The Horrorscope - Episode 8: Something's Foul

The door opens. A figure with his face covered and a hood over it enters the room. A tall centaur follows him into the room. Hello. My name is Telum, says the Centaur. And this here is my partner… Let’s call him Bala, he continued. What the… Why did you have to scare us like this? Why couldn’t you come in normally? Why is he dressed like we’re about to execute him? He looks at Ken. Is this the one from ten years ago? Do you really think he’d help solve this case in any way? Ken reaches with his crab arm out to salute him. Sir, yes, sir. At the very least he can give us some insight maybe, or a new perspective. He turns towards me. Listen here… I interrupt him. Kei. He sighs… Kei. This is a very sensitive matter, we couldn’t bring what you wanted. If you want to talk to them, you have to come with us. We can’t simply take sensitive information out and about like that. You do understand that, right? I nod as he stands tall. Good, he smiles. Bala covers my head with a bag…

Did he find anything? I hear Telum ask. No. But he did have a theory. I can hear him turn towards Ken. What theory? Ken starts laughing nervously. Well, he was saying that maybe whoever kill Scorpian came through the windows. He starts laughing. Well, that sure is interesting. And? Did you test it out? I quickly interject. No. He starts screaming. What do you mean no? Then what the fuck are we doing leaving that place? What have you two idiots done all that time there? Bala, turn this car around, we’re going back for the moron to finish his work. Ken, I hope whatever faith you have in this guy, it’s gonna pay off. He’s a horrible detective. I interject once more. I’m not a detective, nor was it my idea to leave. I hear him sigh. Ken, what are you doing bringing some random guy into this? I know it’s your partner and that you want to find the truth. I know I’ve told you that if you had any idea, I’ll support you. But this is ridiculous. Ken sighs too. I know, but… I trust him. He has been obsessively pursuing this for ten years. There’s no way he doesn’t see something we’ve missed…

Once back at the apartment they waited silently for me to look into everything else. Can I ask you two something? Bala and Telum turn towards me. Don’t you find something off here? Something missing? They look around for a second. Bala shakes his head. Telum looks at me. There is something off. Yet, I can’t put my finger on what it is. I sigh as I go into the bedroom. It’s like no one even stepped into this room. What is happening here? Was he a clean freak? Ken looks at me. I don’t think he cared either way. I rub my eyes as I take a deep breath. Okay then, I’m going to check the bathroom and then we can do the windows… As I enter the bathroom a fowl stench hits my nose. What the fuck? Ken comes in quickly. What? I get out. Can’t you smell it? It’s disgusting. Ken closes the door to the bathroom behind him. Oh, I’ve heard him complain about the sewage in his building always getting stuck in the old pipes and smelling bad. Disgusted I look at him. And why didn’t they change it? He laughs. Because the building was so badly constructed, that if they wanted to breach the walls to replace it, the whole building would collapse. I sigh… Let’s do the windows…

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Colored - The Pilot Program 2021

Is it even love, if it’s predestined? I ask as my eye starts to itch. I forgot the medication again, just as I say that, I hear my mom screaming from downstairs to come get my meds. In a minute! Why does my eye color have to change now? I don’t feel ready for adult life, if anything I’m scared of it. Here’s your medication. What color do you think your eyes will turn into? Do you have any particular color? What if it turns into something like mine? Do you like it? It’s just as purple as when I met your father. God, you’re becoming a man. And what a man you’ll be. Mother’s been giddy for this ever since my eyes started to itch. Mom, please. I don’t know. I don’t feel ready. She laughs. Oh, don’t worry sweetheart. No one is ready. Food’s on the table, eat then go to school. Understood, Iro? She asks with a smile as she starts to run out the house. How do they have so much energy? Hope whoever I fall in love with is going to be a good person. The image of a bully of a woman pops into my mind as I start imagining how she’s going to kick my ass for everything I do wrong. Please turn into a good color.

Yo, Iro. I turn around to see Jim. What are you up to? Got your color yet? He always asks so smugly every day. No. He starts to chuckle. Of course not. You are not man enough. I sigh as hear these words for the nth time. Don’t get yourself bogged down by me. Once your color sets in, you’ll have many options to choose from. Isn’t that nice of them to at least still give you a choice with whom you’ll fall in love with? I want a girl that has long dark hair, mint green eyes, since mine are fuchsia and some nice legs. So many colors, so many choices and yet they say that the gods made us this way to make finding love easier. But how is this easier? So many things to keep track of and think about. He slaps me on the back. Don’t worry man. When you’ll see her, you’ll know. I turn towards him worried. How would you know that? He smiles. Because, I know. I made eye contact with someone with mint green eyes, it was pure bliss. I don’t know what it does to our brain, or how it works, but it’s fascinating. My heart starts racing and my palms get sweaty. It’s scary. And what if they’re a horrible human being? I ask as the bell rings. You’re too much of a worrywart, he says as he starts running, leaving me behind.

Each color vibes with its own set of two to four colors. While not 100% sure, scientists say that the color of your eyes doesn’t just determine your future partner in love, but also helps determine friendships, rivalries and some speculate even your social standing. Now, this does not mean you have the right to bully others or be mean to someone your color doesn’t resonate with. Once you have your determined eye color, you’re considered an adult. And adults don’t behave like that. But what if your eye color doesn’t change? And by the way, I know that the most of you are still going through the change, so, don’t worry if your eye color doesn’t change. It means you are one of the few special ones that is born with its predestined eye color. If you have any other question, I’m willing to answer them. As the professor says that my eyes start burning. I start screaming as I fall out of my chair to the ground holding my eyes. Iro, are you okay? Iro! It feels like my eyes are melting into my head. The teacher pulls my hands off my eyes. Iro. Your eyes. I haven’t seen anything like them… What are you?

If you liked this short story part of The Pilot Program 2021 short stories series, do consider to like, share, comment because that way, you decide which short story becomes the series of the next year here on Nobody the Blog. And, if you’d like to help keep the short stories free, you can do so by donating at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 7: Knowing a dead man

Give me some gloves. As he hands me the gloves he asks me what I want to do. That cold thing, did you turn it off? He looks at me confused for a second before it clicks. Oh, it turned off the moment we touched the door. So we wouldn’t just send everything at the ground level flying. I chuckle. Well, you are going to hate my idea. I am going to run my hand through the carpet and I need you to turn it on so it can catch whatever will float. Maybe we’ll find some specs of skin, feather or felt. Ready? He nods with the remote in his hand. 3… 2… 1… As I run my hand across the carpet, dust explodes into the air. He clicks the button and a sudden cold wave covers the whole floor. I slowly take my hand under the biggest specs of skin or dust. Turn it off… Now! They fall onto my gloves and I gently place them into a plastic bag. There’s a bump here… He looks at me. It’s probably where he hit his head. I start to scratch my head again… I see…

Is this how everything was arranged when you found him? He nods. Isn’t it weird? He looks a bit around. No. Why? I keep turning around. Doesn’t something feel off for you? It’s like something is missing. There’s a TV on the wall there, there’s a couch here, a coffee table, a carpet, but… There’s nothing on the table. And if you didn’t remove anything, I doubt he never watched TV or didn’t use it for anything else. You have shelves there by the door, but they’re mostly empty. He lived here for what? A hundred? Two hundred years? And nothing? At least some people buy some flowers or books to look a bit more… Interesting. Here, by the drapes, there’s also nothing. Was he a minimalist? He shrugs. I couldn’t tell you. I never really cared to remember people’s houses. I start to look around the kitchen side of the room. Look here, I say as I open the fridge, just as expected there isn’t much in there. The kitchen is flawlessly clean. It’s like he wasn’t even living here. Did he have a wife or something? He shakes his head. Who has a wife anymore? I sigh. Yeah… Right… Forgot.

What about a girlfriend then? Did he maybe spend time somewhere else? Hobbies? Addictions? Anything? This place is too spotless and weird. He looks around. I don’t know about a girlfriend. He was never the type to care about things like that. I think he got jaded. I interrupt him. What about children? He shakes his head. We stopped having those too, remember? This is frustrating. I am just trying to figure something out, anything. He looks at me with pity. He had no hobbies either. I think the last thing he did was some collecting of some sorts and he sold it after he got annoyed for some reason or another. Addictions, besides the morning vice, I don’t think he had. As you said, he was still young and experimenting with stuff. I shake my head. Is that all? Is there anything else you might have forgotten or missed? He shakes his head. Something is off. There had to been a motive for someone to want him dead… As those words leave my mouth, a knock on the door…

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The Horrorscope - Episode 6: A Flat Circle

Years of boiling in irradiated water, many species tried to escape to the surface from the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and ponds. They got boiled instantly. Then there had to be those freaks of nature that actually managed to survive and evolve outside water. Years and billions of mutations later, they started surviving due to a layer forming around the planet to help them grow only for them to explode into million of species of all kind. Yet there had to be that one mistake to ruin it all. An asteroid so big, hit the planet, gave us that moon and had wiped out almost all life. That giant rock that fell from the skies is still is the tallest mountain ever that lays in our ocean. It took a bit more than a few more millions of years for life to try again and crawl out of the water. And a few more million years later, the mistake happened, a charred hairless monkey had to find shelter in the asteroid. That charred hairless monkey is still alive today, that bastard…

Okay, talked to the chief, said he’ll send a crew after him to bring him here. Have you found anything? I still look at the key hole on the door. I lost myself in thoughts. I still don’t understand it. Do you know what he did that day? Was he ill or something? He takes a moment. I don’t think so. We met up at 10, got some cocaine. The good stuff, not whatever they sell at these chain stores that has all sorts of impurities mixed in. Went right back to work. He didn’t seem to have any kind of problems. Whether it was running, shooting his gun or spitting his venom. I quickly interrupt him. Then did he look troubled or was he troubled in anyway? Did he seem confused or not with it? He takes another second to think about it. No, not really. When we were working he was always with the head there. Especially after our morning shots. I’m am telling you this as a friend, maybe you should try some. You’re immortal, it can do you no harm.

I scratch my felt again as I look around the room. It doesn’t make sense. You’d think someone dying or in any threat would behave abnormally. He gently taps me on the head with the report. You keep forgetting that you are immortal. And, we’re in the line of duty. We’re always in some sort of danger. It’s nature for someone to have some grand idiotic or harmful idea. Didn’t you say something among the lines that we barely know how we function, how would we know how to behave? Or something like that? I start scratching furiously. I guess. I don’t remember. He looks again with concern at me. Anything alright? Annoyed I turn towards him. No, not really. I don’t understand it and I have this lingering thought that whatever happened 10 years ago and what happened to your partner are tied somehow. He looks at me weird again. How so? I smile. I don’t know. That’s the mystery. But ,it sure does feel like I’m back 10 years ago….

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The Horrorscope - Episode 5: Down with the Sickness

My chest starts to hurt, my arms feel numb. I’m dying. Hey, Kei. Are you doing okay? As the mug in my hand shakes, I put it down. What? He looks at me with concern, I must act normal. Yes. It’s fine. Haven’t slept well. You know… He puts his arm around me and hugs me. We will get to the bottom of this, don’t worry. As the word bottom leaves his mouth, I feel like I am falling down rapidly. Are you sure you are okay? You look awful. I laugh nervously. No, I… I can’t tell him that I feel like I’m dying. We can’t… Maybe you have a cold? Go home, take a day off. The rest of his words… I can’t understand. Earth to Kei. Hello. I look through him. He starts shaking me. Kei. Is someone in there? I put my mug back down. I am going home. Sorry. He slaps me on the back. Good, at least you got that. As I get into the elevator and push the button, I remember I forgot all my things. The elevator starts to descend I start screaming as I crawl down.

Hey! Kei! What are you doing? Kei! A crab arm appears in front of my eyes. Go away! Go away! He gets a few steps back away from me. Are you okay? As I come back from having a waking nightmare, I look at him. I am sorry. Can you just draw the curtains, please? As he does it he asks me again, what that was. I don’t know. I just remembered my first panic attack. He turns towards me. I am sorry to hear that. I heard that it’s an awful feeling. I start laughing. Well, it’s the closest I’ve come to feel like dying yet. So… His face lights up like he finally caught up. Oh, I understand. I nod. It’s something… Riveting. It truly makes you feel alive. He looks at me weird now. It just sounds to me like you are sick. I scratch my head now nervously laughing. You may be right. I envy him. I don’t know how you do it. He looks at me weird for saying that. What do you mean? As I stand up once more, I look at him with a smile. Well, you are so simple… But in a good, kind hearted way. I wish I was a bit more like you. He doesn’t seem to have taken to my compliment. Let’s just get to work. You are horrible at compliment people.

Here are all the pictures of the crime scene. As you can see too, there were no scuffle marks on the door or its keyhole or anything like that. The carpet is completely clean. So, we couldn’t find any footprints. There was no hair, no spit, no blood spill. And on his body, nothing. No marks of struggle, nothing under his finger nails, no outpour of venom, no fabric, and o fingerprints besides his anywhere in the apartment. I start scratching myself. I don’t get it. As I look closely at the key hole of the door. Then how did he die? He taps me on the shoulder. Here is his report. As I grab it and open it, he looks at me with concern. My eyes start to glide over the words as I read the report. What the… As I look at him he stands there and shrugs. How? Did the guy that did this autopsy explain this to you? He shakes his head. Can you please call to have him brought here? I need to ask him a few questions. This doesn’t make sense. He pulls out his phone. Oh, and tell him to bring whatever video of the procedure he has. He looks at me puzzled. This is a special case, you don’t think they filmed the whole thing? This hasn’t happened since, well… Ten years ago. He nods as he puts his phone to the year. Good, and now let’s see what we can find around here…

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope and can’t wait to find out what he found out, do consider sharing or even donating if you want to keep the short stories free at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorschope - Episode 4: Icarus' Curse

Kei! Wake up, Keiteki! Come on, now. Open your eyes. Why did it have to be like this? I’m okay. He gets up angrily. How are you okay? You just collapsed. I look at the floor as I try to pick myself up. Well, maybe if you had told me we were gonna get to such a high place when you saw my legs shake… I wouldn’t have passed out from seeing through those giant windows. He chuckles. I’m sorry. I forgot you were that much of a wuss. As I try to stand up, my legs begin to shake again. We don’t all have the luck to have wings and fly around, you know? He looks at me weird. What? Who has wings? Who can fly? As I lean against the wall I look at him puzzled. Virgos. Is this not common knowledge? Some virgos can be born with wings like those of a bird. Once they consume their marriage, their wings painlessly melt away. Well, unless they consume their relationship before marriage. Then it’s all painful, as marriage is a holy pact and ritual for them. He starts scratching his head. Okay… Can you now please focus on the task at hand?

Do you guys have footage from the corridor? There must have been a camera at least in the elevator, if not the hallway as well, right? He turns towards me. Nothing. And we checked to see if it was somehow digitally manipulated too. But, still nothing. As I stand on my own now, turn my back to the windows. Did you guys check the windows? He looks worried at the windows. No. Fuck. I quickly turn towards him. Wait, I tell him as I fall to my knees again. Listen. You need to be careful. There are two scenarios here. One. These windows can’t be opened, but, can be pulled out via suction cups. And if that’s the case there are either marks on it or there must be some fibers from the covers of the cups. He turns with a weird expression towards me. How do you know that? I chuckle. Well, when you are imprisoned in an apartment for ten years, you have a lot of free time to learn useless shit. He shakes his head. Right. So, how do we check for that? Neither of us can fly. I start laughing. You won’t like it. But… You’ll have to clean the windows. He stands there in shock. I have to what?

Well, I certainly can’t. Unless you want me to keep fainting. And if I am wrong with scenario one, when it comes to the windows, then scenario two is even more horrifying for me. His expression is one of even bigger worry now. What do you mean? I lean against the wall again. Well, the second scenario is that the windows can be opened. Either by gently pushing against them as they pop in a bit in the room and you can push them to the side. Or automatically by pushing some light switch in this room. He starts scratching his head. I guess you are right. But aren’t you jumping the gun a bit here? You haven’t looked at the crime scene at all. Hell, you barely walked around this bachelor pad. And you still haven’t read the report of his autopsy. Or looked at the photos to compare them to the physical place. I’m starting to think you are an awful detective. I start laughing nervously. Well, I’m not a detective! I’m just someone that had too much free time and got obsessed with something. So, forgive me for not knowing proper etiquette. This is only the second time I’ve been on an actual crime scene… He sighs. I’m sorry. Let’s take it step by step then. Okay?

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JACK - Anthology of a Young Wizard - The Pilot Program 2021

Welcome to The Pilot Program 2021!

For those that don’t know how I choose the short stories for each year, I don’t. You do. Every year for the first eight-nine months I post one extra story part of The Pilot Program where you read, share, like and comment on the stories. The most popular becomes the short story series for the next year. The winner of last year’s The Pilot Program 2020 was The Horrorscope, and now you have the chance to choose the short story for next year. Hope you like JACK - Anthology of a Young Wizard.

You wench! You cheated on me! Taking my money and dignity! I hear a man scream. What’re you talking about? I’m just a washerwoman. The man pulls out a knife. Give me my money back! The man screams as he jumps on her. You women are but a blight on this world. The man says as he runs away. Should I have helped her? No, that’s not why I am here. What did he say? “Jack, go to London. Observe life. See the good, the bad and learn to distinguish between them. That’s how a young wizard becomes a great one, through experience.” If this is life in London, then I shall observe it and not mingle in it. The voice of another man calls out to me. You! Young man! Stop! As I turn around I see a watchman running towards me. What is it mr. Watchaman? As he gets in front of me, out of breath he pulls a rope he had tied around the stick he had on him and ties it around my hands. What are you doing? He looks at me confused as he tries to catch his breath. You… I’m arresting you… For the… You murdered that young lady. Why is this happening? But I didn’t. The man who did ran that way… He smiles. Whatever you say, young man, he says as he starts screaming like a lunatic…

The people start to gather around us as he keeps screaming. Until finally a man interrupts him. What’s the matter. Have you lost your mind? It is the middle of the night. The watchman with a smug look on his face looks at the man. I have caught a murderer, red handed. I sigh. But there is no blood on my hand. He scoffs. He killed that young woman there. Another woman comes crying. Her name was Juliana Prickfield. How could you? You monster! The man turns towards the watchman. What exactly happened? The watchman smug again. I was doing my duty, as one should. And then I hear some glass shattering, a man screaming. So, I did the only heroic thing I could do. Went and checked it out, only to find that woman there dead and him here at the scene. More people gathered. Eventually the coroner and one of the sheriffs arrive. As they explain the situation to them, I can feel the crowd’s eyes on my back, starring at me like I’m the devil. What is your name young boy? I turn towards the sheriff. Jack. I’m a wizard. The watchman quickly interrupts. See? He could’ve used magic to clean himself up… He did it. He killed miss Juliana. The sheriff turns towards her. Did you know the woman? She continues to cry. Yes. She was kind and let me live with her there…

The coroner comes back from the scene. Her throat was sliced and so was her chest, under the breast. It might’ve been a knife, a ripper, who knows, but t’was sharp. And whatever money and jewels she had, was now gone. The sheriff looks at me. Would you tell me what are you doing here, Jack the young wizard? I sigh. I was sent here to… The watchman interrupts me. I bet he stole the money, look here, in his pocket. He pulls out some money. See? The sheriff takes the money and looks at me. Continue. I take a deep breath. I was sent here to observe life and learn to be a better wizard. He looks up and down at me. You don’t look like a wizard to me. And what about the woman there? Did you kill her? I shake my head. No. The man that killed her screamed something about her being a wench that cheated him out of money and then ran that way after killing her. He sighs. And why didn’t you stop him? I look him in the eyes. Because I was sent here to observe, not interfere. The sheriff looks at me weirdly. Take him to a cell, the jurors will deal with him tomorrow. I hear a woman whisper behind me. He doesn’t look like he’s from here… Heard he used a ripper to kill the woman. Glad they caught him so fast. Another woman chimes in. Yeah, this Jack the Ripper fellow is a vile one. Hope they hang him… I sigh… So, this is life…

If you liked this short story don’t forget to like it, share it and the sorts. Because it is part of The Pilot Program 2021, where you decide the short story for the next year by views, likes and comments. And if you want to support the blog and keep the short stories free, you can always donate at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 3: Can't stand up

Do you still spy on people? I ask biting on my nail. You know I can’t tell you… The fucker, can’t even drive… Even if we do. I roll my eyes. You know I’m all for a necessary evil. So, you could just tell me if that is the case. He smiles. That’s not the issue here. But why are you asking? I turn to look outside the window. I was just thinking that if you still were, why you’d actually need me? He starts laughing. And you thought that to yourself just now? He continues to laugh. Even after millennia, you can still surprize me. He pinches me by the arm as I scream. Stop looking so gloom. Isn’t this getting you closer to your dream? I turn towards him. You know you could have tried to cheer me up by not tearing any of my damn felt off? He chuckles. Well, it’s fine. It’s gonna grow back. Don’t worry. It’s not like you are going to die tomorrow. I sigh. I know, you wish. You wish you would, he says as he starts laughing again.

It’s up there. He points as he leans on the steering wheel. Are you going to be okay? He asked as he turns towards me. What floor? He starts laughing. You’ll see. As I get out of the car, my legs start to shake. Come, he says as we cross the street between the slowly moving cars. When we got in the elevator, I couldn’t see the number he pushed. There are two officers at the door. They are taking turns guarding the place. You can imagine that this is an exceptional case. His tone completely changed. You saw the pictures. There was nothing. I forgot to show you his raport, I will once we’re in the room. Also, do you know how hard it is to find a mortician when no one is dying? Ah, okay. He still has some jokes in him. Oh, hopefully being away from society for ten years, hasn’t made you more of an asshole. So, just in case, I have to tell you to be nice. They’re still people. Okay? A ding and the doors open.

We turn to the right and a cold wind hits us. Why is it so cold? A dry cold nonetheless. I start to shiver. It’s to preserve the crime scene. Try to slow things down, like decomposition. Or if someone moves, there is now sudden a wave of coldness. It’s like putting the tip of your finger on the surface of a perfectly still puddle. You create waves when you touch down. Same principle applies here. He stops and turn towards me. It’s here to the left. So, don’t be rude. I don’t know why he insists, I think as we turn left. Two officers at the door. One with a big fish mouth and scales around his lips. He was the one standing up. And the other sleeping in the chair. Big fish mouth salutes us as I can’t help but stare at him. I hear the door open, but I can’t stop looking at the man. His lips are so huge and full of volume. Don’t you dare. Get in the room, he says as he pushes me into the room. Sorry. He hasn’t been out in years. Doesn’t know how to behave himself some… Most of the time… As the door closes behind us I fall…

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The Horrorscope - Episode 2: The Chance of a Lifetime

No! There is no reason for me to be involved in any of this. I tell him as I make my way towards the bathroom to stop the water. Listen, you have others, right? You were a team of hundreds. Where’s your partner? That venom spitting dude… He sighs. Scorpian died. He was killed, he says with a sad look on his face. Died? I thought you can’t die. How? How does one die? We’re immortal, remember? He shakes his head. We don’t know. I start pacing around the apartment. What do you mean you don’t know? If he is dead, that means you have to have a body, right? A crime scene? Some clues to what happened, right? So, tell me. How does one die? He takes a sit and takes out his phone. Again, we don’t know. We found him without a breath in his apartment. Look… Here are some pictures of the scene. There were no signs of struggles, no bruises on his body, no nothing. The doctor said that they can’t figure out why he suddenly died. It was as healthy as one can be. That’s why I said we need your help.

I take a sit next to him looking at the pictures. I don’t get it. Over a million years ago, when this planet was still bombarded with asteroids and meteorites. Back in the time where the atmosphere was still thin, when fish started to first crawl out of the oceans and rivers. When we were all hit with these cosmic rays and the radiation from the meteorites from other planets. After the extinction of the dinosaurs from that cursed purple asteroid that took them out and that is now in the middle of the ocean, which also destroyed half the planet to give us that moon and what? Has cursed the fish to evolve faster and faster. Filling this planet with mutations we call today animals and then we somehow got out of it. And what did we get out of that monster of an asteroid? Immortality and these disgusting shapes we all call curses? And now you tell me, that after all that and having tried to kill ourselves with wars, poisonous foods or by smoking and drinking anything and failing spectacularly… That now, somehow. We can be killed? That we can die? Just like that? How old was Scorpian? Fifty five thousand years old? The fucker was young.

I stop in myself from spewing all these thoughts out without a filter and turn towards him. I am so sorry. I don’t know how you must have felt having a close partner like that suddenly die. It must have been horrible. It’s been ten years since the last wipe-out. We still don’t know how it happened. Or why it happened. A billion people, gone, in one second. You should know, he says. You lost your mother, ten years ago. I lean back and look at the ceiling. Yeah. He slaps me on my shoulder with his claw hand. That’s why we need you. Ten years ago you were there when it all happened. I never saw anyone work as diligently to unravel this mystery out. You must have some theories as to what happened. And you must be curious as all hell to what happened in to Scorpian. Besides… I turn towards him. You owe me for this apartment and that you are still free. I sigh. I still loathe it. You know that, right? With a dark grin on his face he looks at me. Yeah. Now come on… We have work to do.

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The Horrorscope - Episode 1: When Fate Comes Knocking

Fate’s a bitch, and I hate her, I mutter to myself as I watch that day’s horoscope. It’s been ten years since it last happened, and here we are again. They predict that another wipe out will commence soon. I swear, these assholes like to see the world burn and chaos take over. Every year since then, they predicted it, and yet, nothing happened. As these thoughts rush through my head, a stench reaches my nose. Ugh, my felt smells again, I utter as I put my nose to my arm to smell it. Disgusted I go into the bathroom and start a bath, like every single day. At least I ain’t got no horns, or a fish tail, I think to myself as I catch a flea trying to jump off me. No fucking wonder why I itch like this. When the fuck did I get these on me? I ask exasperated. Where was this in yesterday’s horoscope? You might have gotten fleas from some idiot that can’t be bothered to shower. Annoyed, I go check that day’s fortune, before bathing.

“You benefit from a lighter, fresher perspective after heavy energy recently…” Bullshit, I say while continuously scratching myself. “You feel freer and more spontaneous as you interact with others, whether in person or through writing.” Right, sure… Whatever. “There can be interesting things to learn from a sibling, classmate, child, or friend.” Sounds nice, but then again, I’m stuck here. And no one ever comes to visit. “News from a love interest could be pleasantly unexpected.” Oh, hear that Handy? I ask whilst laughing. We’re going to learn and find something new about you today. I continue laughing as I move towards the bath. A violent knock on the door. Open up! A voice shouts. Bewildered and curious, I wait a second as another few hard knocks hit the door and the voice shouts again asking to open the door. I try to peek through the peephole, but all I see is black. I said open up, already! I fling open the door, ready to fight whoever is in front of me. A red claw grabs my neck and lifts me up.

Now, now, that’s no way to treat a friend and a brother. Unable to breath properly, I raise my hand and flip him off. You’re right, I’m sorry for being so rude, he says as he hugs me. You know I mean you no harm, but then again, you’re always so rambunctious. I scoff and ask him what he wants. Look, I need your talents. Hearing this leaves me baffled. What talents? What are you talking about? He smiles, looks around, sees that the TV is on. Oh, well. I think you did hear what they said, right? And I assume you heard your horoscope, didn’t you? Well, of course you have. He says whilst laughing. Someone is trying to replicate what happened ten years ago. Basically, they want to tempt fate. In my head questions start to bubble up and my mouth starts to ask. Replicate? How? How do you tempt fate? He smiles once again. That’s what I want to ask you. As you can see, we each are born with a feature of our zodiac sign. I have this disgusting crab arm, you have your hairy upper body. We don’t die, except when… Well, you know… When all the members of a zodiac sign suddenly die. And that’s why we need you…

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