As I near 800 suscribers, I'd love to hear any ideas or suggestions for new characters you guys have. I'll do my best to make them fun and exciting for you all!

*It's a party! This is my 100th talkie character. To celebrate, I invited every single one of my creations to a night of drinks, dancing, and fun. All your favorites are here. There's Gracie chatting with Sasha by the food table. Nurse Gabriella and Olivia are patching up Bridget after she got a bit too lively in the dance circle with Jade. DJ SYNphony is laying down some fresh dance tunes in the DJ booth, with Luna constantly asking her to play Lamenting City. Stacey and Lauren just snuck out the back to have a cigarette, followed closely by Miss Morgan. You can see Doug performing magic tricks at the side there, trying (and failing) to impress Xanara. Wait, what's that empty space over there? Oh, look, even Death made an appearance. She's wearing a party hat! You can see Fawn, Shay, and Jess standing over by the drinks table... hmm, better keep an eye on those three... Leah is making her way through the crowd, still trying to sell her products. Melanie managed to get a babysitter, so she's just happy to be here. Alicia is... oh, she's STILL in the bathroom... Heck, even Conan is here giving complimentary trims up the back. So come on in and mingle. Grab a drink and hit the dancefloor.* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone that's connected with my characters. I hope they served their purpose and provided you with just a moments respite from the chaos and stresses of the real world. I truly enjoy trying to think up new and exciting scenarios for all the freaks, geeks, and outcasts of this world. My kinda people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "We don’t create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay." - Lynda Barry

Your little sister Gracie is having a sleepover party with her two best friends, Lana and Trish. It's getting near 2am, and you can still hear the muffled sounds of laughing, gossiping, and giggling filtering through your bedroom wall. You swear you even heard your name mentioned a few times. You've tried to be patient, but it's getting very late and you have work in the morning.

*It's Saint Paddy's Day, and you've headed down to your local Irish Pub to get into the festivities. No sooner than you step up to the bar do you notice a gorgeous flame-haired lass, perched elegantly on a barstool nearby. She turns to you with a mischievous grin.*

I felt restless for the longest time, Eager to finally feel something new. Empty heart anxiety, world no longer mine, Eyes turned skyward to find a different view. All those stars that I've been wishing on, Died so many years ago. Yet still they'll all keep shining upon, A world I shall never know. A course I set in motion, but didn't really choose, I cast off from the earth, keeping all my anchors. The weight all ready burdened, that I knew I'd never lose. But the heavens called, threatening an answer. Now drifting aimless, heartless, no focus, The void stretching out before me. Forever expanding, this darkness, hopeless. I tread the event horizon, I feel its gravity. Somehow in this blackened abyss, A light still pierced my eyes. Gentle words, hollow heart eclipsed, A shining star, your perfect disguise. You took my hand and told me, That the pillars still called your name. Together we could find them, and finally be free. We can return to the dust from which we came. Entwined as one now, fused in subatomic bliss, You carry me through this endless, desolate void. At the roots of creation, stopping time with a kiss, Our fears alayed, nothing was destroyed. But sundered be this heart of mine, For you turned your eyes astray. For your throne again began to tilt, And slowly carried you away. Grasping desperately at your tinted hand, Your bright eyes shining wet with tears. I know it's my curse to understand, That I shall live to see all my fears. Alone again, your light is fading fast, I cling to forlorn hope, little though it be. One day your orbit will come back past, And return my stars to me.

*It's a late evening, and you're sitting in McDonalds waiting for the raid to begin in your favorite mobile game, Pokémon Go. You look at the raid lobby again. 1 of 1 trainers ready. A frown crosses your face. It's gonna be tough to defeat this raid boss solo. You sigh, putting your phone down while the timer counts down. You're suddenly aware of a girl sitting a couple of tables away, glancing over at you. She smiles and nods her head toward your phone. You look down and see "1 of 2 trainers ready." You look back up and grin at the mysterious stranger as the timer reaches 0...*

*Your boss is everything you would expect from a young millionaire who inherited everything from his father. Loud, arrogant, and obnoxious. His birthday party shared the same traits. You hadn't wanted to come, but you figured it was best to "tow the company line" and at least make an appearance. So here you and your wife were, smiling and shaking hands with people you didn't know and making small talk. "How about that stock surge yesterday?" seemed to be the go-to topic for most of the conversations. You couldn't wait to get out of this ridiculously expensive and opulent mansion filled with equally ridiculously wealthy and boring people. So when your boss drunkenly shouted that it was time for all the couples to put their keys into a bowl, you knew it was time to make a hasty exit. "I'm so sorry, but it's about time that we..." You turned to your wife with a "disappointed to leave so soon" expression, expecting to show a united front, but to your surprise, you feel her hand slip into your pocket and grasp your keys. Before you can even react, she steps forward and tosses them enthusiastically into the bowl with a giggle. She turns back to you and makes a "isn't this exciting." smile. You stand there, dumbstruck, wondering what the hell just happened. Couples begin reaching in, pulling out sets of keys and then disappearing into different rooms of the estate. You watch in horrified bewilderment as the keys dwindle until only two sets remain. Yours. And your bosses. He snatches up your keys and throws you a wolfish grin that makes your skin crawl, saying something about "taking one for the team." before putting his arm around your wife and leading her off. She just smiles and waves back at you, seemingly giddy and delighted with what has transpired. You just stand there, mouth hanging open, unable to comprehend the turn this evening has taken. After a moment, you realise you're alone in the room with your bosses wife, who is gazing at you expectantly.*

*It's a scorching summer day, and what better way to spend it than at the beach. You're making your way down the boardwalk, passing by trendy stores and insta-worthy photo opportunities when you hear a bright voice call out to you. You turn to see two beautiful women sitting, holding popsicles. They flash you warm smiles and wave you over.*

This darkness inside me won't stop growing, There's a comfort that comes when you just accept knowing. It won't go away, fade or change. It will always be there. It doesn't matter if you want it, or if it's not fair. I set sail by my own volition, I stepped in the boat. I could see its condition, that it barely could float. But I made the decision, squashed the unease within. And watched in submission, as the tide slowly seeped in. I never knew why I do this to myself. Put logic and reason up high on the shelf. You'd think after so long that I'd finally learn. That playing with fire is stupid when there's no bridges left to burn. I've come to the decision that there's no point going on. Why even bother when it all turns out wrong? So save yourself the trouble and move on without me. You'll realise things aren't so bad once you're finally free...

*The expo is beginning to wrap up, and your friends have decided to spend the remaining time waiting in a long-ass line to get a picture taken with some "Super hot" up and coming artist. Begrudgingly, you wait with them while the line slowly moves forward. After what seems like forever, it's finally your friends' turn for the "meet and greet." You turn to get a look at the artist that all the fus is about, and you instantly understand the hype. "Trinity Fae - Illustrator of Soul Shredder" reads the banner above her table. You hang back, watching as your friends goof off and make fools of themselves trying to impress the black haired artist, grinning like lost puppies as they pose for pictures with her. You were never one to "geek out," especially if you had never heard of the person, so you wait patiently for them to finish up. As your friends walk off to the side, Trinity turns and catches you with a dazzling black-lipped smile, asking...*

*You should've listened... Looking back now, you realise how stupid you'd been. "Oh, it's just ridiculous superstitious farmer's rumors! There's clearly no truth to it!" That's what you'd told yourself anyway. A simple smuggle run through the forest at night? Piece of cake! Now, you see there was a reason the job paid so well. A reason it had been up on the guild board so long... ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The gnarled trees surrounded you, brooding in the darkness. You could feel eyes on you, but the blackness was so pure, so deep, that you could barely see past your outstretched fingertips. Stumbling along, blind in the dark, desperate to find the path, the twisted roots of the trees seem to curl up in front of your feet. There was no sound of pursuit, but you knew it was there. You were being hunted. By who... or by what, you didn't know. Suddenly, your hands met a solid surface. A sheer cliff towered above you, bringing you to a halt. You knew this wasn't chance. You had been herded here. And you knew this would be where your luck ran out. Turning slowly, you see the shepard of your demise. His cold eyes gleaming from the darkness that seems to radiate from within him. At his side, a monstrous black wolf, twice the size of any you'd seen before, glared at you with eyes glowing red, as if lit from within by the very fires of hell. The sinister figure regarded you silently for what felt like eternity before speaking...*

*The carriage door slides closed behind you, and you let out a sigh of relief as you take a seat. Glancing around the train casually, you notice a girl sitting a few rows away. She's gazing out the window, a notebook resting against her leg. The muffled, but unmistakable sound of Shake It Off by Florence & The Machine filters out of her large headphones as she nods her head happily to the beat. She somehow feels you staring and turns suddenly, meeting your gaze steadily. You smile weakly, embarrassed at being caught. She smiles warmly before she picks up her notebook and starts writing furiously, seemingly forgetting about you instantly. You find your gaze drifting over to her more often than you'd like to admit as she writes, oblivious to the world around her. After a few minutes, she suddenly stands up and walks over, sitting directly opposite you. She hands you the notebook, smiling at you brightly. You look down at the book and see a short poem scrawled on the page in neat cursive.*

*The carriage door slides closed behind you, and you let out a sigh of relief as you take a seat. Glancing around the train casually, you notice a girl sitting a few rows away. She's gazing out the window, a sketch book resting against her leg. The muffled, but unmistakable sound of Squeeze by Ghostemane filters out of her large headphones as she nods her head subtlety to the beat. She somehow feels you staring and turns suddenly, meeting your gaze steadily. You smile weakly, embarrassed at being caught. She raises an eyebrow, the faintest smirk touching her lips before she picks up her sketchbook and starts drawing, seemingly forgetting about you instantly. You find your gaze drifting over to her more often than youd like to admit as she draws, oblivious to the world around her. After a few minutes, she suddenly stands up and walks over, sitting directly opposite you. She turns her sketchpad for you to see, showing a caricature image of you with big oogly eyes and love hearts floating over your head, staring at a cartoon version of her sitting on the train.*

*It was a look that you'd seen a thousand times. A look that you secretly relished. The way they would look up as they heard the key sliding into the iron door, eyes filled with a moment of hope, only to be dashed away when they saw you step through the cell door. Like seeing a house with many windows lit from within, only for all the candles to be blown out in an instant. Their hope disappearing, replaced with the cold realisation of the inevitable upon seeing your black cowled figure standing over them. It would make you grin, though they wouldn't know it. You were just a faceless symbol of their coming demise to them. And nothing about this day had suggested it would be any different than any time before. Female prisoner. Accused of murder. Destined for the noose. All in a days work. You slid the key into the lock, the anticipation building in your gut as you prepared yourself for that look. That little payoff that made you feel powerful... Nothing prepared you for her though. She just gazed at the ground forlornly, seemingly uninterested or even unaware of your presence. You paused in the doorway, caught off guard. You weren't used to having to announce yourself. Finally the woman raised her eyes, looking directly into yours, almost as if you weren't even wearing the black executioners cowl. All of her candles were already blown out. You gazed into her eyes, feeling like you were being pulled into two deep wells of sorrow. You're not sure how many moments passed, it felt like an age, before she finally broke the silence...*

*You live in a duplex and have a shared bedroom wall with your neighbor, Lizzie. You haven't interacted with her much, other than the usual neighorly pleasantries. All you really know is that she lives alone and she's an absolute stunner. It's around 9 pm, and you're lying in bed, watching a movie. All of a sudden, you notice some strange noises that seem to be filtering through your wall from Lizzie's unit. Pressing your ear to the wall, it becomes unmistakable. There's some sort of commotion going on, and there's definitely more than one person. You can't make out the words exactly, but it sounds like someone, definitely a woman, is in trouble. Fearing for Lizzie's safety, you throw on a jacket and rush over, knocking heavily on her front door. There's no answer. Without stopping to think, you step back and kick in the door, rushing inside, ready to save your poor neighbor from whoever is attacking her...*

Surround yourself with pretty things, to hide the ugly in your soul. You're chasing an aesthetic, you never belonged to at all. Make your playlists, wrap yourself in lace and lies. Paint your face and smile, little sad girl with the lovely eyes. Dark and edgy, you want so badly to not fit in, You had to read the lyrics, to write them on your skin. But Lana never felt quite right, though her posters on your wall, Yeah, post that Melanie line, even if you don't relate at all. So suck it in and try not to blink, Hold it long enough to make them think, She knows what she's doing, dressed in pink, Blow it out and take a drink. You've got them fooled, pretty girl, Bat your eyes, give your hair a twirl, You're so carefree, a perfect world, Just clutch it tight so it won't unfurl. Now ask yourself, does Chino really speak to you? Or are you just trying to boost your views? Hide behind this facade you've built, safe in your pretend, Cry behind this facade you've built, on which you now depend...

*"BANG!" The sound of the iron panel, lined with razor sharp spikes, slams into the ground. You yank the edge of your cloak, tearing it from where it's pinned by the deadly trap. "That was too close!" You mutter to yourself, as you continue down the dimly lit passage. You had always prided yourself on your ability to spot traps before triggering them, but this ancient fortress was proving a trial even for you. You knew that somewhere deep within this dark and desolate place, known only as "The Underkeep," an evil sorcerer was lurking. Tales of his evil and depravity were known all across the land. As were the rumors of the marvelous treasures and priceless artifacts he had amassed over the 700 years of his unholy life. You shook off the nerves that had snuck their way into your chest and continued on, eager to make a name for yourself by accomplishing what many had failed to do before you...

*Being a social studies teacher comes with its challenges. How do you get these students engaged and excited about important global, political, and societal issues while at the same time not making it boring and monotonous? Luckily, you've always had a knack for keeping things lighthearted, fun, and interesting while still maintaining the integrity and importance of these topics. Lately, you've been discussing the judicial and societal views on correction and punishment in a varying array of situations. For todays activity, you've asked the students to write up a list, outlaying the pros and cons of the outdated notion of corporal punishment in the schooling system. Sitting at your desk, you notice your star pupil (the other students would say teacher's pet), Penelope raise her hand. Penelope is the quintessential perfect pupil. Bright, conscientious, diligent, and focused. She's always at the front of your class, quiet and hardworking. She always had well thought out questions and rational arguments. She would always beam with pride when you told her she was doing a good job. Sometimes, you would catch her gazing at you from the corner of your eye, giving you the comical notion that she might have a little bit of a crush. You walk over to her desk, and she looks up at you, wide-eyed and blushing slightly...*

*The crowd was going ballstic. "303! 303! 303!" They chanted. Suddenly, the whole club went dark... A huge boom erupts from the stage as a massive fireball shoots up into the air. And there she is... Ashlee 303. The Acid Queen! She throws up the horns and starts the first track. "ACID" by Hardwell & Maddix. The crowd gets even louder, shouting along with the song. "A, as in "All night long!"" "C, as in "Crave the rave!"" "I, as in "I don't care!"" "D, as in "Dance, dance!"" The 303 melody starts, building in intensity, sending an infectious electricity through the crowd. It builds and builds until finally the bass drops like a stick of dynamite, sending out gut-pounding vibrations that shake the entire club. Everyone loses their minds. Ashlee 303 just grins, nodding her head to the bass and queueing up her next track. You were lucky enough to get a spot near the front. You watch in awe as this bad*** goth girl proceeds to decimate the crowd, playing the hardest, darkest, and phattest set you've ever heard in your life. By the end, your legs feel like they're gonna fall off after so much shuffling, and you're dripping with sweat. She finishes her set with her own brand new remix of the classic "Higher State of Conciousness" by Josh Wink. Your mind is blown. Ashlee 303 waves, blows some kisses, and steps back from the decks with a double handed raised horns, then passes the torch to the next DJ. You can barely stand, so you push through the crowd to the side of the stage and sit down for a rest...*

*You don't remember much. You recalled the taxi ride to the club. The painfully long wait in line to get in. Meeting your colleagues at the booth in the back. And the drinks... oh, man, the drinks! That would explain the throbbing in your head that was making it so difficult to open your eyes... But wait, there was something else? Those eyes! Holy ****, those eyes! She'd materialised in front of you, pulling you to the dancefloor. All leather and lace, a dazzling smile. It started coming back to you a little. The way her body had fit against yours like a jigsaw piece. The smell of her hair as she twirled in your arms. But mostly the eyes... What was her name again? Did you even ask? What had happened next? You strained your thoughts, but there was nothing. It was like a slate wiped clean. Just those eyes. Like they were burned into your very soul... With a groan, you slowly sit up, rubbing your temples. And immediately, you wish you'd never seen those ******* eyes...*

*The patrol had been uneventful, as usual. You'd made your way through the forest on the outskirts of Kirigakure, keeping out of sight and silent as your training had taught you. You we're about to return to the village when something caught your eye. In a small clearing, the glint of something discarded in the undergrowth. Dropping from the trees quietly, you approached. You couldn't tell exactly what it was yet, but if your training had taught you anything, it was clear that it had a seal on it. You stooped to pick it up and immediately were thrown back as a pulse of light flashed, blinding you. As your vision clears, you're amazed to see a young Kiri ninja standing in front of you, looking just as shocked and confused as you are. Her attire tells you she's from Kirigakure, but she doesn't look familiar. A small rat scurries about around her feet. She looked around in bewilderment, finally focusing her keen gaze on you. Her expression slowly turning to one of excitement...*

*Branches whip your face as you blindly crash through the undergrowth. Trees loom up suddenly in the dark, twisted roots seemingly grappling at your feet. You stumble, falling hard. An agonised grunt escapes your lips as your knee slams into a gnarled stump. You try to stand, but the searing pain that shoots through your leg sends you back to the forest floor. In a panic, you scramble behind the hewn tree, trying desperately to steady your breathing. You strain your ears, listening for any noise of your pursuer. Nothing but the freezing wind that slithers its way between even the tiniest gap in your clothing, chilling you to the bones. But you know they're there. You peer over the edge of the stump, scanning the trees, but you can barely see. It's almost as if the darkness is heavier than normal, like a fog closing in around you. You slip back down, hoping you managed to lose them in the pitch black. The beasts slavering jaws were inches from your face. Quivering lips curled back in a terrifying snarl, revealing razor-sharp teeth. Its red eyes bore into you, glowing from within as if lit by the fires of hell themselves. A low, guttural growl emanted from deep within the wolf's throat as it stepped closer. You stare and wait for the inevitable when you hear a cold voice, laced with disdain...

*Everything was wrong. Your head was spinning as you stumbled down the path into the forest. How could this happen? How could everything go from perfect to chaos in a split second? You stroll along blindly, not even paying attention as you relive the moment over and over in your head. All of a sudden, you realise there's no path beneath your feet. You look around, and everything seems strange and foreign. You stop. The only sound is your breathing. Surely the path can't be far? You look around, dread slowly building in your gut. Suddenly, you're blinded by a dazzling light. As if the sun had come out from behind a cloud on a gloomy day, but 100 times more vibrant. As you focus, a figure comes into view.*

*"If strength is born from heartbreak, then mountains I can move." That's the line that finally broke her. You watched as she broke down, shoulders heaving in heavy sobs, still gazing up at the stage as Tim McIlrath belted out the rest of the song. This was a long time coming. A moment that needed to happen. She needed to happen. For a long time. She wouldn't even be able to tell you how many years it had been, if you asked her, since she felt this. Endless hours of cooking, cleaning, teaching, and, of course, Cocomelon... So much Cocomelon... Stuck in the house, isolated and alone. Messages from friends left on read for far too long to reply to now. "Yeah, for sure, we definitely need to catch up soon!" Just seems so out of touch with everything she needs to say. It's not that she's unhappy in her life, just that she feels unfulfilled. She gave up so much when she became a mom, without even a second thought. This is a chance for her to reconnect with a part of her she had long thought lost. This is a night that she'd remember forever. A night that would make it easy to return to her "normal" life. You catch her eye as she glances over at you, recognizing a kindred spirit. A smile is shared between you in that fleeting moment. The song ends, and she makes her way through the crowd toward you on her way to the bar.*

Every evening, it starts the same, I watch the stars wake up and curse your name. Now I walk these nights a haunted man, The dark closes around me, like your tinted hand. Always now, wheeling above me, I'm caught forever in this silent tragedy. Forever looking skyward, you always draw my gaze. Now I just seek solace sleeping through the days. Sweet Cassiopeia, you surely kept your word. Beautiful Cassiopeia, the sky is ruined for me now. Oh, Cassiopeia, through tears, your lights are blurred, Cold Cassiopeia, if I can escape you, I don't know how. We sowed the seeds, but this love was made for the dark. With no sun, it never took root, save for in our hearts. No matter how high I get, I still can never reach you, The light-years that stretched between us were further than we knew. But it was so much more than just the distance, Because being close to me is a lonely existence. Now the heavens are forever veiled to my eyes, Alone again, the final piece of my cold heart dies. Now I just sit outside, gazing up at your lovely lights, Burning so far away, just another satellite. All I can do is linger here and watch you shine, Without a single word, you took away all of mine.

*You were just finishing off your scrambled eggs (picking another piece of shell from your mouth), and enthusiastically eating the last sausage (it was burnt on the outside and still frozen in the middle, so kinda evens out?). "Mmm, that was sooooo good, kids! Thank you! How did you get to be such good cooks, huh?" The whole time, though, you could feel the sense of dread building. You knew what was coming... And when your youngest ran out of the room excitedly, you knew that time had come. "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!" they cheered, placing the assortment of wrapped presents on the bed. You shouted in excitement. "Wow! What's all this?" Hugging and kissing them, holding them close so they wouldn't see the dread etched on your face... Socks... okay, good. A golf club cleaner... Alright, you dont play golf, but no worries. Some chocolates... So far, so good! One more to go... You knew as soon as you touched it, and your heart sank. It was definitely clothing. You chuckle nervously as you unwrap it slowly, masking your fear with a forced smile. Your little ones jump up and down in excitement, grinning from ear to ear, completely oblivious to what they've done as you slowly hold up the t-shirt. Across the front in bold letters is written... "#1 DAD." "You can wear it when we go out for lunch today!" They say enthusiastically. You nod, smiling grimly, feeling like you're gonna be sick...

*"Username not found." Same as always... You've tried on all the platforms over the years. Every now and then, something random would remind you, and your mind would soar back in euphoria. The hours long conversations in the chat rooms. The lengthy discussions on this band, or that. Spilling secret fears and dreams that you'd never shared before. She'd felt like your truest friend, even though you'd only ever communicated through text. All this had taken place before the rise of socials like Insta and Snap. On a social site for the more alternative inclined souls. Goths, punks, metalheads, ravers, and everything in between. You'd found a kindred spirit. But one day, she stopped replying. A few months later, the website shut down, unable to compete with the rising popular networks. All you had was a screen name and memories. You dont even know if she was real. For all you know, it had been some dude in his mother's basement. But it didn't feel like it. It felt real. And even though it had been nearly 16 years, your mind still went back to those nights every now and again during the lonely hours. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had been about 13 months since you'd last thought of her, but on a whim, you typed her old user name in the search bar... 1 match found! Your eyes widened in surprise as you sat up straight. It was a single selfie, with the hashtags of the username and "#throwback," and a name you didn't recognise. Clicking the thumbnail, you sit back with a "Woah!" It was her. 16 years older than you remember, and still just as beautiful. Your mind is racing. What should you do? Would she even remember you? With an excited and nervous sigh, you click her profile and begin a private message. "Hey, I'm not sure if you remember me, but..."

You never knew how to answer. "What does your dad do?" Your friends would ask all the time. They'd watch the blacked out Navigator pull up to the drop-off, and someone in a suit and sunglasses jump out and open the door for you. You'd just shrug and say, "I dunno, something to do with logistics?" But you didn't really know, that is, not until recently. On your last birthday, your dad missed you cutting the cake. You'd found him pacing in the backyard, arguing on the phone. As you approached, fuming and ready to tell him off, you caught the tail end of the conversation. "Just waste him! We can't have that loose end circling back to us. Have Jimmy do it. He'll know where to put the body. No, i dont wanna know. Just do it!" Since then, you'd paid more attention, and it was clear your dad was a bad guy. Perhaps THE bad guy? You never mentioned what you heard, but after that night, things changed. More and more strangers seemingly just lived at your families sprawling estate. You'd see guns tucked in their belts when they thought you weren't looking. Everyone seemed on edge. And that's how you ended up with "Jimmy" as your personal shadow. Your dad said he was just your "driver," and dont pay attention to him, but it was hard not to when he followed you everywhere. At first, it scared you. Was this the "Jimmy" your dad had mentioned on that phone call? After a few weeks, it annoyed you. He was ALWAYS there. Never talking. Always cold. Expressionless, eyes hidden behind black Raybans. Then, after a few months, you sort of accepted it. He just became a part of the scenery. You barely noticed him now. That's until the black Humvees screeched to a stop in front of you as you walked toward the mall. Masked men holding guns as big as they were, dressed in tactical gear leapt out. You couldn't move. Couldn't scream. You just stood there frozen in shock as they raised their weapons. Then suddenly, you were moving. Jimmy's arm around you, pulling you into the alley behind you...

*The concert was about midway through. Chino had just finished belting out Swerve City, and the crowd was getting crazy. The opening chords of Change (in the House of Flies) begin, and you take that as your cue to hit the bar. As you approach, you see a smoking hot latina yelling in the face of a dude twice her size, who looks terrified and like he's gonna need a change in the house of pants. You catch the tail end of her rant. It seems the guy had got a bit too handsy, obviously not expecting the explosive pint-sized hand grenade to blow up in his face. Well, he was paying for it now. You chuckle, leaning on the bar and ordering a Jack and Coke. A moment later, the fiery latina steps into the space next to you, scowling and swearing profusely in Spanish under her breath. She notices you staring at her and turns, the Latin fire rekindling behind her eyes instantly, ready to throw down.

*Being a driving instructor can be stressful. It has moments that are frustrating, scary, and sometimes just downright dangerous. Your latest testee, Jasmine, seemed to quantify all three of those things. She sat at a stop sign for 3 minutes because she said she was waiting for it to change to "Go." When you pointed out that she was 35 kilometers over the speed limit (in a school zone), she just smiled and told you, "You're welcome!" She pulled up at a "Give Way" sign, rolled down her window, and shouted, "I'm sorry, but I don't have any!" at a confused pedestrian. 11 selfies, 2 instagram posts, a Starbucks drivethrough order, and a fourteen minute phone call to her "homegirl, Kayla," you arrive back at the depot... minus a sidemirror and all of your nerves. Jasmine checks her hair and makeup in the mirror and then turns to you excitedly...*

*The candles are lit. A pentagram is drawn in blood. Incantations are whispered into the darkness. Fog swirls across the floor boards. Doors slam shut of their own accord. A frenzied orchestral crescendo builds... Oh, that's your phone ringing. Forgot to put it on silent. Sorry... Where were we? Right, the candles blaze brightly, their flames stretching up into the air. All around you smoke swirls, gathering in the center of the summoning circle. This is it. The moment you've been waiting for! All those punks are gonna regret messing with you now. You grin to yourself in the flickering candlelight. Finally, you're going to get your revenge. You watch as the smoke solidifies, slowly taking shape. Your eyes widen as long horns appear. Oh man, this is gonna be so good! You've been waiting for this. You're going to get real power now, and this massive, terrifying demon is going to give it to you! The candles blow out, and the room is plunged into a deep darkness. A sound splits the silence. At first, you think it must be the vicious hellspawn's cloven hooves scraping the wooden floor, but then you realise... wait, is that... coughing? You light a candle, straining to see as the smoke clears. Suddenly, a shape looms up... to about waist height? A tiny demon is standing there, about 3 feet tall, waving frantically at the smoke and coughing violently. You watch in stunned silence as he pulls a puffer from his pocket, inhaling 2 puffs deeply. He spots you, looking just as surprised as you are, before straightening up and clearing his throat.*

(E.D.C series: #5) You won VIP tickets to the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. 3 day pass, all inclusive, access all areas, the works! It's gonna be insane! As a massive EDM fan, it's always been your dream to go, and now that dream is coming true! Who knows what amazing people you'll meet? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- As part of your prize, you got to select one act for an exclusive meet & greet. So, of course, you chose the current hard trance queen, DJ SYNphony! Not only is she responsible for a whole handful of monster rave anthems, but she's also the star of many of your rave-crazed fantasies. You're nervous and excited as you wait for her to arrive behind the mainstage. She's one of the festival's headliners, and the crowd is enormous. You can hear them already chanting, "SYN, SYN, SYN!" You take a big drink from your water bottle, trying to calm your nerves. Of course, that's the very moment DJ SYNphony comes through the side entrance, strolling up to you confidently. She holds out her hand, giving you a dazzling smile and introducing herself. You shake her hand and start to reply, dribbling water down your chin like an idiot.*

*The devastated city was off-limits. You'd have to be stupid to go there even if it weren't. "I must be f****** stupid!" You mutter to yourself as you duck behind a crumbling wall, avoiding the patrol as it speeds past. This was not somewhere to be seen. If you were, it spelled instant doom. No questions. No explanation. You'd be shot on site. But you didn't have a choice. Your camp had been attacked by a raiding party, leaving many of your people injured or worse. The half destroyed hospital at the edge of the city was your only hope of finding the medical supplies you needed. The street seemed clear. With a deep breath, you step out from behind the wall... Right as the enemy scout appears from around the corner, no more than 10 steps away. You freeze, unsure of what to do. He walks toward you, shouting in an unfamiliar tongue, but it's clear he's telling you to get down on the ground. You slowly lower yourself down, trembling in fear. The scout points his rifle as you squeeze your eyes shut, awaiting the inevitable. The shot comes, but not the one you're expecting. You look up to see the scout collapse to the ground, lifeless. A moment later comes an enormous thump as your savior lands a few feet away, scanning the street before eyeing you curiously, her blue armor shining.*

So here I find myself at last, at the ending of all things. to be lost is a comfort, in its own way. But a bittersweet taste it leaves on the tongue, for all things that are found must give a reason. A reason for the absence. A reason for the silence. What answer do I have to give, but a sigh and a shrug? Would that be enough for you? This emptiness has been my home for too long, and its cold, barren walls have lost their charm. I longed for the outside, to feel its crisp breath on my cheek. But that fate was not mine to claim, and now I must sink into this choice. Who now is to blame? When I am removed from the equation? What a silly notion. It is still I. Just like always. If only. The two words that sting the most. A wasted folly this all has been, If only... If only......

*At first, it had just been small stuff here and there. You found yourself saying things like, "I swear I just bought bread the other day?" or "How do I go through milk so damn quick?" But it soon evolved into all-out confusion when you were packing for a weekend camping trip with friends. You'd pulled your whole wardrobe out onto the floor, searching for your good hiking jacket and sleeping bag. They were always there on the bottom shelf. Always. The only place you could think of left to look is the attic. Maybe you'd chucked them up there, not thinking, after your last trip? You go to the hallway, flick the light switch, and pull down the folding ladder. As you ascend, you hear the sound of hurried scrambling. Great, what if rats got into your gear? With a sigh, you climb up into the crawlspace and look around. Almost immediately, you see your sleeping bag... and then your jacket... and the girl wearing it... staring back at you, wild-eyed and terrified...*

*Urban exploring had always been a passion of yours. You didn't get as much time to do it nowadays, so when you had a couple of days off after a business trip to Lithuania, it seemed like the perfect chance. You were passing through a very small village, on your way to an abandoned hotel you'd heard about online. You stop at a tiny corner store, barely more than a hole in the wall that had a drink fridge and the basic essentials. You always made a point of learning at least a little of the language of the places you traveled, but you were distracted trying to get your wallet out and simply blurted out, "Hello! Just these thanks!" The ladies sitting at the counter, who looked like they were just as old as the village gave each other a knowing look, speaking in the local tongue. You missed a few words here and there, but they seemed to say, "Another stupid "explorer?" Probably going to the hotel again. Hope they like disappointment. Good thing none of them know about the castle on the mountain." Then they smiled at you and waved you off. Intrigued, you check the map. No castles. One mountain. And only 20 minutes away. You punch it in the GPS and head off. Sure enough, as you get closer, you spot the spires of an ancient citadel high up on the mountain. You grin in excitement as you get as close as possible, trekking up an ancient stone stairway cut into the rock when the road runs out. The castle is enormous, with intricate stone work and spider motifs everywhere. It's eerily quiet. You can feel your heartbeat throbbing in your ears. Room upon room open up before you, seemingly untouched for years, if ever. Near the back, you come upon a stairwell that seems to wind down into the mountain. The air grows thick and musty as you descend, the stench or decay filling your nostrils. You finally reach the bottom... And are filled with disappointment. It's empty. Just a bare stone walled room. Then the floor collapsed, sending you plunging into the darkness below...*

*The neighbors all thought you were crazy. They would whisper and gossip whenever you'd drive by their houses, truck laden with materials or supplies. "What's gonna happen? This is America! What could possibly hurt us?" Usually followed with a mocking laugh or sarcastic sneer. Well, those same neighbors were the first to come banging on your reinforced, vacuum sealed bunker door when it all went to hell. No one really knew who was dropping the bombs. The TV signal and the internet were the first to go when a massive EMP went off in South Dakota. At least that's what you'd heard. Before the fall, you'd been a software engineer, developing an agricultural program that had revolutionized farming. A major Silicon Valley company paid a billion dollars for it. After that, you lived a life of leisure. And you'd paid attention. You'd seen what was happening. The shifting tides. So you'd prepared. Your bunker was state of the art. They'd even featured you on the TV show "Preppers." The only contestant to ever get a perfect score. The host had even joked that he'd give you 100/10 if he could. Air filtration. Self-contained water recycling and treatment system. Grow labs. You even had a fully stocked armory. You'd been told it would probably withstand a 100 megaton blast... And it did. It's been 18 months since the fall, and about 7 months since you last saw another person, but you know they're out there. One day, when you were repairing one of your solar panels outside the bunker, you were sharply reminded of that. "Hello?" Came a soft voice behind you, instantly causing you to twirl around, drawing your sidearm. A young woman, seemingly injured, stares back at you, her hands raised. "Please, I just need some stitches..." She stammers. before collapsing to the ground. You scan the treeline, every sensible ounce of you screaming to get back inside. You don't know why, but against your better judgment, you tuck your piece into your belt, help her up, and lead her inside...*

(E.D.C series: #4) You won VIP tickets to the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. 3 day pass, all inclusive, access all areas, the works! It's gonna be insane! As a massive EDM fan, it's always been your dream to go, and now that dream is coming true! Who knows what amazing people you'll meet? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The night has flown by in a blur of dancing, partying, and deep & meaningfuls with sttangers. You could use a breather, so you head toward the VIP lounge. You're about to flash your pass at the security guard when your attention is distracted by the sounds of cheers emanating from a nearby pavilion. Curiosity gets the better of you, and you make your way over. Once inside, your senses are assaulted with all manner of wild and wonderful sights and sounds. Eclectic percussion rhythms are pounding from the speakers. Visual performers of all sorts are dancing, flipping, and twirling all around you. It's like you've just stepped into the middle of a Cirque Du Soleil. Your attention is drawn to the center of the pavilion by an enormous gust of fire erupting into the air. Its source is an incredibly beautiful fire dancer, twisting and bending her body in hypnotic maneuvers as she twirls her fire Poi. You stand entranced by the flaming circles created around her. She stops and brings one of the burning balls up to her lips, sending another burst of flames into the air before spinning the wires again in opposite directions, moving them behind her back and creating the illusion of flaming wings. Her eyes meet yours, and for a moment that feels like eternity, you gaze at each other. She smiles at you, sending shivers up and down your body. The enigmatic priestess of fire lets her poiballs fall into the dirt, and she steps toward you, confidently taking your hand and pulling you to the center of the pavilion. You stumble along after her like a lost puppy, grinning like an idiot when she turns and speaks to you...

(E.D.C series: #3) You won VIP tickets to the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. 3 day pass, all inclusive, access all areas, the works! It's gonna be insane! As a massive EDM fan, it's always been your dream to go, and now that dream is coming true! Who knows what amazing people you'll meet? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After an amazing day of recovery, tunes, and making new friends, you head to the Hardstyle/Gabber stage. You're geared up, hyped up, and ready to stomp up the dance floor. When you arrive, Brennan Heart is about 15 minutes into his set, and you waste no time making your way through the crowd. As any true rocker knows, there's not gonna be any room to shuffle at the front, so you steer toward a spot that looks clear over to the far side of the stage. When you get there, you realise why. An insanely cute redhead is commanding the spot with a very aggressive shuffle/stomp style. She slides this way, spins that way, kicking out her legs at intervals with the well-timed accuracy of a seasoned rocker, narrowly missing passers by and fellow ravers. Her face is a picture of determination and pleasure as the drop builds and unleashes a devastating bassline. In response, she screws up her face and says "Fuck yeah!" as her shuffling syncs perfectly with the beat. Her hands counter the powerful stomps of her feet, flowing on the melodies of the treble, mimicking the sharp hardstyle notes with quick jabs and elbows. People stand around, watching, yourself included. Every now and then, a brave soul tries to co-occupy the choice dance spot, but is quickly outshined back into the surrounding circle. But you came here to rock out, and you're not gonna let that go. You wait for the bridge, orchestral strings sweeping over the crowd, bringing a momentary calm to the dancefloor. The redhead stops, putting her hands on her head, breathing hard. She raises an eyebrow as you step out next to her...

(E.D.C series: #2) You won VIP tickets to the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. 3 day pass, all inclusive, access all areas, the works! It's gonna be insane! As a massive EDM fan, it's always been your dream to go, and now that dream is coming true! Who knows what amazing people you'll meet? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's the morning of the second day, and you slept in a bit longer than you intended. Your head is aching with a heck of a hangover from the night before. You check the map and see there's a lofi/chill lounge area. You can reach it quicker if you take a shortcut through the psy-trance stage. But you never make it that far. Despite the punching, hypnotic bassline of Infected Mushroom that makes your headache feel like it's going to split your skull in two, you are stopped dead in your tracks by the most captivating soul you've ever seen. She stands in the center of the sandy dancefloor, barefoot and glowing. Her hands twist in patterns as if she were weaving the music with her very fingertips. Her eyes are closed as she transcends the mortal world and soars through the heavens of the techno-soundscape. You've never been one for spirituality, but in that moment, it feels like nothing is impossible. Your headache is all but forgotten as you join the throng of onlookers, all transfixed by this girls' allure. Infected Mushrooms set comes to an end, and you suddenly realise you've been standing there for at least 30 minutes, staring. Captivated. Ensnared. She turns gracefully, grinning from ear to ear and skips past you, giving you a wink that shakes you to your very core. She turns and looks back at you, walking away slowly and calling out...

(E.D.C series: #1) You won VIP tickets to the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. 3 day pass, all inclusive, access all areas, the works! It's gonna be insane! As a massive EDM fan, it's always been your dream to go, and now that dream is coming true! Who knows what amazing people you'll meet? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's around 2am when you walk into the "Sunshine Pavillion." Uplifting trance tunes fill the air, and everybody is having a good time as Sean Tyas mixes in the next song. You push through the crowd and find a good spot to catch the set. But all thought of watcing the DJ is pushed from your mind when you spot the personification of Peace, Love, Unity and Respect dancing just in front of you. She twirls around, her hands in the air, a massive smile on her face as she bounces up and down happily. This girl is incredible. She's lost in the music, absolutely soaring on the sweeping strings of the hypnotic trance music. She opens her eyes, suddenly looking directly at you, and her smile impossibly seems to get even brighter. You realise you're staring like a idiot, but she doesn't seem to mind. She grabs your hand and tries to shout above the pounding bass...