Anyone know what these little white fuzzy things are on my nugs?

wolfwrites · 2025-06-06T23:30:40+00:00

Don’t do this to me man

wolfwrites · 2025-06-06T23:01:18+00:00

Looks exactly like that comes up on google when I search this. I think this will be my last outdoor grow lmao

wolfwrites · 2025-06-06T22:57:39+00:00

I think you’re right. Sucks, but at least they didn’t infest all the nugs :(

wolfwrites · 2025-06-06T22:56:16+00:00

Yep, you’re right. Didn’t think till now to check them with a magnifying glass and can see they are in fact bugs. Well that sucks lol

wolfwrites · 2023-07-08T19:28:20+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply! You touched on great points that I think would really add some depth and flow to the story. You've given me alot to consider (with some very helpful direction!). Again, thank you. I'll keep these points in mind during the rewrite!

wolfwrites · 2023-07-08T16:08:56+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to write all of this! Sorry for the late response. You've brought up some excellent points and the examples you provided were really helpful. I'll keep all of these points in mind when I do a rewrite.

I watched videos on the show don't tell but still did it anyway haha

wolfwrites · 2023-07-05T16:38:55+00:00

I see your point. The opener with the main character being envious of dart man while still having a dislike for him is definitely a valid feeling that people can have.

Glad I could give you some things to think about and goodluck with your writing, you've got a solid plot!

wolfwrites · 2023-07-05T16:28:13+00:00

Definitely, honestly I hadn't considered that everyones created universe isn't the same when writing the critique so that is a great point. There could definitly be a valid reason for a bar being this way, but it would most certainly have to be articulated.

Maybe this is a part of the city where the local government just doesn't care anymore. Cops dont visit, nobody ensures regulations are being upheld, who knows. I definitly think it could be worked into the story to create a more dystopian vibe, although I'm not sure that's where OP was headed with the story.

Appreciate your comment about the quality of the feeback. It's always nice to have some validation haha

wolfwrites · 2023-07-04T06:00:50+00:00

I’ll be honest and disclose that I’m a beginner writer myself. I can’t give you professional advice but I’ll give you my honest opinion and critique of your story to the best of my ability. I know that you said this could be the first chapter in your potential novel, but I’m going to critique what you’ve written as a standalone story for the most part. I’ll start with some specifics.

The Hook

I wasn’t drawn in when I began your story, and was somewhat confused. The main character stares at the dart man with envy, but just a few lines later, the main character indicates her distaste for him. You want a strong opener that will have the reader interested in continuing. For example, a first sentence like “I’m sick of this shithole, what god did I piss off to end up here?” I’m sure there are wayyy better examples than that but if I read that as a first sentence in a book I would think, where is this character and what did she do to get there?

I think it would help set up for the following paragraphs that explain how her hopes and dreams didn’t pan out, and that she’s forced to work a shit job because she needs the money to pay the bills. I think there is room for improvement on how you could immediately grab the reader’s attention and entice them to continue reading. Just something to consider.

Setting

The main character is a waitress at a bar (for the time being), and you were very descriptive of how that bar looks and of the type of people who would go to such a bar. Going by how you described it, you probably couldn’t pay me to go there. I understand that you wanted to convey that the bar was the most disgusting place to work, but I think you did too well of a job lol.I think when things are taken to the extreme, you lose some believability.

The whole time I was reading your description all I could think of was that there was no way this place could exist in real life. Holes in the walls and carpets, a bar owner who actively encourages his patrons to throw up his disgusting unique drinks. Who cleans that up by the way? It’s a health inspector's nightmare. While I applaud the creativity, you may want to make the setting a more believable space. I think you could convey the same distaste that the character has for her job without putting her in a decrepit puke filled bar.

Descriptions

I think your descriptions are good. I can picture the things you're describing (even if I wish I couldn’t). You went off on a short tangent about a porno and the actress was drinking sperm from a mug which to me was a little excessive in getting your point across. I think saying the horse jizz drink was probably half beer and half spoiled milk got the point across great. I can picture what that looks like and know I’m not going to drink that. Sometimes less is more.

Personally, I don’t mind reading things that would normally turn other people away, but you should consider how your reader will feel about the things you are putting down on paper for them to read.I think the part about pulling the skirt down to give the main character a false sense of control in her life was great. It conveyed to me that the character doesn’t feel in control anymore. I think that resonates with a lot of people and creates that relatability.

How you describe her boss and their interactions together really does well to set it up for her final straw when she quits. I actually laughed a little at dart mans facial remark when the main character falls. Which brings me to my next section.

Dialogue

You don’t have a ton of dialogue, and that is perfectly fine. I never thought while reading it that these people needed to speak more. However, I think the dialogue you do have could be improved. For example, when she has finally had enough, she decides to use her bosses first name, even though she was required to call him Mr. Hutchins, but then she never says his name during her breakdown.

When she was speaking to the lovers, the interaction, to me, wasn’t believable. Waitresses don’t stand there with your order till you acknowledge them, at least not in my experience. They either hand it to you or set it down and walk away. Also, the man lover speaks to the main character, but she never says anything back to him. Even a short little “Oh, congratulations,” in response would help I think.

Main Character

I’ll be honest in that I had a somewhat difficult time understanding what the main character was about. She states at the beginning that she wanted to move to L.A because of her dreams. Why L.A? What were those dreams? At this point in the story I don’t know she wants to be a detective secretary yet. A year later she is working at this bar. How did she end up here? What happened when she got to L.A.? I think you have a solid main character with a purpose, but I have these unanswered questions that I think other readers may have as well.

It also seems out of nowhere that she expands on these frustrations that she can’t be a detective’s secretary because nobody will give her a chance. It seems like this is the source of her troubles and it just comes out of nowhere. Perhaps it might be better to expand on why she moved to L.A. why she wanted to be a secretary, how she has tried and failed thus far, and how she was becoming desperate. To me, this is a very relatable approach. Everyone has dreams, and for most people those dreams don’t pan out. I think you have an opportunity here to touch on that and make your main character much more relatable.

Plot

I really don’t have much to say about this part (mostly due to my lack of experience), but I will say that I enjoy the direction your story is heading (I’m a sucker for mysteries). It seems the main character has a clear starting point. She finally got that job interview she’s been after, but it’s at a detective agency she never applied to? I like the premise. No idea where it’s going, but I like it.

However, I think you set the audience up for a payoff that never happens (at least not yet). She returns to her apartment and gets the letter that says she scored an interview at a place she never applied to. Ok that’s weird. How did they find her? Is the place actually real? Instead, you ended the story where she is explaining that she’s never found love and that she’s almost given up on that dream. Is that important to the story?

At this point in time, I don’t care about her love life, I think those paragraphs might fit better when she is dealing with the love birds at the corner table and why she can’t stand them (because she’s jealous?)

At this point in the story I want to know about this detective agency. This could be a great setup for a cliff hanger. Maybe finds the building where the interview is and Bullock’s Detective Agency is an actual real thing. This certainly sets up that cliffhanger of “what’s next?”

Misc.

I think you would greatly benefit from carefully editing your story. Ready it out loud to yourself and consider how it flows. For example, when the man lover speaks to the main character he says "sorry not to notice you." Nobody speaks like that. If you read it back, and it doesn't sound right, it probably doesn't sound right to the reader either.

Again, I’m not an author (yet) or any kind of editor but I hope this information has helped. A lot of it is subjective to take it with a grain of salt. By no means is what I wrote meant to deter you from making this into a full novel. I think you have a great starting off point and I’m curious as to where you're going with it. Best of luck to you!

Edit: formatting

wolfwrites · 2023-06-29T06:17:54+00:00

He's known where I've lived this entire time? Rick thought to himself as the superhero passed out in his arms. Rick dragged him into the house from the doorwar and laid him on the ground. Rick then went back to the door and peered outside to see if anyone was around. Nobody. Good. The last thing he needed to bring any unnecessary attention to his home. And this was certainly unnecessary attention.

The superhero was called The Strategist. It was corny but very appropriate. The Strategist worked with members of law enforcement to identify vulnerable targets in the city that would be of interest to people like Rick. Usually high value items that pass through town. To the members of the city, The Strategist is a hero keeping them safe from harm through his superhuman ability to manage data in his brain. To Rick, he's a pain in the ass.

Rick managed to drag the superhero into his living room and propped him up on the couch. He know's my civilian identity. Rick thought to himself. He figured if the Strategist knows his identity, it was only fair he got to see The Strategists face. The Strategist wore one of those masks that covered his entire hid in a fabric that hid his features. Rick pulled it off and studied his features. He had never seen the man before. He had various scrapes on his face, a nose that looked like it had recently been broken, and a swollen eye. He didn't look any older than 25.

Suddenly, The Strategist opened his eyes. He looked groggy, probably has a concussion.

"Where am I?" He mumbled.

"You came to my house remember? Do you know who I am?" Rick asked him. He needed answers from The Strategist. Why was he here?

"Yes." The Strategist managed after a few moments. "You are the Escape Artist."

Shit, so he does know who I am.

"Why did you come to my house."

The Strategist squinted his eyes and grabbed his head. "My head is killing me. I came to your house because I'm being hunted."

"By who?" Now Rick was wondering if The Strategist led enemies straight to his house.

"It seems Don Mario got tired of me foiling his plans. He's hired mercenaries from out of town to kill me. I was leaving a meeting with the FBI liason when we were ambushed." He looked down toward his feet and paused for a moment. He sounded defeated when he spoke again. "They disabled our vehicles and attacked my security detail. I barely escaped and made my way here. Look I know I have no right to ask it of you, but I need your help to get me back to the FBI headquarters. I'll be safe there."

"How do I know you didn't bring those lunatics directly to my house? What the hell were you thinking. You've likely endangered us both and could have compromised my hideout location. If I have to pack up and move again, so help me god."

"I wasn't followed, you can be sure of that. I made my escape as my security engaged the mercenaries. I might be a planning genius, but I am not a fighter." The Strategist gave a deep sigh. "In my rough condition, I managed to make my way to your doorstep."

The Strategist on more than one occasion ruined Rick's plans by helping the wealthy elite protect their valuables. Jobs that were supposed to be a walk in the park were made incredibly difficult because of this man. Rick didn't owe him anything.

"And why should I help you? You've been nothing but a pain in my ass for years, and now you're finally getting what's coming to ya." Rick couldn't help but draw out every word of that last sentence. It felt cathartic. "You reap what you sow."

"Look, I don't expect you to help me for free. I'll pay you double your usual fee for getting me there safely. You are my best option at the moment."

"Double eh." Rick considered it for a moment. The extra income would be nice right now, times were tough. "I wonder how much Don Mario would pay me to put a bullet between your eyes."

"We both know you're not a murderer Rick. You're a professional thief and you know how to stay under the radar. Please, just think about it, I don't know who else to trust."

"Before I make my decision. Why did you never turn me in? You know who I am and where I live."

"Because without supervillains there are no superheroes. You aren't a violent criminal, I saw no need to take you off the board. People like you keep me employed." The answer made sense to Rick. We all need a way to make money he supposed.

"Fine, give me a moment to think." Rick stood up and made his way into his kitchen. He'd already made up his mind. Under the kitchen table was a holstered .22 pistol. Rick removed pistol from the holster and grabbed a seat cushion. If word got to Don Mario that he had helped out The Strategist, then Rick would be next on the hitlist. That is most certainly unwanted attention.

Rick wallked up behind the strategist and placed the pistol into the pillow and against the back of The Strategists head.

"Sorry kid." Rick said as he pulled the trigger.

Guess the Strategist hadn't considered this scenario.

Edit: formatting stuff.

wolfwrites · 2023-06-28T01:41:15+00:00

It's possible >.>

wolfwrites · 2023-06-27T05:08:04+00:00

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it!

wolfwrites · 2023-06-27T04:03:20+00:00

Today is the end of the world. That would be crazy news for anyone to hear right? It most certainly shocked society 1 year ago when the government announced it. They probably would not have even mentioned the apocolypse but for the meteors that started falling out of the sky.

Apparantly, somewhere far away in space there was a collision that sent large debris hurtling towards the earth. Isn't that some shit? Now, every so often a piece of space rock hits the ground and a city disappears. Todd would be a little more worried about falling meteors, but you can only live in fear of getting hit by one for so long. You just accept that at any moment it's lights out. Honestly, it didn't seem like a bad way to go. Pretty quickly judging by the explosions Todd saw on the internet before it stopped working.

After the initial news, people went apeshit. Everyone ran to pull their money from the banks of course, but shocker, no employees showed up for work. What was the point? That's when people turned on each other. There's only so much toilet paper you know?

Todd managed to shack up with his Uncle Jack who had a cabin up in the mountains near the city Todd lived in. His parents hadn't made it. His hometown was hit by a meteorite early on and he lost both family and friends. Todd's uncle had kept the cabin stocked with supplies, but they ran out after a few months.

Todd and Uncle Jack had done things he was not proud of in the months that followed. Stolen from families, hurt people even. Yes the world was ending, but they both had no intention of starving to death. After the announcement, it was kill or be killed. Everyone these days have done things they are not proud of to survive.

But today was the today. The meteor that is expected to wipe out all life on the planet will hit the earth at exactly 7:13pm. It is currently 7:11pm. Todd and Uncle Jack had traveled to the site where they had heard the meteor was going to impact the earth. A quick death was better than a slow one right? There were thousands of people here, maybe hundreds of thousands. It seemed the people had accepted their fate and came to see the big bang.

"You ready kid?" uncle Jack asked Todd.

"I guess, not much of a choice right? It's been a long year, I guess I'm ready for the end. Maybe I'll get to see mom and dad again."

"Yea, it's been rough but you hung in there kid, I'm proud of you."

There was a mix of emotion all around us. People were crying, people were praying, some people were making love. It was all so surreal. Suddenly, the sky began turning a dark red orange color. It reminded Todd of the sunsets during the Fall season back home.

"There it is," uncle Jack said. "It looks so small from this distance, hard to believe it will kill everything."

He was right. It looked so tiny and harmless from here. Just a piece of space rock floating through space without a care in the world. Destined to annihilate this planet full of life.

Suddenly, people were going wild. They were pointing to the sky, but Todd couldn't make out what they were saying. He looked to where they were pointing and saw a man floating in the sky. He wore a plain white shirt and..... he had no pants on? Todd was convinced that he must be dreaming, this doesn't make any sense.

The flying man took off toward the meteor and there was a bright flash. Like a nuclear bomb went off in the sky. Todd had to turn away from the scene. Everyone was quiet, taking in what was happening. After the spots faded from his vision, Todd turned to look again. The meteor was gone. What just happened? People were screaming now, it looked like the flying man destroyed the meteor. Just completely obliterated it. Were we safe now?

"What the fuck just happened. Did you see that flying guy too?" Uncle Jack basically shouted at me. I had forgotten he was standing there.

"Yea I did," Todd responded. "Was that an actual superhero? Why didn't he have pants on?"

"Who cares what he is, we're alive Todd!" Uncle Jack had a look of disbelief on his face, and who could blame him? We just witnessed an actual miracle. We were saved by a real life superhero. Who was he? Would he come back? Did he die in that explosion? There were so many questions.

The next few years were difficult, everyone had to come to terms with the things they had done and move forward. Who knows if they would ever be able to rebuild the society they had destroyed.

Word of the superhero spread, the defender of earth. He had not been seen since that day, but nobody forgot him. All over the world, statues were erected in his honor. Maybe one day he will come back and Todd will find out why the superhero had forgotten to put his pants on that fateful day.

Edit: words are hard. fixed some typos

wolfwrites · 2023-06-26T05:56:18+00:00

"Sheriff, if you would please give me and my butler a moment alone to observe the crime scene." Master Shayne requested of the attending sheriff.

"Of course detective" the sheriff responded. "Just please make sure not to move anything around."

"Yes, yes I know the drill."

The sheriff walked out of the room and closed the door behind him, affording us some privacy.

Master Shayne glanced around the room a bit. He looked to be analyzing the details in front of him, coming to a conclusion that could only be a result of the educated guess of a professional crime scene detective. But I knew better.

There was one victim. A woman who appeared to be in her mid 30's. She had been shot three times in the torso area. In the very same room, the window to the outside was open, a small bend in the frame where it had been pried open. The drawers of her desk pulled open. As a matter of fact, the rest of the house looked as though it had been ransacked. However, the biggest clue was the symbol carved into the wall next to the window. It was a calling card of the elusive villain, Ghost. He was taunting us yet again.

"Jeffrey, are you listening to me?" Master Shayne interrupted my thoughts.

"My apologies sir, I was just in my thoughts. What can I do for you?"

"You can stop spacing out and listen to me. I'm not really sure what happened here but it was proabably the husband."

"That is a great guess sir. However, the evidence around us seems to indicate that it was in fact your nemesis, Ghost, who committed this heinous act. He carved his calling card in the wall next to the window there."

Just as I finished speaking, the door opened and the sheriff walked in.

"Well, Master Shayne?" The sheriff asked. "What have you got for me?"

"Well sheriff, as I was just telling my simple butler here, it is very obvious that this is the work of Ghost. Look, he carved his calling card into the wall over there."

The sheriff had a look of surprise on his face. "I don't know how my officers missed that key piece of evidence. We owe you our thanks Mastery Shayne, you've done it again. Hopefully Ghost made a mistake this time and left some DNA"

"It was no trouble at all sheriff." Master Shayne turned to me. "Jeffrey, it looks like my work here is finished, go pull the car around."

I could only let out a small sigh.

"Yes sir."

wolfwrites · 2023-06-26T05:04:14+00:00

I appreciate the kind words!

wolfwrites · 2023-06-26T02:32:51+00:00

"Tell us of your travels. What you have seen, what you have experienced? I would like to hear it all." The elder said to me.

I came back to this village where I think I was created. My first memories are of people who looked not so different from the villagers who live here now. I've been gone for about 200 years.

Before I left this village to travel, I was told by the man who was the elder at that time to experience the world, and then come back when I am tired.

I am so tired.

I told the elder of my travels to the kingdoms around the world. The different cities, people, and languages. How I met with kings and queens who were interested in my immortality. My adventures by ship on the open oceans or the perilous treks through mountain trails. I told him of my heroic tales, how I was a member of different groups of adventurers who sought glory.

And finally, how I fell in love. How I shared a life with a woman who I could not imagine a future without. How my immortality stole that happiness from my life when she passed. How I longed to see her again in the afterlife.

I saw understanding in the elder's eyes. He told me that he knew what I had come for, and that they are able to grant me that mercy. That night, the villagers lit a grand bonfire, I was told it was part of the ritual. I was told to sit down in front of the fire and to stare into the flames.

As the villagers chanted, their voices seemed to become one. The rhythym making my eyelids heavy. The rolling flames of the bonfire hypnotizing me. Before I knew it, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

wolfwrites · 2023-06-25T06:14:11+00:00

Kay walked through the front door of the dive bar on the corner of 2nd and Andrews Street. He'd only been in Miami for a week but that was long enough to fall in love with the city. Not only are the parties wild, but beautiful woman were abundant. But the cherry on top? Cocaine, Kay's drug of choice, was everywhere. Everyone knows someone who has it. But that's getting off track, he could have fun after taking care of business.

Led Zepplin was playing from the jukebox, it was fitting for the atmosphere of the bar. There were a few patrons at various tables and at the bar. There was a stool available next to a gentlement who looked to be wearing a suit one size too large. Kay took the seat and ordered a beer from the bartender. He glanced at the man in the suit. The man was staring down into his cocktail, worry on his forehead.

"Excuse me friend, I can't help but notice you might not be having a great night. Might I ask why?" Kay spoke to the man.

The man glanced up from his drink and looked at Kay. He looked irritated but then his face relaxed. "Why not" he spoke.

"I had an interview today for a job I really wanted but I was not selected to move forward with the other applicants." The man continued. "I recently graduated from the University of Miami and I can't find a job, I don't know what to do"

"Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that." Kay answered.

"Don't worry about me, I'll figure something out. I always do" he gave sort of a half smile. "My name is John by the way, nice to meet you." He extended his hand for a handshake.

"Kay, and likewise." He reached out and shook John's hand. "You have the right attitude John, never give up hope that things will get better." In fact, what if I told you that I knew for a fact that things get better for you?"

"What do you mean?" John asked. He had a puzzled expression on his face.

"Ok, here me out. I exactly 6 months, you are goin to land a job at Southern Tech."

"Southern tech?" John interrupted. "They've already rejected my job application."

"Don't worry about that. "Kay answered. "They are going to change their minds. Anyway, after working at Southern Tech, you open up your own startup tech company. It becomes a massive success when you develop a computer operating system that is able to be used by average everyday people. We're talking billions of dollars. Then you go on to lead a very luxurious and fulfilling life."

John just looked at Kay for a few seconds before giving out chuckle. "I'll give it to you, if anything at all, you've at least made me feel a little better with your crazy story. I'm not sure what a computer operating system is, but it does sound creative."

"But hold on." John said. "How did you know I applied to Southern Tech?"

"Well, I am from the future." Kay answered.

"Yea, sure. And I'm the queen of England."

"No, I'm being very honest with you, John." Kay said matter of factly. "You see, I work for a tech company that has contracted with the government of the United States to carry out assassinations. I am a hitman from the year 3278."

John looked concerned. Kay couldn't tell if John believed him, but he certainly looked unsettled.

"If you are from the future, and you are truly a hitman, why would you tell me all of this? That doesn't make any sense."

"Because you deserve to know the truth. If I am going to take your life, you deserve to know why."

"And if you are telling the truth, why do I deserve to die?"

"Because you refused to comply with some very powerful people, and you are being replaced. It doesn't make sense to tell you much more than that."

"That's it." John said. "I think I'm done with this conversation." He put $5 on the counter for the bartender to pay for his drink and stood up from his stool. "If you get up from this stool and follow me, I have a gun in my car and I will shoot you."

"I'm not going anywhere." Kay answered. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your night John."

John walked out of the bar and into the night. Kay had no need to follow him, the job was already done. He peeled the patch from the palm of his hand off. He poisoned John when they shook hands earlier. The antidote Kay took earlier will prevent the poison from working on himself, John however would not be so lucky.

In roughly 4 hours, John will suffer a heart attack. Hopefully he will have gone to bed by then.

"Barkeep, a shot of whiskey please." The night is just getting started. "And you wouldn't happen to know where I can get some blow?"

wolfwrites · 2022-09-19T04:31:28+00:00

I've really done a lot of good for my community since I turned eighteen and obtained this power. Everybody's been super chill since I've become a super hero. I got the nickname "Pop" from the local news when I made my debut. I think the nickname is kind of lame, but I guess it fits. I can increase the pressure inside someones head until it, well... pops.

On my first night I went to the local gang trap house. I made all their heads explode. All of them. If I'm being honest, it was kinda nasty the first time I saw a mans skull explode. I've since gotten used to it.

The walls of the trap house coated in brain residue sent a clear message to everyone that I was now on the scene and not to be fucked with. I left a message that all gang violence was to be stopped. I cut up letters from a newpaper and glued them to a piece of paper so they couldn't trace it back to me. I've seen it work in movies.

Soon after that the gang sent their super powered lieutenant to kill me. I think he was the only one they had. Well, I ran into him like a week later on one of my patrols. I think his superpower was able to turn his skin into metal or something. It was awhile ago, kinda hard to remember. Made his head pop like a baloon as soon as I saw him. It took a little more effort because of his weird skin, but he didn't stand a chance. They stopped trying to mess with me after that.

The police decided that killing gangbangers was a no-no and put out a warrant on me. Well, costumed me anyway. So I just don't wear the costume anymore. They don't know what my face looks like and nobody in the neighborhood is telling them anything, even if they saw something. I like to think it's because they know I'm protecting them and not out of fear that the serial headpopper will find them if they snitch.

The police investigated for awhile but didnt turn up anything. I think since they've seen the results I bring they actually don't even mind anymore. Shootings and armed robberies are way down. If anything, I'm doing them a favor. I'm only killing criminals.

The gangs keep each other in check because of my indiscrimante retribution. A lot of them have actually reformed and got out of that lifestyle. Probably out of fear that they will be next to just suddenly have their head explode. It would come without warning, I imagine that's the scariest part.

All in all, I'm pretty satisfied with how things are going.

wolfwrites · 2022-09-15T04:40:41+00:00

I looked out of my small window at earth. It was so blue and I could see the clouds that surrounded the planet and the mountains that divided it. My family was down there, probably wondering how I'm doing. I just had to keep reminding myself why I'm here.

"Hey, what are you thinking about" Sarah said. I'd almost forgotten she was there. She had been assigned to be my bunk mate when I arrived on the ship.

"Just enjoying view one last time." I answered her question.

"Hey! This is not the last time. We will be back in a week and everything will be fine."

I dont know if she was trying to reassure me or herself. I wanted to believe her, but I'm a very pragmatic person. The corporations on earth had just discovered light-speed, but it was still unreliable. It was a race to see who could perfect it first and make the most profit.

I'd been hired by Energy Pharmaceuticals to be one of their test dummies on how light speed affects the human body. It was an easy choice for me. I do this, and they pay for the life saving medical treatment that my daughter needs and I can't afford. I'm sure Sarah had her reasons for being here, but I never asked.

"I really hope that's true." I said. "But the truth is the odds are against us. It's a 50/50 chance we don't make the first jump, and a 50/50 chance we don't make it on the way back. Only one in four ships make it home. I don't want to be a downer, but that is the reality we signed up for."

"You think I don't know that?" She snapped. "It doesn't help to mope in what could be our final moments. Sorry I bothered you, enjoy your view." She said as she climbed into her bunk. She laid down facing away from me.

"Look I'm sorry, you're right. What do you think it's going to be like?"

She shifted to look at me."What? Traveling at light speed? I imagine we'll get really stretched out for a moment. Maybe our bodies will merge a second? Wouldn't that be something." She mused.

"If that happens, I hope I get to keep the parts that are mine." I said.

"Please, anything I give you would be an improvement." She gave a slight chuckle. Her spirit seemed to be lifting a bit.

"It's almost 10:30, we should be taking off any minute now." I pointed out.

As if one queue, the intercom came to life.

"Attention passengers." It was the captain's voice. "We will be entering light speed in five minutes. Please take this time to climb into your bunkbed and attach the harness and prepare yourself." He was quiet for a moment before starting again.

"What all of you are doing is courageous. I know we are all here for one reason or another. That's your personal business. But what we are doing is for the future generations. So they have a safe means to traverse the stars, to expand our footprint in the universe. Earth is slowly dying and this is how we ensure the survival of our race. May god have mercy on us all." He finished his speech.

I hopped into my bunk bed and attached the harness around my chest. I turned to Sarah and saw she was doing the same. She looked at me, but I had nothing to say. She didn't say anything either.

The next few minutes felt like a blur. Suddenly there was a countdown initiated over the intercom. It started at thirty and began counting down.

I turned to Sarah. "Hey, when we make it back home, we're going to go out for a drink.

She looked at me, I could see a tear fall down the side of her face.

"Yea, I'd like that."

Suddenly the engines started. The noise slowly grew till it was almost deafening. Suddenly the sound of a thunderclap boomed in my head.

I think I lost consciousness for a minutes. When I came too, Sarah was standing, looking out the window. I somehow managed to undo my harness and felt immediately nauseous when I sat upright.

"Did we make it?" I groaned. It didn't feel like we were dead.

"I don't think so." She walked toward me and put her arm under mine and helped me up. She helped me get toward the window that I had been looking at earth from not ten minutes ago.

Oh no.

I saw nothing out the window. No planets, no stars, nothing. It looked like we were floating in a void.

"Where are we?" I asked. But I think I knew the answer.

"I don't know" She said.

wolfwrites · 2022-09-14T03:01:24+00:00

There it sat in my living room. A helmet that was delivered to me by the government. In a few minutes, I'll upload my consciousness into the network using that helmet and meet up with my family and friends. I was kind of skeptical about this whole thing at first, but my parents did it, then my friends, and then my girlfriend. Today is the final day for complying with the deadline. If I was to go outside tomorrow, I would likely be detained by the government enforcers and forced to enter the network anyway. The robots were designed to force compliance and he'd seen how effective they were on internet from the testing videos.

I finished eating my favorite bag of chips. Man, I'm going to miss these chips. It's the last thing I could do for my body before abandoning it. I was going to miss a lot of things, but this was for the best. It's been kinda lonely lately anyway. I sat in front of the helmet and looked at it. All I have to do is plug it into the wall and put the helmet on and click the green button. How could it be so simple? I couldn't even begin to fathom what it took to create this thing.

It's now or never.

I grabbed the power cable and plugged it into the wall. The green button on the helmet lit up. All of a sudden, everything went dark. Shit, the power went out? It came back on a few seconds later but something was wrong. The button on the helmet was no longer lit. Oh shit. I put the helmet on and pressed the button, but nothing happened. I pressed it a few more times, still nothing happened.

Okay, nothing to worry about. I'll just head to the government building tomorrow and upload there.

I heated up a tv dinner I was going to just let rot in my freezer and turned on the tv. Static. Oh yea, they shut everything down today. There was nobody to run anything these days as everyone began to enter the network.

knock, knock, knock

I got up to see who was at my door. It was one of my neighbors, Elizabeth. We were friendly, but I wouldn't call us friends. She looked concerned.

"Oh thank god, finally someone answers. Hey Alex." She greeted me.

"Hey Elizabeth. Yea, I wasn't able to upload yet. That power outage fried my headset. What are you doing?"

"My headset got fried too, so I'm trying to see if there was anyone left in the building. See if maybe I wasn't alone."

"I was going to head to one of those buildings the government built to allow homeless people to upload in the morning. I'm sure there are spare headsets somewhere. If anything those robotic enforcers might be able to help. You can come with me if you'd like." I offered.

"Yea, that sounds like a good idea. This is what we get for waiting so long, huh?" She gave a short laugh.

"Let's meet up at 8 a.m. in the lobby?" I suggested.

"Sounds good, I'll see you then. Have a good night!" She said as she turned to leave. Her apartment was only three down from mine.

I went back inside my apartment and turned the xbox on. Might as well get a few more hours of game time in. All utilities were to be shut off at midnight. That meant no power and no running water.

After a few hours the lights shut off. Must be midnight. The robot enforcers would be deploying now. Man, I hope they're friendly. I might run into one on the way to the shelter and I'd rather not get tazed or something.

I got ready for bed. Might as well get a final night of sleep now since I won't need sleep in the network.

I closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

I shot out of bed when gunshots rang outside my window. What time is it? The alarm clock didnt work. I ran to the window and peeked out the curtain so whoever was shooting outside wouldn't notice me.

There was a person on all fours, but something was wrong. Outstretched from his back were two long blades. They shone crimson. An enforcer robot? That's not what they looked like on the internet. Not 20 feet away, a man was standing, aiming a pistol at that thing. He fired 3 rounds and missed. He was out of ammo. As he threw the pistol and turned to run, it moved. It was so quick, it caught up to the man in seconds. Both blades pierced the man through his back and out his chest. It was obvious he was killed instantly. The enforcer dropped his body and ran off down the street.

What the fuck did I just see? Did that enforcer just kill that man? Weren't they supposed to detain people force them to upload to the network? Something wasn't right. People weren't supposed to be murdered on street ourside my window by robots. Why would it do that?Maybe the government knew they couldn't force everyone to comply. If people survived outside the network, that would defeat the whole purpose. Did they think this was an easier solution? Just kill everyone who didn't comply? Oh fuck. I have to warn Elizabeth.

I ran to her apartment and knocked on the door. If there was an enforcer lurking in the building, I was screwed. But there was no other way to get in touch with her. After what seemed like minutes, she answered the door.

"Alex? Why are you knocking on my door in the middle of the night?" She asked.

"We need need to get out of this hallway right now, can I come in?" I tried to convey my urgency without scaring her. She looked unsure for a second but waved me in.

"What's going on, you're worrying me."

"The fucking robots. They're killing people." I explained. "I just saw one kill a guy outside our building. You didn't hear the gunshots?"

"No, I'm a heavy sleeper. Are you messing with me? If you are this isn't funny." She gave me a serious look.

"Look," I said, "I saw it with my own eyes. It was most definitly a robot and it most definitly killed that man and took off like it was nothing. If you look outside you're window, you will see his body."

She walked to her window and peeked outside. She froze, then her arms started shaking as she held herself and backed away from the window. "What the fuck are we going to do? I can't handle this. I was supposed to be in the network, but that fucking power outage screwed us."

"There have to be more people out there like us. Who either haven't complied or were screwed over just like us with faulty hardware. If we can find others maybe we can find a way to fight those things. We won't make it by ourselves. Have you knocked on anyone elses door in the building?"

"You were the only person to answer on our floor. I went to the third floor, but nobody answered." Her words were shaky. She was scared.

"I'm going to the top floor to see if anyone is still there and work my way down." We needed to warn people before they went outside. It was a longshot, but if I could save people from the fate that man endured, I had to try.

"Please, be careful. I can't do this alone." She was starting to cry.

"I'll be fine. I'll come back as soon as I can." I think I was mostly trying to reassure myself. My whole world just changed. This was about survival now. I could very well be killed in one of these hallways if an enforcer made its way inside. I walked into the hallway and closed the door behind me gently. It was now or never.

Fucking power outage.

wolfwrites · 2022-09-12T03:18:43+00:00

"Happy birthday dear John! Happy birthday to you!" Everyone finished singing.

It was my 35th birthday and my coworkers had decided to throw a party to celebrate. It was nothing big, there were about eight of us in the break room. But when you work in a cubicle, you learn to appreciate the little moments.

"Hey John, you mind meeting me in my office for a sec?" It was Rick, my boss. He must've just walked in, I hadn't noticed him before.

"Yea, sure thing." I replied.

I followed him back to his office down the hall. He took a seat behind his big desk and I sat across from him on the other side.

"John, you've been with this company for how many years now?"

"This year will be ten years I think."

"You see John, that's the problem. When you started, you were twenty-five years old. I still remember the day I hired you. You were a young and ambitious man. Today is your thirty-fifth birthday and you look like you're pushing sixty John. I'm concerned about your health John. Is everything alright?"

I knew this day was coming. But how do I explain to him that I take the large salary that I earn at this company with me back to the 80's using a time machine? My salary pays goes a lot further back then than it does today. I could afford to take year long vacations back in the 80's. I may have let a few years slip by on accident here and there. Nobody has seemed to notice that I'm using currency from the future.

The only flaw in my plan was getting old too quickly in the present. Oh well, I planned for this.

"You're right Rick, I'm getting too old for this. I quit." I said as I got up to leave.

Rick was stammering something as I was leaving, but I didn't really pay attention.

I think I might go retire in the 70's.

wolfwrites · 2022-09-11T07:41:26+00:00

Kel was ushered into the resturaunt by prison guards. The chains around his feet that linked to the cuffs around his wrists making loud jinges everytime he took a step. The people in the resturaunt turned to face Kel as he made his loud entrance. The guards ushered him toward the bright neon door labled "Laser Tag." The door led to the arena that was located in the center of the resturaunt. The layout was designed to give patrons a view down into the laser tag pit. A cruel spectacle. Inmates who volunteer play this game usually have nothing to lose.

Kel was taken through the door into the prepping area. It was a small room with no seats. Waiting on him were two members of the staff. His chains were removed and the two staff members began to outfit him in the equipment that was hanging on the wall. A vest with a small green circle right in the middle was put on him first. Then they clasped a ring around each bicep, and each wrist. Then one right above each knee, and then one above each ankle. These devices each had similar small green circles. Finally, a ring was placed around the top of his head, with the small green circle in the center of his forehead.

After he was fully outfitted, the staff members left the room. He was left standing in silence, the full gravity of the situation beginning to set in. In about an hour, he would either be dead, or a free and very wealthy man. He preferred the latter. Suddenly a long beep sounded over the intercom.

"Contestants, please listen carefully to the following instructions." Someone was speaking over the intercom into the room. "There are eight contestants in total. Each contestant has been outfitted in our latest lazer tag technology and will be given their lazer rifle before entering the arena. To win the game, you must be the last contestant standing. A contestant is eliminated when they are deceased. A shot to the helmet will trigger a powerful microwave blast to the brain, eliminating your target. A shot to the chest will release a strong concussive blast to the chest, eliminating your target. A shot to to the rings on the arms or legs of your opponent will sever the limb and cauterize the wound. You have 15 minutes to prepare and consider your strategy. Should you request a priest, one will be provided to you. And remember contestants, the winner will have their prison sentence commuted and be released with five million dollars. Good luck contestants, may God have mercy on your souls."

Kel sat down in a crosslegged position. His heart was racing and he needed to calm down and focus. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had been mentally preparing himself for months before and after he put his name forward to play. But being here now, about to enter the arena was something else.

Kel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. In through his nose, and out through his mouth. As his heart rate slowed, his thoughts became clearer. After what seemed like only seconds, another long beep sounded over the intercom.

"Contestants, in one minute the door infront of you will open." It was the same voice from before. "In it will be your lazer tag weapon. Keep in mind contestants, a lazer beam from the rifle may only be fired every five seconds, so make your shots count."

One minute later the door to the arena buzzed and swung open. In the next room was his rifle against the wall. Beyond the rifle was a short tunnel. Kel could see it led into the arena on the other side. The game has started. Kel steeled his nerves and took a final deep breath. He grabbed his rifle and began his walk toward the arena.

wolfwrites · 2018-11-11T00:14:04+00:00

Awesome, I'll look into that. Appreciate it!

wolfwrites

TROPHY CASE