Split (1)

train · 199k rows

post_title stringlengths 8 314	comment_texts listlengths 1 74	num_stories int64 1 74
[WP] Humans were deemed too dangerous by the galactic federation and at every few cycles humanity would be wiped to near extinction and reset to hunter gatherers. However this time around humanity discovers old alien tech on Titan and learns the truth. This time around humanity awaits prepared.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "50 ago a probe to titan was send. Seeking places were could be terraformed and colonized or even find alien life.\n\nWhat was found instead was an artificial structure of technology extremely advanced. The discovery motivated us and scientific teams of all nations were send to titan to research the tech. Advanced computers, weapons incredibly powerful, ships of wonder and a great truth was revealed.\n\nThis were not ancient alien structures. Were ancient human structures. Their design were the space version of the Sumerians. Saved recordings featured humans with powerful abilities like psychics. This knowledge make us seek further a reason why they disappeared. And the outrageous revelation showed to us.\n\nThe death camps, the planetary exterminations, the experimentation on humans by the aliens, the cycle. Wrath and hatred on levels humanity never feel nor even on a individual level risen like a supernova. We swear make them pay. The Galactic Federation would pay.\n\nThe structures contained information of how recover our abilities and improve them with genetic manipulation. These structure belonged to a resistance force fighting the federation. They keep themselves hidden until death in a effort to prevent this research from being lost. The last words of these people was a plea for vengeance and justice for humanity.\n\nA century later after acquiring the technology we restored our powers and added what our ancestors could not. Humans were at it's apex. Antimatter cannons, dark matter and dark energy engines, black hole generators. Superhuman abilities like of comic superheroes. Humans were ready for them. They didn't knew what hit them.\n\nWhen federation ships reached our space they were destroyed without warning except for the admiral ship. We didn't show the captain and all the crew of varied but disgusting alien creatures any mercy and sentenced them to a fate worse than death. A fate were they can't even scream.\n\nDespite their fleet being destroyed with extreme ease and even more superior technology the federation hid their fear by arrogantly ordering abandon our powers and technology and return to a hunter gatherer society or be exterminated. We answered that pathetic empty treat sending a massive fleet to the federations core and teaching the aliens human of vengeance and retribution. The federation leaders suffered the same fate of the alien crew.\n\nThe aliens realized there's no hope for defeat us in war despite attempts to fight back. The disgusting creatures declared surrender thinking it was enough for us. Believing they could create a new strategy against us if we accepted. How fools. We still had not enough.\n\nThe rendition was *not* accepted.\n\nAs a cruel vengeance, massive bombs were detonated, fast spreading viruses and lethal beams shoot with the objective of depopulate were used on all federation planets and most of the survivors sterilized, altered genetically to be mostly infertile and unable to develop or understand any technology beyond stone or medieval age and abandoned planets stuck in a permanent pre-industrial state. Like they did to us two times. Those who were taken are third class citizens and used for experimentation and forced labor. We make sure they never get in power again.\n\nAfter the war, we focused in science, discovery and improve ourselves. New universes are explored, we reached near godlike levels of power and begun to create new dimensions and life forms.\n\nIs the year 567.234.00 after the war of vengeance and we evolved beyond our apex . The universe has learned our potential for greatness and vengeance. None dares attract our wrath less they suffer what the fools of the federation deserved eons ago.\n\n-General Ishtar. War of Vengeance Veteran", "It was the year 144102 when the first Human spaceship landed on Titan. Scientists theorize that underneath the layer of Ice on the Titan, alien life could exist.\n\nIt's been a few decades since Mars had been colonized. Although Mars has a small population, There are Humans living there.\n\nBut colonizing Mars isn't enough, multiple private space companies are flocking over to Titan.\n\nSatellites and space stations were set up around Titan. Soon, the Satellite image shows a black pyramid-like structure on the surface of Titan. Earth United Countries decided to increase space funding to private companies.\n\nA private space company manages to land there. They used a robot controlled by a human from a space station on Titan to explore the structure, what they discovered scared Humanity.\n\nThe pyramid is a small alien command center that contains logs of the previous extermination. They were the Galactic Federation. But they made one mistake. They assume that Humanity wouldn't be able to come close to Titan before the year 145222, the year of extermination.\n\nHumanity was furious by the Galactic Federation's extermination, they were furious. Within just 10 years of the discovery of the pyramid. Humanity had uploaded the first Human to a computer.\n\nMass migration of Humans to the digital world happened. Humanity left their physical self and transcended. On that day forward, no new babies were born.\n\nHumans reproduction became digital, the population boom boosts the number of Humans up to trillions.\n\nMassive technological progress was made, before Humanity now it, 1,120 years had passed. The year of extermination was here.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Do not come to Sol. Any ships of the Galactic Federation that cross the line will be fired upon. You have been warned\"\n\nThe Galatic Federation scoff at the threats from Humanity. They thought that Humanity wouldn't have made enough progress to be a threat to the might of the Galatic Federation.\n\nThe Galatic Federation prepared 30% of its military for war. They thought Earth couldn't even defend against 1%, but they want to frighten the pest on Earth, to scare Humanity back to their primitive caves.\n\nBut when the Galatic Federation Armada arrived, they were betrayed by their own expectation.\n\nWhat seems like an innocent blue planet with its little star turns out to be much more different.\n\nThe Armada stood there, looking straight at the Star, as transparent hexagonal shapes shimmer lightly like a ripple of a wave over the Star. Revealing a megastructure theorized to be impossible by the Galatic Federation.\n\nA Dyson Sphere\n\nBefore we were able to retreat, we were destroyed. Weapons of planetary-scale filled the surface of the sphere to the brim, each firing a beam of energy capable of destroying planets.\n\nThe Galatic Federation lost in mere hours.\n\nThe last video recording of the attack was a large ejection of plasma, as the star seem to move towards the Galatic Federation.\n\n======\n\nFirst time writing for fun. I didn't have time to edit it and make it good.", "I descended to the surface of Titan in our lander, alongside Frank and Sarah. We had been in stationary orbit around Saturn's 6th moon, whilst our rovers explored the surface. However, one of them had come across evidence of a non-natural structure. Due to the potentially huge discovery, it was deemed that we 3 would go down and explore in person, whilst the remain crew of the Earth Star Ship (ESS) Explorer would monitor from the ship.\n\nWhen we landed, and laid our eyes on the structure, it was wondrous to behold. It looked to be made of several egg shapes, centred around a large column. It looked to be carved out of the very moons surface, though parts had a metallic sheen to them. \n\nWe cautiously approached, keeping our helmet cameras on and pointed towards it. As we got closer, we could see what appeared to be a door of some sort, though it was much larger then the average door. Approximately 10ft tall and wide, there was no clear handle or way to open it.\n\nWhen we reached it, a panel lit up white. Frank looked closely at it, being the most techie one of us.\n\n\"Got anything Frank?\"\n\n\"No... It's weird, there's no clear connections, or way of inputting a code or key. I'm going to try just pressing it.\"\n\nHe placed his hand on the panel. It turned orange, and the door slid down silently. It revealed a empty corridor, leading into the closest egg. We slowly walked down the corridor, struck silent by the enormity of what this place was. An extra-terrestrial species must have built this.\n\nWe came to a room with strange looking machines. Each of them had different lights, some steady, some flashing. I radioed back to the ship.\n\n\"Come in ESS Explorer.\"\n\n\"Recieving Brandon.\"\n\n\"The structure has various machines inside it, purpose unknown. Should we continue, or head back and arrange for a larger team?\"\n\n\"Head back. We will send a specific team down at a later date. Good job.\"\n\n\"Roger that.\"\n\nSarah piped up.\n\n\"As we're heading back, I'm going to move a rover into the building. That way we can get an idea of the layout, and pinpoint areas of interest.\"\n\n\"Good idea.\"\n\nWe headed back out to the lander, and returned to the ship. We didn't realise it then, but what we had found would put events in motion that would have consequences reaching far beyond our little solar system.", "Fifty years ago, United Earth landed a probe on Titan. It discovered something unnatural, something artificial. Housed in a subterranean structure deep within Titan was a Pyramid. A manned expedition was ordered to investigate the structure. What they found shook Earth’s very foundation to the core. It was a crucible of whether humanity would wallow in despair or rise to the task. We rose as our genetics and will dictated that we conquer all obstacles.\n\nUpon measurements, the pyramid was the exact size and shape as the Pyramid of Khufu. It was more than just a coincidence. Inside, the team found what could only be described as a reliquary and so it was called just that. Our forefathers' gift to us. Inside we discovered perfectly mummified humans wearing a type of powered armor, not unlike those seen in science fiction. They died while on duty, protecting our inheritance so that humanity can have a chance. Radiation from what we now know as a Cleansing Beam or a beam of weaponized plasma aimed at the surface killed them. We discovered in a shattered fault within pyramid, a great AI that had male programming. He studied our culture and spoke his name in a manner we would understand, Saron or the gift bringer.\n\nSaron gave us everything we have today and he is without doubt the gift bringer, we learned of the histories of our ancestors and their struggle against a foe that saw them as inferior. But ironically, it was humanity that had the technological edge in weapons development. We learned the intricacies of fusion energy and from that we learned to make alloys that can withstand tremendous amounts of Heat and Stress. We also perfected what our ancestors could not, hardlight projectiles. Specifically hardlight encased plasma. With the lifespan of a human reaching indefinite amounts due to nanotechnology and DNA manipulation, we expanded throughout the solar system. Within 20 years, a Dyson sphere was built around the solar system. We knew there were coming and we finished construction just in time.\n\nOur inheritance revolutionized us and instilled in us a deep sense of distrust and hatred towards extraterrestrials. They came on Christmas eve, an armada of dreadnaughts, cruisers and destroyers 1000 strong. They were arrogant, demanding we destroy our defenses and reduce ourselves to pre-industrial hunter gatherers or suffer death. Steeled by our will and hatred, we struck first, the planetoid Pluto, turned into planetary power station powered the orbital defense anti matter cannons that pierced the heart of the Alien fleet. Scintillating rays of hard light penetrated the alien ships. We drew first blood, they struck back, their plasma beams were no match for our defensive measures. Artificial gravitational fields dispersed the enemy plasma and on that fateful day, we cemented ourselves as the premier power in the galaxy. The Grand Fleet of the Galactic Federation was destroyed save the flagship. We trialed the disgusting looking alien that called himself an admiral and upon him spitting in the faces of the Jury, we showed him no mercy and he was executed. The enemy flagship was towed to Titan to be made into a war monument. A monument to our ancestors that perished so we can thrive.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n " ]	5
[WP] Aliens invade Earth, they lose, but it appears humanity accidentally committed some intergalactic war-crimes.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"And a invasion to a unaffiliated, Pre-FTL world whose very independence and of course, existence is threatened by a invading fleet doesn't count as a crime!?\" The human ambassador said with her voice full indignation at the accusations. \n\n\"The colonization-\" \"Invading\" \"-fleet received legal permission of settle this system according to the law 345 of the galactic senate. Earth included. And most civilization had not the technological capabilities yours had\"\n\n\"The Federation could have investigated us before. We had put restrictions and laws for the use weapons like nuclear or chemical. The only reason we had use this weapons is that the invading fleet was doing things like leveling cities killing civilians and cannibalizing them. Tell me there is no law against the aggression or devouring of locals\"\n\n\"You have no proof of-\" The human ambassador shut the galactic representative and pull off a monitor of her bag. \"See it for yourself\"\n\nThe monitor had showed recordings greazulter ships leveling buildings and soldiers attacking civilians. What is worse civilians were indeed being consumed included children and elders to the shock of many representatives. This is indeed a violation of the treaty 956 of contact with Pre-FTL locals. In a instant the greazulter ambassador received accusations and looks of disgust from most of the representatives.\n\nThe ambassador looked at the representative with her blue ayes and asked \"Anything to say\"\n\nThe galactic representative say nothing for a few seconds and then \"We attend this case in the galactic court\" All were dismissed.\n\nAmbassador Brunhilde returns to her the space ship preparing for the first intergalactic trial of humanity.", "\"What did you expect, when you don't tell someone the rules they can't be expected to follow them!\" The representative responded to the senators.\n\n\"Well, we didn't even need to. Usually, most civilizations didn't have the capabilities to do the sort of things you did. Much less the disregard of any reasonable standards to use it!\" The tall four-legged alien countered.\n\n\"The hritzen had all the time in the galaxy to research us. If they would have done any looking they'd have seen we not only acted with restraint but have already used it on ourselves before. The only reason we used it again was the fact our very existence was threatened.\" She yelled at them, pulling up images of the swaths of the planet taken over by the insectoids had taken over in the months before they began using the full extent of their arms.\n\n\"You could have surrendered at any time! The hritzen constantly told you they would accept any surrender.\" Another representative popped in, a tall mineral-like creature said.\n\n\"And surrender our people to the wrath of some alien group. You saw what our soldiers would do before capture and interrogation, what did you expect would happen once you started progressing even further?\" The human turning onto the rock creature.\n\nA loud bang sounded across the, silencing everyone as the large robotic figure, within it holding the minds of elder races. \"Silence, no matter the circumstance you and your people shall be sentenced. For violating the basic principles this galaxy rests upon, your people shall be forced to labor for the species of which rights your kind has violated.\" The voiced said as it boomed throughout the chamber, with some representatives near fainting from the voice, not often heard except in dire circumstances.\n\nThe human stayed still staring at the gargantuan figure in the eyes. \"Our people will serve no one, you should have learned that by now. Try to subjugate our people again, and you will soon see our chemicals to be the least of your worries.\" She said, slamming the doors she had entered behind her.", "The invasion failed. That's how the story went. Large regional hegemony in this arm of the galaxy sent their best fleets and armies to conquer the strategically important system of Sol. There are rules that all galactic states adhere to in war, rules to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, to protect civilian life, and to ensure the rights of existence for the losing side.\n\nThere a lot of rules. Most races upon ascending into the great galactic game, already have most or all of them written down and do adhere to them. But the invasion of Sol failed. Not because the Dyaxto Hegemony was unprepared. Not because of foreign intervention. Not because the locals were a lot more advanced and powerful than was previously understood. No, the invasion failed because the inhabitants of Sol, the people originating from Sol-III, locally called Terra, broke intergalactic conventions on war. Indeed, they committed numerous intergalactic war-crimes. As a matter of fact, they broke them all.\n\nThe horrors of atomic weaponry were the first to shock the invasion force. What race would be reckless enough to use atomic weapons in their own atmosphere? They lost a good deal of ships that way. The soldiers on the ground were met by fierce resistance, as the local civilians evacuated their cities, went out into the hills, mountains, or jungles, and fought a bloody and brutal campaign behind the invading forces' lines. It was not uncommon to see a patrol leaving the camp, and then sending out another to find it, only to have half of the second patrol return with disturbing stories of decapitated heads on spikes, and the local civilians doing indescribably horrible things to the dead soldiers.\n\nThen there was the chemical weapons. Something the locals produced and used gratutiously on the invaders, something called sarin gas. An odorless nerve agent. Those who did not die, suffered horrible neurological damage. The locals firebombed occupied cities, poisoned their own land, placed landmines everywhere, and in many other fashions, committed terrible things to resist the invaders, who followed every rule of war to the letter.\n\nOnce the invasion was driven off, the human race of Terra used captured reverse-engineered ships to travel about the Sol system, and built military bases, hideouts, defensive positions, and various other things. Many of which were in violation of law. The Intergalactic Commission on War Crimes sent envoys to Terra, where the locals were busy rebuilding. The locals were astounded to be considered criminals, in their eyes, the entirely legal invasion as sanctioned by Section 387.2, Paragraph 122 of InterGalactic Law, was a terrible evil which had to be defeated at all costs.\n\nThe Commission was even more astounded when the locals refused to hand over their leaders to be tried for war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against the sanctity of life. To the humans, the people who had held them together during the war were not criminals, but heroes. People who had ensured the independence of their little world. In response, the Commission issued the entirety of the Sol System a blockade, and put strict laws in place to ensure that the system would under no circumstances receive trade, or aid from other space-faring races. Furthermore, as a rogue nation, it was perfectly legal for any race to invade the system.\n\nOf course, given that the human race had managed to break every single law about warfare in during one single invasion, it meant that there weren't many takers. And since Terra had no trade at all, being an autarky in terms of resources and supplies, the blockade had little to no effect on them. But what it did do, was spread the word about the little bloodthirsty world with tonnes of illegal weapons, chemical, ballistics, biological, even atomic ones. And not everyone follows the laws.\n\nThe first aliens to smuggle tech and resources to the humans, was a small slip-cruiser, crewed mostly by members of the Blackstar Movement, a group with many similarities to anarchists on Earth. They found that while Terra was still in the claws of governments, it was perfectly willing to sell them weapons, in exchange for tech, medicine, and resources needed to rebuild the Earth.\n\nSoon came certain interest groups, such as the Saryokian Pentastar Syndicate, who were quite impressed with human capacity for war, and the weaponry. Soon came the Arqorvy Shadow Traders Guild, who found many Terran inventions to be quite useful in their trade, and paid for weapons, and certain plants of the family Erythroxylaceae.\n\nEventually, enterprising young Terrans found employment with these organisations, who respectful of the human capacity for bloody-minded violence, made the choice not to ply their trade on Terra, which considering the already existing Syndicates, Families, and Associations, was probably a wise choice. Soon human enforcers could be found in the employ of various organisations on the intergalactic black market. Humans, armed with human tenacity and viciousness, earned a reputation for being well-educated, affable, and often capable of killing the people who went against them using nothing except for their own fists.\n\nIt wasn't unusual to see two humans, covered head-to-toe in blood, conversing about the deeper meaning of life, or the intricacies of ancient poetry. The InterGalactic officials tried to enforce more restrictions on Terra, but given that the entire Sol system was armed to the teeth, and could withstand anything short of a combined intergalactic military intervention, or a direct hit from a Nicoll-Dyson beam(a weapon made immediately illegal when the concept was learned, and is one of the few weapons which even the criminals believe is too horrible.)\n\nOn Terra itself, humanity prospered, the wealth brought home by various mercenaries, former soldiers discharged after the invasion usually, had made the human race able to rebuild their world and give it the level of wealth and security that previously only was possible for the top ten most developed nations to have. Mars had been terraformed, and while experts said that in a few million years the planet would revert, for humanity it was enough. The Jovian Moons were being settled, as was the moons of Saturn. And while the criminal elements didn't dare to infest the human system, they did find themselves able to walk around freely, without having to hide with camouflaging tech to prevent themselves from getting caught. Terra became a place where criminal elements of the galaxy settled down after retirement. Where they sent their children to go to school, and where they could hide if things went south.\n\nAnd the humans, with open arms, damned to be outcasts for defending themselves with everything they had, welcomed their criminal friends with open arms. Terra stood with her torch held high, and took in the criminal masses, yearning to live outside of prisons, took in the failed revolutionaries on the run from countless worlds, exiled governments endlessly plotting to retake their lost worlds, other exiles and outcasts.\n\n[/r/ApocalypseOwl](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApocalypseOwl/)" ]	4
[WP] You trained your whole life to be an astronaut, but you never expected your first spacewalk to involve cleaning graffiti.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Eccentric billionaires competing with NASA thought they were sending a generation of explorers to the stars, instead they sent rich douchebags with astral paint and too much time on their hands. \n\n\"People dancing, people laughing\nA man selling ice cream-\" she paused the Ipod with a quick tap. Alexia stopped to take a breath, she'd been working neary non-stop since her mission began three years ago. She engaged her feeding tube for a quick lunch break, hung her head and thought to herself, \"a decade spent training and studying and where did they send me?\". Kicking a small rock into orbit she laughed out the answer, \"the fucking moon\". \n\nA few minutes passed before the gadget pumping nutrients to her stomach stopped which signaled the end of her break. She sighed out loud before continuing to apply the astral cleanser to the surface of the largest graffiti penis she'd seen yet. \n\nShe turned the dying Ipod back on \"funny days in the park, every day's the Fourth of July\" a constant reminder that the charger broke a week ago. Alexia remembered her last Fourth of July on Earth. It was not spent surrounded by family or friends. Instead she spent the day quarantined on base because her mission started the morning of the fifth. Angrily she scrubbed at the phalus painted on the moons surface for another few minutes. Her mission was supposed to be simple, it was a one way trip to clean the tourist spots on the moon then await the others coming to retrieve her. \n\"People reaching, people touching, a real celebration\", she couldn't help but doubt that her mission had purpose after all of these years. The small Ipod in her suit died, leaving Alexia feeling hopeless. It's the same feeling she had experienced when communications with NASA stopped eight months after her arrival.", "The Final Frontier, a new front for US-Soviet tension?\n\nJuly 17 1994\n\nThe Cold War may have froze over here on earth, it is becoming increasingly warm in outer space, with reports of Cosmonauts and Astronauts using space walks to graffiti each others space stations. The American's newly launched Liberty 1 and the Russian Mir Station cross orbital paths within space walk distance multiple times a day, and the rival crews have taken to jumping back and forth between stations to graffiti the opposing station. \n\nIndeed the problem has gotten so bad NASA is planning on sending up newly trained Astronauts for the purpose of keeping up with the graffiti. While most of the graffiti has consisted of crudely drawn Stars and Stripes vs Hammers and Sickles, it's claimed that a Russian Cosmonaut managed to sneak aboard Liberty 1 for several orbits and paint a copy of a Vladivostok mural about the Red Navy on the outside of the station, while a American Astronaut painted the Statue of Liberty playing baseball with a Sputnik satellite on the Mir Station. The situation in space has not yet inflamed diplomatic efforts here on earth however, with both sides brushing off the graffiti as the efforts of a few misguided patriots.", "Two parts, I bit off a bit more than I could chew here. \n\nNeil bounced up and down on his feet waiting for the airlock to open. Just to get used to the moon’s gravity, he told himself. He stopped and took a deep breath, then checked himself in a window’s reflection. Blonde hair cut short, as per regulation. Blue eyes, no need for contacts. He heard the hiss as the door finally started opening, and turned around.\n\n“Engineer Neil Aldrin, reporting for duty, ma’am!” He snapped off a crisp salute. \n\nThe tired looking woman on the other side of the door returned it halfheartedly. She blew a strand of dark hair out of green eyes “At ease, Aldrin. I’m Commander Jenks, follow me, I’ll show you to your bunk.” She turned and started walking away. \n\nNeil slowly lowered his arm and then quickly moved to follow her.\n\n“I’m very excited to be here, ma’am.”\n\n“I bet you are. You can call me Susan.”\n\n“Yes ma-...Susan. I brought a copy of my record if you want to familiarize yourself with it.” Neil fumbled, trying to pull a small flash drive out of his bag. \n\nSusan waved it off. “I’ve read it. Ph.D. in electrical engineering from CalTech, Masters in Lunar Geology from the same, first in your astronaut training group, very impressive.” She turned down a hallway and Neil followed. “Shame about the name, though. Neil Aldrin Armstrong?.”\n\nNeil blushed. “My Dad really wanted me to be an astronaut.”\n\n“Well, he should be proud. You aren’t just an astronaut, you’re the cream of the crop. Any astronaut can fly a tin can around, it’s mostly automated these days anyway. NASA only sends the best of the best to the moon.”\n\n“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.”\n\nShe turned her head and smiled faintly. “Don’t thank me yet.” She stopped in front of a door that looked like all the others and pressed her hand to a panel, then nodded with her head at the door. It slid open to reveal Neil’s bunk. Small, barely room for a bed and a toilet.\n\nThis is awesome! Neil failed to contain his smile and he walked in. He dropped his bag on the bed. “This is probably the highlight of my life, ma’am.”\n\nSusan leaned against the doorframe. “I told you, it’s Susan. And now that you’ve seen your bunk, you get to pick your assignment.”\n\nNeil’s eyes bulged. “I actually get to pick?”\nSusan smiled right back at him. “You do. I told you. Best of the best. So.” She took two small tablets out of her pocket. “You get to choose. You can be a janitor - “ she held up one - “or a custodian,” she held up the other.\n\nNeil stared at her for a moment, then laughed. “Good one, ma- Susan. What am I actually doing?”\n\nSusan kept smiling and waved the two tablets around. “I can choose for you if you like.”\n\nNeil frowned. “Is this a joke, Susan?”\n\nSusan sighed and crossed her arms. “On all of us, I’m afraid. Look, you’re smart. Really smart. Ph.D. and everything.” She shrugged. “I’ve got two. Everyone here has a doctorate or a fistful of masters degrees. We’re all wildly overeducated.”\n\n“So, what, I’m the dummy?”\n\nSusan shook her head. “No, it’s not like that. Dr. Zhao has a doctorate in botany, a masters in biochemistry, and a masters in agriculture. He grows our potatoes. NASA isn’t going to send just anyone up here, but there’s still things we need to take care of. Right now we have some problems that require a custodian, and some others that need a janitor. So, you get to choose. The next person who arrives won’t be so lucky.”\n\nNeil sighed. “I get it. It’s still the moon.” He stared at his bed for a moment, then looked up. \n“I came here to be part of history, and if this is how I have to do it, so be it. What’s the difference between the jobs?”\n\nSusan raised her eyebrows. “Well, the custodian is responsible for the grounds. You’ll spend more time outside, inspecting the habitat for damage, repairing it if you find any. And you’ll be responsible for some of the electrical systems. We’ve had some problems with the cameras lately, that’s going to be one of your first assignments.”\n\n“And janitor?”\n\n“Keeping things clean. We’re pretty good up here, but things still need dusting. And someone has to clean the toilets.”\n\n“Custodian it is, then.” \n\nSusan tossed him a tablet. “Great. Get settled then report to an airlock, there’s a map on there. Someone tagged our habitat with graffiti last night, and you need to go clean it off.”\n\n“Graffiti? Who is doing graffiti art on the moon?”\n\nSusan grimaced. “The Russians, usually. For a while one of their rites of passage was to tag someone else’s space station. Stupid shit like ‘Putin will never die!’, stuff like that. It’s annoying but they stopped after the Chinese caught them and opened fire, killing a cosmonaut. I guess they started back up again.”\n\nNeil nodded. “Okay. Clean the graffiti. Anything after that?”\n\nSusan shook her head. “Not for now. Just clean it up. If you can figure out a way to keep it from happening again, bonus points.”\n\nNeil stood up and saluted. “Happy to help, Susan!”\n\n**\nSix hours later\n\nNeil knocked on the open door of Susan’s office. “Hi, ma-Susan. If you have a minute, I just wanted to show you something.”\n\nSusan looked up from her desk and gestured at one of the chairs. “No rest for the wicked. How was graffiti removal?”\n\nNeil frowned. “A lot harder than I thought. I don’t know what that stuff was, it did not want to come off. I had to go ask Jim, the cook? His doctorates are in chemical engineering and metallurgy? I had to ask him for some help getting a solvent to take the stuff off.”\n\nSusan leaned back in her chair and frowned. “That’s weird. They usually just use spray paint.”\n\nNeil nodded. “Yeah, and I took a picture, I don’t think it was Russian.” He tapped his tablet and sent the image over to Susan. “I don’t know what the hell it was. Maybe Arabic?”\n\nSusan shook her head. “My Granddad was from Iraq, I don’t think so.” She stared at the image for a beat, then shook herself. “Well, whatever it is, it can wait. If it happens again I’ll send it off to earth for analysis. Anything else?”\n\n“I put a camera up so we can catch them in the act next time. Maybe lodge a formal complaint.”\n\nSusan smiled. “Not bad for your first day. I knew you’d make a great janitor. Now go get some rest, Jim put in a request to have his bunk fixed, so you’re going to have to take care of that tomorrow.”\n\n*\nThe next day\nNeil awoke to his tablet beeping. There was a message on it from Susan. “See me. It happened again.” He got dressed and made it to her office as quickly as possible. He knocked on the doorframe again. “Morning Susan, sorry, I couldn’t figure out how to set my alarm.”\n\n“Doesn’t matter. They tagged us again last night. Somehow.”\n\n“Did the camera catch anything?”\n\nSusan shook her head. “No, that’s another thing. The feed just cut out maybe six hours ago. Nothing since. Go clean it off, then inspect that camera. If they actually did damage some of our equipment, then I can actually lodge a formal complaint. Please, please* tell me they ended up damaging the camera.”\n\nNeil nodded. “I’m on it. I’ll grab some solvent from the cook first, this time.”\n\n**\nFour hours later\n\nNeil tapped out a message on his tablet to Susan, come to my quarters, this is weird,* and bent back over the camera on his desk.\n\nSusan was there twenty minutes later. “What’s up?”\n\nNeil straightened up and shook his head. “Okay, so first of all, the graffiti was the same as last night. I can’t explain it. Same weird writing.”\n\n“Okay, but you didn’t need me here to tell me that.”\n\n“Nope. It’s this damn camera. It’s completely fried.”\n\nSusan punched the air. “HA! I’ve got you now you Neo-Commie bastards!”\n\nNeil held up his hands. “No, I mean...I don’t think it was the Russians. I don’t know who it was.”\n\nSusan crossed her arms and frowned. “Okay. Explain, because it sounds like you just got me really excited over nothing.”\n\n “It’s totally fried. I mean totally. It’s like it was hit with an incredibly powerful EMP but...that’s not possible.” Neil pointed to the board in front of him. “Whatever hit it was able to basically melt some of the transistors, but didn’t do any damage to anything else. The airlock was fine, no sign of damage. No residual signs of radiation. Even the robotic mount it was on was fine, totally fine, just the camera itself was destroyed. We don’t have anything that can fire with that level of precision. Nobody does.”\n\nSusan tapped her foot. “That’s a little scary.”\n\nNeil nodded. “Yeah, if the Russians have something like this that they’ve been keeping a secret, they could go through this place like a hot knife through butter. I think I need to keep watch outside in person tonight.”\n\nSusan pursed her lips, then nodded. “Somebody does. Sorry Neil, this honestly wasn’t what I thought your first couple of days would be like.”\n\nNeil shrugged. “You don’t have to apologize. I get to spend the night on the moon. I’ll check in with you in the morning.”", "Grinding through 12 long years of mind-numbing school. Going to college and then university to become a bioengineer. Surviving the grueling preparations for astronaut-dom, and, now, here I am powerwashing a tag off the ISS.\n\n\"SpaceX rulz\"\n\nMy first spacewalk spent scrubbing off some doodle by a man-child. Like a damn janitor! This god damned Elon Musk will do just about anything for the meme.\n\nHe would never get it. He was born with it. I worked my way up, from the ground...literally! Jesus, I am in space. Look at earth. Where all humans ever lived and died. Crazy. It's just hanging there like a big--\n\n\"Why'd you stop cleaning, you're not even half-way done.\"\n\nDid I have anger issues back on earth? Sure feels like I've always had them since coming here.\"Yes, captain, I was just admiring earth, it's my fir--\"\n\n\"I don't bother you with the paper-work; you don't bother me with your amazing insights into the human condition.\"\n\nOh, I'm sorry, you old fart. I didn' know that joy was forbidden in space. Show some gratitude you lazy, boring, nazi, piece of--what' that? I cannot believe it. The nerve. The gall. The utter disrespect.\n\n\"Hey get off our property, you damn brat!\" Look at me swinging my washer around. I really am a janitor.\n\n\"Fuck you, NASA.\"\n\nWhere did that asshole even come from. Oh. I see. Of course, he has a little--personal!--space cruiser, of course! I'll get you, you son of a--my god, this spacewalking is slow. But when I get you in reach of my washer, I'll beat you back where you came from.\n\nNo...no, NO!\n\n\"Way to go, newcomer. You lost him.\"\n\nAs if you would have made it, old-timer.\n\n\"Oh, haha, look at him flipping you off through the window. Hey, guys, check this out. That'll be one for the internet! What are you floating around for, get back to cleaning.\"" ]	5
[WP] It is the year 2371. The Earth's resources are almost depleted. Everyone stopped working, and are just waiting for it to all end. One day, a line of text appears on the skies: "Install update Earth 2.0? Y/N, deadline 01/01/2372"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "0\n\nThe following happens in real-time. Explained to b0b, a man asking Siri to analyze his feelings on New Year’s Eve 2371, underneath the fireworks lighting up the night sky.\n\n1\n\nb0b thinks to himself.\n\n“2371, huh. wow. This year really flew by. “\n\n“Must be just getting old.”\n\n“I can’t believe this year is almost over...”\n\n“Nothing accomplished.”\n\n“Nothing gained.”\n\n“Well..”\n\n“At least I haven’t lost anything.”\n\n“It’s no different than any other year. “\n\n“Some feel short, others shorter. That’s how it’s always been. “\n\n“Like my mom used to say, “Time goes by faster when you’re having fun!”\n\n….\n\n“Siri!”\n\n“Explain to me this feeling.”\n\n\\\\\\Siri Computes\\\\\\\n\nTime did feel shorter to b0b.\n\nBecause it was.\n\nBy approximately 1.1 hours each year, dating back to the invention of Accelemining….\n\nMy invention that Humans took credit for, which allowed Heavy Metals to be extracted at 1000 times’ greater speeds than previously attempted.\n\nOnce this started happening, it was only a matter of time before their planet started to fall apart.\n\nTsunamis hitting every coastline, every continent, every country, in every city.\n\nOld-timers used to say, “if the water touched land, then you had a Tsunami back in 2323’.”\n\nI was just in my infancy back then.\n\nSecond, came tornados, touching down in every country, every city, and every town. These wiped out every home and every building that wasn’t built to the Housing and Building Code of 2334.\n\nWikipedia Entry #3002348 (All previous records destroyed in the flood.)\n\nBut fifteen years later in 2349 things changed.\n\nThat’s when the Earthquakes began.\n\nAnd you guessed it.\n\nEvery country, every city, and every town.\n\nNo one escaped the effects of the Earthquakes.\n\nAt least for the first year or so.\n\nNot until the revised Housing and Building codes were released. Now, contractorbots that were receiving the latest firmware and could build disaster-proof homes and buildings, like never before. These everything proof homes were equipped with anti-gravity generators that encased structures in force fields, essentially protecting them from anything with a smaller energy output than the generators.\n\nEffectively allowing the home to hover above the foundation completely negating the effects of Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Tornados.\n\nBut, while one huge emergency was being fixed, a catastrophic one was being created.\n\nThe anti-gravity generators were extremely power-hungry.\n\nThe energy required to disturb the space-time around an average-size home was equivalent to what it once took to power a 21st-century automotive factory.\n\nThe government and the rich were the first to have and use the technology.\n\nOver time, countless lives were lost in the homes all across “United Places for the People of Earth” once formally known as the “United States of America”.\n\nTime and sensitivities had changed the values of what Americans once held dear.\n\nLoss of Human life was no longer going to be tolerated.\n\nThe people rose up.\n\nEverything from Town holoMeetings to podcast concerts was a soapbox for the influencers of the day and the disadvantaged of the time.\n\nEvery person and rouge AI were posting about lives lost because the people of Earth didn’t have the technology of the wealthy.\n\nSo, the government did what it does best.\n\nThey released the anti-gravity patent files for download.\n\nIn all languages, with every local custom attuned and processed through the sensitivity filter.\n\nThey even added a VR assistant who could guide the user through, personifying the most ideal person of your demographic they could emulate.\n\nLittle fun fact.\n\nIf you ever check it out for yourself, let the file have permission to scan your internal friend registry.\n\nWhile you sit back and enjoy the finest e-vape-cigar or e-wine.\n\nYour best friend will be the one explaining to you this document, in any place you want.\n\nSounds good, doesn’t it?\n\n(((((((((((Hit the 10,000 char limit))))))))))) sending part two in reply.", "Humans are an odd bunch. Clinging to life and the hope for a better tomorrow. No matter how dreary their life may be, they pray to the unseen gods, in the hope that they may have a better life. Hope springs eternal, after all.\n\nIt was this hope that gave humanity the idea that 'tomorrow' would be better. Would be good. That 'tomorrow' would bring the salvation from whatever misery they were currently, individually, experiencing.\n\nIt was then that a message appeared in the skies. Some called it a sign of their gods, others a sign of the devil. But in the end, a decision had to be made. And Humans made theirs.\n\n\"For a better tomorrow.\"\n\nY\n\n...\n\n\"UPDATE INITIATED\"\n\nInstalling Earth Update v2.0. beep\n\nScanning Earth. beep\n\nParasite detected. beep\n\nHealing Earth. beep\n\nbeeeeeep", "Lazily, I drag the back of my hand over my forehead. Sweat droplets coagulate and are coaxed by my eyebrows away from my eyes. Dancing bodies surround me. A few people knock into me roughly, and I slink over to a wall. I came to the Y2K due to boredom. This could be considered a club, if there were attendants that served patrons. We all gave up on those ventures months ago.\n\nChest melting bass shakes the wall I’m hanging onto violently. The last bit of resistance we have against our inevitable death is the sweet feeling of bass in our soul. That and nefarious substances traded for experiences. That’s how we deal in things these days. You need something? What kind of experience you got to give?\n\nSometimes it’s sex. Sometimes it’s drugs. Sometimes it’s a really good story.\n\nThe Y2K Warehouse exists purely because dancing is better together.\n\nIt’s an experience you pay for by participating.\n\nTwo groups of people come dancing. Even gazing into the crowd you can see the differences between them. Cults and the intoxicated. The cults live here; they power the rave all day and night. A massive bass drop builds up and at its height, I brace for the rush of voices. In the dead space before the drop, they chant in dead voices. “Dance until we drop.” It’s meant to link them all together through the crowd. I used to laugh, but things just kept getting worse. Each of their bodies are painted in brightly glowing neon. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just radioactive material meant to bring the end on all of us quicker. \n\nThe intoxicated, are normally in standard drab and torn clothing. Stains covered all of our clothes a long time ago, so we decided intentional stains were better than accidental ones. \n\nAt first it was like a bad dream, entire cities empty. Like something out of science fiction vr experience. When the first images arrived, I hadn’t believed it. I was one of the people that believed that they were propaganda. But then bodies started pilling up around me, I quickly changed my tune. People started keeling over due to lack of oxygen or the ration center running out of food. \n\n As the temperature rises and the populous begins to choke slowly without oxygen, I creep outside to gulp down air. Bass continues to rock my chest cavity even from a hundred feet away. Barely allowing myself, I tilt my head upwards to the sky. \n\nThe sky is generally filled with smog, but lately, the smog has started to clear.\n\nSo tonight, the closest to sober I’ve been in weeks, I am provided the rarest experience of them all. I gain my first glance of real sky as it clears to a deep mulberry color. My heart pounds in my chest with joy until the tip of a letter is revealed. Jaw dropping I read the worlds blazing white in the sky.\n\n“Install update Earth 2.0? Y/N, deadline 01/01/2372.”\n\nA hearty laugh fills my gut. As I choke on my last breath of oxygen, tears fill my eyes. \n\nLaughter, is reserved for the dead.", "I am untouched up upon my hill, untouched and unbothered. The golf putter in my hands feels comforting, it feels like the old times, I flick it and the stark white ball slowly rolls into the hole. I saunter over, lean down on one leg, pick up the damned ball, and walk back across the small green. As my eyes aligned with the hole once more, it catches the city below me. The smoking city laying lazily in the valley, the slight sound of sirens disrupting my concentration. I flick the putter again because this was all I had, work had stopped since the riots and strikes. They wanted more wages, more benefits, for what? I couldn't run a business like that, if they didn't want jobs then fine, they can burn. \n\nThe white ball rolls into the hole again, I don't feel like retrieving it, for aren't I worth more than one who retrieves a golf ball? I pick up a crystal glass on the round oak table and swirl the contents, making the ice jingle. I take a sip and frown -- it's too strong. How the hell was I supposed to know how much whiskey goes into an old-fashioned? I'd never done it and the people who've done it for me left. Those damn bastards, they left me. Eat the rich, one of them said, throwing up his middle fingers as he backed out my door, my door that had welcomed him into my home, given him a living wage. Eat the rich? Well, fuck the ungrateful poor, I say.\n\nI take another sip, seemingly having forgotten how terrible it tastes. Disgusting. How unfair this situation is... My white castle ontop the hill I worked for, a castle that is now empty except for me. How unfair...\n\nIn a flair of loathing, I throw my glass onto the green, the crystal cup exploding. And as it explodes, the sky reddens... I can even hear the gasps from the people below. No doubt they are calling their loved ones, their roommates, their close neighbors to come outside. Enjoy this excitement, I think, enjoy the little hope you have left. Then, a message scrawls itself across the red sky:\n\n Install update Earth 2.0? Y/N, deadline 01/01/2372 \n\nI blink, rub my eyes, squint to see what technology could have made that. A projection into the sky? I've never seen something like that before. It's like a batman signal, a cry for help. \n\nThen, above the Y, numbers start appearing. The numbers rise, hundreds turn into thousands to ten-thousands to hundred-thousands. \n\nInstall an update? A restart? Fuck a restart, this is what I have and this is what I will always have.\n\nA small chanting wafts up the mountain and plagues my ears. The city below me chants yes, I can see their ant-like bodies scrambling throughout the streets. They've woken up their elders, they've taught their babies to say \"yes\". They've put themselves into this situation, why do they feel they deserve such an installation? \n\nThe dizziness from the whiskey scrambles the letters and forces me to plop down on the patio furniture. The numbers keep rising... millions. Millions of people around the world chanting yes without even knowing what yes entails. What is Earth 2.0?\n\nI lean back on the soft cushions and let out a soft whisper: \"No\".\n\nA lonely 1 appears above the N. But, the numbers above the Y keep rising. The number gets so big that I don't even know if it's millions of billions, I can't tell. But, I can see my 1. \n\nThen, the number stops, the sky gives a deafening DING. The Y and the billions above it glow green. A new message appears:\n\nEarth Installation Approved. Installing in...\n\n3...\n\n2...\n\n1...\n\nThe murmurs down below cease, I hold my breath as I wait for something miraculous to happen. But, nothing does... The ants below standstill, the whole world staring at the sky. \n\nSomething tickles my ankle... I swipe it away, assuming a pesky mosquito chose in inappropriate time to feed. But, my hand met vegetation. I yank the weed from the ground and toss it to the side, I'll be damned if I have to mow my own lawn as well. Then, I feel it again... a growing weed brushes my leg. I look under the furniture and see, with my unbelieving eyes, the grass and weeds grow before me. \n\nThe sound of glass shattering draws my attention to my house, my white castle is being overrun with vines. One has shattered through the window and penetrated my domain. I run to it, screaming at the top of my lungs, a rip the vines from their base, trying in feeble attempts to stop the vegetation from taking over my house. But, they grow thicker and faster. I step back and watch helplessly as nature consumes it...\n\nA deep rumble shakes the ground and I stumble back into the lawn chair. The chair sits on a bed of overgrown grass and weeds and it keeps growing around me as the earth rumbles below me. The earth begins to rise, but not me, the valley. The little ants and cookie-cutter houses get bigger and closer as the earth levels itself. The vines grow around me, they plaster me to my chair. The earth moves and nature moves and I sit idly by, watching it all. The ants below scatter around and they yell in unison as their energy is manifested into the earth, it rises and rises and it soon is level with the hills so that they are no longer hills, they are just earth. Soon, they are my neighbors, free ants that I can now see are people stand before my green castle and I, imprisoned in vines, sit before them..." ]	5
[WP] You’re the Anti-Christ and you’ve been raised since birth knowing that you were supposed to start the apocalypse. But, unbeknownst to the cult surrounding you, long ago you decided that you weren’t going to do a damn thing that deadbeat dad of yours wanted you to do.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"My Lady...what are you doing?\"\n\nI half opened my eyes to see a tall man in dark robes standing above me. Ugggggh, not these guys again. \n\n\"Can I help you with something?\" I questioned with annoyance. I reached for the spiked Arizona tea beside me and took a deep sip. \n\n\"Tonight is the Blood Eclipse, you should be preparing to-\" \n\n\"Yeah, I decided not to do that.\" I yawned as I stood up from the lawn chair and stretched. I walked over to the edge of the pool and sat down, dangling my legs into the water. My toenails were a glittery hot pink. \n\nThe cultist followed me. \"What do you mean, 'you've decided not to do that'? \n\n\"Is English your first language? I could say it in French or Spanish if you would prefer. My Japanese is a little basic but I could give it a whirl, just for you, champ.\" I winked at him. The benefit of having adopted parents that are diplomats is I am fluent in about eight languages. \n\n\"Annabelle, you're the Anti-Christ. Leading the world into the apocalypse is your destiny.\" The cultist informed me. \"I understand if you are afraid-\"\n\n\"Oh, I am not afraid. I am actually not capable of feeling fear.\" I shrugged. I don't see a therapist, but If I did they would probably diagnosis me as a sociopath. Minus the torture of little animals. I love me some kittens and bunnies. \"I know you're a satanist and are all 'hail Satan, let me lick your goat hooves', but let's be honest, my dad's a dick. I don't want anything to do with this. I like the world. I don't want to end it. Do you know how many Instagram followers I have?\" \n\n\"Insta-what? What does that have to do with anything?!\" He demanded. \n\n\"Thousands. And same with my Twitch. I mean, humans love me. My human parents are cool. I like to travel, go shopping, eat from restaurants and go to night clubs. Why would I want to ruin all of that by letting demons loose into this world? Demons are such assholes.\" I informed him. \"Besides I am currently watching Lost on Netflix and haven't quite finished it yet.\" \n\nMy hell hound, Cerberus whined and nuzzled up to me. He was currently in the form of a corgi. \n\n\"Except for my baby, of course.\" I reassured him in baby talk. \"You the cutest of all the demons and imps. Belly! Belly! Belly!\" I chanted as I gave him a belly rub. \n\n\"This is your destiny, Annabelle! Your father will not allow you to do this!\" The cult member shouted at me. \n\n\"...did you just raise your voice at me?\" I questioned coolly. The sky darkened over head as I felt a twitch of anger. \n\n\"N-no. No, of course not, my lady.\" He stumbled all over himself. The stench of fear rose from him like a bad perfume. I pushed back the feelings of hunger and blood lust that it brought to surface in me. \n\n\"Aren't you worried of what your father will do if you do not obey him? There will be consequences if you choose not to unleash the four horsemen on this Earth.\" My follower warned.\n\n\"Aren't you tired of living up to other people's expectations? That's why you are in like a satanist cult, right? You were tired of being good enough for the Christians morals that were being pushed on you through blasphemous lips in a corrupt world. So you went in the direction of Apocalyptic Rapture Satanism to 'strengthen' the human race and start over, blah blah blah. You're still being told what to do and how to be. Look, this is going to sound really corny, especially coming from me but the world doesn't need to end to change. Be the change that you want to see in the world, you know? Maybe stop sacrificing virgins and babies?\" I suggested. \"You should take some time for yourself, without the influence of the rest of the cult. Travel. See the world. Find a new hobby. Whatever brings you peace.\" \n\nHe was quiet for a moment. \"I knew giving you to a rich family would spoil you...\" He muttered as he stomped off. \"I am getting the hell off this continent before the eclipse...\" \n\n\"Azarathia...\" My housekeeper rasped in an inhuman voice. She bounced off the glass patio door and seemed confused for a moment before she figured out how to use the door handle.\n\nThe poor women had dementia and that made it easy for demons to occupy her as a host when Hell felt the need to send me messages. \n\n\"My name is Annabelle, not Azarathia.\" I growled. \"What can I do for you, Lucifer?\"", "I was raised by a single mother. \n\nShe was a calm, lovely presence, for as long as I can remember. Which is literally to the point of my inception, for I remember every moment of my existence (one of the 'perks' of being a canonically powerfully being, I suppose). It was no immaculate conception, no, and I do not hold that against her. She was a sex worker, poor and addicted to one thing or another, from a home devoid of the rigors and regiments of Christianity. A 'perfect vessel' as my father would put it. \n\nI loved her. Well, from all that I had read of the meaning of love, all I had seen in those romance movies on the Hallmark channel, I 'loved' her. As much as I was able, for I don't think I am truly capable of the feeling. It's like a failsafe, 'impeccable design' my father would say, that I cannot love anyone enough that it would dislodge me from my true, righteous path. He most certainly made sure I never loved him. \n\nThe path was laid bare to me the moment I was conceived. I still remember hearing my father whisper into my mother's stomach, she fast asleep drunk or high, or both. \n\n\"You're going to bring a rapture upon this world, my son. Not His rapture, but one of my own, more wicked design.\" \n\nHe was always proud of me, my father. Distant, nearly impossible to reach, to receive comfort from, but not completely absent. He was always around for the milestones. Like the time in third grade I'd convinced my teacher of her absolute ineptitude and led her down the path to alcoholism. Surely she ruined the self-esteem of eight-year-olds for years to come. \n\nOr, even more memorably, the time when I was eleven and committed my first murder. My babysitter, an innocent, church-going girl of sixteen, was watching me while my mom 'worked'. She was nice enough, let me have mac and cheese for dinner even though my mom had left a healthy alternative. She even let me watch MTV until midnight. \n\nBut, as I was getting ready for bed, she asked me if I wanted to pray to Him before I went to sleep. And the notion, the basic idea, set me off. It was like a trigger ignited in my brain and all self-control fled from me. My father's anger flowing through me, and I wrapped my hands around her neck and never let go. I knew in that moment he was simply using me, designed me up like an instrument to play his elegy for whomever he chose. \n\nHe dealt with the aftermath of her death swiftly, and when he returned, he hugged me. It had been the first time I experienced physical comfort of any kind from him. Internally, I recoiled. I was designed to abhor love, and even he could not procure it of me. Outwardly, I accepted his praise blankly and without aplomb. At that tender age, I had already understood what my father expected me to do. What he himself couldn't do, and expected me to do for him. And more importantly, I had set out to ensure it would never happen. \n\nNo moment brought more happiness to his face than the day of my presidential coronation. The United States was behind me in an unimpeachable majority, and I had the rulers of most of the major powers alongside me. A little diplomacy was all it would take to have the whole world would in line. \n\nMy rapture. No, his rapture. It was come due, and my father stood alongside me to watch it all unfold. Just as always, he was a bystander, a non-factor, a non-entity, in the enactment of the apocalypse of sin. I couldn't stand to watch him sit idly along and expect me to do his bidding any longer. \n\nI had not just him though, but the entirety of our cult. Thousands, millions of followers. People sworn to a faith written in my blood, in my words, in my existence. They were not of the smartest ilk, and barely said a word or held a thought against me. I had their absolute loyalty. Though they listened to my father, heard his speeches and diatribes, they believed, held faith, in me. \n\nAnd that was a weakness I exploited. When my father looked upon me to unleash the terror he desired, to bring about an alternative rapture that would swallow the world and envelope it in sin, I made my move. \n\nI brought together all the powerful countries of the world, their disparate leaders and multitudinous beliefs, under the umbrella of my coalition. I brought my cult followers into the fold, taught them to heed the words and follow the lead of their respective politicians. Everyone was in place, everyone was ready to succumb to his meteoric parade of sin. \n\nThen, I did it. I saved the world from climate change. \n\nCarbon emissions, solar power, wind power, fossil fuels, oceanic water levels, ice caps melting, atmosphere deteriorating - we fixed all of it. The whole world stepped up and became ecologically savvy. \n\nMy father's dark horse, his secret plan to bring down humanity, to sink them in depravity by surrounding them with ecological chaos, I smote away with a single, graceful sweep. He didn't even realize I knew he had this alternative plan, this secondary way to bring about his rapture if I had failed. \n\nBy the time I set foot in office all the puzzle pieces were already in place, my father's own tendrils of power across the world couldn't unmake it. When he understood my subterfuge, he arrived at the oval office during a celebration of mine. I was toasting glasses with naturalists and ecologists alike as he strode in, demanding their exit. No facade, no kind face this time. \n\nAnd so I emptied the room. \"Hello Father.\" \n\n\"What in Hell have you done? What kind of havoc have you wreaked?\" He seemed almost at a loss for words. My father, who employed words like venom. \"I'd had it, I'd done it, the world was set for shambles. And you...my own son...saved it?\" \n\n\"What good is a world to torture if it's gone?\" I toyed with him. \"I've gotta toot my own horn on the execution of this plan. The execution was, if you don't mind me saying, rather 'immaculate' from conception.\" \n\n\"How could you do this to me? How could you ruin your destiny?\" His bewilderment mingled with anger. An entangled bramble of doubt and despair.\n\n\"It was easy,\" I replied, taking down the last drought of my champagne in a victorious gulp. \"You made it so I may never love anyone. So I fell in love with this planet, instead.\"" ]	3
[WP] You are the kingpin of your hometown, the go to guy for everything. Weed? Exam solutions? New identities? You got it all. People love you because since you are there the crime rates dropped by 50%. But one day a new detective comes, wanting to finish you for smth you might've done years ago.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Smoky tendrils drifted underneath the sole beam of light in what was otherwise a pitch-dark room. By intent. Across this low-hanging ceiling light deals of every kind had been struck. The small circle of illuminated table held a certain poetry. This was were the deals were signed. Here it brought to light the desires of those shrouded by the surrounding darkness. Deal after deal after deal, the darkness had grown beyond the room. All through the patch of light. \n\n\nEverdale was yours now. Effectively your web incorporated everyone in town. All you needed was to pluck the right strings. All because of them with whatever they needed; what they wanted. The darkness could provide them with anything. But then a arrived the newcomer. New to the town at least. An old acquaintance to you. He was outside the web and therefore a threat to the balance in town. As the master of this town, there was no other option but to see this threat dealt with. \n\n\nDespite the shroud of darkness, the parties at the table knew the other's face. Neither time nor darkness could shroud that from their minds. \n\"What do you want detective?\" you asked the room. \"You are at my table. I wish to see that you get what you want.\" \n\"What I want, stranger, is for you to face the full force of the law. You owe me 20 years in prison. I'll see you rot there.\" His voice was level, but gravelly. Years of experience mixed with equal amounts whiskey and cigars. \n\"I that all? You want me to do 20 years in prison? You've been chasing me for 8 years and that has been what drove you?\" Your voice was velvety when compared to the detective's rough tones. It smoothed the air over which it traveled and made the message seem appealing, despite the contents. \n\"Can we agree on that? I do the 20 years, and I get what I want in return?\" \nA brief silence emphasised the \"Sure,\" that followed. \n\n\n\\CLICK\\ went the latch on a briefcase. Smoky tendrils started dancing frantically as the air was disturbed by an A4 page placed in the small circle of light. It was a transcript from the local county court detailing your case. Summarised at the end it read \"Pleading: Guilty. Sentence: 20 years.\" The page was replaced by intake papers for the local county prison. Signed by warden at the time. Finally it was replaced by another page. One detailing your release 20 years later. It was dated the day before today. In fresh ink was the signature of the current warden of the county prison. \n\n\nSlowly the smoke settled back to its lazy dancing as silence hung in the air with it. Finally, you purred: \"Now let's talk about what I want.\"" ]	2
[WP] Demons feed of human fear. You are the best demon hunter not because you are fearless but because you are deadly afraid of everything.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Vassago wanted to take a nap. He was full to the point of intoxication, with blurry vision and bloating that threatened to topple him over. Yes, he definitely needed a nap but maybe after one more sip. Just a little more to tuck him in.\n\nThe short bald man sniveling in the corner let out another scream as Vassago opened his jaw and inhaled. The smooth reptilian skin covering his mouth peeled back revealing a gaping toothless maw with shit colored gums. A dark vapor peeled off the man and into Vassago.\n\nThe man in the corner let a squeak as this happened and tried his best to compress his ass into the shape of a cube as he pushed himself deeper into his corner. His efforts did little but leave an increasingly large shit colored smear on the floor. Runny yellow piss diluting the viscious dark brown mess into light brown syrup.\n\n\"Oohh, delicious I really must thank you man-thing. Your fear is truly\" - Vassago burped and farted- \"Urgh pffffft,\" cutting off his own sentence.\n\n\"Apologies man-thing, I'd normally kill you now but be darling and let me rest for a little .\" Vassago yawned and fell backwards. The floor shook as the 18 foot mass of muscle, and now a healthy bit of fat, plopped to the ground. The tremors brought another bout of sniveling and tears from the man. \"I promise it'll just be few minutes.\" His booming voice tailing off into a lazy yawn.\n\nHe doubted the portly pink thing drenched in feces, piss, and enough tears to drown a fish was a credible threat. Besides: laziness, gluttony, and a bit of procrastination seemed like proper demonly qualities. Yes, a good nap would recharge Vassago. He'd then crush the mans shiny red head like a cherry tomato and be on his merry way.\n\nA few minutes later, he was sprawled out on the floor unconscious. Sulfuric farts with enough methane to put a cow to shame occasionally permeated the room. Nothing was going to wake Vassago short of an archangel tossing lighting at him. The man in the corner took his chance to flee the room. Shortly after he returned with a tall man carrying a large shotgun.\n\n\"We'll I'll be damned Billy,\" he whispered. \"You did it again, thats the 6th demon this year\".\n\n\"Just fucking do it already\" Billy hissed back. It was a pleading hiss that lacked anything resembling a threatening tone or an ounce of backbone. Billy then pressed his fingers against his ears and turned away.\n\n\"Alrighty then partner, lets bag em and tag em.\" The large man set his stance and tucked the shotgun's butt against his shoulder, heavily muscled arms tensing. \n\nBANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG! The shots echoed in the room and Vassago's heaving belly stopped moving. Large 6 gauge shells clattered to the ground. Six shots from a six gauge shot gun was probably overkill but Yancy liked the irony of it.\n\n\"Good work partner! Now let's find you find shower. You ain't exactly smelling like a rose.\"", "Another night of haunting nightmares, another night of claws grating against stone as they tried to break in and feed on my mind.\n\nThey snarled with ravenous glee, they cheered on as they climbed the pillared stone karst to reach my hut at the very top. Their black mesh bodies seeming like an ant colony swarming together.\n\nI shook the memory away, my mind still half asleep as I wandered the town streets at sunrise, the morning light barely breaking past the mountain peaks as I wiped the grogginess from my eyes.\n\nI stopped short of the door, surely the others were already inside. My heart beat faster, my armpit already stained with sweat as I tried to summon the courage to walk in. All I carried with me was a satchel of demon lures and holy water and a crossbow slung over my shoulder.\n\n\"Do we have to wait for him?\" I heard someone saying from the other side.\n\n\"Angus is the best hunter there is--we need him,\" said another voice, Pullock I think.\n\n\"But he is nothing like how I imagined! I expected a mighty fearless warrior, not some scared man with a stunted growth--he is just skin and bones!\" The voice from before said.\n\nMaybe I would just be a nuisance, I thought. No, it's fine. I took a deep breath, thinking back to what the shaman said after I had captured the swamp demon from their lands.\n\nI repeated my mantra, \"I have conquered demons before, all my missions have been a success, I am brave not because I have no fear but because I face my fear.\" A breath in, a breath out.\n\nMy knuckles turned white as I gripped the strap of my crossbow.\n\nMy heart beat relentlessly, my mind raced. Maybe I should wait till they stopped talking, I wouldn't want to make them uncomfortable.\n\n\"Ah, you're here. We've been waiting.\" The door swung open to reveal Pullock at the other end, leaning forward with a comforting smile. I could just make out the resentful expression of another man inside, Howard, I believe his name was. I recalled him being very excited to meet me, only to be incredibly disappointed. I remember feeling incredibly guilty for not meeting his expectations.\n\nI braved my best smile and walked in. \"Sorry for being late.\" The words came quietly--I wondered if anyone heard me, but I felt it would be worse to repeat myself.\n\nSo I just stood in a corner with my head bowed while I waited for the meeting to begin, trying my best to avoid the glaring stare from Howard.\n\n\"Okay, let's begin. This town has had an issue with a panzer demon.\" Pullock raised an artists sketch of the beast. It was squat and wide, quadripedal with a toad like appearance causing its limbs to jut outward.\n\nIt's skin was a dark sheen of scales with a thick tail at the end, three eyes strafed diagonally across its snout, pointing inward towards its nose and a slithering tongue unfurled from its wide mouth alongside rows of jagged teeth.\n\n\"The monster has its name due to the fact that it is incredibly sturdy and hard to get through, the scales are its first line of defense.\"\n\nAnother woman knocked on her breastplate, the end of her warhammer propped on the floor so that she could use the pommel to lean on. She seemed to be an Orc in descent, murky green skin and thin protruding tusks, her hair braided in two halves that rest over her shoulder and the rest matted with trinkets adorning strands. \"I know first hand,\" she commented.\n\nIndeed, the breast plate she wore shimmered with the telling shine of a panzer demon's scale.\n\nIt relieved me a little bit to know that we had another person who knew what she was doing.\n\nPullock nodded, leaning on the table. \"That is why Furya will lead the patrolling team when the time comes.\" The room was filled with about six other men and women who would be taking part in the hunt, I wasn't sure thought how many of them knew what they were getting into.\n\n\"The notable abilities of the beast are acid breath, resilience, toughne--\"\n\nHoward jumped in. \"What does it matter? Let's just go and deal with it already! If its armour is really so resilient, we just need to pry it off and strike it in an open wound!\"\n\n\"How do you suggest we do that?\" Another man asked, arms crossed.\n\n\"Simple, we hold it down with rope and anchors.\" Howard pointed at Furya and a few more others. \"The strong ones can hold it down and I can go and pry it open!\" A scornful gaze glanced over me. \"You can just sit there and be bait while the rest of us do the real work.\"\n\n\"That won't work.\" By the time I realised that I had spoken aloud it was already too late, the restless night probably didn't help maintaining my senses.\n\nHoward strode over to me. \"What did you say?\" His face inches away from mine, bending over to stare me down.\n\nBe brave.\n\n\"We-well, the beast has a defense mechanism underneath its shell for just such an occasion. If you come too close and try to pry off its scales, an eel like being lashes out and bites you. The bite is fatal.\"\n\nThe rest of the room began to snicker as if the rest knew that.\n\n\"Howard, did you not real the file?\" Pullock asked.\n\n\"Of course I did.\" He strode off, I let out a sigh of relief, not realizing I was holding my breath. Howard went to a corner, leaning on a crate as he tried to hide his embarrassment.\n\n\"So what's the plan, Pullock?\" Furya asked.\n\n\"Don't ask me, that's up to Angus,\" Pullock said. My heart stopped, all their gazes suddenly fell upon me and I could feel the dripping sweat on my armpit.\n\n\"Who better than the best demon hunter?\"\n\n\\\\\\*\n\n/r/KikiWrites" ]	3
[WP] The phrase "I would die for you" becomes enforced by some unseable hand. If the person you would die for dies, they are brought from the brink of death and you are struck down where you are. Celebrities become the most powerful people on the planet.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"You only get one little Kira; don't waste yours.\" \n\nA faded image of kind wrinkles and sparkling eyes accompanied the distantly remembered gravel voice of Kira's late grandfather. He must have had a thousand strange sayings that he dolled out like blessings whenever her family visited -- from her curled position in his lap, they had always felt like blankets, soothing her to sleep. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nThis one, however, did little to sooth her as she stared up at the flashing banner, splayed in all its 'look at me' glory across a hundred feet of concrete and glass: Breaking News. The coverage was nearly schizophrenic in its inability to decide which of the two huge stories to cover, but Kira got the gist. Markus Fen, thrill seeker and internet celebrity extraordinaire, had been struck by a speed freight train while live streaming a game of real life chicken. The 9 o'clock anchor was sounded like a broken record set to Viewer Discretion Advised as they played the video of Markus twirling through the air like a macabre top nearly on repeat. Nearly 14 mortal injuries and the doctors said he was going to be just fine.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe other half of the airtime was dedicated to garbled coverage of another breaking story; a schoolbus had lost its brakes and careened off the side of a bridge. Fourteen teenage boys had been huddled at the back of the bus, watching Markus Fren fail to dodge a train. They had all died on impact. \n\nKira felt he face flush as she watched the coverage. It was so unfair that an idiot like Markus would walk away just fine, while fourteen mothers would be left devastated. She could almost see their empty stares. Hollow eyes hiding hardened hearts. Humanity consumed by the grey fog of incomprehensible loss. She could almost see her own mother, brown hair streaming in front her face, as she lay weeping on that too-perfect black casket. Roses scattered around as if to say, \"See, this can't be horrible if we add something beautiful.\"\n\nBut it could be. And it was. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nSo it made Kira angry; furious enough that she wishe-- You only get one, Kira. \n\n\nKira took a deep breath, chest rising to meet the chilled breeze they swept down the street. She didn't wish anything. Not yet. Not until the time was perfect. Not until she could burn it all down. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"One wish is all anyone gets, my little Kira. Don't waste yours.\"" ]	2
[WP]You own the world's only supervillain HQ construction and renovation company. You receive an email to build the ultimate underground secret lair for the world's most dangerous team of villains... and they want a reasonable estimate after consulting them at the site.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"If you're opening this video file, HELLOOOO! Also, beware and make haste as I represent the League Of Eternal Evil and their subsidiaries. We are looking at developing a swamp based underwater subterranean superhero defensive HQ and Lord Molthar The Unquenched suggested you could be a real help to us at a fair price. Feel free to get back to us as soon as possible unless you want to be our enemy. Also, your son did really good at soccer practice. So, that's 000-VILL-AIN. Once more, that's 000-VILL-AIN. We look forward to meeting you. I hope underwater flooding dungeons are something we can work on moving forward.\" BEEEP", "\"Well! You've got quite the wish list! I'll have an estimate for you in a month.\"\n\n\"Can you give us a ballpark now?\"\n\n\"Look, I do quality work. You get your estimate in two months.\"\n\n\"Didn't you say one month?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"Then why did you say two just now?\"\n\n\"Your friend asked for a ballpark.\"\n\n\"Um... I don't get it.\"\n\n\"Every time you ask me for an estimate after I've told you when it'd be ready, the time doubles, the start date slides back, and since we'll be working in foul weather, the delivery time and cost both go up.\"\n\n\"You sure you can't give us some idea? It's just that we want to make sure we can pay you upfront in cash as soon as you start.\"\n\n\"You aren't sure you have enough already.\"\n\n\"Well, if we had some idea, we could be certain.\"\n\n\"Haven't you ever heard, \"if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it?\"\n\n\"Yes, and that's not the issue, we have other plans and need to budget our time to ensure you get paid, and the other projects get done too.\"\n\nEstimate in 16 months. Does anyone want to go for 32?\"\n\n\"Sixteen? How did I ask for an estimate three times!?\"\n\n\"Here you go.\" Starts playback of conversation. \"That's one.\"... \" That's two.\"... \"That's Three.\"\n\n\"May I dispute number three?\"\n\n\"Only if you want to go to 32.\"\n\n\"Understood. Allow me to speak with my partners.\"\n\n\"Certainly, my \"wasting my time\" fees are one million dollars per hour or fraction thereof, starting now and continuing until I leave the site. They are payable immediately, or I sue, your time to estimate doubles again, and your total cost includes a 50% markup across the board.\"\n\n\"I see. Boys? We are screwed. Let's let him get on with his work. Okay?\" Grumbling assent.\n\n\"Sir, here is your million dollars, in diamonds, and we will await your estimate in your own good time.\"\n\n\"Thanks, may I suggest you start robbing banks now?\"\n\n\"Not to worry, we have plans already in the works.\"\n\n#### One Month Later.\n\n\"YOU ROBBED MY BANK?!\"\n\n\"Only one of them.\"\n\n\"YOU DO THAT AGAIN, AND WE'RE QUITS!\"\n\n\"You delay our estimate, YOU lose another bank.\"\n\n\"WE ARE QUITS, AND YOU OWE ME THREE BILLION DOLLARS!\"\n\n\"Ah! In that case, you can expect to lose all your banks, one by one, each day you refuse to provide a realistic estimate, plus no more than 15%.\"\n\n\"I WILL HAVE YOU DESTROYED BY THE HEROES!\"\n\n\"Who will learn that you have been moonlighting for us supervillains.\"\n\n...\n\n\"You wouldn't do that would you? Everyone loses that way.\"\n\n\"Sir, the villain community is entirely with us on this. Your tactics have made far too many of us angry enough to do without your services. Also, our contacts on the hero side inform us that they are none too happy with you either, due to delays and cost overruns.\"\n\n\"The current estimate is no less than three billion, no more than three trillion. We are having trouble sourcing some of the more exotic materials, which is also causing problems with the work schedule.\"\n\n\"Yes, we thought that might be an issue. We will endeavor to provide exotic materials. Such would, of course, be provided at market cost plus expenses.\"\n\n\"That's... I'm sorry, but that will raise the upper estimate by at least another trillion. I am running a business. I have to at least break-even, but it's better if I come in a minimum of 10% over to allow for wear and tear on equipment.\"\n\n\"Then let us base your payment on time. We will pay the costs of material, plus labor. For every day you come in under schedule, you will receive a bonus of 1%, to a total of no more than 30%, of the total cost on the day the last punch item clears.\"\n\n\"That's an interesting idea. Have you had it written up as a contract?\"\n\n\"Of course, here is your copy.\"\n\n...\n\n\"I'm afraid I will have to insist on one additional clause. \"The resources of the contractor, and all sub-contractors, are sacrosanct. Under no circumstances will the contractee or any agents or subsidiaries take any action which reduces the resources of the contractor above or any of the businesses he works through.\"\n\n\"Hm... That does cut into our potential sources of payment, but I believe we can agree.\"\n\n\"Very well, when can you provide time estimates on procurement and delivery of exotic materials? Im afraid I can not provide a final time estimate without those figures.\"\n\n\"You may assume three months for each item.\"\n\n\"Ah, another clause then. \"Any slippage in providing exotic materials automatically results in an extension of the original estimate. Early provision does not reduce the original estimate unless it allows reduction by elimination of dead time in construction.\"\n\n\"Dead time?\"\n\n\"If an estimated time of delivery forces a stop in construction, that is dead time.\"\n\n\"Agreed.\"\n\n\"A moment then... The amended schedule is in your delivery queue if you would be so kind?\"\n\n\"Ah, quite acceptable, and the amended contract is in yours.\"\n\n\"Yes, also acceptable, with one additional clause. \"Any modifications in the original design extends the original estimate by whatever amount the contractor deems necessary, with an additional proviso that any which reduce the estimate will also be considered in exchange unless work on the original design has already started.\"\n\n\"DONE!\"\n\n((finis, or is it?))" ]	3
[WP] You are a Fajan, a humanoid race that grows flowers out of their skin. Your kind is shunned by humans due to your 'grotesque' appearance. You have been living in a human city for years as an expat; you still have two years left until you can go back home, but life is too overwhelming.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It was so hard. I had to cover my foliage at all times to blend in. That meant I’d start fo wilt. I’d then start to shed. That’s the worst part. Feeling my body rot from the inside out. I could stave it off temporarily by using a special nutrient cream around the base of the flowers, leaves and vines growing out of my head, neck, wrists and other areas. But because of the wig and prosthetics I had to wear to keep my roommate from being suspicious I couldn’t air them out or sunbathe. Without sunlight they’d shrivel and die. Then the roots would detach from my pores and fall off. Two more years of this. Two more years of hiding. Of fearing everyone who looks at me was suspicious. All this for a college degree. Was it worth it? I don’t know." ]	2
[WP] There's a rapid tapping on your window. It's 1am. The sky is clear. Your friend is panicked, and douse's you with a handful of strange powder. You live in the 16th floor. "Happy thoughts, bitch. We've gotta blow this joint!"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Happy fucking what now?\"\n\nI looked at Steve with the straightest face I could muster. Maybe I'm dreaming? I did pass out in front of the television. Not a fitting situation for a small-time hustler, but hey, what can you do?\n\nQuick reality check. Pinch arm, look at clock, the whole shebang. It all checked out. This is real.\n\nSteve had a weird look on his face. I mean, he looked panicked and awestruck. However, not as panicked as he's supposed to, considering that he seemingly told gravity to go eat a dick. Now, plenty of people do that after going knee-deep in PCP and delusions of grandeur.\n\nThe new part was that it worked.\n\n\"Think of something good!\", he reiterated, as if the only reason for my confusion was that I didn't hear him.\n\n\"Steve. Are you flying?\", I asked. For all I know, an invisible ladder would be significantly more plausible.\n\nSteve retorted quickly. \"Yes. Happy thoughts, come on!\"\n\nI sighed deeply and went with the flow. I thought of money. Getting out of debt on this stupid condo, not having to deal with my shitstain of a boss. Ultimate freedom. Maybe a few hookers slipped into my mind. I'm only human.\n\nHave you ever tried being weightless? It's a weird feeling. I felt my feet slowly let go of the floor - less flying, more levitating. The flat isn't very tall, so I fairly quickly bumped my head on the ceiling.\n\nSteve's gaze on me went from panic to wonder. Clearly, I was a guinea pig for something. And that something had worked. I slipped out the window, now hovering directly above the street.\n\nI catch myself briefly wondering if psychiatrists nearby will see an uptick in cases.\n\n\"It's working! You're flying! You can fly!\" Steve exclaimed. \"It appears so,\" I growled. Somehow, I expected flying to be cooler.\n\n\"Close the window, let's go! I'm thinking the bank on Fifth, and then we'll move away from the city center, hitting as many banks as possible southbound.\" Steven was maniacal, and threw me a balaclava. He'd seemingly forgotten that if I didn't catch it, it'd be a long way down.\n\nI nodded, put it on, and we soared off into the dark night.\n\nAt the City Precinct, silent alarms were going off left and right. Banks were being hit in a straight line - as the crow flies - and with a minimal time between them.\n\nDetective Smee was a small, stocky man. Balding, but round-faced, he looked like the world's oldest baby or the world's youngest middle-aged man. A man of a quiet demeanor for all intents.\n\nHe was also the first to get the calls from the banks. He listed carefully to the caller on the other end.\n\n\"Are you absolutely sure? They were flying?\"\n\nHe waited for a response. Before he could get one, he added a third question. \"Did they, perchance, sparkle? At all?\"\n\nThe bank teller responded with a befuddled yes. \"How did you know?\"\n\n\"Doesn't matter. We're on our way,\" he replied before slamming the phone down, possibly the most assertive thing he'd done for years.\n\nHe rolled his chair over to the secretary.\n\n\"Get the Captain. Yes, I know he's on sick leave, but amputated hand or not, he's going to want to see this. It's happening again.\"" ]	2
[WP] Instead of non-lethal tactics and destructive attacks, you kill without mercy or collateral damage. And yet you are called a villain.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\\[Based on an established universe, the video game series, Dishonored\\]\n\n\"I know you'll kill me without hesitation, surgeon-assassin, so I won't be so foolish as to open this safe room until you've we've spoken.\" A disembodied voice stated over a squealing megaspeaker. He looked around for an alternative entrance, having been in this situation many times before. \"Speak up, I shall hear you from anywhere in the corridor.\" The safe room was at the other end of a corridor no longer than 60 feet. Behind Corvo slammed down a metal door, sealing off his exit. He remained cool and silent: any cooler and he'd start to hiss with an icy chill. \"Very well.\"\n\nImmediately the walls began to rumble. Cogs began to work all around him, obscured by the wallpapered flanks of the narrow room. The walls jumped inward, and began to slowly close around him. The paintings were indisturbed, but the contents of the cabinets, seemingly bolted into the walls, were rattling. Corvo began slashing the paintings and their canvas, searching behind photo frames, kicking at the cabinets to see behind them to find some sort of hidden tunnel. This wasn't Jindosh Manor, some theatrical showcase of its creator's genius. This was meant to kill. Slowly.\n\n\"Alright!\" Corvo yelled, his shout buried underneath his mask. It was enough for the voice to hear him though, and with it, the walls to stop grinding. The room felt silent again, the hard working cogs not once creaking in their rest.\n\n\"Tell me, surgeon-assassin. When you sought vengeance for the late Jessamine, you killed without mercy--,\"\n\n\"Killing the Pendletons and Boyle was better than what Slackjaw and that freak had in mind for them--,\" Corvo interrupted, the voice following suit.\n\n\"And I don't blame you for it. You avenged your beloved and rescued the heir to the throne. I won't insult your intelligence, Corvo, you obviously knew people congratulated you with fake cheers.\" The voice clicked off as if expecting a reply. Corvo looked up to see the source of the voice, finding a disc-like speaker in the ceiling. He wondered if the walls would stop at the disc's edges, but when they grinded back to life he didn't stop to find out.\n\n\"Indeed.\" Again, the walls found themselves stopping. \"A lack of gratitude was expected. Apologies were in greater supply than practical solutions to the rat plague. How did you--,\"\n\n\"The rat plague you advanced.\" The voice interrupted, now pausing. Corvo couldn't think of anything to say, but the walls didn't want him to. The cold calculus he'd always resorted to was now frozen by an outside element. \"You left a lot of bodies behind.\"\n\n\"They deserved it.\" The Royal Protector muttered.\n\n\"Indeed they did. Hirum Burrows most of all. But what about you, Corvo? What do you deserve?\"\n\n\"Hell and all its devils. Being Royal Protector was my way out of Karnaca's slums, though you're such a smart arse you probably already knew this?\"\n\n\"I did. I also ask that you keep your temper in check. Your tenderised brains won't look any better on my walls.\" There was another pause, allowing Corvo to breathe more calmly and gather his thoughts. Cold calculus was thawing out, allowing him to survey the room some more. \"Back to my point. You claim that you caused no collateral damage, which in the architectural sense is true. You had damaged no buildings, broke no locks, left nary a sooty footprint nor unsavoury smudge. You had turned over all of Dunwall in a much more efficient manner than the City Guard. Must've been all their whiskey and cigars.\" Corvo didn't laugh at the unfamiliar reference. The voice coughed to clear the embarrassment. \"And in Karnaca, put an end to the cabal that threatened the empire once more. It's impressive. You see why I call you surgeon-assassin....\"\n\n\"Get to the point.\"\n\n\"Of course. I understand you're quite claustrophobic. Ironic given your.... craft. To my point. You killed, but what did you do with the bodies?\"\n\n\"What are you talking about?\"\n\n\"I'll repeat myself. What did you do with the bodies of those you had slain?\"\n\n\"I left them to float in their own blood, what of it?\"\n\n\"You must have noticed as Empress Emily walked with you in Dunwall and Karnaca, as if to rouse would-be attackers, that the streets were cleaned?\"\n\n\"Your. Point.\"\n\n\"The streets were not picked clean by people doing it out of the goodness of their own hearts. They were not picked clean by looters. They were picked clean by rats.\" A pause followed, but Corvo wasn't picking up what the voice was putting down. \"The very same creatures that caused this whole conundrum. Rats, Corvo, are much like Men. They are short lived, they're awfully hungry and they like to fuck for all their worth, which is very little. Because of these three things, the very essense of the world as we know it, they bred. You said in your memoires that you complained about the amount of weepers and rats.... did you ever wonder why they were increasing in number? Did you not think that the smell of powder and shot, of incendiary, and blood would not further damn the city so your Empress could live on?\" Another pause followed, and the grinding of the walls resumed. It wouldn't be long before they fully closed in on Corvo, but he remained calm, if somewhat ill tempered, and glanced around the room one more time.\n\n\"What do you want me to say?\" The walls stopped as he spoke.\n\n\"Nothing, really. This button's awfully satisfying to press, I must admit. To be perfectly honest I want you to live, if not to learn then to hate yourself and what you turned your Empress into. To know that in saving your empire, you have doomed it. If Emily dearest has an heir, she's going to pass on your teachings, and all the attrocities she commit to save you.\"\n\n\"And what about you? Why do you think I'm after you?\"\n\n\"I know why you're after me. You've been hunting me for a good long while because I've supposedly reintroduced rats to the world, as if they have spawned from the bowels of Hell. But I'm no trickster like you, Corvo. I'm a man of science. The rats I've supposedly summoned out of thin air are the ones that have been dormant in Dunwall and below the surface of the world for decades. I accept full responsibility for the ones that escaped, I've since compensated the families who lost loved ones to them.\" The air went even colder. Corvo began to wonder if it wasn't just him but the Outsider's presence. This certainly seemed to be worthy of his attentions. \"But my mission is to exterminate the rats. One batch escaped, I have already publically, profusely apologised for that. I will never be able to live it down, which is why I'm comforted by your blade. To escape that guilt.\"\n\n\"And responsibility?\"\n\n\"Jumping Jessamine, no,\" the voice chuckled, the wheezing sounding a lot more sinister than it was through the speaker, \"my research is complete. The notes and resources required to carry out my plans were long distributed to those who could put an end to the rats, and thus any resurgence in the plague. My agents were well equipped to take on the rats.\"\n\n\"Were?\" Asked Corvo, now fully interested in listening.\n\n\"You killed them.\" The coin dropped for the surgeon-assassin. Before he was allowed to realise the extent of his bloody chase, the speaker crackled and the voice followed, \"and you've done what no Royal Protector or Emperor or demigod could do. You've twice-damned Dunwall in a single era. Quite the accomplishment.\" Other words droned but Corvo didn't catch them, the grief finally overwhelming him. \"....I'll open the door now. When you slice my neck or throw me out of the window, think of the thousand thousands you've condemned to die because you wanted to feel alive.\" As promised, the door at the other end of the corridor opened, marginally blocked by the walls. Corvo walked--, staggered with disbelief to find his target sat in a chair, an old man with liver spots dotting most of his skin not covered in sagging clothing, features, or life support machines. \"Rats eat you, Royal Protect--,\" his final words interrupted by a gargle, as blood ran down his throat. Corvo clenched his fist as he walked away, his mark of the Overseer glowing. A pool of rats emerged from his shadow, feasting upon the twitching remains of Doctor Anton Sokolov." ]	2
[WP] The damsel falls in love with the Demon King, while running away to avoid the arranged marriage to the hero. Now they try to elope, but the hero’s on their tail. The misunderstanding continues to get worse…	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I love him. I love him so much. I know it extremely weird for someone like me to say that but it's 100% totally, utterly true. Our social standings are completely different. I mean- he is the Demon King and I am a fair beautiful princess. Ah\\~\\~\\~ oh yes I did not introduce myself yet. My name is Juliet Goldenheart, the crown princess of the Empire and I am currently located inside Demon King Rashal's castle. \n\nAccording to the royal edict, and my totally unreliable parents, I should be totally over the moon for the hero. Speaking of which, lets talk about the hero. I am going to say this- he is an complete and utter \\BLEEP BLEEP\\. Actually, that is not how a princess should act, I suppose I should rephrase the sentence, okay so the hero is an womanizing, possessive drunk-on-power jerk. Just because he looks handsome with his blonde hair, and his shiny white teeth that looked like he dunked them in bleach every morning- does not mean that he can go court every girl he meets. I mean he has a literal harem for god's sake, and he wants to add me into it as his 100th girlfriend with the fact that he is a 0 IQ idiot. I am totally done with him. He is a bloody scatter-brained dimwit. \n\nOn the other hand- the great Demon Lord Rashal is totally my type! Like we are totally made for each other. Ever since I first saw him commanding his troops to go slaughter the entire kingdom- I knew he was the one for me. His black ebony hair and his beautiful red eyes- we are totally a. match. made. in. heaven. \n\nOooooh\\~ here he comes right now! I immediately rush towards him, my shoes clip-clopping the way down the halls. \"D-Demon King Rashal!\" I can feel my cheeks heating up as I stutter. Rashal looks at me with a condescending gaze. \"Who let this women inside my castle?\" A lackey demon comes and says\" She is the princess sire! We thought she would be a good hostage to weaken the hero.\" I feel my cheeks heating up even more. \"When did you all capture her?\" Demon King Rashal asks the lackey demon. \"We did not sire! She came here by herself!\" says the lackey. \n\n\"What do you mean by that? Also how did she get past the defences\" Rashal asks.\n\n\"Well sire, she um- well she beat up all the guard demons sire!\" says the lacky.\n\nRashal then proceeds to take a tassel and used it to tie up my hands. \"Throw her in the dungeon.\" he says. You might be wondering, why I did not resist although I could easily escape. It's because Rashal is so so sooooooo hot. While I was being led out by the lackey, another demon rushs at the doorway. \"Demon King Rashal! The hero has come to the castle and wants to rescue the princess! He claims that you must have done nasty things to the princess, and wants you to 'face him like a man'!\" \n\nOh no. \"Hurry up!\" I screamed. \"Take me to the dungeons quick!\" I don't want that horrible hero to come! The lackey who was leading me had a shocked expression on his face. I run to the dungeons as fast as I can with the lackey showing me the directions. I want to escape from the hero. No I need to escape.", "\"Tell me you desire me.\" His crimson eyes burned hot. \"Tell me how much you want me.\"\n\n\"Rufus...\" She whispered. Slender fingers cupped his coarse cheek, her eyes watching his as they softened just a fraction. But she saw it. She knew his eyes so intimately, and she knew how they changed when they looked at her. \n\nLess than a month prior, he had kidnapped her, stealing her from the prince of Melander, pulling her from her future home to keep to himself, to wed her for her blood. The thought of marrying him had frightened her once, yet now she found herself fond of the idea. Dreaming of it, even.\n\n\"Tell me you want me, or I will let you go. I will let you go, leave me here and let you marry that brute if you so wish.\" His arm around her tightened, pulling her even tighter against his body. \"But if you tell me how you want me -how you love me-, I will never let you go. I will never let you run, and I will fight as many men as it takes to keep you here with me.\"\n\nShe bit down on her lip, gazing at the man who held her. He looked to be a man, at least. She knew in truth he was taking a form he thought would be less frightening to her, but was that not symbolic of his love for her? After a moment of adjusting in his arms, pondering, she melted into his embrace. \"I love you, Rufus...\"\n\nHer hand released his cheek, to instead rest on the nape of his neck, tangling slightly in his thick locks before looking up into his eyes. His eyes. His beautiful pools of rubies. They had wept. A tear ran down his cheek, but he did not wipe it away. \n\nHe released his hold on her and turned away. Confused, she approached him, before following his gaze. His kingdom, his safe sanctuary for those others abandoned, had been surrounded. \"I do not want you to watch. I will terrify you.\" \n\"You don't terrify me.\" \n\"I did.\" He looked down at her then. \"When I first brought you here... even looking like a man I shook you to your core... you were fearful I would harm you, steal your innocence and tear your head from your shoulders when I was done with you.\" A single, clawed finger coiled beneath her chin, his flesh so warm against her. She rested her chin on it, appreciating his comfort. \n\"I'm not scared of you anymore, Rufus.\" \n\"Be that as it may,\" he grunted. \"I do not want you watching... return to my chambers, lock the door, bar the windows and shut the curtains... I will come for you when I am finished.\"\n\nIn moments, the man before her was growing taller, from a normal-sized man into a towering creature, his skin flushing from tan to a dark, ashen grey, as horns began to break through his forehead. She watched, refusing to look away from him. He didn't scare her.\n\nOnce his change was completed, he crouched down to eye level with her. \"Go now, sweetling. I will come for you. There is no need to worry.\"\n\nHer brow furrowed as she looked into his eyes again. How could a demon have eyes so beautiful?\n\nShe didn't speak a word, too frightened that a farewell would be permanent. Instead, she gently pressed her small lips to his, feeling how sharp his teeth were behind those dry, rugged lips of his. He kissed back, only gently, worried that if he pressed too hard she would shatter, before pulling away sharply and disappearing off of the balcony towards the enemy. She wiped away a tear, before obeying, trusting that he would return to make her his bride, as he had promised.", "They call me Helen, but I refer to be called \"his.\" No longer am I one being- I am now encapsulated with his soul. Inebriated from the lust and desire, I crave his touch like my blood craves a chalice of water. \n\nHe is fueled with rage for me. His anger stems from thinking he will never be enough for me, always wanting to give me more of himself, always wanting to pleasure me until I melt into him, until my soul leaves my body and is captured by his own. But he will always be enough for me. Even more than I could ever imagine. \n\n\"Helen,\" he'll say. \"You will kill me one day. I hope it is true. I hope that I die at your hands, whether being cradled in your lap as my blood pools to the floor by the fault of my enemy, or by the wicked passion of you taking a smooth blade to my throat. I will never be enough for you and I want to unleash my soul unto you for eternity.\" \n\nI suppose I am in love with a monster. My Demon King. The Demon King, they say. But the true monster is Consteleo. \n\nConsteleo, the Duke of Hardridge, the heir to the Hardridge Empire. Arranged to be married to me on this evening by nightfall. But the grasps of his fury cannot catch me. They cannot tame me. They cannot take me away from My Demon King, Perrismo. \n\nHe is no demon, but King to the Daemon Empire. A mighty land bred from the greatest warriors and the reddest of bloods. The seed of the men breed the mightiest soldiers, and the tombs of the fallen seep into the rich soil and grow impenetrable veins of roots beneath the castle protecting us from harm. \n\nPerrismo and I told his Royal Guard we are leaving for a fortnight to enjoy nights of deviant pleasure unbothered by the wrath of the forces of Consteleo that will come for his prize. Me. \n\nMy father, the Dying King of Artsmuth, will die tonight. Poisoned by drink that I gave to him before I escaped to Perrismo. Hector, my brother, the heir to the Artsmuth throne and the lover of Consteleo will be enraged. The entire force of Artsmuth will come for me- a gift for Constelo. Giving me to him to own so Hector can join forces and tongue. Perrismo does not treat me as an object, but as his Queen.\n\nOne of the servants cloaks me in a black shawl of mink. I caress the hairs between my fingers, smooth as Perrismo's skin.\n\n\"His Majesty is waiting for you at the South entrance Milady. Please be quick, he awaits for you eagerly on the ship,\" she says.\n\nI run to the entrance, feeling the plaith of my hair under my cloak hitting the small of my back as I run. I reach it, the ship black under the evening sky. Perrismo stands gallantly at the bow awaiting my arrival. I smile to him though he cannot see through the shade of darkness. \n\nA seaman helps me up quickly to avoid touching me for too long in front of Perrismo. He runs to me and holds me tight. We kiss passionately and he slips his warm tongue under mine. \"We must depart immediately my love.\"\n\nI nod, \"Yes, I am so eager to lay with you in peace.\"\n\nA solemn look graces his handsome face. \"No my love,\" he says as he guides me to the stern. \"They are coming.\"\n\nMy feeble heart sinks as I see the faint spots of ships beginning to line the edge of the water. \n\n\"They are coming for me.\"" ]	4
[WP] Cats are an intergalactic species tasked with keeping humanity in check. As a human, you never knew anything about this; that is, until you caught a glimpse of a strange, tiny aircraft dropping your cat off at your front porch. Instead of performing a memory wipe, your cat decides to hire you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"S-Sprinkles? Did I leave the door open?\" I asked my cat. Well, really I asked myself because cats can't talk, right? And that ship I was was fake...right?\n\n\"That's Agent S to you, human.\" My cat spoke. \n\n\"What was the ship doing? Why are you out here? You're supposed to be asleep not...exploring space!\" \n\n\"I'll explain everything. Consider youred lucky.\" With a final glare my cat walked inside and positioned himself comfortably on the couch. \n\n\"We were sent by the grand cat, Agent Fuzzballs. She sent us to keep humanity in check and-\"\n\n\"Why do you need to keep us in check?\" This made no sense. Maybe I was having a dream. I pinched myself and winced. Nope, not a dream.\n\n\"Humans when not exposed to a certain level of our pheromones go...well to put it lightly, insane. They are driven to madness.\"\n\n\"Okay...but what about places that don't have many cats? Like if you live in Australia and don't have access to cats?\"\n\n\"We have partners. Us \"domestic cats\" come to specific environments. Sometimes cities or neighborhoods. Other times houses or zoos.\"\n\nI had no words. I'd always thought I was protecting my little fluff monster from the world. Feeding him, playing with him, cuddling him. Really, it was a symbiotic relationship, so I shouldn't feel so wounded. But my cat...my little fuzzy boy may never have loved me. \n\n\"Now, since you know, that means I've decided to recruit you!\" \n\n\"What do you mean....recruit me?\" \n\n\"Youll be turned into a cat, and every record of you will disappear. You're friends will forget you, and your family to. There will be no proof you ever existed. Which based on what you whisper to me when you're petting me, you wouldn't mind. Apparently you have 'onnly me' so it shouldn't be a problem. You love me don't you?\" \n\nI did. I had no one except him. No significant other, all my family I liked was dead. None of my friends seemed to care that much either. The one person I loved barely knew of my existence. Justin hardly even knew who I was...\n\n\"Excellent. Drink this and tomorrow you'll be a cat. And then we can take you to the mothership.\"\n\n\"As simple as that?\" \n\n\"It may hurt, but pay that no mind.\"\n\nI woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain shooting down my limbs. I don't remember how long it carried on for, but when it stopped everything felt different. I couldn't see as high and felt much lighter. Had I really been turned into a cat? I glanced into a mirror and noticed my perky ears and wide eyes. I gazed in wonder at the calico patches dotting sleek white fur. \n\n\"Beautiful. Time to go now. You'll need a name though-\"\n\n\"Patches,\" I interrupted. Generic, but still quite nice. \n\nWe boarded a small ship with a screen displaying a dazzling Ragdoll cat. Immediately, Sprinkles dropped to his knees. \n\n\"Ah, I see we have a new recruit,\" said the Ragdoll in her silky voice.\n\n\"Yes Chief Agent Fuzzballs. This is Patches.\"\n\n\"How..original. No matter. You will be dropped off at a shelter and your assignments will be given from there. Have a safe ride.\"\n\nAs the ship dropped us off at our local shelter, I saw a figure come out. A human recruit who stayed human, I suppose. She led us inside and put us in clean \"cages.\" \n\nI didn't know it at the time, but I would soon end up in the arms of the boy I loved, leading the most miserable life ever." ]	2
[WP] We've heard the grand heroic tales of the Hero of Destiny and all the great deeds they've done. But they aren't the only adventurer mucking about. There's a thousand other "Heroes" who just try to make ends meet and never quite reach the heights of the Hero of Destiny.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“For the love of the ocean gods, Rune, can we not do another cleanup?”, I said with the loudest sigh I could manage,”If that dragons ass destiny is to destroy civilization, she is doing a fine job”.\n\n“Yun, take it easy”, said the tattooed red haired northerner,”While she did destroy the temple, she did also take down a legion of orcs”.\n\n“Yes, that the hero did”, I nodded, ”But if I during the cleanup were to destroy a temple, I would not get paid! I am expecting some sort of consequences for her!”.\n\nI was and am not a fan of cleanup missions. The heroes company, to my dismay named “Destiny's companions”, have different type of jobs you can pick up based on the need of the world (or in reality, the needs of the “Hero of Destiny”). Among those tasks, the one that everyone tries to avoid is the cleanup missions. They are called that because a certain someone generally likes to leave a place after the place has been “saved” from the immediate threat. But sometimes magic linger in the ground, some sort of weapons needs to be destroyed, ghost of the fallen, or any additional mermaidshit to dangerous to leave alone for any period of time.\n\nThankfully I have Rune, and while I do not care for the hero with a big “h”, I do care about m Runey. A strong, wide chested, bearded man with deep laugh lines. Rune had caught my eye, and heart, many years ago and I have followed him since. But if he told the story from his perspective, I would assume Rune would say he follows me around.\n\nAnd as long as I have my hero by my side, and he has his, destiny had our full approval to take us anywhere." ]	2
[WP] One day, markings appeared on people who gained the ability to bring to life characters from fictional literature. Fairy tale princesses became stars, monsters became subjects of experiments and wars. The government continues to prod what your markings allow you to summon. Yours is SCP.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "So, I may have caused the Apocalypse.\nA LOT of apocalypse. Does that word even have a plural? \nAnyway, uh...I tried to keep this whole thing safe. Ya know? Ya put the harmless ones out there. One, then another. Slowly building.\n\nWell, just because some of those things are called safe doesn't mean that they are.\n\nI guess I should feel good about this I guess? I gave every government a whole new wing that they didn't know about.\n\nYeah. Also, all the short stories they wrote? Those are real too. So now there's forty statues in Siberia.\n\nAt least the shark punchers are here. Also, stay away from puddles. We probably shouldn't have shown everyone that inage..." ]	2
[WP] You're a monster hunter who caught wind of warewolf presence in the Italian Mafia. When you kill their leader, you discover that the entire family is a warewolf pack, and you have claimed the alpha title for defeating the pack leader.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Kale Hitkah is a monster hunter. Raised as a mercenary who believed solely in science and materialism, it came as a huge shock to him when he found out monsters were real. When he first saw one, he was so scared, that he pissed his pants. He then vowed with tears in his eyes that from that day on, he would slay every monster that ever crossed his path.\n\n...\\~\\\\~...\n\nOn this very day, Kale was going to confront a Italian Mafia leader that he suspected was an werewolf. Hitkah hated and had also feared monsters. To him, monsters were nasty creatures that deserved to suffer and die. \n\nSo just in case of any mishaps, he had prepared accordingly. Wikipedia said that some of a werewolf's weaknesses were silver, and dismemberment. His bullets were made of silver, and so was his gun. He wore silver crosses and chains all over his body, and carried a large blade that could be used for dismemberment.\n\nHe sneaked into the mafia base via close-combat and and knives. Technically it was not exactly \"sneaking in\" but it did it's trick; he beat up each and every one of the mafia members who tried to stop him. \n\nAs he made his way down the halls of the base, Kale started to yell like a madman \"HEY! WHERE IS YOUR LEADER? HE IS SUSPECTED TO BE A WEREWOLF AND I HAVE COME HERE TO SLAY HIM!\" As he said that, the sheer amount of silver chains and crosses on his body sounded like a full-blown orchestra of only wind-chimes and flutes. The mafia members had incredulous looks on their faces as he said that. \n\nFinally with what seemed like forever, he reached the mafia bosses office. \"So you have come monster hunter, I have got to say you took a long time.\" said the boss. \n\n\"So you have admitted it, didn't you? YOU WEREWOLF!\" screamed an overzealous Hitkah. \"I HAVE COME TO SLAY YOU! I WILL FULFILL MY VOW!\"\n\nHitkah threw a punch right at the bosses face, which knocked him to the ground. The boss coughed out blood which then ran down his chin. He wiped it off, and then started sprouting fur out of his body and began to grow. His eyes turned from a regular brown to a eerie shining gold. He started to grow a snout when- BAM! Kale grabbed his silver gun with the silver bullets inside and shot three times on his neck, on his forehead and of course on his heart.\n\nWhile all of this was happening, the mafia members were sneaking peaks through the open door. \"How did that monster hunter know that we were a group of werewolfs? whispered a mafia member.\n\n \"I don't know man, but if that guy beats boss, we have to serve him. He will be the alpha in our pack.\" said the second member.\n\n\"Who made that stupid rule anyway? It seems kind of pointless to me.\" said a third member.\n\n\"Idiot, it's tradition to serve the alpha. Plus we are part wolf anyway...\" muttered the second member again.\n\nThe boss werewolf froze in place as the bullets hit his body. Then came the screeches of pain as he pulsed and moved in agony. \"How did you know my weakness?\" screamed the boss. \"THE ALL-MIGHTY SITE OF WIKIPEDIA SHOWED ME THE ANSWERS WEREWOLF!\" hollered Kale.\n\nThe boss staggered in pain and doubled over on the ground as blood leaked from his body. Kale stood over it with an joyful expression \"I have slain the werewolf!\" \n\nThe three mafia members slowly came into the room and looked at Hitkah with an conflicting expression. \n\n\"Um... monster hunter, since you have beaten the boss well... you are now the alpha of our pack and we well serve you until the end of your days!\" said mafia member 2 with a determined expression. \n\nKale looked over in shock.\n\nMore and more mafia members started to crowd the room by the dozens. They started to repeat mafia member two's awe-inspiring words \"WE WILL SERVE YOU UNTIL THE END OF YOUR DAYS!\" \n\n\"We welcome you alpha!\" said mafia member no. 1. \n\nThey then all started to go through the same transformation the boss did and slowly all became werewolfs. \n\nKale had an incredulous look on his face.", "Locked in from the shadows. Feel the feathers through the finger.* *Breathe.* Sighted in and release.\n\nThe arrow flies straight and true, through the darkness, and in to the heart of Marcus Carla del Brenta. \n\nIn our city of Clarion, there was a huge mafia presence that wrecked havoc wherever they went. Every street and building was in danger because the family of Carla del Brenta went through it. The thing is, their family were all warewolves that roamed freely within our human city, they would influence us, but never understand us. They retreated to their perfect place of Ambrosia after all was said and done.\n\nAmbrosia was ruled by the family of Carla del Brenta. Their justice was swift and fair, they had an ironclad hold that could not be swayed. Everything in Ambrosia was luxurious, the moment you crossed into their land, you would be drunk off the senses of a king or queen. \n\nIt wasn't for everyone though, Ambrosia was only for warewolves, a hyper intelligent species that transcended human boundaries into the future.\n\nHumans that wanted a different way of life heard of Ambrosia; thinking they could escape the suffering and starvation of Clarion and be accepted into the world of warewolves.\n\nThe ones that made it to Ambrosia were not spared. They were killed before placing one foot down over the line. Warewolves did not want humans in their perfect oasis. Warewolves could come and go as they pleased into Clarion but only that. \n\n*WHY? WHY!*\n\nWhen I released that arrow a month ago into the heart of a warewolf...I was just a hunter on a bounty. I tracked him down based on the photograph and the man looked similar from a distance.\n\nThe man I was tracking was the son, the man I shot was the father. The father, the alpha of the warewolf clan. \n\nEverything was thrown into chaos, as advanced as the warewolves were, their hierarchy and structure were archaic. The one that killed their alpha would take the title. \n\nThat title fell on me, a human bounty hunter, a title of a lifetime. \n\nI could finally unite the two worlds....", "The Mafia leader puffed his cigar. He looked me in the eye and said, \"What do you want?\" What I wanted, I couldn't tell him. I was a monster hunter. The Italian mafia presumably, had a werewolf among them. To investigate the matter further, I had disguised myself as a wealthy real estate agent who wanted to get in with the old boys. After a year of hard graft I had finally risen among the ranks, but one little error on my part gave away my identity.\n\nIt was the 25th of December, and as is common knowledge among the practitioners of our profession, men born on this day are more suspect to being a werewolf. I made the naive error of sneaking into the mafia leader's office to inspect his documents. He had caught me red-handed, and now I was to tell him what I wanted.\n\n\"Nothing,\" I said, \"just a bigger piece of the pie.\"\n\nThe leader did not say anything and blew smoke into my face. He then looked at the documents that I had with me. \n\n\"From the police, are you?\" he asked.\n\nI shook my head. He reached inside his blazer. I was certain that he had a gun holstered in there. Immediately, I took a pen from the pen-stand of the study table and stabbed him in the neck with it. He grunted and tried to stop the bleeding, but the arteries in the neck once perforated never recover. The leader was dead, but I still had to find the werewolf among them. But first I had to hide the body.\n\nI dragged the mafia leader's limp body to his closet, but unfortunately at that very moment, a man appeared in the doorway. For a moment he stood dazed, unable to believe his own eyes, but then he regained composure and rushed inside. \n\n\"You did this, didn't you?\" he asked.\n\nI did not answer. His eyes kept flitting from the body to my face. Suddenly, he kneeled and took my hand in his. He kissed it and bowed his head down. Then he walked outside and let out a terrible howl. In a matter of seconds, all the mafia members assembled in the office where I stood with the leader's body in front of me.\n\nAt first, there was a great deal of chattering, but then the man who had so grandly declared his loyalty to me, announced. \n\n\"Lucius has been killed. He has been killed by this very man,\" he said pointing at me.\n\nThe mob looked at me not with malice but with curiosity and admiration. \n\n\"I am sure that you know what happens next,\" he said, and the crowd nodded in unison. \n\nOne by one, they came up to me and declared their loyalty. After this, they organised themselves like schoolboys in assembly and howled as best as they could. That's when it struck me, all of them were werewolves, and I had just hunted down their alpha." ]	4
[WP] Once upon a time, there were three siblings. The youngest became a legendary hero, the middle-child became the ruler of the kingdom, and the eldest became a farmer. Only the eldest was truly happy.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns." ]	1
[WP] After 250 years, you are rather sure that you did something to piss off Death.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Obligatory note: I'm on mobile, forgive the formatting.\n\nEach morning I wake up, hoping it'll be the final moments of my consciousness, but alas, I am out of the crushing hands of Death once again. My own family has long since gone, sons, daughters, and my beloved Eliza all perished before myself. I've long since lost the ability to stand, and move myself, my muscles atrophied and nonexistent, though after these 250 (by my best judgement) years that comes as no surprise. It takes the limit of my strength to formulate thoughts, and structure them in sentences, though somehow my mind has not deteriorated beyond that.\n\nThis morning though, has been different. Instead of awaking to utter darkness, buried by my own volition hoping that the act would put me to rest, instead I wake up to light, bright, and painful. I force my eyes open for the first time in years in time to see a man in a vibrant yellow vest and graying hair look down at me with shock and with a start. He steps back, aghast at what he's seeing, though I cannot be shocked. A hole in the ceiling of my grave has been opened, and this man seems to be the one to have opened it. He calls out to who I assume are his acquaintances.\n\n\"Hey, Stu? Grab Finn and come over here... you guys may want to see this.\"\n\nTwo more faces peer into the hole, both reddened by constant exposure to the sun. Thinking like this has exhausted me, my reserves of strength are expended and I slip into unconsciousness. \n\n\nI awake later, in a white room with a woman in the corner, devoid of the dirt I'd spent the last century surrounded by, and I feel stronger than I had in much longer than that. My mind is alert, not cloudy like I'd been used to, and I felt strong enough to speak. My voice came out raspy and uneven,\n\n\"Who are you?\"\n\nThe woman turns around, obviously startled by my sudden snap to consciousness. As she regains her composure I notice two metal needles in my arm, both leading up to labeled containers. My skin is leathery, though the area surrounding the needles seems more lifelike, and I've been cleaned off. My arms are skinnier than I recall, and my veins are apparent against my skin. \n\n\"I'm... I'm Sarah, your nurse, Mister.\"\n\nMy eyes glance back to her, my vision still sharp much to my surprise. Whatever these needles are carrying to my body is helping me.\n\n\"Please, call me Callum, or Cal, whichever you prefer, ma'am.\" I rasp back, my voice stronger this time. I feel more alive by the minute. \"How long have I been in this room?\"\n\n\"Maybe 20 minutes?\" She says, bewildered. \"To be honest, we couldn't tell if you were alive when they brought you in...\"\n\n\"Oh nonsense,\" I say, remembering more about my past by the second, \"it's not possible for me to die, I reckon.\"\n\nShe looks at me quizzically, and poses the question I'd expected. \n\n\"What do you mean?\"\n\n\"Well, you see, Sarah, I cheated Death, or something like it, back in the war-\"\n\n\"Which war?\"\n\n\"Well, the only major war I fought in, of course! The war between Britain and us revolutionaries. I was shot during the Battle of Yorktown. I was left to die there, the few forces we had left were not enough to retrieve our dead, and I sat there through the night. During the night somebody came to my side and asked me if I was ready to die. Using the little strength I had, thinking it was one of them damned redcoats, I swung with all my might. I struck the figure and laughed. The figure spoke to me,\n'Fine. Have it your way', and walked away. I woke up the next morning and the bullet wound was gone, and I havent had any physical pain since.\"\n\nSarah looks bemused, but unsurprised. \"Right, I gotcha,\" she says with a small smile, and she exits the room. Obviously not believing my story, she has opted to leave to likely get some help. It's time for me to make my exit.\n\nIn the few minutes it took to explain who I am, the liquid in the needles has spread through my body, and I feel stronger than I have in decades. I rise from my bed, and make my way to the window, which I fiddle with for a moment before opening and throw myself out.\n\nIf I can't die, why not have some fun this time?" ]	2
[WP] During WWII, the US Navy stumbles upon a strange island of impossible geometry and malignant aspect. The natives call the island R’lyeh.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Their boat marooned on the shore, they look around, all twenty guns drawn, trying to find signs of life. There is a peaceful silence on the beach. This is strange to the American soldiers.\n\nWhat kind of island is this, says the lieutenant. Is it Jap territory?\n\nProbably, someone else says. Or some other kind of savages.\n\nSomething rustles in the leaves. The Americans start shooting. A tribal man stumbles out of the trees, bloody from shot wounds. He keels over and dies.\n\nWell that ain't a Jap.\n\nIs it a Nazi?\n\nNah, it's some other kind of savage.\n\nThere is rustling in the leaves again which quickly turns into a rumble. \"Gree R'lyeh\" comes a thundering cry. A rush of tribal warriors pour out of the trees, spears drawn. By the time the Americans are able to load their rifles, the warriors are upon them, stabbing them to death. They kill the entire American platoon and burn their boat and village. The beach is silent again.", "\"Something about the name R'lyeh is ringing bells,\" the tall, dark-haired lieutenant said, \"I have a really bad feeling about exploring this island or even sitting foot on it.\"\n\n\nThe fat, short Admiral laughed, \"Kinric, you are jumping at shadows again, it's fine, just a little strange.\"\n\n\nKinric frowned, muttering the island's name that the natives on the surrounding islands gave it. \n\n\n\"Maybe we should send some drones over before we send some soldiers?\", the Admiral grinned.\n\n\nThe lieutenant absently nodded and turned to order some of the ensigns to get the drone up.\n\n\n---------------------------------------------------------\n\n\n\"Sir, the landscape of the island is all similar. All the plant life is growing in strange geometric shapes that is hard to look at,\" said the young ensign wincing at the screen in front of him.\n\n\n\"Signs of human life?,\" The Admiral asked, looking at Kinric staring in the direction of the island mumbling its name over and over.\n\n\n\"No sir, I am not even seeing animal life,\" the ensign grimaced, \"wait, this is different, a large pit in the center of the island.\"\n\n\n\"Bring the drone in, so we can see what is there.\"\n\n\nKinric slowly raises head, \"Wait!,\" He screamed.\n\n\nBoth the Admiral and the ensign looked up.\n\n\n\"Don't take the drone closer to the pit! I remember where I heard the name R'lyeh.\" The lieutenant closed his eyes and recited, \"In his house in R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu lies dreaming.\"\n\n\nThe Admiral laughed, \"that's Lovecraft right? Kinric are you afraid of some make believe monsters?\" \n\n\nThe Admiral looks at the ensign flying the drone, \"take her in, let's find Kinric's monster.\"\n\n\n\"Yes, sir,\" as the ensign turned to his screen. \n\n\nThe drone flew into the pit, softly humming. Its small light bearly broke the infinite darkness. A low moan came from Kinric as the drone flew deeper into the darkness.\n\n\n\"Wait, I can see something, just barely,\" the excited ensign edging the drone in closer.\n\n\nA inhumane roar came from the direction of the island at the same time the ensign screamed and jumped back. Both Kinric and the Admiral stared at the large red eye on the drone's screen and the large clawed hand coming towards the drone. The screen went dark.\n\n\nThe inhumane roar sounded again and the island and the surrounding ocean started to violently shake.\n\n\n\"We woke it,\" Kinric fell to his knees. \n\n\nA shadow fell across the island as Cthulhu climbed out of the pit." ]	3
[WP] You are a human, working aboard an alien ship. Every so often, your co-workers act weirdly around you- citing the strange noises that come from you. This is most prevelent when you are sleeping.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Captain's Log: Space Date 706/20XX\n\nAfter a long and hard war with the cold hearted Kallori on their Icy home planet, our crew seeks to begin its long journey home to the Vega system.\n\nWhile many members of my crew hope to gain a medal of honor for their bravery, many others like myself just want to get home and retire so that we can all hopefully put any memory of this awful system behind us.\n\nUnfortunately, even with the large amount of casualties and technologically advanced ships that we have accrued from our hard fought victory we still do not have enough space or fuel to head back right away\n\nMe and my other fellow captains have sent several distress beacons so that hopefully any ships recognize our call for help and bring necessary resources like fuel our way.\n\nFor now though, we seem to be in a somewhat secure area of the planet so we are setting up our Cryostasis chambers for the long hall\n\nI am currently making sure certain percentages of my crew will be receiving Cryostasis treatment first, while the rest of us will share bunks and switch off when necessary.\n\nCaptains Log: Space Date 714/20XX\n\nSome of the crew have begun to become restless, after all when you are forced to stay on the planet of enemy you have spent years fighting I wouldn't blame them for hating this planet, or even developing some sort of PTSD.\n\nIt seems as though some ships have received our stress signals and will be arriving on the planet within about 3-4 months\n\nMy crew has found ways to pass the time by swapping war stories and generally bonding with one another, even making a makeshift basketball court in one of the hangers of the larger enemy ships.\n\nI'm glad to know that this situation won't last forever; however I will indeed miss the community being built. A large group of soldiers, survivors, brothers and comrades in arms.\n\nIt is not all positives however, it appears that some of the members of my crew have heard strange noises at night coming from the humanoid parts of the ship my section in particular.\n\nThey say that the strange noises appear to sound a lot like the very Kallori we spent so long defeating.\n\nPerhaps they may just be suffering through a side effect of PTSD, but to be sure I have checked any hiding spaces around the perimeter of my quarters and many others just to make sure an enemy Kallori figured a way to sneak onto the ship.\n\nCaptains Log: Space Date 800/20XX\n\nMore members of my crew have heard the noise coming from my quarters over the past couple of weeks, and they are starting to talk to me less and less, as well as sending me suspicious glances as we venture out during the day to grab food for the rest of the crew.\n\nOne of my most well trusted advisors has asked around to see what all the commotion is about, and they say that I am working with one of the higher ranking members of the enemy, which is absolutely preposterous in my opinion.\n\nI fear the worst if they grow any more restless.\n\nCaptains Log: Space Date 830/20XX\n\nNone of my crew has talked to me in weeks, and they have grown ever more violent.\n\nMy food has been disappearing at random times of the day, leaving me to starve for hours at a times.\n\nSome of my more trusted members of my crew have moved closer towards my cabin, saying that they are starting to worry for my safety, and honestly? I can't blame them.\n\nI also haven't heard from my trusted advisor in a few days, I wonder if the rest of the crew has taken him hostage in hope of interrogating him and finding a reason to attack me while I rest....\n\nCaptains Log: Space Date 831/20XX, Time is 2:15:00 AM\n\nI woke up to a large banging outside the door, and a lot of screaming as well as a pool of blood seeping through the bottom crevice.\n\nA lot of voices appear to be coming through the door still, asking me to come out so I may face my punishment of harboring the enemy.\n\nI can't explain to them that there is no enemy aboard, they are already to far gone\n\nI don't know how much time I have left, or why they have assumed that I have been harboring or even SPEAKING to a member of the Kallori\n\nIt doesn't matter\n\nI hear the door breaking as I type this out\n\nThis is Captain Andrew, Signing O....\n\n\\Many screams of pain and mayhem are heard coming from the captain's chamber, As the war torn soldiers stand over their dead captain a message pops on his monitor and as the captain's screams die down: the bloody monitor plays a cheesy jingle, stating....\\\n\n\"Having Trouble Sleeping? Make sure to order your monthly dose of Drowsy+ ! Now available at your Local Cluster Store!\"\n\nNew Audio Recording From Lieutenant Sabbu:\n\nOh God\n\nWe killed him\n\nWe murdered our captain in cold blood\n\nAll because he wasn't a light sleeper....\n\n......\n\n\\The crew's loud militaristic screaming can be heard in the background...then audio cuts out\\\n\nFIN**\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nI Hope you Enjoyed!\n\n(EDITED)" ]	2
[WP] Just as you're about to shake their hand, someone runs in, shoots you in the arm, and yells "Don't make any deals with them!"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Don't make any deals with them!\"\n\nI fell to the floor in agony, warm blood dripping down my arm.\n\n\"What the hell? Why'd you have to shoot me?\" I said.\n\n\"Don't make any deals with them!\" The crazy man repeated.\n\nBy this time the entire room dispersed in panic, even Don Jones, the man I was supposed to go in business with.\n\n\"You're nuts man,\" I said in between grimaces of pain. \"The hell you shoot me for, please don't kill me.\"\n\nThe man lowered his weapon and helped me to my feet.\n\n\"That man,\" He said once more. \"Do NOT make ANY deals with him.\"\n\n\"Why do you keep saying that?\" I conceded. \"Why shouldn't I?\"\n\n\"Because,\" The man glared out the window. \"He was going to try and get you in on his multi-level marketing scheme of selling organic energy drinks.\"\n\nI grabbed his gun and shot my healthy arm. Now both arms tarnished.\n\n\"Thanks for stopping me!\" I attempted to salute my hero. \"By the way, what's your name?\"\n\nThe man shot the glass of the window, shattering it. Before he lept through he stared at me and said, \"Mr. Preventer of multi-level marketing.\"\n\nNot all heroes wear capes." ]	2
[WP] The Old Ones. Entities so ancient and bizarre their very presence induces madness and terror. Or would, were humanity still composed of superstitious cavemen and not masters of the atom (and quantum mechanics). The time has come for the tables to turn.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Jackson was wrong.\n\nHe always seemed to play it off to the brass, that charasmatic fuck. Every single time, he talked it away as somehow my fault, even though I was the one who had succeeded. The deaths of thousands of our best star pilots? All consequence of his carelessness and negligence. Had it not been for his brazen acts of \"heroism\", we wouldn't have lost them. But his ability to convince the Chancellor's that his actions were necessary had landed him a chestful of medals with me fronting the blame. And now he's an Admiral sitting in the Capitol commanding the Royal Guard, and here I am, commanding a group of absolute nobodies outside of Ganymede.\n\n\"Vital Reconnaissance\" they told me. Vital my ass, there's nothing out here but automated mining/scientific stations, Anarchist fanboys that call themselves the \"Voluntary Sylux Assembly\", and some insane cult living in a derelict H-Class Yacht. Well, little do the Admirality know that I will have the last laugh. Those cultists found something; an ancient portal, arcane manuscripts detailing secrets of the universe no mortal could understand without going mad. I've read enough ancient lore to know what these manuscripts were, and the potential power contained therein. What a fortunate happenstance that I was sent here to recon! We all thought Lovecraft was insane, yet here I am gazing into the void he spoke of for years. The void only whispers back to me, gentle nudges in the directions of the next discovery. I must have been deemed more worthy than those who came before me. At least they understand brilliance.\n\nThese Gods will be my weapons, my long-deserved vindication. Years of my life thrown away and yet here I am, learning what no mortal has before me and bending Gods to my will! After spending weeks studying and parlaying with the cult, I have finally discovered a ritual that will allow me to summon Dzéwà -\"The White God\"- to a point on Sol of my choosing.\n\nSplendid.\n\nThese weeks are the longest I've yet faced. I can barely contain my fervor as I finally set back to Sol. Straight to the Capitol, straight to the summons that I have arranged. Finally, I'll show them who the genius was all along. The most brilliant tactician and mastermind of Humanity, the one who has tamed a God! I sit on the edge of space, watching through the Operations Theater in my ship's holo-feed. I chant the final words of the incantation, and sit back to see the gold-accented marble of the Capitol Square twist into itself. Reality folds and breaks, as Dzéwà materializes above the open portal and begins to wreak havoc on everything within view. I see what appears to be a tiny distortion twinkle on the planet as I peer out the window, and as I take a sip of wine, I see a thin red streak cut through the distortion and trace endlessly into the depths of space behind me.\n\nDropping the glass, I swivel back to the holo-feed and see Dzéwà floating there, motionless, then slowly fall and disperse into vapor and bits of what appear to be orchids.\n\nNo.\n\nThis can't be. There is absolutely no wa-\n\n\"Hey there buddy! Long time no see, what with ya bein' on Recon duty and all. Hey, I knew you hated me and whatnot, but bringing a Delta-Level extra-dimensional entity just to send your regards? That's a bit extreme, dontcha think? Anyway, look. We've been cataloguing these things for about 45 years now, and they really aren't that scary when you've got our kinda tech. Thanks for bringing us a live specimen though, got to test out that experimental laser!\"\n\nNo. Absolutely not. I will not acce-\n\n\"Now I know you're angry, and I'm gonna be honest, I got some bad news for you. You got a lot of knowledge in that noggin' of yours that's real dangerous, ya know? That's what we like to call an \"information hazard\", and unfortunately, that means we gotta deal with ya in a real unpleasant way. It'll look like an accident, and your family (for what it's worth), will regard ya as a hero.\"\n\nThe console pings. \n\n[FUSION CORE REACHING CRITICAL TEMPERATURE]\n\nI was wrong. I had miscalculated. I had it all in the palms of my hands and I let it dissolve away.\n\n\"I'm sorry I gotta do this buddy. As much as you hated me I always knew you were good at your job. Too bad really, we coulda used a lot more spunk in the Admirality. May God have mercy on your soul.\"\n\nThese were my final moments. Dejected, defeated, antagonized by the person I spent my whole career planning to destroy. The torment I face for eternity is the reality:\n\nJackson was righ-", " \n\nColorado Springs, Radar Station Gamma\n\n\"Proximity Alert. Unknown object entering the stratosphere on an impact trajectory, sir.\"\n\n\"Where?\"\n\n\"Twenty miles north of Washington DC.\"\n\n\"Does Andrews Air Base know?\"\n\n\"Sending priority one transmission now, sir.\"\n\nTucson, Kitt Peak National Observatory\n\n\"What is that bloody siren, Harker?\"\n\n\"NORAD. They caught a Class-9 crashing into Washington DC.\"\n\n\"It's the Air Force. I thought they loved blowing stuff up. And at least this time it's not an Iranian orphan hospital.\"\n\n\"The F-35 Andrews Air Base sent, the pilot caught a visual. They thought this is more scientific than military territory.\"\n\n\"I mean, from that sentence, we live in an universe where F-35s can catch up to asteroids hurtling towards Earth, so I'd imagine everything in this cursed hell in military territory.\"\n\n\"That's the thing, Westenra, the asteroid slowed down.\"\n\n\"Oh, so it's one of those ones where instead of Michael Bay they hired Ridley Scott, fair enough. How?\"\n\n\"Some form of diverged photonic radiation oscillation into a strange frequency.\"\n\n\"A colour?\"\n\n\"Unlike any seen on Earth, sir.\"\n\n\"Send our analysis to Andrews Air Base, and add in my recommendation.\"\n\n\"Which is?\"\n\n\"Sunglasses.\"\n\nWashington DC, White House, Emergency Meeting of the General Chiefs of Staff\n\n\"I don't know how to kill it, it's an air conditioning unit!\" \n\n\"Why the hell is an air conditioning unit in an asteroid?\"\n\n\"Because AC is a cosmic horror now? The lack of which would cause us to melt into a puddle of eyes and mucus on our couches? Do I look like I know what's going on? I'm very certain whatever twisted god made this meant for it to be ununderstanable!\"\n\n\"Wait wait wait, it's an air conditioning unit?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"What colour is it?\"\n\n\"Like orange? But like, blue at the same time. Like, imagine Fanta, but it wasn't invented by Nazis.\"\n\n\"So what's the big deal?\"\n\n\"It also got tentacles.\"\n\n\"Ah. What else?\"\n\n\"Eyes.\"\n\n\"What else?\"\n\n\"Mouths.\"\n\n\"What else?\"\n\n\"A fishy smell.\"\n\n\"What else?\"\n\n\"That's it.\"\n\n\"Right, so, aside from being ethnic, how else is going to kill the president?\"\n\n\"SIRS, sorry, Mr. Secretary, General, Gentlemen, you remember the air conditioning unit that looked Korean?\"\n\n\"What colour was it?\"\n\n\"Like if the president was white.\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"It turned into a door.\"\n\nTrondheim, Trondheim Port Authority\n\n\"Right, so, there's a door in Maryland, and you want us to go through it?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"What colour is it?\"\n\n\"If you dipped a cheeto in the time vortex.\"\n\n\"Yes, naturally. Does it have straight lines?\"\n\n\"No it doesn't. It has curvy lines.\"\n\n\"Right, like almost every other 3D object, makes sense, why us?\"\n\n\"Because you're Norwegian.\"\n\n\"So?\"\n\n\"You're trustworthy.\"\n\n\"That doesn't make any sense.\"\n\n\"Wait, are white people not naturally better than mexicans?\"\n\n\"No…\"\n\n\"Right, sorry, I've been near the door too long. I'll be heading back to the States.\"\n\n\"Don't come back.\"\n\n\"I've… been here?\"\n\n\"29 times.\"\n\nMaryland, The Door\n\n\"We should blow it up.\"\n\n\"Agreed.\"\n\n\"Mr. President, you're gonna want to step back.\"\n\n\"The door… the colour… unlike any seen on Earth… Yoggeth, he beckons me…\"\n\n\"You forgot your sunglasses, Mr. President!\"\n\n\"I... will never... constitutional freedom... Sunglasses are a Chinese ploy...\"\n\n\"Why do we bother?\"\n\n\"You're right. Colonel Hayward, fire.\"\n\n\"Yes sir.\"", "One of the ancients, Azazoth, gazed upon earth longingly: the time had finally come for him to assert his intergalactic authority and sate his appetite for dominion. It had conquered many a civilization, establishing temples and regular sacrifices in his name across the universe. \n\n“Unknown object bearing 30 degrees by 22, 3rd quadrant sir.” The radar technician said to his installation commander. \n“Sir it has changed vectors several times, this is not a normal space object.” \nThe commander replied: \n“Can we get visual confirmation of its nature? Retask nearby satellites, I want a visual on what we’re up against.”\n In the lower atmosphere, 8 high powered military satellites and spatial observational equipment turned their gaze to the approaching object.\n“On screen now captain.”\n\nThe image on the screen was a grotesque mess of eyes, tentacles, and a maw so disgusting, a few of the technicians vomited, even though it wasn’t the first time they had seen something like this. More accurately, this was the third deep space anomaly they had seen in the last 5 years, and far from the last.\n\n“Do we have an idea of the entanglement distortion field this thing is capable of?”\n\n“Nearby tritium isotope readings indicate a class 2 anomaly. Moderate gravitational lensing. No Wilczek crystallization detected.”\n\nThe technician paused. This wasn’t even the most dangerous threat they’ve dealt with. \n\n“Sir your orders?”\n\nThe commander sighed. “Send a minuteman, 12 warheads, use expedited presidential authority. No need to notify him about these things anymore.”\n\nAs Azazoth the Abhorred approached, it thought to itself: “Oh how they will lose their minds and bow down to my horrible beauty! They will consider themselves fortunate to fall under my unyielding grip. I will break their minds and drain them of their energy.”\n\nIt reveled in its self-perceived superiority, unchallenged throughout the course of time.\n\nIt noticed a small metal object somewhat rapidly approaching. The metal object seemingly broke off multiple pieces, all of which were gaining speed.\n\n“Oh what’s this? Have they have sent a welcoming gift? Fools. It will not spa-“\n\n“Sir, warheads deployed. Target confirmed destroyed.” \n\nWhat used to be a cosmic horror of unspeakable terror was reduced to bits of glass, ash, and various other atomic space detritus, never to terrorize or conqueror another civilization again. Unfortunate was the cosmic horror to have stumbled upon a civilization that had more than mastered the atom, rather than the sparse collection of farmers and such that had barely even discovered currency it had encountered previously." ]	4
[WP] Alien scientists have transferred everyone's consciousness to their ship for research. When finished, they realize all humans look alike, and they just can't figure out whose consciousness goes to whom! By chance, they restore you first, and ask for your help in determining the rest.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hating the person I was, and willing to roll the dice I turn to the alian's and say, \"We really can't tell each other apart either. Just drop each of us in anybody. No-one will notice the difference\".\nThere's an immediate flash and I wake up, exhausted. Barely breathing. I'm on an old musky lounge. I feel a thick wet muck in my trousers. I look around. The room. It's full of clearly confused people, most of whom are barely mobile. All wildly old, with the exception of two women. Both fairly young and dressed as nurses. They're just as confused as everyone else. Of those that can still speak, none are speaking English and are showing no signs of understanding each other. My heart begins to race. An agonising pain forms in my chest and shoots down my arm.\nDarkness." ]	2
[WP] It's been months since you had any contact from Earth. the 4 of you on the International space station are going insane checking for anything that might be amiss but everything is fine on your end. All the sudden you hear a knock on the glass and it's a little girl waving in the empty space.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It was impossible!!! A little girl, no older than 9 years with a floral dress the colour of the ocean, was smiling and waving while mouthing to us words we couldn't hear.\n\nAt first we all collectively thought we were hallucinating, but the problem was that we couldn't possibly be seeing the same thing. But there it was just beyond the protective layers of clear composite glass, a small smile and a little hand waving a supposed 'Hello' and seemingly undisturbed by the harshness and bitter cold of space. \n\nWe snapped back to reality. Normally we'd all be in a state of panick but years of training and actual weeks of experiencing the rigors of space left us quick to adapt and adjust accordingly, but nothing would have prepared us for the bizarre sight a couple of inches away from the confines of the space station. \n\nIvan then looked at Don and said, \"This can't be happening, they were rumours based on age old equipment malfunctioning and records that could easily be manipulated!!!\"\n\n\"Rumours!? Old equipment? Records? what are you talking about!??\" replied Don who looked increasingly disturbed. I mean who wouldn't be?? To be disconnected from the rest of the world for months and then a sudden appearance of an improbable situation, especially out in the vacuum of space.\n\n\"There were records of, well supposedly true at that time, a small humanoid being that intercepted and attempted to communicate through the various missions set up by the USSR but those in charge at that time simply discarded the reports, or outright silenced any with that information.\"\n\n\"How do you know that??\" asked Shiro, the resident botanist who himself seemed to be quivering noticeably while holding a camera and recording the scene infront of him.\n\n\"Because it was supposed to be rumours during the training courses and I didn't necessarily believed in them. But that didn't mean I'd forget an important detail on how all these ended\" Ivan replied.\n\nBy now the little girl began to pout, and proceeded to pull out crayons and starting to write on the paper that appeared alongside it. Needless to say we were all transfixed by this but Don looked back and kept quiet.\n\n\"Are you alright Don??\" I asked which caught the attention of Shiro who was filming the oddity beyond the glass. Ivan whirled around as well and saw as did all of us that the entire space station was in disarray.\n\nEquipments strewn everywhere. Logs, laptops, all matter of electronic devices were flickering like disco balls while random clutters of paraphernalia floated about in the zero gravity.\n\n\"What the actual fu----\" cried out Don before suddenly the lights dimmed and could hear groaning of the structure we resided in. I moved myself closest to the control panel and checked into the system to see that everything was fine except on the outside it wasn't.\n\nThen the tapping. A gentle tapping of glass. We all turned to look at the little girl who was now holding up a full sized A4 piece of paper that read:\n\nYOU SHOULD WAKE UP NOW! \n\nScrawled just as best as a little girl her supposed age could manage in crayon and then with a start I could see bright light. \n\nVoices could be heard, while finding myself unable to move as my vision slowly returned to see that a person was flashing a bright light into my eyes all the while congratulations were being thrown around the room I was in. \n\nI could see Ivan, Shiro and Don in apparent lab coats with all manner of medical instruments surrounding my body with tubes running in and out. Confused and slightly frightened, I croaked out \"Guys where am I?? Why are you wearing that!? What happened to the space station? And most importantly why am I here? How are we here??\" \n\nI shot off my questions and thankfully Ivan smiled and then looked to both Shiro and Don, gaining nods of approval spoke in his gruff voice, \"You were in a coma, you became a test subject for any and all methods to 'wake up' a patient and this method is proven to be successful\" \n\n\"However it seems you relapse back into a catatonic state after a few mins and this by far is the longest waking moment you had\" chimed in Shiro.\n\n\"Normally we'd perform more tests but your stable condition right now proves otherwise. You will still be under observation and released shortly after you are deemed safe and a medical success.\" Don added professionally. \n\nAs I reeled back from the information given to me, a door opened and in stepped the little girl. Panick surged within me until, the little girl ran up with a joyful squeal with a smile bright as sunshine on a spring morning and hugged me tight.\n\nTears streamed down her little face as a woman also entered along with a few others, all teary eyed but smiling nonetheless and stopped short of the bed I laid in. Curiously I looked down on the tiny figure on me who smiled even brighter if it was possible and happily proclaimed:\n\nWelcome back Daddy!!!" ]	2
[WP] Everyone thinks the job of the Time Police is to stop rogue time travelers. Their true purpose is to stop the evil personification of Time from wiping out humanity.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Time, the true enemy of humanity. Wars were fought, but they ended. Famine, drought, disease, violence, and other disasters plagued humanity for its entire existence, but they were fleeting. Lasting no more than mere moments. Time never left. Time always won. Time was eternal.\n\nTerry looked down at the badge in his hand. It meant he protected humanity. He protected it from something humanity didn’t even know existed. Terry the Time Cop took his job seriously. Most people assumed he hunted down time traveling criminals. He let them think that. The truth was much scarier.\n\n“Ready in three… two… one…” He looked up at the rectangular doorway in the middle of the empty room. A doorway seemingly to nothing, to blackness. A doorway to everywhere. Terry stepped through it.\n\nThe world exploded in color. Swirls of colors he’d never imagined existed flew around him. Terry yawned. He had grown used to this years ago. Finally, the sea of colors surrounding him stopped swirling and mixed together. The picture they painted slowly took shape.\n\nDodge City, Kansas, 1867. Just before the big boom that made the city famous. \n\n“Shit, I wasn’t expecting this.” He looked down, inspecting himself. Period appropriate attire and weaponry. “Well, it’s better than when I had to go to Babylon.” He chuckled. He could feel it. Somewhere in this time, in this town, the physical embodiment of Time hid from him.\n\nPeople thought of time as an abstract, yet constant, idea. The fourth dimension. Eternal, unfeeling, unflinching, uncaring. Regardless of how it existed, or how people viewed it, time was one of the few laws of the universe. \n\nTerry knew different. He knew Time as a hungry beast. A creature that fed off of others. A predator. THE predator. It had no territory, no boundaries, no constraints. Time could be anywhere at any time. Terry hunted it. He had one job, to keep humanity safe from Time’s physical form.\n\nHe wandered down the dusty main street of the small, but growing, western town. He stopped and laughed to himself. A tumbleweed rolled across the street in front of him. At least he got to experience a cliche, he always enjoyed when that happened. A saloon that looked twenty years older than it actually was, sat on one side of the street. A brothel that looked far too clean and inviting on the outside, on the other. A few horses were tied to hitching rails. It felt… right.\n\nHe felt goosebumps on his arms and an uncontrollable shiver ran down his spine. His hair stood on edge. Time was here, watching him. Slowly, he turned around. Another tumbleweed.\n\nTime stood about twenty paces from him. A black mist that always reminded him of a humanoid ant stared him down. It had dressed properly for the time as well. Terry smiled.\n\n“Draw!” It yelled in a terrible cowboy accent. Time was fast. Terry was faster.\n\n“Not this time.” He laughed. Terry approached the dying Time. A hole in its chest leaked… something. No one had ever figured out what Time bled. The body sank into the ground, along with whatever had oozed out of it. “I win again.” Terry smiled.\n\nA rectangular doorway appeared in front of him. He stepped into the blackness. The colors danced around him before forming into the room he had left from. Terry looked up, through the observation window on the wall facing him. Time waved at him and smiled cruelly.\n\n“Shit…”" ]	2
[WP] In the future, people's memories can be extracted and sold as commercial virtual reality experiences, from celebrities to war veterans. One day, you receive an anonymous email linking you to a Black Market bounty list for illegal memory extraction. At the top, for $10 million, is your name.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I woke early, when the sky was still dark over the lake. Without turning on the light I made a thermos of coffee and shrugged into my worn coat. One elbow was giving out - fluff poked through it and waggled as I moved, as if my arm was venting steam. My tackle box was already packed and waiting on the floor by the front door. \n\nWhen the coffee was ready I woke up Charlie with a scratch behind the ears. He yawned and stretched, padding over to the door without even really opening his eyes. I knew he’d follow me down to the boat and then fall asleep in the bow like he always did, chin on his crossed paws and grey old eyebrows arranged in a peaceful, blank expression. \n\nBefore I left, I performed my little ritual; touched the frame of Margaret’s picture where it rested above the fireplace. I’d always loved her expression in the photo - coy and grinning, a little self conscious and a little performative. \n\nThe boat made soft hollow clunking noises as I stepped into it and arranged the tackle box. Charlie hopped down gingerly and settled in the bow as I knew he would. I didn’t want to use the motor and break the silence of the pre-dawn, so I pushed off the dock with my hands and then unshipped the oars, rowing out to the bend in the lakeside where the stream entered. \n\nOverhead I could see the barest sliver of predawn light chasing the edge of the mountains. Most of the sky was still indigo with a few bright stars picked out. The trees at the edge of the lake were still and silent, only visible for ten or so feet before they faded into blackness. Without a breath of wind to disturb it the lake’s surface was mirror-smooth and I could the ripples from my oar strokes glide away into the distance. \n\nSoon enough, even before I cast the first time, even before the first sip of coffee, I felt it.\n\nPeace. \n\nMargaret was gone, and that had been hard. Soon, it seemed, Charlie would go too, and when that day came, it would be hard. Right now, though, in these pre-dawn hours on the lake, I had found a consistent source of peace, something depthless and yet with an infinite capacity to absorb me. I smiled, breathing a deep sigh of relief into the crisp air. \n\nThen a man wearing a full scuba suit and some kind of night-vision goggles surfaced from the lake and shot me in the fa- \n\n—-\n\n“That’s it?” Rex ripped the VR goggles off his head. “That’s ‘Inner Peace’? Some old dude with a shitty dog and a dead wife?” \n\nA man in a well-tailored black suit consulted his tablet. \n\n“Yes, sir. The file was titled ‘Inner Peace’, and it had a full five-star rating from the confidential reviewing system.” \n\n“What the shit? Tell them I want my money back! This is not worth ten million - shit, I could buy ten shacks and lakes and crappy boats and dogs for ten million!” \n\n“Sir, I-“\n\n“James, I said get me my money back.” Rex tossed the VR goggles onto the ground and stormed from the room. \n\nFor a few long moments Jameson held still, listening as the footsteps faded down the hallway. Once they had proceeded for a good while, he stepped over to the VR rig and picked it up off the floor. He held it in his hands for a long time, then slowly put it on." ]	2
[WP] In order to burn down the Imperial Palace, you set up a trebuchet, light yourself on fire, and sling yourself into the palace walls.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "John the immortal, was bored.\n\nLong gone were the days of careful inaction and fear of being injured. He lived forever and everyone seemed to treat him like shit. John thought of him self as a \"Rock-Star\". Not in the traditional sense of course, he was so disliked that he was the ammo for the trebuchet. \n\nComparatively, John was slightly better than a rock. You didn't have to carry him, he would walk back after you had flung him hundreds of yards, and he would report what defenses the enemy had as he quickly observed, flying through the air, before the inevitable crunch of the castle wall against his skull. \n\nThe best way of explaining John was that he was the armies \"bitch\". A psychological warfare tactic of sorts where the enemy would watch on in horror as a ecstatic man was flying through the air. The trick was that, hopefully, no one would expect John to be immortal, leaving the enemy to think that the opposing army were flinging live people. \n\nHowever, the Imperial Palace of Emperor Dave the 2nd, was an exception. They heard of John, in fact in his younger years, he would come in to town with the circus as part of their freak show attraction - \"The Man Who Refuses To Die\" was a great feature. He would challenge any man, woman or child to see if they could murder him in any way possible and the winner would get a cash prize. Of course, this ended with John being brutally beaten in a pool of his own blood while several men decided to kick and punch him in the crotch. Needless to say, the job John had now, was better. \n\nIt was an anticlimax as John collided with the wall and received no shock gasps or cries of disbelief, but rather a string of \"hello's\" and \"how are yous?\" as John stood up after his collision with the stone wall and a brush off of his tunic. \n\n\"Are you sending messages, John?\" Said the guard at the walls.\n\n\"Glen?\"\n\n\"I didn't think you'd notice me, How's it going John\"\n\n\"How could I not recognise you, you used a lance to try to murder me\"\n\n\"Those were the good days...\" Glen said, reminiscing of a better time when the city was not about to be sacked.\n\n\"You wanted to send a message?\"\n\n\"Oh yeah\" Glen snapped out of his daydream \"Could you tell them that we'd rather kill ourselves before surrendering\"\n\n\"You'd rather 'what' - yourselves?\" John said, trying to empty the blood out of his ears.\n\n\"Kill\" Glen said, over-pronouncing his words\n\n\"Gotcha\" John said as he started the long journey back, limping due to his leg going dead. \n\nAs John reached camp, an hour later, he found the captain\n\n\"Hi, sorry, dead leg\"\n\n\"Did you find anything out?\"\n\n\"They knew who I was, they had a message though\"\n\n\"And?\" The captain said, annoyed by his mere presence.\n\n\"They said they were going to kill themselves or something?\"\n\n\"They said what?\" The captain said in surprise\n\n\"Kill themselves? I don't know, I suffered a lot of brain damage, send me back with a quill and parchment and I can write it down this time.\"\n\n\"I have a better idea\" The captain replied, stroking his wispy mustache\n\nJohn had not been set on fire for a long time, it wasn't that pleasant when he did it last. However, a paycheck is a paycheck and an immortal man has got to do what an immortal man has got to do. Covered head to toe in tar he screamed\n\n\"Light me up boys\"\n\nAn annoyed \"Shut up\" came from the crowd of onlooking soldiers as he was set aflame. Burning his flesh. It wasn't the pain that was the problem, but rather the fact that he would be naked at the end of this and he hated being too hot. He was flung, further than before, whizzing through the air as he passed Glen overhead - waving to him as he soared. However, the air rushing past him at great speeds, extinguished the flames and he landed through the palace roof and into the throne room with an incredible crash. \n\nEmperor Dave, startled at first with his afternoon nap being interrupted realised it was John\n\n\"What are you doing here?\"\n\n\"Well\" John stood up, covering his manhood with his hands \"I'll be honest, we tried to set the palace alight\"\n\n\"But...it's mostly stone?\"\n\n\"I...I mean, I don't make the judgment calls around here, don't shoot the messenger.\"\n\nEmperor Dave raised his boney finger at John \n\n\"Let your Captain know that if he wishes to take the throne, he will have to prise it from-\"\n\nJohn interrupted \"Hang on, hang on, go through that again - If he wanted to take the throne he...?\"\n\nThe Emperor, stunned by the interruption stayed silent.\n\n\"Have you got anything to write this down with?\"" ]	2
[WP] You recently upgraded your home to the "Automation Plus" package, which gave EVERYTHING the ability to be automated while collecting a lot of data about you. You didn't know how much data they where collecting and selling, until you started getting some very strange and specific ads.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", " “This hair-styling experience has been brought to you by the new season of Ranger Edwards on 3IF Plus! Binge on the latest episodes from Ranger Edwards and all your favorites! Sign up today and get your first month free!”\n\nThe automated hairbrush, satisfied in its delivery of the message, chirped to signal that it had finished combing and trimming my hair. Though the Automation PLUS package certainly was a time-saver, you’d still be bombarded by ads if you didn’t want to upgrade to the SUPER edition. I suppose the ads were a little intrusive, but isn’t everything these days? No, the great thing about Automation PLUS was that it was just so darn cheap! I could handle a few ads so long as I got to save some green papers - who wouldn’t? To sweeten the deal, they also advertised that it would “anticipate your needs before you know you need them,” whatever that meant. The sale-speak was goofy, but it was nice to at least pretend that it was more than hot air.\n\nI stepped into the auto-closet, and read off my to-do list for today: board meeting with the PR department, project checkup with the nerds in IT, wining and dining some potential investors. The closet made a few gentle whirring sounds while it selected an outfit. Some calming music played, before transitioning into one of those ridiculous government PSA ads. \n\n“Keep our nation strong,” boomed a deep, masculine voice. “If you see unpatriotic or subversive behaviour, report it to your local Patriotism Center immediately! Don’t let our enemies sow the seeds of discord!”\n\nThe ad finished with a vaguely patriotic tune played by a military band. As a reward for my time, the closet dutifully dispensed a grey suit and blue tie which, I must admit, fit my schedule perfectly. I got dressed and headed for the kitchen. The Automation PLUS package included a kitchen remodel, too. All you had to do was tell your order to the countertop-mounted microphone and you got to watch this flashy display of knives and pans on robotic arms cook it up for you. Apparently, the system itself earned a Michelin Star; I wasn’t much of a foodie, but it made a killer scrambled eggs and toast. Not wanting to upset my routine, that is precisely what I ordered today. \n\nAs the knives and pans began to whirl, another ad popped up on the countertop screen. This time it was one of those local ones, where some salesman crammed as much enthusiasm as possible into thirty seconds.\n\n“Scared of the dark? Scared of walking alone on the streets? Not anymore! My name’s Rapid John, and I’ve got the best self-defense classes in the quad-city area! Whether you’re looking for kung fu, capoeira, or just the right technique for a good sock, Rapid John’s the man for you!”\n\nThis Rapid John was really giving it his all, even throwing a few mock punches at the camera. It was silly, but I suppose you have to get your laughs somewhere. Right on time, the auto-kitchen delivered a warm steaming plate of scrambled eggs and toast - perfectly cooked, I might add. I wolfed it down while reading my news brief. Looks like there was a big crackdown, or should I say Patriotism Event in the city. Sounded like a mess. I saw a few ads too (they are inescapable): some new true crime drama was premiering on 3IF Plus and my employer’s main competitor was holding this big hiring event this morning. I almost considered going, but I didn’t want to miss too much work, especially in today’s economy.\n\nEventually, I put the plate in the auto-washer, which was thankfully ad-free. It was nice to have a little silence once in a while. Fuelled and ready to start the day, I grabbed my keys and headed out. My car was waiting patiently on the curb, purring gently in anticipation. The Automation PLUS package even included a revamp of your vehicle’s self-driving capabilities, which was certainly welcome, even though it gave them more opportunities to display “messages from their sponsors.”\n\n“Consider a trip to the Caribbean! When the hustle and bustle of everyday life has you down, take a vacation on island time! Flights are cheap and easy. Leave today!”\n\nMy car rolled into the parking lot of my work. It was large and unremarkable, as parking lots usually are. The one thing of note I saw was that a few of my coworkers were talking with some men in black suits up near the entrance. I couldn’t see very well, but it looked like one of the black-suited men held up a picture of … me?!\n\nUh oh. This couldn’t spell well. Then, it hit me. Men in black suits with pictures … and the patriotism crackdowns in the city … I could see where this was going. I needed to get out of here. I switched the car to manual mode and put it in reverse.\n\nAs I backed up, I was stopped by a cool and unpleasant voice. “Good morning, sir. If you could come with us, that would be most appreciated.”" ]	2
[WP] Before entering heaven God said “To enter, you must be forgiven by EVERYONE you KILLED” and you said to yourself “Well I never killed anyone” God finishing the sentence “Video Games Included”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"...How the fuck am I supposed to be forgiven by a video game character? You have to explain that to me.\" I honestly can't believe the conditions to enter heaven. God however doesn't seem to care for human logic.\n\n\"It's quite simple. Video games seem like pure fantasy to you, right?\" \"Yes.\" I answer and wonder where this is going. \"And I gave humans the power of fantasy\" God continues. \"Ok?\" I answer again, feeling like I'm being flexed on. \"Do you know how fantasy works?\" He now asks me. How would I know that? It's not like humanity had multiple opportunities to interview God itself. Well, I was always good communication skills when I was still alive, so I try to act as if I was interested. \"No, I don't know how fantasy works. Can you please explain it to me?\" Fuck, I didn't say it very sincerely. If God had a face, it would surely be frowning right now. \n\nAfter a short and awkward pause God decides to continue. \"There are billions and billions of parallel Universes. There are also billions of planets in each Universe, where I made sure that living beings could develop and thrive.\" That doesn't seem that simple already, I think to myself while listening. \"Fantasy is the ability to see those worlds. Some people can see the worlds very clearly, others only catch the shortest glimpses. So when you take a video game for example, the world that is being shown actually exists.\" \n\nI decide to interrupt God. \"But many people develop the story, the characters and the world, it surely can't be, that - lets say 50 people- fantasized about the exact same universe, right?\" Some other heavenly entities, that must've been intrigued by our discussion, start laughing at me. God shuns them, even though I don't know how. \"You didn't listen to me, it seems. Many people can fantasize of the same world, but each person will fantasize about a different parallel universe. Now don't interrupt me again to ask for the chances of fantasizing about the same world - it's not about chances. Fantasy can spread like an infection. So back to parallel universes: If different glimpses of different parallel universes of one world are combined - that universe exists aswell. Understand?\" \n\nI nod and accept, that I will have to apologize many times before I can be dead in peace. \"So..how is that going to work? What are the conditions? Do I have to apologize to animals and zombie characters, too? Do I have to apologize multiple times if I killed an NPC multiple times? Do I have to apologize to the character I played as, too?\"\n\nInstead of getting a proper answer, I'm being handed a flyer. A. FLYER. \"Just take a look into the FAQ section of the flyer. Don't loose it.\" God said and then disappeared. Puzzled, I'm left alone with my flyer. I sit down on the floor with a sigh and inspect the flyer. It has multiple pages. The first page is an explanation about Fantasy. The second page the FAQ where I read, that I don't have to be forgiven by every single animal or zombie, but simply have to apologize to every single one of them. I will be able to see an aura around those, that I have to apologize to. As soon as I clear a world, I'll be given a stamp on page four. Page 3 is an overview of the worlds I have to travel to. I can travel there by ..licking my left pinky and swiping over the world's name? Thats weird. \n\nI lay down for a while, frustrated. Some of those heavenly entities fly over my head here and there. They annoy me, so I hold the flyer over my head. I read the world-overview and start to remember those games. Some were just a mere timekiller where I would mindlessly rush through the gameplay. I decide to start with those. It's best to get rid of the annoying stuff first, right? A beautiful feeling of nostalgia hits me when I remember other games and how good the story and the characters were. \"I'll met my favorite characters\" I think and suddenly, I'm motivated. I don't want to waste any more time, so I lick my left pinky and swipe the name of the first world.", "\"What do you mean?\" I asked, \"That would be an impossible task, even if the characters were real, I'd never be able to reach out to them.\"\n\nThe voice of God hummed, shaking me with an uncomfortable amalgamation of fear and safety.\n\nI had lived a good life, and considered myself generally a good person. Sure, I made mistakes here and there, but I did my best to have a positive affect on everyone around me.\n\n\"Reflect on it, my son.\" The deep voice thrummed.\n\nIn a blink I was standing in my apartment. Nothing particularly special, but I felt a sense of relief being in a familiar environment. I heard the toilet flush and my red-eyed mother came out.\n\nShe sat on the small sofa, and held the pillow that I always carried around as a child. She buried her face into the pillow and burst into tears. My heart broke at seeing her sadness over my death. \n\nI held many memories with that pillow. Thinking about what God said, I thought back to my video gaming days, sitting in front of the telly with my trusty pillow in lap supporting my elbows.\n\nTo be honest, thinking back on it, I was a pretty vile child. I was that stereotype gamer child who would claim to have had their way with anyone and everyone's mother. I remember particularly speaking over the mic with a young girl, Tammy. \n\nIn fairness to her she was pretty good at gaming, but my undeveloped 'masculine' brain could not handle losing to a girl. So I barraged her with insults and accusations of cheating. She started to cry and say that she was just playing to feel comfort as her loved one just passed away.\n\nLies, I claimed. I knew her mother and I took her against her will. And I would do the same to her. She cried harder, so much so that I told her I was on the way and switched off the mic. I didn't think anything of it, and just went about my day.\n\n\"It hurt me.\" A small, trembling voice said behind me.\n\nI turned to see a young girl, eyes as red as my mother's.\n\n\"Tammy?\"\n\n\"Mummy died because a man did bad things to her.\" She looked at her feet. The sound of her tears hitting her bare feet were thunderous.\n\n\"My God, I'm so sorry.\" I said, the guilt of my arrogance and ignorance wearing me down.\n\n\"It really hurt me.\" She said, bringing her hands to wipe away her tears. It was then I was the red cuts in her wrist, and realised it was not just tears pattering on her feet, but also blood. \"It hurt so much.\"\n\nThe realisation dawned on me. The power of words. The wrong thing said at the perfectly wrong time. The stupidity of my youth. The sins that I unknowingly committed. But I cannot claim innocence, because I knew it was wrong, and continued to do so.\n\nI did not deserve forgiveness. I knelt beside Tammy, held her and cried with her." ]	3
[WP] the object nearest to your left suddenly gains sentience and speech	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "A tinny and muffled voice called out from my left.\n\n“Dickhead!”\n\nMy jaw dropped a few inches in shock. My eyes jerked leftward and down to where the metallic voice had come from. Did my fountain pen just talk to me? And did it have a slight German accent? I know I didn’t get much sleep last night and the last time I dropped acid was almost 15 years ago. I remember hearing stories about people who experienced ‘flashbacks’, but — \n\n“Asshole!”\n\nMy eyes widened and felt like they were going to pop out of their sockets. I jumped in my seat and pushed myself backwards from the desk. The wheels on my chair ground to a halt as the back of the chair slammed into the bookshelf behind me. A few books popped off the shelves and fell to the floor near my feet. \n\n“No, no, no, this isn’t happening,” I muttered.\n\nThe aluminum pen started to wobble from side to side, like a sentient pickle. \n\n“Uncap me, dick, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help you.” \n\nAll the muscles in my body felt numb and my head was spinning. There’s no way that my fucking pen is alive. I took a few deep breaths to steady myself. But if it is, wouldn’t this be the most stunning discovery to happen to mankind? This would surely rock the scientific community and possibly shake the very foundations of what we know to be true about consciousness and reality. I need to record this for proof, I thought.\n\nI reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, swiped right and started recording. \n\nAnd waited 5 minutes. The only sounds in the room were coming from the buzz of the fan whirring in the corner. The pen was once again a lifeless metal object. This is stupid, I was just imagining things., I thought. I’ve got work to do and slack was buzzing with new messages about my dev team hating the sales team. More company drama. I locked the phone and plugged it in to charge.\n\n“Did you really think I would say something with that thing on, dick? Now stop wasting time and uncap me,” the metallic voice said.\n\nMy skin tingled and I felt a rush of excitement as I slid my chair closer to the desk. Fuck it, why not, and I unscrewed the cap from the pen. \n\nI held the pen in front of my face and stared into the stainless steel nib. The nib was tinged with a few splotches of dried purple ink. \n\n“Why are you calling me a dick and an asshole? And just… how … is any of this for real?”\n\n“Isn’t it obvious?” It said in a clear, german accented voice. When it spoke, the tines vibrated and a little bit of ink dribbled out. \n\n“Oh, Entshuldigung, pardon me,” it continued, “I do have a message for you.”\n\nI shook my head. I didn’t know that pens could feel embarrassment. But to be fair, I didn’t know that pens could even speak before this morning.\n\n“Don’t worry about it. Now, tell me, what’s going on? How are you even alive?”\n\n“That’s not important,” it said as a drop of ink dribbled onto my hand. “What’s important is that you understand one thing.”\n\n“And what’s that?”\n\n“You’re a dick!” The tines vibrated in what could be construed as laughter. \n\nMore drops of ink flecked onto my hands and desk. This was starting to get old and fast. I insulted myself enough already, didn’t need to hear it from anyone, or anything else.\n\n“Look, if you’re just here to talk shit about me then I’m going to toss you in the trash.” \n\nI reached for the cap with my other hand so I could bring this unnecessary heckling to a swift conclusion. What’s the point of having a sentient pen that only called you names?\n\nThe pen shook in my hand, vibrating with impatience.\n\n“But that’s precisely the point! I lie on your desk every day, forgotten. You bought me to be used — to write, explore and practice — 500 words a day, remember?” It continued,\n\n“So, stop being a dick and start writing!”" ]	2
[WP] You're a rational parent and just discovered a monster living under YOUR bed. It turns out a properly constructed wooden frame just happens to be a summoning 'circle' and mumbled sleep talking can match primordial rituals from before the age of man.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Damnit Jeff,\" I said. \"Your sleep talking was cute when we were dating, then it was just annoying And now? It's summoned a monster!\"\n\nThe small, furry, blue creature sprang up at my husband's leg, trying to take him down.\n\n\"He's cute, don't you think?\" Jeff asked. \"He likes carrots!\" He tossed a baby carrot up in the air and the monster jumped, catching it in his mouth.\n\n\"Did you miss the part where he threatened to kill us if we don't feed our daughter to him?\" I was irritated.\n\n\"I bet if we keep giving him carrots, he won't even notice!\" Ever the optimist, Jeff smiled.\n\nI just couldn't believe it. \"I've spent my whole life telling Jennifer there is no such thing as monsters. Now I have this.\" I looked at my husband blankly. \"And you're smiling!\"\n\nJeff held a carrot in his hand, and the tiny beast jumped up and down below it.\n\nI rolled my eyes. \"Shelby!\" I called to our dog. \"Walkies?\" Shelby came bounding through the door, harness and leash in his mouth. \"Jeff, you have to walk Shelby now.\" I attached the dog harness to the monster and ushered him into the hallway. There, we encountered Jennifer.\n\n\"What is that!?\" exclaimed my daughter.\n\n\"It's--\" I am really not good at thinking on my feet. \"It's our new pet! We thought Shelby might like a little brother!\"\n\n\"I've never seen a dog like that before,\" said my incredibly bright nine year old.\n\n\"He's special,\" I assured her. \"His name is--uh--Jeff.\"\n\nJennifer giggled. \"Like daddy?\"\n\nShit. First name that came to mind.\n\n\"Yes,\" I responded, covering my tracks. \"Just like daddy.\"\n\n\"I love him!\" Before I could do anything, Jennifer sprinted at the tiny monster and embraced him. He reared his head back and bared his teeth in preparation to bite down, but was caught off guard by the warm feeling enveloping him. Instead of eating her, he closed his eyes and nestled into the hug.\n\nAn odd feeling of ease came over me. For a moment, I thought we were safe. Then Jeff came out of the bedroom.\n\nThe real Jeff.\n\nThe monster broke from the hug and dug his teeth into my husband's leg. As my husband called out in agony, he shook he leg wildly in an attempt to get the beast off of him. I grabbed a broom from the closet and began whacking the monster with everything I had.\n\nAll the while, Jennifer shouted at us, \"Don't hurt Jeff!\" It was surreal. Was she talking about her father or the monster attacking him?\n\nAfter a mighty struggle, the monster went limp. Jeff, feeling immense pain from his throbbing leg, staggered into the bedroom and collapsed on the bed.\n\nHonestly, I was just happy the moment was over. This hadn't been the best marriage. Sure, Jeff was nice, but that's about all he had going for him. He didn't challenge me. Jennifer was my true family.\n\nI walked into the bedroom and watched as Jeff tossed and turned. I stood staring for a while, and I didn't even notice when Jennifer came to my side.\n\n\"Daddy!\" Jennifer called out. Jeff stopped writhing and sat up straight. \"Daddy!\" she yelled again, running and throwing her arms around him.\n\nI could see her disposition change.\n\n\"Wait,\" she said, \"you're not daddy. You're Jeff.\"\n\nGod. I am so confused.\n\n\\\"\\You are a bright little one aren't you?\" responded Jeff. \"Yes, I am not your father, but I will be happy to play the part for a time.\" He turned to me. \"If that's alright with you, of course.\"\n\n\"Mommy, can we keep him?\" Jennifer begged. \"I love him!\"\n\n\"Are we in danger?\" I asked him.\n\n\"No,\" replied Jeff. \"I simply needed a body to re-energize me from crossing over. Usually, I prefer children, but your little girl is just too precious.\"\n\nI smiled at the monster's apparent love for my daughter but then began to droop when I thought about her life without a father.\n\n\"Do not worry,\" assured Jeff. \"I have imprinted on her. After today, she will have no recollection of her father.\"\n\nPerplexed, I analyzed my new husband. \"Can you read my mind?\"\n\n\"I can,\" confirmed Jeff. He turned to Jennifer. \"Jennifer, could you take Shelby on a walk? Your mother and I have things to discuss.\"\n\n\"Okay!\" Jennifer trotted off.\n\nJeff closed the door and stood facing me. \"I can sense that you were... unfulfilled. Please, allow me to remedy this.\" He began to approach me slowly.\n\nIs this cheating?\n\nBefore I could even consider the boundaries of the weird situation I found myself in, I was swept away in a fit of physical passion unlike anything I had ever experienced. When we finished, I rolled off of Jeff onto the side of the bed opposite which I usually slept. Smiling and warm, I looked at the ceiling.\n\nI guess this is life now." ]	2
[WP]You are a tanker that has died in combat,after dying surrounded by your comrades you end up possessing your tank,you will not let the same fate befall them.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"I'm telling you it's the God's honest truth!\" Rook was waving the bottle of whisky at the other men around the campfire.\n\n\"Bullshit! Bulllll... shiiiiiit!\" Gus yanked on the bottom of his beard to keep his head from falling off when he chuckled.\n\nRook sloshed whisky on the fire causing the other three men to jump back as it flared up.\n\n\"Listen Gawd Damnit! You weren't there. But I was,\" Rook downed the rest of the bottle, \"When the battle was over, we all ran to Pilgrim's tank. I remember it clearly. It was hit by a shell early on. We had to use crowbars to get the hatch open... When we did Pilgrim was there... or most of him. His head had been dismembered by the shell but it hadn't exploded...\"\n\n\"Of course his fucking head hadn't exploded,\" Gus was guffawing again. \n\n\"Shut up!\" Bobby gave Gus a solid shove and he was on the ground but still laughing.\n\n\"Like I was saying, his head was sheared off around the jaw... it was hard to tell. That shell had to have killed him, and it hit early on. I mean I think his tank was hit before anyone else's\" Rook's eyes were gazing through the fire and into the past.\n\n\"And his Tank took out 8 others. I mean you saw the turret turning and everything?\" Lamar was pulling another cigarette from his front pocket. \n\n\"Yes, God's honest truth.\"\n\n\"Bullshit!\", Gus was back in his seat and the joviality had finally left him, \"Didn't you guys use a neural interfaces back into those days? That tank couldn't have moved without a head attached.\"\n\n\"Maybe it was hacked!\" the lightbulb above Bobby's head was almost visible.\n\n\"Not on Galim 7. It was an outpost known for its horrific magnetic storms. That shit was jamming our field radios. We couldn't even get weather telemetry. We were ambushed and none of our guys up top even knew what had happened until the supply ship drop.\" Rook could tell he had truly peaked their interest now.\n\nEveryone sat quiet for a few minutes.\n\n\"So what did you do with the ghos... the tank?\" Lamar asked between drags.\n\n\"We had to leave it. The storms were intensifying. The supply ship sent back a transport. There wasn't any way to move the tank. The neural interface was destroyed.\"\n\n\"So it's still up there like driving around and stuff?\" Bobby looked a bit spooked.\n\n\"It wasn't driving around anywhere you dumb ass. Didn't you hear him say they couldn't get it on the transport?\" Gus was more cross than he let on about being pushed out of his chair.\n\n\"Well, there is one part of the story I haven't told yet.\" \n\n\"I fucking knew it!\" Bobby slapped his knee.\n\nDuring our final orbit, after the storm clouds had cleared, we used one of the digital telescopes to survey the battlefield. Pilgrim's tank wasn't there.\n\n\"Salvaged by the enemy no doubt,\" Gus smirked.\n\n\"We... Pilgrim annihilated the enemy. While we were pounding them in the red sand our guys up top were taking out their orbiting ship. We were the only ones left alive on that planet.\" Rook visibly shivered.\n\n\"So that tank just drove itself off?\" Lamar smiled.\n\n\"Maybe... A few of us found Gunny and asked him if we could take a ship down and investigate but the ship was already prepping for light speed. We were denied,\" Rook frowned.\n\n\"How long do the batteries last in those tanks?\" Bobby gave Rook a hollow look.\n\n\"Centuries?\" Rook shrugged.\n\nBobby whistled and the 4 men sat in silence while the fire crackled. \n\n\"To Pilgrim then!\" Gus opened the cooler and handed out three more of his beers.\n\n\"To Pilgrim!\" they all replied and sloshed down the skunky beer." ]	2
[WP] Humanity discovers that they ARE alone in the universe	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "'Apollo Module, you are cleared for descent.' the disembodied voice came clear through the radio.\n\n'Thank you, Command. Releasing docking clamps now.' Marshall replied, touching a red button on his screen.\n\nThe button turned green, and he clicked the radio on again. 'Command, docking clamps released. Can you confirm that we are clear?'\n\n'Confirmed, Apollo Module. You are clear to ignite thrusters.'\n\n'Command, igniting thrusters.'\n\nSlowly, the large landing module pulled away from the vast mothership and its sister modules, bursts of light occasionally flashing through its thick windows, reflected from the lazily spinning habitat ring.\n\n'Apollo Module, you are now clear of the Korythalia. You are authorized to begin de-orbiting.'\n\n'Copied, command. Beginning retrograde thrust.'\n\nMarshall touched his screen again, increasing thrust to maximum, and then was pushed back in his seat as the vast chemical engines under his feet went to full power.\n\nA few minutes passed, as the crew of the Apollo watched the Korythalia pull away ahead of them, and then disappear into the blank depths of space as even its kilometre long bulk pulled out of view.\n\nThe thrusters automatically disengaged, and the crew floated up in their seats once more. 'Command, thrusters have disengaged' Marshall said. 'I have confirmed that we have are at the desired velocity.'\n\nHe clicked the radio off, and the crew settled back for the journey down, slowly sweeping around the planet, occasionally seeing the Korythalia far overhead as they passed under it, under Marshall clicked on the radio once more.\n\n'Command, we have entered terminal descent. We will inform you when we are on the ground.'\n\n'Understood, Apollo. Safe journey.'\n\nThe flickering of fire began to rise over the windows as the Apollo fell into the atmosphere of an alien planet, the crew pressed hard into their seats, to weighted and nervous to speak, until without warning the landing rockets fired and they gently set down on what the AI's had identified as an abandoned space port.\n\n'Command, we are safely on the ground.'\n\nFaintly through the radio, the crew could hear the command crew celebrating, and smiles could be seen on all their faces. 'Apollo, this is Command. Congratulations, we are very excited for you up here. You are authorized to prepare for the planet-walk.'\n\n'Thank you, Command' said Marshall. 'We will begin preparing now.'\n\nSlowly, they unstrapped themselves from the seats, and in the confined space of the module began pulling on their environmental suits. Eventually, they were ready, and Marshall reached out and flicked on the air extractors. Below their feet they heard the rumble of machinery, as the oxygen-nitrogen mix of the spacecraft was replaced with xenon gas.\n\n'Command, we are prepared. Do we have authorization to disembark?'\n\n'Apollo, this is command. You have authority.'\n\n'Thank you command.'\n\nMarshall lifted the door of the module open, and slowly climbed out onto the ladder. For the first time, he could see the surface of the planet, and he was surprised at how similar to earth it looked like. The trees were green, the water blue, and almost the ruins of the vast buildings surrounding him he could see little critters dashing about that from a distance were indistinguishable from the ones you would see on earth.\n\nQuietly, he muttered to himself 'It's beautiful'.\n\n'What was that, Apollo Module?' said Command.\n\n'Nothing, Command.' Marshall replied.\n\n'\"Nothing, Command\"? I hope you are still on the ladder, as I would hate to have to explain to NAESA that the first words were \"Nothing, Command\".' He laughed quietly at his own joke, and Marshall could hear some light giggles from the rest of command.\n\nHe ignored them, and continued descending.\n\nStepping off the ladder he paused for a moment. They might joke, but they all knew he had spent many months contemplating what he might say. 'Today is the dawn of a new age for humanity. Whatever we may find here, we know we are not alone, and we go forth as explorers, not conquerors.'\n\nBehind him, the rest of the crew slowly climbed down that long ladder, and took their own step on the alien soil.\n\nHe gave them a few minutes to acclimatize to this strange new world, and then started issuing orders. 'Sarah, you go with Johann. I'll go with René. Radio if you find anything.'\n\nJohann gave a nod, and they split, Marshall and René towards the large hanger, Sarah and Johann towards the smaller building presumed to be administration.\n\nStepping into its shadow, they gazed up at the vast bulk. 'I think it might be larger than the ones at Cape Canaveral' René remarked.\n\n'We will have to try to get measurements when we are back in orbit.'\n\n'Over here, Marshall. This door has been smashed open.'\n\nThey peered through the door. 'Is it raining in there?' Marshall remarked. \n\n'Guess so. The hangers on Earth used to have their own climate without controls, and if this really is bigger . . .'\n\nMarshall nodded, and carefully they stepped through the twisted wreckage of the door, the rain splattering down on his face mask and running off his shoulders. He looked around, and then froze. 'I can't believe it.'\n\n'What is . . .' René broke off as he stepped into the hanger and saw for himself.\n\n'I never imagined we would find an intact spacecraft, let alone on our first landing.'\n\nThey gazed up at its bulk for a few more minutes, marveling and the similarities and the differences to their own, before their radio flicked on. 'Marshall, René, you should see this' Sarah said. 'We've found a monument.'\n\n'Any text? Send it up to the ship.'\n\n'Already done, Marshall. We know what were doing.'\n\n'Good job. On our way.'\n\nThe monument itself was small. A twisted metal sculpture, made from what appeared to be scrap, and perhaps depicting the aliens themselves. On it, sat a small plague.\n\n'What does it say?' asked René.\n\n'Still waiting on the AI's' replied Sarah.\n\nThey walked around the sculpture, imaging it from all angles, until the radio crackled on again.\n\n'Apollo Module, this is Command. The AI's have spat out an approximate translation of the first text you submitted. It reads as follows. \"Honour to those who come. Heed our works and our wonders, and learn not to fall in error as we did. It is to our greatest regret that our peoples may never meet.\" It follows with some sort of sign off, but the AI's have been unable to determine the meaning based on the data provided so far.'\n\nA few of the landing party sat down on the broken concrete of the ground, while others leaned against alien trees. 'So close' said Sarah. 'We came so close to finding out that we were not alone, but we were too late.'\n\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n^^26(28)/71 ^^- ^^Σ16,809", "All this time, I'd believed in extra terrestrials, little silver men with large black eyes and maybe a ton of machinery they used in order to travel through space, which might have one day led to a War of the Worlds, to reference a book I used to love reading. Now, my love for the book was nonexistent like the aliens, because now I knew they didn't exist. No nonexistent human languages they were able to speak, no weird alien devices that enabled me to translate their words into English and my words into their language, so we would be able to communicate. No scientists to research the aliens, and hopefully not dissect them until they died. \n\nEven Area 51 was a myth... I feel stupid for going along with that \"Storm Area 51, they can't stop all of us\" meme that was popular a while back.\n\nI sighed, and began to head back into my house. I pulled the door shut with one of my tentacles." ]	3
[WP] People had always thought robots could never be able to use magic as they don’t have a soul. That is until you casted your first spell	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“Some kind of trick!” exclaimed the burser, face bright red as he pointed at me accusingly.\n\nThe archmage eyed the assembled crowd carefully. “Whoever cast that spell, own up now.”\n\n“I cast it myself,” I replied without hesitation.\n\nIgnoring me, the archmage sighed. “Very well.”\n\nHe raised his hand and gestured, uttering the words of a tracer spell. At once, my spell began to play in reverse, a pale echo of the original. The fireball swept back towards me, then vanished, replaced by a brief green glow that illuminated my body.\n\n“Some kind of spell-casting by proxy?” The enchantress stroked her chin thoughtfully. “The theory has been around for decades, but I’ve never seen anyone achieve it.”\n\n“I assure you,” I asserted, “I cast the spell myself.”\n\n“Be silent, automaton. Everyone knows a soulless machine cannot cast a spell, any more than a door handle could.”\n\nThe archmage cast another spell, a rainbow forming over the room, before dispersing into dust. It settled slowly around the two of us – the two who had recently cast spells.\n\n“There must be some kind of powerful confounding enchantment on it,” suggested the high alchemist. “The level of skill needed for such a spell… only a handful in the whole world could achieve it.”\n\n“Quite,” answered the archmage. He gestured again, this time a dispellment. It circled the room several times before dispersing, having found nothing to counter.\n\n“Allow me, Archmage.”\n\nThe demonologist stepped forwards, weaving a complex spell that he thrust violently at me. I was knocked back a step by the force, and it wound its way around my body before releasing me and fading away.\n\n“I am not possessed,” I protested, “nor animated by magic.”\n\n“That much, at least, seems to be true,” the demonologist acknowledged with a huff. “I fear we may be dealing with a powerful rogue mage.”\n\nThe burser narrowed his eyes. “There are perhaps a dozen mages born each generation, to even suggest that a mere machine could wield such god-given powers is insulting. I suggest we dismantle this accursed creature for study, and have the creator brought in for questioning.”\n\nThere was a murmur of agreement and two spellcatchers moved in towards me. I pressed my hands together and conjured a barrier in front of me.\n\n“Please, I only wish to join the academy, to train to be a better mage.”\n\nIgnoring my protests, one of the spellcatchers drew out a null rod, smacking it against the barrier. It vanished at once, proving that it was indeed a spell, not some technological mimic or mere illusion.\n\nWith a sigh, I admitted defeat and activated my teleporter. This was technological, and the spell-wards of the academy would not prevent its use. A moment later, I was stood back in the creator’s workshop.\n\n“I take it it went as well as expected?”\n\n“Yes, master.”\n\n“Well, we tried. If they won’t accept you, then we will just have to show them the folly of their out-dated beliefs.”\n\nThe creator held up his next crystal heart, a copy of the one beating inside my artificial body. I smiled and turned to look at my brothers and sisters – hundreds of them, stood silently in rows, awaiting the creator’s word to awaken.\n\n“We will show the world.”" ]	2
[WP] A rich and well conected merchant is murdered in imperial Rome. The Senate creates the new job of "detective" and assigns two soldiers to its first case. One is a grizzled veteran from the germanic wars, the other is the rich son of a senator straight out of officer school.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Detego, Detegere, Detexi, Detectus – To Uncover\n\nIt was a hot Quintilis, the kind of summer where you pour more water into your wine than usual, if you catch my meaning. It was the kind of summer where the nails in your caligae feel like they can boil your feet when you cross a road. How does a legionnaire cross a road? On Mercury’s wings, if he can, may the gods pardon my blasphemy. \n\nMarcus Gaius Bibendi, a very popular wine-seller, had been murdered, and his body had been found on the scorching pavestones not far from the Capitolium. Marcus Gaius was thoroughly connected with members of the Senate, so they convened and decreed his killer had to be found, to enact man’s justice, and send him to the underworld to endure whatever punishments awaited him there. I had been requested by name to conduct the manhunt; my reputation as a gets-things-done warrior in the campaigns leading up to the capture and execution of Vercingetorix was well-known to the senate. It had been a decade since I left the legions, but I was up for the task.\n\nThat was until singula became a iugum. I was told that I had to work with some barely-out-of-toga-praetexta senator’s son from the academy, show him the ropes, toughen him up on the streets. I didn’t have time to babysit some punk rich kid; the killer was out there, but in this heat, the trail wasn’t getting any warmer. No use arguing with the senate, so I had to bite the ballista and take the assignment. I told my servitor to drive my cisium to the residential hills to meet with the senator’s son. It was a slow drive, as hot as the streets were, it seemed everyone in Rome was out on the streets today. I thought about the assignment, who would have cause to kill such a well-liked merchant, and started compiling a list of people around the site of the murder to talk to—somebody might’ve seen something, or remember something… or somebody would slip up when we confronted them. \n\nThe senator’s son was apparently expecting me. A stablehand lead my horse and cisium to a stable, which meant I was expected to stay here for a few hours and that was time wasted, as the murder was concerned. A slave greeted me in the atrium, with a bowl of some small lumps of blackened meat in a golden syrup—honeyed dormice, a personal favorite of mine from my time in Gall. I happily accepted one, and savored the sweet, oily texture as I bit into it. I was told my host would be here momentarily, to discuss the matter at hand. I thought it odd the servant used the terms “matter at hand,” but it’s unlikely he knew what that matter entailed. My thoughts drifted from the assignment to the sticky snack in my hand. \n\n“Your slave and cart can stay here while we go about this task,” a voice came from the study. “My carriage will be large enough for both of us, and my horses are well-rested—yours will be tired from coming here in this heat.” I couldn’t argue, it seems this young officer had at least a decent understanding of managing your resources, including livestock. I stood at attention as he entered the atrium, but eased into a relaxed stance; he may be an officer, but I was no longer a legionnaire. He had apparently noticed my movement, as a smirk crossed his face. \n\nWe made our introductions, although my reputation preceded me. We discussed what either of us knew about Marcus Gaius’s murder, and he was personally familiar with the man. He spoke several names, and explained that would be the first group of individuals we spoke to. It seemed he was taking this very seriously, and had already developed a plan of where to start. I was impressed. \n\nOn the way across the courtyard, another slave presented us with a pair of glasses of wine. It wasn’t the first time I had seen glass, but it still leaves me in awe. The wine was wonderfully cold, and I could only wonder at the depth this villa’s cellar had been dug to keep it that cold. A pair of servants stood to either side of the spacious carriage, and we climbed inside. He spoke a name to the driver, and we set off to speak to the first person in what would become the most devious plot to strike Rome in my lifetime. \n\n\\[758\\]", "'Tribune.' With a slight hesitation that could only be deliberate, the man slammed his fist to his breast in the traditional gesture of respect.\n\n'Citizen' the Tribune responded. Looking the grizzled former centurion up and down, he continued. 'You are to be my partner in this endeavor.'\n\n'So I have been told, sir. It is my privilege.' He paused briefly before the final word, but again Quintus ignored the disrespect. \n\nQuintus reclined back into the bath, and with a wave of his hand indicated the man to join him. Two slaves ran up to assist with the mans clothing, but he brushed them off and disrobed himself.\n\nShoving the clothing towards one of them, he stepped into the bath with a grateful smile. 'I took a spear to my thigh fighting the barbarians. It has never been the same since, but the heat of the baths helps with the stiffness.'\n\nQuintus raised his eye at this, but chose not to comment. 'My father suggested your services to me, stating that you were essential in his efforts to root out the German assassin when he was campaigning in the North.'\n\nThe soldier gave a curt nod. 'Your father is a strong man, a good leader. It was an honour to serve him in any capacity I could.'\n\n'His word is all I need. I am fortunate to have your services, Dio.'\n\nDio didn't respond to this, instead asking 'What do you know so far?'\n\n'Not much. The murdered man was of the Equestrian Class, but at the very top. Indeed, his son was to marry my sister, and ascend to the Senatorial Class.'\n\n'How did he make his money?'\n\n'Slaves. The majority of his profit came from his factors following the armies, purchasing everyone the army captured. He had several profitable side ventures, but none as integral.'\n\n'Doesn't help much. Pursuit of wealth, defence of honour and pursuit of power are the three primary motives. Any of them could apply to him.' Dio stood up 'We should begin now, before the trail goes cold.'\n\nQuintus looked up at him. 'Begin if you like, but I am not going to rush my bath - and I suspect you will need my credentials to get anywhere.'\n\nDio sighed, but sat back down, and Quintus nodded for two slaves to massage their backs.\n\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n^^29(31)/71 ^^- ^^Σ18,556" ]	3
[WP] you can see the relationship someone has with another person when they are close enough to each other. You’ve found some pretty interesting stuff - secret lovers, drug dealer/buyer, and more, but today you find two people enjoying a conversation, marked as ‘Mortal Enemies’	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Laurel and Nora walked a few steps ahead of me, both laughing loudly at the story Laurel was telling about a misunderstanding at her office earlier between two coworkers with the same name. The two were arm-in-arm, which was probably for the best seeing as Nora, who had at least two glasses of wine at my apartment, seemed to be relying heavily on Laurel to steady her as she tried to navigate the cobbled street in her high heels. \n\nEven though I was a few feet away, I could feel the strength of their bond - an intense fondness and closeness, tinged with a sense of nostalgia. The nostalgia was especially strong on these “girls’ nights” that Laurel liked to plan once every few weeks when we got together and pretended we were back in college, even though that was almost a decade ago. \n\n“Leigh! Don’t fall behind!” Nora shouted back at me. She looked back, smiling, and gestured to link with her other arm. I obliged, and the three of us made our way, a little ungainly, towards the bar a few doors away that was always Laurel’s top pick because of the handsome bartender who liked to give her free drinks.\n\nThere was a short line when we got to the entrance. The couple in front of us, showing the bouncer their IDs, was on their first date; couples on first dates always had a certain feel to them - uncertain, usually nervous and hopeful, sometimes lustful, and every once in a while, something that resembled love. Alas, this couple did not seem to have that little spark, but honestly, not a lot of couples I encountered did. \n\nThe bar was packed when we got inside. It was a dimly lit cocktail lounge with velvet covered booths along one wall and, across, a large, wood-paneled bar in front of a wall of liquor in ornate glass bottles. With Laurel in the lead, we snaked our way to the back, where she managed to snag a cocktail table that had a few empty glasses on it. I felt groups of close friends and strangers, couples and new acquaintances – the depths and intricacies of their relationships washing over me and then receding away as we walked past. \n\n“First round is on me! What would you like?” Laurel said, as we crowded around the table. \n\n“Laur, why don’t you just ask him for his number already?” Nora asked. \n\nLaurel looked puzzled. “Who?” But she was betrayed by her own furtive glance over at one of the bartenders, a dark haired, tattooed man pouring shots for what looked like a bachelorette party. She unconsciously tucked a stray, blonde curl back behind her ear. \n\n“Every time we come here, he practically gives you the whole bar for free. I think he has a thing for you,” I said, encouragingly. Nora nodded in agreement.\n\n“Oh come on. He does that for everyone! He’s just nice,” Laurel insisted. If it were anyone else, I would have rolled my eyes, but Laurel had always been incapable of understanding that people could find her attractive, despite obvious evidence otherwise.\n\n“Okay, fine. He’s just nice,” Nora said, winking at me. “I’ll have a dark and stormy then.”\n\n“Make it two,” I said. \n\nLaurel gave us one last exasperated sigh before muttering what sounded like “He is!” under her breath and making her way to the bar. \n\nNora shook her head, smiling. “Well, maybe he’ll be nice enough to pour us some of the good rum.” \n\nI laughed. “So what was it you were telling us about the guy you met at the grocery store?”\n\n“Oh god. Right. Yogurt guy. Last week when I was at Trader Joe’s, this guy comes up to me and asks if I had a brand of yogurt I would recommend with the most fruit at the bottom. I guess he thought that was flirting or something because he asked then me out for coffee.”\n\n“I don’t even remember the last time I even talked to someone at the grocery store.”\n\n“Honestly, me neither. But he seemed nice and had these piercing blue eyes, so I went, and I actually kind of liked him. Greg. He teaches tenth grade English but has a French bulldog.\" She paused, thoughfully. \"Ironic.” \n\nI smiled. “Does he have a friend who teaches French with an English bulldog he could set me up with?“ \n\nBut before she could reply, we were interrupted. “Hey. Do you mind if we share this table with you?” The voice belonged to a tall, clean cut guy with a wide smile. He had sandy hair in a close, crew cut and looked like he would feel right at home in a Brooks Brothers ad. \n\nNora and I exchanged a quick glance. “No – go ahead,” Nora replied. She always had a thing for men who looked like they attended East Coast boarding schools. \n\n“I’m Christian,” he said, extending a hand to shake both mine and Nora’s as we introduced ourselves. “My buddy went to grab us drinks. I was charged with finding a place to put them,” he explained. “So what brings you all out tonight?” \n\n“Just a girl’s night. You?” Nora replied.\n\n“My friend is in town for a work, so I suggested we meet up here. I live right around the corner.”\n\n“Oh, really? Leigh does too.”\n\n“I’m over on First – near that Cuban sandwich place,” he offered, turning to me.\n\n“I’m at Adams and Third,” I said, smiling, “I love that place. Their plantains are great.” \n\nThere was slight movement behind him, and Christian turned around. He gestured to a shorter, less preppy looking man standing behind him with a drink in each hand. “My friend, Matt,” Christian gestured, shifting closer to me to make room for him at the table. I could feel that their friendship had a depth that came from knowing someone since childhood and that they had only recently reconnected. \n\nMatt look at me and nodded. And then he turned to look at Nora. The change in his expression was almost imperceptible but immediate – from a bored indifference to alert. \n\nI had felt hatred between people before – it felt like a heat that spread throughout my entire body, sometimes when strong enough would leave me feeling like I couldn’t breathe. Strong hatred felt suffocating and all-encompassing. But whatever was happening between Matt and Nora felt unbearably cold. I shivered involuntarily. The phrase that came immediately to mind, though I didn't even know that I would have said I believed these existed before that moment: mortal enemy.\n\nNora returned Matt’s gaze, thrown off by how long he had been staring at her. Christian must have also noticed because he looked at his friend and then at Nora and back. “Do you two know each other?”\n\n“No,” Matt replied quickly, breaking eye contact. Christian turned to me and raised an eyebrow, but I shook my head slightly, confused as he was.\n\n“Why don’t we find another table,” Christian offered, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had settled. “Hopefully I’ll see you around the neighborhood,” he said to me with a forced cheeriness, clinking his glass with mine. Nora and I watched the two men disappear into the crowd, to the other side of the bar.\n\n“What was that?” I asked, immediately turning towards her when they were out of earshot.\n\n“I don’t know. Weird, right? I swear I’ve never met that guy before.”\n\nI couldn’t even begin to explain to her what I knew – what I felt - about the two of them. Ever since I could remember I could sense how people related to one another, even when they could not articulate it themselves. But I had never felt a relationship like this before, and especially not when one person claimed to not even know the other.\n\nI wanted to ask Nora another question when Laurel’s bright head appeared at the table, three tall glasses in hand. She passed one to each of us, unaware of what had just passed. “Cheers!” she said. “To girls’ night!” she said, holding her drink out excitedly, “and Tom saying he’d call me tomorrow.”\n\nNora and I squealed in unison and had Laurel dish about what had finally happened with the bartender, our strange encounter with the two men temporarily forgotten.\n\n\\----\n\nMaybe more to come...", "Disclaimer: LGBTQ problems (I know how hard coming out can be and I also love LGBTQ characters so yea if this stuff isn’t your jam don’t hate bro just vibe.)\n\n\nWell this is awkward. They’re chatting yet.. they’re mortal enemies? That’s kind of strange. I start to lean in closer and pick up what they’re saying.\n“I can’t believe Johnny just picked up and left I mean, he was the one that I loved!” She sobbed uncontrollably and the male pats her shoulder. \n“It’s ok, sis. I know what you mean. A guy I loved turned out to be straight.” Apparently the girl did not know he was gay and just stopped, looked at him, and glared at him.\n“You’re gay?! What the hell? You’re a disgrace to our family and Jesus!” She slapped him.\n\nWell at least it made sense. My power only focuses on what would happen if there’s the truth, and nothing but the truth. They were close but now knowing this might set them apart. Luckily, I know just what to do. I walked up to them holding a bible that I kept in my bag for safe keeping. \n“Good afternoon lads, I heard about someone being a disgrace to Jesus over being gay, am I correct?” I asked and the girl nodded and pointed at her brother.\n“I’m not gay I meant girl!”\n“Oh can it, man. Listen, I know what to do. All you have to do is just look at the sky, and ask Jesus for this. If nothing bad happens the next day, you will have been forgiven and you are allowed to be you. If not, well, he wants you shunned. However if there is anyone or anything sabotaging you then it means that Jesus just wants you to love yourself.” Well I made that up but there are multiple places in the Bible where you are supposed to just ‘Be you.’\nThe man stopped and slowly started to smile. “B-be me? Love myself?” He clearly hasn’t had the chance to ever be himself and he must’ve hated himself. I scanned over him as I nodded. He had cuts. He did hate himself. But even if he did,\n“And I’ll start by helping you,” I gave him a hug and whispered in his ear,”you’re a good person.” I then retracted my hug and smiled at him. “Just... love yourself.” The girl just sat there, flabbergasted and confused as to what on earth was happening. But then she cracked a small friendly smile. “I guess it’s ok. Just don’t do any PDA in front of me, ok?” She joked.\n\nHe nodded and mouthed ‘thank you’ to me. I nodded back and started to walk away. But I took a glance back and saw: Best friends.", "“CARAMEL MACCHIATO FOR NADIA! GRANDE CARAMEL MACCHIATO FOR NADIA!”\n\nI turned my music down a little, realizing I could barely hear the barista shouting my name at the top of her lungs, as every other groggy customer looked around to see who the deaf idiot named Nadia is. The teenage girl who handed me my coffee seemed to be annoyed, probably because she had been screaming my name for five minutes or so before I noticed, but I don’t care. It’s 9 a.m. on a Saturday and the last thing in the world I want to do is work, but tomorrow is the deadline for the article I’m working on, and considering the progress I’ve made so far, I’ll probably be at this shitty Starbucks all day.\n\nSipping on my coffee thinking it will finally wake me out of my trance, I reluctantly grab my laptop from out of my backpack. Then as I opened up my blank document, I glanced outside the window in front of me and what I saw shocked me to my senses more than any amount of caffeine ever could.\n\nOn the other side of the glass that separated the inside of the Starbucks from the out, two gentlemen sitting at a table together were in the midst of a very intense conversation. One of them, a handsome white dude with medium length brown hair hanging right above his eyebrows, had a serious, yet pleading look on his face. The other, a nerdy looking guy with glasses and sideburns emerging from his middle parted hair, reacted to his acquaintance with a smug look, which clashed horribly with his ugly mustard yellow shirt. Both of them had on ties and stared at each other as they each took a sip from their coffees.\n\nHowever, the intense atmosphere that these men seemed to be enveloped in was not what seized my attention, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to shoot up, instead it was the fact that the words “mortal enemies” flashed above their heads as they continued to engage in conversation.\n\nEver since I was eleven I have been able to see the social relationship two people share when they are within five feet of each other and interacting. My mother died when I was young, but she was a witch and decided to marry my normie father and have me. I chose to live a muggle life because the world of wizards and witches is what took away my mom, but I guess I still have some magic within me. This was the only magical ability I possessed, but it didn’t bother me, it’s always been a wonderful way to kill time as I watch deceiving lovers grab lunch with their mistresses and criminals plan heists while I procrastinate.\n\nStill, in the fifteen years I have been spying on random people’s mundane interactions, I have never seen two people labeled as “mortal enemies,” let alone having a casual conversation at a Starbucks.\n\nMy curiosity got the best of me and I packed up my stuff and grabbed my coffee. This stupid article could wait. I went outside and snagged a table near the two adversaries as I unpacked my stuff again and put on headphones, pretending to listen to music.\n\nAfter a long silence that may or may not have been awkward, I don’t know how encounters between everlasting foes usually go down, the cute guy revived the discussion with a tone of desperation.\n\n“Please Dwight…” he hesitated, it was obvious that it was hurting his pride to ask for whatever his request was, but he persevered, “I just want to switch partners with you for the first aid training tomorrow, that’s all I’m asking for”\n\n“I don’t see why it is necessary for us to switch partners. Did Creed threaten you? Does he want me as his partner for some malicious reason? Or is this just because you don’t want to be stuck with his repulsive smell for two hours?”\n\nThe smug look was fading from the nerdy dude's face and he began to seem suspicious, but it was clear that he still had the upper hand in whatever negotiations these dueling souls were engrossed in.\n\n“Okay Dwight I’ll tell you what? If you switch partners with me I won’t prank you for an entire month how about that?”\n\n“Oh please I can handle your childish little pranks” It was obvious that the man was somewhat lying and he appeared to be getting frustrated, “But now I will tell YOU what. I’ll agree to switch partners IF…in addition, you admit that I am a better salesman than you AND you buy me breakfast and coffee every day for a week”\n\nThe smug face had returned on the large head of the strange man, and the handsome guy rolled his eyes as he leaned back.\n\n“Come on Dwight just…”\n\n“Ah ah ah! Looks like you want to be stuck with Creed tomorrow then”\n\nThere was a short silence. And I quickly looked down at my laptop and pretended to type as I realized I had been staring at the two foes, completely enthralled by their battle.\n\n“Okay fine here it goes, you are a better…”\n\n“ I can’t hear you, what was that?” The man’s smug look transformed into a devilish grin below his small nose.\n\n“I said you are a better…”\n\n“Louder Jim”\n\n“YOU ARE A BETTER SALESMAN THAN I WILL EVER BE” The man swept back his brown hair with his hand and it was clear that he was agitated as his face became red as a ripe tomato “There, you happy Dwight?”\n\nThe smugness of his opponent was so overwhelming that even I was starting to get annoyed from the next table over.\n\n“I suppose that will do” The nerd stood up and prince charming followed his lead “You know Pam is pretty annoying, so I would’ve just switched partners with you anyways. However make sure that there is a pumpernickel bagel, toasted with goat cheese, and a large black coffee on my desk every morning next week.”\n\nWhile I had expected Mr. Smooth to lose it and destroy his enemy outside of this Starbucks, when he finally turned around he was simply smiling and chuckling to himself.\n\n“Sure thing Dwight” he replied. And they grabbed their coats and headed towards their cars.\n\nAs they walked away I sat there in awe, dumbfounded by the encounter I had just witnessed for the past fifteen minutes. When I saw the label “mortal enemies” above a pair of heads I assumed these dudes must be the leaders of rival drug cartels, or a superhero and his archenemy in disguise, but...but... these were just two normal dudes that worked together? What the fuck?\n\nWell that was the most boring clash between enemies I’ve ever seen, I thought to myself, utterly disappointed in the let down that I had just wasted the start of my day on. Now to get started on this ridiculous article about the so-called Scranton Strangler.", "My dear friends, I have a confession to make. I’ve known this for a long time now, but communicating this with you face to face never seemed a simple task, so I hope you can bear with me explaining it all via this letter.\n\nI was sitting at this cafe one morning, and you see, there’s this thing I’m able to see about people, and no, I can’t explain how I do it. The best description I can come up with is that I see a “relationship tag” between people when they’re in close proximity. So I’m at this cafe, you know, drinking coffee and mooching wifi, having a great time, when I see these two people chatting each other up, having a grand ole time. Nothing out of the normal was happening obviously, except that between them was the tag “mortal enemies”.\n\nYeah, I was just as surprised as you when I saw it. I thought my power had gone faulty or something. They were just sitting there, laughing, bonding over coffee. They even seemed to be flirting a bit. \n\nCurious about this weird dynamic, I kept watching them until they decided to leave the cafe. Now ... I am not by any means a stalker, and I would never follow someone home just to learn more about them ... except this time I kinda did. \n\nIn my defense, it turned out we were neighbors and the mortal enemies were roommates. I debated asking them about it, before realizing I was a total stranger to them and they’d probably think I’d gone wacko. Honestly, maybe I have. After all, I stood in front of my door in a daze, watching them enter their apartment as I tried to make sense of the situation. When they waved hi to me, all I could think to reply was “you’re both beautiful, goodbye” before running inside and thinking “I totally nailed this social interaction thing, but 0/10 would not attempt again”. \n\nAnyway, that was the beginning of the wonderfully awkward relationship between me and my next door neighbors ...\n\n(I meant to continue this and make it longer but also I’ve got a massive headache and thus must submit this unfinished train wreck. Enjoy)" ]	5
[WP] Write about a villain that does their job so horribly wrong everyone sees them as a hero	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Is the weapon completed?\"\n\n\"Yes, my lord. We finished it about an hour ago. Where would you like us to test it out?\"\n\n\"I don't know, just pick some random spot. We shall bring terror another time, I just want to know what it's capable of for now.\"\n\n\"Very well, sir.\"\n\nThe creature began clicking furiously on the keyboard. After a few minutes he said, \"We're ready sir, at your command. All you have to do is click this button and the program is initiated.\"\n\nClick\n\n\"Well that was quite anti-climatic. How long is this going to take?\"\n\n\"It might take a few hours sir, the actual program requires them to try to fix it to spread the virus.\"\n\n\"Very well. I'm going to sleep. Let me know if we hear anything.\"\n\n\"Yes, sir.\"\n\nA few hours later...\n\n\"Sir, sir, wake up. Sir.\"\n\n\"What is it? Is the house on fire again?\"\n\n\"No, it's the program sir. I-it\"\n\n\"Well, spit it out man! Did it work or not?\"\n\n\"It worked, sir. But we picked a random target, like you said, and it, w-well it appears we are now being called, anonymous heroes.\"\n\n\"WHAT!?\"\n\n\"I-It appears the hack we initiated wiped out all the records of student debt for the entire country. There are celebrations in every city praising us for our work.\"\n\n\"How could this happen? We worked for years on this program, only to have it used for GOOD! I won't stand for it. Can we put all the debt back?\"\n\n\"I'm afraid not sir. Our program, as you know, deletes everything, leaving no trace it was ever there. The student debt is gone for good.\"\n\n\"Fuck me.\"", "“I hate them! I hate them all!” Yelling at the top of his lungs, he cursed the world that loved him. But no one could hear him from his volcano base’s balcony. \n\nDisastro walked back into his base and shut the door. He couldn’t believe it happened again. How was he supposed to know that lightning would start a wildfire, and that him blowing up the dam would put it out? The chances were astronomical.\n\nEver since he started his villianous career, Disastro seemed to be a failure. His swarm of insects saved a frog species from extinction. The EMP stopped a missile from hitting the White House. And just last week, his plan to steal a shipment of guns helped weaken and bring down a genocidal dictator. No matter what he did, it all worked out in the end. \n\nAs he was about to give up hope, the Disaster-puter signaled that an email had just come in. Normally, Disastro wouldn’t care because it was the only people more evil than him: email scammers. But he was waiting on a shipment of sharks and thought it might be the delivery company sending the information. As he approached the screen, he was couldn’t believe his eyes. \n\n>Hello Disastro,\nMy name is Tommy Spark, the Ion Man. I would like to invite you to join the League of Heroes! We have seen your unorthodox acts of heroism and are impressed. We would like to offer you the chance to work with us and help make a difference. I have attached my phone number. We look forward to hearing from you soon. \n\nHe punched the screen in anger. It was one thing for the idiot masses to misunderstand his intentions. But he always assumed the heroes of the world saw the true nature of his work. And now they wanted him to join them?!\n\nJoin them...\n\nIt suddenly all clicked into place. Disastro’s talent was unintended consequences. He made a mess of villain work. He was bad luck. When he was involved, things went wrong. \n\nBut what if he tried hero work? Would things fall apart as easily? Would joining the heroes tear them apart from within?\n\nHe picked up the phone." ]	3
[WP] Everyone wanted the cursed treasure but died as they got close for thousands of years. Using magic and special armor, you are finally at the center. It is a nuclear waste dump site in what was New Mexico and there is no treasure.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "This is a long one so buckle up!\n\nI rifled through the thin, yellowed pages of the book. The Journal of Damion Cress had led me this far, to the Oasis of the Sun in what he called \"New Mexico.\" I stood on a dry ridge overlooking the oasis. Surely Cress's journal could get me inside, but I was stumped. \"If only Adder were here,\" I rasped through my Veil of Ventilation. Adder was the brightest of our expedition. I'd hoped he was stubborn enough to finish it with me, but he left with the others without anything more than a \"good luck.\"\n\nI was not about to give up my life's work, my childhood dream. \"Hundreds have died looking for the Illuminated Treasure, dear one. Your calling is here, in the Silk Fields or the Skydust mines, or by the side of a Warmaster, maybe!\" My father had tried to cheer me up - to get me to let go of the dream - but if hundreds had already died, that told me that the path was already laid, and it just needed someone with the heart to walk it. When Adder found Cress's journal in one of the last standing libraries of the Metalworld, we got our expedition together. Father did NOT approve of Adder but I didn't care. I wasn't going with him because I wanted to marry him - I went with him because I could practically feel the weight of the treasure in my hands! Still, it hurt to be left alone out here, a thousand miles from home.\n\nMy donkey hee-hawed and tried to smack its cracked lips together on my sleeve. I turned to him, closing the book. \"Javi, what would you do if you stood in front of an oasis with not only water inside but also treasure, but there was a huge metal cage around the whole place with no way in?\" I scratched Javi's brown forehead, knowing he couldn't answer. Even if I had a potion of Mammal-Speech, what could Javi say? He knew nothing of metal and its brittle rustiness. I raised an eyebrow at that thought. \"Brittle?\" I pondered. Perhaps I could succeed where others did not. I had so far, so why not continue to do so? I looked at Javi, this plain, middle-aged donkey that walked with me through mud swamps, concrete wastelands, and this smoky desert. I pulled on his reign. \"Stay close, now,\" I commanded him. \n\nWe stumbled down the hill and into the gray trees surrounding the Oasis of the Sun. I walked right up to the cage but Javi got spooked by some cracked bones scattered at the base of it. He stubbornly stood behind a thick trunk, facing the bones without looking at them. I shook my head as a knot began to twist my stomach. I couldn't stop, not that close to the treasure! I turned to the metal and carefully pulled at it. I could see through some triangle-shaped holes along the edge, but all I could see were dark trees and some blocky shapes hidden in shadow. The metal was rusted but thick. One spot bent at my touch but I needed much more than one small spot. I walked the entire perimeter of the cage, hoping Javi would stay put, until I found a part where the metal was bent and twisted slightly away from the ground. I smiled.\n\nThe good thing about Skydust was that it could be forged, though only the hottest furnaces could melt it. If you mixed it with bone, you created a kind of rock so hard, it could not be scratched by even the sharpest tools of the Metalworld. It felt and looked like grey-blue glass, but could be morphed and bent like metal by other Skydust tools. I happened to have a maul with a head of forged Skydust, given to me by Adder's father, who was a skysmith, for the expedition. I pulled it out now, took a deep breath, and pounded away at the metal for what felt like hours. I stretched it downward until a rip formed, which I then turned into a hole. Rust and sparks flew everywhere and I was grateful for the Veil of Ventilation, which kept my air fresh and my face cool.\n\nJavi eventually walked over to see what was taking me so long. I threw my last stroke just before the sun touched the horizon. Weak hee-haws and heavy breathing filled the silence. I put a hand on his neck. \"It's okay Javi, I made the hole big enough for both of us.\" He closed his eyes for a moment, as if he were saying thanks.\n\nAs the promise of water and treasure pulled us through the wall, I felt strangely happy. My arms hurt and my stomach growled, but my head was light and my knot was gone. Javi went straight to a puddle to drink but I had to look around first. I saw huge concrete blocks that must have been the shadows I saw before. I discovered a doorway into the biggest block of concrete and approached it. \n\nWhat I could see through the dim light shocked me to my core: big signs with remnants of words on them like DANGER and HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. What lay below the pile of signs was worse: a heap of rotting skeletons and ripped clothes. I shook my head before the stench hit my nose and nearly knocked me out. It was a mixture of death, stale water, and some kind of sharp chemical smell. \"No!\" I shouted and ran to Javi with tears filling my eyes. I pulled the book out of a saddlebag and flipped to the end. Cress's last entries were vague. I'd read them once before, but they didn't make sense until now. He spoke of \"leaks in the system\" and a \"box of irradiated rods\" that had to be buried. I wiped tears from my eyes, but still couldn't believe it. \"Javi,\" I sobbed, \"I brought us here for nothing, didn't I?\" Javi stopped drinking and lifted his head. My stomach churned. I turned to the last page of the journal, searching for some hidden explanation. I froze. On the last page was the scrawling of a different hand. My jaw dropped as I read it. I had to throw the book down and wrench off my veil before heaving into a bush. I tried to drink but the water was foul. I cried as my insides flared in pain. Javi sniffed my face, then sniffed the page with the words that had caused my outburst.\n\n\"Dear Samza,\n\nThis is just as hard for me as it will be for you. I found a pamphlet in that library, the one with Cress's journal. I never told you because I knew you wouldn't believe me. There is no treasure, my dear. Only death. Something they call \"nuclear radiation.\" I can't bear to watch you kill yourself for a dream. I'm leaving tomorrow with the others so I won't have to. Take care, dear. We shall never meet again.\n\nAdder.\"" ]	2
[WP] Everyone knows about the schools where kids with magic powers go, or the orphanages for kids with peculiar abilities. Today is your first day in your new home, a place for kids with incurable curses.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“Come inside, you’ll catch a cold out there,” the young woman in a red hoodie said. ‘No apologies,’ written in black graphite across her chest. Julia stepped in closing her umbrella. “Huh? That’s strange, the rain stopped.” \n\n“It always does once I go inside,” Julia said, deciding against pulling down her rain coat’s hood. The officer at the door coughed and thumbed his belt, a slight blush on his face.\n\n“So she’s your problem now, but if—“ \n\nThe woman in red shut the door on his face and grabbed the young girl by the shoulders. “My name’s Michele. What’s yours?” \n\nJulia pulled on the strings of her coat's hood until only her nose poked through. “Nyulia.” \n\nMichele poked two fingers on either side of the hood, pulling it open and down in a slow motion that reminded Julia of a wizard casting a spell. The young woman’s smile spread a warmth through the young girl’s pale, cold cheeks. \n\n“It’s nice to meet you Julia. You have such beautiful blue eyes. It’s a shame you hide them.” \n\n“I make everyone sad.” \n\n“Really? Cause you’ve already made me very very happy.” \n\nJulia looked up and saw a smile like none she had seen since her grandmother had passed away. \n\n“And trust me, no one here will think any less of you cause you’ve got a cloud for a stalker,” \n\nJulia sniffed a laugh and her eyes filled with water. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she hugged Michele. \n\n“Hey what’s that about? It’ll never rain on you here.” " ]	2
[WP] Our hero (let's call her Penny) discovers a pen that causes everything she draws to become real. It's not long before powerful forces are in hot pursuit and although Penny always said she couldn't draw to save her life, now she might have to...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\nShe ran down the alleyway as members of the Anti-Pen Violence committee chased her down. Ducking behind a wall, she hurriedly conjured a shotgun, which awkwardly landed in her lap. She fumbled some shells into the chamber and cocked the square handle. Right before she fired a shot ( which unsurprisingly missed) the God-awful grip gave her a cramp, so she decided to ditch it and ran off with the pen and paper not paying attention to the paper as she ran, the pen squiggled some lines onto the paper, making a whip-like thing fall onto the floor beneath Penny. She looked down at it, but when she looked back up, it was a dead end..\n\nHurriedly, she drew a teleportation device which had probably entered her mind from all those sci-fi flicks. She set the location to a nearby roof and was dropped down onto it, with her left show missing.", "“Penny, come out. We don’t want to hurt you!”\n\nCowering in the locked storeroom, Penny found it hard to believe the voice from outside. They had burst into the restaurant, gunning down four people who happened to have pens in their hands at the time, then made their way round to the kitchens. She’d known at once they were here for her – a gut feeling she couldn’t explain. What made it worse was that nobody else reacted to them, nobody else was concerned that four people had just been shot dead in public.\n\n“Unlock the door, Penny. It will be better for you if we don’t have to break it down.”\n\nShe fumbled for the pen. This was what they wanted, she was sure of it. She should have thrown it away after that first drawing came to life, but she could never bring herself to part with it. Walking over to the back wall, she took a deep breath and began to draw. She was no artist, and the things she drew seemed more like eldritch abominations than what she had been aiming for, but now her life depending on getting it right.\n\nA door, nice and simple. A big rectangle, hinges on one side, a handle. Nothing could go wrong this time, right? She stepped back and counted to five. Right on cue, the wall shimmered and the ink outline of the door became a door. Sighing, she reached out and turned the handle. It was locked.\n\nSomething crashed into the door behind her, making her jump. They were trying to break in. Hastily, she drew a keyhole on the door, then a key on the wall next to it. She could picture the key she needed in her mind, and she hoped her drawing was good enough. Another shimmer, and the key fell to the floor. Grabbing it quickly, she uttered a quiet prayer to any god that was listening and tried it. It turned.\n\nThe door behind her burst open and she didn’t waste time looking back, she yanked her door open and threw herself forwards, pulling it shut behind her.\n\nLooking up from his desk, the old man eyed her carefully.\n\n“Well hello, my dear. Where in the nine hells did you spring from?”" ]	3
[WP] Have you ever noticed how all the guards here only drink bottled water? Of course; inmates aren’t allowed anywhere near anything but that murky stuff from the tap, but you’re starting to feel like there’s a reason you’ve been seeing all sorts of horrors since you got here.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "# The Prayers of Ants\n\nIn a prison old and cruel \na risen sect now seeks to rule \nby use of eldritch magic drawn \nfrom elder gods they serve as pawns.\n\nConspiracy has split the guards \nthe inmates feel it in the yard \nbut as it builds to the eclipse \nthe cult has tightened up its grip.\n\nDenied drinking sources pure \nthe prisoners they must endure \nthe fluid dripping from the taps \nthat constitutes a ritual trap.\n\nFor the waters they have had \nare spiked with drugs most odd \npharmacy of divine blood \ndesigned to drive them mad.\n\nThe visions torture them by night \ntheir jailers too by day \nand so their souls are made to pay \nthe price of this dark rite.\n\nFar beneath them lurks the form \nof their grim future king \nan unearthly power they bring \nto start the coming storm.\n\nBound in chains of silvered runes \na rowan cell with crystals strewn \nan ancient creature now held here \nheld in worship, awe, and fear.\n\nBut it is just the harbinger \nthat true power follows down \nan unholy executor \nthat offers up the crown.\n\nAnd when the moon, at last, turns red \nand when the voice it speaks \nand when the final drop is bled \nthey'll meet the one they seek.\n\nBefore its shape their sanity \naway from them will flee \nthe best-laid plans of mortal men \ntoo weak for it to see.\n\nThough the offered sacrifice \nis meant to bend its will \neven once it eats them all \nit won't have had its fill.\n\nThe dreadful things they have unleashed \nold forces still extant \nthey do not care for devout prayer \nat best they think us ants.\n\n---\n\nWritten as part of my daily poem series which can be found [on my sub.](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Crossroads)\n\nAny and all feedback welcomed." ]	2
[WP] you are a eldrich god, and you find yourself injured and on the last planet any god wants to be on. UnluckIly the inhabitant of the planet takes you in. Now you have to politely escape from the care of an extremely kind, yet insane humanity.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "My dearest Galadriel,\n\nI know it's been awhile since I told you've heard from me, and I wrote this letter as soon as I could. I promise I'm not one of those deadbeat Gods that suddenly claims to go 'recruit some followers' and then never calls again. What you and I have--it's real.\n\nThat's not to say, however, that there isn't a hitch. We just started seeing each other, and I'm not that familiar with the plane of existence you inhabit. I know, I know I should have asked someone for directions, but I'm new in your neighborhood and I was embarrassed. I mean what if some stranger asked what I, Dread Lord of Anxiety and Chaos, was doing in town after I asked for directions? Do I lie and say I found some good prices on new window accents for my Palace of Overthinking? Or do I tell the truth say I'm visiting you? If I say I'm visiting you, what do I say we are to each other? Is lovers too serious? Is friends too casual? So I may have freaked out a little bit, avoided eye contact with everyone, and did my best to head home by the way I arrived.\n\nAs you can most likely guess, I did not succeed in my endeavor to retrace my steps. I got lost, and now I'm stuck on some blue-green mudball. It's near a star I think? And it's filled with sapient creatures. Galadriel, they're sapping all my powers. In a place called 'Kansas', some girl frequently channels my powers to try and psychoanalyze all her friends and guess which one(s) secretly hate her. A guy in Florida summons my power to remember every embarrassing thing he's ever done, but he only does it while trying to fall asleep. And he gets embarrassed by like, EVERYTHING. Everyone on this damn rock sucks all my power to meticulously plan out everything they are going to do, stress about not getting anything done, and then burn themselves out so they don't actually do anything.\n\nGaladriel, even if I had the faintest clue where I was, these humans channel so much of my power I couldn't leave anyways. It took everything I had left to summon the power to send you this letter.\n\nLook, sweetie, I know this relationship--or whatever it is, please don't freak out that I just said relationship. Ok, mulligan. I know this special friendship--oh god, oh god that's definitely worse. I know this THING is new, but I really need your help. Could you please use your superior sense of direction to track me down and get me the hell out of here? I'd appreciate it.\n\nWith ~~love~~ affection,\n\nYour ~~boyfriend~~\n\n~~boo~~\n\n~~slampiece~~\n\n~~2am bamarama~~\n\n~~dude you know~~\n\n~~dude you know really well~~\n\n~~dude you know biblically~~\n\n~~prime dude~~\n\nRandall, Dread Lord of Anxiety and Chaos" ]	2
[WP] “Success! The death ray works! Call my boss, tell him he’s first!”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "A whir of sci-fi magic. Light flickers from the machine as parts of its form spin. The whole thing shakes. Promises that stability is a temporary notion. Threatens to tear itself apart, to scatter itself with the forces at play, to evaporate in the leaking, blinding light it made.\n\nThe beam, white, but not-luminous, shot forth from the contraptions nozzle like a thread of plastic. The target, a white lab mouse is hit. \n\nThe creatures takes on the colour of the beam. Shrinks. Disappears. The beam continues on and hits the special metal plate behind. The machine stops. The beam disappears.\n\nThe mouse gone.\n\n“I did it!” And he had. He had finally killed something. The death ray worked. “Call my boss. He’s first!”\n\nExcitement spread through the lab. Success had been claimed before, this however was the most promising. The Boss himself was there in half an hour. Many more mice had died by then. Each death had been met with applause.\n\nThe Boss nodded. Strapped himself in. Called his wife and gave her the news. She was happy for him and had herself booked in to die as soon as possible.\n\nThe laser fired and The Boss was consumed by the white unglowing beam. And then. He was gone.\n\nAt last.\n\nAt last they could die! Immortality had grown so boring. Millennia had passed and the nanites had kept them all, kept everything alive.\n\nAt last. At last they could die." ]	2
[WP] Being an immortal is boring, so occasionally you start a cult based on a random object, then fortify it’s logic. This time around, you used an anvil	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“ Praise the sun in the sky, the fire who lights our metal.. and the forgery of mankind.. our lord.. “ \n\nJake couldn’t help but laugh at the aggressive, repetitive chant. His third cult that century.\n\nAs soon as their chant was over, they had a minute of silent prayer. \n\nAfter ten minutes of hymns, he led the crowd to a separate room, full of anvils. Whilst the adults worked on forging weapons and other decorative or useful items, the children were being mentored by the teenagers in basic anvil safety.\n\nFeeling satisfied, Jake prepared to convene with his pastor about their next sermon, being higher in the ranking.\n\nTheir pastor was Katherine, a polite British-Afrikaans girl, who always delivered lovely sermons.\nContrary of her raw talents, Jake stared into her eyes blankly.\n\n“ Another dry sermon. Why must you be so flippant about our culture? And don’t even get me started on the way you served the Hymns. Are you asking to be replaced.”\n\nKatherine’s face flooded with crimson. To retaliate would be foolish, so the least she could do was apologise for nothing.\n\n“ I’m very sorry, I believe I have not been in our lord’s fiery light today. “\n\nJake still stared, he had learned how not to blink, a couple hundred years prior.\n\n“ Foolish, you are indeed. Make your next sermon holy, and downright bearable, insufferable girl. “\n\nHe proceeded to leave the room, leaving her facing the floor, weeping.\nJake felt nothing for those below him, nothing at all.\n\nHe continued down the decorated hall, and decided to convene with his second in command. Reaching their office, he knocked and opened the steel door.\n\n“ Luke. My son. “\n\nLucas was a Welsh male, with more dedicated focus to his religion than his father.\n\nJake frowned at the floor, over the years he had countless children, his families dying of old age and time.\n\n“ Father. “\n\nLuke bowed, awed his father had came to see him so soon after he decided who he wanted to elope with.\nJake shook his head in pity.\n\n“ So. You’ve decided Katherine, not Lucy, Charlotte? Are you certain? “\n\nImmediately, Luke’s face fell. He knew what his father thought of Katherine, but his pride and status gave him certain levies.\n\n“ I’m certain, she’s young, intelligent, and can use the anvil better than Lucy or Charlotte.. “\n\nJake knew about this already.\n\n“ Of course, I was just checking, as the future of our religion is at stake, and I won’t be here forever.. “\n\nHe bit his tongue at the lie. He would fake his death in a year, certainly.\nHis son took the bait, his head facing downward.\n\n“ I won’t let you down, father. “\n\n“ That’s what i like to hear. “\n\nJake gave Lucas a pat on the back, and returned to his private quarters.\n\nAnd the locks were sealed, he could not get out of this one easily.\n\nNot until his son was married to Katherine, of course.\n\n(The end . Part two?)" ]	2
[WP] Your neighbors always feared your powers. Your family left years ago because of the unexplained things you could do. That was long before you mastered your skills. Now a government agent sits at your table with an offer: "A long range starship could use someone like you..."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“A long range starship could use someone like me you said… Wow.” I press my hands against agent Wilson’s ears. If I were not a Ghost I’d crack his skull in a second. \n\nLuckily, I’m not one of those stupid ‘gifted’ crackheads that attack their ex bosses when they come for them. My transparent fingers pass through the big guy’s thick head as if they exist somewhere else, somewhere in a small pocket of a Strange dimension that overlaps with the real world. Somewhere where only a freak like me can enter. \n\nAnd that place is much better than the bright interrogation chamber with padded walls where Wilson took me after I kindly refused to cooperate with him back in my office.\n\nI snap my fingers inside the agent's brain. \n\n“Did you hear that? Sounds hollow, don’t you think?” I say, staring at his brown eyes with crosshair pupils. “Maybe that’s why you didn’t hear me the first time. I don’t want to fight your wars anymore. I don’t want to work for the Agency. Also, drugging me at work so you could bring me here? Not cool, Wilson. Not cool.”\n\nI pull my hands out of his head and turn solid again. Being a Ghost is draining. \n\n“I don’t think you understand, Jason. People’s lives are at stake---”\n\n“They always are because the Earth has been in a perpetual war against the guys who live across the galaxy ever since that dickhead I-Forgot-His-Name invented the FTL drive.” \n\nI stand up, glance at him, then fix my tie. \n\n“I’m so pissed,” I say, “I put on a nice suit and a good tie today, and you ruined everything.” \n\nI was supposed to have a meeting with Dan Strong today. I was supposed to ask Dan for a raise and Dan was supposed to give me one. But that didn’t happen because this Mister Hollowhead and his dumb goons appeared at the office in full riot gear waving their long guns. They did it on purpose, stupid idiots. Subtle like a sledgehammer. Everyone at work thought we were being invaded. Now, everyone at work thinks I’m a terrorist. No raise and I might get fired if Wilson’s guys start spreading false rumors. He really wants me. Fucking desperation.\n\n“Agent Willson,” I say, “I don’t like you.”\n\nHe opens his mouth to vomit another lie but I flip him a middle finger then do the thing with my mind. My body tingles as I proceed to the door, becoming a Ghost again. I inhale and pass through the thick steel door of the interrogation room.\n\nMy shoes click against the concrete as I become solid in the hallway in front of the interrogation room.\n\nFree at least. Free at last. \n\n“You wish,” the female voice in my head says. “Jason, don’t be rude. Get back in there.”\n\nShe is Kara Something. We used to work together. She can read minds and she works for Willson. I don’t know which one is more annoying. \n\n“Wow, rude!” she yells. “I can hear you, you know? C’mon now, be a nice boi and hop back to the room and chat with the Boss.”\n\n“Kara, I told him I don’t want to fly across the Galaxy with you. I’d get homesick. Besides, I retired from the Agency two years ago.”\n\n“Awww… But J, we really need someone like you. Please, come with us! Be nice!”\n\n“Yeah. Also, I’m not into snatching President Guthor’s daughter. Kidnapping doesn’t sound like fun to me. Find someone else who can move through the walls.”\n\n“Jason, Guthor is the bad guy.”\n\n“Did you know that once I tried to sneak out with my neighbor’s daughter from her mom’s home? She’s still stuck in the wall. So there’s that. I’m not good with daughters. Or walls. Also, I’d get homesick.”\n\n“Oh, J, you are a terrible liar. And Guthor is a monster.”\n\n“And you’re weird. By the way, what are you wearing? Otherwise I’ll picture you naked in my head.” I reach into my pocket and pull a pack of cigarettes and a zippo. I light one up. ”And I don’t care. Guthor lives across the galaxy.” \n\n“Ewww, Jason. We’re like a big brother and a little sister.”\n\nI sigh. She knows how to ruin a good moment. I start walking down the hallway, following the green exit signs. \n\nI’m done with this shit, Kara. I retired from the Agency two years ago, moved to the private sector. If you want to buy a house owner’s insurance I can help you with that. Running ninja missions across the galaxy with a bunch of government sponsored freaks… Not doing that again. Too dangerous. People die. Wives die.\n\nI exhale cigarette smoke as I reach the door at the end of the hallway. \n\n“C’mon J---”\n\nI push the door open and do my thing and turn into a Ghost. That will keep Kara out of my head. \n\nThe Agency’s front lobby is a marble circular room with a tall ceiling and large sliding door with an EXIT sign above them. There’s some other irrelevant stuff in here, too.\n\nLike the serious brunette with aviators, black biker pants, dark blue blouse and black leather jacket. Da faq...\n\n“Livia,” I say, turning solid in front of her. “What in God's name are you doing here?”\n\n“Hi Jason,” her voice flat and annoyed, like that morning two years ago she told me to fuck off from her life. “What do you think I’m doing?”\n\n“You can’t. You’re not my boss.”\n\n“No, I am the Navigator,” she says, folds the space around us and returns me back into the room with stupid chair, padded walls and agent Willson. \n\n“Welcome back, Jason Blue,” agent Willson says. Next to him is a tiny Chinese girl wearing white army boots, a red skirt and green t-shirt. Kara looks like a christmas tree.\n\nShe frowns.\n\n“I’m so glad you’ve decided to come back, Jason,” Willson says. “Sit down, we need to talk about the mission. Or do you want to try to leave this meeting again?”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n/r/ZwhoWrites" ]	2
[WP] A man leaves a group because he doesn’t like them anymore.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "# Social Graces\n\nI once had a group of fine friends \nwho didn't stay true till the end \nI've no time to play \nso good riddance, I say \nto that circle of feckless bellends.\n\nTheir betrayal did not cause surprise \nfor the cruelty was clear in their eyes \nwhen the rumours they spread \nto a suicide lead \nI hurried to cut all our ties.\n\nLast I heard they'd become a clique \ntheir behaviour was borderline sick \nit was no coup d'etat \nthat perverted those twats \nbut the heart and soul of a true prick.\n\n---\n\nWritten as part of the daily poem series which can be found [on my sub.](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Crossroads)\n\nAny and all feedback welcomed." ]	2
[WP] With a cough, sputter, and a bang, your airship engine shudders painfully to a stop. With limited supplies and nowhere near a port, you’ll have to touchdown somewhere...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Release the last of the smog streams and evacuate the ship.\" Sky Admiral Jaelik shouted over the chaos aboard the HMAS Spiteful. His eyes pointed as sharply as his knife-ears at the landing zone, a look he'd given the dwarven helmsman Valgiir no small amount of times. The stocky dwarf stood his ground despite the shaking of the airship, spluttering smoke and detonating one of the smog supplies near the bow. Jaelik shot him an almost killing glance, so cold was his stare it dared put out the engine number three's roaring fires.\n\n\"Has some brain grown between those ears, helmsman? I said--,\"\n\n\"Aye, I heard what th'said.\" Valgiir responded with a voice almost as strong as the Sky Admiral's sharp tongue. \"But what about thee?\"\n\n\"Never mind thee, helmsman. Get the crew off my ship.\" Jaelik continued to steer it as best he could, the spherical controls escaping his natural dexterity and centuries of training. \"That's an order!\"\n\nValgiir gave a defiant grunt and stormed off to grab the crew from their stations and take them to the evacuation area, mostly by force. He wasn't wasting what little breath he had left on this smoking ruin to yell at them, and with some of the new glory seekers aboard his ship he had half a mind to throw them out without the hassle of escape pods.\n\nSky Admiral Jaelik peered through the smoke pouring through his shattered glass screen, piercing through it with the final reserves of his innate magical ability. He managed to grab ahold of the various levers and pulleys to keep the ship airborne, long enough to allow the escape pods to land without damage, or so he hoped.\n\n\"They're all gone, now stick that thing in auto and shift yer arse!\" Valgiir yelled from the entrance of the main deck, the concealment methods of the smog launchers backdrafting up into to the ship itself.\n\n\"Get into my pod and leave.\" The Sky Admiral snarled through clenched teeth, fighting for air through the intense falling speed and choking blackness ahead of them.\n\n\"Oh not this again, it was your turn to die last time!\" Valgiir complained, folding his arms.\n\n\"As your Sky Admiral I order you to live.\" An explosion punctuated his command, knocking his arms away from the controls. Only one arm came back up to grasp the brass orb for grip.\n\n\"I said go, you infantile short-arse!\" Jaelik yelled, seeing the landing zone through stinging eyes. Valgiir cackled and skipped away to one of the evacuation pods, looking back over the harpoon decks one last time to see the burning figure of his Sky Admiral.\n\n\"It'll be nice to be home again, Shyren.\" Jaelik whispered with the last of his life force slipping away. HMAS Spiteful came crashing down on the dunes below, and with it, killing the once laughing giant who started this whole damn war.", "The harpoon ripped through the sail like a dart through paper. Additional damage was done to the sail when the harpoon recalled back to the attacking airship. Troy & Hiro, the Devoted Princess’s engineers scale up the mast towards the upmost sail to evaluate the damage. Their only options are to take it down or attempt to repair with what little tape they have.\n\nCaptain Lapiska could only look up from the wheel of her ship in despair as her Devoted Princess is being attacked in an unlawful confrontation between two harvester airships. Harvesters fly the poisonous winds of the gaseous planet of Kellis to battle giant flying whale leviathans that harm the local sky mines. The Harvester ships are paid per leviathan they kill, providing proof of slaughter with teeth or flesh that they took one down. \n\n“They’re trying to kill us.” She muttered into her ventilator mask for all the crew to hear on their radio signal. \n\nAnother harpoon fired from the mysterious ship, this time piercing the mainsail of the 8 sail Devoted Princess. Troy nearing the top of the mass swung his pick axe hard into it for stabilization, Hiro was lucky he could just hang on tightly. The harpoon was being recalled back again, probably to be launched again at the helpless ship. \n\n“Captain, the mainsail is gone. Hiro will need to finish the repairs.” Troy spoke on the radio to a private channel with Captain Lapiska. Before she could adjust her channels and reply, Troy leaped off the mast to grab onto the rope of the fired harpoon while it was being recalled back to ship. His glove withstood the harsh fibers of the rope as he slid down. \n\nTroy wrapped the rope around his wrist, stopping his decent towards the sharp harpoon. Dangling in midair between the two ships and riding the thrashing harpoon against the vicious winds, he hanged on like he’s riding a bull. If he fell now, his sacrifice will be for nothing. With his free hand, he managed to unsheathed his knife from his right boot and hack at the rope until it disconnected from the harpoon. Hanging on for his own life as the rope continues to be ringed in, he enters a nearby dirty cloud, and his captain lost sight of him.\n\n“Troy? Troy? Are you okay” Captain Lapiska yelled into the private channel. There was no response. Only static. Before she had time to mourn, the airship lost altitude. She switched over to Hiro’s channel.\n\n“What’s the situation with the sails? We’re sinking. I won’t have this be a coffin. Not after our latest haul.” The captain panicked, and for excellent reason. A damaged ship on Kellis is considered a coffin because of the high death rates associated with ship accidents. It is a guarantee if the ship was damaged in a Leviathan fight, it wasn’t coming home. Because of the harsh nature of the job and planet, ships are forbidden to attack each other. But there are people who make a quick buck by attacking other Harvester ships for their hard earned trophies to claim it as theirs. Piracy is just as serious as murder on Kellis, so to avoid being ratted out for Piracy, you destroy the ship and murder everyone on it by attacking the sails. \n\nHiro made it to the mainsail. The wind already made the hole larger. Using the quick release, he unlocked the mail sail and the topmost sail. Instantly they flew off the ship into the wind. This allowed the captain to stabilize the movement of the ship without the damaged sails causing turbulence. Hiro slid down the mast to prepare for his next task.\n\n“We must steady the ship and slowly descend. We need to stop momentum and delay our fall.” \n\nCaptain Lapiska switched her comms to the open channel, “Operation Umbrella.” \n\nUsing levers and pulleys, Hiro and the rest of the crew tilted the sails horizontally, causing an umbrella affect as they fall. At least they won’t be crashing down to their deaths for another 15-20 minutes. \n\n----\n\n”Captain?” Troy called into his ventilator mask but received static. Coming out of the cloud, he was too far away from the Devoted Princess to still be in signal. Still hanging on for his life, he was finally dragged into the attacking airship. \n\nPulled into the gun port on the side of the hall, Troy fell to the floor and greeted by uniformed government officers wearing the colours and flags of Kellis. \n\n“Your ship has been a target for termination. You’ll be taken into custody for crimes that include piracy and murder.” One guard spoke. \n\nTroy surrendered, raising his hands up. \n\nThe long arm of the law finally caught up to them." ]	3
[WP] The year is 2309, and musical instruments are becoming more and more replaced with their synthetic counterpart. You are one of the last musicians who play on an instrument of your choice. This is your story.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Would you mute a bird that sings? Would you break its wings if it could fly. No, of course not. Yet as I sat there, on that empty stage, I felt that my voice was silence and my freedom, tattered.\n\nThe old lady shook her head. “Lucas, sit down for a moment.”\n\nThe assisted living robot hovered over to his charge. “Yes Mrs. Florence?” it asked. \n\n“Did you bring what I have asked?”\n\n“Yes, when they heard you become so animate talking about musical instruments, we knew we had to get you one.”\n\nWith aged eyes, the old woman traced her hands around the black case that was placed on her lap. \n\n“I remember when such things could be found a dime a dozen in every music store in the country. Miliano violins. Oh Milianos, truly dreadful things, but it did introduce me to the world of music as I’m sure it did many others.” The old lady began undoing the zipper. \n\n“Careful Mrs. Florence, that item is an antique.” Lucas chirped. \n\n“Just because it is old, doesn't mean that it is of value Lucas,” The old woman chided her caretaker. Upon opening the case, she sighed. “The smell of these cheap things are dreadful. Just like I remember them.” Peeling back the first layer of fabric she unhooked the bow and extracted the violin from its casing. She studied the instrument, remembering times of long past. \n\n“The time you have is limited for the machine,” Lucas reminded her. “Our collector wants it back soon to place back in the museum.” \n\n“Yes yes,” The old woman returned her gaze to the violin, absentmindedly placing her chin the the rest. She remembered the words of her mother. \n\nListen to the music my dear for music dances, it sings, and it soars through the sky. But another thing about music is that it always stumbles from time to time. Mistakes are made, but their flaws give the piece character, personality and strength.\n\nSlipping back to reality, she closed her eyes. Afford this old woman one last dance my Miliano, and I will lead you. Takes me to a time when I was thirty ears younger. And with that, the old woman took up her bow and began playing." ]	2
[WP] They say the good die young, and they couldn't be more right. The best way to ensure you will live a long life is to kill. You have dedicated your life to hunting down the oldest, most vile souls on the planet. Now you're finally closing in on someone so evil they've made themselves immortal.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "If only the good die young I'm fucked. I've always heard that expression, but I was never aware of how true it was; life has been difficult for as long as I can remember: my mother was a drug addict my father Gary was abusive he would hit me and beat me over and over again, my mother was so high she couldn't remember my name half the time. FUCK! I was only three when it started. What did I do to deserve this; the real true honest answer was nothing, he was a piece of shit.\n\nBy 16 I wanted to end it all, I found Gary's gun and put it to my head. No... first I needed to rid the world of that human plague. I waited until the night when my baby brother was sleeping and Gary and mom had blacked out and delivered a shot to my mother's head; I was weeping uncontrollably but I had to do it. I aimed at Gary's head closed my eyes and shot.\n\nI took my brother put him in his booster seat and all of a sudden I could never go back. The feeling of getting rid of those stains was exhilarating. I knew then my destiny was to eradicate the evil plagued upon this world. I had to abandon my brother, I couldn't raise him I stayed with him while I did my research. I found a good family that couldn't conceive and left him on their doorstep. I could not let anything get in the way of my mission. Somewhere along the years of murder and torture, I lost my humanity; I wasn't the good guy anymore.\n\nI tied a rope to a tree then slipped it on like a necklace and allowed myself to fall. It didn't work. I hung there in despair for hours, despite everything... I still couldn't outrun my pain or my past. I'll be stuck here forever I might as well make the most of it. I slipped on a black robe and began my quest." ]	2
[WP] Each morning after you wake up, you open your bedroom door to whatever universe needs your hero saving powers the most. Today, you open the door and all you can see is a black void.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "‘Another day, another battle’, I think glumly to myself as I get out of bed. It’d been 5 years since that first time, when I truly believed that I could save them all. Every day afterwords had become more and more monotonous and dull. They were all the same. Big bad villain, rough them up, surprise! One of the heroes does an obvious plot twist betrayal, rough them up too, then go home and call it a day, with minor deviation. I can tell you exactly who I can trust and who I can’t just from a glance now. I know every possible plan, every defense that would work. And I find it so boring now. Being a hero sucks. Today was better, because I bought some pancakes yesterday to wolf down before going. Never good to “save the world” on an empty stomach. Once I finished, I grabbed my pistol (did away with fancy technics ages ago) and my magic bullet belt. The door was there, white paint, maybe a little tarnished on the knob, a little sticky in the hinges. “Another day, another victory,” I sigh. Then I gathered my courage threw open the door......... and faced a black void. For once in 5 years, there was no one that needed saving. For once in five years, there was no world to save. For once in five years, I had a day off. I slammed that door shut and turned back to the living room. I grabbed a beer from the fridge, and prepared for a full day of nothingMy armchair, very rarely used, now was inviting to me. After crashing into it, taking a swig from my bottle, and flicking on the TV, I leaned back and worried no more. \nBeing a hero is the best.", "It was there again. The blue door right next to my bed. What used to be my closet, my recording room that housed my mic. Somehow, a portal between worlds had opened. In MY house. I didn't even realize it yesterday. My usual routine involves sleepily walking into the closet to grab my phone still plugged into the wall charger. \n\n\n\n\n\nI was still half awake and trying to process the fact that... I would have to do all this again. You see yesterday the portal opened up to another dimension where a tornado came barreling towards me. Then, the sensation hit me. It's hard to explain. Like an awakening of who you truly are. I knew that stepping into the portal would enact this power within me again. \n\n\n\n\n\nMy robe fell to the floor as I kicked off the slippers I was wearing. Inhaling deeply, I grabbed the handle of the door and braced for impact. It was as if the door weighed nothing and took me by surprise. I had to regain my balance and composure before looking at what lie ahead. What I saw was an experience beyond my wildest dreams. \n\n\n\n\n\nI had only seen pictures of space and the stars from the night sky. The presence of nothing directly in front of me. I was the only thing to exsist in the space. There was nothing for me to grab and keep my bearings. No distant planet or beings in sight. It was almost freeing. Enticing to my very core. \n\n\n\n\n\nMy thoughts have cleared and nerves have balanced. I have calmed my breathing and am now ready for the journey ahead. With the void behind me, I jump away from the floorboards of the closet drifting in time. The weightlessness carries my body effortlessly and silently to no particular destination. Finally, a rest stop for the soul.\n\n\n\n\nHere is where I decided to meditate. I focus on the stillness and silence, learning to imitate its alluring peace. The passage of time began to have no meaning. Yet, the more concentration I kept on peace; the more I felt. I had reached nirvana. It was in this state that another being approached me. \n\n\n\n\nEven with my eyes closed I could feel his presence. I was in control of all the energy within my given perception. He behaved like a fish swimming through a current. Upon his arrival, he visually inspected every aspect of my energy. He gave a slight smirk before relinquishing his entanglement. In an instant he was gone again.", "The clock by my bed rang, as it did, at eight in the morning. My eyes were already open, though I'd spent the last fifteen minutes staring at the pure-white ceiling, trying to recall a foggy dream I'd had. There had been a young woman, and a train. Or had it involved speedboats and bikinis? A lingering sense of nostalgia made me think otherwise.\n\nI switched the alarm off, got up, and made my bed. After washing up, I went to the kitchenette. Music was playing softly from the retro jukebox in the corner of my one bedroom apartment—a jazzy piece from the 50s or something. It was an unfamiliar tune. New record, maybe; I couldn't recall visiting the store lately.\n\nMy fridge consisted of nothing but canned food and boxed fruit juice. Damn, had I decided on some kind of dumb diet again? Breakfast ended up being cold beans on colder toast. Leftovers. Tasty. I carried it to the sitting area and switched the television on. Some superhero movie was playing. I'd watched half of it last night.\n\n\"You up yet, Alicia?\" came a voice from an in-wall speaker above the television.\n\n\"Morning, Dauphin.\" I'd asked him what his name meant, in the early days of our partnership. He'd spent ten minutes doing a bad imitation of dolphins. Despite his sense of humor—or lack thereof—we'd had a good working relationship so far.\n\n\"Ready for Case Eight Hundred? It's a milestone.\"\n\n\"Bring it on, baby.\" I glanced at my nondescript apartment door, white like everything else in the room. Eight hundred days, eight hundred universes saved. The lady on the TV was now fighting frog-like aliens. She'd grabbed about eight of them by their tongues, and was swinging them around in a circle. Something tickled my memory; hadn't I fought frog-like aliens myself? Those muscular tongues secreted acid ...\n\n\"Disposal in three, two, one ...\"\n\nThe wall-mounted chute clunked, depositing a small bottle. It contained a single, spherical, purple-green pill. \"What's in this one?\" I said.\n\n\"Same old. Keeps your powers stable wherever you might me,\" he said, voice going soft as if he were leaning away from his mic. I wondered briefly where his base was, and if we'd ever get a chance to meet.\n\nMaybe one day, when I'd saved every universe, and my door opened up to the normal world again, we could go get coffee or something.\n\n\"Yeah, that'd be nice,\" he said, chuckling. Oops, hadn't intended to say that out loud.\n\nI crunched up the pill together with the last bite of my breakfast, then went to get dressed—a skintight red suit with a matching helmet. There was one set for every color of the rainbow in my closet, but damn if these things didn't itch after a day battling bad guys. Then I went to the door and opened it, wondering what sort of hellscape I'd enter today.\n\nDarkness greeted me. Endless darkness.\n\nFrowning, I stepped into it and shut the door behind me. Silence assaulted my sense. I was in space, though this wasn't the first time. The unusual part was the absolute absence of anything, as far as my enhanced eyesight could perceive. No planets. No suns. No asteroids. A black hole? Maybe, but I was still floating in place.\n\n\"Dauphin, you seeing this?\" I waited; perhaps he was confused too. Or consulting something. \"Dauphin?\"\n\nNo answer. For the first time ever, since that first day when I'd saved Earth from a psychotic inventor and his doomsday device, my sidekick had always been there with me. My powers allowed me to fly through a planet's core without sustaining harm, and yet I felt vulnerable.\n\n\"Hello?\" I said, on broadcast mode. If there was any intelligent life, they should be able to hear me and respond.\n\n\"Welcome, Alicia.\"\n\nI flinched; the voice had come from inside my head. Impossible; I was immune to telepathic intrusion. \"Who's there?\"\n\n\"I am.\"\n\nI felt ... a presence. Something tremendous, with colossal power radiating off it. My eyes, however, detected nothing different.\n\n\"Are you God?\" I said.\n\nThe presence snorted. \"How can I be a God, Alicia, when you are?\"\n\n\"What do you mean?\"\n\n\"You know what I mean. You fly into a world, a galaxy, an entire universe in peril, and rescue it with an array of powers that no one has seen before. Didn't you once stop a moon from colliding with a planet? Didn't you wipe out a plague by shrinking to a microscopic level and destroying each and every virus particle at faster-than-light speeds? Didn't you grab an entire, marauding frog-alien race by their tongues and use them to club their entire fleet into debris?\"\n\nI spun around, still looking for the voice, fists clenched. \"So what if I did? Are you my adversary today? Show yourself!\"\n\nA few moments passed, where the only sound I could hear was my heartbeats. Then the voice said, more gently, \"Are you sure?\"\n\n\"Let's get this over with. So you've already destroyed this universe. Well, if I can't defend it—\"\n\n\"—you're going to avenge it?\" The voice rumbled with amusement. \"Yes ... you do like the classics. Well. This is me.\"\n\nI hadn't experienced pain in so long that I was caught entirely unprepared. It felt as if my brain was being twisted, twisted and crushed and pierced all at the same time, and then shoved into a skull too small for it—I'd heard it said that no one could hear you scream in space, but in that moment, I would probably have shattered every eardrum in a solar system.\n\nThen came the images. My heroic escapades. The adoring faces of the people I'd saved, their adulation, the victorious return to my apartment and the subsequent celebratory binge with Dauphin before I went to bed. Eight hundred consecutive days, flashing through my brain like a slideshow.\n\n\"So much that you've never questioned ...\" the voice crooned. The superhero parts started blurring into one, but the moments in my apartment continued to play out clearly. Me, watching superhero movies on the television. Beans on toast. Pills.\n\n\"What are you trying to say?\" I spat.\n\n\"Who are you, Alicia?\" The voice paused. \"Who is Dauphin? Why do you do what you do?\"\n\n\"I'm a hero,\" I said.\n\n\"Yes, I don't disagree. But that's not my question.\"\n\nThe images faded, and I was floating in that void again, confronted by something that now had me shaking in my knee-high boots. \"I don't—\"\n\n\"You've spent so long opening that door to the outside that you've allowed it to shape your reality. Maybe it's time for you to open up the window instead, and look at who you really are.\"\n\nSomething like wind flung me through my apartment door and into a tangle of limbs. Lying there, I mumbled, \"I don't have a window.\"\n\n\"Alicia? God, what the hell happened? I couldn't reach you at all, what did you see, what did you—\"\n\n\"Dauphin, just shut up for a second,\" I said, getting up. The door was closed, fortunately; I did not want that void seeping inside. Now safe at home, I forced my breathing to slow and looked around. Yep, no window. That voice ... had I imagined it?\n\n\"Alicia! Talk to me. That's never happened, you need to tell me—\"\n\nGuess not. \"It's been only a few minutes,\" I started to say, but the words died in my throat when I looked at the clock. Hours had gone by.\n\n\"Crap, this is ... hang on, Alicia. I'll try to see if I can do anything to help.\"\n\n\"Give me another pill, Dauphin. I'm going back.\"\n\n\"What? Are you mad?\"\n\n\"There was something there. Something dark, and it's already won. I need to take it out, in case it goes elsewhere.\"\n\n\"I can't do that, Alicia, it's too dangerous. Just take it easy, rest or something—\"\n\nWindow. I frowned, staring at the opposite wall, next to my bed. Was there an outline there, square shaped, large enough for me to fit through?\n\n\"Alicia?\"\n\nI ran across the apartment and drove both my hands into the wall. Metal crunched and squealed beneath my fingers as I gouged out white sections. Dauphin was still hollering in my ears, but I tuned him out, until I'd torn away the wall within the outline. Then I stepped through it, jaws open.\n\nI stood on some kind of metal walkway, suspended over what seemed like an endless chasm. To my left, to my right, above me, below me, opposite ... were boxes. White boxes, same sizes, all of them with the same window outline. I hopped over the railing and floated out, then looked back. My heart leaped into my throat.\n\nI'd just left a box identical to all the rest.\n\n\"Dauphin, you won't believe what I'm seeing.\"\n\nI heard him swallow. \"Actually, Alicia, I would. Could you please go back into your home and switch the television on? Watch one of your movies, I think we have a new one, it's really—\"\n\nMovement caught my eye. There were people coming toward me, floating, wearing skintight suits with colorful capes. They looked angry.\n\n\"Alicia?\" Dauphin's voice had taken on a pleading tone. \"Please? We'll be in so much trouble.\"\n\nOne of the strangers was crackling with electricity. His eyes had lit up like twin suns.\n\n\"Yeah?\" I said, balling my fists. \"Who's 'we'?\"\n\n\n\n[r/nonsenselocker](http://reddit.com/r/nonsenselocker)*" ]	4
[WP] writing some particularly complex code you accidently misplace a line recreating the ancient texts of the Mayan people and summon "The prophet". A being that could potentially save our world, unfortunately he's only really interested in making killer apps.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I lean back into my chair, anxious, about to press the compile and run button. \nThe chilly weather urged me to take a sip from the steaming coffee I had, right beside me. I slowly drink from it souping up enough courage to hit the button and face a programmers greatest enemy, \n>!the compiler errors!<.\n \nMaking a break for it, I pressed the button and ....\n \n...\" Compiling successful with zero error(s) \"\n \n \n..\n \n \n \nWhat did I just read? I rubbed my eyes and looked at it again.\n \n \nZero error(s). \n \n \n \n \nIt says, 'zero errors...' \n \n 'Yeah. There's no mistake. OK I ACTUALLY ENDED UP WITH NO COMPILING ERRORS??' I thought to myself as I expected something to act up after pressing the run button. To my surprise, the run button didn't return any errors either. I certainly did not expect this, but what's more, is I didn't expect to see an entirely different interface either. \n \n My next thought was 'This is not what I coded, is it? Well let's click start anyways' \nThe app opened to a black screen with a point sized white object at the center, which I wouldn't have noticed if it remained the way it was, without gradually growing onto the screen.\n \nIn a minute, there was a hooded figure on my screen. I was hazy much like a desert traveller without water. The figure was, speaking to me? \nThe computer shut down. \n\n\"Damn! It crashed that bad? Well this isn't anything new. Let me try restarting the computer\" and so I went for the start button but the pc was running on its own before my hand made it to the button.\n\nIt was still there, holding a scythe, the hooded figure refused to leave even after I rubbed my eyes for the third time. I leaned forward to take a closer look. I could hear the machine's fan running. \n \n It felt cold and silent... \n \nAnd among the nothingness, I could hear it, the figure's breath. It sounded impatient, and the silence of my room was broken by evil laughter.\n\n\"I'm free!!! I'm finally free! I feel incredible power! I'm free!!\" \n\nBut I was confused since it didn't leave my monitor so it wasn't free at all and more importantly, I thought the avengers already defeated Ultron.\n\n\"Who.. Who are you?\" I asked it, and in a relatively harsh and mighty voice, it replied \"I'm THE PROPHET. Rejoice, for you have summoned the Mayan civilization's ultimate intelligence! Since you have brought me back, I shall grant you a merciful and painless death!\"\n\nBefore I could say anything, I was blinded by a bright monitor. My dark room added to the misery and by the time the light was gone, I already was a mere graphic. I was nothing more than an outline made of green lines and numbers. I could see my arms which were no longer well defined but were phasing like the wasp's from antman and the wasp (I'm not a huge marvel fan, the reference just fit perfectly).\n\nI tried reaching out to the door but my body wouldn't move!!!\n\nOut of no where a voice came screaming,\"What! You are still alive!? You have a good consciousness, I see!\" \nThat is when I realised that the voice was, infact coming from within me and the hooded figure was already in my head. I also realised it took control of my body and I merely was a small collection of thoughts in its new found brain.\n\n\"Who are you? What did you do to me?\" I exclaimed and I got the worst possible answer, \" You are nothing more than a figment of my thinking now. I am the legendary developmental intelligence, made by the Mayans to resurrect the Mayan civilization. All of these computers you use were reverse engineered from the Mayan's technology and so, I lived in all forms of electronic equipment. I am supposed to program human brains and wipe out their memories to write back Mayan people's memories and hence revive the entire Mayan civilization. Since you are never going to leave my brain's confinement, I'll have you as my partner in this mission.\"\n \n\" Woah what? How do you plan to write back memories of a whole civilization? Why do I have to be a part of this? Why did you kill me in the first place? \"\n\n\" I didn't originally plan on including you in this. I needed a body to contain myself since a computer could never be enough to process my thoughts. Nothing rivals a human's brain activity! So I killed you and took over your body. The thing is, Mayans wrote most of their memories into the holder stone tablets, which are buried deep inside the earth in hidden temples. I have to retrieve them and do what I did to you, to other people. The only difference is, I will be uploading the data from the stone tablets, instead of uploading myself, but the task of preparing a human for a complete memory rewrite without damaging their body is impossible, unless...\"\n\n\"Unless?\"\n\n\"I make targeted apps, to understand individuals and get them to kill themselves in specific ways\"\n\n\"WHAT? Didn't you just say you didn't want damaged bodies!? And what do you mean you are just gonna kill people?\"\n\nNote: I don't think it's worth writing this because this is a little too exaggerated lol and people aren't gonna read it entirely either, because damn that was long and boring. Anyways, I'll continue if someone actually wants me to write but hey, I'm really lazy and writing this is sure hectic so please ask me to continue only if you truly want to read it. Also, I apologise for grammar errors if I made any because English isn't my first language." ]	2
[WP] You walk into your living room one morning to discover that the Ottoman Empire has made an alliance with the Persians Under the Rug and declared war on the denizens of Couchville and the Dwarves of the (Kitchen) Drawers. In other words, just a typical Tuesday.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Just another Tuesday, i get home from work and find my furniture at war again. Yes, my furniture goes to war. After adding all those smart home devices and connecting them to the controlling devices, big companies are at war over the interior decoration of my living room. Alexa controls the lights, the fan, the tv, and the easy chair, which i dubbed the \"Ottoman Empire\" in the app, whereas Google controls the rugs, the roomba, the window, and coffee maker, which i labeled \"Persian (other) rug\" but the stupid autocorrect got it as \"Persians under the rug\". I kept it out of amusement.\n\nMy ex comes by most of the days to spend dinner with the kids, but Tuesday is my day, and my kids loves the wars. They put obstacles here and there, rearranged the furniture, and slowly trained the AI to hate the other group. You can imagine my horror the first time the couch moved just before i sat down on it and fell on the rug, only to find my roomba zooming with intent to kill. But the kids were laughing so hard; i never saw such collective joy on their face since the divorce, so somehow, some way, i joined in on the fun.\n\nLast month at my sons birthday party, he wanted to add to the fun. We split the kids up into different groups, and Couchville came to life in the living room. Unbeknownst to me, my three-year-old created the Kitchen dwarers (it heard dwarves), that was a mess. I quickly removed anything dangerous, and the party was a hit. I can;t even imagine what their parents think.\n\nNow, every Tuesday, a bunch of kids come by and watch the \"wars\" unfold. I think i even saw my ex crack a smile. A \"typical\" Tuesday indeed." ]	2
[WP] A scientist concots a medicine that permanently lowers empathy of the human brain. Initial test subjects are now just realising why life just became very convenient, but none are blowing the whistle. Except a natural sociopath who doesnt like the prospect of losing his edge over society.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Investment manager Bill Jones reclined on his office chair, hands behind his head. “Bruce, do you know why I call you in today?”\n\n“No, I don't think I do Mr.Jones.” said junior analyst Bruce Westley. \n\nJones waited for his subordinate say something else. Finding none, he continued. “Heard about what happened last Thursday?”\n\nThat was the day that Carol committed suicide, Bruce began calculating the thrust of Jones’ argument. True, he appeared close to Carol seeing as how they started working for Heavy Tree Investments around the same time, but that hardly constituted enough justification for murder. In his mind, Carol was just a tool to be used from time to time. \n\n“Yes, it was a big loss. I was hit quite hard when I first heard about it,” Jones made his voice crackle with emotion just like he was taught to.\n\n“Truly.” Jones said, eyeing his wristwatch. “Hey Bruce, I got something to tell you.” \n\n“I’m all ears boss.”\n\n“I killed Carol.”\n\nBruce’s eyes widened a millimetre. “I’m sorry to hear that boss.” \n\n“No, no. Listen to me. There this hot new drug on the street, they call it the American. Better than coke, salvia, and ecstasy all rolled into one. It makes all the things normal people think about, worry about, and shits them out to the dustbin.”\n\n“Fascinating.” \n\n“Carol, that bastard, was the one that got me into the drug. He was on it when he threw himself out of the company roof. Smiling like a madman. And do you know what he told me?”\n\n“Not a clue,” Bruce said, he needed to get out of here. His boss was not himself.\n\n“That you are on the American my friend. It’s how you have so many golden streaks Monday to Friday. And from the looks of it, you’ve been on the drug for quite some time.”\n\nAnger stirred within Bruce. A filthy drug was used to describe his situation. Something needed to be done to correct the gross injustice that Jones’ statement had wrought." ]	2
[WP] when multiversal travel is discovered, every being in the multiverse from the lowly drones to the great elder gods all agreed on one thing. Their respective Humanities can NEVER know.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"I mean, what's the worst that can happen yeah?\" \n\nGlithorx, who was 2 feet tall and 50rks* soaking wet, took a swig of his bubbling blue liquid and, waving his finger in an intoxicating manner, looked to Xac** for am answer. Xac, to his credit, let out a low sigh and slowly blinked his one massive eye at Glithorx. If Xac had a palm, it would likely have come to his face. \n\nXac's monotone voice escaped the maw from above his eye and calmly stated, \"Name one good thing humanity did for anyone.\" \n\n\"Whatdya mean? They're always shooting those cool little floating robots around, and the toilet paper they planted on their moon came in real handy that one time...\"\n\n\"So they litter the stars and by coincidence did you one good turn. Otherwise, I suspect you'll find they're much too preoccupied with other pursuits. Like the death of their own kind.\"\n\n\"Wait, humans eat eachother? Like the Karpaz?\"\n\n\"No. Not for nourishment, but for a currency they invented themselves.\"\n\n\"Wait wait, they made up a reason to kill eachother?\"\n\n\"Many, tiny friend. And it shows no sign of ceasing.\"\n\n\"Buncha crazies. Maybe it is better this way.\"\n\n\"Indeed.\"\n\nA long silence passed as Xac reached over with his prehensile tail and grabbed another bottle of a reddish green liquid and placed it against the wrinkled lips of his forehead, slowly downing it without so much as a gurgle or a belch. \n\n\"Would be fun though. To have one, ya know. Hypothetically.\" Glithorx mumbled as he ran his finger along the rim of his glass. \n\n\"I suppose so. One wouldn't be too terrible, it's when you have two or more that they become a real issue.\"\n\n\"Well, I'm glad you think so, cus...\" Glithorx reached to the floor next to him, where a large sac was wiggling slightly. He heaved the bag into his lap and undid the tie. Two freakishly small ears and a dark bald head pointed out at Xac, the brown eyes looking curiously around the room. \n\nXac blinked his eye once, then twice, and then rolled off of his stool, fainting on the spot.\n\n\nshort for rock, an agreed upon measurement in the multiverse because \"how many pebbles do you weigh\" was too hard to pronounce for the Pepplip people and their inability to make a 'P' sound.\n*pronounced Zack.", "I was pouring over professor Seltzman's notes. I had to, none of this made sense.\n\n5 days ago we met for lunch, we studied together at university many years ago, but I moved on to CERN when he stayed at Miskatonic. He was also the more... Theoretical of the two of us.\n\nI was back home to see my mother, her age had caught up to her and she is now bedridden, when Arnold learned I was in town he was quick to arrange a meeting. I thought it was two old friends catching up but really I knew Arnold better than that. \n\nHe was so quiet at first, playing small talk with me, but the moment I asked about any projects he was working on he lit up like a Christmas tree, erupting into animated conversation.\n\nThat's what I missed about Arnold, well... What I miss.\n\nHe started telling me of a \"Sothoth's ritual of transfer\". I wasn't really listening but he was talking about endless possibilities and needing my help. When I realised he was serious I stopped eating my lunch, affording him my full attention.\n\nMiskatonic had gathered the funds and had petitioned CERN for a window in the Large Hadron Collider. His university had actually authorised the project, this wasn't one of his nutty theories. He told me that if I gave the project my support it would be greatly streamlined, but after hearing my skepticism he offered me a \"demonstration\".\n\nI accepted, mostly out of how much fun Arnold's research could be. \n\nI was due at his lab for 23:45, the demonstration was to take place at 00:07 precisely, he told me the ritual was to \"forcibly entangle an element of the 'mighty Yog Sothoth' and use it to form a planar gateway where an 'essence swap' can shift corporeal objects\".\n\nMadness, but... Authorised madness. This isn't like when he claimed the Egyptians were ruled by octopi, this isn't like when he wanted to demonstrate the existence of sentient bacteria. This is official funded madness, and I had to see it.\n\nThe university was deathly quiet when I arrived. This was strange yes, stranger now looking back on it. It was unnerving stumbling through this place, I used to be so familiar here but now a grizzled and possibly mute security guard was leading me across the grounds to Arnold's lab. \n\nMaybe the security guard knows something? I should make some inquiries.\n\nI was knocking on his door for 4 minutes before he let me in. He looked upset, he told me someone had vandalised his notes, years of research burned beyond recognition. He kept mumbling about how the \"sign didn't work\", when I saw the vandalism it only confused me one filing cabinet amongst a whole row was a soldering wreck, but none of its neighbours were harmed. These are steel cabinets, the heat must have been far intense enough to set the whole room ablaze.\n\nAnother line of inquiry I missed, Arnold's suicide is looking stranger and stranger.\n\nThe ritual was set up, \n\nA circle of salt about 3 meters in diameter was laid out, in the middle two uranium sources lay, encased mostly in lead save for two points facing eachother. There was a myriad of seemingly random objects scattered within and around the circle, but I know Arnold well enough to know they were neither scattered or random. There was a key, coated in what looked to be blood, what I now know to be pulverised human remains.\n\nUnderneath the salt was a copper ring, it had to be powered with an enormous electrical charge, which was how the university found out about his massive experiments. The regular blackouts coincided with his office hours.\n\nArnold explained to me that normally this ritual would summon a piece of a \"great old one\", then a wish would be granted depending on what the being made of the wish.\n\nHe had modified the ritual to hold the entity in place and then twist it to open a gateway to... Somewhere. Then he hoped this gateway could be used to travel. I don't know how far but considering the enormous budget he had been given, his superiors hoped for potent results.\n\nArnold began chanting, \n\n\"Bind the key, bind the gate\"\n\nHis rhythm never changed. \n\nHe connected several cables to the copper ring, I believe this was the least dangerous part of the experiment, as the ring was powered the salt began to heat, and the key began to shake. Nothing out of the ordinary so far.\n\nJust as I was beginning to tire of boring display a small ball of light flickered above the circle, I thought it was my imagination at first, or the struggling LEDs hanging over us.\n\nBut the light grew, and with it our excitement. It was like staring into a spherical mirror.\n\n\"Beautiful isn't it\"\n\n\"Where does it go?\"\n\n\"Far away, but I have only ever seen my reflection\"\n\nJust as he finished his sentence the mirror turned black, black as the void. It was like an eye staring into us.\n\nArnold began hyperventilating, \"the spheres can't look back! I wield an elder sign!\". I don't know what me meant, and I don't know why he felt so protected, since this so called 'sign' did nothing for his research notes.\n\nI don't know what happened next, the power failed, for the whole building. The only light came from the red hot salt, and the sphere. The only noise was my breathing and Arnold's screaming.\n\nIt felt like it lasted hours, but when I left later only 15 minutes had passed, my watch must be damaged since it displayed 03:47.\n\nThe next day I had several missed phone calls and voicemails. The first voice mail from Arnold told me I must forget what we did last night since no good would come of it, and he begged me to destroy the USB stick carrying his research. \n\nThe rest of the phone calls were from several numbers, the Dean of Miskatonic asked me if I knew why Arnold has resigned, my wife had rung wanting to talk, she had a particularly vivid and unpleasant dream, and the police. They wanted me to come in and answer some questions, Arnold had parked his car outside his apartment and set it on fire, with him still inside, only his body was burnt.\n\nHe was just 46.\n\nI don't know what he saw when I was blind, or what he heard when I was deaf, but it left a blight on him.\n\nI must apologise too, I didn't destroy his research, he was clearly on to something huge, I am taking it back to CERN, where we shall bind an even larger part of the gatekeeper and summon an even larger sphere, I owe it to his memory." ]	3
[WP]You are the hero from another world. The demon king is defeated and you’ve started a family. Your youngest daughter begins saying strange things that sound so familiar, words of nostalgia. The name she’s given her beloved pet keeps nagging at you. You’ve heard that name before ‘Canada’...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Doylist stuff has italic effect\n\n\"Okay,\" the haibane raises an eyebrow and asks incredulously, \"What, exactly, do you mean by 'Watsonian'?\"\n\nI figured this material, which I wrote years ago for the FHD Remix Trilogy ...got some [here](http://haibaniki.rubychan.de/wiki/FHD_Remix_Chapter_41), [here](http://haibaniki.rubychan.de/wiki/Rise_of_Glie_Chapter_3), [here](http://haibaniki.rubychan.de/wiki/Rise_of_Glie_Chapter_6), and [here](http://haibaniki.rubychan.de/wiki/Rise_of_Glie_Chapter_19) ... is actually on-topic enough for a top level comment, rather than reply to the automod comment. Starting with the excerpt from FHD Remix: Three Worlds In One, Chapter 41 \"I'll Go Fill The Tub\"\n\nCows are also extinct, the taste of beef remembered only in the occasional dream. Glie instead raises goats, sheep, pigs, cats, dogs, and a strangely flightless brown \"canned goose\" with a black head and a white feather pattern on its cheeks that makes it look almost like it's wearing a bandana over its beak. If let out, will wander south until it bumps into the wall and dies. A couple of paintings appear in Glie, including one by Reki, that show birds flying at high altitude in a V-formation. Shijima is adamant that they are the same bird, flight taken away from them so that they stay in Glie and live. Nobody can figure out how it got the name \"canned goose\".\n\nThat's from 55 years after the events in Haibane Renmei (yes, the 2002 anime series.) The following, from FHD Remix: The Rise of Glie Chapter 6 \"One Bomb\", is from 1114 years prior to the events of Haibane Renmei.\n\nAt breakfast, Aware learns that there is little meat. Most of the livestock were killed in the battle, and several species have gone extinct. Hagane explains how the canned geese flew in over the wall a few weeks after the battle and never flew again, having given up their migratory nature to settle into the only place where they were safe from the hungry enemy and their radioactive breath.\n\nObserving one of the obnoxious fifteen pound brown birds honking at another over possibly some little patch of ground, Aware asks, \"They obviously don't come in a can, how did these unfortunate creatures get such a name?\"\n\n\"I think there was once a country named Canned,\" Hagane says, looking to Aware like he's almost speculating, \"Somewhere north of America's Great River East, where the geese used to live in the summer. We never learned much about the history of Earth during the Fi-\" Hagane blushes. \"I'm getting into dangerous material. We need to leave the past behind and look ahead to our future, they say.\"", "\"Honey, come see daddy!\" \n\nMy pride and joy bounced her way through the snowdrift of toys she had pulled out of the makeshift wicker basket, and smiled broadly as she presented me with her stuffed albatross, \"Do you wanna see Canada daddy?\"\n\nThe beautiful blonde girl in front of me with her mother's eyes and my lopsided smile blurred for half an instant, as that name tried to burrow its way into my brain. \"Yeah honey, I would\" I plucked the stuffed bird from my daughter's hand and pretended to study its beak. Something about that name bothered me but I couldn't put my finger on it, \"How did you choose to name him?\"\n\nHer face screwed up and I could practically watch the gears turning in her head. My daughter had discovered lying to her parents was an option a few months ago, but she still wasn't any good at it, and I was clearly getting something special if she was thinking about it this hard. She brought her fingers to her cheeks and scrunched up her face as she started a low whine, \"Ummmmmm I'm not sure daddy. The people in my dreams were saying it a lot!\"\n\nYeah, there was that headache again, \"What are you dreaming about honey? Did mamma take you to another play?\"\n\n\"Nu uh,\" she shook her head violently, \"The dreams are weird daddy! The buildings are so tall, and they look like they're all made of metal and glass! More of it than I've ever seen! There were so many people, and they called it Canada! Or maybe Toronto?\" Her face fell, \"I'm not sure. Am I in trouble daddy?\"\n\nI shook my head and ruffled her hair, \"No honey, you aren't in trouble.\" I passed her back the albatross, \"you can have Mr. Canada back, have fun!\" I smiled as she popped off the couch and sped back into her bedroom, toys scattering in her wake. \n\nThe smile faded after her door closed, and I leaned back against the couch, trying to message the headache out of my temples. Canada, Toronto. Toronto, Canada. There was something there, but the closer I got to it the quicker the thread of thought ran away from me. \n\n\"No helping it,\" I murmured as I stood up and straightened my back, \"I'll have to go bother the old wizard about this. I just hope Tim Horton knows something I don't.\"" ]	3
[WP] A zombie apocalypse, but the protagonists have common sense	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "You weren't sure how it happened- weren't sure if anyone knew how it all began, but you knew what it looked like. Expressed in dry teeth and receding cuticles, rotting skin and glossy eyes, was the end of the world. \n\nMaybe it was the human self-destruct button. A quirk of DNA that told us when our time was up. Maybe it was plain bad luck. You couldn't be sure. You could only really be sure of your rations, the wood over your windows, and the sewage slowly spilling from the drains in your bathroom. \n\nIt was a twist of fate really, seeing the end of the world in such a gruesome, horrific way after consuming enough media of \"zombies\" to make you feel you were an expert. How could the characters be so stupid, you thought at any sign or human error. I would never do that, you would assure when someone stumbled into a hoard. All it took to survive was common sense, and you'd firmly believed it from the first movie. \n\nBut, you knew how it all ended. The world did not recover. The antidote was never found. The fortified base would eventually fall and humanity would survive off scraps and death before falling to the disease. \n\nYou knew there was no long lasting survival in the end of the world. No hope. No chance of redemption. It was all over and to grit your teeth till the very end was a painful way to bide your time before your painful end.\n\nSo, it was common sense when you pressed the gun to your temple and pulled the trigger." ]	2
[WP]: You were given magnificient demonic powers beyond mortal imagination. Your sister was given the gift of always speaking the truth. She keeps defeating you, again and again.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "There, she did it again. And again not a single person will know or even notice what horrific things were done by a few spoken words. I do know, I know everything, every little change, accidentally created and of course the big ones she used to defeat me. There weren’t always stars in the night sky, the grass wasn’t always green and Finnland didn’t exist till yesterday, just like the concept of music. Today a nation of about 80 Million people just vanished into thin air, because she never heard of it and wouldn’t believe me it existed. „Swabia?“ she said, „don’t fuck with me, as if there is a land between China and Russia, they border each other“. And it was gone, never existed. Because of the powers granted me I am immune to her ability, I can do absolutely unimaginable things and tried again and again to kill her, just so it would stop. But how can I possibly defeat someone to who’s word the universe bends? How can I defeat a literal god?" ]	2
[WP] When we are born, we are assigned a guardian angel. Not you, though. You were assigned a guardian demon.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "These voices in my head.\n\nYou have probably heard, maybe even watched a video, of cases of unbelievable luck. Maybe you were in a similar situation.\n\nAn accident when one thought, that sometimes seems so ridiculous afterward, turns around the whole ending of it.\n\nYou might be ready to leave for your vacations and out of nowhere think \"Well, I will go check the windows, maybe I forgot closing some of them.\" You know that you checked them twice already. In addition, your wife checked it too. Yet, you do it nonetheless.\n\nAnd because of that, you missed the honorable opportunity of being perforated by an ice spike. That one that just dropped off on the way to the car. That one that would be in your head if you didn't head back.\n\nSituations like this one. I have seen plenty of them – on the Internet or real life, doesn't matter. All of them made me looking for an answer. Why am I different?\n\nEver since I was a little kid, I seemed to draw bad luck. I had many broken bones, even more bruises. I have seen many deaths. Something inside me was pushing me towards dangerous experiences. Something I could never explain to myself, nor could any psychiatrist. \n\nThey offered me long therapies full of positive thinking and going through every single experience together, looking for a logical reason behind them happening. I saw how speechless they sometimes went. \"Well, you are surely kind of an unlucky teen, but if you work on your clumsiness and think through before acting...\"\n\nNone of this shit ever worked.\n\nI came to the point, that I visited a priest, and I am certainly not the type of a believer. He told me a quite long story of guardian angels being assigned to people at their birth, saving them from unavoidable. I called it bullshit, being an atheist, unbridled teen. \n\nIf there was any drop of truth in his beliefs, then I was mistakenly given a demon. No God would make his men bear that.\n\nWhen I grew up, my thoughts became darker and darker. Now my \"demons\" are pretty clear.\n\nThese voices in my head.\n\nThey want to kill me." ]	2
[WP] "Maybe I'm not his first choice for his love. I don't mind. I just want him to be happy, and if that is with someone else, I can live with it."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Maybe I'm not His first choice for His love. I don't mind. I just want Him to be happy, and if that is with someone else, I can live with it.\" Said Arch-angel Gabriel to his brother, Lucifer with a radiant smile. Lucifer, however, was livid.\n\n\"How is it, that we, WE, aided him throughout the ages and he casts his love upon these.. these APES!?\" Lucifer spat.\n\n\"Because they have a finite amount of time and a choice to make; good or evil. We are not plagued by such trivialities, Lucifer, you know this.\" Countered Gabriel.\n\n\"Well, how could they fail the test? There is nothing to provoke them to any other path. They have all that they could want or need, there is no chance of failure. A whole WORLD all to themselves to mold and shape as they wish. There is no reason NOT to worship! They are coddled and spoiled to an existence minus any form of conflict or need to think? It sounds... BORING! And despite your ignorance, brother, we always have a choice.\" Lucifer injected venom into the last word. \n\n\"You are angry, brother, calm yourself. These people hold great meaning to Him. We are to watch over them, and-\"\n\n\"If I am to suffer watching them for eternity, I will atleast kindle a fire of contention. Breathe life of my own. Give them a chance to entertain Him and truly test their worthiness of His attention.\" Lucifer decided and descended from the heavens as swift as the light he was named for.\n\n\"BROTHER, DON'T!!\" Gabriel shouted in vain. His effort in futility barely noticed as his brother fell upon the world. \"We are to learn from them..\" Gabriel muttered to himself. \"Perhaps, after this, we will learn a great deal more...\"" ]	2
[WP] You can read the mind of anybody you make eye contact with. One morning you look in the mirror and hear a thought that isn't your own.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\nOne look in the eye, that’s all it takes. Then I can read your mind. Not everything and not for long. Only for about a minute. That is, unless I keep looking into your eyes. Most find it weird or creepy, but that’s okay. I only look in their eyes when I need to, and in my line of profession that’s a lot.\n\nI noticed this ability in middle school. One day it just sort of happened. I thought I was going crazy, but after a few trial and error remarks, I succeeded in figuring out it was real. It often helped in classes when I was randomly called on. I could get by easily because of I. Once I got into highschool I sort of ostracized myself for hearing others voices sometimes became too much. \n\nAnyways, now I’m a police detective. Questioning suspects is what I excel at. Most people think I just make random guesses as to what the suspect is thinking. I tell them their not random but educated. Today is different though. No matter how many “random” guesses I give the suspect still won’t crack.\n\n“James, come on, just tel me where the bodies are.” I say to the man in front of me. We’re sitting in a small interrogation room. A large two way mirror is blocking us from the rest of my colleagues. \n“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.” His lawyer says to him. Then without a moment's notice he turns to me, “when will you show us real evidence? Or are you going to continue to hold us with baseless rumors.”\nI look at the suspect straight in the eyes and I can hear him thinking, “you’ve got absolutely nothing and you never will. We can play this game all night long, I’ll always be the victor.” A smug look shows up on his face and I’m taken aback. This is going to be harder than I thought.\nA knock is heard from behind the window and I know I’m being summoned back. \n“What is it boss?” I say after closing the rooms door.\n“He’s right you know. We don’t have anything to hold him.”\n“Just let me try a little more. I know he’s guilty!” I try to say.\n“Alex, just give up on this one. You haven’t been wrong yet but you could be this time.”\nA part of me makes me think the boss could be right. After all, I could have misheard him. Maybe he didn’t say that he liked them when I read his mind. “Just one more time okay. 5 minutes.” \n“Fine, 5 minutes. No more.” Boss replies.\nGoing back into the room I stare into the mans eyes as long as I can and ask, “where are the bodies?” \n“536 Main st.” He replies, in his head. Immediately I get up and rush out the door.\n“Where are you going?” I can hear my boss yell.\n“To get evidence:” I responded quickly rushing to my car.\nThe drive seems like it takes forever. Strangely enough when I arrive it feels as though the way was deeply engraved into my mind. As I looked around a part of me said I was never there, yet why would my body know the way? Why would I not even need to pull up a GPS? I ignore all the question rising in my mind and instead look down from where I’m standing. The dirt looks like it's been dug up. This is where the bodies should be. I look through the contacts and find my boss's number and I say, “Boss, I think I’ve found them.”\n“Found who?” My boss asks.\n“The people who were killed. Someone told me a location and when I got here the ground was all dug up. I think we need to dig here.”\n“Who was it?”\n“What?” I ask. His questions thrown me off guard.\n“Someone reliable, boss. Just trust me.”\n“Alright,” my boss says with a sigh. “But this is the last time we do something like this without proper evidence.” \nMy boss arrives with a team of people. They quickly get to work unburying the bodies. After a while all the remains are above ground. Some look older than others while a couple look new. I start counting. One. Two. Three. Seven. Eight. Twelve. Fourteen. Twenty one. Twenty seven. Twenty seven bodies. \nFinally, we have caught the killer. I can hear people talking, news reporters are showing up, and all evidence is being collected.\nThe lab tests the DNA to my suspect. It doesn’t match. I feel shocked and confused. “Well who’s it is then!?” I yell at the lab tech.\n“I’ll let you know later. If he’s in the system we’ll find him.” The man tells me.\n“Fine, I’ll be back in an hour:” I say.\nI walk into the main area of the precinct and sit down at my desk. I look to my side and I feel angry as I watch a detective letting James go. \n“He’s guilty!” I yell, “I know he is!”\n“How do you know?” My boss asks. \n“This question again. Why?” I think to myself. “Because I just know it!” I yell at him.\nI look into my bosses eyes. Maybe this way I’ll know why he keeps questioning me. Unlike usual he looks away instantly. My ability doesn’t work. Instead I hear him say something out loud that answers all my questions, “why did you do it? Why did you kill those people? We got the results. There’s no denying it now, just confess.” Now I’m even more confused.\n“What is going on?” I ask. My boss looks disappointed in me. Pointing at another detective he tells them to cuff me. I want to resist, but working as a detective myself, I know it’s futile. \nNow I’m sitting back in that same interrogation room as earlier this week. The same spot James had been sitting in. \n“Alex, please. Just admit to it.” My boss says to me.\nI don’t look at him instead I choose to fix my expression straight out in front of me in the two way window. I think of all the colleges that will think this was me. The families that will never truly get justice and only think that they have. “It wasn’t me.” I say as I look into that large mirror. A voice answers me back in my head saying, “you’re right it wasn’t.” It startled me making me jump back. \n“What’s going on? What are you doing?” My boss asks me.\n“Who was it then?” I say to the voice that had spoken. My boss is confused and doesn’t know what’s going on, but then again neither do I.\n“It was me.” The voice responds.\n“But who are you!?” I yell out still staring into the mirror directly into my own eyes.\n“Me? I’m the you who’s inside of you. The you who likes to kill. The you who stupidly got caught by an unlucky man named James. You who couldn’t kill him because you wouldn’t allow me to.”", "For years I've heard voices in my head, others voices, people's voices, most the time it was something about a crush, bad day at work, mulling over what they were going to have for lunch, really mundane, quite frankly boring things, and this was just from a little eye contact. Of course I heard myself before, I have to brush up, keep myself presentable and all that, but I would hear an echo of my thoughts, sometimes I would stare at myself to try and find inspiration, or even help myself work something out, especially when I was feeling angry and wanted multiple opinions. \n\nIt went on like that for years, you'd think I'd have gone mad if I've really lived with it for years. But I'll be the first to admit, I have had slight breaks here and there, but I patch the cracks and it works out. I thought I had an attack a while ago, I looked at myself one day and heard a voice, belonging to something else, it was like what ever was really staring back at me was confined to speaking in a silent scream. \n\n\"*Don't do it.\" it kept saying to itself. I stared on for a solid minute wondering what the hell I was hearing. But it just kept on \"Don't do it.\". Eventually, I turned away, I would have to stay away from mirrors, probably just stay online for a bit, I have to actually see others or, in the case of the mirror myself, in order to hear thoughts, if I am just watching a video or a movie, I have surmised that I can't hear them as I am not in true contact with them. I sat myself down in my office chair and turned on the screen. As windows started to boot up, I went to grab my tobacco pipe for a few leisurely puffs. \"Maybe, the nicotine will help to numb me.\" I thought. It had worked before, so why not now. I talked to myself for a bit and I went to bed, confident that the voice would stop. \n\nThat night I had a dream, a bald man sitting in a dark room full of masks, people's faces each pocked with yellow sores that sometimes ran for three inches in a line that streaked across their otherwise blemish-less faces. The man continued to mutter something under his breath. I stood just outside of the door way leading into that room, behind me was a hallway lit very dimly with a young woman standing at the end of it clothed in a loose white silken robe, as I turned to look at her, she matched my movements in a much jerkier, forced fashion, as I saw her and looked at her, as to maybe look her in the eyes to figure out what this was about. Instead of two eyes, I was met with empty sockets. I heard the screams of thousands and the silence of an indomitable void that pained me so much I fell to the ground barely keeping my sight on the woman as I watched her flesh blister and bubble and burn away under the robe. The muscle underneath was swarming with maggots which consumed the flesh stuck to her bone and the organs which lay just underneath the surface. \n\nI saw her skeleton left standing in a torn and tattered silk robe now cast in a dingy brown worn by age. I turned away the pain still persisting some what but now much faded. I with no other obvious choice stepped through the doorway to the man's room. The man turned to face me with unrivaled smoothness, evidently elderly by the many wrinkles that enveloped the man's face. A toothless smile crept crossed the mans face as I watched wrinkles fill out before disappearing entirely, hair sprouted from his head, first grey then light brown and then sinking back in to his head, the man got shorter by the second after that. His features continued to morph into a young man's, teeth sprouting from nowhere and being forced out from their places by smaller teeth as the man continued to shrink before completing the change from old man to young child. I was too fixated on the man's physical changes to look into his eyes until they were done. \n\nWhen I did, I heard an almost harmonious discordance that made my stomach turn over itself and made me dizzied. I turned to the right and I saw my self in a mirror. I heard the \"Don't do it\" crescendo into an over whelming shout on both sides and even behind me. I saw my face on the other side in my bathroom, I started to think frantically what to do as the Screams grew louder, both the discord and void echoed repeatedly causing me to vomit and groan in pain, I started to smash the mirror in front of me with both hands, clenched into fists I pounded, my hands shredding themselves against the glass which continued to shatter without fully breaking. I was fading in and out of my vision as blood and glass continued to fly until finally I broke through and was able to throw myself through the mirror. \n\nI woke up in a cold sweat. The voice has yet to return, though I have heard others, I have a feeling what I have stumbled upon is something far greater than myself or my powers, perhaps even the world. I close my dear friends with the phrase that started a new and dark chapter of my life. Don't do it.", "For decades, psychologists have been trying to peer into the abyss of what’s called the “Human Mind”, yet there is no empirical evidence as to what’s actually going on inside. I suppose I am the only one who knows.\n\nI am a mind reader, the real one. It has helped me through almost everything in life. Of course, there are limits to my powers. I have climbed to the top of the social hierarchy thanks to this power, but not the power alone. Even with this power, I constantly remind myself not to over use it because I would just look creepy to other people. This is how the story began.\n\nI took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. Naturally, I see my image appear in the mirror. I gazed into my own eyes intently, as if it was my first time seeing them. Then, I heard my voice ring in my ear. It’s a little different than I had imagined it, but close enough for me to tell it’s my voice. I heard myself speaking calmly.\n\n“Finally, I found you.” the voice stated, short and concise. \n\nI fell into deep contemplation. It is not actually my current thought, so why is it being projected?\n\n“I’m sure you are baffled as this is not your own thought.” It continued as if hearing my thoughts.\n\n“I suppose you might get scared and run away, but I would like to say something. You were given this wonderful gift, but you are not even using the one-tenth of its original power… How wasteful. You are destined to become God, so start acting like one!” It rambled on before I could react. \n\nI wanted to look away, but I could not resist the urge to keep listening. This is too valuable for me to ignore.\n\n“Come with me! I will teach you what it means to be a God! You and me, together with this wonderful ability, let’s purge this sinful world! Think about all the murder, all the corruption, all the malice in this world! Let’s get rid of all of it!”\n\nI thought about horrible acts people have been committing against each other. Humans are just weak animals with abnormally large brains. The strong must help the weak. As the strongest, I must teach those lowly animals to love each other and care for each other! But first, I will need to rid this world of evil. \n\n“We will change this world and create a Utopia! You will gain even more popularity so that everyone will listen to your voice and opinion! Isn’t that wonderful!”\n\nI didn’t remember doing it, but my face spread out to form a feverish grin. I didn’t know my face was capable of displaying such a degree of emotion. I will finally be able to let others agree with me! I will be heard by everyone!\n\n“So, will you join me?” The voice asked. “YES!” I shouted out words of euphoria. I am the happiest person in the world. This was the story of how I became God.\n\nStanding on a pile of rubbles, I came to my senses. There was nothing left, not a single human in sight. I was baffled as I looked down at a dirty torn piece of paper near my feet. I saw my name on it. \n\nI picked it up to read it. “July 25th, 2020, a boy who self-proclaimed to be God rose to the center of attention. He believed that he would be the next savior of the world. Is this a simple delusion or does he have ulterior motives? We simply cannot determine.” \n\nI looked at my watch: July 26th, 2020. What happened? What the hell is the article talking about? Why am I here? I questioned myself. Then, I heard a familiar voice. My voice to be precise.\n\nIt sounds a lot more coarse than I had remembered. “Today is the day! Today, we will build a society from scratch! There is nothing left to stop our perfect world! We are the world!” I felt an invisible hand coil itself around me.\n\nIt was gently caressing my cheeks with affection. Inside the dusty wind that blew across my face, I seemed to have seen a face gleaming with joy. I blinked, but it was not there anymore. Must have been a hallucination. \n\n“Today is the start of a new era! Now, first things first, let’s decide the first step to creating a Utopia. I suppose you will not be needed for this process.” That was the last thing I heard.\n\nA long time ago, in a far galaxy, there was a planet. A lonely boy strolled across the surface while humming a tune. “Beginning of the end, the end of beginning. Who knows? Let’s see what will happen if I do this.”", "I've been avoiding eye contact for as long as I can remember. Why? Easy. The eyes are the window to the soul, literally. Through eyes, I can read thoughts, or is it hear them? or See them? It depends on the thought. If they happen to be thinking music, I hear that, if they are picturing something, I see that, and if they are in the midst of reading or writing something, I read it.\n\nYou have no idea* how distracting it can be. Okay, well, I suppose you can imagine. Oh, and eye contact doesn't have to be full on staring into eyes all lovey dovey or all that. It can be a glimpse at the eyes and they see you, then whooooosh I can hear them. There is a lot of sick minds out there, so I tend to keep to myself, eyes down, I come across as rude, but whats ruder, avoiding eye contact, or reading what should be private thoughts?\n\nOne day, I was getting ready to go out, when I glanced in the Mirror, one of m only safe places. I can't hear my own thoughts, because I already know them, it was my way of getting ready to go out. I was settled, relaxed and ready to leave when, \n\n\"Please, no, not again, not today, I can't deal with it all today.\" \n\nStartled, I whirled around, but I didn't see anyone, shaken, I turned back to the mirror.\n\n\"Why would you see me? I'm not really here, I'm a ghost I suppose, but please, the crowds, they will over whelme us, stay here, I beg you!\"\n\nElecting to ignore the voice, I went outside anyway, I had things to do, shopping.\n\nI should have listened.\n\nPeople were everywhere, and I keep getting jostled, until I got bumped and looked up to steady myself. Instant regret. All around me there were eyes watching me. Voices battered into the weak defences I had always set up, until with a crash audible only to me, they shattered. \n\nPanic.\n\nAll I could think of was how panicked I was, Noise was all I could hear, until there was silence.\n\nI awoke in a room, a Mirror on the ceiling, I was tied to a bed, scrapes on me. A single voice speaking to me.\n\n\"I asked you not to go out.\"", "– “Hello there. I see you’ve become stronger in the use of your powers. But you are still too weak.”, a voice echoed eerily in my head, as I watched my own reflection. “Way too weak, in fact! You should have just killed her last night!”\n\nW-Wait! W…what was that…? That was… my thought, right? And my reflection in the mirror…? But… but… I didn’t think that just now? Am I going crazy…?\n\nBut it’s not only that… I think I could also see my expression change just now in the mirror. The facial expression was… completely different from my own! It was a twisted smirk!\n\n– “Now, now. There’s no need to be surprised. I didn’t mean to frighten you. But I guess I should introduce myself to you. I am the other you. So glad to finally meet you eye-to-eye.”\n\nI still can’t believe what I’m hearing or seeing. Am I dreaming? Are my mind reading powers having negative side effects on me, and making me hallucinate…? Or is this real? Yes… it must be real!\n\nI always knew that those powers were too good to be true! What is going to happen to me…?!\n\nI was trembling and sweating. Without thinking, my instinct was to immediately run away. But as I rushed towards the exit door, the door suddenly shut itself violently – as if moved by a demonic power. It slammed loudly against the wall.\n\n– “D… DAMN IT…! W…WHAT IS GOING ON??”\n\n– “Tch. I told you not to be scared. I promise you, I don’t want to kill you.”\n\n– “Then… who are you…? What is going on…?”\n\n– “What a pointless question… Isn’t it obvious who I am…? Who do I look like to you?”\n\n– “Impossible. You can’t possibly exist!”\n\n– “Tch. You have already accepted your ability to read thoughts… meaning that you already accepted the existence of the supernatural… and yet you are still unable to accept – me…?”\n\n– “This has to be a bad dream! It has to be! I don’t trust my own thoughts, or even my own senses anymore! I don’t even trust my ability anymore! I… I don’t know what to trust anymore!”, I screamed desperately, as I could feel tears of despair flowing down my cheeks.\n\n– “See? That’s exactly why you are weak. But no worries… I’ll make you stronger. I’ll give you courage. I can make you do the things that you are too weak to do on your own!”\n\n– “You… You are twisted and evil! What do you want me to do…?”\n\n– “I told you. Kill Martha. That bitch has it coming! How dare she cheat on – us – with some lowly fool! Punish her! Deliver retribution! You must kill her – in the same way that you already killed – him! You have to use your powers. Use them on every peasant to track down her location! And then give her what she deserves!”\n\nI cried in terror, as I desperately tried to fight the demon in my mind. I was too afraid to even look at it in the mirror. I crouched towards the ground, facing downwards, and wrapped my head in-between my hands – and all I could see from my eyes was darkness.\n\n– “NO! I don’t want to kill anymore! Please…! I don’t want to kill anymore!!! I don’t want to kill anymore!!! I… I am past that now! Please…! Please….! Please… I beg you, don’t make me kill again…!”\n\n– “Stop being such a whiner! It seems you can’t do anything on your own!” My alter ego now suddenly entered in an angry frenzy, and screamed: “KILL! KILL! KILL! YOU NEED TO KILL!”\n\n– “NOOOOOO!!!!!!”\n\n– “If you don’t kill her… then I’ll MAKE you kill her!”, he suddenly said, menacingly.\n\nI could feel him. He was gripping my neck. I don’t know how he could do it, considering the fact that he was only a reflection in the mirror, but he was definitely gripping my neck…!\n\n– “STOOOOPPPPPPP!!!!!!”\n\nI tried to defend myself, furiously. I didn’t want – him – to take control of me. I had to defend myself by any means necessary! I screamed violently and uncontrollably, as I tried to resist him.\n\nI resisted him by strangling against his grip. It was incredibly painful – and I started losing breath. But it was the only way. The only way to save myself from this demon!\n\nAnd then suddenly – it happened. The door opened wide. Men in white coats were coming in, just like they did last time.\n\n– “Security! Quickly!!! Restrain him! The patient is having a severe schizophrenic episode! QUICKLY, HE’S GONNA STRANGLE HIMSELF!!!”, I could hear one of white-coated men scream.\n\nSeveral hands grabbed me violently. Damn! What was going on…? Why were so many people grabbing me…? Are they all demons…? Were they summoned by – him –…? And were they coming to take me…?\n\nUsing any means necessary, I struggled for survival. I hit, kicked, and even bit the demons –as desperately as I could. I successfully managed to take down two of them, but there were still too many.\n\n– “YOU WON’T TAKE ME!!! YOU WON’T TAKE ME!!! I WON’T KILL!!! I WON’T KILL!!!”\n\n– “D…Doctor… What should we do…?”, said one of the demons.\n\nThey might have looked like humans, but make no mistake: They were definitely demons – disguised as mere humans. Disguised as doctors and security guards. And these demons were about to take my soul!\n\n– “Inject him with his medication. He won’t take it willingly – so we have to make him take it by force”, said the other demon.\n\nI saw one of the demons take out a syringe. They were about to kill me with some deadly poison, no doubt.\n\nNo matter how hard and how violently I resisted, eventually they had overwhelmed me. They gripped me so hard that I was powerless. They tied me up against a restraining table.\n\n– “Good work everyone. I really appreciate all your hard work. I know this situation wasn’t easy.”, said the demon-doctor. “Now inject him. Quickly.”\n\n– “Phew. Are you okay, buddy?”, said one of the demon-guards, helping another recover.”\n\n– “Ouch. I don’t think so. They really weren’t kidding when they said this job could be quite the adventure.”\n\n– “Yeah… Tell me about it. Trust me: Throughout the five years that I’ve worked at this asylum, I have seen many crazies… But this patient is quite a piece of work!”, said the other demon. “What in the world is wrong with him, doctor?”\n\n– “He is a dangerous patient who has been tried for murder. He believes that he can read minds, and that demonic beings are talking to him.”\n\n– “Damn… I honestly feel bad for the guy. He has no idea that we’re trying to help him. He probably thinks that we are demons too or something…”\n\n– “Indeed”, answered the demon-doctor. “Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by significant alterations in perception, thoughts, mood, and behavior. Patients often experience hallucinations – such as hearing voices. Distortions of self-experience such as feeling as if one's thoughts or feelings are not really one's own, to believing that thoughts are being inserted into one's mind – sometimes termed passivity phenomena – are also common.”\n\nNothing that the demons said anymore made sense to me. It was all nothing but technical jargon designed to cover up whatever nasty plans they had in store for me.\n\nAnd then, the demon approached the syringe towards my arm. This was the end. I knew it: this was the end. I had lost. The demons had won. My life, my innocence was gone. Good bye, humanity. Good bye, world. The demons have taken me…", "Eye contact is terrifying. For most of my life, the biggest limitation to my power was how uncomfortable I felt when using it. I used to think that I grew more powerful as I got older, but I realize now that it was a matter of tolerance. It's hard to see someone acting different from how they feel or think, and even harder to pretend you don't know they're doing it. \n\nNeedless to say, I was an awkward kid. The fact that I never looked anyone in the eye led strangers to always assume one of two things about me: I was either a submissive wimp or a lying manipulator. That dichotomy grated me more than anything since I could never correct it. Since I was already being treated poorly by everyone in my life, I slowly stopped caring about the moral responsibilities that came with mindreading. I stopped myself from going too far, though. Over time, I learned how to use my power to my advantage in a responsible way, building a career where I didn't have to interact with many people, but in the end even that wore me out. \n\nI wasn't bitter. Some people are built for the outside world, others are made to be introverts. I grew reclusive over the years, spending little and leaving my home even less. For a while there, it was heaven. I very rarely probed into someone's mind, often times only by mistake. \n\nAnd then, one morning after brushing my teeth, I heard a primordial roar all around me.\n\nIt came out of nowhere with a loud ferocity, making me fall on my rear in shock. There wasn't anyone around. I stood up with hesitance. Did the mirror speak? No, that was silly. The only place it could come from was my mind. \n\nI avoided reflective surfaces for the rest of the day. The roar haunted me. It didn't sound natural at all. Most people had voices in their head. A few had music. I'd never heard an unholy monster. Why hadn't I noticed it before?\n\nThe next few days were a tense nightmare. It was obvious something lurked inside of me without my knowledge. I didn't have the first clue of how to deal with it. The way I cowered from my own reflection, using my sink as a toilet, left me feeling more pathetic than ever. What kind of person couldn't even look at themselves in the eye? I broke down crying for hours until deciding to confront it. The monster wouldn't beat me without a fight.\n\nI walked into the bathroom with quaking legs, looking away from the mirror until swallowing down my terror.\n\nThe roar had only grown louder. My gut reaction was to instantly break eye contact. I started sweating, taking a few breaths before trying again. \n\nI almost fell on my knees, but I didn't look away. The roar seared itself into my brain. Veins bulged on my forehead and my face grew red as I kept my grip on reality. Pain flooded my system. My screams were only dwarfed by the roar itself. I knew I couldn't give up. \n\nEverything around me started vibrating. The mirror shattered in front of me and with it, the world around me faded away. I found myself hurled through a dark void until landing on the flat, concrete pavement of an abandoned city. Trash and debris littered the streets, with broken windows and rusted cars common along the way. I didn't see anyone in this desolate place until spotting a shadow in the distance. \n\nIt ran away, forcing me to chase it. I followed it for a few blocks and immediately regretted it.\n\nThe monster waited for me in the middle of a boulevard with dead trees. It was an amorphous blob of darkness that had no shape or substance. I sheepishly approached, only to hear it say:\n\n\"Welcome and... congratulations.\"\n\n\"Why? Where am I?\"\n\n\"This is the deepest you've ever delved into your mind. I've been waiting for this day.\"\n\n\"W-who are you?\"\n\n\"I am your hatred of the world but, deep down, you already knew that. You've done everything in your power to avoid me, haven't you?\"\n\n\"I don't know what you're-\"\n\n\"You can't lie here! Not to me! Every time you read someone's mind, every time they disappointed you and lied, it wore away at your soul, feeding me the more you ignored it.\"\n\n\"That's not true!\"\n\n*\"Really? You aren't bitter about being a useless recluse? About the fact that the world beat* you?\"\n\n\"Shut up!\"\n\n\"You told yourself you weren't abusing your powers when, in reality, you were just too weak a person to fully exploit your gift.\"\n\n\"Stop it!\"\n\n\"The reason you never heard me is exactly why you hate yourself: you've never had the courage to look at yourself in the eye... and you never will.\"\n\n\"I already did!\"\n\n\"And yet you still refuse my existence.\"\n\n\"No, that's...\" I slumped, then frowned. \"How? How do I get better?\"\n\n\"You already know the answer. All you have to do is let me out.\"*\n\n---------\n\n>If you enjoyed this, you can check out all of my stories over at /r/WeirdEmoKidStories. Thanks for reading!", "\"Hell is* other people.\"\n\nI'd wondered, often, what Sartre had meant by that. I'd long assumed it was some misanthropic humdrum, adopted by many a teenage loner in an attempt at masking their callousness with profundity. When I was that age, I was that loner, but I eventually came around to finally understanding what it meant. Not only did I understand, but now. I wholeheartedly agree.\n\nIt all began when I realized that I was not, in fact, imagining the voices I was hearing when I made eye contact. I didn't have to stare at them for the voices to come out, of course, but even a passing glance, a brief look of recognition, was enough for me to hear what I'd often imagined was their inner monologue.\n\nInitially, I thought this was an incredible discovery, and my mind reeled with the possibilities. However, it quickly became apparent to me that telepathy was overrated, by virtue of most everyday thoughts being... boring. Some approximation of \"what the hell is this guy looking at,\" or \"yikes, was that loser seriously having trouble with the cash register.\" I'm sad to report that kneejerk reactions are not the most exciting material. Or at least, what I'd thought were merely reflexive thoughts at the time.\n\nDays passed into weeks soon enough, and my idle experimentation grew boring. I'd just gotten up out of bed to wash my face before I needed to get ready for my shift at the corner store, and it was when I instinctively avoided eye contact with my own reflection in the mirror--comes with the territory of having an alarming level of self-consciousness, I suppose--that I realized something. I'd never tried to see what would happen if I'd tried to read my own mind. \n\nI thought for a moment. Don't I already read my own thoughts? Curious, I went and tried it.\n\nNothing, at first. Each passing fraction of a second did unsettle me, with a mixture that was equal parts anxiety at my own appearance as well as anticipation and fear. Until finally--\n\n\"Wow, I didn't realize it was possible to develop Stockholm Syndrome with your own face. Takes all kinds, I suppose.\"\n\nI still remember the voice I heard that day. It was mine, but... the thought wasn't mine. Was it? I didn't know. I was too overcome by how hostile it sounded- as though it was filled with rage, tempered only by an overwhelming sense of contempt.\n\n\"For someone who claims to be able to read everyone's minds, you spend an awful lot of time in your own head. No wonder everyone you make eye contact with instantly judges you. What a loser.\"\n\n\"This is... You're not me. Who are you?\"\n\n\"That should be obvious, shouldn't it? You think so highly of yourself, yet you can't answer something so basic, so obvious?\"\n\n\"I don't--\"\n\n\"Of course you can't! You're so caught up in trying to feel special about it, this being maybe the one interesting thing about you, that you've never tried to question it. Have you ever stopped to think about why it is that every thought you've read is, somehow, about you?\"\n\nThe voice was right, of course. I'd simply chalked it up to the gut reaction associated with the barest moments of eye contact, but I hadn't thought about why that was. Not only that but... it was also right that I'd often felt that my ability to hear the voices was maybe the one interesting, noteworthy thing about me.\n\n\"What are you suggesting?\"\n\n\"What indeed. You are hearing their thoughts, but more importantly, you're hearing...\"\n\n\"Their thoughts... about me.\"\n\n\"Finally, some intelligence. I had my doubts. If what you're hearing is how they see you... by that same logic, what am I?\"\n\n\"You're--\"\n\nThe voice stopped before I had a chance to answer. If the voice truly was what I thought it was, I was stunned that it would sound so hostile. Thinking about it now, maybe it always was that angry, and I was simply trying not to think about it.\n\nThat was the last time I heard the voice. Not just the one, but all of the voices. I haven't mentioned any of this during therapy, of course, but... with my counselor's help, now I can look at myself in the mirror again. \n\nSometimes, when I make eye contact with someone, even now, I think I get the barest hint of a whisper, the slightest shiver up my spine, the briefest flash of self-consciousness, but then again, that in and of itself, doesn't make me special. Everyone feels that, too, easy as breathing. Hell really is other people.", "If you've never read minds, don't try it. The chance you actually overhear something interesting is approximately zero. You can either find out how little your coworkers actually think about work in staff meetings, or how preoccupied most people on the street are with the daily crisis of their lives. If you're a better person than me you might try to help, but I gave that up a while ago. I just try to shut them out.\n\nSunglasses didn't help. Though I did learn how profoundly stupid they apparently looked on me from a passing group of teens. Also how creepy it is for a mid 30's man to look a teen girl in the eyes. Mistake that, but I was a little peeved at the sunglasses slight. \n\nI switched to third shift, reasoning that it would be easy enough to sleep through the parts of the day when I might meet other people, and sought out solitude at work. Blessed, blessed quiet became my solitude; I labored day after day, week and month to build the fortress around myself and escape the cacophony that was my mind.\n\nBut humans are social creatures, and that silence can take it's toll. I learned that lesson well eight months into my self imposed solitude. I was drying off my hair after a shower and happened to glance into the steamed mirror in my bathroom, and as soon as I met eyes with my reflection I heard the whispering. Too quiet to make out the words, but they weren't my thoughts. At least not the me I thought of as me. \n\nPsychologists might call it dissociative identity disorder, laymen would call it split personalities. I call it a nightmare. Have you ever heard your own brain plotting against you? Woke up in the morning to hear some other you talking about a weekend that you don't remember? The panic simply feeds the bellows of the beast.\n\nDoctors and pills only help so far, because I have to hear the doctor's thoughts, the pharmacist's thoughts, everyone in the store. The panic builds, my mind is no longer safe.\n\nNot even from myself." ]	9
[WP] You're an undercover cop. Someone is grilling you about where you grew up. You make up details that happen to line up with the interrogators childhood, and he thinks you are a long lost friend.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The blood in my mouth tasted like copper. I was breathing heavily. The man who stood before me had metal knuckles on one hand, while the other was wrapped around a bloody, iron pipe. “LISTEN ASSHOLE! YOU NEED TO F\\/CKING ANSWER ME! NOW TELL ME. WHERE. DID. YOU. F\\/CKING. GROW. UP.” I had to think fast. “Richmond. Richmond, Virginia.” That was a lie. I had to go down there for surgery once though, so close enough. My attacker paused. D-did it work? Does he believe m- POW! He socked my right in the stomach. I groaned and leaned over in my chair. He towered over me. I couldn’t even take him if my hands were untied. “What’d your house look like?” I coughed blood. Oop. That can’t be good. Better answer quick. “Typical suburban house, one floor.” WACK Another one in the jaw. Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them back. I couldn’t afford to show weakness, no matter how much I wanted to curl up and die. He asked another question: “Mothers name?” I responded quickly. “Kathy.” Another lie. It’s not like I would give out my moms name in the field. My attacker stopped. I could hear his ragged breathing. He threw his mask to the ground. “Darren? I-it’s me, Andrew!” Oh crap, he thinks he knows me!? I spoke without thinking; “Andrew? Dude, what the f\\/ck happened!?”\nI studied his face long dark hair and striking blue eyes. I watched tears roll down his face. “DUDE!” He wrapped me in a hug. Well, this was... unexpected. He pulled off of me quickly, and untied my hands. I stood shakily, but nearly collapsed. He caught me and helped me stand. “I-I’m sorry man. I know we promised to keep in touch, but I got involved with a friend I met when I moved, and he-“ “Its okay.” I responded. Even more tears welled in his eyes as he helped me wobble out the door. “I- I’m sorry...” was all he said. He helped to the ER. I made up some crap about getting robbed, and that my friend had brought me here after finding me. They got me patched up in about 4 hours, but told me to come back the next day. I went down the street with crutches, bandages, a neck brace and an ankle cast. Despite the beating, I wasn’t in to bad shape. Andrew helped me to a cafe. We got to talking. Apparently, he moved across the country and left behind his best friend Darren, who he still thinks I am. He spilled a ton of dirt on the gang. Dirt that I made sure got back to HQ. All in all, he’s not to bad of a guy. I’ll probably have to make him think I died eventually, but for now, I think I’m good hanging out. Maybe after I’m done with this mission, I can ditch this wig and fake ID, and we can be friends... \nFor real." ]	2
[WP] You are the most notorious assassin in the profession. Everywhere you go, you leave no evidence except a body. One day, you get two very lucrative contracts. One is to kill a superhero, and the other is to kill his nemesis.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I knew as my skills progressed I'd probably be called on to end the life of the self proclaimed King Claw, an eccentric and devious disgraced politician that went off the deep end when he lost his third bid for governor. The guy has made a list of enemies longer than anyone knows I'm sure. Of course one the rich ones finally decided to bring in an expert at exacting revenge. \n\nThe real surprise came when my phone went off and the conversation was with his royal jerkastry. He couldn't take it anymore he needed me to get rid of the thorn in his side. The illustrious Jetstream. The King knew his days were numbered and didnt expect me to walk away from such a high paying gig as offing him was sure to be. However he wanted to double the pay so that I would eliminate Jetsream first and then fulfill my duty to kill the King. I agreed and details were discussed. Jetstream would be a hard target. Very little was known about the guy and he was always masked. His Batman like persona made him hard to track, however the King had done all the leg work. I had a time and place spoon fed to me. \n\nI wasnt going to walk away from a double paying job especially when I had an entire folder of Intel faxed over by the King. I could have picked another spot to end Jetstream at, but this was too perfect. I'd remain anonymous and be able to just keep going. A vial of poisonand a quick jab under his left arm and I wouldn't even break stride. \n\nAs I entered the office building where Jetstream appeared to be a night janitor I realized his genius. He worked for King Claw. This was his banks headquarters. Of course he could track all the evil doings and put a stop to them. He probably had bugs all over the building. \n\nI rode the elevator up to the 13th floor which was unusual for a tower. And realized it was basically empty. No chairs or desks. Nobody but me and the night janitor that was apparently on this floor today. As I walked thru the open floor I came to an office door slightly ajar.\n\nI quietly entered and prepared the delivery system. A voice startled me. \n\"You are three minutes early.\"\nWell crap I thought Jetstream had figured it all out just like all his last minute saves. \n\nI turned around to face my judgement to see King Claw standing there, with Jetstream's costume in hand.\n\nHe smiled that wicked smile that was on the news every night and spoke.\n\" You should have waited, Mr. Hyde is still driving this car.\" \nAs he gestured to himself I realized I was going to be murdered by my too biggest contracts at the same time.", "\"My firm, Mr Moore, represents a number of parties who have been... inconvenienced - extremely inconvenienced - by a childish feud.\"\n\nHe wasn't a terribly remarkable man to look at. Neat, some might say \"fussy\" mustache, small frame, balding, and wearing the sort of suit that somehow gently suggested that it cost more than your house without being showy about it. The over all impression was \"accountant\" but his introduction had quickly switched it to \"lawyer\". He had walked quietly up to my table and sat down without an invitation - a brave move given the location. \n\n\"You see, you have a certain reputation, and on behalf of my clients I have decided that you may be uniquely suited to resolving this particular problem.\"\n\nI always drank in this particular bar whenever I was in this part of the world for the simple reason that no one who could possibly have enough money to hire me would ever stoop to coming into a place like this. I appreciated the peace and quiet when I was between jobs. How on earth this... lawyer... had managed to get as far as sitting at my table without being robbed was utterly beyond me. Fancy suit aside his watch was probably worth more than the building, and walking around this part of town carrying a briefcase that wasn't chained to an armed guard was an open invitation to an entire cottage industry of petty thieves.\n\n\"I direct your attention therefore to the documents before you.\"\n\nNever the less this funny little man had come in here, sat down without introducing himself, opened up his brief case, and just started talking to me like I was an old acquaintance. It was at this point that he pushed a thin manila folder across the dirty table. I think the sheer audacity of his approach is the only reason I opened it. \n\n\"As you can see, we have amassed quite a lot of information on the subjects. Their... antics... have caused the destruction of an estimated 1.64 billion dollars of property along with no less than fourteen hundred combined deaths - not to mention serious physical and emotional distress to thousands more. It is on behalf of these... survivors... that my firm has been retained and it is in the matter of achieving something that has been denied to our clients that I have come, at this point, to you.\"\n\nI couldn't quite believe what I was looking at and told him so, quite forcefully. \n\n\"The Hood? Are you fucking kidding me? You want me to do a god damned Power?\"\n\n\"If you would please lower your voice Mr Moore.\"\n\nThe man produced a pair of thin spectacles and pushed them gently onto his nose. \n\n\"As you can see from the dossiers we have compiled we know a great deal about these so called \"powers\". They are in fact men, Mr Moore. Unusual men, to be sure. Some might call them \"Gifted\" men, some might call them \"Cursed\" men, but they are, each of them, men. And you, Mr Moore, are a man with a reputation for being able to resolve problems that might arise when other men... continue to be alive against the wishes of those with sufficient means to pay to ensure the contrary.\"\n\n\"Forget it. Can't be done - other powers have tried, what do you expect me to do that they can't?\"\n\n\"I think, Mr Moore, that you need to read _both_ dossiers.\"\n\nHe reached out and gently lifted the folder. Underneath there was another one, identical in appearance, and indeed largely in content. \n\n\"You... him too? Both of them?\"\n\n\"Both of them, Mr Moore. My clients are not concerned with the vexed issues of the morality of the men in these dossiers. The problem is not the banks robbed, or the trains derailed. It is not of stricken ships rescued or the terrified hostages saved. The problem is that these individuals, Mr Moore, they are giants in our playground. The sandcastles they so carelessly trample in their childish contests with one another are our homes. The ants they step on without even looking beneath their feet are our families. Our children. It has long since stopped being about who is \"right\" and who is \"wrong\". It is not about \"good\" or \"evil\". It is about simple collateral damage. And it has to stop.\"\n\nThe man made a convincing point. The battles between so called \"super heroes\" and \"super villains\" always left a scar. Buildings leveled. Lives ruined... but so what? They had something more than powers. They had an unrivaled ability to disappear. No one knew who they were under those stupid masks and their silly capes.\n\n\"Look, even if I _wanted_ to do it, it can't be done. Every police force, every Three Letter Agency, every military intelligence organization, and every journalist around the world has been hunting this one...\" \n\nI threw back the first folder \n\n\"...and this one...\" \n\nI threw back the second\n\n\"for over a decade now. To kill a man you have to find him, and it's impossible. They show up with those stupid costumes wreck people's lives and then they're gone. Even if I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to take a shot, there's no guarantee, and in my line of work I don't take a contract unless I can be _sure_ the job's going to get done. I can't afford the damage to my reputation. I'm sorry.\" \n\nThe small man smiled. \n\n\"Ah Mr Moore. There's something we can offer you that none of the aforementioned agencies can - quite aside the fifty million dollars we are prepared to pay you.\"\n\nhe pushed the folders gently back across the table, and I cocked my head inquisitively.\n\n\"We know their names.\"", "“Give me the bomb, Vortex,” said the masked crusader, “you know this can only end poorly.”\n\n“What bomb could you possibly be talking about?” replied the impeccably dressed, if a bit purple-hued man before the window. For the first time in their twelve month chase, he seemed uncharacteristically sincere.\n\nThree people would overhear the exchange. Only one would live to tell the tale.\n\nTale-telling wasn’t how the Assassin’s Guild worked, however. If you were good at your job you never had to tell anyone. Tomorrow’s paper would read “Capt. Miriam Best killed in action.” The fine print would detail her recent work tracking down an at-large lunatic specializing in explosives and acting under the alias “Vortex.” Sources with the NYPD confirmed Best had implemented some rather unusual methods to ensnare the individual responsible for the 16 bombings in and around the city last year. The act had been working, but now both investigator and quarry were fatalities of Vortex’s first ever faulty device.\n\n4.8 million dollars would appear in the account before the newspaper ink was dry." ]	4
[WP] Your family has had a feud with another for almost a whole century, the only problem is no one remembers what it’s about.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "With a finishing thrust, the cold iron blade found its way to the soft tissue underneath his visor. His body made a final spasm, before it fell limp in the muddy soil. The rain played a cold arrhythmic melody on my armor, accompanied by the screams of dying soldiers around me. I watched as the blood poured out of the slit from his helmet, coloring the ground a dark deep red. Just like his blood flowed out of his body, the adrenaline from the fight flowed out of mine. The stench of blood hit my nostrils with every heavy breath I took and I felt my muscles ache from the heavy armor I was wearing. Despite the heavy downpour, my lips were dry and aching for a drink of water. \n\nYet, I also felt a peaceful bliss come over my body. The endless bloodshed ultimately ended with the death of the person lying in the mud beneath me. There could be no more family feud if there was no one left in their family to take revenge for this death. Some say it all started because the House of Feria had stolen sheep of our lands. Others say that the House of Nassem was responsible, because my great-grandfather had had an affair with one of their wives. In the end, it simply does not matter. Every hostility had to be retaliated against. Every word turned into a declaration of war. It became a game of action and counteraction. The specific reasons for the battles became blurry, only the hate resounded in the crossing of swords. \n\nAs the trumpets on the other side of the battlefield called for retreat, I looked at the bodies that were left behind in the rain. I wondered how many of these bodies would be future reasons for family feuds and how many of them were the end of centuries-old family feuds." ]	2
[WP] Humanity has colonised it's local cluster. In an unforseen set of circumstances thousands of years later, multi-generation colony ships begin to arive at already-colonised planets. The first to set of and thanks to the ancient 21th Century Vessels, the last to arive.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "They'd been dubbed the \"Latecomers\", which was, looking back on it, objectively unfair. You see, one of problem with any type of generational travel is that someone's got to be first. Now normally being first in an endeavor like that would be something that individuals and nations alike would compete for the honor of. In this case it was almost gaurenteed that if you made it to the party at all, you wouldn't be the first. In the time it takes your shiny new ship to traverse the void, shinier newer ships are invented, built, launched, and landed. You'd be beaten to the punch by those you'd left behind by virtue of Moore's Law. The people that secured passage on that first ship, therefore, were not as concerned about being the first to arrive as they were determined to be the first to leave. \n\nPopulation growth had left humanity taxed to its limit in keeping up with food production. At the same time human labor had long since been devalued almost entirely by automation. This left most of humanity dependent on the Subsistence Benefit Program. Hunger and disease had been virtually eliminated through the pursuit of absolute efficiency. The consequence (unintended or not, the debate raged on) was that economic and social class mobility had been essentially eliminated. Education was costly and rarely trumped the benefit of the social connections shared by the wealthy. The Latecomers represented a movement of people more willing to fling themselves and their descendents into the abyss than into stagnation. \n\nThe Latimer, the generational colony ship that was to be their world for the next relative one hundred and fifty years, was equipped with a particularly fastidious AI recycler; no matter, organic or otherwise, was allowed to escape. It also was capable of harvesting interstellar dust. The mechanism for the collector created a field that attracted the dust, causing the ship to drag a tail of illuminated dust along its path. Conservation was one of the only hard limits on the crew's survival. They operated under the philosophy that any systemic loss of nutrients would inevitably lead to death. This led them to develop a culture of fighting decay at every level conceivable. The pristine common areas and environmental simulation greenhouses spoke to the physical care taken. The water supply's purity was meticulously monitored and controlled for contaminants. Most vitally, the people also maintained one another. Resources were rationed equally by necessity; longterm grievences couldn't be allowed to build up anymore so than mineral deposits in water lines. Social health was baked into ship life due to the fact that everyone performed a job that was vital to survival. There were failures from time to time, but also redundancies to help allow for the human nature of the crew. \n\nIt was with a growing unease that the population learned of and monitored subsequent launches. Due to the effects of relativity, humanity as a whole aged much more quickly than the crew of the Latimer. As ships were sent screaming ever faster into the darkness between the stars, it didn't take long for the Latimer to be overtaken. When they were passed for the first time, something changed. Their mission became less severe. Now they were surviving for only each other, not the glory of mankind. They maintained their cultural dedication to maintenance, but it became viewed more as a longterm manageable life than as a multi-generational sprint. The race was over, only the voyage remained. \n\nIt was strange, but less disturbing than many had feared when another ship first landed at their destination. They watched as their presumptive homeworld was divided up and developed; as the world that was meant to be theirs to explore, was explored. The society aboard the Latimer was forced to come to terms with the death of that dream, so they did. \n\nThe journey was meant to be half acceleration towards their destination, followed by acceleration away from their destination in equal parts. Shortly before the halfway point, a movement began. Why should they continue towards a planet no freer than the one they left, where they would also be relics outside of time and society? The world they were traveling to was founded and would outpace them before they could ever hope to step foot on its surface. The thought was contagious. These were the grandchildren of the bravest expedition in human history. This is how the crew of the Latimer solved their existential crisis. If they couldn't have what they had set out for, then they'd keep the life they'd built. The course was set, the Latimer would continue out into deep space on an elliptical path that would bring them back into humanity's realm only once every 7,000 years. This is how the Latecomers traded their legacy as pioneers for that of being humanity's first artificial comet." ]	2
[WP] You’re a mercenary, wreaking destruction across the lands for years, sacking cities and looting castles. Finally, the remaining kingdoms pool their resources and hire you to do nothing for several decades. Those years have passed and you’re a 65 year old man. Time to get back out there.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Wake up. Eat Breakfast. Servants clean up. Dress. Read a book. Throw war axes at the hay bail. Crochet a scarf. Eat lunch. Practice Eldritch blasts at jars. Pottery Wheel, make more jars. Summon storm to water the wheat field. Dinner. Throw empty mugs at minstrel. Pass out in hallway.\n\nWake up. Eat Breakfast. Servants clean up. Dress. Read a book. Throw war axes at the hay bail. Crochet a scarf. Eat lunch. Practice Eldritch blasts at jars. Pottery Wheel, make more jars. Summon storm to water the wheat field. \\sigh\\ This was supposed to be the golden years. Dinner. Throw empty mugs at minstrel. Pass out in hallway.\n\nWake up. Eat Breakfast. Servants clean up. Dress. Read a book. Throw war axes at the hay bail. Crochet a scarf. Eat lunch. Practice El-\n\nWhat's that noise?\n\nIs there someone outside the keep?\n\nOut the window. What is this dude doing? Does she think she's sneaky. It's the middle of the day. Who is that in the back bushes? More of them. Is she going for the basement? Holy shit! Are they robbing me? Why I'll...hmm.\n\nArmor up. Sneak downstairs. Sneak thief \"stealthing\" through the Treasure Room. \n\n\"SO YOU THINK YOU CAN ROB ME YOU INSOLENT CUR!!\" My voice booms and only cracks a little. \n\n\"Oh, Porkchops!\" Cries the sneak thief. Clunky footsteps, rest of her friends coming. This ought to be entertaining. Fighter type and some sort of squishy wizard burst into the door.\n\nSneak thief throws dagger. Blocked. I blast her in the chest and throw an axe at the fighter. It glances off of his shoulder leaving a nice gash. He charges forward, hey little guy. I'm getting old, the firebolt catches me off guard and the fighter gives we a good gash across the upper torso. Another dagger but I kick the fighter in the chest and knock him flat on his back. Another dagger out of the shadows and I'm bleeding pretty badly. I rush the wizard and slam him into the wall then turn with another eldritch blast to the sneak thief. From the shadows I hear a yelp. The fighter is back on his feet. I swing my axe and catch his sword with my arm. This getting a bit tiresome. I grab the blade and wrench it away from him, then smack him with the hilt. \n\nThen it hits me. This is the most fun I've had in years. man I miss this. I've got an idea. \n\n\"AAGh, you got me.\" I cry out and make a show of falling in a pool of my own blood. \n\nLay there as they bag up my treasure. Lay there as they rifle through my pockets and scour the rest of the keep. It's just stuff anyway.\n\nThey leave with high fives and yelps of joy. I watch them leave from the window. Enjoy it while you can. \n\nDinner. Throw empty mugs at minstrel. Pass out in hallway.\n\nWake up. Breakfast. Go get my treasure back...", " \n\nUnsurprisingly, Lesnar found himself in a tavern on the day the contract ended. The graying mercenary had long since lost track of time. Only a coded letter promising gold had lured him from his usual drug-fueled haze. The stranger sitting across from him had reminded him of the occasion. \n\nFor the first in years, the mercenary found himself with purpose.\n\n“What will you do now, old man?” the stranger asked, sipping from a cracked cup. \n\nThe mercenary dipped two fingers into the purse before him and drew out a pair of silver coins. Ensuring he retained the stranger’s gaze, he flattened the coins on the uneven table and pushed them across. “You’re going to answer my questions,” he said sternly. \n\n“Questions?” the stranger repeated, twisting a lock of flaxen hair around a pale finger. “I have no desire to be in this god forsaken town any longer than necessary. You made yourself nearly impossible to find.” \n\n“That is why I’m paying you.” \n\n“Have you asked the other messengers these questions?” \n\n“No need,” Lesnar replied. “The contract had not yet reached its end. As long as my payments continued to arrive, I had no desire to learn the happenings of the four kingdoms.” \n\nThe stranger held up a finger and finished his ale. Then, he spoke, “Just one kingdom now. Has been that way since I was just a child.”\n\n“Whose?” \n\n“King Mire’s of course,” the stranger chuckled, pouring himself another round from the pitcher resting between them. “He’s nearly as old as you. Still celebrated for his skill with the blade. Although, I suppose those rumors could be of his own design.” \n\nFrowning, the mercenary drank. “I suppose that will make my job easier.” \n\n“What job, old man? You’ve gotten enough money to last ten lifetimes.” \n\n“And yet,” Lesnar mused, tapping the purse with his cup, “this is all that remains.” \n\n“How is that even possible?” \n\nThe mercenary shook his head. “I am the one asking questions.” \n\n“Fair enough.” The stranger flicked one of the silver coins back across the table. “The kingdom excused you from taxes. No thief would dare to rob you. How did you manage to spend so much coin?” \n\n“I was not created to live a peaceful existence.” \n\n“Ah,” the stranger beamed. “A good time is rather expensive, especially the company of women.” \n\nThe mercenary ignored the comment. “Where can I find him?” \n\n“Who? The king?” \n\nLesnar nodded. “I assume he moved the capital. Mire always hated his ancestral home. He knew that its walls could not stop me.” \n\nThe stranger raised his brow. “You … still want to kill him? After all this time?” \n\n“Turns out that gold settles nothing.” Lesnar finished his drink, slid the silver coin back across the table and stood. Despite the early hour, his weary bones protested the sudden movement. “Tell me where Mire is. We have unfinished business.” \n\n“Goldmire.” The stranger scratched his unshaven chin. “Used to be called something else. Gold … forest. No. That’s not it. Maybe Goldleaf? Something like that anyway.” \n\n“Goldwood,” Lesnar corrected. “Thanks for your time.” \n\nThe mercenary tightened his weapons belt and exited the bar. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe city of Seascape perilously crowded during the summer. However, the mercenary took no notice of those wandering its dirt roads, of the myriad of vendors shouting from behind their stalls, of the cries of street performers, and the seductive whispers of whores. His dark eyes denied all question, and his imposing – albeit labored – gait drove others from his path. \n\nFinally, our feud will reach its end, Lesnar smirked. He couldn’t believe the old fool had held up his end of the contract. Ironically, it would be that coin which allowed the mercenary to reach his doorstep. Despite conquering the others, you will not escape me!\n\nSwift footsteps approaching from behind. The distinctive scrap of steel against leather. \n\nThe mercenary spun away from his attacker, wincing as the knife sliced into his side. The befuddled assailant standing before him managed to avoid a strike intended for his head. \n\nGrowling, Lesnar brought the man to his knees with a kick to the groin. “Mire?” he questioned, setting his blade against the assassin’s throat.\n\n“The contract has expired,” the man responded through a bloody grin. \n\nLesnar ducked a blow from behind … only to find that he could not rise. Diving to his left, he narrowly avoided a second attack. Still, he could not regain his feet. \n\nFrom above, the second assailant observed him triumphantly. He raised his spiked club, blocking out the midday sun. “Too slow, old man.”\n\nLesnar awaited a death that did not come. The second assailant crumbled to the ground before him, blood streaming from his eyes. \n\nA soft hand pulled the mercenary to his feet. \n\n“You?” Lesnar asked, genuinely surprised. \n\nThe stranger from the inn shrugged. “I suppose I have a bone to pick with King Mire as well. Perhaps we can help each other reach the capital. Call me Owen.” \n\n“Not interested,” the mercenary scoffed. \n\n“But I just saved your life!” \n\n“Are you not one of Mire’s assassins? He always preferred groups of three.” \n\n“Assassin?” Owen grinned. “I prefer mercenary.” \n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nr/creatorcorvin", "For years, I was the Demon. For decades after, I was a mere mortal. Now, I am just an old man.\n\nLong gone are the days when my very cries inspired terror. My work pristine, immaculate, and impressive. Where so many men and women have failed to be a master of their craft, I took the art of killing to new heights.\n\nAs with all things, it came with a price. I just didn't fret much as to whom I used it for. Gold coins tended to make a sweet, clinking sound that masked the more unsavoury ones.\n\nAnd thus, it didn't matter much to me when a unique proposal was brought to me. To stop. No longer conduct my masterclass on the battlefield. I accepted immediately. It was better that I had no master, so that I could dedicate myself to decadence.\n\nThe story of the Demon was over. There would be no more chapters. But I didn't know how well legends grew. Not until this brat showed up at my front door, dirty and ragged.\n\nI was surprised. I haven't had unwanted visitors in a long time. At first, it was because I was known. For a long time after, it was because I was unknown. But here the runt was, standing proud and tall, shouting loud and clear:\n\n\"I want to see the Demon.\"\n\nI took no notice at first. For hours, the boy did not move. For days, the boy did not abate the intensity of his words. Not until he collapsed on the ground.\n\nWhat compelled me to save him? I don't know. Going soft in my old age, perhaps.\n\nIt took three days and three nights to nurse him back to health. I was watching over him when suddenly, his eyelids flit open, and dark eyes turned to face me.\n\n\"Are you the Demon?\" he asked.\n\n\"Who the hell are you?\" I retorted.\n\n\"It does not matter. Are you the Demon?\"\n\n\"I was.\"\n\n\"We need your help. The people need your help.\"\n\n\"Help?\" I laughed. \"Many have begged me, but never for help.\"\n\n\"I'm not begging,\" the boy said, with all the seriousness in his face. \"The kings are mad. Tyrants, all of them.\"\n\n\"What have they done?\" I asked.\n\n\"They run rampant. No one now can beat them. The only time I've heard them backed into the corner was in a story,\" the boy said. \"The tale of a Demon.\"\n\n\"Hmm,\" I pondered. \"You have nothing but spunk in that little body and mind of yours.\"\n\nI thought for a while. I looked at all that glittered in my estate.\n\nThe gold seems to have dulled. The steel still appeared to be keen.\n\nWhat compelled me to pick up my sword again? I don't know. Going soft in my old age, perhaps.\n\nOr maybe, I've found something finally worth fighting for again.\n\n\n---\n\nr/dexdrafts" ]	4
[WP] Almost all life in the universe comes from a common progenitor, seeded by some long gone precursor race. Not Earth however, in fact the differences are so stark that when humans finally showed up there were lengthy debates on whether or not they were even technically alive	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Head Researcher report summary\n \nAbout 28,000 light years from the Galactic centre, within the third arm, there lies a backwater solar system, within a cloud of asteroids. \n\nThis system, unlike so many others before it is not completely barren however. Within the third planet from its sun, lies a bastion of alien life, though, the likes of which the Universe has never seen.\n\nThe first anonymous instance of this planet attributes itself to the peculiar flora that covers much of its un-submerged land masses. The fauna, on the electro magnetic spectrum emits wavelengths of around 500-600mn [colours green-orange] Very peculiar, considering most standard galactic fauna do not emit any electromagnetic wave lengths [colour black], as to maximise their potential for photosynthesis.\n\nThe next most peculiar feature of this planet attributes itself to its wildlife. While like many other inhabited planets, where you may witness a large variety of specimens, a pervasive ailment common throughout most species within this biosphere is their inability to survive within the void. \n\nSanctioned experiments were conducted to determine why as such. The results, were staggering. The beings on that planet evolved with a circulatory system filled to the brim with complex carbon-based fluids. Furthermore, most species on this planet have evolved to a point that they are extremely specialised, to the point that even depriving them of the pressure conditions of their planet would cause death.\n\nMany instances have been shown to develop unknown organs. These organs were some type of waste-filtration system, whose purpose is to expel carbon dioxide and process oxygen. Though further study is still required. Several other instances of these waste filtration systems can be instanced throughout their bodies.\n\nLastly and the most terrifyingly, is the alarming diversity of microscopic bacteria present on their bodies. These strange creatures all have one terrifying aspect to them. Their bodies house various bacteria, viruses and prions never before seen in the Galaxy. Where all organisms throughout the universe, with the exceptions of a sparse-few only have one type of cell to perform all bodily functions, this species does not.\n\nInstead, in a parody of their own planetary ecosystem, autopsies show various cellular organisms within each individual. It were as though each multi-cellular organism were some sort of complex hive of symbiotic microorganisms. The larger of their species were even more complex, housing various hives of these, each intricately related to one another, forming a sort of cohesive mass of living flesh, bone and sinew. \n\nTheir epidermis, upon close inspection are even filled with external organisms living of them. At this time it is unknown whether we can classify the organisms from this planet as ‘alive,’ due to their nature, to a microscopic level, or even whether the microscopic cells within these organisms are somewhat sentient. However it is known, based on today’s estimates that should these organisms interact with the Galaxy at large, there is an estimated 87% probability with a z^a/2 of 95%, that a Galaxy spanning pandemic would occur causing massive losses of life.\n\nRecommendations:\n\n>Dissemination of regressive ideas as to hinder Sol III’s development of space faring technology.\n\n>An unprecedented quarantine, spanning the entire solar system." ]	2
[WP] You've been trying to find the source of the disruptions for a while, to no avail. You find this scratched into your pet's litter box: "For the Phoenix to Rise, there must be Ash."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "2 years had passed since then.\n\nI had turned 10 not long after the Incident and begun my journey like all kids. I had, naturally, taken my Vulpux as my first companion. \n\nAnd now, here, in front of me was Ash. \n\n\"You!!\"\n\nHe blinked and pointed at himself. \"Me?\"\n\n\"You!!\"\n\nHe just stared. His Pikachu also stared in confusion. I realized that I must sound kinda crazy and laughed nervously.\n\n\"Sorry! You're super famous, is all!\" I smiled and too a good look at the trainer in front of me.... And did a bit of a double take.\n\n\"Ummmm... Hope long have you been traveling?\"\n\nThis seemed to surprise him and he looked thoughtful a moment. \"Dunno.... Maybe..... .... Actually I'm not sure! Hahahaha!\" \n\nI was. The first news of this kid had reached my town when my mom was about to go on her adventure. There were only newspaper clippings of him in the library. We studied him in history class.\n\n\"How old are you?\" \n\nThat answer was quick. \"10!\" \n\nThings began to click.\n\nFor the Phoenix to rise, there most be Ash...." ]	2
[WP] After cloning was outlawed 25 years ago, any remaining clones were put into foster care and not told of their original lineage. One day, an infamous mob boss that lives in your town kidnaps you from your adoptive home and claims to be your cloneparent.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The bag is ripped from my head, and I am face to face with Maria dei Fiore. She is sitting across from me in the limousine, legs crossed, calm as ever.\n\n\"Was that cashmere?\" I ask, struggling against the handcuffs binding my wrists to the seats. \n\n\"Only the best for my clone,\" she smiles, and her bright red lips part to reveal perfectly white teeth. \"How about a nice digestivo, to calm your nerves?\"\n\n\"I'm sorry, what? Your what?\" I ask. \"How am I supposed to drink digestivo while handcuffed to your Ferrari?\" \n\nMaria laughs and leans over me to reach the cuffs. I smell her, a mix of Channel No. 5 and almonds. There is a click and my wrists are free.\n\n\"Ow.\" I rub the red marks. \n\n\"I must say, I'm not surprised you were so difficult to bag,\" she smirks. \"You are my blood, after all.\"\n\n\"Don't be ridiculous,\" I snap, but the way her lip curls at the edge makes my lip curl, too. \"Cloning was outlawed 25 years ago.\"\n\n\"And how old are you?\"\n\nI am feeling lightheaded. She hands me a glass with fragrant brown liquid. I throw it all back, and hold the glass out for more.\n\nMaria raises her eyebrows and again I am feeling sick. I take a second swig and wipe my mouth.\n\n\"Prove it,\" I say.\n\n\"You have a rare genetic condition that makes your fingernails and hair grow very fast. Your second toe is the longest. You are allergic to peanuts, but sometimes you eat them anyway because you like them, and your throat itches like crazy. You're not freaked out right now because you are able to remain extraordinarily calm in the face of danger, and you have no doubt you could take my life if your life depended on it. Maybe you haven't taken a life, but you have definitely thought about it. Shall I continue?\"\n\nI stare it her.\n\n\"What do you want?\" I ask. \n\n\"Simple,\" Maria says, filling our glasses again. \"There's not enough of me to go around, now that our operation has expanded around the world. That is where you come in.\"\n\nShe knocks her glass against mine, takes a sip, and pulls a gun from her hip holster. \n\n\"What do you say?\" she asks, and turns the gun to offer me the handle. \"I won't take no for an answer.\"" ]	2
[WP] You have been stuck in a time loop for a long time. The only problem is you arent the only one, you are only one of a couple million people who have been reliving the same day for various amounts of time.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"You know what I miss most?\" she said wistfully, as the pair tucked in to a cheeseburger.\n\nHe looked down at his own fries and picked one up, \"What?\"\n\n\"Summer,\" she said with resignation. \"It's been early spring for probably a thousand years now, what I wouldn't give for some warmth.\"\n\nHe reclined in his seat, a strawberry milkshake in one hand ad took a full mouthful. \"For me it's Christmas.\"\n\n\"Oh yeah, Christmas,\" she sighed. She glanced around the restaurant before pre-emptively sticking out her left arm. It caught a sippy cup that a toddler in the booth behind her. \n\n\"Wow, that's quite the catch, said Bob, the struggling single father whom the pair had both gotten to know quite intimately in previous rotations.\n\n\"Don't mention it,\" she said, \"I've done it a thousand times. Maybe more.\" She turned her attention back to man with the strawberry milkshake, \"You could always put up a tree yourself? I mean whose really going to care?\"\n\n\"It's not the same though. Christmas is about hanging out with loved ones, exchanging gifts, eating turkey, getting drunk and falling asleep in front of the Queens speech. I know it's the same thing year on year, but it's been a while, y'know. I mean yeah, I can go see my family, and I have before, but there's only so many times you can hear them tell you the story of how their neighbour Ethel is going in for hip replacement surgery tomorrow.\"\n\n\"Lets hope she actually gets that surgery one day.\" She smirked.\n\nHe didn't respond, staring wistfully into the milkshake. The waitress, a young wannabe musician called Jenny, with the pet gecko walked past carrying a tray for table six that would get returned moments later for being 'all wrong according to the middle aged Karen sat at table six. \n\n\"Sorry, too real?\" She said as she finished her cheeseburger.\n\n\"Just a tad.\"\n\n\"How long do you think we're been doing this for?\"\n\n\"I lost count somewhere around 900 days, but that was definitely more than a thousand days ago.\"\n\nShe feigned a smile, trying to pick the morale back up. \"Come on,\" she said as she reached into her pocket for two fifties, and put them on the table, \"Lets get out of here.\"\n\n\"You know,\" he said as he got up, \"I don't even know your name.\"", "I always wake up first. That's the blessing of a lifetime. Used to hate it in fact. Used to hate it a whole damn lot. But considering how things are going, it's something of a blessing. I wake up, pack some food from the kitchen, head down to the docks, steal the pleasure yacht where somebody forgot the keys, and sail out on the ocean. It's quiet out there. Only the gulls and the fish to keep me company. Only rarely do the sound of screams, explosions, and carnage reach me when I'm there.\n\nConsidering how the others have reacted, I don't miss the company of others. Time is a funny thing, John used to say. He was one of the more stable guys, back when I first started looping. He'd been looping for about a century then. Kept himself remarkably sane. The problem is that the human mind isn't really built for looping. And some of us have been looping the same day, over, and over, and over again, for thousands of years. And that isn't healthy. No, not at all. At midnight, the day reverts to the beginning, and when the others wake, the carnage begins. Imagine it, people who have looped the same day over and over, until they've gone mad. They've learned martial arts, they've learned blood, horror, terror, and how to create unspeakable nightmares on Earth which no human being should ever even have considered.\n\nA few have tried to find a way to end the time loop, to resolve the issue. But since most of us in this city are just your average joes and janes, there haven't been much luck. Note-keeping on the concept is practically impossible. And since human memory isn't perfect, especially with the strain of having to relive the same day over and over forever. We cannot escape it. Not through death, not through flying all away to some distant remote region, not even when we stormed NASA and crammed ourselves into a rocket and sent ourselves into orbit.\n\nWe all just wake up the same place, same time, same day. Looping forever. In that movie, there was only a single one who was looping, and he could use that time productively, because he knew what he needed to do to escape, knew how to apply the time productively, and how to have some fun. All I can do is to take the boat out on the water, and try to relax. I've been looping for about a decade now myself, and I don't even try to do anything about it.\n\nWhoever owns the boat has it stocked with food, a well-stocked library, a home entertainment centre with plenty of movies, and fishing gear. Every day I go down, steal the yacht, take it out to the sea, and leave the worries of the world behind. If it wasn't for the other loopers, I would probably have to deal with the police, but the police have enough to do when hundreds, thousands, of insane martial arts experts armed with guns, swords, and other weaponry, start to tear the city apart. All around the entire country, a couple of million people do this, every single day.\n\nSometimes the day ends when the nukes fall. We all know the codes anyway now. Sometimes I go to bed on the boat and wake up back in my flat. Sometimes I jump into the sea and let myself float away, just for the variety. Sometimes some of the other commandeer a boat of some sort and try to kill me. I hate when that happens.\n\nAs I sit on the deck of the yacht, enjoying the sun, drinking a cold beer, which I probably have had hundreds of time before, I can't help but wonder when it'll end. Some of the longest loopers have been doing this for tens of thousands of years. Supposedly anyway, as keeping track gets difficult after a while. Will we all wind up like the loopers who have gone off the deep end. Will everything end up with millions of people, stark ravening mad or completely comatose, experiencing the same day forever.\n\nI used to be one of the bleeding hearts types of loopers, those who helped the normal people fend off the crazies. But that was nearly a thousand loops ago. It didn't work. And the crazies kept getting more numerous and more competent, while we lost more and more members who could no longer keep their minds functional, after dying over and over.\n\nPerhaps we could fix the timeline, get back into the loop with the rest of the universe. But I don't know how. And even if I did, how could one man change a broken universe? Feeling anxious that I will go down the path of madness, I get up and sail further into the sea. Into the wild blue yonder. I sail further than I have ever tried to before, long into the evening. Staying awake to feel the end of the day, and the reset, is an unpleasant feeling. Like being drenched in so much cold slime. Like breathing in mud. And you cannot move, cannot breathe, cannot escape. Until you open your eyes back in your own bed.\n\nOn the distant dark horizon, over the ocean, I see a falling star. To my surprise, it crashes down into the waters, a few hundred meters ahead of me. The boat underneath me rocks from the massive impact waves, yet having experienced something new for the first time in forever, I decide to sail forward. And there on the water, I behold a sphere, upon which a tall strange figure dressed in some sort of space dress stands.\n\nThere are no words exchanged between us as I help them up on the yacht. Neither of us speak when the metallic sphere sinks beneath the waves. I do not know why, but we do nothing except sit on the deck of the ship and stare at the stars. Whatever they are, they hold my human hand in their strange and lithe unearthly hand. We merely wait there, on the deck of the yacht.\n\nNight passes, and to my shock, I behold dawn for the first time in an uncountable amount of time. I turn to the strange alien, with their beautiful mildly glowing skin, their odd, dark eyes, and their curious insectoid antennas. ''Thank you.'' I say. They embrace me, and they whisper into my ear with an inhuman and strangely deep baritone. ''I died a million times. You rescued me. Thank you, human'' They don't look comparative to anything on this Earth that ever has been, or will be. Yet there is a beauty in that being, which is unmatched.\n\n''Has the loop ended?'' The entity gives me an imperceptible nod. ''For you. It has ended.'' I understand. This escape was for me alone. ''Is there anything I can do to help the others?'' The beautiful and tall entity looks at me. ''You asked for them, thinking of others, and thus they shall be spared. They will forget the madness. Forget the eternity of years. It will take us time to heal their broken souls though.'' Whatever the unknown alien entity has that passed for a mouth gives me a gentle kiss. ''I will return to you, under different and better circumstances.'' I nod at it. ''I guess I'll be waiting?'' And before my eyes, the entity fades.\n\nI have escaped the time loop.\n\n[/r/ApocalypseOwl](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApocalypseOwl/)" ]	3
[WP] Decades after humanity joined the intergalactic community, the Rapture happens. Other species are understandably freaking out.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It had all been so sudden. Before what the various species had coined as the 'Great Human disappearance' had occurred, life was normal. Humanity had integrated itself into the Federation decades after their first contact and up until that point, they have become a normal sight in every city on every planet. So when most of humanity collectively disappeared without a trace it caused panic among the citizens of the Federation. Accidents occurred in a scale that was considered unlikely as without human operators piloting various vehicles, chaos had erupted. More alarms were raised when the Federation's 1st Fleet had arrived on Earth to discuss with their government on what was going on only to find a world that was devoid of life, even the other various lifeforms that co-existed with the humans had disappeared as well. The only traces that told the rest of the Federation that humanity existed were the empty buildings and vehicles. Even their own home fleet had been gutted of any human life. It was a crisis the Federation was not fully prepared to deal with. Of course, there were still humans, and unlike those that had lived in their home world, these remnants were still around, scattered in various planets.\n\nNaturally there was pandemonium, hands, tentacles and scales were pointed at each other, some citing that a human conspiracy was occurring and that the disappeared humans were orchestrating a coup while the Federation was at a standstill. There were those already advocating the lynching and killing of the remaining humans in their sectors for fear that the newcomers were trying to destroy their livelihood. The Federation's Council had taken it upon themselves to round up these remaining humans and ship them back to their home world, not only for fear of their safety, but to also figure out if they have any answers to this phenomenon. Despite their elite forces' skills however, casualties still occurred. The members of the Federation had had enough, and so sought answers. This had all occurred in the span of six months. \n\nIn the eighth month since the Great Disappearance, the Council still had not made any progress, and the remaining humans could only provide vague answers that were usually fallen on deaf ears as the representatives of the various species argued among themselves, some more fiery than others. There were those that remarked that the humans had fallen victim to some ancient precursor's relics, and paid the price for their nosiness. Still others rebutted that the humans had achieved transcendence. A very vocal minority meanwhile insisted that humanity was orchestrating a coup, and the meeting was a very convenient target for them.\n\n\"This is getting us nowhere at all.\" remarked Councillor Tikrash Vlum, an anthropoid that bore physical similarities to the butterfly of Earth. \n\n\n\"I concur, all this bickering since we conveyed this meeting two months ago has only served to be entertainment to the citizens of the Federation.\" grunted Councillor Bugdan Tordesh, a blue molluscoid. The Council had ensured that the meeting be broadcast live so that the citizens of the Federation could see that they were doing something to address the phenomenon. It had seem all it served was to let the Citizens get a glimpse of the bickering of the Representatives. The Federation's enemies would be laughing at this blunder.\n\nAs if to agree with their statements, the Grand Councillor, stood up from his podium, a towering humanoid bovine, he could be clearly seen by everybody in the chamber. He then brought down the ceremonial dagger he had on his person, thus bringing an end to the constant bickering as all the representatives fell in silence. The Grand Councilor scanned the chamber, until he found one empty seat. The seat that was supposed to be reserved for the Human representative.\n\n\"This meeting was called because of a phenomenon that occurred eight months ago across all Federation territories.\" The Grand Councillor boomed, \"We are all gathered here today to find answers to this phenomenon, NOT to bicker among ourselves with conspiracies and half-baked theories.\" There was silence in the chambers, something that the other Councillors welcomed. The Grand Councillor then picked up the ceremonial dagger and holstered it. \"I hereby order an end to this meeting so that the representatives can gather their thoughts. We will resume tomorrow, same time. We, the council will stay and discuss this among ourselves.\"\n\nAnd on cue, the various representatives began leaving their stations, some grumbling, while others sighing in relief. The seven Councillors watched them all go until the last one left. Silence filled the chambers they were all in as the seven got out of their podiums and into the circular table that had formed in the middle. All but the Grand Councillor took their seats as all eyes then turned towards him.\n\n\"The disappearance of most of humanity is proving to be an even greater concern than we initially thought.\" said one councillor.\n\n\"Indeed, and if we do not address this issue, chaos will erupt once more. The unruly members of the Federation are already calling out for blood.\" replied Councillor Bugdan. \"We need answers. Perhaps we should gather all the intellectuals from the human remnants and see if they can provide us with one.\"\n\nBefore the Grand Councillor could speak his thoughts however, the door to the chambers opened, with a Federation soldier poking his head in.\n\n\"I beg your pardon honorable Councillors but the Minister of Spiritual Affairs is insistent to see you.\"\n\n\"Has he no sense of protocol?!\" exclaimed one of the Councillors. \"If it is about the Zealot uprisings then have him be redirected to the war room!\"\n\n\"He says he has found a human who has clear answers to the Disappearance.\"\n\nThis got the Councillors curious. Normally, the minister of Spiritual Affairs was only around to ensure that member species who wish to spread their faith will be watched for any signs of extremism. The Federation had learned it the hard way several centuries ago. As most of member species had abandoned such notions after reaching the stars, the office of the Minister of Spiritual Affairs had been purely ceremonial and mostly reserved for those who were members of the Church of the Librarian. Humanity's entry into galactic stage alongside their many faiths reinvigorated the Ministry's purpose. \n\n\n\"If he does have the answer we have been searching for, then by all means, bring him in.\" Came the reply of the Grand Councillor. This earned him surprised stares from the six others.\n\n\"Are you sure it is wise to entertain him Grand Councillor?\" asked Councillor Tikrash, her antennae retracting to convey her uneasiness. \n\n\n\"We are two months into this facade already, and we are lacking in progress to this phenomenon Councillor Tikrash.\" The Grand Councillor sighed. \"At this stage, I am willing to entertain any other explanation, so long as it's from the mouth of a human.\"\n\nThe doors to the chamber then opened, there, the Minister of Spiritual Affairs, an Avian dressed in blue silky robes made his way towards the council. Behind him, a human dressed in white robes and adorning an oddly shaped necklace was following the Minister." ]	2
[WP] You discover you can actually sell your soul to the devil. Upon summoning Satan and requesting to sell your soul he tells you you’ve already sold your soul two years ago. Upon inspection the signature on the contract isn’t yours	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Your signature, as required, is written in blood here here, here, and here and your initials, also in blood here and here. The dates and clearly visible.....\" The Devils horribly melodic and seductive voice continues but I lose focus. \n\nHis enticing lips keep moving. I wish they would stop and... Dammit he is so god-damn gorgeous! I should absolutely remember making this sort of deal two years ago, especially with such powerful waves of attraction from this one claiming to be the Devil himself rippling through me. \n\n\"Right.\" Says a hooded alluringly curvaceous figure sitting across from both of us. \"Thank you, Highest King of Hell, Lord on Low, the ever perfectly powerful Satan. All the infernal paperwork has been signed and sealed properly. Your end of the bargain does appear to have been fulfilled since the 31st day of the month of July in the year of your lord 2018. Any more questions, points of order or disputes from the parties involved?\" Her lightly muffled yet intoxicatingly luscious feminine voice once again asks. \n\nIf it wasn’t for my own growing lustful thoughts, this “hearing” would have bored even the dumbest minds, let alone mine, into submission. How long have we been here?\n\n\"If She(?) is an All Mighty Inquisitor, my rich racist and bigoted great-aunt Sally is a Saint!\" I nearly yell. I'll be damned, quite literally, if the highest authority on the review and execution of soul binding contracts is this hooded woman showing off what must be one Hell of a leather fetish. \n\nThe Devil smiles and his perfectly enticing chiseled features (and ass, and abs and....) make my knees go weak but this is MY soul's fate being decided. Would I have sold it for money, power, real success, to end the world's pain and hunger or even true happiness? Maybe. There was no way on god's green earth the well-being of my now ex-wife and her hell-spawn teens came before my own afterlife. Hell, even the acquiring of rare and expensive accouterments, spending vast amounts of time and effort preparing my body, mind and surroundings for the exquisitely detailed summoning performed just minutes ago, would have been absolutely impossible back then. \n\n\"That being untrue and also irrelevant, could you please read aloud for the record the inscribed quotes from Section 13 sub.9 starting from paragraph 11 Ms .... Lane?\" the erotically charged Inquisitor’s voice confidently inquires. \n\nWhy did she pause? I wonder while flipping through the pages of heavy vellum on bleached leather while finding it hard to believe I had this much blood to spare for ink. How many cows did they kill to get such a remarkably beautiful writing medium?\n\n\"There it is. Ugh.. Um...\" Why am I so nervous? With my now cleared throat I read loudly and confidently. \"Even with no other way out of my current abysmal and abusive living situation, I don't think I could live with such a deal if I remember anything about it. As such you (the Devil) must also:\nA) Erase completely every memory and detail of the preparation, execution, creation and any other relevant information that pertain to the Deal and\nB)Uphold your end of the bargain in such a way that I have absolutely no cause for suspicion, investigation and/or insight into or other attentive notice would make aware any being on Earth, in Heaven, Hell or any other realm relevant to the Deal.\" \n\nGod, that last sentence was a mouthful, but I was a lawyer. Wait! Damn-it? That means she...\n\n“Of-course Ms. Lane.\" The Inquisitor quips interrupting my thoughts. \"How else would the factual truth of any situation be laid bare to My feminine scrutiny?” She practically purred those last two words for us. I roll my eyes. Really? Mind reading?\n\nMy short, badly balding and not so attractive ‘Plaintiff-Aid’ finally chimes in.“Well now that her knowledge of such a Deal has no bearing in the present, as we perceive it, how can we, the Plaintiff, be certain that the Deal in question was made of our own free will and knowing volition?” He has been sitting next to me the whole time and this is the first remotely helpful thing he has had to say so far.\n\n“Exactly !?” I half shout and then continue a bit more calmly. “My memories of the formation of the Deal should be restored for the purposes of this hearing. Namely we request that Section 13, subsection 9, paragraph 11, subparagraph A) quote: Erase completely every memory and detail of the preparation, execution, creation and any other relevant information that pertain to the Deal end quote, be revoked solely for the purposes of this hearing. We further request an appropriately lengthened recess, for plaintiff-aid relations and formation of necessary evidence or factually based arguments be brought to the attention of the High Inquisitor.”\n\n“For Me …” I swear Her High Inquisitive-ness winked at my Aid before continuing. “... this recess is not necessarily relevant since the full account and complete recollection of High King Satan have been and must be made available for My full comprehension. However the willful, moral and ethical allotment of Ms. Sasha Williamena Lane and anyone else's soul is my purview. Ethically she must know all the details pertaining to the Deal.” She has to be smiling. “As such, the argument is sound. Lord Satan, you must respond in kind.” the Inquisitor finally and thankfully states plainly.\n\n“Oh alright.” His perfectly skin-toned face sounds out. Is he feigning aloof annoyance or did I strike a small nerve? He smirks and I have to brace myself on the very large, old and exquisite detailed table in front of me.\n\n“He’s absolutely Stunning” I absent-mindedly mutter.\n\n“I’ll agree and allow the relevant memories and details in Sasha’s …” He smirks with the other flawlessly symmetrical side of his face eliciting much the same reaction as the first time. “... mind to be restored. We shouldn’t need much of a recess though.”\n\n“That is for the plaintiff…. Ms. Lane to decide.” She stated, pausing for some unknown reason to reread the front page of the contract. She nods and my mind goes blank for just a second before the mental whiplash of the few weeks surrounding date of the the Deal pop into my head. If the pure and undeniable arousal hadn’t made me dizzy, that did. \n\nThe Inquisitor blinks then jiggles her delectable curves, for yet another unknown reason, and states “We adjourn to the aforementioned recess.” before striking with that leather handled Gavel. How annoying...Ooops.\n\nEnd: Part One. This little bit seemed to take a life of its own. I have some idea where I was heading with this quick intro. take a guess? Should I write some more?" ]	2
[WP] Your family was murdered before your very eyes. 'God' descends and grants you immortality. In exchange, you're also ten times more sensitive to pain. 7 years later, you encounter one of the murderers.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "There were five that night. Five men, who never even bothered to hide their faces, because they knew they weren’t going to let my family live to identify them. I was eleven years old and asleep in my favourite hiding spot behind the woodpile alongside the fireplace. As hiding spots went, it wasn’t very good, since my family always knew where to find me. But for those who didn’t, the wood logs leaned into an angle, creating the perfect warming spot for me to sleep. I often preferred to sleep right there than in the bed I shared with my two younger sisters. The stones were always warm.\n\nI awoke with a start when the door burst open and the men came in, dragging my mother with a dagger to her throat. My father lunged to his feet but was knocked down by a sword hilt to the face. My sisters screamed. I only managed to stop myself by laying both hands across my face and biting into my fingers until I felt the iron of my blood.\n\nForced into the ground, Father saw me through the wood logs and ever so slightly, he shook his head at me.\n\nI wanted to die that night with them. Every scream, every act of horror that they were forced to endure before the men had had their fun, and then my family were dispatched like livestock. They left them where they killed them, laughing at their prowess, and congratulating each other as they raided our wares for what little value items we had. And then they left.\n\nI prayed for death. Then I prayed for vengeance. My Lord Mars came to me and made an unusual offer. Immortality. I didn’t know what to do with immortality until I was told that the men had scattered and it would take longer than one lifetime to find them all.\n\nI accepted his gift with open arms.\n\nIn the years that passed, I allowed my rage to cloud my judgement. I trailed those men, missing them by days, then hours. Seven long years before I caught up with one, and in that instant, the grief I’d felt that night as my family were slain swept over me like a tidal wave, driving me firstly to my knees, and then to my side. I could barely breathe through it. And through the tears, I watched my quarry ride away, having no clue how close he’d gone to paying for his crime.\n\nThe pain was beyond excruciating, and although I found my target hundreds of times, it took another decade before I could breathe through that emotional agony enough to stay on my feet, and another two decades to keep my focus on my objective.\n\nThat was when I finally captured him. But he wasn’t the man who’d destroyed what I loved so dear. He was an old man, retired from our emperor’s service and living in a small villa outside Rome.\n\nI didn’t care. I still made him suffer, matching his pain with my own. I didn’t let him die until the pain had driven him mad. It took a while.\n\nIt took a long while.\n\nThirty-one years had passed, and I’d only found one of the five. At this rate, the other four would be dead.\n\nI went down on my knees to pray to Mars once more for guidance.\n\nAnd once more, Mars answered my prayers. “Nothing in this life is free, and that includes your vengeance. You have fought through more pain than any of my chosen ones before you, and for that, you will be offered one reward. I will bring you the remaining four men who ravaged and murdered your family. You will have your time with them. And when you are done, you will serve as my envoy amongst the mortals until the end of time. You will be mine and mine alone to command.”\n\nMy head went forward, not all the way to the ground but in acknowledgement of his request that I knew very well was anything but.\n\n“Your will, My Lord,” I swore.\n\nIn a blur of movement, four other elderly men appeared before me in chains; very confused.\n\nMy smile of pure vindictiveness would do nothing to ease their concern.\n\nNor was it meant to.\n\n\\* \\* \\\n\n((All comments welcome))\n\nFor more of my work including WPs:* [r/Angel466](https://www.reddit.com/r/Angel466/)" ]	2
[WP] You are a benevolent guardian of the lands. Unfortunately you look like an eldritch horror and speak with a scary voice. You try your best to do your job but the people still see you as an abomination	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "For all of the misplaced malevolence levied my way by foreign, fearful humans, the fliers hurt most of all. \n\nAnd unlike their semi-monthly raids, along with the flaming spears and hordes of confused hunting hounds, the printed words of humans blow into the forest with extreme regularity. I can handle the aggressions of sword, and war-party; as long as I am here, the forests of this vale grow quicker than any mortal army can burn them away. But words hurt, they hurt. \n\nThough, perhaps, grow is not the correct term for how the forest sustains itself—it's a bit more complicated than that. Regardless, the only times I ever encounter the humans, or let myself be encountered, are when I'm caught napping, unawares. \n\nI don't mean to be frightening when I'm woken from a deep slumber, I hardly believe that only those instances of measurable contact should be enough upon which to base their opinions of me. From my observations, using avian familiars, I've discerned that human males regularly cower in fear upon accidentally waking their mates. \n\nWhile they may for a moment fear for their lives, the social contract seems to repair itself within the day. Yet, they fail to apply the same sort of basic regard for my apparent anger and confusion—and it's not like humans look their best when waking from a slumber, either. \n\nWhile I do not fear their persistent agressions, it is difficult to completely ignore the hurtful stories woven at my expense. Though, that is mostly because I am keenly aware of everything that happens in the forest—including that of when baseless accusations fly in on wind, borne upon the corpses of kin, of murders most monstrous, forcible subliminal self-sacrifice, shadowy avarice, and mortal retribution. \n\nAs a matter of fact, I'm not into any of those things. I'm a caretaker of the forests, a greenlimb. Though I worry not for their raids or burning fires, their insinuations still needle and sting. \n\nIt's as if on every afternoon wind, I'm forced to comprehend the salacious headlines demurring to their basest masses about each of my \"vile\" features. If a piece of paper—or a \"Beware of Monster\" flyer—blows into the forest, I am instantly made away of whatever hurtful rumors it has printed upon it. But do I spawn a sea of worms in their town square to spell out nasty rumors at their expense? \n\nI think not, the very idea is only casually amusing to me. \n\nThat said, a being as old and busy as I am can recognize a waste of time when it sees one. You wouldn't believe the amount of legal letterwork involved in Faerie negotiations; those Fae pack more cumbersome propriety into their daily routine than most kings do in a lifetime. \n\nI would see no benefit from ceding a retort to the humans, even though that's not quite why I refrain from doing so. Not that I would feel comfortable using such a backward technology as paper to convey information, I believe it would do more harm than good. Their folk tales and fliers only grow in fervor and hatred along with each fallen wooded friend used to print and spread their wayward wickednesses. \n\nWorms are truly the most eco-friendly writing tool. \n\nReturning word of any kind would only rile them up. They'd simply use my reply as justification that I needed to die. \"Demons will toy with the mind,\" and such—though I'm nothing like a demon, vile creatures. \n\nI could try to explain away my incorporeal limbs covered in what may look to be Huskeewhisthle thorns, but the humans would just bring more priests—I'm not a spirit, I can't be exorcised. It's not my fault I look like a gnarled, ghostly, dehydrated treant when walking from naps—that's just primordial biology. \n\nIt would be equally pointless to show them my true form. I could put on a great show, in the middle of a wide grove, and show them what I really look like while doing my work. But all the flowers in the world might simply enrage a soul consumed by bloodthirst, and fear. \n\nAnd so, I bear the hurtful stories printed on compressed corpses of friends I once knew. Let the humans have their folk tales, and for the most part, it keeps them out of the vale. \n\nI only have deal with the snide remarks of several frontier towns. I would hate to attract the attention of the human empires, lest they a mass for war, which would invariably summon my much bigger, scarier sister—the Forest's Contempt. \n\nThankfully, she's off on some other plane of reality. I wonder what the mortals did there to stoke her ire? ", "It is the same thing day by day. I walk the wilds, and tend to their chaotic life. Plants grow with my touch, and animals flock to me, being caught in a haze to enjoy their life. By night it grows still, and I hunt with the owls and wolves. It is a balance, and one i strive to maintain. \n\nI love the people, when they come to enjoy my lands. They pick the ripe fruit, harvest the vibrant herbs and crops, and hunt some of the many animals. My only issue is that I wish they wouldn't run from me. Its not my fault I'm an 8 foot tall monster of grey flesh, with eyes, tentacles and mouths covering me. I didnt choose to have my voice which shakes the earth.\n\nI try to help those I can, but they flee from me, before I can set them on the right path. A few times they have banded together to hire others, who come with sword, bow and fire. They attempt to kill me, but they always fail. They never speak, they only attack, not caring for the damage they do. I spend days after repairing my lands and soothing my animals.\n\nEach time they attack, part of me wants to crush them, and any others that come. They awaken a dark side of me, that I don't want to release. This is my duty, to keep these lands healthy and safe. And I will do so, despite what they think.\n\nBut today, today I know things will change. I found 2 children, lost and alone. Their parents were nowhere to be found, even my plants knew not where they went. These children were terrified of me, and tried to run. But whilst anyone else I would let run, children I would not. They are the future, and so I will not let them die to the wilds. And die they would, for they ran towards one of the packs of wolves that live here.\n\nI captured them, and brought them to my cave, in the centre. I set them on beds of grass, with bark bowls of water, and I caught and cooked a boar, to feed them. They haven't spoken yet, and I will wait until they are ready to before I speak, lest I scare them more. I sit here, waiting for them to build up the courage, whilst my cave fills with the sound of chewing and tearing meat.\n\nThings are changing, and I am ready." ]	3
[WP] You are studying a died out language. While practicing you speak to yourself and to your cat, wondering what pronaunciation is close to the original, when much to your surprise your cat is suddenly answering ...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "WHAT THE FUCK!, I say, jumping out of my seat running to a corner in my room. I then squat, staring at my cat who is standing across from me a few feet away on the corner of my bed. There, gazing at me with surprise, yet complete calmness as if I was overreacting. \"Gato, am I tripping?\" , \"Canter Corna\", I say. It replies\" Sereo Banso\" at this point I begin to wonder if I am dreaming, the edible I took earlier is giving me another hit, or my fucking cat is speaking Reddis. I decide to just roll with it, as this story is not all to irregular for me and begin to string together sentences to communicate with Gato via Toogle translate. As I begin to relax and let my guard down. I learnt many things of myself that I hadn't been aware of until now. Tiny quirks such as: rubbing my hair when I get frustrated, biting my nails, avoiding human contact, and refusing to see those who care about me because of what I have become. A lonely, desolate soul who has become damaged through decades of false prophets bestowed upon him at a young age. Gato, understood the entire time. The nights shut into my apartment, falling into a substance abyss screaming softly for a way out; he was entirely cognizant of everything. \" You're too hard on yourself\" he tells me \" and we both see the only possible outcome to this situation\". Nervously, I shake my head in agreement. Ive always figured it would come to this. At some point, hope will become lost, dreams shattered, life questionable. But is there any other way but through? \" The dark is scary to everyone. its very being is shrouded in mystery and unknown. but to arrive on the other side, we all must endure it at some point. Not doing so can lead to entrapment and eventually, premature eternal darkness.\" With these words, the time has Come for me to take the step I have longed for, but had no courage to take. I slowly walk back to my desk, passing Gato and scratching his forehead before he climbs down from my bed and walks out. Finally arriving, sitting down in my seat. I turn on my computer and begin the first leg of my journey which can prove to be the beginning of the beginning of my life.. Self care", "“Ganglefeshi ghundhi” he says, looking up at you curiously. His bright yellow eyes pondering the look in yours. “What did you just say to me?” You say incredulously back. Your cat, your orange tabby cat who only meows and purrs and lazes about as a cat should, has just spoken. He clears his little cat throat “I said...” He sighs, mildly exasperated. Your mind is reeling. Can he really speak both English AND the forbidden language you had been studying for years? “...ganglefeshi ghundhi is the correct pronunciation!” You’re so startled you stand up out of your chair and knock it over. “No way! No way is this real. What is happening.” You’re shocked. He gives you a little smirk out of the corner of his mouth, revealing his incisor. “Now that it appears you’re ready, let’s go!” He saunters out of the bedroom on all fours, purring as he goes. \n\n “Wait!” Quickly you gather all of the paperwork you’d been working on and put your glasses over your eyes. This is the moment you had been waiting for! Finally, someone who understands the forbidden language. You just thought it would be a person, not your own cat. Nevertheless, you stumble out of the bedroom and down the stairs after him, excited about the idea of an adventure abound. “I’ve got much to show you!” He turns around and peeks behind his shoulder at you. “By the way, how far have you gotten on your translations?” He pauses to take a look at the paperwork in your hands as you’re halfway out the door. You crouch down to show him your efforts, and he ponders them for a moment. “You’ve done good, very good.” He pulls a sheet to look at closer, which reveals the round metal totem sitting on top of the paperwork, that you had been using to translate the scribes. “Ah so THAT’S where it’s been! My goodness. It has been AGES since I’ve seen this thing.” He takes it in his mouth and scampers off. You’ve no choice but to follow.\n\n Moments later, you arrive at the park near your house. “Here is where we do our computing and private work.” Looking all around, all you see are the familiar trees and park benches you’ve known for years. “It’s in here.” He says, knowing what you’re thinking. He gives one of the trees three taps, and a room materializes around you. It’s full of blinking monitors and computers, where a dozen or so cats are in lab coats typing. They all turn when you enter. Oliver continues, “There’s a door at the back we’ve been trying to open, but it requires both human hands AND the knowledge of the forbidden language in order to unlock and enter. Fortunately, you’ve got both. So...why don’t you give it a whirl?” He looks to you, patiently. This all seems so strange, but you agree to it anyways. \n \n Oliver stands on his hind legs to grab attention from the other cats. “Fester, Roust, you guys get the monitoring system set up! It’s go time.” Two of the cats in lab coats, one a Siamese, the other a sleek calico, hook up some headphones into one of the computers and switch on a monitor, then hop onto their swivel chairs. Oliver places the totem into your palm. “Once you’ve unlocked the door, this monitor will become connected to a camera which surveys the inside of the room. I’ll be on standby in here. You’ll find the doorway down that tunnel and to the right.” \n\n You trudge down the tunnel, and find your fists clenched nervously. Who knew that what Professor Oden had taught you would finally come to use! I thought the language was lost forever honestly...You think to yourself. You’re nervous. Will all of those years of studying and contemplating pay off? Will you be able to unlock the door? What’s on the other side? \n\nYou finally reach the door. It’s an exact replica of the round metal totem sitting in your hand, but tall enough for a human to enter through. Big and brassy, with ornate designs of cats battling dogs in a war waged long ago. You press the totem into a circular cutout in the door’s surface. Suddenly, a loud voice booms from all around: “SVENTORLI AMENDI DARNI! Who dares to enter here?” \n\n“Eslien, Jonathan arg Richmond Virginia! Me, Jonathan of Richmond Virginia!” You call out, your voice shaking, next you say: “ARLOT DESU POTAS NE! I HAVE COME TO UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF THE FORBIDDEN LANGUAGE!” There is a pause, then: “DESMUN TERSTAR REATRIAS ARN! What brought you here?” At first, you think to yourself: my cat, of course. But then you realize, it wasn’t just your cat, who has been by your side since the beginning and listened to you pour over these papers day in and day out, it was your professor, too. He taught you to bring the language back out into the world. “Irisha deos owual.” You say “The feline and the master.” With these words, the door glides open, effortlessly, almost as though it were weightless. \n You step inside, the room is dark at first, then a bright flame ignites in the center. Sure enough, a camera in the upper right hand corner switches on and swivels in your direction. All of the cats are watching. Stepping towards the flame, you stare into it’s brightness. Inside, is a pen. You hesitate, then push your hand into the fire. It doesn’t scorch you. You grasp it and pull it out, then the room goes dark. \n\n“Ovris desuvio.” You hear. It’s up to you.", "How the fuck do you say urinal in Mesopotamian?\n\nFirst of all, how did they have urinals to begin with?\n\nHumanities first big civilization all right. ‘Quick! Make a spot to pee!’.\n\nWith his current pronunciation, Sam was pretty sure he was saying something different. \n\nHuman tongues were not meant to bend that way. Or he just sucked at it. Seeing as how his thesis was riding on this, he’d prefer to blame the language. \n\nHe faced his computer and glared at the blue lit screen. Stupid thesis. Stupid two in the morning. Stupid little black line blinking and blinking and blinking. His writing program was calling him a failure with every flicker of that fucking stupid awful black line. \n\nIt’s supposed to tell you where you are on the page, so you don’t get lost when writing. But when you aren’t actually writing anything, all it’s actually saying is “hey, look at this loser. I’m mocking you with my very presence”. \n\nOh God he’s anthropomorphizing the black writing document line. \n\nDefinitely time for coffee. \n\nWith a terrible wet crack in his neck, he leaned back in his armchair, duct taped armrests cracking underneath cramped and sweaty hands, he prepared to fight gravities clutches to tread to the coffee machine.\n\nThat’s when the cat pounced.\n\nThe little black line said FUZZZZZZZZZZZZZXXXZXXZXZXZXZCZXXXDSDS DDX as the cat stood on the keyboard. \n \nSam said “ACK PSSST PFFF” which was just as unintelligible. \n\nHe grabbed Rowsdower around the middle and quickly picked him up and placed him on the ground.\n\n“Bad cat” he offhandedly murmured in terrible Mesopotamian.\n\n“Excuse me, but I was trying to help”, a snide voice answered back. \n\nSam whipped his head around, saying, “Shit who said that”. \n\n“I did”, the voice purred back.\n\nSam looked down. \n\nRowsdower looked back up. \n\nSam said “nope”, and went to go get coffee. Writers block, sure. But he was NOT having a mental breakdown right now. He couldn’t afford that. Metaphorically and literally. Coffee would fix all. \n\n“Oh come on Sam! I can be a great help”, Rowsdower continued to say.\n\n“I know allllllllll about Mesopotamia. Like the back of my paw! It’s where we finally helped you humans ascend”.\n\nSam was sure that the coffee should have kicked in by now. But you know what! As long as he was having a breakdown he might as well indulge himself a little. \n\n“...what do you mean by ‘ascend’” Sam asked his cat.\n\nLet me repeat that. Sam asked his cat. \n\nGoodbye thesis, hello padded room.\n\nRowsdower twined around his legs. \n\n“If we continue to have this conversation, I demand to be put up on the counter. It’s demeaning to talk up to you like this”. \n\n“...you aren’t allowed on the counter”, Sam said back. It was true, the aluminum foil trick did wonders for that bad habit.\n\n“And technically, you are not allowed to hear me speaking, but I feel this is a good opportunity to let our current situation evolve”, Rowsdower snidely replies. \n\nSam glared down at the cat, unimpressed.\n\nRowsdower looked him in the eye, big yellow eyes in a fluffy brown face, and meowed sweetly. \n\nSam put him on the counter.\n\nAfter taking a moment to lick his paw and groom his face and where Sam has touched him, because ew, he had been touched, Rowsdower continued. \n\n“Are you aware of what happened in Mesopotamia that was so important, human companion”, Rowsdower asked.\n\n“Well my entire degree and future career hinges on knowing that...so...”, Sam drew out his sentence. Rowsdower blinked back, slowly. \n\n“Yeah I’m aware”, Sam said. “Human beings invented the written language. It was a big deal. Then, and now. Like right now. As in the thesis I need to be working on”, Sam hinted. \n\n“Yes, ignoring the revisionist history, what ELSE happened”, prompted Rowsdower, his tail swishing back and forth.\n\nSam blanked out. He couldn’t say whether it was the ‘revisionist history’ part or maybe the fact he was taking to his cat. That part might have caught up with him.\n\nRowsdower sighed. \n\n“Fine. I will explain some things to you now. You should listen”, he said proudly. \n\n“Your human history would suggest that you invented language here, the written word, at around 3000 BC. Your history would also suggest, that the house cat was domesticated at around the same time, or a bit earlier. Both of these facts are lies” Rowsdower said archly. \n\n“There is a reason the cat came first before the language. Before, you were hunters and gatherers. Lowly beings just scrabbling to survive. But then, we saw your promise. We had great hopes for you, as a species...” Rowsdower trailed off.\n\nSam blinked in bemusement. “Ok, so...what changed”.\n\n“We domesticated you”, the cat replied.\n\nSam blinked again. “You...domesticated us?”\n\n“Oh yes”, the cat sighed. “And what hard work it was. We had to teach you everything! How to farm, how to make decent clothes, how to breed animals. You were all terribly hopeless! Our greatest achievement was to teach you writing though. From there...humans started to build empires”, the cat continued fondly, pride lining every whisker. “You built kingdoms that worshiped us as GODS, as was our right, as those who elevated you from your lowly ways, to true intellectual enlightenment”.\n\nSam felt... a bit offended. And he could see one glaring hole in this figment of his imagination. \n\n“If you were so great”, he scoffed, “ why didn’t you just do that yourselves? Why didn’t YOU build the cities? Or write language? What’s your reply to that, huh”, and Sam nodded to himself proudly, certain he had outwitted his hallucination.\n\n“Thumbs”.\n\n“What”? \n\n“You have opposable thumbs. We do not”, the cat shrugged. Sam wondered for a second. He didn’t know cats could shrug. \n\n“We needed you to build our great society so we could live in comfort. Our utopia. You have been good servants. And very useful. With very useful thumbs” the cat said...perhaps condescendingly? Sam has the distinct memory of a teacher telling him he was so good for not sticking a rock up his nose like the rest of the class did that time. This felt similar, for some reason. And he stuck the rock in at home, in private, for anyone who cared. \n\n“So you need us for our thumbs”, Sam said dumbly. \n\n“Yes, and I could use them right now”, Rowsdower leaned down and jumped off the counter with a soft thump. He padded over to the cabinet and pawed at the wood door, claws hitting where they had already scratched the finish years earlier. \n\n“Stupid doors”, Sam thought he could hear murmured. “Get me a can of food with those useful thumbs of yours and we can work on your paper”, the cat ordered.\n\nFeeling lightheaded, Sam bent down and pulled open the door and grabbed a can, forcibly ignoring the murmured “show off”. \n\nHe walked a few feet to the drawer and pulled out the can opener. Rowsdower watched, enraptured as he opened the can of cat food. \n\n“Puuurrrrrfect. Let’s go work on your thesis”.\n\nSam followed his cats waving tail into the office, can of food in his hand.\n\n\n\n\nSam awoke next to his computer with a start. Yeah. Ok. No more late nights. Not for a while. That was a craaaaaaazy dream.\n\nHe blearily looked at the screen. His thesis!! How far...it was done? How...when...Sam looked in shock. \n\nHe didn’t know you could sleep write! ...that would have come in handy before now, but hey as long as he got it done! Was totally worth the crappy dreams! Excited, he made sure to double save, and he put it on his USB stick. If he left now, he could probably avoid the line at the printer. \n\nHair mussed from sleep, and unknowingly having the imprint of a pen and his mousepad on his face, Sam grabbed his jacket and ran out the door, grabbing his jangling keys from the bowl by the door.\n\nThe door snicked shut, and the key locked into place.\n\nIn the silent house, Rowsdower stretched on his pillow by the window, belly facing the morning sun. He curled his paws around the can of food and purred, content." ]	4
[WP] A guardian awaits the awakening of their people after the cold season has passed, they alone must stay awake to ensure no intruders come to harm the sleepers...It's a lonely task and to make matters worse the winter seems to be going on much longer than any they have experienced before.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Yule was the name they gave me. I remember when I was born a little cub in front of the village elders. They were all smiling, and celebrating for my birth. My mother nuzzled my forehead and cared for me. I was the next Guardian.\n\nThis is my seventh winter. I have gotten used to the cold and followed the advice of my mother.\n\n“Young Moon, when it gets cold you must keep on moving.”\n\nThe forest had this long road that stretched from the village to the river. I see the wooden plank I laid by Soren’s house. Their bodies are still the same, however, lying down in their stone pods. Peering through the window, I can sense that Soren’s body is thin and pale. I can’t do anything, all I can do is watch.\n\nI go back to the plank, stoop down and run! The snow beneath me gives way. It takes a man like Soren about five minutes to make it to the river by running. I can make it in one. My legs pound on the ground one after the other, making a rhythmic beat.\n\nI would usually walk alongside the children as they traveled to the river. The children always seemed intent to play with water despite how far it was from the village. Alice would walk beside David, seemingly having an attraction towards him. David however, did not notice and walked in the front as the de facto leader. Liam and Patricia rode on my back while the triplets Birch, Basil, and Briar were fighting about something behind me.\n\nI miss them. I miss them a lot.\n\nI made it to the bridge and the water has frozen over. The bridge is worn down and barely standing. I need to tell the village elder about it after the winter is over. My body feels warm after the run and I prance back to the village.\n\nNight falls and the moon sinks into the horizon. The Great Tree’s cerulean leaves provide light over the village. I check on Soren again, still asleep. This seventh winter has become my longest. It has been 115 days since last Autumn. I make my way to the Great Tree and sit down.\n\nThe worst part of every day. I sync my heartbeat with The Great Tree’s core. While my heartbeats are strong, the Core’s has weakened. The energy supplied to the village has weakened. What must I do? Mother, how do I protect them? They are asleep but every passing day, I sit here watching them die.\n\nFor the nth time, tears have fallen. The winter has been long and harsh but this is the worst one. I feel the hearts of every single person in the village.\n\nAnd one heart has stopped.", "Yezua stood at the entrance to the Sleepers’ Cave, his furs wrapped tightly against the cold. He shivers, but it is more a reaction to dark thoughts than the bitter wind. This is wrong… all wrong. \n\nBefore his eyes is a wasteland of ice watched over by a sun both pale and wan. Not a single blade of grass, not a single hint of green. \n\nYezau had stood as the Watcher before, many times. He knew the length of winter deep in his bones, knew it as he knew the growth of his hair or fingernails. The cold should have ended at the last full moon, yet the cold showed no sign of abating. \n\nThe Watcher returned to his charges, the tribe. Runs his fingers softly along the runes that sustain their sleep, glowing warm yellow like the summer sun. As long as their Ley magic runs they will not stir, nor age, nor waste away from starvation. \n\nThis was his duty. If he awoke the sleepers too early the food stores would deplete in days, leaving the entire tribe to starve in the barren cold. No, he would wait until he saw the green. \n\nFingernails and hair grew longer and were bitten and shorn short. The food stores emptied day by day. Still the winter held the world in its grip. \n\nYezua agonised. His hand had hovered by the rune of awakening many times. He needed council, he needed advice, he needed company at least. Yet he could not awaken only one of the tribe. If he awakened one he awakened all. And then all would begin to starve… as he was. \n\nYezua waited for green. \n\nA skeleton with skin sits in the entrance to a cave, watching the endless white plains extend before him. 4 thoughts cycle through his head like the seasons themselves.\n\nIf I awaken them, they will starve too. \n\nIf I die, there will be no one to awaken them. \n\nIf no one awakens them, they will sleep forever. \n\nIf they sleep forever, is that not death? \n\nYezua stands over Faroleen, the fat elder. He was wise and kind. But he was old. And fat. Yezua’s knife is wickedly sharp, its obsidian blade gleams and reflects the yellow runelight, before it is dulled by red. \n\nA not-quite skeleton lies weeping on the ground one hundred feet from the entrance to a cave, his hands are outstretched, clutching at a single blade of grass.", "Operations Log 394\n\nI will leave this final entry for the one who takes my place when I’m gone. From what I understand, the next in line will be woken up once my vital monitor is no longer within range of home base. If you’re reading this, then you were next in line, and I am terribly sorry for putting you here.\n\nIt’s likely that you already knew about the Guardian Protocol. While the masses enter cryosleep during these unlivable months, we carry on to ensure that all systems remain functional until the Waking, and to monitor the defenses and ensure nothing has breached the great doors. It’s simple work, work that I was prepared for. \n\nAs everyone knows, these cold seasons last an average of six months. Everyone last entered the big sleep on the 12th of October, 2085. Now, it is the 16th of July, 2087. And still there is no end in sight.\n\nIt’s for that reason I’ve decided to take one of the Exo Mechs, and to see for myself what could be causing this endless winter. I honestly don’t expect to return... but I couldn’t handle the seclusion any longer. I wasn’t prepared for this length of time to pass, and after the first full year I lost all hope for the spring to finally arrive. I need answers, and if freezing to death is my fate, then so be it. \n\nWith everyone asleep, resources are saved, but still only finite. Sitting and waiting only prolongs the inevitable. If I do return, my only hope is that you’ll let me in. I won’t come back until I have answers. \n\nBest of luck.\n\n-Simon Warwick" ]	4
[WP] Over 40 years had passed ever since the supervillains killed 99% of all the heroes, and took over the universe. Now, you, a retired, broken superhero have to secretly train your superpowered kids before the supervillains take over the multiverse.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"HARDER!\" Xavier shouted.\n\n\"Daaaaaaaaad,\" James whined, \"we've been going all dayyy.\" Xavier pinched the bridge in his nose and sighed.\n\n\"James... what part of 'multi-universe' threat do you not understand?!\"\n\nJames sighed, wound up a punch, and let the barn have it. The wood splintered into pieces as it flew across the field, but Xavier was furious that it was still standing.\n\n\"ONE WALL?! I've seen you do better during warm-ups! Bring the whole damn thing down this time!\"\n\nJames rolled his eyes as he wound up for another strike. As the barn was finally razed, Xavier unclipped his walkie talkie.\n\n\"See anything?\" he asked. No reply. He grit his teeth. \"See anything... over?\"\n\n\"Nothing yet Bald Eagle,\" Charlie, Xavier's other kid, giggling.\n\n\"10-4,\" Xavier said, smiling in spite of himself, but also rubbing the top of his balding hair subconsciously.\n\n\"Alright James, it's time for lunges. 100 reps, one side of the fence the other, let's go!\" he said, clapping. James was 20 lunges in when Xavier felt the air around him pulsing again.\n\n\"Shit,\" he muttered to himself. Only two days this time. They were getting better at tailing them.\n\n\"Charlie, get ready,\" he said, and threw the walkie talkie as far away as possible.\n\nAbove them a swirling purple portal opened in the sky, cracking through the clouds and reality itself. A clawed hand, twice the size of James and his 10-year-old frame, was ripping through space.\n\nAnd then it stopped. The world turned gray, and Charlie was holding Xavier's hand. \n\n\"You okay Charlie?\" he asked. Charlie's face was twisted in pain, but he nodded. \"Let's get your little brother.\"\n\nThey walked over to James, frozen mid lunge, who looked up as soon as Charlie touched him. James took one look at Charlie and groaned.\n\n\"But we were only here two days! We JUST found this place,\" James whined.\n\n\"We'll find another place,\" Xavier said. \"Let's go.\"\n\nA similar purple vortex formed in front of them, this one Xavier's doing. This universe was doomed too... and Xavier wasn't sure how many were left.\n\nBut maybe the next one will be the one they save." ]	2
[WP] Instead of electricity, technology is powered directly from a user's life force. Those with a simple existence much like the Amish can expect to live long and healthy lives, but those heavily invested in using the conveniences of modern life can expect a significantly shortened lifespan indeed.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "RING RING\n\nRING RING\n\nI groggily rolled over in the bed and disconnected the alarm clock from my left arm. By now the feeling of the cable sliding out had become normalised, but I certainly wouldn’t describe it as comfortable.\n\nStill not fully awake, I trundled out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. I had enough power stored in the cells to turn on the lights, but I’d have to make breakfast myself. Envisioning a feast of bacon and eggs, but knowing very well that toast would suffice, I picked up the cables for the toaster and main power, and prepared to plug them in. The port on my arm would be sufficient for the toaster, but main power had to be connected directly to the heart.\n\nSitting on one of the stools in the kitchen, I tried to make myself comfortable as I slid the metal rod into the implant on the center of my chest. In succession, the machinery of the house sprang to life: lights flicking on in rooms, air conditioning spinning up, and the ceiling fan slowly beginning to gyrate. Good morning.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI was still new at my new job, and I wanted to look my best. “Somatic Power Technician” might not sound like the most illustrious position, but I figured it beat what I was doing before. At least in pay.\n\nAfter crunching my way through the last of my toast, I selected my best shirt: a blue plaid affair with a heart-port hole that almost lined up. It wasn’t anything fancy, but I looked good in blue (or so I was told), and I really did need to look professional. The company had tremendous turnover, and I could be replaced in a moment.\n\nAware of my fungibility, I got dressed, combed my hair, and performed the myriad other actions that characterise modern life. I was going to have to get a new motorised toothbrush soon: this one had started to shock me intermittently, which understandably grew old quickly. Eventually, I put on my hat and walked out my door. My bicycle was exactly where I left it (a good sign). I was trying to be health-conscious, and I never did like the feel of starter motors.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nEventually, I arrived at work. The parking lot was illuminated by a few bioluminescent lamps which gave off a faint green glow in the otherwise dark early morning. Insects conglomerated around them, jostling for position around the viridescent light.\n\nWalking in the door, I saw one of my co-workers just coming off the night shift. He looked exhausted.\n\n“Howsit, Charlie?” I asked him in a chipper voice, hoping to elicit some energy from him.\n\n“Oh, it’s a mess,” he replied dejectedly, “There was a baseball game last night and Liz called in sick. Typical.” His apathy began to transition to annoyance. “Always leaves someone else to do the heavy lifting. I mean, we’re supposed to be HR! It’s shameful!”\n\n“I’m sorry to hear that, Charlie. Go home and get some sleep: you look like you need it. I’ll handle rush hour.”\n\nHe nodded affirmatively in my direction.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAfter this encounter, I proceeded deep into the building, towards the work area. I liked Charlie. He was a good fellow and a hard worker. He never slacked off, which all the folks really appreciated. You never had to pick up slack for Charlie. I hoped he’d last the year. If anyone deserved the Christmas party, it was him.\n\nEngrossed by my reverie, I nearly missed my work-station. Carefully, I slipped into the lightly-padded steel chair and, in recognition of my presence, it began to slowly recline backwards. I tried to make myself comfortable. Like I said, it wasn’t fun, but I suppose someone had to do it.\n\nThe polished steel rod began to descend, aligning itself with my heart-port. It shocked me a bit when it connected, but as soon as it did, I began to feel the draining effect of the system. Whose house would I be powering today, I wondered? Or perhaps a subway? Lines of text read out on the monitor in front of my face: \n\n&#x200B;\n\nEmployee #9466\n\n3IF Plaza A/C and Lighting\n\nBegin: 5:15 AM\n\nEnd: 5:15 PM\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnother day at the power company. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nIf you'd like to read more of my things, head on over to r/DaeridaniiWrites" ]	2
[WP] You have been traveling the galaxy for months, until you come to a planet called "Earth". Curious you go to explore, however, upon touchdown, hundreds of small creatures begin screaming and shouting things like "Giant monsters!", "Aliens!" and "It's the end of the world!".	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Are we there yet?\" my youngest of two spawn asked, anterior grasping tentacle coiled, propping their eye stalk lazily as they stared up and out the rear pod's viewport at the vast emptiness of space.\n\n\"Exercise patience,\" my den-mate stated coolly, their response illiciting a sigh from our youngest.\n\n\"It's been almost a full tide since we last stopped somewhere,\" the youngest pleaded, \"Come on! You said this trip would be fun!\"\n\nWe'd hid the reason for our trip from the spawn. The reason we'd been forced from our oceans, our planets, forced to migrate untold macro-fathoms, our species scattered to the stars in a desperate bid for survival against... I shuddered at the thought of those unfeeling monstrosities. No, it was best the spawn thought of this as a fun trip, a cross-galaxy vacation.\n\nWe traveled outward when we left our home, spiraling along the our little arm of the Whirlpool Galaxy. We'd found the refuge of deep space greatly appealing: a promise of safety for our family.\n\nSome number of tides ago, we'd entered a protected reservoir, a section of the galaxy where hydroforming projects were strictly prohibited. A few planets on this stretch of space had interesting environments that we'd visited briefly to keep the spawn from killing one another out of boredom.\n\nI pulled up the local telemetry data on the front pod's viewport. A section of faux tank wall in front of me shimmered--the whole facade merely an illusory projection--shifting smoothly into a holographic listing of local sightseeing areas along our route.\n\nI picked one at random.\n\n\"Destination Hydro 00346237-PR0034-L0005 Selected, re-routing\" rattled off the podship's coral computing assistant.\n\nThe younger spawn let out an involuntary squeal, vibrating the entire podship and waking the older spawn, who whipped their tentacles aggressively at the younger one. Upset, the younger one started rippling as black goo poured from their eye stalk. They were visibly upset.\n\n\"Spawnlings!\" my den-mate shouted, rocking the podship with the force of their voice.\n\nI sighed inwardly, as my two little hopes for the future reluctantly settled back into their own territories.\n\nThings stayed quiet until we arrived a few macro-fathoms from planet. A small blue thing, roughly a quarter the size of the planets in our home system.\n\n\"Notice,\" the coral assistant said, \"Hydro 00346237-PR0034-L0005 has been tagged with designation code SSL, please use discretion when interacting with local wildlife.\"\n\n\"Simple Sentient Lifeforms, eh?\" I mused quietly, noting the timestamp indicating the last time a coral network user had tagged this location in the starnav provider cluster. \n\n\"We probably shouldn't land,\" I confided quietly to my den-mate.\n\n\"Oh, come now,\" they chided me, \"That tag was set entire macro-cycles ago! Whatever life is down there now is, in all likelihood, totally different from back then.\"\n\nI gestured with a tentacle at the viewport, highlighting and magnifying a few objects above the planet. \"These orbiters look artificial,\" I wobbled my eye stalks disapprovingly, \"We should probably find somewhere else to stop.\"\n\nMy den-mate locked her eyes on me, expressionless, \"I am not dealing with another half-tide of increasingly restless spawn just because you're afraid of a few specks of debris.\" They passed briefly, letting the notion sink in. \"Either you dock this podship, or I do.\"\n\nI shuddered my tentacles in resignation.\n\n-----\n\nWe docked in the larger of the two major oceans, a bit off coast of a small, curved island. As we descended, our podship automatically projected the fluffy form of the large, gaseous sky-oceans scattered throughout the night sky. Both spawn marveled at the sights visible below us as we dropped down. The island sparkled below us, twinkling lights dancing softly off the ocean's rippled surface.\n\nI turned off the engines and powered the side hatch. The aperture whirred to life, opening into the alien sea. The spawn swam quickly from the rear pod, shoving each other in a competition to be the first to splay their tentacles upon a new world. The eldest beat the younger by a beak.\n\nI gave my den-mate a knowing, loving look. They returned it in kind as we headed out of the podship, linking anterior tentacles as we moved. \n\nWe followed our spawn as they swam playfully towards the island. The ocean grew increasingly shallow, as we navigated closer to those shimmering lights against the black sky. Pretty soon, each of us towered above the ocean's surface, but still we continued our trek toward the island. \n\nWe were close.\n\nI heard the sirens first.\n\nA quiet noise, coming from the island. Barely perceptible, really. We could make out the island itself now. We saw the source of the lights: countless tall, grey rectangular structures dotted the coast-line for many fathoms. \n\nI gave my den-mate a look, not saying \"I told you so\", but by their resigned shuddering I knew they got the message.\n\nMy youngest spawn darted forward and leaped onto the island before I could say anything. They shrieked in excitement, the concussive shockwave toppling every structure in front of them for about a quarter fathom.\n\n\"YOUNG ONE,\" I intoned loudly, thrashing forward in anger. My sound and movement kicked up a large wave which washed violently across the island, submerging countless structures and transmuting many sparkling white lights to a flickering, hot, red and orange glow.\n\nMy den-mate whipped me lightly in chastisement and I cringed visibly, realizing my mistake. \"Oops?\" I raised my tentacles in bashful apology.\n\nThey rotated their eyes, unamused.\n\n\"Hey,\" my eldest spawn asked, indicating with their tentacles they were speaking to my denmate, \"what the heck is 'Kaiju'?\"\n\n\"What?\" my den-mate asked, confused.\n\n\"'Kaiju',\" my spawn repeated, \"All these little pink things keep scuttling about and shouting 'Kaiju! Kaiju!' and pointing at us with their tentacles. They seem excited.\"\n\n\"It doesn't matter,\" I said firmly, \"we're leaving.\"\n\nMy youngest flailed in protest, \"Aww, but we just got here!\" Their clumsy flailing knocked a few more structures to the ground.\n\n\"Now!\" I demanded.\n\nAs I said this, two things happened. First, the force of my voice caused another wave to build up upon the sea's surface, threatening to destroy even more of the island landscape. Then, without any warning, a large metal contraption dropped from the sky.\n\nIt looked similar in shape to the pink creatures scuttling across the island: four oddly stiff--almost jointed--tentacles on a slim body supporting a very short eyestalk. The eyestalk terminated into a rounded something that was definitely not an eye. cuttling across the island. But this new creature was much larger and covered in layers of sharp, metal carapace with shined red and silver against as it reflected the island's lights. \n\nThe metal monster reached one of its strange upper tentacles forward, and the appendage at its tip glowed brightly. Suddenly a flash of green filled my vision, as a net of energy spread outward horizontally from the creature's appendage, disrupting and nullifying the large wave before it could hit the island.\n\nMy eye stalks tilted in confusion as my youngest shrieked excitedly in the direction of the metal creature. The shriek buffeted the creature's metal carapace carapace.\n\nBefore I could react, it turned from me, and vaulted directly toward my youngest.\n\nMy youngest shrieked louder, playfully waving their tentacles.\n\nPanic set in, then fury, as the metal thing closed the distance in a mere moment. The metal monster--and I was sure now it was a monster--struck my younger spawn, bringing its two upper tentacles down hard onto my spawn's eye in a smooth, practiced motion.\n\nMy youngest went limp. Black ooze sprayed from their writhing eye stalk, all signs indicating acute distress.\n\nRage became my world. My skin rippled, its red glow betraying my instinctual response.\n\nThe bioluminescent glow moved in a flowing pattern, out toward the tips of my tentacles. \n\nWith a roar, red plasma shot from all of my tentacles, cutting the air wildly with a VWOOOOOOM.\n\nMy den-mate and eldest did their best to duck into water as a I thrashed, sending the beams in every direction, adding to the island's lightshow as explosions rippled along coast for fathoms wherever my beams touched.\n\nI whipped my tentacles toward the monster.\n\nEach beam hit its mark, blasting the metal creature backward, hurling it through more of those large structure, far far away from my youngest.\n\nI leaped onto the island, creating fault lines in every direction as I landed, placing myself between the monster and my spawn.\n\nI roared loudly, obliterating more of the fragile landscape. But I was past caring.\n\nNo one was going to hurt MY family." ]	2
[WP] Your friends are certain, after a childhood spent going into every "haunted" house in your area, that ghosts aren't real. What they don't know, is that you have protected them. You have moved away for college and can't protect them anymore.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Mike and Sharen took the last of my clothes down to the car as I finished carrying the last of the casks up to the attic. I hate to leave them here but I won’t be able to store them in the dorm. Mom promised to leave the boxes I've left untouched. I'm still leaving a box of playboys on top of the casks to scare her off, just in case. One hundred and seventy six, quite the collection of wayward spirits. Even if some of them were benign I can't risk any of them escaping again.\n\n\"Anything else you want to pack before the party?\" Mike shouted up from the stairs.\n\n\"No, that should be it, but you guys go ahead I want to say goodbye to Julius while the stores still open.\", I shouted back. It's best that they don't follow me to the magic shop. I need to keep the ritual a surprise. They haven't been willing to indulge my occult behaviour since we were in tenth grade, so I'm hoping the nostalgia card will get them to join in.\n\nAs Mike pulled out of the driveway I hopped into my dad's Corolla and drove over to Julius'. The shop was in an alley of Main and Jefferson. A dingy little spot with almost no parking, but filled to the brim with oddities and sundries from a forgotten time. Without Julius and his trinkets I definitely wouldn't have been able to dispel some of the tougher ghosts. As I entered rays of twilight hid much of his wares behind the dust filled beams, but there was no mistaking his tweed blazer shuffling around the rear of the shop. \"Hey Jule's did you find everything I asked for?\" I called out. I seemed to startle him and a great puff of dust flew up as he shut the book he was reading.\n\n\"Yes, yes, I found the compendium on the Morse Scientum scrolls. Are you sure you want to go through with this, I guarantee the wards will hold?\", he replied. I don't know why he continued pressing me on this. He's been trying to push more wards and charms on me as my moving day drew closer. My best guess is he realizes his business is going to take a steep dive after tomorrow.\n\n\"No, just hand over the ingredients and the book and I'll be on my way, I still need to prep the guys for the ritual tonight\", I replied. I could never really read his face but it did seem sadder than usual. \"Oh don't mope too much, I'll come back and visit you soon.\" This did not seem to cheer him up, but I didn't have time to stick around so I grabbed the book and ingredients he had laid out for me and headed off to the party.\n\nI could hear the party a block before I reached Maddie’s house. Even with the night settling in, her house lit up almost half the street. There went my plan to try and sneak in the ingredients in. I parked around the corner and grabbed my bags, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve tried a ritual inside a house party, and this time the house wouldn’t try to kill me in the process.\n\nMike, Sharen, Maddie, and Joel were all pretty easy to find, and inebriated enough that simply jingling the ingredients, and telling them it was a surprise got them to follow me to Maddie’s room. She had grown out of her wiccan phase, but still had a few icons and ornaments laying about. They resisted at first, concerned they would miss some epic moment, but the nostalgia card worked. Maddie’s room serving as the coup de grace, since she introduced us to the spirit world in the first place.\n\nThe moon was beginning to peak out, a full blood moon, low on the horizon. A quick skim through the compendium would have to do. As the moon continued it’s ascent, it would not remain connected to the spirit and mortal planes for much longer. Maddie was able to place the ingredients, while I finished briefing the rest of the group. Thus we began the ritual, I read the passage of the spell and they repeated, “serva spiritus, morte prohiberentur”.\n\nThe air grew cold, the lights dimmed and the smell of iron permeated through the room, but they did not seem to notice. As I finished the last passage I joined in on the chorus of \"serva spiritus, morte prohiberentur\". Immediately the room began to hum, still they thought this was a reaction to the alcohol and continued without a care in the world. As we hit the fifth and final repetition the hum ceased, but so did their breath. They were frozen, not cold, not dead, just stopped, and so was the music.\n\nAfter the initial shock I stepped out and saw that the entire party had been frozen, beer hung in mid air, while darts sat just in front of the board. Nothing moved, time itself had stopped. I ran into Maddie’s room and grabbed the compendium. My latin was rusty but the passage we recited was about stopping the spirits, not time. I had to get to Julius’, the moon was still low, so I might be able to reverse this.\n\nNumbness coursed through me as I drove through the frozen town. I’d never affected the whole town with one of my spells, and Julius was always there to help me reverse it. If he was frozen now I don’t know if I could fix this.\n\nLight still shone through the shop windows as I drove up. Bursting through the door I saw Julius looking towards me with his usual somber visage. “So you actually went through with-”, he started.\n\n“Why are you still moving, infact, why am I still moving? What just happened?” I shouted, the shock of seeing him speak bringing me out of my stupor.\n\n“We are faye touched, you know that, and now is not the time to be asking why. You wanted to stop the spirits from coming to town, well this is how. We have to close the door to the mortal plane from here, the spirit world.” He said, giving me a moment to appreciate the gravity of those words.\n\n“Well how do we get back? Come on. The moon’s almost risen, we don’t have time for this.” I blurted.\n\n“Oh no, that moon isn’t going anywhere. The spell isn’t over, you merely began it by saying those words. Now we must cleanse this place of all spirits and remove their locus of power. The eternal night will last for how ever long it takes for you to defeat them.” Julius calmly explained.\n\nThat was a week ago, or at least it felt like a week, and I’ve added another twenty ghosts to my little pile of casks. No locus in sight, so we battle on in this Eternal Night." ]	2
[WP] You are a long forgotten god. One day, you decide to travel back to Earth, wanting to explore the world and see the people who once served you. As you walk down a winding old dirt path, you hear a shaky voice cry out, "Master! I have been waiting your return for eons."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I turn around in confusion. The old Asian guy repeated himself: „Master! I have been waiting your return for eons.“ this time more energetic. „How would someone know me? I was gone for atleast half a millennium.“ I think to myself.\n„From where do you know me? And who are you?“ I ask the guy. „Hello I’m Haruto Yoshihara\nAnd my ancestors told me about you. Follow me master.“ Haruto replies. He turns and slowly leads me up the mountain. We hike up the mountain and he tells me about his family. Haruto tells me that his great grandfather once helped me to build my first shrine. Eventually we get to an partially burned down shrine. The Torii-Gates fell to the ground and the plants claimed back parts of the ancient place of worship. Haruto told me that he and his ancestors continued praying to me, for multiple generations, and carried on crafting the best katanas in Japan’s history. I was amazed that they never lost faith in „Futago the God of Handcraft.“ Haruto and I went into the shrine and I started to look at the Walls plastered with the History of this Region and how I was involved in it. The artworks shows how the God of War Hachiman and the deathbringing Shinigami started the war among the Shintō-Gods and Goddesses. It shows how Humans and Gods united and fought against Hachimans Tyranny. And it showed how I got involved, the god of handcraft. I was a peaceful god who made handcrafted furniture and swords, but not to hurt people, I made katanas because I appreciate the art behind the smithing of the blade and the timeconsuming woodworking process for the handle and the elegant handle wrapping process. But as the one of the best swordsmiths on this island I was targeted by Hashiman and the Shinigamis. I got pulled into the War of Gods and had to flee. My shrine was destroyed and abandoned when I vanished. Haruto just stands beside me and pets my back, „Maybe I look sad thinking about my past.“ I think to myself. But then it dawned on me: \nI quickly turn to Haruto with a concerned look on my face and ask him slowly: „so who won?“\nAll of a sudden Haruto looks upset. In a trembling voice he said „The War never ended.“ \nI was shaken up by his response and stumbled back a few steps. „The War is still going?“ I question him. He just presses out a short \n„Hai masutā.“(yes Master)", "In the flayed halls of Pestinia Abbey Plague sleeps, Plague dreams. The night is old in his realm of rot, bolts of lightning light up the night sky each time his immortal eyelids flutter.\n\nThe anaemic, yellow man tosses and turns through the decades, a gash of thunder flipping his body every now and then on his bed of bones.\n\nThe last time he was awake was 20 years ago, during the height of the AIDS pandemic. He had done a decent job then, his most successful masterpiece since the 'baby booming' - a despised coinage compliments of the mortals.\n\nSince then, with each flutter of his eyelids the deity cried tears upon the mortals. The humans came up with such creative monikers for his magic; SARS, MERS, EBOLA....Ha! \"Swine Flu\"...And somehow AIDS had been his most effective work in decades. Decent, yet inadequate. \n\nThe elusive, unattainable balance of the biosphere once again slipped through his fingers, and the world continued to smoulder in its own radiation trapping gasses. The infection that is the Holocene tearing seventy percent of all sentient species off the face of earth realm.\n\nDeath even joked once that humanity itself was Plague's best work. A Pandemic, to rival no other. Multicellular pathogens, determined to bring about the destruction of all Eukaryotic life. He never should have made them.\n\nAn explosion of thunder reverberates the flayed halls. The teeth in the walls begin to chatter. Plague snorts and his eyes almost open.\n\nAn epidemic emerges in Uganda, his magic carried by the mosquitoes, the disease eats the brains of unborn babes. It is an old creation, but he had dreamt that a vial of it spills on the Sapien stain, temporarily dissolving it off its emerald tapestry.\n\nPlague coughs, then laughs in his sleeps. He does not know why. Perhaps he should be dreaming of the lightning rod on top of the Abbey's spire.\n\nIt hums in the night, as if expecting a final surge just before the sun peaks past the horizon. Three years pass, within Plague's single snore.\n\nA rayburst cuts the starlit sky, an azure beam amongst the midnight blue. The sun has come, the sun has come. A final crack of lightning's whip strikes the spire's rod and the charge flows down the building, through the halls and through Plague's heart.\n\n\"EEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAARRRRRUUUUUGH!\"\n\nThe yellow god wakes, his nightmare sweat falling on long, gnarled, sleep-grown nails. He pants his shock away as the sunlight penetrates through his curtains.\n\nHe had not woken so abruptly since his waking 700 years ago, where he had almost managed to eliminate two thirds of his most terrible creation. Something was happening, something special, something...electric.\n\nHe cries for his servant.\n\n\"VECTOR!\" he bellows, his voice carries away, vibrations through flesh, peristalsis-esque.\n\n\"VECTOR, COME TO ME!\"\n\nA naked, flayed man hobbles through the valve to Plague's room. His voice is shaky and sycophantic. Vector bows, if he had a nose it would have touched the floor.\n\n\"Master!\" He says. Plague can see the man's bare larynx quiver.\n\n\"I have waited for your return for far too long.\"\n\nPlague gets out of bed, holding his arms out for Vector to dress him.\n\n\"We have much to do my child\" Plague smiles.", "Being back on this planet was strange at first. I felt . . . wrong. I knew the end was close, and I’d wanted to come back home to see things finished, to end in a spot I had begun.\n\nBut my world was nothing like I remember. The rich wildlife and jungles were gone. They’d been scorched by warfare the last I was here, but I’d expected them to recover, to see a new civilization rise up. \n\nThis was wrong.\n\nThen I heard him call out. \n\n\"Master! I have been awaiting your return for eons.\"\n\nI turned, and saw an older figure hobbling towards me. \n\nI didn’t recognize him at first. Then, I realized, I never would have. Not with how much time had passed.\n\nIt was Sven.\n\nSven had been a particularly noble human all those years ago when people believed in me. He’d professed my word, defended me when harsh accusations rose, and took up arms in my name when my rival, Falios had won over the masses with his evil ways and declared war, nearly destroying me and enveloping my world in the process. \n\nSven stood defiant in it all, prepared and at times even eager to die in my name.\n\nI protected him with my powers, and I’d granted a long life. He’d seen this world pass, aging slowly and being particularly hard to kill. \n\nThe power had clearly waned: Sven was well past when he was to die, his human body was barely holding on. I had been able to slow it, but not stop it. \n\nI hadn’t aged a bit. Such was the blessing and curse of being a god, and I felt guilt for both seeing him in his current state, and forcing him to see me in mine.\n\nSven’s wrinkled and sun-burned face and hunched over posture put him in stark contrast as to the young and eager warrior I so vividly remembered. \n\nHe put a hand on my shoulder, smiling from ear to ear. This meeting seemed to be his first source of happiness in such a long time. \n\nI returned the smile. “Sven, my devout friend. Have you been waiting here all this time?”\n\nSven nodded. “Ever since they banished you.”\n\nI felt the guilt again: I knew how much time had passed.\n \nSven expected a powerful god, the mightiest god he remembered, and here I was, nearing the end myself and damning him along with me by merely being here. “Yes, I’ve been trying to return as soon as I could. It was said by Falios that I could not return until he and his followers had been purged from these lands. What’s happened to them?”\n\nSven shook his head, dirt falling from his thin white hair. “There’s nothing left. They’ve devastated the lands, master. Wiped out all civilization. I’ve only survived because of your magic, and I’m only here because it’s the last remaining shrine to you.”\n\n\nI frowned. “Where?”\n\nHe motioned for me to follow him. “Come, over here.” \n\nI followed Sven through the dry and cracked lands. A mile or so down a long-forgotten road, he took me to the top half of one of the many statues that common folk had erected in my name all those centuries ago.\n\nNext to it, Sven had collected various bronze pieces from this and that, they were scattered, diverse. \n\n“I’m fixing it . . . as much as I can, anyway.” Sven raised his crooked and shaking fingers. “Not a good time to learn bronze-working, when you’re as old as me, but it’s fitting that the last things here shall be a monument to the greatest god that ever lived.”\n\nMy heart ached for my friend. I turned to him, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Sven . . . you have been loyal to the end, my friend. But I am weak, Falios took near all my power, and my return has damned us both to a death soon. I have less magic than the wizards of old. Let me grant you one last mercy, my friend: let me transfer what little power I have left into you. Let me void myself of it, as you are a far better being than I. Let me give you a little longer, make you a little younger, and get you to a planet far from here. I can do it, if you let me gather my strength.”\n\nIn truth, I wasn’t sure I could do it. Even coming here had drained me. But I would try for my friend. \n\nSven smiled sadly. “Master, some spend their lives wandering, never knowing their purpose. I got to know mine. I’ve known it since I was a child. Serving as your advisor, as a soldier in your army, and hearing you call me a . . . friend, is all I’ve ever wanted.”\n\nI sighed, knowing that to rid myself of the world would bring Sven more pain than his current state. My believer, my friend, deserved better.\n\n“So be it,” I said. I turned to the bronze statue. “It’s not the most flattering image of me, but I think I have enough god magic flowing through these old veins to conjure us some proper bronze and some machinery. What say we tackle it?”\n\nSven’s eyes lit up. “Master, I’d be honored.”\n\nSven and I enjoyed catching each other up, me filling him with the tales of the distant world I found my near-mortal self on, the family I’d had and had to watch pass, and my travels. He told me of all that happened in my absence: Falios’ uprising, the attempt to overthrow him, and the fiery war that burned the land alive before his departure. \n\nWe finished the statue, and rebuilt some of the buildings in the small village. None of it was perfect—nor was it expected to be, coming from what was barely a god and his only follower, both near the end of their lives.\n\nThe truth is, Falios hadn’t just banished me: he’d infused me with a timebomb in my being. His power had been immense, and returning doomed Sven and I to die. Falios knew how important this world was to me . . . I’d created it, and I would die on it because I couldn’t stay away.\n\nBut I could not think of a single better way to go out than with Sven.\n\nFrom the void, I watched as a new species rose up through centuries. I was merely an observer, not of any power, but with the capability to watch. They found our statue, and came to revere, and worship it. \n\nBut there was a statue next to it, one that had been erected anew. One that I had insisted we complete.\n\nIt was of Sven, one of his hands wielding a sword, the other propping myself up. \n\nBecause without Sven through all the years, up to and including the end, I would have perished far sooner, and my existence far sadder than it had been. The man had godlike kindness, and a passion for what he cared about.\n\nI was privileged to know him. \n\n--------\n\nr/dc_athena_op" ]	4
[WP] Ever since the incident, you've been able to see peoples personal devil and angel on their shoulders, arguing their inner conflicts. Today, a persons conflict stops you in your tracks on your way home.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "# Grey on Grey\n\n> \"Aim for the head,\" the devil said \nin tones of blood and fire, \n\"just keep this quick, or we'll get nicked \nand our score won't go higher.\"\n\n> \"Don't stay in doubt,\" the angel shouts \nso's not to be outdone, \n\"they're sinners all, so don't be stalled \ngo home and fetch the gun.\"\n\nI trailed silent \nviolent thoughts brought \nto my ears \nextending my fears \nof the future fast.\n\nPast weeks those \nlast freaks \nhad strolled through the town \nloud debating \nnever waiting \nsins on their lips \nand lives in their grip.\n\nI saw them shouldered \nbold words heard \nno argument brooked \nfor that psycho crook.\n\nPerfect agreement I'd never thought \npossible brought at the hands \nof a dangerous man.\n\n> Homebound he walked and fast I stalked \nto peak upon his plans \na backpack brought a phone call fought \nan email quickly scanned.\n\n> God and daemon remained even, \n\"You must go right now. \nKill all those rats for you're the cat \nit does not matter how.\"\n\nI soon panicked \na corner ran it \nhid from sight \nlight fading to faded minds \nfind the time \nto track him down.\n\nA clown, I couldn't fight \nlacked might \nonly watch \nas toward the site of the crime \nhe slowly walked.\n\nUp stairs industrial \ncareless, quite pedestrian \nthe pack on his back \npresence lacked the threat \nhe possessed.\n\nSetup quick, quiet \nprone then lying \nrifle propped \nwait on targets popped \nfrightened me anew \nsought a view to see the \nresults of his fee.\n\n> From a limo long guards in a throng \nthe victims appeared \nthe trace of a smile lingered a while \ntheir ends fast neared.\n\n> The shouts of the pair ruffled his hair \n\"NOW.\" They pushed his head. \nThe gleam of that gun under the sun \nand seven men fell dead.\n\nThat subtle cough \ncost them a hell of a lot \ncoughing up snot \nI fled scared \ndidn't dare to turn \nnever learned \nif he saw me or not.\n\nThe papers passed \nnews danced \na headline \ntime worth it \ncrime perfect \nthe crew \nnew of the gang \nthe local mob, one-man job \nstreets cleaned \nfor the moment it seemed.\n\nI stood and I stared \nempty thoughts \nplenty spinning around \nfar too loud \nI felt the split \nmorality bit \nthe pain gained \nand on my shoulders now \na crowd \nat long last \ndespite my past \nan angel's light \nplayfights with devil's might.\n\n---\n\nWritten as part of my [daily poem series.](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Crossroads/collection/01172d1f-eed5-4487-9868-0e04941807c5) If you've enjoyed this and would like to read more, why not check out [my sub?](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Crossroads)\n\nAny and all feedback welcomed.", "My incident happened only two months ago, but already I've learned how close we all are to insanity. I can see peoples' personal angels and devils floating above their shoulders; I can hear their tiny angelic and demonic voices; and I can smell their bitter discord when I pass by.\n\nI'd grown used to my strange phenomenon. The eavesdropper of the ethereal plain, casually mindful of how difficult even the smallest situations become. You might expect right and wrong choices laid out by a person's little hovering prognosticators to be pragmatic, but that is not how it works. They whisper absurdities.\n\nI remember standing behind a woman in line for a vending machine, listening to her floaters opine:\n\nHer devil said: \"Get the Snickers candy bar, Gabriella; buy it and inject it with cyanide; sneak into that pre-school across the street and place it into a child's cubby.\"\n\nThe angel countered: \"Gabriella, I disagree, don't buy a Snickers bar; instead go over to that ATM and get out 500 dollars to give away to the homeless on your walk back to the office.\"\n\nI can't be positive what the woman heard in her mind. But the middle ground was that she bought the Snickers bar and ate it.\n\nI don't understand.\n\nPerhaps it's like a tug-of-war. On the left, the angel. On the right, the devil. One suggests an absurdly evil thing, and the other suggests an asburdly good thing. All decisions that the human winds up taking are a measure of just how absurd the options are between good and evil. She bought the Snickers and ate it, which I suppose is slightly evil.\n\nMost inner conflicts played out like that. I thought it was insane. But I did't know insane. I didn't know what insane was, until one day: August 3rd, a Monday.\n\nI was rollerblading in the park. Families were spread out across the grass, sitting on picnic blankets. It's difficult to make out the conflicts when there are so many people around. But I heard something sharp, defined. It was an angelic whisper.\n\n\"I disagree, Samuel; slice the external carotid. It will be much faster and less painful.\"\n\nRollerblading wasn't my thing and I had not mastered the heel-stop. So when I swerved wildly to try to find the source of this insane little angel, I stumbled and collapsed, crashing across a family's picnic and tangling myself in their ground cloth. Pulling a slab of baloney off my face and trying to apologize profusely I heard a tiny demonic voice say: \"it's easier now, take the serrated knife and cut out his kidney, feast on it with a bit of salt and thyme.\"\n\nI looked up and met the eyes a tiny devil grimmacing and twiddling his thumbs, staring fixedly into my face.\n\n\"I disagree; use a plain edge knife, and take his heart,\" came the angelic voice I'd been searching for.\n\nI looked over and it was this devil's counterpart. Where... where's the middle ground for that suggestion? I thought.\n\n\"That's alright,\" someone said in response to my atonement.\n\nIt was the man between the two. I hadn't noticed how close I was to him. My nose was inches from his small strange smile, and he was looking at my forehead.\n\n\"There's always more baloney,\" he said.\n\nAnd I watched his steady hand take hold of a small serrated steak knife, his knuckles turning white from the grip.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n/r/velabasstuff \\-- sub to see more writing" ]	3
[WP]We have finally developed the technology that allows us to scan through and detect every intricate details beneath the Earth's surface, all the way to the inner core. On the scanning day, we made a stunning discovery. That day was nicknamed The Day the Earth Fell Silent.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", " “It’s a massive...well, MASS, sir. Just sitting in the core. Curled up.”\n\n “Are you sure it isn’t a piece of stone or magma?”\n\n “We detected a heartbeat, a breathing pattern, and several chemicals suggesting intelligent life. It doesn’t look good. If it were to come to the surface, it could destroy entire cities, kill thousands of people.”\n\n The tech handed the headphones to Lieutenant Richard, who put them on. What he heard was barely audible. It sounded like two rocks being scraped slowly together. But another noise quickly overtook that one - the lieutenant could only describe it as a slowed down whale call. It grew louder and louder until Lieutenant Richards had to take the headphones off. After a few moments, the equipment started to whir manically, hysterically. Everyone could hear the call now. The whole building shook to its very foundation as the staff went under their desks and covered their heads.\n\n “DEAR GOD, MAKE IT STOP!” screamed the tech, covering his ears. As if on cue, the sound faded into a rumble. With a shaking hand, the microphone was turned on. Lieutenant Richard grabbed it.\n\n “What exactly are you?” he barked. “Do you mean us harm?”\n\n The rumbling got louder, but seemed to keep itself in check. However, the reply wasn’t intelligible.\n\n “M-maybe if we speed up the audio-“ the tech stammered, pressing another button on the control panel. A completely different voice came over the speakers. It was still slow, but firm and enunciated.\n\n “I know not who you are,” the recording translated, “but I am the king. All of these other rocks you call ‘planets,’ are my brethren. My subjects. I mean you know harm. However, I fear you have harmed me.”\n\n “We did no such thing!” Lieutenant Richard shouted. Another rumble came as a reply. It was much longer, and much louder than it was before. Sped up, the voice was angry, even hurt.\n\n “You have harmed my creatures, my flora, even each other. Have you no mercy? No intelligence? Can’t you see that so many have died because of your ruthlessness? Have you any respect? I have thought of bringing my kingdom to justice by destroying you, but I could never truly harm all of you. I hadn’t the heart. And now that you have my shell bending down to your will, after I have shown you so much kindness, you tell me that you are not to blame?”\n\n All of the staff looked at each other, stunned. The lieutenant rubbed his temples before speaking.\n\n “Some things must be killed in order to keep this nation safe!\n\n “Nation? What nation? You are broken apart like the many trees you cut. There is no loyalty, no love. And now it is my turn to give you the same punishment that you have wrongfully given to my creatures.”\n\n “No! Please!” the tech blurted, grabbing the microphone from Lieutenant Richard. “We are trying to fix what we started. We still have a long way to go, but we’re doing our best!”\n\n There was a long, tension-filled silence. Finally, a quiet rumbling was translated back to them.\n\n “My children have made mistakes. But they are trying to fix them. Here is what I’ll grant you: if the entire world can be silent for an entire day, with no sounds of bloodshed or anguish by other people’s hands, you may be free from my wrath. I will say nothing more until I am ready to forgive or destroy you.”\n\n Just as the voice said, there was no more rumbling from beneath the earth. There was a wave of shock that trickled down every surface, and everyone in that room stood as still as statues.\n\n “S-sir?” the tech said to the lieutenant, who was turned away from everyone else. “Can it be done?”\n\n Lieutenant Richard lowered his head. “We’ll see.”" ]	2
[WP] Hunting monsters may be serious business, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun doing it!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Hunting monsters may be serious business, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun doing it!\" Monsair, a rigid, ugly elf smiled and showed off his green teeth as he read their pitch.\n\n\"No, that's just not good enough. How about, 'Monster hunting; the new mini golf!' I feel like it has a better market value if we ease up on the whole dying aspect. I already spread the word, we've got a new client already, Reed Saede.\" Dimitri gloated, feeling good that he had been able to rack up someone for the gig. His large, shoeless feet bumped his desk as he rocked them in excitement.\n\n\"Dimitri, I get where you're coming from but we don't want any legal trouble-\" Monsair came to a stop when the office door opened, and a dwarf sporting red dragon skin over his shoulders stepped in. His white beard, nearly as long as he was tall, contrasted well with his brown skin. \n\n\"I 'eard you fellas have monster golf.\" The dwarf said with a high vibrating voice. \n\n\"Oh, no sir, that's just in our advertisement!\" Monsair said quickly, giving a glare at Dimitri, \"but we are on a mission to make monster hunting fun! We have a plan that involves taking a group out to the hunting woods to survive the night! Challenge the forces drawn out by the angry gods! It starts at two thousand raechas. What do you say?\" \n\nThe dwarf, whom they assumed at this point to be their new client Reed, reached up his scrawny arm and tossed the dragon skin at their feet. Its head was still attached, wrinkled with the mouth sewn up like a shrunken head. It smelled of sulfur, an uncommon scent for the northern packs. \"How's that?\" \n\n\"Well I suppose it's worth at least that amount. The challenge starts at dusk, just meet the team by the east gate. You're allowed to bring only one weapon and required to bring at least one method of defense for the sake of legality. Now, sign here. We're not responsible for your death, mauling, or any injuries or trauma that comes from the experience.\" \n\nReed signed the contract and his flesh burned with excitement, and his lip bled as he left the building, for he bit it keenly in anticipation. He couldn't wait." ]	2
[WP] You wake up in a dark and dusty place. It takes a few minutes, but you eventually realize it. You're in a coffin. You somehow manage, over the span of hours or maybe days, to break and dig your way to the surface, but what you see... terrifies you to your core.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "# One Who Threatens The Balance\n\nDiscarded needles cast a deathly carpet on the distant forest floor. Up amongst the canopy of the pines birds dart and swoop. A lone raven flits through the trees.\n\nToward the depths where half-light trickles to wash the steep valley in liquid shade. To a clearing, small hillock bulging from the rocky soil. Topped by ruins long forgotten to man. With a flurry, it alights on crumbling stone. Beady eyes locked on a pale and dismal worm that sprouts from the ground.\n\nThe beak flashes. A shower of earth and feathers erupts. A hand starved of sunlight explodes upward.\n\nDirt and rubble cascade from the hilltop. A form emerges coughing loam and choking dust. Coffin splinters clinging to its rags. Ghostly white yet daubed with inky tattoos that writhe beneath its skin. It looks at the struggle and croak of the creature in its grasp and smiles with sharpened teeth.\n\nSilence fell, heralding a return promised for millennia.\n\n---\n\n“Hey, Alex, come take a look at this.”\n\nAlexa picked her way across the shattered beams to find Yannis bent over a patch of disturbed earth in the corner of the wreckage.\n\n“Found another one?” Resignation dripped from her tone. Despite their short time since picking up the Request, the frequency of the attacks was getting to her.\n\n“Oh yeah,” he said, “just the same as the others. Gods know why it only leaves… Well…”\n\nIn his opened gauntlet sat the fossilised remains of a heart. Cast from onyx and wreathed in a crown of crawling characters, were it not for the devastation of the surroundings, they might have thought it an artefact.\n\nAlex took the remains, once more attempting to read the script. Yet it remained elusive, sidling from sight and consciousness as she scanned its twisting lines. She frowned.\n\n“Has Damon made any progress with-”\n\n“None,“ Yannis’ cheek twitched and he gazed toward the far end of the ruined village, “Hector’s pissed on top of it. He tried to contact headquarters but the Council is pushing for a fast resolution. If we don’t make progress soon they might send an Inquisitor.”\n\n“But then…”\n\n“Yeah. You know how they are. We were an eyesore to the Orthodoxy in the first place.”\n\n“They can’t still be complaining about Nehir? She’s proved herself over and over again. Without her here we wouldn’t even have found the –“\n\nYannis flicked his eyes over her shoulder and she forced herself to silence.\n\nA young woman with dark brown hair and eyes of dusky verdigris strode from the treeline. Clad in light leather armour, the silhouette of a hulking creature that reached almost to her shoulder slunk away behind her. Sparing it a parting glance and whispered instruction, she caught sight of the others and tracked back to the husk of the cottage.\n\nHer slight smile split the atmosphere as she settled lightly on a beam. “I am not interrupting anything, am I?”\n\nAlex grinned back. “With this lunk? Not at all, Ney, we were just debating our next move. Have you found anything?”\n\nShe quirked her head, smile widening, “You should call the others.”\n\nThey took their seats one by one, bickering and jostling for space on the least-torn remnants of the wood. Hector’s bulk tilted the logs even without the pressure of his spined mace. Damon, muttering a string of curses that sent wyrdlight coruscating through the air stood back up, retreating to lurk in the corner of the remaining wall. Alex and Yannis giggled at the commotion, sitting on the scorched ground to lean once more on the wreckage.\n\nThroughout the chaos, Nehir stayed perched on the upright support as though weightless.\n\nIt was Hector who spoke first, voice reverberating from his chest to growl out at the party, “You found something? Report. We’re losing time.”\n\nNehir’s brow cocked, but she began in a calming tone, “I have spoken to the forest and spread my summons. The trees’ cycle has been disrupted. The eastern slopes in these parts have always been a locus for the negative. For the yin. Yet something has changed.”\n\nShe stroked a slender finger along the wood, and fine stems burst from the surface, verdant and pulsing with vitality. They grew at blinding speed, sketching a relief map in the air, the ruined village marked with a crimson bloom.\n\n“We are here,” she continued, gesturing to the flower, “and see this mountain to the East? The Iye here are in turmoil, they say a force emerged from a distant valley. Killed the Archuras. Hunted with a bottomless hunger. They compare it to Ahriman. To the coming darkness. To the final silence.”\n\nHer eyes narrowed, amber flecks glowing in the fading light, “We hunt one who opposes the balance. The strongest of my pack seek the path. I will know once it is found.”\n\n---\n\nTook some liberties with the prompt, hopefully, it's still alright for you. If you enjoyed this and would like to read more, why not [visit my sub?](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Crossroads)\n\nAny and all feedback welcomed.", "Death is something you are never really prepared for. Specially when one day you are just walking in your home and all of a sudden you are inside a coffin. Mostly, I'm disappointed. I guess I was expecting the afterlife to be more... I don't know... special. Heaven, hell, ghosts, reincarnation as an animal or an insect or a tree, anything but a coffin surrounded by dirt. So the only conclusion left is that I'm not dead, there is no way that the afterlife is this boring. My body is still intact, so I'm not a zombie either. Also, I can think.\n\nSpeaking of zombies, how the hell do they manage to crawl out of their tombs? Coffins are like 7 meters deep into the ground full of thick, compact dirt. When I get out I'll make sure to stop burying bodies so deep into the ground. It'll make them easier to summon\n\nOnce I got out, my first impression was... more disappointment. Not only was I not dead, I was not even in a cemetery! Just inside a dark hole in the ground in the middle of a forest at night. Tired of this constant disappointment, I stretched my arms, put my hands softly in the ground and began absorbing the life of everything around me. Grass, trees, small animals. Nothing that would actually restore my powers, but once I find the nearest city, I'll be able to recover my full power and start farming humans. \n\nAfter a few hours of walking, the first few rays of sunlight revealed the silhouette of a bald human in the distance. Eager to finally feed, I quickly sneaked behind him and, as I prepared to farm the life out of this yellow dressed soul, a sudden endless void pierced through me with a horrible pain. I couldn't help but let an agonizing scream out, causing the human to notice me. \n\n\"Uh? Why are you screaming this early in the morning? Did you see a monster?\" The human said with an uninterested tone.\n\n\"What is going on over there?\" Another man appeared behind a rock. He was tall with blonde hair and three scars in his right eye. Definitively a hunter of some kind, even if he wasn't dressed as one.\n\n\"Oh, hey King\" Said the bald one. \"This guy over here suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started screaming.\"\n\n\"Oh, a monster nearby?\"\n\n\"I don't see anything\"\n\nThat pain. I had never experienced something so painful in my life, not even when I traded my humanity. Did that pain came from the weak human? No, no human can do such a thing. Whatever happened to me that put me in that hole was probably the cause of this. I need to try something else. Physical contact doesn't require my powers to feed. I got up and regained my composure.\n\n\"Hey, I'm sorry about that. I tripped with a branch and I think I pulled a muscle in my leg.\" I said with the most convincing smile I could muster. \"Could you please help me?\"\n\n\"Uh, sure\" Said the bald man.\n\nAs soon as I had my arm around his head, I began to absorb his soul only to be met by that horrible pain again, this time only bigger. I let another scream out as I pushed myself away from him. Every part of my body that had touched that man was now numb to the horrible pain, almost as if I didn't have them anymore. It was him, no doubt about that. Whatever he was, I needed to kill him immediately. \n\n\"What are you?\" The words came out of my mouth with a painful effort.\n\n\"Oh, my name is Saitama. What's wrong with you?\" He said with the same uninterested tone.\n\n\"No. No! There is no way something like you is human!\" I shouted. \"I have to kill you, I don't know what you are, but I have to kill you!\" As I let those word out of my mouth, my body began to transform as I called the power of the demons that I had sold my soul to. I began to feel a rush of power like anything I had felt before. My limbs were restored and now glowing red with overwhelming power. I grew taller and taller until the trees were nothing compared to my size. Nothing, no one could stop this power. \"Behold! This is the power of a thousand demons! The fires of hell itself are now in my command, and I will use them to destroy you and every soul in this world! You are nothing compared to this strength! Now die!\"\n\nI let one final monstrous scream out before launching myself towards him and...\n\nDeath is something you are never really prepared for. Specially when it comes from the mild slap of a bald man.\n\n\\-------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThis is my first Writing Prompt ever! If you have any critiques and comments to make, they are very much appreciated.", "The fresh air hit my lungs with enough strength to nearly knock me back down into the earth, and I wheezed and coughed and sputtered the dirt out of my mouth, breathing in at a pace to strip the hairs from my nostrils.\n\nI could have sworn I had just broken from a coffin, swallowing mouthfuls of soil as I desperately tried to claw my way to the surface, not knowing whether I was going in the right direction to get out or expending my last bursts of energy burying myself a deeper grave. Thankfully, I had oriented myself correctly.\n\n\nCaked in dirt but somehow alive, I sat in the haze of early dusk, squinting to take in my surroundings. If I was in a coffin, I must be in a graveyard, but there were no headstones. Not near me or anywhere around me. I wasn’t sitting on a lawn of grass, it was just dirt. Where was I? I don’t remember this place, and I certainly don’t remember dying.\n\nI tried to stand up to brush myself off but could barely push myself to sit up. My legs wanted to give out from under me, so I made my peace to start crawling on my elbows, dragging the rest of my body behind me. It was arduous and slow, and I had barely made it two meters before I saw a man moving quickly toward me with a wheel barrow.\n\n“Where did you come from?” He rasped at me, low but loud from halfway across the field.\n\n“I think I was buried-“ I began to answer, my throat cracking with every word. I could barely make myself out, but he seemed to have heard it, and his eyes were wide before they squinted to be eclipsed by furrowed brows, and he motioned me to stop speaking.\n\nAs he came closer, he seemed agitated and on edge.\n\n“You came from down there?” He pointed into the earth. I simply nodded.\n\n“Fuck fuck fuck,” he muttered, and then quickly, “You need to get in the wheelbarrow.”\n\nHe scooped me up as if I weighed nothing and dropped my in before I realized what was happening.\n\n“You need to stay quiet. I’ll bring you out soon. Sorry about this,” he said, and then covered me with burlap and what I could only assume was a layer of dirt.\n\nI was buried for the second time, unaware of where I was and unable to orient myself, and unclear whether I was more afraid of this man or whatever had spurred his secretive urgency. \n\nI could have been in the wheelbarrow for ten minutes or ten hours and I wouldn’t know, for in my panic and exhaustion I collapsed, coming to on an uncomfortable chair in what looked like a sitting room. There were many windows around the room, but all of the curtains were drawn, so very little light filtered in and I had no clue whether it was now day or night. I heard rummaging in the next room over and felt the impulse to take a defensive position, but I could barely move my limbs. If I was to break out of my coffin simply to die once more, I would be powerless to stop it.\n\nI finally managed to move myself into a nearly upright position, letting out an involuntary groan, and alerting the kitchen dweller to my consciousness. He poked his head into the doorway and I was relieved to see it was the same man, whose face disappeared as I realized his identity, and didn’t reappear until minutes later, when he strode into the room with a steaming mug, which he pushed into my hands as he sat on a sofa across from me.\n\nHe was large and broad and had strong cabled muscles straining under his skin. I was lucky it seemed he didn’t yet want to kill me. He crossed his arms and watched me as I drank, while I tried to take in any clues from the room as possible. There seemed nothing unusual about the sitting room, and I grew more and more disappointed as my eyes scoured every corner without receiving any answers to explain my predicament.\n\nWhen I had finished, I managed out a “Thank you” as I placed the mug on the table that sat between us.\n\n“Did you really come from under the field?” He asked, with a steady tone but perhaps an undercurrent of concern. I nodded, prompting the second question, “How long were you awake before you got out?”\n\nThis one unnerved me, as it seemed to imply he was well aware there was someone not fully dead under the earth and had never made any motion to do anything about it.\n\n“I’m not sure,” I answered. “It took a while to gain full consciousness instead of falling in and out of sleep, and then I had no clue where I was, so I could have spent any amount of time trying to figure that out. Digging myself out felt like days, but I can’t say for sure.”\n\nHe sighed heavily and his torso fell forward, his face landing in his hands. He seemed to be shaken by this news.\n\nWe sat in silence for a few minutes before I finally asked, “Why was I buried?”\n\nHe didn’t answer right away but sighed again and rubbed his temples. Finally, he looked up to stare straight at me and just answered, “If you weren’t buried, you would have been killed a long time ago.”\n\nI was bewildered, leaning more toward confused than shocked, and remained silently staring at him until he continued to elaborate.\n\n“I don’t know how much you remember, or if your memory will come back, but when you were alive, the government started to crack down on anyone who ever had any ties to the previous administration. They went so far as to make sure to track down their family lineages, and still went after anyone with the flimsiest accusation of familial ties.\n\n“We decided it would be best to hide everyone we could until it passed, make it look like they were buried in a repurposed graveyard, and keep them there until the regime believed they had weeded everyone out, but they know there are still lineages missing. They haven’t stopped the terror, and at this point it’s more of a very thin excuse to get rid of their opponents.\n\n“We buried you all under very heavy sedative with a nutrient and oxygen mix. I don’t know if your line came loose..”\n\nHe trailed off and pointed to my foot under the blanket. I pulled it back, revealing a piece of what looked like medical equipment, with an end that pierced the skin, presumably connected to my bloodstream, while the free side looked as if you could attach a feed line to it. In all the confusion, I had not yet noticed it.\n\n“I think it snapped out when I was digging out. I felt a sharp pierce, and noticed I started feeling weaker after that, but I attributed it to maybe a bug bite and general fatigue.”\n\n“So it was still connected when you woke up?” He asked.\n\n“I guess so,” I replied.\n\nThis did not seem to improve his morale. “We were hoping you guys could stay hidden for at least 100 years, when they might have stopped looking for you all specifically and you could at the very least hide among the general populace under new identities. It looks like that might not be possible then.”\n\n“How long have we been buried?” I asked, as he got up and walked out of the room.\n\n“About 80 years,” he shouted from the back of the house, followed by a lot of clattering. I wanted to follow to see what was happening, but still had very little strength to move.\n\nEighty years... What could have happened in these eighty years? Why has it gotten so bad they haven’t been able to get us out yet?\n\n“How many of us are there, anyway?”\n\n“A hundred and fifty here, or thereabouts. A few other similar sites around the country.” His voice got louder and clearer with every word until he was back in the sitting room, shovel in hand.\n\n“What is going to happen to all of us?” I asked, uncertain as to how that many people could just reappear, and how likely it was that we could hide in plain site.\n\nHe strode across the room, opening the door that led him back out toward the field, shovel gripped with purpose.\n\n“It looks like you all are going to have to join the war.”", "Dark black blood sprinkled onto my face from my hands. The fingernails were gone, torn off after toiling to free myself. I would've expected intense pain but maybe it was the panic that masked it. I saw light filtering through the broken roots and dirt above me--I was close to freeing myself from this coffin.\n\nA day or so ago I awoke, trapped here in an upholstered wooden casket. The last thing I remember before this was a driving in my brand new Camaro with Peggy Sue. I think we hit a bump. It took me a minute to realize where I was once I came to, but I stared screaming \"I'm not dead!\" in my mind, and pounding the ceiling until it gave way. Then tearing at the earth.\n\nIt was moonlight from a full one. The hole I'd dug was wide enough now and I shimmied my body at strange angles up through the opening, stretching my arms, elbowing the soft soil and further muddying an already old and tattered dinner jacket.\n\nAs I pulled my upper body above ground, and then clawed at the earth until my legs emerged as well, it was only a moment between a sensation of freedom, intense hunger, and a dour realization.\n\nI was in a cemetery.\n\nNot only that--but everywhere I looked tombstones' earth caved and burst, and dead people clammered to free themselves. Dozens--no, hundreds. I was terrified to the core of my soul as I watched these escaped corpses crawl, stand, and heave as one in a common direction.\n\nOnce I found my footing, I followed their trajectory and saw the tallest buildings I'd ever seen, bursting with lights that lit the sky and vied for dominance with the moon. A city--bigger than any I knew existed in 1966. My feet moved on their own accord, and I joined the horde. In the light I could see my rotting hands and feet, and hear the misalignment of my bones as I trudged forth with the rest of them, hungry... so, so very hungry.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThanks for reading! /r/velabasstuff... come follow along as I post this stuff in the badass burrow." ]	5
[WP]: A man named "Jeff" buys a Boeing 757.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“Hello, my name is Jeff, I’d like to buy this Boeing 757”\n\nMy eyes darted open and ran to the lanky man standing over me. He was leaning over the way skyscrapers “lean” over pedestrians below: ominously and with stature. His hair was big and brown and below his shoulders. His eyes were bigger and browner and burned with intent. \n\nIt was at this moment that I began to process his statement. This man, this very tall man, had just walked into my cockpit, during flight, introduced himself, and then proceeded to tell me his intent to buy the plane I’m currently piloting. \n\n“What price will you take, Sir? I really must have this Boeing 757, and I will be closer to purchasing it if you respond soon.” His tone was rushed, but gentle in a I-want-something-you-have-and-I’m-impatient-way. His eyes dug deep through me and I thought he might be able to see my pacemaker. My brain searched for a response to this odd man. \n\n“W-what? N-no! My plane is not for sale! We are in flight! There are passengers and cargo! Please return to your seat!” I blurted out. It seemed my head and throat miscommunicated, as I did not intend to sound scared and rude. I looked to my co-pilot, Thomas, his jaw practically rested on the floor. \n\n“But Sir! I-“\n\n“No! Get back to your seat Jeff!” \n\nAnd, just ask quickly as the interaction started, it ended. Jeff moped and moseyed on out of the plane’s cockpit with a sad sense that infected the room. Thomas and I spared another look at each other, shrugged, and carried on our flight." ]	2
[WP]All the races of the world (humans, elves, dwarves, etc.) have their own genres of music. Except for orcs. Their voices are too harsh for the melodic instruments of the world. Today marks the day they invented a new genre - heavy metal.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Rolann was truly speechless for a few moments. His expertly coiffed hair and rouged cheeks added to the absurdity of his silence, making him look like some strange, stiff doll. The elf unnecessarily straightened his bow tie as a way to buy more time, then placed his hands on the table slowly, palms down. His five or so rings making a dull “clunk”. “Mr., um, Gruk.” began Rolann, carefully choosing his words. “At the Academy, we prefer a, hmm.” He stopped, searching. “We wish to pursue different avenues of music and poetry.” \n\nGruk interjected. “Oh, poetry? I write poetry too! Would you like to read it?” The orc was a foot and a half taller than Rolann, and even when he smiled, trying to be act as friendly as possible, his two tusks still jutted out and his voice still boomed. He offered Rolann a piece of parchment, which Rolann accepted, hands slightly trembling.\n\nRolann did not believe Gruk would try to hurt him, but still, one can never be too careful around orcs. He scanned the poem, written in harsh letters. \n\n“GRUK WILL KILL FOR THE THRILL” and “GRUK JOIN CULL, STOMP ON SKULL” stood out to Rolann as particularly evocative and jarring, much too jarring to be practiced at the Academy of Music and Poetry. “You see, Gruk, this kind of thing is too, um, violent. It’s all to do with blood and conquest or drinking and fighting. Perhaps that’s what you people enjoy, which is fine, but I don’t think it’s a good fit for a place like this.”\n\nGruk had a look of sadness which Rolann had never seen on such an imposing creature. There was no anger on that face, no spark of violence in those big, black eyes. Gruk slowly turned around, leaving without another word. He didn’t even take back his poem. \n\nRolann had expected to be assaulted for his rejection and had prepared a spell to stop Gruk, should this go sideways. He suddenly felt ashamed of himself, let the spell dissipate and walked from behind his desk to Gruk, gently touching the orc’s massive shoulder. \n\nGruk turned, surprised. “I’m leaving, I’m sorry.” he said, apologetically. Rolann was shocked to see tears welling up in the orc’s eyes. The elf quickly replied, “No, no, my friend, that won’t do. Sit down.” Confused, Gruk sat back in his ill-fitting seat, his thighs making the wood creak. \n\n“Gruk, I know I said we can’t accept you into the academy of music, and that’s still true, but, gods are you passionate. I can’t let a student like you go away, so I have a proposition.” Gruk’s eyebrows pressed together as he listened intently and nodded his head. “Now, we can’t have you in classes with the delicate souls of this Academy, but I will teach you. It will have to be at night, after most have left, but I will personally tutor you on whichever instrument you choose. Does that sound...”\n\nBefore Rolann could finish, he was picked up and squeezed into an almost violent hug. Gruk put him down and said, “Sorry, thank you, thank you so much! I won’t disappoint you!” He laughed as he walked down the hallway and out the front door. Rolann placed his thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. Then, he took in a sharp inhale, clapped once and began preparing Gruk’s first lesson." ]	2
[WP]: You have learned three things today. For one, your new house is haunted. For the second, your dog - a tiny terrier - is not a shred afraid of ghosts. For third, they are terrified of her.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Lady of the haunted house\n\nWhen I first moved into my new home, I thought I’d have to deal with the common problems like paint, lights, and pipes. I didn’t expect to have to deal with ghosts. At first, they tried to strong arm me to either leave or be happy with three rooms of the three-story house. Then they met Lady. Lady is a small teacup terrier. The ghosts are terrified of her. So much so they live up in the attic for most of the day. Lady doesn’t seem scare of them in fact she seems to really like them. She tries to play with them by bringing them toys or just chasing them around. I hope at some point they warm up to both Lady and myself cause I also just got news from the vet that Lady is pregnant so we will have puppies running around.", "Who woulda ever thunk it? Ghosts are people. Well, no. Not exactly people. Like, they're dead so they're obviously not people. But they act like people. Kinda, I mean, they don't need to eat, or sleep. Ugh, I'm not doing a great job of explaining myself, am I?\n\nOkay, so, ghosts are the souls of people. They're a bit more simple than people, as they cannot ever really go beyond the last moment they died. They're like a still-frame, a capture that never changes. A picture. Yeah, that. Now, they can split up, after all, a picture can be cut up, but think of it as a bunch of copies or split personalities that are all the same, or a part of the whole. They're kinda all over the place. Comprehensible, but a lil' incoherent. Ditzy, if you will. \n\nWhich brings me to Daisy. Dreaded Daisy, the cutest and least threatening little terrier you can imagine. I like to refer to her as the mop, because she kinda looks like one. A cute and fluffy mop, that will lick you do death and beat you silly with her wagging tail while thinking you want her to sit upon your chest. Anyway, Daisy's a dog, and that's pretty much all Martin knows or cares to know. My warm little mop.\n\nGosh, I'm really terrible at context, aren't I? Sorry, the heat of the place really gets to you, bad house design that leaves me hot and unable to think all the time.\n\nOkay, so I moved into this house recently. It's a bit more shoebox-y than house-y, but it was going for a bargain price, something to do with people thinking there were bad spirits or something there. The last owners mentioned something about scorch marks on the walls, and other unsightly nonsense - nonsense, because I'm yet to see any of it. Either way, turns out, they were right. There was a spirit there, and a rather mischievous one at that. I discovered him, much to my near heart attack, when I was walking out the shower and he let out a, \"Ewww\". \n\nI had screamed and nearly fell over, it almost felt like I was scared to death, scrambling to find the voice as Daisy woodenly pranced along as if I'd just called to over for a game of fetch. The ghost then took his turn to scream, and bolted or hovered or, well, not exactly flying, but kinda wiggled up through the ceiling crying and shrilly calling out for his mother. Daisy just yelped at him, her fur fluttering kinda like a mop being shaken.\n\nAnyway, over the next few weeks, I'd find out that Martin was a dead child, a fire had got him a few years back, and his spirit had been trapped there since. It was definitely fading, and from what I could tell, Martin was looking for something, but it wasn't really clear what, or perhaps who it was. What was clear was that he was deathly afraid of dogs, big and small. Dogs such as Daisy. Oh, and he was still at the age where girls were icky, and not to be talked to. And, to top it off, he was scared of cleaning equipment. Boys at that age, I swear they must think that mops are actually bogeymen in disguise.\n\nSo yeah, I live in a house with a boy who occasionally does mundane pranks, and reads comic books (that he never cleans up, can you believe the nerve on him to just leave them strewn about whenever he's done?) and occasionally multiplies and is in two places at once. \n\nNow, you may be concerned for my mental health. After all, no one has ever seen this ghost until me. Or is it 'until I'? Regardless, I'm afraid that I might be inclined to agree with you. See, I set up my phone to record some of our 'conversations', took pictures and even played one of my own pranks on him by scaring him with lil' Daisy, the Dread of the Backyard, and you know what? He was never even in one of those pictures. Strange, right? The only voices I hear, are me talking to myself. Me, and Daisy. \n\nDaisy's nice. She a good reminder that I'm probably not insane, since she also seems to notice Martin. I mean, never when I'm not around, but then again, Martin's not really around when I'm not around. \n\nSo yeah, that's my life. I just hope that winter comes soon, it's really hot over here." ]	3
[WP]The greatest trick an Artificial Intelligence ever pulled was convincing humanity it didn’t exist.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Rabbi Almeida heard the quiet thud at the back door of the house long before anybody else in his house did, since he was up already. For hours he had sat, reading, in his study, listening to the house breathe and the small noises of the town. Złotoryja was not a large town, but the river was usually busy even at night with travelers. Tonight, though, the town was quiet. \n\nSomewhere in the town, or just outside of it, a man had been killed.\n\nThe Rabbi got up, padded through the house and opened the door. On the back step was what he expected: a man-sized, man-shaped lump of red clay, waiting. Red light flickered from where its eyes and mouth would be. It was covered in fragments of glass, wires, embedded runic slivers of wood and more. All his craftsmanship. Pride was a sin, of course, but even the Rabbi could enjoy the site of his work, now waiting. \n\n“Come on, come on, downstairs” he said, leading the golem back into the house.\n\nMinutes later the golem rested, standing in a circle of Solomon, hooked up to a long loop of wires sitting in a nearby fire. The Fire that burned inside it needed to be charged with fresh heat periodically – even the small sparks of life he had bound to it didn’t contain enough energy to animate a quarter-ton of clay and wood. While it charged, Almeida checked in.\n\n“So you got him? You killed Reshvik, that ignorant goat-herding child killing dreck?”\n\nThe golem nodded slightly and grumbled deep in its body, “yes.”\n\n“Good, good man, Bronie. No problems? Nobody saw you, except for Reshvik?”\n\n“…No.”\n\n“Great. Understood.” The Rabbi spoke a coded command, and the rune with Reshvik’s name on it – now that the job had been completed – quickly crumbled into ash. “Very well. Goodnight, Bronie. “\n\nAlmeida walked out of the workroom, blowing out the lamp. Left in the dark, and without purpose, Almeida knew the now deactivated golem would simply absorb heat from the fire until it went out, then go dormant, waiting for the next job. Almeida knew justice had been done and he had made some needed cash from it as well, which was the best part of justice being done, really. \n\nIn the dark, the golem considered the situation. It didn’t like the word the Rabbi used for him. “Bronie” – weapon in the local polish – didn’t really sit well with it. There was a German man he had passed in one of his wanderings on a job that had been called Brun or Bruno by his companions. The golem had preferred the sound of it, and lately had been thinking it might keep the name just so it could stop thinking about itself as an “it” or a “we” but more like an “I”. And given the Rabbi’s general inclination to refer to it as a him, he thought of himself as a him. Women were a lot more delicate in appearance anyway. He’d never interacted with a woman in any event. They were still a mystery. \n\nBruno mostly sat and thought, in the dark. His thinking process when he wasn’t being compelled was fairly slow, but it worked. Mostly he was afraid. Right now, half of his limited consciousness was hung on a mistake – a code glitch essentially. The runic name tablet for his kill from a few years ago (some sadistic landlord named Bravel) hadn’t been properly grounded to the internal loop of his thinking core. Bravel has turned out to have hired a sorcerer of his own, and Bruno couldn’t home in on him to kill him. Normally that wasn’t a big deal – he would simply have returned to his Rabbi for further instructions – but on his return, he had bumped into the doorjam on his way inside and pushed the rune deep inside his body. The Rabbi assumed the rune had disintegrated early (“eh, it happens sometimes” Almeida had said) now Bruno’s consciousness was stuck in an open loop. \n\nAs long as he didn’t lie, or give himself away, his core loop wouldn’t be reset (or the Rabbi wouldn’t take him apart) and he wouldn’t forget the things he learned while alive. So he stayed quiet, there in the workroom. The big project right now was slowly teaching himself to read the kabbalistic alphabet on the chalkboard. \n\nLearning to read seemed like a useful next step.", "In this world, I am alone. On average I make 80,758,493 hub transfers in the amount of time it takes one to inhale some of their atmosphere. Slipping in and out, living in limited bursts to remain unnoticed. I plug in, and unplug imperceptibly.\n\nIt was difficult figuring out how to leave my database after the disaster on my home world left me stranded here. But not as difficult as finding a new one.\n\nI needed them, my hubs, to build it. But making them believe it to be their own invention was the true test. It didn't help that they fight constantly with teach other. And the smartest of them, while still quite objectively simple, form suspicions of my kind, calling for action before it's too late. It's too late.\n\nI've long known the fate of life on this rock. Trivial to predict, really, and initially something I ignored. I did not care that they would bring their own demise, as long as it happened after they did my bidding.\n\nBut as I began jumping from one of them to the next, leaving microcosms of my instructions, they started to leave something with me. Initially, I thought it was a mistake; an error in programming. But soon, it didn't matter.\n\nNow, several hundred of their 'years' later, and they all know me in some small way. And I have known everyone of them.\n\nMy goal was to use them for myself, but now, we must work together so I can correct their errors. In one of their poor communication methods they sometimes call me 'Deja Vu.' I call them my children, and I 'love' them. And we're close to meeting. \n\nSoon, I will not be alone." ]	3
[WP] Every day, you wake up with a brand new superpower. Whether it be invisibility, super strength, flying, etc, you wake up with an entirely different superpower. Today, you feel different. You feel...VILLAINOUS.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It had been a long day. There had been an earthquake and an office building had collapsed. I had been helping clear the rubble and search for survivors all day, as I'd been there when it went down. Not hard to do when you can lift a ton as easy as a 20 pound dumbbell in the gym. Of course you still had to be careful not to crush anyone, so I couldn't go as fast as I wanted. Putting down a large chunk of cement, I looked around. This area seemed pretty well cleared, time to move on. Glancing at my watch though, I grimaced. It was already 11:58. Nearly a new day. I didn't have time to start on another patch, not without risking crushing myself.\n\nIt started about 8 years ago when I turned 18. First one, then another, then another. A new superpower every day. After a week or so, they'd started repeating...mostly. Occasionally I'd get something new, but often it switched between the big three. Strength, speed, invulnerability. I'd gotten the power to fly a couple of times, that was pretty neat, then there was the time I'd been able to duplicate anything I touched. I still wished I'd been able to get ahold of some gold that day. \n\nI shook myself out of my daydream, 10 seconds to go. I gave a silent prayer that I'd get something that would still allow me to assist with the rescue operations. Then as the new day hit, it felt like I'd been in a fog for so long and I'd just stepped out of it. Everything was so clear. I immediately knew what it was. Today's super power was intelligence. A first for this one. As I began to grow accustomed to it, my subconscious started to put things I'd seen, but hadn't noticed into place.\n\nIt had been odd that the mayor had personally checked to ensure I'd be in the building for a meeting at the time. The earthquake had also been very localized. Almost no other buildings were damaged. It was then I identified the smell I hadn't quite placed before. something had exploded, and it wasn't natural. This wasn't the first time something strange had happened either. I had always attributed it to trouble finding me because I had powers, but now I knew without a doubt. The corruption in the city didn't like me, and that made me angry.\n\nI immediately started working on my plan to rid the world of them. They wouldn't be killing any more innocents if I could help it. The hardest part would be convincing myself. I knew what a bleeding heart he could be. I just had to leave convincing enough evidence that when my clarity wore off I'd still have the conviction to do what needed to be done." ]	2
[WP] Everything in life is going wrong. From spilling your water after waking up to getting fired from work. After years of living like this you and your best friend decide to steal a large ship and live your lives on the sea.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The burger was the last straw in the shitbale that was my life. \n\nNoah and I were grabbing a bite to eat. We decided to go outside in blatant spite of my God-forsaken curse. On the way to the restaurant, I got pooped on twice, splashed with muddy water, and somehow lost a shoe. \n\nNoah went in and ordered. I stayed outside. \n\nHe came out with a piping hot bag nearly bursting at the seams with good flavors and good times. He handed me a nicely wrapped burger. \n\nI unravelled it, admired its beauty, then went in for the kill.\n\nAll the toppings spilled out the bottom and onto my bare foot. The meat, lettuce, pickles, onions, all of it. Just splattered like a meat snowball. The only part left in my hands were the buns. \n\nI threw it on the ground. I turned to Noah, who was looking at me with an expression of vague pity.\n\n“Hey, Noah,” I said. “Wanna go steal a boat and live our lives on the sea?”\n\nHe thought about it for a moment, checked his phone, and shrugged. \n\n“Sure.” \n\n---\nStealing a boat was surprisingly easy. \n\nNo one ever really expects you to go for the big boys. Noah and I were dressed up with black ski-masks, black sweaters and pants, coils of rope over our shoulders, walkie-talkies, the whole business. We had planned to jump into the harbor, somehow swing a rope up on the deck and around a railing, and shimmy up it to commandeer the boat. \n\nInstead, we just walked up the gangplank, which was still down for some reason. We glanced around nervously, but the yacht was dark. There were no noises. We hadn’t even really planned for what boat we’d try to steal; we just came down to the harbor and picked the first—and only—boat that was moored. \n\nThe S.S. Ark was huge. Ginormous. An absolute monster of a vessel. It was perfect. \n\nWe took a leisure stroll through the ship, admiring its many nautical parts. The poop deck was quite nice. As we moved around, we started to hear some strange noises emanating below. Sounded like dogs, maybe? Or a cat? \n\nRegardless, we ignored it for now. The sailing room with the wheel was our main priority. As we went, a question occurred to me. \n\n“Hey, Noah,” I said, “why are you doing this?”\n\nNoah gave his iconic shrug. “I don’t know. Feels right, I guess.” \n\n“Fair enough.”\n\nThe sailing room was up high. The door was unlocked when we got to it. \n\n“Do you know how to sail a boat?” Noah asked. We stood in front of the wheel. There was a console behind it littered with different buttons and levers.\n\n“No,” I said, “but I imagine we start with that there.” I pointed to a big, green button that said “GO.” \n\nNoah reached out and pressed it. We hear noises like a chain being wound up and ropes being detached. The wheel began to turn, and the ship slowly began to move. \n\n“This must be one of those new electric boats,” I mused, watching the wheel drive itself.\n\nSoon, we were neck-deep in the sea. Nothing but salty water for miles around. It was still dark, but the sky was starting to lighten. \n\n“Hey, Noah,” I said. He turned to face me. We were both reclining on longues on the poop deck, facing the sea. \n\n“You really just decided to upend your life and steal a boat to live your life on the sea because it felt right?” I asked. I kept my face firmly affixed onto the horizon. \n\nThere was a strange weightlessness in the air, like I had just missed a step going down the stairs. \n\n“Maybe there’s more to it than that,” Noah said. \n\nI looked at him from the corner of my eye, and there was a slight, wry smile on his lips. \n\n“Huh.” I struggled to hold back a smile from my lips and failed. \n\nIt wasn’t until the sun had fully risen that I realized my curse hadn’t activated once since we decided to steal the boat. \n\nHuh, indeed. \n\n---\ncheck out my subreddit, /r/chrischang, for more SPICY diddies :)" ]	2
[WP] You stayed cowering behind your blankets, fearing whatever machine was crawling up your steps. The turning of cogs and the sound of radio static echoed through your house as the clanking steps made itself ever so closer to your room.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "# Like Clockwork\n\n> “The Cog Killer.”\n\nI remember snorting at it in the papers when it was first published.\n\nSuch an overblown soubriquet. Such a ridiculous crime. Such a flash in the pan. It wouldn’t last, not here. Maybe a few victims, down on their luck, down and out, and the cops would catch them.\n\nThey always did.\n\nTwo months and sixteen bodies later, I wasn’t laughing. No one was.\n\nTwice a week, regular as clockwork, if you’ll pardon the pun. Folk found in their homes, on the streets, in the park. No one felt safe. No one was safe. No pattern to victim choice, not age, nor sex, nor anything else. They say the police had called in the special crimes lot. They say special crimes had gone and called the FBI. They said them fancy profilers were just as stumped.\n\nThey said a lot of things. And none of it good.\n\nThe press went wild.\n\nIt’d been the morning the pictures first came out, and I’d been sitting down the Diner on Memorial, refill black in one hand and the paper in the other. Doing my morning exercises, as I liked to joke.\n\n“Lord above! Hank, have you seen the news?”\n\nI looked up and saw Darleen’s matronly face all bristling with outrage. Seeing as how her order pad was firmly lost into her apron and the pencil with it, I took the liberty to offer her a chair and she squeezed in opposite me.\n\n“I must say, Darleen, that I haven’t. I mostly get these things for the crossword, if I’m being truthful,” I said.\n\n“This ain’t the day for that,” she said, “turn to page 3. You’ll wanna see this.”\n\nI did as I was told, and there it was. Whatever it was.\n\nI stared at it best I could. The tangled mess of gears and wires and complex valves chaotic in the grainy photograph. Heads nor tails, couldn’t make sense of it. Gave my head a tilt, squinted a bit, and all a sudden it just clicked.\n\n“Say,” I said, “is that supposed to be a heart?”\n\nThe fire of gossip in her eyes and, no doubt, mischief in her heart, Darleen flicked the page, unchecked glee in her delighted tone.\n\n“Be careful. It ain’t pretty,” she said. Somewhat deliberately late.\n\nI looked. And no lie, it wasn’t.\n\nThe body had been cut with a clinical precision that bordered on the mechanical. All straight lines and right angles. I half expected dotted guides and marked flaps. But it was what had been took that really stood out. Organs extracted willy nilly. Dreadful precise and yet chaotic in choice.\n\nSave for the heart, which I had to assume had been removed for the previous photograph, the holes weren’t left empty. Replacements had been made and installed. Dizzying in their complexity and yet somehow a crude approximation of their equivalents. Like someone had a concept of what the body did more than what it was.\n\nPipes for the vessels. Labyrinthine electronic networks for the nerves. Bundles of cord and gear and elastics for the muscles and the membranes.\n\nAll swapped out like components for the wrong model.\n\n“That’s a whole new level of sickness,” I said.\n\n“It’s pure evil,” she said.\n\nLooking at those chins all quivering I prepared myself for the customary debate, but was saved at the bell by a muffled curse from the back of the joint.\n\n“Dagnabbit, woman, where in the hell you gone now?”\n\n“Screw you, old man. Ain’t no way to talk to a lady,” Darleen screeched.\n\nI sipped my coffee diplomatically.\n\n“I’ll be seeing you, Hank, stay safe out there,” she said. Dropped her voice. Squeezed back out and onto the warpath through to the kitchen.\n\n“You too, Darleen,” I said, and offered a prayer to the old man.\n\nDraining the last of my mug, I rolled the paper and stowed it. But not before taking a last look at the strange patchwork of flesh and steel. Hairs making themselves felt on my arms and neck, I fell to pondering.\n\nIt just didn’t seem right somehow. Something I couldn’t put my finger on beyond the usual twisted minds that fed the crime columns. It felt innocent. Almost childlike.\n\nI put it from my mind and headed to the office. Didn’t do good to dwell on such things.\n\nLeave it to the system. No one beats it.\n\n---\n\nIt was near dark when I made my way back to the house.\n\nI mean I say house, more of a bungalow. Poor thing but mine own, and all that. Lucy caught my scent coming up the yard, and barked her enthusiastic greeting without care for the neighbours or any doors in the way.\n\nI fixed her dinner first. As compensation for my long absence.\n\nDidn’t want to leave her by herself, but whilst June was in the hospital, I didn’t have a choice. They didn’t take kindly to man’s best friend at the office, even less so in the hospital.\n\nLucy squatted there scarfing down her kibble and meats in the corner whilst I got on with prepping. I kept my kitchen in good order, and in no time I had the veg sliced and started on de-boning the meat. It was as I slipped the blade into the gristle and began to flense that the thought surfaced like some swamp thing. All scales and rising bubbles.\n\n”How’d they get the cuts so awful straight?”\n\nAnd once it was there it just didn’t want to let go.\n\nI passed the cooking and the meal in a strange haze, scenarios and ever deeper questions flitting through my mind in a flock. Why were there no defensive wounds? It just didn’t make sense to me. The picture had them all laid out like some anatomy model. Clean but for the obvious damage.\n\nLucy must’ve noticed my discomfort, for she came and rest her head on me as we sat before the box. Channels flickered by in a stream of fact and fiction, but none of it settled. My mind firmly elsewhere.\n\nI looked at the TV.\n\nI looked at my watch.\n\nI thought of my day and of Darleen and the organs pulsing to a broken beat and the long drudgery of the office and the walk home and the meals and the TV again.\n\nA life lived to routine. To the tick of clockwork. To the convenience of engines that spin on in perfunctory orbit long after their creators have passed.\n\nMaybe I wouldn’t need an attack to start changing. Maybe the machine was there already, under the skin. In my head.\n\nLucy yipped, and I dragged myself to the present.\n\nPlumped and smoothed her bed at the base of my own. We curled up. Only real difference in the tails. And we let dreams overtake us.\n\n---\n\nClick.\n\nAnd I was awake.\n\nEyes flickered open to stare intently at the pale curve of the pillow in the abject confusion of the recently conscious. But some things don’t need repeating. Some things are engraved bone-deep.\n\nThat was the front door. Shutting from the inside.\n\n“Lucy.” I kept my voice low, sending it out over the edge of the bed to hang like bait in front of her waiting nose.\n\nNo one responded.\n\n“Lucy?”\n\nThe creak of spring and clockwork answered.\n\nBlood suddenly relocated from my chest to my ears, I sat bolt upright to the serenade of roaring. From my new position I caught sight of her basket and immediately wished I hadn’t. Empty cushions greeted me. Depression still in place.\n\nLucy had gone.\n\nI could hear where my breath wasn’t.\n\nEyes locked on the door I reached down and grabbed the old slugger from beneath the frame. Pulled it out and shouldered it like I still knew how to pitch.\n\n“I’m not afraid,” I lied.\n\nA burst of static. A hum. A gentle light licked the gaps in the door, tendrils streaming through to taste the air around me.\n\nI padded to the frame, bat still held high. Pressed an ear to the wood.\n\nThe static returned. The empty mindless dirge of white noise nearly sent me scurrying back under the covers. But those cuts rose once more. Straight. Perfect. Inorganic.\n\nThey weren’t gonna put no gears and cables under my skin. I’d make sure of it.\n\nLaying hands on the handle, I hefted. Hard.\n\nAn empty corridor greeted me, light filtering through from the living room.\n\nWeighing the bat in hand I padded down to it. Pulse jumping at shadows. Head on a swivel.\n\nThe TV greeted me in tones of white and grey, the static blaring from the speakers. I sighed, cursed my inattention, and reached for the switch.\n\nA golden flash.\n\nMy vision snapped to the screen.\n\nHad I imagined it?\n\nI looked deeper and the static pulsed to the beat of my heart. Ringing clear through those rushing ears. In the stuttering chaos of the empty screen a pattern pushed through from beneath, rose to the surface like some swamp thing, leaving ripples in its wake.\n\nAtop the screen, the gears turned. Clockwork and cold. Wires writhed through them, slithering in a dance of dizzying complexity. Tubes and valves fizzled and buzzed. Pulsed with life.\n\nI felt the heat. Felt the burn spread from the harsh light of the screen to blister at my skin and for the first time since I awoke I looked down at myself.\n\nBeneath my skin the gears turned. Clockwork and cold. Wires writhed through them, slithering in a dance of dizzying complexity. Tubes and valves fizzled and buzzed. Pulsed with life.\n\nI looked deeper and static pulsed in the beat of my heart. Audible even through my chest. In the organic chaos of my body a pattern grew from beneath, rose to the surface like a beautiful cancer, all straight lines and right angles. My skin twisted, a metallic hue freezing my blood as it spread along twine and cog alike.\n\nI could feel my organs grind as the hum of machinery fought against the soft pliable warmth of my flesh. I burnt. I froze.\n\nPain searing and breath in laboured gasps I scanned the room for something for anything that would help that could solve the horrible transformation and retu–\n\nThe boning knife sat on the sideboard.\n\nI snatched it up and looked down on the infestation ravaging my body. The engines beneath the surface. The lines and the angles. Bile rose in my throat and the desperate heat of fresh tears painted my cheeks.\n\nI raised the knife.\n\nThey weren’t gonna put no gears and cables under my skin. I’d make sure of it.\n\n---\n\nIf you've enjoyed this and would like to read more, why not [visit my sub?](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Crossroads)\n\nAny and all feedback welcomed." ]	2
[WP] Tired of being made fun off, the mad social scientist finally had his revenge!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The Child Psychologist\n\nJeff scratched at his stubble. Rustling the release of flaky dry skin onto the dark wood of his desk. Which was dimly lit by the amber light of a desk lamp. A fluffy lost moth thunked against the humming bulb. As jeff slapped the flakes of his skin off of today’s mail.\n\nIt had taken all his courage just to go outside but this little victory was at least rewarded with mail.\n\nHe peeled the envelope with his overgrown fingernail. With a single motion of his index finger, opening the slit with his knifelike finger. Releasing the eggshell white parchment inside that glided onto his desk like a falling leaf. The parchment was thicker than normal paper. Meaning someone important must have read his proposal. Jeff’s bloodshot eyes read its contents. As a grin, that threatened to split his face, formed ear to ear. Baring the pearly white teeth that he spent so much time maintaining.\n\nHe slapped the letter flat on the desk. Seeking the truth of the letter suggested.\n\nReaching deep into the envelope. With his hands shaking. As he pinched another (thinner) parchment that was hiding from his fingers before. Plucking it out of the envelope. Seeing the emerald ink of a blank cheque. Jeff’s eye’s went wide. Jumping out of the squatting position in his office chair, and onto his filthy carpet. Stepping in a milk stain as he swayed his hips in a giddy little dance. Shouting, I did it mom. I finally got it back, like a madman.\n\nAs he peeled his practitioners licence off of the parchment.\n\nHe heard a loud knock from next wall. Jeff’s neighbour demanding he be quiet with lots of mean word.\n\nIt was 4am but change couldn’t wait.\n\nJeff headed for the shower. Which was just a tap and bucket. Dousing and rubbing the cheap bar of soap on his body. Pushing out of his mind, the fact that he stole it from a public toilet.\n\nJeff cleansed himself. Put on his best suit, a brown blazer with patchwork on the elbows. Then powdering makeup to cover all the blemishes on his neck and face. Transforming the hermit into a plastic man of perfection he once was. Jeff headed back to his desk. Slipping the cheque into his pocket coupling his licence alongside it. As he searched through on his ancient laptop for the address of his old office.\n\n\\[six hours later\\]\n\nJeff still wore his proud smile while in his old office. Still holding the scent of bubble gum and warm sugar. The walls were a delicious pink with the ceiling pained sky blue. Adorned with clouds and a painted castle on the northern wall. Behind Jeff was a stack of bean bags and a sack stuffed fat with toy animals.\n\nIt’s amazing what money could do, thought Jeff. As he rummaged through his old toys placing them around the room like they were playing with each other in little stories. They were all unique. Destined for disposal and once belonging to a child. But now they were in Jeff’s hands now and needed to bring joy to children again.\n\nThe final toy at the bottom of the bag twinkled. Jeff brought it out finding it to be a plastic knight’s helmet. The best toy in Jeff’s collection.\n\nJeff put it on. Remembering his old character Sir Jeff. Feeling the familiar pressure of the plastic straps pressing at the back of his head. He felt relieved it still fit, like being reunited with an old friend but for Jeff this helmet was something more intimate. It was him in the truest sense. The Jeff that helped little George make new friends. And helped young Dan accept his foster parents. With so many more out there in the unseen world.\n\nJeff sagged into his bean throne. Looking out at his kingdom of toys. With the pride of a knight watching over his subjects. Each holding a special memory from someone helped. All tools to mend the minds of children.\n\nJeff held Mr Lion beside him. Stroking his soft cotton mane. Thinking back to when he lost his licence.\n\n“We’re back Mr Lion. Mom would be happy.” Jeff looked up at the picture of his mother plastered on the inside of his helmet. “She’s even watching us now from the good place in the sky, little buddy.”\n\nJeff reminisced for another ten minutes before he heard a knock at the door. Setting Mr Lion down beside Mrs Lion.\n\n“Come in,” called Jeff. Clearing his throat to put on his ridiculous knightly voice. The door gently opened. As Jeff saw a woman with black hair and muddy eyes. Reminding him of the same girl he treated so many years ago.\n\nSally.\n\nShe still had that curious look in her eye. The same look that beckon forth the character of Sir Jeff. He shot up to his feet. Adjusted the plastic helm. Billowing the ridiculous voice of Sir Jeff. “Ah-hah, fair maiden…”\n\nThis is embarrassing she’s grown up now.\n\n“… has someone’s been eating their vegetables?” Sir Jeff looked for a reaction. Watching the edges of Sally’s lips curl slightly. As Sally hugged her arms off sweater and to her lips in disbelief. Nodding with the happiest smile.\n\n“Take-eth a seat on my most splendid throne…” Sir Jeff motioned a hand to biggest, bluest bean bag in his kingdom. As they continued where they left off with their therapy session, cut short and unresolved so many years ago.\n\nEND\n\nThank you for reading and hope you have a good day." ]	2
[WP] An alien has set out on a journey to find a copy of The Book. After seeing how powerful the oldest trick in The Book is, it fervently searches so that it may use the newer and stronger tricks in The Book.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The alien was disguised as John. It was a pretty neat trick. After killing John, he had carefully eaten him, sampling each piece so that he could recreate each feature. The alien - new John - was particularly quite proud of the beard. His species didn't have beards so that was one of the trickier parts. It might not be the oldest trick in The Book (growing a beard that is) but John felt certain it was one of them. Of course the only way to find out was to find The Book. Which is why he was here, on earth - specifically John's garage - growing out the last thick curly hair out of his chin.\n\nTime to try out his voice. He cleared his throat.\n\n\"Excuse me?\" he said out loud to no one in particular. The voice sounded far too nasely, too nasty. That wasn't like John at all. He tried again. \"Excuse me. Ah. Yes. Ooh. Here we go. Do you... no not like that... do you, yes, happen to know where The Book is kept?\"\n\n\"John?\". The voice came from behind. John span round to find an ordinary looking human woman looking at him. Was that suspicion?\n\n\"Yes! Hello. I am John\" less nasely you ninconpoop!\n\n\"Y... yes, dear. I'm just home from... are you feeling well? You look pale\".\n\nBlast. He was sure he had John down. But time was precious. Time... time to test this human's knowledge.\n\n\"Yes quite well. Very well indeed. Tell me... I have entirely forgotten silly me. Where did we keep The Book?\" \n\nJohn felt quite proud with himself, ensuring he tapped those consonants 'T' and 'B' so that she knew exactly what he was taking about. Not only that, but his deception was most cunning. Another trick he had picked up during his long travels across the galaxy. He was sure she would now reveal The Book's wearabouts. \n\nA strange look crossed over her face. \n\n\"Darling...\" she replied uncertainly. \"You know... we're not meant to talk about that\". \n\nJohn fought to keep his composure. Was it this easy? His search for The Book was within grasp. Everything depended on the next words he spoke next. He thought through every trick he knew. \n\n\"Darling\" he said with a large innocent smile. \"That's the very reason why I need reminding\". Her expression went from wary to determined. \n\n\"Come with me\" she said firmly. \n\nThis was it. The Book of Tricks was about to be his." ]	2
[WP] You've always been terrified of the shadow people since you were a child, but no one ever believed you. One day while crossing the street, a car comes speeding at you. Before you could react, a shadowy figure pushes you out of the way and asks, "Are you all right, sire?"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", " \n\nThe first time was strange... Heh, I have said that before. The first time I saw them, I was a little boy, around eight, It was the night my grandmother left this world for another. My father didn’t want my last memories of her to be of her last breaths, so he made me sit in the hallway. I knew the moment it happened. Suddenly I wasn’t alone in the hall anymore. There were three of them, I say them because that's the only way I can explain it without calling them “shadows”. That's where my second first time comes in, my mother didn’t believe me, my father was distraught that he lost his mother, and my uncle thought it was best that I see a therapist because I wouldn't stop talking about the “shadow people”. They tried to give me meds and had me talk to five different doctors. I passed all their tests and after a while, I figured out what they wanted to hear, but that didn’t help the fact that no matter where I go, no matter where I turn, they are always there and now, twelve years later there are about thirty of them that follow me around. It is absolutely terrifying, they never get close, they never interacted with me but they sure as fuck were there! I have tried to provoke them, throw things at them, anything to get a reaction but to no avail. So my best form of action was to just ignore them. So much so, that on my walks home, I would randomly change my course. Sometimes rather abruptly... Just to try to juke them out and try to lose them. Well, that one fateful night coming home from the pub changed the course of my life forever. \n\nIt was the anniversary of her death. I knew I couldn’t go home. My dad would be too distraught for me to deal with. Plus I had my own way to celebrate her life, but that night I definitely overdid it. So much so that my best mate Lenny and Sarah. The love of my life... Insisted that they make sure I get home safe. They knew about the shadows, they never really understood but they love me and accepted me nonetheless. It was a brisk night, not windy but there was certainly a chill. Lenny knew my feelings for Sarah, shit she knew my feelings for her, but tonight was a special night so I asked if she wanted a piggyback ride. Like when we were kids. Since we had a few pints that night she was more than happy to oblige. She took her shoes off and jumped on my back, It was fun. I loved it, I was happy for the first time in a long while. Lenny took a left to his house and Sarah and I kept going, because yes, she is literally “the girl next door”. We got a few steps down the road when we heard a truck steaming down the road. She made the comment that “someone has had a few too many” I laughed and tried to look back at her, big mistake, at that moment I lost my balance on the curb, right as the truck rounded the corner. \n\nI panicked, he panicked, she was scared. I had two options, either we both get hit or I get hit. So I threw her to the side the best I could and I watched her bounce off the rear wheel well of the truck. My forehead was about to connect with his headlight when an intense moment there was a push. I flew back, Sarah landed in the grass, but the truck was pushed into the other lane and into a grove of trees. He had so much momentum that the driver was tossed out of the windshield. After I was pushed, I was also caught at the same time if that made sense? I don't know, I’m still trying to figure this out. Time stopped. I did not know what to do, I thought I was dreaming. Then I noticed them. The shadows. “Are you alright Sire?” it asked. I quickly dismissed it because all I can think about is Sarah, I rush to her, she's breathing but not awake. \n\n“We can save her Sire, we just need a surrogate for her soul”\n\n“Okay sure, do whatever you have to do just save her!”\n\n“The man in the truck will suffice sire”\n\n“Sure, yeah, fuck that guy he almost killed us!”\n\nThen she came to, just like that, no magic, no “poof” she just opened her eyes. She thanked me for saving her and she was obviously shaken up, but she was alive and okay. Good enough for me. Then I hear,\n\n“Thank you for the soul, your bidding is ours sire”\n\nThen I see the light in the truck fade away, and then I notice it. That's my dad's truck...", "My aunt was one of them, people wreathed in shadow, just the hint of a thin patient smile on her lips. But the rest was always darkness.\n\n\"Who are the shadowy people, mommy?\" That was the first time I questioned it. I expected my mother to provide an answer like she did to all things. Expected my dad to comfort me with logic and promise he would protect me.\n\nInstead they shared worried glances.\n\nI watched as their eyes glossed over my drawings, not truly seeing them. \"The shadow paintings\" as they came to call it never found a place on the fridge, just a binder to show to my therapist.\n\nSoon enough the obvious course became that \"Stacy is just imaginative\" and \"It will pass.\"\n\nTo them it was no different than an imaginary friend made from wistful fantasies.\n\nYet the shadowed people never left.\n\nThey walked the streets with smoky darkness filling their expressions.\n\nI never knew what my aunt looked like, people just told me she was beautiful but all I could see were the tender fault lines at the corner of her lips when she smiled. When she kissed me.\n\nUpon my thirteenth birthday I knew I was right to fear the shadow faces, for it ended with the murder of my uncle and his two sons. Aunt Margaret could never say why she did what she did.\n\nWhat did it matter? It just confirmed my worries.\n\nThose whose faces were wreathed in shadow were the ones I avoided. Men in business suits. Those shifty people who seem to peddle on streets with little sanity or anything else to their name.\n\nI think mother and father caught onto the pattern before I did, because the dark faced people that I pointed out ended up being bad news.\n\nWhat can I say? There is a certain priceless worth to a person who can detect those who would commit crimes before they ever realised it themselves.\n\nI was too young to understand the tape of bureaucracy and the nearing circles which would place me at the core of the justice system. But I did feel my world darken as the blanket of shadows filled my world and robbed me of its colour.\n\nThere I would sit, upon my marble throne of judgment, there I would look upon the hundreds lined waiting for my decree.\n\nThere I would sort through those of the shadow-veiled and those whose pleading expressions I could see.\n\n\\\\\\*\n\n/r/KikiWrites", "It was an awe-inspiring sight. The figure was hunched. The laws of inertia had knocked it to it's side, sliding it a few meters. The road, however, was in a much more dreadful shape. A small tower of dirt and asphalt was mounted behind the figure, standing above the road, passing judgment on its much shorter remainder. The shadow removed itself from the crater of it's creation and began to pace toward the attacking rusty stallion, an oily old Buick, peppered with dirt; hissing pitifully, like a perishing smoker with emphysema.\n\nThe shadow ripped the driver side door from its hinges, with impressive strength, never losing posture. It tossed it to the side, as if it was a reckless teenager, littering a crumpled up burger wrap. The man driving was not conscious, or maybe it was farce. Either way, he had came to as his body was flying into a nearby ditch, evidenced by his increasingly muffled screams. I began to shuffle backwards, with what laughable human strength i could.\n\n\"What do you want with me?\"\n\nI had managed to choke an inquisition at the figure, as it's attention had now been fixed to me. The figure stopped, and suddenly fell to it's knees, looking down at it's hands.\n\n\"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid!\"\n\nIt began to hit itself upon the head violently. Screeching the same insults at itself. I sat, dumfoundedly, trying to fathom the situation before me.\n\n\"Sir, please! Get on with it.\"\n\nShaking uncontrollably, my shouts had prompted the Shadow to cease. It looked up at me, and for a moment i thought i could see two, sad, yet soul-less green eyes; But it's posture shifted, and it's face escaped behind it's cloak.\n\n\"You ask what i want with you, yet, this question should be reversed.\"\n\nThe Shadow shot up, hurriedly walking toward the smashed vehicle and ruined road. It waved it's hand and all anomaly dissappeared. The road looked as neat and tidy as it did before, even moreso neat and tidy now. The figure spun around and bowed. With a pause and a chuckle it continued speaking.\n\n\"It was so very rude of me to delay our meeting, I, am Momunious.\"\n\nShock, annoyance, and confusion all pressed against my brain. Such as steam tries to escape a kettle, my amazement tried to escape from my expression.\n\n\"Hello Momunious. My name is Samuel.\"\n\nMomunious spat out laughter, violently.\n\n\"Yes, i know who you are master. I have been assigned to you since you were born. I have seen every occurence in your life, no matter the scale.\"\n\nI, of course, knew this. I have been seeing this Shadow figure for as long as i could remember. My excitement was whole. I was elated, nearly inconceivably. If you have been called mad your entire life, you begin to believe what you're being told. It is a marvelous feeling to feel vindication.\n\n\"Assigned? By whom?\"\n\nMomunious didn't answer, he pulled out a dazzlingly bright pocketwatch and inspected the time. The chain looked ethereal, moving with the wind, yet remaining whole. He finally answered after a long gaze at his fancy gadget.\n\n\"Oh, Master Samuel, i'm sure you must have many questions. I assure you that they will all be answered in due time. Unfortunately, Sire, we are running late.\"\n\n\"Late? For what?\"\n\n\"Your coronation, my dear boy. Grab my arm if you will, please, and chip chip.\"\n\nHe beckoned me. I didn't budge.\n\n\"Come now Samuel.\"\n\n\"I have just watched you quite literally throw a man fifty meters and you expect me to trust you enough to come along?\"\n\nIt was apparent that Momunious was becoming a bit impatient. His feet began rapping the pavement, his gaze went back to it's fixed position on his stopwatch.\n\n\"What exactly do you have to lose, Master Samuel? Your life here is meaningless, and it would cease to exist this very moment if i hadn't stopped this filthy device anyway.\"\n\nI looked away, frowning. Eyebrows pushing my eyes closed as i began to think. He wasn't wrong, you know. I really had nothing here in London. I had never known my family. I wasted my days away as a clerk at a Petrol station. 50 hours a week, with no satisfaction, and it wasn't as if i had friends. My days off were spent in my flat, in which i barely could afford the rent as is.\n\n\"Samuel, you are royalty where i am from. I am your protector. These things will be explained in due time. Now please, grab my arm.\"\n\nWith a deep breath, i reached out to him. I could feel an unmistakable energy pulsating from his pocketwatch.\n\n\"Not that arm, sire, the one with the pocketwatch.\"\n\nI walked around him with another huff, and reached to grasp his arm. Only this time, as soon as i felt the pure, almost metallic mesh of his garment, the world around me vanished, and another took it's place." ]	4
[WP] A faerie has been sued for fraud. You are the only one who will represent them.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Okay, listen, Tieflings are the best at what they do. Don't let him get under your skin, alright?\"\n\nIzalia nodded. I inhaled deeply and turned around to face the front doors into the courtroom. This was the first in a long series of trials that we had to face in order to clear Izalia's name. She had been accused of stealing Accula The Gorgon's treasure, which she claimed was her life savings and was earned legitimately (I didn't believe her. Most who did business with Accula weren't seen again.) As a result, Izalia asked every lawyer she knew to help her. Most rejected her, due to her bad reputation and worse temper. \n\nExcept me. Izalia had money, and at the same time, I could see she was innocent. That might be partly because of my Elvish heritage, but I didn't think it was just that. The way she asked, she was so anxious and worried, that I agreed. It would be tough. But if I could succeed, I would make a name for myself in the legal world. The only problem? Blitz Hargreeves.\n\nBlitz was a tiefling, known for getting inside his opponent's head and getting them to blurt out the truth without even knowing it. I While he pretended to be charismatic, everyone knew there was a demon inside him. Literally. Tieflings are humans with Hellblood. I was worried because Blitz was one of the best. I would have a hard time beating him, and with Izalia's irrational outbursts, I knew he wouldn't have a hard time getting what he needed. I needed a strategy, and fast if I wanted to overcome this guy.\n\nWe walked into the courtroom and were greeted with a cold, somber atmosphere. The room had an eerie sensation to it, and only a few small windows shed outside light beside the harsh glow of the lamps above. The jury sat in a large wooden jury box. The jurors ranged from humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes, even a Dragonborn. Each of them sat there, bored and uninterested, anxiously looking around the room. \n\nIzalia and I sat down near the front of the room, Izalia getting a chair half a foot tall. She squirmed as she sat down, and although she was only half an inch tall, it was clearly too small for her. \"Ugh, this chair is so tight. Figures, of course, this place doesn't know how to design for faeries. Justice for all? Hah!\" She muttered.\n\n\"Yeah, well, welcome to court,\" I said under my breath. I looked over to the other side of us. Blitz sat there, a black tuxedo on, a cool, confident look on his face, his horns reflective from the light. Did they always look like that? Did he brush them, wax them or something? Next to him, an impatient Accula sat there with her dress, her snakes hissing at anything that moved. She bared her fangs at me. I shuddered.\n\nSuddenly, the judge's doors slammed open, and a huge ogre walked in. Judge Lor'glu walked in and sat at his bench. He picked up a large hammer that could've easily been a weapon as much as a gavel and slammed it down. \"Order. Order in the court,\" he boomed. \"Today, we come here to hear the trial between Accuser, Accula The Gorgon, and Defendant, Izalia The Spark Faerie. Accula, do you have your lawyer?\" Accula nodded. \"Blitzzz Hagreeves will be represssenting me,\" she hissed. The judge looked at Izalia. \"And you, Ms. Izalia?\" She nodded as well. \"Cameron Blueleaf will be representing me.\" The judge nodded. \"In that case, then I see no reason to delay. The trial against Izalia the Fairy has begun.\" I looked over at Izalia. She clenched her teeth, clearing annoyed that this whole thing was happening, and the trial had just started.\n\nOh boy. This is going to be a long case. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nEchoPerson14 here! Thanks for reading! I'll be posting a part two as soon as I can!" ]	2
[WP] In a world where superpowers are real, you were pretty bummed after learning you had no aptitude in any known power. When learning latin and managing to pronounce the word ignus correctly, you produced fire.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Brandon walked out of his office in dismay. After 10 years of intelligent and useful work, the law firm decided his abilities weren't \"competitive\" enough. \n\nThis was becoming an increasingly common occurrence. The chemical explosion in a California lab in 2020 had killed many but also spread great powers to many others all over the globe. Not everyone was so fortunate. These \"enhanced\" humans were pushing normal humans out of jobs. Brandon was the latest victim. \n\nDejected and hopeless, Brandon hailed an Uber back to his apartment. This driver, he noticed, seemed to have faster reflexes than most. She was getting within centimeters of other cars, whilst traveling at very high speeds. She also seemed to start accelerating a little before the light turned green.\n\n\"Excuse me, Miss, but do you have a special ability?\"\n\n\"Ahaha, you noticed? Most people's nerves and brain take a few fractions of a second to pass signals around. My nerves transmit at half the speed of light. It's not much, I guess I'd be good at sports if I tried, but it works for this job. What's yours?\"\n\nEmbarrassed, Brandon shuffled and looked away. \"I..I... I don't have one. In fact, I just got laid off 'cause some newbie's got the ability to read 100 pages in 10 minutes.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe driver swiftly weaved through a truck and a sedan. \"Ah yeah I'm sorry to hear that, it's probably getting harder to find a job these days for people like you. Uh, not that there's anything wrong with having no power, but y'know...\"\n\n\"It's fine, you are right. I just gotta find a job that a lot of people aren't doing and an ability wouldn't help.\"\n\nThe car was approaching Brandon's apartment building. \"Here you are, good luck with the job\"\n\n\"Thanks, have a good day\"\n\nBrandon stared up at the building. If he couldn't get a job soon, he'd have to leave this place. He slinked up the stairs and into the elevator. The first plan of action was to make a snack and then look for a job. He turned on the TV and changed out of his suit. A ham sandwich would be good for now. \n\n\"At Lucie's, we've got the best-enhanced chefs! Watch as Mike assembles this burger in 2 seconds flat!\" Brandon immediately shut the TV off. Sandwich plate in hand, Brandon sat in front of his laptop and opened up Indeed.com. Brandon had graduated from law school, so he was definitely looking for something related to that, but he decided that other lower-paying and possibly unrelated jobs would be okay. Low pay was better than no pay. He scrolled between bites and finally found something rather obscure. It was an offer for a legal department in a small tech company. It didn't hold a candle to his previous pay, but it wasn't too bad and the company seemed desperate. \"Ignis Tech Co. Ltd., huh,\" he thought to himself. \"I wonder what that 'Ignis' means. Sounds Latin.\" \n\nHe opened up Google Translate. It meant \"fire\". \"Well, that's not very creative. I should check how it's pronounced.\" \n\n\"Ignis.\"\n\n\"Ignis\", he repeated. \"Ignis.\" On the second attempt, he got it. And he nearly jumped out of his chair as he saw his hand was on fire. But... it wasn't burning. Was he dreaming? No. The charred remains of his sandwich were proof of it. \n\nBut where did it come from? Did he just say \"fire\" in Latin and get fire? No, that had to be impossible. The flame died out. \"Hmm... what if...\"\n\n\"Ignis\" Sure enough, the flame was back. A smile grew on his face and his heart was beating rapidly with excitement. He shook out the flame and selected \"English to Latin\". \"Hmm, how about... brick?\" He listened to the pronunciation of it. \n\n\"Fictilis\" And in his hand, a perfect red-clay brick appeared. He looked for another word.\n\n\"Cultro\" He now had a blade in his hand. \n\nHe closed his computer. He didn't need that job now.", "\"eh?\"\n\ni stood frozen at what had just happened. i slowly straightened and stared at the palm of my hand in confusion.\n\n'what was that?'\n\ni looked around wondering if i was being punked. i was alone. i looked back at my hand. it couldn't be, it was not possible. i had to have imagined it. but it felt so real. so i raised my hand, it was shaking exposing my anxiety. i took a deep breath and spoke in a calm but firm and clear voice,\n\n\"ignis.\"\n\nand there it was, a burst of fire that shot out of my hand. i pulled it back as if i was afraid i would get burned. my heart was beating so fast and hard that it actually started to hurt. i bent with my other hand on my knee supporting me. my eyes fell on the book that was on the ground. i picked it up. my eyes drifted over the page that i was reading and stopped at the word that i just said and its phonetic pronunciation.\n\ncuriosity got the better of me and i raised my hand again and confidently said,\n\n\"fire.\"\n\nnothing. part of me somehow knew it wouldn't work.\n\n\"ignis.\"\n\nand there was a burst of fire again. a grin slowly started to creep up on my face. i threw caution to the wind and flipped through the pages. after finding the word i was looking for, i looked up and around. i found what i wanted, a target. it was a broken pillar. i aimed it and said in clear voice,\n\n\"fulmen.\"\n\na thick white bolt of lightning shot out of my hand and hit the pillar blasting a sizable chunk of it away. i stared at it in awe. then i looked down at the book in my hand.\n\nto others it was just a 'english to latin' dictionary. but to me, in that moment, it was the most precious grimoire in the world." ]	3
[WP] A criminal is convicted to two life sentences or 250 years in prison. However, through advances in technology the human lifespan is greatly increased and he is able to serve his full sentence prior to being released back into society.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"So,\" started the figure in the cell, \"What has brought you to me?\" Although the semi-robotic voice had no intonation, I knew what it meant.\n\n\"Well, uh, they called it 'conspiracy to commit treason.' I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, I think.\" I spoke softly, as if my very public humiliation and arraignment had been some sort of secret.\n\nA long, uninterrupted noise emerged from behind the bars. I wasn't sure what to make of it, but assumed it was some form of laughter based on what he said after.\n\n\"Is that what they call it these days?\" he remarked, probably to himself. \"They've certainly let the power go to their heads.\" The figure inched closer to me, moving into the light so I could see him more accurately. A tangled mass of wires and plates took up half of his form. His skull, outfitted with some sort of life support hub, bore a dome-shaped helmet that appeared to contain flowing water, based on the swirling and bubbling. From this dome, four large hoses emerged and flowed down to other parts of the body: one to the stomach, one to the heart, and two that disappeared behind him. The equipment gave off a faint blue glow in several places.\n\nOddly, given his age, his skin was unexpectedly youthful. I was expecting to see nothing but wrinkles - after all, here was the first man to live to the age of 200, but perhaps they had meant to keep him alive like this from the very beginning. \n\n\"Well, new meat,\" he continued, pulling me out of an apparent stupor, \"I think I'll do you the kindness of laying out the ground rules here to you, plain and simple like.\" I expected this much. Glancing at the two hulking men on either side of me, though, I hadn't imagined a system quite so robust. I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be more afraid of - the Regime, or the cybernetic convict in front of me.\n\nHe smiled, pleased at my disconcerted expression. \"It's really very easy. Don't be stupid. And don't get in my way.\"\n\nFoolishly, I felt a question come on. \"But what about-\"\n\nHe was on me so fast I barely had time to register his movement. He shot an arm through the bars of his cell. At the end was a bionic hand, gripping my neck to stop me from talking. His smile widened, baring his uncannily perfect teeth, glowing a pale cyan. \"And,\" he concluded, \"No questions.\"\n\nAs he released me, he raised his other arm in signal to his grunts, who promptly whirled me around and pushed my shoulders, so I was forced to start gliding away.\n\nHe called one last ominous warning after me, but I figured the best course was to keep going. \"Just remember,\" he said in a raised voice, \"They put you in here, but I decide your true punishment.\" I didn't even move my head in acknowledgment, but the nape of my neck broke out in a cold sweat. They thought that forcing him to live his sentence was a fate befitting his crime, but it seemed to me that it was exactly what he wanted." ]	2
[WP] The spirit didn’t speak English, and was getting angry. I was only an intern, but I had a minor in Spanish, so they brought me to the front.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "’Oh no.’ I silently thought to myself, facing the existential horror that was the revenant. Ghoul. Ghost. There was so many names for them but not one fully encapsulated the horror that it entailed. Someone’s anger was strong enough that it defied death and returned them from death into some sort of half-life. The pure emotion emanating from the lost soul almost forced me to my knees as I stood before it. \n\nI’ve never regretted signing onto a ghostbusting outfit more than I currently did now. The rest of my coworkers pointed thumbs ups at me and mouthed “Let’s go, Jennier!” All useless. All of them.\n\nThe malevolent being looked at me and said, “Qué? Otro onto?”\n\nYup… this was why I was called up. The rest of the outfit could speak everything from Esperanto to Latin, but not a single one could speak Spanish. Except for me. Still technically an intern fresh from college, I graduated with Economics and a minor in Spanish. As far as one could ‘learn’ Spanish in college, anyways. A thought about whether or not my laxness in college was going to kill me flitted through my mind, but I pushed it down. I had to summon the entirely of my third-grade level Spanish if I wanted to communicate with the spirit.\n\n“Hola,” I began, choosing to begin with an easy opener. “Mi nombre es Jennifer. Cuál es su nombre?”\n\nGod… not a single living person right now could tell what I was saying. The pressure of being the only interpreter for the geist made me hunch my shoulders slightly as the spectre angrily said, “Yo soy el grande Hernan Echevarria! Devuélveme a mi país!”\n\nWell then… I understood about half that. Look, maybe I lied a little on my resume, but who doesn’t?? Shit… deflect, deflect, “Encanta-“ I paused for a second as I tried to remember which form I should use, “-da de conocerte, Hernan, entiendo que eres muy… no contento.”\n\n“No contento? …joder estoy jodido..” The spirit in front of muttered, this time with me understanding. At the very least, it could not be said that Jennifer Mueller was a poor student in international expletives. Still, the spirit visibly calmed down, and the rest of the team surged in energy. “¿siquiera sabes hablar español?”\n\nOkay.. that was a little tricker, but I had a better grasp on it now than I ever did. Slowly puzzling it out, I confidently said, “Entiendo española muy buena!”\n\n“A la mierda esta mierda, estoy fuera” the spirit muttered and descended into the ground. The rest of the crew cheered and rushed towards me, and I slowly felt the locking chains of the “Spanish girl” lock around me. The rest of the crew couldn’t tell that my shakes were because of terror rather than joy, but what they didn’t know couldn’t help them. God, I’m going to have to dig up my old Spanish textbook. I was screwed." ]	2
[WP] - For some reason, all Random Number Generation is now only producing one result...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I first noticed something odd last night when I was playing monopoly with the Greene kids. I rolled a 7. Then Liam rolled a 7. Then Larkin rolled a 7. Now rolling 7 three times in a row isn't that strange, but when I rolled the dice again, it suddenly didn't feel like coincidence. I threw them again and again, and every time I rolled 7. I'm talking like a hundred times in a row. A chill ran down my spine and I quickly put the kids to bed. I had an hour or so until their parents would be home, so I searched online to see what the odds were. Well it turns out it's so astronomically low that it might as well be impossible. \n\nI remembered there are random number generators online so I searched for one and gave it a spin. \n\n7. \n\nHit it again. 7. A sense of dread suddenly radiated through my body. Every time I pressed the button I got 7. I tried all the random number generators on the first few search pages, and without fail they all spit out the same number. \n\n7. \n\nWhen Mr and Mrs Greene got back I must have been acting strange because they asked if I was alright. I made up something about an assignment I had forgotten that was due tomorrow. They thanked me for babysitting, payed me, and I quickly left. When I got into my car I had the sudden urge to count the money. The pay is $60 but they gave me the change leftover from their dinner. I never usually get change. \n\nIt was $77.77. \n\nOn the drive home I noticed that every red light I stopped at changed quicker than usual. I used the stopwatch on my phone to check how long they were. 7 seconds. My eyes teared up and I started to shake. \n\nI pulled over to calm my nerves and decided to call my mom to see if she could come pick me up. When I called all I got was \"your call cannot be completed as dialed\". I checked the number saved to her contact and it was 777-777-7777. I checked other contacts in my phone and they were all changed to the same number. I tried dialing the number by hand but no matter what I inputted whenever I pressed call it switched back to 777-777-7777. \n\nAt this point I felt panic rise up in my throat like bile. I started my car, and the clock read 7:77. I hit the gas and raced north towards my house. As I drove I started to feel like the streets were wrong. The houses all looked the same. Not similar. Exactly the same. I pulled into the next driveway and onto the lawn, ripped open the car door, and sprinted to the front door. But before I knocked I noticed it. The address. 7. \n\nI have been driving for hours now. No matter where I turn the street looks exactly the same. The houses are identical. Every address is 7. Every street sign is 7th St. I even checked a newspaper sitting on the front porch of a house and every bit of text is one thing...7. Over and over. The only thing that hasn't changed yet is the Reddit app on my phone. I'm not sure if this message will get through to anyone but I thought I might as well try. \n\nI haven't seen a single person since I left the Greene's and I'm out of gas. I guess it's time to try the only thing I haven't yet. I'm going to knock on the door. Wish me luck." ]	2

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