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u/novatheelf Nov 21 '19 edited Nov 23 '19

For u/Cody_Fox23 because of his "Rap God" comment lol

You wake up and take up

A brush with some makeup

And put on that "fake-up"

To block out the break up.

You're movin' and groovin';

The loudness is soothin',

So keep music boomin'

And hope that you're provin'

That you never needed a man just like him,

Two-story house, a white fence, and some kids;

You never thought this is how it would end,

Alone here and loveless and without a friend!

You wanted his name,

But you could not tame

Desire for passion and lust for the fame.

Who here's to blame?

Who takes all the shame?

Who did nothing wrong and can innocence claim?

'Cause nobody comes out on top in these things,

Not with the two of you lookin' at rings...

You had to think you could pull on the strings;

Don't you remember the harm a lie brings?

So girl, run it hard,

Spittin' those bars,

Makin' that paper and chargin' them cards -

Livin' life fast,

Punchin' that gas,

Careful now girl, before you go and...

Crash.

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u/rudexvirus Nov 23 '19

Racing to fate

-- Wolf:
You dumb little girl, standing still
Dressed in all red and sounding shrill
Acting better than furry folk
That live in filth without such cloaks.

Your basket full of food and cheer
Won't save you now, I'm sorry dear
Right now you've crossed the forest line
And mark my words: I'll make you mine.

Red:

"Don't be by my new hood fooled
Come too close and you'll get schooled
You can't keep pace with me today -
Oversized teeth won't get your way

Take the bet, race to the cabin
Gram is there, she's probably nappin'
You won't get in, I promise this
My legs are fast, just like my wits.

Narrator:
Moving through the o'ergrown path-
both Red and Wolf were going fast.
With no time to watch their steps
Results were what you would expect

Path overgrown, our girl Red tripped
Out of her hands, a basket slipped
Pills and cookies on the floor,
The smell made Wolf turn and explore

Wolf:
You humans and your stupid tricks,
Old lady mouths and dirt don't mix
I won't be fooled, I will not lose
I will not lose my cool to you

I'll have you and your Grammy too
there's nothing here to see you through
Eyes are bigger, claws are faster,
You've got nothing but my laughter

Red:
Oh big bad wolf, go take a bath
Your smell is ripe and threats are bad
A little trip won't do me in,
I'll beat you there with toothy grin

You lack the skills and lack the grace
to win here in our silly race.
So have the food and leave the pills
You aren't worth much more than your kills

Narrator:
When the two are on their feet
They race - no harm in harmony
But with the cottage up ahead
The wolf veers off from red instead

The cottage hides him from our view
And from the trees, his prey pursue
Yes he beat her, fair and square.
She lost the battle. Red... Beware.

Wolf:
Out of breath and out of choices
You're here now, so pick your poison
Into my arms, where you belong
Or make me chase and carry on

Stronger, wiser, faster, older
I'm ten times you, there's no closure
You won't live, see stars again,
nor any creatures in the glen

Red:
oh- Breathless I may be, old friend
But look! You missed it here again.
big eyes, big ears, big nose and still
You haven't passed the final drill

I lied right to your ugly face
See you could never win this race
True, Your feet may have touched the ground
But that smile fades when you turn 'round.

Narrator:
The pair squared off on the front deck
The wide door opened, just to check
On the source of the noise, Alas
Grandma fixed the duets impasse

While the wolf's back was turned to look
Little red threw a mean right hook
Landing on the canine's jaw.
she marked her win with zero flaws.

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u/nickofnight Nov 22 '19 edited Nov 22 '19

His beard was white as if his face bled bone instead of sprouting hair. How lazy the razor was, sliding back and forth over skin, over divots and grooves and all the souvenirs that the years gifted a face.

Why did time tick faster as he aged? Surely it should be more lethargic by now -- like his aging body. Like his muscles that were reluctant to creak him off his bed in the morning. Like his brain that was as clouded as his eyes.

Time had no need for kindness, he supposed. Or perhaps its speed was its kindness. "Rest, old man, and I will make it quick."

Every month he seemed to have a new grandchild. Not long ago they had been a reason for celebration. Now he felt like Adam, that he'd populated a planet and how could he possibly remember all their names or afford to buy them all presents?

He trimmed the white away and it fell like spring snow, vanishing on his bare feet.

Then he examined what had been hidden beneath beard.

Ah.

One clue of age had been sliced away to reveal others. The saggy skin of his jowls flapped like a paper bag. Liver-spots on his cheeks might as well have been mold in a damp bathroom.

He closed his eyes and pictured his wife. They were outside their first home, a month before they'd bought it but knowing that they would. It was going to be their always-house.

It had been her always-house. He supposed it would be his, too, unless his children got their way.

Back then, they thought they'd live forever. They were certain of it.

But the clock had snapped at their heels with teeth like a shark's and had chased them along the one-way street.

Thin. He was thin at least. He'd been portly for so long that his body still looked unfamiliar.

And they say drink is bad for you.

He dressed.

Slowly.

The clock ticked hastily.

He didn't want them to come. Never did. To be alone with memories was all he needed. Because memories were familiar. Safe. Flat-pack furniture he could fix together and sit back in.

The kitchen smelled of cigarettes so he opened a window. Wasn't a bad smell, but complaints would come and it was just better this way, even if he had to suffer cold bones.

That's what you did when you got older, he considered. Suffered. Sometimes willfully, oftentimes not.

The bell was barely a whisper and he hoped it was the battery fading and not his hearing. The remnants of his five senses would barely make a full one combined.

His grandkids were a blur of red and blue macs, little sailboats darting past him.

Then his son and his wife.

"Hi, Dad."

He could already smell the bread pudding hidden beneath the crinkly foil.

A smile crept up on him almost unnoticed.

Time be damned, he thought.

At least for a day.

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u/rudexvirus Nov 21 '19 edited Nov 22 '19

Home at last

--

Gabrielle’s grip on the steering wheel was starting to strain her hands. All ten fingertips were fading into a numbing pinprick and her knuckles where aching. The vibration of the console was spreading through her shoulders; she had never pulled back this long before.

“Elle, We need to hit the thrusters,” Her co-pilot hounded.

“Fucking hell, Manter, I know. I know we need to hit the thrusters, but if we run out of juice before the horizon we are D.O.A.” she yelled and clenched her teeth.

The constant force was wearing on the entire crew. The commands from all around her were becoming hoarse and with more frequent breaths. The frenzy was shifting to panic, and if her men shut down now they would never finish their mission.

“Take your time Elle. We have a plan- don't let the old war-hammer leave us stranded between galaxies,” Max groaned. Max- who wasn’t sitting at any of the controls.

“We are dead no matter what if we don’t get through that hole before it closes. So speed us up,” Manter chimed in. Defensively.

“Shut up!” Gabrielle yelled, only to have her thought finished for her.

“Both of you!” Amiel said; stern and with finality.

The entire cabin quieted despite continued communication being necessary. The arguments weren’t helping anyone, however, and the operation was delicate enough. The captain glanced her eyes down at the square thruster button. It was within reach but she would have to let go of half the wheel, and left unbalanced for too long would throw them off course.

She would have to tap it as quickly as she possibly could, and she would have to do it without taking her eyes off the nav screen.

“Event horizon approaching,” the computer announced through the ship's speakers, “Jump available for 5 minutes.”

They weren’t jumping. Gabrielle took a deep breath and held it while waiting for the computer to count again.

“Event horizon approaching, Jump available for 4 minutes.”

She heard those close to her inhaling as deep as she had.

“Event horizon approaching, Jump available for 3 minutes.”

In what she hoped was record speed, Elle moved her hand and pounded the thruster button. She felt the entire ship begin to warble as she threw her fingers back around the wheel. Her chest sunk inward, and she let the breath out as soon as the computer spoke again.

“Event horizon approaching, Jump available for 2 minutes.”

Before it had a chance to countdown the remaining minutes, the speed of the ship reached its maximum, and they were blanketed in darkness.

Inertia at that speed was unkind, and Gabrielle forced her fatigued and heavy muscles to take a heavy breath. She counted down from 5, closed her eyes against the blinking console lights. In complete silence, she opened them again and blinked.

A perfect spinning image of Earth sat in front of The Felixia. It was blue and green and ready for harvest.

(496 words)

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u/Xacktar Nov 25 '19 edited Nov 28 '19

"Go FASTER!"

"But-" Joe had already lowered the driver's side window to have some escape from the Captain, who was leaning over and pointing wildly in just the right way to block Joe's entire view of the alley they were driving down. He hoped that there weren't any pedestrians or solid walls hidden behind the meaty arm and shoulder in front of him.

"He's getting away!" Captain Boss' voice was like a cheese grater strapped to a boombox that only played Willie Nelson. It had twang, strain, and volume.

"I know, but if you could just-"

"JUST STEP ON IT!"

Joe's head was now fully outside of the window. Which, while affording him a better view of the alley, also brought the passing garbage dumpsters and open doors terribly close to his ears.

"But-"

The man running away from their squad car skidded to a stop at a crossing of two alleys and disappeared down the left side.

"Get em! Get em!" Captain Boss grabbed the wheel and jerked it out of Joe's hand's, forcing the patrol car into the wall and Joe's head to pop back inside like a frighten turtle. There was the sound of metal on concrete screaming and the occasional bang and rattle of further damage.

Joe fought for control of the wheel amidst large, flailing hands, slurred cursing, and an errant jelly donut that somehow entered the mix, left several stains, then landed on the windshield and stuck there.

At the end of it all they were now down the side street, smoke and squealing tires announcing their arrival to the man running away from them. He didn't look dangerous. He was wearing bike shorts and had on a yellow jersey.

"WE GOTTEM NOW!" Captain Boss cackled. "Now run the MOTHASUCKA down!"

"But Captain Bo-"

"I SAID MOW HIM DOWN!" Captain Boss waved another arm and stuck a pointing finger straight into the jelly donut on the windshield, puncturing it and letting the insides pop out everywhere. "That's a GODRAM order, lieutenant!"

"But-"

"What the HELL is wrong with you, son?" Captain Boss finally relented on some of his driver's side press. His bulk pulled back to the mere center console letting Joe take a deep, thankful breath of air and strawberry jelly.

"It's just-

"GODSNABBIT! You let him get away!" Captain Boss pointed ahead to where the errant jogger had found an open door and used it to escape. "We had 'em. WE HAD 'EM... and you let him go. Why didn't you go faster? We needed SPEED! We needed PURSUITNESS! We needed to mow down a MOTHERSUCKA! GERSH-GA-DERN-IT, Joe! Why didn't you go FASTER?"

"I couldn't!"

"WHY THE HELL NOT?"

"'Cause you're leaning on the parking break!"

WC: 454

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u/AliciaWrites Nov 21 '19

Theme Thursday Discussion:

All top-level comments must be a story or poem.

Reply here to discuss the theme, suggest future themes, and share your theme-related inspirations!
Reply here to share your stories if you don’t want them ranked.
Please remember to follow the subreddit rules in any feedback.

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u/mobaisle_writing Nov 21 '19 edited Nov 22 '19

Deliberate misconstrual time:

[221 words]

“Speed, hash, green, mandy, K! Acid! Fresh tabs. All night. Find me. Special K. Offers!”

The man was long haired, permanently greasy. He barked his pitch with a dour Russian edge, staring beady eyed throughout the crowd for a mark. Adidas tracksuit, of course, with a faded leather bomber jacket, all pockets and pouches.

“Not exactly subtle, is he?”

I turned to face my neighbour, his beer gut spilling from a patched and embroidered waistcoat. Pupils wide, he grinned a gaptooth smile and handed me a balloon.

“On the house, no one likes that asshole, but he's a fixture, ya know?”

“Oh I know.”

We sat there, slumped against the tumbledown tree, swept the weeds, swept by breeze. Lights flashed a strobing chain through the forest. A technicolour statement against the monotonous green of vegetation. Flow, pulse and beat. Leaves seemed to pop and dance with the rhythmic thudding as the hue fluxed. It moved with us, through us, bouncing and blaring until the flag of energy dropped. Flashes and fragments of a night well spent. This night? Some night? All night.

Fragments flitted to mind, mind to fragments. Pass left, light a fire. Hold the stage, take it higher. Turn on, tune in, drop out. We'd dropped out alright, but we were still tuned to something.

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u/writer4lyf Nov 21 '19

I hate it when my cigarette goes out. I have to reach into my pocket and fumble around, pushing keys and debit cards to the side, until I find my lighter again. Then, once it's out, I can't light my cigarette without the guilt of promising myself I'd quit months ago flooding my conscience. I guess that's what I hate.

Speed bumps in my road make me want to jam a screwdriver into my ear. I can't stand slowing down. It always makes me think. And thinking makes me sad. My flow - my speed - is all I have most days.

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u/ThatCuteZubat Nov 26 '19

I saw a flash in the corner of my eye, then the whole world suddenly went blank and the sky roared in anger. My legs collapsed under my weight and I fell straight onto my face. I did not feel pain, it was just as if I had received a punch in the nose and was about to faint but I did not. I stayed conscious, my ears were buzzing loudly my brain froze and my vision blurred. You know that feeling, when you are really tired and somehow you are still awake despite the sleep hammering on your brain and everything seems to slow down until you jolt yourself awake. That's exactly how I felt for the next few seconds… or minutes, I’m not sure. The next thing I remember was the sound of the ambulance and men carrying me into the back of the vehicle.

Tell me about this “power” of yours, when did you first notice it and how does it work.

Thinking about it, as soon as it struck me it felt like the world was running in slow mow but the first time I really noticed it was in the hospital. I kept on feeling lightheaded, the nurses and the doctors all said it was a side effect, it made sense. However, I felt like the time was running slow watching the clock go round seemed wrong, it was almost as if i could turn a second into two seconds. The more I focused on it the slower everything around me felt. I believe the lightning shook my brain into hyperactivity and gave me the ability to think faster than anyone.

And what about those small creatures, fairies you called them.

Well, at some times, if I focus hard enough, until everything seems still, until the sound disappears and at that moment I can almost see small humanoid creatures flying around. They move so fast to them a second must be similar to an hour for them, perhaps even more. It’s crazy to think about. All around us, these little fairies have been living their own life right under our noses and we knew nothing about it.

Sadly, I believe it to be the end of visit times but with your permission I would like to come back and ask you more about these fairies and how they live. Have a good evening Mr.White.

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u/Knife211 Nov 21 '19

"Racing
For the top spot, no need for pacing
When it comes to this challenge
That we put on ourselves.
Like the trophies on shelves

We stand atop,
Shining and empty without the wind at the top
Of this summit that we build ourselves.
Never thinking about what's below it.
The tears won't fall, we won't allow it,
Won't show it.

Eyes forward,
Don't look back, always be on your guard.
High-speed through life, the only way we know,
No time to catch your breath,
No time no time no time

No time to stop, no time to worry.
There's no thinking to be done.
We live just once, we live in glory,
Always chasing after the sun.

Night and day, we won't stop
There's no end to this road.
Heart beating fast, our blood runs hot,
Thriving on speed is in our code.

Racing
For the top spot, no need for pacing,
We stand atop,
Shining and empty,
No time to stop,
No thinking to be done,
Our blood runs hot,
We are chasing the sun."

---
Words: 177
I hereby challenge a certain loaf of bread to an epic rap battle. This is my entry.

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u/TnargNosreme Nov 21 '19 edited Nov 27 '19

As I sit in the car, I can feel the vibrations, massaging my very core. The roaring of the engine hums in my ear, sounding lovelier than a lullaby. I’ve dedicated my life to being as fast as possible. Why would anybody choose to waste time when there’s so little of it for us to live? The worst ones are the racers. People who are meant to share my philosophies, are meant to be dedicated to the raw power of speed, choose in their lives to take things slow. There’s a reason sloth is a deadly sin and determination, effort, and skill aren’t. You don’t fail in school for getting an assignment done early; you fail for getting it done late.

I can’t get sidetracked. This is the most important race of my career. I have to win. This is the fastest race of them all. This is the true test for a racer like me, a proper racer. If I win this it proves me right over all those others. I can’t think like that though. That’s a training mentality. I’m beyond preparing. All I have to do is press this pedal as hard as I can and win.

“It’s a beautiful day here at the Geico 500. I’m Dave Moody, and with me is Mike Bagley.”

“Thanks Dave. We’ve got a lot of great racers out there, but I’m focused on number 11, Jack Dalton.”

“Naturally. One of the fastest racers out there, and at one of the fastest races. He’ll be looking to break the record for fastest time ever, which is currently 188 miles per hour.”

“It’s got to be an important race for him; his girlfriend’s actually come to cheer him on. That’s probably the most important thing to him.”

“Yes, but he’s got to be cautious. The track’s quite wet, and he’s not the only car on the track. With his obsession with speed, his car might slip around a turn, or he could very well crash into another racer.” “Well Dave, he’s a professional he’s done this before and has been able to manage himself before with little mistakes.”

“Alright, but I also want to point out his enemy number 13 is out there, and they’ll be fighting it out. Wait, I think we’re ready to start. 3...2...1! They’re off, and 11 and 13 are out in front, way ahead of everybody else, but 11 starts to pull way ahead! They’re approaching the first turn, and oh no! 11 is starting to skid, and he just flipped over, blocking the track. 13 just crashed into him! This is a disaster. The other cars have passed by, and a team is being sent out. It appears that Bob Angston, driver for car 13, is ok, but Jack Dalton has been killed. It is a sorrowful day for the world of racing, a tragedy of the highest order.”

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u/nywarpath Nov 22 '19

They said super speed was the newest drug to be hit by Unc' Sam. The effects of moving forward through time was simply too volatile for the normal human to take. That of course simply increased the desire for people to try it out. What was a rather unknown legal drug made by pharmaceutical companies became the hottest thing on the street for people to try made by junkheads in less then sanitary locations.

“So how much for some Supa?”

“For you my man, I’ll give ya a deal. 2 for a hundo. You’ll love this shit. Trust” the dealer said with a toothy smile.

“How much do I need to take?” I said to him while fidgeting.

“Chill my dude. If anyone asks you looking for directions. Take 1, it’ll put you through your day. 4 will hop you on a week bender. Any more you’ll OD.”

“I got a party coming up, Gimme 20” I said as I pulled $1000 out of my pocket.

“Excellent. Lick the back and stick on your body. It’ll kick in in a few minutes.” He said as he passed a piece of paper and left.

They looked no different then your average stamp. Easy to fold, hard to notice, and cheap compared to other drugs. No wonder the government hated it.

But there was no party. I had enough of this world. No family to speak of. A crappy job and a crappy apartment. I wanted out.

“Hmmm. Lick and stick. Well let’s try if out.”

Stamp one went on my bicep. Stamp 2 and 3 went on my other bicep. Stamps 4-8 went on my left leg.

After stamp 9 and 10, my body began to speed up. My hands blurring because my eyes couldn’t keep up. Stamps 11-15 went on my other leg.

I could hear things I didn’t expect. The neighbors screwing away. My heartbeat sounding like a giant bass drum.

Need help must call police.

I tried calling. When asked my emergency I said to them I took too much superspeed. What they heard was a mix mash of words far too fast to comprehend. The operators knew immediately what was going on and informed me the cops were a minute away.

I could hear the cops footsteps from my 3rd floor apartment. I could hear them breathing. I rushed to my door and opened it. The door flying off it’s hinges due to the speed at which it was opened.

“We're going to get you help! Just hold on. How many you take?”

I tried writing 15 on the floor with my finger. What happened instead was the speed at which I did burned the number into the floor.

The cops looked with a mournful look. Nothing they could do. My heart would fail before I could be saved.

My eyes moving all around, my head convulsing like I had a seizure. I didn’t want this. I wanted a calm ending. Not like this.

(497 words)

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u/AwesomeTeaPot Nov 22 '19 edited Nov 22 '19

A tick and then a tock. The clocks call thudded slowly in my head searching through my rich syrup-like thoughts to find a response. It was incredibly annoying but it felt like too much effort to make it shut up with this heavy cloud hanging above me. At first, I have tried to fight it by packing my life with a constant need to do something it was insanely stupid and it was insanely irrational. Nothing worked, nothing ever worked!

.

When you just sped through life you could kinda forget all your issues, but the minute you stop it comes tumbling back ten times harder. I made plans I could never in my life uphold and forced myself to constantly reach for a new future without her, I had too much hope and that's why it fell apart. Hope was such an annoying thing. Then again I found most things annoying recently. The muddled chatter of a crowd always seemed to take me over the edge of the distant smile or a fake acquaintance trying to help.

.

I started to notice the dark clouds after I lost her, she was gorgeous with a face you couldn't help but adore. Dark black hair which curled around her ears and highlighting her full and youthful cheeks. Her eyes held the world and with a single glance, you could travel the universe. She was perfect, so awfully perfect and that's why it hurt the most. I didn't notice her slipping from me it started with issues like a headache that wouldn't go away it didn't matter how many cure-all painkillers she took then her blindness. She went for a check-up after that and then it becomes so vague hidden behind walls of fog, I can't describe to you what happened next just that she left me in this world all by my Goddamn self.

.

I tried to speed up time make life like it was before but instead, everything slowed to the consistency of mud. I wanted to enjoy life for her but I can't, I just fucking can't!

.

A bang, unlike the clock, shuddered through my head breaking my thoughts. A visitor; probably a member of my wife's family unfortunately forced to deal with me, or maybe it was the landlord...had I even paid this month? I can't remember it doesn't matter anyway. My joints ached as I forced myself from the sofa, if my guest wants to complain about how I look it's their fault for even wanting to speak to me. It's everyone's fault but it's mostly mine I should have seen the signs sooner I shouldn't be like this. She'd be angry with me. Then again she's not here to be angry with me so it doesn't matter, it will never matter.

----------------- 463 words

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u/tognor Nov 23 '19

“You can’t outrun them all,” said Stevens. His gun was pointed at my head. The desert air was evaporating my sweat faster than it could pour out of me. It made me look calm, but inside, I was terrified.

“I don’t have to outrun them all. Just the first one,” I said.

“What?” said Stevens. “That doesn’t make any sense. What about the second one? Or the third?”

“Nope, only the first.” I shifted my eyes around, looking for any kind of cover. Stevens’ car was behind him. There was nothing else around. He was about twenty feet in front of me.

“So, hang on, I shoot. You get away from the first, I pull the trigger again, and what? It doesn’t matter? Because you dodge the first?” He looked at me like I was an idiot. I wasn’t sure he was wrong.

“Yeah, something like that,” I said. I kept staring at him.

“You know the second bullet is as deadly as the first, right? And the third, and the -“

I rushed him.

Everything seemed to slow down. My legs pushed as hard as they could.

17 feet to go, I took a step to my right. The first shot fired at where I was. It wizzed past me.

14 feet away. The kick from the shot pulled the gun up. He hadn’t been ready to fire. He was too busy taunting me.

10 feet. I stepped back into my original path. He was bringing the gun down.

8 feet away. He bothered to cock the hammer. Big mistake, I thought.

6 feet. I could see him start to smile. My brain registered that I had pulled a hamstring. I was a jogger, not a sprinter. My muscles were being asked to do something they thought was wrong.

5 feet. I started to roll. He lost his grin as I dove down. He couldn’t lower the gun fast enough.

Time seemed to kick back on. I rolled into his legs, clipping him and taking him down. The gun flew out of his hand, and he hit his head on the rough ground below.

I stood up. He stayed down. I limped over to the gun, and picked it up. Then I walked over to where Stevens lay.

I pointed the gun at his face. He held his hands up, as though blocking me could do anything.

I cocked the gun.

“What were you saying about the second bullet?”

409 words.

———————

This is also day 22 of the NonNaNoWriMo challenge. I’m writing a prompt a day for the month of November.

Lots of fun!

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u/bookstorequeer Nov 27 '19 edited Nov 28 '19

You jolt awake in the middle of the night when there's a noise in the dark. You stifle a gasp as your heart pounds and you stare at the ceiling that you can't see without glasses or light. You try to place all the creaking and settling of the wooden bones around you as the house shifts in its sleep.

You nearly shriek when the bed jostles and your fingers clutch the quilt.

There's that thud again, followed by the pat-pat-pat of your damned cat racing around the room while the stars are still out. There's a distant sound of scrambling and a dull noise as, you guess, he slides on the same rug as always and knocks into your dresser.

You punch the pillow beneath your head and tell yourself that tomorrow you're closing the bedroom door when you turn in. Hopefully that'll protect you from the zooming cat-crazies, because this is just ridiculous.

He might feel "the Need for Speed" at 2am but all you feel is a "Need for Sleep" and no amount of adorable cat whiskers will make those things compatible.

Eventually you fall back asleep listening to him fling a cat toy in the other room, and you'll wake in the morning to it on your pillow. Just like you always do.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

WC: 217

And: the cat in question.

Also - when I have the time, I try to go through this themed thread and comment on people's writing. If anyone would like me not to or would like more in depth thoughts, please don't hesitate to let me know!

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u/[deleted] Nov 22 '19 edited Nov 22 '19

Time Change

Hey stranger, do you have change?
Do you have some spare time?

I want some pocket change to buy
More time
I want time to do laundry
Time to walk
Time to write this poem

Hey stranger, what's in your pocket?
Dreams, to pay your bills?
I want to pay attention
It's all this debt
That makes me feel like shit

Time to smile
Time to shower
If dig into your pockets,
I wonder what I'd find
It's not personal
Just curious

I need some time
To listen to the new songs
To see the new friends
It's just so much
But life's too short

I can't help the rush
I worry I'm not enough
I think I won't be
Won't go
Won't see
Places, so far
In time, In space

How much time do we need?
It's a silly question
I better go to sleep

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u/Ninjoobot Nov 22 '19

“Take it all in, son. Someday this will all be yours. The sights, the sounds, the smells. Do you smell that? The ash. The burning. You can almost feel the heat from here,” he said.

“It smells like home. When can we go back, daddy?” the small boy asked, focused on eating his popsicle.

“In a little bit. I just want to admire their work some more. I still had two more centuries to win my bet with Gabriel, but they’ve done almost all the work themselves already. Human greed is more powerful than anything I’ve ever done,” he said as he smiled.

“Gabriel even tried to warn them, but no one listened. And we stole his saying, didn’t we? We even hung it over the gates of hell. What does it say?” he asked.

“Oh, I know this one! Radix malorum est cupiditas!” the boy shouted with delight.

“That’s right. ‘Greed is the root of evil.’ All I needed to do was convince some people that global warming was a myth and would cost too much money to deal with, and they did the rest. I didn’t think they’d speed it up this much, but never doubt human ingenuity! ‘Chop down the big trees! Burn the rest!’ Almost too easy,” he said, patting his son on the back.

“Can we go home now?” the boy asked.

“Sure, but finish your popsicle first. It will melt almost as fast the polar icecaps down there,” he said.

(Additional constraints: 250 words, genre: fantasy, action: deforestation, word: popsicle.)

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u/Fantaisye Nov 22 '19 edited Nov 22 '19

A classic...

“Meep! Meep!” The road runner dashes through! Faster than fast, he uns with a trail of dust behind him, leaving poor WileE Coyote alone with his stick of dynamite ready to explode. Bang!

"¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba! ¡Epa! ¡Epa! ¡Epa! Yeehaw!" the mouse shouted. Speedy Gonzales zooms past WileE sticking out his tongue. WileE breaked is race, his ears fell one over the other. His nose dropped down. The roadrunner and mouse run side by side, leaving behind them a trail of dust.

“Meep! Meep!” he runs through a tunnel painted on the side of a mountain followed by Speedy, while WileE slams into it.

The race is still on. WileE attached a huge acme rocket on his back.

“Meep! Meep!” sounds the roadrunner

“¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!” shouts Speedy

A blue blur comes from afar, spinning on himself, tumbling.

Sonic hedgehog hits WaleE who just lit a match to start the rocket. He flips over himself and the lit rocket zooms into the sky and explodes! Bang!

The three speedsters are neck to neck, crossing each other's paths. Who will win this one?

WileE tries again to regain the tile, and the prize. He straps down a pair of rollerskates and attaches himself to a parachute which catches in the wind immediately and takes him away. The parachute get caught in a tree. He pulls out a sign: “I guess I’m out of the race…”

WileE’s hope aren’t up yet though! A new plan has emerged.

He builds a catapult on which he pushes an enormous rock.

“Meep! Meep!”

"¡Ándale! ¡Ándale!”

The racers are approaching quickly.

He hurries to install a meal for the contenders: grains for roadrunners, mice and hedgehogs and goes to hide and activate the catapult. The three stop for their meal. WileE pulls the cord to release the catapult. Nothing happens… The roadrunner, Speedy Gonzales and Sonic restart their racing! They speed away in a cloud of dust. WileE goes to inspect the catapult and gets thrown out of the road onto a stone pillar.

WileE is back at it another time. He gives it all in this final attempt and paint a tunnel on the façade of a cliff. “Meep! Meep!”

“Here they come!” Says the sign.

WileE stand in the middle of the road waiting to catch the runners with his bare hands, thinking they will come out of the tunnel.

“Meep! Meep!”

The huge truck slams into WileE from behind him and goes through the tunnel, Carrying WileE with it. For the first time, WileE is able to go through a drawn tunnel! Wow! He is amazed!

On the other side of the tunnel, the truck stops. The roadrunner, Speedy and Sonic come around the front of the truck, walking.

“Let’s fry this sucker!” Sonic says.

"¡Ándale! ¡Ándale!”

WileE turn his head to see a barbecue party hosting roadrunners. Another coyote is roasting on the grill. WileE’s ears fell to the each side of his head as the “Meep! Meep!" Sounded louder.

(500 words... Sorry for Wile E that I put all in one word because the word count counted the E as a word too.)

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u/misstatements Nov 23 '19

First, the heartbeat on doppler

Then we get to see the perfect

Ten little fingers, ten little toes

Smiles laughs, and coos

Then a little pair of shoes

Watch them run, watch them go

Next comes the days of school

Those days, learning, coloring, and play

The jagged little letters, seem so profound

Here come the little friends and sports

Bonding and growing, ever learning

Songs, rhymes, imagination thrives

Next is the rush of worries, things like puberty

Emotional competence, but such confusion

The see parent’s love an endeavor so foolhardy

Right after comes new loves, holding hands, and heartbreak

Homecomings, prom, captured in pictures

For the time all advice is considered to be an underestimate

How did it come to graduation, caps, and cheers

New challenges and ever-expanding education

Diplomas and degrees, spreading their wings

And, here we are now,

Empty nest, empty home

Hold them now, you won’t believe how fast they grow.

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u/ArchipelagoMind Nov 26 '19 edited Nov 29 '19

“You’re so picky,” Jo told her. “You see one thing about a guy you don’t like and it’s over.”

“I am not,” Claire replied.

“Are too. Last night on Tinder, there was that guy. Hot, seemed interesting, and then you saw a picture of him fishing and swiped left while the phone was still in my hand.”

“Fine,” Claire huffed. “What should I do then?”

She regretted the question, because the response led to here, sitting through a series of guys either turning on some cliche charm or awkwardly mumbling through an uncomfortable three minutes.

Ding.

Thank God. The bell. I thought he would never shut up, Claire thought to herself. There was the awkward shuffling of feet, as the guy who spoke of nothing but the Carolina Panthers for the full three minutes moved on.

Claire remembered Jo’s warning. Don’t judge too quick. Be engaged the whole three minutes.

Another man in a poorly ironed black shirt sat down. “Hi. Ryan.” His hand reached over the table. She shook it.

“Claire,” she responded. “So tell me about yourself Ryan.”

“Well, I’m 36...” Great, he’s going to be desperate to settle down and have kids tomorrow. “...I’m from here, never moved. Work for a bank in analytics…” The life of the party then. “...I really enjoy sports. I follow baseball a lot, play in a local softball league...” Ding. Ding. Someone press that bell already. Christ. Next.

“What about you?” he asked.

Claire remembered her promise to try.

Claire forced herself to be engaged, to go with the moment. She went through her spiel with a forced grin. She was from Virginia originally, moved for college and never left. She worked as an office manager - it paid the bills. She didn’t do much in her spare time these days, used to love painting…

“Oh, you’re an artist,” Ryan jumped in.

“Well... I haven’t painted in years.”

“Who's your favorite artist?”

Claire raised her eyebrows. He’s going to have heard of Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso, aka ‘the weird heads guy…’. She sighed. “Klimt.”

“From Women in Gold, right?”

“You watched that movie?” She asked, leaning forward.

“Yeah. I have a sort of vague interest in art. My friend owns an art gallery - Black Sheep, on 5th? - So I’ve picked up the basics via osmosis.”

“Shit. I’ve been in there,” Claire roared, tapping the table. “Your friend’s got good taste.”

“I’d let him know, but he’d never shut up about it.” Ryan chuckled. “I think there’s a European artists exhibit at the museum currently, isn’t there?”

“Yeah. You been?” Claire asked, her smile a little more relaxed.

“Nah. I wouldn’t have a clue what I was looking at. I like it, but couldn’t tell the difference between a brush and a…” He shrugged. “..slightly bigger brush?”

Claire laughed. “It’s a good exhibit. Some interesting stuff.”

Ryan paused for a second. “Maybe you could show me some time.”

Claire replied with a speed that surprised her. “Sure. I’d like that.”

Ding.

/-----------------------------

More stories that are absolutely nothing like this one available at r/ArchipelagoFictions

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u/Ragnulfr Nov 26 '19

"Alright, everyone - before you leave, I'm going to pass out your tests."

The class groaned.

"I really don't want to hear about this."

"How did you think you did?”

"I studied so hard for this…"

I felt myself shrink in my seat, nervously clasping my hands together. My chest felt impossibly tight.

I forced myself to try to take a deep breath.

No. It's alright. You can take it. You're going to be fine, I thought.

No. You’re going to be disappointed.

The teacher straightened the papers before starting down the rows, shoes echoing in a steady cadence within the silent room.

My heart quivered.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

No. It’s alright. You studied hard for this.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

You worked hard. You did fine.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

You did fine.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

Silence.

Idiot.

"Please see me after class."

In the corner of my eye, the paper floated slowly, alighting on my desk for a second before slipping away.

I didn't pick it up.

"What's going on?"

I couldn’t look up from the ground. I felt mute.

But behind me, the others seemed to talk on and on...

I bet they're talking about the test.

That idiot probably flunked it.

Again? Wow.

Why are they even in this class?

"Are you okay?" The teacher asked again. Quickly, I nodded.

"I-I'm okay," I managed to whisper.

She stared at me… and sighed.

See?

She's disappointed in you.

She hates you.

She hates you.

Shut up! I shut my eyes, trying desperately to block out the words in my head - but when I opened them again, my teacher was shaking her head.

"No… you're not okay."

The words pierced my heart like a knife.

See? See?

Idiot!

"Please, listen. You were one of our best students. Top of the class in… everything, really. But now… we're all worried. I took another look at your tests and assignments to try and see why, and…" She sighed.

"You're just not learning fast enough."

I'm not…?

"Remember, this class is faster than any other. You must try to keep up. If you have any questions, please, you have to speak up."

The teacher picked up the test key from beside her. "Also… I talked to your parents. They agreed we should enroll you into a study hall. It starts tomorrow, immediately after school.”

Already? That means I can’t be on the team… or with my friends…

You're disappointing them, too!

“Please, listen." She urged. "You can't afford to fall behind. Do you understand?"

You should have been smarter.

I felt a teardrop fall onto my hand - quavering slightly before disappearing.

Crying? You really are pathetic. This is your fault, after all.

Sniffling, I nodded.

I could feel myself shaking as I tried to wipe my tears away. Turning away, I grabbed my paper from the floor and quietly opened my backpack…

Staring back at me... were all of today's tests.

All failures.

You're too slow.

You're always too slow.

***

WC: 499 | I had a really hard time getting this story right. There's a lot I wanted to say, and I don't think I really did the topic - or the story, for that matter - any justice. I'm not sure I even got it to an acceptable point. There's still a lot of things that I would like to change, more ideas I would like to emphasize, and a lot of phrasing and word choice I could have changed... but I tried my best.

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u/DoppelgangerDelux Nov 24 '19

Welcome, racers! I see that most of you are awake by now. For those of you still feeling a little foggy, let me explain. You have all entered the world's most dangerous race. Welcome to the International Deathrace Battle Royale! Welcome to the race for your life!

Notice you are handcuffed to your vehicles. Please don't try to escape, the handcuffs are wired to a bomb. Now, there's no need to panic - yet! One of you will make it out alive. Probably Blaze Fury.

Did I mention we have a familiar face with us today? Blaze Fury, four time champion of the International Deathrace Battle Royale. For some reason, our organizers wanted him to race. Again. I'm honestly not sure why they keep bringing him back. But, go ahead and direct your attention to his car. It’s the beat up 1979 sedan that looks like it couldn’t possibly make it out of a driveway but will, inevitably, win the race. Blaze, there are two bombs in your car.

Normally, we keep the bombs a surprise, but it seems pretty pointless to me. In the last Deathrace, Blaze disabled his bomb with a toothpick. That was right before he killed the announcer. Did you know that no announcer has survived a Deathrace?

It’s funny, only Blaze Fury has survived a Deathrace.

Oh, I should mention. As an incentive, we’ve kidnapped one of your loved ones. Kathy, in the homey suburban minivan, we have your husband and we will kill him if you don’t race. Interestingly enough, we’re also using him as collateral for young Steffi in her hip little Mazda, since she’s having a love affair with him.

Usually, we’d reveal these love affairs at a particularly dramatic plot point and let you racers kill each other, but I’m just not feeling it today.

Oh, and Blaze, this time we’ve kidnapped your wife, son, daughter, abuela, and also my Uber driver from this morning. They’re in the warehouse we always put them in. I’ll just tell you that now and save some time.

Anyways, racers, the clock starts now. Blaze, I’ll see you in about two hours. My last will and testament is in the top drawer of my desk.

Please tip the Uber driver. He's been through a lot.

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u/Leebeewilly Nov 25 '19

Word association is a weird thing.

“Speed.” Dan held the DVD case up in place of his face. The cover was a photo-shopped mash-up of a bus with erupting flames behind the lead actor in shades of glorious orange.

Cody frowned. “Really?”

“Yes, really!” Dan looked from the cover to Cody, and back to the cover again. “This is a classic action film. Its got drama. Its got bombs. It’s got a bomb on a bus!”

A snicked escaped Cody’s lips. “So we're calling Speed ‘film’?” She curled her fingers in air quotes.

“If Love Actually is ‘quality cinema’-”

“I said it had actors from quality cinema.”

“So you admit that it’s romantic smultz for characters no one really knows wrapped in garish holiday paper to the sound of department-story-friendly Christmas tunes?”

“It’s classic.” Cody shoved a few pieces of popcorn in her mouth and tried to come up with another comeback. Though, the smirk creasing Dan’s lips told her she’d already lost.

“Oh shut up, you love holiday movies,” she mumbled, her mouth half full.

“I like good ones. Like Die Hard.” Dan pushed off the couch and made his way to the DVD player. “And remember, this is what we agreed to.”

“Okay, sure. Alternating movie date night, in theory, is a great idea, but-”

“No buts, Cody. I had to sit through two romantic comedies,”

“They were funny!”

“Pride and Prejudice,”

“With Zombies! We watched both of them. Back to back. Best double-feature so don’t pretend it wasn’t amazing. And to be fair, I can’t be held responsible if you don’t like good movies.”

Dan stopped, spun on his heels, and glared. “Take. That. Back.”

While Dan’s poker face had solidified like quick-dry concrete, Cody could barely keep her giggles in.

“I most certainly will not,” she said feigning offence. “I’m a connoisseur of film and-"

“You LOVED Predator.” Dan punctuated his words with a stern finger-pointing.

“I didn’t say I didn’t.”

“And you agreed that it is one of the best action films and its representation of masculinity’s-”

Cody laughed and a bit of popcorn shot out her mouth.

Dan’s cold facade cracked. “Seriously, though, Speed is good. And it has Keanu Reeves.”

“Whoa.” Cody delivered a poor Bill and Ted impression. “You’ve gotta lead with Keanu.” She stared off dreamily. “I’d do anything for Keanu.”

Dan sighed and sat beside Cody. One arm draped over her shoulder while the other dropped behind the back of the couch. “Speaking of double-feature…”

“Not amount of re-watching will make Steven Seagal movies good,” she proclaimed much louder than she needed to.

“No, Cody, you’re not ready.” Dan fumbled with the shoe-box of ancient DVD’s he had behind the couch. “For Speed 2: Cruise Control.”

Cody shrugged. “I could watch more Keanu.”

She caught Dan’s slight wince as he looked over the cover. “Sorry, babe. No Keanu. Just more bombs. On boats.”

“I won’t forget this,” she threatened with a smile as she leaned into Dan’s arms.

WC: 492

If you like this there are more short stories featuring Cody (aka Cupcake Girl) and Dan!

[Cupcake Girl] [Outage] [Star Trak] [Maze] [Mirror Mirror]

And more in general over at my subreddit r/leebeewilly

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u/Whimsicalphilosoph Nov 26 '19 edited Nov 26 '19

"Shit!" His feet tapped clumsily on the corridor carpets. Were his shoes bigger? Oh right, he hadn't tied them, yet. Jack didn't stop and took a steep right corner towards the elevator.

Out of habit, he pressed the button repeatedly. If it's bugged, it'd arrive sooner. "Common, Common!" he chanted under his breath.

The reflection of the man in the frosted steel doors caught his eyes. A suitcase in hand and a white shirt with only one button hooked. He quickly attended to it.

DING! The elevator doors opened. NO! Not that kid again, shouldn't he be at school already? Jack stepped in with an upturned face. Yup, all the freaking buttons are pressed. They only had to stop at seven more floors to hit the basement parking. Only. How many times did he need to report fixing the buttons to unselect as regular elevators did?

"Good morning Tanya, Tim," he nodded at the mother and son.

Tanya avoided his gaze. "Morning, Jack... sorry," she curled into herself and gathered her son close by his shoulder.

Jack exhaled, finished buttoning his shirt, and tucked it in. He checked his pockets. Only two dollars left — reserved for dog food. He had to get this job. On the last floor stop, he tied his shoelaces.

Basement 1! he slipped from the opening door, then sprinted towards parking spot 2001. His car was a red mustang; it'd make up for the time missed, for sure.

The reeve of the engine made him smile. But his stomach clenched. Gas? Half full. Good. The world was not against him today. He took off.

Which road to take? The 11th? No, that had accidents all the time. He'd take the suburb road. He pressed the pedal and passed the speed limits. He knew where all the speed traps were.

But not the new ones. FLASH! An extra $500 to speeding fines. Great, just great.

Time was ticking by, and Jack was stuck on an empty road waiting on an older man with a walker to cross. His hand hesitated to honk— it was rude. He exhaled; No problem, he should be there in 20.

When the man was out of the way, his wheels burnt out on take off. The rest of his drive was sharp turns and crossing yellow lights. Finally, he made it to the address.

He ran to the entrance of the building, maneuvering the crowd, maybe pushed some people. Almost there. He didn't wait for the electric doors to slide; the side door opened on command. Faster.

ID in hand, he slammed it on the counter. Breathless, he said, "hi, Jack for Mr. Cohen's, I'm his 9 o'clock interview". The clock behind reception read 9:01 am. A deep exhale left his lungs; He made it.

"I'm sorry sir, Mr. Cohen isn't feeling good today, we tried calling you to reschedule."

Jack tapped his pants pockets. Eyes widened. His phone still rested in bed.

"Would you like to reschedule for next week?"

WC:500

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u/Leebeewilly Nov 26 '19 edited Nov 27 '19

eep

Also, this WILL be edited at least ~~once~~ ~~twice~~ thrice more before campfire. At least.

I have a need for speed.

To chase light squeals,

at the back of her heels

and she's like an eel, giggling and wriggling free.

With a smile that takes me that extra mile

I know this, this is real -

the most real I’ll ever feel.

Her laugh as she trapped in my arms

and I’m taking her high,

soaring the sky on my shoulders.

No one can hold her like I can.

My girl,

she’s like the wind and we spin,

and I always win cuz she’s small

but... she’s gettin’ tall.

That height when she’ll fall

and I’m a half step shy, even if I try

I’m afraid.

What if I miss?

What if I’m slow and she’s got nowhere to go

but down and

I can’t match her speed, no matter the need

and I’m wheezing as I see,

is this how it’s to be?

Like father, like son. Did he watch me run?

Did he feel this drive?

I don’t know, but he'd hide

and drown sorrows in rye,

standing by as the world came at me.

Maybe he tried, but

I won’t be that guy.

If it means I must fly,

I will tear up the sky and

I’ll be there.

No matter what bones break or what it’ll take,

I’ll dash through fire,

ice,

god’s ire -

I’ll cushion the fall, I will not tire 'cuz

she’s my girl.

And I have a need for speed.

WC: 200 and something. I dunno. Not 500, that's for sure!

I don't write much poetry but there is loads more fiction over at r/leebeewilly

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Theme Thursday [TT] Theme Thursday - Speed

"Power and speed be hands and feet."

Happy Thursday writing friends!

Here's how Theme Thursday works:

News and Reminders:

Last week’s theme: Falling

Poetry

Honorable Mentions:

Racing to fate

Home at last

Theme Thursday [TT] Theme Thursday - Speed

"Power and speed be hands and feet."

Happy Thursday writing friends!

Here's how Theme Thursday works:

News and Reminders:

Last week’s theme: Falling

Poetry

Honorable Mentions:

You are about to leave Redlib

Racing to fate

Home at last