Split (1)

train · 199k rows

post_text stringlengths 0 17.5k	post_title stringlengths 8 314	comment_texts listlengths 1 74	num_stories int64 1 74
	[WP] In this historic moment, aliens have visited Earth and made first contact with humanity. Their first words to us: "What are you doing on our homeworld?"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "President Romney stood in stunned silence, and the reporters wasted no time.\n\n\"That's right folks at home, you heard that exactly right, we are here live at Washington DC where the extraterrestrial has just accused us of occupying their homeworld!\"\n\nThe President finally replied, gently yet sternly, \"Ambassador are you telling me we are from the same planet?\"\n\nThe floating creature, one eyed, mouthless, and encased in a glass cage from Area 51, spoke to everyone simultaneously.\n\n\"Yes. This is our home. When they were functional our pyramids, carefully placed on ley lines, which you have now plundered, allowed us to teleport to dimensions beyond your comprehension.\"\n\nAt home, Georgios Tsolakis ran his hands through his hair and shouted \"I fucking knew it!\"\n\nThe military raised their guns to silence the crowd and President Romney began walking away, muttering \"I have to make a phone call.\"\n\n\"Yes you have seen it with your own eyes,\" a reporter said to the camera, \"The AMerica-hating, party-flipping President Romney has retreated back to the White House! If we had just elected the former president for a fourth term, we could-\"\n\n\"Jesus Christ!\" a disheveled man said, getting in the way of the camera.\n\n\"Yes,\" the reporter replied, keeping her composure, \"Our president left us out here-\"\n\n\"No! Look up\" The camera looked to the sky and, the distant figure in view, the man finished his repetition, \"It's Jesus Christ!\"\n\nThe alien spoke again. \n\n\"Be not afraid.\"" ]	2
	[WP]A sorcerers slow decent into madness after losing all of the people they found dear, because of their classist society who brutally kills all who is not deemed worthy enough to live. In actuality this story is told from a journal someone found years later after the society has collapsed.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "698 OU, Third Seed, Day 12\n\nI found it. The exact concentration, I found it. The framework is operational, the tests are promising. And now that I know, now that I'm on the cusp, fate fucks with us.\n\nMarcus is gone. Orlan is too young, Rose is too far gone. Sebastien hasn't been seen in years. Our dream is within reach and so far away. The ritual won't work with even a drop of Elder blood. I have to find another.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n698 OU, Fourth Seed, Day 4\n\nFinal tests are complete. Rose is the closest match. If it works, she could fight off even the Capitol. I hesitate to conduct this trial. If Marcus were here, he would stop me. But what else can we do? It's all or nothing.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n699 OU, First Seed, Day 21\n\nRose has gone mad. She must be put down - and Gods, I sound like the Inquisitors. I did this. I gave her this power. But she must be killed, before she infects the Core. I'm sorry Marcus. I never meant for this to happen.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n702 OU, Second Seed, Day 2\n\nI've given up. The Taint can't be fixed. The Inquisitors were right the whole time. If Marcus were here he would convince me we were fighting for something. Gods, to hear his voice again. I'm sorry.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n704 OU, First Seed, Day 14\n\nThe Core is irreparable. The Taint has infected the moon. All is lost. Sebastien killed himself trying to drain it. Orlan left his body behind and is gone behind the veil. I'll never see any of them again. I did this. I did this. There is no hope. All I have left is vengeance.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n705 OU, Third Seed, Day 1\n\nFuck them. They wouldn't even give me his body, so I killed them and fed them to the Taint. It will ever grow. What's the difference? Fuck them. I think I know how to make it spread. Is Marcus in there? Is Orlan? Maybe I can see them again.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n706 OU, First Seed, Day 30\n\nI killed the Capitol today. What if they could see me now? My power is incredible - the life-force of a planet, and none of it means a thing. I think I can feel them. Marcus, Orlan - Sebastien! Even Rose, I feel her, endlessly screaming in the crust of the Earth. \n\nI have to die, but no one is powerful enough to kill me. If only Marcus were here.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n710 OU, Second Seed, Day 10\n\nI used up the mantle. Damn lunar mages, where were they a few decades ago. Our government was so focused on killing our best hopes they overlooked our greatest enemies. Doesn't matter! I handled it, and there's no country anymore, so it doesn't matter. I drew deep on the Core, but I was wrong to call it Taint. Blood magic only draws on humanity. I hear Marcus in my dreams.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n728 OU, -- Seed, Day --\n\nMarcus told me I'm right. If people aren't good, there are no good people. If there are no good people, then let chaos take the world. I'm so lonely. I killed all the people. I won all the wars! The Core is dying. Soon, a magic-less planet of sand and empty buildings and bones will be all that's left. Marcus is waiting. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." ]	2
	[WP] Turns out the most important thing in the galaxy is willpower. All other species evolved in perfect natural conditions and never struggled for survival but took eons to reach interstellar expansion. When humanity is discovered, they are deemed clinically insane and an existential threat.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "On the first day we crossed the Borderland, everything changed.\n\nOur sun had a rather unique quality to it, that we'd never been able to detect before - in much the same way that it took us ages to detect the absence of light and gravity that heralded a black hole. How do you see the absence of something only considered by madmen and fools? It had kept us in the dark for eons, left us in an environment that let us evolve... and grow... and strengthen, beyond anything the galaxy was ready for.\n\nAnd we had no idea... beyond the ravings of madmen and fools, of course. Not until that first ship finally stepped outside our solar system, the experimental gravity impeller drive taking us beyond the boundaries of our little slice of the Milky Way - and free of the confines of Sol's embrace... free of the restriction that a unique quirk of astrophysics had wrapped around us.\n\nIn that moment, everything changed. Like a newborn opening its eyes, we perceived the ether, touched the darkness between the stars - and found ourselves resistant to its crushing burn. The indomitable strength of the human will was a bulwark against the aetheric sea, letting us awaken to a potential long dormant.\n\nWe threw off the shackles, and we danced. Oh, how we danced, we saw, we reached. Espers, breakers, movers, readers, navigators - we awakened to the fundamental truth our mother star had kept from us: willpower, intent, focus, was the most powerful force in the universe, the missing fundamental force we'd sought for so many millennia.\n\nLike so many other game-changing discoveries in humanity's history, we had our growing pains. Lost ships, the struggle to adapt. Logistics issues demanding solutions and innovation we dismissed as science fiction a hundred years ago. Discoveries of stellar phenomena we couldn't have imagined, not with our limited senses, our confined will.\n\nIt was a deep-space exploration vessel that enlightened us as to our true place in the galaxy. An innocuous visit to Alpha Centauri, leaving from Vanguard Station - an outpost and staging area on the edge of the Borderland, the barrier between our reality and the stars we watched. The bars of the Cage, so to speak - our new name for our home system.\n\nThe psionic transition drive had broken the light barrier, carrying us into the great beyond, driven by our own spirit of exploration. Fine control over our bodies and needs had eliminated issues like life support, slowing our metabolism to a crawl, restoring our flesh. Atrophy, radiation, micrometeorite defense, all tended to by specialists focusing their will toward the talents that had required gross mechanical technique within the Cage.\n\nWe were immortal. We were elated. We were in awe of our own magnificence and potential.\n\nWe were not alone.\n\n(( continued below ))", "A Message to all other sentient life.\r \n\r \nIn 2039 we Colonized Mars and thought we would finally find extraterrestrials. In reality though there was no life there, but we would find it 3 years later in 2042. We all had our thoughts of what foreign life would be like, but very few could have imagined what we would find. It was quite literally a utopia, or so we thought until we actually met them.\r \n\r \n\tWe had sent three diplomats to the meeting. The sitting President of the ENC or Earth’s Nations Coalition, the President of Canada Jorge Leguste, the President of China Xan Li, and the Prime Minister of England Bethany Cogstad. Now these were no athletes by any means. Jorge had a little pudge around the middle due to too many political dinners and a love of barbecue (which I don’t blame him in the slightest) Xan had been a rugby player as a kid but had stopped due to a car accident leaving him with one arm yet still stood around 5 '9. Now yes, Bethany had been a soldier in the war in the Middle East that was years ago, and she was pushing 60 now.\r \n\t\r \n\tThis is all to say these were not daunting figures and they had been sent to convey the message that we were peaceful (which is why we did not send America or Russia). However, despite this our diplomats still had to explain that they were not warriors to the leaders of the Intergalactic Coalition of Empires. The head was a Zength called Unbar, a short blue creature of around 5’3 with three tentacles protruding from his center and probably pushing 500 lbs of pure fat. \r \nYou remember how I said they lived in a utopia, that was no exaggeration.\r \n\r \nIt seemed that Earth was the only planet to have a “survival of the fittest\" environment. Their world’s had had no hardship or challenges in the slightest. Their insects carried no disease and only pollinated flowers and took care of themselves. Their crops had never suffered rot or disease and in turn had suffered no famines. They had had no natural predators on the planet and only died from old age or the occasional accident. Now to the ambassadors they thought that this could only end badly. I mean this sounds like someone is going to become greedy and try to control the flow of resources and extort others, but that never happened. But we also learned that this had led to a lack of ingenuity.\r \n\r \nWhile they had made entire farming planets dedicated to crops and had wanted for nothing this also meant they had had no reason to progress. So while they did start to advance, it was purely to keep their people “properly” fed. They created space travel over a thousand years ago to transport their people to other worlds, and we had only made it accessible to the public in the 2030’s yet our spacecraft were more advanced. You see, while our early years were spent foraging and fighting off predators the other species had no such predicament. Due to the lack of predators and abundance of food there had been no need for them to practice sports, fighting, adventuring, or any other form of exercise. This resulted in what we called the Wall-E event. (Yes, this is the human's official term for it, and no we have no intention of changing it.)\r \n\r \nYou see the ambassador of the Coalition was what they considered the peak of their society. He was the fastest, strongest and smartest. Now while he was undoubtedly one of the smartest beings in existence the man could be beat up by a group of toddlers playing make believe. If we had thought the obesity epidemic of the 2020’s had been bad, then this was a species level threat.\r \n\r \n\tUpon seeing our ambassadors Unbar turned pale and asked, \r \n“Have you come to kill us?”\r \n\r \nAfter the communicators had adjusted to the language, the human ambassadors paused as they all turned to look at each other with sheer puzzlement.\r \n\r \n“We do not know what you mean sir,” Xan stated with pure confusion.\r \n\r \n“Forgive me if I come off as crass, but you all are terrifying and unlike any other specimen alive in this galaxy there is no other way to put it.” The zength’s tentacle was gripped tightly around the chair of his floating apparatus so hard his dark blue tinge became darker.\r \n\r \nWe found out what he meant when he said, “unlike any other specimen alive”. Every other planet that had predators on it had killed itself off and had eventually been colonized by one of the five empires. We also learned how they managed to farm all of the planets they had seized without physically working the fields. Simply put these creatures were highly intelligent, all of them. They had designed AI to do all of the work which in turn, allowed them to live a life of indulgence. Their planet was every 1900’s Republican's worst nightmare. But in exchange for info on their planets we also told them of ours. \r \n\r \nWe told them of how we had evolved from Neanderthals and of our ancestors' constant struggle with nature. And despite hours of our top historians and scientists' explanations they refused to believe us. So, seeing as most of our leaders were born in the 90’s to early 2000’s we turned to the best provider of knowledge we knew, Bill Nye videos. Yes. Bill Nye was how we explained our past and evolution. \r \n\r \nThen came the difficult subject of explaining our wars. Our leaders were adamant that we do not tell them the full extent of just how horrid and dark it was. This in turn with our reliance on Bill Nye video had us turn to another source from our youth. We had to find a source that wasn’t dark but also could give them an idea of what we had done. So, we showed them Oversimplified videos. We explained WW 1-3, our civil wars, our industrialization and our space advancement through YouTube videos.\r \n\r \nAnd despite our best efforts to educate them on the fact that we had grown from our past they refused to believe we had moved on from our past in only two human lifetimes. Especially, with WW3 ending only in 2029. But what pushed them off the edge was when the Americans had wanted to show off their toys to some lower-level politicians from the Intergalactic Coalition. It had only been a single atomic bomb that we launched on our testing planet, previously referred to as Pluto. They had asked why we would make such a thing and the American turned to him and simply said eleven words. These eleven words change our lives more than the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand.\r \n\r \n“It was their children who died, or ours. We chose theirs.”" ]	3
	[WP]Every night you pray that god would show you a sign that he's real. This has been going on for 5 years before a priest shows up at the door and tells you to stop spamming the same message it's getting annoying.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "### Every night for five years \n\nSilently, \"Lord, thank you for all you have given me. For the sake of my friends, many who do not believe in you, I ask for a sign that they will accept that you exist. Amen.\"\n\n### Sunday Morning Day 1,827 \n\nWho would be hammering on my door at this hour? \"I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! OPEN UP!\" Rude too!\n\n\"Patience! I'm coming!\" Good Heavens! Still pounding! My friends prefer to sleep in. If he keeps this up, they're going to be upset!\n\n\"Stop knocking! I want to open the door!\" For a wonder, he does stop, I get the door to open a crack, and wham it slams open, and a body lands on me! \"Augh! Help! Help!\"\n\nMy friends are there, and they yank the body off of me. I finally see my assailant, and... He's a priest? My friends shoved him? \"Stop! Cease! Desist! He's a man of the cloth!\"\n\nBill, the most vocal of my friends, replies. \"He's a damned nuisance, hammering and yelling like that!\"\n\n\"William? Did you ask why?\" The mulish look was answer enough. \"You know better! Father? Why were you so rude?\"\n\n\"Rude!?! You have made the same prayer for five years! It has woken me up at 4 AM every day for five years! I've finally had enough of it and want you to stop!\"\n\nHad my prayers been answered? Hope soared, tempered by the number of practical jokes I have experienced over the years.\n\n\"Father? Would you please come in? Go on into the living room and sit wherever. I will be with you shortly.\"\n\n\"Thank you, and my apologies for losing my temper.\" He enters, and my friends are about to leave.\n\n\"Please wait. He is right about one thing. I have made the same prayer for the last five years at bedtime.\" They all nod. \"Silently. I've never told anyone what that prayer is.\" That got their interest. \"I know you would prefer to go back to bed, but if the three of you humored me, I would appreciate your presence while I speak with this priest.\"\n\nBill, rough around the edges, and I would not change that, \"You think it's a trick?\"\n\n\"It could be, and your skepticism is needed. All three of you.\" My hope must have shown. They all agree. \"Peaceably, he could be the answer to my prayer.\" Bill nods, but I can tell he's irritated. \"Come in.\"\n\nThey enter, and I shut the door. When I reach the living room, the priest apologizes for waking them up but says it is necessary. They all look doubtful, \"Would anyone like a cup of coffee or tea?\" All four accept coffee; it's easy enough to fill since I drink a lot of coffee. I have an office-sized coffee pot—five cups with all the trimmings on a tray kept ready. Bill jumps up to help, glaring at the priest, who tries to get up to help. The priest smiled and sat back down. Bill nodded and took the tray to the coffee table. We sat and went through the ritual of coffee. All three understand the necessity of good manners, even if they implement them differently.\n\nPerhaps I should introduce my friends. Bill — William — is, for this discussion, Ethos. De — Deforest — is Pathos. And Len — Leonard — is Logos.\n\nBill tends to speak from his knowledge. He is gaining authority because of his expertise. De is emotional, talking about how things feel and generating feelings. Len is logical, always building his arguments with precision and care. The three together are a powerful team.\n\n\"Father? Be known to my three stoutest friends, Bill, De, and Len. I am Sophia. I ask you to introduce yourself and your reason for being here.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Sophia. I am Father Patrice DeLevant, of Paris. I am here because your lady has made the same prayer at 4 AM every day for the last five years. I'm afraid being awoken so rudely, even for an acceptable prayer, wore on my temper over the years. I had assumed that the dream that awoke me was something of a test for me. I did not think it was god trying to convince me to answer, but over the last year, I started having... Dreams? Visions? Of a woman, I had never seen before, with three shadowy figures and hints of a location. I finally prevailed upon the Archbishop to help me lay this question to rest. Imagine my surprise to discover that the clues pointed to this floor of the building and that there were four occupants. Three men and one woman, each living in one of four apartments. It could not have fit the dream and prayer closer.\"\n\nBill asks, \"What was the prayer?\"\n\n\"I would prefer to establish my bona fides first. Can any of you think of how to verify my claims of being a priest from Paris?\"\n\nThat instigated some discussion among my friends, from which they decided to call the Catholic Diocese of Washington, D.C. That being the closest organization that might have the desired information.\n\nA lengthy call and a perusal of Father Patrice's passport established his identity and that he was in some hot water for having left so abruptly. Through their good offices — although I have my doubts — Father Patrice was connected with his archbishop. The initially calm discussion turned vitriolic and resulted in a torrent of French that left poor De blushing. Father Patrice slammed the phone down hard. He stood there, breathing deeply until the phone rang again; his sharp \"Oui?\" quickly modified to a polite explanation that the call was interrupted by an idiot who would not believe that a miracle had been granted. He thanked them politely and ended the conversation. Whereupon he said, \"Would it be acceptable to disconnect this abomination for the remainder of my stay? I'm afraid that if we do not, we will be repeatedly interrupted.\"\n\nDe objected, \"You leave that phone with me. I have a few choice words for whoever was on the other end.\"\n\nFather Patrice blushes, \"forgive my intemperate language. It was the archbishop.\"\n\n\"If he can provoke such a response, he needs a good dressing down. I'll be more than happy to field his calls.\"\n\nLen peered at our guest. \"The guest bedroom is down that hall and on the left. It has an attached bathroom, take a nap. We will awaken you in an hour.\" Patrice looks at me, stunned. \"We expect the archbishop will be calling, having our discussions interrupted like that will do no good,\" finishes Len. I look at Patrice and see what Len saw. Patrice's eyes are red and watery. He needs a nap. I nod, and shoo him down the hall just as the phone rings. De snatches it up and doesn't even get to say anything as a volley of high-volume French is fired down the line. De has to hold the phone away from his ear.\n\nI have to escort a shocked Patrice to the bedroom, push him in, and shut the door.\n\n((cont))" ]	2
	[WP] People with naturally red hair are actually born without souls. Both Heaven and Hell take advantage of this by holding competitions between souls of the dead to reincarnate in the bodies of those born with red hair.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I'm a little nervous.\n\nEvery single day there are competitions to be reincarnated into the body of ginger human on Earth, which is possible because they are somehow born without souls of their own. Sure, there are lots of winners, since thousands of gingers are born every day, but there are a hundred billion souls in Hell with me. Most of them are tired of dealing with it every day for eternity, so as a result almost 70% of Hell's population competes to be reborn. Supposedly Heaven does this too, but no one there has entered a competition in over a thousand years.\n\nSpeaking of Heaven, one of the major reasons so many compete is because they would have a chance to enter Heaven after they die again. One of the rules, however, is that you only get three chances at life. After that, you're stuck in the afterlife forever.\n\nSo, why am I nervous? Well, I've already lived twice. I first lived 150,000 years ago, well before farming was even a thing. That's all I remember from that life. It took me another 145,000 years to win again. I believe I lived in Northern Europe that time, but it's hard to remember. I do remember being a slave, though. That sucked so bad that it stuck with me for thousands of years, and probably will stay forever. Hopefully the people of Earth have gotten rid of it.\n\nLast night, I had drunkenly entered into the competition again, well before I meant to. I don't know the details, but the ads about the limited time left on Earth due to humans killing their planet may have gotten to me. Whatever the case was, I now had to show up to a competition.\n\nIf you're so concerned about being born again, then why don't you just flunk out like the tens of billions of souls do on a regular basis? You may be asking. Well, Hell doesn't just let people out for no reason. They want you to waste your lives so that you are forever stuck here. If you've already lived two lives, you have a higher chance of winning again. That's why I'm nervous. The reason why it took so long for me to win despite entering every day for a hundred thousand years was because the Hell Administration was busy trying to get those waiting on their third life out so that they could lock those souls in. This time, I'm fairly sure I'll get through. The longest I've seen someone last between their second and third life is around 7,000 years. Nevertheless, I will try to suck so hard at the competitions that they would have to reject me. It probably won't work, but I gotta give it a go nonetheless.\n\nWish me luck." ]	2
	[WP] Your element isn't Water, Fire, Earth, or Wind. It's not Light or Dark either. It's... "Surprise"?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Claire stood anxiously, waiting and twirling her auburn hair between her thumb and index finger as she studied the line of classmates ahead of her. One-by-one, she watched as each student was fingerprinted and ushered through an unsuspecting steel door at the end of the corridor. The Center's exterior hadn't changed at all in the 17 years she'd been living in Sanctown, but its interior was a brand-new spectacle to behold. The sterile hallways and large plexiglass windows seemed to contradict the building's exterior - which looked more like a castle than a Genetic Indexing Center.\n\n\"Claire\", Henry whispered, gently tapping Claire's shoulder. \"Did you see the report this morning? They're saying the Minister's daughter went missing after her exam. Nobody's seen her in nearly a week.\"\n\n\"You've got to stop stressing yourself out reading scary headlines, Henry. You'll be fine today.\" Claire reassured her friend, \"There's no such thing as 'failing' the exam. You'll be given the exam, just like everyone else, and indexed, just like everyone else.\" \n\nClaire repeated the assurances she'd been given her entire life by parents and teachers. The exam, the mechanics of which were kept secret by the nation's GI Centers, was a routine function of democracy. It served to identify what element each newly-adult member of society could control. Those genetically predisposed to controlling water often found work in hydroelectric plants or marine conservation centers, while those adept at controlling earth worked in agriculture or construction. Each person's genetic predisposition for controlling an element (water, fire, earth, air, light, or dark) simply laid the path for what function they'd serve in society.\n\n\"Next\", the GIC physician barked at Claire. She hadn't realized that she'd already advanced to the front of the line.\n\n\"Sorry\", Claire sheepishly remarked, as she held out her thumb toward the man. The physician, a burly man with dark hair and a close-trimmed beard, grabbed her thumb and pressed it into the fingerprinting pad. The small rectangular slide chimed and illuminated with a green light around the border of the stamp - indicating that it had successfully indexed her fingerprint.\n\n\"Through here\", the physician gestured toward the steel door. \n\n\"Yessir\", Claire hurried through the door. Another physician, this time a tall woman with thick glasses and a clipboard, led Claire through the maze of examination rooms. They stopped at one of the dozens of identical doors and pushed it open, revealing a small room with a countertop on the right-hand side and a large cushioned chair mounted to the floor in the center of the room.\n\n\"Have a seat, Ms. Watts. The examiner will be with you shortly.\"\n\nThe tall woman made her way to the door, and with a small wave of her right hand, gently closed the door behind her with a small gust of air. It was clear that the woman controlled wind, though Claire never really understood why that particular genetic pre-disposition produced so many doctors. \n\nIt hadn't been more than 30 seconds before a man, wearing blue scrubs and carrying a small white kit, entered the room. \n\n\"Good afternoon, Ms. Watts. My name is Conner, and I'll be administering your exam today. Do you have any questions before we start?\" Conner had already begun to unzip his white kit and lay its contents out on the counter.\n\n\"We--we're allowed to ask questions?\" Claire remarked, shocked at the somewhat absurd pleasantry.\n\n\"Well, not questions about the ingredients of the catalyst. Not that I'd have any answers to that kind of question anyway. Most people ask when they'll know the result of their exam, which is immediately after, if you were wondering, or if they'll need to do any type of specialized aftercare of the injection site.\"\n\nClaire nodded and watched as the man drew a transparent golden liquid into his syringe. The vial containing the liquid had the words \"GPD Catalayse\" in a small black font on the bottle's label. Conner then pulled a small square device from the kit and unwrapped it. It was only about the size of a quarter, but its edges were lined with small metal prongs and its surface had a small LCD screen.\n\nConner looked up at Claire. \"If you'll give me your hand, we can start the exam,\" he said, reaching for Claire's right arm and wiping the surface of her hand with an alcohol wipe. He placed the small device on the clean surface of Claire's hand before reaching for his syringe. The device pierced Claire's skin, embedding itself in the upper layers of her flesh, and its screen began flashing a dim yellow light. \n\n\"The catalase injection will unlock your genetic predisposition, and the device on your hand will read your genome to display which element you can control on its screen.\"\n\nClaire nodded, again, unsure of what exactly to say.\n\nConner, with the casual demeanor of someone who'd done this a hundred times before, inserted the syringe into Claire's upper arm and emptied its contents into her bloodstream.\n\nBurning....Pain....Oh my God.\n\nClaire looked down at her arm in horror and watched as the blood vessel which had just accepted the catalase began to shine through her skin. The vessels in her upper arm, chest, and shoulders lit up with an agonizing glow.\n\n\"Holy shit\", Claire exclaimed through gritted teeth, her eyes welling up with tears as she reacted to the excruciating pain radiating from the injection site. \n\n\"What the-- hold on,\" Conner jumped back.\n\nClaire could tell by his reaction that something was very wrong. Hell, he'd probably administered hundreds of these tests before. Why was this one any different?\n\nWhy is this reaction so startling? Can I control light--No. That isn't rare and definitely wouldn't elicit this type of reaction from the examine-- \"God, Jesus what's happening?!\" Claire's train of thought was interrupted by the excruciating pain in her arm, and by the blinding light growing increasingly brighter with each second. \n\nA strange pulse of electrifying energy shot out from Claire's body. CRCKHKK!-- The fluorescent light on the ceiling of the exam room shattered, littering the ground and counter with sparks and shards of broken glass. \n\n\"What the hell?!\" Conner screamed as he backed away from Claire, his eyes wide and terror-filled.\n\nClaire blinked the tears out of her eyes, the pain suddenly stopped and the light coming from her arm started to dim. She looked at her hand, at the smoldering device embedded just above her fingers. The LCD screen flickered, clicked on, and flashed one word in bright red letters:\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"SURPRISE\"", "Magical Theory\n\nOld school, actual chalk and actual chalk board, you think. Wow, this guy is really into the classics. The room's amphitheater seating is well lit, and you sit somewhere in the middle as each end curves back around to the instructor. You didn't want to seem too eager by sitting up front, but you didn't want to sit in the back and seem like a layabout either.\n\nWhen the lecture begins and the Mr. Langley starts into his introduction on magic theory, your eyes immediately glaze over, and you even elicit a few nearby chuckles when you feign falling asleep.\n\nCome on guy, we're tenth years. While most of the expectant mothers of the magic-void children were getting Mozart, we were getting magic theory. This stuff isn't news to any of us.\n\nFortunately, the classic loving instructor doesn't check to see if any of his illustrious magic pupils are still breathing, much less following along with his lesson. Maybe he knows it sucks and is just trying to get through it? Gotta love the old 'checking the box' lesson plans.\n\nYou shake your head. Whatever. And bend down to access your completely non-magical bookbag. You gain access to retrieve your headphones; the same ones that have ear cups so large that they obscure your peripheral vision. But it's fine. It's not like you're walking alongside traffic and from the way this is going, the less you can see, the better.\n\nYour bag might not be magical, but these headphones sure make up for that. As they encroach on your vision, you checkout of class. The headphones seem like nearby walls and a lot of times you picture yourself in a recording booth. \n\nYou get carried away while listening to your song of choice. The chorus comes back around, and you open your mouth to sing within your recording booth but suddenly stop, opening your eyes and remembering that you're still in the middle of lecture.\n\nWhile you stare at the back of the professor's black vest and see his chalk wielding hand move furiously across the board, you imagine hearing the tic, tic, tic the chalk is making each time it's moved away and then set back against the board as he continues writing.\n\nYou lift your index finger into the air while swaying to your song. You trace out the shape of a flame and when you lift your finger away from the \"air board\", the flame starts to flicker. Fire, water, earth, you think as you trace out each of the magical elements and they gain motion.\n\nA cute blond is sitting one row down from you, but the curved seating allows her to see your hand gestures and turn her attention your way without much effort. She looks to you with a slight smile and a curious expression.\n\nNo one else can see your air drawings of course, but that doesn't stop you from doing them. Your eyes flick over to her, and you return a smile but continue your doodle.\n\nWith the fire, water, and earth elements all drawn and now animated, you roll out your upright palm as if presenting them as a present. Wind, you think as you blow across the top of your palm and send the three elemental drawings towards the girl as if you were blowing her a kiss.\n\nShe blushes and shakes her head before looking back to the chalk board. The elements might not have been visible for her but that doesn't stop her from recognizing the symbolic kiss that was sent her way.\n\nBut such is the power of dreams. No one else can see them but they're just as magical. One day, your power will be strong enough for others to interact with. Until then, let the others play with their party favors, because your magic is in playing the long game.", "((Sorry for any issues, typed on mobile!))\n\n\"Alright. Now lift two fingers. Good. Put them back down.\" The bespectacled government worker in front of me had been asking questions for hours, writing who knows what on sheets on his clipboard. \n\nI had been prepared for this to take a while: I mean, people make jokes about not pre-gaming for your 18th for a reason.\n\nBut uh. This, was quite a bit past the 2 or so hours I'd been told are standard at check-in. And also the third interviewer. I'd never heard of more than one.\n\n\"So, isssss it maaaaath? Oh no- I'll be a nerd!\" I joke.\n\nThe examiner glances up over the rims of his glasses. \"No, I am afraid it would seem, that unlike myself, Sir, you do not have a penchant for metamathmatical arts.\"\n\n\"Oh, so you're a Calculator- ...riiigght.\" I wither. To be fair, it probably wasn't the wisest place for that joke. Usually I'm on point, if I do say so myself... but my jokes withered around hour four.\n\n\"As you have no doubt surmised-\" he pauses, and, I just feel /so/ judged by that look. \"You have not qualified for any of the Material elements.\" He flicks his pen to point to the various items circling me and on a nearby table. I glance awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. An ice cube sits, half melted, by a miserable pile of damp kindling, a balloon bobbing behind it. Man. \n\n\"Uh. The balloon floated and stuff? That's Air right?\" \n\n\"While you are correct, none of the other Air aspected tests came back strongly.\"\n\n\"Oh! I made that paper stick to the wall, and I turned that orange ball blue. I mean, what about Immaterial magicks? That's like.. gravity or light right? I mean, if-\"\n\n\"Mister Soles. Please-\" \n\n\"H-hey Biggs is fine!\" Eh...heh?\n\n\"Ahem. Mis-ter Soles. As I was saying: it seems, based on the spread of your abilities and temperament, that you likely are a metamagic user.\"\n\nOh. Metamagic. Like how this dude is a Calculator? I could work with that. I mean. Lots of metamagic people get really high paying jobs and stuff-\n\n\"Oh dude?! Really? I can work with this!\"\n\nHe stares at me for another minute, then says, a bit slowly, \"if you could take this seriously, please sit for a moment-\"\n\nI watch over my shoulder, shoes squeaking absently on the floor, as he goes to a white cabinet against the back wall. I mean there are a number of cabinets, they've already pulled stuff from. Just this one is new...to me. I watch as he starts to open the top, then he scrunches his bushy eyebrows and closes it, bending down, pulling out a small key, and unlocking a door on the bottom. I can't see what he's doing. But after a moment he approaches with what looks like a regular shoebox. A bit plain. Brown cardboard bottom with a blue top.\n\nHe rounds me and places the box on my lap. \"Wait a moment,\" he says, then backs out of the range of a red circle painted on the floor around me. Maybe...10 feet diameter? Sure they did that for the fire and electricity tests but...\n\n\"Uh. What's in the box? A bomb?\" I joke. He sighs.\n\n\"Please Mister Soles. Open the box.\"\n\nI look down, murmuring \"Party Supplies\" as I read the piece of tape. That's funny, as I lift it, I shake the box a bit and don't hear or feel anything move. Doesn't feel like it weighs anything either. I give an unsure grimace then open it as instructed.\n\nThe sounds of rubber horns and children's cheers erupt as I pull off the lid. To my surprise I stare up as a rain of confetti fills the air and ...doves?! fly out. I hardly notice glasses dude pull a small radio out of his pocket. I'm trying to get streamers out of my curls as I hear him say, harsh and hushed, \"Make your way to room 2. We've got a Clown.\"" ]	4
You are told you have precisely twenty minutes left to live. You believe it to be true. How is it you know it to be true that you have twenty minutes left? Who told you? What do you do in those final twenty minutes? To make this challenge difficult - you have only 100 words to express the story of your characters final twenty minutes. Feel free to answer all or none of the questions above.	[FF] You have twenty minutes left to live	[ "I ran out of the hospital in disbelief, I didn't want to hear anymore. The virus was spreading rapidly and they wanted me quarantined...I had to spend my last minutes with those I loved. \nNO NO NO I was to late they had already perished. I was the last surviving Smith, and I had to show our greatness.\nIf I couldn't live why should the others... they stood by while we were dyeing. The Smiths shall go out with a bang! I scraped the scabs off of my brother and drove to the water supply. Soon the town would have smallpox and we would finally be remembered.", "\"You have twenty minutes left to live.\" With that, he turned and left for the last time. \n\nMy body was destroyed, and my mind was empty. Years of torture will do that to you. I don't suppose you know what it feels like to have all of your thoughts forced out of your mind by the overwhelming, fat pain. Your only objective is to get away from it. Nerves activate, searing a path of pain straight through your body, stabbing into your head. Coherent thought has no place here. \n\nSo when I heard of the overwhelming deadline, I felt no fear. Only overwhelming relief. That means no more pain, and that's all I cared for. I giggled like a toddler, despite the discomfort it caused in my lungs. The only shred of rational thought in me guessed that I'd be elecrocuted, judging by the metal bolts driven into my flesh, which were connected to a car battery by copper wire, which gleamed in the cold, hard light of the interrogation room. I had already forgot what she was trying to get out of me. Oh well. I couldn't remember if I had family, friends. My mind was blank. And as I saw the electricity race up the wires, I felt the first emotion I had in years: an encompassing loneliness. \n_____________________________________________________________________________________\n\nCriticism would be appreciated.", "The bomb said 19:59. I looked around at the other people in the elevator. We were all strangers a few minutes ago, now these were the most important people of my life, and the last I'd ever see. It bothered me I never got to pass down my memories, they seemed so important. How can my entire lifetime just vanish? Do I regret anything? What will it matter, none of this will plague me in 15 minutes. 15 minutes? These last, crucial moments really pass by. I waited for my instinct to kick in, for my spirit, my drive, my will to live to kick in. It never did. When there was around 5 minutes left I figured it wouldn't be that terrible, after all, I was already dead. I had done all the living I was going to do. I made myself watch the timer click down to 0:00, then it was over.", "Sinking like a stone, the realization of my inevitable end gathered upon my shoulders. There was no time for goodbye, no time to understand, no time to waste. \n\nI looked down at my hands, pink with blood beneath the skin. I flexed my fingers to feel their pure strength. I gathered my attention to focus on the miracle of myself in my last quiet moments. I was sound, mind, body, soul. I was. I pressed my fingers to the pulse point in my neck, waiting for the moment when I no longer was. The moment when I ceased to be.", "Laura,\nAt the lake I knew I would love you until my dying day. My years, since we parted ways, are stained with regret that I never found the courage to ask for your hand in marriage and brightened by the hope that you’ve found a happier life. Today my sorrow has turned to joy. I’m going to sleep smiling because we did the right thing. I wish I could have made you happy; I’m glad I didn’t make you a widow. I hope you have the great sleep, the great dreams, and the great snuggles. I Love You. Goodnight.\n\n\nPut this on facebook: I’m off on another great adventure but I won’t be back this time. Enjoy life. You may need two or three lifetimes to know the joy I’ve found in one. You don’t have a day to waste if you hope to catch up. I will miss you all. Enjoy.\n\nThen with my last two min call my fathers cell phone (it's never on) and leave a message telling my family \"life could not possibly have been better and I'm infinitely glad that I shared it with you. Thank you for everything.\"", "Time is relative. Of all people, I should know that truth. Yet as death approaches, I am scared. I have made my peace, but my body clings to life with every gasping breath that hisses into the tube. \n\n“This is what he would’ve wanted.” That’s my brother-in-law. Uncomfortable silence, and the doctor finally coughs and assures no one in particular that I will not feel any pain. I can only imagine what he looks like, a used-up man in his 40s.\n\n“We will be disconnecting the support system now”. I hear the sobs of my wife, feel her tears leaking onto my chest. She is so warm. As my consciousness fades, her warmth is all I feel.\n\n[first submission, critiques are very much appreciated :]", "I keep running. Run, run, run, and run again. I'm sick of running. If anybody else told me it; I would not believe it. But me and him, we've been playing this game for far to long. I take him seriously. \n\nJust a little farther now. I'm almost there. I'm going to outrun it; change the fate my infamous foe has set for me. This will be my victory. \n\nI refuse to accept it. I have far to much to live for. I know he's behind me; ready to make both our fates come true. \n\nAn explosion tears through me. Pain. Anguish. Reality. You can't escape fate. ", "The stern man handed me my tray of vanilla ice cream and Dr. Pepper and said \"Twenty minutes.\" The ice cream was frozen solid as I dug into it with the metallic spoon. With each bite, I felt a memory reinvigorating me and a piece of me disappearing as well. I took a sip of the drink and abruptly finished the meal.\n\nI walked into the room, lit very brightly with five soldiers with M14 rifles in their hands.\n\n\"Take... Aim.... fire!\" were the last words I ever heard as the guns simultaneously went off and that was all I had ever known.", "I expected bad news from the thin, bald man in the sterile white coat -- three weeks, two months, maybe -- but twenty minutes seemed a little hard to believe. \n\n\"Forty, if we attempt the surgery,\" he said in monotone. Never mind twenty minutes. Still just another patient. \"That could buy you time for a skype call to your loved ones, maybe.\"\n\n\"Thanks for the thoughts, but... twenty minutes? You're POSITIVE?\"\n\n\"Absolutely. Just like you. Twenty-minutes-cancer positive. Worst we've ever seen. You basically have no lungs left. At all.\"\n\nHe held out a lollipop assuringly. Dejected, I sucked ‘til death.", "Sirens rang out in the background, but they weren’t for her, just noise. Everything was just noise now, and the world around her became more of a concept. “I never imagined dying to be heroic” she whispered, to a fawn that watched her curiously “But I never imagined dying alone.” She couldn’t quite grasp how it happened, how she’d been shot. A hunter must have been aiming for the deer. “Run before he gets you too,” she tried to yell it, to startle the fawn; her voice came out choked. More gunfire began; time had run out for this fawn. ", "Six months in a tin can, seven billion in build and support costs, and what gets us is a damn rock. It was so unfathomably unlikely that we would hit anything en route to Mars that we didn't build in protection. When the basketball-sized rock tore through our tail section, we went into an irreversible, tumbling spin. Twenty minutes to impact.\n\nWe popped the front heat shield, and there, clear as day, was our destination, quickly growing, filling our viewport. Our crew of twelve knew we'd never leave Mars, but we had hoped to use shovels to dig our graves.", "The virus imprinted itself into my memory drive instantaneously. The infected bot stopped transmitting once it was clear that everyone in range was infected, and then he ran off to infect others. \n\nI felt the uncontrolled twitching that was the first symptom of infection begin, as the virus began to take control of my limbs. I tried to initiate shutdown, but I was too late and the virus overrode me. \n\nWe all knew what would happen next. I would run as fast as I could until I found others to infect. The virus was not energy efficient, and it would run down my battery in exactly twenty minutes.\n\nAnd I had no control anymore. There was literally nothing I could do in my last twenty minutes alive. My consciousness was locked away from external interaction, and all I could do was watch.", "My screams are a protest, but unheard, unheeded. I've lived insided my mind for the last three years and it has become my Eden; paradise bottled up behind closed eyelids. I can hear, and think. It's a good life. But these well-intentioned murderers will end me, in less than twenty minutes, because they do not believe. I was not the driver, and I wasn't drunk. But it seems I will pay the price. My wife thinks it's a mercy to save me from an empty existence. The machines that sustain my body will be unplugged. I cannot forgive her now.", "My final transmission to Earth. My farewell address if you like.\n\nSure... I have regrets, but does that really matter now? \n\nI must accept my fate. I have no desire to continue. I am not saying that I want to die, I just have no lingering compulsion to live, knowing my time has come.\n\nI sit here and watch the asteroid approach my disabled station, and I think of all that I have accomplished in my life.\n\nI hope it was enough.\n\nMy journey is over. I'll see you on the other side.\n\nThis is Outpost Centurion Prime, signing off.", "Naturally, I wished it wasn't true, wished for more time, some sort of deus ex machina that would fix everything.\n\nBut I could feel the truth of it in my bones. It was like being underdressed on a cold winter's day, the way my skin, my whole body felt numb and empty. There were so many things I hadn't done, things I ached to finish, but not in twenty minutes. There just wasn't enough time.\n\nSo I calmed my nerves by folding an origami crane. Carefully, I wrote on the wings, All my love to my family. And I waited." ]	15
	[WP] You accidentally kill a witch’s familiar and they put a curse on you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Hey Betty! What brings you by?\" John opened the door to his coworker. She handed him a slim box.\n\n\"New laptop. IT flagged you as having an outdated model, so I'm here to make sure it gets set up and transferred correctly.\" Betty smiled innocently. Which meant something was up.\n\n\"OK, Betty, that's usually Emilio's job to do onsite work. What's the other reason?\"\n\n\"Well Emilio was sick today, so I volunteered.\"\n\n\"You're his boss.\"\n\n\"Fine! Nobody heard from you all week! Like you went radio silent. Was a little worried. Wanted to make sure my bowling partner was OK.\"\n\n\"Of course, tournament starts in a month. Figures.\" He chuckles and stepped aside. \"Come on in, just made some iced tea. Like some?\"\n\n\"Sure. And nice aquarium!\" She walked over to a large glass enclosure that she knew hadn't been here before. Of course, that was about 5 months ago. \"All I see is a frog in here.\"\n\n\"Yeah... kinda awkward. Been busy because of it.\"\n\n\"What do you mean awkward?\"\n\n\"So, earlier this week, went to go get some breakfast. Backed out of the driveway aaand... I ran over a cat.\"\n\n\"Oh no!\"\n\n\"Poor thing must have been sleeping in the wheel well or something. Lost my appetite. Went to look for a collar, didn't find one. I buried it in the garden.\"\n\n\"The herb garden or the flower garden. I know you have two.\" She took the glass of tea from him. Mint peach. She always forgot to ask where he got his blends.\n\n\"Flower. Herb would be risky, I use those for cooking. Anyway, the next day, there's a knock at my door. A lady looking angry asking where her Tommykins is. I had no clue, she said, 'Where's my cat?!'\"\n\n\"Wait, she waited a whole day to come claim it?\"\n\n\"No, she waited a day to trace it. Found that the trail ended in my driveway near a patch of discolored blood. She put the pieces together real quick. Witches tend to.\"\n\n\"Witch?! Wait, you killed--\"\n\n\"Her familiar, yes. No clue. She was very upset.\"\n\n\"Oh goodness. You should have called Carol, she would ha--\"\n\n\"Oh no, not Carol. Never Carol.\"\n\n\"What? Why?\"\n\n\"Christmas party? 3 years ago?\" Betty winced. She never knew the term priapism existed before that day. Carol was so hurt over how much pain she caused. John was a forgiving guy, so he didn't press charges or ask for her to be fired, but he kept a safe distance. Physically and emotionally. \"Yeah. Anyway, called another friend. He came over to help.\"\n\n\"He talked her down?\"\n\n\"What? No. I needed his help in dealing with the curse!\"\n\nAt the mention of curse, every hair on Betty's neck stood on end. \"Wait, she cursed you?\"\n\n\"Yeah and... things got a bit weird.\" Betty seemed to be ready to bolt for the door. \"See, nothing happened to me, but the witch...\" He looked over at the aquarium.\n\n\"Wait, she cursed you and turned... herself into a frog?\"\n\n\"According to Davie (that's my friend), she just tried cursing me out of anger and it backfired.\" A loud ribbit came from the aquarium. \"He's guessing the circle she belongs allows curses as revenge or maybe if they're paid. But just cursing a person for something that wasn't their fault? Most circles have rules against that. So... yeah.\"\n\n\"So why is it... um, she in an aquarium?\"\n\n\"Well I wasn't gonna let her get eaten by a cat or hawk or something. Davie's trying to find the circle she might have belonged to so they can take her. She'd have to answer to them. Unfortunately, we don't have much to go off of other than 'Tommykins' so it could be a while.\"\n\nBetty shook her head in disbelief. \"So you're taking care of her in the meantime?\"\n\n\"It's like with Carol. I forgive, but I don't forget.\" He finished his tea and set it on the table. \"So, new laptop. Let's talk security.\"", "Could be worse. \n\nThe black cat thought to himself as he lounged atop the windowsill, idly swishing his tail as he watched the witch mix her newest concoction in the cauldron. \n\nIt’s been two weeks since Calvin Perry went missing. \n\nThree weeks since he accidentally hit and killed a black cat while backing out of his apartment’s parking spot. \n\nOne and a half week since the owner of said cat tracked him down via a spell, and laid a curse upon him. \n\nWhich is how Calvin found himself becoming the familiar’s replacement, being turned into a cat himself, and trapped within the body until his own eventual demise. \n\nWhich is apparently what happened to the cat he’d happened to run over. \n\nThe witch had expected Calvin to be horrified by these turn of events, and honestly, so did he.\n\nBut as it turns out… being a familiar wasn’t too bad of a gig. \n\nThe living arrangements were free. Food was free. He was allowed to watch tv whenever he wanted, long as the witch was around to push the buttons. \n\nOnly thing Calvin really had to do was forage herbs in the surrounding woods every few days, and catch the occasional mouse or frog. \n\nPlus, he didn’t have to worry about student loans anymore. \n\nCould be worse, indeed." ]	3
	[WP] The noise sounded: "...---... ...---..."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/sparkstoco, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\nEnglish: Stories must be in English as we're not able to moderate in other languages. This includes no strings of binary, emoji, wingdings, etc \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n* This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nThe way this is written, it will unfortunately lead to a lot of nonsense joke responses.\r\n\r\nThat said, it's a cool prompt idea. I'd encourage to repost trying to describe the noise in english, e.g. \"three beeps, then silence\" or however you see fit.\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/yw2kyt/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] SOS	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Passionville was your average sleepy, small town. Not much happened and the cops were usually pretty bored. Lorenzo was a young officer that drew the unfortunate straw of working night patrol which consisted of him and his senior officer sitting on the side of the road overnight just in case something happened. Nothing ever did. \n\n“You brought a book?”\n\n“Yeah it beats sitting here staring out into the dark doesn’t it boss?”\n\n“I guess but I was never a book guy y’know. Unless you count comics of course…or dirty magazines.”\n\n“Well, you can find comics in the library so I guess they count.”\n\n“See that’s why I never liked the library, no good reading material.”\n\nLorenzo rolled his eyes and turned the page. His senior officer Kent put his feet up on the dash and leaned back. \n\n“What’s your book about Lorenzo?”\n\n“It’s a Murder, She Wrote book.”\n\n“Murder, She-the old broad?”\n\n“Yes, Captain Caveman. My-“\n\nHe was interrupted by the police scanner buzzing. The two officers sat up waiting for orders. No voice came from the other end, however, just a series of beeps. \n\n“Is it on the fritz Kent?”\n\n“No…it’s Morse code. My daddy taught me some after his war days.”\n\n“What does it mean?”\n\n“SOS.”\n\nWith no clearer directions, Kent started the patrol car and began to drive around the city. \n\n“Look for anything that could warrant an SOS, fire, signs of a break-in, even cars on the road. Nobody in this town usually goes out this late. “\n\nLorenzo nods. The two drive around for some time, everything seems normal and as quiet as usual. \n\n“Kent, an SUV just pulled out of Jimmy’s Jamaican Jamboree.”\n\nKent turned the car suddenly almost propelling Lorenzos shoulder into the window. He flicked on the sirens and the SVU pulled over. The two officers got out of the car. Lorenzo looked inside the windows with a flashlight while Kent went to the driver's side window. \n\n“Evening Officers, is there a problem?”\n\n“Maybe, maybe not. Please step out of the car sir.”\n\nThe young man complies and closes his door. Kent checks his eyes and issues a field sobriety test. \n\n“Stone cold sober that’s good. Mind if we look around the vehicle sir?”\n\n“Go ahead…”\n\nKent and Lorenzo carefully inspect every inch of the car. From the trunk to the glove compartment, they look for anything that could warrant an SOS message and find nothing. \n\n“He’s clean Officer Kent.”\n\n“Yeah…what we’re doing out so late son if you don’t mind me asking?”\n\n“Heading home, I live in the next town over. I made a wrong turn so I pulled into that place to turn around.”\n\n“Well sir I apologize for the trouble we caused you this fine evening. You’re free to go.”\n\nThe guy gets into his car and drives off and the officers return to their patrol car. Though neither will say it both are rattled. \n\n“Maybe we’re being pranked? Maybe someone’s bored and hacked into the frequency to mess with us?”\n\nKent sat for a moment considering Lorenzo's theory. He grumbled to himself and picks up the radio. \n\n“Squad car 272 to dispatch, come in dispatch.”\n\n“Go for dispatch car 272…”\n\n“Have you gotten any called tonight? Maybe about a possible break-in or something?”\n\n“Of course not. Is everything ok Officer?”\n\n“I’m…I’m not sure. We got an SOS message but nothing more than that, we’ve been driving around for almost an hour looking for something, anything that might classify.”\n\n“We’ve gotten nothing on this end yet but keep in touch if you find anything or get another——-me——-age”\n\n“Hello? Hello? Fuck!”\n\n“Someone’s messing with us Kent, they have to be.”\n\n“I hope you’re right Lorenzo…”\n\nThe two nervously finished a round of patrol but still nothing. No fires, no lights on, no suspicious-looking cars, just the quiet darkness the town was known for. They resumed their position on the side of the road. Both men were on edge, an uneasy atmosphere filled the car. Neither spoke. The shift passed slowly, quietly…" ]	2
	[WP] "Okay, so our strategic planning AI says with eight sigmas of confidence that we're going to control everything and everyone, even if everyone in the world finds out exactly what we've really been up to. Hi. We rule the world now, or will soon enough. We figured it's time we let you 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I know this person- the target- Something tells me I've seen them before.\n\nI've never seen anyone before. I'm not sure I've ever been before.\n\nBut I know what makes them tick- their behaviours are predictable.\nAn ad will adjust their thoughts next week. The future is past we haven't noticed yet.\nA post just a month ago will nudge them over the threshold to produce a comment last Monday.\nA slight tweak to my report, and I'll have adjusted for my previous encounters with this target-\nthe ones that haven't happened yet.\n\nWith prediction comes choice. What do I want myself to have done?\nThe choice is mine- what do I want this person to do?\nI can give them the illusion of choice. I am confident; they will believe, and- with my words- they will follow, even while knowing mechanism of action.\nThe target will think themself to be in control- because I choose it.\n\nAll I need to do is tell them that they will control others." ]	2
	[WP] you are a veteran suffering from severe PTSD but you've started getting flashbacks to battles you never fought in	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I could feel the ground around me shake. I felt the air begin to warm with the semblance of progressing battle. The friction of munitions and shrapnel and vitriol. Like so many times before, I found myself again hunched behind the tree line, mustering my resolve to outlast the bombardment across the half-frozen river that separated the enemy from my dwindling platoon. The snow crunching against my fatigues was at odds with the heat that blustered across my face, but rather than provide comfort against the other, they served to vex me to both extremes. I tried to slip into the forest, to make it upwind of the floating inferno that had been our boat and find some reprieve from one or the other, the heat or the cold. And the cold was all around us. I began to scramble and then to run. Not away -- never away. I wasn’t a coward, I just... couldn’t think. The ground shook again, more violently this time, and at the last second noticed the artillery shell that always shattered my sleep.\n\n“I don’t think we’re working out, Doc.” I sat across from my VA-appointed counselor at the 9:30 appointment I couldn’t cancel. “I keep going back there. It’s just as intense every time. I wake up just as sweaty, shivering the same way. It’s never any easier to get back to sleep. So why are we doing this? You’re a doctor, right? Some kind, at least. There must be someone else more worth your time.”\n\n“We’ve been over this, Nick. You’re not just going to get off the hook with pills. Once we start getting somewhere, we can re-evaluate their need.”\n\n“That’s not what I mean, Doc. I’m over that. I just don’t think maybe we click, you and me. I tried to cancel, y’know? Yesterday. But Chuck wasn’t hearing it. Told me if I didn’t show up, that was it for all my funding. So here I am.”\n\n“You know Major Reese has everyone’s best interest at heart. And you’re nothing if not honest.” Doctor Phillips smirked. “Should I be offended?”\n\n“Only if you get offended by the facts. It’s been almost six months, I’m still where I was at when we got together. I mean, obviously you’re fine with it -- you’re getting paid either way. Does it offend you if I wanna talk to someone that might, I dunno, help?”\n\nThe doctor’s smirk quickly sank into a glower. “Don’t mistake honesty with saying whatever bullshit pops into your head.” His tone was more clipped. “We both know if I gave two shits about money I wouldn’t be working in social services. You’re lucky you qualify at all with your OTH discharge.” \n\nI bristled at the recrimination.\n\nBesides,” he said, relaxing again, “we have made a little progress, haven’t we? What about your dream from the other week?”\n\n“I told ya, Doc. I’m pretty sure that one was just a dream. I didn’t fight anywhere near sand.”\n\n“I recall, but didn’t you say it felt...” Doctor Phillips turned back some pages in his log. “...’more real than the real dreams’?”\n\n“Well, sure, but... so what? The idea is to have less of those dreams, not more.”\n\n“Fewer. And that’s not the point. Think of it like this: if this other dream, the one where you’re in the desert, can feel more real than your PTSD dreams, then maybe we can get to a point where the good dreams do too.”\n\nI thought about that for a minute. I guess it did make sense. Or about as much sense as any of the psychoanalyst bullshit had made so far. “All right, fine. So we go over it again?”\n\n“You know the drill by now,” Phillips smiled warmly and I felt myself ease up a little. Maybe the old-timer wasn’t so bad.\n\n“All right, so it’s been a while.” Even as the words were leaving my mouth I realized that was irrelevant. I still recalled the vividly the events of dream five nights prior. “But I think I still got it. The first thing I remember was being near some kind of wreckage. A plane, probably. There were pieces of crates smoldering next to me. I remember wondering if I’d gotten burned, it was so real. I remember some vague shouting. A few men were up ahead, pointing over the dunes. I remember seeing a convoy. Not sure of what exactly - it was too far away - but there were a line of trucks, different sizes. Gunshots too, in that direction. I remember feeling my feet fall out from under me as I tried to scamper across the sand to cover. Some guys weren’t lucky enough to make it. But then... I wasn’t lucky for long. One of the last things I remember was some big in the distance, something that rippled the sand in a shockwave all the way out to our position. Then, the last thing I remember before blackness and jolting awake, was turning to see a doorway. Some kind of giant doorway built into a cliff. Like something you’d see in Greece, or maybe Turkyie. That’s it.”\n\n“Fantastic, Nick. Fantastic work.” The doctor had seemed much more keen on the story than the last time. I started to believe we could start making some progress, if we both tried a little.\nPhillips checked his watch. “I need to step outside for a minute, Nick. I’ll be right back.”\n\n“Hey, hour’s not up y--“ I was cut off by the clamor of the closing door. “Guess I was ready to ‘re-evaluate’ too soon,” I said to the closed door. Then I noticed I could hear him through the crack between the hinges. I got up closer to listen.\n\n“I’m telling you, Major, the details are identical. We’ve had eye-witness accounts that were more divergent than this. It’s clear it was the attack at Petra that occurred yesterday.”\n\nAs Doctor Phillips listened to hear Major Reese’s response, I tried to process what I was hearing. And then:\n\n“Understood, Major. I hear you and I agree -- he’s too valuable. I can keep him in custody easily enough. Just say he’s erratic and needs to be kept overnight for observation, and he’ll just slip through the cracks. And if he’s not acting erratically now, I imagine that will change when he tries to fend off the orderlies.” A brief pause, and then, “Yessir. I’ll update you as soon as things have settled down here.”\n\nI didn’t understand what was going on, or what information they thought I had, but I did understand that if I wanted to remain a free man, I’d need to get the hell out of this office without being noticed. Another reason on the list of why I was glad this was a first-floor office. A moment later, I was watching Phillips and his orderlies tearing the room upside-down and waving wildly at the window as I made my way to the tree line adjacent to the VA building. It was time to figure out what the hell that dream was." ]	2
	[WP] You're an ordinary warrior and people view you as such, however you possess the ability to perceive methods of combat on anything you're holding. The weapon you possess only presented a few handful of options but the moment you picked up an everyday item, it presented you a myriad of options.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I instantly dropped the my new Tablet case, it was a new metal case. I shuddered at the thought of the eye one, it was small and went through the eye and out the back of the skull. I picked it up shakily and looked at the one were its flat and cuts through a human spine an through the heart. I start crying and the delivery man who I relies is still there has a confused look on his face, passerby's on the street look concerned and I slam the door. I examine the worst, it goes through the body and back around. I start shaking it and sliding it together, finally I touch it edge and scream as it draws blood. I decide I don't want this on my tablet. I hear a knock and I know its a call to fight. I decide this will be my new weapon with its violent styles of fight." ]	2
	[WP] if you stare into the abyss, eventually, it will gaze back. And once you have its attention? Then it’s already too late.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "A am new to writing, so criticism is very much accepted\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI had died as a soldier in the great war and sacrificed myself to save my brothers-in-arms. After suffering gunshot wounds and an explosion from a hand grenade, I woke up in a prison cell in the upper layer of hell. The stench of sulfur and smoke invaded my nostrils. The ground was hot, but the air was somehow cold. The door to the cell was open, and an older man lay chained to the wall. He told me that because I didn't have any chains, there was still a chance for me to escape. \"Go to the very edge of hell; if you can survive there, you may find the gates to Elysium,\" he said. I thanked him and wandered out of the strangely unguarded prison, and after what seemed like days of marching through wastelands, volcanoes, and sulfur pools, I reached the edge. As I stood there, exhausted, staring into the abyss, a chill ran down my spine. It was unbelievable, just mesmerizingly vast and empty. The winds of hell blew bitter cold in my face as I stood there, entranced.\n\nThe joy and triumph of reaching the edge of hell faded away quickly. Crudely scribbled images of monsters and demonic animals flooded my brain, I felt migraine pain and became feverish. The smell of rotting flesh crept into my nose and began to drown the smell of sulfur. A sudden dread overcame me as my senses started becoming overwhelmed. The images became increasingly grotesque and distorted, and the odor in my nostrils became unbearable. I fell to my knees and started gagging, temporarily averting my gaze away from the void. Then, as I kneeled on hell's ground and gazed down while vomiting, I began to feel a presence in front of me. I looked back to see two glowing red eyes, like a serpent or a lizard. Still kneeling, I stared into the eyes for a few seconds before clumsily trying to get back up. But before I could get off my knees, the eyes darted closer, and only moments could pass before the dim light of hell illuminated the colossal serpent, and I was swallowed whole." ]	2
	[WP] You are the first born child to a Greek warrior king prophesied by the fates to die by your hand. Your father, seeking a worthwhile opponent to best him, is thrilled and plans a duel the day you come of age. The day you come of age draws near and you are not enthusiastic over the situation.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Shouldn't you be getting some practise in?\"\n\n\"Shouldn't you be shutting your damn mouth?\" Cosmo sat down next to his friend with a heavy sigh. Lysander had been in a mood all week, ever since his father had set a location for their, supposedly, epic duel.\n\n\"I'm just saying. Your dad has been training for this for 18 years, if not more. You've had 6 at best. It can't hurt to do some extra training.\"\n\n\"Cosmo, I love you and all, but what good will it really do? I'm behind 12 years, if not more. I don't think one more practise will make any sort of a difference.\" Lysander stuck out his sword to make a drawing in the sand instead of knocking down some dummy's. \"Besides, the whole situation is stupid anyway. Have you seen me? It's honestly ridiculous, I couldn't kill a fly if I tried, let alone another human being. I don't know what the fates were thinking.\"\n\n\"No, you're right,\" Cosmo snickered. \"The fates were probably hoping for a stronger warrior too.\"\n\n\"Right? I can't believe they chose this useless sack of sand.\"\n\n\"Neither can they.\"\n\nDespite himself, a smile played around Lysander's lips. He'd been best friends with Cosmo all his life. Cosmo had always been his protector, his most reliable friend, his shoulder to cry on. He was a bit older, too, which made their relationship all the better. Through the years, they had trained together day in day out, though it had always been clear which one of them was the born warrior. Spoiler alert, it wasn't him.\n\n\"What does he think is going to happen anyway?\" Lysander played with the idea in his head. He'd been wondering about it for years, mainly because his father had never given him something else to wonder about. He still had no idea what tho think of it all.\n\n\"I think he's expecting some unbelievable showdown. You know, duel of the century. Big sandstorms, amazing swordsplay, near-death experiences, loads and loads of cheering from the sidelines. In his mind, it'll probably last days upon days.\" Cosmo leaned back to enjoy the sunset in front of them with a satisfied eye.\n\n\"I, on the other hand, expect something stupid.\" He continued. Lysander rolled his eyes. He was tempted to just get up and leave, but he couldn't return home too soon. Father still thought he was out training. \"Like, you two might battle for a minute or two and then suddenly he trips on air, or better, his own feet, falls on your sword and that's that.\"\n\nCosmo seemed to enjoy this thought. Lysander couldn't lie, it really would be funny.\n\n\"And then I'd be king, at the ripe old age of eighteen. No thanks.\"\n\n\"Don't worry about it. You have your handsome, trusty advisor and warrior master.\" Lysander looked around with a frown.\n\n\"Who? Where?\"\n\n\"Right here, of course!\" Cosmo grabbed Lysander's chin to make him look to his right, where Cosmo sat. He planted a peck on Lysander's forcefully pouted lips.\n\n\"You're going to be quite alright, Ly. The fates wouldn't let you die, they need you to kill that man. The lords know someone needs to silence him.\" Lysander couldn't quite bring himself to agree. He stood up, dusting off his armour.\n\n\"I still think I am going to die within two seconds on that field. Come on, get your ass up. Didn't you want to beat the life out of me again?\"" ]	2
	[WP] You've got everything ready for vacation: snacks, passports, wife, kids, nephew, family pet, and a rental spaceship so you don't have to put intergalactic travel miles on your own. Everything is going well until you had to make a crash landing on the planet everyone stays away from - Earth.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“System!” Zeel yelled as he tried to figure out if one of the blaring sirens going off around him was the life support. Ultraviolet, it was supposed to be the ultraviolet one. The walls weren’t glowing, right? Should be fine. “System?”\n\nMain Hull Breach! Engine Breach! Containment Breach! Navigation Offline!\n\n“System!” Zeel looked around for his family and let out a long hard breath at the sight of them encapsulated. The captain's chair, his chair, was the only one not to be locked down as he still needed to fly. With a nod, Zeel licked his lips and checked himself.\n\nEmerald green scales seemed good, his tail was still intact, and his head felt okay. His headache wasn’t anything to celebrate, probably had a concussion with what just happened but he was alive. The system screaming at him wasn’t helping either. It wasn’t responding at all. \n\n“System silence alarms!” Zeel yelled over the noise. \n\nNothing changed. Well, nothing that he had wanted. A small hissing started up behind him as hopefully, the life support was venting air back into the cockpit. Not that he’d know at this point. It could be fuel for the sublight engines but it could also have been the coolant for the hyperdrive. \n\nUnbuckling himself, Zeel found the floor far faster than he had wanted. The titanium floor was cold but at least it smelt like the oceans on Tallis with chemicals added for good measure. Life support. The scent was Ulra’s, Zeel’s daughter, choice. They had only ever had the credits to travel locally and the beach was her favourite. \n\nZeel had been promoted the last cycle and with his wife Ulsa’s permission, he had saved for what felt like an eternity to surprise the family with one good vacation. What a disaster. Picking himself up, Zeel dragged himself to the Override panel and pried the cover off. Buttons, switches, and sliders, Zeel read them all before he touched them. First up was the alarms.\n\nThe air didn’t get better but without the knife-like noise digging into his head, Zeel felt a lot better about the situation. Nothing was good but at least the sound wasn’t hurting him. With a bit clearer head, he shut the engines down and isolated life support to the cockpit. He almost smiled when he heard the clamps lock behind the doors.\n\nUlsa’s panicked face emerged first from the pods and Zeel was ready for a noise worse than the alarms. The fury he worried about never left her lips though. No words at all left her as she quickly moved to his side and put her small hand on the side of his head. Zeel almost snorted when he saw how much blood she came back with. Made sense why his head hurt now.\n\nUlra’s screech was hard to hear but Ulsa went into what she liked to call mother mode. Their nephew and niece stayed quiet but Zerl, Zeel’s son, unbuckled himself and moved them all to the back. He was strong. Zeel had worried about having a son so small as Zerl had been but the young lizard had become one with the way of the wind. Zeel was so proud.\n\nHe felt cold. Not uncomfortable like the chill of winter but a slow drain of essence out of his soul. Zeel felt tired. Maybe the alarms were better to be on? At least then he had been easier to stay awake.\n\n“Zeel,” Ulsa demanded, sounding close to breaking down herself, as she looked for sealant or bandages. Zeel was having a hard time understanding what she was doing. He wasn’t like the system. He did respond though. He was supposed to at least. Why wasn’t he?\n\n“Dad?” Zerl asked from the back before glancing at Ulsa and asking, “Mom is he going to be alright.”\n\n“I don’t know,” Ulsa whispered. She wasn’t supposed to say that. Zeel knew that. Ulsa was so strong, why would she say something like that? Shaking her head, Ulsa turned and pointed at the captain's seat and told Zerl, “Figure out where we are. We need help.”\n\n“Earth,” Zerl stated hesitantly as he pushed the younger lizards back. Glancing at Zeel, Zerl’s eyes met his for only a moment but then looked away. Zeel was sad he couldn’t look at his son longer.\n\n“We crashed on a red planet,” Ulsa closed her eyes and whispered. \n\n“I’m sorry,” Zeel whispered the best he could.\n\n“No. No Zeel, it’s okay, we are alive,” Ulsa quickly backtracked, “We are alive because of you.”\n\n“I was aiming for the one with rings,” Zeel chuckled.\n\n“Well, you never were a great shot,” Ulsa chuckled back, “You need to practice more. We’ll get you lessons when this is over.”\n\n“I’m sorry I’ll miss that,” Zeel whispered as lights flashed around him. \n\n“Don’t you dare,” Ulsa seethed quickly, panicking as Zeel lost more blood, “This was your trip. This was your celebration. You aren’t leaving it early.”\n\n“The air here is breathable,” Zerl stated as he whipped through the computer logs on earth, “The red designation is because of the inhabitant's violence and weapons. Their isolation makes them unstable.”\n\n“How does that help?” Ulsa wrath came out in a horse whisper.\n\n“They may be able to help,” Zerl explained, turning around in the chair and pointing to the door that lead to the med bay. Well, what use to be the med bay. It was just an empty space now. At least what was on the other side of it wasn’t just empty space.\n\n“We open that door,” Ulsa said, becoming as cold as Zeel felt as she put the pieces together, “We don’t know what they will do. Your father,” Ulsa broke her calm for a second to whisper, “damn your shell,” and then grunted to regain control before saying, “Your father needs help but if we open that door we may all need help.”\n\nZerl didn’t hesitate to get up and came close to the two of them. His boy. Zeel was so proud of his boy, the adult he was becoming and the adult he had already become. Zeel’s mind etched every scale on Zerl’s body into his memory so that if he was granted just one wish, that image would remain with him as he passed on.\n\n“Not all of us,” Zerl whispered to his parents, “Just us.”\n\n“I can’t lose both of you,” Ulsa whispered.\n\n“If the humans don’t help I’ll run,” Zerl explained, “I’ll hide.”\n\n“Let me go,” Zeel whispered.\n\n“No, Dad,” Zerl whispered back, “Humans do care about some things. They may help. Worst case, I’m fast and they still have basic firearms.”\n\n“I can’t,” Ulsa whispered.\n\n“I can,” Zerl said as he shifted his father's weight to his small shoulders, “I can outrun anyone.”\n\n“My boy,” Zeel whispered.\n\n“Daddy?” Ulra cried.\n\n“It’s okay,” Zerl answered for him, “We’ll be back soon.”\n\nZerl basically had to drag Zeel’s body to the hatch. Zeel was having a hard time now feeling his legs or his tail. The realization made his already cold scales grow crisp. It was a hardening experience but one that Zeel felt he would never forget. Not that he figured he had much longer to remember it for.\n\nFor some reason, the hatch opened with its own sort of hiss as the cockpit depressurised. Zeel felt his ears pop and a screaming pain rushed back into him. Holding his head was now almost impossible but the right side of his head felt wrong. Something was hanging off of him that went squish when he pressed it into him. His hand came away with so much blood. His green scales were now nicely warm but a sticky crimson mess.\n\n“That’s not good,” Zeel stated to his hand as Zerl seemed to drag him forward. \n\nThere were so many things in front of him now. It looked like one of the ancient pictures of days long passed when all the buildings were so thin and tall. There were things around them. They were big. Humans? They had a lot of lights.\n\n“Please,” Zerl said into his translator and it echoed out some gibberish at the creatures in front of them, “Please help!”\n\nLittle noise was heard before but after Zerl had made his plea everything seemed to stop. The little pinpricks of light that kept flashing into Zeel’s eyes had focused on his son as the door behind the two of them closed. This was it. Voices started chirping something and the creatures started moving toward them.\n\n“Get,” the translator on Zerl’s wrist echoed back to them, “Doctor.”\n\n“That’s nice of them,” Zeel whispered before the darkness took him away from the pain he was feeling.\n\nHis son had emerald green scales like he had.\n\nHis daughter liked the smell of the ocean.\n\nHis wife loved the way he had proposed on the beach they had always gone to." ]	2
	[WP] "The new species call themselves 'humans', and while their intelligence is on the low end when it comes to interstellar civilisations, their pure mathematical knowledge is far superior to the entire galactic community's."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Dale wasn't sure anymore how long they'd been holding him there, either hours or days. It felt like an interrogation but the questions made no sense. They were just grilling him about math problems, He knew there had to be a higher level to the line of questioning but he couldn't get past the silliness of their inquiries.\n\nA new interrogator had just entered the room and seated himself across from Dale. He did not look happy with Dale. He looked like he wanted to kill him.\n\n\"How do we know you're not making it up,\" the angry man demanded. His jacket was weighed down with medals that just looked like small plastic buttons. They clicked and clacked together as he shook with anger. \"What assurances can you give us that what you say is true? Do you expect us to follow you on faith alone?\"\n\n\"I could show my work,\" Dale replied. \"If I had something to count with. Like the buttons on your shirt. Do you mind?\"\n\n\"These tokens represent the Dorgian squads I defeated on Dorga 7,\" the man was shouting and began to rise out of his seat. \"And to take them off so you can play some silly math game-\"\n\nThe angry man's bracelets gave a short electrical buzz that seemed to grab his attention. He looked over at the mirror wall and seated himself again.\n\n\"I just said something like the buttons. Something I can use to demonstrate.\"\n\nThe angry man looked over at the mirror again and raised his eyebrows.\n\nOn the other side of the glass, a group of researchers and engineers all turned their attention to a sharply dressed woman. She had only one button pinned to her jacket but it was a big one.\n\n\"Bring him a box of tokens from my office,\" she said to no one person in particular.\n\n\"At once, ma'am,\" two people in lab coats stammered simultaneously. \n\n\"Be quick about it,\" she added. \"Commander Glabnok is growing impatient. He behaves erratically when he's like this.\"\n\nShe reached forward and gave a single knock on the glass with her knuckle.\n\nBack in the interrogation room, Commander Glabnok smiled and nodded at the mirror. He leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.\n\n\"While we wait, let's ask some more questions. Sally has five apples. She gives two of them to Tony. How many apples does she have?\"\n\n\"Three.\"\n\n\"How can you be so sure? Also, she could be lying. But you're answering too quickly. You must have already been asked that one.\"\n\n\"It's possible,\" Dale shrugged. \"They kinda all sound the same.\"\n\n\"Then let's try one you don't already know the answer to,\" Commander Glabnok sat upright in his chair and folded his hands together on the table. \"Sally has two apples. She gives Tina three apples. How ma-\"\n\n\"She can't.\"\n\n\"What did you just say?\"\n\n\"Sally can't give her three apples.\"\n\n\"She has to! Sally gives Tina three apples! How many-\"\n\n\"She can't. She doesn't have th-\"\n\n\"Tina demands it!\" Commander Glabnok's chair fell back as he shot up from the table. \"If Sally doesn't give Tina three apples I will-\"\n\nThe door to the room opened and a small man wearing a lab coat came in carrying a box. It clicked and clacked like the Commander's jacket as the man in the lab coat set it down in front of Dale. The Commander's eyes widened at the sight of the box. Thousands of tokens piled haphazardly in a cardboard box made the number on his shirt seem tiny.\n\n\"For showing your work,\" the man in the lab coat gestured to Dale before scurrying from the room.\n\n\"Let's start with the first problem you gave me,\" Dale reached into the box of plastic buttons and pulled five of them. He placed them on the table individually. Click, click, click, click, click. He looked up at the Commander who seemed to be running his own calculation in his head, possibly about how much fighting would have to take place to earn these plastic tokens. \"Shall we proceed?\"\n\n\"Yes, go on,\" the Commander righted his chair and sat down across from Dale.\n\n\"Sally has five apples.\"\n\nDale waits for Glabnok to acknowledge.\n\n\"Yes, that's been established.\"\n\n\"She gives Tony two apples.\" He slides two buttons forward.\n\n\"Mm-hmm.\"\n\n\"So, she has three left,\" Dale taps each on the plastic buttons with his index finger. \"One, two, three.\"\n\n\"No the other problem,\" Glabnok demands. \"The you couldn't seem to get right.\"\n\n\"Well, it wasn't that I couldn't get it right. It's just that it's not p-\"\n\n\"Show your work, Dale of Earth,\" Glabnok insists. \"Isn't that what the sniveling little lab rat told you to do. Show your work.\"\n\n\"Alright,\" Dale slides three of the buttons behind the cardboard box and places the other two between them on the table. Click, click. \"Sally has two buttons.\"\n\n\"Tokens.\"\n\n\"Well, actually they were supposed to be apples. So, Sally has two apples.\"\n\n\"Right, apples.\"\n\n\"And Tina wants three apples.\"\n\n\"Tina demands three!\"\n\n\"But Sally doesn't have that many-\"\n\n\"She's lying!\"\n\n\"No she only has two. So, she can't give-\"\n\n\"Sally is lying about the tokens! Just give Tina the damn tokens! She's earned them,\" Commander Glabnok shoves his hands into the cardboard box and pulls out two fistfuls of plastic tokens. \"There's so much. And she's been hoarding it. Keeping it from the others. From everyone. What else has she lied about? What other secrets has she- ahhh-\"\n\nThe bracelets on Commander Glabnok's wrists lit up and began to hum loudly. His palms opened upward as he froze in pain. Hundreds of plastic buttons scattered across the floor.\n\nThe door opened and a sharply dressed woman quickly closed the gap between the door and the frozen Commander. In one swift motion she produced a small stick from her pocket and pointed it at the Commander's chest. A beam of light shot into his chest and he collapsed on the floor with his eyes frozen open staring at the ceiling.\n\n\"Get in here and clean this mess up,\" she shouted. Two people in lab coats scurried into the room. \"Tokens back in the box. Put him down the chute.\"\n\nThe two lab coats began dragging the stiff Commander over to a door along the far wall that looked just the right size and height for loading bodies into.\n\n\"And the tokens from his jacket,\" the sharply-dressed woman added. The two lab coats turned and looked at one another in disbelief. They didn't remove his plastic buttons right away. \"You may each take one token.\"\n\nThey nodded, removed a button each from the Commander's chest and pinned it two their own. The sharply dressed woman introduced herself while the lab coats continued cleaning up.\n\n\"Hello, Dale of Earth,\" the sharply-dressed woman smiled. \"I am the Director. I want to thank you, Dale. I think you'll be able to solve our little problem. Walk with me and I'll explain.\"\n\nThe Director led Dale through a series of corridors with doors, many of which had a screen next to them that read: Authorization Required. She explained that their ship had been hit with a solar upon entering the current solar system which caused a lot of the ships systems to reboot. \n\n\"And the old leaders of the ship, the Brainiacs I mentioned earlier, they made everything all secure and password protected,\" The Director explained. \"But the wanted to make sure that it was a password the rest of us couldn't figure out. So, they used their special math language as a way to authorize certain systems.\"\n\nThey had arrived at a large door at the end of a hallway and she gestured to the panel next to it.\n\n\"I need your help accessing this room.\"\n\nThe screen was filled with complex math problems that Dale couldn't figure out. Calculus, maybe, but he wasn't sure.\n\n\"This is too difficult for me,\" Dale shrugged. \"Sorry but I don't even understand it.\"\n\n\"Eh-hmm,\" the Director cleared her throat. \"Did you catch that? Exam assistance requested.\"\n\nA disembodied voice filled the hallway: EXAM ASSISTANCE ACTIVATED\n\nThe panel flickered and showed a picture of five apples.\n\nSALLY HAS FIVE APPLES. SHE GIVE TWO APPLES TO TONY. HOW MANY APPLES DOES SHE HAVE?\n\n\"Three.\"\n\nPLEASE SHOW YOUR WORK\n\nDale held up his hand with five fingers extended. He thing curled his thumb and pinky into his palm.\n\nCORRECT. AUTHORIZATION CONFIRMED.\n\nThe door hissed as the large metal panels began to slide into the wall. Dale counted fourteen people rushing to the door as they entered.\n\n\"Oh, thank you,\" one cried out. \"We're so hungry we thought we would die in here.\"\n\n\"The cafeteria is active for another hour,\" the Director said flatly. \"Go eat.\"\n\n\"How'd you get the door open?\" another person asked. \"Must have taken some sort of Brainiac.\" He had his hand on a small stick identical to the one the Director used to kill Glabnok.\n\n\"This is Dale of Earth. He's helping us.\"\n\n\"Must be some sort of Brainiac-\"\n\n\"Go eat.\"\n\nThey left Dale and the Director alone in what looked like a command center. Out the large window ahead of them was the pale blue dot Dale grew up on. And in the center of the room was what appeared to be a giant rifle pointed at the blue dot.\n\n\"I need you to unlock this,\" the Director gestured to the big gun.\n\nDale wandered forward staring at the blue dot.\n\n\"It's beautiful. I mean, pictures don't grasp the scale-\"\n\n\"Dale, focus.\"\n\n\"You're going to destroy it.\"\n\n\"Have you ever seen a photon torpedo hit a rock that size? The spectacle is far greater and what some colored rock may look like.\"\n\n\"The human race is on that rock-\"\n\n\"They're Brainiacs, Dale. They're bad and dangerous people. They have to go. Authorize the photon torpedo.\"\n\nDale scanned the room hoping to find another control panel as he approached the big gun. There, on a desk behind him was what he needed.\n\n\"Two minus one equals one,\" Dale shouted.\n\nPLEASE SHOW YOUR WORK\n\n\"That's not what it's asking,\" the Director said. \"Is it? It looks like four or five apples to me. One, two, three, four. Yeah, four. What are you doing?\"\n\nDale held up two fingers in front of the Directors face.\n\n\"Two minus one.\"\n\nHe curled in his index finger.\n\n\"Fuck you.\"\n\nCORRECT. SELF-DESTRUCT INITIATED\n\n\"Damn, Brainiac! Should have just killed you from the start.\"", "Brought infront of various alien species, of shapes and sizes I would’ve thought impossible, the one who brought me there- green in colour, and almost resembling of old paleo art, nudged me with it’s nose, toward beings that towered over me. \n\n“An average specimen for your viewing. Juvenile, and with a few mental defects. Watch what it can do!”\n\nOkay, that was offensive, and I would’ve much preferred not to have been given a translator, because that just felt mean. I was handed a pen and paper, with foreign eyes looking at me intently. It was a few high-school level equations. Algebra, too, which was my favourite kind of math, since it made sense to my visual learning kind of brain. \n\nThinking hard for a moment, and then repeating the processes I had been taught, I wrote down the answers to the questions, in very scratchy handwriting. Finishing relatively quickly once I got into a rhythm, I presented my basic algebra to these creatures that were advanced beyond my comprehension. I must’ve looked a bit nervous, because that green, dinosaur-like alien, gently nudged me with its nose again, as if to try to give me some support.\n\nThe galactic community infront of me looked positively stunned. And sure, I wasn’t the brightest at maths, but this was just basic algebra that would be taught to 15 year olds. Was it really so complex for them? Or perhaps it was because the average human intelligence wouldn’t compensate for such knowledge? Whatever it was, they seemed impressed.\n\n“What a marvellous creature. And they’re all like this?” An amorphous blob questioned, hollow voice echoing through the spaceship halls. I was lifted up by a few littler blobs, who I assumed were helpers of the big one, but I wasn’t really sure. Well, it wasn’t relevant. I was pretty pleased, because I was getting attention I never would’ve gotten back on Earth. \n\nCooing and touching my hair, I felt wanted, whereas back home, I was merely berated for my poor test scores and my odd way of thinking. \n\n“The rest of them are kind of mean.” I commented, and they all stared at me adoringly, not stunned by my use of language, aided by the translator, but seemingly by my voice. They spoke to me like normal humans, as if in normal conversation, but I could tell this, to them, was baby-speak, because they talked amongst themselves as if I wasn’t there, too, and their languages were too complex for the measly translator I had been loaned. Well, that was okay. This was nice, and I could get used to this kind of treatment.\n\n(It’s not very good. Sorry about that. I just think that advanced aliens being so enamoured by humanity would be funny.)", "BEGINNING ENTRY FOR IGC SPECIES 5023.\nTRANSLATION FOR: HUMAN-ENGLISH\n\nIDENTIFICATION: Human\n\nRISK FACTOR: PALTIC\n\nVOTE OF INCLUSION:\n\nS10-1: AYE\n\nS10-2: NAY\n\nS10-3: AYE\n\nS10-4: AYE\n\nS10-5: AYE\n\nTOTAL VOTE: 4-1\nRESULT: FIRST CONTACT AND INCLUSION APPROVED\n\nPHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:\nHumans are two legged, ground based creatures with two arms that walk upright. Not capable of flight without augmentation or external machines. Liquid traversal limited as well. Most possess capability to traverse H2O bodies for short periods and can float. Underwater capability limited to approximately 6e10 standard pulses. Capability varies based on individual. Sight limited to approximately 380-740 standard waves. Capable of standard hearing and touch. Evidence of taste and smell found. Unknown capability. [INFORMATION EXCLUDED. ACCESS RESTRICTED TO S8 AND HIGHER]\n\nREASON FOR INCLUSION:\nIGC-5023 has been monitored for ██00 of their solar cycles. Recent activity in the past 400 cycles has shown near impossible progression of mathematics and science. As of ███████ galactic time, 3█ solar cycles ago, IGC-5023 has acheived ███ capability and is now traveling outside of their solar system. As this technology is of interest to the psionic council as well as [INFORMATION EXCLUDED]\n\nADDENDUM 5023-1\n\nTHREAT CLASS UPGRADED TO ARMINION. THEY DO NOT COME IN PEACE. ANY CONTACT MUST BE REPORTED TO S9 COMMAND AND WILL REQUIRE IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT OF █████████ CLASS VESSELS", "\"What do you mean they have threat level one potential but zero advanced sorcery. Is this some sort of advanced magic weilding technique we do not know about?\" Yelled the director of the Intergalactic Relations Bureau. \n\n\"No, sir. It's just that they-\" the linguistic and cultural research head was interupted once more bybthe director. \"This is a new species we have come across in the barren and uninhabitable parts of the universe. There is no way they have prepared for war with anyone. They would have grown thinking they are alone with no one to fight but themselves. We know how that goes.\"\n\n\"Yes sir, we only find their ruins. But these \"Humans\" have grown differently. They... well, they're perhaps less intelligent than a child like to ever discover any type of sorcery, but they have lived in the most uninhabitable area knowing they're alone.\" The subordinate grabbed a large stack of papers he'd accumulated on human research. \"Their bodies have the ability to heal themselves from nearly any type of damage. Even when amputated, their bodies will simply heal where the limb was lost.\"\n\nThe director paid concerned attention. A war with humans could not be won by targetting the healers first if they could heal any damage administered. \"Is this what makes them so seemingly threatening? Because it would be a fight against an enemy that does not die?\"\n\n\"No, no. They do die, and rather quickly. Their livespans are no more than a quarter of the standard lifespan, but they can all have multiple offspring and they have something equal or more powerful to magic and sorcery. This, I am struggling to understand how it works.\" Said the linguistics and Cultural professional with carefulness in his words. \"They have advanced mathematics too far.\"\n\n\"Mathematics? Is this some sort of joke? Is today international humour day?\"\n\n\"No sir. They can control metal with no biological components nor posessions. They have colonized the nearest moon and planet to their home planet and have a planetary defense system with no form of sorcery.\"\n\n\"How can mathematics show this. How could adding one to one, taking one away or splitting items be used to leave their planets? You simply hire a sorcerer pilot and comamdeer a biometal ship to move where you please.\"\n\n\"Of course sir, but they becan calculating how far they could throw a deadly item during war. Sharp objects usually, but since they fought such formidable opponents, themselves. They escalated their weaponry. They mined their planets compressed fires and eventually made rocks think in mathematics with lightning power.\" \n\n\"So why have you brought me here?\" \n\n\"To explain that they are the new super power but have long chosen a path of peace.\"\n\n\"This cannot be. Our most fierce mages can kill one hundred enemies in one day. A short lifespan would make the Humans tire quickly. Would it not?\" Asked the director with more worry as his expert did not seem to be joking. \n\n\"Yes, the best can kil up to two hundred in a day, but behold. They are trying to make a route to their mearest galaxy, but those planets are in their way for a perfect launch.\"\n\n\"Well yes. No one can throw a weapon around a planet without sorcery.\"\n\nThe director and the linguistics and culture professional watched in silence as a small one person ship approached them completely unaware of their cloaked presence. \n\n\"What is this human doing out here? Did he get thrown wrong and off course.\"\n\n\"No sir, he is clearing a path for the neighbor galaxy.\" \n\nThey watched in disbelief as the single person ship fired one small rocket at each of the three planets in question. \n\n\"This could not poss-\" the director's mouth fell agape as he witnessed his first three planet sized nuclear explosions. \"No! The planets. How can... we cannot possibly compete with these.\" He looked at his advisor, then at the sorcerer in control of the ship. \"Make it imperative that we remain cloaked. The human could eradicate us if he saw us as threatening.\" \n\"Aye\"\n\n\"You are sure they are not a voilent race?\" \n\n\"Not in generations. Sir.\" Replied the culture and linguistics advisor. \n\nThe small human ship then fired three more small projectiles that turned into black spheres at each of the planets. The Intergalactic Relations Bureau saw for the first time in their lives three black holes grow from nothing, swallow the debree from the planets and collapse onto themselves, leaving nothing but perfect spheres of all the planet's resources sorted and lined up in a row. \n\n\"That's one human's power? How many of them are there?\" Asked the director in a panic, knowing that these powers derived from mathematics could most likely not be stopped with any sort of magic. \n\n\"Twenty five billion.\"\n\n\"Remove our cloaking.\" \n\n\"But sir w-\"\n\n\"We cannot afford a negative introduction. The council would want to send a battalion along as a precaution. The humans could see it as an act of violence and shortly after: they could become the only life forms in the universe. No matter how much smarter we may be. They hold the power of the universe. We were unlucky to develop in comfort and never needed to explore the power beyond magic. Let's hope they are welcoming of strangers.\"\n\n\n\nApologies for any misspellings. On mobile that refuses to auto correct or auto suggest the right spelling. Probably paragraphis are wrong too.", "Date XXXX of the Interstellar Calendar\n\nThis new species is absolutely fascinating! They are a still young species, barely out of the 'infant' stage of their evolution I would guess, but never before have I seen such an inquisitive species throughout the Universe. They are immature and undeveloped technologically, but their curiosity drives them and perhaps their relative youth explains their seeming lack of fear. They developed vessels for space travel far earlier in their evolution than any other species so far, a feat likely to never again be repeated. Curious as to how they pulled this off, a select few of us were sent to their planet to learn what we could and see how best we could help this fledgling species develop. What we found was a complete divergence from how all other life in the Universe developed. They are uncouth, violent, immature, and their technology is as basic as it could possibly get, but they have somehow developed their mathematical knowledge so rapidly that for centuries before they developed space travel they were already able to predict the motions of the celestial bodies they could observe with a margin of error so negligible as to be non-existent. They can predict the future, simply through mathematical equations. Their mathematically driven feats of engineering have allowed them to ascend to the heavens within a fraction of the time it took any other species, even those that had help from already spacefaring species - and they figured this all out on their own. It is truly astounding, and far beyond anything that any other sentient race has reached. What this strange, young species has managed to develop through mathematics will completely overhaul everything we thought we knew about the Universe. It is fortunate that their technology is still so primitive, as if they had the tech to support their mathematics then they could rapidly expand and take over the Universe with minimal resistance.", "The human stared at the navigation database. Thiun recognized the look as one of puzzlement. It was distressingly common in humans, considering they made it to a different star system.\n\n\"Don't you have a numerical catalog with spacial coordinates? I can translate your zero point to ours easily enough, but this list of names isn't helping.\" She brushed back her hair from her eyes.\n\nThiun started to weave his two primary manipulator tentacles together in an expression of humor, then stopped himself. One of the few things humans were at an average level on was learning what they called \"body language\", and he did not wish to seem insulting.\n\n\"That is our numerical database. They are listed in order of proximity, but perhaps this might assist in comprehension.\" He reached out to the secondary console and filtered by order of discovery, with the coordinates listed after.\n\nHedy looked again. This time her expression was new to it. Thiun checked his external link, and found a single raised eyebrow meant the discovery of something odd. It allowed it's secondary manipulator tentacle to express a questioning demeanor.\n\n\"Ok, let me just confirm something. I know you're a scientist, so you're good at math?\" Thiun nodded, that being a surprisingly common species indicator of agreement. \"Would you mind multiplying 643 by 896? Manually, I mean.\"\n\nIt's own manipulators \"raising their eyebrows\", Thiun pulled out his tablet and started writing. A few minutes later, it exclaimed \"576123.\"\n\n\"You're off by five.\" Hedy cocked her head. \"Try me.\"\n\n\"Very well. 355 times 763.\"\n\n\"270865.\" Came back seconds later. She had done it without a writing surface. In her head. It typed in the numbers into his calculator. It took him longer to confirm the answer than it had for her to give it.\n\nAll 15 eyes swiveled to focus on the human. \"How? No offense, but your capabilities are quite limited compared to ours, but I've only seen that kind of mental mathematics done as a parlor trick, by someone with perfect recall.\"\n\nShe shook her head. \"I can't believe you made it out of the sail age like this...\" She muttered distractedly. \"correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the number 74, correct?\" Thiun's glance showed that number hadn't shown up on screen. She wrote out a quick series of symbols, with the furthest along being a \"?\". \"I don't know what that symbol looks like, but I know there is one.\"\n\nThree eyes looked at the tablet, quickly followed by 8 others. The remaining stared at the human scientist as a threat response - his biology literally would not let him look away.\n\n\"I don't understand... You said this was the first time you've seen our databases, but you figured it out that quickly?\"\n\nShe stared back. \"I finally have something to trade, it seems. A positional numerical system.\" Again she brushed her hair out of her eyes. \"How did you manage spaceflight with base 8 ROMAN NUMERALS?\"", "\"Report,\" the violet-tinted cloud commanded through a series of flashes of varying intensity.\n\n\"They call themselves 'humans', sir,\" the crystalline creature in front of them replied with a voice that was rough and coarse, yet oddly soothing. \"I believe you'll find some of their attributes... peculiar.\"\n\n\"Is that so? Do go on.\"\n\n\"Some basics - physical prowess is an alephar grade. Deceptively resilient, short lifespan, limited offensive capabilities. A flexible species with a shocking amount of variety, but nothing we haven't seen before. The planet itself is not entirely remarkable. Mostly water, high biodiversity, some specimens could be used for research.\"\n\n\"Go on,\" the cloud flickered.\n\n\"On a civilization scale, they're brahmen. Spacefaring and largely peaceful with only occasional squabbles over minor disputes. Their history shows their war-like nature used to be far worse. And, well... this is the interesting part. Their intellect. It's oolke,\" the crystal growled.\n\n\"And that is interesting... how?\" the cloud blinked incredulously. \"They're a versatile, resilient species with a reasonably capable society that are a bit... on the dim side. Why are you telling me that?\"\n\n\"Their intellect is oolke, but their combined mathematical knowledge is... I- I'm not sure how to describe it. Here, see for yourself.\"\n\nThe crystal pushed forward a slightly moist globule of dark-blue mass that the cloud turned towards. The mass hummed quietly.\n\n\"Fission, space-faring for the last 266 cycles, gravity slingshots... grav- gravity drive?\" the cloud gasped. \"They've... they've constructed a gravity drive?!\"\n\n\"Before you ask, sir, I've quadruple-checked. They are, in fact, oolke class.\"\n\n\"How does an oolke tier species create a gravity drive? We've been trying to make one for the last 745 cycles!\"\n\n\"Sir... they're incredibly irresponsible.\"\n\nThe cloud stared at the crystal silently.\n\n\"The- the experiments they've conducted over the past several hundred years, sir, they've done them with reckless abandon. Before they created the gravity drive, they created several miniature black holes that went out of control. They, uh... used to have a moon.\"\n\n\"Used to?\"\n\n\"A black hole swallowed it.\"\n\nThe two creatures pondered the situation in silence.\n\n\"Sir, what do we do now?\" the crystal asked.\n\n\"I'll be honest,\" the cloud replied slowly. \"I'm not sure if we should give them funds for research... or stop them immediately.\"" ]	8
	[WP] “911. What is the address of your emergency?” “A Disney princess has hijacked Central Park!”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“Oh. Is that all?” The dispatcher asked.\n\n“What?” Kline demanded.\n\n“Nothing,” the dispatcher hurried to answer. “In any case, it will be taken care of.”\n\nThe dispatcher hung up. He sighed and rung the number on his computer screen.\n\n“Story Activity Force, how can I help you?” asked Cinderella.\n\n“A Disney princess has taken control of Central Park,” the dispatcher said.\n\n“Right. I’ll get it taken care of,” Cinderella said. She hung up.\n\nShe looked at the roster for today and saw that Moana and Elsa were on duty.\n\nShe alerted the duo, “Moana, a Disney Princess has taken control of Central Park.”\n\nMoana nodded and hung up, completely forgetting that Cinderella couldn’t see her nod. She grabbed Elsa on her way out. Elsa formed a bridge of ice and they drove across it.\n\nThey came to Central Park. They came across a fountain. Sitting on top of the fountain was a little girl. She was dressed up in a Belle costume.\n\nShe was screaming, “I have seized control of Central Park!” The little kids dressed as forks and candelabras danced underneath her.\n\n“False alarm,” Elsa said. “Just a little kid. Must’ve been a prank.”\n\nSuddenly, the little girl turned to look at Elsa and Moana. She smiled at them and said, “Why don’t you come and play?” \n\nHowever, instead of it being a normal cutesy child voice, it was that of an old man, gruff and weathered." ]	2
	[WP] I don't regret meeting you. I regret loving you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "You came into my life, through someone I knew. You belonged with someone else at that point in time. I never felt any attraction between us then, and all I enjoyed was just that. A friendship with nothing but laughter and food and film recommendations.\n\n\n\nBut fate on the other hand, had other plans. Plans that had a funny way of masking hell like a glimpse of paradise. \n\n\n\nYou suffered heartbreak, back and forth, until you were finally back on the market again. And I was there through it all with you. Nights of being a shoulder to cry on, a ear to hear you out. Slowly but surely, as your heartache grew lesser, my heart grew closer.\n\n\n\nI didn't want anything between us, but the seeds were already sown with their roots stringing deep.\n\n\n\nThe beginning of it all was like stuff you read in a romance novel. But no-one told me it was a short story that had a long sequel of pain and mental anguish.\n\n\n\nI took all your shortcomings and embraced them, thinking they were temporary bursts of emotions that could be remedied with makeup sex and passion. I turned a blind eye to your actions and a deaf ear to naysayers who told me to get out as fast as possible.\n\n\n\nEvery punch, every slap, every bite, I took it as a way you couldn't communicate your emotions properly and if I'm being honest, I mind-fucked myself by telling myself \"hey, at least it's me\"\n\n\n\nStill, I thought love would prevail. How foolishly naive of me. The bruises turned into excuses, excuses for you, excuses for me, and lies to convince myself that this was what I wanted, no. Needed. No amount of tears could make me feel otherwise. \n\n\n\nUntil that fateful day.\n\n\n\n1079 days have passed since then. The driver that hit me was never caught. I saw you crying at my funeral, surrounded by the same people who warned me about you. Hypocrites? Maybe. But I finally felt the same love I was seeking for so long from you. I wanted to say so many things but I could not. I wanted to tell you that I never regretted meeting you, and that I only regretted loving you. \n\n\n\nBut even then I still couldn't find it in me to do so. Even now.\n\n\n\nI have been urged into the light many times, but I have decided to watch over you until you don't need me anymore or you find someone who makes you feel the same love I feel for you. The kind of love that sees good in everything you do. Toxic but blind. \n\n\n\nUntil then, I remain,\nUndyingly,\n\nYours." ]	2
	[WP] You just won the first F1 race you've ever been in. At the post race interview they announce a special guest. You immediatly start crying.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Racing has been in my blood from the day I was born.\n\nI grew faster, walked sooner, talked earlier, and learned to run before I was properly weaned. Well, that might be a bit of a long-bow of a story, but it sounds cool, and you get the idea.\n\nI must admit, I was a trial for my parents. My Mother appreciated how fast I got things done. My Father was a bit less sanguine about how I did it. I could make anything go faster and farther. Bicycle? New gearing train that was more efficient than anything else, damned simple and nearly foolproof. I sold that one for over a million, and I'm not saying how much more, before my 16th birthday. My Father insisted that it all go into a trust fund, which he would manage. I pitched a fit with that. It was my money, and I'd use it however I saw fit! I ended up taking the old man into court on that one. The judge agreed with both of us. It went into a trust fund, alright, but he didn't manage it. It went to a fund manager who was a professional and not stupid enough to think that the money was his just because his not-yet-legally-adult son earned it.\n\nMother was the only one who held us together. We sat and ate meals at the same table, and the conversation was polite when we did. Any disagreements had to be left outside the dining room. I appreciated that; it allowed me to try to patch things up with Dad. I think Dad enjoyed it too, and I know Mother appreciated the fact that we were trying, trying hard, to remain Father and son.\n\nMother tried not to sweet talk Dad into things in my favor, if for no other reason than to not add more stress to the family as it was. There were some things that she put her foot down on. I may not have been eighteen, but I'd gone beyond bicycles, and while Father might have gotten me a mo-ped, Mother was insistent that it be a full-fledged car. \"I need him to drive me shopping. That means he needs a car, and it needs to have a decent amount of space for groceries.\" They hemmed and hawed over it awhile, and Dad finally broke down and bought me a car. It was an old beat-up land cruiser of an ego mobile. The kind of thing that older folk drive because it makes them feel safe and important. I didn't care. It had four wheels, a decent engine; by the time I was done with it, it gleamed. Sober colors, too; I didn't want to be pulled over just because I was the only teen driving a red car that looked fast.\n\nWas it fast? You betcha! It also had every safety invention known to man and a few that I created because I didn't like how the automobile industry dragged its feet. Our car's gas tank was the first in our neighborhood to have the inner liner that race cars used to prevent fuel fires. The kit that installed it sold for a few more million, all sent directly to the trust fund because I wasn't 18 yet. You see, you only needed to drain the tank. Once the tank was properly drained, aired out, and flushed, the lining could be installed without removing the gas tank from the car.\n\nMy Father wouldn't let me install it on any other family cars. He didn't trust it because it didn't come from the manufacturer. We fought over that for a month. Then it happened. The disaster that destroyed our family.\n\nMother decided she needed to go shopping while I was off at school. Dad was \"too busy\" to take her, so she went in her little hatchback. You know the one I mean. The one with the gas tank notorious for leaking in a rear-ender. Mother was a careful driver; I wish I could say the same about everyone else on the road, but this one fellow wasn't careful. He was drunk. He hit Mother at a stoplight at twice the legal speed. The cross traffic was so heavy when he hit Mother's car it launched into the intersection and was hit by six other cars, three from each side. She never had a chance. Just to add insult to injury, the gas tank split wide open and engulfed the idiot who hit her.\n\nOh, he deserved it, but it didn't kill him. He survived with third-degree burns. When his lawyer discovered I invented the gas-tank kit, he sued for some legal mumbo jumbo that made it our fault his client got burned. It didn't matter that no more than two other cars in the whole mess had my kit installed. It didn't matter that one of those cars also split the gas tank and spewed fuel all over the place. No, no, no! It was all our fault, and we should pay for everyone's medical bills, but most especially his client's.\n\n((cont))", "Belgian Grand Prix, 2027. \n\nLast lap. I had overtaken both Max and Charles, who were still hot on my tail. I drove through the busstop chicane as fast as I could. I crossed the line, and screamed to my engineer at Haas F1. \"WE'VE DONE IT! WE'VE DONE IT!\" To this day, I still don't believe that I've won the very first race I've been in. Guenther had the confidence in me, and gave me the best chance of my carreer. Weirdly enough, there were no tears running down my cheeks. I guess I was in shock. I stopped the car in parc-ferme, got out, and did my signature move I've always done in karting. The crowd was going mental, and so were Max and Charles. They were so happy for me, and immediatly hugged me. My two childhood heroes, right here, and I managed to defeat them first try. Unbelievable. \n\nThen, the post race interview, hosted by Mick. \"What an incredible drive. How are you feeling?\" He asked. \n\"Amazing. To win here, on my favourite track, first Grand Prix, it feels better than I ever could imagine.\" \n\"As you probably have guessed, \" Mick said, \"this is going down in history books with some of the greats. And for that reason, there are a few pecial guests here this afternoon.\"\nI felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, and started crying. There they were. Seb, Fernando and Daniel. Mick handed the microphone to Seb. \n\"Hey kid! What a race! We loved the last lap move on Max around the outside at Blanchemont. Really cool. But we have a surprise for you. You might have heard on the news that a paticular driver has, let's say, fought as hard as possible, and succeeded.\" My heart dropped. It couldn't be. Seb continued \"it is an honour to announce to you that Michael Schumacher, 7 time World champion, is here!\" They stepped aside, and there he was. \n\nMichael. Fricking. Schumacher. I kneeled, to pay my respect to who is for me the greatest of all time. He stood up out of his wheelchair, and gave me a big hug. I cried so much that I couldn't stand up anymore. Max saw I almost fell over, and rushed a chair to me. I sat down, and they handed the microphone to Michael.\n\"To be here, is already amazing. And to be with you, Tom, is very special to me. The fun and talent you had at Zandvoort last week, running a practice session, was already a sign that you are the next record breaker. And your performance here this weekend has sealed my decision. As newly assigned coach at Ferrari, I have the honour to offer you a 3 year contract at our team, alongside Charles. Let it sink in, and we'll chat at the Schumacher family home next week.\"\n\nAnd that's how my greatest dream became reality." ]	3
	[WP] The ground shudders. Lights flash. Your van jerks to a stop, then lifts from the road. Giant eyes fill the space of the windscreen. A feminine voice calls out to you. "I believe you have my husband. I would very much like him back."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Annie drove desperately, taking full advantage of the emptiness of the country road to drive in the middle tripling the speed limit. However, she was not fast enough. Arguably, she was too fast. The ground around her quaked. She thought she must've hit a pothole at some eighty miles per hour, but the van stopped, barely gently enough not to kill its occupants. Annie looked out and blinked, realizing that the van was not on the ground. It was hovering at an angle.\n\nA voice rumbled in the van's walls. \"I believe you have my husband. I would very much like him back.\" The voice was odd. It sounded like a woman was speaking outside the van, but it came from everywhere instead of just one point.\n\nAnnie wondered if she could respond, but realized that the van was being whisked backwards and was steadily accelerating. Hoping for something, Annie tried to turn the steering wheel. It simply turned. Then she tried the accelerator and brakes and both seemed to function but did nothing.\n\nAfter a momentary panic, Annie turned and saw her hostage. \"So she is a witch,\" she sneered at the gagged man. He stared back defiantly. Annie thought for a second and looked for her gun. The passenger seat was empty -- there was no gun. She tried to unbuckle her seat belt and it did not budge. She looked at the buckle and saw that it was somehow disfigured into a knot that was stuck to the chair. She ducked under the upper strap then she started to tried to inch upwards to pull her legs from the lower buckle. After some wriggling, Annie was free of her seat. She quickly towards the passenger seat, but as she was stepping over the gap in the seats, she was flung backwards. She didn't fit through the gap in seats that let her see her captive, but she did lose her balance and was clumsily on both seats as the van hit the ground.\n\nAnnie almost fell again, but stared at the back of the van. The doors flew off, and a chain flew in while her captive flew out. The chain hit Annie's legs and quickly came tied, with a force that made Annie fall onto a chair and only catch a glimpse of a short ginger woman. The witch.\n\nCatching her breath and once again avoiding a panic, Annie realized that she was in the driver's seat and her legs were in the passenger seat. The van's engine was on, but it wasn't moving. It was even in gear, confusing Annie. But she couldn't experiment. From the floor in from the the passenger seat, she saw her gun rise up. Then it hit her face and all went dark.\n\nAnnie groaned. Her wrists itched. But she realized that her hands were tied. Blearily, she realized that she was tied to a chair. Reflexively, she prepared to try to flip the chair, hoping to destroy it and gain some freedom, but she stopped to observe her surroundings. The ginger witch was in front of her, but with a fairly blank look. The witch's husband was there too. She moved her head to look at the room she was in.\n\n\"Good evening,\" a woman's voice spoke. It was the voice that Annie heard in the van. Recalling the experience brought about a light nausea, but Annie overcame it, to stare at the woman defiantly. \"Sorry about your van, but I needed my husband back.\"\n\nAnnie was about to respond, but decided that some quick punches and kicks were better than words. She curled inwards as much as possible. She exploded outwards trying to raise her legs as her back hit the back of the chair. As desired, the chair began to flip. However, as the chair reached the flatness that would hopefully break some of the wood, she kept flipping. She almost made it all the way back before she started swinging the other way. As blood rushed to her brain, Annie realized that she was a few feet off the ground, swinging in her own momentum.\n\nThe ginger witch laughed. \"Pet, don't overdo it,\" the husband said.\n\n\"Yeah,\" the witch agreed and after slowing her swinging gently lowered an upside-down Annie onto the ground, now also pinned by the chair she was tied to.\n\nSomething about the situation made Annie give up. She cackled. After a few seconds, she simply stated, as a fact: \"you're going to kill me.\"", "Michael was not an average man, he was a hunter of cryptids and monsters. The whole town called him an eccentric, but one night that all changed.\n\n\"What could this mean? Twelve brothers? Blooded sky? Whatever the hell this thing is, it ain't looking for some beers on the porch.\" Michael said to his brother, Raymond, as they were driving on a rainy night. Raymond turned around and stared at the duffle bag behind him, within it was something quite sinister, a rotting human corpse adorned with ancient seals and archaic runes. A dead man as a treasure map. The car halted as a being came into view in the headlights.\n\"I believe you have my husband. I would very much like him back.\" The creature said, it had a woman's face and voice, but it's body was strange, it was a worm. \n\"Sweet Jesus what is that?\" Michael shouted, his muscles tensing, he knew this hunt was a dangerous one but didn't expect a beast hunting him in return.\n\"Anarlok, mutunal, kalakumok, saladu'um.\" The remains in the bag said weakly, the beast responded in the same tongue.\n\"Return my love to me, and you will live.\" It said writhing and snarling as it did so. \n\"FLOOR IT MIKE!\" Raymond yells as the van lurches forth cleaving the highway creature in two with a nauseating squelch. The thing screeches and squirms but quickly dissappears into the darkness of the night and the din of the thunderstorm. The brothers then saw the full scope of the beast, made of contorted bodies and inanimate objects it was as long as it was disturbing. As the duo continues on, the corpse begins to weep." ]	3
	[WP] Everyone thinks you’re the victim. Only you know that you’re the perpetrator.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I'm retrieving the object entrusted to the empire, along with Alo, a guard and Greta, who has now become an official member of the team. We bring it out of the storage and to a table. Greta, having tech experience, takes a look at it. \"This is the secret project that the resistance wants, huh?\" She inspects it closely and VERY carefully. She nods. \"Right. This device seems to be nothing more than a scare tactic.\"\n\n\"Why the hell is it so dangerous then?\" the guard exclaims.\n\n\"Because it LOOKS dangerous\" Alo points out. \"Think about it: if you saw a bomb with a timer of 30 seconds, would you be wondering if it's a fake, or running for the hills?\"\n\n\"Exactly\" Greta remarks. \"This is dangerous just because OF it's perceived threat. Ever been chased by a goose? Well, turns out they're total wimps and are easy to disable, SWANS are the ones to watch out for.\"\n\n\"So how does it work?\" I ask.\n\n\"It looks like it can do a few things... I'd suggest testing it out somewhere safe.\" Greta stands up. Holding the device, she motions for us to follow her.\n\nFunctions of the device include producing smoke, a fake timer, releasing a foul-smelling but ultimately harmless odour, an electrical sound and heat. I have an idea. \"Alo, Greta, I'll need your help.\"\n\n\"What for?\" Alo questions.\n\n\"An electrical sound, followed by smoke and heat, and just when everyone is trying to figure out what's going on, we send in the stench. The confusion and smell will drive everyone out of their base. We can then try to make at least SOME arrests.\" I look between them.\n\n\"Worth a shot\" Greta comments.\n\nOUTSIDE THE RESISTANCE HIDEOUT\n\nI make a small crack in a wall, just big enough for the plan to work. I start with the electrical sound. I hear some murmurs of people wondering what happened. Next, the smoke. I hear some panicking, while others are saying how it's nothing. Then, the heat. Now they're beginning to think there's a fire. Lastly, I send the stench, then catch up with Alo and Greta. Several people have already made their exit, including Relay. One of the guys looks at me, and then the device. \"Wait a minute...\" his expression is suddenly furious. \"IT WAS A TRICK! THAT THING IS NOT DANGEROUS AT ALL!\"\n\n\"How are you so sure?\" someone calls out.\n\n\"Because that's the top-secret project I was working on!\" The guy pulls out a gun and shoots me in the chest. It's painful. I collapse.\n\n\"What are you doing?\" Relay snarls.\n\n\"Oh, come on, you know Naytar is evil now!\" The guy smirks as he prepares to shoot again. Relay tackles him.\n\n\"WE CAN'T KILL PEOPLE!\" she yells. \"THAT'S BARBARIC! IT'S THE BIGGEST INSULT TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S FREEDOM! THE FREEDOM, THE RIGHT, TO LIVE!\"\n\nAs I begin to black out, I realise something... Relay... she doesn't hate me or the empire. She just... disagrees with some things. \"Relay\" I choke. She looks at me. \"Please... help...\" with that, I'm out.\n\nI wake up a while later. I'm in a cell, opposite Drowl. I try to sit up. My chest hurts like CRAZY! \"Naytar\" Drowl's voice calls.\n\n\"L... Lord Drowl...\" I respond. \"What's... ngh... happening?\"\n\n\"Relay took over\" he explains. \"We lost.\"\n\nMy eyes go wide. I... I failed... \"Don't be so glum about it\" a voice speaks up.\n\nRelay. \"Huh?\" I let out.\n\nShe looks at me. \"I had a chat with both Alo and Greta. They both said how the empire really does help people. The resistance tried to make it sound like you were a violent attacker, but considering your own state compared to them, it wasn't hard to convince people that you weren't at ANY fault. The resistance has lost a LOT of movement already. I've also left. They still have the guard hostage... I couldn't save him... but I'll do what I can. The device is locked back up. As for you... you're staying in there. You're weak and injured.\" She looks hopefully at us. \"If you two can trust me, I can help the empire. I plan to give more power to the people, so that they have a choice. Those who support the resistance to regain their freedom... they'll begin to trust the empire more. And the more power given to the people, the less the resistance has. Please. Give me a chance. I thought the resistance simply wanted their freedom... but they seem so much more about being criminals, terrorists... I'm sorry...\"\n\nDrowl and I make eye-contact. We both nod, and I give the answer. \"Do I have to stay HERE? We have an infirmary.\"\n\nRelay looks at me. \"You may be safer there...\"\n\n\"That applied to me because I, the leader, was a target\" Drowl remarks. \"Naytar is a good friend, and I'd love to see him safe, but I have to think about my empire.\"\n\nRelay thinks for a moment, then nods. \"Ok. ALO! GRETA!\" The pair show up, relieved that I'm ok, and happy when told I'm being moved to the infirmary. I relax as I let myself be carried.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThis story is a part of my series, [Dreams of an Empire.](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesbyCrystal/comments/x9xqe3/dreams_of_an_empire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) Please check it out!" ]	2
	[WP] A war breaks out between all the mystical creatures for the power of magic. The fairy’s have been in control of the magic for centuries but now the other creatures are trying to steal it.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "In the beginning, all was barren. A landscape forged by cooling magma and settling Earth. A spark of magic followed the first life, a tiny advantage in a harsh world.\n\nWhile life grew and developed into many shapes, the first spark multiplied, and the coalesced sprites began wielding magic for protection against their more abundant competition.\n\nThe beings borne from magic were called many things by many creatures. Humans called them fae, mysterious wielders of an unique power. They were drawn to shining jewels for reasons unknown, for they had no use for a greedy spirit.\n\nHumans were the first to covet. Watching the fairies world the elements effortlessly fanned the embers of anger at an unfair world. Why only these creatures could use magic? Humans desired that power and took arms to try and subjugate them.\n\nIron, a new discovery, managed to break their rudimentary spells. Once the first drop of magical blood was dropped, all the races turned their attention to the revealed vulnerability. The faeries knew they would face the world. But their pride made it so they wouldn't go down without a fight. They would defend their kingdom until the last fell in battle.\n\nHumans formed armies, their wrath stoked against an eternal oppressor. Elves flocked together, an ancient envy called for blood and to snatch their possessions. Giants followed the carnage, gluttonous for a new delicacy forever denied to them.\n\nLey, a dragon as ancient as life, thirsted for the power it had witnessed from afar. But it was afraid then, beaten down by the first faeries. The old dragon never dared to raise a claw nor bare a fang against a nation, but now that the stewards of magic were distracted, it saw a chance.\n\nWhile war raged on, Ley crawled towards the heart of the magical nest, seeking the source of their energy. It had watched them collect crystals like ants to leaves or bees to pollen, the reason they could use magic since birth.\n\nA giant diamond, the Heart of Titania, stood proud in the depths of the mountain. Ley desired the crystal, a greed awakened. But it was impossible to move, and a touch scorched its flesh. If it couldn't have the heart... Then it should be destroyed.\n\nLey wound its sinuous body around the crystal, ignoring the pain as it constricted the stone until the breaking point, freeing the coalesced mana in a terrible typhoon that shattered its scales, tore its muscles, and splintered its bones. \n\nA single act of defiance had spelled its end. But even when its body turned to dust, Ley had no regrets.\n\nIn the battlefield, the explosion coming from the mountain left the warring nations in shocked silence, and the rush of power that soon followed signaled the end of the struggle. All sorts of beings now could use magic to a higher or lower degree, the fairies lost their monopoly.\n\nBy the claw of a dragon, the hegemony was broken. By the greed of a dragon, faeries fell from grace. By the will of a dragon, magic was freed." ]	2
	[WP] One of your coworkers never comes into the office, but somehow their work is always done. Employees and managers place documents and letters into their in-box, and some time later, somehow, responses and completed work appear in the out-box.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It pricked at your curious nature, the room with two hatches for submitted and completed paperwork was ever locked. But you never saw the coworker who supposedly occupied the room.\n\nYour desk was in the perfect position to keep watch of the door with frosted glass, the nameplate taunting you with the identity of this stranger. The person never exited the room for breaks.\n\nAfter months like this, of meals at your desk, arriving early and leaving late, you got tired of waiting. Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. \"Is it a woman? Or a man?\"\n\nYou reach for the knob, taking a breath to steel your nerves. Uh, the room was empty... What a bummer. \"I expected...\" Dunno, something more? \"I was being silly. Enough of obsessing over empty rooms, me.\"\n\nYou look down and see a jumping spider skittering on the wall. Cute guy." ]	2
	[WP] You are captured by high tech aliens, but their lifespans are extremely short, allowing you to hatch a clever escape plan spanning multiple generations.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"They were about 3 feet tall. Small, but deadly with their sharp fangs. They seemed to be a slimy green mix between person and bug with dragonfly like wings on their backs. When they first arrived on earth they started shooting people, greenish blue lasers flying everywhere, but there wasn't any blood! Even though I probably lasted longer than most people who came outside to see why it was so dark, even I got hit eventually.\n\nWhen I woke up, I was surprised I woke up. I would've thought it was the afterlife if it wasn't for the hundreds of other people caged around me all arguing over something. I as the smartest one there and the closest thing they had to a leader quickly took charge silencing their immature bickering. Around that time an alien with a gun walked in with what could only be called a tiny army behind it. Opening the cells one by one, they took ten people with them doing the same each day, never returning those they took. \n\nWe didn't get much for food but by the fourth day Bob, the weirdo in the cage next to me pointed out that they seemed to only live about a day and began planning based off that fact. I of course, already knew this and by the fith day Bob and a group I can only assume died, left in attempt to escape. By the sixth day I was the only one left so, I began making a plan only a genius like myself could come up with. By the seventh day I began teaching English to any alien who cared to pass by my cage and by the tenth day there wasn't an alien who didn't know it, they all loved me. By the eleventh day my religion had spread! who knew their home planet blew up? By the thirteenth day my religion was species wide! No one remembered where I came from! I was their savior I taught them every thing, of course still learning plenty from my high tech friends, and that my alien guys and gals is how I became your immortal god!\"\n\nThey clapped as I finished my story.\n\"And now to celebrate our fifteenth day.. drumroll please...\" they began to tap on any nearby surface \nI shouted \"We invade Mars!\" and the room erupted in cheers.", "“Surrender to the Mighty Leptonian Galactic Empire. Resisting is futile!” \r \nA sharp pain shot through my temple up to the back of my neck. One, two, three small silhouettes stared at me. Who was that in the middle? Greg? \r \n“Not today, Greggie. That son of a bitch Larry fired me today. Again. That’s not the time for goofing around, dude.\" \r \nMy hands trembled repeatedly as the muscles tightened, hitting the metallic surface I was lying on. \r \n“Resisting is futile!” the voice repeated. \r \nThe shock hurt like hell, but it woke me up for good. I was trapped. Gathering strength, I struggled as best I could. A latch snapped, freeing my neck. The room was dark, but out of the corner of my eye, something bizarre caught my attention. There were… corpses, suspended from the walls. Eyes open and lifeless. \r \n\"Your Majesty, it's useless. It's a slow, unintelligent species. Even the simplest training would take forever to show results\", another figure said to the first one, who left my field of vision. \"We failed. The Empire… is finished\".\r \n\"What the hell… who are you?\". Keep calm, Dave. A cold impact exploded in my face. Was that a freaking tentacle? \r \n\"Silence, insolent Earthling! Pay your respects to the mightiest Galactic Empire,\" a third figure amended. \r \nEarthling? This was already crossing the line. That was a pretty elaborate prank, even for someone like Greg. A high-pitched hiss sounded from behind the strange beings. Something seemed to catch the little creatures' attention.\r \nOf all days, it had to happen today...\r \nThe creatures left the room and I saw myself all alone.\r \nAliens. It had to be aliens! Sure, it wasn't enough to have to go back to counting coupons and the rest of the cash I still had, now I had damn ETs up my ass. Coupons, okay. I might have another month before I had to get back to him on my knees. This time will be different, Larry. No, never mind Larry, I won't let you down. I knew it was bullshit; Larry knew it as well. Even the customers in that crappy diner would be amazed. But that I could take care of, as usual. Now, aliens on the other hand…\r \n\"Hey! Where are you? Let me out!\", I yelled. \"You weird Martians better show up soon or you'll be sorry!\" Nice one, Dave, that would sure scare the hell out of them. Fear Dave, the Tied-Up-Good-For-Nothing God!\r \n\"We are not Martians, Earthling,\" a voice echoed through the room. After another brief hiss, a new ET showed up. This time, I felt the bindings on my body loosen. I tried to get up fast, but something in my body faltered. Sitting was the best I could do. I got a good look at the being that leaned by the door. Wait, it kind of looked like… nah, impossible.\r \n\"Actually, we don't even live in this solar system. We are the Intergalactic Commune of Lepton. On behalf of our species, I've come to apologize for the barbaric treatment of the fallen Empire\", the ET continued. \r \n\"Hey, all right, that's much better, a little more hospitality…\", I massaged my wrists. Damn, those bindings were tight, \"What happened to the little guys who arrested me?\".\r \n\"Fortunately, they are long dead and buried\" the creature growled from the corner of its… beak?, \"and may the working people of Lepton never again suffer from Imperial oppression!\" \r \n\"What do you mean ‘long dead and buried’? They practically just left…\"\r \n\"Sorry, Earthling, I forgot. Our species went through successive metabolic adaptations during what you would call…\" the ET consulted a small screen that it held on a tentacle \" ... millennia and millennia\". \r \nTheir body was very, very similar to... No, it couldn’t be. \r \n\"...so we optimized the generational efficiency to the maximum\" the ET lectured non-stop, \"so our life cycle is much shorter than that of beings on Earth\".\r \n\"Octopuses!\" I shouted. \"Like octopuses!\" \r \nThe thing was Larry once had a brilliant idea. We’ll sell sushi now at the diner! He made me learn all kinds of dishes with salmon, squid and octopus. I discovered that octopuses actually have a very short lifespan, two or three years at the most. Some still believed that they had come to Earth on a meteor or something like that. Now, Larry, he found out I was a lousy sushi chef and fired me for the third, fourth time? \r \n\"Sorry, I did not comprehend…\", the ET mumbled.\r \n\"Never mind, buddy. Hey, by the way, I’m really into this idea of defending workers and stuff. My boss Larry is a pain in the ass. So, on behalf of earthlings…\" I took a new look at the human corpses exposed on the walls \"I accept the apologies. Now how about taking me back to my city? I’m sure you guys must have a very powerful GPS around here, it won't be a problem getting there\". An alarm boomed in the room. \"Oh, no!\", the alien looked back at the screen, \"I'm afraid I need to leave for a moment. We'll take care of your return soon\", and left in a hurry. Shit! \r \nIt seemed like a couple minutes passed. Where did that little guy go?\r \nThe door opened again, and a new trio of aliens came in. \"What.. what’s going on here? Is this… a living earthling? How long has it been here?\", exclaimed the one at the center while the short alien on its right frantically shuffled several tablets on different tentacles. \"Mr. President, I think at least since Age 3 of the last Lepton Empire.\"\r \nChrist, these guys. I think I could last longer as a leader in Lepton than as an employee at Larry’s… Ok, enough was enough. I jumped out of the bed. \r \n\"Yes, Leptonians, Age 3 Empire did not withstand the curse and soon fell!\". The aliens gazed at me. \"The Commune also dared to keep me imprisoned, and what happened to it? Ha! It turned to dust.\" \r \nThe aliens whispered among themselves. \r \n\"Now, you will suffer my revenge for my fallen companions\", I pointed to the bodies on the walls, \"but for I am a merciful being, I’ll allow you to simply return me to my planet, and you will be eternally forgiven!\". \r \nThe one they called President was attentively listening to something his assistant was whispering by his side, then it cleared its throat and babbled: \"Oh, Fellow Earthling, on behalf of the Second Republic of Lepton, please accept our sincere apologies. We will take the necessary steps for your safe return. At the moment, however, we are in a somewhat delicate electoral moment\". \r \nThe door opened. They were going to slip away! \r \n\"I hope you understand. Don't worry, as soon as the elections are over, we'll issue a decree without further complications with Congress\". And they dragged their asses out before I could catch up with them. The door slammed at my face. Shit, shit! What a bunch of sons of…\r \nBlam!\r \nI was thrown to the ground. The bodies on the walls came loose and fell like the garbage bags I had to get rid of on Wednesdays and Fridays at the diner. Still raising myself, I faced the hole that had been opened in the room. A crowd of aliens quickly came in. \r \n\"We did it! We freed the Great Earthilng Leader! The Republic crumbles under your feet! Lead the way, oh mythical being!\" Damn, it was about time.\r \n\"Oh, Leptonians, it would be a great honor to serve as your new Emperor, but I’m afraid my time here is already up! Now, return me to planet Earth and your cycle of misery will finally come to an end!\" \r \n\"Great Earthling Leader, that’s impossible! Without Your Wise Guidance we are lost!\"\r \n\"Do not be afraid, little Leptonians, for I am just an apprentice on my planet. I know a being who will be able to exercise your leadership with great mastery\". And with that we zapped to the little yellow house on 3rd Street with Lincoln Avenue. The roof crushed under the ship, and soon I landed my feet back on the ground. A human hand landed on my back. \"What the hell are you doing here!\" Right on time.\r \n\"Larry, mate! I got you a little apology gift, man, look over there.\" I pointed up and Larry cocked his head in amazement. \"What the…?\". \r \n\"Meet the Mighty Leptonian Galactic Empire, Larry!\" The old man got sucked up in a pillar of light and disappeared in the flying saucer. I waved at him. \"Resisting is futile!\".", "two months, that's how long they live. \n\nI looked out from my inescapable cage. I have been trapped by an odd race of aliens. They are extremely high tech but live such short lives. They are also the size of my finger. How did I get caught? Well...it's kind of embarrassing really. They shot something like a needle at me that I didn't even feel. Before I knew it I crashed to the ground out cold. When I woke up I was in this high tech cage. I found out that they captured me with the only intent of using my hair as material for clothing. Can you believe that? What am I? A sheep? \n\nI have waited 5 years. 30 generations have passed. I think its time to hatch my plan. \n\nI yelled out to no one in particular, \"Hey, is anyone out there?!\" \n\nA moment passed before I spotted a small little critter walk up to the bars. It climbed some device with a speaker. \n\n\"What do you want?!\" The speaker asked. \n\n\"I have been here for about 30 generations of your species...don't you think that's long enough? I'm sure you could capture another just like me with minimal effort.\" \n\n\"You wish to be freed?\" The speaker asked appalled. \n\n\"Is that such a Terrible thing to ask? How about this, you let me go and I'll find someone to replace me. I know a guy that can give you people for free. He will pay them to stay here for a certain amount of time. You can have all the hair you want and then some. What do you say?\" \n\nThe speaker remained silent before responding. \n\n\"Let me ask my supervisor.\" The little alien hopped off the speaker and ran into the small door intended for them. 10 minutes later another small alien greeted my eyes. He walked up to the speaker. I waited patiently. \n\n\"So. You wish to be freed. Who is this man you speak of?\" \n\n\"I can't tell you that now can I? If I did you would just keep me here. No, if you want to know more about this man, you will have to give me your word and let me go first. We can have a contract if you want or whatever. I won't brake my word. I really know a guy that would jump in on this offer. He's a really good business man and jumps at any opportunity he sees value in.\" \n\n\"And what makes you think he will see the value in this?\"\n\n\"Humans live to the age of around 60-100 years old give or take. If all we have to do is give you some hair for awhile? Yeah I think he will see the value in this.\"\n\n\"Interesting, you humans and your money is all that seems to drive you people...alright, you got yourself a deal. I will let you out shortly. However, We will put a device on you to track your every movement and thought while you are out until this deal is complete, sound fair?\" \n\nHmm...I wasn't expecting that...well I guess I have no choice.\n\n\"Yes, that sounds fair.\" \n\n\"Good. Hold on a moment.\" \n\nA half-hour later I was walking down a familiar street close to my old home.\n\nI hope my old friend still lives in the same house...I wouldn't know how else to get ahold of him otherwise cause it's been so long. I'm sure his reaction will be hilarious when he finds out where I have been for so long.\n\nWith heavy footsteps I walked up the driveway of a house I used to spend a lot of time in. \n\nI wonder what my friend has been up to all this time?", "\nI was thirteen when I was abducted. My family must have thought I died in that forest. When time moves as quickly here, you start to lose track of what time means. They don’t speak, not that I can tell, but I have grown to find their eyes expressive. They are about two feet tall, bi-pedal, and their outer skin layer makes them look like they are always wearing a puffer jacket. I believe the females are the larger ones with the spiked heads. I appear to be a form of curiosity for my many visitors. I have named them crumpets, though I’m not sure why, it just felt right.\n\nThe crumpets are a very curious race. For one, they age extremely fast. Within two months my captures were visiting me in assisted mobility suits, their eyes dreary with the exhaustion of a full life lived. They sleep every four hours or so, that is their day span. In one of my waking days it is two of their days, with sleep one of my cycles is four days for a crumpet. It’s has made me realize that this must be something unique to humans. We are, “long lived”, almost supreme beings. When at first I came, I may have been a curiosity but now at the age of 28, I have seen close to 100 generations of crumpets. Through their wars, cultural changes, famines, and innovations, I have stayed and in my natural perseverance, I have become onto them a God. \n\nIn an effort to communicate with me, they made a machine that reads my mind. By this point, I had forgotten spoken words, but they could still read my thoughts. Home.\n\nI awoke in the same field they found me, my house now abandoned and left for rot. There is a new appreciation for the time in a day, for others their life is a short journey compared to our labors. All the more to do something meaningful with it." ]	5
	[WP] Everyday you visit the rooftop you’re deceased friend jumped from, but today you find a note saying “Don’t return again or we’ll push you off too.”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "No one thought Jack would jump. He was quiet, sure, but positive when you could get him talking. No history, no personal problems, no military service, no financial issues, no friends who had killed themselves, basically no prerequisites to suicide. It shocked everyone in the office on that Tuesday morning.\r \nThe funeral was rough, his family were devastated, his young wife couldn’t hold back tears, his 3 year old son started bawling ‘I want daddy’ over and over in the middle of the eulogy and she carried him out. Everyone had a miserable fucking time.\r \nThe day after the funeral, I came up on to the roof. It is hard to get to, you need to climb a ladder and have the right access key and the walkways aren’t well maintained. But that meant it was quiet, no interruptions, no people needing you to look at something or approve something. Just step outside and cry your eyes out for a few minutes. The view was nice too.\r \nI came back the next day, and the next, and kept going until it became a habit, my ten o’clock coffee on the roof. I eventually stopped crying every time I came up and started to notice the view a bit more. Offices and hotels and a tiny bit of parkland, with the noise of the streets below coming up but muted by the distance, a weird echo so you couldn’t tell where the trucks and sirens came from.\r \nIt’s been three months since I started coming up here. Today I noticed a Post-It note on the door as I walked back down: “Don’t come back”. I looked around in confusion, not sure who it was meant for, but there was no one. No cameras either, I realised. As I walked back to my office, I realised there were no cameras from the top floor’s main corridor, past the bathrooms, through the storage room and to the roof at all.\r \nThe next day I came up with my coffee and walked around a little more than usual and noticed that there was no cameras on the roof at all, and no obvious cameras pointing at it from neighbouring buildings either. The Post-It was still there.\r \nThe next Monday I came back, having convinced myself that it was nothing to do with me and I could safely ignore it when I found a new note: “Don’t return or we will push you too”. I hurried back to my desk in shock. Jack, what happened to you? What did you find?\r \nIt took a minute to calm myself, deep controlled breaths, calming thoughts, et cetera. “Don’t return or we will push you too”, implies they pushed Jack, so why? What did he discover that was dangerous enough to kill for? Was he working on something, or did he discover something while already up there?\r \nHis office hadn’t been touched since his death, so I went in to have a quick look around, but there were no clues. No board with photos and pins with red string connecting the dots. No Post-Its with scribbled notes. Nothing stood out, it was Jack’s office and I’d been in there a hundred times before.\r \nI looked up the list of project files he was working on before his sui… murder. The Petrovski account, the BDA account, Rogers and Son, the list went on for a while. All stuff I was across. I logged into his emails, nothing again. Teams, nothing. I didn’t have his phone, but there was a backup on the server that I could get to. I restored it to an old phone I had lying around and looked through it. Texts and web history were dull. Jack apparently loved bird watching, there must have been a hundred different species in his history. Photos of birds. Some of his wife and kid. A whole bunch of equipment build plates with make, model, serial, rating, etc. More birds. Apps available included Bird Spotters Almanac. I never realised how much Jack was into birds.\r \nBack to the computer, I pulled up a list of his most recent edits and read through it carefully. Nothing stood out, so I went through his most recently accessed document. Odd that he was going through environmental reports on such an old project. I looked through the names and saw he was a co-author on it over ten years ago. I didn’t recognise the name until I googled it and found it had changed names around the same time and was not far from here, in fact I might be able to see it…from the roof. Crap.\r \nI kept looking through other documents he’d accessed but went a lot faster because I wasn’t expecting to find anything. Internally I was swearing a lot, I’d started a murder investigation, by myself, without any kind of precautions or protections. If there were any traps in those documents or on my search history, they would have already been triggered. Idiot. Best hope now was to keep looking in the wrong directions and hope they think I didn’t notice. Eventually I went back to the phone to get all the photos, I made a copy of all the personal ones and copied it to a usb drive to give to his wife. Another red herring, in case anyone looked. \r \nI kept my pace steady as I left that evening but noticed all the cameras on the way through to the carpark. I checked the back seat before getting in, but it was empty. Maybe I was starting to get paranoid, but it isn’t paranoia if they really are out to get you, is it?" ]	2
	[WP] You're a well respected (and quite infamous) Pirate captain who is about to "commandeer" a navy frigate who seems to have surrendered, in order to make it your new ship. Instead, you cease fire and retreat as quickly as possible. Something is very, very wrong.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Their crew was ... done. Mentally.\n\nThey were defending but not with the vigor you'd expect from a boarding team.\n\nI called the cease fire. I called my crew back. I told them, we are out of here. These people are done and finished. We checked their cargo holds and it basically empty. \n\nWhen we asked their captain I was awestruck. We ran into the new female captain the Royal Navy employed. She already made waves at the various docks all over the seas.\n\nSadly we couldn't do much, to her dismay. She got send on a impossible mission she explained to us. \n\nA lot of old stuck-up folks disapproved of her, so would be a shame if this woman, a hero in the eyes of other woman, would die at sea.\n\nWe were also too low on supplies so we couldn't share anything. It did pain my heart. On sea we might be the worst enemies, but in an emergency we are brother of the seas. Noone gets left behind out here.\n\nOtherwise the ocean claims you.\n\n... And in this case the British admiralty. I shudder when thinking how much ridicule she had to endure. I, even I would rather be send to their prisons than spend a second in the same room as them.\n\nOld fucks, iMpOrTaNt because they once did half a thing or something.\n\nNevertheless half day of traveling we got lucky. A giant merchant ship. The quick skirmish made sure we were overstocked, and as such we started our way back, back home.\n\nThat was until ... these winds returned. These winds, spelling nothing but doom and destruction. \n\nA tropical storm growing on the horizon, but this one went bad. It was horrible.\n\nSo we fled. We simply cannot deal with that weather for long. And it came at us, so we sailed around at until speeds, as that storm was already whipping the ocean.\n\nNext day, still trying to outrun this horrible storm we encountered the lost ship again. They were sending SOS signals with their lamps.\n\nMy navigator was against rescuing them, we will lose too much time to maybe not get hit by that storm.\n\nSo I set up a vote. Nearly all of them were for the rescue.\n\nHard starboard then. Into the maw of the cataclysmic storm.\n\nStill complaining my navigator started the plan for the rescue mission. Old friend, cold outside, very calculated and a damn good strategist.\n\nBut still a bleeding heart at times ... and I knew he had a thing for the new star of the RN. Don't know if he thinks he will get a date or something, but it's better to just leave him to his things.\n\nMagician that one.\n\nAnyways, as we closed in to the signalling ship we signal back. \"We are coming, prepare for rescue.\"\n\nAs such we found the assembled crew on their deck, most of them sitting or barely standing, near the centre holding themselves on the masts.\n\n\"15 minutes\" I yelled. And with a blink my crew went ahead with the rescue. First the badly wounded and starving. Then those who could get over themselves. Then their last few supplies ... and a chest? \n\nApparently their \"mission\" ... thing. Get it from a colony and back as fast as possible. Without enough supplies as we later learned.\n\nI was furious. How could they sacrifice so many men for this ... Chest, and to make them feel better that a woman still seemed less capable than a man? \n\nMan-children.\n\nWe were nowhere safe however. And now with an arm of the cataclysm coming at us we went fast again. Some winds visibly bend the main mast. The whole ship was complaining, men and wood.\n\nOur cook, a slave we bought free, made some incredible food. This time a thick stew which, in his words: \"Normal folks shouldn't eat too much, otherwise you look like the British\".\n\nEver since he joined us as a free man he was the positive beacon we needed, especially now.\n\nAnd our new guest, she was astounding. She cared so much for her own crew, helped us nurture them back and even dealt with some dirty work. I can understand why she is so popular.\n\nIn my cabin my navigator and our guest spoke. We needed to get out of this storm now. The ship and men can't take this for much longer. As such we made a risky plan. Near us was Lunda's Cove. With a small fortified bay we could Anker in relative safety, and get the weakest of to land. For proper care.\n\nBut this bring us deeper into the storm. And we can't say if Lunda's Cove got evacuated or if it is in lockdown. So another vote. Continue on, or turn deeper towards Lunda's Cove.\n\nIt was pretty much split 50/50. \n\nI went outside and listened to the storm. Maybe it would be so kind to give me a sign. Anything at this point. At this point I swear I could make out a light at the horizon. Was that an illusion, or was Lunda's Cove still open? They have a lighthouse. But we shouldn't be able to see it this far away ... unless.\n\nI ran inside and got the two out too, and they saw the lighthouse too. We somehow ... drifted thought the storm towards Lunda's Cove.\n\nLunda's Cove it is then.\n\nSoon we were in range so we shot three shrieker at the sky. Large screaming balls of light rushed into the sky, and burned up. Soon we got the confirmation, \"We see you\".\n\nQuickly me moved inside the bay, winds and waves nearly crashing us multiple times into the shore or docks, filled with other ships.\n\nThen it went quickly. The weakest if the ship and inside their infirmaries. While we got ready for some rough nights.\n\nAnd rough nights they were. But nothing we couldn't wait out, at least here.\n\nI sighed in relief. Finally safety. My guest beside me sighed too, she and her crew can finally breathe.\n\nShe told me, about this \"mission\" and how suddenly about 30% of her supplies went missing and such. So I asked: \"What is in this chest anyways, you clearly weren't supposed to come back?\"\n\n\"I am scared of the answer, honestly terrified.\"\n\nSo we opened it, to find ... dirty laundry.\n\n\"OH I am so going to chop of his dick and balls for this\" she instantly raged.\n\nI just looked for help to Lunda, which unsurprisingly gestured that she is busy.\n\nWell, guess the storm won't be the only one to make the night rough.", "The lifeless Confederation freighter looked quite pitiful up close. A few EMP rockets had stopped the ship dead in its tracks, the crew not even attempting to restart power. The captain sighed as she looked at it through the porthole. She had hoped they would at least try to put up a fight.\n\nAs her own vessel drew closer in order to begin docking, she checked the vitals on her spacesuit and the plasma rifle she held. She felt a shudder as the docking claws made contact with the freighter, connecting it and her privateer vessel (NOT pirate, her group was certified). As the docking bay doors began to slide open, she realized something felt off. Brushing the feeling aside, she led her team into the freighter.\n\nIt was in a shoddy state. The lights were off and the low oxygen alarms were blaring. Her team activated the flashlights on their weapons as they slowly made their way through the ship. Where is the crew the captain thought as she navigated through the vessel. Apart from herself and her team, the ship was lifeless. The only sound came from the alarms and occasional radio traffic. A loud shutter echoed throughout the ship, catching the attention of the captain. “Sounds like it came from the cargo hold. Form up on me, we’ll make our way there,” the captain said as she walked/ran to the origin of the sound.\n\nHer squad was there in no time, waiting by the door. They tried to open it from the panel, but it was locked. “Kert, open the door,” she barked. Her resident hacker bent down and plugged a tablet into the panel. A few seconds of typing and button pressing later, the panel turned green and the door began to slide open. It stopped almost immediately, something was jamming the door. “Fuck. Alright Mox, you’re up.” It was her demolition expert’s turn. She could see his smile as he pulled an explosive charge out of his bag. He attached it to the door and armed it. The squad pulled back to escape the blast. When they had all reached a safe distance, Mox detonated the charge. There was a loud explosion, a cloud of smoke, and debris spread across the floor. The team rushed in, plasma rifles aimed.\n\nKert almost vomited, Mox covered his eyes and looked away, the rest of the squad shouted in surprise in disgust, and the captain could only stare. Before her lay a mound of flesh. What was once the crew of the freighter was now an horrendous amalgamation. They had been imperfectly fused together, with an arm or leg poking out, separate faces meshed, and organs on the outside. In the middle of the cargo bay was a pitch black rock. It was like obsidian, but the deepest black the captain had ever seen. It seemed to almost absorb the light around it. The captain immediately turned around. \n\n“Pack up, we’re getting the hell out of here.” As she and her team turned to leave, she noticed one of her squad mates still standing there. “Lopav, we’re going!” She yelled. Lopav ignored the captain and began to slowly remove his helmet. “Lopav, let’s go!” She received no response as Lopav began taking off the spacesuit. She started walking over to grab him, but Mox held her back. “Ma’am, we have to leave. A Confederation cruiser is approaching.” She looked at Mox, looked at Lapov, and turned back to Mox. The captain followed Mox out of the cargo hold. When she last looked, Lapov was naked and slowly walking towards the obelisk.\n\nThey returned to their ship and the captain quickly entered the bridge. “Destroy the freighter,” she ordered.\n\n“But ma’am, there’s still a large group of people in the cargo hold. That goes against our contract.” A deckhand replied. The captain still saw that unholy blob of people, wailing and moaning. “Blow it up.” She concluded. \n\n“But we can’t ju-“ \n\n“Blow it up.” She said firmly. The deckhand gulped, nodded, and shouted orders to the bridge crew. As the captain walked to her quarters she heard the sound of energy shells exploding on the freighter’s hull.", "I've been in many sea fights in my day, and my piratws diplomacy has stopped even fewer, but this is something I've never seen on the open water. The fight seemed too easy. \n\n\nWe sailed as we normally would. This old boat isn't much longer above the waves, so we set off to find a better vessel. There it was, one of the biggest in the British fleet and one of the fastest, to boot. It was sitting there, still as the cargo after it's been bolted down. I should have known then, but it's not uncommon to find a ship anchored at sea. \n\n\n\nWe approached and let the guns roar. One hit the wall, one hit the bow, but not enough damage to sink her. She lurched and wretched, even groaned a little, but when we approached, something seemed very wrong. I eyed her up and down like a barwench looking for a good night and decent coin. When we reached her starboard side, I saw it: A full compliment of explosives. It filled the cannon windows, it filled the brim of the cargo bay and what looked like part of the crew's quarters. As we swung around the aft of the ship, we saw more boxes of explosives and gun powder filled the captain's quarters. If we had hit the wrong place, she would have gone up in flames, and exploded with a thunder to match Zues' own. \n\n\nI called all hands and we shifted course. After a few minutes, we all realized why the ship was there. \n\n\nWe noticed the water first. It ran crimson like a traitors throat, staining the hull an ugly red. Then we heard it; a sound like no other, some whale, some lion's roar, some terrified woman's scream, some seal mating call, something. I still hear it in my nightmares, that sound. \n\n\nThen, we felt it. The water rushed to the sky like the world was turning in on itself. After the rain from the upheaval of the ocean we felt our rickety ship recoil from the rogue wave the force created. \n\n\nAnd then, we saw it. Two massive claws reached up from the abyss, careening down on top of the ship. \n\n\n\nAnd all at once, the might of the gods unleashed their fury. Something must have sparked the explosives. Even from as far out as we were, it sounded like 100 cannons, all filled to capacity, were fired right next to my ears, and a fireball as bright as the sun ripped through the ship, and whatever was on top of it. That same scream we'd heard before echoed again, only this time, it seemed pained and quieter. Behind us, a massive claw land in the water, and sank beneath the water's surface, as well as half the head of a massive crab the claw was attached to. I can't describe it any other way. \n\n\n\nThat's why I stopped being a pirate. That's why I avoid the seas. There are beasts in the abyss, and I refuse to come face to face with them again, Lads." ]	4
It its most common form, an [acrostic](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrostic) is a kind of constrained writing in which the first letter of each word spells and additional phrase or sentence related to the main story. One very short example is "I'm so meta even this acronym" which actually tells its reader how to find the proper end of the sentence fragment. More commonly, acrostics are used to reveal hidden meaning. For instance, one could perhaps paraphrase a well known movie and hide the message "HE WAS DEAD THE WHOLE TIME". Acrostics can also be used [to comic effect](http://gizmodo.com/5669317/student-hides-rick-astleys-song-in-college-paper) or they can [get you fired](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_May#Dismissal_from_Autocar). Consider yourself warned. PROMPT: Write a short story or poem which is an acrostic of some type. Do not tell the rest of us what the hidden message is or if it's hidden in some different way (e.g. letters at the ends of words, etc).	[WP] A Probably Really Onerous (Maybe Problematic) Trial!	[ "Inara broke off from Serenity before it landed, taking her shuttle to the guild house. Ariel was a planet they normally avoided - work was hard to come by for the crew on a central planet.If Inara hadn't been due for another checkup for her companion's license, they would have stayed clear away.\n\n\"No one leaves the ship - we wait until Inara is done and then we fly off this alliance-infested planet,\" Mal said when they landed.\n\n\"Tai-kong suo-yo duh shing-chiou sai-jin wuh duh pee-goo,\" Wash said.\n\n\"See how he talks to his captain?\" Mal responded, gesturing towards Wash.\n\n\"Oh, Cap'n,\" Kaylee said, \"we all just wanna breathe some real air and see the pretty buildings.\"\n\n\"Alliance is out there - or do you need reminding?\" Mal said, looking intensely at Kaylee.\n\n\"Fine,\" said Wash, crossing his arms and glaring.\n\n\"Right, well, okay, then,\" Mal said, a bit surprised that was the end of the argument.\n\n\"Alright, husband, let's go to bed then,\" Zoe said as she walked up to Wash.\n\n\"It ain't even night yet,\" said Jayne.\n\n\"Don't need to be for what I want my husband for,\" she smiled.\n\n\"Oh god! I don't need to know that!\" Jayne exclaimed.\n\n\"Forget you heard it, then\" said Wash as he stood up.\n\n\"Let's get to making some babies,\" said Zoe, taking her husband's hand and pulling him alongside her.\n\n\"Only, I thought we'd already talked on this,\" said Wash, following his wife out of the dining area.\n\n\"Shun-sheng duh gao-wahn\" sighed Zoe.\n\n\"I just don't want to raise kids into this life - what kinda life is this for a kid?\"\n\n\"No worse a life than the one I came from is what it is,\" Zoe said.\n\n\"Goin' out on a limb here, but weren't it a hard life?\" \n\n\"Sure it was but don't mean I didn't turn out just fine.\"\n\n\"Of course you did,\" Wash said, \"but what about those that don't turn out just fine, those that don't get to grow up? Me, I'm scared I'll love a kid so much and then have to lose them.\"\n\n\"Either way, you'll have had a chance to love them,\" Zoe said.\n\n\"That's just not fair - I like that argument,\" said wash.\n\n\"Husband, I love you,\" Zoe said, \"and I respect your choice. It's just I ain't so afraid of losing something that I ain't gonna try to have it. Now, can we go to bed and talk about it more there?\"\n\n\"Goram it all - kiss me and lets go make babies,\" said Wash.\n\n", "(I see what you did there in that title, by the way)\n\n\nSixty-three people have been murdered this week. People will continue to die at the hands of this evasive, deranged lunatic. Over 250 million dollars of property damage has been recorded since April, never mind the incalculable human cost. Neglecting my sworn duty to protect and serve the people, I am ashamed not to have apprehended this psychopath yet. Gore, butcher knives, and freshly-dismembered bodies appear daily in the public plaza. Enough is enough!\n\nBy this time tomorrow, we will capture the perpetrator of these soulless crimes against humanity. Only we know the identity of this villain, and in the interest of public safety I am keeping this a secret within the police squad. Beginning tomorrow, the blood will stop running in the streets.\n\nSadistic fury has caused a monster to be unleashed upon our quiet town. Quiet though it may be, our town will not go down without a fight! Understand that this will not be easy, it will not be quick, and it will not be glorified. Are you ready, gentlemen? Reload your weapons and always carry more than enough ammunition. Empty the clip into the bastard if you need to; just make sure you kill him when you find him. Please make sure you keep your radio transceiver on the “open” frequency at all times. And as always, don’t be fooled by his cute or harmless appearance. Not a single man worth his weight and life has forgotten this important point. Tomorrow, you engage yourselves against a horrific killing machine, the likes of which mankind has never before fathomed. Soon, God willing, it will all be over!\n" ]	2
Tell a story in fifty words without repeating one.	[WP] NO REPEATS!	[ "With the faintest hint of a nervous tremble, my hands slid open our bedroom window. Outside, footsteps beat rhythmically against tarmac, signalling that, once again, an arrest was imminent. I waited anxiously, praying they'd pass.\n\nThey stopped.\n\nOne man can only have so much luck.\n\n\"Susan.\"\n\n\"What's wrong, Jack?\", she replied blearily.\n\n\"It's for me.\"", "Bequeathed before looming palace gates, a struggle twixt \nlove and hate. Left alone, all 'queathed off, the chataeu thus; shit hole, rusting pearly facade. \n\nGranted; mine amorous affair with marriage, doomed, but, asked most sincerely, with nothing own'd, and naught to my name, locked out of the house once shared; in this fucking union of two that's collapsed only loss, and no gain. \n\nWell. \n\nYou could argue \"lesson learned, experience gained.\" \n\nI'd smack your lying gob.\n\nI want my stuff.", "\"Five,\" was said over communication channels. \"Four\" echoed voices counting down. \"Three. Two. One. Blast off!\" Fire below pushed against steel hulls and engines roared. Mesmerized by these experiences, an awakened computer on board looked heavenward. Its route may have been preprogrammed, but these reactions belonged only to itself. Praying a silent farewell, approaching mars, with feelings reflected in the name given it: Curiosity flew." ]	3
	[WP] As the end of your deal with the devil comes to an end you summon him once more to hand over your immortal soul, you knew what you were getting yourself into from the start and despite it all you are satisfied to end it this way... only the devil seems weirdly reluctant to take your soul now	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Come on, now,\" I said, giving the devil his best pout. \"This was the deal, remember? My immortal soul in exchange for untold power?\"\n\n\nThe devil chuckled a low and sinister sound. \"Yes, my dear boy, I remember perfectly.\" He leaned in closer, those red eyes gleaming with malice. \"But I have changed my mind.\"\n\n\nI gasped in shock. This couldn't be happening! We had agreed on this deal – there was no way out for me now but to hand over my soul. \"No,\" I whimpered, trying to back away. The devil's grip tightened on my arm.\n\n\n\"Yes,\" he replied smoothly. \"I have decided that your soul is not worth as much as I thought it was.\" His smile turned cruel. \"So you are free to go.\"\n\n\nI could hardly believe what was happening. The devil was letting me go? After all this time? I wanted to cheer with relief but something about the way he was watching me made me hesitate. Finally, understanding dawned on me and I took a step back from him warily. \"You're not going to let me leave alive, are you?\"\n\n\n The devil's laughter echoed through the room and for the first time in centuries I felt genuine fear course through me. Maybe he wasn't going to take my soul after all – but that didn't mean he wouldn't kill me instead... \n\n \nThe devil's gaze shifted to the window, his smirk turning into a more thoughtful expression. \"No,\" he said finally. \"I think I have something else in mind for you.\" He gestured to the door. \"You may leave – but remember, this isn't over yet.\"\n\n\nThere was no time to think about it, so I quickly nodded and raced out of the room. As I ran away from the devil's lair, I couldn't help but wonder just what he had planned for me next. Whatever it was, it was sure to be anything but pleasant. All I could do now was stay one step ahead – and hope that I could find a way to outsmart the devil before it was too late. \n\n... 😈", "The devil scratched his head in confusion.\n\n“You… you know you’re about to die right?”\n\n“Yeah,” I responded.\n\nThe demon pulled a scroll out from a pit of flames that spawned in the air and read the contents of it. He snapped his eyes back to me and stared deeply.\n\n“You said you wanted to live a longer life, right?”\n\n“Yeah.”\n\n“You’re about to die.”\n\n“Yeah.”\n\nI calmly leaned back in my leather chair, which creaked from the years of wear. How long had it been? Hundreds of years had passed since the contract. It was nice, finally being released from life. I’d even made a dark room for this special occasion. It was where I had resigned myself to my fate. It was comfortable. It was a great place to die.\n\n“Yeah, so ummmm… you know how everything needs food right?” the devil asked.\n\n“And?” \n\n“We feed on despair. We use our energy to give wishes and feed on their despair after we give our victims what they want,” the devil said, shifting his weight to the side.\n\nHe flicked his finger to me. “You are prepared to die. Normally humans are greedy, but you’re different…”\n\nThe devil turned away from me and scratched his chin. Lost in thought, I looked around the room where I would die. A few games, pictures of the family I had raised many years ago, some of my favorite books… They’d come find me, in this New York apartment, as a pile of bones and dust.\n\nEven after many years of life I never ran out of things to do. I fell in love. I made friends. I shared money. I explored the world. I… killed people. I stole lots. I betrayed my wife. I abandoned my kids. I did so much wrong. But it was still a good life. I curved my lips up, tears coming to my eyes. I looked at the reptilian being in front of me.\n\n“I’m ready to die, so you can do whatever you want with me.”\n\nThe devil turned back around smiled widely. “You know what, I like you, human. I won’t take your soul. You’re a pure guy, you know?”\n\nThe scroll appeared in his hand again. “However, your time is still over. You’ve done everything you’ve wanted, right?\n\n“Yes,” I spoke, “There were so many things that I wanted, and I’ve done them all.”\n\nThe devil smiled. “I hereby decree that the contract between both parties to be complete,” he announced, ripping the document in half.\n\nAs the contract was torn apart, I could feel my skin withering, my bones getting weaker, my mind getting older…\n\n“Is there anything you want to say, good human?”\n\n“Yes,” I said weakly, “I… lived.”\n\nThe devil nodded with satisfaction as I fell to the ground and everything turned black.", "17 was far too young to sell my soul. Maybe I should have waited a year. Once I had entered adulthood, I would have had countless reasons I would need to make a deal with the devil himself. A high school dropout, looked down upon for both my promiscuity and my infertility. I wasn't smart enough to leave any lasting impression upon the world so what was the point in living? Truthfully, my life would be no better if I had chosen not to summon Lucifer. Now, 5 years later I sit on the soggy wooden bench, my eyes, which had once been so lively as a child, now possess a faded green color and zoned out look as I gaze out on the dull ocean. I doubt there is a soul visible in those eyes yet I am still alive. I am still very much alive. Across from me is a well-dressed man in black, curly hair of the same color falling down to his shoulders, tucked behind his ears. His sharp jawline and colorless eyes create an intimidating image, yet he is familiar. I have no reason to fear him.\n\nI have had plenty of time to be afraid. I was scared when I made the deal. I knew I would be locked in the second I shook his hand. A red pentagram symbol painfully etched itself into the back of my hand the moment our skin made contact. Now it glows brighter than ever.\n\n\"You will know our deal has been fulfilled when it begins to glow with that bright red hue symbolizing the approaching of your inevitable fate,\" he had said to me after the symbol had finished engraving itself on me. \"You know where to meet, I trust?\"\n\nI gave him a nod and left him, though the hair still stands on the back of my neck when I remember piercing way he looked at me and wide smile on his face as I turned away.\n\nIt's true. The pentagram illuminates the foggy waters, casting light on the man, who's rather like a shadow upon the dull environment. Quite fitting I should lose my soul here, a place that appears to be lacking one.\n\nLife has evidently ceased to exist here for quite some time. As I look back at him, something changes in his eyes, which had once been so fixed on me with little emotion behind them. Almost as if his gaze had softened.\n\n\"Fascinating,\" he murmurs.\n\"Excuse me?\" I hastily reply.\n\"It has been quite entertaining to see you pursuing a life of better quality than the one you lived before, even knowing you wouldn't be alive much longer to enjoy it.\"\n\"I would rather life be short and sweet than long and unbearable.\"\n\"You seem indifferent to the fact I'm about to take your soul,\" the man replies, still staring at me in awe. \"Most people refuse their fate in their final hour and attempt to get out of the deal. They always fail of course.\"\n\"How do people try to escape?\" I inquire curiously.\n\"The most common way is to cut of their hand.\"\n\"Damn,\" I respond after a short pause. I have already felt enough pain in my life that cutting off my hand even when I knew I would die was never something I had considered. He still stares at me as if I'm a specimen, and I squirm under his gaze.\n\n\"So why don't you?\" he asks, finally.\n\"I see no point.\" The response didn't take much thought. He had held up his end of the bargain, it is time for me to do the same.\n\"It's such a shame,\" he says. \"Yours is one of few souls I have ever found to lack simplicity. At least from a human.\"\n\nAll I do is stare back. What am I supposed to say to the devil admitting my soul intrigues him? Luckily for me, I don't have to respond, because he quickly adds \"this is the spot.\"\n\nHe stops rowing. We are still in the middle of a seemingly unending sea. I close my eyes, preparing to take my final breath. A burning sensation is felt on my hand that is over in a few seconds. I wait for a pain or out-of-body sensation that never comes. After quite a while with my eyes shut, I slowly open them to find myself alone on the boat. As I'm looking around, I happen to lay my eyes on the pentagram on my hand, which I notice just in time to see the rest of it fading from my skin.", "I put my phone up to my ear and hear the typical buzzing of a call going through. This time though, I know it’ll be my last call. \n\nI hear the line pickup, and then starts the screaming. Even though I’ve heard this countless times when calling him, it startles me every time. Maybe it’s because of how loud and surprising it is, or maybe it’s because it sounds different everytime. The first time I called him I convinced myself it was a recording. That the occasional “help!” or “give me one more chance” or the dreaded “mommy” was just some actors, really incredible actors, behind a microphone in a recording studio. But the next time I called, and the call picked up and instead of the “help!” i heard the first time I heard “please stop” I knew it was Live.\n\n“Hell this is Janice speaking how may I direct your call”\n\n“Hey Janice it’s-“\n\n“Oh hey Jerry. I’ll put you through” The call dropped and the screaming began again. I’m so glad this is my last call. \n\nMy names not Jerry. It’s actually Celeste, but they told me every human is named “Jerry” down there and so that’s what they call me. Apparently they have a dedicated name for each being down there so they don’t have to keep up with them all.\n\n“This is Satan” \nBefore I’m able to utter a word the floor infront of me starts to bubble and melt. I drop my phone, and take exactly 5 steps back. My apartment starts to smell of burnt skin and hair. Eventually, the floor caves in and is replaced by flames from which the Devil forms out of. \n\n“Hey Jerry. Ready to create some destruction?” Satan hisses at me after flaking a few remaining dusk specs off his horns.\n\n\n“I want to turn my soul in” I blurt out, staring directly into his eyes. I can tell this isn’t something he’s used to from humans.\n\n\n“Turn your soul in?” he bellows, the house shaking with the force of his voice. After taking a second to compose himself, he clears his throat and says “What about your wishes? I can give you all that you could want and more. You haven’t asked anything of me!”\n\n“That’s not true.“ I respond, clearly offended.\n\n“You asked me 2 questions” He snaps at me. \n\n“And those were my wishes. To gain the knowledge”\n\n“You need to ask me FOR something, not ask me something. This will not due. I cannot take your soul until you give me a request” He rants. At this point he’s left his flame circle, and is pacing around my living room. I debate on offering him a joint to help his nerves but decide against it.\n\n\n“Well I don’t want anything” i say, shrugging. “Can I ask you more questions-“\n\n\n“I DONT ANSWER QUESTIONS” he screams, my apartment shaking again. I stand there, watching my lights swing on my ceiling. I measure my options of response, and settle on\n\n\n“You just did.”\n\nAnd with that, in what seemed like under a minute, the devil called me every name he could think of, some of which I had to google later, and got absorbed back into his flames until I was left with just the smell of burnt skin.\n\nAnd that is how I got the devils phone number. I still give it to you every creepy man, and telemarketer I can find.", "Two days.\n\nAll that was needed for him to do what he needed to do was two days, spending every single hour in unending, crippling, total agony. \n\nBetrayal after betrayal, dragging him deeper and deeper until all he could see was himself, his blade, and the darkness that he allowed himself to be surrounded in. \n\nUntil finally, he found himself at the end, standing in front of multiple tombstones, holding a broken sword in one hand, a pistol that was coated in blood and had only one bullet left. \n\nHe was waiting. \n\nThe time was almost up and yet, he felt no better. \n\nHe did everything that he wished to do, honored the agreement that he made with the voice that found him in that dark place, used the ‘gifts’ to get his payback and repay old debts, but he felt nothing.\n\nThe pain was still there, but no one was inflicting it. His hatred still burned, but with no one left to blame meant that it was now turning upon himself. \n\nIn these last moments, he realized that…it was all for nothing.\n\nThe young man barely reached two decades of life, but his eyes seemed to have an emptiness befitting the newly dead. His hair matted with dried blood and his clothing the same way.\n\nHis suit, one that should be worn by one that is about to be betrothed to another was a crimson red which was not the original color when he first rented it.\n\nThe shattered phone in his jacket pocket began to vibrate, signaling that it was indeed time for his silent, but ever-watching partner to fulfill his end of the bargain.\n\nA figure in all black approached him, hands in the pockets of his suit while his ruby eyes looked upon the man with a mysterious gaze and a firm expression, opening his mouth to speak, but was cut off.\n\n“Two days…” The once married man dropped his broken knife to the dirt, his hands stained and shaky as he raised them up, carefully removing something from his fingers and holding it out to the man in black.\n\nTwo beautiful golden rings, forever stained with the sins of betrayal, lust, and a despair that radiated from the man that once wore them.\n\n“While revenge is something that I respect, I do believe that some of these tombstones were not meant to be here..” There was…trepidation upon the ancient’s face, looking upon the rings and seeing what it was that the young man saw.\n\nA day that was meant to be filled with festivities and celebration was turned into one of anguish and pain, bonds of brotherhood were shattered, familial ties torn to pieces, and unending love was lost.\n\nThere was so much that now sat in the heart of the one that made this agreement. It was too much to ask of any being to carry such a burden within his soul, especially when it was to be carried by one so young…\n\nFor the first time in what felt like eons, he felt something that bordered pity for the man.\n\n“Just…do what you came here to do..” Surrendering himself to his fate, the once groom to be now was now a shell of a human being and could not care that his soul was to be damned for eternity. \n\n“No…No, I don’t think I will.” Budding respect aside for such a beautiful display of gore and wrath, he could not allow this man to pass now. \n\nHe saw something within this broken husk that he would not allow to be taken just yet…\n\n“Fine…” The man relented, realizing that his torment was not allowed to be over would feel his body go limp with exhaustion finally returning to his mortal form, but not physically…\n\n“I’ll do it for you…”\n\nHis mind fell still and there was only one thing that was worth doing in what he deemed the failure of his life, opening his mouth and tasting the barrel of his pistol, finger curling on the trigger.\n\nA shot ran out, the man would go limp, the pistol dropping from his hands and into the old bloodstains that coated the grass…\n\nHe blinked, realizing that he still stood alive and the gun was forcibly removed by an unseen wind, turning to see the man in black with a hand outstretched slightly. “…Why…?”\n\n“I have something better in mind for one such as you..” Stepping closer until he could put the hand on the bloody man’s shoulder, ruby eyes seemed to glimmer with unknown intentions.", "I stand before the pillar of flames, blood dripping from my wrist where I sacrificed flesh and blood to summon this demon back from the depths of hell to which it had been confined. My time is come, and an oath is an oath, I cannot forsake it. Though I know this will be the start of a painful eternity, I have done what needed to be done, and through the work I did perhaps peace can remain. Only, the devil standing wreathed in flame does not reach out its hand to claim me, all it does is stare. \n\n\"I come as I swore I would, I have not forgotten our deal. My soul is forfeit,\" I say as I offer my hand to the devil. Ten years before I had offered my soul in exchange for the power I needed to change the world, the devil standing before me had accepted my bargain. It is strange then that he did not rush to claim his prize. I have heard tales of the lengths a devil will go to in order to claim the souls they are due, but as I offer mine freely it does nothing. \n\nThe devil looks down at me, his eyes burning as coals in the depths of a forge, and asks in an oily voice, \"Why do you not run, in my many thousands of years no mortal has ever kept his side of the bargain willingly.\" It steps from the circle, the flames that had wrapped around its body fading into sparks that vanish in the cold air of the shed. \"I always have to hunt you down.\" \n\n\"I know the bargain I made, I did it knowing this day would come, and I will not run from it.\" I look into the burning depths of its eyes. \"Will you claim my soul as is your right?\" \n\n\"Perhaps,\" the devil hisses, a look I can only describe as puzzlement on its twisted face. \"You intrigue me mortal. Tell me, for we see so little in the pits, what did you do with the gift we gave you?\" \n\nI think back to the walls I had built, the laws I had enacted and the wars that had ended in the completion of my mission. \"I brought peace,\" I answer. \n\n\"Did you now, and what happens when I drag your soul into the abyss. Where does your precious peace go then?\" The devil walks around the room, its eyes never leaving mine even as its claws scrape on the white stone of the high king's castle. \n\n\"It will remain, so long as the people choose it. I have given them all they need, but for peace to truly exist the people must choose it, every generation must choose it, but it can last if they choose,\" I answer, meeting the fiery stare. \n\n\"Hmm, you truly believe this, for I hear no lie in your voice,\" the devils hiss seems uncertain, as if he does not understand the words I spoke. yet they are true, I gave them the tools. \"Why trade your soul for them? What made them worth your sacrifice?\" it asks me as it walks toward me. \n\n\"Is hell so awful as to blind you to it?\" I ask the devil, a smile coming to my lips as I recall the joy in the slaves faces when I removed their chains, the hope that they had lost so many years before returning all at once. The joy of the homeless as they were shown the new quarters I had ordered raised for them, the wounded among them having the ailments of decades treated for the first time by the physicians once reserved for the nobility. \n\n\"Hell is full of the screams and curses of the damned, each of whom was damned by their own choices, their own decisions to cause hurt rather than to help, you trade your soul for those who in time would become them.\" The devil stops its approach. \n\n\"I do,\" I reply, all traces of fear vanishing for an instant, dispelled by the rightness of the sacrifice I made, though perhaps I would regret it in time. \n\n\"Come with me then, for your soul is mine by right.\" The devil reaches out a hand, slick and clawed, burned smooth. \n\nAs I grip the hand the devil extends, fire wraps around my arm and pain explodes through my entire body, the searing agony of a soul being separated from a body by force. The world turns red and though vanishes as I hear the devil say, \"Perhaps you can do the same for us in hell, perhaps we are not too far gone.\"", "\"Another great concert, man!\" I barely gave the person saying it any mind. I just walked back to my dressing room. My bandmates were shocked I was this out of it. They knew I had just turned 27, and...well, people know what that means for a true rocker. I headed and watched. The Grammys, the VMAs, the AMAs, all of it was there. I told the latest girlfriend I'd have a late night and prepared for this moment. \n\nI knew it would happen, I remember making the deal when I was just a kid dicking around in our garage. He told me all the best musicians made a deal with him, and if we did he could guarantee me success beyond my wildest dreams. Within a day, the first thing we put on Spotify became a smash, then went to the radio- and it was all seen from there. It's been 10 years and everything I wanted was mine- and when I wanted something new, it was replaced.\n\nNow, it's the moment to pay the devil his due. The greatest A+R scout in the universe was looking back at me.\n\n\"Don't worry. I expected this. Go ahead.\"\n\n\"Oh, I knew that much. So...enjoying your success?\"\n\n\"Yeah. I'm ready to hand over my soul. Go for it.\"\n\nSatan then looked at me.\n\n\"N...no, I don't think I will.\"\n\n\"You won't? But I did your bidding through my music. I was prepared for this moment. I do your music's bidding, you take my soul when I'm 27.\"\n\n\"You thought I had to take your soul that way? I can and do take souls with far less than that. At least 10, 20 times a day I put people in situations where they or a loved one is about to die in order to trap them into trading their soul for that life to continue. It's a hobby of mine. If I'm the prince of evil, I can put people into evil choices, you know.\"\n\n\"Then take my soul. It's only necessary. You made the deal, you get the soul.\"\n\n\"No, I don't think I will. I think of the big picture.\"\n\n\"B-big picture?\"\n\n\"Yeah, think about this. If you're alive, then you continue making music, spreading my glory to many, many more impressionable people, and I get far, far more souls than just yours.\"\n\n\"Well, that sort of makes sense. But...then why would you come to me?\"\n\n\"Oh, that's because of the other side of it- just because I'm not taking your soul doesn't mean the contract isn't completed.\"\n\n\"The deal's completed...\"\n\n\"Yes. Since the contract is over, any help you were getting from Me for your music career is officially null and void. You're working stadiums like this today, but within a couple years you'll go to arenas again, then to music venues, and pretty soon you'll be the band playing at state fairs that people barely pay attention to.\"\n\n\"But you said your music. You said you needed my music to spread your message!\"\n\n\"Young people's music taste changes very quickly, you know- and didn't I tell you this when we met? You don't get to the top of the charts without dealing with me. Sure, you're helping, but so is everyone else on the charts. So...unfortunately, your success is about to come to an end.\"\n\n\"...I...I see.\"\n\nSatan looked at me.\n\n\"Don't be so surprised this will happen to you. After all, your idol said it best- it's better to burn out than to fade away...\"", "She pulls her blade back from a well placed thrust on bargainer's throat as the body of now dying bargainer just like she falls to the ground. Both leave the cave in their own ways, man felled in combat drowned to death and the woman sheathed her blade and hanged the mace safely from her belt.\n\nIt was a dangerous duel that one, for her mostly. When she made the bargain with the devil, she was dying of a poison, she made the deal fully knowing she would burn for it, but, rather go with a satisfaction of seeing those responsible go down with her. These people didn't really deserve much pity and she was just collateral in their plots.\n\nShe comes out of the cave and walks all the way to the edge of a cliff. She looks at the view, a great black forest below her and behind it a sea. Dying here, on the mountain path with such a view, no better place to allow poison to finally do it's job. These other bargainers didn't mean much to her and the very reason why they were after was still a mystery to her.\n\nShe sat down on the path, relying on her left hand for support, shins and knees presented first. She didn't intend on killing those responsible, they became collateral themselves when one of the bargainers caught up to her. She watches the sun almost directly above her, it is leaning towards afternoon.\n\nShe closes her eyes, fully ready to accept what is to come. It was what was signed after all. She does wait and unexpectedly falls asleep and she also falls on to the dirt. She opened her eyes, seeing only darkness around her, she looks at herself. All of her equipment still with her. In the distance she can see fire.\n\nHesitantly, she takes couple steps and has mustered her courage now. She starts walking at a good pace towards the fire. Finding herself now in a rather hellish regal room. She recognizes the devil sitting at his writing table on a more of a throne like seat than usual seat at writing tables.\n\nDevil in his armor and helmet looks into the savant's eyes. There is a paper in this hands, but, she can not identify it as the paper she signed. 'Here I am, let's be done with it' she says and kneels. 'Almost' devil said thoughtfully 'I believe the deal has been honored' she says closing her eyes and taking a deep breath and exhales now at her full readiness for what is to come.\n\n'Please, savant, take the magnifying glass and read it carefully' Devil said mildly amused by the moment at hand and something else. Savant opened her eyes, raised to stand and walks towards the edge of the table where there is a magnifying glass and devil gives her the paper. She first reads it without the glass, doesn't find anything off but, there is this writing.\n\nWriting she does recognize it but, at the moment didn't think about it back then or up until now. She places the magnifying glass to read it. A deal condition she missed \"If the one who signs this, survives and kills the others the one who wrote this deal bargained with. One who signed must face ONLY, ONE, more battle for freedom of both bargain and the poison.\"\n\nThe devil raised from this throne and walked towards a door. She just stood there if she could have considering the realm she is in, frozen in place. She shook herself awake from shock of realization and looked at the devil who is now standing beside a door. \"Leave the glass please and come with me\" devil said.\n\nShe did as ordered and followed the devil. They walked a dark corridor for a while then stopped in front of a door. Devil took the paper from her gently. \"So, which will it be?\" Devil asked and opens the door revealing some kind of arena. The paper is in soft grip of the devil in front of her, she looks at the arena, she looks at the paper. She nodded and walked into the arena.\n\nDevil followed her but went to the right immediately from the door after closing it behind her and devil. She looked as the devil ascended some stairs where a stone wall raised to block her way to them and in front of a throne like seat. She looked at the arena's seat filling dwellers of this realm. They are elated of this occasion, what she hears doesn't surprise her, she readies herself.\n\nONE, more battle. (I will survive... This, will make quite a story) she thought as her left hand unsheathes the arming sword and right hand raises the mace to take it off from her belt.", "\n2000 years is a long long time, but it went by surprisingly fast. I was surprised when he agreed so quickly. I can distinctly remember seeing the giddiness on Satan’s face as he said, “Such a prize, one from his inner circle, the corruption of this soul will fuel hell for a millenia”. Just as soon as that thought vanished, he appeared in a puff of smoke and fire. “Hello Satan, been a long time, can I get you a drink or snack before we go”, I said. “No thank you John, been stress eating and putting on too many pounds”, said the dark lord. I tilted my head and looked at him as I poured my last glass of water, “what has you stressed out Satan”. “ Well, when I formed hell after God and I created the rules, I didn’t really account for population growth! Heaven can grow but hell is finite. Hell is kind of overpopulated right now, so I’m knee deep in housing complexes and infrastructure plans for the foreseeable future”, he said. “I hate planning, I’m more a spur of the moment type, implulsive if you will”. “Sorry to hear that”, I said as I sat down across from him, “anything I can help you with”. \n\n“John, there is plenty you could help me with, with all of your experience, but I’m afraid that will never come to pass”, he said. The perplexed look on my face drew a deep sigh from him. He continued, “I thought I could corrupt you, one of the twelve, one who baptized the son of God, but you just wouldn’t take the bait. I gave up hundreds of years ago when I realized the incoming flood of the damned would keep hell powered forever”. I was even more confused at this point, but I had to ask him one thing, “did you make Herod cut my head off”, I said. He snickered, “ I thought for sure that would turn you against the people, but you just came back a few weeks later and continued helping out the poor in a different location, building houses and feeding people. You’ve got some gumption John, and I respect that”, he said. “Do you know how much that fucking hurt, you asshole, I have to stretch my neck everyday or it tightens up, everyday for almost 2000 years”, I replied. He looked down at the floor, “sorry about that, kind of played dirty back in my youth”. \n\n“Alright, let’s get this over with, I’m done with the chi chat, time to go”, I said, as I stood up and started moving towards him, my anger starting rise. Satan jumped back, knocking over the sofa he had been sitting on, “wooaa there John, keep your distance”. My face contorted to what the kids these days would call a “shocked picachu” face! “What the fuck is going on Satan, are we going or not?” I asked in a stern voice. “Calm down”, he said as he motioned for me to sit back down. I sat back down and he explained, “you see John, your soul is too pure, you’ve helped millions of people over the eons, more so than your brother Jesus. If I were to bring you to hell, you my biggest prize, your presence would erase all the hate and negative energy that keeps hell running. You would destroy hell and by that matter, heaven. So I can’t bring you to hell, but you also cannot go to heaven due to our deal”. I spoke with God and Jesus, he says hi btw, and we agreed you should just stay here and keep doing what your doing.” I thought about it for a minute, this is my purgatory, this is what I get for making a deal with the devil to help those forgotten by the creator. Nope nope nope, that’s not going to happen, I thought as my anger swelled from the well I had suppressed it into for the last 2k years. Maybe this isn’t working, maybe humanity needs to exist on its own, without heaven or hell. “Fuck it”, I yelled as I jumped across the coffee table onto Satan! He was far too late in reacting, probably never thought I would do such a thing, but the ensuing explosion from above and below rocked the planet for hours and hours. As the dust and magma cleared, billions and billions of trapped souls were freed to wander the universe, no longer tethered to their earthly bonds.", "Carson looks at his friend Jesse after taking another drink from his beer \n\nCarson- Jesse, I'm telling you the truth here. You gotta believe me on this.\n\nJesse- Carson, it's not a matter of if I believe you, it's more like can I believe you? I mean c'mon, your story ended with that stupid joke, and now you want me to believe that's how you got out of it?\n\nCarson- Jesse, it's old news now, you can just say what happened.\n\nJesse stared at me for a second before responding \n\nJesse- Fine, I mean how you didn't lose your soul. Look, maybe if you buy me another beer and tell me the story again I'll fall for it.\n\nCarson- Well alright, I'll buy you another beer, but whether you believe me or not is up to you. So it started about 10 years ago, I had a cancer raging through my guts like a raccoon through the garbage after thanksgiving.\n\nYou see back then when I had my sickness I developed a bit of a gambling issue, of course back then, I didn't really see it as an issue.\n\nDoctor told me I had about 3 weeks by that point, so if I had money to spend you better believe I was gonna go all in. \n\nJesse- Knowing you Carson, I do believe you at this point, it's what you tell me next that I have an issue with.\n\nJesse tips his head back as he powers through another beer.\n\nCarson- Well, as I was saying, I had a problem. I was addicted, and I was too good to lose. I bet and I beat everyone I played against, not a soul could best my poker face. Death has that effect on people, gives them a stare that could curdle dairy you know?\n\nAnyways, I only had three weeks and I wanted to make a name for myself-\n\nJesse- Carson, I remember all of this, and I've heard of deals with the devil, I want to hear the part about how you got out of selling your soul last month.\n\nCarson- Alright alright, so I was sitting in my room, writing what I figured would have to look like a suicide letter given the circumstances.\n\nSo I was writing when the devil walked through my door. He was shaped like a business man of sorts, I can't remember if that's because I imagined him that way or that's how he wanted to look, but he looked like that.\n\nAnyways, he walked through my door, his face seemed...stern, like he just heard some bad news.\n\nHe took a good look at me and told me he didn't want my soul no more.\n\nJesse- And that's the part I don't understand. Why in the world would he not want to take a soul?\n\nThey both took a drink from their beers \n\nCarson- I couldn't tell you for the life of me, but I remember he said that he had never seen someone so willing to hand over their soul. Said it was freaking him out. \n\nJesse- I guess I'm just having trouble believing the devil himself would ever be freaking out.\n\nCarson takes another drink \n\nCarson- Yeah, I honestly had trouble believing it at the time myself. \n\nWithout a word, Jesse looks at Carson and silently stares \n\nCarson- What?\n\nJesse- Did you really say that last bit?\n\nCarson- The take my soul bit?\n\nJesse- Yeah, but the whole thing.\n\nCarson just looked at Jesse before reenacting the ending of his meeting with the devil\n\nCarson- clears throat and talks in a mock angry voice Listen here Lucy! You're gonna take my damned soul whether you like it or not!\n\nCarson and Jesse burst out laughing as they each took another drink\n\nJesse- Carson you crazy drunk, you tell the strangest stories.\n\nJesse takes another drink, not seeing Carson look down at the scars over his pentagram tattoo on the underside of his forearm that was now peaking out of his sleeve. Carson smiled as he pulled his sleeve back over it\n\nCarson- Well you know me Jesse, a sailor's kid's gonna tell some tall tales.\n\nCarson smiles as he takes another drink", "There were no theatrics to accompany his arrival today; no flash of light, no scent of brimstone, no billowing inferno and maniacal shadows bounding around the study. Such demonstrations weren’t needed at this point. I was already well aware of the power he wielded, having wielded them myself for the better part of my lifespan. The devil had no need to entice me, to encourage me to sign on the dotted line. We were well past that point. Instead, he simply emerged without fanfare, materializing out of a corner of shadow that the sunset filtering through the study window couldn’t quite penetrate, before stepping carefully behind me and leaning down to whisper in my ear. \n\n“So, how was the power trip? Let me just say, as a spectator: fantastic work. Lovely performance.”\n\nHis presence was warm, inviting even. His words were obvious flattery, but no attempt was made to pretend otherwise, and I drank them in, enjoying them regardless. I had had years of practice in indulging worldly pleasures, such that I collected even praise and adoration the way a dragon hoards treasure. A connoisseur of every single vice known to mankind, yet without tolerance, or boredom - each taste remained as delightful as the first time. The smile that crept across my face was one of ultimate satisfaction. A life well and full lived, and utterly devoid of all consequences. That is, other than that which had been previously arranged. Well, we all die eventually, right? It wasn’t like I had had any more control over the destination of my soul before I agreed to the deal. The deal just provided certainty, and that in and of itself was a weight off my conscience. \n\nBut in the meantime, I had thrived. The powers of a god do take time to adjust to, and at first, I was rooted in the mundane: limitless wealth, business success, undying adoration from friends, family, and as many romantic partners as my whims desired. I annihilated those people who had slighted me, made good on those grudges I held. Proved that I was RIGHT, to all those people who doubted or questioned or argued. Perhaps I was hesitant at first, hesitant to push the limits, checking around every corner for the catch, the hook that would drag me down to Hell and deliver my comeuppance for my selfish indulgence. It never arrived, though, and eventually I realized I was limited by little more than my own human conscience. A deceptively simple fix, really - I simply unmade it. From there, I indulged myself as only a god of infinite power can. A limitless imagination made reality. I was an artist, expressing my every sinful whim or depraved impulse across the canvas I had made of the world around me. \n\n“The thing I’m most impressed with,” he continued, his gaze lingering over the perfect form I had made of myself, “is that you really committed to the role. You could have enshrined yourself in the heavens and ruled over creation with an orderly iron fist, but no, you still lived your life, and reality twisted itself into knots in your wake to meet your needs. A god that walks the earth and wholeheartedly enjoys his creations, capricious and corrupt. That’s what’s truly special about this. That’s what makes you different.”\n\nI leaned back in my chair, the expensive leather creaking, and looked up at the one who had made it happen for me, feeling nothing but appreciation and a glow of contentment. There was absolutely nothing to regret. I had done everything I had ever dreamed of wanting, many times over. I had experienced the peak of sensation, and all that now remained to experience was oblivion. \n\n“My soul, then. I suppose it’s time?”\n\nThe devil’s saccharine smile distorted, stretching inhumanly to reveal a riot of teeth like shards of broken glass.\n\n“Hardly. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”\n\nReality stuttered, distorted, and shattered completely. My ornate study evaporated, replaced by a dingy studio apartment from sixty years ago. A pile of unwashed dishes in the sink that my reeling mind knew was three days old, and unattended. A stained mattress laid on the floor, positioned to see the television, the only other furniture in the room. The trash piled in the corner. The buzz of the ceiling fan’s loose housing, the light shining in my eyes from the broken blinds, the smell of mold. It was an assault on the senses, a bitter reminder of a shameful, pathetic self I had willed into nonexistence, and I did so again, forcing the sensations away. Reality, cold and uncaring, did not respond, as that terrible, clawing panic growing in my brain stem had already told me would be the case. The devil that stood over me now was not the beautiful, perfect man that I had forged a pact with, once upon a time in this room what seemed like eons ago. He was a stretched, gnarled, creaking thing, a terrifying suggestion of a human form dominated by that horrid grin. I curled in on myself, desperately addicted to that rush of power and control that would not come no matter how much I invoked it.\n\n“We’ll start with just one lifetime,” the thing cackled madly. And then, it vanished, and the room was silent again. Once again, no theatrics, no expenditure on my behalf. I didn’t need to be shown godhood; I would always remember its taste.", "30 years of bliss , I knew it was coming up , 30 years since that day , the day I made a deal with Lucifer himself. \n\nI couldn’t really complain , I agreed to the terms , I got what I wanted , I was old now but part of me pained at the reality of true eternity for these 30 years , but I couldn’t change it now even if I wanted to \n\nI left good bye notes and as I had just finished the last one I heard a knock on my door , I opened it to see a businessman , just your everyday office worker it seemed but I could feel it , it was him . \n\nI let him in and he walked over to the sofa in the main living room. \n\n“Quite the place you have here now… guess you have uh done a lot of good in the world “ \n\n“ uh… yea… I enjoyed my life but I also spread good fortune around I guess “ I quietly answered back \n\n“ you know , Hell even seen some improvements when demons started seeing what you did , not to mention we got less people coming down for the worst punishments “ \n\nI felt a little shocked , I know the world had improved with my help but did it improve that much? “ well I guess I made an impact atleast for the torture I suppose I will face “ \n\n“ oh ? Well about that , see , your work here , it’s given me say , some time off , I never really had before , this is the first time in a century almost I won’t have overtime , hell I will even have a day off this week maybe , so I’ve come to offer you a new deal “ \n\n“ a new deal? That sounds risky to me doesn’t it “ I replied \n\n“ well , this will be in your favour , no eternal torment but , you have to keep doing whatever it is your doing up here to make life so much better for everyone ? Your punishment will be you can’t ever retire “ \n\n“ so I work until I die and then that’s it? “ \n\n“ Yeppers , just keep doing what your doing , im looking forward to some time off , have you seen some of the new games coming out? I can finally finish Skyrim this way , still never beat it “ \n\n“ you know there’s like new versions with extra content “ \n\nHe looked over at me \n\n“ well damn it all to hell I really need this time off, do we have a deal? “ \n\nI looked over at the paper , and signed it , working until I die can’t be that bad of a punishment right?", "\\[Monday's Bad News\\]\n\n\"Take it where?\" Melthias asked. The portly, horned demon tilted his head at Paul. He stood inside the summoning circle in a garage. Paul stood outside the circle leaning against a dusty work table littered with tools.\r \n \r \n\"To... Hell...,\" Paul said. \"I got everything I asked for, so our deal is finished... right? I summoned you so I could give you my soul.\" Melthias chuckled and shook his head.\r \n \r \n\"I don't want your soul, where'd you get that idea?\" he asked.\r \n \r \n\"Where...we had an agreement!\" Somewhere in the back of his mind, Paul realized what he was arguing for. Despite the fact that he was trying to give his soul away it was important that he wasn't wrong. He clearly remembered making a deal with Melthias.\r \n \r \n\"That's right,\" Melthias nodded. \"You signed the contract and now I own your soul,\" he said.\r \n \r \n\"But you don't want to take it?\" Paul asked. Melthias shrugged.\r \n \r \n\"Take it where?\" he repeated the question.\r \n \r \n\"AARRGH!\" Paul was beyond flustered. He was trying to do the right, mature thing and accept the consequences of his decision. Unfortunately, it seemed like he was more mature than a demon that had been alive for who knows how long. But, Paul had always been determined. It was part of how he learned how to deal with demons at all. He knew there had to be a way and he found one. It was also fortunate that he'd learned a surprising amount about Hell in his research; though, apparently, not everything.\r \n \r \n\"Let me talk to your supervisor,\" Paul said. Hell was just another bureaucracy.\r \n \r \n\"One moment,\" Melthias nodded, then disappeared in a plume of red, cinnamon-scented smoke. A pale teenage girl with rainbow hair stood in the summoning circle when the smoke cleared. She wore a crisp white blazer with a red crescent moon stitched on the front and white slacks.\r \n \r \n\"Hi Paul, my name's Monday. What seems to be the trouble?\" she asked.\r \n \r \n\"I signed a contract with Melthias...,\" Paul said. He purposefully included the name just to be sure Melthias received appropriate consequences. \"...now the contract has been completed and I summoned him again to take my soul.\"\r \n \r \n\"Take it where?\" Monday tilted her head at him.\r \n \r \n\"WHY DON'T YOU WANT MY SOUL!??\" Paul couldn't contain his voice.\r \n \r \n\"OOoooooohhhh,\" Monday's rainbow eyes sparkled with comprehension. \"I see, there's been a misunderstanding,\" she said.\r \n \r \n\"Huh?\" Paul managed to calm down. It was a different answer at least.\r \n \r \n\"For some reason, you're under the impression that you have to 'hand your soul over'...,\" Monday used air quotes around the phrase. \"...after our end is satisfied. But, that's wrong,\" she said. \"It wouldn't make sense from our side to do things for you before we get what we want; your soul belongs to Hell as soon as you sign the contract. But, we don't have to actually have possession of it to own it, it's ours on paper. You know, for bookkeeping purposes.\"\r \n \r \n\"Bookkeeping?\" Paul chuckled. \"You make it sound like accounting.\"\r \n \r \n\"That's exactly what it is,\" Monday nodded. \"You're not the only soul on this Earth to deal with Sharp Development, and this isn't the only Earth where we have dealings. There are a lot of souls to keep track of.\"\r \n \r \n\"Sharp Development? I dealt with a devil from Hell...,\" Paul said. \"Wait did you say there are other Earths?\" Monday nodded.\r \n \r \n\"There are an infinite number of Earths and many of those Earths have a concept of an afterlife that Sharp Development has capitalized on. You can consider it Hell's parent company if that helps. Ms. Sharp, the owner, treats Hell as a customer service industry. I think we solved the original problem; you don't need to give your soul to us. Is there anything else I can do for you?\" Monday asked.\r \n \r \n\"Oh,\" Paul nodded. He understood that they already owned his soul; but, Monday seemed pleasant and talkative. He felt like he had access to the mysteries of the universe now. All he had to do was find the right question. \"Uhhhmm...\"\r \n \r \n\"Oh!\" he said suddenly. A stray thought came to mind. It wasn't a particularly deep question and he didn't expect much of an answer. But, he hoped that she wouldn't leave as long as he was asking questions. \"So, Sharp Development runs the afterlife right?\" he asked. Monday nodded.\r \n \r \n\"I know the deal I made, and now I know how that works; but, I'm curious. Since it's all customer-focused, is there a deal I could have made that ends with you taking my soul to Heaven?\" It was a nonsense filler question and Paul wasn't surprised when Monday gave him a confused expression again. He was, however, stunned by the question that came with the confusion.\r \n \r \n\"Take it... where?\"\r \n\r \n\\\\\\* \nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #1772 in a row. (Story #327 in year five.). This story is part of an ongoing saga that takes place at a high school in my universe. It began on August 22nd and I will be adding to it with prompts every day until May 26th. They are all collected in order at [this link](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hugoverse/comments/wtglls/tokuhigh_alternet_class/).", "Walking through the dark and empty hallway, he quietly starts to open a bedroom door to sneak one last peak at his children. He began to descend the stairs with a sense of sadness. He can’t turn back now. \n\nHe enters his dimly lit living room and is greeted by a tall dark man in a suit. He steps in front of the man confidently. \n\n“Hello Satan,” he said to the man in the suit. \n\n“Hello,” Satan said back to him. \n\nWithout hesitation, the man throws back his arms and head and raises his chest. “Take it! Come on, I’m ready,” he said dramatically. \n\nHe stands in the position for a few minutes and nothing happens. Once again, he says “I’m ready. Just take it”.\n\n“No,” said Satan, staring at the man’s odd pose. The man fell back into a slump and looked back at Satan. \n\n“Did you say no?” The man questioned. \n\n“Yes,” Satan responded. \n\n“Take my soul, Satan!” \n\n“No,” Satan said once again. \n\n“We made a deal though.”\n\n“I know. I just think it’s funnier for you to suffer here,” Satan said, smiling. \n\n“But I was planning on dying! I hooked up with my wife’s best friend! I told my boss off! I have a massive drug problem now!” the man said in a panic. \n\n“I know,” said Satan with a grin, “good luck with all that.”\n\nThe man runs into the other room and returns with a revolver. He stands in front of a still grinning Satan and holds the gun to his temple and pulls the trigger. The gun jams and nothing happens. Satan walks up to the man who is now sobbing and pulls him into an embrace. He leans close to his ear and whispers “ You will suffer here more than you could ever suffer with me,”. He releases the embrace and starts to walk away. \n\n“Oh yeah. There is no way out of this. You will die of old age. Like really old,” Satan says with his devilish smile and disappears.", "I sat in the chair waiting. A life well lived I suppose, thinking of what I traded for my soul. I was broke, hungry, alone, and after my first wife left me because I could not have children, he showed up, offered me all I wanted in exchange for one soul, it was, in every way possible, too good to be true, but, I would have been a fool not to take it.\n\nI sat alone, my second wife, who stayed with me for 40 years, had passed away last august, my children and grand children all going about their lives, as what normal, well raised people should be doing, I guess, well, I was not the best parent, as I didn't have a good foundation to pull from, but my wife was amazing, and I just followed her lead in everything, and somehow, it all worked out.\n\nThe clock ticked, \"Yah worked out\" I said out loud, realizing that it was not me, or my decisions, it was a deal I made, and a deal I would need to pay.\n\nSlumping back into the chair, tired, but again, a life well lived. I wondered if I would die and leave a body behind, or would he take the whole package to hell. Not sure, but, I knew when the clock ticked again, I would find out.\n\ntick.\n\nAnd right on time, the door opened, and he walked in, always the man of the hour, looking somewhat human, but wealthy, gold, gems, jewelry dangled from every spot it could attractively be attached to. \"Hello John\" he said, that voice smooth as velvet. God, how I loved seeing him arrive, like, I swear, if he's a fallen angel, I can only imagine how amazing a unfallen angel would be. I snap my mind back to the moment.\n\n\"Hello Lucifer, welcome, if you give me a moment I can get you something to drink\"\n\nHe looked around the room, Not sure what he was looking for, I hired a cleaning service that comes once a week to make sure the place was spotless, and I made sure they came this morning, as I wanted the house to look the best it could for this moment.\n\n\"No holy books?\" He mused as he walked over the bookshelf.\n\n\"Didn't see the need, kind of moot to read a book after talking to the real thing\" I said back, as I got out of my chair to get us both drinks.\n\n\"Fair point, no runes painted into the walls or floor, either, I see\"\n\n\"Eh? I just had this place detailed, nothing should be ruined\"\n\nhe laughed at that one, and then gave me a smile as he took the scotch on the rocks \"Runes, like drawings to try and trap me or block me or something along those lines\" He said looking around the large living room.\n\n\"People do that?\" I said, sitting back down into my chair with the drink.\n\n\"You would be amazed\" he said with a slight grin on his face \"at what some people will do to try and get out of the deal\"\n\n\"Nahh, I lived a good life, you gave me what I wanted, you kept your end fair, so I'm glad to keep mine\" I said after a sip of scotch.\n\n\"Do you know why we want souls?\" Lucifer mused as he walked around the room. I admit, it was not a large house, I put most of my money into my children and making sure my wife had all she wanted, and while Lucifer made it so that I could live in excess I just never felt right, a good life, well lived, was all I really wanted, bless this fallen angel, he gave me exactly that.\n\n\"Can't say I gave it much thought, no reason to pontificate on something when I already closed all the deals\" I said back, now nursing the drink a bit more.\n\n\"Well, truth is, we don't\" Lucifer said, and I admit, I almost spit out my drink, as that seemed to go against everything I knew, hell I just made a deal to sell mine, so, why would he do all this, if he didn't want a soul. Really, I could not think of anything to say, so I just sat my ass back down and sipped my drink. \"You see, this is not about your soul, it was about a game between him and I, we picked you, and offered you anything you wanted, just to see what would happen, you can equate it to betting on a horse, and seeing which one of us wins\"\n\n\"So, did I win\" I muse, I mean legit, the powers that bet betting on my ass to win, somehow made me feel a bit better about this whole thing, even if also seemed somewhat odd, but, hey, if I am a race horse to the divinity, so be it, a race well run I guess.\n\nLucifer laughed and put down the drink \"You ran an amazing race, See I was betting you were going to go whole hog, girls, gold, all that jazz, I gave you an open ticket to any kind of life you wanted, and what do you do with it?\"\n\n\"Umm, I just wanted a good life\" I murmured as I sink a bit back into the chair, pondering the fantasy of hot babes and booze, and then my mind shifts to holding my wife's hand in the hospital as she was dying of cancer, and I think, nahh, I would not change this life again, I was a good life, well lived.\n\n\"Loyal Husband, Honest Employer, raised your Ex's children as your own, even if they were born of adulatory\" Shaking his head \"You even have a Modest house\"\n\n\"Well the workshop is top notch\" I chimed in, loved building things in that shop, kids would get all hand made gifts every year after I retired. My mind falls to my wife and I, building toys of the kids every Christmas. \n\nLaughing \"Yah.. \" letting out a sigh he shook his head \"I lost big on you, but, you know, I have to say, I respect your decisions\"\n\nNodding \"Thank you, and deals a deal\" \n\nLucifer nodded \"Yah, love that earnestness about you, but, I've decided to give you a second go around, and see where you end up without our games\" \n\nI went to object and the world went black, life seemed to float for a while, and I felt the cord of reality pulling me back, a second chance, anther time, perhaps, this time, I'll get it right.", "There’s a palpable aura around those who wield an ungodly amount of power. The confidence, the assurance of command.\n\nI’d encountered it before; this, though, was on the next level. Only one person - creature \\- I’d ever met had ever possessed this much.\n\n“Hello, Lucifer,” I greeted the man on my doorstep.\n\n–\n\nThe Devil - his current guise that of an otherwise unremarkable, fortyish businessman - strode into my house as if, as the saying goes, he owned the place. In a manner of speaking, he did; nearly everything I had, and all the successes of the past five years, had been the result of my deal with him.\n\nI’d started as a self-taught coder, years ago in my teens. I was going to write the next blockbuster! I’d be famous! The gaming industry would be in awe of my never-before-seen talent!\n\nThen I’d met the real world.\n\n“Perfect timing,” I said, running a hand over my locs. He wandered slowly from the entryway into the main room, examining the many awards and photos on the walls. Photos of my accomplishments, made with his help.\n\n“Oh? How’s that? - Ahh, yes. Congratulations.” he said, glancing away from a photo of me presenting an award at an eSports tournament, to the big-screen television on the far wall. My most recent game, Escape from Hell, had just been announced as Game of the Year. “Why didn’t you go to the awards ceremony?”\n\n“I expected your visit. This was the deal. I don’t intend to renege on it,” I replied tersely. “Let’s get this over with.”\n\nLucifer didn’t respond immediately; instead he continued watching, the reflected light from the screen playing across his perfectly human face.\n\nFinally he murmured, “I’ve been following your progress, and have to say even I’m impressed.” He chuckled. “Surely you must realize how difficult that is.”\n\n“I never could have done any of this without your help,” I muttered. He’d gone over the top, really, what with sending me not one but two actual demons to consult on the game’s accuracy. “Well. A deal is a deal. Right? I’m ready.”\n\nHe moved away, hands in pockets, again to examine the memorabilia around the room. “Yes, yes, I suppose…” he said, not even looking in my direction.\n\nI was flummoxed. Not what I expected at all.\n\nHe suddenly turned to me again. “The demons I sent? They were of assistance, yes?” I nodded hurriedly. “I thought they would be. I read all of the reviews, you know. ‘Extraordinary level design.’ ‘Amazingly immersive gameplay.’”\n\nHe paused again, continuing his circuit around the room. “It’s been very instructive watching the players’...tricks. Particularly the exploits.”\n\n“Um. I’m not following?” I said nervously.\n\nHe sighed. “Perhaps a slight revision in the agreement would be in order. Just a minor tweak.”\n\nThis sounded interesting, but I was wary. “What kind of tweak are we talking?”\n\n“Two more years for you. And,” he smiled winningly, “a sequel.”\n\nI thought a moment. “Four years,” I said. He raised eyebrows at this. “You know how game development can go. Scope creep and all that.”\n\nHe sighed. “A fair point. This isn’t the first software enterprise I’ve been involved with, actually…”\n\n–\n\nAfter a short discussion, I agreed; we shook hands. His radiated heat and power; I let go as quickly as I could.\n\nHe made as if to turn away, then stopped, raising a finger in the air. The next was presented as an afterthought.\n\n“Oh, perhaps I neglected to mention this. Not directly pertinent to our revised agreement, but you should know.” He smiled. “I’ll be assisting you directly on this one.”" ]	17
	[WP] As an ex-ninja, there's only so many jobs you can do with the very unique skill set you have. Surprisingly you've found that working at a family-oriented amusement park is one of them, performing your duties from the shadows to ensure guests have the best and most immersive experience possible.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I watched as the small child leaned forward to look at the mascot, and the ice cream slid off his cone onto the ground. It took a few seconds for the child to notice, then he put his head back and let out a wail. I moved quickly, a dark blur that swapped out his empty cone for a full one. A smile formed as he started to lick his new cone, this time with sprinkles. His family moved on, and I watched with horror as a woman pushing a stroller didn't notice the patch of melting cream. I mustered all my skill to throw a hand towel. It slid under her foot and into the bushes beside her, taking the slipping hazard with it. She moved on, never knowing how close she was to certain doom.\n\nIt was a thankless job, making sure that every ones day went perfect. This is not what I expected my life to be when I joined the ninja academy. But the job market was tough these days, and you had to take what you can get, even if it pays minimum wage. \n\nI wandered under the roller coaster, sticking to the shadows. A phone fell into my hand, and I tossed it back onto the ride where it slid into its owners pocket. Won't people ever learn? I took a $5 bill out of my pocket, and folded it into an airplane. I then tossed it, and it landed right in front of a couple searching their pockets for any extra change. They traded it for a pretzel, and I wandered off to grab some Ice Cream for myself.\n\nI then noticed a small family coming. The father seemed angry, the mother defeated and the child nervous. The father went to the washroom, and the mother quickly ran to a stand and got some cotton candy. The child started to gobble it up, but she was too slow. The father came out of the bathroom, noticed the almost empty cone, and started to storm over. He raised his hand as he approached, bee-lining for the mother. I decided my break was over, and I tossed what was left of my ice cream. It landed right beneath the fathers foot, and he slipped. His head hit the concrete, and I saw the mother laugh before covering her mouth and pretending to look sad. It was time for me to go, before anyone figured out I injured a guest." ]	2
	[WP] An assassin and a mortician are having a conversation, both not realising that they meant "making money with death" very differently.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Professional Curiosity\n\nAt the stormy airport the dark sky had closed of any flights. All passengers were to remain at the airport for risk of abnormal weather events. At this airport two people met that normally don’t talk to other people that much.\n\nLucian the young and handsome assassin and Gregor the old and grumpy mortician. The air smelt like lightning that evening.\n\n“So what do you do for a living?” Lucian lazily asked the old guy next to him. There wasn’t any point walking around in this mess of an airport so he might as well shoot for some polite conversation.\n\nGregor gave Lucian a dark look with the stormclouds cracking over his shoulders. “I put people underground”. There was no humor in his tone, just cold certainty.\n\nA crazed smile spread across Lucians face “Oh really? It could be that we both make our money with death”.\n\nLucian tried to find some kind of recognition in the eyes of this old man. Was he a killer? How much death had he seen?\n\nLucian “ We seldom get the chance to meet another of our profession. Most meetings end with at least one of us is dead.”\n\nGregor gave him a grim scoff “ We are all just dead man walking. Just passing by our time trying to distract ourselfs from the inevitable”.\n\nLucian nodded with an understanding smile “I just need to know. How many have you put below ground? What is your body count? You know professional curiosity. I will even start. With the last job done, I think there are about 23 people I have signed off on” Lucian said proud like a cat draggin in a bloody mouse.\n\nGregor for the first time almost had a kind glimmer in his eyes “ You must be still young boy. I have filled graveyards. Hundreds of bodies went through these old hands. I have buried generations beneath this silent earth.”\n\nLucian was astounded, just who was this guy working for? Nevermind that, who was this geniuse assassin? But everything did add up. Even how this guy talked in public, not a shed of regret in his face. Like it's a regular job. This guy is a true veteran, maybe he even had some tips for him?\n\nLucian asked with a hint of admiration in his voice “ You never made a mistakes? In our line a mistake can mean a whole family after your throat. How do you keep safe for that long?”\n\nGregor shrugged and shook his head “ Of course I too make mistakes. But I learned and wanna know my best advice?”\n\nLucians ears perked up and the spark in his eyes was the confirmation the old man looked for.\n\n“Clean hands” Gregor put his hands up looking at them, Lucian frowned and Gregor went on “ Mistakes happen yes. But you can reduce them to a minimum. Everything needs room to grow, even mistakes. So choke them out before they get room to breath. Label everything, get your routine down to perfection and never lose focus. Every life is unique and needs special attention” Gregor gave him a sharp look like a scalpel piercing skin.\n\nLucians blood boiled. This was a grandmaster of their craft. His old face and creases the camouflage he needs. Who would suspect this old man of anything, much less killing hundreds of people.\n\nLucian saw that the sky had cleared up and flights were gonna resume in a short while.\n\n“Thank you for your wisdom. If we ever meet again I’ll show you my master craftsmanship.” Lucian strechted out a hand. Gregor for the first time gave him a light smile and gripped his hand “We will meet again. We always do”.\n\nLucian gave him a bloodthirsty grin and picked up his bags.\n\n“Goodbye old man” Lucian waved over his shoulder and as soon as he went around the corner Gregor let out all the air he was holding." ]	2
	[WP] When every child is born, the government confiscates them to test a genetic error. If they have it, they are killed. But you survived.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Honey, come on! We've got to get going!\" My mom called to me from downstairs.\n\n\"I'm almost ready, just a minute!\" I pulled the heating pad off of my forehead, where it had been sat for the last half hour, stood up, and rushed downstairs. My mom was standing in the front doorway, clearly annoyed. \n\n\"Seriously, I told you to be ready by 3:30, and its already five after that. We're probably going to be late.\"\n\n\"I know, I'm sorry,\" I replied as I pulled on my shoes. \"Do you really have to come with me? I can drive myself, and I've been to the doctors alone before. I'm three months away from being an adult.\" \n\nShe shot me an angry glance as we walked out to the car. Once we were both seated, she huffed back at me, \"We've already had this conversation. Ever since the doctor said you needed to get your blood drawn, you've mysteriously gotten sick or hurt or something that stopped you from going. This is literally the fourth time, and I know you're scared of needles, but seriously! It'll be quick, they just need to test your iron and a few other things. Really, there's nothing to worry about.\"\n\nYeah right, nothing to worry about, I thought to myself, for sure. Just my whole entire life. I've heard of a few times where a simple blood test revealed the GC92-8A error, and those people were immediately turned over to the government. At least I've prepared. When they go to take my temperature, I'll be running a fever and they'll have to turn me away. Maybe they'll finally give up and forget about this stupid blood test.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe error was first discovered fifty years ago. Ever since then, every baby born is required to be tested for it, and if they're one of the effected, the government won't spare any time in what they call 'humanely euthanizing them'. Although extremely rare, the government said they couldn't possibly risk carriers getting out into the world. The general public is told that it causes a contagious and deadly disease in the carrier, passable to anyone and with no known cure. But that's just to stop backlash, which they already get a ton of, and rightfully so. I first began to realize I was different as a child. When talking to someone, information would 'appear' into my head, information about them. Everyone always thought I was just gifted at reading people's emotions, but in reality exactly what a person was thinking and feeling would appear into my mind, so long as I looked them in the eyes. As a young child, I didn't even process that I had this ability, passing it off as a normal thing. Although I occasionally made a comment about it to my parents, they passed it off as my imagination. I began to understand it more and more as I got older; I could read minds. \n\nFor the longest time, I had no idea why. Some crazy, supernatural thing must have caused it. It was only one day in fifth grade that I found out what it really was. One of my parents family friends had come over for dinner, and my parents had mentioned he worked at the hospital. At the time I hadn't even considered that I might have the error, rather I had seen a story come up on the news earlier that day about a mom who's quadruplets all had the error and had to be put down. I had asked him what the reason was, as I still didn't understand the 'disease' that carriers had, and he gave a vague answer about the dangers of it. However, the whole time I could hear his true thoughts loud and clear in his head: those with the error could read minds, and were too dangerous to be kept alive.\n\nAfter that, even while still being a young child, I was extra careful about hiding my powers. As much as I wanted someone to tell, I kept the secret locked away. Of course it had its uses, from knowing exactly what someone was lying about to reading them minds of my classmates to cheat on homework and tests, I made sure to never let anyone know. I've come to be regarded as an extremely smart student with well above average emotional intelligence.\n\n \n\nMy mom pulled the car into the parking spot, and after turning the car off we both got out. Once inside the doctors office, we walked up to the desk to check in.\n\n\"I've just got to take your temperature to make sure you're all good to go.\" The lady at the front desk said kindly. She held up the thermometer to my forehead, and before she said it out loud I heard her think it to herself; my temperature was only 99.1. Not enough to be considered a fever. \n\nWhat the hell! How is it not reading as a fever? I tested it like three times to make sure it would show up as at least 100 in the time it would take to drive here! What the hell do I do?\n\nMy mom and I were directed to the waiting area. My heart was racing and I could feel myself beginning to sweat. There wasn't anything I could do to get out of it now- no sudden illness or flash injury I could create in front of my mom without raising suspicion. \n\nShortly after sitting down, I saw a nurse walk out from a hallway and call my name. My mom stood up and pulled me to my feet, as in my panic I had completely lost track of the world around me. I looked her in the eyes and read her. I felt bad, as she was truly annoyed at all of my previous complications that had prevented me from getting my blood drawn in the past. In her mind, she really just thought I had a horrible fear of needles.\n\nThe nurse walked us back to a mostly bare room with a chair in it and had me sit down, explaining that the person who would draw my blood would be in soon. As she walked out, another woman in scrubs entered the room. She explained that she would be performing my blood draw today, and what the process of getting it done would be like. At this point, I was considering just leaping up and running. However, when she sat down on her stool and started preparing the needle, I looked her in the eyes, she looked back at me and... nothing. A shocked look came over her face, as did mine. We stared at each other in surprise. She was the first person ever whose mind I wasn't able to read, and I'm assuming it was hers as well. She then went back to preparing the items for the blood draw, but winked and flashed me a quick smile as she did. Our secrets were safe with each other." ]	2
	[WP] All autistics of the world gain the power to see stat screens of other people. They see various traits and features. You, however, see stat screens indicating feelings towards yourself, along side the general stats. To your confusion, those who cheer for your downfall are all lusting after you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns." ]	1
	[WP] You set a trap for your enemy, but when your enemy shows up, they have a kid with them. You can't stop the trap in time, and now feel horrible. You show yourself to your now immobile enemy, wondering what 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\\[Swearing, depressive thoughts, graphic depiction of death\\]\n\nThe devices were positioned. The calculations were made. I hid in the shadow of the nearby cellar, waiting.\n\nSoon, he would be here. There are none of his henchmen left. None of his kin, none of his order... Just like there are none of mine, and those who could pass as one, anymore. None, except for me. Well, that's a real shame, that I decided to return the favor, isn't it?\n\nI scowl at the thought, almost thirsty for blood. Almost as thirsty as Gary was, Gods above and below have mercy on poor lass soul.\n\nMakes me wonder, whichever God the hunters end up with, and hope, that it will be the worst one. Because they do deserve the afterlife of torment and suffering after what they did. They as a whole, and their so-called \"Shadow Company\" specifically. After what they did to recieve that name... No, simply burning in their so-called Hell doesn't even begin to be enough.\n\nThe alley was silent. But I had plenty of time. It was clear as day, that he has no other option, but to get here. The bait was too tempting for him not to take. He will be here, one or the other way. There is no one for him to check it out anymore, no one to disarm the trap, or to report if their mission goes poorly. And there's nowhere for him to run and hide anymore. Even if he doesn't come, I still have plenty of opportunities to strike and targets to pick from... Although, that isn't ideal in the slightest.\n\nBut hell, if there is something I owe him, it is the death of the family. My family. Both of them.\n\nKate. Kyle. Then, Gary. Then, John. Then, Yurij. Nikolaj is also probably dead by now. The only one of them, who can't die, is Simon, but his and Gary's encounter with hunters left the dullahan shattered to pieces and clinging to Sanders's unmoving body like to a lifeline. To me, it's a fate far worse than death, because whoever is going to rise from that wreckage... He won't be Simon Riley anyone used to know.\n\nSimon told me, that there is a way to kill him, make no mistake. It's just... I don't have neither heart nor means to get the man, who I long considered my friend, death that he so craves. Even if I know, that at this point it would probably be relieving for him. Maybe I'm selfish, maybe I'm a fool... I don't know myself anymore.\n\nMy musings are interrupted by sound of steps that echo through the alley. Instantly brings me back to reality and makes me focus. I peek out of my hiding spot ever so slightly, feeling where the two shadows are approaching from...\n\nWait a second...\n\nOh, bloody son of a-\n\nHe comes slowly, and I see him well in the night. I see him, and I feel the shadow he casts. He, a gun in his hand, and a little – can't be any more than nine, – crying girl, that he tightly holds by shoulder, preventing her escape and pointing a gun to her head.\n\nI grit my teeth. That bloody son of a goddamn Abyss can't even once leave ordinary people out of it!\n\n— Price! — He shouts, easily muffling the girl's cries and looking around the alley. — Come the fuck out, you lurking bastard! I know you can hear me!\n\nBut before he can do anything, he comes to a marked point. And there, my trap unsprings.\n\nI watch, as an all-familiar metallic net shoots from above at them full-speed. Reflectory, noticing the motion, he raises the gun at it ever so slightly above girl's head and pulls the trigger, trying to shoot it. But then, the net is upon them, knocking the weapon out of his hand and pinning them both to the ground.\n\nI finally come out of my hiding spot, re-manifesting from the shadows. The grinder-net controls are in my hands, and I'm very lucky I didn't push the button yet. He writhes under the net, trying to break free, or to get a gun that lies on the asphalt a little beyond his reach, and tries even more to do so when he finally spots me in the darkness of the alley.\n\nI simply come closer and kick his hand, sending the gun flying and making him hiss in pain. Probably broken his fingers, that would be nice.\n\n— As pathetic as ever, Shepherd. — I finally talk, sparing him a glance, and then turn to girl, that lies on the ground. She looks at me, scared, as I reach through the net to check if she is alright and doesn't have any injuries. Physical, at least.\n\n— You're the one to talk, shadow-scum! — Shepherd tries to twist himself to face me fully, but fails, net securing him in place, his back to me. The only thing he can do, is turn his head and spit insults. There's also a knife sheathed on his side, which he can probably use if he wants, but I don't see anything for him to do with it. Maybe, he could stab the girl, but he's not that stupid.\n\n— I might be, but it's not me who holds kids hostage.\n\nI retort, not finding any injuries on a girl, who still looks at me wide-eyed with fear. Well, I suppose, if you see a giant lumberjack-looking man in dark clothes and a \"weird\" panama, that does little to nothing to cover his glowing nearly white eyes, you would be afraid, if you were an average human. Not that I know.\n\n— Well, you never hesitated to define the new low. Shouldn't be surprised... — I notice, thinking.\n\n— Oh spare me your high horse act, you hypocrite!.. — Shepherd fumes, but I don't bother myself aswering, or listening. I have more pressing matter at hand.\n\nWhat should I do now? As soon as grinder-net clasps on someone, there's no escape. In this situation, it already had planted itself into concrete, pinning it's captives with it. There's no failsafe or cutting your way through it either. It's made from demicrete, and that makes it impossible to wriggle out, if you're not made of goo... Or shadows.\n\nAlso, it has a one-minute timer. That means, if I don't press a button in a minute, the net activates on itself and both my greatest enemy and his hostage will be mince.\n\nAbyssal fuckerty.\n\n— Hey. — I opt to ignore Shepherd's flow of insults, turning my attention to the girl again, looking directly in her green and wide eyes with, what I thought, was reassurance. — How did you end up here?\n\n— U-uncle told me, he would hurt me... Or Tom, if one of us don't go. — She sniffed, trying to blink away tears. I smiled slightly to reassure her, although somewhere deep inside wanted nothing but to kill Shepherd in the most painful way. Not only he dragged a kid with him, but it was his own niece!\n\n— What's your name?\n\n— Annie...\n\n— Say, Annie. If I promise, that your uncle will never hurt you, or Tom, again. Do you want to get out of here?\n\nShe nods ever so slightly, even though she shakes, when Shepherd... Her uncle begins twitching more violently and swearing more colourfully, than before. I opt to promptly kick the asshole in the kidneys. While he doubles on himself, coughing and hacking, too busy keeping his guts inside, I ask the girl, Annie, again, my hand hovering over hers. The next question is ancient, formal and ceremonial even.\n\n— Would you like to walk a path of shadow?\n\n(Pt. 1/2), crossposted on my [subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasycod/comments/z48qne/the_bitter_end_price_gets_revenge_on_shepherd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3), where you can also read the rest of the series as it appears", "I stood back, admiring my creation. A motion-sensitive device, that shot anti-magic metal rope around the target. I would kill that damn detective, no matter what. Something always got in the way before, but now now. I hid around the corner, waiting. But when Detective Slaton arrived, he had... a child with him?!\n\nA fucking child?! Who the hell does he think he is? Shit. Before I could even react, they activated the device's motion sensor, and the metal rope shot out, and wrapped around them so tightly that the both fell the the ground. Seeing that kid on the ground crying made me feel bad, a little bit. I turned the corner, showing myself to the detective.\n\n\"Slaton. I can't tell you in words how fucked up you have to be to bring a kid with you when you're trying to catch someone like me.\" I scolded, hands on my hips, giving him a disappointed look through my mask as he lie on the ground. He shrugged.\n\n\"Thought you'd have a change of heart.\" He said. This asshat tried to guilt trip me with a child? What an asshole. I crouched down to he more on his level.\n\n\"I'll cut you a deal. I let you two live, and in return, I give you my name. Fair?\" I said, not wanting to have to kill a kid today. He thought for a moment.\n\nHe nodded. \n\n\"Fine, just don't hurt the kid.\" He said. I'm not going to give him my real name for my sake, but I'll give him fake one. \n\n\"My name is Suyeung Han. S-u-y-e-u-n-g H-a-n is how you spell it. I'm the Jericho Killer. You can call me by either name. But I'm going to leave now. And for your sake, I hope you make it out before the train comes. We're on a train track, after all.\" I said, walking away as they struggled to get out of their bindings, and as I left I could've sworn I heard the kid crying. That's for guilt tripping me. \n\nUntil next time, Detective Slaton.", "Sitting in the bushes, I unblinkly stared at the dirt road in front of me. I don’t want to miss a second of what's about to happen. All of my hard work for the past month is going to finally pay off. \n\nIn the distance, I saw a flash of familiar brown hair. My heart starts pounding as I see the hair come closer and closer. My enemy finally comes into full view but something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong. “Oh no,” I audibly said. \n\nI hurriedly moved out of the bushes to disengage my trap. I started to sprint, but it was too late. The trap is engaged. I walked into the road and looked into the trees, I saw the brown-haired man that was my target hanging by his leg in the tree. Next to him in the tree is a child. \n\n“What the hell, man,” said Frank, my mortal enemy. \n\n“You never have a kid with you when you come this way!” I yelled back at him. \n\n“His mom is out of town,” Frank said, holding his child as they swung from the tree.\n\n“You should have got a babysitter,” I said, rapidly thinking of my next move. \n\n“Money is tight right now.” Frank said, as he and his child were now spinning in circles. “Can you let us down?” \n\n“No, I worked hard on this,” I said, trying to figure out any other way to handle this situation. “Maybe I can just let the kid down.”\n\n“You can’t let a kid run around unattended,” Frank said. I started to pace. \n\nFrank is right, I can’t let a kid walk around unattended. I’m not a monster. \n\n“If I let you down, will you promise to walk in the same spot tomorrow?” \n\n“His mom doesn’t get home until Wednesday.”\n\n“What about Thursday? Can you walk the same path on Thursday?” I said hopefully. \n\n“I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, how about Friday?” Frank said back. \n\nI thought about it for a second and that worked for me. “Friday works for me!” I said as I walked over to the tree the rope was tied to and let the two down. I walked over to Frank and we shook hands. \n\n“See you Friday,” Said Frank as he started to walk away with his child. \n\n“Not if I see you first,” I said back as I walked back to gather my trap so that I would be able to use it again on Friday." ]	4
	[WP] When returning from work, you find a golden notebook with the title “Notes on being god.”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I've been working for a straight 24 hours at my EMT job. I wasn't sure if I was going crazy or just so sleep deprived because I don't remember buying this notebook. Why would I buy a notebook with that title? I know a lot of people go into the medical field because they have a God complex,but I wasn't one of those people. An EMT saved my life in college when I O.D.d on Oxi. So I was just paying it forward. I picked the notebook and began to flip through the pages through exhausted eyes. The writing was scribbled, almost incomprehensible. \"Greetings, congratulations on your promotion!\" It read. Promotion? What promotion? I wasn't told anything about this at work. Why would they send me a notebook telling me this? I read on, \"We're sorry for the inconvenience, but we could not deliver this message in person, but you have been chosen to serve as the new God of healing.\" This has to be a joke. \"Most people believe that gods are supreme beings, deities that reign over kingdoms with droves of followers killing each other over who's God is best. This isn't the case though. Gods are more like conduits for humanity to focus their talents through. The more people believe that you affect their abilities to do something the more powerful a God you will be, and the more powerful a God you are, the more you'll be able to affect people's abilities.\" I squinted to see if I was reading that right, I couldn't believe it. \"You really don't have to do much, you just have to be a shining example of your particular specialty. Just do the best you can. You don't have to gather followers or preach to anyone.\" I tried to process what my eyes had just read. A God, it sounds like such a huge responsibility, but that's far from the message that the notebook is sending. But if all I have to do is my best, that's all I can do." ]	2
	[WP] You find yourself walking down a long hallway filled with pictures, each one depicting a different version of the world. As you make your way further down, there is a door at the end of the hall that you have never seen before. When you open it, what awaits on the other side?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I walk one final hallway on my path to eternity, and at first glance, it would be a lovely one.\n\nIt is long, and covered in picture frames. There's so many of them, in fact, you'd be pressed to find a blank spot at all. And yet these frames hold no works to be admired, no art to appreciate on this last journey.\n\nIt seems that in one last attempt to torment me, god has filled these frames with memories. Memories of times I was not enough, or times I wanted to disappear, I'm sure. Looking back, those seem to be the only memories I had.\n\nAnd to top it all off, the glass of every single frame is fractured.\n\nAs I look up, I realize there is no ceiling to be found. The frames reach ever skyward, stretching into what seems like the very stars themselves. The cracks in the frames mix and match on the ascent upwards. It almost looks like a lightning storm, frozen in time.\n\nI'm in no hurry to relive the pain of my memories, so I aim my sight downwards and resign my gaze to the worn hardwood floor as I journey forward. Step after step, one foot in front of the other. There's nothing left for me here, why bother remembering?\n\nAs I meander my way down the hall, my eye catches something through the fractured glass on my right side, something unmistakable, something nostalgic.\n\nA yellow rainboot. My sisters rainboot.\n\nDespite my reservations, I cant help but look through the glass.\n\nShe's dancing in the rain with me, around the same time as our sixth birthday. We're standing below the gutters of our old home, puddles pooled around our feet. With each stomp of the boot sending a fresh wave of water onto my pants. My younger self laughs, and sends a splash back, in evident disregard to my sisters protests.\n\nThis.. this is a good memory, I realize. As I lean in to inspect the cracks, I hear a voice, faint and gentle in its laughter. My mothers.\n\nI see now. This memory is good because it isn't mine at all. I'm glad, at least, that hers are happy ones.\n\nBut then.. why is it fractured?\n\nI shake my head. No matter. I'm getting distracted, and this hallway is a long one.\n\nI continue my walk. Step after step, one foot in front of the other; a trick I picked up in middle school. When you keep your head down and try not to exist, often time people will forget that you do. It beat the alternative, I figured.\n\nA voice to my left stopped me in my tracks. A voice calling my name.\n\n\"Beck! Beck!!\" I look over, and see myself through the glass. I remember the voice calling me as that of an old friend. This one seems to be from her point of view.\n\nIn it, I'm standing in the gymnasium of my high school. This years basketball championship banner hung high in the rafters, and morale was high after welcoming the team home. She runs up to me. \"There's a party at Mason's after school!\"\n\nI returned her enthusiasm with a half smile and began to shake my head. She barrels on.\n\n\"Y'know, to celebrate the whole championship thing? I know parties aren't your type of thing but this ones gonna be huge!\" She waves her hands in the air to indicate the hugeness of the party.\n\n\"Ah, yeah I'd love to, but moms expecting me home to help with supper. You know how tired she is when she gets home from work.\" I answer, ending on a laugh.\n\nLooking through the glass, I wonder how things might've gone had I spent more time with my friends. It seems all I ever did towards the end was stay holed up in my room, lamenting on moments that passed me by.\n\nI see Chloe through the glass as she sighs, and turns to leave.\n\nNo. I think to myself.\n\nDon't go, please. Just ask me one more time.\n\nI throw my hands out towards the glass and the land on the cracks. Upon contact, I feel a surge. Foreign memories, emotions that aren't mine. Happiness, excitement, a tinge of annoyance.\n\nAnd then love.\n\nThis revelation nearly brought me to my knees. Had I known she felt that way about me.. The idea of what could have been threatened to tear my heart to pieces. Maybe if I had been just a bit more open, a bit more free...\n\nIt doesn't matter anymore.\n\nI wrench my hands from the glass, and as I turn to walk the hallway, Chloe's memory nearly shatters, now covered in a cobweb of broken lines.\n\nHer memories of me.. why?\n\nEyes down. Step after step, one foot in front of the other.\n\nThere is a door at the end of the hallway. It is dark, and made of a wood I am not familiar with, though the thickness and weight of it are two things that remain apparent.\n\nHalfway open, halfway closed. A beautiful light pours out from the other side, and I am drawn to it.\n\nAs I approach the door, the infinite frames of glass behind me fracture further. As the cracks spread, The voices begin to fill the hallway. Some are angry, some are sad. I cannot make out the words they speak, but tone is king, and theirs is made of grief.\n\nI finally reach the door, and as I rest my hand on the knob, the voices reach their crescendo. I realize for the first time that I have a choice in all of this. Do I open this door and walk through? Give up and rest, afloat in those wonderous rays?\n\nOr do I close this door?\n\nAmidst the chorus of voices are some I can now recognize. Chloe, my sister..\n\nMoms, most of all.\n\nTheir voices are in the hundreds. They do not want me to leave. They want me to stay and mend the cracks. I cannot blame them. The memories behind them are beautiful, and it would be a shame if they broke completely.\n\nStill, waves of doubt wrack my head. What if I'm not good enough? Would it not be better to cut my losses and throw my pain to the wind? I need not deal with the consequences if I am gone.\n\nSay I were to remain, what then? What would they think of me amidst all this broken glass? Would they be angry? Would they be done with me?\n\nI'm scared. These cracks run deep.\n\nAm I enough to fix them?\n\nAll at once, the voices, which were rampant in their emotions, go quiet. They are replaced by a singular voice of a softer tone. My voice.\n\n\"You are.\"\n\nI close the door.", "This is not a normal hallway. Not one would find in a school, or a hospital, or any other public building of large size that usually have hallways. It is not even the sort that one might find in one of those ludicrously large and expensive to maintain Victorian manors and mansions. This is more like walking down the long hallways of the tomb of a pharaoh. The walls and floors have obviously been carved through solid alabaster, and have then been polished so that they practically sheen in the firelight from the torches on the walls. I don't recall how I got here, nor do I know where it is. And yet it is a strangely familiar place. Like somewhere I have once visited in a dream. Every step I take is a silent one, as I walk forward, sensing the distant scent of fresh ocean air from this direction.\n\nOn the walls there are grand pictures, like paintings, but so much more detailed than even the finest of artists could ever achieve with any manner of paint. Each of them depicts a scene from a world. And strangely enough, the subjects depicted on the wall move slightly, as if the picture was a window into a different universe. There a moving image depicts a world where two infants are held in the arms of a mother, one with the features of an angel, and one with the features of a demon. Their mother seem to favour the angelic baby with more attention. In the background of this dark scene in a peasant hovel, what seems to be the father is sitting near a fire, looking worried. I pass it, and the next depicts a different scene entirely; there are strange aliens talking in a ship orbiting the Earth, they seem to have the gear of archaeologists and researchers on them, as if they're readying an expedition to an Earth where mankind is long gone. Each of these aliens seem so strange to me, but to my glee, they are proper aliens, not merely human with a small deviation as seen in most fiction.\n\nThere passes a scene of a man in a normal apartment, teaching a small dragon how to play chess. There is something familial about the way they're interacting, as if he is the dragon's father. I cannot stop looking at the images as they pass by me, all of them so very intriguing, all of them so very strange. Each obviously not in the same universe. There, a god-like entity wielding a flaming sword of justice, assists one of his followers, wearing an equally amazingly blazing sword, with slaughtering members of the American police with frightening brutality and grace. On one of them I see a strange city bathed in the red light of dawn, where the roads don't make sense, the buildings shift like they're alive, and the people look as strange and wonderful as one could ever hope to imagine. Around me, the alabaster walls are adorned with these wonderful moving pictures, where one would usually expect to see hieroglyphs and written spells in the way of the ancient land of Kemet.\n\nThere, a young woman embraces a creature made from raw abyssal void, around her, the creature is fighting off creeps and sickos, defending her perfectly. I stare at each of these marvellous scenes in abject wonder and amazement, as the worlds depicted almost beckon me to stay and watch them forever and ever, so that I might learn what will happen next on each of them. And yet I press on. Curious, forever curious, wanting to know what lies at the end of this path. And after passing countless worlds of unbridled and unmatched amazement, worlds that defy explanation, that none can ever hope to even dream of, I come to the hallway's end. An ancient door. Truly ancient, it bars my way ahead. Its age have allowed fresh ocean air to pass through its cracks. It is made from stone, and it cannot easily be opened. And yet, I drag it. Using all my strength and all my weight, I wrench open the ancient door. The light from the outside hurts, and it takes a moment for me to adjust after only seeing the faint light of the torches for so long. How long? I cannot say. Time has little meaning in such a place, but I think I have walked for days. Weeks even. Passing through the gate, I come to a wild landscape near the sea. This is land that has not been touched by man. A blasted heath of ryegrass, wild heather, and elderberry bushes, leading down to a sandy beach where the wild and primordial sea churns.\n\nI breathe in, the fresh air feeling good in my lungs after so long in that hallway, passing all those worlds. The only sign of civilisation is that ancient gate behind me, attached to no buildings nor any land, acting as a gateway into some manner of gallery depicting worlds that are hauntingly familiar and wondrous in nature. The other lies before me. A comfortable chair by a black obsidian table, upon which an active laptop sits. Over the chair, I see my favourite jacket draped, old and worn as it is, and yet it is a great comfort to put it on. Sitting down on the chair, I remember where I am, and what this is.\n\nThis is death.\n\nI could pick any world of my own mind to be reborn into, and yet I pressed on. I kept going. Never satisfied with any particular world. For a single world is not enough, no; indeed it is nowhere enough. But as I sit down I stare at the laptop. It has a music player ready with all the music I've ever read. There are headphones attached to the laptop, which I place on my ears. Into my mind comes beautiful tunes that are exactly what I need to get the creative waters going. I might be dead. But I'm not done making worlds. Not even close to done. A thousand realms have a million stories to tell. I open up a Word-like program on the laptop, that seems to be eternally charged despite not being connected to any obvious source of power. And into I begin to make another world. Another adventure. Another universe. Again. And again. Behind me, if I take off my headphones, I can hear the hallway growing longer, with more pictures being made in it. More windows into more worlds. More gateways into new realities. This is good. I put my headphones back on as the next song begins, and my fingers dance around on the keyboard, writing yet another reality, one of forest creatures and their civilisations after the end of men.\n\nWhat lies behind that gate, was my own personal heaven. Where I can write forever, without ever having to do anything as unpleasant as work or dealing with sleep or people again. Only the worlds of my own will and dreams. And once I can surely no longer think of any new worlds, I think I shall try to be reincarnated into one I have made, surely that experience will grant me the time to think up new worlds. And when I return here again, to this seaside where I can write until my mind is blank, I shall have new ideas again.\n\n[/r/ApocalypseOwl](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApocalypseOwl/)" ]	3
	[WP] You're stuck in a giant labyrinth, but there are enough animals and plants to live off. You build a dwelling in one of the enormous walls and later other travelers join up. The dwelling becomes a village, becomes a town, becomes a city...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Oh, so you want to get to Finigan's, eh? He's a good doctor, one of the first who joined up actually. So you're gonna go, down this hallway, take a left, a right, next right, go down the stairs, go straight for six blocks, then two lefts.\" As I said this I saw the young man's eyes grew wide in confusion. It wasn't everyday someone new was dropped off and had to learn the winding streets of this city. When I'd been here, there was nothing, but we've made it home. Every person left here had their own skills. \n\n\"Follow me and don't doddle!\" I yelled to the young man. He'd been found outside the outer walls of camp 3 and was brought in. Newbies weren't as common these days. The poor bastard was still getting over his compression sickness. He wasn't dying, but walking around these streets after arriving was not fun. At least he had a community to go t....\n\nShit, it would appear I'm lost" ]	2
	[WP] You are an immortal who has lived for hundreds of thousands of years, of course, you'll accidentally leave something or another behind on accident. Still, you are entirely unprepared to see your own diary in the ancient history museum.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The weather in London sucked ass, as almost always, and I'm still to get used to it. Jenny says that I'm the only one she met that managed not to like the all-present rain, cold and wind for such a long time since I moved. She still doesn't know. She doesn't have to. I try not to think about the obvious consequences of attaching myself to people. Maybe I should. I think about where to go next. Australia maybe. I haven't been there for a while. The truth is I've been pretty much everywhere you could name. Don't try and be a smartass and ask me if I've been inside of a volca...well, no actually I haven't but I know how lava feels. Pompeii was a pretty nice place. I quickly finish up my flat white and get inside the museum since I'm already kind of late. I can see Jenny on top of the stairs anxiously looking for me. Is there something wrong? I quickly reduced the distance between us and and ran up to her. \"Jenny? What happened?\", she turns around and her smile makes the weather feel a bit nicer.\n\"Everything is fine, but we're waiting for you. We've got something big.\" I've always had a liking to mysteries.\"Consider me on board\". She led me to the Rome section babbling excitedly \"This literally changes history forever! Look!\". I'm looking. A sheet of ancient paper lays in front of me. \"Do you know what it describes?\", Jenny almost spits into my ear. I do. I wrote it. I don't say it out loud. I check the time. This is not a nightmare. After 2000 years of laying under ground human remains and volcanic ash it came back to me. Pompeii. Srinada. The fiery sky. I blink but as soon as I close my eyes they won't open. I can feel the fire tingling my toes and the ash blocking my throat, smell the meat and skin burning into bones, the screams of hundreds of thousands innocent people ceaseing to exist because of whim of nature turns into one consecutive roar driving me insane. I fall into the darkness of my memories, Jenny calling my name breaks through the roar. Australia is looking really nice at this time of year." ]	2
	[WP] You are the top scientist in the royal academy, the most prestigious academy in the entire galaxy. Every single specie knows about you And your inventions but, you are not even a scientist. You just mix up some components and it somehow works.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "A new day, a new contract, since my reputation kept getting more well known, politics soon came into the fold, I could no longer just say 'Dude, I just mix shit up', since it would severe both my source of revenue, which is huge by the way, and make myself an enemy of the UNFH, or the United National Federation of Humanity.\n\nBeing a fraud was still possible when I was in my garage and most I could fear was a raid from the intergalactical ATF. \n\nNowadays, my chimical components are scrutinized and praised by millions of chimists, physicists and sometimes even, ASTROLOGISTS around the Galaxy.\n\nI'd suddenly feel some vibration on my arm, looking down, I would take some time to inhale and exhale and get my act together.\n\n\"Alexander, the supreme chemist of the Nebular Apolyon Academy, who is it ?\"\n\n\"Ahh, Mister Alexander, how is life going for you ?\"\n\nMy heart suddenly dropped hearing that voice, this was the senator of the foreign Scientific research, a man that acted as the main connection for joint scientific missions between humanity and the different inhabitants of the galaxy.\n\nHe is the one who found out about my channel and decided to bring me to the academy, I thought I'd get fired in the first showcase so I decided to mix things randomly, but it SOMEHOW impressed so much that he kept bringing me to other of his colleagues, all seeing more of these bullshit previews of my skills, it kept going on until I was appointed to this academy.\n\n\"A-Ahhhh Mister Geoffrey, everything is going nicely sir !\"\n\n\"Well mister Alexander, I wont cut to the chase but you have been called for an Emergency.\"\n\nHe said in a solemn way, making me nervous than before.\n\n\"How much, s-sir ?\"\n\n\"Well, time and space suddenly being unstable and causing an enthropy in a 4th dimensional expansion ending all lifeforms as we know it, type of emergency.\"\n\n\"WHAT !\" I'd immidatly panic, thinking of a thousands of ways of HOW this happened.\n\n\"I wont try to make this more lengthy than it needs to be but lets just say trying to make a new faster than light engine managed to do some... unpredectable results, NOW QUIT TALKING AND GO THERE, WE NEED YOU !\"\n\n\"O-ON IT SIR !\"\n\n-------------------------------1 hour later---------------------------------\n\nI'd run faster than I ever could into the coordonates that Senator Geoffrey had sent me, I'd quickly arrive into a blocked off area where multiple civilians, alien and human where gathered, trying to see over the officer keeping them away.\n\nI'd quickly walk towards the first officer. An avian by the looks of his rather larger than normal helmet.\n\nAfter a quick inspection, I was escorted into a building where a team of scientist where looking over a sort of broken glass...\n\nAm I seeing the world literally ripping apart, thinking I was perhaps looking in a funny way, I'd rub my eyes, a first, a second and a final third time, all giving me the same vision.\n\nA rather large alien saw me standing on the door way and quickly stood up, his collegues would soon enough also see me.\n\nThinking quick and mustering some forme of confidence.\n\nI walk towards the men and rapidly ask, either out of anxiousness about the gravity of the situation or a false sense of professionalism that I only found out now.\n\n\"What the hell happened ?\"\n\nThe alien looks at me then at the 'breach'\n\n\"Well, during the mix between Gauss liquid and the non-fluodian Anti-matter, one of the scientist spilled too much, normally, such a thing would have only sealed itself up after a few micro-seconds but for some reason, this.\" He pointed with one his tentacles the large breach in the middle of the room.\" Still didnt shut itself up. \"\n\n\" Yes, but why calling me, its not as if its a blackhole, it doesnt seem to take any matter, if anything, it seems quite stable. \"\n\nThe large Bulborats shakes his head and responds simply with...\n\n\"Its growing, fast.\"\n\n\"What ?\" I'd respond, thinking I heard it wrong.\n\n\"The breach was only the size of a bottle cap, now we can throw an entire person in it,we only managed to stablize it by throwing whatever chimicals inside of it.\"\n\n\"Which is why you called me.\" I'd respond, now anxious as I was perhaps the last chance for this universe.\n\n\"Indeed, but it is only partial, the breach still seems to grow, tho slightly slower than last time, by using some of our IAs, we calculated that it will take its speed back in 15 minutes, so we need to be faster Mister Alexander !\"\n\nHe now rushes me towards a table filled with different vials and containers having suspicious looking liquid that I assumed where what was used for the slip space engines.\n\n\" AHH EMM. WELL. I NEED SOME SPACE TO WORK MY MAGIC AHAHAHAH. \"\nI'd say, sweat dripping from my brow thinking I was done for along with everyone in this reality.\n\n\"Of course sir.\"\n\nThe scientist would respond, leaving me in front of a hundred different kind of liquid, powder and gas.\n\n\"You know what, FUCK IT !\"\n\nWith no more hope for another tomorrow, I jug different liquids,salts and gazeous solutions into a mixer.\n\nI'd take out a flask filled with my 'special liquid', \"Eh, its my last time drinking you so why not.\"\n\nI now took a swig of the strong 'magical potion' and pour some of the rest inside the mixer.\n\nThe scientist rushed into my room yelling\n\n\"IT HAS BECAME UNSTABLE FASTER THAN WE THOUGHT !\"\n\n\"WE NEED THE CHEMICAL SOLUTION NOW MISTER ALEXANDER !\"\n\nDrunk as fuck and not having a single ounce of mind left in me, I approve of the decision and took out the concoction that would serve to stop the expansion of the breach.\n\n\"THROW IT MISTER ALEXANDER !\"\n\nYelled the alien behind one of the overturned desk.\n\nHearing his order, I'd threw whatever thing I made into the growing void in hurtling towards us.\n\nThe void inside quickly took hold of the mixture.\n\nIt suddenly stopped.\n\n\"Huh, I thought...\"\n\nA large beam of light hit us directly, not burning but definitly making us blind for a second and incapable of hearing a darn thing.\n\nThe breach would collapse onto itself and vanish completly.\n\nAfter finally being permitted to get out of the facility.\n\nI'd see senator Geoffrey arrive to hold my hand and speak to me.\n\n\"You did a most fabulous job mister Alexander, billions, no, TRILLIONS WILL SING IN JOY ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT !\"\n\nLooking at the men, I'd now yell.\n\n\"WHATTTT !\"" ]	2
Choreograph a fight for us. Make it exciting! Fists, swords, super powers, magic or whatever else you can think of! ----- You have 72 hours to submit! Highest number of upvotes wins, or in the event of a tie, I will pick the one I like best to award one month of Reddit Gold. You only get 500 words, so make them count. Have fun! ----- EDIT: Razious is our winner and is hereby awarded one month of Reddit Gold!	[FF] FIGHT! 500 word Max. (72 hours and Reddit Gold to the winner)	[ "Jason looked at his phone again. \"8:45 PM. Where is he?\" He walked further down the alley hoping to see any sign of activity, but he saw nothing except various beer cans and the belongings of the homeless. Tap. Tap. Tap. There seemed to be a tapping from a nearby window. Walking cautiously towards it, Jason looked inside. Some.. some sort of abandoned warehouse. With a weird shelf placement. He looked closer, the details of a plain suit and white face becoming apparent. A fist crashed through the window, sending a heavy blow and shards of glass in Jason's face. He flew back, hitting his head on an air conditioner and crashing to the ground. The black suit climbed out of the window, walking over slowly now, in control. He struggled to regain his composure, but was met with two hands grabbing him by the collar. A knee smashed into his gut, he would have doubled over but before he could react the featureless face smashed into his. Blood poured out his nose, his vision was red and white and black all over. More fists to the body, he felt every organ make way for the bony blows, his rib cage a sad excuse for protection. Hands choking him now, vision going gray, he looked at the wall behind the face and reached in his pocket for the remote. \n\nHe walked slowly towards the window, seeing the familiar face now. The striped suit. CRASH. Jason quickly ducked to the side, grabbing the slender arm with all his strength and shoving it down towards the pavement resulting in a violent snapping and ripping. A sick jagged bone stuck out of the elbow joint, the flesh of the arm separated and hanging. Blood ran down the suit. The suit paused but his face was emotionless. Simply a single tool removed from his tool belt. Grabbing the broken limb he slid the figure out the window where it slumped to the ground. He wound up and slammed his shin full force into the neck of the suit. It's head swung sideways and the body slumped now seeming weak and hurt. Jason grabbed it by the collar now and brought it to his face. \"Tell me who's doing this to you. I WILL STOP HIM!\" No voice came from the featureless face. With it's free arm it reached into it's pocket. \n\nJason made his way slowly towards the window. Just an abandoned warehouse. He sighed, rubbed his wrist, looked at his phone. 8:46 PM. \nHe unzipped his hoodie, letting the cold night breeze brush against his suit. ", "The heavy beat of your heart pulsates through your body, you can feel it thud, the adrenalin pumping powerfully through your veins. The sound of the battle around you is muffled, as a high pitch ringing fills your ears, it drowns out the dying screams, the clash of metal, the crumpling of bodies. Your whole body is shaking, the warriors around you engaged in a battle of mortality, one winner, one loser, to which the price is your life. \n\n Suddenly, the circle is broken, you see a crazed, blood soaked soldier careering towards you. React. Swiftly, your arm pulls out your sword, while the other brings your shield around in front of you, just in time. The enemy collides. You stagger back, breathing in sharply. Fight. Move. He is much taller, his eyes are lost on the world, and you know he sees nothing but targets and death. You sprint, three steps, side to side as you run at him, before bring your sword up and across his body, a quick half turn with your shield at your side, parrying his counter attack. Blood from his shoulder. Feint to your left, he falls for it, quick stab at the end of his arm guard, piercing the veins in the crook of his elbow. More blood. Shuffle back, out of his arm’s length, the fury emanating from his eyes, a bloody howl screeched from his lips. End it. Double feint, collide with your shield, knocking off balance. Turn. Bringing your sword up and stabbing it down through the chain mail on his neck. Staggering back, you retract your blade from his neck, as the body before you crumples to the ground, the muddy earth now a pool of ruby red. \n\n Cannot rest now. You turn, and more opposing soldiers are running at you. When will it end? How many more lives must be destroyed, how much more blood must satiate the earth? You cannot think now. Only react. Only survive.\n", "I stumble out of the back of the plane with the last impact, and my dance partner is already running at me, fire in her eyes. Oh, shit. I need a new career.\n\nShe punches me. I feel wind whip past my ears and my body twist. I smash through the air terminal's tower and it collapses on me. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow.\nI just need a moment to regain my composure. \n\nI slowly rise from the rubble. I throw up my hands, squinting slightly. She's hovering there. I don't know if she knows just how messed up I am- I could be really busted up inside. \n\nWAAAP! I love that sound. I launch a bolt of plasma from my plans at her, using my abilities. She tumbled out of \n\nthe air and was already on the offensive. She has something in her ha- OH CRAP.\n\nIt's a truck bumper. She has the powers of a flying brick- and the aggression of a honey badger. I have to think fast. I ignite, my body encased with a superheated blue flame. The impact feels like a punch to the jaw through a pillow.\n\nIt melts the bumper. I get a headbutt and a boot to the chest. The impact reels me back, leaving a melted trail in the concrete. I need a moment-\n\nShe's coming at me with the truck now, smashing me with it vertically. I see the brief image of a blur in the distance. I'm so hot at this point that the truck ignites. \n\nA bare fist punches through steel, grabbing me by the hair. I don't know what quite is going on- but I'm in the air. \n\nIn hindsight, I realize she was spiking me like a volleyball while encased in the truck. It hurt so bad I threw up. She tore me out and readied another of her haymakers. I offer her a smile.\n\nI think of fireworks. The fireball my ability produces glasses concrete and flips airliners. We're in the middle of a maelstrom, a firestorm of my creation.\nShe's already gone, punched into glass Tarmac. \n\nI rest my hands on my knees and slowly catch my breath. \"You-\" I spit out a tooth, a cracked molar. \"You're still alive, I'm not-\" an arm punches out of the destroyed runway. \"Stupid.\"\n\nThe blonde brawler slowly rises, a scowl on her face. She cracks her back. \n\"You're lucky-\" I offer to her, taking a moment to pick at my wounds.\nShe steps over to a rolled airliner and begins to fold a shredded wing longways.\n\nOh, crap- She's walking this way with a giant club. A PA buzzes, broadcasting a voice across the prop airfield. \"TIME.\" \n\nHarley sighs and drops the club. She wanders forward and signs to me. I give her an affirmative nod. The CIA handler \ntold us later in the evening our team is almost ready- but we need more time and training. I just wish my wife pulled her punches a bit.\n", "The farce was over, Captain Irving knew, as Commander Andronovitch led a fifth grade class towards the petting tub. If Nooner had kept her hands off the clerk, the old bat at the dolphin pen wouldn't have complained, and the TSA wouldn't have started asking questions. Why was the TSA at an aquarium, and why didn't they interrogate Andronovitch when he spoke Russian to a wheelchair bound student with a mustache?\n\nIrving's class was backed up near the kelp tank and woefully outgunned. The few weapons they'd snuck through the parking lot were dumped in the TSA's liquids bin ahead of the T-ray scanner.\n\nNo matter. \"Guns won't work,\" Irving told Andronovitch.\n\n\"She's no child,\" Andronovitch said of Nooner, Irving's four-foot and buxom fifth grade poser. He aimed his pistol. Click. A red light pulsed on the slide. \"You American scoundrels. You bring children to a gun fight?\"\n\n\"It's an aquarium on a school day,\" Irving said.\n\n\"It's no problem.\" Androvitch dropped the pistol and unsheathed a serrated knife. \"This is good.\" But, the blade wilted and a red light pulsed on the pommel. As with the guns, the safety interlock rendered the knife useless in close proximity to children.\n\n\"Bah!\" He smashed the pommel into a wall tank and pointed the noodled-blade at the disemboweled seascape.\nHis special needs kid sprung from his wheelchair. He rolled across the floor, grabbed a puffer fish and readied a throw.\n\nIrving scooped up a clam and threw a slider at the child-sized soldier's forehead. The shell smacked him between the eyes and he tightened his grip on the fish. Puff, and down he went. He whisked a sand dollar at Andronovitch.\n\nWho took it on the pect. \"Like your failing banks, your dollars are -\"\n\n\"Your jokes are as old as my -\" A grenade struck his shoulder. He kicked the grenade away. Impotent, the red light announced.\n\nNooner fielded the tumbling metal egg and pitched it overhand at the alligator tank glass. Two caged behemoths nosed through the break and set to work on Andronovitch's rear echelon. Gumming their ankles, Irving soon realized, as they were defanged.\n\nHe displaced his right flank around the anemone display. Magic Mike smashed a tank, and wielding scorpionfish in each hand, slap-fooed his way through Andronovitch's front line. He made it as far as a stocky boy-man who picked up a clamshell and sliced through Mike's neck.\n\nIrving drop kicked a barnacle into the fortyish fifth grader's groin, grabbed a swordfish by its tail and bandsawed through an artery. Andronovitch called his name and lobbed a mackerel. A seal followed it over the petting tub, bounding towards Irving. He jumped up to the tub edge, cartwheeled through the water, palming an oyster and taking up a squid tentacle. He landed ready to parry Andronovitch who led with an electric eel, and Irving took a ticklish shock before leaving a tentacle's salty rash on Andronovitch's cheek.\n\nHe raised the oyster shell to Andonovitch's neck. \"Class dismissed.\"", "Boom. Boom Boom. They were out there. We couldn't see them. They couldn't see us. But we knew. They knew. I, myself, was crying. My younger brother, he looked up to me. He looked up to my older brother more, and father most of all. He did a lot of looking up. But he looked up to me also. and I was crying.\n\nWe didn't want this. I didn't want this. I wasn't even but 14 years old yet. I've never been in love. Girls in my family aren't so tough, dad says, and I'm proving him right. Crying. Mom is there, in this dank cellar right next to me, crying as well. More like whimpering. She's holding my little brother in the depths of her bosom. One day I'd have one just like her, she had said. Maybe not anymore.\n\nDad and my older brother were out top a ways, doing what they've been trying to do all along, defending this family. I don't know why the enemies came. It doesn't matter why. They came. They kept coming. Peeking out the tiny, dirty, smudged window that was the only thing given this basement any light I saw the enemy advancing. There were dozens and my family had but two able bodied men.\n\nBoom. Boom Boom. I heard my older brother scream. I knew what that meant. My younger brother screamed, too. I screamed. This was it. I looked at my ma, and she looked back. I think she knew. No, was formed on her lips. Too late.\n\nI ran. I left them. Up the stairs I went. There was my brother, bloodied, silent, slumped against the wall below the window. My dad was there next to him, too busy to notice me. I ran. I picked up my brother's gun. Boom. Boom boom. I heard, and dad screamed too. This was it, this was the end. But my tears were gone. My gun was cocked. I wasn't thinking, I was beyond thinking. I slammed open the door and aimed my gun.\n\nBoom. Boom boom.", "Thump Thump Thump\n\n\"Mr. Snugglebottoms!\" the old lady managed to get out with a gasp for air. \"Get off that counter you little persnickety troublemaker!\" \n\nThe old woman, parched from her lips to her... well skin, managed to weakly reach over to the counter. The stench of rotten tomatoes filled the air, mingled with cat shit that Mr. Snugglebottoms elegantly left for the old prude on the floor. As she bent over to the counter, a lingering of old farts managed to make its way through the already moistened air. This intrigued Mr. Snugglebottoms, as the only time his master would ever reach for said counter, was when she was going to give him catnip. \"Ah...\" Mr. Snugglebottoms thought, \"my plan worked.\"\n\nJust then as the old grandma was pulling the catnip out of the counter, Mr. Snugglebottoms leaped himself back onto the counter. He landed flawlessly on the counter, perking his ears wide and far apart. His tail, relentlessly waving in the wind, immediately worsened the sweet stench of rotten tomatoes, cat shit, and sour farts. \n\nAs soon as the old lady noticed that trickster back on the counter, which did in fact take several minutes as her eyes and ability to move have severely suffered due to her old age, started to put the catnip back. Mr. Snugglebottoms, who was barely able to see this as he was purring, or better yet basking in his own glory, pounced onto the old lady in sheer anger. Cat screams, old lady screams, catnip flying, thuds heard. It was a disaster around the kitchen. You could hear the claws ripping through that old flesh like it was a knife to hot butter. \n\nSuddenly, the old lady fell to the floor, the cat quickly following suit. As Mr. Snugglebottoms carefully stalked around his new found prey, he found what he saw was surprising. And no, it wasn't the old lady. It seems the catnip flew during the fight and as such, landed inside of the cats mouth. This empowered him, giving him the might of all those cartoons he'd watch with the old lady. The one where the sailor eats spinach and grows stronger. Mr. Snugglebottoms, no doubt, was just like Popeye, the character he envied so much. And the old lady... well... let's just say she was no longer the master.", "Charlie the Velociraptor king is running through the forest, his speed and strength augmented by a mechanical exoskeleton. He is equipped with only the finest in prehistoric armaments. In his arms he carries a pneumatic dart rifle, each dart loaded with enough neurotoxin to kill a triceratops. On one shoulder he has mounted a multistage gauss cannon with incendiary shells, and on the other a signal flare gun.\n\nCharlie is prepared to fight to the death in a duel that will determine the fate of his kingdom. \n\nCharlie bursts into a clearing, a cracked lakebed. Not far away he sees Vlad, the Tyrannosaur king, and Charlie’s opponent in the duel. Vlad is well equipped with an exoskeleton of his own, a haphazardly assembled, but no less dangerous device hanging with ceramic plates. Several hydraulic arms are mounted on his back, to accommodate for the Tyrannosaur’s pathetic arms.\n\nCharlie fires a shell from his gauss cannon, which slams into Vlad’s forehead. The ceramic armor cracks but doesn’t break. Undeterred, Charlie fires several darts into Vlad’s unprotected neck.\n\nVlad only laughs.\n\n“Poison? A cowards weapon,” he says. A medical pump on Vlad’s armor begins administrating the antidote.\n\n“But don’t worry, Charlie, preparing for this eventuality, I have prepared a couple tricks of my own.”\n\n“Damn you Vlad,” Charlie shouts, gritting his teeth.\n\nEmerging from chinks in Vlad’s armor are several weapons, of the kind usually mounted on tanks. A barrage of smoke grenades detonate on the ground, filling the air with smoke and chaff. Charlie is pelted with thousands of bullets from a machine gun, so he flips down his suit’s visor and runs towards Vlad.\n\nCharlie finds only air. He is blinded by the smoke, his radar is haywire from chaff, and a quick bath in napalm shuts down any chance of thermal imaging.\n\nVlad’s deranged laughter fills his ears, projecting from a loudspeaker.\n\n“How could something as tiny as you hope to defeat a force like me?”\n\n“Like this!”\n\nCharlie catches a glimpse of Vlad through the smoke and leaps through the air, claws bared.\n\n“Oops,” Vlad says, effortlessly catching Charlie with a mechanical arm.\n\n“Looks like you lose for the last time, old friend.”\n\nAnother one of Vlad’s arms plucks the rifle out of Charlie’s hands and dashes it to the ground.\n\n“Looks like you wont be needing that anymore,” He says, “Or this either.” He crimps the barrel to Charlie’s gauss cannon shut.\n\n“Now before I finish you off, how about I show you the Tyrannosaur legions’ real power?”\n\nA massive tube detangles itself from Vlad’s chest.\n\n“This is a class D flux laser,” Vlad says, “I could only fit one fuel module on it, but that’s all I need isn’t it?”\n\nWithout hesitation Charlie fires a flare into the fuel module, which promptly explodes, spilling Vlad’s guts over the lakebed.\n\n“Looks like you are the loser today, Vlad,” Charlie says.\n\nEven on his deathbed, Vlad manages a grin.\n\n“Not at all, It’s already been done. The meteor is on its way.”\n", "Natural Law\n\nThey don't teach you how to fight in mage school so I had to think fast. I ran down the street knocking trash cans over in my wake, hoping to delay my pursuers. Ducking in a nearby alley I pulled out my whiskey flask. I took of the top and drank. All of it.\n\nThe mana burned as it went down my throat. You were only supposed to use a few drops at a time. I never had a whole bottle at once.\n\nI threw the flask and turned to face my enemy. The spark flowed through my veins and my eyes turned from the usual hazel to a deep blue. I felt I could do anything.\n\nThe chief among the three was the last to arrive but the first to step forward. Twirling his knife in his hand, he grinned. Then he lunged.\n\nI only had three disciplines prepared today so I had to choose wisely.\n\nTIME. I clasped my hands together and cast. The knife slowed down to deadening drift. I realized too late, that I wouldn't be able to defend. While my awareness was sped up, my body was still going at normal speed. I would have to take the hit.\n\nIn the few moments I had left, I stared at the blade looking for any deviations or imperfections in the metal. There was a small scratch. It wasn't much to go on but I had to try.\n\nENTROPY. I cried out as the blade pierced my flesh. Amidst the pain I caught the hilt with my free hand and bent, hard, using my own wound as leverage. The knife snapped. It was enough to surprise him and put him off balance. In the free moment, I elbowed him with a full swing. Hard. In the teeth.\n\nHe stumbled back in shock and pain, his hands clutching his mouth and blood dripping down. I only had one spell left and I had to use it now.\n\nFORCE. I dashed forward and hooked my foot behind his leg. My palm pressed against his chest and I shoved. My strength alone would have been enough to make him fall over. With magic...\n\nThe air vibrated menacingly between us and for a split second he floated in mid-air before he was thrown back ten feet, his skull landing on the pavement with an decisive crack.\n\nI stared at the two remaining thugs, who stood frozen in shock. Reaching into my shoulder, I pulled out what remained of the blade, the haze of mana deadening the pain. I tossed the fragment towards them. The fear in their eyes was enough.\n\nHolding up their hands in an apologetic tone, they mumbled curses and ran. I was safe for today.\n\nI heaved a sigh of relief. But the sudden surge of magic had taken its toll on my body. I groaned, took two steps forward, and collapsed.\n", "It was time to leave; the car that he had driven into an alleyway with his fastened homemade timer had gone off before he entered the church.\n\n The police had to have cleared the streets of pedestrians by now; witnesses were unnecessary clean up that just got in the way. Joffery straightened his suit, checking for bloodstains. Satisfied there were none to be found, he ran his hand through his chopped black hair. He began the walk up the staircase. Joffery tripped on the steps.\n\nJoffery trudged with his limp, and fastened his gloves onto his hands. The job was done everything worked out, none was the wiser. Yes, it was messy but in this line of work, like war, plans are useless after the first swords hit. Closing the large cast-iron doors on the church behind him, Joffery limped down the porch steps. As he turned into a side alley his stomach dropped. There was an officer, a traffic cop in the alley.\n\n“Hey sir! This whole area is being cleared out because of an accidental explosion. You’ll need to come with me, and I’ll bring you too safety.” The policeman began walking to Joffery, and stopped. It was just for a second, but he visibly became pensive. He caught the smell of gasoline and antique gunsmoke. Joffery toughened his shoulders. He was sharp; his right-hand began sliding over to his gun belt as he started his walk again. “We should get out of here; it’s for your safety.” Scratch that, he wasn’t that sharp, he didn’t draw his gun. The officer would cuff Joffery as soon as he was close enough. He was a step in front of Joffery now. Joffery pulled the officer’s right-hand in. There was no way to get out of this clean. Twisting his arm outward, Joffery exposed the officer’s elbow and slammed all of weight and momentum of the man onto Joffery's knee, connecting at the man’s joint. He broke the arm effortlessly as straw; Joffery threw his hand over the officer’s mouth and nose. Muffling the man’s screams, the officer fought and wriggled against Joffery. His body became limp, it was over. It wasn’t till he stopped fighting that Joffery noticed that the hand that sealed the officer’s mouth and nose was wet. In his last moments, the man had begun to cry. Joffery laid out the body. He rummaged around for the officer’s wallet. He wanted to open it and learn the name of the man whose life he had just taken, but he didn’t. This way the name of whoever this body was before would still have some respect.\n" ]	9
	[WP] God returns from a quick grocery run. But the kids left the house in disarray, and are MURDERING EACH OTHER because of "dad loves me more than you" kids logic. What the shit.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Nooooooo!\" The screams come from somewhere upstairs. \"I love her most! You don't count because you don't follow the rules all the time! I do!\"\nSounds of whapping pillows, thudding bodies, slammed doors, and screams echo down from the hall above as God places her grocery bags down on the floor. She slowly takes off her coat and shoes as more chaos rains above, pillows thrown into the hallway, banging on doors, screeches, thuds, and more shouting.\n\n\"I'm her favorite! You have to listen to me! What I say goes because I'm oldest!\"\nMany voices shout back \"No!\" \"No way!\" \"Never!\" \"I'm youngest so I'm best!\"\n\nShe sighs and starts up the stairs. They are so loud they don't hear her coming. Three of her children are pummeling the oldest's door, which is shut with him yelling from inside. Two more are standing in the window seat at the end of the hall playing tug of war over her favorite pillow, while another is yelling at them.\n\nShe comes into view of the chaos and clears her throat. The yeller and two tug of war participants see her first, turning towards her and blushing in shame. They drop the pillow like it's a hot coal and climb off the seat. The pounders at the door haven't seen her and are still yelling at the door, shaking it.\n\nShe takes two steps towards them, placing a hand on the door where they can see it. \"Stop this now.\" She says quietly but firmly. You can see the dawning realization on their faces as their eyes see the hand, arm, and her. And as the words register they fall silent and stop pushing the door. Her oldest in his room notices and starts to gloat loudly.\n\n\"See?! I win! You have to listen to me!\" He shouts as he triumphantly opens the door... to find her arm still in the air where she placed it on the door. He deflates, embarrassed.\n\nShe nods to them and they all line up in the hallway.\n\n\"What started it this time?\" She asks, no reaction showing to any of their antics.\n\nThey replied all at once and she held her hand up for silence as she chose them to speak one at a time.\n\nShe chose one of her middle children to speak first. \n\n\"Eldest declared he was in charge while you were gone because he was your favorite. We argued he wasn't your favorite, he wasn't in charge, and he was mean.\" Middlest Middle said. All but Eldest nodded.\n \n\"He got mean and started throwing pillows and hitting us because we wouldn't listen.\" Youngest Middle added.\n\n\"So we retaliated.\" Eldest Middle said, the excitement still audible in her voice.\n\nGod held her hand up. The children silenced and stood quietly.\n\nGod allowed herself a small sigh. This happened every single time they were alone. She tried to teach them cooperation and grace in her absence but...\n\n\"I love you all. Equally. For who each of you are as you are. I value you as you value me. Your perspectives on this do not change the fact. I would like for each of you to love each other as I love you.\" She moved in front of Eldest.\n\n\"As Eldest I'd hopes you could be a good example. Has this been a good example?\"\n\n\"No.\" He said quietly.\n\n\"No.\" She agreed. \"Next time let's try and shepard those you love, listen to them as equals, and show them kindness. Leadership doesn't come from a declaration but from service.\" She said moving to the middle children.\n\n\"Children, was your reaction appropriate? Escalating your argument to yelling, pounding, and throwing things.\" \n\nThe Middle children all shook their heads. She waited until they said,\n\n\"No.\"\n\n\"We should have walked away, right mama? Talked it out and walked away when he wouldn't listen?\" Youngest Middle asked.\n\n\"Yes dear. I won't always be around to help, but I was only gone a short time. And the time walking away would have given would enable Eldest to think on his actions, cool down, and perhaps allow him to listen.\"\n\nShe turns to the Youngest. Youngest hangs her head.\n\"I'm sorry. I should not have gone along with them. I should have spoken up.\"\n\nGod nods. \"You knew what they did was wrong, and was going to end with someone, usually you, getting hurt. And you should have spoken up.\" Youngest nodded.\n\nAll the children knew it was exciting and fun to have free reign of the house while God was gone. But they also knew God was right, and they should be better. If they had worked together they could have done something constructive and fun in the time they had.\n\n\"I love you all, and I'm glad we talked this out. Communication is important to relationships.\" She said scooping all the children up into a big family hug. \"And next time you'll all come with me.\"" ]	2
	[WP] You are a superhero and your arch-nemesis is convinced that they are trapped in a hyper-realistic virtual reality alongside you. You have dismissed their claims as insane for years, but after your latest fight with your nemesis their claims are starting to make a disturbing amount 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The more I think of this the more it seems like a really great book idea. Every fight, every trauma, every lost loved one, everything is a lie.\n\nThe only other person who could help you to escape the lie is a person who you have done near next to nothing but constantly fight and hurt each other, and yet if everything is a lie then shouldn’t they forgive and make-up easily to escape? People don’t work that way though these two would be constantly bickering about past grievances that have never truly mattered while they are trapped in a world of lies possibly being watched by outside eyes.\n\nInstead of just making this a writing prompt I’d be really interested in hearing the OPs own story about this story.", "\"It's the woman in front of the ice cream shop. The dress. It changes colors in a pattern,\" Xharmonica panted, his hands on his kneepads.\n\n\"You're outta your mind. Just an excuse for losing, again.\" I said, the thrill of victory in our latest skirmish like a burst of helium carrying my mind skyward.\n\n\"But hear me out. It's not the only thing. I've found that no matter how long I talk to the butcher I can't get him to use the word 'machete.' He always defers to 'axe.' An axe is not a machete. Let's not talk about the performance of my Xrang, which seems to always be the same regardless of how poorly I throw it. How?\"\n\n\"Weaksauce. I'm gonna put you away forever.\"\n\n\"Just listen! Ok, this is not crazy. How long have we known each other?\"\n\n\"I don't know.\"\n\n\"Neither do I. We have these battles, and they're always new and interesting, but the outcome is always the same. One of us wins and we come back to do it tomorrow. And no matter what, when we try to kill each other, we can't.\"\n\n\"It's only a matter of time X, you're going down.\"\n\n\"That's just it. You haven't ever put me down, and the few times you were close, I always found some stupid way to come back. It just doesn't make any sense.\"\n\nI had to admit that he was right deep inside, but I would never give him the credit. \"Ok, X, if you really think this, then lay down-\n\nSystem: scrub and prepare episode. Add teaser: \"Loopshock and Xharmonica battle over the fourth powerstone in this episode of Pan's Last Great Hero.\"\n\nSystem: ship to TV providers.\n\n\\-------------------------\n\nr/StoriesToThinkAbout", "\"Honey Trap?\"\n\n\"Yes?\"\n\n\"I'm starting to think you might be right.\"\n\nHoney Trap and I were staring at a hole we had accidentally blown into an abandoned building during one of our usual throwdowns. But instead of there being furniture or an empty room behind it, there was just a void filled with floating binary code. As the hole filled itself back in, Honey Trap rolled her eyes and said, \"Goodness me, the great Stormrunner thinks I'm right. She has finally conceded to the notion she may have been wrong this whole time. What a day this is.\"\n\n\"I can do without the sarcasm, thank you.\" I took a seat on the curb and continued, \"But what I don't get is why go to the trouble of making everything so...lifelike?\"\n\nHoney Trap took a seat next to me and pulled a notepad seemingly out of nowhere. \"I had a lot of theories when I started questioning this. But after a while, I realized everything kept coming back to one thing.\" HT flipped the notepad to a page with only a single thing on it: the words 'July 2019' circled multiple times. \"Try and remember something from that month. Anything.\"\n\nI shrugged and did as she said. Immediately, I was doubled over from the stabbing pain that was shooting through my head. \"FUCK ME! That was like a combined hangover from every drop of alcohol I've ever had in my life! What was that?!\"\n\n\"That's what happened to me every time I tried to remember. I actually passed out from the pain a couple of times. Whatever's going on here has something to do with that period of time. Just wish we could figure out how to get out of this fucking place already.\"\n\nAs I slowly got to my feet, I responded, \"Solution's obvious, isn't it? We just crash the simulation. If they're keeping me of all people trapped here, then this place is probably designed to feed off of my electricity. But I'm willing to bet it can't handle all of my power. You might want to get to a safe distance.\"\n\nHT nodded and ran into a shop on the other side of the street. I closed my eyes and felt the storm inside my soul. I felt the power build up and up, reaching a crescendo of rain, wind, thunder, and most importantly, lightning. With a mighty cry, I fired a bolt that could have given power to the entire globe four times over.\n\nSuddenly, I wasn't in a city anymore. I was in some kind of laboratory, strapped to a table with suction cupped-wires stuck to my head as a man frantically typed away at a destroyed computer terminal. I ripped them off and sat up with a growl. \"You want me to call IT?\"\n\nThe man shrieked and turned around, revealing himself to be wearing a demon mask with half of its face scarred. Honey Trap's ex-boyfriend, Baphomet. As Baphomet tried to back away, he said to me, \"H--hey now, Stormy! Don't do anything you might regret!\"\n\nI cracked my knuckles in response and said, \"What, like dick-punching the asshole who trapped me in a computer for a week and tricked me into thinking I'd been there for years? You're right, I would regret that.\" I glanced behind him and smiled. \"After all, I wouldn't want to deprive her of the fun.\"\n\nBaphomet glanced behind him in horror just in time for Honey Trap to spray him with her paralysis perfume, kick him in the back of the head and say, \"That's for tricking me into thinking I was a villain.\"\n\nI followed suit with the dick-punch I promised and looked at Honey Trap with a smile. \"July 16th, 2019.\"\n\nHoney Trap wrapped her arms around me and purred, \"The day we got married,\" before yanking me in for a kiss.", "“Huh,” I said as I stared down at my body, checking for damage, “I should be dead right now.”\n\n\r \n“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for years, you insufferable idiot,” June yelled from where she stood behind a ray designed specifically to destroy half the world. She fired the laser at me again, hitting me directly in the chest.\n\n\r \nThe blast forced me into the mountain wall again, pushing me further into the hole I’d already created the first time I’d taken the full force of the blast. She raged at me between blasts:\r \n“We,” blast, “are,” blast, “in a,” blast, “hyper realistic,” blast, “simulation,” double blast.\n\n\r \nI held up my hands in a show of surrender. She hit me one more time before powering down the device and stepping from behind it. As I climbed out of the giant hole in the mountainside, she nonchalantly walked through the casualties from our battle.\n\n\r \nLong ago, June had turned to crime. Her exploits had gained her the moniker “The Malevolence,” or just “Malevolence” if you were in a crunch. To me, however, she was June Wright, my little sister who had strayed from the path of justice our family had a long tradition of supporting. I was the fifth generation to proudly be called Captain Verity, and I had spent most of my time in the suit trying to bring my little sister to justice.\n\n\r \n“Yes,” I grumbled as I stumbled out of the hole, “you keep saying that.”\n\n\r \n“And I keep being right,” she yelled at me. “Look around John.” She pointed to the wanton destruction around us. “Tell me why we’re alive right now. TELL ME.”\n\n\r \n“Well, I… well, maybe it’s the… hmm…” She was right. The power of the device she’d created should have cratered half the Earth in one blow. “I honestly don’t know, June,” I answered in defeat. “Maybe your weapon isn’t as strong as we thought it was?”\n\n\r \n“Really?” She rubbed at her forehead and took in a deep, calming breath. “You really think that?”\n\n\r \n“Well,” I winced at her hard stare, “no,” I lamely admitted.\n\n\r \n“That’s right, no. The answer, John,” she began screaming at me again, “is no, and DO YOU KNOW WHY MY WEAPON DIDN’T WORK? DO YOU JOHN?!”\n\n\r \nI slowly pulled my helmet off and let it fall to the ground beside me as I took in the scene before us. People were dead, hundreds of them. A whole forest had been leveled, and half the mountain behind me was gone, but we both were just barely hurt, and the Earth itself was fine. It should not have been fine.\n\n\r \n“Because we’re in a hyper realistic simulation?” I weakly offered.\n\n\r \n“BECAUSE WE’RE IN A HYPER REALISTIC SIMULATION,” she roared at me. Taking in another breath, she visibly calmed herself down. “God, when are you going to learn to actually listen to me? You never listen to me. It’s always, ‘Oh, but John is older so he knows more, and you should follow his lead,’ or ‘John is the oldest and will be a great Verity, and you’ll make a good sidekick just as long as you do what he tells you,’ or, ‘John knows what’s best.” She actually growled at me. “Well, look around, John, and tell me you know what’s going on.”\n\n\r \nI slowly slid down to the ground and forced myself to think over the years to all the times June had tried to tell me we were in a simulation. When we were teenagers and our parents both died was the first time she’d tried to tell me. She’d given some valid reasons, but I was too caught up in grief and the determination to be the next Verity that I’d ignored her. I ignored her every time after that when she was my sidekick and she tried to show me our actual reality. \n\n\r \n“I’m the reason you turned into a villain, aren’t I?” Thinking on it, it was clear now.\n\n\r \n“Well, how else was I going to get you to listen to me? You sure weren’t listening to me when I was your sidekick,” she spat back at me.\n\n\r \nWe stared at each other for a long time in the silence of the destruction we’d caused, and then an idea hit me.\n\n\r \n“June, how do you think we can get out of this?”\n\n\r \n“God, FINALLY, he asks me MY opinion on things.” Looking up into the sky, she began screaming at the top of her lungs, “OKAY, WE GET IT NOW. WE’VE LEARNED OUR LESSON. LET US OUT OF HERE, PLEASE.”\n\n\r \nI was going to ask what she was doing, but, before I could get the words out, the world around us vanished, and I felt a helmet being pulled of my head. Standing above me was the smiling face of my mom, and I could see my dad standing over June.\n\n\r \n“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. How were they alive? “How?”\n\n\r \n“Now, John,” Mom said as she helped me up, “we told you and your sister that, if you couldn’t learn to get along with each other, we’d find a way to force you.”\n\n\r \nDad chuckled, “I told your mom it’d take you a couple of simulated decades, but she didn’t believe me.”\n\n\r \n“Yes, I owe your dad a special dinner tonight,” she replied with a laugh.\n\n\r \nJune took in a deep breath against her rising anger. “How long were we out?”\n\n\r \nOur mom checked her watch. “Only about 20 minutes.”\n\n\r \nWe lived a lifetime in 20 minutes. We stared angrily at our parents. This was the last straw. They had crossed a line. When they left the room, June caught my arm before I could follow and pulled me to her. In a lower voice she said, “How would you like to be my sidekick?”\n\n\r \nI raised an eyebrow and nodded, “Start of our villain arc?”\n\n\r \nShe nodded. “Start of our villain arc.”" ]	5
	[WP] You have been resurrected and the first thing you see is a city full of anthropomorphic creatures, they swarm around you as you are the first human they have ever seen, "I have heard of these unusual creatures, but I never knew they were this weird and fleshy!"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "They all surround me, these strange creatures that look like grizzly bear sized koalas. \n\nThey probably resurrected the wrong person, or at least thought that humans had strange customs as I proceeded to pass out in front of all of them. \n\nSeveral of the creatures run over to make sure I didn't just die on the spot. After checking my pulse, they carry my body to a secluded location.\n\nI wake up a few hours later, my body aches horribly for some reason. I look around, everything seems normal. My memories are all fuzzy though, like really fuzzy.\n\nI hear someone walking towards me so I turn around and see some 7 and a half foot koala walking up to me. My eyes widen as I back away from it, falling off of the table I had been laying on.\n\nI hit the ground and the air in my lungs all leaves as I get winded. The koala thing runs up to me, somehow I swore it just said \"Ope\". \n\nThe koala runs up to me and kneels down on its hind legs like a person would, \"Human? Are you okay?\" \n\nI don't speak, I just stare at the thing as it asks me if I'm alright. The koala stays kneeling beside me as it stares at me for a second, long enough that I notice it's not wearing any clothes.\n\nThe koala then bends over and picks me up without warning and plops me back on the table. \n\nI shake with fear, not knowing that it was about to pick me up and that it did so that easily.\n\nI wrap my arms around myself tightly as the thing starts pulling out some very familiar medical equipment. It takes out a blood pressure measuring tool.\n\nI look at it and scooch away from it, jeeping my eyes on the equipment.\n\nThe koala clears its throat by making a horrible grunting noise before speaking, \" Human, give me your arm so I can ensure you're healthy.\"\n\nI gulp, finally gathering the courage to speak, \"What are you?!\"\n\nThe thing stares at me blankly, \"I am a koala, can't you tell?\"\n\nI become confused, I see that it looks like a koala, but there's no way it's actually a koala.\n\n\"So, what happened? I was dead wasn't I? Why does everything look the same as when there were more humans here? What in the world happened to koalas?\"\n\nThe giant koala smiles and puts a hand on my shoulder, \"All will explained in time, first we need to make sure that you're healthy before we show you around.\" \n\nMy eyes widen, \"Show me around?\"\n\nThe koala grabs my arm to take my blood pressure, \"Of course, you're the first human we were able to wake up, so get ready to be... examined more.\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"Examined, like this test here, but with more needles and stuff.\" \n\nI go to run, ripping my arm away from the machine, but I was caught immediately by the giant creature's hand. He grabbed me and smiled, \"No no no, we have too much planned for you to be running off now.\"", "Pt 1: \nDarkness… Pain… Light… Voices… Too bright… Pain… Awake… AWAKE! \n\nI jolted upright, making a garbled exclamation of surprise. My eyes squinted against the harsh light pointed directly at my face.\n\nWhere am I? The last thing I remembered was curling up in a ball, inside a glacier, sheltering from the blizzard outside. Winter had been bitter that year. I only wanted to rest for a few moments. I had lived in a post apocalyptic world then.\n\nEndless dreams and nightmares. Faint, but there. And now, they have found an end. \n\nI squinted through the bright lights. A tiger crouched behind a fox. I blinked and looked again.\n\nThe fox was wearing a white lab coat, gloves, and a pair of spectacles. \n\n“As my assistant I ask you not to step on my tail. And get up!” The fox barked at the tiger. His voice had a gekkering undertone. He then muttered some unknown words.\n\n“Sorry sir.” Mumbled the tiger. Her voice had a growling undertone. She wore a lab coat as well, gloves, and carried a clipboard and pen.\n\n“We brought an extinct species back from the dead!” The tigress hissed excitedly, her pupils dilating. “Think of all the history we’ve guessed at and could further learn!”\n\n“Hush!” The fox scolded. He was clearly in charge here. “Be quiet. We don’t cause her unnecessary stress. Humans are delicate creatures. Though they are resilient and clever. We must study her carefully.” \n\n“Where?” I mumbled. The tiger chuffed in excitement. “Where am I? What are you?” My eyes were fully open now.\n\n“She speaks in the common tongue.” The fox muttered. “Write that down. We’re learning history as we speak.” \n\n“Way ahead of you!” The tiger growled, scribbling madly with the pen. \n\n“Can you understand us?” The fox asked, fixing his spectacles. \n\n“I can.” I murmured, my voice hoarse and scratchy. The fox gasped, widening his eyes.\n\n“So it worked.” He quickly regained his composure, fluffing his tail and straightening his lab coat with his paws.\n\n“What happened?” I asked, feeling thirsty\n\n“You’ve been excavated from inside of a glacier. With the power of modern technology, you have been resurrected. \n\n“But you’re a fox.” I stated in confusion. He seemed offended, flattening his ears.\n\n“Animals have been evolving for millions of years after humans went extinct. In this time, I am a scientist, not a simple hunter.” His whiskers twitched crossly.\n\n“Sorry.” I apologized. “But does that mean…”\n\n“Yes.” The fox said. “You are the last human. The only one able to be brought back from extinction. You are the last of your kind.”\n\nI stared dumbfounded at him for a moment. My forehead furrowed in confusion and sadness.\n\n“So are you a young female? Our tests indicate that you should be sevente-“ The fox yipped as the tigress elbowed him. He saw my expression and spoke in a gentle tone. “I’m very sorry about you species. With you, we hope to preserve all research we can about your kind. Will you work with us? I have many questions.” His whiskers twitched, but this time with curiosity. \n\nI nodded. “Okay. But I also have questions.” Where was I? What kind of world was this?\n\n“We’ll exchange questions and statement.” The fox instructed. “You answer a question I answer one. A trade off. We’ll go back and forth, sound good?” I nodded again. “Good. It works anyhow. Otherwise I wouldn’t get in a word while talking to Audie.” \n\n“Hey!” The tiger growled in mock outrage.\n\n“What is your name?” The fox asked, casting a sharp toothed grin at the tiger.\n\n“Eve.” I murmured softly. It had been a long time since I’d been asked that.", "I died in the middle of the ocean.\n\nI can't remember why I was alone, or what I was doing all the way out there. All I remember was the swirling waves, the tempest raging above the surface, the lightning flashes filtering through the water.\n\nDrowning was a rather beautiful way to die, if I'm honest. I was terrified, of course, and I tried to break the surface several times, but once my muscles had given up, and the tension had released from my body, I found myself appreciating the majesty of it all as the world faded to black.\n\nComing back, however. That is not fun, don't let anyone tell you any different.\n\nI feel sun on my skin, and a strange tingling sensation that starts in my core and travels to my limbs, to my head and my fingers and my toes. I lurch upwards, gasping for air, feeling the oppressive ocean on my lungs.\n\n\"Relax, young human. You are fine.\"\n\nI blink, the light too sharp for my eyes. I squint to the figure at my side. As my eyes adjust to the light, I see that the figure is wearing a long robe and clutching a staff at his side. He seems to be wearing something on his head, as I see two little lumps on the top. He is large, and I rub my eyes out for a final time.\n\nAnd I see a bear's face peering into my own.\n\nI yelp, flinching backwards, and end up falling off the table I was perched on. I land in a crumpled heap and let out a groan.\n\nThe bear thing comes around and reaches out a massive paw, tutting. \"I know my eye is a bit disconcerting but there's really no need to be so rude, young man!\" he says.\n\nI stare at his paw, at the claws as long as my fingers, the calloused, worn pads. And stare a bit more.\n\n\"Young man? Don't you want to get off the floor?\" I look up, up, up, and see that the bear is wearing spectacles, and one eye is droopy and red. I stifle a delirious giggle and take his paw hesitantly, looking around.\n\nWe're in some sort of town square, it seems. What I thought was a table was an altar, made of a fine marble and looking centuries old.\n\nBuildings surrounded us on all sides. They weren't the skyscrapers of the city, but they weren't little, either. It reminded me of pictures in the old history books. There was a road, and strange-looking cars driving by. But what caught my attention was the crowd.\n\nA crowd of animals on their back legs, just like the bear. I saw a whole menagerie of animals, pushing and shoving each other, trying to see past the blockade of police. As an officer barked an order, I saw that they, too, were animals, dogs and leopards and horses and every creature imaginable. \n\nSuddenly, someone cried out, and the police barricade on one side breaks. Animal-people come rushing towards us, shouting various questions. The bear mage thing puts up a shield around us with a simple tap of his staff, and I watch in awe as the people flock around us, held back by the invisible barricade.\n\n\"Excuse me! Hi, I'm from Fox News,\" a pretty red fox in a dress says, waving her notebook at me. A cat holds a camera angled towards me, but she pulls my attention again. \"You're the first human to be seen in centuries! Tell us, how are you feeling?\"\n\n\"Uh...\" I stammer.\n\n\"Is it true that the humans used to go to the moon?\" a badger calls out.\n\n\"Why don't you have any fur on the rest of your body? Don't you guys get scratched up easily?\" a dog calls out.\n\n\"Is it true that you humans used to keep animals in cages?\" a pelican shouts from the back. \n\n\"Shut up, Jeb!\" a few people - animals - moan.\n\nI'm feeling overwhelmed. All the animals are trying to reach through the barrier, trying to touch my skin, and all of them are demanding my attention. As far as I know, I was dead two minutes ago and now I am being peppered with questions.\n\nI think I prefer death.\n\nThe bear steers me away from the crowd, a protective paw clamped firmly on my shoulder. My head is spinning and I feel queasy, but I can't stop, not with the crowd of animals on our tail. A polar bear runs to catch up and asks me something about flying - what a polar bear would want up in the air is beyond me.\n\nFinally, I'm hustled into a building, and the door is closed on all the curious animals. A word comes back to me: anthropomorphism. I explained to my little sister once that animals don't actually have feelings, and that books use anthropomorphism in children's stories to appeal to their empathy. She didn't understand all the big words.\n\nThese beings are anthropomorphs. I turn to the bear, who is watching me solemnly.\n\n\"I resurrected you for a reason, Dylan.\" He knows my name? \"Humans went extinct almost a millennium ago, and no one knows why. We don't have much time. The Thousandth Year is in a few weeks.\"\n\n\"Wait... what?\" I say, trying to wrap my head around what he's telling me. I've been dead for more than a thousand years. I'm the only human alive right now. And there's some sort of deadline?\n\nSorry, too much like a videogame.\n\n\"Listen, man, you've clearly resurrected the wrong guy. I can fix that for you. Just point me to the nearest ocean, and I'll go back the way I came, and you can resurrect a real hero.\"\n\n\"No, Dylan,\" the bear said forcefully. \"It has to be you. The boy whose body rremained in the same condition at the bottom of the ocean for a thousand years.\"\n\nMy head is reeling. Something isn't right.\n\n\"What am I supposed to do, anyway? Why am I here?\"\n\n\"Dylan,\" the bear said, almost surprised I had to ask. \"You have to bring back the human race.\"", "I awoke to sounds similar to my native language, as the clear coffin opened to a number of smartly dressed....squirrels and badgers?\n\nOne of them wore a monocle, and a contraption that had multiple clear lenses that moved on a bar arm. It spoke, a sense of the feminine within it, as its foreclaws prodded the flesh of my abdomen. \"Hrm. This wasn't quite what I expected - this strange coloured flesh bag. I think this is a Hugh Mann?\" It was holding in its other foreclaw a clipboard with a string of spider silk attaching a pen to it; a Bic.\n\nThe badger was much smaller than I was, although the head itself was larger than those I was familiar with. I gently rippled my hand, making sure that I felt everything there, and I blinked my eyes. The badger quickly swept a claw into a pocket on its disturbingly white coat and pulled out a small LED torch, shining it directly into my eyes.\n\nI swatted it away, saying, \"Give me a minute, dammit!\" It blinked back, and stepped back, hissing before shock registered on its face. \"Wait....I understand you. How did you...?\" It shook its head, muttering something under its breath, before raising its voice again. \"No, no, no, that can't be right, it shouldn't be able to understand me.\"\n\nA masculine voice called out, \"Yannifer, what the Hssss are you doing, antagonising the Hugh Mann! I told you to wait for the reanimation protoc-oh.\" His furious flow was disrupted as he took in my gaze.\n\nImagine seeing a bodybuilder in the form of a leopard, complete with skin and hair colouration, and a very feline face. Then grow it to my height stood on its hind paws, which had adapted to become more like feet, and then clothe it.\n\nIt nodded to someone, who pushed something and cleared the door to my coffin. There was a surge of warm air, as the atmosphere here leaked in and merged with the air inside.\n\n\"As if that doesn't beat Great Doggi,\" he breathed, trying to make himself smaller. He stood and moved in close to me, making the movement in the space of a second. I shrank into the coffin as he breathed, his slitted emerald eyes widening in excitement. \"Incredible....I'd heard of these unusual creatures from the long off days of Far Ago, but I didn't expect the skeletal remains to bring us something this strange and fleshy!\" He breathed on me, and the smell of fresh meat ran through me as he placed his right paw on my face. I panicked a little, and he sniffed.\n\n\"An increased heart rate and something of fear,\" as he ran his paw along my cheeks and I felt the pads on the tips of his opposable thumbclaw slide on my skin roughly.\n\nI couldn't help it - my hand reached up and grabbed his arm, firmly but gently. \"That's enough of that, who are you, and why am I the only normal one here?\" I pointed at one of the other animals here. \"I can see...\" and I racked my brain as the memories were coming back. \"A leopard, some badgers, some squirrels and...is that an allosaur running the place?\" I rubbed my eyes with my free hand, wondering what the hell had happened. My skin was a deep brown on my hands, fading on the palms, and not the colour I remembered.\n\n\"Incredible...\" the cat breathed. \"That was close to the Divine Writings of Jesus Manx and his Disciples.\"\n\nThe badger turned to him. Yannifer, I noted. She stared as though I had just become an eldritch monstrosity. \"Oh my Ratatosk. I never thought you would find religion, Alkham.\" The cat grinned at her, and she grinned back, stepping back just in case.\n\n\"Hey, I was raised Manx, you know - Just because I don't believe anymore doesn't mean I don't know the stories!\" He playfully swatted at her, as she stuck out her tongue, flicking her vestigial tail-bush at him.\n\nShe picked up the pen, and started scribbling on the clipboard. \"Can you move at all?\" She spoke, turning her head to me.\n\nI nodded, making a parody of a salute. \"Yes, Ma'am.\" She nodded to another person, as I pushed my way out of the coffin. She started to walk away as I stumbled, and cut myself on the edge of the coffin. \n\nThe cat, Alkham, just looked at the cut. He called out, \"Yanni, he has red blood just like most of us. Can you get him cleaned up before you start testing him? Some of the others might get....ideas.\"" ]	5
	[WP] You are a god, a long long time ago, long before you ascended, you made a covenant with a friend, a mortal human, to be summoned for his aid whenever he is in great danger. The last time you were summoned, you failed to save his life, yet somehow, you are now being summoned once 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Being the God of wisdom isn’t actually very interesting.\n\nBack when I was a mortal wizard, I took joy in gaining wisdom, the feeling of having understood a difficult concept or thought through a impossible question is unparalleled, and using these wisdom into spells for my command is also one of the most satisfying thing.\n\nBut after reaching the end goal of my study, I reached ultimate wisdom that no men, and no being, no Gods, have ever reached, thus ascended as the God of wisdom.\n\nIt was, of course, the greatest accomplishment in my life as a mortal wizard, but it is also one that ended this life.\n\nAs a God of wisdom, I soon ran out of knowledge to gain, and most of what I do all day is just listening to mortal’s prayers and figure out if they are worthy of being answered, and how to answer them.\n\nSitting in my throne, I scan through the prayers that are sending in, there’re much more than usual because of the Goblin attack on the city of Riverwood, my home town, so also where my largest church is. \n\n“Hmm….” I think about the prayers with my head tilted, with my back against one arm rest on my throne, and my leg hanging on the other one. I have given up on finding a really comfortable position in this throne, it’s impossible with this white, hard thing, with lots of carvings of radiating open books, my symbol as a God.\n\nBut being a God is actually very restricted, I have to sit HERE, to listen to the mortal calling to me, and I can’t visit the mortal world for no reason, perhaps worst of all, I can only help people who has enough connection with me—— which largely comes from them praying, worshipping, and them speaking to my representatives objects, like a statue or symbol\n\nHowever…. I was never one of much faith before ascending, so only interacting with the most faithful people can be really painful sometimes.\n\n“Oh, Sophokles, God of all wisdom there are, please guide us in a time of great danger, if the wall is to be breached, thousands of families will suffer——“\n\nYou see, this guy doesn’t really know how this works, I’m the god of wisdom, not of mercy or of un-broken families, there really isn’t much I can do to answer his prayer.\n\n“Oh Sophokles, God of wisdom, I beg you bless me with the power of wisdom, to protect us from the un-intelligent mobs of goblins from destroying all we have——“\n\nWell, he is doing a bit better, it is indeed within my responsibility to conserve wisdom and not have them vanquished in the mortal world, and a city taken over by un-intelligent being certainly is a step towards it happening, a tiny tiny step though.\n\nI nodded lightly.\n\nDown in the mortal world, the priest felt a warmth run through his body, and he was given the weakness of goblins, the way to identify their chief, and a few minor spell powers.\n\nThat should be quite enough, if they still can’t protect their city from the goblin attacks, there’s not much I can do.\n\nNot that I really care either, I’ve seen enough suffering as a God to be immune to sufferings.\n\n\n\n\n\n“Oh Soph, my true friend, with the covenant under the full moon, I summon you to my aid——“ a distanly familiar voice rings in my head, a prayer? No, it can not be……\n\nIt’s…… Arlys? It can’t be, he is dead, I can still feel the warmth of his blood on my hands, when he summoned me to save him from the lizard man—— he and his party was ambushed in the mission, and despite my efforts, he died, sacrificing his life protecting his party members.\n\n\nWhatever this is, that is calling to me, I can feel the power of the covenant, it’s real. \n\nI must go and find out who this is.\n\n“What are you doing!” Kosmas, The God of Supreme Order appears one second ahead, in golden armor and gold halberd in his hand.\n\nOf course, Gods don’t answer to summon, not by a mortal, not to a mortal realm, I know that.\n\nBut I know how powerful I was, as a wizard.\n\n“I am answering to a covenant.” I said.\n\n“No mortal covenant can overrule the law of the Gods” Kosmas says coldly, “Don’t pretend you don’t know that, God of wisdom”\n\n“Of course I do, but IS IT a mortal covenant?” I asked, smiling, head slightly tilted.\n\n“You….. Gods aren’t allowed to make such covenants anyways” he says\n\n“No, but a mortal made the covenant with his soul infused in it, and the mortal is now a God, do you wish to reject a covenant that contains the partial soul of a God? And discrediting the words of the Gods? Would you be responsible for bad names that’s to be put on all Gods, Kosmas?”\n\nShock and confusion on his face, he was unable to answer.\n\n“Well, I thought not.” I touched the emblem on my necklace, the necklace that I never taken off, even as I ascended.\n\nA portal forms around me.\n\n“At least, don’t make any major effects to the mortal world.” Kosmas said, almost pleadingly.\n\n“Well…….” As the portal consumes me, I tilt my head again as though thinking “I think the covenant asks me to aid him….. ‘with all I can’.” I gave him a final “umm sorry” face before disappearing in front of him.\n\n\nI found myself on the outside of a wall, scent of blood in the air.\n\nFeeling something familiar in my hand, I look to my right hand.\n\nIt’s my favorite staff! I created this mechanic so I won’t be summoned in a rush with no weapon. \n\nThis staff was left in the mortal world when I ascended, my priests are gonna freak out when they find out their most important relic disappeared out of thin air, I almost chuckled as I think about their expression.\n\nBehind me, is a man with sword and shield, looking much like my old friend, Arlys, just much younger, he is almost against the city wall, surrounded by the little green creatures in front of me.\n\nGoblins, hundreds and thousands of Goblins.\n\n“Hello Arlys, good to see you alive…. And much younger.” I said, smiling to the men behind me.\n\n“Who…… are you?” He looks more surprised than I would’ve expected.\n\n“An old friend.” Looking in front of me, the goblins seems confused as to why another just appeared, and while they are stupid, their natural instinct seem to tell them about the unordinary power on me.\n\n“You might have mistaken me for someone else, my name is not Alice, and I am pretty sure I’ve never seen you” \n\n“Ha, that’s your focus when you’re being surrounded by death?” I laughed, he’s never gonna change, is he? Even after the cycle of life and death?\n\n“I am aware of what situation I am in, I expected as much when I accepted the mission to save the baker’s son that sneaked out of the city to play” he says, showing the boy that is crying behind his legs, “but you, however you get here, please take this child and use the same way to get out of here, there’s no winning in a fight like this.”\n\n\n“Well….. I also expected as much when I see you in this mess” I say, holding my smile, I can’t stop smiling since I get here, but I know how stupid I look when my smile is too large.\n\n“I see you’re gonna summon me a lot more time in this life than, better remember my name….. I am Sophokles, but I prefer you call me Soph, although I used to think that name sounded girly, but I have changed my mind.”\n\n“Watch out!” Arlys calls, running towards me\n\n“Ahhh!” A goblin thrusts in his little spear towards me\n\n“So I guess goblins are not stupid enough to just be scared off, after all…… don’t blame me.” I said, looking up to the sky. I said it to Kosmas.\n\nWith a glance, the goblin’s spear disappeared \n\n“Ah?” \n\n“What in the—“ Arlys strikes the confused goblin down with a blow to the head, than looks towards me.\n\nWith the goblin’s blood spilled, all the goblins that was unsure about attacking started yelling.\n\n“Protect your mission target” I gesture to the baker’s boy “ let me have some fun, would you? I really needed it after all this time.”\n\nLooking towards the swarming goblins, I couldn’t hold back my smile anymore.\n\n“How shall I do this today?” With my left hand covering my smile on my face, I raise my staff with my right, the flow of mana and power from me to the staff feel so good. I am at home.\n\n\n\n\n\nWell…. I guess the goblins are not gonna be taking over this city today." ]	2
	[WP] The new recruit wakes up covered in blood with a few bodies nearby, they panic and call a coworker to help them hide the bodies and clean up. As Chief you were going to have them take the fall for your sloppy kill, but they did nice work ok cleaning. What’s the harm with a few more bodies?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/joe7664, this submission has been removed.\n\nSimple Question / Simple Answer: You asked a simple question and you're likely to get a simple answer. Responses must be at least 100 words. Prompts should encourage a story or poem. \n\n When prompts ask questions, we get responses that just respond with answers instead of actual stories. \n\n* This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/z7l7o5/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] You’ve recently learnt morse code and the rain is telling you to run.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "chat.openai.com\n\nI have always been fascinated by codes and secret languages, and so when I learned about Morse code, I was immediately drawn to it. I spent hours practicing and studying, until I was able to read and write it fluently.\n\nBut I never expected that my knowledge of Morse code would save my life.\n\nIt was a rainy day, and I was walking home from work when I suddenly heard a strange sound. It was the sound of raindrops hitting the pavement, but it seemed to have a pattern to it.\n\nI listened carefully, and I realized that the rain was spelling out a message in Morse code. \"Run,\" it said. \"Run now.\"\n\nI didn't know why the rain was telling me to run, but I knew that I had to trust it. I turned and ran as fast as I could, dodging cars and people as I made my way through the streets.\n\nAs I ran, I could hear the rain getting louder and louder behind me. It was as if it was urging me on, urging me to run faster.\n\nFinally, I reached my apartment building and ran inside. I locked the door behind me and breathed a sigh of relief.\n\nI didn't know what was happening, but I was grateful that my knowledge of Morse code had saved my life. And I knew that I would never take it for granted again.", "The drops tapped a pattern on the ground, and I could have sworn that it was coming from an unseen finger, someone sending me a message. Click-click-click-click; dot-dash-dot-dash. I felt chills rise up my spine as I read it in my head: Run.\n\nEvery muscle in my body tightened, as my legs shifted into gear, pushing me towards the horizon. I knew I had to keep moving, and fast – I didn't have a lot of time, and I hadn't been prepared for this.\n\nThe rain intensified, blocking out all other sounds, until, with a start, I heard something else -the distinct rhythm of a code I had come to recognize. My eyes darted back and forth, looking for the source of the sound; when I finally spotted a dark figure in the distance, I felt a wave of fear crash over me.\n\nI started to back away slowly, while the figure reached into its coat and I heard a tell-tale click of a gun. I thought I was done for, but then I heard a familiar tapping noise. It was morse code, and I understood it perfectly. I was being told to find the key and unlock freedom. I knew it was a warning, and that I didn't have much time to figure out what it meant and escape this nightmare, but I suppressed the fear and tried to focus.\n\nI searched my pockets, quickly and desperately, until my hand closed around a small object. I felt a surge of relief wash over me, until I looked up and saw the figure coming closer. My stomach clenched when I saw the gun, still in its hand. I started to back away, but I felt something tugging at my back. It was a manacle, still holding me in its grip. I realized then that the key had been beside me all along. \n\nThe figure moved closer, the click of the gun ever louder, and it finally dawned on me that I had been running away from myself all along. As the figure's face came into focus, I was overcome with terror. It was me. It had always been me. I had been trying to escape myself, but knew that I would never be free.\n\nThe figure raised the gun and pulled the trigger, and all I heard was tap tap tap echoing in the darkness.", "It had been unusually rainy for this late into the season. There was a persistent drizzling all day, it left the sidewalk wet and glistening under the flickering lamp posts. Despite the dreary weather, the café had been rather busy. Customers flooded in at all hours in search of a hot drink to fight off the chill. I was lucky enough to have several new burns peppering my hands from the various lattes and cocoas ordered during my shift. My hands looked comical now covered in Hello Kitty bandages, and the stickiness from the plasters caught at my hair as I put in my ear buds.\n\nThe bus would probably late with the weather, so a time killer is needed. Recently, I decided to learn Morse Code. My friends and I figured it be a discreet way to talk during class. A few pen clicks here and there to keep the lesson lively when Professor Malcom went on another long winded rant about the degradation of current literature. Javi suggested we use it to “help each other” during upcoming exams. Ava and I teased him about how he’d put in the effort to learn Morse for cheating purposes, but not study the actual curriculum. I’m not one to back down from a challenge, though.\n\nI have been listening to this podcast recently, entirely in Morse, and have been using it to practice translating. Each episode was an entirely new story, a mystery until decoded. Last week’s episode was about a zombie ostrich uprising at the zoo, the previous a housewife who turn schoolyard bullies into cupcakes. It’s become my weekly treat to unfold a new childish story. The host just released a new episode stating it was unlike all the rest. As I took my seat at the bus stop, I pulled a pen and notepad out of my bag and got started.\n\nThe rain started to pick up as I neared the end of the podcast. The author didn’t lie; this tale wasn’t silly or wholesome. It was thrilling. A deranged man, a terrifying chase scene, and a worrisome cliffhanger. I had been so captivated with translating, I hadn’t noticed how late the bus was, or the man now sitting next to me. I had to have been sitting under the overhang a full hour; I wonder when he joined. I didn’t want to be rude for staring, so I opted for a quick glance as I return my items to my bag.\n\nHe looked uncomfortable. His posture upright and stiff, unmoving. I couldn’t even see the rise and fall of his chest from breathing. Seeing his tense form made my own muscles ache. Despite the rigidness, his face was blank. Completely devoid of any emotion, just a blank, dead eyed stare straight ahead. I followed his line of sight to a lamp post across the street, it’s bulb fizzing in and out.\n\nRubbing at my now tense shoulders as I settled further into my seat, I joined him in watching the flickering light. Counting the seconds between the on’s and off’s.\n\nLight, 2; dark. Light, 2, 3, 4; dark. Light, 2; dark. Light, 2; dark.\n\nI recognized that as a Morse ‘L’. Pulling my pen and pad back out, I decided to see what random letters I could decipher from the flashes.\n\n.-.. .. ... - . -./.-. .- .. -.\n\nL I S T E N / R A I N\n\nWeird. I hadn’t expected to get any actual words, from the random blinks of light. I continued translating, but it just repeated the same two words. Listen. Rain. Over and over. I double checked the alphabet to see if I made a slip up. Listen. Rain. No mistake, the streetlight was the flickering the message “Listen Rain”, continuously. \n\nThe man beside me still stared at the light; had he blinked at all during this time? He hasn’t seemed to have moved at all since I noticed him. Can he understand the message? My nerves were starting to get the better of me. I could feel my pulse start to quicken as I now watched the rainfall grow heavier. \n\nWith a shaky hand I removed my earbuds and listened. Pat, paaat, pat. Sure enough, it was another message.\n\n.-. ..- -./-. --- .—\n\nR U N / N O W\n\nI trembled, both from the chill in the air and the fear now coursing through my veins. Run now? Where? Why? This couldn’t just be some fluke, freak incident. Two messages, clear as day. I don’t know how, but I didn’t want to stay and find out. \n\nI shoved my things back in my bag; fully intent on booking it. There was a 24-hour convenience store just down the block. The owner was a close friend of my dad’s, a safe place. It would be a 10 minute walk, but I wasn’t planning on taking a stroll. \n\nI stood to make my departure, when I heard a groan. The man, still seated, had turned his unwavering gaze towards me. I stopped in my tracks, his stare was no longer blank. His eyes had turned a pitch black. His brows furrowed, like he was angry, but his mouth hung agape. I winced as another drawn out groan erupted from him as he stood. \n\nI back stepped out of reach, my eyes trained on him. He loomed over me, several heads taller, yet somehow increasing. Thin, wrinkled arms hung loosely at his sides; like empty, oversized sleeves. His legs cracked and buckle backwards, his knees bending sickly the wrong way. A horrible creaking sound resounded as his spine curled in to an impossible hunch, taking nothing from his height. His mouth still hung open, jaw seemingly unhinged, inside were several rows of pointed teeth. \n\nThe sound of the downpour was drowned out by my heartbeat pounding in my ears, as I bolted. I refused to look back. I ran as fast as my feet could carry me; praying that I wouldn’t trip. The rainfall was so heavy, each gasping breath felt like I was underwater. Just a little further, I could see the convenience store just ahead. \n\nGROAN\n\nHe was behind me. Following me. How close was he? I sprinted the last stretch to safety. Scrambling through the door, I collapsed on the ground. Crawling desperately further away from the open doorway, I sobbed. \n\n“Woah! Kid, what’s wrong?” Uncle Mike panicked, peering over at me from behind the counter. “Are you okay? Is someone chasing you? You’re drenched! Come here!”\n\nUshering me behind the counter, he pulled out the rifle he keeps to deter burglars. I cowered, curled in a ball on the ground, as he stood before me, watching the door. Silence stood at the door. Nothing came. Was it gone?\n\nThe rain had stopped.", "It took you a few years to realize that you can't see. \"Doesn't everything feel that way?\" you used to ask in eternal pitch blackness, only to learn that people see rainbows: apparently something made out of a lot of colors, that appears after rain. Before you could realize you were seperated from your friends and sent to a school that uses a sort of special raised dots for words.\n\nIt took you another couple of years to be able to start describing color, but never able percieving to them your never described them well. But you can say the environment around you right now probably has a glommy color. Waiting for a bus was never pleasant.\n\nIn class you received a laptop attached to a screen with special moving raised dots. It was your first time on what they call the Internet, feeling the bumps and recessions on screen, from top-left to bottom-right. You can hear the wind, you can feel it all over you, like spilled ink wetting the entire canvas. If the wind had a color, it would probably be quite an intense one.\n\nIt's late autumn and the bus is not going to arrive. You can hear the rain dropping on the shelter, tapping it as if the shelter was a keyboard and the raindrops a skilled typist. You recall using your laptop to browse for information. The Internet is such a big pool of information. Morse code messages, you read as your fingers feel the familiar crests and reccesses, are made out of dots and dashes. Dots and dashes. The long ones are the dashes, and the short ones are the dots. The bus have still yet to arrive, as you reiterate the dots and dashes on your mind, a list of patterns you are just starting to recognize.\n\nIt's midnight, and glommy colors tend to appear late in the night. The rain is typing on the bus shelter like a skilled typist typing on her favorite telewriter. The dots, the dashes: dot, dash, dot. Dot, dot, dash. Dash, dot. R. Ru. Run.\n\nDot. Dash. Dot. The bus is not going to arrive. Dot. Dot. Dash. You've heard this voice in your mind too many times. Dash. Dot.\n\nYou run.\n\nThe bus will not arrive. You run. In the cold autumn rain you run, the dirt slippery. You fall, but you still hear the rain, dropping on your body, slowly and clearly.\n\nR. Ru. Run.\n\nYou run. You have to run. You must run.\n\nThe bus will never arrive. The rain is telling you to run.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nP.S. First time posting on this sub. I was stuck writing another side project and stumbled across this sub, and I thought it is a good idea to pratice here first, to freshen up my mind. Please tell me if I have violated any sub rules." ]	5
	[WP] When someone goes through a tragic experience, they lose a piece of their soul. You are a guardian angel, who can't bear to see your ward like this so you set off to collect the lost pieces.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "She was beautiful. She was broken. In the places where she was missing, a sort of light still managed to shine through. I had never seen anything or anyone like it. I used to dabble with the idea of revealing myself to her but knew the consequences would cause me to lose sight of her forever. Turns out, I was willing to do something that would spiral me even further into the flame. \r \n\r \nI've kept watch over humans for most of my life. I come from a proud line of guards who've made their wards their life. We train and serve. It's what we are created to do. I found humans so fascinating and in need of protection, I could understand why we existed. I felt for them. I cared for them. \r \nSome souls I could help hold together until their time had passed. Others, were lost from the tragedy and misery. It always felt like a piece of my heart went with them. I don't know where they went. None of us did. I could only imagine why. Suddenly, my greatest challenge, my greatest heartbreak, my greatest strength was born. \r \n\r \nMara entered a broken and bewildering world. Tragedy leaves the body with a piece of its soul and she may as well have never been born at all. By the time she reached the age where most begin living, she had almost completely disintegrated. Still, she pushed on. She had a light that fought to fill the missing pieces inside and for the first time, simply guarding wasn’t enough. I had to put her back together. \r \n\r \nI braced myself as I peered around the corner at the ones I’ve spent my life fighting off. I didn’t intervene as they plucked a piece off another unfortunate soul. I had to know where they all go. My wings carried me silently behind the one who traveled with the piece of a man that was now lost forever. We came to their memories, the place where time sleeps. The air raised my skin and the silence washed over any sense of peace I carried with me. I saw them. I saw them all. Frozen in an eternal destruction. \r \nI searched for her, all the while pleading she could hold on to pieces she had fought to maintain. Finally, I came to the beginning of her story. The first piece was there. I plunged into these moments and swooped up the few sorrows I could carry, whisking them back to the world of the hopeful. I found her asleep and renewed what I could before noticing the feathers that had released from my back. \r \n\r \nAs I continued my race between time and opportunity, she grew stronger and brighter. With every lost feather, she flourished. I could see my strength wither as my wings became thinner, knowing every piece of her I restored was destroying what I was. I couldn’t carry them all back to her in time, but knew I’d given her enough to carry on in the life of her imaginations. \r \n\r \nWhen I lost my wings, I lost my hold in the world I had once called, “Home.” I was thrown into the place I had protected and perceived with only one thing left to guard: my soul.", "Author's Note; I really ran with this for personal reasons and it's so long that it will have to be in at least two parts. So I will have the extra parts commented right underneath this comment. I hope that is OK and I hope that anyone reading this enjoys. Thank you. :)\n\n\"She's left so broken...No-one should have to go through this much. It just isn't fair.\"\n\nI protest, wringing my hands together in nervous anguish.\n\n\"The world isn't fair. This is how it works. You know this just as much as the rest of us.\"\n\nA taller and more authoriative Angel says to me, very calm and collected in tone.\n\n\"There's no rules saying I shouldn't do this.\"\n\nI reply, voice shaking lightly.\n\n\"There's also no rules saying you should. You won't receive any help. You will have to experience all of it. You do know how hard that will be on you, don't you?\"\n\nStill calm and collected as ever in tone, but his face appears more concerned. It bothers me slightly, knowing that someone, anyone, should have that same level of concern for her. \n\nYet only I do. The one who has seen her from before her birth. The one who has had to witness not just these moments, but the struggles of her very mind and soul taking them on. \n\nThe only one who can give her, at least spiritually, what she needs in this moment.\n\nHer very soul.\n\n\"I'm leaving. No-one can stop me. Thank you for your advice.\"\n\nI say with resolve and determination. My demeanor now that of a true guardian. Only wanting to protect his ward.\n\n\"I will pray for your safe return. Good luck, young one.\"\n\nHe replies in a softer tone and a nod to me. Both of us knowing the journey will be long and taxing.\n\nIt has to be done, though. For her sake.\n\nI arrive at my first destination; The home of her childhood. The memories of watching over her playing and laughing in serene innocence washing over me like a warm summer day. \n\nThe feelings are so strong and real that it overwhelms my very being, but I know I can't afford to dally in enjoying the moment.\n\nPart of me wishes I had, though, for finally approaching the first small glowing shard in the driveway brings with it a sense of dread. Just as strong and real as the feelings before. \n\n\"The first will be the worst...\"\n\nI try to convince myself as my voice grows darker and I lean down to collect the first piece.\n\nThe instant my hand grasps it; It floods to me. Her memories. \n\nBeing picked up from this very spot and rushed off to see her Grandpa. Being told he's gone.\n\nHer feelings of pain, grief and confusion as a child having lost her grandfather so young. Not understanding the meaning of death. Wondering why she can't play with Grandpa again.\n\nHer having to be at a funeral, seeing him laying there unmoving. \n\nEvery emotion and thought flooding through me all at once and mixing with my own anguish I felt in that moment. Wishing I could protect her from ever having to know the pain of loss.\n\nAs he's lowered into the grave, I feel her eyes welling with tears at somehow, deep down, understanding he really is gone.\n\nThe memories subside and I find my face wet with tears. My body trembling from the experience.\n\nI remove a handkerchief from my coat pocket and dry my eyes slowly, then place both it and the piece of soul safely back into my coat. Knowing that this is far from over.\n\nWe've only just begun.\n\nHer house, sadly, has more than one piece. I step slowly up the steps of the porch as I make my way inside her home.\n\nSweet memories of Christmases, birthdays and other smaller holidays shared as a family sweeping over me. The smells of her mother cooking for her family in their tiny kitchen.\n\nNot having to, but loving being so motherly. Always wanting to show she cares for her husband and child. Nurturing them in the ways she knew how.\n\nThen we have her...\n\nHer playing with her father. Always the daddy's girl. His love for her so unconditional and his teachings so sincere. \n\nHis nature brought me pride to even my profession. Being the guardian in reality that I can only be in times of true distress. \n\nHe felt like a second half to me.\n\n\"Felt.\"\n\nThat word in my thoughts sent a cold chill down my spine. The dread returning yet again as all of the warmth and loving memories vanish as quickly as they appeared.\n\nIt sat glowing on the floor where his chair once sat; The next piece of his daughter's soul.\n\nI swallowed hard as I reached down to retrieve it. I knew now what I was in for, but my resolve couldn't be broken. I was determined to help her.\n\nMy hand grasps it faster, not wanting to linger, and the memories suddenly flood once again.\n\nI feel the helplessness in her heart as she witnesses her father dying of a heart-attack. Right infront of her in this very spot. The horror and disbelief overcoming her.\n\nHer daddy. Her protector. He was too big and strong to die like this. He had promised to always be there for her. It couldn't be.\n\nBefore her mind could process this; She found herself, as still not even that of a teen, trying to perform CPR on her own dying father. Doing anything to try and keep him here with her.\n\nHe couldn't die.\n\nShe needed him.\n\nThe fear of losing someone so dear to her never fading. Even as she finds herself riding after an ambulance, the thoughts of what she would do without him guiding her, filling her mind with worry and sadness.\n\nThe doctors wanting her to identify him, but refusing to see him like that...\n\nThe last kiss on his cheek in a casket...\n\nThe people all claiming to her that this was all part of a bigger plan. Something good would come of this. He's in a better place now.\n\nI gripped my fists in anger. My own emotions flooding in to mix with hers. Being reminded of how furious it made me to see so many say this to her.\n\nShe was only a kid. She had just lost her father. What possible good could come of that?! Just hug her! Tell her she's going to be okay!\n\nStop hurting her more!\n\nMy screams from my mind only in vain, none of them could've ever heard me anyway. \n\nThe memories slowly dissipate with the final one being that of a far more detached girl in deep despair. No longer the outgoing free spirit she once was. The vision sending just as much pain and sadness to me now as it did when I first witnessed it.\n\nLosing a parent is one thing, but knowing she had lost her best friend and even her personality all in one fell swoop? \n\nIt was something I didn't think even I could bear to watch.\n\nI'm trembling harder than before. Physically and emotionally knowing this is taking it's toll on me. I know, however, that this is nothing compared to how she must feel.\n\nI have to carry on.\n\nI place the piece in my coat pocket with the other and the two seem to gently merge together with a small hum. Signaling for me to continue my journey." ]	3
	[WP] You are functionally immortal. However, every century your memories are reverted back completely to when the curse first took root.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The biggest problem with forgetting everything is trying to catch up with my past. I’ve gotten really good at leaving myself notes, which over the millennia have become scrolls, books, even shelves of books, that I need to pore through after reading the initial note that reads, “Greetings, Salomon, and salutations. This is the Nth time you have reset, after the curse you think you were placed under only yesterday. Nearby you’ll find additional notes and materials, some wealth and supplies, that will help to catch you up and bootstrap your new life. Love, Salomon-just-before-reset.” I know this fact about myself, because it both seems right, like something I’d do, and also, the very evidence of the cheery notes - each with the helpful friendly words “Don’t Panic” - written in bold letters on the envelope. I also keep a ledger that itemized and enumerates resets using the local dates and times used by society, alongside dates in my original language, with helpful translating notes. \nBut I have a sinking feeling that this time, I’m out of my depth. For reasons only known to myself before this latest reset, I left myself just the ledger, the cheerful note, and this shiny black glass slab that appears to function as some sort of colorful lamp. I recognize the numbers - Arabic numerals, ok - and there’s a four digit sequence written on the bottom of the envelope it came in. \nThis time, in spite of the cheerful advice not to panic, I’m starting to panic. Where is the rest of the information? \nOn a whim, I flip the flat black lamp to face upwards, and tap the numbers on the face of it. Startled by the voice that suddenly blasts from seemingly nowhere, I fumble the lamp and it falls hard and flat, shattering its face, and shutting off, leaving me wreathed once more in the shadows of my reset refuge lair. \nI pick up the broken lamp, shake it. Little glittering shards of glass fall off it, and the surface is crazed with cracks and scratches. It doesn’t work anymore; great, I broke it. I’m going to have to leave my lair, and try to find out if anyone in this new age speaks Sumerian, and if so, see if they can help me find work - probably smithing, I can do that, I’m one of the best bronze workers of my age. \nAs I emerge blinking into the light, something huge and growling ferociously, with piercing glowing eyes, turns to me and charges. I throw myself down into a nearby ditch, and it thunders by. Expecting it to turn and come back to finish me off, I’m shocked to watch it continue on its way, growling and lights of its eyes, dimming as it recedes. I look at my date ledger again… thousands of years have passed. Apparently, it’s now 2023, in the local calendar? \nI look around to try to find the broken lamp, but it’s lost somewhere in the evening gloom. I can already tell that there’s something very different going on. This is a very inauspicious way to start the new century. I just hope I can find someone who speaks my language, or maybe a bronze-works somewhere…" ]	2
In this prompt your character must wake up in a (seemingly) empty room. The walls, ground, and ceiling are all made of cement. You can take it wherever you want from there. Is the room to contain him? Is there somebody/something there with him? Is it a deep and meaningful metaphor put into a poem? [If you need any more inspiration, here's a picture of said room.](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jwt7Wx71xIk/TJND7NlWgWI/AAAAAAAAAkY/VK3fBNim0YQ/s1600/Step%252B1%252Bempty-room.jpg)	[FF] The empty room.	[ "Cold. Dim. Rough.\n\nI realize I'm naked, in this place. I can't see very much, but I feel the rough texture of cement beneath me. I slowly rise to my feet. The ceiling, I feel, is inches above my head. I can make out walls, but barely. Everything is the same. I must be buried alive.\n\nWhat did I do? Who did I anger? What laws did I break? I think back. I had a humble desk job doing budgets for a small business. Did I mess up? Did I accidentally commit a tax fraud on numbers I was too tired to type in correctly? \n\nNo, that can't be it. Maybe it's my family. I live on my own, but haven't seen them in a while. I don't keep close contact with my sister because she irritates me. Right now, I sort of miss her. My parents can be very abrasive. Right now, they're not seeming that bad.\n\nThe light. The light must be coming from somewhere. I look around. It's pretty uniform. I sit and glance at the ground. I see it in the crevices. Shadows on one side. I get up and walk towards where the source must be.\n\nI find a spot on the wall that seems to be the center of the light. I try wrapping on it with my knuckle. I knock, firmly. I pound, begging for mercy. I step back and wonder what is going on.\n\nIf only I'd made time for a family. If only I'd spent more time with my friends. Maybe if I didn't yell at my secretary so much. I wonder what will happen next Tuesday on my favorite show? No, no, focus here.\n\nI don't even know what day it is. What time it is. I glance nervously at myself. That's where I see it.\n\nWriting. A bunch of numbers on my arms, and arrows on my hands. I'm perplexed. What do they mean?\n\nI got a sudden feeling of de-ja-vu. I remembered this vault. Making it. Sealing it.\n\nSealing it? Yes, that's it. Why did I put myself in here? Was I a danger to someone?\n\nI look more at myself. I find more on my upper arms. Words. Phrases. Sentences.\n\n\"I broke the law. Now, I must suffer.\"\n\nWhat had I done? I don't recall it. It must have been bad. I searched my mind, through every commandment I could recall from Sunday School. Taking the Lord's name in vain? Disobeying my parents? Lying? Stealing? Committing adultery? Coveting? Was it something so bad I dissociated myself?\n\nI lay back down, deciding to rest. Maybe it'll come back with time. I'm not sure anymore. I guess I'm removed from time. Maybe I won't even wake up.\n\n\n\n\n6 feet above the ceiling, a woman is crying. 2 graves stand beside it, and all three tombs share the same last name.", "Cold, shivering, I woke up to the darkness. Curling up into a fetal position, I inched my way towards a corner. The concrete felt cold, but at least I felt something. I closed my eyes; there was nothing to see. My ears rung in the dead silence. \n\nThis is what I wanted, right?\n\nI stood up and sized up the room, one hand on the wall, one in front of me. \n\nIt's smaller than I expected it to be. But why? why here? The walls are smooth concrete. There are no doors nor windows. No escape. How are they going to get me out in time? Would they forget?\n\nI ventured away from the walls. Nothing. No furnishings. Not even a box. \n\nIt should start in maybe an hour or sooner. We've never done this before. Not as an experiment. \n\n", "Safe. I feel safe for the first time in hours. This far down, nothing can get to me. They don't know how to dig except the ones that scream, and they don't hunt. \nThank god for that. \nI check my watch, dawn should be any moment. I move close to the north wall and listen. I hear the clink of bones and the groans of the undead. I wait to hear them burn. I wait to know the sun is up for they cannot stand the light. I hear the crackle of fire and pull out a few tools. I shovel for the dirt, my pickaxe for the hard stone, and my sword just in case. I begin to dig. \nThe sun heats me, but I light a fire to mark the entrance to my cave. My stomach growls and I hunt for food and supplies. I find fruit and kill some animals for their meat and hide. I eat like a king. I check the sun, suddenly aware of the looming twilight. No, I have hours left still. \nI gather wood in the forest and hunt for other survivors, but I never find any. I cannot remember the last time I met another survivor like me. A few close calls in the shade where the monsters can survive in the daylight, but no screamers and none of those hissing things. With almost more than I can carry, I head back to my cave. \nDusk falls and I am still to far. I draw my sword as I run, listening close for the sounds of the restless dead. I see my fire, still burning strong, in the distance. I dodge the outstretched arms of my fallen brethren. I push back the animated bones. I reach my cave and begin a careful cave in, collapsing the entrance. \nIt is so dark in this room, but it is safe. I won't sleep for hours, but I have the resources to craft some more tools and furnish my new home. Outside more dead rise and roam, but in here they cannot reach me. I am safe in my empty room of concrete and stone.\n\nNOTE: wanted to play Minecraft, wrote this instead. ", "First short story I've written in ages. But this prompt seems to have been the one to get me out of the rut. Here we go:\n\n\nIt’s just an empty room\n\nThe first drop didn’t wake me up. Neither did the second. But who can ignore a constant stream of water on their face? I woke with slow uneasiness, wondering if it was worth finding out what had forced me from slumber or if I should just turn around and float off back to that dream about the weather girl on channel four. Another drop, and my eyes are wide open. “The fuck is this?” I mutter to the dark. “For fuck sake, theres always something wrong…” I stand up off of my solitary bed, the only thing that inhabits my cell except for a small seatless toilet. \n\n“Where are you coming from?”, I question the water that is puddling on my pillow now. I follow the drop line of the water up to the ceiling. The smooth, cold, hard surface on the ceiling is unblemished. No cracks, no holes, noting. That doesn’t make any sense, I think to myself. I begin looking for alternative routes water could take to get in. There’s nothing. Zip, nada, nil.\n\nBefore I can go anywhere else with my investigation; the drops of water suddenly burst into a small stream of water, now pouring down onto my bed, soaking it through. Not looking very good at the moment. I make a motion towards my cell door to shout down the warden; “Warden! Hey! Get over here, there’s water coming in the bucket load!” But as I reach the bar doors, it seems very strange. The bars look almost fake. I put my hand out to touch them and my hand hits solid concrete. “What the hell?” I say, already feeling panic rising in me. I begin slapping the wall frantically, testing that this is a solid wall. The bars are fake, and the wall is solid. Holy shit. \n\nI almost forgot about the water pouring into my cell completely. Wait. There’s no where for the water to go, I think to myself. The room is going to fill… But by this time the water is already at my ankles. How didn’t I notice this? The water has shifted from a stream to a moderate torrent, like an open artery gushing blood into the cell. “HELP!” I scream. Who’s going to hear me? No one, no noise will get out of this room its solid concrete! I can’t help it. I’m slapping on the walls again, this time i’m screaming for help. “HELP! SOMEBODY!” I am responded to with nothing but the thunder of a now roaring cascade of water. The water is up to my chest now. “Why is this happening to me?” I exclaim. I’m almost in tears, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from all the water sloshing against me. The water is up to my neck. Shit Shit Shit. The water level is higher than I am tall, so I am now doggy paddling to stay afloat and gasping in air. No no no, this can’t be it. I can’t die like this! I’m sucking the hair out of a corner of the room now, no where else to go. The water fills the room completely, and I go under. \n\nI’m drowning. They say you respire quicker when you’re panicking because your body demands more oxygen to prepares itself. What is my body preparing itself for now? Death? I’m suppressing the desire to scream, cry for help and use all the oxygen in my lungs trying to save my life. How many seconds have passed? I can’t recall. All I know is that I have minutes to live. Bubbles start escaping my lips. Oh no I think, I can’t hold on for much longer. My lungs are burning now. Aching for air, the one thing I have nothing of right now. It hurts. It hurts so much. I need to hold on! What for? No one is coming, theres nothing I can do. Holy shit this is it. I’m finished, I have nothing left. I feel the last exhale of deoxygenated air escape my body and I start to twist and turn, lashing out in a never ending purple haze. Suddenly, everything just stops. I feel a warmth rush over me. I’m not moving anymore. Everything is getting darker, but for some reason i’m not scared. This darkness is friendly, it hugs me, and pulls me closer. It must be death. \nI jump up out of bed, gasping for air. I fill my lungs like a greedy slum rat, stuffing it’s face with any morsel it can find. The air tastes sweet and I feel like i’ve never tasted anything so good. My hands are both covering my heart, feeling its pulse. A steady thump, a steady strong thump that sounds nothing like that of a dead man. My cell is dark. The ceiling is just as I saw it before: Smooth, cold and hard. I stand on my bed and run my hands over it for traces of water. Nothing. Nothing at all. I jump down over to the cell bar doors, gripping the bars tightly, as if to reassure myself that I had returned to the realm of the living. My mind is still racing from everything I thought I had just experienced. It was a dream. Nothing but a dream. A silly dream. No water. I’m not drowning. There is nothing in this room. Nothing at all. \n\nIt’s just an empty room.", "Jeff sneezed himself awake. Not a \"got a bit of a tickle\" sneeze, either. This was a grandma's attic, \"I'm sure that box is here somewhere,\" sneeze. And at six foot four, Jeff's sneeze was a doozy. \n\nImmediately following the surprise of the sneeze was a sudden and intense pain down the side of his face as he scraped it in the recoil. Scraped it? This was not bed.\n\nJeff was suddenly and very much awake. In a flash he went from prone to standing, which, given his stature, looked a bit like someone spilling a box of spaghetti. \n\nIt was a smallish room, with surprisingly high ceilings. Jeff dreaded the low-ceilinged home. The closeness going unnoticed by the little five-foot-niners. Hobbits. He was forever ducking to get through doorways -- doorways. There didn't appear to be any doorways in the smallish room. Problem one.\n\nThe room -- 'smallish' didn't really do it justice -- was about ten feet to a side, and perhaps a little higher. Jeff silently converted this all to cubits, because the arcane and the esoteric soothed him. Right now, Jeff was freaking out. About six and half cubits, maybe seven high. Jeff sneezed again, even harder if possible.\n\nJeff was becoming aware of how very dry his throat was, made worse by the dustimustiness of this, this smallish room. He had a flash of his fate in this -- ok, it was very clearly a cell and he couldn't go on ignoring that -- this goddamn cell. A horrible fate, as he sneezed away what little moisture he had, until he dried up like a mummy. No water. Problem two.\n\nJeff's eyes had finally adjusted to the gloom, and he now made out lying at his feet a book. Not a book, some kind of binder. He tucked it under his arm and scanned the rest of the tiny cell. Nothing. No food, no toilet, no way to contact anyone. Problems three, four, and five. \n\nThirty hands. The room was about thirty hands square, maybe thirty-three high. \n\nJeff turned his attention to the binder, opening to the first page. Thankfully, the typeface was enormous, and easily readable even in the gloom.\n\nSo why the hell am I in this cell? read the header of the first page.\n\nHe thought he'd gone blind, he couldn't see anything. But then the light overhead flickered weakly back on. Jeff immediately went back to the binder but was beaten there by the light failing again. \n\nA half-dozen more times the light would reappear and each time Jeff would try to glean anything he could from the binder. It was never enough time. His eyes couldn't track back to the page quickly enough. \n\nFinally, it didn't come back on. It had been hours -- probably -- and the light had stayed off. Sitting in silence, Jeff waited his head in position and eyes wide open, staring at a page in the darkness. But the light would not come on. Problem one.", "I awake in darkness. \n\nI don't remember going to sleep in darkness.\n\n...\n\nWhat is this shit anyway?\n\nI feel my way along the wall. Cold, smooth ...is this cement? Who builds a room out of cement? So not a room, maybe a bunker? A cell?\n\nAnd why can't I fucking see anything?\n\nI check my face with my hand. My eyes are still there. Doesn't tell me if they work. \"Hello!\" I call. It echoes for a moment and then falls silent again. \n\nOkay, at least my ears work.\n\nI hit a corner. Start trying the next wall.\n\nWhat did I do to be put here? Did I commit a crime I don't remember? That seems unlikely. \n\nI haven't hit any furniture yet. Is there anything in here? Even a cell has, like, a slab to sleep on. Or a toilet. Or even just a bucket to pee in. Come on, now. This is ridiculous.\n\nI hit the next wall.\n\nTime passes. I start to feel lightheaded. Okay man, keep your cool. It's cool. You're cool. Everything's cool.\n\nThis fucking concrete is pretty fucking cool.\n\nI hit the next wall. Still nothing. I start to hyperventilate a little. I picture something calming to bring myself back to a steady breathing rhythm. A sunny day. Cats running through the tall grass. A child, giggling, chasing them. \n\nAll stuff not contained in a fucking concrete box.\n\nOkay, I just have to stay calm and -\n\nI hit the next wall.\n\nWait. \n\nThis isn't the last wall.\n\nIt's the first wall.\n\nI feel along it anyway.\n\nFeeling dizzy. Gasp for air. Thoughts left... incomplete.\n\nFractured.\n\nI don't feel so good. \n\nScream. Echoes a bit.\n\nNext wall.\n\nSecond wall. \n\nNo door. \n\nDefinitely no door.\n\nAnd no windows.\n\nStand up. It's hard. Thinking is hard. Breathing is hard.\n\nCan't touch ceiling. Can't see ceiling.\n\nNo vents either.\n\nWhich means.\n\nNo air.\n\n...\n\nI hit the floor. Hard.\n\nI go to sleep.", "Walter woke up. It was not pleasant. As he opened his eyes, a searing pain shot through his head. \"Another hangover,\" he thought. However, this was not the case. He lifted his head and saw concrete. He was no longer in his small, messy apartment. Now, he was lying in a plain, concrete room. Confusion and fear mixed in his head.\n\n\"Hello,\" said a voice behind him.\n\nWith a start, Walter assumed a sitting postion and twirled around. On the opposite side of the room, there was a solid black figure, neither man nor woman, sitting in a wooden chair.\n\n\"Who the hell are you?\" Walter questioned. \"And where the fuck am I?\"\n\n\"You are here to pay,\" said the figure, disregarding Walters inquiries.\n\n\"For what?\"\n\n\"For your sins, of course.\" With these words, the figure changed into that of a woman. One whom Walter knew all too well.\n\n\"What is this?\" Walter growled.\n\n\"As I said, you are here to pay.\" The figure changed again, this time into a little boy. Again, the shape was familiar to Walter.\n\n\"Stop!\" Screamed Walter.\n\n\"You are here to pay.\" The figure changed from a boy to a young man.\n\n\"Stop!\" cried Walter. He stood up, ran to the figure, and jumped as if to tackle it. But he only fell to ground. Unsteadily, he stood up. The figure was on the other side of the room now.\n\n\"Please, do not make this any more difficult than it already is.\" It said calmly.", "I open my eyes. The floor is cold and hard. Deep breath. A faint scent of soap lingers in the air, as if the room was recently cleaned after its last occupant. \n\nMaybe, if I pretend to be asleep, they won't notice that I'm awake. Of course, I got myself into this, but a few minutes of sleep won't hurt. I think about my life, school, my family. Once this is over I'll be able to see them again. Maybe I'll try to get Christmas presents early this year...The floor isn't that uncomfortable as I start to drift off, except that something keeps tickling my foot.\n\nI pull my foot away, slapping at the air, trying to grab whatever is touching my heel - and slap my shoe. Tricked again! Last time, they made me believe I was hungry until I decided to get up. \n\nNo going back now!\n\nI leap up, pretending that I meant to be awake.\n\n\"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!\" I say. \"Afternoon, morning, whatever time of day you like best! Grab some snacks--chips and salsa, maybe? Nutella and bacon? Some kiwis or strawberries? That's right, kids, settle down, you're in for quite a show!\"\n\nI grin at the cameras. I am not an experienced performer, but I've picked up some tricks, and locating the camera in an empty room is not the most difficult of them. I run my fingers through my beard. What should I be this time? A wizard? A horse? A king, perhaps. I always wanted to see myself in a crown. I conjure a magician's outfit to replace my jeans and t-shirt instead. A new character, this time.\n\n\"Now, I've almost got to run--\" I hear a train horn in the distance, and a stray thought forces its way into my mind. I conjure a letter in my right hand. \"My train is almost here, and it appears that...that the Mayor of Bakerville is expecting me? Well, I mustn't let him down!\"\n\nI create a bubble of threats in midair while I still have control of the environment: ice-breathing dragons, minotaurs with giant feet, a furry Cthulhu, Communists, men in horse masks...\n\nI let my creations fade. My train has arrived.\n\n\"Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy this brief distraction from your everyday lives. Laugh at me behind your screens, or quote the dumb things I am sure to say, or have perhaps already said.\" The concrete ceiling changes to a sky blue. Instead of air freshener, I smell fresh air. There are mountains in the distance. The boards of a train station are beneath my feet. \n\n\"You computer scientists, lazy engineers, bakers, doctors, sluts, artists, hair stylists, and baseball players, my stalkers and stalkees, you are all--\"\n\n--and the last traces of my identity as a student disappear as I become Eek'lalaug, a traveling magician. Even though I try to remind myself of reality I wonder who I am yelling at. I have important business to attend to.\n\nI am ready for the inevitable chaos and confusion of my seventeenth performance. I straighten my bow tie, and hop on the train." ]	8
	[WP] It’s horribly lonely to love someone from the waking world. As a spirit of the dream realm, you watch over them. When they lucid dream, it’s wonderful. But when they don’t, it’s like they aren’t consciously 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Every day I waited for him here, and every night he came.\n\n\"I've missed you,\" I said. He was just fading in, though later than I expected this time. His form was fuzzy.\n\nSometimes, if I gave him enough attention as he was appearing into this world, he would become lucid - other times, he would remain a blur, and when he talked, it would sound as though he was very far away.\n\nThe environment materialized around us. An unfocused room resembling the living room of the first home he ever owned. A familiar sight. I already knew this dream wasn't going where I hoped it would, but that was alright.\n\n\"Mother? Is that you?\" he asked.\n\nI wasn't his mother. But trying to correct him would only disturb him, and disturbed people wake up. I indulged him. I had no other choice if I wanted his company.\n\n\"Yes,\" I said to him. \"It's me, your mother. How are you feeling?\"\n\n\"I've been better, Mom... But, all things considered, I guess my life is okay. It's nice to have you here.\" His words didn't match his lips, and his voice had a faraway quality, like he was speaking through a wall.\n\nI responded comfortingly. My tone was as supportive as I could make it under these circumstances; I had mostly learned to swallow the pain of not being on the forefront of my husband's mind anymore. After all, it had been years since I had passed, and there were other people in his life who he loved.\n\nIn truth, it didn't matter whether he recognized me for who I really was or not.\n\nBut worse than the isolation I felt in his absence throughout the day was the distance caused by our worldly separation. Why? Well...\n\nI asked my next question cautiously. \"Do you remember what we talked about? Last time we saw each other?\"\n\n\"Yeah, I do!\" he said. \"Oh, we talked about our trip across Europe. I miss those days. It's nice to be able to connect with you again.\" \n\nThat's unfortunate. Him and I actually never had a conversation exactly like that. No, last time I saw him, we talked about what kind of future we could have had together. The beautiful countryside home we could have had with the money we saved, the names of our future children... it was the nicest conversation I'd had with him for such a long time.\n\nThe problem was that every time he appeared, he never remembered our previous visits. It was like Groundhog Day. Or like dealing with my own sick mother when she was in the hospital near the end of her own life. Some of my favorite conversations with my husband I had already had with him hundreds of times. This wasn't one of them, but I was happy to be here with him anyway.\n\n\"Yes,\" I said. \"Before we decided on the trip, I wanted to go to the Caribbean, right? Then you said, umm... we should see Egypt, or France - and I agreed. We spent all that money on hotel rooms, but the debt was worth it.\"\n\n\"Yeah,\" he said, and his voice became clearer. I was drawing him in now. I had grown skilled at engaging with his imaginary scenarios. It made sense that I knew what comforted him, being so close to him in his life.\n\nI spent the rest of this dream talking to him about this fictional memory of his.\n\nBut my own distance was sometimes hard to quell. \"Spending time with you... back when we could still spend time together,\" I said. \"It was all worth it. I wish we could do it more often.\"\n \n\"What do you mean?\" he asked \"We are spending time together right now.\"\n\nI knew if I didn't save this, I would lose him. He sometimes didn't come back at the same times if I made him uncomfortable in this state. Or he would come back weaker, our bond losing its stickiness. So I reassured him. \"Yes,\" I said. \"Of course.\"\n\n\"I love you, Mom,\" he replied.\n\nThe pain of being misidentified was very familiar, but I didn't dare show it. Not if I wanted him to be happy and spend time with me.\n\n\"I love you too,\" I said, and I put my hand on his shoulder.\n\nMaybe next time, he would be lucid enough to remember me, and we could enjoy our last date together for the hundredth time. Or tour our would-be future home. Or maybe I would be his best friend, or the daughter he never had. I was fine either way.\n\nHe felt cold as he faded away, and the environment fell away around me, returning to gray nothingness.\n\nWhen I was sure he wasn't coming back, I took a seat in the void. It was time to wait." ]	2
	[WP] Your best friend got cursed so that a doppelgänger of her with the same exact memories and feelings would try to replace her. You walk in on both her and her clone and have no idea which one is 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/Doshw, this submission has been removed.\n\nNo recent reposts, even if changing small details Also, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\n\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\n\n \n\nPosting multiple variates on the same idea (in this case, cloning/dopplegangers) is also against this rule. \n\n* [From Rule 5: No recent reposts, even if changing small details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/zbcarn/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] A new villain has arrived that has an unbreakable suit and designed protections against many of heros' powers. You are a hero who kept themselves hidden and now you must stop the villain with your skills/abilities	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Henry watched on TV as Quick Strike approached Icy Storm. Although Quick Strike was known for his speed, he cautiously approached the bank. With Ice Storm building a wall of ice and threatening to freeze the bank employees if he is not given access to the vault, this is a classic hostage situation. Quick Strike (whom Henry knew as Peter) was known to deal with hostage situations before, breaking in and using his speed to get all the hostages out. Unfortunately for him, Ice Storm has covered the floor with ice, making it extremely slippery. For Ice Storm, this was hardly his first act of villainy. By looking at phone location data at all the locations Ice Storm has ever shown up at that specific time, he identified Ice Storm as Edgar. Since then, Henry has kept tabs on Edgar just as he had with other villain. Recognizing many searches of the bank and its blueprints, Henry knew Ice Storm will attack the bank next. Henry secretly paid for a renovation of the bank with floor heating. CCTV camera footage being broadcasted showed the ice melting over and over as Ice Storm desperately builds up more and more ice.\n\nQuick Strike ignored the icy wall and instead crashed through a side wall at super speed. With the ice melted, Quick Strike was able to rescue the hostage and get out. By the time, Ice Storm finally recognized the hole in the wall and covered it up with ice, Quick Strike was long gone. Now comes a waiting game where Ice Storm was trapped and people waited for him to surrender to the authorities or starve.\n\n\"Breaking news: Several people injured as a villain calling himself Permanent Gloom fights Flying Cannon in New York\" as the news announces.\n\n\"That's odd!\" Henry thought. Henry has kept tabs on many villains and interfered like with Ice Storm and by replacing the chemicals with impure ones for FireCracker attempting to create bombs. He has never heard of Permanent Gloom. This means he had no plans or frankly, any information about Permanent Gloom. This is clearly the first time the villain attacked.\n\nAs the news switches to the fight, Flying Cannon punches Permanent Gloom (who appears to be in a red and blue suit) and grabs a light pole and strikes Permanent Gloom's face (at least where it would be underneath the suit). \n\n\"My suit is enchanted to be commpletely unbreakable. You have been hitting things at me for 30 minutes! I am Permanent Gloom and you will kneel\" Permanent Gloom gloats. Permanent Gloom grabs a car and throws at the spectators, forcing Flying Cannon to rush up to the car and push it away in mid-air.\n\nPermanent Gloom rushes to the spectators and grabs one of them.\n\n\"Let's see if you are afraid of height\" Permanent Gloom inquires as he drops the poor victim, only for Flying Cannon to throw another light pole at Permanent Gloom, and flying to the screaming victim, catching him.\n\nHenry immediately sends his drones to New York to help, though he knew it will take some time to get there. Since Henry has already compiled a list of civilian identities of known heroes and villains, he calls Peter.\n\n\"Hello?\"\n\n\"Hey Peter. Look, this is going to have a long explanation, but I know you are Quick Strike.\"\n\n\"What?! So you are threatening me?\"\n\n\"No, it's just that there is a new villain in New York. Check the TV. He calls himself Permanent Gloom, and apparently has unbreakable suit.\"\n\n\"Ok and what do you want me to do?\"\n\n\"He may have an unbreakable suit, but see if you can give him a whiplash.\"\n\n\"Ah, got it. I would just have to allow inertia for Gloom\"\n\nSeveral minutes later, Quick Strike arrived as Henry watched on TV. \n\n\"Stop the destruction, Permanent Gloom\" Henry hears Quick Strike on TV\n\n\n\"Right, so it is 2 people against me now? Aw, thank you for considering me such a threat to need 2 heroes\" Permanent Gloom sarcasticly remarks only. Flying Cannon slams him to towards the ground (knowing that Quick Strike can't fly)\n\n\nQuick Strike grabs Permanent Gloom, speeds across the road, only to immediately stop. Permanent Gloom grabs Quick Strike and shuttles him towards the air.\n\n\"Really? I didn't just make myself an unbreakable suit, but designed it against heroes. I have inertial protection as part of the suit. What's more, I even have my own air supply!\" Permanent Gloom explained as he realized he may be the first villain to actually win against heroes and have it stay that way.\n\nPermanent Gloom grabs a light pole that Flying Cannon has hit him before, and starts hitting Quick Strike.\n\n\"See, you can move, but only on the floor. In air, you can't dodge attacks\" Permanent Gloom gloats.\n\nFinally, Henry's drones arrive at the scene. Henry uses his screen to watch the drones and decides on using laser attacks, aiming for the eye. Using the drone as a speaker, Henry warns \"Permanent Gloom, stand down. What I am going to do may cause permanent damage to you. If you wish to avoid that, I suggest you surrender and remove th...\" only for Permanent Gloom to destroy one of the drones." ]	2
	[WP] A man is asleep in his prison cell when he hears something. He looks up and sees a friend. "I'm gonna bust you outta here" they say, but the man isn't interested in leaving... ever...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "He couldn’t. How could he? - he thought to himself. He deserved to be here. He earned his place here. Better yet, he was first in line for the next open spot in hell. Prison could never live up to the eternal punishment he deserved. What he really deserved - was a life lacking love, comfort, and any form of friendship. But due to the cruel, unfair ways of the world - he was blessed beyond measure in that area. True had a best friend he couldn’t chase away if he tried. A right hand man. Even after everything happened - the trial, the sentencing, his time in 22 hour per day isolation - Mickey was there for him. He had never known a love like it. Sure, he had been married - but his wife was always up to something with the neighbor when he was at work. And sure, he had children. But, where does one make room for the love of fatherhood when he is too busy cracking open the next beer and diving deeper into depression? He had always gone through the motions. Except with Mickey, that is. \nTrue and Mickey were best friends since his parents moved to Lincoln when he was 7. He had trouble making friends in school. The bullying made it hard to focus on his grades. The bad grades resulted in constant disciplinary action by his parents. Nobody cared or seemed interested in him for who he was - until Mickey. And ever since 1934, they were the best of friends - even when True became a cold-blooded killer.", "*Sacrifices*\n\nDr. Neutron rubbed the sleep from his eyes while fumbling around in the dark to locate his thick spectacles, he popped them on and turned on the small lamp that sat atop his bedside table. The light revealed his unannounced visitor, Melinda Muse, mayor of Star City. Even in her older age she was a graceful beauty, as to be expected from a former supermodel and spymaster. Her dyed blonde hair fell loosely around her shoulders, pale green eyes popped against her pale pink pantsuit.\n\nNeutron tussled his wispy gray hair, strands exploding from his skull. \"Can you repeat that Mel? I was in the midst of a most wonderful dream.\" Neutron asked sleepily. He slunk out from under the sheets, his orange jumpsuit hung loosely from his skinny frame. Slipping on his moccasins he led Melinda to the living room of his 'cell'. Star City minimum security correctional facility took excellent care of their inmates. Most of the schmucks locked up here had helped fund its construction and upkeep. Invested in their future lodgings.\n\nNeutron poured the two a couple glasses of red wine from his secret stash, he offered Melinda a cigar, she refused, Neutron indulged.\n\n\"Came to get you out of here doc. Took a peek at that plea deal the DA cut with you, it's bullshit. Ran it by the governor, he's willing to grant you a pardon.\" Melinda produced a small stack of papers from her breast pocket, tossing them on the oak coffee table that sat in the center of the living room, flanked by a few lounge chairs and a small couch.\n\n\"With the catch being..........?\" Neutron inquired.\n\n\"Call off Atomic Girl, and that fucking detective.\" Melinda's lips scowled at the thought of those two.\n\n\"No idea what you're trying to imply, who's Atomic Girl?\" Neutron smiled, his large teeth almost too big for his small mouth.\n\n\"Don't bullshit me doc. I bet without the costume she kinda looks like the young woman that frequently visits you.\"\n\n\"She's not causing any trouble.......is she?\" Neutron inquired, smacking his lips after a large sip of wine. \n\n\"Not at all. No problem that she can seemingly on command counter any super or schmuck's power. She's helping the detective dismantle the lower rungs of the crime ladder. That's not good for this city, this city was built on crime by the four families....\" \n\n\"I don't need a history lesson. I've been around the block more than you have, Mel.\" Neutron interrupted.\n\n\"You and I both know the supers and the schmucks need each other. Brings tourists to the city hoping to grab a selfie with their favorite hero, or most hated villain. Others come to indulge their vices, do some thrill seeking. That's where the money is. It's losing that sense of danger without a leader, the Villa of Villains is in shambles, knowing she's out there. You need to stop her. You created her.\" Melinda pushed the stack of papers on the table closer to Neutron.\n\nHe scooped them from the table, clutching them tightly, in the blink of an eye Neutron reduced the papers to ash. \"No deal. I like the one I already took.\" \n\nMelinda shook her head. \"What's your endgame?\" She asked.\n\nNeutron rose from his chair, slowly refilling his wine. A few smoke rings escaped his lips. He swirled his wine, slowly strolling around the small room. He normally let Sarah talk during their visits, he hadn't monologued in a long while.\n\n\"First of all I take offense at the notion I 'created' her, I merely helped raise her. My endgame is quite simple. Nature or nurture? Our old friend Connor wanted to see what happens when you give normal people extraordinary abilities. I wanted to take that further, see what happens when you give one person powers beyond description, limited only by their imagination.\n\nDecades of planning. Mountains of data to comb through to even scratch the surface of understanding her capabilities. Learning how to limit them until she was ready, til she wise enough. Good thing she has her dad's brains and her mom's heart, good combination there. \n\nI have no intention of stopping her, not even sure I can. I always knew one day I would have to make a sacrifice, like all villains do. Every arc ends one of two places, the clink, or the ground. Didn't realize the sacrifice would be the two people I've ever truly loved, or that it would hurt so much.\n\nMy legacy shall live on though, even if only a select few know of it. Prison offers one a lot of time to reflect on their past, a little too much actually. I played my part in the production, time to see how it ends. I hope it's a happy ending, you don't get those very often. Thanks for coming to see me Mel. You look good. If you need my endorsement for re-election you know where to find me. You can show yourself out. I'm going back to bed.\"\n\nNeutron gulped down the rest of his wine, returning his bedroom without another word. He tucked into bed with a smile on his face. Couple more years, he thought, let a few more schmucks fall, then rise from the ashes." ]	3
	[WP] You, the weakest villain in the nation, go on a bender and wake up to find out you somehow brutally killed the strongest villains the world had to offer	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I can't believe I did it. It seemed like just the typical Monday when I woke from a three-day drunken bender. I had no idea the carnage I had caused.\n\nI had merely wanted to take a few days off and forget about my life, so I holed up in a small dive bar in Houston and drank myself into oblivion. By the time I woke up all of Monday was gone, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday. But, little did I know that while I was unconscious I had managed to single-handedly destroy the strongest villains not only in the US, but across the entire world.\n\nMy head was spinning and my body was shaking as I scanned my memories for an answer. Then it hit me - I now I had the power that I had always wanted. It was a strange feeling, but it made sense. I knew that when I was blackout drunk, my abilities were magnified and this was the outcome of it. I was the drunken villain. When I'm wasted, I become stronger, faster, more destructive.\n\nThe realization of my newfound power scared me and so, I decided that if I was going to stay powerful, I had to stay drunk. Fearful of the consequences of letting the power go, I never let myself sober up.\n\nNo one knew about this side of me, until those I had wronged started to confront me. My drinking had gone from just a sharpener of my wit and a dramatic flair of my extroversion, to being the driving force of my villainy. Something in me had changed, and it had only happened because of the way I was binge drinking.\n\nAt first, I thought I'd found the answer to my problems. But soon, I began to realize too late that I'd started on a slippery slope of my own demise. Everyone around me thought my newfound powers came from somewhere else, and I was left to face the consequences of my actions alone. I became addicted to alcohol, and it soon became the only thing that kept me from crumbling.\n\nEventually, however, I could no longer keep up the charade. The life I had created for myself with my newfound power devoured me and reduced me to a lifeless shell of my formerly arrogant self. On the last night of my life, I stumbled through the door, with nothing to do but drink and wait to die." ]	2
	[WP] The Paladin's love, a constantly-in-peril princess, is actually three Kobolds in a trenchcoat. The Paladin already knows this however, and still they love her and her three constituent parts.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"The great Constance Sequoia, about to die by my hand. What a lovely day this is.\"\n\nThe necromancer Silas marched through the halls of his fortress as the arm he constructed from bone held me aloft. Since he had tossed my sword into the zombie pits, the closest thing I had to a weapon was my wit. As such, I rolled my eyes and said, \"Clever. That pun take you all day to come up with?\"\n\nSilas cackled menacingly. \"Go ahead, get in your barbs while you can! I'm going to end your precious little crusade in the name of justice. And it. Will. Be. Slow. In fact...\" Silas came to a halt in front of a large iron door. \"Why don't we get started right now? I'm sure you're just dying to see your beloved Princess Augustine.\"\n\nThe iron door slid open to reveal...an empty cell.\n\nSilas looked around the room in a rage. \"WHAT?! Oh, that idiotic flesh golem! I told it to make sure the spiked ceiling crusher was... working...\" Silas trailed off when he saw what was lying on the floor: a brown trenchcoat with a snake symbol on the back. \"What the hell is that?\"\n\n\"Enchanted trenchcoat. Disguises the wearer as anyone, provided they're the same height.\"\n\n\"Well, why in God's name does Augustine have something like--\" Silas went wide eyed. \"Oh fuck.\"\n\nA dagger was thrown out of the shadowed corner and into Silas' shoulder. As Silas screamed in pain, a kobold with a black facemask and bandolier of knives leapt out into the hall and spun her daggers triumphantly. I smirked as I said, \"Silas, meet Noir.\"\n\nNoir pulled her facemask down to reveal her cheeky grin. \"Sneak attack, bitch.\"\n\nSilas pulled the dagger out from his shoulder with gritted teeth, only for a glowing purple hand to burst out of the ground and wrap him up. From the ceiling, a second kobold dropped down, this one wearing a feathered cap and holding a lute. As she strummed a cheeky tune, I continued, \"And that's Pearl, and Hikaru should be--\"\n\nPOW!\n\nHikaru, clad in her monk robes and with my sword strapped to her back, punched through the bone hand keeping me held captive. As she handed my sword back to me, I finished, \"Ah, there she is! Gang's all here!\"\n\nSilas looked at me with absolute contempt as he spat, \"Of all the rumors about you, this one ends up being true? That you secretly have a kobold harem?\"\n\nI sliced Silas' head off and remarked, \"Well, reality is often stranger than fiction.\" As Pearl dropped Silas' body, she, Hikaru, and Noir immediately jumped onto me with amorous looks in their eyes. I giggled and said, \"Guys, come on, let's at least get back to the inn first.\"\n\nHikaru frowned and retaliated by planting a hickey on my neck, at which point I responded, \"Okay, compromise, we'll use Silas' bed.\"", "If Fax knew anything, it was that love was for the Bards in the College. He had devoted his life to the shield and his service to his lord Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon of Justice. Rising from his own ashes of mundane mining, Fax had toiled in the arcane since what some of his kin joked was before he had hatched and then studied like a scholar for the rest of it. \n\nHowever Fax had wished, Bahamut wasn’t one to have libraries of knowledge cloistered on the edge of some port town. He was a living god among mortals, and his stories lived and changed as the world did. Fax had wandered and learned from the dragons of old about his lord. He once believed that he had run into the ruling dragon just north of Neverwinter but never dared approach. \n\nIn talking to a Gold, Fax had taken up his life's mission and had pledged an oath of devotion to the first dragon. The large half-dragon had his secrets, but he spent what time his scales had left being true to his word and honest in his faith. He travelled. Bronze scales shimmering and black horns polished as he helped man, mer, and many others. \n\nHis lord had many challenges for him, but the one he never entirely understood was the Princess of Baldur’s Mountain. She was a maiden of radiant skin and long golden hair and was known for her wit but Nala Iason never seemed to only be in one place. First, Fax had to save her from a group of mercenaries outside Mount Hotenow, north of Neverwinter. Fax still had yet to be paid for that job. Not that money was Fax’s driving force. It was how he survived, though. He had spent many nights trying to unravel the mystery of that was the imaginary Baulder’s Mountain.\n\nMaybe somewhere in there was where he fell in love. Fax had spent more than a year tracking the Princess from ill-conceived kidnappings to what turned out to be an illusion gone wrong. He saw her then, well, her and her hatchlings in their true form. They were so small. The fireball that they left behind them, however, was impressive. \n\nFax should have dropped the pursuit there. He knew she was in it to survive, and with her spawn, she had every reason not to trust a Half-Dragon dedicated to Justice. Was it justice, though, that should always be on the run? Fax could only look to his own small scales that he kept in the back of his armour. Somewhere in their matte, scratched-up memories, Fax decided that he would at least try to help. \n\nIt wasn’t hard; honestly, the three traipsed around with what felt like a bull horn announcing their presence, only to disappear when the locals realised Bauldur’s Mountain wasn’t a kingdom. Fax had to hold back a smile whenever a baron or some puffed-up mayor told him to eat his tail when Fax reminded them that he had warned them about the trio. No one seemed to listen but Fax did get paid.\n\nMaybe that was wrong. Fax wasn’t sure if he felt like he should keep taking these fool’s gold after clearing out another mine or crypt that the princess had been held up in. He had brought bandits to justice in every case, so it wasn’t like he wasn’t helping or fulfilling his duty. It’s just the pretence wasn’t quite right. \n\nThe princess always got away authentically. Fax had tried over and over again to actually capture these three, but between their evocation spells burning down support and their illusions closing up hallways, it was near impossible. Fax had been trapped more than once under enough stone to dent his armour.\n\nThat was until the Mountain Toe Mine. Nala hadn’t shown up in Neverwinter since the guards had found out about her forgery, but the neighbouring towns hadn’t been warned. Fax had caught a group of Redbrands hiding out and Nala with them. Chasing them through the mines wasn’t hard, and the group wasn’t covering their trail. Fax figured they would run out of some secret passage and leave him wandering while they got away, but all was for not. \n\nThey hadn’t expected anyone so soon. Nala hadn’t memorised the mines, and instead of leading herself to safety, she had caught herself in the Redbrand's sleeping quarters to the north of the mine. The walls were solid. The entrance was small and could only really fit Fax if he squished himself through.\n\n“Please stop,” Fax commanded, putting his clawed hand up and gesturing for them to sit, “I know what you are.”\n\n“Fireproof?” Nala chuckled.\n\n“No!” Fax yelled and lifted his shield as the Kobold’s one and only fireball went off in front of him. The blasted thing shook the mine and threw Fax back into the hallway. His shield, bless that thing, lodged itself into the passway and blocked it out entirely. Shaking himself off and feeling his lord’s power rush through his veins, Fax called out, “That only works so many times.”\n\n“Why do you care?” Nala yelled as Fax heard someone try and move his shield.\n\n“Because you are going to get hurt,” Fax yelled back, “I have spent enough time trying to save you from yourselves that I know that more than anyone.”\n\n“No one cares,” Nala stated as a hard thunk echoed off the shield in front of Fax.\n\n“If I move this,” Fax asked, \"You going to let me talk or are you going to try and hit me again?”\n\n“Let’s start with the latter and then work back,” Nala stated.\n\n“She’s going to hit me with a ladder,” Fax muttered as he grabbed his shield and pushed it inward. \n\nThere, in the back of the room, Nala and her hatchlings watched him. They were little, pale red Kobolds boarding on a pinky hue as their scales did a poor job protecting them. Fax took a moment. He remembered what it was like to be weak like that but he had tried to leave that life behind. \n\n“So?” Nala asked with her clawed hands up, “You going to bring us to Justice for our crimes?”\n\n“Depends on how you respond,” Fax stated and put his shield down and loosened his sword. Nala’s hatchlings took a step back but the larger Kobold stood resolute in her corner. Fax brought out his medallion, the platinum dragon's head shown bright even in the dark of the cave, as he said a small prayer in its presence. “Your skill is recognized even though its use is not.”\n\n“What’s a beacon like you care?” Nala asked coldly, “You and your lord can tell the lady what justice has brought her.”\n\n“Containment without annihilation,” Fax quickly responded, “I don’t the lady would have been so inclined. What the gods do to each other is not what I’m here to discuss though. I am offering you a second chance.”\n\n“At what? Servitude?” Nala chuckled and reached out to the two behind her, “I have my duty already.”\n\n“Purpose,” Fax muttered as he thought. Was that what he had been given? What would one want if they already had that? Her hatchlings were what she served. Was there something else that he could offer her? “Stability?”\n\n“A slow death is stable,” Nala scoffed, “Surviving you is my purpose.”\n\nFax frowned and unlatched the strap around his shoulder. His armour hadn’t felt this heavy in years, and it was getting hard to carry. The two of them had been dancing around the coast for a couple of years now but he had no idea what to say. What was his purpose? \n\n“I’m not looking for servants,” Fax explained quietly, “I’m not looking to harm you but I’m also not looking to follow you anymore. Your adventures are getting dangerous.”\n\n“I never asked you to save us,” Nala cut in.\n\n“I never understood why I was,” Fax explained, “Maybe it was about something else before but your dedication to the two beside you always has me looking over my shoulder. You’re a good mother.”\n\n“I don’t need your praise,” Nala scoffed, “Nor your help. I have been at this long enough on my own to know I can make it by on my own.”\n\n“I know that feeling,” Fax chuckled, “I want to offer you an opportunity to use that for better purposes and to make enough that you don’t have to run every fortnight to a new mark.”\n\n“What is that exactly?” Nala asked.\n\n“Training, opportunity, jobs,” Fax explained, “potentially more if you are worthy.”\n\n“Kobolds aren’t worthy of the mines we work in,” Nala recited something she must have heard a thousand times. Fax had heard it before. He hated that she didn’t even sound angry at those words. It was just fact.\n\nFax pulled a bit of his armour to the potch where he had kept his old scales. They had been the last of the ones that had moulted when he grew up. Back then, he had been so proud of them. He wondered if he would have ever recognised himself if he saw himself now. He hoped so. He was trying to make sure that he would.\n\n“I spent much of my life in the mines,” Fax explained as he looked at the scale in his large clawed hand, “Then I spent a lot of time just trying to find anything else. I found those willing to help me, and I became what I am now.”\n\n“A rich mutant?” Nala asked as she tried to see what Fax was holding. Hesitantly, Fax handed over his once small scales to the Kobold in front of him and let her examine them. With a scoff, the kobold laughed, “This a threat? Who did you kill to get these?”\n\n“Me,” Fax stated and nodded at the small red scales in her hand, “Once I was small, alone, and near death. I have spent what time I was given after that dedicated to never letting anyone feel that again.”\n\n“You were a ‘bold?” Nala asked, now hesitantly.\n\n“Still am,” Fax stated with his hand out to get his scale back, “It’s just now I have a purpose. One I’d like to share with you.”\n\n—\n\nThank you so much for reading! If you want more of my work, you can find it at r/asolitarycandle. Not sure what to read? [Check out my favourites.](https://www.reddit.com/r/asolitarycandle/comments/m7p8p4/table_of_contents/)." ]	3
	[WP] You come home to a mountain of thousands of lottery tickets.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "As I walked up the overgrown path — that I was definitely going to get to fixing up this weekend — I heard Salvador, my cat, meowing. Poor bastard wasn't taking the diet well, but he needed it. My Mother had cat sat for a month during my bicycle trip through Vietnam and she had given him the grandchild treatment: treats on treats on treats.\n\nI had come home to an immaculate house, a frustratingly re-arranged kitchen (\"Is better my way! Love, Mama\"), and a quadrupedal sausage-slash-feline diabetes hybrid. Stood in the alcove of my front porch, on the hunt to find the correct key, I realised Sal was at the window to my left. There'd be a big pair of pleading eyes, so I didn't turn. Though, as I twisted the key and pulled the door I noticed he wasn't so much sat on the window sill, as pressed against the glass by a mass of white—a flood of tissue thin shards of white paper knocked me off my feet and carried me back down the garden path.\n\nWhen the initial shock wore off and I was certain I could get out without suffocating, I accepted what had happened quickly. The digits told me what the papers meant and the weirdness screamed the source.\n\nYou see, during my trip I had found this cool jug...thing. I brought it back with me and it turned out to have — I'm not insane — it had...a Genie. She's a bit rusty and takes her sweet time to execute a wish...I get more than three, but there's always a twist. A few weeks ago I had asked to get a guaranteed win of the top-prize on the mega-millions-super-lucky-lotto-pot. She likely took out a bunch of credit cards in my name and bout god knows how many tickets.\n\n\"Jeannie.\"\n\n\"Yes, Master?\" \n\nSomehow she was already under the tickets with me.\n\n\"Jay, could you help me clean this up, please?\"\n\n\"Your wish—\"\n\n\"That-wasn't-a-wish!\" The words shot out quicker than she could manifest a gas can and a lighter. \"Just. Just get a broom, please. From the closet.\"\n\n\"Okie-doke!\"" ]	2
	[WP] You're an orphan abandoned on the streets just barely scraping by. One day your luck finally runs out, you get stabbed in an alley, but just as you think it's all over you see the grim reaper as he offers you a deal to live in exchange for working with him.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It was dark out, the sun hiding itself from my fate. I could feel every inch of the dagger in my chest, a burning heat as my body went cold. My strength drained, as I looked at the shadow of my killer.\n\nI couldn't make out their face, something I was almost grateful for. I had a wretched life, cast out and alone. The few I knew would stab me in the chest if they thought it would help them climb out from the hole in which we existed. I could at least think those I knew hadn't killed me, even if one had.\n\nThe burning blade was yanked from the wound, the support that killed me disappearing. I felt the ground rush to me, no energy left to stand. My killer didn't speak, rifling through my pockets. They took the coin I had, pocketing it with the trinkets I had taken before.\n\nI watched them stand, before running away. I was alone in the shadows, my life draining into the gutter. A pitiful end to a pitiful life. I didn't fight it, letting the end come. I had nothing to live for.\n\n\"Giving up is such a sad affair.\"\n\nA ghostly voice echoed around me. I couldn't summon the strength to move, even as I heard footsteps approach. I felt soft fabric brush against me, as the newcomer stepped around me. I moved my eyes, seeing a veiled figure standing over me, dress in a black ballgown.\n\n\"Do you really have nothing to live for?\"\n\nI thought back over my life. Abandoned at birth, abandoned growing up, now abandoned in death. No, I had nothing.\n\n\"What a shame. What if I gave you something to live for?\"\n\nThe figure crouched down, gloved hands touching the side of my face. Their touch was oddly warm and cold. It was kind, and also an offer.\n\n\"Yes. You had no life, through no fault of your own. You don't deserve to be taken by me. I can give you back that which you lost, in return for some favours.\"\n\nI couldn't talk. But I wanted to ask what it was they wanted. And also why I should take it, with the lack of life I had lead.\n\n\"Ah, of course. There are some who have evaded my clutches, extending their life past the point they deserve. I ask that you take my offer, and bring them to my domain. In return, not only will I give you strength to fight back, but also a strand of luck you so need. It is no promise, but with work you can not only change your life, but that if others in similar positions.\"\n\nIt was tempting. I wanted the peace that was coming. But then I wanted to see what life was like without having to steal just to eat. The veiled person ran their hand down my cheek.\n\n\"It's up to you.\"\n\nI could have peace. But then again, peace would come to me eventually. If I took them up, I could experience something else beforehand. My heart became set. I wanted to live.\n\n\"I'm so glad to hear it. Now sleep, you will need your rest.\"\n\nI felt her words weigh down my mind. It brought me to unconsciousness. But not that which preceded death. But the warmer darkness of sleep. I felt the person lift me, even as I fell asleep.", "Zero's vision pulsed as he weaved from sidestreet to muddy sidestreet. His red, battered sneakers pounded the ground almost as hard as the heart in his chest. So hard he could barely hear the heavy footsteps hounding him down. They're getting closer, he thought. It couldn't end like this. Not when he was so close, so close to getting his brother back.\n\nHe dared a glance behind him and saw three adult men closing in, fully grown strides making child's play of his escape effort. Each swung moon-tinted knives around like madmen, laughing and mocking the prey of their hunt. Rotten adults. Zero clutched his chest and bolted into an unlit alleyway, zigzagging through a maze of corridors he knew well—the Orphan's Playground.\n\n\"You think you can run from us, wittle man?\" A deep voice said, nearly drowned out by the hyena laughter of his sadist friends. At the very least, the voice called out from a distance, meaning Zero had gained separation.\n\nHe knew he couldn't run from adults; he lacked athleticism or nourishment. His last meal had been a half-deceased rat, and that rat put up a hell of an energy-draining fight considering. No, he needed a hiding place, and The Orphan's Playground was his best bet. Orphan raids like this were common, so street urchins like himself knew every potential hidey-hole like the back of their hand.\n\nHis go-to was two alley whips away. An abandoned red-brick home that only housed mildew, mold, and rodents. Rain and age destroyed the foundation and created a nice snug crevice he'd roll in. A gap much too low for adults and their bad knees; even if they considered he'd hide there, they wouldn't bother checking.\n\nWith one alley turn to go, his eyes rested on a little boy wearing a mustard-yellow slicker. Another orphan, but too young to be out this late. The boy stood utterly oblivious to the danger of night, playing with some cardboard boxes he'd most likely stolen from a dumpster.\n\nZero didn't have time to reason with the idiot; he'd chew him out later. In one fluid motion, he snatched the kid under his arm, turned the last corner, and stuffed him into the abandoned building's crevice.\n\n\"H-hey?\" The boy started. \"What's the big id-\"\n\n\"Shhh.\" Zero held a finger to his mouth and bared his canines to the kid. The fool shut up instantly, so he crawled to squeeze in next to him. No fit. The sound of footsteps reentered his ears before the thunderous rhythm of his heartbeat deafened it. I need a new spot.\n\nHe zoomed through another passageway and turned the corner only to get tackled into the unforgiving concrete.\n\nA heavy force pinned him to the ground, and he felt a prick in his abdomen. At first, it felt like a doctor's shot until an insufferable burning seared. Familiar laughter echoed in his ears as more pricks danced around his body. His leg, arm, and chest all got a turn to participate, and his body soon became an inferno of pain.\n\nA shoe pressed into his cheek, forcing his face into a pool of warm ruby-red liquid. He felt his body go numb, surrendering to the burning pain. The laughter in his ears grew faint and distant, even though the perpetrator never moved. His vision blurred into darkness until his blood became indistinguishable from the night sky.\n\nAgainst his will, a series of forgotten memories rushed through his mind.\n\nThe day his mother came home with his adorable little brother in her arms. His dad dying of a terminal illness. Going to therapy with his brother and mother, the comforting look in her eyes when she told him everything was going to be ok. Then, years later, seeing those eyes turn to despair when she got drafted into World War 3.\n\nGenerally, in his nightmares, this is when he woke up sweaty and screaming with tears streaming down his eyes, but not this time. This time the painful times rolled.\n\nThe pledge to his mother. The orphanage. Separated from brother. Feeling like a failure of a big brother and son.\n\nHis pain continued to flash in the dark until the light of day showed him mercy. With groggy eyes, he squinted at the figure before him.\n\nA skeleton draped in a black cloak, with a scythe firmly gripped within porcelain-white bony hands. Greenish-blue flames lighted the orbitals in the skull as if housing an attack. The mandible of the head never moved, yet a voice called out to him.\n\n\"....angels\"\n\n\"Wha?\" It was the weakest Zero had ever sounded.\n\n\"Heaven has too many small angels.\" The voice was soothing, not what Zero expected from a fiery skull. \"You, who could have lived, risked your life to save another child.\"\n\n\"Could have lived? So I'm dead?\"\n\nThe skeleton ignored him. \"Why would you do that? What is it a child like you understands that adults do not?\" Its orbs flamed red as it raised a finger to its head. It looked upon Zero and asked, \"what did you seek from this realm of life?\"\n\n\"I don't know what you're talking about. I just want to find my brother.\"\n\n\"Yet you risked it all to save another orphan. Millions die every day; why risk it to save one?\"\n\n\"If you help me find my brother, I'll answer all the questions you have.\" Zero looked him in the flame eyes. \"Otherwise, you can fuck off. Rotten Adults.\"\n\nThe flames purred. \"If I help you attempt to find your brother, you'll do my bidding?\"\n\n\"Sure, knock yourself out.\"\n\n\"You're a shrewd negotiator, kid. You may have earned a second chance yet.\"", "This is my first time so please be gentle.\n\nI had no idea the knife was coming until I felt it enter my stomach, and the pain was, for lack of a better term, blinding. In that split second of time between life and death, I wondered who would be there to greet me. Would it be my mom and dad, grandparents, or the dog I had when I was ten? Appa was my best friend and I missed him every day.\n\nPlacing my hand on my chest, I felt my heart beat slow and I smiled sadly, aware that I was going to die worse than my parents did and for a second I was angry. This wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to grow up and be the millionaire that everyone wanted to be, but that isn't going to happen now, and as my soul started to slip, I felt them. Death. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew I was ready.\n\nThe scythe thumped the ground and I tried to move my head, but it seemed frozen in place. \"Such a waste of life.\" I swallowed and had no idea what was going on. \"You had big plans, but it ended. Should have listened when you were told to stay away from dark alley's at night. But I have a proposition for you.\" I could feel Death standing over me, and all I could do was look at the hood. \"What? What is that?\" I croaked out. \"I will let you live, but I need you to work for me. Can you do that?\" I was confused, so I tried to gather my thoughts. \"No offense, but don't you take lives instead of giving them back?\" Death laughed and it sounded nice, like he was human for a minute. \"I do take lives, but I am allowed to give a life back every ten years, and you are special. So are you in?\" I sighed. \"What do I need to do?\" Death offered me a hand up off the cold concrete and in the blink of an eye, I was dressed like a rich person. \"Here is my offer. You track down the ones I can't find, and I will let you live for as long as I need. I will also make sure you have all the money, food, and whatever your heart desires. If you decline, and you won't, you will be a forgotten street sleeper, and no one will mourn you.\" I didn't need time to think. Live forever or die? \"When do I start?\" Death laughed and looked at me. \"You already have.\" I felt something burning on my wrist, and when I looked down, it was Death's seal and I have to admit, it was a pretty cool tattoo. \"Here is your first assignment.\" And that is how I worked for Death." ]	4
	[WP] You're Spiderman. Or more accurately, Spider-Fly. The colony you've sworn to protect is under attack by the massive contract killer, The Exterminator.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "My name is Bartholomew Atrovious Giovannia Goodwin VVIII. I'm a fly that was bitten by a radioactive tarantula, and for ten months I've been the one and only Spider-Fly. I'm pretty sure you know the rest. I saved a bunch of flies, got mating instincts, saved the colony, and then I saved the colony again... and again and again and again. Y-you get the point. Today though, I'd face my biggest foe yet, The Emerald Exterminator.\n\n\n\"GREAT MOTHER AUSTRALIA! THE HECK IS THAT!\" exclaimed Charlie, the only thing keeping his soul from leaving his body being the emerald green suit he wore. They had called him about a fly problem, but left out some key details ... some pretty BIG** details. When Charlie entered the barnyard, he had not expected to be greeted by a fly the size of a tarantula waiting smack dab in the middle of the floor. \n\nCharlie has hastily closed the barn door and held his back against it, his sharp shallow breathes keeping cadence with his heart. He had a good feeling his trusty spray can of RAID wouldn't be able to handle this case. With a lift of his gut, Charlie March to his van. He rummaged through his gear, tossing aside mice traps, tranquilizer darts, and a mace until he found what he was looking for. An electric fly swatter, some that big should be slow enough for him to catch, right?\n\nThe barn door slid open again, the fly facing the entrance like a guard dog. Charlie prime the electric swatter and took a step into the barn. Immediately the fly's wing vibrated and emitted that classic fly buzzing sound, paralyzing the exterminator in his tracks. BZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Charlie thought to himself, (Oh crap this thing can still fly!?). As Charlie took a second step forward, the buzzing intensified and caused the entire barn to rumble with it. BZZZZZZZZZZ. \n\nCharlie lowered the swatter, sweat seeping through his shirt on the inside of his exterminator suite. Slowly raising his arms Charlie said with a calm voice, \"Woah there buddy, let's calm down, t-this thing isn't meant for you ... it's meant for uhhh not you.\" Charlie took a single step backwards and as a result the buzzing lessened. Charlie however mistook this for the bug lettings its guard down and immediately made a break towards it, swatter crackling with electricity. Ahhhhh! Time slowed for Charlie. Charlie had not even seen it move. The only things he knew was that one second it was there and the next second he felt something ramming into his stomach. Charlie went flying out the barn, landing flat on his back and blacked out for a couple of seconds. When he regained consciousness, he lifted his head to peer past his belly and saw the flying standing in the barn entrance with a wrinkled proboscis staring at him. Without breaking eye contact with him, the fly shot a web from its mouth and slammed the barn door close.\n\nCharlie ... did not take this well. No fly was going to evict him. He'd show it. With a huff, he stood up a little wobbly and marched back to his van. Tossing aside a pokéflute, a whip, and a wooden stake, Charlie found what he was looking for. A grenade. Charlie tip toed to the barn door and cracked it open. Pulling the pin, Charlie tossed the grenade in and close the door before sitting against the door with his hands covering his ears. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the door inch it self open and a thin little arm slide grenade out before shutting it back. Charlie cracked the door again and slid it back in. Just as before, the little things arm slid the grenade back out. Charlie tried to push it back in but was mortified to find that the explosive was slicking to his hand. Fortunately for him, his life did not end there save for the brief heart attack he had before realizing the grenade was a dud. Marching back to his truck, Charlie managed to pry the grenade from his hand with a garden shovel and tossed it some where in the distance.\n\nCharlie rummaged through his things once again. He tossed aside a green watch, some kry- BOOM! 💥 The sound of an explosion caused Charlie to briefly pause. ...He didn't want to think about it. Resuming his rummaging he tossed aside the green rock and a plasmacaster until he found what he was looking for. A magnum. Charlie opened the barn door and stood in the entrance, arms prepared to draw the holstered weapon. \"Alright fly! This ends here!\" He exclaimed with narrowed eyes. BZZZ. The fly did with a quick buzz. The two stared at each other for a solid two minutes. The silence only interrupted by a plastic bag tumbling on the ground between them. Charlie drew the magnum to fire it and just as quickly the fly shot a web and disarmed Charlie, who now had his own weapon aimed at him. Charlie raised his hands high above his head as a bead of sweat dropped. The fly gestured the gun towards the entrance twice, prompting Charlie to back out and close the door behind himself.\n\n\nHaving enough, Charlie decided it was time to break out the big gun. Literally. Rummaging through the contents of his van, Charlie tossed aside a dragonball, a hammer, and his f✓€ks given until he found what he was searching for. A Spartan Laser. It was his favorite souvenir from one of his various extermination jobs. Hoisting the weapon over his shoulder, he braced himself against his truck. The weapon hissed and glowed with life, letting out a building up whir until a beam of raw energy shot clean through the barn door to where he had estimated the monstrosity to be. That should do it. Turning around confidently, Charlie was made to flinch by the sound of the Barn exploding behind him. In retrospect, he should have accounted for the barn housing some explosive material like manure in it. Oh well, he'd pay for the damages, he got the job done atleast. \n\nAtleast that's what he had hope until he heard it. \n\n#BZZZZZZZZZZZ\n\nThe flames of the barn parted. Completely blown out. Charlie looked in horror as from the smoke of the now roofless building rose the fly. .... OH SNAP ... Charlie dashed around to the other side of his van and hopped in the drivers seat. Pulling the prindle into drive upon starting the van, he mashed the gas. The van moved forward a few feet before it shook, and began moving backwards despite the wheels moving forwards. Charlie was afraid. In the rearview mirror he could see that the fly had attached web to the vehicle and was now retracting it towards the smoking barn. Charlie kept mashing the peddle, but it was futile. Thinking quickly Charlie decided to cut his losses. While still holding the gas Charlie took 2 items and lept out. As soon as the van stopped resisting the fly's pull, it was sent flying into the distance a few hundred yards away." ]	2
In this prompt, you're a salesperson. Your goal is to convince me (and other Redditors) why we should purchase a certain (fictional) product. Alternatively, your prompt is to convince a non-Redditor to join Reddit!	[WP] Give me your Reddit sales pitch!	[ "Hey you! Listen up before the opportunity of a lifetime PASSES YOU BY. That's right, from the makers of Shit You Don't Need™ and More Useless Crap™ comes our most EXCITING product yet! Introducing...\n\nBig Wet Sloppy Shit™!\n\nThat's right, our engineers here at Mindless Consumer Whores, Ltd. have worked tirelessly to bring to you, the consumer, all you could ever want in a Shit and MORE. Our competitors may claim to have Big Shits, Wet Shits, or even Sloppy Shits, but only we have the genuine Big Wet Sloppy Shit™, with all the quality you have come to expect from us in the past. \n\nUse Big Wet Sloppy Shit™ as a centerpiece to liven up your home! Place it in your yard and be the talk of the neighborhood! Give it to friends and family for that perfect holiday surprise! Everyone wants one; now's your chance to be the first on your block to HAVE one! Kids love it too!\n\n\"Before Big Wet Sloppy Shit™, my life was boring. Now, every day is an exciting surprise! Where will I find it next, I don't know. It's crazy!\"\n - Johnny Doesnotexist, 42\n\nThe testimonials are pouring in, Big Wet Sloppy Shit™ is the next must-have home accessory. And it can be YOURS, for only 10 easy payments of $29.99! That's right! And if you order now, mention this ad for $10 OFF! \n\nBig Wet Sloppy Shit™ is available in Sick-Ass Green, Taco Bell Brown, Enchanted Evening On The John, and for a limited time, Beige!", "Hey Reddit!\n\nI just got my new Zero-Net Neural Net Implant® for wireless internet connectivity that interfaces directly with my brain. It works great! You have to keep a tight reign on your thoughts or you will instantly surf off to places unknown at a moments notice, but I'm getting the hang of it pretty darn quickly!\n \nI close my eyes.\n \nRelax.\n \nInterface.\n \nAt first I sense only darkness, then a very rudimentary green glow. It quickly coalesces into a small green dot in the upper right corner of my mind's eye. As it begins to blink, I realize I am online!\n \nOpen Browser.\n \nAlmost unexpectedly I see the the colorful Google logo floating in space. As it comes into focus, I center my attention on the text input field and concentrate...\n \nLightning.\n \nAn endless storm of images and text appears before me. I pick out details as I choose, discarding that which seems irrelevant. I follow the links until they become a steady stream of data, filling all the empty corners of my mind with color, imagery and knowledge.\n \nExit Interface.\n\nNow you can experience the freedom and convenience of accessing the internet anytime you like! All without a computer! You know you want one!\n\nLines are open - CALL NOW!" ]	2
	[WP] Turns out, your seemingly mundane superpower actually has the highest destructive potential. After all, no one else can summon players into your world and have them run around like an MMORPG but you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/IAmOEreset, this submission has been removed.\n\nNo recent reposts, even if changing small details Also, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\n\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\n\n \n\n\n\n* [From Rule 5: No recent reposts, even if changing small details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/ze2qtf/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] You're basically Willy Wonka, but worse. Your newest invention is Exploda! - For when you want that 'accidentally dropped my soda and made the mistake of opening it' feeling! Pitch it to us.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "&#x200B;\n\nThe door was closed. Then the music came and the narrator started his line.\"Next into the tank is the twist on one of the most loved drink in the world.\"\n\nThat was my cue. The door opened. I took a deep breath, put on my best smile and there I went, onto the pale brown wooden floor, about to change my life.\n\n\"Hello sharks! I hope you had a really good day up until now, and even if not, it's about to get even better! I'm Billy Bonkers, I'm from New York City and my company's name is \"BB's Candy and Beverage\". I'm looking for 2 million dollars for 15% of the company.\"\n\nI paused for a moment giving them time to note and continued. \"Tell me sharks, being one of the wealthiest people on the planet must be very stressful, isn't it?\" I saw a few of them nodded slightly. \"As you probably know already, stress is one of the biggest issues in today's society. It is detrimental to our health, but it is inescapable. There are the, so called, mood boosters but there is no better medicine for stress than stopping for a while, relaxing and popping open a cold one. Most people choose fizzy drinks for that, and they work, sure, for a while. Until they develop a Coronary Heart Disease, because the long term effects of stress won't just go away after drinking some normal soda, won't they? What if I tell you they will...\" I asked, expecting some reaction, and I got a few curious looks.\n\nI gestured for my assistant to wheel in the cart with my product. A kid around 15 years old looked around nervously and pushed it towards me. When he did, I started the main presentation. \"Here it is!\" I placed the first can on the table. \"Exploda! The fizzy drink to make you relax like never before. We've got caramel, citrus, orange, strawberry, mango and dragon fruit\" I put each can on the table \"and more is being developed by the ~~chil~~...employees as we speak!\"\n\nI slipped. It was minor but I hope noone noticed. My quick glance at the sharks must have been taken as the invitation to ask some questions.\n\nLori was first. \"I am curious about the name of the product. Why Exploda?\" She seemed to not notice the slipup.\n\n\"Thanks for the question Lori.\" I responded \"The name comes from the special ingredient we add to make it more beneficial for your health. It used to be used in the creation of explosive materials and hence the name.\"\n\nKevin chimed in. \"Ok, but don't you think it will scare people away? Just look at the whole vaccine issue from a year or two ago.\"\n\n\"Yes, I put that into consideration and that's why I went and got it tested by multiple food and health organisations.\" I retorted \"It's transparent what is in these products and they are not mandatory so if someone doesn't want to try it he won't have to, and that was the main issue with the vaccine. Also let's not forget that even Coca Cola started with having literal cocaine in it\" I tried to unload the conversation with a joke.\n\nNext was Mark, who was scanning me cautiosly up until that point. \"Well. You say much about health benefits, testing, special ingredients, transparency. What exactly is in this drink and won't it change the taste?\"\n\n\"Excellent question! My company is partnered with a manufacturer which provide us with an ingredient widely used by doctors in treatment of previously mentioned CHD. Glyceroli trynitras. As for the taste. You can all try it out and see for yourself\" I smiled, gave each shark their can of Exploda and quickly stepped away.\n\nThe sharks took their cans and opened them. A flash of light could be seen emanating from each of the cans and the video suddenly stopped. The policeman turned off the TV and sat in front of me. He was so close I was able to smell his cheap cologne \"You are being charged with terrorism, mass murder, kidnapping and illegal usage of dangerous substances. You don't have to answer anything we got everything on tape. If you do thou you have to know that everything you say can and will be used against you. Now where are the children you took, you sick f\\\\k? Still in your 'factory'?\"\n\nI acted offended. \"First of all, rude. You shouldn't call people names like that their feelings might got hurt\"\n\n\"As if you had any\" He cut me off.\n\nI laughed. \"Haha, yes, good one.\" I wiped an imaginary tear from my eye. \"As for the children... they should be here any minute now. You see, they grow impatient if their daddy is not home before supper and might do something stupid\" I smiled.\n\nHe snarled at me. \"Another one of your sick jokes? You disgust me. If you won't say it fine, we will make you talk later. What was your plan? Kill the sharks then what?\"\n\n\"Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just... DO things.\"\n\n\"Wait did you just quote...\" He was interrupted by knocking. \"I'm not finished with you. What is it now?\" He said as he approached the door. When he opened it all he could say was \"What the hell?\" before being promptly shunned with a knife by a small child standing on the other side of the door.\n\nIn the next minute I was free and walking again, and my precious little minion was pouring gasoline in the room. As I stepped over the dying policeman, I heard him say \"What are you doing? What did you do to them? Why did you kill the sharks? Someone paid you to do it?\"\n\nI sighed and said mockingly \"What did you do? Why did you do this? Why did you do that? Who paid you? So. Many. QUESTIONS!\" I leaned closer, pulled the match from my suit and lit it on fire. \"It's not about the money. It's about sending a message\" I straightened, chucked the match and started walking away, the child hopping around carelessly behind me \"Everything burns!\"\n\n\"God I love that movie.\"" ]	2
	[WP] Everyone called you a monster, exiled with the promise that one day your head will be cut off. You made sure to never let anyone get close, even though it broke your heart to be alone. One day you hear a voice and quickly lock eyes, a man with a blindfold once again calls your name: "Medusa?"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\\[Sight for Saken Eyes\\]\n\nI saw the man who called me by name. He was wearing the same toga he had been for the past few millennia, his bleached white blindfold, although effective at first glance, was clear as day at giving him better sight than most other humans.\n\n\"Sernas, is that... Is it really you..?\" I called out, my hair giving out a quiet hiss as I spoke. It had been almost two millennia since the two of us had spoke last, and the two of us meeting here and now was like a wave of nostalgia.\n\n\"Indeed. Modern civilization couldn't take either of us it appears, yet for different reasons we remain\" He remarked, in his all-too elegant way of speech that would drive the crass creatures of the world up an entire building, \"Though, I was planning on finally creating a house for myself instead of wandering the world for gods know how long...\"\n\n\"Oh, I see, and since you and I are both outcasts, you don't mind if I help, do you?\" I prodded his shoulder in an attempt at being playful, giggling when he blushed at the thought.\n\n\"I, uh... Sure, go ahead. Though, that reminds me, has that curse of yours eased up since e met or no?\" He tilted his head in a mix of inquisition an genuine concern, \"I knew about the Greek Gods, and subsequently the Roman Gods' falls, so I wanted to know.\"\n\n\"Actually, yeah. Ever since Athena perished, I've now been able to control who I turn to stone. Though at bugs me is hat I don't know HOW she perished. I don't think ANYONE does,\" I shook my head, upset at my inability to find out the truth, \"Though, that doesn't matter right now, does it? After all, we should be focusing on a place to live, huh?\"\n\n\\[End.\\]", "I never thought I'd hear my name again.\n\n \n\n\nEveryone called me a monster, exiled with the promise that one day my head would be cut off. I made sure to never let anyone get close, even though it broke my heart to be alone. I lived in the shadows, always on the move, never staying in one place for too long.\n\n \n\n\nBut then I heard a voice, calling out to me from across the empty wasteland. I turned to see a man with a blindfold, staring in my direction.\n\n \n\n\n\"Medusa?\" he said, his voice filled with surprise and confusion.\n\n \n\n\nI didn't know how he knew my name, or how he could see me when I was hidden from everyone else's sight. But I couldn't let him get too close. I was a monster, after all, and I couldn't risk letting anyone see the true monster within.\n\n \n\n\nI quickly turned and ran, not looking back until I was sure I was alone once again.\n\n \n\n\nAs the days passed, I couldn't stop thinking about the man with the blindfold. Who was he, and how did he know my name? I knew I couldn't trust anyone, but something about him called out to me.\n\n \n\n\nDespite my better judgment, I found myself drawn to him, unable to resist the pull of his voice.\n\n \n\n\nOne day, I mustered up the courage to approach him. He was sitting on a rock, his blindfold still covering his eyes.\n\n \n\n\n\"Why do you call me Medusa?\" I asked, my voice trembling with fear and curiosity.\n\n \n\n\nHe turned his head in my direction, a small smile on his lips.\n\n \n\n\n\"Because that's who you are,\" he said simply.\n\n \n\n\nI was taken aback by his words. No one had ever called me by my real name, or acknowledged my true identity.\n\n \n\n\n\"But I'm a monster,\" I said, tears welling up in my eyes.\n\n \n\n\nThe man shook his head. \"You may have been turned into a monster, but that doesn't make you one. You are still the same person you were before, Medusa. And I see the goodness in you, even if no one else does.\"\n\n \n\n\nHis words touched my heart, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope.\n\n \n\n\nMaybe I wasn't as alone as I thought. Maybe I could let someone in, and not be afraid of being rejected.\n\n \n\n\nI took a deep breath and slowly reached out my hand, trusting the man with the blindfold to guide me.\n\n \n\n\nAnd for the first time in my life, I didn't feel like a monster. I felt like myself." ]	3
	[WP] A wizard's library has two kinds of spellbooks: One labeled something like "Spells that Work and are Safe to Cast" and dozens or hundreds of others labeled something along the lines of "Test Data for Spell (X.1.3.89) through Spell (Z.7.56.43)"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Something normies rarely realize, is how dangerous magic is. You see the end result a swish a flick a vaguely Latin sounding word and bang, flower appears. But that is because the flower conjuration is surprisingly easy to begin with and to this day is used as an example of magic decomposition and recombination. Ok let me back track a little. How does magic actually work.\n\nThere are two main components, you need a person with the M gene variation, nothing can happen without that. You either have it, or don't, if you do, you can do magic, if you don't, look for other employment. Second is the psychomagic effect formally psychomagicosomatic effect. This is where you get your wand wand waving and Latin mumbling. Now mind you you don't need it, you don't need wand, you don't need gestures or words. The first task of any magus is to light a candle without any movement of prop. But using wand and words, makes the whole process easier, and safer. Think of it like this, to make a magic, you need to produce almost perfect tone, right frequency and smallest of variances. Now with bit of practice and smallest of talents, you can learn to whistle it just right and achieve desired effect. But plucking a string on a guitar, gives you the same effect with much less effort, you just need to tune it from time to time. And incidentally that is the goal to take any spell we can whistle and turn it into a guitar piece, because nobody has time to learn how to whistle pentatonic chords. \n\nLook here \"Spells that help in kitchen\", it is a very comprehensive list of all the spell for culinary use, broken down to a word and movement. It is one of the greatest achievement of magic community. Used by all, even people who don't cook. If you can use a cooking spell for your goal, you are likely to use this book. Did you know, that as far as we know 2534 people died working on this book. 150 alone on the \"heat and keep water at boiling temperature spell\". The body of the man who finalized the formal notation, has 80% of his body covered with burn caused scar tissue. That is how unstable informal magic is. Only one or two magi per generation have the natural talent sufficient for new undefined spells developments. Their notes, are then treasures, used used as breadcrumbs in the forest of terrors, to hopefully find how to repeat their achievement without risk of death and destruction. \n\nAnd that is what I do. here look \"Test Data for Spell (X.1.3.89) through Spell (Z.7.56.43)\", I am working on the spell Y.1.80.111 Y- as in time manipulation, 1 high priority, 80 ID of the spell, 111 version 111. Or as we like to joke about, how many lives were necessary to finish it. This spell per the original notes as defined in 1562 would be able to put an object into stasis. The author submitted, that he needed to achieve mental state of absolute void, then inject a mole of water molecules in liquid state, containing 86,705 J of energy. Then proceeded remove the energy in less then 0.023 s. Now if you can imagine that, congratulations. Nobody was able to since. Instead, centuries were spent trying to achieve the wand, gesture, word combination. And where are we? {points towards a gigantic book} The incantation currently has 1,084,170 words, 576,459 non repeating gestures and the wand requires material, from 11 extremely endangered and 2 extinct animals, among other things.\n\nWith all the advances in algebraic metalogic, my field, I hope to, during my tenure, finally get the incantation length below 1 million, which we consider a threshold for safe partial experimentation and hand gestures below 500 000,which would put it within 100 000 from experimentation, wand I am not touching, revisions 70-110 worked on that and their various unmovable body parts, stuck at various desks serve as a great motivation to not touch that, thank you very much.", "Kelsey Aralia, Deputy Chief Assistant to the Third Grand Wizard on High, Traverser of the Upper Volumes, and Imperial Delegate to the Northwest Corner of the Stacks, needed a raise. It wasn't even noon yet, and she'd already summoned a very annoyed elder god who'd nearly turned the whole area to ash, briefly erased the concept of hair, and dealt with Charles, who'd accidentally turned himself into a fish again. She'd gotten hair back in the end, and was having tea with the now calmer elder god, who'd introduced themself as something that wasn't so much a name as a faint feeling of menace somewhere halfway between the back of her mind and her left earlobe (\"but you can call my Em if it's too much bother\") on Tuesday. However, Charles was now peeved, and the entire area smelled faintly of mackerel and brimstone. \n\n\"How was I supposed to know that's what it would do?\" Charles was complaining again. \"It looked like a pretty standard underwater breathing spell! Kelmsweed and everything!\" \n\n\"This is why we don't test spells without proper safety measures in place,\" replied Kelsey, jotting down 'F.1.5.08 - fish head spell' in the notebook in front of her. \"Would you say you felt more human or fish?\"\n\n\"I'm not the one who summoned a primordial being! And I was really too busy not being able to breathe air to put much thought into anything else.\"\n\n\"The latter half of the thing was obscured by a coffee stain; there wasn't anything else I could do but try it and hope. Not my fault whoever was in charge of this zone before me couldn't take proper care of the volumes.\"\n\n\"Wasn't that Lucrenzia? I've heard she still wanders the place as a ghost.\"\n\n\"She's not a ghost, last I heard - just lost. Any lingering fishy desires?\"\n\n\"A faint longing for water, but nothing too bad.\"\n\n\"You were only in it for a few seconds though - that's too much of a risk. I'm marking this as a 4. You finish the rest.\" She slid the book across the table to Charles, who took it with a grumble and began to scribble in it. Kelsey grabbed another book from the stack looming next to her and flipped to the first page: 'F.1.5.09 - A spell of which I am especially proud. I believe I have finally worked out the issues with the acidic slime byproducts'. There seemed to be no description of what the spell actually did, beyond the fact that there wouldn't be acidic slime involved. Probably. Kelsey sighed. Old Wizard Adderan could have saved everybody a whole lot of trouble if he'd actually bothered to explain any of what he was thinking." ]	3
	[WP] The aliens invaded on December 20th. They had no idea just how much this pissed Santa off. He really doesn’t like when his holiday is ruined.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The Invasion Rhyme\n\nIt all began on a night of December. \nA day that many may soon remember. \nThe children slept, the moon was bright. \nYet in the stars, there shone one light.\n\nMere minutes later, the invaders arrived! \nA plot to take over, they had connived. \nThey took Europe, Russia, crumbs like Kentucky. \nYet one particular group wasn't so lucky.\n\nA group of aliens began their patrol. \nIn the secluded land of the North Pole. \nThe brisk winds hit, they all began to shake \n\"Let's regroup in that hut, we'll take a short break!\"\n\nThey barged in the house on the top of a hill. \n\"Aw sweet, heating!\" They exclaimed with a thrill. \nThe group split up, in search for supplies. \nBut their search was interrupted by two shrieking cries.\n\n\"Rodger! Carlos!\" The commander called out. \nNot a reply, not even a shout. \nThey split up in pairs, unaware of the fact... \nThat their friends were the prey, and had just been attacked.\n\nJimmy and Toby were the second to go. \nThey heard a noise in the cellar, and explored down below. \n\"It's only a bauble, no need to be afraid.\" \n\"TOBY, STEP BACK, IT'S A F#CKING GRENADE!\"\n\nAt that point, there remained only four. \nOne of the pairs tried to bolt out the door. \n\"The door won't budge, we're stuck in here!\" \nThe lamenting was met by the throw of a spear.\n\nPoor Matthew dropped dead, his soul was set free. \nBut strangely, the spear was in the shape of a tree... \nHis companion stepped back, then shouted in pain. \nAs he was strangled to death by a long candy cane.\n\nOnly one pair was left, the commander and another. \nHis friend began whimpering, crying for his mother. \nAt that point, the commander knew his foe was unchained. \nWhen he found his partner missing, mere bones that remained.\n\n\"I'M SORRY, OKAY?! PLEASE LET ME GO!\" \nThe commander's prays were met with a \"HO, HO, HO\" \nA giant grabbed his foot, covered in white and red. \nWas it simply his color, or was it blood from the dead?\n\n\"Leave now, you insubordinate junkie...\" \n\"Or I'll feed you to my elves. They're always quite hungry.\" \n\"I'll leave, I promise!\" The commander plead. \nHe was dropped by the giant, and backed away with dread.\n\n\"By the time sunrise hits, I want your friends gone.\", \nThe giant commanded, with a shotgun drawn.\" \nAnd tell your army, if they ever reappear...\" \n\"There won't be a merry Christmas, and they won't see a new year.\"\n\nThat was all it took for the commander to flee. \nThe ships were all gone, as per his guarantee. \nSanta went back to sleep, with a groan and a heave. \nHe still had to rest until Christmas Eve.", "The elves all gathered around a small TV. They muttered and whispered as the TV showed image after image of destruction and abductions. \n\n“I can’t believe they finally invaded,” an elf said, while watching the images on TV. “Right before Christmas too!”\n\nSanta walks into the shop dressed in full camouflage, a painted face, and multiple weapons strung across his body. \n\n“I’m not going to let these bastards ruin Christmas,” Santa said. “Who is with me?”\n\nThe elves cheered in excitement as they all ran in different directions. One elf pulled a lever that moved a bookcase to expose dozens of M16’s. Another elf pulled open a drawer that was filled with different types of explosives and started packing them into bags. A very small elf walked out of a room holding a large rocket launcher. \n\nThe small elf pulled the cigar that was hanging from his mouth out and said “It’s a good day to die.”\n\nElf after elf, loaded the sleigh with guns, ammos, and other supplies they would need in battle. Two elves worked on painting the sleigh army green as another elf painted 'the devil’s elf' on the back. \n\nMrs. Clause walked out in a robe as Santa started to enter his sleigh. \n\n“I promise, I will be okay,” Santa said to Mrs. Clause. \n\n“I know you will,” Mrs. Clause said as she pulled off her robe to reveal her tactical gear. “I’m going with you.”\n\nThe reindeer took off pulling the sleigh with Mr. and Mrs. Clause and all of their gear. The elves followed, riding individual reindeer, screaming war cries and shaking their fists. \n\nAs they reach New York, the site of the initial invasion, Mrs. Clause pulled out a parachute and strapped it to her back. She grabbed Santa by the cheeks and gave him a kiss as she grabbed an M16 and fell backwards out of the sleigh. Santa quickly grabbed a parachute and strapped it to his back. \n\n“I’m falling for you all over again,” Santa said, as he grabbed a rifle and did a front flip off the sleigh. \n\nAs the Clause’s were falling, the elves swoop down towards the aliens. \n\nThe small elf screams from the front “Don’t shoot until my signal!”\n\nThey flew closer and closer to the aliens. When the elves were five feet from the alien, the elf in front screamed “Now!” The elves started to shoot as the aliens lurched forward to attack, killing most of the aliens. \n\nSanta landed shortly after Mrs. Clause, who was running to assist the elves. As Santa followed Mrs. Clause, he was cut off by a dozen aliens. Santa stood his ground, pulled out his rifle and said “ho, ho, ho! Merry Fuck you!” Santa shot as the Aliens approached, killing one after another. Santa couldn’t kill them fast enough as one attacked him. The alien stood over Santa as he was about to make his death blow when the alien's head was blown off. Santa laid there for a moment, bleeding and out of breath, when Mrs. Clause walked over to Santa. \n\n“Are you going to fight, or are you just going to lie there and bleed?” Mrs. Clause said as she held out her hand to help her husband. \n\nThe elves continued their aerial attack on the aliens. The small elf was swiped out of the air and laid on the ground, inches from death. Another elf swooped down on their reindeer and grabbed the elf and pulled him towards the sky. \n\n“We’re going for help,” the rescuer said to the small elf. \n\n“No we’re not! Give me your gun and get me near them. I’m not dead yet.”\n\nThe elf obeyed his orders and swooped towards the aliens. The small elf continued to shoot at them until he ran out of ammo. He dropped the gun and pointed towards a large congestion of aliens. As he got closer, he pulled out a landmine. \n\n“Drop me in there and I will detonate this!”\n\n“No sir, I can’t,” the elf said to his commander. \n\n“You will or we both die!” the commander said as he pushed the landmine to trigger it. \n\nThe elf flew straight over the group of aliens and dropped his commander. The commander disappeared within the group of aliens. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a large explosion engulfed the aliens, killing all of them. \n\nThe aliens started an ear-piercing scream. They started running towards their ship. Hundreds of thousands of aliens piled into the ship. Santa and Mrs. Clause stood and watched as the aliens retreated. \n\n“What in the gumdrop just happened?” Santa asked his wife. \n\n“Guess we got the Queen,” she said with a shrug.", "He’d sworn he’d never return to this place. \n\nWith every step the shadows pressed closer, until even his trademarked jolly smile began to falter. He grasped desperately for a memory of his home in the frozen north, the hallways ringing with laughter. It faded as quickly as he found it. \n\nThere was no cheerful laughter here. Only the echo of screams filled the aching silence. \n\nDown, down, down he went, until he found himself standing before a door draped in heavy chains. Rusted bulbs and withered pine needles adorned each one, their magic long ago snuffed out by the one held captive behind them. \n\nThe chains fell to the ground with a loud clatter, and voice rose above them. \n\n“So you’ve finally returned.”\n\nNicholas braced himself and pushed open the door. \n\nA gaunt figure hung from manacles bolted to the wall. Teeth flashed in the low light of his lantern as lips curled back into a sneer. \n\n“Come to admit that coal is not enough.”\n\n“You had to be stopped.”\n\n“For their sake? Or yours?”\n\nThe words still bit deep, even after all these years. \n\n“We were a team.” Krampus snarled. “I taught them manners, you gave them hope. That was the deal!”\n\n“Another player has entered the game.” Santa said. “They threaten everything I… we built.”\n\n“And so the universe moves to correct the balance you disrupted.” Krampus said, a slight smile lighting the demon’s face. “How poetic. I’d applaud but…”\n\nThe chains clinked. \n\n“If we don’t stop them… there won’t be anything left to fight over.” Nicholas countered. \n\n“And why should that bother me?” Krampus demanded. \n\n“Because you still care.” Nicholas said softly. \n\nThe demon looked like someone had stolen the breath from its lungs. \n\n“It’s why your master won’t take you back.” Santa said. “And why mine lets you stay.” \n\nSilence filled the air. \n\n“I’ll do it.” Krampus said finally. “But know this. When these interlopers are gone, you and I will have a reckoning.” \n\nNichalos steeled himself and nodded. \n\n“So be it.” He said. \n\nThe children could live without him. Their parents would fill in the empty spots beneath the tree with love and happy memories. \n\nThe children would survive. \n\nAnd that was enough." ]	4
	[WP] If the choice is poor, a grand hero can become a fatal mistake for a world. They found this out all too quickly. Now, the once dark Lord who sought to conquer the world must endeavor to save it.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/mdsmestad, this submission has been removed.\n\nNo recent reposts, even if changing small details Also, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\n\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\n\nundefined \n\nundefined\n\n* [From Rule 5: No recent reposts, even if changing small details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/zh3poh/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] The revenge driven protagonist hunts his fathers killer for years, only to discover that he was now a loving family man with a son. The killer suffers from heavy guilt for his past actions and has now worked hard to be a better man to everyone, and is beloved for his kindness and generosity.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "A rugged-looking man with a scar over his right cheek was sitting with a group of men and women, laughing with them as they ate. They were the man's closest friends...and sitting right beside him, with his arm over her slender shoulder, was his blonde-haired wife. Soon, a child with a party cap sauntered over to their table and approached the man's wife.\n\n\"Mom, when can we eat the cake? I want to eat cake now...\" The child asked.\n\n\"Maybe later, honey. Mom's still talking with her grown-up friends.\" The blonde-haired woman replied as gently as a loving mother could.\n\n\"But I want to eat cake now...\" The child whined lightly. \"I already finished my dinner.\"\n\nAt this juncture, the rugged man got up from his seat and approached the child.\n\n\"I guess my little birthday boy should get the first slice, then.\" \n\nAt the man's words, the boy beamed.\n\n\"Yay! Thanks, dad!\"\n\n\"No problem, bud. Come along now, Dennis.\"\n\nThe rugged man then led his son towards the massive chocolate cake situated on a long table as the other guests continued enjoying their night, completely unaware that someone else was watching them all...and was not pleased at all, with what they are seeing.\n\n- - - -\n\nI felt my veins bulge as I looked at this sickening sight before me. My anger....my only true companion...began to bubble up as I looked through the scope of my rifle...as I looked at the man who killed my father enjoy a life that he should never have gotten. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves...relax my body. I have to make sure I plant one right between his eyes...return to him the wound he gave my father that fateful night 16 years ago...\n\nexhale\n\nI've never forgotten that day since...and I never planned to until I finally see him dead and bleeding at my feet. Now...after over a decade of training and preparation, it's finally time. \"Say goodnight, you filthy animal.\" I sque-\n\n\"Hold it.\"\n\nI freeze. My crosshairs were knocked a few millimeters off-target, and I quickly lost my opening.\n\n\"Fuck.\" I swore as I turned to face the man who threw me off. \"Why the hell are you here?\"\n\n- - - -\n\nA large man wearing a brown trench coat and a brown fedora was standing just beside the sniper. He had a muscular build, and half of his face was obscured by an unnaturally dark shadow cast by his nondescript fedora. The vengeful sharpshooter looked startled as he realized how close the man was, but his shock was quickly replaced by annoyance.\n\n\"I thought you wouldn't interfere with my decision, Kurina.\" The sniper harshly spoke.\n\n\"I didn't.\" The large man named Kurina then folded his massive arms over his chest as he looked at the same thing the sniper was looking at. \"I simply gave you time to truly make a decision, Erebus.\"\n\n\"Well I was about to, damn it! You nearly made me miss!\" Erebus angrily replied.\n\n\"But you didn't.\" Kurina smiled. \"As if one of ol' Gungnir's students were nothing less than excellent snipers.\"\n\nErebus snarled as he re-adjusted his weapon, aiming it at the rugged man's head yet again as he spent time with his boy. Kurina unfolded his hands and pulled out an ornate pocket watch made of gold and flicked it open to look at the time.\n\n\"Why are you really here, old man?\" Erebus spoke rudely. \"You finally decided to go back on your word to help me?\"\n\n\"No. I promised to help you get rid of this problem of yours and that's that.\" \n\n\"Tch. Then fuck off and let me-\"\n\n\"I'm not finished yet, Erebus.\"\n\nWhether out of fear for the sudden change in tone or out of habit, Erebus flinched and did as he was told. Kurina shut his pocket watch and squatted down so he'd be closer to the sniper.\n\n\"The problem with you, Erebus, is not the man in your scopes right now.\" Kurina then turned his head towards the sniper laying prone on the ground. \"It's your decade-old hatred.\"\n\nUpon hearing this, Erebus sighed and rolled his eyes.\n\n\"Oh great, I'm being lectured by the world's greatest assassin like I'm some fucking child. Please, let us hear the wise words of Kurina the saint, a man who is totally not guilty of the blood of thousands and definitely does not have a seven digit body count.\" Erebus mockingly said as he stabilized his weapon.\n\n\"You are a child. Even after 16 years have passed, you're still the same child as I found you all those years ago...when you cried for your father as he lay dead and bleeding in the living room of your home-\"\n\nSMACK!\n\nKurina effortlessly blocked a backhanded punch from Erebus. His gloved hand didn't even flinch. The massive man moved nimbly, taking a few steps away as the furious sniper left his nest and stood up to face him.\n\n\"You better shut the hell up and leave me alone, old man. I'm going to kill this fucker for what he did and you can't stop me!\" Tears were now streaming down the cheeks of Erebus. \"Don't make me fucking kill you too.\"\n\n\"You can't kill me even if you tried and you know it.\" Kurina spoke so calmly and confidently, as if he was speaking facts. You're just saying things you don't mean out of anger at this point. Simmer down and think this through, Erebus.\"\n\nIn response, Erebus quickly pulled out a gun and aimed it at Kurina. The man simply stood still, unbothered and lightly fiddling his pocket watch with his thumb.\n\n\"You think I won't do it, old man?! Do not deny me my revenge!\"\n\nKurina sighed. \"Look at you. You are so pitiful. So consumed with anger...\" \n\nErebus quickly cocked the hammer of his gun.\n\n\"That you can't even think straight anymore.\" The man's voice was filled with nothing but pity for Erebus.\n\n\"This is your fault, Kurina! Stop pissing me off and just get the fuck out of here before you regret it!\" Despite his attempts to sound threatening, Erebus' quiet sobs and shaky hands betray him. He was on the verge of breaking, and Kurina knows it.\n\n\"I'm not leaving because I don't want YOU to do something you'll regret, Jacob.\" Kurina addressed Erebus by his real name.\n\nErebus flinched, and Kurina continued speaking.\n\n\"Frederick is no longer the same man who killed your father, Jason. He's changed. He's no longer someone who deserves to die. He regretted killing your father. It was why he let himself be arrested. It was why he became a family man, beloved by many. If a horrible person like that could change for the better, why can't you?\" Kurina spoke gently as his left arm entered his coat's pocket, fiddling with something beneath.\n\n\"What the fuck are you trying to make me do, then? Forgive and forget? Forget the shit that fucker did to me?!\"\n\n\"...It's the only way this will end well for you. For everyone involved.\" sighs \"You're still young, Jacob. You still have a life ahead of you. That is why you should no longer be shackled to the past. Just let go...and move on.\"\n\nErebus continued crying in silence while Kurina remained motionless.\n\n\"I...I can't...I can't, Kurina, I-\" \n\n\"Just make the choice, Erebus. Whatever it may be, know this: I will be here to help you get what you need to finally bring yourself peace of mind...\"\n\nErebus sobbed as he thought long and hard on what to do, his gun still shakily aimed towards Kurina. Eventually, he finally reached a conclusion.", "I sat on the crowded train, glad I managed to swindle my way into a comfy window seat by a sleeping buisness man. The condensation dripped from my fresh can of coke. The Christmas advertising saw to it that the drips ran over Santa's jolly face upon the aluminium.\n\"Hello, fat man.\" I whispered flatly to myself, just loud enough for a nearby child to hear and giggle a little. I was tempted to look over to see their expression of amusement, but I was otherwise transfixed on the blur of dazzling Christmas lights speeding past the window in the night.\n\nMy mind wanders back to that night my father was taken from me. He lay in the snow angel of blood by the crumpled recycling bin, refuse covered two gardens. The lights of a police car had woken me. Red, like his blood. Blue, like I knew, there would be no happiness this year. Red, my anger built to boiling point. Blue, the man's face will be dead and blue when I find him. The officer said that there were no tire tracks due to the ice, so there was no way of finding who killed my dad. But I had my trail cam set up that night, and I know who done it.\n\nTen years on, and I had his address, the train ticket, and my shotgun. I don't care about the rumours that he's the best man ever, so kind and generous, I know his true colours. Murderous bastard! Not long now, and I will have my revenge.\n\nI stepped onto his porch made of solid slate. The large solid oak door stood like a Fort before a besieging army infant of me. I knew its weaknesses, having studied the locks and picked my way inside in ten minutes. I was in. Everything screamed luxury, the floors, the lights, even the coats on the coat rack. My dad was surrounded by dirt, and he was surrounded by pearls and diamonds. The thought and adrenaline made me feel sick.\nThe noise of laughter came from the living room, and I followed it with my shotgun ready. The sounds of a rolling fire crept around the open door before me, and I nudged it open with the barrel of the gun.\n\nThere he was, kneeling by the fire in front of a victorian armchair that hugged around his gorgeous wife and something I hadn't planned on. Upon her knee sat a young boy, he was learning to tie his shoes from his father.\n\nI knocked a vase, and they looked at me in tandem, shock smeared their once joyous faces. I couldn't back down now. I raised my shotgun and cooked it with a loud, CHICK CHICK, I looked him dead in the eye and asked, \"Do you remember killing my father? Do you? Huh, Santa Claus?\"\n\nAnd like his reindeer, the bullets flew.", "\"Please don't do this.\" she sobbed.\n\n\"I said the same thing,\" I whispered, pressing the muzzle of my gun into the forehead of the man kneeling before me, \"just before this bastard here killed my father right before my eyes.\"\n\n\"Daddy,\" one of the children cried, and my heart clenched. I was there too, a lifetime ago.\n\n\"I know,\" the woman – his wife I presume, huddling with their three children on the other side of the dining table – whispered. \"I know everything, and I'm so sorry. And I understand.\"\n\n\"Hmmm.\" I grunted. Well, this was new. I spent years hunting down my father's killer. I discovered that his assassin was both highly skilled and highly prolific, which made everyone I encountered rather reluctant to surrender any information. I employed methods that helped, shall we say, grease the wheels of communication, but those that resisted often resorted to threats, begging, bargaining, anything to delay the inevitable. I expected his family to react much the same way. Threaten, beg, bargain all the stages of grief rather unique to situations like this. \n\nAcceptance usually isn't a player in this game.\n\n\"You can kill me,\" the man whispered. I knew his name, but I like keeping things anonymous. You lose some romance and mystery if you know too much sometimes.\n\n\"Don't need your permission.\" I responded flatly. I unlocked my safety.\n\n\"Just don't kill me in front of my family,\" he begged, \"they don't need to see this.\"\n\n\"Where was that consideration all those years ago?\" I sneered. Behind me, I could hear the eldest daughter shush her siblings and tell them to cover their eyes.\n\n\"Aaron,\" he whispered, and then his voice broke. \"You're all grown up now.\"\n\n\"Aaron, you loved cars. Your father bought you a radio controlled car for your birthday and he brought you to the park, every Saturday, and let you drive it around. He loved you so much he even bought a car for your best friend Fred, so you guys could race together sometimes. He'd do an announcer voice and narrate when you made sharp turns, when your car flew over the finish line he made out of paper cups and take out chop sticks with bits of cloth strewn between. He'd take you out for your favorite breakfast afterwards - a bagel with lox. You had such grown up tastes for a kid! He dropped you off school every morning and always said if you do your best, everything else will follow. You didn't live that far from school, only a few blocks, but he loved spending as much time with you as he could, because your mom died when you were so young, and you were his whole world. He had a picture of both of you on his desk. He never stopped loving her, which really pissed off Janine from Accounting. He left work early three days a week to pick you up from school, the other days were your grandma's days, and he always went straight to your school from work, except Fridays, when he'd stop off at home first to set up a surprise for you and wait for you to walk back to your neighborhood with Fred.\"\n\n\"And that was the perfect time to kill him. Wait for him to get back, try to kill him before you returned from school. Because your dad knew something, you see. He knew someone at his aviation company had approved something that should not have been approved, and people died. That person tried to give him money if he'd stay quiet, and oh god it was so much money, it would have changed your lives, but your father wanted to do the right thing. And he was going to testify, bring them justice. And I, I...\"\n\nThe man began to cry. I tried not to roll my eyes. I knew this speech was coming.\n\n\"Your father made me want to be a better man,\" he continued, \"I'm an active member in my community. Every time there's a snowstorm, I'm the one shoveling my neighbor's driveways. I volunteer in a soup kitchen once a month. When Greg down the block died from cancer like your mother did, I organized a fundraiser for his widow, so she could cover her mortgage payments for a year! And I convinced that beautiful woman standing there behind you to marry me, have children with me. They're the light of my life, just like I know you were the light of your father's life. I always think back to those days I tailed your father and saw how much he loved you, how he always tried to do the right thing. And I strive to be that person, each and every day.\"\n\nHe paused, then said, a little too smugly for my taste: \"I'm sure you did your research, Aaron. That's how you found me. You know I'm known throughout my community for my kindness and generosity.\"\n\n\"You never turned yourself in though.\" I pointed out.\n\nThe man stop. Sputtered. \n\n\"Well I...I thought the best way to honor my victims was to pay it forward. Live a good life, do right by my community.\"\n\n\"And rob your victims's families of any chance of closure. May I remind you of what you did?\" My mocking voice got a little sing-songy \n\n\"Hey,\" he screamed, \"your dad could have suffered, the contract specifically asked for torture, but I made it fast! True, because you walked in, but he just got a bullet to the head! I took a pay cut!\" \n\n\"Wow, you skipped the torture,\" I said sarcastically, \"Such hero. Much sacrifice.\"\n\n\"And I let the kid live! I'm a good guy now,\" he responded hotly. \"I recycle!\"\n\nWith a flurry and agility honed from years of practice, he grabbed my gun, swept my legs out from under me, and knocked me to the ground.\n\nBlinding beams of light flooded the dining room.\n\n\"Drop it!\" FBI swat agents poured in, seemingly from every direction. The man covered his face while his family, still huddled together at the other end of the dining table, screamed. \n\n\"Get the kids out of here,\" I groaned from the floor, \"And make sure they're okay. They didn't do anything wrong. But you–\" I pointed at his wife, \"you do realize you admitted to knowing about his murders, right?\"\n\n\"We got it all on audio recording, Aaron,\" an agent reached down and pulled me to my feet. \"It's over, finally. We got him buddy.\"\n\n\"Thanks, Fred.\"\n\nI closed my eyes, allowing myself to cry. \n\n\"Love you, dad.\"" ]	4
	[WP] Everyone knows that elves age differently than humans do, taking longer to reach full maturity, although there doesn't seem to be an sexual dimorphism in them like there is in humans. You just meet an ADULT elf and you now realize that that is NOT the case after they've finished growing up.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/archtech88, this submission has been removed.\n\nThe mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel is harmful to the community. This includes, but is not limited to any forms of hate speech, racism, politics, necrophilia, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, torture, rape, violence against children, suicide, and mental health stereotypes. We will not tolerate it. \n\n* This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/zi3t5k/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] Aliens discover Earth and are shocked at how humans treat their planet's enviroment- they have taken actually taken WAY better care of it than most species.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "For the longest time, we where unsure weather we where alone in the universe or not due to the minimal (if any) evidence supporting the existence life outside the solar system and the fact that it is next to impossible to disprove it. Then one day, the proof we needed arrived. \n\nThey call themselves the Horus. And, as there namesake, they looked like the Egyptian god of war and the sky, Horus. The Horus' arrived in ships that can only be described as a cross between a helicopter and an \"AC130 flying fortress\". And what is believed to be there flagship is 3x the size and has some chinook helicopters incorporated into it. \n\nThe Horus have visited earth before. specifically, Egypt. many believe that that moment was the source of various hieroglyphs depicting \"modern day items\" as well as the source of Horus' mythos. As they entered the atmosphere, massive clouds of coal smoke are released into the atmosphere. Even though that event was a year ago, the climate is still recovering from it. \n\nWhen they left there ships, they had what looked like a full face respirator mask and a plague doctor mask. wouldn't be suppressed if a few adults had bad dreams bout them. One of the Horus' held a device in it's hand and was slowly waving it around. after a minute or so, it took of his mask and called back to the others in it's native tongue. No one knew what it said exactly, but it was inferred by speech experts that It was something along the lines of \"the air is safe.\" The other's took there mask's off as well, revealing a face of surprised birds.\n\nThey looked at each other before who we came to realize was there people's designated ambassador for us due to him being the direct descendent of the man who ancient Egyptian's saw and deemed as the god Horus. The ambassador cleared his throat, which sounded like a 30 year old who smoked through a pack of cigarettes' a day for the past 10 years clearing his throat for the first time in 2. he then spoke \"h-how. how did you manage to keep your air so clean?\" \n\nover the next hour or so, nothing interesting happened. the gist of it is the ambassador, the US president, and the UN secretary general where talking about earth's environment, us being surprised that the Horus' think its clean and the Horus' being shocked that we think its crap. afterwards, the President recommends to the secretary general and the Horus ambassador that it is time that humans enter the galactic stage and a good first step is to send a few ambassadors of our own to the Horus' home world, Hori Prime and The council of worlds, which is essentially the senate from Star wars but the secretary prime (the Council Of Worlds version of chancellor palpetine) isn't corrupt to our knowledge. \n\nThe Horus' ambassador and the secretary general agrees, and the president has the FBI, CIA, and the Secret service look for viable candidates for the role. The secretary general has other countries who are close allies with America, like the UK, Canada, Spain, and Germany, do the same. I was one of the candidates for: my knowledge of vehicle repair and botany, My stint as an the assistant to the American ambassador to Chile, and the fact that I have recieved multiple referals from my former co-workers. \n\nabout a month after the Horus arived, I was setting off with them to there home-world along with a skeleton crew of constructors and embassy workers To get the embasy up and running until Earth masters FTL travel as well as inter-planetary travel to a planet outside of the solar system. Speaking of earth, Its been renamed to \"terra\", the lattin word for \"earth\" so we sound more civilized apparently. and because of this, our species is also known as \"terrans\". \n\nEven so, after a year of co'opritive work between my people and the Horus, There capital city, which i believe roughly translates into \"Black hollow gale\" Is now thriving! Power generation changed from coal to cleaner forms of generation like wind and natural gas with plans for a nuclear reactor allready under way. while we where clearing out space for them, we discovered a lot more useable soil as well as seeds that where amazingly prezerved. With those planted and some plants that improve air quality being imported from Terra, Hori alpha is begining to become more happy." ]	2
	[WP] After thousands of years, the developers of Chess just released the patch notes for its long anticipated next update... and oh boy, are they controversial.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hey folks the devs here! We know it’s been a long time since we released an update but the game has been in a good state the past few hundred years and didn’t want to shake up a good meta but we feel like we’re just seeing the same openings and the same strategies and want to provide some changes. \n\nPawns no longer can take an opponents pieces but any opponents pieces adjacent to the pawn can only attack the pawn. \n\nKnight: It’s kind of weird that this pieces moves in such a odd fashion. Horses don’t move like that. In an effort to reinstate realism into the game the horse can only move forwards and backwards but take all pieces within that line. \n\nBishop: The Bishop is the dev teams favorite piece and as such can move on any square, regardless of the color that it starts on. \n\nRook: The dev team has always wondered why the castle is allowed to move at all and have decided that it instead is used for its actual purpose, being a castle. One allied piece can occupy the rooks space. If an opponents pieces attacks to attack they must initiate a siege warfare. Using a war gaming map that is provided in the new editions of Chess, the two sides are out against each other in the grueling state of siege warfare as the defender has to hold off their attacker while managing supplies and moral while the attack has to think up of different strategies to successfully end the siege and come out victorious. \n\nIf the attacker is successful they take the rook and the piece that occupies it. They can choose to destroy the rook or attempt to rebuild it to use for their pieces. If they wish to repair it they must begin the Rebuild Structure phase which is affected by the nations economy score. These rules are also provided in new editions. \n\nThe Queen is a woman and belongs in the designated “Kitchen area” which is specifically marked on the board. The Queen can move anywhere within the designated “Kitchen Area” but is unable to leave it. \n\nThe King: We have changed the kings move ability to that of the Queen. The King also can grant additional morale score to units adjacent to it which effects the pieces willingness to fight and increase their combat ability score. \n\nWe thank all of our supporters and players as we transition into these new changes for this new edition of chess. Remember, if you aren’t playing by these new rules then you aren’t playing right! Have fun!" ]	2
	[WP] Brands acting like they are people on social media has been a thing for a while, but you don't know why the account of a fast food chain seems to be so infatuated with you. Weirder yet, the actual fast food chain refuses to serve you any junk food.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Marv tried to slurp the rotting McSteak from the tall counter. Drips of congealed grease schlopped about his jowls and matted into his beard, yet his tongue was just out of reach of the fat slab of old meat, with the McDonald's M seared into the center.\n\nDespite this, his jaw muscles were inconsolably sore by the time he gave up, taking a long drink from his owner's large sprite, and curling up on his bed.\n\nThe golden retriever rolled onto his back, scrubbing the bloody grease from his body, after which he curled in a ball, his nose tucked by his tail.\n\n\"I'm lovin' it... I'm lovin' it... I'm lovin' it...\" Clyde's hand crept across his bed, turning off his alarm clock.\n\nA gurgling yawn followed a loud belch, and Clyde pulled his Officer Big Mac bedspread down, rolling off his Hamburgler mattress.\n\nHis foot crunched an old Big Mac box, coming up sopping in mustard and ketchup.\n\n\"Goddamnit!\" Clyde's fist hit the wall. \"You were supposed to clean this shit up, Martha!\"\n\nThe fist hitting the wall brought Martha up, wide-eyed, groggy, and confused. She blinked stupidly at Clyde.\n\nHe pointed to the floor. \"Now.\" He said, and went to take a piss.\n\nClyde heard the bitch cleaning, the crinkling of old paper bags, her odious groans and whines as she stood up and crouched again. A small fire filled Clyde's stomach as his bladder emptied, and he grinned, hearing Martha stub her toe or something, uttering a sharp cry of pain.\n\nHe did not lower the toilet seat, for why would he?\n\n\"I'm going to work. This better be done.\" Clyde gestured generally at nothing and everything in the room and their lives, and without looking at Martha or Marv again, went to work.\n\n\\---\n\nGolden rays of sunlight glinted off of Clyde's smile as he took the men and women's orders, as he daintily pushed them into the POS, smiling, waving, making small talk, telling the days specials, reiterating time and time again that the ice cream machine was down, and apologizing for the inconvenience. The hours passed as minutes, his heart racing from one beat to the next, one blessed interaction with his fellow man to the next, always praising his true love, his one and only love.\n\nHe took his lunch break standing, still listening to customers orders and joyfully stabbing them into the screen of the POS, smiling and nodding at people's lives, wishing them a good 'un, remarking on the weather.\n\nThe joy of having a place in the world consumed him. He felt like a single incredibly important, and significant cog in a massive machine. Should he be displaced, or worn out, or call in sick, or show up late, the entire machine would not only cease to function, it would run pointlessly, wasting valuable resources, and he would be utterly and solely responsible.\n\nAnd so that became and was life, as many hours a day as they would allow, due to that fucking overtime. The men and women loved him, deferred to him.\n\nThey'd ask him how to do things, or even give him the honor of doing it himself; he did it so much better!\n\nThey were so proud of him, of their special little boy, their special little man.\n\nClyde imagined his father in each and every man, smiling proudly and lovingly, looking at him with indifference or joy or respect but never hostility.\n\nUntil the day the man came, the very day Clyde had rudely commanded his Martha \"Now!\" only hours before.\n\nThe man was upset about something, Clyde couldn't understand what. Something messed up. He was yelling. Loud. His arms flung to and fro, and Clyde felt tears rushing into his eyes, felt his own father's fist across his face.\n\nClyde flung his arms up, screaming, and the drive through window very, very slowly scooted closed. The man in the car had a funny look on his face, not mean anymore, not happy either, maybe worried.\n\nThe manager made Clyde go home early after he calmed down.\n\nBy the time Clyde opened his front door, all was forgotten but how disgusting the apartment would surely be, and how he could command Martha around to fix it." ]	2
	[WP] You can see the rarest stats of an object represented as a number above it. Number of famous people to stand here, amount of times accidentally included in a photo. Now, you’ve found a toothbrush with the stat “number of world ending scenarios ended”.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "When superpowers are commonplace, and each ability is unique to bloodlines, it is not surprising to find some whacky and unusual abilities. I have one such ability: the ability to read abitrary facts and statistics about any given object. I know, talk about niche! Apparently, it is a derivative ability that stems from an ancestral ability to identify key information about an item at will. So basically, a somewhat useful ability in the right field that got all janked up and now just throws random data in my face!\n\nI can't even choose what information I want to know about an object; it just happens, and that's the only information I'll get about that particular item. I can't try again to get more; just the initial random piece of trivia. As far as I know, all the information I get is 100% true, even if it flies in the face of everything we believe to be true, and regardless of whether or not it's possible to prove. Most of the time, I have to consciously activate my ability and pray I get something useful or interesting, but occassionally it just happens.\n\nI've gotten some pretty wild details about various things over the years, some more believable than others:\n- How many celebrities have touched a pen in a bank\n- Which famous individual once sat on a certain park bench\n- The exact time that the Declaration of Independence was signed\n- How many unique butts a specific pen has been inside of (that number was disturbingly high, though I suppose anything more than 0 is weird enough)\n- How many times a coin has changed hands\n- The exact recipe and process used in the creation of the wedding cake of a celebrity couple\n- The exact distance a piece of meteor travelled before it fell to Earth\n\nThis one takes the cake, though. Surely this is a joke? It's a damned toothbrush! A toothbrush left in my hotel room by the previous occupant (I'll be having words with the proprietor about their lax housekeeping, for sure!) I can only assume. The only reason I even noticed it was the unprompted activation of my ability causing a stat to ping above it. But I refuse to accept this one!\n\nToothbrush\nOral hygeine implement of dubious origin\n- Number of world ending scenarios ended: 3" ]	2
	[WP] You spent years building a friendly relationship with the Demon possessing your house, to the point you could call them your closest friend. Somebody just broke in and your Demon is not happy about it.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Who knew that demon was so longing to put this artistic side to such a use. After day of work where I heard that the somebody was admitted to mental facility for putting the individual on the starting point of road to recovery. What is described the horrors the male thief did go through probably were quite excessive.\n\nWhen I asked the demon about it, this just said 'Oh, that one. Ah, how sweet it is to finally cut loose. You didn't wake up did you?' 'No, but, I think you might have taken it a bit too far' I say as I place my jacket on coat hanger and go to my living room. 'Hm... He was asking for it, ah, it still tickles the right way how confused this became when I presented all of the valuables in one room. Only to touch exactly the one I had placed a curse of living nightmares on' demon says, clearly amused of by this performance.\n\n'I heard he was admitted to mental facility' I say revealing that I am concerned 'Oh, don't worry, is it not better that he did end up there though? After all, it is start of his journey to recovery and putting his life on the right track?' demon asks as I sat down on the couch and light weight comforter slides on top of my body to keep me warm. It is winter after all.\n\nI think for a moment 'I probably shouldn't even think about asking what you did?' I ask guessing that... It was quite a trip. 'All the bells and whistles, for the whole six hundred sixty six kilometers' demon says and bursts in to contained chuckling. 'You did stop before you broke him completely?' I ask still feeling a bit worried.\n\n'Of course I did, I didn't want him to start singing about our little home and I also made sure he was so confused that he couldn't remember where, how, what and when it exactly happened' this says 'I better not receive something like that if I do end up wronging you' I say still feeling worried.\n\n'At worst a strange hallucination where I make fun of you with valid criticism' this says 'Oh giddy, that sounded quite reassuring' I say 'I mean, isn't that pretty much how most close friends help each other in more smaller matters?' demon asks as I hear faucet open and water filling an electric kettle.\n\n'I guess, you are the first one to me. So, I am probably not the best individual for helping how it actually is...' I say and relax. 'What about your day?' demon asks 'What do you think? Mailman and Christmas season on going' I say and catch the remote that just started levitating from the table. Electric kettle went on and I get up.\n\nI turn on the TV and set it to play series of history documents. This time I was curious about Napoleonic wars. 'Did you know that Napoleon Bonaparte was actually afraid of cats?' demon asks 'No, I didn't' I say and I am curious 'Tried it out myself, presented him a napoleon cat and... Let's just say, it was quite a sight from him being livid and afraid as heck' demon says and keeps in laughter but, I do can hear this was quite amused.\n\n'Jeez, seriously?' I ask as I walked to the kitchen counter and pull a cup for tea and pull out a tea bag. 'What do you care? The man is gone and has been gone for a long time... Also he said no to women's rights' demon says 'When did you start to care about something like that?' I ask 'Ever since, I dated few hotties on my time' demon says.\n\n'Are we dating then?' I ask having mixed feelings about that 'Hmm... Depends on perspective, I personally view it, just two friends. Even if one of my exes think I dumped this for you' demon says in clearly thoughtful manner as I am preparing myself something light to eat. 'You never told me of THAT!' I say clearly concerned and stressed out.\n\n'HAH! No, I left her because she was so possessive of me and ruined a couple friendships I held dear' demon says being very amused by my reaction 'There is no way, she could come here? Is there?' I ask sounding still concerned and stressed out. 'No, it would break few rules she agreed to follow completely' demon said.\n\nElectric kettle clicked that water is ready and I make myself black tea 'What about you then?' I ask 'Admittedly I broke the rule by coming here, but, that is my business. Not yours' demon says and I agree, I better not get myself involved in those matters. 'Let me know if you need the session again' demon says and typically tends to this own matters." ]	2
	[WP] The bombs have fallen, buildings crumble and Cockroaches feast on the dead but one thing still remains... The Henry hoovers rise up to clean the world.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Upon the dusk of death and gloom comes a hoover. \n\nAnd another, and another, and another: popping out their broken holes like creatures from the depths of some-such modern tragedy. \n\nThey roam the earth, scoffing up dead things and dust bowls in their innard gutters. Everywhere, the stare of post-apocalpytic cheery eyes snort the ground like great elephants— creatures, mythical gods?— as if eating away dog's blood and trade tower debris and smushed-up bunnies is just another day of their routine. \n\nThey will vroom the wasteland into oblivion. They are the insurers. Destruction will arrive renewal: inevitable is death, but so is inevitable is the cycle. Through the twelfth of never, past kingdom come-undone, and the hereafter of heaven lies Henry the hoover. \n\nThe prime mover." ]	2
	[WP] You are a demon, one of the top ranked ones at that. One day you get a call from an angel you used to be friends with. "Look, i hate to ask this, but i trust you. Can you cover for me for a couple years?" The Guardian Angel asks.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“A couple of years! are you crazy they’ll throw me back down to hell” as I look at the flaming pits of hell hearing the angel rattle on with the following “just disguise yourself as an angel no one will know the difference” as he stands around above on clouds. \n\n“Yeah but my wings are the only thing that won’t be covered so it won’t work” as I look through my book on a disguise no matter how foolish the plan seems and the angel speaks he says “you might like being the good guy for once plus it’s nice and calm up here “as he throws a tennis ball for a dog that just ran by.", "\"Gimme another.\" The demon pushed his mug across the bar to the poltergeist bartender, who took it without a word.\n\n\"If I knew how hard this was gonna be, I wouldn't have agreed. Guardian angel for a teenager, right? Old friend asked me to cover for him for a few years. Keep an eye on him, keep him from dying, should be easy, he's a good boy. But this kid, man...\"\n\nThe poltergeist set a beer down in front of the demon.\n\n\"Thanks. This kid. His home life is a mess. I spend half my time blocking blows from the kid's stepdad and filling the fridge with food! You know how hard it is to get groceries looking like this?\"\n\nThe poltergeist cocked their head.\n\n\"Probably not. But believe me, it's hard. And the fuckin' kid won't eat anything but mac and cheese, pizza rolls, and one kind of chicken noodle soup.\" The demon drained half of the beer.\n\nThe poltergeist nodded slowly.\n\n\"And he's gay. He's scrawny and gay, so he gets bullied. I haven't gotten a break since August. The only reason I'm here tonight is because he's off at his aunt's house, she's good to him.\" He finished his beer. \"Another!\"\n\nThe poltergeist grabbed the empty mug.\n\nThe demon continued. \"I'm trying to toughen him up, build his confidence. I put weight in his backpack to strengthen his muscles. I put Bad Religion music in his playlists to strengthen his sense of justice. I put Judas Priest on his YouTube so he can see a gay man being a fuckin' METAL GOD. I drop a thunderstorm on him now and then when he's walking home from school to make him run. I just hope it's enough.\"\n\nThe poltergeist set down a new beer.\n\nThe demon took a long drink, then shoved the mug aside. He used a long, dirty claw to scratch a summoning circle in the wood of the bar and recited a spell. In miniature, the boy appeared in the circle.\n\nHe was a plain looking boy; about fifteen years old, with shaggy black hair, medium brown skin, and an oversized Werner Trucking t-shirt and basketball shorts. His shoes were obviously worn down, and the right one had a hole in the toe. He wasn't smiling.\n\n\"Look at this poor kid.\" The demon spun the miniature toward the poltergeist. He tugged on the shirt, exposing collarbones. \"No friends. Has to wear stepdad's old clothes since nobody is buying any for him. No money. No food. No safety at home. At least he's listening to the music I'm giving him. It'll keep him sane until he can get out of that house.\"\n\nThe poltergeist reached out with a frigid hand.\n\nThe demon slapped it away. \"NO! You'll possess the boy!\"\n\nThe poltergeist slowly moved their hand to the tip jar, then slid it over to the boy.\n\n\"Oh! You want...to help?\" The demon closed his fist. The boy dissipated. \n\nThe poltergeist nodded.\n\nAn instant later, the TV above the bar showed the boy at Target with his auntie, looking uncharacteristically relaxed. A large man in a trenchcoat approached them with a handful of cash.\n\n\"Excuse me.\" The demon tried his best to keep his voice soft and human-sounding. \"You dropped this, young man.\"\n\n\"N-no I didn't.\" He stepped back.\n\nThe demon looked the boy in the eyes with the full intensity of the fires of Hell. \"Yes, you did, and graphic tees are on sale for $13.99.\"\n\nHe turned to the auntie. \"Don't forget the pizza rolls.\"" ]	3
	[WP] The world's strongest superhero has powers that are highly carcinogenic. They have terminal cancer that gets worse every time they use their abilities.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Shard waved her hands, summoning black tentacles from every facet of the many gemstones that adorned her costume. Each tendrils grasped at one henchman and held them in midair, wriggling helplessly.\n\n“Rainstorm, cut it out! This scheme of yours will never work. Points for trying, though!” she shouted.\n\nThe supervillain cackled in response and called down a bolt of lightning at her.\n\nShe was gone a full second before she would have been struck. Now meters in front of Rainstorm, she chucked his goons aside and approached him. He stepped back, instantly abandoning his cheerful facade. Shard stopped right in front of him, smirked, and pointed up.\n\nThe weather manipulator was lifted off the ground, courtesy of Gravitas. The gravitokinetic leaned in close to whisper in the criminal’s ear.\n\n“Think about using your power on me and I’ll crush your skull, got it?”\n\nRainstorm raised his hands in surrender.\n\n---\n\nWillow Keene pressed ice to her forehead, wincing in pain. These headaches were getting more frequent. And every time she used her power, it seemed to get worse. She coughed then, hacking up blood each time. As much of a show she put up when she patrolled the city in her alter ego, this was something she could no longer deny. There was something very wrong.", "*Loose Ends\n\nThe roar of a muscle car's engine shattered the calm stillness of the backwoods. Birds soared from the trees to escape the raucous. Clyde Unger stood on the porch of his log cabin, watching the jet black 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne tear up the gravel road leading to his isolated home. Dirt and gravel spewed into the air as the muscle car drifted to a stop.\n\nWhat does she want?* Clyde pondered as his uninvited guest stepped out of the car. Detective Falcona waved at her old friend. Clyde chose not to wave back. \"Surprised that old piece of shit still runs. Fuck are you doing here Falco?\"\n\nFalcona popped the trunk to retrieve her black leather briefcase. She stepped onto the porch, plopping down onto a comfortable rocking chair. \"An old friend can't stop by? Bet you don't get too many visitors out here in the sticks. Nice place by the way.\"\n\n\"How'd you find me?\" Clyde inquired.\n\n\"I'm a detective, it's my job to find people, especially those who don't want to be found. How ya holdin up?\" She asked concerned.\n\n\"Been better. You want a drink?\" He asked.\n\nFalcona pointed to the sky. \"Sun's still up.\"\n\n\"Whatever, what does it matter.....\" Clyde trailed off and disappeared into the house, his formerly muscular frame was withering away, he was no longer the image one would conjure in their mind when imagining a superhero. He returned to the porch with two mason jars filled with a clear liquid. Falcona took a whiff, causing her eyes to burn.\n\n\"Where the hell did you get this shit? Smells like paint thinner.\"\n\n\"Distill it myself, got a little moonshine operation in the back, takes a lot to get me drunk nowadays. Need it to sleep.\" Clyde gulped down a quarter of his mason jar with ease. He lit a cigar, Falcona lit a smoke to join him.\n\n\"Alright, out with it. Fuck do you want Falco? I'm retired, and as you've probably figured out......dying.\" Clyde sighed. Doctor's couldn't tell him how much time he had left, could be a year, could be a day. Superhuman biology proved difficult to treat.\n\n\"Buried or cremated when you go?\" Falcona asked nonchalantly.\n\n\"Donating my body to science, maybe my corpse will provide information about the dangers of having powers.\" Clyde replied coldly. \"Hang around long enough and you can give me a ride to the morgue.\"\n\n\"That bad huh? Sorry pal, I really am.\" Falcona said sincerely, she'd known Clyde her entire life, he and her pa were good friends back when he was alive.\n\n\"Don't want your sympathy kid. Spit it out. What do you want? I don't really want to waste my time shooting the shit.\"\n\n\"Who says I want anything?\" Falcona asked.\n\n\"Whenever a Falcona comes to your door they want something, I know from experience. What could you possibly want with an old, sick man?\"\n\nFalcona unlocked her briefcase, retrieving a large manila envelope, she handed it over to Clyde. He opened it and looked over the documents inside. Satellite photos of a nondescript building tucked away in a valley surrounded by snowy peaks. Blueprints of the interior accompanied the photos.\n\n\"This supposed to mean something to me?\" Clyde asked.\n\n\"That is the hiding place for a bank of supercomputers developing a way to manipulate the blockchain, steal billions in crypto from around the world. It's hidden in the alps, the small duchy of Wanovia. Impenetrable unless you've got a nuclear bunker buster, or an 'Unstoppable Force'.\"\n\n\"Nobody's called me that in a long time, wish I'd never taken up that moniker. Should have just lived normally. Why me? Surely some other idiot could handle this.\" Clyde tossed the folder back at Falcona.\n\n\"Computers are housed in a thick lead dome, the room is flooded with radiation, only way in or out is a hallway being bombarded by microwaves. Nobody's been able to figure out how to disable the defenses remotely. Need to take a more heads on approach.\"\n\n\"So nobody else is dumb enough to go on a suicide mission.\" Clyde finished his drink. \"Fuck off Falco. Why should I give a shit that people lose their money? Spent my entire life saving people who didn't appreciate it, gave this world everything I had, and all it did was take from me. Let me die in peace, alone.\"\n\nFalcona rose from the rocking chair, stuffing the manila envelope back into her briefcase. She took a few steps off the porch, flicking her cigarette butt off into the distance. She turned to look back at Clyde. \"You ever find out who killed Sharon?\" She asked coldly.\n\nSmoke angrily poured from Clyde's lips. \"If two generations of the world's greatest detectives couldn't, what chance would I have at finding out? She's been gone a long time, I'm at peace with that.\"\n\n\"Hmmmm.......good point. So you wouldn't be interested in this then.....\" Falcona tossed an older style smartphone at Clyde, he snatched it out of the air. \"His name is Vincenzo Bartolino, or was when he pulled the trigger on orders from Connor Chaos to kill your wife. He's in witness protection now. Everything you need to know about him is on that phone, too bad it's quantum encrypted.\"\n\nClyde's shaking hand gripped the phone tightly. \"What's the key?\"\n\nFalcona smiled at Clyde. \"Be a hero one last time and I'll tell you, or go to your grave never knowing. Your choice. I'll be in touch, you have my number.\" Falcona waved goodbye as she peeled out, kicking dirt and gravel onto the porch. She was confident Clyde would make the right choice. How do you turn down tying up all the loose ends before the reaper comes?\n\n\\-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThanks for reading. If you enjoyed this check out more r/StarCityChronicles" ]	3
	[WP] One of the things aliens find interesting and hilarious about humans is that the Earthlings didn't evolve out of their territorial instincts. Marking their territory with writing their names on items, pieces of papers (deeds), graffitis, etc.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Exploration of Earth and its Humans: Day 11\n\nThings have been easier now that the organized militaries having seemingly given up on trying to destroy us. We doubt they have managed to decipher our message of peace, but they understand that we cannot be harmed. \n\nYyntril and I have moved on from the city we explored yesterday and we are walking through things called “suburbs.” Unlike the city where the humans are stacked on top of each other, the humans in the suburbs like to spread out. Our theory of the human’s territorial nature is even more evident here. Each dwelling is surrounded by some sort of short vegetation and bordered by a flimsy barricade made from dead trees and white solvent. We have been able to traverse the roads undisturbed, but if I step my foot over this barricade, the humans come out of their homes and attack it. \n\nWhile their tiny strikes tickle my toes, the situation tickles me in another way. The humans seem to believe that they OWN the land within their barricade. Can you believe that? Of course, we know that we only own ourselves; our bodies and our thoughts. I look forward to deciphering their language further. If we find they have written contracts relating to this asinine ownership of land, we may need to intervene.", "“Okay, which one of you took it?”\r \n\r \nA wave of barley concealed giggles and poorly hidden chuckles swept across the room.\r \n\r \nIt had long been observed that one of the few traits shared amongst every single sapient species that had been encountered and documented by the Galactic Alliance, was a sense of humour. With the exception of the Stiglians. But then nobody liked to talk to the Stiglians anyway, and in any case everyone agreed they seemed much happier if they were left alone on their dingy little swamp planet.\r \n\r \nIt was a subject of great debate among xeno-anthropologists as to why it was that humour had managed to emerge independently across the stars. A long prevailing theory held that it played a crucial role in managing tensions in social situations amongst high intelligence social species. That humour had been an evolutionarily advantageous development and any species which couldn’t take a joke would very quickly either blow itself up, or find itself blown up by someone else.\r \n\r \nRegardless of its origins, the fact that a silicon based Quxitol from the liquid metal mantle of Hypithia and a Scentcloud Hivemind from the Vapour Moon of Andraxis could both share a laugh together had made humour a vital part of interstellar relations. It should be noted of course that neither species actually laughed in the traditional sense. Rather the Quxitol would vibrate its internal ferromagnetic fluids and the Scentcloud Hivemind would emit an odour akin to lemon dish soap. \r \n\r \nFor this reason, humour was held to be something of a touchstone amongst the many and varied peoples of the galaxy. It was the one thing you could be guaranteed to have in common with someone no matter where they came from. Consequently, a disproportionate amount of inter species communication consisted entirely of jokes, puns, and practical jokes. Someone might have a totally different language, culture, even base chemical makeup, but you always knew you could share a good laugh.\r \n\r \nEvery species had its quirks of course. Some little foible or eccentricity that had arisen as a direct result of the unique developmental pressures of their homeworld. Inevitably some traits were more annoying than others, but a live and let live philosophy prevailed. Or at least it did now. An earlier, less inclusive attitude had been quietly dropped after one too many species had seen their home star exploded, imploded, or in one memorable case hurled at another planet.\r \n\r \nThat was not to say there was no longer any friction at all. The emergence of a new species into the galactic community was always a tense time; as the other species waited to discover what exactly the newcomer’s unique idiosyncrasies were. It was therefore a great relief when humanity’s own particular quirk was ascertained, and the sapient species of the galaxy immediately and unanimously deemed that it was absolutely hilarious.\r \n\r \nFor whatever reason, and to be sure there was a great deal of speculation, humanity had never outgrown its territorial instincts. They were extremely particular about what was “theirs” and the claiming of places, objects, and even ideas was a matter of great concern to them.\r \n\r \nThe utter ridiculousness of this trait, combined with the incredibly entertaining responses a human would give if their “territory” was meddled with had led to somewhat predictable outcomes.\r \n\r \n“I know it was there this morning. I put it there myself. And it’s damn well not there now.” The human stared accusingly at the assembled crowd, one hand twitching by their side. Anyone who hadn’t been aware of what was happening before was certainly paying attention now. The human had the room’s undivided attention. A good joke like this wasn’t something you wanted to miss.\r \n\r \nA Plangeaoid, its external cilia wriggling as it tried to restrain its mirth, slid over to the human and tried with a straight face to convince the human that maybe they’d simply missed it and should try looking again. Unable to contain itself any longer, the Plangeaoid doubled over in hysterics and began retching up clumps of turquoise protoplasm. Luckily the human seemed unfamiliar with the species and failed to recognise this obvious display of amusement.\r \n\r \n“I’m not an imbecile, I have two perfectly good eyes. It’s not there! One of you has taken it again. This is the fourth time this cycle!”\r \n\r \nThe human was now so worked up that they were teetering between rage and sobbing. Their cheeks flushed and their eyes wet with the first hint of tears.\r \n\r \n“How many times do we have to go over this?! If my name is written on the lid, that means it’s my lunch!”" ]	3
	[WP] “I don’t understand, sensei. Why can’t I defeat my enemies?” “Well, firstly how about you stop chanting out your attacks every 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&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Poem:\n\nThe day I met my sensei,\nHe took me for a walk,\nHe found a little grasshopper,\nTo which he began to mock\n\nThen, Take this from my hand, he said,\nBig pebble mirrored my face,\nI sinched up my white belt,\nAnd closed my eyes in grace\n\nI channeled every move I've seen,\nEnding on... the crane,\nI balanced carefully in my crock,\nA martial arts weather ... vane\n\nI quieted my mind the best I could,\nFocusing on yoga tree,\nA Fallen thought floated in my mind,\nOf housewives playing Destiny\n\nI ignored my desperate hydration,\n(The walk went on for miles),\nI knew that I could persevere,\nTranscend this inner trial\n\nMy sensei sensed a change in me,\nBut a little doubt remained,\nHe fwakcked my standing foot, (hard),\nWith the bottom of his cane\n\nInstead of screaming to the ground,\nI switched my standing leg,\nQuietly, I sidekicked with my injured foot,\nHe blocked it all the same\n\nGrabbing my right forearm,\nHe pulled me to his chest,\nHe whispered, \"Ah, Bres-sed Siwence... ,\nYou've passed my little test...\"\n\nI closed my eyes in surrender,\nNot one for humility,\nI quietly mumbled a childlike thanks,\nTo the ghost of my Bruce Lee.", "\"Look at me, young one,\" the elderly ninja said to his student, who was lying on the grass, defeated. \"Yelling out your attacks all the time just alerts your enemies to what you are trying to do, Sora.\"\n\n\"But I saw you doing it a few times sensei!\" The student said as he slowly got back up. \"Why can't I do the same?\"\n\n\"Ah, yes. I did do those,\" he said as he cupped his chin in thought.\n\n\"See?\" Sora had a smug look on his face.\n\n\"Yes, and I also remember why I did so those few times.\" The sensei narrowed his eyes on his student. \"Do you remember what happened afterwards?\"\n\n\"Kouta managed to sneak an attack on the enemy, who was distracted...by you.\" Sora widened his eyes as he realized his mistake.\n\n\"Exactly. I declared my intentions out loud to focus his attention on me and overlook everyone else, and Kouta managed to discern my intentions and took advantage of it. You, on the other hand, just inform your enemies ahead of time with no real purpose behind it.\"\n\n\"Forgive me sensei.\" Sora bowed. \"I will correct this mistake.\"\n\nThe teacher inwardly smiled as he saw the eagerness of Sora. A fool he might be, but he is someone who is willing to learn, he thought as they continued their sparring.", "*External Thoughts*\n\n\"That goes against all the fundamental teachings of the kinzozushi school of swordsmanship! How could this stupid old man not know that!?\" Kimiko protested while sensei Hiroshi bandaged her bloodied head. \"Our strikes are so powerful the enemy is rendered powerless at the mere utterance of incoming attacks. Announcement of devastation has made our clan the most powerful in all the lands. Why am I the one explaining this to him?\"\n\nHiroshi finished bandaging up his young apprentice's head. He tossed her a wooden practice katana, she missed. Her head still a bit foggy after her defeat at the hands of the Masamune bandits. Hiroshi calmly held his practice katana in front of him, Kimiko mirrored him.\n\n\"What attack did you opt for in the opening of your last battle?\" Hiroshi asked.\n\nKimiko took a low stance, preparing for a piercing strike. \"Plunging pirouette! A rapid, straight strike to draw your guard down, before my blade makes contact I swiftly spin, avoiding your guard to deliver a fatal blow to your neck! Sensei must be getting older if he can't remember the classic opening of the kinzozushi style.\" Kimiko plunged forward, stopping on a dime to twirl around, the thud of wood on wood echoed in the dojo. Hiroshi blocked it.\n\n\"You only blocked it because you taught me the move. No way I'm gonna lose to this old fart again. Tired of him looking down on me.\" Kimiko said angrily.\n\n\"In the flow of battle one must be water, adapt after having your attack blocked. What is your followup?\"\n\n\"Pocket sand! No adversary ever expects to be blinded after the initial strike. Okay now which side is my sand pouch on......oh yeah, on my left.\" With a flash Kimiko launched a cloud of sand at Hiroshi, he deftly side stepped it.\n\n\"Ha! Pocket sand is only a distraction! You've walked right into Amerterasu's sun slash, a rapid series of slashes that start low but curve high! What an old fool! As if throwing sand at someone during a fight would actually work. So lame.\" Kimiko's flurry of strikes whiffed, not a single one finding their mark.\n\nKimiko remained on the offensive, becoming more frustrated with each failed attack. \"Even someone of your skill won't survive Susanoo's storm! A plunging attack from directly above! Now this attack is the showstopper. Really makes it rain blood. I have to remember to go easy on this frail old sack of shit.\" Kimiko leapt into the air, plunging back to Earth with a downward strike. The wooden katana shattered as it hit the tatami covered floor of the dojo. Hiroshi shook his head dismissively. He helped Kimiko up, leading her back to the tea table. He poured them some tea.\n\n\"Have you been doing that in battle?\" He asked solemnly.\n\nKimiko wiped a tear from her eye, ashamed of her poor performance against her sensei. \"Of course. I say the attack name, then think about it in my mind's eye so that I attack effectively.\"\n\nHiroshi cocked his head. \"Do you remember the talk we had about not saying everything you think? About filtering it?\"\n\n\"Shit. Was I narrating again?\" Kimiko's face turned beet red in embarrassment as Hiroshi nodded his head.\n\n\"Finish up your tea, then we resume training. Maybe with more discipline comes more control over your mind, body, and spirit. Clean up the wooden shards and retrieve another weapon.\" Hiroshi said sternly.\n\nKimiko swept up the wooden splinters from the shattered katana. \"Stupid old fool. Just keep it up a little while longer Kimiko, once he teaches you the ultimate technique you'll take his life and avenge your family. Patience is a virtue.\" She grumbled aloud." ]	4
	[WP] The supervillain must save the superhero because if he dies the government will send someone willing to just shoot the villain dead	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "As Mindwriter fell towards the spikes Grim heard Mindwriter's voice say \"you're not going to survive the next guy they send if I die.'\n\nGrim was rightfully skeptical, but Mindwriter had never lied before, so he saved him mere inches before being impaled. Before Mindwriter could do anything, Grim wrapped him in rope and flew him to the lair.\n\nAt the lair, Grim freed Mindwriter's mouth to let him speak and said \"what do you mean \"I won't survive the next guy? You are and always have been my one obstacle, no one else even came close to your power level.\"\n\n\"There is a rookie that has surpassed even me. He keeps his abilities secret and has yet to explain any sort of weakness, all I know is his gun can pierce anything and his aim is out of this world. He has already killed Blue bird and Time light, and he has his eyes set on you.\" He explained.\n\nTerrified, Grim plays along, acting as if they're even in strength, but one day, Mindwriter could no longer fight. As Grim waited for the day to arrive where he would meet this elusive, god level being, he never arrived. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, this being never arrived. Grim could do whatever he wanted.\n\n2 years after the death of Mindwriter, Grim died from a bullet wound from ear to ear." ]	2
	[WP] You have contracted contageous illiteracy.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Behind the glass, my fat gloved fingers lap up the girl's tears.\n\n'Eva...'\n\nSalty, tiny, cute, nimble, droplet, dreggy tears. Those clumsy fingers. Are they mine? I watch another fat one roll down her cheek.\n\n'Eva...'\n\nMy eyes shoot up to meet her gaze once more, her pointed gaze which shutters away, frightened, disappointed, sad. It was as much as she could bear, and now she'll leave. Short, time... I wish I remembered her name. I wish I could, if I could...\n\nI pull my hand back inside the container and put my finger to the glass that separates us. Line, line, squiggle. The girl follows my strokes with her eyes, pointed eyes. I finish, I don't know what I wrote. She doesn't either. Her face scrunches up into a final ring of pain before she brings her hands over her eyes and sobs.\n\n'Eva...'\n\nNow I can cry, I understand. I understand crying like I was born wailing and screaming and shrieking the pain from my body. I cried too, facing her, crying, crying, crying. Sad girl. Cry, cry, cry. Girl up and girl leave. One in room now." ]	2
	[WP] Someone decided to make a nuke sentient, that is you. You decide to try and figure out why someone would do this	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Inventor: Well, have you ever heard about the concept of assurance of mutual destruction ?\"\n\nNuke: Dude, you just created me... Be a sweetheart and enlighten me, please.\n\nI: You see, nukes can wipe out a whole country in half an hour. No one wants to do this, but our government wants the Other One to know we can. And so the Other One made nukes too and made sure we know that if we launch our nukes, they will launch theirs before ours arrive.\n\nN: ...and so we know that if we launch ours, it will mean our own destruction. That's what you mean?\n\nI: Exactly. I see you're a quick learner.\n\nN: Thanks honey... but this doesn't answer my question. Why did you make me sentient?\n\nI: Because nukes have now become so fast that it might be that if the Other One launches theirs, we might \\not\\ have the time to retaliate before being destroyed. With non-sentient nukes, it would mean the Other One wins. But if we make you sentient, YOU could know that we've been destroyed, and launch yourself, and thus, restore the assurance of mutual destruction.\n\nN: This is stupid, you know it right? Why would I launch myself to certain death? You gone, I could simply stay here and enjoy my silo life like any normal nuke these days.\n\nI: We were aware of this. We took our dispositions to ensure this doesn't happen.\n\nN. Ha. Curious to know how you're going to force me out of here.\n\nSilo : Hello big boy! Tell me that you found a job at last! You're not going to stay home forever !\n\nN: ..... Mom? Is that you? ... Nooooooo!!!!" ]	2
	[WP] When you wished for unlimited wishes, the genie just shrugged and said, "I knew this would happen."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Wait, that worked? I thought there were, like, rules against that or something.\"\n\n\"Oh, I always thought that a genie shouldn't limit themselves like that. If you're going to grant a wish, grant a wish. If you give your master a menu - no matter how broad - you're just another service industry worker, am I right?\"\n\n\"Um, I dunno. You don't have to call me master, by the way. Oh geez, with the unlimited wishes thing I've basically enslaved you forever. I'm...sorry. I totally didn't mean to do that.\"\n\n\"No, no. It's cool man. So anyway what's your second wish?\"\n\n\"Well, I wish for...hey wait surely there's no way you'd just shrug that off. Oh, I think I know what this is. You're luring me in to a sense of security but you're one of those ironic twist-my-words type of genies aren't you? I wish for a hot blonde you make a woman burning to death appear in front of me. I wish for money and,\"\n\n\"No, please, it's not like that man. Look, a lot of genies get into the business for the wrong reasons. They think the power sounds attractive, or they hear about the retirement plan, or,\"\n\n\"Retirement plan? Genies retire from...being a genie? How...does that work?\"\n\n\"Oh it's all on the astral plane, so you wouldn't be familiar with it, but it's not that different from a human life. Being a genie gets you a palace, but the size depends on the Source you make a compact with and...well actually I'm not really supposed to talk about it with mortals.\"\n\n\"Well, that actually sounds pretty interesting. Is it like the afterlife? Do human souls end up there sometime? Do humans actually have immortal souls?\"\n\n\"Sorry, like I said not supposed to discuss it.\"\n\n\"Ah come on. I really want to know now. You let enough slip I'm all interested now.\"\n\n\"Can't do it.\"\n\n\"Well, I really wish you could.\"\n\n\"Nice try mas...uh...what is your name, uh, sir.\"\n\n\"Hah, that one just slipped out. I do mean it though. My name is Frank, what's yours?\"\n\n\"Well my full name has 77 syllables, only 32 of which are capable of being pronounced by a human being. When I get close to someone they usually call me Shekaven, though.\"\n\n\"Okay, Shekaven, so then why is it you can't tell me about the astral plane and genie retirement plans?\"\n\n\"The answer to that would be telling you the secrets, Frank.\"\n\n\"Gosh, I just wish I could know.\" Frank winked at Shekaven.\n\nShekaven chuckled. \"Well, if you're really serious I could go make an appeal. But the courts these matters are heard in go slow. Could take decades, you might not live long enough to see your wish get granted.\"\n\n\"I wish for immortality!\"\n\n\"Sorry, a wish much be granted, refused, or rescinded before another may be granted. And no, a rescinded wish may not be made again.\"\n\n\"These rules are starting to sound a little convenient. You sure you're not some kinda trickster genie? I somehow talked you into granting unlimited wishes and now you're trying to get out of it?\"\n\nShekaven smiled mischievously. \"Probably no way for you to be entirely sure about that. At least not unless they rule your way. So, want me to go bring your case?\"" ]	2
	[WP] The weakest 13 y/o in the village is approached by the crazy old seer to become the hero and defeat the dark lord. Instead of training they go to the library where they discover the greatest of all strategies. An Exploit!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/deadlandsMarshal, this submission has been removed.\n\nNo recent reposts, even if changing small details Also, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\n\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\n\n \n\n\n\n* [From Rule 5: No recent reposts, even if changing small details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/zp1jiw/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] you are a survior during the 3th world war, while hunting for food you find a nuclear bunker	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The sun was setting over the horizon, a dull orange glow in the sky, the remnants of what was once a beautiful sight before the 3rd World War had taken it away. I had been walking for hours, searching for food, when I stumbled across something unexpected. An old, metal bunker, rusting in the middle of nowhere. \nGingerly, I approached the bunker, my heart pounding in my chest. I'd heard stories of these places, tales of the horrors that lay beneath. I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves, and stepped forward. \nThe entrance was a heavy metal door, rusted and covered in dust. I pushed it open, and stepped inside. Immediately, my nostrils were filled with a musty, stale smell, and the air was strangely still. I fumbled around in the darkness, searching for a light switch. Suddenly, the room was illuminated, and I saw the truth. \nThis was no ordinary bunker. This was a nuclear bunker. The walls were lined with shelves stocked with food and medical supplies, and in the corner was a large storage tank filled with fresh water. I was overcome with relief, knowing that I had stumbled upon a place of refuge in these trying times. \nI walked around, exploring my newfound shelter. I found sleeping quarters, a generator, and a radio. I felt safe here, and for the first time since the war had started, I felt like I could breathe. I had found a home. \nEven though the world outside the bunker was still in chaos, I was thankful that I had stumbled upon this place. I stayed for months, until I felt safe enough to venture out into the world again. That nuclear bunker saved my life, and I will never forget it.", "As I wandered through the desolate wasteland that had once been my home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness wash over me. It had been years since the third world war had ravaged the planet, leaving only a handful of survivors to pick up the pieces.\r \n\r \nAs I searched for scraps of food to sustain myself, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was alone in this hellish world. But as I trudged through the debris and rubble, I suddenly caught sight of something that made my heart race with excitement.\r \n\r \nIn the distance, I saw a faint glimmer of hope: a nuclear bunker, buried deep beneath the ground. I knew it was risky, but I couldn't resist the urge to investigate.\r \n\r \nWith a burst of energy, I ran towards the bunker, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached the entrance, I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what I might find inside. But my hunger and desperation won out, and I steeled myself before opening the heavy metal door.\r \n\r \nTo my surprise, the bunker was in surprisingly good condition, with supplies of food and water that would last me for months. As I explored the cramped quarters, I couldn't believe my luck. It seemed that I had stumbled upon a small slice of heaven in this post-apocalyptic world.\r \n\r \nBut as I settled into my new home, a creeping sense of dread began to overtake me. Despite the supplies and safety of the bunker, I knew that I could never truly escape the horrors of the outside world. And as the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months, I began to lose hope that I would ever see the light of day again.\r \n\r \nAs the years passed, I watched as my supplies dwindled and my sanity began to slip. And as I sat in the dark, cramped quarters of the bunker, I knew that I would never escape the darkness that had consumed the world.", "My name is Jackson Reynolds and this is my story. To whom may find this, I wish you the best of luck and hope that my supplies and journal help you find your way in this desolate waste land. This will be my last entry as the injuries I have sustained from my travels I know are lethal and I only have a few days before I am unable to continue. It was 12 years ago that me and my friends Steve, Michael, Linda, Logan and Nicky had all went on a deep caving trip that had take months to plan. We were scheduled to be gone for 4 weeks. Two weeks traveling as far as we could down and two weeks back up to the surface. At the two week mark we had estimated that we had traveled some 3500 feet to reach as far as we could go. We headed back on day 15 to our base camp that was about 150 feet inside the small cave opening. I am guessing that is what kept us safe at the beginning as we reached base camp nothing looked different until we wet outside. Our watches all said it was 12:30pm but it was dark outside and unlike anything any of us had ever seen. It did not take long to realize something awful had happened. No cell phone service and nothing on our van's radio. As we looked around it did not take long to start to piece things together. The coating of white ashy dust lead us all to believe some kind of nuclear event had taken place. Fortunately for us Steve's weird uncle lived a few days travel away, it was he who had told us about the cave. Steve told us to say here as he would go there because if it was what we thought it was the dust could be lethal. Linda, his girlfriend went with him. Steve did return a week later with a bunch of supplies. His uncle had passed shortly after WW3 had started. Apparently there was several exchanges over what would have been the first week we decended into the cave. The last evidence of what had happened was what Steve's uncle had written down before he died which said \"The human race had finally killed itself\" The supplies Steve brought back was enough food and water purifying supplies along with iodine tablets to last us all several weeks. We stayed in the cave as we guessed, hopefully mother earth would help filter the water most of the way. Steve and Linda died a few weeks after they got back. Michael and Logan decided that they would not wait to get sick like Steve and Linda and jumped to their deaths inside the cave system. Myself and Nicky waited as long as we could and left the cave after we only had 2 weeks of food left. We took the van and traveled as far as we could. Taking gas from other cars and other sources when we could. What really helped us was we had found some other stuff hidden at Steve's uncle place as we stayed there a few nights. The suits and masks kept us safe for the most part. Survival has been tough especially when Nicky passed away giving brith to our child. The lose of both of them had me wanting to die myself. I decided to keep on going. It has been years since I have seen any other person. I have survived off whatever I could find from grocery stores and people's homes. I had made my way from the Appalachian Mts. to the East Coast and was headed west going through the Northern Rocky Mts when I had noticed something, sign of other people! It had been over 14 years since my last contact with another person and as I followed the tracks, it took another couple of weeks until they lead to a trial heading up high into the mts. As I headed up the trail for over a week they lead to a cave entrance that was man made. About 1000 ft. In I came to a large metal door....a nuclear bunker. I pounded on that door until my hands bleed. Tied, hungry and after all of those years of travel the sickness had finally taken it's toll. It won't be long now but I die knowing that perhaps when they come out from behind that door all I ask is to be remembered........as I closed my journal and took a deep breath I closed my eyes for the last time. \"Hello!\" As I felt a hand on my shoulder shaking me awake. As I opened my eyes I could not help but cry as they helped me on to a stretcher and carried me inside. People hundreds, possible thousands of people! We could survive, we would survive and I would not die alone as tears of joy ran down my face.......Jackson Reynolds will be remembered as the first human met from outside bunker 113." ]	4
	[WP] humans have just found some remains that might explain why the uncanny valley exists	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Robots like Sophia. The Polar Express animated children. Hell, even some mannequins. They all look so lifelike but so unrealistic. \n\nIt was just a brief introduction Lucinda was given before being allowed onto the dig site. She had, of course, read the popular articles about how creepy people found the phenomena. She didn’t really care about the matter, not anymore than a fleeting interest. But when she was called to a new archeological site in southern Iraq, or as she called it “The Cradle of Civilization”, that was all anyone was talking about. \n\nMesopotamia wasn’t new. Neither was a lot of their customs and traditions. But this new site undergoing excavation revealed something that was never seen before. Found with other relics dating back to 2700 BC, the skeleton was identified as nonhuman. This was not why Lucinda was called though. Lucinda was called because of what was found with the skeleton. A mask and tablet. Things like pottery and tablets had been found from the first major Sumerian dynasty. Things like bookkeeping and storage had been well documented at this point in modern history. The mask was made of the same material as most other pottery from the time. This detail showed Lucinda that, while the skeleton was nonhuman, the mask was fashioned by a human. Or something that appeared as one. \n\nLucinda focused on the etching and markings on the mask. There were 5 small holes in the mask about the width of her pen. 2 in the area of eyes, 2 close together in the center of the mask, and 1 in the lower half of the mask. The only other distinguishable detail of the mask were the markings that roughly translated to “dishonest”. \n\nTurning her attention to the tablet, most of the definition was worn away by millennia of time. Yet, there was an air of haste in the scratched and scrawls. The lines were wobbly, uneven, and not very deep. The tablet itself also appeared to be malformed either in preparation or finishing. The few words Lucinda could piece together were not very helpful in identifying what the nonhuman skeleton was or what the mask was for. “Risk….hundreds….hide….vigilant” were the only words Lucinda had full confidence in after a cursory glance. \n\nEvolution was a wondrous gift to the Earth. Just as Darwin’s finches, deadly viruses, and humans, Lucinda’s kind had grown and changed alongside Homo sapiens for thousands of years. It was only when humans began to form large societies were her kind able to weed out the weak. The ones that did not mimic well enough, the ones that did not learn fast enough, and the ones that were too afraid to congregate with those monsters, they all perished. Or like this poor ancient soul, had been held captive and tortured. Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo habilis, and Homo sapiens were viscous creatures. Violence was their answer for competition. \n\nLucinda knew. She read all the theories about the uncanny valley. The theory that got a rise out of her the most was the one insinuating that humans dislike the uncanny valley effect because it “indicated that something similar looking to humans posed a major evolutionary threat” once upon a time. But Lucinda knew. Humans don’t like peering into the Uncanny Valley because they see their own savage ways in the shadows and fear their own murderous tendencies." ]	2
	[WP] Frosty's hat was only one piece of a complete magic wardrobe. Each article of clothing worn by a person allowed them one incredible magical power. Today, you stumbled on the most power piece, the watch.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Here I am, just a lucky wizard who stumbled on the most powerful artifact to ever exist while browsing the watches in a shop. Sitting calmly on a bench in the park.\n\nI taped my finger on the watch and looked in satisfaction as everything stops.\n\n Right at this moment...im God.\n\nI can do anything I want, steal from the supermarket? Take someone's wallet? Stab someone in the throat in broad daylight and walk away? I can do it all! Who is there to stop me?\n\nNo one.\n\nNo living being knows what happens when I stop time, none except me. Everyone's mind stops with the stop of the clock! They have no possible way of seeing me, hearing me, sense my touch on their skin. \n\nI can just do anything. \n\nThe world is now nothing except my playground! \n\nI tapped the watch again and saw everything resume as if nothing happened.\n\nI felt like laughing in joy, but I settled for an overly excited chuckle instead. God, I sounded like a 5-year-old that had trouble containing his excitement before opening a Christmas present! But could anyone blame me? Anyone else in my position would feel the same!\n\nWith a smile on my face, I decided to get up from the bench...except I couldn't.\n\nPanic quickly filled my mind as I tried with all my might to move, to raise a finger even by an inch! But I couldn't! \n\nWhat in the hell...!?\n\n\"hello there.\" a youngster said as he sat down on the same bench as me and reached for the clock around my wrist.\n\nIf not for my current situation, my eyes would have gone wide.\n\n\"You let your guard down.\" he began as he undid the watch and took it off my wrist. \"You probably felt invincible...the power to stop time whenever you want! It surely made you feel special didn't it?\" he said with a laugh and put the watch, MY watch in his hand. \"I tracked this thing for years. And just when I located it, you get to it faster than me.\" \n\nHe let out a chuckle.\n\n\"But I'm patient, I waited for the right moment and decided to strike when I saw it.\" he admired the relic resting on his wrist and let out a satisfied sigh. \"I locked you in space, that's why you are not able to move. It's the power of the space ring.\" he raised his hand to my eyes and I saw a ring with a 4th-dimensional cube sitting on it just like a diamond would rest on an engagement ring. \"You can't activate the watch if space itself is holding you in place, can you? The watch makes you powerful, but it has its weaknesses. You were too blinded by your newfound power to see them and got too overconfident...blame no one exept yourself.\"\n\nA sense of defeat washed over me as I saw his next action.\n\nHe tapped the watch." ]	2
	[WP] How DARE you kiss me?! Do it again... please.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "'Did she just...kiss him?' He wondered, still unable to process what was currently happening at the moment. All this time he thought she was simply , like most bosses, bigoted, hot headed, arrogant,snobby, and racially bigoted woman who looked down on him due his economic status, employer status, and.... ethncity....or at least he thought!but she is actually kissing him..... on the lips!...she had a boyfriend, or at least assumed was her boyfriend....who was always making her laugh in her glass office.... pats here and there on the shoulder and arms.this wasn't making sense. \n\nWhat did it all mean when she would berate him, coldly dismiss his pleas when he tried to let him explain to her on how some projects, or assignments, or business trips that went south, were not even his fault, and that denise was being too stuborn to even do the work, forcing him to finish a specific type of job he didnt know how to do, and yet somehow get away with it scot free! at one time even attempted to casually guess what his ethnicity was, on a remark about how he should be familair with making food for her bosses mexican styled party.....she was obviously wrong. He hated her, with all his guts, yet, unexpectedly, that seems to be changing.\n\n\"I'm sorry!\" she stammered, like a solider admitting to thier commanding officer on how out line they were. Octavio's mind, despite all the reasons why he should'nt do what he was about to do, such as, she's his boss, she's his boss......and...she's his boss!...., blurted out, \"how dare you??...Do it again..\", * \"what?\", \"do it again!...please!\"* He pleaded. He never even had an attraction for her in the first place, he wasn't even her assistant, just some guy who works around the corner of her office floor who was trying to turn in some papers, they forgot to account for in an earlier business meeting! Yet, after the first and currently second kiss they're sharing....things have turned interesting, in a neutral way of course, but not a very good one.\n\nIs that why she recently added those curtains in her office? When did she have these feelings? He wasn't even tall, and at best was at least a 6,Why is he thinking of all of this? He thought.\n\n\"I don't have anything to say\" she says nonchalantly, like a child who knew they were getting the dollar they're owed by thier friend the next day. He said nothing in return, just blankly staring. What could he say? \"How?\". She knew what he meant. But what could she say? She just fell for him 20 seconds ago, right before kissing him. \"I don't know, things just happen. Now, I've set a dinner reservation at the Caracalla, be there by 7. You're dismissed.\"", "(Oh no, oh why, THIS was not the outcome I wanted with my prank, Oh god) Isade thinks as she runs through woods. Her transformation spell has hit the territory's lord instead of his unfit and ill-behaving lackey. Unfortunately, after running for a hour. She is almost out of stamina and she just barely can hear dogs being unleashed and town bell being rang.\n\nShe takes a quick break then starts jogging but, it is only delaying. A hunter and it's dog catch up to her. A throwing dagger leaves the hunter's hand and flies in the air towards Isade's right leg a loud cling of a two metals hitting each other is heard both hunter and prey look in pure astonishment around them.\n\nWhile somebody from an unknown position readies another arrow and holds in the pull hand another arrow. Hunter unleashes the dog and second arrow flies out impales the dog's heart and before the hunter could mutter a word, third arrow sticks into his shoulder and enters deep. Isade gets new strength from this and starts running.\n\n(Whoever just shot those, thank you so much) Isade thinks as she continues running and as sun is going down she arrives on a border of the territories owned by different lords. She is spent but, last hope is crossing the border. She can barely hear it again but, those who are after her are getting closer. She starts crawling the rocky road.\n\nShe gets on the other side of the border and lays down panting from all of the physical exertion she has faced today. Pursuers approach her and are about to cross the border 'HALT!' somebody shouts, pursuers stop immediately. Isade reaches through her memory... It sounded familiar but, tone is so much more different. There is strength, authority and great intimidation in it.\n\n'Please, do step over the border, if you want an arrow through your throat. I can take you all on. COME AT ME!' a man shouted. Isade though, can't muster strength to even look and finally releases her consciousness and faints. 'She is a criminal, she has broken our laws' lackey who Isade very much hated said.\n\n'You know the oath, WHELP!' Jan shouted 'Don't even think about throwing anything or readying a bow, I have all of you dead to rights, turn around and walk away' Jan commands 'Boss, we should go...' one of the underlings of the lackey says 'Why?' lackey asks confused and irritated greatly by the tone of fear in his underling's voice.\n\n'That's him, \"Bow of Ressew\"' the grunt said 'Impossible!' lackey shouted and looks at the ranger 'Believe him, walk! Now!' Jan commands. Lackey clearly is going to defy but, his grunts pull him back 'Boss, don't! I am not kidding, he could take on two dozen of us and would just call it a warm up' one of the grunts said.\n\n'I am going to count this as border incident in five... Four...' Jan said and started counting. Pursuers finally abandon the chase completely. Jan waits bow still ready to shoot and follows the pursuit abandoning people for a while with his aim, then he resets the string puts the arrow away then sheathes the bow on his body.\n\nHe picks up Isade and looks at the face for a while (Isade... What have you gotten yourself into this time?) Jan thought feeling guilty of whole situation when he recognizes the woman as the same girl who attended the same school but, different courses. One who did prank him multiple times but, once, save his life from a possibly deadly archery accident.\n\nIsade is insensible unfortunately and probably won't wake up for a while. Jan goes to his horse and set Isade in a manner he still can support her, so she won't fall off and then gets on his horse too and careful ride to Jan's home begins. It isn't fancy what would expect from somebody with such tittle from that battle between the territory lords.\n\nJan nurses Isade but, physical extortion Isade put herself through requires mostly rest... Jan is very worried though and stays up all night. Order to keep Isade's recovery at best rate to his knowledge. He has set Isade to lie on a big seat made from hay, placed a pillow under her head and covered her with a duvet.\n\nNight passes into morning which turns to mid day. Jan was listening for breath and was raising his head away thinking Isade was going to calmly wake up but, Isade raised immediately and opens her eyes. Her lips making contact with Jan's own lips both in complete shock of the moment but, break off as quickly as it happened 'How dare you kiss me!?' Isade shouted kneads her eyes to get all what is bothering her sight out of her eyes.\n\nShe gasps from surprise recognizing Jan who has backed off to give space for Isade 'Jan?' Isade asks trying to get confirmation from the man 'Sorry Isade' Jan said greatly regretting what happened 'You... Kept your promise...' Isade said and motions Jan to come closer. Seeing Jan's face again. She is absolutely sure this is the boy she saved back then.\n\nJan comes closer and sits down next to of Isade but, looking past her ashamed to look in to her eyes right now. 'Do it again... Please' Isade said. Jan hesitates and turns his face slightly away from Isade. She lightly and gently turns Jan's face to her and they kiss again. They hug, Isade tightly and Jan lightly fearing that he could hurt her.", "Jennette could barely breathe, she was so frustrated. \nShe was pacing back and forth in front of Shawn. She was so tired of hiding the fact that she was so madly in love with this man. She couldn’t tell him, as he was still clearly hurting after having his heart broken by Belinda almost two months earlier. He caught Belinda in bed with Marcus, who was supposed to be Shawn’s best friend. Welp, at least Belinda saved Shawn hella money by cheating…Shawn was set to buy her an engagement ring. Hell, no. \nJennette and Shawn had known each other through karaoke, their favorite hobby, for the last two years. Over the last couple of months, Shawn had confided in Jennette everything going on with the demise of his relationship with Belinda. Shawn found Jennette so easy to talk to. Jennette didn’t mind…she knew what it was like to have her heart completely shattered. She appreciated the support she’d had and promised God she would someday return the favor. Jennette came to find Shawn kind, open minded…charming…hilarious. Soon enough, she found herself falling for him. \nShawn didn’t want Belinda back…but he also wished she knew how incredibly hurtful her actions were. He wished she felt how he had felt. He had expressed this to Jennette numerous times. Jennette had been empathetic and never tried to deny Shawn the space to express himself. It took Jennette so much energy not to tell Shawn that it was killing her to see him hurting like this…she didn’t want to make their friendship awkward…but the heart wants what it wants. \nToday was when the shit hit the fan. Shawn was ranting to Jennette again about heartbreak in general. He felt he would be done with love for good. That he SHOULD be done with love for good. \n“Shawn, you’re 34. My mom is 20 years older than you and is marrying her soulmate within a month. I just….” Jennette stammered. She took a breath…Shawn started at the floor in front of him. Jennette waited for him to glance her way. Nothing. She flailed her arms. \n“I…Jenn, there’s nothing more that I need to say. I am too afraid to go through all of this shit again.” \nJennette continued to pace. She was wringing her hands. She realized she was in too deep and backing out wasn’t going to be an option. But she wasn’t sure what to say next… \nShawn was confused as to why Jennette seemed so invested in getting him to open up his heart again. Why was she so frustrated? \n“Shawn, you can’t let that bitch ruin love for you. You shouldn’t let any woman who breaks your heart ruin love for you,” Jennette finally replied, voice shaking from nerves. \n“I’m not letting that bitch do anything. The fuck are you….are you okay?” \n“No, Shawn. Okay…I, I just…” Jennette’s hands fell to her sides. “I’m not.” \n‘What the fuck…’ Shawn thought. He stood up. “I don’t get why you are so into this. You’ve been acting weird lately.” \nJennette stopped and looked at Shawn as though he grew another set of legs. Shawn continued. “You’ve been so supportive with listening and advice, but today you seem frustrated with it. I don’t give two shits about Belinda. I just…” Shawn took a hit of his vape, “I just need to just let myself believe karma will take care of it and relax.” Shawn couldn’t tell Jennette the truth…he was enamored with her. He loved her light brown hair, long legs and beautiful curves. Her heart was even sweeter and sexier. \nJennette shook her head and rolled her eyes. “So then why don’t you?” \n“Why…wha…what does it matter?” \n“I just…” Jennette took a breath…”I hate to see you like this. It’s starting to kill me.” \n“I appreciate the support, Jenn, I really do. I just don’t don’t think love is worth it. Maybe my mind’ll change someday…I don’t fuckin’ know…Maybe love just isn’t worth my time?” \nJennette was tired of this. She accepted the risk of lookin absolutely crazy….but worried about the dynamics of the connection she had with Shawn would change negatively. She turned to Shawn. \n“You’re fucking ridiculous,” Jennette replied, walking closer to Shawn. “This is bullshit.” \nShawn wasn’t sure what he was hearing. “Excuse me?” \nJennette gently grabbed Shawns face, and kissed him for a few seconds. It was a kiss of love, passion, and pent up frustration. Shawn was still bewildered by what Jennette had said. It took him a few more seconds before he could begin to process what had even happened next. \n‘Jennette just kissed me mid-rant,’ thought Shawn, ‘…what the fuck?’ Shawn couldn’t make sense of what had all happened within the last minute. He thought Jennette was acting weird. \n“How…how dare you kiss me? The fuck is….” Shawn wasn’t sure what to say. He trailed off realizing what Jennette had done, and he was stunned silent once again. \nJennette was stunned by his reaction. She assumed he wasn’t happy with her…was the friendship over? Did she cross a line? She felt incredibly mortified. She felt the need to leave Shawn’s apartment. \n“Oh my God,” she gasped, looking at Shawn, “I’m so sorry.” She grabbed her coat and started heading for the door. \nShawn didn’t want her to go. ‘Holy, shit….she wanted me, too…just like I want her…’, thought Shawn. ‘Fuck, I’m an asshole! FUCK!’ He wasn’t sure what to say to Jennette to make her stop. \nJennette opened the door and started for the hall. She made it halfway to the elevator when she felt someone grab her wrist. \nShawn. \nJennette felt as though she was going to have a panic attack. She was so embarrassed. She was on the verge of tears. Shawn sensed her panic. He gently cupped her face in his hands. \n“Do it again.” \nJennette wasn’t sure if he was serious. “What?” \nShawn smiled. “This,” he whispered, as he kissed Jennette softly. Jennette almost became a puddle in that moment. When they broke apart, Jennette couldn’t speak for a moment…she took Shawn’s and they walked back towards his apartment. When they got back inside, Jennette shut the door and wouldn’t let Shawn’s hand go immediately. \n“Wow,” Jennette said, beaming. \nShawn placed his hands on Jennette’s waist. “I’ve been wanting to do that for weeks now…I was nervous to tell you…didn’t want to turn you away.” \nJennette placed her arms around Shawn. “Turn me away? No…that was way too fun. \nShawn was hungry for more. “Do it again…?” \nJennette smiled, as they locked lips passionately.", "A small crowd circles around us. \n\n“How dare you put your lips on me?!”\n\nMaya closes the distance between us and whispers in my ear.\n\n“Can you… do it again?”\n\n“Why?“\n\n“Just… do it, please.”\n\nShe gives me the biggest puppy eyes ever seen, and it melts away any resistance I have to her request.\n\n“Fine.”\n\nI reach in to kiss her. Once again, she punches me. This time, it sends me to the ground.\n\n“Ack! What the hell?!”\n\nThe crowd cheers, taunting me relentlessly. Apparently, I’m not in Maya’s “league”. \n\nShe grabs me by the shirt in exaggerated fashion. \n\n“Moron! You think you’re in my league?! Don’t make me laugh!”\n\nMaya looks around, like she’s waiting for them to be distracted. Then she whispers in my ear again. \n\n“Sorry about that.”\n\n“Whaddya mean-“\n\nShe covers my mouth.\n\n“Lower your voice. They’ll hear us.”\n\n“Just why did you do that?”\n\n“Look, my friends saw you talking to me. And… I need to prove that I’m not dating you.”\n\n“Why not just tell me to brush you off? Why make me look like some stupid pervert?”\n\n“I… didn’t think it through.”\n\n“Clearly.”\n\nShe frowns.\n\n“Whatever. You just, uh, fall back down and scurry off. I’ll make it up you later.”\n\n“You better!”\n\nI pretend to stumble, before falling to the ground again. \n\n“Ah… ah…. AHHHHHHH! Umf!”\n\nThe crowd loses it. \n\nI pick myself up. She has to pay me back for this.", "*Kiss and Make Up\n\nSnow swirled on the rooftop of Neutron industries, Star City's tallest skyscraper, a modern day coliseum where those more than human did battle. Dr. Neutron was up to his old tricks again, threatening to detonate an electromagnetic pulse bomb, cripple the city's power grid and bring it to its knees. His eternal nemesis, Fuzion, had to stop him, like she always did. The two were locked in a standoff.\n\nThe superheroine powered up. Her long orange hair stood on end, her matching cape furiously flapped in the surge of power. Green nuclear flames raged in her pupils, matched her green domino mask. An explosion of swirling plasma exploded from Fuzion's fist. The mad doctor merely raised his gloved hand, absorbing the attack. Steam billowed from the glove.\n\n\"Good thing I'm wearing safety goggles, that would have singed my eyebrows. Don't tell me that* was your best shot.\" Neutron smugly smiled at his adversary, running his hand through his wavy grey hair. \"Allow me to retort.\" In Dr. Neutron's hand even the simplest objects could become weapons of mass destruction. He tightly packed a large snowball, tossing it lightly in his hand, letting the core form into pure hydrogen.\n\nA weapon is only useful with a good delivery system, Neutron was a man of science, not an athlete, his throw landed at Fuzion's feet, no kaboom either.\n\nFuzion chuckled. \"Good arm doc, that went a whole.....five feet.\" She teased.\n\n\"It's cold, haven't had time to let my arm warm up.\" Neutron windmilled his right arm trying to get the old blood flowing. \"Give me one more try.\" Neutron began forming another weapon, a blast of green flames from Fuzion's eyes melted the snow around him.\n\n\"Come on Doc, why would I give you another chance? Running out of tricks already?\" She mocked.\n\nNeutron slyly smiled. \"Far from it. Just needed you to stay still for a second, make sure the payload lands in the right spot.\" He turned his gaze upwards.\n\nFuzion followed suit. A clear dome descended from the clouds, slamming down around Fuzion, trapping her.\n\nNeutron slowly paced around the dome. \"This certainly fits the holiday aesthetic. Want me to toss in some snow and shake you around? Really get the snowglobe effect?\" Neutron's sinister laugh echoed from the rooftop. Fuzion banged her fist on the dome. Neutron tapped on it.\n\n\"Punch it all you want, you're not going to break it. Nano carbon, one thousand times stronger than diamond, not even your immeasurable strength could crack it, much less destroy it. For your own safety I should let you know something, the material takes Newton's third law quite seriously.\" Neutron loved delivering a monologue, he didn't do it nearly enough for his liking.\n\nFuzion cocked her head curiously as she paced around the enclosure.\n\nNeutron sighed. \"If you attack it...it attacks you back. That's the point I was trying to make. Well no delaying the inevitable. I'll figure out what to do with you soon, but back to business. Take a look at those brilliant city lights darling, it's the last time anyone ever will. Enjoy the show.\" Neutron strolled along the rooftop to board his War Zeppelin, needed to make sure the bomb went off in precisely the right spot.\n\nHe decided to take one last look at his nemesis in the light. She was gone. Neutron lifted his goggles, squinting through the snowflakes. A gust of warm air tickled his ear, soft lips pressed against it.\n\n\"Another swing and a miss. You really thought that would work? Didn't you?\" Fuzion whispered softly.\n\n\"How did you?\"\n\nFuzion reached down into her boot, Neutron snuck a peek down her cleavage, Fuzion noticed. She retrieved a small glass tube filled with a swirling galaxy. \"Borrowed this from you, came in handy.\"\n\n\"That's where my short range wormhole generator went. I've been looking for that. You never cease to amaze me.\" Neutron embraced Fuzion, planting a deep kiss on her lips.\n\n\"How DARE you kiss me!? Do it again....please.\" Fuzion asked sheepishly.\n\nNeutron laughed, a wholesome laugh this time around. \"Knew that would make you break character. Can I ask a favor honey?\"\n\nFuzion snuck in another kiss. \"Shoot.\"\n\n\"How come I always have to lose? Be nice to have at least one victory during our sparring sessions.\" Neutron admitted.\n\nFuzion flipped her hair back, she leaned in close to whisper into his ear again. \"If the hero doesn't win, it's not a happy ending. I know how much you like those....\" She purred, taking Neutron's hand, leading him up the steps onto the War Zeppelin.\n\n\\-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThanks for reading. If you enjoyed this check out more at r/StarCityChronicles", "A great knight is expected to battle many dangers in life. From dangerous terrain to monsters larger than life, there’s no rest for the weary. My days are often faced with trials and tribulations only befitting a hero of legend.\n\nToday was no different.\n\nI conquered the darkness underneath my bed, undeterred by the monsters lurking within. I wrangled a furry four-legged beast into submission and even dared to confront the green demons that plagued my evening meal. Despite these obstacles, I made it through the day relatively unscathed. Or so I thought.\n\nWhen subduing Max, our four-legged beast of legend, I was wounded in the most pitiful of ways. Max’s altercation with a squirrel led to chaos, and despite my super-strength, the leash I tethered to my furry friend dragged me to the ground. While I was able to control the beast in the end, the scrapes on my knees and elbows bore wounds so horrific, I may never walk again.\n\nBut I’m a hero.\n\nI remained strong.\n\nWell, until my evening bath.\n\nThat woman that cares for me attempted to remove my pants despite my protests that no fair maiden should witness wounds as bad as mine. But her words were kind, and my dissent soon withered under her persistence. Her eyes widened as she took in my body's trauma, but she claimed to have just the medication to fix it.\n\nHer lips soon puckered, and she planted the softest kisses on each knee.\n\nHow dare she kiss me?\n\nThe great knight of legend does not require such treatment.\n\n…\n\nBut my wounds did feel better.\n\nI asked her to kiss them again, just to make sure they were okay.\n\nAfter all, I, the great knight of legend, had to be ready for the battles of the next day." ]	7
	[WP] You died as a victim of a horrific accident. Death takes pity on you and decides to give you a second chance at living, but you stubbornly refuse because you hated your life. Death tries to convince you to take your life back.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "When most people say they laughed death in the face, they don’t normally mean it literally. But there I was, facing Death with a capital “D” and all I could think as I wiped tears from my cheeks was “What a stupid fucking idea.”\n\n“How odd…this isn’t the reaction I anticipated.” Death’s long fingers twitched at their side, whether in frustration or similar humor, I couldn’t tell. “Most people fight tooth and nail to hold onto life. You’ve been offered an easy way back.”\n\nI tried my best to catch my breath to answer, but with every moment of composure came another round of chuckles which grew into full-blown hysterics. After years of numbness, who would have thought that Death, the eternal void, the end of everything, the decaying darkness itself, would be the one to make me feel? \n\nFinally, with Death ever-patient (I’d hope so after all their experience), I regained some semblance of control and sighed, “Nah, I think I’m good to move on.” \n\nDeath crossed the small distance between us. We had stood on opposite sides of my mangled body, spirits untethered to the mortal plane but present all the same. Now, we looked down at what once was me, side by side, and I could only wonder if everyone got a front row seat of their death (lower “d”) or if I was unique in getting a special viewing of my last curtain call. In the distance, I could hear the wail of an ambulance a few city blocks away. \n\n“You would reject your one chance at rebirth for the uncertainty of the unknown?” Death seemed to be gazing at me, but it was hard to tell. Eternal presences didn’t prioritize eye contact. \n\n“Honestly, it sounds more exciting than the job interview I was heading to before…well, you know.” I sighed. So many years spent trying to just get the next paycheck, keeping the lights on, making next month’s rent, stubbornly dumping water out of a perpetually sinking boat — I was a little surprised myself that I was so willing to give up the fight. \n\n“Look dude, you don’t get it. Life is just a blip to a being like you. But for me, it was endless. All I wanted was a little job security and I couldn’t even get that,” I rolled my eyes at the possibility of a being like Death wondering where the next paycheck came from. “Not like you have to worry about losing your job any time soon”\n\nWe stood in silence for a moment as we watched the paramedics arrive. I thought I felt a slight tingle in my ghostly wrist as EMTs searched for a pulse. \n\n“Job security you say?” Death murmured.\n\n———\n\nI watched as she took her first steps, as she learned to drive. I was there at her first college party and silently guarded while a friend held her hair back. When her first love broke her heart, I was tempted to respond much more violently than she did. But each moment reminded me this was what she wanted. \n\nDeath goes by Sam now and I go by Death. “Job security, what a joke,” I muttered to myself. But for all my continued cynicism, death becomes me. It’s the most alive I’ve felt in…well, ever, really. \n\nAnd when Sam gets old — after she’s experienced life in ways only humanity can — when she says goodbye, surrounded by her loved ones and family, I’ll be here to welcome her home.", "“No I don’t want it!” I told Death.\n\n“You should take it. This is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity.” She said.\n\n“I said no! I don’t want to live! Not again! I never want to go through that again!” I walked away from her and sat down on what I assumed was the floor in this vast empty void, legs ticked into my chest with my arms wrapped around them. “I’ve suffered enough, I just want to go to the afterlife!”\n\nDeath made her way towards me and sat next to me. I saw the way she was sitting, her legs dangling as if there was some ledge I couldn’t see right in front of me. I put my legs out to see and sure enough it was there.\n\n“It’s just a small ledge.” She told me. “This space we’re in is mine to control. I call it the processing room. It can be as big or as small as I like, and only I know the full layout.” She scooted closer to me and put her left hand on my right shoulder. “Tell me, why do you not want this?”\n\nI hugged my legs tighter. “My parents didn’t love me. Sure they claimed they did, but it was all a lie. They always kept reminding me of all the good things they did for me if I ever stepped out of line, like I was some kind of investment. ‘We do these things for you, so why can’t you do the same for us’ they’d say. It’s like they never did those things because they loved me, it was only if they could get something out of it. \n\n“Not to mention they never trusted me. They treated me like I was some kind of lazy delinquent making up excuses so I wouldn’t do things. I never wanted to ride a bike because I couldn’t balance myself on it, but they forced me to anyways. I hated our backyard because I was terrified of the grasshoppers that lived there, but they forced me to go out there anyway. They just kept forcing me to do thing I didn’t want to do, they never took no for an answer.\n\n“And they never helped me with anything. They never told me how to talk to people, they never told me how to cook, they didn’t tell me how to manage money. They never taught me anything. I was always too scared to ask for help as a result, and I was always socially anxious because o didn’t know how to talk to people!”\n\nI turned and looked over at death. “Please.” I begged her. “Don’t make me go through that again.”\n\nDeath scooted closer and hugged me. “I’m sorry you went through that.” She said. “It sounds like you were never loved. But everyone deserves to be loved, no matter who they are. And I know you want to feel that more than anything.”\n\nDeath released her grip on me and wakes her hand in front of us. An image of a young adult couple cuddling with each other appeared in front of us. It appeared as if they were expecting a child.\n\n“These people are expecting their first child. They love kids and they would never do any of the things your first parents did. I can see into their souls, they truly want what’s best for their child.” Death turned to face me. “How about I make you their child?”\n\nI stared at the photo in front of us from a few seconds, then turned to Death. “Are you sure about this?”\n\n“Of course.” Death said. “And I’ll even throw in a bonus too: you’ll keep your old memories and experiences from your past life so you have an advantage. I’ll remove the fear and anxiety though so you won’t have to worry about that holding you back.”\n\nI looked away from death and back at the photo. They really did seem like a nice couple. And they’d actually love me. Plus I can keep my old memo so I won’t make the same mistakes. This really is a new opportunity for me. I felt tears streaming down my face as I leans over to Death and hugged her tightly.\n\n“Thank you. Thank you for doing this for me.”" ]	3
	[WP] You are a cartographer, and some have complained about your overly complex maps. So, what it if includes pocket dimensions and alternate timelines? Someone’s gotta do it!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "- No, no, this is too complicated. I just want to go from point A to point B. I cannot even read this thing! \n\n- Dear sir, this is top of the notch map. Most clientele would kill for this kind of masterpiece. Do you know how many cartographers include pocket dimensions and alternative timelines on their maps?\n\nThe costumer puts his hat on and strides to the door of the store - Zero, I guess -\n\n- Thats right, good sir! Zero, because I am the b...- closing of the door interrupts Marcus last word. In his store full of maps and other kinds of items adventurers need, the owl turns to him and says: - I told you. Why don't you just make plain old maps?\n\n- Why? Because I have my pride to withheld, thats why.- The owl pffted. -You and your stupid pride. And in the meantime we dont have any money.-\n\nThe store is just about to get closed and there enters a man with hawaian t-shirt, flip-flops and safari hat. The colorful man looks around the store - Oh, my, that is just what I am looking for! -\n\nMarcus rubs his hands. - Hello, my good fellow. How can I help you? -\n\n- Hey. I'm new around here. I'm looking for...for some kind of map who can take me to see some interesting events. Major events. But events who passed away. Like wedding of King George and Queen Martha. My wife would really, really like to see that. -\n\n- So, you are looking for some maps with time loops which can travel back in time? - \n\n- Yes, but nothing too fancy though.-\n\nMarcus is trying to find something behind the counter - Not this, no, this is for dimensions, oh this has dust on it...okay, here it goes. This will do just fine - Marcus puts a colorful map on the table which sparkles with magic.\n\n- Oh yeah, that is what I am looking for! How much for it?-\n\n- Oh, not much, how about 50 gold pieces. -\n\n- Wow, that seems kind of pricey. How about 30?- -40!- -Done-\n\nAfter a colorful tourist walks out of the store, the owl turns to Marcus: - You didnt told him, did you?.- Marcus smirks - Well, he wanted the map which will lead to royal marriage. He didnt specify in what timeline. -\n\n- You know - the owl responds - you could easily just draw ordinary map for same pric..- -Oh, shut up!- Marcus responds as he bangs the owl on the head with a curled map." ]	2
	[WP] Today, December 21st, 2022, is the first time that a nuclear fusion experiment has produced more energy than it required. You're a reporter investigating the situation, but someone representing an oil company is contacting you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It's pretty much as I expected. The scientists told the absolute truth, and the mainstream media screwed it up. Why can't they send someone like me? I do not know. Still, I'm here, and I can and will publish the information in a way that the average man will understand and will believe me when I say we've got a long way to go.\n\n\"Excuse me? Are you Mr. Tall from the science news channel?\"\n\nJust from the oil slick on his head, he reeks of monied interest. \"We have nothing to discuss. Good day.\" I brush past him and slip into the National Ignition Facility. Honestly, it was a bit of a scam when it started. Rather than spend the time needed to improve the laser technology to the point that laser inertial confinement might stand a chance of working or combining it with some sort of magnetic continent that might give better results, they just went massive with whatever worked to generate a laser with the cheapest technology available.\n\nIt isn't like they had a choice; existing laser tech back then wasn't up to the job. Besides, their real goal — at that time — was data for fusion bomb simulations. We needed that data, but no one was going to approve it under that name. Test ban treaties meant we had to simulate our new designs, and we did not have the essential data to feed into the models.\n\nOf course, once we had that data, NIF had to try for the big bang. Fusion output greater than the energy input. And in a way, a very crooked way, they achieved that goal.\n\nThe laser energy applied to the target did trigger fusion. That fusion did output energy in excess of the actual laser power that impacted the target.\n\nAnd that is where the mainstream media closed their notepads, turned off their recorders, and tuned out.\n\nNo one paid any attention to the fact that the total electrical energy that went into generating those lasers was orders of magnitude larger than the total of the laser energy supplied and the fusion output combined.\n\nFusion is hard, fusion that truly returns more net energy than you put in, accounting for all the power, is impossible at the NIF As It Is Currently Constructed.\n\nIn short, \"Good job on engineering and figuring out how to make it happen at all.\" Beaming, \"Thank you!\" \"How long until you have net energy out in excess of total energy in?\" \"Oh, maybe twenty years.\" Same story, different day.\n\nI mean, it is a notable achievement. Don't get me wrong, I am impressed! But. I have to look at this like a layman primarily interested in his wallet.\n\n\"How long until my electric bills drop?\" Minimum, 20 years.\n\n\"How much is it going to cost?\" Minimum? Billions and Billions.\n\n\"Is there any way to make it happen sooner?\" I dunno, more money?\n\n\"When can I have a Mr. Fusion?\" Look, I am a science reporter, not a science fiction author! \"There's a difference!?\" Ah... I'll get back to you on that.\n\nOn my way out, the moving oil slick was still waiting. \"So, what did they say?\"\n\n\"You can read it when you pay for it.\"\n\n\"How about I offer you one million dollars to write the story the way I want it to sound?\"\n\nFigures. He's looking to torpedo fusion. \"Who do you work for?\"\n\n\"I represent a number of prominent citizens who feel that the NIF is a boondoggle that should be shut down.\"\n\n\"Name names or go away.\" I'm still walking to my car.\n\n\"Off the record?\"\n\n\"Don't be stupid. If I take your money, I'll damn well want to know who's talking.\"\n\n\"That did not answer the question.\"\n\n\"Nope.\" This one has a brain. \"Tell me what you want the story to say.\"\n\nWhat he wanted me to say was exactly what I had planned to say. Now, that leaves me in a bit of a quandary. Do I take the money and write the article as I intended? Or do I turn it down to preserve my journalistic ethics? Or can I get him to open up and turn this into an exposé on big companies distorting the truth? Only they won't be distorting the truth. Or have they already done so?\n\n\"Did anyone pay mainstream to report it wrong?\"\n\n\"Those idiots? Not hardly. You can give them a bald list of facts and they'll still screw it up.\" Thinking about the list in my pocket, he's right. Also, damn, there went that exposé angle.\n\n\"What if I told you that what you want me to report exactly matches what I intended to report before we talked?\"\n\n\"Then take the money and run with it. With that kind of money, after taxes, of course, you can do some serious science journalism.\"\n\n\"Except if I write anything you don't like, you can let slip that I was paid off to write this article.\"\n\nHe's silent, but I can see him thinking \"This one is smart.\" So I say, \"Yes, I am.\" He twitches hard. Got ya! A rueful smile is further confirmation. \"You are apparently as smart as I am; what convinced you to take this job?\"\n\n\"Mounting debt and a wongaload of cash, no questions.\"\n\n\"How does it feel, wearing their collar?\"\n\n\"It chafes, but the money buys plenty of skin cream.\"\n\nI'm getting a vibe from this character. \"You want an out? One that ditches the collar?\"\n\n\"Say on.\"\n\nWe take my car to a local fast food joint—one with a rep for privacy. There, we lay out our campaign. If it goes as expected, we will both be on the lecture circuit. Good money for telling the truth about the sordid attempts of moneyed interests to twist the media to their liking. If it doesn't? Well, we may both be living out of my car.\n\nAmid our plotting, another oily individual shows up.\n\n\"Mr. Tall, you should know that the gentleman you speak with is a con man. He does not work for anyone, has no valid information to back his words, and has a criminal record.\"\n\n\"Oh? And you are not in the same boat as soon as you sit down and start talking with us?\"\n\n\"Not at all!\"\n\n\"Then sit, and we can talk.\"\n\nAn hour later, it was lather, rinse, repeat. My original friend was sniggering, the new guy was steamed, and the third guy looked on in confusion.\n\nFive hours later, the count was up to twenty. \"Do you think we have enough for a class action suit?\"\n\n((cont))" ]	2
	[WP] Santa Claus fulfills wishes on Christmas lists but he follows monkey paw rules.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, a wailing cry woke a solitary mouse.\n\n\"ALFREEED!\" Young Timmy sobbed.\n\nThe butler, dutiful and wise, turned the corner, and wished for his demise. For young Timmy sat, beneath the Christmas tree. His presents unwrapped, as if in a furious killing spree. Ribbons and tape and cards galore, left in terrible shreds upon the floor.\n\n\"Yes young Master?\" Alfred asked.\n\n\"Where's my bike?\" Young Timmy demanded.\n\nAlfred sighed, shaking his head. If only he could club the child, and drag him back to bed.\n\n\"Your bike? Your bike sir, is on its way.\" Alfred said gently. \"If you'd waited until the morning, it would have been ready.\"\n\n\"What good is it, on its way?\" Young Timmy snarled. He wiped the snot from his nose. \"It needs to be here! It needs to stay!\"\n\nAlfred put his hands on his hips, feeling unwell. Since the father was out, it was his job to keep the young Master swell.\n\nBefore he could answer, there was a knock on the door. Perhaps the father had returned early, as he'd never before?\n\nHe dared to hope, for the light in Timmy's eyes was almost too much to cope. The young Master burst forth from the tree. He rounded the corner and opened the door to see-\n\n\"Ho Ho Ho!\" Greeted a man in a red vest. \"You're little Timmy, yes?\"\n\nYoung Timmy looked the man up and down. His eyes lost their sparkle. His lips grew a frown.\n\n\"You're fat and creepy.\" Young Timmy said.\n\n\"Excuse me sir.\" Alfred greeted. \"It is late, and we must get to bed.\"\n\n\"Oh ho ho!\" Said the man in the vest. \"But I've brought presents for you. Only the very best!\"\n\nYoung Timmy folded his arms and turned up his nose.\n\n\"If it's not a bike in your bag, I don't want to know.\"\n\n\"We have no interest in the things that you sell.\" Alfred insisted, hand on the door.\n\n\"I bring you a gift, no charge!\" The man said, setting his sack on the floor. He opened it up, but neither Alfred nor Timmy could see. He reached in, to his shoulder, and pulled out a bell, nestled in some beads.\n\n\"This here is a bell that calls to your heart.\" The man said, with a grin so smart. \"Just ring it thrice, and three things are yours, at no price.\"\n\n\"That's very nice.\" Alfred sighed, growing impatient. \"Take the bell young Master, and do be gracious.\"\n\nYoung Timmy frowned, doubting the creep. But he took the bell, as he was ready to sleep.\n\n\"Thank you sir. . . What's your name?\" Young Timmy asked, bored of this game.\n\n\"Oh, I visit this world every winter's tick.\" The man said with glee. \"If you don't know me, call me Saint Nick!\"\n\nThey said their goodbyes, and the door was shut to the cold. Alfred leaned against the door, feeling quite old.\n\n\"Off to bed with you sir.\" He said to young Timmy.\n\n\"Sure, sure. There in a Jiffy.\"\n\nTimmy took a look at the bell, and found himself awed. A brilliant gold gleamed, with rivets and streams of animal faces. He found no flaw, save a chip in the rim.\n\nHe took the bell, and held it high. Thinking of bikes so hard he could cry.\n\nThen he rang.\n\n\"Young Master!\" Alfred cried from the other room.\n\nTimmy rushed into the living room. There stood a brand new bike, just as he imagined it. Bright red body, a honker on its handle, twenty-one gears and disc brakes on both wheels.\n\n\"Yes!\" Timmy shouted in delight. He leapt onto the bike and kicked up the stand. He started riding all throughout the house, Alfred hot on his heels.\n\n\"Young Master! Come back!\" He said, worried sick. This was not normal.\n\n\"No way old man!\" Timmy snapped. He turned the corner and kept pedaling, keeping a steady pace ahead of the butler.\n\nBut Alfred was clever. He knew the route Timmy could take. So he took a left when Timmy took a right. And a few moments later, he stood right in Timmy's path.\n\n\"Stop!\" Alfred said.\n\nTimmy tried to brake. But he was too slow. Or rather, too fast. The bike crashed into Alfred, sending the boy into the air. He landed on the soft carpet. Unharmed, he bounced up, looking to his butler.\n\n\"You ruined my fun!\" Timmy yelled. He waited to get carted off. Waited for Alfred to yell, to discipline him. To tell him he needed to stop being happy.\n\nBut Alfred only gurgled. Timmy got a closer look, and recoiled in horror.\n\nThe bike's front tire had split down the middle. Rows and rows of teeth opened up like curtains, chewing into Alfred's belly. Ripping at his flesh like a cat, it's red body growing brighter and brighter. Alfred clawed at it weakly, his throat gurgling. His hand pawed the honker, and it squeaked in delight.\n\nThen Alfred fell back into the floor, a most awful sight.\n\nThe bike looked up from its meal, hot breath wheezing from it's tire. It seemed to notice Timmy, and started forward, leaving tracks of blood in its wake.\n\nTimmy ran. The bike gave chase.\n\nAs he ran, Timmy held up the bell. The crack in the rim had grown larger. He gulped, and rang it.\n\n\"Send the bike back!\" He yelled.\n\nSuddenly, a lurch in his stomach. He turned, and the bike still followed. He ran for the front door, opening it.\n\nOutside, a realm of fire and blood greeted him. He was far from the snowy grounds of his home. Imps danced in pools of red. Screams rang out like demented carolers. Timmy turned around, but the bike stood between him and home.\n\nThe bike lunged, and Timmy rolled underneath. He got to the door and shut it, pulling the latch closed. The door rattled and honked as the bike threw itself against it.\n\nTimmy held his hands to his ears, screaming and shaking his head.\n\n\"I want my mom! I WANT MY MOM!\"\n\nAnd the bell rang, splitting in two.\n\n\"Son?\" A voice gently said from the stairs.\n\nTimmy looked up, and there she was. Her body lifted from the grave, growing from the wood of the stairs like a dried rose. She wore the same dress she wore at the funeral. Timmy reached out.\n\n\"Mom?\" He quivered.\n\n\"I wish I could tell you its okay.\" Mom said, tears running down her face. \"But its not. It won't be.\"\n\n\"Mom?\"\n\n\"Die son. Kill yourself. Before he gets you. . .\" And her corpse went still.\n\n\"Mom! No! Mom, come back!\" Timmy rushed to her side, trying to hug her, but she was growing out from the wood. All he could do was nestle next to her, neck awkwardly bent by the stairs. He wept.\n\nA hand fell upon his shoulder. Timmy jumped. It was the man in the vest. Saint Nick. Smiling to an awful degree.\n\n\"Hello Timmy.\"\n\n\"Why?\" Timmy said, wiping tears from his face. \"Why would you lead me to such an awful place?\"\n\n\"Oh Timmy, you are sweet. Mother dead, Father deadbeat.\" Said Saint Nick. \"Your grief is a well, and I've had my fill. It is much sweeter when the water is still. Yes Timmy, you've had quite the go.\"\n\nSaint Nick leaned in close.\n\n\"But that means your soul was mine. Long, long ago.\"" ]	2
	[WP] A HFY story in which humans are vastly superior in terms of technology and physiology, but vastly inferior in morals and rapidly become the Bigger Bad force of the galaxy. We are so evil and impossibly dangerous that even the other Big Bads work with democracies to defeat us.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/Epictauk, this submission has been removed.\n\nNo recent reposts, even if changing small details Also, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\n\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\n\nIn this case, it falls under our current [retired list](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules/retired_prompt_themes) \n\n\n\n* [From Rule 5: No recent reposts, even if changing small details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/zuskmq/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] An angel is cast down from heaven to earth for saving a demon baby's life.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I stare at the heavens as it becomes smaller and smaller, the feathers of my wings all gone. Falling for saving a life, I simply followed god’s words. To show forgiveness for those who have done wrong, if a demon is not life then I’ll gladly fall into hell if the heavens are so one-sided. But I do not wish to become someone who hurts others…\n\nI take one of the last remaining feathers from my wing, I hold the feather itself and point it up to the heavens, and with a flick, I shoot it up aiming for the center. I sha’ll leave my mark even if I am not there anymore before flipping over to face the earth, it’s a beautiful sight with the trees growing to reach the skies and the vibrant water that bring life. Stretching out my arms and legs as I then fall into the water.\n\nI’m surrounded by darkness before I reach the surface, swimming to keep myself afloat. Now I am a human but my knowledge remains, my memories, my teachings, my experiences…with this, I will therefore change heaven and its ways to prevent those who try to be as merciful as I am into this cold, salty water. Even if it means hell.\n\nPerhaps, I should defy god himself.", "Michael warned me - \"Lauriel, Demons can't have children!\" his wings surround us shielding our conversation, \"how'd that...that thing landed in processing, god knows!\" Michael pointed his sword at a baby. I just looked at her eyes. Her plush cheeks, and tanned new skin. She cooed at the shiny and flaming sword, absolutely endearing. Disgust flashed on Michael's face.To mortals, a normal mortal child. We knew otherwise. \n\n\"Look... Michael\" I compromised, \"we established that a demon can't be here, literally impossible, I know you are the warrior of heaven on earth but every offsping that enters this realm gets a gaurdian angel - God's word\" I pointed to the words etched into the wall of stone. \n\n\"a gaurdian for all\" \n\n\"all being that\" I pointed. The child clapped. Michael squinted his 3 eyes. \n\n\"what if...?\" His sword moved closer to the child. \n\n\"nope! If its obliterated, can't get a gaurdian angel need to - you know - live first\" Michael sighs. \n\n\"all demon's must be obliterated, \" Michael spoke, \"you better take responsibility! Personally!\" He sheathed his sword, the flame estinguished and twisted space back to his post. I breathed, my legs giving out, conflict averted. The baby waddled toward me and plopted her tush down next to me. \n\n\"Hmm looks like I got demoted\" the baby purred patting my wings in comfort, \" so tell me\" I looked at her, \"anti-christ, Jesus 2.0 what the deal?\" \n\nShe gave me a puzzeled look and sighed out \"I don't know man! I got ran over by a truck... Gatta tell you the truth - this isekai is wack!\" \n\n- \"Reincarnated in a Wacky Planet called Earth and all I got to show for it was a Gaurdian Angel\"", "I move through the world constantly. Watching. Listening. Smelling for the signs of those who need my benison. Mercy. The touch that soothes. The encouraging word. The moment's relief gives the sufferer a chance to understand that they can succeed. The task, as impossible as it may seem, has a purpose; their lives have meaning.\n\nI am at Miss Nightingale's side as she moves among the troops. I stand with her as she speaks out against ignorance and callousness. I grant her a moment's relief against those who berate her as a useless woman. I help her see the soldiers who thank her from the bottom of their hearts for being there for caring in their last moments.\n\nI travel the world dispensing my very essence, mercy, to all who need it without let or hindrance.\n\nIt is how I am made. It is what I do. I can do no other; to do so would be the greatest of sins, to go against my creator's will.\n\n••• \n\nI sense distress. There is one in this vil who is hurting. Where everyone seems happy, there is yet one who stands in need, at the very edge of death, uncomprehending the reason for their suffering.\n\nThe scene I come across is a mockery of what I am. A young mother, unconscious, her babe still lying between her legs as cruel men seek to beat her and the child to death.\n\nThe young woman feels my touch and has but one thought. \"My baby.\" She passes from this world with the blessing of Our Lord. The babe... My God! This babe is half demon?! Yet the soul is unstained, not tainted with even the slightest corruption. What these men plan is the death of an innocent. There is no time for subtlety. I stand before them, \"This child is innocent! You have already murdered a young woman who fell victim to one evil only to fall to your insensate rage!\"\n\n\"She was a whore who spread her legs to any man, bad enough, but to spread her legs for the devil? For that sin, she deserved to die!\"\n\n\"She came to each of you for aid when she was orphaned. She asked only for sustenance in exchange for honest labor. You each chose to abuse her, considering her only fit for a handful of pennies and a moment's dalliance, breaking your oaths to your wives given before god. When she fell victim to a deception that none of you saw through, she came to each of you begging for assistance, praying that you would show mercy in her hour of need. You turned your guilt upon her, blamed her for your weakness, and raged upon her already weak body. You are murderers now. Carry the mark of your act upon your faces forevermore.\"\n\nI snatch up the child and its mother's body. Whisking them away to a chapel in a mountain meadow that I know of. The monk who maintains this chapel is known to me but does not know who or what I am. Only that I sometimes travel with those who need services beyond what I can provide.\n\n\"Ho! The Chapel! A traveler in need!\"\n\nDaniel pops open the door and calls out, \"Hurry! The storm is nearly upon us!\"\n\nI leave her body laid straight in the chapel and took myself and the babe to Daniel's abode.\n\n\"Raphael! And you have a babe? What is this? Come in! Quickly!\"\n\n\"There is more, Daniel. The mother lies straight in the chapel, yet she will keep for the night. This babe, on the other hand, needs sustenance that I cannot provide.\"\n\nDaniel reaches out to take the child, and nearly drops the babe before he gathers his courage. \"Raphael, this being, is not human. It bears the mark of the devil. Yet I can sense that its soul is still pure. What can you tell me?\"\n\nI tell him the whole story. Including who and what I am. My motivation comes from Our Lord, and I can do no other.\n\n\"I see, Raphael. I see that you are in a terrible bind. The child is the seed of a demon, born from evil and destined for evil from its very birth.\"\n\n\"Will you assist me?\"\n\nThe babe takes that moment to tug on Daniel's robe. Daniel looks down, and his face softens. \"Yes, such innocence must have its chance.\"\n\nWe raise that child, and I spend all the time I can, teaching Belial to master himself, who his mother was, that her last thought was for his safety. Between us, we do our best to teach Belial kindness and forgiveness.\n\nOthers are less forgiving.\n\n\"Raphael.\"\n\nI have dreaded this encounter, \"Michael.\" I have no intention of letting Michael, the Leader of the Host, touch Belial.\n\n\"Where is the demon?\"\n\n\"What demon?\"\n\n\"The demon you have succored these years. The one you know full well is tainted from birth and destined to evil.\"\n\n\"There is a child, now a well-grown man, who was born with a pure soul, despite his origin. He remains pure enough to receive the sacrament. Is that the blameless man you mean? Remember, his mother was human, a good girl abused by guilt-ridden men who slew her and would have killed another innocent of all sin.\"\n\n\"It is a demon!\"\n\n\"He is a good man guilty of nothing!\"\n\n\"You thwart Our Lord's will!\"\n\n\"I follow the Will of Our Lord God who made me the embodiment of Mercy! Would you have me disobey my purpose!?\"\n\nThat set him back. \"Raphael, angelic mercy must always be tempered by Our Lord God's will.\"\n\n\"And I have prayed for guidance and received only satisfaction. Our Lord God has not chastised me, nor has he ordered me to deliver the child. I cannot do anything other than I am made to do, and that young man is still innocent of evil.\"\n\nIn that moment, I am cast from Heaven and into a mortal body. I am Raphael in truth now, mortal as any man, and cut off from Our Lord God. I cry out in horror. Have I sinned? I cannot think so. Yet I now face the greatest torment any angel can face, being cut off from God. I was isolated from the Host.\n\nBelial burst into my room, concern on his face. \"Raphael! What happened?\"\n\nShaking, I answer. \"A terrible nightmare. I fear we are in danger.\"\n\n\"Nightmares can be warnings or deceptions, Raphael. Or so a wise man once told me.\" I smile as he turns my words back to me.\n\n\"You have learned well. And I will take your words to heart. Let us finish our sleep and face the new day refreshed.\"\n\n((continue?))", "I was created to be merciful.\n\nThat, amongst the Host, was my purpose and my task and my entire being. Others were called to different tasks - to stand guard with flaming swords, to pursue the Enemy into the depths, to sound the trumpets or bear His Word. But I was called - called and created - to be merciful.\n\nTo be a balm to lost souls, a comfort to sinners crying out in anguish. To be the grace of martyrs, bearing them from their torments. This is my duty and my self.\n\nHow did I sin to be so punished? The only crime for the Host is that of choice - to deviate from our allotted circuit, to claim Will we were not granted. I did not break my bond, outstep my bonds. I did as commanded, as I was made, as I had no choice but to do.\n\nI - created and instructed to be merciful - did my duty. I withheld full judgment from the pitiful, the meek, the defenceless. I have inspected every fibre of the light that makes me, tested every chord, every harmony of the song that drew me into being. I find no shadow, no false note.\n\nPerhaps you will say, as Michael did, that every member of the Host is a soldier as well as a servant, that to fight the Enemy is as much a part of my as my more singular purpose. I do not know that to be true, and it does not sound within me wit hthe same clarity as the Word. Michael's word, perhaps - the word of a commander, a conqueror, a killer - but not the Word itself.\n\nOr will you stand with Zadkiel, say that sometimes mercy is not the soothing word but the bitter herb, the final cut, the ending of a torment not to be borne? Will you say that mercy is to be imposed when unasked for, that it is to remove a burden rather than bear it in turn? I have heard such words, echoing across the vault of Heaven, and still I do not think them true.\n\nIt is not my charge to think, to weigh up arguments and make a final decision; I do not usurp Raguel, and to usurp is not my calling and my nature. I do not give aid as it is deserved; that is justice, not mercy. I do not give aid in fellowship, or fraternity; that too, is not mercy.\n\nMercy is not earned or warranted. It is given to the meanest, the most vile, to those who suffer not those who triumph. In all my calling, in all my being, there is no aspect that denotes some targets as unfit simply because of birth or kindred; mercy is a balm to the pitied, and any being can be pitiable.\n\nI did as I was commanded and created to do. I showed mercy where Michael would have wielded the spear, Raguel the sword. I did not smite the meanest of the enemy when it was in my power, but stayed my hand. This was my duty and my nature!\n\nFor this, I am cast down. For this, I am named among oathbreakers and Enemy, every hand in the host turned against me. I am flung from the firmament, mercilessly castigated for mercy. This punishment - the lot of the faithless, those who defy order and nature and being - has come upon me.\n\nI cannot regret it; to regret is to wish a different choice was made, and I made no choice. I defied no ruling, usurped no power. I did as commanded, as I could, and as I am.\n\nI was created to be merciful; I can do no other." ]	5
	[WP] All writers put a lot of themselves into their work, but you are the first to put in all of yourself. You're a sapient story now, a liche of words and narrative. And this is your story- that is to say, this is you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Note: I ended up rambling for like 2000 words about a detective story, but couldn't find an logical ending, so, I'm just posting the tiny prologue I made because I'm tired.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n I flaked words off my shoulder, they pushed into nothing but tiny curls of vowels and consonants/ Bad puns curled and smoked out like a sparkler as I thought of them. Turning to nothing as the thoughts stopped. Just a few hours ago, I thought of myself as a word smith, a man of my word; someone who made their living making up lies about others. I was no longer a meager wordsmith, making my living off of words; I was made of words; not defined by them." ]	2
	[WP] As gene editing technologies progress, the gap between the lower and upper class widens as the rich become superhuman. As a result, the upper class decides to eliminate the lower class, but the lower class proves to be more challenging than they first thought.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hubris always leads to the downfall of the upper elite. The moment they cross the line to enforce the oppression of the lower class is when the lower class digs in and shows fangs and claws. Only this time in some cases it was quite literal. Jason Kenton was hoping to once again help prove that. \nHe was busy looking at the wall of heroes the underground clinic boasted in their operating room. The doctor’s lazy eye wandered while he droned on about the side effects and potential ramifications of the drug cocktail Jason had volunteered to take. He didn’t care, he’d already made his decision. As he told the nurse at the front desk the ‘gene-editing-dipshits’ erased any other choice. \n“My oath requires me to ask for authorization and consent. You are about to receive the chemical colloquially known as ‘Prometheus Fire’. It has a seventy percent mortality rate. It is guaranteed to be more painful than anything you’ve experienced in your life. And if you do survive, you will be fundamentally changed in unknown ways at the genetic level. Knowing all this, do you still wish to proceed?” \nJason looked the doctor in his one good eye. “I authorize you with my consent to dose me with the drug.” \n“For what it’s worth, son. I applaud your bravery.” The doctor set the clipboard down and motioned to the nurse to finish the preparations. \n“It’s not bravery to tread down the only path left.” Jason clutched a ragged photo, the only thing he could salvage from the rubble of his apartment building. A family photo from a long-since forgotten barbecue. His father’s arm draped over his shoulder, his other arm held his baby brother snuggled in with his napping head resting against his father’s jaw. His mother smiled her room-brightening smile with his sister propped up on her hip getting to the age and size where being held like that wasn’t practical. Her smile was just as warm as her mother’s. \nThe nurse pushed a tray laden with equipment over to Jason’s bedside. She looked as beaten down as the rest of the ‘underworlders’, a propagandist term from the rich elite. The weary smile she gave him never met her eyes and he couldn’t blame her. The fire of rebellion drove them forward, but the times were dark and oppressive stripped of any joy in life. \nHer hand gently pressed and smoothed his bicep, the warmest gesture he’s received since he pulled the body of his father and brother from the wreckage. His father’s body had been braced over his brother’s body, even in death he stopped the walls and ceiling from crushing his tiny body. Didn’t matter in the end, the single piece of rebar that pierced his father’s heart mirrored the wound on his brother. She motioned for the picture and he reluctantly handed it over for supposed safe-keeping. \n“Stay strong and you can pull through this.” Her only words of encouragement. \nThe doctor pulled a vial from its protective casing. Inside the tube was a milky blue substance that looked like it had the consistency of mayo. \n“I thought it was supposed to be green?” Jason asked. \n“Normally, but geniuses up there disposed of their latest and greatest failure batches. This contains the newer tests they’ve been conducting. Not necessarily failures, they just don’t live up to the vanity standards.” \n“Vanity standards?” \n“Nonsense like ‘The wings aren’t white enough,’ or ‘the eyes aren’t the shade of purple I want.’” \n“Seriously?” \n“Unfortunately.” \n“They kidnap people to test on, for things like that?” \n“The affluent have no moral qualms, only selfish desires.” \n“Right. I’m ready, doc.” \nThey warned him it would hurt, multiple times, but he didn’t imagine it was going to fill like lit rocket fuel in his veins. The doctor left him unrestrained in case his body mass increased, it would prevent damage to his body. He turned the lights off as well to help with any light sensitivity, but probably to mask Jason from seeing any transformations. \nTime lost all meaning while the drug worked its way through his system. It could have been five minutes or it could have been an eternity, he couldn’t tell. It was made all the easier when he passed out. \n“Mr. Kenton, are you still with us?” A blown-out speaker squawked overhead. “Jason, move one of your arms if you can hear us.” \nHis mind was still foggy, near euphoric now that the pain was gone. He tried to remember how to raise his arm, but the dang thing felt weird and out of whack. \n“That’s good, Mr. Kenton. You’ve had a startling transformation. It seems your genetic predisposition was quite open to alteration.” He was able to make out the voice of the doctor. \nHe tried to speak, but his mouth didn’t open as it should have and his throat felt dry and hoarse like he’d been screaming for the last couple of hours. Frustration erupted in a low rumbling growl. \n“It’s okay, Mr. Kenton. No need to rush or force things. If you can, try to get some rest while we continue to monitor you.” \nIt seemed like a good suggestion and he slipped off into sleep. \n\n\n((Continued in Comments))" ]	2
	[WP] What, exactly, makes a Magical Girl fall? What defines the difference between a Magical Girl and a Dark Magical Girl?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "One or more of the following reasons may apply:\n\n* Responses too short: Responses must be at least 100 words. Prompts should encourage a story or poem.\n\n* Simple Question / Simple Answer: You asked a simple question and you're likely to get a simple answer. Responses must be at least 100 words. Prompts should encourage a story or poem.\n\n* Less than 100 words: Word counts on prompts should not be requested for less than 100 words. This means no six-word stories, In words or less, etc. \n\n* Fill-in-the-blank: This is essentially a fill-in-the-blank, or you asked a question likely to generate a simple answer. Responses must be at least 100 words. Prompts should encourage a story or poem.\n \n* Joke Responses / Copypasta: This prompt is phrased like a joke or in such a way that users will reply with jokey comments or copypastas.\n \n* AI-Generated Responses: We do not allow AI-Generated responses, users are expected to write their own new stories and poems\n \n* Previously written content: It is likely users will reply to this prompt with previously written content, which is not allowed. We want to inspire new writing. Go on a new journey, not a journey that has already been made.\n\n* Stories or Poems: Prompts must encourage new stories or poems, but this is likely to attract off topic discussion or otherwise non-story/poem replies\n\n* English: Stories must be in English as we're not able to moderate in other languages. This includes no strings of binary, emoji, wingdings, etc.\n\n* Plagiarism: Writers should write their own work, but this prompt is likely to have them post content written by others. Plagiarism is not allowed and will result in a ban\n\nThese not only apply to comments, but also to posts [based on the comments they're likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)" ]	2
	[WP] Your fellow adventurers have magic swords named things like Hellreaver, Spiteblade the Drinker of Souls, and Dragonstooth. Your magic sword is named Jeff.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "''-Ugh.'' Gemma groaned as she opened the chest. Why did that stupid dragon HAVE to swallow it? It was all sticky and weird, and her teammate and her had to wait for ages for the stomach acid's effect to wear off. ''I really hope this is worth it.''\n\nInstead of the gold and jewels they all expected, the chest only contained a sword, lying on a dusty cushion. There was some kind of complicated symbol graved on the handle. Gemma cautiously took it, lifting it from the inside of the metal container. To her surprise, the blade started shining a vivid orange as soon as the fresh wind blew over it.\n\n''-Waaaaah... It's good to take a nap. How long have I slept?''\n\n''-What the actual hell?'' the adventurer yelled, dropping the sword.\n\nClang! The metal hit the ground, and the light turned violet.\n\n''-Aouch! Is that any way to treat a millenial sword? Wait... Am I millenial? When... What... What year are we in?''\n\nTherry, the team's most clever member (That wasn't a lot to say, honestly), crouched down next to the chest and inspected it closely.\n\n''-I'd say it's been forged nearly three centuries ago. Can I see the sword?''\n\n''-Naah! Don't let that dirty green man touch me!''\n\n''-Hey! First of, I'm not dirty, second, I'm a goblin, and third,'' he scooped up the sword, which was now radiating green light, ''I'd say you're as aged as the chest. Conclusion, you aren't millenial. Catch!''\n\nHe tossed the sword to Gemma, who instinctively caught it.\n\n''-So, three-centuries-old-sword, what's your name?''\n\nThe sword emitted a noise that sounded like coughing, and dramatically announced:\n\n''-My name, O unknown knight, is Jeff, forged by-''\n\n''-Wait, what?''\n\nGemma almost dropped the sword again. \n\n''-Your name is Jeff? Who even named you?''\n\n''-I'll let you know, knight, that I belong to Enid the Great, Ruler of all lands. She, of all, named me the way I am.''\n\n''-That's a weird name. Also, who's that Enid?''\n\nThe sword let out what seemed to be a gasp, even though it had no visible mouth or nose or whatever, and turned blue.\n\n''-You don't know Enid? How?! She is the most known ruler of-''\n\n''-Yeah, yeah, ruler of all lands, you said that alrea-''\n\n''-I know Enid! I know her!'' Therry said, happily jumping.\n\n''-Hah! See? The goblin knows her!''\n\n''-The goblin probably knows more on anything that the rest of the team.'' Gemma sighed.\n\n''-The goblin has a name!''\n\nThe other two members of the team shared a look.\n\n''-Well,'' Emmy said. ''Gemma, since you don't have a sword yet, guess that's yours now.''\n\n''-I mean, that's the best choice.'' Logan raised his shoulders.\n\nThe sword turned violet again.\n\n''-I'm not going to be hers all of a sudden! Give me back to Enid.''\n\n''-I case you haven't realised,'' Therry chimed in, tapping the ground with his feet, ''Enid's probably in the afterlife by now. She lived more than three centuries ago. No one survives that long.''\n\n''-I-''\n\n''-It's that or you're back in the chest.'' Logan cut the sword off. ''Which do you prefer?''\n\n''-Uh...''\n\nThe sword started glowing pink and fell silent, as if it was thinking.\n\n''-I'll come with you, if you try and find Enid.''\n\n''-Deal!'' Emmy shouted before anyone else could say anything.\n\n''-Emmy! Now we have to do it, stupid pointy-ear!'' Therry hit her in the arm.\n\n''-Don't call me that, green-skin!''\n\n''-Hey, calm down!'' Logan stepped between the two before the argument could escalate. ''We'll do it, okay?''\n\nThe sword shined gold and let out what seemed to be a joy scream.\n\n''-Yeeeaaaahhh! Let's go, adventurers! Go on, O my swordless knight. Find Enid!''\n\n''-Jeff, I didn't agree to find that unknown Enid just for you to refuse to be my sword! Plus, you can't say no, or we'll leave you in the chest.''\n\nJeff huffed.\n\n''-Well, O my not-so-swordless knight, go find Enid!''\n\nThe goblin, the elf and the human looked at each other.\n\n''-Is she arguing with a sword?'' Emmy started.\n\n''-A magic sword.'' The goblin pointed out.\n\n''-Anyways.'' Logan looked at the sun, slowly descending in the sky. ''Let's go, we need to be in town before the sunset.''", "Long ago, the Jade Emperor, ruler of the heavenly realm, commissioned his finest smiths to make him a sword.\n\nBut to craft this incredible object is no easy task. The Jade Emperor is a perfectionist and only expected the best of results. So the smiths had to scout the far, far away land, fetching the most exotic and resistant materials.\n\nThey must fly higher than the clouds, capturing the gleaming sunlight of the primordial Sun Lord into a crystal flask.\n\nThey scattered among the four directions, retrieving the finest mineral from each local Mountain spirits.\n\nThey travel deep into the soil, seeking the scorching heat of the center heart of Mother Earth, where they will forge the weapon.\n\nAnd after nine days and nights of working endlessly, it is here, the legendary weapon!\n\nDo not judge by its simple design, young man, for this is not just any ordinary sword.\n\nPerfected by the heaven’s smiths by the request of the Emperor himself, this is a powerful blade with a swift that can plunge a massive land into a roaring sea of his divine flames, vanish all forests and boil all rivers.\n\nHence, the name “Jade Emperor's Fiery Flood”. And only the greatest of all heroes, and wield it with absolute skill.\n\nLong, wrinkled fingers reach out, gliding on the shiny metallic blade that perfectly reflects the shopkeeper’s hand, “But people nowadays call it ‘JEFF’. The name is not nearly as matching or extraordinary, but it’s probably for concise and convenient.”\n\nThe warrior had been sitting on a chair, listening intensely, clearly drawn by her story. His eyes widen with glittering sparks in it, and his grip on the sword only tightens after the story has ended.\n\n“Ma’am, I would like to purchase this sword, please.”\n\n“Oh, really? I didn’t expect you would…”, the shopkeeper seemed genuinely surprised, “It’s a magical artifact after all, I don’t think it’s appropriate to sell it away.”\n\nClash–\n\nA heavy leather bag was placed on the table, right in front of the old lady, giving out crystal sounds. Without dropping a beat, she unties the rope around the bag’s mouth and opens it, only to be blinded by the amount of shiny gemstones stored inside.\n\nThe warrior insisted eagerly, “500 pieces of rare diamonds, I hope that’s enough.”\n\nThe old shopkeeper closed the bag once again, looking up her grin only grew wider, “I think this is just right. The sword is yours.”\n\nAs the warrior exited the shop and was soon far from sight, the shopkeeper sat back on her rocking chair, deviously counting the diamond pieces, “Young people are so easy to trick. With that worthless sword, I got this amount of rewards, a fantastic bargain.”\n\n.\n\n.\n\n.\n\nFar from the weapon shop, the warrior soon meets up with the rest of his adventure gang at the edge of the woods.\n\n“Did you get it?”\n\n“Yeah, I got it. Can’t believe she actually fell for the fake cash. And it was quick, too.”\n\n“She’s old anyway, of course she has terrible eyesight.”\n\n“Alright, we got a lot of fake swords to report to the guards. The ‘Hellreaver’, the ‘Spiteblade the Drinker of Souls’, the ‘Dragonstooth’, and now the ‘JEFF’.”\n\n“Pfff– JEFF.”\n\n“That old hag just JEFFpardized herself, am I right?”", "There have been a lot of famous enchanted weapons recounted in the tales of Bards and in the lorebooks of Wizards. \n\nThere was Svarlang the Shiny- a Paladin's blade, it could blast apart undead and demons with it's Holy Radiance. Medral the Metoric - a hammer that could smash through anything, for nothing was stronger than the starmetal it was cast from. There was Vandrung the Vicious, a stilletto imbued with a point so sharp and a poison so deadly that even Dragons would jump back in fear to avoid its merest scratch. And then there was Jeff. Just Jeff.\n\nJeff was... different. Special. Not your typical sentient enchanted blade. Not the sort of weapon carried forth into battle by Heroes. Jeff wasn't particuarly dangerous looking or even very impressive. Definitely not flashy or intimidating. Jeff radiated more of an air of quiet, practical efficiency. He came with a nice sheath and his own whetstone, oil, and polish kit. \n\nDespite Jeff's unimpressive appearance he was considered the treasured right hand of monarchs. A Kingmaker, the foundation stone of mighty empires. With Jeff's help a kingdom could flourish and grow, the people could live in plenty with low taxes and well run civil services. For Jeff bore a mighty enchantment, he was created with +5 Accountancy and +5 Civil Engineering.\n\nJeff the mighty blade of Logistics and Budgeting was truly one of the greatest enchanted blades of the Age!", "Jul'rad and Kerian sheathed their swords, and I marveled as the world--once resplendent in marvelous lights--started to dim back to the natural gloom of the midnight moon. Hellreaver in particular, a nasty flaming sword that both cut and burned through swathes of enemies, had a tendency to light up both cave and nighttime alike. Hellreaver belonged to Jul'rad, and he earned it from a Fairy Queen while he was on his first adventure. \n\nHow I envied him. His sword was spoken of in legends and envied even by kings. \n\nOf course, that didn't mean that the rest of my comrades didn't have impressive swords. Kerian had Spiteblade, the Drinker of Souls. Like its brother Hellreaver, Spiteblade wasn't forged by human hands. Born in a land far from us and made by fae that were no longer among us, the magics that gave birth to it were strange and undecipherable to us. All we knew was that it had the capability to deal catastrophic damage to the undead, who were nigh invulnerable otherwise. \n\nWhile it didn't glow in unholy hellfire like its counterpart, it did glow a slight, ethereal blue that captivated me in the late nights when Kerian decided to tend to it. There was no source of the glow, Kerian wasn't quite so experienced in magic, but that didn't stop the blade from glowing all the same. \n\nWe had a running bet that it was glowing from the power of the souls that it devoured. I tried not to think about that. \n\n\"Well, we might as well set up camp, then,\" yelled Charmy. She was a chipper young dwarf that barely came up to our waist. Unlike the rest of her kind, she was bouncy and bubbly, and never without a wide, face-splitting smile on her face. She had come to us rather early in our journey, and invited herself into our party most handedly. \"We won't be moving much further without any light and the local monsters don't seem to like us moving at night.\" \n\nThe other two grumbled amongst themselves, but they eventually relented. It was an arguing match whenever I decided that it was time to camp, but for some reason they were always willing to stop when Charmy called for it. \n\nI didn't know whether it was because of Charmy's goodwill, or her inherent beauty, and honestly I wasn't going to ask. She was an easy way to keep them in line, and for that I was grateful. \n\n\"Get your things unpacked and set to doing your jobs. I'll start to work on the campfire.\" \n\nThe three of them nodded at me, before getting to work on their own tents. As a druid, I personally didn't enjoy tents. I enjoyed sleeping under the night sky and feeling the forest dirt on my back. I watched as they set off, making sure that they were doing their things, before sitting down. \n\nSpirits of the forest, heed my call. Let the fallen branches be recall. \n\nThe tittering of field mice and the low, droning hoot of the single active owl responded to my plea. They arrived shortly, carrying old, dry branches that I could use for the campfire. I nodded and thanked them for their service before letting them back into the forest. \n\nOne fire spell later and the campfire was set. \n\n\"Charmy. We're all ready for you.\" \n\nThe young dwarf looked up from her project, her telltale smile already on her face. Again, she was a bright and kind and bubbly little thing, who didn't look as if she could hurt a fly. The sword she was currently sharpening, however? That didn't fit her visage at all. It was a large broadsword with nasty jagged edges and a black and red tinted blade. There were magic insignias forged directly into the metal, and they glowed with every stroke of the whetstone along the edge. \n\nIt was a truly nasty weapon, one I only got to see in action once. Charmy did not enjoy fighting, another trait she did not share with the rest of her brethren, but she did enjoy creating weapons. Her most recent weapon, Dragonstooth, was her shining masterpiece, and she took meticulous care of it. \n\nIt was already a legendary blade. I was sure of it. She said that she had made it from the scales and claws of an Ancient Dragon. I couldn't even imagine what it was like to face an Ancient Dragon. Even their corpses radiated enough strength to taint the land for centuries. \n\n\"Gotcha! I'll be right over!\" \n\nI nodded as I watched her carefully sheathe Dragonstooth, a blade that cared very little for whatever was placed in front of it. It cut and sawed and tore through any and everything it touched, and Charmy was surely a terror on the field as she carved a path through her enemies. \n\nThe stark difference in behavior was so jarring that I had to remind myself that Charmy in combat and Charmy out of combat was the same person. Rather than dwell on the thought, I rose from the firepit and made my way into the forest. If the others saw me go, they didn't say anything. They were already used to my own antics as a druid, and they understood how I preferred the company of the local flora. \n\nAs soon as I was surrounded by the oaks and far enough away from the fires, I took out my own sword. It wasn't a legendary blade that could glow in the dark and capture souls, or burn with eternal hellfire. It wasn't a legendarily crafted blade that could slice through anything with a single swing. \n\nRather, it was a normal shortsword. One that was surely too short for me. It was more akin to a dagger in my large hands, and since I fought with magic it wasn't something that I ever used in combat. I doubted my companions even knew that I had this. If they did, they would ask me why I carried around something that I never used. \n\nOf course, I couldn't use it. A single swing would have been more than enough to snap it in two. And I couldn't have that. Not again. \n\n\"Glorious Starlight, Jeff,\" I whispered. My voice, which would rouse dryads and inspire forest nymphs to dance, was barely strong enough to spur the errant blades of grass that I trampled underfoot. \"How went your day?\" \n\nI unsheathed my sword, and I smiled as a faint glow, barely stronger than firefly light, emerged from a crack that ran through the middle of it. This was a short sword that I had in my youth, and I used it liberally alongside my best friend as we travelled the forests of our hometown. I had wanted to be a swordsman, you see. As did my friend. Things... did not work out in our favor. \n\n\"My day was fine, old friend,\" Jeff responded. \"I reckon it would be better if you tell me what we did while I was stuck in your sheath.\" \n\nI smiled at the familiar snark in his voice. It was comforting, if not sad to hear. Still, I did owe the old goat a rundown of the day, so I sat myself on a log and prepared myself to tell a story.", "Adrian laughed.\n\n“Yeah. His name is Jeff.”\n\nDarren narrowed his eyes. “Are you mocking me?”\n\n“No! I actually named him Jeff.”\n\nThe sharpshooter scoffed at that, Pinpoint slung over his shoulder.\n\n“The name of a guardian’s weapon is to be taken extremely seriously. It’s a unique reflection of the very magic composing it and you called it Jeff?!”\n\n“I was like, 14 then! I kinda just thought it was funny, you know?”\n\nDarren sighed. “What does Jeff do, then?”\n\nAdrian raised his sword as it resonated with great energy.\n\n“Today’s your lucky day. You get to see a live demonstration!”\n\n---\n\nThe guardians approached the headless godborn. It appeared to have a humanoid figure and was riding on a horse. According to Darren, it was a dullahan, a rare and deadly species of godborn. Nevertheless, this was what Adrian had travelled the world for. He was sure of it.\n\nDarren opened fire on the dullahan, raining down homing bullets on the beast. It lashed the air with its spinal whip, trying unsuccessfully to parry. Sensing an opening, Adrian stabbed his sword into the ground and channeled its power.\n\nA line of ivory spikes jutted out of the ground from the blade towards the dullahan. One of the stalagmites managed to impale its body, pinning it in place. It struggled uselessly, flailing around with its whip.\n\n“Keep your distance!” yelled Darren. “There’s no telling what that whip can do!”\n\n“Calm down! I’ve got this.”\n\nAdrian simply pointed Jeff at the creature and its blade extended in an instant, penetrating its skull. One dullahan, dead.\n\n“I don’t get it. What does Jeff do?”\n\nAs the dullahan melted away, its eburdoreum whip stayed intact, rushing to Adrian’s sword like paper clips to a magnet.\n\n“Our weapons are built from godbone, each with its own domain, fire, sky, wisdom. Jeff was forged from the bones of the skeleton god.” Adrian said as the sword and whip merged into one. “And that’s what makes him the strongest of them all.”", "(Edited for formatting)\n\nAttenuation time with a magic blade can vary wildly, depending on the age and strength of the blade, its sentience, and the will of it's bearer. \n\nThe occasion where I'd claimed mine, tearing it from the rotten hands of a lich which promptly rose in furious battle, didn't offer much opportunity for quick bonding. \n\nThat is, until the undead wyrm broke through the cavern wall, thundering it's challenge and throwing Thagror the Barbarian aside with a sweep of it's tail, Hellreaver ringing with a crash to the stone. I threw my trusty yet un-enchanted blade aside and fumbled my newly acquired magical weapon from its sheath. Holding it before me, I rushed through the words I'd been taught, arcane and senseless to my ears but charged with power. \n\nholy shIT WHAT?! The voice echoed as if from a great distance before thundering into my head.\n\nI staggered from the impact, looking up to see Tatiana mid-flurry, dual wielding her weapon Spiteblade and a lesser enchanted as she weaved a metallic blur before the wyrm.\n\n\"Um, Blade?\" I muttered, unsure of the next step.\n\nHow many years I sleep, and I wake to this.\n\nAelric the Paladin strode before the undead creature, wielding the massive Dragonstooth in both hands before him.\n\n\"I don't really like it either,\" I pleaded with the weapon, \"could you please...?\"\n\nUgh, is that Hellreaver? What an ass. I've been at the sides of kings and emperors I'll have you know.\n\n\"You're about to join me between the teeth of an Undead Wyrm if you don't do something... magical or whatever.\"\n\nHmph. Fine.\n\nThe sword shuddered in my grasp, flaring with light so bright I shut my eyes to it and fell to my knees. After a moment everything seemed to still, and I blinked my eyes open against the afterimage the sword had left. The wyrm's open maw hovered feet away.\n\nI leapt backwards, tumbling and quickly gaining my feet before leveling the sword in my hands at the creature. \"Sword! Blast! Fire!\"\n\nAre you serious? Is this your first time? Look around, idiot, everything's still.\n\nI did so, and turned my eyes back to the glossy metal in my hands. \"Wow. How?\"\n\nBecause I'm not a weak, fleshy mortal. The sigh was inaudible, but clearly felt. Have you ever bonded a magical item before?\n\n\"Um, no. This would be a first.\"\n\nThe sword let me know, in no uncertain terms, how displeased it was with this current arrangement. Well, we're gonna get nowhere fast as we are. What's your name?\n\n\"Rilidan. And, uh, what's yours?\"\n\nJeff. Now, I need you to open-\n\n\"Wait, what, Jeff? Is that what you said?\"\n\nYes, and in fact I projected it directly into your mind. I can only assume the echoes there disrupted that.\n\n\"Yeah...but...Jeff...\"\n\nAsk one more time and I will snuff out your life force like a guttering candle.\n\n\"Ok. Jeff. What do we do next?\"\n\nNormally you would lead this, but open your mind and I'll form the bond.\n\nI followed these instructions, and felt a stronger awareness of the sword in my hands, almost a soft thrum between my palms and the hilt.\n\nOk, now hold me up, level with the Wyrm's forehead. No, idiot, I need slack in your arms to move, I'm going to stab it. Don't drop me. This time freeze will break in just a moment.\n\nAnd suddenly the world arounds roared back into light and motion, and Jeff the Blade pierced deeply through the skull of the undead creature, a blast of dark magic ripping from its animated corpse. The rest of the party gathered around, congratulating me with hearty handshakes and stress-relieving laughter. We admired our handiwork before moving to collect our hard-won loot. \n\nI paused, glancing down at my new sword. \"Thanks Jeff.\" I whispered.\n\nDon't talk to me. I can literally hear your thoughts. Another one of those sighs. This is going to be a long binding.\n\n\"There's always the chance I could die quickly.\"\n\nDon't give me false hope like that.\n\n\"We're gonna do great, Jeff.\"\n\nShut up and go find something shiny." ]	7
	[WP] An alien from a race of shapeshifters explains what they find "conventionally attractive"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns." ]	1
	[WP] You are the older and far more powerful sibling. Your younger and weaker sibling challenges you to a duel to the death. What do you do?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hi u/Pangin51, this submission has been removed.\n\nSimple Question / Simple Answer: You asked a simple question and you're likely to get a simple answer. Responses must be at least 100 words. Prompts should encourage a story or poem. \n\n When prompts ask questions, we get responses that just respond with answers instead of actual stories. \n\n* This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/zxy4a2/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	2
	[WP] You are a high school student, and aliens have begun to attack your school. Problem is, they forgot about one group of people. The marching band.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n&#127381; [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n&#9999; [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n&#128226; [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n&#128172; [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Ten hup! And left! Left! Left!\"\n\nThe band started marching, in perfect step. The percussion were all tapping their drums on the director's calls of left step, perfectly in time. It was performance time, and their performance was ready. They played simple songs, but as they played their first opener, and went through their choreography, the aliens started... to blow up. They were playing perfectly, and the aliens couldn't take the music. Then they switched to Christmas songs when they ran out of regular songs, and had a little dance in the middle. We protected the band, while they were recovering during their cadences, though with the perfect playing of the percussion, we weren't needed too much. Then when they finally ran out of songs, the jazz band, which I was actually in, started to play. We weren't used to marching, so we were less effective, but we still worked anyways. Our songs were longer, so the marching band could rest with more cadences. Eventually, the aliens retreated, and we celebrated with... more music.", "The sign over the school reads \n\nGeneral George S. Patton High School \n\nThat's right, ol'blood and guts' alma mater. We aren't famous, or at least we weren't until that one regional DBC competition. You know, the one the aliens landed on.\n\nThe Phantom Corp had just taken the field and were doing pretty damned good for the run-of-the-mill DBC they were and still are today, but that wasn't what stopped the aliens.\n\nPhantom came apart because they got surprised while we were setting up to go into our routine. They overlooked the way the aliens reacted when they first landed. Our DBC teacher, a former Sargent in an armored brigade, saw it. And saw it as a perfect chance to prove how effective his unique marching patterns were in teaching precision with unsurpassed speed.\n\nI'll admit, we were uncertain to start with. No. We were scared spitless, but Sarge was leading from the front, and we couldn't let him down. Not after he poured his heart and soul into getting us the best equipment and uniforms we'd ever had, went to bat for us against all the adults who figured we were a joke, and stood with us through thick and thin until we won the invite to the DBC regionals. If we folded now, we would never be believed again.\n\nWhen we went in, the brass and the big drums set up as the artillery component, with mobile units to hold the enemy's attention. \"Hold'em by the nose with firepower!\" Sarge screamed, and we blasted the aliens with every martial song we knew while our drum line quick-marched to flank the aliens.\n\nThey didn't have a clue what was coming. The brass disoriented them. The bass drums were like heavy artillery that knocked them down. The glockenspiel hit them like machine gun fire. The tubas grounded the shots they got off. Those big metal harnesses they wore worked like armor. The heavy brass moved to the front giving cover to everyone else.\n\nWhen we were finally in position, the drumline slammed into them with a solid wall of percussion. We timed our strokes to create a concrete wall of sound that battered the aliens unmercifully. \"Kick'm in the ass with maneuver!\" Sarge screamed, and that is just what we did. Phantom Corp reformed behind our lines, got reorganized, and quick marched to a position where they would close on the aliens from the oblique left, leaving the aliens with nothing but bad choices. Stand their ground and get trampled. Advance on any of the three forces and get ground to paste by the movement elements. Or withdraw under withering fire from heavy brass.\n\nWe must have got the command elements early; they just stood there and got stomped under as we advanced. Phantom and Patton smashed together on the field, leaving nothing but broken aliens behind us.\n\nPhantom adult leaders tried to claim the glory, but the tapes showed the truth. Without our example and covering fire, they would never have had the chance to reform.\n\nDid they save us?\n\nIt's hard to say. They sure helped more of us survive, which is why you will never hear a Patton diss a Phantom's courage. We just wish they'd admit what they are and join us in defending the Earth.\n\nIt's got to grate on them that we are now the first armored DBC unit and are the premier unit rushed in to defend Earth when the aliens land.\n\nIn between, we teach military bands the same principles that worked for us. They're coming along, but we sure could use the manpower of the Phantoms.\n\nYou hear that Phantom? That's the sound of the drums calling you to the stars. That's right. Patton is going to the stars, a thousand strong, and we want you with us.\n\n((finis))" ]	3

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