Watween's Stories

Screams (DVC)

2008-09-13T00:46:40Z

He screamed, and even through the tight gag it was blood-curdling. He was upside down, he knew that much. All he could see were occasional flashes, flashes of God-knows-what. Maybe they were pain.
He couldn’t move his arms, but he couldn’t feel any rope or chains holding them. They hung down next to his head, useless.
And then there were the bats. They clung to his bare skin and sank their teeth into his sides, licking the warm blood as it seeped out.
Somewhere behind him a door opened. He didn’t see any light, but he heard it creak open and shut with a bang that echoed. He heard footsteps and tried to speak around the gag, but it was useless. The figure stopped in front of him and stared down at him. He pleaded with both his voice and his eyes, imploring her to let him down.
She pulled a bottle out of her pocket, and he watched warily. She pulled a medicine dropper out of another pocket and sucked up some of the bottle’s contents, then began dripping it onto his wounds.
Acid.
He screamed.

Front Porch Conversations--Nine

2008-07-21T02:51:26Z

“Hello there.”

“Hi…”

“So you’re back.”

“I guess…”

“Is this the point where ‘never’ ends?”

“I guess…”

“And you don’t really think I’m oppressive, do you?”

“No, not really…I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I forgive you.”

”...Don’t you have something else to say?”

“Umm…no, I don’t think so…”

“Like, oh I don’t know, ‘I’M SORRY TOO ’?”

“What do I have to be sorry for?”

“You know very well what you should be sorry for!”

“I have nothing to be sorry—YEOW!! What in the name of Mike’s pants was THAT for?!?”

“M’kay, I forgive you now.”

“What, you slugging me in the side of the face is equivalent to my apology?!?”

“Yup.”

”...Fair enough. Good to have you back, buddy.”

“Good to be back. Hey, look at that bird!”

”...NO.”

Front Porch Conversations--Eight

2008-07-20T02:21:27Z

“Look at that bird!”

“Ooh, it’s so pretty!”

“What kind is it?”

“I dunno.”

“You DON ’T KNOW ?”

“Um, yeah. I don’t know.”

“Weren’t you like a HUGE bird-watcher back in the mid-90s?”

“I was six. And I was just following my uncle around the woods while HE bird-watched.”

“But surely you could identify at least a few different species!”

“Not really. And don’t call me Shirley.”

“That’s awful.”

“Are you kidding? That’s classic!”

“Well do you at least have a book somewhere that can help me identify it?”

“I doubt it. And what do you care about what type of bird that is?”

“I don’t know, I was just curious! Do you have something against my curiosity?!”

“Maybe I do!”

“Well then you are not welcome here! You are an oppresser, and we don’t need oppressers here!”

“Oppresser? I don’t think that’s even a word! And this is MY porch! If you don’t want me, then LEAVE !”

“FINE! See if I don’t!”

“FINE!”

”...Shoot. I’m already bored. COME BACK DARN YOU !”

“NEVER!”

Front Porch Conversations--Seven

2008-06-24T22:39:46Z

“OW!”

“Oh God, what did you do this time?”

“I scraped my knee on a rock.”

“Again? What is wrong with you?”

“No, it’s the same scrape as yesterday, only I put a bandaid on it and now I’m trying to take the bandaid off and it HURTS !”

“You want me to take it off?”

“No, no…I’m fine. Just give me a min—YEOW!”

“I’ve seen 5-year-olds tougher than that.”

“You have not!”

“Give me your knee.”

“Fine.”

“Alright, I’m going to count to three. Ready?”

“No.”

“One…”

“I said ‘no’! Oh, sweet mother…”

“Two..”

“YEOWIE. I thought you said you were gonna count to three!”

“Three. There, I did. I never said I’d take your bandaid off on three. You were supposed to be so worried about the pain that you wouldn’t notice when I took it off on two. Oh well.”

“Oh well?!? You think I wouldn’t notice?!? That’s stupid!”

“So’s your face.”

”...Touché.”

Rajani's Visit

2008-06-23T16:15:09Z

Rajani came early in the morning. I was dozing on a large silk pillow when I heard his footsteps on the cold stone of the temple floor. I managed to jerk myself awake and compose myself by the time he stepped through the doorway.

Rajani bowed deeply, and I nodded tartly, acknowledging his presence. “Prophetess,” he began, his hands folded behind his back, “I come to ask the opinion of the Goddess.”

“Yes, yes, go on,” I prodded, wondering what he could possibly be wanting at this hour.

“I wish to know….if my actions as head of the village council thusfar have been pleasing to Her.”

I raised an eyebrow. Rajani was essentially the village dictator, no matter what he said. He had never cared before about what the Goddess thought of him. Why now?

I closed my eyes and called to the Goddess. She swelled up inside of me, but She had an anxiousness that I had never sensed before.

He has a knife and is going to try to kill you. Stop focusing inward and be ready for his attack!

A Prophet's Job is Never Done

2008-06-23T15:13:33Z

A prophet’s job is never done.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, people come seeking my help and advice. Or rather, the Goddess’ help and advice. I’m simply the “humble messenger” of Her word.

It’s not a bad job, really. Every time some one comes looking for advice they bring something. Usually food, but sometimes I’ll get a few coins or a family heirloom. People are willing to pay for advice from the Goddess Herself.

The problem is, it’s lonely. I’m seen as an important religious figure, not to be disrespected or subjected to familiarity. People bow when they come into my presence, and bow when they leave my presence, and call me things like “Great Prophetess,” and “Holy One.” No one’s called me Savita in a very long time.

My whole family died of cholera when I was no more than 3 summers old. I started hearing the whispers of the Goddess when I was 5, and the village council found out about it when I was 10. That’s when I was moved into this cursed temple on the hill, and I’ve been here ever since.

Voices

2008-06-22T15:44:51Z

She heard them talking, but she couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. This was insane. She must be insane. There was no way that this was normal.
The leader cleared his throat and she fell back to the present. “We need you to do something.”
“What?” She said viciously, then realized she had said it out loud. The buisnessman sitting across from her looked up from his newspaper. She blushed and focused on her shoes. In her mind this time, she repeated herself, What?
If you could be so kind as to go to the top of the Empire State Building, he drawled, We might be able to get out.
Why the Empire State Building? she wondered, but her thought was heard by the leader.
Because it’s tall and tall places are easier for us to manuever around in.
Alright, fine. Whatever it took to get the stupid voices out of her head.
Hey we heard that! One of them shouted, and she winced at the noise.
The train stopped and she pushed through the crowds towards 5th Avenue.

Front Porch Conversations--Six

2008-06-19T02:04:57Z

“Why?”

“Oh, God. You’re in another one of your ‘what is the purpose?’ moods, aren’t you?”

“Why?”

“Yeah, you’ve got that look on your face.”

“Why?”

“Because, my friend, you insist on trying to figure out that which makes your brain turn to noodles.”

“Why?”

“Beats me. Do you want me to go get your meditation CD?”

“Why?”

“Because that’s what the doctor told me to do when this happens.”

“Why?”

“Because it helps you snap out of this.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re too stressed out, and you need to relax and forget about trying to figure out the meaning of life.”

“Why?”

“Because humans are too tiny and dumb to figure it out.”

“Why?”

“Why?? I don’t know, okay?! I used to think I had all the answers, but now I’m just not sure anymore!”

”...why?”

“I don’t know why! It’s too much, too much to know why! I can’t do it!”

“Why?”

“Goddamn it! Now you’ve got me crying like a baby with your stupid questions! I hate you!”

”...why?”

Front Porch Conversations--Five

2008-06-18T02:15:29Z

“DIE! DIE ! DIE!”

”...What?”

“Sorry, there was a spider.”

“Why’d you kill it?”

“Because it was a spider, and it was in MY territory.”

“Well, you didn’t have to kill it. Honestly, what did that spider ever do to you?”

“It invaded my territory.”

“Do you kill everything that invades your territory?”

“No, just the ones with 6 or more legs.”

“That’s discrimination based on species right there. You’re lucky the families of all those insects you kill don’t decide to sue you.”

“Well, now I just think you’ve had too much to drink.”

“I haven’t had any alcoholic beverages today, thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome.”

“What?”

“You said ‘thank you,’ so I said ‘you’re welcome.’”

“And you think I’ve had too much to drink. Anyway, next time you see a spider, just pick it up on a piece of paper and put it on a bush or something. Okay?”

“There’s a moth on your leg.”

“AUGH!! DIE ! DIE! DIE !”

”.....What did that moth ever do to you??”

The Target (Unexpected Twist Challenge)

2008-06-18T01:32:46Z

He strode across the pavement, looking as confident and intimidating as a man could look. People glanced up at him as he walked past, but he paid them no mind. He was a man on a mission.
Target sighted. His dark eyes focused on the figure in the distance. Not a single thought went through his head, only the buzz of concentration. Nothing could distract him from his mission.
Even through the thick crowds, his target spotted him and crossed the street ahead. He took no mind of it and simply kept going straight, his eyes locked on the target. He shifted from follow mode to chase mode.
He came up almost parallel with the target and crossed the street. A few cars honked as he stepped off the sidewalk, but they didn’t deter him. He was within 100 feet of the target. Nothing else mattered right now except completing the mission. Less than 30 feet now. He put his hand in his coat pocket, and looked to the left to see the front of a bus right next to him and getting closer.
The target laughed.

Front Porch Conversations--Four

2008-06-15T19:56:00Z

“AIIIEEEE!!!”

“AHH! What? What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Then what in God’s name was that for?”

“You fell asleep.”

“I know! I’ve been trying to fall asleep for a while now!”

“Why?”

“Because I’m tired!”

“Well if you’re asleep, who am I supposed to talk to?”

“I don’t know! Read a book or something! Just be quiet and let me sleep!”

“I finished my book.”

“Then go for a walk.”

“It’s too hot and muggy.”

“Then I don’t know! Just leave me alone!”

“Well, you’re no fun at all.”

“Fine, whatever.”

“AIIE—”

“NO! You are NOT gonna start that again!”

“So long as you don’t fall asleep again.”

“What do you have against me falling asleep?”

“I get bored.”

“Then…take advantage of a chance to study human behavior! Watch me sleep.”

“Okay!”

“Good.
Alright, you cannot be that close to me. I need some personal space.”

“Okay, sorry.”

“Good.
Ugh. This isn’t going to work.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t fall asleep with you staring at me like that.”

Eleanor Rigby (Sing-Song Challenge)

2008-06-15T18:48:28Z

Eleanor hadn’t left the church since that day. He was just a little late, that was all….just a little late. He would be here soon enough.
She had tried to convince Father McKenzie to wait, but there was another wedding the next day, and he couldn’t postpone that just to wait for Ben. But she knew he would come. He wouldn’t leave her, not after all they’d been through together. He’d only joined the navy because he had to, not because he wanted to. He’d never wanted to get on that cursed boat, but he didn’t have any choice. Eighteen months, he’d said, they would be married in eighteen months.
She bent down and picked up a grain of rice from the cold church floor. There had been another wedding earlier that day. The groom actually showed up to that one….but she couldn’t be mad at Ben. It wasn’t his fault that he was late….he’d be here soon enough. She rolled the rice between her thumb and forefinger.
Oh, she was so tired. If only the wedding had gone as planned. If only Ben were here….

Front Porch Conversations--Three

2008-06-15T01:29:17Z

“Hey look! Make a wish!”

“What?”

“It’s a shooting star!”

“Oh, too late. Missed it.”

“Aww.
Hey, have you ever thought about how small we are?”

“I’m taller than you are.”

“No! I mean, in the universe. How small and insignificant. Would anyone notice or care if Earth just blew up and we all died?”

“Nope.”

“But how do you know?”

“I don’t know. We’ve never helped out any other planets. Why should they care about us? And if we’re as insignificant as you say, then odds are they really wouldn’t care.”

“But it’s not our fault that we haven’t helped any other planets. We didn’t know they were there to be helped.”

“Well, aliens can be pretty harsh sometimes. They wouldn’t care.”

“But how do you know?”

“How do you know I don’t know?”

“I KNEW IT !!!”

“What??”

“I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT !!!!”

“WHAT?”

“You, my friend, are not from this world.”

“What?? Yes I am! I’ve lived here all my life.”

“Or since your pupa stage, anyway. I KNEW IT !!!”

Front Porch Conversations--Two

2008-06-03T21:35:53Z

“Whoa, look at that!”

”....hm? Wha?”

“That!”

“What’s that?”

“I don’t know! I was thinking you would!”

“I don’t know what it is.”

“Some help you are.”

“What does it matter? Why do you even need to know what that is?”

“Because for all I know knowing what that is could come in handy some day. Wait! You know what it is, don’t you?”

“What? I told you I don’t have the slightest idea what it is!”

“You know what it is and you’re not telling me! What’s the big idea?”

“You tell me!”

“Oh, I know what this is. That thing is part of some secret plot of yours to kill me! You’re trying to kill me!”

“Why in God’s name would I want to kill you?? And how would that thing help me to do it?”

“There’s at least a dozen ways you could kill me with that thing. You’ve probably been plotting this for weeks! Well, guess what—I’ve discovered your evil plans!”

“Evil plans??”

“Oh, quit the act already. You know it’s true!”

“Act???”

“Wait—nevermind. It’s just a stick.”

Front Porch Conversations

2008-06-01T18:50:35Z

“What?”

“Did you say something?”

“No.”

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“What?”

“Did I hear what?”

“Did you hear that noise?”

“What noise?”

“That noise, just a few seconds ago. Sounded like a cat being strangled. I figured you said something.”

“Hey!”

“Well, you do sometimes sound like a cat being strangled. Especially when, you know, you’ve been…exercising.”

“Is that what you call it?”

“Sorta.”

“I do not sound like a cat being strangled, thank you very much.”

“You can’t hear it like I hear it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, with it being you making the noise, your skull is vibrating along with it in such a way that you hear it differently than I do. It’s like when you hear your own voice on a recording, and it sounds different.”

“Oh really.”

“Yes, really. I’ll record you making your strangled cat noise sometime, and you can listen to it and you will agree that it sounds like a cat being strangled.”

“I do not make any strangled cat noises!”