I (36F, 5'7', 130lbs, active, otherwise healthy, no medications, no smoking, ~1 drink per week, Canada), broke my ankle (trimalleolar fracture) at end of December 2022, with ORIF surgery early January 2023. I recently have had a recurring blistefluid filled bump under the incision scar and I'm not sure what it is/what to do about it.
Backstory: A few days post-op (Jan 2023) I developed a fever and went to the ER. My cast was cut off, they swabbed the incisions (very small amount of pus on one of two incisions), and gave me antibiotics (cephalexin if I remember correctly). Finished the antibiotics, no further signs of infection.
Both of my incisions looked horrible throughout the first couple of months. I had blisters on/around both incisions. Surgeon said they were fracture blisters, but I believe some may have come from the excessive amount of steri-strips placed over my incisions.
The last blister I had developed and burst around 6-7 weeks post op. This too became infected, and I had to take antibiotics again (cipro if I remember correctly). Finished those, no further signs of infection.
Once my incisions/surrounding skin finally healed, the rest of my recovery went smoothly. I've gone through PT and have mostly returned to my normal, very physically active life. My ankle does get sore and stiff depending on how active I've been/the weather, but from what I understand this is all to be expected.
Now: Over the last month though I've had a recurring bump under my surgical scar. A couple days before it first appeared, I had a PT appointment and they used a laser on this area for ~5 minutes, after which I noticed it was red and swollen. After a few days, and it looked like this:
March 31: https://imgur.com/gallery/f9ahdU9
It felt like fluid under the skin where the greyish area was. I didn't have any other symptoms - no fever, no pain beyond some slight tenderness where the bump was. Maybe a little warm to the touch but hard to say for sure. I washed it with Dettol soap twice a day, applied Polysporin, and covered it with a large bandaid to keep it protected. The quickest my surgeon could see me was a week later - and by then my ankle was back to looking like this (how it normally looks):
April 7: https://imgur.com/gallery/jLeAckK
The surgeon didn't seem concerned at all, even after I showed him photos. The nurse who saw me/the photos first, on the other hand, thought I may need to fill out OR paperwork and mentioned getting a washout - so clearly she had some concerns about possible infection. He told me he wasn't sure what it was, and thought maybe it was an infected hair follicle. His instruction was to keep an eye on it, and if it came back + burst or came back + fever, 'you should get it looked at right away.'
Fast forward a couple weeks later, and I am in a different country (US) on vacation (OK'ed by the surgeon), and of course it comes back.
I was out surfing for a couple of hours, and sure enough, it started to come back the following day - looked like this:
April 23: https://imgur.com/gallery/JeNrUq7
I applied an antibacterial (benzalkonium chloride) waterproof bandaid to keep it protected - and it REALLY did not react well. The next day the skin was red and I had little white heads where the bandage was touching my skin. I believe this was a reaction from the bandaid.
Here's how it progressed: April 24: https://imgur.com/gallery/qw3bzOV April 25: https://imgur.com/gallery/0zpQFKs Today, April 28: https://imgur.com/gallery/H3peiiv
There is some tenderness on the bump itself and a little bit of pain in my ankle once in a while, but honestly not much - 1/10. No fever. I have pretty reactive lymph nodes and none are enlarged. I'm taking it easy as I really don't want the skin to break.
...So what could this be? I'm scared it could be chronic osteomyelitis, considering my early post op infections. Thoughts? Test(s) I should ask for when I get home?
Could it be an infected hair follicle that has come back? It seems so unlikely that it would just happen to occur right under the incision. I rarely have ingrown hairs.
I do have medical travel insurance, but would prefer not to have to use it unless it's absolutely necessary. Also, was planning on having the hardware removed + arthroscopy in June or July.
Any advice on how I should proceed would be much appreciated! And thank you for reading all of this!

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/gallery/z9Q0pln
Serial Number: https://imgur.com/gallery/FU6Do6O
Pics: https://imgur.com/gallery/L4ApABO
Catch and release from here. Little salt but glass is perfect and I think comes with bikini cover, all risers/screws and the box it came in. Looking for any full size magnifier from any comparable manufacturer (Holosun, Sig, Primary Arms, Bushnell etc.), dont care about salt as long as the glass is clear, and willing to pay the difference if the trade value isnt the same (didnt realize the full sizes were almost double the price of micros).
TV: $140 ish SV: $115 ish
Trades>Dibs>Pm’s, typical rules apply. If buying, Paypal F&F no notes, Cashapp, or Zelle (No venmo).

DRY ONION SOUP MIX Beef
yield 3 pkgs
INGREDIENTS
¾ cup onion flakes
1/3 cup powdered beef bullion / I would use chicken bullion
4 tsp onion powder
½ tsp ground celery seed
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp sugar
¼ tsp paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a glass jar.
Use 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) in lieu of one packet of dry onion soup mix.
Store in a cool pantry.

Ok hello everyone this is my 3rd post or so trying to sell all of this, please if actually interested pm me need to get this stuff sold ASAP. (timestamp at the bottom) But I am selling my entire gaming setup, part by part, piece by piece or bundled. For sale: 2080 Super:$200 + shipping. (process of selling) Ryzen 5 5600x $65 (5 or so bent pins) (process of selling) AIO cooler from alienware for 5600x: $40 not bought! Ryzen 5 3600: $35 (process of selling) Msi b450 gaming plus max: Idk if it works $15 (^] Alienware motherboard: Same thing $15 Fractal design meshify C white: $40 + shipping. Available Hyper x duocast: $40 + shipping preferred . Available Corsair k65 RGB mini: $55 . Available 32 gigs 3200 speed rip jaws ram (two stick) $30 Sold 16 gig 3200 Kingston fury ram (two sticks) $15 Sold 1000W 80+ gold PSU has a 24 pin from Alienware (standard psu fully modular also) $60 + shipping 650W 80+ bronze rosewill $25 + shipping. Both psu’s r not sold same with headsets Razer Barracuda wireless X 2021 Quarts pink: $40 Razer blackshark V2 pro wireless: $50 ($80 for both of em) Element 27 inch QHD 1MS response time 1440p 165hz monitor: $90 just want shipping covered. (process of selling) Pulsar XL glass mousepad (used for 3 months) $40 comes with original packing. (process of selling)
Made on mobile sorry for the formatting, for me it’s a nice list but when I view it’s a blob of info sorry. Most of this gear has been used for under a year, especially the mic/headsets, and mousepad/keyboard.
Local 46124
Timestamps below!
https://imgur.com/gallery/YxFomp2
https://imgur.com/gallery/dCFspuC
https://imgur.com/gallery/i5aEMCD
https://imgur.com/gallery/vkKteQy

Hi folks, I think I have a highly efficient system but I realize I've never validated this, so I'm looking for some pointers or tips. I primarily do digital design for MOCs but I feel like this system applies to anyone who might purchase digital instructions or anything driven by a BL wanted list.
Step 0: Sorting
I sort my elements alphabetically by BL category in ALEX drawers, using 3D printed bins for each element, similar to a Gridfinity system. I think it's safe to ignore the granularity of elements (individual element type or color), so long as you're sorting by category at the highest level -- in my case I've gotten pretty close to individual bins for each element. The only area where I differ is I group all decorated elements together.
Question: BL Wanted Lists are only generally sorted by category. Sorting by Item Name gets close, but not quite perfect (e.g. animal elements will still be interspersed later in the list, or window glass appears under G instead of W). Is there a way to get the Wanted List to sort by category? Or is there another method of sorting I should consider? General wisdom is that sorting by element type is the best...
Step 1: Generate a BL Wanted List
Using Studio, I create a BL Wanted List based on my MOC. Substitute your own process here; maybe that's purchasing a MOC on Rebrickable or uploading a wanted list. I then print the wanted list on paper, 4 to a page.
Step 2: Pulling Parts from My Own Collection
I basically just go down the Wanted List and pull parts from my collection where I have them. This is why I think it's most important to at least have parts sorted by top level BL category. I'll cross out elements where I have the full amount, or I'll tag a "-3" if I was able to find e.g. 3 pieces.
Step 3: Adjusting the Wanted List
I reference what I've pulled and remove elements or adjust quantities. For this step I'll usually duplicate the original Wanted List, just in case I need to reference something from the original.
(Optional) Step 4a: Order Elements from PAB Online
I'm usually left with a Wanted List that would need to be sourced from several sellers. Most of the time I'll do a purchase from PAB Online first mostly for convenience. It's definitely more pricey than BL but I can usually find enough on PAB to cover quite a few sellers on BL.
Question: By far the most annoying part of doing this is element IDs not matching up with PAB. I find myself needing to check BrickOwl and just guessing at element IDs for a lot of elements. For example 1x1 round plates have a 6141 BL ID, but don't always have that ID on PAB (30057). Is there a better process for efficiently matching BL elements to PAB?
Step 4: Order Elements from BL Sellers
I generally use Easy Buy for this. If it's a small order, I'll go all domestic sellers, but if it's relatively large (40+ lots) I'll check to see if an international seller has a very high lot count, selecting one or two of those first before doing domestic orders for everything else. I try to pad the quantity by a few extra elements just in case.
---
Thanks for reviewing, if anyone has thoughts on this process, particularly how to make it more efficient, I would love to hear them. Or if you're using different tools or another system, let me know -- always eager to learn more about the hobby!

DAY: APRIL 27 2024
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• 4-27-2024STUDY PRESENTS STRATEGY TO STAMP OUT ILLICIT MARKET FOR CANNABIS AMID WAVE OF POLICY SHIFTS IN NORTH AMERICA It’s been five years since Canada stepped into the forefront of cannabis legalization, setting a significant precedent in the realm of drug policy. With Canada and 24 US states now embracing recreational cannabis, the battle against the illegal market remains a key concern, one highlighted in the federal government’s final report on the Cannabis Act. […] Read More
  
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''Welcome, my guest, to the palace of Jericho!''
The prince said, waving his hands around, as we made it past the massive doors. Inside, a view very few peasants ever saw in their lives. Of absurdly tall ceilings, of intricate pillars, of statues commemorating past monarchs and high-standing officials. I Dieudonné couldn't believe my eyes, and followed the prince, savoring every sight and every second.
''Tell me, where would you like to have tea? We can go to the royal terrace, the balcony, the inner gardens...'' The prince asked me, as we made our way up the stairs of the atrium. I scratched my head and wondered, what would be the smartest answer?
''Well you see, I've always wanted to see what a prince's chamber would look like... If that's not asking too much of you, my liege.''
The prince turned around, with an annoying look on his face. ''Listen, you don't have to be so formal. Let's just be friends and enjoy ourselves.''
I jumped on the opportunity and raced to him, slapping him on his back, telling him how glad I was. ''But I don't want to be your friend just because you're the prince, don't get me wrong. I just like clever people is all'' I told him, and I saw him smile, through his nose and eyebrow gold chain, scintillating in the light of the hundreds of candles and torches around us.
Alone in the private chamber of the prince, I sat on the pillow on the ground, next to a low wooden table. My new friend the prince poured water in a kettle and put it over the fire. I wondered, why in the world would he make his own tea?
''Tell me, why not ask a servant?'' I finally asked him.
''Well I wouldn't really be treating you for tea, then, would I?'' He replied, walking toward me with a wooden box.
I made sure not to show any greed on my face, yet I couldn't stop wondering if that box was a present for me, considering the sheer luck I had of meeting the prince by chance, and becoming his friend as well. The prince put the box down in front of me, and opened it, revealing dozens of compartments, each holding fine quality ingredients, such as colorful powders, seeds like anis and cardamom, cinnamon bark and so many others I had never seen before.
''Tell me, what's your favourite tea? Do you like sweet, or bitter, hot or cold? Spiced or not?''
I Dieudonné was outmatched for once. I admitted I had no knowledge in tea whatsoever. ''I only know the dry, black one, that you break appart..''
The prince had a surprised look on his face; ''You mean tea bricks? I didn't think you'd be one of those types...''
I asked him what he meant by that, and he explained that people's taste in tea reveals a lot about themselves, who they are truly. I thought it incredibly funny how he needed tea preferences to tell the nature of people, when all I needed was to look at their face. But I rather enjoyed his little trick, this prince wasn't as stupid as people are usually...
''If I could have any tea, I'd have orange tea. I just don't think it's appropriate to ask for that, since you've already been so generous to me.''
For once I was being honest with him. I wouldn't dream of telling him the whole story about my father and the orange, the incense, but it felt good for once to tell the truth. The prince smiled and closed the wooden box, its overwhelming aroma taken away. He rushed out and left me all alone, in his room. For once in my life, I heard it. Complete silence. If not for the occasional crackling of the fire.
I Dieudonné closed my eyes and relaxed. I couldn't wait to sip on orange tea! Insidiously Greed got a hold on me once more, and I got up on my feet, remembering my plan, my princely plan...
I stepped around the room, looking at everything. The comically large bed, the white silken bedsheets, the pillows filled with feathers. The bookshelves full of not only books and scrolls but also of trinkets like a globe of the earth, a telescope and most intriguing of all a tiny chest, half-opened. I could see, if I got close enough, coins perhaps?
I kept listening to any coming footsteps, so as not to be caught in the act, but the kettle started boiling and whistling. I had to get back to my seat but my body was moving on its own! Only one of these gold coins would give me the life of a prince, if only for a single day... And the door opened. I shifted my gaze to the telescope, pretending not to hear the prince coming in, to be fascinated by the instrument.
''Tell me, do you look at the stars sometimes?'' The prince asked me, in his hands, a bowl, filled with orange powder.
''I don't think I've spent a single night not looking at the stars'' I lied, looking at him smiling.
He placed the bowl on the table, brought over the kettle, as I took my seat once more, just before stealing a last look at the tiny chest in the bookshelf. From under the table he took out a tea making kit, with a few cups, a tray and two peculiar statuettes, representing a dragon and a sheep.
I sat there and looked at my new friend, the prince of Jericho, brew orange tea. He gave me a tiny hourglass, instructing me to flip it over once he pours the boiling water on the tea. Instantly the aroma filled the chamber, and I noticed we both started smiling. I brought my cup closer yet to my surprise he poured the tea over the statuettes, wasting the tea.
''Why waste it?'' I couldn't help asking. He laughed and explained how the first steep is merely to wash the tea, and is offered to the tea pets. I sat there, nodding, arms crossed. Ah yes. It seems the prince is a tea connoisseur! I couldn't help but think he just wanted to show off to me, his new friend.
The prince poured the water once more, I flipped the hourglass once more, and he offered me the first cup. I brought it to my nose and Heavens did it smell good. I dipped my lips into it but at that instant I thought about Daysha, how happy she would've been to be here right now, and what she was doing instead, for my sake..
The tea was surprisingly bitter, yet so aromatic! The prince laughed and laughed, and poured himself a cup. His laugh was surprisingly familiar, much akin to the ones of my neighboors back in my hometown. He gulped down his tea and got up, clapping his hands. I did the same and saw him run to the telescope. He brought it over to the window, and gestured me to come over. Stargazing now, are we?
He took a few minutes to set everything up, while I waited outside on the balcony. The view was already incredible, overlooking the inner palace and most of Jericho as well. From here I could see the plaza, but not beyond the tall walls. The prince finally said it's ready, and I got closer, curious as to what that tool could show me that I couldn't see with my eyes. Stars are stars after all.
But what I saw, in that strange little tube was not a star but an orange, stripy ball, with some bright dots around it... What in the world?
''That, my friend, is Al-Mushtari, as the arabs call it. We call it Jupiter, the greatest god of them all!''
To gaze at gods themselves! I fell on my butt, suddenly dizzy. The prince laughed and looked through the telescope as well, smiling ever more. At that moment I really wanted to leave, but also to make sure I'd see the prince again, for my plan hinged on that.
''My prince I must thank you for your hospitality. What pleasure to share tea and spy on the gods with his majesty-'' I started, but he turned toward me with a puzzled look on his face.
''Don't tell me, you're off already?''
I explained to him how I just got to Jericho today, and that I had to get back to my sister and uncle, and he stopped me once more;
''Well remember, then. I'll meet you tomorrow morning at the plaza. I truly wish to meet this family of yours, and offer my blessings. Take care now, my friend.''
And for the first time in my life, the man I was talking to had the face of a friend, and I didn't know what to think for a while. He walked me out in silence, and shook my hand, leaving in it a tiny bag. I smiled and walked out, escorted by the palace guards, inspecting in my hand yet another present from the prince; more of that orange tea powder.
Standing there in front of the metal gate of the palace, that closed behind me, I felt somewhat alone, if only for an instant. I am, after all, Dieudonné, a man that is truly free. Yet I couldn't help but look forward to meeting my new friend again, the prince. And gifting the orange tea to my foolish sister, as an apology. Yet beyond that, the dark clouds that were my princely plans loomed over all.
Making my way back to the fruit shop, I couldn't help but think back on Daysha and that tall man Lemarcus. As much of a fool as she is, my sister truly saved me there, and made it possible to meet the prince as well. This present may not be much, but I hope it'll show her how grateful I am of her help. Though she did owe me one...
The streets of Jericho were unusually quiet and empty. Some loners were here and there, smoking and drinking. Others were hurrying their steps, as if late to some important meeting. How miserable. At that moment I Dieudonné realized I was one of them! One more of these rats, scurrying about in the dead of night, hurrying toward the void that is their lives!
No matter what face I have truly, that of a prince or of a peasant, what matters are my actions. No more of this! I know what to do, to become prince at last, and fate itself landed me a hand! Yes, I will go forth with my plan, no matter what. For the life of a prince is the only life worthy for me.
I passed under a low banner and in this dark alleyway I thought back on Daquan, that guard I had poisonned so cleverly. I couldn't help smiling, and I didn't really like what that meant about me. Is killing a man that simple? Behind me, a fool, coughing and stumbling, his breathing raspy and annoying. I hurried my steps, as I was close to the fruit shop, but it seemed like the sick fool behind me hurried as well. I turned around briefly, and in the feeble moonlight I saw his bearded, scarred face, no longer that of a gambler, but that of a vengeful killer. We crossed eyes and he yelled ''Dieudonné you peasant!''
I didn't like that. I faced him, separated by a few dozen meters, surrounded by boxes and garbage bins and low hanging banners. We were completely alone here in the alleyway, and the only thing I could hear was his struggling breathing, and his coughing, as he was hurrying toward me, holding something in his hand, what, a knife?
I Dieudonné had enough of that man. No matter how grateful I was of the hand of fate, bringing me closer to my goal using that despicable man, I decided to finish what I had started.
''What, you want to kill me, good guard?'' I taunted him, looking at his curved dagger in his shaky hand. Daquan coughed once more and leaped toward me, screaming, murder in his eyes, but he was so slow from the rat poison. I punched his arm and his dagger fell on the ground loudly. ''What did you do to me?'' he shouted, his face so close to me I could smell his incoming death. I remember just how ugly and pityful he seemed to me. He had the face of an angry child, throwing a tantrum for having his favourite toy taken away.
''You deserve this, you failure of a man..'' I whispered, as I grabbed him by the neck. His bloodshot eyes then filled with fear, with dread, and at that moment I let go of him, frightened. What was I trying to do?
But Daquan reached for his dagger once more and I remembered my vow. To do whatever it takes. ''I can't die, for I become prince tomorrow.'' And so I kicked his face and his belly, I turned him on his back and pummeled his face, his gambler face, and ignored whatever he was trying to say to me, until his weak arms couldn't stay up anymore.
I didn't notice rain had started, and I got up from down there, my fists bloodied in red, my head aching. I looked down at the dagger and laughed, what a ridiculous tool. I pushed Daquan to the side of the alley, under a few boxes and a fallen banner, and I spat on him, as he extended his hand to me, begging for help. ''Die as the rat you are..''
I ran away from there, back to the fruit shop. I didn't know if I wanted to laugh at the top of my lungs or collapse and cry. All I wanted was to be alone. I made it to a crossway, and looking around I- well I was lost. Where the hell am I? What am I doing here?
Tall dark buildings. Banners whirling in the wind, wires flailing about, crows cawing, flying around high above me, under the feeble rain. I looked to one side, and the other, I couldn't tell the difference! Where is Daysha, where is the black lake, and my hometown? Why am I here, in this hellish city, alone, my hands stained with murder?
I noticed I was shaking, and couldn't breathe properly, and my mind was spiraling, how dizzy I felt. I sat down, there in a dark corner of an alley, and I placed boxes over me, and covered my feet with a fallen banner, and tried to sleep, just to escape. I tried to sleep just to see if all that really happened. I tried to sleep and realized once more, I was nothing different from Daquan! Here I was, same as him, except I'm to keep living in this shithole of a life I have been so proud of living.
I, Dieudonné, thought of suicide for the first time that night.
The crows woke me up once more, not their cawing but their beaks! I jumped awake and chased the black birds away. Did they think I had died? As if I would die such a meaningless death... My head was aching all the more, and I got up, trying to piece out where I was exactly. I was just a few buildings away from the flower shop actually. All around me, the bustling life of Jericho had started anew, in the early hours of the morning. The sun had just started to rise, and a soft breeze washed away my worries, if only for an instant.
I Dieudonné entered the fruit shop, nonchalantly, my hands in my pocket, for they were still bruised. But no one was there. I was expecting Daysha, ready to jump in my arms, and the tall Lemarcus to be standing in his doorframe in the back, reeking of tobacco. Only the parrot greeted me, with his usual ''Thief, thief, thief I say!''
But I had had enough of that, and as I made my way to the back of the shop I shooed the bird with my hands. Upon seeing my bloodied, bruised knuckles the parrot flew away screeching ''Murderer! Thief! Murderer!'' and I froze. Did I really kill that man? And not by poison, with my own two hands? I walked in the bathroom there, and I noticed a big tall mirror. I made sure not to see my reflection. I jumped in the shower and washed away the dreadful night, to be ready for the dreadful day I become prince at last.
All ready I walked to Lemarcus's door, and knocked quietly. ''Daysha?''
I heard some rustlings, a few steps, and my sister whispered as well from beyond the closed door. ''Go away Dieudonné. I don't want to see you ever again. What a brother you are.''
Her words hit me like a brick. I kneeled down and slid under the door the little bag of orange tea, the prince had given me. ''All I want to say is, I'm sorry.'' I told her. And I meant it.
I heard her pick it up, and scuffle back to the bed. I heard Lemarcus's voice, and Daysha's voice, such loving words, and I was taken aback. I thought she would hate him!
I stole some lotion in the bathroom for my knuckles, thank you Lemarcus. I made haste for the plaza, for the prince himself was waiting for me. On the way there, I could hear faint music, festivities, growing louder and louder. I hurried my steps, much like a child would do, and low and behold a full on festival was taking place, with dozens of musicians playing drums, flutes, lutes and others singing. Dragons and sheeps were dancing to the music, their big colorful bodies going up and down, moved by the many feets beneath them. Kids were running around, petals were falling from Jericho's sky and a new, bold banner was erected, its calligraphy impeccable : Tea Festival.
And there, standing alone at the entrance of the plaza, the prince. Approaching him I noticed his smile, and how relaxed he looked. I took the time to really look at him, at the gold chains on his face, at his crown, at his clothes so elegant. On his face I saw the face of a happy man, and I didn't like that.
He saw me at last and ran toward me, smiling, his eyes full of life. I noticed around him, the people, recognizing their prince, and smiling, and bowing, and I could see how respected he was. I thought, back then, about just how badly I needed that, just how badly I needed everyone to look up to me, to worship me. My vow strenghtened once more, and hugging my new friend smiling I could only think of murder, of deceit.
We entered the fruit shop, and it was still empty, the closed door of Lemarcus in the back there made me wonder if they were still in or out. No matter. All I needed was a few minutes. ''I'd like to treat you to tea, as well, as we wait for my family.'' I told the prince, and he sat down. How glad I was of the parrot not being there, that irritating creature. To my surprise the prince said ''I always wanted to taste that tea brick of yours!'' and I couldn't help laughing.
The kettle whistling, just like it did the day before at the palace, I poured into it the harsh bits of black tea. A far cry from the expensive ingredients of the prince. I told him to bring over a few blackberries, how nicely would they go with our black tea. In the meantime I poured myself a cup, and quickly threw in the rest of the rat poison I had bought the day before in the kettle. I exhaled and closed my eyes for a second. The prince came back and pretended to throw a berry in my mouth, laughing. And he did, a perfect throw! How oblivious can the prince be?
''So, my prince, what are you planning to do today?'' I asked him, pouring down his death sentence in his tiny cup.
The bitter, almost poor aroma of the leaves surrounded us, and as he lifted his cup he told me how he didn't have much planned today, and that they could perhaps spend time at the tea festival. I looked deeply in his eyes, waiting for him to drink his tea at last.
Right then the backdoor opened, and tobacco filled the air, to my annoyance. The prince put down his cup and got up, bowing to the tall man and the curly woman looking at us. Right there I cursed the heavens, and slammed my cup on the table.
''My sister Daysha, uncle Lemarcus, please meet my new friend, the prince of Jericho!'' I proclaimed, a bit too loudly.
I remember the look on lemarcus's face, his squinty eyes, pinning me down, I could tell he didn't like me. Once again Daysha proved to be a useful fool and grabbed his arm, dragging him toward us.
The prince sat back down, and offered them to share tea with us. I got up and took the kettle, saying how I'll just make a new batch, but the prince insisted. ''As you told me yesterday, why waste it?''
Of course I wanted the prince to drink it and die, so that I could take his place. And I didn't mind if that man lemarcus dies, for I despised him. But I didn't want Daysha my sister to die such a meaningless death!
''Very well, but Daysha, you won't like it. Why don't you bring us some refreshments instead?'' I proposed, trying to get her to look me in the eyes, and notice what was going on. But the fool was clutching at lemarcus's arm, smiling, and told me she'll just add my present to the tea, that she took out.
The orange tea I gifted her! And so the prince took it upon himself to pour two more cups to Daysha and Lemarcus. She added the bright orange powder to her cup, and also to everyone's cups, smiling.
Daysha asked a few questions to the prince, as they ate berries, holding their lethal cups, warming their hands. I Dieudonné sat there, and debated if I should just flip the table and maybe punch lemarcus, as a pretext to stop everyone from drinking the tea. After all, I'd get another chance sooner or later.
I looked down at my cup, and catched a glimpse of my reflection, amidst the scintillating of the orange powder, much akin to the prince's golden chains on his face, and at once the fountain of greed within me sprang anew. Damn it all!
She's a fool, he's a lustful man, and he's the prince I'm meant to be!
''Now, let's drink to our new friendship!''
And I burned my throat, gulping down the tea, not even tasting it. I slammed the cup on the table, and to my horror, to my bliss, they all did the same.
With how much rat poison I had put in the tea, the effects would start rather soon. My sister, with rosy cheeks, asked me ''Dieudonné, you told us your friend is the prince, yes, but you never told us his name?''
And at that I couldn't hold my laughters, it was too much for me.
''Yes, you never did ask for my name, even after you told me you didn't care about me being prince...''
We all grew silent. The prince added, smiling, ''Tell me, are we really friends?''
This is when they started dying.
Coughing, and retching, and all that. I dragged Daysha and Lemarcus to their room, making my best impression of someone worried for his friends, for his sister. She held my arm, and in her eyes, the same fear in saw in Daquan the day before. She whispered, in my ear, how she wanted to give me a present, as thanks for bringing her with me here to Jericho. She placed in my hand, orange incense. We both got teary eyes. I told her, once again, for the last time, ''I'm sorry.''
I closed the backdoor. Alone once again with the prince, I towered over him. He was asking for a glass of water, and to go fetch a guard, to bring him back to the palace.
I lied to him once again ''Now, my friend. I have an antidote, but first you have to tell me everything I need to know about you, about the prince of Jericho.''
He was shocked, and couldn't breathe for a few seconds. I fell to my knees and slapped him. I told him ''You see, my friend, I'll take your place as prince, and become the man I was always meant to be.''
At that the prince struggled to laugh, holding my arms; ''I was never the prince! I did just like you, Dieudonné my friend. I took the jewels and the clothes and the knowledge of the last prince, and I made myself prince.''
I got up, and stared him down. He added ''And the prince before that! All pretending, all greedy, all imposters!''
He struggled to get up, fell to his knees, and whispered to me, holding my legs ''I have only ever showed you kindness, generosity, friendship... And you would kill me, and take my place?''
I saw, at that moment, the prince had the face of despair. I pushed him down on the ground, and I couldn't help but cry as I removed his clothes, his crown, and painstakingly removed his golden chains, the true symbol of his majesty.
All the while the prince was laying there on the ground, staring at the ceiling. He tells me, his voice raspy and his breathing short; ''So you'll get my haircut, get some new piercings, wear my clothes and my jewels... So you'll be the new prince of Jericho... Will that satisfy you?''
I froze. I looked down to him. he added, pleading;
''Will you at least spare me, your friend? I'll tell you everything you need to know, the name of the servants, how you should act, secrets, all of it. Just give me the antidote, and give Daysha and Lemarcus the antidote. And go, I'll forget about you, Dieudonné, the man I thought was my friend.''
He told me everything, and I lied to him once more, about how the antidote will save his life. I made him drink some of my tea, and he smiled. I asked him his name, and he told me, crying.
But I forgot.
As I walked out, the parrot rushed in, yelling ''Murderer! Murderer! Thief!'' Once more.
The next day, I was walking down the main road, on my way to the palace of Jericho. On my face, the gold chains, on my head, the crown. And adorning me, clothes beffiting of a prince. And on everyone's faces, admiration, love, respect.
I held my head high, and smiled broadly, for at last I was a prince, with the face of a prince. What bliss.
I entered the palace, and made haste to my chamber, where a few days ago I drank tea and laughed with the previous prince. I jumped on the bed, took a nap. Never slept better in my whole life. I awoke and filled my pockets with gold coins, emeralds and ivory. I demanded a servant to make me some orange tea, but I didn't drink it, I wasted it.
I pushed open the bathroom door, avoiding the mirror once more. And there, the bathtub of a prince, with lotions and soaps and warm water on tap. I poured myself a bath, filled with all the luxury products I could find. I reached for my pocket and took out the orange incense Daysha had given me, before dying of my hand.
I placed it down on the counter, in front of the mirror, and lit it, its fragrance, taking me all the way back to my hometown, to little Daysha and my family.
I glimpsed at the mirror at last, looking at my perfect reflection. Never before had I seen my face so clearly, if not from the still surface of the cursed lake. In the flickering of the candles, I saw the face of a murderer. I saw the face of a thief. I saw the face of a spiteful man.
I couldn't take it anymore, I punched the mirror, reopening my wounds on my knuckles. The mirror cracked, and my reflection was mutliplied. I looked at my bloodshot eyes, at my golden chains, at my stupid haircut, and I grabbed the golden chains and screamed as I tore them with all my force. Blood gushing out, pieces of my nose, my ear and my eyebrow, at the tip of the golden chains. I threw away the crown and tore down my clothes, drops of red staining the royal floor, as I ran away toward the exit, toward the roads of Jericho.
Outside, I walked around, aimlessly, my mind, numb. I was just so tired of it all. So what if I was prince at last?
There, walking toward me, peeling away his orange, the tall man in the white hat, the blind man, the man with the wise face. He puts a hand on my shoulder, and says, as if to himself :
''Ah! There is the man with the cursed face. Welcome to Jericho!''
Thank you so much for reading, please leave a comment! I would love to read your thoughts-

Hi all. I done yesterday windscreen polishing and then applied forte follow instructions 3 layers etc. including wipers. Leaved car inside for 21hours and started driving in light shower. Problem is with wipers. They skipping like glass is to dry? Maybe not enough rain lol. Anyone have any suggestions?

Author's note: Hi everyone! Here is the second part of the story, with the Prince as the main role, and you’ll get to know something more about him. Towards the end there will be some hints to spicy things, but still SFW. Just like the previous part, you are allowed to switch genders of the characters from Knight and Prince to Dame and Princess, and you can change the gender of the listener too from F to M or A (I can edit the script for you too, just let me know!)
English is not my first language, so feel free to edit anything that might sound weird. You are also allowed to edit sfx and other action/mood as long as it doesn’t change the story or the characters too much.
Feel free to monetize with the script, as long as you give me credits and you let me know you filled it!
That’s all for now, see you in part 3! (That will be NSFW, so I won’t post it in this subreddit. You will be able to find it on ScriptBin though, and in the other NSFW-related subreddit (ASMRafterdark). Also, part 3 won’t add much to the story itself, so if you are uncomfortable with that you can skip it and go straight to part 4!)
Enjoy!
Part 1 MM4F (Main role: Knight) Part 1 MM4M Part 1 MM4A
Part 2 MM4F (Main role: Prince) → You’re here! Part 2 MM4M Part 2 MM4A
Summary (for listener): The Prince has set his eyes on you, desiring to take you as you his wife: after dancing with you, he leads you to his chamber. Burying deep the feelings you felt for the Knight, you let yourself fall for the man who enchanted your heart, without knowing that you don’t really have a choice,... for the memories of the one you longed for, are confined in a place too deep to recall.
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[Action/Things/Moods] Emphasis on a specific word/Thoughts
//---//Two roles intro
Prince: *Calm* You know, I actually can’t believe you were right.
Knight: *Confused* Huh? About what?
Prince: Well, I wasn’t exactly optimistic here. Now, if I have to be honest, I don’t regret that much having to deal with this ball. Sure, it’s a pain in the ass, but still… *Kind of dreamy* You were right, someone made my heart flutter. Isn’t she lovely? Her smile while she talks to her friend, how she laugh… Oh [chuckle] she just bumped into someone. Gosh, how adorable she is when she blushes, and how polite she is when she begs for forgiveness. *Still dreamy, but in a darker shade* Her flustered face… it’s so interesting. I wonder… how would she look at me when I’m close to her. Would she still avoid my gaze? Would she shyly try to look into my eyes? Would she smile, or would she bite her lips? *Talking normally again* ...Hey, Why are you so quiet, all of a sudden?
Knight: *Trying to hide how upset he is* It’s… nothing. I’m just glad you found someone, prince.
Prince: *Serious, but not too much accusatory* Were you lying to me?
Knight: What…?
Prince: You danced with her, and now you look like a child who got his toy stolen. Maybe you do like her after all, don’t you?
Knight: No, it’s just… *Sigh* *Resigned* Maybe try to not scare her with the stuff you like. I, too, can see how different she is from all of the other ladies that your father tried to make you marry. She’s so nice, kind… You won’t find another girl like her that easily, you know?
Prince: [Chukle] Well, what if she’s into that stuff too? Wouldn’t that be a shame to give up all of the pleasure lust can give? At this point… [Confident] I’m pretty sure she will enjoy that.
Knight: Huh? How can you be so sure?
Prince: Because, I’m playing seriously right now. If I wanted, all of those ladies who ran away would have stayed by my side. I just didn’t care enough about them to actually put an effort in the relationship. But with her, things are different. If this isn’t love at first sight, I don’t know how else to call it.
Knight: [Worried] You’re… not going to use that, prince, right?
Prince: I won’t, if there won’t be the need to do so. But why do you care so much? [More suspicious] What are you hiding from me?
Knight: ...Nothing, just like I told you. It’s just… I don’t think it’s a good way to act. It doesn’t feel right.
Prince: [Gentle] Oh, you don’t have to worry. I’m the prince, after all, I highly doubt that a lady would easily give up the chance to become a princess. Isn’t that every little girl’s dream? Plus… [charming, in a darker shade] I feel confident, she will enjoy it too. Call it sixth sense, but I’ll be able to confirm it shortly.
Knight: If that’s what you want… [Trying to hide sadness] I’ll be here, watching over you, prince.
Prince: [Gentle] Thank you, friend. I’m glad I can always count on you. After all… it’s thanks to you if I managed to find her. Now… it’s time for the honored guest to join the dances.
[Footsteps, music ends, chattering dissolves]
//Solo part (Prince/Princess)
[Footsteps growing closer, people whispering]
[Charming] Greetings, my lady.
Oh, you can stand up dear, no need to bow. Let me look into those… [pause] [darker, almost upset] eyes. [Throat clearing, charming again] I must say, you caught my interest. I hope you don’t mind if I’m borrowing you from your friend for a while, right?
[Finger snap, the music starts again]
Come on, darling, take my hand, and join me for a dance.
[Pause]
Hm? Why so hesitant? You don’t have to be shy. I saw you dancing from above, and trust me, you have nothing to be shy for. Just stay close to me, and let me take the lead.
[Whispering to listener’s ears] Good girl.
[Charming again] Relax, darling, it’s only a dance, why are you so nervous?
[Chuckle] Well, and so what? You don’t have to feel pressured while dancing with me, I want to make you feel comfortable. All of the ladies here must be so jealous of you, judging by the look on their face, you know? Of course, it shouldn’t be your problem what they think. Just… enjoy it. See? Look at your friend over there. She seems so happy for you. Isn’t this what you wanted?
[Laugh] Oh no, that’s ridiculous, darling, you’re definitely not “just a normal lady”. [Gentle] If only you could perceive yourself the way I do, you wouldn’t say such silly things. You know, it was just for a second, but when we looked into each other, I felt my heart stop for a moment. Your gaze just… had won over my heart. I couldn’t have asked anyone else to dance with me for tonight, you… are the only one. [Chuckle] You’re welcome, darling. Now… You can say that, with me being the prince, you must already know a few things about myself, while you’re still a completely stranger to me. So, why don’t you introduce yourself to me?
Ah, what a lovely name you have. Tell me more about yourself, I’m eager to know more about you.
Mh-mh.
Oh, is that so? You adore flowers and gardening? What... a coincidence. [Slightly darker] And, did you know by chance that one of my lovely knights loves gardening too? He’s the one who usually takes care of the royal garden. Sometimes directly, sometimes by giving instructions to servants. [Speaking closer to listener, almost an accusatory whisper] You know… the knight who danced with you just a few minutes ago.
[Speaking “normally” again] Isn’t that quite funny, my lady? [Chuckle] But, I must say, he does indeed a great job with the garden. Not that I’m that much interested in it, but I must admit that it’s a gem of the castle. I bet you would love to see it, don’t you? We have so many different and special flowers...
[Confused] Hm? Why that look? I thought you would have appreciated the idea. [Serious] Because, honestly, I don’t really care about this ball and I’d love to get away as soon as possible. I can’t stand all of these people here, and I’d like some privacy to talk to my future wife.
Yes, you heard correctly. I intend to make you my wife. Are you happy? Excited? Worried? [Chuckle] [Gentle] Oh, darling, you don’t need to worry. You’re perfect for that role, I assure you, you will be a graceful princess. I’ll personally make sure you’ll live a happy life in my castle, and that your family will be taken care of for the rest of their life too. They won’t have to worry about anything anymore. I’ll make sure everyone will make you feel loved and appreciated. And, of course, I will take care of you personally, too. How does that sound, my lady?
[Confused and slightly upset] Why would you be unsure? Isn’t this what you always dreamed? Otherwise, why would you have come here tonight? You knew you had a chance to be chosen. And one of the things that made me choose you, was your behavior. You didn’t look so desperate like all of the others, and it feels nice to talk to someone who doesn’t see you just like a pretty face. But, who knows, maybe behind those beautiful eyes, there’s someone who’s anxious of getting closer to me.
[Chuckle] You’re so cute when you blush. I’ll ask to you again: do you want to go see the royal garden with me? We can talk more over there, without being stared at by the crowd. [Whispering closer] So? What do you think?
[Pause]
You’d rather not? Well, I suppose, it’s not a problem at all. Since we’ll get married, you’ll be free to stroll through the garden whenever you’ll want. But, that means, we’ll have to go somewhere else. Oh, don’t be surprised, did your really think we would have spent here all night?
[Music ends]
[Gentle] Come with me, my lady, let’s leave this place. I’ll take you where you will be able to relax, and we’ll… get to know each other better.
[Footsteps]
//Two roles part
Prince: [Grateful] Hey, I’m really glad you danced with her, you know? It’s only thanks to you if she’s here now.
Knight: [Kind of sad] I’m… happy to hear that.
Prince: [Happy] This lady is the one I want to marry. I don’t want to attend this ball any further, there wouldn’t be a reason for, now that I’ve found her.
Knight: I understand. Milady, I hope… [Gentle, but in a sadder shade] you enjoyed tonight’s ball. [Serious] Prince, I’ll stay here and make sure everything goes smoothly until the event ends. As for you, I’ll take care of informing your father about your choice, so… [Slightly showing sadness] just go with her, and I’ll deal with the rest.
Prince: [Calm] This is why you’re my closest friend. I can always count on you. But don’t worry: the night is still long, and the other knights can deal with the boring stuff. You can go back there and have more fun if you want, you have my permission to do so.
Knights: I’ll… see. For now, have a nice evening, prince. And you too... [whispered] milady.
//Solo part (Prince/Princess)
[Footsteps]
[Door opening and closing]
[Charming] Here we are, my lady. Isn’t this better? No chaos, no intrusive eyes, just… us and a peaceful silence. Though we can still slightly hear the music in background, it doesn’t disturb that much. Instead, it creates a nice atmosphere, don’t you think?
[Gentle] Hey, no need to be so uptight… come, sit here on the bed right beside me. Good girl. Now, give me your left hand. [Small pause, sound of small box opening] And… here. Do you like it?
No buts, darling. The gem on this ring matches the color of your eyes, it looks perfect on you. With this, and… [Kiss] with this, I’m officially asking you to marry me.
[Heartbeats sound]
What do you say? Shall I call you… princess, from now on? [Darker] Do I really have to lift your chin to make you look at me? [Chuckle] Not that I mind. In fact, I quite like your shyness. Just like how you like being held like this. [Pause, another small chuckle] Oh, you think I wouldn’t have noticed? The rhythm of your breathing has changed again. It did whenever I praised you, and it did whenever I ordered you something. [Chuckle] Does that embarrass you, princess?
[Gentle] I thought so. But you don’t have to be, around me. I know we’re strangers, but… when you accepted the invitation to the ball, you should have expected this possibility too. I won’t change my mind about my choice: you are the one I want by my side, so… feel free to relax and be yourself with me. I want to know so much more about you, and I want to show to you who I really am too, behind that “prince mask” I’m always supposed to wear outside these walls. I want us to become so much more than just strangers, without secrets and without worrying about what sides of us we’re showing.
So…? Will you be my princess?
[Upset] Tsk, I understand. I had my suspects, after all.
Hah what do I mean? Listen, my lady, I don’t really believe in coincidences. It was fate that the ring I put on your finger matched your eye color perfectly, as if it was designed perfectly for you. It was fate that you enjoy being a prey as much as I enjoy being a predator. And it sure wasn’t a coincidence too that both you and the knight you danced with are madly in love with flowers and gardens and all of that stuff. That was not a coincidence, was it?
[Laugh, but in a more ironic and angry way] Then, tell me, how did you get that flower?
Yes: that rose you pinned in your hair. I noticed it right away in the moment you bowed to me Did you think I wouldn’t have realized that it comes from my garden? I may be disinterested in most of the flowers we have there, but I perfectly know that kind of flower. The rose that shall not perish. [Angry, but in a calm tone] He gave it to you, didn’t he? When was it?
Is that so? Well… [Gentle, in a darker shade] he’s lucky he is my closest friend. And you are forgiven, of course, for sneaking in. Listen, princess, be honest with him: do you have feelings for him?
You… don’t know? [Laugh, frustrated] This is hilarious. I’ll ask you another question, and I want you to think carefully before giving me your answer.
[Serious] Are you happy of being chosen as my wife? Did you come to the ball hoping to become a princess, or just to have the chance to meet with him again after so many years?
[Gentle] Of course. You didn’t even remember his face after all, did you? And now your heart is confused between who you dreamed for, and who you longed for. Between the prince that every girl dreams to marry, and that older kid from your past memories who was so kind to you and who you made such a special promise with. But you don’t have to worry, darling, because I’ll make sure that every uncertainty of yours will be scattered. There’s no space for the both of us in your heart, my lady.
So, choose me… [Whispered into listener’s ear] And trust me, you won’t regret it. Don’t linger in the past anymore, darling. Why would you choose just a flower… when I can give you so much more than that? With me by your side, trust me… you will forget about him.
[Heartbeats]
[Serious] I’ll ask you once again. Will you be my princess?
[Heartbeats]
[Sweet] That’s the answer I wanted to hear. [Kiss] Mmh, your lips are so wonderful to kiss. Now… [Gentle, but darker] be a good girl and close your eyes for me. Don’t open them up until I say so, and don’t as questions until I’m done.
[Footsteps] [Objects moving around] [Sound of glass bottle being opened]
Sssh, princess. I told you: no questions.
[Sound of glass bottle being closed] [Footsteps] [Long kiss] [Drinking/swallowing sound]
Aaah, what a good girl you are, princess. You drank every drop of it. Hm?
That? Let’s just say… that was something that will make you feel lighter. You won’t have to worry anymore about your uncertainties, and what your heart truly wants… will soon be clear to you.
[Heartbeats getting slightly faster]
[Calm] Do you know why the rose in your hair is called “The rose that shall not perish”? It’s a very special flower, which blooms thanks to the grafting of two red roses combined with a special restoring potion. You can say it holds some magic within, that allows it never to wither. But it’s not the only special flower we have in the garden. Lots of the flowers you find there, are only cultivated here. Some of those, are perfect ingredients for food. Others are perfect for decorations. And some others… [slightly darker] they have some particular effects when an infusion is prepared with their petals and is ingested. Or when it comes into direct contact with someone’s blood.
[Gentle] Do you feel slightly dizzy? [Chuckle] Lean on me, princess, it will soon pass. Say… do you know who is the one who takes care of the royal garden?
That’s right, one of my knights. And… do you feel anything for him?
Oh, is that so? [Chuckle] I’m so relieved, princess. I guess… you have no more doubts now, do you? Then I guess… [Still gentle, but more creepy] this flower in your hair, you don’t need it anymore, do you? You won’t mind if I take it from you and make it burn to ashes, right? After all… you can have all the flowers you want from the garden directly, now. You just need to ask, and I’ll make sure they are delivered to you.
[Gentle] Say, princess… are you happy now?
That’s what I wanted to hear. [Kiss] You know, I can make you even more happy. [Darker] I’d love to see the expression you’d make in that case… I’ll make sure my future wife will enjoy every moment of it.
[Sweet] Of course I’ll kiss you, my lady. That’s one of the many ways I can keep you quiet. We don’t want to make to much noise here, right? Otherwise, when the music stops, they might hear you. [Chuckle] [Long kiss] [Charming]The night is young, princess. And I hope you’re ready to dance again with me, you don’t have to worry about anything now. Just like before, you only need to follow my lead…
[This one spoken slowly, getting more darker and darker here] Oh, I can’t wait to see how beautiful my princess will look all tangled up in my cobweb.
[Heartbeats, kissing, fading out]

Hello, while working on something else idea bug bit me, and as always, i couldnt focus with the task at hand, so i decided to put the idea down. This one aint pretty, thats all ill say.
CW Gore, dismemberment and curbstomp
Memory Transcription Subject: [Redacted under witness protection program]
Date [standardized human time] November 6, 2136
I knocked the door with one hand, making sure to balance the meal I had in my off hand. I wouldn't want to waste my hard work!
“How are you doing friendo, feeling better after that scare?” i sat at the edge of his bead, if you could even call it that, it was more like a steel slab shooting out of the wall with a mattress on top of it.
Dad certainly pampered us with those natural wool ones back at the ranch, but it's thanks to that I'd never be able to sleep in one of these prison-like ones, although I guess that was their original purpose…
“Y-yhea, I kind of needed it after such a chase…” Ezequiel had clear bags under his eyes, probably from a night of overthinking and stewing in doubt.
“Here, i brought you some food” i laid the dish on top of his legs, allowing him to inspect its contents “wow, i haven't seen fast food in a bit” he picked up one of the nuggets and began to inspect it while i opened a bbq sauce packet.
“Well it wasn't fast to make, I'll have you know, with all the fast food joints nearby being bombed from orbit and all, so I don't want to hear any complaints about my handiwork, got it?” i rubbed my nose in a smug way, almost boastful, which earned me a soft chuckle from him.
“Right right, I forgot your whole family was obsessed with cooking, figures you'd come out the same” he rubbed his nape with a hint of shame “but no, even before the whole bombing i hadn't eaten fast food for a while…” his gaze wandered for a bit, reminiscing about his past, good.
“you mean with the whole exchange thingy, right?” My sudden mention of his past took him by surprise, as he dropped his nugget on his lap, his face was a little pale, but he soon regained his composure, prompting him to pick his nugget back up.
“Y-yeah, how did you…” he took a bite out of the nugget, although he tried to hide it, the satisfaction it brought him did not escape my eye, good. “You know, I sometimes forget you are my superior since you are only seventeen,” he let out a soft chuckle as he picked up another nugget and dipped it on the sauce.
“But yhea, i didn't eat meat for a bit because of that” his form deflated a little bit in shame as he met my gaze, but he pushed through with his recollection of events “i tried giving them a chance, y’know? i was excited for friends among the stars, but all they did is spat in my face and bomb my home”
I crossed my arms and huffed “you dont say” he blushed in shame as he stammered to apologize “s-sorry, didn’t mean to- that's not what i… im sorry for your loss.” I huffed and motioned him to continue with my hand.
“My original partner wasn't the greatest thing, pretty usual venlil and all, but we weren't actually a good match” he dipped another nugget in sauce and gobbled it whole.
“Apparently he was too scared to put in his own info in case the predators used that to manipulate him, pretty stupid to sign into the program with that mentality to be honest, so he asked his krakotl roommate for help, so the roommate put in his hobbies and interest just in case, so in reality i was matched with his roommate, not him.” Ezequiel continued his tale, even though I was already roughly aware of the important bits.
“So we gave it a shot, and it was nice for a while, felt like an actual friendship and all, i couldn't go to Venlil Prime since it technically was a breach of the rules, but we stayed in contact…” he slowed down on his eating, as his gaze wandered around the room.
“But then the damn birds attacked, ain't that right?” I tried finishing his thought, but I was sadly disappointed by his response, almost sealing his fate.
“Not really… d-don't get me wrong, i hated the fucking birds for that, but thats not why i joined” i passed him another sauce packet as he continued his tale in between his meal “i still had hope, after all, i managed to befriend one of them, so how heartless could they be… how foolish of me” his face twisted into a deep scowl as his eyes began to tear up a little bit, before he cleared them away.
“Get this, after the whole galaxy was made aware of the incoming armada, this fucking asshole calls me up, saying he enlisted to aid earth, and that he is going to come rescue me, shit sounds straight out of a gay romance book, but i couldnt just uproot my whole life! My job, hobbies, friends, and family were here! and I doubt he alone can beat the whole armada… you know what he says in response?!”
I shook my head slightly which prompted him to raise his voice in response “Fucker just says Dont worry, they wont hurt you, you are one of the good ones! I know you'll be spared at least…” Ezequiel grabbed at the bridge of his nose, as he clenched his fist tightly.
I patted him on his back as he began to regulate his breathing. “Is this why you were so distracted during the whole mission?” I asked him, to which he just nodded, as he picked up another nugget, but he just stared at it with nostalgia.
“Look, i see where you are coming from, but next time give us a heads up, you were acting so weird, some of us even thought you were messing up on purpose man” Ezequiel's face went pale, as he drily swallowed.
Last chance to fess up buddy.
“S-sorry” he shyly apologized, I just shook my head as I stood up from the bead “You got to be more careful man, we are fighting a war on all fronts, even amongst our own species. Humanity First needs us to be focused on the task at hand if we ever wish to steer the galaxy towards the best future” I gently rubbed the ring on my middle finger as I paced around the room, Ezequiel's eyes fixated on me.
“I understand that hunting some fed crash landers might spark some memories, with most of them being big ol’ birds, but when we get careless is when we are most vulnerable, we almost got caught by the fucking U.N. fuckers, they pounced on us out of nowhere…” I trailed off my sentence, awaiting him to speak up, but nothing came.
Can't say i didn't expect it, but the betrayal still hurts all the same.
I turned around with a fake smile, as I watched Ezequiel mull over his thoughts “but that's already passed, we made it out alive, so that's what matters, right? what's important isn't who got away, but who we got” i offered him a hand to stand up, which he took after putting down the almost finished nuggets from his lap.
“R-right…” he took a moment to pause, as he glanced at the nuggets, doubt creeping into his face, as i'm sure something was being pieced together in that tiny head of his.
“W-wait, i thought this town didn’t have power yet, that's why we hid here, h-how did you print this?” he pointed at the nugs, but i just turned around and gave a koi smile “who said anything about printing? i come from a ranch, i know how to pluck a bird if needed”
My explanation seemed to calm him down slightly, but I wasn't done. “it's a very useful skill to have for moments like this, if you want, i could teach you how too, i even have the ingredients at hand” this seemed to cause him pause, as he squinted at me slightly.
I pulled out my holopad, opening up my video gallery and selecting the video, i passed it to him as he began watching it “w-what is this?” I just shrugged “hey, just cause I'm a higher rank than you doesn't mean i can't have hobbies.
While I justified myself he began to watch the video, watching as I cleaned my cutting board and disinfected it, sharpening my knives, and finally grabbing the meat. Two large bird wings were set on the chopping board, already plucked clean of any feathers, and with a careful and dexterous hand I began the process.
First I removed the bones, making sure to not to miss any tiny bits or cartilage, as the last thing I want is to bite into a nugget and lose a tooth, then I tenderized it, afterwards I chopped it into shapes, even sneaking in some funny ones like stars and the sort.
By now Ezequiel was enamored in the video, as the format i used, as well as the editing, was something i prided myself over, i'm sure this will be a hit once the internet is back up.
Afterwards i prepared my breading and batter, i always liked to sneak in a bit of spices in it, once that was done, i began to coat them then dip then on the batter “you know, that's the crucial part, to much batter and the meat gets overshadowed, to little and then it gets dry, and no one likes that.” I added my little commentary, which seemed to spook him out of his focus.
Finally I dropped the suckers into the deep fryer, making sure they were golden and krispy, ready to be served and enjoyed, as they should be.
“So that's how you do it, it doesn't look too complicated, right?” I took my phone from his hand, as I stood up and began to walk towards the door, putting one hand on the nob, but not turning it.
I turned to look at Ezequiel, who looked like a ghost appeared in front of his face as he weakly spoke “t-t-those w-wings, t-they were h-huge” oh yhea, now he knows “yup, could feed a whole family, better than the old reliable chicken i would say, we were pretty lucky to not leave empty handed yesterday” my words made Ezequiel start shivering.
“You see, it appears you weren't the only one feeling nostalgic yesterday, but to his misfortune, one of ours caught him getting too close to our base” I slowly twisted my hand, opening the door, and just as I had instructed, he was there waiting, tied to a chair.
“V-VICK!” Ezequiel screamed in panic, as he laid eyes to his mangled friend, who was now crying “such a funny coincidence don't you think? your very close friend just so happens to be around on the same day that you can't get him off your mind, causing you to almost get a bunch of us caught, and how lucky for the U.N. to be in the perfect place, at the perfect time. Aint that right you bird fucker?”
My accusatory words seemed to finally send him over the edge, as he stood, fully intending to do something, whether that was run or attack didn't matter, as he found his way back to ground with a sudden crash.
“I-i cant- what d-did you do!” he accused me, but i just pushed the wingless bird into the room, removing the rope that bound his beak “oh i didn't do anything, you ate them all up by yourself” he looked at the nuggets i had so elegantly prepared and spiked just for him, at the same time i leaned next to the birds face whispering into its ear “see~, he enjoyed them all by himself”
The bird was crying as it softly sobbed “h-how c-could y-you…” which deeply hurt Ezequiel, as he was now crying himself “V-vick, i-i didn't…”. Pathetic.
“Isn't it unfair? all of that leg work to even be seen as a person, someone who has a right to life, and just a single action throws that away, just a single meal is enough, sure in this case you ate him, but you didn't know that at the time, but to this bird that doesnt matter, you are now a monster, in his eyes, you are the same as me, and i'm the one who cooked him for you, how fucked up is that?! HA!”
Ezequiel couldn't hold it in anymore, as he puked all over the floor, the mental anguish in his face fitted the traitor a lot more, but i wasn't done.
“How does it feel? to sell out your fellow man for them? and for what? Was the birdussy worth it? HUH?!” i kicked him in the stomach, making him puke again “EZEQUIEL!” the bird screamed in anguish, as even after everything it still cared for this fucker.
Birds of a feather huh? just like dad used to say.
“See, you tried too hard to fit in with them, so that they would accept you, to the point that you complied with their every demand, changing your diet, hiding your face… But if you really wanted them to like you so much, you gotta try harder than that!”
I stood over him, grabbing him by the hair and pulling him up, the fucker was heavy, if he wasnt drugged im sure my scrawny ass would have been kicked, but i gotta play my cards as best as i can if i want to get what i want as a teen is this hellhole.
“No matter how much you act and hide, to them you'll always be a predator as long as you have these” i pointed at his eyes “and these” i put my finger under his lip and pulled, revealing his teeth, pointing them towards the bird, who began to shiver in terror.
“So if you really want to be with them instead of your own species, then I might as well help you out!” I pulled him by the hair back towards the bed, removing the mattress, leaving only the steel slab where it previously sat.
Perfect.
I put his head on it and commanded “Bite, or else i kill the bird” the bird tried to protest “E-Ezequiel d-don't!” but the bird fucker complied, biting down on the metal, even now he chose it.
You disgusting fuckers, always bending over and letting them screw us, leaving the mess for the rest of us to clean up!
Anger, for what I had lost, and why I had lost it, filled my head, as I kicked down with all my strength, in one swift strike blood and teeth splattered across the room, as pained wails of agony filled the room.
“There, you didn't plan on using them, so i doubt you'll miss them” i stepped away from screaming traitor, opening a cabinet and grabbing a knife before the bird spoke up “p-predator, y-you… YOU FUCKING MONSTER!”
ME?! MONSTER?! YOU DARE SAY THAT AFTER WHAT YOUR KIND PULLED?!
“Heh, hehehe, well, would you look at that Ezequiel, he still cares for you, after everything is said and done” my words caused his pained yells to stop momentarily “n-no! V-Vick” he tried moving again, but i stepped on his back to stop him.
“Maybe I was wrong, maybe they can see us as friends!” the tone in my voice conveyed how much i hated the mere notion of that “but a friendship requires work from both sides”
I grabbed the traitor's hair once again, pulling his bloody face up “well you've eaten a bit of him, so it would only be fair if he gets to eat a bit of you, isn't that right Ezequiel?” I caressed his face with my knife, as I pondered out loud “but the birds never ate meat before, don't want to cause any culture shock, mhhh…”
I locked gazes with the bird, causing him to shiver, which sparked an idea in my mind “oh i know! This can work as a two for one deal! After all, they always go on and on about how scary predator vision is!”
The room was filled with screams of agony and wet sloppy sounds, as with a bit of effort i got my target, letting the head of the traitor fall back on the ground, i stood up and made my way to the bird who was still strapped to the chair, but with no wings or talons, it hardly had a chance to escape.
“Here, this should do nicely, just imagine its a grape, just juicy and moist fruit, i'm sure it will even have the same pop!” I forced its beak open with one hand, and with the other I tossed the grape into it, just as quickly forcing its beak shut.
“I hope you like the taste” with a gentle hit on its throat the sound of swallowing followed “mhh, somethings off, i have this feeling i'm forgetting something…” in almost not time the bird began to squirm and writhe in pain, as it almost seemed to bloat up.
“Oh right, last month we found out you birds were in the same boat as us, ain't that funny?” I relished the pain of the bird, as it twisted and turned before finally the lack of oxygen, thanks to its blocked airway, got to it, killing it.
I recovered my knife, and the ring on the traitor's finger, as even in death he didn't deserve it. Taking one last look at my handiwork I exited the room only to be met with the visage of a few of the other members of this branch.
“Go clean the mess, don't forget to take picks, it'll be useful to show What we do to Xeno sympathizers around here.” and so I walked down the corridor, satisfied with my work, even if it costs Humanity First a member, he won't be missed.

I wasn't always a psychopath.
Neither was Adam.
There were 10 of us.
Five Adam’s and five Eve’s handcuffed together in a room with no doors. When I opened my eyes, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling, my name was Eve.
I had no other names but Eve.
There were nine bodies spread around me, including a boy, a lump attached to me, curled into a ball. Our real identities were lost, though I could recall small things, tiny splinters still holding on.
I saw a dark room filled with twinkling fairy lights, a bookshelf decorated with titles I never read, boxes of prescribed medication sticking from an overflowing trash can. The walls were covered in sticky notes and calendars, a chalkboard bearing a countdown to a date that had long since passed.
“I thought you were going to try this time? Why do you make it so hard?”
The voice was a ghost in my head. She didn't have a name, barely an identity, but my heart knew her. She existed as a shadow right in the back of my mind, suppressed deep down. With her, I remembered the rain soaking my face, and my pounding footsteps through dirt.
When I tried to dive deeper inside these splinters, I hit a wall.
It should have confused me, angered me, but I couldn't feel anger.
There was only a sense of melancholy that I had lost someone close to me.
With no proper memories, though, I didn't feel sad.
I wasn't the first one awake. There were others, but neither of us spoke, trapped inside our own minds. Drawing my knees to my chest, I wondered what the others were feeling and thinking.
Did they have loved ones they couldn't fully remember?
I did know one thing. There was something wrong with my body, the bones in my knees cracking when I moved them. Everything felt stiff and wrong, my neck giving a satisfying popping noise when I tipped my head left to right. The room was made of glass.
Four glass walls casting four different versions of me.
It was like looking into a fun mirror, each variant of me growing progressively more contorted, a monster blinking back.
There was a metal thing wrapped around my wrist, and when I tugged it, the lump next to me groaned. I noticed the handcuff (and the lump) when I was half awake. But I thought I was hallucinating. The lump had breath that smelled of garlic coffee, and he snored.
Adam, my mind told me.
The lump’s name was Adam.
Everything about me felt…new.
Like a blank slate. I had no real thoughts or memories. The boy attached to me was different from the others.
Adam was dressed in the same bland clothes, but his had colour, a single streak of bright red stained his shirt.
I found myself poking it, and he leaned back, his eyes widening.
The red was dry, ingrained into the material.
Which meant at some point, Adam had been bleeding. Not a lot, and he didn't look like he had any wounds. I studied him. Or, I guess, we studied each other.
He was a wiry brunette with freckles and zero flaws, like his face had been airbrushed.
This wasn't the natural kind of airbrush. I could see where someone or something had attempted to scrape away his freckles too, the skin of his left cheek a raw pinkish colour. I wasn't a stranger to this thing either.
I could see where several spots on my face had been surgically removed.
The boy glued to my side was an enigma in a room drowned of color.
The red on him made him stand out in a sea of white, a mystery I immediately wanted to solve.
I couldn't help it, prodding the guy’s face, running my finger down his cheek and stabbing my nail under his nose for signs of bleeding. I was curious, and curiosity didn't belong in the white room full of blank slates. I wondered if the old me looked for that kind of thing.
Her bookshelf was full of horror and crime thriller, an entire box-set of a detective series my mind wasn't allowed to remember. There was that wall again, this time slamming down firmly on the room with the fairy lights.
There was too much of me in my fragmented memory, the girl who wasn't Eve.
I wasn't fully aware that I was violently prodding Adam, until he wafted my hand away. The boy opened his mouth to speak, his eyes narrowing with irritation, before his mind reminded him that irritation did not exist in the white room.
I watched the anger in his eyes fizzle out, and he frowned at me, adapting the expression of a baby deer.
I think he was trying to be angry, trying to yell at me. When I realized he couldn't swear, or didn't know how to swear, he distanced himself from me, turning his back and folding his arms.
I got the hint, shuffling away, only for the handcuffs to violently snap us back together.
“This is a recorded message stated by the United States Government on eight, twenty seven, two thousand and twenty three regarding The Adam And Eve Project. Please listen carefully. This message will not be repeated.”
A text to speech voice drew my attention to the ceiling, and next to me, Adam let out a quiet hiss.
“You have been unconscious for thirty five days and sixteen hours, following awakening. It is recommended that you remain where you are.” The voice was pre-recorded, but it definitely sounded aimed toward the Adam who was crawling towards a door that looked like a wall, but I could see the subtle glint of a handle.
“Two hundred years ago, on April 5th 2023, NASA announced the discovery of BlueSky, a potentially hazardous NEO (Near Earth Object) was estimated to miss our planet, flying by at just 19,000 miles (32,000 kilometers).”
Two hundred two years ago.
The robot’s voice wasn't fully registering in my brain.
The text to speech voice paused, and a screen lit up in front of us displaying BlueSky, and then flickering to several news screens. CBS, NBC, Fox News and BBC all with red banners and panicked looking presenters. “However. During its passing, the BlueSky asteroid’s collision course changed, striking our planet on April 13th, 2023, causing global destruction and a mass extinction event.”
A screen showed us the entirety of the West Coast underwater.
New York, London, Seoul, Tokyo, all of them.
Either wiped from the map, or uninhabitable.
“Wait.” I wasn't expecting Adam to speak, his voice more of a croak.
His eyes widened, like he was remembering who he was before Adam.
“That's Apophis.” He scratched the back of his head. “2029.”
Adam’s random declaration of words and numbers intrigued me.
I inclined my head, motioning for him to continue, but he just shot me a look.
Adam was a lot better at emotions than me. “What?”
“You… said something.” My own voice was a static whisper.
He blinked, narrowing his eyes. “No, I didn't.”
Turning away from the boy, I decided to ignore him, and all of his future declarations. I should have been terrified, mourning the loss of not just my loved ones, but my entire planet.
But I didn't have any memories of the world except the rain, and a dark bedroom filled with fairy lights. I could have been a traveller, visiting every country and documenting each one.
All of that had been taken away, and yet I couldn't feel sad or betrayed.
Why would I mourn a planet I didn't remember?
“Please listen carefully.” The voice continued. “You have been carefully selected in a choosing process for the Adam and Eve program. Humanity's last chance of survival. Two hundred years ago, you were cryogenically frozen in an attempt to restart in a new world. Presently for you, the earth is estimated to be habitable.” When the lights flickered off, the screen lit up, displaying exactly what the voice said.
A new world, and the bluest sky stretching out across a never ending horizon. I found myself transfixed, smiling dazedly at brand new oceans and newly formed continents. “We ask this,” the message crackled. “On behalf of the President of the United States, will you do what we couldn't? Will you make the new world a better place? Will you fix the mistakes of your predecessors and restart our sick world?”
I heard my reply before I was aware of the word in my mouth.
Yes.
The screen was brighter, that beautiful blue sky so hard to look away from.
“Will you create humans you are proud of?”
Yes.
“Yes.” Adam’s murmur followed mine, the others echoing.
“Will you be our future hope? Will you destroy every human being who goes against the new earth and spill blood in the name of Adam and Eve?”
”Yes.”
The room flooded with light, and I blinked rapidly, drool seeping down my chin.
It was the voice's next words that tore away my mind. “It is with great displeasure, however, that we must inform you there are limited resources in our stockpile.” The ceiling opened up, a large ratty bag dropping onto the ground. It was a brand new colour, but this time, a mouldy green. Something snapped in two inside my mind. It didn't belong in the new world. It was… poison from our predecessors.
I backed away with the others, yanking Adam with me. At first, he didn't move, cross legged, a smile stretched across his lips. I don't think he noticed the bag.
He was starry eyed, unblinking at the screen still filled with the new world.
Our new world.
That was ours to mould into our own.
“There is no need for panic,” the voice said. “Consider this bag an artefact of the lost world. There is nothing to fear.”
Fear.
I wasn't sure I knew what that was.
Did my old self feel fear running through the rain?
Did I feel fear witnessing my planet burn right in front of me?
“There can only be one Adam, and One Eve in the new world.” The voice continued. “Please choose among yourselves. You have two minutes.”
I didn't experience fear when the tranquillity in the white room dissolved.
Adam violently pulled me to my feet when an Eve with a blonde bob dove inside the bag and pulled out a gun. She shouldn't have been able to use it.
Our memories were gone, our old selves footprints in the sand. But it was the way her fingers expertly wrapped around the butt, that made me think otherwise. The Eve didn't hesitate, and with perfect aim, blew the heads off of two Adam’s, and then another Eve. I watched more colour splatter and pool and stain the white room, bodies falling like dominoes.
When an Eve stepped toward me, my Adam pulled me across the room, dipped into the bag, his fingers wrapped around a machete. He threw me a gun, and another Adam dived for it.
Still no fear.
I ducked and grabbed it, my hands working for me, shooting the Adam between the eyes. I realized what we needed to do to survive. But it wasn't fear that made me kill. It was necessary for the new earth. The words were in my head, suffocating my thoughts. We had limited resources. There was no screaming, no crying, or begging.
An Eve knocked me onto my face, but there was no pain.
She kicked me in the head, plunging her knife into the back of my leg.
Still no pain.
Blood stained me, running down my chin.
No pain.
I didn't think, I just acted. One Adam and Eve left, and they were hardest to take down. The Eve circled me, eyes narrowed, calculating my every move.
Adam and I communicated through nods and head gestures. Adam told me to go for the sandy haired Adam, while he would take a swipe at an Eve.
I was taken off guard when the Adam surrendered, only to kick me onto my back, knocking Adam off balance too. I thought we were going to die. But my Adam had been following and predicting their every move. Back to back, I reached for my gun. Two bullets left.
I managed to get Eve straight through her left eye.
I didn't notice we were the only ones left until the walls were stained red, my hands coated with Adam’s and Eve’s, and the final Adam was lying in a stemming pool of blood. I had pieces of skull stuck in my hair, and I was out of breath, but I felt a sense of triumph.
There was so much blood, but it was the blood of the old world. Both of us knew that. Adam turned to me, his eyes filled with stars, his skin stained red.
I thought he was going to hug me, but his gaze found the screen where our new world awaited us. The two of us were breathless, awaiting the next instructions. But none came. I counted hours, and then a full day.
Adam had gotten progressively less appealing the longer I stayed isolated with him. He sat against the wall with his knees to his chest, head of matted curls against the wall, the two of us suffocating in the stink from the slow decomposition around us.
The other Adam’s and Eve’s were in their first stage.
Bloating.
How did I know that?
“2029.” Adam kept muttering to himself, over and over again.
It was the same number, repeatedly.
I couldn't feel anger or irritable, but I was confused why he was saying it.
Another day went by, and I was starting to feel deeply suppressed hunger start to bleed through. I watched Adam counting to himself, his eyes closed, feet tapping on the floor, and wondered if the new world would accept cannibalism.
Adam stared at himself in the fun-mirror a lot, making noises with his mouth. I wasn't fully concentrating when he turned to me, blurting, “How big was Apophis again?”
To me, his words were alien, and I ignored him.
But then he started talking again, spewing random words.
“Huntley Diving Centre. Med school. Cheese sandwich. Man with a bald head.”
When I told him to stop, he continued. “Van. Cheese sandwich. Pretty Little Liars.” He knocked his head against the wall. “Professor Jacobs told me to go but I didn't want to go. I told him I'd call the cops, and then I'm seeing silver.”
“Adam.” I said. “Stop.”
“Bad news,” he whispered. “Very bad news I'm not allowed to tell anyone.”
“Adam.”
I think I was irritated.
Adam sighed, closing his eyes. “United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru,” his gaze tracked the screen in front of us. “Republic Dominican, Cuba, Caribbean, Greenland, El Salvador too.”
“We’ve found them!” an Adam’s voice, a *human voice ripped me from slumber.
“Over here!”
Thundering footsteps followed and something in my gut twisted.
I stood up, swaying. Adam followed, half lidded eyes barely finding mine.
His expression was new. I think mine was too.
Fear.
Humans.
Before I knew what was happening, I was being grabbed by masked men, who were surprisingly gentle.
Humans. I didn't know what to say. I asked them how they survived the asteroid impact, and they told me to stay calm. Adam was behind me, his arms pinned behind his back.
He was being told to stay calm, but Adam was calm. He may have been nodding along to the human’s words, but he was thinking exactly what I was.
When an Eve cupped my cheeks and asked if I was okay, my gaze flicked to my discarded gun.
“Oliva!” She was yelling in my face. “Sweetie, you're in shock. Can you tell me how many fingers I’m holding up?”
I nodded dizzily, unable to tear my gaze from my weapon. “Five.”
There could only be ONE Adam and ONE Eve.
I felt fear for the first time when Adam and I were led through large silver doors and into blinding sunlight. When it faded and my eyes found clarity, I wasn't seeing breathtaking views of mountains and newly formed oceans.
Across the road, a woman was walking her dog.
A school bus flew past, then an ambulance, a long line of traffic snaking down the road. I could smell Chinese food, my mouth watering.
When Adam started screaming, my fear came back, and it was enough to unravel me completely, sending me to my knees. I was still stained in blood, wrapped in a blanket I could barely feel. My mind that had been ripped apart, that had splintered for the good of our humanity, was starting to crumble.
Humanity didn't need fucking saving.
It only truly hit me when I was sitting in the back of a cop car, Adam in the front seat, that I wasn't a last savior of our species. The earth was still spinning, still alive in modern day 2023, and I was just Eve.
The Eve who sat next to me in the back of the car, gently rubbing my hands, told me my name was Olivia.
I was a twenty four year old student, and I had been missing for three years.
Adam’s name was Kai.
He was twenty three, and a med student.
No, we were Adam and Eve.
I spent a while in another white room, but this time I wasn't forced to kill people.
I was told I had been through brutal torture I could not remember. I told her that was impossible, and then she calmly showed me my legs and arms.
I was covered in burns, old and new bruises, my body sliced open and stitched up. With this abuse, my kidnappers had successfully turned me into a shell of myself. I was asked if I wanted therapy to revisit those memories, but I declined. I was happy being Eve, even if it was just for a while.
I saw Adam several times, but he was never fully conscious, either strapped to a bed, muttering to himself, or cross legged on the floor, head tipped back.
I was two months into my treatment when he barged into my room.
“2029.” Adam said, his words slurring. “Is when Apophis is going to hit us.”
I nodded slowly, dropping the book I was reading. My re-education was going well. I was getting my emotions back. Which, of course, included annoyance. “It's going to miss us.”
“Think!” Adam hissed, pressing his finger to his lips. “Gotta be quiet! Shhhhh!”
Shutting the door painfully slowly like he was in a cartoon skit, Adam stumbled over to my bed prodding at his neck.
“They stabbed me,” he said in a manic giggle, “But I'm not stupid! I'm smart! I'm like sooo smart and it's been driving me crazy, but now I see it.” Adam leaned forward. “Apophis. 2029,” he said, his breath tickling my cheek. “Is why we were taken.”
He burst out laughing.
“Can't you see? April? 2029? 19,000 miles! A biiiiig lump of space rock going zooooooom!” he stopped laughing, slamming his fist into his palm.
Impact.
“BANG!”
Adam’s eyes widened, his expression crumpling.
“Help me.” He whispered, before crumpling into a heap, and then dragged out by several Eve’s in white.
According to them, he ‘was experiencing mild side effects from treatment.’
Unlike me, Adam chose to get his memories back.
Yeah, that's not a good idea.
Olivia’s mind was too much, too painful.
My old life started to seep back in the form of loved ones as I was slowly deconditioned.
I stopped referring to boys and girls and Adam’s and Eve’s, and was firmly told “The New Earth” was just fantasy, all of the destruction I saw generated with AI.
I have a girlfriend, who visited me every day.
She said I didn't have to take the therapy, but I know she wants me to remember Olivia. Her name is Charlie, and when I was released from the white room, she took me back to our shared house.
I have two roommates. Sam and Matt. Both of them kept their distance for a while, especially when I accidentally referred to them as Adam’s. I'm still getting letters from the facility politely “inviting” me for a therapy session.
I’m ignoring them, but I have started seeing a single black van outside our house.
I think my kidnappers are back, and I'm terrified.
The facility told me to call them AS SOON as I see anyone suspicious.
I've told Charlie and the guys to hide upstairs, and right now I'm in our living room. It's pitch black outside, but I can see a figure standing directly outside our house. I've turned off all the lights.
Every time I blink, I swear they're getting closer.
I think whoever wants a new world has come back for me.

It’s a crisp Thursday morning, the kind that hints at the edge of summer with just enough warmth to make you forget about the winter past. Our private investigation office, a modest second-floor space above a bustling café on Magazine Street in New Orleans, is alive with the usual morning chaos. My wife Reine and I are in the midst of showing Abbey, our new secretary, the ins and outs of our, let's call it, "unique" filing system.
Abbey, a young woman with bright blue eyes and an infectious enthusiasm for detective work, nods vigorously, taking notes on her pad.
"So, you see," I start, holding up a file, "each case has its own color code. Red for ongoing cases, blue for solved, and green for... well, let's just call it 'active investigations.'"
Abbey nods, her eyes scanning the rainbow of folders on the desk. "And the glitter stickers?" she asks, pointing to a file adorned with sparkling unicorns.
I glance at Reine, who's trying to hide her smirk behind a cup of coffee. "That's... Reine's system. You'll have to ask her about that."
Reine leans over, her voice laced with mock seriousness. "The glitter is crucial, Abbey. It represents the mystery of the case. The more glitter, the deeper the intrigue."
Abbey looks between us, a flicker of confusion passing through her eyes before she catches onto our jest. "Got it. Glitter equals mystery. I'll remember that."
"And remember," Reine says, pointing to a large, overly complex calendar on the wall, "if someone asks for an urgent meeting and the calendar looks full, just tell them we're consulting on a case in Baton Rouge. It buys us some time."
Abbey nods vigorously, taking notes on her pad. "Got it, Baton Rouge. And if they ask for details?"
I glance at Reine with a mischievous grin. "Then you say we’re undercover, and it's a matter of national security. They rarely ask after that."
Just as we're wrapping up our impromptu tutorial with Abbey, there's a sudden, sharp knock at the door, cutting through the relaxed atmosphere of the morning like a knife.
I stride over and pull it open to reveal a woman in her early forties, her poise teetering on the edge of despair. She introduces herself in a voice that carries a weight far beyond her years. "Hello, Detectives Asher and Reine Tran? I'm Astrid Everly. I believe I have an appointment for a consultation."
I nod, remembering a conversation over the phone last week, though the specifics elude me. "Of course, Mrs. Everly, please come in. Abbey, could you pull up the Everly file on the desktop, please? Should be under 'E'."
Before Abbey can even turn to the computer, Astrid interjects, "There's no need for that. I'm here because I suspect my husband, Zane, of... infidelity." Her voice falters for a moment, the facade of calmness cracking.
Reine sets her coffee down with a soft clink, her expression shifting into one of professional empathy. "We understand how difficult this must be for you, Mrs. Everly," she says gently.
I motion for Astrid to take a seat. “You've come to the right place,” I begin. “We handle matters discreetly and efficiently."
Cheating spouse investigations might not be glamorous, but they are the bread and butter of our business. And in our experience, the truth, however painful, is what our clients need most.
As I gesture towards the worn but comfortable chairs, Reine busies herself with the small coffee maker in the corner of our office. "Cream and sugar, Mrs. Everly?" Reine calls out.
Astrid nods, a grateful smile briefly crossing her face. "Just cream, thank you." Her composure, momentarily lifted by the gesture, seems to falter as the gravity of her situation resettles around her.
I sit across from Astrid, my posture open, inviting her to share her story. Abbey, sensing the shift in atmosphere, quietly retreats to her desk, giving us space.
"Mrs. Everly, can you tell us why you suspect your husband might be unfaithful?" I ask, my tone gentle yet earnest, signaling that this is a safe space for her to vent her concerns.
Astrid exhales a shaky breath, her dark brown eyes glistening with unshed tears as she starts to unravel the thread of her story. "It's the little things, really," she begins, her voice a whisper of despair. "Zane has always been a loving husband and father, but lately, he's been distant. He comes home late, if he comes home at all, and when he does, it's like his mind is elsewhere."
She pauses, collecting her thoughts before continuing. "Then there's his phone. It used to be just another gadget, but now... now it's like an extension of himself. He guards it jealously, never leaves it unattended. And if I so much as glance in its direction, he snaps at me, saying I'm invading his privacy."
Astrid's hands clench tighter, the knuckles whitening. "But what really convinced me was the perfume," she adds, a note of betrayal creeping into her voice. "I found a scarf in his car, one that definitely wasn't mine. It was drenched in a perfume I've never worn, a scent that now seems to linger on him constantly."
The room falls silent, the weight of her pain palpable in the air. Reine hands Astrid her coffee with cream, offering a small, comforting smile.
"I confronted him about it," Astrid continues, her gaze dropping to the cup in her hands. "He denied everything, of course. Said the scarf must belong to a coworker he'd given a ride to, and that the perfume was probably from a client he'd met with. He said I was being…”
Her voice breaks, a lone tear escaping down her cheek. “He said I was being a ‘paranoid bitch’!”
Reine and I are both shocked at Astrid’s raw emotion, the harshness of the words used against her clearly wounding deep. I reach for a box of tissues, sliding it across the desk towards her, while Reine’s comforting hand finds its way to Astrid’s shoulder, a silent gesture of support in this moment of vulnerability.
“There’s no excuse for anyone to speak to you like that,” I say firmly, my distaste made clear.
Astrid accepts the tissue, dabbing at her eyes, a shaky breath indicating her struggle to maintain composure. “We’ve been married for 15 years,” she whispers, her voice gaining a semblance of strength. “We have two beautiful children. I just... I can’t believe it’s come to this.”
Reine leans forward. "Mrs. Everly, you're doing the right thing by seeking the truth. No matter how painful it may be, knowing will give you the power to make informed decisions about your future."
“There’s something else...” She hesitates, as if weighing the risk of sharing more. “It might sound odd, but there have been... occurrences. Things I can’t explain. At night, I’ve felt a presence, something unsettling, watching over us.”
The mention of a presence catches both Reine and me off guard. It’s a departure from the infidelity case we thought we were dealing with, hinting at something deeper, perhaps even darker.
“You mean, like a stalker?” I asked.
Astrid nods, unable to produce the words.
"Stalking is a very serious matter," Reine says, the detective in her surfacing with a palpable intensity. "Are you sure about what you've felt? Have there been any signs, any tangible evidence of someone physically stalking you or your family?"
Astrid looks uncertain for a moment, then nods, her resolve firming. “At first, I thought it was stress, but then…”
She pauses, her hands trembling as she fishes her phone out of her purse.
"A few nights ago," she starts. “The kids were at my sister's, and Zane... Zane was out, as usual." She navigates through her phone with deliberate taps, opening an app connected to her home's security system. "I installed a Ring Cam last month, just to feel a bit safer, you know?"
With a few more swipes, she turns the phone towards us, displaying a video captured by her Ring Cam. The footage is grainy, typical of night mode recordings, but what it reveals sends a chill down my spine. It shows Astrid's front porch bathed in the eerie glow of the security light.
Then, without warning, something darts across the screen—a blur of motion too rapid to decipher. It's there and gone in the blink of an eye, leaving behind an unsettling afterimage that seems to hover in the night air. The motion is too swift, too large for any common animal, and there's an odd, almost deliberate evasion in the way it avoids the light, slipping into the shadows with an ease that suggests intelligence, or perhaps something more sinister.
"I thought it was just a stray animal at first," Astrid says.
Astrid's fingers shake slightly as she swipes to the next item on her phone. “I found this the next morning,” She said, handing the phone over for us to see.
The image that greets us is deeply unsettling: a tangled mess of what appears to be intestines and long, straight black hair, left in a sickening pile on her doorstep. I've seen enough in Iraq to recognize the unmistakable look of human intestines.
"I... I didn't know what to do," Astrid continues, her voice shaking. “Of course, Zane dismissed it. Said it was just something the cat dragged in.”
Astrid's face is pale. "I had hoped it was some sick joke, maybe kids playing a twisted prank, but..." Her voice trails off.
"My kids," she whispers, her voice fraught with fear. "What if whatever did this comes back? What if they're not safe?"
Reine and I exchange a glance, both of us understanding the gravity of the situation. This isn't just a case of potential infidelity or even stalking; we're potentially looking at something far more dangerous. This is the kind of case we live for.
"We'll take your case, Mrs. Everly," I say, my tone conveying not just our acceptance but our commitment to seeing this through.
"We'll do everything in our power to get to the bottom of this,” Reine says, echoing my resolve.
Astrid's shoulders seem to drop ever so slightly at our words. It's clear she's been carrying this weight alone for too long.
"Thank you, detectives," she murmurs, her gratitude palpable.
—
The sun is already high in the sky, when we begin preparing to set up additional security measures around Astrid Everly's house. It’s imperative that we work discreetly, ensuring that neither Zane Everly nor the stalker notice our presence. With Astrid's kids safely away at school and Zane presumably engrossed in his daily routine, we have a narrow window to operate under the radar.
Reine and I arrive in our nondescript SUV, our trunk filled with the latest in surveillance technology. We have compact cameras that can be concealed easily, motion sensors that are no bigger than a pack of gum, and a couple of high-definition night vision cameras to cover the darker corners of the property. While I focus on finding the optimal spots to place the cameras, Reine meticulously checks for any blind spots in our coverage. We communicate in low tones, a silent dance of efficiency honed by years of working together.
Once the equipment is in place, camouflaged amidst the everyday, we retreat to our makeshift command center — the back of our SUV, screens aglow with feeds from the newly installed cameras. Everything appears serene. But we know better than to trust appearances; the true nature of the threat still eludes us, hidden in the shadows of uncertainty.
Our next move is to keep a close eye on Zane. Tailing someone without drawing attention requires a blend of patience and subtlety. We follow him as he moves through the streets of New Orleans, our steps shadowing his with careful precision. He seems to be following a routine, visiting places that one would expect a man of his standing to frequent — the office, a local café, and a series of meetings that appear mundane on the surface.
Yet, our focus isn't just on Zane's whereabouts. We are equally attentive to his interactions, the pauses in his day, the way his gaze lingers a touch too long on certain individuals. It’s a delicate balance, observing without engaging, collecting pieces of a puzzle we’re still trying to understand.
As the day wears on, the mundane nature of Zane's activities begin to paint a picture of a man ensnared in the trappings of a double life. The evidence is subtle, hidden in the nuances of his behavior, yet unmistakable to the trained eye. He’s cautious, perhaps too cautious, with his movements and communications, suggesting an awareness of being watched or, at least, the possibility of it.
Zane's path leads him into a quaint flower shop nestled between a bookstore and a bakery. During a momentary lull in our surveillance, I pull out a container of Chinese takeout—cold sesame noodles and spicy orange chicken, our stakeout meal.
As we eat, Reine turned to me, a mischievous glint in her gray eyes. "Hey," she said, her tone light but carrying an undercurrent of seriousness, "you'd never cheat on me, right? I mean, with all this infidelity we see, you haven't gotten any ideas, have you?"
I can’t help but chuckle at her question, the absurdity of the thought mingling with the gravity of our current case. "Cheat on you, em?" I start, leaning closer to her, our knees touching in the cramped space, “And miss out on Friday night stakeouts and takeout with my incredibly sexy and talented partner?”
Reine giggles, the tension easing between us as she nodded in agreement. "Good answer," she said, her gaze softening.
"Your turn," I say, nudging her gently with my elbow. "You wouldn't cheat on me, would you?”
“Bon Dieu, non!” Reine utters, feigning indignance. “I would never consider such a thing!”
“Really?” I ask with a grin. “Not even if Brad Pitt decided he was in need of a private eye with your... extensive expertise?"
"Well," she drawls, the corner of her mouth ticking upward in a smirk, "if we're bringing Brad Pitt into the fantasy, I suppose I'd have to at least... consider the consultation fee."
“As long as it's just a consultation," I quip, winking at her, "I guess I can live with that. But just so we're clear, if Scarlett Johansson comes knocking, I expect the same courtesy from you."
“Do you expect us to work that case together?” she says, her voice dripping with innuendo.
“Two heads are better than one, right?” I ask with a grin. “Especially when it comes to... thorough investigations."
“Right, it's all about the team effort." Reine laughs, shaking her head.
Our lighthearted banter is cut short as the screens flicker with movement. Suddenly, the flower shop door swings open, and Zane steps out, cradling a bouquet of roses that seems almost too delicate for his broad hands. The sight snaps us back to the task at hand.
We start the car and follow him at a discreet distance. Our route takes us through the heart of the city, past the colorful facades of the French Quarter, and eventually into Marigny, a neighborhood known for its bohemian atmosphere and tightly knit streets.
Zane pulls into the parking lot of L'Etoile du Nord, a boutique hotel, a place that prides itself on discretion and privacy.
Perched in our vehicle across the street, we watch Zane through binoculars, the lens bringing him into sharp relief against the backdrop of the hotel's understated elegance. He waits by the entrance, the bouquet of roses in hand, the casual stance of a man comfortable in his surroundings.
Moments later, a woman approaches. She's strikingly beautiful with high cheekbones and a delicate, structured jawline. Her eyes, a deep brown, are alert yet hold a hint of mystery. Most distinguishing is her straight black hair that cascades down her back—hair unmistakably similar to the tangle left on Astrid's doorstep.
The air between them is charged, their reunion marked by an intimacy that leaves little doubt of their relationship. They embrace, a greeting that quickly deepens into a kiss, a confirmation of suspicions we didn't want to validate. Reine, with a camera in hand, captures this exchange, the shutter clicks a silent witness to the betrayal unfolding before us.
Zane and the woman make their way to their room on the third floor. We watch in silence through the balcony window as they undress each other, their movements fluid and intimate.
I’m left with a deep sense of discomfort, feeling the urge to look away. But as I’m about to pull away and give them their privacy, I catch a glimpse of something unsettling.
As Zane and the woman are locked in a passionate embrace, her head detaches from her body with a surreal ease that defies all logic. Her body slumps to the floor, but her head... her head remains suspended in mid-air. Internal organs dangle grotesquely from her neck, swaying slightly as if caught in a gentle breeze that does not exist.
Before Zane can even begin to process the nightmarish turn of events, the woman's floating head lunges at him, teeth bared. She's not just biting his face—it's more vicious, more savage. It's as if she's trying to consume him, her teeth tearing into his flesh with a ferocity that's both shocking and horrifying.
Reine and I exchange a glance that carries the weight of a thousand words. It’s a look that says, "Did you just see what I saw?" and "We need to move, now." Without a word, we leap into action.
I grab my Beretta from the glove compartment, checking the clip in one fluid motion, while Reine does the same. Our footsteps are a rapid, synchronized rhythm against the pavement as we sprint towards the hotel’s entrance, bypassing the startled doorman who shouts after us, questions hanging in the air, unanswered.
The lobby blurs past us, a mixture of luxury and confusion as the receptionist begins to protest, but the urgency in our strides silences any further inquiry. We take the stairs, two at a time, the sound of our boots echoing off the walls.
Reaching the designated floor, we move down the hallway, guided by the cacophony of a struggle that grows louder with each step. The numbers on the doors blur past until we find the one that matches our frantic search.
We come to a skidding halt outside the door where a cleaning lady stands, paralyzed by fear. The sounds emanating from within the room are nothing short of chilling—a cacophony of snarls and screams that seem to seep into the very marrow of your bones. Her eyes, wide with terror, dart between the door and us, as if she's caught in a nightmare she can't wake up from.
"Open the door, now!" Reine commands.
For a moment, she hesitates, her hand trembling so violently it seems she might drop the key card. I lock eyes with her, my gaze imploring her to trust us. "We're here to help. Please."
With a shaky nod, she swipes the card, the soft click of the lock disengaging sounding almost deafening in the charged silence that follows.
"Get somewhere safe and call 911. Tell them we have an... emergency," I instruct her. She nods, her face drained of color, and scurries away.
I cautiously push the door open. The scene that unfolds before us is one ripped straight from the darkest corners of the unimaginable. The headless nude body of the woman lies crumpled on the floor.
The room is drenched in the overpowering scent of an exotic perfume, the same one Astrid had described, a fragrance that now seems to cling to every surface, saturating the air with its cloying sweetness.
But it's Zane that captures our immediate attention. His back is turned to us, and from the neck down, he looks entirely normal, if one can consider any part of this situation to be so. But where his head should be, there's nothing recognizable as human. Instead, an undulating mass has taken its place, pulsing and writhing as if it's burrowing into his body, consuming him from the inside out.
Reine and I edge forward, our weapons drawn and aimed squarely at what remains of him.
"Zane Everly, turn around slowly with your hands up," I call out. The words feel surreal, as if spoken by someone else.
He responds, but not in the way we expect. The movement is unnatural, a series of jerks and spasms that suggest the thing wearing Zane like a suit is unfamiliar with the body it’s inhabiting.
The parasitic mass where his head once was pulsates with a sickening rhythm, tendrils flailing, seeking, as if searching for a new host to infect. Eyes, if they can be called that, shimmer with a malevolent intelligence.
"Jésus Christ," Reine mutters under her breath.
My stomach turns, the scene defying logic and sanity. But it’s not just the horror of Zane’s condition that heightens the tension—it’s the realization that the body of the woman, the one we had just seen, is not where it should be. The room, though chaotic, lacks her presence.
“Reine, where’s the—” My question cuts short as a cold grip tightens around my wrist.
I whirl around, my heart pounding, to face the headless, nude body of the woman. Her grip is iron-clad, her strength unnatural. In disbelief, I see the sinew and muscle of her neck twitch and pulse where her head should be.
I try to level my pistol at the headless torso, aiming to neutralize the threat. But she's too fast, too strong. With an unexpected force, she twists my wrist painfully, causing my shot to go wide. The bullet, meant to stop her, punches a hole into the plush carpeting of the hotel room.
Reine, quick as ever, tries to make a move to help me, but before she can get close, the amorphous head attached to Zane's body detaches itself and launches in her direction. It's like something out of a nightmare, a living mass with tendrils that act almost with a mind of their own. As it flies through the air, the tendrils extend, reaching for Reine.
It wraps its tendrils around her with a precision that betrays a malicious intent, disarming her in a single, fluid movement. The gun clatters to the floor, a sound harsh against the eerie silence that envelopes the room.
Reine struggles against the creature's grip, but the tendrils tighten, constricting like boa constrictors. They wind around her neck, her torso, squeezing with a strength that is both terrifying and otherworldly. Reine's face contorts with pain, her eyes meeting mine, a silent plea for help written in her gaze.
"Reine!" I shout, desperation lacing my voice. My partner, my wife, the person I've faced countless dangers with, is now inches away from death by this unimaginable foe.
I yell at the creature. "Let her go!”
For a fleeting second, the tension in the room ripples with the uncertainty of the thing's response. Then, in a voice that is eerily calm and chillingly clear despite its formless source, the creature responds. "Stay out of my way. I won’t warn you again."
Then, abruptly, the entity's grip loosens around Reine and drops her. Reine gasps for air, her face flushed from the constriction.
As the headless woman releases her vice-like grip on my forearm, I rush towards Reine as she stumbles back into my arms. I catch her, my relief palpable. We both regain our footing, keeping wary eyes on the creature.
As we watch, stunned, the head slowly drifts back towards the woman’s body, reattaching itself to her neck. The seams where flesh meets flesh knit together in a spectacle that's both horrifying and mesmerizing. Within moments, the transformation is complete, and the woman stands before us, her appearance as flawless and composed as when Zane first greeted her outside the hotel.
In the chaos of the moment, the entity undergoes yet another grotesque transformation. A pair of dark, leathery wings unfurl from her back with a sinister grace. They're massive, spanning the width of the room, knocking over furniture as if they're mere obstacles in its path.
With a powerful flap, the woman launches herself towards the balcony, shattering the glass doors in her haste to escape. The night air rushes in, mixing with the stench of decay and the iron tang of blood, creating a maelstrom of senses that leaves us momentarily disoriented.
We rush to the balcony, just in time to see the woman disappearing into the dark sky. Her flight is erratic, a sign of its newfound form, but she quickly gains altitude and vanishes into the night, leaving behind a trail of questions and a palpable sense of dread.
Part 2
Part 3

I have a flush mount ceiling light fixture that my wife bought that has two sets of hot/neutral wires (and a ground wire obviously). Where I plan to mount has a hot and neutral wire coming down. Do I pair the two neutral wires together with a wire nut and the two hot wires with a wire nut (sorry for rookie question I’m new to DIY electrical/home improvement)?

First Chapter Previous Chapter
TRAGEDY at Concert Hall.
NIGHTMARE performance by renowned violinist and orchestra.
66 DEAD & 100s INJURED in CONCERT MASSACRE!
For an entire month, the media incessantly buzzed about Gabrielle Vilonte's last performance, a relentless stream that wore on Mr. Vilonte's nerves. Reporters bombarded him with calls, clamoring for an exclusive interview. Fed up, he had silenced his phone for days, ignoring every text and call, and stowed it away in the glove compartment. Thankfully, public interest had already shifted to the next headline. The bizarre event was now a distant memory in people's minds. Except, of course, those who experienced it.
Sleep became a nightly struggle. Most nights brought a jolting awakening, leaving him trembling so fiercely that his bones rattled and teeth chattered, while his heart threatened to burst from his chest. The recurring nightmare haunted him relentlessly—the terrifying vision of blood-red waves closing in, his senses overwhelmed as he tumbled blindly and helplessly. His survival was nothing short of miraculous, requiring only a brief stay of a couple of nights at the hospital.
George had insisted he stay with them until Mrs. Vilonte and Gabrielle emerged from their coma at the hospital. Despite the kind offer, Mr. Vilonte politely declined. While he cherished the idea of being surrounded by his family's warmth during such a challenging time, he found solace in the comforting embrace of Sara's soft, ample bosom. While he often disagreed with Mrs. Vilonte's choices, particularly concerning their finances, he was grateful he had yielded to her insistence on hiring a personal assistant.
"Take a deep breath and exhale slowly,” Sara instructed, her hand gently stroking his sweaty, naked back.
He followed her guidance, and as he did, he felt the nightmare fading away, replaced by the soothing sound of her voice. The terror that had gripped him was gradually replaced by a warmth that flowed down his throat, spreading a comforting heat throughout his belly.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," he sighed, pulling her into an embrace. "I wish we could stay like this forever."
"I wish the same, but we should go visit the hospital," she replied softly, gently pushing him aside as she rose from the bed to gather her clothes scattered on the floor.
He sighed again, sinking back onto the bed, overwhelmed by the prospect of abandoning its warmth to face the demands of the day. The thought of rejoining the world outside felt daunting. What finally persuaded him to rise from the bed was Sara's assurance that she would join him on the visit to Mrs. Vilonte, fulfilling her duties as the family's loyal and diligent personal assistant. But, in separate cars, of course.
On the way, he stopped to pick up a bouquet of flowers. Upon arrival, he warmly greeted the nurses and medical personnel he had come to know. They returned his gesture with sympathetic gazes and a small smile. As he entered Gabrielle's room, he found Eric already asleep in a chair by her bedside. Mr. Vilonte's heart sank at the sight. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her condition, he found solace in the fact that her baby remained safe within her womb, miraculously unharmed.
He arranged some lilies in a vase beside her, and pressed a fatherly kiss to her forehead before departing for his wife's room that was at the end of the hallway. Mrs. Vilonte lay peacefully, her complexion a little paler than usual. Gently placing roses on the nightstand, he pulled up a chair by her bedside, ready to share the latest updates.
With a soft voice, he relayed a few light-hearted news - George's pediatric clinic continued to thrive, their granddaughter landed a role in an upcoming school play, and Gabrielle’s condition remained in stable condition, but she had yet to awaken. Once he exhausted his list of news, he veered into trivial chatter about the weather, the traffic delays he encountered en route to the hospital which explained for his lateness (though in truth, he had persuaded Sara to join him for an intimate moment in the shower earlier), and his disappointment with the soggy cafeteria sandwich he bought.
He breathed a sigh of relief when the door opened and Sara waltzed into the room, dressed in her business casual attire, every bit the dedicated assistant his wife had hired. Without saying anything, she walked over to his chair, resting one hand on his shoulder while the other caressed the sparse strands of hair on his balding head. Her touch sparked a warmth within him, kindling a fire that surged through his body.
“Do you think she'll ever wake up?” Sara asked.
“We can only pray,” he replied, then under his breath added, “that she doesn't.”
How he wished things in his life were different. He glanced at his wife, then shifted his gaze to the pillow beneath her head. A thought crossed his mind – it wasn't too late. He could grasp the pillow and silence her forever, altering the trajectory of his life for the better.
“I wonder what's going on inside of her head,” Mr. Vilonte wondered aloud, “Do you think she's dreaming or is it all just darkness?”
XXXXX
In a realm beyond the physical plane, Mr. Vilonte’s words echoed through the forest. Mrs. Vilonte, catching wind of his voice, raced forward barefoot. Her elegant dress shoes, now trapped in the mud, disappeared into the earth. Her gown had become torn and muddied from her struggles against the clutches of vines and twisted branches.
Stopping for a moment, she pondered the possibility of deception, the voice perhaps a sinister ploy by the otherworldly entity, taunting her with the mimicry of her husband's voice.
"Please, let me go home!" she pleaded, her words falling on ears that only responded with mocking laughter.
You love her…you love her… you want her to wake up…no, you loved her. Do it now. Or it's never.
She was sure it was his voice, drawing her towards him and she followed its trail.
XXXXX
When Sara stepped out in search of snacks, he stood by his wife's bedside, peering down at her sleeping figure. Inch by inch, he maneuvered the pillow from beneath her head, his hands trembling with each deliberate movement. Just as he was about to place the soft weapon over her face, he hesitated, clutching the pillow tightly as he paced the room, engaged in a fierce debate with himself.
“You love her. No, no, you loved her.”
In over thirty years of marriage, he found himself reminiscing only about the initial five years, a period suffused with warmth and happiness. The following decades, however, that love had withered away over time like a neglected rose, starved of nourishment.
If he didn't take the chance now, he may not have the opportunity to do so. He returned to her bedside, clutching the pillow. The weight of his decision bore down on him. Just as he prepared to act, her eyes flickered open, their intensity locking with his own. He gasped, stepping back in alarm and stumbling over the chair.
With a sudden jolt, Mrs. Vilonte shot upright, unleashing a piercing scream that shattered the silence of the room. Frantically, she attempted to flee her bed, only to crumple to the floor, her legs betraying her after a month of disuse, unable to bear her weight. She resorted to dragging herself with her arms, making her way towards the door.
As the initial shock began to subside, Mr. Vilonte hastily regained his footing and hurried to his wife's side.
“Isabella..." he gasped, stretching out a trembling hand to touch her shoulder, but she swatted it away.
She struggled to rise to her feet once more, using the wall for support as her legs shook beneath her. The knot of her hospital gown had unraveled, leaving it to drape loosely over her fragile, naked form.
“Gabby! Where's Gabby?” She cried, her eyes were wide and filled with terror.
“Her room's not far from here, just down the hall.”
“I have to see her.”
“No, no, what we need to do right now is to get you back to bed. I'll go get the doctor.”
“You don't understand!”
“What is it that I don't understand? Tell me!”
“The baby…”
“What about the baby?”
“It's not what you think it is.”
“What? What are you talking about? What are you trying to say?”
Mrs. Vilonte let out an angry cry of frustration. “We must put a stop to it. She's going to give birth to something…”
“Something, what?”
Without answering him, she seized the door handle and yanked it open. Despite his attempts to restrain her, she broke free from his grip, landing a sharp blow to his face with her fist. A dazzling flash of white and gold stars burst across his vision like fireworks.
A deafening scream tore through the air, its intensity reverberating down the hallway, freezing everyone in their tracks. The sheer force of it sent shivers of nausea and fear rippling through each person present. The scream jolted Mr. Vilonte out of his daze, a surge of fear flooding back as he realized it was coming from his daughter's room.
He raced to the room and found Eric cowering in the corner, his expression filled with horror as he stared up at the ceiling. Mrs. Vilonte stood nearby, her discarded gown lying on the floor, a pair of scissors clutched tightly in her hand, likely grabbed from the nurse's desk. She, too, gazed upwards. Following their line of sight, Mr. Vilonte's heart nearly stopped.
Crawling along the ceiling like a twisted spider was Gabrielle. She gnashed her teeth like a feral beast and with a guttural hiss, she leapt towards the window, breaking through the glass.
“Gabby, no!”
Mr. Vilonte rushed to the window, crying out in pain as the glass cut into his skin. Through the broken pane, he watched in disbelief as Gabrielle, somehow still alive after her jump from the fifth floor, dashed across the parking lot, dodging cars with uncanny agility.
XXXXX
“Slow down!” Sara screeched, her fingers tightening around the grab handle.
But Mr. Vilonte didn't hear her. He remained steadfast, his foot firmly on the gas pedal, propelling the vehicle forward on the freeway in a desperate attempt to catch up to the police car ahead.
Within the span of an hour, his world was once again upended and crushed by the merciless force of the universe. Gabrielle's escape from the hospital triggered a frantic response from the hospital staff. Wrestling the scissors from the hands of a hysterical and furious Mrs. Vilonte, they pinned her to the floor. Meanwhile, a nurse administered a sedative to calm her down, allowing them to carry her back to her room.
The police were called to locate Gabrielle, prompting him to join the frantic search alongside them. Sara, just returning from the cafeteria with snacks in hand, found herself swept up in the chaos, following him to the car and demanding an explanation.
He slammed on the brakes with a forceful stomp, jolting them forward and then back in their seats. Ahead, several vehicles were stacked up. The police car he had been tailing collided with one of them. Hastily unbuckling his seatbelt, he got out of the car and navigated through the wreckage of the mangled vehicles.
“Gabby!”
He spotted his daughter standing amidst the tumult of the freeway. Upon hearing her name, she turned to face him, her expression clouded with confusion.
“Dad? Why am I here? What's going on?” her voice was laced with fear.
“I don't know. But let's get you out of here.”
“I want to go home,” she sobbed.
“Of course, we'll go home, right after the doctors check you over.”
As Gabrielle moved towards him, the ground beneath them began to tremble, its intensity mounting with each passing second. Cracks spiderwebbed across the asphalt beneath her feet, and long, sinewy vines emerged from the fissures, wrapping themselves around her and pulling her down into the depths below.
Mr. Vilonte sank to his knees, overwhelmed by devastation.
XXXXX
Although the haze of sleepiness had partially lifted, she felt the weight of drowsiness still clinging to her body, like a heavy anchor. Attempting to move her hands, she discovered they were bound by leather cuffs fastened to the bedside rails.
The room lay cloaked in darkness, with only the faint, silver light of the moon filtering through the window blinds, casting a gentle glow across the space. Except for the corner by the door. A sudden drop in temperature sent shivers through her bones. A presence was in the room, and it was standing in that dark corner, watching her.
Mrs. Vilonte stayed silent for a moment, refraining from saying a single word or making even the slightest sound. She clenched her teeth, attempting to suppress a whimper, but it slipped past her lips nonetheless.
A pale foot stepped out of the darkness, then the other.
She sucked in her breath at the sight of Victoria, who greeted her with a sinister grin. Her eyes were as dark as coal. Her teeth jagged with saliva dribbling down her pink lips. Without moving her mouth, Victoria's voice echoed in her head, “The price is high, your soul to keep, give me more to eat!”
Raising her hands, she held up a beating heart, giving it a firm squeeze. Instantly, Mrs. Vilonte was struck by a violent pain in her chest. She was engulfed by wave after wave of agonizing pain, rendering her unable to scream until a brief moment of respite allowed her to catch her breath, prompting her to cry out, "If you want to kill me, do it now! Go ahead, kill me! Rip my heart out. But please, just do it quickly. I can't bear it any longer.”
The entity cackled. "Death will not come easily for you. Instead, you shall endure a long and torturous existence, my dear. A life abundant with suffering and despair, with the sweet release you crave remaining distant for many years to come.”
Its talons closed around the heart giving it one final squeeze.
Mrs. Vilonte erupted in a roar of agony, her body contorting as she strained against the restraints. A nurse burst into the room, switching on the light. Once the lights flickered on, the pain dissipated, and her body eased back onto the bed, her wrists raw from the restraints. Observing her labored breathing and the sheen of sweat across her forehead, he checked her vitals and inquired about her sudden scream and whether she experienced any lingering pain.
She moved her head from side to side. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you,” she said, choking down a sob.
“Oh, I'm sure everything's going to be fine, Mrs. Vilonte,” the nurse reassured with a gentle tone, offering comfort.
“Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?”
“I would, if I had time. I'm sorry I've got other patients to attend to.” And after a final check on her vitals, he turned off the lights and left the room.
Mrs. Vilonte cast a wary gaze toward the darkened corner, a sense of apprehension prickling her skin. A solitary tear traced its path down her cheek.

Did some spring cleaning and have some sets to sell.
Shipping is included for purchases over $100
Please comment on this post before sending a PM or chat
Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/7Pv7bgH
NISB:

• 75170 - The Phantom - $250
• 75315 - Imperial Light Cruiser - $150
• 910009 - Bricklink Modular LEGO Store - $500 SOLD
• 75318 - The Child - $40 SOLD
• 75324 - Dark Trooper Attack - $20 SOLD
• 31105 - Crear Townhouse Toy Store - $35 SOLD
• 2x 31131 - Creator Downtown Noodle Shop - $40 SOLD

GWPs - All NISB:

• 40585 - World of Wonders - $20
• 40601 - Majisto's Magical Workshop - $25
• 40602 - Winter Market Stall - $10
• 40449 - Easter Bunny's Carrot House - $10
• 40290 - 60 Years of the LEGO Brick - $20 SOLD
• 40413 - Mini Robots - $15 SOLD
• 40533 - Cosmic Cardboard Adventures - $15 SOLD
• 40416 - Ice Skating Rink - $15 SOLD
• 40598 - Gringott's Vault - $45 SOLD

Insider Rewards Sets:

• 6487474 - Gray Castle - $25 SOLD
• Bricktober bundle - $80 SOLD
  • 6435198 - Fantasy Adventure Ride SOLD
  • 6432434 - Dragon Adventure Ride SOLD
  • 6435202 - Space Adventure Ride SOLD
  • 6432431 - Pirate Adventure Ride SOLD

Used:

• 42083 - Bugatti Chiron - All pieces and instructions; stickers applied; includes Wicked Brick stand - Would prefer to ship built - $200
• 9396 - Helicopter (Technic) - All pieces and instructions; stickers applied - $75
• 42123 - McLaren Senna GTR - All pieces, instructions, unused sticker sheet - $20
• 75306 - Imperial Probe Droid - All pieces and instructions - $35 SOLD

has the modlist been unlisted? im trying to follow instruction on the github, and browsing wabbajack gallery but i cant seem to find it at all.