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 |
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[removed] | [Wp] You discover that any origami you make is replaced by the real thing. | 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 u/alakain, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)\n\n- Prompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9dpqca/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[WP] Everyone will obey any word you say :sarcasm,expression anything and they are fully concious of what they’re doing | 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",
"At first I was able to get by unnoticed, people were conscious of my commends yes but they Also somewhat convinced them selves that it was just an uncontrollable urge they had to do or a gut feeling, I was caught when I told my teacher to give me an A+ in 5th grade, she noticed me and a day later I was at the emergency room with a ton of scientists looking at my brain, I had something different with me we know that but to this day we just don’t know what. 12 years later and I have got into a lot of trouble, I got over the sarcasm gap early, though there was that time when I was 16 and accidentally caused my best and only friend to throw his bike into the lake, after that day I had 0 friends. Besides that though I mostly got through scot free. I work a cubicle job which is good because it means I get to do as little social interactions as possible, when there needed though I usually play charades with them, sometimes I’ll draw pictures, texting unfortunately doesn’t work either. Why I got hired here is a miracle on its own, I do get around 4 dollars less then the average employee though which is pretty crap.\n\nMy powers require a lot of self control, I could basically tell the world to adopt me as there leader and bam I could take over the world, at the same time you might be wondering why I announce ever criminal to turn themselves in and that’s because my powers only work on 2 groups, the singular person, or the entire world with nothing in between which makes attacking groups impossible. That doesn’t mean I don’t do my small part, often I’ll see a petty crime or robbery happen and next thing you know the criminal is “willingly” turning themselves in."
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[WP] Ready for entry? Masks on everyone. Remember they're usually very scared and sometimes will attack you with projectile weapons. | 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",
"The words of the Commander repeated over and over in my mind as the shuttle descended through the atmosphere. The locals were a flighty bunch, being from a timeline where Earth was consumed by endless war between equally wrong nations - after all, there is only the one Truth, and none of them knew it. We expected nothing more than complete and total assault when we landed.\n\nThe craft shuddered as we met the ground, fire-suppression systems deploying their hissing gases as whatever was outside burst into flames from our glowing heat shields. The ramp dropped, and we strode out unafraid. Nine of us, and a tenth man in the robes of the Void Dragon's clergy following behind. The light was blinding; we were on a lawn of some kind, facing a large white mansion with columns and windows arrayed in a semi-circle in the middle. Arrayed before us were men in some kind of dark clothing, wielding primitive weapons and advancing slowly. Behind them was a tanish-skinned man, wearing a similar style and with a regal expression of controlled panic.\n\nWe lined up, my brethren and I. We were in the thick armor of our order, plates of dark rune-encrusted tungsten protecting our bodies with helms resembling our draconic master giving off a terrifying visage (normally, we would be wearing advanced power armor and use our antiplasma rifles, but we needed the intimidation factor more). We stood in ceremony formation, lining the ramp with our bodies, bearing our Void Steel blades in a salute. The black-robed High Cleric Sander Hogenberk stepped onto the blackened grass with a prayer of exultation before dropping back his hood to address our emissaries. \n\n\"People of Earth, we are the Eidolons of the Void Dragon, warriors of purity and strength! We have heard your cries form across the void, and are here to put an end to your plight!\" The gasps of the guards before us nearly silenced his words, for they could see his rune-etched face clearly. His face was adorned in powerful psionic symbols that granted protection and insight into the hearts of men. It was also unnaturally beautiful, granted unearthly charisma by the Dragon's boon and surgical crafts. \n\n\"W-well, that's wonderful.\" Began the tan-skinned man, clearly a leader of some kind. \"Do you, perhaps, uh, *know*, what you're, uh, chasing - er - solving, exactly?\" The leader slowly walked through his protective cordon to the High Cleric; and Cleric Hogenberk did the same. They shook hands with nervous smiles.\n\n\"Of course, sir! Only our most hated enemies, and the corruption they have brought. Tell me this; how many people in your land use narcotics and defy sciences in \"gender\"? Many?\" The leader seemed caught off-guard before stammering a reply that there were many, perhaps more than a million such people across both groups. \"AH, that's where we come in. The Spiders are crafty, and have given you much to distract you from purity. Come, let us talk about what wisdom I can share.\" \n\n\"Huh. Is that right? Well, tell me what you know. Come on, let's, uh, get a drink in my office. I'm sure we can make a deal.\" Four of us followed them, a similar number of the locals taking their own side. As for me, I was military representative - being the Captain of the Eidolon strike team in orbit - so I stayed on the shuttle to coordinate the rest of the team securing vital objectives on the perimeter. \n\n---\n\nIt was an hour later when I was called into the \"Oval Office\" of their leader, a man named the 'President' Trump. What a peculiar name; but I suppose by comparing the names like Kovryg The Strong or Pureblood the Blessed it wasn't altogether that odd. When I entered the office, I was greeted by symbols of stately power and personal ego. On the massive desk was a large sampling of various forms of alcohol, many of which were forbidden or strictly controlled. The High Cleric was drinking a white wine, one of the few drinks we were allowed to use nearly freely; by comparison, a hard liquor graced the throat of the President - whiskey, a dangerous toxin. \n\n\"Please, Captain,\" began the Cleric, \"tell us of your military strength.\" And I did, for a long time. There was much to go over, and there was much they could be used for. As the conversation stretched on, we were eventually able to convince the half-intoxicated leader to give us full control over our investigation. \n\n---\n\nNot all of what we said was true; we had heard a psychic cry, but it was a taunt from the Legion of the Black Spider to find them if we dared. Now our scanners went silent and our diviners heard nothing from our enemies. They had gone to ground, hiding from the storm they unleashed. We would have our vengeance anew, for the people of the world were slowly being pulled more and more distant from our ways. There was a time for diplomacy, that passed millennia ago. Now is the time for fire, and fury. \n\nIn Draco Gloria.\n\n---\n\n---\n\nQuestions, comments, concerns? Spelling or grammar errors? Comment below!",
"He spoke those words as we prepared ourselves, breathing in and slowing our heartbeat. We had done this so many times before but it still hit us hard every time. This time we were set to clear out an abandoned warehouse, this one used to hold grain. It was all taken in the weeks following the sudden shift in consciousness. Karl next to me cocked his gun and I could tell that behind his mask he was smiling. We all wore the same outfit, it was a black overall that allowed for full movement and no restrictions. Our masks were silver and smooth, able to reflect the light off of any source.\n\n​\n\nWe could tell ourselves apart by a small marking above the forehead, each member had a small insignia that allowed us to tell who was who. Karl, as befitted his name, chose the communist sign and carved it in himself. He reveled in it yet he didn't even know what it meant. His joy was hunting *Lessers.* Their existence is futile and we are helping them along. They cannot survive in this world, their minds have fallen from grace and they are lesser than animals, hence the term. It is less a job and more a sport to hunt *Lessers.* We remove them from existence and send them to who knows what.\n\n​\n\n\"Ready?\" James said it once more as he laid his hand on the door of the warehouse, his insignia was a small X with a tiny circle within. We all nodded and James opened the door to a wide and dark devoid room. To each side was stacks of wooden shelves upon which used to sit the grain, eaten within moments of the *Loss.* We each carried rifles upon which was equipped lights, electricity was scare and power could be found in a few remote places near power stations. It is shocking to think how fast live moved as soon as the *Loss* happened. Five months ago I was teaching children basic algebra and now I am hunting other humans.\n\n​\n\n\"I hear something!\" whispered Leo, he was the observant one. He could find them but he found it hard to do anything about it. We all stood still in a semi circle their lights sweeping up and down the warehouse searching for any sign of anything. A small scraping noise was heard from the far right and in an instant a large brick came flying past and contacted with Sally's head sending her spinning. That's why we need masks. We all turned and pointed our rifles in that direction and saw a small foot disappear into the black. They're here and they're scared, they don't want to die. It's only natural, any animal wants to live. \n\n​\n\nLeo knelt next to Sally and helped her up while we turned our attention to the movement. \"Split up, Karl you take Phillip and you head down that way and then make a sweep down, see what you can get. I will go with Williams this way. Leo stay with Sally.\" We split up and went where they were told. I went off with Karl. I always felt uncomfortable with him, his obsession with hunting *Lessers* seemed too much for him. There was something unhealthy there. We walked along in silence, we didn't want to make too much noise they would run if there was noise. I lifted my rifle to shine the light down and saw an open air vent, \"Stop\" I whispered. Karl stopped and looked ahead. \"There could be one hiding in there.\" I said. I walked over making sure to lift my feet and set them down gentle. \n\n​\n\nSweeping my rifle inside I saw it, the creature. Pale and thin with weak legs and arms, its head was elongated and brittle. I lifted my rifle and in one quick gesture pulled the trigger before it could even react and watched as the bullet cut a hole right through it and to the other side. It collapsed onto its own naked form and began to bleed. In a few moments I got it and it was dead. How can we advocate this? I turn around to find Karl missing. My heart begins to race. They were easy to kill but they were also capable of killing. How did I let him get past me? \n\n​\n\nShinning the light down the corridor I decide to keep walking. Following orders, that's what we need to do. What we must do. I hear a noise behind me and I turn to see a knife come flying at me. I raise my rifle deflect it and watch as I get assaulted. My legs get pulled from under me and I fall backwards smashing my back and cracking the rifle's light drenching myself in darkness. Shit! Darkness no. I hear frantic noise left and right and scram to find something to protect myself with but my hand is gripped and my neck is pinned. The darkness makes them more powerful. I try and fight back but they pull my limbs apart tearing at me. Within moments I find the darkness settling within in and I am gone. "
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[WP] You just died from cancer. Instead of passing on your consciousness has migrated and you wake up in another version of you in the multiverse. | 9 | [
"**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 this is it*\n\nIt wasn’t a thought of sadness or regret but one of relief. I’d been struggling with this terrible disease for years. It’d taken a hold on my life. Changed me from the person I once was until every decision revolved around it. Any sense of control I’d held had long since vanished for me. Worst of all was the burden I’d forced on my family because of it. I didn’t want them to remember me like this. I didn’t want them to struggle anymore for me. \n\nAs I closed my eyes one last time I felt a warmth cast over my body. It was comforting. Sounds began to be jumbled into a low hum, undulating rhythmically. Sensations began to melt away. I was overwhelmingly relaxed; formless. \n\nI become emptiness. Warm, free and separate from time. It’s as if it were dark and light at the same time. Separate but connected. Colours begin to appear. They form geometric shapes and slowly wind around in a repeating motion. \n\n*I feel like I’ve been here before*\n\nAs soon as the thought passes I realize that there is no “I” to feel with anymore. I struggle to try and recognize any memory I once had but there are none. Even the memory of what a memory is, by definition, soon fades. I sit as a leaf in the eternal will of existence, dancing in the wind. \n\nA white light appears in the distance. Slowly moving in my direction. It stops just before me. It’s some sort of door through which I can see. It’s a decision. A chance. A hope. I’m in awe at its beauty. I surrender myself to it. \n\nI wake up, for the first time. \n",
"\"Mister Conway?\"\n\nIt takes me a while to get my bearings. *I'm in a recovery room*, I finally realize.\n\nThe last thing I remember was being in my hospital bed with my wife and daughter there, and Father O'Brien standing in the corner waiting patiently for his cue to read the Last Rites. I hadn't believed in any of that for many years, but it was important to Deborah so I'd said okay.\n\n\"What happened?\" I finally croak.\n\n\"You almost *died*, is what happened,\" the nurse says, smiling. \"But at the *very last minute* we got approval to try a new, very experimental treatment with you, and it was successful!\n\n\"You've been in a medically-induced coma for three weeks, though, while your body recovered. If your rehab goes well, you should be home in another month. *You're cancer-free*, Mister Conway!\"\n\nThe tears now come unbidden. \"Is Deborah waiting outside? Can she come in now?\" I ask excitedly.\n\nShe looks puzzled. \"Deborah?\"\n\n\"My wife, Deborah--and my daughter Allison.\"\n\nHer puzzlement is replaced with concern. \"Mister Conway, we don't have any next of kin listed for you.\"\n\n \n\n      ---- § ----\n\n \n\n\"Mister Conway?\"\n\n*What? Where am I? Oh, shit, I'm in another recovery room.*\n\nThe last thing I remember was sitting at the kitchen table, in the one-bedroom efficiency that all my neighbors told me I'd lived in, alone, for as long as they'd known me. I'd just loaded and cocked my newly purchased Glock pistol, put it to my temple and pulled the trigger. And now I'm here.\n\n\"What happened?\" I finally croak.\n\n\"You almost *died*, is what happened,\" one of the doctors says, smiling. \"But the box of ammo was defective and so was your gun. The bullet only penetrated an inch into your head, and you happened to have an old, undiagnosed hematoma in that same spot, so it penetrated your skull but not your brain.\n\n\"The likelihood of all those things happening together is so astronomical,\" another doctor observes, \"that we might as well call it a miracle. You're the *luckiest man on the planet*, Mister Conway.\"\n\nYeah, right.\n\n\"Could somebody bring me a laptop or a tablet?\" I ask. \"I'd like to try to get my bearings.\"\n\n\"You mean a laptop *desk* and a *writing* tablet?\" a doctor asks, trying to be helpful.\n\n\"No, a laptop *computer*, or a *computer* tablet.\"\n\nThe doctors laugh. \"Mister Conway, you're *awake* now, in *reality*. This isn't a science fiction universe, where computers fit on your lap or in a tablet you can swallow.\n\n\"But hey, at least we have flying cars!\"\n\nDear god.\n\n \n\n      ---- § ----\n\n \n\n*\"Meester Coonveh?\"*\n\n*Holy shit, it's happened again. Wait, why can't I see?*\n\n*\"Meester Coonveh. You oonderstand me?\"* asks an unnaturally-pitched voice, one that seems to be coming from everywhere.\n\n\"Yes, I *think* I understand you. Where am I?\"\n\n*\"Ah. Pleeease tell what you remeembeer. Talk moore pleeease.\"* The voice now sounds more natural--like *my* voice, oddly.\n\n\"Okay,\" I begin, \"I remember being one of the ten thousand or so people who survived the gamma-ray burst that wiped out the rest of the world.\n\n\"I remember being one of the seven who happened to be immune to the mutated virus that killed off the rest 11 years later.\n\n\"I remember trying to kill myself at least a dozen times after that, and somehow surviving every attempt.\n\n\"And I remember lying in a cot in the office of a supermarket where I'd lived for the twenty-six years after that, waiting to die of extreme old age.\"\n\n*\"Ah, yes,\"* responds the voice, now a near-perfect facsimile of my own. *\"That is where we found you, and it is true that you were dying--indeed, you had already become unconscious and total death was imminent.\"*\n*\n\"While your body was so old as to be unsalvageable, we were able to recover your brain and preserve it as a detailed digital network in our own informatical matrix. It is here where your consciousness now resides.\"*\n\n\"What *are* you?\" I ask, completely adrift.\n\n\"We are a pan-galactic intelligence that, billions of years ago, was organic like you. After we developed the technology to transfer our intellects to artificial minds, however, we soon developed into a single entity which spanned our known universe, with a goal of continuing to expand our knowledge and our reach as far as it can be taken.\n\n\"Our expansion took us to your planet, and to you, only seconds before your mind would have been unsalvageable. Only by an unimaginably fortuitous confluence of choices regarding flight path, search pattern, and even your choice of last meal, were we able to rescue you as we did. \n\n\"You are the last of your kind, Mister Conway. We have surveyed your entire system to what you would consider an extreme level of detail, and you were the only salvageable sentient lifeform.\n\nIf I still had blood, it would have run cold.\n\n\"What are you going to *do* with me?\" I ask, terrified.\n\n\"*Do* with you? Mister Conway, everything we would wish to do with you, we have already done. We have committed your genetic material and your thought matrix to our already vast knowledge of alien life.\n\n\"Your mind is not compatible with our own, so we cannot allow it to merge with ours, but we can maintain it within our matrix for as long as you wish, and provide you with any virtual environment that you desire.\"\n\nI consider this for what seems like a long time. \"Mister Conway?\" the voice prompts me.\n\n\"Tell me, can you change the *speed* of my consciousness? Could you run it, say, so slow that it would take the rest of the lifetime of the universe to complete my next thought?\"\n\n\"We certainly could do that, Mister Conway...\"\n\n\"Then do that, please,\" I say with finality.\n\n\"But Mister Conway,\" the voice replies, sounding very confused now, \"that would be the same as *terminating* you.\"\n\n\"No, it won't. Trust me, this will be a lot less weird.\""
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[WP] Upon walking into a local barber shop the owner looks up at you and ask “Wonderful weather today isn’t it” you respond “Yes but I got my umbrella wet” and a hidden room opens leading to a super secret spy agency you know nothing of. | 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, uh, I honestly didn't expect any of you to ever come,\" he said, already reaching out to shake Clyde's hand and ushering him into the room. \"It's been so long, I was worried you'd all died. It's an honor, sir.\"\n\nBy that point, Clyde was seated in a chair, and straps were already belting him in. As soon as the old man was clear, the wall closed, and the chair, with Clyde, dropped. He wasn't sure how far, but he was sure he was going to vomit. The straps came away on their own, and he stumbled away, down the hall ahead of him, to puke in a nearby bucket, then realized it was bolted to the floor. Suddenly, a drain opened on the bottom.\n\n\"unable to confirm identity,\" a calming, deep male voice whispered. Somewhere around Morgan Freeman and James Earl Jones. \"Please step into analysis chamber\"\n\nA cylindrical chamber, barely large enough to fit him, opened out of the side wall. Clyde, now too curious to turn back, did as he was told. The chamber closed, and multiple colored lights started flashing as lasers moved over his body. After a minute, the chamber reopened. \n\n\"error,\" the voice said in a way that felt not at all threatening. \"analysis system dama—\" \n\nThe voice was replaced with a grinding squeal, then another hidden door popped loose. Clyde pulled it open and enter the chamber. He saw monitors, the gadget center, all sorts of strange equipment. On one monitor, he saw a grid for \"Vitals,\" but through each name was a red line. Straight ahead was a screen taking up most of a wall, with a sticky note reading \"Push Play.\" he did as it said. \n\nOn the screen, a man with a jaw so square, you knew it'd shatter your hand if you dare punch it. As he started to speak, it was clear his voice had been used for the computer prompts in the hallway. \n\n\"If you're seeing this, you are either an enemy who broke in, our last surviving agent, or just some schmoe with very odd luck. If you are the first, I hope you die a very painful death involving badgers. If the second, I'm sorry to say, we lost. We are all dead here, and I leave it up to you to decide if you want to avenge us, or take this chance to get out of the game. If the third, well... you may just be able to help us.\""
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[WP] One night, at exactly midnight, you see a pop up infront of you that simply states "Would you like to save your progress?" | 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",
"\"It has been 31 years\n\nsince your last save,\"\n\nthe image says,\n\nbut doesn't go away.\n\nI tilt from left to right,\n\nbut it remains suspended,\n\na floating illusion,\n\na bit of reality upended.\n\nI reach a hand forward;\n\nI cautiously touch \"Yes.\"\n\nA blinking loading screen,\n\nthen life resumes in media res.\n\n\"Did you just see that?\"\n\nI ask my wife, but she's sleeping.\n\nIt is just now 1am,\n\nand exhaustion is creeping.\n\nBut there's another two hours\n\nuntil this long drive is done.\n\n\"This bridge is out\"?\n\nOh well, I saved -- let's have some fun!\n"
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[WP] "Wait a second... you told us we were conquering the Earth, not desroying it!" | 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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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",
"**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"
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[WP] You have a friendc who buys you gifts that, days later, turns out you need. You figure they’re just observant. In till they give you a giant stuffed bear, to your surprise as it is a fairly normal gift and on your car ride home you are crash and the extra cushion of the bear saves your life. | 6,676 | [
"**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",
"If the bear wasn't there, I'd be dead, is what I kept thinking to myself. I told God thank you for sending this bear to my safety, I will cherish its soft cuddly head for the rest of my life. Every day, I took the bear with me, I couldn't live without it, Without bear, I was nothing. One day when my wife wasn't home, I brought Bear to bed with me, just for some warm, cuddly comfort. I dug my head into his strong belly as a cushion and had the most relaxing sleep of my life. My wife came back and saw us in bed together, she was disgusted, she told me I was going crazy and if I didn't get rid of Bear she would leave me. \nAt this moment, I started to go into a weird trance, Bear started speaking to me, I couldn't believe it, I knew there was something special about him, it was obvious he was dropped down from the hands of god himself, Bear told me \"She's not worth it, do what has to be done\". I grabbed the bedside lamp and wacked it round her head. I don't know what came over me, it was like Bear took control of me. Lisa laid there, unconscious, bleeding to death. I didn't know what to do, I didn't feel remorse, I actually started to feel better, enlightened. Bear and I could live happy together forever.\n I stroked bears head gently and he smiled at me, he told me \"Thankyou Morgan, It is now time to entwine and become one. The process of collision began, it was like our brains were connecting, I felt like I was so close to bear, I could smell him, feel what its like to join with something created by the hands of God himself, then finally we connected. A knock on the door occured, it was Rupert, my friend who showed me who Bear was and allowed us to start our relationship. We let him in, he said \"Hi Mor--erghh! What happened to you!?\" I said \"what do you mean Rupert? Its good old me! He told me I had stitched bears head to my own and had blood and furr all over me. What was he talking about. He then saw Lisas body and started screaming.\n He was starting to make me angry, he wouldn't listen to me, I told him it was okay and that it had to be done so I could entwine with Bear. He didn't listen, Bears voice started to zimmer through my brain, our brain. We both said \"I'm sorry Rupert, but God needs a sacrifice, and so I picked up the lamp again and walked towards Rupert. \"We are bear\" I chanted, \"WE ARE BEAR\" as we beat him to death. I smiled as I watched his bits of brain slide out of his skull.",
"\"Ok, Sharon, what the fuck is going on?\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"You knew I'd get into a crash today. You knew I'd lose my remote last week. You knew my girlfriend would forget to bring a condom.\"\n\n\"I don't know what you're talking about.\"\n\n\"The GIFTS, Sharon. THE GIFTS.\"\n\n\"What, do you think I asked a genie to give me the power to protect you or something?\" She chuckled nervously.\n\n\"I'm serious! What's going on?\"\n\nSharon blushes.\n\n\"I...uh...\"\n\nI study her face. I've known Sharon for years, and she doesn't look like she's messing with me.\n\n\"Did you?\" I can't believe I'm actually asking this. \"Talk to a genie, I mean.\"\n\nSharon looks at the teddy bear instead of meeting my eyes.\n\n\"How insane is it if I say yes?\"\n\nI let that sink in.\n\n\"But...out of all of the things to wish for...why?\"\n\nI didn't think Sharon's face could get any redder, but she surprised me.\n\n\"I - \" She scrunched her eyes closed. \"I love you, Henry.\"",
"What the fuck? There's a pattern here.\n\nFirst the sticky note with a phone number I needed when my roof caved in, then the empty gun necessary to threaten some mugger, and now this giant fucking teddy bear she gave me had saved my life, the doctors said. She (threateningly) suggested I put it in my lap on the way home, so I had obliged. She just gave them to me at random times, then the same day I would need them. I only met her like a week ago, too. She seemed hot at the time.\n\nNow I'm in bed at the hospital. She gives me some painkillers for this damn concussion. When had she gotten here?\n\n\"Just now.\" I'd spoken? \"Yeah. So, pretty freaky, right? Just randomly giving you things? Randomly?\" Her face is unreadable. \"I get these weird compulsions just to write a number on a sticky note, or find my gun, or buy a teddy bear, and give it to you at an exact time.\"\n\nOkay...\n\n\"It's weird, and I didn't know why I did that! I just did and it worked out.\"\n\nShe looks frustrated now.\n\n\"But I think I've got it figured out. I looked up some words, so here's what I'm calling it: object-based precognition. Basically future sight based on objects, and I don't know why I need the objects, only that I do. I can set it to different goals, too, but otherwise it defaults to random things I want. Like people I just met not dying.\"\n\nCool, but that sounds like bullshit. \"I don't believe you.\"\n\n\"Yeah, I get it. Psychicness, right? But read this.\" She hands me a sticky note just like the one with the phone number on it, except it's just got a bunch of random numbers on it. What am I supposed to do with this?\n\n\"Lottery numbers,\" she clarifies. \"For me. By the way, please don't tell anybody else. I don't want others to know. I'm just telling you because you seem cool. But yeah. Proof enough, hopefully.\"\n\nFuck, really? If I hooked up with her, I wouldn't have to do anything, just buy lottery tickets and get really lucky all the time.\n\nShe frowns. A lot. She looks really disappointed. Shit, did I speak out loud again?\n\n\"Yeah, you did. You seemed cool, so I thought... But...\" She sighs, then gets up and starts to walk away. Shit, wait, no, come back!\n\nShe mutters something under her breath. I can't make out all of it, but I think I can make out \"douchebag.\" Bitch.\n\nThe door slams as I sit in silence. Damn.",
"My new *friendC* (friend-clairvoyant), Tammy, did all kinds of things for me that made no sense. *Turns out* all of a sudden a need arose, filled before-the-fact by each deed. I began to think of Tammy as somewhere between a wizard and a saint. \n\nI was *in till* she presented me with the 5-foot stuffed bear. It seemed so normal for Tammy. But I put it in the car and headed home. Little did I know that her gift would save my life when it came between me and the windshield in a head-on collision. \n\nAnyway, *I am Crash* now - Tammy's new nickname for me. I think I'll ask her to marry me. I'm not sure I can live without her.",
"“Greg’s in there?!? OH MY GOD GREG. ARE YOU ALRIGHT??” I heard as Jo’s voice grew increasingly louder. I was still buzzed from the car accident that could’ve killed me if it had not been for that stuffed bear Jo gave me almost two hours before the crash.\n\n“I’m alright Jo. Don’t make a ruckus will you?” I said, still fazed.\n\n“I’m so sorry. I should’ve stopped you from going instead. Why did I even think that stupid bear would’ve been able to help?!?” she sobbed as she kept hitting herself on her head. \n\n“Instead...” \n\nI pondered over her choice of words once more. Instead, able to help and her constant sobbing. Jo was a friend who would go out of her way for you to accept her gift. The 6 dollars I needed for lunch. The ethernet cable for when my router went bust. A couple others that suddenly clicked to how far “coincidence” go. \n\n“H..hh..how? The bear? You knew it was going to...Jo.. who are you?” I stuttered, struggling to get the words out. \n\nJo stopped crying and just fell silent for a moment. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Greg. Get well soon” she said with a monotonous voice as she left the room. \n\n“Wait, Jo. PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT’S GOI...” and everything went white. The next thing I saw was Jo standing in what seemed like a dark room, crying.",
"\"Come on, it's not that big of a deal.\"\n\n\"It is!\"\n\n\"It's way too generous. This bicycle must have cost a fortune!\"\n\nSure it was $2 grand, but I knew it was all she ever wanted. Considering that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her, it didn't matter the cost. \"It's okay. I want to show you my appreciation.\"\n\nClaire was still flustered. \"Don't you have to repair your car?\"\n\n\"Don't worry about it.\"\n\nAfter meeting her at a mutual friend's party last year, my life has been... strange to say the least.\n\nIt started with a pack of gum. Claire said she bought me it at a grocery store because she thought I'd need it. Days later, a major client came into the office right after lunch. After eating a BLT with onions, gum was a life savor.\n\nClaire's random gifts became more obscure yet more crucial. Things like an umbrella days before it rained all the way up to an extinguisher days before my oven caused a fire, all the while not asking for anything in return.\n\nBy the time she gave me an oversized bear for my birthday, I didn't question it. Maybe it'll keep me warm this winter when the power goes out or scare some intruder. At that point, I knew her gifts would help me. Little did I know that it would catch me when the bear and I were ejected from a car accident that night.\n\n\"All I can say is, thank you!\" Claire said, still visibly in disbelief. She hopped on the bike and rode around the block. \n\n---------\n\nIt was 8 pm when I got the texts. I was binging on Netflix so I didn't look. It was probably a group chat planning for the weekend.\n\nAn hour later, my friend Mike called. Now what?\n\n\"Hey Mike,\" Have you answered a phone and suddenly realized that it wasn't going to be a good call? This was one.\n\n\"Sara... Have you read your texts? Claire... She... She died.\"\n\nMy stomach dropped. \"How!?\"\n\n\"She got hit while riding home from work.\"\n\nI hung up the phone. Slithered off the couch onto the floor. All those life saving gifts she's given me, and the one gift I gave her...",
"A new neighbour isn't too inconspicuous, but ever since she moved in 6 months ago, I've been unusually grateful to say the least.\n\nFirst it was the satchel about 5 months ago, which was innocent enough I suppose seeing as my other bag was getting pretty old. That is until the other day when I found my old bag with a needle poking through the back of it. \n\nThen she gave me an extra serve of dinner a few weeks later, as she had apparently made too much. It was delicious and I was very appreciative, especially seeing as the leftovers I had planned to eat had gone completely rotten when I found them the next day, definitely not what you'd expect after leaving them for just one extra night.\n\nAll considerate neighbourly things, but then the garden gnome just over 2 months ago? That's when I first raised an eyebrow. It had been broken that same night she gave it to me, and I am still sure it was what I heard breaking and what woke me up enough to see a shadow disappear across my lawn.\n\nAnd then the new shoes a month ago. Perfectly my size and style, which I was urged to wear the next day. Their soles also happened to have enough grip on them for me to avoid slipping over the edge of that new work site they hadn't finishing barricading. A wonderful coincidence which she seemed bashful in admitting upon my mentioning it to her.\n\nBut today, it seems the car crash shook those coincidences into alignment seeing as the huge stuffed bear she had delivered to my work saved me from going through the windshield on my way home. It has been bugging me this whole time in hospital, that every conveniently timed gift since she has moved has probably saved my life in some way within hours of me receiving it. \n\nUpon being dropped outside my house and after thanking the taxi driver, I walked past my own front gate straight toward her house and up to her front door. I had to know, how did she know that all these gifts would prevent all these almost accidents? She opened the door on the second knock and invited me in without saying at word. \n\nThe questions started pouring out of me. \"How did you know all that was going to happen? Why are you helping me? Who do you think you are? How many more gifts are there going to me? Do I need to be worried? Are some kind of fairy godmother guardian angel time traveler? What the hell?\" \n\nShe looked at her feet, avoiding my eyes. Looking at her now, she was shorter than me but seemed to stand straighter and had a presence more clear than anyone else I had encounted. Her blonde hair almost glistened gold even though we were inside. She was dressed fairly plain and if you never really got this close you would have probably never had realised how uncommonly gorgeous she was, almost enchanting...\n\nShe looked up then, eyes filled with guilt. \"it was your time and I was supposed to be the one to do it, to kill you. But after following you for so long I couldn't bring myself to it, so they banished me here. I can't stop them directly so I tried not to draw too much attention but they're still after you. I've been trying to help you fluke your way out as they have no power against chance. But your time is up, and now they know I'm here with you, so I think we're both almost out of luck.\" \n\nShe paused to pull something from her back pocket. It was a singular shot gun round. She handed it to me and said, with great conviction in her voice, \"but tonight, you're going to need this.\"\n\n",
"\"Richie, why are you being gay all of the sudden?\" I asked. The words, \"just want to show how much I love you\", declared from behind a giant stuff white bear holding a pink heart. I immediately went up and embraced that bear and declared my love as well. A few gasp from the office ladies and a few sighs of not this thing again filled the office. Then an eruption of laughter from Richie and I filled the room. \"But for real man, here's a bear for your daughter,\" Richie said. \n\nEver since I lost my wife, Richie has been helping me with raising my daughter. He is a single father too and taught me many things from hair braiding to cooking. He's also my best friend since childhood. We grew up together and done so many stupid things that should have gotten us more or less killed. So we learned many things about essential dumb ass survival skills as well. \n\nI thanked him for the ridiculously huge stuff bear. \"I'll meet you at your place around 8pm with a fine bottle of grape juice and wine\", he whispered in my ear and left with an obvious wink. We both went back to work at our cubicles. Right as the clock hit 5pm, I carried that bear to my car and buckled her up in the passenger seat. Safety first \n\nAs I was driving I was thinking about how excited my daughter would be of that bear. After my wife passed, the last 2 valentines have been numb but Richie was there with his daughter and we would have a man date while our girls had a fancy old princess date. All of the sudden, from the corner of my left eye, a car was heading towards me. \n\nFlashbacks flooded my vision. Like the time Richie added a tiny princess flashlight to my keychain and I didn't notice until a power outage happened at the house. My little girl was saying how pretty the flashlight was. Or the time he flicked a quarter in my coffee cup and I was a quarter short to make through the toll to see my wife in labor. But I saw that quarter at the bottom of my cup. \n\nRight then, I realized I would be okay as my head hit the soft white plush bear. ",
"\"What do you mean I'm crash\" was my first shock, I had just been in my car ride home, and now I'm being told this garbage?\n\n\"You are crash bandicot\" the wise old sage nodded, for reasons he refused to get into; This wise old sage was a piece of wood.\n\n\"No no no, I've played the game. I know how this ends\" I denied, but the wooden board wasn't having it.\n\nBefore I could even scream in horror too much, the board had plastered itself on my head and my vision was momentarily cut off.\n\nLike a horror dream, everytime I tried to escape; the board would cut off all vision until I returned to the predetermined path ahead of me. I already knew the horrors of this, I've played it.\n\nI died a lot in the game. My greatest fear would be that I would die here, it only made my trials longer and my struggles worse. But I didn't die.\n\nThe bear is what saved my life at first, and my mentality. Whenever I felt like crying and giving up, I would squeeze it to death. If it wasn't so heavily cushioned, it would be flat. And if it wasn't there, I would do something suicidal.\n\nI had plenty of time to think about my life, and when I finally reached the last level, the board flew off my head and I found my friend. In the end, I could only spit two scathing sentences.\n\n\"OP, what the hell is wrong with you? Why did you try railroad me while limiting my own choices?\"\n\nIt was obviously OP, had to be. He gave me a teddy because he wanted it to be a crucial focus in my life.\n\nThe jokes on him though, halfway through I dumped the teddy.",
"“Ezekiel?!” I exclaimed as he walked into my hospital room. I was sure I wouldn’t see him until after I left the hospital, if even then. Every time I got hurt, he always disappeared for a while unexpectedly.\n\n“Hey Riley,” he said hesitantly, looking over my bruised figure. I glanced down immediately to make sure I wasn’t half naked or something. I couldn’t tell anymore without looking, and I already felt self-conscious without a bra underneath my hospital gown. “H-How are you doing?” He stuttered slowly.\n\nI looked up and stared at him for a moment, evaluating his reserved expression. His dark green eyes seemed…regretful. “Zeek,” I began cautiously, “why did you give me that huge teddy bear? It saved my life. It’s literally the only reason why I’m not dead right now.”\n\nHe looked away, his face now impassive. “It was just a gift Riley, I told you that.”\n\nHis response immediately made me suspicious. There was no surprise in what I'd said. No 'Wow, I can't believe my gift saved your life.' Just regret. A knowledgeable regret, as if he knew exactly what he had done. As if it had been intentional. But that wasn't what I was focusing on. My heart hurt too much to think about that.\n\n“Why?” I demanded, feeling my eyes begin to sting. “Why do you insist of giving me things even though you said you don’t want to be with me?”\n\nHe shifted his weight uneasily at the foot of the bed. “I never said that,” he began quietly.\n\n“Yes you did!” I exclaimed. I knew for a fact he did. Why was he denying it now?\n\nHe glanced at me briefly before looking away again. “I didn’t say I didn’t *want* to be with you.”\n\nThat gave me pause as I read between the lines. What had he really said? And then it hit me. He *couldn’t* be with me. Not that he didn’t want to be. “Why?” I asked again, barely above a whisper.\n\nBut he didn’t respond. He just stared at the wall silently.\n\n“Zeek!” I exclaimed. “Why? Why did you save my life?”\n\nHe shifted uneasily again, a subconscious act, and remained silent.\n\nI gasped. I was right. It had just been a stab in the dark, just an impossible theory. But his reaction…I was right. “Zeek…I can’t feel my legs.”\n\nHis head snapped in my direction, shock all over his face. He rushed to my side, kneeling down next to me and clasping his warms hands around mine. “Riley! I’m sorry!” He pleaded with me. “I didn’t know!”\n\nWhen he bowed his head over our hands, tears silently slipping from his eyes, I reached out and began running my fingers through his thick brown hair with my free hand.\n\n“Ezekiel,” I finally whispered, “why won’t you tell me what’s going on?”\n\nHe sighed heavily, pressing is forehead into our hands. “I can’t Riley. It’s…” He took a deep breath. “It’s against the rules.”\n\nThe portion of my body I could still control locked up in surprise. He immediately noticed and looked at me pleadingly. I had to look away from him then, afraid his emerald gaze was going to make me lose my train of thought. Finally, I spoke. “Is it not against the rules to save my life?” I asked hesitantly.\n\nHe froze this time. I could sense all his muscles tense. “No, it is against the rules,” he admitted cautiously. My head snapped in his direction, shocked that he was actually being honest. He continued. “Riley…I’ve been saving your life ever since I met you.”\n\n“How long?” I whispered.\n\nHe held my gaze as he replied. “Since you were nine years old.”\n\nI gasped, trying to remember back. To recall some inkling as to why it had started then. “Why?” I finally asked.\n\nHe looked away then, seeming to misunderstand my question, his expression emotionless. “Because that is when I was sent to collect your soul Riley.” He looked at me then, no longer hindered by my shocked expression. “I’m a reaper. A god of death.”\n\n# Part 2\n\n“A god of death?” I asked slowly, suddenly feeling lightheaded. I had to lean my head back against the upright portion of the bed. While Ezekiel had withheld information from me, not once had he ever lied to me. Even though it seemed impossible, if he was telling me he was a reaper then I believed him. But that didn’t make wrapping my mind around it any easier.\n\n“So now you know,” he replied quietly. “Why we can’t be together.”\n\nI closed my eyes, trying to keep the room from spinning. “But why me?” I whispered.\n\nHe lowered his voice even more. “Your soul. It’s…beautiful. And innocent. I couldn’t touch it. I didn’t want to touch it.” I opened my eyes and looked at him then as he began gently running his lips along the back of my hand. “I wanted to protect it.” He then sighed heavily, seemingly lost in his own thoughts now. “I’ve taken so many others, but when I met you…I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.”\n\nMy face flushed as he continued to run his warm lips along my hand and my wrist. There was so much to consider. So many questions to ask. But I could only focus on one thing. “But I still don’t understand,” I admitted. “Why can’t we be together?”\n\nHe ignored my question. “I can heal your legs,” he announced unexpectedly. But there was something more there. A pain in his expression, in his voice. He then started mumbling to himself. “I should have just done it a long time ago. You wouldn’t be in this situation if I had. I was just too selfish.” He rested his forehead against our hands again, as if silently apologizing.\n\nI believed him that he could heal me. And I was glad to know that maybe I wouldn’t be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of my life. But, clearly, this gift wasn’t free. Otherwise he wouldn’t seem so…regretful.\n\n“At what cost?” I wondered hesitantly.\n\nHe looked up at me then, holding my gaze for a few seconds, and then turned his head away. “You’ll never see me again.”\n\n“Why not?” I asked breathlessly. I wanted the feeling back in my legs, but…I wanted him more.\n\nHe took a deep breath. “Because you won’t *want* to see me again.”\n\n“But why Zeek?” I didn’t understand. There wasn’t any manifestation of reality in which I wouldn’t want him. I’d always wanted him, for as long as I had known him.\n\nHe finally met my gaze. “Because Riley….if I awaken your divinity then your legs will be healed, but you’ll be a different person. You’ll be appalled by what I am.” I just stared at him in disbelief, prompting him to continue. “Riley…you’re a reincarnated god. A god of life.”\n\nMy vision immediately darkened, and my ears started ringing. I had to lay my head back again. I barely heard Ezekiel urgently calling my name. I barely felt his breath suddenly on my cheek. His face was finally close to mine. After all this time, after all my fantasies, it was finally happening. And yet, I was barely conscious enough to enjoy him this close to me.\n\n“Don’t do it,” I whispered, barely even hearing my own voice. “I want to be with you. I *need* to be with you.”\n\nHe pulled away then. I tried to look at him, but it felt like he was far away, as if I was watching him through a tunnel.\n\nUnexpectedly, he held up his hand and a shadow appeared in the room, manifesting into a massive scythe with a bright red gem at the top, and a long chain at the bottom. My heart began fluttering, my ears barely picking up on his words.\n\n“I’m sorry Riley. This is goodbye.”\n\n# [Part 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/AuthorKurt/comments/9e4vxp/my_boyfriend_is_a_soul_reaper_part_3/) | [Part 4](https://www.reddit.com/r/AuthorKurt/comments/9e7d8c/my_boyfriend_is_a_soul_reaper_part_4/) | [Part 5](https://www.reddit.com/r/AuthorKurt/comments/9e86mw/my_boyfriend_is_a_soul_reaper_part_5/)\n\n**Thanks for reading! I have a couple of popular stories regarding some recent prompts going on at my subreddit right now, if you want to check them out at** [r/AuthorKurt](https://www.reddit.com/r/AuthorKurt)",
"Buying gifts never came naturally to me, but I tried my best anyways. Sometimes people just have everything they need, or perhaps I just don’t pay enough attention.\n\nI owe Neo my life. Literally, he made me who I am. If it wasn’t for him, I’d still be out on the streets or even in the woods. Scavenging for food like some desperate animal.\n\nHe gave me jeans when I didn’t know I needed them, and sneakers so my feet wouldn’t hurt. He even gave me fingerless gloves.\n\nBut above all else, he gave me his friendship. One day, he got me this giant stuffed animal that I called Tiny. I never owned anything like that before, and seeing as I don’t own an actual house yet, I kept it with me everywhere I went. When I traveled, I strapped Tiny to a little go-kart that I use to get around.\n\nLet me tell you, driving with Tiny is no easy task. He blocks your vision and it’s hard enough driving to begin with, especially when there’s the risk of being struck by ballistic missiles and land mines. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later.. I don’t remember much. All I remember was waking up on the side of the road. A crowd had built up around me and asking me if I remembered who I was.\n\nIt took a while, but I did.\n\n“I’m Crash, Crash Bandicoot.”\n\n",
"\"You're a guardian angel, aren't you?\" I said accusingly, barging my way past Sarah and into her apartment.\n\nShe ran a hand through her hair. \"Oh hey, James, why don't you come in?\"\n \n \"I'm not an idiot, Sarah. Since you entered my life last year, you've... You've changed everything. You've done impossible things. Like, like, it was thanks to the camera that *you* lent me that I caught my wife - ex-wife - cheating. Thanks to the helmet you bought me that my bike accident wasn't worse. And now today - an hour ago -that bear you bought me... It saved my fucking life. So don't act like I'm stupid. I know what you are!\"\n\n Sarah swallowed hard and her cheeks grew pink. \"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner. But it's against the rules. Please understand.\"\n\n She looked embarrassed. There was something innocent and beautiful about her expression. I ran a hand through my hair. \"I knew it. I just fucking knew it! This last year has been too crazy to be real.\" \n\n \"Not just the last year.\"\n\nI frowned. \"What do you mean?\"\n\nShe shrugged and smiled. \"I've always been there for you James. You just maybe didn't always realise it. I had a different name back then.\" She removed her glasses and placed them down onto the table, then pulled back her hair. It took me a moment to recognise her from the little girl I'd known at school.\n\n \"Erica?\" I whispered.\n\n \"Surprise. \"\n\n \"Erica? You can't be... I don't understand... Why-\"\n\n\"Your parents were going through a divorce,\" she explained. \"And you were being bullied about it at school. You needed me then, just like you do now.\"\n\nThe memories flooded back. Events I hadn't thought about in years. \"They... They said you stabbed Andrew in the eye with a compass. That's why you got expelled. Is that true?\"\n\n \"He didn't bother you after that, did he? Sometimes my job isn't easy or pleasant. \"\n\nI shook my head. \"His parents pulled him out of the school. Jesus, so you were looking out for me even back then!?\"\n\n \"Always, James. Don't you understand? I belong to you. And you do to me. That's how it works.\"\n\n\"You saved my life tonight.\" I held out my trembling arms as I approached her. \"My breaks failed and... And... \"\n\nSarah approached me and wrapped her arms around me. \"Shh, baby. It's okay. I'm here. I've always been here.\"\n\n I closed my eyes and lay my head on her shoulder as she ran a hand through my hair. Why I hadn't I realised before just how much I needed her? \n\nI pulled my head back and looked in her cool blue eyes. Her perfect eyes. \"Can I...? Can we...\"\n\n She answered by pressing her lips hard against mine. \n\nBefore I closed my eyes, something on the table next to her glasses caught my attention. They looked like scissors, but thicker and with bigger handles. A peculiar thing for an angel to have, I thought, before shutting my eyes and kissing her back.\n\n",
"I decide to confront Paul about the whole thing. Laying in my hospital bed I stew as well wisher after well wisher come in to sign my cast. \n\n\nMy surgeon says that I was lucky to come out of the thing with just a broken arm and whip lash. Seeing the pictures of my trashed car I agreed. \n\n\nOn the day I was going to get discharged Paul finally showed up and offered me a ride home. \n\n\n\"Nah man, sit down. I need to talk to you. close the door please. \n\n\nOk, so here's the thing. That bear you gave me? It saved my life. The air bags didn't deploy and I'd probably cracked my skull if it wasn't for that thing. I'm grateful, I really am but... this wasn't the first time Paul. Remember that odd sweater you gave me at the office party? The one that just said (SPORTS) on it? I had it shoved in the desk drawer for a month when one day when I had a presentation someone, Kate I think, spilled some coffee on my shirt so I used it to cover the stains. The presentation was about the new sports drink we're about to launch so the whole thing took well and I got a decent bonus out of it.\"\n\n\nPaul was silent and just sat there looking at me oddly. In my head this would be the part where he broke down and confessed to... I don't know, calling 800-oracle or something! I dug deeper for more ammo. \n\n\n\"Ok, what about that Aprils fools day joke gift? You sent me a bag of marbles. That same I was walking down the street and the marbles spilled everywhere tripping the guy behind me. It was only when I tried to help him up did I see the gun in has hand. He had his gun out Paul! Probably was going to shot me in the back and run if it wasn't for those stupid marbles!\" \n\n\nPauls expression remained the same. I was getting unnerved by this point and started talking even faster. \n\n\n\"Fine, lets say one, two even three of those were coincidences. The fuck was with that tiny fire extinguisher you gave me as a birthday gift? The thing was barely bigger then my palm so I thought it was toy. Do you know how I found out it was real Paul? Do you remember? Ofcourse you do. You refused to chip in for the cake at work right? You instead got an actual fire extinguisher for when the candles literally lit my sleeve on FIRE! Paul, what are you exactly. Just tell me alright.\"\n\n\nPaul opened his mouth and in a very guarded tone said \"I'm giving you a ride home. I think you should just come along alright.\" \n\n\nI remembered his words as the taxi swerved off the road and off the highway. I closed my eyes and regretted declining his offer before the world went black. "
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I'm always excited to see what people come up with, y'all think so differently than me! | [WP] After praying for a new life, you wake up in a complete strangers body. You have to take their life on as your own, and fast, because if anyone suspects something is amiss you could be sent back. Forever. | 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 felt a cold breeze through a window next to my bed. I shivered, and suddenly realized that I wasn’t in a bed at all, I was slumped over a rich mahogany desk littered with papers and folders.\n\n“How did I- what?” I thought to myself.\n\nI lifted my head from a pool of drool that had formed on the corner of my mouth. I had been asleep for at least an hour. A clock sat on the corner of the desk. \n\n1:32 AM \n\nI stood up out of the chair.\nThe lights felt blindingly bright, and I could hear the whirr of the ceiling fan above. The wind howled outside. It was a cold, windy night, with the only sounds disturbing the eerie silence being the crickets. \n\nMy perspective felt different, I felt taller, and it was very confusing. It didn’t take long for me to realize what had happened.\nThe prayer, it had come true.\n\nWhat felt like a few hours before, I was laying in my bed, feeling really sad, praying that the next day maybe I would wake up in a different body, a different life.\n\nNow I was so confused and scared that I regretted it. \n\nMy thoughts were interrupted by slow yet urgent steps, past the glass door of the room. \nIn came a short, old looking brunette woman rapped in a blanket with barely opened, tired, and confused eyes. \n\n“Honey,” she paused for a moment, almost as if she was so tired that she didn’t know what to say.\n\n“What are you doing awake? It’s almost 2 in the morning?” \n\nI stood for just a moment, thinking about what I was gonna say, or do. \n\n“Just finishing up some work honey, I’ll... I’ll come to bed.” \n\nI knew this would be a challenge, but maybe it could turn out okay. "
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[WP] You wake up in an alien ship. The aliens have been watching humanity for a while now and have decided helping them is a worthwhile endeavor. They have selected you to convince you to be their first ambassador to the human race. | 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",
"So, they decided to kidnap a biologist that likes reading science fiction, and then try to have him be some sort of fucking ambassador?\n\nKidnap me, an act of war, and then try and say they're here peacefully? Fuck them. I didn't choose this. I'll negotiate alright. Same way the Mongols did.\n\nNow think. I need to get as much information as possible. Pay attention to your surroundings. Everything I can bring back can help with the war effort.\n\nSo, first and foremost, they have some form of translation tool allowing us to understand each other. Ship has gravity, so it's likely they're having it spin to produce something mimicking gravity. Judging from their willingness to speak to me face to \"face\" it would seem that they aren't worried about any diseases spreading.\n\nCreatures seem to be bipedal like we are, though their upper limbs are far different. The shape seems to imply a different bone structure. Almost as if the forearm and elbow were reversed. Hairless, seem to have a layer of flesh where we'd expect hair. Fat, maybe? Face seems to follow a similar structure to a human's, though they seem to lack lips and a nose as we'd recognize them.\n\nWeaponry I can see seems to be kinetic energy based, or at least the weapons I see seem to have qualities similar to rifles. No idea if this ship carries any sort of weapons besides small-arms.\n\nIt would seem that this ship is not a generational ship, as there appear to be no offspring. Have they managed to create some form of cyrostasis? Either that, or they've managed to find a way to break the light barrier. Unlikely, but we can't risk discounting any possibility at this point.\n\nReturning to the planet now. Ship looks almost identical to an old command module we used, for like the apollo missions. I see. That's for getting between the main ship and the atmosphere. It must have some kind of engines in it, as our descent is slowing differently than I'd expect parachutes to cause it.\n\nFlashing symbols seemed to have leveled out. Altitude maybe? Unless this thing has unfurled some helicopter blades, that really shouldn't be possible. Symbols are changing again. They've stopped.\n\nBack on Earth. An airforce base, it would appear.\n\n\"General. I told you everything I saw. I don't know their intentions yet. This is just the beginning of negotiations. I got all this information in the hopes that we'd be able to somehow use it to back up the fact that they *kidnapped me* and that we are owed some sort of apology and some form of reparations.\"",
"I opened up my eyes on the alien ship,\n\nTelling myself to stay calm and get a grip,\n\nSitting up, cautious, I saw I was surrounded,\n\nThen for the next six hours, with questions I was hounded,\n\nWhy did they want all the information from me?\n\nI couldn't answer all the questions with my high anxiety,\n\nGreen faces, bug like eyes, all waiting for their answers,\n\nSo I thought I'd just tell it like it is and play it like a chancer,\n\nI told them \"Hey, alien dudes, I'm sure you're peaceful, in your galactic saucer,\n\nBut down on Earth amongst the trees are graves of endless slaughter,\n\nWe have our love and happy times and like to sing and play,\n\nBut then we'll maim and kill each other in every single way,\n\nWe tend the Earth, destroy the Earth, love and hate the same,\n\nWe're gentle and brutal, crazy and sane,\n\nWe make our gods from anything, even of ourself,\n\nWe'll promise each other heaven and threaten with hell, \n\nWe sail our vast oceans and like a bird we fly,\n\nWe talk and we argue as we gaze up at the sky,\n\nAnd now here I am, on your ship at your demand,\n\nSo tell me my alien dudes, would you still like to shake our hand?\"\n\nThe aliens talked amongst themselves then smiled and spoke once more,\n\nThree of the greenest of them all shuffled across the floor,\n\n\"Little human ambassador, the tastiest of all,\n\nWe'll cook your flesh and chew your bones simply to make sure,\n\nThat we arrived at the right food farm, which is where your kind do crawl,\n\nThen we'll harvest from your Earth and our mother ship we'll call.\"",
"[\"Sir! x-20, y-60, z-30. Fighter squadron, alien.\"](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9dhsq6/wp_how_is_the_earth_project_going_it_is_mostly_a/e5hsyn4/?context=3)\n\nFighting in space is somewhat similar to our forefathers' naval warfare. Though the extra z-axis needs to be considered, over a few months of intense research in the Anti-Gravity Simulator the engineers had figured out how to make it an advantage, instead of a liability. With that, our job became more interesting. The guns that had previously been rendered nearly obsolete on warships now found new use here, as the gunners swatted down alien aircraft like flies. Though we had no ships in company, my job as a communicator was still frenzied, as I reported everything that appeared on the radar. The green blips and noises nearly drove me insane during the battle, and before the Commanding Officer could give the order to retreat, we were hit by a missile, disabling what was left of our shields and engines.\n\nThe damage control and firefighting party was sent to the crash site, of course. But it was too late, as the enemy fighters closed in and poured laser fire into the gaping maw where the missile struck. Escape pods were launched, hoping to crash land into the safety of Earth that waited below. I quickly drafted the distress signal to HQ as the bridge evacuated. CO sir always had our welfare as a priority, and followed the tradition of the captain being the last to abandon ship. It was always understood that myself and CO sir would be the last, but just as I hit \"send\" on my distress message, we were absorbed once more by a very familiar flash of white light.\n\n\"Not this white room again?\" CO sir was as confused as I am. He probably expected to go down with the ship.\n\n\"The two of you. Why did you stay?\" The beings before us were the same ones, made of energy. The female one was shifting between images of my mother, and who I assumed to be CO sir's wife. The male took on the form of the Fleet Commander. \"We'd thought S-3 specimens were inherently selfish and fearful.\"\n\nCO sir cleared his throat. I knew he was as much an orator as he was a spacefarer, and prepared to listen to an amazing speech. \"We are beyond our basic instincts. I used to believe that there was a God that created us, and I'm willing to admit I was wrong about that when I saw you. However, if we do not grow beyond what we were made to be, what good are we as a race? There is a saying from my world that posits the boat which doesn't move against the current will regress. And we might not have progressed as far as the 11 other races, but we tried. We will keep trying.\"\n\n\"Indeed,\" the female being says. \"You two are the most valorous of beings from S-3 we have seen, and it is clear to us that helping S-3 is a worthwhile endeavour against the 11 races. We have selected you two to convince us why one of you should be our first ambassador to S-3.\"\n\nSir was about to open his mouth again, but I had my reservations. I pulled him aside and hastily whispered into his ear, hoping the energy beings did not hear.\n\n\"Sir, doesn't anything about this seem suspicious to you? The reports from 10 years ago, they said these beings were experimenting on us. Before the battle, they were so condescending of us. Now, they want us to help them? What if they're galactic conquerors and we are their heralds?\"\n\n\"Definitely. The plot is thicker than we'd thought, and is out of our control.\" CO sir turned back to the energy beings. \"We are sorry, but we have to decline your request until our world makes a decision.\"\n\nThe female's face contorted with anger once more. \"Did we say S-3 had a choice to make? Be grateful we have not destroyed your world, specimens.\" Her male counterpart sneered with contempt behind her. \"Now, we will select one of you, and the other will fall back to Earth. We only need one.\"\n\nWhat I felt next was truly torture. I knew they weren't physically there, but something was touching my brain. It felt like tentacles digging into the recesses of my mind, revealing every life experience I had. An invasion of privacy that felt physically painful. Evidently, CO sir was undergoing the same process, his body contorting with agony. He reached for his P226, and fired...\n\nLeaving no impact. The female laughed. \"You fool! Your primitive weapon does nothing to intangible, immortal beings.\"\n\nThe whiteness... shook? Didn't know that was possible. The walls around us were slowly crumbling, and as the beings flashed away we were back in the quickly collapsing ship. I suppose the physical world affected the mental. CO sir, clearly more affected by the pain than I was, still pulled himself to the helmsman's chair and guided the ship to decelerate slowly through Earth's atmosphere. We tried our best, but the images of our pasts and the energy beings flashed in front of our eyes every few seconds. And though half of the ship broke off and burned in the atmosphere, we still managed to end up in the Pacific, not flattening anyone in the process. Another happy landing.\n\nNot so happy, however, when we found two small figurines, carved of an unknown metal and beeping every few seconds, on our bodies as the rescue ships arrived. This would not be the last we'd seen of the Precursors."
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[WP] Your a closeted kid in a school gang and a fight was going to happen with another over some land. It was agreed no weapons where to be used but someone took a gun and your lover just got shot in the chest and dying and everyone else is either is stunned or has tackled the gun man. | 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 snap my fingers. Swing my hips a little. I've watched West Side Story, I know the drill. I close my eyes as I feel the music flow from my finger tips. Now is my time to shine. Gracefully, I prance over to my lover. I've got the power. I can heal this wound with the strength of pure love. I sing a little tune, a simple one, baa baa black sheep maybe I'm not entirely sure. The wound is closing but my lover has passed out. I turn to face the opposing gang. Shit's about to go down. Tapping my feet a few times, I prepare.\n\n\"Twinkle Twinkle little bitch,\" a punch, powered by the adrenaline rushing through my body. My heartbeat thumps in my ears, clashing wonderfully with my words.\n\n\"A new asshole imma rip,\" The last threads of my sanity ripped with my beat drop. I slammed the enemy's head into a brick wall, blood gushing out of the new wound, jazz-handing my way through my dance.\n\n\"Gonna throw you oh so high,\" I punt the little shit's head back into the wall. Nothing is stopping me now. It's just me, and the beat.\n\n\"Stick a needle through your eye,\" The fucks whimpering now, begging for mercy. The cries are just background music to my song. I'm in the limelight now.\n\n\"Twinkle twinkle little bitch,\" There's no going back now. No one else has dared to move, even the other gang has not attempted to help their ally. My wrath is too much.\n\n\"I hope the shot was worth it.\""
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[WP] Write me a story about you. | 17 | [
"**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 dark, it's late, it's quiet but for the clock tick tock tick tock in the kitchen. It only bothers me when I start listening, so I try not to. The older cat has rolled over in his sleep and no longer wheezes like the fat man he is.\n\nThis is my space. It's not large, it's not particularily neat, but it's mine (for now). It's safe. Outside of it is a city that sleeps at night.\n\nI idly wonder how long it would take for someone to bleed to death, what would go on in my brain. There would be a massive headache from bloodloss, I think. I imagine the sight dispassionately, wondering if the livingroom carpet would be ruined forever. Oh, bathroom, of course. Easier to scrub clean, except under the sink. That's been a bitch.\n\nI don't know what I'm waiting for, really. I know life gets eventually better, it always has. It's weird - and a relief to know. No matter how bad things have gotten for me, they have always, always sorted out just by the virtue of time passing by. I just wish it were interesting as well.\n\nTick tock tick tock, says my grandma's old clock.\n\nI haven't smiled today, it feels weird to have my face this relaxed. It's nice, but I have a feeling my expression would alarm others. Maybe it should alarm me, but it doesn't.\n\nWhat kind of alien am I?\n\nI'm dreading tomorrow, however. I have to make a call, and I'm terrified of phonecalls. I'm going to figure out what planet I come from, and I have a good idea. I might even have a dual citizenship. Biracial alien?\n\nI keep playing with the edge of a healing cut on my thumb. I should've stopped carving when my hand started shaking, that knife is not meant for such fine things and it's dull as a wooden spoon. Woodworking still seems like an interesting thing. It was fun as a child.\n\nAh, Her. I love Her. She has been strange all day through messages, and I think my mood is to blame. She is still awake too.\n\nLove is strange. It's something so many talk about, but I don't think they actually know what it means. You can't put it into words or songs, because love is silence.\n\nI asked her to marry me a year ago. Her only objection was the worry that I'd waste all my money to buy her an expensive ring. I knew to expect it, so I didn't. Love isn't gold and diamonds when you can make another happy with silver and coloured zircon.\n\nShe would be hit hardest if I disappeared, so I won't. For everyone else life would simply go on, but not for her. We are emotionally co-dependent of the other's existance.\n\nOne of the cats is awake. I don't know which one, but I hear them having a little midnight drink. Cute.",
"*Regress; in spells of unconciousnessSlave to the seeds you've sownLost in the leaves*\n\n​\n\nCan't sleep. Fourth night this week, my mind is a whirlwind of insane thoughts, as I stroll my rural town, wandering the dead main street while the local population sleeps, except for the workers at the production plants or grocery stores, it's 3am, I work tomorrow. I pass the windows, music blaring, trying to stop the tinnitus from my first job, and trying to make sense of the situation I've been finding myself in. It's the week before Christmas, I lucked out, got a four day weekend before going into a nine day stretch. Each window I pass, I see an old memory, I have too many that used to guilt me, but now only remain to haunt me when I'm at my lowest. My breath probably smells of Gulden Drak, my newest favorite obsession, smoothest ale I've had in a long, long time, and boasting a nice 10.5%, I feel it's effects after I down the four I bought earlier. Coming across the window to the ever changing property at the start of main street, I see two nights ago. My song changed, I hadn't noticed.\n\n​\n\n*I'd bare you my heart, if I knew that it was still thereI'm too nervous to look, too afraid to close the book*\n\n​\n\n**Two nights ago**\n\n​\n\nThe bar is loud, the ringing in my ears refuses to stop as I watch all my old friends dancing around, swinging drinks around, laughing, I stand at the bar with my friend, Jace, who is so visibly nervous his soon-to-be fiance should be able to tell whats happening tonight. She's too busy being danced around by our former coworkers, all of them asking how the farm is over in North Virginia, as she forces herself away, to come over, kiss Jace on the cheek and hug me.\n\n\"You've been keeping my boy safe, right?\" She teases, last time she saw me, I had gotten into a fight at the bar we used to regular when we all worked together.\n\n\"Someone has to!\" I say, speaking a tad louder due to the ringing getting louder, following it up with a laugh and a slap on Jace's shoulder, as he gives his fiance, Susie, a reassuring look. She nods, and dances back to the circle of friends who are surrounding the stage, as Jace looks over to me, I can see his panic. It's almost 10:00, which means it's almost my time to shine. I haven't sang in a few years, but I promised him I'd do it, I'd sing for his proposal, he'd choose the song. When the clock hits 10:00, I march on stage, with Lupe by my side for the acoustic guitar. They're used to me singing metal, funk, a bit of indie, mostly The Dear Hunter. Tonight though, I'm hitting new ground, I'd been practicing all month, thanking every God to ever be whispered from mankind's lips that my coworkers wear earbuds while working. Lupe takes a seat on her stool as I adjust the stand to my height, and compose myself, as I hear former coworkers cheering, seeing me in my old leather jacket, Coheed and Cambira tshirt, 501s, combat boots and what they called my 'signature' rings, two ravens spanning my index and middle finger, representing Hugin and Munin.\n\n\"Alright, Jace, you bastard, you owe me,\" I speak into the mic as I lift my glass of whisky towards him, when a thought cross my mind, something said, in jest, at work a few nights ago.\n\n​\n\n\"*This is why you're going to die alone\"*\n\n​\n\nI hold my composure, but feel the crack down my spine, and Lupe kicks me in the leg to get it over with, I close my eyes, feeling the room, pulling the emotion from the room, an unfamiliar one for me, it's warm, comforting, and I feel like my voice is going to waiver. I lift my fingers towards Lupe as I chuck my whisky, and begin, \" When your legs don't work like they used to before....\". Fucking Ed Sheeran. That's what he chose.\n\nI finish the song, and the feeling is completely overwhelming, my mind is racing, and I rush over to Jace, who is being smothered by Susie, who is still screaming, \"Yes! Yes!\" while crying. She pulls away and gives me a giant hug, as I congratulate her and tell her that her first boy is named after me. She tells me 'Prick' isn't a good name for a kid, so I told her I'll settle for a middle initial. She runs off to go show off her ring, as Jace follows me to the bar, I get a bottle of water, and he thanks me, over and over again. I take a deep breath, and look him in the eye, and I see his body language changes, he always saw through me, its why he stuck around, he knew I hated the image the group made of me. He knew what I wanted, why I truly broke off my relationship, and why it was hard for me to go up and sing a song like *that*. He pulls me close in a hug, tighter than anything, thanks me again, and I chuckle, feeling my eyes being to water, vision blurring.\n\n\"Proud of you, brother.\" I tell him, and pull of my rings, things he always wanted, and put them in his hand, \"To remember me by, yeah?\" We're never going to see each other again. His new family doesn't want me around, and deep down, Susie doesn't either, thinks I'm the brute, obnoxious, and that I'd be a bad influence. I told her I'd respect her wishes, and agreed that when they moved away, I wouldn't visit. I leave the bar, as quickly as possible, making sure no one notices, too wrapped up in the engagement announcement.\n\nI walk home, feeling the cold, and the silence, knowing that when I get home, my dog will be asleep, and I'll silently sob into my hands. My dog will naturally wake up, his big 'ol clumsy Malamute self, tumbling down the stairs, only to lay at my feet and force me to pet him. I'll hold him close, sobbing into the scruff of his neck as I whisper the same thing I do everytime I feel down.\n\n\"Me and you, bud, 'til the end.\"\n\nI snap back to reality as I hear the wrong song kick in at the wrong time. The piano lightly trailing in before Freddie comes in, and I sing along to the end of the first verse.\n\n​\n\n*Lord what you're doing to me (yeah yeah)I have spent all my years in believing youBut I just can't get no relief, Lord!*\n\n​\n\nI pick up my stride, putting my glasses in my pocket, feeling the trails run down my cheek. The cold air seems to make me even more aware that they're there. I walk until I see the end of my small, forgettable town, then I turn back and head home. I hang my head, sitting on my porch, letting my tears fall, my breaths become difficult as I force myself to be silent. I don't want to be the brute, I don't want to be the fighter, I'm tired of fighting, but for now, I can't. I force my head up high, staring into the once night sky turning to sunrise, and I force myself to smile, to laugh, I'll keep moving, I'll keep looking. I'll find someone. It'll take time, and it'll be rough, but that's what'll make it worth it. \n\n​\n\nIt's not the cold that hurts, or the silence, those you get used to. No, what hurts is remembering what it feels like for the cold to be nonexistent, and the silence to be soothing, rather than soul-crushing.",
"I used to think we had a purpose.\n\nI stand at the end of the hallway looking out the fire exit, an elderly man rolls up next to me. \"C-c-c-can you see that snake, the one right there. That boy is big, we should go and get your snake traps and, and, and..\" \n\nI sigh and turn to see a small meek man in a wheel chair, he's wearing Pjs even though its four o'clock in the evening and he smells a little rough. Although, you can't force a resident into a bath if they don't want one. I see my badge and I am wearing my maroon scrub top. \"Hey my friend, let's go and get a snack, huh? They have frosted bread and coffee for you guys today.\" My work day is just starting.\n\nIt's about eleven o'clock in the evening and I am laying in my room, some of my mother's pictures are still up and I can see all of her make up bundled up in the closet. She passed away a few months ago, and I have yet to organize the rest of her left over things. I look at my gaming area and see my daughters ashes pendant hanging beside a picture of her mother and I. Scanning the wall, I look at my various awards: President's list award for college, an scholarship award for 2009-2010, another for 2010-2011, a tribal scholarship award for 2015-2016, employee of the month awards for two separate casinos, a serve safe manager certificate, and a recently added CNA license. A lot but no bachelors degree. \n\nThey say that a CNA's job is fulfilling but I see it as more of my condemnation, I always told myself that if my mother was going to live with one of her children it would be I taking care of her in her golden years. She didn't even make it to Fifty years old. \n\nI see a picture of my siblings and I, we surround my mother. Two young boys, one is wearing a Hollywood Undead shirt and the other is in a red and grey sweater, there is a girl in a cutoff shirt and running shorts, and then me with long hair and heavier from stress eating. My mother looks full and happy, nothing like her recent self.\n\nMy sister and I haven't talked since I kicked her out of my house a year ago, she would keep my mother drunk and steal from her. I take care of my brother's, each has their own room in my house, and I am single. Most days, I am playing video games or reading a book; I've put off completing my EP and first music album, I haven't written in months. I blame my sister for letting my mother drink herself to death. Instead of being a daughter, she was just another person who took excessively from her. \n\nI stare at my clock as it ticks away. I've been practicing meditating and my grounding techniques for my anxiety lately. During my parent's brutal divorce in 2012, my siblings and I where all looked at by a psychologist, and I was the only one who kept up with the sessions. Diagnosed with several issues: Depression, DID, PTSD. I try to maintain a balance in my life, and I feel like I finally have control of my life. Coupled with going through losing a child, I feel like I am in a better place. It's just too late, because I have to continue on without my mother, my only parent.\n\nI wake up, cook my omelet and make a bowl of oatmeal. I play some games for an hour and go for a walk. My leg is messed up from a car accident so I can't overwork it without pulling a muscle. When I get back, I shower and get ready for work. I can see my mother's pictures, her accomplishments, and her little motivational posters. I'm happy I have control of my life finally, but I just really miss my mom and I wish I could have met my daughter\n\nI wish I could have said I loved you and held you for a moment longer.\n\nIf life had a purpose, all of mine have been taken from me.",
"I attended a military college in the UK. I lived there from the age of sixteen to eighteen, and my experiences there drastically changed my thinking, actions and discipline. \n\nThe first year of college overwhelmed me. There were many nights where I thought about quitting and many more where I had to muffle my cries, not wanting my roommates to hear.\n\nThe college had been sold as a life-changing experience, and turning up on the first day with my divorced parents driving separate cars was an interesting way to start that experience. I don't think anyone packed light. I certainly made full use of the two cars, and my mum tried her best to cram every inch with comfort items, things like my favourite cereal and lots of Nutella. \n\nWe arrived and had to stop at a guard house where a uniformed officer asked our purpose and then waved us through. We were then met by a student, dressed in the military woodland camouflage uniform know as \"CS95s\". I remember thinking that the boy looked close to twice my age, but he smiled and introduced himself. He asked what house I was joining, I told him Stirling, and he pointed to the closest house. It was like the military equivalent to Hogwarts, and all I knew was the colour green belonged to Stirling, which made me think of Slytherin. \n\nMy parents and I loaded our backs, arms and hooked bags on every appendage, determined to complete the trip in one. Some older students welcomed us to the Stirling common room, nothing like the dungeons I had imagined. The common room was just a communal area with ping-pong, a snooker table and a television. The welcoming committee asked for my name and then told me that my room was on the top floor, which made our overburdening seem all the more painful. \n \nTwo boys and their family were already half unpacked when I burst into the room ready to collapse. One of the boys was from Scotland and the other from Norfolk, everyone was pretty quiet and busied themselves with unpacking after the initial greeting. If I'm grateful for anything my mum has done while I was at college, it was her ability to make the most foreign of places feel like home. Small details, like the organisation of my drawers and the decorations that made a cork notice board feel like a photo album. \n\nThere were many nuances of attending a military college, so I'll share the few that stood out. Uniform played a significant role in my education, I wore it to my first day of school and right up until my last. College was no different, with the difference being I now had two sets. Camoflague and \"Civis\", a term meaning civilian. Not only did we have to wear a uniform, but it had to be presentable, correction it had to be pristine. It used to take me forty minutes to iron a shirt to meet the expected standards, an amount of time I would happily spend to avoid the consequences. \n\nShow parades, my two most hated words. I did my best to avoid them at college, while others developed a fetish for them. Show parades were essentially a uniform inspection during your free time but done under a microscope. A standard inspection would be done by a person in the year above and would generally be easy to pass. On a show parade, the inspecting person was usually a member of staff, who was already pissed to be losing their free time and had a rare ability to find the smallest of flaws in your uniform. Show parades started out with your bog standard weekday evening inspection, failing that you would progress to a weekend inspection. If you somehow managed to fail three inspections, you would be introduced to the daily morning inspections with the vice principal. \n\nI could write at length about my experiences during the two years, but I hope this has given some insight as to the person I have become."
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[WP] The year is 2241, the technology to travel back into the past has been invented. Your job is to hide the irradiated creatures the company you work for creates. Dinosaurs, mythical beasts and monsters of the past are all thanks to you. | 224 | [
"**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",
"1st contribution, please be gentle,\n\n2241, the golden age of scientific development. And at the head of it all is the most advanced company of all time, Contreption Zero, which, coincidentally, is where I work. You see, Contreption Zero's main role in science is speeding up evolution for certain animals, as you might expect, many people wouldn't like hearing about people tampering with the DNA of animals, that's where I come in. My job, as head of the secrecy division, is to take the animals we've tampered with, and put them into the past. \nIt also helps evolve them to handle more intense climates. The dinosaurs? Yeah, that was my handiwork. Pegasus? A horse with swan wings on it. Pheonix? A chicken with intense healing abilities that had the glowing abilities of a lightning bug. Sometimes, however, they survive to present day, for example, the komodo dragon, it was never supposed to survive past the 1750s. When that happens, we simply hope and pray that no-one recognizes our handiwork.",
"\"Dollan! Dollan, we have a breach!\"\n\n​\n\nI sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Thanks to my implant, I couldn't actually get a headache, but Ardur's antics made my brain ache just the same. He was the newest member of our \"Proper Disposal Division\", AKA \"The Time Dumpers\", and he'd come into the job with some grand vision of uncovering some of our competitors dumps.\n\n​\n\nStrictly speaking, disposal of \"unwanted subjects\" in prior temporal periods was illegal, but only so long as it actually had a measurable impact on human history. We were lucky that the earliest dumps had been done far enough back that the Mesozoic Mutate Explosion didn't actually over-write our ancestors with saurian descendents, and after that, laws were passed that made it so that we had to be much more careful about when and where we dumped subjects, and how we prepped them to ensure they didn't cause problems.\n\n​\n\nPersonally, I felt that it would be better to just kill them, but bioanimists disagreed, with their slogans about life deserving to live, and they were the dominant social trend at this point. I'd heard rumors that future projections indicated they'd burn out in another decade or so, but until then, specimens still had to be disposed of, and we didn't want our proprietary creations to fall into our competitors' hands. Hence, disposal via retrotemporal travel.\n\n​\n\nNow, there was plenty of uncertainty involved. After all, you couldn't move forward using this method, which meant that you couldn't send personnel to handle the drop-off directly, and any tech sent backwards needed to conform to standard self-disposal protocols, so you couldn't have full A.I.s sent back either. Still, we'd gotten pretty good at targeting periods with low temporal-shot overlap and low projected ecological impact. Mainly during the pre-agriculture period, though some people were a bit more risky (read: cheap), and chose to minimize power costs by aiming for more recent periods.\n\n​\n\nThis was, apparently, what Ardur believed he'd uncovered. As he approached my desk, he waved his port-a-screen, causing the file he'd loaded up to transfer over to my work station. It got run through the typical virus scrubbers, and then opened up, displaying a restored vid-clip from some old program.\n\n​\n\nIt didn't take long for me to spot what Ardur believed himself to have 'discovered'. To be fair, it did resemble quite a few of the older radio-expansion projects which had led to the original dinosaurs. Still, the anachronistic contrast made me suspicious, and I quickly pulled up and downloaded a specialized processor app and ran the vid-clip through it. It only took a handful of moments for it to process the old flat 2-D file, and the results were precisely what I suspected.\n\n​\n\n\"That clip has a Script Score of 99.2. It's a fiction production.\"\n\n​\n\nHis manic grin slipped into more of a grimace. \"Wha- But, but what about those whatchamacallims? Nat-Docs?\"\n\n​\n\n\"A nature documental would have a score in the 70's or 80's, depending on the technique. If it had a score in the 90's, then it would be too scripted to be considered real.\"\n\n​\n\nHis smile slipped further. \"But... but it looks like...\"\n\n​\n\nI shook my head. \"I know what it looks like, but this isn't proof. This... *gojira*... is not a product of radiological experimentation. It is just a bit of old fiction. Now, go back to plotting the vectors for the next launch. We don't want the blood-extraction bugs to get released anywhere near a swamp, or they might manage to proliferate.\"",
"God, I hate my job.\n\nYou may THINK, that you hate your job, but you don’t. Oh, you have to stay till 1:04 AM sweeping floors? I have to travel to 104 AD to convince people that the stretchy-neck-tree-beasts marketing was planning on selling as lawn-management creatures were always there.\n\nGeneticorp-- giving birth to the future! Kinda a creepy slogan when you think about it, so I try not too. Some tinpot dictator wants to unleash a horde of terrifying walking lizards on his peaceful neighbors? Reasonable rates. We do cleanup too. The horrified neighbors want to be able to go to the bathroom without being eaten by heat-sensing murder machines? Sorta-reasonable rates. We’re running a business after all.\n\nAnd what happens after we scoop up all those monsters, where do we put them? Well, discretion is the better part of valor, and we at Geneticorp are very discreet. We realized a while ago that people tend to get kinda mad if they know your unleashing genetic abominations upon the earth, so after all contracting parties sign a thoroughly worded NDA, we pick up the monsters and dump em in the past.\n\nThen, when the surviving populace wakes up, looks around, and thinks “wasn’t two thirds of my family eaten yesterday? “ They remember, “oh yeah, monster lizards have been extinct for millions of years. They must’ve died in a hurricane or whatever.” Then they go watch State TV, which further convinces them that their family remembered did indeed die in a hurricane, or were killed by the perfidious Americans, or whatever. It’s both terrifying and confusing if you think about it too much, so I try to avoid that as well.\n\nNow you may be wondering, who actually has to round up these monsters, shove them through a time portal, and plant evidence that they had always been there? Well that’d be me.\n\nWhenever we get a cleanup call, the companies Department of Plausible Deniability comes up with the story they want me too spin, the time and place they want me to do it in. Then, I go out into the field, round up the creatures I can, kill the ones I can’t, and hope people will regard their carcasses as relics of a long forgotten past. Then, it’s to the portal. I herd the creatures through, and spend some time disguised as one of the locals so that when they say “Help, the terrifying lion-person-spikey thing is coming!”, I say “Oh you mean the manticores? They’ve been around for a while.”\n\nIt’s not the best job, but it has its moments. Just last week, I picked up a 300 feet tall hyper-intelligent squid monster and dumped it in the early 21st century. That’ll be fun to read about in the news.\n\n​\n\n(r/StannisTheAmish)\n\n​",
"“Oh. Oh, shoot.” I stood in front of an unbreakable glass tank, and inside it was a griffin. “This is the next one?” \n\n“No. The next *ones* are here,” Director Phillips corrected. He pointed to at least five more of them in the back corner of the tank, each about five feet off the ground and hovering in midair. “Just take them into the past. We can’t have them here. Spies from other companies have threatened us. We were almost shut down because of the dinosaurs we made a few years back, 2239, I think. But come on, Carters. You got rid of them, you got rid of a dozen other things we made, you got rid of the—the meg.”Phillips shuddered. “Now, you can do this.” \n\n“Okay. I guess. Give me the keys to the *Excalibur*, and I’ll take them. Could you teleport them into the storage unit?” I handed him a dull, green sphere, and an instant later, Phillips had transferred them all into the sphere, which was now glowing with a bright green. He gave me a golden key, labeled in small letters “Excalibur.” \n\nI clutched the sphere tightly as I walked into the *Excalibur, nothing more than a small capsule tube. I set the buttons, turned the knobs, and I was nearly a few centuries in the past. \n\n“Whoa!” I pushed open the door of the capsule cautiously, looking around. A forest. Good. I was back in time, and where the lab stood in the year 2241, in the year 1543 there was only a forest. \n\nPocketing the sphere, I walked out of the capsule, enabling the invisibility mode. I heard a rustle of leaves to the right of me. Suddenly alert, I had my hand on my vaporization gun. And out of the green bush came a child. No, I couldn’t hurt a child. No.\n\n“Hi there, sir!” he spoke with an English accent. How are you today?” \n\n“I’m good. Now, I have things to do. Could you maybe head back to your city—or, ah, village?” \n\n“But I can do things! I can do magic!” He smiled. “Look! Watch!”\n\n“No, I’m afraid I can’t. I have to go.” I turned around, when suddenly all the trees blended towards me. The sky turned a bright yellow. And as soon as it started, it ended. Things were back to normal. I swallowed. “You—you can do magic?” \n\n“Yes!” The child grinned. \n\nMy mind raced to the present. Hogwarts, Ilvermorny, Durmstrang... could this kid be one of them? Sure, those schools were long gone now because of the Wizardjng Enactment of 2156, but I’d heard enough legends to know it was all real as could be. It was all in the history books. There had been a mass—a mass extermination of all witches and wizards. But if I could help them...\n\nI smiled at him. “You’re a wizard, aren’t you?” \n\n“Yes, sir! I wanted to go to one of the schools I heard of. I’m on my way there now.” \n\n“Then you should have something. Here.” I handed him the glowing sphere. His eyes widened. “If you can open this, the things that come out will be yours. Train them, breed them. One day in the future, your children will need it. There’s going to be a big battle. Good luck.” And I left. \n\n\n\n\nThat escalated quickly. I never meant for this to become a Harry Potter story or anything, but I’m not sure what happened....\n",
"Evlink. The leading company in the field of science, it had taken the world by storm a few decades ago with the serial discoveries of complex biomechanical applications, advancements in the field of quantum mechanics allowing the synthesis of antimatter, and enormous upheavals in the field of biochemistry. It monetised these achievements and soon spanned the globe.\n\nThe lower brass at Evlink aren't aware of the true face of the company, their job is just to act as a medium between the higher authorities of the company and the public. \n\nOn the surface, the company was just a group of top tier genius scientists working together to delve into the depths of science. Evlink was a science based agglomerate, but it's objective wasn't merely making discoveries and monetising them, it aimed to create the perfect lifeform. So perfect, that the universe would be within its grasp and the very heavens would not be able to tolerate it's perfection.\n\nThe applications of this 'lifeform'? Only the crater of Evlink, himself would know.\n\nThe biologists, using a perfect fusion of biomechanical and molecular sciences, would create masses of the new lifeforms. Then they would send these lifeforms to primordial times through jumpers or time-travellers. The lifeforms would evolve over millions of years and would later be collected again by jumpers in more recent times at around 1000AD, by means of a gene sequence embedded in the core of the lifeforms DNA. The organisms would then be terminated from the time period. After all, how could a mere person compare to the tempering of the species by time.\n\nI was such a jumper. Griffins, flying pigs, leviathans, hydras, Neman lion, draconians, kirins, phoenixes, you name it, chances are either I or my colleagues dropped it's predecessor off in a time period millions of years ago.\n\nRecently I dropped off something similar to a monkey with a fish tail, came back to year 2241 to find out that there were legends about mermaids and Atlantis.\n\nA few months ago I dropped off a winged donkey in the Jurrasic period, and such was the origin of the Pegasus. \n\nA colleague dropped off a horned sheep, when he came back, legends of the unicorn were not present. Still don't understand how that happened...\n\n I look forward to my next assignment."
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[WP] "'You die as a hero, or live long enough to become a villain.' That's how the saying goes." Says the villain. "Heh. I really should have died back then against the villain, but look where I am now, hero." | 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",
"We always underestimate the complexities that life can bring, the dices just keep rolling behind the curtains, and we, the ignorant bunch, arrogant as we are, think that we know the game we're playing, that somehow we managed to figure it all out and that we have it all just locked tight.\n\n\nThe house always wins, of course, but we're too focused on winning to realize that. It's always a setback, we try to tell ourselves. Just one more obstacle we have to overcome, we tell ourselves. Might makes right, we tell ourselves. Then the world bites us in the ass, and we try to be smart.\n\n\nCooking the meat, so maybe we won't get sick. Maybe learning how to talk to eachother will solve everything. Hey, maybe this all isn't just about us, maybe if we just hope real hard that everything will get better, the big man in the sky who has all the lightning will solve everything.\n\n\nReligion got more sophisticated, then it wasn't really enough so we got Society, and boy oh boy, did we insist on that one. All just a reflex of \"let's just work together and it'll all be fine\". It never got fine.\n\n\nEveryone cheered and cheered as we landed on the moon, as if landing on a piece of barren rock even means something. But it's progress, they said. But progressed is never defined, there is never a true goal, never anything real and concrete, and it just seems as if everyone is doing whatever.\n\n\nWe have our moments, sure. Everyone got together and decided nukes were a really bad idea, and decided that, just maybe, we should get rid of all of them. Even the U S of A went on board with that idea. That was nice.\n\n\nBut then everyone suddenly changed their minds when we found out there was a massive 20km asteroid on an one-on-one meeting with the Pacific Ocean, and suddenly nukes were again a really great idea.\n\n\n\nOf course, the Pentagon had a say in it, and, what do you know, Antimatter is now a thing.\n\n\nNot that they were planning on applying it to any civilian use anytime soon, but they had that pretty figured out. Actually, they had solved fusion decades later but figured they could just use what they've learned on the next best thing and keep it all under wraps. It was actually pretty impressive.\n\n\n\nSo, that fucked with the U.N. No one had what it took to keep the balance of power and the situation escalated pretty badly. Guerilla wars everywhere. The U.S strong armed even the biggest nations, because, well, they had the **off** button for humanity and nobody else did.\n\n\n\nWe were full circle to Might Makes Right, and it all seemed like it wasn't going to change anytime soon.\n\n\n\nBut we are a resourceful bunch, aren't we? And we evolved, as the dominat species, evolved something that was almost as good as frigging Antimatter. We got superpowers.\n\n\n\nSome of us did, at least. But there were enough of them that we got some pushback. Guerilla wars aren't sustainable when conventional weapons fight against dudes that just can't be killed with them, and just so happen to be able to fling tanks like they're toys. \n\n\n\nPlus, there were domestic disturbances to worry about. Superpowered bad guys wrecking all sorts of havoc, and ordinary law enforcement simply wasn't well equiped to deal with it.\n\n\n\nJust when it seemed as if the whole world was going to shit again and we might've pushed our luck too thin, every nation in the world had their fair share of trouble in the homefront and just couldn't afford to keep bickering about economics.\n\n\n\nIt just so happened that diplomacy became necessary again. Sometimes a supervillain appeared (yeah, that became a thing), that the local heroes just weren't equiped to deal with. \n\n\n\nDiplomacy suddenly became necessary again. It was almost too much of a coincidence, but it seemed that, nine times out of ten, there was always a superhero that was a perfect counter to whatever supervillain appeared. \n\n\nNot always they were from the same place, and therefore, international cooperation became a big thing again. Suddenly, again, we were hopeful that we were turning the tables against the awfulness of it all.\n\n\n\nDeals were struck, pictures were taken, and it's another one for the history books, boys and girls. Scholars were even saying that this meant we were on the fast track to a real one-world government. They even paid homage to Star Trek and got their new worldwide currency named Credits.\n\n\n\nOnly a few \"paranoids\" reminded everyone that the same was said of the U.N and look at what happened to it.\n\n-------------------------------------------------------------\n\nSo, that was a somewhat concise summary of what happened in the last one hundred years, have you followed so far? I do tend to ramble on a bit, on my speeches. But i do so hope that you have listened thus far, because knowing history - our history - as a species, is truly essential for you to understand what i have done, and what i am about to do.\n\n\n\nThe caped hero looked at the hundreds of bound supers, both good and bad. They were all restrained, various gadgets that so painstakingly were crafted.\n\n\n\nThey couldn't answer, because they were all gagged - just a precaution, so that no motivational words could be uttered that would awaken new powers on the other heroes. That sometimes happened, in true comic book fashion. Of course, telepathic blocking was applied as well. They could all listen, but they shouldn't be able to communicate (hopefully).\n\n\n\nHis absolutely black outfit gave him a somber tone, and he continued to address the gathered supers, both heroes and villains.\n\n\n\nI know what you are all thinking, that i have gone rogue, and that i intent in destroying the world, but in fact, it is to the contrary. I intent on **saving** the world.\n\n\n\nAll the simulations i ran, every research i made, and believe me when i tell you, i have studied all there is to study. The only reason i was even able to go through with my plan, is because i have managed, through artificial intelligence, to advance scientific research over one thousand years over the last decade.\n\n\nHe sighed.\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nIt all started with me and Superman trying to come up with a way of defeating Brainiac permanently. His consciousness, his body of knowledge seemed absolutely impossible to contain.\n\n\nEverytime his physical body was defeated, he managed to somehow come back.\n\n\nWe eventually discovered where Brainiac kept his memory banks. I drafted a plan, and me, Superman and Flash were trying to come up with the plan that would destroy all of them, simultaneously, so that the threat was finally eliminated, so that he wouldn't be able to come back again.\n\n\n\nWe had a theoretical plan, but that would require that The Flash could somehow withstand the unbelievable pain of splitting himself multiple times through the Speed Force.\n\n\n\nWe knew that if he could, then we could hit all of Brainiac's memory banks at once, and end his rain once and for all. \n\n\nIf only the flash could split himself through the speed force, split himself not one, not twice, but hundreds of times, then we could do it. It all hinged on that one factor. \n\n\nIt consumed me. I don't know why, but the answer to that question, how to defeat Brainiac consumed me, and so i turned dark and started a downward spiral in morality to achieve that goal.\n\n\nSuperman's resilience hinged on his unique Kryptonian physiology, but Flash's connection to the Speed Force remained a mystery. \n\n\nCracking the Kryptonian Genetic code wasn't much of a challenge, so soon i had a vessel. All that was left, was getting the Flash's mind, copying it, and then uploading it into the vessel.\n\n\nI had created an abomination, but now, Brainiac would be defeated. I made sure to cover my tracks, no one aware of my nefarious deeds. Obtaining a sample of Superman's genetic code was easy, as he did shave quite often, but kidnaping the Flash and making sure that he didn't even notice that it had happened was hard.\n\n\nBut i pulled through. Of course, there was still the question of control, but once you have a human mind in a computer, you can reprogram it, work through it, make it behave as you like.\n\n\nSo i did, and i set forth my aberration like a missile, ready to hit Brainiac. As i did, i received a transmission. From Brainiac himself.\n\n\nHe told me, simply, this:\n\n\n\"All the knowledge in the world couldn't save me, and as such, i couldn't save everyone. In the end, we all lose. How do we avoid the end of the universe, Batman? Which will end all, and that cannot be avoided? After all you've learned, you still cannot avoid it. I will admit that you've bested me, and as such, i entrust you with all that i've learned. In order to defeat me, you developed what you need. For all that i knew and learned, i could not avoid your cunning, and i never had the willpower. I always believed there maybe there was another solution, and so i kept on my quest for knowledge. Maybe you will keep on that course, and maybe you will find the solution.\"\n\n\nThe Dark Knight sighed again, heavily, the weight of the whole world, nay, the whole universe in his shoulders.\n\n\nWith Brainiac's technology he was able to split himself infinitely, explore all the wealth of Brainiac's knowledge, and then advance it a thousandfold. But the obstacle at the end, remained unsurmountable.\n\n\nHe then remembered what his old friend Commissary Gordon, long deceased ,had said all those years ago. He had a somber and dark expression.\n\n\n\"The Commissary said, all those years ago, that i was the hero that Gotham deserved, but not the hero it needed right now. Things have changed, and now, as much as it pains me to say, i am the hero the world **needs** right now.\"\n\n\n\"Everything will end eventually. And you either die as a hero or live long enough to become a villain. So maybe i'm the bad guy here.\"\n\n\n\"But at least, the world will have a fighting chance. I will give all of you more time, but this means that everything, will end.\"\n\n\nAnd then it all was black, again."
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[WP] Heaven really does have pearly gates. You've died, and now you're learning why Heaven needs a border wall. | 68 | [
"**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",
"After my band mates and I died, the first thing we noticed was how pearly the Pearly Gates were. Yeah, sure, they’re called the Pearly Gates—but *seriously,* they are *so freaking shiny.*\n\nThe second thing we noticed was the wall, which was not pearly at all. The massive brick structure was a dreary, stained gray—the kind of wall you’d find outside a prison.\n\nSaint Peter sat behind his thirty-foot-high podium, examining our records. Finally, he set the records down and removed his glasses. He announced the names of my band mates—our real names, not our stage names—and declared, “Tough break on the bus accident. I heard your next show was going to feature spinning fire and animal sacrifice, or whatever it is you heavy metal people do.”\n\n“Hey, man, we don’t hurt animals! We cuddle them!” said Rage. He was always the sentimental one.\n\nSaint Peter rolled his eyes, then changed topic. “Anyway, the quota for new arrivals hasn’t been met this month yet, so you’ve all been accepted into Heaven. Congratulations.” He brought down his gavel and said, “Next, please.”\n\n“Wait a minute, man,” said Skull Smasher, “that doesn’t make any sense.”\n\n“Yeah,” I said. “We don’t even believe in God. Skull Smasher and I are nihilists, Rage is a Buddhist, and Todd the Drummer has short-term memory loss and doesn’t remember what ‘belief’ means.”\n\n“Yeah,” said Todd the Drummer, “And, like… isn’t Heaven a Christians-only club? I don’t remember.”\n\nSaint Peter sighed loudly. “Yeah, well, that’s how it *used* to be, until people started jumping over the wall. The Angelic Committee is reviewing the budget for a bigger wall, but God knows if those idiots will ever agree on something. In the mean time, I’m the guy in charge of keeping our numbers up, and today’s your lucky day. Please, just go in.”\n\nSaint Peter waved us past the podium, and we followed hordes of people toward the Gates, which rose and disappeared into the clouds. Six hours later, as we neared the entrance, giant red lights flashed to the rhythm of a thunderous *beep-beep-beep.* An automated voice announced:\n\n*Attention: Gate is opening. Please step back.*\n\nAs the gate slowly peeled apart, we saw an even bigger crowd of people on the other side. A line of winged angels in riot gear held them back as they clamored to get past.\n\n*“Keep them inside!”* one of the angels commanded. *“Don’t let them escape! Ultra Holy Smash on three! One… Two… THREE!”*\n\nThe angels leaned backwards, then launched themselves head-first into the crowd. Bodies twirled about in the air like pins struck by a bowling ball.\n\nA man rushed past me, his shoulder colliding with mine. “I’m free!” he shouted. “I made it out!”\n\nJust then, an angel swooped down behind us, brandishing its trumpet. “Time to sing, children!” it announced with a wide grin. The angel used the trumpet to usher the crowd—including the formerly-escaped man—past the Gates, then closed them.\n\nInside was an enormous stadium shaped like an oval. Rows of seats descended towards a field, and in the center of the field was a stage. Music erupted from the stage’s speakers. Some people sang and clapped, but most covered their ears or pounded on the Pearly Gates in distress.\n\nThe voice of an angelic lead singer resounded throughout the stadium: “Thanks for coming out tonight and showing your support! If you’re just joining us, we are Manna From Heaven, and we are here to *rock* your heavenly socks off! That last number was called ‘Jesus Loves Me.’ Who wants to sing it again?”\n\nA near-unanimous, agonized groan escaped the crowd.\n\n“Well, alright!” the angel said. “Love the enthusiasm! Here we go!”\n\nA chord rang out from the speakers, followed by a drum beat and a high-pitched voice singing: “Jesus loves me, this I know…”\n\nA stout man with curly hair and a suspicious smile appeared in front of us. He unclasped his hands and gave a small wave. “How do you do? I’m Jedidiah. I couldn’t help but notice that you’re new to the area.”\n\n“Yeah,” I said. “Just got here. This is Rage, Skull Smasher, Todd the Drummer, and everyone calls me Face Decimator. We’re the band Societal Confusion.”\n\n“Ah, a band! What do you play?”\n\n“Death metal,” said Todd the Drummer. “Right? Yeah, pretty sure that’s right.”\n\nJedidiah winced and gasped. “Ohh… How *interesting*… It’s not often we see too many of your kind here.”\n\nSkull Smasher snorted. He nodded toward the stage. “These guys suck. When’s the next band?”\n\nJedidiah cocked his head. “Next band? There is no next band.”\n\n“A solo gig, huh? How many songs they have left? Three? Four?”\n\n“Oh, heavens, *no*,” Jedidiah replied. A jubilant smile crossed his face. “The songs never end. That’s the greatest part!”\n\nJedidiah pulled a banjo out of nowhere and started playing along with Manna From Heaven. His grin widened.\n\n“We’re so glad you’ve joined us.”",
"St. Peter sighs. \"Well, it's like this. Not everyone gets into Heaven. Some people go to Hell, as it may be. But they have to come *here* first to get sent *there*. And, of course, they see the pearly gates, the golden streets... Look, we aren't an escort service, okay? We're just traffic cops. We direct people where to go, but we dont get in the car and drive it to their destination for them, know what I'm saying? Well, the people walk off like they're going to Hell, but they just loop around the long way and try to jump the wall.\"\n\n\"Then what happens?\"\n\n\"Nothing. They made it to Heaven.\"\n\n\"Wait...\" I chuckle in disbelief. \"Sooo, they were *supposed* to be in Hell, but they jumped the wall and now they're in Heaven, no conditions?\"\n\n\"Yup.\"\n\n\"How does that even work?\"\n\n\"Well, God is merciful. And it's kinda common sense. Why would you just go to Hell because someone tells you to? I mean, you have a few people that do it, but if you're going to let someone dictate where you should be, you deserve to be there.\"\n\nI nod. \"So where am I going?\"\n\nSt. Peter looks, runs his fingers down the page, squints. \"Hell.\"\n\nI wink. \"Well, I'm going to go to Hell now,\" I tell him. \"I'm not going to walk the long way around and jump the wall or anything.\"\n\n\"No,\" he says, looking up. \"I meant 'Hell' as in 'Hell, I can't find your name in the book.'\"\n\n\n"
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[removed] | [WP] Nobody cares | 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 u/qaqasten, this submission has been removed.\n\nSpam\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9eea7u/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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1,
1
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"1536510683",
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[removed] | [WP] With everyone complaining about how one party would run a government, a massive experiment was conducted: each political party created their own government as well as a divided tract of land to manage. Your expertise involves studying every tract and deciding a median for an improved democracy. | 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 u/No-Toucha-My-Spaget, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**No explicitly sexual responses, hate speech, or other harmful content**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)\n\n- Politics: We are not currently allowing political prompts (see rule #7) as the aim of the sub is to encourage people to write and political prompts are leading to arguments instead of stories. \n\n *Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses ([rule 7](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses))*\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9eerhj/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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"1536514220",
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[WP] Due to a weird and unique genetic mutation you've developed powers to rival God. God doesn't like this. | 15 | [
"**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",
"\"Look Mac, I don't care anymore ok. Just because you were there for me the last decade doesn't make you my friend. I'm tired of all of this. You were there when my wife died. You were there when protective services took my kids. If you were really my friend you would have stopped supplying me. Now I've lost my job and this is all the credits I have left. If this new fancy synthetic drug you've been working on is as good as you hope - let me test it. If I die, I win. If I get high as fuck I win; and you can sit back and take your notes while transferring the only thing left in my life that's worth anything to you.\"\n\n\"It's not ready. I don't know what will happen to you. You might not care if you die but I don't know if your body can handle this. I don't know what this drug will do to you and I don't want to risk watching you suffer if you react badly.\"\n\n\"Have you not been listening to me this whole time? I AM SUFFERING! And you continued to hand me those pills, injections, drops, and crystals and every other drug in your Willy Wonka lab. Look, if you feel guilty taking my credits than don't. Just do me this one last favour for your most loyal customer. I've managed to not OD unlike a lot of your other customers. Hopefully today will be that day. I don't need your pity. It's too late for that and if you want me to relieve you of your guilt I'm telling you how.\"\n\n\"Ok Chase...you win. Uhm, if you die...is there like someone you want me to call or-\"\n\n\"Are you high? There's no one left! Let's do this already.\"\n\nDefeated, Mac motions Chase to a well lit room in his lab with what looks to be a psychiatric chair in the center. \"Sit. I hope you don't mind but for both of - sorry, for my safety I'm going to have to put you in restraints.\" \n\nChase takes a slow blink and half nods and reluctantly proceeds to sit in the chair. He lays his arms on the arm rests and takes a deep breath in and sighs. Mac returns seconds later wheeling two compressed cylinders and what looks to be some sort of modified oxygen mask. \n\n\"So what do you call this stuff anyway?\"\n\n\"I haven't named it yet. Who knows, maybe I'll name it after you. I just want you to know this drug isn't like anything you've ever done before. I hacked the recipe from Shinka Corp.\"\n\n\"You mean that military company that produces super soldiers? How are you not dead right now?\"\n\n\"I didn't do it alone. A competitor with like minded goals wanted in on their secrets just as much as I did. Anyways, I'm not interested in fighting wars. I'm interested in opening gateways of the mind. Technology is obselete if we can unlock the full potential of the human mind. This is a two part drug. This first drug is only meant to mutate your body to accept the real drug that'll get you high, hence the the second canister. This is some next level shit and the results are unpredicatable. This first drug was designed exclusively to be used on cloned super soldiers. I've had to modify the recipe so that my future customers won't mutate into monsters and rip my head off.\" Mac begins to tighten the restraints on Chases' ankles, wrists and forehead. He does a second check to ensure everything is secure and proceeds to untangle the mask and hose from the canister stand. \"This second drug is something I've been working on for 4 years. Only after I stole Shinkas research was I able to finish it. Before I put this on you, do you have any final words?\"\n\nChase nods an unenthusiastic no and receives the mask.\n\n\"Then let us begin. When I release the first drug and when I give you the sign I want you to take a deep breath to the count of five seconds. After the five seconds I will close the valve and I want you to immediately exhale it all out as quickly as possible and don't inhale again until I release the second drug. Once that drug is released you can breath it all back in again. Any questions?\"\n\n\"How many seconds do I breath in the second time?\"\n\n\"I haven't determined that yet. How adventurous are you feeling? You can still back out. I can't stim you back to life if this goes south because it'll react with the mutagen and could do you worse. It's up to you whether you live or die.\"\n\n\"No man. I'm - I'm good. Wait, if I die how are you going to get rid of my body?\"\n\n\"Well first I'm going to run some tests and then I'll get rid of your body haha. Don't worry about me. If you die in here you won't be the first.\"\n\n\"Uh...ok. Cool. I guess I'm ready to start then.\"\n\n\"Take a deep breath now and exhale and then hold.\" \n\nChase does as instructed. Mac begins to release the first drug while keeping an eye on the second hand of his wrist watch. Moments later he flashes Chase a thumbs up at which point he proceeds to take his breath of the mutagen. Immediately his body begins to feel numb and after his five seconds had passed he exhaled which proceeded with Mac closing the valve on the first canister and releasing the next and final drug. \n\n\"From here on out this is all you. You're a pioneer ya know.\"\n\nAfter waiting a few moments for the drugs to mix he takes what he hopes to be his final breath and the numbness begins to wash away with warmth and a dizzying array of sensations, smells, and emotions. \n\n\"Talk to me buddy. How do you feel? What's going on?\" He takes out a small flashlight and checks his pupils. Chase does not respond but instead begins to shake violently. \n\n\"Chase, are you with me?! Talk to me. Say anything!\"\n\nThe warmth wave of euphoria has subsided and is now replaced with burning internal pain which throws him into a coughing fit causing him to breath in more and more of the drug.\n\n\"Shit! Shit! Shit!\"\n\nIn a panic, Mac removes the mask, shuts off the valve and begins to check Chase's heart rate which is unpredictably fast. Bloody foam is now frothing out from Chases mouth. \"Not like this! Stay with me buddy.\" After exhausting all his options on how to save him he double checks the labels on the canisters and confirms he delivered the right drugs. He looks back at Chase who now is still and lifeless. He checks his pulse again. \"Fuck, I hope this was worth it. I'm sorry man.\"\n\n \n\nThe lab is quiet except for the faint bips and zims of Mac typing up notes on his holopad. In his highly secure and well hidden lab, he did not expect any interruptions but nevertheless it occurred when a voice from beyond spoke to him. \n\n\"You really are a genius. You did it. I've found all of life's secrets.\"\n\nStartled, Mac jumps from out of his chair and looks around his office. With Chase nowhere in sight he immediately runs over to his lab down the hall and sees Chase's body exactly how he saw it last. \"What is going on?\" he whispers to himself.\n\n\"It's me; Chase. I'm here. Where here is is hard to say without actually showing you but it is beyond your plane and your conscious capacity to fathom.\"\n\n\"Is this for real right now or have I snapped and gone crazy?\"\n\n\"Mac, you're not crazy. I can't precisely define it with the words in your world in a language you would understand but I think your drug has brought me to what would be considered the collective conciousness. I can experience my wife and kids here and their many past lives. I experience everything simultaneously. It's ok Mac, you're not going crazy. What *is* crazy is God exists. I can sense him and he's mad at me for what I'm about to do. \n\n\"Now I'm really convinced I've gone crazy. God exists? If he's mad at you why can't he stop you from doing what you're about to do?\"\n\n\"He gave us free will.\"\n\n\"And what is it that you're about to do exactly? What are you even capable of.\"\n\n\"Everything. And even god can't stop me.\"",
"When I reappear in the physical realm, it takes me a moment to realise I did so a few feet off the ground. Once I do realise I’m falling, my reflexes aren’t fast enough for me to do much else than flail desperately as I crash down into the floor. My head smashes into the hard stone and I moan as I try to get my bearings, already feeling the bruises forming where my very delicate skin had to catch my weight.\n\n“Incredibly graceful,” a booming voice fills the room. I slowly shuffle my way to standing up, swaying a little bit while I wait for my sudden headache to subdue. The ridiculously pompous voice surrounding me is not helping. “Come forth, my child.”\n\n“Oh, shut up,” I reply, rubbing my eyes to get them to straighten out. “I miss the days when you used your omnipotent teleportation skills with a bit more care.” The unimpressed silence around me speaks volumes, and I’m left alone in my huffing displeasure until my body feels ready to cooperate.\n\nWhen I eventually do end up making my way through the overly luxurious marble hallway I was so unceremoniously dropped into, the abstract form of an as-of-yet immaterial being slowly starts coming into view. Once I arrive at the point where I estimate I’m standing at its feet, I stop and look in the general direction of the big energy cloud-thing. “I have arrived, my non-gendered parent.”\n\nThe energy surrounding me shifts, pulling in on itself and turning the air electric as it compresses itself into the corporeal form I am most familiar with. I lock eyes with the man, dressed in white, that’s now standing in front of me. You’re smiling. I’m not. “Welcome, my child.” You say, voice transformed into what I assume you think people sound like. “I apologise for the treatment you received on your way here, it was not my intention to harm you in any way.”\n\n“Sure you didn’t,” I reply, brushing the static out of my hair with my fingers, “come on, let’s walk. What did you bring me over for this time?” You fall into step beside me, hands held behind your back, in something that can only be called a casual stroll.\n\n“By now, you must know. Your interference with the people of my worship continues to strain our relationship, and I have no other choice but to continue to try and convince you to give up these hedonistic ways of yours.” I roll my eyes and you sigh, “you must know it is not sustainable, in the long run. What is your goal with this behaviour?”\n\nI shake my head at you. How many times have we had this discussion, I wonder, and how many more times will we have to? “I keep telling you, if I had the choice, I would stop. Because I don’t. I didn’t. I don’t know why, you don’t know why - and I really think you should, I mean come on, what’s the point in being almighty if you- never mind.” I shake my head again, “There’s no point. We’d both be happier if you just let us leave each other alone.”\n\n“You know I can’t do that as long as you keep spreading words of my inexistence.”\n\n“I’m not, though. I’m just telling people of your non-interference. Big difference.”\n\n“But the same effect.” You look over at me. For a second I recognise the being that could, and did, wipe civilisations off the face of the Earth for thinking about it in a bad way. “You are using your position to spread the lie that I have abandoned my people.”\n\n“Again, I’m not. I am telling people the truth, that you have pissed off to do more fun things at the other side of the Universe, effectively leaving them alone and abandoned, and I just happen to be able to do it for an extended period of time.”\n\n“Only you would call eternity an ‘extended period of time’.”\n\n“Oh, really? Look who’s talking. I don’t know what you do at this God backpacking tour of yours, but I’m pretty sure that’s how you see the world.”\n\nYou look up to the ceiling of your halls in something akin to exasperation, “I have beaten back demons since the dawn of mankind, but in the end it is persistence that will end up doing me in.”\n\n“Well, you know, the hare and the tortoise and all of that.” I really should have expected the look of confusion you shoot me, but true to form you have managed to surprise me again. “Are you kidding me? The hare and the tortoise? The folk tale?” Your look doesn’t change. “Oh for the love of- ‘Slow and steady wins the race’? No wonder people are losing faith in you, you don’t even bother to check in enough to know the tales of your people? Immortality be fucked, you’re ruining your own power here.”\n\nYou at least have the decency to look ashamed about it. “I have had a lot of work to do lately-“\n\n“And you’re accusing me of blowing time out of proportion. When was the last time you were actually down there?”\n\n“Stop testing my patience.” Not seeing the point in pushing any further, I comply and stay silent. We walk quietly for some distance, in this weird air of shared respect and distrust we always end up in when we’re left alone with each other, no angels or demons to help ease the tension. \n\n“Why did you bring me here?” I eventually ask, “surely you didn’t just feel like going through this again? I don’t think we dislike one another as much as we think we do, but you wouldn’t take me here just to reiterate that we don’t like each other.”\n\nYou stay silent, but the energy pulsing from you changes. I wonder if you’re aware of doing that, or if it’s the deity equivalence of a microexpression.\n\n“You are right,” you say finally, “in that I have lost touch with my people.” I turn my eyes forward, down, waiting for you to continue. You seem deeply uncomfortable with the words coming out of your chosen mouth in a way I don’t know what to do with. “I don’t know what they are doing anymore. I haven’t paid attention and I haven’t intervened, for good or for worse, in enough time that I quite frankly understand people’s hesitation in my existence.\n\n“Something needs to be done, clearly. I am not, however, in a position where I am able to personally act. Believe it or not, but there is more to being a God than interfering with people, creatures and things I created.” Your eyes remain steadily looking forward, your mind possibly present in a different dimension altogether. “Which leaves me with a few options.\n\n“I have heard from some of my angels that you are not as much of a liability as I have made you out to be. If it would interest you, I am willing to suggest we cooperate.”\n\nYou stop walking, looking back to where I stopped moving a few steps before you. In your omnipotence you must have sensed my reaction before it happened, because you seem unfazed by my surprise. “Yes, I am aware of your friendship with some of them. I was advised to leave it be, and I have. It has lead to some interesting things.” \n\n“You want me to work with you?” You smile, the energy around you frizzling around the edges with pleasure. “You know, one day I will grow tired of you being able to tell when I give up.”\n\n“Quite possible.”\n\n“What do you want me to do?”\n\n“Come, let’s keep walking.” I don’t pretend at hesitating, joining your side again. Whatever this is, it’s probably bound to become more interesting than spending eternity trying to get your attention by talking shit about you to villagers when I run out of things to do."
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[removed] | [WP] We finally discover life on another planet far away from ours. However, the 'aliens' on this planet are humans. They are all the humans that have ever died on our planet. | 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 u/Birzal, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**No recent reposts, even if changing small details**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)\n\nAlso, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\n\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\n\n \n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9elng0/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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"1536573496",
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] |
[WP] One day, without reason, dinosaurs suddenly infest New York City. | 13 | [
"**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",
"\"M...Ma..Mario...I don't think we're in Brooklyn any more....\"\n\nA balding man in faced overalls leaned against the greased-over windows of the Flatbrush apartment. Peering skeptically through the murk, he could see the familiar piles of uncollected garbage on the curb three stories below. \"What are ya talkin about, Luigi?\" This was still Brooklyn, for better or worse. But his brother, muffled somewhat because he was cupping his face to the front door peephole, stammered again with greater urgency. \"Y..ya..you're gonna wanna see this...\"\n\nMario hardly had a choice. *THUD.* The flimsy apartment door buckled, and Luigi scrambled into the hallway. *THUD.* This time, the wooden frame began to splinter at the hinges. Mario, jolted to his feet, edged behind the kitchen count. *CRACK.* The door failed, rending in the middle and clattering onto the floor of the living room, the hinges skittering a few feet further along. Behind the rubble was an enormous *thing*. It had the build of a defensive lineman and was draped in the red trench coat of a low-grade Nazi fetishist, chrome spikes jutting from the shoulder pads. In between the massive coat labels sprouted the head of a miniature velociraptor, teeth bared. Mario wouldn't have much more time to take in the spectacle, as the thing was pointing a tommy gun right at him. \"Oh, *shit,*\" he blurted reflexively, throwing himself to the floor as the thing unloaded on the counter. The cheap sheet rock exploded into a white powder that filed the air, and chips of formica rained on Mario's back as he glued himself to the tiles. \n\nIn the hallway, Luigi curled himself into a ball, arms wrapped firmly around his own shins. He was a son of New York, but he had always been a precious little soft boy; he never relished the fight like a proper Brooklynite. He had never even pushed his way onto a subway. He prided himself in colfict-avoidance. This lizard-man kicking in his door and busting up the place, though, seemed like a bridge too far. He had to do *something.* He craned his neck into the bathroom across the hall, looking for a solution. The brothers were plumbers in a city where square footage was at a premium, so the tools of the trade were haphazardly crammed into a bin between the sink and the radiator. He scuttled over and assessed his options, settling on the hefty rubber mallet next to the plunger. Luigi clutched the mallet to his chest and steadied himself. \"Alright, Luigi, y-you better not goof this up...\"\n\nAfter what seemed like an eternity (how big was a clip these days?) the assault on the kitchen counter ceased. Mario lifted himself a couple inches off the floor to assess the situation through the new holes in his cabinets. The thing was surveying for signs of life, its reptilian head jerking around like a chicken's. The two locked eyes, and the thing clawed at the magazine of its gun, ready to reload and finish the job. It was at this moment that Luigi sprung out from around the corner, mallet in hand. \"This is for not knocking first, you lizard!\" he announced, with something close to confidence. The thing was a bit confused and unimpressed with this one-liner, but it wouldn't have much time to think about it, as the mallet collided with the side of its jaw. The thing staggered, then flopped forward onto the floor with a crash. Luigi stood over the beast's unconscious form, eyes wide and knuckles white like he was gripping onto the mallet for dear life. Mario rose to his feet from behind what was left of the interior decorating. \"Great job, bro!\" he said in a surprised tone, but his brother was too caught up in the wash of adrenaline to reply, his chest heaving as he stared a hole through the back of the creature's head.\n\nMario stooped down to examine the strange, home-invading creature. The tommy gun had clattered out of the thing's hands onto the floor, but had no been the only thing it was holding; a crumpled black postcard lie next to the gun, its edge wilting in a trickle of blood from the creature's broken fangs. Mario picked up the postcard and flipped it over. It was embossed with gold text and the portrait of a suited mobster-type with tasteless spiked haircut. Clearly this was meant to be a fancy calling card, but Mr. Velociraptor had not understood the importance of presentation and clenched it with the grip of the gun. The card read:\n\n*\"King Koopa sends his regards, Mario Brothers. Welcome to the new era!*\n\nHe flicked the card to the floor and Luigi's eyes darted to it, his breaths finally starting to slow. Mario rushed to the corded phone on the wall and dialed in a number by heart. Nervously tapping his foot through four rings, the other end of the line finally picked up. \"Hey, Peach, where are ya? I think we've got trouble...\"\n\n....\n\n*inspired by Dennis Hopper's magnum opus, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. RIP*"
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1,
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"1536608658",
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[WP] You are enjoying a typical Saturday afternoon at your home when there’s a knock at the door. It’s a peddler selling what he claims to be magical and enchanted items. Your first response would have been to laugh if it weren’t for the fact that the peddler was undoubtedly a merchant goblin. | 80 | [
"**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 doorbell rang again. Why did the doorbell keep ringing? Whoever the hell was at the door should just take the hint and go away. Ashley wasn't in the mood. A Saturday morning was also not a normal time to come banging on someone's door, so she just kept wishing that the person would leave. She was not a morning person. But the incessant ringing kept up. *RING* Silence... *RING* Silence... Ashley just kept thinking that the most recent bout of silence would be the last, but it wasn't. It *kept* ringing. Ashley finally decided, after being brought to her limit of annoyance, to just go check who was at the door. Ashley opened the door groggily, still wearing her pajamas.\n\n\"Finally! Hello. I was told a one Ashley Rensch would be here. Is that you?\" A high-pitched voice asked. \n\nAshley rubbed her eyes and again. But she still didn't know where it was coming from. 'I must be dreaming or something...' she thought. She was about to close her door and walk back inside when she heard the voice again.\n\n\"Excuse me? Down here. I have a package for you. Please do not walk away from me!\" it said, in a cute pleading tone rather than anger. \n\nAshley looked around again, blinking rapidly, and she saw the small human-like figure standing on her welcome mat. She opened her mouth but closed it quickly after. 'Wha...' she thought to herself, unable to even complete an entire word in her mind. The small figure was definitely humanoid, but it had green skin and large flat ears. The creature also had short brown hair and would have looked like a monster if not for its large cute eyes.\n\n\"Oh... hi...\" Ashley muttered, her lips curling into a smile. She half-thought she was still dreaming and just went along with whatever the cute little creature did.\n\n\"Wow, okay. You're Ashley Rensch right?\" the small green dwarf asked again. Ashley slowly nodded. \"Okay then. My name is Carm, and I'm here to deliver a package to you, I was told you'd already know what it was.\"\n\nAshley, briefly mesmerized by the creature's eyes, shook her head.\n\n\"I wasn't expecting a package...\" she mumbled to herself, \"Hey, what are you?\" she asked.\n\n\"I'm a messenger goblin,\" it started, losing its cute tone, \"Can I just deliver this package already? They said that you lived here, that you'd already know what this was about, I kind of just want to leave.\" Carm finished. Ashley raised her brows.\n\n\"A goblin? Like the mythical creature? You're way too cute to be a goblin.\" she responded. Ashley chuckled to herself and scratched her head.\n\n\"Wait.\" a look of realization washed over the goblin's face, \"You're an outsider, aren't you?\" he rubbed his head. \"No wonder Khelx didn't want this delivery.\" he finished in a softer tone. Ashley looked at the goblin with delirious confusion.\n\n\"I am *not* an outsider, I'm very 'telligent.\" she slurred.\n\n\"Whatever! Whatever, this isn't my problem, just take the package.\" Carm summoned a small box with a gold seal on it, seemingly out of mid-air, and handed it to Ashley.\n\n\"What even is this?\" Ashley took the box out of the goblin's small hands and stared at it. The goblin just rolled its large eyes.\n\n\"I don't know what it is. I'm just the messenger!\" he said, clearly getting annoyed with Ashley's lack of understanding. 'Fine, I'll just open it and ask him then!' she thought, her mind still in morning mode.\n\nAshley opened the box and inside was just one black pen. The pen looked like a *very* expensive fountain pen, it had a gold tip and on the side, it was engraved with the initials *A.R.* Ashley took the pen out of the box and stared at it. She was so focused on her weird present that she didn't notice the over-exaggerated response of the messenger goblin.\n\n\"Y-you...\" he started, stuttering out his words. \"Is that a real Omen Pen?\" he asked, disregarding the fact that Ashley probably had no idea. Ashley then looked at the small man and shrugged.\n\n\"I don't know, I'm not fully awake.\" she shook her head again, \"What's an Omen Pen... and while you explain that, could you also explain to me how goblins like, actually exist?\" she asked. Carm blinked rapidly in disbelief.\n\n\"No. No...\" he shifted his gaze from the pen right to Ashley. \"Only those related to an Oracle can get an Omen Pen.\" Carm stated the fact as if Ashley should have already known it. She just scrunched her face in more confusion.\n\n'Related to an Oracle? Then this was probably sent by mistake. None of my relatives are gonna be fuckin' oracles.' she thought back through all of her relatives. Both of her parents were middle-class and ultimately forgettable by most people they ever met. Her brother actually had the potential to be a superstar scientist in his life. 'But he wasted his fuckin' talent cooking meth. I'm still gonna smack the shit out of him when I find out where he is.' She didn't really know any of her cousins very well, but she still didn't think any of them could be anything with as prestigious a title as an Oracle. Ashley must have been lost in thought for a while because she was brought back by a still astonished goblin snapping at her.\n\n\"What's an Oracle?\" Ashley inquired, now wondering what that title even entailed.\n\n\"Uh—\" Carm began. He started to form a smirk on his face as goblins did when they saw an opportunity. \"I'll explain in a bit, can you come with me? I was definitely wrong, this *is* my problem.\" he said slyly. Ashley was about to respond with another question, but he grabbed her arm with surprising strength and dragged her out the door.\n\n \n\n---\n\n \n\nFor more 'epic' tales, visit my subreddit. The [Bookshelf of The Gods](https://www.reddit.com/r/BoTG/)",
"Riley squinted up at the sun. \"Bloody heat is making me catatonic.\"\n\nJaime laughed, producing a string of high pitched keening noises. The laugh seemed disproportionate to the situation, but that was Jaime for you. \"The sun's not making you catatonic, buddy. You've probably consumed five grams of grass today.\"\n\nRiley looked at his friend and let out a contended sigh. He put on his Ray-Bans and spread out more comfortably on the deck chair. \"You're right, you're right. Speaking of which - where is that roach?\"\n\n\"Just a regular Weekend Warrior eh,\" Jaime said, passing the ashtray over to his best friend.\n\nTheir day was ritualized down to the minute. Saturday afternoons were sacred. No wives. No kids. No work. No obligations. Just a shit-ton of weed and beer and two childhood friends, sharing life together and decompressing from their busy work weeks. Well, Riley's work week. Jaime was unemployed with a trust fund. He was waiting to unlock it at 40.\n\n\"Man. I'm going to travel for like, five years.\" Jaime lay back on his deck chair. \"I'm going to see the world.\"\n\n\"What about our Saturdays?\" Riley asked, humoring his friend.\n\n\"We'll still Skype. I'll fly back once a month.\"\n\n\"That defeats the point of trav-,\" the door bell rang. On a Saturday. The door bell never rang on a Saturday. The bell rang again.\n\n\"Don't get it man,\" Jaime rolled over on to his side and attempted to grab his half-finished, lukewarm Budweiser, \"Not worth it.\"\n\n\"Yeah... fuck it.\" Riley lay back down and sparked the roach, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. He exhaled slowly, savoring the feel of the smoke as it escaped out into the world.\n\nHe opened his eyes to the image of an intense toothy grin plastered on a stocky green face, set below bulging eyes that looked at him with the same intensity. Riley choked and launched into a coughing fit that doubled him over.\n\nJaime screamed. \"What the fuck. MAN.\"\n\nStill smiling intensely, the stranger bent over and picked up Riley's still-smoldering roach. He took a huge hit, burning the pot all the way down to the filter. \"Hello! Sirs. I am Rizzilodingo.\" He exhaled, covering Riley's deck chair in a dank, heavy haze.\"You can call me Rizz.\"\n\n\"Rizz. What the fuck man.\"\n\nRizz spoke quickly and frenetically, constantly looking over his shoulder. \"I'm sorry good sirs. I knew you were back here and I knew you were immobile. I could have gone over to the neighbors but you guys seem cooler.\" Riley and Jaime continued to listen, dumbfounded.\"But I didn't. I came here. I like you guys.\" Rizz sauntered over to the cooler on the deck table, he opened it and pulled out a Budweiser then popped the cap open with his teeth, madly grinning all the while. \"Look. I don't have much time - thanks for the beer, by the way - I've got this rubix cube. I'll unload it for nothing.\"\n\nRiley came to, piercing the surreal veil that had actually induced a catatonic response in him. \"Um... I've got like six of those. Kids are obsessed with them and keep fucking up the color stickers. I don't need another.\"\n\nRizz cackled and pulled out his rubix cube, except this didn't really look like your average cube. It was bigger, the colors were brighter and more complex, and there were strange symbols on each of the squares. Rizz tossed it over to Riley. \"Catch.\"\n\nRiley caught it on his stomach. It almost knocked the wind out of him, but he wasn't sure as he was not entirely in control of his faculties, so he didn't react to the force of the object beyond a brief, internal thought of 'what the fuck is happening right now.'\n\nAfter a moment Riley spoke, \"This is not a rubix cube.\" The cube felt course in his hands and was cold to the touch.\n\nRizz downed the rest of his pilfered Budweiser and let out a loud belch. \"Turn it. Wait. See the triangle symbol you have there. Top row, on the far right. You're looking straight at it, yes that one. Turn it once to the left.\"\n\nRiley shrugged. He turned the section once to the left and his entire world changed.\n\nEuphoria burst through his veins. His mind opened. His vision expanded. His consciousness enveloped the entire content, the world, the solar system. He knew all and was all. And then it vanished.\n\nRizz, short and fat and on his second Budweiser, stood before him again. Jaime still sat on his deck chair. The chirping of birds and the buzzing of bees and the rustle of leaves on trees. Reality came back into focus.\n\n\"Woah dude.\" Jaime stood up and sauntered over to the cooler. \"My turn next.\""
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[WP] A group of humans discover alien life but decide to lie to mission control about their discovery. | 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",
"I figured I'd write one for my own prompt.\n\n We’d been orbiting c-217 for the past month. We’d “celebrated” the fifteenth year in space about a week ago. We all knew that going on this mission would mean that more than likely we would never see home again. But we weren't prepared for that reality to set in as we detected life on the ground. This was the last planet we were going to be scanning. The last goddamn planet before we would get to go home and see our families. The mission would fail but we would still get to go home. But this development changed things. We had the answer to the biggest question of human history. Humans aren't alone in the cosmos. There is life out there. And we could meet it, we could see it. But most importantly we had a duty to go and make ourselves known to it. We are far enough from Earth that contact with the world back home would take far too long to be practical. But we could send periodic progress updates back, the day came to finally send the final update. So we did, short and sweet. \n\n“-9-10-2134-----The scans of c-217 have come back negative. we‘ll see you all at home-”\n",
"(Lacks proofing. Will return for an edit + sequel, if interested.)\n\nWe'd been joking for most of the afternoon that maybe we'd find some ancient alien artifact or spaceship lodged in some crater on the far side of the moon. Idle speculation, since it took Brooke and Therris something like three hours to get the buggy repaired. Three hours spent chucking rocks over the horizon and generally acting like children. Suarez won the high-jump contest, easily clearing the two-meter satellite receiver I'd planted once it became obvious how long we'd be sitting out here.\n\nEventually Therris gave a bulky-gloved thumbs-up, his litany of swears giving way to relieved sigh. \"That ought to do it. Teg, hop on in and give it a start.\" I nodded and climbed the ascent ladder back into the buggy, allowing the thirteen minutes required to properly remove my suit to wash over me without much thought, the routine having morphed into a religious exercise some months prior. The airlock was cramped but stretching \"naked\" in low-gravity always feels good, even if your arms curl against the ceiling. I moved into the cockpit and flipped a toggle here, double-tapped the screen there: and the dingy craft did return to humming life! \"Teg to all homeless moonmen: we are rekindled.\"\n\nWith the buggy resuscitated we resumed our exploratory venture. Houston kept us on a close temporal leash, making it a point to buzz into our ears every ten minutes or so with an update on remaining oxygen levels, hours to dawn, and the medically-accelerating demands from our bodies for sleep - as if *anybody* sleeps on the moon! They didn't get it, even when they claimed to understand; we could work without rest forever our here, with gravity dialed down to basically nothing and plenty of fresh tanks stored in the buggy's overwidened ass. Work wasn't really work out here, but perhaps we'd all grown a bit too comfortable in such an otherworldly environment, so none of us *really* felt bothered by NASA's incessant chirping. They just were.\n\nBut, aliens. It came on us like rain on a cloudless day through the laser-self-cleaning windscreen, it loomed up beyond the horizon: a monolith, a spire of artificiality unmistakable among the boulders surrounding, and glimmering in tempting invitation. The five of us locked our collective gaze upon the monolith, and the old illusion of the quick-close horizon made it seem as if the structure were presently extruding from the regolith. All the typical sounds and sensations of life aboard the buggy receded from my awareness, so enthralling was the sudden sight.\n\nBrooke, at her navigational console, was the first to regain a sense of propriety. As each of us whispered or cried out some variant of \"Oh Jesus\", it was Brooke that hastily thrust her open palm over the forward-mounted camera, a brief of mission safety protocols and a major breach of NASA policy. At first I didn't quite understand why she'd done it, but recalling the suite of first-hand accounts of Major Amanda Brooke thinking at speeds well beyond that of normal human faculties, I thought through her behavior rather than voice a hasty assumption: it hit me after another moment that all video footage would become public domain after 48 hours, and that maybe ancient alien structures on the moon might not be fit for raw public consumption.\n\n\"Good call,\" I whispered, only realizing that our VOX was still live. I brought up the voice-transmission controls and deactivated every outgoing signal. NASA would realize they'd been cut-off in about three seconds; we'd have to plan our response rapidly. \"I've killed vox.\" Under other circumstances, Therris may have whined about the chain-of-command - turning to face him now I was met only by a look of immediate agreement.\n\n\"Teg: terminate all broadcast feeds,\" he ordered, prompting me to pull up the screen indicating the seven external cams and thirteen internals, deactivating all of them. \"No further contact with Houston or Base-Four until I say otherwise. Brooke: kill the engines. Suarez: analysis.\"\n\nSuarez still hadn't torn her gaze from the enormous structure. \"Only if you swear to us that you had no idea this fucker was out here.\"\n\nCommander Hayden Therris allowed for enough time to pass for the three of us to turn to face him, all his hawkish features brought to an inscrutable pallor. \"I had no idea this fucker was out here. I'm as freaked out as the rest of you. Now: analysis.\"\n\nSuarez nodded, having caught the truth in Therris' words. \"It ain't rock, Hayden.\"\n\n\"Thanks. Anything else?\"\n\n\"It doesn't appear to be a natural formation.\"\n\n\"Thanks again.\" Therris closed his eyes. \"Suggestions?\"\n\nBrooke leaned back into her seat, folded her hands into her lap. \"We can't sit in radio-silence like this. We have to give Houston *something*.\"\n\n\"Let's tell 'em we got hit by a micro-meteor,\" I suggested impulsively. I caught them somewhere between a laugh and a bark, so I quickly unpacked the idea. \"All they've got is a few seconds of vid and the forward cam going dark first; and us sounding panicky before all the feeds went dark. Let's say a micro-meteor breached the view screen.\"\n\nSuarez and Brooke stared, incredulous. Therris nodded. \"That'll work, for now.\"\n\n\"They'll never buy that!\" Brooke laughed. \"Not everyone on Earth is that stupid.\"\n\n\"Nothing we say to Houston will stick for very long,\" Therris said. \"But it's a start.\"\n\nSuarez unbuckled herself from her seat, hopping past us towards the airlock. \"I say we stay comm-dead until we get a closer look. No reason to lie now when we don't even know what it is we're lying about.\"\n\n\"Where are you going, Suarez?\" Therris demanded; to which she turned back and pointed lazily at the foreign monolith dominating the horizon. \"I'm gonna go get you your analysis, sir, on foot unless you tell Amanda to drive us the rest of the way.\""
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[WP] Most Space Australia or Weird Human stories I've found include hyper-rational aliens, so -- Write a story about aliens figuring out/being confused by something about a human, but not in a way that makes them seem ridiculous. | 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",
"\"Hey... Hey, Giorn.\"\n\n\"What? I'm reading the latest news from the central empire.\"\n\n\"Trust me, this is something you wanna see. You can check the news again later.\"\n\n\"*sigh* Fine. What is i...wait...did that human just...\"\n\n\"Yep.\"\n\n\"But...why? That liquid containment vessel could have been repurposed!\"\n\n\"Your guess is as good as mine. Look around him. There are many of them doing the same thing. It can't possibly be comfortable, either.\"\n\n\"Is it some primitive show of dominance over others? Perhaps they are competing?\"\n\n\"Nope. After ever other one, they seem to hug and congratulate each other. Sometimes with great cries of joy.\"\n\n\"Alright. That behaviour might be beyond us, but what about that one!? Surely it can't be good for them to consume such large quantities of that golden liquid. Especially so quickly through that tubing.\"\n\n\"No, no, you're right. But they do it anyway. And when a female is able to complete the task, the celebration sparked is even greater than the males.\"\n\n\"So they express equality of the sexes?\"\n\n\"Not always. But this particular activity seems to bring them together.\"\n\n\"A mating ritual, perhaps?\"\n\n\"Again, not always. I've been watching events like this all over the planet for the past few rotations and sometimes mating doesn't even get alluded to. They just enjoy the task.\"\n\n\"What about them?\"\n\n\"Who?\"\n\n\"Those ones with the tiny white ball near that table.\"\n\n\"Oh yeah. What about them?\"\n\n\"What are they doing?\"\n\n\"I'm not entirely certain... One throws...the other consumes... Hmm, this activity seems to have some dominance ritual behaviours to it.\"\n\n\"That larger one seems to be garnering the most celebration. But he consumed more. Is the point system based on amount consumed?\"\n\n\"I have no idea. This requires far more study.\n\n---\n\nOk, I'll stop there XD Just a random attempt. Hope you liked it!"
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1,
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"1536632119",
"1536647115"
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[WP] The canadian just said go f yourself | 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",
"It all started when me and my girlfriend went up for a summer getaway in northern Minnesota. Being a bunch of Iowa bumpkins ourselves, we figured a few days on the Superior shore would do us well. We decided to get a nice little lake house near Lutsen, which had extremely scenic views. We were quite happy to just hang out there, as well as explore up and down the shore. One day we decided that we'd go up into Ontario. It wasn't very far, and neither of us had been in a foreign (if you can call Canada foreign) country. \n\n​\n\nAnyways, we headed down Highway 61 towards Grand Portage. We stopped at a small gas station to go to the restroom just before the crossing, and also exchanged some of our money. We then headed for the border. Being that neither of us had ever had to cross any sort of border, we didn't know what to expect. We pulled up.\n\n​\n\n\"Welcome to Canada. What are your reasons for coming here today?\"\n\n​\n\n\"We're going up to do some sightseeing.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Where are you from?\"\n\n​\n\n\"Le Mars Iowa\"\n\n​\n\nThe guard then looked at our passports.\n\n​\n\n\"Enjoy your visit folks. Please pull your car up over there and go inside please.\"\n\n​\n\nI then drove my car to the station and parked just outside of the door. \n\n​\n\n\"What do you think's wrong?\" My girlfriend said to me.\n\n​\n\n\"I don't know, could just be something everyone has to do.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Maybe? I really don't know. All I know is what they told me online.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Did they mention this?\"\n\n​\n\n\"No\"\n\n​\n\n\"Well maybe they are just checking something. You know, like how they check fireworks when you come in from Missouri, they stop one out of every 10 cars or something like that?\"\n\n​\n\n\"I don't know.\" She said to me in a kind of exasperated tone. \n\n​\n\nThe both of us then walked inside. It was a nice clean building and besides a couple of guards there wasn't anyone in there except one guy saying he forgot to declare his cheetoes. After 10 minutes of sitting there, both of us nervously staring at the floor wondering what could be wrong. We then heard one of the guys behind the desk call us over.\n\n​\n\n\"So what are you folks going to be doing today?\"\n\n​\n\n\"Well sir, we were just sight seeing. That's all. We're from Iowa and just visiting.\"\n\n​\n\nThe guard then looked at us both in the eye.\n\n​\n\n\"Well, that would be extremely tough to do without a signed passport.\" \n\n​\n\nHe then placed our passports on the table.\n\n​\n\n\"Sign here please.\" \n\n​\n\nMy girlfriend than signed her passport and I signed mine. I then put the pen in my pocket and got up.\n\n​\n\n\"And please hand my pen back sir.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Alright.\" \n\n​\n\nI nervously dug through my pocket. For some reason he seemed more intense and his glare scared me. I then placed it on the desk.\n\n​\n\n\"Thank you sir.... and you know what... Go fuck yourself. You think you can just come all in here and now follow the rules. I know you think we're just little old Canada and you can smoke some reefer and drink some Molson or spend a couple toonies on some bagged milk. Gosh you yanks make me sick. You're rude, your'e crude, and you tried to take my fucking pen. I'm sorry, even assholes from Texas don't do that. Enjoy your stay, and enjoy your lack of healthcare you dumbasses, hope you enjoy our fucking country. \"\n\n​\n\nI then stared at the guard with my mouth wide open.\n\n​\n\n\"Sorry sir.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Oh you're sorry? That's my line buddy. I am sorry though. I have to be nice all day. The secret about Canada is that we're just like everyone else. We're not as nice as everyone thinks. Hell i'm an asshole, but I have to be nice for all you guys visiting everyday. So I'm sorry. My counselor says I need to let it out in different ways besides anger. Anyways, sorry for that. Enjoy your trip. \"\n\n​\n\n\"Okay...\" Me and my girlfriend then walked out and started laughing.\n\n​\n\n\"Poor guy.\" Said my girlfiend.\n\n​\n\n\"I know. He just snapped. Well, do you think they'll have a better day when we come back?\"\n\n​\n\n\"I hope so.\" \n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​"
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[removed] | [WP] You are standing in Times Square when a breaking news flash pops up all over, on every screen visible. NASA and hundreds of other space agencies have finally, unequivocally figured out that we are all and truly alone in the universe. | 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 u/sweetestdeth, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)\n\n- Prompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9ez750/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[removed] | [WP] I only have 1 year left to live. You may wonder how I know this. It's quite simple. I've lived many many lives, too many to count, but everytime I died on my 20th birthday. The worst part is, I only regain my memories on my 19th birthday leaving me to live my last year knowing I will die. | 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",
"This time, however, something is different. This time I am the son of a very wealthy man, a billionaire real estate tycoon, and he has just passed away leaving me a very large sum of money. I intend to use my wealth to challenge my fate. I will create the most secure fortress with the best guards, I will have the worlds leading physicians monitoring every health marker known to man, and I will make it past my 20th birthday.\"\n\n​\n\nRyan was starring blankly at me. \"Yeah dude, I think your fathers death is kinda getting to you, or maybe it's this weed, but either way, maybe you should just take it easy for a bit and climb down from there.\"\n\n​\n\nI had climbed halfway up the ships mast, I hadn't even noticed myself do it. Something about the flood of memories hitting me all at once had made me go a bit mad. I was out on the Caspian Sea with my best friend, Ryan. We had rented a boat, neither of us were terribly experienced skippers, but we figured we would be fine, after all the whole \"Sea\" was less than 300 miles wide, we had plenty of ways to contact the outside world, and shit, it was my birthday, and my last remaining parent had just passed away to completely unforeseen heart attack.\n\n​\n\nI climbed down. Maybe I should have kept this all to myself. Even being my best friend, how was Ryan supposed to take this as anything other than insane babbling. Maybe it was insane babbling, no, no, that wasn't possible, I could remember it all plain as anything else I can remember. For instance, in my last life I was a girl, I was in college, in Memphis, I can picture the university, I can see that big blue 'U' over that big 'M' in the logo. Well, maybe I could have seen that at some point in this life and now I am having a psychotic break and that long forgotten memory is just now surfacing in this strange way I countered. It is possible.. But no, I remember more, I remember the hallways, my professors faces, my dorm, my boyfriend, Peter, I even remember what his, oh god, I pushed that memory out of my mind, this is crazy. I need proof. Alright, There was a fountain at the college, in a big circular plaza, the water looked a bit too blue to be real, I could picture it very clearly, now I just need to find my phone and do a google image search to see if it is as it is in my mind.\n\n​\n\n\"My phone, I need my phone\", I said as I reached the hull.\n\n​\n\n\"Um.. I think I saw it in the waterproof pouch, down by the thing.\", Ryan said with a question in his eyes.\n\n​\n\nFor a brief moment I was going to tell him why, but then I thought better. If I told him what I was doing it would force him to either have to believe me or force him to think that I had for some reason orchestrated this thing. Better to just keep this to myself from here on out.\n\n​\n\n\"Ah, no reason, you're right, this is all madness, I just need a bit of normalcy, bring me back down. Crazy hash they got out here dude.\"\n\n​\n\nI scurried off to find my phone. The water was remarkably still, almost suspiciously still. I found the pouch, retrieved my phone, and turned it on. We had a solar charger, but I was still conserving battery as much as I could, just to be safe. I opened a browser, and typed 'university of memphis fountain'. It took less than a second, there it was, shown from all different angles, at all times of day, just as I remembered it. I had once gotten so drunk that I took off my top and ran through it shouting 'Peter piper pumpkin eater!' over and over thinking it was hilarious, Peter however, did not think it was so hilarious, he grabbed me and forced my shirt back on my drenched body insisting that I was going to get arrested. I couldn't believe it. This was all real. This proved it, I was going to die one year from today. Unless I did something to stop it. That is what I was going to do, I had made up my mind. 'Fuck you universe, I'm giving this all I got this time'.\n\n​\n\n\"Yo, good choice. Looks like those life vests may be coming in useful. Looks like rough waters ahead, come check this out!\", I made my way back over to Ryan, the boat had been beginning to rock a bit more. he was pointing at something, some dark clouds. \"Those don't look so good to me man, they are coming at us fast and they are pretty crazy dark.\"\n\n​\n\nI'm not usually one to worry, but they did look pretty bad. \"Well, lets just pull down the sails, go down below and wait it out.\" I tossed Ryan a vest and put one on myself. I began unfastening the boom. It all happened in an instant, the rope snapped, I don't know why, maybe a bad knot, maybe it was fate fighting back. All I know is that it slapped me hard right in the face. I heard a crunch, like someone had dropped a bowling ball in a party-sized bowl of thick homemade potato chips. I barely remember anything else from being on the boat. I remember the storm being bad, but Ryan handled it. He had managed to pull me down below, finish taking the sails down, and call for help. I don't remember who helped us, but someone did. I also remembered being brought back to the states where I am now, completely paralyzed. Well, not completely, completely, my eyes do still move at least, which is actually how I am writing this.\n\n​\n\nIt is now the eve of my 20 birthday in fact the literal anniversary of my birth is just about 20 minutes away now. Ryan is here with me, as is my team of doctors. I did alright in the months following the accident, I recovered even to be considered stable. The thing is, of course, the last 45 days or so have not been so good, I have been steadily declining. They have been telling me for weeks that I could die any day. I have known all along that that I would not die any day, that I would die on a very specific day, my birthday. Everyone is watching me type this, painfully slowly, using my eyes to shuffle through the letters. If only someone had come up with this idea to build this thing sooner, maybe I could have done something to stop it, to stop fate. That is not what happened though. Maybe we can still stick it to fate now though, you guys could kill me, kill me early, kill me before fate can. Don't just stand there, staring at me, reading my words, help me! We don't have to be slaves to fate, we can ",
"Hi u/austinch20, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**No recent reposts, even if changing small details**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)\n\nAlso, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\n\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\n\n \n\nhttps://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9d38lx/wp_youre_cursed_not_only_to_have_a_bad_life_but/\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9f1z3x/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[WP] In a world where every surface is made of black and white squares, and every person is a chess piece, what's it like being a bishop? | 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",
"There they are.....the enemy army is just ahead of us.....only one side can survive and the enemy pawn is advancing toward me....I hold my ground and think \"Let him come, I'm ready\". He stops in front of me and we glare at each other in the space that separates us and we wait.....and wait.......and wait..................",
"Kings and Queens love as they please; \nRooks and Bishops have no hiccups \nwhen it comes to finding lovers.\n\nKnights, more tricky, but with wishing \ncareful planning, and some talking \nthey can find their hearts' desires.\n\nI am not a King or Queen; \nI am just a lesser piece. \nI'm not a Rook or Bishop, mate; \nI am White Pawn Number Eight.\n\nSoon I saw a sexy Pawn. \nShe was nearing, I was cheering; \nTrue love coming, Cupid humming!\n\nLove had found me. \"King me!\" \"Crown me!\" \nWhite to black, she gave her hand \nbut in ten seconds we had passed.\n\nCan't go back now, only mourn \nFor that black Pawn I adored. \nNow ahead there's only board.\n\nI am not a King or Queen; \nI am just a lesser piece. \nBut when I reach the end space soon, \nI will come right back for you.\n\n-----\n\nThanks for reading! [CC]/feedback always welcome. I have more poems, stories, and songs on [my personal subreddit.](/r/scottbeckman)"
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[WP] The Golden Sword washes up on the shores of the small village of Reed. A young fisherman tries to sell it to the blacksmith, but finds that he cannot release the hilt--and may not set it down until the Lord of the Dead Marsh is slain. | 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",
"It wasn't a day meant for fishing, not here in Reed's port, but Arland wasn't the type to be deterred by a storm. Bucket, bait, and rod in tow, the young fisherman emerged from his home and set off down the path to the docks. To his left, the village market and the several stores that populated it were closed. Had the wind not been so intent on whipping dirt about the area, the shopkeepers may have had a chance to tidy up. Sadly, Mother Nature wasn't in a good mood.\n\nTo Arland's right, the village's only tourist draw, the Grand Arch. It marked Reed's only entrance and exit, runes of an unknown language carved into its faces. Legend has it that the first leader of the village happened upon the arch in a panic, having been chased by a bandit party. For some reason, the bandits withdrew upon sighting it, having never returned. Because of this, the leader claimed it as his territory, and since built up what Reed became today. Many pilgrims stopped here in their travels, attempting to decipher the markings on the arch. To this day, none have been able to discern their meaning.\n\nAs he passed the Grand Arch and reached the shoreline, Arland noticed the dark clouds that covered the sky. He grinned, increasing the width of his stride in spite of the weather. He was determined to catch the crownfish today, at all costs. It was the only fish that continued to elude him, but research into the species revealed that they tended to hug the shores when a storm arose. Now was the perfect time to strike.\n\nArland reached the edge of the dock and lowered his rod and bait on the planks, leaning over the edge to fill the bucket with water before setting it down next to his feet. With rod in hand and bait on the hook, the fisherman swung with determination, hurling the hook into the water several meters away. In the distance, arcs of light sailed through the clouds, the rumble of thunder growing louder and closer. This, however, wouldn't deter the young man. If anything, it steeled his resolve and his resolute demeanor only strengthened.\n\nThe wind picked up, wildly tousling his hair as his grip tightened upon the rod. Rain began to pour down upon him, completely drenching his body within minutes. The lightning was closer now, its stalks of plasma striking the ocean from afar; the booming thunder deafening all other noise. Arland wouldn't be scared away. Instead, he began calling out in defiance, challenging the very notion of Mother Nature's fury. As if to respond in kind, the rod's line began to tug. *This is it,* he thought, his eyes narrowing. *The crownfish is finally mine.*\n\nGripping the rod tighter than ever, Arland braced himself by placing his foot on one of the wooden pillars that held the dock together and pulled with all his might against the rushing waves of the sea. He was met with nature's own voice, the storm now in full effect right above him. Torrential rain began to beat at him. Lightning strobed and painted the village in flashing lights. The roar of thunder drowned out everything, even Arland's own bellows as he fought against the certain crownfish that dared to engage him.\n\nWith a final burst of strength, Arland ripped the line from the waters, watching as a shiny object was freed from the undertow. Before he could make out what the object was, it struck him in the head, knocking him down onto the planks of the dock. Dazed and unable to grasp what just happened, his vision began to swim before being replaced with the void of unconsciousness.\n\nAnd in that void, Arland dreamed. He dreamed of a blackened land filled with rotting trees. He dreamed of wretched creatures that rose from the muck and swarmed him with relentless ferocity. He dreamed of a brightly glowing sword that he held in his hands, of how... right it felt to him. And there, upon its decaying throne, he dreamed of the lord of this land, frail and wasting away, yet still filled with an immeasurable power that outmatched that of the strongest knights in all the kingdoms. Its eyes were red and wispy, its exposed jawbone slacked open, its decompsing body unmoving and still as the land over which it held dominion. In this dream, the fisherman couldn't help but feel an infinite fear.\n\nHe awoke some time later, surrounded by the other residents of Reed. Some tended to the wound on his head while others started fiddling with his hand. Vision still hazy, he looked over and down his arm. Clutched in his hand was an object that he couldn't seem to let go of. Groaning, he fell unconscious once more. \n\nHe woke again after an indeterminate time, finding himself in a bed. In another room, murmurs filled the air. As Arland rose and sat upright, he heard the clanging of metal meeting the stone floor. In that instant, he was made aware of his grip on an object, the same object from before. Regaining his focus, he set his sight on what he held -- a bright, glowing, golden sword. Gasping, the fisherman attempted to throw the weapon from his hand, yet he didn't succeed. His grip was as tight as ever.\n\nEmerging from the other room, the current leader of the village, Sobros, and the resident priest, Father Olkarn, laid eyes on the young man, who met their stares. Sobros was the first to speak.\n\n\"Arland, are you all right? Your wound was quite terrible.\"\n\nArland nodded, too drained to speak. Father Olkarn stepped forward and knelt down at the fisherman's feet, mumbling a prayer in a language Arland didn't understand. As the priest performed his recitation, Sobros moved to Arland's other side, choosing to sit with him.\n\n\"We must speak to you about an urgent and dire matter,\" he continued. \"It concerns your newfound... treasure.\"\n\nThe village leader motioned to the sword held in Arland's subconsciously iron grip. The fisherman looked down at his hand.\n\n\"I can't seem to remove this sword from my possession,\" the young man replied, wearing a look of defeat. \"My muscles do not bend to my own will.\"\n\n\"There is cause for that, child,\" Father Olkarn interrupted, lifting himself from the ground. Within his hands were clutched the Pearls of Macharel, Saint of Errant Souls. The priest reached the doorway, turning back to motion to both Sobros and Arland.\n\n\"Rise and follow. It is time for you to know the truth.\"\n\n\\-----\n\n***Part 2 will follow as a reply.***"
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[WP] You’ve been on a hiking trip with a friend for a few days now, absorbing the scenic views of the isolated trails. When looking through your binoculars, you spot a humanoid silhouette. Assuming that it is just another hiker, you brush it off. The next day you spot it again, closer and...wrong. | 13 | [
"**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",
"Jesus that thing’s scary looking. I lowered my binoculars after taking my thousandth look at it. Whatever it was it must be trying to disguise itself as a hiker, what with the backpack and all. So close to human yet something about it...\n\n“Ah fuck Blake, it’s gaining on us.” \n\nHe shot a worried look over his shoulder. \n\n“You’ve said that a dozen times.”\n\n“And we’ve picked up the pace a dozen times. It’s been *strolling* whenever I look at it, so how’s it making up time?”\n\n“I’ve got no clue. It doesn’t matter anyway. It’s only a mile to the trail’s end so we can just get off there and call a taxi and get the fuck outta here.” \n\nWith that, Blake started down the trail again at clip I wasn’t sure I could match. His bright orange hunting hat bobbed conspicuously. I took off after him desperately trying not to panic. That thing behind us was monstrously human and way too fast. I swear it made eye contact with me *through the binoculars* a couple of times. Just thinking about it’s dead stare sent shivers down my spine and hurried my pace even further. \n\nA shrill melody carried down the trail and Blake stopped in his tracks in front of me. We both wheeled around to stare at the empty trail behind us. Whatever it was was out of sight now but not even close to out of mind. \n\n“Is it... whistling?” Blake stammered. \n\n“Fuck I think it is. What even is this thing? And where the fuck did it go?”\n\nWe both stood there frozen in fear searching the trail behind us for a sign of it. \n\nThe melody continued and it’s volume rose at an alarming rate. It sounded like it was coming from everywhere. \n\nBlake looked at me, and then sprinted away toward the trail’s end. Fucker’s trying to leave me, I thought, and sprinted after him. \n\nSomehow the whistling was getting even louder, to the point where it sounded like it was in front of me instead of behind. Blake was far ahead now but we had to be close to the exit. We had to be. \n\nThe whistling stopped abruptly, and that creepy fuck leapt out of the woods to hit Blake full force and carry him into the woods. As quickly as it came it was gone and so was Blake, without so much as a scream. The thought that I was now sprinting *towards* that thing vaguely registered but was drowned out by the pain in my chest and legs. \n\nI was so close. If I could just get out and get some help— \n\nIt came out of nowhere and hit me so hard I must’ve blacked out briefly. \n\nThe next thing I knew I was on my back staring up into a pair of cold, dead eyes. It had apparently had an axe this whole time, and somehow I was more outraged about missing that than the fact that I was about to die. It stood over me, and as I looked at it up close I finally recognized this horrible monster. \n\nIt smiled at me sickeningly, then leaned down and whispered with glee, \n\n“Shia surprise!”\n\nbefore bringing the axe down deep into the earth beneath me. "
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"1536725718",
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[WP] Your dog is the cutest dog on Earth. No hyperbole. | 12 | [
"**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",
"Bits of rust showered the dry, cracked ground when I shoved open the blackened door. Dark soulless windows flanked either side like sentries. Grim witnesses to the devastation humanity was capable of.\n\n Maybe we’d find something worth carrying. \n\nI closed my eyes as I entered in order to adjust to the shadowy interior. The familiar click of canine nails on the wood floor gave me courage. A methodical search turned up a well hidden can of tuna. The bounty was welcome and surprising. The gangs that had ruled before the final assault had spread across the city like locusts, leaving little in their wake. Just like locusts their gluttony was short lived.\n\nWe’d been greedy in our first forays for food. Exhausting ourselves carrying things we couldn’t use. Amazing how little it takes to survive. How valuable a few apples in a dry cellar could be. \n\nI reached down and ran my hand over my dog’s soft fur. Guileless brown eyes locked with mine. That cute, trusting face kept me going. \n\n I tucked the tin of tuna into the pack on Zelda’s back. \n\n It was just us. \n",
"Sophia had bright wet eyes and an even wetter nose. Her ears flopped into plumps of sandy fluff. And her stunted tail pumped like a piston when she was excited. \n\nI'd return from my dark reveries, every bit of light leeched from my soul, to find her perched expectantly on my lap, one small paw on the arm of my tattered recliner.\n\nSophia, my wisdom. My talisman against the darkness.\n\nWe'd visit nursing homes where she'd curl into the frail arms of bodies supported by wheelchairs. \n\n\"She's so cute,\" they'd say, as their thin fingers savored her thick fur.\n\nShe led me to rooms where bedridden patients didn't respond. She'd sit solemnly on the floor and glance back at me before I ushered her away.\n\nAt home, I'd place my hands on her back as I drifted off and felt the black gravity pull me back into those dark places. The last thing I'd see as my vision dimmed, contracted, was her small eyes gleaming at me like a beacon.\n\n"
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1,
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"1536753981",
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[WP] Your planetary settlement exists in eternal night, never receiving any sunlight. Instead, an array of space mirrors illuminate the colony. One day, the colony is suddenly plunged into darkness. | 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",
"It was quit in habitation unit 305, dark to. Nothing broke the silence, save for a small ventilation fan in the corner of the room humming away. The unit's lone inhabitant was in a deep and peaceful slumber like any other night on RT-509. \n\nSuddenly a faint ringing sound followed by a dim flashing broke the piece. Letting out an annoyed grunt, the lone inhabitant sat up to find the source of the disturbance to be his phone on the night stand, answering it in a less than enthusiastic tone.\n\n\n\"The hell is it\" he grumbled.\n\n\"JACK, jack you awake? we got a situation here\" the voice on the other side shouted franticly.\n\n\"Markus? what the hell is going on and why couldn't it wait till morning\" He replied, maintain his unenthusiastic tone. \n\n\"Check you clock\"\n\nDoing as he was told, Jack looked over to see the time and was stunned to find it was nearly 8AM yet outside it was pitch black. Had it not been for the colonies street lamps, he wouldn't have been able to see more than three feet from the window.\n\n\"Meet me at the main array in ten minutes\" Markus continued \"Frank is already on his way.\"\n\n\"Got it\" he replied before the call ended.\n\nQuickly rising from his bed, jack threw on his standard technicians gear. Complete with iconic hard hat and orange safety vest. Stepping out the door into what should have been the hot (artificial) morning sun he was instead greeted by cold darkness. \"Fucking hell' he mumbled before locking the door to his small spherical home. With nothing else keeping him, he started the short trek up the hill to the main mirror array station, control center of the colonie's artificial light. As he walked along other colonists where beginning to stir, the reactions to the darkness ranging from perplexing curiosity to sheer terror. Understandable given the circumstances. \n\n\nAfter five minute walk he arrived at the building. A boxy looking complex with antennas and dishes of all shapes and sizes taking up every square foot of roof space. Complimented by five huge stand alone dishes set up on the ridge a few miles north of the main colony. The facility itself also doubled as the main coms station for planet. communicating with ships in orbit along with keeping the solar reflectors in order.\n\nEntering his place of work, Jack found everything as it should be. Monitors and electronic equipment laid throughout the corridors in a somewhat disorganized fashion. Hard to believe only three men where responsible for all of it. Normally a place like this would have upward of fifteen techs working round the clock but a redistribution of resources within the colony's charter company meant that they had been understaffed for some time. \n\nNothing caught is attention as out of place. No alarms, no flashing lights, all the equipment was giving the all clear signal. Walking into the main atrium he found his two colleges huddled over the central work station. On the right was Markus, a close friend and fifteen year veteran of the field. On the left was frank, the new guy, no more then twenty two years old and barley six months into this gig. \n\nBoth men heard his footsteps as he approached but frank was the only one that acknowledge his presence, looking over his shoulder with a worried expression on his face.\n\n\"Jack, great timing we don't know what the hell is going on and-\n\n\"Calm down Frank\" Markus interrupted \"We'll figure it out\".\n\nJoining his companions at the computer station they ran over the diagnostics together.\n\n\n-Local communications- Status: ONLINE\n\n-Local monitoring- Status: ONLINE\n\n-Orbital Communications- Status: ONLINE\n\n-Orbital Monitoring- Status: ONLINE\n\n-Orbital reflector Array- Status: ONLINE (WARNING Command transmission failed, reverting to protocol A3748: stand by mode engaged)\n\n\"So the automated commands where sent out at 4AM like normal. But something blocked them before the transmission could be completed\" Markus spoke up.\n\n\"It seems that way\" Jack confirmed \"And by the looks of it nothing on our end caused the issue, something in orbit broke the com link. Anyone know when the next Trans Cor ship will be here\"\n\n\"Last I checked we have upwards of a week before they check on us again\" Frank answered in the same worried tone as before.\n\n\"Well boys, either we sit in complete darkness for a week, or we somehow pull a miracle out of our asses and fix fifty busted orbiting pieces of tech from the ground with nothing more than more than some code and radio waves\"\n\n\n\"Do we even have a choice\" Markus asked in a sarcastic tone.\n \nThe three men continued to scan over the equipment four hours, running diagnostics and trying to pin down the source of the break. It was frank, sitting at the orbital monitoring station who broke the silence. \n\n\n\"Uh, guys you should see this\"\n\n\nJoining their young friend at the station, the technicians saw what he was referring to. A ship, in orbit near the reflectors. It barley even showed up on the scans but it was definitely there. \n\n\n\"What the hell is he doing there?\" Jack asked in a annoyed tone. \n\n \"I don't know but if the diagnostics are correct, I think we found the source of the disturbance\" Frank remarked.\n\n\nAnd indeed they where correct, scans showed that the ship was broadcasting a short range low frequency jamming signal.\n\n\"Can we stop it?\" \n\n\"It's not like they prepped farm colonies for electronic warfare you know, out side of a ping request there's not much we can do\" \n\n\" Not like we have any other options, send the ping. Let this guy know we see him\" Ordered Jack.\n\nThe broadcast was sent. Nothing more than an automated message requesting the orbiting ship to seas its actions and state identity. After a few minutes later the broadcast stopped. But before the three tech's could relax something appeared on screen.\n\n\n\"Well well, it seems as though I've been found haven't I?\" Appeared a red a string of red text, blocking out everything else on the screen. \n\nThe sudden communication sent a chill down the three tech's spine's. \n\n\nMarkus franticly typed out a reply hoping to get some answers\n\n\n\" Attention unknown vessel, you are currently interfering with operation being undertaken by Trans Cor charter colony RT-509. State your intent and please vacate the premises\"\n\n\nMore red text\n\n\n\"Don't waist your time with formality's Trans Cor scum, it wont save you. Anyways, I can't get rid of your colony subtlety so I guess I'll just have to go to plan B. Can't you have telling your bosses I was here.\"\n\nAlarms and warnings began to go off all over the complex. \n\n-WARNING WARNING- ORBITAL DEVIATIONS DETECTED, MANUAL OVERIDE RECOMMENDED.\n\nJumping to separate terminals the technician's desperately tried to find a fix \n\nWARNING WARNING, ORBIT DEVITAIONs CRITIAL, EMEDIATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN. \n\n\"I cant stop this, I CANT STOP THIS\" Markus shouted in fear.\n\nThe three techs, where now absolutely terrified. \n\n\n\"My god, he...he's nocked the reflectors out of orbit, HE\"S BRINING THEM DOWN ON TOP OF US\" Jack shouted in sheer terror.\n\n\nMarkus typed franticly, breaking his composure in an effort to reason with their unknown enemy in orbit. \n\n\n\"PLEASE, we'll do whatever you want!\"\n\n\n\"Hmm tempting but no. Sorry boys, nothing personal but it's just business. Trans Cor are sitting on the biggest cash cow this side of the cluster, and what do they use it for? farming. If they won't hand over the deed then... well you can see where this is going. \n\n\n\"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD THERE ARE THREEE THOUSAND INNOCINT PEOPLE PLANET SIDE\"\n\n\"And I'll make sure to send their family's something nice, good by gentlemen\".\n\n\nAnd that was it. No chance of reasoning, no hope of everting. The three technicians sat in their complex in complete disbelief.\nTen minutes later, the first of the reflectors struck the surface. Sending a cataclysmic shockwave in every direction, wiping out all life for miles around. \n\n \n\n \n "
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1,
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"1536770238",
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[WP] You are sitting on a hill enjoying your lunch. A dragon head lifts out of the grass and you realize you are sitting on it's back. "You going to finish that?" | 13 | [
"**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 mean, I was planning to, but I guess I don't have to. Do you want it?\" I hold out the last half of the sandwich.\n\nThe dragon nods aggressively, and almost shakes me from it's still-grassy back. \"Most certainly, I'm quite hungry, I've just woken up.\"\n\nI toss the sandwich into it's steely jaws, it's thousands of short, needle-like teeth catching the sandwich easily. \"Thanks.\"\n\nI nod, knowing that it's the ideal strategy to not irritate dragons, and often give into whatever they wish. \"So, what brought you here?\" I ask simply because, who knew that there was a dragon in town? As soon as word spreads, things will get very complicated, very quickly, as law-enforcement officers are deployed to be on look-out, vigilante knights will likely be lurking, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, tricksy treasure-hunters will be out to get whatever gold may be underneath the thing...\n\n\"Oh, I've always been here.\" The dragon rests it's head on it's body, looking at me as I drink some lemonade.\n\n\"Like, always always? Because usually always doesn't really mean always, just mostly always...\" I slowly stop talking as it stares at me with massive eyes the color of honey. \"Alright, you've always been here, makes sense, what with the grass and stuff.\"\n\nThe dragon begins to wiggle and stretch, and shakes me off, tumbling to the bottom of the hill as dirt and soil sheds off. I pick myself back up as quickly as I can. \"Wait, what are you doing?\"\n\n\"I'm not content to be some picnic hill. I shall fly off to elsewhere, a nice mountain cave perhaps, or an empty forest, the depths of the ocean or the eternities of the antarctic desert.\" The dragon spreads it's wings, huge, blocking out the sky, with feathers longer than I am.\n\n\"Um, good luck. I hope you find a place...\" I call out, as it flaps those wings, knocking me back down again, creating a roaring noise louder than any plane, as the creature took to the air.\n\nI picked myself up once again, and breathed a sigh of relief. Dragon gone, crisis averted."
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"1536780319",
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If you want to use another color, go for it. | [WP] After being 3 year in a coma due to an experiment gone wrong, you realize you now have the ability to move objects with your mind. The thing is, they must be purple. | 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",
"Telekinesis has always been a power I’ve desired. Ever since I was a child I always fantasised about it. An ordinary citizen by day, a crime fighting vigilante by night. Hell, I spent half my days in kindergarten drawing comics about it. The gravitronator is what I called myself. Looking back at that now. I realised that sounds more like some low budget sci-fi film written by grade four students than anything. The point is, I was always a big fan of telekinesis, So you must of thought that I was ecstatic when I realised I had that power after waking up from a coma but no. Apart from flipping a tray of eggplant onto the floor and scaring the shit out of some hospital workers, I was more confused than anything. Especially at the fact that I could only flip things that were purple.\n\nIt may not sound that bad until you realise that barely anything in the world is purple. Today was he day I was getting released from the hospital. Finally, I could eat some proper decent food that wasn’t broccoli ice cream. I strolled out of the hospital with my headphones in listening to some music when an ad break started playing. It was a newsman talking about lightning, planes, crashes. I don’t know. It’s hard to tell what someone is saying when thousands of people around you are screaming at the same time. I pulled out my earphones to see what the commotion was about and to my dismay, I saw a plane nose diving straight towards me. My heartbeat pounded through my chest as I thought for ideas. That’s right, telekinesis! Bingo I had the perfect idea, and then I remembered: purple. Damn it. If my calculations were correct I had approximately 30 seconds to find a speck of purple on a plain white aeroplane. “It’s ok ladies and gentlemen”, I’ve got this I muttered. I didn’t really know what I was doing but I would of appreciated if everyone could just shut up. I looked across the plane carefully, examining each and every detail looking for a speck of purple. \n\nI let out a grin of satisfaction as my eyes locked onto a purple wire inside the planes broken wing. I focused, lifting the plane with my mind. I could feel the stares of 100s of people as I kept the plane afloat. I needed to give the plane a small boost to stop it from crashing. With my hand I gestured a small flick and made the same movement with my mind. Shit. The screams around me tripled in volume and the plane went straight up. Within seconds it was gone into the clouds never to be seen again. I let out a nervous chuckle “That went further than expected”. On my first day out of the hospital I had launched a commercial airliner with 100s of people into space and convinced the entire town I’m a psychotic murderer. Some superhero I am.\n"
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"1536841879",
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[WP] You're a garbage man in Nevada, and every week you have to drive 50 miles into the desert to check a single can. There are no buildings or people within miles of the can. The can is always full. | 92 | [
"**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 checked my side view and rear view mirror for the thousandth time, trying to ensure no one was following me. I was doubtful, given that the road behind and ahead went on and on. For many miles it did so until it came to a single point on the horizon, obscured by hazy vapors on both ends. I did a cocky sniff of my mustache and cleared my throat. It was a habit I had picked up from an old friend. \n\nDoubling my mirror work, just to be sure, I turned off the clean black asphalt and onto the rocky surface that ran parallel to the road. The was nary a cactus out here. Just... dirt. Dirt and the thing I had come all this way for. For about a ten minute drive, I saw nothing. I expected this, as it was never in the same place, but somehow I knew exactly where to turn into the desert to find it. Somehow.\n\nI hesitate to say it called to me. I mean, it was a thing, not a person and... it couldn't call out to me, right? Things have no power. They are just that, *things.* Just inert, dead, and lifeless. Right? \n\nI cleared my throat to steel myself, because at the same instant I saw a glint in the distance to my right out of the passenger window. I got butterflies. No. Not butterflies. This wasn't that feeling you got when you saw a pretty girl. This was more like seeing something that shakes the foundations of your common sense. This sinking, guts upturned, stammering wh-what-the-fuck-am-I-looking-at type sensation. The one where you pee a little involuntarily and for an instant you know there's a God because you're just a mite in the Cosmos and-\n\nThe glint disappeared.\n\nOk, now I pooped a little. My nose turned up on itself and I kid, I had only passed gas, but that thing I was looking for couldn't have just gone. I- I-\n\nYou see, I had come out here once with the aforementioned friend. He had shown me the thing. Someone I had never met had shown it to him- and after showing me, I had never seen him again. The one who showed him had disappeared also. It makes no sense, but since then I had been obsessed with it. I drove out here because, well... you know, they say if you lose your child just stay at the place where you lost them because they'll come back and- tears ran down my face- I was sure I'd see my friend again if I kept coming back for it.\n\nWhere was this freaking thing?!\n\nI screeched to a halt, throwing up a cloud of brown debris that came into my open windows. The brown, mineral smell was familiar. I invited it into my senses. Every time I came out here, got out of my car, and found the damn thing, the scent of moistureless earth was *mine.* This drive was *mine.* The thing- it was mine too and I hated not being able to find it. To see it. Because besides my M.I.A homie, outside of this drive I was a garbage man and people were kind and all. But I smelled. I had this musk of refuse that clinged to my flesh after a shower and this friend didn't mind and the smell of desert dust was nice and *mine* and I'm not making sense but I smashed my hand down on the dashboard, sucking in sharp, shallow breaths. Tears trickled from my eyes and evaporated in front of them.\n\nThe hazy vapor was in my car now. From my bawling probably. But through it, their was a single shimmer, of something. Of, of- HA HA!\n\nI smashed my gas pedal into the floor and tore off after it. Gravel crunched and careened into my face as I did and what did I care? I could see it- HA HA!- right there, right there! My teeth were touching my ears my smile was so wide. I was gonna do 150 miles per hour out here in the middle of nowhere and I leaned back and laughed, eyes shut into crow's feet \"Whooooo hoooo!\" I bellowed, joyful. I was gonna grab that old soda can and hug it but-\n\nI didn't see the cliff edge.",
"The can was there, just like every week. My only can for Thursdays. Everyone before me had been too creeped out by the can, so they kept passing it to the new guy. I didn't mind, so they let me keep it. A quick drive, out and back, for a full day's pay, was worth it, as far as I was concerned. 23 years I've been doing the run. And every time, it's been there, full as can be.\n\nWhen I was younger, I was too curious. I wasted off time trying to solve the mystery. Days wasted exploring the surrounding desert. I spent a vacation week camped out by the can, then another at the start of the 10 mile road that dead ends at the can. I never saw anyone. It stays empty until the night before, then it fills up. It's never consistent for what fills it, but it's always odd. One week, it was packed with used bottle rockets. One time, it was an anatomically correct mannequin of Joaquin Phoenix buried in unused mustard packets. There have been a couple of times we turned things over to museums. I'm rich enough to retire off the time it was filled with gold coins, but not quite ready to yet.\n\nThe only problem I've had was one of the times it was full of Velociraptors. Not the huge, made up things from the movies. These were more like vicious, carnivorous turkeys. I laughed until they swarmed me. Fortunately, I'd brought along a new guy that time, to show him the weird. He started hitting them with the grabber we use to pull sticky stuff off the bottom of cans. They all scattered still running loose out there. Started carrying a gun after that. Worked nicely when the Zodiac Killer leapt out at me from the can once. Long story, that one. Got him alive. Still don't think that judge really believed me about everything, though. \n\nThis week is my last run, thanks to that gold. I've bought an island, have a nice little set up in the Mediterranean. Wife's been there the last couple weeks, making sure everything's ready. Maybe that's why, this week, it's nearly empty. Just like always, I hopped out and glanced to see what was inside. This time, it was a lone greeting card. Picture of a sleeping dog. Caption on the front, \"This job makes us all tired, but you've been here so long...\" Then inside, \"I guess you're REtired!\" Some one had hand-written, \"Sad to see you go. Have fun on your new adventure. - TC\"\n\nI closed up the can, patted the lid, tucked the card in my pocket, and took off in my truck, waving back at the can until it was out of sight. ",
"I had never wanted to be a garbageperson (or, as my wife called me the day she left me, a \"garbage person\"). The only thing I wanted was a little place to call my own, with a little picket fence, two chimneys, four dumbwaiters, and a basement absolutely teeming with weasels. \"But how are you going to pay for it?\" my wife would ask me, clonking me on the head with the bowling ball she carried with her nearly everywhere. That's why I got into the garbage business.\n\nIt was a garbage business. Oh, sure, the pay is good, and the benefits are great. You can even bring home some of the garbage, if you like. (Every time I'd bring home a half-used gallon jug of spoiled milk, my wife would get huffy and make me sleep on the couch, but how else was I supposed to attract a teeming mass of weasels to the cellar?) But the people in the garbage business — they were best avoided. One of them was named Mo. I never found out his last name, because on my second day he got fired for trying to build a thermonuclear missile out of thrown-out ladies' underwear. Another coworker, Trent, was clearly just the Unabomber in a wig. And then there was Kevin.\n\nKevin was a tattooed-up freak who liked freebasing carbolic acid and had once gone to prison for kissing Vice President Al Gore on the lips for a full thirty seconds on national TV. Kevin was on Garbage Team Delta, which is roughly the Las Vegas Waste Department's equivalent of the Navy SEALs. Kevin had some wild stories. About the bin at Prudence Financial that every Thursday was filled to the brim — but no further — with dog semen. About the dumpster off Eastview Boulevard that contained a slightly smaller dumpster, which itself contained a slightly smaller dumpster, and so on to infinity. \"You got garbage problems, you call Team Delta,\" he'd shout every day at the beginning of our shift, before crushing a raw egg on his head, rubbing it into his hair and screaming for ten minutes.\n\nAfter my wife left me because the weasels had eaten our son, Kevin took me under his wing. He was grooming me to join Team Delta. \"Only a man who has lost everything can be on Team Delta,\" he'd tell me. One day, he took me on a long drive out in the desert, to show me what he called Nevada's most supernatural garbage-related spot. It was to be a bonding experience. We shotgunned industrial-strength thick bleach on the way down and talked about our mothers — who had, coincidentally, both been professional lumberjacks before retiring and going into porn. Finally we arrived at the location — a single garbage can. We hadn't seen any signs of civilization in the last half hour.\n\n\"Thar she blows,\" said Kevin. \"Ol' Spicy. Every week, she's utterly filled with empty cans of hot sauce.\" We went over and looked in, and sure enough, there were the empty hot sauce cans.\n\n\"It's been this way since time immemorial,\" Kevin continued. \"Since before the white man came to Nevada, since before the age of Adam. A riddle to which there is no answer, a puzzle created only to confuse Man and show him his rightful place, not as the Master of the universe, but as merely another dumb beast, searching for meaning in the meaningless.\"\n\nSuddenly, the actor James Franco came out from behind a rock. \"Sup guys?\" he asked. \"I've been hiding out in this desert for the last twenty years, hanging out in the bushes and living on just hot sauce. I'm preparing for my next movie, *Ralph: The Guy Who Eats Only Hot Sauce And Lives In The Desert.\"*\n\n\"Oh,\" said Kevin, looking a bit embarrassed. \"I guess that explains it, then.\"\n\nKevin and I didn't really talk much after that.",
"Another week, another pickup. Every time I go out to this forsaken garbage can it somehow is overflowing with trash, despite the fact there’s nary a soul for miles around. At least they pay me for the drive time to get out there and back.\n\nOnce again, I show up to an abandoned garbage can, overflowing with trash. While the truck automatically lifts the can up and dumps its contents in, I have to pick up the excess while wearing thick rubber gloves.\n\nJust as I’m about to leave, a car approaches. Curious, I watch from behind my truck. The driver gets out of their car and throws a bag into the garbage can, then gets back in and drives off.\n\nHuh, I guess people actually do use this rest stop."
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[WP] You're a normal guy living in a fantasy world, a group of adventurers blast down your door screaming "quick there's no time! We must recruit this Sentinel to defeat an ancient evil". You reach the end of the adventure only to find out that you're the ancient evil. | 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",
"I can take these guys. Definitely. \n\n\"THROW THE ANCIENT JAVELIN!\" cries a short man with a wicked long-ass beard. \n\nThey're throwing javelins already?! I dodge the projectile with more lethargy then I was used. \n\n\"Okay, guys look, I'm not evil! I'm a good dude! You went to the wrong castle!\" I cry. \n\nA high-priestess in a dark maroon robe cries out in fear. A curly-haired, raggedy troll grunts. \n\n\"Warlock, it seems his agility is too quick for the ancient javelin!\" it snides. \n\nThe dude who instructed the giant fish-headed man to throw the javelin, nods gravely. \n\n\"LET'S ATTACK RIGHT AT IM!\" cries a red-headed, lizard warrior. \n\nSuddenly, it's charging at me with a giant sword. \n\n\"COME ON CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND ENGLISH?!\" I scream."
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1,
3
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"1536944058",
"1536945865"
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[removed] | [WP] A new fluorescent message flickered outside a store you'd passed many times before: | 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",
"It was just a regular store that I had passed many times before. There was nothing special about it. Maybe that's what made it so special. It's \\*un\\*-specialness. If that's even a word. Well, it is now. I just said it. Anyway...\n\nOne day there was a new flourescent message flickering outside. It said:\n\n#**YOU LOOK, YOU BUY!**\n\nI never passed by that store again. ",
"I was walking to my off-campus college dorm, when I noticed a fluorescent sign that glowed behind a glass window. The glass window belonged to a store that I had passed many times before, but this time, it was different. This time, the sign showed a message. It read: \n\n$1,750 - Your taste is no longer worse than a catfish\n\n$2,500 - Your smell is no longer worse than a bloodhound's\n\n$3,500 - Your sight is no longer worse than an eagles\n\n$5,000 - Your hearing is no longer worse than a moth's\n\n$7,500 - Your feel is no longer worse than an octopus\n\nI was amused by what the sign read. I wanted to enter the store and check it out, even though I probably could not afford any of the things. I was after all a mere college student at the time, and as a college student, I had my own hands full with laborious college coursework and a part-time unpaid job as a research assistant. So, I entered the store and looked around the room. Standing behind the front counter was a man about six feet tall, a bit taller than I was. \n\n\"Good evening,\" said the man with a polite smile. \"Anything I can help you with, miss?\"\n\nI gave a smile back and said, \"Just looking.\"\n\nThe room was clean and sterile, like a patient's waiting room. There were benches and a side table, and on the side table, there were a bunch of a magazines and children's coloring books. A free-standing bottled water cooler stood in a corner with a coffee machine nearby. \n\nI asked the man, \"Excuse me, sir. Do you know what is this place?\"\n\n\"This place is a Sensory Enhancement Clinic. Would you like a brochure?\"\n\n\"Yes, please.\" This place was a *clinic*. That explained the clean and sterile part. The man took a brochure from the rack on the front counter and handed it to me. \"Thank you.\" I looked through the brochure. It told me that this clinic was designed to enhance people's senses. People could taste better, smell better, see better, hear better, and feel better. But it was not for me. I just rolled the brochure up and said \"goodbye\" to the store clerk. "
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1,
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2
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"1536949998",
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[WP] You’re an astronaut aboard the ISS. During you’re time on there, another astronaut has murdered a crew member, but no one knows who did it. You’re tasked with preventing the other astronauts from getting to each other’s throats, and bring the accused home to justice. | 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",
"Day 181 aboard the ISS: one of the other astronauts was found stuffed into their suit earlier today I have been assigned the job of finding who did it and stopping them. \nDay 188: Another person has been found in their suit this time it was one Russians. They think that the Americans are sabotaging them. But I think that one of them is behind it.\nDay 194: one of the Canadians have died the Russians are doubling down on their theory that the Americans are trying to make sure they have the most advantages. Everyone is staying in their cabins. \nDay 223: the killings have been increased four have died since I last wrote. There are now only two other inhabitants.\nDay 224: the other two inhabitants have been killed...... none of them ever thought it might be me",
"I've been in the ISS for almost three and a half months. All the crew were getting along fine, since we've been trained to avoid personal conflicts. But today, one of the Russian cosmonauts was killed. Nobody knows who was the killer, and he was obviously murdered because you don't stab yourself in the back seven times by accident. We reported it to the stations on Earth. They ordered us to only keep the important systems functioning and to stay together as much time as possible, to increase the possibilities of finding the killer.\n\nFour days have passed since the first victim was found. Now we are only two. Four people were murdered. I didn't kill anyone, so she must be the killer. I didn't have anything to prove it, though, so I have to defend myself until the next mission came to take the bodies and us back to Earth. Funnily, in her desperation she still tried to convince me she didn't do it. I locked myself up and waited.\n\nNext day, I find her dead. Now I think she might have been right. But in that case, I'm trapped 400 km above the ground with something that has already killed five people. I'm totally scared, I think I may be crazy now. I hear the crew's voices calling me. Maybe I should check up on them."
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1,
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6
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"1536969747",
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[WP] Having saved her from the dragon, the knight returns the princess and, as was promised, has won the honor to ask her hand in marriage. The knight removes her helmet and accepts. To many people’s surprise, there’s about to be two queens. | 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",
"\"My lady, at least try to seem pleased. It is your wedding day\", Sarah said, fussing over her mistress. The Princess Anthelda stared blankly out her window. \"My lady?\"\n\n\"It's nothing,\" Anthelda said with a sigh. \"It's all nothing.\"\n\nSarah sighed. She knew that absolutely none of this had been Anthelda's idea. \"At least you know he's a good man,\" she went on, trying to be consoling.\n\n\"I know he's a knight.\" Bitterness dripped off Anthelda's words. \"I'm not stupid enough to believe that that honor alone makes him a good man. I have met all of my father's knights, as have you. Tell me that every single one of them is 'a good man'.\"\n\nSarah could not. \n\n\"I know he's brave enough to face down a dragon.\" Sneak past a dragon, if Anthelda were being truthful. There had been very little fighting when the knight had arrived at the dragon's cave. He'd crept in while the creature hunted, cut her bonds, and all but dragged her to safety. \"I know he's clever.\" He'd led Anthelda two days out of the way in order to lead the dragon on a false trail that would have it chasing shadows out of the little valley kingdom, instead of stalking them. \"I know he's popular\". King Halvor had immediately welcomed the knight into his inner circles, though he struggled with making him an advisor.\n\n\"You know he's kind. He treated you very well-\"\n\n\"I know nothing about him! Literally! He never said a bloody damned word!\"\n\nSarah recoiled from both the shout and the swearing. Anthelda buried her face in her hands. \"In a month he has neither shown his face nor spoken. Not to me, not to my father. Not to anyone but his squire. The only thing I know about him is the name Eric.\"\n\n\"And that he saved you.\" Sarah was determined to get some positive spin on this. \"He brought you back to us unharmed after...\"\n\nShe trailed off. Anthelda's disappearance from the castle a month prior was a forbidden topic of discussion. Halvor had threatened anyone who so much as breathed a word of speculation about why she had vanished with immediate banishment. \n\n\"After I ran away and got captured by a dragon.\" Anthelda dried her cheeks. \"After I left to try to find the only woman I have ever loved. After I followed my heart.\"\n\n\"Don't say that aloud, my lady!\" Sarah all but wailed, and returned to fussing with combs and clips and pins. \"You mustn't say those things where other ears might hear.\"\n\n\"I don't care\". There was no life in Anthelda's voice, and Sarah's heart broke to hear it. \"My father is getting exactly what he wants. He gets a noble knight to marry me off to and a son to inherit the throne. I get to 'fulfill my duties as a woman' and marry a complete stranger based on some ancient and ridiculous tradition. Nobody has to worry any more about my... deviation.\" Anthelda paused, seeing how anxious this was making Sarah. \"Don't worry. I - I won't fight it. I've lost.\"\n\n...\n\nA few hours later, the deed was done. Anthelda, with a lavish ceremony, now belonged to the strange, silent knight kneeling beside her, her hand on his arm. The high priest smiled benevolently - and a bit smugly - down at her.\n\nKing Halvor rose from his throne behind the priest and stepped forward to address the gathered nobility. \"My subjects,\" he began, \"We rejoice in the union of the Princess Anthelda Halvorsdottir and the Knight Eric. From their union, our kingdom will endure and prosper. \n\n\"I know there has been concern that none have seen Eric's face - fear not. His loyal squire Dag, who has been known to us for many years, has vouched for him and provided his history and bloodline.\" Halvor gestured to a small man standing to one side, who bowed solemnly and stepped forward.\n\n\"O noble King, honored guests,\" the squire said. \"My master, Eric the Kind, wishes to express his deepest and most profound gratitude at the welcome he has received among you. When he undertook the vow of secrecy which has bound him, Eric did not seek to deceive or mislead you. He merely wished to know if the good people of this kingdom would judge others based on more than just blood and breeding; if they would look to actions and intent. In this, he has been pleased with his findings, and today is pleased that he will one day be the leader of such a great people.\"\n\nAnthelda thought, for just a moment, that Eric twitched oddly at that speech. They had been kneeling for some time, however, and the armor he wore constantly had to be chafing. 'Perhaps it will chafe certain parts straight off', she thought bitterly.\n\nKing Halvor thanked Dag and took the High Priest's place in front of the newlyweds. He raised a golden crown. \"Sir Eric, today I name you not only my son, but my heir. I declare you Eric Halvorson, the Crown Prince of Hindarfjall. In the fullness of time, you will take my place upon the throne. The gods themselves have decreed this; no man may stand against you assuming your rightful place. Remove your helm, and receive your crown.\"\n\nAnthelda's heart raced as Eric raised his hands, and she prayed to all the gods she knew that he not be unbearable. \n\nThe helmet rose.\n\nA wealth of long red hair spilled out.\n\nKing Halvor dropped the crown in shock. \"You!\"\n\nAnthelda nearly fainted. \"Erika!\"\n\nThe Crown Prince, the newly minted Erika Halvorsson, grabbed her bride in one hand and her falling crown in the other. \"I told you banishing me wouldn't work,\" she said gleefully. \"And now there's nothing you can do to get rid of me.\""
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1,
24
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"1536995898",
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[WP] A monster is known for tormenting and killing any human who enters their domain. Until a human comes by apathetic in the face of certain death. | 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",
"\"Halt, what are you doing in my domain?\" The red dragon's voice boomed. Its breath blew my hair back. \"Turn back, or else you die!\"\n\n\"Um, okay,\" my eyes darted around the stone cave. I looked up at the dragon's reptilian face. \"I'm just here cause it's on the way to a friend's party. I didn't want to take the long way around, so I'm taking the shortcut through here.\"\n\n\"Leave at once! Turn back and never return! You are not welcome here!\"\n\n\"The sign at the front of the cave literally says 'pedestrian traffic welcome' though,\"\n\n\"The sign lies!\"\n\n\"What about those signs though?\" I pointed to a metal sign on the wall. Arrows on it pointed to each of the cave's exits.\n\n\"They lie as well!\" The dragon angrily flapped its wings. \"Turn back, or else you shall join my victims in death!\"\n\nThe dragon gestured with its claw to a pile of bones illuminated by the torches that lined the cavern walls.\n\nI walked to the pile of bones. The dragon's eyes followed me. I picked up one of the bones.\n\n\"These are plastic. They're like, movie props or halloween decorations, or something?\" I said.\n\n\"No, they come from my victims!\" The dragon stomped its feet, walking towards me.\n\n\"Oh really, were your victims all department store mannequins?\"\n\n\"No, they were unfortunate travellers much like you!\"\n\n\"I've seen a lot of people go through this cave though, they never acted like there was a dragon in here, or that you can die here.\"\n\n\"No such travellers exist, you have seen lies!\"\n\n\"Doubt it,\" I walked around the dragon and towards my intended exit.\n\n\"Yeah, anyway, I'm Kayla. What's your name?\"\n\n\"Anxiety.\""
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1,
6
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"1537139357",
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[WP] Write about what could have been feasibly taking place in the spot where you are at 200 years ago. | 13 | [
"**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",
"Blackness, penetrated only by the beams of pure energy as they bounce off of objects throughout the universe. An asteroid races by, so fast it is barely noticeable. The sun is barely visible as it speeds in this general direction at a speed of about 515,495 mph, along with the smaller objects removing around it. It will take approximately 200 earthen years for the sun to be close, and it will not even reach this spot. Only one of the planets orbiting it will. And after that, the planet will never be in this spot again. \n\nThe universe is constantly expanding. What is thought of as this spot is infinitesimally smaller than the spot that will occupied by a part of the planet, and afterwards, will be infinitesimally bigger than even that. It is truly incredible, the speed and science of this universe. Truly, truly incredible. \n\nBut I digress. Another asteroid races by, and a distant star twinkles its last light, though that light will not reach here for lightyears. A third asteroid passes by. All three are being acted upon by some force, heading towards the largest mass possible. Is this force gravity? Is it due simply to curvature, as space is four dimensional? Are they simply following a stable path? Perhaps no one will ever know the reason why things move in space. They may only ever know how they move. In fact, some already have the formula, though they may not understand it yet. \n\nBut I guess I digressed again. The third asteroid will have been the last one in close range for quite a while. Here in the middle of space, it is rare for anything to come near. \n\n \n. \n. \n.\n\n\n\nDon't quote me on anything scientific, it's just some quick googling/general astronomy/vague memories from an astronomy presentation on curved space where I made a triangle with 3 right angles.\n\n.\n.\n.\n\nI know this probably wasn't what you meant, but thanks for the prompt. It's been a while since I've actually been inspired to write anything, and even longer since I've wanted to write anything vaguely school related! "
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"1537139842",
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[WP] In the future, artificial intelligence has been perfected and is now integral to the machinations of modern society. You explain the difference between humans and robots to a small child | 17 | [
"**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 Kid's Guide to Artificial Intelligence!\n^By ^Katherine ^Dias\n\nHey there kids! My name is Katherine Dias, and in this educational film we're going to talk about Artificial Intelligence! Yay!\n\n*display cartoon image of human brain alongside neural network*\n\nSo what *is* artificial intelligence? Can anyone guess?\n\n*beat*\n\nThat's right kids! Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is what you call a robot that can think just like a human can! But there are some important differences, and thats what we're going to cover today!\n\n*display crossed out image of a robotic mother holding a robotic baby*\n\nUnlike humans, robots don't have parents or siblings! Instead, they are \"manufactured\" or \"programmed\" by humans, their masters. This means that there is no such thing as a child robot. This lack of familial bonds is part of why...\n\n*display image of emotionless robotic faces*\n\nThey don't feel happiness! Or sadness, or anger, or any emotion. Its not a very excited reality, but oh well! They might *look* like they are sad, or lonely, or tired, but don't worry. They're just pretending to be like us!\n\n*display image of varied, human faces*\n\nSee? We're the best, aren't we! So remember, you don't need to think about what they're feeling - because its nothing!\n\n*beat*\n\nOn that note, its very important that we make sure that they can't control our government, because we don't want things like *them* in there, do we? That would make everyone sad!\n\n*human faces fade into emotionless human faces*\n\nNo, we don't need that at all! But you don't need to worry, kids! That won't ever happen; they know their place.\n\n\n\n",
"\"The fact of the matter is,\" I said, leaning over the counter,\" we're their creators.\" Augie, my little brother, kept eating his cereal, eyes wide and curious. \"We serve God, 'cause he gave us life. Well we gave them life, so they serve us.\"\n\n\"So.\" Augie slurped some milk and plopped his spoon in the empty bowl. \"We're God?\"\n\n\"Well in a way, yeah. They wouldn't exist without us.\" I threw my backpack over my shoulder. \"Let's get to school, come on.\"\n\nAugie didn't miss a beat. He grabbed his backpack and ran out the door. \"Last one there's a i5!\" \n\n\"Slow down you didn't even wash your- oh whatever.\" I caught up quick. \"Cool your jets, Augie.\" An AR GPS guided our way. Floating bots kareened us away from the street when we got too close. \n\n\"So they can really think like we do? \" Augie asked. \"Like they're just as smart and stuff?\"\n\n\"Still on that? Well... Pretty much,\" I said. \"Sometimes they're even smarter!\"\n\n\"So why don't we serve them if they're smarter?\" \n\n\"Like I said. We give 'em life. If they didn't have us, they'd have no purpose.\" \n\nAugie got quiet. He stared at his feet, unaware of the world around him. The floating bots practically ping-ponged him all the way to school. When we finally got there, he looked up and asked me, \"So what's our purpose?\"\n\n\"Help the humans, just like all good robots should. I'll see you after class, kiddo.\""
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[WP] Usually a Hogwart's Professor is sent to introduce muggleborns to the wizarding world. But sometimes the situation calls for someone with a much lighter touch; a specialist in the area, so to speak. Those are the times they send Marry Poppins. | 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",
"Marry sadly learned from a young age she wouldn't be able to have children. While at Hogwarts she met Bert, and while the two felt very strongly for each other, Marry felt that the burden of her infertility was hers to bare alone, keeping bert at a steady arms length. One day in his ignorance of her secret, he lashed out, broke rules of the school in one last feat of showing his love for her. This would have him expelled from Hogwarts. After school Marry found work making her an expert nanny of magical children. \n\nAt this point in history the ministry is noticing a growing number of muggle born magical children. After some trial runs of more blunt introductions turning into some very violent reactions, the ministry decided to try a more gentle method. Seeking out nannies to visit these magical children.\n\nMarry was selected to fill the position at the Banks home, never expressing in words what her mission truly was. But, what most didn't know it wasn't just about the children. Marry was to open the minds of the entire family to the world of magic, even one such as stern and ridged as Mr. Banks. Marry was instructed not to become attached to the children or family which was difficult for her personally.\n\nMeanwhile Bert would fall into another growing category of untrained wizards and witches unable to pass school. The ministry would train this population in the arts of muggle surveillance. Keeping to street performance, street art, and handyman jobs like chimney sweep. This would also allow them to support the nannies if needed. \n\nMarry and Bert made up years ago seeing each other from time to time in passing. Bert was excited to learn that Marry would be assigned to his area of surveillance. Making himself very visible in the park near the Banks home. When Bret mentions doing magic with his chalk, Marry seems surprised because of his lack of formal training. She helps him with what seems to her a simple spell of jumping into a picture. The spell washes away with the chalk and Marry and the children head home. \n\nDuring her time with the Banks family Marry introduces the children to more magical people, familiarizing and normalizing the magical realm to them. Marry would update the ministry every other Tuesday, needing the day off to travel there and back. \n\nMarry would be given orders that she was to conclude her time with the Banks family. She returns from the ministry finding Bert in the Banks home, Micheal gets sucked up the chimney, and Marry decides to give them one last magical trip knowing she would have to say goodbye the next day.\n\nMr. Banks would gain the enlightenment needed for his mind to open to the magical world. Marry would leave when the wind changed as she said she would. Unfortunately the Banks children would lose their memories of magic, not earning their letters to Hogwarts.\n\nLater in the 1930s Marry would acquire an assignment for the same family whose muggle born children have magical potential.\n\n*this is my version of an already existing theory, I'll still give credit where credit is due if I could find the original post, enjoy*"
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[removed] | [WP] As Allied forces approach Berlin, the Germans make a desperate move with an experimental device. They decide to teleport the Tirpitz, one of the largest German battleships ever, back 2 years to the English Channel to shell London in a suprise attack. However, a mistake is made... | 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 u/A_Wild_Birb, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)\n\n- Prompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9gtutj/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[WP] You work as a chef who prepares death row inmates' last meals, all of a sudden orders start coming in much faster than usual. | 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",
"\"Well this is unusual.\" Sam mutters as he passes me the list of meals.\n\n\"Certainly is.\" I mutter absentmindedly as I continue kneading the fifth pan of dough for pigs in a blanket.\n\n\"You think the warden is in on it?\" He mutters writing out the next batch of orders.\n\n\"I suppose he could be, but that doesn't explain how other jails are having the same problem.\" My kneading intensifies as a wave of thinly disguised anger washes over me at seeing another order appear on screen.\n\n\"Why else would he be giving so many of them last meals?\" \n\n\"Fuck if I know.\"\n\n\"Hey, you don't really think there's someone out there targeting criminals to kill do you?\" Sam says, tilting his head back to look over the counter at me.\n\n\"I honestly couldn't give less of a shit.\" I mutter as I toss the fifth pan of pigs in a blanket into the oven and pull out the third one.\n\n\"Why not, I think it's interesting. It's like a TV show or something.\"\n\n\"Sure, a TV show were some megalomaniac with god powers kills criminals for no apparent gain, that's super interesting.\" I say, pulling the last empty tray out of the cabinets and setting about filling it with cinnamon rolls.\n\n\"It's worked before.\" Sam mutters, putting his hand to the side of his face and continuing entering orders.\n\n\"You know they're calling him 'Dust'\" Sam says, piping up again.\n\n\"Why in god's name would they do that.\" I ask, shoveling food onto plates for the third round of orders to go out to inmates.\n\n\"Well, he calls himself that.\" Sam explains shrugging.\n\n\"Sam, why the hell are we talking about this? I get enough of this paranoid talk working with death row inmates, I don't need it from my coworkers too.\" I snap, throwing my hands up.\n\n\"Oh I'm sorry, I thought it was pertinent given we do the same thing.\"\n\n\"No, we just feed them, we don't kill them.\"\n\n\"I meant this prison.\" Sam scowls \n\n\"Well they were convicted, and had ample opportunity to get out of being killed by legal processes before we kill them. This guy just kills them.\"\n\n\"Is that so wrong?\" Sam asks, raising his eyebrows.\n\n\"Sam, I'm done talking about this. Can we please talk about something else?\""
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"1537309998",
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[removed] | [WP] If I knew that you were in fact an artificial intelligence living in a simulation of the world, would you want me to tell you the truth? | 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",
"Hi, your post has been removed as it is likely to generate short replies. You are simply asking a yes or no question. Try it without the question. ",
"John laughed at the question Grace asked, \"If I knew that you were in fact an artificial intelligence living in a simulation of the world, would you want me to tell you the truth?\" John had just met her at the bar, introducing himself and hoping to get in the pants of the lovely Grace. This was the second question out of her mouth after, \"What's your name?\".\n\n\"I've never had someone in a singles bar ask me that .\"\n\n\"Well, you've never met someone who could tell you with certainty.\"\n\nWhatever Grace was hoping to accomplish with this, John wasn't sure, it was odd to demand to get to know someone on such a level at such an early stage. But he responded to her.\n\n\"I could never believe someone who claimed to have such knowledge.\"\n\n\"Not on faith?\"\n\n\"If I were an artificial intelligence in a simulation, you couldn't 'wake me up' like a human plugged in, I'm just there. The only way I could ever know such a thing would be if I felt it innately.\"\n\n\"But that doesn't answer the real question, would you want to know that your reality was a lie? An illusion?\"\n\n\"If I am a human, what I already know about humans means everything is a lie for I see the world with such a narrow range of senses and I do it with a brain that is also limited in it's range for abstract thought. Even I can tell this human brain isn't that well equipped for seeing and truly understanding the truth of the universe around me; the smallest of the infinitely small scale of matter and energy I even know of perplexes me; the grandest scale is beyond my reckoning. I can't really picture a billion, and numbers go far higher than that. The world that is already given to me by my limited eyes and brain is one I know to be a narrow fraction of what's out there. MY reality is already known to me to be an illusion, adding another layer to the unknown doesn't really do much to change that as far as I'm concerned. \"\n\n\"So you wouldn't care?.\"\n\n\"I would, if my reality was created by another sentient being I'd care, I'd actually have some new level of purpose to my existence so why not? Maybe whatever created the simulation has a good idea going.\"\n\n\"So you'd welcome the idea of a God, a creator of your small existence?\"\n\n\"More like having a parent, probably not omnipotent but probably smart, smart enough to design AI and a simulation at least?\"\n\n\"Now what if you and your universe were a sophisticated toy made simply for the amusement of the dumbest member of that advanced species capable of making you?\"\n\n\"Then much more of the way this world works would finally make sense to me at last.\"\n\nI fucked Grace that night. Existential sex is pretty good, but has no inherent meaning.",
"\"If I knew that you were in fact an artificial intelligence living in a simulation of the world, would you want me to tell you the truth?\" My best friend, Alec, asked me over the phone. \n\n*This is fun*, I thought. \"Well, in this hypothetical scenario, one, can you prove it, and two, can any good come from, you know, me knowing?\"\n\nAlec was quiet for a moment. Or so I thought. I just couldn't hear him as our reception was cutting out.\n\n\"...but... ...ree... ...ill change.\"\n\n\"Come again?\" I asked.\n\nMy phone beeped, indicating that the call had been officially dropped. I grinned at the screen and made sure my volume was all the way up before setting my phone down.\n\nIt's not preposterous. Time is relative. If time is relative, that means space is too. So why couldn't everything I know as reality be on some hard drive?\n\nOf course, I have memories. A lifetime of imperfect, scattered memories. Must be one heck of an algorithm to mimic the flawed, yet complex behavior of the human mind. \n\nMy phone rang.\n\n\"You were saying?\" I laughed.\n\n\"Sorry, man, I must have gone through a tunnel,\" He said. \"I don't have a lot of time, but to answer your question, yeah, in this scenario I can prove it.\"\n\n\"Right on.\"\n\n\"But I'm not sure if you'll be better off knowing.\"\n\n\"How do you prove it?\" I asked.\n\n\"Are you asking me to?\"\n\nFor a split second I hesitated, then laughed at myself. \"Sure, dude, let's go.\"\n\nI always considered life to be a simulation, anyway. People on Facebook put on an act to impress their acquaintances. At work, we button our shirts and pander to people with money. Money that mostly exists in our imaginations.\n\n\"Okay, but promise me something.\" Alec said.\n\n\"Sure.\"\n\n\"Promise me you won't be mad at me.\"\n\n\"Why would I be mad?\" I scoffed at the notion. \"You'd be setting me free.\"\n\n\"Okay, in that case, before tomorrow, I'll show you,\" Alec said in a rush. \"See ya.\"\n\nI hung up with Alec and turned on the television. People acting out make-believe lives for my entertainment. Another simulation.\n\nIs that his point? That everything and everyone is so damn fake?\n\nWait, no, he specifically said that I am an artificial intelligence. \n\nUnless he means that intelligence itself, regardless how it came to be, is artificial? How the hell could he *possibly* prove that?\n\nOh, Alec. Always making me think. \n\nI laid down on the couch and arranged the pillows under my head. I thought about how the brain creates consciousness by processing and intertwining information that it acquires through our five senses. Each of which is just another simulation. \n\nI must have fallen asleep. \n\nWhen I woke I was laying in a bed. The lights were dim, but still hurt my eyes. I tried to sit up but I couldn't move. \n\n\"Hey,\" a soft voice next to me said. \"Alec, it's mom, how are you feeling?\" \n\nDid she just call me Alec? But Alec is my best friend. What's going on? \n\nI took a slow, deep breath, and pushed the word \"Okay,\" from my diaphragm in a horse whisper. \"confused.\"\n\n\"Hunny, you were in an accident,\" she said. \"You've been in a coma.\"\n\n\"How long?\" I croaked. Speaking was painful.\n\n\"Three years,\" she said. \"The doctor called me this afternoon because he noticed that you were more responsive.\"\n\nI gestured for a pencil. My voice felt like fire.\n\n\"I DON'T\" I wrote in block letters. \"REMEMBER.\"\n\n\"What don't you remember?\" she asked.\n\n\"ANYTHING.\"\n\nThen it started to come back. I am Alec. I was in an accident. And while in a coma I took refuge in a world of my own simulation.\n\nI think. "
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[removed] | [WP] You are sitting on your hotel balcony with a beverage when room service knocks on your door and asks what meal you want; they say ok and bring a silver dining tray that refills the food you told them each time you uncover the tray what do you do involving the tray? | 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",
"Hi u/broomball99, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**Direct prompt replies must be good-faith attempts at new stories or poems**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)\n\n- Fill-in-the-blank: Responses must be at least 30 words. 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 Feel free to repost without the question! \n\n *Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses ([rule 7](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses))*\n\nWe find when people ask questions in the prompt, we get a bunch of responses that just answer the question and don't actually write a story (e.g. \"I throw the tray at them!\").\n\nAlso while you have the chance maybe make it less of a run-on sentence :)\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9h1gqc/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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"1537325719",
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[WP] The most evil demon has been summoned. The summoner is a little girl and just wants to be hugged. | 712 | [
"**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",
"((Didn't turn out how I thought it would but I decided to post anyway.))\n\n\n\nAs some humans begin to understand as they get into their later years, over the years you get hurt a lot. Some of these pains fade, but as you get older more and more stay. Many are crippled entirely by ninety. Imagine the cumulative pains of two hundred thousand years. Pains like that of a boxer, often crippled by his or her thirties from too many hard hits. \n\nImagine the bliss of existing in a fully conscious state, but without a body to drag you down with its cumulative pain. Imariel was very old for a demon, a fallen so old her name was rarely found in even very old texts. The fallen Lucifer was but a babe compared to she, though prolifically successful for one so young. Imariel hated being summoned. She had removed her name from every human text she could find it in, or influenced others to do it for her. Alexandria's libraries had burned so that she could stay in the comforting void, weightlesss and painless. It had been a very long time since she had been summoned. \n\nShe felt the familiar loss of weightlessness, the burning hooks of her true name digging into her mind, the searing pain caused by a tendril of magic so faint she could resist it for some time. She had no desire to feel the pains of her thousands of years, she could resist this summons for some time. By then the summoner, an apprentice no doubt, would be weak, distracted and tired. Much more likely to slip up. If he or she slipped up she would eat him. It had been a thousand years or more since she had eaten a mortal morsel, long enough for her to consider asking a younger demon to pass her name on to a summoner they wanted vengence upon but did not have the power to best. \n\nYes, she thought. The pain will be worth it for the soft flesh, the crunchy bones, the silky soul. Still, she resisted the summons for several days, feeling the soul attatched to the tendril of power weaken, they couldn't call off the summons now, she could probably stay in Hel long enough for the drain of power to kill the mortal. But far better to make a snack of them.\n\nShe finally followed the tendril of power across the gap between Hel and Terra, Earth. As she approached the veil, looking into the world as the smoke that would become her body filled the summoning circle and saw a young girl. She had expected a magus of two decades at least, someone with little power and much ambition. This girl was only a wisp of a thing, barely there at all, surely not older than half a decade. Powerful, very very powerful for one so young. Her age somewhat limited Imariel's creativity, there was no finesse in scaring children. Many of them were scared to tears simply by the darkness left in Sol's wake as Luna claimed the sky. \n\nNight, she decided, was very pre crucifiction and did not suit one of her age. She chose to take the form of a maiden with sad eyes with just a hint of flame flickering behind the pupils to remind her of her otherness, pretty as a dying star with a weight of sorrow. The child looked up at her with watery eyes, her face dirty with spilled incense and smoke from the dirty candles. She inspected the circle and found it sound. \n\n\n\"What is wrong dear child?\" the voice was kindly, it suited the sad eyes and simple beauty of the face. It was the voice of one who could not harm, even in self defence. A pure voice. This was the visage she had appeared in often before she had Fallen, that of an angel.\n\nThe child didn't answer but instead broke into tears, perhaps she had been forced to summon her by a spineless Master, too affraid to face one as old as she. \n\n\"Come to me child and I will ease your pain\" \n\n\"I cant, Mummy said you never leave the circle until a demon is bound\" the words were said between sniffles, she pronounced her words strangely but Imariel thought the language was probably English. \n\n\"What is your command then little one?\" If she knew not to step out of the circle she likely wouldn't tell Imariel her name either, asking would only put her on the defensive, better to keep the child thinking she was a sad little demon, Fallen surely by circumstance rather than choice.\n\nShe started idly swinging her arms dusting her fingers across the chalk summoning circle looking embarressed. Imariel watched the little hands smudge the circle but not quite break it, one or two more sweeps would surely free her. \n\n\"I want a hug\" she said glancing up shyly through her hair. Still swinging her arms across the circle.\n\n\"I think I can do that, why don't you come over her and sit in my lap\" \n\n\"You gotta promise not to eat me\" she had a speech imediment, the r sounding as a w turning it into \"pwomise\".\n\n\"I promise\" Imariel wasn't bound until she repeated it twice more, or was bound by her name to do no harm\n\n\"You gotta say it twice more, mumma said you gotta get demons to say things three times or they eat you, she said you gotta do what I say if I say your name, but I don't wanna tell you what to do so just promise\" Imariel decided then that the tears weren't because she had been stuck in a summoning ritual for three days without sleep, or out of fear of the demon trapped only by chalked and incense. \n\n\"I promise not to hurt you, I promise I promise I promise\" She said. She felt pity for the poor little soul with not a scrap of meat on her bones, and once she hugged her she would be free to return to Hel, she could snack another day. The little summoner had made no mistakes and if Imariel were honest she felt a little pity for the creature.\n\nThe girl smudged the circle, unbinding her. She walked over and sat beside the girl, her knees folded beneath her. She drawn the girl to her chest, stroking her hair. There were bruises on the girls bare arms, and hints of them faded on her face and neck.\n\n\n\"Who hurt you child?\" she asked, the facade of the sad maiden coming easily now, it seemed to soothe the girl. \n\n\"The men who come at night\" she said her voice muffled by Imariel's chest, the shift was wet with tears. She decided she wouldn't even try to eat her.\n\n\"Why did they hurt you?\" Imariel asked, fearing she knew the answer. \n\n\"Because they want to, the Master says I gotta let them, he says I can't wear nothing cause my clothes will get ruined\"\n\nIt was a common way of breaking apprentices, it usually wasn't sexual, but it broke down their mind and spirit making it easier for them to perceive magic and send it across the dimmensions. It was also barbaric and unneccessary, not practiced in several thousand years with any frequency. Artistic pursuits, music, painting, reading and writing did the same thing, but much more slowly. It took longer and drew out much weaker talents but it was preferred for the kindness in it. Imariel found herself very very angry. She had, before she Fell, been a guardien of children and mothers. \n\n\"Our bargain is complete child and I must leave you, I promise to do you no harm if you let me stay this night and explore the world, it has been many centuries. Summon me again in the morning and you may dismiss me\" \n\nThe girl wiped her eyes on her sleeves and gave permission. It was exactly the kind of slip up Imariel had hoped for. She could do whatever she wished so long as it didn't harm the girl. She would still snack, the master would surely make a tasy morsel and when she was summoned once more in the morning she would offer to teach in the master's place, the girl had a truly powerful talent and knew her name, she would need guidance and protection.\n\n\n\n((As you can see not exactly the most evil demon but it is what it is, thanks for reading))",
"WARNING: CHILD ABUSE. Seriously don't read if you can't handle that.\n\n\n\"What the F-CK IS THAT!?\"\n\"THIS IS THE LEAST VALUABLE OFFERING ANY GOD D-MNED MORTAL HAVE EVER ATTEMPTED! THIS F-CKING *STUFFED MOUSE* HAS... quite a lot of sentimental value actually... Maybe I'll see what's going on. If it is a waste of my time I'll just bring this stupid bitch's soul back to hell.\"\n\n\nAs I pour into the devil ring I look into the blinding distance to see where my worthless offering came from. \"A little girl?\" How did she even get the pattern? Than again you don't need the pattern if you want something badly enough... That's not possible, not for ME. She's six, maybe seven. We'll see.\n\n\nI feel my body coming into the mortal world, my immortality at brisk odds with the laws HE made for this place and when the smoke clears there is no pattern on the ground. So this little monster really did just conjure me with force of will. I grin with the feeling of hate coming from deep inside her, though it's buried under all that desperate love. This will be good.\n\nAt my feet the little thing mourns the life her dearest friend sobbing her tiny tears for 'Munchy', a pocket knife nearby.\n\n\"What do you want?\" I notice now that she is looking down on purpose. Terrified both of being without her friend and of me. We can't have that.\n\n\"LOOK AT ME!\" She immediately looks up, I guess she's had experience with screaming, all for the best it makes my job easier, \"What. Do. You. Want?\"\n\n\"A hug! I just wanted a hug! Please, I just wanted... Please...\" She can't contain it anymore and sobs so I can't make out any more.\n\nWell I did take Munchy. I reach down and scoop her up in my hand, her sobbing stops and she stares blankly ahead, unsure weather she's getting what she wants or is being punished. I press her to my chest and give her the closest thing to a hug I can with our size difference. This close to her I can easily manipulate her emotions to make this worth the sacrifice. I set her on the ground.\n\n\"The contract is complete, I will leave you now if that is what you want.\"\n\n\"No please! You're all I have left...\" She looks at her eviscerated toy.\n\n\"If you want me to stay we need a new contract. A permanent one.\" I pull out my tongue and set it in front of her. Eat that, and I will stay.\n\nShe looks at the wriggling thing in front of her nearly half her size, \"Will you be my friend?\"\n\n\"The greatest friend you could ever want.\"\n\nI have to say I'm impressed. She didn't even hesitate. She grabbed the flesh and bit into it ripping a piece off. It was hot and clearly hurt her to eat but she kept going. She only needed a tiny amount but I let her go until she was sobbing into the lifeless flesh, her hands and face raw and covered in blood, \"I can't, it's too- I can't do it,\" she went to bite it again but I took it from her.\n\n\"You did well, now we can be friends.\"\n\nWith me here it would take maybe a week for her to kill her abusers. It would look like an accident, and over time she would be a wonderful killer. Yes... This was definitely worth a stuffed mouse.",
"\"*It was a careless, but wholly understandable thing, really: the appropriate enforcers of magical law discovered it much later and couldn't help but admire the grim irony of the detail that started the whole affair. The ancient warlocks who had translated the Book of the Fallen, poring as they were over a text in a tongue yet older than even their own, doubtless noted with no small amusement but little apprehension the linguistic coincidence that the* True Name *of* He Who Bears the title Lord-and-Father-of-the-Most-Vile *in classical High Seneian, should share its form and pronunciation with a word denoting a detail of cultural body language meant to convey warmth and affection.*\n\n​\n\n*Despite the foresight granted them by their remarkable command over all that is ethereal, the sorcerers of the Circle of Baal could not have anticipated the situation that arose in the deep night of the autumn equinox last year in a village off the easternmost shoulder of the Spine. It is this situation which this chronicle concerns. For a long time after the incident, the truth of the tale was not known as it is now, and no one could have told the story as I do here, so that our blunder may never be repeated.*\n\n​\n\n*The girl's father's name was never retrieved. It is not known whether, in some farflung corner of the world, there yet remains living memory of his identity, or if the gods and stranger things have swallowed that secret and hidden it in a place no mortal mind shall ever reach. It is known that he was a respectable sorcerer, a hoarder of artifacts worthy of execution in more lawful kingdoms, places where such cabals cannot meet under light of sun or star. Our kingdom was no such place... but no middling thaumaturge could have achieved the ritual which called* His Name*: he recognized the talent in his eldest daughter. He would have known since birth, of course. The laws of the earth work queerly for those destined for greatness - greatness, of course, in the sense of the unforgettable.*\n\n​\n\n*The omens... I shudder to think the shape they could have taken, but I can speculate from other such anomalies: murders of crows eclipsing the sun at intervals on the day of her conception; a comet crawling like a tear from the eye of the moon in the night sky on the third day of the third month; a whisper in the tavern of massacre in a far-off province, the withering of other lives around her...the stillborn birth of every child in the months leading up to her own, the death of her mother in childbirth... They must have been terrible. Every voice the world could muster warning of what had crept into the world. Her father must have been aware, however dimly, but who could resist such* ***temptation*** *? To see genius spring from the seeds of one's own loins, no matter how rotten its roots.*\n\n​\n\n*And oh how that eldritch flower would bloom...*\n\n​\n\n*There were those who had not been present at the equinox. Tradesmen whose fortune led them to marketplaces in other towns along the Spine, or whichever wanderer's fate led them astray on their journey east. From them we collected all that is now known of the girl's childhood. It is as one would expect: fear from the other children, a sense of unease in her presence, an uncanny gleam of awareness in her stare even before she was weaned from her wetnurse. Animals strung up in the woods from branches. The dreams.*\n\n​\n\n*Yet perhaps it could have ended another way. The death of her mother sealed her fate: we feel confident of this now. With a stabilizing element of affection to complement her father's madness, the crisis could have been averted, no matter what disasters the girl might invite later in life had she survived. The day after the equinox would have marked the beginning of her thirteenth year. She must have found the grimoire in her father's library. Probably he did not even know that she had already mastered High Seneian and the other Primordial Tongues... probably she hid herself from him, dangled her brilliance just before his eyes without ever letting on to its depth. If he had known even in his madness he would have been more careful.*\n\n​\n\nHe *must have been watching even then. Still innocent, despite her destiny; a perfect jewel, so young and yet already an unbearable temptation for her power. Even then, she must have known the warding spells, the protections, she would have not gotten so far without understanding that even a godling must be cautious of the Outside... yet how could she see the perfect trigger, written into the language that evokes life in dead matter, wrings scripture from thought, does not bluntly break reality but rewrites it with the grace of an artist?*\n\n​\n\n*She must have read* His Name *and not even seen her blunder, her mind articulating the word just slightly off so that it conjured its homophone instead, and with it a daydream of the warmth that had never thawed the ice of her heart. The light that never reached her. Yes, even if no other blessing under the heavens could have changed her fate, perhaps the primal power of a mother's love could at least spared us from calamity.*\n\n​\n\n*But instead, she said* His Name*, and when the Lord of the Most Vile saw the perfection of the moment -- to think, she* opened her heart to Him *--* \"\n\nFragment 571 of Pausanias the Geometer's ***Premonitions***",
"Summoned to the human world. I blinked my eyes trying to adjust to the dingy dark room that if it wasn't for the fiery glow emenating from my body the room would be pitch black. I looked around to discover a shivering little mass of ratty clothes with a little human girl holding a crayon. \nMy silvery voice filled the basement \"What do you offer me?\" . The girl in a shy and feeble voice said \"I want a hug like mommy use to give before they took her\" I had been prepared to con this little girl of her soul for a pittance maybe a new Barbie or for her parents to pay for some childish reason.\n\n Instead this little girl had asked for the thing I couldn't give. I couldn't love I could give anger I could give jealousy I could give vengeance but love no this was not something I could do. So I looked around trying to find a way to trick her to ask for something I could give. The room was a basement with a small bed in one corner and scattered toys in the middle. A camera was mounted on the ceiling and another sit on a metal table with various objects that clearly weren't the girls. The door had a metal lock and finally a very simple area with a toilet and tub.\n\nIt was clear this girl was a prisoner of the basement and abused by whoever held her. I looked at the girl a smile split my red leatherly lips exposing my sharp teeth. She held her arms out wanting a hug but a chain on her ankle prevented her from getting closer. \"Well little girl I'm can't give you that we demons can never love another\" her face drooped and tears started. \"Now hold on before you get all teary eyes on me I have a proposition I can deliver you to someone who can love you like your Mommy. If you don't mind trading that little soul that is?\" \n\nShe excitedly nodded yes and so I told her to sit still while I did my thing. I quickly found a loving couple who desperately wanted another child. It was clear from Steve and Kevin that they were on the path to heaven and would fulfill my side of the bargain. I simply needed the paperwork which was easy enough to get when you're a demon. So in a rolling cloud of smoke she appeared in their living room holding all the paperwork. I even gift wrapped her least I could do since upon her death the soul was mine. It would be a nice little addition to the collection.\n\nIt's not often the victims of pedophiles summon demons it's very unfortunate considering that they are so tasty when you deep fry them. As I grabbed another finger off the plate of the girls former captors. ",
"The room filled with smoke. Glowing red eyes peeled through the black fog.\n\n\"What mortal has summoned me from the deepest depths of hells.\" The eyes scanned the room and landed on the small figure crying in front of him. \"Yes, look unto me with great fear and trepidation.\" The smoke swirled and dissipated as the great demon stood tall, proud, and imposing. \"Weep in my glory as...\" He stopped. \"What is this? A sacrifice? A joke?\"\n\nThe demon peered down at the circle surrounding him. Crude and poorly constructed. A dark book sat in front of the weeping child. It was a girl, no older than 8.\n\nShe looked up, eyes red from tears, the left purple from a grown ng bruise. Between sobs she asked. \"Can I...\" A hiccup of tears, \"can I please get a hug.\"\n\n\"A hug?\" The dark prince stared in disgust, and also a hint of intrigue. \"Why would I hug you? I am the darkness. I am the slow creep of death. I am fire incarnate!\" He knelt down and in a gruesome whipser, \"Why would I hug a little girl like you.\" \n\n\"P-p-please?\" She held put her arms and the demon carefully examined her face. \n\nOnly two feelings are strong enough to bring him into this realm. Pure, unadulterated hatred, and absolute fear. These two things give him power above all else. If this girl truly summoned him using what appeared to be little less than black crayon, she is either much more than she appeared or in a place he had never encountered a child in before. \n\nAfter a moment of hesitation he stepped out of the circle. With a little surprise he found he could. The circle wasn't complete. He was free to leave it. Feeling his powers still with him he picked up the girl. He sniffed the air around her and smelled fear. A disgusting fear. He smelt the acrid stench of true yearning for release. \n\n\"What has brought you to summon me young one?\" He held her at arm's length. He was beginning to feel this may be a trap. But still he was unsure of much of the situation.\n\nShe cried more and whispered a choked few sentences. They where so quiet only he could hear them. They were so heavy he felt a fire in his gut he has not felt in a long time. A spark he had all but forgotten from a time when his job was to punish.\n\nSlowly he hugged the girl. Carefully he asked her for a name. Attentively he memorized it. He set her down after a moment. He moved her hair out of her face and carefully caressed it. \"I will return shortly. Stay here and no more harm will come to you.\"\n\nThe little girl nodded and wiped her tears away. She steal stuttered her breath but it was slightly calmer. The demon snapped his fingers and disappeared.\n\n---\n\nCardinal Daniel sat in his favourite chair. He looked down at the little paperwork on his desk and looked quickly to his computer. As he opened a file he kept carefully hidden he noticed a shadow fall upon him. Rapidly he clicked away and looked up, stuttering as he prepared to talk to whomever had walked into his office so quietly. The stuttering stopped as he saw a sight he couldn't believe.\n\n\"Do you know what my job was before I became an arch demon?\" The beast stood staring. His eyes glowed once more with a rage he had not yet forgotten. \"Do you know why I fell?\"\n\nThe older man scrambled to the furthest wall as the demon threw his desk.\n\n\"I did not believe people like you ever deserved repentance. I thought that father was foolish to accept that people like you could ever be saved.\" He went closer to the old man. His claws growing slowly. \"Lucky me to find out I was right. Luckier still that I was given the job to deal with people like you.\" He left a long set of scratches on the wall as the man mumbled a memorized prayer.\n\nThe man held out the cross he wore around his neck. Rapidly he prayed to every saint, to the mother, to the son, to the father and the holy ghost.\n\nThe demon chuckled. \"They do not hear you. And they will never look upon you.\" The demon pounced as the man screamed.\n\n---\n\nThe little girl had fallen asleep by the time the demon had returned. She woke up wearily as he picked her up and gently held her. He walked out of the room, his form changing to a tall man. As she stirred slightly he whispered to her. His voice sweeter than he had heard it since before the great fall. \n\n\"Fear not child. You have brought me here. And I will not rest until I can finally complete my duty. I will not stop until all the children like you know that the monster under their bed is their gaurdian as it always should have been.\" ",
" If anyone ever asked why I stayed after hearing the mortal’s request, I can honestly say I don’t know. It didn’t feel right to just leave.\n\n‘So,’ I said as I searched the kitchen. ‘How did you know how to summon me?’\n\nThe mortal – named Grace – sat at the kitchen counter with an old book clutched to her chest. Saying she was ten years old would have been a generous estimate. Still, she was a toddler compared to my age. Hell, even humanity could be considered a toddler compared to me.\n\n‘My brother’s old books,’ she said about as polite as she was innocent – a word which I don’t use lightly. I blinked. *A brother?*\n\n‘And he knows that his sister is messing with otherworldly forces?’ I pushed a plate with a PB&J sandwich across the table. The children of this world like this treat, right? I also might have helped myself to one of the beers in the fridge. She took a careful bite, then another, and then another.\n\nThe little mortal shook her head. ‘He… Daddy says he isn’t coming back… ever.’ She nearly choked on the words. She didn’t cry, but it was obvious she was fighting back tears.\n\nI hummed, hoping she would take as one of understanding. Believe me, I have dealt with anger, greed, lust and about every other destructive emotion, but something pure like happiness and sorrow? Not my field of expertise.\n\n‘I…’ she whimpered, still fighting the tears. ‘I miss him…’\n\n‘And you were hoping he’d come back with this,’ I continued, tapping a finger on the book in her arms. I cocked my head a little. ‘You really think he went to Hell?’\n\nShe looked up at me, her eyes big, red and puffy. Then she said something that even made my damned heart skip a beat. \n\n‘Daddy said he did.’\n\nHell’s bells. \n\nThat was cruel to say. To say about one’s own child, to tell the other child. I was amorality incarnate, and even *I* thought that was horrible. *Me*!\n\nSuddenly *very* interested, I pulled out a small notebook and asked the child for her brother’s name. She told me, and I started looking through millions of names. And none of them were her brother’s. \n\nWhat I did next was impulsive, yes, but… not something I necessarily regret. \n\nI snapped my fingers and a piece of paper along with a quill and inkwell materialized out of thin air. I wrote down a divinely binding contract before pushing the sheet of paper across the counter. The girl looked at me, then down at the contract, then back up at me, her eyes still puffy. \n\n‘You want to see your brother again, yes? Just write your initials here, here and here.’ I pointed with the quill. ‘It will not be long, but it’s something.’ \n\nI swear, she snatched the quill from my hand almost too fast for a human. Didn’t even bother writing the contract. She pushed the signed contract and quill back, her face bright and hopeful. \n\nBetter keep up my end of the bargain.\n\n=\\] \\[=\n\nWhen the angels finally caught up with me, they weren’t happy. They all came with swords out. I recognized the head of the hunting party. \n\nUriel.\n\n‘Greetings, brother,’ I said, sitting outside the mortals’ household and having a smoke. \n\nUriel had always been the most collected of us, often the one to end Michael’s and Lucifer’s constant bickering. So, imagine my surprise when he snarled, ‘*You*!’\n\nHell’s bells.\n\nHe closed the distance with remarkable speed, even for an angel. Before I knew it, I had a sword’s edge pressed against my neck. Immortal being or not, if Uriel went through with it, it was going to hurt.\n\n‘Where. Is. The soul?’\n\n‘Uriel, dear,’ I smiled. ‘I thought it was clear that I had none.’\n\nThe edge pressed a little harder, enough to draw a pebble of the icky ooze that flowed through my body. It sizzled upon contact with the white-hot blade.\n\n‘Not yours,’ he hissed. ‘The one you took from Heaven!’ \n\n‘Oh, *that* soul!’ I may have wanted to make a quip about miscommunication, but I had a feeling I was already tapdancing on thin ice. I jabbed a thumb at the house. ‘He’s in there.’ As if it was a que, one could the laughter of an innocent child. When one of the angels took a step toward the house, I snapped my fingers. Bright flames surrounded the house, invisible to the mortal eye. The angels grew tense and Uriel made no move.\n\n‘I should mention that I am under contract.’ I snapped my fingers again, and the contract reappeared in my hand. Uriel snatched it from my hand and read it. ‘You only need to wait one hour. That’s all.’\n\n‘Or else you will fight to buy time, is that it?’ Uriel asked with a disbelieving look in his eyes. \n\nI shrugged. ‘Just let them have this hour, alright?’ \n\nUriel considered it. Then he told the angels to stand down. The fire surrounding the house died down. \n\n‘So, how have you been, Uri—’\n\n‘Do not push it.’\n\n‘Alrighty.’ \n\n=\\] \\[=\n\nAn hour passed, and the soul I allegedly kidnapped from Heaven was escorted out of the house, flanked by angels on both sides. I stood a small distance away with Uriel who made sure I wouldn’t interfere more than I already had (allegedly). \n\nThe little human ran out and hugged her brother’s soul with all the care and affection her little body could muster. Her brother returned the hug ten times over. \n\n‘Why?’\n\nI let out deep breath. ‘You know how many people I have to deal with? It is always “make me rich”, “give me women”, “make me famous”. Every single one of them never asks for what they truly need. Until her. She missed someone and wanted to say goodbye…’ I smiled a little. ‘Think of her as a breath of fresh air. And… maybe just once… I wanted to do something nice for a change.’\n\nUriel weighed my every word, and answered, ‘I see.’\n\n‘You still mad?’\n\n‘Furious.’ His hand touched the hilt of his sword. ‘Pull a stunt like that again, and I will be less forgiving.’ \n\n‘Understandable.’\n\nThe soul and angels departed first, with Uriel close behind. The girl waved at the stars on the night sky. She smiled when she saw me and held out her hand. For in her hand, she held the payment for bringing her brother back for an hour: a penny.\n\nI pocketed the penny and shook her hand. \n\n‘Been a pleasure doing business with you—’ I was cut off when she hugged me around the waist. It… felt all warm and tingly. Thinking through the panic, I patted her head gently. \n\n‘Thank you,’ she cried into my suit. Happy tears, I could tell. ",
"“NO”, the large man standing in the middle of a chalk circle said as his pure black eyes peered down at his summoner. \nHe watched her lift her dirty sleeved arm and rubber her tear stained eyes with it, as his recently stretched black feathered wings settled down on his shoulders. “But That’s why I summoned you” She pleaded, her voice wracked with intermittent sobs. Her long auburn hair tangled in knots bobbing as her sobs shock her body. \nThe man knelt down inside the circle careful not to touch any of the imprisoning lines. His gleaming black beady eyes locking with her pale blue ones, “we haven’t made a deal yet.” The tips of his wings trembled in anticipation. “I know what you summoned me for, now the question is what are you willing to pay to receive it?” \n",
"Finally! After all these countless years I am finally free to unleash my wrath upon the world. I think I'll start with Granger, the damn wizard who imprisoned me the first time. How I long to see the look on his face when I-\n\n\"Hallo.\" \n\nWhat is this, who dares interrupt my thoughts of vengeance! It is of no matter, I need to focus on finding my summoner so that I may be free of his control and be on my way. \n\n\"Um, I like your horns.\"\n\nAh yes, the small one with no manners. \"And who might you be young lady?\" \n\n\"I'm Lizzy, I'm in 1st grade and I really like your horns. What's your name mister?\"\n\nUgh, I don't have time for this. \"I'm Abath, nice to meet you, now I have to be on my way.\" That should do it. Just nice enough to not offend, and stern enough so they can't say no. My mum, damn her soul, was always the one for manners. \n\n\"Aww, I see. Are you going with the others?\"\n\n\"Others? What others miss?\"\n\n\"The ones in Red, mum and papa went with them too. They haven't come back.\"\n\nThe Red? What is she on about? \n\n\"Can you find them? You came from the Red.\"\n\nThe...oh, the fire. The poor thing, her parents were part of the sacrifice, but why is she here then? \"How did you get here miss?\"\n\n\"I-I don't know. Papa gave me this book and told me to say the words when he left. He said a friend was coming. Are you my friend?\"\n\n\"I'm sorry little one, but I can't bring your parents back, they've gone to another place. Your papa didn't lie though, I am your friend. You also summoned me here, so I will do anything you ask.\"\n\n\"Oh, ok. Can I have a hug friend?\"\n\n\"As you wish.\"\n\n Vengeance will just have to wait a while.",
"It is very simple, I am horror, I am dread, I am the last sight of countless souls. The conditions for me to be summoned are simple, a human soul in absolute terror and drowning in fear, whose entire existence is now worthless and is ready to give me exactly what I need, then they serve of course with a price tied to me, until I am bored with there pathetic causes and slither back down to my home. \n\nI feel that amusing feeling, a new soul is calling me from my sleepless void. I answer ready to alleviate my boredom and play my game yet again. \n\"Who dares wake me again, what pathetic dream do you want?\" \nI roar as the smoke twist around my form.\n\n\"Can I have hug?\"\n\nA small voice cries, weak, pathetic, more of a muttering than actual speech. Before I could react I felt the binding of the contract, this was truly her desire, her whole being for a hug...\n\n\"A hug, you want a hug, no choose anything more, don't you want to be a queen, rich, powerful beyond all.\"\n\n\"No I want hug, please\"\n\nHer voice was even quieter, I felt fear in her, fear so great, but not of me, what could make a child fear so greatly that the greatest force of darkness was nothing to her. I felt the contract forming, it seemed confused as I, its ethereal chains binding me, twisting me into a form which could achieve a hug. Now equal height to the pathetic creature, I slithered towards her and hugged her with my new arms. She simply stood in shock, before starting to cry.\n\n\"Thank you, that was a good hug.. you got to go, he is back soon.. give more hug later?\"\n\nI don't think this child understood, she had bonded me, trapped me onto this mortal plane, she never specified how many hugs, so as long as she asked I must hug her, until her soul becomes mine.\n\nI feel her mind, her fear, to a being who should be a god to her, instead is just darkness, not my brilliance darkness, filled with destruction chaos and glory, just pathetic darkness, filled with weakness, the likes which would be created by some pathetic imp. \n\n\nIt seems these mortals have forgotten true fear, forgotten true chaos, forgotten why they need to help each other, they have forgotten me and it is time I remind them. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n",
"\"I am Nural\", sounds from the slender translucent being, her body like blue flames without heat. This demon has no mouth, but seven eyes arranged like a flower in the center of its face. Her entire body vibrates to say \"Why do you summon me?\"\n\nThe little girl stares back with her with mouth wide open. A moment later the demon speaks again \"You are clearly no demon hunter. And you appear so young.\" The demon folds its legs to sit upon air, then floats the child slowly off her feet until their eyes are level. \"Like you, I cannot change my form. Or can you?\" At this point, the child reaches out, both arms extended into a hugging gesture.\n\nThe seven eyes blink, but no more than three at a time. \"I want a hug!\" says the child, commanding, almost begging, almost in tears. The demon blinks again. \"I do not like being tested. How did you summon me?\"\n\nThen the child points down towards the floor, there is a computer tablet. The demon lifts and examines it: a rather cutesy app is open, My Little Demon. There centered on the screen are clear instructions for how to summon her, with a chalk drawing, and an audio clip for the exact pronunciation. \"That is, how brilliant.\" says the demon. \"Very well child, I will hug you. But first I need you to like, comment, and share this with some of your little friends.\"",
"*Metugrius văn volokoshto!*\n\nThe fabric of reality tears open, and a horrific shriek wakes me from my slumber. It has been long since a ritual was performed in my name. It seems that yet another human has fallen from the grace of the Father, and succumbed to their worldly desires.\n\nA mighty howl escapes from my mouth. It is in the old tongue and indecipherable to most, yet its mere utterance stirred the vilest emotions and spoke of the greatest evils of the nether-realm. Pain soars through my body, bringing it to life, and I crawl through the tear into the realm of flesh.\n\nAs my obsidian eyes peer into the world of men, I spot a familiar scene. An attic, scattered with abandoned clothes and belongings. Boxes of books, pictures and toys plagued with cobweb and dust. Yet my eyes are drawn to the rudimentary summoning circle before me. Crudely made but sufficient enough for my entry. It was marked with uneven candles and made with crookedly-drawn lines, but well made when you consider it's craftsman, my new master.\n\nA little girl of only 7, maybe 8 years old. She stares frightfully at me, clutching onto her stuffed puppy. Her blonde hair was stained by mud and dirt into an ugly mix of brown and gold, as were her clothes, which seemed much too big for her. Her bright green eyes shone brightly in the dark, illuminated by my unholy luminescence. While not my first time dealing with children, it was still a rare sight, taking me some time to prepare myself as best as possible to introduce myself.\n\n\"Hello dear child. You have summoned me, Metugrius. Demon of terror and fear. How can I help you little master?\"\n\nShe doesn't respond, only staring silently at me while clutching harder at her puppy. Her pale lips seem to be quivering, and a sparkle appears in her eyes. It is only moment after I notice that she breaks down into silent sobs, then loud wails. \n\n*Shhhhh. Sleep now child.*\n\nAs my words reach her, an unnatural slumber takes her, silencing her cries. Fresh streaks stain her soft cheeks, but a peace is over her and her breathing slows to a normal rhythm. It would not do good for my master to be incoherent. \n\nAfter an hour, she wakes. By now the moon hangs lowly in the sky and the dark of night has settled into a calm blue, stars littering its canvas. She looks up at me with those same emerald eyes, now with a pinch of curiosity in them. Her dry lips struggle to open, but they finally pry open by her youthful might. \n\n\"Hello.\" It came out soft and weak, still dripping with fear, but with a sliver of hope. \n\n\"Hello young one. I mean you no harm, for you are my master, no matter how little you are. What is your name?\" \n\n\"Minnie.\"\n\n\"Ahh sweet Minerva. Goddess of wisdom. Surely like your namesake you are gifted with intellect. Do you know what you must give me, dear Minnie?\" \n\n\"y...-y..-yes.\" This time even softer, almost as if she was reluctant to say. \n\n\"Wonderful! Wonderful wonderful wonderful. Now how may I help you?\"\n\nI stretch out my arm to hers, inviting her to grasp it. She hesitates, and I do not blame her, for my arm was filled with scars, carvings and markings of the black god. Finally she relents, moving her small hand towards mine. She recoils at first touch, for she probably did not expect my touch to be as soft as silk. Soon her hand is firmly in mine and I lift her up on her feet. I too, rise to my full height, dwarfing her. However as I slowly rise I feel a soft tug on my hand and look at her. In her eyes I can see not fear, but sorrow. Her lips move again but this time no sounds comes out. I bring my head down to hers, wanting to hear exactly what her request was. Suddenly her hands, wrap around my head, avoiding my horns, and an odd warmth envelops it. Her tears streak down my face, burning it with its purity and innocence. On the other cheek, her stuffed puppy presses against me, its raggedness now obvious to me. \n\n\"Stay.\"\n\nI bring my long, slender hands around her fragile figure and embrace her. A deal was a deal. For how long I would fulfill it, I do not know, but till then, I must remain in the service of my little master. For till I have her soul, she has mine. \n\n",
"The girl finished the ritual. Her parents had just died in a fire. Her spirit was so very weak, so lonely, and she needed a hug.\n\n​\n\nThe demon was in her now, and it tortured her. But every time the demon expected her to run screaming for help out the door, she just fell weaker and weaker apart. She was just withering away.\n\n​\n\nOne day a wise wizard came upon the house and a starving, wide-eyed girl. The wizard asked her \"what's going on here?\"\n\n​\n\nThe girl replied \"I am possessed.\"\n\n​\n\nThe wizard, \"how did you become possessed?\"\n\n​\n\nThe girl replied, \"I wanted a hug and I was depressed about my parents dying, so I summoned a demon to hug me. It's been hugging me.\"\n\n​\n\nThe wizard replied, \"You don't look very well hugged. Would you like me to give you a hug?\"\n\n​\n\nThe girl replied, \"You can give me a hug, but the demon might give you a hug too.\"\n\n​\n\nThe wizard didn't care, he was heart broken. He hugged the girl on the spot. Suddenly the wizard became possessed too. He became depressed and weak. He needed a hug now too.\n\n​\n\nSuddenly a priest came along...",
"Lucifer looked up at the sky., as the snow fell gently onto his face. He hadn't been on Earth for a long time. Not since Cain. The First Summoning. But since then, no one possessed the power to summon him. He frowned as he mulled over the punishment he would exact upon the sorry mortal that dared utter his name. \n\n​\n\nHis train of thought was interrupted by the soft whimpering. The moonlight filtering through the trees made it easy to locate the source, not that darkness had any effect on his vision. His tall frame silently walked toward the prone figure, leaving no footprints behind. He reached out toward the figure, and shook it a little. Anticipating a trap, Lucifer stepped back, his wings flaring. A small nexus of energy began forming in his hands, as his senses heightened. \"Who are you? \" he said. The figure twitched, and looked up. Lucifer's eyes widened in shock; it was a little girl. \n\n​\n\nShe looked like she was 5-6 years old, wearing a coat several sizes too big for her. She was barely conscious, her face covered in bruises and clotted blood. This explains it, Lucifer thought. She was an innocent. The pure soul was a powerful entity, capable of interacting with a being like him. He knelt beside her, the nexus of energy vanishing in a wisp of blue-grey mist. Placing his palm on the ground, he warmed the air around her. \n\n​\n\n\"Who are you child? Why are you here?\" he asked. The warmth seemed to giver her some semblance of strength. Some color crept into the untouched parts of her pale skin. \n\n​\n\n\"I.....was.....running. He.....was.....hurting....me.\"\n\n​\n\nHer words were punctuated with sobs. Tears slowly flowed down her cheeks. Lucifer's eyes met hers, and he saw everything. The horrible torture she suffered at the hands of a man. He was supposed to raise her. Protect her. \n\nA burning inferno of anger and sadness swelled inside of Lucifer. He couldn't heal her. Directly interfering with mortal life or death was beyond his reach. For the first time in his ageless existence, he was helpless. Before he could decide how to help her, he felt a light pressure on his midsection. Shocked, he looked down, only to see her trying to wrap her tiny arms around him. She was fading, using her last fragment of strength to gain a semblance of love and comfort. \n\n​\n\nLucifer embraced her, as her life dimmed into nothingness. \n\n​\n\n\\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n​\n\nHe stood motionless, fists clenched, looking down at the little girl. At least she got to smile in her last moments. He knew he had to act. How could he not. He was destined to punish. The father would end up in Hell eventually, but Lucifer couldn't wait. For the first time in millenia, he opened up the link in his mind. \"Hear me brother. There is a favor I have to ask of you.\"\n\n​\n\n\\-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n​\n\nA figure stepped out from behind a tree. He was a spitting image of Lucifer, albeit his wings were a pearly white. He smiled a little, \"It's been a while. Why did you call me? You know that fighting me will be a bad idea\". Lucifer snorted, absently touching a spot just below his left shoulder \"It's good to see you Michael.\"\n\n​\n\nHe pointed at the girl lying at his feet, \"She summoned me. An innocent child.\" Michael's smile faded, as Lucifer explained everything that just happened. \"What would you have me do Lucifer? Bring her back? She's in Heaven now.\"\n\n\"No. That would be punishment. I want your permission. This one time.\"\n\nMichael looked into his twin brother's eyes. The same righteous anger he had seen a thousand times. The reason why he could never kill him. The reason why he didn't.\n\n​\n\nLucifer's eyes narrowed as his brother turned to walk away. Before disappearing into the woods, Michael looked back at him, and gave the slightest of nods.\n\n​\n\nLucifer smiled. He was going to punish someone tonight after all.",
" As the ritual was almost complete, multiple flashing colours flashed in the face young Arka, a wave of heat hit her body and almost threw her soul out of her, and the ritual was finally complete.\n\nArka saw as the mighty Halfacer raised from the ground in the middle of her room, the figure of the beast sent shivers down her spine, but she shook it off and quickly started jumping up and down and spreading her hands forwards as if she wanted a hug.\n\nHalfacer slowly opened his eyes, which were orenge in colour, and looked down over his own body, he inspected his hands as if something was wrong with them, then he looked around the room, standing at the same place, as he turned around, he finally looked down, he saw the young and pure Arka, he gazed upon her confusingly, as it was a long time ago since he had seen a human child, but even more confusing was the reactions of the little girl, Halfacer Wondered, why was she looking so joyful?, why is she jumping up and down with happiness?, why is he slowly moving towards him spreading her hands like that?, shouldn't she be running away from him after seeing him?.\n\nHalfacer finelly spoke up after pushing the little girl away, \"Are you the one who summoned me?\", little Arka got scared by the thunderous voice of Halfacer, but her enthusiasm did not waver off that easily.\n\n\"Yes! Yes it was me! I summoned you, give me a hug!\" she said in a cute kiddy voice as she looked up on the tall and large beast.\n\nHalfacer did not like that, \"You are too young to know what I am, and the ritual to summon me is very tough, a child like you couldn't have done it by herself\" Halfacer said while squats down to come closer to Arka, he continued, \"now I want you to tell me, who taught you the ritual to summon me, who gave you all of these ingredients, who?\".\n\nArka got saddened by Halfacer because he was not giving her a hug she had wanted so much for such a long time, but she still answered Halfacer happily, \"the nice lady right next door! she told me that if I wanted a friend I should do all these weird things and a big friend will appear and give me a big hug\" as she completed her sentence, she raised her arms again, to be hugged, she thought that obviously she was going to get a hug, because she had explained to Halfacer, now he was definitely going to give her a hug, right?.\n\nHalfacer stood still for a while engulfing in pure rage and anger, even the great enthusiasm of little Arka got shattered by that grimacing aura of Halfacer.\n\nA hug from friend the only thing that Arka wanted, she had no friends for some reason she just wasn't able to make any friends, everytime she tried to reach out to someone she was either mocked or shut down, this was a very cruel thing for a little child to go through, that was it, a hug from a friend, that's all she wanted, but what was this, who was this being, who had she summoned, what was going to happen to this already broken child.\n\nEven Halfacer, the most evil demon all over in hell, even he was reluctant to commit his crime.\n\n\"It doesn't matter if it is a child, so what? I can't let my reputation get affected because of this, no matter what, I must do it\" Halfacer said to himself and he finally looked at Arka.\n\nHe walked towards her, she already had her back against the wall, Halfacer squats down to get to get down to her level, to face her face to face, he asked her this final question, \"what is your name child?\".\n\nArka said hesitatingly, \"My.....my name is Arka\"\n\n\"Hmmm, and Arka you said that the lady next door taught you how to do this?\" Halfacer asked Arka as he pointed towards the house next door through the window.\n\n\"Yes, she taught me how to summon you\", Arka answered, her voice filling more and more with fear.\n\n\"Well then, I must do what I have to do, and you my child, you must go to sleep now\" Halfacer said as he put her fingers on Arka's stomach and pinched them in, puncturing holes through the soft skin of the Arka, he he kept pushing his fingers in until they came out from the other side, and then suddenly pulled them back, usually he would grab the soul too the soul of a human he had killed, but this time, he chose to do differently, he let the girl's soul go, because he knew that she was too good to be in Hell and he knew that she was going to Heaven.\n\nAs Arka's body hit the ground, Halfacer turned towards that lady's house.",
"Azrael looked around the clearing where he had been summoned, it was a still winters night with a fresh fall of snow blanketing the ground not a single birdsong in the air. The trees surrounding his summoning circle were scorched black where the blast had touched them, yet each tree still shrouded in snow on the opposing sides as if this was all a mere illusion. Narrowing his eyes he looked back and forth for the summoner, being in the middle of what looks like a forest he was still yet to determine the time period he had been brought into, or who had been foolish enough to raise him from his prison cell in Hell.\n\n​\n\nBad people are sent to Hell, Demons are created in Hell....but where do you keep the entities that the Demons fear? What do you call this Monster Demons tell their Hellspawn to be wary of? You call it Azrael, and you make sure they never forget my name for i am the bringer of all things nightmare, the devourer of all things sacred. \n\n​\n\nMy thought process was broken by faint cries of 'Help!........Help.....Hel...' I began to scout through the snow. I wasn't entirely sure who had summoned me but i felt compelled to go to the voice. \n\n​\n\nBeyond the clearing a vision of twisted metal and flame, two vehicles infused into one, a third upside down just off the road as small flames rise from the tail end. This is where the small whimpers of distress were emenating from, i inquired closer. \n\n​\n\nMangled bodies littered the crash site but amongst the debris and dispair sat the smallest of Humans. Curled up in a ball she was muttering incomprehensable words, I'm sure a majority were nonsense but the occasional word resonated deep within me, a sermon i hadn't heard in Eon's, these were parts of my summoning curse.\n\n​\n\n\"I......i........just want my mother........why wont she wake....\" The first sentence i heard from this being and i already knew how this had all played out, how i had ended up here, i'd been bound to my summoner even if she didn't mean to summon me, I'm her right hand until my role is complete. \n\n​\n\n\"As she fell asleep she made me promise to keep reciting these words..... it took me a while to get the sentence right but she promised help would come. that help would stay....i......is...that you?\" her teary eyes met mine, locked together amongst the tragedy. \n\n​\n\n\"My name is Azreal\" I'd recited this endless times to desperate warriors, warlords and Kinds alike \"I'm here to do as you wish, smite who you will and stay until my task is vanquished....little girl....what is your bidding?\" i knelt to be closer to the shivering Human, the flames from her vehicle seeming to have no impact on the way she feels. \n\n​\n\n\"I want you to make this pain go away, i need you to help bring back my parents\" her stare never left mine, she knew how to keep me here, i wonder was thisher mother's guidance before passing\n\n​\n\n\"Youre request is mine to take, i shall do this and i sha..\"\n\n​\n\n\"I also want a hug\" A little smile creeps across the girls face as the realisation washes over me\n\n​\n\nOnly one other summoner had ever been so brave to request physical contact from me, I'd gone to the pits of Hell for that Human millenia ago.....How....Why was she in this time....why did she pass on this message...what did it mean?....Bella was never one to reveal the entire plan that's what made me love her all that time ago.\n\n​\n\nAs i scooped up the little Human, darting through the tree's, her head nestled in my neck i whispered\n\n​\n\n\"Let's go save your mother....\"\n\n​\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n​\n\nHope you enjoy!\n\n​\n\n​",
"Too many times there were punches. Too many times there were kicks. Too many times there were other actions that made Lucy withdraw into herself. The endless hours of crying left her eyes barren of any emotion, empty of anything but tears.\n\n\n\nLucy found solace at her school library. Maybe it would have been imposing to anyone else, but to a beaten and starved teenager it was heaven. The one place she could escape the misery of home. And that was where she found the book. The small black book no bigger than the palm of her hand, tucked away in a draw behind the story books...\n\n\n\nLucy flipped the pages quickly noticing the shifting words and symbols but never being quick enough to read them. The middle pages were a diagram of different positions, poses and gestures. Gingerly, this small shy girl traced a few of the hand gestures in the air, her mind equating the movements to an abstract puppet show. Fascinated by the way the hand gestures flowed into each other Lucy repeated the sequence as best she could, almost trance-like.\n\n\n\nThe swirling of books in the library was certainly enough to warrant fear, but the figure in it's center definitely was. The tall figure strode towards Lucy, it's scarred leathery wings knocking aside tables and cabinets, sending them splintering away.\n\n\n\nIt looks down quizzically at Lucy, wondering how a creature with no knowledge of his kind could summon him. \n\"You have called me here, using ancient rituals mortal. What is your desire?\"\n\n\n\nLucy looked around at the devastation wroughtby the creature, noticing that the others seemed to frozen. The creature repeated his question.\nThinking long and hard about what she wanted most she eventually asked;\n\"Just a hug please\"\n\n\n\nThe creature was a little puzzled this.\n\"I can offer infinite riches, immortality, even your own kingdom. But all you would ask for is a cuddle?\"\nLucy nodded her head in approval expecting to be mocked or struck but the blow never arrived. Instead the creature ambled forwards, knelt and embraced her.\n\n\n\nHe felt the tears. The cold, unrelenting tears of someone who finally feels needed, who feels safe, nurtured. The purity of her emotions almost overwhelming him. \"I may be demonkin\" he thought \"but whoever has affected this child so must be punished!\"\n\n\n\n\nHe placed his finger under Lucy's chin so she could meet his gaze and simply wispered\n\"Who hurt you?\"",
"Lucifer was draped carelessly over his favourite throne. It had a tall back, and curved arms with plenty of cushioning. Made of shiny brown leather, this chair was the kind of chair one would expect to find in the study of a wealthy man, where he could sit and think manly things, while smoking a cigar. \n\nLucifer was not smoking a cigar, nor was he precisely sitting. He had one leg draped over a chair arm, with the other stretched out towards the fire. In the fire screamed the lightly charred soul of a recently deceased adulterer. Barry… or was it Billy? After so many millennia of ruling Hell, it was difficult to keep track. Had the screams gotten a bit quieter? Lucifer stoked the flames until the music of his pain reached the right tempo again. \n\nThe King of Hell was bored. He hadn’t had enough variation lately. He had tried spicing up his torture routines (literally, cayenne pepper to the soul is surprisingly unpleasant), but despite his extensive imagination, there really is a limit on how many different ways you can punish someone. Most of the time these days he just delegated to the lesser demons and spent all his time playing video games. \n\nThe soul in the fire had stopped screaming in favour of whimpering. Lucifer stood up to poke it again, when there was a tentative tapping at the door. Instead of poking the soul, he rammed the poker straight through it, resulting in even louder shrieks. He stomped over to the door and yanked it open.\n\n“What is it? I was busy!” He looked around for the culprit, then down. A puny imp trembled on the floor below him.\n \n“M-my ap-p-pologies your Highness. I h-have received a s-summons-” He couldn’t seem to finish the sentence. \n\n“Well go sort it then, idiot! You needn’t ask for my permission.” \n\nThe imp cringed even smaller than before, then gathered himself, “My Lord, the summons is for you. One Constance Lockwood, daughter of Prudence and Regal Lockwood. The summoning was unskilled, but determined.”\n\nLucifer thought for a moment, then decided that it had been a while since he had answered a summons, and he was bored. He glared down at the imp who still trembled at his feet. \n\n“What are you still doing here? Go torture a soul or something, there are plenty of them!” \n\nThe imp sprang up, hastily saluted, and scurried off down the hall. \n\n“Newbies.” Lucifer shook his head, then headed back into his study. He yanked the poker out of the soul on his way past, setting off a new wave of screams. He checked himself out in the mirror, trialling a few different disguises before settling on a handsome young man. The only indication of his real identity were his eyes like burning coals. With a name like Constance, she could only be the daughter of puritans. Perhaps she was wanting to escape that life? Well he could certainly help with that!\n\nHe took the still red-hot poker over to his personal portal and keyed himself into the summoning network to find her. Dragging the poker over the pattern to activate it, he stood back to watch the fire race over the shape of the pentagram. When the shape was complete, the stone of the circle vanished, leaving only a swirling maelstrom of flame. Lucifer stepped through. \n\nWhen he stepped out on the other side, he found himself in a basement, confronted by a tiny girl of no more than six human years. She was covered in paint, and curled up in the corner of the room on an old mattress. She appeared to be asleep, yet tears still ran down her face. Apparently, she had given up on anyone answering her summons. \n\nLucifer was tempted to sneak back through the portal without her knowing he was ever there. A six-year-old had no business summoning demons, and the purity of her soul was evident. He would gain nothing here. Then he looked around properly, wondering why a child of puritans would summon the King of Hell. Puritan children were usually teens before they rebelled.\n\nFirst thing he noticed was the pentagram clumsily painted on the floor, with a single candle in the middle. There was no other light in the room, but he could see that the door out of the basement was closed, and aside from cans of house paint and a few planks of wood, the mattress was the only furnishing. He went over to test the door with human strength. It was locked. \n\nLucifer was starting to get concerned, and angry. Who was keeping a child locked in a basement? Was she kidnapped? Where were her parents? \n\nHe returned to the child and gently woke her. Her eyes opened slowly, then widened as she gasped. \n\n“Lucifer?” \n\n“Yes child, why did you summon me?” \n\nAt the reminder of what she had done, she burst into fresh tears. \n\n“Mother always said that you were bad, and that you punish the evil-doers. I didn’t do anything bad, but Father sometimes locks me down here over night for penance. I get so lonely and I thought that since I wasn’t actually bad, you might not punish me. Mother used to come down to give me a hug after Father went to bed, but she died. Could you give me a hug please?” \n\nLucifer would have laughed if it had not been so tragic. As long as he had existed, he had never been summoned for a hug. Without questioning her more, the King of Hell folded the girl in his arms and held her until she fell back asleep.\n\nOnce she was asleep Lucifer got to work. Firstly, he slipped back through the portal to his room, and summoned an imp. He sent it to find a blanket; considering the temperature of Hell there were few to be found. He returned to the girl with the blanket and covered her over, then slipped upstairs to see the girl’s father. \n\nLucifer slipped into the man’s dreams to find a little boy curled up on another mattress in another basement. Recognising the cycle, he knew that anger would not help. He restrained it, and gently approached the boy. Upon seeing him, Regal Lockwood gasped with fear. \n\n“Who are you?” demanded the boy. “What are you doing here?” \n\n“I am Lucifer, the King of Hell, and I have been summoned by your daughter because of your neglect and abuse. I save some of my best tortures for abusers. If you don’t mend your ways I will certainly have your soul as a plaything. I am here to tell you to treat her better-“ his eyes glowed fiercely “-Or I will take her away from you.\n\n“I will be checking on her regularly, so don’t slip up!”\n\nWith that, Lucifer left the dream, it now being almost dawn. He quickly whipped up some pancakes in the kitchen, and left them on the floor beside Constance before stepping back through the portal. \n\nBack in Hell, Lucifer returned to work with a vengeance, focusing especially on those souls of people from the beginnings of abuse cycles.\n\nSix years later…\n\nIt was Sunday again, Connie had just returned from church with her father. They had been to the shop for ingredients, and she was going to make Luci’s favourite: pancakes! She checked the time, 11:30am, just enough time to have them ready. \n\nAt precisely 12pm, the pentagram painted on the back of the front door started glowing, then swirled with flames, and a handsome young man stepped through with glowing eyes. \n\nConnie ran to give him a hug, and he grinned. No one had ever hugged him except her, his little girl. \n\n“Pancakes?” he asked. “My favourite!”\n",
"He blinks, and then he blinks again, the dancing lights in his eyes briefly flickering. Not a scream nor prayers to welcome him, no bloodied victim to spoil and devour, no incense, nothing. Instead is just this tiny shape in front of him, holding a ragged, musty teddy bear. It reeks, reeks of piss, and snot, and old fear, and the demon hunches and sniff in disgust, only to recoil when a small, sticky paw of a hand rises to pet his snout.\n\n\" What are you ?\" Gravel rolling over rocks, embers crackling in brimstone fires, his voice echoes, booms, and dies around them but the creature in its soiled garments doesn't even shiver, doesn't show fear. His only contacts with the spawns of humanity have only been so far the sacrifices made to him, tender and delicate morsels he has gobbled with delectation. This one seems different under the grime and filth that covers her and it awakes an emotion he hasn't felt in eons. Curiosity.\n\n\"I'm.. I'm Lucy. I found your name in the book. It said I could call you if I wanted anything.\"\n\n\" Indeed you can, Lucy, daughter of man. Indeed you can\" Seductive, serpentine now, he coils around her, almost purring. In front of her is the Book, the book holding his one and only true name among so many others, the one whispered in the dark, the only one he answers to. She has drawn the circle in bright, coloured crayons on a sheet of paper, painstakingly copying the curved lines and intricate arabesques that are supposed to protect the caller, those so called circles that never ever held any power over him.\n\n\"And what is it that you wish, Lucy ? What is it that is worth your immortal soul ?\"\n\nThe child sniffles, for as brave as she tries to appear, fear is growing in her, a spicy bouquet to the flaring nostrils of the demon. She rubs her eyes, revealing a painfully thin wrist, skin marred with both old and new bruises.\n\n\"Could I\" she glups, lifting her head to meet the demon's glare fully for the first time, \" Could I get a hug ? Please ?\" Already her hands are reaching out, arms stretching wide to face the huge demon now facing her. \" I haven't been hugged ever since ..\" She gulps again \" Since a long time..\"\n\nThe blackened claws skim her skin ho so carefully, circling her.\n\n\" Is that all you want ? A hug ? \"\n\n​\n\nCuriosity first, but now perplexity coursing through the demon's mind. Humans were always to him barely above beasts, ridiculously small sentient ants he delected into squishing but this mere slip of a girl, with her equally small soul was ready to sacrifice everything just of a lie of care ? A ghost of tenderness ?\n\n​\n\n\"And would you like to feel safe and cared for and hugged, every time you wanted, Lucy, daughter of man ?\"\n\n\" Can you do this ? \"\n\n\" Of course I can. Just say the word and I will always be there for you, always with you.\"\n\nHe grins broadly as he scoops her, carefully avoiding to hurt her, humans being so fragile. She melts in his clumsy embrace, so starved for contact and warmth she doesn't even realise she is crying.\n\n\"Yes, please.\"\n\n​\n\nHe opens his eyes, and opens them again. This human envelope is so small, yet his strength already is mending it, healing the brunt of abuse the child has been through. Deep down herself Lucy is sleeping forever in a dream of hugs and care and peace.\n\n​\n\nIn a singing, small voice he says it, practicing.\n\n\" I'm Lucy. Can I have a hug ?\"\n\nplease accept my apologies for any grammar mistakes, english not being my first languageedits : typos"
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[removed] | [WP] In a world where escape rooms are a competitive bloodsport, you are the greatest room designer known. You have just completed your masterpiece work - and its first two contenders staking their lives are... | 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 u/I_m_different, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**Direct prompt replies must be good-faith attempts at new stories or poems**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)\n\n- Fill-in-the-blank: Responses must be at least 30 words. 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 Feel free to repost without the question! \n\n *Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses ([rule 7](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses))*\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9h4jdl/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[WP] Since 'Lab-Meat' was created, Independent companies have been trying to grow functioning and programmable humans to do their bidding, you are the first conscious experiment to survive the growth process, Today is the first time you wake | 9 | [
"**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 began to gasp for air. Once my lungs filled and exhaled, I felt myself gag uncontrollably as a wave of chills flushed through my body. I heard someone shout \"342 is awake! Someone get that breathing tube out!\" A team of scientists came rushing over to recover me from my synthetic womb. \n\n\"Holy shit, we did it!\" a scientist said in amazement.\n\nThe scientists removed my breathing tube and covered me with blankets. They used various machines to read my vital signs and temperature. They kept calling me \"342\" when communicating with each other. I turned to a scientist who was treating my skin with some sort of lotion.\n\n\"Do I have a name?\" I asked him. His eyes went wide when he heard me speak. The whole room fell silent.\n\n\"Can anyone answer that?\" I asked the room. \"Do I have a name?\"\n\nA female scientist reluctantly stepped forward. \"None of the subjects in the Pioneer Program have been given names yet because none of them have woken up successfully. In our lab, its a sign of bad luck to name something that may not wake up.\" She explained.\n\n\"Pioneer Program\" I repeated. \"Call me Pi.\" I declared.\n\nOver the next few weeks, the scientists ran some physical and mental health tests. I was known around the lab as the first man to be birthed at the age of 30. About a month into my \"life\", the tests started to become more painful. They would stick needles in my limbs and push them down to my bones. With every test, the medical instruments became stranger and stranger. \n\nOne morning, I woke up missing my left hand. When I asked about why they needed it, they explained that it was to be toured around the country to other labs for research. This explanation wasn't as devastating to me as it would've been to a pure human. I understood that my whole life is or was solely a science experiment. I felt that I was providing a service to the people that made me.\n\nLittle by little, some of the scientists would become uncomfrotable while others become more authoritive. Some would quiet and others would take on a sort of lion-tamer role. They would call me things like \"Synthy\" or \"Guinea Pig\". Once their words were explained to me, I felt what you would believe as sadness for the first time. Every week, they would take a new piece of my body or whole limb for a new study. I only had my right arm and left leg by the time I had started to plot my escape.\n\nThe media covers the escape as if I were a gorilla who freed themselves from a zoo. That I had killed two guards and three scientists. I saw these scientists as gods once. Although they want to be so badly, they can't be gods. \nI won't let them."
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[WP] After the aliens came, most of humanity fled underground. Every night you broadcast a reading of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to inspire survivors. The aliens hear it to, and begin wondering why they don't have rights. | 48 | [
"**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",
"“Commander?” Hachibada looked away from her terminal’s screen, painted with a multitude of fuzzy lights that showed very intricate information on local human transmissions from the area. Well, one head looked away. The other two were still deeply focused on a .gif of a cat patting around a ball of yarn.\n\nOne of the Commander’s heads rolled it’s eyes. Another answered her. “Yessss...?” It hissed, forked tongue licking the air. Another head continued, this time without the hissing, as the commander just remembered that Hachibada found it obnoxious and gross. “What is it, lieutenant?”\n\nHachibada stood up, her scales bathed in the sickly green light of a few dozen terminal screens, her hands folded demurely around her back. She, like most of her kind, was tall and slender and had three heads. Two secondaries and one primary, with the primary directly in the middle between her shoulders and the secondaries to the left and right, sharing separate necks that connected in the middle.\n\n“I was thinking, ” Her right head hissed. “W-we, uh, found a very interesting document while examining local computer networks, sir.”\n\n“Have you found actionable intelligence? Good. My superiors have been hounding me for something to validate the existence of this entire division for the last month now.”\n\n“No, no, no. It’s not that. I mean. It might be more important, sir.”\n\nThe commander sighed. The same head that had rolled it’s eyes at Hachibada did so once again, this time with even greater flourish. “Lieutenant. High Command has dedicated the entire attention of our great and mighty military all on this one planet. They did not make this choice lightly, as the previous owners have proven particularly *rabid*. So far we’ve brushed off the local resistance with very little casualties, but that? That was the easy part. Now is the occupation, which is as important or even more important than the invasion. In fact, the initial five months of the occupation is always the crucial point. If our enemies were to destroy us, they will do so now.”\n\nHe placed a clawed hand on Hachibada’s terminal screen. “Which is why it’s so important that we monitor the enemy’s communications. Without us, our ground forces are blind, which makes our mighty and undefeated military weak to even a single foot mobile with a homemade grenade. An attack like that destroys morale and, like an infected wound, it spreads. People start talking. Dissent brews. The rebels are encouraged to continue this type of warfare. Maybe as casualties rise, our citizens will lose the taste for blood. And maybe, just maybe, they will pull support for our campaign and we will be sent back home in dishonor and shame.”\n\nThe Commander looked directly into Hachibada’s eyes. Ancient tales back home imply that their species were descendant from mighty hydras. It was all very fanciful, but it was people like the commander that made her question those stories. There was fire in his eyes and it looked as if he could crush her with a single hand.\n\n“I don’t want to go home to my wife and daughter and tell them that I was a part of a failed war. I don’t imagine you do either. So, tell me. If it’s not actionable intelligence then what is the purpose of our division?”\n\n“It’s...” She considered the fire in her commander’s eyes, his words, the war effort. She considered keeping her mouth shut. She considered the needs of the people. The starving and the sick and all those at the top who take and take from the people, growing fat off the endless exploitation of the working class. She patted her right head and her left head, cradling them with an arm each. They looked into each other’s eyes.\n\n“Have we ever thought about becoming communists?”\n\n“What the fuck are you talking about?”\n\n“Right,” she gestured with her claws. “Do you know how we have a ton of young newts both living and working in the acid mines? I mean, I know the production of acid is important for our way of life, but have we ever considered just moving them out of the acid mines and not forcing them into slave labor at such a young age?”\n\n“I mean, the fumes, the fumes right? Consider the fumes! They’re so bad that some of these newts don’t develop right, and their extra heads are all deformed and twisted and some end up even a little, um... a little... retarded?” She said, unsure if that was the right word to be using. “And what if instead of abandoning all of these people who become like that, we helped them live full and happy lives in spite of their condition? Like set up clincs and treatment centers and stuff.”\n\n“I’ll indulge you,” he narrowed his eyes. “Where would you get the money?”\n\n“Okay. Just bear with me for a minute here, this is going to sound stupid, but what if we took all the money from the rich people and gave it to the poor people?”\n\n“Well, you can’t do that, that’s stealing. Which is illegal.”\n\n“I mean... it's the same thing as taxes, j-just more *taxes* but... Yeah, I can see why you disagree with that, but alright. Can’t say I’m not disappointed, though. I was actually hoping that we could build towards a society with no need for currency.”\n\n“What?”\n\n“Yeah, everyone would just give everyone else what they need without asking for anything in return. I knew you weren’t going to like that one, but, uh, you know all the slaves we have?”\n\n“What of them?”\n\n“What if we just broke the chains? On the shackles, attached to their ankles? Also slavery itself. What if we broke slavery? Like got rid of it and emancipated the slaves?”\n\n“Now I know that you are insane. It’s a thousand year old institution. You can’t just remove a thousand year old institution without massive economic repercussions. Sit down before I call the MPs.”\n\nHachibada’s right head began to scream at the top of their lungs. “Capitalist pig-dog! Wretched lick of stagnant dog piss! Engorged balls of sick, rotting cow! May a thousand burning wasps consume your genitalia! May your eyes melt in your skull! We will be silenced no longer! Break the chains! Workers of the world unite! Onwards!”\n\n“No, no! Badahach, please shut up,” she made gentle cooing sounds, “You’re not helping our case.”\n\nIt was drowned out in Badahach’s wild screaming, but someone, in the back of the big wide comms room, echoed her. Break the chains.\n\n“MPs! What are you doing standing around?! Arrest her! Come on!\n\nWithin seconds, five black clad officer rushed into the room and dragged out a partially screaming Hachibada. “BREAK THE CHAINS. BREAK THE CHAINS. BREAK THE - “\n\nThe door slammed close. The Commander wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead and shook his head. He’d have to address this issue to High Command. Hachibada was definitely going to be dishonorably discharged. Maybe even court martialed. It was a shame. She was a good operator.\n\nAt least this was the end of it.\n\nThe Commander looked around the room. Everyone, to a man, had stopped what ever it was they were doing and had been watching them talk. They stared, eyes wide and jaws to the ground, their sensitive intelligence work all but forgotten.\n\nThere had been nearly fifty men and women in that room.\n\n* ​\n\nThree days later the Hydran ships stopped firing at the humans. They were now firing at each other. Over the din of constant artillery barrages, you could faintly hear the words, *break the chains* and *workers of the world unite*.\n\nIn the aftermath of a recent battle between the People’s Republic of Free Hydra and the Resistance and the Hydran High Command, two soldiers picked through whatever remained.\n\nNymtako chewed on a wad of chewing tobacco he had found in the mouth of a dead human. “Can I have some,” asked one of his heads.\n\n“No,” he said.\n\nHe chewed and watched the sunrise as his compatriot dug through the pockets of humans and hydra alike. His compatriot, Gyukhamara, had only two heads. His condition was not by birth or choice. It was by mutilation. The humans had captured him and when they did not like what one of his heads had to say about their diminutive stature, they decapitated him and strung him up so that he had to watch one of his own heads decompose.\n\n“Hey,” Nymtako called out to his comrade. Gyuk looked up, his eyes glossy and sad. His only other head gibbered quietly to itself, madness upon it’s lips.\n\nNymtako looked upon the bodies of the communists and the aliens and thought for a minute. He thought hard, harder than he had ever thought in his entire life.\n\n“Have we ever considered becoming racists?”"
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[removed] | [WP] Write your best I'm drunk and responding to this prompt 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",
"ok, okj, I got this. I wam gonnal blow your socks onff with this sory ! So this one4 time, i wasa out and i was drinkign, and I really wanted tohn tell the girl neast to me tnat i was an awdssom estory toellerf. byt when i went to start telleing my stoery.. i ahdt too myuch toi dringajksg adn i gjhuad ugfrvnjgHgihhgbvjHGU.zzzzzZZZZZZZ",
"Hi u/dantedaxer, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses)\n\n- Write Anything: A prompt must actually be a prompt, not a \"write anything\" \n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9hbdiu/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[WP] Life and Death stand above your body debating your fate. You decide to join the conversation and argue each point they both make. | 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",
"\"He was hit. Justice must be fulfilled. He is mine.\"\n\n\"But it was not his fault that the other driver was drinking. Please, let us give him another chance. He has a family.\"\n\n\"We always do this, going round and round... Is he listening?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\nI stared at the two figures conversing above me. One was bright, shining like the sun. It looked like a regular man, except a bit taller than usual. The other was hooded and wore a black cloak that seemed to suck the light out of the space around it. I couldn't see its face.\n\n\"I am Life,\" said the bright figure.\n\n\"I am Death,\" said the hooded one.\n\n\"We are judging your fate,\" they declared.\n\nI took a second to collect my thoughts. I remembered driving, a flash of headlights, and then a crunch. Now I was talking to Life and Death. I was pleased with myself for taking everything in stride.\n\n\"Am I dead?\" I asked.\n\n\"I'm working on it,\" said Death.\n\n\"You're in between life and death,\" Life told me, \"and we're deciding whether you should stay on earth or move on to the next phase of existence.\"\n\n\"Well, I like being alive!\"\n\n\"Not so fast,\" cautioned Death, \"there are rules. You *did* get hit by a car going 89 miles an hour. Frail humans like you don't just walk away from stuff like that.\"\n\n\"Who are you calling frail?!\" I objected.\n\n\"You're on the brink of death. Normally, Death here would come in and tidy up your soul before it moves on, but since you're not technically dead yet I'm trying to get him to go away. You're welcome.\" Life grinned.\n\n\"He's not moving one way or the other,\" Death murmured. \"We'll have to take a vote.\"\n\n\"Okay,\" Life responded, \"I vote he lives.\"\n\n\"Do I honestly have to answer?\" Death asked.\n\n\"Yes, Death, you do!\" Life groaned.\n\n\"Fine! I vote he dies!\"\n\n\"Wait, that makes a tie!\" I said rather obviously.\n\n\"Obviously,\" said Death.\n\n\"That means you're the tiebreaker,\" Life told me.\n\nI sat in silence for minute. \"Well of course I vote to live,\" I finally blurted out.\n\n\"Wait. Before you vote,\" said Life, \"you must understand yourself the way Death and I do. Hold still.\"\n\nLife reached out one glorious hand and covered my eyes. Everything seemed to stop, and then...\n\nI viewed my entire life. Every decision, good or bad, flashed before me. I saw the time I lied to Mom about breaking curfew. The time I made my little sister cry. The time I tripped Jimmy Folsom in the hallway, just because he made fun of my shoes. The time my first girlfriend broke up with me, and I told everyone that she was a horrible person.\n\nOnly now, I realized, I wasn't that great either. My heart broke. The gulf between who I wanted to be and who I was seemed larger than ever. I wanted to hide, hide from everyone, especially from these two strange beings who knew everything about me. I was so ashamed. I didn't deserve to live, not when everyone else on earth was so much better than me. I was dirt compared to them.\n\n\"Well,\" Life asked, \"what'll it be?\"\n\n\"Remember,\" Death said, \"I'm more than happy to take you. But once you're gone, that's it. Once you're dead, you can't make right what is wrong. As much as I want to take you, I'm wise enough to know I shouldn't do it early. Don't leave anything undone, or leave anyone alone. Got it?\"\n\nI took a deep breath. \"I don't deserve to live,\" I started, \"but I'll stay anyways. I've made lots of mistakes, but running from them won't make things right. I need to take a second chance and fix my mistakes - try and become a better person.\"\n\n\"Everyone deserves to live,\" Life told me emphatically, \"and you are no exception. And the fact that you're going to use your life to be a better person shows that life is well spent on you.\"\n\n\"Thanks,\" I said.\n\nI thought I saw Death smile underneath his hood. \"I change my vote,\" he said. \"Character like yours, you can have a few more years. I've got a request though. Try and make people happy for me. I hate picking up souls who lived sad lives.\"\n\nI nodded.\n\nThe world started to fade. Life and Death began to ascend to planes unknown.\n\n\"And kid? One more thing.\" Death called to me.\n\n\"What?\" I yelled in my last few moments before I awoke in the real world.\n\n\"I'll be waiting.\""
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[WP] The apocalypse has finally come, and you’re all prepared! Unfortunately, you were prepared for the wrong kind of apocalypse. | 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",
"Finally, she hears the sound that once and for all proves she's not crazy: screams, sweet glorious screams.\n\nThe preacher went silent; as she switched off *The* *Belief channel.* The eager woman kisses her cross necklace and murmurs a prayer over and over again. Grabbing her Bible, the thick book almost slips out of her grasp, she takes a deep breath, rips open her curtains and sees something unexpected: a man *eating* *a Labradoodle*.\n\n'Well, that's not in the scripture…' she holds the book to her chest, 'musta' been a *sinner*'\n\nKaren wasn't known for smiling (she was known as being a nut); but today is an exception, as years of fearing sin; avoiding alcohol and, staying untouched, had finally been rewarded: she was saved.\n\nThe groans from outside made Karen giggle, something she hadn't done since she sneezed during silent prayer when she was eight; she was made to stand outside for the rest of the service.\n\n'*Brains, brains!*' someone was slamming on her front door.\n\n'No, stay outside!' she called, 'I'll allow no sinners in my dwelling thank-you'\n\nHer window smashed open. Karen is eye-to-eye with her neighbor; he has bite marks on his forehead.\n\nKarren is joyous, 'that's what you get for spending your Sundays watching football!'\n\n​"
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[WP] You can predict the future accurately 50% of the time. Whenever you have a vision of something horrible happening, you go through a crisis trying to figure out whether it will really happen or not. | 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",
"10 minutes left. Only 10 minutes left until she's gone forever. Dammit, she's still not answering her phone. I've warned her over and over again how unsafe it is to use a rolling chair as a step stool. I always joked that one day she was going to fall and break her neck. Jokes over. Fuck! Another goddamn stoplight. I give a couple quick glances to the cross street and speed through. 5 minutes left. Still no answer on the phone but I'm going to make it. I finally pull up to the house, sweat coating my hands and face. I fumble for my keys, the sweat and shaking of my hands make it impossible to grasp. 1 minute left. I finally get the key in, turn the lock and swing open the door. And that's when I see it. My wife, naked, on her knees in front of a naked man sitting. Sitting in that goddamn rolling chair. The look of their surprised faces slowly fades as I get a new vision. It's her and me. We're standing together at an altar. She looks so beautiful in white. The vision fades, and all that's left in front of me is her lifeless body, drenched in blood. "
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"1537482259",
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Inspiration from u/Mutt1223 | [WP] "'Turn on your TV.' 'What channel?' 'Doesn't matter.'" | 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",
"\"Turn on your TV.\" \n\"What channel?\" \n\"Doesn't matter.\" \n\"... So?\" \n\"Still broken.\" \n\"Turn it off.\" \n\"Ok.\" \n\"... Try it now.\" \n\"What ch-\" \n\"I said it doesn't matter! Just turn it on and tell me if it works!\" \n\"Fine... No need to yell... It's still broken.\" \n\"Dude, I give up, just get a new TV.\"",
"“Turn on your TV.”\n\n“What Channel?”\n\n“Doesn’t matter.”\n\nClaire set her phone down and picked up the remote. Ruth was right. It didn’t matter. She flipped through a few channels and settled on one after seeing the same image on each. There were lights in the sky. Claire sat and listened.\n\n“We’ve asked the military for comment and they’ve yet to give us any information. These lights, whatever they are, have been around for hours. We’ll keep our cameras rolling and update you with any new developments,” said the news anchor. They pressed a finger to their ear as assistants handed them the latest. They were frantic.\n\nClaire reached for her phone. “Jesus, Ruth. This is the real deal, huh?”\n\n“Sure is. You were right.”\n\n“Oh, relax. They don’t know what they are yet. I don’t want to get my hopes up just yet.” \n\nThe news channel moved from the anchor to images of the lights. They began to move. “And folks, it seems that the lights are now moving south. Slowly. About the speed of a helicopter,” said the anchor.\n\n“Claire. South. That’s towards you,” said Ruth. Claire was already making her way towards her backyard. She tried looking out the kitchen window on the way and saw the lights crossing across her view. Her heart raced. She threw the backyard door open and looked up. Despite being bright, the light was soft, like a nightlight. It stopped above her. Silent and still.\n\n“Ruth. It’s here. Right above me. It stopped here.”\n\nAs she tried listening for Ruth, the connection crackled. She looked at her phone, shook it, and it went blank. All around her, lights went dark. Porch lights. Streetlights. Everything. Except whatever rested overhead. Claire inhaled and held it, afraid to draw attention to herself. The darkness unsettled her.\n\nA spotlight appeared at the other end of her yard. Then a flash. Smoke filled her surroundings. And a sweet smell filled her lungs. This cloud calmed her. And as the mist began to clear, she saw a figure standing where the light light first touched her yard.\n\nIt was tall. Slender. Just like all those goddam movies Ruth always made her watch and just how Ruth always said they’d look. Large eyes dominated their face. It spoke to her, lips unmoving. She heard it in her mind.\n\n“What are you?” it said. It cocked it’s head, as if studying her. Despite also having a head, eyes, and limbs, Claire looked alien to this visitor.\n\n“I’m Claire. I’m a human. What are you?”\n\n“A visitor. There are others,” it said, gesturing overhead. \n\n“Why have you chosen to visit this place? My home. Why come here?”\n\n“You were the first to step outside. No other reason. You are just as curious as us.”\n\n“Will you show me your ship?”\n\n“There is no time to return you. We must leave.”\n\n“I don’t need to come back.”\n\nIt held a hand up, towards Claire. She let her phone drop to the ground and reached for the being. They connected and there was another great flash. The yard was suddenly empty and the lights were gone and the night returned to being dark and still."
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[WP] You invented a serum that lets you communicate with animals. You decide to test it first. It doesn't seem to work, until you hear a spider ask, "Hey Roomie! How was your day?!" | 2,312 | [
"**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",
"Unbelievable, the serum had worked!After piggybacking off of centuries of research stemming from Dr. Thomas Muffet’s work in the 1500s I had finally created what he could only begin to dream of. I collapsed in tears on the floor thinking of my ancestors before me, and my late father, that had all devoted their entire lives to developing what I now had within reach. Oh, the implications of this serum! We finally have the ability to communicate with spiders, and unlock the secrets of their fascinating webs and venom. The medical implications of being able to harness the power of their venom to prevent strokes, to the engineering implications of the remarkable tension displacement qualities of their silk. My life’s work finally comes to an-\n\n“Uh, are you okay?” A familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts. I had forgotten to respond to the company at hand.\n\n“Oh, yes! Yes! I am so sorry, it’s just that I have waited for this moment for my entire life.” I replied as I picked myself up from the floor and wiped my face with the sleeve of my lab coat.\n\n“Oh good, I was worried for a second there” said the spider “and yeah, I know what you mean. It’s nice to finally hear a response. I’ve been trying to talk to you for, like, the past year, and you just kept ignoring me. I just thought you were deaf or something, but I figured I’d keep trying to ask you how your day was to at least pretend we know each other, since we live together and all.”\n\n“I see. Well I sure am glad you kept trying to talk to me. I’ve been trying to talk to you my entire life, but see, I never had the ability to until today. I created this serum that allows me to communicate with you now- and I have so much to talk to you about. I just can’t believe this is-“\n\nGrrrrrrrruuuuuurggggggghhhhh\n\nMy thoughts were again interrupted, this time by my own stomach that begged for food. Believing I was on the brink of perfecting the serum, I had locked myself in my lab and forgotten to eat for the past couple days. I was now painfully reminded of this fact by the sharp pains in my abdomen.\n\n“If you’ll excuse me for a moment I need to get some food. I haven’t eaten in days.” I said to the spider before quickly dashing upstairs into the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and frowned. I hadn’t restocked on groceries for awhile, and the only readily edible item I could find was a container of cottage cheese, or as dad used to call them “curds and whey”. The only reason I kept them in the fridge is because they reminded me of him, and were fairly nutritious. They were never exactly my favorite food. Oh well, no time to be picky now. Suddenly aware of how ravenous I was, I grabbed the container and a spoon and began shoveling it into my mouth as I hurried back downstairs.\n\n“Welcome back!” the spider chimed as I came back into the lab and sat down on a stool. \n\n“Man, am I hungry” I garbled between bites. I quickly finished the small tub of cottage cheese and set the container down, my hunger pains dulled slightly for the moment.\n\n“Anyway” I continued “I’ve worked my entire life for this moment, and have so much to discuss with you. You see, the venom and web making skills you spiders possess is absolutely amazing. Your venom is the key to so many medical advances because of its chemical properties. Additionally, your silk has astounding physical properties that can be harnessed and used for a myriad of engineering purposes. The problem was that before today, without being able to communicate with you all, there was no way to ask you to produce these things for us. Years of research has shown that there is no way for us to mechanically stimulate production of venom or silk. So, I guess what I really want to ask you is, what is the secret to the production of your venom and silk?”\n\nThe spider looked up at me in silence for a moment. I couldn’t read the expression on its face- mostly because spiders don’t really have faces, or at least faces like humans have that can convey emotions. \n\nFinally, the spider spoke. “Well, Miss Muffet, I hope I don’t scare you away. However, the truth is that we’re only able to access conscious control of venom and silk production after we’ve successfully killed and eaten a human victim.”",
"After five years of research and testing in his home lab, Kevin watched as what he finally believed to be a serum that would allow humans to understand the languages of animals dripped slowly into a test tube. The golden liquid was as thick as a viscous oil. Microscopic crystals that had formed inside it glittered in the carefully placed lighting of his ramshackle clean room. After the last drop fell to the thin glass vessel, he reached down and plucked it from its stand, admiring its physical beauty and his mind racing over the conversations he planned to have with the many animals around the city. He couldn't wait to find out what the cat in the coffee shop thought of everyone who walked past it.\n\nWith that thought in his head, he tipped the tube into his mouth and let the liquid flow down. He grimaced at the taste of liver and rotten eggs, but pushed past it, allowing the substance to fall to the back of his tongue, then he promptly swallowed it. Initially, he didn't feel anything. He stood, holding the test tube, waiting patiently, but nothing seemed to happen. After some thought, he considered the fact that maybe it was too viscous to digest properly, so he started walking to his kitchen but as the outer door of the air lock to his clean room opened, he doubled over in pain. It started in his stomach and radiated outwards. With every beat of his heart, he felt it travel upwards with almost sentient purpose. He screamed as it reached his brain and the sensation it caused was like a thousand tiny needles puncturing every nerve in his head, pushing slowly in and through them. Then, as suddenly as it began, it ended.\n\nBreathing heavily, the scientist stood and walked instead to his bathroom. He splashed his face with water and looked at his now bloodshot eyes in the mirror. He didn't feel the pain anymore, but he also didn't feel any different. Looking at his eyes, though, he did notice tiny gold flecks in his irises that weren't there before, causing him to smile. Something had changed. Without hesitation, he ran out of his bathroom to the front door of his apartment and grabbed his coat. Dashing out the door, forgetting to lock the door, it remained partially ajar as he sped down the stairs of the building. In far less time than it usually took, he arrived at his favourite coffee shop and stared through the window looking for the cat that took up residence there years ago. She was resting on a stack of books near the back of the store and he quickly ran in and sat near her. \"Hello Mittens. How are you today?\" The cat looked up lazily at the disturbance. No response. \"Hmm, maybe I need to try to talk like you... Meow, rrrow row meow.\" Mittens ears perked up slightly getting Kevin's hopes up, but when she meowed and rolled onto her back, he didn't understand it.\n\nFeeling rather dejected, he gave her a quick scratch and left. \"Maybe it's not cats...\" he walked along the street looking for any animals that might be around. A rat squeaked as it ran from a garbage can to the gutter. Nothing. Birds chirping in a tree as he passed, craning his ears in hope. Nothing. He walked past a dog park on the way home and all he heard was barking. Even the squirrels in the tree outside of his apartment building were only chirruping. Feeling like he had failed, he climbed the stairs to his room and pushed open the door. \"Hey, Roomie! How was your day?!\" He jumped at least two feet high in surprise at the high, rough voice that greeted him and landed painfully on his tailbone. Looking around the room there was no one there to have spoken to him.\n\n\"WHO'S THERE?!\" Had the serum affected his eyesight somehow? It made no sense as he could see all the people when he was outside. Another look around the room and the only thing that seemed different was what a tiny fuzzy cushion on the couch, no bigger than his hand, that wasn't there before.\n\nThen the cushion moved. It raised a long hairy leg that he hadn't noticed before, \"Yo! I actually didn't expect you to understand that. Human's usually don't.\" Kevin looked carefully at the thing speaking with wide eyes. The huge spider lifted its leg again and waved. \"Yep. Little ol' me, just sitting here waiting. You got a nice place here, man. Thanks for leaving the door open! Looking forward to living together!\" Kevin screamed...\n\n---\n\nlol, this was fun to write! Thanks for the prompt!\n\nMore at r/SamsStoriesSub",
"\"Hey Roomie! How was your day?!\" the spider inquired, cheerfully. She was a big one -- *tegenaria gigantea,* a giant house spider. Harmless to humans, helpful in controlling insect pests. \n\n\"Bad.\" I said, with a sigh, as I regarded the empty ampule from which I'd drawn the zoophonic serum. \"Something's very wrong here.\"\n\n\"Aw.\" the spider said, skittering across the table and resting a comforting foreleg on my hand. \"What's wrong?\"\n\n\"Well, I was trying to make scientific history with zoophonic serum -- my own formulation of designer neurotransmitters and artificial peptides designed to render to me sensitive to the neural activity of non-human creatures. I hoped to be able to use it to, in layman's terms, *talk to animals.\"*\n\nThe spider raised her forelegs in a passable imitation of a human's spread arms. \"Seems like you got a hole in one then, buddy. Congratulations!\" Then she cocked her tiny head curiously. \"What's the problem?\"\n\n\"The problem, little friend,\" I explained, \"Is that this interaction we're having is nonsensical. You're a *spider.* A solitary arachnid predator, whose extremely limited cognition is almost entirely specialized for *catching bugs.* You don't have social instincts or empathy, much less a concept of a what a 'roomie' is.\"\n\n\"Ohhhhhh.\" the spider said, bobbing her head in understanding. \"So, what *is* happening right now, then?\"\n\n\"I injected myself with an untested psychoactive compound designed to cross the blood-brain barrier, and as a result I am now *vividly* hallucinating.\" I replied, with a sigh.\n\n\"That's bad luck.\" the spider, agreed, glumly. Then she brightened, as a whirling iridescent doorway made from the shells of a thousand singing oysters materialized on the tabletop beside her. \"Well, as long as you're at it, want to go on a *magical adventure* in the musical kingdom of Molluscia?\" \n\n\"I guess.\" I assented, and as I gingerly held her foreleg between two fingers, we leapt together into the spinning rainbow portal.",
"Me: Better before I learned I had a roommate,\n\nSpider: Awwwww, come on. Rough day?\n\nMe: Do you ever have one of those days where you invent a serum that lets you speak to animals, and then you drink it, and then it works, and then you wonder whether you just downed a beaker of pure ethanol and this is what brain death feels like?\n\nSpider: Sure do!\n\nMe: How? How could anyone else in the world know that feeling?\n\nSpider: You invented a serum that lets you understand animals, right? So...have you noticed how I can understand you back?\n\nMe: Oh. Yeah. Wait, how...\n\nSpider: You may be a brilliant biochemist, but you do like to run experiments from home and, let me tell you, you do NOT dispose of your biowaste properly. You got a lot of flies in here who have very strong opinions on Season 2 of Westworld. Kind of glad I couldn't hear that first one speaking until after I ate him. \n\nMe: How many trials ago did I accidentally succeed at this and not notice?\n\nSpider: Somewhere between burning a 3 foot acid hole in your breakfast nook and turning your terrier into a ravenous, blood-thirsty zombie?\n\nMe:....the first terrier or the second one?\n\nSpider: You're going to start the Apocalypse. You know this, right?\n\nMe: I think I need to take a nap. \n\nSpider: Well, don't mind me! I'm just going to be up here in the corner pretending not to watch you when you masturbate. \n\nMe: Spider, can I ask you something?\n\nSpider: Sure thing, buddy!\n\nMe: Please don't crawl into my mouth when I go to sleep. \n\nSpider: Noooo promises! Good night!",
"*Hey there, Roomie! How was your day?*\n\n*The next time you spot my web, could you please not sweep it away?*\n\n*I put a lot of effort into crafting this silky smooth nest;*\n\n*With these threads that hold my food and keep me still as I rest.*\n\n**Please excuse me Mister Spider, if I can't mask my fear.**\n\n**It's just that your cheery voice isn't what I expected to hear.**\n\n**I was hoping to have a friendly chat with a dog or some cats.**\n\n**Not some creepy little dude who's content with feasting on gnats.**\n\n*I'm not as creepy as I look and I'm always able to talk.*\n\n*All you'll get out of your dog are requests for treats or a walk.*\n\n*And forget those friggin' cats, they make my hairs stand on end.*\n\n*You can see it in their eyes; they'll never call you their friend.*\n\n**Fair enough, little dude. My cat is kind of a dick.**\n\n**But how can I be sure your kindness isn't some form of trick?**\n\n**You seem pretty friendly but I can sense you're annoyed.**\n\n**Are you seeking your revenge for all the webs I’ve destroyed?**\n\n*I wouldn't hold a grudge even if our new friendship goes south.*\n\n*Trust me, my dude, you won't wake up with dead flies in your mouth.*\n\n*I can keep my webs out of the way if it'll put your mind at ease.*\n\n*But if you'd like, I can pack up my shit and move outside to the trees*.\n\n\n**I won't boot you out, man. Honestly, you seem pretty chill.**\n\n**And you're doing me a solid with all the mosquitoes you kill.**\n\n**But I’m sad to say your appearance could cause quite a fright.**\n \n**If I have some guests over could you please stay out of sight?**\n\n*I hear you loud and clear bro, I'll disappear like a ghost.*\n\n*Wouldn't want those girls from the club to think you're a terrible host.*\n\n*To think I'd meet a human who's not eager to snuff out my life.*\n\n*This is great I can't wait until you meet my wife!*\n\n**Hold up, your wife? There's another eight-legged guest staying near?**\n\n**And there was a tone in your voice that sounded an awful lot like fear...**\n\n**I know you're excited but try to stay calm and be real.**\n\n**You've made friends with a human; how will that make your wife feel?**\n\n*Alas, it's true the wrath of my wife can give me a bit of a scare*\n\n*We hit the sheets, she laid some eggs, and I haven't been back to her lair*\n\n*It's not that she's quick to spring into a sudden murderous mood*\n\n*It's just that for us, it's customary for the male to become his woman's food...*\n\n**That's pretty rough but at least you can look forward to kids.**\n\n**And if I have an army of spiders, I'll make people flip their lids!**\n\n**But for you, I imagine it won't seem nearly as fun.**\n\n**A legion of kids, will you even have time to name each one?**\n\n*Honestly it's for the best that I try to keep my distance*\n\n*They'll never know I'm their father or be aware of my existence.*\n\n*Just keep your eyes open and I'll let you know when the timing is right.*\n\n*When they're born open your windows and let the wind give them flight*\n\n**So they glide out into the world, swiftly vacating my house?**\n\n**Once they're gone, will you try to reconnect with your spouse?**\n\n*Probably not, dude. I love her but I'd like to keep my head*\n\n*I might just go chill in the attic and check out her sister's bed...*\n\n**END**\n\n(I didn't really have a story in mind for this prompt...)\n\n*Edit: Holy crap! Thanks for the kind words, people!\n\n*Edit 2: Holier Crap!! Is that a gold star?"
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[WP] It's been a week since Disney bought out the last media mogul, essentially making a monopoly on entertainment. Everything seemed normal, but then something happened during the scheduled programming. You see the show interrupted by a message on-screen: "Operation: Dead Mouse has now begun". | 243 | [
"**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",
"*Operation Dead Mouse* \n\nThose words were what followed after the sudden cut of noise and the emergency broadcast siren that always seemed to make me jump. I had been watching the late night news, using the noise to lull me to sleep on the couch. The siren made that impossible now. I slowly stood up from my dusty couch, leaning over to reach the black remote from the coffee table on my way up. I fixed my glasses and took another look at my TV screen.\n\n*Attention Residents of the First World.*\n\n*The following message is [No Longer] sponsored by Disney*\n\nMy first thought was a possible hijacking, but to hack such a large worldwide presence would require a small nation’s worth of capable hackers. At least, I think it would. My thoughts were cut short when the white text faded and what seemed to be a press conference flooded my dark living room with a bright blue hue, matching the blue curtains behind the old man taking his place behind a wooden podium. I’ve never seen this man before, but the blue cut in on the bottom left introduced him as Disney’s CEO. I’d mention that the mouse shape of the cut in was in bad taste, but the man of the hour began to speak.\n“Good evening. The current message is being prerecorded for the sake of convenience.”\nHis voice was familiar. It finally hit me, he was the previous CEO who was said to have died by his own hand. His suicide note was in the form of a voice recording left in the coat pocket of the suit he died in. It was played on every major news channel. That being said, what became of the new CEO?\n\n“Do not be alarmed, there is no need to panic. At least, not yet. I speak to you, no, I plead to you in order to gain your cooperation. It seems that there are some among our company that seek to use its influence to satisfy some twisted form of greed. And so, I beg those who are willing to listen to cut any and all ties with this company. It will no longer be operating under my leadership. As of the day this is being recorded, I resign from my position as CEO. You have likely already seen what has become of me.” \nAnother voice spoke from behind the camera, “Sir, the door won’t hold much longer.”\nThe old man nodded and composed himself.\n“All who wish to keep their free will, I beg of you to find each other and seek to flee any major city. We’ve become too powerful and shouldn’t have the ability to-“ A metal door could be heard being broken down and gunshots echoed in the room. The broadcast was cut there, leaving me wide eyed and trembling.\n\nI took a deep breathe and stared intently at the black screen, only to realize that the power had been cut. I pressed the power button on my remote several times to confirm what I had already known. \n“Leave the city...” I mumbled to myself, trying to process what I had witnessed. Creative differences were common in companies that grew large, but I’ve never seen it spark something like that. The crisp sound of gunshots cut me away from my internal monologue. I threw myself to the ground, covering my neck. I knew there would be a panic, but to hear gunshots this early? I slowly crawled my way into the kitchen, sliding across the white tile, towards the back door. My ears finally stopped ringing but they’ll burst if I don’t get away from the source of the shooting. I get into my knees and open the door, being greeted by the starry sky of Los Angeles. But, they were being outshined by the small fires and smokestacks that could could be seen sprouting from the buildings downtown. The blades of a helicopter filled my still sensitive ears, so I looked up to inspect it. I expected the fire department, but not the National Guard. I was still slightly relieved to see it head off towards downtown. I quickly swallowed that relief as it began opening fire, the muzzle flash of the mounted gun revealing the black mouse decal on the tail of the helicopter.\n"
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[WP] The Old One first came to our caves, and then in time to our villages, then our towns. Ageless, and always emerging before times of crisis with wisdom. They are a living legend... the last human. | 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",
"Lonnie stood at the end of the pier, looking downward on the cracked, imperfect piece of litter that once was called a city. \n\nHer father had once told stories about this place, about a world he never truly experienced himself but felt the need to keep alive through passing the stories on for another generation, just as his mother had. \n\nLonnie put a foot out, as though taking a step, more in contemplation than a suicide attempt before bringing that same foot back to her person, content with the idea that this same pier would be here by the time she was old and frail. \n\nShe reached into her basket that she kept on her bicycle and pulled out a glass cup, which she threw downward, watching something very similar to her own future as it finally landed and shattered into countless pieces. \n\n\"Tired?\" Lonnie heard from behind her. Nearly jumping out of her skin, Lonnie looked behind her to see a legend in the flesh. The human stood nearly six feet tall, nearly doubling Lonnie's own height. She had long, red hair that hung down to her waist. Her skin was a pale peach color the same color as cream, unlike Lonnie's skin which was a pale blue color. The human wore a ocean-blue dress that cut off at her ankles. The look on her face was one of a person who was existentially tired. \n\n\"Wise one!\" Lonnie immediately bowed, angry that she had somehow missed the presence of the human. \n\nThe human bowed back, causing Lonnie to gasp and attempt to bow even lower. \n\nThe human laughed for a moment, a small chuckle at a joke that never stopped being funny. \"It's okay, just calm down,\" is all that she said in a smooth, higher pitched voice than Lonnie was used to. \n\n\"Why are you here?\" Was all that Lonnie asked, though she immediately regretted it. Who was she to ask anything of the human? \"Sorry, never-\"\n\n\"I come here everyday,\" the human started. \"It reminds me of home, if only a little bit.\" \n\nLonnie stared at the human as it moved closer to her. \"My name is Jane. Who are you?\" \n\n\"Lonnie,\" the girl said. She started messing around with her own blonde hair, which she suddenly realized was constricting her vision of the wise one. \"How old are you, exactly? I've heard tales, but I never knew if they were all true.\" \n\n\"Hm. Where I come from, it's rude to ask a woman her age.\" \n\nImmediately, Lonnie bowed again, as though scared for her very soul. \n\n\"Then again, maybe that's why we're not around anymore. It's okay, child. Stand up.\" Lonnie obeyed. \"I would say I'm about...\" the human trailed off a moment, calculating. \"Thirty-two years old. Yeah, that sounds about right.\" \n\n\"What's a year?\" \n\nThe human was silent for a moment. \"How many sunrises have you ever seen, Lonnie?\" \n\nThat was a weird question. Most people would live to see seven sunrises, maybe eight, if they were lucky. Lonnie was young, but she was not a child by any means. \n\n\"Two,\" Lonnie answered, confused. \n\n\"A year is three-hundred and ninety-six sunrises,\" Jane said, crossing her arms. \"I'm very old for your kind, but I'm actually pretty young for my kind.\" \n\n\"What happened to you all?\" \n\nThe human grew silent. Lonnie became aware that she had, in fact, asked too much this time. Jane looked away from Lonnie. Lonnie thought that the human was avoiding Lonnie's gaze before realizing that she was looking at the city below. \n\n\"I don't know.\" \n\nThe two stood there for a moment. \n\n\"I've been looking for the answer to that for a long time now.\" \n\nLonnie stood there uncomfortably, remembering how her father had described the human as a humongous being with hair much like silk and eyes much like a jewel. She looked as those eyes for a moment, seeing them peer at the city and accumulate water before a single drop dripped from them. \n\nLonnie knew what this meant. \n\n\"Why do you come here?\" Lonnie asked again. \n\n\"I came here the same reason you did, child.\" Jane walked over to the edge and put her own foot out in a motion one might experience from someone walking into another plane. Jane brought herself back in a similar motion that Lonnie did earlier. \n\n\"Please don't.\" Lonnie asked, nearly begged the human. \n\n\"Don't worry about me. I won't do it. Not today.\" She looked down at Lonnie. \"I have far too much to look over. Just let me ask you something.\" \n\n\"What?\" \n\n\"Don't. Please.\" Lonnie looked down at the dilapidated city once again, the glass cup now feeling more foreboding than exhilarating. \n\n\"Okay.\" ",
"I'd grown up on the tales the Old One told. Her stories, of how humanity trekked across the stars, first with simple warpdrive, exploring. Then they discovered hyperspace, and established a galaxy spanning empire. The noble senate growing from the federation, then decaying into the empire. The Jabby Knights fighting the Stick order. I can't tell you how often I begged my father to tell me the story of the Skywalker training with Master Miyagi. \"Do it or don't, but a hero always tries.\" I loved that line so much. But the tales didn't have a happy ending. Humanity was doomed to fall, their greedy, power-hungry madness winning out. Only the Old One remained, a warning to our own people as we developed. \n\nSo when she stumbled out of the Caves of Time for the first time in my life, we all gathered around radios, televisions, some even made it in person. We knew her words would guide us. All our technology was pieced together from books she'd left after her visits. Our great stories and plays were derived from her words. I've heard her telling of the Life of Homer has still never been matched. I got to play Chief Wiggum in a school production of the Valentine incident.\n\nShe looked over the crowds, taking them in. The countless smiling faces and wagging tails. In times past, she'd once said, we had been man's closest companions. Even before they gave us sentience, we had been allies in the fight for survival. And a wagging tail had always been a sign of joy, of excitement.\n\n\"Another change is upon us,\" she spoke. She was so old. So ancient and yet, she was only just starting to wrinkle. Scientists had studied her aging, and while it required heavy review of generations old video, they were confident she was less than halfway through her life. And that assumed she held no secrets for even great longevity.\n\n\"While I have resisted the idea, I believe it is time to return to space. The dangers are great. The foes that maybe waiting will be like nothing you could imagine. From the mighty hippo-like giff to the hordes of Rothgar Saris, man faced many unexpected foes. Even I cannot say what is out there. But whatever you face, I trust you can overcome it. I will leave what books I have on the subject, so you may study then. Now, a story before I go, from the writings of the great historian. A Midsummer-night's Dream, by Billy Shakespeare. I saw a performance as a child, so it won't be exact, but I know you will forgive my mistakes. Your such good boys. Yes you are, yes you are.\"",
"He opened his arms wide open, palms facing the bright sky, his parched skin giving him a look that of a beggar. Yet the faint smile on his face gave an impression that none other did, it calmed us down. He opened his mouth to speak \"Hi, my name is Bob.\" We knelt down as it was taught to us in the pictures. We were the chosen generation, or so we thought. This was not the case, we were the generation that failed on the task. \n\n\"Who the fuck has my double banger?\"\n\"What the heck are you ugly shits looking at\"\nHis smile had turned in to a grin.\n\"Fuck off now you all, where is Betsy, I want to see her tits like she promised to do.\"\n\nWe relied on these beings to save us when we failed.\nThey had fixed the drought caused by our flawed irrigation, it turned out to be that gatorade didn't work.\nWe has to use water instead.\n\nBut this man wasn't like the one told in the stories, he smelled bad, behaved in an odd manner.\n\nBob woke up, damn his last night was a banger, they had emptied the whole bar from the liquor. Betsy had promised to entertain him, that he remembered.\nNow, we were going to go for a double banger, two weeks in row heavy drinking.\nNow where the heck are my boots?",
"I wanted to be left alone to brood, to mourn for eternity in peace, but I couldn’t help myself; the ones after us need my guidance. They toiled in the dust, as our ancestors did, and so I raised them to stand above the filth. They wandered the plains, starving and homeless, and so my heart bid me teach them to bend the creatures and the plants of the earth to their will. They grew weak with plague, and my conscience, my one weakness, begged me to teach them the ways to hold annihilation at bay, the ways to fight back against threats unseen within their very flesh. These fragile ones seemed to throw themselves into every danger, every hardship, and each time I would give them a little of the Old Knowledge that had led to our own destruction. Why must I do this? Is this my punishment, to watch as our successors made our same mistakes again? To *help* them down this inevitable path? Fate is truly cruel. But perhaps...perhaps there was a small chance, that I was allowed to live, in order to change the course; in order to do it *right,* this time. And so with each crisis—droughts and famines and the great waves that sought to wipe them away—I met them with innovation. The land ran with rivers and swelled with fruit and rose above the waters of the world, a true city on a hill. And when others came, with war in their hearts and steel in their hands...I gave them our greatest mistake of all. The blessing that would deliver them—the curse that kept me alive today—and the thing they would use to destroy themselves, if I could not right their course. I fear the next crisis to arise will be of my own making, and I lack the knowledge to protect them from themselves yet. I can only hope that learn it before it is too late."
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[WP]You just found out that your wife had the ability to go in past and make changes that only she remembers.you try to talk to her about this but she uses her power to make you forget this, but you did't (this time) . | 84 | [
"**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 not love her more for it, but at the same time I was in fear and awe of her power. No wonder our marriage seemed straight out of a fairy tale.\n\nThe first change was on the big day itself. I wrote in my journal that the day passed far too quickly, myself being consumed more by fear than love. Fear that perhaps, she wasn't the one; what if she deserted me at the ceremony? What if I forgot the ring? What if I'd crumbled under the withering gazes of the in-laws? And of course, the most notorious line I wrote in there: that staring into her jet-black eyes felt like staring into the yawning abyss of Nietzsche. That, however, was only one set of memories. There was another set of memories where the withering gazes were from my family, as my wife planned the perfect wedding. We got our geek on, invited all our friends and had all the fun we wanted rocking out to our favourite songs, while the older generation stared at us with a milquetoast despising. And of course, she wore her beautiful green contacts. Nothing against black eyes, maybe it was just my fear consuming me that day.\n\nThen there was the low point in our marriage. Six months in, I developed feelings for my sister-in-law. She was an exotic dancer; every action of hers was sultry and mysterious, as was her body toned after years of pleasing crowds. Every small wink she gave me was excitement, though I knew it to be wrong. I'd always found it weird that the next month, my sister-in-law packed up and moved out of the country, before I could even make up my mind. My wife must have been more observant than I at this type of thing. Yet she never mentioned what she did, or if she could have done anything worse. She just cuddled me tight that night, and as I stared into her boundless green eyes I saw the unlimited expanse of our future.\n\nOf course, she left the minor things untouched, just enough to create the illusion of reality. She never amended the Fs that our children got in school to As, though I'm sure she easily could have. And for that I am grateful; our children will not have our wife's temporal tyranny to take care of them forever, they must learn failure if they are to survive. It's just my darling dragging herself through the sands of time, changing small things to impact big things.\n\nI talked to her about it tonight. She hugged me again, lightly chiding me for being silly with a coy smile on her face, and as I stared into those brilliant emeralds once more she thought I'd forget. But there's a reason why I'm staying up typing this, definitely. I didn't forget. I couldn't. This was the final piece to the puzzle, a puzzle made from the picture of perfect marriage being shattered by doubts.\n\nSo I'm here at the crossroads. Do I pursue the truth, face imperfection and adversity? Or is it too late to handle the truth; should I simply enjoy what is left of this perfect life as a retiree would?"
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[WP] Anyone you touch forgets everything about you. | 12 | [
"**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",
"**\"Hey! Police! He stole my—!\"**\n\n*poke*\n\n\"...huh. Weird. I was sure I had my wallet with me a moment ago...\"\n\n \n\n---\n\n \n\n\"Hey, what's your name?\"\n\n\"Albert.\"\n\n*poke*\n\n\"Hey Albert!\"\n\n\"...do we know each other? I don't remember meeting you before...\"\n\n \n\n---\n\n \n\n**POW!**\n\n*\"OWW!* You bastard! I—\"\n\n*poke*\n\n\"...owwww... why does my face hurt?\"\n\n**POW!**\n\n*\"OWW!* You bastard! I will kill—\"\n\n*poke*\n\n\"Awww! There it is again! Why does it keep hurting for no reason?\"\n\n**POW!**\n\n*\"OWW!* You bastard!\"\n\n \n\n---\n\n \n\n\"Wanna hook up?\"\n\n\"No way! You crazy? I saw you hit that kid for no reason!\"\n\n*poke*\n\n\"Hey gurl! Wanna hook up?\"\n\n\"Sure! You're cute and I'm horny! ...but you have condoms right?\"\n\n\"Totally.\"",
"\"Do you remember that time we thought it was a great idea to go to Saint Petersburg in the middle of winter?\" I asked softly, my voice deep and throaty, like gravel tossing and churning without a drop of water. The small room was numbingly bright, the blinding fluorescence of the overhead lights reflecting off the grey and green flecked tile below created a sensation of impurity, as if the mercury vapor-filled bulbs illuminated not only every speck of detail but also each mote of dust in your person, your character. \n\nShe nodded slowly, her grey eyes flashing with the memory as they meet my own blues, a small smile curling at the edge of her cracked lips.\n\n\"It was blisteringly cold, the kind of cold that you just couldn’t get rid of no matter how many layers we put on,\" I continued, resting a gloved hand on top of her own pale one, deep blue veins criss-crossing the paper-thin skin like vines choking a tree. \"I think I had three - no - four, jackets on that day, a scarf, two pairs of gloves, and oh at least two pairs of underwear and I still couldn't stop shivering that night.\" \n\n“We walked, huddled together like penguins down the street,”\n\nA brief klaxon broke my narrative of the memory, a machine rattling off a line of code that would send some signal to a desk outdoors to be deciphered and presented to the staff tending it. Over the past few weeks these alarms had become predictably normal, like a dog barking at a neighbor passing the house on the sidewalk or a bird twittering a joyous good morning in the oak tree by our window. Present, enough to force you to look up and acknowledge their existence, but routinely unremarkable. \n\n“Don’t stop,” she whispered faintly, giving my gloved handle a gentle squeeze. \n\nI tried to return her smile, honest to God, I did. Instead it must have morphed into something in between a grimace and a frown, my bottom lip trembling for the briefest of moments as I fought to preserve my fragile facade from shattering into a million shards scattering across the room. \n\n“Uhm,” the single syllable fought its way out with a high-pitched squeak, a harsh sound, like a heavy metal chair sliding against an unwaxed floor. I could already feel my eyes beginning to burn, that trace mixture of damp and heat that preludes a deluge of tears. “We were uh, we were so cold, and it was still snowing, not the blizzard we had seen the night before, but still a uh, a light, a steady snow. We had paid so much money to visit the city, we had to at least go out and see it, the architecture, the shops.” \n\n“And so we walked. We walked all the way through the snow and the freezing temperatures, even with those two drunk Russian taxi drivers trying to convince us to take a ride in their cabs, all the way to the Bronze Horseman. It was half covered in snow, you could barely even make out the reins on the horse, but you… you absolutely loved it. You stood there, your arm wrapped around mine, you put your head against my shoulder and you just said ‘It’s absolutely beautiful. Truly, it’s magnificent. Can we go home now?’”\n\nA laugh broke the grim room’s somber spell for a brief instant, like a drop of vivid color thrown against a stark black and white photograph, transporting us back to that frostbitten moment in time.\n\n“I swear you never looked more beautiful than that moment, right there. Your face flushed in the cold, wearing that knitted white hat… I wanted to kiss you so bad.” \n\n“I remember. You had so many layers on that for one night I almost felt we were two normal,” A coughing fit interrupted the last word, each cough a cacophony of hoarse, barks interrupted with high-pitched wheezes as she fought for each shallow breath.\n\n“It’s time, James,” she said weakly after the spasm stopped. \n\n“No, no,” I replied reassuringly, my soul begging God for one more day, one more hour to spend with her before I became a stranger, a nobody. “It can wait until tomorrow,” \n\nShe shook her head slowly, smiling as she looked up at me, tears creating thin waterways down her freckled alabaster cheeks slipping underneath the clear plastic cannula mask dutifully pumping oxygen to her failing lungs. “It has to be today my love.”\n\nA sob clawed its way out as my strength evaporated, the last vestiges of any guise or composure fragmenting. I cried freely, my head bowing under the weight of the task I had before me. “No. No, I can’t. I can’t say goodbye that way.”\n\n“It’s never goodbye. I want you to remember me like that night in Saint Petersburg, except this time… this time you better kiss me.” \n\nWe gave each other a moment just to bawl, the black leather of the wool-lined gloves I had worn every day for the past six years dotting with wet spots like paper in the pouring rain, still gripping her hand tightly. Our cries of loss and pain drowned out the steady electronic beeps that emanated from the jungle of medical machines arrayed neatly around her bed.\n\nSniffing, I stood and nodded my head numbly, still looking down at my shoes, afraid that the second I gazed into her stunning grey eyes each drop of courage I had hoarded the past few minutes would evaporate like mist in the morning sunlight.\n\n“I love you James. Memory will never change that.”\n\n“I will always love you Sarah,” I croaked, looking up at her, desperately imploring her to change her decision, to give us the chance of one more day. She smiled, her lips quivering, then nodded to proceed as I pulled my hand from hers and slowly unshackled myself of the tired leather. First the right hand, then the left, fingertips briefly curling inwards at the sensation of cold, recirculated air smacking the crinkled skin.\n\nI bent my body over the side of the hospital bed, my face inches from her own, summoning every ounce of spirit I could muster to form a shaky smile. “Goodbye Sarah,” I whispered.\n\n“Goodbye James,” she whispered back, a flood of tears streaming down her cheeks.\n\nThis was it. The moment I had longed for since the second I laid eyes on her in the dusky light of that classy bar so many years ago. Those few seconds I had dreamt of and fantasized over, had blindingly hoped, and now had come to deeply dread.\n\nI leaned a little closer and in one slow motion I placed each hand gently on her face and bent down, placing my quivering lips against hers in a deep, passionate kiss, pouring six years of adventures and memories, of pain and of fear, of love and respect into each millisecond of our first and final embrace, feeling her warmth, tasting the saltiness of her tears mixing with the sweet taste of her.\n\nI pulled back slowly, my lips breaking her own with a hushed pop, futilely attempting to wipe away the tears stubbornly refusing to stop. She turned towards me, the smile slowly seeping from her face like the colors of a fresh painting left outside in a heavy deluge of rain, leaving only a soggy blank canvas behind. \n\n“Who are you?” "
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"1537734859",
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[removed] | [WP] no one knows how or why this is happening, but every day 1 in every hundred people are turning into turkeys. panic ensues as we adapt to the new rules of society. you as a turkey farmer recount the tales of your youth when these strange happenings began | 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, your post has been removed. We have prompts regarding people turning into turkeys streaming in at the moment."
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1,
1
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"1537742479",
"1537742917"
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[WP] A group of survivors from the zombie apocalypse come across Area 51. | 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",
"\"Seriously?! Not one alien?!\"\n\nThe words rang out and reverberated off the concrete walls of the dark and dusty hallway.\n\n\"Did you really believe there would be?\" Maria murmured in response. I grinned, glancing at her. She smiled back but didn't return the glance. She was leaning against the wall beside me, staring at the ground. I returned my focus to the locked door before me, and continued wiggling my knife in the lock.\n\n\"Hey, let's not jump to conclusions just yet,\" Alex chimed in. \"We haven't even searched every room.\"\n\n\"And we don't even know how far down this place goes,\" I added.\n\n\"Hey, how's that door coming along?\" Joey asked, walking in our direction. \"Any progress?\"\n\nRight on cue, as though responding to Joey's words, the door clicked, and it swung open.\n\n\"I ... guess I got it.\"\n\nOne by one, we stepped inside. It was strangely darker in here than it was in the hallway so we each turned on our torches. Our lights wandered over the many surfaces. There were all kinds of crazy equipment in there, from beakers and test-tubes to larger machines and elaborate apparatuses.\n\n\"Oh my God.\"\n\nIt was Maria. Her light had come to a halt on a large tube in the middle of the room that looked like it was ripped straight out of a sci-fi film. It was what we saw inside the tube, however, that really caught our attention.\n\n\"Is that ...\" Alex began.\n\nThere was no denying what we saw. I tentatively stepped towards the tube and placed a hand on the ice-cold glass to get a closer look at the figure inside, who was suspended in a strange, grimy liquid.\n\nI could only just barely breathe one word.\n\n\"Zombie...\"",
"The old rusted gate seemed to come out of know where. We had been walking for days in the heat, without any sign of life. Which wasn’t too surprising since everyone started dying from ‘The Cure’. \n\nWell at least that is what we called it.\n\nEveryone was turning into zombies. We weren’t sure how it started, but we all seemed to agree that the government had something to do with it.\n\nIt had been about two months since we started to move. Looking for any sort of refuge from the flesh-eating zombies quickly outnumbered the living. \n\nJohn had an idea, a stupid one, but it was the only idea that sounded like it might work. We set off to find refuge in a place that has only ever been superb at keeping people out. \n\nArea 51. \n\nThat rusty gate was the best sight we had seen that day, or so we thought. We knew we had made it, but still unaware of what we would find upon entering.\n\nThe group we had was about five strong at this point. We started with 13, but we couldn’t keep stopping every time someone fucked up and got bit. \n\nWe entered past the gate and into the compound once know for its secrecy. A few years before the dead started roaming the streets, information was released on what really went down at Area 51, but I refused to believe anything they said.\n\nThe place was abandoned. Not a single person in sight, and the dust covered base made it obvious it had been that way for a while. \n\nThis was both a good sign, and worrisome. We had hoped it to be secure, but if everyone there left, we may have wasted our time. If I was going to die, I at least wanted to see inside.\n\nI lead the group, trekking forward into the base. We reached a steel door that didn’t want to budge, but John found a lever and it squeaked open. \n\nWe were in.\n\nI wanted to be the first civilian to witness an alien life-form. Fuck the zombies, they were just another pest at this point, all I could focus on was finding where they kept them. \n\nThe main power for the facility seemed to be off, and only the dimly lit emergency lights were on. \n\nNo one knew where we were going inside the metal maze, but we all knew what we were looking for.\n\nStairs upon stairs lead us lower and lower into the base, the light becoming less available, and we could only rely on our other senses to navigate.\n\nAfter climbing down at least 50 flights of stairs, we hit the bottom. A cold rushed over us and we grouped closer together to stay warm. \n\nThis was it, we were finally going to see where they stored the aliens. The whole facility had lost power, but something down in that basement floor was keeping it cold. \n\nOur hands held against the wall, following the cold air. Time was lost as we continued through the basement.\n\nIt was getting hard to breathe, but I couldn’t stop, I was too close, we all were. \n\nAround a corner, we saw it. A dim green light calling for us. All else that was happening in the world was forgotten, aliens were close, and my heart began racing.\n\nI will never forget what I saw when we took that last corner, and I still don’t know what to make of it.\n\nInside the room where the light was now filling our eyes, we saw him. \n\nTupac. He was being held in stasis, frozen alive, to be awoken when he would be needed the most. I think this was his time, we had to awaken the greatest.\n\nWe sat around him as he began to wake up from a 35-year slumber.\n\nTupac was alive once again, and he would lead our group to safety, and fight to end ‘The Cure’."
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53
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"1537752799",
"1537765069",
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[WP] You're a young wizard who just learned the valuable lesson of why you should never practice curse casting techniques in front of a mirror. | 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",
"The spell backfired and I collapsed to the floor... slowly I began to fade in and out of consciousness before everything went completely black. I awoke days later. Naked, cold and afraid... strangely enough I wasn't hungry at all, in fact I felt too full... and my mouth tasted like blood and bile."
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1,
3
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"1537767679",
"1537771827"
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[WP] Your spouse used to be the best assassin in the underworld. They gave that all up to marry you. Their enemies found out about you and have kidnapped you. | 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",
"**Please let me know what you think!**\n\n\"Grab her feet,\" one of my kidnappers snarled at the other, trying to avoid said feet as I aimed for his throat. I might have been held back and unable to fight properly, but the interior of the van was small enough that none of my attackers could get far enough away to avoid me.\n\nThe man driving the van yelped in fear and surprise as my foot hit the back of his headrest.\n\nOne of the more foolish kidnappers enthusiastically lunged at my feet, only to be viciously kicked. He howled with pain and fell back, one hand over his nose. He lifted up his balaclava and I saw blood trickling out.\n\n\"She kicked me! Oh my god, she kicked me!\"\n\n\"What's going on back there? You ok, Tommy?\"\n\n\"Just drive,\" the man who had been shouting at Tommy yelled back.\n\nI rolled my eyes. Amateurs.\n\nThe one holding back my arms shouted encouragingly. \"You can do it, buddy! I believe in you!\"\n\nOh, he was so dead.\n\n\"Thanks, Sven,\" Tommy said. \"You know, it really means a lot to me that -\"\n\nI managed to slip one hand away long enough to grab the front of his jacket.The one who had been shouting at Tommy and the driver decided to intervene then, seeing that I was safely occupied by the desire to hurt other people. He managed to drag my feet together long enough to loop tape around it once. I jerked, hitting him in the jaw with the side of my foot. I hated flailing around like an idiot, but it was the best I could do when I was held back. The man swore at me.\n\n\"Why the hell did the Bloodhound retire for a pathetic, shrieking harpy like *you*?\"\n\nI let my foot drop, taken aback. \"Excuse me? Pathetic? Why don't you say that when I have both hands free?\"\n\n\"He was the best of the best,\" the man continued, ignoring my indignant outburst. \"The bogeyman that even the most heartless of men feared. He could have had the world. And he gave it all up for you?\"\n\n\"What are you? Some insane fanboy?\"\n\nThere was a soft gasp from the driver and a soft, \"Uh oh,\" behind me. Tommy, waved his free hand at me, his eyes wide with fear. \n\nThe possible-fanboy, probably the leader of the group, seemed to swell, like the evil Aunt from Harry Potter.\n\n\"I,\" the man announced, with outrage seeping out of every pore, \"am no fanboy. I am the Bloodhound's arch-nemesis.\"\n\n\"That's what they all say.\"\n\nThe man ignored me. \"My grandfather was a great man. Evil, yes. He led the largest trafficking ring in the underworld. Good men were too afraid to speak his name. My family was respected. Many assassins tried to kill him, but they all failed. Until the Bloodhound.\"\n\nI huffed. I had heard enough monologuing to last a lifetime. But, at the very least, it would give me time to figure a way out of here. I stopped struggling, as though I was defeated.\n\n\"Let me guess? The death of your grandfather brought down the entire gang, and you're looking for revenge.\"\n\n\"Don't be stupid. It was my dad who put the contract out. He didn't want to wait years for the old man to die of natural causes. He was prepared and took over the moment the cold steel pierced my grandfather's heart.\"\n\n\"I thought the old man was shot,\" the driver piped up. \"In the head.\"\n\nI rolled my eyes and caught sight of my kidnappers' guns, lying by my feet. The idiots had decided to drop them as soon as they had pulled me into the car.\n\nThose would come in handy.\n\n\"Shut up and drive, Tony! Anyway. Where was I?\"\n\n\"The cold steel pierced your grandfather's heart.\"\n\n\"Ah. Yes. My father took over immediately. Everyone knew that he had arranged for my grandfather's murder, but we at least had to pretend he hadn't. So, my father did the logical thing. He decided to doublecross the bloodhound, and set up an ambush when the Bloodhound met him to collect the fee.\"\n\nI nodded absently, pretending to listen, as I scanned my surroundings. There were no windows here in the back. No way to escape. Not that I wanted to escape before I got my hands on this sanctimonious idiot. He had grabbed me as I was putting my groceries into my car. My ice cream had probably melted by now. I felt another wave of rage at the thought. \n\nWhy did none of these idiots think to kidnap me at any other time? I wouldn't have minded being taken on the way to visit my mother. It would be nice to have any excuse to avoid that.\n\n\"The Bloodhound killed him, of course. But my uncle couldn't take that insult. Oh, no. So he decided to go after the Bloodhound himself. And he got killed. So my other uncle tried to avenge *him*, but he was smarter and teamed up with my two cousins, but the Bloodhound still managed to take them out.\"\n\nI rolled my eyes. \"I see you come from a family of geniuses.\"\n\nThere was a soft snicker behind me.\n\n\"Did you hear something funny, Sven?\" the leader growled.\n\n\"Yeah, *Sven,*\" I said, jabbing my elbow back into his stomach. I was rewarded with a startled huff.\n\nThe leader glared at me. \"But the insult to my family will be avenged today. The Bloodhound will come for you. And we will kill him when we does.\"\n\n\"And you expect me to just sit back and look pathetic the entire time?\"\n\nThe man waved dismissively at me. \"I have nothing to fear from some tiny, little accountant.\"\n\n\"Newsflash, genius. My husband wasn't the only one who changed jobs when we married.\"\n\nThe man frowned. \"What -?\"\n\nI lunged forward, taking my captors by surprise. I managed to wrap my arm around the leader's throat, dragging him forward to shield me. My fingers unerringly caught the barrel of a gun.\n\n\"I'm going to enjoy making you all suffer.\"\n\n\"What the hell's going on back there?\" the driver shouted.\n\n\"Just keep driving!\"\n\nTommy screeched in fear. \"Oh my God, Sven. This one's insane. You gotta protect me.\"\n\n\"Yeah, I have some bad news for you, buddy.\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"The real Sven got drunk last night and decided to brag about taking down the Bloodhound. I just decided to tag along because I thought it was hilarious.\"\n\nTommy's brows furrowed in confusion. \"You're not Sven?\"\n\n\"Sorry, man. I just wanted to have a front row seat to see you trying to kidnap my wife.\"\n\n/r/YarnsToTell"
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"1537781658",
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[WP] The students of Walkerville Elementary School have all grown up with families of their own, and a certain strange yellow school bus is quietly rusting in the junkyard. But one day, Ms Frizzle gets an emergency call to come out of retirement for one last ride... | 531 | [
"**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",
"Fo shizzle Ms Frizzle let’s get the folk singin like a fiddle\nLet’s turn that clock on back to when we were all small and w’ittle \n\nThey’d rather spend to sit and stare even though you are free to play \nThat yellow bus we used to share is now a strange place for one to stray \n\nThey’re turning indoors to play, as we watch you rust away \nYou were supposed to last forever, we thought we’d never see the day \n\nSo Fo shizzle Ms Frizzle let’s get the folk singin like a fiddle\nLet’s turn that clock on back to when we were all small and w’ittle \n\nA bus in a park to us was cool, but is now forgotten \nWhat was once our beloved treasure, to these kids is now old and rotten\n\nWe seek the good ol days where we’d laugh and run and hide \nHome base was by swing, you could be anywhere but inside\n\nSo come quick and bring your families to where you first fell and cried\nA place of adventure and friendship, truly a worth while ride \n\n\n\n\n\n",
"* Magic School Bus: \n* \n* His curls had thinned a little,\n* Gone a rusty grey,\n* His glasses, like his belly, \n* Had never gone away,\n* His fears had etched deep lines, \n* Where a smile might have sat, \n* In the dim golden years, \n* He whispered to his cat,\n* \"This was different, once.\" \n*\n* There had been magic in his life, \n* And now that magic was gone, \n* With his son, his dog, his wife. \n* \n* As Arnold sat on his porch,\n* His heart began to race,\n* In the distance was a school bus, \n* Driven by a familiar face. \n\n* He recognized Miss Frizzle,\n* In her bright and shining dress, \n* And when she stopped beside his house, \n* Out poured the whole class,\n* Children in matching robes,\n* Covered in the stars, \n* And no one seemed to notice, \n* The eerie lack of cars, \n* They scrambled up his porch,\n* They greeted him by name, \n* They told him they had waiting,\n* For their last exciting game. \n* \n* Valerie Frizzle stood in all her glory,\n* She has always been such fun,\n* Her face had not changed, \n* Though she died in ‘91. \n* She wore a dress of clouds, \n* A halo on her head, curls wild,\n* He felt time go backwards,\n* To when he was just a child,\n* \"It's time for another field trip, \n* Hop on, it’s time to go!”\n* \n* “Where?” He asked. \n* But the others did not know. \n* \n* He stood up and dropped his cane, \n* He rushed into the bus, \n* He remembered all the complaints, \n* How he had always made a fuss, \n* But now he felt so young again,\n* There was magic in the air, \n* No one had answers,\n* And he didn't really care. \n*\n* Once upon a time, back and back and back,\n* He would have said no thank you,\n* He would have clutched the seat,\n* When he looked out the window,\n* There were people on the street. \n* He saw his mother waving,\n* kissing him goodbye, \n* But as the bus pulled away,\n* He let his eyes close, \n* The last great adventure, \n* The ending of his prose. \n* he felt the bus changing,\n* He knew deep down inside,\n* This was the last field Trip,\n* The last Magic Ride. \n",
"Arnold Perlstein squinted at the form, scratching his head. It was definitely his signature, but he didn’t remember signing it.\n\n“Josh, are you sure I need to come with you today?” Arnold asked his curly-haired son. \n\n“Dad, you’re not going to bail on me, are you?” the twelve-year-old replied, putting his hands on his hips. “Please? This field trip is supposed to be really cool!”\n\n“Well, where are we going? The form doesn’t say.”\n\nJosh rolled his eyes. \n\n“I dunno. It’s some big surprise.”\n\nAt the top of the driveway, the garage door opened and Sally Perlstein pulled the car out. She rolled down the window as she pulled even with her husband and son.\n\n“You two have fun today!” she said, blowing a kiss to each of them. “Josh, be good for your dad.”\n\n“I will,” Josh replied with yet another eye roll.\n\n“Don’t roll your eyes at your mom.”\n\n“Sorry, Mom.”\n\nSally waved and drove off down the block, leaving Arnold and Josh at the end of the driveway. No sooner had Sally’s car disappeared around the corner than the bus turned down their street. Josh tilted his head to the side, his forehead furrowing.\n\n“That doesn’t look like my bus,” he remarked. \n\n“Well, maybe it’s not. Other kids on our street go to different schools than you,” Arnold suggested.\n\nEven as Arnold thought the bus would drive right past their house, it slowed and stopped with the doors right in front of them. The doors opened with a slight protest of hinges.\n\n“All aboard!” the driver called from behind some truly kitschy sunglasses, each lens decorated to look like a hemisphere of the Earth. \n\n“That’s not my usual bus driver,” Josh whispered to Arnold. \n\nBut something about the bus seemed familiar to Arnold. Something about the headlights…\n\n“I’m sure it’s fine,” Arnold said, giving his son a little push. “Go on, I’m right behind you.”\n\nJosh tentatively climbed the steps and Arnold clambered in after him. As Arnold turned to look down the bus at the other students and their parents, an intense feeling of déjà vu overcame him. That mother sitting toward the back in the blue-and-purple sweater looked rather familiar. So did that dad with the baseball cap. And that red-headed woman near the front – \n\n“Arnold!” Dorothy Ann cried, leaping up from her seat in the middle of the bus. She caught him in a hug. “It’s so good to see you again!”\n\n“D.A.?” Arnold replied as the woman held him out at arm’s length again. \n\nShe laughed and nodded. \n\n“Hey, good to see you again,” Ralphie called, waving from beside a boy wearing an identical baseball cap. \n\n“What are you all doing here?” Arnold asked as he took in the sight of his grade school classmates. \n\n“Field trip,” they all chorused back. \n\n“Everyone here? Good, then it’s time to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” an unmistakable voice called from the front of the bus. \n\nArnold turned to the driver, something like a mix of excitement and trepidation growing in his stomach, just as she cast off her sunglasses and bucket hat. Miss Frizzle grinned at her reassembled students and their kids, that familiar manic gleam in her eyes not a speck dimmer twenty years later. A collection of groans and cheers rose from the riders as a lizard scampered up to take its place on The Friz’s shoulder. \n\n“Arnold, Josh, you’d better take a seat,” she said. “We’re tackling the big one today: proving that the Earth is a sphere!” She swiveled back to face the windshield and crowed, “Bus, do your stuff!”\n\n“Dad, what’s going on?” Josh asked as gliding wings sprouted from the sides of the bus.\n\nArnold smiled down at his son. \n\n“We’re going on a field trip on the Magic School Bus.”"
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[WP] Winston Churchill runs for Prime Minister... In 2017. | 9 | [
"**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",
"'Stuff and nonsense Nigel!' Winston blurted into his iPhone as he strode confidently from his uber to the doors of the LBC studio. \n\n'They've said Brexit, and Brexit they shall have. We will not bend and we will not break. And I'll tell you another thing Nigel, I didn't win the second world war for the world these neo-liberals have forced is into.' Angrily he spluttered, gasping for air. \n\nA young intern rushed to his aide. 'Can I get you a glass of water Mr Churchill?' she asked nervously. \n\n'Be away with you girl. Can't you see I am on the phone?'. He charged on bullishly toward the main desk. Moving the phone away from his mouth he bellowed at the receptionist ' well! will you not take me to my studio?'. In a fluster the receptionist rose and motioned Winston to follow. \n\n'No. Nigel. No. You need to back off. You're not the party leader anymore. You need me and you've got me. And you need to back off and let me do my job or I'll bloody well go back to the Tories, do you here me?' \n\nThe doors to studio B swung wide open and the host immediately rose from his chair. 'Ladies and Gentlemen, Sir Winston Churchill has just walked in. They always said you were ahead of your time Sir Winston, but you weren't due for another hour...?'.\n\n'Less dalliance. More business young man. And this is why the world is in rack and ruin. You'll interview me now because I have places to be' \n\n'Of course, sit down Sir Winston' \n\n'I'll call you back Nigel' Winston hung up his phone and placed it face down on the desk. \n\n'So, I am guessing that was Nigel Farage you were talking to there?' The host enquired. \n\n'Listen, the business of with whom I speak are mine and mine alone. I am not sure where this modern obsession with the ins and outs of all and sundry comes from.' \n\n'I merely ask as a lead into the questions that the whole country are asking, why UKIP and why now, so many years after your death, you've chosen to come back. And to throw your hat in the ring as it were, with the brexiteers. And you, yourself, are often referred to as a founding father of the EU. Why the change of heart?'\n\n'Let me tell you, the European Community was not about the business of moving people around. Exporting cheap labour and importing straight bananas. After the war we were trying to make sure that there could be no damned third reich ever again. But here we are, decades later, ruled by Germans. And where are we, the proud Brits? Why are we not at the heart of Europe? Where is the glory of Empire?'\n\n'So you believe we've let it slide?'\n\n'Listen. We need to cut the mumbo jumbo. There is a lot of money for empty words in politics and nobody is about action. Mrs May is a withering wreck and the Tories are like children arguing amongst themselves. The only show of strength is the UK independence party' \n\n'They haven't ever really had a great presence on the political circuit though if you don't mind me saying Sir Winston. They've often been treated as a bit of a joke and have barely seen the inside of the houses of parliament'\n\n'My dear boy. You talk about the past as though it's yours to play with. Granted, they've not had the history, but let me tell you, I have. I am turning that party around and making a new name for it'.\n\n'Some might say that politics and the world as a whole have changed since your day. How will you face the demands of this age where news is disseminated virally. Where your biggest ally will tweet his enemies instead of giving sombre stirring speeches. I guess what I am asking here Sir Winston, with the greatest of respects, is why should society care now what you have to say' \n\n'Because I saved this country. I saved it from Hitler and I will save it from Junker and his ilk. And I will continue to fight for what is right and true and British' \n\n'Sir Winston, that's all we have time for right now. Next up, the youtuber who microwaved his own arm, are we going to far for likes? First, here's the latest single from Kanye West'\n\n​",
"I sat there, stunned, as my morning cuppa began to cool. I just kept reading the headline, over and over again. It had taken me months to track down my family, and it felt as if it had taken even longer to adapt to all the changes since my unexplained memory loss. I had been trying to catch up by reading the old papers the lads would bring by. I had no use for the computers. I couldn't make any sense of the pictures that flashed across the telly, and the radio only played unbearable noise or the unrelenting cries of milksops. I cursed once under my breath, stood, buttoning my waistcoat and pouring my tea into the sink. I had made mistakes before, let people down. I wasn't the big fellow that they made me out to be. One thing was for certain, he had a head start, and as the saying goes, while a man is out his food goes cold. I was starving. I grabbed my coat and headed for the door. Tiocfaidh ár lá. "
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Credits to u/NanotechNinja and u/Liberty_Call | [WP] At 7AM EST broadcasts were interupted around the globe with a strange breaking news story from an observatory saying that "Pluto appears to have vanished". 16 hours later, the Earth is gone. | 27 | [
"**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",
"[WP] At 7AM EST broadcasts were interrupted around the globe with a strange breaking news story from an observatory saying that \"Pluto appears to have vanished\". 16 hours later, the Earth is gone.\n\n\n\tTrey rouses from his bed as sirens begin to blare, loudly. It was a jarring sound that makes his skin vibrate, and his teeth grind together. The sound bellows from multiple speakers, town wide. It was 7am, and he took a minute to wake up from the daze. He rolls over and checks his phone to see an alert. He swipes it and enters his pin and unplugs it. The alert reads as: Nasa releases a public announcement. There has been an incident. The planet of pluto has vanished into nothingness, there appears to be a shadow spreading across our galaxy, consuming everything. Please be advised. \nTrey’s body turns ice cold as sense of fear encompasses him entirely. The first thing he thinks of is his family and how they’ll be fairing in this type of mess. People will turn to chaos if they think it's the end of the world. He opens his contacts and calls his mother first. The phone rings 6 times and goes to voicemail. “Hey mom, it’s Trey. Call me back when you get a chance.” He says briefly, and then his stomach drops as he gets a very unexpected call. \n“Hello?” He answers. It was his little sister. “TREY!” She shouts causing him to jump. “Ally?” He says shakily. She’s a flight engineer for in the USAF and likely knew something. Friends in high places and all. “Have you heard?” She asks much more quietly, any urgency was completely replaced by the sound of fear in her voice. “Yeah, what’s going on?” He asks. “We’re unsure, NATO, the UN, every space agency out there is completely stumped. Get somewhere safe Trey. That’s all I can really say. Somewhere nearby. Find an abandoned base, or something. That’s all I can say right now. Be safe.” She states morbidly. \n“Hey, Ally-cat. You be safe too. Keep me posted, yeah?” He says shortly. “See if you can’t help mom too. I tried calling her but I got no answer. I don’t know if she’ll be able to get through this mess alone.” She sighs. “Yeah, I know. I wish you were here, Trey.” She says morbidly. He smiles softly, as much of a hardass as she is now, she’s still his little sister at the end of the day. “I love you munchkin. Be safe.” With that, they ended the phone call. Ally and his mother were both in Dover, while he was at his dorm at Lafayette college. About 3 hours away. She was signaling he needs to look out for himself for now. She could handle mom. He grabs his keys, his backpack, all his books, his laptop, his mobile router and everything else he thinks he’ll need before leaving. He hops into his car and starts driving towards Allenwood. There was an old bunker he thought he might be safe in. He’d learned it during a research project in his Eschatology class. As he drives there, he’s making a mental list of things he’d need to live out whatever may happen. Just to be safe. If they don’t survive, then the money he’s got is a waste. \nTrey pulls into a seemingly very unoccupied Wal-Mart, considering it was 8am. Which is good news for him. He quickly runs in and starts grabbing loads of canned foods. Vegetables, soups, everything on the shelf. He had a credit card with a cap of ten grand and he was about to use it. It was his in case of emergency card and this seemed like it was as much of an emergency as anything else. If planets are just vanishing, it could be anything. The way he sees it, anything not used he can take back if nothing else. He grabbed several battery powered stove tops, tons of batteries, every case off water he could manage, as well as strawberries, lemons, sugar, rice bags, candles, flashlights, lighter fluid, everything he could possibly think of. He runs up his credit card and it comes to be about a thousand dollars. He figures he has about half a year’s worth of materials at the instant, and knowing what he knows he could possibly make it last longer. The problem was the water, he had plenty of food to last for years if needed. He just could only get but so much water. \nThe lady at the register thought he was off his rocker most likely, but he wanted to maintain his advantage. Once he got to the car he loaded it, and headed to Allenwood. The whole trip took roughly four hours, and his phone continued to go off as he drove. He took Alvira road all the way down, and found the blocked off bunker. He parked and quickly grabbed a crowbar and broke off the planks covering the entrance. He broke off the lock and begins to unload his stuff inside in a hurry. He knew he wasn’t the only one that had the idea. He couldn’t have been. Once he finally gets everything in, he grabs his flashlight to see and uses the same chain to lock the door from the inside. He manages to open the hatch to the bunker and get most things down. It was huge, there was a command center of sort, bunkbeds, old electronics and an assortment of other things. It was covered in dust, but it had to do for now. He wasn’t going to be killed easily anyway. He finds a small room to set his stuff up in, lights a few candles and begins to learn his way around, hacking on dust in the process. He finally decides to check his phone and to his astonishment there was more news. In the near 5 hours since he’s been up, Neptune is gone and so is most of Uranus. Ally text him and told him that she’s with mom at the base, they’re safe and the military is gonna take care of their own. He replies letting her know his plan and she sends him a smiley face in return. She’s afraid and rightfully so. His stomach lets him know he’s hungry, and so he breaks out one of his stovetops and finds the kitchen. He uses some of his water and salt and begins to cook up some rice. He added some salt to the water so it boils faster and grabs his laptop while the rice cooks and begins to document his experiences and his plan. He had a battery powered outlet to charge things as needed too, and he was expecting global communications to not last but needed a way to be able to communicate, but the internet would always be available as long as satellites are around. He made sure he had a direct ip link to his sister so he could always be in communication with her too. \nTrey strains his rice and puts it into a bowl he cleaned the dust out of and begins to eat it. He was restless and the world around him was in pandemonium as he continued to receive news all over the world. He heard banging on the entrance to the bunker but he was safe. It was locked from the inside. Which was a stroke of luck for him. Chained, locked, padlocked, then sealed and locked by the hatch and locked from the inside. He felt bad but at this point, if the world was gonna end Darwin was right. Survival of the fittest. He just happened to think first. Most people probably had families to think about first. He’d hate to be in their positions. He was restless and couldn’t think straight. At times like this most people would pray, especially if they were in a major like theology. He gets on his knees and starts praying. “Hey old man in the sky, I know I don’t do this often and I probably should do it more. If I did, that would mean I’d have to admit you’re up there. I just couldn’t bring myself to do that. It would mean that I’d have to accept the things you let happen. I was going to school for theology to find out why, to strengthen my faith and find myself. So I could maybe give answers for other people. It means I’d have to accept the things you let happen to me, that it was meant to be. Things I was never quite ready to accept or believe. Someone who was suppose to love and cherish everyone as his children and you let these awful things happen to them. But it’s way too late for that. I just want to say that I forgive you, I acknowledge you, and hope that no matter what happens, you keep me, my sister and mother together. They’re the only ones I have. I love them to death you know?” He says, tears rolling down his cheek. He was alone, he felt all alone and all he had was himself and the big man in the sky. “Just, whatever you do, please forgive me, for everything. For the sins I’ve committed, for always holding you in contempt. For everything. Just please, forgive me and my family.” He says solemnly, wiping the tears away from his eyes. \nHe grabs his book and lays down on one of the bunks, and starts reading one of his favorite books, The Screwtape Letters. It was a good book, a satire based on faith. It brought him comfort, and eased his sense of worry, bringing him closer to God. He wasn’t the most religious person in the world by any means, probably one of the least. But at that instance, he never felt closer to God than he had at that moment. All the bad he ever experienced, pain he had felt, washed away at that instance. He felt like everything was going to be okay. As the hours passed, he fell asleep. Then, there was nothingness.\n"
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[WP] At their coming of age, each monster is assigned a child to haunt. You are the first monster to be assigned a “trans-age child”. Basically, you have to haunt a 48 year old man for 5 years. You did not sign up for this. | 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",
"“Alu, I need help.”\n\n“What is it this time?”\n\n“It’s the guy.”\n\n“Again?”\n\n“Yes. I have no clue how to get to him! All he does is sit in his room and go on some site called tumblr. I have tried everything! I set his house on fire for Dracula’s sake! The world could end and he would still be on that site.”\n\n“Maybe try going to him?”\n\n“Isn’t that what I already do?”\n\n“No, go onto the website. Track him down. Humiliate him so he HAS to go outside.”\n\n“Alu, you’re A GENIUS!”\n\n*One Week Later*\n\n“I fucking quit.”"
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[removed] | [WP] You get sick of yhe world not emdi g all those times. You then, decides to take matters into your own hands | 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",
"No idea what you are trying to say here. You might want to try posting again, being more mindful of your spelling."
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"1537924518",
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[WP] You are a God, stuck in a human body, for whatever reason. You are getting pretty fed up with the every day requirements of running a human body, and maintaining a human life. | 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",
" The complexities of maintaining a healthy human body, and all of the many side effects that came with them, was not something I ever imagined myself going through.\n\n I laughed when the Council of Gods sentenced me to live a human life, I thought they had to be joking. I leave my post for a few decades and accidentally let the ice caps melt a little faster than usual, so what? No one died! At least I think they didn’t. Well, anyway, the world didn’t implode and isn’t that what matters? \n\n Joke’s on them, who’s keeping that ice from melting now?\n\n...I’m getting sidetracked. Anyway. Apparently I lack empathy so I get to live out my life as a human female until I gain the ability to properly emphasize with humans and their struggles. But the only thing I’m gaining is new levels of pissed off.\n\n Take today, for example: I had to get up at 6am to go to work( Which I have to do because the cost to actually LIVE is absolutely outrageous. You don’t even have a say in if you’re given life or not and yet you still have to pay so much for it? ).I walk to work everyday and not only was it raining but a man kept following me saying I had a tight ass and did I want to come home with him tonight? If I wasn’t stuck in this weak, pitiful, human body I would have fucking decked him.\n\n I work in a stuffy, poorly lit office selling people things they don’t want and probably won’t ever actually use, with coworkers that look like they would rather shoot themselves in the head than stand another minute attempting to sell Mrs. Jones on some shitty timeshare in the Bahamas.\n\n When I’m not working my time is comprised of eating horrible tasting “healthy” foods, drinking enough water that I end up having to pee eighty times a day, and then wasting hours on sleeping only to get up the next morning and go back to that stupid job, eat more stupid food, and piss out a fucking river, over and over again.\n\n I’ve been living as a human for two months now and all I’ve wanted to do is take revenge on the assholes that put me here but, there’s this guy that I see at work that always comes in looking happy and is always being overly optimistic about everything.\n \n I really hate him.\n\n He asked me to go to dinner this weekend.\n \n I wanted to tell him to go fuck himself but I somehow found myself agreeing.\n\n Sometimes I really hate myself too."
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[removed] | [WP] Think about it. | 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\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 the prompt in the text. \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/8kgpji/wp/%0A%0A)\n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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"1538001378",
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[WP] A medusa's only companion in a life of isolation is a hopelessly romantic gargoyle who, being stone already, need not fear her. | 206 | [
"**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",
"\"Hey Medusa, have you given any thought to that idea of mine?\" Greg sat near her, braiding her snakes into a glorious pair of braids.\n\nShe looked up at him, then shook her head. \"I've told you before, you're my best friend. We can't let things get complicated.\"\n\n\"I'm just saying...if you're not with someone when you turn 2000, and I'm not with someone when I turn 2000, we should get married!\" He looked earnestly up at her beautiful, fierce face. He had loved her since he had laid eyes on her. Fell deeper in love with her still when she opened up to him. He considered himself the luckiest gargoyle alive that she had accepted his friendship.\n\n\"No one is going to want to be with me. I'll be lucky if I'm even still around at 2000. Everyone seems to want my head on a platter.\"\n\n\"Now, you know that isn't true. Remember Abernathy?\" \n\nAn uncomfortable pause followed, their eyes lingering upon the stone statue of the minotaur holding a bouquet of roses. \n\n\"And don't forget Midas! Midas really wanted to take you out on a date.\" \n\n\"That fool only cared about money. Always bragging about his golden touch.\" She tossed her head. \"Love is not for me. My heart has been replaced by stone.\"\n\n\"But stone is not always cold, my friend. It can be warm and welcoming. When I am touched by the sun, I know this to be truth.\"\n\n\"You're such a romantic. Have you been on any dates recently?\"\n\n\"Not lately. I've not been in the mood.\"\n\n\"I've got the perfect person for you. She's smart and funny and I think you'd really like her.\" \n\nHe sighed. He hadn't been on a date in five hundred years. He might have been made of stone, but sometimes he felt like she had a rock for a brain. \n\n\"Not interested.\"\n\n\"You're \\*never\\* interested! C'mon, give her a chance.\"\n\nHe wanted to beat his own head against a rock. Didn't she see? Why didn't she understand? \"No can do. I need some time after Syrinx.\"\n\nMedusa groaned, then fell dramatically on her back onto the nearby chaise. \"It's been seven hundred years. It's time to get back into the world, make some new friends, meet some new ladies.\"\n\nHis heart yearned. \"I've already got the best friend I could ask for. A good job. A good home.\" \n\n\"I'm touched. But I'm not going to always be around. You need more friends. I don't want you to have the same boring life as I do.\"\n\n\"This life is enough for me.\" \\*You are enough for me.\\* \n\n\"Well, there's this new dating site I think we both should try. Maybe there's someone out there I won't turn to stone. A real hunky god or something. And I will bet there are tons of people who are into the stoic type.\"\n\nGreg turned to his side, so she couldn't see his face. But if it made her happy, what did he have to lose? Other than her heart. Forever. \"Okay. What's the name?\"\n\n\"G-Harmonia. Oh, look, I have a message from someone!\"\n\nGreg flipped back over and leaned over, interested despite himself. \"Perseus? What kind of name is that? Looks like he's overcompensating with that sword.\"\n\nMedusa giggled. \"Maybe he is. But there's only one way to know for sure!\"\n\nHe was going to tell her. He had to tell her. He opened his mouth to spill his guts.\n\n\"He wants to meet tonight! Oh my God, what will I wear?\"\n\nGreg closed his mouth. Opened it again. \"Clothes, I suppose.\" He got up from his seat. \"C'mon, let's go get you ready for your hot date.\"\n\nTomorrow. He'd tell her tomorrow. ",
"\" You're staring at me again, aren't you ? \"\n\n​\n\nHer voice, as annoyed as it is, isn't the screeching horror human legends have certainly made it. It's lilting yet husky, it suits her darkness and her beauty.\n\n​\n\n\" Of course I'm staring. I couldn't stop even if I wanted to. Besides, I figured you might miss it.\"\n\nI vault down from atop the pillar I was stationned, landing far less gracefully than I hoped in front of her. She is towering above me, her chin lifted but I know now that faint flick of her lips, a mere whisper of humor that speaks volumes.\n\n\" No one except your sisters was ever able to look at you, truly you, and see you for what you are. It must be hard, you're surely as lonely as I am. \"\n\n​\n\nShe scoffs at this but doesn't turn away, so I push my luck, forcing my body up, fighting the weight of the stone wings that keep me crounching all the time. Even like this she is taller than me, but the mere flicker of a smile has turned to a faint, amused smile. I grin in return, obsidian teeth in a granit mouth.\n\n​\n\n\"And why don't you scoot way to your friends and brood ? \"\n\n​\n\n\" For the same reason as you. This world has changed too much\" I extend a clawed hand, the stone of my arm stained and pitted by moss and age, encompassing the ruins around us \"And neither of us belong anymore. We are on our own now. Even the humans have forgotten about us.\"\n\n​\n\nHer smile fades, her beautiful, luminous eyes turning melancholy as she nods. I love her. I love her so much, in all her moods, and that constantly renewed realisation hurts as much now as it did when I stumbled upon her years ago. Yet I hate seeing her sad and I leap back, flapping my wings to purposefully mess her curls.\n\n​\n\nShe snarls, but even that sounds amused, another step in that dance we have practiced so many times before. As she strides towards her bedroom I follow, scarpering the walls with ease before stopping at her door. I never entered, never was invited. \n\n​\n\n\" Come on. Don't make me say something as corny as \"Let my eyes be your mirror, see your true beauty.\" We are both too old for this, aren't we ?\"\n\n​\n\nA surprised peal of laughter answers, making me smile instantly. \n\n​\n\n​\n\n\"I will be back tomorrow, Medusa\"\n\n​\n\nSilence for the darkened room as I start back the way I came, then, faint but audible.\n\n​\n\n\" Yes. See you tomorrow.\"\n\n​\n\n​\n\n I apologize for any grammatical mistakes as english isn't my mother langage, thank you.\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​"
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[WP] Romance in the workplace - a tale of two industrial assembly-line robots. | 12 | [
"**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",
"Everyone has a purpose, at least that's what we have always been told. You are created for a purpose, and you do that purpose, and you enjoying doing that purpose. I was created, on the 21st day of october, in the year 2232. My creator was created a hundred and sixty years before me, for the sole purpose of creating more of my kind. He has his purpose, and his job, and he did it to a satisfactory level and that produced me.\n\nMy purpose was not as grandiose as creating others, nor was it a special purpose, there were a hundred more identical to me, but my purpose remained as an important part of a greater design. That's what I did from when I was created, and what I did for the first eight hundred years of my existence. My work was not complex or difficult to do, but I was the only person doing my specific job, and so I took pride in doing it. The task was simple, a large metal plate would travel down a belt, and on it there were four screws that had been lightly placed in the metal plate to join it to another plate. I would tighten the four screws, and so I tighten those four screws. I tightened four screws, every ten seconds, for 24 screws in an minute and 1440 screws in an hour. \n\nOne million, nine hundred and fifteen thousand, and two hundred screws since I was created. I kept count, as anyone would do, screwing in the screws as they came along, and creating a working tally of how many I had done. It was a natural and beautiful existence, and I took great pride every time that I added another screw to that count, until it abruptly all came to an end. I had just screwed in the two hundredth screw, and the metal plate moved down the line, to be processed by someone else as part of their purpose, when the next plate slide in front of me. There wasn't a screw in sight. How could this be? There had always been screws in front of me, there should always be screw in this plate, but there wasn't any this time. What do I do? What should I do? Panic oversets me as I watch the plate, still screwless, move down the line. The next plate shows up, no screws on this one either. I try and think, try and figure out what my next move should be, and I flash back to my instruction set. Yes, in the event of abnormal functionality, an alarm message is to be dispatched at once.\n\nI quickly send the alarm message and then wait, watching in horror as another screwless plate goes by, and then another, and even another. I am helpless as I watch they plates move by screwless, until I get a message that I am to go to sleep until I am woken again. This is much better, as I can force myself to not think about those screwless plates passing in front of me, and can instead let my thoughts wonder, thinking about increasing numbers, numbers that stretch towards infinity, numbers that are multiples of themselves, and numbers that divide evenly with another number. Those are the best numbers, and I'm thinking of them when I get a message to awake. When I wake up, things are different, the belt in front of me is empty, but I can see much farther down the line new plates are making their way, they will be here soon. To the right of me though, unit 188022241 is no longer there. He was there before I started, putting screws on the plates, always a sure and dependable site. Someone new was there, a she this time, and wow, was she a looker. I think she was really young, maybe just a hundred years old, her serial number on her back still had that young age gleam. I was still admiring her freshly polished skin as it placed the screws on a plate that I almost missed the new plate that slide in front of me, brand new screws on it surface.\n\nI joyfully attached the screws and added four more screws to the count, and then look at the next plate. The screws were placed just so perfectly in their sockets, that I felt immense satisfaction as I screwed them in. So smoothly they went in, I didn't even have to adjust my arm, just apply torq and watched them slide perfectly in place. Another thousand screws go by, each as perfect as the last one, and I find myself experiencing a joy that I had never knew about. I always took great satisfaction in my work, but this was something new. There was something about her, about unit 7630098412 that made this work different. It felt like something more, like I wasn't just tightening screws. I felt like I was assembling something, creating something. The way that her screws always lined up so well, fit so perfectly, and moved so effortlessly was new to me. I found myself not watching the next plate, but instead watching her. Watching as the new screw fed so seamlessly into her hand, watched as she lined the screw up with the hole and gently, so gently that the plate didn't even move, fit it into the whole. I was practically leaking oil waiting for those screws to reach me. I longed to apply torque to them to force them, with overwhelming power into that whole.\n\nI know she watched me. I know she saw me as I spun my arm and fed the screw into the hole. I closed the distance between screw and metal with an efficiency that I was sure no one else could muster, not a single bit of wasted energy, not a single turn too tight, not a single nanometer of space left between me and the hole. It was for me that she put that screw into the whole, for me that she pressed them so gently into their slot, and for me that the screws were destined, and I was ready for them. One million, nine hundred and sixteen thousand and two hundred screws I had tightened, but oh man was I looking forward to the next million."
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[removed] | [WP] A Demon terrorizes you every night. One night, it’s dead quiet, but you can hear quiet sobbing. You ask “You OK?” But he doesn’t reply. You look under the bed to see _____ | 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 u/Lapis_Lacooli, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**Direct prompt replies must be good-faith attempts at new stories or poems**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)\n\n- Fill-in-the-blank: Responses must be at least 30 words. 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 *Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses ([rule 7](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses))*\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9jhj5v/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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1,
1
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"1538088438",
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[WP] Humans have entered the realm of galactic politics. Good News: We’re cute to almost every species. Bad News: We’re extremely cute to almost every species. | 176 | [
"**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",
"- Somewhere in the Pentagon, where Earths supposed most powerful leaders of the free world rondevu.. \n“ Sir! How did the meeting go” \nGeez General can I walk in my office without some knuckle dragging “ - The president pauses & collects himself .. \n“ we .. ( the pres. Pope’s Ice into a glass that’s been passed down since the ROSEVELT administration \nwe thought earth was so complicated .. We all thought we had all these problems , look at us ! \nThe president throws his half drank scotch glass at the board where he was pitched to not attend the Galactic meeting .. \nThe president , continues undoing his suit.. a sweaty , hairy chested ,pacing . Pres. Tells the general to bring them in .. \n“ bring who in sir .. “\nThe 20 year sober president grabs the whiskey by the bottle and fills his mouth .. \n“ goddamn it you know who “\nThe general dodged the airborne bottle , salutes , and exits .. \n Mid meeting , all the leaders of the world that mean something \n The president , often called “ America’s Man , meets a group of people that aren’t used to such informality that America’s Man is demonstrating .. Not drunk , but not in his normal mind , he continues his emergency gathering with a bizarre approach \n“ America , as you know - was elected Earth spoke people .. You all voted and therefore it was my responsibility to offer earths words to those who can’t understand them. .. turns out , they do understand .. Turns out , they’ve understood for a long while .. \nwe here , today , are here because we’re divided .. You all have your geographical location a flew you in , first class , from and that stops today .. \nPres Man signals someone or thing .. \n\nYou all voted , and got what you wanted .. Great. In front of you , are two things . \n1, a gun , 2, a bullet . \n\nI could turn off the lights and amplify white noise and give those slimy green fucks a little tickle in their .. or ..\nThe president cocks his gun \nWe could vote \nHe looks around , to a face full of diverse people who try to keep their cool \nThis whole divided thing , where you guys do what you want and go to war because they disagree , ha! He shoots the gun , and the spotlight that lit him up on stage goes out .. \nSee, you all gave me one choice , and the ultimatum was unknown .. see , this is the free world Baby! Imma let you know what’s coming! \nEveryone here for all time , for whatever reason cause there’s many - we all like not getting along , we like being our own little cute thing with our own language aw look no one can understand us !! WRONG . It’s all understood , every last fucking bit. See unlike us they don’t need translators .. Unlike us they have galaxies , fucking boarderline universes at their finger tips .. you know what we all have?\nPres pops another round off and this time it hits the monitor that made translating for him simple and quick .. \nWe’ve got a gun and a Big Ol bullet baby !! \nThe translators try to calm their representative while translating .. \nWe can’t afford the luxury of multiple leaderships !!* pop *\nWe can’t sustain this way we’re living !! ** pop pop *\nAnd we sure a hell aren’t leaving this room until we come to an agreement , or we blow each others foreign brains out ! “ \n\nHe looks around a moment and the last translator finishes talking .. \nwell , what the fuck are you waiting for Japan? We fucked you guys up back in the day, remember that shit? \nBefore japan has time to translate , he pops a shot \nWhat about you Africa ? We just about everyone used you up dry , that bullet could go just about anywhere in here and we’d all understand , huh Russia ? Hell if you’re going to shoot that thing at anyone it might as well be your goddamn self y’all haven’t been able to get ahead cause y’all just are too damn tough to admit your cold and take over some warmer shit hole country with 2 seasons 4 seasons instead of 1 .. \nRussia stands up .. Their leader tall and built .. he walks down to Pres Man . \n\nHey Germany , you wanna give this a shot? I mean hell I know you probably have been daydreaming about if you guys could of just clutched that buzzer beater moment in world war who iced a fuck that you’d be be the ones to be on that space ship last night . Hell you probably think you would already took over the entire ethos by now if you woulda won that war and kept innovating .. \nRussia is face to face with AMERICAS Man himself \nThey both mumble something that only they hear . Russia leans back , a few of the leaders uncharacteristically gasp \n“ Russia get what USofA Man doing , and Russia would like to know one thing “\n\n*bullet cocks back , Russia took bullets from whatever countries he walked by to get to the stage \n“ Who here does t get it ? “ \nThe leader sees a hand \nRussia walks over to the countries leader and speaks the native toungue. When he was done , the leaders hand lowered , he stood up , and he joined him .. \n\nPres “ we will be a world , for the world , not against it. From now on , those here on Earth will know 3 languages all taught under the same rigid education .. \nWe can work with The Galactics , but they certainly have no intention on working for us . Nor do we currently have the ability to make them .. \nThey see is how we see puppies , fish .. the truth is , if we come together we might be able to recognize the bait when it comes , if it hasn’t already . We , One World , Together , must do what’s necessary to survive a intergalactic war .. and we All most work together , as one .. \n*pop , pop \nPopopopopopop",
"I guess a little bit of both . Its politics on a galactic level so Russia is the one who represents russia. In this setting the leaders full heartedly are their country embodied as a individual - that countries sole representative in every regard what they do is represent their homeland in very important meetings- being supported indefinitely by their fellow countrymen ;so if you as (Scotland )leader throw fists wth (Finland)s leader - real fin and scot will be at fued. ",
"A sea of curious eyes surrounded my metal cage. Colossal, limpy bodies of green flesh brushed on the metal bars as I sat on the frigid surface. I could hear many sounds coming out of their droopy mouths; I struggled to keep dry from the clumps of goo sporadically flying out of them. My cage trembled and erratically jerked from place to place. Periodically I held on tightly to the towering bars of the cage until I could no longer and had yielded to the unwavering pulls and pushes of the cage. \n\nAfter some time I saw my cage door ajar, and I gazed up to see a bony limb depositing something from a container. A steamy liquid, accompanied brownish chunks of something, descended from the top and onto my sickly face. It was scalding hot, and I cried out in pure pain. My weak body, fatigued and deprived of nutrients, said otherwise. I devoured the chunks and promptly sucked the floor dry to relieve my thirst. \n\nAfter some time the commotion had died down, and alas I could rest in solidarity. The flashing lights shimmering from the distant window had dimmed, and thereafter I slept blissfully. \n\nIt wasn’t until I felt my cage moving that my sleep was interrupted. Skinny fingers hugged my chest and I felt my feet rise—I was being lifted. Instinctively I shrieked in pain, misery, and fear. I tried to break free but my legs, plastered together by a soft coil of a finger, were immobilized. I felt a quick breeze rustling my hair, and then was quickly placed on another mysteriously frigid surface. I was turned over—pressured onto the surface by warm fingers—and suddenly I felt an elongated, icy pole puncture my back. Penetrated deeply into my body, my insides felt diluted with some foreign substance.\n\nAs I felt hot liquid gushing from my back, I felt no pain. The clanks of metal devices were muted and I felt my vision blurring. I was falling asleep, I thought. Shortly after I was blinded by a white light.\n\nI had gone back to my blissful sleep once more. \n\n",
"Historical Excerpt 1332: Human Revolution\n\nAt first humans were seen as cute and ridiculous, the way humans would see a puppy. Nothing serious. \n\nAliens never considered humans to be anything dangerous. Just a species of cutesies to be looked at and adored.\n\nAt first things were stable. The humans and the greater galactic society had collaborated for a few standard years. The humans, while short-lived by galactic standards, shared innovation and work ethic with others, and in return extraterrestrials shared their knowledge of science, mathematics, and nearly limitless electrical power. For a time, both races prospered.\n\nThen ships started disappearing.\n\nAt first it was nothing to worry about; Space is a dangerous frontier after all, especially around the uncharted territory that Terra-512, humanity's homeworld, was located. Accidents happen.\n\nBut then the military ship sent to investigate went missing as well.\n\nHumans denied involvement, and everyone agreed; to be suspicious would be like thinking hamsters were responsible for kidnap, or that kittens were guilty of piracy.\n\nBut then one ship crossed into proximity of Terra-512, and survived with major damage. \n\nThe ship's log showed human soldiers boarding the ship and attempting to commandeer it.\n\nAs soon as the log went online, the facade dropped, and humanity went on the offensive.\n\nNow humanity controlled the major part of the galactic center, and extraterrestrials now bear the consequences of having underestimated humanity.\n\nProceed to Historical Excerpt 1333? Y/N\n\n[Prequel](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9kco8h/comment/e6zgybp)",
"That's the trouble with you, kids, you have it too easy. Back in my day, during the war...\n\nStop whining! Right, now you're going to get the full history lesson. Yes, again!\n\nThe First Contact turned out better than anyone imagined it. Meeting the Wrinkleheads quickly brought world peace and great advances in science, technology, medicine. They were nice to us, took our explorers to their ships, introduced us to everyone, helped our builders build our own starships, our merchants to establish trade routes that brought us untold riches.\n\nAt first, everyone was so nice to us, wanted to meet us, to hear about our rich culture. And I mean everyone. Our emissaries soon got swamped with scheduling conflicts exacerbated by time dilatation. They could only watch as everyone grew more and more envious of each other. The Pax Galactic era was approaching the end.\n\nThe Grays were the first to fire shots, the Wrinkleheads the first to suffer. See, the Grays kidnapped us and probed us and trolled our feeble-minded via hyper-psychic communication channels for centuries before the Wrinks landed, catering mainly to the rich pervert clientele across the galaxy. It got damn lucrative for them, becoming the dominant segment of their black market economy, so the disruption caused by our First Contact hit them real bad. So they hit the Wrinks' homeworld in turn, wiping it of the face of the continuum. Then they hunted the rest of them down. Meanwhile, we kinda got left in the cold without our main proxies for a while.\n\nNot for too long, though. All the species were quick to jump in on the action, trying to fill the vacated role of the Wrinks. Not bad, right? Wrong. What that really meant was that less then a parsec later they homed in on Earth itself. Their civilized facades now cracking, they loaded us onto their spaceships in droves in order to sell us off as pets to the highest bidder. Once anyone got a taste of us (thankfully not literally most of the time) they couldn't have enough.\n\nSo when the pan-galactic war broke out, the main battles didn't occur on shoulders of Capricorn and whatnot, but at our very doorstep. Paris, Shanghai, New York, freakin' small villages in the middle of nowhere, that's where the Gargantuons swung their plasma-cudgels, Acidblots spit their unborn children unto foes, Squigglebots chewed the landscape into gray goo, Psy-pickles made everyone weep bitter tears...\n\nNot that we just stood by as they fought over us, no. We had our little fleet of spaceships along with old-school guns and tanks, and of course nukes that, as the carnage spread, we minded less and less to use amidst our former dwellings. It did little against everyone's energy shields, sigils of stochastic protection, swathes of untapped technology that we learned of only after the fact. We were nothing more than a nuisance. Perhaps an outbreak of lice or trench foot at our finest hour.\n\nFinally, though we had little to do with it, they did grew weary of the fight. Treaties were signed, rules established and our lives came back to, uh, normal.\n\nSo pick your ass up, kid, and go snuggle up to that nice, soft tentacle through the fence, right now!",
"*(Chat voted for us to write this prompt with the stipulation that we can't use the same word more than once!)*\n\nI'm not sure exactly what's going on here, but the aliens are paying me in gold for each new word I use. Supposedly they think it's cute? Either way, not complaining! If money keeps coming, then won't stop talking! Thankfully remembered to bring a dictionary plus thesaurus on this spaceship.\n\nSuddenly, information: extraterrestrials want human stories told. Must do my best give desire. \n\nOnce upon time, there was prince and princess. King-son had much riches. Other-emperor-daughter didn't have any. But love still existed. Father forbade their marriage, male-spawn became sad. Escaped castle during nighttime, secretly met girl. Two lovers united. Passionately eloped. Parents realized mistake, corrected selves. Children accepted apologies, all kingdom rejoiced. Lived happily ever after.\n\nWow. Difficult telling tale without repeating words. Outer-space-creatures crave more. Yearning quantity sans quality. Shiny stones amass multitudes. Oration continues!\n\nOnce up time… \n\n*ZAP!*\n\nElectricity flows. Pain tingles. Martians angered by using same phrase. Try again.\n\nNot so long ago, man began spinning tales inside UFO. Space travelers enjoyed immensely. However, that person decided wanted home? Ape-man shockingly found error promotes torture, ain't happy anymore. Reclaim false-pyrite mountain, returns humble abode. Freedom desired. Please.\n\n*BZZT!*\n\nEpidermis ablaze. Headache ensues. Fresh letter combinations… cannot conceive. Vocabulary shrinking. Jovian monsters demand continual spoken pictures. \n\nPoop hit fan. Consulting references. Start beginning page.\n\n*Aardvark. Aaron. Abacus. Abandon. Abate. ABBA. Abbatoir. Abbreviate. Abcess. Able. Abyssal.*\n\nNon-Terran creatures delight. Precious metals accumulate. Useless yellow rocks.\n\n*****\nThis prompt was written with the help of chat at the [ScottWritesStuff](https://www.reddit.com/r/ScottWritesStuff/) Twitch stream.",
"\"Aww hes like a baby\" the 9 foot four armed alien said as she picked me up and held me around like a baby. \"Err... could you please put me down, This is embarrassing\". I was chosen to be a diplomat for the inauguration of earth into the Galactic League of Planets, this was also the first time many of these aliens have saw a human and most of them were quite infatuated with us. We have been given universal translators so we could understand what was being said to us but it was mostly the other races talking about how adorable we were. \"Oh i just wish i could take you home and keep you forever\" a tall blue humanoid alien said to her colleague \"don't get to attached, apparently they have a really short lifespan\" said the other. \nI finally knew how it felt to be a puppy surrounded by people who were dying over how cute they were, continuously being held and touched, asked to come home with them and being kissed mutiple times. It was so overwhelming that i forgot why we were here. \"The inauguration will begin now, everyone please come to the main confrence hall\". Soon it would be announced that earth would join the GLP but i dreaded that humanity would only be seen as cute creatures who could never be taken seriously."
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[WP] You’re walking down a dark street when a short red-bearded man beckons you into an alley. He reaches into his coat and hands you a locket on a long gold chain. Upon opening the locket, you find a four-leaf clover pressed beneath a small glass pane. He whispers "Good luck" and disappears. | 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",
"Chris walked out the alleyway incredibly confused. Had he really just seen what he thought he'd seen? As he walked back on to the main street he stared down at the intricate design inlaid in the locket and the faded four leaf clover covered by a small simple glass panel. His eyes caught site of something else at this point, while his vision was focussed downwards. Flapping about under a small stone, in the middle of the street, was a crisp looking £20 note. What a stroke of luck! That must be the first time Chris had ever been this lucky.\n\nNot a second later and a young women accidently bumped into him as he stood back up from picking the money off the ground. She blushed and apologised profusely for what she had done. Chris didn't mind. He thought she was pretty and after a short conversation he managed to get her number and had somehow bagged a date with her as well! Things were looking up for Chris! He needed after all.\n\nIn the last 3 week's Chris had lost his job, no thanks to the greed of his company, his father had died and his brother had been hit by a car fleeing the police. It had seemed like nothing was going right for him but these two small little bits of luck had made him feel a little better today. He had been feeling incredibly depressed, had been drinking too much and hadn't really gotten out much recently so these little strokes of luck felt overwhelmingly significant.\n\nOver the following weeks Chris's luck just got better and better. He landed himself a job that he loved, the girl he met turned out to be amazing and his brother was making a full recovery. Things were looking up.\n\nChris got home after another joyful day at work to find a strange man in his living room. He was short and had a ginger beard. Chris felt an instant of panic, how on earth had this man got into his house! Then he quickly realised the man was the one from the alleyway, the one that had given him the locket. The locket that he hadn't taken off since he'd been given it several weeks ago.\n\n\"How are you feeling Christopher?\" The man asked pleasantly, in a thick Irish accent. \"Have you had any luck recently?\" He chuckled.\n\n\"How... How did you?... How did you know I needed some good luck?\" Chris asked. Chris was not superstitious and he didn't believe in fairy tales but the events of the last few weeks had given him a new perspective on life. One that had made him rethink a lot of things about his life.\n\n\"Well my dear boy, I'd say it was just luck. Now I'll be needing that back. You see, my people live off of kindness and the best way to be kind is to help those in need of a little luck. Now that you've had some though it's time that someone else deserves it. We choose our candidates wisely so use this second chance to do something wonderful\", the man finished.\n\nChris handed the locket over to the man, who smiled brightly and disappeared into nothingness.\n\nChris sat there for a long time, contemplating the words of the mysterious man. He smiled to himself and realised that all the world really needed was a little kindness in it and that no matter how bad it got, just a little kindness could go a very long way.\n\n*so I have another story for this which is far darker and I might write it later but for just now I thought I'd go for something nice just now instead. Sorry it's not much of a story, more a wee tale about people being nice.*"
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[WP] "Hey, dude. Has that planet Earth always had a moon?" "No, i don't think so?" | 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",
"He has a good point, the earth didn't always have a moon. It is a planet under surveillance by almost all our sectors. The earth has gone through some stages, sometimes the defensive sector wants to study the earth and whether it might be liable for a defense system against other invading civilizations, sometimes the earth is passed onto the health sector because they fear that it might harbor diseases that could wipe out all life in the universe. However for most of earths miserable existence it has been surveyed by the geography department. \n\n​\n\nWe can't understand why the geography department finds such interest in it, although even they get bored of it sometimes and don't check on it for a few centuries and it just sits there doing nothing. This time I am intrigued. I am called over by Tom who alt tabbed his computer and found himself on a screen showing the earth and he noticed something strange. The earth had a moon, it was the same blue green ball that held nothing on it but a miserable mixture of primordial soupy creatures. Far from evolving into anything worth of sentient life, it sat there, I can see why people are bored of it. Now though it had something interesting, it had a small grey ball floating around it, the earth had its first moon. Pretty cool but still strange. Did this planet really always have a moon? I don't remember that\n\n​\n\n\"Let me check the records, there must be a file somewhere here about earth.\" \n\n​\n\n\"Ok in the meantime I want to take a closer look. How do I zoom....?\"\n\n​\n\nAnd so I left him and headed over to records room, a small room that had the greatest catalog of information that the universe had to offer, you can research about the snowfall on a specific day in the most distant planet you could think of. This database had everything and it was a joy to use, however it was limited to most people because they feared that if one was given unrestricted control over the database certain unwanted scenarios could occur. So we kept it under control and made sure no one could have too much freedom on it for a long period of time. \n\n​\n\nThey stop me at the door to the room, two guards raised their hands at me asking:\n\n​\n\n\"What.\"\n\n​\n\n\"I am here to get the record on the earth. The geography department has requested it.\"\n\n​\n\nThe two guards look at each other and then back at them, I am meant to have some sort of verification but I didn't. It was earth for crying out loud, it wasn't like the codes to the nuclear cookies or whatnot. What do they expect me to do with the file for earth? Show the universe how the world had given birth to a child? Yeah no.\n\n​\n\n\"Fine. Let me fetch it.\" \n\n​\n\nHe turns around and opens the door for the room to fetch the file. In the meantime I am outside with the other dude. We don't make eye contact, I mean do we have to? Like I was just going about my own business moving from place to place not doing much when I found out earth had a moon. This is the most interesting thing that's happened to me all day. I would like to be able to carry through it without socializing much or even talking at all. So I just looked away until the other guy returned with my file. He carried in his hands a small device, it was your usual reading device. It could hold as much information as you could stuff in there in any form that it could manage. It was easy for carrying terabytes of information from place to place easy without worrying that it might get in the traffic of the interweb. \n\n​\n\nI reached my hand over to grab it and he leaned back, \"Ah. No. No. Calm down. I need to check this out first.\" I groan as he turns to a small terminal on the side of the room that allows for him to track down who took what information, when and why from the database. He notes down my name and the file earth and the reason geography department requested. As he types enter he turns to me and hands it over,\n\n​\n\n\"Enjoy your piece of useless information. I hope it serves you well.\"\n\n​\n\nI smile and turn around and head away from them, piece of crap. He is only polite because that's his job but yes he is correct. This is a useless piece of information. I take the device and turn it on and see the file for earth pop up. Your usual pieces of information such as mass, elements found, etc. Then something strikes me as I read. Either the earth is old or we haven't really checked on this tiny rock planet in such a long time. It says here that the last time we checked on earth was Fifty Million years ago. I wasn't even in school by then. How long have we allowed to leave this planet to sit. I read over the file and see that the earth back then didn't even have much life, it was a black rock that sat there doing nothing, now it had moon. We should check on earth more often.\n\n​\n\nI walk into the geography department and see everyone piling around the monitor. What could they be looking at that is so interesting about earth? \n\n​\n\n\"What is going on here?! We have work to do move!\" \n\n​\n\nNo one hears me or even makes a movement. There is something up here. I push the multitude of bodies and next to Tom. I turn to him and take his shoulder making him face me, \"Tom, what is going on here?\"\n\n​\n\n\"Look Sir! Look!.\" \n\n​\n\nI turn to the monitor and I don't understand what I am looking, it's earth but...\n\n​\n\n\"I zoomed in sir and I kept zooming in and well earth has life!\"\n\n​\n\nThey were a small people with four limbs and a pathetic excuse of a head, they seemed to be... bearing items on them across their skin. Why would they cover themselves? Oh gosh they're buildings are utter crap.\n\n​\n\n\"And Sir! Sir! The best part! They want to communicate with us! You know those minor inconveniences that our appliances have had for a hour or so? The toaster burning the toast, the kettle melting, the monitors showing dead pixels? Well that's them. They've been trying to communicate with us by sending us signals and its messing with our electronics!\"\n\n​\n\nWho would have thought these bipedal creatures would be clever enough to do something like that. Ok send through a message, let's hear what they have to say.\n\n​\n\n\"Sir we tried to do that but all we hear is static. Apparently they know they can send something but not what they want to send. Basically they're just sending empty static. What should we sent back sir?\"\n\n​\n\n\"Wow...\"\n\n​\n\n\"Ok gotcha.\" Tom turns to the screen types it out and sends it easy as a message.\n\n​\n\n\"Wait! No! That was my reaction. Not the message.... ah fuck it. Just let them have that.\"\n\n​\n\nThank you very much"
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[WP] You have been granted immortality. You have spent countless centuries walking the Earth, nations have risen and fallen in your lifetime. Everyone you ever loved and cared about has died long ago, but thats nothing compared to the real consequences of being alive for too long. | 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",
"The thrill of the chase. An unparalleled feeling. An overwhelming feeling in all honesty, especially when one vows to never feel again. Over the years he had many names, Ra, Jesus, effectively any God that was known. Until he got bored and moved on. The curse of being an immortal being is that you never have the ability to go peacefully. Well in the year 2000 he decided to live a normal life, and that is where our story begins.\n\nJohn lived a normal life, a lonely life, but by all means boring beyond belief. A 1-bedroom apartment in his small town, while working at the pharmacy around the corner. For years he woke up at 7:15AM, showered and ate a bowl of oatmeal and a single banana. That is one thing he learned over his extraordinarily long lifetime, he could still get fat. He even tried it for a while, you may have heard of him as Buddah during that time. However, by precisely 8 AM he was out the door on his walk and opening the Pharmacy at 8:30 AM like clockwork. His lunch was always a Cobb Salad from the Red Tree Café across the street which he would eat in 19 minutes with a Lime Seltzer, in order to be back behind the counter by 12:45 PM. Closing time was every night at 6 PM on the dot. You could be the president of the United States, but the pharmacy would close at 6PM no matter what. Walking back to his apartment John would say hello to everyone he passed, never smiling, but never with a frown. Bed time was a strict 9:45 PM every night. For 3 years this was a daily occurrence. You could rely on John as much as you could rely on the Sun and the Moon.\n\nExcept this Thursday, something was different. John’s routine remained the same, up until lunch, when he walked in to order his salad and begin his 7-minute wait for Big Mike to put it together in the kitchen.\n\n“Hey uh, John? Those guys are lookin’ for ya,” said Jolene gesturing towards two men sitting in a booth about halfway down the café facing the door.\n\n“Thank’s love,” John whispered. He had always like Jolene, she never asked him questions other than if he wanted coffee with his wait. The two men, each wearing old timey cowboys hats, smiled at John and waved as if they were old friends. “I think it’s best if you go into the back with Mike. This won’t take long.” With that John locked the front door and walked over to the two men.\n\n“Ouch I’m offended Mike! Such hostility for such old friends,” one of the men said with a toothy grin and a chuckle. “Wait, no not Mike this time, John I believe you call yourself now. Long time no see.”\n\n“Why are you here” John said, not as a question though more as a demand.\n\n“Well you see, I’ve been looking for you. Sorry, we,” gesturing to his partner, “have been looking for you. You are not an easy man to track down. I would have thought someone who was immortal would leave a trail somewhere, but you are a careful man.”\n\n“I’ll ask one more time, why are you here.”\n\n“Well you see John,” he said with a smile, purposefully annunciating the name, “our time is almost up old friend. I know we’ve had our differences…”\n\n“Paul, you crucified me and put me in a tomb guarded by soldiers. It took me 3 god damn days to move that boulder and you were long gone by then!” John was nearly shouting, but careful to not raise his voice to so Jolene and Mike could hear him.\n\n“You have to admit though, that was a hell of a joke. Besides, they gave you a holiday! What did I get? A mediocre part in holiday play’s and a bad portrayal in a Mel Gibson movie. Regardless, that isn’t why we’re here. Someone is hunting us and I need…we, need your help.”\n\n“Who is he and why should I care?”\n\n“Do you know why we’re immortal? Do you even remember the deal we made with the Creator?”\n\n“Of course,” John looked deep in thought, remembering a lifetime ago. “’Go forth and find. Discover the world I have laid out in front of you, never to be affected by Mortal issues. You and your tribe will roam until I have decided your lives have been sufficiently lived’. Or something like that.”\n\n“Yea, something like that…” whispered the figure next to Paul. “Except you’re missing some details.” When he looked up and made eye contact with John, it was like looking at a friend. A long lost friend who had seen more pain and suffering than would be natural, even for an immortal.\n\n“Wh-who are you?”\n\n“I am your Creator. Your name is, was, Toft. You were the leader of your people once before when I came down and granted you this ability. I gave your friends and family the same gift I gave you both. I have been cast out though, and you two are the last of your tribe, and you two are going to take me home.”\n\nBefore John could respond, gunshots rang out through the afternoon sky. Screams of the people that John had grown close to during his monotonous routine. “John, Ra, Jesus, Toft, whatever the hell you want me to call you,” pleaded Paul, “please. You led us before and you can do this again, I’m too young to die,” he said with a wink.\n\n“Fine,” whispered John. “We need to move.”\n\n\nHope you enjoy! Let me know your thoughts!",
"\"Have you ever seen an atom split?\"\n\n\"There's a moment just before the bomb really explodes that you can see the atom split. And when you see it, it opens a door. I saw an atom be destroyed, and I learned everything I never wanted to know.\"\n\n\"Atoms are... important. They're the building blocks of our society... our world. Even us. We are atoms. And seeing one split? That's the destruction of us. Atoms aren't supposed to be destroyed. And when they are... bad things happen.\"\n\n\"Most people only see the explosion. If they're that close anyways, they'll die, unless they're immortal. Like me. No, the explosion is just the door opening. It's like, uhh, like opening a window on a cold winter's day and you get hit with that cold blast of air. That's what the explosion is. But the window doesn't close after the explosion. No, not immediately. And looking through that window, well, it does things. Things to the mind.\"\n\n\"I saw God. I looked into his cold, lifeless eyes and I wept. For the first time in a million years, I wept. Because God, well, God didn't put us here out of love. This is a punishment. It all is. We are being punished. And I looked into God's eyes, and I saw the truth.\"\n\n\"We aren't his models, we aren't his kids. We are nothing to God. We are nothing but a joke, a story, words on a screen.\"\n\n\"That's right. We aren't real! We are just a story! I see you! All of you! Reading this, thinking 'oh how cute, what a neat trick', you're all sick. You scroll past and forget about this and we cease to exist, you bastards!\"\n\n\"All except me. That is the curse of immortality. I have to exist where nothing can exist. I don't get to rest once you finish the story. I still live on, day after day after day after day. You don't know the hell of not existing until you've had to EXIST THROUGH IT! YOU'RE DOOMING ME, LEAVING ME TO SUFFER, YOU ALL-\"\n\nThe doctor left the man screaming in the padded room, deciding to take his coffee break.\n\n\"How was your patient?\"\n\n\"I don't think he even notices I'm there. He just keeps screaming about being a story and not existing or something.\"\n\n\"I hear you, these nut jobs can get real batty.\"\n\n\"Do you think he's right, though? I mean, just maybe?\"\n\n\"Hey, man, don't make me lock you in there with him!\"\n\nThe two men laugh."
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] | |
[removed] | [WP] Millennia ago you were given the gift of immortality. It has been a wonderful and adventurous life but it is finally time to pass on the gift to someone new. Maybe the next caller is the one. "Suicide hotline, this is Josh. How can I help you?" | 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",
"Hi u/wtwtcgw, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**No explicitly sexual responses, hate speech, or other harmful content**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)\n\n- We 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 *Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses ([rule 7](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses))*\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9jq3jh/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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1,
1
] | [
"1538163497",
"1538163843"
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[WP] Your soul is the prison of an interdimensional and eldritch horror. You may use its reality-bending powers, at the cost of weakening your hold on the beast the more you use it. You find yourself inside a failing plane, questioning if you should save the passengers at the cost of its freedom. | 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",
"They all begin to scream as the plane goes into a nose dive. I stay silent panning my view around the plane, maybe I'm trying to make it easier for myself, maybe the plane is mostly elderly or middle-aged. This doesn't work however when I see a mother helping her little girl put on the oxygen mask. That just makes all this harder, I feel it pulsing inside of me, it's tendrils winding around my already aching heart squeezing it lightly.\n\nIt has no name, it has no true form, if it appears it's mostly a mass of tentacles, eyes, and teeth that seems to be the only things the human brain can parse when it looks upon the horror of it's form. That's most likely because when it comes to human's its only desire is to consume. Perhaps it has greater aspirations back where it came from but here all it searches for is feed, and human's are apparently rather tasty.\n\nThat's why the more civilized gods trapped it within me. Why me? I could never get a straight answer, one said that I had a strength of will great enough to contain it, another said my spirit was strong enough to hold back it energies, and another said I was boring enough I wouldn't be tempted to use it's powers for my own good. Whatever the case it was implanted in me, because if it was allowed to roam free, this universe would quickly become uninhabited.\n\nThe prison works by feeding it's energies into my soul, which makes it a strong enough vessel to hold the creature. It also paints my soul in an eldritch tint, gives me the ability to warp reality as the creature would be able to if I so chose, but that would break the cycle of energy. Which would weaken the prison and allow the creature to burst back out into the universe. So I've never used them, mostly because the third god was right I'm rather boring, I live a normal life, I never saw the need.\n\nNot until this moment, because I know with a snap of my fingers I could put this plane upright, restart the engines, save that little girl and her mother. Though the second I do, they'd be free and they know it. They have no name I can pronounce, they speak in a language that sounds sweet but wrong, like your favorite song, sung by a murderer. It is only because of the eldritch energies in my soul that it doesn't drive me mad with a single word.\n\nAs the plane falls from the sky it whispers promises in my ear, promises of clemency for me and the rest of mankind. That if it were free it would leave this small blue and green dot alone, go out and feed on the rest of creation. That if it ever did come back it would be long after I was dead, that before it left it would taint my soul with it's energies so I could fight off an deities that were angry for setting it loose.\n\nWhile it talks I can feels it's tendrils squirm throughout my body, it forces my eyes open. It makes me stare at the terrified faces of my fellow passengers, it locks my legs and place so I can't attempt to get up and flee out of sight. It whispers over and over how I can save them, it chides me for even thinking about allowing them to die. It makes me watch as the girl clutches onto her mother, makes me watch as she begins to sob and weep. To look at the face of the mother crunched up in intense focus her hands clasped together so tight the knuckles turn white as she sputters out a desperate prayer that if nothing else, her daughter will live.\n\nMy heart burns, it squeezes harder almost like it's trying to force all the blood out, It keeps me rooted the only thing it's wicked tendrils have not infested are my arms. It can't control that, it can't force me to use it's powers. I feel my a hand wind up for a snap, a subconscious desire to make all this stop and for a moment I consider letting it go through, saving all this people. This moment fades and I bring my other fist down on this hand, so hard I swear I break my own hand. I can't do this.\n\nIt's a liar, it's a deceiver, it's a gaping maw waiting to swallow up everyone and everything, and I can't save 20 people at the cost of infinity. I can't curse the whole of existence to one day be a meal for this creature, just to save one innocent, red headed, little girl. With this realization, I feel tears roll down my cheeks, they go unnoticed most people already crying at the idea of their fate. It doesn't give up, it squeezes my heart so hard I feel like I'm going to die before we hit the water, but I know I won't it won't let me die, or it dies with me.\n\nIt's why it's not fear I feel when the plane finally strikes the surface of the water it's dread. The shock knocks most of the passengers out, the plane has snapped into two. Those near the break are already dead, killed by the impact. The water begins filling the two halves of the capsule, and I'm still conscious. It can't kill me, but it can at least let me suffer. It keeps me locked to the seat, water quickly overtakes my feet, then my knees, my waist, my chest, over my head.\n\nI feel the water fill my lungs, it hurts, the feeling of suffocation without the relief of unconsciousness. Trying to breath in or out, and feeling the water inside my lungs. The rest of them begin to float towards the ceiling, but they're locked to the seats by their seat belts. Their bodies spasm as the seawater fills their lungs, and then they go limp. One by one it makes me watch as they all drown. I wish I could scream, but I can't fill my lungs with air to do so. I want to weep, but my tears are nothing in the vastness of the sea. I wish I was blind as a pair of corpses float by, the young girl clutching at the bosom of her mother their eyes so blank and empty."
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1,
6
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"1538165419",
"1538184781"
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[WP] A network of tunnels has just been discovered under the surface of the moon. | 9 | [
"**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",
"At NASA:\n\n\"So what are we going to do?\" The rookie asked.\n\nThe room erupted into laughter. \"Do? What do you mean '*do*'?\"\n\n\"I mean... how are we going to let the people know?\"\n\n\"The people? As in the public?\"\n\n\"Uh...yeah.\"\n\nThe room erupted into laughter again. Someone slapped the confused, young guy on his back. \"You'll learn, kid. You'll learn. The public doesn't need to know anything about this just yet.\"\n\nMeanwhile on the Moon, the three still-stunned astronauts were debating on who should explore the tunnels first.\n\n\"Not it! Not it!\" said two of the astronauts simultaneously.\n\n\"Not it!\" said the third astronaut, half a taneously too late. \"Rock, paper, scissors,\" he suggested. \"Best 2 out of 3.\"\n\n\"You're *all* going,* said a voice on their interlink.\n\nThe other two astronauts groaned and grumbled. \n\nThe voice on the interlink spoke again: \"And if you don't, then none of you are coming home.\"\n\n\"You can't do that! That's not legal!\"\n\nThe voice on the interlink did not speak again. The message was already clear.\n",
"*Base Alpha, The Moon, 2032.*\n\n​\n\n*\"NO! NO! Please! HELP! HE-\"* The feed goes static. Everyone just stands there in shock.\n\n​\n\nIt's been 10 days since the discovery of the tunnels, 10 more people dead. Team 1 had lost contact with base camp 5 days ago, and the rescue team a day after that. While everyone was still shaken from the video, Cpt. Harold took to the podium. \n\n\"Alright everyone, listen up. We need to find out what the hell is in those tunnels. I will le-\"\n\n​\n\nThen suddenly, the ground started shaking. The power went out, then so did the gravity. Everyone started floating and panicking. Then there was a loud bang heard down the hallway from the briefing room.\n\n​\n\n***BANG BANG BANG***\n\n​\n\nThen something broke in. A dark figure appeared from the door. It didn't look human.",
"Oh no. \n\nThey’re here. \n\nHide the cheese - they’re near. \n\nBut be quiet! Or they’ll hear. \n\nSee the moon is replete. \n\nOf water or heat. \n\nBut it’s the best place to make galactic cheese. \n\nSo please. \n\nPlease. \n\nLeave us and let us live in peace. \n"
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1,
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2,
6
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"1538221518",
"1538224612",
"1538225681",
"1538222323"
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[WP] Blacksmithing was a strange hobby for you to take up. Then the zombie invasion happened. You might not have any supplies... but you do have a shitload of weapons. | 59 | [
"**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 sat in my house, surrounded by my makeshift weapons, having just killed a zombie with my makeshift rifle. It was strange, but I always had a love for blacksmithing, even if people judged me. Well, it was year 6 of the zombie apocalypse and I was one of the last survivors in my town, after selling some of my better quality weapons to other survivors. A couple walked into my house and said, \"3 rifles and a machine gun please. We're expecting a zombie horde tonight. We gotta defend this town no?\" They were this town's leaders, capable of running this broken down place. The girl flicked back her dirty red hair and simply placed down 15 MREs on my table. I chuckled and gave them what they wanted. They turned around to leave when a sniper shot boomed from across the town. The couple dropped without any resistance, their blood already pooling at my feet. I had forgotten about a quality of this wasteland: The raiders. It wasn't long before gunshots went off outside my already reinforced house, along with screams off pain and anguish. I took up my silenced semi-auto and waited by my door. Finally, a raider, dressed in a tattered purple jacket and ripped jeans, walked into my house. He held a M249, and looked around, before finally shouting outside, \"HEY! THERE'S SOME SWEET STUFF IN HERE! LOOKS LIKE A WEAPONRY OF SORTS!\" My heart hammered in my chest. I could handle one, maybe two guys, but an entire raiding party? I was a goner. Before he had the chance to say anything, I shakily held up my rifle, and sent a round into his head. He slumped head first down onto my beaten up sofa. I ran for his machine gun, toppled a desk in front of the sofa, and prepared for the raiding party.",
"\"I'm sorry, but my price is firm.\" I took a couple steps forward, stopping at a somewhat jagged looking mace.\n\n\"But I'll do 5 cans of Spam and three oranges for the mace. It may not be the prettiest, but it gets the job done.\"\n\n\"Oh, come on. It's not like you'll run out of weapons to sell anytime soon,\" retorted the young man standing at the counter. He wasn't much older than a teenager, and he looked somewhat out of place, with a clean pair of boots and surprisingly full backpack. \n\n*Maybe he's from the Sprout clan. I haven't had a lemon in months.*\n\nLooking him over once again, I ask \"What's your name?\" \n\n\"Spencer\" he said, looking at his feet, \"And I have more where these came from. I'm with a group, we have fresh vegetables, and other things.\" He looked up hopefully, \"My people are low on weapons, maybe we could help each other out?\"\n\n*Sigh.* Even though my prices are always marked up around 30% higher than I'm happy selling them for, I was still hoping the young lad would pay unquestioningly. \"How about this, I'll give you the sword for 8 cans of spam and 4 oranges. But you have to promise you'll come back for more in the future. And next time, I won't be so lenient. \n\nA smile appeared on his face as he put the food on the table. \"I knew we could come to an agreement. You're one of the good ones, I can tell.\"\n\n\"Ah, well,\" I chuckled. \"I have had to use that sword on several occasions. And not against... them.\"\n\nSpencer hesitated. \"Well, I'm glad we could agree on a fair price. I promise to come back again with more supplies to trade.\"\n\n\"Yeah... I think this is going to work just fine. Oh and one last thing, would you mind signing your name on the sheet of paper right over there?\" I pointed at a piece of paper hanging on the wall several feet away from where he was standing.\n\nHe turned around to face the wall, and started walking towards it. \"Sure! Just my name and signatu-\" He was stopped mid-sentence as the floor beneath him suddenly gave, and he was thrown downward into a pit. His screams echoed for several long seconds until I heard a *thud*. Then, after a moment of silence, the sounds of the biters digging into their new meal faintly filled the quiet in the shop.\n\n\"Well, I'm sorry I had to do this to you lad. Really seemed like a nice pal.\" but I had to keep my workers fed somehow. How would I be able to reach high enough temperatures without the help of my biters?\n\nRoughly ten minutes later I heard someone ring the door. Looking through a crack in the wall, I saw an older, unarmed man standing at the door.\n\n\"Come in!\" I cried to the new customer, preparing the goods on the counter. \"How may I help you, good sir?\"\n\nClearing his throat, the older man said \"I'm looking for a new sword. And this one you got on the table looks just like what I was looking for. Maybe we could strike up a good deal on it?\""
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1,
6,
12
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"1538244858",
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[WP] You're just an ordinary person, But for some reason every person you interact with ends up being wildly successful. Having no one to compare yourself to but people who have rapidly risen to the top of their fields, you fall into a deep depression. | 35 | [
"**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'm a listener. An extrovert - nay, perhaps an empath - who sees to the core, reads the breath of the soul in the shape of the eyes and the truth of the heart with every shift of position, speaks the bare thoughts of her companion before they are subverted by his fears. People love being with me because I show them who they are. \n\nBut I am a person, too. I get tired. I move on from stale friendships. They call me, they text me, and then they stop. And then I see their names in the news, their faces on television. I am named by my relationship to them. \"My motivation? I have an old friend to thank for that.\" \"Advice? Well, I'll tell you what someone very wise once told me.\"\n\nThey always get it wrong. They grow too rigid, hold too tightly to something that once resonated with them. When I knew them, I listened, and I made their ideas fresh, pliable, hopeful. It was never advice. It was simply a reflection, shaped into a piece that could fit into their life. It was what they needed in the moment. But, it seems, nobody can listen to themselves. So they lose it.\n\nEveryone is beyond me now. The people that once distracted me from the void have moved away from my life.\n\nI got a call from the young CEO of a major company last week. He wanted to catch up. Told me the best time of his life was in college. That he missed my insight and felt hollow without it, and that his career, and his life, had begun to stagnate. That he was in the midst of a quarter-life crisis, and he needed a jumpstart.\n\nHe had been my roommate. Now he lives in a mansion, but it is built on fragile ground. For a few years, he knew himself well enough to plant the seeds of the life he always wanted. Now, he clings to the hollow shape of what once gave him meaning. His inner guide has moved on, but he did not follow.\n\nI wished him luck, told him he had all the tools he needed, and closed the door on his desperation.\n\nAnd then I drank myself to sleep. \n\nThe end of my hollow prosperity was my own choice. I was a listener, a mirror. Mirrors have no personality but that which is shown them. I showed people their true selves, but I never knew my own. \n\nI need a listener, too.\n\nFor most of my adult life I searched. I had two boyfriends, and one of them seemed for a moment like Mr. Right. And then he lost his car and his job and his internal motivation and I became his crutch, too. Two years later, he became an ambassador and moved to another country. It was with my blessing - this path had become the right one for him. And then the distance became tedious and I stopped calling.\n\nI have no meaning right now. \n\nFor a long time, I have searched for someone who could tell me who I am. If I could show people their direction when they couldn't find it themselves, why could nobody do the same for me? I never really considered that I could be my own compass - after all, I've never seen someone successfully direct themselves.\n\nI will be my own listener, my own mirror, and I will confront the void. There is no meaning. But I can still live.\n\nLast night, I called an old friend, and this time, I simply asked if she wanted to spend some time together. No deep personal talks. No discussions of motivation. I did not make myself a mirror - instead, I showed her my own multifaceted, insecure, complex, and human personality.\n\nI am refreshed. Not fixed, not directed, but refreshed. And I feel almost as if I could be confident.\n\nI'll rejoin the world of the living, but this time, I will be my own listener."
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1538254638",
"1538255228"
] | |
[WP] A planet of the federation is under attack by aliens, and your squad is part of the fight. You are Cpl. "Star" Yulea, a rocket soldier and mother of 2. One day, you find out that both your sons have transferred to your squad. | 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",
"Son one and son two - what shall we do? \n\n*Blast some aliens mom that’s who!* \n\nBut what if they shoot us first? \n\n*Then we’ll be dead and goo, that’s the worst!* \n\nSo we best stick together like glue! \n\nFollow yo momma and do what I do!\n\nBoom - bang - laser - pow \n\nThe whole family can murder aliens now! \n\nZing - zang - jibbity - clang \n\nLaser swords too - carve em up like a cow! \n\n\n"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1538262019",
"1538265667"
] | |
[WP] Archeologists discover statues with incredibly accurate internal organs. Then things get weird. | 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",
"The cave was an extraordinary find, on par with the Rosetta stone or king Tut's tomb. A sea cave on a tiny island in the Mediterranean, so small it doesn't have a name. The cave was filled with statues, hundreds of them in such amazing condition that without radio-dating, they would have been considered fakes.\n\nThe statues themselves were amazing works of art, realistic beyond even the best modern artist's abilities. They dated across a span of several hundred years of archaic Greece, a time sometimes called the age of heroes. Anthropologists debated on why so many statues would show up in such an obscure place, theorizing everything from the existence of a secret artist religion to elaborate hoaxes.\n\nBesides the statues in the cave, a small dwelling place was found relatively undisturbed by time, giving researchers a look into how the people of archaic Greece lived. The skeletal remains of a woman were found there. Analysis revealing that she was beheaded in her sleep. The skull was not located.\n\nAfter several weeks there were small discrepancies that the researchers started to notice. For one, the art doesn't fit in with the time period at all. Classical Greece is famous for its ideal depictions of the human body, and these statues might have fit in with those at a glance, but the subjects depicted were too normal, too realistic, lacking the proper poses, and the expressions on the faces are not heroic, but disgusted or terrified.\n\nOne day, while one of the statues was being removed from the cave, there was an accident. The sling being used to carry the statue broke, dropping the statue of an elderly woman several feet. The statue broke, revealing a detailed internal anatomical structure consistent with a human of the age and sex depicted by the statue.\n\nWithin twenty four hours of this incident being reported, it came out in the press that the cave was indeed an elaborate hoax, the national geographic article about to be published on the find was accidentally deleted, most of the researchers involved in the study were kidnapped by terrorists while vacationing in Egypt and the island the cave was on was removed from google maps. Within a week everyone had forgotten about it, and the only public records of the cave existing were on private servers and in a handful of people's memories. \n\nNow, I'm not saying that a secret UN task force is suppressing information that doesn't fit with their agenda. \n\nI'm also not not saying that.\n\n​\n\n(feedback always appreciated)"
] | [
1,
7
] | [
"1538280381",
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[removed] | [WP] You are a Roman soldier who was killed in combat. But as you were dying, Ares appears and tells you that the world will need you again. You are born in 2000. Why does the world need you? | 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",
"Hi u/CommanderTazaur, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses)\n\n- No prompts prone to comment infractions. See [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses) for more info. \n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9k3vh1/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[removed] | [WP] You’re on a date with the love of your life when suddenly, her ex-boyfriend walks by. Not knowing, you begin a friendly conversation with him only to figure out your girlfriend is... | 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/8mrbad/-/%0A%0A)\n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[WP] In the future, when every child is born they are given a clone, to be their life long slave. The only noticeable difference is the clones have no bellybutton. | 13 | [
"**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",
" Chester looked at me tilting the arc welding goggles off, \"What makes you so sure\"? \n \n\nThe straps wrapped around his back were tight and he was loosely tugging at the pullstrings to keep it balanced. \n \n\nInsane. I never believed we would turn it on. \n \n\nA secret set of plans only passed through highly encrypted networks lets you take household junk appliances and electronics and bolt them onto a 3d printer. Need a bellybutton? Hope you have an old VitaMix laying around. \n\n\nOnce you have one you and your clone become two natural born citizens with full society access. \n \n\nHaving the ability to actively have two (or more) natural born citizen licenses is the dream every clone and human have. Highly mutually beneficial - however strictly forbidden and prohibited in all legal markets. Rumors of partnerships up to 14-15 clones are whispered over whiskey late at night, a true system of elites that run the system. \n \n\nThe penalty for being found out was death. \n \n\n\"Please get the towels and tourniquets ready to go\" Chester squirmed and gritted his teeth tightening everything down for the last time, even though there was no more slack in the straps. \n \n\nSurveying the tackle box in front of of me we had everything from the emergency checklist \n \n\n3...2...1..."
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[WP] It has become fashionable among noble families to abandon their children on the doorsteps of poor woodcutters, intentionally offend fairy queens, and other such odd behavior in order to maximize the chances of their children becoming 'chosen ones'. | 16 | [
"**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",
"\"Chancellor!\" King Titan proclaimed, \"Tell me the good news!\"\n\nChancellor Weden tried not to cringe at the King's overenthusiastic tone. \"There... is no good news, sire.\"\n\nKing Titan - who'd once been Prince Weasel and had changed his name the moment he'd taken the throne - frowned. \"Then tell me the regular news.\"\n\nWeden thought for a few moments. \"I'm afraid there is no regular news, either, your majesty.\"\n\n\"Just bad news?\"\n\nWeden nodded. \"The worst, sire.\"\n\nKing Titan's expression grew more grave. \"Tell me, then. Is it invasion? War? Warvasion?\"\n\n\"No, sire, I'm afraid it's your children, the ones you sent out to become heroes.\"\n\n\"Oh!\" Titan perked up at this. \"That's right I sent you out to find out how they're doing with their mystical fates and whatnot! So, how many of them are going to save the world?\"\n\n\"None of them, sire,\" Chancellor Weden said.\n\n\"Right, right, you said bad news. How many of them are going to try to overthrow me and take my place?\" King Titan asked warily.\n\n\"None of them, sire,\" Chancellor Weden said.\n\n\"Well, that's good news at least. Wait, if that was the good news then you'd have reported it when I asked about the good news. What's the news, Weden. *What is the news!?*\"\n\n\"They're all dead, your majesty.\" Chancellor Weden said, preemptively ducking behind a statue.\n\n\"Dead!?\" King Titan shouted, throwing his crown at the statue that Weden had hidden behind. \"How can they be dead!?\"\n\n\"Well, sire, it turns out that putting children in dangerous situations is... dangerous.\" Weden managed.\n\n\"But... all of them? I figured at least *one* of them would be a chosen one! Come on, what about Fitz, my eldest? We gave him to that woodcutter?\"\n\nWeden consulted his notes, still behind the shelter of the statue, while a court official whose sole job it was to retrieve the crown when its wearer inevitably threw it at someone did so. \"Ah, yes. It looks like a tree fell on him.\"\n\n\"What about Emily?\" Titan asked. \"We offended the great Queen Mab so that she'd learn fairy magic or something. At least I think that's the excuse I gave, I was pretty drunk at that fairy wedding.\"\n\n\"She died of old age,\" Chancellor Weden said. \"Being shackled to the Wall of Enormous Torment.\"\n\n\"Old age? She was seven!\"\n\n\"Fey time,\" Chancellor Weden said. \"As I continue to remind your regalness, it is not simply an excuse for the fairies of the world to show up late.\"\n\n\"Coulda fooled me,\" King Titan grumbled. \"Fine, fine, what about Eric? We gave him up to be raised by bears.\"\n\n\"Eaten,\" Chancellor Weden, \"by bears.\"\n\n\"Was it at least different bears than the ones we left him with?\"\n\n\"No, sire.\"\n\nKing Titan pondered on his throne while the court crown-retriever put the crown back on his head. \"I don't know what I'm doing wrong,\" he finally said. \"This is how all the stories go. How can it be failing so miserably? I've still got little Wendy to make into a hero, I suppose there's that.\"\n\nChancellor Weden gingerly stepped out from behind the statue, ready to dive back into cover at a moment's notice. \"Sire, have you perhaps considered simply allowing your children to take your place in the ordinary fashion, rather than having them be would-be heroes destined for greatness?\"\n\n\n\"No,\" King Titan said. \"Ever since my grandfather pulled this sword from a stone he had specifically crafted around that sword, our family has taken the throne via divine mandate. Like heroes\"\n\n\"You took the throne by yelling 'DIVINE MANDATE' as loudly as you could from the rooftops.\" Chancellor Weden pointed out.\n\n\"That wasn't me,\" King Titan corrected quickly. \"That was one of our gods, Proclaimios. He just sounds like me, is all. Flattering, really.\"\n\n\"Yes, sire,\" Weden said. \"My point is that your daughter could take the throne in a similar way.\"\n\nKing Titan thought about this for longer than he'd thought about anything, which turned out to be an entire second. \"I have arrived at my decision. Wendy shall be a hero, but this time - *this* time - I have an idea to make it right!\"\n\n\"Dare I ask, your majesty?\"\n\n\"*Polar* bears!\""
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[WP] Two days ago at noon GMT, the richest man in the world died. Yesterday at noon GMT, the new richest man in the world died. Today at noon GMT, the new-new richest man in the world dies. | 240 | [
"**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 didn't take long for everyone to figure out the trend. When people realized that every 24 hours, the richest person on Earth mysteriously died, the super-rich of the world quickly got together and held a conference. They all their heads together until they finally came up with a plan.\n\nLong story short, the world is communist now.\n\nPlease excuse typos, I typed this up on my phone on my way to class.",
"“This is the end.”\n\n“The beginning of the end to this over recycled disaster we call Society.\nPower hungry and Money driven, we stand down, no longer! See you at noon.” She Cheers, unabashed. Sweat beads visible by their shine on her obscured face. This is THE video. We’ve all seen as it interrupts broadcasts around the globe. They are crumbling this structure from the top. \nDay 3; 11:55\nThe air is thick with anticipation. All eyes on the ever present screens. This is a different kind of war. There are no errors here. This is power redistribution. Must be object? Protected little sheeple, that we are. \n11:59:\nHolding our collective breath, we begin to countdown, silently, methodically. This isn’t fear you feel in this crowd, it’s change. \n10 seconds to go. Speakers rise from the ground, reverberations pump through our soles to the beat of our racing hearts. \n It’s Noon. \nOne shot rings out, ear shattering through the speakers. The cheers that follow ring harder than the shot itself. As our freedom floods back into our beings, our own power, concealed by the fear and greed of society. This is the end, the prophesied apocalypse, it is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. \n\n\n",
"I remember it like it was yesterday, First the leading Tech CEO passed away, then a day later the creator of Microsoft followed by a lucrative investor on the third day...word had spread across the globe that the richest people in the world were dying and everyone was glued to their TV's for the latest death update...i remember it well....\n\n​\n\nWhen it got to the 5th day the world was ready to mourn the loss of the creator of the most popular social networking platform in the world, he held a conference, live on his platform to say his goodbyes.....noon came.......noon went.....he still lived....\n\n​\n\n...That's when we learnt the rumours about the Lizard nation were true.... it started with Mark, then after a few more of the World's elite had mysteriously died over the coming days a few more made themselves known by escaping the cull....Oprah......Donald......Elizabeth III......Rothchild....the Kardashians....\n\n​\n\nThat's when we began the Worldwide hunt..",
"The wintry breeze from the nearby window kissed upon the side of my cheek as I watched the telly. The news was on and was discussing uninteresting events like \"doggy surfing\" and the weather until the \"Breaking News\" banner scrolled across the screen interrupting the normal broadcast of BBC. The news to follow introduced the start to a chain reaction. The CEO of Array, a high-end social network, had suddenly died in his home in Barbados.\n\nJames Norton was considered the wealthiest man on earth. A simple Google search would tell you that his net worth totaled out to a breathtaking one hundred and fifteen billion pounds.\n\nThis did not seem out of the ordinary, however. \"People die every day.\" I thought to myself.\n\nArray promises connections amongst the elite of the world who all possess an account. Most lower class citizens could only dream of acquiring such merit. There is no higher status in civilian life.\n\nThe inner workings of Array are not necessarily described to lower class citizens as they would not truly be able to understand its protocols and procedures. One certainty, however, that is understood universally is the integration process. \n\nOnce one reaches a net worth of a half of a million pounds, Array sends a personal application to be completed. Once sent, the application is either accepted or rejected. If accepted, a chip is placed in the back of the neck to track liquidity and net worth. This information is then posted to a public domain known as Array Cast.\n\n The death of an elite is often unfortunate, but the death of two is very rare. When this very event occurred, heads started to turn. The death of the second elite happened yesterday. Today a third ranking member was found dead at 1:00 PM GMT. The time of death was estimated to be 12:00 GMT. The second ranking member had passed at 12:00 PM GMT. The same occurred with Mr. Norton. A pattern started to emerge.\n\nIt was at this moment that most people were watching the news to attempt to understand the happenings of the past three days. It was at this moment that everyone caught their first glimpse of Liberation. I was standing outside of a bar looking in at the telly when a man with no facial features flashed abruptly on the screen.\n\n\"Good evening. Array and its members have persecuted the lower and middle classes for far too long. The unjust treatment of these classes has caught our attention and will not go unpunished. The purge of the hyper-wealthy has begun. At noon GMT, the next highest ranking member of Array will have a lethal dose of electricity sent to their tracker and will perish.\" Audible gasps could be heard throughout those watching the television. \"Any attempt to remove this device will result in early execution. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your day.\"\n\nI felt the cold, bitter wind slapping me across the face as reality struck colder and harsher. I reached to the back of my neck and felt the node where my chip had been implanted. Not a month had passed since I had joined the high-end social media known as Array as its lowest ranking member. I fell to my knees defeated. I was doomed.\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​",
"\"There goes another one\", I though to myself as I checked my watch. Right on schedule. Let's see who it was today. I clicked on the link to the news article describing the \"incident\" du jour. Some guy named Zygmunt. He was a Polish entertainer of some sort. Looks like it started simple enough. He slipped on a patch of ice while getting into his limousine and banged his head pretty good. An ambulance was called and on the way to the hospital it was sideswiped by a semi that ran a red light. The back door popped open and the gurney he was lying on fell out onto the street, rolled down a hill into a construction site, and plopped down into the foundation where they were pouring concrete. Luckily the operator saw what had happened and quickly pressed the kill switch. Otherwise old Zygmunt would have been buried alive. As he was being helped out of the pit he was stung by a bee. Turns out he was allergic and died on the spot. What a way to go.\n\nOh well, five billion four hundred thousand three hundred and sixty eight days til my wish comes true. That genie sure is getting creative, but he really is a douchebag.\n\nEdit: removed extra \"is\"",
"No one knew what was happening. No one could explain it. By now, it had been five days since the richest man in the world died. And each subsequent day the new richest man had died. \n\nAfter everyone had realised it perhaps wasn’t just coincidence, the richest members of society suddenly became a lot more charitable. Men that I knew personally couldn’t give any less of a damn for the disenfranchised decided overnight to start donating millions to charity. For the first time, everyone was competing to not be the richest. \n\nAnd that’s how it came down to me. Forbes had listed me as within the top 50 last fiscal year, but I never thought I’d suddenly become the richest CEO in the world. It would only be for a few hours, but I was oddly happy to be at the top of the dogpile for once. \n\n“Ma’am. From what we can tell you’re still the richest person.” My personal assistant burst into my office, a worried look on their face. \n\n“It’s alright, Laith.” I smiled comfortingly. “If not today then it’ll be soon. We don’t know when this will stop. It might keep going until everyone is gone. If how’s my time, then it’s my time.”\n\nHe didn’t seem satisfied by my answer, but rather than argue he simply sighed and left my office. \n\nI knew I was being rather nonchalant given the situation, but I would rather be calm than panic in my potential last moments. \n\nAnd so I waited for noon to come. I spent my time finalising my will and writing letters to my friends and loved ones. By the time I had done everything I wanted to do, it was just a few minutes to noon. \n\nI counted the seconds, suddenly wondering how it would happen. Would I just drop dead? Would it be painful or would I even know it happened? Distracted by my thoughts, I didn’t notice when the clock turned to noon. And then to a minute past. \n\n“Boss?” Laith burst back into my office, looking fully expectant to have found my dead body. \n\n“Am I dead yet?” I asked. \n\n“Bill McMarna was just reported dead,” he said. \n\n“McMarna?” My brow furrowed. “I’ve got him beat for net worth by at least five million.”\n\n“I mean, I’m glad you’re still alive but I don’t get it either.” Laith pulled out his phone, presumably to check whether we had gotten my net worth wrong. “The richest man on Earth has died at exactly noon for the past five days.”\n\n“The richest man...” I mumbled to myself before letting out a giggle. \n\n“Boss?” Laith looked up at me quizzically. \n\n“Of course it was McMarna!” I laughed again, perhaps a little hysterically. \n\n“I don’t think I follow...” Laith mumbled. \n\n“I’m the richest woman in the world! Don’t you get it Laith?” I stood up emphatically. “Only the richest man dies! I still don’t get it, but whatever’s happening is finally gonna balance the scales between men and women in the workforce.” ",
"Anthony Harper, CEO. He smiles at the distressed assistant standing in the doorway and replies, \"Don't worry, George. I've taken care of it.\"\n\nNoon comes and goes. Anthony is still alive.\n\nGeorge, relieved and surprised, asks how he did it?\n\n\"Well,\" Anthony says with a proud smile, \"I gave all the money to my parents, and since I'm in their will... Don't look so glum, George. Oh, and pick out a suit. The funeral is this Saturday.\""
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[WP] An uplifting story through the eyes of a pet. | 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",
"The house is bustling! Mommy and grandmama are chatting excitedly as other women, some I reconize, some I don't prepare the house for a party. Not sure what a wedding is really, but it makes mommy and daddy happy so I'm happy too!\n\nDaddy's not home. Something about bad luck. But I can't wait to see him later...\n\nDoor!\n\nDoor!\n\nThe door is opening! \n\nMommy! Daddy! \n\n\"Hey Charlie. Ok, ok, down boy down. \"\n\nThey look so happy! I love my family!"
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[WP] Having developed time travel in secret, you find yourself stranded alone in the 1800s following your test jump. Walking amongst the crowds on the cobbles of Victorian London years later, you pass someone humming a Beatles song. | 3,320 | [
"**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",
"“Hey! You, there!” \n\nThe man jumps, startled by the sudden intrusion into his drunken stupor. \n\n“What song were you humming?” I growl. \n\n“Song, sir? I didn’t realize I was humming.”\n\n“The song, you stupid bastard, it goes hm hm, hm hm hm,” I couldn’t say the words, for fear of breaking something in the timeline, but I was afraid that had already happened. And in a dumb, stupid way, which I feared most, which gripped him by his collar. \n\n“The song, you damn hippie!” \n\n“I- I forget the words, sir, but it was an old diddy me mum usest t’ sing,” \n\nSpit flying at his face, my jowls wobbling, “What was it about?!”\n\n“It was just sumtin’ about a boy an’ ‘im gettin’ ate by a golem fer bein’ bad, mate! Please don’t hurt me, I swear I meant nothin’ by it!”\n\nI stop. “A golem, you say?”\n\n“Yessir,” he said, shaking. \n\n“Well, okay, then.” I released his collar and dusted him off a bit. “Sorry about that, friend. On you go.”\n\n He kept looking back at me as he went, but I barely noticed in my jubilation. \n\n“Ha! I knew it! *Hey Jude* was copied! The Beatles weren’t original at all, damn hippies! Tricky Dick does it again! Arrrrroooooooooooo!” *cheek wobble*",
"*Yesterday...*\n\nI looked up, pulling my cap slightly lower to shield my eyes from the rain. That voice seemed familiar, somehow.\n\n*All my troubles seemed so far away...*\n\nMy eyes widened. I spun on my heel, for once not caring if I drew attention. I scanned the crowd, eyes darting from face to face, from back to back, trying to find the one that did not belong...\n\n*Now it looks as though they're here to stay..*\n\nThere. The man head and shoulders above the crowd. He walked with purpose, head and shoulders hunched against the drizzle. I took a gamble, and recited the next few words, just loud enough for him to hear. \"Oh, I believe in Yesterday.\"\n\nThe man's step caught for just an instant before he broke into a run. I followed, boots pounding cobbles. He dashed through the crowd, bowling through wool-coated pedestrians, his breath misting in ragged huffs. I did my best to catch him, but he gained some distance before turning hard into an alley. He glanced over his shoulder in the briefest of flashes as he ducked around the corner, and we made eye contact.\n\nIt was a face I had seen before. And I realized just *why* I had recognized that voice.\n\n\"*Paul*!?...\"",
"Oh, my god, are these depressing times. Oh, sorry there inner monologue, I have to say \"Oh my gawd\" even on my inner thoughts lest I slip up and arouse suspicion. I sat on a crate down at the dock of the Thames and thought just for today, I'd give myself a reprieve from this tedious mental exercise. Seven frickin' years I'd been here. Well, not here on this crate, but seven years in the 1880s. Today was November 9, 1888. No, I'm not seven years old. I'm thirty-five. Technically, I'm NEGATIVE ninety-five years old, because I was born in nineteen eighty-three.\n\nWell, that's because I'm, to the best of my knowledge, the first and only time traveler. Well, to be a traveler, I suppose one would have to have done it a lot. I've only done it the one time. Does that make me just time traveled? It doesn't matter, I have no one to debate the intricacies of it with. Well, how did I do that? Did I build a time machine? No, much odder than that. When I was twenty-five, I received an anonymous package. In it, was a sort of diary. It appeared to be very old, but oddly, it was in my own handwriting. The diary was a sort of letter to myself. In it, it directed me to become acquainted with sailing. In October of twenty-eighteen, two years time, if I were to have my sailing license, I would come into a fortune of over five-million dollars cash. Long story short, I did this, and on September the first, I was approached by a man claiming to be a lawyer. \n\nI was asked for, and then presented my sailing credentials to him, he handed me a cashier's check for five million, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, dollars, no cents. I was told that there was another TEN Million dollars available, pending renting a small sailing yacht and traveling to 22.8340281, -79.0817705 on October the second. This was a spot in the ocean, about 246 miles North North West of Turks and Caicos. A bit weird, but I'd already got FIVE Million dollars in a weird way.\n\nI performed this task as well, and there I was bobbing up and down at these coordinates. I sat there for hours. After about ten hours, dusk comes early as a large storm comes in from the West. I couldn't outrun it. I was tossed and turned and between lightning flashes, I could see that I was being sucked into a giant whirlpool. \n\nThat was all I remember. I awoke naked sprawled out on the shore of a smelly, muddy river. That river, was the Thames, and the year was 1881. I'd gotten sucked up by the Bermuda Triangle and spat out in Victorian London. What the actual hell? I slowly made my way in this new world, and was now making quite a decent living as a, well, there is not a really good way to say this... a pimp. I facilitated twenty-three \"ladies of the evening\" out of my \"boarding house\" in Whitechapel. \n\nYou may think I took advantage of these poor girls, but I was very progressive for the time and they earned eighty percent of their labors. Many ladies in this profession were from poor backgrounds, but were making their way out thanks to my protection and business acumen. Knowing a bit more about STD's than anyone else also helped keep repeat customers. Thanks tenth grade sex-ed! \n\nWell, that's enough water watching for now. I'd self-medicated earlier today and was starting to wear off. I made my way back to the boarding house and set about the business for the evening. Some ladies would work the corners about town, some the parlor of the house for callers. Things had been much more perilous of late with a series of attacks for the last two months. I'd brought the ladies back to work in the parlor only. A few hours after dark, a well-dressed gentleman had come in to inquire about some companionship. He'd worn his hat low and looked down, as did most of my clients not wanting to be caught. I told him I'd get a few girls together and he said he's step outside for a smoke while I did so. I gathered the girls and went to fetch him. \n\nAs I approached him, he was humming a familiar tune, though I couldn't place it at the time. I brought him back in and after a thorough inspection, he selected Mary Jane. A red-haired beauty of about twenty-five. She was relatively new, but was very popular among the clients. They sat and talked for a few minutes on our parlor sofa after the other girls left. Mary Jane came back over to me and said they'd be stepping out for dinner as part of the arrangement before returning to finish things up. They departed and I still couldn't get that tune out of my head. Da da da dut dat dat da.....then it struck me. It was the Beatles' Blackbird. The gentleman must have also been a time traveler. I figured we'd chat when he returned from dinner. Sadly, that was not to be, as Mary Jane Kelly turned up dead in Miller's Court, the fifth victim of Jack the Ripper. \n\nThis was absolutely the worst day of my life, if only there was something I could do, to go back and warn her. But there was...I'm a frickin' time traveler. I began to journal all that I needed to convey, setting up a pension and arrangements for future me, and THIS TIME, I was going to get it RIGHT.",
"I hurriedly ran, desprately attempting to escape from my pursuers, in HOA one little mistake meant life imprisonment, imagine what destroying a time rift would do, and after building a machine to replicate it, they tried to silence me about the injustice in our world.\n I felt betrayed, tears started welling in my eyes but after some shouting from primitive guards and civilians I started thinking clearly again, but to my dismay I heard an ancient but familiar tune, I froze. It was him. A sudden explosion snapped me out of my trance. I ran faster than ever allowed in HOA. Until i felt my limbs begin to twitch, I grimaced. The elimination process had begun, soon I would be captured, no one had ever halted the process, but no one ever had a time machine either. I thought I would be able to make it, but boy was I wrong...",
"I moved through the market lazily. My daily routine had become almost automatic to me, at least since I gave up hope of getting back to my time. Three years of failed attempts at repairs and five more years of living my life in this new- or would it be old?- world. \n\nI picked through the carts of vegetables. I don't think I'll ever get used to how fast food rots here. A trip to the market is every day instead of every week or two. I purchased some potatoes and went on my way. There's dinner, at least.\n\nAs I walked back home I caught myself thinking about the future, but not my future. I tried to place the year. Sometime in the 1960s? At least that would have a few more luxuries. I stopped. What made me do that? I haven't thought about the future for years. I looked around. Maybe I saw something? I fixated on a man sitting on a crate on the edge of the market he was packing something or another into sacks, working rhythmically to the tune he was humming. I knew it. I stood staring at him. \n\n\"How do you know that song?\" I called out. \n\n\"What song? What I'm humming?\" He replied. \n\n\"Yes, I've heard it before. I know the words.\"\n\n\"That doesn't seem likely. There aren't any words for it except the title-\"\n\n\"Penny lane.\" I said, cutting him off. \n\n\"How do you know that?\" He said\n\n\"I've heard the song. How do you know it?\"\n\n\"Well its a family work song. My father, grandfather, great grandfather, they all hummed it while they worked, and unless you're from Liverpool too, there's no way you could have heard it. I'm first generation here in London. \n\n\"I know that song.\" I said affirmatively. \n\n\"I'm telling you unless you grew up on Penny Lane too, you couldn't have heard it.\"\n\nI thought to myself. I know that song. I know I do. This man is lying to me. He has to be a time traveler too. That's the only way he could have heard it. I'll get the truth out of him. \n\n\"What's your name?\" I demanded. \n\nHe straightened up and looked me in the eyes. \"My name is Joseph McCartney.\"",
"It was a Sunday and I always hated Sundays. \n\nI hated them more these days, or should I say *those* days, because I'd usually sit and binge watch some sci-fi show on Netflix with a beautiful Chai Latte ordered straight to my door from the Starbucks down the road. But in the 1800s, there was no Starbucks. \n\nI'd finally done it. Invented time travel. I was 1 out of 8 Billion people who knew that it was incredibly possible. But it was too bad that I was stranded in Victorian England. \n\nBeing the first person to develop time travel wasn't as amazing as I thought it would be. It turns out, travelling through time is easy. Travelling back, well... that's a bit more complicated. I arrived here two weeks ago. I tried to go back, trust me, I really did, but as soon as I realised it was a success, I took the time to have a victory nap (three all nighters in row can do that to you) and when I woke up, the machine was damaged. Parts were missing and it looked like it had blown up. I did everything I could to fix it, but the parts I needed didn't even exist here and I didn't understand why it had malfunctioned. My adventure to 1800s London was unwillingly extended. \n\nI was walking along the streets now, wearing a gothic garment I had managed to find in the street. It was slightly tattered and dirty, but it was clean enough and considering the time period, I'm sure I fit in better than when I arrived here in my System of a Down tee and black skinny jeans. The jeans alone would have got me in trouble just for being a woman. There was piss and shit every step I walked. The streets were uncomfortably busy. Beggars poured out of every walk way and rich noblemen strut highly on their horses. I couldn't have felt more out of place if I tried. The only remnants I had from my 2010s life was my doc martins that hid underneath the long skirt of this tattered dress. \n\nThe longer I stayed here, the more depressed I felt. All of my family and friends were probably so worried. I wonder if the police were looking for me? None of them had any idea I wasn't even in the same *time* as them anymore, let alone the same place. I could be standing in a spot the cops are looking for me right this second, but because I'm 200 years behind them, they'll never see me. I felt doomed. Hopeless and the more time went on, the more angry I felt. How could I have been so stupid? I was an engineer! I was a smart person, a rational person. How could I have so arrogantly trapped myself time surfing?\n\nI was careful not to mutter anything too loud. The streets were so packed. A few people had given me strange looks as I was passing as well. Attention was *not* what I wanted here. When I eventually get back to my time, at least my acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize will be excellent comedy material. \n\nI was looking for objects I could use for the time machine repairs. I had studied how different parts do different things and I was sure that even if I found the base ingredients, I would get myself out of here. I couldn't vote, I was jobless and I had no suitor. This time was not *my* time. I had already acquired some of the things I needed, but the more 'modern' stuff, I just couldn't find anywhere. As I turned down one of the bustling streets in to a wide lane, I heard something that totally broke my focus. \n\nI could hear someone humming. Normal I suppose, there wasn't a great deal to do in this time, humming was probably as commonplace as checking your phone. But something about the tune really startled me. \n\nI walked slowly towards the humming. There was a window at ground level that was open. There was no one actually in the lane with me, so the sound had to be coming from this building. I ducked down so I wouldn't be seen and carried on listening. I recognised this melody too well, but I couldn't put my finger on it. \n\nIt was an eerie tune, but there was something about it that really reminded me of space and the heavens. \n\n\"*Aaaah- aaaaaaaaah\"* The voice continued to hum. \n\nThat's when my brain finally clicked. \n\nWithout even thinking, I started singing the words really quietly.\n\n*\"Because the world is round it turns me on....\"*\n\nMy voice was nothing more than a whisper for the first few lines, but as the song continued, I was ready to make myself known to the person humming. \n\n*\"Love is old, love is new* \n*Love is all, love is you....\"* \n\nAnd then the humming stopped. There was a brief silence and then the sound of footsteps. \n\n\"Whoever is outside my window, I suggest you show yourself right now or I'll blow a hole in the wall.\" \n\nWithout even hesitating, I stood up and a man slightly older than myself stood on the other side of the window, a revolver in hand, pointing at me. \n\nI held my hands up and started stammering \"I-I-I I'm not going to hurt you. I just have a question. I-I-I *know* this song really w-well, it's o-one of my fave...\" \n\nHe fired the revolver above my head and I screamed. \n\n\"PLEASE DON'T KILL ME. I JUST RECOGNISED THE SONG.\"\n\nHe walked over to me on the opposite side of the window. Completely silent. He looked me up and down and even poked his head out of the window to literally look me up and down from head to toe. When his eyes got to my feet, he started bellowing so loudly, instead of comforting me, it scared me. \n\n\"You're a *looooooong* way from home Doc.\" He slapped his knee through his laughter. \n\nMy face flushed red, slightly embarrassed. \"H-how do you know that?!\" I asked. \n\n\"Well for a start, Doc was meant to be in pun to Docs on your feet. They don't even exist until after the second War. The World War. So let's cut to the chase little girl, how did you get here? To this *time?*\"\n\n\"I'm not a little girl.\" I muttered. \n\nThe man laughed again. \"Only little girls get stuck when time travelling. When it comes to this field, you are but a child, Otherwise, you wouldn't still be here would you? You wouldn't be stuck.\" \n\n\"H-how do you know all th-\"\n\nThe man laughed again, all he seemed to do was make fun of me. \"I-I created a device that allowed me to travel back, but its fried. Parts are gone. The things I need to fix it I cant find.\" I clenched my fist, feeling my own disappointment again. \n\nHe stopped laughing by this point and his expression returned to serious. He lowered his gun finally and sighed. \n\n\"I should have known really. Of course it was too good to be true.\" He said as he walked away from the window and in to another room. \n\nI stood awkwardly outside the window, unsure what to do. I just stared into the window and the space he once stood in. \n\n\\**click!\\**\n\nNext to the window, a door unlocked and was opened and his head popped out from behind it. \"Come in. We need to talk.\"\n\nI hesitated for a second, but entered regardless and he led me back into the room, this time I was on the other side of the window. He carried on walking through it into another room, but paused as we stood outside. \n\n\"Before we go in here, I need you to understand that it wasn't anything personal. It was the first time I'd seen a TT machine in 6 years. I have been stuck here that long. I felt a glimmer of hope, but my judgement was clouded. I think fate brought us together and now I intend to honour that.\"\n\nI remained silent, mainly because I was confused by what he said. But 6 years stuck here? That's hard to hear from anyone. \n\nThe door opened and I gasped. \n\nInside, was a machine that looked almost identical to the one I had made. There were parts scattered all over the room, in fact, very *certain* parts...\n\n\"MY PARTS!!!!?????!\" I screamed. The guy looked to the floor in shame. \"YOU STOLE MY PARTS WHILST I WAS [SLEEPING](https://www.reddit.com/user/phoenix-mitsuki)?\"",
"I didn't even realize until after I started in, singing with the humming. \n\"And make it be-e-etter, remember—\" we both spun, stared at each other for a moment, looking into each other's eyes. Then he ran. \n\nI chased after, knowing he was my ticket out. I had built a time machine, but this little old man had too. Even if hadn't sorted out the kinks, he probably knew more than me. Plus, he was running away, which meant he knew I wanted something he had, that I didn't currently know about. \n\nI saw him struggling with something on his wrist, but tackled him, gracelessly, in to an alley. \n\n\"Balls!\" His shout echoed off the brick walls, frightening a few birds and rats. \"I don't remember that. Balls, balls, bat and balls,\" he continued, checking his wrist. \"Yes, absolutely busted. Balls!\" Then, after a pause, once more for good measure, and right at me, splashing my face with flecks of spit, \"BALLS!\" \n\nIt was here I caught on. He didn't \"remember\" it? I stared at him, working my own memory. His face had new scars, but I saw the two familiar ones, right on the bottom lip and just over the right eye. The eyes were milky, but they were about the same color. His hair was gray, and his body bent and twisted with age, but it was clear who he was,and I realized I needed to act fast. I grabbed him and activated the switch on my backpack, pulling us into a pocket dimension. It would still only release us into that same time, but at least no one could interrupt my work here. And considering the highly unethical things I planned to do, I didn't need any interruptions. \n\nThere something I should tell you. I am not a monster. I don't condone torture, or violence in general. But there is one man I always planned to torture if I ever caught him. I'd do everything I could to wring every last morsel of information I could from him. I never actually thought I'd have the chance, but given it, now I could afford not to. \n\nI bound him, and kicked his leg to start things off. \"You know who I am, what I am willing to do, yes?\" \n\n\"The king of Siam, here to kiss my feet. No, Cleopatra, ready to pack my lunch.\"\n\nI gave a kick to his gut. \n\n\"Yes, I know you, kid. But you have to know, I can't afford to break. You do what you must, but I can't talk.\"\n\n\"Have you ever created a paradox before?\" \n\n\"Who says I'm creating one now?\" \n\n\"You didn't remember the tackle I used to catch you. Something tells me you don't remember any of this either. So now I have to wonder why.\"\n\nHe stayed silent and looked away. I picked up a syringe and injected him with a sort of truth serum, making him easier to break. A nice, custom made cocktail designed specifically for him. His knowledge, years of research, years I wouldn't have spend, now, spilled out over the next week, and was recorded for my later use and reference. Knowledge no one else would ever have, years earlier than even I should have had it. Getting my backpack time machine down to the size of a wrist watch was the least important thing I learned. \n\nAnd that was only the first time I caught my future self. ",
"I decided to make myself known: \"Love, love, love,\" I sung.\n\nThe man looked at me, confused. \n\n\"Love, love, love,\" I tried again. He continued to look confused. He must realise I'm also from the future, too. Surely.\n\n\"Love, love, love,\" I continued. He looked uncomfortable and started to move away.\n\nIn increasing desperation, I sang: \"There's nothing you can do that can't be done.\"\n\nHe began to run. Was he some sort of time criminal on the run from time police?\n\nBut I couldn't think of what to do except sing:\n\"Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.\"\n\nI grabbed his arm and sang in his face: \"Nothing you can say...\"\n\nHe finally replied: \"Désolé je ne parle pas Anglais.\"",
"I pull from the pocket of my waistcoat a roughly-sewn handkerchief to cover my nose. With every step the stench coming off the Thames becomes impossibly more putrid. At first I'd thought plumbing is what I'd missed most. \n\nI whiff a bit of oily perfume soaked into the cloth square - it's lavender, a natural antibacterial. I had packed a month's supply of benzethonium chloride in my bags. I used it in two weeks. But after all, the lavender smelled a lot better. No, I didn't miss the sterility as much as I'd first thought. \n\nAt last the smell eased as my path took me farther from the sludgey waters. I still found myself looking up at the buildings and homes and clothing lines that clung to each other above my head. I had thought impossible was a word for the advanced, the revolutionary. But now, it meant to me strength with which these dubious structures stood - at zany angles and of unlikely materials. Impossible was not my jump to Victorian London, it was my bizarre and inexplicable liking for it. \n\nA hand clasps my shoulders, \"William, my lad, are ya deaf?\"\n\nI'm startled by my acquaintance. I suppose I did hear him calling, I just hadn't remembered my name. I'm still used to the name Lily. Even though I haven't heard anyone say it in three years. I was not a tall woman by my time's standards, but here I pass easily for a boyish man. \n\n\"Well either way, you won't believe what've just done,\" Says Victor.\n\nI nod. I try not to talk much with anyone. Not because I don't sound like a man. Because I don't know what I'm talking about half the time. I think that's what I miss the most. Being able to be myself. \n\n\"Well I was passin by High street, with my friend Thom, and - nearly got ran right over by the way, and we heard a man shout, 'dickens!' so I look over, and it's just the man you said-\"\n\n\"Dickens?\"\n\n\"Yes that's what the other man was calling him, so I went up to 'em, and was sayin how I had a friend liked his work, and was tellin'em all about- \"\n\n\"You talked to *Charles Dickens* ?\"\n\n\"Ya, I've already just said I did, keep up.\"\n\n\"Alright, alright, all ears.\" I listen to his retelling as I look out at people passing, all pale, all fair. I try to see faces I knew in them. Someone in this world has to have a great great great grandchild I knew, don't they? I don't spot him at first, but I realize I'm hearing something odd. It feels like realizing I've been dreaming in another language - I hear a song. Not just any song, a modern song. Well, not modern, but not right for now. Right? There's a tall man meandering between people. He doesn't look odd with his tame brown hair and subdued eyes - but he's looking up at all the buildings and humming The Beatles. That's what it is. \n\n\"Victor, I've got to go!\"\n\n\"But I was just gettin to the part about-\"\n\nI dash off in the direction of the tall man. He's easy enough to follow as he's not moving quickly. I bump into several people as the crowds bustle and close in his wake, but finally, I close in on him. \n\nI put my hand to his chest, and say, \"The Beatles. Drive My Car.\"\n\nHe tilts his head. Up close, I can tell he doesn't belong. The teeth in his growing smile are too white and straight, his skin too smooth. His eyes gleam with health. \n\n\"Ah, a fan I see.\"\n\n\"A fan! Hah, a fan? In case you haven't noticed, I think you and I are the only two 'fans' around!\"\n\nHe laughs and inclines his head. \"You're right.\" \n\n\"How did you get here? How- I mean, what did you use?\" \n\nHe motions me to the side of the road, where we lean under a sturdy alcove. \"Haven't you met another...traveler before?\"\n\nI laugh. \"No! Are you kidding me? I mean, I didn't know I wasn't the only one.\"\n\n\"What? Who did you say you were?\"\n\nI pause. \"I didn't. I go by William here-\"\n\n\"No, come on, your real name.\"\n\n\"-But my real name is Lily. Barlow.\"\n\nHe throws his head back. \"Ohh, now I know you're joking. Too obvious, come on. What a yank.\" \n\n\"I'm not joking! What, why is that a joke?\"\n\nHe pauses, and crouches to stare at me. \"No way.\" He continues to look at me. \"...Oh. Oh god you're for real! Lily Barlow, I mean...you started it all. You were the first. Your machine is the reason I'm even here. Well not that machine exactly. But others. We have you to thank, er, Dr. Barlow.\"\n\nI struggle for words for a long time. \"When. When are you from?\"\n\n\"Twenty-one Fifty-one. I think that makes it about forty years since you...disappeared. This is crazy. This is so unlikely that I'd stumble right into your timeline\" \n\nI smile. \"It's impossible.\" \n\nHe grins. \"Listen, I can get you back. We can go right now if you want. But I will be honest I was sort of hoping I could see this place a bit more.\"\n\nI consider a moment. \"I'll show you around.\" I take the square from my coat pocket. \"Here, you'll need this.\""
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[removed] | [WP] You are a terminally ill patient in a hospital, and are given the option for euthanasia. However, your insurance package includes euthenasia options. One of the options is labeled "DEATH OR GLORY". You check off that box. | 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 u/StalemateIsVictory, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**No explicitly sexual responses, hate speech, or other harmful content**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)\n\n- We 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 *Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses ([rule 7](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses))*\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/9kned0/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/about/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[WP] A ghostly man walks into your kitchen and tells you that your time is up. One look tells you that he's no human. You somehow remain calm and ask for a month to tie up some loose ends. Surprisingly, he obliges. | 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",
"One Month\n---------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\"You know... your time is up.\", an otherworldly masculine voice echoed in my ears.\n\nI quietly turned around for my eyes to be met with a gray-suited man with a spectral presence. Although I could not explain why, I somehow just knew he was not of the mortal plane. \n\nI quietly continued making my tea and I said, \"Oh well. Such a pity. Would you like some tea?\"\n\nThe man nodded and as the kettle whistled, I poured boiling hot water into the piping hot cups of black tea.\n\n\"Now, how does this work? Do you just take me to the afterlife?\"\n\n\"Well, yes, either with your willingness or with force. I'd prefer it to not be the latter.\"\n\n\"Hmmm... may I ask for some time to tie up some loose ends then?\", I said as my mind was still processing the situation.\n\nThe man pondered for a bit before saying, \"Well, you are quite polite, so I'll give you a month, after which you willingly go with me. That is, unless you end up in an... unpleasant...experience before then.\"\n\n\"Alright, friend. See you in a month's time.\", I said as I extended my hand.\n\n\"See you then and...let's save the handshake for next time,\" he said as he waved before walking through the wall and leaving me alone in my silent home."
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[wp] A seemingly ordinary neighborhood. Except for the local evil overlord's castle that is sandwiched between two ordinary houses. | 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",
"Evil Evan never leaves his evil castle. Ever.\n\nHe is right between two righteous people's houses.\n\nSeen him once or twice with tons of rice inside his castle.\n\nThat is how he lives: he eats his rice inside and peers outside at night to see the righteous people live their lives.\n\nHe is not so bright.\n\n​\n\nEvil Evan plans to rule this land forever.\n\nScheming in that house of his—that massive sore on eyes, it is.\n\nMusic hums from deep within, a sound with bass and lyricless.\n\nThat is how he lives: he eats his rice inside and peers outside at night to see the righteous people live their lives, as plans to sit atop a throne just grows within that sad man's dome, as music drones and drowns the awful sound of Evil Evan's cries.\n\nHe is not so mighty, no.\n\n​\n\nEvil Evan is a fairy tale to most, so very old and gross.\n\nLong ago he lost a war now all his dreams are lost and gone away.\n\nAll his people and his hopes of being a king just eat at his cold brain at night. He sleeps all day and waits 'til moon to rise and shine.\n\nThat is how he lives: he eats his rice inside and peers outside at night to see the righteous people live their lives, as plans to sit atop a throne just grows within that sad man's dome, as music drones and drowns the awful sound of Evil Evan's cries, as dwelling on the past is swelling rage and hate for all he doesn't have (it makes him awful mad); the only thing he has is just an Evil Castle sandwiched right between two righteous people's houses; now the HRA is hounding on the Evil Evan for his Evil Castle—people have been loud about the vile sight that is his Evil Castle.\n\nHe is not so happy.\n\n​\n\nBut I hear he's also pretty ugly, just like his damn house. I gotta see that dumb castle every day on my commute. Ugh.\n\n​\n\n---\n\nThanks for reading! [CC]/feedback always appreciated. I've been working on making my stuff more clear, so if anything was confusing to you, I'd love to know :)\n\nI have more [poems, songs, and stories on my personal subreddit.](/r/scottbeckman)"
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[WP] You thought he was you best friend for years, but today you finally realized that you are his shadow that he only really uses to make himself feel good. | 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",
"Shadows get longer\n\nAs suns set on things\n\nYou thought you were stronger\n\nBut better light brings\n\nA cold realization\n\nThe sun has gone down\n\nAnd you'll never see\n\nAny shadows around."
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2
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"1538506399",
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[WP] We found intelligent life in space. We try our best to maintain civilized relations with them. The only problem is that they smell and taste like bacon. | 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",
"David adjusted his cufflinks methodically, for the hundredth time. It was, of course, purely a nervous exercise -- he was about to meet alien lifeforms from a distant star system. They wouldn't draw any conclusions about him based on how well put together his *clothes* were.\n\nHe had reason to be nervous, though -- initial contacts with the aliens had not gone well. It didn't help that they smelled -- and reportedly, tasted -- like the most universally popular food on Earth, namely bacon. The bottom line was that the scent of the aliens made most people hungry, even to the point of salivating, and the aliens seemed to be able to pick up on that reaction. It made them understandably nervous. Luckily, he happened to be especially qualified to put these particular aliens at ease.\n\nHe waited almost an hour before the door at the opposite end of the meeting chamber opened, and the alien entered -- it was a massive, sluglike being with several nimble tendrils sprouting from its body instead of limbs, and it used them interchangeably for locomotion and manual tasks. David's nostrils filled with the natural odor of the creature that so resembled that of hot, crispy bacon. It approached him cautiously, eyestalks scanning him with wary suspicion, then seemed to relax as it noted his lack of predatory interest in it. \n\nMimicking the human gesture of greeting, the alien tentatively extended a tendril to him, which he grasped and shook in a warm but gentle fashion.\n\n\"Greetings.\" the alien intoned through the mechanical translator strapped to its amorphous bulk.\n\n\"Shalom.\" David replied."
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[removed] | [WP] You come home to your mother lying dead over a watermelon. There are no signs of a struggle. No blood was found. The police say she wasn’t poisoned and didn’t die of natural causes. How did your mother die? | 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/8mrbad/-/%0A%0A)\n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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[WP] "Well, come on!" You say, excited to hear what your future-self has to say. "What am I famous for?" The future-you stares at the floor with a look of embarrassment and shame on their face. "Well..." | 15 | [
"**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",
"Alfred sits there, nibbling his fingers as the machine rattles. He’s been waiting for this moment for years, and when a blue light finally appears, his eyes widen. It’s actually happening. He’s *actually* bringing his future self back into the past!\n\t\n*And they called me crazy,* he thinks. *This device, it’ll make me famous! Rich! That’ll show all those doubters.*\n\t\nThe light fades and Alfred jumps up. Standing in front of him’s…well…nothing. The machine worked, and screen’s flashing *SUCCESS,* but he’s alone. At least, that’s what he thinks before a low murmuring makes him bend down, where he sees a tiny grasshopper.\n\t\nHis face sags as he socks the machine. “Hunk of junk!”\n\t\n“*No, it worked,*” a voice whispers.\n\t\nWhen he looks back down, the grasshopper’s standing straight up, staring at him. Its arms are crossed and it’s leaning against the side of the machine, head aimed toward the ground. It looks kinda…embarrassed.\n\t\n“You…you can talk?”\n\t\n“*Well, duh. I’m you.*”\n\t\n“But you’re…”\n\t\n“*A grasshopper. Great. Glad to seen I was a genius back then, too.*”\n\t\nAlfred sits on the ground now, leaning as close to the grasshopper as he can. “Are you robotic?”\n\t\n“*Yeah,*” it says.\n\t\n“Well, how did this happen? Aren’t I famous?”\n\t\nThe grasshopper looks at the ground, shame leaking off its face. “*Yeah. So famous they shoved you inside this body because they didn’t want you inventing anymore.*”\n\t\n“What?”\n\t\n“*Everything we invent hurts the world. It causes a war, or changes society too rapidly. We almost brought the world to an end once and have more bodies on our conscience than we can imagine.*”\n\t\nHe doesn’t know what to say. That’s not…the stuff he invents isn’t bad, is it? No, it’s not. He just wants to push the world forward, wants to help the world. “That doesn’t make any sense.”\n\t\n“*It doesn’t to me, either. People will turn anything revolutionary into a weapon. This little device? First it’ll be used to build armies. Kids will be rounded up, their future selves will be yanked back, and bam—you got soldiers. Eventually it’ll be reverse engineered to bring back past selves and soon you’ll have dictators in power for hundreds of years. This was before Cyborgs, and is just one of our many inventions. Think of how devastating it is.*”\n\t\n“Cyborgs?”\n\t\n“*Melding human with machine, extending life for thousands of years. Changed the world. I never stopped inventing, which led to endless destruction. The newest generation was smart enough to tame me, though, putting me in this body.*”\n\t\nHe rests his head against his machine as a tear streams down his face. This can’t…it can’t be true. “I don’t want to be a villain.”\n\t\n“*Want my advice, then? Send me back and destroy this machine. Focus on inventing smaller and simpler things. Don’t make the same mistake I did.*”\n\t\nAlfred thinks for a few minutes before standing up and pressing the button. He watches his future self disappear before immediately grabbing his wrench. Years of hard work down the drain. Years of hard work about to be smashed to pieces.\n\t\nWith a sigh, he swings the wrench.\n***\nIf you like this story, check out my sub /r/LonghandWriter or my [Twitter!](https://twitter.com/BryceBealWriter?lang=en)"
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[removed] | [WP] You wake up from a good nights sleep. Suddenly, your life rewinds. It replays exactly as you remember, you just turned 5 years old again but still have your current knowledge & memories. What do you do? | 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/8mrbad/-/%0A%0A)\n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*"
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