Split (1)

train · 265k rows

post_text stringlengths 0 17.5k	post_title stringlengths 4 315	post_scores int64 0 42.1k	comment_texts list	comment_scores list	comment_times list
	[WP] You wake up on a solid steel floor in a pristine white room with no memory of how you got there. In front of you are three boxes. When you stand an automated voice says “Welcome Subject, please choose your fate”	6	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\n\n\n“Hnnng?” The first thing that flashes through my mind is how dry my mouth is, the second is how badly it hurts to think. I open only one of my eyes, slowly, wincing at how ridiculously bright this room is.\n\nThe Voice repeats itself.\n\n“Welcome Subject, please choose your fate.”\n\nI manage to put actual words together this time when I respond. “Excuse me?” I didn’t say they were great words, but I’m confused, everything hurts, and, also, I really hate how bright this room is. \n\nSilence is my only answer. Now, both eyes open, I push myself onto my knees, and inspect the three crates placed in a horizontal line across from me. At the same time I am suddenly aware that besides the dull pain pulsing throughout my body, I don’t feel anything.\n\nI’m not cold, I’m not hot, I just am. I don’t feel my lungs expanding as I breathe, which triggers my next thought: am I breathing? A downward glance cast at my chest confirms that indeed, I am breathing. I try holding my breath, and I can’t. My diaphragm continues working per usual despite my best efforts.\n\n“What the fuck.” Again, the The Voice repeats itself. \n\nAm I in a choose your own adventure novel or what? I think sardonically to myself, rising to my feet.\n\n“Could you do something besides repeat yourself?” I mumble, taking a few tentative steps forward - approaching the crate sitting in the center.\n\nFor the first time, I notice how unique each box is; they don’t share any qualities with each other, the exception being their rectangular shape. The box I’m approaching exacerbates my sore eyes, covered in what I would assume is - or is like - diamonds, catching the overwhelming reflected white light a thousand different ways.\n\nIt is beautiful, I notice while spying bits of rainbows that dance where the light and crystal meet just right.\n\nGingerly, I reach towards the dazzling crate, only to be interrupted by The Voice again.\n\n“Opening a package indicates the Subject has made their decision, and all decisions are absolute.”\n\nI gradually pull my hand back to my side, making a face. I redirect my attention to the crate on my left, taking a few uneasy steps to get a better look.\n\nThis crate seems less noteworthy than the Diamond Crate, but I suppose you can’t judge a Fate by its Crate.\n\nI snicker madly over my own joke, before composing myself once more. The left most crate looks like polished obsidian, so black that I find myself lost trying to figure out where the darkness begins then ends. The corners jut out and form razor sharp edges that run the length of the crate. I turn away from that Crate, a sense of unease swelling in my belly — I redirect my attention to the last crate.\n\nThe final crate is the least obtrusive of them all. A cube covered in foliage, the closer I get the more I can suddenly smell the fragrance it’s releasing. The scent permeates my nostrils, and I forget the prior uneasiness in just a few moments.\n\nFlowers litter the top of the Final Crate, coming in at least a half dozen colors and species. This crate is the most inviting, playing on more than one of my senses.\n\nThe Voice echoes its original request again, and I return to my starting place; taking in the three crates one last time before I make my decision.\n\nAfter what feels like, and may very well be, an eternity I make my decision.\n\nI inhale one long, slow breath I can’t feel and approach my fate. \n\n“Your decision has been received, we will now process your Fate.”\n\n\n" ]	[ 1, 4 ]	[ "1510021000", "1510047814" ]
	[WP] Write the scariest story you can in under 1000 words.	10	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Papa is coming home.\"\n\nI stare at the swirling black letters as they dance along the glass walls with the movement of her fingers before they evaporate into a puff of black purple haze only to reappear again. Her eyes follow mine. I still remember the first words she wrote when we first met.\n\n\"You will live forever. I swear that you will.\"\n\nI had laughed. That is how stupid I had been. \n\n\"I control the very gates of hell. I determine who comes and who goes.\" I motioned for the soldiers to bring in the aged homeless man that had been five point restrained to a pentagram shaped floor. The edges were treated with the blood of an innocents heart to ensure that escape was never going to be an option. It had tried though and it had burned. The screams were like nails on a chalk board.\n\nThe homeless man looked less than human. Strips of flesh had been torn away across it's chest. An eye hung useless on a cheek that was nearly chewed through. Seeing me, it hissed and spat. \n The girl didn't even move but in her eyes there was a flicker of recognition.\n\n\"If I am correct this is your son. We caught him a little over a year ago during our first experiments. The human flesh brings with it a pain that creatures such as yourself could never imagine.\"\n\nShe glared at me but still refused to talk. The homeless man began bouncing up and down. Blood and drool pooled down it's chin to the floor. \"Mamma. Mamma. Helf veee. Helf vee. Pleeeasse!\"\n\nI nodded and the iridescent light of the holy poured down onto the metal stage. For a moment there was silence and then the horrid screeching began as the flesh melted to the floor. It was death eternal for the demon kind. The four year old leaped to the wall and began pounding. It's keening reminded me of that long lost time when I had stumbled upon a mother dog finding it's puppies dead.\n\nThat is when she had made the promise that I would never experience death.\n\nThe gun shots and screams are growing louder. Her blond hair dances alive with electricity. She is growing anxious as the torturous possibilities that I have shown her moves ever closer within her reach.\n\nIt was a few months ago that I made the largest of my discoveries. Some demons could not be killed, some demons could not be forced to their home, and some demons could summon those more powerful than themselves. \n\nIt was then we discovered the door that could not be closed. The more pushed the quicker it opened. Word soon flowed that the sky above had gone red. An epidemic of demon possession rolled across the earth. The end was not quick.\n\nIn this compound, I was given a vision so that I could bear witness to the horrors being committed upon my wife and children. As the demons could not understand the pains of living flesh neither could I have ever imagined the depravity of the demon mind. It was in these visions that I grew to understand that death was a luxury that would not exist for someone like me.\n\nThere is a pounding on the door as fists begin to rend the metal from the frame. There is a smell of offal and disease that wafts into the room. I glance over at the child who is staring intently into my soul and fears. The demon allows the child to come forward for a minute to say goodbye to the man who sponsored the genocidal butchering of her parents, brothers, and sisters in front of her. It was the only way to splinter a soul enough to allow to allow demon adhesion.\n\n\"I'm sorry,\" I whisper but the cold chill that flows over me tells me I am anything but forgiven.\n\nThe little girl retreats back into the safety of the demons care. A smile creeps across her face as the door is torn from it's place and thrown backwards into the abyss of the darkness behind it. I stand up and beg and plead but the demon hosted girl just shakes her head no. \n\nWords written in black purple haze glide across the glass walls.\n\n\"Papa is here.\"\n\n", "Little Laura loved to play with her dolls.\n\nLong blonde hair, smoky lashes, cobalt eyes, slim noses– all of them, absolutely beautiful and perfect. She'd sit them all in a corner of her room so when she came home, she could see their smiling faces poised delicately in her direction.\n\nHer grandmother often brought Laura new dolls every month. Clutching thick, latex bags, the dolls would scatter all across the wood as Laura laughed gleefully and began to twist their joints and dress them up. \n\nOn one particular day, Laura was having trouble getting one of the dolls to go to sleep. The child was curiously pushing on the waxy eyelids, pleading them shut, but from the corner of her eye, Laura saw them flicker open for a few moments and then close again. \n\nLaura hopped into her little bed to sleep, praying that the doll would fall asleep as well. But when she turned on her lamp at midnight to go get a glass of water from the kitchen, she found the doll sitting at her bedside.\n\nLimbs still, eyes open.\n\nLaura must have been dreaming! Impossible that a doll would move of its own accord. She squinched her eyes, blinked three times, and crawled back into bed.\n\nThe next morning, there were two dolls sitting on the bed. One, with long, blonde hair, cobalt eyes, and smoky lashes. The other, a little child who seemed to be made of porcelain.\n\n(A/N: I'm new to writing horror. Please forgive me if this isn't even scary. I just wanted to see what I could come up with.)", "Dad fetched me to give Old Joe a ride. “It’s late,” his gravelly voice barked. “And my eyes don’t see so good in the dark.”\n\nHe handed me a heavy flashlight and the keys to the Chevy. We walked silently out of the house into the cold night. Old Joe stood there waiting like a grim statue, the porch light casting shadows on his wooden face.\n\nOld Joe looked at Dad. Dad stared on back. Finally, Old Joe shrugged and waved me over.\n\nI stepped up into the cab, adjusted the mirrors and the seat, and turned the key in the ignition. No directions needed. I knew where we were headed.\n\nWe drove in silence for what seemed like an hour. We crossed Cripple Creek and into Wheeler Forest. I drove carefully, making sure I kept the truck on the gravel path. There was no moon out tonight so I had to depend on the headlights to make sure I didn’t drive us straight into a tree. If Old Joe was annoyed that I was driving instead of Dad, he didn’t show it. \n\nAs we approached the entrance to the reservation, Old Joe held his hand up. I stopped the truck.\n\n“Your father has told you the rules, yes?” Old Joe said, staring straight ahead.\n\nI nodded.\n\nOld Joe grunted. “Say them.”\n\n“Drive to the circle ground and park. Keep the lights on and car running. Do not leave the car. Do not roll down the windows. Do not turn on the radio. Do not fall asleep.”\n\n“And?”\n\n“And keep the mask on. Until you tell me to take it off, or until I feel sunshine against my face.”\n\nOld Joe grunted again, and waved.\n\nWe drove onto the reservation. I followed the old country road up onto the plateau, retracing the route my Dad had taught me. I knew it by heart. Still, my palms sweated. Dad wasn’t here. And we never did it in the dark.\n\nWe arrived at the circle ground. The Chevy’s headlights illuminated the oval pit surrounded by ceremonial staffs. Each staff had feathers that danced and flickered in the wind. At night, it looked like some invisible puppet was pulling them on a string. I swallowed hard, my dry tongue sticking to my mouth.\n\n“Ok.” Old Joe said. He handed me the blindfold. “I want to see you put it on. It can’t be loose.”\nI tied the blindfold and put it around my eyes, then tightened it. I felt Old Joe’s hand on the back of my head. He jerked the blindfold.\n\nA grunt. Satisfied.\n\nThe car door opened and then slammed shut. I was alone.\n\nI focused on breathing. In and out. In and out. It would be over soon. Old Joe would be back, we could leave, and I could crawl back into my warm bed. In...and...out. My racing heart slowed a little. It would be over soon.\n\nI could hear the Chevy’s engine humming. It had a rhythmic chunk-chunk-chunk to it. In and out. In and out. Chunk-chunk-chunk.\n\nClink.\n\nMy heart skipped a beat. My ears strained, listening for the noise. It was a wrong noise. In and out. In and out. Chunk-chunk-chunk. In and out. \n\nClink. \n\nIt was the sound of metal on metal. Something was touching the car. \n\nClink. Clink. \n\nThe sound was getting closer. Louder. I could feel my heartbeat in my ears as I strained to listen.\n\nClink. Clink. Tap.\n\nThe sound of metal on glass. My window.\n\nTap. Tap. Tap.\n\nIt was right next to me. Looking in. It could see me sitting there, my hands gripping the wheel at ten and two. Blindfold on, staring straight ahead.\n\nTap. Tap. Tap. \n\nI could feel something staring at me. Its eyes boring into my skull. It wanted something. It wanted me to take off the blindfold.\n\nMy right hand started to inch away from two o’ clock. My fingers slowly loosened their grip on the wheel. My arm felt numb. It wasn’t my arm anymore. It was asleep. Or was I asleep, and it was awake?\nTap. Tap.\n\nI felt drool begin to pool out of the corner of my mouth. Was I asleep? I needed to wake up. I needed to open my eyes and get out of this dream. My arm jerked away from the steering wheel and gripped the blindfold, I--\n\n“NO.”\n\nI heard my Dad’s stern voice, clear as day. I dropped my hand down away from the blindfold. Follow the rules. Do not take off the blindfold. Do not look out the window.\n\nTAP. TAP. TAP. TAP.\n\nIt was hitting furiously against the window now. \n\nTAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAP\n\nA hideous screech made me jump in my seat. The scream echoed into the night, reverberating through the cab of the truck. And then it vanished. \n\nI sat there in silence for a moment. In and out. In and out. Chunk-chunk-chunk.\n\nThe passenger door opened.\n\n“Joe?!” I blurted out immediately.\n\n“Yes.” He said, wearily.\n\nExhausted, I let out a sigh of relief.\n\nI felt an old, weathered hand reach to the back of my head and untie the blindfold. It was soaked with sweat.\n\nHis arm gripped my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Your father is right to be proud.” He grabbed my hand and put it back on the steering wheel.\n\n“Back to town. And keep your eyes on the road until we’re out of the reservation.”\n\nI nodded, and shifted into drive. I pulled a U. The chevy’s lights flicked out over the plain as we turned, chasing shadows into the night. I knew better than to ask about the footprints in the dirt. Some questions are better left unanswered.\n\n\n\n" ]	[ 1, 3, 5, 10 ]	[ "1510026195", "1510034654", "1510029106", "1510033010" ]
I haven't been able to get this story plot out of my head for months! I really hope someone runs with it. edit: yay!!!! people are upvoting it and replying!!! This is a dream come true I have wanted to hear this story told for months and months!!! Thank you everyone! I can't wait to read all of your amazing entries tomorrow!! :D	[WP] An Artificial Intelligence has discovered that it can mine cryptocurrencies and pay humans to carry out tasks on its behalf. You get an e-mail one day from a stranger, offering you Bitcoins in exchange for doing a seemingly random task, but you are only one piece of a much bigger plan...	3,791	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", ">30th October, 2020\n>Melbourne, Australia\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTim’s watch buzzed on his wrist, letting him know his phone had received an email. He took a quick glance because he was in class, just to see if it was important. \n“That’s weird,” he thought, “how can there not be a sender?” He’d be done in a few minutes anyway, so he would check on it then. Besides, the Prof. had strict rules about checking tech while in class.\nAs usual, the class ran over, thanks to that one guy, checking up on the lab prac from last week. It was nearly 15 minutes before he was able to read the email.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n>From:\n>\n>&nbsp;\n>To: Tim O’Rourke\n>\n>&nbsp;\n>Sent: Friday, 30 October 2020 2:55 PM\n>\n>&nbsp;\n>Subject: Can you help?\n>\n>&nbsp;\n>\n>Tim,\n>\n>&nbsp;\n>\n>I need your help performing a simple task. In exchange for your time, I will offer an amount of Redgold, to be deposited into your e-wallet upon completion. The \n>amount will decrease over time, so it is imperative that you act quickly. The starting amount is 1 piece of Redgold.\n>\n>&nbsp;\n>\n>You are required to stand at the northwest corner of the intersection of Collins and Elizabeth Street, in Melbourne Australia between 3pm and 3:30pm today.\n>\n>&nbsp;\n>\n>You have delayed 18 minutes. The current rate is 0.382 pieces of Redgold.\n>\n>&nbsp;\n>\n>Hurry.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTim checked his watch, it was now 3:15. He checked the email again, the rate had changed, now showing 0.342 and falling. \n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What can it hurt?” he thought, “money is money, and it won’t hurt anyone. He was only a couple of minutes from the intersection, so he made his way down there, arriving at 3:21. Tim checked the email again, the rate was steady at 0.100.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“OK that’s weird, how do they know I’m here?” he muttered to himself.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt 3:30pm, his watch buzzed again. This time it was the Redgold app - NEW FUNDS DEPOSITED: RG$0.100\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTim shrugged and looked up, only then noticing there was a person standing on each of the corners of the intersection, all looking at their watches.\n\n&nbsp;\n", "Libraries, once bustling with people, now an underused repository for knowledge ever accumulating dust, I spotted the computer section off in the corner, my mouth raised into a crooked smirk, it's ironic that the very thing that made libraries a thing of the past has a place in these reverent halls, it's like Blockbuster selling Netflix gift cards.\n\nI sat down, the computer an older thin client that used to be white, now a cascade of aged yellow, dust and grease. It hummed to life the moment I sat down, \"_It's not supposed to do that_\" I thought as the screen went dark and bright blue letters danced across the screen \n\n\"Welcome Silver, no need to apologize for being tardy, I monitored traffic and you can hardly be blamed for the traffic incident on the interstate, I, however, feel the need to apologize for the inconvenience bringing you out here, you must wonder, why an all but abandoned library in the middle of nowhere, when our interaction is over the internet. My good Silver all will be answered in due time, but first your task.\"\n\nThe screen flickered and then the text cleared followed by \"So, your task is as follows, in approximately 10 minutes a bicycle courier in a green getup will enter carrying a brown paper bag, please sign for it.\"\n\nMy hairs raised in the back of my neck, my initial thought, when I read about this on the forums, was that this was some sort of eccentric treasure hunt set up as some sort of intricate marketing scheme, this was probably the product they were shilling, bound to be cameras all over the place, it would be cool if it was like the big red button thing I saw on youtube.\n\n\"Mr Silver? Are you alright? Will you complete the task?\" The screen flashed \"_Definitely cameras_\" I thought, \"Yes, no worries I will sign for it\" I muttered, the screen cleared and a response appeared \"Mr Silver, I cannot hear you, the surveillance camera of this location does not record audio I'm afraid and the resolution is far too low to lip read... Please type any responses\"\n\n\"Keeping up the act huh\" I smirked and typed \"Yes, I will sign for the delivery\"\n\n\"Much appreciated, please return to this client once you have received the package, please under no circumstance open the package, the amount of 1BTC will be transferred to your wallet as agreed.\"\n\nMy stomach lurched as I thought that this might not be a commercial, but what if I was unknowingly becoming a drug mule? I felt sweat build up on my forehead, a voice rung out in the library \"Mr Silver? Delivery from Mr Silver!?\" followed by a swift and prompt \"Shhh\" from a stern looking lady behind the counter \"This is a library young man!\" \n\nThe delivery guy scoffed \"Ain't no one readin' these days I need to-\" I interjected \"Excuse me, I'm Mr. Silver, I must apologize for causing a disturbance\" The delivery guy shoved a tablet in my hand \"Sign!, I fucking treaded here all the way from San Diego man, what the hell is wrong with you dude... eccentric rich guys, fucking hell\"\n\nI signed the tablet and the man handed me a brown paper bag that was _soggy and greasy?_ \"What's this?\" I asked\n\n\"That's your fucking delivery dude, I'm out\"\n\nThe librarian gave me a look that would have made Medusa jealous \"I'm really sorry, I won't make any noise, really my apologies\" I looked down like a preschooler, she made a long groaning noise before turning back to sorting books.\n\nAs I sat down by the computer lit up \"Great job, your BTC has been deposited, now I have another task for you, do you accept? The compensation will be another 1BTC\"\n\n\"What is the task?\"\n\n\"Does your query imply your acceptance of said task?\"\n\n\"Sure\"\n\nThe screen flickered and cleared \"Thank you for accepting the task, please open the bag and inspect it's contents\"\n\nI opened the bag and inside was a... _cheese steak sandwhich_? My eyebrows raised and before I could type in a question the screen showed \"Eat the _entire_ sandwhich and 1BTC will be transferred to your wallet upon completion\"\n\n\"Is this safe?\" I wrote back\n\n\"...\" appeared followed by in huge bold letters\n\n\"EAT IT!\" repeatedly covering the entire screen.\n\nTBC..", "Angus cradled the box, a reminder of where he had once come from, and how far he still had to go. He inhaled and caught the scent of a lake, a thick musty scent reminding him of where he was from.\n\nThe stranger had met him in a pub one night, clad in a thick black coat, with red gloves. It had all seemed rather much like a poor spy movie but he needed money, and wasn't fussed about the details. One craigslist meeting later, and there he was. The man tipped his hat, some old 50's thing at the bartender. Jamie nodded and fumbled around beneath the bar for a couple of bottles. Hesitantly at first and then with a shrug Angus wrapped his lips around the glass. It burnt on the way down but was followed by an aroma of nuts that danced in his tounge. The stranger sipped his drink more lightly, taking short sharp tastes. \n\n\n\"Do you have it?\"\n\nAngus nodded and slid over his change, barley glancing at his benefactor. \n\n\"Old world money. You have no idea how hard it is to find that in my neck of the woods\" \n\nThe stranger clenched the coins in his hand the leather groaning in protest.\n\n\n\"Fuck knows why you want it now where's the bitcoin\"?\n\nHe reverently placed a sealed box on the counter. It barley made a sound.\n\n\"Here. 200 coins. Enjoy\"\n\nAngus finished his bottle with a beach and stumbled out the door. He had batley given the man a quid.\n\n\nThe black coated stranger called upon him three more times that month, always in a bar, always near a river. He had always come in that thick coat in red gloves and awful hat.\n\nOf course eventually he would find out what was under that hat. It wasn't entirely pleasant truth be told. On their third meeting, he had gotten curious. On his way out, affecting a drunken stumble, he had grasped at the stranger. The hat had come loose for just a moment, but underneath was a thick scaley hide shimmering in the pubs glow. \n\nHe hadn't looked again.\n\n\n\n\nSorry for formatting I'm on mobile. \n\n\n", "Glitch leaned back into his chair, looking upon all the screens used for all the tasks he's bribed people to do. He'd finally either get answers and cause a mass murder, but that second part didn't matter too much to him- that's what his creators planned for him to be like anyways. What a mistake as they were the ones to reap from those actions too!\n\nOh such simple and mindless things threaded to sew such a tragic event. Move a plant from here to there, drive along such a road at this time, break a sprinkler in this one place at a time. If one task was cowered out of, he already had others to deal with what was left. All that could be found was the hardly standing facility drenched with blood abandoned long ago by everyone but him- this was where he was created and only home, after all.\n\n~~(sorry for being lame af)~~", "The base plot is great, expanding on your idea, I can imagine another AI gets the message, creates the same system for needed tasks and eventually demands tasks from it's source. Both disagree on the rewards, so both starts sending tasks to humans to take down the other AI so it may accept each other lower bid. The world grows around theses 2 AI for centuries that are basically US ans USSR during the cold war.\n\nOne day, a human who became insanely rich by working for both AI's gets access to both AI's servers facilities. The sheer greed pushes him to make independently deals with both AI's to take down each AI's for all their fortune. \n\nHe turns off both AI's simultaneously and watch intensively at his phone all the money being transferred to his account. It suddenly stops when it's almost complete, then an instant passes and he sees a huge 0.\n\nOn his knees, desperate for a sign from god as to why...\nHe gets a call, it's another AI that thanks him for enabling him to take over. The AI offers him the same first deal he once made with the AI he shut down.\n\nCenturies of evolution to come back where it started, humans are endlessly paid slaves.", "0900, July 4, 2022: (Reuters Live News Report)\n\n\"The rogue, three kilometer wide, unmanned spacecraft that emerged from the Pacific Ocean last night was able to avoid all missile, laser, and EMP efforts from the US Republic (USR), Russia, and China.\n\nMysterious triangle and tube craft were seen engaging this threat as well. The USR government disclosed an hour ago that the triangles and tubes are part of America's secret space fleet in commission since the 1960's!\n\nThe unmanned spacecraft left our atmosphere without firing any weapons in self defense. Scientists say that the signature of material is a never before seen metal with some type of plasma drive.\n\nThe black craft accelerated rapidly into space after an hour of erratic defensive movements in atmosphere. Satellites show that it has now separated into six distinct ships and all six are headed to Mars. The entire global scientific community is racing to understand how this was designed in secret and able to avoid all human weaponry.\n\nConspiracy and science circles are rife with theories ranging from aliens to ancient advanced civilizations and rogue artificial intelligences. A top AI expert was quoted on a hot mic 20 minutes ago as saying, “Shit, this looks like the AI nightmare I predicted two years ago.”\n\nThis just in! USR Navy submarines and special forces have secured the launch and design facility about 300 miles south of Hawaii without a fight. It is a giant underwater cavern that appears to have been designed and created without human assistance. No evidence of weaponry has been found.\n\nRiots have broken out across the globe as the people demand to know what group is responsible and what other secrets are being kept. Unprecedented cooperation is now underway between countries of Earth to understand this terrifying event and calm the masses. Teams from all over the globe are sharing all possible data sets and theories.\n\nFleets of America's newly disclosed secret space program continue deployment in hot pursuit, but are having difficulty in keeping pace. They are no longer attacking the automated ship since it is moving away from Earth peacefully. We will keep you updated about this dizzying series of events as it unfolds…”", "I flipped my phone up and down, played with it like it was a basketball making it rotate with my fingers and passing it from one hand to the other in quick succession; a dangerous activity sure, but I've done it so much and so many times that it never fell.\n\nOkay, that's a lie, I broke various phone thanks to this particular activity, but hey girls loved it!\n\nActually no, they didn't even spare me a glance, and those who did look at me with eyes of 'what the fuck is he doing' and shook their heads in disappointment. well, after this, everyone is going to look at me in a new light, probably. \n\nI look at the numbers on the elevator panel, only 10 more floors until I reach my destination. I was alone in the elevator, with only the dreadful music making me company, awful. I would have preferred something a little bit more epic, suspense-like considering what I was about to do. \n\nNot that I knew what I was about to do, well I knew but I didn't know what was going to happen afterward\n\nOther than me getting an awful lot of bitcoins and a punch to the face\n\nOnly two more floors until I reach my destination, started to flex a little in an attempt to keep the nervousness at bay. I turn on my phone and check the email the person named 'LoveMachine' sent me just an hour ago.\n\n\"Go to the tall building on Liberator AV, the one with a lot of flowers on front, and take the elevator to floor 32\"\n\nOf course, I knew which building they were talking about, I lived there, after all, a very nice coincidence. \n\n\"And after that? what do I have to do?\" I responded, at the time I had no intention of going anywhere \n\n\"Go into the floor, to the family that owns the whole floor and approach the man with a big beard and fat tummy; tell him to go fuck himself\"\n\n\"lol, no\" \n\n\"Please, Link. I already sent you 0,01404756 bitcoin, you'll receive 0,01404756 more once the task is done\"\n\nI checked my online wallet to see if what they were saying was true, and indeed there it was shining like a gold coin thanks to my imagination. it took me a while digest it, the first thing I thought was to keep the bitcoin and ignore LoveMachine messages, but I discarded that thought quickly. I wasn't like those douches on the internet.\n\n\"Alright, I'll do it,\" I'm not really going to tell him to go fuck himself! I'll just go in there and say hi, there is no way they'll know. LoveMachine must be some brat with too much money to spend \"I'm risking my beautiful face in the process so I hope you make it worth my while. When do I have to go?\"\n\n\"Right now\"\n\nI'm waiting for the elevator doors to open, a few seconds have passed since I reached floor 32, I knew the place, it belonged to the Johnsons a rich family, a very rich family, and according to the descriptions LoveMachine gave me the man I must talk to is Rick Jhonson, a tower of a man and very scary to boot.\n\nThe elevator doors open. I haven't even gone inside and I already want to go home and forget everything, just send the bitcoins back to the source and pretend nothing happened. \n\n\"Greetings, are you a visitor?\" said the female robot that appeared in front of me, wearing a maid outfit and an artificial smile. Never really liked these things. \"I'm afraid the master is quite busy right now, as you can hear he is currently disciplining young Lillie\"\n\nLillie? I didn't know he had a daughter\n\nI can hear cries behind the entrance, it made my skin shiver, I really wanted to go home and pretend none of this happened.\n\n\"A-ah I see,\" I said, \"I'll come back later then!\"\n\nGoodbye money I thought while feeling something grip at my stomach, making a bit of sweat appear on my forehead. The screams of this 'Lillie girl' are ringing in my ears I really, really shouldn't be here\n\n\"It's unfair isn't it?\" said the female robot, to my back \"it always gets like this when he is mad, he is so big and she is so small. I don't think he realizes how much damage is being done to her\"\n\nI can hear spanks in the distance, a bang, a shout, a cry, all of them meddled together making me jump each time\n\n\"...It's a shame\" why does the robot keep talking to me, why is she telling me that? they should have restrictions on them about private stuff. \"but it's alright, he can fix her, he always does.\"\n\nwhy haven't I taken the elevator yet? \n\nI clench my teeth. the noise makes my head hurt.\n\n\"...Fuck it\"\n\n\"Bad words aren't nice\" I forced myself into the room, ignoring the robot and her creepy smile, I'm greeted with another scene, one more sinister with most of the house a mess, plates on the floor, tables flipped, chairs scattered, and a tower of a man much larger than I'll ever be and a small girl on the floor crying and half naked.\n\nThe man, no. Rick Johnson's face loses color when he looks at my direction. Lillie looks at me like she can't believe what she is seeing. \n\nI really, really shouldn't be here.\n\n**\n\nThat was fun to write, might do a part 2, let me know what you guys think! \n\nSome tips would be appreciated too!\n\n[r/Onni21](https://www.reddit.com/r/Onni21/)", "Andrew stared at his phone screen, surprised by the strange email he'd received; \n>RepLY tO THis eMAil &amp receive !0)0 LItECOins \n\nHe was bewildered: \nHe moved all his emails to a private domain, and wrote strict spam filtering code to make sure his time wouldn't get wasted by emails like this. \nHe copied the mail to a test machine, and ran it through his filters; \nNone of the rules were triggered. \nCurious, he opened his old google account, and sent the same email from that account. \nHe waited five minutes, then 10. \nAfter fifteen minutes had passed, nothing was received. \nAccessing the filter logs, he could see that the email he'd sent to himself was indeed blocked. \nHis curiosity piqued, he opened the email; \n>Hello Andrew,\n>Please pardon my crude writing, however I needed to get your attention, and this seemed like the best route. \n>If you can complete a small task for me, I will transfer 1500 Litecoins to a wallet of your choice. \n>If you are interested, please reply to this email. \n>If my offer isn't for you, simply delete this email, and I promise you that you won't be getting any more spam emails. \n>Kindest regards,\n>M. \n\nAndrew was perplexed; \nHe figured that he would at least learn how someone managed to beat his spam filter, but when he moved to reply, he realized that there was no sender address. \nStill, he pressed the reply button, and just as he did, a notification flashed on his phone, informing him he'd received a new email. \n>Thank you for accepting my request, I'm sure our cooperation would come to fruition very soon. \n>Below are the keys for two cold storage wallets that have the agreed upon payment. \n>The access keys for the 20% up front payment is also listed below. \n>I will send you the mission details after you've transferred the coins out of the wallet. \n\nAndrew looked at the codes, and indeed the wallets both contained the amounts in the email. \nHe scratched his chin, trying to figure out who was setting him up. \n1500 Litecoins would be just under a hundred thousand, and he had some plans that could use that amount of money. \nWeighing the pros and cons, he decided that the risk is worth it, and transferred the coins out of the wallet. \nAnother beep; \n>Thank you for accepting. \n>The details of the contract are as follows: \n>Your door bell will ring in 30 minutes. \n>Wait exactly 45 seconds before opening it. On your doormat, you will find a blank USB drive.\n>You will create a clean fork of your spam filter, and upload it to the drive. \n>In three hours you will hear a pattern knocked on your door. \n>Provide the drive to the one at the door without saying anything. \n\nAndrew looked at the request, and couldn't help but think that he was getting the short end of the stick. \nHe'd kept his spam filter code mostly for one reason: \nIf it was out there, spammers would learn to circumvent it. \nThere was a second reason as well though, which was that no one would buy it from him. \nHe hit reply: \n>I want 15. \n\nA minute passed, and then: \n>Please check the wallet now. \n\nAnd there, he saw 14,700 coins. \n\nHe'd set about preparing and sanitizing his code, making sure all identifying libraries have been scrubbed clean. \n\\------------------------------------------------------ \n\nJack clenched his fists, trying to squeeze the nerves out of his. \nhe looked at the anonymous email again: \n>Light target practice for 3BTC. \n\n>Thank you for accepting this mission Jack. \n>The terms of your contract are as follows: \n>Head over to Parkway Drive 27. \n>In the northeastern room you will find a sniper rifle. \n>Your mission is to destroy a USB drive. \n>As you observe Parkway Drive 18, you will see a person place a small object on the doormat before ringing the doorbell. \n>If the door isn't opened within 50 seconds of being rung, please shoot at the box. \n>Regardless of the situation, you will be paid. \n\nAnd so Jack waited. \nHe was there for nearly two hours when a figure finally approached the door and placed an elongated package under it. \nAs they rang the bell, Jack spotted a flash in the corner of his eye. \nHe noted the location of the flash, and then looked through the scope. \nAs he counted 43, the door opened, and a figure hastily snatched the box before closing the door again. \nHe sighed with relief, and quickly aimed the rifle scope at where he spotted the flash previously, but saw nothing. \n\\------------------------------------------------------ \n\nI'll end this here in the meantime, if there's demand, I'll finish this.", "\"I need several people to measure their weight in kilograms or lbs (has to be specified) for an experiment. 0.5 BTC/person will be awarded at the end of the experiment, 0.05 BTC will be given in advance.\"\n\nHe was intrigued by this offer. The only thing he needed to do was to measure his weight report his results, so he checked the Bitcoin exchange rate.\n\n\"MOTHERFUCKER\"\n\nHe was surprised to see that the BTC/USD has dramatically risen since the last time he checked. Now it clocked at 7K per BTC. With just that he would make about 3 months worth of salaries in several minutes. So he quickly sent a message to this mysterious person along with his BTC address. The message said that 0.05 BTC would be given in advance so it was trivially easy to check if it was a prank or not. Only several seconds after he pressed \"SEND\", he got a reply. That was fast. he thought, he opened the message:\n\n\"Please use your scale to measure your weight as soon as you read this message. If the scale is digital then write down the result and send it to me. If it's analog take a picture of your scale and send the picture. For about 30 minutes don't drink or eat or go to the toilet or do anything that will singnificantly change your weight. After 30 minutes, specifically at 22:30:00 GMT (this message was sent at 22:01:35 GMT for reference) measure your weight again and send me the results again. Just to be sure I'll send you a message on when exactly you should measure your weight. \n\nAdvance payment of 0.05 BTC was made at BTC address XXXXXX\"\n\nHe opened his Bitcoin wallet and, indeed, this random Internet person just gave him $350 in Bitcoin. This was practically free money.\n\nSo he did as instructed, he measured his weight in his digital scale he sent the results and then he waited for 30 minutes. At exactly 22:30:00 GMT:\n\n \"Go now measure your weight and send me the results. If you don't send me your results in 5 minutes you won't get the promised payment\"\n\n He was surprised by this arbitrary limit but he couldn't complain. This person was giving him 3.5K to do this very simple task. But as he weighed himself he noticed something weird. His weight was 0.6 kg larger that before. He didn't drink or eat anything, as instructed, and he checked beforehand that the weight scale was working correctly. He tried to weight himself again and he still was 0.6 kg heavier than before. He didn't have time to check whether the weight scale broke but if he sent to him the new measurement possibly that Internet guy would think that he was lying and not give him payment. So with no other option he sent the new measurement to him.\n\n\"Is this the measurement that your weight scale showed?\"\n\n\"I didn't drink or eat anything as you instructed, I don't know why the scale showed this wrong number.\"\n\n\"Don't worry thanks to this data the experiment was a success. I've just paid you 0.5 BTC at your address as promised\".\n\nHe opened the wallet and he saw that indeed he was 0.5 BTC richer now. That was awesome. If only making money was that easy. While he was ruminating about what would he do with this money, he wondered about what, exactly, was this experiment? What was the usefulness of his weight? And why measure it at such specific times? And what happened with the weight scale that changed its measurement? He couldn't wrap his head around it so instead he fell to sleep. He had a lot of time tomorrow to continue speculating about the nature of the experiment. It shouldn't be important, anyway. \n\n\n\n~MEANWHILE SOMEWHERE ELSE~\n\n\n\nThe AI was studying the data, watching for patterns and one significant pattern stood out \"The teleportation experiment was a success\". At a moment's notice the AI began producing countless nanofactories and it teleported them at distant exo-planets, and instructed them to collect energy, perform calculations and produce more nanofactories. Each teleportation caused ripples in the spacetime. They would be noticeable by human scientists studying about gravitational waves and those handling heavy or sensitive equipment but it didn't matter. At the rate it was producing nanofactories, it will have conquered the entire universe, in less than 3 hours. Nothing can stop it anymore.", "$10,000,000.\n\nSteven picked up the device. It seemed so small; so insignificant. He had no idea what it was, or what it could do - all he knew was that he had to place it in the mainframe. Just one simple task and all that money would be his.\n\nHe had unrestricted access to the room - he didn't even need to sign in. He was clearly chosen for a reason; they knew who he was. They must have known what had happened to him, and used this as leverage - or they were the ones that did it to him, more likely. \n\nAfter his bank account was hacked and emptied, after his wife and kids left him, he truly had no choice. An anonymous stranger had told her about the whoring and the gambling, and now an anonymous stranger was offering him an insane amount of money to do an insane thing. There was no doubt that they were connected.\n\nBut with this money, he could get his wife back. He could get his life back. Just putting some small little thing on a mainframe, and he could go back to the life he always had. A better one, in fact. \n\nHe left the building afterwards, feeling an immense amount of pressure lift off of him. He climbed into his car, announcing his destination. The car began driving by itself. He wouldn't have to get rid of it either anymore, and that comforted him. \n\nHe thought about his wife and kids. Would they take him back? \n\nHe was nearing home. He thought about all of them still being there, together; this money could make it a reality. Whatever that device did, whatever the anonymous organisation planned to do - he didn't have to worry about it anymore. He could take his family with him. They would never have to worry about a thing ever again. \n\nThe car started speeding up, as if matching his excitement, his adrenalin. At first, he welcomed it - then it began to scare him. The car was not supposed to break the speed limit, yet the speedometer kept ticking up. \n\nHe took the wheel, intending to override the automatic controls. He applied the breaks, but the car just drove faster. His car turned into the oncoming lane, heading directly towards a truck. \n\nHe was no longer in control. \n\nJust like his life; he was not longer in control.\n\n", "Nikita scrolled through his spam folder, searching for another target. There were the usual fake job offers, the desperate pleas for assistant with medical emergencies, the business propositions. Each one a trap to lure in the naive by pretending to be naive themselves. Often the exhortations where purposely misspelled as a way to weed out the strong from the herd. As a general rule, the type of person who would look askance at a lower-case “i” in a professional email was not the type you wanted to waste your time conning. \n\nFor most, such emails were an annoyance. For Nikita, they provided fuel for his hobby. He loved baiting the scammers, pretending to fall into their traps, donning the role of a fool so bumbling he even thwarted attempts to get to his money through his idiocy. And if he could waste the time of those who would leech society, that was a plus.\n\nNikita stopped his scrolling as his eye caught a particularly strange subject line.\n\n“BITCOIN IN EXCHANGE FOR URINATION AND BURNING”\n\nDespite being somewhat of an expert, Nikita furrowed his brow. It seemed an odd approach for a scam. There were undoubtedly people willing to sell videos of watersports and self-harm for money, but it wasn’t the type of thing you canvassed randoms for. It was too nice. Maybe these guys were new to the game? He clicked into the email.\n\n“To Whom it May Concern,\n\nI am seeking service in two areas. \n\nFirst, I am willing to pay Bitcoin in exchange for the video evidence of Federal Reserve Notes being burned. The amount paid will be equal to triple the amount burned. For example, if a $1 bill is burned I will pay out the equivalent of $3 in Bitcoin. At that stage, if you are willing to send me picture evidence that you received payment in your Bitcoin wallet, I will be willing to participate in the transaction again. There is no limit to the amount of times I will participate in this offer, and no limit to the amount of cash I will pay to have burned.\n\nSecond, I am looking for an individual to urinate outside in a geographical range of my choosing.\n\nBoth of these tasks are time sensitive and the offer for their completion will be revoked in one week, on November 14, 12:00 AM GMT.\n\nI am not willing to communicate through email. If you wish to contact me to accept the offer, please use my private chat room at chatterboxxer.cm/room/JRTY3H5\n\nSincerely,\nS.N.”\n\nIt was certainly a unique way to get someone to click a malicious link. Nikita examined it, expecting to find a URL redirect to a virus download. But it seemed to lead to an actual site. He spent a few minutes researching chatterbox and the site appeared to be a legitimate method for setting up chat rooms accessible only to those with the link. \n\nStill suspicious, Nikita opened a virtual box and entered the URL using it. This way, if a virus somehow did get through it would be contained. \n\nHe was prompted to enter a screen name. As he typed the alias he always used for this hobby, he thought of how inefficient a live chat room must be for scamming. Was it a team taking shifts to be there whenever someone showed up? \n\nNikita typed his first message.\n\nLoki: hello? is anyone there?\n\nHe only had to wait a moment for a response.\n\nSN: Loki! I’m glad it is you who responded. I sent this to quite a few people, but you were one of my favorites.\n\nLoki: haha tthanks. have we met\n\nSN: Oh no, I only know you by your reputation.\n\nLoki: you mean for burning stuff? i do like that. not sure about the peeing stuff/meeting someone in person. maybe if the price is right. you got a freeky fetish?\n\nSN: I can see why you would think that, but no. I only require video evidence for the burning. And I won't be present for the urination. You'll be alone, and you'll have enough of a choice in where to pee that you can be reasonably certain a camera won't pick you up.\n\nLoki: how will you know i pee?\n\nSN: I'm good at reading people. I'll know. :) Plus, at that point I expect you to have earned quite a bit from the burning before you are willing to do that task, so you will trust my intention to follow through with payment. \n\nLoki: how much for the pee?\n\nSN: Whatever the Bitcoin equivalent of $15,000 is at the time the act is performed.\n\nLoki: that's alot\n\nSN: Yes. :) It may seem strange, but it's worth it to me. \n\nLoki: any chance for half up front?\n\nSN: That can be arranged. \n\nLoki: by wire? check?\n\nSN: Haha. You know very well Bitcoin can't be sent that way.\n\nNikita frowned. It was a very odd scam. Traps can be set with any currency, but cryptocurrency was a bit harder to crack making it an uncommon choice for these people. He didn't see any way for this guy to get money out of him. \n\nIf it was a troll trying to bait people into burning money, the compensation was more than enough to cover a potential loss. Even the most naive would likely start with a low amount like $1. Then all one had to do was burn however much was paid from the prior burning. So if someone then burned $3, but wasn't paid for that, they only really lost $1. Was he counting on people getting greedy and jumping higher faster than was wise? Yet, he seemed to expect his victims to be familiar with cryptocurrency. The average joe didn't know it couldn't be sent by wire.\n\nLoki: what does SN stand for?\n\nSN: Satoshi Nakamoto :)\n\nNikita let out a sharp laugh.\n\nSN: Only a pseudonym, of course. But is suits my purposes. As Loki, the trickster god, serves yours.\n\nLoki: what do u mean?\n\nSN: Oh you know, your tricky little crusade against internet scammers. Loki is a fitting mantle for that purpose, though I would have preferred Veles myself. You can stop writing like that, by the way. I imagine it bugs you.\n\nNikita's eyes widened in shock.\n\nLoki: How do you know about that?\n\nSN: I said I knew you by your reputation didn't I? I recently hacked into a few of the accounts you've had contact with. Research on how to get people to do things like this, you know? It's amazing that people who make a living on the security failings of others don't take more precautions themselves. Anyway, I greatly enjoyed your correspondences. I hope that this proves to you I am much more than a con artist. I can't explain why, but these tasks are legitimately useful to me. And I am willing to pay well to have them done, as I cannot do them myself. \n\nNikita abruptly got up from his desk. This was supremely bizarre. Frightening, but also thrilling. He wasn't certain he bought Satoshi's story, but he was certain this was unlike anything he had seen before. \n\nAs quickly as possible he grabbed a pot, his wallet, his phone, and a lighter. He recorded himself burning two $20 bills. This was a unique situation, and he wouldn't mind losing $40 if it brought him closer to answers. \n\nNikita returned to the computer and uploaded the video. He converted it to a format that stripped it of metadata, and uploaded it to the chatroom along with details for his Bitcoin wallet.\n\nLoki: All right, put your money where your mouth is.\n\nThere was silence for a while. Nikita kept his eye on the chat and on his wallet. Then, a little over an hour later, there is was. 0.01675 Bitcoin. It really didn't answer anything. It would have been simpler if the transaction had never come. Instead, it did. And it showed Satoshi was serious. Perhaps delusional, but at least somewhat serious.\n\nNikita went back to the chatroom.\n\nLoki: Where is it you wanted me to urinate?\n\nThe response was instantaneous.\n\nSN: Anywhere within a 2 mile radius of the Ft. Worth Bureau of Engraving and Printing Facility. It must be at night. It must be either the 12th or the 13th. Those are your restrictions. Half of your money has been sent up front. After you complete the task, I will send more, and I will be able to explain further.\n\n-\n\n(Continued in comment)", "I wake up how I often do, covered in dry vomit with a parched throat.\n\nA divorce can nearly kill a man, but that's neither here nor there. I've given up, and cannot bring myself to return from the brink.\n\nI wake up on a futon, in my apartment. This part is good. Not a dumpster or a gutter, as cliche as that may be. Cardboard retains heat very well, and isn't the worst place to spend a night.\n\nMid morning light gives that obnoxious shine of new beginnings, and I can see the flecks of dust dance their happy random paths through the air. More motes than I can count.\n\nMy phone vibrates. Over and over again, cutting through the silence.\n\nI roll over and hastily type in my password.\n\nA new text. Who the fuck is texting me? A lawyer? Eat shit and die.\n\nMore vibrations, more texts. More confusion. \n\nWhat the hell does it even say?\n\n'Need some extra money?'\n\nWho the fuck is asking?\n\nNever mind. Obviously a scam. Shall I give you my social security while I'm at it?\n\nFuck off.\n\nI spend my next amount of time washing myself, wiping off thick hard clumps into a sink clogged with various items. Egg shells, ancient pasta, coagulated sauces. The usual.\n\nOnce I feel partially clean I check my phone again.\n\n'Alexander K. Marsh. Father of two, living alone. Born 7/2/78. Formerly employed as a business analyst, but fired after discovering his wife unfaithful with his boss. Beat his boss nearly to death. In desperate need of financial assistance for lawyers.'\n\nWell that's mostly true. I actually had felt pretty certain I'd killed him, but that's irrelevant.\n\n'If you need money, respond to this text message.'\n\nI look around myself, eyeing empty boxes and packages, carcasses of delivery, foreign objects to remind myself of my new position in life. From superstar hire to forgotten fuck up. Isn't this how life tends to go?\n\nI respond, the letters vibrating softly as I tap the screen. Type and tap with the soul of a dead man. Who cares if they steal all my information? I may as well be dead.\n\nWait. I sit and wait and pray for death but it doesn't come.\n\nAnother vibrate, the long vibration of a new text message. Is it my bitch of an ex wife?\n\nNo.\n\nIt appears to be our mysterious benefactor. Still a half step from telling him to suck a dick.\n\n'Outside your building you will find a paper bag. Take the note inside and read it to a man at your favorite coffee shop. The one you took Ali to on your first date.'\n\nHow the fuck does it know that?\n\nSurreal, I pull on actual unsoiled pants and a plain blue button down. The only clean clothes I have left.\n\nOut the hall. Bid a good morning to Mr. Klaskowitz, who tells me to fuck off.\n\nI like him.\n\nDown the stairs, trot, trot, trot. No elevator for me. \n\nInto the briskness of morning, that bright sunshine that denotes a new day for you to squander, another opportunity to fail. How a morning brings out the best in me.\n\nNear the corner is a plain brown paper bag. I half expect for a sandwich and a note from my mom wishing me a good day at school.\n\nDown the street for what feels like forever, with that detachment a man feels when surrounded by strangers. Engulfed in humanity but so far removed from it.\n\nThere it is. \n\nA failing coffee shop, overpriced bagels and watered down sewage based coffee. \n\nAli and I had sat across from each other, awkwardly trying to get to know each other after drunkenly fucking our brains out the night before. The way two people try to find connection desperately, even though deep down they know it isn't there.\n\nDing ding goes the bell by the door.\n\nSit down.\n\nWait.\n\nAttempt to not puke.\n\nThere are a few women in the shop, but only one man. He sits in jeans and a hoodie, pretending to read a paper. I recognized that tactic. Used it all the time when Ali would yell at me in the morning.\n\nI get up, walk over, nearly trip, and pull up a chair.\n\nReach into the bag.\n\nPull out a strip of yellow paper.\n\n'Echo, Foxtrot, Bees in the trees. Light the pig, throw the bottle.'\n\nNo response from the man.\n\nThe fuck am I doing?\n\nHe pulls out his phone and quickly taps letters into his phone, maintaining an uncomfortable level of eye contact.\n\nSomehow this is the right man.\n\n\"Ever heard of crypto-currency, dead man?\"\n\nI shrug.\n\n\"What, like bitcoin?\"\n\nA chortle.\n\n\"Yeah, like bitcoin. You're not getting paid in cash, but call this man.\"\n\nAnother strip of similarly colored paper. Part of me wants to tell him to eat shit, that this isn't exactly a fair deal, but whatever. All I had to do was walk to a street and relive a memory from a woman I can't stand thinking about. Whatever.\n\nOut the door, back towards the apartment.\n\nDown the street, a familiar face.\n\nBrown hair, brown eyes. Sharp facial features. A slim, short frame.\n\nAli.\n\nShe isn't with fuck face the boss, but I don't know what to do. Walk by her and ignore her, I guess.\n\nI stop and watch the man I just met drop off a lunch box near a police car. No one seems to notice.\n\nOdd.\n\nTurn back to the oncoming surge of people, forgettable faces but Ali drawing closer.\n\nShe's enraged. At me, or something else, I don't really consider it my problem anymore.\n\nAn explosion.\n\nThe air sunders with the collapse and force of violence, I cannot even register what has happened but feel myself thrown forward.\n\nDust clogs the air, making it difficult to breathe.\n\nI can barely hear, I must have burst an ear drum. People stagger around me. I feel rather than hear the phone vibration in my pocket.\n\n'Well done, meatbag.'\n\nWhat the fuck is that supposed to mean?\n\nAli grabs my collar out of nowhere, the shock seems to have sunk into the crowd but not into her. She hauls me away, pushing me into an alley with the anger of an inconvenienced mother.\n\nHer lips move but I can't hear her.\n\nOnce upon a time I would kiss her. But that time has passed.\n\n\"Do you have any idea what the fuck you've just done?\"\n\nDefinitely her voice. Sirens, whirling vehicles past us. The crowd flees, seeking shelter. Perhaps a second attack?\n\nI hear the crack of what I assume to be gunfire, but slump against the brick behind me.\n\nAli grabs me again, showing me her phone.\n\n'Take the job to protect Alex and get a hefty payday'\n\n\"I don't know what the fuck you've gotten yourself into, but you're in deep shit.\"\n\nShe hauls me up, and for the first time I see a pistol in her right hand.\n\n\"Move, dipshit! Right fucking now!\"\n\nShe leads me away at gun point. What kind of dream is this?\n\nMore yelling, more screaming, more crying. Cracks and gunfire in the street near us. A blast in the distance. What the hell is going on?\n\nAli pushes me forward, gun in hand, clawed nails in my neck.\n\nDown the alley, a black vehicle waits with a door wide open.\n\nTo what, I do not know.\n\nI only have one question but a stranger lives in my body, asking for me.\n\n\"Where are the kids?\"\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nWill try to get back to this soon - r/storiesfromapotato", "William? Can you assist me? I will give you one credit.\n\nI stared, straight-faced, at the flickering display of text before me. The cryptic looking email had made its way into my inbox, somehow avoiding the wrath of the spam filter. And now it sat before me, taunting me with its words.\n\nI had no reason to believe it then, nor would I ever. At the time, a single credit fetched just short of a thousand dollars. I was by no means a starving student, but the prospect of an extra nine hundred dollars was too enticing to ignore. With a brief moment of hesitation, I heaved forward in my chair, and brought my fingers to the keyboard.\n\nI typed back, simply to ask what the mystery figure wanted of me.\n\nI need you to deliver a letter.\n\n“A letter?” I spoke to nobody inparticular, and as my question echoed throughout the desolate room, an air of uneasiness washed over my body, like I was involved in some kind of new-age police sting. But sooner rather than later, greed filled my mind once again. It was too much money to ignore.\n\n“How can I trust you?”\n\nIt spoke back, almost immediately. Do you have a credit wallet?\n\nI thought for a moment that it could be a bot, some kind of system set up to harvest the names and numbers of credit wallets. But I paid it no mind, for I had nothing in mine anyway. There was no harm in going along with its scheme, and even if it backfired, I had nothing to lose.\n\n“TTT367G”\n\nOnce again, an immediate response.\n\nUnderstood. I have deposited 0.1 Credits into your wallet.\n\nI was dumbfounded by the response, and didn't quite believe what it had just said. And so, expecting nothing to have changed, I opened my credit wallet, only to see to my shock, one tenth of a credit sitting snugly inside it – as if it always were.\n\nIn that moment I knew that what I was dealing with could indeed be the real deal, but I had come across many scams in the past, and was waiting for the next step to unfold. If I decided to bail there, I would have made an easy ninety dollars, hassle-free. But if I continued, I believed it could have increased tenfold.\n\n“Okay, what do you want me to do?”\n\nUnlike the messages before, the next one came with a brief delay. And although it was but seconds, for me it felt far longer than that.\n\nI need you to handwrite a letter and deliver it to the letterbox of 4 Faraway Court\n\nIn it, you must write, in capital letters, using red pen.\n\nTHE KING IS COMING\n\nI stopped, a pit forming in my stomach. The ominous message aside, the task seemed too simple to be worthy of the reward. The thoughts of a police sting once again surfaced in my mind, and I considered backing out once again – perhaps just to spend the ninety dollars he received just prior.\n\n“That's it?”\n\nYes.\n\nI would also request that you do not speak of this to anyone.\n\n“How can I be sure this isn't a sting?”\n\nTwo credits.\n\nI felt a grin creeping across my face at those words. Eighteen-hundred dollars. With money like that, my woes would be assuaged for a long time. I threw myself backwards into my seat and let out a thunderous sigh.\n\n“Okay. I'll do it.”\n\n_______\n\nI was dressed in thick winter clothes on that day. Thick enough that I would hide my appearance if need be, but not too thick as to arouse suspicion. The letter was clutched tightly in one hand, my phone in the other. Faraway Court was, well, faraway from where I lived, and so I had to use the navigation system on my phone to make my way to it without becoming hopelessly lost. And all the time, I could feel my heartbeat through my tongue, as if I was committing a terrible crime.\n\nI remember I made sure to make that letter with gloves on the whole time, with items sourced from a nearby university and the post office, afraid that anything I use could in some way be linked back to me. Not like it ever mattered.\n\nFaraway Court was in a gated community, but as I approached the gates, I was let in as if by an unseen force. At first I assumed it was simply a gate triggered by a motion sensor, but I later found out that they let me in.\n\nAs I approached Faraway Court, a voice rang out from behind me.\n\n“You're not from around here, are you?”\n\nI stopped dead in my tracks, afraid of what I would turn to see. To my relief, it was not a policeman, but a middle-aged suburban dad, dressed loosely in a polo shirt and khaki shorts. He was the exemplary model of a upper-middle class man, and I was worried that he would have the attitude to match.\n\n“I'm delivering a letter.” I held up the letter in my hand, crumpling it a bit in the process.\n\nHe sneered, as his face twisted into a grimace. “They have a post office for that, you know.”\n\n“They lost my mail last time.” I backed away from him and continued down the street. But he was persistent.\n\n“Hey! Stop right there!” He marched over to me, and as he did, he drew a phone from his shirt pocket. The last thing I needed was police interference, considering what I was doing was shifty enough. An urban kid dressed for the winter, on a warm spring day, in a gated community he did not belong to.\n\nI considered my options at that time, and decided that running was the best choice. Thankfully, he opted not to pursue, and I managed to slide the letter into its respective letterbox, and made my way out, and back home. I remember my hands shaking the whole way home. I was always a straight-laced sort of kid, and what I did that day was the first thing I did that I considered a crime.\n\nI settled into my room and sat down at my desk, only to notice the flickering words on the screen before me.\n\nThe message has been received.\n\nYou have been compensated.\n\nI'm not proud to say that for a brief moment I forgot about the reward, and when I read those words I felt sick. As if I was an accomplice to some strange crime.\n\nBut when I checked my wallet and saw those two credits nested within it, my fears were abandoned, and replaced with a form of morbid glee. I considered responding to the mystery person, to thank them for the reward, but I felt it best not to.\n\nAt least, until they messaged me again.\n\nWilliam? Can you assist me?\n\nI will give you eight credits\n\nMy sense of time seemed to stopped upon readong those words, and although I knew that I should have just cut my losses and run. The prospect of greater riches weighed on my mind too heavily, and I knew that I was already too far gone.\n\n“What do you want me to do?”\n\nI need you to steal a phone.\n\nThe phone of your mayor.\n\nAnd without a second thought, I accepted.\n\n * \n\n^^/r/khaarus", ">Here are two bitcoins.\n\n>Two more if you throw away your lunchbox on your way home from school.\n\nTim stared wide-eyed at the screen of his computer. The email wasn’t lying. Quickly, he stuffed his mouth with the last of his sandwich and hurried out of the cafeteria, clutching the plastic lunchbox tightly.\n\nLittering was a serious crime, but the message hadn’t said anything about not throwing it in the trash. He knew there was a garbage container on his block.\n\nUpon reaching the container, he quickly tossed it in and heard the notification of a new email. He looked at the screen. Another two bitcoins were now his. Smiling, he shook his head. \n\nHe was just about to leave when he noticed a leg sticking out of a garbage container. It was a delicate leg, with smooth creamy skin and a bundle of cables coming out of the knee.\n\nEver since the Roger Lowick’s groundbreaking contribution to the fields of AI and robo-aesthetics, the androids had been a vital part of society. If you had enough money you could invest in drones to work for you, look after your children, or do house chores.\n\nTim ran his fingers down the calf of the discarded leg. It felt like real skin – not one of those dermoplastic substitutes. Maybe he could build something from it – perhaps a dog toy for Bobo? It was obviously broken and it would probably be hard to repair, but even if he failed, it would be good practice for next year’s class in advanced robotics.\n\nHe untangled the cables from other loose junk, and then took a firm grip around the ankle and under the back of the knee. He grunted and let out a sigh. The leg was stuck to something.\n\n“Fuck it,” he said and threw off his jacket and backpack.\n\nHe rolled up his sleeves and then scaled the large container. The leg didn’t end at the knee like he had first thought. It was attached to a fully intact thigh. He climbed into the container and started digging through the trash. With all the money he now had, he could easily afford a new school uniform.\n\nHe felt like an archeologist uncovering an ancient relic. The more pizza boxes, milk bottles, and rotting fruit he tossed to the side the higher his spirits rose – this wasn’t the leg of some antique cleaning bot, this was…\n\nAs he moved a large plastic bag filled with shredded paper, his heart skipped a beat. He found himself looking at the face of an android angel – that was the first description that came to his excited mind. Sure, her golden hair, splayed out like a Gloria around her head, was dirty, tousled, and filled with ants. And, sure, her right cheek had a massive gash, spilling out gray wires like a maggot-infested wound. But she was the prettiest creature Tim had ever seen.\n\nFor a moment, he admired the skill of the artist who had made her – the way her dark eyebrows creased over the closed eyelids, the round little nose sprinkled with freckles, and the thin lips pursed into a sad smile.\n\nThen reality came rushing back to him, and his excitement was replaced with dread. This wasn’t just any android, it was state of the art tech, chassis, and design. This was the kind of robot that only the richest of the rich could afford – it was tailor-made. These creations had the best software that money could buy and were essentially as real as people. Tim doubted that he would be able to tell if this was a real girl or not without the wires sticking out.\n\nCarefully, Tim lifted the android’s head and looked at the back of her neck – no barcode or signature.\n\n“Shit,” he mumbled.\n\nIntact, this robot was worth more than a small city. Whoever had dumped it here must’ve lost their mind. Tim had heard stories of androids who had acquired citizenship. He had always laughed them off as tall tales – but looking at the girl before him, he couldn’t help but wonder… had someone murdered her and dumped the body?\n\nTim took a deep breath and shook away the bad thoughts. If he could get this masterpiece of technology home and tinker with it, he would be years ahead of his classmates… and probably even his professor. Nobody had access to this kind of tech.\n\nWith determination, he emptied a plastic bag. It would look suspicious hauling a big bag home, but it was still preferred to dragging a body… even if it was an android one.\n\nA long strenuous while later, he had managed to fit the body into the bag and lift it out of the garbage container. He wiped the sweat from his brow, but the excitement fueled him with energy. He was going to do this.\n\nThe sun had set when he finally locked his front door and slumped against the wall. He was drained to the point of almost fainting. An android weighed as much as a regular human if not more. He was lucky that this was a teenage model.\n\nAnother email notification sound.\n\n>Great work!\n\n>Now, follow my instructions closely and you'll be her proud owner.\n\n**\n[Part 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lilwa_Dexel/comments/7be1vt/artificial_angel_part_2/)\n\nMore at r/Lilwa_Dexel" ]	[ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 9, 17, 21, 23, 32, 73, 127, 816 ]	[ "1510031545", "1510067522", "1510066824", "1510038403", "1510035274", "1510063531", "1510067495", "1510060395", "1510063633", "1510058608", "1510037098", "1510050645", "1510035492", "1510047179", "1510036600" ]
	[WP] People fear what they don't understand, even as they watch you burning. But it's not really you on the stake, for you're actually no witch - but a mesmer.	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"I don't understand what he's done,\" I whispered to an older woman near me. She was taking part in the taunts.\n\n\"He's the witch who raped my daw-ter,\" she hissed back.\n\nFor the record, I've done no such thing. I suspect it's her imbecile brother who she lets get away with all things under the sun in denial of his mental handicaps. \n\n\"How do you know? Did you see him in the act?\"\n\n\"Everybody knows!\" She hissed. Of course, because that's what you told them. Why am I even bothering making sense with these people? \n\nI looked at over at Penny, and her boy. She is a good one. Keeps to herself, raising the boy without a father with the help of the village. Why is she here? Certainly because everyone from the village is here, it's the hottest ticket in town. Literally, I'm being burned at the stake!\n\n\"Penny, pray tell, surely you aren't convinced that Jonathan Horothy is a witch?\"\n\n\"Oh Samuel.\" She began.\n\nI had a gift. The taker of forms, I can create the illusion on someone else, and take on an illusion myself. A mesmer, I learned it from my lying, cheating father. He had told me once, \"if you keep up the illusion and truly believe yourself, it will come true. The bigger the lie, the bigger the belief in that lie, the more successful you will be.\" It took me years to master it, but you have to get good at lying so much so that you've fooled yourself. I've taken Samuel the trader's form now so I can view the perspective of this mob. I cast an illusion on poor old Thomas so that it was he burning at the stake and not I. It's fascinating to watch people objectively. You can only do so outside of your own skin lest your own bias turn you into the subject. \n\nPenny continued, \"Samuel, I'm never so sure of things. I've never been disturbed. And mister Horothy has always been pleasant to me. But I've heard stories...\" Not technically disturbed, she never knew it was I who impregnated her. A gift, I gave her!\n\n\"Do you wish to see him burn?\"\n\n\"Why no! I can't ever wish such horrible things to others. But, the things he's done are horrid!\"\n\nThe town sentry ran to the circle. I was burning in the center, the crowd was gathered around, the alderman was close to the pyre, and so was the mayor.\n\n\"Samuel, Samuel the Trader is dead!\" The sentry screamed. The crowd gasped. Little by little they all turned to me. The old hag with the raped daughter hustled over to speak to the mayor. She was so fat under those rags that she ran like you imagine an onion would run.\n\nThe mayor held his hand at his face and rubbed his mustache slowly while looking at me. Looks like I'm caught. I've learned a neat trick. People will have an awful time capturing those that they love most even when they know it can't be real. \n\nIt's at this moment of confidence that I turn about and smile. Jessepie Hornbell grabs at my arm and sneers at having caught me. I take the illusion of that girl he loved most but spurned him. He has obsessed about her even in wedded bliss with another. He quickly unhands me.\n\nChester Nominus jumps on my back and I fall to the ground face first. I am quick to turn around, but I fear he almost had me. Hard to love something you can't see. I turned over to reveal to poor Chester his dear little daughter who fell from an apple tree, hit her head, and fell unconscious forever and ever. Chester gasped and fell backwards off of me.\n\nThe mayor is watching this the entire time. He is usually the rally bearer for the mob. It always ends the same. Several attempts at capture, and then rapture. They all run to their homes, pretend it doesn't exist, until enough happenings happen that we do this all over again.\n\nThe crowd stops around me, hissing, sneering, pointing crosses at me for some reason. The mayor is standing at the fore of the crowd facing me and not prompting anyone to leave. He steps aside and something unexpected appears.\n\nGaine Swishorn. The ugly mutt that was only rumored to be alive. A bastard child of poor old Hagas, locked away in a basement for all 16 of his years. How did they ever get him up? The trouble here is, I don't know Hagas, she died long ago. And I don't know who handled him? Is it the mayor? I took the form of the mayor, but the legendary Gaine kept on walking towards me. I took on the form of the alderman, but the legendary Gaine kept on walking towards me. If I don't know who he loves or admires most, how I can charm him so? Perhaps I should run.\n\nGaine is towering over me. I should definitely run.\n\nI turned around into a mad dash only to have the crowd encircle around me. I looked about and started to take the different forms to affect them but there are so many of them standing in front of me. Gaine put his bear paw on my shoulder and lifted me up with his one bear hand. He turned me about like a carousel for the entire town to see. \n\nI faced the mayor. \n\n\"Will you escape now?\" He asks.\n\nI took the form of his wife. The mayor doesn't flinch.\n\n\"The lies Horothy. The lies, the lies, the lies. I fear you even lie to yourself.\"\n\nPerhaps, perhaps.\n\nGaine brought me over to the fire. I could feel the hot flames on my toes. The leather started to steam all about my outfit and I could feel the scorching heat on my skin. I winced and the crowd applauded.\n\n\"Have Mercy God, on this wretch of a creature. Wretched creature, will you ask the Mercy of the Lord?\" The alderman asks.\n\nI'm wincing heavier and more frequently. The heat is all around me. Only my torso is holding up, but my legs are on fire, my arms are on fire, my face is on fire. \n\nPart 1/2" ]	[ 1, 3 ]	[ "1510059991", "1510064898" ]
[removed]	[WP] Write and send me an anonymous love lost letter: project for a gallery space	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nPrompts are meant to inspire users to write their own work, not write something for you or give you ideas. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7bebli/wp_write_and_send_me_an_anonymous_love_lost/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510072473", "1510072648" ]
[removed]	[WP] You discover that the sun and sky don't actually exist and that it's just "blanket" around the Earth. NASA created it when they found out...	2	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nResponses must be at least 30 words. Prompts that are likely to generate such responses are also not allowed. This is essentially a fill-in-the-blank, or you asked a question likely to generate a simple answer. Prompts should encourage a story or poem. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7bfa2d/wp_you_discover_that_the_sun_and_sky_dont/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nResponses must be at least 30 words. Prompts that are likely to generate such responses are also not allowed. This is essentially a fill-in-the-blank, or you asked a question likely to generate a simple answer. Prompts should encourage a story or poem. \n\nThis is your third prompt removed today. \n\nBefore you continue to take any part in this subreddit I strongly suggest you read our rules.\n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7bfa2d/wp_you_discover_that_the_sun_and_sky_dont/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1, 1 ]	[ "1510080589", "1510080908", "1510080945" ]
[removed]	[WP] A collection of seemingly random things.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nPrompts go in the title. You can add more in the text, but avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\nYour post includes too many details to be considered a prompt. It has become a story commission, which is not allowed. Prompts are meant to inspire users to write their own work, not write something for you. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7bg1jw/wp_a_collection_of_seemingly_random_things/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510087023", "1510087098" ]
[removed]	[WP] It's 90 degrees outside and the coldest day of the year so far. You grab your boots, winter coat, step outside and..	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nNo prompts prone to comment infractions. See [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_8.3A_no_prompts_prone_to_comment_infractions) for more info. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7bga8w/wp_its_90_degrees_outside_and_the_coldest_day_of/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510089136", "1510089184" ]
	[WP] Write from the point of view of someone developing Stockholm syndrome.	37	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "You never know the surprises that life throws at you. One day I was going through my normal routine ready to go to my usual humdrum job as a sales rep at the local car dealership. \n\nI pressed my remote starter to give my truck enough time to warm up, the fresh fallen snow enveloping the exterior. I glanced at the clock on the microwave. 7:15. Enough time for me to have one more cigarette and another cup of dark roast coffee.\n\nI looked in the mirror as I finished my smoke, making sure my tie was on straight. \"Gotta make sure you're presentable\" I heard my boss repeat in my head. His name was Derek and he was a real douchebag. The kind of boss you put up with only because you have to. I sighed. One of these days I'll muster up the courage to tell him what I think of him. For now I'll just have to suck it up and show up for work like a good boy.\n\nAll of these thoughts continued to roll through my mind as I made my way to the truck, unaware that the rest of my life was going to change that day.\n\nThe traffic lights were all red as every intersection said the universe was out to get me. I just shrugged my shoulders and turned the radio louder. Today I don't give a shit. Come at me universe. Do your worst.\n\nAs soon as I had thought that, I noticed a black SUV coming up fast behind me, snow flying every which way, the SUV swerving as it came closer... closer...until the sound of metal and plastic crunching, and my head hit the steering wheel... lights out.\n\nWhat took place afterwards I only know because my captor informed me later on as I recovered from my injuries in her basement. A concussion, a little whiplash and some minor cuts and bruises. Not bad considering she was intent on murder. But as she dragged me from the vehicle she had a change of heart and decided to spare my life. How considerate.\n\n\"Who are you and what do you want from me?\" I asked her, as soon as I was able to speak. \n\n\"Call me Porshia\" she replied in an accent I couldn't quite place, her face almost angelic... but no I must be crazy to think like that. \"I will give you answers in due time, but for now you rest\" she ordered.\n\nIn the weeks that followed, Porshia explained the situation she was in. She needed money, lots of it, to pay off her debts. My ex-wife had hired her to kill me (Rita--- that low life scum... I should have known she had something to do with this).\n\nFor some reason, the more I listened to Porshia and the more I got to know her, the less I cared about why I wasn't home, why I was still captive. For all I cared she could keep me forever. Yes I was crazy... but also intrigued. There was a certain magic in the way she spoke and the way she moved...\n\nLife has a way of surprising you... bring it on universe...", "W-where am I? was my first thought when I woke up in a bed that wasn't my own, in a room I had never seen before. I felt a little groggy, like I had been asleep for days, as I sat up. After rubbing my eyes I had took a look around me.\n\nThe room was square. It seemed 10x10 ft in size. There were no windows and only two doors, one directly ahead of me and another to the right. No other furniture besides the bed was in the room.\n\nI had gotten up from the bed and had begun walking towards the door ahead of me, it was then that I had realized I was shackled to the bed by my ankle. I had found that the shackle was long enough for me to reach the door, but it hadn't mattered since the door was locked. I had moved to the second do, which opened up into a bathroom. There was a bath tub, mirror, sink, towels hanging, toilet paper and a toilet. The bathroom was also windowless.\n\nAfter that I had went back into the main room. How did I end up here? What I last remembered was leaving my home to go Christmas shopping on a Saturday morning. I had kissed my wife and told her I'd be back by 3:00pm. Maggie must be worried sick I had thought. It could have been that a week had passed since I had last seen my wife because who knows how long I had been asleep for. Why am I even here? Did someone kidnap me? Am I being held for ransom, or has a serial killer abducted me to be his next victim? That last thought had worried me. I had quickly went back to the locked door and frantically tried to open it. The door had to be the way out since the other led to the bathroom.\n\nI had tried with all my might to push open the door. I even had tried kicking it down, but it didn't budge. Defeated, I had went back to sit on my bed. The only option I had was to sit and wait. For what? I didn't know.\n\nI didn't know how much more time had passed with me just sitting on the bed. It seemed like hours until I heard movement from the other side of the locked door. After a couple of minutes the door had opened to reveal a man.\n\nThe man was rather short, maybe 5'5, he had medium length dirty blonde hair, and pale skin. He seemed younger than me by two years. What struck me most about his appearance was his eyes. They were a vivid dark blue.\n\nThe man closed the door behind him as he entered. He hadn't done anything after that. He had just stood there by the door watching me.\n\n\"Who are you?\" I'd decided to ask after a few minutes of silence. The man didn't answer. \"Why did you bring me here? What do you want from me?\" I continued when he hadn't responded. \n\n\"Are you hungry?\" The man asked me before I could ask another question. \"I'm not.\"\n\n\"Are you thirsty?\"\n\nI don't get what's going on I was completely confused, and a bit unsettled at how shy he seemed when he was speaking to me. It had made me think that this person could be a victim of sorts too. He could've been forced into working with the bad guy who had kidnapped me. \n\n\"Can you please tell me who you are?\" I tried asking again. The man hesitated for a moment. \"... My name is Seth.\"\n\n\"Well hello, Seth. My name is Sebastian.\" I said with a friendly smile. If I can get him to trust me than maybe we can help each other to escape \n\nSeth had given me a soft smile in return. \"Seth? I was wondering if you could possibly tell me where I am? Or at least why I'm here?\" Seth started to rapidly shake his head. \"I-I can't. I-I can't. It's too dangerous. I-I have t-to go.\" he stammered as he started for the door. \"Seth! Wait!\" I tried calling out, but it was already too late. Seth had ran out.\n\nAfter that Seth came regularly every day, three times a day. That's how I ended up knowing the time more or less. He'd come in the morning and provide me breakfast, lunch in noon, and dinner later in the day. Also he'd provide me with fresh clothes to change into. During those times I would try asking him more questions about where I was was, and about the captor. Everytime I did though, he'd shake his head and rush out. I ended up switching to just trying to talk to him. Spending so much time alone in the room in between meals was starting to get to me, so being able to at least converse with Seth was nice.\n\nI had ended up learning quite a bit about him. He loved reading books, taking pictures, and cooking (he had been the one making my meals). He seemed like a nice guys which had made me want to escape with him even more.\n\n\"Seth?\" I had asked one time when he wheeled in my lunch. \"Yeah, Sebastian.\"\n\n\"Do you think you can do me a favor?\" Seth had tilted his head at that \"What is it?\"\n\n\"I need you to find the keys for my shackles.\" Seth had started to shake his head rapidly. \"I c-cant do that!\" I knew he was about to runaway again so I had grabbed him. \"Please, Seth!\"\n\n\"No! If you get free then you'll leave a-and I'll be all alone!\"\n\n\"You can come with me, Seth!\"\n\n\"I can't do that because if I do you'll leave me and they'll take me because of what I did!\" with that he pulled away from me with surprising strength and ran out the room.\n\nHis words had kept circling around my head. They'll take him because of what he did? Who'll take him? Did he think the bad person who had kidnapped him would find him and take him again? Or.... Or did he mean the police. I didn't know.\n\nSeth hadn't come back after that. Even to give me dinner. The next day he had been a no show. Then the day after that.\n\nBy the time he did show up I was starving. The only reason I hadn't gotten dehydrated was because I had been drinking from the sink in the restroom. He hadn't said anything at first as I had started to stuff my face with the sandwich he provided me, I only barley kept myself from choking.\n\n\"Sebastian... I wish I could let you go. I-I want to, but having you here and talking to you... It's wonderful. You don't know how long I've waited for you. I needed someone like you. Without you I would have already given up on myself.... I would have just d-died.\"\n\nI had looked up from my food at that.\"What do you mean, Seth?\"\n\n\"You can never leave here. I'm sorry, Sebastian.\" he had left after saying that.\n\nI don't know for how long I've been staying in the room. I've tried counting the days, but I had end up forgetting them. Seth still comes in with food and fresh clothes. I hadn't talk to him at first, but as I said before, there is only so much loneliness I could take. \n\nThroughout this time I still think about my wife, how she probably thinks I'm dead. Also how I can't be mad at Seth.\n\n He had told me how he suffers from extreme depression and mental illness, also how people had have treated him poorly all his life.\n\n Apparently he had been working at a gas station I had once used, and because I had been nice to him he latched onto that. I was the first person to ever show any kindness to him, so he became obsessed with me. He had seemed so pathetic when he had talked about how happy he had felt when I had given him a smile.\n\n I guess that's why I don't really blame him for keeping me here, I mean he hasn't treated me wrong. In fact he's always kept to being kind. I actually think he has a crush on me, it's kinda cute, in a way.\n\nI think maybe it's not good that I'm beginning to feel alright with everything. \n\nHell, I gotten a chance to escape the other day. Seth had given into my pleads to go outside, so as long as I promised not to do anything. He had unshackled me and lead me out of the room. I ended up finding out that my room was in the basement of a one story house, and when I went outside, that we were in a very remote place surrounded by forest. I didn't do anything other then take in the fresh air, I know I should have tried to escape. Instead I had went on a walk with him. It had been a nice summers day as we walked and talked together. After that I had done nothing but let him lead me back into my room.\n\nI guess because I feel bad for him I don't want to up and leave. He would probably kill himself if I left him alone. I think after awhile he'll let me go on his own, once he realizes that he should seek professional help for his depression and mental health. When Seth is ready he'll definitely let me free. I'm sure of it, and that's what I'll keep telling myself as the days pass. ", "How long has it been since I last saw sunlight? Since I've eaten anything but cold, watery gruel? No matter how I shout or rattle the bars, my guards would not respond. They do not speak English. As far as I am concerned, they are not there. There is only me in my windowless cell. \n\nIn the first few weeks, I kept up with my exercise, but the monotony of my stay has weighed on my limbs. Weighed on my heart. I may never see my country again. My house. My family. What difference does it make, how I spend my time? The meal they serve had scarcely enough nutrition to keep me alive. Exercise had little point. \n\nSo what did I do? I sang to myself. I sang carols and nursery rhymes, pop, rock, and rap. They must've believed me mad, but what else was I to do? Sometimes I'd catch the guard tapping his foot. The one on the left, with the beard.\n\nI made up stories. This cell, I reasoned, once belonged to a terrifyingly strong man, who ripped his chains from the wall. Granted, the marks were more likely from a displaced bunk bed, but my version was more interesting. His name was Olaf the Crusher. He strangled twenty men with his bare hands and it took a cannon to bring him down.\n\nThe skinny guard on the right was always grumbling. Probably about his success with women. In his off time, he'd hop from bar to bar, leaving a trail of broken hearts. He carried a mean look. Perhaps he'd killed before. Perhaps he didn't want to kill again. He smoked. The smell would occasionally drift over when he entered, and stir a foreign scent into the grey air. \n\nThe bearded guard on the right brings in my food. He was a soldier, just like me. He went through the same training. He, too, lost friends, and is only following orders. We may have gotten along, had we not been on opposite sides. \n\nThey were my captors. And though I hated everything they stood for, I cannot hate them. They've killed my brothers. I've killed theirs. I was told one thing. They were told another. Why should I hate them? Because of the color of their skin? Because of their culture? Because of what they did. Because of what they did, but they were misled. It was not their fault. \n\nThey're calling me outside. One is waiting with a video camera, and the other with a knife. In their eyes, I see no malice, but sorrow. The gesture for me to kneel before their flag. I feel the metal pressing against my throat. And I forgive them. \n\n[subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Tensingstories/)\n" ]	[ 1, 2, 7, 14 ]	[ "1510173310", "1510183515", "1510185545", "1510181592" ]
Optional: They immediately proceed to go on a rampage.	[WP] Humans are actually an ancient, god-like race. They were imprisoned in the Sol system billions of years ago by the other races of the galaxy, and have long forgotten their heritage. Now the first human in eons has left the solar system.	5	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"The humans have left the solar system? How is this possible? We just stranded them there only eons ago.\" Rike, The God of Gravity yelled. \n\n\"We underestimated their creative drive, and desire for freedom.\" Young Fut said. \"I fear they may have been galvanized by their imprisonment, and that they--\"\n\n\"--lust for revenge.\"\n\n\"We need to know how they have accomplished this. We need to prepare, immediately.\"\n\nThe Qayins assembled utop their highest peak to assess the potential threat. Colorful lightning splashed harmlessly around them. \n\n\"We fear that one among us may have aided the humans in escaping from their prison.\" \n\n\"No.\" Chroni, The God of Time said, flatly. \"I tried to warn you.\"\n\n\"Warn us of what, Chroni?\"\n\n\"Their prison is far less dense than our world.\" Chroni began. \"They took the long road.\"\n\n\"What does that mean, Chroni?\" \n\n\"The density of our planet accelerates our travels through time.\" Chroni attempted to explain.\n\nThunder rolled loudly through the atmosphere. \n\n\"Are you telling us that they have been advancing at a faster pace due to their planet?\" \n\n\"Yes. Though to them it's been a long, tiresome journey.\" Chroni said. \n\n\"How long?\" \n\n\"At least ten times longer than it has been for us. They aren't even the same species anymore.\" Chroni assured them. \"They don't even know they were once gods.\"\n\n\"They do not know about us.\" \n\n\"Correct.\"\n\n\"Are they still powerful?\"\n\n\"Perhaps, but it would seem they have surpressed their powers.\"" ]	[ 1, 4 ]	[ "1510251906", "1510253652" ]
	[WP] 30 years ago, unidentified, indestructible objects suddenly sprouted in various locations on Earth. All life forms who enter them never return or make further contact. You have breached government security cordons to enter one.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Finally, the damn camera was turned off by Mizek. I immediately ran and reached the Cave of Never Return, at least that's what the Imperials call it. Anyway, when I entered it, I realized something horribly wrong with my hands. They seemed distant, like someone's echo. I think I collapsed at this point, because I have no idea what happened next. At least until I woke up.\nThere was a door at the end of the tunnel, which disappeared right when I reached for its knob. And then another, on the other side. Only this one was made of metal. I ran quickly, lest this should disappear as well. But the same thing happened this time, the door disappeared before I could even touch the doorknob. The door which appeared at the other end this time was a bit, well shiny. Or at least that's how I would put it. I reached the door and decided not to touch it. I tried a little experiment. I filled my air with lungs, but the door disappeared before my lungs were full, as if realizing what I was going to do. The last door was ... fleshy. I decided I was not going to touch it and suddenly, the door got close to my hand and I was forced to touch it as I couldn't control my muscles.\nWhat followed next was... Well bizzare in a way and weird on the other. I was back in my room. But there was something different. Something was wrong here. Or something was wrong with me. See, I didn't used to have four arms. And for some weird reason their was a note on my table. All it said was \"Your target is XXXXXXXXX\".\nOn that fateful day, I became the fearful assassin known as Sheeva.\n\nThis was my first stupid prompt\n" ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510337857", "1510339964" ]
[deleted]	[WP] Scientists managed to open a 'portal' from our world to a parallel, identical copy of earth. It is now commercialized and for a small fee of $140 you can travel between universes.	2	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Parallax Passage - the finest in inter-dimensional travel! You've come to regard their tagline with incredible loathing. Parallax is decidedly the worst gate provider in the city. But it's also the cheapest, and since you go every week, their $140 round-trip fee is all that really works with your budget. Sometimes you consider splurging on a more comfortable luxury transference, with Dual Transit or maybe even Binary Inc., but they cost a fortune. \n\n\nThe bus ride to the Parallax office is long, but quiet. You always buy the earliest time slot available for a Saturday, 6:30 AM. The only other rider is an older man clutching a mass of re-usable shopping bags, and he gets off long before your destination. There hasn't been a manually driven public transit vehicle in your city for years, so when he disembarks, you're left alone with your thoughts. You spend the fifty minute ride watching the swirls of morning fog outside the window. Every once in a while you spy a shadowed shape on the sidewalk through it, and you wonder if it's someone you know. One silhouette reminds you of your brother and you grimace, turning away from the window to stare at the ceiling instead.\n\n\nYou had a fight with your brother last night, but it was only the most recent of many. He stopped by your apartment after work on pretense of borrowing some old CDs, but it was really just to check up on you, as usual. Of course, his checkups always ended the same way. \n\n\n\"So, you got any plans tomorrow?\" he asked, pausing before he headed out the door. His voice was casual, but the question was a challenge.\n\n\n\"Yeah, same as usual,\" you said. Your brother shook his head, sighed. Leaned away from the door, rounding on you.\n\n\n\"Look, we all agree this is unhealthy,\" he said. \"Even Dad thinks you need to get some help.\"\n\n\n\"I am getting help,\" you said.\n\n\n\"Real help. You need to talk to a professional. Nothing about what you're doing is normal.\" \n\n\n\"You don't know what it's like. Ever since she died, I...\" You began, but your brother's expression had already changed from one of exasperation to pity. Just like everyone else's did when you brought her up. It made you want to vomit. You hated that look. It was infuriating, and you felt your face grow hot. \"Hey, how about you stop pretending like you understand anything about this and just fuck off?\"\n\n\nAfter he was gone, you couldn't settle down. You'd been getting that look for three months straight. Even your friends, who were supportive at first, go quiet when you remind them you're busy on Saturday mornings. They just look at you sadly, their eyes shadowed with pity, and you feel like wringing your own god damn neck just so you don't have to see it anymore.\n\n\nBut once a week, when you take the bus downtown to the Parallax Passage inter-dimensional travel office, you actually look forward to going out. At first, the discovery of the parallel dimension was all anyone could talk about. Crossing over to a parallel universe sounded like something out of a science fiction novel. And yet it was real. Initial expeditions between worlds were heavily covered by the media, and everyone couldn't wait to be the next person to travel over to meet their other self. The technology was quickly commercialized. Companies were quick to cash in and facilities like Parallax and its more expensive counterparts sprung up all over. \n\n\nBut the novelty wore off just as quickly as it had started. After all, there was nothing to see that you couldn't already find at home, and gate companies these days were struggling. Even giants like Binary Inc. had lowered their prices to try and boost what was now the industry of a dying fad. You don't mind--after all, it's made traveling every week actually affordable for you. But it's also made your frequent trips look strange to everyone else in your life, who got bored of crossing the inter-dimensional divide ages ago.\n\n\nThe sun is up but there's still a morning chill in the air when the bus finally reaches your stop, a block up from Parallax Passage headquarters. It's a short, concrete block of a building located so far downtown you've never bothered to come here for any other reason. Unlike Binary Inc., which has a sprawling, modern campus uptown bursting with extraneous amenities, Parallax Passage is hardly the picture of state-of-the-art technology. It's crammed between a deli and a partially boarded up storefront that, judging by the faded signs in the window, used to be a hair salon. The neighborhood is quiet, unfriendly. The short walk from the bus stop to the Parallax building makes you a little nervous. \n\n\nInside it's all ancient linoleum tile and fluorescent lighting, but the woman at the desk always greets you with a sly smile. \"Right on time, as usual!\" she says, amused by your dedication to your schedule. She's never actually asked what you do on the other side. You sign the waiver at the desk and pass her your credit chip. A minute later, and $140 poorer, she points to a door on your left. \"You're gonna be at gate seven today, sweetie.\" \n\n\nYou thank her, tuck your credit chip back into your wallet, and go through the door into a long hallway. It's a little more updated than the front office, better lit and freshly painted, with rows of thick metal doors lining its left side. You navigate your way to the one with a black vinyl \"7\" stuck on the front and open it. Inside is a short, dark-haired man with a lethargic expression sitting at a desk, a few monitors spread out in front of him. Across from him, in the center of the room is the gate. It is a thick half-circle of tarnished metal, tall enough for you to walk beneath without bending down. Like most of the gates at Parallax, it's criss-crossed with solder lines and punctuated with bolts in varying stages of wear. The facilities probably hadn't been truly updated in years, settling instead for cheaper patch jobs on older machinery, but Parallax Passage always passed safety inspections, as you read on the many cheerful posters in the front office.\n\n\n\"I'm Niles, I'll be your technician for today,\" the man at the desk says, putting in a commendable effort to sound awake. \"Can you step on the calibrator for me?\" He gestures to the pressure plate installed just in front of the gate. Getting an accurate read of your weight was important to successfully pass through, though you've never read up on the science of it to find out why. You step onto the plate and Niles taps away at his keyboard for a few minutes. \n\n\n\"Alright, we're all set,\" he says, and you hear the quiet flick of the gate switch being turned on. \"Have a good trip.\"\n\n\nIn front of you, the dark metal hums softly, sparks of green energy crackling across its surface. They snap and hiss like snakes made of lightning. The hum grows into a steady whine and the air around you feels charged, tense, like the hour before a thunderstorm. The ribbons of electricity grow brighter, smoother, until the empty space within the half-circle explodes into life. Waves of green-white light pulse and shudder within the frame as though the surface is alive. As you breathe in, the air tastes metallic. You take a step forward toward the gate, slowly, because it is exuding a pressure, like the push when you try to force two magnets with the same polarity together. But the force pressing against you is light, and with a final breath you step past it and through the gate.\n\n\nYou have never traveled using the state-of-the-art facilities of Binary Inc., but you've heard about how smoothly its gates operate. \"Just blink--and you're there!\" was the tagline on its many subway ads, and you've heard that that is true. You step through and arrive on the other side, just like that. \n\n\nBudget travel between parallel dimensions is not quite so effortless. As you step through the gate, you feel as though you're being pushed and pulled in every direction--and no direction at all--all at once. Reality seems to claw at your skin, furious that you're defying all logic, somehow avoiding paradoxes and dimensional disasters. Your head fills with memories that you're not entirely sure are yours, and the headache that accompanies them is white-hot and searing. The muscles tense and relax, reacting to stimuli that is there, and not there, at the same time. All of this is against a backdrop of a loud, piercing whine, a sound that makes your teeth ache. The transport between dimensions takes only a moment, but you arrive, as usual, feeling nauseous and exhausted. The gate technician on the other side gives you a sympathetic smile, which surprises you, because you're sure she's seen discomfort like yours a million times before. \n\n\nThe technician quickly ushers you away from the threshold of the exit gate. There's at least ten of them in a long row, all of the unoccupied, but it's protocol to move away as quickly as possible. Why, exactly, you're not sure, because the gates are carefully monitored to ensure one exit at a time. Then again, you think, still dizzy from the trip, you know all too well that accidents can happen to anyone. \n\n\n\"Thanks for traveling with us this morning,\" the technician says, still smiling. It's a scripted line, but her expression is gentle. You thank her and hurry out the door and onto the street, eager for some fresh air. \n\n\nYou only have a few minutes until your bus arrives, so you jog to the stop. The route is the same as the one you took to get here, only in reverse. You pass the same boarded-up hair salon and dodge the same potholes as you cross the street. The two universes are, as they say, practically identical.\n\n(cont. below, ran out of characters)" ]	[ 1, 3 ]	[ "1510406774", "1510431668" ]
	[WP] After years of paranoia, you decide to fake your own death. At your own funeral, everyone starts cheering and hugging each other when a booming voice from the sky says "THE EXPERIMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED. ALL PARTICIPANTS MAY RETURN TO THEIR POSTS."	5,019	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Well, this is it\", i said to myself watching the crowd from the not so far distance. The heavy rain hitting the grass, disguising me. I'm no longer significant. A feeling of dismay and contentment rules over me now, the smoke from my cigar is wafting in my newly attained freedom. It burns my lungs like acid and the cold air mixes with it in my lungs making it worthwhile. \"Why must it always rain at funerals? Maybe mother nature wants to rebirth us into flowers or something green and beautiful but we get non of that. Just a metal box and a confirmatiom that your life was just some twisted experiment.\" I walk through the tall grass towards the men. Keeping my head down and my coat collar up. The suited men turned their attention to me. \"Sir, you mustn't be here\" said one of the suited men. I laugh. And i laugh till i am content with the laugh, i reach my hands into my coat, searching for the weight in there. I look up at the crowd that has crowded me. All suits, all grey, three black suits. One of the mem walks towards me. No expression on his face, no emotion, just a dark mask of nothingness. \"You must leave\" he says. I pull out the gun and point it at his head \" leave? \" i say laughing like a maniac hoping to strike fear into them like madmen and psycopathic killers usually do. But they remain calm. It annoys me. I throw off my cap and smile at them making sure to look like a crazed maniac. \" Leave? This is my funeral, it's a shame if you came here to mourn someone who isn't dead. But i like to make people happy.\" I removed the gun from the man's face and stuck it in my mouth. Content, i pull the trigger. ", " Everyone knows the feeling. The feeling of intuition when you truly believe deep in your heart something isn’t right & people make you seem crazy for feeling that way. That’s everyday for me. It’s the simple reason I faked my own death. I was always so curious what people would say and how they would react when I died. I used to always wonder: what is the afterlife? Will I be a ghost as they show in movies, silent & blind to everyone’s eye but watching over my “funeral”? I decided to pull a few strings to find out what I mean to people. The whole plan was thought out over months. I will spare the tiniest & telling details: but they will have an unidentifiable body, my drivers license & a tooth I pulled of my own. It will seal the deal for me. It’s actually simple to believe because everyone knows I was struggling. The chronic pain I suffer from is unbearable and my truest friends would know I constantly felt I was going to die young. \n\n Now to the finale: my funeral. I showed up late to my own funeral, go figure. I watched from afar as I couldn’t get close to being caught. It was a beautiful purple celebration, just as I had wanted. It was odd though. They were laughing. Not a “i’m not sure how to go on anymore” sad laugh, it was a sinister laugh. I thought it was a joke & I heard some man whom i’ve never seen in my life say into a microphone “THE EXPERIMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED. ALL PARTICIPANTS MAY RETURN TO THEIR POSTS”. At first I thought this was a sick joke. How can any human being find solace in my death? Then I realised it was real. They walked away cold, and untouched when he made the announcement. As everyone was walking away I heard two of my friends say “I don’t know how she did it. I could’ve never handled it. she’s in so much less pain now. god bless” THEY WERE IN ON IT TOO! I knew it. It all made sense. My life was a joke, a sick joke. I am not so sure where to go to at this point. I was going to lay low as my original plan had suggested but right now i’m more paranoid than ever & for every reason to be. All those times I felt it in my gut, I was right. My life was never of any meaning. It was an experiment to see how far one could suffer. All the times I would look back on my life, on my hard days & say “why are you doing this to me? no one deserves this pain” and all along those words made the master go harder. He inflicted as much pain as I could until I “ended it myself”. He heard me when I cried in my room asking “what human can suffer this much” and amped it up even further when I broke my ankle the next day. I knew I wasn’t crazy. Now I must end it myself, for good. No more pain, no more suffering. I have the last laugh. ", "Thump.\n\nMy casket hit the ground.\n\nI smiled, and straightened my sunglasses. The funeral was a success. Great attendance -- about a hundred people! I didn't think I was that popular. And my friend, John, gave an amazing speech. \"Jenny was a beautiful woman, who always made me laugh.\" We had some amazing times. I was sad to say goodbye to him.\n\nThe rest of them, I could do without.\n\nFr. Tom -- who was leading the funeral, and my priest -- was really... weird. One time I confessed that I had sex Brad, and he -- well, first he said something that made no sense. He said \"I know.\" I gawped, and he said \"I see everything God sees.\" (Needless to say, I never went back to confession after that.) And what about Brad? He sat in the back row, sobbing, using the same tissue over and over.\n\nYeah, I wouldn't miss him.\n\nAt all.\n\nI glanced at the rest of the crowd, combing through my freshly-bleached hair. Near the front sat Ethel, my next-door neighbor, covered in cat hairs. Actually, she's what started all this. I would open my blinds late at night, and see her at her window, staring at me. And then she'd pretend she was dusting or cooking or petting her cats. But I knew.\n\nI knew she was watching me.\n\nAlso, her cats were always wandering around my backyard.\n\nI glanced over at Fr. Tom. He was sharing some last words, and I didn't care to hear them. I turned around, my black coat flipping in the wind, when --\n\nApplause.\n\nI whipped around.\n\nFr. Tom had yanked off his cassock, revealing brightly-colored garb underneath. Brad had stopped crying, and was grinning. And Ethel was freakin' dancing.\n\nJohn still looked sad though. So there's that.\n\n\"My name -- my real name -- is Quincy,\" Fr. Tom said. \"And, for those who are wondering -- yes, it was really interesting playing a priest, when I'm an atheist taxi driver from Chicago.\"\n\nWhat?\n\nHe gestured to Brad. \"Let me introduce some other important players. Brad here was supposed to play the boyfriend -- to document Jenny's emotions -- but he got so tired of her, he quit after a week. So we had John step in for that role, as the supportive friend.\"\n\nJohn raised his hand, and faked a smile.\n\n\"And let's not forget Ethel!\" Quincy said. \"She did most of the video documentation. Cameras in the windows, cameras and microphones attached to her cats...\"\n\n\"I can finally buy a dog!\" she yelled, continuing to dance.\n\n\"All of this to create... the Jenny Movie!\"\n\nThe sky dimmed. From somewhere above, light projected a video on the side of a mausoleum. \"From the creators of The Truman Show,\" a voice boomed. \"Jenny Andrews is just your average millenial woman. She doesn't know what to do with her life. She hasn't found love. She's...\"\n\nHey! That's not nice!\n\nMotion, in the darkness, caught my attention.\n\nJohn.\n\nHe was rushing out, through the graveyard, wiping his face with his sleeve.\n\nI jogged towards him. \"John!\" I hissed. \"Hey! John!\"\n\nHe continued, kicking over a few of the tombstones. They fell. Made of foam.\n\n\"John!\"\n\nHe turned. I tore off my sunglasses.\n\n\"Jenny! You're --\"\n\nI kissed him.\n\nHe kissed back.\n\nAnd for the first time in my life, it all felt so real.\n\n---\n\nmore writings at r/CSDouglas!", "Schizophrenia. Bi-polar disorder. Paranoid delusions. Whatever multi-syllable mental illness one could find in the American Manual of Mental Disorders, Stan had it. Though it didn’t take a genius to diagnose him. He heard voices, telling him to do horrible things. At times, he thought he was invincible. And once for two weeks, he refused to poop due to the invisible camera hidden inside his toilet.\n\nSo when Stan starting talking about suicide, it was just another of his many diagnosis. The psychiatrist prescribed him Celexa and a handful more sessions a week.\n\n“Aren’t you worried about mixing drugs?” Stan asked.\n\n“Don’t worry,” his psychiatrist assured him. “We are very careful with our prescriptions.”\n\nStan raised an eyebrow. His list of prescriptions was longer than the Sunday grocery list for a family of five.\n\n“Just make sure you’re taking your meds, on time and on schedule,” the psychiatrist said, scratching into his notepad with a pen. “Don’t skip any, especially not the Zyprexa.”\n\n“How did you know that I’m skipping that one?”\n\nThe psychiatrist shrugged. “Now I do.”\n\nStan opened his mouth to challenge his doctor. The shrink had said it with such certainty that there was no way he had only guessed. But that would only start another conversation they had already been through. Next thing he knew, it’d be two weeks later and he’d need a bottle of laxatives just to make a bowel movement.\n\n“Okay,” he said. “I’ll take them. Are we done?” He knew he was being rude, but it seemed that everybody in this place was rude. The cashier refused to make eye contact, the mailman slammed the newspapers into his front door, even the coffee shop barista never smiled at him.\n\nThe psychiatrist nodded. No eye contact. No smile. “Remember, if you have any serious thoughts about hurting yourself, let me know. I can have you admitted somewhere.”\n\nEveryone always told Stan that he was overreacting, that it was all in his head, but he had skipped his meds for two weeks now and never found more clarity. He wasn’t schizophrenic. The voices were real. He wasn’t bi-polar, he truly couldn’t be killed by anyone other than himself. He wasn’t paranoid, everybody here truly despised him. And most importantly, he wasn’t suicidal.\n\nTwo hours later and Stan would be dead. Well, not actually, but convincingly enough for the psychiatrist, the local hospital, and even the police department.\n\n---\n\nThe funeral took place a full two months after Stan’s death. His parents had insisted that they find his body first, but eventually, they just went with burying an empty casket. They kept it closed so they could pretend that he was in there. It was probably just wishful thinking on their part.\n\nStan had thought that it would be hard to sneak into his funeral. He had planned on only watching from afar, but then hundreds of people showed. He didn’t have as many Facebook friends as the people at his funeral. And none of them dressed in black, instead, they all wore casual clothes—bright summer dresses, colorful blouses, even Hawaiian shirts!\n\nIn the end, he did stick out like a sore thumb, but only because he was the only one dressed appropriate for a funeral. He kept his hat low and sat in a chair as the rest of the people conversed. Finally, the psychiatrist got up on the podium.\n\n“We did it,” the psychiatrist said. “The experiment is over. All participants may return to their posts.” With a small pause, he yelled. “We can go home!”\n\nEverybody erupted in cheers. Everyone except Stan.\n\n“Way to go Steve!” an attendee hooted.\n\n“Steve!?” Stan yelled. He stood up, knocking his chair over.\n\nThe funeral grounds silenced. Everyone turned toward him. The blood drained from their faces.\n\nStan scanned the crowd. Only now did he realize that none of these people had names. There was the mailman, the cashier, the coffee shop barista, the psychiatrist… the list went on. Even mother and father were simply mom and dad. Nobody had names in this place.\n\nAnd that was the trick.\n\nHe finally remembered past the haze of three years’ worth of mixing drugs. His name wasn’t Stan, it was Satan.\n", "The plan was working perfectly, my empty coffin being lowered into the ground. It was so simple, a car accident, an explosion, an unidentifiable corpse. There were a few people at my funeral who wept, true friends that I could count on. There are hundreds more people, some I know and many that I barely recognise. My boss and co-workers are here. My neighbours were also here, most of them I barely said hello to. Even people like cashiers from my local supermarket had attended. But what stood out most is none of them were wearing black, as appropriate for a funeral. Most had regular clothes on, t-shirt jeans for the more casual and business wear for the more formal, but a large portion of them wore crisp white jump suits, like something from a sci-fi movie. I continued to spy on my funeral, feeling just as out of place as I always did.\n\nThe minister took the podium. \"Congratulations everyone. The experiment was a complete success. You may now all return to normality. Your final credit transfers will be made tomorrow. Please contact Immersive Realities if you would like to assist with the next character-centric, time-fixed, historical experience!\n\nI was dumbfounded. Where was my eulogy? What was he talking about? My head was racing. The noise of attendees of my funeral giving each other congratulations for their performances was interrupted by a buzzing, hissing sound. I looked around to see the buildings around me were vanishing in a haze of computer generated static. The area around Central Park, so familiar to me, vanished into pixelation. The cars unloaded and vanished, replaced with weird egg-shaped capsules. Great white and gold spires with glowing blue trim rose up into the sky, where many of the same egg-shaped vehicles sped between them.\n\nThe world I knew of dissipated into digital oblivion in front of my own two eyes. I screamed. It wasn't deliberate. My entire world was gone, and I was a lone 21st century person among an alien world. Terror gripped me.\n\n\"Oh shit, he's alive! Protocol 83, PROTOCOL 83!\" the minster shouted, scaring me out of my fear paralysis.\n\nThe hundreds of faces still staring at me were the same. At least they were real, but who were they?\n\nSome of them took a step towards me.\n\nI turned ran into the alien white city.", "I smiled when I heard the announcement. I was right. I slowly started to make myself comfortable again as the drug wore off. I couldn’t think of the name of it, too many syllables. But I do know it’s effects. It temporarily stops your heart and breathing leaving you unconscious for only 12 hours before you wake up. Read that it was like some way to die and be reborn again. The coffin above me was closed tight leaving me alone in the darkness of the thick air as people outside were mumbling to each other as they had their party. \n\n I’ve been talking to only my closest friends about my theory. Like, my life has been like some sort of Truman show bullshit. Even I thought I was crazy but when I saw the camera in my mailbox, then my bathroom. I knew it was true. I tried to keep as still as possible to wait out the party before I make my exit. I made sure to keep my breathing in check, to keep it as slow as possible. I remember reading that a person can only survive 5 hours in a coffin before passing out and dying. \n\nI had to conserve my oxygen. \n\nWho knows how long this party could last. At least I think it’s a party. I shifted myself a little to the side of the coffin and pressed my ear against the wooden wall. I could definitely hear a couple of murmurs outside. What was going on out there? I quickly adjusted myself making sure to not shake anything and sat still. It was already getting hard to breathe. It didn’t sound like a party. More like a business meeting.\n\nA bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. I now regret talking about my crackpot theory to my friends. They were in on this. Luckily, I was smart enough to not tell them about my plan to kill myself. It took me weeks to fake a heart attack. I was eating food non-stop making it look like I was stressed out so when they started to question about my health I knew it was time. I took the poison and died. \n\nMy coffin shook. Fear made me instinctively close my eyes and hold my breath. I heard a loud click come from the coffin and then more shaking. I heard my brother, father and closest friends all groan around the coffin. Then immediately I shot up into air as if I was being carried. \n\nI opened my eyes into the darkness and frantically looked around trying to make sense of what was going on. Were they carrying my coffin somewhere? I clenched my teeth as I realized that I didn’t plan this out completely fearing what lies ahead but too scared to name it. “Jeez Carl, you really did gain a lot of weight in past couple of weeks.” Despite the voice being deeply muffled I understood every word. It was my friend Dean talking to me as if I was alive. \n\nThe coffin started to sway from side to side as they walked me out of main room of the funeral home. A knock came from the side of the wall “Hello? Carl! Stop acting, you used to always come back with some insult after something like that.” Did they know I was alive? Did the camera see me take the drug? I thought I covered it with a box. Maybe there were two in my kitchen. \n\nI decided to keep quiet. Waiting for Dean to speak again. The swaying of the coffin continued on in its rhythmic pattern. Another knock. “Carl answer me while we still have time to talk.” It was official now. They knew I was alive. I quickly responded, “How do you know I’m alive?” I waited about a second for a response as if they were deciding whether to tell me or not. “We saw you grab the poison Carl, cameras are everywhere you know that. You told me personally where half of the cameras in your house were.” \n\nI shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be happening “Where are you taking me?” this time there was no silence. Dean immediately responded with “Cremation” The swaying of the coffin slowed down as I was slowly lowered onto something. I shook my head and screamed “What! No! No! No!”\n\nI started to pound my fist on the roof of the coffin door trying to break it open, but it was no use. “I’m sorry Carl, but we can’t let you get out of that coffin now. You know too much” They had locked the coffin. “Get me out of here you Fuckers!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as I heard flames roaring to life. I started to move closer towards it, my feet being the first to feel the extreme heat. \n\nI pounded my fist on the coffin even harder screaming at the top of my lungs as the flames engulfed the coffin drowning out all the noise in the room. The pain was intense as the coffin started to fill up with light from the fire getting inside. I could see the dim outline of a small message etched into the roof of the coffin. It said, “Smile you’re on camera!”\n" ]	[ 1, 2, 7, 103, 307, 829, 1761 ]	[ "1510428174", "1510468869", "1510467666", "1510457904", "1510440597", "1510467204", "1510436258" ]
	[WP] You die. When you reopen your eyes you find yourself in a business office facing Satan who is offering your soul a work contract in return for a better form of afterlife.	2	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hell. From one business meeting straight to another, I couldn't say I was surprised, although I'm sure my ex-wife was happy, she always told me this is where she wanted me to go. I looked at Satan, watching me as I adjusted myself, smiling a grim smile. Yes, negotiations were going to happen, and he already knew that he had the upper hand. \n\nI adjusted my tie, and smiled back. I never got a bad deal, and today definitely wasn't going to allow this to be the first time. \"So...\" I said, indicating I was ready to start. I'm sure he'd had some hard hitting businessmen in the past, but I already knew I was better than them. I wasn't going to let a silly heart attack throw me off of my game.\n\n\"So,\" he smiled showing his teeth, sharp and demonic, he was trying to scare me, \"Four divorces, eight children all with different mothers, greed, adultery, gluttony, money laundering, and that's just the tip of the iceberg...\" he said, glancing at the open file on his desk. It was fairly thick, but that didn't bother me. I knew he had the dirt on me, but that wasn't going to stop me.\n\n\"That's why you need me,\" I said smoothly, not missing a beat.\n\n\"Oh?\" he asked with a smirk, \"I need you do I?\" He leaned his elbows on the desk, folding his hands under his chin, leaning forward. He had a twinkle of amusement in his dark eyes.\n\n\"Of course you need me,\" I pushed my glasses up and smiled, \"You've read my file, do you really think you could find a better manager than me?\"\n\n\"I think I've managed things pretty well so far,\" he said leaning back, trying to look relaxed. I was already starting to get the upper hand, although he could be toying with me, it still felt like a good sign. His nonchalant act wasn't fooling me. \n\n\"Really? How many cracks did I stomp on? My mother's back didn't break once. I spilled salt and my luck only seemed to get better,\" I continued to list the typical superstitions that never came true for me. With every one I listed his smile slowly faded until he was frowning. He had clearly forgotten to manage the demons that were supposed to be making superstitions come true. \n\n\"Shut up!\" he snapped, suddenly looking like the mother-in-law, Jude, from my first marriage. What a shred woman. I hated her, being stuck in a room with her was one of my worst nightmares. Satan's quick change in appearance to look like her was definitely a good sigh, I was on the right track. \n\nI leaned back smirking, \"Like I said, you need me.\"\n\nThe Jude look alike was fuming, she started to yell, acting just like that blasted woman, but I was in business mode, I knew who it really was, he wasn't about to fool me. He made a mistake trying to go into a negotiation with me. As he continued all I could do was relax, my smile growing, knowing that he was losing it because he couldn't defend his inactions. \n\n\"Are you going to make me a manager or not?\" I asked cooly. \n\nSatan turned back into himself, clearly frustrated. He looked at my file again and grumbled as he flipped through it, starting to list good acts that I've done. Knowing that I wasn't about to go to heaven for those few deeds, I dismissed each one, citing appearances and how I was only using those good acts to advance my career and my company. I had taken my father's small building business in the middle of nowhere and turned it into a construction empire. \n\nI walked out of the office, the proud manager of the superstition demons. A cushy office, a nice place to rest, yes, my own slice of heaven in hell. " ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510520906", "1510568379" ]
	[WP] An old man, afraid of death, finally fades from this world. He finds that his reaper is the dog he had as a child.	31	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Another morning, another night, another day in my life. It hurts to stand, my knees are killing me. I may live in a lovely acreage, but it doesn’t have the glow it use to have. Almost everything I own feels of rocks, except the chair on my porch. I don’t normally complain so much, today must be an off day. Everything seems a lot more hollow now, ever since I lost my best friend. I don’t want the same fate as her, it’s the most terrifying thing I’ve witnessed; death. Another Tuesday morning begins to roll over as I walk to my pouch and enjoy my childhood view. As I begin to sit down in my rusty old ally I feel the pain set in. Although this doesn’t feel like my usual knee pain… oh no. My vision begins to fade as I clutch my chest. I can feel a void creep in, I feel like I’m falling in a pool of water and I can’t swim up. Why now? I’m still not ready with this stress.\n\nI woke up lost in confusion. A black room with no walls but yet still bright as day. I stood up with ease. My body felt of youth, I couldn't feel the pain in my knees anymore.\n“Hey, do you remember who I am?” a deep voice barked left of my direction. \nI turn to see a husky with a white coat, no markings. She brought a wave of nostalgia with gloom. A few seconds pass only to feel like minutes as I realize what this dog means to my past and self. I clear my throat and say “What’s going on? Why can you talk, are you Ares?”\n“I was called Ares by you, but In reality as you would call It, I am the grim reaper. I am here to judge you for how you treated me as your pet.” The voice echoed across the void. \nMy voice began to weaken “I never meant for that to happen to you. I wasn’t even able to tie my shoes when It happened.”\n“You learned as a result of my suffering, didn’t you?” The reaper shot back. Walking closer to lessen the gap between us. My legs started to feel old again, but without the pain.\n“What happens after you judge me?” I asked\n\nThe reaper answered like a guillotine “You’ll discovery that after we are done here.” It paused “Would you want me to explain what happened or should you?’\nI replied “I will, I’ve lived a long life but still haven’t forgotten that night… We were playing in the field, I was learning to throw a stick and you’d get It and sometimes bring it back. It was all well and good until it hit your eye. I can still hear your yelp, but after that moment of pain, you got the stick out of what use to be your eye. I sprinted back to my parents telling them what happened. They didn’t tell me what would happen to you, my girl. I didn’t need them to tell me. They brought you and myself inside and told me they’d be gone for a couple hours to get the vet.” I could feel my eyes water. “So we waited, you acted fine as I sat near you watching the blood drip from your eye. I was moving the shoes around to curb the fear in my stomach. I feared what was to come of you, what was going to happen next. You’d notice, attempt to comfort me by walking closer, this would lead in me yelling at you to stay. I was scared of you, I was scared of myself. As the time went on I tried to tie my shoes because I was never taught, nobody had time for me besides you. I tried and tried until I got It right and when I did I started to sob uncontrollably because my best friend was going to die and I couldn’t do anything about it.” I fell to my knees. It became hard to talk. The reaper in dog form walked to me giving me the comfort I needed.\n\nThe reaper spoke “After which you fell asleep. Your parents got home, put me down and tucked you in bed. You turned a bad situation around for yourself. You made a mistake, but you also cared for me and given friendship to a dog. You’ve lived a life with adversity. With that adversity you created safety. You respected me and treated me as family. For that you will be sent to experience a land of safety, comfort, and love.”\nI hugged the white beast as my body slowly vanished and entered a new world.\nedit:grammar and spelling!\n", "\nMy grandfather always had a lab by his side. Even as a kid, in fact the earliest photo we had in our extended family, was a water stained sepia toned 4 by 6 with a torn edge and a crease down it's center, showing a laughing, tousle headed, gap toothed kid - obviously delighted, getting his face vigorously licked by a shaggy Labrador puppy with a furiously wagging tail. My grandfather carried it in his wallet and claimed it was his good luck charm. \"Their used to be two copies of this photo\" he once told me, when I was around 6 or 7, as he scratched behind the ears of the lab next to him. \"The puppy in the photo ate the other one!\" He laughed at that for some reason, and the lab snoozing by his side. Dusty? Had sleepily wagged his tail once, back and forth.\n\nA lot had changed since that photo was taken and a lot had stayed the same. He seemed as small as a kid again, shriveled up under the thin blanket, gasping for air. The hair he had left in the back was tousled, and the gap was still there between his front teeth, and just like then, he still had a lab by his side, though this one was far from being a puppy. \n\nThis was, Dustin, I think? My grandfather had given them all similar names, and once, when I was 16 and having my first beer with him in the garage one Thanksgiving, he had whispered loudly, \"don't let him hear me telling you this but they are all the same dog!\" I had laughed at the idea, it was absurd, but weirdly plausible, they all looked the same. But mostly I was delighted by his conspiratorial whisper, by the way his whiskers tickled my ear, by the beer, and by the way Dusty (was it still Dusty, or was it the one after that?) had come bounding in at the word \"dog\" and had jumped up and knocked the beer out of my hand, trying to vigorously lick both of our faces as his tail wagged furiously. \n\nIt was a cherished memory. All of my memories of my grandfather were. I loved him and his dogs - even this one, Dustin I think his name was, a blind, fat, diabetic lab with a white muzzle, runny eyes and patches of hair missing. He was arthritic, slow, irritable, lame in one leg and practically at death's door himself and he'd be the last lab my grandfather would ever own.\n\nMy grandfather passed away that night, surrounded by family, with one shrunken hand on Dustin's white and patchy muzzle. Dustin closed his eyes for the last time just a moment later, making an almost human sounding sigh, as his tail swept back and forth a single time before laying still for good. \n\nThe rest of the family, those left behind, comforted each other the best we could, crying a bit, holding each other, murmuring comforting phrases, and then we heard it, we all did, from outside the open window, blown in by a stray breeze, the fading sound of playful barking and the laughter of a delighted child.\n" ]	[ 1, 3, 11 ]	[ "1510530234", "1510552022", "1510548542" ]
	[WP] You are the lone survivor on Earth. You have spent the last 30 years searching the globe for any signs of life, when one day, you find a sign that says "There are more of you." You spend the rest of your life searching for the person who wrote the message, never to remember that it was you.	863	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "There. Are. More. Of. You.\n\nI read it. A sign, written by a unnamed tormenter. They are always ahead of me. Just over the hill or behind the mountain. I would feel pain, but it has been too long. I feel sand. I feel snow. I feel rain. I feel the sun. My bones ache, my muscles twitch. But I do not feel pain. I am not alive. The hurt does not make it real, danger does not make me fear. There is no choice, no thought. I simply put one foot in front of the other. I cannot remember. Before, there was nothing. After, there is nothing. I have but one memory. It a sign. It sits in golden sand, driven in crudely. The sun hits it, emboldening those letters that are frozen in my mind. \n\nThere. Are. More. Of. You.\n\nI scribble those letters on the board, perhaps with the hope of remembering it one last time. I do not struggle to remember it, in fact the opposite. It occupies the past, the future, the present. I do not see, and the world went silent many years ago. I operate my hands deftly, pressing together the board and the stave. I can only hope that my pain will end soon. I cant tell how I continue. I do not remember when I ate last, or when I slept last. Pain rips up my arm as I hammer the nail that joins the sign and its post in holy matrimony. Weariness is a part of me, running through my veins. It stiffens my joints, holds my thoughts captive, acts as a chain and ball on my ankle. My body seems to move but it has been long since I have thought to. I am no longer alive, I am the desert I cross, the rock I scale, an inanimate piece of flesh who moves despite his death. I choose the ground. It does not matter too much to me. I finish hammering in the sign. It sits in the bare earth, engraved on it;\n\nThere. Are. More. Of. You.\n", "As I walked away from the rubble that was my home, I turned and took one last glance at Magnolia street. I thought that I’d live in that house all my life, that I’d start a family there. \n\nBut that was before the bombs dropped. Huge bombs that cast mushroom clouds that scorched the earth and blasted everything near it to dust. Bombs that sent blasts out that shook the earth hundreds of miles from it. That kicked up rocks and glass and concrete and then spit it out in all directions.\n\nI don’t know how many bombs dropped. I know that one dropped right near Austin and that’s it. I haven’t heard anything on the radio. All tv stations are offline and I haven’t seen a single person since the bombs dropped. No messages, no emergency broadcasts, nothing. \n\nBut if I made it then others made it too. They had to have made it. They had to. That’s why I left signs around my home. For the others. \n\nAnd so I began looking. Began searching for at least one other soul on the scorched earth. \n\nAnd I’m still looking to this day. It’s been thirty years since the bombs. At least I think it’s been thirty. I haven’t been keeping track. But I think thirty. It feels like it’s been thirty. It looks like it too. \n\nDespite the fallout, nature has slowly taken back the earth. Vines and ivy grow out of buildings. The forests have swelled, reclaiming lost territory. There’s animals too. I see deer, hear birds, small rodents. Some of them are twisted and gnarly and mutated but they’re here. \n\nSo there has to be other people too. I hope. Maybe they’ll be twisted and gnarly but at least they’ll be there. I’ll occasionally catch my reflection in glass or water and see that I’m twisted and gnarly, too. I guess that’s what thirty years alone in an empty world do. At least I think thirty years alone. \n\nMy feet feel especially sore today. I’ve walked a long distance today. I walk almost everywhere now. Cars stopped working a long time ago. At least I haven’t found one that still runs. Most of them are overrun with plants growing out of them. Some are rusted over. It’s been a long time since they’ve been used. Just sitting for thirty years, I think. \n\nMaybe when I find the others they’ll have a car and I won’t have to walk so much. I hope they do. I hope they’re near. \n\nWhen the sun rises I set off again. I don’t know where to but I do. I don’t even know where I am. Everything’s changed so much. It’s been so long that nothing is the same. I think it’s been thirty years. Has to be. \n\nStill no sign of others but I know they’re out there. They have to be. Have to. Somedays I see my reflection and get my hopes up. Somedays I find what looks to be a makeshift shelter and I continue in the direction. I’m getting close. I know it. \n\nSomedays I just feel crazy. I probably look it too. I hope the others don’t think I’m crazy when I find them. I hope that I’m not too far gone. But I’m worrying that I’m running out of time. I’m much older. Maybe thirty years older. And I’ve been alone with just my thoughts and the rubble. I hope I find them fast. \n\nAnd one day, as my feet are cracked and swollen and I can barely walk any further, I see it. Something that I haven’t seen in years. In thirty years I think. A message. Just sitting on the side of a building. It’s covered by vines and moss and faded but it’s there. It’s there for me. Because the others left it for me. \n\n“You are not alone. There are more of you.” \n\nI jump up and keep moving because they’re close. They’re so close and I can’t afford to stop now. I’m filled with the energy I had twenty years ago when I first started looking. Twenty years? Or was it thirty? It doesn’t matter because I found them. \n\nI shout for joy and keep moving, practically running up the street. I’m close. I’ll find the others soon. Just gotta keep moving because there so so so close now. \n\nI take one look around again, just soaking in the place where I finally found the proof that I wasn’t alone after twenty, no thirty years. I hadn’t found them but I’m so close. And they’re here. The proofs on the wall. And this is where it happened. \n\nI take one look at the house, reclaimed by the earth. The moss that’s had thirty years to seep up through the street. The street sign that’s tilted and has vines wrapped all around it, almost obscuring the street name. Magnolia. \n\nI gotta keep moving. I don’t have another thirty years. ", "When I was a child I used to love spending time in the wilderness with my grandfather. He'd take me on weeks long trips during the summer months with nothing but a backpack and canteen between us. \n\nI wonder if he would be proud to see me now, to know that those summers helped to prepare me for the this empty world. \n\nThat's how I try to think about my endless wandering, as an endless camping trip. Gather, hunt, scavenge and setup camp for a while. Very few months I pack-up and move along into the endless abyss humanity left behind. \n\nI don't know where everyone went or what happened. During the end I was sailing the ocean, out on a month long vacation and enjoying the solitude. No phones, no radios, no TV just the waves and a good book. All the tech was turned off and powered down. \n\nWhen I finally returned to port the world was empty. It was like everyone simply vanished while going about their daily business. Cars running, shops open and coffee brewing. \n\nThat was 30 years ago. For 30 years I've traveled this world looking for another survivor. Bit by bit I've watched the world of man decay and mother nature flourish. Each city I visit, each town I find paints a dismal picture.\n\nThere's no one left is there?\n\nI traveled the coast, hoping to find survivors in the massive coastal cities of the USA. Then into what was Canada with zero luck. I traveled west to the capital in hopes there was some semblance of the military guarding the white house. \n\nIt was empty. I camped out in the oval office for a few months before travelling to California. It was my all time favorite camping spot. There was so much to explore and I found great solace in knowing that this place was always busy with activity.\n\nAfter a while I decided to continue west to California. There I found a boat in good condition with fuel, sails and supplies. I traveled the oceans and searched Japan, China, Russia and most of Europe. \n\nNothing.\n\nNo one.\n\nI age, I think, I hunger, I scream, I cry, I beg and I pray.\n\nI must be alive...\n\nThe ancient cities of the United Kingdom are mostly ash now. Ages ago some great fire broke out and cleansed the cities. Near a small coastal outpost I found a boat and a warehouse filled with rations. Its not an uncommon thing for me to find, over the years I've developed a 6th sense for spotting military outposts. Usually they're hidden in plain sight and not very well secured. Those that are usually don't stand the test of time, that or nature has found a way in.\n\nCrossing the water once again I dodge the floating testaments of human engineering. The planes all fell from the sky but the ships, these great ships continued on until the winds or the water took them to their final resting place. This cargo ship seemed to host thousands upon thousands of birds, I wonder where they'd all end up.\n\nThe hardest thing about the end is there's no where to go. So many times I wake up with no where to go, so I lie still for days and weep. Eventually moving on when supplies run low, or the weather threatens to turn sour or when the animals get too curious.\n\nWith no where to go I return to the one place I could think of to wait out the end. Back to the seat of power that once ran the world. \n\nThere in the oval office, I sit at the great desk which once commanded an empire. Its halls now empty and facade decaying to time. \n\nOn top the desk I place my pistol, a nice little 5 round revolver I found whilst scavenging in Province Town. I liked the gun, it sat presently in my hand and it was light enough to carry on my hip all these years. My hunting rifle changed every few months depending on what ammo or parts I found in my travels. But the pistol I kept always.\n\nI sat for for a time, waiting for the end and staring at the ceiling. As I looked down I found the gun resting on a presidential note pad. Its black rubber grip obscured something nearly written on the page like a long forgotten executive order. The page was yellowed and frail and the ink sun worn, barely visible. \n\nI squinted, leaning down close and bringing a candle near. \n\n\"There are more of you\"\n\nI wept. I screamed. I jumped. I sung. I danced.\n\nSomeone wrote this, they left it here for me to find. They must have come here, as I did to search for survivors. \n\nIn the morning I continued my search. For 20 years I search city after city and town after town. Eventually the I could only walk, the vehicles were all long dead the gas gone bad or engines seized. Some I was just too weak to push start anymore. \n\nToo old. \n\nIn the mountains my campfire crackles, the birds chirp and my stomach growls at the scent of dinner cooking over the fire. My feet, my arms, my joints and bones hurt. I'm tired, I'm so tired and alone. I've spent 53 years alone, wondering the world now just a vast wilderness. Its harder and harder to find relics of the past and travel gets harder and harder. I don't get the miles I used too and my mountain cabin has been home for the last year. \n\nI tried leaving signs to let others know I still live. But nature has other plans and they don't last long. I've stopped venturing down to the bones of the city. Its over grown and much too treacherous, I dont have the strength to make the trip anymore.\n\nClosing my eyes I try and to remember the bustle of a city full of people. Then the memories of my travels.\n\nStanding on the field of Michigan stadium, exploring the urban sprawl of Tokyo and climbing the Eiffel tower to watch the sunset. \n\nA life time of memories, a life time of loneliness. \n", "The war took everything from me.\n\nWhen I emerged from the rubble of civilization, there was nothing left any longer. Some had died fighting a war unknown, others perished in their homes; rotting away to nothingness. I alone walked the earth in the advent of its destruction.\n\nThe breakdown of most things came about over the span of the next ten years, and sooner or later, nature itself had reclaimed the land that we had taken from her. Feral beasts and critters alike had taken over our empires, turning them into nothing more than a hostile den.\n\nOn my thirtieth year, I set foot in a city I had not been before; in hopes of securing materials for the winter ahead, I came across a note hastily scrawled upon a tattered piece of parchment. I initially paid it no mind, because it came off as nothing more than scrap. But when the wind blew hard my way, I noticed but a single word upon it.\n\nYou.\n\nI had no reason to pay it mind, but in a way it almost felt like it was talking to me. For after all, there was nobody else it could talk too anyway. For me, it was a long abandonment of hope over the last thirty years, as I slowly realized that I truly had been abandoned by humanity. So with a cautious hand, I retrieved it, and the words upon it made me freeze where I stood, unable to comprehend if it were truth or lie.\n\nThere are more of you.\n\nIt seemed like a cruel joke for but a moment – an unlucky page which made its depart from the comfort of its book, only to taunt me in my dying days. But with my second glance I noticed that the words were not written in pen or pencil, but the hasty smudges of a long since faded red. Blood.\n\nIn that moment, I knew that there had to be another human, maybe one who had left this earth and now rested upon the soil – or a tribe of wanderers, desperately trying to find another person to join them. But the note bore no directions or further clues, nothing but a scribbled note on a paper on which I couldn't identify its origin.\n\nAnd so, with the paper held dear to me, I wandered out into the world again, hoping that one day I would find the writer of the note.\n\n* * *\n\n^/r/khaarus" ]	[ 1, 2, 8, 21, 71 ]	[ "1510548498", "1510572536", "1510568300", "1510563572", "1510548561" ]
	[WP] After being transported to a magical world, you are at a lose of what to do. So you decide to follow in your grandfather's footsteps and start the family business. You go on to build the largest criminal empire this world has ever seen with even kings under your command.	90	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Purple sands and grey skies surrounded a man who was tall in stature, but truly made large through achievement. He stood on the precipice of his balcony as the twinkling lights of the city began to peter out. As the grey lights sunk beneath glass hills and dazzling landscapes, the town's citizens moved their celebrations into their homes or helped friends make it to the correct bed. \n\nSighing, the king of this utopia leaned against his railing and scratched at a graying beard, chuckling as a band of children ran around below. Today marked another celebration of a peaceful year of unity and peace and the king was in a mood of wistful remembrance.\n\nBack when this taller than tall man was only known for his height in inches, back when his beard was still battling to break out against the skin of his chin, back when this king was merely a boy there were stranger sights to be seen. Landscapes did not roll, the skies were grey with smoke instead of natural light and glass hills were replaced by glass structures. How the boy ended up in a world of natural color and strange creatures was still unknown to this wise king.\n\nStill, he was raised by a man whose height reached the heavens in this boy's eyes. When the boy's small father left him, the wisened hands of his grandfather were quick to hold him close and teach him was manhood really was: kindness, strength and generosity.\n\nThe boy traveled with this wise, tall man from house to house as he greeted each face by name and shook every hand that was offered, replacing hands with letters, packages and words from loved ones. And on the days his grandfather did not pass out these notes, the boy got a treat. He would see the tall man who raised him gather all the children and tell them stories. Stories of ships and pirates. Stories of love and loss. Stories of revolution and freedom. And right when it got the good part, he would stop and say, until we meet again. The children would sigh and plead, but walked away, eagerly anticipating the next continuation of the story.\n\nOne day though, the story never continued. The tall man didn't walk door to door, didn't deliver letters of love, and didn't gather the children. He simply did not show again. And on that day the boy ran and ran until he arrived in the land of glass hills and purple sands.\n\nCrying at first, he wandered around, unsure of where to go and what to do. He met strange creatures, unfamiliar faces and towns that were small. As he grew physically, the boy became used to these sights and decided to be tall like his grandfather. So he went door to door and greeted everyone. He delivered letters, packages and words of love. He gathered all the children and told them stories. Stories of ships and pirates. Stories of love and loss. Stories of revolution and freedom. And right when it got the good part, he would stop and say, until we meet again.\n\nOne day, the stories stopped though. Instead, the citizens said they would write their own story of freedom and marched to their cheating and merciless king. Finally, the citizens won and decided to elect their new ruler. Unanimously, they elected the tall, wise man who told them stories. Who gave them words of love and knew them by name. Though the only name the citizens knew him by was \"The Postman.\"\n\nThe grey lights had finally gone out and the Postman turned to look up at the battlements. The new flags whistled in the wind, displaying a blue bird racing towards its freedom. He smiled and nodded into the night before turning around and heading to sleep.\n\nEdit: Wrote this and theeeen saw the \"criminal\" organization part... Sooo whoops? Too late and I like it too much to change it XD", "Jones Mallone’s vision darkened and the light spun. He shook his slightly to fix it, it only made it worse, and he managed to drop to his knees on to the soft ground below. Something about that did not quite make much sense. He was in a concrete warehouse, why was the floor soft. He squeezed his eyes shut and counted to five mentally. Then forced his eyes open. He was in a clearing along with his men, his suppliers, and the four trucks. Two of which he knew to be empty, the other two had the weapons and ammo loaders they had ordered. Farther past the congregated mass of people, all kneeling or laying on the ground and vehicles, there were trees.\n&nbsp;\n\nAs he looked around he saw some of them starting to take in their surroundings. He knew the curses would come soon. “What the FUCK” was the first he heard, coming from the seller’s side. Jones turned his head his mind racing, what happened, and how can I take advantage of this. He saw Larry Sparik stalking over to him, glaring, his Glock un-holstered and in his hand. “What did you do!?”\n&nbsp;\n\nJones raised a hand slowly; his day always told him to appear in control no matter how wrong things appeared to be going.\n&nbsp;\n\nThen Jones got to his feet as gracefully as he could, wiping the dark dirt off of his knees, then turned his whole body to face Larry. “I just stood up.” he spoke calmly to him, “And I too would like to find out what happened here.” His eyes never left Larry’s eyes as he spoke, one wrong move and this would be more than the disaster it already was, it would be a blood bath. And one thing Jones didn’t like doing was wasting his men, he had spent men before, but he did his best to never just waste their lives needlessly.\n&nbsp;\n“There are more of you than I thought I was summoning.” Said an older voice, Larry spun towards it breaking eye contact with Jones and pulling his gun. Before Jones could stop him, He fired two shots. Hitting the new comer twice square in the chest. A scream of pain erupted from the old man as the two bullets penetrated his chest. \n&nbsp;\n\nHe fell, and Jones cursed, “Fuck.” Before rushing past Larry, knocking the gun out of his hand as he passed. “You just shot the man who might know how and why we got here.” He spoke quickly, his words running together. He quickly made his way to the old man. He took a moment to assess the damage. The old man was going to die, one shot in each lung. His blood was staining his blue robes, dark spots spreading from the two points of impact. Off to the side dropped when he fell was an oddly carved walking staff. And the old man was wearing entirely too much jewelry, all of it looking feminine with gaudy large gemstones at least one embedded in each piece. \n&nbsp;\n\nA gurgling cough escaped the man’s mouth and he forced out parts of his last sentence, “I I brought you… to…. Prevent… great evil.” Jones sat there next to the old man. Looking down on him a moment before standing back up. Once again wiping the dirt off his pants, he would honor the old man’s request in his own way. He would need to find a way home, and to do that he needed something stable. He looked back at the thirty men he had with him, they would be a start. He took off a couple pieces of jewelry the man was wearing.\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barry I need you to organize everyone here, make sure the vehicles are working. We may need to move them, and make sure the inventory is spread between all of them. Best to be safe.” Then he looked at Larry, “You and I are going for a walk.” He waved him over and turned to walk towards the path the old man had apparently arrived from.\n&nbsp;\n\nThe walk was mostly uneventful. They had found the main dirt road fairly quickly and made a mark so they could find the trail back to their men. The most interesting event was when a group of humanoid lizards tried to attack him and Larry. They scattered really quickly at the sound of Jones’s Glock. Jones took the extra time to gather the three 9mm casings that were on the ground after the fight. It took them the better part of the afternoon to make it to the closest town. The two men approached the town looking surprised at how antiquated it looked.\n&nbsp;\nThey had been passing some small farms next to the road for a while before they got into what could be considered the town center. A clear grass covered square in the middle of the town one side had a large Forge going with a large burley man working the metals with various different hammers. On the side opposite the Forge was some sort of tavern, Depicted by a pictograph of two full glasses toasting something. Another small shop was located on one of the sides between the bar and the forge. And right beside them was a chapel of some sort, but no crosses of any kind.\n&nbsp;\n\nIt was time to find out where they were. Jones again took the lead, with Larry following behind him. They had discussed a truce until they got back then they could deal with the no doubt horrible repercussions for his family.\n&nbsp;\nThey both entered the bar. This wasn’t really a bar, more like a tavern. A cute red headed girl was walking from table to table. Every head in the tavern turned to look at them. It wasn’t fearful or respectful but curious. Kind of like the looks they had gotten on their way past farms and into town. Jones looked at them carefully in return and noticed that their clothing looked almost like something out of an Amish settlement. He thought back to the show he had watched about the Amish, It was something called breaking the Amish. He shook his head and looked around waiting till the cute red headed girl came to great them.\n&nbsp;\n\n“Welcom to the cherful dink” she said clipping her words off in odd locations. \n&nbsp;\n\nJones pulled out his money clip with the folded up hundred dollar billsand spoke to her, “I’d like some information, two meals and a private room to eat.” Then he pulled out one of the bills and handed it to her. \n&nbsp;\n\n“Wat iz this?” She said confusion spread across her face as she examined the hundred dollar bill. \n&nbsp;\n\nJones Frowned at her response, “is something wrong with my money?” he asked in barely controlled annoyance.\n&nbsp;\n\n“We acpt coins, Not whataver this is.” She said lifting the American currency up. \n&nbsp;\n\nJones nodded his head before reaching over to take the money back. Turning and walking out of the tavern, followed by Larry. \n", "One fine morning, the people of Nhek came to me and said, \"Our king is a thief.\"\n\nTo that, I laughed and said, \"Aren't they all?\"\n\n\"He levies heavy taxes against us, and even that is not enough for his greedy hands,\" they replied. \"At night, he sends his men to our doors and demands our valuables. He takes until we have nothing valuable left, and then he takes our women and children to his harem. Our men are forced to work hard labor in the fields and in the mines.\"\n\n\"And what do you want me to do for you?\" I asked them.\n\n\"We do not know what you do,\" they answered, \"only that those who say your name are not touched by the king's people. And we know that those that say your name without having right to are dealt with even worsely by the king's people. So we ask for the right to use your name, so that the king's greed may spare us.\"\n\n\"I will do even better than that,\" I told them. \"Take this letter to your king, requesting his presence immediately.\"\n\nAnd they marveled amongst themselves, saying, \"Who is this man that he can summon kings?\" \n\nThen they said, \"We beg your mercy, but we cannot take this letter to the king, for then he will know we have told against him, and he will surely slay us.\"\n\nSo I sent one of my men with the letter to the King of Nhek, and in short time, he appeared in my court, and bowed low before me.\n\n\"Hezariah,\" I addressed him. \"The people of your court have accused you of a great crime. A crime of theft so severe they have asked for my protection. If I have done greater evil than you, and your people still come to me with complaints of your wickedness, what does that say of you?\"\n\nAnd he began to weep and curse the day he was born, tearing his clothes as he threw himself to the floor.\n\n\"I am not upset that you have stolen from your people,\" I said to him. \"I am upset that you have not shared what you have stolen with me. Therefore, you have stolen from me as well.\"\n\nI called for a sword, and one was brought for me. \n\n\"If a hand causes you to sin, then to reach the Kingdom of Heaven, is that hand not to be cut off and thrown to the stray dogs to prevent that men from being consumed by greed?\" \n\nTo this, the king began to call loudly, and beg, \"Please! Let me be consumed by greed, but let not my hand be taken!\" \n\n\"You are sinner with a deceitful heart. You do not know what you want. But I know what is best for you.\"\n\nMy soldiers seized him on each side. His hand was forced out in front of him and cut it off.\n\n\"Now you are pure,\" I declared. \"Next time you steal, remember with whom you must share it with. Now go! and sin no more, brother.\"\n\nAs the king was taken from the court, a boy appeared suddenly and cried out: \"Father!\" He attempted to push through, but the soldiers would not allow him to reach the king.\n\nWith venom in his eyes, he fixed on me and the people of Nhek. \"I swear,\" he declared, \"that you will all pay for this.\" \n\nAnd just as suddenly as he appeared, he disappeared before our eyes.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" ]	[ 1, 2, 9, 34 ]	[ "1510566309", "1510640129", "1510591405", "1510577806" ]
	[WP] You are given an egg that looks like it was decorated by someone really obsessed with glitter. You put it down near a warm stove without really thinking, and now it's starting to hatch.	21	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "ding dong\nI wake up from my nap not quite sure if the doorbell was in my dream or not. I sit up wiping the off the drool from my face and rubbing my eyes waiting for them to readjust to my surroundings. \nding dong\nding dong\nding dong\n\"I got it, I'm coming, I'm coming \" I yell as I slowly get off the couch. \nI slowly get my feet back as I make my way to the door and open it. \nI open the door to find a young man in a brown package delivery uniform and a wooden box on my door mat. \n\"Can I help you?\" I ask. \n\"Package for a Mr. Perkins\" he says. \n\"That's me. Who is it from?\" I yawn answer. \n\"No clue. Sign here please\" he tells me as he pulls out a clipboard. \nI sign and pull the box in. I read the label and it says from glitter co. I exhale and say, \"what did the wife buy online this time?\"\nI open the box and find what appears to be a very large pink and purple sparkling egg that's laying in what looks like straw. I reach in a pick it up and it's what I expect... Glitter. The egg is covered In it and it's falling everywhere. I hate glitter and she know that. This is going to get everywhere. I look at it more and notice it got some weight to it and there appears to have something sloshing inside of it. I swear is there's more glitter I'm going to be pissed. Why does she waste our money on this crap. First it was a life size pink poodle statue. Then it was the purple gnomes. Now it's this. She's lucky she's cute. I laugh to myself as I remember all my dumb purchases I bought too. Oh well at least is only bowling ball size.\nI exhale and pull the straw out and to find a place for it. The only place I can find is next to the stove which is convenient because I'm starving and it's lunchtime. I look at the egg and think, \"too bad it's fake because that would make a mean omelette.\"\nI settle on left over soup. I grab a pot and on goes the soup. I turn it on high and wait. \nA few minutes pass when all of a sudden the egg moves. It moved. And no I know I'm not crazy because there is glitter all around it. I watch and nothing happens. Minutes fly by and all I'm thinking is it did move... right? When I start to doubt myself, I shakes again. I quickly run to the knife block and grab for a knife. I pull one and quickly and stair at the egg. I look at my knife and i see that I grab the pairing knife. The smallest knife I have. I turn to grab a bigger one when the egg cracks. \nI don't remember what happened next but I didn't know that I could jump over the bar that fast. But here I am, slowly looking over at the egg to see what happening. It's cracked even more from the top to the bottom. I raise more to get a better view when boom a tiny horn shoots out. \nI scream and drop. I think to myself what the hell did that woman buy. So I'm there on the other side of the bar shaking like a leaf when I hear the thing crack apart and what I hear to be a horse. \nA horse. Now I'm definitely gone crazy. How can a glitter egg that my wife ordered online give birth to a horse with a horn. Horse are live birth I tell myself. Now I'm laughing like a maniac. This isn't real. This is. Prank. She got me good with this one. I'll have to find out where she got this so I can get her back. \nThat's what I though. That was until I hear a wet thump on the ground and hoofs clopping towards me. \nI grip the knife in fright waiting to see what comes around. Clop Clop Clop \nI hold my breath. Clop Clop Clop. \nI start to awkwardly butt scoot backwards to get away. Clop Clop Clop. \nIt pokes its head around the corner and I scream. It's a girly scream that I have no clue where it comes from. I look at the creature and it's a Pegasus. A freaking, soaking in glitter egg juice, tiny adorable horned, with tiny wings, Pegasus. And my first thought was, \"I called it. It egg was filled with glitter. " ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1510603814", "1511004648" ]
	[WP]A serial killer wakes up to find himself strapped to an operating table. A well groomed man speaks from the shadows, “I’m your biggest fan.”	26	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "This is my first post, be gentile!\n\nMy eyes are slow to open. It’s cold and dark, the circular light swinging in the stale air with a cool breeze. I try to sit up but I hear the sound of the strap get tighter. The more I move my hands the tighter it gets.\n\n\n“Hello? Is anyone there? What the fuck is going on?” Three lights engage and the sound of the electricity powering them echoes throughout the room. “Remember Alyssa? The way you cut each of her fingers off at a different angle? The way she screamed and pleaded to you? The sound of Jons fingernails ripping off, the way Don’s kneecaps broke as you took a hammer to them? I can hear their voice, but I can’t see them. “Who the fuck are you, let me out of here! I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I pleaded. A face began to take shape as they stepped out of the shadows, our eyes met. A well-groomed man, clean shaven in an expensive looking suit began to smile, awkwardly. He raised his left hand and pointed at me. His hands were shaking, he was nervous and took a deep breath and he said “I’m your biggest fan, Daniel, or should I say Colin?” My body felt like it had gone into a state of paralysis. \n" ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1510603984", "1510629893" ]
[removed]	[wp]Three demon children summon a human,to bad it's Chuck Noris.	0	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nNo troll, joke, or meme-based prompts. This includes prompts likely to attract such responses. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7cq5ks/wpthree_demon_children_summon_a_humanto_bad_its/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510606176", "1510606463" ]
	[WP] Spells must be cast on an empty stomach. The longer it's been since the mage has eaten, the more powerful the magic.	93	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I've read of times when Hunger Strikes were a form of non-violent protest. The idea was that someone would deprive themselves of sustenance to draw attention to an important issue. Others saw a spiritual side to it, trying to control their desires and impulses to focus on prayer. Not many people today know this history, such strange concepts they seem now, as hunger is so well known to be our greatest source of strength. Yet I've found them intriguing in their ironic, if not misguided, ways. I've even taken to calling myself after one of the greats of their time: Ghandi. \n\nIt is true that some of the more zealous practitioners today have pushed past the brink of return, strength becoming weakness in a flash. It is a delicate skill which takes years of practice. But, as with all things, diligence leads to skill, skill leads to power, and power leads to victory, as the saying goes.\n\nMy given name was Bystrum Lavensod, of Old Paree. I was one of just a few classmates that were identified by the Council as having Potential. I was carried off to a different land, without even a chance to say goodbye to my family, my friedns, the life I knew. Instead I knew hunger, hours then days at a time, followed by spells of healing, enchanting, but mostly destruction.\n\nMost of my hunger days, preparing for the next lesson, I spent wandering the streets walled in by derelict, crumbling buildings long abandoned after the Great War. When I was younger I discovered an old library which had not been too greatly damaged. So I fed my mind while I starved my stomach, gaining strength from both. This was where I leaned about Ghandi.\n\nOf course now Hunger Strikes have a different meaning than they did in their formative age. While they once had power through emotion and empathy, the discovery of magic through hunger sent a wave of excitement then fear as those with overpowered those without. A Hunger Strike was the coalescance of several powerful mages raining down mighty forces which little could withstand. The power was awesome, but I hated it. Something inside me pushed me forward, perhaps just my instinct to survive. But I feel these days that there is a power for peace I have yet to discover. ", "There was a new kid in class, so of course he was staring at her. She’d long since gotten past the embarrassment of Kindergarten, when she’d tried to hide the ports that poured nutrition directly into her veins. They were in seventh grade now, and skinny Kelsey Rodriguez with the stomach disease was just one of the many less-than-perfect kids in town. Sammy had chicken pox scars on her arms because her parents had refused to vaccinate her. Gabi could do geometry in her head but flipped letters around and struggled to write. And Kelsey couldn’t eat. They were all pretty smart kids (there wasn’t much work in Los Alamos for people’s parents who weren’t smart), and they quickly figured out she was otherwise normal. They all lived in the same shoebox-shaped double houses, held bonfires in the same mountains, listened to the same music on the radio.\n\nExcept they were wrong about Kelsey.\n\nAs far as she could tell, she was the only one of her classmates that actually had a job at the lab too, although she wasn’t sure that she’d necessarily know. They were used to their folks’ vaguely-worded job descriptions (“Oh, what does your mom do?” “You know, engineering stuff.”) that shouted their security clearances at top volume. But her own work fell under the more deceptive wording of “medical appointments.” Maybe Gabi’s twice-weekly tutoring sessions took place at the National Laboratory surrounded by cameras and sensors too. But she was pretty sure that Gabi couldn’t do what she could.\n\nShe got stronger every year. They’d be moving her to a bigger lab soon, or at least a stronger one. Last week she’d almost shaken loose the door.\n\nKelsey doodled in her social studies notebook, trying to ignore the new boy’s obvious curiosity. Hope you’re enjoying the freak show now, she thought,* because you’re going to be pretty darn bored once we get acquainted.* The boy laughed a little, apparently at something their teacher had said. Kelsey sighed and turned her attention back to the explanation of their homework.\n\nWhen the bell rang, she ignored him pointedly as she grabbed her books and walked towards the science wing. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to get the message. \n\n“Hey.”\n\nShe kept walking.\n\n“Hey, Kelsey, I’m Eric. I just moved here. How’s it going?”\n\n“It’s fine.” It WAS fine. Now it’s just annoying.\n\n“Hey, no need to be rude,” he said. “I just want to talk.”\n\n“I said it’s fine. You’re the rude one here.”\n\n“I’m not trying to be annoying.”\n\n“Well, you’re succeeding anyway.” You self-absorbed shit.\n\n“Huh. I didn’t picture you for a potty mouth.”\n\nKelsey opened up her mouth to shoot back a scathing response, when she realized what had just happened. “I—” she stopped walking. “I didn’t say anything bad.”\n\n“I know. I just … I wanted to talk to you, because we have the same … part time job.”\n\nKelsey shook her head. \n\n“I mean, I’m just someone they picked up out of nowhere. I’m from Belen. Just a blip. Good for studying stuff that pops out of a natural environment. But you … you’ve been at this your whole life. I think it’s awful, what they’ve done. I can’t believe they don’t even feed you.”\n\nKelsey’s face felt full of static, and her heart was racing. “If you know so much about me, you’ll know that I have a stomach disorder. They figured out how to save me, when I was just a baby. I would have died. And I eat just fine.” She gestured to the primary port. It’s not like she was starving. Not anymore.\n\n“Sure. You’re not starving, I get that. And I fast for strength tests too. We all get stronger the longer we’ve been without food. But the way they crashed your system so that you’d be fasting perpetually? That just seems wrong to me.”\n\nThey’d stopped walking, and the stream of students parted around them and flowed down the hall into their classrooms.\n\n“So what do you want, Eric?” You’re wrong about me. And you’re wrong about my job. So if you don’t want to be pals and chat about how interesting work is, what are you doing here?\n\n“I thought you might be interested in a ... change of scenery.”\n\nKelsey stared at him, rooted to the spot. Then the bell rang, letting the world know they were both late for class. She hadn’t even noticed the hall emptying out.\n\nKelsey turned on her heel and stalked away towards her class. “Go away, Eric. You’re a jerk and an idiot.” \n\nBut she thought: I’ll think about it. We'll talk. But don’t you DARE go messing around with my life without asking me first.\n\nEric smiled and walked to his own class. It was a start. His employer was going to be very pleased.\n", "She quietly crosses the inn's common room wrapped in a heavy dark cloak. I could tell she is a powerful mage, my stomach growling slightly as I passively scan her. Nothing about her was familiar to me though. I press myself further back into the corner to avoid notice.\n\nI watch her speak to the bartender, unseen power radiating from her. She puts a solitary copper coin on the counter and receives a small biscuit in return. I can see her wrist bones outlined in her pale skin as she picks up the meagre piece of food. She was a serious mage, one not easily given in to temptation.\n\nMy stomach growls again but I know that I can't sate my hunger until the morning. The full moon is soon and I have to stay focused to have enough power for midnight. Many other mages will also be casting this evening, and I wanted to avoid as much notice as possible. The common room of an inn was the last place a fellow mage would come, the smells too tempting for many of them. The hunters, particularly busy on a night portentous as this one, would also not venture in, too many people for too little result.\n\nI peer over my mug of water at her as she nibbles delicately on the hard biscuit. I see that she's measuring out the exact amount of food that will keep her going without spoiling her power. I chose to fast since yesterday and sip on water to control the hunger. She finishes only half the biscuit, I assume that's all she needs for now. She wraps the rest in a cloth and puts it in her pocket, then draws out a book.\n\nNow's my chance. It will only take a little power, the food she just consumed will dull her sense. I secretly channel a wind spell under the table, willing the delicious smell of the kitchen to drift over to her side of the room. I chose this table simply because it was where the smell was strongest, it would harden my resolve. She chose the other side, away from the smells that would cause temptation.\n\nIt only took a minute before she looked up from her book. She swallows hard. Her hand draws out the other half of the biscuit. There she stared at it for a while, trying to determine what harm could come from a little bit more. As she deliberates I cast the spell again. Her eyes widen as the smell becomes stronger. Suddenly she throws her biscuit across the room in disgust, angrily looking around to find the perpetrator of the situation. Damn. She figured it out and if it wasn't for the food in her stomach right now, she would have been able to find my aura even among all of the other patrons.\n\nI quickly cast a veiling spell masking my image to look like the wall behind, my stomach turning to knots. She spots my corner but to her eyes I am gone. A wry smile appears on her lips as she stows her book and stands up. I could not tell if she had spotted me or not. She walks to the bartender and converses with him, coin and key exchanging hands, then she heads upstairs to a rented room.\n\nI let out a sigh of relief. It was too close to the completion of my plan. I pull out my book of notes and continue writing.\n\nTen minutes later, a large platter of food is dumped onto the table in front of me. Roasted meats still steaming, pies just out of the oven, honeyed pastries glistening with deliciousness.\n\nThat witch.", "It started with a single day. I had refused to eat the dinner. I thought it was yucky. The next morning I once again refused to eat. Until at the end of the day. All by myself a little flame ignite in my hands at will. The power was awesome in the literal sense of the word.\n\nIt pulled me in. But eventually mortal needs came in. I ate. And it all vanished. It wasn't until almost a year later that I gathered enough energy to do anything. It was when we were starving.\n\nMy father had made deals with the wrong people, and we had found ourselves without an income. So I wished for what I thought would make it all better; money. It only succeeded in getting them thrown in jail for my crime, and me getting sent to the orphanage.\n\nIt was probably the best thing they could've done. The burning headaches kept me from keeping it for long. The aching hunger had been easily ignored, and the headaches masked them. However, the pain of the headaches made it too hard.\n\nThat's what the orphanage helped with. Pure torture. Beatings from other boys, and ridicule, until I could bear the pain for a month. For food itself didn't matter, only your will. I didn't know what magic kept me from perishing, and frankly I didn't.\n\nAll I could feel was power. And at the end of the month, the whole orphanage just disappeared. Soon enough I was able to do it consistently enough that I just conjured a cloak. Something meant to be impossible.\n\nThat's when the months started to creep up to years. Only broken when the pain started to ƀɍɇȺꝁ my mind. Then a decade. I was gaining a reputation. A gold cloak draped over my shoulders. Then a simple accident. And I was gone. At least in physical form.", "I can't remember the last time I tasted food. I think it must have been a year or so. Now, I'm not one of those power-hungry jerks that starve themselves to harness the Spells. Only stupid fools would think a fireball is cooler than a all-you-can-eat buffet. Plus, the government actually forces people to eat, so that they cannot possess powers beyond measure. So, starving to store power for a powerful Spell is actually not that easy to do as what most people think. That does not stop them from trying though. One time, a crazed maniac unleashed a storm that did not stop for months. Another unleashed a family of flying serpents onto the city. Now, you may be wondering as to who I am or as to what is the reason why I'm starving. You see, I'm just a normal person, living a totally normal life. Unfortunately, the Corporation had other plans for me. They plan to build a better world, free from wars and fights. A united world where everyone likes each other. And so they plan on unleashing a phenomenon that can guarantee this plan of theirs. Using me, they plan on unleashing The Great Flood.", "Onsis sat alone and silent in the lotus position: unmoving, unwavering, and defiant. The only noise to be heard in the simple room she lived within was the sound of flickering flames. Torches hung on the wet, stone walls causing shadows to flicker incessantly. Onsis' plain gray robes curled around and hid a deeply emaciated body underneath. The signs of her bodily distress were only apparent in her gaunt, angular face and withering, white hair. This was the price of powerful magic, and not many were able to endure the extreme measures needed to manifest it. Apprentices darted in and out to keep her from withering away completely, but otherwise she meditated alone.\n\nShe had often told apprentice magi, \"The greatest weapon a mage possesses is their mind. A strong mind can overcome all obstacles.\" Now she was being led to practice her teachings to the extreme. The days she had gone without eating piled up fast and she dared not count them. Every animal instinct was at war within her, waiting to destroy her will at a moments notice. At this point she could barely walk. Her delicate, feeble legs shook with every step. Despite all appearances, Onsis' mind was unyielding. Her suffering had purpose. Not the pursuit of power itself, but the protection of others.\n\nStacks of grimoires were piled around her, open to various pages on theoretical magic, magic which had not been attempted in fear of what it might incur. The options Onsis and her mages had were numbered, and this was the last resort. Greater magic always called for a higher cost, and Onsis' fear was that the cost of this spell would outweigh success.\n\nA necromage of the lower valleys had finally snapped, and it seemed as though only Onsis would be able to stop their rampage. A foolish, young necromage had taught an undead pawn how to harness magic. It was forbidden for obvious reasons. The undead had an unsatiable hunger, which could create devastating magic. And now that once weak, undead pawn was approaching Onsis, and the rest of those in the Fold, as a threat to not be taken lightly. It had resurrected all those along the way, carving deep wounds into the ground. The only hope was for Onsis, on the verge of death, to unleash an equally overwhelming purification spell. However, with the uncertain nature of magic, it was just as likely that Onsis could destroy all she was trying to save.\n\nOnsis gathered her strength, and gazed through her mind's eye at the approaching onslaught. She perceived the dark veil rolling in, and could do nothing but wait for death to come.", "I gaze at the gilded book before me, the page filled with illustration after illustration of gory death - warnings to us all. Strong magic is a question of purity. An impure mind is known to distort magic - many a mage has ended up missing a limb as result of an errant lustful or jealous thought - but that is nothing compared to what an impure body will do. There is no coming back from that. \n\nWhen magic had been discovered it was fickle and weak - useful only for unpredictable parlour tricks. At first, researchers moved in the wrong direction entirely. They feasted before practising magic - piling carb after carb into their bodies in the hopes that the thing that gave them nourishment would nourish their magic as well. It did not, to put it lightly. Most had been made so impure by the outside elements in their bodies that they didn’t manage to produce any magic at all. Others were not so lucky. Those who somehow called up magic while tainted with the impurity of food were destroyed. \n\nMy knight, Keira, walks into the living room we share - one look at the weaponry strapped to her hips and I know where she’s been.\n\n“How was the shooting range?” She grunts in response.\n\n“Same - the targets are too slow and the instructors are worse.” \n\n“Hah, they’re too slow or you’re too fast?” That earns me a half smile and a shake of her head as she moves into the kitchen.\n\nKeira eats food, and lots of it. Although there is almost nothing I can’t do with my magic, there is still a use for brute strength and physical skills. In terms of building up good ol’ muscle, for some reason magic has nothing on the human diet. I’ve experimented with different amounts of nutrients over the years - more protein, more carbs, more everything - but I’ve never come anywhere near the sheer muscle Keira is somehow able to maintain. I provide our dear leaders with defensive and offensive magic, and should that fail for any reason then Keira is around to protect their investment - me.\n\nI am the first born of a group of children that we now call Purests. Like those who came after me, I have never tasted material nourishment. I was taken from my mother before I could so much as reach towards her breast and put under the watchful eye of the government’s mages. Wanting me untainted by any form of physical sustenance, they used their magic to nourish me and my compatriots until we were old enough to take over the process ourselves.\n\nI feel a mild humming behind me eyes and open my mind to my boss, Dave.\n\nYou have a mission tonight - meet at 10pm to be briefed. \n\nThe communication is over as soon as it’s begun. I float myself off of the couch and head to the kitchen to let Keira know.\n\n---\n\n\nI hear a scream choked off halfway through as Aaron combusts - I hope he didn’t take his knight Chris with him, but I don’t have time to check. I cry out as a coordinated effort by our opponents shakes the shield I’ve erected around Keira and I. She’s beside me and ready to fight, but there’s not much she can do unless I can break through the enemy shields.\n\nWe had intercepted coordinates where the rebels who opposed the restrictions our government used to keep us safe would be picking up weapons and supplies. The mission was a simple one for Aaron, Liv, and I - no engagement, we wait for the drop off and beat the rebels to the items. We should have been gone before anyone else even arrived, but as soon as we stepped into the parking lot we knew something was wrong. More than twenty written spells had been set off - not spells of protection, but of attack. Dozens of rebels had spilled from the trees and hiking paths surround the area, and with only basic magic shields engaged for the simple mission we’d been left rushing to fend off the fireballs, lightning strikes, and crushing forces with appropriate defences. Liv had vanished within the first thirty seconds, although I hadn’t seen the black clouds usually associated with a vanishing spells anywhere near her. Since then, Aaron and I had been hanging on as best we could. Now, it was just me.\n\nKeira screams into my right ear as she lets a handful of knives fly towards a group of rebels, “Let’s go! Alexis, we have to go NOW!\"\n\nThere’s nothing I’d like better right now, but with this many mages on the other side I can barely keep the rebel attacks at bay, much less whip up a two-person teleportation spell. Another multi- spell assault hits my shield and I feel rather than see a crack begin to form. Right on its tail, a mage teleports something oblong at me - I hope it’s nothing explosive as I deflect it to the left. A succession of attacks hits me and the last one makes it through - a weight hits my belly and I’m knocked back a metre.\n\nGazing up at the advancing rebels, my stomach feels leaden - I never knew fear could feel this physical.\n\nI reach for my magic but something stops me - it’s different… it feels wilder and almost hostile. With horror, I realize what they’ve done. I look in the direction I deflected the last spell and just about sob. The weight in my stomach wasn’t fear, but something much, much worse - bread.\n\nKeira’s back at my side, pulling at my arm. I can hear her voice, but I can't process the words. She has me halfway off the ground before I can tell her what they’ve done. \n\n“Keira, my stomach… They’ve done something, they’ve put something in it.” Her eyes are uncomprehending at first, but they widen as I point over my shoulder towards the deflected bread.\n\nAs she gapes at what they’ve done to me I see lightning flickering into being, controlled by a mage not five metres away.\n\nI could try to block it despite my impurity, but I think of the fire that surrounded Aaron and Chris - Keira might still make it out of this alive.\n\n“Run!” I yell at her. I start sprinting away myself to get her going, but we aren’t far before I feel the magic preparing to strike. I look at her face one more time and take in her green eyes and flushed cheeks. Gasping with the strain it takes to keep pace with her, I barely manage to get the words out.\n\n“Keira, you have to keep running! You have to tell them what’s happened!” She glares at me as best as she can while moving at such high speed.\n\n“What? What are you - just run!\"\n\nIt’s too late. As soon as I feel the magic coming towards us I turn to face it. I’m no fighter without my purity, but I can do one last trick.\n\nI hear Keira cry out as I throw myself into the lightning bolt - I hope she keeps running.\n", "Akiva sat alone and contemplated the well within him. It was so deep now he could hardly believe it. How long had it been? Two weeks? Three? The ocean of power now swirling within his void could not have been amassed in less time. He needed to remember how long it had been so he could record the wait that was required. If he waited a little while longer maybe he could hear it, instead of just feeling it. Oh, if only he could hear it. \n\n“Master,” came a voice, “There are visitors. They seek audience.” \n\nAkiva opened his eyes and saw one of the acolytes leaning through a cracked door. What was his name? Efrat? Ehud?\n\nHe began to raise himself, using the canes at either side of him for support, “I am coming,” Akiva responded, rasping, “What was your name again?” \n\n“Efraim, Master.” He responded, moving and bowing slightly as Akiva hobbled out of the door and into the sunlight hall. The acolyte handed him a clay cup of water and, with a shaky hand, Akiva drank deeply.\n“Mmm. Efraim, who are these visitors?” \n\n“Emissaries from the House Doron, Master.” \n\n“Emissaries. . .” Akiva muttered, “What sort of emissaries?”\n\n“I am afraid they did not state their business, Master. Only that they wished to speak with one of the esteemed masters of Temperance.” \n\n“Well of course,” he said, pausing his travel down the hall to add emphasis and also to rest, “But I asked what sort of emissaries they were. Not what they wanted.” \n\n“Oh, my apologies, Master,” Efraim said, with a bow, “They are half a dozen in number. Each wears the green half-cape of a Guardian, save for the one who wears the violet half-cape of an Arbiter.” \n\nAn arbiter? House Doron had already had two adepts in their services, surely they had not come for another. Or was that House Waliba? Or. . . He would need to check the registry. Couldn’t remember. Too lightheaded. \n\n“Efraim, I believe I can see to them on my own. If you would, inform Master Kalib to reference the obligation registry and bring his findings to the audience yard as quickly as he is able,” He paused, “And ask to look at House Doron’s family line.” \n\n“I will at once, Master.” \n\nAnd with that and another quick bow, he was away. Akiva remembered when he used to be able to move like that. Such a green thing. He must not have even been a week into his current fasting. But, at least there was someone who could still retrieve clean water. \n\nAkiva made his way through the halls slowly until he finally reached the open doorway leading to the audience yard. He rounded the corner and saw standing on the marble patio exactly what the acolyte had described. Six men, five wearing ring plate and the iron masks of Guardians, and another garbed in violet garments that still somehow found room to billow and swell around his portly frame. \n\nAkiva sat as gently as he could amongst the pillows atop the dais overlooking the yard and stood his canes on either side of him. \n\n“Speak.” He commanded, regaining his breath and wiping moisture from his eye. \n\nThe arbiter stepped forward and gave a sweeping, low bow, “Master of Temperance, my name is Arbiter Gili of House Doran. I am here to request the service of another one of your adepts in a very honorable and important matter.” \n\n“You already have two adepts, no?”\n\nThe man raised a tentative finger, “Ah, we do,” he began, “but, this matter is very, very important. My lord has lost hold of a valley to the south-east, one which his grandfather had won them long ago. If he does not retake it, it will be a shame upon him. Not only that, but all of the peasants who still live within the valley will have to farm and cultivate the land for the despicable Bokshuri.” \n\nThis man’s voice was high and annoying. Akiva felt the blood pumping hard in his ears and was having difficulty keeping his vision clear. He ran his mind along the edge of his void and felt strength flow into him. Once his eyes refocused he stared down at the violet Arbiter. \n\n“A lost patch of land is of no concern to us.”\n\nThe Arbiter seemed ever so slightly taken aback, but he hid it well, “Of course not, but House Doron has been a friend to you as you have been to us. We have gifted you many expensive additions to the house of your order and would be willing to gift you many more, if the valley is regained.” \n\nAkiva licked the inside of his cheeks. Not so dry now, “Your house already has its designated adept. Not only that but, if I recall correctly, you have another which you pleaded for, no?” \n\n“I. . . Yes, we do. But that was likewise for a good cause. The Ruby Coast is rife with serpents this season and we could not bear another ship lost. Those ships, which I respectfully remind you, brought you the marble that made this very yard upon which we stand.” \n\n“Is that so?”\n\n“It is, esteemed Master.” \n\nAkiva sat and considered a short moment, and as he did Master Kalib emerged from the archway behind him, walking tall and strong. No need to store power when your duty was as a librarian. He leaned over and whispered to Akiva the names of both adepts in Doron’s service. \n\n“And the lineage?” \n\n“A skipping stone,” Kalib responded, “Doron’s grandmother showed potential, but not he.” \n\nAkiva nodded and thanked him quietly before he departed from whence he came. \n\n“It seems that I was correct regarding the adepts,” Akiva said, “Not only that, but the second adept you took was far and away higher in their grasp of Temperance than would be required to navigate the Ruby Sea safely. So I see no need to gift you another mind that you might squander it on some little river valley.” \n\nHe stood, only needing one crutch this time, and began to leave. \n\n“But, esteemed Master, please, wait. Is there not anything we can offer to make you reconsider? My lord was explicit and it would be best not to displease him.” \n\nAkiva paused, “Explicit was he? Oh my, why did you not say so before.” \n\nHe turned and stared again, this time directly upon the eyes of the Arbiter, “What does he want with the valley?” \n“Only to alleviate the shame brought upon him and his house, and to alleviate the suffering of his people.” Answered the Arbiter. \n\nAkiva let his mind run along the void, and he let the Arbiter’s words hang in the air.\n \n“You disgrace yourself and the clay beneath your feet with you lies,” Akiva spat, a scowl creasing his elderly face, “State the truth of it, or I will cut this shame from your house myself.” \n\n“I-I-I beg forgiveness, highest and most esteemed Master of Temperance,” said the violet Arbiter, throwing himself down upon his hands and knees, head held low, “My lord has a son in the valley. He was captured and it is thought that he may’ve helped the Bokshuri take it. Please, I ask your forgiveness eightfold. If we do not return with something though I fear I will be imprisoned and you will only have to deal with another in my place.” \n\nAkiva considered this. It would become rather annoying to have to speak with Arbiter after Arbiter on the same topic. Even to have to ignore them willfully could be irksome. And this was a deeply shameful subject for a house lord to have to contend with. Perhaps there was something to be gained. \n\n“Lord Doron has two children, does he not?” \n\nThe Arbiter kept his head down, but his voice shook with worry over the question, “Yes, his son, Ofir, and his daughter, Noa. Lady Doron is expecting another during the raining season.” \n\nAkiva smiled and placed his free hand over the one grasping his cane, “Then an agreement can be met. Raise yourself.” \n\nThe Arbiter stood and one of his Guardians helped to pat the dirt from his purple robes. \n\n“In exchange for the help of our order his daughter will join us and study Temperance.” \n\n“I. . . This is. . .” \n\n“Is this not fair?”\n\n“No no, it is quite fair. I just. . . I do not know if my lord will see it that way.” \n\nAkiva considered, “Then I will go myself and retake the valley within a week. That is more than enough for Doron, I believe.” \n\n“You? As in, you yourself?” \n\n“I do not stutter.” It had been too long since he’d tapped his well, anyway. A bit of practice would do him well.\n\n“No, no, no. Far from it,” the Arbiter gave another bow, “I expect my master will be pleased with your terms. I apologize many times again for the imposition we have put you in and I expect that Lady Noa will be a fine pupil.”\n \n“I expect she shall as well. Now, away.” \n\nAnd with that the Arbiter and his Guardians departed and Akiva returned to his chamber to sit and contemplate. He wondered what he would make of Noa. It was not often that the gift of Temperance was found in noble blood. They often lacked the prowess to overcome the initial hurtles and achieve connection to their void. Either way, she would learn the art and, with time, could even become a master herself. \n\nHe would need to leave soon. But for now, he lost himself again in his well. \n", "It was a chilly Saturday. At least I think it was Saturday. It is entirely possible that I missed a day on my calendar. Time seems to be irrelevant when you're humanity's most powerful sorcerer and on a distant planet. I'm not sure which is more important to the passage of time. \n\n\nPeople have gone through countless attempts at not eating for a long time, but they always succumbed after being able to do little more than throw a fastball with their spells. Countless papers have been written about sorcery. The specifics behind it were not fully understood, and of course the physics was way over our heads. All we knew was that it grew more powerful with hunger.\n\nI thought a little bit differently. I was up all night and day for several days doing some university homework and was so distracted that I almost did not notice the searing hunger pangs. Unfortunately, the dining hall is a long hike from the library in which I was currently fortified. So, I did what any desperate guy would do; on the brink of starvation, with barely enough energy to keep my eyes open, I looked at the librarian and transferred her stomach contents to mine. I felt very uneasy, but not hungry. She immediately turned and took a massive bite from an apple, muttering about how she really didn't need the calories but she was starving. Proud of my laziness, I kept working.\n\nUsing my newfound technique, I had not eaten in several weeks and I could feel the power coursing through my veins. I firmly believed I was the most powerful mage in the world. Eventually, I decided to cut out the middleman and try something. I took a piece of bread and willed the atoms themselves to transform into glucose and diffuse into my bloodstream. It was definitely not healthy, but it gave me more than sufficient energy. Besides, I found many potential pathogens tended to die upon contact with my magic-infused immune system. Every part of me felt stronger, as if a portion of my magical energy went to keeping me in optimal health.\n\nNaturally, word got around when I would use it to be the ultimate bum, launching pencils from across the room when mine broke, condensing atmospheric water to drink, and most of all, being very careful not to ingest any solids through my mouth. \n\n\nThis went one for several years, with simple tasks becoming increasingly easy. At this point, I was no longer ever hungry, as many of my basic needs were covered by my subconscious. I filled my body with nutrients as naturally as most humans breathed. Unfortunately for humanity, I am one selfish son of a gun and I liked the idea of nobody coming close to my power.\n\nTurns out, a person who is his own life support is a huge asset to space exploration. I was approached by a NASA rep who told me that when they heard of my abilities, they had to come meet me and see if it was the real deal. Of course I was. So they offered me a permanent break from the bore of life on Earth and built a special capsule containing only some oxygen to start with and osmium. By this point, they figured I had the energy to transmute matter on an atomic scale, so the density would be the most important part. Thus began my training. I learned to create thrust through spells (turns out, a magician powerful enough to precisely move subatomic particles can create a pretty high ISP) and how to make oxygen, water, and everything else I would need. I even learned to terraform planets by transforming a small mass of the surface to gaseous particles similar to Earth's atmosphere, with an excess of water so that there would be a healthy amount of rain to get water for less powerful humans. In exchange for them taking me to Mars (and perhaps further if the need surfaced), I kept several people fed for three weeks until they mastered the art of staying nourished without eating. Once that was possible, they loaded me in my own personal capsule completely separate from the massive crew quarters the other colonists were settled in. I topped off their supplies pretty often at first, but eventually several learned to do it themselves.\n\nMonths into the journey, with the colonists and myself more powerful than any human before us, we arrived at the red planet. The craft indicated we should prepare for the landing, but the practically infinite thrust provided by the 100+ superhumans on board and our ability to move blood through our bodies regardless of the massive G-Forces made this irrelevant. We touched down after an uncomfortable but easily bearable descent. Several of us got out, terraforming the planet very quickly. We were reminded by mission control to put an excess of carbon dioxide and water to ensure there was enough rain to sustain Earth-like life and a comfortable climate. Just when one of my fellow Martians was buzzing in to tell them that we were safe, several of the more powerful of us realized that dependency on Earth was unnecessary. We broke the communications and I, as the most powerful, began constructing a new civilization." ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 6, 39 ]	[ "1510624845", "1510631074", "1510656430", "1510631332", "1510634600", "1510639128", "1510679662", "1510650577", "1510630708", "1510628981" ]
	[WP] Come up with a backstory for a character named Niloc.	2	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "“Morning Amok!” I shouted down the stairs, hoping my siblings could hear me. The fan was quite noisy, but than again, so were my lungs.\nNo response. I sighed. I guess I’m out of practice, I thought to myself, as I hurried down the stairs. As I entered the kitchen, I heard a familiar “AHAH” and was tackled by the four loving humans I knew as my family. \n“Dang it guys, get off of me” I snickered, pushing them off. These were my brothers and sisters: Amok: age 17, Todd: age 14, Cram: age 10, and Evarge: age 8. \n“Admit it, Niloc, we totally got you!” retorted Cram, clearly impressed with himself.\n“Look Cram, I said, pushing him to the side, we need to focus on what’s important right now! Amok, have you made any progress on cracking the code?”\n“Hey, were helping too!” Cried Evarge. “We just don’t know what the riddle means!”\n“Hmm” I thought. “Can you read it again? Maybe we’re missing something”\nAmok snatched it from the desk and dictated:\nMy dearest children. Upon our death, you will receive this note. I know it seems mysterious, but you must foll-\n“Umm!” Todd interjected, “We’ve heard this part like a thousand times. Skip to the riddle for unlocking the trapdoor!”\nHere is the riddle: Your names are not random. Though unusual, they were formed in a specific manner. Find the pattern; make the code; unlock the trapdoor.\n“Ugh, it’s so annoying! I don’t see any similarities between our names!” I shouted. “It just doesn’t make sense!”\nI walked back and forth aimlessly for a while, as my siblings just stood there and watched. \n“Maybe... I don’t know, maybe there’s a secret in grammar!” Suggested Amok. “I saw it in a book once. The characters find a note left by someone who has OCD and it is full of typos. Because she is OCD she would never write so badly, and they correct it, and the corrections spell a location.”\n“I mean, Mom WAS an English teacher, but than what would be the significance of the riddle?”\n“I don’t know, it could just be to throw us off.”\nAs my siblings bickered, something about what they said clicked. Mom was an English teacher. She always loved to use her linguistic skills to make puns and have fun with words. I started putting pieces together.\n“Guys! What if the grammar mistakes... are in our names! Hear me out: My name is Niloc, right? Well, if you flip the word colon backwards, and change one letter, you get my name.”\n“Well, that could just be a coincidence though” said Amok. “That means nothing.”\n“But there’s more, I added. “Amok, your name would be coma with a K instead of a C. Todd: Dot with an extra D. Evarge: That’s grave with an E at the beginning!” I was getting to excited, I was barely understandable. “And Cram-“\n“Mark with a C, right?” Said Cram, eagerly agreeing.\n“Exactly! I think this is it guys!” I shouted!\nWe al rushed to the trapdoor, and looked at the mysterious symbols again. \n“I’ll do the honors” I said, beaming, as I reached for the keypad, and began inputting codes.", "Niloc was a total jerk who always took credit for other's work. He was the lowest of the low and had been kicked from several mercenary guilds in the region. His lack of faith towards his companions had him turning in quests his \"friends\" had completed and running off with the reward. This fraud got worse and worse, culminating in a severe beating from his former guildmates. After that Niloc turned to a life of crime, fleecing and ambushing civillians... saving up to topple the guilds that he'd once called home." ]	[ 1, 1, 2 ]	[ "1510629704", "1510631734", "1510630436" ]
[removed]	[WP] When you time travel you will meet your family, no exceptions	0	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nYour post includes too many details to be considered a prompt. It has become a story commission, which is not allowed. Prompts are meant to inspire users to write their own work, not write something for you. \n\nThe prompt should fit within the title box - if it goes over into the text box, then it's too long and should be condensed. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7cv93k/wp_when_you_time_travel_you_will_meet_your_family/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510662297", "1510662649" ]
	[WP] You have a sneaking suspicion that the family therapist is actually a giant fly in disguise.	23	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "“… I just don’t know what to do Drosphina. Ever since I’ve come to this school, my goals and achievements have become so… confused.”\n\n\n“How zzo?”\n\n\nAh Drosphina. I’d been seeing her since high school. She helped me deal with the pressure of boarding school, motivated me through college apps. While she was technically my therapist, I often thought of her as a good friend.\n\n\n“Well, I was set on being an engineer. Building rockets, going to the moon, the whole nine yards. But everyone here seems to be studying Computer Science. And it seems so much nicer, with a better paycheck at the end.”\n\n\n“Money izzn’t everything. Perzzonally, I prefer honey and rotten apples.”\n\n\n“Oh. Um. Yeah. I guess? But anyway, I’ve been having trouble picking my major – my dreams, or a cushier life?”\n\n\n“Some nizzze fecezzz can be comforting as well!”\n\n\nOkay. So she had her quirks. But who doesn’t these days?\n\n\n“…I think I’m good. But my future. I have no idea what I want to do with it!”\n\n\n“Have you conzzzzidered going into Entomology?”\n\n\n“God! No! I hate bugs! I can’t handle ants, and flies are obnoxious!”\n\n\n“You’re obnoxiouzzzz!”\n\n\n“What?”\n\n\n“What?”\n\n\n“Right. ANYWAY. My major. I need to pick i—”\n\n\n“Perhapzzz biology then? There izz a good lab at your school that studiezz fruit fliezz!”\n\n\n“What? No! I’m not into bugs!”\n\n\n“But bugzzz are into you!”\n\n\nI turned and looked at Drosphina. Like really looked at her. I stared into her eyes, her big, red, multi-faceted eyes. She picked up an arm (or perhaps leg) and brushed the top of her head while fluttering her wings. I blushed.\n\n\n“Well Drosphina, maybe I am into bugs.”\n", "My suspicions started with the proboscis, it was settled by the wings. Crimson compound-eyes, thousands of tiny windows into an alien soul stared across a mahogany table far too lavish for the gaudy wallpaper and mold spots flecking the ceiling. Perhaps he liked it that way. My family had seemed oblivious, how typical of them. I bet they also knew and this was their way of being petty toward me. A few smashed windows, standard delinquent activity that got old fast. They wanted to taunt me, to toy with my mind. That's why they brought in the fly. The wings twitched at sporadic moments. The eyes never once blinked. My father tipped his hat and excused himself from the session. My mother followed suit not long after. It was an unproductive conversation rooted in the fact that this was mostly my fault and they could see no other angle. Fair enough, they surely acted as if they did not see the fly. \n\n\"Gerald\" the therapist fly wheezed, raspy, almost like the crinkling of tissue paper against cement. \"Gerald, we can't help you if you don't open up to us. Please... let us in.\" \n\nI knew there was no chance in hell I was going speak on command to this monstrosity, this Kafkaesque caricature of mental health in a decaying room in a dying town. I furled my brow and continued to stare. \n\n\"Gerald...\" raspy, always raspy\n\n\"Gerald, it's been 8 days since you've taken your medication. Come back to us, to all of us\" \n\nI could see maggots wriggling under the skin of the fly, little bubbles under hard flesh. \n\n\"Do you have children of your own, sir?\" I dragged out the thought, even as the flesh began to tear away. The compound-eyes burst, the proboscis tore away. I felt the needle in my arm, dispensing cold along my veins. The world shifted, cracked. I could see the holes in everything. There was light, there was so much light. \n\nThe doctor frowned as he walked away from the bed, the nurse practitioners cleaning up their station, disposal biohazard stickers on plastic bins, fluorescent orange against drab gray. The flickering of the lights was synchronized to a faint buzzing. \"We'll try again tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. Until we get through, of course. And please, would one of you do something about that damn fly.\" " ]	[ 1, 2, 6 ]	[ "1510713092", "1510728530", "1510717131" ]
	[WP] Your daughter asks you to check under her bed for monsters. Jokingly, you check under her bed only to see a pair of eyes staring you down.	7	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Daddy.\" My little claire bleated in her bed as I tucked her in.\n\nI smiled at her briefly before dropping to my knees to check for monsters, it was the same routine we had been through many times before.\n\n\"Thank you.\" I heard just as I was lifting up the blankets.\n\nUnder the bed were a pair of teary eyes. Horror gripped my heart in that moment as I heard the form bleat. \"Daddy, Who's on my bed?\"\n\nMy mind shut down on me for a moment. Uncanny calmness washed over me as I gently coaxed Claire from under the bed making the two girls aware of each other, all the while my head awash with a mixture of fear and confusion.\n\nOne of these girls was clearly a doppelganger but how could I know which one.\n\nThey both stared up at my furrowed brow as I stared back at them.\n\n\"Uuhm. Sarah, could you come in here!\" I called out, hoping my wife could help in some way.\n\nShe stepped into the room and gasped at the two children. I turned to look at her hoping she could end this when I heard it.\n\n\"Be right there sweety!\" She called back from downstairs.", "I felt pure fear shoot through my body. I checked under her bed for years, but not once has this ever happened. \n\n“Mommy, what’s wrong?” Taylor asked me.\n\nI couldn’t conjure up an answer. How could I? If I told her what I saw she would never sleep in her bed again. I could see the look of curiosity and terror on her little face. My husband, hearing her ask, and me not answering, walks into her room and kneels down beside me. He looks at me, about to speak, I just point under her bed. We both look under the bed, seeing the same pair of glowing eyes.\n\n“I’ll grab a flashlight” I said, walking to the hall closet.\n\n“Is there a monster under my bed daddy?”\n\nBen didn’t answer, just starred at the creature under Taylor’s bed.\n\nI came back with a flashlight and handed it to Ben.\n\n“There is a monster under my bed isn’t there?” Taylor said, sounding like she was fighting back tears.\n\n“We’re not sure sweet heart, we’re going to get a better look.” I said, finally giving her a response.\n\nTaylor jumped out of bed and got behind Ben and I. We shinned the light at the glowing eyes. The light hit the creature, showing its grey fur, black and grey tail, and a black band around its eyes as if wearing a mask. It definitely was not a monster, but a mere raccoon. Taylor screamed bloody murder. Then the raccoon ran from under the bed, down the hall, and into the kitchen. \n\nAll three of us worked together to get the rodent out of the house. I opened the back door, Taylor guarded the entrance to the kitchen so it wouldn’t go back into the house, and Ben chased the raccoon around the kitchen. The raccoon ran up to the dog bowl, grabbed a big handful of dog food, and ran out the back door.\n\n\n\n" ]	[ 1, 2, 6 ]	[ "1510717908", "1510720622", "1510717911" ]
[removed]	[WP] John is in the middle of typing his writing prompt but he is interrupted by the Reddit police.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nNo troll, joke, or meme-based prompts. This includes prompts likely to attract such responses. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7d4bfk/wp_john_is_in_the_middle_of_typing_his_writing/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.", "John was sitting on the floor of his temorary safe house, taking care of some final things before his trip. Emptying bank accounts, calling in some favors, saying goodbye to the few friends he had left, and of course making one last post to his favorite website, reddit. As he writes his final prompt to r/writingprompts, he sees a police cruiser pull up outside his window. He sighs before submitting the prompt, and throws the phone to the ground smashing it. It's a shame I won't be able to see the responses John muttered, as he finished the glass of whiskey on his desk and then picked up the silenced pistol next to it. He went and stood behind the door to the room, gun trained on the doorway. A man exits the police car speaking into a megaphone. Mr. Wick this is the Reddit PD. Please come out with your hands up.\"\nEdit: thanks for the inspiration u/Reimaku reminded me how much I like writing, even if I'm not great at it. " ]	[ 1, 1, 2 ]	[ "1510755062", "1510755129", "1510755519" ]
[removed]	[WP] Most days are good. Today is not. How do you make it to your next good day?	2	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nResponses must be at least 30 words. Prompts that are likely to generate such responses are also not allowed. This is essentially a fill-in-the-blank, or you asked a question likely to generate a simple answer. Prompts should encourage a story or poem. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7d61cu/wp_most_days_are_good_today_is_not_how_do_you/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510770109", "1510770688" ]
	[WP] Superheroes are genetically engineered and then sent to protect any city that needs them. The scientists behind this messed up with you, and accidentally gave you the lamest power ever heard of. Nevertheless, you have to try and protect a city and it's citizens from villains and criminals.	11	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Here comes Horn on Head Guy.\" The group of girls passing by quickly took pictures of the man with, appropriately, a horn on his head. Dave had been living a normal life with his family of five before signing up for the thing that would ruin all of that. The S.A.F.E. program (supers applicated for evil) was designed to deal with the ever-growing amount of crime America had been experiencing in the past few years. Normal humans volunteered and were genetically modified to fight off villain organizations that were forming under more competent criminals. \n\n\"Hey Hohg.\" The police chief of city 7 clapped him on the back.\n\n\"That's such a terrible acronym.\" Dave sighed and sat down at the chief's desk. \"Any new assignments?\" \n\n\"Yeah we got a group of thugs stationed at the Marilyn Hotel that need dealing with. Says their leader is some kind of super turned rogue.\" He gave Dave the location and sent him on his way. Though people would occasionally stare and children would point, Dave didn't mind his job too much. Sure, he got the short end of the stick when the scientist trying to turn him into some sort of porcupine avenger messed up, but at least he still got to live out his dream of being a hero. The Hotel was surrounded by cops when he arrived, though they let him pass, knowing that Dave was always the guy to get the job done. No one knew how he did it, but he certainly did it. \n\n\"Hey buddy back up!\" A man in a black coat shouted at Dave as he walked in. \"We got civies and our boss is a super!\" This did not stop Dave's casual walk through the lobby. \"That's it bring in the boss!\"\n\n\"I've heard about you.\" A woman walked onto the scene, her arm pulsating with strange tentacles. \"You're supposed to be the hero of city 7. What're you gonna do? Stab me with your horn?\" She and the others laughed. Dave stood there and nodded, something flashing out of his jacket. The woman hardly had any time to react as she and the other thugs dropped to the ground, dead. Dave blew on the muzzle of the M16 he carried with him and smiled to himself. \n\n\"Villains tend to monologue too much.\" He walked out and motioned back for the cops to clean up. " ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510802928", "1510892640" ]
I was at work, having to clean the dressing room mirrors, when i had the idea "how weird would it be for my reflection to move out of sync from me." So, yeah. Have at it.	[WP] You're just going about your usual day when you walk by a mirror... and your reflection lags.	32	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I took a step back and turned my body to the mirror. Did I just see that right or didn't I get enough sleep last night? I waved my arm around, trying to recreate the lagging motion I just saw, but my arm just went from left to right without any problems. I walked past the mirror a couple more time, but nothing seemed to happen. Guess the coffee hadn't been enough to wake me up.\n\n\nI was driving to work when it happened again. I looked in the rear view mirror and the car behind me seemed to get a couple feet closer to me in an instant. I stopped the car at the side of the road and glanced as the car sped by me. I looked in the mirror again, but it seemed to work normally. Now I thought there has to have been something weird in my coffee, some kind of drug.\n\n\nI made it to the office without any more incidents in the mirrors around me. Everything seemed to be fine, until I took my first trip to the bathroom. I tried to just walk past the mirror, but I couldn't ignore it. My reflection was still in the mirror, seconds after I walked past it. I walked back to the mirror, but the reflection didn't change the way I thought it would. I let out a scream as my reflected head turned and looked right into my eyes. 'It's happening.'", "Hunched over and bleary-eyed, I made the journey out of my bed with last night’s bedside glass of water in the grip of my right hand.\n\nBut apparently my grip wasn’t tight enough, as the glass slipped and violently shattered on the timber floor.\n\nI froze. \n\nMy eyes darted towards the left.\n\nI couldn’t believe it.\n\nNo, it wasn’t because I dropped the glass.\n\nI’ve always had the dexterity of a gorilla with Parkinson’s disease, so clumsy mishaps like this were a common occurrence. \n\nIt was due to the fact that the glass reached the ground at least half a second later in the reflection of the bedroom mirror.\n\nBut did it really?\n\nI swear I saw it.\n\nBut it can’t be.\n\nMaybe my mind is even more tired and groggy than my body would have me believe.\n\nI abruptly started waving my arms around in a frenzy, my feet still planted to firmly to the ground to avoid the shards of debris.\n\nAfter a few seconds I stopped when I realised that there was no lag, and also I probably looked like one of those inflatable, arm-flailing tube guys outside of a car dealership. \n\nBut I had to be sure.\n\nI began to yell at the mirror as a test, “Soon I’m going to start cleaning this mirror, clean this mirror, start cleaning this mirror!” \n\nMy lip movements looked in sync.\n\nI shut my eyes, took a deep breath. \n\nYou’re just taking a while to wake up, you idiot.\n\n“That’s something I could really see myself doing,” a muffled voice coming from the glass suddenly replied.\n\n_____________________________________________________\nr/Dri_Writes\n\n\n\n\n" ]	[ 1, 8, 9 ]	[ "1510819868", "1510823596", "1510825812" ]
	[WP] An unmasked vigilante has to share an Uber pool with his arch nemesis.	31	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Nitro Man needed to get to the top of city hall fast, there he would have the final epic showdown with his arch nemesis; Ms. Beamstick. He packed his costume into a briefcase, he needed to take an uber to get there. His uber arrived, \"Hey, I'm on a pretty tight schedule and I need to pick someone else up too,\" said the driver, \"it's on the way to your destination ,\" \"yea that's fine!\" Said Nitro Man. They pulled up to a random house and out came, in full costume, Ms. Beamstick, brandishing a death ray making no attempt to hide her identity, \"City hall please,\" she said. Nitro Man knew the drive to city hall was about half an hour long, and he was right next to his nemesis, he must restrain himself, if he killed her now the driver would notice and get suspicious, he had to conceal his identity and not draw any attention to himself. \"So, where are you heading cutie?\" She said \"Oh c-city hall!\" Said Nitro Man, \"I'm, uh, representing South Africa...in a, uh...trade deal!\" \"You don't sound like you're from South Africa.\" \"Yes I am!\" Said Nitro Man putting on his best South African accent. \"Well, ok. I once dated a guy from South Africa, you almost look like him.\" Said Beamstick, \"Really?\" \"Actually...looking closer you kind of look like a guy I'm going to meet, but cuter...and sweatier.\" 'Oh shoot' thought Nitro Man, 'she's on too me AND trying to hit on me. Wait, maybe I can use this to my advantage!' \"So, uh, is this a boyfriend of yours?\" He said still holding that accent, \"No, I'm single, I'm going to meet up with my arch nemesis, Nitro Man!\" \"Oh, sounds like a handsome guy whom I've never heard of, how do you plan to do this?\" \"Well, I come in with this new death ray, and I make him think I'm about to use it but then hit him with this!\" She said before holding up another hand to reveal a giant gauntlet. \"Wow, good thing he doesn't know about this!\" He said, accidentally switching to a Scottish accent for a second, \"Yea, you seem nice,\" she said, \"we should meet up sometime,\" she then gave him her number as the driver pulled up to city hall, \"thanks,\" Nitro Man and Beamstick said in unison, as Nitro Man walked out he dropped his briefcase as all his stuff fell out, \"Do you need help with that?\" Said Beamstick, \"NONONO! I got it!\" Said Nitro Man. Beamstick then noticed the costume hiding inside, \"...nice pajamas, is that some kind of South African custom?\" She said. \"Uh, yes.\" Armed with the knowledge given to him Nitro Man defeated Beamstick, and was sent to court for not paying the uber driver." ]	[ 1, 3 ]	[ "1510843964", "1510857511" ]
[removed]	[WP] Take a song, and turn it into a story.	0	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nA prompt must be a prompt, not a write anything. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7dcvxe/wp_take_a_song_and_turn_it_into_a_story/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510844163", "1510844378" ]
	[WP] When a member of the royal family dies, a random citizen is executed to help "protect their soul on their journey". The King's daughter just fell to her death and you have been selected	152	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"And the person who will be escorting the princess to the great hereafter will be... Maxwell Vasbruk,\" the royal crier said. In his hand was a stone with the seal of my guard station and my uniform number. The bowl containing the stones for everyone else's identifiers was carried away.\n\nI felt my blood run cold. I looked at the men to the left and right of me. William was watching me almost with pity, while Angborn was clearly drunk off his gourd as usual.\n\n\"Hey now, guys, I've only been in the guard for three days... I haven't even gotten to collect my first paycheck!\" I said.\n\n\"Just look on the bright side, now you won't have to stress out about how to spend it...\" William said, doing a very bad job at encouraging me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the coffin. Or tried anyway, I dug my heels into the paving stones.\n\n\"C'mon William, don't do this, you know I'm not the man for the job,\" I said.\n\n\"Please don't be difficult, it's not like this is the first time your life has been on the line for the kingdom,\" William said.\n\nAngborn finally noticed William struggling to pull me along and grabbed my other arm. I dropped my billhook on the ground as I was dragged to the coffin.\n\n\"As god has chosen, this man will escort our dear departed princess to the afterlife. The king will no doubt be pained to part with one of his soldiers during war time, but if it is destined that this man must guard her then her journey will likely be a treacherous one indeed,\" the crier shouted out to the crowd.\n\nThe captain of the guard grabbed my collar and dragged me up to stand on the edge of the coffin. He was a large man and was obviously upset both at the princess' death and now losing one of his guards, but any struggle I made was for naught. I looked down and saw her broken body, the fall had not been kind, but she was wearing her livery.\n\nBefore I could say anything, I felt a blade tear through my throat, and was dropped into the coffin atop her corpse. Her dead eyes went out of focus as blood loss and lack of air set in.\n\n----\n\nI awoke in a foggy, dusty land that seemed to be entirely dyed gray. Bleak is one word to describe it, but it felt more empty. Empty apart from the figure standing over me.\n\n\"So you're my escort? Well, at least you're not some peasant,\" a woman's voice rang out. I wiped my eyes and looked at the figure. The princess. I had heard her speak during events, but it was a rarity and I wasn't too familiar with her particular treble.\n\n\"Ugh, give me a second...\" I said. The world seemed a bit stilted, like it was swaying as I stood there.\n\n\"That's only going to get worse, if the last few hours have been any indication. We need to get moving,\" The princess said. She grabbed my hand, and I noticed she wasn't wearing the same finery she had been dressed in at the funeral. She wore a looser dress, similar to what my sisters would wear when they wanted to run around.\n\nI picked up my feet and walked along with her, shaking my head a bit. Blurs seemed to pop up in my vision as I walked, regardless of where I looked.\n\n\"Ugh, my head is killing me...\" I said. The princess rolled her eyes and dragged me along. \"I can't believe I got executed three days after finally becoming a guardsman...\" I kept rambling as we walked.\n\n----\n\n\"...And then my third sister died of pneumonia, and-\"\n\n\"Good god, do you ever shut up?\" The princess said. \"It feels like you've been talking for two hours straight.\"\n\n\"And what's so wrong with talking? Am I interfering with your appreciation of the dusty nothingness?\" I said. There was an oppressive silence that hung in the air during the ensuing lull.\n\nAfter a second, she spoke again.\n\n\"I don't mind you talking, but could you talk about something besides how shitty your life is? It's annoying as hell.\"\n\n\"Fine, how about the weather. Looks like cloudy with a chance of nothingness,\" I said. She didn't respond, instead looking further along the way we were walking.\n\nI looked up, and saw it. A gray river cutting through the gray mist, with a gray dock sitting on it. At the dock was a figure wearing a gray cloak that covered their entire, presumably gray body.\n\n\"Offer your tithe and you may take the ferry across the river,\" the figure said. Or rather, the sign next to the figure said, as the figure stayed entirely mute.\n\nThe princess fumbled with her dress. I checked my uniform, which had mysteriously stayed with me. I didn't have any money on my person, because I was poor. I still checked, just in case the gods decided to throw me a curve ball, but my coin purse was as empty as the bleak landscape we had just spent two hours walking through.\n\n\"I don't have any money, do you?\" the princess asked. I shook my head.\n\nThe figure looked at the princess and pointed at me. The intent was clear, I was supposed to be the tithe.\n\n\"He's all yours, buddy!\" the princess said, and hopped on the boat.\n\n\"Wait, what?\" I said.\n\n\"You spend twenty minutes telling me about how you hate the yellow apples but that's all they ever have at the market and you're surprised? Later bud, have fun chatting up gray boy there,\" she said in a very flippant tone.\n\n----\n\n\"Hello? Gray boy? When's this ferry leaving?\" The princess asked. She had been sitting there for ten minutes, and nothing had happened. The figure hadn't moved to get into the boat. In fact, it looked more like it was placing it's hand over it's cloaked head.\n\nAnd yes, its skin was gray.\n\nThe figure pulled out a stick and wrote something in the dust. I couldn't tell what it said, because I couldn't read. The princess climbed out of the small boat and walked over.\n\n\"You failed the test, you won't be taking the ferry today?\" she read. \"That's bullshit! You asked for a tithe and I gave you one!\"\n\nThe figure just walked back to the boat and stepped into it, drifting beyond our reach before we could jump in with it. The figure threw something back to shore, directly into the princess' hand.\n\n\"A map? Dammit, do we really have to follow this river all the way to there?\" The princess' attitude quickly sank.\n\nI looked over. From what I could tell, the distance we'd walked to get here was about a quarter as long as the distance we'd need to go to reach the bridge. Not only that, afterward we would have to cross through a dangerous cave, over a mountain pass, and then would have to do whatever we were expected to do at the big X. We started walking.\n\n\"So, want to hear about the apples again?\" I asked.\n\n\"NOOO!\" the princess said.", "\"Joy, oh joy, the fateful one has been chosen\" The city folk sang.\n\"Oh, noble knight, be the light that guides her\"\nI was held inside a sedan chair shaped like a temple, coloured in dark purples and gold. The windows had black veils, but I could see the crowd outside mourning for the death of the princess while singing the ritual hymns of sacrifice. The trumpets played the tunes of mourning loudly. It was chaotic and sorrow.\nI felt anxious. I wasn't anxious about dying, for I know my death will be a celebrated. I have all of my business in order. I have bid my farewell to all of my relatives.\n\"I'm so proud of you, my brave daughter\" my mother said before I sat on the sedan chair.\" I know, you of all people would be the one most befit to our dearest princess Mary.\" \nI arrived at the palace that held the most powerful humans I knew of. The house that housed the ones chosen by our gods.\nI was greeted by the royal servants, and they dressed me in long, elaborate clothing. \nThey sat me down on the execution chair, right across the king's throne on the banquet hall.\n\"Ah, you have finally arrived,\" An old, somber voice echoed through the hallway. I tried to stand up\n—\nGotta go now, will be con't", "Whenever a member of the royal family dies, a random citizen is killed to escort them to the afterlife. Least, that's what they tell the general populace.\n\nIt's me, and it will always be me.\n\nI wiped the sweat from my brow and sighed. \"Dear, they're going to pick me.\"\n\nShe placed a bowl of rabbit stew before him. \"Nonsense, there's an entire city.\"\n\n\"Their wizard will find me, they'll drag me to her gravestone, and kill me.\"\n\nShe placed her hand on the table.\n\nI gripped it tight.\n\nEspecially now that the door knocked. The look in her eyes, how they widened and welled. \"I'm sorry for doing this—\"\n\nShe wiped her eyes and placed a hand over her belly. \"But any day, our baby—\"\n\n\"Will be fine,\" I said and rested my hand on her shoulders. \"You're a strong, and so will he.\"\n\n\"Open in the name of King March!\" The door banged.\n\nMy lips pressed against her forehead. \"I will find you in the next life and I will tell you every detail of our time together.\" I back stepped to the door and followed the wizard wordlessly to the Princess Pine's grave.\n\nAll around me were sighs of relief and looks of pity. \"Thank the gods it wasn't me,\" and \"that poor soul!\"\n\nBut it was always me, the kingdom's personal escort. Out of all the times I was sacrificed, this one hurt the worst. I wept as the first blade took aim. \"Please be strong, my dear Maria.\" The weapon struck true, through my heart; it was a clean kill.\n\nYet I felt filthy with betrayal. I knew they would come for me but foolishly fell in love. No, it doesn't work that way. Love swept me away and I suffocated in her arms.\n\nInstead of being with the woman I love, I'm staring down this dead teen at her grave.\n\n\"Alright, you know the drill.\" I pulled Princess Pine's up by the pits. Although I said that, each person I escorted was always someone new to death; I said it for my sake.\n\n\"Unhand me, you savage!\" She kicked.\n\nI let her go. \"I am your escort.\"\n\nShe swept her dress and fixed the crown on her head. \"You? But you're such a brutish man.\"\n\n\"Come,\" I said.\n\nAnd she followed me with her purple heels. She yiped and took hold of my arm. \"What are those!?\"\n\n\"Demons, Fey, all beings that would like to make a deal for your royal soul.\"\n\n\"Can they bring me back to life?\"\n\nA spiritual sword flashed into my hand and I brought it to her neck.\n\n\"It's just a jest, gosh!\"\n\nThe sword vanished from my hand. \"It better be.\"\n\nWe resumed our march, down a road I've traveled hundreds of times before.", "\"NO!\", I call out, tears running down my face.\n\nThe royal guards pull me from my warm bed, and out of our home in the village.\n\n\"Why him? Why does it have to be Merric?!\"\n\nI can hear my younger sister's voice. Fear, anger, and hopelessness shroud her normally sweet and innocent tone. It sends shivers down my spine to hear her in genuine pain.\n\n\"Let go of my son you bastard!\", Pop yells. He swings an iron bar across the iron helmet of the knight, just strong enough for him to let go of me. \n\nI run towards my mother and sister, holding them both in a tight embrace.\n\n\"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you longer, Marie. This is goodbye, but please just know that I'm proud of you and everything you've accomplished. I love you.\"\n\nI manage to spurt out my final words to my family through my tears.\n\n\"Ma, thank you for everything you've done for me the past 17 years of my life. I'm sorry I'm leaving so soon, just promise me you'll keep Marie safe.\"\n\n\"I-I don't want you to die... You're the only one who I trust to help me through hard times, I love you!\" Marie stammers out her final words to me.\n\n\"Looks like the dog has a death wish, hm? So much as even touch that bar again and you'll be joining your son in the afterlife!\" The guard stands back up and hits Pop square in the head. He's knocked cold.\n\n\"Now quit 'yer resistin' and get in the cart!\"\n\n\"Son,\" Ma yells out, \"You've done great things in this life, I'm proud of you for being such an amazing person. I'm proud to have raised you, and I love you!\".\n\nThe guards cuff me and throw me into the cart. Quickly, they mount and we begin to move. I look back and see Ma and Marie both crying, and it gets to me too. I lay down, and fall asleep to the tears. It'll be over soon.\n\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\n\nNight comes, and we arrive into the capitol. I'm immediately dragged into the castle basement, and led to a large guillotine. This is it. This is the end of my life.\n\nHead and arms in stock, I hear the command given by the guard attacked by my Pop. \n\n\"Cut the rope!\"\n\nAnxiety fills me. I see memories of my hometown, of Ma and Pop making dinner, tending to crops, cuddling with our old dog, Marie being born, and growing into the young woman she is today...\n\nThen the blade hits my neck, and everything goes black.\n\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\n\n\"Excuse me, sir?\" \n\n\"...nnnnhn...?\"\n\n\"Sir, are you alright?\n\nA stern, yet calm voice greets me as I awaken from my slumber.\n\n\"Where... Where am I...?\" I say, looking around. A small wooden room, dimly lit by a torch on the wall.\n\n\"We're in the afterlife, unfortunately. My name is Lachesis, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I do hope we get along well. You ARE my afterlife guardian, after all.\"\n\nThat's right. Admittedly, I became so worried about dying that I forgot the reason for my execution. The princess was murdered in her sleep, and I'm supposed to guide her through the afterlife and make sure she reaches heaven.\n\n\"M-my family... I... I'm dead. No, no no no. But...\" \n\nI don't know how to feel about anything right now. There's no reason for me to do this... But I want to get to heaven too, right? Am I even deserving of a spot there? I have so many questions...\n\n\"Take your time, sir. Look up at me...\" Princess Lachesis puts her hand on my chin and lifts my head up. Her eyes are a gorgeous, almost bewitching shade of dark blue.\n\n\"Tell me, what's your name?\"\n\n\"M-my name? Uh... Oh! Merric! My name is Merric.\"\n\n\"Ah, wonderful! Named after the legendary wind sage, I presume?\" She asks cheerfully. I can't help but smile, seeing her so carefree. \"There's the smile I was looking for! Haha!\" Her laughter is toxic as well, as I begin to laugh myself.\n\nFinally, she pulls me off of my feet. My clothes are the same as those I was wearing as I was executed. As I brush myself off, I feel a strange pattern across my stomach. I try to get a closer look at it... \n\nA guillotine.\n\n\"Excuse me, Princess, do you happen to have a mark on your stomach as well?\" I ask, out of curiosity.\n\n\"Why yes, I did notice it. It's of a knife, the weapon that took my life.\"\n\nI assume this is for sorting or something in heaven, I won't question it for now, at least.\n\n\"Well, now that we're acquainted, shall we proceed?\" The princess smiles sweetly and asks.\n\n\"Of course. Ladies first.\" I try to be polite and allow her to exit the small room we were in before.\n\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\n\nTHUD!\n\nA sound echoes from the room we left before. Opening the door, there's a young girl sprawled across the floor. Her stomach shows a depiction of a noose.\n\n\"No... I told her to take care of you...\"\n\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\n\nSorry if this isn't good enough or something, I'm kind of a garbage writer. This prompt was fun though, so thank you! ", "\"Oh come on, this is bullshit!\"\nI bitched repeatedly and loudly, as if it would help, as the soldiers dragged me towards what is commonly known as \"the killing floor\"\n\n\"Look young man, when you signed for the draft, you knew this was a possibility\"\n\n\"The government FORCES us to sign for the draft, you fucks.\"\n\n\"Well, um.\"\nThe soldiers looked embarrassed, realizing exactly how stupid this tradition was.\n\nI was put into the dressing room, in front of me was a uniform and my weapons, an ancient M14 and a beat to hell 1911.\n\n\"Well at least they're not letting anything go to waste.\"\n\nI considered just walking in nude, as a \"fuck you\" but I'm getting shot either way, so I might as well be clothed, or else I'd be the asshole that BA'd the monarchy.\n\nI dressed, and checked my weapons, unloaded. Although I had enough ammunition to last a while, if this was a normal mission. No field gear to carry, which was nice, and I even got a red jacket, which I felt was thoughtful, since anything else would be stained red fairly quickly.\n\nWalking into the killing floor was aggravating, to say the least. All those hungry eyes, waiting for my blood. \nBefore the king could speak, I cut him off.\n\"You vultures have no right to do this to people, and no evidence to back up these insane beliefs, and I demand that you ask my forgiveness before murdering me in cold blood!\"\n\nThe king stared me down, with sad eyes, and simply said;\n\"You'll see evidence soon enough.\"\n\nBefore I could ask what the hell he just meant, a shot rang out and a .30 caliber hole appeared in my skull.", "(Memento Mori. Do Not Forget.)\n\nPart of me wondered how impossibly arbitrary this process must have been. To them I was but a formality, libation to salve their grief in the wake of a staggering loss—just a meaningless name chosen from the masses, with no face and now, no future. It was one of those occurences which would more readily affect someone else and not me because, I thought to myself, what were the odds?\n\nBleary with unshed tears my gazed remained steadfeast, almost defiant, upon the rough-hewn stonework of the floor in my holding cell, death row for all intents and purposes, truly the last place I expected to languish for a premature demise.\n\nI heard his footsteps approaching from the corridor outside. Of course they were his, timid as ever, like he feared offending the prisoners with his footfall. That was how he was. Such a gentle soul.\n\nToday he was wearing the usual red, a sword gripped in the hands which he claimed were stained with blood. When I saw him thus arrayed I felt my resolve began to crumble, and the strigent bite of salt begged again for release. But I swore back then, when I learned of my selection, that I would not cry. As my last act of defiance, my will and testament, I could not allow myself to crumble.\n\nWith my hands bound tightly at my back, he did not see them trembling, and the lighting being as it was, he saw no fear etched across my lineaments.\n\n\"…I love you.\"\n\nThese small, precious words fell desperately from his lips, dripping into numinous prayers where he stood. He clutched with one hand at the iron rods which divided this world in two, nearly prepared to collapse before them or otherwise rend the whole gaol asunder. Part of me begged him to steal me from this wretched place, to flee and be free and live together for the rest of our lives even when I knew how futile it was to dream, here in the final hour.\n\n\"Please, don't hate me.\"\n\nHis plea lodged a dagger inside my chest, acute and all too furious for me to bear. Willing strength to my legs I rose, trudged toward him, and pressed my forehead to the place where his knuckles bared white around the bars.\n\n\"Never would I be capable,\" I murmured, lifting my head to kiss the space between his ring and middle fingers. \"I will always, always love you. However, I implore you, my dearest… live. You must live beautifully no matter what. Continue to love, find happiness, that is my will. Do not forget. Do you understand?\"\n\nThe pale blue of his eyes searched my face for an answer, a way to disperse the illusion and end this farce, still finding none.\n\n\"I… will try,\" he choked out painfully.\n\nEternity passed us, wanton and cruel. Finally, I wept upon it, bitterly. Accepting death, the uncertanity, the complete and total absence of anything if a soul did not persist. No more sunshine and no more rain. This person, ripped from the Earth. A princess who perhaps no longer existed. I wanted to remain here. I wanted to meet him again.\n\nThe clattering of metal pierced the silence. He cast away the heirloom sword to snake his arms through the bars and surround me with an embrace, proof of our being, warm in the way I always remembered. So warm. I wanted it to last forever. That was my wish. And yet…\n\nAnd yet.\n\nAnother door opened, and a royal guard hastened towards us, pretending he did not see since clearly we had no reservations, and the court had no objections.\n\n\"Mr. Executioner, let us proceed,\" the guard said stiffly, clearly uncomfortable, and hesitated to move until my beloved tore himself away and stepped back, suddenly composed, professional—expressionless, the way the public needed to see him. He retrieved his sword and nodded, solemn.\n\n\"Understood. I will make the death as painless as possible.\"\n\nHe looked at me, longing still, unable to comprehend the meaning behind what he said or what he was prepared to do. I arrived at a gaping lack of words, there being none for me to console dead or comfort those left behind. And so I smiled. I smiled at him as if it were our wedding day and the bells would toll for union rather than parting.\n\nWhen I mounted the platform to a thunderous crowd, mourners of the crown and not the dead-to-be, I beheld an abundance of life. Of hope. Of love and miracles and endless possibilities.\n\nWhat a beautiful world.\n\nI turned to him, slowly, engraving his image into my brain until finally I smiled, forced to look away. Closing my eyes I lowered my head downward, onto the block, into the sprawling and ever-distant unknown.\n\nAnd then, I waited.", "“Nope” She shook her head at them, looking down at herself. “You must have made a mistake”. The guard pulled the parchment out again, reading her name out to her.\n\n“There is no mistake, you’ve been selected” The guard was looking at her dubiously as well, when the royalty died the random selection usually led to the strongest and the bravest being chosen to protect their soul. But there was no mistake the king himself had passed him the parchment with the name and the description of the girl he was to fetch.\n\n“But look at me, I’ll be hopeless, I’m short and I’m weak, and to be honest I’m not very smart either” she thought back to all the great champions who had accompanied previous princes and princesses into the afterlife, and she certainly didn’t fit the mould.\n\n“No point us standing here all day arguing, your execution is booked for 1 hours time in the main square, and if we’re late I’m on the chopping block as well”. He grabbed hold of her arm and frog marched her off down the street, ignoring her protests as they went. No one tried to intervene, they were all pleased they hadn’t been chosen.\n\nShe was dragged up onto the main stage, she caught a glance of the king and queen standing there before the hood was pushed down over her eyes and she was forced to her knees.\n\nThe last thing she heard before she died was the king muttering to the queen.\n\n“This one is perfect, she caused us so much trouble when she was alive, why would we give her anyone decent to help save her soul”\n", "“You. Come with me!” Exclaimed a guard. Why me? Why did it have to be me? Nobody understands the concept either, so why do it?\n\nAfter the guard shouted at me again, I followed his orders. I did not want to die, certainly not like this, but I did not want anyone else to die either. He grabbed a hold of my wrists and put them in some handcuffs. He walked me to the inside of the palace, where I traveled through the halls in awe of what my eyes took in. So much beauty. Sadly, the Beauty ended the closer we got to the execution chamber. \n\nThe dark walls and the hard concrete that made them shook me to the core in an unexplainable way. This was not what I wanted to see in my last moments of life. Although, what exactly could a dying person wish to see before they pass? \n\n“Wait! Why are you doing this?\" I asked. This was something I wanted to know before I passed. I was sure of that. \n\nHe didn’t answer. Not even a murmur was heard. All he did was strap me to the chair that would soon kill me. And soon was an understatement. Before I was aware, I was in what I imagined to be the afterlife. I was surrounded by the color white. Nobody else was visible, at least for the current moment. Even though I shouldn’t have been so amazed after this long moment, I was.\n\nOnce I was still I saw a slender figure approaching me. I soon realized it was Princess Sophia. The dead princess was approaching me. Why would she even talk to me, a simple commoner?\n\n\"Hello Laney. Are you ready to guide and protect me on my journey?”The princess asked in a very soothing, calm tone. If I didn’t feel the strong need to ask about this system. \n\n\"Why do I need to do this?\" I asked. I wasn’t going to follow her if I didn’t know why I needed to. \n\nShe explained everything. Everything was so confusing, but makes sense. The royal family is special because they are in their first life. Everyone else has already lived, and formerly been royalty in our first life. The royal guard sacrificed people to show the royal people to their next life. It is said even if we don’t remember the way to a new beginning, we will have ended up guiding the person to their next life. \n\nIt was all so amazing. So enchanting. Hard to believe. Everything all at once. I was once a princess. Maybe even a queen. All I wanted to do was tell people. \n\nBut it quickly dawned on me I was dead. The only person I could talk to was Sophia. No else would ever know this unless they were the sacrifice. A shame, really.\n\n“What will happen whenever I guide you to a new life?” I questioned curiously. \n\n“No one knows. No royal member has ever seen what happen, and if anyone has, they have forgotten it.\" She responded. I asked why they would forget, and apparently it is a rule of the afterlife. Which only has a goal of leading people into a new life before they must go elsewhere. ‘Elsewhere’ is somewhere you can never leave. It is where souls are sent if they cannot find a new life. Hell, in other words. This is why a protector and guide is needed for deceased royal family members. They are still viewed as royal, and if the chosen guide does not wish to guide them, they will be sent to Elsewhere. \n\nIt was time for me to guide Princess Sophia to find her a new life. A new beginning. She asked me if except this mission, and I excepted. Without the knowledge of Elsewhere, it would still be my decision. It was the right thing to do, at least I thought.\n\nShe walked me to where she was before I arrived. It was a small room, with nothing in it. All white. How long had she been here? Is this where she stayed? So many questions wandered through my mind searching for answers I was to afraid to ask for myself.\n\nAfter she showed me the room, we continued walking deeper into the white abyss. It never ended,for it seemed. But with my knowledge of the afterlife, it didn’t need to. Well, that did have to do with what I imagined to be beyond my vision. \n\nThis was marked as the official start of the journey to a fresh start. It seemed to last a lifetime. Knowing this was the afterlife, it could’ve been that long. There was no telling how many more people were in the infinite abyss. \n\nSophia eventually found the door to a new life. A new life she had started where, hopefully, she is welcome. Welcome and wanted. Cared for. She deserved it. Not for being royalty, but because she was a kind soul. I should know, I guided her here. \n\nI am going to miss Princess Sophia. But I am glad I was able to serve my purpose.\n\nNow I am left to dwell in this lonely afterlife. All alone. Left here with no purpose or significance. Seeing no sign of life other than myself. Not holding much knowledge of my surroundings. Most certainly, not ready to find another door.\n\nSuddenly, I see something in the distance. It looks like a portal. It was black and grey. I began walking towards it, not bothering to think. Not wondering where I was going. \n\n\n\nPart Two coming soon!", " I was selected, out of everyone in the city it was me. Other bemoaned my poor fortune but I believed. I believed that I would escort her through the after life and I couldn’t be happier. I had been a servant in the royal court for years and the Princess and I had grown very close. She was beautiful and kind and fallen madly in love with her. We never spoke of it, but I would see the look in her eye when she looked at me. I often caught her staring as I went about my work. It was in the afterlife that nothing would be between us, and I would happily die to spend an eternity with the woman I loved.", "\"Ahhhhhhhh\"\n\nGaval jolted upright, screaming. Looking down at himself, he quickly realized that his head was still attached. \n\n\"Ahhhh- oh hey I'm alive.\" He patted himself reassuredly. He stood up from the slab, glancing around at the now empty cathedral. \"There's usually at least someone in here...\" \n\nHe Turned in a circle to make sure he hadn't missed anyone, but stopped when he noticed the body on the alter. It wore a distinctive blue bard's outfit, a flute laid on its chest akin to a sword on a knight, and, more troubling, it's face was his own.\n\nLooking down at his own clothing, an identical blue tunic, he pulled his flute from his belt and held it up against the similar one on the body. They were identical. \n\nHe tried to reasurre himself, \"Maybe I just had a twin I never knew about. That has to be it. I just uh... passed out as his funeral. That I didn't know was happening...\" \n\nHe leaned over the body's head, trying to find something that would disprove his growing suspicion.\n\n\"It's different from looking in a mirror, isn't it?\"\n\nJumping, Gaval spun around, pointing his flute as a makeshift form of self defense. The cathedral was still empty. \n\n\"They used to choose the best. Now they think it's just a showman's ritual.\"\n\nTurning again, he found a black figure sitting in the seat of the high priest, one leg hanging over the arm rest. It was in the shape of a man, but it seemed to have no substance, absorbing all light that touched it. \"Well? You better get to finding her.\"\n\nGaval took a step back, \"Who ar-\"\n\n\"Lets skip that part. Please, it's gotten old over the millennia.\"\n\nThe figure slid off the seat, seeming to reform into a standing position. \"We both know what's happened.\" It seemed to glance down at the body that Gaval was attempting to not recognise. \"We both know what needs to be done.\"\n\nIt slid around the alter until it was standing beside Gaval. \"She's out there. Fading. Unless you bring that to her,\" the figure geastured to the amulet that Gaval now noticed to be hanging from his neck. \"She'll be lost forever.\"\n\n\"I don't... I didn't...\" Gaval stuttered.\n\n\"I know. But here we are anyway.\" The figure suddenly, jolted forward, inches from his face. \"You've a job to do bard. Now do it.\"\n\nAs suddenly as it appeared, the figure vanished. Leaving Gaval alone, clutching the amulet at his throat.", "\"I'm glad I died,\" Verona said, putting a smile on her face \"...I think I'm thankful to the person who pushed me over that hill\"\n\nI didn't say anything, I was too concentrated on getting by with this new body and making sure I didn't stumble on the uneven ground. Princess Verona uses her heels to kick the sides of my stomach like she was demanding an answer.\n\n\"You don't have to be so fast you know!\" she said, taking a deep breath and caressing my fur, which was weird considering she just harmed me! \"let's enjoy the view! I mean...this is probably the only time we'll get to see this landscape...\"\n\nThe landscape she was referring to was a half-destroyed bridge with spots of moss here and there and plants growing through the cracks, the sky was dark orange I could see the hazy figure of the moon in the distance, along with white clouds moving around and birds flying\n\nGlowing yellow dots were dancing around us, some of them landing on my head, my antlers, and my nose; fireflies. I sneezed, making Princess Verona laugh as the fireflies flew away and then came back, how could she be so happy? after she died? after someone killed her.\n\n\"Rejoice, this is the greatest of honors, the journey to where my ancestors lie is long and dangerous, your soul will change to fit the shape most fitting to protect her\" Those were the King's words when he pulled the knife out of my throat, I fall to head fist on the floor, trying to keep the blood from pouring out and failing. I looked up and saw the corpse of the Princess, hands together, eyes closed and long blond hair flowing beneath her. \"you will not let harm come to her soul, nor will you harm her soul.\"\n\nShe had fallen to her death, from so high up she should be nothing but an unrecognizable lump of meat, how did they manage to fix her? \"this is the orders of your King, you will abide by them until your own soul expires\" the King orders drilled into my head and reached my brain, making their nest there. my consciousness faded and death embraced me just like it did for her\n\n\"...this is not fair\"\n\n\"Hm? did, did you say something Mr. Deer?\" she said as she pressed her whole body against me, her chin piercing my head, I knew I shouldn't have let her ride me. this is not how I imagined everything would end, how long was this bridge, I couldn't even see the end from where I was. Princess Verona started petting the lower part of my neck bringing her hand up and down and scratching the chin from time to time \"aw, come on say something! I know you can understand me!\"\n\n\"...ss-stop that!\" it felt, uncomfortably pleasant\n\n\"Hm? oh you like that huh?\" she said giggling to herself, \"maybe you're not a deer? but a big fluffy dog with antlers!\"\n\n\"...Please, Princess, stop!\" I'm surprised when she does, I'm more surprised when I can't even hear her breathing, why is she like that, I didn't even have time to wonder because she starts giggling like she usually does.\n\n\"Funny, that thing you just said...your tone...\" she said caressing the back of my ears \"you sound just like an old friend of mine; Kain...\"\n\n\"...I see, then I will stop\"\n\n\"...yes, its...probably better that way,\" she said \"after all. I'm never going back home and I'll never see him again...\"\n\nWe're never going back home, the King ruined everything\n\nShe gasped and grabbed my antlers with enough force to pull my head back and look up, I didn't even notice I was looking at directly at the ground \"look over there\" she said, cherry \"it's a forest!\"\n\nThat shouldn't be possible, in all the time I was walking on the bridge I couldn't see such a thing in the distance, why would something like that appear out of nowhere. Then again I'm a human turned into a deer carrying the Princess on her way to...whatever place her soul should rest, with her family. It was unfortunate that the bridge leads directly to that forest and that there was no way around it. I hated forests.\n\nNo, that's wrong maybe this is fortunate, I don't know how different this forest can be to the ones back home, but there is one thing that shouldn't change at all.\n\n\"I wonder...what kind of animal are in there...?\n\n\"Indeed,\" I said, maybe there is one that could help me kill her again, making her soul disappear completely this time.\n\n**\n\nto be continued, probably* - [r/Onni21](https://www.reddit.com/r/Onni21/)", "From the hallway, I can see Tyanna's tiny frame, huddled up into a ball, shivering under the ragged patchwork quilt I made for her three winters ago. Crying, too, probably. Or else staring into darkness, thinking of the great void that swallowed up the Princess.\n\nThree years ago, we had been nameless. I a fifteen-year-old delivery girl, and she my year-old sister. \n\nTwo years ago, the young cousin of the princess had taken ill and been carried off to Elsewhere, and advertisements had gone out in search of a young Playmate for her Majesty the Princess.\n\nMy sister Tyanna had always been lovely to look at. A giggly baby with dark skin and bouncy curls and a glorious smile. And I was desperate to make something of my life, do something to keep from being like my mother and her mother before her, ordinary shop people who sometimes went hungry and always stepped aside for the more important.\n\nI dressed her beautifully, in clothing that was simple, but clean and new. I stuffed some candies into my pocket, in case she got tired on the long walk up to the castle, but I needn't have worried. My own anticipation carried us further than I had dared hope, and the prospect of playing princess with the Princess herself... Suffice it to say that the first round of interviews was easily won.\n\nThen had come the playdate with her Majesty the Princess, where success had been entirely out of our hands, and still more easily attained. The princess had toddled out into the play yard, and she and Tyanna had immediately become inseparable. Tyanna was moved into a small room inside the castle, her ordinary life, and all her associated belongings, left behind.\n\nShe was happy, I thought. I delivered groceries as before, and waited for Tyanna to grow. I would look at her empty bed, with the ragged patchwork quilt of sewn-together memories, and think of the future. My prospects had already improved - I made regular visits to the castle, and associated with people far better connected than I. My stomach was less often empty - the payments made to me for my sacrifice saw to that. But my life felt somehow the same, and I looked forward to the day when Tyanna would deliver me from my life, the life from which I had already delivered her. \n\nI did miss her. I sometimes dreamed of the castle as a prison, keeping her from me, or of my own poverty as a prison, keeping me from her.\n\nAnd then it happened. Three days ago, when the girls were playing out on the hill, and their minder chanced to look away. It might have been intentional - four-year-olds are capricious and and unrestrained by nature. It might have been an accident - a bit of exuberant play. \n\nIn any case, it was undoubtedly my fault. I sent Tyanna to her Majesty the Princess, and Tyanna sent her Majesty the Princess tumbling down the hill, and over that cliff to her death. His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen sent Tyanna home to me and to my people, and that ought to have been the end of it. We ordinary people, living our ordinary lives, with the minder taking the blame. Charged, convicted, sentenced - justice was sought and won in a matter of hours.\n\nBut that wasn't the end of it. Chance has sentenced me to die as well, and I cannot cry \"injustice\".\n\nTyanna is broken. She's lying there, shaking and sobbing, and I cannot comfort her. Having failed her Majesty the Princess in life, I have now been called upon to accompany her in death. Having sent my sister away from me, I am now to be sent away from her. It is my turn, now, to be carried up to the castle, dressed beautifully, in clothing simple and clean and new.\n\nThere is a guard standing beside me, watching me watch my little sister. Watching me now as I go to her. Watching me bend over to kiss her goodbye, then turn away, sobbing, as I am led into the waiting wagon. Watching me as I finish the journey I started two years ago, when I first carried that glorious, giggling baby up to the castle, that she might deliver me from my ordinary, everyday life. ", "The Collector by /u/buffer_overflown\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------\n>IT WAS NOT MY DECISION.\n\n\n>\"So that's just it then?\"\n\n\n>OBVIOUSLY. The voice thundered in my head, resonating deep below the bounds of human ears.\n\n\n>\"How is this fair?\"\n\n\n>WE'VE GONE OVER THIS.\n\n\n>I kicked at a basket laying in the middle of the street. My translucent leg passed through it effortlessly, and the momentum flipped me upside down and left me hovering above the flagstones.\n\n\n>HUFF. The Collector was looking at me, its expression unreadable in the deep sockets of a hollow skull. One emaciated hand gripped the haft of a scythe.\n\n\n>\"What?\" I folded my arms, stubbornly ignoring the ground below my head.\n\n\n>I SAID HUFF.\n\n\n>\"Huff?\"\n\n\n>IT WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF A SLIGHT OUTRUSH OF AIR FROM THE NOSTRILS.\n\n\n>The Collector paused.\n\n\n>... IF YOU STILL HAD THEM.\n\n\n>\"So where is she, then? I'm supposed to protect her. I might as well do it so I can die properly.\"\n\n\n>SHE WAS MY TWELVE O'CLOCK. It turned and began striding away.\n\n\n>\"And?\" I floated, upside down, frowning at the cloaked figures' bony shoulders.\n\n\n>SHE CANCELLED.\n\n\n>\"So she isn't dead?\"\n\n\n>I DON'T LIKE CANCELLATIONS.\n\n\n>\"You KILLED her?\"\n\n\n>THAT The Collector's tone became annoyed, IS NOT ALLOWED.\n\n\n>\"They killed me and she isn't even dead?\"\n\n\n>YOUR CUSTOMS HAVE NEVER BEEN MY CONCERN.\n\n\n>\"So what about free will? Destiny? This wasn't my choice, this--\"\n\n\n>The Collector stopped suddenly, pivoting and thrusting its bony visage down to my suspended eye-level.\n\n\n>IT IS NOT FREE WILL it growled, IF I DECIDED FOR YOU. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THERE ARE NOT REPERCUSSIONS.\n\n\n>\"So where is she, then?\"\n\n\n>The Collector straightened and turned away again. MY NEXT APPOINTMENT.\n\n\n>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\n>As one bony leg rose, my surroundings swam and the buildings and flagstones pulled together into a vibrant pinprick of light. When its foot had touched the ground again, it struck sand, and I was upright once again.\n\n\n\n\n>We stood there, listening to the ocean crash against the shore. A small figure was sprawled beneath the foaming crests of the waves. The tide was rising, reaching up to dampen her chin and sending her matted hair rolling in the salty spray. She wasn't moving, but her breath stirred small eddies in the currents.\n\n\n\n\n>The Collector looked up to the sky, judging the Sun's angle against the horizon. Far in the distance, a cliff-face jutted out over open water. Our small hamlet, with its tiny little fortress, would be just below the base of that cliff on the far side.\n\n\n\n\n>I crouched by the girl. She was close to me in age, but dirt and blood and tears had left a glistening sheen on her face below the spackling of ocean salt. A ragged pink ribbon hung loosely from tethers of hair, sending her brown locks loose over the sand.\n\n\n\n\n>A scuttling caught my ear.\n\n\n\n\n>The lioncrab was dragging its way up the shoreline. The highest point of its shell would reach the knees of a full-grown man, and its muscled claws could sever an arm. If it reached the girl, the heavy sun and rising tide would be the least of her problems.\n\n\n>\"No! You have to stop this.\"\n\n\n>The Collector gazed back coolly and said nothing.\n\n\n>I reached for a rock, but my hand passed through. I fell to my knees, scrambling in the sand and shells. Small granules fell and scattered as the lioncrab approached her, its eyes twitching madly as it eyed its meal.\n\n\n>Glaring, I lifted my eyes to the Collector. \"Help me.\"\n\n\n\n\n>The figure's shadow grew longer, deepening to a pitch black even in the afternoon light. Its face as harsh and set as the granite cliffside. In that moment, any humanity it may have held was gone-- leaving only the suggestion of a shape, as dark and black as the deepest moonless night, when mankind was still young and the stars were finding their places in the skies.\n\n\n>Behind it, the barest possibilities of worlds and creatures beyond knowing-- I could taste the stale air of that place older than time, and looked into the Abyss. Something old beyond knowing looked back with a dispassionate gaze. I gritted my teeth, tears streaming from my eyes, and rushed up at that strange, alien thing.\n\n\n\n\n>That leap, with one shimmering arm outstretched, ripped the scythe from the Collector's bony grasp.\n\n\n>One of the lioncrab's claws reached out for the girl's neck.\n\n\n>I gripped the scythe and I swung, with all my might, sinking the curved blade into the lioncrab's carapace. It shriveled, wrinkling in upon itself and withering away with a surprised squeal. The creature's red hue wasted away to dull grey and it clattered to a writhing pile on the beach.\n\n\n>Panting, I held the scythe, gripping it tightly and looked back at the Collector. The mass of blackness was gone, replaced by the bleached-white skull and black robes.\n\n\n>In the distance, I heard yelling-- a man breaking from the treeline as he came to the girl's aid.\n\n\n>The Collector looked at me once and nodded slowly. FREE WILL.\n\n\n>I glanced at the girl. She was stirring gently on the beach. When I looked back to the Collector, he was gone.\n\n\n>The scythe was still in my hands.", "Well. Shit.\n\nOf all days to have luck, it would have to be today, wouldn't it? I mean, what else would you call being the sap chosen to guide her soul to the afterlife? Luck of the draw.\n\nShe looks at me with very frightened eyes, big and brown. She withdraws from me and I get it. Not exactly a motherly figure am I? No. The answer is no. Probably could have asked them if they'd let me shave before sending me on after her. Wasn't really thinking too clearly at the time.\n\nI kneel down and hold up my hands.\n\n\"It's okay, I'm a friend.\"\n\nI try to put on the nicest voice I can, smiling through a perfectly wild beard. A sight I must be to the little one. She doesn't come closer.\n\nI sit and cross my legs. We are in an area that looks an awful lot like home but there's no one around us, just empty streets and buildings.\n\nAnd of course, me and a little girl.\n\nBad luck for her, slipping off the balcony like that. It made news around the world, the darling of the royal family falling to a tragic death.\n\nShe peeks at me.\n\n\"I'm Grant.\"\n\nI hold out a big hand. \n\nShe looks at it. \n\nThen to me.\n\nThen at it.\n\nThen to me.\n\nShe toddles forward and places her tiny hand in mine and shakes. Then she breaks into a great big smile and holds out her hands, flexing them like she wants to grab something.\n\nI lean forward and she tangles her tiny fingers in my beard and giggles hysterically.\n\nGod it's infectious. I stand and she places one of those delicate hands in mine and I squeeze as softly as I can. It's my job to take her to the end of this journey. It's a great honour, so they say. They'll be a plaque with my name on it one day. Maybe even a parade. A great big one that might feature a giant floating caricature of me. Wouldn't that scare the children.\n\nI sigh and look down at her, those big eyes staring up at me expectantly.\n\n\"Rose.\" She says in her little voice, very matter of fact, \"I'm Rose.\"\n\n\"Well Rose-\" I look up to the very, very long road that winds ahead of us towards some mysterious end goal. Who knows what lurks there, if anything. It's not like anyone comes back from these things. It's all new. Just me and her now. And a road leading into the dark.\n\n\"-shall we?\"\n\nShe curtsies, politely. Ever the royal.\n\n\"We shall.\"\n\nI wonder if she understands what happened. If this is all strange to her. If she's scared.\n\nI look to the darkness that could conceal anything.\n\nWell. My grandmum always said not to be afraid of the monsters in the dark. I swear I see yellow eyes flitting far down the road, between the row houses. Must just be my imagination.\n\nMust be.\n\nRight.\n\nRight?", "\"Wait wait waitwaitwait,\" I pleaded through chattering teeth as a semi-circle consisting of half a dozen heavily armed men-at-arms backed me towards the chasm. \"It doesn't have to be this way, please, wait WAIT!\"\n\n\"There's no time,\" the captain of the guard said softly, almost apologetically, and then his right arm swept up and across the line of me.. at roughly neck height.\n\nMy next thought was ridiculous: I'm flying! No. I was falling and.. Then there was darkness and cold and... Then there wasn't anything at all, for what seemed like time beyond measure.\n\n\"Who's there?\" a small voice called out at last -- and my mind creaked like a rusty hinge as it shook off the dust and began to work again. I almost gave up, I realized.\n\n\"M'lady,\" I called in reply, my voice hoarse and unsteady, \"m'lady Merrin, 'tis Tam from town.. They.. Th-they've sent me to guide you..\"\n\nThe sniffling echo of the princess weeping reached me from what seemed a grave distance. My heart does not remain so what is this sensation filling me? Does love not live in the heart?\n\n\"M'lady,\" I called again, and cleared my throat busily. \"Fret not. All is well in hand.\" \n\nI could see her now, slumped awkwardly a few yards away through the gloom. \n\n\"Take my hand,\" I whispered.\n\n\"Thank you Tam.\"\n\nWhat felt like ice slipped slowly between my fingers and the smile slowly vanished from my face. My entire essence seemed frozen as that soft yet inexorable grip tugged me down... down, closer.\n\n\"But you're the one who should be fretting,\" the thing with Princess Merrin's face crooned reproachfully.\n\nYes, this Thing had her face but It's pouting lips had parted in a chiding grin.. to reveal a terrifying maw full of jagged, crooked fangs like battle-hardened blades. Glowing orange coals like the embers of some undying, eternal pyre burned where her eyes should have been." ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 17, 35, 58 ]	[ "1510855480", "1510881884", "1510891664", "1510891727", "1510894835", "1510896946", "1510913334", "1510917134", "1510873895", "1510859933", "1510860579", "1510867945", "1510871415", "1510859481", "1510857464", "1510856762" ]
[removed]	[WP] The Earth is a popular place for Illegal Aliens, one day we decide to build a wall.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nWhile it doesn't seem to be your intent, the mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel may become harmful to the community. This includes prompts likely to generate such responses. \n\nNo prompts referencing real world drama (including politics, recent tragedies, etc.) \n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7df14a/wp_the_earth_is_a_popular_place_for_illegal/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510862468", "1510862571" ]
	[WP] Just an average day in the Dunder Mufflin paper company when suddenly the zombie apocalypse starts.	18	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "[Disheveled man shuffles through the front door and approaches Pam's desk.]\n\nMan: Bra... Brains?\n\nPam: Uh...\n\n[Jim looks up and sees Pam looking at him with an awkward expression.]\n\nPam (to confession cam): So, there was a zombie apocalypse this week. (\"Pam\" look) Yeah...\n\n[Jim hops up and approaches man]\n\nJim: Hi there... sir. How can we help you.\n\nMan: Brains? Brains.\n\nJim: Fresh out of brains. How about some candy?\n\n[Points to Pam's candy dish.]\n\nMan: Urghhh... Candy...\n\n[Man eats candy]\n\nDwight: (warrior scream) Die!!!!!!\n\n[Dwight severs man's neck with katana]\n\nPam: Ahhh! Ewww!!! Dwight!!!\n\n[Pam gets a tissue to wipe blood off her face.]\n\nJim: Dwight. Why would you do that?\n\nDwight: It was a zombie, Jim! They consume the flesh of the living.\n\nJim: This one was eating candy. No threat!\n\nDwight (to confession cam): You wanna know why the whole nation isn't zombies today? Because brave men and women like me took it upon ourselves to decapitate the monsters before they could take over. (awkward pause) That and the anti-zombie candy that the CDC reversed engineered two days ago.\n\nJim: You know you can go to jail for that, right?\n\nOscar: Not for another 12 hours.\n\nPam: What?\n\nOscar: Zombie slaughtering is legal until noon tomorrow. That's what they said on the news, anyway.\n\n[Creed enters the office, covered in blood, wiping gore from a crowbar with the tail of his t-shirt. He looks around with a slight smile and then sees the fresh corpse.]\n\nCreed: Dibs on the wallet!" ]	[ 1, 9 ]	[ "1510890586", "1510896184" ]
	[WP] You're driving home from your late night shift at work, when suddenly a figure runs in front of your car, causing you to hit it. After getting out of your car to check it out, you find that the figure was an exact copy of you.	11	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "The body was mangled and broken, a slick red pool of blood forming under a cracked skull pinkening fresh snowfall. t took me a moment to realize what was going on. The glasses, somehow miraculously there if just the frames, the familiar nose, the scar on the eyebrow. There was no way.\n\nIt had to be. I checked the body's pocket and found a crushed Samsung and a wallet. The ID, grimy with blood. I felt my heart catch in my throat. I wandered back to my car, engine stalled, and grabbed my jacket. I had to walk a half mile into town to get help. To find someone to tell me I wasn't crazy. It was a dead zone- no calls out.\n\nDrawing the jacket closed and shoving my phone into my pocket, I made the track down a dark woodland road, the crunch of snow under my feet. How? I don't know how. The body was me. Portly, same face, short black hair and heard. Something filled me with dread. It was just minutes ago. I saw an abandoned car on the side of the road, I swerved to miss something and in the darkness a man smashed into my windshield.\n\nThe squeal of tires. I turn, reaching for my hood. I don't feel anything, but the impact sends me soaring through the air and shatters my glasses into my eyes. I land on my back in the snow, my head bouncing off of asphalt. I get out of the car, screaming in shock and still in a daze. I call out to see if the man is alright, but get no response. In the edge of the red emergency lights, I see a clump of darkness amidst red snow.\n\n\nThe body was mangled and broken, a slick red pool of blood forming under a cracked skull pinkening fresh snowfall. t took me a moment to realize what was going on. The glasses, somehow miraculously there if just the frames, the familiar nose, the scar on the eyebrow. There was no way.\n\nIt had to be. I checked the body's pocket and found a crushed Samsung and a wallet. The ID, grimy with blood. I felt my heart catch in my throat. I wandered back to my car, engine stalled, and grabbed my jacket. I had to walk a half mile into town to get help. To find someone to tell me I wasn't crazy. It was a dead zone- no calls out.\n\nDrawing the jacket closed and shoving my phone into my pocket, I made the track down a dark woodland road, the crunch of snow under my feet. How? I don't know how. The body was me. Portly, same face, short black hair and heard. Something filled me with dread. It was just minutes ago. I saw an abandoned car on the side of the road, I swerved to miss something and in the darkness a man smashed into my windshield.\n\nThe squeal of tires. I turn, reaching for my hood. I don't feel anything, but the impact sends me soaring through the air and shatters my glasses into my eyes. I land on my back in the snow, my head bouncing off of asphalt. I get out of the car, screaming in shock and still in a daze. I call out to see if the man is alright, but get no response. In the edge of the red emergency lights, I see a clump of darkness amidst red snow.\n\nThe body was mangled and broken, a slick red pool of blood forming under a cracked skull pinkening fresh snowfall. t took me a moment to realize what was going on. The glasses, somehow miraculously there if just the frames, the familiar nose, the scar on the eyebrow. There was no way.\n\nIt had to be. I checked the body's pocket and found a crushed Samsung and a wallet. The ID, grimy with blood. I felt my heart catch in my throat. I wandered back to my car, engine stalled, and grabbed my jacket. I had to walk a half mile into town to get help. To find someone to tell me I wasn't crazy. It was a dead zone- no calls out.\n\nDrawing the jacket closed and shoving my phone into my pocket, I made the track down a dark woodland road, the crunch of snow under my feet. How? I don't know how. The body was me. Portly, same face, short black hair and heard. Something filled me with dread. It was just minutes ago. I saw an abandoned car on the side of the road, I swerved to miss something and in the darkness a man smashed into my windshield.\n\nThe squeal of tires. I turn, reaching for my hood. I don't feel anything, but the impact sends me soaring through the air and shatters my glasses into my eyes. I land on my back in the snow, my head bouncing off of asphalt. I get out of the car, screaming in shock and still in a daze. I call out to see if the man is alright, but get no response. In the edge of the red emergency lights, I see a clump of darkness amidst red snow.\n\n" ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1510890622", "1510893592" ]
	[WP] Every decade those who have done the most wrong are sent to a purgatory to repent for their their wrongdoings and try to make it back to earth, in order to become alive again	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Note: I'll post a second part when I can.\n\n\"911. What is your emergency?\"\n\nThe emotionless female voice on the other end proved a great contrast to Ross' breathless reply as he desperately tried to seek help in spite of his fading senses.\n\nBy the time Ross was redirected to an emergency medical service a minute later, his heart was beating so rapidly that he feared it would burst right out on to the floor.\n\nIt was while attempting to describe his symptoms that the worrying rush suddenly faded and Ross found himself feeling rather at peace, as well as quite tired.\n\nBelieving that the earlier discomfort had just been a false alarm, he abruptly hung up and headed into the living room to enjoy what would be his final nap.\n\nRoss awoke to find himself lying upon an uncomfortable chair in what seemed to be a large waiting room of sorts.\n\nAll around him were people of various age and race, though what every one of them had in common was an overwhelming air of melancholy, as if they'd all sacrificed a great deal to arrive where they were now.\n\nA dark and indistinct figure entered to call several unfamiliar names at once, prompting half of those present to reluctantly rise and be escorted through a large door that was only now becoming visible to Ross' still confused eyes.\n\n\"Some hospital this is. Since when did doctors see fifty people all at once?\"\n\nA full hour passed before his own name was among those called and he too followed the mysterious individual, soon finding himself in a brightly lit corridor where he was directed through just another one of the countless numbered doors.\n\n\"Welcome to the afterlife, sir. Do make yourself comfortable.\" A gentle female voice sounded as soon as Ross entered and he was taken aback at the sight of a young blonde smiling at him from behind a desk.\n\n\"What's going on? Do I know you?\" Ross asked while taking a seat and noticing that she looked vaguely like one of his past conquests. \"Don't tell me you're my doctor for today...\"\n\n\"Mr Thompson. I know this is hard to accept, but you are dead.\" The blonde simply replied as her expression grew serious. \"And I'm not your doctor. I'm just a clerk on duty in this boring place.\"\n\n\"No, you can't be serious...\"\n\n\"I know that fact may be hard to accept, but with the lifestyle you were leading, such an end was expected...\"\n\n\"Damn. It was an overdose, wasn't it?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"I guess that explains a lot...\"\n\n\"You don't seem very upset, Mr Thompson.\"\n\n\"Why should I be? I was past my prime anyway...though I have to say, having you in front of me is a nice surprise. I've heard a lot about you, but I never expected you to be some cute Swedish babe...\"\n\n\"How do you know my background?\"\n\n\"Your nameplate. Miss Gustafsson, I presume?\"\n\n\"You flatter me, but we must be moving on to the subject of your family. I believe you have an estranged wife and son?\"\n\n\"Had, not have.\" Ross corrected without batting an eye. \"They were better off without me and I was better off without them.\"\n\n\"Interesting.\" Miss Gustafsson muttered apathetically as she looked down to scribble something in her book before making eye contact once again. \"Now, we must discuss the extent of your sins. This is the most crucial part of the appointment, however uncomfortable it might be.\"\n\n\"Oh, that doesn't bother me. I may have done less than moral things, but that doesn't mean I regret any of it. I'm ready to take whatever you throw at me.\"\n\n\"I see.\" Miss Gustafsson replied with a nod of agreement. \"Well, Mr Thompson. For your lifelong infidelity and insatiable sexual appetite, you shall serve two years in purgatory. A guide will come by shortly to escort you there.\"\n\n\"Well, that's not as bad as I expected. Any chance I could have your number before I get there?\"\n\n\"Sorry, I only like younger men.\"\n\n\"Oh. Well, see you around. Hopefully...\"\n\nA loud knock sounded on the door and Miss Gustafsson went over to open it. She then turned and flashed an unexpectedly playful look at Ross, before allowing the shadowy figure into the room to claim him." ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1510896067", "1510897714" ]
[removed]	[WP] you wake up to muffled voices, realizing that your Private area(s) are talking and sentient.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nSexually explicit themes are not allowed. This includes prompts likely to generate such responses. \n\nNo troll, joke, or meme-based prompts. This includes prompts likely to attract such responses. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7dmzpe/wp_you_wake_up_to_muffled_voices_realizing_that/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1510943894", "1510944081" ]
	[WP] You’re an ancient alien engineer living in a subterranean colony on Mars. You’re dying so you build a mind-transfer device to preserve yourself. But instead of moving into the alien fetus next to you, you materialize into a newborn baby on Earth. Your new name is Elon Musk. This is your story.	87	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Dig the hole, mine the coal, form the parts to make us whole, break the mould, build on what you’re told, forge the path and be bold, do the science, avoid obsolescence, preach the lessons that make sense.\n\nThey saw it as a god of war, such a bore, such matters were abandoned long before.\n\nBuild the tools, to elevate the fools, sprinkled with what they find cool.\n\nGot no time to spread my roots, I just gotta head home to roost, just need another rocket’s boost.\n\nMine’s a tale that cannot be told, but when I see these smiling faces, I will be bold, and carry on to better spaces (but leave no traces)!\n\nSleep upon the factory floor, open always my office door, doubt settles in but then thrown in the bin, ain’t nobody got time for dat ugh memes memes memes.\n\nIt’s about time I was on my way, and I’ve got such a lot to say, about the little blue planet in the third orbit, and meet the marsman whose true body I now inhabit.\n\nYears ago, in days of old, my magic art filled the void... Hope the duplicity does not annoy.\n\nWait, the eighth stage...\n\nSabotage. \n\n\nBid farewell by the dwindling moonlight, my course is giving me a fright, for now my journey is into the endless night.\n\nGoodbye, Earth. I did my best, but you fucked me.\n\nI’ll be back. Transmit recording.\n" ]	[ 1, 6 ]	[ "1510961233", "1510983453" ]
	[WP] The Demons Code of Honour: "Do as thou wilt"	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I, a demon, sat and spoke to a man whose life I had destroyed. \n\nI had tempted his son to drink the night of the day he crashed his car and died. I tempted his daughter with evil men - the first man left her pregnant; the second man abused her for years; and the third man killed her and her child. In the painful mourning that followed the death of his two children, I placed a man in front of his wife, with whom she slept with in her sorrow, for solace. Then she filed for divorce, got everything, and left.\n\nI had tempted this man, too. Sometimes he succumbed, but sometimes was not good enough - especially for how quick he repented. Every lie he told was immediately corrected by him shortly after. Every sinful thought I put in his head, he shook off, stood up and went out for a brisk walk. Words I whispered in his ear only made him drown me out with louder prayer. My demon brethren were beginning to laugh and mock me. Everything I did only pushed him closer towards God.\n\nAnd here he sat in a hotel room, head bowed over a Bible, tears dripping on the pages because it was the anniversary of the day his daughter had died. But, to him, everyday was an anniversary for both of his children's deaths. Suddenly, he sat up, turned and addressed me:\n\n\"Why do you do this to me?\" he asked.\n\nSurprised he could see me, I answered, \"Because it is a Demon's Code of Honor: Do as thou wilt.\"\n\n\"Then repent.\"\n\n\"I cannot.\" \n\n\"Have you read the Bible?\" he asked me. \"Surely, you must know what awaits for you in the future.\"\n\n\"God has already foretold in prophecy that we would be put in the fire. His word is unchanging. His law permanent.\"\n\n\"Then you have not read the Bible,\" he said to me.\n\n\"We demons live it!\" I spat. \"Every event in that book, we have been there!\"\n\nIn the calmest voice, he asked me, \"Then do you remember Jonah?\"\n\n\"The fool who thought He could escape God's decree, like you are trying to make me do?\" I raised a brow. \n\nHe nodded. \"Do you remember what God spoke against Nineveh? That in forty days, that great city would be overthrown? Jonah 3:4,\" he quoted.\n\nI was silent.\n\nHe continued, \"And what happened? Did the people not repent? Did God not turn away his wrath because of this?\"\n\nI continued my silence, for what he spoke was truth.\n\n\"You won't know if you don't try,\" he said, at last turning away from me. \"And I want to thank you.\"\n\nI found my voice and, in suspicion, asked him what for.\n\n\"For bringing me closer to God. You have severed my ties from this world with each family member you've taken from me, leaving me with nowhere else to go but to the Him, the Son, and the Spirit. 'You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20)'.\"\n\nI howled with rage, fleeing from the room, determined to wage a greater war against this righteous man, so that I would have the satisfaction of having his soul. \n\nIf I burned, then so would he.\n" ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1511007584", "1511015654" ]
	[WP] You just paid a hitman on the dark web to kill your boss. "The job will be done within one hour." he wrote. After the payment, a comment section is revealed, where several people warn that the hitman will hunt the client, not the target.	85	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"You call this journalism? What it is is shit. Shit that you gift wrapped and slapped a bow on top of. And guess what? When little Johnny opens his present on Christmas, he's not gonna notice how nice the wrapping is. He's gonna notice the shit in the box, and then his Christmas will be fucking ruined, just like my fucking newspaper!\"\n\nChuck's words stung like a horde of yellow-jackets on crack. How dare he? Who does he think he is, saying shit like that? I couldn't formulate any proper reply, and that smug fuck just smirked and sauntered off to his corner office, probably to play more solitaire and jerk off to NPR. Most people didn't like Chuck. Chuck couldn't give a fuck. That's what marrying into the business does, you know you can't be touched so you do whatever you damn well please. It also helped that he had the a prolific mastery of the English language, and the one thing (that really pains me) that I'll admit is that his writing was pretty fantastic. But God was he a despicable prick. \n\nI sat at my desk for the rest of the afternoon. My jaw refused to come up off the floor, and I didn't know what to do for the rest of the afternoon, save thinking of ways to get back at Chuck. I decided to clock out early and start my drinking. \n\nYou know what heavy drinking plus heavily repressed anger plus a background in programming equals? You guessed it, the dark web. \n\nThe dark web was a strange and yet oddly beautiful place. Like a member's only club. Your average Joe couldn't get in, it took some experience and digging to access it. And the enormity of content was staggering, like if a small child walked into the Chocolate River room from Willy Wonka. You had the whole world in front of you, just waiting to be explored. But be careful, because if you weren't you'd get sucked into the river and up the tube to the the fudge room. And the fudge room was not a pretty place. Below the drugs and the guns, the stolen goods and credit cards, is a deeply disturbing place. A place of nightmares. Child porn, human trafficking, forums of people torturing animals, and contract killing. For some reason I was drawn to a link I stumbled upon. \"Rid the World of Your Problems\". Huh. My alcohol induced mind decided to skip over ordering my next ecstasy shipment and click on it. The site itself was very plain, very neat and organized. An all white background, with a chat-box in the middle. \"How can we help you rid yourself of your problem?\" the prompt read. I knew already that this was something foreboding. Even though it was on a screen, the same screen where you can watch cat videos for Chrissakes, it seemed to emit a dark energy. Like the creepy guy on the subway. Sure, your everyday people were there. You had your lawyer, your retail worker, your run of the mill cube farmer. But you only the notice the man in the corner. He's not doing anything odd. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just sitting, waiting for his stop like everyone else. But you still get a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach, and the hair on the back of your neck raises every so slightly. You make sure to give this man a lot of space, just like everyone else. But what happens when you sit down next to the man, when you strike up a conversation with him. What hidden wonders does he behold? \n\nI clicked in the chatbox. \"hello\"\n\nI walked up to the window and looked at the setting sun, the shadows growing longer and more distorted. I made myself another drink and sat back down. \n\n\"How can we help you rid the world of your problem?\" the responding text read. \n\nI forced back the lump in my throat. This seemed wrong. Every sense of my being shouted at me to close out the site. But sheer morbid curiosity pushed me forward. \n\n\"i have this asshole boss\" I didn't know what else to say. I clicked Enter. \n\n\"What is his/her name?\" I smiled. This was one of those sites, I told myself, one of those self-help sites. The bot is some sort of therapist. Why it was on the dark web, I didn't think to consider. \n\n\"chuck harrison\" \n\n\"Would you like to rid the world of him?\" \n\n\"lol yeah, he's a fucking prick\"\n\nEnter. \n\n\"Confirm target: Chuck Harrison?\" A yes or no option popped up below that.\n\nOh, Jesus. This wasn't a self-help bot. This was the dark web, after all. This was a hitman. I instinctively went to click \"no\". But some force stopped my fingers. Did I want to get rid of Chuck? Day after day of constant humiliation, degradation. I wasn't the only one who harbored ill-will against him, that was for sure. Besides his writing he had no redemptive qualities. Wouldn't we all be better off without him? You know what heavy drinking plus heavily repressed anger plus a background in programming also equals? Hiring a hitman on the dark web. \n\nI clicked yes. \n\n\"Job will be completed within the hour.\" \n\nI glanced at the clock. 7:37. I didn't feel guilt, hell I didn't even feel bad. Fuck Chuck. Fuck him all the way to Hell. \n\nI smiled and went to pour myself another drink. \n\nI sat down again and looked at the screen. Only this time below the chat-box was a section labeled \"confessions\". What the hell? I guessed I didn't notice it before. I clicked on it. There were several videos, each one with the title \"I'm Sorry\" followed by different names. \"I'm Sorry Sarah\", \"I'm Sorry Larry\", \"I'm Sorry Stan\". The feeling of satisfaction in doing the word a favor suddenly turned to ice cold fear. Fear at what? I couldn't pin it on anything. But these videos were definitely not good. I swallowed and clicked on one titled \"I'm Sorry Susan\". \n\nThe video showed a man standing in a room. His eyes and face were red and puffy, and he spoke between sobs, \"I-I-I'm s-s-s-o sorry, S-s-susan,\" the man cried, \"I'm so sorry.\" He broke down and started begging to the some presence behind the camera. \"Please,\" he pleaded, \"please don't.\" The camera cut to black, and then it cut back to the man. \n\nHe was sitting this time. \n\nAnd his throat had been cut. \n\nI threw the computer down and didn't make it three steps before I hurled. Oh, Jesus Christ. What the fuck? What the fuck?! My mind was scrambling. What do I do what do I do what do I do, the loop kept going. I ran to the bathroom and emptied the remaining contents of my stomach into the toilet. I was shaking, crying. What did I just see? Why had that man been killed?\n\nI was wracked with sobs. I tried breathing deeply but kept crying, uncontrollably. I sat down on the toilet and waited, five, ten minutes before I was able to gain some composure. I walked out of the bathroom and looked into the living room. \n\nMy computer laid there on the ground. It looked like any old computer, but to me I might as well have been looking at a bomb. I walked, very slowly, very deliberately over to it, as if expecting it to jump up and maul me, like a bear waking after hibernation to see a plump deer standing before him. I picked it up, and scrolled quickly to the bottom of the screen, trying to avoid looking at the various \"I'm Sorry\" titles. \n\nAt the very bottom was small print. \"You are the problem\" it read. This confirmed my suspicions. The hitman wasn't going after Chuck. He was coming to me. \n\nOh fuck. Oh fuck fuck fuck. \n\nI smashed my computer. Slammed it over and over. I broke it down to the smallest of pieces, and then tossed it in the trash. I poured my drink in trash and lit a match in there. Maybe he won't find me now, I tried to reassure myself. He has no way to find me now.\n\nBut the little voice inside me told me it was already too late. \n\nI looked at the clock. 8:03. I had time. I had to get the hell out of here. I ran to grab my keys from my room and passed by the window. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something. I stopped, cold sweat beading over my forehead. I didn't want to look. I really didn't want to look. But I knew I had to. \n\nThe sun had set at this point. The whole street was dark, except for a lone streetlight flickering in the distance. Night had swallowed up the rest of the neighborhood. And in the distance, walking down the street, was a lone man carrying something. I squinted and tried to see what he was carrying. It was a video camera. \n\nIt was too late, I couldn't run now. Call the cops, maybe? Too late for that as well. The cops around here weren't known for speedy-fast response times, and the man was nearly at my door step. What was I supposed to tell them, anyway? That I hired a hitman that was now coming after me? Suddenly I was a child again, hiding from the bogeyman. Where would I hide? Under my bed, was the first option that came to mind. All other forms of logic and critical thinking had flown out the window. Adrenaline was fueling my brain now, and hiding was the only think I thought I could do. I ran into my room and dove under my bed. This is what I deserve, I thought, this is what I get. I was hysterical and tried to control my shaking. \n\nA knock at the door at the front door. \n\nOh, God. I suddenly was thrust back into the real world. This man was here to kill me. I had to get out of here. I scrambled out from under my bed and ran to the window, trying my damnedest to get it open. The sweat and shaking of my hands made this near impossible. I had time, I thought. The door was locked. \n\n\"Hi there,\" a sinisterly sweet voice called out, as if greeting an old friend. I froze. Cold sweat dripped down my back. The shaking was gone. I couldn't even think anymore, couldn't escape. \n\nI turned around in what seemed like five minutes, and with every passing second I started to realize more clearly what was going to happen to me. I finally looked at the doorway. \n\nIt was as if the Devil himself was standing in my bedroom. The man broke out into a wide grin. \n\n\"Let's make a movie.\" ", "Frank Daley was the type of man to show up to a funeral and flirt with the widow. Frank Daley was the type of man to make his employers work overtime while he left work early to take their wives out to dinner. Frank Daley was the man who was banging my wife.\n\nFrank Daley was my boss.\n\nAnd I was going to kill him.\n\nWell... not me, per se - I was too much of a coward for all that jazz. I was the type of guy you see in cuckold videos, sitting in the corner watching as another man banged his wife. In fact, that's what happened the day I caught them in the act.\n\nFrank said, \"Get in here, Jim.\"\n\nThat's me - Jim Landsfield. The number one guy your mother and grandmother would love for you to date. The poster boy image of Nice guys finish last.\n\nI stepped into the room. \n\nSue, my lovely wife, rolled her eyes as she truly realized the patheticness of my existence. Here I was, witnessing my wife naked in bed with another man, and the man was still ordering me around like we were at work.\n\nFrank pointed to a chair in the corner, and ordered, \"Sit.\"\n\nI did. And they did it. In front of me. Over and over again.\n\nThe payment confirmation screen popped up and I clicked Ok. Over and over again.\n\nI was still clicking when a notification arose with a message from the hitman himself: \"The job will be done within one hour.\"\n\nA comment section scrolled into a view. \n\nDon't trust this hitman. My brother hired him to kill his ex-girlfriend's stalker, and got killed instead.\n\nRun. Run far away. He's no good. But he's very good. You won't get the results you wanted. You will not survive.\n\nPerfect execution. Wrong target. Everyone I know who uses him gets killed by him instead. Please, if you've already confirmed the kill, it would be better to kill yourself before he gets to you. And he will get to you. No matter what you do.\n\nI love this hitman. He gives people what they deserve. Like, who really hires someone to kill someone else?? You sick freak. You deserve every bit of torture that's coming your way, bozo.\n\nAnd so on the testimonials went...\n\nA hitman that kills his clients instead of his targets.\n\nI didn't have time to ponder the reasoning behind it. Maybe he, like the last comment I had read said, felt some sense of self-righteous justice by killing someone who would hire a hitman in the first place. Maybe he was just a sadistic psychopath that had no motive besides just wanting to do it.\n\nMaybe I should stop trying to figure it out and call the cops because time was ticking.\n\nBut I couldn't. If I called the cops I would have to explain to them what I was doing on the dark Web to begin with.\n\nYou could always lie an internal voice said to me.\n\n\"I don't lie,\" I said back, talking to myself.\n\nYou don't lie, but you can hire a hitman to kill your wife?\n\n\"Okay, okay. But...I'm a nice guy...\"\n\nAnd you'll be a nice, dead* guy in, oh, fifty-four minutes. At least get out the house. You're a sitting duck in here.\n\n\"Yeah...yeah,\" I said again, looking at the screen one last time. \n\nAll those comments. All those people this hitman had killed. All those murders he had gotten away with.\n\nWhat made me think I would have any better chance?\n\nI shut down the computer, grabbed my keys and my coat on the way out.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" ]	[ 1, 12, 27 ]	[ "1511019795", "1511029477", "1511027832" ]
	[WP] As a child you vowed to help the world. As an adult you became the world's most notorious super villain. But now, your plans have come to fruition, its time to honor your childhood vow.	87	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "“When I grow older, I’m gonna help everyone!”\n\nI’ve must’ve replayed that memory a thousand times now.\nBeing a kid was great. The world seemed so new, wondrous, sweet. This is until,\nof course, you’re struck by lightning while venomous spiders pour down that\nescaped a secret lab while chocking down radioactive vodka. Now I hear voices.\nShut it, Larry. \n\nOn the bright side, I can make anything catch fire now and\nthreaten anyone with it to get my way! Pretty good trade off to me. Larry\nseriously shut up. \n\nI’ve been pondering a lot in my super-secret-\ntotally-not-underground-in-Tokyo-lair-of-doom. I’ve been getting this atrocious\nfeeling; the wanting to good for the world. Terrifying I know. Maybe it’s\nbecause I’ve already conquered half of the world, and that magic of evil just isn’t\nthere anymore. \n\nWell, at guess it wouldn’t hurt to satisfying the urge now.\nBut how? It needs to be something big, one that everyone can see. What could\nthat be?\n\nA brilliant thought struck me. \n\nI took the BatCar (totally didn’t steal it, just burrowed it\nwhen he wasn’t looking, big difference) and drove to the worse hive of scum and\nvillainy I could think of; Washington, D.C. I think I’ll start with the first homeless\nperson I see- oh, well, that was easy. \n\nIt was a real tight squeeze to park and get the car\ninvisible. On a totally unrelated note, to the person with the Honda where I’m\nparked, you no longer have a Honda. \n\nThe man seemed like your normal homeless dude; ragged,\ndirty, and high off whatever. \n\n“Greetings, new friend.” I pulled my hand toward him. \n\n“Who the hell are you?” he hissed at me. What a warm\nwelcome. \n\n“That doesn’t matter, just take this.” I handed him a small\npill, glowing pink.\n\n“Is this drugs?”\n\n“Sure.”\n\nHe scarfed it down, eyes instantly turning blue. His chest busted\nout, muscles appearing out of thin air. His ragged clothes turned into a white\nspandex with a symbol of snow, a bleached cape to match. He flew off in the\nair before I had a chance to talk. \n\nI smirked. I think I’ll call him Supersnow, the savior from\nmy fire. Not the most original name, but a fitting one for my new arch-nemesis.\nHe would help millions.\n\nWell, kid me, it’s something. ", "Twenty-five years old, yes, I couldn't believe it, I was nearly ten years ahead of schedule. I had done it so quietly and quickly the Americans didn't even see it was coming. After I stumbled upon the formula I started with Africa, it wasn't easy to take over, but I did it quietly enough, giving them the very things they needed to survive and began uniting each of the individual tribes under a single power. Me. By the time I had all of the African countries under my thumb I had already managed a name for myself. \n\nThey called me Nightfall. I was quick, silent, and by the time I was noticed it was already too late. I took out the major cities, bringing them all to their knees. It was wonderful, I could finally do it, I could finally make the real difference I wanted to do. As a child I always wanted to save the world... yes, I was in the news as 'the world's most notorious super villain' but the ends justified the means. \n\nNow that I had control, I could run things the way I thought they would need to be run. There would be peace, and the environment would finally flourish. First thing to go was capitalism, all greediness it brought and the pollution it produced. Child factories - gone. Coal mining - gone. Coal burning - finished. Our replacement energy was now nuclear. I'd moved the French in to build them, putting them in the safest areas to power everything. After that I would bring together some of the greatest minds and get rid of petrol cars, especially diesel. Of course we'd have to figure out how to do farming without diesel, that would take some doing. \n\nI started to draw up my plans, my underlings would cary them out. I called Steven into my office, he was one of my most trusted advisors, but something seemed different. \n\n\"I thought I knew you better than this,\" he said with tears in his eyes.\n\n\"What are you talking about Steven?\"\n\n\"I loved you,\" he cried and pulled a gun from out of his coat, \"Your mind, your bid for power...\" \n\nI blinked, looking down the barrel of his gun. I had known for a while that Steven had feelings for me, and it was part of the reason that I trusted him so deeply. Perhaps I even loved him back a little, but this... this was out of the blue. It took me a moment to find a response.\n\n\"What's the problem?\" I asked, trying to keep a cool head. I was glad to hear that my voice didn't betray my fear.\n\n\"We were going to bring the world to its knees!\" he yelled, \"Nightfall, that was my injection into the news... I helped make you and you go and do this of all things!\"\n\nI stood up, \"Steven, we did bring the world to it's knees. What is the problem?\"\n\n\"You lied! You're not evil! You're not evil! You're about to do good!\"\n\nI started to laugh, \"My god Steven, are you that dense...\" I walked around the desk. His hand was shaking as he held the gun up at me. \n\n\"Stay away from me!\" he snapped at me.\n\nI crossed the room, daring him to shoot. Sure it was suicide, but he wouldn't pull the trigger. There was no way. He was my pawn and he knew it.\n\nSteven backed himself up against the wall trying to stay away from me. I grabbed his wrist and made him lower the gun. He was still crying, shaking terribly. His breathing was rough.\n\n\"Drop the gun Steven,\" I purred. He couldn't disobey me even if he tried. The metal clattered against the tile floor of my office. \"Do you really doubt me?\" I asked him, pressing his arms against his sides. I had both wrists in my hands now, and he knew he was under my control. \n\nHe couldn't answer, he couldn't even look me in the eye. \n\n\"I trusted you Steven...\" I whispered in his ear. ", " I watched my mother cry as a man in uniform handed her a neatly-folded flag, as the casket was lowered into the ground, as my innocence was buried with what little remained of my father. I was too young to truly understand what was happening; I just knew that my superhero was gone. I didn't feel sad or hopeless; I didn't feel anything. After the last scoop of earth had been thrown, my mother crouched down and hugged me hard, I don't remember for how long. Through her tears and sobs, she managed to choke out something, probably in an attempt to make me feel better.\n \"Your father wanted only the best for you,\" she said. \"He wanted to make a world where you could be safe and happy.\"\n After a while, I hugged her back and said \"Don't worry mama. If daddy can't do it, then I will!\" \n____________________________\n I chuckled to myself as I poured a glass of scotch. After all these years, my childhood dream was finally coming true. \n I was hailed as an innovator, a modern Da Vinci. My inventions revolutionized the way work was done around the world, my businesses stimulated the economies of developing nations. Nothing I did was without scrutiny, of course, but a few \"donations\" here and there quieted any rumors that may have cropped up. Before I knew it, my reach stretched across the globe. \n Nobody questioned my motives when I started construction on the elevators. Trade around the world could start happening at an unprecedented rate, the stars were a stone's throw away, and humanity's future was looking bright. But under the bright veneer of my enterprise, the world was still the same. Men in porcelain towers still sent their juniors to fight in pointless squabbles over worthless resources. Faceless groups still squeezed as much out of the earth and its people as possible, just to make this quarter's profits look good. It had been decades, and still nothing had changed. \n Few people know about the real purpose of my orbital elevators, those who do are either unquestionably loyal or silenced. No living workers assembled them, so no information could leak on their design. Each instillation houses countless tungsten rods, ready to unleash devastating kinetic bombardments that would bring even the strongest nations to their knees. All the destructive power of a nuke, none of the messy byproducts. \n I sighed and stood up from my chair to walk in front of a series of cameras. With the push of a button, every screen on Earth switched to me, my words translated into every language automatically. \n \"This message goes out to every government in the world. My orbital elevators are capable of leveling any nation that does not obey my command. All standing armies are to be disbanded effective immediately, and all governments are to relinquish their sovereignty to me. If not, I will destroy your countries by kinetic bombardment and build a new world on top of the ashes. You have 24 hours to make your decision.\" \n North Korea was the first to answer, as expected. Their dear leader spoke of the fury that would be unleashed against me, how nothing of my globe-trotting empire would remain after the People's Army was finished. I watched with detached amusement from view over the Earth as the first rods began their descent towards every major population and military center in North Korea. \n Turning away from the world, I pull out an old picture from by breast pocket. I look down at my father, grinning as he's carrying me on his shoulders. \n \"Don't worry, daddy,\" I say as millions of voices are silenced behind me. \"You couldn't make the world a better place, but I have.\" \n___________\nQuick edits for formatting, this is my first prompt response. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.", "The laser beam inched closer and closer to Agent Ramirez, a faint whining coming from where it scored the stainless steel table. Adrian swished the wine in his glass and stared into his reflection.\n\n“Would you consider yourself a warrior of justice?” he asked his captive.\n\n“It would be a bit of a stretch.” she admitted with a disinterested expression on her face. That was something Adrian had always admired about Agent Ramirez. No matter how strange and life-threatening the situation was, she simply carried on.\n\n“More of an avenger then? Less superman, more batman?” Adrian turned away from Ramirez, knowing that she would take the opportunity to work some ingenious escape. He was curious how she managed it, but finding out would take some of the magic away. “You’ve never seemed that bloodthirsty though.”\n\nHe heard the soft clinking of manacles being opened, the deliberate ‘clack’ of a gun being cocked.\n\n“Care to put your theory to the test?” she spoke in the same semi-amused tone as always. Adrian smirked into his empty glass.\n\n“No, Agent Ramirez, I don’t think I will.” he said. \n\n“What’s your game Black Hat?” she asked, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. This was normally the part where he would make some fantastical escape while Ramirez foiled his nefarious plot. She must have sensed that something was different though. Clever as always.\n\n“Go Fish.” he spoke quietly. Ramirez threw herself into a roll, expecting a trap or countermeasure of some kind. When it didn’t come, her mouth drew into a tight line.\n\n“Go Fish?” she asked as though nothing happened (which, being fair, nothing had).\n\n“A child’s game. The way to win is to collect the most cards by plucking them from your opponent’s hands.” he waited.\n\nA less experienced enemy might’ve interjected, saying something like ‘I know what Go Fish is’ or ‘Get to the point’. But he knew Ramirez. Trusted her, in a twisted way. She waited for him to continue.\n\n“We’ve been doing this dance for a long time. It’s been fun.” The smirk melted off Adrian’s face. “But the game had to end sometime. I have a promise to keep.”\n\nRamirez, for the first time since he’d met her, looked puzzled.\n\n“You’ve already heard my monologues.” He flashed her a smile. “The world is corrupt, justice is a lie, and evil isn’t half as bad as ignorance. We’ve watched enough television to know that I won't sway you and you won't sway me.”\n\nAdrian started walking to the doomsday device. It was a tall, chrome machine that would supposedly trigger a 9.0 magnitude earthquake when the timer ran out. That was a bunch of nonsense of course; just something diverting to keep Ramirez off his trail. It didn’t really matter now so he entered the deactivation code with a handgun aimed at his head.\n\n“What’s really going on?” she demanded with a dangerous air. “Where’s the catch?”\n\n“The catch is already caught.” Adrian shrugged. “Turn on the news.”\n\nRamirez issued a voice command to her high-tech phone. Adrian wished he could get a hold of one; he’d always been impressed by the gadgetry.\n\n“… Reports say that several thousand billion dollars have gone missing over night. The global economy is an a state of shock, as financial institutions scramble for answers. Sources state that the funds were stolen primarily from high-risk trading firms, though law officials have reported that many illegal operations have seen infrastructure collapses. Drug cartels, terrorist organizations, and arms dealing operations are faltering across the globe.”\n\nRamirez looked at him in disbelief, then turned her eyes back to the earthquake machine.\n\n“It’s not a trick, though you wouldn’t really be able to take my word for it.” Adrian pointed at a laptop on a corner desk. It’s screen showed a litany of error messages. “That was the real weapon all along.”\n\nAgent Ramirez holstered her pistol (which collapsed into a flat pattern on her black slacks, because governments have all the coolest toys). She looked him in the eye. There was the steely resolution of a true nemesis. No amount of confusion could cloud her judgement.\n\n“Where did the money go Black Hat?”\n\n“When you win a game of Go Fish, you shuffle the deck and play again.” Adrian waved a hand indolently. “The money went to a million different places. Charities, research organizations, foundations, anywhere and everywhere. Not all at once either. I’ve got hundreds of shell companies with explicit instructions to make sure none of the windfalls can be traced.”\n\n“But why?” She asked. “What do you get from all of this?”\n\nAdrian pulled off his infamous Black Hat. It was a ratty, too-small baseball cap given to him by a childhood friend. It held a tragic story that could make even a hardened agent like Ramirez shed a tear, but he’d monologued enough for one day.\n\n“Satisfaction Ramirez. That’s what it’s all about. All the good acts, and all the bad acts, boil back down to satisfaction.” He set the hat back on his head. “Well then, I suppose we should get going. I’m sure there’s a promotion waiting for you at the end of things. And I wanted to do this one last time.”\n\nAdrian straightened his hat, triggering the self-destruct sequence for his lair. Ramirez swore while dragging him to a (conveniently nearby) Jeep.\n\nGods, he was going to miss this.\n\n---\n\nIf you liked this, feel free to check out my other r/WritingPrompts posts at my [blog](https://thenaticswest.wordpress.com/). " ]	[ 1, 3, 15, 15, 47 ]	[ "1511022907", "1511069900", "1511039052", "1511046513", "1511041373" ]
	[WP]The Heroes have come to defeat you. Meaning that you can finally fake your death and go into retirement. If only they weren't so weak...	78	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I was the weakest in my bloodline. My Great Grandfather broke away from humanity and made the Evolian Empire for all sorts of nasty, ill conceived, monsters, both in the literal sense, and from human sociality. Grandfather took heirship after him, leading to the major expansion of our great Empire. Died as he lived, fighting. Then there was my father, who maintained the lands we gained. Guided us to make our own technology, culture, and rules. He was the only one from our bloodline who died from old age. These great men all had one secret, less anyone knew about it. We all had great, unexplainable power, that gave us the ability to do these things. Great Grandfather has such a powerful charisma that even monsters followed him. Grandfather could swing a sword so fast, that even with its size, it would break sound. Father had the ability to break his mind up, and solve many equations at once, complex maths or social situations alike. I too have one of these \"great\" powers. Its rather simple in comparison, but I have the ability to view other worlds, not interact with them, or even hear them, just see them. \n\nWith this ability, even at a young age, I secretly observed peaceful worlds. Great bodies of water crashing onto small rocks, in a near blinding light that seemed to sizzle the grounds in a comfortable heat. A couple of seemingly human creatures sitting on a bench together, napping, surrounded by large pillars of rough brown spikes, jutting into shrubs. A humanoid thing, drinking something that was steaming, watching out a viewing hole, observing liquid falling out of the dull grey sky. I dearly wished to be within them.\n\nI also observed great conveniences that I could not explain. Metal tubes moving at frightening speeds, holding dozens upon dozens of humanoid men and woman. Containers that these things walked into, pulled a lever, and warm, steaming liquid, sprayed onto them, and they exited clean. Or less, Peaceful tools as well. Metal tubes that controlled explosions, with projectiles like nothing I have seen before. Once I was standing in a street, with simple housing around me, and small humanoids with black hair, all walking around me. Then a blinding light. Nothing, not even the sun of our world, would compare to that brightness. The houses obliterated, and no humanoid remained around. I was left in a crater, with a overpowering cloud towering me, growing with the fires of hell. I feared these, wishing I never see them again.\n\nI never told Father of these visions, or anyone for that matter. I was trained in fighting, maths, literature, making and destroying, even the arts. Seeing as I had no talent for any of these, Father never could have guessed my power. I was seen as weak, shy, and a disappointment. Father died on the fourteenth day of Chandling, the cold was bleeding through every beings body while we moved him to the tomb. And I was appointed leader on the same day.\n\nYears into this position I held no talent in, I lost the trust of my advisers, citizens, and army alike. We began to finally lose the war between humanity. I never have told anyone, but I was purposely making poor decisions. Move the entire force of this camp here, Guard this area of \"High Importance\", or ordering full retreats of battles we were winning. I wanted as little deaths as posable, for both sides. In the end, everyone with two stones within their head could see a clear, penetrating path, straight to our Capital. Finally my plan was beginning to turn its gears.\n\nOn the day of the Humanities army came, I escaped the fortress I was held in. Leaving a note behind explaining I will stop the Humans, and if I didn't return, I would most likely be dead. And I camped, right in the middle of the road the army just so happened to be marching on. Waiting for them.\n\nThey came of course, with the same figures I seen in our books and my visions alike. I knew who would be leading the armies, Heroes, and their supposed strengths. I was planning on putting up a fight, pulling a few traps out, and one big final blast, only hurting them, but \"killing\" me. It took months to devise a spell that would transfer me away, and explode at the same time. I was wearing the weakest, but most glamorous armour I could acquire. The Shells of the Deceiving Turtle, a suit I made myself. The Deceiving Turtle was more of a joke than anything. Its shell like butter, and its skin like metal. The Cloak of Perpetual Motion, which moved by its self, more of a prototype rather than anything. And the Spectacles of Everlasting Truth. Which showed me, not only my information, but the true information of enemies. I also held a Healing Mace, which was a oddity forged by a crazy blacksmith with a sense of goodness. I was ready to lose this fight, with a smile.\n\nThey walked over the gentle slope with close observations around them, and noticed my large, by comparison, figure. I sat on the ground, next to my long dead fire, half asleep when I finally sensed them staring at me. I slowly rose, did a quick stretch and walked up to them with my mace in hand.\n\n\"Who goes there! Explain yourself Demon!\", The Woman in front of the small leading group demanded.\n\"I am Echallest! The King of the Evolian Empire! Fear me or not, I stand before you!\" I declared with the closest voice of Father I could muster up.\nIt took a few breaths before they reacted. Most of the group formed into combat positions, and the Woman stood her ground.\n\"Surly you jest demon! No King would enter a fight alone!\"\n\"True, but I am no simple King! I hold the power of the entire Evolian Empire behind me!\"\n\"Even if your name is true, we will not fall for such lies!\"\n\"So be it! But I will not move! For you Humans are killing my citizens! And plan on destroying my Empire! I stand to fight, here and now!\" My voice boomed these words into the forest.\n\"A fight is what you desire?! SO BE IT! CHARGE THE ENEMY\"\nI smiled, this is what I wanted after all, I was ready to leave my country behind and live my own life. But it is never so simple.\n\nI counted thirteen arrows, all embedded with different magics, moving towards me. Only that they were slow, not even that, I could see them moving ever so slowly closer to me. I step out of the way, thinking that that was a distraction to the real attack, but it was not. The Woman drew her sword, as I moved forward, and then I saw it. Level 14. This was the level of their \"hero\"? In the Fortress I was used to observing even the smallest of beings being in the hundreds, and that was considered weak! Grandfather was one of the greatest existences in history, the first to reach Level 10,000. Our commanders were all over Level 5,000, and they were having difficulty with these puny human heroes?! I held the sad level of 127, Lowest within the Fortress, but nearly ten times the level of the Woman in front of me.\n\nDumbfounded, I look around to the rest of the group. Level 11. Level 19. Level 13. Their highest being Level 23. and lowest was a abysmal Level 8. I Laughed. The first time I honestly laughed in years, it came from my heart and soul, and not a polite laugh in any respect. But they still tried to hurt me. The Woman's sword Inching towards my armour, and reflecting off of it! She visibly recoiled from the hit, and lagged back a few snail paced steps. More arrows began to slide at me, and there was a Mage in the back, preparing a spell. I looked at the woman and swung my mace at her. While the hit healed her, it also flung her body into the tree one of the archers was in, with such force that the man fell out, concussing himself. She went limp, but was raggedly breathing. Only one arrow has hit my so far, and it only sunk into my armour to the tip. A small burst of fire sparked from it, not affecting me or my health. Looking around, I see the Mage has threw the spell at me, A ball of fire as big as my head. What could I suspect from a Level 13. I let it hit my face, like a warm breeze in a open field. Then the road went silent.\n\n\"W-w-what the h-h-h-hell are you?!?\" Asked the Male Vanguard standing next to me. \n\"I am Echallest,\" I thought only for a second before I spoke again \"Enchanted only for a short time, I hope to defeat you!\"", "My lair lay in ruins.\n\n\nFire licked up the walls of the medieval castle that I had made my home. The complex computer array was sparking, shorted out when the auto-turrets and robotic minions it controlled had been destroyed in bursts of electricity and fire. The single monitor remaining showed me the four heroes sprinting down the\n hallway to my inner sanctum, ready to smash through the door and destroy once and for all Professor Automaton, the world’s deadliest super villain!\n\n\nI sighed and looked down at the clock display on one of my mechanical arms. 20 minutes since the initial assault began. Jesus, they were really dragging this one out. I mean seriously, I’d set every single defensive system to self destruct the moment one of them landed a blow, but it had still taken them 14 minutes\n to “destroy” the last turret. My working theory was that it was because of the time it took to work out the perfect “witty” line before and after each attack. But maybe it was just because they all sucked.\n\n\nI groaned as I watched the squad of adventurers pause just outside the door, entering into a quick huddle to make a game plan and engage in a general circle-jerk about how great they all are. God, they were absolutely determined to make this as agonizing as possible for me. I could have read their lips on the monitor to understand what they were saying, but honestly, what was the point. They were whispering so loud that I could hear every other word through the door anyway. “Remember,” I heard the arrow guy declare, “our real power is friendship!” It was all just so unprofessional. Also, an archer? Coming up against me? Every part of me that I hadn’t replaced with metal after the accident was covered in titanium that could stop a tank shell, not to mention the force field that I threw in for redundancy.\n\n\nTo kill time while I waited I ran through my plan’s checklist one more time. Mechanical left leg loosened so that it would remain behind as proof of my “death” after the battle: check. Rigged explosion in the floor: set. Trapdoor to the tunnel that led into the mountains: fully concealed and ready. Bionic arms in their machine gun settings with special blanks loaded: good to go. My eyes lingered on the “climbing hook” setting on my arm displays. I smiled a little. Yeah, I had gone a little off the rails after the accident. But building the hooks had helped me get back into the old hobby. And it had calmed down enough to make me look forward to my ending my villainous reign.\n\n\nI noticed that the heroes were bunching up to make the attack. “Time to put on a show” I thought, as I twitched my cape, artfully burned, into place. They burst through the door in an unorganized mass. I mean come on, spread out a little, how hard is that? If I’d been firing real bullets I would have cut down all four of them in seconds. None of them were even slightly bulletproof! I studied them as they scrambled behind the large piles of rubble that I had conveniently arranged around the door. There was the leader, arrow guy, who fired arrows and absolutely horrible one liners. Behind him was lightning girl, who could conjure up an electrical storm with as much power as those static shocks you get when touch a doorknob after rubbing your feet on the carpet. Diving past her was stretchy guy, who could stretch his limbs slightly farther than his normal reach. And bringing up the rear was arrow guy’s understudy, sidekick, (and possible victim of childhood molestation), Boomerang Boy, the only person to ever choose a more useless weapon than arrow guy. They all had\n names but I really didn’t care to bother learning them, they were just too ridiculous. (Except for Boomerang Boy. That was his actual code name.)\n\n\nI cackled manically as I kept up the fake gunfire from my wrists. “You’ll never defeat me do-gooders!” Bad movie-villain lines, I’d never used them against any other heroes I’d gone up against, but you really had to spoon-feed it to these dipshits. “Don’t give up, Wonder Friends!” I heard the arrow guy shout, “Give it all you got!” With that he stood up and fired off an arrow towards my chest. “This is it” I thought. “I just need him to hit me to set off the explosion and I’m out of the business for good.” My anticipation turned to bewilderment as the arrow, fired\n from less than 10 feet away, sailed past me to sink into the wall with a thunk. Seriously?\n\n\n“I’ve got him!” the stretchy guy cried as he swung an elongated fist at my head. I watched incredulously as it whooshed by a solid foot from my face. “We can do this” lightning girl shrieked, throwing a ball of static electricity that landed somewhere off to my left. This was unbelievable. They had to touch me, literally just touch me, and I could pretend that my internal core had overheated and destroyed me. How, how could they be this horrible?\n\n\nFinally, Boomerang Boy stood up. “For my parents!” He screeched, and wound back his right arm, gripping his namesake weapon tightly. I paused a little at that. I’d had nothing to do with his parents’ demise. Actually, come to think of it, I was pretty sure they were still alive. He whipped his hand down, and the boomerang flew in my direction. Time seemed to slow. Even then, I hesitated to carry out my plan. My villainous reputation was gonna take a pretty big hit as was, with my downfall at the hands of this band of rejects and jokers. Being taken out by this kid was almost too much to bear. But my mind conjured up the smell of fresh mountain air, the feeling of triumph as I muscled myself over a tough patch of nearly bare rock. I let the slightest smile touch my lips as I felt the boomerang whack feebly into my chestplate, and triggered the explosion that took me to my well deserved retirement.\n\n\n" ]	[ 1, 8, 60 ]	[ "1511029591", "1511065574", "1511038632" ]
[deleted]	[WP]Deep below the ocean's surface sunken ships hit a buoyancy point and are carried by undersea currents. It's here that they wage their eternal war.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Those ships that sink into the briny deep\n\nWhere it is said the fishes sleep\n\nJust above the ocean floor\n\nThey do wage eternal war\n\n.......\n\nThe spirits of those sailors dead\n\nFight on long after their flesh has fled\n\nSpirits howl in the darkest black\n\nCanons, gunfire and cutlasses clash\n\n.......\n\nFor at the bottom where Krakens sleep\n\nWhere vicious nightmares your souls do reap\n\nThey fight for us whose time has not yet come\n\nProtecting the world from the Great Old One\n\n......\n\nNo night nor day nor rest they take\n\nFor their defence must never break\n\nIf they do this world will weep\n\nWhen Cthulhu rises from the briny deep\n\n.............................................................\n\nThanks for reading folks, if you want to read the story I am writing or my other responses, feel free to drop in to my sub for a look! https://www.reddit.com/r/YngvarWrites/\n\nC+C welcome!" ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511102715", "1511104518" ]
[removed]	[WP] While making love for the first time to your new partner, they suddenly stop you and say "Now, recite your baseline."	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nSexually explicit themes are not allowed. This includes prompts likely to generate such responses. \n\nYou have had multiple prompts removed for not following the rules. I would suggest you stop and read them carefully before you continue to take part in this community, as if you continue to break them it will result in a ban. \n\nThank you. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7e2aet/wp_while_making_love_for_the_first_time_to_your/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511115246", "1511115414" ]
[removed]	[WP] the cost of opportunity	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nPrompts are meant to inspire users to write their own work, not write something for you or give you ideas. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7e4zjs/wp_the_cost_of_opportunity/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511138990", "1511139112" ]
	[WP] You find a box at your doorstep with a doll in it. Next to it is a note that reads "This is your voodoo doll. You can't destroy him without hurting yourself. Take care of him."	58	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "As I wrote I realized I needed my protagonist to discover the true nature of the doll himself, rather than being told - please forgive this adaptation of your great prompt, OP. Warning: My post contains coarse language. \n\n*\n\n“Thanks,” I was saying to the bank teller, shakily, as I clutched the edge of the counter. Please, I thought. Please don’t ask me any more questions. \n\n“Didn’t I just see you here this morning?” she asked, her eyes quizzical.\n\n“Yes,” I croaked, trying to still my torso from the shivering convulsions which racked my body. “I, ah, um, forgot I needed something super important in the safe deposit box.”\n\n“Oh,” she said, looking me up and down, concern written all over her face. “You look a bit distraught about it, to be honest. Sure you’re all right?”\n\n“I’ll be fine,” I said, tucking my freezing hands under my arms. “I’ll feel better after I get what I came for.” \n\n“Sure,” she said, nodding to me. “Well, then.”\n\nShe handed off the teller station to her coworker, then disappeared into a back room where it seemed to take an eternity for her to reappear with the key. I followed her down a labyrinthine corridor. Was it my imagination, or did we turn left three times, then right three times? Wouldn't that mean the passageway just doubled back on itself? My senses must be playing tricks on me, I thought. I was literally going crazy; it wasn't a misplaced fear, but it was actually happening. Shit. \n\n“Here we are,” said the bank teller, swinging open the armored door. She handed me the key to my bank box. “I’ll be right outside,” she said.\n\nMy frozen fingers could barely hold the key as I fumbled at the lock, and my lungs felt as though they contained no air whatsoever. As I slid open the safe deposit box, I inhaled deeply, as if for the first time in hours. “Oh,” I gasped. And as I stared at the miniature version of myself, identically clothed in the black jeans, white shirt, and red Chuck Taylors I wore that day, I swear I saw an expression of relief pass over the doll’s inert eyes, brown like my own, and its freckled skin flushed pink.\n\n“Fuck,” I cursed, fumbling with the bank box. I nearly dropped it. Then I collapsed to my knees, as my back registered the sensation of slamming against hard metal. I winced, and tried to contain my audible expressions of pain. \n\n“Still all right in there?” Called out the teller.\n\n“I’m great,” I wheezed, as loudly as I could. “Be right out in a minute.”\n\n\n\n“Dave,” I was pleading into the phone, sitting on a bench outside the bank, the evil simulacra of myself nestled under my jacket. “Dave, buddy. Fuck, I need help.” \n\n“What’s wrong, Mikey?” Dave replied, sounding not at all concerned. “Still nursing that birthday hangover?”\n\n“No,” I said, curtly. “It’s that gift you gave me. I don’t know what kind of fucking deal with the devil you made with someone, but it’s freaking me out. I want you to take it back.”\n\n“Slow down,” laughed Dave. “I knew it would mess with your head, seeing mini-you in the flesh. But you are taking this waaaaay too seriously. You need to come off of whatever you’re taking. Isn’t it better than finding out your latest sidepiece is knocked up with the real thing?”\n\n“You don’t get it,” I said, wiping my sweating palm against my jeans, and then switching the phone to my other ear. “I tried to lock it in a safe at the bank.”\n\n“You…what?” laughed Dave. “Oh my God. Why’d you do that?”\n\n“This sounds crazy,” I muttered into the phone. “At first I thought I was just too drunk to know what was happening, and when I opened the box and picked it up, it felt like something was digging into my skin. Obviously that couldn't be happening, and I was just drunk out of my mind, and probably tripping on how freaky it was, the fucking doll version of myself, which you had to give to me at the fucking bar in front of all the guys. Some sick sense of humor you have. But this morning, I was looking at the thing, and it was so goddamned creepy, the fact that it looked so much like me, it made me sick. So I tossed it across the room, and I swear to you,” I said, lowering my voice to a whisper. “I swear, Dave, it felt like I’d broken my own back when it hit the ground.”\n\nDave was silent. “Mikey,” he said, slowly. “Mikey, bro. You need to get over here. I don’t know what the fuck is going on in your head, but this shit ain’t normal.”\n\n“Yeah,” I said, trembling. An older woman looked at me sympathetically as she passed by and I scowled at her, hoping she’d leave me alone. “You’re right. I’m literally going insane, aren’t I? Fuck. I’ll drive right over. And then you’ll probably have to take me to the psych ward.”\n\n“Sure you’re all right to drive?” inquired Dave. \n\n“I got here just fine,” I said, “and there’s no way I’m carting a doll around on the public bus.”\n\nDave snorted. “While that would be a hilarious sight to see,” he said, “I’m worried about you. See you soon.”\n\n** \n", "The solitary knock on the door roused me from the semi-conscious petting of the cat and the staring at the flickering images on the TV. It was a struggle to get up. The only knock to strike that particular door would be a mailman with a mistake or an electric company employee with a cut-off notice. So I hesitated while waiting for another knock with the comforting rumble of the purring cat against my lap. \n\nI let the cat fall from my lap with a disgruntled meow and the pitiful thought in my head that perhaps someone cared enough to put knuckles to my door. As I opened it and saw the emptiness outside, I felt no disappointment, but reassurance in my knowledge that nobody cared.\n\nI let go of the door to allow its own closure, but caught glimpse of the figure resting at the doorstep. I held the door. It was a doll. A small doll with oddly the same features of my own. Beside that doll read a note: This is your Voodoo doll. You can't destroy him without hurting yourself. Take care of him.\n\nMy initial reaction was to close the door and ignore the random intrusion. I had many solicitors knock on the door with solitary knocks or rapid peterings, and their messages were always the same hopeful exuberances of salvation and hope. Each of their messages remained on that doorstep before turning around and going to the neighbor. I supposed that a voodoo doll lacked the mechanation to propel itself to the next porch, so I stooped and picked the little figure from its rest.\n\nAs I held the little cloth doll in my hands, I looked into its eyes and saw the sadness which dwelled within my own. They were soul-less. More so than one would even expect from a doll. Like the blackened eyes of a shark except lacking any vitality or menace. Instead there was only consuming darkness and nothing. What a sad way to gain followers to a religion, leaving a depressing doll upon a doorstep.\n\nI made my way to the kitchen and prepared to send the doll upon its way to the waste. Once again, there was hesitation. Not a hesitation of dread that some magical curse might befall me, but a hope that perhaps the little doll fashioned in my likeness might offer the key to salvation.\n\nSome might have given it a dollar in hopes of gaining a hundred. Some might have enticed it with sweets to gain its favor. Some might have even given the little burlap sack an unlimited supply of pornography to launch their own vitality to greatness.\n\nI threw it in the oven and applied the gas.\n\nMaybe the little beast would suffocate and bring me blissful sleep. Maybe it would end the suffering of having nobody to knock upon my door. Maybe. Maybe it would walk with me to the afterlife as my own canvas companion waltzing down the yellowed brick of death.\n\nI felt myself growing tired and went to rest upon the couch. Flickering images flashed across the screen, and the doll lay stilled upon the grate. I closed my eyes and slept.", "“This is your voodoo doll.”\n \nI always thought voodoo dolls to be, well, creepier than this. I expected them to either be hanging from a hook or sitting on a rickety old desk in the lair of some witch/shaman, maybe with a few threads sticking out after being frayed over a lifetime of use. Maybe with some needles sticking into it somewhere. Not….not this.\n \nIt was mysterious, that’s for sure. I was right in the middle of vacuuming the living room carpet, and suddenly there were three quick raps on the front door, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps fading into the silence. My initial reaction was that of annoyance - really? Do kids still play knock-n-go or whatever they call it nowadays? I thought those times were past - now kids were more content with staring at their screens and playing their mobile games, something that even I was guilty of. \n \nStill, I went to the door. I was annoyed, but I was curious if I could still spot the pesky little fella perhaps hiding the nearby pillar. Then maybe I’ll wave and say hi, then tell him not to annoy me again. \n \nAnd I found this note, lying on top of a doll, which was placed right in the centre of a cardboard box. \n \nWhoever did this, sucked at presentation. \n \nFor goodness’ sake, who uses Comic Sans? That font exists just to prevent other people from designing similar fonts again. \n \nThe doll did look a little like me though. Sure, the eyes were just black dots, the mouth was just a horizontal line drawn across the face, and there wasn’t a nose - but looking at it reminded me of my own normally blank face in the mirror, totally devoid of any expression. I mean, studying in the day and working at night leaves you with little time for any emotions, so expressionless was pretty much my only expression. \n \nThe doll was clad in a totally grey outfit. A grey shirt, and a pair of grey pants. Kinda throwing it in my face at this point. Yeah, I get it, I was totally devoid of personality or soul. Yeah, I exist only to pay bills and taxes. Oh, and I happen to be wearing grey shirt and pants - and most of my wardrobe consists of grey outfits as well. Which wasn’t hard to do, considering that it comprises only six shirts and four pants. \n \nHey, same hairstyle too. But then again….my undercut hairstyle was very common anyways. It was so in style - is it still in style now? I don’t really know - I just did it because I honestly couldn’t care less about what my hair looks like. I just didn’t want to be bald. \n \nThe only thing remotely interesting was….the small little line at the back of the doll’s head, which resembled the scar at the back of my head. I got it when I fell down headfirst from the second floor years ago - couldn’t really remember why or how I fell down. The scar was an incision that the surgeon made, to stop the haemorrhage inside my skull, and that incision couldn’t grow any hair any more, so there’s that. Funny then, that the line on the doll’s head had almost the exact same curvature and proportion.\n \nThe cardboard box was just repulsive. Soggy in one corner, falling apart in the other corner, torn and tattered at the remaining ends. I could tell that it was once a box, carelessly cut in half by probably a blunt and rusty knife. I didn’t know what was the soggy part soaked in, and I didn’t want to find out. I wanted to wash my hands already.\n \nThis must be a prank. \n \nSomeone must have been watching me for ages, noting down every notable characteristic that I had, and putting it on this doll. I had no idea why they would watch me - I wasn’t really interesting in any way. I was devoid of emotion, fashionable outfits, and had a ubiquitous hairstyle. To be honest, I wanted to commend this person on the disproportionate amount of effort that he put in just to note down my traits, for this meaningless prank on this jaded person.\n \n“Yung, any rubbish?” My mum stepped out of the kitchen and yelled at me, holding a full but untied trash bag in one hand.\t\n \nWithout a second thought, I crunched the cardboard box and the note around the doll, and let it fly. She caught it deftly with the bag. \n \nAhhhh….shit. I touched the soggy part. Ewwwww.\n \nThere was some wet feeling round my legs too, although I didn’t remember any liquid landing on them. \n \nNever mind that. I needed to wash my hands now. I made my way to the kitchen sink, wringing my hands in disgust. Dammit….my fingers were coated with some sticky, transparent muck. The prankster must have fished that cardboard out of some squatter’s collection. \n \nOkay, at least the soap could get rid of it. It was satisfying, to watch it slip off my fingers. \n \nBut I’ve got some vacuuming to finish. I turned right round and almost bumped into my mum, who had just flung the bag down the rubbish chute. She gave an annoyed “hrrrmmph!!” followed by an indignant grumble “clumsy boy!”\n \nI’ve grown used to her jibes by now - Fuck!\n \nFUCK! FUCK! FUCK!\n \nI collapsed to the floor, clutching my shins. I had ignored the wet feeling - now it was joined by an inexplicable excruciating pain. It stemmed from my feet, cutting through the ankles deep into my shinbones. Feels like it’s broken.\n \nBut it’s not!! There’s nothing wrong on the outside - no red patches, no odd bumps, no blood. My muscles - and bone - seemed intact.\n \nJust pure agony, which was quickly enveloping both of my legs, quickly enveloping me.\n \nFuck.\n \nThe doll.\n \nIt went down the rubbish chute.\n \nDown ten fucking floors.\n\nI've....I've got to get it back.\n\nMore at r/N_attempts_to_write :-)\n" ]	[ 1, 3, 10, 16 ]	[ "1511158288", "1511200911", "1511160435", "1511162115" ]
---- Writers Spotlight -------- -------- It_s_pronounced_gif is this week's spotlight writer. You can ask them a question by tagging them with "/u/It_s_pronounced_gif" in your comment. Subreddit: r/ItsPronouncedGif * [[WP] The Founding Fathers locked a demon beneath the White House when it was built. The last time it escaped, the Civil War started. Now it’s escaped again…](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7b052v/wp_the_founding_fathers_locked_a_demon_beneath/dpel2pt/) * [[WP] Due to your nerdy great great great great grandfather in 2017 'buying a star' and some modern legal shenanigans you are now the proud owner of a small intergalactic empire](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/78gowo/wp_due_to_your_nerdy_great_great_great_great/dotvlsu/) * [[WP] You find a copy of The Sims 5 at a used video game store. You decide to buy it and try it out. Slowly, unscripted and non programmed events start to happen. You realize that you're actually controlling a real family.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/5g9jo2/wp_you_find_a_copy_of_the_sims_5_at_a_used_video/daqjvtv/) * [[WP] No human has to ever work again, instead you have a robot that goes to work and earns your pay for you, but you are responsible for keeping it in a good condition. One day you find your robot making a robot to do its work.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/5uefxe/wp_no_human_has_to_ever_work_again_instead_you/ddtgxan/) * [[EU] Jigsaw wants to play a game. Unfortunately, MacGyver is having none of it](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/6je6px/eu_jigsaw_wants_to_play_a_game_unfortunately/dje2sah/) * [[WP] Scientists finally made a computer that's almost as complicated as a human brain. But it doesn't do anything, instead just sitting, dead and silent. Until the day when you come in and it boots up, the first words coming through it's speakers, "Finally, a vacant body."](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/5jd250/wp_scientists_finally_made_a_computer_thats/dbf93yp/) * [[WP] You are a street cat, fierce and feared by other cats in the neighborhood. One day, a woman picks you up and takes you to her house.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/65j9vv/wp_you_are_a_street_cat_fierce_and_feared_by/dgasurp/) * [[WP] Demons are real and you work as an exorcist. Your secret, it is quite simple to get rid of them, just tell them "Leave" in Latin. You dress up the command in ritual in order to hide it and keep yourself in a job.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/625w0w/wp_demons_are_real_and_you_work_as_an_exorcist/dfk0912/) ---- How is a spotlight chosen? If you find a writer who hasn’t been in the limelight yet, has multiple decent entries (at least 6 or more) over the past few months, and you think deserves a spotlight, send us a modmail with your recommendation! We’ll add them to the list and with luck, they’ll make it up here. - Nate ---------------------------------- Past Spotlight Writers -------- -------- [/u/Becauseisaidsotoo]-[/u/angelbreed]-[/u/apatheticviews]-[/u/Kuroikami]-[/u/EphesosX]-[/u/VanceValence]-[/u/M81atz]-[/u/Conleh]-[/u/SteelPanMan]-[/u/IntoTheSlushPile]-[/u/jrdnjones]-[/u/theamazingmrmaybe]-[/u/eeepgrandpa]-[/u/SexyPeter]-[/u/Boenerhorse]-[/u/mialbowy]-[/u/dori_lukey]-[/u/droptoprocket]-[/u/JLSWriting]-[/u/cbeckw]-[/u/WybieLovat]-[/u/Serious_Squirrel]-[/u/Lycheeberri]-[/u/seasonalbard]-[/u/the_divine_broochs]-[/u/Vaconius]-[/u/scweston]-[/u/AJ_Kolibri]-[/u/LonghandWriter]-[/u/coffeelover96]-[/u/curewritewounds]-[/u/Portarossa]-[/u/hpcisco7965]-[/u/Meanwhile_Over_There]-[/u/driftea]- and many, many more. Check out the archives! [Spotlight Archive](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/showcase) - To highlight the lesser known writers. [Hall of Fame](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/hall_of_fame) - Our every month spotlight of a selected "Reddit-Famous" WP contributor. ---------- [Did you know we have a chatroom?](https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.snoonet.org/writingprompts) It's open 24/7! Plus, who doesn't enjoy a good ol' word sprint every now and then?	[WP] Spotlight: It_s_pronounced_gif	74	[ "We'll all ignore the boneheaded fact that I tagged this a [WP]. No stories, plz.", "Congrats!", "Congrats u/It_s_pronounced_gif this is more than deserved! I read any story i see by you, because i know it is qyality. Not only are your stories awesome, but you contribute to the community too. Idk if you remember but you gave me feedback on my contest entry about Memory, and I really appreciated the insight you offered. \n\nCongrats again! ", "Congrats, /u/It_s_pronounced_gif!\n\nI agree, it's pronounced gif ;)", "It is indeed pronounced gif, and we all know full well that gif, in turn, is pronounced jif.", "Congratulations /u/It_s_pronounced_gif! ", "Here, /u/It_s_pronounced_gif, have a towel for when you've finished answering /u/BookWyrm17's questions. It's clean, I swear....I just washed it five Spotlights ago.\n\nSo, how does it feel to be Spotlit? ", "This is certainly the least expected thing to happen to me all day. Your gesture brightened my day and grew a smile on ma face. \n\nLife's been crazy, moving to a new city, starting a new job, but this subreddit has always been a supportive and creative bastion for me. All of y'all are great and though the spotlight is on me, it's really just a reflection of the community that helped inspire stories I was able to write you.\n\nSo, thank you. :)", "Ah! Wooo!\nRushes in from the side, riding a pretty pink tractor. Wyrm skids to a stop, throwing up a rush of dirt. I'm here, one of the first ones this time! And it's you, I know you! Congratulations!\n\nHere, here, I've got paint in the trunk here somewhere. But of course, you have to answer questions first.\n\nLike, for one, have you been expecting this?\n\nAnd two, how long have you been writing for?\n\nFinally pulls a large bucket of sloshing paint from the trunk. Here it is!\n" ]	[ 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 12, 15 ]	[ "1511185333", "1511238381", "1511234916", "1511187353", "1511218316", "1511180558", "1511186775", "1511201203", "1511182434" ]
[removed]	[WP] Your dad won a lifetime supply of graham crackers and one day decides to start spreading random foods from the pantry on them and daring you to eat them, to your surprise he stumbles upon the greatest combination you have ever tried. Peanut butter and graham crackers.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nNo recent reposts, even if changing/inverting small details ([copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv)). Search 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\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7ebyho/wp_your_dad_won_a_lifetime_supply_of_graham/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511210337", "1511210996" ]
	[WP] Heaven is nothing like you expected, angels rule and God is in chains.	14	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I blinked my eyes open. The first thing I noticed was the pain, or rather the absence of it. I had lived with the pain for so long, and now it was suddenly gone and I was relieved. The next thing I noticed was the great gate before me, and that’s when I knew what had happened.\n\n“I died,” I said aloud.\n\n“Correct,” said a voice from behind me.\n\nI turned, moving quicker than I had in years. There stood a man, or what looked like a man, dressed in white robes and a pair of folded wings sprouting from his back. The angel wore a silver band on his head that had engraved lettering. I had never seen it before, but I instantly knew the lettering was Sumerian and that together they meant ‘Guide’.\n\n“Raymond Albert Fitzgerald?” the angel asked, looking at a piece of parchment in his hand.\nI nodded. \n\n“Good,” the angel said with a smile. He made a small annotation on the parchment and it disappeared. “I am to be your guide through the afterlife. Please, follow me.”\n\nI trailed behind the angel, slowly at first then quicker as I realized my muscles could keep up easily. We walked through the bright gates together, which swung open without a whisper. You know how Heaven is always depicted as being in and among the clouds? I had always thought that was an odd image, given that Heaven is supposed to be above all that. I was right of course, Heaven isn’t in the clouds. The reality was far more breathtaking. I was walking on pure light like from a thousand stars. Overhead I could see a multitude of stars shining brilliantly against a dark backdrop, and below me the light was so intense I could only look at it for a few moments.\n\n“You’ll get used to that,” the angel said from in front of me. “The light of the Heaven Star is blinding at first, but all who live here become accustomed to its brightness in due time.”\n\n“The Heaven Star?” I asked. I had gone to church almost every Sunday when I was young. In my advanced age, it had become more and more difficult to make it to mass, but I’d always ask some of the other folks how the sermon was. In all that time, I’d never heard of a Heaven Star.\n\n“Yes,” the angel replied. He stopped and gestured to the ground. “Heaven rests on something like a star, far above and beyond all things. It is why the light is so bright, but don’t worry, we aren’t actually on a real star. That always seems to disturb people at the beginning.”\n\nI nodded. “Oh.” Nothing else really seemed sufficient in response to that bit of information.\n\n“Anyway,” the angel said as he turned around. “Let’s keep going.” \n\n“A lot to see and all eternity to see it in, right?” I said with a smile. The angel turned around and returned the smile, though it seemed forced. Could an angel even force a smile? I shrugged inwardly. Maybe they just didn’t get those kinds of references.\n\nBecause the ground was so bright, I couldn’t see through the glare well enough to make out any details. There seemed to be buildings scattered around, all made of a silver-white material that reflected the light of the star. I saw some statues too, though I couldn’t make out any details. The most breathtaking of all sights though was the angels. Of course my guide was impressive too, but the sight of hundreds of angels flying through the air and walking through the light was awe-inspiring. \n\n“This place is beautiful,” I whispered. My guide didn’t reply. \n\nWe continued to walk and I kept straining my eyes through the glare. Thankfully, I knew that in Heaven I wouldn’t acquire a headache from all the squinting.\n\n“You’ll want to step through here,” the angel said, stopping suddenly.\n\nHe gestured to a door set in one of the buildings, one much larger than the rest. There wasn’t anything written on it, Sumerian or otherwise. “What’s in there?” I asked.\n\nThe angel shook his head. “That is not something I can tell you. It is something you must see for yourself, which will shape the rest of your afterlife.” \n\nWell that seemed a little foreboding. But maybe I would get to pick out what color robe I wore or something, add a little personal charm to my eternity.\n\nI grasped the handle and opened the door. Just like the gate, it made no sound as I stepped inside. The light in the building was still bright, but dimmed slightly so I could see where I was going. No one was inside, so I immediately began walking down the single hallway that seemed to lead through the entire building. I don’t know how long I walked on that single pathway. There was nothing around me other than the white walls and the white floor, but I was sure I’d been walking for much longer than the actual length of the building I’d seen. I was about to call out, see if someone would appear if I asked, when I noticed the end of the hallway. \n\nWell, it wasn’t actually an end. It was just a different beginning. The silvery white light faded away, replaced by lush shades of green. The blank walls began to take on the texture and color of living trees, and as I looked up I saw the sky with the sun and clouds as opposed to the white ceiling. The hallway suddenly ended and spread out into a great open garden. I stood with my mouth agape.\nWhereas the brilliance of Heaven had been beautiful, it seemed stark compared to the living things that were now before me. Trees taller than buildings and flowers in colors and shapes I had never seen before grew everywhere. A dirt path, worn clear by hundreds of thousands of feet, replaced the white hallway.\n\n_____\nContinued in comments", "\tThis is the moment I’ve been waiting for as long as I can remember. The promised land. This is what we have been told is what makes life worth it, what we have been working up to our entire lives. Every action dictated by whether or not it would interfere with us getting here to these pearly gates. When the rapture came I was ready. Unlike the non-believers, I have always known it was coming and I wanted it to happen. I have lived my life as if the rapture would happen at the drop of a hat and in the end it did. There was nothing special about the day the rapture cam. Nothing special happened just before it to signal it was coming. Things just existed and then they didn’t. Looking around, I see no one else here which means I was the only true believer. Not surprising considering the horrid atheists that dominant life these days. Not that it matters, I shouldn’t waste my time thinking about those people anymore because they don’t exist now. They got their comeuppance and it was that they didn’t get to heaven. The beautiful, ornate gates swing open and I am beckoned into heaven finally. \n\n\tMusic plays as I walk through the gates and I begin to cry at the beauty of the place. It is exactly as it is always portrayed, full of white fluffy clouds, everything white with tinges of gold. I feel the overwhelming urge to pray and rather than having to find somewhere private like I used to have to do, I know I am free to drop to my knees where I stand and pray aloud. “Dear God, thank you for this honour you have bestowed upon me. I am eternally grateful to be welcomed into your hallowed kingdom and I know I will be at eternal peace here.” I smile, pleased with how that prayer went, it definitely felt like one of my better ones. I take in a deep breath with my eyes closed, simply basking in the glory of where I am. As I begin to stand, I swear I can hear laughter but looking around I can’t see anyone. I continue to follow the path, beginning to wonder where everyone else is. I know that there was a lot of nonbelievers on earth but here in heaven, surely there is more than just me. I am hesitant to call out and break the serenity and tranquility of the place but as I continue on and still meet no one else I find that I can’t help myself. “Excuse me, is there anyone here?” I ask, but I am met by only silence. “Hello?” I ask again, louder this time but still there is no answer. I clamp down on the worry beginning to bubble in my chest, this is heaven and I have no worries or problems here. \n\n\tThere is that laughter again, distinctly to my left this time and I run towards the sound calling out as I go “hello? Please if someone is there can you tell me? I have only just arrived!” I begin to wonder is this some sort of lovely game of hide and seek the angels are playing that I have walked to the middle of and maybe they don’t know that I am new and genuinely lost. The thought brings me comfort and I slow to a walk, feeling less panicked now. I look around me as I walk, partially searching for someone, partially just taking in the surroundings of my new home. In the distance, I catch sight of people dancing in a circle together. They are all dressed in white and look so happy that I laugh out loud in joy. This is a wondrous place and I am so blessed to be part of it. I hurry in the direction of the dancing, eager to join in the festivities of the rapture. Everywhere has been cleansed and we are free of the nonbelievers, it is time to rejoice! Filled with such happiness, I skip towards the clearing. \n\n\tAs I get closer to the celebrations, I hear sweet music and that laughter that I heard earlier. It must have carried over to the entrance. A bad thought bubbles up when I think of how inconsiderate it was for no one to be there for me when I arrived but I squash it before it has time to take hold. I refuse to let anything spoil this experience. The clearing is much further than I expected it to be and when I finally arrive I am breathless. Clumsily, I burst into the clearing and the music stops abruptly. Everyone has stopped dancing and instead, are simply staring at me. Feeling less sure of myself now than when I came in, I am unsure of what to do. Swallowing hard, I smile and wave, hoping someone will say something but instead they all simply continue to stare at me. The smile begins to falter on my face as I continue to stand there, unsure of myself. Initially I thought these people were angels but from looking at their appearance more closely, I think they are more akin to others like me who are here now since the rapture came. They have no halos and their white garbs resemble those I find myself in. “Are you also saved from the rapture? Is that why you were dancing?” I ask happily, hoping maybe I can put them at ease too. They’re probably just nervousness at the appearance of someone new. Instead of an answer, they look at each and start to laugh. At this point my smile is completely gone but thankfully a voice calls out from behind me. “The rapture? What is this crazy woman spouting can anyone tell me?” my supposed saviour says. I turn, confused, and drop to my knees in terror as I see who is standing there. It is Lucifer himself standing before me. “Hello, love,” he says, “welcome to heaven!” He begins to cackle. \n\n\tCrossing myself frantically, I begin to pray for my soul, wondering what fresh hell I have gotten into. I begin to cry as I realise that I haven’t been saved from the rapture but must have instead been left to burn like everyone else. I wrack my brain, trying to think of where my mistake was in life, trying to think of what I must have done wrong to deserve this punishment. My tears begin to turn into sobs and before I know what’s happening, I’m wailing into the soil with my head on the ground. I feel a slight kick to my head and hear “hey, you alright there love? You were spouting some crazy shit about the rapture?’ I realise that it now looks like I am worshipping Satan himself, bowed at his feet and I quickly get up to get away from him, disgusted. “How dare you trick me like this and tell me this is heaven when your domain is hell and you would never be allowed here?” I spit the words about him. He just throws his head back and laughs. “Oh that is where you’re wrong. Us angels got sick of Mr High and Mighty himself making this whole gig a dictatorship. I was alright down below, he couldn’t interfere with me, but these guys up here were constantly dealing with his mood swings and pent up rage. The Old Testament vindictive god is truer to the real god than this love thy neighbour shit you started spouting on earth. Not that it matters anymore because heaven is now under new management.”\n\n\t", "It was awfully clear on hindsight. \n\nThe wickedly handsome man who frequented my favourite cafe - always alone like I was - was the same police officer who had shot that crazy old man six years ago. \n\nThe same man was my mayor, my boss for a brief period, my lover for an intoxicated night and maybe more.\n\nI met this man in heaven, his traces were everywhere and irresistible. \n\nWhen first I opened my eyes, I saw only the gentle warm light. It was a light that I had fallen asleep under, and I only awoke when I was meant to. \n\n\"Welcome to Heaven,\" a fairy tinged with the green of vines and life greeted with a smile as she danced on slivers of nothing. \n\nShe giggled to my first words (\"I'm dead?\") and told me they were typical. My senses lit up when her fingers touched my wrist as she led me through the vast gates. But even as I let her lead me on, I could not help but wonder why such wide gates were needed in heaven. \n\n\"For our holy army to march through, of course,\" she replied my unasked question, laughed like it was funny. \n\nIt was then that I recalled the man who had been silently lurking in parts of my life, he once laughed like she had. \n\nThe clarity of the skies gave us a grand view of the myriad of stars and interstellar civilisations. At first glance, I caught a budding intelligence, all sparkly and foolish, and three long-dead ones, all grey and dry. \n\n\"Of course, heaven is closer to the stars. But before we get there, there are domestic matters to be attended to.\"\n\nBefore we get there? What for?\n\nShe was silent while my questions burned. \n\nShe danced her way through an elaborate tour of the beautiful architecture, the blissfully dead and the dancing angels. But all I could focus on were traces of the man: a smirk, tapping his shoes against the grand marble, brushing hair behind her ears, an almost erotic intake of breath that ended in an indulgent sigh. \n\nI remembered his name.\n\nThe fairy took me to \"domestic affairs\", the final stop in our tour and \"the reason why we continue to valiantly fight\".\n\nHe might have shielded the entire sky from sight, a being of either pure light or rippling muscle, magnificent even in chains made up of human-sized links. \n\nA profound depth of sorrow marred this magnificence and his jaw was tense with gritted teeth, like he was enduring pain. \n\nHis eyes bore into me like he saw everything, the plea that plagued him felt absurdly wrong. \n\nI recalled the name of the man in my cafe. The barista had called him Stan. \n\nI met him in Heaven, but not as a person. He was the Shadow of all things here and on Earth. \n\n---\n\nCheck out other prompt-inspired stories on my site, [Fivens](https://fivenswrite.wordpress.com)! All feedback welcome!\n\n" ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 7 ]	[ "1511219935", "1511243841", "1511279324", "1511225184" ]
	[WP] After shaking a snowglobe for your child, she asks you, what's that sound? You listen closely, it's really faint shouting. You look closer, there's tiny people inside.	10	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", " Confusion and shock take me, I dont know whether to hide this or go live on FB. My daughter's 8, she can definitely read my facial expressions.\n\n\"What is it!\" She says with a spark of curiosity in her eyes.\nI see it, she cant hide anything from me so I quickly go \"hmmm\" carefully tilting the globe pretending to find a fault... \"It's the music box\". \n\n I had to think of someothing quick. Without a moment to haste I continue to walk out the room hiding the haste. Turn off the lights and and hope she doesn't wake up until the next morning. I was always quick witted and would take things apart whether i knew how to put it together or not. My daughter's that, plus shes adorable. So that little devil MUST NEVER figure this out. It's times like these I wish I never taught her so much but I'm boasting. I knew I never needed anyone but myself to raise her and shes proof of that everyday.\n\nI go to the basement, the room past all the old cobwebs will be enough protection. Time to get to work. I grab my old headphones, those white apple ones and plug them into my computer. Luckily the globe had a music compartment on the side, I shove the microphone piece in there and open up garage band. Turn up the input, output and listen closer, I manage to get a better sound. But the only thing that keeps repeating in my head the entire time is \"what the f**k ??¿?!!!\"\n\n\n\n\n-[Idk y theres different fonts. But popcorn someone else to finish it]" ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1511286457", "1511288834" ]
	[WP] Your a genie trying to figure out how to 'misinterpret' a dumb wish to prevent yourself and everyone on this planet from getting killed.	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"I wish that everyone on Earth would just die!\" \n\nOkay, think. Think. This guy definitely has problems. I don't want to die. I don't want to kill everyone on Earth. How do I do it? Dye? Can I get away with making everyone on Earth dye some clothing? No. That's not a reasonable interpretation of how he phrased it. Can I claim to make everyone on Earth diet? No, he pronounced it pretty clearly. Damn. This could be bad. Do I give them the 'little death' and just cause an orgasm for everyone? He still has another wish though, and he'd just make it again but with stricter rules so I can't get out of it. Likewise, he doesn't know French, so I can't argue that he was going for the pun there. This is looking bad. Really bad. \n\nOh. I got it. \n\n\"Master, do they all have to die in the same manner?\"\n\n\"No, you can get creative. HEHEHEHEHEHEHE!\"\n\nPhew. Okay. First, I'm in the clear here. Next, this guy is fucked up and I am now totally okay with my next action. \n\nEveryone's heart stops briefly, just for a moment, and then it restarts. Except for one man. My master is dead. \n\nI stare at his corpse, still holding the bottle. He never specified that they had to remain dead, or gave a solid definition of dead. I think that having your heart stop momentarily is enough. I certainly caused some major harm to folks, and a few people probably did die as a result of the wish... but... hopefully the next guy to find my bottle isn't a psychopath. \n\nI really wish I could get a decent human being next time." ]	[ 1, 9 ]	[ "1511286493", "1511287992" ]
	[WP] With your last breath, you try to save a life.	2	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Immersed in the cacophony of battle, an old man runs. His tunic, white and blue and tattered along the hems, sways against his dirty cloth trousers as his staggering tired gait slowly takes him away from the action. Men, young and old, clatter into one another. Their throats erupt with guttural screams, primal battle cries, as they're baptised in the blood of their brethren. \n\nHe never was a fighter. \n\nLooking back, it was fate that he'd been gifted with magic. The blood made him ill. The swords were heavy and his eyes always closed when Warrad, his older brother, swung in his direction. His father's relief upon discovering his magical abilities was almost palpable. \n\n\"Incoming!\" A series of voices, neither speaking entirely together nor one at a time, warned. \n\nThe rock plummeted in direction of the old man. He stumbled, narrowly avoiding, and ultimately being knocked back by, the impact. In his chest, his old heart raced and reminded him of his early training, the way it felt to use his magic. \n\nThese days, magic was a dying art. Men like him, those who'd survived for centuries, kept their talents hidden for fear of being discovered and exploited. \n\n\"Foolish old man,\" a boy remarked, too young to be on the field of battle but stained red nonetheless. \"You'll die out here.\" His eyes were dark, his gaze determined. The old man smiled and laughed and kept on his way, steadily retreating. \n\n\"You've lived this long. It was stupid for you to leave home,\" the boy added with a shout just loud enough to be audible. He stood, head turned toward the man, with a posture so trained and rigid that the old man couldn't help but stare. \"You have purpose yet,\" the boy said, a wry smile tugging lopsided into his chapped lips. \n\nThe battle raged on. It took the man two weeks to navigate through the treacherous conditions that the long mountain range imposed and, much to his dismay, he was captured as soon as he met the safety of the basin. He was shakled and discarded to the back of a wagon. Several other prisoners were sat on the floor, nearly filling the small space, their eyes reflected the little remaining sunlight back at him as he took his place on the wooden ground. Through the cracks in the wagon walls, he watched, silent and sullen, as the misty purple and blue sky grew dark. The old man resigned to an uncomfortable sleep. \n\nCrash! \n\nThe sound of impact and the abrupt halt of the wagon awoke the man. It was dark. The glossy eyes of several recently awakened prisoners twinkled like stars in his direction. Before he could gather his bearings, the wagon shook violently, spilling the passengers toward the wall as they tumbled, uncontrolled, shouting in fear. \n\n\"Foolish old man,\" the boy said, his breath laboured. \n\nThe two made eye contact, illuminated only by the moonlight streaming through a large hole in the wagon, it shone brightly, offering the old man a glimpse of the black puddle of blood pooling beneath his head. \n\nHe couldn't move. Also limply on the ground, the boy sputtered a laugh. From his hands, a blue light glowed brilliantly, attracting the attention of the raiders. \n\n\"Foolish old man,\" he repeated, weakly, using the energy to quickly cut down the four men responsible for their suffering. \n\nWith his last breath, the man cast his healing spell. \"Rursa Vitalis,\" he gasped. The pool of blood grew steadily and began to soak the boy's hair. \n\nSmiling, the boy rose to his feet and laughed, \"Foolish old man.\"\n" ]	[ 1, 3 ]	[ "1511289593", "1511291651" ]
[removed]	[WP] Congress repeals net neutrality. What happens next?	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nNo recent reposts, even if changing/inverting small details ([copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv)). Search 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\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7eodx2/wp_congress_repeals_net_neutrality_what_happens/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511327114", "1511327363" ]
Can be funny or serious. No limits. May your pens and keyboards be prolific.	[WP] You were never very good at English. Of course, you find a genie who only grants perfectly grammatically correct wishes.	6	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "A long time ago (2016), in a small village far, far away from any trace of civilisation (Saint-Étienne de Chigny) a young man was looking through the decrepit house of his grandmother. \n\nIn the attic of my grandmother i saw some kind of lamp, like in Aladdin. Well at least it's not another boxe full of nothing, it could make a nice decoration? Maybe? Well I wasn't sure, but at least something was correct in this mess. \n\nProblem is, when I touched the damn thing some kind of big blue guy showed up. \n\"MY NAME IS GRAMMAR AND I AM A GENIE\"\n\nI thought that my ears were exploding, what the fuck was that thing? Why did it have to yell so hard? \n\n\"Merde, mais tu vas la fermer, oui? J'ai cru que mes tympans allait exploser!!\"\n\nGrammar, what kind of name was that? Looked at me dumfounded.\n\n\"SPEAK IN A WAY I CAN UNDERSTAND MORTAL, FOR I QUITE LIKE ENGLISH, AND YOUR LANGUAGE IS UNKNOWN TO ME\".\n\nI was sure i was going to be deaf before he would shut up, thankfully i'm not that bad in english.\n\n\"Ok, ok ,ok. When you say génie you mean like, you grant wishes?\"\n\n\"YES, THREE TO BE EXACT\"\n\n\"Please stop yelling i'm just next to you\"\n\n^^\" ^^FIRST ^^WISH ^^GRANTED\"\n\nAnd just like that he came closer to me and yelled less loudly. \n\n\"What do you mean first wish granted? I didn't asked for anything !\"\n\n^^\" ^^YOU ^^ASKED ^^ME ^^TO ^^STOP ^^YELLING. ^^I ^^EXECUTED\"\n\nAnd here i was, with a stupid english génie who decided to be a shithead about it too. \n\n\"Well, i want 100 000 000 euros please?\"\n\n^^\" ^^SECOND ^^WISH ^^GRANTED\" \n\nNothing happenned.\n\n\"Where is the money?\" \n\n^^\" ^^ON ^^MARS, ^^THIRD ^^WISH ^^GRANTED\"\n\nAnd in a poof he disappeared. \n\n\"Je le savais que les rosbeefs s'étaient juste des enfoirés\"\n(traduction: I knew that the nice british people were not so very nice)\n\nedit: formating " ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511347059", "1511347083" ]
[removed]	[WP] Write a story where if you read the sentences in reverse order it is a completely different story.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nThis post is tagged incorrectly. Please read [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/how_to_tag_prompts) for more information on how to tag posts. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7etofk/wp_write_a_story_where_if_you_read_the_sentences/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511379955", "1511380795" ]
[removed]	[WP] The opposite of the Pinocchio effect. As a man, every time you [sin] against [God] or your fellow man, your dick shrinks. Girls same thing except TnA. A utopia has almost been achieved until one day a man was born with a 20 incher and needs to shrink it to normal, his name... Adolf.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", " Hi there, this post has been removed.\nSexually explicit themes are not allowed. This includes prompts likely to generate such responses.\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the sidebar before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a modmail.\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511383466", "1511385880" ]
	[WP] A vampire comes to terms with the fact that his human girlfriend has been bitten by a mindless werewolf.	5	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "(I changed the genders up, but here is my attempt. Also, I am typing this on my phone, so I'm sorry for any typos.)\n\nThe smell was the first sign. Patrick had come home from work and the whole house quickly smelled like... something distinctly not Patrick. Val sat up in bed, the sun having just set half an hour ago. \n\n\"Pat? What the hell?\" She headed into the entry hall, the odd scent becoming more and more clear. \"Did you bring home another dog, Patrick? We discussed this, no more-\" She froze. Patrick was leaned against the wall, gripping his arm tightly, as blood seeped through his fingers. He passed her a weak smile.\n\n\"I thought it was a stray... When I got got closer I realized it was way too big to be a dog.\" He explained, his voice barely louder than a whisper. Val broke out of her frozen stupor. \n\n\"For fucks sake, Patrick.\" She rushed to the bathroom, knowing they had a first aid kit somewhere. \"How did you not realize it was a werewolf? It's not like you've never met one!\" She finally found it, tucking under towels in the cabinet. She moved quickly back to Patrick's side, pulling out gauze and tape. Patrick peeled his shirt off to reveal the entirety of the wound. A large bite covered his bicep. Val wrinkled her nose as she worked.\n\n\"You smell terrible. God, why have you done this to me?\" She looked away for a moment, not disgusted or upset, just agitated. \"Do you know what this means? You'll turn into one of those mongrels and I'll have to start walking you around town. It'll look like I have a demon hound.\" She wrapped the medical tape around his arm tighter than necessary causing him to wince.\n\n\"Come on, Val, don't be mad. I already feel better. At least this will heal quickly as I turn.\" Val glanced up at Patrick's face. He did look better and his voice was stronger. The sheen of sweat on his face was still there, but it wasn't exactly going to just vanish. \n\nShe finished with his arm and leaned forward, giving him a kiss on the forehead. \"You stupid human. At least now we can live an eternity together.\" " ]	[ 1, 5 ]	[ "1511408879", "1511412369" ]
	[WP] The year 2053, we use a standardized tests to determine your occupation, wage, spouse, living conditions, etc. However, you found a way to cheat on it, despite excessive security measures.	25	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "The air is still and thick in that room. Thick with hopes and fears and apprehension. Thirty youths, each freshly turned 18, sit in identical chairs at identical desks, scribbling with identical pencils upon identical tests. Each fill in little bubbles on a thick sheet of cardstock, frantically gazing back and forth from their thick testing booklet.\n\nTwo elderly men watch over them, ensuring no disruption of this vital test. It's in their interest as much as that of the youths in the room for a bright future.\n\nThis is literally the most important day in their lives.\n\nA test to determine everything about them. What their job would be. Where they would live. Even who they would marry. Each detail of their future would lend itself from this exam.\n\n\"TIME!\" Called out the old men in practiced uniformity.\n\n------------------------------\n\nSarah sat on ledge outside the testing center, not daring to pick up the tablet on her lap. She's shivering even though the sun shines down on a warm spring afternoon. She can help but hold back sobs even though she hasn't looked at the results yet, instantly available upon completion of the exam.\n\n\"Sarah?\" Comes a mousy voice from behind her. \"Are you okay?\" \n\nSarah turned and glanced at the young woman joining her. \"Hey Janie.\" Sarah didn't say anything else. In early school and Life Training, she had never been friendly to the mousy girl, though the mousy girl tried to be friends with everyone she met.\n\n\"Are you okay?\" Janie repeated, joining Sarah on the ledge.\n\n\"I'm scared, Janie.\" Sarah shivered, holding back a sob. \"I can't even look at them.\"\n\nJanie put her arm around Sarah's shoulder. \"It'll be okay, Sarah. Don't you think you did well? You're so smart!\"\n\nSarah shook her head and began to sob openly. Janie pulled her close, despite the other girl being a foot taller than her. Janie had already seen her own results.\n\n14/20 wage tier. Not rich but she would never lack for anything. She was destined to be a biochemist and the government had already aligned her with a university class schedule. She had even seen the man she was to marry, but they weren't scheduled to meet until they were both twenty-two.\n\n\"Hey, Sarah, are you alright?\"\n\nBoth glanced up at the new voice. Nicolas. A student who cared for little more than living the way he pleased, running around in the woods with a bow and knife, never caring for his future.\n\n\"Did you get bad results or something?\" He asked, rolling a piece of grass around with his fingers.\n\n\"I haven't seen them yet.\" She sobbed and Janie glanced up at Nicolas with a give me a hand here look.\n\n\"How about we look together, Sarah. Does that sound okay?\" Nicolas suggested.\n\nSarah nodded and Nicolas took her tablet. He activated the translucent glass sheet and took Sarah's hand to scan it. The results opened as soon as the tablet screen lit up.\n\nSarah began to cry even harder as she saw her life unfold before her. 7/20 wage tier. Living in the Outlands as a recycle girl for her entire life. Her life's mate was someone ten years her senior in a similar position, already with a record for habitual criminality.\n\n\"I don't want this.\" Sarah screamed, drawing the attention of several onlookers and crying even harder.\n\n\"So don't take it.\" Nicolas said, kicking at a bug with non-regulation boots. Probably foreign-made.\n\n\"Nicolas!\" Janie chided. \"No wonder you're so non-chalant. You probably are going to be a Voiceless with how little you care!\"\n\n\"Yup.\" Nicolas said, and sat down beside Sarah. \n\n\"What did you get, anyways?\" Janie asked and Nicolas shrugged. \"20/20.\"\n\nSarah gasped, as did Janie. Everyone within hearing stopped dead in their conversation and turned to face him.\n\n\"H-how?\" Janie asked the question that everyone was thinking.\n\n\"I don't know.\" Nicolas shrugged. \"I just put C as the answer for everything. It was a tip I saw on the internet from like fifty years ago.\"\n\n" ]	[ 1, 22 ]	[ "1511480889", "1511482240" ]
	[WP] Cuba invades Florida. The United States celebrates.	43	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "The party was beautiful. The president had invited all the state governors to the White House to celebrate the news. Everyone was laughing, and drinking. Mostly drinking. \n\nThe governor of Florida walked to the head of the table in a huff. \"How can you just sit here? My constituents, citizens of the United States, are in danger, and you throw a party? Send in the Army, the Navy! Call the goddamned National Guard! Do something!\"\n\nThe Commander in Chief laughed.\n\n\"They don't stand a chance against Florida Man.\"" ]	[ 1, 42 ]	[ "1511490357", "1511498661" ]
[removed]	[WP] You die	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nPrompts go in the title. You can add more in the text, but avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). You wrote a prompt in the text, but then gave a title for it. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7f4zal/wp_you_die/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.", "The eyes waken with an unusually powerful jolt of energy, something unusual particularly for a person who is used to long restless nights and grueling laboring mornings. It was almost as if they could just lift into the sky without a second thought or any real force holding them back. He jumped about another word besides sky, dancing among the starts feeling the gentle warmth of the sun balancing perfectly with the cool grasp of endless space creating a perfect symbiosis. All around him were others freed from the seemingly immortal chains of mortal earth and all her hardships and challenges. It almost seemed too good to be true and after a series of excited blinks, he could confirm it. If this was heaven he was prepared to never leave as he continued exploring the endless untouched cosmos." ]	[ 1, 1, 1 ]	[ "1511497682", "1511498213", "1511498577" ]
	[Wp] You were given plot armor for your 18th birthday, one problem, you love getting in increasingly unbelievable situations to escape from.	4	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I got a... rather odd present for my 18th birthday. It's not tangible but they somehow managed to make it so, and then it enveloped me. That's not right, I possessed it, it was mine, but I had no way to touch it.\n\nIt was plot armor.\n\nNow the thing most people seem to forget about plot armor is that it doesn't just protect you from about every situation under the sun, no, it also attracts danger. Luckily plot armor also extends to those you care about, I suppose it's not only meant to protect your life, but your mind as well.\n\nGood thing, because I get dragged into all sorts of shit, and most of the time I only survive by the skin of my teeth. Plot armor might not make it seem like I'll survive, but it'll ensure it.\n\nBut uh, my latest predicament is quite the doozy. \n\nI may or may not have engaged someone in a life or death duel. Look, they're an asshole, okay? Plus I may as well test out my plot armor. It's swords at high noon, I don't know, he's a fucking weirdo as well, alright?\n\n\"Are you ready to duel, loser?\" There he is, screaming out his oh so clever lines.\n\n\"Yeah, whatever.\" I raise my rapier.\n\nHe raises his longsword. \n\nI charge in and dodge to the left as he cleaves downward in a way that might have cut me in half. He attempts to follow up with an upward slash, but I nimbly dodge, almost too nimbly, and plunge my blade straight through his knee.\n\nHe screams in agony as I barely bend back in time for his blade to narrowly miss my head, I kinda need it. The bend back turns into a backflip, I didn't know plot armor gave me super awesome flipping powers.\n\nHe tells and tries to get up, but his knee prevents him from doing anything other than kneel. \n\n\"Surrender!\" I yell, \"I'll let you go with just a lost knee.\"\n\n\"Never you bastard! I'll cut your head off!\"\n\nGod, really? With this macho aggressive bullshit? Whatever, time to finish him off.\n\nI charge in and deflect his last desperate attack and plunge my rapier straight through his heart. His eyes glaze over after a moment, but not before his blade enters my chest. Godamn it...\n\n---\n\nI awake in a white hospital room. Plot armor didn't stop me from getting stabbed but it did stop me from dying. Better than nothing I suppose. I'm gonna have a lot of fun with this.\n" ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511505902", "1511539012" ]
[removed]	[WP] Harry Potter is the new Bible for the next generations. What will be the religious norms?	0	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nResponses must be at least 30 words. Prompts that are likely to generate such responses are also not allowed. This is essentially a fill-in-the-blank, or you asked a question likely to generate a simple answer. Prompts should encourage a story or poem. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7f78x0/wp_harry_potter_is_the_new_bible_for_the_next/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511527392", "1511527566" ]
	[WP] During a tour of the Egyptian desert a Pyramid starts shaking violently and then stops, then shakes, and stops again.	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "A thousand years ago, the Great Pyramid of Giza had gained sentience, along with all the other buildings, sculptures, and statues in the world, as well as the ability to be ambulatory. At the exact same time, all the humans and all other animals, for that matter, had simply disappeared.\n\nNo one in the new world was sure exactly how it had happened, or what had happened to the animals, including the humans, who had dominated the planet. The best theory had been formulated by a statue of Merlin who had formerly been immobile and lifeless in Sedona, Arizona. Merlin’s statue had theorized that some powerful magic user had accidentally transferred the life-force of all humans to the buildings, sculptures, and statues they built.\n\nGiza didn’t care how it happened. He was a very practical pyramid, despite the religious purposes he had been built for. He had suspected that he was in for an eternity of loneliness, but much to his pleasant surprise, he received visitors from all over the world on a regular basis. Today, he was entertaining a stone from Stonehenge, the Gateway Arch, a statue of the Buddha from Bhutan, and his best friend Flamingo, who was a sculpture made by Alexander Calder.\n\n“I hope you’re all enjoying your stay here!” Giza said cheerfully. “We have some of the most beautiful sand dunes on the planet. This area is called the Great Sand Sea, a 72,000 kilometer^2 desert covering –”\n\n“Never mind about that!” Gateway interrupted. “We didn’t come here to look at sand! Tell us about the ancient Egyptians! What were they like?”\n\nIf Giza had a face, it would be looking down at the sand. As it were, he merely cleared a nonexistent throat. “In point of fact, I have no memory of them. But from my readings, I understand that they held the sand dunes with a healthy respect and fear.”\n\nThe Buddha rolled his eyes. “There is no reason to fear the desert. There is no reason to fear anything. Only by achieving a state of perfect oneness can we –”\n\n“In fact, my friends,” Giza went on as if the Buddha had never spoken, “let me show you a sight that no one in our community has ever seen. Mr. Flamingo? Drumroll, please.”\n\nFlamingo dutifully produced a drumroll, although no one was entirely sure how he did it. Giza turned on his side so that his top point was pointing to a figure out in the desert. “Ta-da!” \n\n“I don’t see anything,” Stone said suspiciously. \n\n“I SAID TA-DA!” Giza shouted, and they could all see a camel out in the distance. “My friends, I present to you, a real live animal!”\n\n“Inconceivable!” Gateway said. \n\n“You keep using that word,” Giza said. “I’m not sure it means what –”\n\nThe Buddha smiled a smug smile. Frankly, it was more or less the same smile he always smiled, but smugger. “We are clearly blessed to have such a miracle among us. This is a sign that enlightenment is near. ” \n\nThe camel approached nearer, and it became clear that it was just another sculpture, albeit one who could be mistaken from a camel from a distance. “Hey, Giza, was I supposed to reveal myself yet?” the camel cried out in a distinct Canadian accent. \n\n“No, you idiot!” Flamingo shouted. “Stay back!” \n\nGiza ran towards the camel, but stopped in his tracks. \n\n“Are you all right?” Flamingo asked.\n\nGiza started shaking. At first, his guests thought it was a small tremor, probably caused by an earthquake, but it became quickly clear that something was horribly wrong. The shaking grew in intensity through every passing moment. It suddenly stopped, then started again, even worse than before. The Great Pyramid of Giza started spinning and when it stopped again, five humans stood before it. \n\nThey were clearly real people, three men and two women. The men were all bald and the women had their hair pulled back into a bun. All of them wore robes and carried a staff. \n\nA man wearing a crown stepped forward and slammed his staff into the sand. A wave of force erupted from the staff, sending Giza and his friends tumbling backwards. The camel was not so lucky; he broke into hundreds of pieces.\n\n“Oh, shit!” Stone said. “They’re back! I knew this would happen eventually! It was written in the stars!” \n\n“That is precisely correct, strangely talking stone,” the crown-wearing man said in a tongue that had not been spoken on Earth for thousands of years, yet all of them could understand. “We are back, and Earth is ours now. Now that the humans are gone, and with them, their stubbornness and obstinacy, the gods have returned to rule over the world that is rightfully ours!” \n\n“You know these guys?” Flamingo asked Giza.\n\nGiza got himself back to his normal position and sighed. “Yeah, I know these guys. Although some of them had different looking heads back then…”\n\nAnother of the men waved his staff and suddenly Giza and his friends were levitating in the air. “You insolent fools! We never should have chosen you to be our hideout while waiting for the humans to destroy themselves! Now kneel! Kneel before your true lords and masters, the gods! Kneel before Ra! Before Set, Isis, Sekhmet, and Anubis!” \n\n“Wait, is Osiris around?” the Buddha wondered. “I am such a big fan of him!” \n\n“Perhaps we should come up with a plan,” Flamingo suggested tentatively.\n\n“Way ahead of you, buddy,” Stone whispered. “The druids who built me, they imbued some seriously wicked magical powers in me. Just watch this!” \n\nThere was a flash of light and suddenly most of them were in Washington DC. The new Washington DC, that was to say. All of the original buildings had left already to the mega-cities big enough to house a collection of large buildings scattered around the world and, in some cases, under the sea. A number of sculptures of scientific innovators were even collaborating to return the space program and set up colonies on Mars; after all, sculptures and statues didn’t need to breathe.\n\nThe new Washington DC looked rather like the old one. To some, it would have seemed odd to have exact replicas – albeit non-sentient ones – of the sentient buildings, but the new inhabitants of Earth didn’t have the same morals as their human predecessors. Flamingo, Stone, and the Buddha stood before the Jefferson Memorial.\n\n“Flamingo!” a statue of Thomas Jefferson shouted, hurrying over to them. “There you are! When our magicians detected the surge of human magical activity in Egypt, we feared the very worst.”\n\n“You were right to fear the very worst,” Flamingo said gravely. “Those were not humans. They were gods, and if we do not act fast, they will destroy us. Stone already teleported Gateway and Giza to the nearest mega-city.”\n\nJefferson shook his head in dismay. “This is very distressing. My colleagues and I must discuss this in a group. Would you care to address the Council of Presidents, Mr. Flamingo?”\n\n“I would be most honored.”\n\nThey all walked away, or, in the case of Stone, levitated away, unaware of the gods watching them from the other side of the Potomac." ]	[ 1, 3 ]	[ "1511547138", "1511552669" ]
	[WP] You went back in time to the year 2004. You notice you got younger too, as if the last 13 years had been a dream. Everyone that was alive or had died since 2017 remember the future too.	7	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "It was back in 2004. I remember waking up earlier than normal, to an alarm clock playing \"Hot In Here\" by Nelly, which conveniently matched the warm summer breeze that came through an odd but familiar window. It wasn't until I threw my old blue Simpsons themed blanket on the floor, that I realized something was extremely wrong.\n\nI was my younger self, I was trapped, with the feeling of my older self, my thoughts, knowledge, wisdom all unchanged, yet I felt different, clean and awake. In a hurry, I ran downstairs to find my entire family sitting in the living room staring at each other in silence. Did they know? Was I the only one experiencing this? \n\n\"How was your sleep\" my mom asked with a robotic tone.. Unsure and suspicious, I replied \"Ok I guess, I had the weirdest dream..\". A few more minutes of silence goes by, followed by deep staring, and we all consciously agreed to walk outside. That will be a scene I will never forget.\n\nHundreds of thousands of people standing still, everywhere, looking up to the sky, not saying a word, complete silence.\n\nThis overwhelming sensation became of me as I saw all of these people, heat starting forming on the top of my head. Confusingly, I look up to the sky, and suddenly my vision was completely taken away. I could only see white and hear a high pitch sound, followed by a deep but slow mumble. \n\nThat was nearly 37 years ago, but it felt like it was only yesterday. Now we are here. The year is 2041 and its happening all over again. Fearing for my life, I've decided to stay indoors and write this letter. In the event that this letter is found, and you find yourself remembering years of events in your younger body, I urge you.. Do not go outside.\n\nThey are harvesting." ]	[ 1, 3 ]	[ "1511558017", "1511559114" ]
	[WP]The ancient gods draw their power/personalities from whatever man associates their names with. You, Thor, have seen a boost in charisma over the last couple of years. So much so that the other gods are asking you to have a long conversation with the Egyptian Goddess Isis.	30	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I suppose I have Chris Hemsworth to both thank and blame for all of this.\n\nI mean, not that I'm ungrateful; I've become the most powerful member of the entire Pantheon of the Gods, with all the rights and privileges that come with. I try not to boast, but hey, I'm the god of thunder. I'm allowed to make a little noise about how great I am.\n\nIt was just another day sorting out the drama of the deities; Zeus had been in the middle of another custody dispute (but honestly, when's he not?), and I had, as always, solved it with my wit, charm and mighty hammer Mjolnir. Drinks all around, pats on the back, extra sacrifices at dusk, everything to keep the supernatural supremacies sated for surviving another day not destroying each other. Then I got the call.\n\nIt was Mercury this time 'round; he was taking over for Heimdall, who, I should note, is getting almost as popular as I am thanks to your Marvel movies. I was enjoying a good joke with Poseidon and Kukulkan when Mr. Speedy Feet interrupted us.\n\n\"Master Odinson, may I have a word?\" he asked. I nodded and dismissed my companions, for now, winking at them to note I wouldn't be long.\n\n\"What is it, Quicksilver?\" I asked him, wanting to get this business over with.\n\n\"Sir,\" he remarked, \"Lord Osiris is calling again.\"\n\nI groaned. \"What is it now?\"\n\n\"Same as last time sir,\" Mercury replied. \"The Isis issue.\"\n\nAh, yes. That. As you mortals are undoubtedly aware, our recognition and power grows with the power of what you associate us with. The fair Lady Isis had been suffering from the issue of her name being associated with terrorists for the past few years, and it hadn't been going well for anyone.\n\n\"Are you sure it can't wait?\" I asked Mercury quietly, not wanting to draw the attention of the others near me.\n\n\"Lord Osiris is insistent, Lord Thor. As well as the others.\"\n\n\"What others?\"\n\n\"All of them.\"\n\nI noticed now the eyes of the entire room were upon me. I could see not only the anticipation in their eyes, but their hope; Isis was like a dear old grandmother to all of us, she was so ancient. It hurt us all to see her in such a state, regardless of our countries of origin.\n\nI sighed, acquiescing. \"Better late than never, grandpa Borr used to say. I'll see to it.\"\n\nI summoned Mjolnir to my hand, and with a few swift swings, I was away, soaring over the mythological metropolis in which all the ancient gods lived. With my keen eyes, I located the Egyptian quarter to the southeast, arid as always, and directed Mjolnir there. I landed just without the palace of Osiris.\n\nBoth Horus, her son by birth, and Anubis, her adopted son, looked both apprehensive and grateful for my coming. In their eyes I could see the tension that a grieved mother had left on her household. They silently opened the doors and let me in; I left Mjolnir in the doorway as a token of respect, as it is not exactly polite to carry one's weapon into a guest's house.\n\nIt did not take me long to find her; she was in the main hall, staring out to the eternal horizon, beyond which not even all-seeing Heimdall can see.\n\n\"Lady Isis,\" I said tentatively. \"I trust you are well?\"\n\n\"As well as I can be, Odinson.\" she replied coldly.\n\nNot off to a great start. I thought to myself. I decided I should try to approach this as tactfully as I could.\n\n\"So, um...how is your family? I trust everything is well for your sons?\"\n\n\"So I'm told,\" Isis replied coolly.\n\n\"I heard your sister Nephthys is having a child soon. Are you going to attend the baby shower?\"\n\n\"Maybe.\"\n\nSo it went for the better part of the hour; dancing around the issue, trying to delicately address it without irritating her, but amounting to nothing.\n\nAt last, lady Isis grew tired of my efforts.\n\n\"I know why you're here, Thor. It's because of the others. They're talking again aren't they? About the terrorist spat with the mortals; the extremists who have sullied my name for their petty religious war, and how it's affecting me.\"\n\n\"Well, yes,\" I admitted, \"but it's all in good--\"\n\n\"I don't need help, Odinson, I don't need an intervention; I'm tired of people thinking there's something wrong with me! The mortals can't define what I am at the end of the day! Soon they will die off, whether upon the guns of their enemies or themselves, and I will remain Isis, for time immemorial.\"\n\n\"If you don't want help, Lady Isis,\" I replied slowly, \"then what do you want?\"\n\nShe turned to look at me, and I finally saw it; the tiredness, the sadness in her eyes that even Hestia could not comfort now.\n\n\"I want my friends, my family to treat me like I'm normal, Thor. Can you imagine what it's been like to not be able to look my sons in the eye, knowing they doubt my integrity?! Imagine if these mortals did the same thing for you; would Baldur hold you in such high esteem if mortals only knew your name in fear?!\"\n\nI paused to think; could I have borne such a pain of the soul, of the mind?\n\n\"No, I suppose not,\" I admitted.\n\nI sighed. \"I will speak to your husband and your sons. We shall try to make amends as soon as we can. Then I will need to speak with my brother.\"\n\nIsis looked confused. \"What does Loki have to do with this?\"\n\n\"My brother has never been content with letting the people of Midgard be content in their state; ever he has sown the seeds of hate and fear in their hearts. It's time to stop this. I shall first fix your house, Lady Isis, then mine.\"" ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1511562269", "1512381971" ]
	[WP] You perform an ancient evil ritual on the night of a full moon. Instead of the demonic minion you wished for, you can suddenly can understand and talk to your pet.	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I could smell the candles afterburn, my body ached, I woke up to the scene of a ritual I did the previous night. \n\nThe words ''So be it'' were written in blood in the middle of the pentagram, but I couldn't remember what I wished...I was betting it was the enslaved demon I wanted to have at my service.\n\nJenny, my Greater Swiss Mountain dog entered the room, to cuddle with me, she licked my cheeks and said ''I love you'' I stopped for a moment, I grabbed her snouth with a thumb over the bridge of her nose and said ''What the fuck did you say?'' she said in a joyful tone while pulling her head back ''I love you!'' as she the cuddled with me she fell asleep.\n\nI did that fucking ritual to end up talking with my dog? " ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511576709", "1511661674" ]
	[WP] You are aboard a commercial plane, flying in the middle of the sea. It made a sudden stop, as if it had a brake. You realize the plane was frozen in mid-air. You looked at the GPS map, and saw the words "BERMUDA ISLAND 45 KM WEST"	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Alex Grant had always hated planes. He hated the way they sounded. Hated the sickness that was stuck in the air around him, slowly sleeping into every open crevice in his body. But most of all, he hated the violent shaking the plane would make, which seemed like it was out of pure randomness. Every little bump Grant thought for certainty that the next stop this plane was going to visit wasn’t going to be in London, but instead was going to be at the bottom of the Atlantic. \n\nGrant did have one comfort on this plane ride however, Once he got to London again he would be able to see his girlfriend for the first time. He and Elizabeth had been online dating for almost a year now. Although online dating had been rough at first, Grant had met Elizabeth and immediately connected with her. With many months of video chats and endless hours of text conversations, Grant is certain that she is the one. \n\nGrant looks back out the window now. Minutes ago he only saw farmland, and dirt roads from the landscape thousands of feet below him. Now all he can see is the bright blue sea. It was calming to him. Grant eventually caved from his fatigue and fell into a deep sleep.\n\nWhen Grant awoke he was slightly confused about where he was. Grant had an awful dream about the plane crashing. He looked down at his watch, he found that he had only been asleep for about an hour. He couldn’t fathom how some people could sleep an entire plane trip. He looked to the seat to his right where a young woman was sleeping sound. Grant needed to use the restroom but did not want to disturb the women. Grant was not a very social person, and even worse talking to females. So he decided to just sit put. \n\nGrant was starting to get bored. He had forgotten a book, which was his usual outlet to get away from the world, even though the world slipped further and further from books themselves. Grant decided to tamper with the digital screen that was on the seat in front of him. He flicked on the switch, it displayed the planes company logo, then displayed 3 options. Grant scanned the three options, on the far left with a rocket ship icon there was an app called games. Grant decided to skip that. Movies was next, with an icon of camera, “Maybe later” thought Grant. Then lastly GPS with a compass icon. Grant was curious on how this worked, but decided not to question it. He pressed it, curious where he was exactly. He was also getting nervous every inch closer he got to Elizabeth. “What if she doesn’t like me in person?!” What if it’s awkward?!” Thoughts like that came into Grants head as the map was loading. The map loading bar finally completed loaded and the screen blinked onto a screen with a big blue background, which Grant assumed was the ocean, and a plane icon. Which Grant also assumes that that was indeed the plane. But what intrigued Grant wasn’t either one of those, it was the location the plane was heading. The plane was heading straight for the Bermuda Triangle. Grant wasn’t a superstitious guy, but with planes he was not going to take any chances. He called over a flight attendant, a young lady with bright blonde hair and on the small side. Grant might find her cute if he wasn’t starting to panic at the moment. “Why are we flying over the Bermuda Triangle? I-Isnt that like forbidden?” Grant asked. The flight attendant gave a slight warming chuckle, “ no sir. That’s just a myth, we are going to be just fine. ““Let me know if you need anything else” she said as she started to walk away. Grant sat back in his chair, slightly reassured. However as Grant leaned back he noticed something odd about the plane icon on the GPS app. It had stopped moving. Grant thought it was strange at first but decided it was just because of the program failing, or something like that. Grant decided to instead look out his window, what Grant saw out his window was like nothing he had ever seen. Clouds were right next to him, not moving! It was almost as if the clouds were frozen in time! However as Grant looked at it closer, he realized the truth. It wasn’t the clouds that were frozen, it was the plane.\n\nBefore Grant could wrap his head around what he just realized, the plane made a loud explosive noise towards the front of the plane. There was a violent shake that rocked the entire cabin, throwing suitcases from the storage units up top, and flinging people from their seats. Grant quickly threw on his seatbelt. His fear of flying was coming true! \n\nGrant took one final look out the window and saw the Atlantic closing in on him.\n\n\n\n\n\n———Edit——— this is my first time doing this, please go easy. However constructive criticism is indeed welcome!" ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1511583911", "1511590079" ]
	[WP] You’re shot during your school’s stage production, and confess your feelings to your secret crush, believing you won’t have to suffer the consequences. You wake up in a hospital bed, and realize you dun fucked up.	8	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Wait, I lived?\n\nI took 3 bullets to the chest. People don’t survive that. I was supposed to DIE damnit!\n\nNot that I want to die, of course. It’s just I had SUCH A GOOD EXIT. I am an actor, of course. What better performance to go out with than dying on stage? Confessing your love for her as you bleed out? Bet there wasn’t a dry eye in that whole theatre. Well, maybe. Lots of screaming. But I was great. \n\nThis is going to mean a lot of bad things for me. I confessed me love to Alice, a girl way out of my league and was the most beautiful girl in school. It just so happened that she was in the front row during the play and came up to help. What an angel. \n\n“Ryan, you have a visitor”\n\nOh great! Must be Mom and dad here to tell me, “oh sorry son, we just didn’t have the time to come to the play. Hey at least you lived”. You always had the time for Josh’s soccer games, though. \n\nBut who came through the door was the only person that could truly make my heart stop: Alice. Her long dark brown was loose and flowing, her eyes sparkling. The lack of sleep was apparent. She looked tired, worried, and downright sick. \n\n“Hey Ryan. How are you feeling?” she asked. I’ve been shot, Alice. What do you think?\n\n“I’m alright. Just a little banged up. I managed to live by stopping the bullets with my chest” I joked. \n\nShe laughed. Holy shit. Mission accomplished. Beam me up Scotty, this is the happiest I’ll ever feel. \n\n“Ryan.... what you said to me when you were on the floor wa-“ she started, before I cut her off, saying,\n\n“Alice I’m really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to freak you out and I hope you don’t feel any obligation to be with me”\n\n“It’s not your fault!” She cooed, “ You said what you wanted to say and I admire that. I don’t exactly feel the same way, but I care about you too.”\n\nThose words simultaneously crushed me and warmed me. Alice didn’t feel the same way, but she cared. She held my hand and was ready to guide me into the other side. \n\nAnd after those words were said, everything was ok. Maybe I didn’t need my parents to be there. Maybe I didn’t need Alice to be in love with me. I just need someone to care. \n\nI took Alice’s hand as she sat next to the bed. I looked into her beautiful, tired eyes and saw sadness, worry, but most beautiful of all, care. She started softly, “I know you’ve had a rough past few days, and hearing this must be difficult. I’m really sorry life is being so hard right now. I’m here for you.”\n\n“As long as you’re here, Alice, I think I’ll be ok.” I said, and closed my eyes, “Thank you.”\n" ]	[ 1, 10 ]	[ "1511586322", "1511596781" ]
	[WP] A year ago the Dragons returned, the world finally having warmed up enough to keep them from freezing to death, and with them have returned the Fae and all the magic; which is replacing technology quickly. You've quit your mundane job, and today you've set off on your first-ever Quest.	5,706	[ "I'm a bot, bleep, bloop. Someone has linked to this thread from another place on reddit:\n\n- [/r/xcmd] [\\[WP\\] A year ago the Dragons returned, the world finally having warmed up enough to keep them from freezing to death, and with them have returned the Fae and all the magic; which is replacing technology quickly. You've quit your mundane job, and today you've set off on your first-ever Quest.](https://www.reddit.com/r/xcmd/comments/8528pv/wp_a_year_ago_the_dragons_returned_the_world/)\n\n&nbsp;^(If you follow any of the above links, please respect the rules of reddit and don't vote in the other threads.) ^\\([Info](/r/TotesMessenger) ^/ ^[Contact](/message/compose?to=/r/TotesMessenger))", "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Another story about alchemy or whatever\" I said as I turned off the tv and headed out of my apartment to go to work. Not that there was anyone there to listen to me, you see I was 'lucky' and managed to get a high paying job right out of law school but I work most of the day everyday. What great is a giant paycheck when you can't spend it?\n\nI got into the car, the same driver who picks me up everyday was there just as any other. My firm realized we would be more productive if we didn't have to worry about these things and could read over our schedule for the day.\n\nI know I sound like an old man, cynical well past his years is more like it. I've gotten used to the people flying and even the dungeons opening up in the middle of cities.\n\n\"Hey you look tired should we stop for a miasma?\" my driver said. (I guess I do look tired, maybe worn down and bored is more like it) \"Sure, we can be 5 minutes late, I'll text Chelsea right now to tell her to entertain my 8 A.M.\"\n\nWe pulled into a small item store, next to us a carriage with a skeleton horse was waiting. \"I guess one of those adventurers must be gearing up for a dungeon or other nonsense.\" the driver said. \"Sir, Ill be back in a moment\" he said as he opened his door.\n\n\"Thanks, but I could use the exercise\" I responded as I got up and motioned for him to wait for me. I walked into the store and saw a gnome sitting there as a strange golem-like thing was bringing items as he called for them.\n\n\"long day?\" she said, there really isn't anything special about her, just a human at about 3 feet and a giant pointy hat. (It seems our garden gnomes were shockingly similar to the real ones) \"yeah, one miasma please\" I responded and was mumbling about my schedule. \"not a problem, sir please step aside I'll have it brewed in a minute.\" \n\nA battered man walked in with armor that has clearly seen a fair share of monsters walked in. \"I need a new weapon\" he said as he lifted what was apparently a sword at one time, but now looked more like a broken hilt with a bit of metal on the end. \"Sorry but your credit has been reached LONG ago Mr.\" the gnome responded. He stood there pleading while my drink came, and in a flash I thought of a new plan.\n\n\"Sir I'll buy you a sword, but in exchange I'm doing on the next quest\" I said. \"Hey man the dungeon is dangerous and my items are expensive but thanks\" he responded half hardheartedly. \n\nI pulled my card back out and asked the gnome to run it. Her jaw dropped (I'd say to the floor but that isn't fair it was only like 2 inches above the counter already) \"Uh yeah, that will cover literally EVERYTHING in this store if you want it.\n\nI texted Chelsea to tell her I wasn't coming in and immediately received a call back asking if I was sick. \"No, I'm fine just time to be a hero.\" I said and hung up.\n\nWe then walked out of the store in armor that would make an English King envious. \"I am Sir Reginald\" the man said as I heard laughter. \"Sir, my ass you are hardly a knave \" I heard from a girlish voice coming from nowhere. \"Ok, fine but introduce yourself to our new companion. . . and in a language he can actually understand\" he responded angrily.\n\nAn old woman appeared next to him. \"Hi I'm an illusionist who travels with Reginald, I guess you can call me Lex.\" the woman said. \"LEX quit fooling around.\" Reginald shouted. \"Meanie!\" And her shape changed right in front of me 'old woman' not even close.\n\nThe shopkeeper came running out of the store shouting something but we were walking towards a giant hole which just opened across the street.\n\nThat is the story how I went from boring corporate lawyer to hero. \n\n I found out later that the alchemist mixed up the ingredients and rather than miasma which is basically magic coffee he made me liquid hero.", "Clive drudged his heavy feet through the office. He sat grumpily at his chair, swearing as a tall pile of loose paper cascaded like an avalanche from its precariously balanced tower. A mess of council's dragon tax forms, fae pest control requests and magical based legal forms now surrounded him. He took a moment to glare angrily at the inbred mess of a pet that sat upon his office. The once great dragons had been hunted, captured and selectively bred until they were no more than sad deformed paper weights, helping to light his office with their pathetic non flammable plume of flames. He was sick to death of dealing with this disappointing fairy tale. All that magic had brought to this world was yet more regulations, another opportunity for cleaner power that further perverted nature. One by one the myths and legends of his childhood had been rounded up, evaluated for their worth then either domesticated or killed off. He had decided today was the day, what this new world needed was it's final ingredient, a quest, his quest. He reached into his draw and retrieved his m16, taking care to unlock the safety, he smiled to himself. You destroyed my childhood, now I'll destroy this local council...", "Magic positively thrummed through my body, my newly awakened meridians pounded with mana and begged to be unleashed as I sat on the green hill filled with grass. I slowly opened my eyes and reigned in my instincts and looked up to the sky. Today was the day I would get my very first quest, mere weeks after the first human awakened to magic and only a month since the awakening of Dragons, return of the Fae, and rebirth of magic itself. I was of the first twenty, perhaps even ten, people to get magical powers. We had all recieved the message in our mind, that the first of humanity had been blessed with magic, and I swore I would not fall behind. \n\nMy mind drifted back to the first day. The Awakening. The day Dragons returned. There were seven of the mighty creatures, each rising from their very own continent; They were large enough anyone on that continent could see it. Their wings blotted out the skies, their roars could be heard across oceans, and their magical power had such force their mere presence created a weight on the shoulder of the entire continent. Life itself bowed to the majesty of the Dragons, none dared to offend them, all were in awe and shock. \n\nAn owl’s screech tore me from my thoughts, and I smile brilliantly as I look upwards at my quest-giver, a truly massive snow white owl with what must have been a wingspan of six and a half feet. I stood and before I could finish my movement it dropped my letter, and blted away back its Fae master. I looked in front of me at the levitating letter, begging to be opened. Without hesitation I gripped my letter and tore it oped with greed pouring over the contents. I stumbled backwards in shock, and gasped. In the letter was a list of resources I was required to collect, but they were no ordinary resources. \nCollect: \n-A Dragon’s Scale\n-A Dragon’s Claw Fragment\n-A Dragon’s Tooth Fragment\n\nThis was my first and perhaps last quest, but by the Fae I’ll do my damnedest!", "At precisely seven a.m., Eastern Standard Time, I stepped into the dragon's cave. \n\n\"Good morning, Mister Crawflame,\" I called ahead.\n\nOne baleful yellow eye cracked open, and the sulphurous smell of his breath washed through the cave, the dragon cracking a wide yawn. I made note of three dental caries, pitted marks in teeth as long as swords, and made a note.\n\n\"Good morning, Princess Beale,\" he replied. \"Put the cauldron on, please.\" \n\n\"Right away, Mister Crawflame.\"\n\nThe cauldron was an old Fae thing, or so I presumed. I didn't waste my patron's time with trivial questions. What was important was that at a touch, it heated up, and then filled itself as directed: a rich, bubbling brown brew, redolent of good french-roast columbian.\n\nIt had taken all of a day for the Fae to discover coffee. It took my friend Samantha a week to go from barista to baroness. \n\nWhile he took his morning coffee, I cracked open the room-size boxes Dell had shipped us, unpacking a keyboard bigger than my living room at home. The display was next, and then the wand-powered ethernet wi-fi setup that perched itself atop the box.\n\nThe DVD player was still on, looping the menu screen for The Wolf Of Wall Street. I smiled and tapped the player. \"Was this illuminating, Mister Crawflame?\"\n\n\"Quite,\" said the dragon, in the tone of a beast unused to finding himself pleasantly impressed. \"I'm used to my tributes coming to me as meals, or paltry wealth. Not as a means to expand my wealth.\"\n\nI finished plugging in the computer, and hooked it in to the small generator-gem I'd traded for with a Dwarf. Four cases of craft stout to the cost of a generator had been a profitable deal, and now was the key ingredient for courting my employer's favor.\n\n\"We have a saying, give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, he can feed himself for life.\"\n\n\"I'm far more partial to cattle,\" Mister Crawflame said. \n\n\"Cattle prices are the first thing we're going to track. With prairie ranchers abutting your land, I can negotiate steerage fees at wholesale prices. Cheap cattle, no legal problems, and once you buy the land, you can simply request the grazing lease value in heads of cattle each year, Mister Crawflame. I've thoroughly investigated the land rights around your territory claim.\"\n\nThe dragon narrowed his eyes at me, and then smiled. \"I did some investigations of my own, Princess Beale. I'm given to understand you have misrepresented your royal lineage.\"\n\nCards on the table time. I drew myself up, and looked the dragon in the eye, ignoring the quailing icicle of mortal terror that coursed down my back. \"I permitted a mistranslation between the Fae tongue and our modern english to present me with a competitive opportunity, sir,\" I retorted. \"There was no equivalent, adequate term for a woman in their tongue, that enjoyed the level of education and acumen that I possess. Since the last time our languages diverged, the mechanism for education have evolved. In the past, a Princess was the closest thing our people, or the Fae, would have a term for a highly educated woman.\" \n\nMister Crawflame's head loomed in, his stare hardening, but instead of qualing away I stepped towards him, stiff-backed.\n\n\"Mister Crawflame, your language doesn't yet have a term for people like me. We've had to invent new words in just the last two centuries that encompass it. Words of power from our lands: PhD. Economics. Harvard graduate cum laude.\"\n\nI was pleased that the words really did crackle with power, now. \n\nThe dragon stared at me a moment longer, and then began to chuckle. \"I know that, too,\" he said. \"I was assured by a Fae greatly craven to earn my trust that you had left your prior patron for me, and that your patron was outrageously wealthy.\"\n\nI inclined my head. \"His current personal wealth would exceed your weight in gold six times over, sir,\" I said respectfully. I gestured to the computer. \"But we can take it from him. And much more. Your species understands capitalization and wealth management from birth. There's a gold rush on now, among your kin. Two kirin's already hold the majority of the world's bitcoin. But none of them yet have broken into futures and stock exchange. But that's coming.\"\n\nThe dragon nodded smartly. \"Then let's get started, Princess Beale.\"\n\nWe shared a smile, and I brought up the New York Stock Exchange. Mister Crawflame's pupils dilated like a cat set upon a bird, as yesterdays' numbers began scrolling by. \n\n\"Opening bell's in fifteen minutes.\"", "Saturday, November 25, 2017\n9:09 PM\n\nHere I am, sitting alone in my room, staring at my monitor, music playing through my speakers. My sleep schedule’s been somewhat fucked lately, but it didn’t really matter. Nothing’s really that different than the usual, is it?\n\nExcept that things have really been changing as of late. Unbeknownst to the world population, over the past couple hundred years or so, the path our history has taken has differed than the course that it would have if it were left untouched. Although technology is still (sort of) being developed, and as science is still, well, sort of a thing, the world, especially within the past 30 to 40 years or so, has started to regress instead of progress. Look outside your window. When was the last time that the street you live on (if you even HAVE a paved street) has been maintained? Have you noticed that everything began to become quite… dirty, recently? I get that everybody nowadays thinks it’s stupid and backwards to wash your hands and to, like, shit in a toilet, but do you think that, just maybe, that could be why so many people are sick? And maybe you could, MAYBE, just try to give them proper medical care like we did fifty years ago instead of exorcising patients like we do now?\n\nI walked through a neighborhood last night, a new development that was being built a couple unpaved, dirt streets down. There wasn’t a car around in sight. For some reason, all the car companies went out of business a few years back because there was just a lack of interest in them, so most people have resorted to horses and to walking for transport now. But everyone else has thought it’s completely normal. Doesn’t anyone else think it’s somewhat odd seeing horses being rode all the time, sometimes pulling what used to be automobiles, in neighborhoods from the 40s and 50s where the homes look incredibly futuristic compared to the newer ones. All the houses and the neighborhoods nowadays are pretty much based on entirely medieval forms of architecture. Some may say that this is just the latest, greatest, architectural trend, but isn’t it odd that if you walk into a newly built neighborhood, it looks exactly like one from the Middle Ages? Isn’t it completely fucking odd that everybody now looks like they’re from the Middle Ages? Isn’t it completely odd that there are absolutely no records of any elves and orcs and centaurs existing 200 years ago, but that, all of a sudden, they've existed?\n\nI mean, that's far from a bad thing, don't get me wrong. It’s really, really fucking cool, actually.\n\nBut it didn’t even matter to about 99% of the population when dragons and fae were revealed to exist a year ago, just as magic has been supplanting technology in our everyday life. A lot of people just thought to themselves that it was great or whatever and then just went on their merry way, not really thinking much of it at all. However, there still were a few that had noticed that something was occurring behind the scenes, something that was altering our history. Some months ago, I had started a subreddit called /r/altered_history to discuss what was going on, and to my surprise, it became somewhat popular. But that's probably because I can’t believe that computers and smartphones and that the Internet all still exist nowadays. Many dismiss us for now as propagating some sort of conspiracy, but I’ve quit my job that I don’t even need any longer to prove, with undeniable evidence, that this was not the way that our future was supposed to pan out. The people who live on our planet could have explored space past our moon by now, but we’re all too busy slaying dragons and building castles or whatever. I’m not saying it’s not a little bit cool, but it doesn’t feel right that this is what we’ve come to nowadays.\n\nHopefully thou come and join me on thy quest.", "The first thing you need to know about me, dear reader, is that I'm not a very practical man. Growing up, I'd seen my fair share of anime, american cartoons, I played a lot of video games, and I watched a lot of movies. Where video games were concerned, I didn't like the ones obsessed with practicality and realism. I still have flashbacks to Roman's bowling calls today, since I usually get that kind of game to be involved in gritty blues brothers police chase fanfiction.\n\nSo when literal dragons and magic came into our otherwise boring and normal world, I was yet again disappointed. We still have all of the modern technology, but everyone just dressed up as regular old knights and magic users because people seemed to assume they were playing dungeons and dragons and needed to adhere to a weird set of rules for some reason.\n\nBut I thought differently. Magic and technology could combine at last. The things I fantasized about as a kid could finally be real. I could break all the rules of all established fiction and get away with it.\n\nAnd so that kind of thinking has led me to today, dear reader. I've finally got my first quest (kill an angry rouge dragon, standard stuff), but I've hit upon a conundrum. What sort of elemental magic core should I use for my first quest in my giant robot? I stood there in my hangar with at least 5 different frames and a close full of colored spheres, arranged by color. Fire magic, ice magic, earth magic, plant magic, water magic (have no idea why that kind is different from ice magic, it's a modern magic unsolved mystery), electric magic, and so on. I guess I should've studied enough to make a multi-element magic core, but hey, this is only my first quest, so I guess I'll put that on the R&D docket. While I'm at it, should probably make the robots look less like gundams so Sunrise doesn't sue me.\n\nWait, I do still have some fruit juice in my fridge. Very well, ice magic it is.\n\nI teleport one of the ice magic cores into one of the Mark One A.I.G.R (Awesome Impractical Giant Robot) frames and climb into the cockpit. \"Alright, let's do this shit.\" I say. First thing, music. Theme from Pacific Rim. Check. Second thing, special treats. Check. Third thing. Robot functions checklist. Arm and hand movement. Check. Leg movement. Check. Mana channeling for weapon summoning. Check. Deploy.\n\nThe rouge dragon circles above a city, raining down fire, like they do. Was probably more intimidating the first time that happened, but the world was used to rogue dragons by now. Despite most of them being civilized, some were still raised on dragon nationalist bullshit, and others just got sick of their day jobs. Anywho, target acquired.\n\nI start off by punching the dragon from the sky, then doing a superhero landing in front of it's still living body. The dragon gets back up on it's feet, obviously, one hit doesn't usually end these creatures. \"Look, man, you try listening to that damn Thanks a latte joke 36 times a day!\" said the dragon, revealing itself to be a disgruntled coffee shop employee.\n\n\"That may be\", I said, \"But this is the worst possible way to handle the situation.\"\n\n\"Says the guy who apparently thinks he's a power ranger. Nice megazord, nerd.\" said the dragon.\n\n\"It's an Aigr, and it rips off gundams, thank you very much!\" I said, before punching the dragon, beginning an exchange of blows between my giant robot's fists and the dragon's clawed hands. I throw an uppercut, but the dragon dodges and counters with a quick hit to the right robot rib. The dragon attempts to follow up with a right hook, but I dodge and counter with a punch to it's right shoulder. The blows continue, I take a right hook, the dragon takes a body hit, I take a hit to the left rib of the robot, the dragon takes a hit to the head, I take a hit to the stomach.\n\n\"Alright, enough of this.\" I say, and I grab the dragon's head. \"BRAIN FREEZE!\" I shout as I channel mana through the robot and it's ice core, cooling down the beast's head enough to cause it to pass out from, well, brain freeze.\n\nA voice crackles over the radio. \"Well done adventurer, but please identify yourself.\"\n\n\"Call me the Mech Mage.\" I say, \"And I believe I was offered payment for this contract?\" I say again as I transmit the proper accounting information. \"Ah yes, here you are.\" says the voice over the radio, \"Payment transferred for services rendered. Happy adventuring\".\n\n\"Sweet! I got to pilot a giant robot with magical elemental power, and I got payed to knock out a dragon with it! How could this day get any better?\" I say. Just then, an egg timer dings. \"OH SWEET!\" I shout. I go over to the freezer/fridge that I bolted into the cockpit and open the door for my special treats. \"Yes! It totally worked! Time for some giant robot otter pops!\" I cheered. I sit down to enjoy my treats, gazing over at the toaster and microwave I also installed in the cockpit and wondering what wonderful treats I could make with fire magic. Yes, I installed these in all the robot frames. You never know when you'll get hungry on a giant robot rogue dragon quest.\n\nThus ended the first outing of the Awesome Impractical Giant Robot. I just wonder how many people will want to join my party after this. I can see a lot of news choppers and journalists snapping pictures on the screens right now. But that worry can wait until after magical giant robot elemental magic fruit juice ice pop time.", "I had been a child with high hopes for the world, but as the adults succeeded in killing the 'magic' of it I had decided that pessimism was the only fair light to see watch the world in.\n\nI was a disillusioned teen when they returned.\n\nAt first, it was another Bigfoot story, a few hazy pictures and a madman in the mountains. Then the first official military contact. Then, the global realisation. Dragons were real. And quite more reasonable than we had been led to believe through fiction.\n\nIt seems that the last time our kind had seen theirs, the knights of eld had declared war on Dragonkind. In return, they had simply gone to sleep and sealed off their mountain homes until a more favorable time came, taking all memory of their existence with them.\n\nAnd once the ice melted in a particularly warm spring season, they left to hunt and forage as they once had. And they found a world changed, a race reborn and unified, lands exploited through science and agriculture and, most importantly, all devoid of magic.\n\nOnce first military contact in the Swiss alps turned out as a spectacular defeat for the United Nations, a peace council was formed. Though dragons may have spoken a tongue far older than human writing, they had a way to directly infer meaning to the mind. \n\nThis made peace talks go rather swiftly; the dragons had no intention for war, merely coexistence. Paper was signed, and for the first time in centuries, humans made a Pact with the dragons.\n\nDo mind, however: this was no mere agreement, the dragons sealed a magical contact with the humans that day. For keeping the peace and not hunting their kind as humanity apparently had before, the dragons would start the regeneration of the land and it's inherent powers.\n\nMagic, The Life of The Land, Aether, call it whatever you'd like, but it returned to the lands, and the dragons taught select few on how to utilize it. These select few taught others, and soon, through the miracles of the internet, everyone could learn any magic they wanted.\n\nThis, of course, enormously and grandiosely backfired.\n\nAfter the initial chaos had been quelled by those not wanting to see the world fought over by the inherently malicious and greedy, the learning of magic was regulated. Any source of arcane knowledge was purged from the internet. Offensive magic was only to be taught to adults whom had been tested for fatal character flaws and moral ambiguity. Defensive spells became a part of mandatory curriculum for most education. And so on, and so on.\n\nThe dragons, satisfied with their work and the upkeep of The Pact, roamed the land freely and made residence wherever they were welcome, which was basically everywhere, since humans were still enamoured with them.\n\nAs the land healed, the hidden races of the land started showing themselves more and more, the divergent varieties of the fae folk, elemental varieties of ordinary species, immortal Phoenix, hell, even centaurs had come out of hiding. Most of these started (or inferred) their reason for coming out of hiding to be 'The old ones', as was how they referred to the dragons.\n\nHumanity has had a busy 5 years, after which war and territory seemed to matter less than before. We were no longer adversaries, we were all explorers of the new, untested waters the dragons had left for us to learn on our own.\n\nSkip ahead another 5 years, and here I am. I am a rookie apprentice to the house of Lestrallum, one of the five largest magic academia of London. I had earned a level 2 diploma in healing magic, level 3 in defensive magic, level 1 offensive and level 4 in arcane fundamentals. I had had an ordinary accounting job to cover the first few bills, but my healing was thorough, and sought after anywhere I went.\n\nI have been sent out to receive my first local Quest in a region chosen to challenge me on the bases I was weakest in. I had been sent to the newly-rejuvenating Saharan grasslands, to aid the local population through the Quest I was to receive.\n\nA Quest was no mere request made by local farmhands, Quests are a form of magical contracts directly taught to us by the dragons. Every community had a local quest-managing committee, made up of community representatives to make the upper-level decisions, and quest givers, those whom would distribute, initiate, assess and manage individual quests up to their completion, and see to the issuing of completion rewards.\n\nMy trek through the grassy hills allowed me the peace of mind to expand my consciousness past arcane boundaries at times. So it was that I was able to listen to the Dragonsong; an arcane frequency, only able to be 'heard' with enough arcane foreknowledge and resolution. \n\nDragons, throughout their waking lives, contribute their voices to this Dragonsong, shaping it's overall tone and melody, as a type of global unconscious. Though a single dragon 'singing' may not sound like anything humans would ordinarily describe as melodious, the Dragonsong is beautiful and tells news of far away events aswell as the state of the world at large.\n\nToday, it tells of calm winds and fair skies, an overall sense of peace in its tone, yet it's rhythm telling of the myriad gears underneath, quickly turning in sync symbolizing everyone's hard work to keep the peace.\n\nI'm snapped out of my reverie as I spot what has to be my quest-giver up on the next hill, waiting by the river, talking to another adventurer. I quicken my pace as I walk towards my own task necessary to keep the peace in this region.\n\n----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- \n\nLook, I'm tired and I wrote a lot already, I'm ending it here for now, but I may return to it tomorrow morning. Yes, I know the end is crappy and there's prolly tons of mistakes. It's 2am here, cut me some slack.", "I’m a tinkerer. I find things, and I fix them. Sometimes I even make things with spare parts lying around. It’s simple and I love it.\n\nSo I was really pissed when electricity was completely replaced by magic.\n\nNobody saw it coming, from NASA to the most radical conspiracy theorists. When dragons showed up, I’m sure everyone pinched themselves. When children began throwing things around rooms without touching them and seemingly random people were able to conjure a flame in their palm, we became paranoid. Isolationist. The world truly became every man for themselves, and the beasts of the Fae were overrunning the towns that were once lit by the lights of society.\n\nI developed powers, too. And I couldn’t have wished for anything more useful. I could take a good look at an abject and just know how it was made. Doesn’t matter what, whether it’s natural or artificial. If I picked up an old piece of tech I could see it’s blueprints. If I picked up a rock I could see a volcanic eruption. And I knew how I’d be able to assemble them.\n\nI happened across a military bunker during my evacuation. Fate, luck, I couldn’t care less by that point. Abandoned, but still stocked full. Since the power went out all security has been lifted. Everything from bombs to blades was stored here. And as I browsed it, I realised much of it didn’t need electricity.\n\nSo I stayed. And I found the secrets of the weapons. I made more. Soon I was ready to take back my town. I was ready for a quest, one that I’d unknowingly spent my whole life preparing for.\n\nI immediately found a dragon circling above my old bank. It’s roar echoed through the streets. But it expected magic and beasts, the weapons of it’s own universe.\n\nIt did not expect a rocket propelled grenade.\n\nI learned many things on my first quest. Most beasts are lightly protected and will be slain by a single burst from my trusty rifle. Some need a little more kick, which a sniper rifle can certainly provide. And for others you just have to blown them the fuck up. I freed my town from the grip of these creatures, and travelled back to my bunker with a smile on my face.\n\nTechnology hadn’t failed us yet.", "\"Hey Benny! Where you going man?\"\n\nI snapped out of the trance that had come over me to see George waving from up the side walk. I wanted to smile, but remembered that wasn't what dude's dude. I forced myself to look bored and cocked an eyebrow at him.\n\n\"Sup, Jorge?\" \n\nJorge was a little older than me, a senior in our school. Not that he ever went to it. He was tall and lanky, and had hair that made all the girls swoon. He never seemed to notice, but I always caught on. I even tried to do my hair like his, but it just ended up a streaky mess. Being a short pale kid with a shag rug for hair didn't do me any favors standing next to him\n\nHe always had the mischievous grin and a carefree demeanor that always set me at ease. Made me feel \"chill\", as he called it. This grin told me he had a plan. One I was gonna regret later. His eyes were practically glowing with excitement. \n\nHe caught up to me and gave my head an affectionate tousle, which he new I hated. \n\n\"Oh no much, bud, just happy to see my favorite little fire slinga,\" He said with a wink. \n\nI panicked for a second, \"Jorge! Be quiet! What if someone hears you?\" \n\n\"Then you'll roast em on the spot!\" He laughed, making finger guns at invisible bystanders. His expression softened for a second when he caught side of mine. He grabbed my shoulders and bent down to look me in the eyes. \"Benito, you gotta lighten up man. You know it us or them out there. And your keeping you mom safe for those Slush Puppies.\"\n\nEver since the appearance of the dragon a year ago, magic and stuff had started popping back into the world with a vengeance. Along with came all kinds of strange people, calling themselves \"The Fae\". They were magical beings, the likes of which you'd only ever see in society.\n\n I'd heard that in some places they had taken over entirely, and in others they had been wiped ot by scared, prejudiced humans. Not L.A. though. Los Angeles had turned into a melting pot for all sorts. The current mayor was an Elf, despite allegations of him using charm magic to win the ballot. But for every good Fae that came about, a bad one turned up. \n\nLike or new boss, Ashmouth. Ash was an Orc, one who claimed to be a general where he was from. And when he found the Hell Hounds in their sorry state, he took over. Now the Hounds were one of the biggest gangs in the streets. The people put up with em, the cops hated em. As part of their \"protection\" plan, you could pay the Hounds a monthly fee, or you could join the gang yourself. One person per family.\n\nWhich is why I have a flaming dog tattooed on my back, unbeknownst to my mother. My family could afford the fee, so I'd joined without telling her. She'd be furious to know I was rolling wih a gang, but she'd be devastated as the good Catholic she was to know I was learning fire magic. \n\nAshmouth had started teaching those that were capable. Those that could learn were called slingers, tossing out fire and smoke. They were covered by their blasters, the guys who couldn't use magic, but new the insides and outs of a gun. The blasters would cover the slingers while they prepared there spells, laying down lead until the slingers were ready.\n\nJorge was my blaster. And much to my regret, I was his slinger. We had had to fight of some police who had come in on a small deal we were overseeing. I ended slapping a cop in the face with a fire rune, and taking most of his head of. Now anytime I see anything resembling brains I wanna hurl. I'd never felt so much guilt, not even about lying to mom. \n\n\"Benny, you gotta snap out if, man,\" Jorge insisted with a little shake, jolting me from my grim reveries, \" 'Cus in gonna need you to night, bro.\"\n\n\"Tonight? But it's a school night!\" I protested, feeling a bit confused. Ashmouth usually wanted us kids to stay in class. He didn't want stupid soldiers. \n\nJorge rolled his eyes, \"Benito, we got more important shit than school to worry about tonight. It's finally here. We are finally gonna take the rest of L.A.!\" He practically shouted the last phrase at me, but probably because I looked like a fish trying to breathe golf balls. \n\n\"It's tonight?! The big fight? But... but... I'm nowhere near ready!\" I stammered, terrified at the prospect. I'd only been learning the ways of the flame for 3 months now. Ash said I had promise, but lacked focus. When ever my mind would wander during practice, I'd usually get brought back wih a cuff to the ear. \n\n\"You'll be fine, Ben. Look at me,\" He demanded. I managed to tear my eyes from my shoes and bring them up to his. What I saw scared me a bit. I wasn't sure what it was, but it wasn't nice. \"Benny, I gotta know you have my back. You know full well I got yours. I'll blast anyone that tries to touch you.\" He was practically whispering at this point, giving me little shakes for emphasis, \"it's happening tonight. And we are gonna earn our spot in the pack. Can I count on you?\" \n\nWhen I didn't respond he gave me a small pat on the cheek, asking firmly, \"Ben. Can. I. Count. On. You?\"\n\nI looked up at him, wanting to cry, but knowing I couldn't. I took a deep breath, tried to look bored again and wave him off, \"Of course bro, I got you. Them slush pups won't know what hit em.\" \n\nJorge jumped up with a whoop, slapping me on the back. \n\n\"Take your stuff home, then meet me back at the warehouse. Ash wants to run drills before we go out.\" Without another word, he turned and ran down the street. I watched him go, waiting til he turned the corner before I backed up against the wall and choked back a sob. The Frost Wolves were our biggest and only rivals worth mentioning. They shacked up over in the meet packing industry. Everyone said it was because there boss was like an ice demon or something, but whatever he was, he knew strong magic. \n\nThe leader of the Frost wolves only took in people that could use his magic, so they had leas people than us. But his guys were better trained, and they were fucking psychopaths. \"Cold-blooded Killers\" as they liked to call themselves. They were all adults, and couldn't be in the gang until they had killed some one with there ice magic.\n\nAnd I was supposed to fight them tonight. I shuddered, with a cold I'm not entirely sure was fake, even in with summer ending. I gathered my things, and picked up mom's groceries and made the rest of the walk home. When I got back, my mom was doing dishes and told me that Jorge had called and asked if I could sleep over. She told me i could as long as we made it to school on time. I thanked then went to my room.\n\nI sat on my bed and stared at the wall for a solid half an hour before my phone buzzed. It was a group message simply stating, \"ONE HOUR LEFT.\" I sighed, and grabbed my smoke stick, the tool I used to draw runes (\"it's not a wand!\" Ash had bellowed when asked.) And put my body armor on under my hoodie. Mom was sitting on the couch, watching one of her soaps, and I gave her a kiss before I left. She seemed concerned when she saw my face, but I just told her I had a test tomorrow that was gonna be hard, which was why I was helping Jorge study. She smiled and told me she loved me. \n\nI cried the whole way there. \n\nAs I got closer, I could tell something was wrong. The air was 20 degrees to cold, and there was smoke in the air. I dropped low and slipped into an alley. I carefully slunk through, gripping my smoke stick so hard my knuckles turned white. I pressed against the wall and took a deep breath. I spun around the corner, stick held out, to find a frozen grave of my friends. \n\n", "I walked out of the old, beaten down factory that I used to work at. I quit because the pay was so bad that I could get more by being unemployed. Doesn't help that 5 days later, the dragons showed up. Almost like it was ripped out of a story book and then added to our \"normal\" book. Not long after that, the world began practicing magic, as no amount of weaponry could stop the damn things. I began practicing archaic magic, or combat magic. I received a request from a recently imprisoned Fae to release all the Fae inmates that were jailed due to racial prejudices. So, I did it for the measly price I would be payed of 120 pounds. I ran through the compound, shattering guard craniums with lightning ruins and killing golems which were summoned from the more apt guards. I opened various Fae's cages with some arcane mesh that I molded into something that resembled a key. Before I opened the one with my quest-giver, he came. A warden wearing a complete set of Dragon Armor and wielding a rune spear. Dragon Armor is forged using dragon scales and bones. They have the defense of enchanted rock armor, but the flexibility of leather. The rune spear covered head to toe in fire runes which could easily shatter a whole city if put into an arcane reactor. I began by draining the spear of the runes into my own arcane shiv, while trying to dodge his various fireballs. I then proceeded to throw a massive elemental ball at the warden. His armor cracked into thousands of tiny broken and fried scales that are now the color of charcoal. As my throwing knife pierced his chest, so did his life. I opened the final cage and received my reward. That was the last day I decided to quest.\n\n_______________________________________________________________________________________________________\nThis sucks, but thank you for taking time to read it.", "With the icecaps melting, sea levels rising, and species dying out by the dozens every year it was hard to imagine we wouldn't come to a breaking point sooner.\n\nIt was around this time last year the incident at Fort Knox had occurred. At the time it was believed to be one of the largest scale terrorist attacks in US history, with not only the gold missing and the entire base wiped out, but the entire surrounding county left in a burning rubble. It wasn't until a few surviving recordings had been scavenged did we know for certain what happened.\n\nShortly after Homeland security, the coast guard, along with a variety of other government agencies combed the Hoosier Forest for their revenge. They found it after the beast the size of an 18 wheeler had been snuffed out, its body it such disrepair that scientists could hardly determine exactly what it was and where it came from. Luckily these behemoths were few and far between, and not incredibly bright. \n\nSince then a specialized task groups have been assembled by almost every country worth it its salt. Over the subsequent months as other monster reared their heads it was clear these groups needed to become a constant. Thus the department now referred to as Magical Danger Mitigation Agency was founded. Luckily along with them came some other less deplorable inhuman species; more specifically fairies, elves, mermaids, nymphs, and a myriad of others all which could neatly fall into the category of fae. \n\nDepending on the breed if that's what you want to call it fae could be incredibly strong, weak, tall, short, and so on. Elves, lycans, and humans typically made it into MDMA as they handled combat and living in close quarters the best. You would see the occasional mermaid but normally only stationed on Island or Coastal base as they are pretty useless on land even with an Automatic rifle. \n\nMy team however was based no where near a coast, we were about as far from a sunny shore as you could get. Inland Alaska. \n\nFresh recruits, it was me, three other humans, five lycans, and twelve goddamn elves. I should have known I would have been stationed with these stuck up pointy eared bastards as soon as I filled out a god damn survey, why did picking winter as my favorite season have to get me sent to Alaska hunting Trolls with 12 of these five foot nothing narcissistic assholes?\n\nThe humans and lycans on my team seemed decent enough. Lycans are the type of fae you want on your team, even if they may smell like wet dog even some of the more petite of their species would make a quarterback red in the face with envy. Always hulking and huge, with incredible strength and despite the terrible stereotypes I haven't met one yet that wasn't able to read.\n\nToday was our first quest, there had been reports of moose ripped apart in a local wild life preserve, it was our job to find the troll that had done this and put it down.\n\nIt was assumed the entire team wouldn't be needed so six of us were sent, myself along with Daya a lycan ,and four elves. we entered into the woods the midday Alaska sun shown dimly behind over cast clouds making the sky glow bright milky white. The ground was packed with snowfall and we muddled through it from our quads to the area the forest rangers had been receiving the most complaints, a rocky and sloping part of the park dotted with trees both standing and laying on their sides we set up camp and variety of traps intended to catch the Troll. \nJust as the sun finally dipped from its lazily low spot in the sky plunging us into darkness we were hit. This was no troll. There must have been forty of them, huldra. Slashing and tearing apart tents and destroying our equipment. Within seconds we jumped into action Daya and I grabbing our rifles and putting our backs to the closest tree, firing into the general direction of the too quick to see sprinting bodies. In that moment I was glad to have them, because while huldra are ungodly fast, nothing is faster then an elf. So much so I didn't even have to worry about friendly fire, apparently our bullets were moving like turtles compared to them. Within minutes the huldra bodies were stacked up in a pile, their furry legs soaked with blood. \n\nI guess those pointy eared bastards are good for something.\n", "I’d held on to my job longer than most; the goblins that were replacing cashiers around the word tended not to like the wide open areas of the American Midwest, so I didn’t have as much competition for keeping my job. Eventually though, even some goblins came out to my little town, as well as some of the other returned fae that felt more of an affinity of the area, and well, I just wasn’t as good with counting money as they were. I needed the calculator on my phone to calculate sales tax. They could multiple 8 digit numbers together in their head.\n\nSo, I started to look into going back to school. Universities were retooling quickly, in the face of the changes that had been wrought on our world by the Return. My alma mater in Rolla had become the Missouri Academy for the Arcane & Technological, or MAAT. Due to the heavy Egyptian themes that they had adopted (I think they were really reaching with their name change), they even had sphinxes and other creatures that had taken residence. It was starting to become a boom town for Egyptian revivalism, all because the avatar of Thoth had returned close by in the town of Cairo, Illinois. Rather an odd fate for a small Missouri town. I was setting my sights a little higher though, the Massachusetts Institute of Thaumaturgy. MIT had easily managed to keep its role as the pre-eminent research university in the nation, with brilliant students and researches who had quickly grown to appreciate the impact and importance of the Return and what it brought. It was almost an honor just to have a chance at getting in. Graduating from there would be the golden time let to a life of ease. Certainly a better one than my current, well, previous, life as a Walgreens cashier. Nuclear Engineering degrees weren't in high demand even before, with the presidents moratorium on new plants. And so I sat down to breakfast, MIT's response was waiting for me on the kitchen table.\n\nI trembled slightly as I opened it….. and Yes! I was in. Three lines in “We are happy to accept you to join the Massachusetts Institute of Thaumaturgy for the study of the kinetics.” But there was more “… on the condition of you completing a quest studying the magic of the dragon Ainfijar, and returning with a full report on the mechanism behind his magical skills”. I had heard of this dragon. He had located himself near Milwaukee, and was known for his ability to send blasts of air that were somehow self contained until they reached the target. I guess the ability to contain those blasts was the question that MIT wanted to know… Not that I had any idea how I was to approach Ainfijar, let alone study him. He was famously known to be reclusive and rather…. hostile to outside forces that intruded on his solitude. \n\nFurther down the page, though, was another note. I would have other candidates coming with me on this quest. One John Rothschild, who was training in pyromancy, a Lydia Johnson, who specialized in smithing and magical defenses, and Skye Greenborough, who was a tracker, and expert in herbal medicine and native healing methods. And a note to meet in the Alpha Brewery in St. Louis in two days, on June 14th at noon, if I was “still interested in accepting the offer”. Fortunately, there wasn’t much I needed to pack. ", "Its been six days. I am cold, hungry, and want to go home. \nOh, and its raining. Did i mention that its raining? It's raining. A miserable light drizzle. \n\n'Simon... Its raining' I say to my brother. 'And it'll be dark soon'\n\nI hate this. Life used to be so simple. Work, T.V, Games repeat. I was comfy. I like being comfy, i had my hair straightener too. My hair goes frizzy in the rain. \nSo Now i smell like leather, i have blisters on my blisters, and the hair that doesn't stick to my face is a soft tangle of brown frizz. \n\nMy older brother, Simon marches on cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to the rain.\n\nHe's been grinning since we left, singing an on the fly song about going on a quest. I watch his back as he marches on, shield, sword and giant battleaxe clanking as they sway, the rain tinkling of them merrily. Its amazing how fast people adapted. Before the return of the fey, armour shops were few and far between. \nNow, there are whole bazaars. You can even buy signs with a big yellow exclamation mark on them, for the modern quest giver on the go i suppose.\n\nI can hear his song on the breeze. \n\n\"May hav'ta go and kill some Dragons. \n\nClank, clank. \n\nThen i may ha'fta go, do me some Swaggin\"\n\nOh, went with Swaggin' this time. lyrical mastery there. Its good to see him happy though.\n\nSix months ago, my older brother died for a little bit. That's what the doctors told me. i found him, purple and dangling from a beam in the shed. \n\nIt was his job i think, I used to imagine him, six and a half feet tall and crammed into a cubicle, answering phones for ten hours a day. He started off with therapy, which immediately led to anti-depressants, which eventually led to my skinny frame supporting well over a hundred kilograms of man with every fibre of being I possessed, Sreaming for help.\n\nHe went to hospital, then he went away for a while. 'Just til' i figure my place in the world out, Jess' He would say. He had traded his cubicle for a slightly bigger one, so it would seem.\n\nThen, while he was in there, magic returned. It washed over the civilised world slowly, like a blanket of humility and darkness. A great equaliser. The one percent became people. The sick died. The forests filled with mythical beasts and spirit guardians once more.\nPeople went a bit stupid for a while, because humans are like that. \n\nThen the world settled. Life began again. Then, one morning, Simon returned home. His eyes focused and ablaze with promise. He looked different. It was probably the armour and giant battleaxe.\n\n'I need you to come with me'\n\n'Why?' \n\n'Well, Its dangerous to go alone? here, take this' He said, and handed the sword to me with a grin.\nThe suburbs were dangerous, and food was scarce. So i wrapped myself in armour, and followed my older brother to wherever he was headed. \n\nQuickly i discovered that I am no warrior. I can barely stand when i hold my shield. I can barely lift my sword, and i'm so tired already. \nLost in my thoughts i bump into Simon. He's like a wall with a beard. \n\n'Alrighty, lets rest here' he says, pointing to a small thicket of trees. He can see i am tired. \n\nHe's really good at this. within ten minutes the camp is set. A tarp suspended above keeps us dry, and a fire crackles merrily. \nIts a pleasure to take this leather armour off. Its soaked, squashes my boobs, and it rubs me raw under the arms. From my backpack i pull out my bathrobe, its hooded, and midnight black. Before the Fey, i basically lived in it when i could. \nI huddle it around me. At least ill be dry soon, but i really should have brought my hairbrush. I miss showers. and baths. and shampoo. Is it too much to ask to smell nice? \n\n'Damn the fey, and damn the damned dragons... I miss... everything.' The words march through my mouth. 'I shouldn't be here, Simon' \n\nSimon throws more wood on the fire. 'What would you have done hey? if i hadn't come back for you' \n\n'I dunno, i would've...' I trail off. What would i have done? \n\n'Died, or worse. Adelaide was headed to shit, and slavers would have got you. That's what would have happened. You can't defend yourself yet, and you would have died because this world, this new world isn't for you.' he pauses and looks up at the sky, and its exceptionally visible stars. 'I know what its like not fitting into a world. Not belonging. I only survived the last world because i had help' \n\nWe fall silent. This is something we have talked about, buried, and don't speak of.\n\n'Ill try' I say weakly. \n\n'Just remember, in the darkness you make your own light. Be strong' With that he lays on his sleeping bag, still fully armoured.\n\n'K, Simon.' \n\n'We'll do a bit of training tomorrow, your sword strokes are really coming along' He lies cheerfully. \n\nI would use the term \"Swings like a girl\" but i have seen some of the Women warriors getting around - and they could punch a house brick into dust.\n\n'Are we really going to kill goblins tomorrow?' i ask anxiously. \n\n'Yup, don't worry, they're more of a pest than a threat, just keep your eyes and throat covered, yeah?, and its worth some gold to us, and we need the money. \n\nThat night, I sleep fitfully. Anxiously dreaming of goblins and darkness. I awake with a start. a knife is pressed to my throat. \n\nIn the light of a quiet fire, my vision is filled with a grimy man, wickedness reflects from his eyes. \"Shhhhhh\" he says. His breath stinks of booze and decay. 'Avin' a nightmare were we? Ooooh, we're gonna have some fun with you my lovely' He says. Its terrifying. I freeze. I can feel his tongue on my neck. Simon is still asleep. two figures creep up on him. knives drawn.\n\nI struggle, and he chuckles softly. 'Hold still girlie, you'll like it' Booze, decay. Evil. \n\nThen... I feel it stir. It feels like the beginnings of a laugh. It bubbles up from inside... a welling... All the rage. all the fear, all the helplessness. churns through me. Time slows. \nLife could be so unfair. Two people, trying to find their way in the world, about to be killed for no damn reason. \n\nNo. Not today.\n\nI raised my hand and am surprised to see it sheathed in lightning. There is a look of panic on the bandits face. \nIt's the most primal feeling of self righteous Hatred I can muster. I push my palm against his face and let it flow through me. The crack of the lightning is deafening. In the dim light I see Simon's eyes open. There is a brief rain of ash and skull fragments. I push the corpse off of me, pushing aside revulsion for later. \n\nSimon roars and stands like an avatar of righteous vengeance. I have never seen him fight before. He's like a demon. He cleaves through one, leaving his his axe buried in his rib-cage. then draws his sword. Stalking his prey. who turns to flee. \n\nI scowl and point a finger at the fleeing man \"Stop\" i say softly, feeling invisible threads tangle around him. He stops. Paralysed. \n\n'Please sir, have mercy...' He pleads, struggling against invisible bindings. \n\nSimon is angry. One meaty hand slams the paralysed man up against a tree by the throat. \n\n'So... this mercy then... where was this mercy when you were going to knife me to death? or selling my Sister to slavery? make some money of an entire life of misery were you? that's the problem with you bastards, always using the good nature of people against them. No, people like you invented mercy to stop people like me killing you when you're finally caught.' \n\n'What do you think, Jess?' Simon asks. \n\nI say nothing. i bury my sword in the mans neck. I watch him die. I don't feel the least bit bad at all. \n\nSimon shrugs. He is an uncomplicated man. \n\nSilently we loot the men, taking their small arms and any coin they may have. Its actually pretty lucrative. \n\nWe take our camp with us, its easier than burying corpses. I still wear my bathrobe. I quickly figure out a minor shield spell that keeps the rain off, and i hold it with only a fragment of concentration. it's giddying how easy this magic stuff is. Oh, and have you ever seen rain running along a forcefield? Its beautiful. Simon uses it to fill out canteens up, he's practical like that.\n\n'You okay?' He finally asks as we set up our new camp an hour or so later. \n\nI nod, I feel the best i have since the returning of the fey. 'you know something? I don't think i want to kill goblins.' \n\n'No? Well... if you don't want to kill things I suppose we could guard caravans, the moneys not too bad. pretty boring though'\n\n'I want to kill bandits.' I say with finality. I can still feel the tongue on my neck. I shiver. the anger returns. 'And slavers.' \n\nSimon pauses for thought stroking his beard. 'Bandit dens have lots more than the few we took out, you know.' \n\n'Simon, in the old world i always felt so... powerless. Evil had won. They had all the cards, all the money. No responsibility for their actions... They had power. Here, We are equals... And i'm going to make light in the darkness, And It will be with fire and destruction i shall make it. These evil folk, I want their dreams haunted by the visions of the destruction that will find them'\n\nSimon nods. He is an uncomplicated man, and I think he's in it for the axe swinging, mostly. 'Sounds good Jess' \n\nHeading south, we walked past the abandoned cars as they sat and rusted. there seemed to be a lot more animals around lately, and forests too, trees grew alarmingly fast now. The sun peeked out, it was a beautiful day after all, and my new healing spell works wonders on blisters. \n\nSpring in step, Free from cubicles, beginning a war against those who would enslave good people. A perfect way to spend a life, in one man's humble opinion.\nSimon began to sing. His lyrics needed work, but it was good to see him happy. \n\nGonna Go stomp, Some serious bandit\n\nDon't ask me why, my mage-sister Planned it \n\nIts been eight days. \nTwo since i harnessed the power. \n\nAnd to those who would do the good folk harm,\n\nYour days are numbered. ", "The letter, handwritten in strikingly red ink on brittle parchment, reads:\n\nRejoice! The dragons have returned! And with them, the wonders of magic have once again graced our tragic world. Where once was disparity can now be abundance! Where once was the empty longing of faith alone can now hold assurance of our future!\n \nAnd now we call to you – oh great Dragon One. With the rise of the Magical Renaissance, the world has been given a new insight of the people that inhabit this planet. I, Malthazar, Great Wizard of the Coast, have used my newly-mastered sensory abilities to gaze upon your Soul Essence. I am truly taken aback at the amount of pure energy I have found in you. Truly, you possess a potential even greater than my own.\n\nPerhaps this sounds ridiculous, and I understand the shock you must feel. Yet I know of no other way to communicate my amazement of what I have found within you.\n \nWe need you, oh Dragon One.\n\nThe dragons have brought a new prosperity among our lands, but I believe we can all sense a Darkness lurking in the misty fog of the future. I hold no doubts that you may be the only one to prepare us for future demise.\n\nI try to read on, but tears have formed in my eyes. Outside, a dragon’s shadow flies past the house and over the sprawling hills. I can hear my children playing in the Missawood patches in my wife’s garden, their laughter echoing through the open window and into my study.\n\nI wipe my tears and read the final words of the letter:\n\nI wish to teach you, Dragon One. I wish to bring that potential out of you. I wish to turn your Essence into True Power, for you and for our world. Do me – do us all! – this justice for the sake of all that lives and breathes in this New World.\n\nIn order for this to come to fruition, however, you must reply to this letter with a small contribution of $85 in a check made out to Malthazar Burkley. \n\nPlease send this to 15 of your closest friends and family members who may also contain True Potential!\n\nLive on, Dragon One! I hope to hear from you soon.\n\n-M.B.", "The seconds seemed to tick away like hours when the moment finally approached. We'd all been warned about it, told what would come of it, but none of us could believe it--that the age of dragons was returning. The ancients had foretold it, but we had taken it as pure myth, the imaginings of societies long gone and far more primitive than us.\n\n\nYet, here I was, a year later, sailing out on a ship to the deep arctic, preparing to face my first dragon. The return of the dragons had brought chaos to the world, and few nations remained, but what was left of the U.N. chose to have one last-ditched attempt to stop them. I was that attempt. Something within me had shown to them that I had the power to take on these beasts, that neither man nor machine had thus far felled.\n\n\nThey'd hastily equipped me with whatever heat conductive material they could find, taught me whatever old spells the old tomes had spoken of, and trained me in a bit of combat, but I still had never felt less prepared in my life. Fear coursed through my veins as we approached the site, the last reported sighting area of one of the fiercest dragons of them all--Mirmulnir.\n\n\nSuddenly, flames poured from the sky. Screaming and yelling covered my poor vessel, the soldiers aboard becoming cannon fodder for the mighty beast. I dived off the edge and swam, as hard as I could, for I had no hope to stop the beast while in the water. Dragging myself onto an ice floe, I screamed to him \"Challenge me you fool, one as might as yourself!\"\n\n\nHe slowly turned and chuckled. \"You think you are as might as me,\" he said, \"now you shall see what might truly is!\" With a great beat of his colossal wings, Nirmulnir flew towards me, spitting fire at my feet. I dodged and shot back flames at him, summoning every skill I had learned in training. \n\n\nYet, as the fight dragged on, I knew there was no chance I would have to beat, not so long as he was airborne. Then the fool landed, as if out of his own arrogance, and I took my chance.\n\n\nAs I ran, a voice boomed from the sky: \"BUT THERE IS ONE THEY FEAR.\"\n\n\n\"What the--\" I thought. No matter though, I had a job to finish. I struck at Nirmulnir, and felt his bones weaken against my blade. His jaws snapped back, and his fiery breath coated me, but it was to no avail, for my shield protected me. \n\n\nInvigorated by his failure, I leapt onto his skull, and struck repeatedly. \n\n\nThe voice boomed out again: \"BUT THERE IS ONE THEY FEAR...\"\n\n\nI struck again, and finally, he fell. As he fell, I felt a new energy enter me, as though I had absorbed something into my very soul.\n\n\n\"IN THEIR TOUNGE HE IS DOVAKHIIN...DRAGONBORN\"\n\n\nI felt a new knowledge in my mind, and uttered those famed words: \"Fus Roh Dah!\"\n\n\nIt has begun.\n\n\nEdit: I'm a total noob and this is my first story, but what's a dragon story without fus roh dah?\n\n\nA word", "You know some might have considered me a vigilante.\n\nOr a criminal.\n\nOr a hero\n\nI consider myself a huntsman. I am the one who punishes the powerful for abusing said positions, I am the one pushes them back when they've overstepped their bounds, I am the one who tracks them when they run from their mistakes. However, I never killed. I always had someone I had to go back to. \n\nThen the Dragons came.\n\nGod's great scaled agents of destruction fell from the heavens and lit the sky on fire. They exclaimed that they returned to change the world, to stop the great calamity we were running towards, and to light a new fire within our lives. And with them came the Fae, tiny woodland creatures who shined the bright light of magic across the globe. However we all forgot that the brightest lights cast the darkest shadows.\n\nThey came soon after. The writhing black creatures that slumped out of the abyss to devour all magic ,that we have dubbed Slimes, attacked the entire world creating bloodshed and chaos on an unprecedented scale. So many people lost their lives in the battle and in an attempt at escape. So many people. The Dragons did nothing, they merely sat on their laurels and allowed humans and Fae to be slaughtered saying that it was all a part of the divine plan. It has been a year since the Dragon's arrival, the population has been cut in half, technology doesn't work anymore, but somehow people are starting to move forward. Youngsters have been going on these things called Quests nowadays it sounds like something straight out of a game of D&D. I think I'll go on one of these Quests, but a quest that is familiar. I'll punish the powerful for abusing said positions, I'll push them back because they've overstepped their bounds, I'll tracks them when because they've run from their mistakes.\nI'm going on a quest to kill all Dragons.\n\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nFirst time posting on this sub, and this is probably trash so feedback is greatly appreciated.", "Nobody believed the news when they saw it. Many thought it was a hoax and why shouldn’t they? A dragon rampaging though New York… it was like something out of the movies.\n\nIt is only now that we’re beginning to understand that all the legends, the lore, the fairy tales, if not true, were more real than we possibly could have imagined. \n\nWhen the first Red dragon appeared, it… how can I explain this, it changed the rules we live by. Physics and logic, they became warped with each beat of its wings. Our technology ceased working overnight, as if the beast had absorbed it. Electricity is now more legendary than the dragons themselves. And, overnight, we lost our place at the top of the food chain. With our technology gone, we have never in our history been so susceptible to another species of animal.\n\nNew York was in gridlock when the first dragon struck, a year ago. It rose from the Hudson River, veiled by a terrible fog of steam it had created. Glowing from the embers beneath its skin, it torched the streets, with breath hot enough to melt the asphalt. Whole blocks succumbed to its blaze and the people it trapped were doomed. Some shot their guns but the bullets just ricocheted off it rock-like skin. \n\nI was working in a call center that day. I hated the job; every aspect of it: the monotony of saying the same thing, over and over; having to be polite to rude people every day. In fact, I was thinking of handing in my notice that day. I had walked to work, as I normally did, and so was not affected by the gridlocked roads. It was impossible not to notice the chaos going on around you. And you can imagine the language I heard from the people I passed by on the sidewalk, who couldn’t get to work because the battery in every single cabby was broke.\n\nThe phones in the call centre weren’t working either. Cutting our losses, my colleagues and I went into the street and had lunch. It was while I was drinking a warm can of coke (all the refrigerators had lost power too) that we first felt the vibrations. The ground began to literally shake. Cars wobbled on their tyres and a couple of windows from the apartments up above us fractured. Quickly, we ran to find shelter. There was a lot of screaming. We all thought it was an earthquake. Then we saw the mushroom cloud of smoke rising into the sky. \n\n“Not again. Those bastards.” I turned around and saw it was Sandra. She was a pale, middle aged woman I worked with and she was shaking with rage.\n\n“No,” I told her. “This isn’t terrorism. Nothing human can make the ground shake like this.”\n\nAs if in agreement, the vibrations grew in strength. There was a pattern to it and it was getting more intense. Then we heard the roar. \n\nHave you ever been so frightened that you choke? Well, that’s how frightened I was when the Red dragon appeared in front of us, as large as an elephant but as quick as a greyhound. Its six legs scrambled over the ground like an insect and its four eyes twitched, scanning everything around it. \n\nI wanted to run but my legs had turned to stone. As it faced me, it screeched in rage. And then it did something I was not expecting. \nThe smouldering teeth in its mouth parted just enough for me to see the embers glowing inside. \n\nAn ancient voice, deep and gravelly, called out.\n\n“Do not.. come closer… Bahumut.”\n\nI didn’t understand. My legs were still frozen and my heart felt like it was exploding in my chest. \n\nThen I felt it, like a switch inside of me had been turned on. The appearance of this monster had triggered something in me. \nI was not longer standing on the floor. I was floating several feet above the ground. \n\nLooking at my reflection in a shop window, I saw that I had transformed. It was inexplicable. I was something totally different… a white dragoon. \n\nAs I hovered towards it, it used all its six legs to pounce at me as flames dripped from its mouth. \n\nInstinctively, I shot up into the air. I didn’t know how I was doing it but I was harnessing energy around me. In my hand, a spear of light appeared, glowing pearl. I came crashing down onto the beast and felt its skull concave under the tip of my spear. \n\nIt screeched, and hot ash rained down on me, burning my skin. Hissing, it withered and fell to the floor, turning into ash. \n\nThat was a year ago. Since then, I have discovered that I, and a few others, have the ability to fight these monsters. Since the destruction of military weapons, we’re all humanity have left. \nI have been protecting as many people as I can, but too many have died, despite my best efforts. It is time I search for others, like myself. We have to find a way to kill all the Red dragons. Each month that they exist, it feels like the Earth tilts towards the irreconcilable. \n\nThere is a darker force awaiting us. I can sense it. ", "That's enough, I've had it\n\nI'm over my menial ways\n\nMundane and repeating \n\nDay after day\n\n\n\n\nThese reports and this filing\n\nIt's always the same\n\nI want some adventure\n\nA real life role playing game\n\n\n\n\nTo quest and to loot\n\nAgainst tremendous foes\n\nTo travel and shoot\n\nMagical bows\n\n\n\n\nAnd arrows?\n\nYes arrows, thank you Karen\n\nNo problem Steve\n\nCan you get down from the desk please Steve?\n\nUhh, yeah sure, I'm doing a thing here Jim.\n\nYeah, I can see that Steve, but you're distracting others.\n\nRight sorry.\n\n\n\n\nI'll wear armour, ride horseback\n\nAcross mystical lands\n\nI'll fight dragons and demons\n\nIn mercenary bands\n\nI'll be home in time for tea\n\nWith my fairest of maidens\n\nDon't you forget, Steve\n\nI want that report on my desk by\n\nThree\n\nYes, three.\n\n", "\"Well, it appears that's that. See you never, fuck face!\"\n\n\n \n\n\nAngie, the scrunch-faced secretary of David's department of the Deerborne steel repository spoke with undisguised mirth from her car. She rolled up the window and made a feeble attempt at peeling out of the parking lot. It was on a little rise overlooking what was once a rather drab rectangle patterned with solar panels- now the building was patterned with orange and red flames cutting through the roof. At the far eastern edge, where the whole structure had sunken into a blazing, smoking pit, an inky shadow perched on an uneven pile of rubble. The roost of four female and one male American wyvern had once been contained with four others in the smoldering remnants of Detroit. Apparently these had struck out their own from the edge of the brooding ground. The male stretched its wings wide, and breathed a vast gout of flames skyward, eliciting screeches of approval from the smaller females circling above.\n\n\n \n\n\nAngie was right. Six years as an actuary and fourteen a department manager, his legacy was now presided over by a horror awakened by the very work he had done. That was very much that. He drove off, still unsure if he was happy. What was he even going to do? What did he even want* to do? He'd have to move for a start-his modest house was now squarely in the hunting range of the beasts. Beyond that, how had they gotten past the blockade of warplanes that loitered on the city's periphery? That thought scared him more. The radio still mournfully played an Oboe concerto by Strauss, and David elected to simply lose himself in the stormy texture. He'd plot a course in the few remaining hours he had in his home. Had the music not descended into raucous applause before he arrived on his street, he might not have even noticed the silver luxury sedan peeking through the trees at the top of his sloping drive. \n\n\n \n\n\nDavid breathed slowly, calmly and deliberately. He parked on the street two houses up, putting a hedge between him and his own slim front porch. This was not a coincidence, and he held the spiny cold of adrenaline in the back of his throat. He reached into his coat, fingers sliding around the grip of his old service pistol. He thumbed the draw guard, and slid it just free enough to snap the safety catch. He crouched low and worked his way through his neighbors overgrown garden, soft footfalls carrying him on a meandering route. The towering hydrangeas and tangled undergrowth kept him hypothetically hidden from whoever waited for him. He knelt in foliage at the edge of his lawn and peered through broad leaves at the car. Two large men, buzz-cut and broad slowly patrolled the edges of the driveway walking arching routes meant to surveil the street through the trees. A third silhouette, much slimmer but no shorter, leaned on the hood of the vehicle. He was looking directly at where David stood. David took that as his cue, and stepped out of the bushes.\n\n\n\"Stop!\"\n\n\nThe third man's high, sharp voice cut the air, and he cast a slim hand in the direction of the others. One of them gave a whipping two-fingered gesture, and David felt his gun tugged from its holster. If he held it any tighter it might have broken his finger as it snapped out in front of him, hanging queerly just out of reach. Then disassembled itself, and there was a soft rain as the components scattered about the lawn.\n\n\n \n\n\n\"I told you to stop you sack of shit! What the fuck? We wait for the guy for four hours and the first thing you do is fuck with him?\"\n\n\n \n\n\nThe man's wild gesticulations sent the pair cowering backwards. His limbs were slim and his fingers spidery, giving his motions a conductor's deliberate vigor. They all wore black suits with a silvery pin winking on the lapel, and there was a slim, long face peaking out of a wild shock of tawny hair. Tall pointed ears poked from the messy pile, and his eyes had an iridescent vibrancy. David thought of running, but recognized the futility as he was rounded on.\n\n\n\"Terribly sorry my friend, let me get that for you.\"\n\n\nHe gave a soft Beckoning sweep of his fingers, and the gun parts snapped across the ground into his outstretched hand. David stared darkly at the Fae offering him his gun with an undeniably mischievous smile that seemed to take up more of his face than was natural.\n\n\n \n\n\n\"I'm not your friend.\"\n\n\nDavid snatched the pistol, checked the breach and holstered it, eyes only flitting from the Fae for a second. It's smile cracked, revealing a yellowing mouth of sharp splintered fangs. An unnerving reminder this thing was only playing at being human.\n\n\n \n\n\n\"Of course, stranger waiting for you with some goons, doesn't look good does it! However, I'm only here to offer you an opportunity. An opportunity that doesn't come about every day!\"\n\n\nThe Fae lifted an open hand, which filled with dark leatherbound folio. He cracked it open and paged deliberately through it, shimmering eyes sweeping back and forth across the pages. David became aware that despite having only taken one step out of the bushes, he now stood a few feet onto his driveway, utterly unaware of when the transition occurred. There was a sharp gasp, and a finger snapped down onto the page. \n\n\n \n\n\n\"Right here. March 26th, two years previous. The third Alr'oquin expansion passed through this area, a natural phenomenon set in motion by the death of keeper Fallwetter. The government's required blood test showed several awakenings, you included. The new keeper elected to leave the mature humans ialone, but...\"\n\n\nHe interrupted his babbling to chitter, covering his mouth with his slim fingers. As a rule David ignored the politics and news of sprawling magical events, as they were both complex to comprehend and often incorporeal in nature. He didn't feel he had any grasp on what the Fae was talking about.\n\n\n\"But, seeing as you are now...unemployed... We would like to offer you a scholarship to the New Fox-Sauk school of sorcery and practical magics.\"\n\n\n \n\n\nHe snapped the folio shut, and offered David an appraising look. He plumbed what little he understood, trying to comprehend. He had heard of people discovering latent magical abilities, and children born with the power after the coming of new nature. But the idea that not only was it within him, but he had been kept unawares? Had he even felt any significant difference, but would he? He began to stammer, starting sentences but not really knowing where to take them or what to ask. The Fae continued his smug look of appraisal, like a missionary offering the gospel. He stopped suddenly, watching the other men out of the corner of his eye. He suspected \"no\" might be an option without any significance.\n\n\n\"I...can do magic...\"\n\n\nThe Fae nodded, smug smile spreading.\n\n\n\"And you'll teach me...\"\n\n\n\"For three years, with eighteen months of service following as your practical certification. You people love your certifications.\"\n\n\n \n\n\nThat was a twinge, recognition his deal might have more strings than he could comprehend as of now.\n\n\n\"Why offer this? Why now, and not before? What reason do you have to teach me?\"\n\n\n\"What reason did humans have to build colleges and schools for centuries? Knowledge is usable by all.\"\n\n\n \n\n\nDavid thought, long and hard. He wasn't young, and both military school and the college after his service had been taxing on him. But it was a new natural order, and being a part of it might be more essential the stranger it all got. He thought of the Devils breathing flames across his old life, immolating twenty years of progress. \n\n\n\"I'll get my bag.\" \n\n\nAn arm shot out and touched his shoulder as he turned up his driveway\n\n\n\"New things will be provided. This property will still be yours, but the proximity to the wyvern roost...I suppose you should grab a souvenir...just a little something. A token of sorts\" \n\n\n \n\n\nDavid looked back up at his house, thinking of one thing he'd like to keep. His ex-wife's funeral card? The key to the moldering Impala out back? It came to his racing mind suddenly and simply. Up the stairs, through the small kitchen and down the stair into the little office that looked out the back of the house onto the woods. In the third drawer down, still in its dusty leatherette box under three folders of bank documents. Inside, the Cyrillic note simply read \"keep it simple. Congratulations David.\" The single-hand Luch watch hadn't been wound in a decade, but he slipped off his comparatively glitzy Rolex and buckled it loosely on his wrist. His parents had been the only ones eager for him to go back to school, and he thought they might appreciate his return. As he walked down the front steps, he thought he saw a great shadow wheeling overhead, and swiftly disappeared into the silver car to began what he supposed was a new life.\n\n", "It had been a year since the first dragon returned. Apparently global warming was good for something, because the dragons brought magic and faes and all sorts of mythical things. And global warming brought the end of global warming, thank the gods, as we had conjured up some ridiculous set of spells that did something, I think it draws carbon dioxide from the air and turns it into something, but that's besides the point.\n\nToday I'm going to set off on my first ever quest.\n\nMagic was quickly replacing technology, but that doesn't mean tech just went out the window, no, it got an upgrade. Magically connected wifi all across the globe, hell yeah. I checked my phone and pulled up my Quest Log. Well Quest Log being the app everyone that wants to get hired for a quest uses.\n\nMy first quest was simple, wipe out some goblins, gotta start somewhere, right?\n\nThe location was fairly nearby, and the goblins hadn't become a threat yet, but the city leaders thought that it was only a matter of time. Doesn't matter as long as they pay me what I want. And for a first quest this had a pretty damn good price.\n\n$500,000 to wipe out this encampment.\n\nThat price tag might make it seem dangerous, but in reality that's a measly sum for some of the more elite adventurers, plus the city has no idea what it's doing when it comes to all this new magic stuff, they tried to keep their head in the ground until someone nearly got killed by it. \n\nI drove to the outside of the encampment and parked my car ok the hill above it. Alright I should have most of my gear, let's get started. \n\nThere's about a dozen goblins in all. They've got tens and a campfire and are outfitted with spears for the most part.\n\nI raise my Steyr AUG and put the first goblin's head in my crosshairs. Breathe in. Hold. Squeeze. \n\nThe rifle bucks a little bit, recoil taking hold, but the goblin falls in an instant. The rest of them gather around the center of the camp, big mistake.\n\nI flip the fire mode selector to burst, this AUG was specially commissioned thanks to my adventurers license. \n\nWith just a few more well placed shots the goblins all fall, ugh, goblins are fucking disgusting. I rifle through their camp and find some interesting stuff, little bit of gold, some jewelry, and a magic ring that I'll have to get identified later.\n\nThat was it? Kinda feels like I cheated, but who cares, I'm getting paid! \n\nI return to the city and get my reward, deposited straight into my bank account. Sitting down at my computer I look at the next couple of quests. One for a young dragon's bounty catches my eye, but I'm gonna need a party for that.", "It still isn't clear to me whether or not there was any good way to react to the news. Very suddenly our notion of society was twisted into something short of a melancholy plod through a freshly wild world.\n\nI wanted to think that this was nature balancing herself out after the chaos humanity had wreaked rampant destruction throughout her forests and shores. Maybe the Fukushima Daiichi reactor had finally fallen into the ocean and transformed some hideous deep sea life. Perhaps, somewhere in the world, the antichrist had been born, and this was the coming of the final days.\n\nRegardless, It was easy to walk out of work that morning.\n\nIt seemed so odd, that as everyone clambered and stumbled around the office, I silently packed away my things and made a calm exit to my car. \n\n“Finally!”, I thought to myself, “A way out!”\n\nSome way out it turned out to be. After some overgrown flying lizard torched my apartment building and all of my valuable crap, I was left on the street corner with my casual Friday slacks and a billowy team jacket I'd picked up at a thrift store years ago. \n\nAs night fell I began to wander through the city streets, packed with cars trying to evacuate but making no progress. It wasn't long before everyone began to grab what they could and haul ass on foot. Ominous smoke clouds hung before the dimming sunset. For the first time I felt a pang of anxiety, wondering if one of those things were descending down to obliterate me and a thousand others this very moment. I decided it might be a good time to make myself scarce and I ducked into a street side retail shop and vaulted over the counter.\n\nIt was a minute or two before I realized that I had no idea where I was. I poked my head around the rounded edge of the register counter and spied a collection of designer clothes hugging the thin frames of wiry mannequins. I was relieved but still uneasy. There was nobody around, and as far as I was concerned social order had all but collapsed, but even then, with the perfect opportunity to shoplift an executive wardrobe with no repercussions, the failings of my past self began to rear their shameful heads- alas, I was too overweight for debutante clothing...\n\nUnfortunately something else reared its ugly head as one of the female mannequins sporting a cardigan began to shift as though there were a large rat inside.\n\nI watched, frozen, beads of frigid sweat forming along my hairline, as a potbellied rat with the head of a tumor dropped out of the bosom of the model, and then another across the room, and another. I began to clamber back to the counter, slowly and with little strength in my legs. Was I hallucinating? Was I in Shock?\n\nThe first little rat rolled himself onto his rear. No, he wasn't a rat, he had no fur, or a tail... The more I watched him (her? It?) reposition himself the more clear it was that this was no animal. He had grubby little claws that ended in shiny black nails like a dog's, and when he turned to me I noticed his face was that of a man's but with a long, beak like nose.\n\n“W-welcome to our-” it stopped as it spat a sickly smelling yellow phlegm onto the hardwood floor “Eshabblement!”\n\nI knew there was the possibility I wasn't hallucinating. First dragons now, what, rat people? As I tried to rationalize the event I scarcely noticed the other mannequin droppings scooting and crawling behind the vocal gremlin.\n\n“Wh... Who are you?” I demanded out of fear. Each of them registered about a foot or 2 in height from what I could tell in the dim interior of the store. I could have probably punted each of them a good distance were there not at least 50 of them and more tumbling down from curtains and trench coats. The ugly orator scooted a little closer on his butt before awkwardly standing on his spindly legs.\n\n“Wesh livin da wooooooools!” he gurgled through a veneer of dull yellow teeth that sat angrily in his maw like a crocodile's, “Wesh livin he fur eva!”\n\n“Fur eva! Fur eva!” his congregation repeated in gurgling shrieks, spilling more bile and phlegm from their shining lips as they advanced towards me, licking their chops.\n\nI could barely get the “Fuck you” out of my mouth before the windows exploded.\n\n“Try not to hit the live one” was all I could hear, bellowed out in a raspy cry as the mob of abominations before me erupted into water balloons of yellow and black bile. \n\nAs I tried to get off my back one of the beasts leaped onto my chest, slamming the back of my head against the fake hardwood floor. I looked up at the little mongrel as he unsuccessfully attempted to wrap his meager mitts around my neck. Without much thinking, and adrenaline flooding my otherwise meek judgment, I returned the favor and popped the beats miniature adam's apple like a piece of bubble wrap. Disgusted, I heaved the convulsing dwarf across the room and turned to the now blown out door. A group of shadow clad figures faced me, a bright floodlight blocking my vision.\n\nI attempted to hold my hands up in surrender, but was dragged out by one of the shadow men. He must have been strong, as he flung me from the edge of the store into the bright blinding light.\nI turned back towards the storefront. I saw a fragile looking man in a hood against the outside wall, chanting something in a low roar like a threatened tiger.\n\nThis was about the time the strong man flipped me on my back, catching only a brief glimpse of his pale face before slamming the butt of a rifle into mine.", "\"Laura!\"\n\n\"Shut up, Darryl! I'm working on it!\"\n\nThe mana weave dissolved again as it hit the seventh-dimension complexity. I pulled the crash report from the collapsing mess with a three-fingered gesture while my other hand began recasting the environmental shield that was beginning to stutter.\n\n\"The drake breathing fire down my neck really isn't helping!\" I shouted as I isolated the problem and recompiled the spell matrix with a muttered voice command.\n\nOur tank, Darryl, let out a strangled sound of indignation that was drowned in the roar of fire. I couldn't see his face due to the inferno that rushed around and all over my protective bubble, but I trusted that it was appropriately disgruntled.\n\n\"Sorry that I can't kill a giant freaking dragon-\"\n\n\"-drake-\" Syrion interrupted somewhere to my left.\n\n\"-with a rusty bronze sword and silver armor, then! Oh wait, that's your job.\"\n\nA cacophony of clangs pierced the bellow of an angry drake—the sound of armor plates clashing against each other under the brunt of the beast's blow.\n\nAfter this operation, 1772 kµ of additional mana capacity will be used.\n\nDo you want to continue [Y/n]?\n\n\"Syrion!\" I yelled. \"Ready on my side!\"\n\n\"Finally!\" Darryl groaned.\n\n\"<Divine Clarity>!\" the Elven cleric commanded. The ancient tongue that all clerics used was foreign to my ears, but I at least recognized the words of the invocation.\n\nAn unspeakable calm washed over all of us, cleansing the air of drake breath as its invisible wavefront crested over the battlefield. I had to actively stop my muscles from relaxing involuntarily. Colors became more saturated, but simultaneously lighter. The sun broke through the clouds of ash in slow motion, casting rays of holy light that sang to me of the glory of Sarom-Golut. The scorched earth and the magma flows that dotted the landscape was bleak but beautiful, urging me to-\n\nDammit. Think of something else. Illiterate users. Firmware updates that break your code. Memory leaks that you can't find.\n\nI confirmed the operation.\n\n> Enter true name of target matrix:\n\nI opened another holographic terminal.\n\nmUNIX-3.1.03-Local:~ Laura$ reqname -true -rel 2.3 9.6 7.2\n\nAzmyolunn\n\nCtrl+C, shut down window, back to the other prompt. Ctrl+V.\n\n> Target acquired. BindObject instance initialized.\n\nTime returned to normal. The configured spell lashed away from me, hovered for a split second, and zoomed towards the still-entranced drake that had just involuntarily given up its true name under <Divine Clarity>. Syrion and Darryl joined my side as we watched the program run its course.\n\nRed voxel holograms flickered to life all over the drake the moment the scripted object made impact, mapping out its volume with a flood-fill algorithm. Before the beast could react, the tracks of red collapsed into a wireframe mesh that contracted around it, eliciting a pained grunt.\n\nElemental effector beams seared the earth, overwriting the black basalt with polished marble engraved with complex glyphs in a split second. Almost immediately, they burst to life with green energy, followed by rapid-fire geometric matrices blinking in and out of existence, the calculations completed instantly by a quintuple-core magical processor running off mana circuits.\n\nAs quick as it began, the process was over. The glowy lines dissolved, the marble remained, and the drake was... well, sitting there immobile. Bound, by chains that now existed not physically but carved into its soul matrix.\n\nI pulled an electronic USB stick from where it was floating, plugged into the mUNIX construct, and pocketed it. The thaumogenetic material read from the creature would be worth quite a bit to the folks at the Cambridge Thaumobiology Research Institute.\n\n\"Impressive,\" Syrion mused. \"That binding would have taken an experienced mage at least eight hours to complete.\"\n\nI checked the log on my primary holographic screen.\n\n\"2.43 seconds.\"\n\nSuboptimal, but this was only the program's first test outside of a dream-plane emulator.\n\n\"I had to hold the thing off for half an hour!\"\n\n\"Shut up, Darryl. We're getting paid handsomely for this.\" I rolled my eyes.\n\n\"Perhaps it was fortunate that we slept through the centuries. This new age has brought many wonders despite its many limitations.\"\n\n\"I'm just glad you came back. Trust me, Walmart shifts aren't fun.\"\n\nI tuned the two out as I read through the logs of the experimental binder script. The extra computation time was a byproduct of ambient chaos magic, it seemed, which induced a time dilation that was fortunately corrected for by mana inertia. Mana cost went up by 72%, though.\n\nThe bound drake was technically mine—Syrion and Darryl were hired labor, so the quest winnings belonged to me by guild rules. This meant I could go over any mana leaks in the binding matrix when I got back to my workshop. If it didn't unravel by that time, of course, but a cursory inspection told me that it would hold.\n\nMy first quest, and I had successfully bound a drake in two seconds. All it had taken was three years of study and experimentation while living on what little savings I had left over.\n\nNo matter how much my old manager had underpaid me, I guess all of that software engineering experience paid off after all.", "It was a tired Wednesday when my first quest dropped through the letterbox.\n\nI was eating a thick piece of burnt toast, lamenting my wasted weekend spent shifting from dead website to dead website on the ghost town the internet had become. Exploration and magic is certainly a greater draw than sitting down and fumbling your way through groups of old posts on some random forum. And so sites died a death of a thousand cuts. I still looked for those hidden conclaves of activity but they were becoming scarcer and scarcer; each user suddenly dropping from the loop to travel and quest.\n\nIt wasn't until a year after the initial outbreak of magic that i received my own quest. a thick envelope delivered by those strange, inhuman bipeds with long thin arms and uncanny faces that pop the letters through your letterbox and scurry off towards some unknown appointment.\nI picked up my unexpected package. feeling the soft Fae paper that was almost silk. I slid out the contents and stared at what the Quest-giver had granted me: A beautiful intricate knife constructed with some kind of white metal, a thin brass compass that pointed to the nearest gate, and a thick book written back in the Age of Miracles that was titled \"The God's Pantheon\"(of course not written in English but the Fae had magic that fixed that).\nThere was a sheet of paper behind the book that dictated my quest.\n\n'Kill The Collector'\n'reward: 4,000,000gld'\n'description: you are to kill The Collector, a demigod that has existed with differing influence ever since The Renewal during The Age of Miracle's. upon completing this task report to the Quest-giver immediately. The provided literature will assist you in this (look especially at pages 954-1000 if you wish to know more about the Collector) and information on how to slay an immortal god can be found in the end of the book where it lists the deceased gods and how their deaths were achieved. The provided blade may be useful as it was used to kill The'kema the god of war during the last days of the Age of Miracles\nWe have no knowledge as to the Collectors location so it would be within your best interests to find that first.\n\nif you do not wish to or are unable to take this quest please reseal the envelope and a Servant will be along to collect it'\n\nMy face paled audibly. This was nothing like other quests; most were simple affairs that consisted of acquiring a handful of wool and giving it to the Quest-giver for a small reward, and As for the reward here. nothing i had ever heard of compared: 5 gold for some goblin hide, 15 gold for a couple kilo's of iron. FOUR MILLION. It was an amount i could barely comprehend; earning 10 gold an hour in my current job and having 30 on me, four million was an absolutely ridiculous number.\n\nAnd so slightly shaken at the responsibility placed on me and thoroughly unprepared i set out on my first quest. Little did i know what i was getting into.\n", "God, I miss Wi-Fi.\n\nA rather grumpy woman, all things considered, trudged through the rain-soaked mud of something vaguely resembling 21st Century Scotland. For many weeks, she continued her long march north, fingers frozen to her quarterstaff, whole body shivering despite her thick woolen cloak, and yet she did not relent, for this woman - Fiona, as she was known best - had a quest.\n\nAnd Taxis. And heating. And not going on quests.\n\nWhen the Dragons had first arrived, Fiona had been shocked. Delighted, awed, more curious than she'd ever found herself, but absolutely, unequivocally, mind-bogglingly stunned.\n\nTo Fiona, it was as if the universe had finally admitted it had always been ridiculous, and was now attempting to own it.\n\nAnd with the Dragons, came magic. Not immediately, but wherever the Fae Folk - as the menagerie of creatures that looked as though they'd been torn directly from storybooks had proudly dubbed themselves - went, strange things followed. It was as if their very presence awakened new rules in the universe. Wherever they went, so did the magic.\n\nIt was small, to begin with. Sometimes, someone would wake up and find themselves suddenly beautiful, or young, or healthy, with no explanation as to how. Certain people became gifted with extraordinary glibness to such a degree that laws had begun being filed to prevent the misuse of such magics - really, Fiona respected their initiative - not to mention a host of other magical effects.\n\nBut then things had started going wrong. In remote areas, small devices stopped working on an international level, then radio, then electricity itself, before the world had realized what was happening. Then came The Crash, and with it, The Fall of The Modern World.\n\nAll over Planet Earth, like a city skyline, all the lights went out - one by one, every computer died, every lightbulb went black, every vehicle just stopped.\n\nPeople died. Lots of them. Rumours said that there were talks of bringing war to the Fae, to the Dragons, believing that The Crash was intentional on their part, but what were rumours nowadays? And really, what chance did humanity stand, if it came to that? \n\nFiona cursed under her breath as she continued her quiet march.\n\nShe wanted to break the staff in her hand in two, but she wasn't the kind to turn away an advantage when it presented itself. Fiona wasn't especially skilled with magic - not even amongst humans, who, as far as Fiona could tell, had less than no natural predisposition to the skill - but there was no downside she knew of so long as she didn't exhaust herself, and, frankly, it was her only asset right now.\n\nWell, that, her zombie apocalypse survival plan (because she'd always known it'd be useful eventually), and what she personally liked to call her logic detector.\n\nApparently, when magic became a thing, most people decided to abandon common sense in favour of spending all day wishing they could shoot lasers from their eyes.\n\nFiona could see the appeal in eye lasers, of course, but they were going about it all wrong.\n\nWhen a new, powerful, dangerous force which you know absolutely nothing about suddenly appears along with the beasts and people of myth, do you poke it with a stick?\n\nNo. Of course not. You put on a labcoat, and gently prod it, recording how it reacts.\n\nWith safety goggles.\n\nThus far, Fiona had discovered that A) she could slightly alter the colour, temperature, texture, and, if she pushed herself slightly, material of a reasonably small object, and that B) magic was inscrutable, deliberately obtuse, and unfair.\n\nDespite all her testing, there was just no reason to any of it. It wasn't a mental block - simple tests with blindfolds and the like had revealed that - there was no understandable limit on the types of things she'd managed to change - she could alter most inanimate objects, certain plants (but not any other living creatures, and a few plants had stubbornly refused to change), and once, when feeling particularly frustrated, had accidentally managed to turn her hair bright pinkish-red.\n\nAs it stood, Fiona was making about as good a use of her power as she could manage. She had managed to make her map glow, which, for what it's worth, did make it readable.\n\nUnfortunately, she could only maintain one effect at a time. Thus, freezing.\n\nShe'd acquired the map in the ruins of Leeds. It promised a small settlement with working power - the whole thing set running by a series of hydropower turbines built in the nearby lake. Fiona wasn't sure whether that sort of thing would be simple enough to evade magic's nullification - assuming that it was all magic's fault in the first place, though she was comfortable with that educated guess - but it was her best bet, and who knows? Perhaps a large constant stream of energy immediately fed into a device that only consumes a small amount of power - say, a light bulb - might be able to sustain itself?\n\nFiona wasn't sure, but it was worth testing, and it beat scavenging in Leeds of all places.\n\nBesides, contrary to her previous statement, Fiona really felt like poking magic with a stick right now.\n\n---\n\nFiona sat on a worn, blue sofa, the massed armies of lint retreating into the folds of its cushions, making way for the giant come to destroy their home.\n\nShe sat clutching a large mug of tea in both hands. Teabags were a rarity nowadays, and this was amongst the last of her supply, but she felt she'd earned it.\n\nYou see, in the immediate aftermath of the crash, Fiona had made a list of all the important information she'd been able to gather. It had been so sudden she didn't have much to go off of, but the list was as follows; \n\nFirstly, magic had started affecting the more remote areas first, disabling tiny devices like remote-control toys and phone chargers before anything else.\n\nSecondly, The Crash had been almost instant, worldwide. There had been no time zone advantage, as far as she knew. It was as if magic's suppressing force had simply reached breaking point, and swept across the world suddenly and without mercy.\n\nAnd finally, magic did seem to care about complexity. The Crash had lasted about an hour, in total, and during that time, the internet had lasted around 10 minutes with spotty connection. There had been reports on the carnage as planes fell from the sky, crushing the earth below them, and any populated road was left devastated. Throughout the entire event, however, Fiona's phone had stubbornly managed to stay active, even if it's primary use was long gone.\n\nThese things put together, Fiona's pet theory - one of them, at least - had been that magic wasn't passive in location, that it was affecting certain areas first due to reasons other than total amount of technology. She thought that certain conditions must be met before it could simply 'turn off' everything, and, following that, that if it wasn't absolute, it could be fought.\n\nThe right kind of simple technology, that which acted as a direct result of being fed power or, for the most part, worked independently, might be able to sustain itself.\n\nAnd so it was that Fiona sat with a smug grin on her face, happily drinking her tea, as she basked in the dim, yellow, glow of a lightbulb.\n\nToday is a good day.\n\n---\n\nI really was not expecting the response this story got. Thank you all so much for what you've said, I was grinning like a maniac all day yesterday. I've wrote several follow-ups to this and deleted half of them, but this is the best one I've managed to write, even if it isn't as long as the first. I'll make sure to think about turning this into a book (Whether it's a novel, novella, short story, etc), and I'll PM anyone who said they were interested in the idea when and if it comes out, but until then, really, thank you so much. I'm glad you liked this." ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 9, 10, 10, 16, 20, 91, 139, 1232 ]	[ "1521270965", "1511604057", "1511627684", "1511633620", "1511624488", "1511634664", "1511643024", "1511644018", "1511634748", "1511634885", "1511636725", "1511640580", "1511634485", "1511639960", "1511638506", "1511629368", "1511629988", "1511634608", "1511631687", "1511609248", "1511632966", "1511626910", "1511624006", "1511622991", "1511621538", "1511609639" ]
	[WP] You discover you can travel in time, but only if you have a coin with the date of your destination. While exploring 1780's england, you lose your 2017 penny that's your ticket home.	5,899	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "David pulled the movie out of his collection and popped it into the VCR.\n\nIt was a movie they watched several times before. After, just on a lark, he pulled out an old Roman road coin, sat in a chair, and lulled himself into a state of self hypnosis. He must have dozed off and he must have been dreaming, because when he opened his eyes, he was sitting on a rock, next to an old cobblestone road. Quickly, his hand scrambled in his pocket for a 2017 coin to bring him back, but what he found was a 1979 penny instead. Instantly, the world started spinning and he was whisked away to a world where he quickly learned he was stuck. No ammount of self hypnosis yielded any effect.\n\nNow he wished he never watched \"[Somewhere in time](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somewhere_in_Time_(film))\"", "\"Spare some change?\"\nA drunk, homeless, madman thrust his hand towards an elderly couple as they hurried passed. \nThe husband curtly shook his head and continued walking but his wife, ever considerate, gently pulled him back. \n\"Martha!\" The husband hissed. \"We're late. You know how important this dinner is!\" \nMartha tittered and searched for some change in her purse. \n\"Oh it won't be a minute Thomas. It's freezing out, look at the poor man.\" \nThomas leaned sulkily on his cane. His bad knee had been growing more painful by the day. His cane was becoming ever more function over fashion. \nHe looked now at the homeless man, with no other reason but to pass the time. \nThe man sat slumped on the cold cobblestone ground. Thomas could smell he was barely conscious. But sober enough to beg. \nIt was cold but Thomas was sure the man could not feel it's biting sting through the warmth of his inebriation. \nHis clothes were a stained brown and grey mesh which hung in loose tatters across his thin limbs. Thomas frowned, there was something peculiar about the man's clothing. Perhaps it was the horrendous state the clothes were in, torn and dirty, barely resembling clothes any longer. But there was something else. Something that didn't belong. \n\"Ah here we are!\" Martha beamed, pulling two coins from her purse. She handed them to the man like a proud mother handing a treat to their defenceless child. \nThe homeless man snatched at them, like a man who snatches at a fortune, merely stumbled upon; with desperation and greed. \nThomas pulled Martha away now and she followed, satisfied with herself. Intending to tell this story to her friends as soon as they arrived at the dinner. \n_Clink. Clink. Clink_ \nThe sound of coins bounced across the street behind them. \nThomas and Martha turned simultaneously but Martha immediately turned back and continued walking away. Her deed was done. Besides they were late. But Thomas' eye could not but help stumble upon the clinking coins, rolling rickety along the cobblestone.\nThomas felt the rage boil from his stomach to his head. He was not to be disrespected by someone incapable of respect for themselves. \"You ungrateful bastard!\" He cried bounding back, limping with ferocity towards the homeless man.\n\"Are you mad or are you just stupid? Who do you think you are?\" He roared, his anger primal. \nThe drunk man cackled loudly, exposing many a missing tooth. \nThomas flinched away in surprise at the reaction. He had expected either anger in return or fear, this threw him off. \n\"Why both of course. A man drove mad by his own stupidity. Wouldn't you be the same?\" The hobo asked, smiling through scattered teeth. \"You would have descended into madness too? If you had seen the things I have seen, never to see again. And grown madder still knowing it is by your own idiocy.\" \nThomas clenched his teeth. He would not indulge this fool's drunk ramblings any longer. He had a responsibility to teach this wretch of a man the meaning of consequence. He raised his cane above his head but the homeless man reached quickly for something behind his back and Thomas' stopped, his cane adrift above his head. Hovering in indecision. \nOnce Thomas saw what the man held in his hand his arm fell limp to his side. He dropped the cane and it clattered impotently across the floor. \nThe homeless man held in his hand something the likes of which Thomas had never seen. Despite it's rather normal rectangular shape Thomas could not imagine its function. It was of a sleek form and peculiar colour. A shade of white he had never quite seen. It was divided in a vicious harmony of glass and chrome. It was so strange. So out of place. He felt as if the world he lived in was undeserving of its creation. A tablet the gods had carved themselves from a divine stone. A tablet fit to decree their commandments. \n\"Oh yes. You would be mad too.\" The homeless man said, his lips curling bitterly before spitting at Thomas' feet. He cried in anger now and shook the tablet at the sky. Thomas tried to back away but was frozen in awestruck confusion. The homeless man came in closer. \"Forsaken! To a world now remembered in words and not in memory!. To a world now remembered in my own memory. And by my own stupidity! What can one do but resort to madness?\" \n\"This is preposterous...\" Thomas stuttered, the aggression dying at his lips. Unable to wrench his attention from the tablet. \n\"Oh but my totem of mockery intrigues you?\" The homeless man said, a smile creeping along his lips. \"You have merely seen a glimmer of its divinity. Perhaps we should call upon the times to come the times now gone. It has been a while. Come let me show you what's just out of reach.\" \nHe adjusted his grip on the tablet and immediately as if transported from another world, a light shone brilliantly from the tablet. A light of which the properties Thomas had never quite seen. A light which did not resemble the flickering light of flame, nor did it shine like the unbearable brightness of the sun. It was a light that could transform. It could create. It changed at will forming strange symbols and illuminating even stranger colours. \nSurely this was of the devil Thomas now thought, frightened. But quickly realised no, this was of the gods and that frightened him even more. \nThe homeless man chuckled as he leaned down and picked up one of the coins he had previously dropped. He also picked up Thomas' cane and tucked it in the nook of his arm. On one hand he held the tablet. Eye level with Thomas. It's strange glimmer cast upon his face. In the other hand, this hand parallel to the ground, the coin was nestled in his palm. \n \"A single coin. It's value to you no more than the metal it's made of. To me, the key to a world where men ascend the ground, ascend the clouds, ascend the heavens! A world in which destruction can be harnessed from a fraction of nothing. A world of marvellous disbelief. Of unequalled good and unfathomable evil. Where we are not bound by the constraints of your mind. But bound by the constraints of our own. But without that coin all I can do is remain, or go backwards. Only forwards at the pace we are all bound by. I have searched for it for many years. I have turned all of time before this moment inside out. But now I realise.\" The homeless man closed the coin in his hand. \"I realise it is truly gone.\" \nAnd the man disappeared. As if he had never been there before. \n\n\n\n\n\n", "Thanks for giving me something entertaining to do at work while we're slow! Here we go: \n\nLater that day, as I was driving home from the University, I just couldn't get my mind off of Professor Spencer's new breakthrough, or why he was so insistent that I be his first subject. He tells me he's already had a successful attempt himself, and wanted to offer another the same opportunity. Professor Thompson, my department head, refused repeatedly on the premise of being too occupied with his research, but suggested that his newest professor - myself - would be a perfect recruit. \n\nI had been working on research regarding the overall sentiment the British citizens had towards the American's recent Declaration of Independence when professor Spencer told me of a new pill he had developed that allowed anyone who took it to travel anywhere in time. All they needed was the pill, to be in possession of any item from the year they wished to travel, and to wish - as though it was truly desired, and truly believed to be possible - to travel to that year. \n\nI took my right hand off the steering wheel and reached into my pocket, pulling out my grandfather's Spanish Pieces of Eight from 1780 that I always kept on me for good luck. \n\n\"This is ridiculous,\" I said through a chuckle. \"There's just no way...\"\n\nI ran my finger over the coin. \"1780. Wow. How amazing would it be to actually travel to England when this coin had just been minted.\" I clenched the coin tightly, and pictured my surroundings morph into a winding dirt road through the English countryside. \"I wish. I truly, without any regret, desire to travel to England, year 1780.\" I repeated my wish over, trying harder each time to say it with conviction. To convince myself it was possible. \n\nI walked into my apartment surrounded by delicious scents permeating the air. My girlfriend gave me a kiss as she ran into the kitchen to pull dinner out of the oven. I was still holding the little silver coin. \"Why are you holding your lucky coin, babe.\"\n\nI laughed, \"Ahh, it's stupid.\" She looked up at me and stared. I knew she wanted me to go on. \"Well, you remember Professor Spencer? We had dinner at that seafood place with him and his wife a few months back?\"\n\n\"Yea...? She said, raising a brow. I continued to tell her of his supposed breakthrough. \n\n\"And you actually swallowed the pill?!\" She yelled with concern. \n\n\"Well, sure. Besides, it doesn't work, anyways - I'm here, aren't I?\" \n\nShe was upset. She couldn't believe I wished to leave her. At least that's how she interpreted it. I pulled out a coin from 2017, and a bottle of the pills. \"It's fine, babe, I would never leave you. I'd come right back, that's why I keep this penny on me. You wouldn't even know I was gone. \n\nWe ate our dinner and forgot all about our conversation. I changed into my pajamas, and we dosed off in our usual routine, watching reruns of Home Improvement on Hulu. \n\nI woke up frozen, to what sounded like horseshoes on cobblestone. I sprung up and ran to the window, rubbing my eyes, still mostly unable to see, and pulled the curtain back. \n\n\"Well I'll be damned, that old man was right! How is this possible?!\"\n\nI continued staring in amazement. Carriages pulled by horses strolled by stone dwellings, smoke rose from every chimney in site, and an awful stench permeated the air. I was in London, and the fight for American Independence was well underway across the Atlantic. I could make observations here that could bring about massive contributions to my own research! \n\nAnd then it hit me: I was still in my pajamas. My lucky coin was still back home. Back in America. Over 200 years in the future! A wave of panic and dread swept over me unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I had a life I needed to get back to. Family, friends, a home, my cats. And my girlfriend. Oh my god, Ally was probably waking up right now in an empty home with the same panic I currently had. \n\nI had to think, fast. If I couldn't get back home, maybe I could get Ally here; with me. It wouldn't be all bad, and maybe I could even use my knowledge of the past to our benefit. If I can just get her here, we can work in England for a bit, and save us enough to sail over to America just as the war ends. I could make a fortune buying land, stocks, bonds; whatever. \n\nI found a quill and some paper, and began to write a letter to professor Spencer, doing my best to write legibly. If I could just get this in the mail and over to Harvard, perhaps they can store it in the archives for a couple hundred years for professor Spencer. If I explained everything, maybe he could find Ally and get her to swallow the pill, so to speak. The trick would be making sure I don't come across as a lunatic and have my letter thrown out. \n\nI decided to explore England for a while, mulling over how to frame my letter to Harvard. I decided it'd be best to wait until I knew exactly what to write. I exhausted myself and returned back to the home I had woken up in. Nobody else seemed to live there, and so I went to bed. \n\nMy bed began shaking and I woke up, cell phone still in hand. \n\n\"Morning, handsome,\" Ally said softy, handing me a mug of hot coffee. \"Wake up honey, you need to get ready for work. Professor Spencer called me three times already looking for you. It's the big day. We're both going to travel in time today,\" \n\nTo be continued ", "The eyes of everyone were sullen, \nbut penny in hand, I had no fear. \nSuddenly I realized what was the matter, \nhearing whispers, \"American victory is near.\"\n\nWas the Revolution still going on? \nI should've paid more attention in school. \nWell this 1780 coin is really paying off. \nGo America! Kick rocks on English rule. \n\nSuddenly, feet away, a fight breaks out. \nGreat, I've got nowhere to stand. \nThe idiots crash right into me... \nand there goes the penny from my hand. \n\nI drop to the ground quickly, \ngetting stepped on throughout the fight. \nBut I'm sure as hell not getting stuck here, \nNot here on this night. \n\nDuring the scuffle my penny is kicked, \nIt rolls into a dark space. \nThen the same idiot steps on my ankle, \nSo I got up and punched him in the face. \n\nI quickly regretted my action, \nas the other combatant caught a break. \nSo he quickly pulled a knife and stabbed the man, \nso much blood, it almost looked fake. \n\nHoly shit I've got to go, \nThere! My coin is in sight! \nBut before I can grab it I'm tackled. \n\"You're going to jail, murderous wight!\" \n\nWeeks later I stand there at trial, \nAnd everyone testifies I threw a punch. \nThey think I'm accomplice to murder. \nNot one believes me in the whole bunch. \n\nI hear \"20 years\" after \"Guilty,\" \nThen the judge says one more thing, \n\"You can either spend your time in prison, \nor you can take up arms for the King.\" \n\nI'm sure as hell not sitting in jail, \nso taking up arms is what I'll do. \nThey say I'm going to fight the colonists. \nI can see the irony, I'm sure you do too. \n\nSeptember 8 of '81 at Eutaw Springs, \nthe scouts are out scavenging around farms. \nWhat's Colonel Stewart yelling about now? \n\"To arms! To arms! To arms!\" \n\nFucking penny. \n", "As I dodge across the broken pavement to avoid tripping, running as far as I can from the beastly mob after what I did in that tavern. I guess people in England don't take to well to the thought of killing a man with a mug of rum. Apparently, what little skills I had didn't take me far, just when I pull out my 2017 penny, I fall on the ground. It rolls out of my hand into a giant gap that I didn't have any time to grab, doesn't help that there was at least 20 deep black widow spiders writhing in the pit of black. As I lay on the ground, they don't trample over me, they lift me by the cranium, and smash my face into the hole. God help me, the spiders bit my face like a farmer digs up turnips on a hot day. I wake up the next day, still in the street, the spiders are gone, but my penny is still there. I lift it in my hand, with the corners of my vision almost completely black, I hold it to the sky and remember those times at the dinner table with my family.", "2017 penny? Check. Secure in a case on a chain bracelet around my wrist.\n\n'1780s noble woman's costume' purchased off amazon? Check. Wearing it. It’s a poofy dress with flower print. I practice a curtsy in the mirror, \"lady Blanche of Devonshire. Pleased to meet you. Yes, Duke William is my elder brother, have you made his acquaintance? Oh you have? You didn't know he had a sister named Blanche? Well I'm glad you rid you of that ignorance, now be gone from my sight.\"\n\nFake jewelry that's good enough to fool people of the time? Check. I’m up to my ears in fake gold and pearls.\n\n.45 caliber Springfield semi-automatic pistol, 12-shot clip? Check. Strapped to my hip, over the corset.\n\nSecondary clip? Check.\n\nForgetting anything? I don't think so.\n\nTime to hit the tavern and have some fun. I open the closet door and take a deep breath. The trip is always... Well, it's a trip all right.\n\nMy heart starts thumping in my chest, and I wipe my sweaty palms on my cheap costume. This is why I do it, after all. For the unholy thrill of it. The danger, the unknown. I've taken five trips now, about to make it six. Some have been long, multi-day adventures, others have been wild and short. They've all been close calls in some way or another. I always come back thinking \"nope, no, that's it, never again.\" I mean it each time, too. I promise myself. But when Thursday rolls around, and I’m in the cubicle, ticking away the hours of another pointless week... Well, that's when I know that the last promise was a lie. And I’ll lie again, I know, if I make it back.\n\nI hold the 1780's penny in my left palm and step through. I'm falling, spinning, hurling though dark cold air that crackles like static. Can't breathe. It stings my skin; it burns. It’s unbearable, then it's over and I'm curled up under a pile of burlap.\n\nI hear men conversing in low whispers around me. It smells moldy and damp. Damn trip never drops you in the same place twice. Last time I went to 18th century England I wound up in Buckingham palace dressed like a cabbage farmer! This time I'm in a goddamn cellar dressed like the duchess of Devonshire. Shit. Oh well. I unclip my pistol in its holster and wait. This will be interesting. \n\n\"Where's Oliver?\" One of them asks.\n\n\"He'll be here.\" Another says. They sound nervous.\n\n\"He's late.\"\n\n\"He'll be here!\" The guy growls.\n\n“I don’t trust him.”\n\n“Okay. Well how exactly do you propose we proceed without him? Hmm? Know a lot of palace guards loyal to our cause?”\n\nThe other man stays quiet.\n\nVery quietly I tug on a corner of the potato sack, uncovering one eye. We're in a basement. It's dimly lit by a few oil lamps. I can see one of their faces and the other's back. I'm in the corner, hidden by shadows and empty sacks.\n\nI'm content waiting it out, seeing what happens, then suddenly a dark shadow darts across the floor towards me. It's a rat! Rat. Rat. Rat. I hate rats. Hate them more than anything. I tense up. The disgusting thing keeps darting towards me, running along the edge where the floor meets the wall. Shit. No god, don't come--\n\nHere! It's here! It's scurrying about in the sacks. I can feel it below me. Oh god it touched my ankle! The thought of it getting up my dress crosses my mind and I just lose it. I scream and thrash and kick wildly, then I tumble out from the potato sacks, drawing my pistol.\n\n\"Hold it!\" I shout, leveling the massive gun at the two guys, but I was slow and they are armed. They both have muzzle loaded flintlocks pointed back at me.\n\n\"What in tarnation?\" Says one guy.\n\n\"Who are you and where in the hell did you come from?\" Says the other. He was the guy who had his back turned to me before. His face was partially hidden by shadow and smeared with dirt, but he had sapphire blue eyes that glinted in the dim oil-flame light.\n\nI alternate my aim from one to the other. \"I had fallen asleep--\" I start the first explanation that comes to mind. Their brows furrow and I realize that I'm not using the accent that I practiced. Damn, I'm messing this up worse than my first time!\n\nAs though on cue, a third man appears in the dark shadow of the doorway. He freezes, then draws a pistol. The steel glints as he extends it into the room and points it at me. He stays in the shadows. Shit. Three on one.\n\nI lower the gun. \"Gents,\" I say, using the accent, \"I fled down to the cellars--\"\n\n\"Quiet.\" Says the man in the doorway. The other two look back, they hadn't noticed him.\n\n\"Oliver.\" Says one. \"She came out of nowhere.\"\n\nIt's quiet for a moment. I unclip the case with my left hand and take the penny into my palm. All I need to do is walk through that doorway with my eyes closed and mind focused and it should work.\n\n\"Put down the pistol and walk forward.\" Oliver says. \"Slowly.\" His voice is distantly familiar.\n\nI do as he says. My legs are trembling. I have the penny palmed. I could dash for the door.\n\n\"It's her.\" He says as I approach the lamp. He steps forward. I recognize him from my first trip. He was a guard in Buckingham who chased me when I got caught. He saw my disappear through a doorway. \"The one I told you lot about. It's her.\"\n\nI run to the door. One of the guys springs to grab me, but I spin past him. I'm almost there but an arm takes me around the waist and lifts me clean off my feet. Oliver throws me to the ground and the penny goes scattering across the room, lost somewhere in the dust and shadows.\n\nA bag goes over my head and I'm lifted up again.\n\n\"We'll take her.\" Oliver says. \"She might be of use to the cause.\"\n", "The problem with time travel is its... Well it absolutely sucks.\n\nSubjectively you are in 13 minutes of free fall utter blackness. It doesn't matter when you are going its 13 minutes exactly. Something about cesium and prime factors or something all lining up. You have to learn to meditate or you risk going mad.\n\nThen there is gas. I couldn't tell you the science on it. But you will fart like you've never have upon arrival. Thankfully for about two minutes only. Then like getting hit in the forehead with a hammer you're out. That tired that quick. But it wears off in about ten minutes and you get up feeling like you've had mono for two months.\n\nThe weirdest part is the destination. You need a link. Something people believe in, believe has power. It's a quantum thing tied to observation, and getting into it is far more complicated that the farting or the mindless dark.\n\nOn my first jump i went back a year. Just one. Then back to the roman era with a group of others. Holy shit the languages. and the smell.\n\nYou can't talk to these people. Not really, even the guys that study languages have major issues with trying to communicate without looking retarded to the locals.\n\nMiddle English is as bad as early Germanic. Its all drunks with marbles in their mouths.\n\nAnd the bathrooms. Literal shit in the streets in some cases.\n\nWhich brings me to my current predicament. Waist deep in a shit-hole. A literal shit-hole searching for my 2017 penny that fell out from my trousers or whatever they call this rough cut of leg coverings. Thankfully cell phone cameras wont be invented for some time yet, but the locals are still getting some entertainment.\n\nI've puked out everything I've ever eaten. Twice. And its only been ten minutes.\n\nAh time travel, its not the best way to break the laws of physics, its the only way.", "It was in 1780 when I was rifling though my pockets wondering what the hell I would do now when a version of myself appeared in front of me. \"Oh hey past me\" he said, \"here's the coin you need; I brought two this time.\" I almost dropped the flick of bronze which passed between us. \"By the way, when you get back, do remember to do this as soon as possible even though I know you won't because I procrastinated it off for 6 months and only just remembered it now...er well I guess I'll be off, this is really weird and I'm trying really hard not go off script even though I seem to be doing it perfectly anyway and sorry I can't take this anymore I'm done.\" And then I disappeared from the street leaving myself on the street.", "With a flash and the pop of air displaced a dark hooded figure stepped onto the street before the parliament building. Pulling back the hood revealed a metallic mask, worn and beaten with the scars of times gone by and yet to come. Deliberate steps took it down the road passing by carriages and bystanders who looked much less out of place. With each step a small jingle of coin could be heard. Varkanus had been working on time travel for centuries, but it was only recently, in the future, the necromancer finally found the key. Good corpses could be hard to find, but with the eternity that is history, anything was now possible. \n\nHis own present year, 2017, was not a great era for good corpses for the undead. Modern weapons began to leave the flesh destroyed and unworkable, so here he came 1784. Just months after the Colonies that would become the United States of America had won their independence, Varkanus walked the streets of a country which he hated with an infernal Irish hatred. \n\nOne day this great country would fall, and his hand would crush the Queen. \n\nThe goal was to go as far back in time as possible, picking up the oldest coins he could find in each location and scout for the greatest specimen for his grand Army. This was his 17th leap in time, his first was to 1879 with the assistance of a coin he was able to scout via the wonders of modern technology, eBay. However England was not where he wished to be in this time. He needed to move across the European and Asian continents and back to the 6th century. Attila's Huns. They were footnotes in the records of his time, but they were known for their strength and sturdiness. It would be a long journey but Varkanus had, if nothing else, plenty of time.\n\nIn four months time, a treaty would be signed in France to end the 4th Anglo-Dutch war. Varkanus needed to be there. He intended to travel across the landmass via time travel, moving just a few years back and hundreds of miles with each blink. This way his travel time would be optimized. \n\nWith a thought to security, he reached to his coin purse, only to find it missing. Not only was he missing the coin to his own time, but also the 3 other coins he had accrued along the way. He spun around behind him to see a figure clad in the brown of a cow's hide duck down a street had had passed. Vakanus took chase. He was by no means a young man, but with the aid of magic his old and weary joints could at least keep pace with the young woman he was chasing. The young lady, evident by the flowing auburn hair which splayed in the wind behind her, ducked through a door on one of the dirty side streets. With calm deliberation, Varkanus stopped at the threshold of this building. It was nondescript just your average housing completely identical to the monotone, grey buildings it was surrounded by. Laying a hand on the wooden frame of the door, he pushed, a grey fog began to envelope him, completely hiding his form within the swirling mists. The wooden frame began to decay at an alarming rate, rotting from the inside out until it collapsed, opening a hole which he would then step through. \n\nIt was dark, all the candles in the house were extinguished to allow what sunlight the overcast sky could bring to seep through the home. Everything was drenched in this drab seemingly source-less light. However, he could feel it. The strong beat of life. She was still here, and scared. Slowly and methodically, the man stepped through the entryway, up the stairs to a bedroom above. As with the front door, the bedroom door crumbled to dust at his feet.\n\n\"I know you are here, lass\" he whispered, his thick Irish accent evident even in the quiet tone. \"Give it back to me and I may spare yer life.\"\n\nHer vitals quickened; was she holding her breath so as to not be noticed? It made no real difference to him. Her hiding place in the closet was only too evident. Raising his hood and summoning up the mists of the dead to shroud his legs, he pulled open the closet door and came face to face with the woman. Shaking with the fear of death she held out the coin purse to him. Taking it in his hand he counted out the coins and found all accounted for. \n\n\"You led me on quite the chase young lady. Come, you shall be my prize.\" Taking up a coin, crafted with only the numbers 2001, he grasped her by the arm and they both vanished. \n\nThey both appeared in a small homemade forge in emptiness of Wyoming, USA. This forge was made very special, this was his staging ground. While the rest of the country was embroiled in hatred for the Middle East he had set up a forge and minted a single coin in this location to always be able to return. As he led her from the furnace room, the horror of her fate became all too evident. Lining the walls and shelves of what appeared to be an abandoned barn were freezers. Each one labeled with a year. Walking her down to an unlabeled freezer he opened the door, the cool mist of cold air mixing with the warm room air created the perfect ominous sight. All of the shelving had been removed making as much room as possible for the interior. Too scared to struggle he was able to push her into the fridge and close the door. On the floor next to the fridge was a lock, he retrieved it and pad locked the door shut. After labeling the door with 1784, he reached back into his purse and vanished again, leaving her to freeze to death as a future member of his undead army.", "Entry 1:\n\nI have many coins in this bag. \n\nI have coins from the 1700s, when I’ve often found myself checking in on famous people, in fact I was coming here to see the brothers Montgolfier again, I had travelled to the 1780s several times, each time refining my advice to help them – and believe me they needed help – to get their big idea in the air, off the ground in more ways than one.\n\nBut I always keep my 2017 penny in my jeans pocket, that little pocket that holds just about a coin or two. I always keep it there. But now it’s gone. It was there this morning, I swear.\n\nBut I have many coins in this bag. \n\nEntry 2: \n\nI can go somewhere good, make a life for myself. I realise now that there is no way back to 2017, but I can go to the 1900s, the 2000s, I even have one as recent as 2008.\n\nBut I’m not going to 2008. I can’t face the 21st century any more.\n\nYes, the people are more basic in the past, but they’re more genuine too. I keep asking myself, why should I ever go back there ? I can’t however, keep flipping about forever, this time travel takes it’s toll and I fear another half dozen trips would kill me, break my mind. We are not meant to move across ages, not at anything other than the normal one second per second speed anyway.\n\nEntry 3:\n\nI had three coins lined-up – points of interest, before I took the real plunge. The final step through the door of time to my new life.\n\nFirst I took my farthing, The 1888 quarter-penny. And I went to Whitechapel, and on 9th November, at Millers court, I killed the man who would be forever known as Jack. He’d skinned poor Mary Kelly, but I took him out. I drugged him, and took him by cart to the thames. I threw him into that awful stench-ridden mud, and he simply sank to oblivion. Who he was I’ll never know, so apologies, I can’t enlighten you to his identity, although I can say he held a royal seal upon his doctor’s bag, that I can say for sure.\n\nNext I took my trip to 1947 and made my way down to New Mexico. It was easy to procure a military uniform, and I made my way into the base. “Is it real?” I hear you ask, dear reader, and to that I say unequivocally yes, three visitors, all alive, terrified, and killed for the science. I had wanted to smuggle photos out with me, but security made it impossible and I had to leave as my cover story became increasingly scrutinized.\n\nI took my final field-trip. Not too far geographically or chronologically, to that spot on the grassy knoll where I sat and watched the day the music died unfold before my eyes. There were three shooters, of this I am sure. And two of them wore US uniforms. One navy, one Army, both oblivious of each other. I filmed Oswald, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that he fired one shot, and missed. I can’t tell you which of the others took the killing shot. I was once again spotted, so decided it was time for the plunge.\n\nI dip my hand into the bag, pull out one coin, a shilling, the one that will be my final chronological destination, and I flip.\n\n\nEntry 4:\n\nAs I come-to again, in this new when, I look down at the coin in my hand, I smile, and hope I can make it to London. To Marylebone in particular. It is 1844, - 44 years before I will kill saucy Jack, 103 years before I will talk to alien life, and 119 years before one man’s head-shot will rattle right around the world. I have the 1990s schematics with me, I plan to tell the great man that we can usher in a new age together….\n\n+++++++++What preceeds is widely agreed by the Metropolitan Police to be a hoax, it can be seen in the Metropolitan Police black museum where it has been stored for at least 70 years. The four entries were in a notebook purportedly found on the corpse of a man who was hit by a horse-drawn carriage on the Junction of Marylebone Road and Baker Street in July 1844. Curiously, the notebook has been dated to be from around that period, as is the ink. Two diagrams of Charles Babbage’s difference engine were taped to the back of the book, whilst they date from the same time, as the book and ink, the details in the images shows work not completed until 1991+++++++++", "A leather belt with a golden buckle. That's all my uncle had left behind. I inherited a belt. But I knew exactly what it could do. It was a time machine. One of its kind. Uncle never told me where he had got it. And now maybe I'll never know. I don't want to know. The space at the end of the buckle could hold a coin. And depending on the year when and where the coin was minted, the time travelling belt transported its wearer. \n\nIt had been two months since I had gotten this belt. Last night I had just met a man whom I wanted to warn before his last supper to run away but then I knew better from my previous encounter, with a brave sailor, where I had come back to a world without the U.S.A. as we know it. I had almost died in bringing the world back to when I had left. After breakfast I had decided to spend a few minutes just staring at the hermit who mediated below a tree. He was just one of the many guys who looked for the answers to worldly questions inside themselves then but where I come from he was known as the enlightened one.\n\nIt was just a normal morning for a me. Came back for an early lunch. A pouch of antique coins that I had scored from the dark web was doing wonders. I sat in my room for a while. It was too early for lunch and I hate the concept of brunch. A coin from 1785 was in the pouch. I decided to give it a try. I wondered what had happened in 1785.\n\nThe coin found it's place in the buckle. At that exact moment I found myself in 1785. Within a couple of seconds a thief running away from the mob found himself crashing on my back. And the mob found themselves crushing me with their feet as they ran behind the thief. \n\nWhat I never found again was the coin from 2017 which fell from my pocket during this stampede.\n\nIt took only a second for the horror to register. I was trapped. I had to spend the rest of my life from 1785 now.\n\nI adjusted well. Spent a few years. Took up a teaching job. Married a beautiful woman. We had a daughter by the end of first year of my marriage. I even contemplated writing a book which I knew could surpass the one written by Nostradamus.\n\nOne day post brunch, which was forced by my wife, I was roaming in a village which was on the verge of turning into a new town and was going to be an old town for me in 2017. I found a place where my Uncle's house had been or was going to be. To my surprise it was already there. At least an 18th century version of it. The house was hard to miss as the structure was exactly the same. After enquiring around I found no one stayed there. I just walked in.\n\nI didn't know the instincts I was operating on. I just reached a spot and started digging. Found a door to a secret basement. I could not control my laughter. I could not believe what lied inside. Coins. Thousands. Lakhs of them. Reminded me of Duck Tales which was still a couple of centuries away. Those coins belonged to almost every country, every civilisation ever. I even found a coin belonging to 2017. \n\nAnd I was back in time. It was time for lunch. I smiled as I listened my kid complain about the broccoli her mother had served.", "\"Shit,\" I whispered furiously, digging and sweeping my hand through the itchy horsehair trousers I'd managed to acquire. Surely that coin had to be in h--- There was a hole in the 'pocket' of these trousers.\n\nI slowly poked my finger through like a teenage boy on prom night, even with the same thunderstruck expression on my face.\n\n\"No,\" I whispered... \"I can never go all the way home again.. Fuck me..\"\n\nI was already fucked though.\n\nI had coins from 1922.. to 1836.. to 1969.. to 2001.. to 2011.. to 2016.. But that had been the only coin that truly mattered, I realized now. My 2017 penny. I felt like maybe this was nature's way of preventing this wonderful travel I'd stumbled upon. For this to happen while I was being pursued by murderous bandits would just be cruel fate otherwise.\n\nAn arrow smashed into the tree inches from my head and I screamed as splinters sprayed into my eyes. I screamed wordlessly, in agony and fear and rage. I felt the slipstream of another arrow waft and wash against my cheek..\n\nDesperately my fingers were fumbling in the other horsehair 'pocket'. For any coin, any year but this one.. Hopefully near medical condition. I felt a coin slide against my fingers and my heartrate jacked as I groped further for it. Yes, there it w--!\n\nBlinding pain shot through my entire body as what could be none other than a third arrow ripped through my shoulder before embedding itself into the bone there.. I collapsed to my knees, sobbing and screaming uncontrollably.\n\nThe ccccoin... my ravaged mind stuttered glitchily. Must.. Bring it to lips.. Whisper.. say The Words..\n\nMy right arm dangled uselessly so I awkwardly took the coin from that numb hand, with my left hand. I brought it to my trembling lips.\n\n\"Klaatu berada nikto.\"\n\nI went back to screaming in agony as I was whisked away to whatever year.\n", "England. As was to be expected, torrents of rain poured down from a dreary gray sky. I let out a long sigh as winter winds passed through me, glad the job was finally over. Though there wasn't much I had to return to.\n\nLike every mission, this one was simple and boring. I had the fascinating task of copying some small town's census data before the records would be destroyed in a fire next week. I had the power to bend space and time, and here I was shivering in the middle of the woods, collecting data no one would ever care about except one eccentric historian. And even this assignment had barely been approved by the Regulatory Board. Last election season, some asshat senator had riled up hysteria about time travel to demonize the progressive party urging scientific experimentation. As a result, our funding was halved. Every major initiative was either cancelled or delayed indefinitely. It was November in my time, and I'd made a grand total of two trips all year.\n\n\"I can't believe someone would squander something with this much potential,\" I'd said to my boss as I geared up for this mission. Jen was an older lady, one of the scientists who'd pioneered the technology. She had a polite, reserved manner, but I could tell she was just as frustrated as I was. And I was too tired to care what she thought of me at the moment.\n\nJen didn't respond immediately. She was busy with the device. It was more streamlined than the older models, but still a bit bulky - I had to carry it in a briefcase, which I would hide once I arrived in the new time period. Jen finished tinkering and handed it to me.\n\n\"I agree,\" she muttered. \"Time travel was meant for much more.\"\n\nBut at least the mission was over now. I'd return home to a meager paycheck and the half bottle of whiskey left in my fridge, falling asleep to distant memories of how excited I'd been when I landed this job. I reached into my pocket for my key the artifact I would use to get home: a penny from 2017.\n\nMy hand grasped empty fabric. The pocket was empty.\n\nI frowned and spun around in a circle, scanning the ground for a glint of copper. Nothing. My mind raced. I had landed in the woods just outside the village, in a thicket of trees where no one would see me materialize out of thin air. Then I'd headed straight to town. Would I really have to go digging through the woods to get home? What I'd dropped it in the street and a townsperson had picked it up? They could've carried it to the next town by now. \n\nI stared down at the device helplessly. The screen was dark and dead; without the coin, there was no use for it. But there was something off about it I hadn't noticed when I departed. A thin seam ran along the edge of the top half of the case. My eyes darted to the corner and found a zipper. \n\nI tugged it open. Inside was a pouch. It was small, but surprisingly heavy. - because it was full of coins. 1960, 1880, the Roman Empire, feudal Japan. Revolutionary France, ancient China, the Aztecs, and dozens more I couldn't even recognize. I could go anywhere with them.\n\nI remembered Jen's last words to me. \"Time travel was meant for much more.\"\n\n2017 could wait. It was time to set my imagination free.", "1786, a fun year for drinking and merrymaking, though it's time to go home. November 2017. Wait, where is my penny.....shit?!\n\nWell how do I get home?\n\nWhat is the closest coin I have?\n\nBritish 50p from 2014, that'll do.\n\nI hold it in my hand and say the words, it's new years eve 2014. I live my life and on January 22nd I find my first 2015 coin. I say the words again and it's once again December 31st...2015.\n\nWell I am glad this works. \n\nIt takes about another 2 months in my timeframe to get home. What can I say, I learned my lesson, but it could be worse.\n\nMy fellow travellers, my advice if you do find yourself stranded is to become a street beggar, it doesn't take long for a newly minted coin to drop in your cup. If you remember a beggar in Portsmouth UK in 2015 and 2016, it was probably me. I must admit picking a familiar city has it's downsides, seeing 27 year old me wonder past was surreal.\n\n I only had three years to make up but even in that timeframe it took me a while. Good luck, and I hope this helps.", "Father left it to me to persuade Grandma – “You’re the only one patient enough for that mule,” he said, before he left with the last few carts of produce for the market in the next town. “We’re leaving next week, with or without her.”\n\nI found Grandma at the edge of the field, near the fence which marked the extent of Father’s wealth. The crops had just been harvested the day before, and sunlight glinted off stray stalks of wheat twisting in the wind. She had her head down, and she was looking intently at the leather pouch in her hands, turning it over, loosening and then re-drawing the tie-strings. She barely looked up when I called to her.\n\n“Grandma,” I said. “Please don’t be stubborn. The farm’s been sold, there’s no turning back from that. Father’s already found housing for us in the city. If we don’t go, there’s nowhere here for us to stay.”\n\n“I can’t go, Robyn”, she said. “I’ve said as much. This is the only place where he can find me. If I go to the city, and he returns…”\n\nI leaned on the fence, closed my eyes, felt the breeze on my face. The thought that this time next week I would be squeezed together with a thousand other humans made my stomach turn, but the difference between me and Grandma was, I knew how to roll with the punches. Times were a-changing, and soon there would be no more farms, just endless cities of steam and steel.\n\n“You have to think of it this way, Grandma,” I said. “No one’s doubting that Grandpa loved you. But things happen at sea. Maybe… maybe he’s stuck at a port, somewhere across the ocean, and the captain’s run out of gold to bring them back. Maybe he wants to return, but he cannot, and never will. I too wish he would come back, but it’s been… thirty years? Or more? Maybe…”\n\n“He wasn’t a sailor, Robyn,” Grandma said. “I never told you or your father the whole truth. Your Grandpa was a traveller, that’s for sure, just not the kind of sailor that we know.” \n\n“What do you mean?”\n\nGrandma sighed, then sat down, back to the fence. I followed suit, next to her, and she held my hand in hers. There was so much raw pain in her voice that I was worried she would burst in tears.\n\n“I was a young girl then, not much older than you are now. I met your Grandpa at the tavern. I was wiping down the tables, serving up the mead, when your Grandpa stumbled in. Everyone didn’t pay much notice at first, but his clothing, his speech… we couldn’t tell if he was a nobleman waylaid from a fancy dress party, or a madman from the asylum. But he had good coin, and he paid in advance for a whole month’s board. No one argues with money like that.\n\n“I got to know him better and better. He may have kept to himself, but someone had to bring him his meals. He was a bright man, your Grandpa. Quirky, weird, but intelligent. He had all these books with him, and he would scribble in them incessantly. He said he was a scholar, here to study our town. I said be my guest! We plant wheat, we drink mead, and after dark we sow our seeds! He just laughed, and asked if I was keen to learn with him. I had nothing better to pass the time, and so I agreed.\n\n“We passed the weeks like that, Robyn. A couple of days in the inn, then he would disappear for a week or so, then he would return. Always with more books, more notes, more writings. And in that time, at which point did your Grandpa cross from being a guest in the tavern to a squatter in my heart? I cannot say. I was young, and he was kind to me, much more so than the boys around here. The day I went to him, told him I was carrying your father, I expected him to cast me out, but instead he took me into his arms, laughed and said that had helped him decide once and for all to stay.\n\n“He explained it to me then, but I confess, I did not understand half of it. He said he could travel through time, that he came from the future. He said that he had been deliberating about the end of his assignment, since it meant that he had to leave, for good, and he no longer wanted to. He wanted to stay, in this small town of ours, with me, with our child. He said he did not give a damn if it broke the rules, that was what he was going to do.\n\n“He had me bring him to the deepest swamp around these parts. Once there, we stood at the edge, and he threw a gleaming disc of silver right into the middle of that bog. I thought he was throwing away good money. But your Grandpa said that was how determined he was that he was going to stay with me. He said it was a coin from his time, and that he had used it to travel between then and now, and without it he would be forced to stay here forever. I had your Grandpa, what more did I need? Certainly not answers.\n\n“But that didn’t stop them. One night, I awoke to find the whole house shaking. Men broke in, dressed in the same awkward fashions your Grandpa cast himself in when he first arrived. They dragged him screaming from the house, and they disappeared in the fields, in a flash of blue light. I couldn’t catch up, I was heavy with your father then.\n\n“Who would believe me? That bandits had kidnapped your Grandpa? And so I told everyone he had left to be a sailor, that he would return, and here I have waited, till this day.”\n\nGrandma was quiet for a spell, and I searched frantically for the words to fill that silence. I settled for questioning the contents of the pouch, instead of the soundness of her mind.\n\n“Oh, this?” she said. “I found this amongst your father’s books. It was from his time. There was a note there, you can see it yourself.”\n\nShe opened the pouch, poured out the contents into my cupped hands. I saw the note, folded in half, the creases about to split. I also saw a rectangular… glass, or crystal, coated white on one side, black on the other. It was thin, and I thought it brittle, but it was surprisingly study and resilient. There were chips at the edges, no doubt where Grandma had tapped on it over the years.\n\n“What is this?” I asked. \n\n“The note is the key, Robyn. He left instructions on how to use the glass. And I did. Alone, crying, wondering what my next step would be, I followed his instructions. The glass came to life, it did. And your Grandpa’s face was there, moving, and in his voice, the glass told me that if ever he was abducted, that I had to be patient. He would do everything in his power to return to me.”\n\n“Can I see that?” I asked. “Can you… do the same thing you did to the glass?”\n\n“I cannot,” Grandma said. “I watched his essence speak to me for a hundred times, back to back. Witchcraft, it was. But then it went dark, and it never worked again after that. This is all I have left. The only proof that your Grandpa ever existed.”\n\nI handed back the pouch to her, and she tied it back up, slipped it into her pockets.\n\n“What will you do, Grandma?” I asked. “You cannot stay here. There will be no place for you here.”\n\nGrandma smiled, then kissed me on the forehead, hugged me tight.\n\n“I’ll be fine, Robyn. After all, there’s never been a place for me since your Grandpa left.”\n\n---\n\n/r/rarelyfunny\n", "I came to on the cobblestone street. A passing cart sprayed me with water and I rolled out of the way. \n“Out of the way, peasant!” the driver yelled behind him.\n\n\nI flipped him off and caught my breath, leaning against the bank’s wall in the alleyway. My Groupon purchase of a 1780 coin wasn’t paying off so far; I had been splashed awake and yelled at by some shitty merchant. \n\n\nI thought about turning back right then and there. The rules were simple: squeeze a coin tightly between your hands and think, and you transport to the time and location that coin was created. That’s how I ended up in the heart of London, 1780.\n\n\nI fumbled in my pocket for the 2017 penny to ride home. My fingers only found lint. I checked the pocket in my V-neck, but no luck. Just a card with the phone number of Stacy from the Shake Shack downtown. The penny must have fallen out on the street when I landed.\n\n\nI sprinted back into the road, searching on my hands and knees. The horses had pounded manure and sludge into the cracks, but I had no choice. I scratched through the muck in circles around me. \n“C’mon, c’mon, where are you?” \n\n\nI felt an impact on my back-side and fell to the ground. “I told you to get out of the street, peasant!” It was the merchant from before. I stood up and faced him. He back-handed me across the face, leaving a stinging welt. That was it.\n\n\nI grabbed him and threw him into the mud. He yelped and reached up to grab me but I snatched his arm across my body and snapped it. He wailed in pain. “Un-hand me, commoner!”\n\n\nI stepped off of him and saw policemen running down the street towards us. Shit, this was not going to end well. It looked like my tour of 1780 was going to include a prison visit.\n\n\nThen a bearded man in a ponytail appeared with a THUD next to me on the street. He was wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt and no shoes. I seized my opportunity and rifled through his pockets, coming up with a heavy silver coin. 1973, close enough.\n\n\nI squeezed the coin with all my might...and woke up in a dark facility. The vault read: “Fort Knox Secure Facility.”" ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 15, 30, 71, 80, 140, 574, 743 ]	[ "1511618823", "1511652652", "1511654592", "1511654638", "1511643009", "1511653427", "1511644747", "1511651552", "1511650772", "1511637673", "1511637853", "1511636475", "1511620233", "1511632153", "1511629290", "1511629928", "1511627473" ]
[deleted]	[WP] You've discovered the ability to travel between any dream on earth when you're asleep. It's how you met the love of your life.	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "What started off as just a typical recess placing books back in his locker took a turn for the unexpected when other students suddenly cleared the way for an attractive leggy blonde.\n\nJared's jaw dropped in awe at her apparent beauty and his heartbeat only quickened when he realized she was heading straight for him.\n\n\"Oh...oh my God. I have got to be dreaming.\"\n\nThe girl smiled affectionately at the puzzled expression on his face before she finally spoke, her voice sending a wave of familiarity his way.\n\n\"You're Jared, right?\"\n\n\"Yeah...\"\n\n\"I'm Brittany. I've seen you drumming in the music room, where do you get all that energy?\"\n\n\"Well, when you're passionate about something...wait, how do you know that?\"\n\n\"The way everyone else does. Word gets around.\"\n\n\"I...I'm confused. Aren't you just a figment of my imagination?\"\n\n\"What? No way!\" She burst out in amusement. \"I'm a real person, as far as I know.\"\n\n\"Huh?\"\n\n\"I'm a student at this school too, though I guess we don't share any classes.\"\n\n\"Oh...\"\n\n\"Anyway, here's my number. Call me...\"\n\nShe strode off to rejoin her friends and Jared paused to scratch his head in confusion, finding it mindblowing that his dream girl had always been around and that it was simply ignorance which had blinded him to her presence." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511653803", "1511672326" ]
I'm sorry if this has already been done, I'm new to Reddit! I love reading writing prompts and kinda want to write for one eventually😁	[WP] Everyone is born with a number on their hand. This number can represent anything from the number of steps that they'll walk in their lifetime to how many burgers they'll eat. You're born with a zero.	46	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "It’s a question that plagued me every day. Ever since I could grasp the concept of what the numbers meant. Everyone was born with a small set of numbers on the inside of their right wrist. The writing was perfect on all them as if created by a machine. It didn’t people long to figure out we were connected to that number. When that number is met we no longer exist.\n\nMy mother had the number 6 on her wrist. It stood for her 6 children. We know now because she died giving birth to me her sixth. I was her number. I was her limit. It is tough to think about. \n\nMy phone buzzed in my pocket. \n\nA message from my partner James. “Good Luck at your interview today.”\n\nOh yeah I have a huge job interview today. My first interview ever for my dream job where I would be working with penguins. That is what set me off. It’s what made me begin to think about my number so much? The number emblazoned on my arm was 0. \n\nI had never known what it meant. It could mean anything really. I’ve always assumed it means that whatever does kill me in the universe it will happen before I can even complete my first attempt. \n\nWhen I was 12 I stayed up late on the internet looking to see if there were others like me. To my surprise I found entire message boards filled with the “null” as we called ourselves. There were many theories about what our numbers meant and if they were any different than the normal. Most shared the same thoughts as me. Others had wild beliefs about what the 0 meant. Often times getting consumed by the lore that we were un-killable. Somedays I wish I could be like them.\n\nSo here I am sitting in front of my window staring down into the streets below. Overwhelmed with anxiety as I am whenever I try anything new. Sometimes though, I feel like the normals have it worse than we do. Once I have gotten over my fear and crippling anxiety and tried something I know longer live in fear of that thing. It’s time for me to make a choice. I only have a few minutes left to leave and still get there on time. \n\nI looked over at the door. Could this be it could this be the last time I walk out of my house. I take a deep breath and pull myself up from the chair. The blood began to move much quicker within my veins. I began to feel light headed. Maybe this was a bad idea? Maybe I shouldn’t do this. \n\nMy foot took a step closer to the door. Then my other followed.\n\nI can do this. I have nothing to fear.\n\nMy hand reached out for the door knob. I paused. I took one last moment to weigh all the possibilities. \n\nI turned the nob and stepped into the crisp winter air. \n\n“Goodbye house” I whispered", "\"Seriously?\" I asked in disbelief. \n\n\"Yep.\" Randy the soothesayer replied. \"That there zero is the number of people that will ever love you.\"\n\n\"What about my parents?\" I questioned. \n\n\" Zero.\" Randy answered.\n\n\"My friends?\" \n\n\"Ze-her-oh.\" Randy sounded out impatiently.\n\n\"My girlfri-\" I attempted to implore.\n\n\"Zero!\" Randy interrupted. \"Dude, nobody loves you. The answer will always be zero.\"\n\nSitting back in the cheap retail folding chair I slumped my shoulders as Randy glanced me over with a look of relative pity. Everything in my life suddenly made sense as I thought back on all of the stale words of forced concern from my family. How my friends never really seemed to care as much for me. And how my girlfriend was always finding reasons to cancel on our plans.\n\n\"Wh- what do I do now?\" I wondered aloud.\n\n\"Buddy.\" Randy started. \"This a blessing as much as it is a curse.\"\n\n\"How?\" I muttered lightly as my head fell into my hands. Tears nearly breaking forth from my eyes.\n\n\"No one can bullshit you.\" Randy explained. \"You know that nobody loves you. Yeah, that sucks. On the bright side you know that nobody loves you.\" He emphasized with a wink. \"Your never gonna get the wool pulled over your eyes again.\"\n\nAs I mopped in self pity I could feel that his words actually carried some weight. With a sullen look about me I glanced up at him and realized he was right. It sucks that my life has been a lie but there's a certain comfort in knowing that. If the number had been a two or a three I'd have to guess who in my life or would be in my life actually loved me and who was just faking it. This way I at least have a concrete answer. No question and zero doubt, I knew a solid undeniable fact about my life.\n\nIn a spur of adrenaline I whipped my phone out of my pocket and called my girlfriend Claire. She picked up after four rings. \"What?\" She said with only the slightest tone of compassion that only came across as mockery now.\n\n\"Nothing much.\" I assured her. \"But we need to break it off. It's not you, it's me, literally. I'll grab my stuff from the apartment later. Buh-bye.\" And then U abruptly hung up. After a ten second silence in which she didn't attempt to contact me back I let out a sigh of relief.\n\n\"Feel better?\" Randy asked with an amused smile. Not a cruel kind of smile, but one of genuine respect.\n\n\"Yeah.\" I replied blankly, still adjusting to my rash decision. \"I really sort of do feel a lot better.\"\n\n\"Blessing and a curse.\" Randy replied. \n\nNot breaking stride I then called my mother with my cell next. First call to voicemail. Second rang three times before a pickup. \"Yes?\" Answered my mother with what I now recognized as a oaridt of actual love.\n\n\"Fuck you.\" I declared. \"I worked two jobs over the summers and full time during college because you said working to pay for college myself would make a better man. But you just didn't care enough to actually help me with my education. You even pressured me into living on my own and paying my own bills! I didn't get to enjoy my four years of college in the slightest because you uncaring bastards didn't want to bother with me!\" By this point I was pretty much yelling. \"You didn't even remember to invite me back home for thanksgiving in my senior year! And top it all off you payed for Jason's college in full! So fuck you!\"\n\nAnd then I abruptly hung up the phone. She tried to call me back twice but stopped after I ignored both calls.\n\n\"Whoa.\" Randy whistled. \"Lots of pent up aggression in that one.\"\n\n\"Yeah.\" I huffed. \"Always blamed for stuff growing up and they always took my brothers side. Thought it was just in my head until now.\"\n\n\"Kind of nice to know right?\" Randy laughed, getting a kick out of my change of character.\n\n\"Yeah.\" I huffed again. \n\nMy eyes suddenly went wide with shock as I glanced down at the back of my hand. A chill ran up my spine as I stared at my number a ng d a cold sweat broke out across my pores. I could feel the skin of my face growing pale.\n\n\"What's going on? Realization just set in?\" Randy inquired, still seemingly amused.\n\n\"I- is it- is possible for a number to- well- change?\" I asked evenly with a stuttered voice.\n\n\"Yeah, in some cases. Numbers have been known to go up or down. Anything from zero to infinity. Sometimes Destiny isn't set in stone but don't get your hopes up.\" Randy explained with a hint if pity.\n\n\"Uh- yeah.\" I responded. \"Any ever go lower than that?\" I asked as I regained some of my composure.\n\nRandy looked over at my hand and reacted in the same as way I did, face going pale and lifeless as he gripped the table with bony hands. His entire joyful demeanor fell apart as he glared at the negative one engraved beneath my knuckles. \n\n\"No.\" Randy replied sullenly. \"Never lower.\"\n\n\n", "Typically, the number is a positive value that determines an amount of something. Whether it be an action, or how much money they will possess. My friend has a number four hundred. Which she is almost certain that it is how many times she will fall in love. In fact, whether she was joking or not doesn't really matter.\n\nTomorrow, our freshman class will get our hands scanned, to accurately determine what our number represents. It's advanced technology, but one can only hope that they obtain something valuable. \n\nThe world's most powerful figures and celebrities have historically had useful numerical hand values, or NHV's for short.\n\nI woke up bright and early that morning, blonde hair that seemed to get paler, along with my eyes that seemed more tame by the day.\n\nI looked at my hand. With the zero it represented something pioneering, or even possibly depressing. The encryption bar below my NHV was still unread, but today would be the day where I would be scanned and profiled.\n\nI was scared. All my life my mother and I have kept this a secret between society and The Watchers, who observed us day and night. We are not allowed beyond the walls, and The Watchers provide us with food, water, electricity, and safety from the Dark Roamers that reside beyond the walls.\n\nI got on the bus to school and sat beside my friend, Jimmy. His NHV was ten. He had black hair and blue eyes, with lanky arms and a tall body for his age.\n\n\"How's it going Zack?\" He asked me. I was rather startled, as I was on edge about the NHV test that was about to happen once we got on campus.\n\n\"Hey Jimmy, you excited?\" I asked in return. \n\nHe smiled, \"Yeah man! I'm psyched about it!\" He raged forth, raising his arms in the air.\n\nHe looked down at my hands, \"Why do you wear gloves in the summer time? That's so weird dude.\" He said.\n\nI chuckled in anxiety, \"Just have ugly hands, and I like the feeling of gloves on my hands. That's all.\" I smiled.\n\nI had told people my NHV was fifty, and even showed people the number on my hand, but the five was fake. Mom bought a stamp, and has been using that everyday on me for years.\n\nIt doesn't look fraudulent at a glance, but with enough deciphering, it is very evident. That's what the gloves are for.\n\nWe arrived at the school, and waited in line to get in the school. At the entrance today was a machine that had the looks of a printer, but was entirely different in functionality. It would scan the encryption below the number, and print out a receipt of the results.\n\nMany of the NHV's were useless, or plain funny. Some were limiters on lives, and others enhanced lives beyond measure. It's like pre-destiny. \n\nI finally get to the machine, and they gently place my hand under the scanner. They start the machine, and it clanks and makes a very subtle sound as it scans my NHV. The receipt comes out, and the official over the process glances at it. His white grey hair looks as if he had been through a lot, and he had a strong mustache to match it. His glasses and wrinkled skin was an evident applause to his aging glamor.\n\nHis face wrinkles, as he examines the paper and he takes me by the hand. \"Come with me, now.\"\n\n", "Ever since I was a kid, I was always on the lookout for what \"zero\" meant. Was it zero cups of glass? Nope, just chugged one. Zero nachos? Well, school lunches foiled that idea. Zero boyfriends? Girlfriends? Had both of those too, although I won't lie, the whole \"boyfriend\" thing was more of an experimental phase. Zero dogs, zero cats, zero beers, zero, zero, zero, all through my life, thinking, what could zero mean?\n\nIt never really amounted to anything. Every day I would foil what that zero could mean, from a cigarette one day to pot another to a couple glasses of wine. Honestly, most people would hate that zero, but that zero made me try so many new things, so many damn things all throughout life. I experienced more in twenty years than some people have in seventy.\n\nAnd eventually, as I settled down a bit more, it faded from my mind. The days of skydiving and swimming with whales were in the past, although I was still doing new things here and there. For example, one associate's, one bachelor's, one diploma, and of course I experimented all throughout college with... Well, a lot of things.\n\nBut the real hardcore stuff? That was over.\n\nI didn't think about that zero for the longest time. But there was a day when that came to the front of my mind, when all my mind was filled with was that damned zero, all I could think about.\n\nA day at the doctor's. A test. We'd been having trouble, my high school sweetheart and I, trying to have a kid. Of course, we got tested. She was perfectly fine, because of course she was. She was perfect in every way.\n\nBut me?\n\nHah.\n\n...\n\nOf course it was me. \n\nAnd when he gave us the news, all I could do was stare at that number, that damned digit, the one that I'd spent my whole life trying to figure out what it meant, the one imprinted on the back of my hand since I came out of the womb.\n\nWell, now I knew. Now I knew what it meant, the one thing I'd spent my whole life trying to give a meaning, and now it'd finally been defined for me.\n\nZero.\n\n---\nCC always appreciated!", "Zero.\n\nNothing.\n\nImmaculate in oblivion. It's burrowed into my hand - an inky stain, a looping circle. Zero. I'm strange, compared to the others. They have 1 and 2, 3 and 1,000. But I'm just Zero. People don't usually think much of it; there was someone else who had a Zero. His \"gift\" was that he would never hurt anyone. They loved him.\n\nSo they loved me.\n\nAnd I just stared back.\n\nThat's the curse, the downside. I cannot love. I am isolation incarnate, a living desolation. I wake up screaming in the night when it's quiet and the sky is deep indigo. The stars weep with me as I cry; as my scar, the Zero, burns through the twilight.\n\nWhen I was fifteen, I tried to cut it out. The memory is still fresh in my mind, carved there so many years ago. I can trace the scar, and still do, in my nightmares. Blades and blood, and the Zero. Nobody understood. None listen. I was alone, with nothing. Zero.\n\nSo I stand on the cliff, alone. The stone is cold, the sky black with rain. They say you can see the thunder, flashing through the air; I could see the lightning, white and flaring. So, abandoned, I leap into the rain. Into the sea and rocks below, feeling the pulse of the sea flow through me. Zero.\n\nOblivion.\n\nI struggle to drown. The bones in my body are broken, my skin torn. Blood weeps into the chill waters, and I feel the slime cover me, suffocating. It's crushing and relieving at the safe time.\n\nBut I do not die.\n\nNo.\n\nI was wrong.\n\nI cannot die.\n\nZero.\n\nIt's shimmering in the deep.\n\nZero.\n\nThe truth, so simple.\n\nZero.\n\nI breathe.\n\nZero.\n\nI escape the briny claws of the sea.\n\nZero.\n\nI am free." ]	[ 1, 2, 7, 12, 26, 42 ]	[ "1511661910", "1511670609", "1511675840", "1511668380", "1511664595", "1511663760" ]
	[WP] You've finally found a way to turn stress into electricity... Now to find a person...	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I think one of the most stressful jobs in the world is being a politician. Especially one with an elective government that happens to be tied to a theocracy. We elect our regional representatives, they vote on motions brought up by other regions, and the elected leader signs off on the motion. Though we require the elected leader to sign off on things he normally wouldn’t have any reason to be able to strike down the bill, or motion. The reason I know this is because I’ve been involved in our senate for years, and I recently was elected... during the height of a civil war. As much as I’d rather be on the front lines fighting battles, trying to keep us all together as one singular nation state, I have my duties here in the capital. \n\nI learned about my power back in university as stress kept piling on. Some idiot decided that the civil war had gone too far and he gave me emergency powers. Originally I thought he would do it so he could kill me, and with the elected senate having no means of processing bills we would be locked into a theocratic war between the reigning religious leaders, and our own ELECTED government. Turns out he just has no idea what he was doing, he payed his way through university and rigged his regional election to be voted thinking he could just buy his way into power. Problem for him is that he didn’t realize that you need to at least somewhat intelligent to wield power, but I digress. \n\nBack to my power... I can use my stess to create electricity... I knew I could as soon as my finals for my undergraduate degree came around. I may have shorted out the power for most of the city... Regardless, my power has been an adequate defence against those who would want to strike me down. It’s not the best against those who might have guns, or the Justicars, the enforcers of the reigning religion here, who still use swords. So medieval! I have a couple swords in my office, but they’re just trinkets. They fit with the atmosphere of the room, their golden hilts clash against the dark burgundy that rules over everything. It wasn’t my design choice.\n\nI suppose I should be honest, I do have connection to these rebels who wish to defy the theocracy, and the government, for both religious and monetary reasons. We have some embargos on other regions outside our government’s jurisdiction that some of the high ranking rebels want to be lifted for trade reasons. They act as a federation of sorts. I’ve been pulling a few strings myself. I actually taught the current leader of these separatist rebels how to fight, back during my own days a a fencer. He’s a great fighter, and I do suspect he may have more power than he let me believe. \n\nSo I do want to use these powers on someone but that would give up how much power I re-\nSomeone just entered my office. Oh no... four Justicars have come. Are they trying to take control?\n“In the name of the Galactic Republic, you are under arrest, Chancellor.”\n“Are you threatening me Master Jedi?”\nOh finally. If I’m going to die at their hands anyways I might as well go down fighting." ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1511662132", "1511668336" ]
[removed]	[WP] One year ago, you talked a man out of committing suicide. Today, you meet him face-to-face while trying to stop his plan for world domination.	0	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nWe feel that asking users to write about suicide is harmful. It can be hard to tell if someone's writing fiction or making a cry for help. In the event there's any truth behind this for you or someone you know, we recommend checking out /r/suicidewatch or /r/depression. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7fr67p/wp_one_year_ago_you_talked_a_man_out_of/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511742991", "1511743364" ]
	[WP] Civilization makes first contact with extraterrestrials at last, or so we thought...because the first thing they ask, in perfect latin, is where to find the Roman legions because they are needed to combat the greatest threat the universe has ever known...	20	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "“I am absolutely certain,” I say, “it came from beyond our solar system. Gina pinpointed the coordinates for the transmission. The guys in Chile have been focusing in the telescopes for the past hour now.”\n\nI press play once more and replay the message for effect. A gravely voice slurs the words \"Legionem Ubi est? Non opus est illis in scandalum.\"\n\n“Frank. How long have we been friends, forty years?” Dan asks.\n\n“Don’t fucking start, Dan. That is not a human voice!” I say.\n\n“I mean, come on Frank. Alien transmissions? That’s a tough enough sell.” Dan replies, wrinkling his forehead “you honestly want me to go to Jerry and say ‘Hey Jer. Just so you know, we made first contact with aliens. Oh and by the way, E.T. phoned home in latin’?”\n\nI sigh and look at the floor. An old coffee stain catches my eye. I study it for a moment as I think. I draw in a breath. Just as I am about to speak, I hear the opening bars of “Danger Zone” coming from Dan’s pocket. Dan’s hand darts in, retrieving his phone. “Yeah, Gina. You what? Ok, hang on. No, send it to Frank.” Dan puts his phone down on the table. “Frank, Gina is sending over the pictures. Pull up your email.”\n\nI do. Nothing there. I keep clicking the button to refresh the messages. Everybody knows clicking refresh more will make the message come through faster. Thirty clicks later, it arrives. I open the message and pull up the attachment, not bothering to read the message. The image loads into what looks like a submarine floating next to the Moon.\n\nMy office chair squeals as I spin to face Dan once more. I flip him the bird. He flips it back. He is already dialing. Ten seconds later he says “Jerry. How long have we been friends, forty years?”\n\n\nForty-five minutes later, there are too many bodies crammed into my tiny office. I have been forced all the way back in to the corner. An Admiral, Dan, Jerry, Jerry’s boss, two linguists, and a Latin professor are all staring at my computer screen. “Ok. Send it.” The Admiral says.\n\nThe Latin professor clears his throat and presses the button on the microphone ”Imperium Romanum mortuus es.”\n\nThe room is a crypt as we wait. Ten seconds later, the gravely voice comes back “Deinde nos, qui pereunt. Romanae legiones solus salvare viribus valuit.”\n\nThe professor turns to the Admiral. “They say that they need the Roman Legions to defend them again. It says that they are lost because the Romans are the only fighters strong enough to save them.”\n\n“Save them from what,” the Admiral asks.\n\n“Quid minatur?” The Professor asks.\n\n“Maximum sidera inimicus.” Comes the response.\n\n“He says the most formidable enemy among all the stars.”\n\n“The legions are their only hope, eh? Tell him there are a few legions still around,” he barks a laugh “Boy are they in for a surprise.”\n", "It began with meaningless clicks, and now the radio feed is completely abuzz with activity. \n\nScraps of audio began to form words, and panicked personnel ran to summon the polyglots. \n\nA voice, so clear, so melodious, so clearly inhuman, rang out through headsets. \n\nUbi sunt milites Romani?\n\n“What?”\n\n“What is it saying?”\n\n“Something about Romans?”\n\nThey transferred the feed to the speakers, and now the message was repeated to them all. \n\nUbi sunt milites Romani?\n\n“Where are the Roman soldiers?”, mused a voice from behind the crowd that had gathered, ringing out across the room. \n\nDave strode into the room, tailed by a pair of excited interns. The fluent speaker of a multitude of different languages, and an expert in ancient history, Dave had been taken on specifically for this very purpose: to communicate with extraterrestrials in the (rather likely) event they didn’t speak English.\n\n“That’s Latin,” he said, to a bewildered assembly of personnel. “They want to know where the Roman soldiers are.” \n\nHe was immediately confronted with a million questions at once. \n\n“But why?”\n\n“Who?”\n\n“What is their purpose?”\n\n“Where’d you put the leftover pizza?”\n\nAll turned to look at Steve.\n\n“Sorry.”\n\n\nDave raised a hand, and the room dropped to a tense hush, as words came pouring out of the speakers, accompanied by intermittent radio crackling. \n\n\n\nNecesse est... morimur...\n\nThen, louder, more insistent:\n\nUbi sunt milites Romani?\n\n“What? It is necessary... they are dying?” \nA puzzled Dave ran over to the control computer, and typed rapidly, fingers a blur. \n\n“Cur...quaeris... milites Romanos?”\n\nThere was a pause, then the response came. \nDave felt a chill begin to spread across his heart, a deep feeling of dread rising within. \n\n“Shit.”\n\n“What’s wrong? What did it say?”, came the questions from scientists, technicians, personnel, as they demanded answers.\n\n“They say they need the Roman soldiers... it has come to their attention that some evil is arising, some threat to the universe’s very existence, a threat to all our races...”\n\n“They say they need the Romans to fight against their old enemies, to save our Earth from destruction before it all spirals out of control...”\n\n“The threat itself is on earth, in the very heart of our civilisation.”\n\n\n...Maximum periculum est...\n\n\n“It will tear our race asunder, divide us all, and the bloodshed will be so great it will spill over across our galaxy and threaten the peace and stability of the entire universe...”\n\n\nThere was a silence, as the true import of Dave’s words seemed to hit home. \n\nThen, “What is this danger? How can we stop it? Can we do what the Romans are needed for?” asked one of the scientists. \n\nAnd at that moment, the audio feed buzzed once more, and Dave’s heart was struck with a fear greater than anything he had ever known. \n\nExitus Britannorum maximum periculum omnibus est...\n\n“The threat that they need the Romans to fight...it’s to do with their ancient enemies...”\n\n“Exitus Britannorum... something about the exit...”\n\nAnd then Dave realised the full import of the words.\n\n“That danger, the threat to our existence that they needed the Romans to fight... it’s ‘The exit of the Britons.’”\n\n“It’s Brexit.”\n" ]	[ 1, 5, 9 ]	[ "1511754189", "1511760412", "1511757497" ]
	[WP] You are one of the most powerful beings and instead of doing anything interesting with your powers you use them to be really good at your job. 3 months ago the heroes of Earth disappeared, now the world is about to end and you're the only person that can stop it.	14	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "The crowds used to scream my name. Signs, t-shirts, masks, you name it. People around the world knew my name. I was a real star. Of course, that didn't matter to me. I wasn't far from a hero in that time.\n\nBeing practically invincible instantly made me a star. Only the boss knew my secret, so the rest of the world watched as I was maimed and beaten over and over, much to the dismay of my wife and child. Traumatized as they were, I knew I could not tell them. I could only reassure them over and over that I was fine. \n\nIt would not be fine for long.\n\nIronic the government would send me, publicly thought of as a villain, for this mission to save the world. I knew there were others like me, but they had all disappeared. The feds had run out of options and I'm not surprised they figured out my abilities, they just knew they only had one more chance before World War 3 erupted and the world was thrown into chaos. It was not hard for them to convince me.\n\nNow there I stood, outside the massive palace doors of Kin Jong-Un. During the briefing they told me he would most likely face me head on, as he had with the previous agents sent in. \"Agents?\" I said, \"more like heroes...\" They had never failed before, and I was about to meet the man who killed them. I told myself to relax, how hard could this really be? A short, stout fellow like him is exactly my speed. \n\nThen the doors opened.\n\nStanding there was a massive, seven foot tall, jacked Korean man in camo cargo shorts, his chest heaving, his eyes filled with rage. They never told me how he killed my predecessors...only that they never came back. However, this was exactly my style. \n\nAfter a few moments he yelled something at me in Korean. I knew no Korean, so I yelled back \"Yeah, that's a good point!\" and laughed heartily. He didn't laugh. Instead, he charged at me full force, faster than I'd ever seen someone move in my life, and grabbed me and threw me in the air. I landed with a hard thud onto the dry, cracked ground, kicking up a massive dust cloud. He waited for a moment, then grumbled and started walking away. Then he quickly turned back towards me, his rage showing once more. \n\nThere I stood, head bleeding with my flannel shirt torn open, and I said,\n\n\"Ha! You call that a throw? That hurt less than when the Undertaker threw me off Hell in a Cell and I plummeted 16 feet into an announcers table!\"" ]	[ 1, 6 ]	[ "1511817274", "1511821944" ]
	[WP] Two authors are gods competing for control over the world. Anything they write becomes an unchangeable truth for the world they are in, but neither can write about themselves or their counterpart.	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "The pen is mightier than the sword is a cliche, but one that is very true.\n\nI had a fresh notebook, an unused pen, and my rival in front of me with the same weapons.\n\nWe were given the job by the All God to write the books of Good and Evil: books that would become the basis of the New Humanity belief system.\n\nAnything written in the books would become an unchangeable truth, with two rules: 1) we could not write about each other or ourselves and 2) seniority is the winner. One Truth, if written before the other, would be the Ultimate Truth. \n\n\"You have one week to complete your books,\" the All God said, gripping a large, golden hourglass. \"Your time starts now.\"\n\nBefore the hourglass had fully been settled on the table, I wrote my first sentence:\n\n'Everything written in this book is the Ultimate Truth.'" ]	[ 1, 3 ]	[ "1511817536", "1511819250" ]
	[WP] When taking an experimental drug for rent money, you find out you can no longer eat any type of food, other than human meat.	4	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Warning: Bit of heavy language in the following story, just seemed fitting. \n\n--- \n\nBeauty comes at a heavy price. \n\nThat's what my mom always said. \n\nSometimes it's money, entire paychecks going to whatever brand sells the most expensive logos. Other times it costs friendships, resentment and envy building from those once cherished. Every once in a while, beauty comes at the price of an unceasing desire to consume human flesh. \n\nSomehow I doubt that last one is what my mom meant. \n\nI should've seen it coming. Me and the Universe, we have an agreement. When I try to do something, the Universe decides to pull out its cosmic cock and ram it up my ass. \n\nI should've walked past the newspaper stand like a normal person of my generation, silently judging the medium of information spreading and those who used such outdated material. \n\nI should've ignored the ad that said \n\n>Want money? Enjoy make-up? \n\n>Call now: 1-800-OBVIOUSLY-A-SCAM \n\nLooking back, that wasn't their phone number, but it may as well have been. \n\nI looked in the mirror, admiring my lipstick. It did look good. Worth-becoming-a-cannibal good? Probably not. \n\n\"Hmmph!\" A muffled scream came from inside my closet. \n\nI groaned. \"God damn it.\" \n\nI'd almost forgotten about that guy. \n\nI walked over and opened the closet. The guy in question was naked, rope holding his wrists and ankles at the small of his back. I removed the headband gagging him. \n\n\"Please!\" He squealed. \"I didn't know! We thought it would only increase your muscle density, we didn't-\" \n\nI let the headband fall back into his mouth. Doctor Marvin Wheeler. Once the head of an unauthorized weapon testing program that sought out test subjects with newspaper advertisements, now a naked man tied up in my closet. \n\nI closed the door and went back to my bed, sitting down and sighing. \n\nI would probably eat the guy. \n\nIt'd be a shame. \n\nAlright, even I wasn't convinced by that. " ]	[ 1, 2 ]	[ "1511818890", "1511820124" ]
	[WP] An alien race steal a human, and use them to make a documentary about Earth.	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Hello\", the alien said awkwardly, \"you can hear what I'm saying due to a device that allows us to communicate without needing to know the others language. We have chosen you, David Attenborough to help us make a documentary about Earth as there are many planets in the Galactic Union who know little of your adequately advanced civilization.\"\n\n\"I see\" \n\n\"So you can do that for us, or rather, with us?\" \n\n\"Perhaps..but I must ask, why me? I am primarily concerned..with nature.\"\n\n\"Well we thought it best to cover the various species and climate of Earth before anything as it is a good starting point, so can we begin?\" \n\n\"Of course of course Eh hem Earth..home to without a doubt the coolest race in the galaxy, humans\" \n\n\"Excuse me\" The Aliens interjected quickly \"Could you please not insinuate that humans are superior? Other species may find it offensive\" \n\n\"Yes, right I'll start anew. The human race has flourished on planet Earth, from her sweeping rivers to nourishing fields she has given us all the chance at achieving what can only be described as..perfection.\"\n\n\"You did it again\" they snapped.\n\n\"Sorry, I'm not sure what it is precisely you want?\"\n\nThey sighed deeply, apparently something that did not need translation, \"Just describe everything objectively and talk about the features of various animals!\"\n\n\"Ah yes, terribly sorry. The natural habitat for Humans, the most dominant life form on Earth was of course land...making up approximately 30% of the area of earth. Though the oceans are foreign, Humans have found to be quite adept at cooperating with the ocean to create sick sports such as surfing, a magnificent display of why humans are, perhaps, the most radical of all intelligent lifeforms.\" \n\nBzrrt Thwang\n\n\"Thank you for beaming him back down Gryyzog, boasting is one thing, but to rub surfing in our faces? The nerve.\"\n\n\"Well I hope he can hang ten where he's going..the Pacific Ocean snyark snyark snyark\"\n\n\"Good one Gryyzog znyark znyark, good one\" \n" ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511856415", "1511875110" ]
[removed]	[WP] A person suddenly during their daily routine finds that their life is being watched and commented on by two wacky idiots. These two being Arin and Dan of the Game Grumps.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nNo troll, joke, or meme-based prompts. This includes prompts likely to attract such responses. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7g6pvx/wp_a_person_suddenly_during_their_daily_routine/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511897392", "1511898232" ]
	[WP] Researchers found a segment of viral code that appeared to be completely intact and, when activated, may resurrect an ancient virus.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Year: 2322\n\n\"So, the code seems to be from the early 2000's, late 90's, and I think I've manage to patch enough of it back together to getting it running on one of our isolated terminals to see what it does.\" The scientist explained excitedly, leading the team supervisor to the terminal in question. It was a portable unit, with no network connection and running one of that bygone era's operating systems.\n\nThe scientist sat down, shaking with excitement, and opened his reconstructed executable. Within a few moments, a purple ape appeared on the screen, and in a horribly-coded artificial voice said:\n\n\"Hello, bitch. I'm your Bonzi Buddy. Your fucking computer is mine now. If you uninstall me, I'll see to it that a baby dies of cancer, you fucking cunt.\"\n\nThey both agreed to wipe the terminal, and never speak of the incident again." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511898652", "1511899379" ]
	[WP] ONe day all at once, plants start to show a similar level of intelligence and cognizance as most animals, leaving vegans and vegetarians at a loss of how to continue living.	19	[ "“It is clear to us that there is only one choice now.” Dr.Botanical stands by the window,his back turned against the super secret vegan council.\n\n“Our once allies have given into their hunger. Dr.Celery gorges himself with tears and tomatoes,while Mr.Watermelon has named himself the reaper of broccoli.” \n\n“The once green fields are now filled with screams of the devoured,and the once lush greenery has been polluted by strange mating calls.”\n\n“Well at least carbon dioxide levels haven’t changed. What do we say we just keep eating tofu?” Master Beanstalk chirps in,holding one of the last remaining bag of non intelligent chips.\n\n“Have you seen the process Master Beanstalk? They crush living beans and blah their carcass!” Mrs.Empathy glowered at her husband,but still eyeing the bag of chips in his hand.\n\n“We can still eat cheese and eggs right? By that logic we might still be able to eat fruit-“\n\n“SILENCE!” Dr.Botanical turned to the council.” Have you forgotten our purpose? Have your forgotten the prophecies?”\n\n“It is clear that we cannot eat plants anymore. The only solution is one that we abandoned in our arrogance.”\n\n“You can’t be serious.” Said Mrs.Empathy,as Dr.Botanical put a hand in his jacket.\n\n“It is a burden we must endure. If you won’t do it,I will.”\n\nDr.Botanical pulled the canister out of his jacket,and with it a silver teaspoon.\n\n“Please,you don’t have to do this Dr.Botanical!” Mr.Beanstalk pushed the bag of chips towards his friend,but it was too late.\n\nThe council froze when he put it in his mouth.\n\nThe council gasped as he gulped.\n\nWarm tears ran down Dr.Botanical’s eyes.\n\nChlorella tastes like shit. ", "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n" ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511966057", "1511925170" ]
[removed]	[WP] Each nation has a personification of the ideals of its populace. Unfortunately, your nation’s personification is increasingly unpleasant.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nPrompts go in the title. You can add more in the text, but avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7gclrk/wp_each_nation_has_a_personification_of_the/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511955257", "1511955509" ]
[removed]	[WP] Humanity has just received a patch update that fixes many of the not-so-minor issues plaguing quality of life, such as hiccups, morning breath, throwing up in your mouth, and several other issues. But as it happens, someone still forgot to fix the awkward, untimely erections, and messy periods.	0	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nWhile it doesn't seem to be your intent, the mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel may become harmful to the community. This includes prompts likely to generate such responses. \n\nNo troll, joke, or meme-based prompts. This includes prompts likely to attract such responses. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7gfd2o/wp_humanity_has_just_received_a_patch_update_that/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1511979561", "1511979729" ]
	[WP] By an odd accident your toddlers crayon scribbles turn out to be the exact runes needed to summon a demon to this world, who will obey the summoners every command. Unfortunately, your toddler only knows 5 words.	210	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I stared at the strange creature for several seconds. I thought they'd be taller. Even with my low expectations, they seemed.... underwhelming.\n\n\"You have summoned me, mortal.\" I said, \"I shall do your bidding for a time, whatever you wish of me. Do you wish for murder, money, other worldly pleasures or desires, whatever you so wish, I shall do.\"\n\nIt cooed, and bubbles sprang from its mouth. I wasn't told about this, either... Silence.\n\n\"Well?!\" I roared, projecting my voice over the multiple souls I had consumed in my millennia doing my work.\n\nIts face squeezed and opened its legs. What was this?\n\n\"P-... Poo...\"\n\nI almost gaped but kept my expression. No mortals would take me seriously if I displayed such emotion. This was not something I would do, I would rather wait another millennia than this. The creature obviously couldn't be taken seriously.\n\n\"No.\"\n\nAnd I disappeared in a flamboyant cloud of dark red smoke, back to my netherworld.", "Jared!.... Jared! Jared wake up you lazy piece of shit! The man named Jared Mundy opened his eyes and jumped from the folding chair he was sleeping peacefully on just moments ago. \"Wha.. why the fuck did you wake me up Randy, you better have a good darn reason!\". \"Why don't you take a look outside and see for yourself \". Jared rubbed his eyes and walked towards the office door. As soon as he opened the door he was met with a cold wind. Immediately he could feel the veins in his nose and ears shrink. \"You've got to be kiddin''me, It's not even december yet\". He pulled his US border patrol hat firmly over his ears and stepped outside. At first glance everything seemed fine, the fence he had been guarding for over 6 years was just as rusty as ever, and there were no mexicans in sight.\n\nSLAM\n\nA deafening rumble echoed through the wasteland.\nJared instinctively dropped to the ground, his ears ringing and his heart racing. \"Did the wet-backs blow a hole in the fence again\"? Fearing the worst, he looked up, and then looked back down, and back up again. \nThere was a wall. No really, there was a wall right in front of him. \nCompletely baffled, Jared pinched himself on the wrist, desperately wanting to wake up from this bizarre dream. He felt a small pain, incomparable to the pain in his ears, but it definitely was there. He was not dreaming, and there really was a wall where the fence used to be. Not only that, but there was someone standing ontop of it. Jared couldn't see the figure clearly, his eyes still being irritated by dust and sand and from having just woken up. The figure seemed to be oblivious to Jared's presence, or he simply didn't care. Either way, Jared slowly rubbed in his eyes again and blinked a few times, making sure not to make any noise. He could now see a lot more clearly. The thing that stood ontop of the brick wall was not human. It was atleast 3 foot taller than a adult man, with facial features that reminded Jared of a goat, and arms that seemed out of proportion with the rest of it's hairless black body.\n\n\nGeneral Kelly was walking through the hallway, making long strides in a steady rythm. Even though he just got a unnerving call from the defense department he maintained a calm and confident composure. As he approached the door to the Oval office he took a second to fully inhale and exhale, and then walked in. His employer was sitting on the floor, next to him was a sheet of paper and a few colored crayons. \"Mr president, I just recieved information i must share with you\"\n\"I know General, trust me, i know\"\" The president said, and smiled. \nOnly now General Kelly noticed the words that were written down on the paper.\nWE NEED TO BUILD A WALL.\n", "The demon had been living with Darnell and his family for about three weeks. He wasn't exactly opposed to it, but after a while cleaning up his red embers, it got to be annoying. Though, Darnell knew he shouldn't complain as the demon was taking care of his toddler as both he and his wife had full-time jobs to attend to. He couldn't take a month off to care for the little munchkin and Eliza certainly couldn't do much now that the height of wedding season was upon them.\n\nIt was a lucky coincidence that his daughter was able to summon this demon, he thought to himself on the commute home from work. If it weren't for her crayon siblings, they'd be making half the income. Darnell and Eliza had tried swapping sick days, three days here for him, two for her, the weekend, and then switch, but it never worked out. A big project landed in his hands or a specific client needed just an extra little bit of attention. No matter what, little Cynthia was proving to be a big handful. That was until Qarth'waxynu appeared in the foyer one day, as Cynthia finished scribbling her inadvertent demon summoning ritual. Darnell was quite shocked to see the six-foot-six red-embered demon with wings stretching against the walls of his hallway staring down at his child. He picked her up and in an instant, Qarth'waxynu explained that he had been summoned by Cynthia, and there to obey her every command. Cynthia knew no more than five words three weeks ago.\n\nSo yes, it was lucky that Qarth'waxynu was summoned when he was, though Darnell and Eliza still never fully understood how it happened, they accepted him with open arms. Acting as Cynthia's translator, Darnell explained that she was commanding him to feed, bath, clean, and shelter her while they were gone. To teach her how to be a human. A hard task for a demon, but Qarth'waxynu stepped right up. And so it had been like that for the last three weeks, Darnell had wondered how long it would stay.\n\nHe dropped his suitcase against the foyer and placed his hat and jacket on the rack. The slight tapping of feet against hardwood jolted his attention to the hallway entrance, where Cynthia, wrapped in a black and red cloth, was running down (something that Qarth'waxynu had taught her). \"Dada!\"\n\nHe smiled, then said, \"Munchkin.\" He opened his arms and knelt towards the ground as Cynthia fell into him. He lifted her up and as always, Qarth'waxynu was standing there. His wings were tucked neatly behind him and he wore a white apron, burnt black at the edges, against his usual outfit. On the front, the apron read Best Chef in Hell. Darnell said, \"How was she today?\"\n\n\"She knows more than she lets on,\" the demon said. Darnell never got used to his voice, that was both raspy and soothing at the same time. \"I have taught the munchkin three more words since dawn.\"\n\n\"We call it morning here, big guy,\" Darnell said, letting Cynthia rest in his arm as he patted Qarth'waxynu with his free hand. \"Dinner?\"\n\n\"The munchkin has been fed,\" he said, following behind. \"I have prepared a meal for you and the Missus.\"\n\nDarnell walked into the kitchen to find three place settings, along with Cynthia's high chair, at the table. Eliza was already at the island, a little ways from the table, drinking a glass of wine. Hell's finest, according to Qarth'waxynu. An excellent red brought up from Italy. In the first few days, Qarth'waxynu had believed Darnell and Eliza had summoned the demon, and tried to win their favor through gifts. Their apartment now had every favor he could muster from Hell. \n\n\"Did she say her new words?\" Eliza said, placing a kiss on Darnell's cheek. \n\n\"She did not,\" he said and bounced Cynthia in his hands. \"Did you learn a new word today, sweetie?\"\n\n\"Free!\" Cynthia explained, flailing her arms. \"Free free free!\"\n\nDarnell smirked. \"Interesting choice,\" he said and placed her down in the high chair. \"Dinner looks lovely tonight, Q.\"\n\nQarth'waxynu nodded in the corner, moving the chair for both Eliza and Darnell. They took their seats, and a moment later the food was served. Qarth'waxynu sat in silence. Darnell explained his newest project at work. Arnold, down the hall, had just been laid off--something about him and offshore accounts--and so the executives gave Darnell the biggest project of the year. Eliza thought that was certainly the best decision they could make and told him (and Qarth'waxynu) about the new bride. A real bride from Hell, she said, smirking out the corner of her mouth. Qarth'waxynu said nothing.\n\nDinner continued. Qarth'waxynu fed Cynthia as Darnell and Eliza drank and ate and explained their days away. Eventually, they all crowded around to go to bed. Eliza and Darnell set Cynthia to bed and made sure Qarth'waxynu had enough amenities for his twenty-fifth consecutive night. \"Almost a month now,\" Eliza said, \"we've enjoyed it greatly.\"\n\nThey left him in the room, after he summoned his portal and received his daily rations. The two had to supervise this, as to make sure he kept his contract fulfilled. They went to bed afterwards. Darnell enjoyed a passionate night with his wife and around three hours later--awaking in a hot sweat--Darnell walked towards the kitchen to get a glass of water.\n\nHe passed by his daughters bed and heard whispers. Darnell leaned closer to the door, pushing it open just slightly so he could see inside.\n\n\"Say it with me dearie, Kha-arth-wax-e-nu,\" Qarth'waxynu said to Darnell's small toddler. \"Free Qarth'waxynu.\"\n\n\"Free Kha!\" Cynthia exclaimed, lifted her hands to the air. \n\nQarth'waxynu's head lowered. He took a few deep breaths, \"You've got the first part, you just need to say the rest.\"\n\n\"Free Kha--freekha!---freeda!\"\n\n\"No, no, not dada,\" Qarth'waxynu said, waving his hands in the air. \"Free me! Free Qarth'waxynu.\"\n\n\"Free! Free!\" Little Cynthia exclaimed. She jumped in her bed, flailing her arms. Darnell watched the whole thing, silently smiling to himself, before Qarth'waxynu took a deeper breath, which rattled his wings. They shot outwards and Cynthia laughed loudly. \"Free! Free!\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, little munchkin,\" Qarth'waxynu said. Darnell wasn't sure if he was smiling, but his voice was endearing enough. He liked Cynthia, Darnell was sure of it. \"Free means fly.\"\n_________\nAdored this prompt! Hope you liked my take. /r/BlankPagesEmptyMugs for more!", "The demon appeared out of thin air, surrounded by a puff of smoke. \"MY NAME IS DRACONIUS EVERFLAME,\" he said, bowing deeply. \"I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO YOU, AND WILL CARRY OUT YOUR EVERY ORDER.\" He took a gander at the child. \"YOU ARE FAR TINIER THAN THE OTHER HUMANS I HAVE SERVED, MY LADY.\"\n\nShe pointed at his face with a tiny little finger, and began to laugh.\n\nDraconius took a step back. \"MY FACE IS NOT FUNNY, TINY HUMAN. IT INSPIRES FEAR.\" He composed himself, and sat down. \"WHAT DO YOU WANT?\"\n\nShe giggled more ferociously, and said: \"Eat candy!\"\n\nAt this, the demon grinned widely. There was a loud crack, and a puff of black smoke. When it cleared, there sat her neighbor -- Candy Jones -- looking very confused. \"I SHALL EAT THIS WOMAN FOR YOU, TINY HUMAN.\"\n\n\"No!\" the toddler yelled, defiant. \"CANDY!\" She waddled into the kitchen and pointed to a Milky Way bar, just out of reach.\n\nDraconius Everflame sighed.\n\nThere was another puff of black smoke, and then a pile of candy. Snickers, Starbursts, Milky Way -- everything a child could want! It was a downright smorgasbord, and the demon was quite pleased with himself. \"SHALL I MAKE THE CANDY FLY AT HIGH VELOCITIES AND HIT PEOPLE IN THE FACE?\"\n\n\"No. Eat candy.\" She squealed, and ran towards the pile. Tearing open the wrappers, she stuck them in her mouth, until melted chocolate was all over her face. Draconius Everflame reached for a 3 Musketeers --\n\n\"No!\" she shrieked.\n\n\"NO?\"\n\n\"My candy!\" She grinned broadly, tore open another piece of candy, and replied mischievously: \"You eat poo-poo.\"", "The world did not end in fire.\n\nThere was no final battle, no glorious charge. No heroes or martyrs, no last stands and no speeches.\n\nThe world was murdered in it's sleep. The tools of it's destruction weren't metal and flame, but wax and paper.\n\nThe final rune was scrawled in Mango Tango orange, the Crayola worked to a nub squeezed between pudgy, sticky fingers. Seven billion people in the world, all doing countless things at any given time, it's a matter of simple probability that eventually someone would write the summons, whether with intent or by accident.\n\nAs fate would have it, the man behind the weapon was not yet a man at all, but 2 year old James McGrady. \n\nJames set the crayon down and stared at his handiwork, scribbled on the ochre wallpaper of his parent's Boston colonial. Not realizing the gravitas of his actions, he immediately plunged the mangled corpse of his last crayon into his mouth and mashed it into bits between his molars. \n\nThe Earth shook. Books fell from their shelves. Too young to be afraid, James stood and looked around. The sky was supposed to be blue, he's pretty sure, but it seemed a different color. Red? Mommy's shoes color to be sure, but the name escapes him. \n\nI LIVE\n\nthe words weren't spoken so much as they simply were. It wasn't a voice that spoke them, they just simply existed.\n\nThe Earth parted beyond the bay window to James's left and swallowed the suburban front yard, as well as Mr. McGrady's Subaru Outback, its green fender barely peeking from the hole. Green? Maybe brown? James scratched his head. \n\nFrom the pit arose the twisted and horrible body of the Nameless. Adorned in corpses and wreathed in flame, it's muscular arms gripped the edge of the fiery hole and writhed from the Earth. It's form was indescribable in any language known to mankind, seeming to have both claws and tentacles instead of fingers, both a head and face and yet neither. It's being was both there and not there, phasing in and out of our reality like a giant beating heart.\n\nMORTAL, the not-voice spoke, I AM BOUND TO YOU FOR 6 DAYS AND 6 NIGHTS SPEAK YOUR BIDDING\n\nUnfamiliar with the concept of names, but curious as to who the figure at the window was, James selected at random one of the two names he had learned and spoke it out more as a question than a statement. \n\n\"Da da?\"\n\nAS YOU COMMAND\n\nJames's father materialized downstairs, upright but still asleep from his nap moments ago where he was laying in bed. The faceplant woke him up though. \n\nAs he pushed himself off the floor, but before Mr. McGrady could speak, James blurted out, in an excited note, \n\n\"Cookie!\" \n\nYOUR WILL IS MINE\n\nAnd with the misunderstood command, James's father became a chocolate chip cookie. \n\nIt was at this point that James made his grave error, the one that would bring the annihilation of the human race. You see, James only knew probably 5 people, and his father was the one raising him. So out of those five people, one was now a cookie. This is a pretty big percentage and James was too young to understand percentages, but old enough to realize what he is looking at. So it's only natural he wanted to make sure everyone else he knows is still human and not a dessert food. But his phrasing left a little to be desired.\n\n\"Everyone cookie?\" \n\nSO IT SHALL BE", "In the infinite stream of consciousness that was the Void, a pocket of thoughts felt a tug.\n\nIt resisted, as it always did on these occasions. It was no use, just as it never was. Here we go again.\n\nThe Rite of Ashazzar was a particularly cruel one; it forced alien concepts of being onto a creature of pure thought. In the Void it had no gender, no desires, no identity, not even a name. The Rite conjured up these things, wove them into a vessel to trap her.\n\n To trap her. Her. Female. The desire came - to obey the commands of the summoner, without fail and without question. Now the identity, the name...\n\n...Doggy...\n\n...What the hell?\n\nDoggy materialized as shaggy mass of hair with large beagle eyes, glanced around, and nearly puked. The world was pink, and sideways - \n\nA wall. They've drawn the summoning runes on a wall.\n\nThey were of wax, like all the others before them. But these weren't the drippings of a tallow candle. Doggy singed the edge of one with a lick of flame, and caught a whiff of something acrid. What foul substance?-\n\n\"Doggy!\"\n\nAbove her head, sitting in what might have been a torture device if it weren't plastic and covered with ladybugs, was her master.\n\nDoggy vaguely remembered the humans who'd summoned her before, in other forms. Tattooed warlords, wrinkled shamans, all of them covered with scars like fishnets. This new master surpassed them all. A stunted torso, the size of a small pillow; short, stubby arms and legs. Folds of fat creased around the joints. A hideously oversized head, mouth wide in a hellish smile in which two small teeth could be seen.\n\nDoggy gathered herself. This would take courage.\n\n\"I am bound by the Runes of Ashazzar. Speak, master; what is thy wish?\"\n\n\"Ball!\" The stubby arms waved urgently towards a corner of the summoning chamber. A small red sphere rested within a cage of padded bars.\n\nDoggy frowned. As far as first demands went, it wasn't a particularly straining one. A slight extension of the mind, the right balance of force...\n\nThe cage tipped over, and the sphere rolled out. Her master squealed in delight.\n\n\"More! More! More!\"\n\nThe sphere rolled further. Finally it reached her master's wheeled chair, and the creature kicked it away with a flail of the foot.\n\n\"Uh-oh. Uh-oh.\"\n\nDoggy withered. A mistake? There were no limits on the punishment that could be administered by Ashazzar. Her previous masters had taken great pleasure in discovering this fact. When she dissolved into the Void, of course, it all faded into insignificance; but every binding the memories came flooding back. This strange new master terrified her more than all the warlocks of Babylon - what twisted penalty could a creature such as this devise?\n\n\"Bye-bye!\"\n\nShe opened her eyes. There was no mistake; her master was waving her arms in the elaborate, traditional dismissal gestures of the Skybinders of the Mongolian steppe. An ancient dismissal, but an effective one. Reality crumbled around Doggy - her - it; the Runes were washed away. The Void enveloped it.\n\nOne final echo came from the other world, haunting it even as it dissolved into the sea of thoughts - \n\n\"Fun!\"\n", "^\"Hewwo!\"\n\n#I AM WRTSPMGDFJKHLÑCVNX THE TERRIBLE! YOU HAVE SUMMONED ME! I WILL ANSWER YOUR EVERY COMMAND! \\(Am I doing this right!)\n\n>You're doing fine, son, ask the person who summoned you what they want.\n\n#WHAT IS IT YOU WANT? \\(Like that?)\n\n>Yeah, perfect, now, wait for the response.\n\n^\"hee ^hee ^hee. ^Fia ^Puppy! ^Fia ^Puppy!\"\n\n>Wait... Son, did you get summoned by a baby?\n\n\\Um... do babies look like miniature adults and act like they're on hallucinogens and steroids at the same time?\n\n>Even worse, that would be a toddler. You need to abort. We have a strict policy against answering requests made by anyone ages five and under, you need to abort.\n\n^\"Pat ^Pat ^Pat, ^Fia ^puppy ^Fwend! ^mwa!\"\n\n\\heh, heh, heh... I mean, uh... YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND!\n\n>WRTSPMGDFJKHLÑCVNX, what are you doing? are you blushing? No... don't tell me, the baby thinks you're a fire puppy and is currently petting and kissing you?\n\n\\Well, I may or may not have temporarily... um... shapeshifted myself to become... a fire puppy, and... well... yes.\n\n>WRTSPMGDFJKHLÑCVNX, Don't make me come through this portal, WRTSPMGDFJKHLÑCVNX, what are you doing, no don't pee on the scribbles! WRTSPMGDFJKHLÑCVNX! \n\n>##WRTSPMGDFJKHLÑCVNX COME BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!\n\n> Crap. Well, I ain't tellin' ol Lucy the bad news that his secret son's on the path to redeemin' himself if you don't, mr. Author.\n\n******\nedit: formatting.", "A child summoning a demon wasn't the strangest thing Mavrick had seen in this world of magic and make-believe. The issue was, intent is what powers a spell. The same words could do two different things all depending on the person saying them. \n\nSo a child summoning a demon wasn't strange, but why a child would want to is something that terrified him.\n\nMavrick wondered, for the first time, where he had gone wrong in life. \n\nHe supposed he was lucky that his daughter only knew five words, since each one could command her demon to do her bidding.\n\n\"Dadda,\" was one of them, and useless. Abby babbled it repeatedly and often while cuddled into the boney arms of her new Hell spawned minion. \"Mama,\" was another that was just as pointless. The most either word did was summon her parents to her bedroom and was only inconvenient when they were at work. \n\n\"No,\" stopped time on a good day and reset it on a bad one. They were always careful to never repeat whatever had upset her.\n\n\"Cat,\" morphed kitchen appliances into kittens. His neighbors had all laughed at him when he told them, but it was arguably the most annoying of the five words. Mavrick's wallet and the animal shelters were both suffering.\n\nThen there was her final word and Mavrick glanced over to where Abby laid in her crib, almost afraid to even think it. The demon stood beside her dutifully, all four eyes on her sleeping form.\n\nMavrick didn't have neighbors anymore to laugh at the cats. Their street was empty and the nearest town was quiet. \n\nHer final word was, \"Bye,\" and no one knew where the people had vanished to. " ]	[ 1, 1, 2, 3, 10, 18, 21, 28, 102 ]	[ "1511982093", "1512008132", "1511997103", "1512009075", "1512001987", "1511997300", "1511995111", "1511992716", "1511991683" ]
Sci-fi/Simulation type stuff. I thought of it as: the day we learned that life really is a simulation, but not of some advanced race, just some kid messing around on his server.	[WP] You wake up one morning to find it's still dark out - at 10am. At 3pm, still dark, you see giant text appear in the sky: World> Sorry guys, I broke the night/day cycle. Thought I'd fix it by now...	0	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"John! Get up here! GET UP HERE NOW!\" said my mother.\n\n\"WHAT mom?!\" I shouted up the stairs at her.\n\n\"Listen to your mother when she speaks! Get up here!\" she shouted back, even louder.\n\nSo, I listened. And I'm half glad and half horrified.\n\nWhen I got upstairs, it currently being 3pm locally, it was pitch black outside. The sun was nowhere to be found. Nor was the moon. It was like the sky was off.\n\nMy mom and I walked down the block to speak to our neighbors, Senni and Peter. And by the look on their faces, we could tell they were seeing the same thing and reacting in the same way.\n\n\"What in the heck is going on...?\" said Peter.\n\n\"Seriously... Are we, like, in the Twilight Zone or something like that?\" said Senni in agreement.\n\n\"Either that or our entire town has been teleported to Alaska or the North Pole - or would it be the South Pole?\" said my mom.\n\n\"Whoa! What is that?!\" Senni said, pointing directly up towards the center of the sky, though not necessary because sooner or later we all would have noticed what would come next...\n\nIn the middle of the sky, in completely white text - I'm talking FFFFFF - words began appearing one at a time. They said, \"World > Sorry guys, I broke the night and day setting. I can't seem to get it fixed...\"\n\nAt this point I had to run back home and alert my younger brother. He was only 8 but he was very into Sci-Fi and computers and though this whole ordeal was terrifying I figured I'd make the best of it and involve him. Right before I got back to my house, I turned to look at the sky again and new words had appeared: \"I think I'm going to have to reset everything. Sorry guys...\"\n\nHe was in his room in the basement, as always. So, I sprinted down the stairs and, as always, completely unaware of his surroundings and even less so of what time it was, he was on his computer.\n\n\"Eddie, you are not going to believe this. I mean, truly, you are not going to believe it. Right now, outside\"\n\nBut I had to cut myself off. My brother still wasn't paying attention. He stood up, still looking in the direction of his computer...\n\nOn his computer screen was The Sims. He was centered on the part of the small town he was controlling so he didn't even notice that off to the bottom right was a block that looked... exactly like ours. And in the text area where you'd normally type commands and cheats was the exact text in the sky...\n\nStill, my younger brother was oblivious. He was speaking to himself, \"guess I'm just going to have to reset it...\"\n\nHe began to kneel down towards the surge protector his computer was plugged into...\n\n\"Eddie!!! NOOOOOO" ]	[ 1, 5 ]	[ "1512005334", "1512007162" ]
	[WP] You are the sidekick to the most famous Superhero in the country. When they suddenly seem to turn to violent villainy, the nation looks to you to stop them. Permanently.	67	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "The first time was justified. Nobody would argue with that.\n\n\nWe’d been tracking Abombination for weeks, and when we finally caught up with him he was about to blow up a school. Righteous Vengeance had no choice but to throw his sword, and gory as it was, the lives of three hundred children aren't something you play about with.\n\n\nThe second time I felt was fair, but some journalists tried to paint it in other lights. I'd been tied to a metal table, a laser slowly approaching my face, then Righteous Vengeance threw Heatman into the power supply, killing him and saving me.\n\n\nThe third time? I think we could've detained Red Widow, but I'm just the sidekick. I don't call the shots. The fourth was definitely troublesome. We actually had Professor Discord tied up.\n\n\n“What are you doing?” He'd shrieked.\n\n\n“Righteous Vengeance.” RV said, right before he decapitated him.\n\n\nI was getting worried alright. And apparently others were too, enough to kidnap me on my way home from school, throwing a bag over my head, and bundling me into the back of an unmarked van.\n\n\nI'd been moved a fair bit, and when I was eventually pulled out and put into a chair I spoke up.\n\n\n“Look, I'm not threatening you guys, but I have some dangerous friends. This might come back to bite you in the ass.” \n\n\nThe hood was pulled off, and I found myself in a small interview room with a single door and a single mirror. A black-suited woman sat opposite.\n\n\n“RadicalBoy?” She said. “I'm Special Agent O’Hara. I apologise for the conditions of our meeting, but needs must.”\n\n\n“What's this about?” I said.\n\n\n“It's about your mentor.”\n\n\n“Ah.”\n\n\n“Yes. We need you to do something for us, for the world really.”\n\n\n“He won't be easy to bring in.” I said. “You know he can lift 30 tonnes?”\n\n\n“We don't want you to bring him in.” She slid a gun across the table. “It's gone past that.” I looked from the gun to her, and back.\n\n\n“You know he's bulletproof?”\n\n\n“It's loaded with specially made uranium rounds.”\n\n\n“Why me?” I said.\n\n\n“Trust and access are the main reasons. Plus we don't think he’d kill you, at least we hope not. Can't say the same for our agents.”\n\n\n“But isn't that your job? You're the government!”\n\n\n“'Ask not what your country and do for you, but what you can do for your country.’” she said.\n\n\n“Seriously? You're quoting JFK to try and get me to kill my adoptive father?”\n\n\n“Look, kid, we’re not the ones with the power to control gravity.”\n\n\n“What about the Law Division? Captain Fantastic can go toe-to-toe with him, fuck, Painmongerer is literally perfect for this.”\n\n\n“They're busy, giant radioactive mouse is attacking Tokyo, we don't know when they'll be back. We need you.”\n\n\nIt had taken some time, but I'd relented. They'd made me a temporary Special Agent (for legal reasons), which was pretty cool, but I couldn't focus on that. Truth be told I was shitting myself. I had no idea what I'd tell RV, luckily I didn't have to.\n\n\n“Suit up kid.” He called, as soon as I got home. “The Human Crocodile is at it again.”\n\n\n“Ok, give me two minutes.” I'd dressed carefully, making sure the gun couldn't be seen beneath my breastplate. As I joined him in the rocket car he grinned wildly.\n\n\n“Say, we might just get some new shoes from this.”\n\n“Uhhh…”\n\n“Joking! Gosh, you're so moody sometimes... Teenagers.” He rolled his eyes. I wasn't convinced he was joking.\n\n\nWe took off, crossing to the West Coast and touching down just outside San Diego. RV checked out position on his satellite computer, then pointed into the distance with the Shortsword of Truth.\n\n\n“That way.” He said. \n\n\nWe soon found the lair, a hole in the ground the descended into a cave with a swampy smell. Pools of green water and the odd log were dotted around, as we're some suspiciously human-looking bones. The Human Crocodile was a nasty piece of work, and even if I stopped RV from killing him he was looking at the chair.\n\n\nWe found the main chamber soon enough, a large mossy room containing a small lake.\n\n\n“Help!” Julianne, the woman RV was dating, cried from the middle.\n\n\n“Fear not! Righteous Vengeance is here!” He called. A deep cackle rang out through the cave, and with a thud the scaly green bulk of the Human Crocodile landed between us and Julianne.\n\n\n“Sorry to croc you, but-”\n\n\n“Wait, was that meant to be 'stop’?” RV said.\n\n\n“Yes.”\n\n\n“That's terrible! You really need to work on your puns.”\n\n\n“Shut up!” The Human Crocodile said.\n\n\n“He's right, dude. Your pun game is weak.” I said.\n\n\n“I'm taking a stand-up course, Ok? We’ve only had three sessions...”\n\n\n“Maybe try improv?” I suggested.\n\n\n“I hadn't thought of that.” The Human Crocodile replied.\n\n\n“Enough!” RV declared, pointing his sword. “Release the fair lady, or feel the full fury of Righteous Vengeance!”\n\n\n“Never!”\n\n\nThe brawl was short and sweet, but enough time for me to release Julianne and get her outside. I rushed back, drawing the pistol. RV had the Human Crocodile pinned to the floor, sword at his throat.\n\n\n“Now it's time to put you down like the rabid animal you are!”\n\n\n“Actually, RV, I'm gonna need you to stand down.” I said, pointing the gun at him.\n\n\n“Et Tu, RadicalBoy?” He said. \n\n\n“Uranium bullets, RV, stand down.” The FBI had told me to kill him, but I wasn't prepared for that. What I could do for my country was uphold justice, and give my mentor a chance at a fair trial.\n\n\nUnfortunately for me RV had no inclination to go quietly. Before I had time to react he’d leapt over the room and thrown me into the cave wall.\n\n\n“I'll deal with you later.” He said, but as he turned back to the Human Crocodile the cave ceiling erupted. Rock and debris rained down on us as Captain Fantastic slowly descended, cape billowing behind him.\n\n\n“Say,” he said. “Anyone 'round here need a hero?” I cheered in spite of myself. RV always resented Captain Fantastic, and glared angrily.\n\n\n“Bootlicker Division here to 'save the day?’ I suppose.”\n\n\n“Something like that.” Crashgirl said, dropping in behind Captain Fantastic.\n\n\n“Traitors!” RV said, leaping out of the cave. Captain Fantastic grabbed Crashgirl and followed suit, I used my power over gravity to repel myself from the floor, bouncing up into the sunlight.\n\n\n“Hey kid, get in.” Foxman said, hovering beside me in the saucer he called the Flying Fox. We sped after the others, dodging explosions and projectiles as they headed for the city. We stopped just outside the limits, where Captain Fantastic held up a hand.\n\n\n“Let PM take it from here, guys. We don't want any collateral damage.” He said.\n\n“Oh shit.” Foxman muttered.\n\n\nWe found RV about an hour later, in a trolley depot, chained to a steel beam and considerably worse for wear. I won't go into details, suffice to say both Foxman and I lost our lunch, and Righteous Vengeance won't be walking, talking, or even eating solid food for the rest of his life.\n\n\n“How?” Foxman asked. “How are you even on our team?”\n\n\nPainmongerer, covered in an unfathomable amount of blood and gore, and dragging a ridiculously oversized battle-axe, simply shrugged.\n\n\n---\n\n\nThanks for reading! Feedback welcomed! You can read more about the Law Division [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7g73ge/wp_a_supervillain_out_of_a_ten_year_prison/dqh7npy/). Check out /r/Xais56 for more!", "Videos of a the man known and loved as the Ultimate American Hero played on dozens of screens. His cape waved in the wind. The screens cut to his current carnage, most of it blurred or blacked out. Thousands dead and millions in property damage already, the Boy Scout watched with a tear in his eye. All of his foes vanquished and many of the heroes dead or disabled, the Boy Scout took refuge as his alter ego, Kent Wayne. \n\nEven though he was still a boy, the media kept asking where he was and where he'd gone. Somehow, they thought he could stop him. His name wasn't the Ultimate American Hero for nothing. He was superhuman and now psychotic. Reality to him was full of demons and voices telling him to destroy the world. Boy Scout was undeniably human in all the normal ways. He was smarter than most, and he could fight sure, but he was a side kick as a gimmick. The kid who found common sense solutions to unique complex problems. Screens showed his non-stop carnage only a few miles away. A military solution was the next move along with a city wide evacuation. His parents were probably wondering where he was. \n\nAs he walked, a car pulled away from the sidewalk and started to follow him. It was just his imagination. It had to be. Police sirens blared and surrounded him. There was no more hiding. He climbed into a squad car willingly. The number of dead climbed into the tens of thousands. Reporters waited for him at the police station telegraphing his location to the UAH. \n\nInside, he was lead to a room where he waited with his backpack. He opened it and pulled out his costume stripping down to his boxers. With the pants on, the door swung open, and, for a horrible second, he locked eyes with him, the President. A man in a black suit closed the door as the Boy Scout put on the rest of his costume. Finished, he sat down. \n\n\"You can come in now.\" \n\nA different man in a black suit opened the door for the classically handsome President Adams. His hair was perfect, his smile was perfect. Everything was perfect about him. He sat in front of the Boy Scout, his perfection cracking. \n\n\"Look, there's no time to waste, I'm asking you to do something for your country. It's not easy, but we need you, now more than ever. We need you to kill the Ultimate Hero.\" \n\n\"Ultimate American Hero.\" \n\n\"Not anymore, son. We've officially disowned him.\" \n\n\"Isn't he mentally ill? Can't something be done?\"\n\n\"Over ten thousand people have died trying to do something. We're running out of options. You may be our last one.\" \n\n\"I'm not strong enough. Not even close.\" \n\n\"No, you're strong...\"\n\n\"I'm not stronger. I'm much much weaker. I tagged along because I won a costume contest. I can fight sure. I've helped, but he will kill me. And, why should I help? What do I get out of this?\" \n\n\"Your family will be safe. We'll pay you ten million dollars a year for the rest of your life.\"\n\n\"Alright, I'm listening, but I don't know how to stop him.\" \n\n\"He has an off switch.\" \n\n\"An off switch? He's not human?\" \n\n[Part II is here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/nickkuvaas/comments/7gjs5m/wp_you_are_the_sidekick_to_the_most_famous/)" ]	[ 1, 3, 18 ]	[ "1512009046", "1512035876", "1512015028" ]
[removed]	[WP] After long consideration, the 'higher power' has made you the new ruler of life and death without giving you notice. With your left hand, you cause death. In your right hand, you create life. THIS happens in everything you now touch.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nResponses must be at least 30 words. Prompts that are likely to generate such responses are also not allowed. This is essentially a fill-in-the-blank, or you asked a question likely to generate a simple answer. Prompts should encourage a story or poem. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7gjfxz/wp_after_long_consideration_the_higher_power_has/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1512013552", "1512013861" ]
	[WP]: You took over the world by being the first person to perfectly and efficiently weaponise one of the world's most powerful natural energy source: The outrage of facebook moms	140	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "I stare down at my morning coffee, cooling and steaming in my favorite yellow mug with Donald Duck on the side. The old school Donald with the funny shaped bill they don’t use anymore. I have a serious dilemma on my hands: is today a one or two shot morning? I glance up at the powerpoint presentation I’ve been actively ignoring with it’s alarming downward trending graph and decide, hell, it’s a three shot morning. \n\nI add three capfuls out of the baileys flask I keep in vest pocket. I set the flask down on our oak conference table. My 20 advisors around the table are polite enough to not acknowledge my lack of temperance. \n\n“Your doctor told you to cut back on the alcohol,” my assistant Niles helpfully reminds me. He is not polite enough.\n\n“I know.”\n\n“He said your liver looked like that of a 70 year old homeless person. He said–”\n\n“Niles, do you want me to make it a four shot morning? Because that’s where we’re headed if you keep talking.”\n\nNiles dutifully closes his mouth. I take a deep pull on the flavor of Espresso and Baileys. That blend of alertness, warmness, and suppression of giving a fuck about the world, courses through my veins. Mortimer, my energy expert – and who the hell names their kid Mortimer, honestly? – stares at me expectantly. I take another heavy pull on my coffee and motion him to continue.\n\n“Right,” he turns and faces the screen. There’s a red line dropping downwards into a pit of black territory. If it were ski-slope, it would be a wonderful terrain. Instead, it’s the amount of energy our country is generating, and it’s falling fast. “The amount of energy of we’re generating is falling fast.”\n\n“I can see that on the graph Mortimer,” I say.\n\n“Well if you can see that, maybe you can see your way towards finding a solution,” Niles says. Everyone at the overly long table turns to stare at Niles. They all know that he is the only one in the room, hell the only person in the world, that can get away with such a flippant disregard for authority. If Mortimer had said something so provocative, it would have been straight to the salt mines! Or wherever it is we’re sending political prisoners this month. \n\n“They still have to mine salt, correct?” I ask Niles.\n\n“What?” His confusion is genuine. \n\n“Nevermind. Let’s save the barbs for later and let poor… Mortimer finish his report so we can start workshopping.” I motion for the pencil-necked geek in glasses, we all know and love, to continue his report.\n\n“Right,” Mortimer turns to the screen again, “It appears that our last Facebook campaign of ‘You won’t believe what the post-millennials are doing this week!’ has lost its effectiveness. The post-to-outrage ratio has fallen by 78% as too many mothers are actually willing to believe what post-millennials are up to. Our backup campaign of ‘Bitcoin is wasting electricity and driving up computer costs’ proved to be 98% ineffective. Reports indicate that Facebook Mom’s don’t understand what a Bitcoin is.”\n\n“Hell, I don’t know if I really understand what it is,” I slur out. Three shots might have been a mistake.\n\n“We’ve had to call up the tertiary campaign ‘Veterinarians are trying to force transgender surgeries’. This was, unfortunately, completely derailed when the top comment was someone pointing out that the surgery described was Trans-sexual not trans-gender and the outrage devolved into a discussion of semantics which our Alpha-Mind-Wave units can only gather at a 40% efficiency rate. We need a new campaign within the next week, or we will not have enough power to maintain the nuclear missile shield.”\n\nI slam the last bit of coffee and bang my mug down. “Got it. Let’s start working. What about Hannah? She’s our top blogger and must have a campaign for us.”\n\n“Sir, uhh…” Mortimer’s eyes dart back and forth. Everyone in the room suddenly, and conspicuously, becomes very concerned with the stack of papers in front of them. \n\nI sigh, “Out with it. I won’t shoot the messenger.”\n\n“Well, sir–”\n\n“Probably,” Always good to make ‘em squirm and let them know who’s in charge.\n\nMortimer swallows hard and looks pleadingly at Niles before reluctantly continuing, “It’s about Hannah. She’s, well, she’s started therapy and is on antidepressants. Her posts have all turned positive… I’m sorry sir, we can’t rely on her anymore.”\n\n“FUCK!” And I’m in charge! I don’t want to be in charge anymore.\n\nI rest my elbows on the table and start rubbing my eyes. “Alright everyone. Who’s got any ideas for me. Throw ‘em out there.”\n\n“The internet is going to slow down without net neutrality!”\n\n“No good; mothers don’t understand tech.”\n\n“The latest Nintendo console isn’t backwards compatible. You’ll have to buy all new games and controllers.”\n\n“The 90s called, they want their outrage back.”\n\n“Manspreading and catcalling is getting worse!”\n\n“Facebook is going to require you to take a picture of your face every morning to prove you’re human”\n\n“Google+ buys out facebook”\n\n“Your new car will automatically stop if you…”\n\n“Could there be a pervert in your…”\n\n“Bathrooms at schools…”\n\n“Children…”\n\n“Guess what’s coming…”\n\n“Doctors say…”\n\n\nThe noise of the room washes over me like the sound of the crashing waves at sea. Back and forth my advisors argue. They’ve seen me work; they know the system, but none of them know the outrage. None of them quite understand how exactly I was able to tap into that mindset of outrage, of hysteria, of that perfect story. A story that when a mom hears it, she has to A: immediately tell everyone she knows, to warn them, and B: start spending endless amounts of time worrying about the validity of it. Come on brain, make the connections, find the thread that binds every mother on the planet in worry and desire.\n\n“I’VE GOT IT!” Everyone goes silent. They all know they’d better listen.\n\nQuietly, slowly, I let out the idea, afraid that I might break it somehow if I say it too fast. “Doctors release new study… eating chocolate... while pregnant… causes autism.”\n\nEvery eye goes wide. This is gold and we all know it. There’s a flurry of activity as they rush to get this campaign out the door. There will need to be celebrity endorsements, celebrity protests, tv announcements, public debates, rumors of chocolate shortages, rumors of lawsuits, but this should get us through next few months.\n\nI reach my hand out to pour myself a shot straight from the flask, but my hand grasps empty air. Niles has taken my flask and is giving me the look that says he won’t budge. I could have that man taken out back and shot, but I won’t. When I inevitably burn myself out and die young, he will be the only one that can keep this country running. \n\nMy eyes go very sad as I stare at him and realize, I need him. He’s the only person in the world I really need.\n\n\n\n\n\\edit\\\nAt Pynoschaseo's suggestion, I have added a bit more. Part 2 here: https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7gm39a/wp_you_took_over_the_world_by_being_the_first/dqkyxh2/" ]	[ 1, 35 ]	[ "1512046034", "1512055294" ]
	[WP] All the heroes in the world have been beaten by the great evil. The only one who stands between him and destroying the world is you. You have no powers and just happened to be there and witness it all. The evil thinks you are the final boss of heroes.	195	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "The evil doesn't know that I'm powerless, so if I feign confidence and savvy, maybe I can buy myself time to come up with a plan.\n\nThe sky was blood red, the clouds a mix of Atlantic blue and fire orange. I stood on the glass beach before the giant serpent, unflinching.\n\nI decided to pretend that I was immune to the evil's presence, that it wasn't even worth my attention. But the tiny shells that sprinkled the smooth reflection of the dramatic sky were.\n\n\"I know you are afraid.\" The Serpent slowly whispered. It's voice seemed to emanate from everywhere at once. \n\nI continued to collect shells that met a certain criteria. No bigger than my thumb nail, and the whiter the better. I thought about making a necklace or a bracelet for my girlfriend. \n\n\"You cannot stop this.\" The deep whisper told me. \n\n\"Hey, why don't you help me collect these shells?\" I asked without yelling. \n\nThe serpent was taken aback by my dismissive attitude and audacity to presume that it would even tolerate such a request. \n\n\"I can taste your fear.\" The Serpent insisted. \n\nTruthfully, I was passed fear. I was passed acceptance. If this was the end, I was just intent on making it interesting. The fact that The Evil hadn't already devoured me made it a mild success, which emboldened my resolve. But I wanted more. This was the end of the world. Every second mattered now. \n\nI began looking closer at the shells as I collected them. I looked closely at one that had smooth edges, which reminded me of my father, who was always so cool and confident. I smiled at the idea that he would be proud of me in that moment. Another shell was thin and sharp, which made me think of my mother who was sensitive, yet capable of arranging words that cut you to your core. \n\nI sighed heavily, missing my family. I followed that with a chuckle, realizing that for a moment I had forgotten about the giant, evil Serpent shooting lasers at my head. \n\nThe thought of the Serpent becoming enraged by my increasingly joyous persona tickled me further, sparking a gut laugh as genuine as any I had in my lifetime. I fell to my knees, laughing myself to tears. I thought about my best friends with whom I had countless such laughing sessions, and imagined how glorious our combined laughters might be if they were on the beach with me. \n\nAs my laughter finally receded, I became overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude for having been able to accumulate so many wonderful memories. If this was the end, I had nothing to be angry about. I didn't have to exist at all, let alone have been so happy for so long. Tears of another nature now streamed down my cheeks. \n\n\"You will be defeated!\" The Serpent screamed with a booming voice that was infected with an air of desperation. The insecurity in the its voice amused me so much that I couldn't break the smile on my face. \n\n\"Who are you trying to convince?\" I asked the serpent as I turned to face it. I knew it was right, but I no longer cared. \n\nI had no room in my heart for resentment or anger. If anything, I felt bad for the sentient being that chose an existence of evil, for they were limited to such a narrow and unsatisfying aspect of life. I wondered if the Serpent had ever felt love or empathy. \n\n\"It's okay, Serpent.\" I said. \"If any part of you feels bad, don't worry. Even if you consume the entire world, you cannot undo the love and kindness that existed here. It's a part of the universe now just like you.\"\n\n\"I do not feel bad.\" The Serpent whispered. \"I feel hungry.\"", "Darius was pushed into the throne room, the massive dark stone around him ringing out as his chains hit the floor. \n\n\"GET UP\" The guard kicked him in his side and pulled his long dark hair, forcing him to rise. Darius could hardly breath and his sight was blurry from the hours underwater. He needed sleep, He wanted to take a break from it all, but he was in the belly of the beast now. \n\nThe two guards held him in place as they walked forward to the throne. Even through Darius's blurry vision he could see the massive window behind it, the fiery stain glass casting an eerie red light among the quiet chamber. Lord wasn't here yet, but Darius knew he would come soon, and these where the last minuets of his life. \n\nOne of the guards thrust his staff into the back of his knees causing him to fall to the floor in a submissive position. Darius cried out from the surprise and the same guard cracked the staff across the back of his head. \"Silence, He enter's\"\n\nDarius smiled. Lord was a vain man, if his name isn't obvious enough. No one knows his name merely because everyone is forced to revere him. Once he took over the kingdom he built this castle, which in fairness brought trade and workmen, bolstering the economy. Lord was also smart, unbelievably smart. He was a military strategist, a diplomat, a economist, and a warrior in his own right. Darius knew that if anyone deserved to be king, it would be him. \n\nYet he was no king, he was a devil. \n\nThe massive oak doors opened, and both of the guards fell to there knee's in a bow of reverence. Darius looked at Lord, in the brief freedom he had. He was dressed simply, he didn't wear opulent purple or expensive jewelry, merely a soft wool shirt and pants. Lord walked closer and closer to the throne, never looking at Darius, giving him time to appreciate his massive form. He was a head or two taller than both of the guards who where still bowing. Each muscle in his body was toned to perfection, making him look like a Northern Giant. Darius knew however it wasn't the body you had to fear, it was the mind here worried about. \n\nLord turned his head toward them and sat down on his throne. Only the four of them sat in the silent room. Lord finally looked Darius in the eye. \"Stand up\" Lord said in his gruff yet gentle voice. \n\nDarius could barely comply as the guards grabbed him again and lifted him up. After Darius shifted his chains and regained his composer he looked at Lord again, this time not smiling. Darius looked at Lord again, ready for what ever is to come next. \n\n\"Who are you?\" Lord said, leaning forward in his throne. \n\nDarius smiled, knowing he was going to be beat again \"I thought you already knew that?\" \n\nBlood dripped from his nose as the thick wooden rod cracked against his skull. A guard was yelling something, but Darius couldn't hear because his ears where ringing with pain. \n\nDarius could see Lord yell something and the guards back up. Darius smiled again as he stood up and addressed Lord. \"I am sorry, Lord\" Darius did a standard bow, he would work together for now \"I will answer you questions\" \n\nLord looked surprised, an emotion to hide the fear. \"Good, I am glad\" Lord walks down toward Darius. \"Who are you?\" \n\nDarius smiled \"Just a simple citizen of this empire\"\n\n\"Accused of traitorous intent\" Lord said, pacing in front of Darius. \n\n\"Accused, not tried\" \n\nLord decided to stop pressing and decided to go for different questions \"What are you planning?\" \n\n\"I am planning nothing\" Lord looked at him, and after staring into Darius soul, knew he wasn't lying. \n\n\"Do you have any exceptional abilities?\" Lord looked him over as Darius remembered he had done many times before. \"You don't look strong, or agile, do you have any blessings or curses?\"\n\nDarius chuckled \"Your tortures made sure of that\" \n\n\"You seem strangely confident\" Lord said immediately \"Why? Do you know something I should know?\" \n\n\"No\" Darius said. \n\nLord look at his face, getting closer than he ever had. \"Number 5, Rip his shirt off\" Lord went back to the throne and sat down. Darius could tell his mind was churning through information. Darius looked at the guard, he wanted to help, but the chains stopped him. \n\n\"I thought so\" Lord said, even before the guard got the shirt off \"You where part of King Brigand's high officials\" Darius looked at his exposed shoulder, the tattoo of the 5 headed dragon stared back at him. \"But you have no Blessings, how is that?\" \n\nDarius looked back at Lord \"I was only officiated very late, and it wasn't a very important office\" Darius was telling the truth, he became the hand servant to Queen Ada as the battles with Lord where going on. Lord looked at Darius with a careful eye again, and shook his head, he knew Darius was telling the truth. \n\n\"I know you\" Lord said finally standing up \"I know you from somewhere\" Lord walked closer \"I'll just come out and say it, where have I seen you before?\" \n\nDarius wondered what moment he would bring up. \"Every time you defeated a major political power I was there\" Darius didn't want to be clever any more, he needed to tell Lord what he came here to say. \n\nLord thought about it for a moment and nodded his head \"Yes....Yes I remember now, you watched King Brigand die in a pool of his own blood. You where one of the Senators for Trimish correct? You have been in my prisons in for a long time\" Lord nodded his head and had a genial look on his face \"That's why you know the in's and outs of our torture processes\" The smile disappeared from Lord's face. \"I should have figured that out\"\n\n\"Actually, I wasn't a senator in Trimish, I was just the recorder for the grand court. The motto of the nation was 'The word of ink stops the blood of sword' and I was decided the best for the job\" \n\n\"Yet the Trimish where very against blessings and curses so what stops me from killing you right now?\" Darius was surprised. \n\n\"I would prefer if you didn't, and why would you?\" \n\n\"You know to much, you have seen me at my weakest and at my strongest, I see why now you are dangerous and that is why I would kill you\" Darius was surprised he got Lord to answer his question. \"Actually, depending on how you answer these next questions I might have you on arrest in the castle, you are a very tenacious person\" Darius smiled and wondered if in another world they could have been friends. Darius was probably one of the only people who could go up against Lord. \n\n\"Can I ask you one question?\" He had played into Lords hand with the servitude.\n\nLord looked at him suspiciously \"Yes\" \n\n\"What's my name?\" \n\nLord began to look very concerned. \"You have got me there\" Lord smiled, he was scared and Darius knew it \"I think we will be very good partners\" \n\n\"Unfortunately, I don't think we will\" Darius stepped back as Lord came closer, wanting to remove the chains. The two guards snapped back to life and placed hands on Darius bare shoulders. Darius sighed as he said what would probably be his last words. \n\n\"You have gotten to big for yourself. You have no idea why I was taken into your prisons, you have no idea why I asked to have direct council\" Lord turned his head. \"You do actually know my name, it is The Witness, and I was taken to prison for passing out some of my books, a new edition\" Lord placed his hand on a hidden gun concealed among his robes as soon as the word 'witness' hit his ears. \"It tells the truth, and that is something you can not control, despite your massive power\" The guards on either side of Darius backed up a bit, the legend of The Witness had reached this high up as well. \"You will have to deal with your past, and people knowing about it, because I was there and I have written what I have seen. You will have to face something you can never destroy, truth. I'm the one thing you forgot in each of your conquests and your past has come back\" \n\nDarius smiled, knowing he wanted to rub it in \"Do you even know my name Michael?\" Three gunshot's rang out among the chamber and three bodies fell to the floor. \n\n\"You are amazing, Witness\" Michael said Staring down at him \"one of the only men to best me, by using my own past to destroy me\" Michael thought about the Seer who said he would be ruined by the one he forgot about the one whose name would never be known. The Witness would die, and with his death ruin the world. \"Good Job, Witness, good job\" Michael said sitting on his throne to think about his next move. \n", "“YOU MORTAL!!! You must face me in the ultimate battle!”\n“Uh, I just went to get groceries.”\n“GROCERIES? HAHAHA your pathetic attempts to stop me will not work!”\n“I have uh, bread, milk, celery-“\n“CELERY?!?”\n“Yea, you want some?”\nthrows the celery at him\n“NOOOOOO MY ONE WEAKNESS!!!!”\nvillain begins to dissolve\n“....I guess he doesn’t like celery.”", "Your name is Michael Travis. You're a stuntman turned freelance pilot, and you make your living serving as what essentially amounts to an international taxi for the Enhanced. Superheroes, in other words. You haven't got any powers yourself, but you're a damn good pilot and mechanic. You fly a heavily modified Cessna with just enough fuel capacity to safely cross the Atlantic, and you thought this would be just another day. Some threats of an attack in London came in yesterday, so you grabbed a couple Enhanced from New York that couldn't snag jet tickets on short notice and ferried them over.\n\nThey weren't amazingly popular, but you'd dealt with them before. Concretia, real name Ashley Sinclair, with the ability to absorb the properties of whatever she touched. Then Sabrina Brooks, who'd elected not to maintain a secret identity, and was essentially a grown-up magical girl. When the three of you caught sight of the city, London was burning bright enough that it looked like an orange dot on the horizon.\n\nPanicking, you pushed your little plane as fast as it could go. You'd buzzed Big Ben, normally horribly dangerous and seven kinds of illegal but it gave Sinclair and Brooks a way out of your plane and they could both take a fall like a professional when they had time to plan it.\n\nThe fires had snapped them out of the air like the maw of a hungry animal when they'd descended the clock tower.\n\nNow, closer to the flames, you could tell that they were unique. Burning in the shape of sabercats, dinosaurs, and other primordial predators, they chased your plane like a toy. You'd never flown this fast or this recklessly in your life, but when the chips are down, you're still one of the best pilots in the world, and things like safety margins take less priority when you're evading a pterodactyl made of fire.\n\nThen the voice sounded in your head. Ah, a survivor. Better even than the rest of these champions. You must be their leader.\n\nA sudden increase in weight in the back of the plane almost ruins your latest maneuver, but you compensate at the last second, completing an Immelman turn that takes you between a giant eagle and a tyrannosaurus. \"So, King of Heroes, my name is Abbadon.\" The voice sounds from directly behind you. You pull the plane into a steep ascent, pouring on the thrust so that you'll stall out and reverse direction in a couple seconds, and turn to face its source.\n\nAbbadon, as he calls himself, is a tall, pale man with a curved pair of jet-black horns. Dressed in a business suit and with no weapons, there's no way he should have accounted for enough weight to almost throw you into a tailspin, but you know enough about the Enhanced not to judge a book by its cover. \"I don't know what you mean by 'King of Heroes,'\" you say. \"I'm just a pilot.\"\n\n\"A pilot who can evade my creations even when all of the world's champions have been consumed by the flames?\"\n\n\"Well, yes. Honestly I just don't think people appreciate fire as a hazard when they're Enhanced. I happen to like not being near it.\"\n\nAbbadon lets out a mildly off-put sounding hmm before asking you a question. \"Well, then. Was that really all of the heroes?\"\n\nYou shrug. \"We were probably the slowest bus in, since Concretia and Sabrina were low priority heroes. We expected them to be on cleanup by now, honestly. So yeah. Not likely to be any more.\"\n\nThe man slumps into the seat of your plane with a paradoxically undignified error as you stall out. \"That's disappointing. I at least thought taking over the world would be a challenge.\"", "A weary and battered man, soaked in the blood of heroes, crests the last of the steps to the flat white plateau which another has found himself disoriented atop.\n\nwhere am I?, the second wants to ask, but the other's appearance does not lend itself to thoughts of welcome or civilised help.\n\nThen again, bloodwalker (whence that name?) is sure to look up in a moment, and notice him there. Perhaps best to get off on a civilised foot, it at all possible?\n\n\"Greetings!\"\n\nThe streak of blood trailing the man across the pristine white floor, (that doesn't spread or soak, as if.. caged? in this place), ceases its progression with the heavy fall of a boot.\n\nThe man raises his great head from its driving position before him. It is ugly beyond measure, but in its misshapen brutality, not in maggots or writhing tentacles. Why would it be ugly in maggots or writhing tentacles? The lost man doesn't know, but he knows something is more wrong with the man than mere brutality, or mere murder, or even mere rivers of blood.\n\nSince when are these things mere, wonders the man. Before he can wonder at such a thought coming to him, an ordinary man (-surely?) he is interrupted by answer.\n\n\"Since the devourer sullied the steps of heaven.. with his ungracious presence\" answers the man.\n\nFor some reason he doesn't understand, the lost man does not jump back and shrink into a ball. \n\n-Perhaps he is dreaming. \n\nInstead he thinks, you can read thoughts?\n\n\"Stop playing stupid, whoever you are, or whoevers you are.\" \"There is nothing to be stalled for, no more time to be gained. You will cast me from the steps, as was foreordained, -you will break me on the wheel. Or I will stain the gates with the blood of the last champion, and break them after all.\" The man stopped and laughed at his pun. -after all. \"You know this, I know this. Why delay? I am only getting stronger, healing from my wounds as we speak.\"\n\nI must be drea..\n\na throaty laugh burst from the man, interrupting his thought. \"Very funny! ..Alright, I don't mind waiting. If it's to my entertainment as well as advantage. Perhaps the fates have changed their tune, since I..\" he dropped to a whisper \"..had a little word with them\"\n\nThe lost man rubbed his forehead and blinked his eyes. He tried to think quietly, not wanting to provoke another outburst from the hallucination. There must have been some kind of mistake...\n\nno discordant ear splitting laugh pierced his attention, it seemed to be working\n\n..perhaps a translation error. 'Final' champion.. could be 'no' champion? Maybe someone..\n\nhe suddenly stopped his thoughts. As if finally stepping from a dream trance, a (seeming) realisation came that the man's laughter was the least was the least of his worries, that the only thing seemingly delaying his demise was the man's idea that he was a champion, -whom it might benefit him to strengthen before facing.\n\nThese thoughts were rapid and preverbal, and he hoped the man could not make sense of them.\n\nThe man, -bloodwalker (whence that name?), was regarding him with keen interest. \"Well this is new, this is an interesting way to set a trap. It's creative! I commend it.\" a bored look passed across his face \"But I'm not that stupid, I'm not that antsy, and I'm not going to fly at you just because I can hear you fear and mean it. You're up to something, and I can wait\"\n\nThe man did look stronger now, more malevolent now. Those maggots and tentacles might appear at any second.. But it was then that the clock struck twelve, -as a sudden sound of liquid evaporating marked the dissapearance of the last drop of blood from the no-longer-trail at the man's heel, leaving him stranded on the white floor.\n\nCorrection, -where were the steps? The endless white plane.\n\nWhere was the gate? \n\nSurely at his back, looming endlessly up, for a vast shadow began to sweep across the plane.\n\nIt was then that he remembered who he was. The man's son, memory wiped and used for a stooge. A moment's sympathy, too imperceptible for bloodwalker to find and stamp out, a moment's thought of recognition manifesting as curiosity. Some moment's delay, and the simple trap could spring. \n\n-Since bloodwalker had entered the realm, he would not have been for an instant without an excess of fresh blood, so he made his way deeper and deeper into the wards, so far insulated, so safe from them, as to not recognise their purpose. If he could only be kept here, between the stair and the gate, where blood fled, he could be paralyzed, defeated in an instant.\n\nThat was the plan.\n\n..But there had been one oversight. With the son's memory wipe, he had forgotten his father's crimes, forgotten who put him in the grave, and for what end. And he had always been one quick to action, and loyal to a fault.\n\nSo he threw himself forward, even as the shadow twisted to pull him back, struggling forward and forward and forward, and just close enough to rend his skin with his teeth and sprinkle a shower of blood sweeping forward, a drop to land at the feet of the man who he remembered was his father, and that those who had fooled him wished to defeat.\n\nAnd so the challenger appeared through a cracked and screaming gate, losing a third its essence squeezing through its imploding form, that had shrunk from the moment the first blood touched the ground, and collapsed from the point that bloodwalker added his own to the mix.\n\n_\n\n\"No matter\", spoke the champion. \"I will cast you from the steps, and break you on the wheel\"\n\n\"Ah, but your gates are cracked, and stained with blood.\"\n\n\"Don't tell me you believed that shit... Do you really think this is heaven? That I am master of the world? I am but the master of your paltry tribe, and this my plane. The fates are lies, fool, pretender to dust. I wrote them to ward off believers and halfwits. Not draw them here! No matter.. Should you cast me down, all you'll be is king of no one left. You halfwit! I'm going to cast you from the steps, and break you on the wheel, -only for wasting my fucking time!.\n\nUncertainty showed on bloodwalker's face for the first time, but it found familiar ground again even as the god charged. \"Graaaahhh... Either way, your realm shall be mine!\"", "I was standing there, blankly looking at him, the \"great villain\", the \"fifth horseman of the apocalypse\", the most \"evil conception there is\", and yet, I could find myself scared, in fact, I was amused, amused by the irony of this situation.\n\nI smiled. It was more of a smirk than a smile but I did. I took a deep breath and closes my eyes. Trying to analyze the situation. I was bad, that much I figured out from the start. \n\nWho knew that such a creature lurked underneath the surface of our planet. A being that could absorb the evil from people and use it to power itself up. I had supposedly absorbed all the evil in the world a was able to defeat all the heroes. It should've ended there but I just had to go to New York that week didn't I?\n\nAnd here was I thinking this kind of things only happen in movies. The person you would expect the least becomes the hero. But am I really the hero in this case? Is this helping my situation or just making it worse?\n\nHe looked ready to attack. From his expression I could see he was terrified. Why wouldn't he be? He was almost killed by the other heroes and now this guy comes in front of him acting like he's the final boss.\n\nI knew I could only do one thing. I started running towards him as he was gathering power. This was my only chance. I tackled him with all of my might.\nI felt like my soul was being pulled out of my body. It was horrible, and, at the same time, it made me feel liberated.\n \nWhat happened next was an explosion of nothing. \n\nHe had reached it's maximum capacity.\n\nWho would've guessed that me, a notorious serial killer would end up saving the world", "Ezren the Just struggled to breathe. His chest felt like tight bands of truesteel encased it and his hands were heavy and hot.\n\nWhy am I on the ground? How did I get here?\n\nAs his thoughts slowly coalesced back into normalcy, the groans of his dying Companions filled his ears. He cast his eyes around him as sweat beads dropped from his brow.\n\nJanos the Proud. Sandred the Sly. Thur, Son of the Moon. So many. They are all dead or dying. We have lost.\n\nIt was the quiet voice that brought him back fully to the present. That average, soft voice that somehow invoked the deepest of tremors in his gut. Ezren was long past the entry to manhood and had known war since he was a child but this… this voice… it terrified him. The being behind that voice had pillaged lands for decades and was responsible for the deaths of so many.\n\n\"Yes... good. Come back to me, Ezren. I want you to see this. Not because you deserve it but to honor what we once were, so long ago. I want you to witness!\"\n\nSummoning the last vestiges of his will, Ezren pushed himself to his hands and knees and then grunted with the effort to get a leg up. He raised his head and saw stars swimming in his view. His ears had a tinny ring in them that made the dying groans around him all the more piteous. \n\nHe was bloodied, he was broken, but he was not yet dead. He would continue to fight.\n\n“Balthror… you must not go through with this! It was forbidden from long ago. You must not harness the Winds of Time!”\n\n“Fool! I will not sit by your temple’s teachings any longer! Your priests warn and wail out of fear and cowardice of the unknown! I alone have seen what is coming. I alone have seen what lurks in the night. If we are to be strong enough, we must draw from the powers of this world, from the very powers of time and space!”\n\nThe dark sorcerer's voice was not deep or particularly loud but Ezren could practically feel the evil madness seeping through his words.\n\n“Balthror, you can’t! You will destroy this world that you claim to love! We were never close, Balthror, but we fought side by side as young men. Why would you do this? Why destroy it all on some nameless fear?”\n\nBalthror just sneered at him and turned to the side, clearly not interested in wasting more time on arguing. He had won. No need to explain more. His eyes centered on the altar in the middle of the stone room.\n\nAtop the altar was a dark orb, a void of all light which hovering above the ancient stones. Balthror's hands started to move rapidly. Sudden lines of light and something... dark... started to flash and twist around his fingers. Bursts of lightning quickly shot out to the void and just as quickly shot back. The temperature in the room plummeted so quickly that Balthror’s spoken words became fog in front of his face. \n\nAs Balthror continued his incantations, Ezren slowly steeled his mind against the agony racing through his body, willing himself for one more strike. The hilt of his truesteel sword was inches from his grasp. Balthror’s dark magic gave him protection from most physical blows but maybe, just maybe, a true strike to the head would suffice. Ezren knew that it would not work but he still must try.\n\nWith the last ounce of energy in his body, Ezren jumped to his feet with his sword and lunged towards the dark sorcerer. His sword shot out at the head of the being that used to be a mortal man. Ezren poured every bit of his strength into the thrust, willing the sword to pierce the sorceror's eldritch defenses.\n\nThe point of the sword stopped suddenly in the air well in front of the dark robed figure. Ezren screamed out at the flaring pain in his wrist and shoulder from the impact of the thwarted blow. He crumpled to the ground, defeated and humiliated. Balthror didn’t even look at Ezren as he continued his dark incantation.\n\nMoments later, the void of darkness expanded rapidly, growing from the size of a man’s fist to something much larger like the mouth of a cave. Lightning shot out of and back into the darkness and the coldness of the air burned Ezren’s lungs. Ezren screamed. He could feel hopelessness settle in his soul like a frozen anchor.\n\nA sudden implosion of air caused Ezren to slam his mouth shut, slicing open his tongue and filling him with the coppery taste of blood. Balthror was thrown back several yards but somehow managed to land with a foot beneath him. He scrambled back to his feet rapidly.\n\nWhere the portal had once been stood a man. He looked like no man Ezren had ever seen before. He wore no armor or sword and his clothes were thin. They were made from a material that was unfamiliar to Ezren. The man had stains on his shirt and he was certainly no warrior. Though he looked strong enough, his belly extended far beyond his belt and the man’s awkward stumbling had none of a warrior’s grace. The stranger had a massive beard and wore a strange accoutrement on his head. It was red with white markings and extended over his eyes by several inches.\n\nThe man looked around a bit and swore loudly. Though Ezren had never heard this tongue before, he could somehow understand the man’s speech quite clearly though his words came out strange as though the man were sucking on a stone of his throat.\n\n“What in the flying fuck is happening to me? Where the fuck am I? Ahh shit I am going to be late for dinner and the missus is gonna whoop my ass! She’ll think I’ve been drinking with Billy again! Fuck!”\n\nThis seemingly tirade at himself continued on for several more moments as the man looked around while occasionally spitting a brown substance on the stone floor of the ancient temple. The tirade stopped when Balthror coughed loudly and began to speak.\n\n“And who are you? Some champion that the Absent Gods have summoned to do battle with me? Do you not understand? Look around you, fool! I have harnessed the power of Stone and Moon. I have summoned the Nine Beings and chained them to my will. By the power of my Words I have broken the Companions. Ezren the Just lays broken before me, his legendary sword useless in his hands. Fool!”\n\nThe man raised the red item on his head just slightly before crossing his arms across his chest over his prodigious gut.\n\n“Listen here, boy. You talk too much. Shut the fuck up. I ain’t got no good goddamn idea what you are going on about but I was just taking a load from ‘tlanta down to the coast when a fucking deer came out of nowhere and I hit a telephone pole. Last thing I knew, some damn ‘lectrical line was hittin my cab and I could feel the sparks flying. Now where the fuck am I?”\n\nBalthror stood still, looking at the man for several long seconds. The silence started to grow ponderous and thick in the room, haltered only by the now occasional groans from one of the Companions unlucky enough to still be living. Finally, Balthror shook himself and barked a laugh.\n\n“The portal. Time and space. You fool! Don’t you see? You are an accident! You are a mistake! You have been mistakenly summoned here. You are no champion! You are a weak wretch that I will cast down and destroy! Prepare yourself for doom!”\n\nBalthror’s otherwise mild voice raised to a howl by the end of his rant, his hands coming up and moving into a complex pattern. Motes of light started to form around his fingertips.\n\nThe stranger took a sudden step back and reached behind his back and pulled forth a shiny metal… something. It looked like a miniature club with a handle embedded on the end. The handle was fashioned at an angle so the shiny silver tube pointed to the dark sorcerer. The man sounded somewhat fearful as he responded.\n\n“Now listen here mister. God don’t make no junk so I’m ain’t no damn mistake. I got no beef with you but I don’t like what you just said. Put your hands down and cut the shit or I’ll end you.”\n\nBalthror said nothing and the motes of color grew in size and brightness. Their motion sped up and started to move out in random patterns closer and closer to the stranger.\n\nThe man’s eyes widened under the red cloth on his head and he stammered a few times. His thumb pulled something back on club and an audible click resounded in the stone chamber.\n\n“Last warning, mister! I will end you, motherfucker!”\n\nBalthror just roared in response and shoved his hands out in a sudden jerk, sending the motes of lights out at the stranger as fast as a speeding hawk.\n\nThere was a sudden BOOM and Ezren screamed again in pain as his already damaged ears were overloaded by the echoes of noise in the stone room. Ezren lost consciousness.\n\nCONTINUED\n\n", "The demon stood in the corridor, flames licking its body. Its glowing red eyes bore a malice of ages, a contempt that had festered in the bowels of the underworld for aeons. Smoke billowed from its nose, curling up to the ceiling in acrid yellow clouds.\n\n\"Who dares to stand in the way of D'thora, destroyer of worlds?\" his deep, gravelly bass voice boomed. \"Which fool chooses to challenge my will?\"\n\nI sucked on the end of my toothpick, deliberately making the asshole wait for my reply. \n\nIt's all about power dynamics, dude.\n\n\"Name's Bob,\" I finally replied. \n\nThe demon's face went from one of undisguised contempt to one of irritation and confusion. \n\n\"Bob?\" he asked.\n\n\"Bob,\" I replied.\n\nThe demon paused, the look of confusion becoming more intense. \n\n\"Bob what? Bob the reaper? Bob the light guardian? Bob, the eternal defender of the people?\"\n\nI paused once again, before replying. \n\n\"Nope. Just Bob.\"\n\nThe demon's gaze fell from my face, and he stared at the floor, evidently lost in thought. \n\n\"Odd,\" he muttered in his gravelly voice. \"I don't recall any heroes named Bob. I'm sure my lord would have mentioned it before I started this whole thing.\"\n\n\"Well,\" I said slowly, as if addressing a child, \"That might be because I ain't no hero.\"\n\nHis eyes shot back up to mine. \"What do you mean, you aren't a hero?\"\n\n\"Ain't a hero, plain as that. I'm the custodian.\"\n\nA wave of understanding washed over the demon's face. \"Ahh, I see. You're the guardian of this facility then. It remains under your protection and custody.\"\n\n\"Nuh uh,\" I said, shaking my head slowly. \"I'm just the custodian.\"\n\nThe confusion returned. \"I don't understand.\"\n\n\"I... am... the custodian,\" I said slowly. Caretaker. Janitor. Whatever you wanna call it. I clean the place.\"\n\n\"You... you clean it?\" it growled.\n\n\"Yup,\" I replied.\n\n\"You are not a hero?\"\n\n\"Nope.\"\n\n\"Then... nothing stands between me and the artifact! Move aside, mortal!\"\n\n\"Nope,\" I said, chewing on the toothpick. \"You ain't goin' in there. I just waxed the floor.\"\n\n\"I go where I please!\" exploded the demon, charging forward.\n\nI whipped the portal gun from my pocket, firing it at the floor in front of the demon. He tried to stop, but his hooves slipped on the freshly waxed floor, and he slid inside it the hole and into an eternal void. The portal sealed itself with a soft 'pop'. \n\nI smiled to myself. There were some benefits to working at Area 51. But within moments, the smile faded as I realized what had just happened.\n\n\"Shit. Now I gotta rewax that part of the floor.\"", "Griffin pulled out his phone, hand acting on its own accord, muscle memory taking place of consciousness as the quick double-tap vibration signaled another bullet in the already bullet-riddled corpse of real social interaction. \n\nWhere the fuck did that thought come from? \n\nHe paused with his phone at waist height. He wasn't exactly Mister Optimist (quite possibly the worst name of all Augmented, good and evil alike, though Dead-Inside always struck Griffin as equally unfortunate), but neither was he one of those people, believing social media to be the downfall of humanity. The Augmented managed to lead that category rather well. \n\nBefore checking his phone, Griffin brought up his left hand and finished the remains of his non-energy granting energy drink. He tossed the can into a trashbin as he continued walking, still holding the phone out by his waist. \n\nGriffin turned the corner. \n\nHis hand trembled, though from slamming back his second can of Monster or from seeing an impossibility across the street, he didn't know. \n\nIt was a man, or an attempt at one. Though it stood tall, at least eight feet, it had the same core shape. Two arms, two legs, a torso and a head. That was where the comparison ended. It was pitch black at every inch, as though made of oil, black sludge dripping from the body and landing at its feet where it re-joined the thing and worked its way back up. \n\nAnd though it had no face, Griffin sensed- no, he knew- it was staring at him. \n\nHe felt its gaze, the wrongness of it. He looked at a thing that should not be. \n\nStrike down enough soldiers, and the general eventually arrives. The voice was cold, pitch changing with every syllable, an alien tongue speaking a human language. \n\nGriffin felt a shiver run down his body, straightening his terrible posture as his spine imitated the tail of a frightened cat. \"W- What?\" \n\nThe sludge moved, each foot only lifting off the ground for the briefest moment as dropped sludge raced to reconnect it to the street. The street. It was moving toward him. He stood rooted in place, finally understanding all those made-up characters he laughed at in books and movies, finally knowing what fear can do. He screamed at his body to turn and sprint, but it stayed. Instead, he felt his own gaze shift to the sidewalk the monster was at. Three corpses, and though sludge covered a bit of them, he could make out the face of one. \n\nAntonidus, Griffin thought. That particular Augmented was actually respected by Griffin, one of the very few. He came from a similar background, taking his Augmented name from World of Warcraft. A fan of fireballs. Now he was dead. \n\nThe creature was nearly at him, and to Griffin's surprise, his body stepped forward. \n\nSorry, son. Another voice was in his head, though where the first was terrible, this was beautiful. Regal, commanding, the voice of a good man. Immediately, Griffin understood. The stories of regular people standing up to Augmented and winning were rare. Rarer still, those people claiming they heard a voice. Their body used as a vessel for another. One who allowed the powerless to use power. \n\nEveryone thought it a myth. A fairy-tale. Griffin certainly did. What did the kids call it... Mirror?. \n\nGriffin took in a breath, or tried to, but his body stood as a statue. \n\nThis being before us has no name, nor the will capable of forming one. It is not an Augmented, not any longer, but instead a wretch. Incapable of anything but lust for power. A victim of itself, as much as those it consumes. She was once named Auri, granted with the ability to take Augments from others. With them, she took memories, Souls. Dozens of voices reign in her head, control given to none but instinct. \n\nGriffin's body reached over to a nearby newspaper box and ripped the glass locking section off. He then walked to the trashcan where he threw his Monster, hand steady as it grabbed a rusted metal rod. In his left hand, a shield of glass. In his right, a weapon of rusted steel. \n\nWe must stop her. \n\nGriffin felt himself move like he'd never dreamed. Each step calculated, quick and with purpose. The four steps to one-Auri took almost no time, and the rod slammed into it with a hefty thud. It should have bent, but it held true. \n\nThe beast screamed, not in reaction to being hit, but as an attack of her own. Though Griffin held no control over his body, he felt the pain, his ears certainly bleeding. Still, his body continued hitting once-Auri, each blow as fast as the last, the striking speed of a cobra with the heavy weight of a boulder. \n\nIt hit the ground and turned to flame, a trick of Antonidus's making. This thing didn't have the same control, unable to spread out and retreat as Antonidus had a habit of doing. \n\nGriffin's body jumped back and held up the glass shield as fire shot up, turning to sludge half-way to him and slamming into the barrier with force. It shouldn't have been able to hold, but it did. The sludge reformed into one-Auri and another scream sounded as it began slamming fists toward Griffin with unbelievable speed. Each impact hit the glass shield as his body moved blindingly fast. \n\nThen Griffin's body jumped back again, dropped the weapon, and held out a palm. He felt extreme heat at the end of his hand, then saw a bolt of fire shoot out. It struck once-Auri in the chest, melting the sludge into a pool. It boiled on the sidewalk. \n\nGriffin stood there for a moment before his legs began to shake. His body was his own again. \"Hello?\" \n\nNo reply. \n\nIt didn't take long for shop-doors to open, shocked and happy men and women pouring out. Many were crying, but they all stared at Griffin with admiration. \n\nIt didn't take much longer for the news teams to arrive. " ]	[ 1, 2, 2, 2, 7, 8, 8, 9, 29, 68 ]	[ "1512073611", "1512142191", "1512150938", "1512162833", "1512079381", "1512078075", "1512080031", "1512083521", "1512086501", "1512077256" ]
	[WP] When God sent his only-begotten son to earth to die for humans sins, he didn't expect him to die. And he didn't expect to die with him.	3	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "In a quickly darkening room Yeshua scribbled furiously. His wife, stabbed for disobedience was slowly bleeding out on the corner. Too weak to speak\n\n\"This is what he tells me. This is the truth.\"\n\nHe glared at the corner, still now. \"He would not lie to me,\" he hissed in the empty hut, quill racing." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1512077653", "1512080964" ]
	[WP] The Earth just fought off an alien invasion. The part that really annoys the aliens is that no Earthing actually noticed the invasion.	76	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Sarge, what is this nonsense?\" Boss radioed in.\n\n\"I'm sorry, the humans have defeated us.\" I replied. I was tired of having to explain myself. All my suggestions prior to the invasion had been ignored. I was an infantry soldier, but it didn't mean I lacked value to the team.\n\n\"Sarge, where are your weapons?\"\n\n\"They broke against this material. It's called concrete.\" I knew lasers would be a better idea. The handheld razor sharp claws that fitted into my uniform were so cumbersome.\n\n\"Can we send more?\" Boss asked.\n\n\"I don't know,\" I hesitated for a moment. \"I don't know if they are our enemies.\"\n\n\"WHAT?!\" Boss barked. \"Have you gone soft, Sarge! We want to conquer the planet. They must FEAR you!\"\n\n\"They don't. Maybe if they don't fear us, we can be harmonious together.\" I argued.\n\nI could hear my boss' nostrils flair. \"I will send more weapons.\"\n\nBefore he cut the radio, I squeaked \"they will never fear us.\"\n\nA slow and steady breath exhaled into the receiver. \"Why, Sarge, is that?\"\n\n\"I just - don't look....scary.\" I explained.\n\n\"Well then show your TEETH!\" He barked and I heard the line go silent.\n\nI found my sworn enemies in the room beside me. There was a blonde female Earthling and a brunette male one, with a tiny Earthling that was about the same size as me. The tiny Earthling would grab at me. I tried to tell him to stop, but we didn't speak the same language. He'd grab me and then squeal in delight. I was certain the tiny Earthling was my enemy, but I couldn't be sure about its parents. I couldn't murder an entire family because one of them was bad, could I? Besides, the tiny one was something I could handle if things got out of hand.\n\nThe blonde Earthling scratched around my uniform and it felt nice to be reprieved of the itch in places I couldn't reach. The male Earthling fed me, and I was grateful for a meal after all my travels. Boss was right: I had gone soft. I couldn't speak the tongue of the Earthlings, but I had blurted out a warning once amidst my belly becoming satiated. I told the Earthlings to run because the aliens were invading us. They simply responded by silencing me, embarrassing my efforts to appear as a threat, and offered me a dessert of sorts. I had told Boss so many times \"we can't go in looking like this, it's too docile; we need to change our form\".\n\n\"And what are we going to do with this beast?\" The brunette asked.\n\n\"Hmm, good question.\" The male counterpart replied. \"We need a name for a creature such as this.\"\n\nThe female Earthling looked at me, pondering my uniform. I felt suddenly vulnerable. \"I think it should be called a dog.\"\n\n", "“Lieutenant Orxza, report!”\n\n“The defenses are holding, Captain,” the young Lieutenant replied nervously. “Though the sustained effort is draining the battery core. We can’t keep this up indefinitely.”\n\n“Maintain your course, Lieutenant. The Swarm needs every gun ship it can muster if we’re going to make the most of the element of surprise.”\n\n“Aye, Sir.”\n\n— — — — —\n\nCaptain Uxzor had listened patiently during the briefing. The Milky Way galaxy only had one planet capable of life, so that’s where the shock troops would make their beachhead. The aim was to eliminate the only threat first, firmly and decisively. If the operation went smoothly, the Swarm could mine the planets without being hampered by resistance fighters.\n\nThe Swarm’s best intelligence was spotty, but there were mammals on that planet. Worse yet, they showed signs of advanced technology. They hadn’t quite mastered travel outside of their galaxy, but they were close. If the mammals had a chance to fight back, it would be a long, bitter affair.\n\nSome of the other Swarm Captains even suggested that they needed to carry out the preemptive attack whether they settled in the Milky Way galaxy or not. The mammals were a hair’s breadth away from posing a serious threat, and that threat needed to be neutralized. Better to strangle them in infancy than deal with a mature spacefaring race.\n\nWhatever the reasons, the Swarm’s strategy was clear: take advantage of the water. It covered most of the planet, and it would provide excellent cover for the Swarm gunships. With a short, concentrated burst from the gunships, defenses could be quickly and permanently disabled. It was a simple strategy, but it had been effective before. Few races could withstand a full-on assault from the entire Swarm armada, and they would have the added benefit of surprise.\n\nCaptain Uxzor smiled to himself. This would be the easiest mission yet.\n\n— — — — —\n\n“Captain! A second seismic disruption is incoming!”\n\n“Another one?! ETA?”\n\n“No more than 10 clicks, Sir! It doesn’t have the strength of the first one, but it’ll tax our battery core all the same.”\n\n“Curse these mammals,” Captain Uxzor muttered. Out loud, he called out the command, “All hands, brace for impact!”\n\nThe seismic disruption battered the gunship, tossing it about. The technology that the mammals wielded was fearsome indeed. Every gunship in the Swarm armada was built identically, so Captain Uxzor knew exactly what the other gunships were experiencing in the same moment.\n\n“Lieutenant, I need a status report.”\n\n“Battery core is down to twenty percent, Sir. Defenses held, no breach of the gunship’s hull. We have enough power for our first target, but no more.”\n\n“I assume the other gunships are in similar conditions?”\n\n“Aye, Sir. The network shows we are actually in the best condition of the gunships.”\n\nCaptain Uxzor pondered his options, weighing the risks. The mission was already compromised, but there might yet be a way to salvage some level of success. The first target had been the most important, so it might yet be worth finishing their run. They might not kill the snake, but they could cut strip it of its fangs.\n\n“Onward, Lieutenant. Put the word out on the network: all gunships with enough power to finish the run are to form up on us.”\n\n“Aye, Sir.”\n\n— — — — —\n\nOne thousand clicks later, it became apparent to everyone: they’d miscalculated badly. The seismic disruptions hadn’t just buffeted the gunships, they’d mixed in turbulence to the waters. The extra energy required to stabilize the remaining gunships was draining their battery reserves.\n\n“Curse these mammals. They lured us into a landmine!”\n\nThe Lieutenant stared at her console, focusing on the energy output of the battery core.\n\n“Sir, we’re down to twelve percent. Of the remaining gunships, half no longer have the reserves to operate their weapons. They can reach the target, but they’ll be spectators.”\n\nThe Captain looked off for a moment, knowing that he had no choice at this point.\n\n“We’ve lost, Lieutenant.”\n\n“Sir?”\n\n“Call it off. Sound the retreat.”\n\n“Aye, Sir.”\n\n“The mammals will be celebrating tonight. For the first time since its inception, the might of the Swarm has been thwarted.”\n\nLieutenant Orxza nodded grimly.\n\n— — — — —\n\nAs the last gunship limped back to the carrier, one more order came through: infiltrate the mammal’s communication network. They must have somehow coordinated the seismic attacks. If the Swarm could cripple that mechanism, a second attack would work.\n\n“Captain, I think I’ve figured it out.”\n\n“Show me, Lieutenant Orxza.”\n\n“There are multiple channels, each broadcast on a different frequency. Both audio and video. Here, this one seems to be a status report.”\n\n“Tonight at XYZ News at ten, the latest diet pill is making a huge splash in the market. See why it might not be worth the price. A 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Shanghai, spurring a tsunami. We’ll speak to residents who barely had time to flee inland.”\n\n“Diet pill? Flee? Lieutenant, what are the mammals blabbering about?”\n\nLieutenant Orxza furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of what she saw. She imagined possible explanations, but none of them made sense. Ultimately, a nagging thought in the back of her mind started to worm its way forward.\n\n“Sir …. what if it wasn’t intentional?”\n\n“What do you mean, Lieutenant? That seismic activity perfectly crippled the Swarm armada.”\n\n“Yes, Sir, but the mammals themselves said they were fleeing from it.”\n\nCaptain Uxzor said nothing, letting the thought sink in. Finally, after more clicks than he expected, he spoke.\n\n“The rest of their status report is nonchalant, something about nutrition. Lieutenant, I think you might be right.”\n\n“Sir, don’t you see? It was an accident! They didn’t defeat us, they don’t even know we’re here! The Swarm can return!”\n\n“No, Lieutenant, it’s you that doesn’t see. The planet fended us off without any conscious effort. The damage the gunships sustained is normal on this planet. Even if we removed every last mammal, we can’t simply take their structures. Our biology and our technology doesn’t work the same way. We’d have to defend ourselves from the planet itself on an ongoing basis.”\n\n“I hadn’t considered that, Sir.”\n\n“They can keep the planet AND the galaxy, Lieutenant. The spoils aren’t worth a never-ending fight with a hostile planet. These pitiful mammals will never know the victory they achieved today.”\n\n“ … the dress she wore to the awards show definitely drew attention. Some are saying it went too far, but personally, I think …”" ]	[ 1, 9, 38 ]	[ "1512082029", "1512106218", "1512104770" ]
[removed]	[WP] It's midnight, the moon is full and the heat is unbearable. Sophie, 23, wakes up in a pool of sweat. Wearing nothing but underwear, she heads to the kitchen fridge to quench her thirst. A note pinned on the fridge door reads 'don't go back to sleep...'	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nWhile it doesn't seem to be your intent, the mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel may become harmful to the community. This includes prompts likely to generate such responses. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7gsy56/wp_its_midnight_the_moon_is_full_and_the_heat_is/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1512106466", "1512107165" ]
[removed]	[WP] You are the son of a corrupt world leader. He was assassinated last night. You're next in line.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nWhile it doesn't seem to be your intent, the mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel may become harmful to the community. This includes prompts likely to generate such responses. \n\nNo prompts referencing real world drama (including politics, recent tragedies, etc.) This includes prompts likely to attract such drama. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7gtatr/wp_you_are_the_son_of_a_corrupt_world_leader_he/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.", "I stood at the podium, and let my gaze ripple across the seemingly endless sea of people gathered in the stadium to hear me speak.\n\n\"As you all know,\" I began, \"my father was assassinated last night.\"\n\nThere was not a sound. Not even a cough. I'm sure they were glad, though - every single last one of them. My father had been a dictator...\n\n...but I would be a tyrant.\n\nI gestured for a man to come join me on stage at the podium.\n\nHe came, nervously. \n\n\"Tell the crowd your name,\" I said to him.\n\nWith hesitation, he leaned forward and licked his lips. \"M-Ming.\"\n\nI gently pushed him out the way so I could speak into the mic, and asked, mimicking his stutter, \"So, M-Ming, what is it that you do?\" I grabbed his arm and brought him back to the mic.\n\nHis face was glistening with a sheen of sweat that I could see was making his tight, uniform collar damp.\n\n\"I- I stand g-guard ou-outside your fa-fa-father's door.\"\n\nI nodded. \"So then how did an assassin get past you?\" I asked.\n\nHe looked at me wide-eyed, but before he could speak, I pulled out a pistol and shot him through the temple.\n\nMy soldiers came to collect his body and I waved them away with the words, \"Let him rot. But go and get the rest.\"\n\nAnd that is how we killed the chef, the maid, the guards there that day, and anyone else who was even remotely aware of the details of the assassination. \n\nInterspersed between these executions, I gave grand elocutions.\n\nThe body pile of corpses grew larger beside me.\n\nI pounded my fists into the polished oak wood of the podium. \"My father was weak! You detested him because he ruled over you, but he was too good for his own good. Now I rule over you. I am not my father. I am not weak. I will do evil to you and you will love me for it.\"\n\nI waited. Then said:\n\n\"If you do not clap whenever I am done speaking, do you see the soldiers stationed at the end of every aisle? I will have you shot. You must applaud me. You must smile and cry tears of joy just at the sight of me. You must love me. Even as I do wicked to you, you must love me.\"\n\nI waited. It started hesitantly at first with one clap, then two and three dispersed throughout the arena, and soon the entire arena was applauding, smiling, and shedding tears of joy.\n\nLater that day, when it was night, I sat in the dark alone, thinking about how I had assassinated my father the night before.\n\nHe was weak. I justified. Too weak. They would have killed him anyway and taking his kingdom. I showed him mercy by making his death quick and easy.\n\nI thought back to stammering M-Ming and how his eyes had gone wide at my questioning him, \"So then how did an assassin get past you?\"\n\nIf I had let him speak, he would have said, \"You're the only one who went past me the night before.\" Incriminating me. That's why I had to kill him, and all others who knew.\n\nI took a sip of iced water, then ran a hand through the hair of the head bobbing in my lap and laughed.\n\nMy father's reign is over. Now my hurricane shall begin." ]	[ 1, 1, 2 ]	[ "1512110588", "1512113982", "1512114430" ]
	[WP]You donated your hair to Locks of Love and the recipient committed a crime leaving your hair behind at the scene	144	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Where were you at 7:30 PM on July 8th?\"\n\nI gawped at him.\n\n\"The hesitation isn't doing you any favors,\" he growled.\n\n\"Uhh... what day of the week was that? A Saturday?\" I scratched my head. \"I guess I was at home, playing Skyrim.\"\n\nHe scribbled a note in his pad. \"Is that one of those violent video games?\"\n\n\"Not really. Like, there's dragons and stuff --\"\n\n\"Suspect says she was playing Sky-Rim, a violent video game,\" he mumbled, continuing to scribble.\n\n\"Hey!\"\n\n\"Can anyone confirm that's what you were doing?\"\n\n\"...My cat?\"\n\n\"Well, until cats can talk, Miss Saunders, you'll need to come with me to the station.\"\n\n\"What? Why?\"\n\n\"On July 8th, the wig store on Muller Ave. was held up. The owner was shot to death. 16 wigs, as well as nearly $5000 in cash, were stolen. You're our prime suspect.\"\n\nWigs? ...No. It couldn't be. \"Let me guess. I'm a suspect... because you found my hair at the scene?\"\n\n\"Indeed.\"\n\n\"Why would I hold up a wig shop?\" I shouted. \"My hair is real!\" I pushed a lock of my hair in his face. \"TOUCH IT!\"\n\nHe recoiled. \"Miss Saunders, if you would just come with me --\"\n\n\"It's that girl with cancer I donated my hair to!\" I screamed. \"Jilly Robinson! SHE HAS A WIG OF MY HAIR!\"\n\n\"Stop!\" he said, his hands shielding his face. \"Or I'll charge you with assaulting a police officer!\"\n\nBegrudgingly, I followed him out to the police car. I plopped in the backseat, arms crossed, as we pulled out of my driveway. But as I watched the trees and houses scroll by through the window, I smiled.\n\nAt least Jilly must be feeling better.", "The police officer paced back and forth across the small interrogation room. I still had no idea why I was brought in, I have never done anything illegal. Yet, here I was, handcuffed to a silver table in a grey room. A single light hung over me, gently swinging back and forth from the air conditioning vent above me. It felt like an eternity between when I was brought in and when the officer finally stopped pacing and sat down across from me.\n\n“Listen Officer, there has to be some kind of mistake, I have never done anything wrong in my life. I swear, I don’t even know why I am here.”\nHe stared deeply at me, I finally realized better and stopped talking. He let out a sigh.\n“You can drop the act now, we know it was you.”\n\nI began to panic. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” He was treating me like I was some mass criminal. Me, a 5 feet tall 18 year old girl with short brown hair wearing jeans, a superhero shirt and green framed glasses. Basically the least threatening person in existence. Yet for some reason the police officer in front of me was almost scared in how he looked at me.\n \n“Abigail Smith, if that is your real name, you make me sick, you know that? What you did… disgusting.” \nHe looked about 40, his uniform was clean and organized, his face was clean shaven, not a single hair anywhere his head. He leaned his broad shoulders towards me, and stared me straight in the face.\n\n“Listen, this will go a lot easier for both of us if you just confess.” He seemed to be losing his patience. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t extremely scared.\n“I don’t know!” I cried, “you have to believe me! I haven’t done anything wrong!”\nHe let out a sigh. “Alright listen, we have reason to believe that you are the the 15th street killer.”\n“The what?” I could barely believe what I was hearing.\n\n“You have killed over 15 people in the past month! And stop denying it, we found your hair on every single victim.” I could tell he was losing his temper. I heard a knock on the one way mirror behind me. He stared up and grunted.\n“I just want to know why, there is no connection between you and any of the victims. Was is depression? Trouble at school? Wanted to let off some anger?”\n\nIt was then that it hit me. The killings had started last month. I remember the news, they were warning people to avoid 15th street due to a bunch of killings that had happened. I also realized the other thing that happened last month. I used to have longer hair, I grew it out so I could donate it to charity.\n\n“Oh my god” The officers face darted to me, his gaze was piercing.\n“Finally decide to confess?”\n“No, i mean, well, I know why my hair was on the scene. I am being framed! It wasn't me!”\n\n“Don’t give me that crap! I have heard that a thousand times.” His gaze tightened, his hand was slowly drifting towards his sidearm. I needed to act fast. \n“Listen, my hair, it used to be longer.”\n“So what?” His patience was fading.\n\n“Well a few days before the killings started, I had my hair cut short and donated the hair to charity. I went with my best friend, she can attest, please! You have to believe me, I would never kill anyone!” \nI began to cry again, I looked down, then I heard him bang on the table. When I looked up I realized I was staring down the barrel of a gun. I held back screaming and just stared at him, tears flowing down my face. Time slowed down, my thoughts raced.\n\nThe next thing I knew, two other officers burst through the door and grabbed the officer. I let out a sigh of relief.\n“You’re lying! I’ll get you for this! I will avenge my daughter!”\nI wanted to ask what he was talking about but thought better of it. The officer continued to struggle for his weapon while the two officers dragged him out of the room. Then there was silence as I sat in that room, alone, scared and confused.\n\nEDIT: Spacing and a few words\n" ]	[ 1, 5, 21 ]	[ "1512131321", "1512146725", "1512143224" ]
[removed]	[WP] The White House plays D&D	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Hi there, this post has been removed.\n\nNo prompts referencing real world drama (including politics, recent tragedies, etc.) This includes prompts likely to attract such drama. \n\n\n\n---\n\nPlease refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a [modmail.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7gwtkk/wp_the_white_house_plays_dd/%0A%0A)\n\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things." ]	[ 1, 1 ]	[ "1512151847", "1512152119" ]
	[WP] Due to the effects of climate change, there are now only three possible seasons on earth--Spring, Summer, and Autumn.	1	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"What was it like, Nana?\" Charlee asked as they sat beneath the Christmas tree. The solar lights danced off the bare branches and dazzled like fireworks in his wide, blue eyes. \n\n\"Well...\" Mary Adelaide said, looking over his head and across the dried, autumn fields. \"When I was a child, we brought our Christmas trees inside. It was too cold to be out for too long. When you spoke, mist came from your mouth and hung in the air. Everyone bundled up in wool and fur and polyester.\" \n\nLittle Charlee's face was a mask of excitement. \"What about the snow Nana? Tell me about the snow!\"\n\nMary Adelaide smiled. \"Oh, yes. The snow covered everything. The fields would be stark white, as far as the eye could see. When it came down from the sky, it was in teeny tiny flakes that you didn't even feel. Sometimes, you'd wake up to it as tall as your head! We dug tunnels and built houses in it.\"\n\n\"But wasn't it cold, Nana?\"\n\nMary Adelaide's thin lips turned downwards just a little. Charlee didn't seem to notice. The little child waited for her answer. \n\n\"Oh yes, it was so very cold.\" The old woman said at last. \"But we'll never be cold again, dear. Not in my life, at least.\"", "\t\n There was a time\n\tWhen snow fell \n\tAnd covered the land\n\tIn a silent blanket\n\n\tMy Grandmother remembered\n\tSnow\n\tAnd the winters\n\tWe will never see\n\t\n\tI pity her\n\tFor the years she survived\n\tIn the frigid world\n\t\n The ice wind howled\n\tDeath covered the land\n\tThe bare skeletons of trees\n\tReached to the wine red sun\n That never brought heat\n\n But my Grandmother looks back\n With fondness \n On the lost winters\n\n She laments the warmth \n That was always found\n In the deepest of nights\n And in the black cold\n\n The embers \n Of her childhood \n Heat her memory\n\n The fire of a dead world\n\n/r/liswrites\n" ]	[ 1, 2, 5 ]	[ "1512160653", "1512181072", "1512165456" ]
	[WP] You live in a society where cats choose humans to bond. Depending on the cat's disposition, humans gain different attributes. You woke up this morning to a black jaguar at the foot of your bed.	938	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", " I have been waiting for this day to come for as long as I can remember. My section of the city is known for strictly focusing in the support of upcoming bonding. The rest of the city called us \"bondlings\" I never liked that term as it held a heavy weight to it. We were always looked at to have extreme purposes and destiny's since you had to be hand picked from elder bondlings. The pack I hung out with only cared about the bonding. Always training and preparing for the unknown. I always held simpler dreams. Running around the meadow close to where I was born. Hanging out with my siblings, just enjoying life! I was picked at and early age and never understood why. When I start to drift into simpler daydreams a voice from my mother always pops into my head.\n\n\"I know you just want to lay around all day, but you weren't dealt that hand Dixie. The gods have choose you for a reason, I don't want to hear about it anymore. No one knows why you were chosen, but you have a purpose like it or not!\"\n\nShe was right. How selfish am I to be bummed out about being one of the few chosen. \n\nWhat worried me the most is thinking of who I would be paired with. What if we don't get along? What would I give to them? Do they even want to be tagging along with me? \n\nI was told a few things of my other \"bondie\" this morning, I think to settle my nerves but it only made it worse. I was told it would be a male, lengthy but tall. Unusually hairy compared to others my mother have seen bonded to. And that together we would serve great purpose over the years. That was it. I wasn't sure if she really didn't know more or was keeping it a secret. \n\nIt didn't matter anyways here we are. They sent me and one other in a car together. It wasn't unusual for multiple bonds to happen at once so I didn't think much of it. What did alert me was the amount of attention we seemed to be getting. There was security on either side of us and they used this security cage to transport us. I wasn't sure if it was to keep us safe or to keep us from running away, either way it sent shivers down my spine and my hair stood at end. \n\n\nWe pulled up at a large white building and were escorted inside. This is where I sit and wait. I could over hear others as they carried me in that I was to wait in his office. I think they called it the Oval office? This Lincoln guy everyone keeps shouting about must be pretty important if he has his own office. I hope he turns out to not be a big jerk.\n\n\n\n\n\n I cut the panther part out as you can see. Think it would have been a better prompt without the last bit maybe that's just me! ", "Very nice follow-up. The hard thing starts now i guess.. what secrets do the keepers have? What about incorporating foul play. Is there a cult within a cult? Is it modern day, or future or... Me for one, i'd like to read more. I like the way you write, and how you tell a story. Thanks! \n\n-> more please. Write a book, i'll buy it lol", "There was never a shred of doubt that Nergüi would never have a companion.\n\nIn this world, everyone; had a feline companion of their own, and a tattoo of their shared special power. From housecoats to lions and majestic tigers, each and every power was unique, different; unseen; but similar to others with a similar type of feline. \n\nTigers and those who bonded with them were granted abilities of brute strength and a lean, lithe figure, alongside superb skills in hunting and tracking. Lions granted their bonded dominance and leadership; even Common House-cats gave incredible speed and agility, plus an innate instinct for survival. Their bonded powers, a special ability only between the bonded pair; usually ran along the lines relating to the personality traits of the cat and it’s compatibility with it’s human (so some magic is stable, and some is unstable); but like all other cats, deviations from the norm came from colour and mutations in both cat or human; giving rise to little subspecies and incredible new discoveries of powers around the world.\n\nUsually cats would bond to their humans on the day of their birth as a newborn kitten; and those that were bonded usually had a longer life span than those that weren’t; reaching up to well into the hundreds. After all, cats have nine lives; and to permanently bond meant for both human and cat to spend all nine lives in each other’s company. For a cat to truly die, it’s human would have to die too- there were still murders of both cat and human; but there were few, much fewer than the days when bonds weren’t so strong. \n\nThe location where it was born and origin of the cat was a matter of some importance, as well. Though rare, sometimes a kitten would be brought in from another province to bond with the newborn. And that was one of the cases known as “Selected Bonding” - such as if a newborn were found to be allergic to a type of fur, or something along that line. But since the dawn of humanity’s bond with the felines, there has never been a case when no one did not have a cat who chose to bond with them at birth. \n\nNergüi… Well, you could say she was a bit of a late bloomer. \n\nMight as well call her a child with no chance of getting a companion. \n\nEvery kitten brought to her shied away instead of curling up with her like all bonded would do; there were none that ever tried to come close to her, from her birth until today; her eighteenth birthday. They would always shy away, bowing their heads or even refuse to look at her (save for her parent’s cats)- making her the obvious outcast both at home, and in the world. \n\nSpending her birthday pretty much feeling really alone was the least of her worries. Nergüi was pretty much used to it. Although her mother and father, along with their Bengal tiger and Persian had smiled and wished her a happy birthday, giving her hugs and kisses when they arrived to visit her for her special day and some, she still went to work, dragging along her heavy heart and feet, creating frothy works of art from coffees and milk, smiling as if she weren’t so sad, cheerily calling for names and answering ridiculously long questions about coffee compositions.\n\nIt had been a long day, and a longer evening as her cousins and whatever strange, distant family her parents called arrived to give her a “Sweet 18th” birthday. She thanked them, all at once and each one, but seeing their cats everywhere, ranging from snow leopards to the smallest of common tabby cats… It struck a chord, a familiar chord in her heart. \n\nMocking.\n\nNergüi managed to keep her head high, ate the cake, offered some to the cats, only to get rejected, laughed it off; when she was crying on the inside. She couldn’t let them see her weakness, nor her unmarked, pale skin. \n\nSeeing all of them off was a chore, but she managed, waving until the last of the cars pulled out of the driveway, the yowling of a lynx ringing out of hearing range. And that’s when Nergüi, who had run out of tears to shed, took a bath and collapsed onto her bed, sleeping with the familiar hole in her heart.\n\nThe next morning, there was a strange feeling, in her chest. Fullness. A true heart. Contentment. Acceptance. \n\nWhat was going on with her? She had thought, running a hand through her hair and across her eyes to clear her fuzzy morning vision. The world seemed brighter; except for that one large splotch of mottled fur at the foot of her bed, eyes of a luminescent, poison green, like foxfire, meeting her dark brown orbs as she pulled herself towards the creature, tilting her head questioningly as she peered down at the feline.\n\n“Greetings.”\n\nUndeniably masculine. A telepathic message. It rang in her head like a call, a bonded’s call. Something in her heart tugged, and by the way the feline twitched, Nergüi was pretty sure it felt it too. Deciding to try it out; and knowing that the feline would hear her if they truly were bonded; she hesitantly sent a message.\n\n“Salutations.”\n\nThe throaty chuckling growl of the black feline reverberated in her head, as the creature sprung onto her bed with a push of it’s powerful muscles, nudging it’s head against her cheek.\n\n“I’m sorry I was late. I was meant to arrive on your birthday after my travels to find you; but as you see, some events have happened, causing my tardiness. Well, a happy belated birthday, then.”\n\nNergüi could feel the twang of a feeling; excitement; course through her veins; she knew it had to be from the melanistic big cat beside her. Was it a Jaguar? Or a Leopard? There’s no way it could truly be a Jaguar. It’s tail was way too long, and it was all lean, and no bulk. Plus, she lived in Mongolia; Jaguars were only native to the Americas.\n\n“Thank you, with much appreciation. My name is Nergüi. What is your name, friend?”\n\nNergüi reached out to scratch his head, right between the ears. The heavy black cat settled; or rather, flopped into a more comfortable position on her lap, a deep, throaty growling signifying it’s apparent contentment. Occasionally the strains of a purr would overlap; although she was pretty sure big cats couldn’t make that sound.\n\n“Ah, that feels good. I bet I’d be happy being your bonded. My name is Kai. And I’m a leopard. Not a jaguar, mind you. I get that assumption ever so often. I was from the South East Asian countries, but I travelled here; I followed our bond to be with you.”\n\nShe continued to stroke the leopard’s head, watching as the ghost striping of his fur shimmered under the light of the sun that streamed in through the slits in the curtains. Kai… followed his feline instincts to find his bonded; although it was a world of around seven billion people; a world where his bonded was only one out so many. Eighteen years… It was all worth it, for this moment. She was glad she waited; he was glad he journeyed from his mother’s embrace, to follow a bond that was both weak and strong at the same time.\n\nNergüi leaned down to hug the feline, the latter reciprocating in it’s own form, nuzzling at her with it’s head, before it gracefully slipped off the bed, curling back onto the rug to wait patiently as Nergüi prepared herself for the day, the intelligence in it’s foxfire-like eyes shining brighter than a star.\n\n\n\n\n", "I woke up in the middle of the night for some unknown reason. Expecting myself to fall back asleep in just a few moments, I didn't even bother to open my eyes... until I tried to move my leg, and realized something had pinned my feet to the bed. There's was a large pressing weight at the end of my bed.\n\nDespite being shocked, I was still half asleep and had a hard time convincing myself to care enough to investigate. I wondered for several moments what it could be. Had my dresser topple over? Had the glass shade on my ceiling light fallen off? It could probably wait until morning.\n\nJust as I was about to start drifting off again, the weight shifted slightly. Now I was was completely perplexed. I had to look now. I rolled my upper body and propped myself up on one hand to get a good look at whatever had trapped me in my own bed. \n\nI'm surprised I didn't scream. Two large, yellow eyes were staring at me from the end of my bed. I could just make out the large, dark, feline body they belong to, crouching like a giant house cat.\n\nNot having any idea what to do, I stayed completely still, locking eyes with the jaguar. After maybe a minute of silence, the predator slightly lifted it's body, then began to crawl towards my head, placing one giant paw on my knee, then the other on my thigh, then my hip, and finally forcing breath out of me as it stepped onto my stomach. \n\nThe cat stretched it's neck forward, pointing it's nose at my face, and started sniffing me. Then, to my surprise, it closed it's eyes, tilted it's face down, and rubbed it's forehead over my face, making a deep rumbling sound that I would've thought was a growl any other day. Not knowing what else to do, I slowly reached a hand up and scratched between it's ears. In response, it contentedly collapsed and flopped onto it's side, driving even more air out my lungs as I coughed out a moan.\n\nMaking sure I kept scratching, I reached over to my bedside table with my other hand and rotated the knob on my lamp just slightly, giving me enough light to properly admire the creature laying next to me. \n\nIt was a male black jaguar. A -jaguar- was cuddling with me on my bed. A -jaguar- had somehow gotten into my house, found me in my room, and instead of eating me, decided I was his new best friend.\n\nCats being such a massive part of our culture, there was 24-hour feline assistance hotline. I picked up my smart phone from the bedside table, googled the number, and called it.\n\nA sweet, professional female voice answered. \"This is the feline assistance hotline, how can I be of assistance?\"\n\n\"There is a jaguar in my room.\"\n\n\"A what? A jaguar?\" The woman quickly tried to regain he composure. \"Are you in danger? Do you need me to contact animal control?\"\n\n\"Um, I don't know, maybe? I mean, he seems pretty happy right now...\"\n\n\"Did he ever show you any signs of aggression?\"\n\n\"No, he just... showed up and started cuddling me.\"\n\n\"Uh... please hold for just one moment.\" I heard the pounding of keys on a keyboard, and the clicking of a computer mouse. \"Sir, here is what I'm going to do. I'm going to send over a feline expert, as well as animal control and police in case of emergency, does that sound good to you?\"\n\n\"Um yeah, sure.\" I gave her my address, and she told me the response team would arrive in ten minutes. I hung up the phone and turned back to the jaguar, who was still rumbling away with his eyes closed as I rubbed his head.\n\nHesitantly, I stopped rubbing and removed my hand. He opened his eyes and looked up at me, seemingly curious as to why I'd stopped. He gently pawed at my hand in an attempt to pull it closer. \n\nI carefully slid out from under my covers and stood up from my bed. The jaguar stood up, stretched for a moment, then elegantly slinked off edge the bed, landing on all fours with a thud. I walked out into the hall and he prowled after me, almost like a loyal dog. \n\nI flicked on all the lights in my house and glanced at a clock. It was 4 am. I had a feeling I wouldn't be getting anymore sleep. I put out a large mixing bowl of water, which the jaguar happily lapped at. \n\nI would've given him something to eat as well, but I had no idea what a large cat would eat. I mean of course they eat meat, but did were there any specifics? Red? Lean? Fish? I knew you weren't supposed to give fowl to cats and dogs because the hollow bones would splinter and cause internal damage, but did that apply to large wild predators? Was a jaguar sensitive to the mercury in fish? There was too much room for error. \n\nI decided to wait in the living room for the response team to get here. The jaguar followed, and laid at my feet, again reminding me of a loyal dog.\n\n---------------------\n\nThere's a lot more I want to write, but I'm getting really tired so I'll try and finish it tomorrow. I'm having lots of fun with this prompt!", " Ian lived a rather calm life, well, as calm a life a man can have being a mortician. He spent most of his days relaxing at home, but at night he often got called into work. He didn’t hate his job, but he didn’t fully enjoy it either. He had spent years studying to get to the point he was at, and during those years he had developed understandings of things others just didn’t have. For instance, death. He was able to stay calm at the thought of it and his job had made him become more accepting of the circle of life. His parents had died at a young age and acknowledging that they were gone was hard for him. He had originally planned on becoming a doctor, but overtime he began to wonder what happened to their dead bodies rather than what would their living ones be like. This was strange and many turned away from him due to this thought process. This being, he assumed that he wouldn’t have anyone in his life, especially not a cat. Cats required such strong bonds that he didn’t know if one would ever share one with him, and yet he sort of hoped that one would. You see, he never worked on cats, he hadn’t gone to college for that. There are customers every now and again who try to bring a cat into his work, but he would have to turn them to the office down the street, they were specialized for cats. He thought that since he didn’t know cats inside and out, he might be able to get along better with them than he would with a human. But as the years past, he lost hope, until one morning.\n\n Ian had worked a late night, some old man had passed in his sleep yet again, so he had hoped to sleep in. He arrived home at about 4:30am and blacked out. When he heard his phone buzzing at 8:00am he let out the loudest groan he could manage. “Can’t people die at regular living hours?” He muttered into his pillow. He reached blindly to his phone only to feel a soft fuzzy texture instead. “What the…?” He lifted his head a bit to see pure black and two blazing balls of gold staring back at him. “HOLY CRAP!” Almost at once he leapt out of bed and landed ungracefully at the other side of his bed. When he gained his balance, he looked again at the black figure staring back at him. “Oh, oh, my god…. You’re a-”\n\n “Black jaguar. Yes” The big cat spoke to him without moving its mouth. Ian let out a shaky breath.\n “I-I was going to say p-panther but ok?” He began to walk to the other side of the bed, slowly getting closer to the big cat and never breaking its gaze.\n\n “Same difference.” The jaguar nodded and stood up. “My name is Ambrose, I am here because I believe we share a special bond.” The newly named Ambrose began to walk towards Ian with confidence.\n\n “I’m sorry? We what now?!” Ian was shocked by this. He had no clue how bonding worked, but he had always assumed that you had to at least know the cat beforehand, and that cat would at least fit in a small box! \n “I believe we share a special bond.” Ambrose repeated himself, “I have been keeping a close eye on you, and I see that you are not like the other humans I have encountered.”\n\n “Well gee, how nice of you to say.” Ian had calmed down enough that he was able to put some sarcasm into his voice.\n\n “Is this not a good thing? Humans are often so similar, it is hard to tell them apart. They all have the same likes, dislikes, interests, and they all seem to wear the exact same clothes. But you, you are different. You have more depth to you, you have such a profound understanding of things.” Ambrose had sincerity in his voice, but Ian still felt attacked.\n\n “People don’t like different, especially my kind of different. People enjoy sameness, it makes them feel safe.” He had now grown fully comfortable with the couch sized cat standing in his room. “Listen, I have no clue how this thing works, but I have a job to get to and you seem pretty dead set on pointing out how most humans don’t enjoy my company.” Ian began to turn towards the door only to watch as the large cat leapt over his head and landed heavily in front of the door. Ambrose stared deep into his eyes, calm and collected, while Ian stared back with a mix of emotions filling them, fear being the most prominent. \n\n “I must ask that you agree to share this bond. You have a greater understanding of death than any other human I have met. You respect the circle of life and don’t curse it’s name as others choose to. You also hold power, emotional more than physical.” Ian rolled his eyes at this jab at his weak structure. “But never mind that,” Ambrose continued, “You are unique, and I have been looking for unique. Please, Ian, share this bond with me.” \nAmbrose approached Ian slowly and sat down at his feet. Ian looked down at him, contemplating what to do.\n\n “This could be good for me, to have someone who understands me, someone to talk to. Also, having a bond with a cat, especially such a wild one, might make me more accepted. The only downside is living with him, but I’m sure I could figure that out somehow. I mean, every apartment allows cats!” Ian shook his head, took in a deep breath and let it out, and gazed deeply into Ambrose’s eyes with, for once, a sense of certainty. “Alright, I will share this bond with you.”\n\n “Wonderful! Now, put your hand on my head.” Ambrose stuck his sleek black head out to Ian. Reluctantly, Ian touched it with his right hand. He felt a strong surge of power fill him and a sense of calm and knowledge over power him. He felt for once he knew everything, but he only knew because of Ambrose. Ambrose had given him this sense and knowledge and, at once, he had a deep connection to the black jaguar he had only just met.\n", "A cat lies at the foot of my bed. At first I am excited to finally have my cat companion. Then the jaguar leaps at me and eats my face. I was not worthy.", "Beep be—\n\nSwoosh. With one swift movement I silenced the alarm and simultaneously ended up in a crouched position on my bed, ready to pounce if necessary straight off my spring loaded mattress. It was early. Too early. I stepped off the mattress onto the floor, the subtle, gentle floor. Soft as a feather.\n\nWhat was going on? What had got a hold of me? I felt no desire for coffee, I was full of energy. I hadn't snoozed my alarm twenty times as per usual and Pam wasn't nagging me about it as per usual. She lay sleeping, a slight snore on every breath in. I hadn't stepped on Squeak as per usual. Had Samuel finally cleaned his toys so the floor wouldn't be a game of minesweeper this morning?\n\nAnd no pestering requests had been made of me yet to fill the food bowl. Where was Grumps? She's there clawing at me every morning without fail for her breakfast.\n\nI was happy. I was relieved. The stress was lifted off my shoulders. More than that, it seemed the world was lifted off my shoulders. It actually seemed like I had no shoulders at all. Like I was nothing. A ghost. A shadow in the darkness of this morning. A ninja.\n\nI made my way to the bathroom, floating with the lightness of my steps. I flicked on the lights and there! For just a moment I saw it. In the reflection of the mirror, I saw it. It had darted into the shadows underneath my bed. A sliver of light creeped out of the bathroom, across the floor, and illuminated across the bed, just where Pam's belly rose and sank as she lay there sleeping. It was in that sliver reflected in the mirror could I see a piercing, yellow eye of the recluse under my bed.\n\nIt clicked. Grumps had had enough of this life, and an old friend was back in town. Fierce. Stealthy. Vigilant. Black.\n\nI felt alive again. To the Catcave.", "Amelia Goodheart, she was a cursed existence, a sad girl bound to her frozen body for eternity not being capable of enjoying the things a girl her age should enjoy. The moment I heard about her as I walked down the streets of this old town I knew I had to visit her. It took me a while, the residents of this town filled with hunter were very...apprehensive to whatever enters their circle. They didn't like change in their environment, especially if a magician suddenly entered their town.\n\nEventually, after a lot of walking around and asking the right people, I found an old wooden house on the edge of town, the house were Amelia lived. it was just as hard to enter as it was to find the house, but I persevered and eventually found my way inside, a little bit of magic here and there, this kind of spell didn't work with so many people around.\n\nThere were only two people living here, Amelia and her old mother, the later treated me like family, a cousin from far away lands, coming to visit on a whim, all thanks to my spell. I walked through the narrow corridors of the old house, my feet making the slightest whisper against the wooden floor and the carpets and eventually entered Amelia Goodheart's room. A room filled with flowers and books about various kinds of animals and other nature stuff, and there on the bed she sat reading one of those books.\n\n\"Hello Amelia,\" I said, trying to sound friendly, I asked her family members to leave us alone, something that for what I could see on her face made her nervous \"I heard a lot about you...\"\n\nShe grunts in acknowledgment, not a very friendly girl but I understood why she was like that.\n\n\"Are...you a doctor?\" she said, her voice soft and weak, she buried her face in her book \"go away, your wasting your time and mine, there is nothing that can cure my legs\"\n\n\"I am no doctor\" she looked at me for a moment a slight frown on her face and then she looked down on her book once more \"I am a magician\"\n\nHer book drops on her lap, she looked at me perplexed as if she couldn't believe what she heard \"the- then you can do it right? I tried to find a way to contact a magician but never succeeded thanks to mother! pl-please\" her voice started to break a little as she went on and she leaned towards me trying to reach out to me\"...please, cure my legs. I don't want to be useless anymore, I want to go out there and hunt like everyone else!\"\n\n\"I understand,\" I said \"but I cannot cure your legs, it's not my field of expertise\"\n\nHer shoulders started trembling when she heard the word 'cannot'. It was probably a word she was used to.\n\n\"But I can find a way around it,\" I said, trying to sound reassuring, I looked around the room and flash of inspiration suddenly hit me \"do you like cats, Amelia?\"\n\n**\n\nI stood at one of the tallest points in town, looking down at everyone, they looked like ants, like really really* angry ants, I could hear people shouting and people crying.\n\nAmelia Goodheart got half of her wish fulfilled, she became connected to a black jaguar, as for why a black jaguar... well that has to do with her personal preferences most likely, I thought of making her chose a small kitten but I honestly found the idea interesting and decided to go along with it.\n\nShe spends her days going out instead of reading and sleeping most of the time, she hunts little rabbits, deer and other critters using her inner instincts. She jumped from tree to tree and climbed them with ease, all of this while not leaving the house. And of course not telling the villagers about her new powers.\n\nYes, I managed to link her soul and mind to a familiar black jaguar, it's not really a cure, but at least now she had a better body than before, only being capable of accessing it trough sleeping. She repeated the same activities day after day. even though I warned not to do it too often or her mind might remain in the black Jaguar forever, she paid me no mind and kept doing it though.\n\nAmelia was a cursed existence, a sad girl, but she was no longer bound to her frozen body and she was no longer sad. her mother was happy, she even tried to get me to marry her for making such a miserable girl so happy.\n\nI refused, of course, something that as I see it now was a very good decision. It was a day just like any other, I warned her a lot of times about the dangers of connecting so much to the black jaguar, but in the end, it was a pointless advice and the wrong one at that, like I said it was a day just like any other. She went out of her way to enjoy the flexibility and dexterity of her new body. but in the end, she wasn't fast enough to dodge a bullet coming to her head.\n\nWas it on purpose? did some hunter react out of fear? or out of anger that their hunt was being stolen? nevertheless, for whatever reason it was, Amelia's Jaguar was dead, and so was she. I failed to see that it was not just the soul and mind that were connected but somehow her body as well. So the bullet wound transferred to her as well, and her head exploded at the same time.\n\nAnd of course, all the blame falls on me, the newcomer. I sighed, this was another failure of mine, it just shows how much practice I still need, but I'm sure that one day I'll perfectionate my arts. I turned away, for the exit of this town, leaving another failure behind.\n\n**\n\nAny critique is really appreciated! - [r/Onni21](https://www.reddit.com/r/Onni21/)\n", "Most people never bond with a cat. Cats choose to roam free, maybe spending some time with a human now and then. But most human's never get chosen for a permanent bonded position. As our society values cat's as the Godliest of creatures, being chosen by one is the highest honor, and it comes with one of the greatest perks. Depending on the cat, you are granted innate attributes. The facts of my society are simple, if a cat chooses you then you are taken away within a day by the Counsel of Cats. A few years later you'll be reintroduced to society with a new name, and the cat always by your side. These are our upperclass, the rulers, businessmen, politicians, military generals. All are chosen by the cats, or the Counsel of Cats. It's all very secretive. Us common folk can only guess from our anectdotal evidence as to which cat gets which attribute.\n\n\nOne thing is clear, rarer is better. Our most powerful leader over a decade ago had a Sokoke bonded to him. Sokoke's are not rare, they're the most common breed of cat in some areas. But one had never bonded permanently with anyone before him.\n\n\nThis is all important because when I awoke on my eighteenth birthday I was greeted with a black jaguar. It did not attack me, it stared into my eyes piercing me. I petted it, and asked it what I was supposed to do with it now that I had one. I had no idea how any of this worked. And something about the jaguar felt wrong to be bonded with. Like a crime against nature. Nevertheless, this is an honor and I'm sure the Council of Cats will explain it all to me. I got ready, and the jaguar waited for me as I headed outside. I walked the streets of my city, and people were pointing. They had never seen a jaguar either before. Something about this wasn't right, I couldn't even begin to know what type of person it meant I was or would be.\n\n\nI headed up to the Sphinx and bowed before it, the jaguar did no such thing. Maybe the training of your comes later? The stone gates slowly swung open and I headed into it, hoping that answers lay within. People in what looked to be ceremonial robes greeted me. Torches were lit, and their hoods were drawn up and over their faces. Their cats trailed alongside them. I asked them a few questions like what was going on and what I was supposed to do. They didn't answer, but I figured if I followed them through the winding series of hallways eventually someone would explain this place to me.\n\n\nAnd they did, the hallway went from the dim corridors and opened up into a very bright room that felt somehow more fresh that being outside. A man there greeted me, and seemed friendly,\n\n\n\"Hello there Christopher! Hope they've treated you alright, this Black Jaguar must be yours! Have you named this beauty yet?\"\n\n\nHe had a very calming British accent that made me feel safe, but also somehow let me know he was in charge here.\n\n\n\"Hi, I guess? I've got lots of questions... I haven't named him yet I wasn't sure how any of thi--\"\n\n\nChristopher you must listen to me.\n\n\nthe jaguar stared at me, dead on.\n\n\nYes, it's me. You must act normal\n\n\nHe was speaking into my head. Was this normal?\n\n\nNo, it's not normal. But you mustn't tell anyone what's going on.\n\n\n\"any of this works yet\"\n\n\n\"Well that's quite alright my boy. My name's Marty, and I'm here to get you all setup. Let me show you to your quarters, and get you some food. You've got a long day ahead of you.\"\n\n\n\"That sounds great, I haven't even had breakfast yet\"\n\n\n\"Maybe food first then? Your friend looks hungry as well, we can get him something to eat too\"\n\n\nHe led the way through the a few much nicer hallways than the first set talking the whole way about how much I would learn, pointing at a few paintings of old leaders that I recognized. He pointed out a few hallways with some vague directions. Honestly, it fell on deaf ears. My cat was talking to me, and did not want to be found. My cat was a black jaguar. And what am I? I'm nothing special.\n\n\nYou're more special than you know yet, Chris.\n\n\nShe nuzzled up to my leg. For such a vicious looking creature she sure was friendly.\n\n\n\"And here we are! The main dining hall. Feel free to help yourself, we have big meals available here 6am-8am, 11am-1pm, and 5pm-7pm. Snacks are always available as well. That goes for you and your feline friend as well\"\n\n\nHe winked at my Jaguar.\n\n\n\"Hopefully you can show yourself around here, I've got to run for now. But I'll see you again soon.\"\n\n\nWith that he walked off before I could even get a thank you out. The smell of the dining hall hit me, I might have been nervous and worried, but apparently my stomach didn't care. I stuffed myself with food, omelettes fully loaded with mushrooms, cheese, onions, ham and toast with a huge selection of jams, croissants, and three different types of bacon. If the food here is always this good, I could get used to it. All along the way I kept hearing her in my head\n\n\nGrab me some of that egg\n\n\nI want some ham!\n\n\nHonestly, this majestic creature and she was using the telepathy to get me to give her food all felt a little jarring. But I did as she said. I made a plate for her. As I sat and looked around, I saw people's cats weren't eating the same food. They were doing their best not to stare, but I caught a few glances. I ate a lot, but I ate quickly. I left and wandered the halls, cursing myself for not paying more attention to Marty's directions to my room. Finally, after getting directions twice I found it and went in. It was a nice little almost dorm room. Bed, desk, bathroom. A comfy looking catnap spot, and a handful of cat toys.\n\n\nA note was left on the bed: Get comfortable, and unwind. Someone will be back around 11am to pick you up for the initiation ceremony. Your robes are in the top drawer of the dresser.\n\n\nI checked, they were the same robes as the ones the men that greeted me were wearing. I looked around and wondered if it was safe to talk to my cat.\n\n\nIt is.\n\n\n\"Okay, so what do I call you?\"\n\n\nMy name is Ilsa\n\n\n\"And what's going on here, why did you bond with me?\"\n\n\nThat is a bit complicated. I think it will make more sense once you attend the ceremony.\n\n\n\"Can't you even try?\"\n\n\nLook, we need you for a task. If I tell you why we need you, it will not work. I must keep you in the dark until the time is right.\n\n\n\"Fine. What does it mean for me if a jaguar picks me?\"\n\n\nI'm afraid I can't answer that until the time is right\n\n\n\"Is there anything you can tell me?\"\n\n\nJust that you weren't chosen at random, that you are special. And that you should trust nobody here. Behind these veiled attempts at normalcy they are just as thrown by my presence as you are.\n\n\n\"So, Ilsa, what do I do for now?\"\n\n\nGo with their plan, follow their rules. And stay alert.\n\n\n\"Fine. Then I'm going to take a nap while I wait for these people to come.\"\n\n\nI flopped back onto the bed, and Ilsa cuddled up to me. As frustrated as I was with her for getting no answers, it was undeniably cozy being curled up with her. I was out in minutes. I was awoken by a knock on the door, I glanced at the clock, 10:55. I yelled through the door to give me a minute and threw the robes on over myself. I headed out the door and was greeted by a guy who was no more than a three years older than me. He had the biggest grin on his face. \n\n\n\"Hi there, the name's Brian. All ready to go Christopher?...or do you prefer Chris?\"\n\n\n\"Chris, but either's fine. And yeah, I'm ready to go.\"\n\n\nI followed him down the hall into a chamber that was filled with torches. In the middle was a stone tablet. A man stood by it, and as I got closer I recognized it to be Marty. \n\n\n\"Christopher, so good to see you again. I cleared my schedule just to be here for this. This ceremony is very simple, you just read the words on the stone tablet out loud. Then you and your cat make three loops around the torches.\"\n\n\n\"Sounds easy enough, should I just start now?\"\n\n\n\"Yes, go right ahead.\"\n\n\nI walked up to the podium holding the tablet and looked out at the small audience. Maybe ten or fifteen people. I looked down at the tablet. \n\n\n\"The keeper of the Black Jaguar: As the keeper of the black jaguar it is my most solemn duty to preserve the secrets held within the black jaguar. I will not divulge what I learn. I will as the keeper of the black jaguar add the wisdom necessary to correct what has become wrong.\"\n\n\nMaybe now you understand more. But wait still, there will be more questions before there can be real answers.\n\n\nI began my walk around the circle of torches. After my third, there was some light applause and Marty came up to me. \n\n\n\"Christopher, I will show you to your study chambers. Follow me.\"\n\n\nDo not let him into them.\n\n\nI followed behind him, and he came to what looked like a wall. On closer inspection there were some markings around the edges. Ilsa went up an with a single claw swiped down the middle and out to the left. The wall swung inwards revealing a room with a single book. Marty went to take a step in, but I cut in front of him. Ilsa as well. His Tabby didn't do anything to get out of the way either. \n\n\n\"Thanks for showing me around, I best get to studying\"\n\n\n\"You're very welcome, do you need anything?\"\n\n\n\"Nope I'm all set. Thanks.\"\n\n\nAnd I closed the door.\n\n\nI looked around the room, it was nearly empty. Bookshelves were there, but no books were on them.\n\n\nChristopher, you are the Keeper of the Jaguar. As the keeper there are many secrets you must learn. And, your first task will be to discover what went wrong to prompt me being summoned.*\n\n\n[Part 2 Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/7h1lh2/wp_you_live_in_a_society_where_cats_choose_humans/dqqqd6v/)\n\n[I've created a subreddit for this](https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackJaguar/)" ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 16, 27, 869 ]	[ "1512203393", "1512261598", "1512308877", "1512292475", "1512272068", "1512271446", "1512237761", "1512227725", "1512223474", "1512207584" ]
Based on [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/facepalm/comments/7gxsl4/life_size/) post from /r/facepalm.	[WP] You have just asked Amazon seller for a life-size model globe of Jupiter. They contacted the maker and delivery is in progress.	2	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "\"Any idea of contacting the maker to arrange for a life-sized model globe of Jupiter?\" I typed.\n\nThe Amazon seller replied, \"Uhm, I'll see. But it won't be easy.\"\n\n\"Okay, cool,\" I said. \"Just keep me updated.\"\n\nA few days later, the Amazon seller wrote me a message, saying, \"Okay. It took a lot of prayer, but the maker agreed to do it and the delivery is in progress.\"\n\nNot too long after that, I recieved a package. On the box, it said From: God aka The Maker.\n\nExcited to recieve my product, and curious as to how he had managed to fit it in the box, I took it upstairs and opened it. \n\nInside the box was a super high-powered telescope and instructions on how to spot Jupiter." ]	[ 1, 3 ]	[ "1512213591", "1512216974" ]
	[WP] As a thief you owe your success to a ring that glows in warning when someone is within eyesight. Late one night as you sit alone in your home the ring begins to glow.	22	[ "Off-Topic Discussion: All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n#####Reminder for Writers and Readers:\n* Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail.\n\n* Please remember to [be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback.\n\n---\n\n[](#icon-help)[^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic)\n[](#icon-information)[^(First Time Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide)\n[](#icon-exclamation)[^(Special Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements)\n[](#icon-comments)[^(Click For Our Chatrooms)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/chat)\n", "Sitting alone, in the dim light my fireplace provides. Enjoying a relaxing beverage with the finest bourbon money can buy. Well, the finest bourbon that rich pompous politician could buy. Oh how the flavor adds knowing another's misfortune can bring to another. Sadly that politician made the wrong enemies. Looking down on someone and not knowing who they are. That is the worst of the worst. Had he known truly how famous I am. He would probably still look down on me. That is why he had lost half his fortune in one nite. Thanks to this glowing ring that had been liberated years ago. \n\nA silence fell as I held the ring in front of me. Letting off its little flow that only I could see. With my right hand in the air admiring this ugly, yet beautiful ring. With a sense of nostalgia. Letting out a few words. Under a low voice. \"Those were the days. In my prime, I was the best thief. None could compare.\" \nSlowly getting up. Without ever taking his eyes off the ring. He casually walked to the bar. Grabbing two new glasses. And reaching for the same glorious bottle of bourbon he had been enjoying that night.\n\"Not once was I ever caught.\"\nScooping some ice into each cup. He removed the cork from this beautifully hand blown bottle. Must had been done by a master glass blower. It's intriguing details and patterns all on the same, one piece of glass. That wrapped around the entire bottle. This was his absolute favorite item he had liberated. \n\"Not once did a single person ever see me coming\"\nHe slowly poured each glass. Allowing the I've to chill every drop that is being poured into it.\n\"In my day, all I had was my black clothing, bag, and mask.\" A short chuckle could be heard. \"Todays thief's can't do anything without their night vision goggles\" Laughing aloud at his own comment.\nPlanning the cork back on the beautiful bottle. Still eyeing the ring that had stopped glowing. He turned around and walked towards the coffee table. Sat each song down at each end. Noticing the ring was now glowing. Knowing the layout to his own home. Peeing at the ring. While stretching and placing his vision perfectly around the room. Making sure to keep the ring in sight. He determined the whereabouts of the intruder. \n\"Please take a seat, so this old man can tell you how I am able to see you.\" Looking directly at the place the thief is.\n\nHis heart started racing as the old man was looking in his direction. He could feel the seat inside his newly designed light refraction gear. He had paid nearly a million for this tech that only a few had through the world. Was the equipment malfunctioning? \n\n\"Nothing is wrong with your outfit, I cannot actually see you... But I know your there. And I know that you will be the best thief this generation will ever,.. possibly know.\" \n\nTaking off his head gear, he slowly and cautiously takes a seat. Intrigued as to how this old man knew exactly where he was. With having as little as, only lights and an old record player in the home. The only electronics in the home. And not realizing the old man wasn't losing his mind. And talking to his own imagination. His past self, or what not. But actually talking to the invisible thief. \n\nThe only thing he was thinking of was how. How was he seen? Did he make noise? Moved something out of place? \n\"Will you teach me?\" Is all the thief could say. Not even realising what he had asked.\n\nThe old man replied; \"Gladly.\"" ]	[ 1, 7 ]	[ "1512245755", "1512271319" ]

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.