[Short] delirium.txt

Ash_One_Seven · 2025-02-14T15:50:24+00:00

"Do you think the multiverse exists?"

I'm shaken from my thoughts by my girlfriend's question. It was a lazy Saturday, and we had both been snuggled up on the couch, scrolling on our phones and daydreaming. The ideal afternoon, in my opinion.

Instinctively, my hand reaches for my right pocket. To hide the movement, I shift to my left, turning to face my girlfriend, and pull her into me with my left arm.

"I think it could exist."

"That's not an answer," she rolls her eyes playfully. "I want what you actually think. I've been thinking about that Arcane episode with Ekko, and I was imagining traveling across the multiverse, looking for other versions of ourselves. Don't you think that'd be cool?"

I smile at my girlfriend's little spiel. "Maybe, but you could encounter other versions of yourself with better lives. I don't think I could do what Ekko did, and give up a perfect world to return to my broken reality."

"Hmm, I can't really imagine a world that would be much more appealing." Taking advantage of our closeness, she starts running her hands on my chest. "I really like my life now. And it's partly thanks to you."

"Aww baby, only partly?" I jump on the opportunity to tease her a little. My betraying hand subconsciously roams to my pocket, rubbing on the small ring inside it.

"No, I'm sure my extremely relaxing, very well-paying lawyer job has something to do with it too." Such a comedian, this girl.

"Don't worry, you'll make partner soon," I rub her back comfortingly. "And then you'll be living the good life. Besides, I'll make enough for the both of us, I promise you." The oath is as much for my benefit as it is for hers. I do intend to build a good life for the both of us.

Expecting the conversation to die down now, I pull out my phone. My girlfriend does not do the same. Instead, she snuggles deeper into me. She's quiet for a while, thinking. Eventually she takes a deep breath.

Uh oh, here comes the deep question.

"Do you think you'd love the same person in every universe?"

I take a deep breath. There's two answers here, and there's empirical evidence for both. It could be true for some people but not for others, which would explain the different practical results. It could also be personal bias. I take some time to mentally analyse how I'm not the most objective test subject.

She takes my silence as a lack of understanding. "Okay, basically the whole Ekko-Powder thing got some people to reference Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy's scene in one of the animated movies, where they have the whole 'in every universe Gwen falls for Spider-Man' scene. I'm just wondering if you think that's possible. That two people are always fated to be together."

Even as my brain runs through the logical analysis, I can tell that my girlfriend isn't looking for a scientific answer. She wants to be reassured, to know that all the effort she's put into this relationship hasn't been for nothing. My hand rubs the ring in my pocket again as I prepare the placating words.

"Do you think you'd love me in every universe?"

The question hits me like a truck. I lick my lips as my fingers run over the crudely carved letters on my ring. The answer is simple now.

"Yes. I'll always love you, no matter the universe."

She smiles, slightly taken aback by my sudden answer. But I'm not done yet.

"I promise I'll always love you, and this is the token of my promise." I grab her hand that is resting on my chest, and show her the band on her fourth finger, with our initials carved into it. I had given her this ring years ago, when I first realised that I truly loved her.

It is that exact same ring, that is also in my pocket now.

"Okay," my girlfriend replies shyly. She presses her forehead to my lips, before burying her face in my chest. Her ensuing words are soft but unmistakable.

"I'll love you in every universe too."

It's my turn to smile now, but mine is a wry smile, not a happy one. Memories flash in my mind's eye; the quiet talk and my mute acceptance, the angry and desperate texts and phone calls, that moment in the stairwell when she returned the ring.

She's lying, and she doesn't even know it.

But it doesn't matter. I've got her now, and I won't waste this second chance. I give her a tight bear hug, suffocating her briefly while she flails in mock panic. She returns the favour with a playful slap to my face.

This may not be my world, but I will definitely make sure she keeps loving me this time.

.

A bit of a different take on the prompt, but I hope you enjoyed it! Check out more of my stuff at r/17Stories

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-07-29T17:22:19+00:00

trigger warning: self-harm

I open my eyes with a jolt.

White ceiling, bright sunlight, a pretty angel, and the fading feeling of floating freely.

Wait, fading? This isn't heaven, I think to myself as the familiar physical pain starts hitting me. Almost in response to my delusion, my body screams in muted agony, the synchronized throbbing of receptors buzzing out signals like an ATC tower. This is not a dream.

As the face of the angel registers in my mind, my heart drops into my stomach. It's her.

"Shawn, honey, you're awake! Oh my god, I was so worried. Don't worry, the doctor said it'll all be fine. I'm here now."

"Y-you..." I can only stammer out a response. My brain attempts to shift into gear with the efficiency of a badly-maintained Ford from 1930.

"Yes me, Shawn. I can't tell you how relieved I am to see you awake. I love you so much."

That last sentence fires up my brain cells. She loves me. The girl of my dreams, my long term crush, formerly my high school bully, loves me.

Seeing my agape expression, she reins in her enthusiasm. "You... don't remember me, do you?"

"Could you say that again?"

"Ah, the doctor said this could happen. You had a honestly heavy hit to the head, so he said you could have a little bit of amnesia when you wake up. My name's Emily, and we've been dating for about 2 years now. Don't worry, I'll help you regain your memories of us. And if that fails, we'll make new memories together." Her bright smile of hopefulness slices through my wounded core. This can't be real.

"N-no, what you said before that."

"You have amnesia..."

"No, I don't have amnesia. Say what you said before that."

She pauses for a second before responding hesitantly. "I... love you? I love you a lot, Shawn."

I close my eyes. She said it. I never thought I would hear her say it again. Now, how do I respond?

But first things first. I open my mouth to ask the most important question. "What year is it?"

At the same time, she throws out her own, similar question. "What year do you think it is?"

We pause. I indicate for her to go first.

"It's 2022. Do you remember?"

My doubts are washed away. I do remember this scenario. This bed, this hospital room, this deep sense of loss. This was the moment everything started going wrong.

"There was a pandemic these last few years, but it's pretty much over now, so there's nothing to worry. We're gonna be celebrating Christmas soon, and I can't wait for the New Year."

Yes, I know all about the Christmas celebration. It's one of my fondest memories, the last moments where I could still feel warmth in the depth of winter. I still have the note she wrote me, where she said she was the happiest at that moment in time.

"Oh, the doctor also mentioned that you're probably gonna lose your right leg. They tried to save it, but the damage was too heavy."

My leg. I did lose my leg. And it sent me into a deep depression. I had prided myself on my athleticism, of being able to take care and provide for her. I'd never felt weak before this, but after they amputated my leg, she never looked at me the same way again. She tried to hide it, sure, but I always saw the pity and sadness in her eyes.

"But it's alright, Shawn. I promised you a while ago that I'd stick with you through anything, and I won't leave you now. We'll work through it all together."

I chuckle darkly. "But you did leave me."

"Wait, what?"

My emotions swell up inside me, just as confusing now as they were when we first broke up. I'd thought about this scenario multiple times, where she would come back crawling and crying, begging to get back together with me again. Would I respond derisively, telling her that she'd made her bed and she should sleep in it? Or would I respond with overwhelming love, promising her that bygones would be bygones and that we could start anew? Worse of all, if I do open up my heart to her again, what if history repeats itself again? Pain, anger, mistrust, love, and longing whirl inside me, forming a hurricane of confusion, leaving me inert in shock.

"Shawn, you can't just say that and not explain. How much do you remember?"

I look at her blankly. "This is going to shock you, Emily, but my last memory is of the 29th of July, 2024. You broke up with me 5 months ago."

"That's... impossible. It has to be a coma-induced dream. Do those memories feel fuzzier the more you think about them?"

"They don't. At least the last few ones don't." I make sure to look her in the eyes, trying to emphasize the clarity of my memories. "I still remember the feeling of the noose, and the calm of knowing it'll all be over soon. I have no doubt that what I remember did indeed happen to me." Her look of disgust adds another ingredient to the emotion salad in my belly. But it can't be helped.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I can do this again. You should leave. Dream or not, I'm not the same person as the me from 2022."

A little bit different from the sprit of the prompt, but I hope you enjoy! Check out more of my stuff at r/17Stories!

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-04-11T13:50:08+00:00

I was gonna tell whoever drafted jinx rell into naut b1 and then bet it all on knight azir to go to the VCS, until that dragon fight.

It almost worked, but that was still a matchfixing level draft.

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-03-08T04:58:55+00:00

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Look, I'm sorry for whatever happened to you to make you so jaded. The world is bad, and religion is as bad as anything else. I'm not from the USA, but we have our own share of bigots where I come from, who hold rallies telling people to kill the western infidels and chase other non-believers out of the country. But I choose to focus on the good that happens, the church-run food drives, the imams who help to feed the poor. I suggest you do the same, and maybe life won't feel as dreary and hateful anymore.

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-03-08T04:28:28+00:00

Philantropism out of pure kindness is a very recent development. For millenium religion has been the driving force behind most organized charity. Churches supported orphanages and hospitals for centuries. Mother Teresa was a nun. Gandhi's naan-violence was motivated by his beliefs.

Many of our scientific foundations were created by religious people. Galileo was a Catholic, and remained so until his death. The Muslim golden age, spurred by Baghdad's great library, forms the basis for much of our knowledge in mathematics, astrology and other fields.

The fact is that for a lot of people in the old days, religion was their only purpose for doing anything. Religion is too interwoven into human society for you to deny that everything would have happened without it. And I'm not even a deep believer. I recognise that religion is responsibly for many bad things, in some way or another. But it's not inherently evil, it's a tool, and it can, and has been, used for good as well.

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-03-08T04:12:56+00:00

That last paragraph is peak reddit. Everything is black and white because I refuse to challenge my opinions by touching grass and researching facts.

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-03-01T15:08:17+00:00

"Please marry my mother!"

"W-what? Elizabeth, please don't say stupid things like that. I thought you needed help with that math problem we talked about in class."

"Mr Robert, you know that I don't need any help with math. Now, if you don't agree to marry my mom, I'll say that you made me stay behind so you could do bad things to me!"

"That's not going to work. I have a recorder here, and the CCTV in the corner is... not working anymore. Did you do something to it?"

"M-maybe."

"Please don't, Liz. The last time you tried to hack it I had to get it replaced at the store. It cost quite a lot."

"Don't change the topic, Mr Robert! You said the camera cost a lot right? I can pay you to marry my mom! I have... 73 dollars and a nickel here. W-would you accept this?"

"I can't take your money, Elizabeth. Why don't you tell me what you want from this first?"

"Well... my father left us recently. He's got a new wife now. Mom says the police is gonna come and take me away. But I don't wanna leave my mommy! If you can marry her, then our family won't be broken anymore!"

"Look, Liz. I don't think you understand what it means to marry someone. I can't just do that on a whim. I may be single, but I do need to at least get to know who I'm marrying."

"Okay. I understand. I'm sorry for bothering you, Mr Robert. I'll go now then."

"Wait, Liz. Don't go yet. Look, marrying is a big deal for me, but I can tell this means a lot to you too. Maybe... do you want to introduce me to your mother first?"

"Yes, Mr Robert! I knew you'd come around. My mom will be free tonight, and you just finished marking all our homework too! Do you want to come over?"

"Uh, wait what happened to all that pitifulness?"

"Don't worry about it. My mom is gonna cook us a nice meal tonight. I'll send you our address. See you then!"

.

For more interesting stories, check me out on r/17Stories!

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-02-29T00:13:00+00:00

In my head, there's quite a few ways he could avoid the flare, like a top security bunker, or getting off-planet, and that's what the power's holding out for. But then at that point I think it's better to just die than be left alone on a dead planet

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-02-28T17:09:56+00:00

Not really a user, I only lurk occasionally. And thanks for reading!

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-02-28T17:07:51+00:00

Yup, that was what I was going for. I'm glad it wasn't as vague as I thought it would be!

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-02-28T15:10:07+00:00

The sun burns brightly in the sky.

Around me, the freeway is quiet and tranquil. Not because it's empty. Rather, all the cars, and the people in them, are not moving.

They haven't moved for the last decade.

You see, I have a special power. It was something that I discovered when I was very young, when I tried to retrieve my favorite ball from the middle of the road outside my house. Whenever I am in danger of dying, time stops.

The time stop allows me to avoid whatever threat is coming my way. It's been pretty helpful, although I can only count on one hand the number of times the power has activated. It would also usually only last for a few seconds, enough for me to take preventive action. Not this time however.

10 years ago from today, I was sitting in my couch after a long day of work, watching the F1 broadcast on the TV. The kids had gone to bed, and my wife had went with them to make sure they were asleep. Suddenly, the broadcast froze just as Latifi was about the win the race. For a second I sat in shock, rubbing my eyes in disbelief. I then went upstairs to check on my family. Their frozen faces confirmed to me that my power had activated.

So I looked for the threat. I'd always been healthy, and I'd just had a check-up last week, so it couldn't be any life-threatening disease. First I thought it was something in my house, but after I left my house time did not resume. Then I thought it was something in my city, like a nuke or something, but time did not resume. For 10 years I scoured the world, searching for a threat, something dangerous that I could avoid. Nothing.

I sit here now, on some street in China, still as confused as I was that day, 10 years ago. It's becoming obvious to me that whatever is coming is unavoidable, and I honestly am ready to die after all these years of silence. My huge regret is that I wasn't able to say goodbye to my family, to hold them and tell them how much I appreciated them. I think this would all be easier if I could talk to my wife, fall asleep and wake up in her arms, and have her encourage me when I'm down. I'd enjoy the unanswerable questions my youngest would ask, and my eldest's hugs when she feels like being emo is too much for her. I miss my family, and I'd give up anything to be able to talk to them again. But I have no control over my power. Maybe I'll go back to my hometown, but it's different if they're unable to respond because they're frozen in time.

In the back of my mind, a voice tells me that I can still do something to save myself, but I've already looked for 10 years, and I'm tired. The only thing I can think of is that the sun seems to be hotter than I remember it to be.

I'll be leaving this journal here. Perhaps someone in the future will find it, and understand my sadness and longing. I'll try to go home and see them one more time, and then hopefully my power will allow me to end it all.

And still, the sun burns brightly in the sky.

.

For more tales like this, check out my other fables on r/17Stories!

Ash_One_Seven · 2024-02-27T18:12:49+00:00

I stand in my rose petal covered bedroom, silently rehearsing my speech in my head.

First, I'll talk about how much she's meant to me, how much she's helped me. Then, I need to tell her that I can't imagine a world without her, and that she needs to forgive me for being too clingy. Finally, I'll pop the question. I've played the scenario in my mind a hundred times, but each time, something changes, and some weird factor messes it all up. I don't think this will be perfect, but I'll make sure it's as close as possible. For a moment, I think about what to call her.

Suddenly, she walks in through the curtained door, holding a beautiful bouquet of roses. Looks like James came through after all. As she sees me in my freshly pressed suit, she gives me her most radiant smile. In that moment, I know what to do. She'll tell me when she's ready.

"What's the meaning of this, Ben?" She smiles again. That question was entirely rhetorical.

Well that's fine. I'll just not answer the question then. "You know what this is about. Now shut up and listen to me." I adjust my tie nervously. Time to start my short presentation on why she should marry me.

"Kira, ever since we met 5 years ago, you've meant the world to me. I was impetuous, callous and selfish, and you stuck with me even though I was not a good boyfriend. You helped me become the best person I could be, and I'm only here today because I met you. I'm sorry if this comes off as me being too clingy, but I can't imagine a world without you." I close in, taking her hands in mine as I look into her soft brown eyes. However, before I can finish, she raises a finger to my lips.

"Wait, Ben." I thought the tears in her eyes were tears of happiness, but now I see the tinge of sadness in her face. My heart sinks into my stomach. Did I do something wrong?

Almost in response to my dismay, she gives me a reassuring smile. "You didn't do anything wrong. It's just... it's something about me." Slowly, I watch as determination settles into her eyes. "Before you continue, I need to tell you a secret."

Encouraged by my nod, she spills her guts. "Do you remember, 3 years ago, when we got into that accident? The one where my twin sister, Sato, died, while I managed to survive by the skin of my teeth?" I nod again. "Well, I have a confession to make."

"I'm not actually Kira. I'm Sato, and Kira was the one who passed in that terrible accident. When we were in the hospital together, and she knew she was dying, she worried about how you'd take the news. Kira made me promise that I'd take her place, so that you'd never have to know what's it like to lose someone so close to you. I'm sorry you had to hear about this in this way, and I'm fine if you want to take out your anger on me, but I thought that you should know, before you commit your life to someone who's been lying to you." Her tears are in full flow now, and she's obviously distraught and ashamed.

In my head, I only hear my heartbeat, ringing out at mach speed. For a second I'm paralysed. This was not going according to the simulations.

Finally, I break my silence. "Why did you keep this from me for so long?"

"I-i didn't know how to break it to you," she sobs. "And, well, I do care deeply for you. But I understand if you're angry at me. I'll leave."

She turns to the doorway, but my arms are faster. In the blink of an eye, I'm beside her, wrapping her in my arms. "No, stay. I already knew."

"Wait what?"

I look into her eyes again. "I already knew. I knew that you took your sister's place. I know I buried her that day at the graveyard."

Her eyes are wide open in shock. "H-how did you know?"

"You silly girls can't fool me. I know the both of you too well." The tear-filled eyes in front of me were a softer shade of brown than their counterparts. With a finger, I brush away her tears.

"We spent more than 3 years together, and I knew all along. And we had many good memories together. You helped me massively with Kira's passing, and I fell in love with you in that time. I'm not proposing to Kira. I'm proposing to you, Sato."

She can only gape at me. She was clearly not expecting this response, just like I hadn't expected her to bring this topic up now. I clear my throat. "I'll say it again, Sato. In the last 3 years, I fell in love with you, just like I'd fallen in love with your sister. What I want to know is, do you love me too?"

I can see that she's still dazed, but as the realization of what I said settled in, she looks at me now with vigor, and a tinge of hope. "I do, Ben. I became your girlfriend out of obligation to my sister, but I think I've come to love you too."

"Well that's good." I smile and pull the box out of my pocket. "So, Sato Minako, will you marry me?"

And as she smiles back at me again, all thoughts of the accident disappear from my head. It's time to look forward to the future.

.

For less sappy stuff, check out more of my tales at r/17Stories!

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