jesus christ

upvoted

Don't worry, it's fine :)

"Cut them!"

I ignored the antique sword as I continued to tidy my apartment. If my date went well, I wanted the apartment to look its absolute best.

"Slice the throat of the world, and bathe in the blood as it pours from-"

"Would you shut up?" I snarled, flinging down the blanket I was trying to fold and storming to the mantle. The ancient sword had seemed like a great centerpiece, but that was before it had begun to talk. "I don't know where my Grandfather found you, or why he left you to me in his will, but so help me, if you don't stop talking I'll melt you down for scrap metal and sell you for beer money."

The sword huffed. I swear if it had eyes it would have rolled them at me. "Whatever, you're just as lame as he was. I'm only trying to bring excitement to your miserable life."

I threw up my hands in irritation. "My life is miserable because of you, I hope you know. You scared off my last girlfriend, you get noise complaints all the time, and I'm pretty sure you killed my turtle."

The sword snorted. I had no idea how a sword could snort without a nose, but then again, I had no idea how it could talk at all. "Tiffany was cheating on you, and your turtle was a dick anyways."

"So you DID kill Fluffy!" I yelled, "I knew it! I'm getting rid of you as soon as the smelter's opens tomorrow."

The sword huffed. "Fluffy is a dumb name for a reptile and you know it. Plus, the damn thing stunk. Did you ever consider that might be a reason all of your dates keep failing? As soon as they come in here, they're hit with gross turtle shit smell. Not exactly an aphrodisiac, Fabio."

"Whatever. It's still a living thing, or it was. You don't get to just kill things that annoy..." my words trailed off as a realization crept up on me. "...Did you kill my grandpa?"

"WHAT?!?" The sword shouted. I was definitely going to get another noise complaint now. "Nu-uh, I didn't kill that old party pooper."

"Then what did?" I asked slowly.

"...lack of blood in his neck?" The sword offered lamely.

"Oh god, you DID kill him!" I shouted, backing towards the front door. I fumbled behind my back as I tried to grab the doorknob, but I couldn't seem to quite grasp it.

"Calm down, it's not like he had too much longer to live anyways" the sword said. "He was, like, a million years old."

"He was 68!" I yelled at the inanimate object. "He had just retired, you dick!"

"Ugh, you even sound like him" the sword said, then continued in a mocking tone. "*Oh nooo, please don't kill me, I finally have the time to play with you, I promise this time, blah blah blah".

I found the handle and flung the door open, falling through the doorway and landing in the gross carpeted hall beyond.

"OY!" A boisterous voice shouted from down the hall. "Could ya' shut the 'ell up?"

The sword flew above me, curving in mid air and lunging towards my grumpy neighbor. It landed in his chest with a sickly squishy thud, and burried itself to the hilt.

"YOU shut up!" it cried, twisting around in his chest like a spinning dreidel. "Shut up shut up shut up forever!"

The man would have screamed, presumably, if his lungs hadn't just gone through an immersion blender. Instead, he merely gaped like a fish out of water, with bulging eyes to match. His blood poured into the hall, staining the already disgusting communal carpet even further.

"Oh my GOD!" Someone shouted behind me. The sword removed itself from the man, and flung itself towards the new speaker. "Mind your own fuckin' business!" It screamed in uncontrolled rage.

Desperate to stop the onslaught, I lunged at the flying sword as it passed by. Somehow, I was able to grab its handle, arresting its murderous flight.

"FREEZE! PUT DOWN THE WEAPON!" The voice shouted again. I looked up to see a uniformed police officer, his service revolver pointed at me with trembling arms.

"Sir, this isn't what it looks like" I said, as I tried to gesture with the blood covered sword. "its... erm, a magic talking sword?"

"DROP IT NOW!" The officer shouted.

I tried to let go, but the sword clung stubbornly to my palm. I swore I could hear it chuckle to itself as I struggled.

I felt the bullet hit my shoulder before I heard the shot. It ripped through me like nothing I had ever felt before, leaving only pain behind as it passed through bone and muscle alike. I fell to the floor and tried to grab the wound, but the sword stayed my hand.

"Tell your grandpa I said hi" it whispered, before the next shots rang through the hall.

/r/SlightlyColdStories for more

Floating orb wreathed in electricity

I'm glad you liked it! I love taking prompts in unexpected directions so I'm glad this one was successful.

Thanks! I'm really glad you liked it. I've had an idea brewing in my head for years about an older man in his 60s going on a journey with a 19 year old girl with no parents, him becoming a father figure to her in the process, so this was sort of a test to see if I could write that kind of dynamic.

I really enjoyed reading this one - it subverted my expectations in the best possible way!

It was in a sealed envelope.

Benji had known the end was coming and he had written each person a letter in that final week in the hospital. Some envelopes were thick, full to bursting with wadded paper, and other envelopes were thin, like Mike’s.

“I inherited this from my uncle.” He wrote. “Pyrokinesis is no joke. Don’t muck about with it, and DON’T TELL ANYONE. My uncle was killed for it, I was killed for it, you will be killed for it. I think if anyone stands a chance, it’s you Mike. You have the best poker face - use that.”

Mike paled thinking about the candles at Benji’s funeral, how the last match had gone out before he could light his candle and he had relit it with only a thought. Had anyone seen?

“Tips;” the letter continued. “Trust no one. I mean no one Mike. Burn this letter, in private, use matches, they will be watching everyone I touched or hugged goodbye before I died.

They want you for nothing good, don’t go thinking they’re looking for you to put out forest fires. They think pyrokinesis could be a gateway to other kinesis.

They will dig me up and dissect my brain like they did my uncle, so don’t be surprised to hear I am missing, but for the love of god act surprised.

This is not an emotional power, but emotion can and will rule your desire to use it. It can happen in the blink of an eye, a wandering thought about a weekend bonfire can bring a bonfire up right in front of you. If you’ve just done that, think about rain and it going right out. It goes both ways.

To hone this gift, You need to learn the difference between thinking about fire and summoning fire, they will pretty much be one and the same when you start out. You are so logical, I hope this is easier for you than it was for me. The learning is where they catch you. Mistakes are so easy at the start. Please be careful Mike.

P.s. don’t run. That’s how they caught Emily.”

Emily? Mike looked around. He was hurt. Benji had never mentioned anyone called Emily before, had he? Not only that, but his letter was so abrupt. Here, have this curse that killed me, goodluck bud! Not so much as a mention of their lifelong friendship, not so much as a farewell our friendship has mattered and I want the best for you… no, just this curse and a few vague tips about controlling it. Why had he never mentioned any of this? Had Benji not trusted him either? He scanned the letter again hoping the words were a joke or would change, but it looked serious.

He screwed the paper up into a ball angrily and went and flushed it down the toilet instead. If they, whoever they were, wanted the letter, they were going to have to wade through rivers of shit to get it.

Well, Benji might have run from the fight, but that wasn’t Mike’s style. Let them come when they would. He’d burn them all down, if he really had such power. He picked up his keys and grabbed his swim bag. He was 10minutes late thanks to that crummy letter and he had a feeling practicing the difference between imagined fire and summoned fire would be much more subtle under water anyway.

I'm rooting for them.

The god of this world,Khalil, summoned us to save his world. And not to brag, I believe he chose the best of the best for this job. Even moreso when he allowed all of us to change our own appearance as well as giving us a power of our own.

My first friend Nick, the dude's great, he was the strongest, tallest and the most heavy person I knew back in our world. However he often complained about his height and weight. He changed his appearance to a slender body that wasn't too tall but neither too short. Besides that one could see the resemblance between his two bodies. His fashion sense changed thought, now wearing a simple medieval pant and shirt instead of fancy clothes of all manners when he was on earth. He was granted the power to control wind by the god of khakil.

Now Tiffany, who was Nick's sister always had a bobcut whenever we met her, she often wished she had long and smooth hair. Nick probably stole all her height since she was very self conscious about her own height, she was by no means short but she still felt short when she compared herself to her own brother. Now she is a tall woman, a fair bit taller than her brother's current form, clad in a wizard robe that reaches her knees and a wizard hat which could barely hide her long hair that reached down to her knees, maybe even lower when she haven't tied them up. And unsurprisingly she was a master wizard, a sorceress who knew nearly all the spells in the world.

Nile and miles, both twins always had to wear the same stuff when they were young, an habit that carried on to their adult life. They were both average looking young men, nothing too distinguishable about either of them. But now they look completely different from each other and aren't even remotely normal looking. Nile is a beautiful elf with long white hair and glowing brown skill, adorning light but surprisingly durable clothes. He was given the ability to control all manners of plant life, being able to control their growth, movement and all that. Miles on the other hand was now a small yes suprisingly handsome hobbit. Besides his height and a killer glow up, one could tell he was the same old miles deep down. However him having the strength to lift all 5 of us with his one hand wasn't one would expect from him seeing his frame. His power allowed him to do that and much more.

Now finally it's my turn to choose my own appearance. First I was given the power to invisibility, indestructibility, a very high stamina and being able to move faster than a normal human eye could precive. Now what did I choose to change myself into? A cat. I changed myself into a cat. Because why not, not like I could think about anything else. The god happily obliged. All my other friends were quite surprised since I was quite vocal about my hatred for cats. I used to be know as the anti-cat lady. I was able to change between my previous body and being a cat but let's not let anyone else know about that. Let's see where this life of a cat takes me in this new world.

Entipede

Liam was unlike any I knew. He was naturally popular because he was attractive, athletic and intelligent. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking but when I saw Liam surrounded by the throngs of people like moths swarming around a light, I got the sense that he was all alone. Like me.

Although I was curious about him, I wasn’t about to elbow my way through the crowd only to wave my hands in front of a wall. Because that’s what he had built up. A Great Wall of China between him and everyone else.

Lunch time was a haven for those who have their own gang. A nightmare for someone like me, scarred and unable to open up for fear of being hurt again. I used to try to find an empty seat in the cafeteria and scarf my lunch with my head down, but I was rewarded with stomach pain for my efforts. So I switched to skipping lunch. Practicing piano was my excuse. It wasn’t really practicing, since I never learned to properly play. But tinker around on the black and white keys enough, and you’ll find your way around them.

I loved to let my mind go, let my fingers have a will of their own and see what sweet and sorrowful tune emerged. Mid song, the untouched sheet music I couldn't read flew off the stand and onto my chest. I froze. Was I so in the zone that I accidentally activated my powers? No, that can’t be right. It’s day time. Also I’m indoors. I whipped my head back and saw Liam towering behind me.

“Sorry,” he turned to leave.

My hand snagged the edge of his teal polo. Shit what did I do that for? I let go, but Liam had already turned back in surprise.

I cleared my throat. “Umm you can listen if you want. Or did you want to play?” I quickly got up from the bench, offering him my seat.“I don’t know how.” Liam seemed hesitant. Vulnerable. Like the walls he puts up at all times seemed to be lowered for some reason. Why here? Why now? I just knew I needed to jump on this opportunity.

With almost out of character confidence, I scooted to the edge of the bench and patted beside me, inviting him over with a smile like it was the most natural thing. “I don’t know either, but these keys sound good together.” I explained as I showed him what keys to press. I folded and tucked the fluttering sheet music into my jacket, as if I was guarding against the wind. The hum of the sheets soothed my soul, reassuring me that I wasn’t alone.

After that Liam often came to play piano with me during lunch time. He had a good ear, and in no time was producing melodies of his own. I would add a counter melody, or some supporting arpeggios. Whenever the music we produced was particularly in sync and captivating, we would grin at each other, and I would be lost in his brilliant smile. A smile of pure bliss opposite of the mere curving of his lips that he showed others.

Even when he wasn’t revealing his brilliant smile, I could tell he was happy because the pages in my jacket would vibrate like a cat’s purr when he was near. And my heart would thump happily beside it.

I liked him. Maybe… he liked me back.

Except outside of our 1:1 time in the piano room, he would avoid me. At first I thought he just hadn’t seen me. But there couldn’t be so many coincidences. It hurt. But I guess this was reality. I was a loner afterall. And he was the most popular kid, mobs of girls and boys chasing after him in admiration. I was delusional to think he’d like me.

I stopped going to the piano room. I didn’t go to the cafeteria either. I hid on the roof. What was wrong with me? I was pathetic. I should at least talk to him about this. All I know how to do is run from my problems.

I thought back to middle school. When I’d accidentally kissed my best friend who I’d secretly been crushing on for ages. It was a disaster. He’d been horrified calling me a fucking homosexual while venting with his kicks. His cleats had rendered me bloody and in a panic I’d lashed out and given him a concussion. That’s how I found out I was star-fated. One of the .1% of the population that had telekinetic powers under the light of the stars. Afterwards rumors of me being a violent gay spread throughout school and made my life a living hell. I couldn’t even defend myself because if the government found out I was star-fated I’d be taken away. Made into an emotionless human weapon.

I’d broken down. Fallen apart. So traumatized from social situations that I’d rather jump off a building than go back to school. I felt bad, but Mom gave up her tenured job to move to a new city and give me a new lease on life. And here I was being a coward and hiding on the roof just because the most popular guy in school wasn’t saying hi to me.

The door opened. It was Liam.

“I finally found you!” He smiled, and I felt a strong wind push me towards him.

“Go away.” I turned back to look at the view, but from the corner of my eyes, saw his hurt expression, and paused. Even when the school bullies had ganged up on him or the teacher had scolded him, he hadn’t revealed such a vulnerable expression. Only to me. I immediately regretted what I said. Maybe I should let him talk.

I lunged for the door and grabbed it as Liam started to close it.

Liam’s eyes opened wide in surprise at how close our faces were. Who knew whether it was him or me, but his face loomed even closer. Suddenly his lips were on mine. He pulled me, or maybe it was the wind, but I was on top of him and we were making out in the stairwell. My mind was a mess. My grip on rationality faltered and I let myself drown in the kiss that made even my toes tingle.

When our lips finally parted, gasping for air, I pushed out the question that had made me so insecure. “Why do you avoid me in public?”

Liam paused then gently untangled himself from me and placed me down beside him, carefully, as if I was fragile glass. He undid the watch on his left hand, revealing the star birthmark matching my own.

“I know,” I whispered.

Liam looked surprised.

“I have one too.”

Liam’s gaze swept over me, asking with his eyes where it was. I blushed and cast my eyes down. “I’ll show you another time.” I peeked up at him and saw understanding dawning his eyes, his ears blood red. I buried my face in his chest and he wrapped his long arms around me. The steady beating of his heart calmed me down enough to ask the question that had always lingered at the back of my mind. “I thought star-fated powers only work at night under the light of the stars. But you moved the sheet music during the day. And indoors.”

“And here I thought I’d hidden it so well.” Liam chuckled, his vibrating chest tickling my ear. “That’s because my star is the sun.”

It took me a moment to process his words. Then suddenly everything clicked. Why he put up walls. Why he only let them down when he was in an isolated room far from the rays of the sun. Why he had avoided me otherwise. He was trying to keep his emotions in check. Never let himself feel to never give others a clue that he could be star-fated. He was hiding in plain sight.

My heart hurt thinking about how hard it was for me carrying the weight of the fate of the stars, and how much harder it must’ve been for him to have to fight it every waking moment.

That night I snuck into his home. His room mirrored mine. No windows. The walls plastered with posters, art and lyrics. This was the only place he could completely let loose and feel. I spied sketches of me laughing, biting my lips in concentration, being silly as I played the piano and my heart sung. I didn’t even know I was capable of expressions like that.

I pulled him close, teased him.

He teased me back, and admired our matching birthmarks as he sent me to the heights of nirvana. Again and again.

thats an unexpected take!

"You were right." Said the alien to his colleague.

"Of course I was right. I wanted a hundred 'senators' from this planet, but given the circumstances, I'm willing to settle for four. We can breed them up if we want more." Came the reply.

"Oh we definitely want more." The first enthusiastically responded. "They've worked wonders for morale around here. They're so upbeat and affectionate. What was their species called again?"

"They don't have a species name, but one of the nonsentient vocaloid species on their homeworld calls them: 'dog.'"

“Where is Noah?“ the head of our group, Jason, asked, he looked older than he had earlier, stronger, more well built, but also more tired

“Not a damn clue” Lillian said, she was also older, but she was also a looooot taller, guess that’s what happens when you have tall people in your family and ask to be older

“Is he still picking his race/class?” Balthazar asked, he was a Khajit from Skyrim/Elder scrolls online, it seemed that he also decided to have a hood and shrouded armor that comes with the Dark Brotherhood in ESO

“I think so, it’s either that or… he’s invisible.. or has the ability to be invisible” Sera was an Elf, which was expected of her, she’s lanky and seems to be a wood elf, though a tall one

“I’m here guyssssss” I spoke softly, knowing that my new appearance would startle them, I was a Lamia, or a half snake “Nothing to be sssscared of, jussssst me”

Lillian shrieked and fainted

Jason stared at me

Balthazar gave me a thumbs up

And Sera… Well, she jolted then started laughing

“Sssssorry, It was just a fun idea” I shrugged

#”This is acceptable… Your Friend Noahs form is somehow the most suitable for our quest”

I like this take.

was thinking the same thing

I am glad you like it :) I am pretty new to writing so I appreciate it a lot :)

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Sperm whales will hold this grudge against dolphins for the next thousand years...

I sat in the small antichamber, universal translator whining at high pitch like an old PC. On the table were a naumber of datashards containing resource allotments and trade tariffs. Pretty normal stuff. What was less normal was those around me. "I am so sorry" I said for the fiftieth time.

The Ceramony had been the same. A golden parade for earth for becoming part of something. The newest members of an organization made to better the universe and spread peace. I had the honour, just me in fron of the universe. Me and the contents of a club sandwhich.

Chairwoman B'Kaw Pecked her shard, absorbing the knoledge into her mind instantly. "Let's just do the job" she said, transferring me the infopak with her amendments. I read them over, aided by the datashard it was instant. "This all seems in order. Good work on the solarmining regulations. Those were tricky" I said, trying to be diplomatic, it's what I do. "I'm shocked you could read it, I hope it wasn't too chicken scratch for you". I groaned.

"Wow she's really MILKING that one" Laughed Hefner, Hefner was a Bull. I don't think he liked me or the millenia old subjegation of his race either, but them man was a professional. He was focued on group cohesion. I wish I could drop personal stuff like that.

"Maybe Scarret could Ketchup with us?" Hef asked. Fucking hell that was in bad taste. The Vegtable-American (as he liked to be called) was busy with the Datashard for another meeting. He was in with the Pluma League, which were plants for the advancement for Sentiant flora and amnesty for herbivores. He was a nice guy if you didn't talk about italy.

"I have concluded. These trade agreements will need to amend that the culturel exchange will focus on primate culture. As almost all artefatcs of Floral Culture were damaged beyond repair" Plants think they built the environment, that they made the sky blue. Which they did, technically. But they say it was on purpose. Apparently we fucked that up for them with all our ravaging the earth business.

"Let's stop here" I said. "Look out. he looks hungry" Joked Hefner. "Dude come on. We didn't know. I mean I thought when they said we had multiple qualifying sophonts it would be like dolphins and chimps" I said. "Dude dolphins are dumb as hell" B'kaw said "Have you seen those guys? The're basically the dogs of the sea" she said, which was rich but I had eaten too many of her unborn children to give her shit on anything, ever.

We did break for lunch. I ate carrot sticks. Which I'm not even sure is okay. Scarat says it's fine, a man must eat. I think he's just being nice, he eats sunlight and soil. Hard not to sound superior when all you need is earth and the sky.

-

For those of future generations. Who with hindsight will call us monsters and fools. I urge you to remember we didn't know. We had no way to know. We never even imagined. And man, they tasted good dude. Like really good. Thank fuck pigs are animals still and we killed everything in the ocean before we had to find out tuna was building cities.

Those ruins are really something.

“You have turbo cancer”

[removed]

[deleted]

Yeah, you are probably right. I'm not exactly as fluent as I'd like to be.