True loneliness. Surrounded by people, a world going on around you, yet the feeling of being profoundly disconnected and other.

This prompt, and that beautifully written chapter, have brought me half to tears. The way death just vanishes as soon as he admits the truth of his hell cut me as well.

“Of course it seems nice here.” The demon sighed. “ But it’s the only place in the universe where God doesn’t exist, his spirit isn’t here.”

“So?” Brian shrugged. “I never cared for God. And anyhow, all the good musicians are here, right?”

“There are, yes, many of them. All the demons are fallen angels from the holy choir, in fact. How bitterly we wish we hadn’t followed Lucifer’s rebellion.”

“Isn’t it better to rule in hell than serve in Heaven?”

“That’s what all you humans have said since Dante, but you are wrong.”

“But why?”

“Because no matter how we try, we haven’t been able to tell you what really makes this place a place of unending torment.”

“Which is what?”

“It’s impossible to create music without God’s spirit being present.”

“What do you mean?”

“Can you sing? Drum? Try it.”

Brian tried to sing. The words came out like speaking. He tried to rap. They still just came out wrong. He tapped his feet but there was no rhythm. He tried a death metal scram and it was just a grumble. He felt himself starting to panic.

“Yeah that’s exactly what every musical person has looked like when they realize. The whole 27 club is trying to kill them selves again. Most of the torture here is self inflicted to try to deaden the pain of no music. But it doesn’t work. It heals immediately, there’s no possibility of creating alcohol. It’s a spirit, after all, something impossible without the spirit of God, no matter what some of his followers thought about it. Even our memories of music are flat and dead. But yeah, otherwise it’s nice here.”

Further conversation was impossible because Brian was screaming, on his knees.

Flying Colors

hah. Good catch!Yeah, you're right. It seems like the bullet should have hit him. Should have clarified that by adding a sentence where he moves the bullet so it doesn't hit anyone.Thanks for the comment!
EDIT:
Other ppl made similar comments so I edited a sentence. Edited sentence now reads:
"I walk back across the room, poking with my finger the time-frozen bullet so it aims to the ceiling, then stop in front of Lina."

Cannibal Women from the Avocado Jungle of Death.

Shadow of the Sun

I will buy this

Thank you!

I didn’t see anyone mention it yet, but the facelessness of all the people might point to the protagonist having a hard time reading faces. That’s what it feels like sometimes. Like that couple that came in together - you can see that they’re probably affectionate with each other, but not much else.

[removed]

Since The Death of God, There's Been A Vacancy Open

Alone in a crowd of people.

[removed]

Thank you for taking liberties with the prompt. This is why many of us keep coming back!

I greatly enjoyed it, but the way he described 'looking behind' at Lina and then letting time flow again when he stops in front of her? I thought he got shot anyway in a touching 'Protag gets the girl but fucks it up in the process. Still saves her though' kind of way.

Either ending is good though! I liked it a lot :)

>the forces of evil aren't protected by the Geneva Convention

Huh. That's an interesting plot point.

Aww, thanks a ton! I'm happy I was a good inspiration!

Why be edgy when you can be wholesome?

From our primal ancestors to our 19th century forefathers, it took centuries and many wars for each races to form a union, peace. Things had change, from using letters to using phones , from using swords and bows to a "friendly" conversation.

Inside the house's basement, a human, a dwarf, and an elf decided to have a friendly conversation.

"My father is a hero," The Human claims, "He worked hard so that humanity can step more into space and to the unknown."

The Elf shakes their head, "More like a fool, why waste our lives just to see vast emptiness when there is more to discover in our beautiful planet?"

"Our ancestors had done that! We already had Grogle maps!" The Dwarf intervenes, "What's more mysterious are the lands below! There might be secret caves with undiscovered minerals right under us."

The three friends glare at one another, trying to intimidate one another.

"But what if there are more races that are waiting to be discovered?" The Human says, "Our technology could become more advance just like how our forefathers reunited and made the golden era of our people?"

"You humans do love to colonize other races," The Elf scoffs, the Human looks away embarrassed and the Dwarf just snickers, "We may know our planet but there is still more to learn from it, we will take advantage of our knowledge so no lives will go wasted unlike you two."

"Is this why you two are the most underdeveloped?" The Dwarf asks with a mocking tone, "The reason why we developed because of the minerals we gathered from below! Maybe there are minerals that are more stronger than gold but you two are busy with your fantasies of exploring something that is nothing."

The tension continues to rise as the three counters one another, trying to belittle ones claim and evidences. However, none wants to back down and if this continues, it might get messy.

"You three, settle down or I'll call mom."

The three freeze on their spot, silence finally overcomes the tension. By the stairs leading upstairs is the Human's elder sister, clear annoyance is written on her face.

"You think you could answer something that our grandparents could not answer?" The elder sister hisses, "I know this is just a mock debate, but it looks like you three are at each others' throat."

The three look down in defeat in unison, saying sorry to one another and almost losing their friendship to a mere topic.

"You three, what about talking about another topic other than that." The Elder Sister demands, the three nods and continue on their mock debate with a different topic. Hours pass and the two must go home, as they say their goodbyes and encouragement for the project tomorrow. The little Human turns to their elder as the guests are out of view.

"Tell me who is right?" The Little Human beams, "Humans are the greatest adventurers right? In space, we could reach even more than what we have here."

The Elder sister just shakes her head, "No one is right."

"Huh? Why?"

"Our pride runs deep into our veins, but you know what runs deep as well? Our thirst of learning more, to explore," She answers as if such answer is already embedded on her mind , "No matter how we fight, in the end, there is no right or wrong answer, only an answer."

"Children! Dinner is ready!"

The sister runs to the kitchen, ready to eat dinner. While the little human stays on the same spot as before, their ego bruised.

(This is a try, English is not my first language so it might not make sense)

You’ve gotta be the best at replies ever, I do love the whole idea of it and what you said at the end of the reply was a pretty spicy and satisfying ending to it ngl, if you would prefer, you could make this a short story somewhere (I’m sure there’s a subreddit somewhere lol). Of course, do it in your own time and if you would prefer to leave it that’s fine too. I look forward to some more of your writing :)

As always I love the material you write and come up with. You really know how to paint a picture with your words. I loved the surprise twist on the boyfriends identity. As I started recognizing certain key aspects I was hoping there was a connection.

Thanks and you're welcome!

[removed]

[removed]

So badly want to read more of this, this world you've crafted wether it be following death through their own moral struggles with their job or following this lonely man through his redemption and healing.

This story is gonna stick with me for the rest of my life I feel and it'll be a cursed joy to have read it knowing it was only a response to a prompt and not a full written out work.

So thank you for this curse, it is wonderful

Damn, sorry man.