Free violin sheet music pachelbel
FreeSheetMusicNotes
2017.03.28 08:22 girlinbluee FreeSheetMusicNotes
This Sub will show a Piano Free Sheet Music or Music Notes for everybodys The Piano Tutorial contains Free Sheet Music welcoming here!
2011.02.12 15:55 Juliano94 Violinist
For All Things Violin
2008.08.04 07:24 Share and Request Sheet Music
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2024.05.14 21:26 Sweet-Count2557 Best Things to Do in Tannersville Pa
 | Best Things to Do in Tannersville Pa Are you ready for the ultimate adventure in Tannersville, PA? We've got the inside scoop on the best things to do in this charming town.Get ready to experience heart-pumping water slides, unbeatable shopping deals, and thrilling mountain adventures. And that's just the beginning!With breathtaking views, winter sports galore, and plenty of entertainment options, Tannersville has something for everyone.Join us as we uncover the hidden gems and unforgettable experiences that await you in this picturesque paradise.Let's make memories together in Tannersville, PA.Key TakeawaysCamelbeach Mountain Waterpark is the largest outdoor waterpark in Pennsylvania, offering thrilling slides and a lazy river for relaxation.The Crossings Premium Outlets is a great place for shopping, with over 100 designer and name-brand outlet shops and savings of up to 65% every day.Camelback Mountain Adventures offers a selection of obstacles and zipline courses, with stunning views of Camelback Mountain. It is suitable for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.Big Pocono State Park, located at the summit of Camelback Mountain, offers amazing scenic views of surrounding trees and forests, making it perfect for a romantic picnic and sunset viewing.Outdoor Water ActivitiesWhen it comes to outdoor water activities in Tannersville, Pa, we can't resist the thrill of Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark. As the largest outdoor waterpark in Pennsylvania, it offers an array of exciting attractions for all ages. One of the highlights of the park are the best water slides you'll ever experience. From the heart-pounding adrenaline rush of the Triple Venom to the twists and turns of the Titan, these slides will leave you breathless and craving for more.But Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark isn't just about extreme slides. It's also a family-friendly waterpark, perfect for a summer outing with kids. The park features a lazy river, where you can relax and float along while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. There are also smaller slides and play areas specifically designed for younger children, ensuring that everyone in the family can have a fantastic time.The park's vibrant atmosphere and lively energy make it a haven for those seeking freedom and excitement. Whether you're plunging down a thrilling water slide or lounging by the pool, Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark offers the perfect escape from the mundane. The park's dedication to safety and cleanliness ensures a worry-free experience, allowing you to focus solely on having fun and creating lasting memories with your loved ones.ShoppingWhen it comes to shopping in Tannersville, we've got you covered with some top-notch outlet shops.The Crossings Premium Outlets is a must-visit, offering over 100 designer and name-brand shops where you can find savings of up to 65% every day.Whether you're looking for a rainy day activity or just want to indulge in some retail therapy, these outlets have something for everyone.Top Outlet ShopsIf you're a shopaholic looking for the best deals, Tannersville is the place to be. The Crossings Premium Outlets is a shopaholic's paradise, offering over 100 designer and name-brand outlet shops. Here, you can find savings of up to 65% every day, making it the perfect destination for those looking to score great deals on their favorite brands.From clothing and accessories to home goods and electronics, The Crossings has it all. So grab your shopping bags and get ready to indulge in a day of retail therapy at Tannersville's top outlet shops.Rainy Day ActivitiesLet's head indoors and explore the shopping options in Tannersville, PA on a rainy day.When the weather isn't cooperating, there are plenty of indoor attractions to keep you entertained.One of the top choices is The Crossings Premium Outlets. With over 100 designer and name-brand outlet shops, you'll find savings of up to 65% every day. It's the perfect place to score some great deals on clothing, accessories, and more.Plus, the outlets are family-friendly, offering a variety of stores for all ages. Whether you're searching for a new outfit or just want to browse through the stores, The Crossings Premium Outlets is a fantastic option for a rainy day activity in Tannersville.Adventure ActivitiesOne of the best adventure activities in Tannersville, PA is exploring the selection of obstacles and zipline courses offered at Camelback Mountain Adventures. This thrilling experience allows you to soar through the treetops and conquer challenging courses while enjoying stunning views of Camelback Mountain.Here are four reasons why you should add this activity to your itinerary:Zipline Courses: Feel the rush of adrenaline as you zip across the sky on the exhilarating zipline courses. Fly through the air, feeling the wind in your hair and the freedom beneath your feet. It's an experience that will make you feel alive and leave you wanting more.TreeTop Adventure Courses: Challenge yourself with the TreeTop Adventure Courses, where you can navigate through a series of obstacles high up in the trees. Test your balance, strength, and agility as you climb, swing, and jump your way through the course. It's a thrilling adventure that will push you to your limits.Stunning Views: As you participate in these adventure activities, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain. Take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape as you conquer each obstacle or soar through the air. It's an experience that combines adventure with natural beauty.Suitable for All Ages: Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or someone looking to try something new, Camelback Mountain Adventures offers activities for all ages and skill levels. From kids to adults, everyone can join in on the fun and excitement. So gather your friends and family and embark on an unforgettable adventure.Embarking on these adventure activities in Tannersville, PA will provide you with a sense of freedom and exhilaration. So don't miss out on the opportunity to explore the obstacles and zipline courses at Camelback Mountain Adventures. Get ready to soar through the treetops and create memories that will last a lifetime.Scenic Nature ExperiencesGet ready to be amazed by the scenic beauty of Tannersville, Pennsylvania. With breathtaking mountain views, romantic picnic spots, and rugged terrain waiting to be explored, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this nature lover's paradise.Whether you're seeking a peaceful escape or an adventurous hike, Tannersville offers a variety of scenic nature experiences that will leave you in awe of its natural wonders.Breathtaking Mountain ViewsWe can immerse ourselves in breathtaking mountain views at Big Pocono State Park, located at the summit of Camelback Mountain. Here are four reasons why this scenic nature experience is a must-visit:Mountain Hiking: Lace up your hiking boots and explore the park's 1,306 acres of rugged terrain. From well-marked trails to more challenging routes, there's something for every level of hiker.Photography Spots: Grab your camera and capture the stunning views of the surrounding trees and forests. Whether you're an amateur or a professional, you'll find plenty of picture-perfect moments.Panoramic Overlooks: Stand in awe as you take in the panoramic views of the Pocono Mountains. The vastness of the landscape will leave you feeling inspired and connected to nature.Sunset Viewing: End your day with a romantic picnic and watch the sunset paint the sky in vibrant hues. The tranquil atmosphere and breathtaking backdrop make this the perfect spot for a memorable evening.Now that we've enjoyed the breathtaking mountain views, let's explore the next section: 'Romantic Picnic Spots'.Romantic Picnic SpotsLet's find the perfect spot for a romantic picnic amidst the scenic nature of Tannersville, Pa.Tannersville is blessed with stunning natural landscapes that provide the ideal backdrop for a romantic outing.One of the best picnic spots in the area is Big Pocono State Park. With its 1,306 acres of rugged terrain and breathtaking views, it offers the perfect setting for a romantic picnic and sunset viewing.Imagine spreading out a blanket on the lush green grass, surrounded by towering trees and the sounds of nature.It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy some quality time with your loved one, indulging in delicious food and creating lasting memories.Rugged Terrain ExplorationWe can explore the rugged terrain of Tannersville, Pa and immerse ourselves in scenic nature experiences. Here are four activities that allow us to truly appreciate the beauty of this area:Hiking Trails: Tannersville offers a variety of hiking trails that wind through its rugged terrain. From easy, leisurely strolls to challenging treks, there's something for everyone. Lace up your boots, grab your water bottle, and embark on an adventure surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.Outdoor Photography: With its stunning natural beauty, Tannersville is a paradise for outdoor photographers. Capture the vibrant colors of the changing seasons, the majestic mountains, and the hidden gems that can be found along the trails. Let your creativity soar as you snap pictures of the picturesque landscapes.Nature Walks: Take a leisurely stroll through Tannersville's scenic nature areas and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the surroundings. Listen to the sounds of birds chirping, breathe in the fresh air, and allow yourself to be completely present in the moment. These nature walks offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.Wildlife Spotting: Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that calls Tannersville home. From deer grazing in meadows to squirrels bounding through the trees, there are plenty of opportunities to observe and appreciate the natural inhabitants of this rugged terrain.Skiing and SnowboardingWhile visiting Tannersville, Pa, one of the best things to do is to go skiing and snowboarding at Camelback Mountain Ski Resort. This ski resort offers a range of amenities to ensure an unforgettable experience on the slopes. From well-groomed trails to state-of-the-art equipment rentals, Camelback has everything you need for a thrilling day on the mountain.To give you a better idea of what to expect, here is a table outlining some of the ski resort amenities:Ski Resort AmenitiesDescriptionWell-groomed TrailsEnjoy smooth and carefully maintained slopesEquipment RentalsRent top-of-the-line skis, snowboards, and bootsSki LessonsLearn from experienced instructorsTerrain ParksTest your skills on jumps, rails, and featuresSnow TubingHave a blast sliding down snow-filled lanesMountain DiningRefuel with delicious food and drinksOn-site Lodging OptionsStay just steps away from the slopesIn addition to these amenities, Camelback Mountain Ski Resort is a great place to learn and improve your snowboarding techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, the resort offers lessons for all skill levels. You can learn basic techniques, master advanced maneuvers, or even try your hand at freestyle tricks in the terrain parks. With a variety of slopes and features, there's something for everyone at Camelback.Recreational ParkMountain View Park in Tannersville, PA offers a wide selection of recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Here are some of the highlights:Mountain Biking: Get your adrenaline pumping as you navigate the thrilling mountain biking trails at Mountain View Park. With varying levels of difficulty, these trails cater to both beginners and experienced riders. Feel the rush as you speed down the slopes and conquer the challenging terrain. It's an exhilarating adventure that will leave you wanting more.Playgrounds: Bring your kids to the playgrounds at Mountain View Park for hours of fun and laughter. The park features multiple playgrounds with swings, slides, climbing structures, and more. Watch as your little ones explore and interact with other children, fostering their creativity and social skills. It's a great way for the whole family to bond and enjoy quality time together.Softball, Soccer, Tennis, and Basketball Courts: Sports enthusiasts will love the variety of recreational facilities available at Mountain View Park. Whether you prefer a game of softball, soccer, tennis, or basketball, you'll find well-maintained courts and fields for you to showcase your skills. Gather your friends or join a local team for some friendly competition and enjoy the freedom of playing your favorite sport in a beautiful outdoor setting.Tree House and Nature Walking Trails: Immerse yourself in nature at Mountain View Park's tree house and nature walking trails. The tree house provides a unique vantage point to appreciate the park's natural beauty, while the walking trails offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Take a leisurely stroll, breathe in the fresh air, and spot local wildlife along the way. It's a rejuvenating experience that allows you to connect with the freedom of the great outdoors.Mountain View Park in Tannersville, PA is a recreational paradise, offering something for everyone. Whether you're an avid mountain biker, a parent looking for a fun playground, a sports enthusiast, or simply seeking tranquility in nature, this park has it all. So grab your gear, gather your loved ones, and head to Mountain View Park for a day of adventure, laughter, and freedom.Brewery and EntertainmentLet's check out Barley Creek Brewing Company, the first microbrewery in the Pocono Mountains since Prohibition, for some delicious eats, good brews, live entertainment, and a lively crowd. This brewery and entertainment hotspot is the perfect place to unwind and have a great time with friends and family.Barley Creek Brewing Company is known for its wide selection of craft beers. From hoppy IPAs to smooth and refreshing lagers, there's a beer for every taste. The skilled brewers at Barley Creek take pride in their craft, using only the finest ingredients to create unique and flavorful brews. Whether you're a beer connoisseur or just looking to try something new, you won't be disappointed with the quality and variety of beers available.But Barley Creek isn't just about the beer. They also offer an exciting lineup of live music to keep you entertained while you sip on your favorite brew. From local bands to well-known artists, the live music at Barley Creek is sure to get you grooving. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of talented musicians while you enjoy your pint.The atmosphere at Barley Creek is lively and vibrant, making it the perfect place to socialize and meet new people. Whether you're sitting at the bar, chatting with the friendly staff, or dancing to the live music, you'll feel right at home in this welcoming and energetic environment.In addition to their delicious eats, good brews, live music, and lively crowd, Barley Creek Brewing Company also offers a range of events and activities throughout the year. From beer tastings and trivia nights to themed parties and special promotions, there's always something exciting happening at Barley Creek.Frequently Asked QuestionsAre There Any Age Restrictions for the Slides at Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark?Age restrictions for the slides at Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark vary for safety reasons. Safety measures are in place to ensure a fun and secure experience for all guests.Specific height and age requirements are posted at each slide entrance to ensure that riders meet the necessary criteria. These restrictions are implemented to prevent any potential accidents or injuries.The waterpark prioritizes the well-being of its visitors and strives to provide a safe environment for everyone to enjoy.What Are Some Popular Designer Brands Available at the Crossings Premium Outlets?At the Crossings Premium Outlets, you'll find a treasure trove of popular designer brands. With over 100 name-brand shops, you can score amazing savings of up to 65% every day.From high-end fashion to trendy accessories, there's something for everyone's style. Whether it's a rainy day or you simply love shopping, this is one of the best spots in Tannersville, PA.Get ready to shop 'til you drop and fill your wardrobe with fabulous finds.Can Beginners Participate in the Treetop Adventure Courses at Camelback Mountain Adventures?Treetop adventure courses at Camelback Mountain Adventures are suitable for beginners. Here are some tips for beginners in treetop adventure courses:Start with the easier courses.Take your time to familiarize yourself with the obstacles.Listen to the instructions provided by the staff.These courses offer a thrilling experience while enjoying stunning views of Camelback Mountain.Is There an Entrance Fee for Big Pocono State Park?There is no entrance fee for Big Pocono State Park, making it a great option for those seeking outdoor adventures without breaking the bank.The park offers breathtaking views of the surrounding trees and forests, making it the perfect spot for a romantic picnic or sunset viewing.The best time to visit is during the warmer months, when you can explore the park's 1,306 acres of rugged terrain and enjoy the beauty of nature.Does Camelback Mountain Ski Resort Offer Ski Lessons for Beginners?Yes, Camelback Mountain Ski Resort does offer ski lessons for beginners.Whether you're new to skiing or just want to brush up on the basics, their experienced instructors will guide you through the process.You'll learn essential skills such as proper stance, turning techniques, and how to control your speed.With their patient and supportive approach, you'll gain confidence on the slopes in no time.Skiing at Camelback Mountain is a fantastic way to embrace the freedom of winter sports.ConclusionIn conclusion, whether you're seeking outdoor water fun, thrilling adventures, scenic beauty, or simply a great meal with entertainment, Tannersville, PA has it all.From the exciting slides of Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, to the designer shops at The Crossings Premium Outlets, to the breathtaking views at Big Pocono State Park, there's something for everyone to enjoy.So come and experience the best that Tannersville has to offer and create unforgettable memories in this charming town. submitted by Sweet-Count2557 to worldkidstravel [link] [comments] |
2024.05.14 21:25 h-musicfr Music helps me explore my inner worlds
So I created "Pure ambient", a carefully curated playlist regularly updated with soothing beatless ambient electronic soundscapes that help me slow down, relax and which I listen to during my meditation sessions. Hope it can help you too!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NXv1wqHlUUV8qChdDNTuR?si=vkoksDe_SLWOrmV6xNjjXA
Feel free to share yours if you have any.
H-Music
submitted by h-musicfr to enlightenment [link] [comments]
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NXv1wqHlUUV8qChdDNTuR?si=vkoksDe_SLWOrmV6xNjjXA
Feel free to share yours if you have any.
H-Music
2024.05.14 21:25 Cannabals Your New York Guide to the Top Cannabis Events of 2024!
Welcome to the vibrant community of CANNABALS, where we're dedicated to curating unforgettable experiences in New York's thriving cannabis scene. As the go-to lifestyle brand in the city, and manufactured by a team with more than 100 years of cannabis experience, at Cirona Labs, we're your ticket to a realm of energy, excitement, and exploration. Join us as we unveil the most anticipated events that are bringing cannabis enthusiasts together happening in the Big Apple in 2024.
Finger Lakes CannaMarket
Join us for an immersive pop-up social experience, the CannaMarket, showcasing a curated selection of NYS Cannabis and CBD-affiliated businesses and services. This event serves as a gathering ground for cannabis enthusiasts, professionals, cultivators, patients, and consumers to connect and network. As we navigate through the evolving landscape of cannabis acceptance, the CannaMarket aims to dispel the stigma and misinformation surrounding this valuable plant.
Location: Finger Lakes region, NY
Date: Multiple events throughout the year
Price: Mostly Free to attend, but online RSVP is highly encouraged. Further details regarding specific event pricing can be found on the official website.
New York City Cannabis Parade & Rally
Get ready to make a statement at the New York City Cannabis Parade & Rally. Join us as we march through the city streets, spreading joy, awareness, and advocacy at every turn. This event features a lineup of speakers, performers, elected officials, industry experts, activists, and a diverse musical ensemble. It serves as a platform for advocacy, education, and celebration within the cannabis community. After the parade, swing by our exclusive lounge for an after-party you won't forget.
Location: Begins on the East side of Broadway between 32nd Street and 33rd Street, New York City, NY
Date: May 4, 2024
Price: Free to attend. Further details can be found on the official website.
CWCBExpo
CWCBExpo is the premier cannabis business-to-business expo and conference on the East Coast. Since its inception in 2014, this event has served as a cornerstone for industry professionals, enthusiasts, and innovators. Held annually at the prestigious Javits Center in New York City since 2015, CWCBExpo brings together the brightest minds and most influential players in the cannabis and hemp sectors.
Location: Jacob Javits Convention Center, Hall 1C, New York, NY
Date: June 5 - 6, 2024
Price: Ticket prices range from $100 to $700 depending on early purchase and add-on events. Details can be found on the official website.
CannaCon Northeast
CannaCon is New York's premier cannabis cultivation event, paving the way for the region to become the next powerhouse in cannabis cultivation. Join industry growers and innovators from the northeast as we explore the latest trends, technologies, and opportunities in cannabis cultivation.*
Location: Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
Date: June 20-21, 2024
Price: Various ticket options will be available for purchase online. For ticketing inquiries, please contact Angela Grelle at [angela@cannacon.org](mailto:angela@cannacon.org).
Join us at CannaCon Northeast as we come together to explore the future of cannabis cultivation in New York and beyond! Stay tuned for registration details and secure your spot at the forefront of the industry.
New York Cannabis & Hemp Convention
NECANN's New York Cannabis and Hemp Convention is the premier event for the Empire State's cannabis and hemp industry. Join us for a weekend of education, networking, and celebration as we come together to explore all that the cannabis world has to offer. Mark your calendars and secure your spot at the must-attend event of the year.
Date: October 25 - 26, 2024
Location: NYS Fairgrounds, Center of Progress Building, Syracuse, NY
Price: To be announced. Stay updated on ticket releases and prices on our official website.
At CANNABALS, we're more than just a brand—we're your guides to a world of cannabis excitement and adventure. Join us at our lounge, where the possibilities are endless and the vibes are always on point!
Source: KayaPush Blog - Top 2024 New York Cannabis Events.
submitted by Cannabals to u/Cannabals [link] [comments]
Finger Lakes CannaMarket
Join us for an immersive pop-up social experience, the CannaMarket, showcasing a curated selection of NYS Cannabis and CBD-affiliated businesses and services. This event serves as a gathering ground for cannabis enthusiasts, professionals, cultivators, patients, and consumers to connect and network. As we navigate through the evolving landscape of cannabis acceptance, the CannaMarket aims to dispel the stigma and misinformation surrounding this valuable plant.
Location: Finger Lakes region, NY
Date: Multiple events throughout the year
Price: Mostly Free to attend, but online RSVP is highly encouraged. Further details regarding specific event pricing can be found on the official website.
New York City Cannabis Parade & Rally
Get ready to make a statement at the New York City Cannabis Parade & Rally. Join us as we march through the city streets, spreading joy, awareness, and advocacy at every turn. This event features a lineup of speakers, performers, elected officials, industry experts, activists, and a diverse musical ensemble. It serves as a platform for advocacy, education, and celebration within the cannabis community. After the parade, swing by our exclusive lounge for an after-party you won't forget.
Location: Begins on the East side of Broadway between 32nd Street and 33rd Street, New York City, NY
Date: May 4, 2024
Price: Free to attend. Further details can be found on the official website.
CWCBExpo
CWCBExpo is the premier cannabis business-to-business expo and conference on the East Coast. Since its inception in 2014, this event has served as a cornerstone for industry professionals, enthusiasts, and innovators. Held annually at the prestigious Javits Center in New York City since 2015, CWCBExpo brings together the brightest minds and most influential players in the cannabis and hemp sectors.
Location: Jacob Javits Convention Center, Hall 1C, New York, NY
Date: June 5 - 6, 2024
Price: Ticket prices range from $100 to $700 depending on early purchase and add-on events. Details can be found on the official website.
CannaCon Northeast
CannaCon is New York's premier cannabis cultivation event, paving the way for the region to become the next powerhouse in cannabis cultivation. Join industry growers and innovators from the northeast as we explore the latest trends, technologies, and opportunities in cannabis cultivation.*
Location: Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
Date: June 20-21, 2024
Price: Various ticket options will be available for purchase online. For ticketing inquiries, please contact Angela Grelle at [angela@cannacon.org](mailto:angela@cannacon.org).
Join us at CannaCon Northeast as we come together to explore the future of cannabis cultivation in New York and beyond! Stay tuned for registration details and secure your spot at the forefront of the industry.
New York Cannabis & Hemp Convention
NECANN's New York Cannabis and Hemp Convention is the premier event for the Empire State's cannabis and hemp industry. Join us for a weekend of education, networking, and celebration as we come together to explore all that the cannabis world has to offer. Mark your calendars and secure your spot at the must-attend event of the year.
Date: October 25 - 26, 2024
Location: NYS Fairgrounds, Center of Progress Building, Syracuse, NY
Price: To be announced. Stay updated on ticket releases and prices on our official website.
At CANNABALS, we're more than just a brand—we're your guides to a world of cannabis excitement and adventure. Join us at our lounge, where the possibilities are endless and the vibes are always on point!
Source: KayaPush Blog - Top 2024 New York Cannabis Events.
2024.05.14 21:22 askibeppnae L’oeuf Piano Score
Does anyone have piano sheet music for L’oeuf (Challengers soundtrack)?
submitted by askibeppnae to nin [link] [comments]
2024.05.14 21:22 Badpilot_aviator_950 New code and Dad joke!
KNIGHTS3K
Refer PHI-57-VOW for 100 free blackstone!
What is a balloon’s least favorite music?
Pop!
submitted by Badpilot_aviator_950 to WH40K_Tacticus_Codes [link] [comments]
Refer PHI-57-VOW for 100 free blackstone!
What is a balloon’s least favorite music?
Pop!
2024.05.14 21:20 JinglesDingles 32F UK looking for friends
Just as the title says.
I’ve just turned 32, I’m married and we have a toddler. Life’s pretty great, we have a nice house, car, I’m studying at university. The only thing missing is some nice friends.
I enjoy a good debate, philosophical or just general chit chat. My music taste ranges from indie to metal. I love reading though I haven’t had time to read in ages as toddlers, work and studying is keeping me quite busy. I like to play games such as house flipper (boring I know) and walking simulators. I also enjoy house decor and DIYing. Currently also trying to work on my physique and become a bit more athletic. Not really big on TV unless it’s an amazing series then I love to binge watch.
I’m not originally from the UK but have lived here for around 13 years now. Family lives in different countries so not having much social contact through them and it can feel quite isolating!
I’m happy to exchange texts/chats etc, preferably with people around my own age.
No creepy people or people looking for hookups or whatever. I’m married and not interested in anything but platonic friendships!
Feel free to DM me.
submitted by JinglesDingles to Needafriend [link] [comments]
I’ve just turned 32, I’m married and we have a toddler. Life’s pretty great, we have a nice house, car, I’m studying at university. The only thing missing is some nice friends.
I enjoy a good debate, philosophical or just general chit chat. My music taste ranges from indie to metal. I love reading though I haven’t had time to read in ages as toddlers, work and studying is keeping me quite busy. I like to play games such as house flipper (boring I know) and walking simulators. I also enjoy house decor and DIYing. Currently also trying to work on my physique and become a bit more athletic. Not really big on TV unless it’s an amazing series then I love to binge watch.
I’m not originally from the UK but have lived here for around 13 years now. Family lives in different countries so not having much social contact through them and it can feel quite isolating!
I’m happy to exchange texts/chats etc, preferably with people around my own age.
No creepy people or people looking for hookups or whatever. I’m married and not interested in anything but platonic friendships!
Feel free to DM me.
2024.05.14 21:17 extremediver19608 19 single m from U.S looking for a serious relationship
Hi I’m 19 single I’m from the east coast of the U.S. I enjoy music my favorite genre is hip/hop and R&B. In my freetime I like to workout or play video games. I’m 5’7” with amost athletic body. I’m of Latin decent I speak fluent in English. I’m not a sub just want to let you know if you read this. I’m looking for a partner around (18-21). So yea feel free to talk to me.
submitted by extremediver19608 to gaydating [link] [comments]
2024.05.14 21:16 siriusjones92 Underrated guitar
Years ago I traded a hodge-podge of shit to a guy who owned a music store. Cords, a mixer that was missing it's power chords, an Epiphone LP and a few other random things. Figured if their good enough for Bob Weir then they're good enough for me and virtually, it was free to me. I am really bad about keeping it on its stand though and playing my "pricier" "mainstream" guitars. Then I pick this thing up and it plays like a $5000 guitar. I can't find a lot of single cutaways online. Anyone else rock the D'angelico?
submitted by siriusjones92 to Guitar [link] [comments]
2024.05.14 21:15 PacificN0rth 27 [M4F] #Scotland #Online - Just looking to make new friends with similar interests
Hey 👋🏻
I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends from wherever, so I post in here occasionally in the hopes of meeting cool new people.
I’m 27 (28 soon) , from Glasgow, Scotland. Now living in south west England as I work down here. I look like this: https://imgur.com/a/onwvvas
Some of my main interests are: - Tattoos (I have lots, more booked) - Pc gaming (osrs and single player games mostly) - Lifting weights / gym - Rock, hardcore, post-hardcore, metal, alternative and some country music. The plot in you is probably my current most listened band. Also post malones country album is going to be so good. - Like some anime, haven’t seen loads but Castlevania and Cyberpunk Edgerunners are great, I have an Edgerunners tattoo. - Anything to do with space, my favourite movie is Interstellar. And the lord of the rings trilogy of course. (Which has nothing to do with space but still..) - Mountain climbing, camping, hiking.
Anyway that’s just a few of my interests , if you reckon we would get along please feel free to message me. Also please include a picture of yourself if you don’t mind. It feels much more personal when you know what each other look like.
submitted by PacificN0rth to r4r [link] [comments]
I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends from wherever, so I post in here occasionally in the hopes of meeting cool new people.
I’m 27 (28 soon) , from Glasgow, Scotland. Now living in south west England as I work down here. I look like this: https://imgur.com/a/onwvvas
Some of my main interests are: - Tattoos (I have lots, more booked) - Pc gaming (osrs and single player games mostly) - Lifting weights / gym - Rock, hardcore, post-hardcore, metal, alternative and some country music. The plot in you is probably my current most listened band. Also post malones country album is going to be so good. - Like some anime, haven’t seen loads but Castlevania and Cyberpunk Edgerunners are great, I have an Edgerunners tattoo. - Anything to do with space, my favourite movie is Interstellar. And the lord of the rings trilogy of course. (Which has nothing to do with space but still..) - Mountain climbing, camping, hiking.
Anyway that’s just a few of my interests , if you reckon we would get along please feel free to message me. Also please include a picture of yourself if you don’t mind. It feels much more personal when you know what each other look like.
2024.05.14 21:14 Joshh170 Valheim Releases New Ashlands Update
 | Valheim has finally released the eagerly awaited Ashlands update, one of the biggest content expansions the survival game has received until now. This new Valheim update adds a new biome for endgame players, new weapons, building options, and more. submitted by Joshh170 to GameGeeks [link] [comments] Valheim was originally released in early access in 2021, quickly becoming a huge hit. Created by Iron Gate Studio, the Norse-inspired survival game sold over 12 million copies on Steam. In 2023, Valheim was added to Xbox Game Pass, reaching even more players. Since its initial launch, the title has released regular updates as it moves towards a yet unannounced 1.0 release. Now, Iron Gate Studio has officially released the new Ashlands update, bringing a new endgame biome to Valheim. This update comes on the heels of Valheim’s public test build which was unveiled last week. According to the patch notes, the new update works as a big content expansion, as it adds over 30 weapons, three armor sets, two capes, over 70 buildable items, over 30 crafting materials, new music, events, mechanics, and more. The update also fixes several small issues, standardizes texts through the game, and solves problems with Mead materials. The highlight of the free expansion is clearly Valheim’s new Ashlands biome. Set in the southern parts of the game’s map, the new biome is a hellscape area filled with lava, huge fortresses, and dangerous undead creatures known as the Charred. As expected, the new area comes with a variety of enemies, such as the Fallen Valkyrie, four varieties of Charred enemies, Morgen, Askvin Calf, Lava Blob, and others, including a new boss called Fader. Valheim’s new content also includes a few new mechanics tied to the new region, including two new Siege Machines, new plantable Ashvines, and the ability to combine Flametal weapons with gems to gain upgrades. Other interesting changes include the introduction of boiling hot waters near the Ashlands, which may require a sturdy ship to cross, and cinder rain while traveling in the new biome. Gamers who like to create amazing bases in Valheim will not be disappointed with the Ashlands update due to the introduction of several new building pieces and furniture, which will greatly expand the base-building options they previously had. The update also includes more new materials such as the Askvin Hide, Vulture Eggs, Bell Shards, Charred Skulls, Jade, Bloodstone, and new weapons like the Dyrnwyn sword, the Brutal Slayer, or the Flametal Mace. Valheim's Ashlands Update Official Patch Notes New Mechanics
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2024.05.14 21:13 lalanotlistening 41 [M4F] South-East Michigan
Hi there!
I'm mainly looking for spicy friends and casual dating with an emphasis on the friend part, but l am open to other situations. Let's be curious together!
I think every one is beautiful in their own ways, but I do have preferences. A little curvy/fluffy are ok but like much of my life, I like all things in balance. What about me, you ask? That's fair - I am 5'11" and a slight dad bod, but strong enough to toss around what needs tossing...
In my free time, I enjoy learning new things, socializing with friends, trying new restaurants and bars, and going on adventures. I'm also a big fan of music, listening to everything from indie rock, to classical, to hip hop/r&b, and electronic music. I would love going to more concerts and festivals.
At home, I am divorced, have two school-aged kids (w me 50/50) and can't have more.
If you're looking for a fun and open-minded guy who is interested in exploring, let's chat, get a coffee or drink, and see where things go!
ps. priority goes to those who send a picture, and I'll send a safe one back
submitted by lalanotlistening to R4R30Plus [link] [comments]
I'm mainly looking for spicy friends and casual dating with an emphasis on the friend part, but l am open to other situations. Let's be curious together!
I think every one is beautiful in their own ways, but I do have preferences. A little curvy/fluffy are ok but like much of my life, I like all things in balance. What about me, you ask? That's fair - I am 5'11" and a slight dad bod, but strong enough to toss around what needs tossing...
In my free time, I enjoy learning new things, socializing with friends, trying new restaurants and bars, and going on adventures. I'm also a big fan of music, listening to everything from indie rock, to classical, to hip hop/r&b, and electronic music. I would love going to more concerts and festivals.
At home, I am divorced, have two school-aged kids (w me 50/50) and can't have more.
If you're looking for a fun and open-minded guy who is interested in exploring, let's chat, get a coffee or drink, and see where things go!
ps. priority goes to those who send a picture, and I'll send a safe one back
2024.05.14 21:09 Outrageous-Candy-875 30[m4a] #online looking for people to kill time with while bored at work
Hello all,
Trying this again as I didn’t include enough words last time.
My name is D! (Short for my real name of course)
I’m 30 years old and work in IT! I tend to have a lot of free time at work and I’m looking to chat with some friendly individuals about any and everything. Nothing is off limits!
My interests are as follows
Video games - who on Reddit isn’t into video games I know right? I recently started replaying the fallout series. I started with fallout 3 and new Vegas and now I’m playing through 4 on Xbox with mods
Cars - Porsches are my favorite cars but I also love jdm cars super cars hyper cars and even classics I could talk all day about cars to be honest
Sports - I’m a huge sports fan I love basketball football (American) and baseball. I’m usually watching a game after work and I’d love to discuss our favorite teams or players
Music - I’m a beginner audiophile and love discussing music and equipment. I’m always chasing the best sounds I can get and I love to tinker with software in order to maximize every bit of perfection I can get out of a song
Guitars - I started collecting guitars a couple of months ago and now I’m addicted and have 6. I’m even looking to expand my collection to 8 in the near future
Watches - I’m also very interested in collecting watches and even though I have only 2 I’m looking forward to collecting more in the future
Well that about sums me up feel free to reach out if you want to chat!
Thank you, D
submitted by Outrageous-Candy-875 to r4r [link] [comments]
Trying this again as I didn’t include enough words last time.
My name is D! (Short for my real name of course)
I’m 30 years old and work in IT! I tend to have a lot of free time at work and I’m looking to chat with some friendly individuals about any and everything. Nothing is off limits!
My interests are as follows
Video games - who on Reddit isn’t into video games I know right? I recently started replaying the fallout series. I started with fallout 3 and new Vegas and now I’m playing through 4 on Xbox with mods
Cars - Porsches are my favorite cars but I also love jdm cars super cars hyper cars and even classics I could talk all day about cars to be honest
Sports - I’m a huge sports fan I love basketball football (American) and baseball. I’m usually watching a game after work and I’d love to discuss our favorite teams or players
Music - I’m a beginner audiophile and love discussing music and equipment. I’m always chasing the best sounds I can get and I love to tinker with software in order to maximize every bit of perfection I can get out of a song
Guitars - I started collecting guitars a couple of months ago and now I’m addicted and have 6. I’m even looking to expand my collection to 8 in the near future
Watches - I’m also very interested in collecting watches and even though I have only 2 I’m looking forward to collecting more in the future
Well that about sums me up feel free to reach out if you want to chat!
Thank you, D
2024.05.14 21:09 Sad-Efficiency4589 Budget and Retirement Planning Questions as a New Grad
Hi, I [22M] just graduated college. I am debt-free outside of one final car-payment this month. I begin working in August. For all budgeting/planning purposes, my net worth will effectively be zero when I start working. I will be working for a top fifty fortune company who does not offer a 401k match, but DOES offer profit-sharing options (details I am not fully aware of yet). They have a host of benefits and do offer a 401k, but there's no match. I know if you have a match, you're supposed to max out your contributions up to that match, but in my case I'm not sure what to do. I've included an image of my planned finances as of starting in August. This budget sheet aims to encompass plans for the whole year, so obviously I will not be spending as much in some of the leisure categories the first few months, but I wanted to make it realistic.
https://imgur.com/a/sSzWa9D
submitted by Sad-Efficiency4589 to personalfinance [link] [comments]
https://imgur.com/a/sSzWa9D
- Should I take advantage of the 401k despite no match?
- If no, what options do I have/what should my retirement plan be? (brokerage?)
- Should I open a HYSA, how much should I put in there monthly vs. checking
2024.05.14 21:08 camthetransbean Looking For Nearby Friends!
Hi! My name is Cameron I'm 19 I'm a black transmasc/genderqueer person Pre t for rn I like drawing, working out, cooking, baking, playing ukulele, playing video games, kpop, true crime, music, psychology, animals, cartoons, joking around, horror, and more! I'm looking for friends in New Jersey (Or any nearby states, like New York) Feel free to ask any questions or dm me :D
submitted by camthetransbean to TransMasc [link] [comments]
2024.05.14 21:06 tiffani_atx Free Tix to Daniel Sloss Tonight
I have four free tickets to Daniel Sloss. Well, they weren't free. I bought them. But we decided not to go as we're dealing with some family stuff. So can transfer all four or two sets of two to whoever wants them.
If you're not familiar with DS, he's pretty funny. Show is at 713 Music Hall. I do not have a parking pass, but apparently you can still buy them online.
I see I'm not the only one giving up tix. Mine are free though. :)
submitted by tiffani_atx to HoustonClassifieds [link] [comments]
If you're not familiar with DS, he's pretty funny. Show is at 713 Music Hall. I do not have a parking pass, but apparently you can still buy them online.
I see I'm not the only one giving up tix. Mine are free though. :)
2024.05.14 21:06 AnythingFormer7966 [TOMT] A very small and unknown Japanese rhythm game on mobile.
The only things that I can remember about it was that it had a story campaign centred around two friends with them going through each other’s memories. The gameplay was that you played as one of the friends who was on a skate, all while avoiding obstacles to the rhythm. Also, the only music I can remember from it was a player made chart of Break Free from Super Mario Odyssey.
submitted by AnythingFormer7966 to tipofmytongue [link] [comments]
2024.05.14 21:05 Trttrr1 M22 Looking for somebody to talk
I live in Bosnia Herzegovina (Southeastern europe) I like to play tennis, read books, watch movies, listen to music, I'm also interested in philosophy, various sciences, art in general, I'm studying history,But we can talk about anything if you have more questions feel free to ask
submitted by Trttrr1 to Needafriend [link] [comments]
2024.05.14 21:04 alexcapmx Pure Imagination (for Big Band)
 | https://preview.redd.it/v2k4ax2wwf0d1.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=766486a9027ce1858fdc0c9343dd3618798dad8a submitted by alexcapmx to AlexCapMX [link] [comments] When I was at USC, I made a jazz big band arrangement of Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It’s now available for sale on Sheet Music Plus and Sheet Music Direct. It would be great for a college big band or a good high school jazz ensemble. Find links to buy the arrangement, listen to a mockup, and watch a score preview video on its Sheet Music page. |
2024.05.14 21:01 Flagg1991 Children of the Night (Part 2)
The world was a boozy whirl of lights and sounds. Images, broken and fragmented, came and went. Voices, laughter, screaming. The ground pitched like the deck of a tempest-tossed ship, and he felt heavy, as though the ground were pulling him to it. C’mere, Dommy. He fell, lay on the pavement, and pushed himself up again, staggering like a drunk on his way home. His head spun, his body ached, and things seemed blurry, like half-formed images glimpsed underwater.
It was the light blue hour before dawn and Dom was…somewhere. He should have recognized the stores and street signs around him, but he didn’t. His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and a sense of confusion gripped him so strongly that he was beginning to panic. Where was he? What happened?
The world spun away again and the next thing he knew, he was lying in a heap of garbage bags, used needles, and rubbish. He came awake with a jerk and sat up so fast that a bolt of pain jammed into his skull. He winced and pressed his hand to his forehead. He felt hot, clammy.
Something was seriously wrong.
Somehow he got to his feet again and started walking. The sun was up now and the streets were filled with people. They all sneered in disgust as he passed, and he wrapped his arms around his chest like a baby comforting itself. He was getting cold. His muscles were sore. Tears streamed down his face and he wanted to cry.
Going on instinct alone, Dom made his way back home and climbed the steps to his apartment. Exhaustion swept over him and he sagged against the door as he dug in his pocket for the keys. They shook in his hand and he had to focus really hard to get the key into the lock.
Inside, he collapsed onto the couch and his eyelids instantly drooped. He was so weary that he couldn’t lift his head, couldn’t form a single coherent thought. Dom felt himself starting to sink, and snapped his eyes open with a start. Something in his soul told him that if he slept, he would die.
He couldn’t help it, though. He was falling, tumbling, hands reaching up from hell to grab him. His eyes fluttered closed again and the world started to go dark, his heart slamming in fear. He tried to fight, but the pull of darkness was too strong, too alluring. Why was he fighting? Why not just…give up? Hadn’t he thought of killing himself before? Didn’t he hate his life and himself? What was there to fight for? A wife? Kids? A community that loved and respected him? Shit, affordable groceries?
No.
There was nothing.
He had nothing and was nothing.
A sense of peace blossomed from the darkness, and suddenly death didn’t seem so scary. In fact, it was warm…inviting.
It was life that was cold and hateful. Not death.
Death accepted you no matter who you were. It didn’t reject you…it didn’t ignore you. If you sought it, you would find it, and if you embraced it, it would embrace you.
With that thought in mind, Dom gave up.
And died.
***
Bruce Kenner, captain of the 5th Albany precinct, sat behind his desk on the morning of June 28 and lazily leafed through a stack of files as he sipped from a mug of coffee. A roughly built man with a dark goatee and graying blonde hair, he looked more like a small town southern sheriff than a low level public works functionary. In fact, he tended to act like it too. He liked to hunt, fish, and drink beer on his off time. Albany wasn’t a big city, but it was big enough that you never got a fucking break. Run here, run there, arrest this asshole, investigate that asshole. By the time Friday rolled around, he was so ready for the peace and tranquility of a fishing trip he could taste it.
Already this Monday morning, he was looking forward to another one.
Over the weekend, three kids went missing in the Pine Hills and Washington Park area, bringing the total for that summer up to eight. All were teenagers, all were troubled. Most were boys, but two were girls.
Troubled kids run away all the time. They might be gone a few days, sulking at a friend’s house over something their father or mother did, but they’d eventually come home. None of these kids had come back yet and from what he knew, a few of them weren’t the runaway types. They were shits at school and caused problems, but they had no reason to up and leave. Hell, Bruce himself raised hell as a kid, but he always found his way back home, even if he spent the previous night dying in a field from Mad Dogg 20/20 poisoning.
One or two kids going missing…okay, it happens. Eight? Over a span of four weeks?
Yeah, something was wrong here.
But what?
There was nothing on any of these kids. No one saw them, no one knew anything - one minute they were here, the next they weren’t. What could he or anyone else do with that?. The public broke cops’ balls all the time, but if you don’t have evidence, you don’t have evidence. What do you want? Door to door searches? Roadblocks? Dogs and helicopters? Yeah, then when you actually do it, they cry fascism. Guess I’ll just use my Spidey Senses.
Bruce wished he had spidey senses. He wanted to find these kids as much as anyone, and he was starting to get pissed off that he couldn’t. He took another sip from his mug and read on. The latest kids to go missing were three boys between the ages of fourteen and eighteen.
They were all white, all thin (except for one). If there was a serial killer in town - and Bruce hoped to fuck there wasn’t - he had a type. What, black kids aren’t good enough to kill, cannibalize, and wear like a skin suit? They should charge him with a hate crime for discrimination.
That way he’d actually stay locked up.
The door opened and Vanessa Rodregiez, his deputy, came in. A tall, shapely Hispanic woman with dark eyes and a mouth poised always on the edge of a smile, she wore her black hair in a ponytail that would look stern and severe on anyone else, but on her, looked childlike. She was twenty-seven and had been on the force for three years, but you could be forgiven for thinking her much younger. “Bright and early, I see,” she said with a grin.
Bruce grumbled.
Vanessa held down the fort during the graveyard shift, acting to the night as he acted to the day. She was young and full of energy, which clashed with Bruce, who was old and just wanted to be left alone. Despite their differences, Bruce loved her like a kid sister…an annoying kid sister he wanted to throat punch sometimes.
“You missed all the fun last night,” she said and parked her butt on the edge of Bruce’s desk. He glared at her, but she ignored him.
“Good,” he said. Then: “What happened?”
“Big fight outside of Club Vlad,” she said. “It looked like a WorldStar video.”
For a moment, Bruce was lost. “Club what?”
“Club Vlad,” Vanessa said. “Where the Fuze Box used to be.”
Ah, right. The Fuze Box was an Albany landmark, a night club for punks…or goths…or someone. Certainly not for Bruce Kenner. It was small, dingy, and always had people in black waiting outside. On Friday and Saturday nights, it blasted strange music with lyrics about fighting The Man. Kids had been fighting the Man since before Bruce was even born and they hadn’t beaten him yet. Kudos to them for still trying.
Last year, The Fuze Box closed down and someone else bought it. It reopened last month and looked more or less the same: Posers, shitty music, and spiked hair. So much spiked hair. “Place is still a pain in the ass,” Bruce said.
“Yep,” Vanessa chirped. “It doesn’t know what it wants to be now. One minute they play nightcore, the next EDM. It’s all over the place.”
Bruce raised a quizzical brow.
“Not that I’ve ever been there in my free time,” Vanessa said in a tone that suggested she had,
Bruce gave a judgemental hum.
“Anyway,” Vanessa went on, “you see we have some new missing persons?”
Sighing, Bruce sat back in his chair. “Yeah. I did.”
“People are starting to ask questions,” Vanessa warned.
That brought a terse smile to Bruce’s weathered face. “Maybe they’ll solve it then.”
“Ha, fat chance,” Vanessa said. She got up and stretched. “Anyway, I’m bushed. Here’s my…” she trailed off and looked at her empty hands. “Damn, where’s my report? I just had it?” She turned in a confused circle as if she might be able to spot her report making a break for it. “Huh,” she said. She left the office and came back a moment later holding a folder. “Found it,” she grinned.
Bruce just looked at her.
“Um…here it is.”
He didn’t take it.
Her smile faltered. She carefully sat it on top of the files Bruce was looking at.
And his hands.
“I’ll just leave that right here.” She patted it for good measure.
“Thank you,” Bruce said.
“Okay. Night.”
“Goodnight,” Bruce said as she left through a shaft of morning sunlight. Alone, Bruce sat her report aside and went back to the missing kids. This case was giving him a headache and it wasn’t even nine. With a deep sigh, he slumped back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the armrests.
Was it Saturday yet?
He could really use a fishing trip.
***
Dom came awake in the cold purple twilight with a shocked gasp like a man coming up seconds before drowning. His eyes strained from his sweaty face and his mouth hung slack, twisted in a gruesome parody of The Scream. His mind was muddled, murky - he didn’t know where he was or even who he was, but he knew this,.
He couldn’t breathe.
He opened and closed his mouth like a fish, but his lungs did not fill with air. A great, unseen weight seemed to bear down on his chest, and panic gripped him. He tried to move, but his arms refused to heed his brain’s command. The weight seemed heavier, all over, crushing him like a bug. Confusion filled him and he started to pant.
Without warning, his bowels and bladder loosened, and horrible wetness filled his pants. He tried to sit up, but his body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. His chest rose and fell with the frantic labor of his breath, but his lungs remained inert. A cry of fear bubbled up inside of him, but escaped his mouth only as a breathy groan.
A bust of adrenaline shot through him and he tried to stand, but succeeded only in falling off the couch instead, landing face first against the cold tile floor. He felt his nose crunch, but the pain was muted.
Dom thought he lost consciousness after that, but wasn’t sure. His next memory was of shivering so violently that his teeth clacked together. A phantom chill - perhaps from the floor - had settled into his bones, and was colder than he had ever been in his life, colder even than the time he fell into a snowbank and got lost when he was two. Shudders racked his body, and though he tried to turn over, he was too fucking heavy. It was like every muscle in his body had turned to dead weight. Fragmented thoughts swirled in his head, faint colors in the dark, but he couldn’t put any of them together.
With great effort, he managed to push himself slightly up, but a wave of lightheadedness crashed over him and he lowered his head once more. He stopped trying and simply lay there. Shortly, his eyes began to burn and he realized that he wasn’t blinking. Jesus Christ, he wasn’t blinking.
For some strange reason, that brought a fresh bout of panic. He started to hyperventilate, but his lungs still wouldn’t work. He wasn’t blinking…he wasn’t breathing…what was happening to him?
A whimper burst from his throat and he started to cry.
He must have cried himself to sleep, because he woke sometime later to the most intense headache he’d ever had. It felt like something was eating his brain from the inside out. He was sore all over, and could feel his muscles twitching, as though a thousand living things were burrowing through his body. A cramp shot down his right leg, and the toes of his left foot curled involuntarily. Slowly, his jaw clenched closed, and the muscles in his neck began to strain…then to burn. His panic turned to terror, and Dom wiggled across the floor like a worm, his limbs screaming in red agony and his brain filling with heat. He somehow wound up on his right side, and his arms curled slowly up to his chest, crossing at the wrists like a mummy. He tried to pull them apart, but the slightest movement sent waves of excruciating pain cutting through his body. His knees began to draw up to his stomach, and his fingers clenched tightly.
Cramps and spasms attacked every muscle in his body. He screamed through his teeth and shook, resembling a man in the electric chair as 40,000 volts of justice coursed through him. The pain grew gradually, getting worse and worse as minutes ticked by like hours. Higher, higher, higher - he clenched his eyes closed and shrieked as it became unbearable. Disjointed thoughts flashed through his mind - prayers, threats, curses, Jesus fucking…FUCK.
What was happening? God, what was happening to him? Was it fentanyl? He’d seen videos of people high on fentanyl, and they leaned in weird positions. He didn’t do drugs but maybe he ingested it somehow.
His panic may have returned if all of his muscles hadn’t picked that moment to contract as one. His eyes bulged from their sockets and his jaw unclenched just enough for him to utter a high. Agonized scream that echoed through his empty apartment like thunder.
A human being can only take so much before giving out. When the pain reached a crescendo, and Dom mercifully sank into consciousness once more. The sun rose and cascaded through the apartment’s sole window, falling over his huddled form. Slowly, it tracked across the sky before setting again. As the last rays disappeared behind the horizon, Dom’s eyes opened. The pain of the night before was blessedly gone, replaced by a feeling of numbness - the cool ash after the hot fire. His thoughts were slow and thick like molasses, but he could actually think again. Nightmare memories flooded back to him, but he wasn’t sure they were real. He was lying on his side, his arms wrapped around his chest as if for warmth, and his teeth lightly chattered against the icy chill. He was so cold that he didn’t want to move, but he couldn’t stay here forever. He needed help. He needed…
A shower.
Yeah, a hot shower. That would warm him up.
Gritting his teeth, he slowly sat up, ready for a burst of pain.
But none came.
He did, however, feel heavy. Getting to his feet, he stumbled and nearly fell, catching himself against the counter. His limbs had no feeling. It’s like they weren’t even there. Head hung, Dom tried to catch his breath, but it felt like he wasn’t breathing at all. His eyelids drooped closed and he felt like he was going to fall down. Summoning all the might he could, he shuffled into the bathroom with the stiff gait of an old man. He snapped the light on, and cold, white brilliance filled the space, blinding him.
Leaning heavily against the sink, he gripped the cold porcelain. Suddenly, he was afraid of looking into the mirror. He was sure that whatever reflection he saw, it would be of something else, something monstrous.
Dom lifted his head and faced the glass.
His heart shrank.
The man in the mirror was him but different. His skin was white as milk, lacking all color whatsoever save for the ugly purple patch on the left side. IResembling a giant bruise, it started at the temple and extended down to the slope of his neck, disappearing beneath his T-shirt. He gingerly lifted the shirt, and moaned when he saw that his entire left side was discolored, the purple edged with a puffy shade of pink. His sallow skin clung tight to his ribcage, and his hip bones stuck out so much it looked painful. Back in the mirror, his cheeks were sunken, hollow, and his eyes were a hazy, dishwater gray. His skull seemed bigger, his hair longer. Dom wanted to whip his head away from the phantom before him, to never see it again, but he was transfixed.
There was no way that thing was -
Dom looked away, cutting that thought off before it could finish.
A shower.
He needed a shower.
Slowly, stiffly, Dom undressed, peeling off his shirt and his soiled pants. He dropped them in a heap on the floor and stepped under the spray. He could feel the water pounding against him, but it provided no heat. It was neither hot nor cold. It was simply there.
Dom pressed his head to the slick shower wall and stood there for a long time. He was spent, tired, and fried - he had no more emotions left to give. He got out after a little while, dried off, and put on a clean pair of shorts. He settled into bed and lay there with his hands folded over his chest and his eyes open. They felt gritty, dry. His stomach felt bloated, gassy. He was drowsy now, the weight of the past two days (or was it two weeks?) coming down on him all at once. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
He was still asleep - but aware - when the knocking on his door started the next morning. Time was funny in this state of being, fast and jerky but also slow and echoing. Keys rattled the knob turned. The landlord came in with a cop. They saw him on the bed, laid out like a corpse for a viewing, and the cop radioed in a code 35. Soon, cops were all around him, making noise and touching things. He had the vague sense of discomfort and embarrassment at the intrusion. A baling man in a suit stood over him, a cop who looked like a redneck beside him. “He didn’t die here,” the medical examiner said.
The cop looked at him questioningly. Dom caught the name KENNER on his name tag.
“See this?” the M.E. said and gestured to Dom’s face. “That’s livor mortis. When you die, your blood pools at the lowest point. If you’re on your left side, for example, it pools on the left.”
Kenner looked at Dom and then back to the M.E. “Someone moved him?”
“Looks like it,” the M.E. said.
“When did he die?”
The M.E. examined Dom as though he were nothing more than a side of beef. “At a glance? Three days. I won’t have a better answer until I open him up.”
Dom was still awake when they put him into a body bag and zipped it up. He felt a stirring of fear beneath the cold numbness, but he was too tired to worry about it now.
Later, he thought.
He would panic later.
For now, Dom slept.
submitted by Flagg1991 to LetsReadOfficial [link] [comments]
It was the light blue hour before dawn and Dom was…somewhere. He should have recognized the stores and street signs around him, but he didn’t. His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and a sense of confusion gripped him so strongly that he was beginning to panic. Where was he? What happened?
The world spun away again and the next thing he knew, he was lying in a heap of garbage bags, used needles, and rubbish. He came awake with a jerk and sat up so fast that a bolt of pain jammed into his skull. He winced and pressed his hand to his forehead. He felt hot, clammy.
Something was seriously wrong.
Somehow he got to his feet again and started walking. The sun was up now and the streets were filled with people. They all sneered in disgust as he passed, and he wrapped his arms around his chest like a baby comforting itself. He was getting cold. His muscles were sore. Tears streamed down his face and he wanted to cry.
Going on instinct alone, Dom made his way back home and climbed the steps to his apartment. Exhaustion swept over him and he sagged against the door as he dug in his pocket for the keys. They shook in his hand and he had to focus really hard to get the key into the lock.
Inside, he collapsed onto the couch and his eyelids instantly drooped. He was so weary that he couldn’t lift his head, couldn’t form a single coherent thought. Dom felt himself starting to sink, and snapped his eyes open with a start. Something in his soul told him that if he slept, he would die.
He couldn’t help it, though. He was falling, tumbling, hands reaching up from hell to grab him. His eyes fluttered closed again and the world started to go dark, his heart slamming in fear. He tried to fight, but the pull of darkness was too strong, too alluring. Why was he fighting? Why not just…give up? Hadn’t he thought of killing himself before? Didn’t he hate his life and himself? What was there to fight for? A wife? Kids? A community that loved and respected him? Shit, affordable groceries?
No.
There was nothing.
He had nothing and was nothing.
A sense of peace blossomed from the darkness, and suddenly death didn’t seem so scary. In fact, it was warm…inviting.
It was life that was cold and hateful. Not death.
Death accepted you no matter who you were. It didn’t reject you…it didn’t ignore you. If you sought it, you would find it, and if you embraced it, it would embrace you.
With that thought in mind, Dom gave up.
And died.
***
Bruce Kenner, captain of the 5th Albany precinct, sat behind his desk on the morning of June 28 and lazily leafed through a stack of files as he sipped from a mug of coffee. A roughly built man with a dark goatee and graying blonde hair, he looked more like a small town southern sheriff than a low level public works functionary. In fact, he tended to act like it too. He liked to hunt, fish, and drink beer on his off time. Albany wasn’t a big city, but it was big enough that you never got a fucking break. Run here, run there, arrest this asshole, investigate that asshole. By the time Friday rolled around, he was so ready for the peace and tranquility of a fishing trip he could taste it.
Already this Monday morning, he was looking forward to another one.
Over the weekend, three kids went missing in the Pine Hills and Washington Park area, bringing the total for that summer up to eight. All were teenagers, all were troubled. Most were boys, but two were girls.
Troubled kids run away all the time. They might be gone a few days, sulking at a friend’s house over something their father or mother did, but they’d eventually come home. None of these kids had come back yet and from what he knew, a few of them weren’t the runaway types. They were shits at school and caused problems, but they had no reason to up and leave. Hell, Bruce himself raised hell as a kid, but he always found his way back home, even if he spent the previous night dying in a field from Mad Dogg 20/20 poisoning.
One or two kids going missing…okay, it happens. Eight? Over a span of four weeks?
Yeah, something was wrong here.
But what?
There was nothing on any of these kids. No one saw them, no one knew anything - one minute they were here, the next they weren’t. What could he or anyone else do with that?. The public broke cops’ balls all the time, but if you don’t have evidence, you don’t have evidence. What do you want? Door to door searches? Roadblocks? Dogs and helicopters? Yeah, then when you actually do it, they cry fascism. Guess I’ll just use my Spidey Senses.
Bruce wished he had spidey senses. He wanted to find these kids as much as anyone, and he was starting to get pissed off that he couldn’t. He took another sip from his mug and read on. The latest kids to go missing were three boys between the ages of fourteen and eighteen.
They were all white, all thin (except for one). If there was a serial killer in town - and Bruce hoped to fuck there wasn’t - he had a type. What, black kids aren’t good enough to kill, cannibalize, and wear like a skin suit? They should charge him with a hate crime for discrimination.
That way he’d actually stay locked up.
The door opened and Vanessa Rodregiez, his deputy, came in. A tall, shapely Hispanic woman with dark eyes and a mouth poised always on the edge of a smile, she wore her black hair in a ponytail that would look stern and severe on anyone else, but on her, looked childlike. She was twenty-seven and had been on the force for three years, but you could be forgiven for thinking her much younger. “Bright and early, I see,” she said with a grin.
Bruce grumbled.
Vanessa held down the fort during the graveyard shift, acting to the night as he acted to the day. She was young and full of energy, which clashed with Bruce, who was old and just wanted to be left alone. Despite their differences, Bruce loved her like a kid sister…an annoying kid sister he wanted to throat punch sometimes.
“You missed all the fun last night,” she said and parked her butt on the edge of Bruce’s desk. He glared at her, but she ignored him.
“Good,” he said. Then: “What happened?”
“Big fight outside of Club Vlad,” she said. “It looked like a WorldStar video.”
For a moment, Bruce was lost. “Club what?”
“Club Vlad,” Vanessa said. “Where the Fuze Box used to be.”
Ah, right. The Fuze Box was an Albany landmark, a night club for punks…or goths…or someone. Certainly not for Bruce Kenner. It was small, dingy, and always had people in black waiting outside. On Friday and Saturday nights, it blasted strange music with lyrics about fighting The Man. Kids had been fighting the Man since before Bruce was even born and they hadn’t beaten him yet. Kudos to them for still trying.
Last year, The Fuze Box closed down and someone else bought it. It reopened last month and looked more or less the same: Posers, shitty music, and spiked hair. So much spiked hair. “Place is still a pain in the ass,” Bruce said.
“Yep,” Vanessa chirped. “It doesn’t know what it wants to be now. One minute they play nightcore, the next EDM. It’s all over the place.”
Bruce raised a quizzical brow.
“Not that I’ve ever been there in my free time,” Vanessa said in a tone that suggested she had,
Bruce gave a judgemental hum.
“Anyway,” Vanessa went on, “you see we have some new missing persons?”
Sighing, Bruce sat back in his chair. “Yeah. I did.”
“People are starting to ask questions,” Vanessa warned.
That brought a terse smile to Bruce’s weathered face. “Maybe they’ll solve it then.”
“Ha, fat chance,” Vanessa said. She got up and stretched. “Anyway, I’m bushed. Here’s my…” she trailed off and looked at her empty hands. “Damn, where’s my report? I just had it?” She turned in a confused circle as if she might be able to spot her report making a break for it. “Huh,” she said. She left the office and came back a moment later holding a folder. “Found it,” she grinned.
Bruce just looked at her.
“Um…here it is.”
He didn’t take it.
Her smile faltered. She carefully sat it on top of the files Bruce was looking at.
And his hands.
“I’ll just leave that right here.” She patted it for good measure.
“Thank you,” Bruce said.
“Okay. Night.”
“Goodnight,” Bruce said as she left through a shaft of morning sunlight. Alone, Bruce sat her report aside and went back to the missing kids. This case was giving him a headache and it wasn’t even nine. With a deep sigh, he slumped back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the armrests.
Was it Saturday yet?
He could really use a fishing trip.
***
Dom came awake in the cold purple twilight with a shocked gasp like a man coming up seconds before drowning. His eyes strained from his sweaty face and his mouth hung slack, twisted in a gruesome parody of The Scream. His mind was muddled, murky - he didn’t know where he was or even who he was, but he knew this,.
He couldn’t breathe.
He opened and closed his mouth like a fish, but his lungs did not fill with air. A great, unseen weight seemed to bear down on his chest, and panic gripped him. He tried to move, but his arms refused to heed his brain’s command. The weight seemed heavier, all over, crushing him like a bug. Confusion filled him and he started to pant.
Without warning, his bowels and bladder loosened, and horrible wetness filled his pants. He tried to sit up, but his body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. His chest rose and fell with the frantic labor of his breath, but his lungs remained inert. A cry of fear bubbled up inside of him, but escaped his mouth only as a breathy groan.
A bust of adrenaline shot through him and he tried to stand, but succeeded only in falling off the couch instead, landing face first against the cold tile floor. He felt his nose crunch, but the pain was muted.
Dom thought he lost consciousness after that, but wasn’t sure. His next memory was of shivering so violently that his teeth clacked together. A phantom chill - perhaps from the floor - had settled into his bones, and was colder than he had ever been in his life, colder even than the time he fell into a snowbank and got lost when he was two. Shudders racked his body, and though he tried to turn over, he was too fucking heavy. It was like every muscle in his body had turned to dead weight. Fragmented thoughts swirled in his head, faint colors in the dark, but he couldn’t put any of them together.
With great effort, he managed to push himself slightly up, but a wave of lightheadedness crashed over him and he lowered his head once more. He stopped trying and simply lay there. Shortly, his eyes began to burn and he realized that he wasn’t blinking. Jesus Christ, he wasn’t blinking.
For some strange reason, that brought a fresh bout of panic. He started to hyperventilate, but his lungs still wouldn’t work. He wasn’t blinking…he wasn’t breathing…what was happening to him?
A whimper burst from his throat and he started to cry.
He must have cried himself to sleep, because he woke sometime later to the most intense headache he’d ever had. It felt like something was eating his brain from the inside out. He was sore all over, and could feel his muscles twitching, as though a thousand living things were burrowing through his body. A cramp shot down his right leg, and the toes of his left foot curled involuntarily. Slowly, his jaw clenched closed, and the muscles in his neck began to strain…then to burn. His panic turned to terror, and Dom wiggled across the floor like a worm, his limbs screaming in red agony and his brain filling with heat. He somehow wound up on his right side, and his arms curled slowly up to his chest, crossing at the wrists like a mummy. He tried to pull them apart, but the slightest movement sent waves of excruciating pain cutting through his body. His knees began to draw up to his stomach, and his fingers clenched tightly.
Cramps and spasms attacked every muscle in his body. He screamed through his teeth and shook, resembling a man in the electric chair as 40,000 volts of justice coursed through him. The pain grew gradually, getting worse and worse as minutes ticked by like hours. Higher, higher, higher - he clenched his eyes closed and shrieked as it became unbearable. Disjointed thoughts flashed through his mind - prayers, threats, curses, Jesus fucking…FUCK.
What was happening? God, what was happening to him? Was it fentanyl? He’d seen videos of people high on fentanyl, and they leaned in weird positions. He didn’t do drugs but maybe he ingested it somehow.
His panic may have returned if all of his muscles hadn’t picked that moment to contract as one. His eyes bulged from their sockets and his jaw unclenched just enough for him to utter a high. Agonized scream that echoed through his empty apartment like thunder.
A human being can only take so much before giving out. When the pain reached a crescendo, and Dom mercifully sank into consciousness once more. The sun rose and cascaded through the apartment’s sole window, falling over his huddled form. Slowly, it tracked across the sky before setting again. As the last rays disappeared behind the horizon, Dom’s eyes opened. The pain of the night before was blessedly gone, replaced by a feeling of numbness - the cool ash after the hot fire. His thoughts were slow and thick like molasses, but he could actually think again. Nightmare memories flooded back to him, but he wasn’t sure they were real. He was lying on his side, his arms wrapped around his chest as if for warmth, and his teeth lightly chattered against the icy chill. He was so cold that he didn’t want to move, but he couldn’t stay here forever. He needed help. He needed…
A shower.
Yeah, a hot shower. That would warm him up.
Gritting his teeth, he slowly sat up, ready for a burst of pain.
But none came.
He did, however, feel heavy. Getting to his feet, he stumbled and nearly fell, catching himself against the counter. His limbs had no feeling. It’s like they weren’t even there. Head hung, Dom tried to catch his breath, but it felt like he wasn’t breathing at all. His eyelids drooped closed and he felt like he was going to fall down. Summoning all the might he could, he shuffled into the bathroom with the stiff gait of an old man. He snapped the light on, and cold, white brilliance filled the space, blinding him.
Leaning heavily against the sink, he gripped the cold porcelain. Suddenly, he was afraid of looking into the mirror. He was sure that whatever reflection he saw, it would be of something else, something monstrous.
Dom lifted his head and faced the glass.
His heart shrank.
The man in the mirror was him but different. His skin was white as milk, lacking all color whatsoever save for the ugly purple patch on the left side. IResembling a giant bruise, it started at the temple and extended down to the slope of his neck, disappearing beneath his T-shirt. He gingerly lifted the shirt, and moaned when he saw that his entire left side was discolored, the purple edged with a puffy shade of pink. His sallow skin clung tight to his ribcage, and his hip bones stuck out so much it looked painful. Back in the mirror, his cheeks were sunken, hollow, and his eyes were a hazy, dishwater gray. His skull seemed bigger, his hair longer. Dom wanted to whip his head away from the phantom before him, to never see it again, but he was transfixed.
There was no way that thing was -
Dom looked away, cutting that thought off before it could finish.
A shower.
He needed a shower.
Slowly, stiffly, Dom undressed, peeling off his shirt and his soiled pants. He dropped them in a heap on the floor and stepped under the spray. He could feel the water pounding against him, but it provided no heat. It was neither hot nor cold. It was simply there.
Dom pressed his head to the slick shower wall and stood there for a long time. He was spent, tired, and fried - he had no more emotions left to give. He got out after a little while, dried off, and put on a clean pair of shorts. He settled into bed and lay there with his hands folded over his chest and his eyes open. They felt gritty, dry. His stomach felt bloated, gassy. He was drowsy now, the weight of the past two days (or was it two weeks?) coming down on him all at once. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
He was still asleep - but aware - when the knocking on his door started the next morning. Time was funny in this state of being, fast and jerky but also slow and echoing. Keys rattled the knob turned. The landlord came in with a cop. They saw him on the bed, laid out like a corpse for a viewing, and the cop radioed in a code 35. Soon, cops were all around him, making noise and touching things. He had the vague sense of discomfort and embarrassment at the intrusion. A baling man in a suit stood over him, a cop who looked like a redneck beside him. “He didn’t die here,” the medical examiner said.
The cop looked at him questioningly. Dom caught the name KENNER on his name tag.
“See this?” the M.E. said and gestured to Dom’s face. “That’s livor mortis. When you die, your blood pools at the lowest point. If you’re on your left side, for example, it pools on the left.”
Kenner looked at Dom and then back to the M.E. “Someone moved him?”
“Looks like it,” the M.E. said.
“When did he die?”
The M.E. examined Dom as though he were nothing more than a side of beef. “At a glance? Three days. I won’t have a better answer until I open him up.”
Dom was still awake when they put him into a body bag and zipped it up. He felt a stirring of fear beneath the cold numbness, but he was too tired to worry about it now.
Later, he thought.
He would panic later.
For now, Dom slept.
2024.05.14 21:00 CrossroadsCraftworks Free Concert - Downtown Eliz - Dallas Danger - May 19
Crossroads Craftworks is proud to welcome Dallas Danger to Music @ the Market. Please join us and enjoy this free performance during our monthly Maker's Market, Sunday, May 19th. The market is open from noon to 5pm, with music beginning at 2pm.
Dallas Danger was born in a small town, raised on country radio and mail order punk records, and grew up to be a punk rock storyteller. Now he fuses the down home storytelling of country with the hard-driving passion of punk rock into songs about love, loss, and life tinged with optimism.
The Downtown Elizabethton Maker's Market is an opportunity to shop directly from local artists, crafters, and makers in our community. It is located at 411 East Doe Avenue, Elizabethton, TN.
https://preview.redd.it/l2mgy2o9wf0d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=aa27f0bf55e03d7bb5b1328d1fd09ddc02663bf8
submitted by CrossroadsCraftworks to tricities [link] [comments]
Dallas Danger was born in a small town, raised on country radio and mail order punk records, and grew up to be a punk rock storyteller. Now he fuses the down home storytelling of country with the hard-driving passion of punk rock into songs about love, loss, and life tinged with optimism.
The Downtown Elizabethton Maker's Market is an opportunity to shop directly from local artists, crafters, and makers in our community. It is located at 411 East Doe Avenue, Elizabethton, TN.
https://preview.redd.it/l2mgy2o9wf0d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=aa27f0bf55e03d7bb5b1328d1fd09ddc02663bf8
2024.05.14 20:59 jPup_VR Google finally figured out the messaging on generative images/video/music: Focus on the PERSON and creative expression that they envision- then focus on how they use GenAI as a PART of their workflow, toward achieving that expression. - Ft. Wyclef Jean, Marc Rebillet, Childish Gambino/Donald Glover
Like with every new creative technology, we are seeing push-back from people both in and outside of creative communities. Cameras were "going to destroy painting"- synthesizers were "going to destroy music"- drum machines and sampled records "invalidated hip hop in 'the arts'"- Autotune "diminishes the value of proficient vocalists"... etc. etc. etc. But eventually, we always come around.
The AI debate has been much more public and much more heated- with many claiming it will be "the end of all human creative pursuits" or saying "we do not want AI to make images, video, or music at all"
The messaging of the people who make these AI tools are partially to blame for this discourse: their promotion/advertisement **is often positioning these as "tools that handle the entire creative process"
With music, they brought in Wyclef Jean and Marc Rebillet
_____________________________
With film-making and video production, they brought in Donald Glover (Childish Gambino)
Gambino's second takeaway quote emphasizes this specifically:
I don't often give Google many props... but they really figured this out and nailed the messaging today.
This perspective has the power to shift the conversation and steer creative pursuits in a more positive and capable direction... and potentially to awaken artistry in people who wouldn't have otherwise pursued it- increasing our collective ability to express ourselves and understand one another.
submitted by jPup_VR to singularity [link] [comments]
The AI debate has been much more public and much more heated- with many claiming it will be "the end of all human creative pursuits" or saying "we do not want AI to make images, video, or music at all"
The messaging of the people who make these AI tools are partially to blame for this discourse: their promotion/advertisement **is often positioning these as "tools that handle the entire creative process"
Google actually talked to artists, and showed people how they can use these generations as an addition to their existing tool belt and creative process.
_____________________________With music, they brought in Wyclef Jean and Marc Rebillet
Wyclef talked about how producers have used/modified samples from other works in the past, digging through records to find that perfect sound to add to the sound they've created in the studio manually. He explained that he now has a source of infinite, specified samples and sounds that he can add to the guitars, drums, etc. that he's already recording by handMarc is known for live looping and layering of sounds that he's recorded, sampled, or created on the fly. He explained how he can now quickly produce exactly the sound he's looking for to layer into what he's already creating
_____________________________
With film-making and video production, they brought in Donald Glover (Childish Gambino)
His takeaway quote was: "That's whats cool about it, you can make a mistake faster... at least in art, that's what you want: to make mistakes fast" which is something that, at least in my own artistic endeavors, deeply resonates. Curation and refinement- making mistakes and getting closer to the actual intent, is one of the most important parts of creating great art. Knowing what should be kept and what should be left out- taste, and the process of bringing to life that which you imagine accurately. Ben Franklin said it quite succinctly- "The eye [imagination/vision] of a master will do more work than both his hands"The point being that quickly moving through ideas frees up an artists time for further exploration and refinement- which in turn opens up the creative process to people who might not have pursued it otherwise.
Gambino's second takeaway quote emphasizes this specifically:
"Everybody's gonna become a director, and everybody should be a director- because at the heart of all this is just storytelling. The closer we are to being able to tell each other our stories... the more we'll understand each other"This is, in my mind, the part of Google I/O where they really knocked it out of the park.
This perspective is how people will come to view generative AI as a way of enhancing creation and self-expression, rather than destroying it. Creative communities will increasingly embrace it, bringing us more, and better art- and perhaps art that wouldn't have ever existed from people with ideas and stories that they never would have told otherwise.
I really strongly believe that this is the lens through which all creative generative AI should be viewed, shared, and promoted. This is the rhetoric and the perspective that creative people need to hear, emboldening and empowering them, rather than making them fearful of being replaced.I don't often give Google many props... but they really figured this out and nailed the messaging today.
This perspective has the power to shift the conversation and steer creative pursuits in a more positive and capable direction... and potentially to awaken artistry in people who wouldn't have otherwise pursued it- increasing our collective ability to express ourselves and understand one another.
2024.05.14 20:57 Flagg1991 Children of the Night (Part 2)
The world was a boozy whirl of lights and sounds. Images, broken and fragmented, came and went. Voices, laughter, screaming. The ground pitched like the deck of a tempest-tossed ship, and he felt heavy, as though the ground were pulling him to it. C’mere, Dommy. He fell, lay on the pavement, and pushed himself up again, staggering like a drunk on his way home. His head spun, his body ached, and things seemed blurry, like half-formed images glimpsed underwater.
It was the light blue hour before dawn and Dom was…somewhere. He should have recognized the stores and street signs around him, but he didn’t. His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and a sense of confusion gripped him so strongly that he was beginning to panic. Where was he? What happened?
The world spun away again and the next thing he knew, he was lying in a heap of garbage bags, used needles, and rubbish. He came awake with a jerk and sat up so fast that a bolt of pain jammed into his skull. He winced and pressed his hand to his forehead. He felt hot, clammy.
Something was seriously wrong.
Somehow he got to his feet again and started walking. The sun was up now and the streets were filled with people. They all sneered in disgust as he passed, and he wrapped his arms around his chest like a baby comforting itself. He was getting cold. His muscles were sore. Tears streamed down his face and he wanted to cry.
Going on instinct alone, Dom made his way back home and climbed the steps to his apartment. Exhaustion swept over him and he sagged against the door as he dug in his pocket for the keys. They shook in his hand and he had to focus really hard to get the key into the lock.
Inside, he collapsed onto the couch and his eyelids instantly drooped. He was so weary that he couldn’t lift his head, couldn’t form a single coherent thought. Dom felt himself starting to sink, and snapped his eyes open with a start. Something in his soul told him that if he slept, he would die.
He couldn’t help it, though. He was falling, tumbling, hands reaching up from hell to grab him. His eyes fluttered closed again and the world started to go dark, his heart slamming in fear. He tried to fight, but the pull of darkness was too strong, too alluring. Why was he fighting? Why not just…give up? Hadn’t he thought of killing himself before? Didn’t he hate his life and himself? What was there to fight for? A wife? Kids? A community that loved and respected him? Shit, affordable groceries?
No.
There was nothing.
He had nothing and was nothing.
A sense of peace blossomed from the darkness, and suddenly death didn’t seem so scary. In fact, it was warm…inviting.
It was life that was cold and hateful. Not death.
Death accepted you no matter who you were. It didn’t reject you…it didn’t ignore you. If you sought it, you would find it, and if you embraced it, it would embrace you.
With that thought in mind, Dom gave up.
And died.
***
Bruce Kenner, captain of the 5th Albany precinct, sat behind his desk on the morning of June 28 and lazily leafed through a stack of files as he sipped from a mug of coffee. A roughly built man with a dark goatee and graying blonde hair, he looked more like a small town southern sheriff than a low level public works functionary. In fact, he tended to act like it too. He liked to hunt, fish, and drink beer on his off time. Albany wasn’t a big city, but it was big enough that you never got a fucking break. Run here, run there, arrest this asshole, investigate that asshole. By the time Friday rolled around, he was so ready for the peace and tranquility of a fishing trip he could taste it.
Already this Monday morning, he was looking forward to another one.
Over the weekend, three kids went missing in the Pine Hills and Washington Park area, bringing the total for that summer up to eight. All were teenagers, all were troubled. Most were boys, but two were girls.
Troubled kids run away all the time. They might be gone a few days, sulking at a friend’s house over something their father or mother did, but they’d eventually come home. None of these kids had come back yet and from what he knew, a few of them weren’t the runaway types. They were shits at school and caused problems, but they had no reason to up and leave. Hell, Bruce himself raised hell as a kid, but he always found his way back home, even if he spent the previous night dying in a field from Mad Dogg 20/20 poisoning.
One or two kids going missing…okay, it happens. Eight? Over a span of four weeks?
Yeah, something was wrong here.
But what?
There was nothing on any of these kids. No one saw them, no one knew anything - one minute they were here, the next they weren’t. What could he or anyone else do with that?. The public broke cops’ balls all the time, but if you don’t have evidence, you don’t have evidence. What do you want? Door to door searches? Roadblocks? Dogs and helicopters? Yeah, then when you actually do it, they cry fascism. Guess I’ll just use my Spidey Senses.
Bruce wished he had spidey senses. He wanted to find these kids as much as anyone, and he was starting to get pissed off that he couldn’t. He took another sip from his mug and read on. The latest kids to go missing were three boys between the ages of fourteen and eighteen.
They were all white, all thin (except for one). If there was a serial killer in town - and Bruce hoped to fuck there wasn’t - he had a type. What, black kids aren’t good enough to kill, cannibalize, and wear like a skin suit? They should charge him with a hate crime for discrimination.
That way he’d actually stay locked up.
The door opened and Vanessa Rodregiez, his deputy, came in. A tall, shapely Hispanic woman with dark eyes and a mouth poised always on the edge of a smile, she wore her black hair in a ponytail that would look stern and severe on anyone else, but on her, looked childlike. She was twenty-seven and had been on the force for three years, but you could be forgiven for thinking her much younger. “Bright and early, I see,” she said with a grin.
Bruce grumbled.
Vanessa held down the fort during the graveyard shift, acting to the night as he acted to the day. She was young and full of energy, which clashed with Bruce, who was old and just wanted to be left alone. Despite their differences, Bruce loved her like a kid sister…an annoying kid sister he wanted to throat punch sometimes.
“You missed all the fun last night,” she said and parked her butt on the edge of Bruce’s desk. He glared at her, but she ignored him.
“Good,” he said. Then: “What happened?”
“Big fight outside of Club Vlad,” she said. “It looked like a WorldStar video.”
For a moment, Bruce was lost. “Club what?”
“Club Vlad,” Vanessa said. “Where the Fuze Box used to be.”
Ah, right. The Fuze Box was an Albany landmark, a night club for punks…or goths…or someone. Certainly not for Bruce Kenner. It was small, dingy, and always had people in black waiting outside. On Friday and Saturday nights, it blasted strange music with lyrics about fighting The Man. Kids had been fighting the Man since before Bruce was even born and they hadn’t beaten him yet. Kudos to them for still trying.
Last year, The Fuze Box closed down and someone else bought it. It reopened last month and looked more or less the same: Posers, shitty music, and spiked hair. So much spiked hair. “Place is still a pain in the ass,” Bruce said.
“Yep,” Vanessa chirped. “It doesn’t know what it wants to be now. One minute they play nightcore, the next EDM. It’s all over the place.”
Bruce raised a quizzical brow.
“Not that I’ve ever been there in my free time,” Vanessa said in a tone that suggested she had,
Bruce gave a judgemental hum.
“Anyway,” Vanessa went on, “you see we have some new missing persons?”
Sighing, Bruce sat back in his chair. “Yeah. I did.”
“People are starting to ask questions,” Vanessa warned.
That brought a terse smile to Bruce’s weathered face. “Maybe they’ll solve it then.”
“Ha, fat chance,” Vanessa said. She got up and stretched. “Anyway, I’m bushed. Here’s my…” she trailed off and looked at her empty hands. “Damn, where’s my report? I just had it?” She turned in a confused circle as if she might be able to spot her report making a break for it. “Huh,” she said. She left the office and came back a moment later holding a folder. “Found it,” she grinned.
Bruce just looked at her.
“Um…here it is.”
He didn’t take it.
Her smile faltered. She carefully sat it on top of the files Bruce was looking at.
And his hands.
“I’ll just leave that right here.” She patted it for good measure.
“Thank you,” Bruce said.
“Okay. Night.”
“Goodnight,” Bruce said as she left through a shaft of morning sunlight. Alone, Bruce sat her report aside and went back to the missing kids. This case was giving him a headache and it wasn’t even nine. With a deep sigh, he slumped back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the armrests.
Was it Saturday yet?
He could really use a fishing trip.
***
Dom came awake in the cold purple twilight with a shocked gasp like a man coming up seconds before drowning. His eyes strained from his sweaty face and his mouth hung slack, twisted in a gruesome parody of The Scream. His mind was muddled, murky - he didn’t know where he was or even who he was, but he knew this,.
He couldn’t breathe.
He opened and closed his mouth like a fish, but his lungs did not fill with air. A great, unseen weight seemed to bear down on his chest, and panic gripped him. He tried to move, but his arms refused to heed his brain’s command. The weight seemed heavier, all over, crushing him like a bug. Confusion filled him and he started to pant.
Without warning, his bowels and bladder loosened, and horrible wetness filled his pants. He tried to sit up, but his body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. His chest rose and fell with the frantic labor of his breath, but his lungs remained inert. A cry of fear bubbled up inside of him, but escaped his mouth only as a breathy groan.
A bust of adrenaline shot through him and he tried to stand, but succeeded only in falling off the couch instead, landing face first against the cold tile floor. He felt his nose crunch, but the pain was muted.
Dom thought he lost consciousness after that, but wasn’t sure. His next memory was of shivering so violently that his teeth clacked together. A phantom chill - perhaps from the floor - had settled into his bones, and was colder than he had ever been in his life, colder even than the time he fell into a snowbank and got lost when he was two. Shudders racked his body, and though he tried to turn over, he was too fucking heavy. It was like every muscle in his body had turned to dead weight. Fragmented thoughts swirled in his head, faint colors in the dark, but he couldn’t put any of them together.
With great effort, he managed to push himself slightly up, but a wave of lightheadedness crashed over him and he lowered his head once more. He stopped trying and simply lay there. Shortly, his eyes began to burn and he realized that he wasn’t blinking. Jesus Christ, he wasn’t blinking.
For some strange reason, that brought a fresh bout of panic. He started to hyperventilate, but his lungs still wouldn’t work. He wasn’t blinking…he wasn’t breathing…what was happening to him?
A whimper burst from his throat and he started to cry.
He must have cried himself to sleep, because he woke sometime later to the most intense headache he’d ever had. It felt like something was eating his brain from the inside out. He was sore all over, and could feel his muscles twitching, as though a thousand living things were burrowing through his body. A cramp shot down his right leg, and the toes of his left foot curled involuntarily. Slowly, his jaw clenched closed, and the muscles in his neck began to strain…then to burn. His panic turned to terror, and Dom wiggled across the floor like a worm, his limbs screaming in red agony and his brain filling with heat. He somehow wound up on his right side, and his arms curled slowly up to his chest, crossing at the wrists like a mummy. He tried to pull them apart, but the slightest movement sent waves of excruciating pain cutting through his body. His knees began to draw up to his stomach, and his fingers clenched tightly.
Cramps and spasms attacked every muscle in his body. He screamed through his teeth and shook, resembling a man in the electric chair as 40,000 volts of justice coursed through him. The pain grew gradually, getting worse and worse as minutes ticked by like hours. Higher, higher, higher - he clenched his eyes closed and shrieked as it became unbearable. Disjointed thoughts flashed through his mind - prayers, threats, curses, Jesus fucking…FUCK.
What was happening? God, what was happening to him? Was it fentanyl? He’d seen videos of people high on fentanyl, and they leaned in weird positions. He didn’t do drugs but maybe he ingested it somehow.
His panic may have returned if all of his muscles hadn’t picked that moment to contract as one. His eyes bulged from their sockets and his jaw unclenched just enough for him to utter a high. Agonized scream that echoed through his empty apartment like thunder.
A human being can only take so much before giving out. When the pain reached a crescendo, and Dom mercifully sank into consciousness once more. The sun rose and cascaded through the apartment’s sole window, falling over his huddled form. Slowly, it tracked across the sky before setting again. As the last rays disappeared behind the horizon, Dom’s eyes opened. The pain of the night before was blessedly gone, replaced by a feeling of numbness - the cool ash after the hot fire. His thoughts were slow and thick like molasses, but he could actually think again. Nightmare memories flooded back to him, but he wasn’t sure they were real. He was lying on his side, his arms wrapped around his chest as if for warmth, and his teeth lightly chattered against the icy chill. He was so cold that he didn’t want to move, but he couldn’t stay here forever. He needed help. He needed…
A shower.
Yeah, a hot shower. That would warm him up.
Gritting his teeth, he slowly sat up, ready for a burst of pain.
But none came.
He did, however, feel heavy. Getting to his feet, he stumbled and nearly fell, catching himself against the counter. His limbs had no feeling. It’s like they weren’t even there. Head hung, Dom tried to catch his breath, but it felt like he wasn’t breathing at all. His eyelids drooped closed and he felt like he was going to fall down. Summoning all the might he could, he shuffled into the bathroom with the stiff gait of an old man. He snapped the light on, and cold, white brilliance filled the space, blinding him.
Leaning heavily against the sink, he gripped the cold porcelain. Suddenly, he was afraid of looking into the mirror. He was sure that whatever reflection he saw, it would be of something else, something monstrous.
Dom lifted his head and faced the glass.
His heart shrank.
The man in the mirror was him but different. His skin was white as milk, lacking all color whatsoever save for the ugly purple patch on the left side. IResembling a giant bruise, it started at the temple and extended down to the slope of his neck, disappearing beneath his T-shirt. He gingerly lifted the shirt, and moaned when he saw that his entire left side was discolored, the purple edged with a puffy shade of pink. His sallow skin clung tight to his ribcage, and his hip bones stuck out so much it looked painful. Back in the mirror, his cheeks were sunken, hollow, and his eyes were a hazy, dishwater gray. His skull seemed bigger, his hair longer. Dom wanted to whip his head away from the phantom before him, to never see it again, but he was transfixed.
There was no way that thing was -
Dom looked away, cutting that thought off before it could finish.
A shower.
He needed a shower.
Slowly, stiffly, Dom undressed, peeling off his shirt and his soiled pants. He dropped them in a heap on the floor and stepped under the spray. He could feel the water pounding against him, but it provided no heat. It was neither hot nor cold. It was simply there.
Dom pressed his head to the slick shower wall and stood there for a long time. He was spent, tired, and fried - he had no more emotions left to give. He got out after a little while, dried off, and put on a clean pair of shorts. He settled into bed and lay there with his hands folded over his chest and his eyes open. They felt gritty, dry. His stomach felt bloated, gassy. He was drowsy now, the weight of the past two days (or was it two weeks?) coming down on him all at once. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
He was still asleep - but aware - when the knocking on his door started the next morning. Time was funny in this state of being, fast and jerky but also slow and echoing. Keys rattled the knob turned. The landlord came in with a cop. They saw him on the bed, laid out like a corpse for a viewing, and the cop radioed in a code 35. Soon, cops were all around him, making noise and touching things. He had the vague sense of discomfort and embarrassment at the intrusion. A baling man in a suit stood over him, a cop who looked like a redneck beside him. “He didn’t die here,” the medical examiner said.
The cop looked at him questioningly. Dom caught the name KENNER on his name tag.
“See this?” the M.E. said and gestured to Dom’s face. “That’s livor mortis. When you die, your blood pools at the lowest point. If you’re on your left side, for example, it pools on the left.”
Kenner looked at Dom and then back to the M.E. “Someone moved him?”
“Looks like it,” the M.E. said.
“When did he die?”
The M.E. examined Dom as though he were nothing more than a side of beef. “At a glance? Three days. I won’t have a better answer until I open him up.”
Dom was still awake when they put him into a body bag and zipped it up. He felt a stirring of fear beneath the cold numbness, but he was too tired to worry about it now.
Later, he thought.
He would panic later.
For now, Dom slept.
submitted by Flagg1991 to LighthouseHorror [link] [comments]
It was the light blue hour before dawn and Dom was…somewhere. He should have recognized the stores and street signs around him, but he didn’t. His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and a sense of confusion gripped him so strongly that he was beginning to panic. Where was he? What happened?
The world spun away again and the next thing he knew, he was lying in a heap of garbage bags, used needles, and rubbish. He came awake with a jerk and sat up so fast that a bolt of pain jammed into his skull. He winced and pressed his hand to his forehead. He felt hot, clammy.
Something was seriously wrong.
Somehow he got to his feet again and started walking. The sun was up now and the streets were filled with people. They all sneered in disgust as he passed, and he wrapped his arms around his chest like a baby comforting itself. He was getting cold. His muscles were sore. Tears streamed down his face and he wanted to cry.
Going on instinct alone, Dom made his way back home and climbed the steps to his apartment. Exhaustion swept over him and he sagged against the door as he dug in his pocket for the keys. They shook in his hand and he had to focus really hard to get the key into the lock.
Inside, he collapsed onto the couch and his eyelids instantly drooped. He was so weary that he couldn’t lift his head, couldn’t form a single coherent thought. Dom felt himself starting to sink, and snapped his eyes open with a start. Something in his soul told him that if he slept, he would die.
He couldn’t help it, though. He was falling, tumbling, hands reaching up from hell to grab him. His eyes fluttered closed again and the world started to go dark, his heart slamming in fear. He tried to fight, but the pull of darkness was too strong, too alluring. Why was he fighting? Why not just…give up? Hadn’t he thought of killing himself before? Didn’t he hate his life and himself? What was there to fight for? A wife? Kids? A community that loved and respected him? Shit, affordable groceries?
No.
There was nothing.
He had nothing and was nothing.
A sense of peace blossomed from the darkness, and suddenly death didn’t seem so scary. In fact, it was warm…inviting.
It was life that was cold and hateful. Not death.
Death accepted you no matter who you were. It didn’t reject you…it didn’t ignore you. If you sought it, you would find it, and if you embraced it, it would embrace you.
With that thought in mind, Dom gave up.
And died.
***
Bruce Kenner, captain of the 5th Albany precinct, sat behind his desk on the morning of June 28 and lazily leafed through a stack of files as he sipped from a mug of coffee. A roughly built man with a dark goatee and graying blonde hair, he looked more like a small town southern sheriff than a low level public works functionary. In fact, he tended to act like it too. He liked to hunt, fish, and drink beer on his off time. Albany wasn’t a big city, but it was big enough that you never got a fucking break. Run here, run there, arrest this asshole, investigate that asshole. By the time Friday rolled around, he was so ready for the peace and tranquility of a fishing trip he could taste it.
Already this Monday morning, he was looking forward to another one.
Over the weekend, three kids went missing in the Pine Hills and Washington Park area, bringing the total for that summer up to eight. All were teenagers, all were troubled. Most were boys, but two were girls.
Troubled kids run away all the time. They might be gone a few days, sulking at a friend’s house over something their father or mother did, but they’d eventually come home. None of these kids had come back yet and from what he knew, a few of them weren’t the runaway types. They were shits at school and caused problems, but they had no reason to up and leave. Hell, Bruce himself raised hell as a kid, but he always found his way back home, even if he spent the previous night dying in a field from Mad Dogg 20/20 poisoning.
One or two kids going missing…okay, it happens. Eight? Over a span of four weeks?
Yeah, something was wrong here.
But what?
There was nothing on any of these kids. No one saw them, no one knew anything - one minute they were here, the next they weren’t. What could he or anyone else do with that?. The public broke cops’ balls all the time, but if you don’t have evidence, you don’t have evidence. What do you want? Door to door searches? Roadblocks? Dogs and helicopters? Yeah, then when you actually do it, they cry fascism. Guess I’ll just use my Spidey Senses.
Bruce wished he had spidey senses. He wanted to find these kids as much as anyone, and he was starting to get pissed off that he couldn’t. He took another sip from his mug and read on. The latest kids to go missing were three boys between the ages of fourteen and eighteen.
They were all white, all thin (except for one). If there was a serial killer in town - and Bruce hoped to fuck there wasn’t - he had a type. What, black kids aren’t good enough to kill, cannibalize, and wear like a skin suit? They should charge him with a hate crime for discrimination.
That way he’d actually stay locked up.
The door opened and Vanessa Rodregiez, his deputy, came in. A tall, shapely Hispanic woman with dark eyes and a mouth poised always on the edge of a smile, she wore her black hair in a ponytail that would look stern and severe on anyone else, but on her, looked childlike. She was twenty-seven and had been on the force for three years, but you could be forgiven for thinking her much younger. “Bright and early, I see,” she said with a grin.
Bruce grumbled.
Vanessa held down the fort during the graveyard shift, acting to the night as he acted to the day. She was young and full of energy, which clashed with Bruce, who was old and just wanted to be left alone. Despite their differences, Bruce loved her like a kid sister…an annoying kid sister he wanted to throat punch sometimes.
“You missed all the fun last night,” she said and parked her butt on the edge of Bruce’s desk. He glared at her, but she ignored him.
“Good,” he said. Then: “What happened?”
“Big fight outside of Club Vlad,” she said. “It looked like a WorldStar video.”
For a moment, Bruce was lost. “Club what?”
“Club Vlad,” Vanessa said. “Where the Fuze Box used to be.”
Ah, right. The Fuze Box was an Albany landmark, a night club for punks…or goths…or someone. Certainly not for Bruce Kenner. It was small, dingy, and always had people in black waiting outside. On Friday and Saturday nights, it blasted strange music with lyrics about fighting The Man. Kids had been fighting the Man since before Bruce was even born and they hadn’t beaten him yet. Kudos to them for still trying.
Last year, The Fuze Box closed down and someone else bought it. It reopened last month and looked more or less the same: Posers, shitty music, and spiked hair. So much spiked hair. “Place is still a pain in the ass,” Bruce said.
“Yep,” Vanessa chirped. “It doesn’t know what it wants to be now. One minute they play nightcore, the next EDM. It’s all over the place.”
Bruce raised a quizzical brow.
“Not that I’ve ever been there in my free time,” Vanessa said in a tone that suggested she had,
Bruce gave a judgemental hum.
“Anyway,” Vanessa went on, “you see we have some new missing persons?”
Sighing, Bruce sat back in his chair. “Yeah. I did.”
“People are starting to ask questions,” Vanessa warned.
That brought a terse smile to Bruce’s weathered face. “Maybe they’ll solve it then.”
“Ha, fat chance,” Vanessa said. She got up and stretched. “Anyway, I’m bushed. Here’s my…” she trailed off and looked at her empty hands. “Damn, where’s my report? I just had it?” She turned in a confused circle as if she might be able to spot her report making a break for it. “Huh,” she said. She left the office and came back a moment later holding a folder. “Found it,” she grinned.
Bruce just looked at her.
“Um…here it is.”
He didn’t take it.
Her smile faltered. She carefully sat it on top of the files Bruce was looking at.
And his hands.
“I’ll just leave that right here.” She patted it for good measure.
“Thank you,” Bruce said.
“Okay. Night.”
“Goodnight,” Bruce said as she left through a shaft of morning sunlight. Alone, Bruce sat her report aside and went back to the missing kids. This case was giving him a headache and it wasn’t even nine. With a deep sigh, he slumped back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the armrests.
Was it Saturday yet?
He could really use a fishing trip.
***
Dom came awake in the cold purple twilight with a shocked gasp like a man coming up seconds before drowning. His eyes strained from his sweaty face and his mouth hung slack, twisted in a gruesome parody of The Scream. His mind was muddled, murky - he didn’t know where he was or even who he was, but he knew this,.
He couldn’t breathe.
He opened and closed his mouth like a fish, but his lungs did not fill with air. A great, unseen weight seemed to bear down on his chest, and panic gripped him. He tried to move, but his arms refused to heed his brain’s command. The weight seemed heavier, all over, crushing him like a bug. Confusion filled him and he started to pant.
Without warning, his bowels and bladder loosened, and horrible wetness filled his pants. He tried to sit up, but his body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. His chest rose and fell with the frantic labor of his breath, but his lungs remained inert. A cry of fear bubbled up inside of him, but escaped his mouth only as a breathy groan.
A bust of adrenaline shot through him and he tried to stand, but succeeded only in falling off the couch instead, landing face first against the cold tile floor. He felt his nose crunch, but the pain was muted.
Dom thought he lost consciousness after that, but wasn’t sure. His next memory was of shivering so violently that his teeth clacked together. A phantom chill - perhaps from the floor - had settled into his bones, and was colder than he had ever been in his life, colder even than the time he fell into a snowbank and got lost when he was two. Shudders racked his body, and though he tried to turn over, he was too fucking heavy. It was like every muscle in his body had turned to dead weight. Fragmented thoughts swirled in his head, faint colors in the dark, but he couldn’t put any of them together.
With great effort, he managed to push himself slightly up, but a wave of lightheadedness crashed over him and he lowered his head once more. He stopped trying and simply lay there. Shortly, his eyes began to burn and he realized that he wasn’t blinking. Jesus Christ, he wasn’t blinking.
For some strange reason, that brought a fresh bout of panic. He started to hyperventilate, but his lungs still wouldn’t work. He wasn’t blinking…he wasn’t breathing…what was happening to him?
A whimper burst from his throat and he started to cry.
He must have cried himself to sleep, because he woke sometime later to the most intense headache he’d ever had. It felt like something was eating his brain from the inside out. He was sore all over, and could feel his muscles twitching, as though a thousand living things were burrowing through his body. A cramp shot down his right leg, and the toes of his left foot curled involuntarily. Slowly, his jaw clenched closed, and the muscles in his neck began to strain…then to burn. His panic turned to terror, and Dom wiggled across the floor like a worm, his limbs screaming in red agony and his brain filling with heat. He somehow wound up on his right side, and his arms curled slowly up to his chest, crossing at the wrists like a mummy. He tried to pull them apart, but the slightest movement sent waves of excruciating pain cutting through his body. His knees began to draw up to his stomach, and his fingers clenched tightly.
Cramps and spasms attacked every muscle in his body. He screamed through his teeth and shook, resembling a man in the electric chair as 40,000 volts of justice coursed through him. The pain grew gradually, getting worse and worse as minutes ticked by like hours. Higher, higher, higher - he clenched his eyes closed and shrieked as it became unbearable. Disjointed thoughts flashed through his mind - prayers, threats, curses, Jesus fucking…FUCK.
What was happening? God, what was happening to him? Was it fentanyl? He’d seen videos of people high on fentanyl, and they leaned in weird positions. He didn’t do drugs but maybe he ingested it somehow.
His panic may have returned if all of his muscles hadn’t picked that moment to contract as one. His eyes bulged from their sockets and his jaw unclenched just enough for him to utter a high. Agonized scream that echoed through his empty apartment like thunder.
A human being can only take so much before giving out. When the pain reached a crescendo, and Dom mercifully sank into consciousness once more. The sun rose and cascaded through the apartment’s sole window, falling over his huddled form. Slowly, it tracked across the sky before setting again. As the last rays disappeared behind the horizon, Dom’s eyes opened. The pain of the night before was blessedly gone, replaced by a feeling of numbness - the cool ash after the hot fire. His thoughts were slow and thick like molasses, but he could actually think again. Nightmare memories flooded back to him, but he wasn’t sure they were real. He was lying on his side, his arms wrapped around his chest as if for warmth, and his teeth lightly chattered against the icy chill. He was so cold that he didn’t want to move, but he couldn’t stay here forever. He needed help. He needed…
A shower.
Yeah, a hot shower. That would warm him up.
Gritting his teeth, he slowly sat up, ready for a burst of pain.
But none came.
He did, however, feel heavy. Getting to his feet, he stumbled and nearly fell, catching himself against the counter. His limbs had no feeling. It’s like they weren’t even there. Head hung, Dom tried to catch his breath, but it felt like he wasn’t breathing at all. His eyelids drooped closed and he felt like he was going to fall down. Summoning all the might he could, he shuffled into the bathroom with the stiff gait of an old man. He snapped the light on, and cold, white brilliance filled the space, blinding him.
Leaning heavily against the sink, he gripped the cold porcelain. Suddenly, he was afraid of looking into the mirror. He was sure that whatever reflection he saw, it would be of something else, something monstrous.
Dom lifted his head and faced the glass.
His heart shrank.
The man in the mirror was him but different. His skin was white as milk, lacking all color whatsoever save for the ugly purple patch on the left side. IResembling a giant bruise, it started at the temple and extended down to the slope of his neck, disappearing beneath his T-shirt. He gingerly lifted the shirt, and moaned when he saw that his entire left side was discolored, the purple edged with a puffy shade of pink. His sallow skin clung tight to his ribcage, and his hip bones stuck out so much it looked painful. Back in the mirror, his cheeks were sunken, hollow, and his eyes were a hazy, dishwater gray. His skull seemed bigger, his hair longer. Dom wanted to whip his head away from the phantom before him, to never see it again, but he was transfixed.
There was no way that thing was -
Dom looked away, cutting that thought off before it could finish.
A shower.
He needed a shower.
Slowly, stiffly, Dom undressed, peeling off his shirt and his soiled pants. He dropped them in a heap on the floor and stepped under the spray. He could feel the water pounding against him, but it provided no heat. It was neither hot nor cold. It was simply there.
Dom pressed his head to the slick shower wall and stood there for a long time. He was spent, tired, and fried - he had no more emotions left to give. He got out after a little while, dried off, and put on a clean pair of shorts. He settled into bed and lay there with his hands folded over his chest and his eyes open. They felt gritty, dry. His stomach felt bloated, gassy. He was drowsy now, the weight of the past two days (or was it two weeks?) coming down on him all at once. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
He was still asleep - but aware - when the knocking on his door started the next morning. Time was funny in this state of being, fast and jerky but also slow and echoing. Keys rattled the knob turned. The landlord came in with a cop. They saw him on the bed, laid out like a corpse for a viewing, and the cop radioed in a code 35. Soon, cops were all around him, making noise and touching things. He had the vague sense of discomfort and embarrassment at the intrusion. A baling man in a suit stood over him, a cop who looked like a redneck beside him. “He didn’t die here,” the medical examiner said.
The cop looked at him questioningly. Dom caught the name KENNER on his name tag.
“See this?” the M.E. said and gestured to Dom’s face. “That’s livor mortis. When you die, your blood pools at the lowest point. If you’re on your left side, for example, it pools on the left.”
Kenner looked at Dom and then back to the M.E. “Someone moved him?”
“Looks like it,” the M.E. said.
“When did he die?”
The M.E. examined Dom as though he were nothing more than a side of beef. “At a glance? Three days. I won’t have a better answer until I open him up.”
Dom was still awake when they put him into a body bag and zipped it up. He felt a stirring of fear beneath the cold numbness, but he was too tired to worry about it now.
Later, he thought.
He would panic later.
For now, Dom slept.