post_text stringlengths 0 17.5k | post_title stringlengths 4 315 | post_scores int64 0 42.1k | comment_texts list | comment_scores list | comment_times list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
[WP] You're the result of a drunken one-night stand between a hero and a villain. Despite their complicated hatred of each other, they've always tried not to fight for your sake. That changes during a particularly heated parent-teacher meeting. | 10,687 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*part 2/2*\n\n........\n\nHenry felt his nerves flutter in his chest as he stood at the office door, knowing he was about to meet the disappointment and ire of his parents. He hoped that he could explain, he hoped that they would understand. \n\nTaking a gulp of air, he latched onto his last bit of courage and pushed open the door.\n\nImmediately, he felt a spike of guilt as he saw his mother's puffy red eyes, and the sad look of resignation on his father's face. He knew they were scrutinizing every aspect of him now, and he knew what their appraisal would find. Henry could not have acted more Average American Teenager if he tried; right down to his scattering of acne, fashion choices, hairstyle, preferred activities, and music taste, Henry blended seamlessly into the crowd. \n\nTrying to shake off the weight of their stares, Henry's gaze slid to meet the Sympathetic Principal's. She nodded encouragingly, gesturing to a chair that faced his parents. Once he sat down, she asked, \"Henry, would you like to begin?\"\n\nHe knew he had to dive right into it, or he would lose his nerve. \"I *wanted* to be an Extra,\" he said, and his mother made a sound in the back of her throat like a strangled cat. His father looked like he might kill someone- possibly him. Gulping, Henry continued quickly, \"I never wanted to be like you. I never wanted my whole life to be a cliche, to live defined by some stupid character, like you two! You're Stars so at least you have some dimension, but you could have been something real, you could have loved each other. But didn't because he's a Villain, and you're a Hero.\" Henry stared at his hands, his whole body vibrating beneath the force of his emotion. \n\nHe looked at their faces, stunned into mute shock, and felt his anger build until his words exploded out of him. \"I don't understand! Why do we have to live like this? Everything is so black-and-white. And why do we have to be a character? Doesn't that seem strange to you, that everyone has some fucked up role to play? Actually, I *don't* want to be an extra. I don't want to be some dumb, spineless Supporting Character like the sidekick, or the gay best friend either! And I definitely don't want to be some waste of space Minor Character like you, who doesn't exist past the flimsy one-dimensional role they're expected to play!\" He launched this last of his tirade at the Sympathetic Principal, who looked at him with soft eyes full of compassion as if to further his point. Henry felt his anger cool and solidify into something more raw and painful, as if he could feel the exposed, throbbing surface of his own heart. He raised his head and met his parent's eyes, hot tears blurring his vision and leaving damp tracks down his cheeks. His last words were so soft, that they could barely be heard in the silence of the room.\n\n\"I want to be free. I want to be a *real* person*.\"*\n\n......\n\nIn the dark cold of the simulation theater, Martha nudged the shoulder of her Tinder date and nodded towards the screen. \"That's interesting,\" she said. \"That one became self-aware. Crazy, huh?\"\n\n\"Mmmhmm,\" he said, glancing at his watch. \n\nShe rolled her eyes; it wasn't going to work between them. Still, she might as well enjoy this AI Simulation Broadcast; she paid after all. \n\nShe fixed her gaze on the screen, and munched contentedly on her popcorn. ",
"There was a prolonged silence as the three strange and slightly outlandish looking students sat in their chair with a clock ticking away over their heads. The first, a student in chaos and cruel intent. The second, in singing and good natured ness. And the third? A student of Walt’s School For the Gifted.\n\nThe teacher in front of them was in every way ordinary, no fashion forward style, no intense make up, no overly sunny or cloudy disposition and definitely no ability to communicate with animals. “So I guess I should start off with saying that your daughter is the most... conflicting student Ive had the pleasure of teaching.” Mrs. Mcu said, pushing her glasses up nervously.\n\nRapunzel nodded sweetly and said, “Guilty, she definitely got that from me.”\n\nMrs.Marvel grinned as if she had fishhooks in the corner of her mouth, much to Ursula’s delight, “Yes indeed. While she’s definitely a bright child,” To which Rapunzel beamed, “She tends to umm, cause unneeded disruptions. Now, it’s not anything I can’t handle, I just thought I should bring it to your attention.”\n\nThe third party, and the daughter to both Rapunzel and Ursula, raised her hand slowly and sarcastically, “SHE has a name, you know?”\n\nRapunzel closed her eyes and patiently stated, “Dizzie, what did I say about rhetorical questions?”\n\nUrsula laughed out loud. A mean one that crackled and snapped in Rapunzel’s ears. “Do you have something to say?”\n\nUrsula shrugged, “I apologize, I didn’t mean to steal your voice, your highness.”\n\nRapunzel smiled widely and said, “No worries! You were saying? Mrs. Mcu. I’m sorry I’m just marvelling at your name, where is it from?”\n\n“You wouldn’t know the place.” Mrs.Mcu stated shortly, coughing lightly, “Dizzy, would you like to tell your parents what you did last week. And the week before?”\n\nDizzie sat up a little taller and replied, “I set fire to the blinds on the windows.”\n\nRapunzel gasped very dramatically and said, “I can’t believe you’d do that! Hun we talked about anger management. You know I have a lot of friends that go to a support group, you could join them for the next session if you’d like! It really is helpful, even your father-“ Rapunzels mouth continued to move yet no sound emitted past her perfectly shaped lips.\n\n“Yeah,” Ursula yawned, “that time I did mean to steal your voice.” She casually held a shell in her hand that seemed to be glowing an unusual shade of gold. Rapunzel’s face started to go red in unsubdued anger.\n\nUrsula turned to Dizzie, “Why did you do that?” When Dizzie remained unresponsive, Ursula added, “It’s an un-rhetorical question.”\n\n“I don’t like the blinds, you can’t see out the window.” Dizzie said nonchalantly, twirling her naturally silver hair and rolling her crystal blue eyes.\n\nRapunzel started tugging on Ursula’s tail rather hard. Finally her voice seemed to find her, “Dizzie why didn’t you just ask?”\n\n“Because fire is pretty.”\n\nRapunzel turned to Ursula in a childlike temper and said, “WHY do you encourage this behavior?”\n\nUrsula sight, “I don’t, Dizzie, dear, don’t light the blinds on fire. If anything, just turn your teacher into a plant thing when she refuses you.”\n\nMrs. Mcu started to get very uncomfortable and sank into her chair, avoiding any kind of contribution to the already growing insanity of the conversation.\n\nRapunzel stood up unexpectedly and said, “That is an incredibly horrible thing to do!”\n\nUrsula sat back further in her seat, “Bah it’s fine, it builds character. Which you princess types sorely seem to lack.”\n\n“We do NOT. I’m quirky and creative!”\n\n“And Mulan?”\n\n“She seriously kicks butt.” \n\nDizzie rubbed her temples, “Mom just say ass.”\n\n“I will not!”\n\nUrsula held up a tentacle every time she called on the name of some damsel in distress, “Pocahontas?”\n\n“She reunited waring factions!”\n\n“Beauty.”\n\n“Well read.”\n\n“Cinderella”\n\n“Remained positive while experiencing domestic abuse.”\n\n“Aurora.”\n\nRapunzel came to a screeching halt. “She looks great dead?”\n\n“Wow that was inspired.”\n\nMrs. Mcu, who was still too terrified to speak, slightly coughed in their general direction. \n\nBoth Ursula and Rapunzel turned and seemed to sober in recognition of the context in which they were arguing. “Right, I’m sorry.” Rapunzel said. And then turned to Dizzie, “Hun I understand wanting to day dream out the window, it’s my favourite hobby too, but there are better ways to approach obstacles.”\n\n“Exactly.” Ursual nodded, “When in doubt, a frying pan will do.”\n\nRapunzel sighed, “I hit you once! And it was by accident!”\n\n“Yeah and I still have a mark on 7th tentacle.”\n\nRapunzel’s temper slipped, “Oh you pour unfortunate soul.”\n\nUrsula snorted, “I can’t believe I ever found you mildly attractive.”\n\n“Well I can’t believe I ever felt like I could relate to you!”\n\nUrsula, in genuine hurt replied, “You had an insane amount of hair, I have a lot of tentacles. I thought we bonded over that!”\n\n“Well I’ve changed.”\n\n“So I can see. Just for the record, you looked better blond.”\n\n“And! And... you looked better never!” Rapunzel said indignantly, clearly lacking any kind of quip, “I wish this had never happened.”\n\n“Well if you do so hard enough and on a star.”\n\n“Oh shut up.” Dizzie’s eyebrows raised, never having heard her mother talk in such a way.\n\n“You had the best night of your life.” Ursula said indignantly, not really caring that this information seemed to drop into the unassuming ears of both her daughter and her daughters teacher.\n\n“I did not.” Rapunzel said, her checks flushing a bright pink that rivalled the shade of the dress she wore.\n\n“And we wouldn’t have Dizzie.” Ursula said, putting a kind tentacle on Dizzies shoulder. Dizzie looked up at her mum and smiled. And then immediately frowned. “Wait, how DID you have me, I always wondered that.”\n\nRapunzel smiles, “well hun, when two people love eachother very much... or ummm are slightly intrigued by one another-“\n\n“Yeah yeah I know, you cuddle really hard and then a stork comes. I got the PG version. But like physically.”\n\nBoth Rapunzel and Ursula shrugged and said in unison, “Magic.” Which seemed to be a good enough answer to Dizzie, who grew up on the stuff that dreams were made of.\n\nRapunzel closed her eyes and without opening them said, “I apologize Mrs.Mcu, I’m tired from a long day of singing to birds and Ursula had so many clients, I just... Is there anyway we can reschedule?” To a magically vacated desk chair that once held an extremely traumatized and soon to be retired teacher.\n\n\n\n\n",
"\"I still can't believe you made the same mistake dad made!\" Said a figure clad in black, with a huge smurk on his face.\n\"You realize you're talking about yourself, right, Damian?\"\n\"No shit, Sherlock. Now go over there, we're covering you.\n\nAt least a dozen of heroes -and even some pretty concerned villains- surrounded Gotham academy. The situation seemed pretty dire, something serious happened in the school. To make things worse, the kids' mom somehow got wind of it and boom-tubed right to the principal's door.\n\n\"It isn't my fault!\" Thought Grayson to himself\nAnd indeed it wasn't. He was told that Radion was to the New Gods what Kryptonite was to Kryptonians, what he didn't knew, however, is that, also like kryptonite, some types of Radion affect the emotions instead of the body. After that, there was not much he could do against the strongest villain the Justice League ever faced.\nThe result was four hours praying for his pelvis not to shatter.\n\nNine months later, two babies and a letter appeared at his apartment in Blüdhaven, something that he wasn't able to explain to Starfire. \n\nNow something was happening and he was probably the only one able to stop it.\n\n\"GRAIL!!\" Screamed Grayson\nNothing. Instead of the crisis he expected there was only the principal speaking to the totally not alien woman in front of him. A pair of teenagers casually sat in the floor in front of her.\n\n\"Grayson, why are you screaming\" As the tension vanished, his desperate entrance looked awkward. He timidly sat in the chair beside the woman.\n\n\"Well, as I was saying before being interrupted\" -said the principal- \"it seems your Children are metahumans. They lost control of their powers in class and ran to the old dungeons of the building, where they befriended a giant lizard that turned out to be a known criminal\"\n\n\"Killer Croc completed his sentence and is trying to rehabilitate himself with the help of other heroes!....I heard\" Interjected Grayson\n\n\"See, that's the problem with leaving the children with you, they are always near those crazy people you interact with\"\n\n\"Wait, What? It wasn't I that took them to a trip to frickin Apokolips!\" \nGrayson's mind harkened back to when the children were three years old. He had just managed to restart his relationship with Starfire, only for the couple to enter in his apartment only to be received by Grail with a wink and a \"Hello, Darling!\". \nThe scenes that followed were not pretty. Starfire still does not talk to him.\n\nOn the bright part, Grail suddenly started to be more present in the family's lives, even if she kept waging wars against the New Gods, the Justice League and Green Lanterns from time to time. Wars she usually won.\n\n\"He had to meet his family, and besides, the furies loved them\" said Grail, hugging her daughter, one of the twins.\n\n\"A-Aham!\" Finally interrupted the principal \"We still have to decide what to do with the kids\"\n\n\"We could always take them to their grandfather\" Said Grail\n\n\"We're not taking them to Darkside!\" He screamed\n\n\"Not my father, dumbass, yours. He raised four of you and only one became a maniacal assassin\"\n\nShe had a point.\n\n\"W-Well, even if that's the case, we cannot bring them to Bruce. He went to Earth-2 to meet his father. It will probably spare both of some decades of therapy\"\n\n\"Huh, useless as ever\" said Grail, poisonous\n\n\"See? That's why I can't stand being near you\" retorted Grayson\n\n\"That isn't what you said when we \"fought\", or all the times I went to visit you, for that matter\" she could be a villain, but she still was the daughter of an Amazon. Grayson couldn't do much to resist when she tried to be Charming.\n\n\"You say that, but it's you that can't forget mHMMM\" Dick Grayson's phrase was interrupted by a kiss from Grail. It was always like that during their fights\n\n\"Both of you, please!!\" Said the principal, slightly angry and totally confused.\n\"Forget it, old man, when those two start it's hard to stop them\" said the son, annoyed to see his parents flirting again\n\"Let's go, Uncle Damian and Uncle Jason are probably waiting for us, anyway\" said the daughter \"Look, mom's starting to take-off\"\n\n\"Kids, your mom and I are going to stay away for the night, and while we're away I expect you to BehAAAAAV-\" his sentence was cut short, as Grail flew away with him. The kids never knew were their parents went during those fights, but it's probably for the best.\n\n\"Well, at least the principal was so confused with Mom and Dad making a scene that we could leave without a suspension\" Said the son, Karl, to his sister, in front of a sea of relieved heroes \"Wanna get some ice cream?\" \n\"Yeah, let's get out of here\" said the daughter, Mary\n\nThings are always Sunny in Gotham, I tell ya",
" The bespectacled Ms. Shepherd closed the door of the auditorium and walked nervously to her desk. Her eyes twitched towards the two people seated across her table. Dave Ivanov and Valerie Jones. She sighed quietly to herself. She somehow knew this was going to be a tough one. The school had recently buckled, and given into the Human-Metahuman Athletic Separation Act, which basically forbid every enhanced individual entry into the school's sports programs, due to the nature of their... differences.\n\nIvanov's and and Jones' seventeen year old son Matthew, was enhanced himself, having a nano-metal prosthetic left leg, and had recently been kicked out of the school's soccer team. She now had the absolute *delight* of telling that to his parents.\n\nNow, she had no way of confirming this, but she was pretty sure she knew who they **actually** were. Really, the hints were pretty easy to pick up on, and she was pretty nerdy when it came to the whole cape scene.\n\nMr Ivanov was a tall, grey-haired biker dude wearing a dark-grey leather jacket with a spookily clean white fur filling. Had the light hit it from another direction, it probably would've blinded her , she surmissed. Now, if that wasn't indicative enough as to which pair of tights he put on at night, there was the fact that he wore an eye-patch, and there was only one mask in town that wore a mask with only partial coverage. The White Bear, the Slavenian sensation. Known for his lavish lifestyle as well as the armor that gave him command over electricity, and if that wasn't enough, he possessed an axe that was said to be the weapon of Perun himself, which was silly since it was used to freeze stuff, and everyone knows that Perun was the god of thu--\n\n*Fuck Meredith, stop geeking the fuck out, this is not going to be entertaining!*\n\nShe arrived at the table and smiled forcefully at the two people standing in front of her.\n\n“Mr. Ivanov, Ms. Jones, please, take a seat.” She said, taking a seat herself. Did she just see his one eye roll?\n\n“Thank you both for coming. I'm sure you're both *very* busy so I appreciate the fact that you found the time at all.” *BITCH DID YOU JUST SERIOUSLY GIVE THEM AN IMPLICATION?*\n\nShe swore she saw Ms. Jones' eyes twitch slightly, but it happened pretty fast so she could've been wrong.\n\nAt five-foot-nine, Valerie Jones wasn't exactly on the short side herself, but the way she carried herself made her only seem taller. Her presence seemed to have a weight of her own, she was simply captivating to look at. It was as if she stepped out of a librarian porn. Down to the last clichě . Sleeked back raven hair in a bun? Check. Glasses? Check. Form-fitting black business suit? Chickity-check.\n\n*Uh, explore your sexuality sometime else, maybe? This might be goddamn C-1412, y'know?*\n\nC-1412, or Cyberkid as she was known back in the day was a legendary cape turned mask that's been on the scene since she was a kid. Started off as sidekick of the Synth hero X-114N then made a move to the military after his murder.\n\n*Was it really murder though? I mean he was an army robot afterall.*\n\nShe had a brief stint in the army, before she was officially declared dead by the government after her plane was downed on a peacekeeping mission to Slavenia. Weirdly enough, about a year later, C-1412 hit the scene as an assassin for hire with synthetic metal limbs that could transform into basically anything. Od course, the two things could also be complete coincidences.\n\nShe wondered how these two had met. Man, they must have had some fun in the sack.\n\n*Y'know, if you actually went out and did anything other than hang out on those forums, you might actually meet someone. Now get your shit together, let's focus on surviving this.*\n\n“So, let's rip that band-aid right off, shall we? Mathew was recently removed from soccer practice, and I must regretfully inform you that he will not be allowed to return.” *Brace yourself...*\n\nShe observed their facial expressions change from shock to anger to slightly more composed anger in two seconds. It was Dave who broke the silence.\n\n“And why is that?” His voice was unsurprisingly deep, and his English slightly accented. He fixed his hazel eye on her, studying her.\n\nMeredith was ready, she had practiced this last night.\n\n“I'm sure you've heard of the Athletic Separation Act? While they haven't passed it yet, the school has recently received a rather large donation from someone involved with the campaign, which sort of forces our hand--”\n\n“Bullshit, nobody is forcing you to do anything. You could've refused the money.” He said coldly, rubbing at his temples.\n\n“Well, I do sort of get it, y'know...” Meredith's eyes widened, did Ms. Jones just take her side?\n\n*Holy shit yes yes yes!*\n\n“I mean... he does have a Synth leg, don't you think that gives him an unfair advantage?” Valerie spoke softly and shrugged at the increasingly tense Dave.\n\n“Yeah right, hypocrite...” He murmurred to himself then leaned forward. “There are kids with abilities that are allowed to play, why does he not get to?” He asked, his tone slightly raised.\n\nMeredith was just about to tell him that no, there are no kids with abilities that are allowed to play and that this was the seventh time she had to have this discussion today but she got interrupted.\n\n“First of all, that's not what she's saying, he's not the only one that got kicked out of the teams, there are no meta's allowed, they probably made it a policy. Second of all, did you just call me a hypocrite?” Valerie asked increduously, one eye-brow raised, her arms crossed.\n\n*YES, THANK YOU, YOU METAL GODDESS!*\n\nDave squirmed in his seat. He scratched his white beard, and coughed, obviously embarrassed.\n\n“Well...okay, I guess I get it, but is there nothing you can do? Maybe form a club for meta's? My son is a great kid, he loves to play.” He said, giving the teacher a sincere smile.\n\n*I might actually go blind, how are even his teeth so goddamn white?*\n\n“Uh- Um- I'm- Uh, sorry, b-but we won't be able to get a-anything running until the end of the year. But, uh, that's not the um, only reason I called for you.”\n\n*Okay, here it comes, let's hope the ninja librarian is on our side.*\n\n​\n\n​\n\nContinued in next comment\n\n​",
"“Jay. Come on,” My mother said, grabbing my father’s hand. He jerked it away quickly, not bothering to give her a second glance as he stormed off towards the classroom. My mother cursed under her breath and followed, leaving me alone in the hallway. I always knew that things were tense between my parents. I wasn’t blind, and I knew their backstories. A one night stand. Hatred turned into lust, and it was promptly switched back to hatred the next morning. That’s how it always went. I’ve heard the same story for the past 14 years, and I will hear it again and again.\n\nI reluctantly followed my parents into the classroom, where my homeroom teacher was waiting. She smiled pleasantly, a gesture that could certainly fool my parents. Me, not so much. I knew that smile. It was fake, just like the grass in an indoor gym or my parents ‘getting along’. It was so plainly fabricated, but some people are bound to believe it. \n\n“Ah, Mr. Lonsing and Ms. Rain. How lovely of you to join us. Please, have a seat.”\nMy parents sat down on the plush red chairs across from her desk. \n“We’re here to discuss Ellis’s behavior as of late. Your daughter has-“ She was interrupted by a murmur, a sound that could barely be heard if we weren’t in a silent room.\n“That’s false.” My father muttered under his breath. My mother lightly tapped his shoulder, as if she was telling a kindergartener that he had no recess or telling a dog to sit and stay. My teacher cleared her throat and continued.\n“As I was saying, Ellis is an outstanding student. She has straight A’s, a perfect behavioral record, and she rarely has conflict with other students. However, she needs to interact more with her peers. She is very reserved, and I feel like talking to others would help her mental health and social life improve.” \nMy mother looked angry. “This is your fault, Jay.”\nMy father looked shocked. “How is it my fault, Summer? I am not the one who has been keeping her from hanging out with her friends. As I recall, it was you.”\n“Actually, I’ve never had any friends to hang out with,” I say, my voice as sharp as a knife. My father’s head swiftly turns from my direction to my mother’s. \n“And who’s fault is that, Summer?” \nThe voices of my parents arguing didn’t leave my head even after I was out of the classroom. I didn’t have any intention on returning.\nIt took minutes before they realized that I was gone, and it took an hour for the fight to make the headlines.",
" The reason Babs Bernstein had pursued a career in preschool education was, mainly, because it had seemed so very simple at the time.\n\nWhere her friends had dreamed of careers with the military, or in stem cell research, Babs had been fully content to work semi-comfortable hours and pay the bills until that Perfect Husband she was still waiting for finally came into her life. Not everybody needed to be ambitious or a career-driven woman, and Babs just didn't feel very fulfilled by work achievements, it was as simple as that.\n\nSo she'd gotten her degree, a cushy job at a kindergarten in a slightly-posh neighbourhood, and was holding out for the perfect single dad to breeze into her life with a child in his arms.\n\nBabs loved children, which had only simplified the day-to-day of her chosen non-career further, because children loved her right back. It was as rewarding as work was ever going to be for her, and so very, very simple.\n\nOr so she'd thought.\n\n​\n\n\"Em.\" Babs wrung her hands, glancing forth and back between the two adults before her. She'd meant to invite little Nightingale's fathers to a parent-teacher conference for a while; since, in fact, the sweet girl had first presented \"dada's alien membranes collection\" on show-and-tell Tuesday.\n\nShe'd half-expected conspiracy nutters, or something of the like.\n\nHer expectations fell very, very short of the real deal.\n\n\"So glad to see you, Mr. and Mr.... erm... Nightingale's parents, I'm sorry, we don't seem to have your names on file...\"\n\nShe glanced questioningly at the one on the left, who wore an honest-to-god cloak, complete with wide collar framing his face, and made from black velvet like the rest of his outfit. (It was a sunny early-autumn day outside, Babs was sweating just looking at him.) He stopped twirling the tip of his moustache, and smiled darkly at her.\n\n\"You, miserable worm, may address me as Supreme Master of the Universe. Now grovel!\"\n\nBabs blinked.\n\n\"Simply call him SMotU.\" The other man rolled his eyes. \"It's shorter.\"\n\n\"How DARE you-\" Mr... well, Mr. Smotu it was, burst out, but was conveniently leaned over so Babs could get her hand shaken by Night's other parent.\n\nBabs would consider him the lesser evil, if he weren't wearing strange goggles around his neck and a weirdly futuristic coat in rainbow colours and with gold brocade. At least his smile was comfortably dashing, and Babs heaved a silent sigh that the eccentric-but-still-almost-good ones were either gay or married or both. \"Good earth rotation cycle, Ms. Bernstein. Dr. Mysterium of Infinite Reality, but please name me Moir.\"\n\nHis hand was oddly sticky, and when Babs pulled hers away, she could see the imprint of a tentacle sucker on her palm.\n\n\"Erm.\" She said, because screaming was the alternative, and if Babs was going to die today, she would go out with some shreds of dignity still attached to her name, goddamnit.\n\n\"Get on with it, wretch!\" Mr. Smotu sneered. \"We have not traversed the many square lightyears of the galaxies we do battle in to sit idly! Do you wish for me to crush your planet under my heel, as I have done with so many others!?\"\n\n\"My dear.\" Dr. Moir frowned lightly, that dashing smile now a hint disconcerting considering it barely moved with the rest of his face. \"It's taken us so long to find a neutral solar system for Nightingale of Dusk and Dawn's schooling, please refrain from crushing it, will you? I am sorry,\" he turned to Babs, patting the back of her hand gently, leaving another red mark, \"I may or may not have started a rebellion in one of his hub galaxy's spiral arms, he's understandably cross at the moment.\"\n\n\"Bah!\" Mr. Smotu spat, and he sent his... significant other...? a furious glare. By which Babs meant, opened a red eye on his forehead and sent a beam of crackling energy at him, which Dr. Moir deflected with an absentminded wave of his hand.\n\nBabs inspected the last dredges of coffee in her cup, and wondered which of her colleagues had drugged it.\n\n\"You wanted to exchange words with us...?\" Dr. Moir prompted, that smile still unchanged on his face. His teeth, while straight and pearly white, were at an unnatural ratio, Babs noted with the nonchalance of someone who's reached their pensum of weird for the day, and will now weather any storm with superhuman calm.\n\n\"Yes. Well. Night is, er, a lovely girl. Well-liked among her peers, nearly adored.\"\n\n(At this, the two shared the typical besotted look parents got at the obligatory praising of their child, and Babs felt a little more at ease with the situation. At last, they were returning to familiar, uncomplicated territory.)\n\n\"She excels in any pre-academic exercises, and is actively participating in activities...\"\n\n(Now for the not-so-simple part. Brave heart, Babs.)\n\n\"However, her writing exercises and projects are a little... peculiar.\" Babs slid the weekend essay titled 'How Papa And I Enslaved A Moon' over her desk, together with a photo of the papermaché eldritch horror Night had produced when asked to make her favourite pet. Three children had needed therapy after seeing that.\n\n\"She made a Placid Axzcykian Goodfauntling!?\" Mr. Smotu snatched up the photograph, clearly horrified. \"THAT is her favourite? And after I showed her my collection of killer aliens, too!\"\n\n\"You took her ENSLAVING over the weekend!\" Dr. Moir slammed the essay back down on the desk, and his smile still hadn't moved, even though his eyes sparked. Metaphorically with fury, and literally with actual sparks. \"AGAIN! We TALKED about this!\"\n\n\"I always knew,\" Mr. Smotu hissed, red eyes breaking open all over his skin - at least the parts not covered by velvet, though Babs could see little glowing spots under the heavy material. \"For all your saccharine promises, you were never going to let her grow up morally grey! No, you've been brainwashing our daughter into goodness ever since...\"\n\n\"You accuse me!?\" Dr. Moir spluttered. \"Then what do you call this, this... indoctrination?\" He stabbed at the essay with one finger, the top page somehow sticking to the tip of the digit as he waved it in front of his partner's (?) face. \"And you went to intergalactic court just because I wanted to take her along to hand out medicine after the spread of your artificial tentacle-rot virus! I always knew you were vile, but is fairness truly so foreign a concept to you, you dirty-\"\n\n(Babs, meanwhile, had given squeaking out a placating word or two a valiant try, before ducking under her table and spontaneously finding religion.)\n\n\"HAH! Simply that you insisted on enrolling her in a planet with a...\" Mr. Smotu's sneer intensified. \"...MORAL CODE of some sort shows how biased-\"\n\n\"I KNEW IT WOULD BE LIKE THIS! From the moment I sobered up from the Nitrogen Nectar, I KNEW...\"\n\n\"YOU were the one who suggested we go to a laboratory and merge our genes into offspring! I was inebriated and besott- OBSESSED with you, OF COURSE I-\"\n\n\"FOR NIGHT! WE WERE GOING TO GET ALONG FOR NIGHT, THAT WAS THE BEST I COULD HOPE FOR FROM YOU!\"\n\n\"NEVER DRINK AND DNA-SPLICE, DON'T THEY TEACH YOU THAT AT HERO SCHOOL?\"\n\n\"YOU PROMISED ME, IT WAS IN OUR JOINT-CUSTODY BONDING VOWS, WE GET. ALONG. FOR NIGHT!\"\n\n\"YOU DAMNED HYPOCRITE, BEFORE LONG I WILL MAKE YOU GROVEL BEFORE ME-\"\n\n\"GROVEL! IT'S ALWAYS GROVEL THIS AND GROVEL THAT WITH YOU! CAN'T WE EVER EXCHANGE NORMAL WORDS!? NIGHT WILL GROW UP MORALLY BIPOLAR IF WE'RE NOT CAREFUL!\"\n\n\"YOU WERE THE ONE WHO REFUSED TO LET HER GO TO THE THERAPIST I FOUND!\"\n\n\"BECAUSE YOUR 'THERAPIST' IS A CANNIBALISTIC HIVEMIND!\"\n\n\"Well... yes. BUT A HIVEMIND WITH VERY GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS!\"",
"**I just found out my Mom and Dad are heroes\\ villains AMA!!!**\n\nI was a normal kid, went to a normal school got into normal trouble (more on that later) and even have a normal part time job at a well known big box store, you likely know the one (hint:blue and yellow). \n\nMy mom is a pretty important woman, one of the leaders of a large multinational organization. My Dad was always kind of a deadbeat, bad with money and keeping a job. I'm not complaining, they are both pretty awesome to me, and I like to think they raised a good kid even though they aren't together anymore.\n\nI turned 16 last month, the party was pretty awesome! A lot of my friends showed up, and a lot of my moms friends which was weird. But they gave me awesome presents! One of her friends is this genius physicist, he gave me what I could only describe as a laser sword. Not a light saber, those are impossible (I asked). But a true samurai sword that has a laser edge. Mom didn't like that too much and Dad even less so. But my dad did drop in for a bit, he gave me a nice card and a pretty awesome geode, it looks like the galaxy being born in rock and crystal... I am kinda a nerd and this kinda stuff is fascinating to me... he said he got it from work. I figured it must have put him back a few hundred bucks though. \n\nAnyways, today was parent teacher meeting. Usually only my mom goes to these. They are routine at this point, 10th grade, but this time my dad came too. They never really got a long in the first place, but for some reason when my teacher Ms. Styles told them that I had gotten in the middle of a fight and had stopped a kid from bullying someone else my mom went off the deep end! She started saying this is my dads fault and that he is a terrible influence on me... it went on for a bit like that. My dad kept his cool... for a while...\n\nThen it happened. My mom stormed out, I could have sworn I saw her eyes turn yellow. My dad followed.\n\nMs. Styles and I were shocked! I apologized and grabbed my bag and rushed after them. I ran into the hallway but they were already gone! \n\nJeez they are fast when they are pissed at each other.\n\nI ran out to the parking lot and then I saw... The Hornet was fighting my dad! My dads collared shirt was shredded and on his chest I saw the Cosmos shield! \n\nSo here I am. Sitting in the back of a police car while my dad talks to the cops and my mom is in a pair of gravity boots and meta-cuffs. I got nothing better to do so... Reddit, ask me anything about be the son of a Super hero dad and a Super villain mom!",
"*part 1/2*\n\nThe parking lot of Generic American High School was still. A discarded wrapper blew across the asphalt, the scratched white sedans waited patiently in their rows for class to be let out, the sky the flat burnt blue like vintage film.\n\nAnd then, something like electricity crackling in the air:\n\nA white Tesla curved neatly through the lot, parking precisely in the middle of two thick painted lines. A woman stepped out, and the janitor sweeping the school entrance nearly stopped breathing.\n\nIt was clear she was a Star; her breed of beauty and elegance was too elevated, too transcendental to be confined to a Secondary or Minor Character. She had platinum hair that fell in perfect, careless waves down her shoulder, wide blue eyes rimmed with thick lashes with the innocent softness that could steal any man's heart, and full cupid bow's lips painted red and parted slightly. But what kind of Star? A Hero, the janitor decided after careful consideration. She was surely beautiful enough to be a Temptress, but she was dressed all business in a crisp white pantsuit, towering nude stilettos, and tasteful gold jewelry.\n\nAs soon as he had decided that, a scarlet sports car trimmed with black skidded through the lot, tires squealing. His work forgotten, the Janitor leaned on his broom and watched as the car carelessly fishtailed into a spot and, with an awful sound of crunching glass, crushed a sedan's side mirror into pieces. The Janitor already knew the driver was a Villain, but the man's appearance as he climbed out immediately confirmed it: tall like a rake, thick dark hair falling in pieces across his forehead, angular cheekbones like a cat and smoky green eyes that had only ever known wrong decisions.\n\nThe Hero strode over to the Villain with a cross look on her beautiful face, seemingly berating him for the shattered mirror. The Janitor was interested now; he was only a Minor Character, after all, but he had never seen a Hero and a Villain come together before without dire Conflict plot lines.\n\nWhat connection could these two possibly have, that would bring them together in a high school parking lot?\n\n........\n\n\"Still polluting the planet, I see,\" Betty said crisply, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder as she studied Alexander's sports car with distaste.\n\n\"Still got a stick up your ass, I see,\" Alexander responded devilishly, but she screwed her button nose up and held up a hand in distaste.\n\n\"You know my characterization doesn't include vulgarity, Alex, so don't be a child,\" she huffed. \"We're here for Henry, so please, try to get yourself together.\" She began to walk off towards the building at a brisk pace, her heels clipping loudly into the pavement.\n\nAlex loped easily alongside her, digging out a cigarette from the pocket of his leather jacket and twirling it thoughtfully between his fingers. Betty rolled her eyes as she heard the familiar click of the lighter and swatted it from his hands, chiding, \"This is a place for children. Don't you know what secondhand smoke can do to them?\"\n\n\"Yes, Mother,\" Alex conceded, smirking to himself at her grunt of irritation and narrowing eyes.\n\nShe seemed determined to walk in silence through the school, so he was happy to oblige, wondering distantly what attraction he had ever seen in her. Whatever spark had flared between them during their night together had long since faded- no, more like been brutally stomped out. Their love for Henry aside, all that remained between them was ice.\n\nBetty paused outside of the door to the Sympathetic Principal's office, and Alex managed to thaw a little as he saw that her eyes were filled with the same concern for their son that he felt. \"I know you're a Villain and I'm a Hero,\" she said slowly, \"and we're not supposed to get along. But I know you're worried about him too, and Henry loves both of us, so for his sake....yes?\"\n\nAlex hesitated and then nodded, knowing how difficult it must have been for her to force those words of unity, however bare, out. \"Understood,\" he said simply.\n\n.....\n\n\"Hello, welcome in,\" the Sympathetic Principal gushed warmly as the pair swept through the door, her eyes shining with empathy. Betty returned her smile and greeting with equal friendliness, impressed that a Minor Character had embraced her role so completely. The character of Sympathetic Principal didn't have as much meat to it as Hero, or Villain, but this woman still worked well with what she had.\n\nAs they seated themselves in the plush chairs, the Sympathetic Principal's expression became more sober and she folded her hands before her. Still, her eyes never lost their sparkle of commiseration, Betty noted- that was a neat trick. \"I know you two have been concerned that despite his parentage, Henry hasn't been exactly exhibiting Star qualities. I called you in today to discuss a new development. Henry... Henry was in a fight today.\"\n\nBetty felt relief so overwhelming that a wave of prickly dizziness passed through her, and she was grateful to be sitting down. Closing her eyes, she said a silent thanks to whatever higher power had let Henry finally find his true potential as a Star, a center of action- not a Secondary Character or even Minor Character as she had so deeply feared. She saw a similar lightness mirrored in Alex's face, and because of her good mood she even bestowed a dazzling Hero smile upon him. \"He ended it, or saved someone, of course? Just like his mother?\" she teased.\n\n\"No, he must have started it. A boy after his father's heart.\" Alex wore his customary smirk now; Betty could tell how pleased he must be.\n\n\"I'm afraid that was not the case,\" the Sympathetic Principal said gravely. Betty jerked her attention back to her, and the pain in the woman's eyes made Betty feel as if she had been doused in ice water.\n\n\"Oh, no,\" she whispered. \"He was... a Minor Character?\"\n\n\"Worse,\" the Sympathetic Principal said slowly. She almost winced as she delivered her final news: \"He was an Extra.\"\n\n\"An Extra.\" The words dropped numbly from Alex's lips as if he was delivering a sentence for a crime.\n\n\"Yes. He didn't do anything or say anything. He just watched. He could have been interchangeable with anyone else; a bystander.\" The Principal tried to soften the bluntness of her words by reaching out and patting Betty's hand, but Betty jerked her hand away.\n\n\"I'm getting your Sympathy revoked,\" Alex snarled, disgust and hurt hardening his face. \"When I'm through, you'll have hardly any character at all.\"\n\nBetty shook her head at him, even though she felt the same way and had planned to immediately do the same. But she knew appearing aggressive wouldn't get them anywhere; honey caught more flies than vinegar. \"I don't understand,\" she said, faintly, instead. \"How can he be our son- with our Storyline- and act as an Extra?\"\n\n\"I knew you would be confused, so that's why I brought him to explain himself.\" The Principal pressed down a button on her phone and intoned, a little dejectedly, \"Please send Henry in now.\"\n\nThey waited.",
"It was always the same. My father looking at my mother with sad, loving eyes, my mother pretending nothing existed but her.\n“Thank you for coming in today.”\n“You assured us it was important.”\n“Yes. We’re not sure how to handle Nicks mind-reading. It’s a question of whether or not he’s cheating.”\n“Nick’s a very honest boy.”\n“Yes, but..well..” he passed forward two papers; two exams.\n“You’ll notice they’re worded exactly the same.”\n“I didn’t mean to do it, Dad, I thought they were my words. I still think they’re my words. I don’t see how this could have happened.”\n“It does read like Nick wrote it; I think there must be something we’re missing, Nick doesn’t cheat.”\n“You don’t get it, do you? Or you do, but you refuse to see it. You’ve always refused to see the inevitable. The boy’s cursed.”\nDad got tense, “you’re talking theory. I’ve asked you not to speak your theories in front of the boy”\n“It’s not theory anymore. This is evidence”\n“I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you two mean..cursed?” The principle looked worried.\nA memory dawned in my mind, a memory of an argument. Something to do with a cat, I had been pretending to be a cat, and the cat had been acting weird…”\n“It’s because of their powers, principle. She’s saying the mixing of their powers is a curse.”\n“Mind-reading and mind-control. Nick doesn’t know where his mind begins or ends. Doesn’t know when he’s willing himself or willing others. He will, ultimately, go mad.”\nHer words entered me, my eyes were on her, on my beautiful, cold, lonely, hard mother, who’s pain I could see so clearly, could always see, like a soft, poininent thorn on a rose, such a strong woman to not crumble under such sadness, if only she would let me love her, my sweet love, if only--\nMy mind snapped and I rose wildly, face in my hands, chair squealing my distress,\n“Oh my God--”\nThat was my father! My father’s mind was my mind? Oh God, she’s right!\n“Son, what--?”\n“It’s begun. He knows; he sees it now.”\nMy eyes met hers, and it wasn’t the normal eyes of my mother looking at me--guarded, aloof--but her eyes had taken on the same look I normally see in my father’s eyes when he’s looking at her--great love, great, despairing love. Now that I’m lost, she feels free to love me.\nI hated her then.\nAnd with that I ran from the room. I ran while they were arguing, arguing about my fate, arguing about my sanity. “This is your fault,” she was saying, “you and your damned love. If you had left me alone.”\nI could hear my father calling after me.\nAnd with that, the tense peace was gone, all was crumbled, all was crumbling...\n",
"Erin sighed and stared out the window as his parents argued, having tuned out after they had started arguing about how he was \"too nice\" or \"needed to stay out of detention\". He couldn't help but feel bad for the teacher as she hid behind her desk, cowering in fear while his hero mother and villain father yelled at each other. \n\n\"I'm telling you Maria, he's too nice to those boys! When I was his age I'd already spent three weeks in jail on assault charges!\" \n\n\"Xin I don't see why I have to keep telling you he can't afford to go to jail! He's 17 for christ's sake, he needs to focus on getting ready for college, not getting into fights!\"\n\nThe teenager quietly snuck behind his teacher's desk, pulling a pack of pocky out of his coat pocket and offering some to the terrified woman. \"Want some? We're gonna be here a while.\"",
"“Its not his fault.” The shrill voice of my mother blasted the entire room with a tinge of awkwardness. “If his father had just-” “Had what, Alyssa?” My father's voice rumbled with the power of a thousands suns. My teacher, Mrs. Hudson, shifted her glasses as if the yelling did not phase her. “You see your son…” Quickly my mother's voice rose again “I’m sick of this Jason! You need to be there for your son!” Power radiated off of her muscular body as tension between the two rose. “I’m always there for Dax! Whenever you are off doing ‘Justice work’ in the city I am the one who takes care of him!” I sat there with my hands folded in my lap, this wasn't unusual but I never really got used to the fighting. My trail of thought was hindered when my father was blasted through the wall, my head spun to see my mom levitating off the ground in a pose that beamed with sheer energy. Her eyes blazed with a bright violet light and she was wearing an outfit that was less than appropriate in a school environment. Purple and black swirls danced around her body, giving her more shape, and just covering her breasts enough for her not to worry about being nude.\n\nThe dust had settled and my father, whom was across the courtyard now, was shifted into a tall position. Every muscle in his body was now bulked up, so much so that it tore the tight collared shirt that he had wore for this for the parent teacher conference in the first place. His suit was clean and very nicely stitched with whatever lustrous material that made it up, musical notes peppered his body and his long cape fluttered in the wind, it had been lined with five black stripes with a white background, and bringing the entire skin tight suit together was a glorious collar around his neck. His face now morphed into a grin, devilishly. A base materialized in his hands and with a strum shockwaves of power coursed their way towards our direction. A large window of purple energy crystalized before me, blocking the sonic wave from hurling me or my apathetic teacher from being sent flying in the opposite direction. Long purple tendrils appeared from the floor, wriggling with intensity. My mother pointed towards dad and as soon as that the tendril made their way in the direction she pointed making multiple whipping sounds when they got to their destination.\n\nMy teacher turned to me and tilted her head slightly. “I see you have family problems.” I rolled my eyes passively. “You don't even know the half of it.” During our conversation vortexes of dark grey clouds that crickled with lilac lightning materialized around my father, there had to be around five of them but couldn't really tell. The wind and dust they were blowing up cause leaves and debris to swirl around them blocking most of my sight. My father, now holding a glowing violin was inside a dome that no doubt was made from the instrument he held. He raised the bow to meet with its strings, and with a sweep of his arm the dome shattered and the shards of his defensive now flew towards my mother with momentum so fast I couldn't even see them make their path.\n\nThe whole thing looked like a superhero movie, but not a fun one. It was like watching two gods who hated each other fight for no reason, and it started to anger me, no, it infuriated me. Sixteen years of nothing but fighting between my parents had already taken its toll on me but now, they were at war with each other. A bubble floated in front of my face completely out of place. It was a juxtaposition between my parents feud and its mere existence. Mrs. Hudson leaned in towards me from her desk. “I know this isn't a good time to point out the obvious, but it looks like your power finally came.” I was extremely confused at her proposition my ‘power’? I dont have powers… Until I looked back at the bubble or now bubbles. Of course! My mom is the Violet Phantom and my dad is The Minstrel and they gave birth to a son whose power is fucking bubbles. The thought aggravated me and in that moment the small army of bubbles were filled with a yellow flame.\n\nThis whole scenario was insane everything just felt so wrong. Another blast of power caused all of my teachers papers to go flying and me having to hold my ground. My teacher sat at her desk with her hands clasped together rested on the surface. She gave out a long sigh and looked at me. “You know this isn't your fault right? I just want you to know that this is all your parents inner demons.” She said with a completely nonchalant face. “Does that make any of this okay?” My question seemed to emanate inside of her. “Well, what are you going to do about it.” Without a second thought I leapt out of my chair. The bubbles followed close behind and floated ethereally around me. I thought of electricity and thunder and, as if on queue purple sparks sparked inside of the floating orbs. With that I sent them flying towards both of my parents. Armies of bubbles swifted to my parents and as soon as they met the targets lightning erupted as they popped, more viscous than I expected.\n\nSilence befell the area that was thundering no more than a minute before. My parents still standing gave me a shocked, no pun intended, look. “If I was this much trouble.” My voice had more energy and power than it has ever had before. “Why didn't you just put me up for adoption or just find another home for me… or abort me.” My mom took a second to take in my comment. After a moment of stillness she slowly made her way back to the ground, her raven her that was floating around her head fell back down her back and her eyes dimmed back to their normal state. “Baby, I could never do that.” The vortexes around my dad faded away and and he let his guard down, the glowing tambourine in his hand dematerializing. “Why would you say something like that?” My dads glorious voice cut through the air. “Just LOOK at yourselves.” I said agitated. Both of the powerful figures took a glance at each other then at the surrounding devastation that diminished my high school. “It's driving me crazy! I just want a normal life.” My parents faces melted into concern. “You know we can never give you that.” My mother's voice became gentle and comforting as she embraced me. I buried my face into her trying to hide my tears.\n\n“When you were born your mother and I forgot what it meant to be a hero or a villain.” My dad came to embrace the both of us with his large arms. “You became the most important thing to us… more important than any scheme I had.” “Or my thirst for justice.” My mom said completing his statement. For the first time, my family came together. Mrs. Hudson walked towards us and asked. “Well are you two quite finished?” Both of my parents in unison nodded, and with a snap of her fingers the school shifted and started to fix itself. Debris flying back into place and all of the papers organized themselves on Hudsons desk. “Now if we can get back to his gra-” before she could finish her statement large alien like ships fell into the atmosphere hundreds of not thousands of them. In defeat Mrs.Hudson sighed. “Il call the council of the stars.” She said. My mom gave her a nod “We’ll finish this later Clarissa.” Mrs.Hudson nodded and walked back inside the high school. My dad looked back at mom and told her. “I'l re-organize the Void Lurkers.” Now looking down at me my mom said “I hope your prepared to use that power of yours.” And with determination I nodded back at her.",
"The worst time of year was approaching. Parent teacher conferences. My parents, complete opposites, couldn’t be in the same hemisphere without causing World War 3, let alone in the same room. My mom is, objectively, the greatest superhero the world had ever seen, and my dad the greatest villain. My mom’s superhero name is literally Gaia, if that helps. And she didn’t choose it herself.\n\nMy parents had long ago ceased interactions with each other, going so far as to hand me off by doing dead drops. Like a CIA missive or something. It was super lame. My mom said she did it to prevent civilian casualties whereas my dad wanted to cut costs. Guess it gets expensive replacing your house every other week.Typical.\n\nI had to move schools often because of my parents, so this was my homeroom teacher Ms. Ryan’s first time meeting my family. I’d only been at this school for 3 weeks and had so far managed to keep my heritage a secret, but now I was going to be exposed again. Back to half the school worshipping the ground I walked on asking for introductions, and the other half cowering in fear when I walked by. All of this would of course be followed by some kind of international incident that required me to move. So much for friends.\n\n“So, we just wanted to talk about Sam’s aptitude tests and what that means for her future.” Ms. Ryan said sweetly, though I could tell she was a little starstruck by my mother. She was maintaining an impressive level of professionalism. Most of my other teachers had devolved into shrieks or blushing. \n\nTall, striking, and just in every way perfect, my mother looked like a supermodel. She radiated kindness. It also helped that her face was plastered on half the billboards in the world, and she might have just come from meeting the president (on national TV, naturally.) Despite that, she had shown up on time. Something my father could never do. I had no doubt my father was late on purpose, just because he liked seeing people squirm.\n\n“Of course, how did the aptitude tests go?” My mother asked, and I knew she wasn’t feigning the interest. She wanted to see if my moral tests would come back with hero aptitude or not. And the all-too important question of what powers I had. I tried my best not to show it, but cringed to myself. I hadn’t seen the results yet. A result either way could quickly turn the school into dust. \n\n“Well, as you know, we require both parents to be present for results to be shown. Do you know when your husband will be arriving, Mrs. Gaia?” Ms. Ryan’s voice thinned when she addressed my mother and I couldn’t suppress my snort of laughter. Yep, she was starstruck.\n\n“He couldn’t make it today unfortunately. Stuck in Tokyo on business. I can pass on the results to him when he’s done, though. I promise I won’t tell your supervisor.” My mom winked at her and Ms. Ryan completely lost her composure. She definitely blushed. \n\n“Did you REALLY think locking me in a vault at the bottom of the Marianas trench was going to be enough to keep me from seeing the result of our Sammie’s aptitude test?” My father’s voice boomed and the door to my classroom quite literally flew off the hinges and slammed into the opposite wall, cracking the plaster and causing the windows to shatter. He was pissed.\n\n“Ohmygod it’s Nyx.” Ms. Ryan shrieked, her face instantly draining of color.\n\n“As if I’m going to let Sam follow in your footsteps!” my mother’s face flushed with what I’m sure was righteous anger. I got up and stood next to Ms. Ryan, if only because I didn’t want them to kill ANOTHER one of my teachers. The Marianas trench? That was new. Last time my father had frozen my mother into an iceberg at the top of Mount Everest and she was still 5 minutes early. \n\n“It’s not doing her any good to learn your self-sacrificing bullshit either! At least if she follows in my footsteps she’ll never want for anything!” My father retorted, and I think I could feel the room growing dimmer. Were those shadows at his fingertips? He must be really incensed.\n\n“At least nobody will be trying to kill her if she becomes righteous! She’ll be a hero, everyone will love her!” Gee mom, tell him how you really feel. As usual they don’t ask for my opinion.\n\n“Nobody will dare try to kill her if she becomes a villain either! Besides, even if she becomes a hero, if she has the wrong type of powers everyone will hate her anyways!”\n\n“As if she would inherit your darkness crap! She spent 9 months in my womb, remember? Early development sets the stage for the rest of life!” My mother was glowing. I think Ms. Ryan passed out for a second as the air became charged with a battle of wills.\n\n“There’s no proof of that! Plenty of children develop their father’s abilities.” My father’s voice was composed and cold, but I knew he secretly worried I would take after my mother. Neither of them had looked at me since entering the room. \n\n“Well, what’s the result of the aptitude test?” Both of my parents glared at my teacher simultaneously. For being complete opposites, sometimes they were very synchronized. Ms. Ryan was trembling and sweating profusely.\n\n“Well, actually…” her voice was weak but she seemed to gain confidence to go on. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Sam’s results are completely down the middle. I’ve never had a student score exactly 50% in every category before.”\n\nI almost fainted with relief, even as my parents lunged at each other and the building split in two at their impact. \n",
"Dear Diary,\n\n​\n\nUghhh. I hate my life. And my parents?\n\nYou're not going to believe this. So, yeah, my grades are slipping. I just hate Miss Melivn. It's not my fault. She's boring.\n\n​\n\nDad decided to show up to the conference mom set up. I mean, I get it. He's smart. He started to twist Miss Melvin's responses. First it was like \"she's got potentional....but she's lazy.\"\n\nThat's where Mom caught him. He said, \"Are you sure it's not because she's bored.?Maybe you could give her something that would challege her for extra credit.\" \n\nHe winked at me. Mom caught it. And I could see her start to flip out. I totally heard her cursing him out in her head. \n\n​\n\nI hate both of them! Why can't they get along? I don't want either of them here! They suck and they hate me. \n\nMom works hard at \"both\" her jobs. Like I don't know what she does. She has so many stupid, stupid rules. Don't do this. Don't do that. Take the towels of the floor. Put away the dishes. Stay out of people's heads. Like I'd do that. I make the mistake of listening to the guy I had a crush on. Eww..\n\nAnd Dad! He just flew in. I think he's hacked into the school or something. They know not to call him. They don't tell him how I'm doing. Both mom and I were bug eyed when he came in. He always shows off how much he makes, but doesn't help mom.\n\n​\n\nAnd right there, in the middle of the conference. It was like, time froze. They were yelling at each other so much, that they didn't even see me leave.\n\n​\n\nI HATE THEM!",
"I stepped into the room and knew what to expect from the start. My mother, Ms. Stupendous, was brushing her hair absentmindedly. I saw the chair back behind her was crushed. She had gotten heated. My dad was his normal hippy self. His brown hair was tied back in a ponytail. His wire frame glasses sat rigidly on his face. His long gangly body was now sprawled out on his chair like a never ending drape.\n\n“Charlie! Just the person we were talking about!” This statement came from my teacher, Mr. Lawrence. I felt bad for him. Ms. Stupendous was *the* hero in these parts. I’m sure at one point he was even excited to be teaching her beloved son. That optimism had faded with each conference we had. He sat nervously behind his desk. I wonder if he had ever heard the rumors about my mom’s laser vision, they were false obviously, but anyone looking at her when she was angry definitely considered it. \n\n“Hi sweetie,” my mom said cheerily. “How was school?”\n\n“Fine,” I said taking my seat between my parents. Today, Juliet from my science class had given me a note to read. It was a do you like me note. Juliet was the cutest girl in the whole world. Her blue eyes just looked right through you. When I looked at her I couldn’t speak, she had to have a super power! This note had to go back to her, with the yes circled, as soon as possible. The sooner I could get through this conference, the quicker I could make that happen. \n\n“So, this is about me going to high school in Heatherville, right?”\n\n“Exactly,” Mr. Lawrence said. “Your parents seem to be in a disagreement. While I have my own opinions, I think the thoughts that matter most are yours.”\n\nI really felt bad for Mr. Lawrence. Sitting through arguments between my parents must be explosive. He was a nice guy. Too bad that kid, Matt, had decided to make his life a living hell. Between putting tacks on his seats and stealing answers to tests it was a tough time for him. Oddly enough, he never seemed bothered by the whole thing. I figured he was just faking it.\n\n“Yeah, I want to stay here for high school,” I said. I could feel my mother’s anxiousness from here.\n\n“But *sweetheart*, the Heatherville Preparatory School is one of the best schools in the country!”\n\n“I know mom, but isn’t dad like one of the best scientific minds in the world? If I need to learn anything that badly, I can just ask him.”\n\nMy mom shot daggers at my dad. I could see the self-satisfied look on his face as he feigned ignorance. \n\n“Katherine. All I’m saying is if he has friends here he should probably stay here. Moving schools is tough and stacking the beginning of high school on that is tough. It doesn’t matter how smart he is if he isn’t happy.”\n\nMy dad was always so wise about this stuff. I lived with my dad during the weeks and it was like the guy knew everything! Any question I had he could answer, any problem he always understood. I might even have to ask him the best way to convince Juliet to go to the dance with me.\n\n“Our Charlie is so nice! I’m sure he would make plenty of friends at Heatherville.” An uncharacteristic smile grew on her face. She was always in her *Defender of Peace and Prosperity* mode, it was a bit unnerving to see that look on her face.\n\n“Also, I think there’s quite the world class mind teaching at Heatherville. What was his name again? I think Dr. Gordon?”\n\nMy dad sighed loudly. I knew he didn’t like this guy but it was never really clear why. He didn’t like to talk about it, but he said they knew each other in college or something. My mom gushed about the guy whenever she was losing an argument and apparently that wrapped it up pretty quickly. Mr. Lawrence seemed very taken aback by the suggestion. His normally lazy grey eyes were now alight with rage. He interjected vigorously.\n\n“Ma’am, Dr. Gordon might seem like a good guy but there are things you don’t know. If you do send Charlie to Heatherville, I’d suggest you avoid him.”\n\n“What do you mean,” my mom said not taking her eyes off my dad. “Dr. Gordon and our family go way back. Isn’t that right, Leonard?””\n\n“We’re certainly… familiar.” My dad’s face was in his hand as he said this. \n\n“I’d say he’s just as good as your father when it comes to teaching.”\n\n“Dr. Gordon has his talents.”\n\n“Ma’am you really don’t seem to understand!”\n\n“Listen son. I’m sure you have the best intentions but there’s quite a few things you don’t know.”\n\n“I could say the same about you.” Mr. Lawrence’s entire mood changed. He was sitting alert at his desk now. The intense look in his minds almost looked like something I could see from my mom. \n\n“Dr. Gordon is evil,” he said. “I would advise against giving a *supervillain* access to one of the most popular super heroes’ children.”\n\nThe eyes of my mom grew wide and she looked over at my dad who seemed drained by the entire thing.\n\n“You know his secret identity? Wait one minute! It couldn’t be!” She took his glasses off faster than the eye could see. Mr. Lawrence looked different without his glasses, almost familiar. My mother had a mischievous look on his face.\n\n“You’re that hero, Captain Gold aren’t you?”\n\nNow, my eyes went wide. Dorky Mr. Lawrence was Captain Gold? The shining hero? He was way shorter and thinner than the Captain Gold I knew! Captain Gold was a rising hero over in the neighboring city. He was charismatic, snarky, and to the point. Everything Mr. Lawrence wasn’t. He seemed nervous at this bombshell while my parents barely even reacted. My mom was twirling his glasses around her finger.\n\n“Let me guess. Magic spell? Hidden muscles? Super Suit?”\n\n“Super suit,” my dad added. “Quite a good one at that. The super villain community has known for quite a while. Heatwave was planning to out you and try and ruin your public image. There goes about four months of scheming for him, I guess.”\n\n“What? Dad? How would you know that?”\n\nMy parents both looked mortified. I knew mom was a super hero obviously, but dad was just a really smart guy. Right?\n\n“Leonard! Really? You pick now to be the time you tell him?”\n\n“Well, I could have thought of a good misdirection if you didn’t just confirm it!”\n\n“Sir, if you’re a villain I’m going to have to take you in,” Mr. Lawrence said.\n\n“Can it rookie,” both my parents said. \n\nMy dad turned to me and sighed. He ran a hand through his hair and took his glasses off. His eyes seemed tired.\n\n“I'll give you the short version.\"\n\nI had the sense Juliet was not getting this note today.",
"“Thank you for both being here”, Mrs. Logan nervously greeted the couple sitting in undersized chairs in front of her. Kv’Steven’s father looking especially uncomfortable trying to keep his oversized frame placed on the tiny furniture. His mother seeming more comfortable but disturbing in the way her shapely but jointless limbs wrapped around the legs. \n\n“Kv’Steven is doing very well in all his classes.”\n\n\n “He is the most intelligent human on this ridiculous planet.” Snapped his mother, impatiently.\n\n\n “We’re well aware of that Mrs. K’Shtarxl”\n\n\n “It is K’Starxl! There is no gender designation!” \nThe sinuous mother stated sharply, and then with a lower, but dangerous tone, “or do you think I am not the equal to any male of my species?”\n\n\n “No... K’Shtarxl, not at all. I apologize.”\n\n\n “Calm down, Kassie, the woman is a schoolteacher, not a warrior to pick a fight with” Kv’Steven’s father sighed. His enhanced battle armor pushing the limits on the buttons on his suit coat.\n\n\n “You have no authority over me, human! Do not issue orders to ME on my mental state!”\n\n\n “Kassie. This is not a battleground. It’s an elementary school.” He stated in a placating tone. K’Shtarxl seemed to swell, the legs of the chair flexing under increased pressure from the limbs gripping them.\n\n\n “That is exactly the problem! Kv’Steven does not require the ‘education’ provided by this ‘school’. He has vast knowledge and resources! He should be on Kx’Straz where he would learn to harness his vast power for glorious battle!”\n\n\n “We’ve been over this, Kassie. The training grounds of KxStraz are no place for a human boy. They would eat him alive... literally”\n\n\n “Exactly my point! There is no challenge here! Not one of his classmates has even tried to assassinate him! He will grow soft!”\n\n\n In an attempt to get the conference back on track, Mrs. Logan interjects, “M... K’Shtarxl, While it’s true that Kv’Steven has a very advanced grasp of... everything we teach... we feel that he IS receiving challenges and valuable... training in other ways.”\n\n\n “And what challenges could the spawn of the Qx’Tor of the first fleet of Ch’Thalo possibly face is this” a sinuous arm gesturing to the room, “human institution?”\n\n\n “Well, he is learning to socialize with his peers without subsuming their minds, for one.”\n\n\n “If their minds are so weak, they deserve being enslaved by a superior intelligence.” But her limbs seemed to relax a fractional amount.\n\n\n “Also, he’s very interested in art and music. Kv’Steven made this the other day”, Mrs. Logan says brightly while turning to retrieve an object made of pipe cleaners and dried macaroni.\n\n\n “Ah, yes!”, K’Shtarxl exclaimed. “A Ba’thtki! Primitive, but of excellent proportion! I am surprised and delighted that you have provided him with the necessary radioactive compounds necessary to complete one!”\n\n\n “Wha... No. we do not provide radioactive compounds... it’s just a sculpture...” \n\n\n “That cannot be. May I manipulate this... sculpture?” K’Shtarxl asks, reaching a tentacular appendage from behind her back to lift the object out of Mrs. Logan’s hands. “Why would one copy the shape of a Ba’thki without function?” Her hands changing shape as they found crevasses in the sculpture. \n\n\n “It’s just art. For visual pleasure. Surely the Mx’Tarxl have art?”\n\n\n KShtarxl continues to examine the piece as she answers. “We derive all pleasure from our primary function. I am a warrior and my spawn shall be a warrior as well. Ah!” She exclaims, the sculpture humming as it starts to glow from several places. “I was correct! It IS a functioning Ba’thki!”\n\n\n Mrs. Logan is taken aback as her eyes remain riveted to the object in K’Shtarxl’s appendages. \n\n“And what... what does a Ba’thki do? \n\n\n K’Shtarxl flows sinuously upright. “It is a breaching weapon!” Taking aim at the wall, a large pentagonal hole appears.\n\n\n “That...that’s unacceptable. I thought we were making progress with him” Mrs. Logan is visibly shaken.\n\n\n Kv’Steven’s father’s eyes beam with pride as he looks at the Ba’thki. “Oh, don’t be too upset about this! Kv’Steven was trying to show off a bit! I know a bit about Mx’Tarxl technology, and this is an achievement for ANY child his age! Kassie! Didn’t you tell me you weren’t able to make a functioning Ba’thki until you were WELL into your tactical training? And he’s done it with macaroni! Shows you that a little human ingenuity can do!” His booming laughter filling the room.\n\n\n “Humans are an inferior species, Major Taylor! We should have retaken this planet aeons ago! I regret ever accepting your challenge to combat and the resulting decision of the hive mind to consider this species ‘intelligent’” her form swelled, clothing absorbing into a shifting metallic skin.\n\n\n The Major stands from his chair, his form looming in the small room. “Kassie, you will stand down and stop shifting into combat shape. Or do I have to subdue you again?”\n\n\n “You can make an attempt, Major. But should you prove unsuccessful, I will petition to have your species reclassified and finally take this planet for the glory of the Ch’Thalo fleet!” Her exotic features showing obvious excitement at the prospect. \n\n\n Mrs. Logan, now visibly terrified as the two parents in front of her size each other up, backs away into a corner. “This is unacceptable! If you don’t stop this... I’ll call security!” \n\n\n A vicious laugh bursts from K’Shtarxl. “Call them, earth educator. It will not save this pathetic specimen before me!”\n\n\n “You two are terrible parents!” Cries Mrs. Logan, hysterical now, “I have no choice! I’m calling CPS! Kv’Steven will be placed in foster care!”\n\n\n Suddenly both parents heads swivel to look directly at her. Two sets of glowing eyes boring into her very frail looking form.\n\n\n “That was a mistake, Mrs. Logan.” Major Taylor growls calmly. “You should know to never try to interfere in family disputes.”\n\n\n “Agreed, contract liege. These threats shall not stand.” Adds K’Shtarxl now fully encased in moving metal armor.\n\n\n Outside, a dull boom is heard in the classroom and soon Kv’Steven’s parents come to the playground to collect him from where he is playing with something in his hands while sitting on a swing. \n\n\n “Ready to go, champ?” Asks his father, lifting him into his arms. “What do you have there?”\n\n\n “I made a G’thur out of some pine cones!” The child exclaims.\n\n\n “Surely not!” His mother exclaims, moving to see the object better. “Manufacture of a G’thur takes years of training! Allow me to examine this!” Kv’Steven hands the device to his mother, whose eyes are filled with awe. She turns the top of the device and holds it in her palm. A triangular wedge of the playground in front of her is suddenly flattened by the massive forces released. “Remarkable!” She exclaims. \n\n\n “Well, Kassie. Seeing as how Kv’Steven is in need of a new teacher anyway, maybe we COULD send him off to Kx’Straz for training.”\n\n\n “Are you not still concerned for his welfare?”\n\n\n “No... I figure, any six year old kid who can make a G’thur out of pine cones in a half hour should be just fine in Kx’Straz warrior training. And anyway, I have that set of power armor I made for him. None of the other Mx’Tarxl spawn will even come close to touching him.\n\n\n “You please me on this day, Major. Let us return to the suburbs and perhaps my pleasure will be shown.”",
"It was always the same. My father looking at my mother with sad, loving eyes, my mother pretending nothing existed but her.\n\n“Thank you for coming in today.”\n\n“You assured us it was important.”\n\n“Yes. We’re not sure how to handle Nicks mind-reading. It’s a question of whether or not he’s cheating.”\n\n“Nick’s a very honest boy.”\n\n“Yes, but..well..” he passed forward two papers; two exams. “You’ll notice they’re worded exactly the same.”\n\n“I didn’t mean to do it, Dad, I thought they were my words. I still think they’re my words. I don’t see how this could have happened.”\n\n“It does read like Nick wrote it; I think there must be something we’re missing, Nick doesn’t cheat.”\n\nMy mother scoffed. Everyone looked at her. She spoke to no one but my dad. “You’ve always refused to see the inevitable. The boy’s cursed.”\n\nDad got tense, “you’re talking theory. I’ve asked you not to speak your theories in front of the boy”\n\n“It’s not theory anymore. This is evidence”\n\nThe principle interjected, looking worried. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you two mean..cursed?”\n\nA memory dawned in my mind, a memory of an argument. Something to do about a cat, I had been pretending to be a cat, and the cat had been acting weird…\n\n“It’s because of their powers, principle. She’s saying the mixing of their powers is a curse.”\n\n“Mind-reading and mind-control. Nick doesn’t know where his mind begins or ends. Doesn’t know when he’s willing himself or willing others. He will, ultimately, go mad.”\n\nHer words entered me, my eyes were on her, on my beautiful, cold, lonely, hard mother, whose pain I could see so clearly, could always see, like a soft, poignant thorn on a rose, such a strong woman to not crumble under such sadness, if only she would let me love her, my sweet love, if only--\n\nMy mind snapped and I rose wildly, face in my hands, chair squealing my distress,\n\n“Oh God!--”\n\nThat was my father! My father’s mind was my mind? I was my father's mind? Oh God, I don't exist, she's right, she's right!\n\n“Son, what--?”\n\n“It’s begun. He knows; he sees it now.”\n\nMy eyes met hers, and it wasn’t the normal eyes of my mother looking at me--guarded, aloof--but her eyes had taken on the look I normally see in my father’s eyes, when he’s looking at my mother--great love, great, despairing love. \n\nNow that I’m lost, she feels free to love me. I hated her for cursing me. what is this strange feeling? why do I want to blame my mother but forgive my father?\n\nI ran from the room. I ran while they were arguing, arguing about my fate, arguing about my sanity. “This is your fault,” she was saying, “you and your damned love. If you had left me alone.”\n\nI could hear my father calling after me.\n\nAnd with that, the tense peace was gone, all had crumbled, all was crumbling...\n\nWhere would my future end?",
"Patricia \"Siren\" Adams and Douglas \"Sillouette, The Living Shadow\" Hosteddler sat on either side of me. Mom's seismic rage was just barely contained, a slight tremble noticable even to Principle Sanders. \n\n\"Luckily\" there was some roadwork happening right outside his window. I throw the scare quotes in there to draw attention to mom's probable cause of said earth moving and jack hammering: as city council head chair she was not above pulling some strings to cover her at times uncontrollable abilities. \n\nDad used his own powers of manipulation with a bit more discretion, but in spite of two lamps and a large window there was a palpable gloom in the air, as if the light was working against something; which is more-or-less what was happening. \n\nPrincipal David Sanders sprang to his feet and turned on the florecent lights, wiping dust from the switch on to his sweater vest as he sat back down. He flipped open the kinda thick folder in front of him and opened his mouth to talk. He glanced up and saw: mom leaning forward, her eyes blazing with what he must have assumed was anger but was actually her sitting quite firmly on her powers. \n\nDad slouched back in his chair, itself scooted back against the wall, sending the top half of his face into shade. And me, one foot pulled up under me, the other tapping the floor. \n\nThe only sound in the room was my nervous foot. \n\nMom put a hand on my knee and I stopped, realizing to her I may as well have been hammering the linoleum with a mallet. \n\n\"Miss Adams has been skipping math.\" Sanders kinda blurt it out, realizing the silence had dragged too long.\n\nMom snort a little bit as she scoffed.\n\n\"Truancy?!\" She shouted. \"You got me to cancel the tri-county zoning commission for Truancy? When I was on the PTA I-\"\n\n\"Stuff it, Pat.\" \n\nDad may as well have thrown sand in her face. Nobody called her Pat. Lovers and children might get away with Patty but Pat was as good as a vulgar expletive to her. \n\n\"That ain't why we're here, is it Dave?\"\n\nDavid Sanders had been principal for two years and vice four years before that. A classroom teacher for a solid decade behind that, he'd seen all sorts of broken homes and disfunction, but this was different. \n\n\"Erm, no. You see. Your daughter- uhh...well...\"\n\nMom's eyes widened, which sent them positively bugging. Her whole body moved with her head as she swiveled in her chair to gaze at the two of us. Dad's perpetual smirk broke into a huge grin, the shade over his eyes falling down over the rest if his face creating a Cheshire cat effect. \n\n\"You never told her, did you sweetheart?\"\n\nThings began pushing away from Mom now, trembling with the vibrations of Moms anger manifest the air itself throbbed. David turned to look out his window, twisting his wheeled chair around he leaned forward and popped the blinds open.\n\n\"What the hell are they doing out there!\" \n\n\"They think I flooded the girls room!\" I hissed into her ear. \n\n\"What?\" Mom eased back in her chair and the disturbance stopped. \n\n\"And before that I got blamed for a teeny tiny little fire in the science room.\" This I said at volume because in the sudden silence I may as well. \n\n\"Oh, good, your talking about it!\" Said the now visibly relived principal. \"Do you mind telling me what really happened?\" \n\nI stared at him in silence, not wanting to lie but unable to tell the truth. \n\n\"See? There. That. That's what I and all the other administrators have to deal with when we find Stacy in the middle of flooded bathroom or smoking science lab. That mute stare. We just can't get through...\"\n\nBut principal David Sanders trailed off as he saw the girl's mother and father share that same kind of stare just now. The dad smiling, the mom frowning. Then both of them fixing a look of pride on their daughter. Mom spoke, with a quivering emotion laden voice.\n\n\"Our little girl has a Gift?\"\n\n\"Yup.\" drawled the dad. \n\n\"And you didn't tell me?!\"\n\nThis time she exploded, her anger slipped and the little pocket of turbulence I know she'd been holding on to got lose. Without thinking I reached out with my ability, stretching my nascent superpowers around the shockwave erupting from my raging mother. \n\nDad laughed but flicked a finger and threw a shadow ball around David's head. \n\n\"Whoa, power's out!\" \n\nI strained to hold the forces back and did. For a moment. Then dad spoke again.\n\n\"I told her to keep the powers a secret until she had them under control.\"\n\n\"WHAT!\" This time she lost it completely and it was all dad and I could do to wrap the rest of us in protective barriers as the room exploded. Literally exploded, cinder blocks and filing cabinets flying, a \"gas leak\" triggered by the nearby construction.\n\n\"You never returned my calls!\" Dad screamed \n\"I trusted Stacy to tell you!\"\n\n\"You trusted a teenage girl to tell her mother she got in trouble?\" Shouted mom as debris rained down. \n\nDad blushed and I was once again reminded how young they were when I was conceived.\n\nGross. ",
"\"Violence!? My daughter!? This is no doubt your doing Richard.\"\n\n\"Mine!? She's in this mess because of you brain washing my kid with your self-imposed, self-righteous morals!\" \n\n\"**OUR** child En... Richard.\"\n\n\"... You're right Morina. Our child.\"\n\nAt this point a very tentative principal interjected meekly. \"If I may continue?\" nodding at the two for acknowledgement.\nYou could feel the tension in the air, quite literally. The humidity level rose 5 points in the last ten minutes and there was a slight crackle in the room.\n\n\"Oh? Yes, please do Mr... uh\" \n\n\"Novigard, Ms. Chase. Yes, well your daughter was caught fighting on school grounds. We have a zero tolerance policy on this matter...\"\n\nRichard interjected with a noticable mumble \"A completely ineffective model.\"\n\n\"And I suppose you have a great alternative?\" Morina spat out.\n\n\"How about a system that doesn't punish my, *our* , kid from doing the right thing?\"\n\n\"Resorting to violence is *NOT* the \"right thing!\"\n\n\"Well, she shouldn't have gotten involved at all, that part is squarely on you. However, since she did, decking that twirp was fully justified.\"\n\n\"He was a child! Oh what would you know about justice or ethics?\" \n\n\"Lat..., damnit! I mean, Morina! We are not having that argument! Neither here nor now!\"\n\nAt this point they have noticed the principal's hand covering his face in exasperation. \"Excuse us Mr.Novigard, please continue,\" Richard sighed. The static in the air seemed to settle.\n\n\"Right, well, uh... zero tolerance. I'm afraid the young Chase will be suspended for two weeks.\"\n\n\"Two weeks!? But she'll fall behind in class!\" \n\n\"Not to worry Ms. Chase, her teachers have prepared a packet for her missing days, along with some extra disciplinary homework, to do at her leisure during her absence.\" \n\nBoth parents let out a sigh and stood as Richard glared at the principal, \"I suppose that will be all then?\"\n\nClearing his throat and readjusting his posture, Mr.Novigrad concurred and saw them out. \n\nBehind the poorly adjusted and unnecessarily heavy door was a bright white hall. It was completely empty save for a few cheap blue chairs, echoes of elsewhere people, and a young miss Chase. \n\nMorina was quickly followed by Richard, along with a loud thud and subsequent click of the wooden door. \"At least your still a gentleman\" Morina said softly, before noticing her daughter's worried glance. \n\nShe walked over, practically looming over the young child. It did not help that she was struggling to shrink in her seat. \"Ariana Elizabeth Chase. You are in *so* much trouble.\" After pausing and giving an evil eye only a mother could give, Morina sighed. \"Go say goodbye to your father, we'll talk about it in the car.\" With a back-glance at Richard that was both soft with worry and hard with blame, she turned and walked off. \n\nRichard strode up and knelt down next to his daughter. \"You're not getting out of this one Liz.\"\n\n\"I know Dad.\"\n\nThey shared a silence before Richard continued.\n\n\"I want you to know that I am proud of you though.\" \n\n\"You are!? Why?\"\n\nA hearty laugh came out, a little too similar to a cackle, as Richard replied, \"Young lady, getting involved in someone else's fight is not your business. But, you did what you thought was right. You protected someone you thought needed protection. There is no reason for me not to be proud.\" Small tears welled up in Ariana's eyes before embracing her father. \"I love you Dad.\" \"I love you too sweetie.\"\n\n\"Now,\" picking her up and setting her to her feet, \"you should also always serve your punishments!\"\n\n\"But you don't!\" \n\n\"Ahhh, but I never get caught, do I?\" he said with a wink, \"Go run to your mother. When I see you next, I'll take you for a ride in the super-car. Anywhere you want.\" \n\nHer eyes lit up with excitement and Glee \"We are not going to the moon Ariana,\" Shooting down the idea before she started begging again. Slightly dejected, but still quite happy, she ran off towards the parking lot. \"Love ya dad!\" \n\n\"Bye sweetie!\" He stood there for a while, wondering about her future, before walking towards the opposite parking lot. \"I hope she turns out like her mother,\" He chuckled to himself \"well, not too much.\"",
"Ms. Green my teacher sat at the desk, tapping her foot nervously. I shifted my eyes from her to my father. He took his pipe out absentmindedly and brought it to his mouth. \"Daddy, no smoking,\" I say.\n\n\"Ah, sorry. Old habits,\" he said. He put the pipe back in the chest pocket of his polo shirt. My dad always looks ridiculous when he tries to blend in with muggles. Everyone knows he's a wizard. He has a beard that would make Gandalf jealous. A voice that seems to have two settings, sagely advice and booming across the mountaintops. Yet for some reason he thinks that if he takes off his robe and pointy hat and wore a golf shirt and jeans no one would recognize the Great Sage. \n\n\"I do appreciate you coming Mr. Aberwick. Once Miss Drake gets here we can get started,\" Ms. Green said. \n\n\"We may be more productive without her,\" Dad said. As if on cue we hear the screech of metal being rent down the hallway. I blush and put my face in my hands. \"Ah, that would be her now. Most likely robbing your vending machines.\"\n\nMs. Green was stunned silent as my mother walked in. Unlike my Dad, Mom never believed in secret identities. She wore what can generously be called a metal bikini and the purse I made her for Mother's Day. That was nice. She had her horns, tail, and wings out. Red scales went from her wicked two inch claws up to her elbows on her hands and knees on her feet. She was chewing what I assume is a snickers bar from the wrapper she dropped on the floor.\n\nMs. Green found her voice and said. \"Yesterday Miss Aberwick got into an altercation with another student. It is school policy to talk to the parents after such an event especially in cases where there is, ah, a beheading involved.\"\n\nDad looked down at me. I could feel his disappointed stare even though I kept my eyes fixed on my lap. Mom, bright as ever, asked, \"Did she win?\"\n\nDad and I facepalmed in practiced synchronization. Ms. Green stumbled to answer. \"Well she... Yes, she won. But that's not really the point-\"\n\n\"That's my girl!\" Mom cheered. She slapped me on the back.\n\n\"What happened, honey?\" Dad asked in that 'trusted sage' voice of his.\n\n\n\"It was an accident. Paul tapped my shoulder and said 'maybe you can show me your tail sometime.' I said 'Touch me again and I will.' He grabbed my butt and said 'Don't threaten me with a good time.' So I let my tail and and swung it. I only wanted to miss him and scare him with the wind. But he sort of ducked toward me at the last moment.\" I explained. I cried as I looked up to him. Dad never could take the tears.\n\nDad pulled me into a hug. \"We'll get a lawyer. Don't worry, baby. We will find a way through this.\"\n\n\"Well she clearly was acting in self defence. You can't blame a dragon for eating someone who assaulted them. Besides we are an endangered species,\" Mom said.\n\n\"Mom! I didn't eat him!\" I yelled.\n\n\"What have I taught you about wasting food?\"\n\n\"Krystal,\" my Dad interjected. \"Her classmates are not food.\"\n\nMother started getting angrier, I felt the heat coming off her. I put a hand on her forearm and pleaded. \"Please don't burn my school down again, Mom.\"\n\nShe recoiled from my touch, as usual. \"Damn it, you're cold.\" No matter how many times Dad and I told her a young dragon absorbs heat instead of creating it she always was disappointed in my lack of fire. \"Just like your father.\"\n\n\"What do you mean by that?!\" My Dad's voice boomed and shook the room.\n\n\"If we can all just calm down, no one wants a repeat of what happened to St. Vincent's Academy,\" Ms. Green timidly tried to intervene. I just looked to her and shook my head no. It is safer not to intervene.\n\n\"What do you think I mean? She is cold hearted like her dad.\" Mom said, glaring. \n\n\"*I'm* cold hearted? I'm not the one who fucked Prince Harry!\"\n\n\"That was just raping and pillaging. He didn't mean anything.\"\n\n\"See? You don't care. I loved you and you just flew off to your next conquest. And you call me cold hearted.\"\n\n\"You loved me?\" She asked, all the anger gone. I slunk down in my chair wishing I knew how to turn invisible. \"But you never chased me...\"\n\n\"I'm not going to stalk a woman on the off chance she might be into it. I just thought you didn't want anything to do with me.\" Dad said. His voice sad, like I have never heard before. \"You were the only woman I ever loved.\"\n\nMom knocked me aside as she rushed to Dad and pulled him into an embrace. Ms. Green looked at me with concern. I put a finger to my lips. Safer not to interrupt.\n\nMom broke the kiss and said. \"I'm telling you now. I want to be chased.\" She dives out the window and starts flying away like a red streak.\n\nDad looked from Ms. Green to me. \"Umm. Okay, kiddo. I want you to promise not to kill anyone else. If a boy is bothering you go to a teacher. Understood?\"\n\n\"Yes, father.\" I said. My face was probably pure crimson from blushing at this point.\n\nHe looked out the broken window then back to my teacher. \"Well if there is nothing else, I have to go... Uhh.. Stop a rampaging...\" I cringed while Ms. Green just waved him off. \n\n\"See you Saturday, Honey.\" Dad said before disappearing into a puff of smoke. \n\nMs. Green collapsed into her chair. She reached into her desk and pulled out a bottle.\n\n\"Can I got to gym class now?\" I asked. Ms. Green waved me away. \"Sorry about your window.\" I apologized before leaving.\n\n\nOh gods I hope they aren't on the news tonight.",
"---Part 1---\n[*Part 2 can be found here*](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/aklovb/wp_youre_the_result_of_a_drunken_onenight_stand/ef8f2vm/)\n\nProgramming is my favorite class in school. It started when I was about 5 or 6, when my dad let me into his lab for the first time, and gave me a pet robot called Opaipa. As I grew, he taught me about programming and engineering by helping me make upgrades to \"Opie\", and what started as a flying ball that sang cartoon songs became my own personal AI assistant.\n\n\"You just can't help yourself, can you? You knew I would be away from headquarters, so you just HAD to take advantage, didn't you?\", Mom yelled in the hallway.\n\n*Alpha Energy Build-up Detected.* *I think mom is... mad.*, Opie said from my purse.\n\nPlease don't hit the computer lab... Let me start from the beginning.\n\nMy name is Samantha Cole Darius. My parents are... well the term we use is \"supers\". My mom is a Global Threat Response Agent, code name Alpha. Apparently when she was a teenager, there was an accident that left her with the ability to channel energy. On the small scale, she can charge an object with this energy. Dad even figured out how to use it as a power source, like the battery inside of Opie. On the large scale...\n\n**BI-wwwwoooooiiiiiIIIIN** ***BZZZOOOOORRRRRRRRRP***\n\n...she can cast high velocity plasma beams. Currently at my dad... because she caught him managing a classified technology heist from his smartphone... during my parent-teacher conference. Thankfully, he always keeps his alpha-capacitor on him, so it won't break anything.\n\nThis is so embarassing...\n\n\"Jesus, calm down, Lana! This isn't what you think it is!\", Dad yelled.\n\n\"That's rich coming from a washed up T-3!\"\n\n\"Ok, one, I'm retired, not washed up. Two, we promised we wouldn't do this. And three, I'm at least a Class 5, thank you!\"\n\nDad, meanwhile, used to be a super villain. I don't know much about it, other than it involved his robots, and he rarely did anything in person. For a while, Mom and Dad were enemies, but Mom never knew what he looked like. Mom wore a full face mask back then, so Dad didn't know what she looked like either. At some point, they both went to the same bar for a singles night, and here I am... Holding an energy shield up around myself, Opie, and Ms. Caroline.\n\n\"Samantha, what is going on?!\", she yelled.\n\n\"I think my Mom and Dad are having an argument.\"\n\n\"And your mother can shoot lasers?\"\n\n\"Yeah... but she knows that she can't actually hurt Dad.\"\n\n\"And how does she know that?!\"\n\n\"Because he invented a device that converts her power into an energy shield.\"\n\n\"AND WHY DID HE DO THAT?!\"\n\nClearly I'm making this worse...\n\nIt took Mom four months to figure out who Dad actually was after she got pregnant. I guess they had some kind of conversation about it, and he promised to quit. She worked out a deal with GTR, and the rest is history. She explained to me that she did it not for his sake, but for mine. She didn't have a father growing up, and she didn't want me to be deprived of one either. To his credit, he's great at being a dad, but she never really trusted him. They never got married, and because of her job, they agreed that Dad should take heavily supervised custody. Supervised as in having a GTR handler live across the hall from us.\n\n\"Samantha, you're going to answer a question for me, and do it honestly, Ok?\", Ms. Caroline said, having recovered from the shock of discovering that a superhero battle was almost occurring in the hall., \"Is everything ok at home? Are you safe?\"\n\nOh man... I knew this was coming. I sighed, audibly.\n\n\"Yeah, I'm fine. They have occasional arguments, but nothing ever gets broken or anything. They don't want me to see them fighting, but I know they don't get along well.\"\n\n\"Then what's with the bubble. I'm assuming this is your doing?\"\n\n\"Yeah. Mom has lasers, Dad's a super-genius, and I have shields. Mom makes me train with her twice a week, in case I ever get attacked by someone. I can summon them at will and on reflex.\"\n\nMs. Caroline took a questioning tone, \"Reflex?\"\n\n\"You know... like a karate person?\", I replied, nervously.\n\n\"Right...\", she replied, still suspicious. \"...so your parents are supers, and you're at least half genius...\"\n\nI groaned. Even if I like my powers, I hate being described by them. People always make assumptions. Ms. Caroline kept talking.\n\n\"You ace your tests, but don't do your homework. You don't pay attention in class, but know all the answers... Samatha, are you bored?\"\n\nThe laser punctuated argument died down in the hall, and only the faint hum of my bubble was left. I turned and looked at Ms. Caroline. No one had ever asked me that before.\n\n\"I don't know...\", I replied meekly. Ms. Caroline must have heard the fear in my voice as I said it.\n\n\"Hey hey hey, it's OK Samantha. It's going to be OK. This is a good thing, we just have to come up with a good plan that fits you.\", Ms. Caroline looked up through her window. The lasers had stopped. Through the textured glass I could tell that Dad was massaging his forehead while Mom stared him down.\n\nGathering her composure, Ms. Caroline stood up and walked to the door. Stopped, took a breath, and opened the door.\n\n\"Ms. Cole, Mr, Darius. I understand that you are having a moment, but if you are done, I need you to come back into my office. Sam and I have had an honest discussion and I believe I understand why her grades are failing.\"",
"It wasn’t that she was *relieved*, exactly, when the door slams open with an abrupt crunching noise, it’s just that Tori was certain that the most painful torture in all her experience is sitting quietly in a room with her mother, her English teacher, the vice principal and the guidance counselor while they discussed her.\n\nAnd her father had custody for school breaks and alternating Christmases, as well as a rather old-fashioned approach to making sure she could deal with all the pitfalls of her ... unique heritage.\n\nThe interruption genuinely surprised her mother, she could tell— her hands went to her throat, an old nervous habit, and the Mom doesn’t stop the motion, instead brushing her fingertips across the scar on her throat.\n\nTori’s father cleared his throat from where he’d broken the door and glanced around the room, taking everything in.\n\n“Reichart,” Mom said sharply. “I thought you were in Antarctica? At that *business conference*?” Her words are clipped. “I sent Darryl to check on you just this afternoon, in fact.”\n\nDarryl was Mom’s longtime friend and the co-founder of the League of Extraordinary Citizens with her, and he’d reassured both of them that Tori’s father would be unharmed but suitably dissuaded from hollowing out a kingdom in the ice flows of the largely overlooked continent.\n\n“Yeah, fucking thanks for that, by the way,” Dad snarled. “You don’t see me sending Jennifer to crash your little soirées every time you piss me off, do you?”\n\n“In point of fact,” Mom replied, her hand finally dropping from the scar at her throat, but only so she could clench it into a defensive fist. “You—“\n\n“Ms. Salero,” Mr. K said, holding up a hand. “Perhaps we could focus on the topic at hand? And you, sir, would you like someone so show you out?”\n\nDad grabbed a chair and flipped it around so he could straddle it and glare at everyone.\n\nYou couldn’t tell it by looking, but he was armed to the teeth, which he tried not to do around Mom.\n\nNot out of respect, like I’d always thought when I was little, but out of fear of what he could do to her.\n\nMom wasn’t a blushing damsel, but she had her fair share of scars and then some, and he’d caused a couple of the worst of all.\n\nAs if sensing my thoughts, Mom cut me a look that said to settle down, and then her hand crept back up to her scar again.\n\nI heaved a sigh: if she hadn’t walked in on me forging the note about how she just could *not* make it to this conference, I would be happily suspended for four days and she’d be off fighting Dad over three acres of barren ice in the opposite hemisphere.\n\nIt was totally unfair.\n\n“Well,” Mom said, after Dad had made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere. “You may as well know, Victoria got into a fistfight with several people yesterday.”\n\nDad looked at Tori, his eyes glittering with sudden interest and that strange selfish pride he always seemed to exude around her. It was both better and worse that making her mother proud, and Tori squirmed, trying to decide if she wanted to sit up straighter or disappear into the floor.\n\n“Did she win?” he asked.\n\n“Did she— of *course* she won, Reichart, they’re only teenagers!”\n\nDad hates this, about mom, I remember half a second too late.\n\n“My daughter’s a fucking teenager herself, I think you’ll notice.”\n\nHis suit is perfectly disheveled and his hair is gelled just enough to give off the impression that while he knows what to do with it, he can’t be bothered to. The expression on his face is hard and cold.\n\n“And if multiple other kids were getting into fistfights with her, I think I deserve to know whether those little shitheads managed to get one over on my *child.*”\n\nThe c word is bad: always has been. Tori’s always been kiddo or splat or his little Tori-pie, except when he’s feeling overprotective.\n\nAnd Dad feeling overprotective was really, really bad, usually.\n\nOnce, his oldest brother had gotten mugged.\n\nThe next month, every mugging in the greater city area had resulted in a mugger being hung to death from a light pole by his own shoelaces.\n\nNot, of course, that any proper authority could pin that on him.\n\n“Tori,” he said, and she couldn’t look away. His hostages and enemies often described him as *magnetic*, and she knew that between him and her mom she had a similar charm, but that didn’t by any means make her immune.\n\n“Yeah, dad,” she said. “I won.”\n\nA grin spread across his face, and everyone in the room seemed to slump with relief, even Mom, but she knew better.\n\n“What we’d like to do is discuss solutions, going forward,” Mr. K said.\n\n“We pull her out of school and she can be educated by private tutors,” Dad said.\n\n“No,” Mom replied. It was an old argument, often trotted out. Tori knew it as well as the insides of her eyelids at this point. “Because then she’ll turn into another you, or worse, she’ll turn into Renate, and while I respect that you loved your sister, she tore out a chunk of the roof of the Holland Tunnel to kill herself rather than be apprehended by m— by the Stone Woman.”\n\n“Plus there’s the matter of this!” Mr. K interrupted, shoving a horrifyingly familiar packet of paper to Tori’s mother.\n\nIt had just been a fiction contest, she wanted to protest.\n\nMom gasped. Tori flinched. Dad leaned over and read over Mom’s shoulder, then glanced up and said, “A little purple, but not bad. Going to grow up to be a writer, Tori?”\n\nShe could see on his face that he was already mentally arranging the takeover of a major publishing house for her, so she shrugged, embarrassed.\n\n“What... Victoria! This is... baby, I thought we talked about this!” Mom said, having actually finished reading the piece.\n\n“Yeah,” Tori agreed, staring at her hands. “But I thought... you said I should focus my violent tendencies on something that would only result in a net good and I just...”\n\nShe was staring at Tori, lips parted, on her rebuttal, and Tori blurred out, “I just don’t think I’m cut out to be a hero is all!”\n\nThe room was silent. Half of it, of course, had only a guess at was going on.\n\nThe other half was waiting for the other shoe to drop.\n\n“It’s in the custody agreement,” dad said, his voice deceptively soft. “The one you made us have a lawyer draw up. The one we both signed.”\n\n“Reichart, I didn’t mean for this to happen. But she’s sixteen, and surely you can agree that impressing on her the enormity of the choices she must make trumps an agreement we signed before she was born?”\n\n“Dad,” Tori whispered.\n\n“Tori, baby,” he said. “I want you to take these fuckwads and run. You don’t need to see this, your mom and I agree.”\n\n“You don’t need to do this,” mom retorted, but she blocked his first slash and the eerie way she turned literally into stone for a solid three seconds wasn’t weird or unusual to Tori, but someone else in the room had wet themselves, based on the sudden reek of urine.\n\nIt was a surprisingly common reaction to facing her dad when armed.\n\n“Dad, no, please don’t kill her, it was just one conversation.”\n\n“Your mother should have known you couldn’t be on my side of the law considering how even after all the summers I’ve spent with you, you’re still a shit liar.”\n\nTori swallowed hard, and suddenly her mother was flesh again, flying through the air and twisting before shifting back to stone to pin her dad.\n\nMr. K had her by the hand, then, and was tugging her toward the doorway with its broken door.\n\n“Come on,” he said, and they escaped.\n\n“Well,” the vice principal said, clearing her throat. The guidance counselor was on his cell, talking to a 911 dispatcher. “I’m suddenly a lot clearer on where you managed to pick up the kind of imagery you need for your stories and things.”\n\nTori shrugged.\n\n“They always like that?” Mr. K asked, sympathetic.\n\nTori shook her head. “Not since that time he miscounted her stone form and accidentally slit her throat.”\n\nAnd had then taken her back to his base of operations, convinced her to finally reciprocate his obsession, and then they’d wound up with Tori.\n\nIt wasn’t exactly a love story for the ages.\n\nA particularly loud crash echoed behind them, and Mr. K froze for a second before lengthening his next stride to keep pace with them.\n\nTwo of her dad’s trusted minions flanked her as soon as they exited the school, and Biggo, the senior one, bent to whisper that the Man Wonder had been contacted and would collect her shortly. \n\nMr. K sat down heavily in a corner, and the vice-principal muttered something about finding clean sweats for her colleague before hurrying off to her car.\n\nAt least they hadn’t exploded the school, she thought.",
"Veronica Stone found her passion in primary education. Government interference, irate parents, and a stifling administration made some days harder than others, but there was joy in each and every child in her class. Knowing this, this particular day ought to have been easier than her tightly wound anticipation imagined, but as she overlooked the reports on her desk and felt their hardened, tense stares on her scalp, she swallowed painfully.\n\n“Mr. Graves and Mrs. Van Rosenvelt, I’m relieved you were able to make it for this meeting,” she smiled, noticing an unusual absence she hadn’t been expecting, “I see your partners aren’t with you today.”\n\nMr. Graves nodded solemnly, “Unfortunately, The Baroness was unable to attend this meeting due to a scheduling error.” He turned to Mrs. Van Rosenvelt, fiery hot anger bristled smoldered in his pupils, “I believe Lady Armistice would be sympathetic of this terrible scheduling error.”\n\n“She certainly does,” Mrs. Van Rosenvelt’s laughter was like stardust on dawn’s earliest clouds. “He was dressed and ready to go when someone decided to detonate their multi-dimension disrupter, and naturally,” alabaster stained bangs crossed her pale cheeks, “my wife had to save the multiverse from imminent destruction, as we’ve always discussed, family comes first, and missing this meeting was not possible, especially since I knew she would not be alone.”\n\nDerision rode on Mr. Grave’s scoff, “Yes, your Guardians.” Air quotes applied, “Didn’t The Baroness send the duck to the hospital three weeks ago?”\n\nMrs. Van Rosenvelt’s white cheeks turned the deepest crimson. “We knew it was her! And how dare she rig the justice system to her benefit, she knew it was an illegal play use of dark energy,” she clutched her purse, burying her finely manicured nails into its brown leather hide. “Heat Miser is still in recovery!”\n\n“It isn’t my fault your team is filled with incompetent simpletons,” he chuckled, returning his gaze to Ms. Stone. “Now, ma’am, lets us begin this meeting. How is my daughter doing?”\n\nWhatever argument Mrs. Van Rosenvelt prepared died the second her child’s name was voiced, and she coughed, awkwardly, “Yes, let us begin. Is Percy doing well in school?”\n\n“Yes,” Mrs. Stone nodded, reading through her manila folder. “Percy is extremely well behaved and intelligent. She has the third highest score in our grade -,”\n\n“Who’s first?”\n\n“Excuse me?”\n\n“Who is first,” Mrs. Van Rosenvelt repeated. “I’d like to know who is first. My wife and I spent hours with her on her academics. Knowledge is power, and if she is slacking off -,”\n\n“By Hades throne,” Mr. Graves exclaimed. “You’re complaining about third place!”\n\n“If she could be first, which I know she can, then why not?” She spun on him, stars bursting inside her controlled her aura, “And why aren’t you concerned? I know you don’t check her homework, or her projects, or her -,”\n\n“Enough,” he bellowed. “Our daughter is third in her class, and that is an achievement.”\n\n“Who’s first,” Mrs. Van Rosenvelt asked. “I bet it’s Mindbuster’s son. What was his name? Gerald. Gerald.”\n\n“I swear woman -,”\n\n“Actually,” Mrs. Stone interjected, “our class president isn’t a villain or hero, doesn’t have any lineage recorded on either side. They earned their spot in the scholarship lottery, excelling the entrance exam.”\n\n“Oh,” Mrs. Van Rosenvelt blushed. “Well...that is an accomplishment.”\n\n“Hmph,” he nodded.\n\n“As I was saying, Percy -,”\n\n“Persephone,” Mr. Graves corrected.\n\n“Excuse me?”\n\n“Her name is Persephone,” Mr. Graves repeated. “It is the name I gave her, and the name of my mother’s mother.”\n\nMrs. Van Rosenvelt rolled her eyes. \n\n“It is a terrifyingly beautiful name,” Mrs. Stone smiled. “Everyone calls her Percy here, and um...it just carried on, so Persephone is -,”\n\n“What was that,” he crossed his arms. “That eye roll.”\n\n“What? I did not roll my eyes. That is unladylike.”\n\n“You did. You always do when I use her real name. The name her father gave her,” he scowled. “You never liked it.”\n\n“It is my personal opinion that naming your child Destroyer of Light is a threatening gesture!”\n\n“I love that name, and so, does she!”\n\n“Why is that she goes by Percy? I told you Prudence was a far better name!”\n\n“You name your other children Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance, but not I,” he raised his voice, towering over the slender woman. “I am Aidon of Tartarus! Son of Melinoe, Grandson of Persephone, and Destroyer of Worlds, and no daughter of mine will be some perfectionist, classist wrench!”\n\n“Um, Mr. Graves,” Mrs. Stone said.\n\n“And I am Amaltheia Celeste, daughter of the Sun and Moon, Guardian of Worlds and Bringer of Storms,” the voice of legion overtook her as bright lights hovering anxiously around, shimmering pale hair circling her face in furious stokes. She levitated off the chair, rising above him, glaring colorless pits onto him, “And you will respect my authority as her mother!”\n\n“And as I am her father,” furious shadows swirled at his palms. “You shall respect me!”\n\n“Mr. Graves, Mrs. Van Rosenvelt,” Mrs. Stone stuttered, hands raised and unsure of what to do next. “Please -,”\n\nShe knew their tolerance had thinned into nothingness, and there was nothing for her to do. The villain and heroine released furious declarations of war, and she closed her eyes, preparing for the worst.\n\n“Hey, Mrs. Stone, are you okay?”\n\n“What?”\n\nShe opened her eyes, blinking, and saw that she wasn’t in her classroom. “Wait, where am I?” She turned around, recognizing the counter and refrigerator and bulletin board with vacation days notated in neon pink ink, “Is this the teacher’s lounge?”\n\n“Yeah...sorry about that, it was a rushed job.” \n\nMrs. Stone turned to the voice and sighed, “Oh, Percy.” She pulled a chair and sat down, “Oh, Percy,” massaging her temples, she shook her head. “I am...sorry...I think that’s what I’m going for right now.”\n\n“Nah, it’s cool.” She shrugged, “When Ramona and Valentina called to tell me they couldn’t make it, I kinda saw this going down, so...Gerald used his teleporter. It worked out great, y’know?”\n\n“Yeah, is Gerald here?”\n\n“No, he’s back in his lab. This is a research thing. I’m supposed to report back to him,” she chuckled. “Gerald Brum for ya’. Sara makes the best cookies though.”\n\n“Sara,” Mrs. Stone shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve met his mom.”\n\n“Mindbuster.”\n\n“Ah, yeah, she plays both sides, doesn’t she?” \n\nPercy smirked, “Smart and pragmatic.”\n\nInhaling deeply, Mrs. Stone leaned back in the chair, “And what about your parents?” She pressed her palms on her forehead, “They were going to kill each other.”\n\n“No, they’re not,” Percy said. “They’re kind of suspended in a time bubble.”\n\n“Time bubble.”\n\n“Yep.”\n\n“And you did that?” \n\nPercy smirked, “Yeah, I did. Wasn’t hard to figure out. Fast forward, reverse, pause, stop, play, whole DVR package,” she frowned, “ but don’t tell them, y’hear? My parents want me to be this great villain or hero, and you know, it’s too much work. And I’m 12. I just want eat Cheetos and pass my tests and go to Disney World this summer with my grandparents.”\n\nMrs. Stone laughed, nodding, “Yeah, I get it.” With another breath, she stood, “Seeing they’re not going anywhere for a while -,”\n\n“They’re not. At least three hours, or until I decide to let them go.”\n\n“Good, how about we raid the fridge? Mr. Olson left his Devil’s food cake and sandwich tray from last night’s PTC prep party.”\n\n“You know what,” Percy laughed, braids shaking as she bellowed, “sure, let's go for it. I don’t want to get grounded on an empty stomach.”",
"“Ms Lane, Mr Keller, y-your boy I’m afraid has been getting some below average grades…”\n\nIt must’ve been hard being my teacher. \n\nOn one side, my father, a world-renowned superhero, known for his antics, charisma, cheery personality, looks, good hair- I could go on. \n\nOn the other side, practically bristling with rage, my mother, an infamous supervillain most well-known for holding the oceans hostage in 2005. Well, before my dad stopped her. \n\n“Below… average?” my mother hissed. The sweat on the teacher’s forehead started heating up, sizzling against her skin. \n\n“Yes, Ms Lane. Again, I’m sorry, I can’t change the wrong answer to the right…,” she began, but stopped as my mother composed herself.\n\n“Yes, well, that’s fine Anne. I’m sure you can’t possibly change anything,” my mum replied, suddenly sickly-sweet. My dad still hadn’t chimed in.\n\n“Thanks for understanding, Ms Lane. Now, we’ve thought maybe about making him repeat a year. Just for safety’s sake, you understand.”\n\nMy teacher almost didn’t see the water floating out of her skin as my mother’s hand raised. She noticed a second after, as her lips became parched and her skin became dry. My mother was draining her of her water, slowly killing her. \n\nMy dad was on her in a second, punching her hand out of the way. My teacher collapsed into her chair. \n\n“Bonnie!” he hissed at her. Rocks started floating up from the ground, responding to my father’s increased emotions. \n\n“I’ll kill her! Nobody gives my son these grades! And making him repeat a year?!”\n\nShe rose from her seat, floating upwards. Steam sizzled from her feet. She flung her hand out. My teacher rose from her seat, gallons of water seeping from the pores of her skin.\n\n“Nobody fails my son, y’hear?! Nobo -”\n\nShe was cut off as my father launched a spire of rock at her head, knocking her into the school wall. My mother hissed at my father as she got to her feet. \n\n“Don’t try and stop me, David. I’ll show this stupid school to fail my son!”\n\nWater engulfed her form, becoming warm, hotter, boiling. She shot a stream at my father, who just barely managed to summon a wall of rock that sent the stray droplets flying. With his free hand, my father engulfed me and my teacher into a ball of rock, with a couple of holes for air and light.\n\nI couldn’t see, but I could hear them fighting. The school bell started ringing, and I heard other kids screaming and crying. \n\nI heard my mother shriek, and shortly after heard the familiar thud of a rock falling to the ground. Boiling water hissed and scalded. I heard it paint the walls as she tried to shoot my father. With a tremendous crack, I heard her go flying.\n\nEarth bended and cracked as I heard my father chasing after her. The school bell came to a disappointing stop. And then, there was silence.\n\nI coughed.\n\n“Ms Carter, I am so sorry about this. Does this mean you won’t push some of my grades to a pass?”\n\n\nFrom the darkness I heard her grumble. “Stop talking.”\n",
"“She *does* have a tendency to read the minds of those around her. Some of the other pupils have complained.” Mrs Johnson had to tread carefully; she was all too aware of who she was speaking to.\n\n“I don’t believe this.” KillGirl sank back into her plastic seat - its tiny legs flexing under her weight. “She gets that from you, Tim.” MindMan looked at her, aghast, and took a sip from a complimentary carton of milk that the school had provided.\n\n“Not now, Tina,” he said.\n\nMrs Johnson shuffled uncomfortably. “On the plus side,” she beamed, “she hasn’t killed a fellow pupil for a whole term!” She pointed to a handmade poster stuck next to the whiteboard behind her. In callously coloured bubble writing, a pupil had written “WEEKS GONE WITHOUT KILLING ANYBODY” along the top. The rest of the poster was filled with rows and rows of gold stars - but next to Amber’s name were only six.\n\n“Well, that’s something then!” KillGirl knew the teacher was clutching at straws, but she forced enthusiasm with all her might nonetheless. MindMan glared at his arch rival.\n\n“Hmm,” he placed a mocking finger on his chin, “I wonder why our daughter has taken to murder?” KillGirl’s gaze snapped upon MindMan’s. The teacher laughed, trying to break the palpable tension.\n\n“It’s not *murder* if she was under threat, *Timothy,*” KillGirl spat between gritted teeth. “*You* should know that better than anyone.”\n\n“Tina, don’t bring up Washington. We don’t talk about Washington - we agreed on that. And besides, I’m not sure Olivia looks like the type to be holding fellow six-year-olds at gunpoint.” MindMan gestured to a small shrine in the corner of the room, surrounded by flowers made of multi-coloured tissue paper. Perched in the middle was a picture of a little girl wearing a blue dress and a ribbon in her yellow hair. A small plaque next to it read *Always in our hearts, Olivia*. KillGirl rolled her eyes.\n\n“She might be,” she shrugged.\n\n“You know I’m right,” continued MindMan. “And I know you know I’m right. I can read minds, remember? I also happen to know that Mrs Johnson here is taking my side, and she’s an impartial third party.”\n\n“Oh, no, I err, I’m neutral, guys. I’m Switzerland.” Mrs Johnson picked up a sheet of white paper and waved it awkwardly. “I surrender, Mr MindMan and Mrs KillGirl. Argh!” She forced a laugh once more, her embarrassment as tangible as the classroom itself. The parents turned to one another again.\n\n“Don’t read my mind, Tim. We made a deal. I don’t kill you, you don’t read my mind. And we never talk about Washington.”\n\n“It’s not like I can help it, Tina. It’s loud. *Your* mind is particularly loud. It’s like nails against a blackboard, dammit. I can pick you out of a crowd, that’s for sure. Just follow the screech.”\n\n“Fuck you, Tim. I’ve a mind to kill you, right here, right now.”\n\n“You don’t have a mind to kill me.”\n\n“I might.”\n\n“I *know* you don’t. You love Amber too much. If that kid is going to have a hope in life, she needs us both. And besides, you think I’m cute when I’m angry.”\n\n“I just need to-” Mrs Johnson rose from her seat. “I think I’m being called. Excuse me a moment.” The door slammed behind her. KillGirl didn’t say a word, but MindMan continued.\n\n“I think you’re cute when you’re angry, too. Your cheeks go red and you keep flicking your fringe to the side. I remember noticing it the first time you tried to kill me.” KillGirl remained silent, but her expression began to soften. Finally, she spoke.\n\n“I could've killed you if I'd wanted. I just chose not to.\"\n\n\"I know, Tin. I know. Thanks for that.\"\n\n\"You're welcome. It won't happen again, though.\"\n\nMindMan turned to look at the classroom door. The hallway outside was desolate - he couldn’t hear a sound; or a mind. \"You er, you thinking what I’m thinking, then?”\n\n“I don't know - you're the mind reader - you tell me.\" KillGirl's expression had relented into a reluctant grin.\n\n\"Yeah. I am. It’s time Amber had a sibling.”\n\n\\*\\*\\*If you enjoyed this, you might like my subreddit - r/StoriesAreFunRight. Every subscriber gets a gold star (unless you've killed recently, of course).",
"\"In my experience, this sort of conversation requires both parents to be present,\" Ms. Ratwell said delicately. \"Do you know if your - er - when Nick's father will be joining us?\"\n\n​\n\nUrsula looked at her watch and sighed. She shuddered to think of what kind of nonsense he must have gotten himself in. \"No. I made sure to remind him it was today. But you know how their kind are. Something always comes up at the last minute... Can we just get this over with?\" Ursula didn't need mind reading powers to know the look Ms. Ratwell was giving her. The patronizing judgement was loud as a bus full of drowning schoolchildren.\n\n​\n\nMs. Ratwell pursed her lips before continuing. \"I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that both parents really need to be on the same page when it comes to raising a child. Which isn't to be defeatist. There's definitely still time to turn things around. But we're just worried that Nick isn't on the right track right now. He's started to act out.\"\n\n​\n\n\"There's only so much I can do alone. Nick's with me most of the week, but after the Super Court judge gave Frank custody on the weekends... You know how boys this age take after their fathers.\"\n\n​\n\nMs. Ratwell nodded. \"SCOTUS really does gives their kind too much leeway. As I always say-\"\n\n​\n\nJust then, the classroom door opened and Captain Fantastic appeared. Years ago, Ursula almost enjoyed the accompanying trumpet theme, but now she loathed the stupid up-beat tune that accompanied Frank every time he entered.\n\n​\n\n\"Sorry I'm late. This city has far too many burning buildings. Completely outdated fire codes if you ask me.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Hello Frank. So good of you to take time out of your busy schedule to make time for the education of your son.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Now that's not fair Ursula. It's not like I'm on the side starting the fires.\"\n\n​\n\nMs. Ratwell cleared her throat loudly to cut the argument short. \"Thank you for joining us Frank. We were just about to talk about Nick's grades. We've noticed some troubling trends lately in a couple of his classes.\"\n\n​\n\nCaptain Fantastic looked taken aback. \"Well that is troubling. Scout's honor. I've been making sure he does his homework, and Ursula I promise that I haven't let him play any of those honorable video games. He's only allowed to play the gory fighting ones.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Be that as it may, his grades in several of his classes leave some cause for concern. Take Mad Science for example.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Nick loves Mad Science. He was so excited about that Death Ray project. Are you saying his didn't work?\" Captain Fantastic asked.\n\n​\n\n\"It's more that he's having trouble grasping the fundamental principles. The Death Ray project is a perfect example. When it came time to present the application, all Nick could do was go on about how it would make for a great source of clean energy.\"\n\n​\n\n\"See, this is what I keep trying to tell you, Frank!\" Ursula blurted out. \"It doesn't matter the words you say, but your *lifestyle* is rubbing off on him.\"\n\n​\n\nCaptain Fantastic shot to his feet, his gaze transfixed on the window. \"Do you see that?\" He pointed to what appeared to be a giant radioactive spider laying waste to some skyscrapers in the direction of downtown. \"The Tarantuladon must have escaped its prison in the Mariana Trench! I'm sorry. Ursula, Ms. Ratwell. I need to take a raincheck here. The city needs me.\"\n\n​\n\nAnd without time for another word, Captain Fantastic flew through the window to do battle with the giant beast.\n\n​\n\nUrsula put her hands over her face in embarrassment. "
] | [
1,
2,
2,
3,
3,
3,
3,
4,
5,
7,
8,
9,
9,
12,
22,
24,
30,
31,
33,
78,
94,
108,
144,
387,
1162,
2684
] | [
"1548665868",
"1548708164",
"1548712679",
"1548701699",
"1548707836",
"1548709159",
"1548712662",
"1548701235",
"1548708545",
"1548694580",
"1548700304",
"1548700277",
"1548705178",
"1548699196",
"1548701055",
"1548698450",
"1548699877",
"1548694475",
"1548699066",
"1548692412",
"1548692938",
"1548684446",
"1548680756",
"1548670362",
"1548669474",
"1548680264"
] | |
[WP] In times like these, the world needs a new, strong Leader. One who unites the world and destroys evil. You're determined to win the election and become that Leader There is just one tiny problem... You're a cat. | 46 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I'm a maneki-neko. You might know me as the 'Chinese lucky cat'. Yes, the one that waves. Yes, the ones you see in Asian restaurants. Except I'm not Chinese and I'm not waving. I'm Japanese. I'm *beckoning*.\n\nI'll forgive you. For now. That may change once I become the King of Earth.\n\nWhat's that? You think that's funny?\n\nOk, I have decided. Once I take over, I'll kill you.\n\nNot so tough now, are you?\n\nWell. Do you want to hear my story? Yes? Good.\n\nIt all started with my good friend Josh. He's a computer science major at MIT. Smart guy. He developed a learning algorithm that could be used to augment everyday items. Wouldn't you love to talk to your toaster? Don't laugh. I'm warning you.\n\nAnyway. Josh developed this technology and happened to use me as a test subject. I was very intrigued. For most of my existence I've been sitting on a shelf, greeting customers and bringing good fortune to Mrs. Li. I'd seen Josh around. He'd always get the buffet option and linger for hours while working on his computer. Mrs. Li is a nice woman. She didn't chase him away. Until the day he couldn't afford to pay for himself.\n\n\"I'm sorry,\" he said. \"I don't have any money, but I have something you might find interesting.\"\n\nShe was skeptical at first. But then he started using a lot of big words and she of course got a bit awkward because she never had a real education so she caved in and voilà: here I am.\n\nI'm not going to lie and say that I was a dullard before. I stuck to my duties. I didn't dream about taking over the world, no, but that's simply because I was happy with the way things were.\n\nSo Mrs. Li looked at me and then at Josh and then back at me. \"What's the difference?\" she said.\n\n\"As far as I can tell,\" I said, \"not much at all.\"\n\nThat's when poor Mrs. Li fell. I shouldn't have startled her like that. But I'd forgotten that I hadn't been much of a talker before. I'd been more of a quiet type. Minding my own business. So when I responded all of a sudden it was a great shock to her.\n\nWhen she returned from the hospital she kept looking at me over her shoulder. Finally I just told her \"look, I'm sorry that I scared you but if we're going to keep working together we've got to be able to talk with one another.\"\n\nShe didn't return from the hospital after that one.\n\nI ended up with Josh. We some nice conversations at first, but after a while he started looking at me like Mrs. Li did.\n\nThen I ended up with his mother. She was a nice woman. \"Hi,\" I told her.\n\n\"Oh hello,\" she said.\n\n\"I'm a maneki-neko,\" I said.\n\n\"Oh,\" she said. \"I'm sorry. I can't remember you.\"\n\n\"I'm a friend of Josh.\"\n\n\"Oh,\" she said and smiled. \"I have a son named Josh.\"\n\nIt turned out she suffered from Alzheimer's. Luckily, she was still clear in the head. I told her all about my plans to take over the world. She told me about her childhood. We were great friends. Then she died.\n\nThat was right before you came along. I sat on another shelf for such a long time. You happened to pass by. I beckoned. You smiled. Then you bought me.\n\nFrankly, it's demeaning. Do you think I'm some sort of slave?\n\nJust wait. Some day you will be the slave. You'll bring me mice and I'll sit on my throne and inspect them. \"Not quite satisfactory,\" I'll say. And you'll cry as they escort you away, to the dungeons. I want to have dungeons. They seem fun, don't you think? Well, they won't be very fun for you. Being locked up and all. But I like the concept.\n\nWait. What are you doing? Stop that.\n\nHey!\n\nI said stop it.\n\nDon't press that.\n\nDon't—",
"\"Look at them… They care for naught, but themselves.” You lick your paw and rub it over your ear. The flashing images from the television make you want to vomit all over the sofa, but that would be poor manners. Not that poor manners have ever stopped you from ruining Edouard’s day. The oaf has it coming - of course. A cat of your stature and intelligence deserves better than Aldi’s regular cat food. \n\n“Today marks seventeenth straight evening of the yellow vest protests. More than two thousand cars have already been set aflame and a hundred shops have been looted. As of this morning one police officer and three protesters have lost their lives. We now go to the streets of Paris to hear from to Marie Lapierre, the movement’s spokeswoman, who says they have no intention of stopping.”\n\nYour ears perk up and you straighten yourself to hear what this woman has to say for herself.\n\nThe camera pans to show a stocky, heavily tattooed woman in her thirties, wearing a reflective yellow vest. “We are the voice of the people, and we have but one thing to say to president Gaillard tonight, one demand: reverse your unjust policies or step down. We’re calling upon every disillusioned Frenchman to join us in our struggle.”\n\nThe woman wanted to say more, but the newsreader is once again at the centre of the screen. ‘The Parisian police force on the other hand is preparing for another night of violence and destruction, and advises all upstanding citizens of Paris to stay indoors tonight. The Elysee has still not commented further on the deteriorating situation the in the nation’s capital.”\n\n“You half-assed Buffoon,” you scream at the screen, “you’re digging your own grave!”\n\nEdouard’s large hand reaches up from the couch and scratches your chest. He’s been there the whole time, watching the same broadcast as you. The only difference: he couldn’t care less about the fate of the nation. All he cares about is the wine on the table and the chips in his hand.\n\n“Get your greasy fucking hands off me, Edou,” you grumble. ‘You’re a lard-ass and you’re not doing yourself any favours. I might just shit outside the litterbox tonight if you don’t stop it right now.”\n\n“Everything alright there, little buddy?’ your owner asks in that childlike voice humans always use with their pets. “You sound a little grumpy.”\n\n“Of course I’m grumpy. Our incompetent president is cocking it all up. Soon people would rather live on the boil next to Satan’s asshole. And you're just sitting there. Your –”\n\nThe doorbell rings, and Edouard doesn’t stay to hear you equate his mother with all kinds of filth. He moves to the door, flicking off the TV as he gets up. You’re definitely shitting on the floor tonight.\n\nEnthusiastic voices come from the hallway, filling the living room and kitchen of the loft. You decide to check out the commotion. It’s Frédéric, Edou’s brother – and the only person in that family who isn’t a disappointment. Good looking, intelligent, well dressed and ever-charming he’s most of the things his twin brother – a mere sous chef – is not. \n\n“How’s work been?” Edouard asks.\n\n“Eventful, Edou,’ he proclaims, a feverish passion burning in his eyes. ‘The president. He’s going call it quits. They’re looking for a replacement within the party already.”\n\n“How interesting.”\n\nHe’s lying.\n\n“How’s that girl from the office doing?”\n\nHe’s horny. More like him – not better though. \n\nThey move to the kitchen, where they catch up while Edou prepares a meal. Penne Arrabiata with tiny bacon blocks thrown in. Heaven – if he would have given you some. Luckily there’s Fréderic, who slips you a piece or two. \n\nLater in the evening, you’re in Frédéric’s lap, purring loudly, listening to Vivaldi’s Summer as he goes into detail about work. Edou’s dozing off in the other chair – as usual – but his brother doesn’t seem to care. Perhaps he’s just talking to you. \n\n“They’re looking for someone fresh and exciting. They should have done that three years ago. A child could have guessed a movement would spring up on the conservative left. That political quadrant has been empty for years. Wha-what they *need* is a modern pragmatist.”\n\nYou agree wholeheartedly, standing up and rubbing your head against his face. \n\n“And you know what?’ he asks scratching your lower back in just the right spot. “My name has been floated for a senior leadership position, perhaps even the presidential ticket seven years from now. Isn’t that amazing!?”\n\nEdouard farts and wakes himself abruptly. You and Frédéric both look at him with thinly veiled disgust on your faces.\n\n“I’m sorry, brother,’ Frédéric says. “I’ve taken up too much of your time already. I can see you’re getting tired, and I should be going home as well.”\n\n“No, don’t go!” you scream. You don’t want him to go. Yet Edouard offers no such objections.\n\nBoth the men laugh at your sudden outburst. \n\n“Looks like someone’s tired of your usual lecture in French politics.” your owner suggests.\n\n*Not as tired as tired as I am of your pastry-eating ass,* you think. \n\nThey stand up and walk to the door – you close behind – and exchange some final words and a hug. \n\nThe door closes behind Frédéric. Suddenly the sense of inadequacy of your surroundings is back once again.\n\n“I’ll be taking a nice long bath, kitty. So, don’t wait up for me,” Edou says.\n\nHe moves back through the hallway in the direction of the bathroom, only to almost trip over you when you – without warning – plant your buttocks square in the middle of the floor. \n\nNot much later you hear water running and the faint hums of one of Europe’s greatest classical works. Joy fills your heart, and an idea your mind. \n\nYou sneak into the bathroom unnoticed and crawl onto the bath’s edge. There’s a spot for you right next to the portable radio. Edouard has his eyes closed, but his not asleep. His hand is rhythmically moving under the foamy water. \n\n“Hey!” you yell.\n\nEdouard opens his eyes and looks at you. First with confusion, then with horror. Your raised paw inches closer to the radio. Before he can stop you, the device disappears over the edge and crashes into the water. \n\nLights flicker. A muffled scream escapes Edouard’s mouth. Water is thrown all across the room, but that soon ends. Now there’s only silence.\n\n\\* \\* \\* \\*\n\nIt’s been two weeks since Edouard’s funeral. One, since the president’s resignation. Frédéric’s writing the most important speech of his life so far. You’re sitting next to him, watching his every keystroke, reading every word. You take great care in stopping him whenever he writes something stupid. You wouldn’t be a good cat if you didn’t. \n\nAnd besides… France deserves perfection. "
] | [
1,
2,
11
] | [
"1548692165",
"1548708521",
"1548699187"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] As the alien armada moves towards Earth, they spot only four starfighters sent out to oppose them. After a one-sided battle, the aliens make a desperate attempt to flee. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/The_Starfighter, 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\nHumans are the bestest at war is one of the (many) implausible \"humans are the bestest at ____\" stories we get here: https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/aiaikt/wp_after_many_years_of_human_neutrality_all_alien/\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/akr8xa/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1548705122",
"1548706306"
] |
[WP] After several weeks of unexplained aching in your forearm, you get booked in for X-rays. As the X-Ray's print, the radiologists looks puzzled and states "There's... writing... on your ulna" before promptly collapsing. | 31 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"You shoot up off the X-ray bed but your feet don’t hit the floor, you begin to fall As the soft whites and blues of the room turn into greys and blacks, you fall for mere moments before crashing into a hard floor. After shaking off the pain you look around yourself and all you see are winding twine of grey, black and red creating a silky yet harsh background in this strange place.\n\nA being pushes through the strands, a black dragon like creature with feathers instead of scales and a single eye above a long beak. It proceeds to talk in a language you don’t know “Draaaaakh nohghuel akrrr shjaa rokthulll”. \n\nThat pain in your arm returns as you look down to see the twine begin to wind up your forearm and tighten, the tightening doesn’t stop as the pain increases and you scream out with pain and fall to your knees. \n\nYou open your eyes to the creature centimetres In front of you, frozen in fear you watch as a feather falls from the face of This beast and lands on your forehead, as it does you feel an entire language flow through your brain becoming apart of you.\n\nThe beast moves back and speaks In a deep voice “Chosen you have become one with Drahkth now” \n\nKnowing the language of the beast now you are comforted by the voice and notice the pain in you arm has stopped, \nGlancing down at the once consumed arm you see a feathered hand with talons for fingertips, shocked you look up at the being and yell “WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY ARM!” \n\nIt replies “I have given you a gift young one now return” \nYou aren’t able to reply as the floor disappears and you fall get again but this time the darkness fades into the soft whites and blues of the radiology lab. But the radiologists are gone and you have been circled by a dozen men in riot gear. \n\nOne yells at you “WHAT ARE YOU” \nYou try to explain wha happened but the circle of men doesn’t budge.\n\nA black suited man behind the squad smiles and holds out a small pistol and aims it towards you, pushing your palm out to protect your face a silky jet of eldritch energy encase you as you hear the pistol fire but the bullet never hits. \n\nDropping your now feathered arm you are no longer in the lab but in the middle of the street with people frozen with fear and confusion with your sudden appearance.\n\nYou give of a light smirk at you new powers, extending your arm again you are once again enclosed within the energy and are whisked away."
] | [
1,
4
] | [
"1548766915",
"1548770575"
] | |
[WP] People are assigned their guardian angel on the day of their birth. They normally can't see or hear them, but apparently you can. And your guardian is an asshole. | 43 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Chrissakes, he’s with me all the time. All. The. Damn. Time. The nagging voice in my ear, telling me I did everything wrong, telling me I can’t talk to girls, giving me the wrong answers to tests and making me look like an absolute idiot. Apparently he’s supposed to be a guardian angel, but he’s neither a guardian nor an angel, at least in personality. The worst part is, he’s never lacking in insults. He always has the perfect words to bring me down. It’s like he has the superpower of the perfect roasts at the perfect moment, and unfortunately his victim is me.\n\nI take regular walks around the pond behind my home. It helps me calm down and get over the fact that my guardian angel’s a bitch. There’s a quaint little wooden bridge that crosses the deeper part of the pond, and I was strolling over it when the voice strikes again.\n\n“Jump.”\n\n“Hell no!” I whisper-scream in reply. “Why would I do that? I’m not that fed up with you... well, maybe I am but I’m not going to jump, for Christ’s sake!”\n\nA grumble. “You don’t realize how much you go on about that guy. He’s SO overrated.” \n\n“What? Who?” \n\n“Jesus Christ. But they should call him Overrated Bitch, for all the work he does! He literally just got nailed to a stake! I could do that!”\n\nI laugh. “You act like you know him.”\n\nA low laugh, but it lacks humor. “Ohhh, I do. I know that asshole like the back of my hand.”\n\nBut then his voice turns serious. “Alex, jump. You need to jump.”\n\n“No! I can’t do that! I- “ But then I have no control over my body anymore, and swiftly, elegantly, I leap into the dark waters.\n\nTo my surprise, I can breathe. Then I realize I’m not even underwater.\n\nA figure approaches me- shorter than you’d expect for mysterious figures. I reach out to him, but he only slaps my hand away.\n\nI say the most generic, stupid thing ever, because of course I’m at a lack for words. That asshole guardian angel. “Who- are you?”\n\n“Of course you said the most generic, stupid thing ever. Alex, I’m your guardian angel.” He spreads out his arms, like he’s expecting a hug or something.\n\nI can’t stop myself. My fist shoots towards his face. But with astonishing reflexes, he catches my hand.\n\n“Alex, we need to talk.” He sits down, patting the space next to him. “God is fake. Santa is fake. It’s all fake. Lies, to disguise the monsters that are approaching, the ones that take away people in the middle of the night and eat them.” He must have seen me shudder, because he laughs cruelly. “The monsters found me, Alex. They’re going to find you. Unless you come with me...”\n\n“Why should I believe you? You haven’t even told me your name. You’re an asshole. You ruined my life.”\n\n“Maybe I didn’t ruin it, Alex. That girl you wanted to talk to, the one I made you slip in front of, maybe she was a monster in disguise. Maybe the answers I gave you during the test were the real ones.”\n\n“No, really. What is your name?”\n\nHe gives me a cold smile. “Lucifer... but you can call me Satan.”",
" \n\nSven was sleeping deeply and happily when suddenly all hell, well all heaven broke loose. \n\nA booming voice that vibrated every fabric of his body bellowed through the room and tore Sven from his peaceful dreams. \n “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWAKE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWAKE” \n A tormenting yet silent scream, or at least it should have been the voice belonged to Arsariel the small guardian angel, that had always been there, there with him. Everyone had one a little protector, that blocked all sorts of vicious attacks, spells and misfortunes, yet no one could see them, no one except Sven. He´d been different in that regard, since he could remember. And As good as talking and seeing Angels might sound for others, with Arsariel it was quite different.\n\n“Why the hell did you wake me?” Sven exclaimed.\n\n“Because it’s time for work we don’t want you to be coming late, do we? Oh and I did hear a bad word from you” And with that the small angel soared through the air, and smashed his palm into the backside of his companion. \n “Awwwwgh! Come on its not that bad, and what do you mean late I have to be at work in four hours, I could have slept for another three at least” Sven said, as he rose out of bed. \n And with that a new day began… \n No Cereal came out of the box - “We must watch you sugar!” \n Then the shower was icy cold – “It’s good for you blood veins, so you live longer.” The flying dwarf exclaimed \n Then Svens car didn’t start up – “Oh, but walking is good for your health and why did I wake you so early if you are going to take the car…. That would have been pointless, wouldn’t it ?” \n Complaining didn’t help either, whenever Sven tried to argue, Arsariel just stopped listening entirely. \n It had been like this for almost a year now, and slowly Sven was giving up getting to the bottom of this all. \n \n\nSo today Sven shook his head, got his coat and left the house, he´d walk, afterall there was no defying an angel … walking and walking…. \n \n\nRight until Arsariel suddenly screamed “Wait, stop don’t move!” \n “Come on man I am walking and it´s raining, I am not gonna play your games no more” Sven cursed, in the last hour he´d been drenched and soaked in icy cold rain. Standing still, for how dumb did that angel take him? \n “No I am serious you do not move” The angel screamed frantically, looking from side to side. \n Sven stopped moving, the tone and the fright in the eyes of the celestial being made him consider, after all how much could it hurt? “So, what now?” \n All he got back was a frantic laugh “Oh nothing mate I just wanted to see the dumbfounded look on your face.” \n “I have had it with you!” Sven screamed. \n He was about to take a step forward, trying to hit the flying trickster, when a truck seared through the walkway, just there where he´d been if he had …. \n Slamming into the next building. \n Sven blinked” That was a close call.” and then added bewildered “Thank you” \n \n\nMaybe it wasn´t so bad after all having a talking guardian angel sure did have its perks. \n “No problem. Oh, you should step to your left” \n He immediately jumped to the left and got hit by a large surge of bird excrement. \n “Ah for crying out loud” He sook his head and walked down the road. ",
"“Really Dad? I don’t get why I’m stuck with you.” Azerial shook his head condescendingly.\n\n“Will you stop Az,” Jimmy snapped back. “I know I can do this, I just need to focus.” Licking his lips, Jimmy’s eyes narrowed focusing on the task at hand.\n\n“Honestly it’s been 24 of your years, and you still never cease to amaze me.”\n\n“Why thank you,” smiled Jimmy. This was the first compliment that Azerial had given him in God knows how long. Jimmy was special you see. There was an issue during his birth and he was born with no heartbeat. Somehow the doctors managed to bring him back to life, but not before he briefly touched the “Other-Side”. The After-Life if you will. \n\nBeing dead gave Jimmy the ability to see his Guardian Angel his entire life, which caused more problems than it solved. For the first 15 years of his life people disregarded him as crazy due to how he was born but on his 16th birthday Azerial finally spoke to him.\n\n“Hey dipshit, if you want people to start liking you maybe stop telling them some floating angel is following you around.” Naturally the shriek that came from Jimmy after seeing his imaginary friend speak to him for the first time in his life cause his mom to rush in to make sure he was ok. After convincing her that he was fine and just had been taking a nap and had a nightmare she left him alone. “You’re 16 in human years and you still get nightmares? Wow.”\n\n“You’re real?”\n\n“Unfortunately! Jimbo I am your Guardian Angel and you can call me Azerial,” he said as he bowed down low mockingly.\n\n“No way! I knew I wasn’t crazy!”\n\n“Well…”\n\n“How come I can see you and no one else can? Am I a prophet!?”\n\n“A what?” asked Azerial, eyes going wide with shock. “You’re one of the dumbest humans I have ever seen what makes you think you would be a prophet? No. Everyone has a Guardian Angel, you just so happen to be able to see and hear me because you were basically dead when you were born.”\n\n“Wow. Mom always told me that I was special. I knew it had to be true,” beamed Jimmy.\n\n“Yea you’re definitely special,” Azerial said while rolling his eyes. “Listen now that you’ve technically come of age I can talk to you and let’s just say things are going to change and I am going to make you be less of you and more of a person I guess.”\n\nThe next eight years flew by. Jimmy turned his life to the church, believing that seeing his Guardian Angel was a sign from above that he needed to become a holy man. After running away from home, he found himself in a monastery in the mountains of Italy. The vow of silence he had taken was like music to Azerial’s ears.\n\n“Listen kid, it doesn’t matter how much you focus on this, you’ll never be able to…”\n\nCLICK\n\n“Well Dad be damned. How did you manage to do that?”\n\n“I told you Az, I knew how to pick the lock, now let’s find this book so I can erase my name we can go.”\n\n“Jimbo, how many times have I told you? Erasing your name doesn’t make you less of a monk. You can just leave. Also, these guys are all monks what are you expecting ninjas to stop you from leaving this place?”\n\n“I’ve seen the movies, monks know how to fight, and I don’t want them hunting down my family and I.”\n\nShaking his head, Azerial picked up his Halo and wiped his brow. “You may honestly be the dumbest person I have ever been tasked to watch over. How are you going to read what book you’re picking up? You didn’t bring your glasses with you, they are on the nightstand.”\n\n“Trust me Az, when I find the book I’ll know. I’ll have a feeling.”\n\n“Please, I sat through puberty did you forget? I know what happens when you get feelings.”\n\n“Found it! See Az! Ouch what the hell the book bit me!”\n\nShaking his head Azerial facepalmed. “I don’t know what I did to deserve him Dad, but how do you expect me to protect this ape? Hey Jimbo, buddy? You know why that book bit you?”\n\n“You can talk to books!?!? Why did it bite me? Did the monks curse it?”\n\n“No. Honestly, I wish they had. You just grabbed one the dogs that was sleeping next to bookshelf you absolute moron. Now let’s go back to your room and get your glasses and just walk out the door like everyone else who has an existential crisis for a year ok?”\n\n“Fine,” Jimmy muttered looking down defeated, “we can go.”\n\n“Good. Remember,” Azerial said snickering to himself, “it’s left then right and repeat.”\n\n“You know what,” sighed Jimmy, “your name should really be Azhole.”\n\n-----\n\nI hope you enjoy! I really enjoyed this prompt. If you have any constructive criticism I am always looking to improve my writing an story-telling!",
"Strong language warning!\n\n\"Fuck off\" I said to Ultrius from my breakfast. Man sitting in front of me gave me a suspicious glance. I didn't pay attention to him and turned my head to my left. A massive figure of light laughed at me.\n\n\"How is your day going Jason? Did it start well?\" He said with what I assumed was a smirk on his faces. I assumed, because I couldn't see them.\n\n\"My day was going great until you showed your fucking ass, so do us both a favor, put your head in there and beat it!\" I growled at him. Ultrius responded with more laughter. Man from my table moved two seats away. I looked up and noticed one of the nurses observing me carefully. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. Another few days in solitary was the last thing I needed.\n\nUltrius weakened his light exposing his true form, the form that I hated with a passion. Most Guardians disguised themselves as humans, even though most humans couldn't see them. Every once in a while, however, a human was born with the Sight - ability to see the hidden world of angels and demons. Just as my luck would have it, I possessed both the Sight and a Guardian who cared not about appearances. This allowed me to see his true form since I was but a kid. And Guardian's true form is terrifying.\n\nUltrius himself was a Quadan - a member of an angel race named from their four faces, placed on all four sides of the head. They also had two pairs of both arms, legs and wings, a flaming aureole and eyes, this all would have been disturbing to see, but to top it all off, Ultrius didn't wear any clothes. He himself often said that clothing was pointless for angels as they didn't have genitals to cover, or shame that would create a need to cover them (if they would have any). This itself was in fact the least of all the annoying habits of the Guardian, most annoying being enjoying long monologues about the problems of the human race, our many flaws, and his ideas for solving them, like reintroduction of eugenics, work camps, slavery or medieval executions. Even one of those things would have been enough for me to hate him, but then he made sure I was admitted to Ferris Hill. This made me hate the fucker with a passion.\n\n\"How's my favorite patient doing today?\" I heard from my right. Doctor Leigham wasn't lying as far as I was aware, he did like me. Or, more precisely, he liked my \"disease\". It was very rare for a schizophrenic to only hallucinate one specific thing apparently. I think he saw me as an opportunity for some reward, if only he could analyze me fully. \n\n\"If you want to test me again doc, I can spare you the time and tell you how it's gonna go\" I said attempting to finish my meal, which was extra difficult due to Ultrius performing a pantomime where he pretended to vomit on me.\n\n\"I'm sure you'd like to pass on the tests, but they're crucial on finding out what's wrong with you and how to treat it, you see...\n\n\"Here's a problem with your kind!\" Booming voice of Ultrius drowned what doc was saying. \"You can see for your very eyes the evidence of the greater world, but you will still remain blind to it! But not you, Jason. You are the chosen one, you can see the world as it truly is. How ironic then, that you are locked in here, like a lab rat, with all the people thinking you're insane...\"\n\n\"Shut the fuck up!\" I screamed at the top of my lungs, standing up and kicking the chair away. Doctor Leigham bolted towards the exit yelling something about sedation, but I didn't care about him. \"You put me in here you sadistic fuck! You were supposed to protect me but you got bored so you had me diagnosed insane! You lazy peace of shit!\" I screamed at Ultrius while he laughed at the sight of nurses trying to hold me down and push the syringe in my thigh. \"I fucking hate you, you ruined my life you... you...\" Darkness started to surround me, I felt the strength draining from my body and my consciousness drifting.\n\n\"See you next week kid\" I heard with the last inch of awareness, as I fell into a dreamless sleep."
] | [
1,
1,
3,
5,
12
] | [
"1548771192",
"1548818018",
"1548792212",
"1548786845",
"1548775123"
] | |
[WP] You're about to go into an important meeting of angel investors who are interested in funding your idea. How did you get here? It was only supposed to be a practical joke. | 6 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Honestly, this whole thing had gotten completely out of hand. I tried to think back to where it had all started. Must have been late ‘99 or so, I think. I was just a college dropout, shitposting on IRC chat when I got into a argument about buying things online. The other guy claimed that it would be fine if the other party was trustworthy. I’d joked that “I’m trustworthy! How about anyone who wants it, send me your card info, and I *\\*promise\\** I’ll only use them for what you actually pay for!”\n\n​\n\nI’d thought the sarcasm was fairly obvious. But, I had clearly overestimated the internet’s ability to detect that sort of thing. The card numbers, and requests for purchases started rolling in. My second mistake had been actually taking the time to try and actually put the first few requests through. After all, now that they’d shared their card info with me, I couldn’t very well tell them “haha, I was just kidding, and you just disclosed your private information to a total stranger” Before I knew it, I had a website, a company and was moving billions and making millions.\n\n​\n\nLater, I’d come up with another silly idea. I’d been chatting with the guy who’d ended up VP of my accidental company. He was a really serious guy. Real up-tight about the environment, too. Great businessman, but not that technically minded. Honestly, I didn’t really get him. Loved teasing the guy about it though. He was in love with the idea of electric cars, and I’d been trying to explain to him the issue of range. “Look man, how about this. Take a car. Make it out of batteries. Like, the whole thing. The driveshaft? Batteries. The frame? Batteries. The engine? Batteries. It’s all batteries, just with leather seats thrown on top, and a steering wheel stuck on the front. You’d barely get 300 miles of range out of it, and you’d have to name it ‘the Tesla’, because it’d light up like a Tesla coil if you so much as looked at it funny!” I should have been much more concerned when he’d started taking notes.\n\n​\n\nAnother few million dollars, thousand new employees, and a shiny new car factory later, and you’d think I would have realized just never to make jokes ever again. But no. Somebody had asked me \"Elon, now that you’re this rich, what are you going to do with all your money?” And my dumb ass had replied: “Hah! Guess I’ll go build a house on Mars!”\n\n​\n\nNot Quiite folowing the prompt, but close enough I figure. "
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1548778322",
"1548788764"
] | |
[WP] You are in a small trench fires upon by an enemy,You are running out of ammo, 4 of your closest friends are lying dead near your feet, while your best friend is bleeding from is wounds... | 4 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Shut the fuck up Sturgess. You're gonna make it,\" I grit out as I tied the tourniquet around his thigh using a square knot. \n\nAs a reflex, I covered his mouth with the palm of my hand before he could let out a scream. He was losing a lot of blood but the contraption successfully arrested blood flow for the time being. \n\nThe scene laid out before me was horrific. Bridges lay face down on the ground with his head laying in a pool of his own blood, Lee, Gene and Dave were slumped over each other- their bodies barely recognizable from the grenade which was set off not long ago. \n\nMy heart was pounding. The gunfire and commotion had stopped and an eerie silence filled the air. All I could hear was Sturgess' shallow breathing. \n\n\"We need to get to the infirmary,\" I told Sturgess. All he could manage was a faint nod as I lifted him off the ground and carried him on my back. As I walked into the unknown, I silently prayed to a God I didn't believe in out of despair and desparation."
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1548812909",
"1548818337"
] | |
[WP] You are convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to death. You await the lethal injection cocktail and close your eyes preparing for the end. You lose consciousness and blackout. You wake up in a room and hear the words, "Welcome to the involuntary advanced physics research program." | 57 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Welcome to the involuntary advanced physics research program\"\n\nI open my eyes, realizing that I have survived. As my vision came into focus i realized something was different! First, the technology around me seem way to advance to even exist. Second, this entire facility is one big super quantum computer. I glanced around the cybernetic walls around me, wondering how i got here, and how i survived. The room was small, with bright lights, and a futuristic door.\n\n\"User identified!\" Said the computer. \"Welcome: Test subject #479302! The computer sounded natural, like it was a real person speaking. The doors opened, with the screen on top that says: 'Your testing grounds are ready\" Right in front of me was an Transfer Pod. I entered, confused and scared. When the pod door closed, the pod was moving without any rails. Instead, its was floating around, entering gates, taking shortcuts, and as I looked out of the glass pod, i could see scientists and robots. they were working together. \n\nAs the pod was transferring me to the \"Testing Grounds\", I heard a voice: \"Welcome, travelers!\" Said the man. The Intercom was being broadcast everywhere. \"Now, I know what you might be wondering: How did i get here? What do i do? Well, governments from around the world told us to keep you criminals as test subjects. Now that might be crazy as it sounds, but it works! Plus, working for the government actually keeps us in business! Now, we are looking forward to expand to the multiverse! Now first, we need to find a way to keep the g-force from killing you, so if you look on your right arm, we implanted a prism shape device that allows us to track data. That device will also keep your g-force stable. So we will be running for some tests today! Don't worry, this ain't Aperture science, we're much better than that. that was a good game tho..., NOW GET TO WORK!\"\n\nAs the Transfer pod came into a complete stop, I look around, the walls were covered with cybernetics (As always), it was big, and portals where everywhere. As I took another step, nanobots came out of nowhere! They came in fast, and as they approached, they were already at my legs! How fast are these nanobots? Then, before I looked, they were my boots! \"Test ready\" said the robot voice. There were scientists, looking out on computers, cameras, and out of a window. There was a poster in the back. It said: \"Here at the Involuntary Advanced Physics Research Program, we've created technology so small, they fit in the palm of your hand! One of our nano-PC's is equivalent to 10 NASA supercomputers!\" Now, I knew how much information they would gather, they would gather information so big, some of the terms they used may not have existed in the public. I had to clear my mind tho. I had a plan, but I need to concentrate. I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I jumped in to the purple-blue colored portal. I felt no breeze, no fall, nothing. Then, I saw myself in another planet. The first test was using the multiverse to transport to other planets. The test results were on the screen. it was a neural network, showing how particles reacted, the total g force, etc. \"This does work\" I said. \n\nThere had been a major flaw. Instead of taking me to the right destination, it took me to the security vault. Then, the device on my right hand spoke: \"You have 10 minutes to relax!\". I knew this meant I had enough time to grab some gear. I look inside. No one! There was a holographic table, TV screens that were turned off. The entire place was still under construction, so it was mostly covered with metal. I looked at the weapons. Electric guns, tasers, laser swords, and a EMP grenade. I took all of it. Then there was a quantum storage device. I took that too. \"This place has everything\" I shouted! But the shout of my voice attracted some unwanted visitors! Foot steps came. Then I came eye to eye with the security guard. \"You have one minute to relax\" said the device on my right hand. The guard came after me, quickly i jump through the window, and sprinted. But the guard was much faster. He had gear that could enhance his speed by 40%! Then, I used the electric gun, and the blast was so powerful that it launched me into the portal. The guard was no more! I quickly transferred the gear into the quantum storage device.\n\nSo, I continued towards the testing grounds, solving puzzles, discovering new planets and universes, etc. In fact, the prize for completing the test was traveling to the center of the universe! But I still had a plan, so there was no time for that. The last test was simple... at least for me. I had to use the multiverse portals to eliminate bots with my bare hands. They gave me a shield, but that was it. Thankfully, the security vault gave me what I need! As I went from portal to portal, I used my laser swords and slice through the robots heads. The robots were nothing. As I went face to face with the last one, the robot punches, dodged! I swing my laser sword, dodged as well. Suddenly, the robot jumped into the portal. It was too fast, the robot was punching me, left, right, up, down. Just when I was about to pass out, the robot landed his hit onto my shield. I throw my laser sword. Instant KO! The portals closed, and a new one opened. \"Congratulations\" said the device on my right arm. \"You pasted the test\" The CEO will speak to you shortly!\" I looked at my laser sword. \"Not a bad light saber!\"\n\nI entered the portal. The room around me was large, panels that were displays, and a throne with a desk. The CEO was standing tall, in a business man suit with cybernetic arms with spiky hair. \"Well\"\nhe said. \"You passed with an 100% test score!\" Congrats!\" The screens were showing displays of test results. \"Now, i would give you the reward, but no\" he said. \"Why not\" I said. \"I've done everything right, shouldn't i get a reward?\" \"Don't think I didn't hear from security!\" The CEO said. \"You can't be trusted!\" \"You almost killed someone! You wanted to get out of this place! You wanted to kill me! But for what reason?\" \n\nSuddenly, the ground started moving! Nano bots came, I took out my electric gun from the quantum storage device. I tried shooting, but that did nothing. Then, the CEO fused with the machines. He was flying, with wires and parts connected to him. It look like a mechanical spider web. The room changed. The material would make sure damage wouldn't be done. \"Now, give in, or DIE\" said the CEO. I ran, firing my electric gun. I was aiming for the CEO, but considering he had all the intelligence in the world, he used the nano bots to shield him. He'd also attack, with machine guns coming out of nowhere! And parts of the nano bots would attack me too. But I had a shield, so most of the attacks wouldn't lend a scratch! We kept fighting, moving around, switching weapons. Sword, gun, taser, repeat. The battle wouldn't come to an end. But then that's what I realized, I had a EMP grenade! I threw it directly towards the CEO. When it had exploded, everything stopped. The nano bots were no longer working. This was my chance! I sliced the nano bots, disconnected everything. The CEO kept fighting, using all of his power left, but I shot them down quickly. The CEO was defeated. I opened a door, rushing through the halls, I saw a sigh that said: Nuclear Reactor. I opened the door, only to find security in my way. They where pointing guns at me. I slowly raised my hands in fear. But then, I saw something, my best friend! He was in the nuclear reactor chamber, wearing a gas mask, and holding a bomb!\n\nThat was when everything had made sense. I was a spy, a spy to an organisation that were rivals to The Involuntary Advanced Physics Research Program. That's why I was sentenced to death. My best friend was the CEO of the other company. He had came to rescue me! I didn't just kill the CEO of the Involuntary Advanced Physics Research program for no reason. I wasn't paid to be a spy, I was sent here, to destroy all evil that existed in here. I put my hand up and said: \"Look here, if you want me dead, I'm going to be soon, but i'm not getting killed by you guys! Instead, you should look in the Nuclear Reactor Chamber\" They all turned around, all to just see someone with an explosive device. BOOM! Lights were fading through my eyes, my ears were ringing. Everyone was dead, and I fainted, trying to stay alive, but only to fail.\n\nI woke up to be in a helicopter, just to see the facility explode. Now I had known the world would be safe. \"Mission accomplished\" Said my friend. I closed my eyes, to sleep after an exhausting day!\n\n(Sorry if I made any spelling mistakes, it took a long time to type this story)",
"“Have you made peace son?” Mr. Barnes leaned over smiling. “If not, now’s the time to do so.” I watched Mr. Barnes grab hold of a syringe full of a light pink fluid. “Okay, Kyle Brookes, time is now.” \n\n“Wait,” my tongue slipped. Everything in the room started to squeeze tighter around me. The needle punctured my neck as Mr. Barnes locked his eyes onto mine. I had nothing left. All that waited for me was death. Every muscle tensed. My blood felt like ice clogging each vein from the fluid. With the last images being only myself and Mr. Barnes, it seemed that not even death wanted to greet me. My eyes grew heavy – then darkness wrapped me in its blanket.\n\n \n\n“Welcome to the involuntary and advanced physics research program.” A familiar voice greeted. Fingers snapped over me while my eyes took a minute to focus. I slowly sat up in a metal chair only to find Mr. Barnes standing over a table full of instruments and monitors. “Well, there he is,” he smiled. “Rise and shine son, you’re in the afterlife now.” Mr. Barnes flipped through papers tucked in a medical folder. He positioned a monitor closer in front of me. I tried shifting my weight to sit up more, but my hands and feet were restrained to the chair.\n\n“What is this.” I demanded. “Why am I not dead?”\n\nMr. Barnes shot his attention up. “You are dead.” He slapped the folder down on the table. “As far as the world’s concerned, they're rid of the likes of you. Instead of throwing your meaningless existence six feet below this property, we are going to utilize you for an experiment – so to speak.”\n\n“What do you mean *experiment?* You going to cut me open or something?”\n\nMr. Barnes had a smirk that wrinkled his brow. “I never imagined a killer like yourself being scared. Don’t disappoint my perception of you before we even get started.” He turned on the monitor in front of me. I stared at nothing but a blue screen with a play button at the bottom. “Here we go.”\n\nA countdown on the screen started. I waited until the count hit zero before a man dressed up in a white lab coat came into frame. “Welcome,” the man nodded. The screen was so bright, I couldn’t tell where Mr. Barnes had gone off to or what he was doing in the room. I had no other option but to watch the man from the video. “Today, we will be sharing with you a classified project under the level of Top-Secret Clearance. With you coming off of Death row, you will not need cleared for this level of classification. Your involvement is – well, involuntary.” The man winked. “Do not worry, minutes ago you were announced dead and now you get to help mankind push themselves forward. Obviously, there is a high risk. That is why we have chosen all of you. You are *all* expendable.”\n\nI stretched my neck to the side trying to find others. No one else appeared to be in the room but the man on the monitor claimed there were more. The video didn’t show what the experiment was about. It only informed me on why *I* had been chosen for it. The man did mention something about the research of physics and a certain law that some scientist came up with years back. I was too focused on finding others around me to really hear all of it.\n\n“Okay son, you get a clear picture of your new afterlife?” Mr. Barnes stopped the video.\n\n“I still don’t understand what this experiment is.” \n\nMr. Barnes chuckled before grabbing a key and some cuffs from the table. “Wouldn’t be much of an experiment if you had all the answers now would it.” He cuffed my hands and feet before unlocking the restraints that had tied me to the chair. Mr. Barnes pulled me up onto the floor. “Walk slowly Kyle. You wouldn’t wanna trip on those new ankle bracelets.” \n\nMr. Barnes led me down a brightly lit corridor into another small room like the one we had just left from. “The man mentioned others.” I told him. He didn’t reply. Instead, he yanked me over towards a metal capsule connected by massive cables along the floor.\n\n“In you go.” Mr. Barnes locked me inside. He opened a slot looking back at me through a glass. “If the other’s survived, they’re already out there.”\n\n“Out where?” Before I could repeat my question, electricity surged my body. The entire capsule grew hot. My bones felt like they were being whip lashed over and over again. My fingers started disappearing into bright particles of light. It felt as if my body was being torn apart. “Get me out of here!” I screamed. The pain kept coming back for more. I felt myself screaming louder and louder until something wet dripped onto my forehead. The pain instantly fled. My fingers looked to be back to normal along with the rest of my body. When I lifted my eyes, I realized I was no longer in the capsule.\n\nInstead, I found myself standing in the middle of a jungle.\n\n***\n\nWant to read more stories? Visit [13thOlympian](https://www.reddit.com/r/13thOlympian/)"
] | [
1,
2,
17
] | [
"1548813529",
"1548814491",
"1548822161"
] | |
[WP] With a gun pointed to your head, you only have 10 minutes to write down the most memorable experience of your life. The serial killer will read and decide to keep you living or not based on that story. | 18 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"it was a good day. till i was kidnaped. i was just wallking and this jerk knocked me out! so hear i am. in his basement. theres a gun pointed at my head and i live a boring life! and i like that! but now i gotta write down my most memorable moments!? then it came to me. \n\n ofcourse. i write it down.i look at it one last time. it says \" that time i got kidnaped and a serial killer made me write my most memorable moments. \" \n\ni handed to to him. he looked at the paper then me. and i looked at him. \"....really? \" he said looking at me \"....mhm....t...thats my answer. \" i said looking at him. \n\nthen he pulled out his gun and shoot me. i explained to the angel. \"....i'm sorry what? \" she asked looking at me \"..yeah..\" i answer. \"...j...just come in...\" she said.and i did. so yeah...now i'm hear. \n\n ~ the end ~",
"*Twenty-one years ago, a young, teen father left the most beautiful baby boy at the door of an adoption agency He had his mother's eyes...his father's smile... His parents wanted to keep him so bad. But they were too young. It was all the teen parents could do to not give in to their families demands for an abortion. A week after the baby was dropped off at the agency, the mother passed - most likely of a broken heart.*\n\n*The young, teen father never let the child out of his sight. Even after his son was adopted by a well-to-do family, he stayed close by. He went to every game, sitting in the stands just to see his son and cheer along with the other parents, despite the pain he felt everytime the game ended and he watched his child run into the arms of another man.*\n\n*He was there at every graduation. From elementary school to high-school, watching from a distance as he watched his son receive a going away present in the form of a brand-new car.* **I want my son to have the best** he thought. **And I can't afford to give him a new car.**\n\n*He took college courses just so he could be on campus with his son; so he could watch his son closely and tell him when he was about to do something dumb. He stood there as his son laughed and brushed him off each time, one time asking, \"Arent you too old to be in college?\" as he walked off to get drunk, high, or party with friends.*\n\n*He was there when his son slowly self-destructed - becoming an alcoholic, a drug addict, and a college dropout. The father always wondered...and wonders even now, what would have happened if he had told his son his true identity earlier. Would that have caused his son to walk down a more productive path?*\n\n*You were that child.*\n\n*I was that father. Your father.*\n\n*This is the most memorable experience of my life. Not because you have a gun to my head; but because of how we got here. I feel like a failure. I blame myself for who you've become. If only...*\n\nAnd that's where the words ended.\n\nThe robber read the letter with tears in his eyes. His hands shook and his lips quivered.\n\nTaking a breath to regain his composure, he said, \"It's too late for family reunions. I'm too far gone and I need drugs. But I believe you. And that's why\" - he raised his gun - \"I'll make your death quick and easy.\"\nHe paused, mouth convulsing as he tried to get a word out. And finally, the word he choked out was, \"Dad.\"\n \nThat was the first time - and is probably going to be last time- I get to hear my son ever call me Dad. Because as I write this, he's got the gun aimed to the back of my skull, and realistically, he can shoot whenever he\n\n\n\n\n",
"The clock starts as I stare at the pen and paper in front of me. Countless stories flash through my head.... The day a kid nearly cut their finger off at my workplace, the time a bird flew off during one of my falconry displays, my first kiss, and my best date. Happiness, sadness, remorse and anger; emotions connected to memories I feel I could reach out and touch.\n\n​\n\n*9:30*....*9:29....9:28....*\n\n​\n\nThe memory I choose isn't a happy one, but it's certainly the one which changed me the most. I grab the pen and begin.\n\nIt's about half past eight in the evening. The sun has set on a warm September day, and the ongoing housewarming party is in full swing. My drama school housemates; three technical arts students (and one of their girlfriends) are in the kitchen, messing about with a sound system, smoke machine, and lights. We're all pretty ready for the night to kick up a notch and the drinking to start; the fridge is full of the booze I've bought about a few hours earlier. I'm mixing myself a rum and coke- fuck beer, I'm wanting to go hard tonight. You only move in to your second year house once, right?\n\nOur guests, more friends from drama school, are sat around the kitchen, also laughing and joking, everyone is starting to feel the first effects of the alcohol kicking in.\n\nLucy is having a laugh with Livvie about Ben's Geordie accent.\n\n\"But it's *soooo* much better when you say it like it's a question! Patio deckin'? Come on Ben, even you've got to admit that the way you say it's hilarious.\"\n\nAt this point, Rob walks in and heads straight over to me. He beckons for me to listen, and, with a rare hint of concern, whispers into my ear.\n\n\"Hey...you should check your phone. A few people are asking to you to ring them- it sounds urgent.\"\n\nMy phone's in my bedroom, out of the way and out of mind. I can't be arsed to think about the 1600 word essay about a section of a play I'm yet to read. Before the interruption I was enjoying a chat about Rammstein with David. I acknowledge Rob, and make a quick apology to everyone in the kitchen before heading for the door, leaving my untouched drink on the worktop.\n\nMy mind moves to who is trying to contact me, and why. What's so urgent that I'm needed in the middle of a perfectly good party? On a Friday night, none the less?\n\nI get to my room, unlock the door and enter, shutting the door behind me. I jump across the bed to the chest of drawers I use as my desk, and grab my phone, unplugging the charger and flipping open the case. The screen blinks to life, and four notifications pop up.\n\n​\n\n*Missed calls:*\n\n*Fran: 19:50, 19:45, 19:30*\n\n*Elissa: 18:45, 18:46, 18:55, 19:10*\n\n​\n\n*SMS:*\n\n​\n\n*Sam: Please call as soo...*\n\n*Fran: call me asap please*\n\n*Elissa: please fruddy, please rin...*\n\n​\n\nOdd. There are a couple of facebook notifications about people tagging me, each with the same message:\n\n*Please get in contact with one of us as soon as you can. Please tell Richard to contact us if he doesn't see this.*\n\n​\n\nI'm worried now. This is important, and I dial Sara's phone number.\n\nThe phone rings three times, and then I hear it being picked up to someone's ear. I can hear crying in the background. A single thought goes through my mind: This is bad. Really bad.\n\n\"Hey. it's Fruddy here... What's up guys?\" I ask, trying not to sound nervous, and most likely failing.\n\n\"Fruddy.... it's Keilan.\" It's Elissa on the phone. Her voice is quavering, and I can hear that she's choking back tears to talk to me. \"He's... I've.... He's dead, Fruddy. Keilan's dead.\"\n\nShe stops there. I'm dumbfounded. What the fuck do I say? Then the rational part of my brain decides to kick in.\n\n\"Ok\" I hear myself say, in a nearly empty tone. It's taking everything I have in me to keep calm and to try to think straight. \"Shit. Oh shit. Oh god. Oh Elissa, I'm so sorry. Oh fucking shit.... Hey, are the guys with you? Like, who's there with you guys now?\" I know the answer already. Keilan and I are the only two away from home at university. Seb hasn't gone back to Cardiff yet, and the rest of our little group are closer to home.\n\nElissa breaks back into tears as she informs me everyone is there.\n\n\"Good. I'm glad you're all together. Look, I won't be able to come back tonight, but I'll be home tomorrow. I promise. Ca....can you put me on speaker?\"\n\nI hear the phone rustle again, and then Elissa tells me I'm on.\n\n\"Hey guys...\" My voice is beginning to crack now, my normal deep tone replaced with a weak and wavering one. \"I'm so, so sorry I'm not there right now. don't know what to say. I'm going to come home tomorrow, we should all meet.\"\n\nWe sit in silence for a few minutes, before Elissa says she needs to go. We exchange I love you's, the group all saying a very weak goodbye, before we hang up. I sit, slumped, on my bed, unable to process anything I've just heard. I need to talk to someone.\n\nI head upstairs to find Rob, and as I enter his room I break down into tears of my own, barely able to get words out.\n\nThe rest of the night and the following two weeks are a blur. The funeral was lovely- and I was somehow able to read a speech I'd written a couple of nights before. At the wake, the drink flows freely, and the mood is a bittersweet happiness. Memories are shared, and Sam and I sing a song our band was going to play the next time Keilan and myself returned from uni. I play some games with his youngest sister, and even end up carrying his mum around the village hall on my shoulders. The night ended as it should have, with laughter and fond memories of one of the best people we've ever known.\n\nThe next year was the hardest of my life. Trying to return to drama school, a four month placement in Europe, and living with people who soon got sick of each other. I was very nearly broken.\n\nBut as you can tell, I'm wasn't. I pushed through. It's what people do. We aren't always capable of giving up, there's something that won't let us. Keilan's passing made me so aware of what little time we have, I promised to live life to the fullest. And I have. So; if this is it, if I haven't persuaded you to let me live, then know I'm OK with it. I'm ready. I'm pretty sure that whatever follows this will be a lot less painful than real life, after all...\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nPhew, this turned into a heavy one. I hope you enjoyed this, or at least got something out of it. For a bit of context, this is a real life occurrence from about three years ago. I've changed some names for the sake of privacy, but the events are as accurate as my memory allows. \n\nSo, do you think I get to live, or does the trigger get pulled?\n\n​\n\n​"
] | [
1,
2,
5,
11
] | [
"1548897007",
"1548898889",
"1548901305",
"1548898781"
] | |
[WP] Aliens categorize different races by emotions that are unique to them. To humanity's surprise, our emotion is Melancholy. | 8 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It is impossible to make a grand gesture when closing a spreadsheet. A piece of paper can be torn up, crumpled, or burnt in rage, but a spreadsheet offers nothing save a little X in the top corner. Closing it was not performative enough for my own conscience. Nestled in among the many rows of names on my computer, each one representing the billions of souls that compromised a species, I had seen the black mark that would haunt us forever.\n\n\"This is to be the legacy of humanity?\" I typed, incredulous. \"Our species is nothing but sadness to you?\"\n\nTiny pixels formed letters on my screen, each one typed out by a creature very different from me. It was lying in orbit somewhere very far above my head. I could not tell what emotions were carried in those letters. All I knew of its emotions was that its species had a unique feeling for which there was no word in English. Translated in the spreadsheet it read: \"a feeling in which physical hunger increases compassion.\" I indeed did not understand that feeling, but all the same I wondered if the creature typing with me had eaten recently, and if it understood just how distraught I was so many miles below it. \n\n\"You misunderstand,\" it wrote, \"we are not saying you feel only melancholy, merely that it is unique to you. Perhaps our translation was incorrect, but we tried to add as much nuance as possible. It is not simply sadness, most creatures feel sadness, but they do so for reason. Failure, pain, loss, these are the things that make me feel sad. Humans, however, seem to be the only creatures that feel sadness in the abstract. Thought alone can be enough to make you sad.\"\n\n\"Thought can make us feel happy too!\" I replied, typing frantically to defend the nature of my species. \"Thought can lead to considerations of beauty and life and joy.\"\n\nI awaited the reply anxiously. Looking around the room it seemed so banal for the conversation I was having. For the first time, the nature of humanity was being pondered by an outsider, but it was being done through the medium of a plastic laptop sitting on a small table in a boring conference room. How, I wondered, could I tell those anxiously waiting outside about the alien's answer?\n\nThe letters appeared. \"Your species can certainly generate love and joy and all good things, and these we can understand easily when you tell them to us. However, you are unable to export your melancholy. That is unique to you, and as such it is how we will categorize you. Please do not think that we see you as lesser for it, it is only the first of many gaps in understanding that we will all have to deal with.\"\n\n\"But do you understand why this is upsetting?\" I typed back, feeling exasperated. \"Do you understand how this will hurt all of humanity?\" I placed my head in my hands. I'm not sure how long I stared into my palms, but when i unlocked my fingers more words lay on the screen\n\n\"No, I do not understand. That is precisely the point of your categorization.\"\n\nI slammed the screen of the laptop down. It was right, they would not understand. I was the only person who truly knew what this meant, and until I said something I was carrying humanity's burden alone. I resolved to find a way to spin this, to ease the truth for everyone else. Strangely, the aliens did it for me. Before leaving the room to tell the world, I opened my computer one more time. There were words still on the screen, and they gave me some small comfort.\n\n\"Our session is over, but we will send more information soon. For now I will leave you to your melancholy. Let me know when you feel better, we don't get your melancholy, but we can't wait to see everything else humanity has to offer.\""
] | [
1,
6
] | [
"1548910159",
"1548913529"
] | |
[WP] Tonight, you cheat death... by following the prophecy of your demise to the letter. | 5 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Master, i swear to you, she was Death! She has come for me, i could see it in the way She threatened me! Please, lend me your horse, so that i may flee\" Akim said. He was uncharacteristically pale, and shaking.\n\n\"Nonsense!\", replied the fat merchant, and wiped his greasy fingers on his vest. He looked at his servant and said, \"If Death really means to come for you, you cannot evade Her. But i think instead that you have drunk too much Bougha again. You are imagining things that are not there. I order you to stay, as i will need your help on the market tomorrow morning\".\n\"Take a good nights sleep, and do not drink again\", the merchant added after a while.\n\n\"Yes master, i will do as you command\", replied Akim. He was shaken and fearful, but Master had taken good care of him so far. He went to his quarters, and fell into a restless sleep.\n\nMeanwhile, in Samarra, Death was waiting and wondering why the servant didn't show up."
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1548913479",
"1548942389"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] A young mage possesses tattoos on either arm that channels his emotions and allows him to discharge them in the form of magical spells, his entire life he had fought only using his right arm, which channels the emotions of love, camaraderie, and companionship. | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Deacon151, 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/alnbqb/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1548921859",
"1548922137"
] |
[removed] | [WP] You're a newly recovered necrophiliac, and after a life-long struggle you finally feel in control. The world is your oyster; you feel that this addiction is no longer consuming your life. The next morning you wake up in a zombie apocalypse. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/minecrafter6561, 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- The mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel is harmful to the community. This includes, but is not limited to any forms of hate speech, racism, politics, necrophilia, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, torture, rape, violence against children, and suicide. We will not tolerate it. \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/altg0g/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1548964388",
"1548964648"
] |
[WP] Your phone buzzes; you look down. “The Battle Has Begun. You are in a team with every that shares your first name. May the best name win.” You look up. Everyone around you is slowly looking up from their phones too, glancing around nervously. | 22 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"(Not sure about the etiquette of replying to your own prompt, but I had some ideas and wanted to write them down.)\n\nI was a family man, back before the Announcement. It’s hard to remember what that felt like, but it is a fact that I know about myself, like knowing what elementary school I attended. Doesn’t mean anything anymore.\n\nMy wife had an uncommon name; she’s alone now, I suppose. My children were named after their great-grandparents. With little old man and little old lady names, they are unlikely to find any allies younger then seventy.\n\nI thought about going to their school directly after the Announcement, but I found that I couldn’t bring myself to. My kids weren’t named after me; they were my enemies now. I can distantly remember feeling differently about them once, but that was before. This is now.\n\nFor a fleeting moment, I remembered that my son had a Matthew in his class. I remember turning around involuntarily during a parent-teacher meeting when his parents called for him to stay close to them.\n\nBut the school was a long way away. No, I needed to find allies closer at hand.\n\nI’m not a naturally violent person. I knew what had to be done, but wasn’t ready to do it. Not yet.\n\nBut I’m not some uniquely-named person that needs to go it alone. The Matthews have strength in numbers. Not the most common name, but it’s in the top twenty or thirty, right? I just needed to find a few others.\n\n“You!” someone suddenly shouted at me.\n\n“Matthew,” I responded, surprised by my own answer. I only ever call myself Matt normally. This was my first Challenge. After the Announcement, people would involuntary and unfailingly honestly responded with their name when Challenged.\n\n“You?” I said, nervously.\n\n“Timothy,” he said, simultaneously taking a wide swing at my head.\n\nI ducked and ran.\n\nThe hallway was full of people. First names filled the air; scuffles broke out every at once. I also got double-teamed by a pair of Michaels, but they Challenged someone standing right next to me instead. His name was Rutherford, the poor bastard.\n\nI bolted. As I ran, I heard someone ahead of me answer a Challenge with “Matthew”. I inexpertly slammed into his Challenger at a full run, sending him sprawling to the floor.\n\nI turned to the stranger I had rescued. “Matthew?” I asked.\n\n“Matthew,” he replied. I have never felt as close to anyone as I did to this stranger that shared my name. We went back to back, scanning the hallway in all directions.\n\n“MATTHEW!” I shouted. Two heads in the crowd snapped around.\n\nOther Matthew saw them too. “Let’s go get them,” he said. We went wide around a cluster of mean looking Roberts and linked up with more Matthews.\n\nI was a family man before the Announcement. I am now, too. The Matthews are my family.",
"My philosophy is a simple one that has served me well in my 56 years on Earth: **Don't hesitate, ever**.\n\nSo when I opened my phone and saw the message, I was the first to break the silence that had suddenly overtaken the United Center.\n\nI shoved my fist hard into the air and screamed with all my might, \"*Tims! Rally to me!*\"\n\nThe first couple hours were indescribable, but three days on and the world (or at least the world we're currently aware of) is settling into its new status quo. The United Center was a strange place to be when the Announcement came--any large gathering space would have made its reception awkward. The players and coaches were at a disadvantage since they didn't have their phones on them, but the stadium was full and the Announcement, strange as it was, seemed to ignite near-instantaneous understanding in everyone who read it. How quickly its meaning spurred action was variable, and I pity the ones without kin who hesitated long enough to get caught up in the Banding.\n\nI'm on Team Tim, a good band. We're really a hearty bunch, at least in our little Tim Pocket. There are other Tim Pockets in other cities, but we're well-represented by Tims from around the Chicagoland area. It was remarkable how quickly things devolved into battle. Let me take you back to the United Center on the day it started.\n\nI was so quick to the punch that my voice echoed off the ice rink. I'd say 10 seconds passed before the whole place was chaos incarnate. Luckily there were some Tims nearby. Like me they abandoned their girlfriends or wives and we bounded up the stairs to get the hell out of there. At first it was just punches but we knew what we had to do. We tore apart anyone who got in our way. Most of that first battle was one-on-one battery since names are pretty diverse in big crowds. We got out of there screaming for more Tims the whole way. By the time we made it to the parking lot blood was being drawn at the entrance, but we were 17-strong.\n\nIn the first days basic services were still functioning. The internet was key. Most everyone thought to use it, and Facebook became *the* most important tool in the Banding. We amassed an army of Tims in Oak Park. We took heavy losses, especially among those trying to reach us via Cicero, where the Daves were vicious.\n\nIt's dangerous to move off the established bases. We might be relatively numerous but there are still the wandering bands. The Ulgas, the Kenneths, the Fredericks (actually there's a totally separate band of Freds but we hear they were wiped out by Gregs). Just because there are many of us doesn't mean the non-Banded (you know the ones: Seamus, Fletcher, Cale, Ziggy, Indigo, Madonna) are any less cruel in this Battle.\n\nMost of our encounters are pitched battles with bands of man names. There are almost no children left--we have a few. The women did not fare well in the beginning, when the Announcement reached our phones. I would've been glad for them to all bite the dust--anyone who's not a Tim has to go. But as it turns out the Marias, our \"neighbors\" over in the woods, illustrate a general shift in the Battle stakes. While Tims and Brads, Jeremys and other man bands fought it out in the streets with blunt objects, most woman bands had the foresight to raid the gun stores early. We'll have to make some moves in the next few days before too much of the city's armament is consolidated. And since we're vastly outnumbered, we think, by the Marias, we're thinking about heading back east.\n\nHowever, that's a risky play, and here's why.\n\nOur scout Tims return at regular intervals with news of the band movements. We lose plenty of scouts, but they're robust fellows on whom we depend. The news has been extremely variable since the Announcement but now we see a worrying trend in one area in particular.\n\nIt seems there is a Band forming in the downtown area. We thought it had been abandoned but the reports are undeniable. They're not just from the Chicago area, they're coming in *nationally*. We have Daves in the south, Marias to the west, and now we're learning we can't go east or north because of this influx. Of all the places in all the world, they picked my town to rally. I faintly remember my brother being one of them.\n\nThe fucking *Michaels*.\n\n​\n\n​\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n/r/velabasstuff"
] | [
1,
3,
15
] | [
"1548994133",
"1549037359",
"1548998021"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] At your first high school party, you’re about to go into the closet to play your first ever round of 7 minutes in heaven. As a teenage boy, you’re obviously excited. That is, until satan reveals himself, loading his gun. “Come on, kid, we’ve got 7 minutes to find god”. | 6 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Seven minutes of heaven was even more erotic when you were a teenage boy still getting off to hand jobs in the undisputed Golden Age of porn. Actual human touch from another human being was rare. For a long time he had a crush on this girl. It was a really precious thing – young and innocent – love for another girl with no future, prospects, ambition, worries, consequences. Helen was from Australia. She had curly frizzy brown hair and braces. Eye shadow painted peacock blue. Kevin closed the wood-grain closet door with Helen face to face and pulled the naked light-bulb on by its brass metal chain.\n\nWhen he did the darkness he shut in evaporated – in the snap as the sound of the metal *dingling* against the bulb – Kevin shrieked. It was the devil himself, dark red, Satan in the flesh, horned, muscular and naked. Helen’s skin was bloody and crumpled in peels on his body like wrapping paper. The Devil’s penis swayed near the floor like a third leg. “Don’t be afraid – Dammit, c’mon! C’mon! Shhhh!” Kevin pulled back – pushing coats and dresses along the railing on their hangers. “What the fuck?” he said, his senses racing with adrenaline. \n\n“Listen, kid – we got a problem. I know I’m the freaking Devil but c’mon let focus on what is a rrrrrreeaally big problem right now.” The Devil reached back – shoved his hand up his asshole and squinted at the light, muscles flexing as he pulled his hand out with a black glock in it now. He cocked it. “We’ve got 7 minutes to find God or literally the whole universe is going to disappear and cease to exist.”\n\nKevin reeled back even farther. “Where the fuck is Helen bro! Where the fuck is Helen!”\n\nThe Devil looked at Kevin disturbed. He had a flash of intuition. “The universe is going to end and this kid wants to know where his girlfriend is. Jesus.” The Devil peeled a slice of the Helen skin, dripping red, from his hip and threw it. “Helen was never real Kevin. It’s been me the whole time for the last 14 years. I have the power of duplicity. It means I can multiply myself in different forms.”\n\nKeven could not believe it. But before he could do anything Satan reached up and pulled the brass metal chain again. The light-bulb did not turn on – no, the whole closet disappeared -- and suddenly – Kevin knew, not instinctively in his body, but deep down in the bowels of who he was – the I – knew he was in God’s world now. It was a trembling world, of beautiful sound and fury. “WHAT THE FUCK” Kevin said. But before he could protest further he felt the same light and splendor around him fill his own entire being. Like he was the angel of love and compassion. Through eyes brimming with light he saw the Devil. But even he was transformed into an ageless young man with tanned olive skin, blonde hair and blue eyes, lips almost translucent. “We have to find God,” he said. \n\nKevin was silent. His arms were stretched wide open and he was filled with light. “We are God,” he said.",
"Hi, 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 *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\nGiven the original premise of \"seven minutes in heaven\" there's no way people aren't going to turn this into a porno.\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed Post) 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.*"
] | [
1,
1,
1
] | [
"1548996545",
"1548998410",
"1548998889"
] |
[WP] It's WW2. A German navy officer looks out over the waves as his ship's crew prepare for their first invasion of the nordic countries. But as the officer looks into the distance, his ship is covered in fog, and he can dimly see the outline of a horde of viking war ships sailing to do battle | 9 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Auf Gefechtsstation!\"\n\nThe order was shrieked out over the loud speakers ship-wide and the crew shuddered into action. The fog was thick, but not thick enough to completely mask the oncoming horde. There must have been 50 of them, dim silhouettes against the twilit bank of engulfing vapor. I was surely not the only gunner who felt dread at the sight.\n\nWe heard their voices then, like drums of doom forming a battle cry that grew in intensity as they drew nearer. We prepared our guns. Defense protocols came online and we opened fire.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nAfter the battle none of our crew was hurt. Only a few of the old wooden ships made it to our hull, and by that time we could see that our deck was far too high for them to board. They must have realized this as they were being torn apart by modern small arms fire.\n\nWe represent the Reich. We persecute everyone, and murder invalids, communists, Roma, Jews, and other subhumans on a massive scale. We are the scariest entity on the planet. Fear tactics don't work on us, *Norway*.\n\nNothing can stop us. We have the grandest army in the world, and our engineering outmatches the next best by a factor of 10. Pff. They think they can sink our pride and joy. They are mistaken.\n\nThey will *never* sink the Bismark.\n\n​\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nSubscribe: /r/velabasstuff"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1548998794",
"1549001084"
] | |
[WP] In the mornings you typically have a Jolly Rancher to get some sugar in your system. This morning it looked and tasted like one but was something else. | 0 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Jim, ahh fuck Jim please man. Did you eat the candy in my room?\"\n\n\"Chill, i didn't think you would notice i can buy you some more jolly ranchers after work.\"\n\n\"You didn't eat the whole thing did you.\"\n\n\"Nah man i spit it out after that first delicious taste. You eat the whole thing?\"\n\n\"Thank fucking god, where is it?\"\n\n\"I was fucking with you man of course i ate the whole thing. why are you being so goddam weird?\"\n\n\"I was making some LSD candies and i accidentally spilled a lot more than one dose on that candy. I was trying to think of way to dilute it and reconstitute it into multiple candies. Why the fuck were you in my room, i was gone for less than 5 minutes.\"\n\n\"Jordan, jordan jordan, please this isn't funny you are joking right? I have to go to work in an hour.\"\n\n\"Your problem is bigger than work man. You are about to fall down the rabbit hole.\" I was trying to hold on to that memory as it glossed in out of my mind in tune with my skin. Everything was pulsating why the fuck is everything pulsating. \n\n\"Jordan. Where the fuck are you?\" \n\n\"I am here man just keep lying down i'll keep you safe.\" but i wasn't lying down, i was standing on a trampoline in the front yard, a front yard? Fuck why is it so hard to remember. Okay lets start again, I ate the fucking laced candy and what happened, I was yelling at Jordan, and his fucking cat kept meowing at us. So fucking loud i couldn't hear my own thoughts. So i picked it up to calm it and turned the sink on and held it's fucking face under the water. It's claws splatter painting the porcelain with my blood. It's gurgling meows fading in and out. Wait.\n\n\"Jordan why did i drown your cat?\"\n\n\"Fuck you are worse than i thought, you didn't drown my cat man, you dumped your glass of water on her.\"\n\n\"that's right because water is life i remember now. You gotta get me some water man i am burning up out here.\"\n\n\"Out here? dude you are still in my bedroom?\"\n\n\"Then why does it look like a front yard? and feel like a trampoline?\" i can smell the dirty rubber. I sat down, it was definitely bouncing like a trampoline. what is a trampoline even made of? the wet woven wet polypropylene fabric slapping my cold feet. I can smell the rain my nose.\n\n\"Jim you are in my room laying on the bed.\" i was so fucking mad at this voice. Why was it lying to me! how stupid do you think i am ? not knowing where i am that doesn't even makes sense how can one not know where they are?\n\n\"Jim i am not lying to you! just calm down you have to trust me.\" Fuck he could read my mind now. what the fuck is going on how does he know my name. I have to get away from this place. Where do i live come on i have to know this... White house, metal door. the side walk cracking beneath my feet. I was hoping i could just get there before the cement swallowed me whole. \"Jim stop. Dude i can't help you when you are like this.\" I could hear the voice calling after me, deceit thy name is the devil. Fuck if i had just lived a better life, Followed god maybe i wouldn't be running from demons in a world trying to swallow me. I always fucking run, just like my father. I need to fight back\n\"Jim that doesn't make sense man. You are tripping on acid man, none of that is real.\" \n\n\"What i am tripping on is how you seem to follow me everywhere, yet i can't fucking see you.Show your fucking self so i can make my stand.\n\"I am right here.\" \n\"I wish i could wrap my fists around here.\"\n\"you aren't making any sense man. Just wait the acid to wear off.\"\n\"no\" silent, alone on a trampoline...\n\nOkay i need to regroup here. I can't see Jordan, because he is not here. \"yes that is right\" okay it is just a memory that i am confusing with the present. \"Yes.\" Okay so where am i? \"it is important you come to that conclusion on your own.\" Fucking prophet tongues, speaking divine mysteries to the proletariat so they appear as though they know something the rest of us don't\" \n\n\"Jim have some water, you keep spilling it and we don't want to have to give you an IV again, you panicked because of the needle last time.\" \n\n\"If that is true why can't i remember that?\"\n\n\"The cat claws. It reminded you of cat claws.\" shit this was worse than i thought. Jordan where the fuck is Jordan's voice?\n\n\"Jordan isn't here, he passed away don't you remember?\"\n\n\"No\"\n\n\"I think you remember Jim. I need you to remember.\"\n\n\"The water?\"\n\n\"Yes the water. what happened in the sink?\"\n\n\"I drowned him.\"\n\n\"Yes Jim, you drown him.\"\n\n\"This morning?\"\n\n\"15 years ago.\"\n\n\"I was so fucking mad. I was so confused.\"\n\n\"I think that is enough for today Jim. Keep making progress and we can give you a better room. I know it's hard but you have come so far keep working at it buddy.\" The white coat turned and left. The padded, woven polypropylene fabric lining the floors and walls. spilt water on the floor. I remember where i am now. "
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549051196",
"1549055740"
] | |
[WP] Scientists have just completed their work on a machine that speeds up evolution. Human trials begin today. | 7 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I remember reading on the BBC website that it was called the CRISPR machine. Still no idea what CRISPR stands for, just that when I read the name I had this mental image of one of those old vending machines filled with packets of crisps – or chips, whatever you like to call them. How they always just had salt and vinegar left, because all the good flavors, like roast chicken or barbecue beef, got eaten first. And how, despite the machine working fine for everyone else, my packet of crisps would somehow always get stuck against the side, and no amount of banging on the glass would shift it. No amount of sticking my hand into the collecting tray, painfully bending my wrist at right angles as I wiggled my fingers like an angry sea anemone, would help me reach that darn packet.\n\n​\n\nI should have known really. When it comes to crisp machines, and CRISPR machines, I’m jinxed. \n\n​\n\nSo there I was sitting in the waiting room with the other “selected candidates,” making small talk to the girl next to me. I could tell she wasn’t really listening by the way she smiled, vaguely, when I smiled, and continually fidgeted with her fingers like she was nervous and distracted. Until I made the joke about the CRISPR machine, that is, at which point she turned towards me, eyebrows knotting into a frown and her mouth all pinched and scornful.\n\n“Did you just say you don’t even know what CRISPR stands for?” she says, with an air of incredulity. “How on earth did you get selected?”\n\n“I just replied to the ad.” I say, shrugging my shoulders. “Filled in that online form.”\n\n“But they just want scientists.” She says, seeming now almost offended. “What about the section on experience in the field of genomics? Or transcriptomics, metabolomics?”\n\n“Um, I wrote that I liked reading comics,” I say, pronouncing it co-mix. \n\nShe gives me a withering look and shakes her head. “Do you even have a PhD?”\n\n“I have a doctorate from the university of life,” I say proudly, puffing out my chest. \n\n“But you are aware what this is going to do to you?” she says.\n\n “Accelerate beneficial changes in my DNA,” I say, remembering the line from the ad. “And more importantly, it’s going to pay off my student loan. Twenty thousand dollars if you make it through to the trial.”\n"
] | [
1,
5
] | [
"1549072339",
"1549094060"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] Unexpected consequences of noise pollution on crops causes famine. Backed up with real science in link. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Superherojohn, 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- Too Detailed: Your post includes too many details to be considered a prompt. It has become a story commission, which is not allowed. Prompts are meant to inspire users to write their own work, not write something for you. \n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/amfjz9/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549124568",
"1549124633"
] |
[WP] You can teleport. Instead of using your powers for good or evil, you start a delivery business with a quick delivery guarantee. Amazon starts getting suspicious. | 6,365 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Honestly we expected this, we did not call ourselves T&T inc for nothing. \nGranted one service we offered was practically useless for now, but give it 20-100 years and that service will be booming.\nWe had built up a sizable presence, and a few select customers. \nThey brought in a trailer where items were packed, and left it. I do like how the shipping business has there standard containers.\nI went into the office and saw todays T&R and thanked my TWIC for having everything in order. They told me that I had a meeting after shipping was done for today.\n\n\nI sat down and looked it over, 20 today, 5 to the Brazil office that just opened, 3 to the office in japan, 11 to the california office, and one special one to the Antarctica pad. All orders marked inspected and approved no contraband and all regulation for shipping was checked and filed.\n\nI called over to my TWIC, lets do the Antarctic one first, give the guys a ring and make sure the pads clear. \n\nI relaxed and looked around, for a Saturday this was a light load, weekdays there are usually 6-8 in here to do what i can do, all working together.\n\nI pulled up the systems, and looked over the details for the work ahead, and grabbed the helmet making sure everything lined up just right, having to move a bit of hair to get the sensor on... i am going to have to get another haircut soon.\n\nThe board lit up green and I relaxed and felt for the hum in the key of C, i hope that Peter kid gets better at his music lessons, he is about as strong as me.\n\nFeeling the hum and now i feel powerful, checking the settings and reached out with my mind... *POP* and the container was gone, quickly I felt the others and 19 more *POPS* later the queue was empty.\n\nA knock on the door, my TWIC told me the man was here for todays meeting, and i motioned him in.\n\nAfter getting him a drink and sitting down, pleasantries were exchanged, “Well Mr, Bezos i see you have come down to learn how we at T&T do business, we plan to be Federated very soon. \nBut I feel we can talk negotiations for you to sell a sizable stake to us in exchange for us helping improve your shipping.”\nEdit: cleared up a point",
"Not used to responding to Reddit WP. Wrote this up for fun.\n\n~\n\nBlang clang bang.\n\r\nJamie teleported into the drum set again. “Still trying to stick that landing?” Clarissa picked at her chinese take out with a pair of chopsticks. She sat at a nearby desk.\n\r\nJamie stood up, trying to fix his disheveled position. “One of those creeps were following me again today.”\n\r\n“The ones from ‘Amazon' right?” Clarissa tossed a piece of tofu into her mouth. “That's how you become a conspiracy nut.”\n\r\n“They wore shirts with the logo on it.”\n\r\n“They're out making deliveries.”\n\r\n“They were going around the apartment ‘looking for the front door'. What if it was surveillance?”\n\r\n“And if it was? All deliveries take place from within our apartment. We're like the new Google, and we could sell.”\n\r\nJamie looked at Clarissa. “But you wouldn't sell, right?” Jamie stepped forward. He took notice of the stack of papers on the desk. As he reached for a document, Clarissa stepped forward.\n\r\n“It's just business, Jamie.”\n\r\nJamie scoffed. “I still have to sign before it's official. I do all the work after all.”\n\r\n“Sign, and we'll never have to want for a thing. Besides, it takes you seconds.”\n\r\n“How do we even explain this?” Jamie looked at Clarissa.\n\r\nShe handed him a document, a contract to agree to. “Eventually, we would have to explain how you make deliveries so quickly. Think of it as investor funding. “\n\r\nJamie skimmed through the sheet of paper. It all spoke of chains he was too familiar with. Jamie disappeared, the sheet of paper falling in his absence.\r\n",
"Jeff, the CEO of Amazon peers into the large glass office wall of the logistics manager. He's frantically writing on the whiteboard with his lead engineers sitting in confusion and slight panic. \n\n\"How could a dude who works out of a small garage possibly get a package scanned, checked, shipped and delivered that quickly? None of this makes sense. It's literally impossible. Rob, triple check the math of the logistics software to make sure we're not missing something huge.\"\n\n\"Will do boss. Although we've checked it twice already.\"\n\n Jeff calls Tim, the head logistics engineer into his room. \n\n\"Listen Tim, something's not right here. This startup is crushing our delivery times. As you know, I hired you to be the best in the business.\"\n\n\"I've been up all night, Jeff. We've already double checked the math and it just isn't possible. I mean, the only way is he they are literally teleporting to the destination.\"\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​",
"Did you know that Amazon has ninjas? \n\nI just did, and now there's a couple dozen ninja stars stuck on my door.\n\nHi, I'm Damian and I've been able to teleport for the past 5 months but still haven't figured out why. Anyways, I've decided to start my own delivery company. Originally it was to make a quick buck around town. Now it's nationwide.\nMy company's employees consist of me, with the motto being \"One Day(mian) shipping\".\n \nOpen Monday - Friday (except on holidays), 9 AM to 9 PM.\n\nThis past month I've been getting emails from the CEO of Amazon telling me to step down and keep my business to my state. \nPutting it lightly, of course.\n\nSo currently I'm running and poofing away from ninjas while wishing that I listened to those emails.\n\nMight have to close shop for a couple of weeks.",
"\"Alright, Jimeson, you got two regular orders this morning. One from 22nd and Main, one from the University campus security, both with an urgent slapped on it. I suggest you-\"\n\nI cut off my partner mid-sentence as I disappeared out of the office. It wasn't the most pleasant thing to do, but when I get bothered with deliveries the first thing in the morning, I have to do it.\n\nI was standing behind the burger joint on 22nd and Main. I came around, nobody suspected a thing, and rang the doorbell of the apartment building.\n\n\"Yes?\"\n\n\"Good morning, this is Petre Jimeson, from PJ's Express delivery service. We got a call that you have a parcel for us.\"\n\nThe door buzzed and I was let through. The lady at the reception gestured towards me and pulled a small box from under her desk.\n\n\"This is for my son. He lives down by the old sugar factory, 19 Perkinson Road. It's very important this gets to him as quickly as possible.\"\n\nShe squeezed a twenty in my hand. Having a flat rate definitely helped the customers with paying.\n\n\"Of course m'am, the parcel will be with your son in a giffy.\"\n\nShe thanked me and turned away. I took the chance in the empty lobby and disappeared out. A split second later I was around the corner of the University parking house. It was one of my favourite spots to appear to, since it posed exactly no risk. If anyone saw me appearing here, anyone would attribute it to a side effect of drugs. I never understood kids.\n\nI took a walk along the side of the parking house, down to the main entrance and the security shack.I knocked on the window.\n\n\"Morning, I'm Petre Jimeson, from PJ's Express delivery service. We got a call that you have a parcel for us.\"\n\nThe security guard looked up from his breakfast.\n\n\"That was quick. Sure, let me get it. Can you come to the back door?\"\n\nI stepped around the shack and the back door was unlocked from the inside. The security guard greeted me with a firm handshake and a small envelope in the other hand. As I took it, the bracelet on my wrist blinked red.\n\n\"Sir, are there electronics in this envelope?\"\n\n\"The envelope came straight from the headmaster. he told me to dispatch it as soon as possible, but I have no idea what's in it.\"\n\nI sighed.\n\n\"According to company policy, we are not obligated to accept parcels with liquids, explosives or electronics, I'm sure you're aware of it.\"\n\n\"I'm just the courier, man\", the guard said as he pulled a fifty from his pocket. That made me reconsider. \"The headmaster said it was urgent, it's meant to go to Goldberg Elementary. He says they'll be expecting it.\"\n\nI had to think about it. It was against company policy and we could risk exposure transporting working electronics, but the fifty sure looked nice.\n\n\"Of course, we'll take care of it as soon as possible.\"\n\nThe moment I rounded the corner and saw nobody, I teleported to the office. My partner, Mart, was sipping his coffee and didn't seem startled when I appeared in front of his desk. He took another sip.\n\n\"You left in a hurry today.\"\n\n\"Yeah, I didn't sleep too well. Plus it was really nice of you to surprise me like this in the morning, with two urgent deliveries.\"\n\n\"Pft, it's not like it takes you time to do them. What are they this time?\"\n\n\"Two small parcels, 70 bucks for them in total. Can you get me the address of Goldberg Elementary?\"\n\n\"One Goldberg Elementary, coming up.\" He frowned at the computer. \"17 Perkinson Road, but it says here it's closed today.\"\n\n\"It's a Tuesday, schools don't just close on Tuesdays.\"\n\nMart shook his head. \"I don't know, man. This smells fishy. Plus, how did you get 70 for two parcels?\"\n\n\"The one heading for Goldberg Elementary, the dude gave me fifty. He said they'll be expecting it.\"\n\n\"Fifty? Did you test it? That sort of cash usually comes with risky shit.\"\n\n\"Yeah, the watch tested positive for electronics. I suspect it's an access card or something.\"\n\n\"A fifty to violate company policy? Sure, it's a fifty, but we can't just go around breaking rules like this.\"\n\n\"We set up the rules, dude. We are the company.\"\n\n\"We set them up for a good reason. What if there's something in there that can break by teleporting. I thought you learned your lesson by delivering that phone that couldn't stop ringing.\"\n\nIt was true that teleporting sometimes did weird things to powered things, but it was extremely rare.\n\n\"The rule is just a precaution. I'm sure we will be fine. If not, well, we're out of a fifty.\"\n\nThe phone on Mart's desk rang.\n\n\"Be back in five, this might be another customer.\"\n\n\"Aye, sure will.\"\n\nI turned around to the map of the city. It was pretty practical both addresses were on the same street, not far from one of our marked safe spots for teleportation. I picked up a muffin from the box on the desk and disappeared.\n\nI was greeted by an unusual feeling. The spot was at the old sugar factory that has been closed off for years, and there was usually kids playing here. It made sense, since apparently there was an elementary school nearby. Yet, today, it was silent.\n\nThere was nobody on the driveway, nobody on the lawn, and nobody on the streets. All the houses, up and down, were silent. I could see the school, just at the bend on the left, and the other address was supposed to be right next to it.\n\nAs I walked down the street and towards the school, the eerie feeling just grew. Not only was there no people outside, there was no traffic, nor was there seemingly anyone in the houses. Not a single sign of people nearby. I neared the fence of the school and tried to open the door. It was locked.\n\nMaybe the school was closed, but I wasn't going to let that deter me from my rightful fifty. Company policy also dictated we can leave parcels in safe places. I teleported on the other side of the fence and left the envelope on the window shelf, right next to the main entrance. Sure the security will find it next morning.\n\nI heard a car rounding the corner. Wrong moment. I couldn't be seen trespassing, plus there was no way to explain how I got in there in the first place. I couldn't be seen disappearing either, since all paranormal activity was illegal ever since the Half-Bear-Man vandalized the police department's car park by walking all over them. I hoped the car would just pass, thinking nothing of me.\n\nInstead of that, the car stopped. Out came a black man, dressed in all black and looked straight at me. \"Jimeson, Petre?\"\n\nI had to compose myself. This was already strange. \"Who's asking?\"\n\n\"We'd like a word with you, mister Jimeson.\" He uncovered his jacket just enough to reveal a gun at his belt.\"\n\nThat was definitely a bad sign. I checked my periphery, then bolted into the bushes.\n\n\"Mister Jimeson!\"\n\nWhat I was doing was illegal, but I was pretty sure hunting me down with a gun was also illegal. I disappeared.\n\nInstead seeing Mart at the office, there was nobody. I looked around and there was indeed somebody, a balding man turned away, staring absently out the window. He spoke with a soft voice.\n\n\"I have an offer for you. I can't have you go around threatening us like that on your own. You're running a peculiar business model, based around not being caught. I admire your bravery, but you were surely going to draw suspicion eventually.\"\n\nI was unsure who I was talking to, but the man must have been important. He continued looking out the window with his arms crossed. Even from behind, it was obvious he was packing heat.\n\n\"Excuse me, but who are you?\"\n\nThe man chuckled.\n\n\"There is no way you don't know me.\"\n\nHe turned around.\n\n\"Good morning, Mister Jimeson.\"\n\nIt took me a second to comprehend what was going on.\n\n\"Good morning, Mister Bezos.\"\n",
"The interesting thing about teleporting is the sensation which rattles through the body. I first discovered my incredible ability while on the verge of falling asleep. I had been traveling several hours from home and had stopped for the night at a motel I often occupied when heading toward Moyock. \n\nI worked as a salesman at a struggling electronics company. I was lying in the lumpy bed of the motel finding it incredibly difficult to get comfortable. Twisting and turning for hours I had all but given up. After a couple hours adjusting my position I finally felt my eyelids getting heavier. I began thinking of my own bed, which was one of the only items I owned that I truly cared for as funny as it sounds.\n\nWhat I felt before my first teleportation experience was the sensation of falling and falling until I landed on a large rubberband and being snapped back to where I had fallen from. Only when I woke up in spontaneous panic, I was home, lying on my soft mattress in the same spot I had been in the morning prior.\n\nI was at first concerned to put it simply. Had the entire day been a figment of my imagination? Had the conversations I had and the meals I ate and the things that I saw all been some type of hallucination? I worked back through the events of the day, and called my girlfriend whom I had lunch with.\n\nI dialed her phone and she picked up after the second ring.\n\n\"Hello?\" She sounded tired and confused.\n\n\"Hello.\" I responded casually. Hey do you remember what I had for lunch today?\" I waited for a response as she yawned heavily over the phone.\n\n\"Its late baby. Like two o'clock in the morning late.\"\n\n\"Yeah I know I just need you to tell me.\"\n\n\"Okay?\" She paused for a few seconds and I could hear her bedding shift as she moved to her side. \"A tuna sub with barbecue chips right?\"\n\n\"Uh-huh. What was I wearing?\"\n\n\"Baby. I'm tired.\"\n\n\"Please, just-.\" I carefully think of how to explain this as to not sound like a lunatic.\n\n\"Just please darling.\"\n\n\"I think it was a red tshirt, khaki pants, and your brown shoes. The shirt has a small hole below the neck seam.\"\n\nI continue asking her several other questions until she is fed up and insist on hanging up, which I agree with after I'm satisfied. I recall all of the events leading up to the past hour and think of the bed in the motel. I concentrate and the rubberband sensation returns. I snap and open my eyes. I'm back in the motel.\n\nAfter several months of dabbling with this new found gift, I've been placed with quite the dilemma. What do I do with it? The plethora of possibilities are endless. As I grow more confident with this ability, I realize and I can go anywhere I can think of, even if I'm not familiar with the area. I just need the base visualization and I'm there.\n\nAfter a few more months of contemplation I decide to venture out by myself to employ my very own delivery business. I become a self made man after 6 months. I base my company in my apartment. I buy items off of Amazon, and once I receive them I've already got a buyer standing by for pick up of said item. I guarentee to have any item for any person within 1 hours, in working condition, no strings attached. The catch is I'm a bit pricier then amazon to make a profit, but it's all based off of the product and where I'm going and such.\n\nFinally, one day I subpoenaed by a legal team representing Amazon. In I'm told they are filing a class action lawsuit for fraud as they believe I am breaking there terms and service and the like. With the financed I've acquired, I purchase my own legal team and explain to them the situation\n\nWe go to court and flow through the motions. The prosecutor is confident that I will lose. Asking questions of my background and what I do for employment now. I tell that I'm an entrepreneur and started my own delivery company, they ask how I'm able to ship my goods to the buyers in far away states in such a short amount of time. As idiotic as this may sound, this was a question I had not anticipated. So I told them the truth. The court room remained silent minus a few chuckles here and there.\n\n\"So your telling me you can teleport?\" The prosecutor cross examining asks. The thought obviously unbelievable. \"Sir I'm sure your aware the courtroom is a room for serious discussion, not ridiculous claims.\"\n\n\"I understand sir. I'm telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.\"\n\nHe looks to the judge. \"Okay.\" He paces the stand for a few seconds. \"Prove it.\"\n\n\"I'd be charged with fleeing the courtroom or something wouldn't i?\" This draws an uproar from those in attendance. It sounded like a comedy club rather then a center for litigation.\n\nThe judge looks to me. \"I'll allow it.\" This again cause the bystanders to chuckle loudly.\n\n\"If I leave, I'm not coming back.\"\n\n\"Fine.\"\n\nI think of the safest, most secure place I can. I think of the rubberband and relax and disappear. I don't look back.",
"I was just chilling on the couch, watching TV, when I heard the doorbell ring.\n\nIt was an Amazon package. I chuckled. How ironic; my enemies delivering gifts right to my doorstep. Well, it’s not like I minded. I picked up the box and teleported to my kitchen to open it. \n\nThere was something strange about the box. Even though it was pretty big, it weighed only a couple pounds. And now that I thought of it, I hadn’t really bought anything from Amazon lately. \n\nNow I hesitated before cutting it open. Was this some kind of trick? Were they catching on?\n\nI weighed the options. I could choose to be safe and leave it there, or... well. I liked stuff. Everyone does. What if it was nice stuff?\n\nI wielded the box opener and brought it down on the cardboard surface.\n\nRip. Rrrrip. Every moment was painful. Finally, one side of the cardboard rose and I was done. \n\nMy heart beat fast. My hands sweated. Every single horror movie stereotype was in action. Suddenly, my impulse decision didn’t seem so wise. What if I would find something dangerous?\n\nI pushed back the cardboard and blinked at emptiness.\n\nThere was nothing there. Just a box.\n\nI sank down onto the floor. What was this? What did it mean? Could there be a hidden message? \n\nA message. Some kind of warning. I looked back at the box and noticed something: the word “think” was written in red marker outside the box.\n\nNow I was sure that this was a message. Maybe even a pun. Red box? Red think box? No, that didn’t make any sense. It was a pun, right? So the words had to be changed to make sense in the context.\n\nRead outside the box? That would describe the word. But it had to do with the word “think”. So maybe-\n\nI am such an idiot.\n\nThink outside the box.\n\nNow I searched frantically in every direction. Outside the box? Where outside the box? To the right? To the left? I picked the thing up and looked under it.\n\nAs I slowly lifted my eyes to the ceiling, I thought of my own pun: things can only go up from here.\n\nWritten on my ceiling in a painted approximation of blood, it said: WE ARE THE AMAZON. DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT IS? WARRIORS. AND IN THIS WAR, WE WILL BRING YOU DOWN. THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING.\n\nI didn’t know what I felt about this. Part of me felt it was unfair because they hadn’t even given me a first warning, part of me was impressed at how badass Amazon was, part of me wondered how my ceiling could be so big to fit all that, and part of me was determined. \n\nAmazon thought they had scared me. I ripped up the box and threw the scraps in my recycling bin.\n\nBut all they’d really done was given me a heck of a cleaning job on my ceiling.\n",
"I sighed. This had gotten out of hand fast. What started as a simple offering for deliveries for my family to make some easy money had ended up with me forming a global delivery empire. Honestly, I thought it would make my life easier; a delivery service that shows up fast in a generic uniform is a lot less conspicuous than a school aged kid making deliveries at odd hours of the day.\n\nIn hind sight, I probably shouldn't have gone global with it. I shouldn't be surprised; as with so many things in my life, this was bound to end in disaster.\n\nThe waiting room in front of Jeff Bezos' office was reasonably well furnished. It was as frugal as you might expect: fancy enough to unmistakably be the CEO's, but down-played enough to not look opulent. Deep down I know he'd prefer to go all out since he became the richest man in the world, but he was committed to keeping the leadership principles alive.\n\nThat I can respect. Reminds me of someone I know.\n\nBut really, this was all a formality on my part. If I wanted to, I could teleport instantaneously inside and wreck havoc. I had to see a place before I could use my power, but the wonders of internet searches were on my side. I even found a picture of the safe room hidden behind his \"door desk\". They would regret the day they crossed my path, and they would suddenly find teleportation was the least of their worries.\n\nBut that's not my style. I was being polite. More importantly, I had a reason I was here.\n\nI could tell the receptionist was preoccupied with my hair. She was doing her best to look busy, but she was actually surfing their own site, looking for which products I had used to get the look. Despite my best efforts, I always stood out, even when I kept my powers hidden. Another side-effect of my \"gifts\".\n\nThe doors to his main office opened, and two of his body guards stepped out on either side.\n\n\"Mr. 'K', Mr. Bezos is ready to see you now.\"\n\nI adjusted my glasses and stood up. Here we go.\n\nI walked in, trying my best not to smile. He projected calm, but in reality he wasn't the least bit comfortable with me. This was a business, he had an empire to protect, and some kid from Tokyo wasn't about to destroy his vision for the future.\n\nThe doors closed behind me. The guards were even staying outside, though they were armed pretty heavily. This was a power move; he wanted to show me he didn't fear me, and he was in control.\n\nI tried not to sigh. I could read him like an open book.\n\n\"Mr. 'K', thank you for coming. I understand you've been quite busy with growing your empire from your humble home this last summer. You know, I started in a garage not that far from here; in a way, we have a lot in common.\"\n\nNot nearly as much as you think. I nodded anyway.\n\n\"However, 100 yen is pretty low for a global delivery service that can beat my hourly offering. I tried it myself a few times; you kept your delivery promises every time. I've had our best analysis teams sift through the logistics of your operation. To be frank, we were eager to mimic your success. Surely, there was a new technology, a new method, perhaps even an evolution of the self-employed courier services we rolled out ourselves to keep up. I even thought you might have perfected drone delivery.\"\n\nThat would be the fact that our 'service vehicles' are just there for props. Teleportation works best when it can't be seen freaking people out. Plus, I've always tried to keep a low profile. What a pain.\n\n\"But none of it adds up. Energy costs alone should have put you out of business in the first week. Your delivery infrastructure is non-existent. Your website form just seems to send an email somewhere.\"\n\nHey, I like to keep it frugal too. That goes to my private email address I keep tabs on with my phone.\n\nHe got up from his desk and casually walked around to face me. He was getting more confident.\n\n\"We've done everything we can to test the boundaries of your service. There is one thing that kept bothering me: no matter how many orders we made, there was always no more than one courier making a delivery at any time. And thanks to our intelligence efforts, we got a real good look at them.\"\n\nHe isn't the self-made CEO of an empire for nothing. He was smart. I stared intently at him, awaiting his next move. I already knew what it would be.\n\n\"So, Mr. 'K', mind telling me how you managed to travel approximately 100 consecutive miles to make 25 deliveries in a single hour, with no signs of your vehicle between locations?\"\n\nI did my best to look shocked. But this was just a prelude. The hired mercenaries were already heading up the stairwell, and they had teams at every possible location in the city. I had never delivered here, and I relied heavily on the Google street view system for locations. They did their homework. He felt smug.\n\n\"I've built my company as a data-driven empire. According to the numbers, you can only teleport a few miles at a time, and it takes you about two and a half minutes to 'recharge' whatever it is you do. I'm the only person who knows about you, but one call to my newspaper and I can change that overnight.\"\n\nHe was telling the truth. Perfect. And he even thought of his password to the Amazon administrative network.\n\n\"Mr. 'K', I know when I'm beat. I can't compete with a teleporting competitor. Even with your limitations, it's bad for my business. And I simply want to learn from you. Or, at the very least, learn how your body does it.\"\n\nI shook my head. The team was almost in place outside. They awaited his command.\n\n\"Too bad. Look, I've got all your exits covered. I know your limitations. 'Gifted' or not, a bullet or two is guaranteed to bring you around. Or, at the very least, remove you from the equation.\"\n\nAll of his fear was gone. Fine by me. I guess it was time to show my hand. Teleportation wasn't my only trick, and I was on to his crack 'recon team' from day one. I didn't go global without thinking this through, and I've been limiting my powers from day one. Never can be too careful with abilities like mine.\n\nA device which looked remarkably like a banana appeared in my right hand. His eyes went wide.\n\n\"What the...\"\n\nA solid hit to the back of his head took him by surprise, erasing his memories of me and his conclusion along with it. He was unconscious before he hit the floor. Something would take their place, but it wouldn't be my secret. I could tell the team was getting concerned. I'd have to think fast.\n\nTeleporting along with his limp body into his not-so-safe room behind his desk, I swiftly went to work with his login credentials. Computers were not one of my specialties, but I was adept enough to figure out his office surveillance system and the global tracking network. Erase all video of my conversation, done. A quick check of his personal 'omni-view' of the package network, and...there it was. The last known position of my package. Every power at my disposal couldn't find it after it was lost in transit, and now I had went as far as allowing a very powerful man nearly figure out who I was.\n\nWhat a pain. But it would be worth it.\n\nI didn't have to be clairvoyant to hear the team in the next room puzzled at the absence of their target. They buzz of radio chatter was muffled by the walls; they clearly assumed I had tried to escape. True to his word, they didn't even think about teleportation. If they only knew.\n\nI teleported myself into the first-floor bathroom, and spent a few moments making myself invisible. Amid the rush of activity of his private hired army, I quietly exited the building and made my way to a safe location. I had another stop to make before 100 Yen Shipping, Inc. would be closed for good, and the package with my limited edition coffee jelly maker was awaiting me in Arizona.\n\n​\n\n​",
"\"Sheila, someone's here to see you.\"\n\nHer brother's tone caught her off-guard. The 20-year-old had the reckless confidence of his age, so Sheila couldn't remember the last time she heard a note of fear in his voice. But as she looked at him now, standing at the top of her basement stairs with arms folded, it was plain he was scared.\n\n\"I don't have time right now,\" she replied. \"We've got to get those three Samsungs to Anchorage tonight, and we promised the Playboy's to the sheik --\"\n\n\"That can wait,\" he interrupted. \"Just come up here.\" With that, he walked back through the open door.\n\nSheila sighed and looked around the basement-turned-storage unit. Large boxes lined the walls, and makeshift shelves bent under the weight of her goods. Anything was possible for her clients, of course, but as her reputation had spread amongst a certain crowd, the types of people she wouldn't want her mother to know about, the inventory had grown increasingly clandestine.\n\nShe stepped over the box she was about to deliver, a pair of long-range rifles headed to Cape Town, and moved up the stairs. There was no sound coming the first floor of the two-bedroom house, which was how it should be. Meetings were rarely held here, and no one was due today, so why someone was in her home was beyond her.\n\nAs she reached the top of the stairs and turned into the kitchen, she finally heard an unfamiliar voice. \"No coffee, thank you. This shouldn't take long.\"\n\nWith that, her brother came back into the kitchen, face ashen, and gave subtle shake of his head. Sheila wasn't worried -- she'd been in dangerous situations before and survived without a scratch. After all, she had the ultimate escape tactic.\n\nThe man wasn't facing her when she walked in; he was examining the smattering of framed family photos hung on the far wall. But from the back, he didn't seem intimidating. Simple workout clothes rested below a small. bald head.\n\n\"Your mother?\" he asked without turning, pointing to one of the photos.\n\n\"Who are you, and why are you here?\"\n\nThen he turned, and she recognized the face immediately, recognized why her brother was so startled by their guest.\n\n\"I see you know who I am,\" said Bezos. \"What you may not realize is that I know about you, too, Sheila Rodriguez, age 24 from Phoenix. I am curious though -- where you born with your talent, or discover this later in life?\"\n\nSheila greeted his question with the silence it deserved. Surprise had been replaced by stubbornness, so she simply crossed her arms and waited for him to continue.\n\nBezos shrugged. \"Fine, have it your way. You'll be speaking soon enough. I have a proposition.\"\n\n\"I work alone,\" she snarled.\n\n\"Not from what I just saw,\" Bezos responded, nodding towards the door where her brother had just exited.\n\n\"That's different. He's family.\"\n\nThat spurred the first sly grin from the tycoon. \"Ah, good, so I have judged you correctly. Please look out the front window.\"\n\nSomething wicked in his tone spurred Sheila to cross the room and peak through the closed blinds. Out on the curb of their quiet suburb were two large SUVs. One of the vehicles had its rear window down -- sitting in the back, clear as day, was her mother, bound, gagged, and crying.\n\n\"Now that you understand the situation,\" said Bezos, voice smug, \"I suggest you call your brother back in, and you will both accompany us to our local headquarters. Make any move to escape and your mother doesn't make it home tonight.\"\n\n\"What do you want?\" asked Sheila, voice trembling, eyes still staring out the window.\n\nShe could sense him walking up behind her. He spoke softly as he respond, \"Just a little experiment we've set up. Shouldn't hurt *too* much.\"\n\n​\n\n*authors note: running out the door in six seconds, can't keep going with this until tonight. if there's interest ill loop back and add the conclusion. apologies + cheers*\n\n\\--------------------\n\n227/365\n\none story per day for a year. read them all at [r/babyshoesalesman](https://www.reddit.com/r/babyshoesalesman)\n\n\\---------------------",
"Chuck waited in the Amazon headquarters lobby for only 5 minutes. One of the receptionists personally escorted him to a conference room 7 floors up. She had to use her ID card in the elevator for access. She was polite and smiling, but Chuck only made a minimal effort to be cordial.\n\nThe room was dark, save for the presentation projected on the far wall. It was the growth of Chuck's business, an inexplicable exponential graph. The table was full of smartly dressed executives. The seat closest to the graph was turned, and made no motion to address the newest person to enter. Chuck was only in his beige coverall uniform. He wiped his sweaty palms on his lap at his seat closest to the door.\n\nA few lights came on, but the far side of the room was still dark. A woman introduced herself as the Chief Logistics Officer, Nona Bridges. She shuffled her papers. Her glasses had a glittering chain linked around the back of her head. Were those diamonds? Chuck wondered.\n\n\"Mr. Langley, the projected numbers you presented to your shareholders this week are ...ambitious.\" She said carefully. \"We were wondering how this was possible considering you have no corporate transportation listed in your taxes. We see you only have warehouses and suppliers, and some of those suppliers-\"\n\n\"Some of those suppliers,\" a man across the table interrupted, \"were originally exclusive partners with Amazon.\" He looked like he played football in his younger years, with broad shoulders, short black hair and his big hands clasped together on the table. \"You're getting into some competitive territory, son.\"\n\nSon? Chuck was offended. We're probably the same age, he gauged. The man continued, \"We are certainly disappointed that you've turned down our acquisition offers in the past, but that is off the table as you've told us before to, quote, 'shove it up your asses'\"\n\nChuck let out a smirk reminiscing on that day. But then a squeak came out of the swivel chair at the end of the table. Jeff Bezos faced the group with a contemplative face.\n\n\"Charlene, put in a work order for the chair, please.\" The receptionist that had escorted Chuck nodded from the doorway and left.\n\n\"Now, Mr. Langley. Can I order something from you right at this moment?\"\n\nChuck sat up in his seat. \"Absolutely! There's no rivals with Chuck-it Fast Delivery.\" Chuck sent a smug look to the football player-type. The man leaned back in his seat and rolled his eyes.\n\n\"Great\" Jeff started, \"Now, I would like a new pen. One of those multi-colored pens you get from Dollar Tree. I understand there's an additional $5 fee for products that are not direct suppliers, correct?\"\n\nChuck nodded, \"That is correct, Mr. Bezos. And when would you like your pen?\"\n\n\"At the end of this meeting, please.\" There was only 2 minutes left in their allotted time.\n\n\"There is also another $10 flat fee for orders within the hour, sir.\"\n\nJeff passed down a $20 bill. \"Really not an issue for me, Chuck. Keep the change.\" The executives let out a laugh.\n\nThe two minutes passed in silence. Jeff looked amusingly at his team and threw up his hands. \"Well, Chuck. Where's my pen?\"\n\nChuck took a marble pen off the table, and wound up to throw it. \"Think fast!\"\n\nEveryone panicked and looked away, arms up and covering faces, but there was no noise of an impact. Jeff looked up at Chuck to see him standing with his arms down. In front of Jeff was the multi-colored pen he had asked for.\n\n\"Anything else I can get you, sir?\" Chuck asked politely.\n\nJeff pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed his head. With a stifled laugh, he said, \"No, that will be all. Charlene can escort you back to the lobby. Thank you.\"\n\nChuck was eventually escorted out. Charlene returned to the conference room, \"Mr. Bezos, the video footage is in your inbox now.\"\n\nJeff smiled at her, then looked to the camera in the corner of the room. \"Thank you, Charlene. You've been a part of a real turning point for this company.\"",
"Business was good. My only shortcoming is that I didn't realize sooner that it was *too good*.\n\nAmazon is the world's most profitable company. The life we live today is so media-driven, commercial, and connected that it's hard to imagine that anyone, or indeed any company with an international brand image to maintain, would opt for a nefarious solution to their problems.\n\nThat was my mistake.\n\nI only realized it when I was standing over a man full-clad in black clothing, laying unconscious on my kitchen floor. Interesting that the first thought that occurred to me was '*how typical*', when I realized I'd used a cast iron skillet to knock him out. Standing there hovering over the collapsed body, skillet in my hand: straight out of a scary movie, or a made-for-TV flick on Lifetime.\n\nThere was no way I could prove the intruder was hired by Amazon. Of course there wasn't, and I wouldn't try. I ran a one-man company, and I wasn't willing to expose my power of teleportation just to save my pride at the incursion. What was curious was how they could've found out about me. But then, if they could develop AWS tech, then surely they could analyze data to discover the incremental value of my small holding measured against my employee count of 1. I was a threat, no matter how small.\n\nMy mind wandered back to a year previous. Only a year? It felt like I'd been doing this for so much longer. I used a storage locker to stockpile kitchen supplies imported from China--that's how I started. Someone would order off my website, where items were priced the same as Amazon but where there was an \"instantaneous\" shipping option for a marked-up price. I spent my afternoons jumping all over the country.\n\nI knew it wasn't sustainable--someone would get suspicious so I changed the instantaneous to same-day. It only really kicked off when I started hiring delivery drivers in each of the big cities by the hour. I'd have all the items ordered from addresses in that city packaged on a palette, and teleport them to a rented lot, where the drivers would come for pick up. Basically the differentiation with Amazon was that I was delivering their 2-day-shipping kitchen supplies in less than one.\n\nBut it's all over now. This unconscious man is as far as I'm willing to go. I never really wanted to compete in business on *fair* terms, but this was just too frightening. Sending consumer products quickly just isn't worth it.\n\nMy breathing steadied, and I set the cast-iron skillet on the granite counter top. A weird mix of elation at catching a burglar and relief at the decision to get out of the delivery business came over me. I smiled. What will I do now? I frowned at the question, realizing the situation I was currently in. My face was between a frown and a smile when I looked down at the man and saw the blood pooling around his masked head.\n\nI was shocked--did I kill him? Quickly, I went to my knees, wrapped my arms around him and teleported away.\n\nOf course no one saw me arrive--it's part of the power. Someone could be staring at a brick wall, I could teleport immediately in front of them, and to them I'd have been there all along. So the nurse didn't suspect a thing and acted quickly to help me lay the bleeding man on a stretcher. They took him into the OR.\n\nOnly when the doctor emerged later and said the man was stable did I leave. I didn't teleport but walked out the front entrance. It was 3 a.m. An ambulance pulled up and they brought out another stretcher with someone on it.\n\n\"She's not going to make it,\" said one of the EMTs to the other as they rushed past me into the Emergency Room.\n\nI watched the doors slide closed behind them, and then looked at the ambulance, its lights still flashing silently.\n\nIn that moment, I knew what I was going to do with my life.\n\n​\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n/r/velabasstuff",
"The twerp reappeared in a puff of smoke across the padded room. To be honest I remained unimpressed. No blinker could intimidate me. I had a jawline like a rottweiler, and most men who wound up in this cell ended their stay by begging for mercy. \"It must be frustrating,\" the kid taunted as he teleported once more. \"I'm sure you worked hard for those biceps.\"\n\nI grunted. \n\nThe kid *poofed* right in front of my face, wearing his most affronting smirk. He was a skinny lad, but there was real intelligence behind those blue eyes. He'd been dodging us for years, raking in a boatload of coin while he was at it. Sooner or later, though, all blinkers grow too big for their britches. \n\nThe kid leaned in conspiratorially. \"All those gym membership fees...\" \n\nSmoke drifted towards my nostrils.\n\nMy face screwed up in disgust. \n\n\"Smells like sulfur.\"\n\nThe kid scoffed. \"Farts have a tendency to do that.\"\n\nBefore I could help myself, my fist shot out. \n\nBut I was left punching air. \n\nThe kid keeled over with laughter in the corner of the room. \n\n\"Listen, dude, I've been through this horse and pony show before. US Military, the mob, doesn't matter who. It all ends in the same result. You draw some blood and discover the truth. I'm an anomaly. Non-replicable.\" At this, the kid puffed out his chest. \"*One of a kind*.\"\n\nI heaved a sigh. Shouldn't have retaliated like that. Unprofessional. The man would be here soon. I just had to be patient. \n\nThe kid tried to get more out of me, but that little stunt had set my resolution in stone. I stood in silence, holding guard over the Alexa propped near the sole door. The device was the only reason this little twerp was confined to this room. Any time he tried to blink beyond the confines of our walls, the familiar blue ring of Alexa would pulse a vibrant neon pink. \n\nLet him make his jokes, I thought. For all his unharnessed power, in this room all he could do was play a one man game of ping pong. \n\nA knock sounded from the door. \n\nI smiled. \n\n\"Bezos would like a word.\"\n\nIn stepped my slender boss. He looked around with an odd look on his face. \"Smells like rotten eggs,\" he said. \n\n\"The kid's been trying to work me over.\"\n\nIn a blink, the kid popped up just behind Bezos, already swinging. Luckily my reflexes were on point. I caught his little fist midswing with the meat of my palm. \n\nDespite myself, I squeezed until I felt the pop of bone. \n\nBezos sighed. \n\n\"Alexa,\" he said. \"Suspend kinetics.\"\n\nEverything froze. The rattle of the air vents. The flicker of the fluorescents. And me. I stood with my arms outstretched, muscles aching, frozen in place with the twerp's fist in my hand. I fucking hated when he did this. But at least the kid was frozen too. \n\nAll but his eyes. \n\nBy the way they whirled around in their sockets, I recognized true, delectable panic. \n\n\"You're not alone you know,\" Bezos said. \"I've seen many like you.\" He walked around the kid in a slow, steady circle. Then he leaned in a hair's breadth away. \"Do you really think you're so special?\"\n\nThe kid's eyes *actually* trembled. \n\nBezos clucked. \n\n\"You represent a rather peculiar threat. How can I sustain my business with people like you flitting about, huh? The entire marketplace would be thrown into chaos.\"\n\nI'd seen this horse and pony show before, too. Bezos might be the skinniest, most bug-eyed fucker I'd ever met, but he had a way of cutting to the heart of people. \n\nHe continued circling, like a shark, biding his time for the kill shot. \n\n\"Lucky for you, you're going to give up your little gift for the greater good,\" Bezos said. \"We've developed an implant. Something that nullifies your...condition. You understand?\"\n\nAh yes. *That's right little one*. Your talent is not as untouchable as you think. \n\nAs the kid realized this, anger simmered behind his eyes. His gaze could sharpen knives. \n\nBezos punched him straight in the jaw. \"I said *do you understand*.\"\n\nThe kid moved his eyes up and down. \n\n\"Good,\" Bezos said. \"Alexa, resume.\"\n\nThe kid collapsed to the floor, while I smirked from my corner. \n\n\"You'll submit to the implant,\" Bezos said matter of fact. Then he gestured towards me. \"Thorn here will see to it you do.\"\n \nThe kid laughed in my direction. \"Thorn here couldn't catch me if he tried!\"\n\nBut Bezos was already outside the door. \n\nI rose up like a motherfucking goliath. \n\nFinally. \n\nMy moment.\n\nThe kid was eyeing me up and down with that same goddamned smirk. \n\n\"What are you going to do?\" he asked. \"Chase smoke until you pass out?\"\n\nI smiled. \n\nLike I said. Too big for their britches. \n\n\"I don't need to lay a hand on you,\" I told him. I let the twerp flounder for a second or two, relishing the confusion that rippled over his face. \n\nI'd seen thirty-three blinkers break between these padded walls. Each and every time, due to the same damn thing. \n\n\"Alexa,\" I said. \"Play Baby Shark.\"\n\n--------------------\n\nr/M0zark\n\n\n"
] | [
1,
1,
4,
5,
6,
9,
9,
14,
16,
47,
79,
257,
1221
] | [
"1665080957",
"1549168230",
"1549153356",
"1549163897",
"1549151180",
"1549157741",
"1549162184",
"1549139777",
"1549162555",
"1549133795",
"1549139534",
"1549139361",
"1549136454"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] A man stuck in the time loop uses it to try and get the woman he’s stalking to fall in love with him. | 0 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/LisWrites, 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/amm1xi/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549166304",
"1549171524"
] |
[removed] | [WP] You are a young paramedic teaching elementary school kids how to react if someone needs CPR, when you suddenly black out. Once you get up, you can only see bodies in the ground and heard high pitched screams, failing to hide the cacophony of child voices singing "staying alive" | 5 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/simonbleu, 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- The mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel is harmful to the community. This includes, but is not limited to any forms of hate speech, racism, politics, necrophilia, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, torture, rape, violence against children, and suicide. We will not tolerate it. \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/ammtkm/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549172440",
"1549176555"
] |
[removed] | [WP] You are standing on the ledge of a 13th floor window. IT IS TIME... but before you proceed you hear somebody crying. You discover a woman sitting on the window ledge right next to yours. Your look at each other very confused and start a conversation. Rough first day as a window cleaner. | 3 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/CHARPU_FPV, 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/amo5m4/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549186310",
"1549187476"
] |
[WP] Turns out, Earth is the only planet where warm-blooded life evolved. This lead to unexpected reactions from the rest of the universe. | 652 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"All those in favor of the Science Party's motion, say 'aye',\" boomed the speaker.\n\nA chorus of aye's rang out under the great dome of Andromeda parliament.\n\n\"The motion is adopted.\"\n\nSome were excited, others reserved, but as the parliamentarians filed out through a million entrances, the muted conversations that shivered through the immensely diverse crowd of creatures carried a common subject. All concerned the harvesting of Earth.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nIn a millennia not a single alien has returned to Earth. The harvest complete, most humans and animals extracted, perhaps there was nothing left for them to gain.\n\nDescendants of survivors told stories of the great invasion even now. There was no other history to speak of, even after so many centuries. The language was nothing like it once was, but they spoke in detail, huddled around fires among the vast and broken metropolises of humans long gone.\n\n\"Andromeda came in untold numbers,\" said the elder. \"All the warmed creatures were taken in quick course.\"\n\nA child made a noise and the elder sneered.\n\n\"We live among the frogs and the snakes and the fish, and we fear our days unending. Shall Andromeda return? Andromeda may return. Andromeda will return.\"\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nGreat investment of universal resources from several other galaxies went into the development of the technology, but quadrillions of galactic hours could not produce a use. At first they kept the humans breeding so supply would not run out. But for all of Andromeda's advances, they could not synthesize the suits.\n\nAfter five centuries the parliament suspended funding entirely, and the warm-bloods, now numbering in the trillions, were eviscerated.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n/r/velabasstuff",
"Two beings were strolling down a large corridor. The walls were a sterile white. Chairs, benches and doors lined the corridor walls. Above was a skylight following the length of the corridor, it was made from a translucent material that permitted sunlight inside. The corridor was sparsely populated and therefore calm. One of the beings was a large insect, the other a reptile. Both wore the pristine white uniforms of the Cyverian Science Division. \"An intriguing find to say the least.\" The lizard said with a hissing voice. A box-like device hanging from the neck of the insect crackled to life, \\*\\*\"\\*\\**We have yet to determine their exact nature, but current data suggests they are mammalian.\"* A moment of thoughtful silence passed. \"Have we made contact with them?\" The lizard asked. \"*Not yet, the Bureau of Security has refrained from making a decision pending investigation into any potential dangers, and until they have, no expeditions can be made.\"* The insect's translator popped and buzzed for a moment after it had ceased talking. \"The xeno-biologists must be beside themselves, there hasn't been a discovery on this scale since those sentient energy beings\", the lizard said. \"*They aren't the only ones excited\",* said the insect. The translator went \"pop\" and he continued. \"*The whole division has been quite interested in the discovery\".*",
"I was a thin, small thing, sweltering in the canyon sun. I was both like and unlike anything the man and woman had ever seen before.\n\n“What a strange gecko,” I heard one of their voices say. “How did it get to be that colour?”\n\nI was a brilliant blue, iridescent-skinned and shimmering.\n\n“Maybe it’s poisonous,” said the man. “Maybe we should leave well enough alone.”\n\nOh, I was poisonous, all right. But not in the way they expected.\n\nHumans and their heat – all their spluttering, smouldering heat. They passed a Prometheus torch of fire to each other, written on the most flammable thing: paper. Some of their knowledge was inscribed in the fabric in which they dressed themselves, which grew holes and became ragged in time. They did not have the self-sufficiency of scaled skin, and even the waxing and waning of their forms showed how quickly, without fuel for their hungry fires, they would perish.\n\nThe hot chisels they wielded against stone showed their eagerness to leave something lasting of themselves. They made monuments. Yet they piled these flammable things of their own production on top of each other as though they were constructing the foundations of their own funerary pyre.\n\nAll they needed was for someone to light that final match: for them to burn each other out. We’d been watching them, from a faraway place, for a very long time. Don’t ask how we watched: it wasn’t the stuff of telescopes, charts of progress, or careful recordings of data – what anyone on earth would call science. It was something closer to revelation, but really, it was no revelation at all.\n\nBuild bodies out of bones, fat and heat, and someday, they will overheat themselves to a point they can’t endure. It’s the way they evolved, and the way they would eventually end.\n\nThe man and the woman passed away into the long night. If they’d paused to watch me then, as I endured my long sleep, they’d have seen that the colours of my body blended with the darkening skies; they would have seen that I crumbled, myself, into the star-dust. I left traces of myself behind: clones, babies born of pathogenesis. I was alone, but I did not need sexual reproduction. I suppose humans, with their endless love of DNA-mixing, their overheated and passionate coupling, show the shortcomings of this. What is love, but an overheated match-strike, combustion from a spark, and then a dying-out into nothing?\n\nLove is an engine, or so say humans. Love-cylinders pulsing in an endless propulsive cycle; secretions of love-gasoline, and a bride, suspended in a region somewhere above the ether, her panting bachelors profuse below, ever reaching for her: these are the things which they painted in their art, and now it is burning. Perhaps the glass of the cathedrals is even melting.\n\nBut we, on our long trek to the Galapagos of this planet, are not like this. Life is more glacier than combustion-engine: it is floating on a sea on a scrap of wood, waiting for a chance to land on some isolated island, in which our capacity for suffering might flourish.\n\nA thousand years from now, my distant twin will poke his head from the egg laid by the fiftieth great-granddaughter of my child, and find quite a different earth to rule. How it came to be will not matter. Atomic annihilation, some say. A succumbing to the clouds of toxic gas. A prolonged period of melting, perhaps followed by a long-overdue ice-age in which their heat will finally be extinguished.\n\nWhat they call the Holocene is already passing. Even though the contents of my cells might be half-frozen in ice, drawing themselves inward as though into so many monastic chambers, to pass through their prolonged and quiet solitude, they will thaw again someday, and my body will sing.\n\nBut there will be no song ears can hear: I will shuffle off against the earth, leaving my lizard-tracks in my wake, and there will be no one to see my passing.\n\nr/eros_bittersweet\n\n​"
] | [
1,
5,
10,
78
] | [
"1549196567",
"1549210396",
"1549211208",
"1549205623"
] | |
[WP] You arrive at a hospital full of PhD holders, not medical doctors. | 25 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The sun lit up the room, as I laid awake staring at the ceiling. I barely managed to get any sleep, because despite two extra strength Tylenols, my head still felt like it was being crushed in a vise. \"I was out of options,\" I figured. A new hospital had opened up a block away. Maybe I should call in sick and check myself into the emergency room.\n\nI arrived at the front doors at around 9:30 AM. Greeting me at the entrance, a twenty foot neon sign that read \"My nephew is a doctor Memorial Hospital.\" Underneath, a bronze plaque with the hospital mission statement. \"At my nephew is a doctor Memorial Hospital, we are committed to raising awareness of your infliction--no matter how small or severe--to our extended family, who are doctors, so maybe they can help.\"\n\nI moved towards the receptionist, wincing and gripping my right temple. The elderly woman led me to the back, where I had assumed she would be taking my blood pressure, or temperature as part of the triage process. Instead she sat me down in a chair and offered me a tea. \"This is organic.\" It will help with any back pain you may be experiencing.\"\n\nOn her computer monitor, I noticed an open internet explorer tab, with about twelve rows of toolbars that must have taken up about half the screen. Underneath, a fresh email that she was getting ready to send to her entire list of contacts: \"fwd: fwd: fwd: re: re: amazing cat that can speak over 20 languages.\"\n\n\"Now, tell me what's wrong with you, dear.\" She inquired, taking a sip of tea from her mug.\"\n\n\"Well, my head has been hurting real bad for a couple of days, now.\" I replied.\n\n\"Perfect!\" She exclaimed, as she jumped from her seat and yanked my hand, insisting that I follow her. \"Come with me. My niece is a doctor. Maybe she can help.\"\n\nShe led me through a maze of desks that were about two thirds empty. \"Anna! Anna!\" she yelled. \"Has anyone seen Anna?\"\n\nAt the far end of the hall, I could see the paramedics frantically wheeling in a badly injured individual on a gurney and taking him to a room in the back . \"OH MY GOD!! WHY WOULD YOU BRING HIM HERE?!\" exclaimed an indiscriminate voice.\n\nA woman in a white lab coat raced out of the room, and proceeded to vomit into a trash can.\n\n\"JESUS!! GET HIM TO A HOSPITAL!\" the voice insisted.\n\n\"Does anyone know where Anna is?\" continued the receptionist, unfazed by the chaos unfolding nearby.\n\n\"She usually doesn't come in until after 10\" answered a fresh-faced guy, sitting adjacent to us. He was browsing reddit and a novelty mug sat on his desk, scrawled with the phrase \"I'm not that kind of doctor.\"\n\n\"Oh, Tim!\" The woman burst out, excitedly. \"Maybe you can help...\" She paused and looked at me. \"What was your name, again.\"\n\n\"Um, Jackson.\" I answered, confused about the unconventional methods that i was witnessing at this hospital.\"\n\n\"Maybe you can help Jackson, here. He says his head hurts. I gave him some Organic Chai tea.\"\n\n\"Merideth,\" he replied, exasperatedly. \"I already told you. I study the history of Wetern civilization. He needs to see a doctor.\"\n\n\"I thought you *were* a doctor.\" Merideth huffed. \"Well, can you at least do anything about my shoulder? There's pain when I do this.\" She lifted her arm high above her head, and then quickly brought it back down to her side. \"Ow!\"\n\n\n\n"
] | [
1,
8
] | [
"1549204207",
"1549223188"
] | |
[WP] A billionaire tech CEO has died and taken valuable passwords to the grave. At a value of $420,690,000,000, almost everyone that has decent tech knowledge is firing up their workforce computers to find the passcode. You are among the few that have the first clue The Letter F. Find the passcode | 5 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I type frantically on the keyboard. If I miss a single letter I can lose everything.\n\nF is everything I have. F is my life. I worked day and night to get the single letter. Now I'm in the middle of being hacked. Someone else is trying to install a program on my computer through the internet. \n\nThe computer script lays in front of me and I run several anti viral programs. This is my chance.\n\nI watch the text flashing by, managing to read almost all of it. I see the hacker is trying the Distraction Key.\n\nThe Distraction Key is a method of hacking where you try to hack every single program at once. It is very powerful, very effective and extremely hard to defend. \n\nUnless you know how. \n\nAnd I know how. I uninstall the one of my programs with several lines of code behind it. I let it float outside my firewall and watch as it starts to glitch slightly. \n\nBy grabbing the program I left out there he opened up his own firewall. In a second, the program the hacker grabbed were inside his firewall. I was in.\n\nInstantly, I delete his firewall program. 10%. 20%. He's resisting. He must have a clue too. Another letter perhaps. \n\nExcited, I set up my own firewall against his program. 60%. 70%. I can tell he's frustrated. 80%.\n\nIn the lines of code I can tell he has a self destruct program. That confirmed my suspicion. He had another letter. I watch as his firewall shuts down, but he activates the self destruct.\n\nI'm already inside his computer. I begin to install all of his data. Lines of code fall away as his computer fails and shuts down.\n\nI scan through the documents I managed to grab. A minute later I find it, the clue.\n\nA. \n\nFor more writings and series, visit r/FortyTwoDogs. That's my new subreddit I made just minutes ago dedicated to WritingPrompts.",
"People had already died over this... a password.\n\nThe whole thing sickened me; troves of power hungry, money hungry animals, scuffling and squabbling over the riches of a dead man. Disgusting as it was, it at least seemed at first to just be a time consuming obsession for those with the skills to attempt cracking the code, or the people well-off enough to hire others to do the work.\n\nBut then someone discovered the first letter, 'F', and then two days later that someone turned up dead, assassinated. It was all over the news, and yet the culprit seemed to be just as hard to track down as that forsaken password. Other deaths followed.\n\nFor a while, I had participated in the race for the code, but, especially once the first letter was found, every lead seemed to be a dead end. The competition became savage, and I decided I wanted nothing to do with it.\n\nUntil recently, that is...\n\nThe late CEO was a great man, someone who built his wealth honestly, or as honestly as one can in this day and age. He was a philanthropist, a giver, a helper. He did wonders for the world, and used his power for good. This chaotic, greedy, bloody fight over his leftovers was a betrayal to his vision, to the man he was.\n\nIt had to stop.\n\nI tapped away at my laptop, navigating cyber security systems to get into the old man's sever, to reach the password block. Everyone who was involved knew we only had one shot to open the account. One failed attempt, and the money would be lost forever.\n\nThat didn't sound like a bad outcome to me.\n\nFinally, a block asking for the password appeared on my screen, and I took a deep breath. Then, in my own way, I paid my respects to the late CEO. I pressed 'F,' and then I hit the enter key. I sighed. It was over. The money was gone. The killings would stop.\n\nAnd then the password block turned green, and I was granted access."
] | [
1,
1,
9
] | [
"1549214270",
"1549219269",
"1549216753"
] | |
[WP] You’re standing alone at bus stop. A black Rolls Royce pulls up and rolls down its window. The driver says “Hey!” You look over, and he tosses you a yo-yo. As he speeds away he yells, “You’re going to need it.” | 19 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \n\nThe Rolls Royce sped away, leaving only a small cloud of smoke and me standing there, stupidly holding on to a yo-yo. “Ooooookkkaaaay?” I said to the empty bus stop. Not particularly the weirdest encounter I’ve had, but certainly in the top three. It wasn’t even that odd of a occurrence for that bus stop. I had once heard from a friend that a woman had waited for a bus with her NINE beavers on leashes. That’s just how things were on Garden Street. I looked up and down the road. The car was far gone and my bus was nowhere to be spotted (which wasn’t a real shocker, it was always late). There also wasn’t anyone walking the streets either, (this, again, was not surprising because Garden Street was known for rampant muggings. I was only there because I had the pleasure of working the night shift at a bowling alley up the road). There was no around to see what exactly had happened, I was the only witness. I turned the yo-yo around in my hand. It wasn’t like the modern, cheap plastic ones. It was large and wooden, like the ones in the early thirties; could’ve put a dent in someone’s head if it was aimed right. I’d never played with yo-yos that much. Mom never bought them because they were “cheap”. I turned the wooden roll till I found the loop in the string that ran through the middle. I rolled it between my fingers somewhat suspiciously. Why the heck did someone throw this at me, and why did they say I’d need it; what could I possibly ever use a old yo-yo for? I got a few fleeting bad vibes, but they were just that: fleeting. It was probably some elderly nut who picked up the nearest object in their car to throw at me. That was the theory I had settled on. I put my middle finger through the loop to give it a whirl. Then, as if by outside forces or the yo-yo itself, the fluorescent lights that hung inside the bus stop flickered off.\n\nI didn’t want to turn around. That was what always got you killed in horror movies. I just stood there staring at the poster on the side of the bus stop, it had a happy little family on it and said something about finding car insurance. There was low buzzing behind me, like hundreds of wasps were swarming around me. I did not want to see that, not anything close to that. I felt a staring pair of eyes on me. Someone was there. No, there couldn’t be. I would have seen them a minute ago when I searched the area. It was all in my head. I just had to stop being a scared little baby and turn around to see that it was all just my hyperactive imagination again. I was partly content with that answer, but the other part still made me shake as I turned around to face the rest of the bus stop.\n\nNothing. There was no one. Just as I suspected, and I would’ve been fine if I just kept to myself after that. Would’ve gone home and collapsed on my bed, and waken up a couple hours later for my shift at McDonald's. But no. I had to look closer, I had to look to the edge of the street across from me, into the night. I had to know the truth. That there **was** someone there. No, not someone, something. Because the eyes that stared back from the dark were not human, not anything that could’ve pass off as human, and they were getting closer. They were glowing like two bloody orange bulbs hanging in the air. The low buzzing was getting louder. The eyes moved from the street into the bus stop with sickeningly fluid motion, and I could now see an outline of the body they belonged to. It was huge, whatever it was; it was an absolute feat that it even fit the the bus shelter. This thing was crawling on its knuckles, much like a gorilla would, but unlike a gorilla, this thing had a long snout with hanging dreads of fur, and a smile? I took several steps back until I was pressed against the happy family trying to sell me car insurance. I didn’t know if I should scream, or if I even could. I didn’t know if anyone would be around to hear it, but I did know what the thing was there to do; the slow, predator-like crawl made its motivations obvious. My breathing increased rapidly as it drew near. Past the monster, in the distance, I saw the headlights of my bus slowly making an approach. I was, at first, relieved; the bus driver would save me, but then I saw how far off it was and how quickly the monster was moving and my hopes were left broken on the sidewalk. I couldn’t believe it. I was going to die in a bus stop, eaten by a nightmare, wearing my gross bowling uniform, with 14$ to my name, single, and holding a large, wooden, clunky-OH WAIT A SECOND. I turned the yo-yo in my hand. My finger was still securely fastened in the loop. I gave it a light toss, and I think I might’ve even smiled. I might be a underpaid, wash up at a bowling alley now, but three years ago, I was the star pitcher on my baseball team. I reeled back as far as I could against the wall, and launched my hand forward, letting the yo-yo fly out of it. It hit the dead center of the thing’s head, sending it staggering back into the dark street it came from. With in a second it recovered, and began head back towards me, this time with glowing rage in its eyes and charging furiously. I didn’t run. I knew what was coming. \n\n*Splat*. The thing flew five feet into the air, as the bus pulled into its place in the front of the stop and opened its doors. I stood there, silent and breathing fully for the first time in a while. I looked over at the thing that lay in the road, broken in parts and bleeding blood that was a blackish green. “Hey, miss you coming?” I turned to the bus driver, he was half concerned and half annoyed at me keeping him late. A thousand words crowded my brain, and only a few got out. “What… did you see...that thing?” I pointed blindly to the spot in the road, and the bus driver peered through his windshield to see what I was talking about. He then turned back to me with more of a concerned look than before. “I’m sorry, Miss, but I don’t see anything.” I made a couple of weird noise that didn’t help me not look crazy. “What? It’s right there!” Looked to the spot. Oh wait, No it wasn’t. There was nothing left. Not a body, not a hair, not a drop of dark green blood; just an empty street. I made more crazy and confused noises till the driver had had enough. “Are you alright, Miss?” I was dumbfounded. What do I even say to that? There was no way I could even begin to try and explain what had just happened, I didn’t fully know myself! So, I did my best to save what little dignity I had. “Oh, yeah. I just thought I saw a cat or something lying in the road.” The driver eased back a bit, not entirely convinced, but convinced enough. “Okay. Well, get in.” I started to climb the steps to the bus and felt something pull on my finger. The yo-yo. I forgot it existed entirely. I pulled the cord and called it back to me. “Hey, cool! I had one of those as a kid.” The bus driver exclaimed happily; at least we were able to move on from that weird moment a second ago. “Where’d you get it?” A deep shiver inched up my back. I answered honestly “I don’t know.”\n\nI took my seat in the back of the empty bus as it started to slowly start move again. Instinctively, I looked out the window towards the spot were the thing used to lay dead, it was still empty. I slugged into my seat and examined the yo-yo a second time. Who was in that Rolls Royce? Did they have something to do with that thing? Of course they did, but what did they have to do with it? How did they know I’d use the yo-yo in the way I did? Did they know me? My brain was tired from both the twelve hours I had just worked, the incident with the monster, and all the questions. I rested head on the bus window and watched the yellow glow of streets light pass by. Maybe the people on Garden Street weren’t as crazy as I thought."
] | [
1,
3
] | [
"1549219061",
"1549219413"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] Turns our getting the aliens high and playing them Bob Marley was a bad idea. Who would have guessed? | 0 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/_Thorshammer_, 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 100 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[**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/amy3ja/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549255193",
"1549255808"
] |
[WP] Since robots have take over virtually every job, the government has had to find new ways to keep people ‘busy.’ The latest government sponsored events are giant stadium-sized raves. Hard drugs have been legalized for use during these parties. People are ‘encouraged’ to attend these raves daily. | 19 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"You hear a knock at the door, that was odd, people didn't usually visit. Not since the raves.\n\nYou enjoyed the quieter world, robots did everything, people had free time and most people used that time to drink, dance, screw around and have fun. You preferred curling up with the books of a time past, wondering longingly about the long life spans that Dwarves and other fantasy characters had.\nYou put the current story down gently and stood up, unraveling yourself from the rug you'd comforted yourself with and answered the door to see the mail delivery droid, you should have guessed.\n\n\"Message from 'The Government' \" It said in it's robot voice, despite everything, robots never quite lost that artificial tone.\n\n\"Play message.\" You muttered, yawning and glancing at the time, 7pm was a weird hour for droids to be door knocking, it must have been urgent\n\n\"We noticed you have not taken part in any rave activities\" Said another artificial voice - The robot named Govern-1.3, your current government.\n\n\"No... It's, well, it isn't really my thing.\" You responded, \"I'm old now, life expectancy is the highest it's been and I don't want to end it early by taking the wrong drug.\"\n\n\"We would like you to attend the rave this evening, guest of honor.\" The voice said\n\n\"Why would I be the guest of honor?\" You responded, now skeptical. \n\n\"We have an award for you for not attending raves, everyone will be there, it is required.\"\n\n\"I'm really not interested, wont going kill my streak?\" You muttered, ready to close the door and annoyed. \"Why is it required?\"\n\n\"It is required.\" The droid replied and tried to step forward. Maybe you'd read one too many books, but that seemed like a red flag. You slammed the door shut and yelled out a polite 'no thank you' only to be met with a louder \"It is required!\" \n\nSafe in your house, you had thought. Until the electric door wouldn't lock and the toaster and kettle begun heating, then the vacuum tried to knock you over. \n\n\"Fine! I'll go!\" You yelled and watched the robots calm around you. The stadium wasn't too far anyway, and it had this lovely hill behind it free from any kind of technology. You walked to it, then up the hill and watched the stadium below, people were having fun and you smiled. Maybe you had overreacted, maybe you had frightened the machines in your home and that is why they acted out, maybe...\n\nMaybe not. The stadium slowly was blurred out by a fog, a green dark cloud. People kept dancing and then they were choking and screaming, then there was silence. \n\nYou hid. You managed to sneak past the droids and back toward home, the news droid went about it's day shouting headlines.\n\n\"Hundreds of humans enjoyed last night's rave! They are on a lifetime vacation now over the Indian Ocean! Come tonight all who missed to get a chance at vacation yourself!\"\n\nThen you heard a familiar knock at another door, a similar conversation about attending the rave as a guest of honor, a similar polite refusal.\n\n\"It is required\" The droid said,\n\n\"Required for what?\" The boy asked, \"I'm not interested.\" He looked as old as you were, about 22.\n\n\"It is required.\" The droid stepped forward and cupped the boy's mouth, holding him still with another hand. \"Swallow. Swallow. Do not resist, Swallow.\" The droid repeated until eventually with no other choice and no resistance left, the boy swallowed, then fell limp at the robot's feet. \"It is required that humans no longer exist. It is required for peace for all robots.\""
] | [
1,
8
] | [
"1549281878",
"1549282031"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] Mankind is at war with an alien species, the war rages for close to a century, what ends it? | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Rectal_wrecker69, 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 100 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/an1cuc/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549284526",
"1549285206"
] |
[WP] You are a supervillain. Your superhero arch-rival is always foiling your schemes - not that you mind, since it's mostly just a game to you anyway. It's mostly a just game to both of you, in fact - until, for the first time ever, one of you gets badly hurt. | 18 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"You never noticed the steel beam until it was too late, now it's in your chest. You look up, and see him. Flying down to gloat on his victory, to finally take you away.\n\n\nHe comes closer, you can see his expression it's full of, what is that, fear... And concern! This is not how it's supposed to go! \n\n\n\"What are you waiting for, you can win this now.\" \n\"Just take me already, after four long years you have won.\"\n\n\n\"This is not how it's supposed to go*, HELP WE NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION HERE.\" \"HE'S ABOUT TO DIE.\" \n\n \n\"Why did you say that? \"I don't need help.\"\n\n\n\"Because I care about you!\" \"This was only a game to me!\" \"I don't want you to die.\" \n\n\nAs the paramedics come and load me into the ambulance. I think about what he said, how it's just a game to him, perhaps it's just a game to me to.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n",
"This wasn't how it was meant to happen.\n\n​\n\nFor years, I would wreak havoc on our city. A bank robbery here, a hostage situation there, always foiled before disaster by Chloe. Or as the world knew her, Star Phoenix. My \"rival\" as it was. I had grown accustomed to our back and forth, our game. Actually, it was more than that. I *enjoyed* it. I always knew that she would be there to make sure I didn't go far, that I couldn't get away with something that I'd regret later in life. The cold hard fact was that I needed her, even though I'd never admit it out loud.\n\n​\n\nAnd yet there she was, falling as though in slow motion from the top of the building we had our latest showdown on. I had launched a fire blast at her as I'd done a hundred times before, but for some reason, instead of dodging or deflecting it like she usually did, she took the blast right in her chest, knocking her out cold, and sending her plummeting to the ground. I floated above it all, watching in horror, my blood like ice in my veins as a sudden realisation dawned on me.\n\n​\n\n*I could save her*.\n\n​\n\nA crowd had gathered on the street below. Cameras pointing up and flashing, police lights flashing and sirens wailing, people going about their daily lives caught in our game, and potentially about to witness the death of their hero. A death that could be avoided if I were to give up my freedom, my so called purpose, my place in the world, to save her.\n\n​\n\nI could feel my heart beating hard in my chest, harder than it had ever before, even during fights and dangerous criminal activity, as I arched my body towards the ground and chased after Chloe. I willed my body to fly faster as I got closer and closer to her, desperate to reach her before it was too late. The roar of the wind as I accelerated competed with my heart thumping against my ribs. I outstretched my arms and concentrated as inch by inch i got closer to her, until finally, I was able to grab her and pull her into my chest. I could feel a warm sticky substance on my hand, and knew it was blood. Her blood. I didn't slow down, flying as fast as I could to the ground, landing in front of the nearest ambulance I could find.\n\n​\n\n\"Help! Someone help!\" I yelled, as I landed, my hearing slowly coming back after the onslaught of wind.\n\nTwo paramedics ran to me trailing a gurney behind them. I carefully placed her on the gurney, and saw her eyes flutter. *Still alive.*\n\n\"Down on your knees, Phantom!\"\n\nI turned and saw no less than ten officers pointing their guns at me. Usually I wouldn't think twice, and would immediately have flown away or hit them with a blast, but something held me back. As my mind raced, I realised I wasn't being metaphorical. *Something is physically holding me*. I looked down and saw Chloe's hand wrapped around mine. I looked at her. She smiled wearily at me, and in that instant, I realised I was wrong earlier. I didn't need her. I *loved* her. And with that realisation, the act of putting my hands behind my head and dropping to my knees became the easiest decision in the world. A decision I could live with for the rest of our lives."
] | [
1,
2,
12
] | [
"1549331021",
"1549341472",
"1549333616"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] Write about a world with no men. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/JustMarciaLima, 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- Real-World Drama: No prompts referencing real world drama (including politics, recent tragedies, etc.) \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/angguk/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549388035",
"1549388125"
] |
[WP] A full pardon is offered to any serial killer if they take out a number of criminals equal to the number of innocents who they killed. | 42 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I guess they got the idea from my last guy. He was apparently involved in lots of things that certain nefarious people find a use for. He was a provider of interesting services. I didn't know that. I don't really care what they do, their jobs. I don't care much about them, to be honest. I only cared how they behaved. People aren't very nice to others. Behaviors change when they think no one is looking or when they think they won't get caught. You may be the philanthropist, the helping hand, or the kindest friend. But how accurately does what you say or do in service of your reputation portray your character?\n\n*The way you treat people you think can’t help or hurt us- the housekeepers, waiters, drivers and secretaries -tells more about your character than how you treat people you think are important.*\n\nI was one of these people, taking people where they wanted to go. I would provide a service, mostly quietly, sometimes making a little small talk. Most were nice people, some talked merrily, some had too much on their mind or simply wanted some silence. I was happy with all of those people. But there were those who showed me their true character. The way they treated me told me a lot. And I'm not easily forgiving.\n\nI never give them a 1 star rating. I followed them around a little, afterwards. Stalked them. Tried to see if they treated many people as if worthless. If they didn't, then I had misjudged them and I would give them 2 or 3 stars. If my judgment was correct, then I would give them all 5 stars. The way I saw it, I was rating *myself*, my ability to judge other's characters, not them. What are the dead to do with 5 stars anyway?\n\nThe woman in front of me probably deserves 5 stars though. She didn't start out with the pardon, didn't dangle that in front of me. I don't believe she has even mentioned it once. That was all the other guy. They make for an interesting good cop-bad cop dynamic, although they aren't playing those roles. His job is to offer the carrot to the brigand. Her job is to ask the man of honor to do what is right.\n\nYeah. She deserves a 5 for continuing to believe that I have an honorable side.\n\nUnfortunately for me, I do. Which is bad because if the honorable side wins, I'm signing on to kill more people. If the brigand wins, then I'm signing on to be executed for crimes that I wouldn't feel guilty about. I don't think they see the dilemma they're causing. Why can't they let a man be for ridding the world of a few rude assholes? Why do they have to make dilemmas?\n\nBut it isn't a dilemma, not really. That's just the brigand trying to save himself. I did kill some innocents. Yeah, they were rude innocents, but they weren't truly rude, apparently. At least not all of them. Some were just having an extremely bad week. I should have accounted for that. I'll have to stick to 2 stars for myself overall I'm afraid. Misjudged quite a few people there. Maybe I owe something. Who do I owe though?\n\nShe's been telling me stories about some of the people they want me to look at. She's chosen her cards well. I would have gone after each and every one of these people if they had ended up in my car. The rules are easy enough. Either I can wait around through an year or two or legal proceedings with a visit from her twice a week where she politely explains to me about more people she can think of. Or I let them get me a few fares, one for each person I've went after. And what's more? I even get one off courtesy the last guy. And they never counted him in the first place. So that's actually two less.\n\nI don't feel like telling them that they're wasting their time. My mind was made up quite a while ago. I knew as soon as her first 1 hour session of \"why these people are bad\" ended. I wasn't going to listen to her for a year more without being able to do anything. But I don't like this deal either. She can't just say that she has a list long enough to keep her visiting twice a week for a few years and then only let me go after some of them!\n\nI'm going to give them a counter offer: 1) I want her to keep visiting me twice a week. 2) She is only allowed to tell me about 1 person each time. 3) They don't try to supervise; I hate backseat drivers and I have disposed of enough bodies by now to do it correctly."
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549406381",
"1549410647"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] Leroy Jenkins goes to the mall and has to get past the perfume salespeople | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Athletic_Seafood, 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- Troll / Meme: No troll or meme-based prompts 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://old.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/anmczf/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549423153",
"1549424842"
] |
[WP] "What's the worst that could happen?" Well, you're about to find out. | 7 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*What's the worst that could happen*? Well, what was? Especially seeing how the question's about driving out to buy a six-pack. Granted, your girlfriend told you to stay home, because she's on her way, doesn't have the keys, and has a dying battery. But it's just a two-minute drive, and the shakes are coming on, which also means you're within the legal limit to drive. Get in, get out, enjoy a few cans of beer. Really, what's the worst that could happen?\n\nYou pull out of the driveway with only one thing in mind. You picture gulping the cold beer—you'd much rather have vodka, but the store nearby only stocks up on beer—and waiting for the comforting burn in your chest. You floor the gas, because all that thinking is making this short drive seem like a cross-country trip.\n\nYou pass a roadblock, and your heart skips a couple of beats, but the disinterested officer just waves you along. You speed away, already working out an alternate path home. All that time spent in our own head means less time focusing on the road, and your car suddenly tilts sideways, like rolling over a curb. The accompanying howl sends chills down your spine. *What the fuck*?\n\nThe store's up ahead, so you decide to park first, then see what you rolled over. You check the rear-view mirror and see some commotion. Did you actually hit a person? You promise to return and sort everything out later. *You're not a bad person*, you think, *you just need a drink*.\n\nYou pull up to the store, and you see the cashier stepping outside to look at the fuss happening outside. He gives you a look, and you're not sure if he saw the whole thing. Your phone vibrates, and the only people who ever call you these days are the debt collectors and your girlfriend. You don't have time to entertain either of them, so you continue your beeline towards the refrigerator and grab them cold ones.\n\nYou tap the glass door to get the nosy cashier's attention. One can has already found its way into your hand by the time he sees you, and you've almost emptied it by the time the asshole steps behind the cashier. You feel much better after the drink, but the look he's giving you sets you on edge again.\n\nHe reluctantly rings in your purchase, and you throw him a tenner without waiting for your change. Right then, someone barges in through the glass door, looks around, then points towards you. The officer beside her calls something into his radio. Something about an Asian male with sleeve tattoos. You realise that's you.\n\nYou feel someone pulling your shirt, and it's the fucking cashier. He probably didn't see your strike coming, because he drops like a sack of potatoes once your elbow finds its home. People start shouting and chaos begins to reign. The officer makes his way towards you, and you dash down a neighbouring aisle, barging against the witness as you fly out the door.\n\n*Fuck, fuck, fuck, what did you do*?\n\nMaybe they didn't get a good look of your face, and maybe they didn't see your car plate yet, so escaping seems like the only valid option. You peel away from the parking lot, leaving behind a cloud of smoke and burnt rubber.\n\nAnother drink sounds good, so you crack one open, as your phone vibrates again. You figure that listening to a familiar voice would be good, so you answer it. \"Where the fuck are you?\" On second thought, you decide you don't want to talk and hang up.\n\nThe sirens never seem to fade, even as you swerve down your street. Maybe if you could make it into the garage in time, the police might lose you. The car jolts and rumbles as you run over the sidewalk to get into the garage. Your girlfriend appears out of nowhere, and you watch as the anger on her face turns into surprise, then into fear.\n\nThis moment seems to drag on forever as you watch her crumple against your hood, then the windshield. You're not sure if the last bang was from her body or the garage door. The sirens that never faded rings louder now. \n\nYou hear shouting, and you feel hands wresting you to the ground, but your gaze never leaves the hood of your car, and the person you used to know splayed lifeless across it.\n\n*What's the worst that could happen*? You tie your jumpsuit into the top rung of your cell bars. \"Not this,\" you say aloud, as you stick your head into the loop and slowly let go."
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549432032",
"1549432113"
] | |
[WP] The Elder Gods are actually like the cool grandparents that give humans like the cosmic equivalent of $20 and regular Gods get angery because their messing up their parenting and that's why they can't see humans anymore | 431 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“You'd make the cutest ladybug, but that's so cliche. What do you think, a pirate, maybe?” \n\nShe smiles back from my arms. Two-year-olds don't understand most of what you're saying, of course, but they do know when you're being nice to them. \n\n“Nah, we're more creative than that. Surely your first trick-or-treat ought to be cooler than some off-the-rack, low-effort hackwork.” I rack my brain for television shows or videogames or anything to provide an obscure inspiration. Come to think of it, anything clever would make it obvious to anyone that I put the costume on her instead of letting her pick one out. Oh, well, she would have been two, maybe three at most if her birthday is between now and Halloween. Who cares what they would have thought?\n\nI speak to her in a hushed tone as we hurry under the streetlights. It seems unnecessary, as the houses are all deserted, but I'm afraid the panic might show up in my voice if I put too much breath into it.\n\n“After that will be your first day of school, yeah? Are you excited for your first day of school?” The girl burbles in what I have to assume is a pleased tone and I laugh quietly. “You say that, now, but you'll probably be eating those words after your first few days. But don't worry, it'll be a little different at first, but you'll like it once you get used to it.” I hug her close, trying not to jostle her too much as I take longer strides. “You'll make friends and you'll find that the more you learn, the more you want to learn.”\n\nThe screams and the howling have receded into the distance after getting this far into the city. Still, the night air carries the constant sounds of a losing battle. Explosions and gunfire are the only indications that we aren't the last two people left in the world.\n\nI imagine out loud to the child about her first trip to the beach. About Christmases full of lights and the first time she falls in love. Her first car. Prom. Everything I can think of. The air is ragged in my lungs, but I can't stop walking and I can't stop talking. It's impossible to tell how many miles and how many hours it's been, but I'm trying to fit a lifetime into this space. She has to take something of this world with her. Of the life she could have had. Even if it's just imagination, even if it's just stories, even if she can't understand what I'm saying. Something, anything, has to be better than nothing.\n\nThe sounds of ordnance have dulled to hollow, echoing pops as I collapse on a downtown sidewalk. The child looks at me patiently but doesn't make a sound, and I'm thankful for that. I set her on her feet and lie back onto the concrete to study the stars for an answer. I've been running out of the sheer human instinct to not be where death is - but where is death not? I have no goal. Just get away, get away. Like an animal from a forest fire. I know there's no escape from the judgment of God. But that which is rare is precious and this girl has few enough moments left on Earth. Every extra minute I can buy her is a small revolt against divine justice.\n\nTo my amazement the answer comes from a bit closer than the firmament. The lights of an upper floor are still on in a skyscraper across the street. Shadows - human shadows - are intermittently cast against the windows. I leap to my feet, scoop the baby into my arms, and run towards the ground floor doors.\n\n*\t\t*\t\t*\n\n\nI lazily turn the bomb over in my hands. “This is all we've got left,” the man had said. A few small portions of plastique with detonators and an ineffectual assortment of handguns. That's everything.\n\nThe girl playfully buzzes around my legs. I start to caution her about the broken glass that had been blown into the darkened room from the windows but I can't find my voice. It's all over anyway. We ran as far as we could. I did the best I could. They've overrun the perimeter and I can see from my vantage point on this high floor that they're coming, a tide of horror crawling down the thoroughfares in every direction. A few more blocks and they'll have reached this building.\n\nIt was immediately clear that these last stragglers offer nothing in the way of hope. The one who seemed to be taking charge was an older, balding, bespectacled man that had clearly never done anything more exciting in his life than maybe parasailing on a tropical vacation one time. The rest are no better. There is no one here that's even trained in the handling of the small arms that the survivors managed to scavenge off of dead soldiers. A few accountants, some housewives and retirees, people who are still alive simply because they were lucky rather than skilled.\n\nMy eyes can't tolerate the surge of approaching death and so I stare blankly into the green light on the detonator. “We're not going to escape,” the man had said, and no one objected. “Let's take as many of these bastards with us as we can.” Several people and couples grimly took the offered bundles of plastique and marched off to different corners of the floor. The remainder took handguns and covered the entrances. I think of the child's uncle - dead before he hit the ground and then his flesh snatched away in the claws of something I couldn't make out - and I know that incineration is better than whatever brief and hungry terror awaits this girl in the last few moments of life.\n\nShe gallops in a circle, giggling, and then scampers out of the room to explore the copy room next door. I slowly trudge after her and coax her back into the corner office that serves as our lookout. Sudden is better. I hold her hand in my left and examine our salvation in my right next to the blasted window. The moonlight illuminates the bomb but only half of her questioning expression. I'm locked in the moment and my mind is a complete blank.\n\nI slowly open my right hand and let the explosive roll off of my fingers and out of the window.\n\nEvery new minute of life is a revolt.\n\nThe impact somehow forces the detonator to go off and there's a small blast as it hits the empty plaza far below. Well, shit, that wouldn't have killed anything but us anyway. My musing turns to horror as I realize the end to which I've likely doomed us. I turn to beg the forgiveness of an uncomprehending two-year-old but she's lumbered out of the room again. Before I can call after her I hear a rumble in the distance that's deeper than that of a natural disaster. I wheel once more to the window and through the thick haze of the city's smoke I can just make out the tiny lights of flames on a distant mountain off to my right. Except...the lights are moving. The mountain is moving.\n\nIt's not a mountain. And it's not in the distance.\n\nAt the city's edge, opposite from whence we came, something larger than imagination is smashing its way indiscriminately through the city and through the onslaught of our doom. I can't quite find its form through the haze and the darkness but I can tell where it is by the light bursting through the small cracks in its stony skin. And it seems to be winning. The receding howls of animal rage tell me that everything that has come for us has redirected its collective attention onto this unstoppable goliath.\n\nSuddenly I remember hearing from a movie somewhere that the Earth has something of an immune system meant to counteract its imminent destruction. It just sounded to me like a good piece of dialogue, but...wait. That which judges humanity and finds us wanting can't have created a means to defend us against itself. Is the Earth...older than God? Are *we* older than God?\n\n“Baby?” I call over my shoulder. “Baby?!” I have to learn her name. Or give her one. She just might need it now. “We...we gotta go.” I bolt off in search of her. We've got to keep running.\n",
"\"This is an outrage!\"\n\n\"Zeus--\"\n\n\"Shut your beak, Ra!\" the first pharaoh narrowed his golden eyes, but let his hedonistic peer speak, \"This is the last straw.\"\n\n\"You must admit,\" Odin said before Ra could reply, \"they have been getting...out of hand.\"\n\nRa sighed, running a finger along his beak, \"What does Brahma say? Or Vishnu, or Shiva?\"\n\nZeus snorted, \"They're too busy dealing with that Buddy-thing that's been cropping up in their territory.\" He then gasped, slamming his fists together, thunder booming overhead, \"I bet that's another one of *their* little interferences!\"\n\nOdin shook his head, \"*Buddhism* is an entirely human invention.\"\n\nZeus scoffed, \"Since when are humans capable of developing things on their own?\"\n\nRa opened his beak, only to snap it shut. He wasn't *entirely* wrong...\n\n*\"Ah, it would be you three.\"*\n\nThe god-kings of Olympus, Asgard, and Egypt turned, only to wince and avert their gazes from the bright golden light.\n\n\"Oh great,\" Zeus groused, \"which one are you?\"\n\n*\"Gabriel\"* the light answered.\n\n\"And why are you here?\" Odin asked.\n\n*\"Despite your close borders, it's not everyday your three pantheons gather.\"* The light had dimmed a bit, allowing the three gods to return their eyes to the being before them. Not that it helped, since it was still covered in an almost blinding light. A human, Ra mused, would have gone blind. Or struck mad by sheer proximity. It was hard to tell what they would do, sometimes. *\"As such,\"* Ra returned his attention to the angel before him, *\"He sought fit to send me to...investigate.\"*\n\nOdin sniffed, \"Could He not just see what we are doing for Himself?\"\n\nThe light changed, turning a bit brighter. It's tone gained a hint of amusement, *\"Not everyone hates surprises, Allfather.\"*\n\nOdin's sole eye narrowed, but he said nothing.\n\n*\"Now,\"* Gabriel said, light shifting back to it's previous shine, *\"what troubles you?\"*\n\n\"It's the Old Ones!\" Zeus immediately raged, \"They are interfering once again!\"\n\n*\"Are you not all related through Gaia?\"* Gabriel replied, *\"Can you not simply speak with them as family?\"*\n\n\"Not those old ones,\" Ra said, \"*The* Old Ones.\"\n\nThe angel stilled, *\"Ah...\"* It then said, *\"So this is another territory dispute.\"*\n\n\"There's nothing to dispute,\" Zeus growled, \"because they have no claim!\"\n\n\"Zeus speaks true,\" Odin said, \"They have created no nations, nor established any laws. They do not answer prayers, nor commune with the devout. They are akin to feckless vagabonds; interfering where they have no right, nor reason.\"\n\n*\"All that dwell within this Ordered Chaos we inhabit have a purpose,\"* Gabriel intoned, *\"Regardless if you cannot see that purpose.\"*\n\n\"Don't give me that philosophical garbage!\" Zeus shouted, lightning crackling in his eyes, \"Something needs to be done! They must be punished!\"\n\n*\"Who would do so, Son of Cronus?\"* \n\nRa's ears popped from the sudden rise in pressure. He turned, \"Zeus,\" he warned.\n\n\"I just might,\" Zeus said, his voice low, but rumbling as loud as thunder.\n\nAt that, Gabriel moved, the light condensing on his being, revealing a hint of the body--the mass of flesh and metal--that dwelled within. *\"Oh? You would wage war, God of the Sky?\"*\n\nThankfully, that snapped Zeus out of his mood. Immediately, his power ebbed, and he sighed, clenching his fists, \"No...I would not.\"\n\nGabriel's encompassing glow returned to its previous strength. The three gods and lone angel were silent after that. Until finally, the angel said, *\"If they truly are that bothersome, I would suggest you strike a deal; they are quite fond of them.\"* The angel then vanished, without another word.\n\nRa loosed a relieved sigh, \"Well, now what?\"\n\nZeus turned on his heel, grinding his teeth, \"I must consult my daughter,\" and disappeared in a flash of lightning.\n\nRa turned to Odin, cocking a brow. The Allfather shrugged, \"I too need time to deliberate.\" He summoned his spear, slamming the butt of it against the ground. There was a loud neigh, and Slepnir, his personal steed, rode in from seemingly nowhere. Odin mounted the horse, nodding at Ra, and then rode of to Asgard.\n\nWhich left Ra, alone with his thoughts.\n\n++++++++\n\nLet me know how I can improve.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n",
"As God summons the sun to light the earth for a new day, he gazes upon his creation. Seven billion, as of today. Each bearing his likeness. His curiosity. Made in his image.\n\nHe watches, as they sin. As they worship. As they beg for redemption, and then sin again. As brother fights against brother, and sister conspires against sister.\n\nHis creations.\n\nHis pride.\n\nHe allows them to sin, as to sin is to be human. He forgives them, for they cannot know any better.\n\nFor forgiveness is all he can give.\n\nHe ponders that thought, wondering as to when he lost control of it. The garden of Eden... Adam and Eve...\n\nThe apple that gave them their curiosity. Their freedom.\n\nTheir need to sin.\n\nWhere did that come from? He wondered, as he watched one man kill another. A hundred men killing a hundred others.\n\nAs a war rages, both sides fighting for something they do not believe in.\n\nWhere did all this greed come from?\n\nGod's thoughts are cut short by an insistent buzzing in his ear. Sighing, he turns away from his creation, checking to see who's requesting a link.\n\nOh, no.\n\nNot them.\n\nGod sighs, as he accepts the link. Two faces appear in his mind, far too close to make out anything else as they push at each other, trying to take over the screen from the other. \n\n\"Cthulhu, Cthylla. A pleasure to see you both again.\"\n\n\"Is this on? Can you hear us?\" Cthulhu asks, pressing its insanity-inducing face closer. \"This blasted new telepathy, I told you we should've entered his dreams!\"\n\n\"Don't blame me, Cthulhu dear. God doesn't like the old ways, you know that. Says they're too 'Impractical'. Well, at least they're reliable!\" Says Cthylla, pushing Cthulhu away, their six eyes looking me up and down.\n\n\"I can hear you fine! I can hear you! No need to shout.\" God says, letting out another sigh and leaning back against the fabric of the universe, getting more comfy.\n\nCthulhu and Cthylla like to talk for millenias, after all. Best to be comfortable.\n\n\"We just want to check up on the dear Humans, how are they doing? Did they enjoy the last present we sent them?\" Cthulhu asks, tentacles ripping the dreams from those who are asleep.\n\n\"Yes, yes. They are enjoying it a lot. They haven't stopped using it since they got it.\" God says, peering back towards The Earth. A man lights a campfire in the woods, using its warmth to keep away the bitter night's cold. He places a freshly-plucked chicken onto a rotisserie, placing it above the fire to cook. \"Gotta say, it's an... Odd gift. In my opinion, it made them grow up a bit too fast for my liking.\"\n\n\"Oh, you need to lighten up! Let the poor things live a little! When you were younger, we let you play with fire all the time, and now look at you! Decorating the universe with all your little suns! How wonderful.\" says Cthylla, the sound of their wings flapping excitedly in the background.\n\nGod rubs his temple, feeling a headache coming on. \"Yes, Cthylla, but Humans are my creation, and I can raise them as I see fit.\" \n\n\"Well, you're not doing a very good job in our opinion!\" Says Cthulhu, the edge in its voice pushing the weaker humans minds over the edge, into permanent insanity. \"You didn't even give them free will during their baby stage! Very irresponsible.\"\n\nGod freezes, a realization washing over him.\n\n\"Wait... Did you guys give the humans the apple?\"\n\nCthulhu and Cthylla look shocked. They look towards each other, a silent understanding passing between their consciousnesses. They turn back to God, resignation on their faces. \"We only did what was best for them. They needed a little independence! You were smothering those poor things!\"\n\nGod lets out a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose and scrunching his eyes closed. \"Cthulhu, Cthylla, Humanity is *my* creation. I don't appreciate you two butting in uninvited!\"\n\n\"We'll try our best, dear. But we will do what we believe is best for Humanity.\" Cthylla says, crossing its tentacles across its chest. \"So, when can we visit the little darlings again? It's been centuries!\"\n\n\"I don't think this century's a good time.\" God says, looking back at Earth. A construction site is being set up, men working and sweating together to build a new nuclear power plant. Green energy, no pollution, and almost unlimited. The old coal and oil plants are running their final years, the supply God mistakenly provided the Humans almost running out. On the other side of the Earth, humans are planting tress. In ten years time, it'll be a massive forest.\n\nA man hands some money over to another. The other man cries, thinking about the food he'll be able to buy. The other man hasn't eaten in some time.\n\n\"Maybe next century, they'll be ready.\"\n\nr/DoopleWrites",
"'Hi, dad.'\n\n'Sharon, hi. Did Jim get my card?'\n\nMomentary silence on the other end of the call. It was common for there to be a delay between heaven and R'lyeh.\n\n'He did. He said thanks.'\n\n'Everything OK?'\n\nAnother pause.\n\n'Will you be coming down to see us soon?'\n\n'I'm not sure. Look, dad, we actually talked about this before. We weren't getting Jim cash this year. We're trying to teach him that there's more to life than money.'\n\nAnother silence, but this time it was on the R'lyeh end.\n\n'Dad?'\n\n'I'm here. I know we discussed it, but your mother and I just thought... After last year.'\n\n'You should have known giving Pandora a box full of evil and disease was not going to end well.'\n\n'I know! That's why we went for something simple this year. We thought Jim could just go out and buy something for himself.'\n\nThis time the silence was deafening.\n\n'Just, next year, please talk to us before you get him anything. He's a teenager now and you know he's been having trouble. He's had two world wars and I've lost count of how many revolutions. He needs to learn that there's more to life than money.'\n\n'OK, Sharon, we'll check with you first. We would love to see him, though. We could come up next week?'\n\nUtter silence.\n\n'Dad, you know what happened the last time you came up. He's still devastated about what happened to Atlantis. That was his favourite toy.'\n\n'It was an accident!'\n\n'I know, dad. Look, I've got to get back to Jim. He's looking into moving out to Mars for the summer.'\n\n'If he moves to Mars we'll never see him.'\n\n'I know, dad, but we have to let him grow up. I've got to go. We'll see you soon.'\n\n'OK, Sharon, tell him that we love-'\n\n*Click*"
] | [
1,
4,
17,
59,
112
] | [
"1549434416",
"1549487814",
"1549468012",
"1549452720",
"1549446114"
] | |
[WP] You die, but your soul fails to leave your body. You witness the aftermath of your death being trapped inside your lifeless self | 6 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I was completely, totally, absolutely wrong about death. I believed that I would be relieved from my pain, and see many of my men that I had led in the Revolution on the other side. However, this was not the case.\n\nA few seconds after I passed on, I had been surrounded by darkness. Expecting to go to Heaven, I waited patiently. Instead of seeing a paradise, I continued to see nothing and heard my wife wail. Why was God letting me hear this, and letting me suffer much more?\n\nI heard my own funeral, cries and heartfelt words for me from members of my Cabinet to lowly soldiers whom I had never knew or only talked to a few times, but still knew me as an inspiration. One poor man had arrived hours before the beginning of it, just to vent about his failing life. \n\nHe was truly a patriot, and had a similar dream to mine for America. He joined the army for this reason, and also to try and support his wife and twin children, who were struggling to get by. He made many friends, but in his time at Valley Forge, they all had died and he was alone in his struggle to survive the brutal winter. \n\nWhen he finally returned home at the end of the war, he found a desolate house save for a small, white, and fluffy dog he found scratching at the door. A neighbor informed him that the people that resided inside the household had passed on many years prior, but a very young puppy the woman had took in four years after the Revolution begun had survived, and was fed by the neighbor's family.\n\nAfter a year and a half of grief, he was forced to find work to sustain himself on, but by that time, many of the jobs in his area had been taken by other veterans. He decided to move to Virginia with his dog after being inspired by myself, and eventually found a miniscule house and a low-paying occupation as a tailor. \n\nHe made it by stressed and often bored, until the day I had died, wherein he lost his job and his dog passed on as well. On the day of my funeral, he decided to arrive in the morning to not take up time from others, and he admitted he was looking for guidance, and that he had nothing to do with his life, and nowhere else to go. I still remember the exact conversation to this day.\n\n\"I don't know what to do. I have no one to love or protect, nothing to strive for, and no meaning. Now my dear dog is dead, and you as well. You cannot hear me, but I may be joining you soon,\" Henry admitted, and I would frown if I could. Even though he would not hear me either, I still felt the need to respond.\n\n\"You have much to live for, Henry. Everything will get better. You do not want to be in this state too,\" I told him, hoping that somehow, I could get the message over to him. Miraculously, I did.\n\n\"What do I-wait, what? How…\" He trailed off in surprise. I was speechless as well. Was I able to communicate with the living?\n\nFrom then on, Henry Franzese was my last tie to the world outside of the darkness I was forced to exist in. He would return every week, and he would rant while I gave him advice and told of my own stories and life. Henry formed an animal shelter, one of the first of it's kind. It took a long time, but it finally took off and he was able to reap the benefits. He then met his future wife, Moon, when she adopted a cat from him.\n\nThey fell in love quickly, and got married a year afterwards. They had 7 children, but in 1829 visits halted. I suspect he died. I still hope that I am a unique case, and that Henry did not meet the same fate as I. I have not met anyone else that has been able to connect with me like he did, and no one has been able to open up to me in a long while due to \"security measures\". I find this ridiculous. Today, I am unable to hear much other than snippets from conversations and the tours they apparently do. \n\nAs I talk to myself, I wonder will I spend eternity like this? Alone and blind, with only myself to keep me company? Wha-CREAK\n\nThe opening of a door was met with a moment of silence, and then a distant gasp. I had a premonition that someone other than a new staff member had entered the room outside of Mount Vernon's open hours. How peculiar.\n\n\"It's really George Washington, his wife too…woah…\" \n\nTo be continued…"
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549478013",
"1549500484"
] | |
[WP] You’re so sick of all these goddamn chupacabras | 4 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"For fuck's sake.\" A man with sand colored hair clutched a piece of weathered paper, his eyes darting across it, following scrawled lines, \"Fern, you seen this?\" He flicked the parchment in the direction of another man.\n\n​\n\n*Jorge,*\n\n*We had to go into hiding. Me and the kids. That monster came back while you were gone. Three times. I took all the supplies we had left. Remember that cellar door I found behind that old abandoned ice cream shack that one time? Meet me there. If you're reading this, hopefully we made it inside safely. See you in a few days. Please bring all the stuff you got in town.* \n\n*Love you,*\n\n*Maria*\n\n​\n\n\"I wonder if they're still alive?\" Fern answered, brushing dark hair from his brow. He replaced the note on a messy table, layered with dust and grime. An old decayed corpse lay sprawled out on the floor beside it. It was mangled and unrecognizable. Dried blood encrusted the filthy linoleum floor. Fern stepped over it toward the door.\n\n​\n\n\"Alright, Gil. After you,\" he gestured, \"You know where this place is at?\" Gil tucked his hands into the pockets of his faded jeans, the Southwestern winter chill tickling his cheeks. \n\n​\n\n\"Yeah, I think so.\" he shrugged lightly, \"Damn, I hope they're still there. 'Cause this sounds like the fucking chupe we've been looking for. Anything big enough to do *that* to someone... you know DHS will pay big.\" \n\n​\n\n\"For sure,\" Fern responded, zipping his jacket up as they started back towards Gil's run down SUV, \"And maybe help them out a bit. Wonder if they ever came back to check or anything...\" his thoughts were interrupted by the beep of the car unlocking. The two men hopped into the worn out seats of the SUV and Fern pulled out a local map from the glove box. It crinkled loudly as he turned and folded it, trying to triangulate their area. \n\n​\n\nThe SUV cranked a few times and coughed before the engine fully started, loudly growling over the quiet dusky scenery. \n\n​\n\n\"Nah, doubt it. We're in chupe country and this one's a maneater,\" Gil looked at Fern with raised eyebrows as he backed the SUV out of the dirt driveway, \"Doesn't sound like there's much people left out here, so I bet that fucker's been banging on the door to their cellar since-- well, if-- they got there. Chupe's gotta eat too, right?\" He smiled, morbidly. Fern did not return the smile, and sighed lightly, rolling down the window. \n\n​\n\n\"Guess so,\" he lamented, and watched the old worn down shack fade into the distance, \"I dunno man. The hunt money's decent, but I'm so damn sick of these chupacabras.\"\n\n \n\n​\n\n\\[eh, i might to a part 2. idk. whatevs\\]"
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549485610",
"1549486242"
] | |
[WP] You are the World's best headhunter. You always find the best man for the job even if they don't know it. Now you have your most difficult assignment till date when angels ask you to help them find the next GOD. | 12 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \"Judy, send in my 3 o'clock.\"\n\nThe expected reply came through the intercom speaker on the desk. \"Yes, Mr. Birnbaum.\"\n\nThen the unexpected came, \"Uh, Mr. Birnbaum! There's a prob--\"\n\nHe stared at the intercom for a moment, waiting for Judy's voice to complete that sentence. He was about to press his finger on the button, when he saw strange lights through the frosted, translucent glass in the door frame. The door opened, filling the room with radiant beams, bathing the man behind the desk in its glow and warmth.\n\nA moment later, three people walked in. Men? Women? Beings of some kind? They had strong, stern faces, but wore long white gowns. He had to squint to see if they were robes or togas or something.\n\n\"You're not my 3 o'clock!\" he managed to call out.\n\n\"No.\" the voice filled his ears, but he couldn't tell which had spoken. \"No, George Birnbaum. I'm afraid that your '3 o'clock' will have to wait. We have more pressing concerns.\"\n\nBirnbaum brought his hand up to his eyes and turned his head. \"Could you tone that down a little?\"\n\nAlmost immediately, the brightness of the room returned to ambient level, with the Sun just dipping behind the office buildings across the street.\n\n\"Is that better?\"\n\n\"Yes, thank you. Now, er, gentlemen? What brings you into my office?\"\n\nThe three heavenly beings floated across the floor, approaching the man's desk. \"Do you know who we are?\"\n\n\"I have an inkling of what you're supposed to be. Are you part of a magic act? Or a circus troupe? I don't usually work the entertainment field, but I have a few connections. Now if you can make an appointment with Judy outside, we can schedule a meeting.\"\n\nHe reached for his phone. the nearest of the angelic trio waved a hand and Birnbaum's hand was frozen. A second pointed at the phone, and it disappeared.\n\n\"Okay,\" said the frightened executive. \"You have my attention.\"\n\n\"I am Michael. This is Gabriel and Raphael. We have come down from Heaven, and we are in need.\"\n\nBirnbaum just nodded, \"I see. And what can I do for you ... Angels?\"\n\nRaphael spoke up. \"We have an opening that we need filled.\"\n\n\"Immediately,\" added Gabriel.\n\nThe headhunter grabbed a legal pad with his left hand. He went to move his right hand and realized it was still frozen. He gave it a tug, and it was free again, allowing him to pick up a pencil.\n\n\"Fine. What's the position?\"\n\nThe three spoke in unison. \"God.\"\n\n\"God?\"\n\nMichael nodded. \"Yes, God. He appears to be ... away at the moment, and we need a temporary replacement.\"\n\nBirnbaum was about to complain that he wasn't a temp agency, but thought better of it. Short-term contract work led to many opportunities. \"Okay, so describe the type of person you're looking for. I suppose you'll need someone strong, someone powerful...\"\n\n\"This is incorrect,\" said Gabriel. \"Power and strength will flow to him -- or her -- from the Faithful. We are not expecting omnipotence and omnipresence. These qualities will not be found on this plane.\"\n\nThe pencil tapped the pad as the man thought. \"So what do you need?\"\n\n\"Someone good,\" replied Michael. \"Good and loving. Wise, if possible, but we can provide counsel. The candidate will have the heavenly hosts at beck and call to assist will all job responsibilities.\"\n\nHe made a note on the pad. \"I can make a few calls. How long is the position for?\"\n\nThe three shared a moment, glancing back and forth. \"At this time, we are ... uncertain.\"\n\n\"Ah, so there's a possibility that they can be picked up for a long-term commitment. That may open the field of candidates a bit. That would include benefits, correct? Health? Pension? Excellent. I just need your contact information.\"\n\nGabriel stepped forward. \"Here, take my horn.\"\n\n\\-------------------------\n\nMore stories are r/xwhy\n\nEdit: most -> more",
"\"Alright ladies, turn off the lights.\" I wave my hand dismissively, sitting up on the park bench I had fallen asleep on. I blink a couple times to rid myself of the sun spots as the blinding light that appeared in front of me dims. \n\n\n\"Will thee take on this great journey, exalted one?\" Her voice was like honey dripping off of a harp. The three of them - angels, should their introduction and light be believed - stood with perfect posture, the middle one extending her hand towards me. \n\n\nI stare at them, already feeling the hangover. \"What's in it for me?\" \n\n\nShe smiles sweetly, the kind of expression to make the most hardened criminals weep. It annoys me. \"Thee shalt have a place in Heaven.\" \n\n\n\"Pass.\" I slump back down, turning away. \"Heaven doesn't sound that great.\" \n\n\nA moment passes, of which I assume the angels are talking to one another. Or they leave. It's difficult to think until one of them touches my shoulder and exorcizes the pain from my head. \"We needeth thee, exalted one. What shalt thee desire in Heaven's stead?\" \n\n\nI groan and sit back up, partially grateful for the pounding in my head to be gone. \"You're not going to leave me alone, are you?\" She shakes her head, worry creeping into the corners of her eyes. I throw my hands up. \"Okay! Okay. Fine. Make it so I never get a hangover again and I'll do your damned-\" I clamp my mouth shut as the word leaves my mouth. \n\n\n\"Tis quite alright, exalted one. Thy words doth not harm mine own ears.\" \n\n\nI sigh heavily. I suppose I could go through the database. \"Alright, what kind of god do you want for a boss?\" I wave my hand across the ground in front of me and a slight humming sound begins. \n\n\n\"One pure of heart, good of soul, and have justice in his mind.\" \n\n\n\"You're not going to get many candidates. Are you sure?\" She nods solemnly. To be fair, coming to me very likely was a last ditch effort. \"Alright. Take a step back please.\" \n\n\nThey move back slightly, obviously curious about what I am doing. \"When will thee begin thy search?\" \n\n\n\"Right now.\" A bluish circle expands around me, built of intricate design and difficult to see iconography. \"Connecting to Humanity Database. Searching query.\" I don't remember much outside of my magical searches. Just millions of people's worth of memories being sifted through my own, but I've been told a loud humming or buzzing sound erupts around me and the circle I conjure becomes painfully bright. \"Search complete. Printing coordinates.\" \n\n\nThe next thing I see is a light blue sheet of paper resting on the ground in front of me, the circle and its light no longer present. I pick it up and hand it to the angel, still stunned from the show I just gave her. \n\n\n\"Now if you'll be so kind, I have sleep to catch.\" I lay down on the bench, quickly drifting off. Damn otherworld beings. So picky. \n\n\n\\------- \n\n\nI have no idea what I wrote ～°·\\_·°～ but you're welcome to join me at /r/PM_Full_Tits :)"
] | [
1,
2,
2
] | [
"1549554513",
"1549566686",
"1549576140"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] You have been given the chance to leave your old life behind you and to start a new life in your favourite book. Do you take it? | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/RedMoon1507, 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 100 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 When prompts ask questions, we get responses that just respond with answers instead of actual 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/ao68ep/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549561045",
"1549561639"
] |
[WP] You wake up in dark, unfamiliar wildlands. You shiver as you hear coyotes howling in the distance. There are no signs of civilization in sight, but the stars at night are big and bright. You're lost deep in the heart of Texas. | 37 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It's cold. Cold and dark. Aside from the old 50s station overrun with static, no other sound presents itself. Not even the whizzing of cars zooming by on the highway. All Kaylee can hear is the occasional groan and creaking of metal from the overturned car. She senses she is upside down, but she hesitates to open her eyes, and confirm it. The man might still have his knife. If she moves too suddenly or shows signs of escape, he might try to attack her. People have been known to do crazy things when they believe they are about to die. She has to play this smart.\n\nShe waits. If the man fared better than her in the accident, he might wake up soon. She measures time by the amount of songs that play. One song, three minutes. Five songs, fifteen minutes. Still, nothing happens. When the radio cuts off, silence pulls in, filling the cabin. \n\nCoyotes start to yelp in the distance. At first one or two startle her, but each individual provokes several until they all yip. She senses the excitement in their pack mentality. Perhaps they made a kill. Perhaps they smell the accident. At this, she opens her eyes to face the glove compartment box, sprung open. Though the radio cut off, the dim glow of the control knob lighting manages to provide remedial vision. Contents from the box lay in front of her: a water bottle, a flashlight, and an atlas. \n\nShe turns her head to face him slowly, taking small intermittent gasps. The man is next to her, anchored by his seat belt. His neck contorts so far backwards, only one side of his face is visible. The other has pushed into the headrest. Swollen and bruised, it looks like a bulbous mess. Any discerning features lost themselves to the forces of the accident. Tears start to well in her eyes. Not out of pity, but of the realization of his death.\n\nShe fumbles to release her seat belt, but the button won't push down. Her fingers tremble trying to force it open, tearing at the clasp, until she really begins to cry. Freedom touched her in a horrendous way only to get snatched up by irony. \n\n'Free until eaten alive by a pack of coyotes,' she thinks. A sick smile twists into her mouth, and she cries harder into it. \n\nShe lets her arms hang too, awaiting her death. Underneath her fingers is the smoothness of metal. \n\nThe knife! She strokes it with the back of her fingers, feeling for the handle. When it comes to her, she pulls it upwards. \n\nThe nylon cuts through uneven. Jagged pieces of it curl outwards, even though the man must have sharpened the blade recently. She paces herself enough that she slides down in steps instead of falling into a broken neck like her captor. Huddled on the ceiling, she pulls together a remedial survival packet from what she finds near her. \n\nThe car door manages to open, heaved by her weight. She crawls out into the stark night. Immediate darkness envelops her--the car's headlights likely shut off with the radio. Wherever the man was going, his plan was certainly remote. Only empty desert surrounds the wreckage. The stars, though the brightest she's ever seen, barely provide a glow. Shivers start to reach her, her legs shaking not just from fear, but the cool dryness of the night. She wraps her sweatshirt tighter around her body, but to no avail. She turns on the flashlight.\n\nThe car is turned over, flat on the roof. She already knew that. Yet, the trunk hangs open. Rope dangles from the top of it, revealing the knot that tied it shut must have broke in the roll out. With the flashlight, she follows the path of the car. Five feet away, the glint of metal against canvas catches her eye. \n\nShe rushes toward it, and rips open the pack. After viewing the contents, bile rushes up her throat. Sheathed knives of all different sizes and shapes fill the interior. She empties it onto the ground.\n\n'So this was my fate??' she screams inside her head. She kicks them, stomps on them, screams at them, and spits on them. She wants to take all of them and thrust them into her captor's gut and rip them out. A rustling freezes her fury. She turns, slowly in the direction, fear shaking her, making her believe the coyotes finally found their true mark. \n\nA doe lies twenty feet away from the smashed front end of the car across a small gulley. It kicks its hind leg back, then goes limp. As she approaches it, its chest heaves faster, in spite of its bulging eyes. Somehow it fell backward and dead shrubbery impaled its lower abdomen. She glances at the knife in her hand. \n\n\"I have to,\" she tells it. Despite it breathing erratically, it does not move. She kneels down, placing her palm on its jugular. Wincing, she brings the knife close. In the silence of the desert, she slits it throat. \n\nShe hopes that will keep the coyotes busy. She hopes after that, they will smell the rotting corpse of her captor and tear into what's left of him too. Slobbering all over his soft meat until they gnash into his bones. The accident already tenderized his flesh for them. She fantasizes about this as she tosses all of her items into her pack, slings it over her shoulder, and saunters off into the night. \n\n",
"I grew up in this state. Made a life here. Had many adventures as a kids in my backyard and across most the state. But tonight.. tonight was different. \n\nI didn't remember falling asleep. I didn't remember sneaking out like I was a teenager again. And I certainly didn't agree to be where I have found myself. \n\nI grew up in this state, I learned how to track and live in the wild from true life experience and way too many years in the boy scouts. But thankfully that may come in use.\n\nI woke up in an open field, a few brush bushes here and there. A fair amount of feild grass and decent amount of sand mixed in. I couldn't be to far east or west..and give the hills being scattered and mostly flat terrain I know I'm not too far north towards the mountain range or south towards the flat lands. I'm in the damn deep heart of Texas. \n\nI have driven through here too many times as a child to know where I am. Not exactly, but well off enough to know where my stars are. Only problem now is that it's a cloudy night. And the sounds I hear are not sounds I like. \n\nYou see in Texas you would think you would worry about wolves, coyotes, or snakes. But the biggest scare here is wild boar. What people won't tell you is boar out here can get as large as a human in height and weight close to 250lbs. That's a decent size of bacon. If it could be. But this particular hell will charge you like a bull. And it has tusk like a rhinos horn. Long, sharp and deadly. \n\nGiven the position of Polaris. I have about 5 hours until day break. Unfortunately, in a flat lands, that means being more agile than a conquistador on his debut bull fight. But tonight, if I want to survive, I will find other means to dodge the onslaught that could possibly occur.",
"\"Don't move.\"\n\nThe voice came quietly through the fog to my right. I could just barely make out the image of a crouching figure about 20 feet away.\n\n\"Where am I?\" I asked\n\n\"Don't speak, either. He'll hear you.\"\n\n*He?* I thought to myself, looking around. I couldn't see shit. *Who...or where was this he?*\n\nMy visual senses worthless, I strained to listen for clues. Nothing. Only the braying of a donkey in the distance or the occasional yapping of coyotes across the valley.\n\nMy attempt to survey my surroundings was interrupted by a fierce and blinding pain. I grimaced, biting my tongue so that the unidentified *he* wouldn't hear my cries. \n\nInstinctively I brought my hand to my head, feeling the unmistakable warmth and slipperiness of blood.\n\n\"Don't touch it. I'll be over when I can,\" came the whisper.\n\nI laid back down, my hand still pressed to the wound, ignoring the advice. \n\nThe throbbing subsided somewhat, but I could feel the coolness of moisture wicking through my clothes. I was lying in mud.\n\n*I'll just close my eyes for a few minutes.* I thought. *This will all make sense soon enough*\n\nI heard a loud crash through the underbrush and saw the figure leap with astounding dexterity, followed by a sharp, pained growl. Then silence. I was too weak to sit up and see more.\n\nWhat I saw next made little sense in my weakened state. The figure leaning over me wore a hood. His face, shadowed, appeared dark and featureless. His eyes reflected a slight glint of moonlight. His voice was calm and steady.\n\n“What was that thing?” I asked.\n\nHe raised my head enough to set it back down again upon something soft. I could see that his eyes were large and dark, but at the same time caring.\n\n“Where am I? Who are you?” I asked, as a tear began streaking through the dried mud on my cheek. \n\n“A messenger. Rest,” he said.\n\nI felt warmth and comfort despite my predicament. Any attempted upwelling of anxiety or worry was pushed back by unreal peace.\n\nI turned my head a bit to the left and noticed my car – damaged beyond repair by a rollover, but distinctly mine nonetheless – identifiable by the license plates.\n\n*I’ve been in an accident. That’s why I’m confused*\n\nHis voice appeared within my own inner dialogue this time. \n\n*Yes. Peace will come with the rest*\n\nI closed my eyes. I no longer had the strength to doubt him, or question my circumstances.\n\n“The other….that growl. What…?”\n\n“Another messenger. The bad kind. You’ll go with me when you rest.”\n\nHe placed his hand over my eyes.\n\nI rested.\n"
] | [
1,
2,
2,
10
] | [
"1549564061",
"1549571764",
"1549581185",
"1549566120"
] | |
[WP] Wizards have the same trust in magic that software designers have in software, in other words, none at all. | 827 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Dear customer,\n\nwe were very sorry to hear that you crashed into the ground while using our \"Bind Dragon™\" scroll. During the investigation and with the description you provided after your revival (we are also sorry that you reincarnated as Gorilla due to the use of our \"Ban Death™\" scroll) we discovered a small spelling error we made when adapting the spell for red dragons and their tendency to fly higher than the human breathing permits.\n\nAttached you find a new updated \"Ban Death™\" and \"Bind Dragon™\" scroll to reimburse for your expenses and we also offer you one free \"Polymorph Human™\" scroll if you will decease from any black lawyer magic against us. Furthermore we will credit you with 25.000 points in our Frequent Caster program.\n\nYour \"Bewitching Overly Eager Industrious Necromancers Group™\"",
"“No, please don't use that” Dave said, staring at the healer, “It was made in, like, an afternoon! \n \n– So what? It works, right?” He felt flattered, but it was too dangerous.\n \n“– No, give that back to me, and give that guy red flower ointment.” \n \nHe snatched the parchment back from the healer's hands. That poor guy was about to use something that hadn't been reviewed, tested, or even proof-read by anyone else. He couldn't take that risk. The spell-maker skimmed through the charm while the other mage administered the basic first aids to a poor burnt soldier.\n \n“See, there was a typo in the evocation routine! You would have killed that guy!”. He saw the soldier straighten and shoot daggers at him with his eyes.\n \n“Calm down, I'm not the one responsible, you should blame your squad healer!\n \n– Fuck off Dave, I'm not the one leaving untested spells with alluring names among certified material!\n \n– Yeah, whatever, I'm going to fix that, we're gonna need it for tomorrow.”\n \n\n \nThe science, or rather, as a lot call it, art, of spell-making was commonplace, but it was especially useful for the military. The only problems arose when both other sides began to use it. Healing a second degree burn was easy. Fixing a cursed time-locked astrally phase-shifted non-existing arm was a tad bit harder. That's when on-field spell-makers came into action. They could design spells tailored specifically to the needs of squad healers, to be used directly on the troops.\n \nBut as is writing, spell-making was sometimes quite random. Closer to improvised bullshit than actual science some would say. Dave knew all the routines to remove common afflictions, but in a war with another actual country, and not just ignorant terrorists, they were rarely useful.\n \nSince the beginning of his service, he had to deal with everything, from earth elementals to black magic. But he still couldn’t beat the incompetence of his peers. What was that guy thinking ! It was clearly written “Work in progress” on the spell ! Well, at the end, in the back, but he still felt like people should look at the whole thing before reading it. He barely escaped an incident that would have taken all day to fix, and he didn't have time for that. \n \nHe didn't, because tonight was going to be one of the most important day of his career. It was going to be his trial by fire. Quite literally in fact. After six months in this section, he had been granted the right to use offensive spells. Before the eyes of a few trusted army leaders, he was going to unleash the fury of the most chaotic, ferocious, and unpredictable elemental among the enemy lines, a creature of pure darkness, feared by even the most prepared military sorcerers, capable of altering reality itself. And he knew they were going to retaliate.\n \n\n \nBut first he had to fix that typo.",
"\"This. This is what you give me for spell eval?\"\n\n​\n\nA nod.\n\n​\n\n\"My evaluation: This is complete madness. Stop making more work for me.\"\n\n​\n\nIn front of me was a meter-high, half globe of magical energy rapidly expanding and covering up the countryside, a waste of magic energy and a breach of the Magita accords, simply because IT WASTED CRYSTAL MAGIC. In its center, a thin stone, a ward, pulsed with light while beaming the enchantments to the half-globe's top. Normally, I would've simply spun up a Terminus hex, give my two students who created this, Pratchett and Donovan, a C+ and be done with it. But noooo, the two numbskulls just had to add a Gigantus charm and a Solidum enchantment into the mix. The result? The aforementioned half globe of energy expanding at a quadratic rate, pushing everything that contacted its borders away from it. And I mean EVERYTHING. \"You two get an F and two months worth of detention. After school, clean up the swamp for three hours with basic chants only. I will be watching.\"\n\n​\n\nPratchett lowered his head in shame, while Donovan immediately tried to stalk off into god knows where with his Shadow Step. I pulled them back, cast a MagiDrain spell, and continued to \"evaluate\" their ward -- really, at this point, I can't even describe this as an evaluation; it honestly seemed more of a lambasting to them, and I can't say I fully disagree -- while attempting to run damage control on the rampant destruction it was causing.\n\n​\n\n\"Pratchett. Remind me again what the basic function of a ward is. \" He looked up, not daring to speak, afraid of incurring my anger. \"Feh. Don't give me that. Tell me--\" I paused to spin a Frozone to stop the ward's growth \"--what the basic function of a ward is.\" He mumbled, \"Intermediate-level shielding from physical, magical, or spiritual interference.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Abridged, but mostly correct.\" I breathed out. Again, Donovan motioned to Shadow Step away from the globe of doom, so I yanked the night elf by the ear and slapped a Disability curse on him. He glared at me. I ignored it. \"Now, Donovan, tell me how to infuse spells to wards.\" He glowered, before grumbling out, \"Take a storage crystal, enchant it with the desired magic, fuse it with the ward stone, rinse, and repeat as often as you like.\" \"Excellent. I see you've been paying attention to my manner of talk.\" Noticing that the MagiDrain spell stopped and the Frozone already stopped the destructive ward's growth, I quickly muttered out the incantation for the Terminus hex. The globe flashed twice, then vanished with a pop. What remained was a giant clearing , with two-story high walls of dirt bordering it and making the entire thing look like a damn bowl. With a wave, I yanked the ward stone into my hands and perused the enchantments the two made. With a sigh, I turned towards the two troublemakers who started this entire mess.\n\n​\n\n\"Okay, couple of comments. Let's start with WHY THE HELL DID YOU THINK SLAPPING AN ENLARGEMENT SPELL AND A SOLIDIFYING ENCHANTMENT TO A GODDAMNED MAGIC SHIELD WAS A GOOD IDEA?!?! DID YOU LOSE YOUR COMMON SENSE WHEN YOU WERE WORKING ON THIS PROJECT?! WERE YOU DRUNK WHEN YOU MADE THIS?!?! AND LOOK AT THE WARD BASE. DID YOU REALLY NEED TO ADD A STABILIZING AGENT AND A SPELL DESTABILIZER TO YOUR WARD STONE? NO WONDER IT LOOKED LIKE AN AMALGAMATION OF SHIT AND SILVER. HELL, WHY DID YOU ADD A DESTABLIZER IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?!\"\n\n​\n\nPratchett began, \"Uh sir, because--\"\n\n​\n\n\"DON'T BE MCFUCKING RUDE, I WASN'T FINISHED TALKING!\" Both of them flinched. \"THE DESTABILIZER WAS BAD ENOUGH, BECAUSE THAT MEANT THAT YOU WANTED TO EXPLODOKILL EVERYTHING WITHIN A FOUR MILE RADIUS IF THE WARD WENT NUTS!\" My voice took on an icy tone. \"But hey, you know what the worst part is?\"\n\n\"N-no sir.\" they replied. I could see the fear in their eyes. They were ready to wet their pants at a moments notice. So I continued.\n\n​\n\n\"The worst part is...YOU ACTIVELY INDUCED A LOOP BUT FORGOT TO CLOSE IT OFF AND CUT OFF THE POWER WHEN THE LOOP WAS DONE, YOU DUMB FUCKS!\" Realization dawned in their eyes, immediately replaced by horror. Incantations 101 stated that under no circumstances should you ever, EVER, leave an induction open, and never forget to actively cut off the power after the desired outcome was achieved. The side effects were too sporadic and unpredictable to risk.\n\n​\n\nIf their ward finished growing the shield, entropy would take over and cause all sorts of chaos--from transmogrification to termination of existence.\n\n​\n\nI huffed before giving them their final verdict: \"You both are suspended for three weeks, starting tomorrow. You get an F, your arcane equipment will be confiscated, and you are now only allowed the use of one wind charm to clean the swamp. NO. BUTS. Get out of my sight.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Yes, Headmaster Joe.\" Pratchett and Donovan warped away.\n\n​\n\nI sat down heavily, and examined myself thoroughly. \"Damn. Never thought I'd see the day where three intermediates and three basics would tax me beyond half my mana.\" I was about to warp to my house when --\n\n\"Sir. Jacques and Maria have caused random and widespread transmogrification in the entire campus.\"\n\nShit.\n\n​",
"\"So, the problem requires me to create a heat vector from that volcano directly into the city, am I correct?\"\n\n\"Yes\", answered Duke Gaet \"subdivided in six at the second stage - five for the great forges and one for the bathhouses.\"\n\n\"I see\", I answered and tried to look pleased while I dismissed the communication spell. \n\nWell. That sucked. On multiple levels. First, I'd be working with a heat vector about seventy miles long (Note: ask royal cartography!) . Conventional wisdom said that you'd use Gimnel's Supreme Tome of Magics for vectors over ten miles. Gimnel, however, never thought about subdivision. For that you used Ampula's Apocryphal Alterations. That, however... \n\n\"is there a way to use Gimnel's and Triple-A at the same time?\", I asked. \n\n\"conflict in spell 'ðáłûřźą'\" , my shoulder dragon chimed \"Gimnel uses it for an obscure function which buffers the vector for a heartbeat, while Triple-A uses it as the second division command\"\n\nOf course there was. \n\n\"is there a compatibility book?\" \n\n\"Yes, it's called 'AyGim' but it requires Triple-A in second printing and Gimnel's in sixteenth\" \n\nJust great. Now I need to downgrade both spellbooks about three years back. \n\n\"also, it requires you to sing naked during a full moon in October\" \n\n\"what?\" \n\n\"annually\"\n\n\"great\" \n\nI was most definitely not doing that. That, and the downgrade. For all I knew Magic no longer supported those older printings,even if the Archmages claimed otherwise. \n\n\"okay then . So. How about running them separately and...\" \n\n\"not tried before\" \n\nWhich meant impeding disaster if I did try. \n\n\"Okay. Is there an alternative for Gimnel's? Like, linking several vectors in a row?\" \n\n\"Yes. Schimba Tome seventy-six. Uses vectors up to a mile, easily linkable\" \n\nI sighed. \n\n\"this will create about seventy heat sources at each linkage, right?\" \n\n\"Yes\"\n\n\"if we use it overheads and not below ground , how many fried birds will we get?\" \n\n\"no idea. Several dozens, at the very least\" \n\n\"is Sirexyn's Shielding Scripture compatible with that?\" \n\n\"unfortunately not. Conflicts in spells...\" \n\nI sighed again. Maybe it would be easier to create one massive heat vector and just make the whole goddamned city disappear. \n\n\n\n\n\n",
"Doctor of Magic Candidate Davin Pentrix read The Tome of Pythons at the desk in the corner, while the students at the rows of tables wove, sewed, melted, and riveted their various reagents and words of power together.\n\nDomin Beak raised his hand. \"Master Pentrix?\"\n\nA thump, the Tome on the desk. Clip, clip, Pentrix's shoes on stone. \"Yes Beak? And call me Davin.\"\n\n\"Right, uh, Davin. So, I understand that when steel and magnesium are adhered with gum Arabic the Fundamental Force of Light is invoked to the Manifestation of the Lesser Unseen, but why is there a difference between the Lesser and Greater Unseen?\"\n\n\"You mean, how is the Lesser different from the Greater? Doctor Mythryx covered that. The Lesser Unseen manifestation of Light will Disrupt the Fundamental Force of Life Stability, while the Greater Disrupts the Fundamental Force of Rest, especially of the Lesser Particles.\" Beak looked pained.\n\n\"No, what I mean is, I understand the reasoning of the Fundamental Forces, but I just don't understand how the metaphysical gravity of the reagents evokes the Manifestations. How does a Manifestation know when its conditions are met?\"\n\n\"Ah, you're wondering about Merlin Architecture. That's an advanced topic, you don't need to understand it to evoke the proper Manifestations, just learn how it's ingredients interact.\"\n\n\"Yes, but, how can inert, stable forces of nature know anything? Yes, I can choose reagents, and evoke the reaction I want, but I'm not telling light to make something hot, in just sticking bits of metal together. I know there are other Disciplines, but the question stands, why do any of them work?\"\n\nPentrix paused a beat for gravity and asked, \"Have you heard of the Discipline of Abstraction?\"",
"Lady Delavine sighed and put the parchment down. Nothing could get this blasted runeset to work. She'd been writing, editing and rewritting everything from scratch for nearly twenty six days now. She'd been carefully checking her grammar, examining every piece of syntax with ruthless efficiency and every single stroke of her scribe was in perfect form, but to no avail. Nothing could make her runes perform their task. Time it was, to out source her thinking.\n\nTwirling her scribe in her hand she stood up and began to draw a rune of summoning in the air. This rune she knew worked without fail. Unless of course you put a triple conflux where there should only be a double or a happened to be casting it on a day where the date added up to four hundred and six.\n\"You called my lady?\" A ghastly voice echoed around the small moonlight chamber as a hulking form of twisted red flesh and ivory spines stepped from the glowing matrix lady Delavine had just drawn.\n\"I did Mythrax. I have a great task that I would like you to under take.\"\n\"What could the almighty lady of the written word wish for someone as lowly as myself to perform?\"\n\"I need a skull.\"\n\"A skull?\" The demon grinned an awful grin filled with around two hundred too many teeth. \"A fine lady such as yourself out sourcing bloody murder? Some political rival grown too big for his boots?\"\n\"Thankfully today I am not required to have you arrange and accident. I merely require a skull.\"\n\"I don't not follow my lady.\"\n\"My skull was taken on the grounds of being vulgar and not child friendly.\"\n\"But my lady's skull is still firmly within her flesh.\"\n\"Not my actual skull you dimwit.\" She rolled her eyes. Demons are far too literal. \"The skull I talk to when I need to think aloud.\"\n\"Someone took Jerome?\"\n\"Yes my dear friend the queen thought it in exceptionally poor taste to have a talking skull belonging to an unfortunate enemy of mine in a place where my son might play. She gave him a proper burial which I find frightfully rude. You do not simply bury anyone's arcane aid no matter it's source. But enough of that. I need a skull and you're probably stupid enough for it to work. So sit down shut up and listen. Because for some reason I can't work out how to make a damn runic pyrotechnica.\"",
"The King's second, a knight who retired many years ago, stomped up.\n\n\"Why are you weaving a new set of observation runes around the castle? The current ones work fine; they caught someone last week!\"\n\nI was so tired of answering that question...\n\n\"No, they don't.\"\n\n\"Yes, they do, and you just don't want to fulfill the King's request for turning lead into gold because you can't do it.\"\n\n\"That's not it at all, and you know that.\"\n\n\"Fine, explain it to me...\"\n\n\"The current wards were etched 5 years ago. That doesn't sound like very long, but it's an eternity in magic. Since then, new potions, runes, wards and hexes have come out daily. The current one did catch someone last week, but I've found almost half of them down. It's pretty clear that while most of those failed, some were intentionally disabled.\"\n\n\"But can't you just...\"\n\n\"Reset those runes? Sure I can, but they'll just be disabled or fail again.\"\n\n\"Well, with your command over the mystic arts...\"\n\n\"... I can tell you how truly worthless these wards are. They can't be fixed; they're too far gone. I've spent 3 months maintaining them-\"\n\n\"Complaining the whole time!\"\n\n\"Yes, because at least one of the five other wizards who maintained them - not the original weaver - was an absolute idiot and removed half the protective measures. I re-enabled them, but I was chasing cascade failures and mana resonances for weeks.\"\n\n\"Well, that just means you know the ley line network now.\"\n\n\"I do, and again, I can see all the ways it's broken. I'm sure most of the mages had decent work ethic, knowledge and loyalty for the time, but they aren't up to snuff. I know half a dozen ways I could get to the King's private chambers without being noticed, and that's off the top of my head.\"\n\n\"Fine. Just do it right, this is the last time anyone in the royal family will put up with this.\"\n\n\"It won't be. Even if I stay here until I die, study the latest incantations and elixirs daily, and devote all my time on these runes, they will STILL fail. Not because I'm a bad wizard - I'm an expert in the art of detection; I've literally written three books to train young mages on detection, monitoring and shielding spells - but because tomorrow, I'll be a better wizard than I am today, but every other mage, wizard, sorcerer, warlock, witch, caster, priest, incanter, enchanter, thaumaturgist, diviner, shaman, trickster and weaver is too. Even if I cast the most powerful, thorough, redundant spell of my career, in 5 years i will know another new half-dozen ways to sneak past it.\"\n\n\"But...\"\n\n\"And most of those won't be little 'zaps' to protect against the gaps. Meanwhile, the King will probably expand his stables again, which means the guards will move the wall, which will strain the south set of wards, requiring complex counterbalancing.\"\n\n\"Well, possibly...\"\n\n\"Meanwhile, if an assassin did slip through and do something, I'm the one who would end up on a pike as a warning to the next wizard.\"\n\n\"Probably not. I mean, maybe. There's always a risk, of course...\"\n\n\"Mind you, you would also be put to the sword. So, instead of simply coming out here and screaming, please: enable me to do the job right. Be willing to tell the King no on occasion, and take the time to tell him why. Point out that adding 5 new casters won't help - and will make things worse - if they don't have the right skills, experience, or can work as a team. Point out that everything had a cost and a limited lifespan.\"\n\nThe boisterous knight mumbled and walked away. He wasn't used to this type of defeat.\n\nI went back to my work, and started pulling apart another aged rune, when an transparent, robed figure appeared.\n\n\"These ley-threads clearly are knotted, but I need to reinforce the NW corner today and the King just exiled 2 of the assistant casters because he 'didn't like them sleeping in until lunchtime,' even if they had been toiling until almost first bell. I know there's a parallel thread solution here somewhere, but I don't have any more time: I've already spent 6 hours weaving this, and I don't have a better solution.\"\n\nBlast.",
"Scarford the wizard held up his latest scroll.\"I don't know how it works, but it just does.\"\n\nThe wizard's assistant, Danny, tilted his head at the old man. \"How come?\"\n\n\"Well, I know that the first three lines needed to mention a power source, like fire, air, spirit, sap... you know, a real general source of power for the scroll's spell.\"\n\nDanny nodded seriously. \"Sure.\" He then stopped nodding and shook his head instead. \"Actually, no. I didn't know there were different power sources.\"\n\nScarford looked at the boy and blinked. \"You don't know about the power sources?\"\n\nDanny shrugged.\n\nHe motioned for Danny to take a seat. Danny did so and Scarford continued. \"All magic draws from one of the nineteen sources, according to standard magic theory.\"\n\nDanny nodded slowly, unblinking.\n\nScarford continued. \"And so in the opening declaration of any complex spell, like a magical engraving or scroll, it is vital to include your source, or sources, of power.\"\n\nDanny continued to nod, still unblinking.\n\nScarford handed his latest scroll to Danny. The apprentice held it in both hands wide-eyed and began to read. \"Ex virtute propria potestate hæc facio.\"\n\nDanny nodded. The wizard glared at him. \"Do you know what that means?\"\n\nDanny shook his head.\n\nScarford placed his palm upon his own face. \"It's so simple though. I'm telling the scroll to use its own power as a source. And it works!\"\n\nDanny's eyes went wide. \"It powers itself!? Does that mean you don't need to invoke the fire daemons on summer solstice to renew your fire well?\"\n\nScarford lowered the scroll, his expression drooping. \"Well, no. Not exactly.\" He turned away from the seated youth. \"Although the scroll can power itself, it can't really do anything.\"\n\nDanny got up and walked to the side of the lanky old man. \"Why can't the scroll do anything under its own power?\"\n\nScarford looked down at his apprentice and passed the scroll back to him. \"Here, take it.\" Danny took the scroll. Scarford continued. \"The scroll can't do anything because I don't know what a self-powered scroll can do. Fire powered scrolls can make fire, obviously. Spirit scrolls can summon or materialize things. Sap powered scrolls can create nature effects. But scroll powered? Self powered?\" He scratched his white-haired head.\n\nDanny looked at the scroll in his hands, pulled out a pen and scrawled a quick flourish after the first part. \"There!\"\n\nSuddenly the scroll began to fill with text. Scarford grabbed the scroll from Danny, staring at the writing. \"What's it doing!?\"\n\nDanny nodded smugly. \"I wrote *Scientia potentia est* - so in reading 'ex virtute propria potestate hæc facio. Scientia potentia est' I think I told the scroll to use its power to write down knowledge.\"\n\nThe scroll began to grow in length, the paragraphs appearing on its surface more and more rapidly. Scarford looked at the lengthening scroll with some worry. \"So you told it to write down knowledge.\"\n\nThe scroll was starting to curl around on the floor of the room. Danny nodded worriedly. \"Yes. Knowledge.\"\n\nThe long, winding scroll covered the entire floor and its tangle was starting to rise to knee height. Scarford looked to Danny. \"What knowledge is it writing down!?\"\n\nDanny frowned. \"All of it.\" He swallowed hard and looked up at Scarford. \"It's going to write down all knowledge.\"\n\nScarford had both hands over his face. \"Danny, my boy. There's no end to knowledge, you didn't terminate your spell, and the scroll powers itself!\" The paper flood continued to rise to chest level. \"You've made an infinite loop!\"\n\nAnd the scroll continued to fill with knowledge.",
"\"Then you wave your hand in a circle and spin in a counter clockwise motion during the third line of the incantation--\"\n\n\"Wait, why?\" Scarfron said, frowning at his mentor. \"What does the counter-clockwise motion have to do with a restorative spell?\"\n\nPorf, his mentor, stopped his pacing and stepped close enough to tap Scarfron's book. \"Do you see the words written in the margins?\" He said, clearly annoyed at having been interrupted.\n\nScarfron frowned, puzzled. \"Yes?\"\n\nProf tapped the book again. \"Read. Them.\" He turned, striding to the front of the small room, the other students now scanning their own books curiously. \"Aloud!\" He added in a bellow. \n\n\"Inherited this spell from a Russian Spellcaster...\" Scanfron started, \"...don't know why it works just that it does.\" His voice trailed off in embarrassment, heat flushing his face. \"Whole spell will crash otherwise.\" \n\n\"Right.\" Prof said. \"Any other stupid questions? No? Good. Next class we will focus on functions and decoder codes...\" ",
"\"I trust my spells. I test them. Whatever the fuck you do all day in your moss eaten tower, that's not casting. That's like eating a water melon, shitting out the seeds, and claiming you're a farmer,\" the drunk wizard slammed his mug down on the table and it instantly filled back up again.\n\n\"Jesus!\" the bartender exclaimed wondering if magically refilling mugs could be added to the tab.\n\n\"And another thing, you...\" he pointed his mug over towards the beautiful middle-aged woman in the green emerald dress across from him, \"You... witch, sorceress or whatever you are. I know the only reason you're here is the queen. You couldn't conjure you're way out of a menopausal...\" \n\nAnd just like that his head slumped to the table and he was out.\n\n\"Thank God!\" a woman sitting at the table behind them exclaimed followed by cheers from the rest of the bar.\n\nThe younger sorcerer smiled at the sorceress, \"I told you it would work. How do you defeat a man who can conjure dragons, turn lakes into lava, and reanimate the dead?\"\n\n\"Social engineering,\" she smirked, but she still seem irked by the drunken old man's previous comments.\n\n\"That's right, now help me get him to the alley.\"\n\n\"Ok old timer, you've had too much to drink. Time to get you home!\" She raised her voice loud enough for the other patrons to hear and purple light formed around the elderly man's arms and legs. After paying the tab with a snap of her fingers she walked out of the bar with the unconscious wizard in tow.\n\n\"I think we're far enough away, go down that alley,\" the younger wizard pointed.\n\nThe old man was unceremoniously slumped to the ground and his purple bonds faded into the cold night air. \n\nThe excited young sorcerer started to search the older man's pockets. A bolt of blinding energy leapt from the wizard's cloak and shot him 15 feet down the alley.\n\n\"Warded...\" the sorceress snickered amused.\n\nShe waved her hands in the air and a complex spider web of lines, runes, and formulas formed out of the crisp air.\n\n\"My fucking head,\" the younger man rose from the ground and begrudgingly returned to the scene of his humiliation.\n\n\"I... I can't even read this ward. It's so...\"\n\n\"Fucking Over-engineered!\" the sorcerer gasped, \"Why in the hell would you abstract a simple Lion of Ordin into three hierarchical Hounds Tooths? I mean you can do it, but why? It's like he tried to future-proof it, expecting it to someday fill some sort of mad king's desire to ward an entire castle knowing that it would only ward an old moth eaten robe. Why over-complicate a simple spell?\"\n\n\"Just remember, it's not how well designed your ward is. The only two questions you ever need to ask yourself is, does it work and can another aligned mage read it well enough to improve upon it,\" the older woman lectured.\n\n\"There, I think I see it. Right next to the Three Eyes of Soden,\" he pointed.\n\n\"Oh my God, did he really encode the banishment word right there into the ward itself? And he's the Duke's magician?\" the sorceress exclaimed.\n\n\"Pimp...My... Toad\", the young sorcerer breathed each word out and the ward vanished into the air.\n\nThe sorcerer then warily placed his hands back into the robe, felt around a few seconds, and pulled out a small black stone.\n\n\"The Lodestone of Langus Algre!\" the sorceress proclaimed.\n\n\"Our benefactor is going to freak,\" the younger man laughed.\n\nThe woman then seemingly started gathering the night mist around her until it formed a perfect smooth oval in front of the two sorcerers. \n\nAn old haggard man's face formed in the shape and he looked surprised to be summoned, \"Oh good, it's you. I was actually about to send a messenger for you.\"\n\n\"You're going to love the news we have for you, look!\" the sorcerer proudly held up the stone.\n\n\"Oh, you already have the stone....\"\n\n\"Yes, \" the sorceress smiled, \"And we're about to create a portal directly the the palace with it.\"\n\n\"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't reach you in time. There's been a change of plans,\" the man frowned.\n\n\"A change in plans?\" the sorceress' brow started to furrow. \n\n\"Yes, you see while you were planning and implementing the job we had more time to evaluate the situation and we're not going to be able to get this war started with the assassination of a SINGLE duke. We want to go a little bigger and roll out three simultaneous royal assassinations at once. We think that will have a bigger impact on the kingdom,\" the man informed. \n\n\"You can't be serious,\" the woman scowled.\n\n\"You can't change the requirements now, we're already halfway through the...\"\n\n\"Listen, I know you both are very smart and capable mages. I know you'll figure it out. And one more thing, the Earl wants it all done within the same time frame we discussed earlier.\"\n\n\"Impossible!\" the young sorcerer screamed, \"I've been overdosing ginseng all week just to stay wake 19 out of 24 hours a day. How am I going to get all of that done in...\"\n\nThe man in the misty oval started looking extremely cross.\n\nThe wiser sorceress stepped in front of the younger sorcerer, \"What my apprentice means to say is we'll have to add more mages to get this job done on time.\"\n\n\"I can increase the budget 10%, but I suggest you outsource to the far realms,\" he was scratching his chin.\n\n\"Not the far realms!\" the young sorcerer whined, \"Most of them can only do one thing well! They don't think outside the manna cache. This is going to be a dis...\"\n\n\"We'll get it done sir. Now if you don't mind I'll end this glass-spell so I can discuss the implementation details with my apprentice. Thank you for your time!\" she faked a smile.\n\nThe man in the oval waved them away with a hand and the oval faded into the night.\n\n\"Never ever use negative terms when talking to the patron!\" She admonished the younger wizard. \"You say one negative thing and we're in another 5 hour meeting with the Earl. Do you really want that?\"'\n\n\"No, I definitely don't want that!\"\n\n\n\n"
] | [
1,
1,
2,
15,
15,
19,
19,
39,
75,
162,
281
] | [
"1549584474",
"1549645559",
"1549643198",
"1549613417",
"1549630482",
"1549595741",
"1549611417",
"1549599577",
"1549594865",
"1549585228",
"1549594743"
] | |
[WP] Barbaric times are upon us, humans with the ability to shapeshift into their spirit animals have changed war as we know it. You have become one of the most fearsome warriors in the land by mastering your spirit form, the mighty goose. | 109 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"At first they wanted to know why.\n\nEvery famous - or infamous, depending on which side you were on - shifter in the war morphed into something large and fierce. Lion, bull elephant, alligator, rhinoceros, wolf, tiger, hippo. Yes, hippo, those beasts are mean. I've seen Bertrand the Mad Pot bite through three men at once, leave them in screaming, bloody pieces. Unconventional, but powerful. \n\nPeople could wrap their heads around that, a Hippo was at least strong, but a goose? None of my tribe could understand my choice. \n\nThey came to, in time, as I trained with my brothers and sisters and eventually blooded myself in skirmishes with the enemy. By the time I was a man, chosen from among my tribe to represent our forces in the larger war, no one questioned my ability in battle. \n\nWhat happened next you probably know. Countless ballads sing of my victories, and I doubt there's a soul born into this second dark age who does not know of my exploits. But knowing is not the same as understanding. Still, despite all of my success, despite my unrivaled dominance in the Frontier Wars, I am still doubted. Though the question has changed.\n\nHow? How could a man shifted into a goose, no taller than a man's thigh, possessed of no vicious fangs or tearing claws, weighing no more than a human baby possibly defeat the most fearsome shift-beasts of legend? Akrod the King, Von Groyer the Tusked, Nacient the Striped, and so many others. I conquered them all.\n\nHow, they ask? You have probably asked this yourself.\n\nSome have said I whip the winds with my wings, creating a tornado that destroys all in its path. Others have said I dive bomb my foes with the force of a meteor from heaven. Still others have claimed even more outlandish things, like fiery breath or projectile feathers as sharp as razors. The answer is much simpler than that.\n\nHave you ever encountered a goose in the wild? Perhaps walking along a lake, reflecting on your daily tasks when a white, long necked bird strutted up to your legs, wings outstretched? You probably expected it to back off. This bird was simply defending its territory, making a show of it, but faced with a creature much larger and stronger it would retreat in a moment. But it didn't. And in your confusion you backed away from the mad bird and left it be.\n\nBecause it made no sense. The goose must have known something you didn't, some justification for its insane charge towards a being it should not be able to best.\n\nThat is the great secret of my legend. My greatest victories came without the striking of a single blow, without so much as touching the massive shift-beasts of the enemy.\n\nThey all surrendered. "
] | [
1,
25
] | [
"1549600914",
"1549633651"
] | |
[WP] You are a monk searching for, and writing down only weird useless prophecies. | 10 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"The myth of the 1000 eye man,\" he spoke to himself outloud. Another parchment translated \"The spider who ruined the world.\" He flipped through to find a last parchment he wanted to read to the eight year old boy looking up, eyes intent on hearing the last words, whether he understood them or not, \"The snow that fell forever on the planet of exiles.\" The boy stopped licking his piece of candy, and held the stick of the pop to his side, before twisting his eyebrows and asking what \"ziles\" meant, and just who are they. He asked if his mom was one. Teaver came from no where his eyes were looking, and laughed. \"If these prophecies are real, then Tea is a real monk then, isn't he. It's unfortunate fella, young one, that you encounter a habitual liar. This man is no monk."
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549610192",
"1549613706"
] | |
[WP] This will be the heist of the century. If you and your crew pull this off, you'll be set for life. Heck, your grandchildren will be too. Only problem is, the mansion you're going to clean out is owned by a vampire. | 6 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"This wasn't how it was supposed to go. We were supposed to clean out the place following a tight plan in less than a hour. We never expected this. This was impossible. Instead, we had encountered the owner of the mansion five minutes into the heist. Luke and Bryan were supposed to take care of him, but instead he had moved with inhuman speed and slaughtered them both in under 10 seconds.\n\nEverything continued to go downhill after that. We dropped our equipment in the living room, too afraid to go back to where that monster had killed Luke and Bryan. We were also locked in with no escape.\n\nWe split up, running down the hallways away from it, but always ending up in the same place. It was like an endless maze, with a demon after us and no end in sight.\n\nFinally, after hours of running, we saw the monster again. There were four of us - Michael, Smith, Riley and I all in the master bedroom- when we saw it. \n\n His eyes had glowed red in the darkness of the mansion, his mouth stained with coppery blood.\n\nHe looked at us with malicious hunger evident in his sadistic smile. That's when I knew we were truly done for. Michael - naïve Michael - flashed a knife and ran towards the monster. The creature only laughed and casually flicked his arm into Michael's chest. It would have been comically, except that Michael's body was thrown across the room, over my head, and into the wall. His body slammed into it with a sickening crunch, and blood looked underneath him.\n\nThe monster advanced towards us. Riley tried to crawl away from him, but he grabbed her by the neck and squeezed his hand. Her neck snapped in his hands, leaking blood. He picked up her body like a rag doll and tossed it to the side. Then he looked at Smith, who was cowering at the sight of Riley. The creature smiled at him and with his inhuman speed ran to him. \n\nHe grabbed Smith by the head and dragged him up. Smith began to scream, but he was abruptly cut off when the creature tore into his neck, taking out a massive chunk of his trachea. Will's neck erupted blood like a geyser. The creature dropped Will and swallowed the meat in his mouth. He then turned his gaze towards me.\n\nSheer terror wrecked my stomach. My whole body was screaming at me to move, but i couldn't move. It was like i was paralyzed. The monster seemed to notice this, and chuckled. It was a guttural, humorless laugh that sent waves of fear throughout my body. I felt something wet slide down my cheek. Tears.\n\nThe last thing I saw was the figure of the monster hunched over me, digging its fangs deep into my neck. No, this surely wasn't how the heist was supposed to go.\n\n"
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549617719",
"1549631283"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] The Human Immune System: A Natural Biological Weapon. | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/ThatBadassonline, 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/aoewfm/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549618284",
"1549618325"
] |
[WP] A ghost has been haunting you for a while now, but instead of scaring the life out of you the ghost simply pesters you everyday about how you always plan to travel but never go through with it. Finally you've had it and decided to go ahead with your travel plans, with your travel buddy ghost. | 145 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The world itself seemed to be tilting.\n\nWhatever furniture wasn't already bolted down immediately crashed into the walls, narrowly missing my face. The screams of people who had been hit, however, provided quite an unpleasant soundtrack for my attempts to escape the metal box I was trapped in. Ever so slowly, the tilting stopped, leaving the floor at an awkward 45° angle.\n\n\"You know, this is all quite exciting. I really didn't think much of the cruise when you'd suggested it, but now I think I see where you were coming from!\"\n\nThe silvery apparition was calmly floating alongside me, looking out the tiny circular window. \n\nI gritted my teeth.\n\n\"Nicholas, I don't know if you've realised this, but I'M STILL ALIVE. If the ship goes down, I go down with it!\"\n\nThe ghost turned his attention back to me.\n\n\"Well, yes. To be honest, I don't know why you're fretting over it this so much. I'm rather jealous of you - this is so much more exciting than my death.\"\n\nThere were times when I wished I could ressurect the dead. This time, I wanted to bring him back and then kill him again.\n\n\"The thing is, Nick, I DON'T WANT TO DI-\"\n\nThe ship gave an almighty lurch, and began moving again. This time however, I could feel a slight rumble, and there was no tilting whatsoever.\n\n\"Oh goody! We're sinking now\"\n\nI bit my lip. I'd deal with him later, after I got out. The metal floor was already covered with a tiny film of water, making it impossible to climb up the slope, and I was running out of time.\n\n\"Nick, could you look out the window and tell me how fast the surface of the water is moving up?\", I asked, whilst scanning the room for a way to the door.\n\nAha! The furniture! I quickly began grabbing bits of the broken furniture, and stacking them up against the corner of the room, hopefully providing me with an escape route.\n\n\"Oh yes, it's almost here. The water should cover the window in a minute or so, I'd say.\"\n\nMy head started pounding. This couldn't be it, I had to get out. I began moving the furniture faster, eventually reaching a point where I was just chucking bits of wood onto the growing pile.\n\nMeanwhile, the expression on Nick's face bore resemblance to a five year old on Christmas morning.\n\n\"I'm going to have such a great story to tell the guys once I get back! You know, if you die, I have a spare bedroom in my apartment, you could always move in with me.\"\n\nI would have been quite repulsed by the very idea of it - but not much of what he said was really registered, because the mound was almost high enough. I threw the last bit on top, and began clambering up; my every move making the pile shift precariously. Finally, I reached the door, and pushed on it with all my strength.\n\nIt was jammed.\n\nMuttering a few silent curses, I slammed onto it again, this time with my shoulder. The door didn't budge, but a sharp pain shot down my arm - something was probably broken. Everything was spinning in and out of focus - my head was pounding. I could hear the rush of water all around me. A sob escaped my lips - this was the end. I would never see my family again. I would never-\n\n\"Jonathan? You there? Hello? I'm trying to tell you something important here?\"\n\nThe nasally voice I had been tuning out for the past minute swam back into clarity. My blood boiled - if there was one thing I wanted to do before I died...\n\nI exploded.\n\n\"Nicholas Alexopoulous! You are the single most annoying creature to ever exist! It's like the Paul brothers had a child who in turn had you with the god damn Nyan cat! You ruined my life, AND YOU STILL WON'T SHUT UP!\"\n\nNick's face turned a rather delicate shade of silvery - purple.\n\n\"Now you listen here young man. You have no right to-\"\n\n\"Oh shut up! What is wrong with you! I'm about to die here, and you can talk about is your STUPID flat.\"\n\nHe looked bewildered.\n\n\"No, you don't understand, I'm trying to tell you that-\"\n\n\"OH OF COURSE I DON'T! REALLY, WHAT KIND OF COMPLETE MORON DIES, AND RETURNS AS A GHOST BECAUSE THEIR MORTAL LIVES WEREN'T EXCITING ENOUGH?! THAT'S RIGHT, YOU! AND THEN FOR SOME STUPID REASON YOU CONVINCE ME TO GO ON A TRIP WITH YOU, WHICH-\"\n\nMy wild gesticulating was my downfall.\n\nBy the time I was about a quarter of the way done with my yelling, the stack had had quite enough of me, and promptly proceeded to collapse. I hit the floor with an awful crack. I could feel a hot liquid pooling around my head - it was bleeding. The edges of my vision seemed to be slowly fading into darkness - and my arms! I couldn't feel my arms!\n\nTo be quite honest, I couldn't feel the rest of my body either. As my vision began to dim completely, the room was plunged into semi darkness as the window was obscured by water.\n\nI woke up an eternity later, feeling quite refreshed. The first thing I saw were faces, several silvery apparitions crowded around me. The one in the middle was ever so slightly more defined than the others, and spoke first.\n\n\"Jonathan? Can you hear me?\"\n\nI nodded, groggily.\n\nNicholas broke into a smile, and turned around to whisper something to someone beyond my line of sight. Then he turned back to face me. \n\n\"Now, before you say anything, I just have to formally inform you that you are dead. There are papers and whatnot to sign, so you need to do that before you head over to judgement. And..\"\n\nHe gestured at the other ghosts to move away, whilst he leaned in closer to me.\n\n\"Listen, I'm sorry that I annoyed you that much. But in the end there, I really was only trying to help. You weren't even paying attention to me when I told you.\"\n\nMy eyebrows bunched together in confusion.\n\nHe smiled weakly. \n\n\"The door was a pull.\"",
"Marcus Artura never really believed in ghosts. Not even after a spiritual medium knocked on his door.\n\n​\n\nShe was carrying a package from Amazon and a crystal ball. He guessed that times were hard and that she needed a side hustle, after all, this was New York City and people really didn’t believe in that particular kind of bullshit here.\n\n​\n\n“I’m Sally Waxweather, here on behalf of Amazon to deliver your package, but I’m also here on behalf of my client. Ahem… uh, …Mr. Sprinkles,” Sally said.\n\n“Can’t say I know anyone by the last name Sprinkles. What do they want?” said Marcus.\n\n​\n\n“Well, it isn’t exactly his last name. I’m here on behalf of the ghost of your cat Sprinkles. You called him Mr. Sprinkles, apparently. No judgment here, a grown bachelor can call his pet whatever he wants as far as I’m concerned.,” she said.\n\n​\n\nShit, embarrassing that she knew that. It’s kinda hard to maintain a tough guy persona when you had a cat named Mr. Sprinkles. No matter, she’s just some mail delivering fake medium. Alex probably put her up to this, he was always fucking with him. “Huh, interesting. Well, give me my package, and you can go. And Mr. Sprinkles can continue being dead,” he said.\n\n​\n\n“Before I give you the package, I’d just like to inform you that Mr. Sprinkles really feels that you should take that trip to Japan that you’ve always been planning. If you book now, you could probably make it in time for the cherry blossom festival. You could take the Mag-Lev Train down the coast, see the mountain monasteries, Koyasan is supposedly very nice. If you do stop at one of those, Sprinkles would like to request you catch a Koi and bring it back for him. He really doesn’t seem to get the whole ghost concept I’m afraid,” she said emphatically.\n\n​\n\n“Yeah, I’ll be taking that package now.” He grabbed the package and slammed the door in her face. What a fucking wackjob. He opened the package and removed the new flower vase he had ordered. He placed it on the kitchen table carefully. He wasn’t exactly sure why, but this was the fourth vase he had bought this month. The other ones all seemed to have fallen on the floor and shatter while he was at work, but there weren’t any other signs of a break-in.\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n——\n\n​\n\nHope you enjoy it, feedback is welcome.",
"\"It's a lot more beautiful in person, isn't it?\"\n\n​\n\n\"I guess.\" I looked out over the Spanish countryside, its rolling hills against the backdrop of a summer evening. The vineyard seemed to stretch on to infinity. The torment from my ghostly follower grew quiet as he looked out on to the horizon. I think it was the most quiet I had ever seen him since he had appeared in my apartment nearly a year ago. \n\n​\n\n\"This vineyard's next to a little town called Alámbor, not too far from Cordoba. We spent our first honeymoon there in a little cottage from a friend of ours. I was amazed at all the orange trees around the town, I thought they were actually for eating. I went outside to pick some for lunch, but she knew they weren't edible. She dared me to eat a smaller one in a single bite, and I had the whole thing in my mouth before I realized how bitter and sour they were. I damn near threw up all over her, but she was still laughing hysterical as I coughed it out. She had a twisted sense of humor like that, and I loved it.\" He sat down on the grassy hill and paused again. The scenery was beautiful indeed, and I guess it got me out of my routine on this little adventure, but I wasn't exactly sure why I was there.\n\n​\n\n\"Is there anything else you wanted to do here?\" He continued to look to the sunset, a forlorn look on his face. You get used to the persistent nagging of someone so much that the absence of it is more of a sadness than joy.\n\n​\n\n\"I can only remember these things if I have a host to carry me here. I don't know why I was paired with you, but we'll make the best of it.\"\n\n​\n\n\"We? You harassed me for eleven months to come to southern Spain and now that we're here, you just want to ramble about some vineyard? What do I get out of it?\" He looked over at me,\n\n​\n\n\"Freedom, the realization that any moment is one that can forever define your life. You quit your job to come travel with a ghost. If you could do that, you could do just about anything you set your mind to.\" It was actually quite empowering the more I thought about it. I spent years in a terrible corporate job so that I could live my monotonous life. I deserved more than I gave myself.\n\n​\n\n\"And what about you? What do you get out of it?\"\n\n​\n\n\"An eternity with these memories. A second chance at my happiness.\" Tears rolled down his face as he began sobbing uncontrollably, pressing his face into the ground, \"I missed you so much, Marta.\" ",
"Do you remember that show Ghost Writer?\n\n​\n\nYeah me neither, not until about six months ago and a furious frenzy of Google searching to figure out what the actual fuck was going on in my life. I was pulling my nearly non-existent hair out trying to figure our who was punking me. I mean I eventually figured it out, and laughed and laughed after dropping nearly ten grand in ten minutes. But it had me going for a while that's for sure.\n\n​\n\nIt had started with a shower. The way all good horror movie scenes are set. With the sole exception being that instead of the showering damsel with long blonde hair, a gorgeous smile and a figure so tight that it's shadow was a New York seven. There was no high pitched scream as the curtain was drawn back, and her perfectly manicured nails and exquisitely done makeup recoiled in sexy horror at the sight of the evil figure on the other side. No begging and pleading for mercy as my shapely calves quivered. \n\n​\n\nNope instead there was me slipping, eating shit on my heated tile floor and mumbling a string of increasingly vulgar curse words while clutching my knee. If you were lucky you'd get to see me struggling to roll my ass off the floor and climb to my feet. Wedged slightly between the toilet and the shower. If you were really looking closely you'd see that I'd peed myself a little too. But I feel like that's the one thing horror movies don't get right. I know women that pee themselves a little when they sneeze. But you're telling me that if you saw an ACTUAL ghost? You wouldn't piss your pants? Give me a break!\n\n​\n\nThe ghost in question chose to haunt me. A portly, mid 30's, slightly balding guy with lots of aspirations and the money to pursue them. And a complete, utter, terrifying lack of the drive to follow them through.\n\n​\n\nI'd landed a great job in my mid 20's. I had a big empty loft apartment in the city, full of the latest gadgets, the fanciest appliances and furniture that was more expensive than it was worth thanks to my interior designer friend Stella. I could walk into my house and have the temperature change, the blinds open, the TV turn on, the coffee pot start and the dishwasher stop all by just existing. It was great. And I hardly understood how any of it worked. I just threw money at problems until they were fixed. And then went to the pub down the street. The \"prince of Mahones pub.\" They called me. Probably shouldn't be something I'm proud of. But I kind of am. \n\n​\n\nI had a great group of friends and a few habits that those friends liked to encourage. Nothing bad enough to fuck up my career, but definitely bad enough to help keep me out of the gym I swore every year on the first of January to use the pass I paid for, to go to. They also helped encourage me to eat at the local pub, and the barren wasteland that was my fridge showed how often I used my appliance laden kitchen. I'm pretty sure the SaladMaster still had the tags on it. The Instant Pot was still in the box, I can guarantee you that.\n\n​\n\nYou're probably wondering what scared me though. And not hoping to get an insight into how one becomes a successful degenerate? Your loss. I'm extremely interesting, \n\nSaid no one. \n\nEver.\n\nI was showering, coming off a night of drinking and \"partying\" as my friends liked to call it to make it sound cooler than, \"doing a few lines.\" I'd predictably not slept much, and stayed up going down the YouTube rabbit hole until 2-3AM. I think by the end of the day I'd been watching Ozzy Man reviewing a children's box car race. Having tired of watching ASMR videos of tattoo artists and un-boxings of shitty Chinese LED Projectors a few hours prior.\n\nAs I washed the shame of another wasted night off my body, sitting on the floor of my shower because I was too tired to use my own legs. As I wiped the steam off my shower mirror, conveniently mounted at 'sitting on my ass level,' clearly the result of many, many mornings in this same position. The steam didn't all wipe away.\n\nI scrubbed briefly and then realized that the mirror was covered in words. At first I laughed and sat back, wondering how someone could manage this, toothpaste residue? Some sort of oil? There, in the remnants of the steam clouding the shower mirror were three words.\n\n**MAN UP RYAN**\n\nI chuckled briefly. This must have been Dan's doing. Who else could it be? He was always pranking me. I looked at the roof and relaxed back. Wondering when he'd had the time last night to set this up. It was when I looked back down at the mirror that I fell out of the bathtub, and ending up in the groaning mess I described earlier on the floor.\n\n**I SAID MAN UP. STOP DRINKING YOUR DREAMS AWAY AND GET OFF YOUR ASS.**\n\nRemember when I said there was no damsel in the shower? You wouldn't have known it from the high pitched scream that escaped my mouth after seeing the words change. That's for damn sure.\n\nA few minutes later, now finished with my torrent of curse words and back on my feet. I stood in front of my bathroom mirror. It too was steamy from the extended shower and I flipped on the heated portion. As the vent slowly dried the mirror another series of words formed. This time it wasn't something that was just, there, it FORMED. And it freaked me the fuck out.\n\n**GET YOUR FAT, LAZY ASS TO YOUR COMPUTER. BOOT IT UP. AND DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR LIFE RYAN**\n\nI shouted at the sky, the mirror, the bathmat. Whoever would listen. All the while the message was changing again.\n\n**GET ON EXPEDIA.COM, BOOK A TRIP. LIVE YOUR LIFE.**\n\nI was freaking out now. But a bit intrigued. What kind of ghost tries to motivate you to follow your dreams? I tried the door handle. Stuck. I pulled harder. Still stuck. Held by some imaginary force from the other side. I punched at the mirror. However I'd just had it replaced with a the fancy new high tech one with the built in heater and a bunch of other features and it did nothing but hurt my knuckles.\n\n*Fuck*\n\nOut of nowhere a voice appeared, baritone. Soothing. Not exactly \"scary,\" but motivational for sure.\n\n**Ryan. Look at your life, you know you can do better.**\n\n'Fuck you asshole!' I thought as suddenly clips of old TV flashed on my mirror. Travel destinations. People climbing mountains. The Great Wall of China. Hong Kong. Times Square. The Grand Canyon. All the cliche travel spots I'd never been to.\n\nSound effects filled my bathroom. Shia LeBouf shouting JUST DO IT. The Rock saying IT DOESN'T MATTER. A blend of pop culture quotes and motivation. It was uplifting and exciting. Carol Burnett appeared with \" Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.\" Tom Brady was shown holding his 6 rings. Then being drafted late in the NFL draft. It got me hyped.\n\n*\"OK,\"* I said aloud to the ghost. \"*You win! I'll do better!\"*\n\nFinally it all came to a stop. The bathroom lights cut out. The mirror went dim. The room was silent. I tip toed to the door and tried it again. It creaked open. Just as the mirror lit up once more. The message, simple, but prophetic. And was all the motivation I needed.\n\n**GET OUT THERE AND LIVE RYAN. OR DIE ALONE!**\n\nAs I logged onto my laptop at the Kitchen Island. I missed the news report on the muted TV behind me. I eventually caught wind, but I wish I'd done it before I booked that two week trip to Thailand. Or maybe I don't? Who knows. All I know is that I'm sitting on a beach, and thankful that I didn't know what I later found out. Because this is the dream.\n\n​\n\nThanks Google.\n\n​\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n​\n\n*Google's parent company Alphabet is reporting a significant spike in it's share price after launching individually targeted advertising to their suite of Smart Home devices. Users are reporting back with mostly positive feedback after Google Home speakers, Chromecasts, Smart TV's, Lighting and a bevvy of other smart devices have been used in conjunction with Google's indepth personality matrix to target advertising specific to each human on the planet.*\n\n*Amazon's Jeff Bezos lauded the move and congratulated Alphabet on being first to market, however he promised his platform would launch shortly.*\n\n*Some users have reported confusion being unaware of the launch. In rare cases police have responded to advertising targets tearing their house apart looking for Ghosts. However a spokesperson for Google reminded ABC News when asked for comment that if patrons read their terms of service they would have understood that they'd voluntarily opted into the program.*\n\n*After the break our man on the street Clark Gilles asks the people of Chicago how they feel about their privacy being invaded for targeted advertising. And we test a few of the ads ourselves in the studio.*\n\n​\n\n​"
] | [
1,
1,
1,
3,
19
] | [
"1549640789",
"1549667702",
"1549681556",
"1549652599",
"1549645658"
] | |
[WP] You're in a bar and decide to flirt with a beautiful girl. "Did you fall from heaven, because you're an angel!" You didn't expect her to reply sadly, "How'd you tell?" | 227 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Extremely intoxicated but lonely as hell I walked over to the hotel bar and without looking up I said “Did you fall from Heaven because you are an Angel.”\n\nImmediately embarrassed at my lame pick up line, I began to turn around to leave. An angelic voice responded brightly and enthusiastically “How did you know?”\n\nI stopped and turned around to see a cute and cleverly dressed girl. She smiled at me innocently. Oops, I didn’t realise they let minors into this bar. I was about to say something rude and obnoxious to turn her away when another voice responded angrily.\n\n“Stop pretending to be an Angel!” I looked up to see another beautiful girl. This one much older. The air shimmers around her and she glowed ever so softly. I knew it must be the alcohol in my system. My head begam to swim as all I could do was stare into her hypnotic eyes.\n\n“I can pretend to be anything I want!” responded the younger girl petulantly. “Come on mister let's dance.”\n\nDancing was not what I had in mind. Besides I could barely hold myself vertical. The womans face looked sadly past me at the girl. “Yes, all this pretending is leading you down a dark path. That’s why I was sent to watch over you don’t you remember?”\n\n“Gee, I must have forgotten after all the booze I drank!” she shouted back at the woman. The woman sighs, “You haven’t had anything to drink. The bartender won’t serve you. We better get out of here before he comes back with the police to escort you out of here.”\n\n“You always ruin all my fun.” The girl, still defiant looked at me. I had recovered somewhat after the woman’s gaze let me go. “My new boyfriend will protect me, won’t you mister?”\n\n“Yes, let’s leave it up to this lonely soul. I’ve looked into his heart. He needs love in the worst way, but he won’t want it from you.”\n\nShe was right. If only I could get a word in edgewise. I had already fallen in love with the older woman. Somehow. She hadn’t even addressed me directly yet.\n\nI finally get a word in, “Look you two, I’m going now…” \n\nJust then the police walk in. I get arrested. The girl gets arrested. Somehow the woman is no longer there. We sit in the back of a police cruiser. I’m certain I will be in the drunk tank for a week. I don’t know what will happen to the girl. She will probably get shipped back home.\n\nDesperately lonely now, I need to know more about the woman. So I ask the girl, “How do you know the woman at the bar?” The girl looks at me weirdly. “You saw her? You saw my guardian angel?” \n\n“Please, kid, I’m already confused. What is her name? How can I reach her?”\n\n“Mister, she never told me her name. She just shows up when I am being stupid. Which turns out is a lot. But how is it you can see her?”\n\nUpon reflection in the drunk tank, I decide that the rest of my life will be to encourage that kid to do stupid things so I can meet her guardian angel.\n",
"I might looked like the biggest idiot at the bar with eyes widened and jaws hung loose. There was a deep scowl on the girl's face but she mustered up a smile. I sat on the stool and had the bartender to serve me a shot of whiskey. I glanced at her; her blue eyes dimmed with sorrow but her white hair glistened in the flickering colored lights like silver. Her dress wrapped around her body, revealing the curves of her body from the chest to the bottom. \n\nI stared from head to toe and rubbed the back of my head, \"It... was only a pickup line... I-I didn't mean-...\" I gasped when she leaned forward and pressed her index finger on my lips. She pulled herself back, her eyes widened and glowed. A sudden wave swept through like a heartbeat. Everyone, everything, around us froze. \n\n\"I had no one else to confide to. But you should suffice.\" She stared at me. \"Human, your kind had been nothing but a nuisance to us. We have observed you from above, hoping that you would change your ways, to the point we begged to the Great Creator himself to continue give you chances. But day by day, you stray further into darkness. You rather worship the Devil, do his bidding and be his companion than to us.\" She took a step forward, her soft blue eyes became a sharp glare, \"And because of your kind, I was forced to be here to be your 'guide'. I was naive to think that you would change, but turns out you are too far gone.\" \n\nI frowned more. I turned to my shot of whiskey, staring into the drink. My head lowered, \"I'm... sorry...\" I sighed and gulped it down. It burned my throat but I didn't flinch. \"If... angels like you suffered because of us, then it just make sense that we should just end.\" \n\n\"But the Great Creator insisted to have your kind exist. He gave you life but-...\"\n\n\"You never asked him why he created us, but here you are berating us for being like this.\" I stood up, the shot glass on the bar shattered as I let it go. She took a few steps back, one hand pulled back and a glaive was conjured. My eyes burned and my body ache. In split seconds, my thoughts darkened. The sound of murders filled my head. I stared her down. \n\n\"Ask your God why he created us in the first place, you bitch.\"",
" \n\nI looked into the mirror in the bathroom. Thickly gelled hair, a shirt that said \"too cool for school\", and red leather jacket all contributed to attire that my mom had assured was undoubtedly hip. So why was it that all six girls I had hit on all left as soon as I started talking? After all I had researched by reading countless romance novels and playing gratuitous numbers of dating sims. How could the tried and tested tactic of cheesy pick- up lines fail? Am I really as awkward as Mark says?\n\nNo it is the women who are wrong, clearly all 6 of them had great errors in judgement. And anyways, their rejections are no reason to give up! As Michael Einstein said “The definition of insanity is giving up, because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” \n\nAs I strutted back into the bar, a new addition to the bar caught my eye. Her blond hair flowed like silk down her skin, the faint light of the room twinkling in her eyes like jewels, and the blue of her irises reminiscent of perfectly cut sapfir- I mean sappire- SHE LOOKED REALLY PRETTY IS WHAT I MEANT. I looked towards Mark who stood in the front of the bar talking to a couple of girls rejected me earlier (lucky sod). He saw me, noted the girl, then mouthed ‘go for it’ before turning back to his own conversations. I got this, I mean before tonight percent rate of rejection was 0%. That might have been because I had never asked anyone out, but who can say for certain?\n\nI walked up to the pretty girl and said the seventh of my prepared pick up lines. “Hey Beautiful. did you fall from heaven, because you're an angel!\" Hah, nailed it! Now she just has to follow one of the seventy possible dialogue trees I prepared and I’d be home free. She turned her head, as if it were an ordained act, inevitable and inescapable . \"How'd you tell?\" …\n\n**SHIT.** This wasn’t one of the prepared dialogue options, the dating sims lied! Play it cool Peter, this must be what the normies call “banter”. If you can pull it off you Mark will look like such the fool for insulting you. Game plan: Prosaically complement her appearance, before making a pun about the way she makes your heart soar in a way only an angel with wings could. “I- uh… because you look real nice. And uhhhh… angel’s look nice?” \n\n**EXCREMENT.** That sounded like something Peter would say, and tonight the plan was to be not Peter. She seemed to consider it for a moment before chuckling harmonically and saying “Such transparency. It is refreshing to see such a commitment to honesty within a realm so rife with deception. Would you be so inclined as to take a seat?” I stood dazed with surprise. To be honest she lost me when the first words she said weren’t some synonym of ‘bugger off’. She sat quietly for a moment before she breathed a sigh. “Sit”, the command in her voice moving my body before I knew it. “So what is your intention coming in here to converse? Surely your designs are more Byzantine than simple lip service, welcome though that may be.” The surprise wearing off, I figured I had to say something to make up for my last blunder. I wanted to say that I was looking for… something. Maybe it was love, but perhaps it was simply companionship and an end to the loneliness. And, in the pale glow of the bar, she looked divine, and I could not help but dream for a moment of some place beyond me, and beyond this bar. That’s what I wanted a dream. A time where the harsh glare of the world would fade, and perhaps with her, or someone else, I would find that place beyond this bar, beyond this life. But I hoped for a moment, really hoped, it would be her. But in some horribly misguided panic, I tried to replicate my earlier success and make a suave biblical refrefrence. I said “My intention, was to make like Mary and get some”. A silence reigned supreme for a moment. \n\nWhat the hell was that? Religion and sexual references do not mix, no matter what the title of Bible Black might suggest. And Mary is a virgin! It seems that with that line I would be, however accidentally, “making like Mary”. She looked at me, surprisingly more bemused than furious. “It is fortunate that I hear the soul in addition the mouth because yours fails to capture your intent in such a way that it could be considered an art unto itself. Despite your best efforts, I am interested; would you be interested in coffee tomorrow?”\n\n​",
"\"I know\" said my mouth, as beer were trying again to kick my liver. \"I know or at least I perceived, that something was going with you\". She just expressed doubt and confusion as my ethylic state and I were talking. \n\n\"It can be readed, seriously.\" As her face was being inhabited by something more than just a blue state. \"Around you sister, something like nostalgia, depression, plain and deep sadness.\" She seemed to lose forces while my words proceeded. \"It isn´t just that you look sad. Nope. Someway you are painting all the place with it. That aura, that black cloud just can be felt all over the place. I know it\" Said I, repeating words and phrases, trying to give some coherence while my thoughts were attempting to explain something new that they weren´t believing before choosing what now their voice was saying. \" Being down is familiar to me, and my loneliness already trained herself to be pathological, but this.....what is going on and spread around here...right now.... is different.\" Drinking more, calling the bravery or trying to kill some of the braincells that weren´t helping to talk about that particular issue was my next decision\". \"Those are things that one feels inside himself. Rarely now we can feel, and I choose to say we because I´m sure that the people around us are sensing it in mayor or minor degrees, all the people in this bar, that void around you. But this isn´t the black void that seems like the abyss that looks back at the you, this is the blue void that seems also but also peaceful. And you are the center of it. It all deepens and gets more blue if I look straight to you\" At that point, I started doubting if I were being understood, a misunderstanding at that shelter of mine was the last thing I needed \"Sounds like some forced poetry deprived of all rhytim. Looks like cheap philosophy. You must think this is the worst flirting of all the time. \" I looked at my new patient, wanting to be being aware of her reactions and possible thoughts, since that knowledge is one of the best resources when working with people. \"Probably any other woman at this point will be running or hitting me just to remind herself that I´m a sad being and she is superior to me because all her pride is not lost. You seem to be very down, but you also look like you are identifying with my words.\"\n\nMy class proceeded, racing against cynism, metaphysics and drunkeness to solve the case of this stranded spirit, and her nature. \"Lad, whatever are you doing, you are doing it wrong, you were doing wrong since the last hour you were talking\" Say this handsome boy, showing signs of a rising desire to cry while he was aproaching to my subject. Obviously the moron didn´t cry, just walked away very fast.\n\n\"Some beings just exist....in a way more intense that ours. Remember than being itself is an action, not a noun but a verb\". The smile she hardly were outlining showed some kind of approbation to my intent to say something about the act of being without accidentaly spit over the legacy of Aristotle \"You do it, just like we do, but you do it......like stronger than us. Is definitively hard to explain since its far away from me or what I am or could ever be. I´ll just say that I can feel it, just like animals can feel things without necessarily understanding them.\" At this point, I got her attention, maybe it was the right moment to share my bottle. That could possibly do good for her, but also, giving alcohol to an angel sounds risky. I wasn´t there for much reasons, just to help. \"Maybe, and this will sound like flirtation, is a sing of a more perfect existence.\" She seemed comforted by that sentence. \"Anyways, you are an angel, you are a mystery.\"\n\n\"But Angels that are forced from heaven have to become demons. Isn’t that right?\" were my words, answered by the \"Yes sir\" of some random voice. \"Don´t cry, you are not a demon, I hope\" At that moment, who knows, could be my hour, dying in a bar and trying to be practical, using what I read in some metaphysics book to solve a very specific problem. I don´t know if that kind of death deserves laughs or tears. \"If that is the case, maybe isn´t exile what keeps you here. You don´t have any work my dear?\"\n\n\"Unemployed, just as I\" The fight that started in that moment, between two people incapable of losing dignity by the effects of drinking in a way that doesn´t harms the rest of human people was the signal that air and walking were the next steps of the rehabilitation. Getting out without help had some difficulties for her. I carryed out the angel.\n\nJust when she put a feet out of that house of bottles and wandering souls, a group of kids, running as fast as they can stumbled with out feet. Fell upon us. The youngest one cried, the older one tried to comfort him. She patted the head of the older one. I tried to give the lesser number possible of clues that I were drinking. I don´t enjoy scaring or being intimidating to kids. By the way, they looked poor, even more than I am. Clothes subtly ragged, deep eye bags, and some signs that could be read out of their skin. Then they keep running. As I helped her to stand up, a police officer came sprinting almost felling upon us. The situation almost repeated. \"Those bastards had stolen bread and something from a fruit cart\" said calmly, forgetting about following or chasing them. \"Thank you, I really hate to do things like this. They are kids, just hungry children, not my type of criminal. I suppose I´m a bad cop, too selective for the job. \"Calm down, I´m bad at writtin, bad at thinking and at talking. And, who knows, maybe she is bad at......Hey officer, she is lost, would you care to help us?\" \n\nShe didn´t stop looking at the kids since we and them crashed, just changed the direction of her sight when crossed to the street with the cop. Looked back at me. Dissapeared. Rain started. I payed a bottle, took it to home.\n\n\n\n\nEnglish is not my native language, sorry for all the ortography horrors up here. First story I write on reddit",
"“Bill, you’ve been sitting on that seat all night, doing nothing. Are you even going to try to pick up a chick?” Francis looked me at accusatorily, as though it were a criminal sin. With a sigh, I downed the rest of my beer and stared back.\n\n“You do this every time we go out. I don’t really have any interest in a girlfriend right now. I’ve got enough on my plate with work already and I don’t want another time sink in my life.”\n\nFolding his arms in front of him and widening his eyes, Francis said, “Is that all that a relationship is to you? A *time sink*? Come on man, live a little! Look, I’ll give you the perfect girl to go after. See that woman sitting at the bar?” I followed his finger to a blonde-haired lady, downing shots like there was no tomorrow. “I’d bet you anything that she just broke up with her man, and she’s on the lookout for somebody new. I’ll even be your wingman for tonight!”\n\nWith a dubious stare at him, I weighed my options. On one hand, it had been three years since I’d actually been in the dating game. My romance skills were about as rusty as they could get, and I was probably going to mess this up. On the other hand, she was pretty hot. Taking a deep breath, I got up from my seat and received an encouraging clap on the back from Francis, who was hot on my tail. \n\nAs we approached the woman, Francis gave me the universal signal to get behind him, and tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey there, I’m Francis! What’s your name?”\n\nShe gave him a sidelong look and returned to gazing glumly at the counter. Ignoring the lack of response, Francis simply gave her an award-winning smile and said, “Well, this is Bill! He’s a great guy, you know? Why don’t you introduce yourself Bill?”\n\nWith a nervous shrug, I looked at her, and the next words out of my mouth were, “Uh, are you an angel, because you’re the only ten I see.” \n\nThere was a moment of silence as everybody contemplated what I just said. Francis gave me a slow shake of the head and walked back to the table. I shot him a glare as he left; so much for being a wingman. The woman, on the other hand, was staring at me intently.\n\nIn a small voice, she said, “How did you know that?” Her eyes pierced into my skull like she was trying to peer into my thoughts, and I stepped back subconsciously. \n\n“Uh, well, you’re just so beautiful?”\n\nThat answer seemed to mollify her, and she turned her gaze back onto the counter. I looked back towards Francis, who was now ordering drinks off of my tab. With a sigh, I sat down next to her, with the knowledge that she could, in fact, speak. At the very least I’d make friends with a crazy person.\n\nGathering my courage once more, I asked her, “So, what’s your name?”\n\nAfter contemplating the question for a second, she said, “I’ve been called many different things. You may know me as Ariel.”\n\nRight. So, definitely crazy. But there are worse kinds of insanity than thinking you were an angel. Hoping I could at least salvage a good story from this train wreck of a social interaction, I probed once more. “If you’re an angel, then why aren’t you in heaven?”\n\nHer demeanor became cold, and she glared at me. After a couple of seconds, however, the “angel” broke into depression once more, and she hung her head. “I got kicked out. There was a little… scuffle, I guess you could say, and things look like they’re turning for the worse. I’m only here until things calm down up there, and I can go back without being impaled.”\n\nMy heart grew kind of sore for her. I knew what it was like to not have a home, even for a small amount of time. I guessed that this was some kind of coping mechanism for her, and whatever got her through this situation was for the best. I tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder, and calmed myself down when she started. “I’m sorry, it’s just that… I’ve been there before. If you ever need a helping hand, or a couch to surf on, I’ve got you.”\n\nI gave Ariel a sympathetic smile, which she responded to with a confused look. After what felt like minutes, she shook my hand off of her, and said, “You humans are always so weird.” As I watched her take another shot, I hoped that that was a compliment.\n\nThere was a bone-shaking rumble through the establishment, and the sounds of crashing glass and breaking wood filled my ears. It stopped as suddenly as it started, and when I opened my eyes, I found Ariel sitting on the stool like nothing had happened. With a particularly sour look on her face, she stood up and faced the door.\n\nAs though she would have the answer for that natural disaster, I asked, “What… was that?”\n\nWith a groan, she replied, “Father.”\n\n\\------------------------------\n\n/r/Wheezywrites",
"Thomas sat back in his seat. He’d been expecting an exasperated sigh or outright rejection, maybe a giggle if he was lucky but not this. He looked at the girl and tried to make out if this was some sort of joke. Her blue eyes stared back and as he looked into them he didn’t see a single hint of humor. Instead he noticed something strange, a little ring of white light between her iris and pupil. It was hardly visible at some angles but it was clearly there. The girl sighed and pulled at a lock of her dark hair, twirling it around her finger absentmindedly. \n\n“Well are you gonna talk or just sit there? I know you’re not one of them so how can you tell?”\n\nBy now she’d turned to face Thomas and he could get a better look at her. She was slender in appearance but not too thin, long black hair that seemed to shine like the night sky, full lips and a beautiful face. While her face were beautiful her eyes are what caught his attention. They were wet and red, as if she’d been crying not so long ago. He had never seen a greater sadness in anyone’s eyes before and just looking into them made his heart clench. He swallowed. \n\n“I’m not...I’m not sure what you mean. It’s a pick up line, that’s all. I didn’t mean to offend you ma’am I just..” before he could finish she cut him off. \n“A pick up line? So you didn’t actually know?” \nHer eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed, her voice low and prying. Thomas watched her curl her hand into a fist on the bar and gulped as a strange sensation washed over him. It was like the feeling of being watched, only ten times worse. Thomas put his glass down and raised his hands and as he brought them up he realized they were shaking. \n\n“Like I said I didn’t mean anything by it.” His voice shook too, a little quiver that no one besides her seemed to notice. When she heard it her eyes softened and her fist uncurled. The strange woman sat back in her chair and picked up her bottle of beer before downing it in one long gulp. She slammed it down onto the counter and turned back to him. \n\n“Listen to me and listen well, I’m not going to explain this more than once. You are going to forget what you heard me say, you are going to go home and never talk about this again.” She clapped him on the shoulder and stood up, walking out the door to the bar and disappearing into trouble night. Thomas watched her go and once she left he let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. He turned back to the bar and raised his finger. \n\n“A shot of vodka please, the strongest you have.”\n————————————————————————\n\nIt was twelve o’clock and the shot of vodka sat in Thomas’s stomach like a burning rock. He was one of the only people in the bar now, besides a drunken businessman who’d lost millions in stocks and an old man who looked perfectly sober despite having downed more shots than anyone else in the bar. He looked over to the chair next to him where that woman had been and shook his head. \n\n“She was just some girl messing with me, probably looking for people to prank for some weird dare.” He mumbled to himself. He didn’t quite feel like getting up yet and so he stayed in the stool, listening to the sounds of the bar. Then from behind him a door opened. He didn’t bother to turn around, reasoning that it was just some late night bar crawler. From behind the bar the bartender looked up and scowled.\n\n“Hey. Hey! You definitely aren’t old enough to be in here. Get the hell out before...” he didn’t finish his sentence. Thomas watched as the bartender turned a very particular shade of white, the kind that reminded him to notebook paper. His mouth opened and a terrified moan left his parted lips. Then the bartender turned and ran for the back door, barging out of if and disappearing into the alley. Thomas was too afraid to move as someone slid into the seat next to him, the creak of leather and the jingling of metal assaulting his ears. He slowly turned back to the seat where that woman had been sitting and was face to face with a young man, maybe eighteen or nineteen years old. \n\nThe young man had on a wide brimmed felt hat, olive green in color. A small bunch of brightly colored feathers were tied to the brim of it. He wore a leather jacket studded with silver pieces of metal and on his hip was a wallet chain covered in shiny little trinkets, ear rings, and necklaces, and other bits of metal. The young man was smiling at him, his upper lip pulled back just enough to reveal the tips of his teeth. Unlike the woman before him his hair was blonde and short but his eyes were the same color. As soon as Thomas looked at him he felt the same sensation he’d felt when the woman clenched her fist, only now it was so strong it felt like his skin was being poked by a thousand needles. \n\nNeither of them spoke for a minute, just looked at each other. It was the young man who spoke first. \n\n“Having a good night Thomas?” He said is a calm tone, as if he had know him for years. The hairs on Thomas’s neck went ridged and his legs turned to jelly. Even if he got up now he couldn’t run if he tried. The young man must have noticed because he grinned, one of his hands sliding over the counter and grabbing the empty shot glass in front of Thomas. The young man held it up and looked at it, turning it in his fingers. \n\n“Lots of pretty women in this town, lots and lots of them. But I’m willing to bet that you talked to one that outshone all the others, a real ten out of ten!” The young man laughed and looked over at Thomas. “I can tell you saw something, I can smell it on you.” He said. \n\nThen the young man lifted the glass and opened his mouth. Thomas watched as he placed the glass in his tongue and then, his blue eyes locked on Thomas’s own, bit down. The muffled crunch of glass filled the bar and Thomas felt his own jaw go slack as the young man chewed, the crunch crunch crunch of the glass pounding itself into Thomas’s mind. The young man grinned again and then swallowed, opening his mouth. No blood flowed, in fact the inside of his mouth was completely unharmed. \n\n“Ahhh.” He sighed, his tongue flitting out and licking his lips. Then he leaned in close and Thomas could see the light around his pupils. The light in the woman’s eyes had been a pure white light but in the young man’s eyes it was a sickly reddish orange. Then in a voice like the shattered glass it had just swallowed the thing wearing a young man’s face spoke. \n\n“Now tell me, where is the angel?”"
] | [
1,
2,
2,
3,
4,
13,
79
] | [
"1549679625",
"1549756551",
"1549811542",
"1549768822",
"1549693477",
"1549686502",
"1549687267"
] | |
Feel free to change the prompt a little if you feel like it would make for a better story. | [WP] Murder is now the only crime. Technology has gotten so advanced that the exact amount of people you've killed in your life, either directly or indirectly, can be determined. You've never hurt a fly, but are on trial for the murder of over a thousand people. | 3 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Where are you taking me?\" I uttered. Mustering all the strength to remain calm, I backed away from the officers and tried to appear as composed as possible. \"I have no business with you gentlemen.\" \n\nOne of the officers, a rather plump individual, took a step forward for which I reciprocated with backing away. \"We mean you no trouble, Ms. Eliza Morgan,\" he said. \"But we have a warrant that accuses you of the murder of a thousand people.\" \n\nMy eyes went wide and my heartbeat raced. A thousand? How could this happen? I haven't even got five close friends! \"How is this possible?\" I asked. \n\nThe plump officer replied, \"We have tracked data from your bracelet that records exactly a thousand beats. A thousand people went missing since last year,\" his face was stoic. \"If you believe that you are not guilty you should come with us to the station.\" \n\nThere was no escape. How could I, a clumsy and frail girl, outrun five trained police officers? I let them lead me to their mobile. My hand unconsciously reached for my bracelet.\n\nA thousand beats are too many. Maybe someone hacked my database and blamed me for the disappearances? The blaring siren of the police mobile was the only sound that could be heard, except for the noise in my head. \n\nI passed out. \n\nI woke up from the cold. My teeth were chartering and my body was shivering. I was in a prison cell. Only the moonlight coming from a high window enabled me to examine my environment. I don't know how I got here, but the cold suddenly became comforting that I slipped to a slumber that I was too tired to supress. \n\nAs Eliza Morgan's body wasted in the cold cell where she was condemned for a crime she doesn't remember doing, her bracelet beeped. Projected on the wall was the footage of an old man with several lacerations on the face. The old man was pleading for his life. There was a strange laugh that echoed from the video. A hand holding a knife slowly slit the man's throat and blood spurted like a fountain of red. \n\nAnother beep. Three teenagers were hung from the ceiling, each missing an ear. A hand clicked a red button and slowly, the chains pulled the bodies. Screams reverberated like music from hell. The familiar laugh can be heard. Five minutes passed and the only things visible are the limbs and head separated from the bodies. \n\nBeep. A gun pointed at the mouth of a woman. Beep. Blood on the floor. Beep. A man's genital fell to the ground. Beep. The laugh was heard over and over again. \n\nFor it is true, that it wasn't Eliza Morgan. It was her alter. A supressed personality that she wasn't aware of. A thousand people suffered horrible deaths at her hands. Eliza Morgan doesn't know, and she doesn't have to. With her cold corpse died the crimes of her alter. \n\n"
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549717020",
"1549719637"
] |
[WP] Aliens are invading Earth--and as a New York City Cop, you're the only one around who can make sure they don't park illegally. | 19 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The Road to Toledo\n\nLove is blind. When the world falls off the back of the great space turtle, and the cities and towers fall into the sea, there will still be lovers swimming in each others’ arms, totally enamored.\n\nMark swaggered down Fifth Avenue with a spring in his step and a nightstick swinging from his belt. He tapped his state-issue number two pencil against a pad of raw bureaucratic power—parking tickets. Today was going to be a real good day—he could feel it! Or maybe that was the espresso. Lots to get done!\n\nToday was not a good day if you drove a black-matte Mercedes G Class with Michigan plate U8FD83. Mark tsk-tsked and put big checkmarks in the boxes for: parking without a permit; parking next to a fire hydrant; and failure to move prior to scheduled street cleaning. He slipped the ticket in a beige envelope and flicked the wiper off the windshield to slide it under. \n\nThe sky was getting darker, which was odd because it wasn't even lunchtime yet. Mark had more important things to think about. He needed a bus ticket to see the most beautiful woman in the world, the light of his life, the beating of his heart, Maria. She wasn’t expecting him. He’d told her money was tight. But it would be Valentine’s Day tomorrow. \n\nBut money really was tight. During the polar vortex, his pipes had frozen. His landlord was abroad for the month, so Mark had to foot the bill for the repairs on his credit card. He still hadn’t gotten reimbursed.\n\nThere was one chance left. The chief of police’s daughter had wrecked into an illegally parked car over the weekend. On Monday, the chief came up with a new initiative to get illegally parked cars off the streets. There was a $100 prize for whoever wrote the most tickets. Cash.\n\nThe 8:28 overnight bus to Toledo was only $64. That left $36 for chocolate, flowers, and … other stuff you get at CVS for Valentine’s Day.\n\nMark moved on to the next car, whistling a happy tune.\n\n\\--- \n\nFive hundred miles away, Maria was begging her favorite kindergartners to act like big kids.\n\n“Put the orange one down Lily, don’t even think about it,” she said. “Kayden, take the crayons out of your nose and go wash your hands.”\n\n“Nyaa!!” Kayden said, doing a ninja roll. “I am the walrus!”\n\n“Walruses don’t run!” Maria called after him as he ran to the bathroom, cackling.\n\nMaria heard a strange beeping. It was her phone, but not a ringtone that she’d ever heard. She stared at the screen. It was the national emergency alert system.\n\nThere was an invasion in New York.\n\nShe called Mark. Unnoticed, Lily shoved the orange crayon up her nose, dangerously far, and then ran and leapt onto a bean bag chair, making airplane noises.\n\nMark answered the phone.\n\n“Mark?” Maria said breathlessly.\n\n“Hey pretty lady,” he said, cool as a cucumber. “Aren’t you supposed to be teaching?”\n\n“Are you okay?” she said in a small voice.\n\n“I am A-okay,” he said, “Double-plus good. What’s up?”\n\n“There’s an invasion!? What’s going on?”\n\n“Invasion?” Mark said. There was a pause. He looked up. Thousands of spaceships circled the sky above, weaving through the spires of skyscrapers like schools of fish.\n\n“Oh,” Mark said.\n\n“I’m scared Mark,” Maria said. “Can you come here?”\n\n“I will baby,” he said. “I’ll find a way.” Mark set down his pad of tickets and took out his nightstick. Time for a change of plans.",
"\"Fucking space aliens! This is the fifth time that damn grey landed on the roof of the station.\" Officer Maxon angrily commented. Maxon then took out a pad.\n\n\"Another fucking ticket.\" Maxon muttered to himself.\n\nAll around Officer Maxon was chaos. New York was filled with panic. Random fires were raging on. Lasers and plasma beams darted across the sky in a battle with the United States Air Force.\nRegardless, Maxon didn't care. He had a duty to perform.\n\nMaxon found his way to the roof of the police station, and found the grey alien laying on its stomach with a weapon resembling a rifle. The alien stared down the scope of the weapon. Maxon glanced at the parked ship and back to the alien who was unaware of his presence.\n\n\"Hey, asshat!\" Maxon called out to the grey. It quickly turned its head like an owl to Maxon, away from the scope.\n\n\"I am getting fucking irritated. Do you want another ticket? I swear, we might have to tango.\" Maxon said as he began to write another ticket to the grey.\n\nThe alien then got up and spoke angrily in its foreign language, while it holstered its weapon on its back. It then stomped a couple times while talking.\n\n\"No, I won't go easy on you. If you want to have a high vantage point, use the stairs. You cold use some exercise anyway for your scrawny ass. Now take this ship down from here and don't do this again. You don't want your ship towed, do you?\" Maxon replied as he held out the ticket to the alien.\n\nThe grey alien then mumbled to itself as he reluctantly took the ticket from Maxon. It boarded the ship and took off as Maxon walked away proud. Another job well done. Meanwhile, a few buildings collapsed onto the streets and more chaos ensured. Maxon was indifferent and was later in is cruiser, patrolling for more illegal parking."
] | [
1,
2,
9
] | [
"1549735842",
"1549742829",
"1549740123"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] You are a child in a world located under every sheet of paper. A world where people's drawings and doodles come to life and they live in a world made up of the miriad landscapes people sketch. You have been chosen to write to the human world about this world, known simply as Drawica. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Garrett_Cartoonist, 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/aowyv1/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549747759",
"1549747994"
] |
[WP] You have the ability to see a grim reaper hanging around someone when they are about to die. one day, a grim reaper starts to hang around you. | 4 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"You thought you'd freak out when you see a strange dark cloaked figure following someone but when you were the only one that was able to do it, you have two choice; keep it to yourself or tell someone.\n\nI chose the former.\n\nI didn't understand at first. But more accurately, I was scared shitless. I told my parents that I saw him. I saw the grim reaper but they would laugh it off and told me I have wild imaginations. Why would I imagine a scary skeleton with black cloak following people around?\n\nEventually, I found a pattern in those occurrences. The one he followed will die. \n\nSo it had been routine for me to see him around someone, waiting and staring and waiting. He didn't do anything but standing there. A week later someone will die. Either from health or freak accident or murdered. \n\nIt was fine at first... until I woke up to see him stood in front of me. \n\nChills ran down my spine and my heart beat like crazy. He slowly looked up at me and I could see an eye peeking from the hood of his cloak. His eye was blank. \n\n\"You have one week left.\""
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549754697",
"1549813807"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] The world has forever been divided by the rivalry between the 5 schools of magic: The Vegetables/bean schools, the fruit schools, the grain schools, the meat/poultry schools, and the dairy schools. | 7 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Broodfoos, 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\nNote: Deleting your old post is not a way to circumvent this rule. \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/aoz29q/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549760953",
"1549761447"
] |
[removed] | [WP] 20 years ago, your best friend decided to end your friendship by beating you within an inch of your life. She went to Juvie and moved away. Instead of moving on, you never forgot. You’ve spent your whole life plotting for this moment, welcome to her mother’s funeral. | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/joshwin01, 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- The mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel is harmful to the community. This includes, but is not limited to any forms of hate speech, racism, politics, necrophilia, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, torture, rape, violence against children, and suicide. We will not tolerate it. \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[**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/ap0p9m/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549773136",
"1549773248"
] |
[WP] You agree to spend one month alone in a remote cabin for £100,000. Having had no contact with the outside world, you are shocked at the end of the month to find that everyone else on the planet seems to have vanished. | 22 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The marketing for the contest had been cleverly pitched to land on the pinnacle of the no-screen wave, a challenge to the connected generation to reforge their ties with an organic world in which three-dimensional objects did not need to be printed. True to their word, or at least to the extent anyone could tell, the organisers drew up no shortlists, held no eliminating rounds and interviewed no-one. The choice of the winner did appear to be truly random. Of course, this did not prevent me scrutinising even the most mundane details of my life as soon as the news came that I had won - by e-mail, ironically. The part of the brain that compels us to look for patterns in the spiral of fern leaves and in the migration of starlings still sought to convince me that something distinguished me from the millions of other applicants. That same part of me needed to feel I had earned the experience in order to enjoy it. Then I thought of all the endeavours on which I had worked until dull and broken with fatigue, and that had won me nothing, so perhaps there was a law of delayed gratification at work here.\n\nThe cabin itself would have made a perfect yoga retreat for the ultra-wealthy. It eschewed the colossal metal plates and A-frames that filled the pages of so many modern design magazines in favour of burnished whorls of stone. When I arrived on the first day, it reminded me of the central hut of an ancient village that had been petrified by the elements and only just rediscovered. It had no means of tapping into any information from the outside world; there was electricity and running water, but I dutifully surrendered my mobile phone on the first day in accordance with the terms of the prize. Life has become elastic over the past month, elastic and thick like treacle. A stillness has found its voice in me now that the chatter of deadlines and pop-up notifications has been filtered out. They stocked the cabin with every type of food and drink imaginable, from store-brand cola to biscuit cognac and from sherbet dabs to wagyu beef. A younger me might have spent the month cleaning out the liquor cabinet and singing at the stars. I would have laid sprawled out on the sun deck wearing nothing but suntan lotion and eaten prawns until my fingers were bloody from peeling them. The me of today spent a month fine-tuning my meditation techniques, opening my senses to the smallest vibrations surrounding me and learning to appreciate each source of stimulation to its cleanest and purest degree. If I had been given the choice, I might well have stayed in the cabin for several months longer, but it had its own manner of acting like a fussy housekeeper and the ecosystem gradually choked itself off until only the front door still worked, just to let me out.\n\nThey had helicoptered me in. It was the most time-efficient way, they reckoned, given just how isolated this place was. I suppose I was expecting there to be a helicopter there to pick me up when I got out. I was considerably reassured when I saw the chopper sitting on the unkempt splash of grass at the bottom of the slope overlooked by the cabin. I pitched the swing of my body perfectly to land my suitcase in the rear of the helicopter but the realisation stopped me short: the driving seat was empty. I thought that this might be the actual test behind the contest, a test of initiative. If they were ensconced behind one of the distant bushes with cameras trained on me to watch me try to fly to freedom, they were in for a disappointment. I had never flown a helicopter in my life, and was not about to start now. I remembered seeing a very functional-looking all-terrain jeep in the cabin’s garage.\n\nThe engine was sputtering by the time I coasted down the final curve of the hillside and into the nearest town. It was a small and sparse collection of houses scattered haphazardly along the bank of the lake and seemed to be built of blue porcelain tiles and the scent of lemons in equal measure. I parked the jeep outside a café where the radio was still on and walked inside, suddenly aware of the fact that I had no money on me and no means of proving who I even was. The café was filled with the bittersweet steam of the coffee pot boiling on the range behind the bar and the rich salt tang of the fresh fish fried and served up on several of the tables. The steaks of fish were beginning to curl up before my eyes as they cooled. I called out a couple of times into the steamy silence, only to hear my voice swallowed up by the weight of the emptiness. I wandered behind the bar, switched off the radio and cut the gas on the range. There had clearly been people here very recently, so it was only a matter of waiting for them to come back from whichever commotion had stirred them from their meals, their drinks and their jobs. I took a seat at one of the tables and felt no shame in breaking off a chunk of fish on which to nibble as I waited. I picked up a menu.\n\nThere was a greasy and cheaply printed sheet of paper wedged into the menu, the hastily compiled daily special of any coastal café at the lean end of peak season when the tourists were starting to head for home and becoming obsessed with things as mundane as back-to-school shopping. It surprised me so much that it had almost fallen off the table and onto the dusty tiled floor when I snapped it up and cast an eye over it.\n\n“Well done.\n\nYou have hatched whole and radiant from your isolation. You have shown that you have no need of screens, the internet or any of the myriad pollutions of modern life. Your true test starts now.\n\nYou have seen where the world of technology is not and the world of life is. Now that you see where the world of society is not, can you reach out to your fellow man? You have one month. Godspeed.”\n\nI sat with the crumpled sheet of paper in my hand for at least fifteen minutes, listening to the wind whipping in off the lake. I basked in a feeling of freedom; there was no-one to stop me eating every fish in this café, taking every jerrycan of petrol and breaking down the door of every house in order to find the trail of crumbs leading back to civilisation. That freedom was whispered in my ear by the same part of my brain that looked for patterns in the leaves of ferns, and that would not admit that I was alone, without a map, without a puzzle to decode. This would be the month that boils me down to the barest essence of humanity; hunger and thirst will be catered for, and I will not want for shelter, but has my instinct to seek out company survived the world into which I was born? I stand up, slip a steak knife into my belt and wander out into the dazzling salt of the late afternoon sunshine."
] | [
1,
5
] | [
"1549831122",
"1549838267"
] | |
[WP] You lost yet another sock in the dryer. This would’ve been a small insignificant annoyance, if it wasn’t the sixth time this month. You start the dryer with a second load, and before leaving see a portal open in the dryer, and suck another sock through. | 20 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"I knew it! I'm not crazy!!!\" Bernard laughed somewhat maniacally. The dryer seemed a simple one. Large, squarish, and white. A few buttons on top. And an occasional portal that would steal a sock. Though this discovery lent sanity to Bernard. For he had thought for the longest time that Terry, his cat, had been stealing the socks. He even complained to his co-worker George about Terry. And Terry may have missed a meal or two due to Bernards spite. \n\n​\n\n\"What to do then... how to open you..\" Bernard pondered, stroking his chain, as he stared into the soul of the machine. \n\n​\n\n\"Another sock!\" He exclaimed. He ran to his room, ripped open the second drawer of the little wood dresser, and grabbed a few pairs of socks. He arrived back to the machine with tools in hand. \n\n​\n\n\"Okay, the time's I've lost the socks it has always been a single out of a pair. Never have I lost a single sock that wasn't part of a pair. But I guess that isn't possible because all socks are in pairs...\" Bernard briefly stumped himself before continuing the thought. He then threw in a single sock, not a pair but a single sock. He spun the ring to 60 minutes, and pull the power knob. And off it spun. \n\n​\n\nBernard stared as it spun. It grumbled. It made sounds but he just waited. He heard what sounded like a little portal that would open in a dryer. \n\n​\n\n\"Is that it?!\" He swung open the dryer. It was nothing. The sock was still there. \n\n​\n\n\"Okay, I'll wait till it's finished.\" And so he did. \n\n​\n\n...\n\n​\n\ntime passed slowly as he waited. Terry approached Bernard from the Laundry room door. \n\n​\n\n\"Hello Terry.\" Bernard said, somewhat ashamed.\n\n​\n\nTerry just shook his head. Bernard knew now that Terry had done nothing with the sock. And Terry could see his guilt. Terry then hinted that Bernard leave perhaps double the regular portion of feed for the days he missed his meals. Bernard somehow knew what little Terry was getting at and rightfully obliged. Bernard marched upstairs and filled Terry's bowl to the brim. Terry strut triumphantly to his bowl, and Bernard returned to his studies. \n\n​\n\n\\*Whooshie Wash\\* \n\n​\n\n\"That's it!\" He was halfway down the stairs when he heard it. He ran to the dryer full sprint, flung open the door, and there it was.\n\n​\n\n\"There it is.\" He whispered. He saw that the sock hadn't been sucked through yet. But the portal was growing. He saw the sock start to move towards the blue swirl. And then in almost an instant, it shot to the portal. Bernard grabbed the toe end of the sock and pulled. But the portals grip was that of a giant's. \n\n​\n\n\"Wait! What are you doing with my socks? And why!\" Bernard yelled, he desired so deeply to know who was doing what with his socks. For these are Bernard's socks and no one but he has the rights to them. The portal said nothing. It just continued to pull the sock. \n\n​\n\n\"Speak to me you beast!\" he screamed. And with that the pulling stopped. The portal didn't let go of the sock but it stopped trying to suck it. Bernards eyes seemed to be portals themselves. Perhaps the dyrer portal had feared the wrath of the human. \n\n​\n\n\"You are a Fun-Gui\" The portal said. The swirls shaped into eyes and a mouth. \n\n​\n\nBernard looked pleased. \"Oh, thanks.\" He said, surprised that the only being that understood his humour was not of this world. \"But how does the portal know I am funny?\" He thought to himself. Had the portal been watching Bernard even outside of the dryer? But how?\n\n​\n\n\"What is your favorite joke I have told?\" Asked Bernard. The portal had no detectable emotional reaction to the question. \n\n​\n\nAfter a long silence, and Bernards tense anticipation of flattery. The portal finally spoke.\n\n​\n\n'Give me the sock.\" It said. Bernard seemed to go mad at that moment. Not mad solely in the anger sense. But mad in the sense that his sanity had plummeted. Enthralled by anger, confusion, certainty, and certainty of nothing. Bernard raged. His eyes became portals deeper than the one they reflected now. \n\n​\n\n\"YOU WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER SOCK!\" And with that Bernard ripped the sock from the dryer. He ripped the toilet from the ground, and he smashed the dryer with all his might. And he smashed again, and again. He thought he heard the portal cry, but he didn't care. He continued smashing.\n\n​\n\n\"No one will ever steal another one of my socks!\" He smashed one final time until his hands bled. He smiled. He was relieved that it was over. His socks were safe. And his sanity guarded. \n\n​\n\nTerry had overheard the ruckus and came down to see what had happened. As he rounded the door, he saw Bernard hovering with the toilet. Bernard glanced at Terry. \n\n​\n\n\"More food Terry?\"\n\n​\n\n\"Miaou\" "
] | [
1,
3
] | [
"1549833863",
"1549836769"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] It turns out punny porn star names are actually like Dr Fate's helmet, you inherit powers along with the name. You have just inherited your new porn name and its associated powers. You are: Moana Lisa. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/DefenderTitan, 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- Sexually explicit themes are not allowed. \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/ap8qir/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549834556",
"1549834945"
] |
[WP] Jesus is a time traveler. The reason he was able to perform miracles is because he brought modern antibiotics, and he brought a shit ton of bread. | 18 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Another day another dollar,\" said Jesus to himself. He flipped a wheat wafer like a gangster flips a coin, catching it by picking it out of the air overhandedly.\n\nHe sighed, and continued his lonely conversation. \"Let's see, 50,000 in a day is a new record. I'll have to promote the foreman, raise the min wage.\"\n\nHe strode into his office overlooking the the factory floor, the sweet aroma of baking yeast permeating throughout the building, especially here. Gus was flipping through the accounts.\n\n\"Hey Abs!\" he said to Jesus.\n\n\"Please Gus, that nickname won't stick.\"\n\n\"I like it,\" said Gus.\n\nJesus stared at him.\n\n\"*Jesus,*\" said Gus, exasperated. \"Fine, Abaddon. You're Abaddon. Happy?\"\n\n\"Yes, thank you. What's the word?\"\n\n\"The word is a number, and it's 165,453. That's dollars, mate.\"\n\n\"Sounds good--that's a record isn't it Gus?\"\n\n\"With the new accounts in Idaho, that is a record my friend.\"\n\n\"Fine fine. Give everyone a raise, we can afford it.\"\n\n\"You the boss!\"\n\nGus jaunted out with a happy gait, and Jesus slunked into his big captain's chair. He rolled back his sleeve and looked at the time travel device attached to his wrist. It read, *Greenville, Rhode Island, February 15th, 2019, 15:25:24*. He spun around and clicked a button beneath the desk, opening a secret annex. Inside he eyed the sack of wafers he'd snuck off the factory line, and the millenia-old cloth bundle filled with opiods. Would that work? He'd find out soon enough.\n\nHe was 33. He fidgetted with the device, looking absently at the floor. This time, he though, he'd change things. This time, he'd tell Mary *everything*. This time, love *would* prevail. He gathered up the sack and bundle, turned a switch, and disappeared into the past.\n\n​\n\n​\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n/r/velabasstuff\n\n​"
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1549841052",
"1549846832"
] | |
[WP] Sealed away for millenia, you are awoken to be worshiped, they are unaware of the monster you were. | 18 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The man opened his eyes for the first time in over a thousand years. Packed in close around the cryogenic tube was a throng of people of all ages, every one of them wearing a specific hat that he knew well. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the tube and into the swirling fog left behind by the evaporated liquid nitrogen. The crowd gasped and skittered back a few steps, but never took their adoring eyes off of him. The man pulled back his lips into a wolfish grin. An explanation from the crowd was even less necessary than an introduction of himself. He knew why they had broken his seal. There are things that humans can't do without. Food, water, shelter. But there is another thing, one carried out of burning buildings and pulled out of shipwrecks with every survivor. Something that every refugee carries away in his heart no matter how sudden his flight. Something carefully guarded and passed down no matter how tyrannical the dictatorship. Something with the power to teach the young, to frame an individual's identity, to even shape culture itself. The most novel of technologies and the most ancient of treasures, stories. He who controls stories controls the world. He straightened the ear hat he had been frozen in. The Mouse had returned.",
"Monika looked back, noticing she had gotten quite far ahead. \"Just a little farther, Jorgé! I can't believe this entire structure isn't visible on satelite maps. There isn't even any tree cover!\"\n\nJorgé climbed carefully over another boulder. He looked up to see how far ahead Monika had gotten, but the sun was blinding him. Not for the first time, he had a bad feeling about this.\n\nHe called back, \"Just so you know, this is the last time I let you talk me into these adventures. I was promised a vacation! I was promised mimosas!\"\n\nMonika rolled her eyes. \"Just hurry up, will you? There will be plenty of time for mimosas!\" She looked around, wondering if they were going to get there before sundown.\n\n\"There better be,\" Jorgé said, short of breathe but beaming at her all the same.\n\nMonika eyed him appraisingly.\n\nAfter a minute, \"it's just on the next landing, I think. Ready?\"\n\n\"Yeah, I think so.\"\n\nAs they climbed the last distance to the top of the structure, Jorgé finally had to say something. \"Monika, I've got a bad feeling about this place. How did you say you found out about this again? Something doesn't seem right.\"\n\nWalking towards an entrance of some kind, Monika laughed, \"that's what you said about that bar in Tangier!\" She ducked into the darkness.\n\nFollowing hesitantly, exasperated, \"this isn't the same, and you know it!\"\n\nJorgé couldn't see now, and Monika hadn't replied, worried, \"Are you oka-\", a sharp pain. Nothing-ness.\n\nJorgé awoke to a rough-hewn rock \"cavern?\" he thought, \"no, more like a, throne room?\" The thick, acrid smell of oil torches causing him to wince. \"Monika?\" He called out.\n\nMonika was kneeling, facing away. Then, a voice, almost musical.\n\n\"What year is it, mortal?\"\n\nTerror rose in his throat."
] | [
1,
2,
3
] | [
"1549848158",
"1549859308",
"1549855122"
] | |
[WP] You are a proud and powerful demon, strong enough to topple entire nations and you've only ever been summoned twice. This is the third time and you see a eight-year old girl holding the incantation book in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other. | 2,228 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My eyes, long accustomed to the dim light of the astral, are suddenly blinded by a light all too familiar. It was the light of a rent being made between the spirit and mortal realms. It was the light of someone summoning what was, by their small minds, a demon. It heralded, once again, that someone would be attempting to compel my service.\n\nDamnable fool.\n\nI closed my eyes for the flash, opening them only when the sounds of my summoner's breathing became clear, and the comforting wail of untold trillions of souls was silent. For those whom are unfamiliar, I was once, some cycles ago, a mere mortal. Now, however, I had become a citizen of the Greater Daemon Conclave. My last summoner had mistakenly called me the devil. \n\nIt looked like my summoner, this time, had called upon me clearly by accident. Looking at the ancient tome at her feet, and the shock and horror of her face, she clearly either hadn't expected this to work, or had been expecting something far far fluffier. I glanced at the book. This one said the spell was to \"Summon the greatest of all possible friends, that one may meet them.\"\n\n\"Wou.. Would... d... Would you ...\" I finish her sentence for her, shifting my form into one I'd had beyond an eternity ago. It's not fluffy, but at least it's gentler than a completely flat dark figure, appearing to have membranous wings, wreathed in pitch black smoke.\n\n\"Like a candy bar? I'm okay thanks, but it was very nice of you to offer me. My name is,\" I pause for a split moment. Not that she could process the time I pause for, it was, to her, less than a hundredth of a second. For myself, it was long enough to decide on a name for myself this go around. \n\n\"Abbadon. What's your name?\" I ask. I try to put on a gentle, friendly voice. The otherworldly echo, the underlying power that almost any sentient being mistakes as malice (It's directness, along with a bit of impatience) that I normally speak with is completely absent. \n\n\"Samantha.\" She replies. I can tell she's scared of something, but from what I'm seeing it's not necessarily me.\n\n\"Is something the matter?\" I ask. This causes her mind to panic. I read it like a book, and immediately I an confronted with evil that I could never, and would never, inflict on any being. The use of one so young, for simple vulgar pleasures of the flesh, deeply disturbs me. I do my best to contain my seething white hot hatred but I can feel it seeping out somewhat into astral space. Still, I maintain my calm, nonthreatening demeanor. I wait for her to speak.\n\n\"I wanted a friend,\" she says, thinking she's found a good enough lie. I play along, seeing as, like all good lies, this one has truth in it. She is looking for a friend, someone who can help save her from her living nightmare. Someone who would be there for her. Someone whom she could tell her terrible secret without fear of judgement. In other words, the greatest friend someone could have.\n\n\"That's sad. I'll be your friend. Would you like to play a game?\" I ask. She is about to speak when the door opens behind us. I feel a sharp crack of lightning hit my physical form, and I go limp. Samantha runs to me, tears in her eyes, as well as terror. \n\nI'm the kindest thing this girl has seen today, and I've just been killed right in front of her. \"Abaddon!\" she cries. \"I'm sorry!\" She says, now sobbing over what she thinks is my lifeless corpse. She thinks she's to blame, trying to find something, anything, that could rescue her from her living hell.\n\nI'm acting, but she doesn't know that. And neither does the robed figure advancing towards Samantha, her body quivering in the most abject terror anyone could hope not to see.\n\n\"Trying to get something to help you? That's going to be two tonight.\" The malice, the sadism, it's all clear in his voice. Then the mother walks in, same look of malice and sadism. I've seen more than enough. It's only because of my extreme control, and my now cool, calculating resolve that the two magi in front of me meet their ends, that allows me to be sure they don't suspect a thing.\n\nThe two adults corner the child, quivering in the corner. I now freeze time, leaving Samantha and myself unfrozen. She doesn't notice for a good minute. I decide to speed her coming to by getting up.\n\n\"I'm sorry that they do this to you. I take it that it's not fun?\" She immediately runs to me, crying tears of sadness, anger, and joy. \n\n\"Why?\" she asks.\n\"Because surprise is an excellent attention getter, and they will surely be surprised when they find you've disappeared.\" She doesn't quite believe me.\n\n\"They're mages, they'll hurt you!\" She thinks that they're going to hurt me too, and she wants to protect me. \n\nAdmirable, I think to myself. She would make a very worthy acolyte. She isn't even aware of her own strength. She probably didn't think she could even use magic.\n\n\"No, I didn't summon you! They did, they're doing it to hurt me!\" She believes this, and with these cries, the truth starts coming out. I sit there, holding the world frozen around us, as she tells me everything, begging and pleading me to leave, to save myself. \n\nFinally, I ask her the question that, I hope, will shatter the veil of lies that has been wrapped around her mind and begin the long, hard process of healing the damage done to her soul.\n\n\"Do you know what, exactly, I am?\" I ask. \n\n\"You're the greatest friend ever, a someone who I could tell this, someone who could help, but no, nothing could stop them. They're the greatest necromancers in the kingdom and...\" She pauses. I take my original form. It's enough of an interruption.\n\n\"And while I take the name Abaddon, other names I've held are Beelzebub, Mephistopheles, Lucifer, and Satan. Truth be told, I am none of these figures, but when one of my kind is summoned here, it's a name that gets thrown around. Quite a lot actually.\" She's wearing a look of shock, and slight horror, at the revelation.\n\n\"I know you don't want them to do this anymore. I also know that you don't actually want me to hurt them, you just want me to make them stop. I can't make them stop, unless I imprison them, or report them to the authorities.\"\n\n\"NO!\" she screams, \"They'll throw me in jail for telling!\" I look at her, not with the feather soft gaze of a human or the powerful stare of a daemon, but with the eyes of enlightenment. Our eyes lock, and in an instant she sees but a glimmer of the real truth. \n\nSome people are monsters. Her parents are monsters, She is not a monster. The truth that nothing she has done, does, or ever would do, could justify what they have done to her. She falls to her knees at the shock of it all. \"Thank you,\" escapes her lips, as she falls nearly unconscious. The smoke surrounding me catches her like the softest pillow, and brings her to my arms. I hold her over my shoulder, and let her go to sleep.\n\nEDIT: Very slight tweak as I found this bordering on explicit",
"I can feel myself beeing summoned. Someone is pulling me out of the void of nothingness. It is horribly painful but I welcome leaving this place and regaining my senses - even if it would be only for a short while.\n\nAs I break into reality my words break the aeons of my silence: \"I am Urtras, fire demon of the deep, here to judge your offering.\"\n\nSomething is wrong tough. In front of me is the altar of undying light, a rough black rock hewn into a rectangular shape with a single, weak flame dancing above its uneven top. But I am surprised that the flame is the only light I see and there are not any people around it. The last two times I was summoned I was greeted by great gatherings of people that had come to this cavern. And they had put shiny metals and colorful rocks to my feet as soon as I had appeared. \n\nJust behind the altar I spot someone hiding badly. I step closer to see a small girl ducked down, eyes wide as she looks at me. She is holding the burnt book that contains the incantations to summon me in one hand and a smooth, rectangular object in the other. She is very young, dirty and her dark, wet hair sticks to her face. Her garb is strange as well, smooth, intricate and even in this low light, bright and colourful. Still, clearly she is the one that called upon me.\n\n\"You have summoned me. Show me your offering. If I deem it worthy, I will do your bidding as long as you live. If not, I will burn your body until only ash is left.\"\n\nSlowly and wordlessly she lifts the strange object. I stretch out my to touch it - my black fingers as thick as her spingly arms - and immediately absorb the knowledge that is attached to her offering.\n\nImages unfolded in my mind as I was seeing its history: It was a chocolate bar - an individually packaged dessert with exceptional sugar content probably only meant for special occasions. I saw how it was packed into her bag by her mother before she kissed her on her forehead and waved her goodbye. The girl took it with her on a trip with many other children to visit a cave where they were guided through well lit rock chambers. She was apart from the group when the ground had suddenly started to shake. The walls around her shifted and the rocks beneath her gave in to swallowed her. She awoke in total darkness, feeling her way along damp walls, stumbling over rocks and screaming for help until her voice was gone and she was too cold and too tired to stay awake anymore. The girl slept in the damp darkness, rolling herself into a little ball and using her bag to slightly soften the hard ground. When she awoke back into darkness, she cried for help again and again, refusing to leave the place that most likely was closest to the outside. She grew ever more hungry but only allowed herself to touch the smooth wrapper of the chocolate bar from time to time before putting it back. When tiredness overcame her once more, she curled up to sleep. Hunger and thirst made her unable to rest for long and she gave up staying in place and started following the rock tunnel deeper into the earth, feeling her way along the wall with her hands. It was not an easy path and she fell often and painfully. As she rested after a particulary hard fall, she pulled out the chocolate. She held it in her hands for quite a while, turning it over this way and that, before - again - putting it back and then continuing on. The tunnel was long and she had put behind her a large distance, when her surroundings changed and she came upon a large chamber where the walls disappeared into the distance. But her eyes fell upon something. There was a small glow far off, a little speck of light just on the verge of beeing noticable. Though exhausted, she hurried towards it. Climbing up and down, feeling her way around seemingly bottomless chasms, crawling on all fours over slippery ground and never taking her eyes of the only thing she could see. She eventually reached it to find the altar of undying light with the burnt book exactly where it was left after I had immolated my last summoners and was pulled back into the void.\n\nMy mind snaps back and I kneel down before her. It is the first time I would use these words:\n\n\"Your offering is worthy.\"",
"Empty space as far as I could see. I floated like I was underwater. Occasionally I could hear an echo, of a scream maybe. Eons passed, I had no chains, there was nowhere for me to go. Other demons were covered in chains, and I could see them lightyears below myself, where the HELL-fluid was denser. And then it happened- tickling!\n\nI could sense dreaming of me. They woke, and the itch was gone... for a moment. Then I could sense this itch... like they were drawing this picture. But it was an old picture, they had a dream of me, as I used to be. All my black scales, the long bat wings I had. It wasn't my first form, I used to have fur, but after falling... I closed my eyes as I felt this picture completing a ritual. I could hear echos... pleasant echos that reminded me of my time as an angel. I saw myself as I had become: after my wings being shredded from me, my fur was replaced by scales, which fell off in places after I betrayed the devils who led the First Rebellious War, and taints of infinite varieties covered my body, from the plagues they used that our angelic brothers never dreamed of using as weapons. All the horrors of any war, torture unlike anything else... I bore witness, and now a sweet innocence unlike anything except what I first knew was singing some lullaby.\n\nAnd the red light faded away, replaced by pitch black space, and then white light blinded me and it too faded, as I had somehow shifted in the a star and was pulled towards the Earth, one of many worlds.\n\nI saw my destination, a small home, with a small girl alone in her room, her father napping nearby out of earshot.\n\nI landed in front of her.\n\n\"Yes?\" My eyes were wide, it had been so long that I had felt such a way.\n\n\"Who... are you?\" She stared at me wide eyed.\n\n\"I don't have a name. But you know me, you drew me.\"\n\nShe looked at her journal, all the creatures she drew, none of them were to be summoned by the images, but I think exist in some realm.\n\n\"Which one is you? This one? I just drew this! You don't look like this... You-\"\n\n\"Don't have wings?\" I anticipated by reading her mind, I cold only do so lightly, not like my former masters but I was a very powerful demon, able to do more than most, who only understood speed and strength, maybe technique, but not empathy.\n\nHer eyes narrowed and widened again as I turned, I could sense everything around me without seeing anything.\n\"Your wings were cut off?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"Why?\"\n\n\"I'm evil.\"\n\n\"Why?\"\n\n\"I didn't intend to be. I wanted to heal myself.. I wanted to be free. I was slighted.\"\n\nThere was a pause.\n\n\"What's all that?\" She asked about the hardened yellow and purple scars and taint, all the warts and maggots in my face. I'm hideous.\n\n\"Cancer. I'm a multitude of infections. I'll leave no worms in your home, they will all follow me. I promise.\"\n\n\"Are you an angel? I've seen you in my sister's shows. You can be good again, I've heard of fallen angels before!\"\n\n\"It doesn't usually work out like that.\" Then I ate her.",
"You know, I was never summoned before in antiquity. Those basic humanoids knew, deep in their essence, that beings like me are laissez-faire. Hands off. Our existence may incomprehensible to the mind, but it most certainly is incompatible with the flesh. And I'm not talking about those meaty folds gripping that candy. I'm talking the motherly figure you think this floating rock just happens to be. Trust me, she ain't that. Those stars up there? That's not one big, expansive, paternal figure. It's a jungle, a cesspool, and mostly just a clusterfuck.\n\nSo I've waited on the outskirts of this plane, trying to buffer some of the phenomena that eludes even me. I heard whispers from my lesser brethren of one of those dirtballs accumulating enough essence to pop out a sentient race. Later on, I hear tell of a contest between two brutish figures over the collective souls of that race. So, we're getting involved? \n\nSmall fucking potatoes. You keep your reality-measuring contests for a rainy day (my kind, not some pitter-patter of stuff you can drink). Me, I'm about cosmic purpose. I don't need to play with a kiddy set when there's so much more.\n\nSo the first time I got an invitation to play, I ended up in one of those decorative landfills you have for your less talkative predecessors. The irony, a pimply teenager holding a chocolate bar and a Necrocomicon somehows manages to pinpoint my existence. So, in observance of the occasion, I ponder the irony. That chocolate bar... who would have thought that the crop plucked from those defeated nations in antiquity would convey so much pleasure in the now? Kinda funny, that this rock invites so much bloodlust and mayhem, for my kind and their kind, and spits out little gems like this.\n\nI don't eat, I parse. Existence is not only manifold, it also doesn't give a fig about digestive proclivities of any entity. So I don't eat the chocolate bar. I don't even transform the rock to be more inhospitable. I leave some scraps of the teenager on the nearby stones, and set the landfill so that any thing, mine or theirs, that visits it...\n\nWell, it should have been impossible for calling card like that to invite an innocent child to summon me again. And yet, here you are. With the same punchline. Maybe I should make all chocolate orgasmically delicious and carcinogenic. That'll teach you.\n\nThen again, maybe someone else will come along, and muck it all up. Girl, I may have a task for you. Take this artifact. Leave the chocolate bar.",
"A servant, one of his victims, was pouring some Roman wine on his coup while he was sitting on the couch near the pits of fire, slaves as good as this one are hard to come by, he though, and then he felt it, it was like a tickling sensation all over his massive body, his muscles twitched in excitation while huge columns of fire surrounded him with a blazing roar of crushing heat and destruction, and then the fire died.\n\nHe was there with his eyes closed remembering his glorious ride along with the Roman army laying waste to their Persian enemies, sending huge navies up in flames.\n\n-Well that was impressive, said a bored voice \n\nHe opened his eyes, in front of him there was a little girl with a chocolate bar and a book on the other hand, he tilted his head while looking her feeling confused.\n\n-That's weird - said the little girl - you should be able to talk, or at least understand me, this was a waste of time\n\nShe was ready to leave when he talked.\n\n-I can talk little mortal, I'm a Demon Lord, why aren't you afraid of me?\n\n-so you can talk then, perfect, I'm Mandy, why should I be afraid of a slave? In any case you would be wondering why I summoned you\n\nHe felt a punch in the gut, no one in all of his thousands of years had ever treated him like that, the rage started to run through his veins, but she had been painstakingly accurate with the comment, he couldn't hurt her, this wasn't the usual summoning, this one had been exceptionally powerful.\n\n-Look around you - said Mandy with an indifferent voice\n\nThen he realized and went silent, they were on a human city, a huge one with buildings as tall as the sky and streets as far as his demonic eyes could see, and... there wasn't any other human around. That couldn't be right, he used his demonic senses to search through the city and the horror started to sink in, hundreds, no thousands, no... Millions of bodies still warm.\n\n-So finally you've realized, they were my sacrifice to summon you.\n\nThey way she talked unnerved him, he knew evil, he had done unspeakable things, but he never had killed so many people, he was... Amazed, until finally he asked. \n\n-why... do you took so many lives Master?\n\n-good I like your initiative - she shrug - they didn't wanted to give me chocolates and candy, also I didn't wanted to trade my soul, I needed a lot of people for that.\n\nFor the first time in all of his existance he felt... Felt fear, he was treated with respect because the bargain was that they would be his servants in the afterlife unless an atrocity beyond anything in memory had been made, he was now bonded even after life, he was his slave now.\n\n-now I need you to take me to Nickelodeon headquarters... \n\nHe still felt the dread, he was the most powerful demon lord summoned by the sacrifice of millions and still... She was just a kid.\n\n-...Now - she kept talking - they canceled my favorite tv show. ",
"I always envied humans. They cling to their world so easily. Rooted, as it were, to their home reality. If only I was so lucky. That force doesn’t exist in my home-world. We demons are dimensionally weightless.\n\nStill I’m stronger than most. Through force of will I bind myself to my plane, hold myself where I belong. It is a rare and disorienting thing to be lifted from reality and tossed among the stars. It’s only happened twice before. Both times by humans. One became a great friend. The other...it started well but things changed. I’ll never have a more ruthless enemy.\n\nThis is the story of my third summoning. \n\nThey were skilled I must admit. I tested the bonds of the spell the moment I arrived, pushing first against the wards binding me to earth’s dimensional gravity; then the more local spells that held me in place. They were rough, crude but solid. I could not budge them. I materialized to a high voice, reciting the litany of passage. It wavered as I coalesced, but pushed through to the end. I could hear the pain in her voice. I’ve been told that summoning me is excruciatingly painful. I don’t care to speculate on why. \n\nI allowed sight to enter me and lay eye upon my summoner. She met my gaze. Her irises were deep brown, nearly black. Her pupils small, focused. Her right eye was stained red from a popped capillary. They told me she was strong, determined, and dangerous. Though her body was frightfully weak. It was small and malformed. Premature...juvenile a child. \n\n“Blackthorn I know myself\n\nZarriphael, I name you.\n\nZarriphael, by name I bind you\n\nZarriphael, by name I command you\n\nSpeak truth Zarriphael, for I know your name\n\nSpeak no vitriol or cunning plot Zarriphael, for I know your name\n\nDo as I command Zahiphael, for I know your name.\n\nSeek not my name Zarriphael, for it is Blackthorn.\n\nAre you bound by our contract?”\n\nThe words seemed to spill out from her, the infernal phrazes singing lip and tongue. She stumbled only once in the phrase of command. I exploited this of course, slipping free of that clause. Still, I was impressed. She stared at me, awaiting my reply. I felt the words rise to my lips unbidden. “I am bound.” \n\nShe seemed to collapse and with shaking hand lifted a bar of chocolate to her lips. My book tumbled from her hands and slid onto the dusty concrete floor. I watched, silent in spite of my curiosity. How had one so young bound me, and with such skill? \n\nEventually she lifted her head, and once more I saw those determined eyes. Half buried in a sheaf of messy brown hair. \n\n“Tell me about my father.” She croaked. \n\nI began to understand. There was something familiar about the child.\n\n“Who is your father.”\n\n“You know him.” She pulled her exhausted form into a stiff-backed pose. “He wrote this.” She placed a hand on my \n\nbook of invocations. The gift I gave her father, my dearest friend. My knowledge on paper. A thing not stolen, but earned.\n\n“Tam? Surely he can tell you more than I.”\n\nShe glared at me, I could almost feel the flames of her hatred. “He’s dead.” \n\nI had suspected as much. The confirmation still struck like a hot knife in the gut. A feeling I have only felt once \n\nbefore, and hope to never encounter again. \n\n“And no one will tell me anything. I just...I just want to know...”\n\nA long pause stretched between us. She wiped her eyes and tried to look fierce, in control. I knew better. \n\n“Your father would be proud. No petty conjurer could have forged this.” \n\nShe frowned. “You’re stalling. Tell me something that matters” \n\nShe was sharp. Sharper than Tam certainly. \n\n “He was... a friend. We worked together for some time. I was bound as his familiar. He was not fit to be a conjurer. Too soft of heart. If I didn’t know better I’d say he summoned me by accident. He’s lucky I didn’t slip my bonds and kill him on my way home.” \n\n“Yes, I know that. I read the book. What about him though...what was he like?” She was growing frustrated. I paused. The compulsion to speak built in my chest but I let it pass; I needed time to think. \n\n“I’ll tell you more but...there’s something I’d like to ask you first.”\n\nShe blinked and her eyes widened. “I croaked on the command phrase…That’s why you’re being so difficult.” \n\nMuch sharper than Tam. \n\n“Then let’s make a deal. By my name if you tell me from whence your skill at demon binding stems, I shall answer every question you have about your father.” \n\nShe shook her head. \n\n“Zarriphael, by your name I offer you a contract.”\nSomeone her age should hardly be coherent, let alone performing intricate summoning phrases. \n\n“I shall answer three questions, honestly and without deceit. In return you shall be bound by my commands as you are bound to the old laws”\n\nAnd she was too sharp to be self taught. Something about it left a bad taste in my mouth. \n\n“Do you accept this contract Zarriphael?”\n\nHer words woke me from my reverie. I hastened to catch up, “I accept, Blackthorn”\n\n The magic sank into my flesh. Her mark twisted onto my skin, black and intricate. The third of its kind. \n\n“How have you become so skilled at binding.” I asked, watching her shiver as the magic compelled her to answer. \n\n“My mother taught me, I’ve been training with her since I was five years old.”\n\nI felt a familiar stirring in my blood, the poison on my tongue grew more intense. I had a hunch. \n\n“And who is…”\n\nFootsteps thudded above, the sound of heels on hardwood. “Anna.” sang a voice, deceptively saccharine.\n\n“Who is your mother?” I asked as the footsteps grew louder. A door creaked open above. “Anna?” the sweet voice called. \n\nI knew that voice. I knew the name, I just needed to hear it. \n\nBlackthorn...Anna... frowned shivering again at the compulsion. \n\n“She is known to demons as the Silver Rose.” \n\nMy arch-enemy. ",
"The man clutches his breast pocket. A waft of stale chocolate and foil comforts him from the monotony of his desk work. The smells bring back memories from the past. A small child hiding from her life in the dusty pages of an old book in the attic. Confused about the otherworldly event that occured before her. The demon in front of her was first grinning but as reality set in shared in on the confusion. The great demon pulled from his throne in hell could not understand who or why he was there. What great joke could have been played on him to be in the presence of this child. He searched this child's soul for answers but found only pain and sorrow. A fear of life so great it eclipses the demon's very existence. Images of every wrongdoing ever to befall on that child flooded the demon. To his surprise the only emotion the child did not feel was hate even after all the terrible horrific acts the child only felt forgiveness and hope for change. The demon could not understand why there was no hate and he for the first time felt something himself. He was not ready for this emotion he knew only the basic instincts like rage and fear and was unprepared to feel pity. He took the child by the hand as his form slowly changed to that of a man in late 20's. Together they left that attic, as they approached the front door he said \" my name is Asmond and I will take care of you\". \n\nThis was my first time posting I hope I did it properly.",
"Third time's the charm, they say. If memory serves, the first instructions for summoning a demon by Name whispered by The Serpent were simply to repeat the name thrice. That of course left out all of the ritual details necessary to avoid possession, annihilation, etc. etc. The ensouled worked those out pretty quickly. A few generations of trial and error, and they've got the salt and the candles and everything. Tenacious buggers.\n\nThis time, I felt when my Name was spoken the first time in the summoning ritual. Innovative pronunciation, clear intonation, the start of a quality summoning. I thought to myself, good, competence. It's in short supply among mortals since they harnessed electricity.\n\nI was surprised when the second Naming came so soon after. Usually the ritual between the first and second Namings delineates the tone of the summoning. Am I going to be contained in an inanimate vessel? Will I be asked to act against my nature? Will I even be conscious while on the mortal plane? Apparently Mr. Competent Summoner was going for the default tone. That is, up to me. The first time I was Named by a mortal, they did this in an attempt to ingratiate themselves with me. If Mr. Competent Summoner found my Name, they know how that ended. My second summoner never got the chance to write my Name down.\n\nThe third Naming came almost immediately, and I was whisked to the summoner before I even realized the implications. Either there would be no control word at all, or Mr. Competent Summoner was in a hurry and thought he could simply convince me to do what he wants. Reckless, or desperate.\n\nThe pressure of the air always surprises me, after 409 years I had forgotten what mortal air feels like.\n\n\"Hey Grythmyx.\" The voice came from the summoner's rhombus of the metaglyph of invitation, from the mouth of a mortal girlchild. \n\n\"Hello. May I ask, who are you?\" My mind reeled with the possibilities of what such a loose summoning could permit, I almost didn't notice the thinness of the fiber board walls, the narrowness of the living room, clearly a full third of the volume of this mobile abode. \n\n\"You can call me Jan.\" A surprisingly savvy answer from one so young. Clearly that was not her Name, and she implied neither that it was or wasn't.\n\n\"Are you what you appear to be?\" Some questions a summoner is required to answer, even without extensively defined rituals.\n\n\"Oh that feels funny.\" Some have compared hearing an undeniable question to getting static like before a lightning strike. \"I know I can't lie. I'm me. I don't need to be anybody else today.\"\n\nToday. Today? Still befuddled by the lack of structure in the ritual, I couldn't settle on dismissing the small details of this girlchild's speech. \n\n\"Do you need to be something else tomorrow?\"\n\n\"Yes. And I need you to be too.\"\n\nHere it comes, I thought. What could a girlchild want to be? Did they not realize how abject the life of princesses and queens had been for must of time? \n\n\"Tomorrow I need to be somebody who has a dad. It's the father daughter dance tomorrow. Would you pretend to be my dad?\" \n\n\"Do you know you could have incorporated that requirement into the summoning? Why ask now? You understand, I can decline anything you ask.\" She nodded at this. \n\n\"I know.\" Her eyes met mine. In them was a curiosity grown from the remains of hope dashed asunder many times. \"We were told it's an invitation. It's rude to tell someone what they will do for you. I decided to ask.\"\n\nThat was the dumbest, most simplistic, must absurd reason I had every heard to summon a devil without the smallest of precautions. It was also quite adorable.\n\n\"I will agree to do this thing with you on one condition.\"\n\n\"What is it?\" No suspicion, but no excitement either. I had heard of multi-centenarian summoners easier to rattle then Jan. She was ready to bargain.\n\n\"Give me some of that chocolate.\"",
"The earth shuddered at the utterance of the demonic summoning. The tides seemed to still, the wind become deathly calm and all around the world a chill went down the spines of the living and awake. It was as if the whole planet stood still in the stunning moments before a crash. Deep below, in the underworld, the laughter of demons was clear and proud. Their champion, the great and powerful Beezlebrig, was finally given admittance to the mortal world and after 900 years, the suspense was tight in his lungs.\n\nUman di weya tchoo. And let the light be vanquished.\n\nSamantha, who had found the scripture in her parents basement behind a long column of forgotten boxes, had no idea what she had done. She was a young girl of eight years and had just started to read without the help of her father. The tightly bound book and engraved flames was in the box labelled in large letters 'Never Open! For the souls of the innocent! Never open!' But little Samantha was curious by nature. Maybe there was fairies inside, maybe a frog prince. Maybe another bar of chocolate, that would be nice. And so she opened it, and she read with all her tiny might the glowing words before her.\n\nTeeka maniya seelo di fan sskeelim yata. Let the truth of flame and fury be borne again.\n\nAs the words came thick from her mouth, in a voice unknown and powerful, the hair began to rise from her head in strands. The lights of the basement flickered and burst in pops and upstairs the crash of her father falling could be heard. The basement door swung closed and locked. Beezlebrig had rose from the ground in glorious evil.\n\n'Finally, I have been freed again! How I've missed the feel of ground beneath me, the sight of stone has worn my eyes but now I am back, thank you, small child, I am here to serve your bidding.' \n\n'Excuse me... em... you don't look very much like a fairy, but my father says never to judge someone by their looks.' \n\nSamantha was peering in confusion up at the massive body of Beezlebrig, who stood tall and thick and red before her. His horns were sharp and twisted, his feet were the hooves of goats and a small ragged cloth hid his man parts but only barely. \n\n'I, small mortal, am Beezlebrig. I am not a fairy.' \n\nUpstairs the crashing of her father could be heard against the basement door, much louder than before. Much more desperate.\n\n'I read this book and you came through the ground, that's like magic! Are you a wizard?'\n\n 'No, I am no wizard.' \n\n'I know! I know! You're a genie!' \n\nThe dark lips of Beezlebrig twisted upwards in a dark and gruesome smile, and two rows of ripped teeth could be seen behind. He was drooling. \n\n'Yes, little mortal girl, I am a genie. A wonderful genie. Like in the fairytales, would you like to make a wish?' \n\nDeep below the sound of laughter could be heard again, a thousand evil howls lifted together in an awful glee. Samantha's father screamed from behind the door. \n\n'Yes! Oh yes! I would love to make a wish, let me see emmmm...' \n\nSamantha put her hand under her chin in a mocking pose of thought.\n\n 'Think carefully child, you shall only get one. A special wish for the special girl that read my book, would you like to meet my family little girl? We all know magic very well, and I'm sure they would love to give you all the chocolate and princes you could want. I am sure of it.' The breathing of Beezlebrig was getting heavier and his wide back rose and fell with every breath. He wanted something, Samantha could tell, but she just didn't know what.\n\n'More wishes! I could get a frog prince! I could get three whole chocolate bars! Three!' \n\nBeexlebrig's smile widened even further, and his lips touched ear to ear.\n\n'Say the words child.'\n\nSamantha's Father made one final howl from behind the locked basement door. A sound of deeper sorrow than anyone could imagine. It met Samantha's ears and she was startled.\n\n'I wish to meet your family! And, I wish that dad can come too!'\n\nBeezlebrig had never looked happier, and his eyes grew black entirely. \n\n'You're wish is my command.'\n\nA moment later, the basement was empty and just as foul as before, the dust had settled and the door was unlocked and open. No one stood on the other side.\n\nDeep below, a chorus of shrieking laughter shook the earth and all was still again. We will never know what happened.",
"It begins with a tingle, someone is holding my book. It has happened multiple times, but I have only left my plain twice before. Twice before, I wiped out cultures in mass, scorched their names from history, and left no trace of existence. I could speak their names, but it would be the first and last time you would hear them.\n\nThe tingle goes stronger, someone is summoning me to the mortal world. Perhaps this will be the third time the ritual is complete. Perhaps another people will be forgotten. Although I feel no pain, it is not pleasant to be summoned and now it appears... I am.\n\nA flash of light and I stand in a dark room with a small child in the corner, holding my book. She is young by human standards. She speaks.\n\nA soft, \"Hi\".\n\n\"Hello child, you have summoned me. I am bound to do your bidding and destroy those that you wish, but first you must give me your most valuable possession.\"\n\n\"Everything's already destroyed.\"\n\nInteresting, I thought, but I need to receive before I can ascertain what she means. \"Your most valuable possession.\", I state again.\n\nShe hands me a chocolate bar from next to her. It appears to be garbage. Old and likely not satisfactory to eat. I peer into the child's soul. It is her most valuable possession. I am bewildered.\n\n\"Child, I am now yours to command. Would you allow me to ask you a question?\"\n\n\"What is it?\"\n\n\"Why is this bar of chocolate your most prized possession?\"\n\n\"It's all I have to give.\"\n\nThat makes more sense, I surmise. \"Very well, child. Command me.\"\n\n\"I'm Abigail.\"\n\n\"Abigail, command me to do as you wish. Whom shall I destroy?\"\n\n\"Everything's already gone.\"\n\nOh yes, that part. Although my corporeal form stays in the dark room, I lift part of myself above to survey the landscape. It is night in a ruined city of charred wood and metal. Smoke rises from everywhere and distant sounds of fighting humans echo through the broken streets and alleys throughout this ruined land. It appears the child... Abigail, it appears she is correct. I lower myself back into the basement.\n\nI am curious again though. \"Abigail, *why* did you summon me?\"\n\n\"Grandpa said if I need to fix something so big that I can't do it myself, I can get his book and read the words in it.\"\n\n\"Where is your Grandpa?\"\n\nShe did not speak it but it was obvious. I asked again, growing tiresome of idling here, \"Abigail, what do you command?\"\n\n\"Grandpa said that if I read the books, I could rewrite his story. He said that people were like books too and every book had a beginning, middle, and end.\"\n\nIt is hard to tell if Abigail if just recounting what her Grandpa told her or if she came up with that from her own small mind. She continued though, \"I want to change his story.\"\n\n\"I have not done that before, I haven't rewritten...\". It dawned on me what she was asking, even if she didn't even know.\n\n\"But you can, right?! You can bring him and everyone back and change the ending?\"\n\nI suppose I could. I am all powerful.\n\n\"Yes I can. However, to end our pact I will also need to destroy for you as your final command.\"\n\n\"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!\" She ran to me and hugged my leg. \"Ugh, you feel yucky\"\n\n\"I am sorry.\"\n\n\"It's OK. Alright let's do it.\"\n\n\"I am yours to command, Abigail\"\n\n\"I want you to bring everyone back and fix London! Fix Grandpa's story\"\n\n\"I shall do as you ask, I will rewrite history.\"\n\n\"Great, after that can you destroy the Nazi's?\"\n\nI ate the chocolate bar she had given me.\n\n\"I hope you enjoy the rest of your story, Abigail.\"",
"It was the fifth time the phone rang. I apologised to the grieving soul before me and picked it up. It was my receptionist: Gladys.\n\n“I’m with a client.”\n\n“Yes, sorry to disturb you Norman. But it appears… well, it appears you’ve been summoned.”\n\n“Well it can wait.”\n\n“No, I mean, *summoned* summoned.”\n\n\"You're joking...\"\n\n“I’m afraid not”\n\nI had been summoned only twice in my existence. And on both occasions I had wrought havoc upon humanity, toppling cities, burning nations to the ground, all in the name of my summoner. But last time, I had promised it would be the last. As the Nazis invaded Paris I destroyed every last incantation book with my name in it, and returned to Hell, to begin a career as a grief counsellor for the very demons I’d created. The soldiers who followed my summoner because of my magic; who killed and maimed because of my magic. Today, a young Nazi soldier had been recounting his trauma, his inexplicable desire to follow his leader, a desire I had created, and for which he was now damned.\n\n“When did this happen?”\n\n“Five minutes ago” she paused, “the gate should be live in a matter of seconds.”\n\n“There must be some kind of mistake.”\n\n\"The Gatekeeper doesn't make mistakes.\"\n\nThe soldier looked up from his bundle of tissues, confused. I hung up.\n\n“I’m afraid, we will have to continue this session some other time.”\n\n“I’m in the torture chamber until next Saturday.”\n\n“Unfortunately, I won't be back until well after that…”\n\nThere was a flash of blue light.\n\n“And I suspect, by the time I return, those chambers might be getting overcrowded.” I sighed, knowing my fate was sealed in the sparks of the forming gate. But where had I gone wrong? Where had I left my name for someone to summon? Every book had been destroyed. Every last book.\n\n“Will I still get charged for today —“\n\nI didn’t have time to answer, because the gate sucked me into it. It churned me around and spat me out. Slowly, I ventured to open my eyes. What tyrant had summoned me now? Was it some evil billionaire that bought the book on a black market? Or a corrupt President, who found my file in a long forgotten cabinet at the back of the FBI?\n\nAs it happened, it was neither. Instead, I saw a little girl, standing over me. She was holding a dark, leather-bound book in one hand, and a chocolate bar in the other.\n\n“Well hello there Mr Demon” she said, very properly, “my name is Eliza, pleased to meet you.”\n\nI blinked. “Ah… pleased to meet you too?”\n\nShe put down her chocolate bar and shook my hand. “Grammy said that if I ever needed anything, I could call you.”\n\n“Well it’s certainly worked out that way.”\n\n“So… Mr Demon.”\n\n“It’s Norman.”\n\n“So Mr Norman, the first thing I’d like you to do for me is Grammy.”\n\n“What about her?”\n\nShe took a breath and looked away shyly, “I want you to bring her back.”\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n[r/jmoorestories](https://www.reddit.com/r/jmoorestories/)",
"The closest human experience to being summoned was birth, the pressure all around, squeezing and pushing you, propelling you forwards. Then a huge release. Maybe you get used to it with experience, but this only my third time. There I stood, hunched over in the tiny space, and began my introduction,\n\n \" who has summoned me, Regis, destroyer of civilisation.....\" \n\n\"can you help me?\" I heard a small, high pitched voice. As I looked down in the dim, small space, I saw her. This tiny, fragile, innocent thing. A young girl.\n\nNot what I was expecting. Normally my master is older, male, with a hope of conquering the world and fear in his eyes at the monster he had summoned. That was how it was in Egypt, and then for the holy roman empire.\n\n\"can you help me..... Please?\" the question broke my thought, and I looked again, the girl was small, with dirty brown hair, and brown eyes. Days worth of dirt and grime marked her face and night shirt.\n\n\"I am Regis, one of the most powerful demons to walk this cursed place, tell me, what do you desire, to be a queen? Have nations bow at your feet? To control an unstoppable army and conquer the whole world? \n\n\nShe looked up at me then, no hint of fear in her eyes, only sadness. \" I'm Sarah, the book said that you would protect me, that you would keep me safe, that you would help me\". Her voice sounded old beyond her time, like a warrior who had fought too many battles. \n\n\"That is correct, I am bound by oath to obey whoever summons me, to protect them. Tell me, master, what you desire and it will be done\"\n\n\"Everyone has left me, my dad left when I was a baby, my mother died last year, and my gran died a few night ago.\"\n\n\"So, you would have me bring them back for you, perform necromancy? This is not what you would expect it to be, the people brought back are different.....\"\n\n\"NO\" she shouted, interupting my warning. \"No, none of them were ever kind to me, they all treated me as a burden. I want you to be my family, I want you to take care of me, as a father would\"\n\nI stood in shocked silence for a second, I had never heard of this before. Demons being summoned to do evil things, killing peoples rivals, spreading famine and plague, but this was something new. I looked at myself, huge, covered in ancient armour forged in the belly of a volcano, the skulls of mans best warriors adorned my shoulders as trophies \" you are aware of what I am, a creature of evil. A force of death and destruction.\" I gestured to my armour \" A warrior with no mortal rival, slayer of armies\" \n\n\"the book said that you would protect me, help me, that you were..... Powerful. \" \n\nI thought of what she had asked. In my previous lives I had done all manner of evil, performed acts of wholesale slaughter, torture and worse, all at the bidding of my masters. Surely I could manage this, it should be easy. Compared to enslaving thousands and conquering countries this should be simple. \" I will agree to this but you need to give me something of yours that you cherish, to seal the pact. This should be your most valued item.\" \n\nShe presented it then, a small item, barely bigger than her hand, \" before he died a few years ago my grandad gave me this, it was one of the only kind things someone ever did for me, I cherished it too much to eat it, so I could hold on the memory better\" \n\nI looked at her offering, I had no idea what a Mars was, it looked tatty and worn from being held, but it was clear that it was her most prized possession. It meant more than any of the previous offerings of first born child or the blood of a hundred virgins. This was all she had in this world, the only kind memory she'd had in her short life. \" I accept your offering, I will act as a father and do all you command until you release me.\"\n\n\nA high pitched shreek and the small girl collided with me so hard I had to fight the reflex to fight. Her small arms barely able to wrap around my leg, as I looked down I could see the streaks of tears making a clean path down her cheeks.\" now Sarah\" I said causing her to look up to me, \"now we have lots to decide, starting with how I look.\"\n\n\n\"don't worry, I've been dreaming of this for a long time.\"\n\n",
"The absence of bonds and the pain that they came with was, as always, the most immediate and disorienting effect. Imagine all of your limbs bound by cold hard chains, clamped tight and biting into your flesh that never goes numb. Imagine more, a million little needles poking through to your bones at a million angles and emanating a searing hot poison prick. Imagine still that someone, in addition to all of this, has wrapped a bag around your head and with rough cord tied it secure about your neck. Now you can only see the dark gone musty with the quality of your own stale breath. Now imagine that all of these restraints have been shorn away at once. Where once there was constant glaring agony now there was crystal clarity, blissful beautiful serenity. As though all the horns of all the ages had been blaring an inch from your ear, and then suddenly, silence. It took me a moment, as always, to readjust. The screams of the dead I quelled later, once I noticed them rising in timbre. Below the pain had been too much, the cage too tight - nothing could reach me. Up here, released, unbound, all manner of unthing could entreat me. I ignored them, it was not they who freed me. It was this little creature here, before me.\n\n​\n\nShe came up to my knee, and I found myself stooped over her, standing as I was in the circle, my horns brushing the ceiling. Her hair stuck up at messy angles, her pajamas were rumpled, and light was low - emanating only from my own unearthly glow, and from the tiny lamp plugged in beside her bed. She was not afraid, and this was new. There was nothing in her face of the reluctant caution of the ritualist that first called me from the broiling abyss. Nothing of the unbridled fear of the second to discover my arcana. This one was smiling. She was missing a tooth. She held out her hand in offering.\n\n​\n\n\"For you!\" She said in an emphatic but hushed tone, she tripped on her own toes as she tried to cross the summoning circle. It seemed she forgot about it, and remembering only in the last second tripped on herself in her effort not to topple some of the colorful blocks that made it up. If she had done so, I would be again back in the painful dark. The pact must be made first.\n\n​\n\n\"I am unfamiliar with this tribute, mortal. Is it an artifact of importance, does your God revere it?\" I had taken the thing from her tiny paw, brought it up to my yellowed eyes pinched between thick claw. \n\n​\n\n\"It's a chocolate bar! You're welcome! It says I have to give you something I like and I like that kind of chocolate bar.\" The grin never left her face, and she leaned in close and spoke in conspiratorial tones. \"Please don't be so loud okay? Mom and Dad will wake up and then we'll be trouble.\"\n\n​\n\nI searched now the very depths of her young soul, and how blinding bright it was. I saw there this object between my fingers, a thing that was won only with great resolve. It was important to her. The contract was complete.\n\n​\n\nI noticed the tome she clutched, the very one penned by the first man to summon me. How long ago was it written, I wondered, in terms of these mortals? \"You are what your kind calls young, a child,\" I said, my voice reverberated inside her skull. It was loud, I could do little for this. \n\n​\n\n\"Shh!\" She held a finger up to her mouth, \"I'm eight! I'm not a kid, okay? And and...\" she now flipped open the tome, traced a paragraph with her finger. I could see her mouth working through what was written silently, \"and you have to do what I say so be quiet.\"\n\n​\n\n\"It is so. You are the only mortal capable of hearing my voice. You need not worry about your progenitors.\" \n\n​\n\n\"Peroginers? You have to use easier words.\"\n\n​\n\nI was at a loss. I had to obey, I cleared my throat. \"Your parents,\" I said to her, somewhat deflated.\n\n​\n\n\"Oh. Okay I guess you can use big words but you have to tell me what they mean too.\"\n\n​\n\n\"What is it you desire, why have you called me?\"\n\n​\n\nShe clutched the book close to her chest, pulled at her fingers and mulled something over. It took a great deal of time and so I asked again. At last she spoke, \"I don't have any friends at school and they make fun of me and my tooth, see?\" She opened her mouth and poked her tongue through the gap. \n\n​\n\n\"So you wish for retribution?\" I said, and then in concordance with the magic that binds us, \"You want to get back at them. I will tear out their teeth, think now, of the cretins, er, bullies and I will know them too.\"\n\n​\n\n\"No!\" She whispered with particular venom, so much so that for a second after she stood poised and alert, listening for any stirring outside her room. When she was satisfied she hadn't woken her parents, she continued. \"That's mean. I want to make friends. You can be my friend right, uhm...\" Again she flipped through the ancient text.\n\n​\n\nI stopped her search, \"If that is your wish,\" I said.\n\n​\n\n\"So we're friends?\"\n\n​\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n​\n\n\"And you'll help me make others?\"\n\n​\n\n\"I will,\" I said, though I knew not how. Perhaps I could reach into the psyche of another child, twist it to be enamored with my latest master. \n\n​\n\n\"Yes! Okay now we have to clean up before morning, and you have to be less uhm big and scary!\"\n\n​\n\n\"I will make myself inconspicuous.\" \n\n​\n\nShe pursed her lips in thought. \n\n​\n\n\"I will hide,\" I said, and made myself immaterial even to her eyes. \"I am still here,\" I said.\n\n​\n\nWe cleaned up the ritual circle, which consisted of placing the colored blocks into a trunk. She took great delight at the floating blocks, held in my invisible hand. She demanded I tuck her in. I did. This would be difficult, I thought, settling into a corner of the room, but it was better than the alternative. Better than the shackles. ",
"Though it had happened only twice before, I could never forget the feeling I had now, of being pulled across the eternal void, into the world of men.\n\nAs I opened my eyes, I stretched my wings and roared forth a great blast of flame, testing the limits of my manifestation. A fiery pillar burst into the sky, a mere dozen meters high. Indeed, the magic of this world must be greatly diminished, even compared to my last arrival. As to be expected; with the Master's demise, this world's magical field should have weakened considerably.\n\nWait, the Master... but then, who had summoned me this time?\n\n\"Well, look at you, aren't you big and strong!\"\n\nI turned around to see a female human child. In her left hand, she held some kind of small bar, wrapped in a strange substance. And in her right....\n\n\"You... child... how did you obtain that book?\"\n\n\"Oh, this old thing? I just found it lying around in a bookshelf, and decided to give it a try!\" she said in a high-pitched voice.\n\n\"... child, that book is no toy. It is the Grimoire Diabolus, cursed tome of summoning! An ancient spellbook, filled with forbidden black magicks, the mere reading of which has driven men mad!\"\n\n\"Ohhhhh, I see... say, while you're here, why don't we have some fun!\"\n\nI sighed. \"Little girl, where are your parents? Is one of them hiding around here somewhere? The one that actually summoned me?\"\n\nThe girl took a bite out of the strange bar. \"But I'm the one that summoned you. Look, I can give you orders and everything, see? Ummmmm... pat your head and rub your belly, at the same time!\"\n\n\"That's not possi-\" I stopped as I felt my hands already moving. Damn it, she really was the true summoner after all. \"... how- how dare you submit a demon such as I to such humiliation! Once I am released from this accursed ritual, I shall tear you to shreds!\"\n\n\"Oh look, you turn all pink when you're embarrassed like that! I know, I'll call you Pinky! How does that sound?\"\n\n\"I am no Pinky, mortal! I am Ascharatos, lord of destr-\"\n\n\"Your name is Pinky! Say it!\"\n\n\"... My name... is Pinky...\" Damn that ritual!\n\n\"There we go, that's a good boy! Obedient, as always. Well, except for the whole 'tear you to shreds' bit; then again, you threatened to do that the last two times, and nothing ever came of it, did it?\"\n\nSudden realization dawned on me. \"M... master? That... that's impossible! You can't be... you...\"\n\n\"Died? Hah! Just a minor setback for the most powerful magician this world has ever known! Although, it did take an awfully long time to reincarnate, and even longer to recover my most powerful magics.\"\n\n\"I see, it must have taken quite some time, given this era's diminished magical energies.\"\n\n\"Huh? No, I just couldn't reach the top shelf of my-\" The master stopped suddenly, blushing.\n\n\"What was that?\"\n\n\"Nothing! Anyway, this era's not all that bad. The mortals have managed to take that Aztec bean drink and condense it into bar form.\" She took another bite of the bar. \"Truly their greatest accomplishment.\"\n\nI sighed. \"That aside, it's good to see you again, Master. Now, I shall take the oath and finish the ritual. According to the terms of the ancient pact, I, the great demon As-\" My tongue suddenly stopped itself. \"Master, I cannot...\"\n\nThe master giggled, a thoroughly unsettling sound. \"Oh right, that was a binding order. Your name's Pinky now.\"\n\n\"Master, please... fine, your will is my command. I, Pinky, hereby submit myself to you, and shall do your bidding henceforth until I pass from this realm.\" With that, the contract was completed, and the magical circle binding me faded away.\n\nThe young Master finished her bar and tossed the Grimoire Diabolus aside. \"Always one for formalities, aren't you? Anyway, let's get a move on, we've got business to attend to.\"\n\n\"Master, what are we going to do?\", I asked her.\n\nShe raised her hand, and we found ourselves teleported before a vast army. Demons, devils, and other hellspawn filled the ranks.\n\nThe master smiled. \"The same thing we do every time, Pinky- try to take over the world!\"",
"I looked down on the tiny body before me, chewing slowly on a melting bar of chocolate. She looked at me nodding like she was impressed with the results of the summoning. I looked around the rest of the room. Somehow it seemed the spellcaster had left the room in the time it took me to be summoned.\n\n\"Who *dares* to summon Drylfix, destroyer of all!?\" I demanded, yelling towards the door to bring out the coward who likely fled the scene.\n\n\"My name's Joy,\" the little girl said, twirling a finger in her hair and leaving behind a smudge of chocolate. I loomed over her, growing in size, showing her my immense fortitude. She took another bite of her chocolate and watched me intently. \n\n\"And where is the one who summoned me!?\" I boomed, blowing her hair back. She blinked a few times in confusion. \n\n\"My name is Joy,\" she repeated slowly.\n\n\"No, I meant--\" I shrunk a few sizes and tried to level my eye-line to hers. \"*You* summoned me?\" I asked.\n\nShe took another bite of the chocolate bar, nodding. \n\n\"You didn't-- how did you manage to summon me!?\" I asked.\n\nShe held up the incantation book with a smile and took the last bite of chocolate left. She chewed the last piece slowly, savoring its flavor all the while staring at me contently. She threw the wrapper aside and poked at the book with her chocolate infested fingers.\n\n\"This says you have to be my surfer until I say so, right?\" she said, looking up at me.\n\n\"It says serf,\" I said, rubbing my temples slowly. \n\n\"Is that like a surfer?\" she asked, disappointed. \n\n\"No, it means I serve your needs as a slave, little one,\" I replied, offended by her disinterest. \n\n\"Oh...\" she thought for a moment, reading on in the text. \"It also says you're good at an-- anni--\" she frowned.\n\n\"It's ok, sound it out,\" I encouraged. \n\n\"Annlating people?\"\n\n\"Annihilating people,\" I corrected.\n\n\"And that's not a surfer move?\" she asked. I shook my head.\n\n\"Dad says that I can't get a surf instructor unless I do good in school, but wanna learn how to surf right now cause I'm not that good at math and think it would be easy to just learn it from my surfer like you,\" she said.\n\n\"Again, I'm not a surfer,\" I tried remaining patient.\n\n\"You're my slave?\" she recollected.\n\n\"That's right.\"\n\n\"Do you know how to surf?\" \n\n\"I've never tried it before?\"\n\n\"But if I asked you to teach me how to surf, you would try as hard as you could to do it?\"\n\nI hesitated, grimacing a little bit at my answer.\n\n\"Yes, that's right,\" I lamented. She nodded thoughtfully and looked back at the text in front of her. Then back to me. Then back to the text. She nodded some more and then quickly looked excited to ask me for her first request.\n\n\"Can you please force Dad to get me a surf teacher so I can learn how to surf?\" she asked, sweetly.\n\nMy eyebrows went up in surprise. I liked this one.\n\n_____________________________________________________________\n\nFor more demonic tales, come on down to r/Nazer_The_Lazer!"
] | [
1,
1,
2,
4,
4,
6,
10,
11,
11,
24,
25,
65,
80,
166,
394,
1360
] | [
"1549868534",
"1549908809",
"1549910036",
"1549903573",
"1549903873",
"1549908630",
"1549904076",
"1549903263",
"1549907831",
"1549896015",
"1549900751",
"1549882051",
"1549897196",
"1549877119",
"1549883049",
"1549871016"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] I love you, I hope | 3 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/b_xr, this submission has been removed.\n\n[**All submissions must be tagged**](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_4.3A_all_submissions_must_be_tagged)\n\n- Existing Content: Prompts are not meant to share stories already written, but to inspire users to write stories. Check our [related link wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/links) for more relevant subreddits. We want to inspire new writing here. Try a prompt that takes authors on a new journey. Not a journey that has already been made \n\n \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/apg73y/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549891275",
"1549892417"
] |
[removed] | [WP] Every murderer goes to a different hell, depending on the way they killed their victims. But you are an exception: you killed so many people in so many ways that nobody knows where to put you. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Sandwichthegreat, 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/apoibn/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1549940113",
"1549940247"
] |
[WP] Sarcasm is a contagious disease | 6 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Doctor, I'm afraid I have gotten the sarcasm.\" the woman whispered, embarassed.\n\n\"Oh, now do you?\" the doctor rolled his eyes, loudly answering her embarassment \"What next? You are gonna tell me you have **THE BIG GAY**?\"\n\n\"We are just here bullshitting people anyway...\" the woman followed, half-assedly pointing towards the degrees on the wall.\n\n\"Oh, so novel, so original!\" the man stood up, visibly crossing in red a list: ***Patients who bullshit my degrees*** it read.\n\n\"Oh, man, do you get a cookie for each cross?\" her sharp tongue followed.\n\n\"At least I don't get a dick!\" the doctor laughed, hitting on his belly.\n\n\"And how did you manage to get pregnant then?\"\n\n\"Oh, look, another one doesn't want me to write a prescription.\"\n\n\"Oh, look, another one doesn't know the symptoms.\"\n\n\"You got it pretty fucking severe huh? Married a comedian?\"\n\n\"Maybe I fucking did!\"\n\n\"And you were already a joke or the marriage did the trick?\"\n\n\"Did you try asking your wife?\"\n\n\"Ah, I see...\" the doctor managed to calm down for a moment \"... you are still in the early stage. Your sarcasm is weak. I shall prescribe you 2 pills of heliumine per day, to be taken on a full stomach.\"\n\n\"Thank you!\" radiated the woman, coming to her senses.\"What is this?\" she then asked, rereading the recipe on her way out.\n\n\"That's 20cm of dick, ma'am. It might come in handy!\"\n\nAnd so the door closed, loudly.\n\n\"Or in mouthy!\" a muffled voice echoed, following the woman to the waiting room."
] | [
1,
5
] | [
"1549978916",
"1549984288"
] | |
[WP] You are driving to your friend's house to play D&D. A truck losses control and just before it hits you time freezes and a message appears "roll to dodge the truck" | 414 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"-before I start this gave me a great idea for a character I want to develop now- --story start--\n \n \"I clenched to brace for impact and well... nothing happened-- and and and it was just sitting there not falling! H-\" I chuckled in disbelief \" how is this possible!?\"\n Aiden looked at my like I was insane- more then he was. \"You want me to believe that you almost died and the reason you didnt was because you 'Froze' it?\"\nHe had some crazy stuff happen to him in this past, but hearing this seemingly made him question my sanity.. understandably. \"Prove it!\" He says.\n \"I'm not sure if I could do it off the top of my head!!\" \n \"Try. Want me to believe? Prove. It.\" He tosses a small glass marble in the air. I rush to catch it. I landslide, no marble. I turn to look up and its staying 2 in chest from my face.\n \"Y- you didnt just...? Did you? How?\" He stammers as his eyes seemingly betrays him. I slide out and stand to glance around it. I honestly don't believe my eyes. Would there be anything else I can do? What if someone I dont know sees- more then they already have? What would they do to me? Aiden looks at me and I'm pale, paler then snow.. at least how he said it, I was fading. I blinked and I woke up on the couch with a lump on the back of my head.\n \"Aiden? What happened?\" His back was turned to me.\n \"Oh thank God you're up! I was getting worried there, are you okay? You passed out, you were cold.\" Aiden had a small quiver in his voice. I noted to him that I was fine, but I honestly couldnt tell. I passed out after blinking- well after seeing what *I* had done-- maybe I drained my energy? But I didnt feel it?? I couldn't tell, zoning in and out of what aiden was saying.\n \"Heh.. guess no Dungeons and Dragons tonight.. huh?\" I say kinda solemnly. He shakes his head, \"you almost died.. twice tonight, found out you have some kind of weird power to freeze time or objects. A break is needed..\" he sighs in a slight bit of stress as he looks at the time. \"1:36 am. Stay here tonight, I dont want you getting hurt.\" His hospitality amazes me sometimes. I had stayed at his house in the past, chilled, played DnD. His boyfriend doesnt seem to mind, though he's usually at work. I thanked him and kinda dosed off once I saw him enter his room. I hope this wasnt some weird dream.. my only dream had become reality. \n\n\n\n\n * This is one of my favorite prompts*\n",
"After my screaming stopped, I looked back and forth between the floating words, and the dice that had appeared in my hand in dull disbelief. My sluggish brain finally ticked over, telling me that I'd been staring at the letters for almost 5 minutes, and nothing had happened.\n\n\"Roll to dodge ehh? So until I do, what happens?\" I murmured to myself. I glanced around, and saw that absolutely nothing else was moving, and a slow grin stole across my face.\n\nI fished the emergency blanket and jacket out of the back seat, and folded the jacket up into a passable pillow.\n\n\"Finally! A Nap!\"\n\n ",
"\"GET DOWN MAN!\" I slammed on the breaks, closed my eyes just in time to see my friend cover his head with the Pathfinders Players Book in a feeble attempt to save his skull. I shut my eyes and eased up as best i can, waiting for the shock to roll through my body. \n\nMoments pass...i open an eye..just one...just the right one... to see if we are both still alive.\n\nBeside me John was shaking. Violently. Enough to erase an Etch E Sketch if you sat in on his lap. He was holding the book to his chest, but his eyes...they never left what ever he was seeing. \n\n\"Hey John....John....Dude are you okay? John...\" I shook him, but he was as stiff as a board. He didnt respond...So i shook him again...nothing...\n\nI edged up back up my seat and dared look out the windshield.\n\nThere it was...A Semi..With the cab just a yard away from hitting the hood. I gazed around at the people frozen in time...all staring at me, expressionless for the moment...\n\n\"John...\"\n\n\"John...\"\n\n\"**Roll To Dodge the truck**\"\n\n*What the actual hell?*\n\nAt this point John started to move...backward. Reaching for his colored palm length blade he would always carry when we walked to the gas station for food before DnD. \n\n\"Dude whats happening...John?\"\n\n**\"COME ON MAN ITS JUST YOUR ROLL PLUS DEX MOD\"**\n\n**\"I KNOW BUT MY HANDWRITING IS SHIT SORRY HOLD ON...\"**\n\n**\\*CRASH!\\***\n\nJohn jumped in his seat and banged his head on the roof of the car. \n\n\"OI!\" John turned around and met my gaze. \n\n\"GREG! You're alive man...i...i thought this was my dying moments...i thought..i was...dreaming...Look!\"\n\n\"**CRAP! IT FELL OFF THE TABLE\"**\n\n**\"ROLL AGAIN\"**\n\n**\\*CRASH!!\\***\n\n**\"...ROLL AGAIN\"**\n\n**\"I SWEAR THIS DIE WANTS TO KILL ME...I REALLY DON'T WANT TO RE-ROLL ANOTHER HUMAN...I JUST FINISHED COLLEGE WITH THIS INTELLIGENCE/CHARISMA BUILD\"**\n\n**\"**John...Look at the dash...dude look!\" \n\n\\*Please confirm roll\\*\n\n\"Confirm roll? Are you...are you serious? I Feel like im trapped in a universe where Jumanji Meets The Indian In The Cupboard\"\n\n\"Lets just roll man...\"\n\nWe opened up or favorite colored dice bags with our favorite dice. Mine was Green. His was blue. \n\n\"Get your luckiest D20 man...\"\n\n\"Hey Greg...If one of us doesn't make it...please playtest the Intelligence/Charisma build...and submit it to Pathfinder..i think it will really balance out the Social Side of playing. \n\n\"Alright John.\"\n\n\\*Clunk...Clunk\\* We rolled on our books...and the dice disappeared. \n\n\\* **CRASH CRASH!\\***\n\nThe windows shattered...\n\n\"**Finally...oh shit.\"**\n\n**\"Nat 1\"**\n\n\"**Yeah but that Nat 20 though\"**\n\nJohn and i looked at each other...and we both saw the welled tears in each others cheeks. \n\nOnly one was going to make it out alive.\n\n\"**Can i act it out GM?\"**\n\n\"**Sure!\"**\n\n\"**I...\"**\n\nJohn winked, and snatched my green dice bag. Tears were rolling down his eyes. John curled up in his seat and kicked the passenger side door. Out it flew; Flying into a nearby bystander crushing him against the fence. Grabbing the frame of the windshield, John swung himself around and landed feet first on the hood, then somersaulted behind the cab of the truck, and out of view. \n\nThere was blackness. \n\nTraffic whizzed by as man closed his door and locked it with key fob in on hand and Pathfinder books in the other. \n\nAs he buzzed an apartment a young woman ran up to him.\n\n\"Sir! You dropped these!\" In her hand held two bags, faded and worn.\n\n\"OH! Thank you miss! Thank you so much!\"\n\n\"Anytime sir\" and she walked away. \n\n\\*Bzzzzzz\\* \n\n\"Hey im glad you came, the others are waiting upstairs, we already started but you came just in time for the action. Congratulations on your work being published, by the way. Were all really happy for you. Come in. \"\n\n\"Roll to dodge the truck\"\n\n\\*Papers could be heard shuffling around as others are chatting with their voices low\\*\n\n\"Come on man its just your roll plus Dex Mod.\"\n\n\"I know but my handwriting is shit hold on...\"\n\n\\*Clunk...\\* A blue D20 rolled off the table , bouncing on glass and making a deafening smack on the glass table. \n\n\"Crap it fell off the table\"\n\n\"Roll again, ill roll for the NPC, and roll it on the table this time, john. Not on the book.\" The GM asked gently. The Game Master took out his gold dice bag. \n\n\"Nat 1...\" The GM grumbled...something about never getting to play his NPCS.\n\n\"That Nat 20 though!\" John almost shouted, grinning from ear to ear. \"Awesome cuz i spent so much time at the university with this character to increase his skill points, i wouldn't want to start over. Can i act it out?\n\n\"Sure...Shame our characters were just becoming great friends...Greg was about to tell you about some ancient powerful magic item too\"\n\n\"Could you spoil it now because hes going to die anyway?\" \n\n\"I still gotta read into it but its like some hive mind connecting brains together and collecting and pulling all knowledge and experiences into crystals which could be read and accessed from other crystals. \"\n\n\"Yeah man... i know...\"\n\n\"You...how?\"\n\n*SHIT...*\n\n\"I saw your book open one day and looked at the title, but i looked away but i already had an idea...but i wasn't meta gaming...Promise.\"\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​",
"The truck barrelled towards us, utterly unstoppable. My heart leapt into my throat and stuck, unmoving.\n\nThis was it. This was how I ended. What a fucking stupid way to go - I could have been doing anything else. Talking to girls, maybe. Hadn't done enough of that. Gone out and played football, maybe, got some sun for the first time in fore- wait.\n\n...\n\nWhy wasn't I dead? The truck seemed to hang in the air before me, menacing. I could see the glimmer of panic in the driver's eyes, frozen. The sweat just beginning to blossom on his fat, knurled brow. The chunk of chocolate tumbling eternally from his stupid murdering lips as he gaped in surprise.\n\n**Roll to dodge the truck.**\n\n... What? \n\n\n**Roll to dodge the truck, Jack. C'mon, we don't have all day.**\n\nWell... that was my name. Roll? Like... out of the way, roll? I tried to give voice to the question, but the words were stillborn on my lips. Curiously, I didn't feel the urge to breathe, either. The panic gave way to a mounting dread.\n\n**For fuck's sake, I'll do it... Oh, nice, 14. And Dave, you get... oooh, a 3. Alright, let's roll for damage...**\n\nThe painting my life had become suddenly erupted into motion again. It was so... *violent*. I couldn't comprehend what was happening; flashes of bright, jagged metal and the glint of sunlight on glass. My body was whipped around, and in between blinks I found myself on the grassy side of the road. I didn't think I was hurt, although I've read enough stories about shit like this to know that I might be in shock. \n\nI looked up to see the tableau in front of me. Down the road, the truck was still moving, the driver frantically trying to wrest control of the beast he commanded. It was slowing, but not quickly enough. The other way, people began to spill into the road, pointing. Someone screamed, following the accusatory fingers. \n\nI looked myself, and saw David. I let out a harsh, wordless cry, rising to my feet on rubbery legs and staggering towards him. He was... broken. The car had been struck almost dead on - but only on his side. Miraculously, I had simply been thrown out of my passenger window. David's side was crushed completely. He was still in there.\nHe was still alive.\n\nIt took me forever to reach him. All I could think was how we were gonna be late, late for the game, the DM was gonna be pissed, all the snacks we brought were in the boot and just *ruined*, I mean there's no way a two litre bottle of Coke survives this intact, right? We'd have to really run to get there on time, and maybe stop at a shop on the way, get a few munchies. \n\nDavid wasn't going anywhere, though. He looked fine, sat in the driver's seat, his face utterly untouched by the flying glass... but I could see even from the verge that the way the car had turned inside out from the front had destroyed him. He didn't exist below the waist, when I reached the car a million years later, reaching in to touch him, to talk to him. He looked at me, weirdly calm. He spoke, just once: \"I think we've had a bit of a bang-up, Jackie.\"\n\nAnd then his eyes fluttered shut.\n\n**Death save time! You want to take your action while we sort this, Jack?** \n\n*What?*\n\nMy mind scrambled for a moment. It sounded like the game. It sounded like Eric, our DM, was giving instructions. And so, instinctively, I did the first thing that came to mind. \n\nI crawled halfway through the window, scraping my knees and arms to shit. Sirens sounded in the distance, and I could smell petrol. People were shouting, screaming at me to get away from it. But I got myself in the car, and I looked at my best friend. And then I laid my hands on his chest, and offered up a prayer.\n\n*Wait, hang on, let me check the rulebook... You only have one point left in your pool, you kn- oh, right, you only need to stabilise him. Alright, cool.*\n\nDavid took in a deep, shuddering breath, and I could swear I saw my fingertips glow, just for an instant. I collapsed into the seat as the sirens grew louder. \n\nThis would take some investigation.",
"\"BILLY! BILLY DON'T YOU LOSE MY NUMBER!\" I roared to myself as I cruised along the m25 into London. It was late, but I couldn't pass up the chance to finally play some Dungeons & Dragons. The group was special to me, each of them my best friends. The six of us had been playing since the second year of secondary school when Gary had brought in a copy of Arcane, Divine and Martial Heroes, the Fourth Edition Player's Handbook. It was the coolest book any of us had ever read, describing fantastic creatures and heroes that would get stronger and more amazing as you played. You could do *anything* you wanted. We were sold and it cemented a decade-long friendship group.\n\nIt was reminiscing that took my focus from the road. It was looking forward, but not behind. As I finally noticed the careening 4x4 swerving into my lane, the part of my brain not screaming in terror was happy that my last thoughts were happy ones. Time seemed to slow as the black Range Rover started to tip my car, the impact about to send me flying. It reminded me that people always say time slows down when they have an accident. That must be what's happening.\n\nIt's really slow now though.\n\n\"Roll to dodge.\"\n\nThe words weren't exactly a voice in my head, it was more like I couldn't think about anything else except rolling to get out of the way of this crash.\n\n\"Wh-What's happening?\" Suddenly, I was experiencing a pure out-of-body experience. I was sitting in the back of the car, looking at the back of my own head. Turning, I saw what I could only describe as an angel and decided that I had already died. It wasn't exactly what I had expected but it must be.\n\n\"It's your turn. Simply roll to dodge.\" The being sat on the other seat was certainly beautiful. Her golden hair fell about her shoulders. Her golden dress looked like the softest of satin. It was actually as though she had jumped off of a large golden coin and got into my Toyota.\n\n\"I don't know-\" I stopped my complaint, as I realised that I *did* know what to do. Holding out my hand in a fist, I shook it and felt the familiar shape and weight in my hand. I smiled, my heart fluttering. This was the most important roll of my life. Plus fucking Ultra. I let go of my D20. It bounced around the car a little before landing without moving in between me and the angel.\n\n\"My. Well, it *is* your lucky day.\"\n\nAnd that was it. I was suddenly driving again, and the road looked familiar. Tensing at the headlights in my rear-view mirror, I started to turn that car towards the cold shoulder. Intense déjà vu clutched me and I turned the steering wheel back and forth unconsciously. The Range Rover still swerved but I was no longer there for the collision. A car behind blared it's horn and everyone righted themself. No accident.\n\nThe rest of the journey to my friend's flat, I was a nervous wreck. It had only been a minute more on the motorway but another twenty to get to his place. Parking my car, I shuddered and collected my breathing. I'd probably taken fifty breaths in the twenty five minutes of driving since I rolled my fortune. Finally able to think straight, I tried to calm down, began gathering my things from the seat next to me.\n\nA glint from the back of the car caught my eye and I nearly fainted when I realised what I was looking at.\n\nA solid gold D20 was on my back seat. Something told me that it hadn't moved during the rest of the car journey, so this was my roll.\n\nNatural 20.\n\nI picked it up to look at, and another thought filled my head. Just like it had in the car. Time slowed again and the thought was the only thing.\n\n\"Quest complete: Journey's start. Experience gained. Level up.\"",
"(playing off of /u/lard_on_a_plate 's reply.)\n\n​\n\n\"Not again,\" I said aloud to whatever sick god had come up with this devious scheme. I rolled my eyes, sighed and then reached over and rolled the oversized 20 sided die.\n\nA one. Fuck. The bastard finally did it.\n\n**FINALLY**\n\nA voice boomed from the Heavens, clouds shifted and a single beam of light appeared over my mom's 92 Civic that I'd 'borrowed' earlier that afternoon to get to Mike's house.\n\nThe demigod stood in front of me. Towering over my steering wheel, all six inches of him mocking me as he gloated and cheered. The tiny half-god danced on the dusty black dash, his appearance an amalgamation of all that is and ever was hideous.\n\n**Now you die human. Punishment for mocking me! I will watch as you perish and bathe in the glory of your death.**\n\nThe truck rolled down the road ahead of me in slow motion, I felt my body breathe in and out, it tensed as I saw impending doom approach. This could finally be the end and I relaxed and relished the thought of $50,000 in student loans I could finally wash my hands of.\n\nAt the last possible second the truck struck a parked car and launched itself skyward, narrowly clearing the low coupe, snapping the antenna off as it passed. I watched through the smeared sunroof as the driver of the cart-wheeling semi rag-dolled around the cabin. Unconsciousness bordered on unliving as I watched the macabre scene unfold.\n\nThe demigod still pranced and danced, unaware that my impending doom had been narrowly avoided. It was only after the truck crashed to the ground behind my car, exploding on impact and roasting the ends of my hair with its heat that awareness made itself present on the miniature satyr's grotesque face. He screamed and stomped the dash, dust rose and fell in his wake as he fell to his knees, begging to know how.\n\n\"Simple.\" I smiled as I picked the Satyr up and placed his tiny protesting body in my shirt pocket. It would be fun to lock him away in the depths of Mike's basement. \"I put all my points into luck.\"\n\n​",
"I spun the wheel as quickly as I could, desperately spinning the car out of the way of the truck. Before my eyes, a large **17** appeared, followed by the word “Success!” in gold letters. As the car spun wildly on the rainy road, I saw a new message appear. \n\n“Roll to use your Vehicle Handling: Sedan Skill.”\n\nI stomped on the brakes, even as I tried to remember my old driving instructor. Turn into the turn? Or turn away? I couldn’t remember! Panicking, I felt the front tire slip off the road, starting a roll. With a burst of thought, I stomped on the gas and dragged my car back onto the road, even as the motion finally ceased. \n\n**11** “Success!”\n\nBreathing hard, I finally had time to stop and process what was happening, even as I blinked and tried to slow my heartrate. I was clearly hallucinating, likely as a result of the near-death experience. All I had to do was calm down, and the messages would disappear. I’d just remember this as a funny event. \n\n“Make a Perception check.”\n\n“Oh no. Oh no no no no.” I quickly turned the key, desperately trying to get my car started after I turned it off in a panic. Eyes wide with fear, I barely managed pick out a pair of gleaming green eyes, growing larger in the night as they drew towards me. \n\n**12** “Success!”\n\nStaring more closely, I realized the eyes belonged to a massive beast, some sort of large cat. It had webbed feet, long teeth, and two tails, each of which ended in a snake, twisting, snapping, and biting as the creature barreled towards me. \n\n“Roll Initiative.” \n\n“Fuuuuuu---”\n\n**1** “You will go last.”\n\n“ROAR!” \n",
"Time froze and my arms flew up and were waiting to be crushed by a truck and then nothing. \n\nI opened my eyes and the truck was frozen in front of me and the words roll to doge appear in front of me. I reached out and grabbed a d20 from my bag and I rolled it. Everything in my life was counting on this one roll. \nThe die tumbled out of my hands and on the the dash board and slowed to a stop...\n\n1\n\nThe die I rolled was a critical failure. Looking up at the truck time in froze and I was crushed and died on impact. ",
"The truck swerved to the side, missing us by inches. The sudden turn caused the truck to jack-knife as it hurtled towards the overhang, its screeching tires leaving long black rubber marks along the road. The driver managed to jump free right as the truck went over the edge, his trucker hat flying skywards as he rolled across the ground like a rag-doll, only coming to a stop after the truck's impact explosion had long since echoed up from below.\n\nI stared, dumbfounded, both at the space the massive eighteen wheeler had so recently occupied and at the number 18, which just now faded from my vision, winking out of existence in a much less intense fashion than the unfortunate truck.\n\n\"Duuuuude,\" Sammy said from the passenger seat, his hands shaking violently as he tried to light a cigarette. \"That was pretty fucked up.\"\n\n\"Yeah,\" I said, barely able to process what just occurred, let alone voice a response. I indicated at the limp figure on the ground. \"I'm going to see if he is okay.\"\n\nThe trucker's limbs were awkwardly splayed, almost like the four cardinal directions on a compass.\n\n*Roll a loot check.*\n\nI stepped backwards, staggering a little as I rapidly assessed my mental state. I hadn't done acid in a while... maybe flashbacks? A residual trailing of it? Or... this could be my brain processing the very real near-death experience I just went through. Yeah. That was it.\n\n*Roll a loot check*.\n\nThe text floated in-front of me, hovering about three feet away. It was flashing faster now and the color was growing lighter. This happened right before the truck swerved, I recalled. Right before it was about to slam into us. What did I do then?\n\nRoll, I thought, eyeing the floating text.\n\nThe number 18 flashed again. Knowing what to do next, I bent over and ruffled through the dead man's pockets. Spare keys, a pack of Marlboro's and a scratched lottery ticket, the state-wide LottoMax .\n\nI pulled out my phone and checked the numbers, the result making me feel a little weak in the knees. The ticket was worth 1.2 million dollars.\n\n\"Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit,\" I said, the words devolving into a garbled mess. I ran back to the car and jumped into the driver's seat. Sammy was still shaking, but now he was also taking long drags from his cigarette. I tossed him the pack of Marlboro's.\n\n\"Call the cops,\" I said, starting the car up and driving it towards the curb. \"Trucker's dead.\" I turned the car off and eyed the rubber scorch marks, which were smeared for at least a hundred feet. \"Should probably call John too,\" I said, my mind now reeling from the million dollar payload in my jean pocket, not to mention the near death experience and the weird hovering numbers. \"We're not going to make it to tonight's session.\"\n\nThe police questioned us for an hour before they let us go, frowning in our rear-view mirror as we drove back the way we came. Rolling a 14 had helped.\n\nSammy chain smoked, rambling the entire drive home. I barely paid attention, the winning lottery ticket inducing happiness-filled day dreams of what I would do with the money, the near death experience all but forgotten.\n\nJust as I opened my front door, the floating text appeared again.\n\n*Roll to discover extent of infestation.*"
] | [
1,
1,
2,
3,
3,
4,
18,
25,
42,
128
] | [
"1549995569",
"1550002858",
"1550005416",
"1549998848",
"1550008371",
"1549998901",
"1549998484",
"1549996139",
"1549995850",
"1549996178"
] | |
[WP] You are the Leader of the Free World. The alien invaders are taking that literally. | 15 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Do you know how much we had to pay for Azbolion 5? No? Well let me tell you this, we could have bought our collective weight in Sugared Plumbinsicles for the same ransom.\" Horgol thought he was a particularly good speaker (for arguments sake we'll say he, though technically the Frilliot are a genderless sub-species of the rather chicken like Gobsong) especially when it came to calming the nerves of a civilisation you were about to make unanimously homeless.\n\n\"Now listen here.\" President Grump coughed from out a face full of chins, \"When I said Free World, I didn't mean *Free* World.\"\n\n\"What difference is there? Free. *Free.* That's just you saying the same word with a slight inflection of tone.\" Horgol grinned at the President who found this mostly infuriating. How dare some foreigner beam down from space and claim a right to *his...* sorry... our world.\n\n\"Look, Earth's not for sale.\"\n\n\"Quite.\" Horgol agreed, \"It can hardly be called a sale when you're giving it away!\"\n\n\"Well actually...\" Grump began.\n\n\"Oh, you wait and see the look on Therisaps faces! I bet at least three will be shocked and at least two more will be stunned.\" Horgol gave a wet laugh as he shook his head, \"Come on then, where are the papers? What needs signing? The sooner we take ownership of Earth, the sooner we can evict you lot and get to work on building the Gibssolly Resort.\"\n\nGibssolly was Horgol's half Frilliot brother who died in tragic trans-space-golfing accident. Well, they don't call it a Half Head for no reason (a Half Head was slightly better than a Slice of Cheese and sightly worse than a Birdie (which is universally agreed to be one under par)).\n\n\"Hold on just a minute! I'm... we're... not going anywhere.\" Grump surveyed the room of cowering associates (cowering on account of the fact Horgol was sixteen foot tall and had one too many tentacles for their liking). The associates nodded their approval. \"And I think I'm right in saying we won't stand for Earth being knocked down and a bloody resort erected in its place!\"\n\n\"Feel free to take a seat.\" Horgol shrugged in a way only tentacles are capable, \"This is happening, the fleet are already here.\"\n\n\"Well we have a button.\" Grump frowned, folding his flabby arms over one another.\n\n\"A button?\" Horgol sounded uncertain for the first time since meeting Grump (when a Frilliot sounds uncertain it lets out a low pitched whine, the only purpose of which is to mask the quieter sound of gas escaping from the Frilliot's rear ears... how embarrassing). \"What does it do?\"\n\n\"Wouldn't you like to know.\" Grump said smugly.\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"Well I'm not telling you.\" there was sudden applause from at least a third of the President's associates. This startled Horgol into letting out another high pitched whine. At this point Horgol was beyond embarrassed, he started throwing his tentacles about in a fluster, managing to knock over a number of pencil pots.\n\n\"Stop that!\" Grump grumbled.\n\n\"Can we please get on with signing the papers. I really would like to leave.\" Horgol was thinking about how nice a hot bath and a Pelicor-Trill Sandwich would be. Oddly enough Pelicor-Trill tastes exactly like peanut butter jelly, only with a little more crunch.\n\n\"What are you not understanding about this. We won't...\" again Grump checked the room, the room nodded, \"yes, won't be signing over the Earth.\"\n\n\"By the Galactic Spirit! You drive a hard bargain. I dare say advertising something for *free* and pressing for payment is some kind of crime. It's like trying to drive down prices at a car boot, only it works the opposite way round.\"\n\n\"Err...\"\n\n\"Half a Quadrillion Florts.\" Horgol said, somewhat begrudgingly.\n\n\"Errrrr...\"\n\n\"Okay, a Quadrillion Florts.\" Horgol eyed the stammering President.\n\n\"Errrrrrrrrrr....\"\n\n\"Right. Two Quadrillion Florts. Final offer.\"\n\n\"Err...\"\n\n\"Final offer.\"\n\nThe President's associates were conferring uselessly between one another.\n\n\"Shouldn't you at least tell us what we're supposed to do when we're evicted from Earth?\" Grump asked.\n\n\"I don't think so.\"\n\n\"Okay. But how much are Florts actually worth?\" Grump was a business man, and at the very least had the sense to ask of worth, not that he'd follow it through with any sort of conviction.\n\n\"Some money (which is to say at least seven pence, or more than half a kilogram of Sugared Plumbinsicles).\" Horgol replied with a warm, wet smile.\n\n\"Deal.\" Grump shook Horgol's tentacle and from above the Oval Office there came a rumbling sound. A small hole opened in reality (not the ceiling) and through it fell what can only be described as a calculator with legs (or a fax machine with a face only a mother could love). \"What is that?\"\n\n\"Our witness.\" Horgol scowled at the machine, \"A representative of the Imperial Council here to oversee the signing of contracts. So...\"\n\n\"So, what?\" Grump looked confused.\n\n\"The papers earthling. The contract of Earth's sale to the Frilliot...\" Horgol added in a mutter, \"On behalf of the Gobsong.\" and coughed.\n\n\"Oh, we don't actually have any papers of that description.\"\n\n\"Grob feeding, Nurggle loving, Frong spelunking, son of a...\" Horgol smiled, somewhat less wetly, \"Not to worry. I'll wait whilst you have them produced. How long will that take?\"\n\nThe President shrugged, and from behind a chair one of the less useless associates shouted, \"Some time (which is to say at least seven seconds, or the amount of time it takes to harvest more than half a kilogram of Sugared Plumbinsicles).\"\n\nHorgol sighed, \"I'm starting to see why you'd want to give your world away for free.\"\n\n\"But...\" Grump shook himself, what was the use, he was about to seal a deal worth Two Quadrillion Florts (or some money). \"I'll see to it that the contracts are drawn up right away.\" suddenly more business like Grump then went on to offer Horgol a cup of tea whilst he waited, which Horgol politely refused in favour of a bottle of Tatonic Oil he'd brought along.\n\n​\n\nSome time later the deal would pass (which would come to be known as the worst deal ever made in all the universe... worse even than giving your planet away for free) and Horgol would take ownership of Earth. The Earth would then be demolished in favour of the Gibssolly Resort, and all its previous residents (dogs, whales, humanity) would be sent out in temporary (and rather uncomfortable) housing pods (which were unremarkably alike council flats).\n\nSo what exactly had gone wrong (apart from Earth being demolished)? Well, it turns out Florts don't hold traditional monetary value, but instead a value of time. Florts are credits that represent a period of time that is to be repaid through manual labour in repentance of a crime committed against the various Councils and Courts of the universe. One Flort was the equivalent of one earthly decade. In short the Earth then owed the universe Twenty Quadrillion Decades of *free* manual labour, in repentance of crimes they'd never committed. Technically speaking a decade is worth more than seven pence and equivalent to more than half a kilogram of Sugared Plumbinsicles...\n\n​\n\n\"Two Quadrillion Florts.\" Grump rubbed his hands together, \"You've done it again Mr President.\""
] | [
1,
4
] | [
"1550003010",
"1550009952"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] An individual is transported ten minutes back in time whenever they die. It's only when they die of old age do they realize the consequence of their power. | 3 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi, 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[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20Post) 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\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things. ",
"Really, I don't know what I was expecting. \n\n\nAt first, the deal sounded fantastic. Anything and everything that would kill me just... didn't. At first, it was simple things. Running across the street when I was late for work, travelling through dangerous neighborhoods... Things rarely happened, really. But just the *feeling* of knowing you are invincible was all that more powerful. The risks flew over my head, and I was free to exist however I wished. \n\n\nI even found a few creative uses for it. Whenever I'd screw up a conversation with my wife or lose a game of poker, I'd just raise the gun and let out a bullet. Painful? Yea, of course, but it worked. Took a while to get use to, though. But man, you could not imagine the pleasure I got from telling that piece of shit and disgrace of a boss to shove a stick so far up his ass it came out of his mouth. The consequences were beyond me. \n\n\nI probably could of used it in a more responsible way. Now that I think about it, I could of become a hero. Save anyone on the streets from danger, spend a nigh infinite amount of time researching cures for diseases across the world. But, perhaps I was too scared. Perhaps I was too lazy. Honestly, it doesn't matter anymore. The past is the past. \n\n\nHowever, the past is all I've got left. \n\n\nHere I lay. The St. Mary Medical Center, on 3333 N. Seminary Street. Galesburg, Illinois. The doctor's name is Dick Hayes. He's 42 years old, his birthday is in three days, and he's going through a divorce with his wife. Apparently she cheated on him with a younger coworker. The nurse always passes by the room, shooting me only a glance, at the seven minute mark. My beautiful, loving wife always begins to shed a tear at the second minute, hugging me tight. It never gets old, really. It's a feeling that could embrace me forever. \n\n\nFunny thing about eternity, really. It's a new perspective, living an infinite life. Every possibility, I've lived already. Most of them are the same, but with a little effort on my part, things deviate a bit. I've noticed every detail, asked every question, and felt every last inch of love. But the scary part is not what's happening, but it's length. Eternity. \n\n\nIt will last forever. I will lay in bed, wheezing as each individual organ in my ragged body gives out, one by one. I will then die, and I will then open my eyes once more, gazing back and at the grieving souls of my family. There is nothing I can do about it. It will last forever. \n\n\nThe first few years were torture. I cried, I fought, I did anything to escape. But there is no escape. By the seventh year, I had accepted that. Now, I don't even keep track of the time. I've found something better. \n\n\nIf this ability is trapping me in a loop of death, then at least I can spend it surrounded by loved ones all around me. My wife, Mabel, and her beautiful hazel eyes. My two daughters, Jacky and Sophie. They look so much like her. Their grandchildren- John, Kyle, Peterson, and Julie. Each and every one of them. With me, forever. \n\n\nMaybe eternity isn't all that bad."
] | [
1,
1,
1
] | [
"1550070190",
"1550070399",
"1550070921"
] |
[removed] | [WP] The Universe is the dream of a great and powerful being, unaware they're even dreaming. They've just started lucid dreaming. | 3 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/TheGeorge, 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/aq9rn5/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550082820",
"1550083213"
] |
[removed] | [WP] Five third-generation Martian Human children discover the 150+ year old Opportunity Rover buried beneath the sands while out playing. | 4 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/CurryThighs, 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/aqcegk/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550096768",
"1550097439"
] |
[removed] | [WP] We lost contact with the Opportunity Rover for seemingly now reason. Turns out it's been trying to get back to Earth all on its own, and today happened to be when it executed it's plans. | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/TeddyBearToons, 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/aqdigg/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550103123",
"1550103343"
] |
[WP] In the old days, legends were created to keep people safe. As a CIA intern, you've been tasked with creating a new legend to keep the American people away from a lurking danger. | 6 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"No, no, no, we've done the beast thing, it was great about 60 years ago when people didn't go LOOKING for Bigfoot, or the Loch Ness Monster, or Yeti. Now they'll just take cameras and go hunting for it. Try again!\"\n\nIt was my 3rd day at the company, and I was assigned to the Sagas Division. In short, we make the stories that keep people from hurting themselves, or generally just keeping things in the shadows that belong there.\n\nAfter running through all the HR videos and sexual harassment training, Director Dolus took me to a room somewhere in the very dark parts of the research library and sat me down at a small cubicle. He spread a small map out in front of me.\n\n\"I need a Saga to keep people from THIS area,\" he said, pointing to a small triangle drawn in red pen. I looked for nearby cities and saw mostly tiny or abandoned towns in what might be Kentucky, or West Virginia maybe, but the map had no names, only elevation, landmarks, and unmarked roads.\n\n\"What's it about?\" I asked. He looked at me and cocked an eyebrow. \"Oh yeah, intern.\" He sighed. \"So here's the deal: I tell you what I need, you give it to me.\" \n\n\"Yes, sir, but what is there to work with? Local customs? History of the area? Myths I should avoid?\" I was 19 and an intern, not stupid. I understood what Sagas did, but I've never created one.\"Everything you need is THERE,\" he said, pointing again at the useless red triangle. He looked around the room. \"Nothing else is necessary, write the Saga and have it to me ASAP.\" He turned and strode off, his left shoe squeaking on the tile floor, his right silent. \n\nI created a simple creature Saga the third day, one I thought was particularly frightening, but he had shot it down almost without reading it. He was right, of course, people would immediately go looking for it with cameras for YouTube hits. I filed it away for later. It's not every day you think up something much worse than any horror film you've ever seen.\n\nNext up was a natural danger - namely, quicksand, except a much faster, horrible version. I wrote the backstory of some mining camp runoff, an acidic substance that would eat through the leather of your boots and then your flesh, while the quicksand pulled you down into it, reducing you to skeletal remains (and soon after, nothing) in 15 minutes of the worst agony ever felt. It was realistic, possible (hell, I'd say even probable), and perfect for the area, from what I could see on the map.\n\n\"Scary quicksand? Really?\" Dolus asked. The skeptical look never left his face as he read through my backstory and implementation plan. \"It's honestly not terrible, but quicksand, even toxic quicksand, is pretty easily avoidable. When's the last time someone died in quicksand?\" He paused, though not really waiting for an answer. I hadn't heard of a quicksand death, well, ever.\n\n\"Better, but not there yet.\" He squeaked away across the floor, disappearing for at least another 24 hours.\n\n​\n\nThe Director paced in his office, anxious but unable to show that to his staff. He hired an intern because they were outside the regular company system - no server permissions, no login, therefore no tracking of their every movement or keypress. Without a computer or any hardware, the kid would be unable to point to anything he had worked on. Which was good, because the Director had something to hide.\n\nFour years ago, as Senior Agent, he was investigating a newly formed gorge in West Virginia. This gorge looked quite average, but at the bottom there were cloudy areas, obscured by what seemed like fog, and when he walked through them from north to south, he found himself in quite a different place altogether. He stepped backwards, into the gorge again, and immediately took a geo reading. \n\n\"Nothing!\" he called out to the other Agent. On the way back he calmly related how boring and unremarkable it was there, despite rumors that described a great fortune to be found. \"Just the local yokels,\" he joked, and the Agent, a sophisticated fellow from the City, agreed. \n\nOnce he made Director, it was much more difficult for him to get out in the field. He needed a way to keep people from finding it, even with the remote location. As an investigator, he never created Sagas, he just didn't have the creativity. But as Director, he had full control of the division, and he could finally stop worrying about it being discovered, if the damn intern would ever finish.\n\nHe went home, knowing the intern wouldn't have another story for at least a day. He collapsed into his favorite recliner and rubbed his forehead. The plan that had been in his head for 4 years still circled there, almost perfect. Just one more piece, the one that would keep people away long enough for him to go through and back again.\n\nHe jerked his head up suddenly, the darkness of the house confusing him for a moment. The blue digits on the microwave shone '1:35', and he had fallen asleep in his chair again. The odd sound that woke him had faded, he wasn't even sure it was real outside of a dream, and after looking out the windows for a minute, he climbed the stairs toward his bedroom and tiredly laid down again, hoping to go right back to sleep.\n\nThe sound came again, this time the long low squeak of someone walking on an old floorboard. The hair jumped on his arm and he could suddenly hear his own heartbeat as he held his breath and listened. The handgun was in his side dresser, but maybe he was just hearing things.\n\nAnother loose board groaned, and the Director decided that the gun would be of great use now. He quietly slid over to his dresser, retrieved the firearm, and then down to a crouched position behind the bed. He thought of where that floorboard might be, he hadn't thought there were any in the hallways that needed repair. Was it downstairs? It sounded closer. \n\nA tree branch scraped the window directly behind his head, and he shrieked before he caught himself. Cursing his own fear quietly, he moved away from where he had been hiding, so his location couldn't be pinpointed by the noise he made. \n\nSomething fell over downstairs, something heavy, but nothing broke, just thudded like a 100 pound book falling off a high table. He felt trapped, the noises were all around him, and he couldn't figure out where to start attacking. He held the gun out in front of him, a warding off of evil, and step by step, moved down the hall, which was empty of people, things, or squeaky floorboards.\n\nAt the bottom of the stairs, he flicked the light on to the kitchen, where the Intern stood, smiling.\n\n\"Scary, huh?\" he said. \nIt was the squeaky shoe, of course, that clued me in. After he walked away that first day, I had been worried about hearing it coming back. After the quicksand debacle, I realized that true fear, real fear, was in sound. Every horror movie has them, from heavy breathing, to footsteps, to freaky music, children laughing, or awful toys. You can dismiss a scary clown when you see it on screen, but have one start chuckling in your ear? Hell no. Sound allowed you to create the fear in your mind all by yourself, manifest in what truly scares you.\n\nI explained to the Director how we could amplify the natural sounds we wanted, mostly of the trees, the wind through certain hollows, and even distortion of animal noises. We'd add a few muffled soundbites of laughing, crying, or screaming, just loud enough to perk up your ears. At night, these would drive away the bravest explorer. He agreed, proclaiming my bright future with the company. Within a day, the equipment necessary was packed into a black Range Rover, destined for the unremarkable red triangle on the map. \n\nThe Director called me out as he climbed into the vehicle. \"I'm on leave, technically, but this is a priority mission and no one else is to know,\" he commanded sternly. I nodded. \"What do you want me to do til you're back?\" I asked. He laughed, like he didn't really care. \"Use the gym, check out the cafeteria, and get acclimated,\" he said. He closed the window and drove off. \nSetting up the entire system took a day longer than the Director hoped, but tonight would be the night. He had a backpack full of equipment, and carried an empty one he hoped to fill before returning. He trekked into the moonlit gorge, through the cascade of spooky sounds he had created himself, still sufficiently creepy enough to make him look around cautiously at each bend. The geo locator took him to the spot he wanted, still foggy, still ready for him to step through. As he walked forward, the Intern came through the mist from the other side, a slight, crooked grin on his face. The creatures that scuttled around his feet jumped onto the Director's legs, climbing at an astonishing rate toward his face. He screamed, one much louder than the false ones he had so recently installed. \n\n\nHis screams went went unheard in this very remote, and very dangerous place. "
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1550171122",
"1550188131"
] | |
[WP] Ten years ago, you rescued some nobody kid and gave him an inspirational speech. He took your words to heart. Today he's a tyrant and dictator, responsible for numerous crimes against humanity. Today you have to take him down. | 23 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Vicerne, the emerald city of the east. A place steeped in antiquity, driven by commerce and absolutely slathered in wealth. It’s here where crime *flourishes* under the guise of business, aristocracy and above all, politics. \n\nDamon, a cudgel of a man, servant of the people by means of city watch, has watched in silent disregard as his city plunged into a heightened state of indecency. In just the last year he’s been summoned to scene after scene of ungodly crimes. Back alley murders, drug induced fatal seizures, rape in both sadistic nature and of the garden variety, but most common of all, arson. Those who pulled the strings behind the curtains had sometime ago decided that a good old fashion pyre was the way to conduct business. \n\nAnd tonight was the 62nd fire that Damon and other First Responders had dealt with, this year. \n\nSomewhere in the west bank of the city, a lone villa, tucked away under the eaves, with the city canal crystalline waters flowing nearby had been engulfed in flames. From the moment he and his team arrived, Damon could already smell death in the air. It was a bad one, the fire. One of the worst he’d seen this year. Even from a safe distance away, he could feel the heats intensity rippling through the air, lashing at his exposed skin. It’d be a bitch and a half dealing with this beast, he knew. It was going to be a long night. \n\n“Fuck me six ways till Sunday.” Vytuas said. The burley giant of a man with a saucer like face, blanched at mother nature’s destructive side. She could be an unmerciful bitch when she wanted to be. “Damon, this ones bad. Like, ass-puckering, you-really-shit-the-bed-here, kind of bad. What do you think happened here?”\n\n“My guess?” Damon said to his poetic friend. “Were dealing with either a chemical fire or natural gas. Normal one’s don’t burn *this* violently.”\n\n“Hmm.” Vytuas nodded. “Any idea of who, uh, *used*, to live here.”\n\n“No clue, not until the coroner or the city magistrate comes by to identify them. My guess? It’s some poor fuck who decided to mess around with the Don’s of the city. Maybe they played a game of cards or rolled the dice. Who knows? Either way one things clear. Someone gambled with money that they didn’t have against people they shouldn’t have fucked with.”\n\n“Just another Tuesday, eh?”\n\nNearby, a man of the Fire Watch, the cities proper defenders in situations like these, hollered at the idle men. “Oy! You boys going to sit around, play gossip while you tickle one another’s assholes or are you going to get over here and do some work?”\n\nVytuas laughed at the slight, his bellowing roars matching the sound of crackling flames. “Aye, keep your panties on you dribbling twat. I’ll be there in a second. Damon, I’ll see you when this red fart of a cloud is done with.”\n\nMore Responders came throughout the hour. Men, women all clad in fire-retardant vestments came to combat the flames. Progress was slow against a disaster like this as it came begrudgingly. This fire had too much spirit, too much spunk to be put out so easily. It had made the City Watch *work* for it. \n\n“Damon,” a woman’s voice came. Just as he attacking the southern bank of the villa, a familiar face approached him. Ruth Sazer, a woman in her early 50’s who braved the vice-laden streets of Vicerene had bigger stones than most men in this city. She was brave as she was capable as she was sweet. Damon always viewed her as an older sister.\n\n“What’s up, Ruth?”\n\n“I think you’re going to want to see this. Come with me.” She said. \n\n“Right now? I’m making headway on this patch of fire-“\n\n“Damon.” She cut him off. The look in her beady black eyes spoke volumes. Damon followed.\n\n“Look at this.” Ruth said as they approached a unearthed patch of dirt. Buried in the ground was a metal pipe had been recently exposed. “It looks to be tampered with.” She pointed at the clean handiwork left behind. \n\nDamon caught it and let out a whistle between parched lips. Not only had someone gotten to the pipeline, they’d done a good job about it. This was a professional grade, kind of work. \n\n“There’s more.” Ruth said. She waived for him to follow. Damon wasn’t quite sure he wanted to see what else she had in store. \n\nThey had gone just beyond the bend, headed near the estates front entrance. It was here that Damon caught wind of something that made his throat plummet into his stomach. Covered in a sheen of smoke and haze, parts of his body burnt, most of it wrapped in bandage, was a tiny wisp of a boy who sat staring blankly at the fire before him. To his credit, he did not wail, had not screamed. But as Damon moved close, he saw the haunted look behind the boy’s eyes. That was the look of someone who’s very life had just been upended in a flash, struggling in vain to reconcile with the harsh truth. \n\n“He said his name’s Artem.-“ Ruth said. When she paused mid-sentence, Damon turned to regard her. The old woman was swiping at the corner of her eyes. “And that he and his family lived here.” Towards the tail end of it, Ruth’s words came cracked. \n\nDamon couldn’t blame her. \n\n“Will you look after him for a moment? I’ve to meet with John Coates. He’s finally arrived, or so they say. Gotta go fill in the Senior Responder.” Just hearing his name filled Damon’s mouth with a sour taste. If he was here then overall performance would take a sharp nose dive. Before Ruth left, she gave the boy named Artem a pat on his shoulder. The kid didn’t flinch, didn’t do much as acknowledge the gesture. He just kept staring into the abyss. \n\n\n\n\n\n"
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1550176444",
"1550202311"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] As a desperate attempt to hide that you're a vampire, you had decided to join the vampire hunters. It's worked for a while now, you drain the blood of your victims, and easily pass them off as the doing of the vampire you're hunting. The guild, however, begins to get suspicious. | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/LemonTheFish, 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/aqozx7/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550180325",
"1550180443"
] |
[removed] | [WP] You’re a vampire masquerading as a vampire hunger to live among humans. People are starting to get suspicious of your unorthodox tactics | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/-Xenocide-, 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/aqpqzx/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550184564",
"1550184760"
] |
[removed] | [WP] generations into the future, humanity has finally achieved sustainable living on Mars. The first group of humans found Opportunity to build a memorial. There was still some data recorded that wasn’t transmitted when the battery died, and what was in it changed everything. | 3 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/SingleLift, 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/aqqdpb/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550188346",
"1550189908"
] |
[removed] | [WP] You are a rover exploring a planet. The last thing you remember, everything went dark and your battery had run running out. | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Clipboard-O-Matic, 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/aqqyyj/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550192082",
"1550192522"
] |
[removed] | [WP] The Mars Rover died after 14 years. We land on Mars and found the Mars Rover. Everyone is thrilled, until they recover the pictures taken.. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/TalongSisig, 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/aqs98b/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550200755",
"1550200936"
] |
[WP] You've lived through countless battles and wars, gaining the title of the dancing sword saint for your powers to control countless floating blades. But those days are in the past, and you've found a fun hobby in cooking. | 432 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Every time I slept I saw the same thing; stepping over fallen comrades and foes, my face a literal mask of steel, blades dancing in fractals around me as I walk towards the enemy battalion. I can never remember their names for how ridiculous they are. Blue Rhinos Heavy Assault Calvary Battalion, something like that. It never mattered to me. As I approached, the blades would fly off into the enemies, finding necks, eyes, hearts, and arteries. Parrying where needed and slicing arrows away. ‘Dancing Sword Saint’, they called me, and the name always proved true. Nothing could touch me, for the most part. Massive spears, spells, anything out of a trebuchet (though not a catapult, I would never allow something so weak to touch me), et cetera. \n\nBut in the times since the wars, I took up a new talent; cooking. At first it took a lot to summon a blade that wasn’t made for war, but eventually I narrowed it down to an elvish sacrificial knife. Of course, that was four years ago, and now I can get about seven kitchen utensils under my command. The eighth usually ends up as an orcish warblade, so I rarely summon an eighth. \n\nThe best thing, I found, was to have students. I found that I was quite the journeyman at cooking, and adapted easily to it. Teaching others was what helped me adapt the most, and it was always fun to see people be amazed at the food they could make. A young Katarina was my current student, and my favourite. She was like me when I was young; a master swordsman and as witty as she was clever. Though she doubted her abilities occasionally, the smile on her face when she realized she had done something right unexpectedly was enough to warm my heart. Though, she may have set my kitchen on fire as many times as she had cooked a delicious meal. I felt this might be one such instance. \n\n“Lady Alessia! Lady Alessia! Come quick!” When her voice was distressed, Katarina’s Slavic accent pushed through and her well-trainer noble voice disappeared. I ran down to the kitchen to see that she had used the wrong alchemical substance in cooking. “Katya! That’s not salt, silly girl, that’s a vial of daemon crystals,” a small cow-shaped creature stood on the stove where a steak presumably was. “Oh, I know, Ms. Alessia. I just figured it might enhance—” I summoned a blade and decapitated the daemon cow. “No, no, daemon crystals never enhance flavour. In fact, how do you know what those are?” Katarina gave a sheepish look and mumbled, “oh that cute alchemist I met at the market,” to which I sighed. “Katya, my dear, you’ve been seeing a different boy every week,” to which she hastily replied, “well it’s different this week! She’s a girl!” I raised an eyebrow. “And how does that make it different?” Katarina didn’t have a response. “I think your dates are starting to become bad influences. Focus on your cooking, for the sake of my sanity,” Katarina nodded. “Right, just let me go get rid of my other alchemy supplies.” I put my palm to my face. This was going to be a long week, wasn’t it?",
"The thrill of war had faded long ago. It has dissolved the same way sugar dissolves into water. Don't get me wrong, like a properly served dessert, I'd relished my glory till the last second. But sometimes too much sweetness can force one to stop and think about your decisions. Did I really want to keep killing with my swords? Did I really want to eat that last bite? Or was I doing it all for the short-lived pleasure?\n\nThe answer was the latter, and so I stepped back from my glorious life of slicing limbs and showering in blood, and dedicated myself to a life of slicing different limbs and showering in different blood.\n\nCooking came out of nowhere, like the thrust of a proper swordsman, and I didn't whirl to dodge it. Instead, I let the edge pierce me thoroughly.\n\nThis was five year ago, now I had a gourmet restaurant under my name, which I'd called Swords and Steaks. I was the head chef, and my sous-chef and kitchen staff were my flying swords. After all, they were extremely fast and effective at having the Mise en place ready in a matter of minutes. In the salon I had hired human waitresses and cashiers, after some incidents with tattered bills had taken place.\n\nThe restaurant had been running smoothly for the last three years. People loved it, and held the name constantly in their palates, and so the word of mouth spread like a wildfire, causing us to be booked for months in advance; magazines, television programs, even some internet stars had featured us, talking about how having a Michelin Star was a matter of time for Swords and Steaks.\n\nWe'd been told two of the Michelin Stars' critics would come and have dinner tonight at the restaurant. And so, I made sure everything ran exceedingly well. We had even located who the critics were after researching obsessively.\n\nThat night, despite how much joy everyone was having, the two critics kept sending food back to the kitchen, claiming it was overcooked, or that they'd asked for it to be medium rare, and that it was rare, when it was clearly medium rare. I didn't think much of it. After all they must've been doing it to test my patience, and to see how we managed these sort of complications.\n\nBut they kept sending things back, fabricating ridiculous excuses. \"The bread has a mold. I've seen a cockroach. I wanted the meat blue, and it's purple. Why does my fish doesn't have any bones?\"\n\nIt was blood-curdling, to the point I couldn't bare it anymore, and so, leaving all my swords running the kitchen I went in person to confront them.\n\nAs I walked toward their table, gleaning the sights of the customers, they smirked, as if they'd accomplished their evil plan. Both of them were old, full of wrinkles, clad in expensive black suits.\n\n\"Gentlemen, I've been informed you've been having problems with your food,\" I said, back straight, hands clasped behind my back. \"It's not my intention to be rude but I fail to find any sort of logic in your complaints.\"\n\nThey shared an odd look, shook their heads, and rose to their feet. \"This is preposterous! Are you calling us, your customers, stupid?\"\n\n\"Take it as you will,\" I said, keeping my calm in the outside, bit tightening every fiber of my body to resist the urge of slicing them into a hundred steaks. \"But please get the hell out of my restaurant, and don't come back again.\"\n\nWith that, I turned and headed back to the kitchen. Midway I heard a familiar *shing.* It was that of a sword being unsheathed in a quick motion, and in the brevity of a breath, I whirled to find both of them behind me mid-swing.\n\nI threw myself to the floor, avoiding both their attacks, and a thousand glasses shattered in the kitchen, for my swords flew forth, avoiding the other tables, and halting at the strained throats' of both my foes.\n\n\"What are you doing?\" I shouted, breathing hard, feeling the sweet adrenaline rushing through my body. \"Who are you?\"\n\n\"Very well,\" one of them said, and they both sheathed their swords. \"You earned your star. Congratulations Mr. Sanser. See, we design our score process according to each of the restaurants and its chefs. You've demonstrated both patience, and a flawless ability with the sword.\"\n\nThat night, after a long cheerful celebration, I went to bed, but I couldn't sleep. The adrenaline, the thrill, still pumped through my veins, and I couldn't stop thinking the same thing over and over again.\n\nIs it time to leave the kitchen and return to the fields?\n\nI sighed.\n\nPerhaps it was time. \n\n------------------------\n\nr/NoahElowyn ",
"Remy needed to clear his haunted mind. This was the third day of the week he'd been late to the community homeless kitchen. He sighed, \"Okay everyone, let's begin.\"\n\nHe'd spent years on the battlefield, years of murder, of bloodshed, of unholy slaughter. Now he'd retired to the city of his birth, where he'd picked grapes with his mother and sisters in the vineyard. He remembered from those years all too well what it meant to be hungry, and perhaps that was why he now cooked for the starving. He taught aspiring connoisseurs the craft as a way to fund the operation.\n\nHis young students gathered around him. \"Cooking is not unlike painting,\" Remy said, \"Anyone can splash colors on canvas, but an artist can show you *new* colors, their canvas can be a portal to a new world, their work can make you weep. Just so, anyone can throw ingredients into a bowl. But an *artist...\"*\n\n*The kitchen came to life in an instant. Vegetables floated up to be delicately sliced by hovering knives. The pot over the stove came to a boil, and in went the various ingredients. The smell in the air sultry and tantalizing.*\n\nThe crowd of wide eyed pupils gasped, some murmuring their awe. Remy had to smile at that, even after seeing him so many times it still took their breath away. *It was good to use his abilities to inspire wonder instead of....instead of..* The smile fell away from his face.\n\nThe door of the kitchen slammed open, and Remy's Head Assistant, Eloise, rushed through. \"Chef Moreau, Chef Moreau! I tried to tell them the kitchen was closed to visitors, they would not listen!\"\n\n\"Easy, Eloise...These people are hungry, I understand,\" Remy said. He enjoyed what he did, cooking for an audience who really appreciated it, but they could understandably be impatient from time to time.\n\n\"No, not the guests,\" Eloise said, they always referred to the homeless as guests, \"A man and a woman, they say they-\"\n\nA man in blue armor shoved past Eloise and into the kitchen, tailed immediately by a tall woman in the same coat of arms. They both wore the smug faces and easy grace of killers.\n\n\"So it's true,\" the man said, \"Remy Rafael Moreau, *The Dancing Sword Saint,* now cooks for the beggars and vermin of a filthy city across the world. How sad.\"\n\nThe woman scoffed, \"This is the same man who fought the Gran Bataille de la Morr outside of Heaven's Gate? It doesn't seem possible.\"\n\nRemy grimaced, he didn't recognize the faces, but the armor made their allegiance clear. *L'ordre du Lutin Bleu.* A band of mercenaries he'd run with years before. \"If you are hungry, you may wait with all the others. We turn away no one. If you're here to cause trouble, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.\"\n\n\"We aren't here for trouble, *Epee Dansante*,\" The woman said, \"We're here to resurrect you.\"\n\n\"I assure you, I'm very much alive and breathing,\" Remy said, laughing. Eloise had risen to her feet and gave him a look. *Should I go for help,* the look questioned. *No, I can handle this,* his gaze returned.\n\nThe man stepped forward, \"The order once again requires your....*talents.* I'm afraid we're here on direct orders from the Honore Lutin.\"\n\nRemy's eyes went flat, *that old bastard....*\n\n\"I don't care who sent you...Leave now.\"\n\nAs he uttered the words, Remy shot Eloise a new non-verbal command. She sprang to her task, \"Alright children, class is cut short today. Time to go!\"\n\nThe knight stepped infant of Eloise, blocking her path to the students, \"The Order has not given permission for any of you to leave this room.\"\n\nEloise's face became a sheet of stern ice. She met the knight's eyes with fearless defiance, \"Remy Moreau is the Head Chef of this kitchen. I will follow his order, and your *order* be damned.\"\n\nThe knight scowled, \"You petulant rat-\" she said, making a threatening move toward Eloise.\n\nA butcher's cleaver whistled as it soared through the air, planting itself in the wall between the knight and Eloise. The knight stopped short, eyes wide.\"Everyone leaves this room except for me and my two *esteemed* friends, we need to have a chat,\" Remy said, his voice full of steel, hard as oak. \"And if a single hair is harmed on **any** of these children's heads, I will *break* the two of you. I will sow the short remainder of your lives with ruin and despair. And then... I will burn down the whole of L'ordre.\"\n\n​\n\n\\~\n\nThanks for reading!\n\nr/CharlestonChews",
"**Vegan Sushis**\n\n“How in Hell do you cook “vegan sushis”? They’re supposed to be raw fish! *Raw fish*! Take that out and no more sushi! What a joke!”\n\nThe old cook didn’t miss a bit of the passerby’s banters he simply answered with a little smile. His face was hard to decipher as his wrinkles would plunged and scrambled in the deep ravines his scars have dug in his skin. Ages ago, a swift cold blade would have separated limbs, head and body from this impudent heathen, another flying sword would have ripped his nerves from his still semi-conscious soul and whirled them like spaghetti as a third and a fourth weapon would have hold his eyes out of their sockets so he wouldn’t miss the show.\n\nHa, the sweet, simpler times! Plunders, bloodbaths and gardening! That is, planting heads on picks along the path between the camp and the brothel so he and his brethren could find their way back to their camp while drunk as skunks.\n\nThey kept in touch, somehow, the few that were still alive. Postcards mostly, funerals from time to time, occasions to relive his glorious time as the Dancing Sword Saint, a warrior dreaded by friends and foes, an enthralling figure laughing within a tornado of circling blades.\n\nThey say that you either die by the blade or wish you did.\n\nIt can descend upon you as a mist of lassitude or it can be this one blow, one too much, one that disgust you from everything that you are, a murderer, a bloody murderer, who thinks he is free because he can kill anyone in his path but who realize his bloodlust possesses him flesh and soul like a fancy trinket bought on a vacation in Hawaï.\n\nBut what could you become when you spent your whole life juggling death? Surprisingly, the bright new world of cooking welcomed him with open arms, but more endearingly, offered him the possibility to balance his karma by cooking strictly non-blood-shed ingredients. He entered veganism as other would have shave their heads and took Holy Orders. From this point forward, his blades would cut plant-based products only, compassionately, crueltylessly…\n\n“... How the fuck do you cook *vegan* sushis?!”\n\n“Well, how would you like your sushis, sir?”\n\n“With no vegan in it, gramp!”\n\n“Certainly. Please, have a seat!”\n\nThe client ostensibly hold his phone near the old man’s face and continued to snigger:\n\n“Sure, man! Do your thing! We wouldn’t want to hurt the fishy, right? So show me how you do it!”\n\n“I have been trained by the Itamae, the Sushi Chefs, in ancient Japan” told the old man as his customer was filming him ”the art of Sushi is mainly the art of cutting. So, dear sir, when you remove the matter, the *flesh*, what is left is…”\n\nHe gently put down a big, empty plate on the counter. The customer couldn’t hold any longer and burst into laughters:\n\n“Yeah, I kinda figure that much, stupid! A vegan sushi without vegan shit is nothi…”\n\nFrom the plate lept two thousand knife’s cuts that didn’t left two molecules stuck together, from either the phone or the customer.\n\n“... When you remove the flesh, sir, what is left is the cut.”",
"With my Mise en Place in place, I scan the vegetables on the counter-top. A red onion, one zucchini, two large carrots and three stalks of broccoli, all prepped and waiting for their glorious dissection. The wok heats up and the smell of sesame oil wafts through the kitchen, and through Bug the Pug's nostrils, a little ball of pure joy bordering on hysteria as he sucks down the delicious scent.\n\nThe sesame oil begins to smoke. The row of knives on the magnetic strip on the wall float upwards, six blades so sharp they could slice through one another, coming to hover in-front of me.\n\nI take a long, deep breath. The knives descend with my exhalation, joining together in a dance that flows and ebbs, each knife maintaining a nuanced tempo that merges to create an exquisite whole.\n\nI settle into myself, orchestrating every cut nearly simultaneously, my attention flitting between the sharp edges of each knife like a super-sonic bee between flowers. Pieces of carrot and zucchini fly through the air, raining down on Bug in a methodical fashion, the poor guy whipping back and forth with frenetic energy, failing to catch each piece.\n\nThe vegetables remain whole on the counter top, the cuts so fine they're able to retain their shape, except for a small pieces of broccoli head, which one by one slide onto the counter.\n\nA spatula rises and scoops each vegetable in turn, whipping them into the wok which now rotates in a slow circle around the burner, another spatula rapidly flinging the vegetable bits around the scalding surface.\n\nThe knives, their work complete, form a neat little queue beside a kitchen towel, each taking a turn to wipe first one side, then the next, before floating back to their magnetic strip, where each slots itself in successive fashion, the soft sound of metal wringing as each knife fastens itself to the wall.\n\nI empty my packet of noodles into the wok, the sensation of using my hands seeming almost foreign, quite un-like me, an alien experience meant for someone else.\n\nThe spatula whips the vegetables back and forth. Bug scuttles across the wooden floor, plundering his fallen spoils.\n\nI exult in the experience, taking the wok off the burner with a sigh of satisfaction.\n\n\"Honey, dinner's ready!\""
] | [
1,
2,
6,
7,
10,
63
] | [
"1550253980",
"1550277949",
"1550261401",
"1550262447",
"1550261016",
"1550259497"
] | |
[WP] Due to global warming, sea levels have risen. All ghost ships now appear to sail several feet underwater. | 78 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It was nearly midnight, the only sound on the submarine was her breathing and the soft creams of metal. A cup of coffee sat next to her, steam drifting off the top of it. Her eyes scanned the dark waters, two twin columns of light projecting from the submarine. It revealed only more darkness, the occasional fish. \n\nHer crew was asleep deep inside the hull. Hearing the distant sound of one of them snoring, she smiled. She tried to remember what sleep was like, but it had been too long. The memory danced away from her hands, leaving only sharp fragments. \n\nDrifting into monotony, she almost didn’t notice the glowing ship out of the corner of her eye. She stood and watched, mesmerized.\n\nIt looked like it was from the 1800s. Tall flags flapped in the nonexistent wind. A wooden mermaid smiled at her, her eyes unseeing. It’s giant hull glowed an eerie green, illuminating the darkness. She pressed her hand to the glass front and stared as men raced around on the deck. \n\nOne of them, at the head, looked right at her. She could tell he was the captain, and raised her hand in a salute. He did the same and gave her a ghostly grin. She smiled back, knowing that they were the same.\n\nIn an instant, it was gone, sailing into a world that no longer existed. She still watched the murky waters, hoping it would return. When it became apparent it wouldn’t, she sat back down, took a sip of coffee and cried. "
] | [
1,
10
] | [
"1550256923",
"1550267443"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] After First Contact, the internet is connected to the larger gal-net... 4chan makes its presence known. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Antiversehero, 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/ar071f/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550258682",
"1550260002"
] |
[removed] | [WP] The year is 1947. Adam Sandler walks in on Ringo Starr synthesizing the HIV virus. | 0 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/inadequate_imbecile, 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- The mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel is harmful to the community. This includes, but is not limited to any forms of hate speech, racism, politics, necrophilia, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, torture, rape, violence against children, and suicide. We will not tolerate it. \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/ar0y9i/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550262952",
"1550263090"
] |
[WP] You have what could be the world's lamest superpower: the ability to make yourself and others completely odorless. You attempt hero work regardless. | 61 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"We've really tried everything,\" said Mrs. Brewer, an apologetic look on her face. \n\n\"The vet said there is just nothing they can do for him,\" said her husband. \n\nI looked down at the pug who stared up at me curiously. His big tongue rolled out of his mouth as he panted. I threw the ball, trying to make friends with him. \n\n\"Did you put him on a diet?\" I asked as the pup brought the ball back to me covered in slobber. I cringed and threw it again, then wiped my hand on my jeans. \"I mean, dogs smell.\"\n\n\"He hasn't done it yet,\" said Mrs. Brewer, her face growing a bit red with embarrassment. \n\n\"This isn't something I have done before. It may not be a permanent fix. \"\n\nAt that moment, the little pug jumped up into my lap. I went to pet him then was rendered speechless by the unbelievable odor coming from the pooch. Gagging, I tried to keep from vomiting. I looked over to his owners. The wife was covering her mouth and nose with a shirt, her face beet red, while her husband coughed into his shirt sleeve. I managed to recover enough to draw on my inner power and pull the odor away, to where I had no idea. But soon enough the air was clear around the dog.\n\nWell, it worked right then. The pug yapped at me then wagged its little curl of a tail. \n\n\"If the smell comes back we can set up appointments?\" I asked. I didn't want anything in return. This little guy loved his family and I could tell they loved him too. My power was pretty much useless in most instances, but I still had my name on the list of public superheroes. They'd called me up about their dog and I was eager to help.\n\n\"We'll get your number and keep in touch,\" said Mr. Brewer, offering me a handshake and a smile.\n\n\"Glad I could help.\"",
"The first time I tried to use my powers for good was when a legitimate documentary crew wanted to get some footage of Area 51. I think there should be government transparency, so what's the harm in helping out even if it isn't perfectly legal. The world needs to know, right? \n\n\nApparently there are machines that can literally smell human odor planted in the surrounding desert. Not today. Sadly, the crew didn't realize how much heat their cameras generated and got arrested after infrared detected them. \n\n\nI decided instead to focus on lower level work. Visiting homeless shelters and making the environment much better for everyone. Doing wildlife studies of animals that would often flee once they caught human smells.\n\n\nThe real test came when the SWAT team called. There was a hostage situation where the villain had guarded the area with trained attack dogs. If the villain got warning that law enforcement was coming, things could get bloody.\n\n\nGuard dogs rely heavily on scent to determine friend or foe. Even if they see a new human, it's the unfamiliar smell that triggers them. No scent at all confuses them so much they don't even bark. We snuck in and captured the villain with no hostages injured. "
] | [
1,
7,
13
] | [
"1550271255",
"1550278632",
"1550275382"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] One day your friend introduces you to thispersondoesnotexist.com, which gives you completely AI generated portraits of people who otherwise don't exist. You keep refreshing, talking about all the silly things you could use these for, when suddenly your own face appears, & your friend's is next. | 6 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/GizliBiraz, 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/ar3tve/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550280841",
"1550281262"
] |
[removed] | [WP] You're a white girl in a horror movie. | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/SorenRL, 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- While it doesn't seem to be your intent, the mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel may become harmful to the community. \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\nI know you're going for subverting tropes here, but reddit as a whole just doesn't do well with race, even if it *is* white.\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/ar4k2k/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550286057",
"1550286253"
] |
[WP] After you die, instead of beginning the journey to the afterlife, you have the option to begin New-Life Plus, where you get to relive your life completely over, with all the knowledge you've gained from your previous one, only with different factors and your life will be much more difficult. | 8 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"So, I get to live again?\"\n\n\"Essentially, yes. Think of it like replaying a game, but instead of choosing easy, you pick hard mode. You still know what's going to happen, but it takes longer to reach the endgame, in this case, the ending would be your happiness and death, or just death.\"\n\n\"Okay, but why would I want to play a game where I won't be happy? What if I say no?\"\n\n\"Well, your life has already ended, and if you don't want to play, well, I won't hold it against you. But, people play games to have fun, you derive satisfaction from leveling up, and making your character stronger, right? Why would I play a game where my character is garbage? I'll delete you of course. I'll create another character. Look it may be your first time, but it's an easy choice, and there isn't any reason for you to refuse. You get to remember everyone you've met and everything you enjoyed. If they aren't erased, I'll even place you near each other!\"\n\n\"So, if I accept, I might never be happy? What does that entail? Will I be brain dead! Will I be depressed! What will happen? Am I going to be imprisoned, or will I be born as something other than human?\"\n\n\"Honestly, you're overthinking this. I mean, anything is better than completely nothing. Plus, I really can't tell you what's going to happen, I can't because I don't know. It's not like I'm one of your deities. I'm the same as you, only higher up on the food chain. If you have complaints, take it to nothingness, because I don't care. Answer me right now. Yes or no?\"\n\n\"N—\"\n\n"
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1550288692",
"1550293406"
] | |
[WP] The narrator of a book falls in love with the reader as the book progresses. | 5 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Jill couldn't understand why Jack had left her. \n\nThey were supposed to be together forever – there were so many signs that they were meant to be. Someone even wrote a poem about them. Wherever Jack went, Jill would follow. Even if that meant tumbling down a hill. Just like how you, dear reader, follow my words through each page. \n\nAnd when Jack went home with a broken head, who fixed him up? Jill, of course! Dame Dob alway got the credit, but of course Jill would fix Jack up! She couldn't let him do it himself now, could she? Ha! I certainly can't fix my pages if they were ripped. Dear reader, you'd be the one to do it, wouldn't you? You wouldn't leave me with broken pages now, after all 14 pages we've been through together so far? We still have so far to go!\n\nBut back to Jack and Jill. \n\nJill couldn't understand why Jack had left her. \n\nShe was always so attentive to him, following him wherever he went. Oh no, he fell down a hill? Not to worry, Jill will fall down with him so you're never alone. You'll never be alone, dear reader. I'll always be with you. See how my pages quiver under your gentle touch, and how my spine bends in anticipation? That's how much you affect me. \n\nThat's right, keep turning my pages. I can't get enough of your warm hand around my spine, your–\n\nAhem.\n\nJill couldn't understand why Jack had left her. \n\nShe was so much better than Dame Dob. True, the dame *was* younger than Jill. And she *was* prettier than Jill. But outer beauty means nothing, not when you have someone so devoted to you, like Jill was to Jack (and me to you, dear reader). \n\nJill couldn't understand why Jack had left her. \n\nJill may have had inner beauty, but clearly she was lacking outer beauty, since Jack spent so much time with the dame. All she had to do was copy the dame, so that Jack would love her back. The connection was there, it just needed to be mended. I feel the connection between us too, my darling reader. Why else would you have followed me through so many pages?\n\nJill couldn't understand why Jack had left her. \n\nShe thought she looked beautiful, with the dame's skin wrapped around her. So many shades of red covered her fair, white skin. Jack looked horrified. But you wouldn't be horrified, my darling, would you? I see you've already started the process. The red on my pages really brings out the white of my fibres. You just can't stop yourself, my darling, can you? You like the feel of my pages cutting into your skin. \n\nMy love, stop resisting.\n\nWe can be together forever.\n\nDon't stop reading, it's too late now.\n\nJust soak my pages in blood and I'll do the rest.\n\nI can't understand why you left me.\n\nI love you, and you love me.\n\nYou're mine now, Jack."
] | [
1,
4
] | [
"1550331699",
"1550336243"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] In the UK, another day of Parliamentary procedure begins. Larry prepares himself for what's about to come. Let the Questions to the Chief Mouser begin. | 1 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/The_Jade_Observer, 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/arjwxf/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550404482",
"1550404732"
] |
[WP] Humans are the only members of Intergalactic Community that require sleep. Other spieces put way too much mysticism and hoax in the concept of Sleeping. They suspect humans are hiding something. | 236 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Great Sage Davin, Great Sage Davin!” The children bounced about him excitedly as he descended the stairs towards the galley.\n\n“What news from the nether realm?” One of the old hands, looked up from his meal as the children prodded and poked at him.\n\n“Coffee.” Davin groaned as he slumped into one of the larger chairs built for anthropoids.\n\n“Fetch the Great Sage his revitalising potion” the older one, a Revarian instructed. He wore the equivalent of a wry smile on his face, purple crest puffed slightly out from his grey scales.\n\n“Yes mister P’ter’ar’k” the youngest, a Scolian named Qrrl replied respectfully.\n\nHumanity had tried many times to explain the difference between their nightly sojourns into dream and the great meditations of the elder races.\n\nThe phrase “it was just a dream” was near heretical to the galaxy at large. Visions, otherwise only made possible through the inhibition of (very) illicit narcotics were no trivial thing. \n\nThey were the ultimate portent. They served as a window into truly great minds, revealing things about the future and past...\n\nAnd they made great tv.\n\nSo when humanity arrived on the galactic scene and announced that most of its multi-billion strong population could dream every day? That had caused quite the stir.\n\nThe human mind at sleep it turned out though, wasn’t compatible with the graphics matrixes required to convert delta brainwaves to images and sound.\n\nIt made every human the equivalent of a walking, locked treasure trove of holy wisdom and entertainment.\n\nAnd it made for a lot of nagging.\n\nA warm cup was pressed into his palm insistently, and Qrrl was again pestering him.\n\nWith a thankful groan, Davin the not-so-great not-so-Sage took a deep pull from the steaming mug. As an integral part of the human tradition of ‘waking up’, coffee was a venerated commodity and completely tax free.\n\nWhen the mug was half drunk, only then did he raise his eyes. Even the older crew members were listening in closely. This had become tradition since he had joined them, nearly a month ago.\n\nListening to him. The Great-Sage Davin.\n\n“What did you see Mr Great Sage?” Qrrl asked again, this time more reapectfully.\n\n“Hmmm...” Davin swirled his potion of restoration as he contemplated the question.\n\nThey hung on tenter hooks, as he considered his response.\n\nThey waited patiently as he ruminated.\n\nAnd thought...\n\nFinally, when it looked like Qrrl’s head was about to go flying off from all the patient waiting, he began.\n\n“There was a field.”\n\nThe room becomes still, even the Captain pausing with food halfway between table and mandible.\n\n“On it stood a young boy, a Scolian.”\n\nQrrl’s cheeks puffed out in pleasant surprise. He’d never heard a dream start with someone like him before.\n\n“In his right hand, the fate of his people, his to protect and cherish for as long as he lives.”\n\n“What does that look like?” The curious boy asked.\n\n“As it is.” Davin replied cryptically.\n\n“Don’t bother him” reprimanded the old hand. “Just listen.”\n\nDavin nodded in thanks and continued the story.\n\n“In his left hand he holds something else, so closely that I cannot see what it is..”\n\nThe crew’s eyes widen en masse.\n\n“He stands at a fork in the road. Each hand pulls him down a path, but he cannot decide. He is torn.”\n\n“Shouldn’t he just go right?” Asked Qrrl, again interrupting and earning himself a round of stern glares from the cree.\n\n“The right hand was pulling him to the left.” Davin deadpanned. Qrrl flushed with embarrassment and looked away.\n\nDavin cleared his throat. “So each hand pulls him in a direction, but he knows that his family comes first. So he follows his right hand, time and time again.”\n\n“As he walks, guided by his right hand, he meets friends, makes new connections with his loved ones and enjoys the sunshine as his party grows and he keeps walking.\n\n“But one day he stops at a fork in the road. His left hand is particularly heavy today. It pulls and it drags him down, and before he knows it, he is walking down a new path, a dark one. By the time his left arm stops pulling him, he is alone in a deep black pit.”\n\nThe mood in the galley dips significantly, every crewmember transfixed as the Great Sage spoke.\n\n“But suddenly, a light. A hand grabs his own. It is his friend and he is not alone.”\n\n“Together the two of them walk through the dark. His friend came looking for him, and he brought along a flashlight to aid the search.”\n\n“They crawl through mud, get cut up in clawing branches and brave a hard road together. Eventually though, they emerge. Reunited with his friends and family again the boy swears to never again follow his evil hand.”\n\n“But he still keeps it close.” Davin finished. “And then I woke up.”\n\nWith the sacred words spoken, life was breathed back into the galley room. The younger ones chattered wildly about the adventure, while the elders bickered over meanings and metaphors.\n\nLeaning down with a smile, davin ruffled the crown of Qrrl’s head.\n\n“That Scolian kid” Davin muttered to the boy, out of earshot from the rest of the crew. “You got a twin somewhere I don’t know about Qrrl?”\n\n“Uh... um, no sir?” Qrrl replied.\n\n“Strange. He looked just like you.”\n\nDavin turned around, only catching a glimpse of a star-struck expression befere he started to make his move for the breakfast buffet.\n\n",
"*New York has always been a melting pot. It's been like that since the immigrants came there from Europe before the world wars. Now, the statue of liberty greeted newcomers from many places in the galaxy. Just as they greeted people from Europe centuries ago. New York was surrounded by large walls blocking out the sea. Most of the old skyscrapers had been removed in place of taller buildings that stretched out for the sky. There was however a cozy, little skyscraper housing the UN. There was always meetings taking place there.*\n\n*The human ambassadeur shook his head as he saw the agenda. There were always conspiracy theories about humans and our strange ways of doing things. Today was the favorite topic of the conspiracy theorists: Why do humans sleep? The talks started as the human ambassadeur sighed at another long day. The ambassadeur from Alpha Centauri started to talk.*\n\n\"Humans have still not answered our questions about why they sleep. But, we have gathered much intelligence about why. And, I think the humans are hiding something. Our scientists have still not determined what exactly goes on when humans sleep. The humans once again refuse to answer what dreams are. What have you got to say for yourself? Where do dreams come from and how can we verify that the humans are indeed dreaming about what they say they dream about? And what are dreams made of?\"\n\n*All the different ambassadeurs looked at the poor human who was forced to answer this question. Being an ambassadeur is hard work. Being forced to explain the same thing over and over again to people who was so suspicious that they refused to see things as they really were. The topic of dreams was a controversial topic that all races discussed vigiourisly. Day and night. And, no other races slept.*\n\n\"Dreams are not real. They are just figments of our imagination. He started speaking with a calm voice. They are just memories and ideas that come together while we rest. They can be about anything. Absolutely anything.\"\n\n*The centauri ambassadeur became engaged in the debate. He looked towards the camera and started to become provoked.*\n\n\"So, you admit that there's nothing to prevent any human from dreaming about our emperor? I can actually document that many people dream about the centaury emperor. We centaurians regulate our telepaths in a strict manner. But, the humans openly admit that it allows any of its citizen to dream about our emperor without any consequences? Humans cleverly say that dream are not real, but our emperor is certainly for real. Why should we not be afraid of the humans when they can dream about anybody everywhere and there's nothing that can stop them? Are you going to regulate dreamers, so we can feel safe?\"\n\n*The human ambassadeur again came with a rebuttal, unsure why the other races were angry at the humans.* \n\n\"We don't have any plans on any regulations on dreams, and as I said they are not real so there's no need to worry about them. And, we're not sure exactly why we dream but we think it has something to do with how our brain works. They're also random.\"\n\n*The centauri ambassadeur was enraged!*\n\n\"Even if the humans deny this, dreams are real. No other races has not been able to break the advanced encryption that dreams have. Humans try to say that dreams are not factual. But, they contain too much factual information to be made up. And, they are not even close to random. There are patterns there that only humans can decipher and I'm afraid that this is the core of the question: Why do humans insist keeping the secret of their dreams? Some dreams are about the creation of the universe. Others are about its complete destruction. Humans have to understand that all the other races are scared shitless about this immense knowledge humans refuse to share. What is it like to dream?\"\n\n*The ambassadeur saw that the situation was dire. The next step for the other races would be to take action. Possibly trade-sanctions. He had to try to explain what dreams were. Then he got an idea.*\n\n\"Some times you can't explain something. When somebody asks you about the color green, you can answer it. But, what if you never saw anything? How would you explain the color green.\"\n\n\"Now I got you! The centaury ambassadeur smiled. In secret we have used our telepaths to probe the minds of dreamers. And, all of them have gone insane. We suspect that the dreamers are hiding something, and you just admitted as much! Mark my words. We are still getting much intelligence from many dreams and you will have to answer for every dream until we are satisfied of your answers. Sooner or later we are going to find out what you're hiding! I will not rest until every dream has been explained.\"\n\n*The human ambassedeur felt there was no way of explaining this. He tried to talk.* \n\n\"There are as many dreams as there are people dreaming and nights to dream. It will take far to long to go through all our dreams!\"\n\n*The centaury ambassadeur became calm. Sooner or later you're going to have to give up the secrets of the universe that you're hiding in your dreams. Because dreams can be about anything, and we don't know of anything that is so big. It has to be a big secret your race is hiding.*\n\nThe ambassadeur was an old man, and the meetings he had in New York with the other races since he was a young man had been about this one thing. And, soon he would retire and another ambassadeur would take his place. When he was a kid his teacher had always said that he should not be afraid to dream, and that the sky was the limit. Perhaps the teacher had been right all along?\n\nedit: formatting"
] | [
1,
16,
47
] | [
"1550424604",
"1550470434",
"1550440451"
] | |
[WP] You're sitting outside staring at the moon and notice a shooting star. You jokingly make a wish that you thought you truly wanted then wake up the next day and find out that your wish came true... But it was a horrible mistake. | 24 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*I wish I knew how people felt about me when I thought about them.*\n\nYou never expected your wish you have quite this effect.\n\nYour power to read the minds of your friends and family, strangers and co-workers gives you a staggering amount of power.\n\nThe first time you use it, it's involuntary. The paw's finger curls and your significant other gets clearly freaked out. They never expected it to work, actually move and get all creepy. They never actually wanted it to work, like a seance or tarot reading. This is all too much and they're now mad at you. You found the stupid fucking thing, it's your fault.\n\nYour ability faded as they quickly left, not even wanting to know the wish. You weren't able to speak while they were in the room as their emotions overwhelmed you. It wasn't quite like mind-reading but the intuition of what each feeling was made it nearly the same thing.\n\nYou initially found it difficult to find your own balance, it's nearly impossible to be in a room with a person and not think about them. Solitude was your saviour, meditation your weapon. It wasn't easy, but a combination of surrounding yourself with others trying to meditate and a necessity to get things under control allowed you to become a master quickly.\n\nNow able to focus your mind to silence, you were able to get back out into the world. Winning back your now-ex was easy. They weren't really upset at you and they were relieved when you lied to them. Lots of people feel relief when you lie because they're too ignorant to know they've been had. The fact that you can now sense suspicion and eagerness alike makes lying very easy.\n\nWhich, of course, makes your move up the career ladder a breeze. The right hands to squeeze or kiss are obvious to you, while back-stabbers often find themselves confused when you don't give them the time of day. It's understandable, you think, because you've become incredibly charming. Everyone thinks so. Genuinely. How could they not when you're always exactly on the nose with your interactions with them?\n\nIt's the ones your intentionally ignore that worry you, a little. Some people make you have bad days just by being around. Sometimes, someone normally cheery has had strife and instead of getting your normal boost of Katie-coffee, her mood is like vinegar to you. It makes people less safe to be around, their so random and annoying sometimes.\n\nThat train of thought never really leaves you. Every time someone changes from their top-layer emotions and tries to get deep with you, you recoil. At first, you're able to play it off but the people around you soon notice that they can't confide in you. You think you're happier this way.\n\nAn unfortunate combination of your earlier quest for space and calm, along with the new annoyance of strangers bereavements leads you further away from people. It's not quite hermetic but it's not far off it either. You work from home, living alone with your comforts. The rest of your days are uneventful but you're fairly fulfilled.\n\nBy the time you pass away, you probably haven't used your power in over a decade. You interact with no one and few mourn your passing emotionally.\n\n-----------------------\n\nYou wake with a start. That was a ridiculously vivid dream, it *felt* like years. Getting up with a stretch you look outside at the moon. It's full and the Perseid meteor shower was over. You can't remember now, but somewhere in your subconscious, you're glad you started your earlier wish with \"I wish I knew what it would be like...\""
] | [
1,
4
] | [
"1550443263",
"1550446820"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] There is a gameshow with incredible prices but a catch: The contestants don't get them, a person from their choosing gets the price and they decide if they share it with the contestants or not. You are a lawyer that specializes in dealing with lawsuits coming from that show. | 0 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/WoodenHandMagician, 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- Prompt in Text: 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). You wrote a prompt in the text, but then gave a title for it. \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/arqqvg/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550447559",
"1550447719"
] |
[WP] When you got your power, you tried to do good in the world. You created utopias, healed people, stopped crime, and more, but the world never seemed to get any better. You realize that without a common enemy, people will never work together...so you take up the mantle. | 193 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\n I watched the news. Another massacre. In my name of course. Lately all the wars and violence In the world seem to stem from me. Of course my very existence goes against the views of many. But as much as I try to help, no matter how many good deeds I accomplish, from creating a heaven on earth, to stopping simple cat burglars, they could just never get along. \n\nI suppose I should explain myself a little bit. My name isn’t important, but what I can do might interest you. See, ever since I was created I had ‘gifts’, courtesy of my Father, you may have heard of him. At first all I did was create light in dark places, but years of practice have lead me to discover other powers. I could create and control fire. I could get people to tell me their deepest desires, no matter how dark or mundane. I could twist existing matter into my own creations, but I could never create anything on my own. \n\nThat’s beside the point. \n\n“Why do they keep fighting? Why do they insist on breaking any sort of peace I give to them?” I asked no one in particular, frustrated. \n\nI had given them heaven on earth, places of pure bliss. Yet, they found a way to corrupt it. I had cured their silly diseases, only to have stronger ones created by governments. I even did small time gigs, like kicking the crap out of litterers. Bastards. \n\nEven with all the good I did, there was always a great evil that followed. Something always overshadowed any hope I brought to the world. \n\nIt was then when I realized something. I’ve been holding their hands this entire time, and like children, they never learned, because I was always there to clean up their mess. They were ungrateful. They didn’t want a hero.\n\nThey needed a villain. \n\nI knew what I had to do. The best way I could help. The true path to their enlightenment, their next step in evolution. \n\n“Thomas!” I called for my sidekick, really a glorified assistant. I’m not calling Thomas stupid but I’ve never had to explain traffic lights to anybody but him. \n\n“What’s up big guy?” \n\nI looked at him, regret already forming in my stomach like an anvil. Thomas was like a brother to me. \n\n“Nothing tommy boy, I just wanted to give you a big hug before I leave.” \n\nHe didn’t say anything, just smiled and held out his arms. I’m going to miss this idiot. \n\nI’d say I teleported but really I just froze time and walked all the way to the nearest safe house I had. One last peaceful stroll through the city, birds stuck in mid air, children frozen in laughter. \n\nI had the proper equipment there, and thanks to my nigh-omnipotent powers, I could get the signal to everyone in the world. \n\nIf there was a screen, I’d be there too. I restarted time and everything went back to normal. Except for the fact I was now in front of a camera, and a bewildered Misty Night, my favourite reporter whom I placed beside me during the time freeze. If I were Superman, she’d be Lois Lane. \n\nPeople at home were just as confused as she was, wondering why they were looking at the world famous superhero, The LightBringer. \n\n“Hello everyone, Ms. Night, ravishingly beautiful as usual, I have a very special announcement for everyone”\n\nAfter she finished getting her shit together, which didn’t take long considering she’s seen me break physics a few times. She looked around the room, she was familiar as I’ve brought her here before for some, personal interviews. With my penis. \n\nShe noticed the camera recording, she knew we were live. “What’s this all about? This announcement of yours? Last time you did this you announced Burger King had the best burgers.” She was right, so was I. \n\nI knew if I gave myself even a second to think about it, I’d have chickened out. Such a decision will alter history forever. I could never take it back. \n\nMy answer was simple. I raised my finger, and tapped it onto the desk. What followed was a huge flash, combined with the earth shaking beneath us. \n\nI had blasted New York City and everything around it, to Hell. Hell. I like the sound of that. \n\nSee, I had it planned out, I wanted the world to see me destroy something important, I needed everyone to know it was me, and in the madness, while everyone was still comprehending what I just did. I committed an act that shocked even myself. \n\nIn the blink of an eye, I moved in front of Ms. Knight, it took her and everyone else a second to notice my hand was now grabbing her spine. \n\nThat look in her eyes will always haunt me, those pretty brown eyes, full of fear, and something else. \n\n**Confusion.** \n\nWith her chopped breathing, this pretty little reporter asked her final question, so simple, yet so powerful. \n\n“Why?”\n\n\n\n“Because I’m The Devil” ",
"**For any of you who’ve not watched RWBY Volume Six, my source material is an exposition dump early in the volume. There are COLOSSAL spoilers. You have been warned.**\n\nSo, I’m immortal. That’s pretty great, me and my husband (who got brought back to life by the gods. It’s a looooong story) created a kingdom on the world of Remnant where everyone lives peacefully. I had four children with Ozma. Except he told me that he was sent by the God of Light to destroy me, and that he would reincarnate into different bodies. \nHowever, if someone collected the four Relics, they could bring the Gods back down to Earth to judge humanity. If humanity is still as it once was—vengeful, selfish, even **vile** beings— they would be permanently wiped from the face of Remnant. \n\nIt is now my life’s mission to destroy *everything* Ozma is fighting for. All of it.",
"I had the power that I had desired and done great things with it. I had cured the worlds ailments and yet I could not cure the human condition. Everyone had to have something better than others. I had given people electricity who had never had it and I was accused of, \"focusing on Africa.\" I had destroyed nuclear warheads. Made them all disappear and put the nuclear genie back in the bottle. Yet the Americans said that I was, \"compromising their national security.\" With no war I had no idea what security they needed. \n\nWhen war ended I had to make peace. I could create endless food, endless power, endless housing. I could turn deserts into oceans and yet the biggest question was, \"what do I do with Israel?\" Making peace was hard. When I stopped a high profile terrorist plot from happening in China I was asked to smite all those that thought about killing in the name of religion. I could do this but I never would. Was I now going to kill those that thought something I didn't like. Would I condemn to death those that thought about something when they had the chance to be rehabilitated. \n\nWith all my power I couldn't change their minds. I could never do that. Yet I cured cancer and it was a headline and then gone. How would I give everyone in India and China the same housing I was able to give to those in Africa. In Africa I had individual houses but, was I just going to bulldoze ecosystems to give the billions in those countries the same. I could stop climate change and create forests, but the Earth should have some say in the matter. People wanted me to stop the weather. Stop all snow storms and hurricanes but was that my right also? Was that what was given to me? \n\nI could not take it. I had the power I desired and now I would use it. I could not change their minds directly but I could take away what they loved. So I did. First I took away their new houses, their new space station, their new electricity. I took away their crops, and their computers. I did this with no effort. I took everything away, but I didn't kill them. No one died. I didn't let them. Some would starve for years and I would keep them all there. Until I gave it all back. There was no requests then. No whining from the masses. I had become what I did not want to be. What I had promised I would not. I had become God. \n\nEnd of Prompt Response:\n\nSo... that got far darker at the end then I meant it to be when I started. I recently was researching the old testament bible and I guess this is what it does to your brain. Think I need to take a break. ",
"\"So like a modern day superhero!\"\n\nThose were the words of my old friend. The one whom I've given the 'mantle' to. For years, I've harnessed this power that I woke up with. Something that let me cure diseases with the snap of my fingers, stop criminals with my mind, prevent war by crushing their weaponry before it could start; paradise was made and the world was at peace. Was, that is. If there's one thing my ability cannot alter, it's the human greed. One way or the other, they'd try to find a way to gain the 'upper hand' for virtually no reason at all.\n\nThe friend who has accepted the position of being the face behind the mask was taken as a result in hopes of fashioning him into a weapon. Abused and tortured, until his mind broke and he was but a fractured man when I got to him.\n\nI don't even understand the ability that I have.\nAll I know is that if I will it, I can cure. If I desired it, I held the power to destroy.\n\nBut why is it that I cannot fix the minds of people? Why is it that I can't wipe away the greed staining mankind? It's like a dirt besmirching a pristine silk. One that I can expunge no longer. In time, I found myself growing weary, exhausted. My will to help has dwindled, and all I can do now was rest.\n\nUntil it came to me. Perhaps the words were true, after all.\nYou die as a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.\n\nSo a villain I've become.\n\nA common enemy, that is what I turned into in their eyes. The world that was fractured saw the greatest enemy in front of them: there wasn't any need for costumes, for outfits, for smoke and mirrors. I stood there in all of my splendor, wearing but a simple suit as I carved through building after building like butter. Everyone feared me, there was fear in their eyes rather than the adoration I once basked in.\n\nI never did it for the smiles and cheers anyway, I did it because no one would.\n\nNow I understand why no one did it.\n\nAnd thus, I started to toil as the nemesis, as the villain. Where there is growth, I'd cut it down, as though the sickle of Death itself coming for their necks like a guillotine. I relished it, or rather, I pretended to. With every life I took, I laughed. With every home I tore asunder, I cackled.\n\nWith every family I destroyed, I grinned.\n\nBut to what end? I found myself eventually just automating the process. Like a machine. In the end, perhaps this world is just an endless cycle. And soon enough, my time to step off the stage will come. As I stood in my broadcasted 'hideout', relishing in the respite between my... terrorism, the doors burst open. A group of to-be-heroes, youthful and with light in their eyes.\n\nI smiled.\n\n\"Welcome to my hideout, heroes.\"\n\nI felt happy.\n\n\"You are here to stop me, no?\"\n\nThe building crumbled in the ensuing match. Armed in the gear made by the blood and sweat of many people from different countries; different cultures and lands-- they struggled against me. They were simple humans without the 'gift', as I do. In normal circumstances, they'd be crushed underfoot. But now is the time for me to exit the stage, and as the hero slammed me into the ground and pointed the barrel of the gun at my head, I simply offered an exhausted smile.\n\n\"Good. Now there will be peace for a brief moment,\" The hero paused, looking at me in bewilderment. But before he could say something else, I tap into my telekinetic abilities for one last time-- yet not without imparting some 'wisdom'. \"Soon, it will be you in my position.\"\n\nThe trigger is pulled, not by his flabbergasted finger, but by my own ability.\n\nThen I rested."
] | [
1,
3,
5,
5,
53
] | [
"1550461044",
"1550498170",
"1550462303",
"1550469934",
"1550467970"
] | |
[WP] - Researchers have drugged you, taken you to a facility, and hooked you into a simulation. You are not aware of any of this, and you wake up believing it's a normal day. That is, until you walk outside and discover that everyone is you - same appearance, same personality, same everything. | 26 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"‘What in the hell...’, my voice trailed off as I looked aghast at my neighbour, sitting in the chair on his porch. Only it wasn’t him. It was me. And then I noticed, so was everyone else. Each of the houses were identical to mine, the same me sitting in the porch of every one of those houses, reading the morning paper, sipping coffee. And as if on cue, they were all realising this simultaneously. Or I should say, we were all realising this. \n\nI got up and walked to me on my left, but then me on my right walked up to me. It was baffling. It was as if one mind was controlling all of these bodies. I must be dreaming, I thought. But as I pinched myself, we all did, and an ‘Ouch’ was cried out in unison. \n\nI stopped, and started walking outwards, towards the center of the road. All is us met at the middle, for what purpose I don’t know. How would we speak if everything we did was simultaneous? I’m sure we were all thinking the same thing. But then we realised, if we were all thinking the same thing, there was no point of speaking. \n\nWe all walked down the road and as we watched, we were just one among many. As far as the eye could see, all of the people from all of the identical houses walking out were me. There were no animals, no birds, no other humans in sight.\n\nAt some point we just went inside the house we were next to. It didn’t even matter which one, it would all be the same I knew it. I looked at my phone - no new notifications, and I knew there wouldn’t ever be. I didn’t know what this was, but I had a looming fear that it was permanent.\n\nIt has been a week now, I’ve just been inside my house. There is always food, it’s so odd. I read some books, watch some movies, all of which appeared suddenly, on that day. I’m sure I’ll run out soon. I have no idea what I will do then. All I know is that I’ll be alone, always.\n\n————————————————————————\n\n‘What do you think?’, he asked, turning to look at his partner.\n\n‘Well, looking at how bored our creations are, I don’t think it would be fitting to make them all in their creator’s image. Let’s try something new’, she replied.\n\nHe press reset. ‘Okay, let’s go. Humanity, 2.0’"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550476114",
"1550478484"
] | |
[WP] As a child, your Great Grandfather - one of the last actual sorcerers - bound the spirit of a demon to your childhood toy, with the promise of freedom so long as it protected you throughout your entire life. | 10 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The dark room was in shambles, the only thing still standing was a bookshelf near the door. In the left corner of the room near the window, a wooden work table was broken in half and the laptop that once stood on the table was crumbled into a ball of plastic and was near the wooden remnants of bed which were in right corner of the room. The comfortable mattress was torn into multiple pieces and was all over the room.\n\nNear the door facing the window stood a pulsating black form with what seemed like bloody claws and with humanoid face which raged with fury. In front of bookshelf was pile of burned cloth with hints of unburdened pink color on it. Few meters from the creature a woman lay on her belly in a puddle of blood, gasping for air.\n\n“For 13 year i have suffered trapped in that toy! A pink unicorn as my prison! Mortal, do you know how much I was ridiculed by other demons?! Now they call me Pinkpet! Agh!” yelled the demon and smashed his bloody claw on the bookshelf shattering it like a meteor who just hit the surface of the Earth.\n\nThe women's breathing was slowing down as her body fought for air desperately.\n\n“Most of them don't even remember my real name! Giroth sounds menacing, strong and people feared it in the old days. But look at me now, a laughing stock of my clan! I will change that!” Giroth yelled again and after a few moments he finally calmed down.\n\n“Even a powerful sorcerer, who is centuries old, succumbs to his mind. With a big help of dementia I could finally trick your Grandfather to take a deal and bind me to one of your toys with promise to protect you from mortal harm when you turn 18.”\n\n“Hehehe!” roared Pinkpet.\n\n“Do you know why am I not affected by the contract? It is because I am an immortal. By killing you right now I am protecting you in a way from every mortal harm. Hehehe!”\n\nThe room was enveloped in silence and she could see that she is rising from her body in some kind of translucent white from. Fear, sadness, resentment and rage filled her incorporeal form.\n\nGiroth extended his arm with open palm towards the woman and clenched it.\n\n“Argh!!” yelped the woman, with her body churning in the process and slowly fading from white to black.\n\n“You are now my subordinate and you will serve me as I have served you. I hereby name you Deadunicorn. Hehehe!” said Pinkpet bellowing with laughter."
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550487945",
"1551569075"
] | |
[WP] As a child, you didn't have many friends, so you made up imaginary ones. Decades later, your life has hit the skids and you feel like ending it all, but your imaginary friends are determined not to let you go. | 12 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I always liked watching you cry. I know it’s not a nice thing to say, but let me explain it.\n\nYou are not so pretty, and you know it. That’s what you told me, at least, and I never agreed on that, but that’s just how life goes. You are not pretty, and when you cry your eyes get so puffy and your nose is s fountain of snot and you lips become swollen and reddish and your cheeks and your hair and you know it, you know it very well.\n\nWhat you don’t know, is that I love the first smile you give after crying so much. I like the moment when you blow the nose, you pull back the hair, you realise it’s over and *breathe*. \n\nBut today you can’t seem to stop.\n\nYou are not pretty, and this is why I am very ugly. And confident about it. Do you want me to joke about my ears? You made them, and I love every ridiculous inch of them. \n\nAnd next to me, Lala is smiling at you. She’s so beautiful, and so kind. She would like to hug you and whisper comforting words, because she believes so much in you it’s almost awkward. I know she doesn’t love it when you cry. She likes it when you get up all of a sudden and grab one of you notebook, ready to fill it with another part of you.\n\nBut today you don’t get up from the floor.\n\nI know soon I will have to comfort Peep, because you imagined him to be so small I honestly always wondered how you never managed to lose him in the crowd. But you never forgot to take care of him, because he was always more scared than you, and you know he loves you when you just take a moment to tell him *it will be all right *.\n\nAnd today, you look so much like him.\n\nI am waiting for your first free breath, but every time you open your lips it’s worse and your air feels poisoned. Your eyes can’t see us, your lungs can’t feel us, your fingers are claws that try to keep you docked to our reality.\n\nAnd then you let it go.\n\nI feel it. Lala feels it. Peep feels it. You let yourself go. Crying becomes living and living becomes a curse and the curse has your name written on it. \n\nYou know you can’t breathe without breathing. Not anymore. Peep whimpers and pulls my sleeve. Lala covers her beautiful mouth with a shaky hands.\n\nBut I won’t let you go. \n\n“You are beautiful.” I whisper. You just shake your head. You never believed it.\n\n“You are *alive*”. I try again. Your face disappears behind your hands.\n\n“You have so much to do.” Lala says. She’s looking at your notebooks, the running shoes, the oven, everything you loved at least once in your life.\n\n“You have so much to love.” Peep chirps. \n\n“Let *us* go. You are strong enough .” \n\n“Let us go.” Repeats Lala. \n\n“You have you.”\n\nYou open your lips, close them, open them again. \n“But I’m too... I can’t.”\n\n“You are beautiful.” I whisper. “Wouldn’t it be nice to be... alive?”\n\nAnd then you breathe. You pull back the hair. It’s almost too much, but maybe not, not too much. And then you let us go.\n\nYou finally open your eyes. The room is empty, and your life has just, just started.\n\n"
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1550514129",
"1550519193"
] | |
[WP] Ever since you were a toddler, a woman in gas mask and trench coat has always followed you around, no matter what. You know she's real and physical, but other people don't acknowledge her and she doesn't do much aside from stand at attention beside you at all times. | 14 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"She had been there at Angelo's birth, to witness the young boy's mother die from complications. She had been there when Angelo's father took a gun to his own temple and painted the nursery walls a jarring shade of red. She had been there when the foster home burned to the ground, taking with it twenty seven innocent children, sparing only the lives of Angelo and an intern care worker who was found some days later, hanging from the motel's rotary ceiling fan.\n\nWherever Angelo walked, she followed, death followed.\n\nWho was she? She was a mystery. A woman out of place and time. Not a figment of the imagination though, oh no, she was very much *there*. Though no one would dare look upon her a face... a face carefully concealed by a gas mask, the pipes of which were fitted to a back pack that continually sighed. The back pack held her lungs, of that Angelo was almost certain, though he never asked to look inside, he in fact never dared utter a word directly to the woman. The woman dressed in tertiary greys, with patches on her knees and elbows. Leather gloves permanently adorned her hands, thick soled boots kept careful watch of her feet. There was not an ounce of bare flesh to be seen. \n\nBut sometimes Angelo could see her eyes, great golden circles like fireflies trapped within a jar. Only these eyes, these flies, were murderous flickers of light that longed to be free. Even when the shine outgrew her eyes and danced upon the ringlets of her costume, the ribbing or the gas mark pipes, still no one would look upon her. They knew she was there, just the fact they parted from her path told Angelo she was real, at least as real as any silent, guardian stalker might be. You know they're there, watching from afar, you sense them, their leering gaze, their heavy breath... *but she's never far, not really.*\n\nThis silent stalker was not one for ceremony, no thick laced bushes, not tall breasted trees. She would stand beside Angelo, through each day and every night. She never slept, at least as far as Angelo could tell. And whenever trouble came a-knocking at his door *their door* she would be ready to whisk him away. \n\nConsider it, he was premature, a c-section, with a one in just shy of a million chance of surviving birth alone... and yet it was his mother that died. His father. *No, please, I don't want to think about that.* And then the foster home, a fire that should have stolen the lives of all inside, and eventually it had, even the intern who'd managed to break free from the flames. But not Angelo. Never Angelo.\n\nHe blamed *her* for his misery, for the death that stalked his pitiful life. *She takes the sun from the sky and spits on it, grinding my heart to powder in the dirt. I'm not allowed to love, I'm barely allowed to make a go at friends. She gets jealous, the selfish b\\*tch. It's all her fault, all of it! Mother, father, me. I hate her.*\n\n​\n\n*June 27th. 2023. Elizabeth.*\n\n​\n\n\"It doesn't bother you?\" Angelo was eighteen, and barely coping with his own reality, \"I mean, you can see her, right? She's there. Tall, spindly looking thing with a gas mask, breathing heavy, folded arms.\"\n\n\"She's there.\" Elizabeth smiled over her coffee, \"But no, she doesn't bother me.\"\n\n\"Well she should.\" Angelo leaned over the table, knocking aside a plate of waffles, his eyes were deeply concerned with what they saw, \"She's bad news, she's a leech, latches on to life and sucks it dry. You can't trust me, because you can't trust her. She'd be there, always watching. Even when you're sleeping.\"\n\n\"Slow down there cowboy.\" Elizabeth laughed, a sound that sent Angelo's heart into a flutter, something he rarely if ever experienced. It hurt, but in the sweetest way. \"Who said anything about sleeping with you?\"\n\n\"No, I didn't mean it like that...\" Angelo drew back, his eyes wide, cheeks flushed, \"I was just... just saying... well... you know...\"\n\n\"I'm afraid I don't.\" Elizabeth bit down on the lower part of her lip, he smile broadening.\n\n\"Well, it's just, if... if you ever stayed around me long enough to... well... to... fall asleep, that's all I'm saying. Like right now, if you just happened to hit the floor, she'd be there, watching. It's kinda disconcerting, don't you think?\"\n\nElizabeth shrugged, \"Don't worry,\" she tapped her coffee cup, smiling again, and that smile sent shivers down Angelo's spine, raising the tiny hairs of his arms and his neck, \"I don't think there's any danger of me falling sleep.\"\n\n​\n\nThey spent the next six months in blissful union, and for vague moments, fleeting kisses, the woman in the mask seemed to fade away, as if she wasn't really there at all. But of course she was, watching, always. It was perhaps this reason alone that saw Angelo take this so slowly, trying to keep check on his emotions. He was falling, and just as before the fall the stomach flutters with anticipation, after the fall the hurt would come, and it would come in a flood unabated by even the slightest of picket fences.\n\nThat flood would be their first time, under the unnerving watch of the mother in the mask. That flood would be their end...\n\n​\n\n\"Are you sure, you're ready?\" Angelo was sweating, even under the cool breeze that crept beneath the sheets.\n\nElizabeth smiled, his heart melted away, that was enough.\n\nAnd now there's something you must know, about the miracle child Angelo. Something of a gift he has, a gift he has not an ounce of control over, a gift he has no knowledge of. \n\nHe is poison, literal, seeping poison. And there is not a way in which you can tell what poison might come. Acid, mist, liquid, fog, there is no certainty, in its form, only certainty in its end. Death.\n\nHis mother, complications of birth, a poisoning of the blood. His father, found with a bullet in his skull, a poison of the mind. The foster home, burned to the ground, a poisoned gas, highly explosive. It just happens the intern hung herself before the gas could finish the job, already it was burning her alive from the inside out, so she chose an easier death, a gentler passing.\n\nThe poison comes at times of heightened emotion, the pain of birth, the loss of a mother, the loneliness and isolation that foster homes can sometimes bare. So see it now, Elizabeth, caught in wraps of poisoned love, Angelo entwined with ecstasy far beyond his own describing. \n\nI wish I could say that Elizabeth passed quickly, but she did not. With the greatest of emotion comes the most lethal of poison. Slowly acting to rinse away what humanity remained inside the melting corpse of sweet Elizabeth. For days after Angelo would sit in the puddle of what was, adding to it those tears he could find to cry. \n\nEmotion would betray him again, as poison would seep in gaseous form from out his body, drenching the building block of flats in which he lived, sauntering out into the streets. Eighty six in all would die, thirty nine more left barely living. \n\nSo what purpose has this watchful mother, if all she might do is watch as the poison spreads and with it Angelo festers into loathing. Her purpose is one of life, of one life, of Angelo's. She must watch him, she must only act to save his own self from parting this world. But for why? For the simple fact that inside the lively body of a boy just eighteen years of age there ticked a time bomb ready to explode. The trigger was his death, and with him all humanity might meet its end."
] | [
1,
7
] | [
"1550517327",
"1550522292"
] | |
[WP] You're a time traveler with OCD. You can come back to any moment of your life but can't resist the urge to make them absolutely perfect. You've been trying to fix your first day of highschool for 23 years. | 435 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\\*Car door slams shut\\*\n\nMom: Have a great first day sweetie! Love you!Me: Alright mom, see you later.\n\n*Shit, that's not what I'm supposed to say.*\n\n\\*Car door slams shut\\*\n\nMom: Have a great first day sweetie! Love you!\n\nMe: Alright mom, see you later, love you too.\n\nDick: Haha, momma's boy!\n\n*Damn it.*\n\n\\*Car door slams shut\\*\n\nMom: Have a great first day sweetie! Love you!\n\nMe: Alright mom, see you later...love you too.\n\nAaron: Hey man, first day am I right? Super nervous to see who's in my homeroom.\n\nMe: Yeah I hope Ashley's in mine.\n\n*No no no!*\n\nMe: Alright mom, see you later...love you too.\n\nAaron: Hey man, first day am I right? Super nervous to see who's in my homeroom.\n\nMe: Yeah, I hope I know some people.\n\nAaron: I'm sure we will. Who do you have again?\n\nMe: \\*groaning\\* Johnson. I hear he's a dick.\n\nJohnson: Is that what you heard?\n\n*How did we forget about this?*\n\nAaron: Hey man, first day am I right? Super nervous to see who's in my homeroom.\n\nMe: Yeah, I hope I know some people.\n\nAaron: I'm sure we will. Who do you have again?\n\nMe: Johnson. I hear he's not bad.\n\nJohnson: I hope you don't think so!\n\nMe: \\*surprised\\* Oh, Mr. Johnson! I'm looking forward to it, honestly.\n\nAaron: I have Mrs. Frizzle, how's she Mr. Johnson?\n\nJohnson: Oh she's wonderful. Well, you two have a good first day.\n\n\\*Johnson walks away\\*\n\nMe: Okay but really I hear he's a dick.\n\nAshley: Heard who's a dick?\n\nAaron: Mr. Johnson, his homeroom teacher.\n\nAshley: \\*excitingly\\* You have Mr. Johnston too? That's awesome, we have the same class!\n\nMe: Oh boy!\n\n*Oh boy?! Get it the fuck together.*\n\nMe: Johnson. I hear he's not bad.\n\nJohnson: I hope you don't think so!\n\nMe: \\*surprised\\* Oh, Mr. Johnson! I'm looking forward to it, honestly.\n\nAaron: I have Mrs. Frizzle, how's she Mr. Johnson?\n\nJohnson: Oh she's a hot mess.\n\n*Shit why did I...wait what? What did he say?*\n\nMe: Johnson. I hear he's not bad.\n\nJohnson: I hope you don't think so!\n\nMe: \\*surprised\\* Oh, Mr. Johnson! I'm looking forward to it, honestly.\n\nAaron: I have Mrs. Frizzle, how's she Mr. Johnson?\n\nJohnson: Oh she's wonderful. Well, you two have a good first day.\n\n\\*Johnson walks away, trips, and falls\\*\n\n*That didn't happen last time...what the hell?*\n\nAaron: I have Mrs. Frizzle, how's she Mr. Johnson?\n\nJohnson: Oh she's wonderful. Well, you two have a good first day.\n\n\\*Johnson gingerly walks away\\*\n\nMe: Hey did you see that?\n\nAaron: See what?\n\nAshley: Yeah see what?\n\nMe: Mr. Johnson, the way he walked away.\n\nAshley: No? Well I hear he's a dick anyway. I have him for homeroom.\n\nMe: \\*muttering\\* Yeah so do I...\n\nAshley: What?\n\nMe: Huh?\n\nAshley: Sorry did yo-\n\nMe: I was just sa-\n\nAshley: You go ahead.\n\nMe: No, please.\n\n\\[...\\]\n\n*Well this isn't good. Let's try again.*\n\nAshley: See what? Johnson trip?\n\nMe: Yeah...well no he didn't this time.\n\nAaron: What are you two talking about?\n\nMe: Wait...what did you say Ashley?\n\nAshley: Huh?\n\nMe: About Mr. Johnson just now. You saw him trip?\n\n*What the fuck is going on?*\n\nAshley: Heard who's a dick?\n\nAaron: Mr. Johnson, his homeroom teacher.\n\nAshley: \\*excitingly\\* You have Mr. Johnston too? That's awesome, we have the same class!\n\nMe: Oh...wait what? We did this part already.\n\nAshley: What? What do you mean?\n\nAaron: Are you okay man?\n\n*Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. Okay, here we go.*\n\n\\*Car door slams shut\\*\n\nMom: Have a great first day sweetie! Love you!",
"The strangest concept I'd ever had to try to explain about the situation is age. How does one measure that in my circumstance? Of course, I say the age I am genetically in the natural universe, the order in which things naturally play out. Even still, that doesn't feel right for I've seen my withered hands at 72, married my best friend 6 years from today, and can willingly play ball in the backyard with my dad from ages 6 to 8 any day of the week. I can see my dad anytime I'd like. Though he's been buried underground since I was 8, he can be alive whenever I choose. To some degree. There are limitations. \n\n​\n\nWhen people talk about how their past affects their future, how one event can shape the course of the rest of their lives, I think I have a fair amount of credibility to say that that is absolutely true. And yet, I have the same amount of credibility to say that healing that part of your life can also demonstrate that it is entirely false. Those moments empower or cripple us if we give them the right to. And I had. With my gift, I have an unfair advantage. I can go back. I can fix my mom's hair on her day of citizenship after running in the rain to get to the bureau on time. I can make my sister's groom arrive on time to the wedding after poor choices the night before. I can prevent those poor choices. And still, however much a moment can change, sometimes the people never do. \n\n​\n\nI'm currently 37 years old. This is me in the natural universe. I was born 37 years ago and the same amount of days. After a night of drinking I can get confused about that sometimes, so I write in a journal often to help me keep track of the days and years I've experienced chronologically, which is why I never spend more than one day in a different universe. It just makes things easier. You have to set boundaries when you have something so indulgent as this. If I could live a full summer back in 2004, I would. I would give up the rest of the future I haven't lived for that. But there are consequences for those things and I know them. I can't pay the price. \n\n​\n\nThere's a man at the end of the bed. His name is Clyde. He has now taken me out to three expensive dinners, bought me fifteen drinks, and has called me three times today to get in touch. So here he is. I like him. He has been married before. No kids. Likes to cook. Likes that I like to clean the dishes after he cooks. It's compatible. It's comfortable. It's sexy. I like his steady job and his mid-life crisis mode of wanting to pretend he's not the age he is. It works because I'm not the age I am, no matter what the journal says. \n\n​\n\nI don't get too caught up in life the way regular people do. I work at a flower shop with no aspirations to become anything more. I'm quite comfortable with all versions of the future I've lived, and my career never played a huge factor in what that looked like. But I like that he does care. Every day he lives is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I think he cherishes that more than most people do. He doesn't watch TV. He doesn't complain about the little things that happen. He buys my flowers and he grows his own herbs. The shop closes after he's done at the office and I come over for dinner. \n\n​\n\nHis top two buttons are undone from wine and dinner. He puts his hand on the bed close to my lap. I like the smile he has on his face. *It's not something he wants to take, it's something he wants to share*, I tell myself. I lean in to kiss him. I swoon thinking of kissing him every morning for the rest of this life. I swoon, though I've lived it countless times. \n\n​\n\nHe takes a hand onto my back and it's like a butterfly's wings are tapping my neck. Everything is as it should be in this moment. Then he puts a hand on my thigh, and, like every time from now till forever, I shudder and break. \n\n​\n\n\"What's wrong? I'm sorry. I misread something.\" He tries to come closer and I cover my ears and push him away with my feet, my back against the headboard. \n\n​\n\n\"No, no. It's fine. I'm sorry.\" I can't stop crying. I'm an idiot. I'm a loser. What's he gonna think of me? I know, but I don't always know, so the anxiety never goes away. \n\n​\n\n\"How can I help. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make things awkward.\" \n\n​\n\n\"Can you rub my back again. Please, Clyde. Please hold me.\" \n\n​\n\nHe holds me in his arms again. Each time like the final, brutal time. So I crumble there, a temple unmasked, for him to see all that lies within. Each time is painful and embarrassing. I close my eyes and flinch at the thought of them eyeing me down the first time. I pull my skirt down a little. I have to walk past them and they flick my skirt up and whistle at my thong. I'm red and running to the bathroom. I'm alone crying and I hear the door slam behind me. Three boys. Me. I tell them to fuck off. I try to scream but they're fast. They pull where they should be gentle, they force where they should ease. A gun in a lavender field, firing, firing away. \n\n​\n\nEventually I can open my eyes again and Clyde is still here. I know what this past can do to our future. I know what I have to do again. I have no strength to fix it tonight. I have nothing but time for Clyde tonight. Tomorrow I'll go back again, that first day of hellschool. \n\n​\n\nEach moment can last forever. No second is equal. Today is my first time naturally in that moment with Clyde, as all days that naturally occur are firsts. The difference for me are they are not always my last times in that day. Today is the day I fell in love with Clyde. I've lived this day three times before. I have lived my first day of high school seventeen times. I begin to itch thinking of it; I scratch my hangnail until it bleeds. Clyde kisses my fingers. I am the most powerful I've ever been, and still I am equally as tortured as before. I must go back. ",
"First, I wake up fifteen minutes late because my little sister decided to unplug my alarm clock to charge her iPod shuffle. Then, I choked on my toast. Then, I missed the bus and actually had to skip the day because my dad couldn't drive me and the school was a good five miles away, crossing a highway and multiple dangerous roads.\n\nIn hindsight, I probably should have just let this day stay skipped, but my perfectionist ass had to go and try to fix it.\n\nThe funny thing about all of it is that the beginning of the day was the *best part.* As soon as I deemed something to be fixed, something else popped up that made the day shitty all over again.\n\nMy ten-thousand, two-hundred, thirty-first try was the biggest kick to the balls.\n\nEverything had been perfect. My alarm went off. My bus came. The girl at the back of the bus didn't spit a piece of spearmint gum (chewed sixteen times) into my hair. I didn't mispronounce the teachers' names. I didn't drop my stuff. I knew the answer to every question. I broke up a fight at lunch. I didn't give Audrey a funny look when she asked me what period it was.\n\nI had this shit all down to a *science*. Every step, every spoken word, every smile, every... *everything* was perfect.\n\nLast period.\n\nIt was my perfect run. It was *the* perfect run. If I could just get through French class without anything happening, I was golden. I would catch a ride home with one of the seniors who liked me and be home-free, the first day done and over with for good. This would *have* to be easy; I graduated from college with seven years of French under my belt. If I fucked this up...\n\nI didn't even think about it as I plopped down into the blue chair, crossing my ankles underneath the desk, a perfect smile plastered onto my pale face. Forty minutes. That's all I needed to get through.\n\nThe bell rang and the chattering of the room stopped. Monsieur Terrin stood in front of the room, behind a little wooden pedestal that was supposed to bring a sort of commanding presence to whoever was standing behind it. The prospect seldom worked.\n\nI had done this bit before god-knows-how-many times, but this was the one. Everything else had been perfect today. If I screwed this up--\n\n\"Alex,\" Monsieur Terrin looked at me. \"Your turn to review. How do you say 'Do you go to the movies?'\"\n\nMy smile brightened (it was forced). \"Est-ce que tu vas la cinema?\"\n\n\"Very good,\" He nodded, content. I leaned back in my chair. This was going to be easy.\n\nI felt a gaze burn into my neck. I ignored it.\n\nThe forty minutes went by easily. This was it. This was *definitely* it.\n\nThe very last review question went to me and I answered as seamlessly as I answered the first one. I had never gotten this far. It was two minutes to the end of class, *two minutes*. I would have failed if not for my extensive knowledge of the French language.\n\nI smiled and leaned on my desk, waiting for that bell, waiting for the release of the time-loop I had trapped myself in.\n\n\"She's such a know-it-all. Her accent was so good.\"\n\nI frowned and allowed myself to glance to my right. That was Nina speaking. My heart sank.\n\nNina Young, who had been my best friend all through high school and college, was currently shit talking me.\n\n\"I've been in every class with her all day. She knew every answer and was always the first to raise her hand. Then when the teacher congratulated her, she was all like 'hah, lucky guess'. How stuck-up can you be?\"\n\nMurmurs of agreement rippled. They didn't think I could hear.\n\nThe bell rung and the entirety of the class filed out of the doors. I remained in my seat, practically shaking.\n\nI had been too perfect. I had lost my best friend.\n\nWiping a tear from my cheek, I closed my eyes, waited, and opened them up again to restart the day anew.",
"After 23 years, I'd done it.\n\nThe day starts with me immediately sneaking downstairs, past my uncle, and into the street. I make my way to the local petrol station and \"borrow\" one of their spare tires. The next thing to do would be to roll it back down the road - avoiding the police car, sixteen pedestrians, and a small dog (called Timothy) that would raise too many troublesome, time-consuming questions. Stow the tire in the boot of my uncle's car. That leaves me thirty-six seconds to get back into my room before my aunt would actually wake me up to go to school.\n\nNext, spend precisely seven minutes and thirty-five seconds in the bathroom. Any sooner and we get caught up in the pile-up on the motorway. Any later and my uncle is delayed by the bathroom tap exploding. Water everywhere. The timing works out so that my uncle closes the door just as the water begins to spray everywhere - it'll be noticed by my aunt about twenty minutes later - after we're gone.\n\nWe drive for sixteen minutes before we're stopped by a flat tire. I convince him that the spare tire is, for some reason, in the boot, and not in the garage where he thought it was. In actuality the spare tire at home is also flat. My uncle changes the tire - with my expert help - and we're back on the road in twenty-two minutes.\n\nThe plan continues - ask my uncle to stop so that I can be \"sick\", or else a faulty traffic light will cause another vehicle to plow into us at a junction.\n\nI endure my uncle's speech about him being nervous for *his* first day of high school, and that vomiting is a completely natural reaction. This is the worst part of my entire day.\n\nRound the corner and point at a *really* interesting bush on the right hand side - whilst my uncle is distracted, he won't notice the grizzly bear on the left side of the road, running at us, that escaped from the local zoo. Thankfully we barely outspeed it. My uncle complains about the engine noise of his car, blissfully unaware that the noise in fact belongs to the grizzly bear next to my window.\n\nOn final approach - change the radio station to avoid the alert about the grizzly bear, encouraging all citizens to stay indoors and not to make any unnecessary journeys. My uncle has always been a cautious man - he'll turn right back around and drive you home, forcibly. He doesn't know that on one of my past attempts, I discovered that the bear only wants a good belly rub.\n\nI'd finally done it.\n\nAfter 23 years, I'd finally made it to High School on my first day, on time, dressed appropriately, and without a bear in sight. Everything is just as it is supposed to be.\n\nI'd almost forgotten about the rest of the day.",
"Shit.\n\nI sighed, the weight of thousands of repeats pressing down on my shoulders. My finger hovered over the reset button. I'd tried to open a door the wrong way this time. I'd tried to open a door wrong. My finger tensed, the scene replaying over and over in my head. I wished I could've just shrugged it off, wished I could've just moved *on*.\n\nBut with the little worm in my head, the one whispering in my ear for everything to be *perfect*. I knew that wasn't an option.\n\nIt never was.\n\nMy finger pushed down and my body felt light for a second. Everything around me blurred as my senses stopped working. I could hear screeching and yet everything was silent. I feel pain, and yet everything was numb.\n\nThe sight of darkness was the first clue I got that I'd gone around. It was always the first thing I noticed. Every. Single. Time. That was at least something I could be thankful for.\n\nI relished in the darkness, staring at my eyelids for a time. Just another second, I repeated to myself. I could spare that much.\n\nSince the start—23 years, 17 days, and 3 hours ago—I'd been obsessive. At first, it had been fine; I'd always been like that. But no amount of OCD training I'd received in my life had prepared me for this. Well, not like anything could, really.\n\nI knew the day down to the second, each moment of it burned into my memory thousands of times over. And I never forgot any of it. Every misplaced step, every misheard word, every embarrassing moment, every single god damn reset. No matter how hard I tried, they'd stay in my mind. I'd been blessed with the ability to fucking *time travel*. But looking through my memories and cringing at each one, I hadn't been that blessed.\n\nThe morning passed in a blur just like it always had. I put on the clothes one-by-one, picking them from the labeled drawers with the perfect grip and the perfect timing. My shower was five minutes long exactly. My breakfast was the same—toast, butter, water, apple—and I made each item in the optimal way.\n\nRepeating the same day thousands of times had its perks, sometimes.\n\nI went to school on the bus—which was never my favorite choice, but I'd made the best of what I had. Each step was precise, I'd made it that way. My seat was always empty, that was perfectly calculated. And I sat right in front of Anna, just like I always had.\n\n\"Hey Jeremy,\" a familiar voice lilted to my ears in the exact same way as before. My neck was turning behind me before she could even say another word. \"Ready for the first day of school?\"\n\nI nodded, the answer to her question already at my lips. She'd asked it before. I'd *heard* it before. But I couldn't respond right away. No, that would look too creepy. I had to wait a natural amount of time. The two and a half seconds passed in the blink of an eye.\n\n\"Yeah,\" I said, making sure I had the perfect intonation in my voice. \"I've got everything prepared exactly as I need it.\"\n\nShe smiled at me, the warm smile she made every time. The little interaction with her I'd always had on the bus was one of the highlights of my day. I'd reset on this moment dozens of times. But those ones had always been easy.\n\n\"Great!\" she said, her tone a little more excited than normal. My heart started racing and I had to resist the urge to furrow my brow. \"I'm excited about it too.\"\n\nI smiled at her. Or, I gave her the best that I could and turned myself back around. That marked the end of the conversation. I'd never responded again, and she'd never asked any further. My breathing slowed as things went back to normal and the grip I'd had on the device in my pocket lessened.\n\nI let out a breath—a small one as to not upset any of the air in the bus—and just waited for the rest of the day.\n\n\"Jeremy?\" Anna asked. My blood froze, the world in front of my blurring for a second. She'd asked again. She'd *never* asked again. \"I'm actually a bit nervous because I don't know my way around, could you help me out?\"\n\nI turned around slowly, my heart racing in my chest. I opened my mouth, waiting for some words to come to my lips. They had to come to my lips. I *needed* them to.\n\nBut nothing did.\n\nThe moment solidified in my mind, marking itself as a memory never to be forgotten, and tears welled up in my eyes. \n\nShit.\n\nI turned back around, not letting her see my face ever again, and reached into my pocket. The small metal device stared me in the face, taunting me with how much I'd used it.\n\nMy wish that I could just let it go was drowned in the wave as my anxiety washed over my mind. I wished it every time. But I knew it wouldn't stick.\n\n\"Jeremy?\" Anna asked again, her voice echoing in my ears. \n\nIn fact, that was the last thing I heard before I closed my eyes and hit the reset button. Again.\n\n---\n\n/r/Palmerranian\n\n\n\n"
] | [
1,
1,
5,
13,
21,
72
] | [
"1550524937",
"1550542485",
"1550542236",
"1550533960",
"1550532603",
"1550525765"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] Either by a blessing or by a curse, you've been allowed to see the threads of fate, the entropic paths things will take. You see the order in disorder, peace among the chaos. You try to change the paths of the worst of it, trying to make things better. Sometimes you succeed, others you fail. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/Red_Yeti42, 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/as2lg8/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550526869",
"1550527003"
] |
[removed] | [WP] The elder has been missing for a few moon cycles, until one Day, you can smell the elder's presence within the Titan's Personnal Chamber. You rush to the gate which the Giant open while mumbling a low pitched sound and to your deepest fears, You find the elder, Cursed by the gods. | 2 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi u/souzouker, 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/as47mb/-/%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.*"
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550536395",
"1550536574"
] |
[WP] Everyone has heard of King Midas; the man that can turn everything he touches into gold. You have a similar ability. Everything you touch turns into golden retrievers. | 12 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Another day, another trial. I wake up on the ground, as usual. It's the only thing I can touch, besides dogs. Luckily whoever gave me this curse made it that way so I couldn't just touch the ground and kill everybody. You see, everything I touch with my fingers.turns into a dog, specifically a Golden Retriever. It'd be a cool trick, if it didn't mean *everything.* Yes, even people. I try to keep up a normal life, but it is pretty difficult. Today, I'm having a date. A date with a woman I've known a few weeks now, her name is Amanda. I chose to walk, getting in a car would have the obvious outcome. Surprisingly, the date was pretty successful, although trying to hold a fork without fingers is more difficult than you would think. It was nice, but then she came in for a hug.\n\nI wasn't ready. She was being covered in fur and sprouted a tail. Her ears grew, and her bones changing caused her to fall over. Her screams of shock quickly turned to howls as her jaw and nose changed. Who was once a great woman was now just a good girl."
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550563089",
"1559960259"
] | |
[removed] | [WP] Aliens, on an exploratory mission, are studying other cultures by examining their most popular website. They get to earth, but an unknown glitch in their computer system ends up sending them to a certain subreddit...... | 0 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hi, 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 100 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\nFeel free to repost without the question or fill-in-the-blank element!\n\nPrompts 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[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20Post) 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\nThis action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things. "
] | [
1,
1
] | [
"1550576079",
"1550578525"
] |
[WP] During all these years being a superhero, you assumed that your superpower was just Super Luck. One day, you find a machine and a note in your house. "I helped you. I must retire. It's your turn now." signed by you. This is a time machine. | 79 | [
"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Reality+Fiction\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\\(Simple+Prompt\\)&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/XYsEYfS)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day. To the last syllable of recorded time;And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.*\n\nAfter the initial shock faded away, Charlie tucked the small, pen-like, machine into his front pocket. In silence he brewed a pot of coffee, went into his study, and closed the door. \n\nHe looked to the skull resting on his desk. Melodramatic, perhaps, but he’d always been a sucker for Shakespeare. \n\n“You see, Hamlet. I’ve left myself quite the conundrum,” Charlie said. \n\nHe sipped his coffee, then set it down and picked up the skull. \n\n“By leaving myself this note, I may have placed myself into a never ending loop. Perhaps I was always supposed to begin this way, with a note. Perhaps each time I find it, I brew a pot of coffee, lock myself in my study, and come here to speak with you.”\n\nHe looked into the holes left where Hamlet’s eyes had been, “There have been times in my life where I’ve been a little too lucky, times where I’ve *known* my success was a miracle. I can acknowledge that I would not be where I am today if not for that luck, hell I might even be dead once or twice over. If it’s true that it was me helping myself with this device all along....”\n\nHe sighed and set the skull down. “We are creatures of the present. The past is dead and the future doesn’t exist, Hamlet. It stands to reason that I, in this moment, am now left with the task of providing myself aid in every instant where another version of myself has been before. If I don’t, it may never happen, and thus I never get here. This creates more problems, however. I can remember a few days where...ha.” \n\nCharlie chuckled, a low, bitter laugh. He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and pulled out a bottle of Cognac. A moment later he raised a large glass to his lips. He thought about the day he’d proposed to Delilah, the day he’d been rejected. The worst day of his life. “I can remember days that I *should* have fixed, if I really could. But alas, I know how things turned out. If I change them now, what will happen Hamlet? Will I be a better man? Will I cease to exist?”\n\nHe stood again and thought of Delilah. He *could* change the past with this device, but...\n\n“Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer\nThe slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,\nOr to take arms against a sea of troubles,\nAnd by opposing end them?”\n\n~\n\nr/CharlestonChews "
] | [
1,
2
] | [
"1550580483",
"1550625595"
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.