowned, before a smug grin settled on his face. “Oh, but you don’t see the gravity in this situation, do you, mortal?”\n\n“Mortal—?!” I tried my hardest not to giggle like a schoolgirl. Man, was he really pulling out all the stops today. “Bitch, you’re mortal too!”\n\n“I’m not.” Mickey said smoothly. The pillow crumbled into ebony ash in his palms. “Because I’m not your ‘Mickey’.”\n\n“I am Azaroth, lord of demons, the reaper of souls.” He said with flourish. “And today, I grace you with my presence, and—“\n\nA loud fit of coughing interrupted his spiel, bursting out from my mouth. I choked on some phlegm, letting out scattered, raspy croaks as I grabbed the cup of water on my desk and began to chug it down, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Mickey looked expectantly at me as I finished up my sickness-fuelled fiasco. He cleared his throat.\n\n“And, as I was saying, I will kill you today.”\n\nI gave him a deadpan look. “Today.”\n\n“Yes.” He puffed up, as proud as a peacock. “Today.”\n\n“Look, Mickey, or… Akaza, whatever you’re calling yourself today—“\n\n“Azaroth.”\n\n“I’m sick.” I motioned at myself. “Today is shitty enough. Can you… Ditch the roleplaying?”\n\n“No, I can’t.” He gritted his teeth. A shadow seemed to shroud the room, his eyes glowing a fiery red. “Because, as I said, you are to be my victim for today.”\n\n“And.” Mickey hissed. “I do not take no for an answer.”\n\nMaybe it was the flu that fuelled my sickness-induced haze that made me not notice the sudden change in atmosphere. But I stared forward at him blankly, opening and closing my mouth like a gaping fish, and decided to play along.\n\n“Can I reschedule?”\n\nHe blanched. “What?”\n\n“Let’s reschedule the whole killing thing.” I repeated, coughing to one side. My body felt uncomfortably hot, and I could feel a dangle of mucous dripping from my nose. Ick. “Because I’m really, really sick right now and today is…” I flopped on the bedcovers, sighing. “Just not my day.”\n\nMickey was silent, contemplating my words, before looking at me with narrowed eyes. “So… I slaughter you like a pig after you have sufficiently recovered?”\n\n“Yep.” I nodded heavily. What was with the pig analogy? Man’s so overdramatic today. “You can kill me as much as you like when that happens, Mickey.”\n\nHe seemed to think for a good while, nodding his head slowly. A large, manic grin spread across his face: he resembled one of those Chucky dolls, or maybe a kid on too much sugar. “I accept.” He declared. “It would be unfair of me to not give you any sort of fighting chance, and strike you down while you are suffering from an…” He paused. “Ailment.”\n\n“And,” Mickey said, determination evident in his eyes. “To quicken that process, I will take care of you during this time. You accept, do you, mortal?”\n\nI shrugged. Seemed fair enough. Mickey would probably get over his gimmick within the week, and if he was kindhearted enough to help me through it, even if he was stuck in a phase...\n\nWell, why not?\n\n“Sure.” I accepted, with absolutely no idea what I had just roped myself into.\n\nPiece of cake.",
"Of course, this was bound to happen, what with my profession being that of killing mythical creatures. But still, the timing was very inconvenient. I had just gotten back from a trip to Bobuth, and I had gotten a nasty flu. At least, I hope it was a flu. In front of my bed stood a five millimeter high figure, or rather, it stood on the foot-end of my bed. It was a gnome, and a rather pissy one at that. Gnomes are one of the more difficult creatures to deal with when hunting, mostly because they are so small. I used to gas them, because that made sure there was little to no chance to escape. I was a fool back then, and I should've known they were sentient. But I was young, and people paid good money.\n\nI, in a very croaky voice because of the flu, finally managed to ask the gnome: \"Why haven't you killed me yet? It's why you're here, aren't you? Just do unto me what I did unto you.\" The gnome answered with: \"I would, but you're sick! Do you know how unsanitary it is to kill someone when they're sick? Oh, I had so much time to plan my every move, and to think through every flaw! I would turn your innards inside out! I would cut your heart to pieces! But now, you lay there, pathetic and *riddled with diseases*! I traveled for ages, all the way from Aldwell Quag, constantly changing direction because you were always on the move! And yes, I should've known something was up when you returned home so suddenly, but I was so close! You have taken everything from me, and now you take away my opportunity to kill you! You are a bastard!\" \n\nAt last, my brain had had enough time to think. \"Did you say Aldwell Quag? I have never been there. I've always wanted to go there, but no opportunity ever arose. You must have me confused with someone else.\" \"Yes, I did say- oh. So after all this time, with this disappointment, and I didn't even have the right guy? DAMN!\" And the gnome left, muttering insults, mostly aimed at himself. When I was certain the gnome had left, I arose from my bed. Another killer off my trail. I hadn't been sick, not really, but gnomes despise people who are sick. I had been to Aldwell Quag, and I had killed what was probably his family.\n\nDon't I have remorse for what I did? Certainly. But I would prefer to live longer than they would like me to, and so I must weaponise every trick I picked up from the hundreds of souls I have damned. And so far, no gnome, golem or vampire has ever been able to kill me, and when I die, it will be by my own hubris.",
"I never thought I'd die this way.\n\nI'd wrangled and fought many mythical creatures, relocating them out of the city and into the wild where they belong. Creatures like harpies, those half-human winged carnivores, or manticores, the wolf-headed lion-bodied monster with a scorpion's tail. I'd even seen unicorns and dragons. I always thought something of that nature would take me out. \n\nInstead, I was having one of the worst case of the flu I think I'd ever experienced.\n\n\"You're being a baby, James,\" my girlfriend told me.\n\nI groaned, then coughed. \"It might be the plague.\"\n\n\"I'm leaving,\" she announced. \"I'm getting you some soup.\"\n\n\"Who knows what might happen if you actually made any,\" I said dryly. \n\nShe came by to make sure I was fine in bed before smacking my leg. \"Stay in bed. I'll be back soon.\"\n\n\"Bye,\" I said weakly. She waved and left. I listened to the front door opening and closing.\n\nI settled in to try to rest but I felt too miserable to really do anything of the sort. I groaned to myself again and shut my eyes tight.\n\n\"Jeez, James, you look awful.\"\n\nI opened my eyes immediately and looked at the doorway. It had been years since we'd seen each other but I recognized the vampire.\n\n\"No one let you in,\" I said warily. \n\n\"Actually, your girlfriend did.\" He walked into the bedroom with a smirk. \"She's just in the living room now.\"\n\nI closed my eyes for a moment and coughed. I was too weak to do anything about this. \"I thought you were dead..\"\n\n\"I came to settle the score but it really doesn't seem fair.\" He crossed his arms when he stopped near the foot of the bed.\n\nI coughed again, my chest rattling with each breath I took, and tried to sit up but I wasn't feeling up for it. My head swam. I lowered myself to my elbows.\n\n\"This is pathetic.\" The vampire sat down on the mattress by my feet. \"I'm actually really concerned about you. Are you going to be okay?\"\n\n\"Does it matter?\"\n\n\"Yes, it matters. It's the principle of the thing, honestly. You're weak and ill and feeble.\"\n\n\"She was getting me soup,\" I mumbled.\n\nThe vampire stood. \"I will get the soup.\"\n\n\"You really don't have to--\"\n\n\"I will get the soup,\" he repeated stiffly. \"And when you're better, we'll deal with this like men.\"\n\n​\n\nr/thetreesandthestars"
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[WP] Scientists have just found a large stone with modern equations and scientific proofs engraved on it, when you arrive to look at it to your suprise you see your signature signed on the corner of the rock.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Among the equations and algorithms finely etched into the first Marianas Stone, patterns had begun to arise. Cryptologists, Enigmatologists, and even linguistic professors have been working with mathematicians of many creeds to piece together the tesseract of information. Algorithms appeared on the stone that are worthless on their own, but when applied in sequence with others, form complex yet universally accurate systems. At times requiring formulas from other Marianas Stones to be complete. \n\nSolves for fuel mass to lift coefficients capable of taking mankind far beyond the solar system. At times based on unknown elements that would then come to be formulaically presented elsewhere on the stone, spattered, waiting to be pieced together. \n\nTerraforming, Space-Time manipulation, remote geographic analysis, biological metamorphic catalysts, stochastic pseudo instantaneous pan-universal travel. The list of applicable information hidden in the puzzle work of equations was ever unfolding. Early sonographic evaluations put the outcrop of Marianas Stone 1 as representing only 3.14% of the total buried stone. Primary researchers were far from surreptitious about their amusement at such a finding. A lightheartedness rapidly deteriorated by early expeditions to uncover more of MS1. \n\nAs more of the oceanic bedrock was finely removed from the MS1, progressively alien etymology presented itself. Rapidly turning into nigh indecipherable languages that barely resembled any other earthly counterparts. Head researcher, Nolan Grier, spent the vast majority of physical man hours in submersibles, studying MS1 alongside the Oceanic Archeological Research Society who was responsible for the actual excavation. \n\nNolan Grier went missing 10 months into primary research on MS1. After apparently finding evidence of his signature on a deeply excavated portion of MS1, radar suggests Nolan stole an OARS prototype submersible exo-suit and departed for the excavation site. After weeks of search, no evidence of Nolan was found. Nor was any evidence of Nolans signature found on MS1 in the position aforementioned by Grier, only an untranslatable sequence of symbols and shapes. \n\nSupplementary study of MS1 through MS42 have similarly been met with troubling circumstances and disappearances. Cases of lead researchers vanishing after finding signs of themselves in the Marianas Stones they studied were actively suppressed to keep the flow of valuable information to the private sector and investors. Numerous Marianas Stones were eventually abandoned, at times whole research divisions vanished or fled their posts, citing “Terrible voices,” from the deep. A marked decline in academic and cognitive function marred survivors, with many more taking their own lives. \n\nStage 3 investigations of previously archived alien etymology with connections to disappearances did not yield any further losses. When preliminary reconnaissance of MS43 began however, team leader Francine Renard was treated early on for hallucinations. Stating that she “could hear herself drowning,” outside her submersible while she tried to sleep. \n\nEventually physical human oversight over the Marianas Stones was carefully limited and drones were built to take over the legwork. Using state of the art infrared spectrometry reversed engineered from equations found on MS16, the stones were again mapped in their totality. \n\nThe findings send shockwaves through the close knit scientific community. Towering colossi of energy, seemingly sentient, surrounded each stone. Daunting transient leviathans that, even with their specialized tools, could only be perceived by OARS teams a fraction of the time, for reasons unknown. \n\nThe discovery itself changed little at first. It wasn’t until the giant form around MS1 spoke the first time that the severity of the situation sank in. \n\nBreaking the expected silence of the ocean floor, radiographers used an equation found on MS38 to recombine the abstract frequencies found emitting from the stones into discernible sound waves. Once completed the first recording set the researchers to a standstill. \n\n>\tIt’s eating me alive. It’s eating me alive. It’s eating me alive. It’s eating me alive. It’s eating me alive. It’s eating me alive. It’s eating me alive. It’s eating me alive."
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[WP] Right before your death, you're given the opportunity to change one one thing in your life to see if you can avoid dying at this particular moment. This is known as your Mulligan. Most people chose to change something from that day, while you go back much further...
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My Mulligan. My final chance of redemption. If you are killed by something other than old age, you are allowed to change one thing that you had did in your life, to see if you could live. Some use it to not walk on that road *just yet*, so they werent hit by that speeding car. Sine juat use it to change their wills. But I had another idea. There was one question that I had always wanted to be answered. *What if i had taken that save point?* \n\nWhen i was 27, I had ended up in a dark alleyway, doing a deal with a sketchy guy in a trench coat. He had offered me another chance at life, and me, thinking it was a scam, declined. A \"Save Point\", he had called it. Now, what would have happened if I had taken it? As I ask this, I am brought back to the place I was. \n\n\"Well, that's too bad then. Pleasure doin- business with ya, bud,\" The man said.\n\nI realized what was happening. \"Wait!\"\n\nHe looked back at me, a confused look on his face. \n\n\"Change your mind that fast, huh?\"\n\n\"Yeah,\" I say.\n\nAnd at that, I'm pulled through the rest of my life at breakneck speeds. And that one day where I fell of the cliff (dont get me started. It's annoying as hell how it happened), it slows down. I feel a cold sensation by me right arm as I hear... \n\n\"Let's see what happens together, shall we?\n\nAs if right on cue, the video starts playing in some. I got to see myself die. And then I see... my body lift up off the ground? As I see this, watching in awe, the last thing I hear is \"Congratulations. You are the first one to pass my test.\"\n\n\"So, you prolly wont understand this now, but here goes. Welcome back. Looks like your save point worked, and you are back here to where I set it.:\n\nIt... it worked.\n\n\"It worked... Im alive. The Mulligan worked.\"\n\n\"And as I had said up there, congrats on parting my tests. Have 100000 dollars, which should keep you settled for a bit.\"\n\nAs I watch him go back into a building, the last thing I see is him laughing, a horn, and a glimpse of red skin."
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[WP] The tornado sirens have been blaring for ten minutes, and the guy on the radio is begging everyone to find shelter. But you stand on a small hilltop, arms outstretched. The three funnels are converging on your location.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Please be gentle, this is my first time having the courage to share!\n\n“Seek shelter immediately....”\n\nBut that’s exactly what I’m doing. Arms outstretched, lungs at full capacity, standing tall like an old oak tree. This is the first time in my life I’ve felt alive. The constant ringing in my head has stopped. The numbness in my limbs has been replaced with an electrifying new heat. I’ve never felt what it’s like to be free of myself; like I’ve shapeshifted into someone I’ve never known before. \n\nI shudder as the wind carries the dust of my existence with it. This turbulence delivers the comfort my heart has yearned for for so long. I’m finally ready to go where the storm takes me.\n\n\n*Edit, word correction*"
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[WP] You discover you can make duplicates of yourself, each taking a personality trait from you (love, hate, greed, charity etc). After playing around with your new power you discover your wrath is missing.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Emotions make us human. \n\nBut *powerful* emotions, if left unchecked, make us animals. \n\n\\---\n\nI stared down at my bloody sheets upon awakening, confusion wracking my face. \n\nWhen I saw the four entities staring at me from the foot of the bed, I shot up from my pillow. \n\nBlood and mucus enveloped each entity's skin as if they were newborns. A different emotion rippled across their faces every few moments--from love to hate to greed. \n\nAfter taking a moment to push back the panic attack creeping across my chest, I had a frightening realization: they looked exactly like me. All the way down to the birthmarks beneath their eyes. \n\nMy duplication machine was a success. I had found a way to manifest pure emotions in human form after twenty years of trial and error. \n\nJust as I was about to celebrate my achievement, I noticed that a duplicate was missing. \n\nA shuffling sound erupted behind me. \n\nI turned toward my headboard. \n\nAn entity unlike the others was crouched on the wood. Its skin was a deep crimson and wrath consumed its yellow eyes. \n\nIt pulled a scalpel, which I had left on a table in my lab, from its mouth, and leaped toward its brothers. \n\nThe resulting melee lasted no more than a minute, but the bloodshed will haunt me to my grave. \n\nAfter taking a moment to wipe the gore from its eyes, the red-skinned entity stepped over the slain duplicates and approached the window. \n\n\"I am wrath,\" he said, then disappeared into the biting October dawn.\n\n\\--- \n\nThanks for reading! If you are interested in reading more, please consider visiting [here](https://connorphillipsfiction.com/) and [TCC](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheCrypticCompendium/comments/g5lu7x/author_database/)"
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[WP] "Why won't you die?", he asked. "Because I'm the main character, and have the protection of plot armor."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I'm certain that part I'm playing is not actually the one I've chosen. It's one big story and I'm the main character. I stare into the mirror and regret some of the choices I made, not realising that I made them and I could just as soon make others. \n\nThe sneaking feeling that I am part of a world that's been crafted meticulously and specifically for me, is frightening. Why am I working in a job that is getting me nowhere and why am spending more than I earn? Why would this particularly story have debt and paranoia as its central theme?\n\nI sat on the toilet pondering whether the creator of the world I was in could have a nervous breakdown, and suddenly and without reason, change the toilet into a yawning hippopotamus' mouth, ready to snap shut at any second.\n\nThe walk back to my desk was as usual except the woman that sat behind me was talking to the person to my left, covering half of my station and desk. I dare not say anything as there had been several inappropriate work behaviour suspensions in the past few weeks and even three counts of racial discrimination.\n\nThe thought process lead me to say \"fuck it\" out loud. \n\nShe heard it and darted a look at me, as if to say \"the strongly worded e-mail is going to write itself.\" \n\n\"Wooooaaahh... Oh no,\" the employee to my right started to smile. \"You're fucked!\"\n\nI got suspended for harassment but they had to keep me on as no one else would do my job for such low pay. They chained me to the desk and I used my tongue and nose to press the 3 buttons that I needed to press to churn the numbers. \n\nAt lunch, the woman took off her shoes and fed me from them, while calling me a perverted liar. She then demanded that I put kimchi in my eyes because I wouldn't look at her how she wanted. She slowly plastered my face in Kimchi while more and more workers came over to take pictures with me. \n\nI cried like a sad wench. I'm a character and this is all made up. No world could be like this in reality...could it? \n\nMy daydream ended. \n\nI turned my computer off and got up to leave. The woman behind me smiled as she saw me walk towards the door and I tried to smile back, but I'm too paranoid. What if she writes a strongly worded e-mail? \n\nShe rose and floated towards me. We then danced the most beautiful dance without anyone realising. \n\nWe took a long bow, with the hippopotamus and the people around my desk. The audience roared and cheered and we felt content with playing our parts so well. \n\nThen it came crashing down. \n\nThere was no audience...just empty office chairs. The workers closed in, unbuttoning their clothes and calling us liars. \n\nWe tried to tell them we were just characters but none of them would listen. They chained us to our desks and then gave out large jars of Kimchi. They stripped down to their underwear and then paraded around the office. \n\nWe tried our best not to look.\n\n We knew what the Kimchi was for. \n\nThe hippopotamus looked at me and then at the woman. Then it yawned like a toilet with the seat up."
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[WP] You're a healer who lacks empathy. Proficient in combat and gets agitated very easily, you'd much prefer to kick arse. Here's the thing, each time you attack your target, in any way, it fully heals them of any mortal wounds and illnesses. This infuriates you even more.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I am a sadist, some say. The thing is, I get agitated very easily. What gets me going the most, is when someone is just beckoning for an execution.\n\nThat damned mafia. Always fucking with me. I had a pouch full of gold coins, and that bitch took it. I meant to cut off his arm, but instead, it gave him energy. He ran off with my money faster than a masochist grabs a rope.\n\nI am a healer. The absolute worst class. It was as if god eternally cursed my soul with a note reading \"fuck you.\" I used to be praised for my exorbitant ability as one, but only the courageous appear legitimately for help.\n\nI wished to be useful in battle, however, whenever I would wound an enemy, it was a cure-all. Not for me, but for him, my target. Out of rage, let's just say that the arson was beautiful. \n\nSo, I track that rat in his little rabbit hole, and appear out of revenge. I have a little trick this time. I hold a small bottle of a concentrated, potent anesthetic out in front of me, reel back, and throw. The chemical's container breaks next to the mafia member, and he falls unconscious.\n\nWhilst that bitch was immobile, I start decapitating him. Slash, slash, slash. With each slash, the head is separated, then rejoined, almost in conjunction.\n\nAfter a while, full of pleasure, I hear a voice resound in my head:\n\n__________________________________________\n[Level Up]\nStats increased\n--------------------\nChose your unlock\n\n<Berserker> \nHealing can now be toggled\nIncreased damage to homonoids \n\n<Blessed Healer>\nTarget is healed just from you thinking about healing target\nAge is now reversed by target amount\n____________________________________________\n\nHigh on joy, I hurridly chose berserker.\nTime to take out their entire organization!\nThen afterwords, I shall haggle down the price of some whiskey!",
"Punch after punch. Kick after kick. He'll never die. And he's reached primal age. 6 years he's been my loyal punching bag, broken and alone. I don't even have to feed him. Our bi-annually battles give him minor hope as I can't personally hurt him, but, i have my ways. I've set hundreds of thousands of traps if not millions. U love to give him the feeling of victory before he discovers another painful trap that, for some odd reason, just won't kill him. \n\nFrom what I've observed, he only feels pain for a second before my healing kicks in on him. Unfortunately no one has every come for him or I'd have a huge gym of human training equipment. Maybe one day I'll let him make it to the city.",
"I stumble into the Hogs Head Tavern. I open the low five foot door, and duck down, due to the fact I’m five inches taller then the door. I enter the Tavern. I drink in my surroundings, the familiar dim, hanging torches, the grass covered tables, and of course the long bench covered with depressed alcoholics. With a knife, I stab a woman with a green tunic, and blonde hairs, she collapses. I stab a guy with a brown cloak, and pitch-black hair, he also collapses. I rampage at the Tavern, stabbing one person, then another, I pierce about twenty people with my knife. Soon the stabbed start to groggily get up, man, they’re not dead, whatever, I still get paid. One of the bartenders, Eel walks up to me. Eel is a chubby faced, with a *ahem* large body, light-brown hairs, and dark-brown hair.\n\n“The usual procedure huh? Wait what’s your name again? I keep referring to you as Brown hair dude? \n\n“Sardine, and yep, the usual. You know the drill, gimme the gold piece.” \n\nHe flicks me a gold coin, worth about three months pay to a normal person. \n\n“Well, I’ll be leaving now,” I announce to Tavern. \n\nI crouch under the short door, and walk out to the cobblestone street. There are one-story small wooden cottages surrounding the road. I see a figure running down the street. I see the figure coming closer, and I realize who it is. Dolphin, the short, green-eyed, loooong brown-haired, princess in a short white dress. \n\n“So, shortstack, whaddaya want now?” I question her.\n\n“Shut up, do not to call me that, Sardine. I do not want to hear anything from you, you know why I’m here, job.”\n\n“Yeah, yeah, just bring me too the dungeon.” \n\nIn a flash of light I arrive at a moss-covered door. The door is large two person tall door, covered with ornate gemstones. \n\n“Wowww, you really burnt a Dungeon Teleport. With all your families penny-pinching, I’m surprised,” I try to antagonize her.\n\nShe ignores me, “Marlin should be here any moment.”\n\nSuddenly a giant beast of a man appears next to me, it’s Marlin. Marlin is massive, completely filled with muscle and to complement his look, he is bald. \n\n“We go,” says Marlin. Always a man of few words. \n\nWe push open the moss-covered door, and enter a long winding, sandy hallway. \n\n“So what are we gonna do?” I ask Dolphin.\n\n“We walk, simple, maybe even simple enough for you,” Dolphin replies.\n\n“Walk good,” Marlin drops words of profound wisdom. \n\nAfter walking maybe twenty minutes, an arrow zips at us, and hits Marlin in the heart. \n\n“Pay me double, and I’ll save him,” I tell Dolphin.\n\n“Fine! Just please save him!” Exclaims Dolphin.\n\nI stab Marlin in the leg with my trusty knife. After one minute, he gets up.\n\nMarlin looks at me and says, “thank.” \n\n“Yeah, yeah whatever, just make sure to get me my money, TEN gold coins this time, instead of the usual five.” \n\nAfter ten minutes of dodging arrows, we arrive at a door. The door is a flimsy person-sized wooden door. Marlin opens the door, and we walk in. We’re surrounded by a dense forest, all the trees are extremely tall and leaf covered. I spot a short goblin. The mischievous bastard is a clearing. As soon as the goblin spots us, he disappears. \n\n“Everyone saw the goblin, right?” Dolphin asks Marlin and I. \n\n“Yep,” I affirm. \n\nThe goblin leaps out of a tree and claws at Marlin, he claws out his eye. I stab Marlin, better give me my pay. Marlin collapses. Dolphin unloads ice spells at the Goblin. The spells range from small shards of ice, to massive icebergs. Finally the goblins slows down, Marlin, who just got up, stabs the goblin in the eye.\n\n“Revenge!” Marlin exclaims, while guffawing. \n\nThe goblins slips away from Marlin into the forest. \n\nAfter maybe one minute, the injured goblin somehow lands on my face, presumably from the trees. I stab it, wanting to rip the stupid thing apart. The goblin heals, and starts to transform. \n\n“Uh, oops?” Stupid healing powers, can’t I just rip apart a dumb Goblin? \n\n“Yes oops,” Dolphin yells at me. \n\nWe watch the Goblin transform into a ten foot tall giant. If I stab a monster, it tends to not just heal, but it also gain new powers. \n\n“Goblin big,” Marlin dispenses words. \n\nSoon, Dolphin exclaims, “I can’t use my ice.”\n\nAnd I notice that Marlin, who is next to me, starts to shrink. He turns into a four foot tall beanpole, unable to contain my laughter I let out a laugh. However the goblin sweeps a massive hand towards us, stopping my laughter, it hits Marlin and Dolphin, me with my prowess in dodging, manage to avoid it. Marlin and Dolphin are instantly knocked, Dolphin doesn’t really have much fortitude, and for mini-Marlin he seems to also be very weak. I realize that I won’t be able to heal them, and charge them a ludicrous sum of money. My banks are gone. \n\nI keep up my flurry of dodges, fueled by the instinct to survive, forgetting my obsession with gold. The goblin starts to grow more and more frustrated, it starts to lets out pitiful screams. The goblin starts to breath in, I notice I start to float toward him. \n\n“Whoa, whoah!” I exclaim. \n\nNow quickly floating toward the hulking Goblin, somehow while panicking, I mange to grab his face before I’m sucked into his mouth. I stab it’s eye with my knife, the goblin groans in pain. I stab it’s cheek, a primal urge telling me to keep going, I attack it’s entire face. Soon, I my elation from attacking the goblin starts to go away. I feel an foreign emotion, pity, empathy. I feel... bad? The goblin is clearly in immense pain, my hand falters, as sweat purs down my body, finally, I fall of the goblin. I see that Dolphin and Marlin have their powers back, I did enough damage. I pass out.\n\nI wake up in my own soft, comfy bed. I look around and see my familiar room, just a desk with a piece of parchment, and a locked box with some of my gold. To my right and see Dolphin and Marlin. \n\n“This will cost you THIRTY gold pieces,” Dolphin tells me.\n\nI chuckle, “yeah whatever shortstack.” \n\n“Golden eye man, alive,” says Marlin semi-excitedly.\n\n“Yeah, I sure am.” \n\nWait, I have never heard Marlin says more then a two word sentence, but he just said four words, dang, that’s my big accomplishment for the week. \n\nI notice that I’m being more open around Marlin and Dolphin, after the goblin experience. \n\nI tell Marlin and Dolphin my epiphany, “I realized something, I like attacking, just not hurting.”\n\nTips always appreciated \n\nr/CascadeCorner",
"Here's the thing about non-edged weapons... sometimes, it feels really good just beating the holy hell outta something. A studded club up against some teeth, mmm. Or an iron mace. Tempting to go after the head, innit? No. Smash it into the collarbone; it'll snap like a chicken bone and the bastard's arm'll just hang there. Wheehayy, that's a good morning for you.\n\nYehhhh. Good times.\n\nSee my hands? Come here, look at 'em. No, I'm not going to hit you. Come here.\n\nHa! That was a slap in the face, wunnit? Left a red handprint, it did. Best check your mouth with your tongue, make sure... and... aha, you had some teeth come back that were missing! I can see the look in your eyes. That's how I heal people. *Violently*.\n\nLike this! Hahahaha! Nothing like a good kick in the wossnames! There y'are, bent over and feeling like yer gonna puke, gasping for air. But you'll find that case of drow crotch-rot you had--pissing blood, burning dick--that's all cured. Let that be a lesson the next time you think about going to the whore pits, lad. Some paladin you are!\n\nNow some dinky war-parties balk at letting me join. But I tell you, monsters and foe alike are grateful for my touch. Living in a dungeon, fighting, bad diets. Suddenly, I pop up, beat on 'em and they feel better than they have in years. By the Nine Hells, they're happy to give the treasure, thanking me, letting the party go through unmolested. \n\nWhy, evil itself is a sickness, really, if you look at it right. I once drank a potion that gave me the strength of a giant and I beat a necromancer until he was a lawful good apothecary.\n\nSome may call my methods... extreme. And you may agree, once I rid you of the piles that make riding your warhorse a bloody torture. Now, drop those breeches, Sir Knight.\n\nNo, I am not taking the rings offa my fingers."
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[WP] A cursed blade that forces the user to seek out the one they care for the most and cut off all of their hair. Once cut they are free of the blades power.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I stood outside the hospital room as my wife slept, looking at her through the window. She had become so frail in these last few days. She could barely lift her head without help. How quickly a young forty-year-old woman, so vibrant and full of love, could shrivel to the skeleton that lay on the other side of the glass.\n\n\"Mr. Jonson,\" a nurse muttered, and I turned to see she had kindly brought me a cup of coffee from the cafeteria. I gratefully took it, even though I didn't drink coffee, and let its warmth sooth my trembling hands as I turned back to gaze through the window. \n\n\"She's a strong woman,\" the young nurse said gently. \"She only ever says kind things to us.\"\n\nI nodded, my fingers tightening around the Styrofoam cup. It creaked and bent in my hands, so I relaxed my grip.\n\n\"The doctor thinks she has a good chance of surviving,\" the young woman went on, self-consciously tucking a lock of her short blond hair behind her ear. She was a pretty girl, with beautiful, soft-looking hair. I couldn't help but stare a little. \"This last round of chemo might do the trick. Why don't you go home and get some rest?\"\n\nGlancing back at my skeletal wife, I nodded again, feeling rather numb. I feared my wife wouldn't survive at all, and that nagging feeling distracted me. She had lost so much body weight. Every last speck of her hair had fallen out weeks ago, and her skin was pale and drawn. But I had to trust the doctors. And I needed sleep.\n\nI thanked the young nurse and left, walking slowly through the parking lot. My old truck was the only vehicle out there, and as I drove home, I didn't pass anyone on the streets. \n\nI mutely walked into my house, dreading the future. I didn't know what to do with myself, now that I knew... now that I knew the truth. \n\nMy frisky goldendoodle came bounding down the hall to greet me, freshly shaved.",
"They always told me I was a narcissist.\n\nAn obsessive control freak who would do anything to prove their superiority. I can't help it, I *am* superior. I was always competing for the place at the top of the ladder, the smartest of everyone, the bravest, the strongest. Everyone around me was sick with obsession over trivial matters, love and despair. *Emotion*. I couldn't be the dumb one. I would *never* be the dumb one.\n\nMy will to be better than everyone else was recognised by the knights that came to my village, and I was recruited into the knight's guard. I ascended the ranks over the years, perfected my swordsmanship, and at every opportunity used my ingenuity to boost myself at others' expense. Empathy was a tool for the weak to take the strength they did not have from others and use it.\n\nA military genius, I was. Serving *under* the King. I became the royal advisor after the last one passed so peacefully away, at the hands of a very skilled murderer that somehow managed to make his way all the way into the royal court, and poison his drink. Whoever it was, they certainly managed to outsmart the Guards at every turn.\n\nI was at the top of it all, wasn't I? I held a puppet king in my hands for me to play with, and everyone in the castle knew to come to me if they wanted anything done. The thing with kings, they're never very good at running anything. They love their baths, their royal vacations, their diplomatic meetings that consist of wine and beer and drunken gatherings in grand halls. He'd take his family with with him to enjoy the luxuries and the splendour of being royal.\n\nWhat a pity that one day, a group of bandits overwhelmed the royal carriage returning from a land far far away. The people mourned for their king, as a murder of crows soared across the skies, a single standoffish raven lagging slowly behind with a scroll attached to its leg, a message to tell me the work was done.\n\nOh certainly, the royalty weren't expunged, but I had proven that no-one was above my influence. Sixteen years of work and I had proven that I held in my hand the power to crush anyone, even the most protected of royalty. My work however, is never done.\n\nTales of a sword, accursed with a malevolent spirit that would grant great power to its user. I'm no fool to believe in the superstitious, but the country most certainly was. Whomever holds this sword, holds the respect of every person in the kingdom, along with the reigning monarchs. That person could remove even me from my throne.\n\nSo I set out to find it.\n\nNo-one cares if the king's advisor goes out on a journey, they believe the king is there to run things, and I had a trusted stand-in to fill my position while I was gone. I would find the sword and return.\n\nNow, I had done my research, unlike the heroes you read tales of. I didn't go on a wild goose chase, I travelled straight to the crypt that it lay dormant in, held in the hands of one of the old kingdom's monarchs. The walls warned that the sword was in fact cursed, to take the hair of the one you cared most for should you grasp it.\n\nWhat an idiotic curse.\n\nI lifted the sword out of the bony hands of some old skeleton, and began to walk out of the cave to return to the castle and cancel my short leave.\n\nBut something was wrong.\n\nMy hands would move on their own. The sword raised in my hand, turned towards my chest-\n\nI placed it in my holster, and began to walk absently. I came to the cave alone, not wishing for anyone to witness the lack of magical significance for the sword, and it turned against me. What was going on? The only person I ever cared for was myself, I was all I ever worked for! If the curse is true, then surely I should cut off my own hair!\n\n\"WHO ARE YOU TAKING ME TO?\" I screamed at the sword, while my legs walked obediently.\n\nI came to one of the royal roads I had commissioned to be built, for the people and the military. I began to walk on it.\n\nThere was a split, and onto a dirt-path I began to tread, as I made my way to who knows where.\n\nA parting in the trees that was oddly familiar.\n\nA couple of rocks that I remembered playing on.\n\nA house I knew far too well, abandoned and forgotten. And I began to cry, not knowing why.\n\nI walked into it, and found myself face to face with my sister. Sitting down, and eating what looked to be half-cooked venison. My tears stopped, and all I remembered was rage.\n\nThe sword only cared that it got the hair, right?\n\nLet's go for the neck.\n\n\"Who's the weak, dumb, pathetic one now, huh?\"",
" Your honor, I swear my actions were not my own. I did what I did because the blade forced me.\n\nI had just purchased a new knife and was about to use it to prepare dinner when I suddenly heard a voice tell me “I need hair. The hair of your most beloved. And I need it all.” \n\nI looked around, but saw nobody. Then the voice came up again, louder, and said the exact same thing. This time I could tell that it unmistakably came from the knife I was holding. I tried to throw it away from me, but when I opened my hand the knife remained frozen there.\n\n“You will feed me the hair of your beloved. The choice to refuse is not yours to make.”\n\nAnd then my legs started moving your honor. I’m sure to somebody else watching, it must have looked like I was just walking, but I swear my legs weren’t moving because I wanted them to. I tried to resist, but at that point I was trapped in my own body. I could only watch what the blade would make my body do.\n\nMy wife was in the bedroom. Her face turned from happy to see me into one of sheer horror as I was forced to tie her up. And then I slowly, methodically, began removing every visible hair on her body. But apparently, that wasn’t enough.\n\n“When I said all of the hair of your beloved, I meant all of it.”\n\nYour honor, I did everything I could to resist. But my will didn’t matter. The will of the blade controlled my actions. And the blade taught me that hair actually starts deep under the skin. All over the body.\n\nWhen the blade was finished I was free. And I sobbed, begging my wife for forgiveness. But she didn’t respond. I called the ambulance, but they were unable to do anything. And when the police came, they didn’t believe my story.\n\nPlease your honor, I didn’t want any of this to happen. I love my wife and I always loved her hair. Losing her was already devastating, I couldn’t bear to follow up that trauma by being sent to jail for life. I’m telling the truth, my actions were not my own."
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[WP] Nobody could tell if the hero was a genius or just completely incompetent. The super villain reran the footage until she spotted him, walking in backwards through the exit. She turned her subordinates “Are you telling me he broke into our high tech facility, using the old Bugs Bunny trick!!!“
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Eheh… What’s up, Doc?”\n\nA hundred machine guns trained their barrels on the source of that annoying, nasally voice. The henchmen, fingers hovering over triggers, tried to discern if this was a hallucination or real life. In the end, it didn’t really matter. He was in their way.\n\n“KILL HIM,” the Boss yelled. A torrent of gunfire poured forth; a deafening thunderstorm of bullets rained down on the lone figure, surely obliterating him. The swirling smoke and debris clouded their view. “Hold fire,” the Boss said. The henchmen reloaded.\n\nAfter the last bullet casing hit the concrete floor and rolled under a crate, the silence took them all in its cold grip. And then someone on the rafters grunted – and dropped their gun.\n\nThe Boss and all his henchmen looked up. Bugs Bunny had one of their own in a deadly chokehold. With something orange hanging out of his mouth, Bugs sighed, “Here I go with the timid little woodland creature bit again.” He snapped the henchman’s neck like a carrot.\n\n“Open fire!” screamed the Boss, horrified as he scrambled for cover. Bugs started spinning the corpse in his hands faster and faster, using it as a shield to absorb bullets, until it was a ball of limbs and ammunition rotating 10,000 times a second – and fired it right at a group of a dozen tightly-packed henchmen. On impact they exploded. Severed arms, legs, heads and feet flew all over the warehouse, blood trails following.\n\nBugs hopped down to the lower level. He kicked a machine gun up into his grip, cocked the hammer back, and stuck another carrot in his mouth. “Gee, ain’t I a little stinker?”\n\nThe baffled henchmen never stood a chance. Bugs opened fire in a 360-degree circle, unleashing a massacre on every last one of them. Some managed to fire back, but it was hopeless, as Bugs effortlessly dodged each bullet and kept firing on all the same.\n\nStanding alone now among the blood and guts, he chewed on his carrot. The Boss slammed the door to his impenetrable saferoom and fell back against the wall, shaking with fear. \n\nBugs approached the door. He gave a polite little knock.\n\n“You’ll never get in here, demon! It’s impossible!” is what the Boss shot back.\n\nThe Boss indeed felt secure now. Until the walls began vibrating. The dull rumble grew, as he ran his hands along the concrete which was now shaking like a flag in a hurricane.\n\nOutside the door, Bugs stood with his eyes closed, and his hands folded in front of him. But his mind was hard at work. There came a great wrenching sound, like something made of metal was torn in two by sheer force of will. The Boss wailed. Bugs opened his eyes, and saw the saferoom hovering in the air. There was only a small patch of floor left, to which the Boss was clinging with all his strength. But one by one, his fingers slipped away, and finally he plummeted down and smacked right onto the ground in front of Bugs. The saferoom now hovered over the Boss’s head, poised for destruction, like the sword of Damocles.\n\n“This is impossible,” the Boss sputtered, “you, I, the law of gravity! You can’t defy the law of gravity!”\n\nBugs smiled at him, “I know I shouldn’t but… I never studied law! Eheheh!”\n\nBugs brought the saferoom crashing down on the Boss, flattening him into a violent red paste.\n\nSatisfied, Bugs clapped the dust and grime off of his hands and strolled over to the door. “That’s all, folks!”",
"When I signed up to be apart of Miss Malice’s crime family, I was just a young mercenary looking for work. We started off so small. We’d rob banks and steal shipments of weapons and drugs. Small stuff. Then eventually we became black market distributors of pretty much everything illegal. Then one day we had finally wiped out the competition to become the most powerful criminal organization in the world. I had become her right hand man and she was the Supervillain I would give my life for.\n\nAnyone who threatened us died. Captain Boom Buster. Bullet through the head. Mr. Magnificent. Crushed with a bulldozer. The Red Jester. Pushed down a long set of stairs. They didn't stand a chance. We had the best security and R&D team on the planet. It was composed of all ex-military guys and former government scientists who were loyal to Miss Malice. She took care of us and we took care of her. We operated mainly in secret and stayed in the shadows, which was the reason why law enforcement was always 1,000 steps behind us.\n\nThen one day there was a data breach. Someone had snuck into our facility and had stuck a USB on one of our computers. It had a program on it that hacked into our system and uploaded our entire database online. It had member information, facility locations, and all of our business dealings and partners. As soon as we discovered what had occurred, we all knew it was only a matter of time before everything we had built would all come crashing down.\n\nMiss Malice reran the footage until she spotted him, walking in backwards through the exit. She turned to us and screamed “are you telling me he broke into our high tech facility, using the old Bugs Bunny trick!!!”\n\nIt was Earl. Earl was an idiot who had dropped out of high school. He was a janitor at one of our facilities. His cousin who was an assassin for us got him the job. Earl was kind of a burn-out. We had to fire him after he got high in the torture room and accidentally broke our shark tank and flooded the place with sharks.\n\nOne day he was mopping a conference room during a power point presentation about possible security flaws and doomsday scenarios in the organization. This is where he got the idea of what to do. After he got fired, he was pissed off and went home and decided to get revenge by becoming a superhero to bring us down. The footage showed that he didn’t even wear a mask or a costume. He just showed up wearing a hat that said, “Grimefighter.” He just walked backwards through the exit gate while one of trucks was exiting.\n\nNone of us had caught onto him. Billions of dollars worth of security… beaten by an idiot. Maybe it was genius? Or maybe just dumb luck.\n\nProbably just dumb luck.\n\nRight now I can hear the FBI closing in on us. No use running now. I told my boss I would go out shooting. I guess all good things do come to an end."
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[WP] You wakeup in a lab, and the lead scientist is screaming for you to stay away from him. You feel completely normal, but have no clue why he is so terrified.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The sound of whirring machinery brings me to my senses. Slowly, I open my tired eyes and am met with the shreiks of a familiar voice. My ears begin ringing due to the shrilling voice that keeps telling me to stay away. I prop myself up to see the source of such abhorrence. The mans face is partially covered with an artificial peice of plastic, intented to mimic the missing parts . His eyes wide open with fear, pupils contracted. He stumbles backwards; his hands placed in a defensive manner in front of himself. \n\nWhy is he acting like this? I think to myself. I slowly get up from the cold, cunning metal surface, catching a glimpse of my blood-ridden clothing. I move forward to reassure the man I mean no harm. He gets up with his almost limp legs and faulters to one of several heavily metal plated doors. As I walk towards him, I feel different, my body feels different, I feel stronger. His hands fumble with fear across the shimmering key pad.\n\nI stop. My eyes capture the reflection of something unpleasant and abominable. I turn to see that I am looking at myself, but this is not me. My flesh pale like it had been drained of luscious life. My once rosy-red and kind face had been replaced with metal parts here and there. My knees feel weak with confusion and I hear whispers. The man spews apoligies from his crooked, callous mouth asking for forgiveness. I grab a sharp instrument as obnoxious, malevolent rage overcomes me. My eyes vivid with the intent for malicious murder. I grab him from the neck and slowly peirce his dry, crusty skin. Violently stabbing him, I am enjoying every shreik his god-afwul body makes. His fresh blood flows down my tensed hands. I peirce his jugular vein. The body now lifelessly limp, I throw it across the laborotary with ease. A demonic, nefarious cackle escapes by blood splattered lips.",
"I opened my eyes slowly. I was standing in a lab, and a team of scientists were cowering in the corner. What appeared to be the lead scientist was standing in front of them, as if protecting them. \n\n\"Don't come any closer!\" He yelled, his voice shaking as he held up a pair of scissors with shaking hands. \n\n\"Eh, why not?\" I ask as I took a single step forward. \n\n*Bam* \n\nThe scientists screamed.\n\nA flash of pain blossomed in my head. \n\n\"Owwww.....\" I muttered. What happened? I looked up, and there was a crater in the ceiling. Did a single step just propel me into the ceiling? Do I have super strength?\n\nI turned towards the lead scientist, \"Hey hey, I'm not gonna do anything to you, don't worry.\"\n\nHe shook his head, \"No you won't, but it will.\"\n\n\"It?\" \n\n\"You are a scientific experiment. We found life on Europa, a moon of Jupiter. We've run countless tests on it, it's a parasite of some sort. And it requires a human host. You volunteered.\"\n\n\"So what's 'it'?\"\n\n\"The parasite, it developed a mind of it's own, it's own brain based upon a human brain. It needed to infect a human in order for it to successfully duplicate, to make a copy. It is unclear whether you actually have control over it, but none of us can step any closer to you. You are radiating radiation, too much.\"\n\n\"But don't humans die from radiation?\"\n\n\"Well yes, but don't forget, the parasite needs you alive, it will stop at nothing to preserve your life so that it may live.\"\n\n\"So unless you're threatening my life, everything's fine, but why are you still terrified? I understand I'm radiating radiation, I can't get close to you, isn't there a way to...\" I trail off as something feels off. \n\nWouldn't scientists who were experimenting on humans experiment on animals first? Why would they even turn to human experimentation? Even ignoring that, if it was dangerous, wouldn't there have been a better way to contain their experiment? In a safe chamber? \n\nWere these scientists really speaking the truth? But before I could voice my concerns, all the scientists fearful faces vanished, replaced with a face of pure malice. \"He knowssssss\" they hiss in unison, \"he mussst be disssposssed of.\"\n\nUnderstanding flashed through me, I was a normal human, they were the parasites, and I wasn't on earth. This planet must've had less gravity, which was why I propelled myself into the ceiling. \n\nAs I turn to run, unused to the different gravity, I hit the ceiling, and came crashing down, my head ringing. The scientists pounced on me, and the last thing I felt was their teeth biting into me.",
"The rickety vent overhead spewed a consistent stream of cold air on my bare ass. My hospital gown was undone, and the hairs on my calves stood up. I reached behind my back to try to find the draw strings and pull my gown back. I could tell I had done a poor job as muscles of my upper back seized up from the cold air.\n\n“Stay back! For the love of god stay back!” A portly man in a lab coat screamed as he pressed his back against the corner of he room. He used his legs to press himself as far back into the corner as he could. He was desperately trying to cover his eyes.\n\n“Oh God!” He screamed again.\n\n“Calm down. I’m just trying to figure out where I am.” I said, with my hands up in the air.\n\n“Oh God! Sophie I love you so much. God help me, I want to see my daughter again!” He screamed in agony.\n\nI scanned the room to get a blanket or something to calm him down. He was weeping at this point. I ripped off the bedsheet of the hospital bed as quickly as I could. As I approached him his screams of agony became piercing.\n\nI realized that approaching him was a mistake. I tossed the bedsheet onto him hoping it would provide some comfort. The bedsheet fluttered down and barely covered his knees. I backed away as far as I could to find his screams die out.\n\nHis face was beet red and sweat was glistening on his forehead. I could see damp stains under the arm pits of his white lab coat. Adorned on the breast pocket of his coat was written: H. Rothstein.\n\n“Dr. Rothstein, I need you to calm down and tell me what’s going on. What is happening to you.” I said in as clear and loud a tone as I could muster.\n\nHe was sweating and breathing rapidly, the quick rhythm seemed to calm him more and more. He was forcing his eyes shut and hugging his knees.\n\n“Dr. Rothstein?” I called out once more.\n\nI looked at the room more carefully. I saw a single hospital bed in a room with a monitor set up beside it. A flickering light illuminated linoleum floors, across the bed was a table with clip boards and at first glance what appeared to be x-rays were pinned up against the wall.\n\nI approached the table and Rothstein broke out into hysteria.\n\n“Oh God! Please stay away from me!”\n\nAs disturbing as his reaction was, I needed to put together the details for myself.\n\nThe images pasted against the wall were not X-rays but instead mammograms of my neck. I could make out inflamed lymphnodes on both sides of my neck.\n\n“Geez, not pretty.”\n\nI massaged my arteries and carefully felt around. I was certain that my neck was fine. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, excluding a layer of sticking sweat on my neck.\n\nI looked at the charts.\n\n*Dale Chun*\n\n\\- *Swollen lymph nodes*\n\n\\- *Intense fever*\n\n\\- *Acetaminophen given every two hours*\n\nI finally decided to leave the room and find a nurse.\n\nI entered an empty corridor with mostly empty hospital beds. In one room I managed to track down a nurse who was replacing an IV bag for a woman who appeared to be unconscious.\n\n“Um. Excuse me miss. I’m not so sure where I am. My doctor, doctor Rothstein seems to be very unwell. I was in room 104B.”\n\nShe met my gaze with a concerned by warm expression.\n\n“Well dear. I would suggest you go back to your room, and I can send someone over to ----”\n\nShe inhaled sharply and closed her eyes for a moment.\n\nIn a flash she started to scream herself.\n\n“AHHHHHH” She shrieked. “Ahhhhhh, somebody help! Please help!”\n\nI could hear the stamping of feet as nurses ran to her call. They were two strong looking men, who I suspect were paid to restrain patients. They locked eyes with me in the hall. I can only imagine how odd I looked standing in the corridor with a half-done gown. They were no more than six feet away before they both collapsed and started screaming themselves.\n\nTheir shrieks drowned out those of their female colleague.\n\nI could only think of two options. Return to my room and lock the door. Or make my way out of the hospital. I wasn’t even sure which hospital I was in. The last thing I remember was feeling dizzy in my cubicle.\n\nI turned my gaze the room across me. The female patient was still in bed completely undisturbed. The nurse caring for her was slumped beneath a window screaming and crying. I could see a stream of tears run down her cheeks. I looked out the window and saw a blanket of fresh snow covering all the cars in the parking lot. I shivered from cold air on my ass as the drawstring of my gown had come undone again.\n\n“The fuck if I’m going out there.” I said to myself.\n\nI rushed back to my room, nearly missing it as I slowed down to get my bearing.\n\nI peered into my room through the glass panel of the door. I could see Dr. Rothstein standing now clearly disoriented and stumbling over to my charts on the table. He was hunched over reading them carefully all the while pressing his hand against his temple as if to ward off a migraine.\n\nI thought it best to leave the poor man alone. I went for an empty room next door. I pushed the hospital bed up against the door in hopes of barricading it. The room was uncomfortable cold. I could feel a layer of dirt on floor of the room as I sat down.\n\nWith my feet and butt on the floor I tucked my head between my knees.\n\nBoy, did I smell awful."
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[WP] Ever since you turned 21, you hear a voice at 10:36 pm that whispers you a different word. You realize it is formulating a paragraph. Yesterday, you drank too much - today, you can't remember the word.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"So much for five years of sobriety, I'd been the only one out of my group of college friends who had skipped the day drinking until I was actually of legal age. Part of it was fear, my mom was an alcoholic who would not spare us any embarrassment or harassment. The day I got my five year chip she was nearly eight years sober, that day, about four months ago , we were both at our happiest. My grandfather was so proud of us both that he put me back in his will. \n\nAs mentioned I had waited until 21 to drink. Partially because I decided if I wanted to get into law school I was going to need the grades, but mostly I was scared of the loss of control. I had struggled with a degree of anxiety in my late teens, some of which manifested in obsessive thinking, and therefore, the thought of surrendering control really scared me. I was able to get into a frat at Rutgers, despite the fact that I didn't drink, this just made the initiation even more daunting.\n\nThe night I decided to have my first beer, midday on my 21st birthday I chose to christen the occasion with a warm keystone light. Healthy drinking habits from the start eh? I was alone, I had just broken up with my high school sweetheart, (we had fought about my uptight study habits and the normal uncertainty brought by ones early twenties), and I woke up in the frat house by myself on spring break, April 19th. No texts or calls from anyone, dad was probably busy with his firm and mom, well who the fuck cares. I took one sip and gagged, I didn't know piss in a can could be so gnarly. I struggled through my first three beers from the broken fridge and started to feel powerful. I texted my now ex, told her to fuck herself, texted my mom and told her to fuck herself and texted my dad that I was getting straight As and I missed him. I kept drinking, and drinking, \n\nBlackout.\n\nI woke up a few hours later to a couple dozen missed calls from my mom and my ex both very concerned, this was not like me after all . It was about 10:30. A few minutes later, my vision went completely white, a searing and painful heat in my head, blinding and terrific. I quietly heard the word \"covet\" in what only could be described as a voice similar to an automated call bot. \"What the fuck?\" I thought to myself. If this is a hangover, no wonder everyone bitches about them, \"scary shit\" I thought.\n\nI never did make it to law school. Within two years I was on the streets with a serious and deadly problem with meth and heroin. My mom had gotten sober and her and my father had decided they were \"enabling my slow suicide.\" I was alone, except for the nightly voice, well, nightly word , at 10:36. I never noticed a pattern to it, mainly because I was constantly too fucked up to remember it. After another two years and almost dying. I cleaned up. I noticed the voice went away for a bit with the medications they put me on at rehab, I kept on them for a few more years, eventually being let into a graduate program. \n\nMy first semester went alright, I shook off the bad grades and told myself that academic probation was nothing to be ashamed of, look at how far I had come right? Slowly I stopped the medications and the voice came back, 10:36, for the few months I held onto my sobriety I was able to catch it most nights. I made out this sentence., night by night, one word at a time. \n\n\"....remained for the time now forgotten. It's memory did not and those who remembered did not. But though they remain no longer, it sees and feels, it breathes and walks, it looms and devours, it crushes and ignites.\" \n\nI kept up the ruse I was taking my medicine and kept away from my demons until the night that my grandfather died, my biggest supporter gone. At his house after the funeral they had already began to clear it out. My dad had been fired and after the rehab bills and wasted tuition for my grad school we needed the money quick. I went to the attic, guilt and grief ridden, I was slipping and I knew it. I cracked open a box and there was a bottle of makers mark, it didn't remain for long. Before the haze formed I was able to find something else, my grandfather's journal. All I can recall is the scrawled pages upon pages, the story of a battle between demons and gods, a history of the earth long forgotten, our families gift. It was not just written in my grandfathers hand, it seemed to skip a generation and spanned well over a century. \n\nThe haze hit, I stumbled about and passed out upstairs. \n\nI woke up the next day in a facility with no phone. I scrambled to make contact with my family but the fuckers wouldn't let me until four or five days later. \"Five years of sobriety and hard work gone.\" I thought. When I called my father when they allowed me to I frantically asked about the journal. He replied \" I don't know Scott, it's probably gone, we threw out a lot of that old crap, but you've got bigger things to worry about right now, we agreed the tuition was on you if you fuck up, and you risked your mother and my sanity, this has got to stop. Just get better and focus on that, don't worry about your grandfathers old crap, he hoarded junk for years.\" I cried for a week every night hoping to hear the voice. But the medication was back and the voice was gone. It wasn't drug induced psychosis, my voice held the secrets to not only my families history but of a mythology of this world. \" this must be how people wrote religious texts\" I thought. But it was gone. Generations of stories on its way to a dump. All because of a simple and horrible mistake."
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[WP] The giants have protected us. Whether it was the wrath of war or the ravages of nature they held the pillars of our civilisation. But when the heavens gave up on us, they just fell down and cried.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I remember them. How they marched into war with us, mortal gods born from the earth, made of stone and steel. How they weathered arrow and sling to protect us from unspeakable horrors, and reaped a red harvest like the warriors of ancient legend.\n\nI remember them. How they raised earth and stone, warding us from the furies of the ocean, denying the sacrifices of countless thousands to the insatiable depths. How they mended their mother's broken body when she shuddered and tore herself apart, her skin creating gorges that devoured man and beast alike. How they summoned the cool rains to quench her thirsty skin, invigorating the land, and bringing life in abundance.\n\nI remember them. How they cast their eyes to the heavens, bellowing laments across mountain and valley as the sun grew cold. How they cast down their weapons and reached for that closing eye. How they collapsed to their knees in silent sorrow, gazing at the black sky. How grief poisoned their hearts until nothing was left.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI remember the Giants. How despair was their last song.",
"The red hot glow of burning coal in the forge gave off the only light within the smithy. Talrond grabbed the white hot piece of metal out of the furnace with large tongs and placed it on the anvil. The metal was about a 3 foot square that Talrond had been shaping all day. Once on the anvil, he motioned Alysan over to hold the tongs, which she hopped to. Aly could feel the heat on the tongs through her sheepskin gloves, and was sweating rivulets from the open furnace with the thick leather apron she wore over her clothes. Talrond was also covered in beads of sweat over his bald and cragged head, but paid them no mind. He took his hammer and swung at the metal on the anvil. Aly could feel each swing reverberate through her arms, but she held on tight. After about a dozen or so swings he gave a nod of approval to himself and grabbed the tongs back, giving only the briefest motion with his hands to shoo Aly out of the way. He quenched the metal in a barrel of fluid to the sound of hissing and Aly saw the steam come rushing up. After a few moments he pulled the metal back out and stared at it for some time, inspecting his work. Aly crept over next to him and inspected also, though she hadn't the faintest idea what she was looking for. After some time Talrond seemed please and said\n\n“That will do, the steal is strong.” Aly only smiled in response, proud to have helped her dad with the work. It was important work too. Gath'l Dur Borul had snapped the clasp for his gauntlet about a week ago, and it was Talrond's sharp eye that caught it and his initiative to replace it all the while shouldering his other responsibilities for the rest of the town. The giants couldn't maintain their armor themselves, and relied on Talrond to repair and make it for them. One day he would have to make a whole set of armor specifically for little Moth Rek Borul, and Tal was already making plans for when that day would come. He would need to enlist half the town for help, it being over a hundred years since Bor Hill had to make a new set of giant armor, but Tal would be ready for it.\n\nJust then the door to the smithy crashed open and Camile strode in. Her posture and and finger pointed upwards all spoke to the wrath about to come.\n\n“Just what do you think you're doing Tal? We've talked about this and agreed a smithy is no fit place for our 12 year old daughter. She needs to learn to bake and clean lest she never finds a suitable husband. You want her to grow into a spinster?”\n\nThough over 6 feet of burly muscle Tal cowered from the onslaught of his wife who was half his size. Tal shrank down a little further with each jab of her finger. Aly tried to sneak out behind her mother, but before she could make it a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder.\n\n“I'm not through yet my sweetling, you and I are going to have a long talk about this later. First you need to bathe the work off yourself, and dress into some proper clothes so we can make the trip with the other den mother to light the fires tonight. Do I make myself clear?”\n\nWith Tal she was all fierce fire, yelling and pointing, but with Aly her voice was icy cold. Aly let out a gulp and said “Yes mom.” and though her touch was gentle, when she let go of her shoulder it was as though iron shackles had opened. Aly scurried away. Truthfully she didn't mind going to light the fires with the other den mothers. They were all kind and would always gossip about the louts their husbands were, and Aly truly did love to visit the giants. But she also loved working the smithy with her father. The heat of the furnace and the smell of fire and sulfur and the way the glowing metal could be shaped and molded, it was all just so wonderful, and Aly always felt a fierce pride whenever she helped her dad complete a work.\n\nOnce cleaned and freshly garbed, Aly made here way to the kitchen, but slowed down when she heard serious voices. As she crept closer not to be heard, the sound of Chief Halmond's voice cut across.\n\n“The house was destroyed, of course all the livestock gone. No sign of Alsbeth and Tomoth nor the little ones. I think we need to assume the wolves got them.”\n\nAly suppressed a shutter of fear. A wolf attack on Alsbeth and Tomoth's farm? She could barely make sense of it. She had just seen kind Alsbeth the other day, gently chiding her about working in the smithy (undoubtedly at her mother's behest) and her little kids trailing at her dress. She couldn't believe they were gone. And a wolf attack no less? The giants kept the wolves at bay, everyone knew that.\n\nWolves were terrible creatures. 6 feet tall and almost 10 feet long, they were gaunt and horrifying. A lone wolf could easily kill a group of men, and a pack had been known to tear apart small towns. The giants fiercely defended against wolves though. In old times it was said that the Giants had defeated dragons and other stranger beasts to protect the humans, their Sidhe as the giants called them, but these days in the lands around Bor Hill only wolf packs and the occasional bear were all they needed protecting from.\n\n“A few of us are going up to see the giants now, we'd like you to come Tal.” Tal looked up to this with a sharp eye, and asked very measuredly.\n\n“Just what are you hoping to do there Hal.” Hal spread his hands in reply.\n\n“We're just going to check on them. Light the evening fires for them, I'm having Glendil come up herself to fix them dinner and we just want to make sure everything is normal. Right now we're just hoping the wolf attack was a fluke.”\n\n“A fluke? Hal, we haven't had an attack from beasts in hundreds of years. The Bor giants have protected this hill for man as far back as anyone can remember. What are we going to do if something is wrong?”\n\nHal's face grew very solemn and in that moment, even with his silver hair, he looked every inch the Chief of Bor Hills that he was.“We'll ford that stream when the time comes Tal, now are you coming?” Tal just gave a slow nod in response.\n\n“Ay, I'll come.” Upon hearing all this Aly barged into the room and said.",
"The giants, they say, were so great in stature and strength only because they were made to hold the world together. When the great battles of Mulchasen were fought it was the giants who protected the villagers from the flaming arrows of the elves. Galapus the great one-eyed giant had ordered his little battalion to shield the villages like one shields children from a wild flame. Galapus was one of the many giants that held the world together. Some giants physically held the world together. They stood by the great pillars separating the heavens and the world of the living and held them in place lest the heavens fall.\n\nThe giants were there before anyone and they were old. They grew weak with age and now the giants that held the pillars felt weak. The people saw it happen, at first, the moon started looking a little larger, the stars a little closer. Day by day the giants felt their formidable strength fading. The load of the heavens soon brought them to their knees. Then they died. They lost all their strength and left the pillars to stand on their own.\n\nAs the heavens fell the hot stars and the bright moon and the sun came with them. The giants across the world tried securing the pillars, but they did not possess the strength of the ancient giants. They tried putting their backs into it, they gave it their best, but it wasn't enough. Little by little the heavens inched closer. Dejected, the giants gave up, they fell to the ground and cried and loathed themselves for not being strong enough. Then the heavens fell, they collided with the world of the living. That is how the world ended."
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[WP] a horrified young lieutenant realises he accidentally overthrew his country's government in a coup, and is now the supreme leader....But if he lets anyone know, it's his execution.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Murphy laughed all the way to the morgue that year. One stupid error after another, it would have been a great comedy if it weren't for the loss of life all around.\n\nThe riots over injustice had gotten nothing but worse the first half of the year, till it was a full armed insurrection. Not because the originally peaceful protesters wanted that way, but because it turned into a simple fight for survival.\n\nOne idiot orders police to fire into a crowd of milling angry people. They're angry because protestors have them boxed in, and the police are too scared to let them through. When they surge towards the police in a panic, it's because someone, some stupid idiot, thought it would be a good idea to bring firecrackers. And why were they there in the first place? A mistake in evacuation orders.\n\nNow it isn't peaceful protests; it's every middle class and original protestor going armed because they don't want to die if the police get orders to shoot again. Which, of course, they do when armed criminals try to take their message to city hall, the county seat, governors house, the statehouse.\n\nThe governors call out the guard, which was a stupid move. Most of the national guard had *been there* when the forces of law opened fire on the people. All the governors did was to arm the very people they were afraid of with the sorts of weapons the civilians seldom get their hands on. Only some units are pissed at the protestors, so you end up with the guard units in urban combat against each other.\n\nBingo. Insurrection clause.\n\nOnly there's problems with that too. There's a lot of NG who have served with regulars, and vice verse. None of them are happy at what's going on either. They start looking at the oath to defend the Constitution against **all** enemies foreign or **domestic**.\n\nSo who is the real enemy? The poor schmoe in the street who just wants the Constitution enforced *equally*? The poor cop who just wants the right to pursue happiness, which he cannot do if he's dead? The governors? Who?\n\n((continued later))",
"NOTE: This was actually written in response to your first prompt before it was auto-removed, so it does not contain the element of the potential for execution. I'm sorry about that, but it would be too much for me to rewrite the story within the new parameter. The original exact title was: \"a young lieutenant realises he just accidentally overthrew the government of his impoverished country and became a dictator.\"\n\n\"Inheritance\"\n\nLieutenant Kamara couldn't hear his subordinates pleading for direction. He could barely hear the rattling orchestra of machine gun fire that wailed throughout the old capital. As an signal flare lit up outside the Ministry of Records shining the way for his allied rebels as they advanced, he looked as the still-bleeding lifeless corpse of Francis Johnson, colloquially—and somewhat comically—known as Terrible Johnson. He saw the still-moist eyes, saw their whiteness even through the red glow the room had been bathed in. Kamara's shoulder was being shaken by somebody and the light was fading, and yet he stared all the same.\n\n\"SIIIIRRRRRRR!\" the focused screech from the young privates throat laser-focused in his ear in combination with the strength of his torso being jostled like a lottery ball finally broke the spell just enough and he turned around. The squad of men throughout the small unassuming office were kind of shocked at having seen him turn. Their eyes looked at him both pleading and unbelieving. This private stood in tattered, blood-stained fatigues and a loose field jacket. Kamara had never seen him before.\n\n\"I...I never expected him to be here.\" Kamara stated, just managing to wet his mouth enough to do so, trying to gain his composure back after the events of the last few minutes when they had stormed into this office with no reason to believe that anyone, let alone Johnson, would be in here.\n\n\"Lieutenant Kamara! General Pierre is dead!\" the private yelped, tears rolling down his eyes, whether from want out of the hell that had been the last six hours or from grief at the shattering of chain of command, Kamara couldn't say.\n\n\"What? When? Where?!\"\n\n\"Mortar blast! Outside the presidential palace! Him and Commander Jacobs both! And who knows who else?!\" The boy collapsed in sobs, his rifled slinking to the floor amidst the broken glass and burnt cinders from the torched floor above.\n\nThe news struck Kamara like a hammer, and he finally fully recovered from the attack. He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth so they showed to everyone in the again-darkened room like pearls and sharply kicked the younger boy in the stomach. \"Get up you lazy slug! Up! Now! You be a man now!\" The private did so, rising and coughing as he tried to regain his wind. Kamara grabbed his shoulders. \"Listen! LISTEN! Are you listening to me?!\"\n\nThe boy nodded, eyes drilling deep into Kamara's like a puppy who's been beaten but has nowhere else to turn to for food. \"Y..y..yes s..sir...\"\n\n\"You find the nearest radioman. You go out through that door right there!\" He gestured out the door direct to the west offices, the only one which could be confirmed as having been completely cleared. \"You go and you find the radioman, and you pass my order. You pass the order for a full retreat and to regroup at this building! Tell them what they are looking for was never there and they are fighting a decoy. Tonight's war is over for now. Tell them Terrible Johnson is dead, and tell them General Kamara is now in charge. You tell them just like this: 'president Johnson is dead and General Kamara is in charge now.'\"\n\nThe private stood quiet for a minute, face confused, hopeful, and looking slightly about the room. \"...is he? Really?\"\n\nKamara grabbed him by his shoulder straps and hoisted him in front of him, with his other hand grabbing a flashlight and shining it on the pathetic slumped body of the former president, blood pooling in the tile on the floor in front of the open safe, dying the bundles of euros and dollars he'd been trying to pull from it. \"Is he? IS HE?!?! What do you think?!\" he said bracing the back of the young man's neck.\n\n\"Oh my god...\" despite everything, the young soldier smiled in the naive assurance that better things were now ahead.\n\n\"Now take a picture with your fucking phone! Go find the radioman. Go now!\" The private shakily pulled up an old Nokia. The room filled with yellow as outside an engulfed car finally gave up its petrol tank. The solider stumbled as Kamara grabbed the phone from him. \"Not that piece of shit! They need to believe what they are seeing, yes? Here, use mine...\" He handed the kid his Samsung and turned back towards his squad as the rest of the squad, keeping the flashlight deftly trained on the corpse as he turned towards the rest, barking an appropriate roll of orders and watching them file out followed by the quick eager steps of the private, who despite everything turned and flashed a smile at Kamara behind him—a smile that Kamara acknowledged with a firm but paternal nod.\n\nHe went back to the other end of the room and stared at the bullet-bloated body of the last president. He bent down, and rifled through his pockets until he found the worn but still beautiful signet ring of the ancient monarch. He stoop up and slipped the ring down the blood and grime on his finger with his eyes painfully closed.\n\nIt was now his tyranny."
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[WP] Write a short story that makes sense when you immediately start reading from the beginning after it ends.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I hated the way it looked me, like it was just as sorry it existed as I was. Such a fragile thing broken by each raindrop that fell. How easily it came back together, I knew better, I knew how broken it really was. Pathetic, weak, fragile. It stared at me, tears pouring from its eyes, I threw a stone at it and watched it break, only to see it piece itself back together again. An illusion of being whole. How could such a thing exist? Why was I the only one who hated it? It made everyone else smile. They'd say hello as they passed by and ask if it was alright. Couldn’t they all see how broken it was? Didn't they know how ugly and worthless and undeserving of love it really was? Surely they didn't because if they did they'd abandon it without a second thought. They must be lying, their kind gestures an act of pity rather than compassion. Such an ugly thing it was, pretending its futile attempts to blend in with the people it so recklessly loved were working. Such a stupid thing it was, ignoring all the love they gave it and choosing to follow me instead. I threw a stone at it, then another and another until it was so distorted I could barely recognize it. I didn't want to see it anymore; I wanted to shut my eyes and pretend it no longer plagued this world. I didn't know where else to look, so I sat and stared at my reflection in the pond."
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[WP] When you were younger, you were struck by lightning, which gave you a large scar but otherwise had no permanent effects. You were just struck by lightning again, and now the scar is glowing white.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My name is Ryan, and mom says I have the Unity in my veins. I never understood what that meant. Mom would say I could play in the storm when all the other kids went inside. All the other kids were scared, but I wasn't, because mom said I'd be fine. One day, in second grade, it was stormy outside. Me and Amy went to play in the rain, but Amy's mom didn't let us leave. Amy decided she'd stay behind and distract her mom while I went to play. \n\nI remember what happened, I was climbing a tree, it was a tall one, and lightning struck it. It... didn't hurt, despite everyone freaking out that I had gotten hurt. Mom came and picked me up, looking me over carefully. She found a scar on the left side of my face, and, after going home, daddy told me my left eye was white like his!\n\nWhen I was in my senior year of highschool, me and Amy went to the park where I got my scar. Dad said I was a late bloomer or... something, but it was my 17th birthday today, and I was sure I would finally understand what Unity was! Storm clouds rolled in as I thought, Amy running to shelter as I stood, pondering. \n\n*CRACK*\n\n_so... This is unity?_\n\nI felt intense power running through me as lightning struck me for the second time. I fell to my knees as rain fell around me, and as the water began to pool in places, I looked at my reflection. The scar that ran from just below my hairline to my left cheekbone was a glowing white, and I immediately understood my powers, though I knew I would not be able to control them quite yet. \n\nI envisioned a clear day, and the storm clouds slowly parted. I fainted as the powers of Unity came to fruition in me.\n\n_he has awoken his powers, doc._\n\n_...very well, bring him in_",
"They say lightning never strikes the same place twice. An old wives tale, as it does like to strike places again and again. I was in the unfortunate position of being in ones of those places when I was younger. It's a horrible feeling, having lightning penetrate your body, charring skin and heating bones.\n\nI was lucky though. Despite the pain, I was only left with scarring all down my right side, arm and leg. Since then though, I've been afraid of storms. Understandable, you might say, but it's humiliating. I get anxious when it rains, and if I hear thunder, or see lightning, I have a panic attack. \n\nI made it through school itself with difficulties. I was smart, but having such scars made me an easy target. Plus, when there was a storm at school, and I had a panic attack, they chose to mock me further.\n\nWhen I left, I was broken mentally. I worked a few places, never remaining for long as I couldnt handle it. One last \"gift\" of those bullies. It got so bad that I came here tonight, on this hill, waiting for the coming storm. If the lightning could ruin my life before I could really start it, it could damn well take me out of it.\n\nAs the storm hit, I held up the golf club I had got for this purpose in my left hand. I was hoping that it would strike and go through my heart, ending it all. There were a few strikes around the city, but I managed to hold firm. Ironically, facing death head on filled me with courage. Finally, the storm decided to do what I wanted, and a bolt hit me.\n\nPain. That is all I felt again. My skin cracked and burned, my flesh flash cooking. I collapsed to the ground, unable to move, or even think. As i lay there, teetering on the edge of consciousness, i noticed my arms glow white. It became too much, and darkness took me. \n\n------\n\n\"It was brave of you child, to stand up to me after I accidentally hit you.\"\n\nI was floating in a void, when I heard a voice say those words. I couldn't see where it came from.\n\n\"Am I dead?\"\n\n\"No child, you yet live. Impressive, considering that was a direct bolt you took.\"\n\n\"Then where am I? What's happening?!\"\n\n\"Calm child. You are being taken to one of your centres of healing. This is merely a mental meeting.\"\n\n\"Who are you?! What do you want with me?!\"\n\nThere was a flash, and a cloud appeared before me. It flowed around, resolving into a face of an old man.\n\n\"I am The Aspect Of The Sky, and you impress me, seeking to take a bolt directly to your heart. I understand your anger, and I wish to make amends.\"\n\n\"What amends?! Can you take back my pain?!\"\n\n\"I cannot reverse time child. However, I can give you my blessing, that which I have not given in millennia. With it, you can make the air around you serve you.\"\n\n\"Why me though?!\"\n\n\"Because I felt sorry for you at first, then you impressed me. I'm not going to make you do anything with it though, as your life is your own.\"\n\n\"But, why?\"\n\n\"Because I am bored. It has been a long time since any of the aspects have granted blessings. Anyway, looks like times up. Have fun, child.\"\n\nThe cloud faded away, and I felt myself being pulled up. As I rose, the scarring on my right glowed white, and a similar pattern emerged on my left, glowing as well.\n\n------\n\nI opened my eyes, squinting against the bright light over head. I tried to move, but pain lanced up my body. I groaned, and heard a voice to my left.\n\n\"Easy there sir, you're safe.\"\n\n\"Where am I?\"\n\n\"You are in St Judes Hospital. You were brought in with severe burns.\"\n\n\"It hurts.\"\n\n\"I'm sorry sir. By the way, what is your name? We couldn't find any identification, so we don't know who to contact.\"\n\n\"Zachary Archer.\"\n\n\"Thank you Mr Archer. Just rest, we will contact your next of kin.\"\n\nThe person left, and I was alone again. I looked down at my arms, now my sight had returned, and saw my left side bandaged up. My right side however, looked as it always did. But as I looked, I felt something inside me shift, and my old scars glowed white."
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[WP] This rain washes away people's ability to lie. Things around the world start to get crazy, especially when some of the most powerful people lose their filter.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The rain was always the greatest fear of humankind. The earliest records showed it as a punishment if one committed a crime. Whenever there was a suspect, the procedure was to wait for rain and toss them outside and ask them questions.\n\nFor some reason, anyone who is touched by the rain is unable to lie. Even a single droplet can cause the most secretive agent to spill the beans on everything. Wars have been won and lost because of this.\n\nThe most powerful individuals would wear hazmat suits to prevent the rain from falling on them. Not wanting to reveal their secrets and crimes. And the most secure places in the world always had state-of-the-art sealant in every ceiling and a basement to funnel the water.\n\nBut I had nothing to worry about. Even as I stood in the rain, the investigators scratched the back of their heads. They've been asking the same questions for the last hour, standing behind that wall which seemed to make them feel safe.\n\nMy pappy used to tell me, as he worked on his tools, \"The truth is like a banquet of events. There's good food, bad food, enough to fill your belly, and enough for only a single bite.\"\n\nAnd so I fed them bite-sized truths. Enough to give them a taste but never enough to satisfy. Even when I left the station they were looking for that savory truth that I simply didn't provide enough of.\n\nThe rain always my one solace. No one understood it beyond a truth serum. But I understood it. Even as I felt it on my cold skin, I was able to manipulate my words to only to give a taste, never to satisfy.",
"Today was like like any other day for Lincoln. He attended all his meeting and fulfilled all his sacred duties as leader of the Nordaner's on Earthea. He scanned the banquet hall left to right before crawling out from under the table and slipping through an open door. He only had sixty seconds before he would be caught like last time. \n\nHis shoulder length raven hair bounced around his pale face as he sprinted breathlessly down to corridor and rounded a corner all in one movement. This place was like a maze. For a continent overrun with people his home seemed to take up alot of space. \n\nHad they noticed he was gone yet ? Probably. He looked at his watch. Thirty seconds left. He wasn't far enough it took him at least that to scale the walls that held him captive , a prisoner in his own home. Voices echoed behind him getting closer. Every muscle in his body burned as his lungs refused to take in more air.\n\nThe wall stood at least twenty foot above the ground. Shaking off his arms he prepared for his assent. All the hairs on his arms stood on end one crystalline drop shattered across his skin. He was sure it wasn't forecast to rain he had planned it for months so that it wouldn't rain . Hundreds more attacked every inch of his exposed skin. \n\nA firm hand gripped his shoulder long nails digging into his skin. \"Let me escort you back inside young king.\" She spoke in a tone that sounded like less of a suggestion although her expression was soft. \"I'd rather die.\" He responded almost automatically. He shrunk away for her in shame. He had almost forgotten how violating the rain was since the war that destroyed the planet his plant. It was the only time he was free to say what he felt and it felt wrong.",
"It was raining today.\n\nWho knew that these simple words brang fear into the most powerful people in the world.\n\nEmber was quite amused, frankly. These people had lied, backstabbed, and cheated their way into politics and power, and to see them like this, scared of a couple drops of rain, was a moment she was going to cherish forever.\n\nBut she had a job to do. Keep herself safe in this bunker, stay out of sight, don't attract attention. Let one drop of rain touch her, and everything is doomed, all the plans *doomed*.\n\nIt was getting boring, she thought, staring at these terrible men and women in the bunker, waiting for one to snap. Watching the news, waiting for the time to pass, until everything was ready. She sighed, at the same time as the President of United States.\n\n\"What's wrong Donald, did this storm interrupt your golf game?\" asked a women who Ember did not recognize.\n\n\"Oh shut up. Look at you, under five layers of rain coats and an umbrella. Gotta an evil secret, do we?\" he replied. The women laughed. Ember didn't know whether to laugh along or stay quiet. It was going to be over soon, after all.\n\n\"Don't we all?\" she said, gesturing to the dozens of politicians and agents in the room, \"We wouldn't be here if we didn't.\" The President of United States merely grunted in agreement.\n\n\"And what would your 'important' secret be? Your special cookie recipes?\" This got a few chuckles from other leaders. She was tempted to yell, to tell them all what horrible people they are, that they had no right being happy, no right to laugh when they had caused so much pain for others.\n\nThen she felt it.\n\n*No.*\n\nIt was almost impossible. It was safe here. There was no way... there was no absolute way...\n\nAnd suddenly, Ember started talking.\n\n\"My team and I are going to assassinate all the people in this room in two minutes.\"\n\nIt suddenly became very, very quiet, even as some laughed nervously, unaware.\n\nAnd they saw it, the tiny drop of rain, right on her palm."
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[WP] Every year on your birthday, a future version of you travels back in time to hint to your people what to expect in the coming year. This has been happening since you were born. On your 21st birthday, the time machine appears in your backyard but there is nobody inside.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \n\nNicholas peeked his head into the archaic tangle of wood that had just appeared in his barren backyard.\n\n“Anyone home?”\n\nHis voice traveled around him, through the cobwebs, past his own faint reflection and deep into the abyss to dimensions he didn’t even know existed yet. He paused for a response, but received nothing.\n\n“You think this is funny?”\n\nHe spoke into the transportation device with a confidence that would have surprised him had he been in a, say, clearer state of mind. But he was not. Leaning over, using the wood to supplement his balance, he grumbled toward the paneling where he had seen the elder version of himself in previous years: “I’m gonna beat your old timin’ ass if you don’t hurry up in there.”\n\nNothing.\n\nHe turned around and shuffled away from the device. *Well that’s weird.*\n\nFor twenty-one years he gave himself hints. Riddles, normally, about how to become a person capable of leading others. But this year, for Nicholas, was not a good year for an exam. In part, that was the point of the exams. If they did not challenge, or force a participant to struggle, they were not necessary.\n\nHad Nicholas been rational, he would have seen the signs--the small figures on the bright panels, the hyperlinks, the collection of hints he had withheld for years. But he was not. And so he would not. Instead, what he did notice was a mysterious miasma effusing from his body.\n\n“Nichoolaaaas,” he bellowed, louder this time, into the machine.\n\n“Where are you good ol’ Nicky-boy? Papa nick? Old man?” He began to shout, not noticing the growing crowd.\n\n“I just want you to come on outta that hole Nicholas,” he said. “Pretty please.”\n\nThe crowd grew, none knowing the trouble if he didn’t gain access by midnight.\n\n“With a CHERRY on top!” he added, licking his lips. “Pretty please with a cherry on top I want you to come on out here old Nick!”\n\nThe people were understandably concerned by now, but dare not interrupt. He began to shake the device. He then started dancing with it, gyrating around the unique shape. He spent hours trying to coax the old man out of the hole.\n\nEventually, he began to regain clarity. He noticed the spectators, eyes-wide and gawking at him. He noticed his dirty shirt and his wet pants. He noticed his foot. *Where the hell was his shoe?* Soon, too, he recalled his actions. His nerves shook as he realized why the crowd stared at him. His throat swelled as he considered what this meant for him in the future. But then, something miraculous happened. Something he would call destiny or fate if he believed in that sort of thing yet. He remembered the exam, the test of self, the machine, and the years he had spent trying to decipher what it all meant. Suddenly, it struck him what needed to be done.\n\nHe stood in front of the crowd, now scattered as far as he could tell, and announced to them: “We are what we are. I am Nicholas, your neighbor and I have no excuses for my actions. I have done what I have done and I accept it.” He turned toward the machine. “I accept it!” he shouted. \n\nA small bridge appeared, leading to the machine. Nicholas entered, matted hair, bloodshot eyes.\n\n“Welcome,” a man said from behind a large table. He was dressed in a dark brown robe and sat in front of the largest bookshelf Nicholas had ever seen.\n\n“Have a rough night?” another man asked, smiling.\n\n“He ought to have,” the third one said. “Beings that he is the youngest to ever make it here.”"
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[WP] Everyone is imbued with a phrase/saying at birth which gives them a related power when shouted. The strength and rarity of the power go up as the commonality of its phrase's usage does. One day, you accidentally discover your phrase, and its usage is incredibly common.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"(I imagine this kind of environment would spawn a hero/villain society. This is set after the main character's discovery, so here we go.)\n\nA fearful silence fell over the crowd. No one dared speak, not even to cast their Phrase. If anyone did, they would face the wrath of the most feared villain in the world.\n\nHellbringer. His Phrase? \"Go to hell\". Instant, painful incineration.\n\nThat was a fate that no one dared to risk. The crowd stood motionless, each and every person desperately trying to appear inconspicuous. The Hellbringer's henchmen shuffled through the crowd, collecting valuables and smugly daring anyone to speak. No one did.\n\nExcept for one.\n\nThe villain raised an eyebrow. Someone had stepped forward from the crowd... A teenager, by the looks of it. Another idiot to feed the flames. \"Back in line,\" the tyrant growled.\n\n\"Nah.\"\n\nThe villain rolled his eyes. Teenagers are never any fun. \"And why not?\"\n\n\"'Cause I'm gonna kick your ass.\"\n\nThe villain sneered. \"Look who you're talking to, kid. Three words and you're up in flames.\"\n\nThe teen laughed, and took a pebble out of their pocket. \"Three? That's cute. You'll be dead before you say the first one.\"\n\nSomehow, the nervous silence became even more tense. Everyone looked at the Hellbringer, who was positively fuming at the teen's insolence. Some of them looked at the teen. What on *earth* could this kid's Phrase be? Near the back of the crowd, unseen by the others, another teen smiled. They knew *exactly* what was coming.\n\n\"How DARE you?!\" the Hellbringer roared. \"Do you have ANY idea who you're dealing with?!\"\n\nThe teen smirked. \"Nope, don't care.\" They wound up, as if to throw the tiny stone.\n\n\"GO TO-\"\n\nWith a single, resounding word, the teen threw the stone.\n\n***\"Y E E T\"***\n\nAnd the Hellbringer was forever silenced."
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[WP] You're the last human on earth, sitting alone in your cabin in the woods. There is a knock on the door.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Bradley Nielson?\" A young woman in white asked. She stood on Brad's porch and questioned him as soon as he opened his door. Her mostly colorless outfit was reminiscent of a postal uniform with a single red pair of scissors on her breast pocket. \n\n\"Yeah!\" he grinned eagerly. \n\n\"Sign here,\" she handed him a clipboard and pen. He signed the document, then exchanged the clipboard for a small white box. \n\n\"Thank you!\" he said. The woman nodded, lifted her hand to wiggle her fingers in the air, then stepped into the black portal she created. The hole disappeared behind her leaving Brad alone on Earth again. He rushed back inside and sat at his kitchen table to open the box. After opening the first flap he found a small card.\n\n\\[Welcome to the AlterNet!\\] was written on the top followed by a short thank you note signed by Dana Sharp. He tossed the card on the table then grabbed the node under it. It was a thin glassy rectangle the size of a playing card; the display came to life as soon as he touched it. It repeated the same greeting atop the card with even more information.\n\n\\[Welcome to the AlterNet!\\]\n\n\\[Server Name: Brad's\\]\n\n\\[Server template: Last Man on Earth\\]\n\n\\[Server Access: Uniques Only\\]\n\n\\[Server Owner: Bradley Nielson\\]\n\n\\[Would you like to install a new template?\\]\n\n\\[Yes\\] \\[No\\]\n\n\"Finally!\" Brad breathed a sigh of relief as he hit the \\[No\\] option. He loved being the last man on Earth. When he first came across a node he was thrilled he could live out his fantasy of an empty Earth. He was so committed to his spending the rest of his days in solitude that he destroyed his original node so that he wouldn't be tempted to change his mind. Not long after that, the trouble started and his regret grew a little more each day. While he tapped and swiped at the node in search of the option he did want to change, a solid knock came from his front door. \n\n\"Damnit!\" he grumbled as he looked up at the door. He debated not answering it, but when his eyes wandered back to the node, the knock came again. He stood from the table with a heavy sigh and walked to the door. \"This is the last time,\" he told himself to try and calm down. He opened the door without checking the peephole and was unsurprised to find a stout dwarf with a red bushy beard that nearly touched the floor. The dwarf wore heavy iron armor and he had an axe strapped to his back. \n\n\"Hi! Are you the last-,\" the dwarf began asking the question that Brad heard every day for the month it took to get a replacement node. Brad interrupted. \n\n\"I am the last man on Earth,\" he said curtly and held his hand out. \"I appreciate your care package adventurer. Your quest is over, thank you, and have a good day.\"\n\nThe dwarf gave him a puzzled look, but nodded and handed Brad a basket with a loaf of bread, a full skin of water, and half a dozen eggs. \n\n\"Good luck!\" the dwarf said. He wiggled his fingers at the air, then stepped through the black portal that appeared. Brad sighed and dropped the basket on the floor. He resumed swiping at the node until he found the list of server options. He scrolled down, then cleared one of the checkboxes.\n\n\\[Disconnect Server: Brad's from AlterNet quest generation?\\]\n\n\\[Yes\\] \\[No\\]\n\nHe tapped \\[Yes\\], then scrolled down to clear another checkbox.\n\n\\[Do you wish to block Unique access to Sever: Brad's?\\]\n\n\\[Yes\\] \\[No\\]\n\nHe tapped \\[Yes\\], then breathed a sigh of relief. \n\n\"Now, finally, I can be alone,\" he smiled to himself. \n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is year three, story #172. You can find all my stories collected on my subreddit ([r/hugoverse](https://www.reddit.com/r/hugoverse/)) or my blog. If you're curious about my universe (the Hugoverse) you can visit the Guidebook to see what's what and who's who, or the Timeline to find the stories in order.",
"Oliver sat alone in his cabin, slowly rocking back and forth in his rocking chair reading a book. He grabbed a nearby spoon and scooped out some chili from his chili bowl that was in his lap. He slowly ate it and reached for another bite. He found life to be peaceful with no one to bother him, although it was a tad bit lonely. When his bowl was finished he put down his book and started to doze off in his rocking chair. About an hour later he was startled awake from a light knock at his door. He grabbed a nearby stick and went towards the door. He realized neither a human nor any normal animal could have knocked, so he decided to put down his stick and open the door. A figure wearing a hooded robe and holding a scythe greeted him.\n\n\"I'm afraid your time is up, Oliver.\"\n\n\"A-are you death?\" asked Oliver.\n\n\"Yes, and it is time for you to leave this mortal realm.\"\n\n\"But I still have so much to do! Can't I have some more time?\"\n\n\"I'm afraid not.\"\n\n\"What if I offered you some chili?\"\n\n\"Chili?\"\n\nDeath looked past Oliver to see that he did indeed have some chili. He looked back at Oliver.\n\n\"Okay, but make sure to have some when you come back.\"\n\n\"No problem.\"\n\nOliver prepared a big bowl of chili and handed it to Death. Death thanked Oliver and left while munching on the chili. Oliver then went back to his rocking chair and resumed sleeping.",
"There it is again.\n\nThe first time I heard it, it was hope. It was soft, I thought, as if someone had been traveling through the waste as I had for years - using the last of their strength to reach their hand up against my door. And I swung it open with excitement to meet my weary guest, only I met instead the familiar smell of smoke and burnt rubber. \n\nI quickly donned my mask and searched around the cabin, calling out into ash of the forest. But my dear tired friend had left. And so I returned to the safety of the inside defeated, and alone.\n\nThe second time I heard it, it was hesitation. It was clear and sharp as I woke from the post I had manned in my chair beside the door. I paused when I reached out my hand to twist the lock. But the longing to see another living soul overpowered any concern for my own wellbeing, and again I exposed the inside to the out. And again, the only companions I encountered were all charred above their roots in the ground.\n\nThen it was fear. It knocked loudly and violently. And instead of opening the door I sat with my back to it. I moved furniture to barricade it shut and boarded the windows. I screamed out when the knock sounded, taunting it. Cursing it for tormenting me with the temptation of release from the hell that is isolation. And I carried on until my lungs nearly burst and I was left weeping against the wooden floor. \n\nIt’s been years now. There’s still a knocking. It comes and goes, and changes with me. Sometimes it makes me laugh. Others, it ruins me for days at a time. I used to survive out of stubbornness. Now I wait to meet the one cruel enough to play a prank at the end of the world. \n\nThere it is again."
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[WP] You are a roman centurion who has been tasked, with your men, to investigate a strange object that crashed to the ground within the borders of the empire.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"For the past three days they had noted the jagged white pebbles that littered the landscape. Now it seemed that with each mile they doubled in number. The men griped as they dumped the stones from their sandals at night and coated their blisters with salve. A dark trembling column of ash led their way by day, and at night as the soldiers stepped with care around the camp it blotted out the heavens. Tonight the smell of pine was drowned beneath the stench of brimstone.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFelix was tall compared to rest of the men in the legion he commanded. Barbarian by Roman standard, but despite it he was proud of his Germanic heritage. He had a long hardened face. The stubble shading around his chin and cheeks was dark brown speckled with steely white. Stones slid off his flattened palm. “We grow close,” he said to Tassus.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe next day the men marched until they came to a scree of white stone that arched away into the horizon. “Up and over,” Felix growled to Tassus. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Up and over!” Tassus shouted down the line. The men climbed using their pilums like staffs. Felix was first to the top. White jagged stones skittered beneath his footing into the charred abyss before him. The white crest of the ellipse on which he stood ringed a blackened pit the size of a small city. Tassus joined him on the crest and removed his helm. One by one the men scrambled up, lining single file along the ridge of loose gravel. Each one frozen upon sight and gaping unabashed. The pit yawned like an infinite bottomless void of darkness before them. The blackness was so complete it would have been impossible to judge its center if not for the writhing column of smoke coming from it.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThey stood fixed for a long while, their feet cemented with horror. Until Felix burst forth with a childish shriek. He ran down the slope. The charred rubble exploding beneath his feet. Scars of exposed white gravel shaped like teardrops marked his descent. He squealed. Louder again. “Down, down,” Felix screamed. “Down!”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nTassus shuffled nervously on the ridge and then with summoned resolve shouted, “Down!” But not a man or even Tassus moved.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFelix fell onto his back and slid down the slope. The scrape of his metal armor mixed terribly with his screams of wonder echoing louder and louder as he fell. He was overwhelmed. He was joyous. He was sobbing. He was doing exactly what he was born to do. The shame of his delayed enlistment vanished. His father was no longer tilling tired soil. His mother was not suckling the bastards of pillaging legions. In fact he saw it all. In its entirety. The world devoid of pain and sorrow. The world as it were, but without shame and guilt. In that rushing moment was harmony. All was complete. Then, he stopped falling. As his brain reeled his body locked. The clash of metal on metal resounded against the sloping walls of the pit. His armor locked around him, slowly compressing his chest. He thrashed attempting to free himself. His helm and plate arching his spine unnaturally around a shimmering black stone. He tried to scream but the armor just pressed tighter. Felix flailed his arms looking for purchase but they only flung black stones. He called for his mother and father. He called for Tassus. He died alone wrapped around that alien rock. They buried him beneath the white rubble speckled with black jagged stones.",
"Nodding in approval at the sentries who stood watch outside despite the storm, Aelius entered the castrum. His first responsibility was to report to the Praetorium, bustling despite the late hour, but he continued past it, heading to the great hall.\n\nThe great hall was decked with long tables heaving beneath the weight of legionaries consuming their evening meal, but it was well lit by torches and fire pits, and he quickly found Cassius at the far table.\n\nApproaching him, Cassius called out 'Welcome back, Aelius!' Giving a nod at his drenched cloak, he continued 'I'm glad it was you who was sent and not I. I haven't seen a storm this bad since I left Britanniae.'\n\nAelius gave a chuckle 'I heard it was supposed to be you given this thankless task, but don't worry, I've already got you back.'\n\nSeeing Cassius' suddenly wary look, he tapped his nose and said 'One word, old friend; latrines'.\n\n'Hmpff. One good turn deserves another' said Cassius.\n\n'Just what I was thinking. But I was actually looking for Marcus. Have you seen him?'\n\n'The quartermaster? No, but he'll be in the granaries. Making sure that his profit margin isn't cut into by someone else misappropriating our supplies.' Cassius said.\n\n'Thanks Cassius, I owe you one' said Aelius.\n\n'Enough to take back latrine duty?'\n\nWith a grin and a shake of his head, Aelius headed for the doors. He paused for a moment at them, before pulling his hood up and stepping back out into the deluge to head for the granaries.\n\nAs he turned the corner before the building, he lost his footing and fell face first into the thick mud. With a groan, he pulled himself out and wiping the mud from his eyes stumbled into the granary.\n\n'Aelius? By the gods, what happened to you?' said Marcus.\n\n'Dirt and rain. Tempestates isn't happy with us today. But as much as I would like some clean and dry clothing right now, that is not why I am here.'\n\n'Well, stay away from the scrolls, but have a seat. I'll have a slave bring you some mulled wine' Marcus said, as he gave a nod to the slave hovering in the corner\n\n'Thank you. You know of the task I was sent on? To investigate the crashed object' Aelius looked at Marcus expectantly, and he gave a nod in reply.\n\n'Yes, I know, go on.'\n\n'I think I have a way to make us both very rich, but we need to keep what I found secret. Do you think you can help?'\n\n1/71 - Σ436\n\n[Map of a Castrum](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Kastell_Theilenhofen_Iciniacum_%28English%29.png)"
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[WP] "Well they did say not to meet your heroes, just in case they don't live up to your expectation..." the old man said grimacing at the young person before him.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"There he is, I finally found him. Or at least I think it's him. \n\nIt's been 3 years since the world fell apart. 3 years since \"He\" came back. They knew it would happen, he always comes back. The elders just didn't expect it to be this soon.\n\nThe annals of history tell of all the times that the beast ravaged the land. The legends even speak of a time when he wasn't a beast but a man seeking restitution for the injustices wrot upon his people. The stories all promise a hero will come and liberate society from the clutches of evil. Each story is a little different, different people, different names of places, different \"minions of darkness,\" but they all have one thing in common.\n\nIt never happens this fast!\n\nI've read all the history books, cross referenced them with the legends, the fables, even the ghost stories used to scare children into behaving. It always takes ages for the beast to return. Every time it happens the hero wins and the world is given time to heal.\n\nBut not this time...\n\nMy teacher was born shortly before the last reappearance, and he saw what the world looked like immediately after the beast was defeated, but nothing he described could compare to the shear magnitude of destruction pouring down around us now. He spoke of the monsters left roaming the countryside after their master was defeated, and of the scorched earth that would barely yield life. \n\nHe told me about the hero who saved the planet, who came from nowhere and destroyed the demon king in his own castle.\n\nThat hero would only be 70 now.\n\nThere's supposed to be more time. Enough time that life begins anew, enough time that the tales of what happened are just stories written down and passed on from generation to generation, so that people start to believe that maybe, just maybe, it never actually happened.\n\nBut not this time. Something has gone wrong.\n\nThe little sliver of civilization that I called home has been destroyed. The elders we're just starting to get things back together, and the fields were starting to produce more than the scantest semblance of crops. And then the monsters came.\n\nThe oldest among our little village recognized them immediately, the same creatures that ransacked civilization 50 years ago. Stuff of nightmares, they were huge bear like things with heads like hogs and the strength of five men, swinging clubs and axes like small trees.\n\nIt wasn't until the hero of prophecy appeared before anyone could hinder their progress for long. But he could do it. He came in with his sword and shield and could take on groups of the beasts all at once. They say it was only a few months from the time he appeared until the dark one was defeated.\n\nAnd here he is, the last hero, the one who saved the world, right inside that cave.\n\n\"Hero!\" I cry out at I enter the cave. He looks frail. \"Hero, I finally found you, the world needs you!\"\n\n\"I'm no hero, son,\" he states in a tone so matter-of-fact he might as well be telling the time. \"I never was.\"\n\n\"But , I don't understand. You drove back the monstrous armies and defeated the dark one, what do you mean you're not a hero?\" I see sadness in his eyes.\n\n\"Well, there was a secret prophecy, you see,\" he voice begins to crack as he tells me, \"that there would be two heros, and the first would fail.\" His body starts to shake with a mirthless chuckle, \"and it would seem that I was the first hero.\"\n\n\"You didn't fail though, you defeated him, and everything was okay!\" I insist, doubting both the words he's speaking and the tales I was told.\n\n\"Well they did say not to meet your heroes, just in case they don't live up to your expectation...\" the old man said grimacing as he reaches behind himself and extracts an object that he hands to me. \"It's dangerous to go alone, take this.\""
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[WP] You climbed the impassable mountains to reach it, the hall of The Sun King, as an emissary of the Queen of the Night. He seems unenthused by your presence, but you must convince him to marry your beloved monarch.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*Almost there.* \n\nMy legs burned like the fires of hell. My came ragged, like the breaking of waves on rocky shores. My skin glistened with sweat, erupting from the scorching sun.\n\n*Almost there*, I repeated. *Almost there*. \n\nThe gold-dusted palace blazed with the intensity of its heavenly lord, its marble walls alight with the power of the divine. Its windows, stained glass in the portraits of heroes, kings, gods, and emperors, scattered light into paintings that danced and wavered. At the head of it was a flight of stairs, a modest mountain themselves, leading to heavy double doors alike in the majesty of their frame. \n\nAt the doors stood two guards, emotionless and still, shouldering spears honed to an infinitesimal point and decked in bronze armor that a common man’s gold would envy. \n\n“I am an emissary of the Queen of the Night,” I tell them breathlessly. \n\nThey open the doors for me.\n\nThe interior of the palace is a thousand times more breathtaking than the exterior. Words alone could not capture the sensation. Any one detail would make a man’s heart skip a beat, for he would boil in rage at the suggestion that mortal hands could have constructed the sight before him. Chromatic lights dappled the hall in spellbinding shows, the ornately woven rug like stepping upon a cloud if clouds were close enough to touch, the walls wrought with reliefs and statues.\n\nBut at the forefront was who I had searched for, and before the living god I fell to my knees. \n\n“Rise.” His voice commanded. \n\nHe was more otherworldly than anything.\n\nAs if surrounded by a nimbus of sunlight, the King of the Sun rested in his throne, violet-red cape draped across his shoulders and surrounding his broad frame like an aura. His crimson robe and turban, easily silk or satin, crowned him like a god. His beard, dark and thick, was neatly groomed and sported streaks of gray, falling beneath his strong cheekbones. He possessed an aristocratic profile, with a sharp aquiline nose and heavy, authoritative brow. His single eye, set deep in his weathered tawny skin, held a fire like the heart of the sun itself. \n\n“Your majesty,” I reply, breathlessly.\n\n“State your business.” \n\n“I am an emissary of the Queen of the Night, and my monarch would-”\n\n“No.”\n\n“Excuse me?”\n\n“I am well aware of your intentions. Leave this place.”\n\n“Your majesty, I mean no disrespect! But it is imperative to the survival of both our kingdoms that my monarch bed wed to-”\n\nThe King of the Sun raises his hand to silence me. I shut my mouth. He reaches into his robes and retrieves an odd looking rectangular device, whose screen lights up when he pushes a button near its bottom. He turns the screen away from me, but I hear some odd sound effects followed by one longer tone. \n\nA voice speaks. \n\nIt is not the King’s. \n\n“Hello? Oh hey, Heliodoros!” \n\nThe voice is female, and it is muffled. It’s the voice of….my queen. Is she here? I kneel once again, in case she sees me. \n\n“Diana.”\n\n“Yes?”\n\n“What did I *tell you* about sending *pranksters* to my palace.”\n\n“Pranksters? What are you talking about?” The queen asks, innocently. What is this about? What’s going on?\n\n“I know you have no intention of marrying a man *thirty decades your senior*. We have discussed this *in the past*. Your goons will not infringe upon the sacred peace and tranquility of Luxiner, for if you continue to, Luxiner will not hesitate to raise arms against Alamdol.” \n\n“Wow, was that a threat? Never thought I’d see my Heli-weli get so angwy!” My queen cooed. My gaze shifts nervously, from the king to his odd handheld device to the apparent source of my queen’s voice. \n\nThe king slaps the armrest of his throne. “You will NOT contact me again with ANY request or comment or plea regarding marriage.” \n\nAnd with another tap on the odd device, my queen’s giggling ceases. \n\n“Your majesty, if I may, what just...transpired?”\n\n“Nothing that concerns you. Now begone.”\n\nI bite my lip, but obey.\n\nMy queen has some explaining to do. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nMore bad content at r/PeriodicalOnTheTable"
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[WP] Death has been outlawed. Nobody took it seriously, nor expected that that would actually work. But 150 years after the world's nations outlawed it, nobody has died yet.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Here’s my first ever post here so feel free to leave criticisms of any kind!\n\nThe lawmakers thought it was the simplest way to streamline all the laws. Tired of having to play catch up and constantly edit the laws whenever a new way of killing someone appeared, America decided that they would make 1 amendment to end all changes. To simply outlaw death. \n\nWith this change, investigators could easily investigate the cause of every unnatural death. Prosecutors could easily prosecute all criminals and ensure that justice could be served for every dead victim. \n\nWhat happened next however, wasn’t so simple. A whole day passed with not a single death. At first, the government was quick to praise the efficiency and ability of the healthcare system. They were the first developed country to have a day with zero deaths. They welcomed a new age of humanity and celebrated the improvements in science and technology. \n\nBut as the second and third day passed, people started to make the connection. This was no longer a case of improved medical technology. With the second and third day of zero deaths passing, people had begun to make the connection. By passing a broad law that outlawed all death (for lawmakers though that a broader law made it easier to enforce and no one could technically prosecute a dead person for dying naturally), America had somehow managed to ban natural deaths as well. \n\nWith the news of America’s action spreading around the world, everyone was quick to pass similar laws as well. Within a week, every country in the world had outlawed death. No one could die anymore. \n\nThat was 150 years ago. \n\nWell, you wouldn’t be wrong to think that life would be great without death. But like everyone who rushed to pass the bill, no one thought about the implications. Yes, death was indeed defeated and no one could die anymore. However, humanity hadn’t cured aging. People could still grow old and suffer the pains of old age. Medical technology didn’t improve magically overnight. What would have once been a fatal car accident simply sent the individuals into a state of lifelessness. He would still be able to breathe and live without life support. But apart from living in a mangled mess of blood and bones, there was nothing doctors could do to help him transition and move into the afterlife. He was simply there. Unmoving but alive. \n\nIt's been 150 years of suffering. The population has increased beyond a sustainable point and people are going crazy. Even after cutting up their body parts, grinding their bones and brains into a mush, the unrecognizable blobs could still display signs of life. \n\nPlease, if anyone out there knows a way to undo what we did. Help us. Bring death back to us.",
" Though they had been sealed away, long ago, during the time of Revelation - God loved all the horsemen equally. \n\nBut the humans were created with Free Will - and so, against their best wishes for them, when they made the call to outlaw Death, God sat and did nothing. \n\nThe Pale Horse and it’s rider was no longer allowed on the mortal plane, and together, they sat and watched, and waited, and grieved, for 150 years.\n\nThe humans barely noticed what they’d done at first, the novelty of banding together to present a united front against the enemy bolstered them up, *we abolished Death!* They cried triumphantly. Full of glee and pride at having bested the odds. \n\nOf course, nobody actually believed that Death had left - who would be foolish enough to assume that just because the Government had said something, that it made it so. Years of unrest and lies from politicians prevented people from believing, although, they all enjoyed the week-long parties that were thrown in celebration. \n\nThe New Revelation happened slowly - hospitals began reporting that terminal patients were no longer passing away, paramedics would attend car accidents with no fatalities, countries with capital punishment could no longer execute death row inmates, and eventually, the powers of the world realised that they had succeeded. Death no longer walked amongst them. Life could no longer be taken. They were free.\n\n*But then,* Death thought, *the humans never understood the beauty in dying. The symmetry of life. The necessity of it all.* \n\nSlowly though, they learnt. They learnt hard.\n\nFor Death’s brothers still walked upon the Earth. And if life with War, Famine and Pestilence had been hard when there still was Death - it suffered even more strongly in his absence. \n\nBecause humans could still be mortally wounded. they could still suffer bullets, and feel the bite of hunger, the wrath of disease - they just couldn’t die. Not even when they wanted to. \n\nHumanity didn’t abolish suffering, it abolished its end. \n\nSo, for 150 years, Death and God watched side by side as War, Pestilence and Famine tore the world apart. On Earth, they raged on the indignity of their brother’s banishment, *Foolish humans,* they seethed, *don't they know Life needs to end.* \n\nTheir torment gave birth to new torments, and slowly, but surely, the world began to fracture. Politics tore Governments apart, and rioting took the streets, war raged, and the people cried, until eventually, the Earth itself began to fracture alongside everything else. \n\nThe pain it felt, the weight of birth but no death, cracked it open wide. *Maybe*, Earth cried, *if I destroy myself enough, they’ll need to leave.*\n\nBut how do you live when the very land you walk on is trying to get you to leave? How do you live when there are so many humans and not enough air? How do you live when there is no end to your pain?\n\nThe simple answer is that you don’t.\n\nHuman’s eventually tried to undo what they had done, but Governments had long stopped existing, and humanity was so scattered amongst the fractured remains of Earth that they couldn’t bring together enough people to decree once more. *We want it to end!* They cried, huddled in caves and around fires. Hiding from the Brothers, hiding from the Earth. *We made a mistake! Must you allow us to suffer the sins of our fathers!*\n\nEventually, God decided they must be merciful. They once more allowed the seal to crack, and for Death to walk the Earth. Tears filling their eyes, they watched as one by one, the humans fell at the hands of Death, struck down by his Scythe or by his very hand, and when there remained only two, Death, War, Pestilence and Famine once looked upon God's face, wet with tears, as they silently wondered, *is it even worth trying again?*",
"\"Oh, that's pure bullshit. I know, and you know, that that can't be true!\"\n\n\"No, no, I swear it's true. I can send you papers and everything to prove it!\"\n\n\"Riiiight. When everything about science has shown that it can't be true? That it can't happen? Look here, John, I've put up with your tall tales before, but this one takes the cake.\"\n\n\"Oh come on, boss! You gotta believe me! Do you think I'd lie about something like this?\"\n\n\"Yes. John, there's absolutely no way, zero chance, that your grandma is dead and you 'have to go to her funeral'. Now drag your butt out of bed, take some pills for your hangover and get to work\"\n\n*Author's note: Just a short little exchange that came to mind. I tried keeping out any sort of non verbal text in order to preserve all elements of the twist. I hope that it's still readable and doesn't become too confusing!*",
"Doctor Blanche dropped everything when the news came.\n\nA child had not been born since the law forbidding death. The world had accepted this truth as part of the exchange – although none could quite agree on the force behind it. The truth, however, was apparent. As long as there was no death, there could be no new life.\n\nShe thought it a decision that could never be overturned. And yet…\n\nThe doctor walked swiftly down the empty halls of the hospital. Visitors were infrequent. Only those with sufficient funds came to receive treatment. Eventually, all ailments and maladies took their course and were naturally resolved. Even those who had been at death’s door when the prohibition had been made had soon after been discharged.\n\nMost of the hospital had long since been repurposed to better serve the public. Doctor Blanche had ordered the unnamed mother to be brought to the large room where equipment for assisted childbirth had been stored away. Already, ancient files had been reopened and discarded machines quickly stoked back to life in preparation.\n\nThe doctor did not think it strange that her staff had been so quick to action. Perhaps foolishly, they were among the last to believe the world was not doomed to be in permanent stasis. Any article from any country, however remote, proclaiming new life was quickly investigated and debunked. To have such a story here … was almost unbelievable.\n\nDoctor Blanche found herself racing toward the store room as if speed would prevent her fledgling spark of hope from going out. Unstable lights flickered overhead. The gleaming eyes of rodents watched her from the shadows of what had once been patient rooms, attempting to discern the purpose of her uncharacteristic haste.\n\nAt last, she arrived at the door. Out of breath. Heart racing.\n\nDoctor Blanche composed herself before entering the crowded chamber. Protective equipment awaited her beside the washing station. The baby would not be immune to disease. If it survived long enough to catch one…\n\nThe patient lay on a wide bed, surrounded by the rest of the staff. A superfluous number of machines had been expertly arranged to one side. The doctor made her way to the most important one.\n\n“Is it alive?” Blanche asked.\n\nHer colleague nodded, pointing to the screen. “See for yourself.”\n\nThe doctor chewed at her lower lip in thought as she observed the child. For now, it was alive. Pregnancies were rare in a world without death but not unheard of. What children managed to reach maturity in the womb all died moments after their first breath. A thousand studies had tried in every conceivable way to maintain instances of new life. They had all failed.\n\n“How is the mother?” Blanche asked.\n\n“Not well,” another woman responded. “She arrived alone with no identification, bloody and bruised. It was fortunate that one of the others passed by on their rounds and found her.”\n\n“Unconscious,” the doctor surmised. “Has she ever regained awareness?”\n\n“No.”\n\nBlanche approached the mother. Only now did she realize the purpose of the myriad of machines. The woman was as near to death as anyone she had seen in decades. The baby was unquestionably killing her. However, once removed, the woman would regain her health. That was certain.\n\n“Doctor Blanche, the NICU is ready,” one of the nurses called.\n\nAnother rolled forward a computer atop a cart. “Camera and timer ready.”\n\n“Shall we begin?” another asked.\n\nBlanche nodded. The NICU method had shown the most promise. In a verified study, the device had kept a child alive for nearly five minutes – the standing record. The camera was necessary to document their own trial, to perhaps one day help others in a similar situation.\n\nThe hospital staff inched forward as the labor induction began. It did not take long. The crying boy was immediately placed in the NICU. The remaining staff continued to monitor the mother. Silence claimed the vast room.\n\nDoctor Blanche studied the wide-eyed baby. Each second an eternity. Only after five minutes had passed, did she allow herself to turn away. Had the child … actually survived?\n\nTurning, she saw the shocked faced of her staff and knew the truth. The child would live.\n\nAn exchange had been made.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n*Thanks for reading!*\n\nr/creatorcorvin",
" Death looked upon the dying earth with what humans would call pity. He was outlawed 150 years ago and decided to take this as his walking papers. He was finally free of his duty but he never truly understood why. Death considered himself a brilliant employee with an unblemished recorder. He did the most ungrateful job that ever was, is and will be or would have been if he stayed on. The only thing he pitted was the blue and green planet that complained without being heard. \n\nThe humans who now lived forever were struggling with their population numbers. The food and other resources were scares. The tensions between the world nations were clear and Death could smell it very clearly.\n\nNot long now he thought. They would destroy themselves without dying. Their bodies if not nourished will go through the same process as per normal dying stages. ‘Zombies’ as some called themselves were now part of the equation.\n\nDeath glanced at the once gorgeous planet and for a moment considered going back and making this right by his books. However, he was a dutiful man, so until the laws were set straight his so-called hands were tight. \n\nDeath now has a lot of time on his hands, so he was pondering about a lot of things. He wondered about the myths humans created about him. The stories they told about how he looked and how he did his job. The place he took them in. Death didn’t mind that. He was always curious and if he had a moment to spare he asked the passing souls about all that. \n\nThe only thing he never understood was the fear. Death knew not every way of dying was pleasant but he never considered himself scary. He didn’t choose who and how had to pass, he got the task for the eternal book and did his duty. Yet, everyone feared him. If Death had feelings they would have been hurt.\n\nDeath sat down again and waited. Waited for humans to understand the importance of his job and call him back to duty."
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[WP] learning that your current date isn't actually human was admittedly a shock. Still, despite that you love them anyway.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"He was handsome. He was nice. He was pleasant. He was strong. He was.... Zeus?\n\nAnne felt her heart stop for a moment. It couldn't be. No, she had never believed in the supernatural, let alone the Greek gods. But now there he was, blushing, telling her the truth about himself and their relationship.\n\nTo be honest, he always seemed a bit too everything to be human. Now she could see that. Once or twice she had told him that he looked like a Greek God, to which he always giggled, he was, indeed, a Greek God.\n\nOf course she was confused. \"Show me that you're not messing with me\", as a thunderstorm formed over her house and the power went out. That was enough proof. She was another one of the god's girls. \n\n\"See?\", he said in a condescending tone, \"it's just that you're so pretty and so cute I couldn't help falling in love with you...\"\n\n\"Gosh, that's creepy, Matt... I mean, Zeus \"\n\n\"Its just that when you're a God there are no limits to what you can do\" \n\n\"Oh, cool. I guess gaia isn't such a good mother after all if she didn't even teach her own kids to stop using their powers to lure girls! Oh, I've read a lot about you, mr, and your affairs from the ancient times and how you just go away after a while.\"\n\nAt this Anne remembered Hera. The oh so jealous wife of Zeus, always determined to make his lovers' lives a disaster. She could not compete with that. She loved him and all the memories they had together, but this was too much to handle.\n\nShe started crying her ugly tears as what she thought was a lovely future was torn apart in a minute. Everything was fake, the life she had dreamt with him was fake, it was all a God messing with a girl.\n\n\"My love for you is not fake\", he said almost sighing, \"I love all of this. I donr have this comfy feeling when I'm there. I donr have that urge to laugh there. I donr have *you* there.\"\n\n\"But\"- the words struggled to get out - \"but hera is gonna come, she's gonna kill me, break me down and spit on me. I love you, not as the God, but as the cool guy I met at a Sunday afternoon. I truly love you.\"\n\nAfter she opened her eyes, he was not there. However, Zeus had left a small piece of paper written \"love u too\", next to a small pot of ambrosia. The girl couldn't sleep that night.\n\nBut somehow she felt like she had dreamed, or at least revived those moments in her mind. She could feel the cold icecream they had had together during their first date, the day she had a lot of work to do but as soon as he came over there was a storm that forced her office to close for the day, that time when they watched percy Jackson together just to make fun of how bad the adaptation was. \n\nThat was real. The two of them had been real lovers, no matter God or mortal. For a moment she smiled to herself thinking how she doubted Zeus had even once watched percy Jackson with his godly wife.\n\nThe next morning, Anne had ambrosia for breakfast and one thought on her mind: \n\n\"You know, maybe we should watch the Lightning Thief's musical next, hope it'll be worthy enduring some holy fury\"\n\n\n(This didn't really end up how I hoped in my head but there was a lot of work put into it so here it goes hehe- sorry for any grammar mistakes since English is not my first language too)",
"“Wait, are you trying to tell me that you’re...NOT?!”\n\n*Computing response*\n\n*Computing response*\n\nERI-7308 had always been a bit of a revolutionary in the robot world. She was the first advanced mobile AI to attend an all-human school; even after years of getting the top marks in her class, the humans still dismissed her as lesser. Unworthy. \n\nEven as her false biological imperative circuitry kicked into overdrive in Year 15 of her existence, making her look indistinguishable from other “teenagers” she still found herself being separated. She watched most of her classmates fall in love and (in many cases) get their hearts broken, but all of her feelings went unrequited. The few humans that did talk to her were certainly kinder than the others, but there was always a point in the conversation where they went silent and ERI could only imagine what they were thinking.\n\nAfter the difficulties of her childhood education, ERI decided that she wanted a more normal life. Her excellent grades and “trailblazer” story were enough to get her into IBM University. Once she got there, however, she realized that the other robots treated her just as coldly as the humans had. She wasn’t a trailblazer to them. She was a nuisance at best, and a traitor at worst.\n\nNevertheless, ERI finished in the top ten of her class (she said that on job applications since it was more vaguely impressive than being ninth) and secured a cushy job at an aeronautics firm.\n\nThen she met Carlos.\n\nHe was just another client at first, working for a venture capital company trying to invest in the firm’s new rocket booster project. He was kind to her though; she noticed that right away. He also actually knew how the technology worked, which was rare for people in that role. She had grown tired of using her venture firm analysis algorithm, and found herself shockingly thrilled when he completely broke it.\n\nThe venture capital people moved on, and ERI was shocked at how much her processing speed slowed in the following weeks She hadn’t felt a human emotion this powerfully since her first day at university. Was this...disappointment?\n\nShe was even more shocked when she got a message on her work phone one day three minutes before closing time.\n\nFrom: Carlos\n\n_Hey Erin, I know this is totally out there, but do you want to maybe get dinner sometime? Not for work or anything, just...think about it, maybe?_\n\nERI clutched the phone to her chest as she felt her emotional response circuitry kick into overdrive. She found herself opening and closing her mouth rapidly, mimicking heavy breathing.\n\nCould she say yes right away? Would it be weird to reply to him on her non-work phone? What if it was just a prank somehow?\n\n*Computing response*\n\nThat was two months ago now, two months since the text message that changed her life. She ended up responding that night, and they got dinner together the next day.\n\nAnd the next day, and the next day, and the next.\n\nShe knew what she wanted to say, but she was fighting an uphill battle with her verbal control circuitry. If she lied to him, she would regret it until her processors fell apart. If she told him the truth, he might leave her, and she would regret that even more. WHY did she have to ask him where he was made?! She knew he was human. She knew. But some part of her wanted him to know the truth, and that part of her might have just ruined something beautiful.\n\n*Computing response*\n\nShe loved him. She knew she loved him. She’d almost said it the other day when they left the movie and he said he wanted to buy her that blue dress that the heroine was wearing. But now he was staring at her, silently begging her to say something.\n\nANYTHING.\n\n*Computing response*\n\n“Erin, please. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, I should have thought about it before I asked, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please just answer me.”\n\n“Please.”\n\nTears were streaming down his face now, and ERI felt her eye circuitry getting warmer. Why was HE apologizing? She was the one who kept the secret from him.\n\nUntil now.\n\n*Computing response*\n\nERI closed her eyes, begging her creators for mercy. *Please* she said to herself in the same desperate tone that she’d just heard from Carlos.\n\n*Please just let me have this*\n\n*Producing response*\n\n“Please, call me ERI.”\n\n“Alright, ERI,” he said, nearly stumbling into an “N” at the end.\n\n*Producing response*\n\n“Please don’t go,” ERI said, as oily tears slowly trickled down her face.\n\nHe reached across the table and gently grabbed her hand, joy and was that...relief on his face?\n\n“Never,” he said with a smile, and for the first time in her life ERI-7308 felt safe.\n\n\n—-\n\n __________________\nIf you liked this, check out my subreddit! It’s been a while since I’ve written there (or anywhere else to be honest), but hoping to start writing more in the next few weeks.\n\n\nr/NicodemusLux"
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Sorry for repost, I made a typo before and couldn't change it. I feel like it's a good prompt and worth fixing, but if it dies, oh well!
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[WP] "Tell me where to find your boss. Now!" My fist had turned the goon's face into ground chuck. He was gonna talk. Or else. "I can't tell you!" "Why not?" "Because," he sputtered, "she hasn't been born yet."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My wife was kidnapped a week ago. A week ago when she went to her acting classes she never came back. At first, I thought she had been involved in an accident so I checked the news, phoned the police, but that was clearly not the case. Some of my wife's classmates said that she had left in a black SUV driven by some sharply dressed men. I asked if any of them had noted the car's number. Fortunately, one of them had. I took it down to the police and registered a complaint. Just today they told me that the car was nowhere to be found and that they could not give me the details of its owners. So I went to a private detective who, for some extra compensation, heartily gave me the details. I am holding them right now: the car belongs a certain Alexis Porter who lives near the main street.\n\nNaturally, I visited Alexis the next day. He said that his car had been stolen a week back and that the bizarre criminals had said they would return it to him after a week.\n\n\"They called me yesterday. I am to take my car back today,\" he said.\n\n\"Why should I believe you?\"\n\n\"Come with me and you will find out for yourself,\" he said and I agreed to go with him. This was my only chance to find her.\n\nWe took the bus and got off at the last station, from there we walked until we reached a wasteland. I did not trust the guy, but he did not do anything suspicious. He seemed to be more concerned with my state of mind than anything else. \n\nWe waited for about half an hour, then a black SUV pulled up and a man dressed in a charcoal grey suit stepped out of the car. He raised his hand high and jingled the keys. \n\n\"There you go. Just as promised,\" he said and threw the car keys towards my companion.\n\nThat was all he wanted, but I was there for my wife. I ran towards the man in the grey suit and tackled him like a rugby player. He fell down and I was on top of him.\n\n\"Where's my wife you bastard?\" I said. He smiled. \n\n\"Not here,\" he said. \n\nI gave him a sharp blow on the nose. He winced in pain.\n\n\"Are you working alone?\" I asked.\n\n\"No. I am - \" Wham. That's all I wanted to know. I then landed a flurry of punches directly on his face.\n\n\"Tell me where to find your boss. Now!\" I yelled. My fist had turned the goon's face into ground chuck. He was gonna talk. Or else. \n\n\"I can't tell you!\" \n\n\"Why not?\" \n\n\"Because,\" he sputtered, \"she hasn't been born yet.\"\n\nShe hasn't been born yet? I asked him what he meant by that. He said that my wife was some kind of time traveller who had run from home and that he was a time enforcer who had safely returned her to the future from whence she came. \n\n\"Tell me the truth. Don't spin a story here you bastard. Do you wanna die by my hands?\" I said and punched him again.\n\nHe looked at me and jerked his head up to hit me on the nose. I staggered. He shook me off and got up. When my eyes stopped watering I saw him take a lighter out of his pocket. He adjusted some dials on it and then clicked. Suddenly a green vortex appeared behind him. He waved to me and walked into it. A second later he had vanished.",
"“Amber. Good to see you again.”\n\nShe greeted me as she drew close. “What’s the plan?”\n\nI looked over the roof of the parking lot. “We wait.”\n\nThe little group we belonged to, my little family and Holly’s, which included Amber, had become a group of solvers for… peculiar problems. From eliminating individuals to information gathering, and even recruitment at one point, we often went on jobs unsuited for a great many people. Usually this was by the virtue of them being human. Even my lovely Yves wasn’t fully human, our daughter being proof of that. So why we were asked to do this was a little beyond me.\n\n“I heard you’re a Shinigami. Is that true?”\n\nI cast my eye on a parking lot. Our targets hadn’t arrived yet, so we still had time. “There’s a few names for us, though it all means the same. That said, I’m closer to Holly in a way. Fully physical body.”\n\n“I see.” Amber wasn’t all that human herself. Her left eye was under a gauze. Given it was bright yellow with a black trim, and that she had very, *very* old ties with Holly herself, it was almost certain its state had something to do with her. Holly being the most… *eldritch* by an immeasurable margin, it wasn’t all that hard to make the leap. More like a hop, really.\n\nA black van cruised up to the corner of the parking lot, fitting in an empty space.\n\n“It’s here.” I said.\n\n“Are you sure?”\n\n“Can’t sense them. Pretty sure they’re not constructs, from what I’m told.”\n\nAmber nodded. “Alright. How are we going to do this?”\n\n“I’m going to go in, introduce myself, and probably kill all but one of them.”\n\n“Am I backing you up?”\n\n“Yeah, stay here, keep an eye on things. No offence.”\n\n“None taken.” Just as I was going, she asked “Would you like me to back you up directly?”\n\n“No, just fuck up anyone who interferes, kill them if you have to.”\n\nShe nodded, and I walked up to the van. No one had gotten out yet, which didn’t surprise me. Just as I was in a few feet, the doors slammed open. Inside were a dozen men, each armed with an SMG.\n\n“… Oh.”\n\nDo you know what it’s like to be shredded by a hail of gunfire? It’s agonizing. And not dying properly made it even worse. Where one lucky shot would kill a man, I had to feel the bullets mulch my brain, pierce my lungs, gouge my heart, perforate my guts…\n\nIn a way I deserved it. Probably why I didn’t kill my pain receptors. A baptism of agony and blood.\n\nMy world black, I hit the floor as the magazines ran dry, a chorus of clacks signifying reloading. The sensation of my body bleeding from a million holes was… unpleasant, if you want it put mildly.\n\nSeveral boots thudded toward me, and I heard a woman’s voice.\n\n“Well done, men! Another necromancer down. If we keep this up, our boss *will* be pleased!”\n\nAh… they were hunting necromancers? Interesting. Now, how to kill them? I still couldn’t sense them, and my eyes were shot out of my skull. I *could* regenerate, but that would tip them off, and they’d probably kill me in this life. And I wasn’t going to risk leaving Yves like that.\n\nOnly one thing for it then. I killed time itself.\n\nHolly dubbed me the Ultimate Reaper. Regardless of the validity of such a title, it wasn’t unwarranted. I could kill time, just for a bit, just long enough to get up, regenerate an eye, and perforate those bastard’s throats with long, steel needles. It was quick, but taxing. Just halfway through had me shaking, gasping for breath, and once the last needle was in, I let time flow again.\n\nI collapsed with the men, shaking violently, but happy.\n\n…I was supposed to keep one alive.\n\nI looked up, and saw her running off, a plume of brown hair bobbing away from me and to the van. She was stopped by a very quick Amber, who went in and swiped her leg with a sword. Once the woman was down, the sword faded away into a thick gold mist.\n\nI’d have to ask her about that later.\n\nI got up, and walked to her, watching as she gaped at my healing body.\n\n“Now that we’ve had this little kerfuffle,” I said, “I’m Lazarus, this is Amber, and *you* are telling us where your boss is. *Now*.”\n\n“How?” She said. “Why-“\n\n“Tell me where your boss is, or I break the other one.”\n\nShe frowned. “The other wha-“ then screamed as I crushed her leg underfoot, turning he knee into mulch.\n\n“Boss. Location. *Now*.” As she shrieked, I added “I was shot to shit, and you didn’t see *me* crying, so pull yourself together, woman, or-“\n\n“You can’t find her!” She wailed.\n\n“*Why*.”\n\n“She- she hasn’t been born yet!”\n\nThe only sounds were her ragged gasps as I considered the likelihood of the statement. Was it possible? …Yes, admittedly. Stranger things have tried to kill me, that was certain. But… ‘born’? Did she mean a natural birth, or…?\n\n“… Fuck it, call Holly.” I waved a hand. “I don’t care what she means, I’m doing the job, I’ll go halves with Hol’, I got shot to shit, and I’m missing my other half.” I shook my head. “I don’t give a shit how we get the info.”\n\nAmber sounded hesitant when she said “On it.” Maybe she was perturbed by my attitude.\n\nI didn’t care. I took out a cigarette and lit it.\n\n“Oh, by the way,” I said. “If you didn’t know this, Holly Graves is a bit of an, uh, *oddball*. If I were you I’d start talking, otherwise she’ll have to come in.” I took a drag and blew it out, red smoke disappearing in the wind. “And trust me, you don’t want that. It won’t end with death. Not for you at any rate.”\n\n“Is she a damn necromancer?” She spat, face crumpled with pain.\n\n“No. We call her The Ultimate Nightmare.”"
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