The Horrorscope - Episode 22: Carpe Diem

Life is worthless. An infinity of chances, choices, days and these mindless meat sacks spend it on nothing. Fish die, cats die, dogs die, plants die, yet somehow we don’t. Now imagine if we only had like fifty or eighty or a hundred years to live. A limited lifespan. Life would have meaning again. People would start searching for their purpose in life. They’d be free to live and then die. Pass on… Let someone else come. And then we’d evolve as a society. We’d get better at… Everything. Or as we’d say it in old speak Carpe Diem. A life where every moment is fleeting yet precious. Well, that’s not all… Our prisons would suddenly be less crowded with assholes that refuse to learn their lesson. Why? Because they’ll fucking die. That’s why. It feels good to finally say these things. I’ve bottled up all this negativity, spite and hatred and now, I am able to let it all out. And luckily, I’m not alone in thinking like this anymore. Who would’ve thought that someone so powerful would think alike? Who would have thought that there are hundreds of thousands of us?

Has anyone heard from Z? Someone else chimes in. Or Perses? Silence feels the atmosphere. Menoetius? Asks Iapetus. He slams his fist on the table. Why me? Why do you suspect me? You think I would have just killed someone randomly? You really think so little of me that I’d steal Perses’ invention just so I could have some sick satisfaction? They all sit silently. You are all fucking hypocrites. He takes a deep breath and stops moving. They all look terrified at their screens as a hand wraps around Menoetius’ neck. He tries to claw his way out, but before he can, a snap is heard. Blood splatters all over the camera and fleshy noises are heard. After a few seconds, the hand with just the head and spinal cord can be seen on the screens. Disobey me and I will come for you. Betray me, and I will make your eternal life a living hell. They all remain petrified in their seats. We might be immortal, yet the pain we feel is real. So, I’d advise any of you that ever thought of doing what Menoetius did to reconsider. I am going to find you. We are supposed to be what’s left, the better side of society. This is unacceptable…

The first test was a total failure. Says the man with the bloody hand as he cleans the camera with a rag. From what Perses told us, he died. But this is unacceptable! It was a mistake! From now on, all tests are to be done only be Perses. We need to be more discrete. Each of you, twenty nine, for now, go get one person of each zodiac sign. Should be simple, you are twenty nine, we need ten more. Make sure they don’t have contact with family or friends first. Ideally, they won’t have either. Make sure that they’re someone no one will look for. I already have a subject for you here. Whoever wants to have him, can have him. Did we understand each other? They all look into their camera visibly shaken. Yes, Z., they all shout in unison. Be quick. We need to move before they start catching on. Here’s the list of ten zodiac signs we still need. Do it right and maybe, the next time we will talk, will be the last time. Someone interrupts him. Where is Perses? They await an answer silently. Busy, hopefully…. Screams are heard as someone struggles on a table. Now, don’t make this anymore painful than it should be. I’m just giving your life meaning… You should be happy about this. You’ll have purpose again…

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope, like it, share it, and if you want to help and keep the short stories free, you can always donate at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 21: It's Out and Over

I need to find Kei. But where do I even start? Bala said his phone was at home, but his apartment was burnt to a crisp. Which means, I can’t track him. I can’t trust anyone there and I’m pretty sure that Telum isn’t the only one behind this. But why just Bala and not me? A person taps Ken on the shoulder. Excuse me, sir. Can I bring you something else? Ken surprised looks at her. Ah, no. Thank you. Just the bill, please. I completely forgot where I was for a second, he thought to himself. Do you mind if I sit here? Ken doesn’t even turn to look towards the man. No. Suit yourself. The man drags the chair and sits down. Fidora Ken, lieutenant for about how many years now? Twenty? That’s a long time spent not advancing, why? Ken tries to turn. Don’t. Just look ahead and behave yourself nicely, okay? He says as he gets his claws out. You should be with your colleagues, Telum is in a cell now and yet where are you and what are you doing here? Telum slams his crab arm into the wooden bar. No need to get aggressive, if you don’t want to regrow your arms. I need you, alive and unharmed. Come with me and don’t worry about your tab, it’s paid…

I guess we have to have this gamble. There’s nothing I can say or reproach, which means that we’ll have to work. Before we start, is there anyone confused about what happened? You all know what Telum and the others were working on right? They nod. Good. Ten years ago, a billion Virgos suddenly died. There was never an official reason given as to why or how. You all can probably remember the riots that happened after and the destruction that followed. In an official capacity, we have no reason and we are still investigating the bizarre matter. Now, in an unofficial capacity, we have a suspicion, we have a witness named N. The reason we won’t go public? Fear of more mayhem. Well, in all honesty, we have no clue. But, we do not want to make this harder by having more fake news and conspiracy theories thrown at us. The suspect, N, never talked. We tried truth serums, the normal procedures and nothing. We have a suspicion that he must have micro-dosed or is simply imune to the serum and drugs in general. But he doesn’t seem to be dumb by any stretch of the imagination. I would say we have his full name, but he is in fact so old, we don’t even know if the name we have is the real one. Which means he can cross reference anything. And that’s all we know about N.

This is just the tip of our problems. With the witness not talking, our suspicion is as vague as it can be. Mass murder, mass genocide, all that good jazz. How we got him? He was the only living Virgo left after the whole ordeal, ten years ago. Or so say whatever records we have of his. We don’t have a murder weapon, but we have to be certain for a fact that he is not working alone on this. When we found him, he was naked, crying and holding onto a small few inch tube thing. We still do not know what it is, besides the fact that it seems to be some metalic contraption. Why? Cause we can’t open it up. Could we break it, probably. But that won’t tell us much about how it works. Regarding Telum I still have to interrogate him and see what he found out. Now, the two detectives, Mary and Pincer, I need you to go to the two fires that broke out in town. See if you can find me anything and if it’s tied to this or if it’s just a coincidence. Officer Hull, I need you here on the premise, hope you have a good ear, because I am going to need you to get us anything intel you can gather. Sergent Ram, you come with me to interogate Telum. Take that big black bag with you. Be careful, it’s heavy. Let’s go. And whatever you do… Never leave this place. Understood? They all salute as they get out the door.

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope don’t forget to like, share and comment. And if you want to keep the short stories free, you can always do so by donating at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

Hafhorn - A Forger Elf

Wake up, boy! It’s 4 AM, time for work. My head thumping with a headache as he keeps shouting. I shouldn’t have stayed up and read all night about tales of magic and miracles. And then you wonder why I’d want to leave this hell. He starts laughing. This is heaven, my boy. You wake up erry mornin’ to work and that’s how it always been for us elves. Be it dark, blood, fairy or human elf, we all work wherever we are. That’s how they respect us. We are immortal beings that can do more than anyone. Unlike dwarves that sit on the top of their mountains smoking pipe and making laws, we have to do what is needed for this world to be the way it is. I sigh as his morning routine as he likes to remind me of our ways for forever. All I hear is that you don’t know better, which makes this hell. As I put my pants on he comes grabs me by the silk shirt and pull me to his eye level. We live forever. We’re old as the dirt we step on. We know everything that ever was and we make everything that will ever be. It is a privilege no one else has. Not the goblins, not the sapiens, or any other race on this face or under it that can do what we do. He gently lets me back down. Be grateful. You could be dying fighting stupid wars or dying of old age and achieving nothing. You’re the smartest elf I met, and I can’t believe you’re also my son. So quit your yappin’ and let’s get working. We got a big one today…

Manorn, Hafhorn, y’all are late. Why do they all love screaming so much? The goblin nobility sent us a letter with a request, he says as hands it to me. Hafhorn, read it. What do they want? I sigh as my eyes gloss over the paper. They want us to make for them farming equipment. 100 plows and 100 cultivators, whatever that means. If we want the job, we need to send back word with however much gold we want for the job. They say here that if we accept, they’ll send half the gold we ask for with some nomad sapiens. Father starts laughing as he yanks the letter from my hands. Botin, what do you think? Two hundred complex machines for the goblin royalty and their settlement. How much work and gold we gonna need for this? Botin scratches his head. We’ll have to check whatever iron ore, coal and rest of the stuff we have. We might need to order some from one of the fairies and their mines. So, I’ll go check on that. Hafhorn, better be prepared to write that letter back, he says as he leaves laughing. I hate you for giving me this name. Father starts laughing. Why couldn’t you give me another name? Like Walkorn, Writhorn, Workorn, why Hafhorn? He continues to laugh. Because you’re no a Fulhorn like your grandpa used to be, and you’re not manly enough to be like your father. You’re Hafhorn, your own wonderful being. Now let’s go… We have work to do. The forges don’t light themselves up on their own.

There’s only a handful of us, fully literate elves and they call us engineers. Which means that the rest are what the dwarves call functionally illiterate. And that makes me wish I was somewhere else doing something else. Whether it would be learning magic of any kind, philosophy with the dwarves on top a mountain or roaming the earth with the sapiens, living as a nomadic species. It all feels so wasteful when you are immortal to do the same thing over and over again without an end in sight. Just as that thought flies through my brain one of the forges explodes. The screams of terrified elves echo through the forests as I rush through the trees from one for to the one that went up in flames. Under molten steel, burnt elves now died after millennia of living. Were lucky enough to escape the steel only to be cut in twain by pieces of metal flung from the furnace. They let the pressure build up too much and I had warned them about this. Botin, what happened? He looks at me. Hafhorn, you are here? Then that means your father… I look across the facility, on a wall pinned by a piece of metal through his head. Father! Botin holds me back. There’s nothing you can do! You can’t bring him back. There’s no potion that heals anything like that. I push him off. No! But there’s magic! Necromancy. I’mma learn it and I’mma bring him and those you can salvage back to life! So, don’t burry ‘em! I hate being right…

If you liked this short story, don’t forget to like, share and comment on it, as this story is part of The Pilot Program that is how you choose what will become the short story series for the year of 2022. And, if you’d like to help keep the short stories free, you can always donate at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 20: In a Pinch

As I said, this can’t be hidden. But, we can help by having things literally not leak. To do that, we have to have a small team. Which means the following… In this office remain only people that had nothing to do with anything from ten years ago, officer Scorpian or don’t know anything about N. The rest, please see to your colleagues, keep watch, keep the press out and do not talk to anyone outside this building. Understood? In unison the rest turn towards the chief. Sir, yes, sir! He sighs. Good, now leave. As they leave the chief goes towards the remaining four people in the room. If you have a phone, walkie talkie, pager, whatever electronic, please put it on the table. And state your names and ranks. The first one takes a step forward with a phone in his hand. Sergent Ram, I enrolled to be an officer five years ago. The next one with another phone takes a step forwards as Ram gets back to his place. Detective Pincer, been here for over three years. The third person goes to the desk with a walkie talkie. I’m also a detective, name is Mary. The last person takes his phone out, but before he can put it down, the chief takes it from his hand together with the rest of the devices and throws them out the window. I am, officer Hull. The chief locks the doors and looks at them. So… A sergent, two detectives and an officer. Could’ve been worse…

My name is Wasa and you guys will be working with me to get to the bottom of this. I have a report here. The explosion was caused by gas leaks. Obviously, someone must have manipulated the pipes and the source, since we couldn’t smell the gas. Fifty five people were severely wounded, whether cut in half, crushed by debris, missing limbs and one notable head crushed. This means a few things. We have at least one rat, we have one outlier and someone is afraid of us knowing the truth, because somewhere, somehow, they fucked up. Now, hopefully the reason I asked that why you guys to remain, is because we need trust. So, I’m going to go through your files before I tell you anything more, just so we can be on the same footing here. If you have something to confess, now’s the time. And I’m not talking about something like a stolen candy bar when you were seven. I’m talking serious stuff. All four shake their heads. Okay. Well then, I’m going to take your files one by one, please do state your full name this time. I really need to trust you fully on this before I tell you about N, what happened with Scorpian or ten years ago.

I can move my legs again, finally. I’ve been stuck here for a couple of hours and it’s getting cold. And being analog, really doesn’t help when you try to find any information as quickly as possible. The closest thing I could find was something about spirituality and souls and something grater than us. But that just might be a bunch of bs. We had cults, prophets and all that nonsense many times. They all professed they knew a greater truth and ironically, they were the most ignorant of people. Besides, it resembles nothing the mortician told us. Did you hear? A voice? shit. Yeah, dude. Oh my god. The police station exploded. Have you seen the images? Blood and guts all over the place. What’s happening? Are those the same guys that came after me? I need to leave this place. This isn’t safe, I might put these teenagers in danger. I’m sorry, taxi driver. As I get up I see someone standing in front of me. No. I am sorry. You’re a horrible liar, you know that? The taxi driver stands in front of me with his hands up and an awkward smile. You can go now. The driver starts running away, as a figure appears behind him. You, come with me.

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope don’t forget to like, share and comment. And if you want to keep the short stories free, you can always do so by donating at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 19: Anew from Ashes

As the ash begins to settle, Bala’s body keeps twitching. I know he’ll live, but he’ll never be the same man with the same memories, thinks Ken as he looks at his ash covered body. With blood on his hands and clothes Telum approaches Ken. Tears in his eyes, Ken looks at Telum. Where is Bala? Have you seen him? Ken slowly raises his arm to point at the floor. You are standing over him. Telum in shock takes a few steps back only for him to see the headless body. What happened? Ken looks at him as he punches the wall behind him. You. It was you who did this. Telum slowly approaches Ken with his palms wide open. What? No. I was out, helping others. I couldn’t be me. Ken looks at his hands pointing at them. The blood on your hand says otherwise. Telum leans forwards towards him to put a hand on his shoulder. Don’t touch me. He gets up and takes a step back. Fine. I’m sorry. But you have to believe me. It couldn’t be me. Ken with a fierce look in his eyes looks at Telum. LIAR! This was way too convenient. You left the building. The building exploded. Bala got his head crushed. You show up immediately after. If I wouldn’t know any better, I’d say you scripted all this. Telum takes a bottle of pills from his pocket and throws it at Ken. Get better, he says while picking up Bala and leaving.

I ran without thinking. Maybe I should have let myself get caught, I tell myself as I keep dragging myself deeper into the forest. This is either genius or I’m just setting a trap for myself. But, I can’t sit by the side of the road unable to move. My legs are still numb, glad the pills worked. All I need now is a hole where I can read and wait for my legs to start working again. I need to find an answer to this device, I need my books. On a loop in my head plays the moment I started running to jump out of the window. My heart starts to beat faster and faster. I really did that, huh? As I keep crawling I find a small hole that seems untouched. As I sit down and lean my back against the soil, I sigh. Someone must have known about Scorpian, Though they might’ve not done a good job, considering they targeted a cop. Which means that there might be a way to find them. They might have made some more mistakes. Speaking of which, I still have this baggie on me. Forgot to give it to Ken to take it to the forensics guys. Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t. It should be safer with me. But then again, they know me. Wait… If they know me, they have to know who they are. Ken, Bala and Telum must be in danger too. I have to figure something out before it’s too late…

Ken, where are you going? We need your help here, man. Ken turns towards Telum and pushes him off. Don’t touch me. He turns and leaves the building. Telum, come. Where’s Ken? He looks at the officer. I don’t know. Let’s just get on with it. A handful of officers gather in the chief of police’s office. Are these all the available men right now? One of the captains takes a step forward. Yes, sir. The chief rubs his eyes with one hand. This is unprecedented, as you all well know. And this isn’t something we can keep under wraps no matter how hard we try. So, I have a proposal for all of you. Let’s get our facts straight, and if in 24 hours we don’t have any leads, I resign. I feel responsible for what happened here. Okay? Silence fills the room. Okay. We don’t have to spell it out, by now, I assume, we all know what happened here. So, lieutenant Telum, What did you find out? What brought this upon us? Telum stands tall above all in the room. If I was to guess, sir. It was us, being here. The chief puts his hands over his face. Why is that exactly? And why did you come here, knowing you might endanger your colleagues? Telum scratches his head. For your own good, you’re going to be put under arrest. I’ll see you later. And take Bala to an undisclosed location. Good, now let’s figure this out.

If you liked this chapter of The Horrorsope don’t forget to like, share and comment. And if you want to keep the short stories free, you can always do so by donating at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 18: Ash to Ash

Smoke fills the air. Everyone starts to cough. Ken holds onto Bala. I’m here. I’m here. A voice is heard screaming to draw the blinds. People bump into desks and make noise as they try to find the blinds and open them. Do you hear that? Sounds like a leak of gas or some… The building explodes. People are sent flying together with their desks. The smell of burnt wood, plastic and flesh fills up the air. Telum turns around looking at the burning building. What the… He quickly calls for firefighters as he starts running to those that were blown out of the building on the street. Are you okay? Asks Ken. Bala without an arm and half a face burnt looks at Ken. Do I look okay to you? Ken can’t help but laugh as his disfigured face. Stop laughing and get up. He looks at Bala with a smiling face. I can’t. My legs won’t work. Bala looks around at the burning building. Some people on the ground burning, some running blindly as their eyes melted trying to find the exit and some calmly waiting for the fire to burn itself out. Well, fuck. Looks like we can’t do much, but wait for the fire fighters. Ken flips him off. Stop being an idiot and get out already… He starts laughing. Like I can fucking see, you smartass…

I haven’t used these pills in a while. Supposedly these are a new formula that accelerates healing. Gag, here. Legs? Nice and straight. Well, this is going to be painful. As I swallow the pill, I quickly put my mouth on the gag and bite it down. My body starts to rapidly warm up as pain starts to shoot through my legs. I try to grasp on the dirt on the ground as my legs crack and twist as they slowly find their place back. Saliva drips from my mouth as I start to hit my head on the tree I lean on with my back. Only making it worse as now the shooting pain spreads to my head as blood starts to drip into my eyes. I shake my head, but that only makes it worse. Burning with a fever and bloodshot eyes half an hour later the pain had left, yet I couldn’t move my legs yet. I take the pill bottle to look at it. The pain should persist for the next 48 hours, but movement is prohibited for at least 2 to 3 hours. Well, that’s one good reason to give someone such strong amphetamines it let’s them unable to walk for the next two hours. This is a bad idea. I don’t know why I chose this place. I stand out like a sore thumb….

Do you think we’ll ever solve this case? Bala asks Ken as he lays his head on his shoulder as the building continues to burn. I have to think so. Otherwise we’re bad at our jobs, aren’t we? Ken looks at the ceiling. Good thing we’re not in a tower or something to be buried under rubble. Bala slaps Ken over the chest. Do you feel this? It’s… Water? Ken stretches his hand out. You’re right. This means the fire fighters are here. They both smile. I have to wonder. What’s the point of blowing us up? It’s not like they killed us. Bala slaps Ken once more over the chest. What’s wrong with you? Did the smoke cloud your brain? It’s obvious. To make our jobs harder and to get rid of whatever physical evidence we might have had. But, this is weird. It feels reckless. It draws attention. Why? It doesn’t make sense. From behind Bala a hand reaches out grabbing his neck lifting him up. And another hand coming down with force crushing his skull. As Ken screams in agony the figure disappears in the smoke and fire…

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope short story series, don’t forget to like, share and comment. And if you want to keep the short stories free you can always donate at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 17: It's Getting Worse

How did you get that name? Where did you get it from? With a smug look he looks at Bala. I just asked around. It seems that whoever did this left this signature behind. Ken gets up from his chair. Let’s get him. Bala starts laughing. Get who exactly? Do you know where he is? Calm down a bit. Telum starts looking around. What’s wrong? Telum looks at Bala. Nothing. Ken discouraged sits back down and sighs. This feels like a distraction. I don’t like this. Bala jumps to pull Telum closer to him. What do you mean? Bala whispers. I don’t think the name we were given is the real one. Bala starts laughing again. Of course not. Why would they leave their real identity? Only to be found? Telum slaps Bala over the head. That’s not what I meant. They kept us in the dark ten years ago, for the most part. We started finding out some things with the passing of his partner. And this name we were given feels like we were given a decoy to run after while they cover up whatever they have to cover up. Bala and Ken look at Telum in awe. Ken gets up. Okay, time to ask around some more then. An officer rushes to their desk out of breath. Sir, I have some… News. Bad ones… Ken puts his hand on his shoulder. What is it, Pheno? He brushes his big fish lips of sweat with a tissues as he looks at Ken. Kei is gone…

Are you sure here is okay? Your legs look broken. What? I look at him sweating. Yeah, no. It’s… Fine. They’ll heal. And I have some of this. As I shake the pill bottle with an awkward smile. Oh, I’ve never taken that stuff, seems unnatural to me. Besides, with our metabolism, we don’t need that. He starts to laugh. What zodiac sign are you? I turn to look at him with as I put my pills back in my pocket. Me? Capricorn. Why? His face seems to light up. Cool, another watery type brother, nice. I’m an aquarius. Wanna see something cool? He asks as he takes his right hand of the wheel and holds it to the side. Sure. His skin turns translucent. Wait, that’s not all. Slowly his whole hand becomes see-through. Cool trick, huh? I learned it in high school to escape from being bullied. Since I don’t have any features, like you have your felt, I couldn’t blend in with the rest of the kids. Anyway, I am glad we’re immortal and that with time we get to forget all that awful stuff that happens to us. That way we can just enjoy life. By the way, we’re getting close, you okay? I nod. Yeah, I’m fine. I’m sorry for what happened to you. He starts laughing. It’s fine… But thank you.

What do you mean, Pheno? He looks awkwardly. Our shift change came and we were on our way back here to write the report before heading home. We saw one of our cars with flashing lights speed by us, so we decided to follow it and see if they need help. When we got there, Kei’s apartment was in flames and he was nowhere to be found. Once they told us whose apartment this was, we came as quick as possible directly here. Telum looks at him annoyed. Why didn’t you call? He looks at Telum with a dumbfounded look. Didn’t think about it? And I’m tired? So, have fun or whatever, that guy was a weird prick anyway, says Pheno as he spits on Telum while talking. Ken gets up angrily. I’m going at the scene. You two stay here and ask around, says Telum. We need you here, Ken. Bala, keep him in check. He turns towards Telum. Who’s gonna keep you in check? Telum starts to laugh as he leaves. We need to have someone keep tabs on him. Says Bala as he turns towards Pheno. Whatever you are thinking…. No! I am going home. Just as those words leave his mouth the whole precinct turns dark as the power shuts off…

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope then don’t forget to like, share and comment. If you want to keep the short stories free and want more of them, you can always donate at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 16: The Bad, The Worse, The Sentiment

They keep knocking and knocking. I don’t have time for this, I don’t want to be tortured. Backpack, hope you are sturdy cause we… Are… JUMPING! I didn’t think this through! Come on legs, fucking work! Heal! I need to run! Taxi! Holy shit, it worked. Where to? I can’t think of a good place, I can’t think of a good place… Edge of town take the shadiest routes you can. Just go! GO! He starts driving. Good, I don’t care where he’s going as long as it’s nowhere near here. Where do you want me to take you? Oh no, he’s asking again. Forest next to the port. I’m going camping and swimming and I promised my friends I’d meet them there and I’m already late. He starts to laugh. Breathe, man, breathe. Pretty weird for someone to jump outta window when they’re late for camping. I start to laugh nervously. Well, you know… We can’t die and I always saw it in movies, and I thought why the heck not. I need to replace the windows either way, since they’re run down. He continues to laugh. Good, at least he’s entertained my idea. Now to think what I’m gonna do next, because this is heavy and I’m not in the mood to run all day every day with broken legs.

Ken, wait. Ken. Have you heard anything from Kei? He turns around. No. I tried calling, but he isn’t answering anymore. Telum interrupts him. Well, looks like his phone is at least at home. Bala cuts in. He should be fine then. He’s somewhat smart and capable. We have a much bigger problem. Ken starts to clench his claw over and over again. I don’t like this. My gut tells me that whatever we are dealing with is quite unprecedented. Bala interrupts him. Of course, this is the biggest attack on our country, period. Whoever is doing this is looking for us to panic and scramble. They know we are onto them. Telum starts laughing. Well, that’s not technically true, but I do like the thought that they think we know who they are. Hell, that we even have a clue. Ken turns towards him. I’m glad you find this funny. Bala steps in between them. Now, we need to pull our heads together and figure this out. We can’t be doing this and start bickering. We need to solve this fast so we can go get whoever is behind this. Telum straightens his back. This isn’t one person, this must be an organization.

Bala looks at Telum. Can you go ask anyone to see if they have any idea who did this? On Telum’s face now a smug look. Of course. Now, if you’d excuse me. As he leaves Ken gets close to Bala and starts whispering. What about the plan? Concerned Bala looks around. I don’t know. Bala takes a step back. But, I don’t even know what to do. Unless they find some trace of whoever did this, then we’re in another dead end. Ken hits his desk. Fuck. And I don’t know why we left it with Kei. He might be in danger. Sits down at his desk. What if it kills him? Bala puts his arm on Ken’s shoulder. Calm down. He quickly stands up again. No. Think a bit. We don’t know how that thing works. What the fuck is wrong with us? Bala pushes Ken down in his chair with difficulty. Listen. Even if what you are thinking is true. There is literally nothing we can do. Not just that, but we do need to find them sooner then. Telum interrupts them. Boys, I have good news, bad news and worse news. The bad news, is that our data is gone, nothing is left. Whatever physical evidence is left, is quite insignificant. We can’t trace whoever did this, because it seems it was from literally everywhere, but the good news is that we have a name… Osentimeu.

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope don’t forget to like it, share it, and if you want to support us in keeping the short stories free, you can always donate at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

Society is EVIL - The Pilot Program 2021

Village, a one man or family endeavor. After years of plight, wars, depressions, famine and other disasters at the hand of society and its rules. Humanity chose to spread out and spread thin. Any memory of old was razed from the face of the earth. Skyscrapers, casinos, stadiums, houses, all gone, recycled for materials. This was with one goal in mind, help rebuild mother nature by carrying the burden of our sins. People left places to go find their own little places to call homes. The rich were left stranded with their worthless paper and numbers, as people were fed up with the old style of living. Yet in this world without any rules, there were some unspoken agreements between people. You could not settle and build a home, if you can see another house. You could not directly talk or help someone. If people married, they had to leave their home and find a new place to stay, unless one side of their family would leave to live somewhere else. Why? Because society is evil! A good society has no poor or homeless. A good society educates those that need education. A good society does not burden others, but let’s them help themselves and grow. This was meant to give us all that and more, as nature bloomed again.

It seems we have some settlers again, trying to settle next to us. These damn parasites. She tugs at his shirt. Will we be okay, dear? He pats her on the head. Don’t worry, dear. A family is stronger than than some dirty leeches, he says as he loads up his trebuchet and lights the projectile before firing it at the bushes and trees. I didn’t think it was necessary, but it seems like we need to order a fence. She smiles looking at him. I am so glad you said that. I order it the week we moved here, when we started building the house. He looks shocked at her. And why didn’t you tell me? She chuckles. Well, you were doing your own thing and I didn’t want to step over your toes. He goes to take her head into his big hands. I love you. He takes a look at the fence and its instructions. This fence can stretch up to the maximum allowed distance of half a kilometer from the house. Simply stick the wooden rod where you want and it will plant itself steadily into the ground. Well… This seems easy. This way they should know not to poke their heads around here anymore, greedy bastards.

As the night falls, the couple sits out on their porch, looking at their new fence with a big smile and hope in their hearts that the settlers won’t disturb them anymore, before going inside. Gruesome stories are told by nomadic families about parasitic killers that wait for villages to pop up, before they kill the host and take their place. Some speak of nomadic heroes that roam the planet in search of these parasites to exterminate them. Others call those heroes deranged vigilantes that hunt humans for sport. And even now, it shows that word travels even when people barely see each other. I am sorry. I should have put this fence the moment you became pregnant, says Etnad. She leans on him as she grips his hand tightly. All that matters is that we’re fine, says Alia. We were so lucky to find this place, says Alia. It feels like this was fate. You, this place, your pregnancy, it all feels like destiny for me, says Etnad. A knock on the door. Etnad turns around to look through the viewfinder. I need your help, please! Alia pulls on his hand and starts shaking her head. Don’t. He winks at her and takes her hand slowly off. What do you want? He shouts with the door closed and hand on a knife. I need your help, man, please. I’m dying. Etnad opens the door quickly and plunges with the knife in his heart. Serves him right, god damn parasite.

If you liked this short story and want more of it, like, share, comment and re-read it. That way, you can make sure to cast your vote for it to become the short story series for 2022. And if you want to keep the short stories free, you can always donate at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 15: Insecure in a Blackout

This feels like a mistake. Maybe it’s the drugs talking, but we shouldn’t’ve made a plan and I shouldn’t’ve left them to leave. So, here we are again. On my own, alone. Well, not exactly on my own, right boys? Y’all can still hear me probably loud and clear! Good thing that we didn’t evolve to read minds. You should stay here. I can’t believe they said that. If anything happens, at least you’ll remain. And do what exactly? We didn’t come up with any backup plan. But, now, I have to rethink everything. If what the mortician said is true in any sense. Yay books. Wait, no. Time is of the essence, I don’t have another 10 years. Who knows if I’ll have another 10 days. I need to look through the digital archive I’ve made. I hate reading on a screen. Now to find the damn laptop somewhere… Where is it? Where is it? There you are. Under the couch, of course. There are a few distinct books I remember mentioning something similar. I don’t know if that’s a coincidence or not. Now come on. What? Blue screen? What the fuck? It’s fine, everything is fine. Well… This… Wait… Where are the files? Where’s everything? What the…

Pick up your phone, Ken. Come on. I pace around the place as I look at my empty laptop. Yes? Finally! Ken, where are you? I hear him sigh. What do you want? Oh, this ain’t fine. It’s gone. My files are gone. All of them. Every little thing I archived, documented and gathered in the past 10 years, poof, gone. This is fucked. I know. It’s happening here too. It seems that someone hacked into our system and deleted any and all files about any mention of the death or deaths from ten years ago. I can hear Telum in the back asking him something. Oh yeah, don’t you have physical backups? I scratch my head. No. I hear him relying the information to Telum before returning to the call. What do you mean no? What are all those books and binders and things? I slam my fist down on the table. They’re just fucking books and binders with books. It’s fucking fiction and philosophy, you moron. Fuck! This is fucked. I hang up as I get up to draw the curtains. Something ain’t right. They knew I left, they knew about me. They knew what we were investigating and they knew how to stop us and create panic.

This isn’t safe anymore. I need to breathe. Breathe in… Breathe out… I need to think this through calmly. Why didn’t they kill us? If they knew where I lived and deleted that data, if they know about Telum, Bala and Ken. Why didn’t they just use that device again? It means that they aren’t ready to deploy whatever weapon they had again. Or… This was their only one, a prototype. Oh… Okay. I need to start getting my physical back up in order, find the stick and leave. I knew this was a mistake, but this definitely isn’t a coincidence anymore. There is no way that someone knows about my existence or cares enough to have kept tabs on me for ten years. Infamy can only get you that much in the conscience of an immortal, right? What time is it? What time is it? I have an hour… No… Less… Thirty five minutes. In an hour, they’ll be here to take me somewhere. And if my guess is right, that’s game over. This is bad, if whoever did this must be powerful. Extremely powerful to pull this sort of stunt off… A knock on the door. Oh no… Yes? Who is it? They are knocking again… This is bad…

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope, please do like it, share it, and if you want to help keep the short stories free, you can always donate at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO