Almost Drabbles

Roleplaying and Games
101
I'm too tired to know if this is particularly coherent but

“Do you die when they take your memories?”
The familiar voice drifted through the boy’s head as he drifted into consciousness. His head hurt terribly, and he put his hands to it in an attempt to quell the pain.
His hands were strangely huge, his head strangely defined.
Oh, I’m an adult, he thought.
“Because I feel like I’ve died. Like I lost so many important things…”
The boy looked up to find he was in a small metal cage in a row of small metal cages, each containing a person. The one who had been speaking was a tall demon, slouching to fit in his cage.
His red eyes seemed dull with sadness and too young for his middle aged face.
“I’m… dead?” the boy asked, thinking the words sounded silly as soon as they left his mouth.
“I suppose you’re not, as I can see,” the dark haired demon said, “I guess it’s not us who died, it’s… whoever we were.”
A demon girl sighed.
“Where am I?” the boy asked nobody in particular, hoping somebody knew.
Somebody did know. One of the older demons, who was in the cage not because he supported peace but because he’d angered the ones in charge here.
“They plan to make you fight each other. Then whoever is left will fight in the war for them.” the grey haired demon said.
In comparison with the innocence in the eyes of the ones lacking memories, his eyes were haunted.
“Why?” the boy asked.
“We’re angry. There was peace for a while, but the humans kept pushing for our land, and after a skirmish things exploded into full blown war. There are those who want peace, but the most powerful ones of those from each side have had their memories erased.”
The older demon shut his mouth, knowing his allies would kill him if he so much as gave the two a hint about who they were.
Several hours passed, in which the boy exchanged meaningless words with the black haired demon. Commenting on what they could see and feel, how they could speak but not remember the names of plants, why the grey haired demon wouldn’t give them any more information.
When the sun had moved a few handspans in the sky, a stream of angry looking demons in war armor came and took the boy and the black haired demon out of their cages.
They took them to a deep pit and shoved them in. Through this the boy saw no point in fighting back- with them unarmed in their thin tunics and the angry demons in war armor, there seemed to be no point.
After hitting the ground hard, the boy stared up at the angry demons, wondering if they’d throw something dangerous in after them.
“You’re so different from each other, aren’t you scared?” one of the crowd asked.
The boy was more scared of the crowd of angry looking demons than of the guy he’d just spent the last few hours talking peacefully to. He exchanged a bewildered glance with the black haired demon, then looked back at the crowd above them.
“They’re bound to fight if we leave them there long enough. And if not, they’ll still be powerless as long as they’re not taught anything. Fain said we should make them both fight for us, but I think if they’re that powerful, it’ll be too much like how they were. Not worth the risk.”
The crowd kept talking among themselves as they walked away.
The boy looked at his friend, the only person there who could understand how he was feeling. Lost, confused, and scared.
The solemn demon looked back at him, his steady gaze reassuring.
“I wonder if we were enemies in our past lives,” the demon said.
The boy just looked at him, hoping the demon wasn’t going to attack him.
“Regardless of that, it looks like you’re my only ally here.” said the demon.
The boy nodded, relieved.
“We need to get out of here.” he said.
They tried digging at the walls, but they were slick. There was barely anything else in the pit besides some dung and a puddle of rainwater.
After some time they were sitting on the ground again, back to back.
“What do you think the past me would have done?” the demon wondered, pulling his knees up to hug them.
“He’s gone, isn’t he?” the boy said, irritated at the demon’s obsession with the question.
Perhaps it was something for him to cling to, though. Was he just as scared as the boy, the boy wondered.
“I think he would have sprouted wings and carried me out of here.” the boy said, then realized what he’d said and laughed at the absurdity of it.
“Sprouted wings, huh…” the demon said, leaning forward.
The boy felt something press against his back and push him forward, and his eyes widened as he looked back at the demon, giant wings emerging from his now ragged tunic.
“What do you know, I really can shapeshift,” the demon said, wide eyed, “I guess we really must have known each other, huh?”
“…Huh,” the boy was just as shocked, “we should get out of here as fast as possible now.”
He wondered for a split second if the demon would take him with, then the demon grabbed him around the middle and pulled him into the air with the loud sound of his massive wings beating.
His touch was incredibly familiar, the boy had a split second to notice before his mind was filled with the tiny, retreating ground.
They almost got away without anyone noticing them, but one demon’s eyes happened to be turned to the sky and it only took a moment for a whole horde to be chasing them.
They were fast closing in, and the boy urged the demon to fly faster, but he knew they’d be too slow with the boy’s weight dragging the demon down.
“Do something!” the demon screamed at the boy.
The boy’s heart raced harder, and his hand pointed at the demons without a thought from him.
“Get away!!!” he screamed, and a burst of blue-white energy shot from his hand, burning the demons to a crisp in an instant.
A pit of dread opened in the boy’s stomach. This too felt familiar. And he felt like he’d sworn to never do it again.
“What was that?” the demon asked, breathing heavily from the effort of flying.
“I… I killed them.” the boy settled for, not sure what the energy was.
“Convenient that you have that magic. I wonder what else we can do!” the demon said, a cheery smile in his voice.
There was also something murderous about it. The boy frowned.
“You don’t feel… Well, I suppose there’s no point in feeling bad now, but I think the past me wouldn’t have liked this.”
“We’re not dead, then. Even if we have to kill other people to get by, I’m just glad… I’m glad that I remember you.” the demon said, gripping the boy tightly as he descended into the forest.
The boy felt the same way. He was sure that whatever uncertainty lay ahead, figuring out his own morality or goals, the answers lay in his companion. Through him, the boy felt that it was possible to rediscover his past self.

Next:
Fire

2 Likes
102

:joy:

LOL SAME >.>

I hummed as I swung my legs. The cold linoleum floor I was laying on didn’t bother me the slightest. However, the faint suffocation was. But still, I continued with my coloring book, desperate to finish. Engrossed, I didn’t notice the faint odor of smoke, nor the black fog slowly thickening. It wasn’t long before my breaths grew more labored, panting. My eyes were watering and I could no longer see the colorful pages before me. Everything was a mess. “Momma?” I called, despite knowing full well she wasn’t here on this earth. “Papa?” I called, despite knowing he was out drinking away his sorrows. Stumbling, I crawled and staggered about, to nowhere in particular. I crawled by the TV, using my hands as a guide. This is coming from the kitchen. Slowly, I made my way to the small doorway that was barely noticeable through the grime. Inside, embers cackled as its flamed tongues licked every bit of fuel it could grasp. It leaped from the countertop to the wooden cabinets, to the ceiling, and to the wooden beams I never knew was above. I stayed there, basking in the masochistic glory as it consumed everything. Even me. A vicious ‘crack’ snarled its way through the flames from above, and it wasn’t long before I waved hello to my mother in the sky.

Next:
Meadow

2 Likes
103

(I love how dark that was :D)

The first thing I feel is the tickle of grass on my face. My body feels heavy and comfortable, and the open air brushes my face as it dances past.
I open my eyes to see an impossibly blue sky, far away yet crystal clear with vivid clarity.
Sitting up, I gaze blankly across a sea of green, perfect tall grass, every single strand waving in the wind, emphasizing the distance all around me.
I rub my head as confused memories come back, all muddy and blurred.
A classroom, confusion and screaming, that ever-present green light that enveloped everything as everyone panicked and tried to figure out what was happening.
Unless it was caused by someone?
I rub my head, but the jumbled memories don’t become any clearer.
The fact that there are no people around here sinks in. I don’t feel hungry or thirsty, but…
“Where am I?” I ask, my voice sinking and fading into the open air.

Next:
Buy

2 Likes
104

(XD thank you!! / I loved how yours had that looming evil in the air ^o^)

She stumbled through the masses of people, barely making it to the glorious truck up ahead. “Whoever parked on top of this hill,” she stopped for a moment, sweat dripping down her back like little beads of ants, “I’m coming for you.” It was an uphill battle. Literally. Trudging through the heat, even the grass laid smothered in her wake. The automobile’s colorful patterns taunted her of the sweet heaven that was just up ahead, only a few feet with reach. Her pace lulled and her feet staggard forwards a couple more inches.The man in the window, with the AC on high and feet up on the dashboard, bobbed his head to the music that was playing outrageously loud. She slumped onto the window ledge, the man jumping in sudden fright. “A…pop…ci…cle… p-please…” The man looked around, perhaps searching the inventory, before giving her a apologetic look. “I-I’s sorry but we’re sold out.” Her eyes furrowed, temporarily overcoming the oncoming wave nausea. “Then give me something else.” She watched as his head shook. “I-I meant we’re sold out of everything.” She stared in disbelief as a tiny drop of tears rolled down her cheek.

Next:
Flight

2 Likes
105

–it has been a while XDD

The summer air is oppressively hot around his shoulders.
His tired eyes track the movement of a few birds startled into flight from the trees.
Neil feels like he isn’t breathing, even when he is, every breath filled with the same overwhelming heat as the last one. His head presses down on him with a dull ache, blinding out all his other thoughts. He hates this weather. Despises it. He wishes it would be cold again, the snow swirling down from the sky and the icicles hanging from the end of all the overhangs.
He shifts from his windowsill, and all his muscles protest, dragging him down. He’d been waiting on the promise of some breeze, some air, anything to break through this numbing weather. He rocks unsteadily against his wall, feeling the sweat gritty against his skin and clothes, a thin grime like a second skin.
He takes another breath as everything suddenly moves, too fast for him to comprehend, and he breathes out again as the cool floor presses against him, bringing some of his senses back.
He closes his eyes, and presses his fingers to the smooth tiles, feeling the harsh surface suddenly give, and he knows what’s happening. He fights getting pulled into it, but he falls anyway, into another dream, or nightmare, or whichever this new vision would prove to become.

In another breath, he’s sitting up again, and it takes everything in him not to flinch at the space the suddenly opens up below him. He stumbles back, pressing against rough tiles as he looks around, realizing it’s cool, it’s nighttime, and he’s on the roof.
Why is he on the roof?
Something rustles at his side, and he startles a second time as he looks down.
It’s that familiar green.
The color that he’s seen flashes of around Nidhii on occasion.
“…but you wouldn’t know, unless you-” the green thing trails off as it meets his bewildered gaze.
“Oh dear. You’re not you, are you?”
Neil’s lips curl. Why’s it talking to him? He kicks at it, and the thing jumps away, hissing. Neil almost loses his balance with the motion, and his heart leaps to his throat for a second, but he doesn’t fall.
Alright, how on earth did he get up here? And how on earth can he get down?
“I am not a fan of you. I knew you were too unpredictable. How’s it like, living a life with no friends? You’re lucky anyone puts up with you–”
Neil ignores the babbling thing, looking carefully for the sign of movement below. If he could signal someone-- but who would be awake at this time of day?
“You could get seen, you moron!”
“Shut up!” He snaps, and he’s startled at how different his voice sounds. Older. Lower.
“Don’t you tell me to shut up! Wait, don’t lean over-”
And suddenly, he’s tackled back, a heavy weight hitting his chest…

And he’s opening his eyes in the orange-ish afternoon light of his room again.
He lets out a long sigh, closing his eyes and curling up against the headache.

next!
fire

3 Likes
106
Story

Naomi looked up at the star-splattered sky, trying her best to ignore the chill setting in as the twilight crept towards dusk. She’d been away for far too long, and the Skyrrii desert was a mess–not that it hadn’t been before she left. Oh no, the Skyrri had always been a mess. It was just worse now.

A lot worse.

She tried not to think about it as more and more stars flickered into view, but the reality still loomed at the back of her mind. It probably would every moment she was in the Skyrrii until she could get it straightened back out, and even then… Would she really be able to forget about it?

Probably not.

She sighed, shook herself, and tried to focus on the sky again. She flopped back into the sand, then thought all the better of it. It wouldn’t do for someone to see her lying in the dirt. She gave a slightly pained sigh and sat back up, crossing her ankles out in front of her. The night was cool, not quite cold, and it was a pleasant relief from the time she’d recently spent up North, on the far side of the Mountains of Fire, where it was always miserably cold. Always. She wasn’t sure how-

Footsteps in the sand behind her.

Her heart raced, skipped a beat or two. She clenched her fist, hardly watching as fire erupted therefrom, as she turned to see who–or what–was approaching. She could still hear the footsteps, but she couldn’t see what they belonged to. It wasn’t helping any. She turned around the other way, still nothing…

The ripple of an illusion caught her attention and she whirled back the other way, breath catching in the quickly dropping temperatures.

“Whoah, easy there, Firecracker,” a familiar voice teased.

Her breath slowed a bit as his illusion faded and Caspian Myhiten became visible again. She released her fist slowly, letting the fire dissipate and letting out a low, nervous laugh. Her heart was still racing as she reached out to grab the fiery red hair of the Northerner in front of her to pull herself up.

He made a sound, not quite a hiss, and ducked out of the way so she grabbed his shoulder instead. “Things that rough around here, huh?” he asked, pulling her to her feet.

She nodded, watching the first traces of a white puff of frozen air as she exhaled. “Yeah…” She paused, still shaking with adrenaline as she looked over to the red, clay, domed building she had earlier come out of. “It’s getting cold now,” she continued, making eye contact again. “Why don’t you come inside?”

I wanted to write so much more but it was getting long I thought-

Next:
Lake

3 Likes
107

long is fine- I’ve written some very long ones

Summary

Hands plant themselves in my back, sending me flying through the air. The water that was such a pleasant view a moment ago hits me hard, dragging me down by the shoes, filling my clothes and pulling the warmth out of my skin alarmingly fast.
I kick desperately, trying to get my shoes off, panicking at the tight feeling in my chest.
My shoes won’t come off and I can’t get myself to rise in the water. Despite myself, I gasp in panic and fill with water that seems to dampen my awareness instantly, even the longing for sweet, thin air fading.
Something bursts through the water from my numb lower half, and the water ripples out around my neck as I draw an impossibly deep breath, filling me with clarity.
My legs have turned into a long, flexible scaled tail and I’m somehow breathing water.
I easily rise to the surface and look up at the land I was standing on, but whoever pushed me is gone.
I have so many questions.

Next:
Centuar

3 Likes
108

Hooves ram the ground, creating a cloud of dust that nearly obscures the small houses in my village.
What is it now? Is someone else blaming us for something just because we’re the outcasts, living outside of the massive trees and nutritious mushrooms of the main fairy city?
I’m picked up by the wings, pinching my nerves.
I hate that. They have no right to touch me.
I glare around at the centuar holding me with a look of disdain. I want to send the shadows inside me to fill his nose, slashing at his throat from the inside and choking him on his own blood.
“Where is the Sword of Giants?” he asks.
Like I thought, another person blaming us for something we didn’t do.
“I don’t know but I wish I had stolen it so I could get some satisfaction out of your unhappiness, you filthy horse-brain,” I tell him.
He shakes my wings and I clench my teeth to keep from crying out.
Then he tosses me to the side and I hit the ground hard, rolling backwards.
“Leave me alone!” a voice says, and I turn just in time to catch another dark fairy wrapping their shadows around a centuar.
That’s all the prompting I need to send my own shadows out. Living on the run is going to be hard for the young ones, but right now I’m too angry to think about where we’re going to stay the winter.

Next:
Path

3 Likes
109

Well, in that case- Actually this one’s not that long.

story

We all have one, whether we realize it or not, a path we follow that, ultimately, guides us in our decisions. Sometimes we get on the wrong one, and that’s okay. It doesn’t matter how far down the wrong road we go, we can always turn around and find the right one. And sometimes it takes stumbling around in the woods for years before we finally get back on our path, only to realize we were happier in the woods. That’s when we makes a new path. Blaze a new trail. Make our own way, stand up and fight for what we never had—what we’ve only heard of in songs or stories—because somehow, it still matters to us. We still remember it, almost like we actually experienced it. That’s why we’re here, in uncharted territory, finding old paths anew.

Next: Rose

3 Likes
110

Her eyes glimmered as he knelt, smiling his cheesy smile. His hands enclosed the small velvety box, its smooth fabric giving a sweet shine that seemed to be impossibly silky. It was the day she was waiting for her entire life, since the very moment they’ve known each other. Ever so slowly, the lid opened revealing its content. Something she’s been dreaming of since she read her first fairytale. “Will you…” He didn’t finish before she gave a hearty shriek. “YES!!” She sprung from where she sat, eagerly holding out her ring finger. The man gave an awkward smile. She, however, only saw that it as a attempt at flirting. She batted her eyelashes. The man took out a bracelet from the box, and her smile slipped immediately. “Oh, uh, what’s this?” She struggled to refrain herself from flipping her finger, deeming it as un-ladylike. “A bracelet! I saw how much you wanted it the other day when we went shopping. Or actually, your best friend told me to get it for you, so I might as well. Plus, that was great practice for me to propose to my girlfriend.” The man beamed. Nervously swallowing down the hurt, her fingers trembled as she brushed her fingertips over the rubies. His girlfriend’s favorite gem. “I-I love it. Thanks.” She slipped it on, not wanting to hurt him, but it burned her wrist. It etched its existence into her, reminding her that she wasn’t number one. Allison was. She hated herself for hating her. Allison was a great, no, spectacular person. She was everything she wasn’t. “Oh! One more thing!” He presented her with a single rose. “Here! I know how much you loved roses.” She gave a small sigh. “Or how much Allison loved roses…” she mumbled under her breath. Jake didn’t hear, thankfully. “Thanks.” Tears were threatening to spill and were on the brink of overflowing as she clutched her wrist. The gemstones dug into her palm. His phone buzzed. "Oh, I gotta go. Ally wanted to spend some time together."Jake quickly slipped the rose behind her hair before running out the door, leaving her behind. There was a small sting. Her finger brushed her ear where the rose was and it came away, red. Blood slowly trickled down her chin, staining the white tulips sewn onto her gorgeous dress, but the pain in her heart was greater than even the happy future she imagined.

Next:
Gross

3 Likes
111

I stir a slug into the soup, contemplating what else is edible but gross. Ah, I heard that the kind of beetle on the wall can be eaten! I pluck the struggling beetle off the wall and throw it into the boiling pot, chuckling.
Nobody would eat anything made by me, normally, but it just so happens that we’re having soup at the festival today. I’m sure I’ll find a way to replace it.

Next:
Positivity

1 Like
112

The smile bursts from my face, reflecting the bright green vines I shoved into my chest an hour ago.
Positivity is said to mess with your personality, but I don’t mind that, I just needed to be happier. And now I am! I’m so grateful that the rich nobleman whose trash I rummage through throws away so much food. I’m so grateful his roof extends far enough to keep me dry in a rainstorm. I’m so grateful that he pities me enough let me stay around. I’m so…
This doesn’t feel right.
I’m so grateful that there’s plenty of wild Positivity around here! Putting some more vines in won’t be too much, I need enough Positivity in me to be optimistic about the future too!
I pull more vines out of the damp earth by the nobleman’s stone wall and shove it into my chest, feeling it flow through my limbs until it’s fully melded with me.
I’m going to become a millionaire, I can feel it. No, a billionaire! No, the ruler of the entire world! I don’t know how but that’s never stopped anyone!

Next: Trial

1 Like
113

It was nearly time and he was not ready for the outcome. This is something that will determine everything. He will finally know whether or not will he remain in the prison cell or be set free. The courtroom was fully of tension as he waited for the jury to reach the verdict. It was becoming hard to breathe. He could not breathe because it was suffocating. The air was riddled with despair and he was unable to control his raging heartbeat. The judge spoke, the jury answered, the wait was killing him inside. The trial was over and the tears rolled down his cheeks. He was found guilty.

Next: Headstrong.

1 Like
114

I didn’t care what everyone said, I was going to tie the passing dimensional rift down. I was getting bored of playing in the few dimensions around us, trapped in my eternal youth with nothing to entertain me.
I set up the magical runes and pushed a hand through the portal that strained to be free from the constraints I’d made for it- only for my hand to be burned.
There was nothing but lava through there! Well, I’d have to make a spell for that. I was going to explore the new dimension, lava or no.

Next: can

1 Like
115

She glances up, just in time, and behind the flashes of camera and bright ceiling lights, she sees someone so achingly familiar that she can’t help but notice them.
Their gazes connect, and suddenly, the world around her is quiet.
All thoughts flush away, and she’s left with her mouth hanging open, frozen in place like a fool in front of the eyes of so many.
The other girl looks… concerned, on her behalf.
Which baffles Noon, because she suddenly feels their roles have been reversed.
A reporter moves, Cailyn is obstructed from view.
Noon strains to stand on her toes to see over them, steps away from the podium, even.
Cailyn is still there, still looking concerned.
Huh.

next!

uncertain

2 Likes
116

My hand hits the handle of the door I’ve always avoided in these dreams, unexpectedly. I’ve never so much as touched it before, but when I end up in this dark room its looming presence quickly erases my other feelings, leaving only a deep, stomach sinking dread.

Always in the darkness that one sight is visible, the glint of the doorknob, a sight that makes my heart race, my stomach sink, fear surge in a rapid river through my body, racing around my head and chasing out rationality.

Now that bright gold glint is beneath my fingers, the horror of it seeming bigger than the fist that covers it, bigger than my whole body. Sinking in that feeling, I know the only way to be free of these dreams forever is to find out what’s behind this door.
Uncertain, waves of terror racing through me like electric red lines that push themselves through the suffocating darkness, I turn the bright gold thing that I thought was a door handle and pull.

Next: Reach

1 Like
117
Here-

Micah reached a little further, so close to the falls now that the spray soaked his sleeve. He cussed under his breath and drew back his hand, looking for another handhold. “How is it I always get stuck with the Ghost Falls region?” he muttered. He’d climbed the falls enough times one would think he’d have figured out how to do it by now, but nope. He never payed enough attention to the task for that. He reached far enough up to grab onto something and pull himself up a little further, hunting now for a toehold. “Always Micah,” he continued. “Micah can handle Ghost Falls. Micah can handle the traitor. Micah can do this, Micah can do that.” He huffed as he found a place to stick his foot that felt secure enough to support his wait and pushed himself up a little higher. He stole a glance up toward the top of the water fall and shook his head, finding the next hold. “Why couldn’t, I don’t know… Joshua handle Ghost Falls? Or Kit, or Jed, or literally anybody else, Head Quarters. I’ve had this sector for six straight cycles now, don’t you think it’s time for a bit of a change?” He reached for the next hold and shook his head again.

He might not worship the God said to haunt the falls, but he still didn’t want to mess with his ghost. Calypsa’s wrath was plenty, he didn’t need this guy breathing down his neck, too. He hissed under his breath and looked up again. A few more holds and he might be able to reach the top… But that might be too much of a stretch, too. He huffed again and reached another hold. “Ranger’s ain’t supposed to be chicken, Head Quarters. Maybe you should start enforcing that rule, huh?”

He glanced up again. Still, the top of the falls hovered just out of reach. He let out a soft moan and rested his head against the rock, breathing for a moment before he reached for the next hold. A few more and he swore he’d be at the top, but he didn’t seem to be making much progress. “I’m getting tired of this water fall, Head Quarters,” he hissed, reaching for another hold. It was getting tedious at this point and he just wanted to reach the top. “But we can’t all have what we want, can we?” he continued.

He looked up, letting out a sigh of relief. Finally, he was able to just reach and grab the top of the rock formation with a strong enough grip to put his other hand up there and hoist himself up. He knelt of the damp stone to catch his breath. After a moment, he stood to his feet, looking at the raging water fall he’d just climbed, knowing he’d have to climb back down again in just a few hours, and his heart sank. He just wanted out of this place… Please.

Next: Feather

2 Likes
118

My head is as hot as desert sand at the height of day and my body is as light as a feather.
I try to get to my feet, but waver weakly, my head becoming light, rushing pins and needles filling my head and vision, white and blank.
I fall back to my knees, waves of nothingness crashing through my head as the landscape around me turns into a dream, the faint feeling of human shapes as vague as shadows swimming around me, the feeling of a hand on a shoulder that might be mine coming from miles away, time skipping, I’m with someone, supporting me as they guide me through the blinding, piercing sunlight, I should be worried about what they’ll do to me but I can’t find my body, my head is swimming, I’m gone

Next:
Taste

1 Like
119

The morning after it was all over, I woke up with the taste of mint and dirt in my mouth. I picked my head up off the ground to find crushed spearmint beneath me.
I was so dazzled by the light in the sky and how enormous it all was that I simply lay on my back for a while, drinking in the sunlight like I was a plant that lived off it.
The breeze was open and free, and absolute freedom awaited me. A sense of lightness like I’d never felt before.
I would never wake up again to find another terrible situation with them finding a reason to hurt me. They were dead and I was alive.
I got up that day and swore to make the most of my newfound freedom. Even when I was hungry and thirsty and exhausted and cold, I never once regretted what had happened.
That’s why there’s mint in my garden, sweet child. To remind me of the taste of freedom, that first day.

Next: Force

120
The Force of Gravity

The force of gravity is something we learn about in a high school physics room. As our understanding of language grows, the words might even come to have some other meaning. A force of nature, or a force to be reckoned with, and the gravity of a situation. All situations that make perfect sense, but are totally removed from what I’m trying to say. The force of gravity… It’s something we come to accept, but never fully understand or appreciate, and it’s not something we’re ever allowed to tamper with…

Or at least, that’s the way it’s always been. We’ve never had just cause to tamper with the force of gravity, regardless of how it tampers with our lives, and for that reason, perhaps, we’ve never thought to tamper with it. Or…

Or perhaps we have, and thought it impossible. Whatever the reason, we’ve never really come to appreciate the raw destructive power of the universe’s most complicated elementary force. Now, of course, we’ve always known about that power. If you drop an egg from a second story window… Well, you just- Won’t have an egg anymore. Go up much higher than that, and you won’t have much of anything that you drop over the side. And we know about a planet where the water on it stays frozen despite the temperature being well above it’s boiling point, but that’s still not what I’m talking about. Remember how I mentioned tampering with the force of gravity? Well, to keep it simple, I’ll just say it like this:

I’m wearing a pair of fingerless gloves that are riddled with all kinds of buttons. I made these gloves myself, and as long as I’m wearing them, I have the power to… Oh, I don’t know… Topple a city if I wanted to. But that’s not why I made them. Sure, it could be fun to see a city crumble under its own weight, but my plan is for a much more… Micro scale.

When I was a kid I saw something happen, and because that thing happened, my dad went away, and my mom moved to somewhere… underground. So I was alone. And I have been alone. And that’s not good for a kid. And I can talk about my trauma all day, and I have. Lots of days. Or… I can finally stop talking, and do something about it.

I’m kind of in public now, so maybe talking would be the safer route, but I’m kind of tired of being safe. I can see him now, and he has a flight to catch. The man who did this to me. He’s going on vacation somewhere I would really like to go.

So I pressed a couple buttons on my gloves, and suddenly, there’s a not so pretty scene on the floor in front of me, and now, I have a flight to catch.

Next: Ringing

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