The Horrorscope - Episode 24: Worst of the Worst

These are the ten people I have found. The first one’s in the greater New York area. Who wants him? Asks Lelantos. We want him, say Crius and Eurybia. I’ll come help you too, says Dione. The rest groan and moan. Fine, we won’t go through with each one of them. Here’s the list, do as you please. But, be careful. They are dangerous. History may have forgotten their names, but not their acts of terror. These are some of the worst of the worst. It’s been thousands of years since they committed their crimes and yet, they are still outside of society. They aren’t normal, they are criminals, Lelantos finishes his passionate speech. I don’t understand, says Themis. How? How in a world where murder and drugs are legal, can anyone be a criminal? Themis slams his fist on the table. Darling, you can still steal and do other horrible stuff, says Selene. But WHY? Why would you steal? You don’t need to eat food, you barely need water, so why would anyone steal anything? Selene shrugs and silence sets before Themis starts ranting again. Just look at these ten idiots, Rapists, pedophiles, frauds, heists and other countless petty and hateful crimes. I don’t get it! Screams Themis. Now, now. Calm down, says Lelantos. You all decided on who you want? They all nod. Good, now let’s see who we will work with…

I told you to sit still. But you had to flail like a moron and suffer, says Perses. The door to his lab opens. Oh, Z. What a pleasure to have you with me today. To what do I owe you the visit? Asks Perses as he bows before him. I wanted to see your progress firsthand. Perses raises his head and turns towards the hospital bed. Well, as you can see… I have managed to at least put him to sleep with this, he says while handing out Z a can of something. Z starts to laugh at him. Is this what you worked on for over twenty thousand years with me? Sleeping pills? Dejected Perses snaches the can from Z’s hand and twists its two halves. The can starts to glow as it hovers over the person in the bad and pulls them into the air. See? Asks Perses as the can and the person both fall down. These aren’t sleeping pills. It drains them of their energy, basically exhausting him and putting him to sleep. I believe that if I can manage to create something stronger than this, I might be able to finally do it! Z sits down to ponder. I see my trust in you wasn’t misplaced. Thank you.

I have a gift for you. Another subject. He’s a bit headless, but, you can work with him, right? Perses nods with a big smile on his face. Good. The rest are also working to get you ten more samples for your tests. So you can have one of each zodiac sign. I think that’s what you requested last time we talked, right? Perses once again nods with excitement. Good. Now, how long do you think you’ll need for this to work properly? Perses starts to pace around his lab. I don’t know. I need to find a way to make this more powerful. We’re fighting nature. We’re revolutionizing. We’re creating something unholy. We’re creating death for all. Equality and equity for all. We’re giving them a purpose to live, to develop, to evolve, to grow beyond this. I’d like to tell you that maybe by tomorrow I’ll figure something out. But, I’m alone. One head can only take you so far. And no, I wouldn’t like someone else to help. Not now. This is my child. This is all my work. I don't want anyone else near it. I made this. Do you understand me? Z gets up with a big smile on his face and his fangs sticking out. Yes, I do. You have grown, dear Perses. You’ve become someone wonderful. And I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with the rest of your life. Oh, before I forget, there is one more thing I’d like to talk to you.

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The Horrorscope - Episode 23: The Law And Lawlessness In Our Blood

Twenty thousand years in the shadows. Twenty thousand years of being nobodies, he rubs his eyelids with his fingers. I thought I could do it myself, and the world said no. So I brought them on and things moved. But now it’s them who are trying to ruin me. Well, luckily no one knows who I really am. Being this old has its little perks. No marriage, child, child of a child, father and father of a father’s father really knows who I am, where I’ve been or what I am. And if all this goes down, I’ll take Perses with me and let them all burn down and turn to ash. All just so I can rebuild again. Twenty thousand years and it all feels like it started yesterday. He takes a deep breath. It doesn’t matter. Nothing is going to change. It didn’t change back then, it didn’t change ten years ago, it wont’ change twenty thousand years into the future. Time is on my side because I have purpose. I have my place in this world and I’ll have my rightful place in history. I’ll give them all the privilege of living a fulfilling life. He slams his hands on the table in front of him as he takes another deep breath. Now, let’s go to work, he says with a smile as he looks at his uniform.

Ten people, he says. It’s going to be easy, he says. We should be discrete, he says. There are ten billion people on this god forsaken planet. How are we supposed to find someone unloved, unhappy and without any sort of company? Asks Hyperion. Don’t you worry to much, says Thea. The rest of 28 starts talking one over the other. Dione screams over them as they slowly go silent. It is fairly easy, says Lelantos. We the outcasts. The bad guys. The scum of the scum. They all look confused. And where do you find them? Asks Metis. Under what rock did you guys live until now? Asks Lelantos. Listen, dear. We don’t all care much for what happens in this world. It is irrelevant, it’s plain, boring and nothing short of insufferable, says Eos. She’s right. Our focus has been on this. To gather our funds. To strengthen our bonds. Especially after what happened ten years ago, says Astraeus. Lelantos sighs. Well then… About a hundred thousand years ago, there was a law passed regarding all criminal activity. Fifty thousand years ago, it was amended to include solutions for those crimes and how to change the behavior of those criminals. And ten thousand years ago, it had its definite version passed into law. A law we still abide by today because we can’t change the fundamentals of our DNA and our personalities…

The twenty nine now are all a murmur as they discuss trying to figure out what Lelantos was talking about. Okay, but what is exactly your plan? And what is this law you are speaking of? Asks Crius. Lelantos starts smiling from ear to ear. It’s the literal law of equivalency. Why do you think the police, be it secret or not, even still exist? Why do you think we still have something so ridiculous as armies or borders? We can’t fundamentally change who we are. This law proves the need for all those services. Why? Because that means that no matter how many times you smash the brains of a man, woman or child, they’ll still grow up to be the same type of being. That’s what I am suggesting, to go after those criminals, those that give us the need for this law. The pedophiles, the rapists, the murderers and the psychopaths of this world. Sure, they can look like they live normal lives, but you can never know what they hide inside their sick minds.. Those are the people abandoned by friends, by family, by any sort of hope. How do we find them? Easy. There’s a public registry with each and every single one of their names and addresses. Now, each choose one. Follow them. See what they do. Who they work with. And if it’s safe. We’ll snatch them.

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The Horrorscope - Episode 22.5: 30 for 30

Asteria

Nothing like living on an island between islands of fools getting drunk and getting lost. Even better they sometimes was ashore my beaches. This will be easy. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Z has something for me. Glad my husband is important enough to keep him at bay. Hah, I’m hysterical today.

Astraeus & Eos

My dear, my beauty. It is our duty to help Z and fulfill our dreams. Use your beauty to suffocate them and bring them to us. As she cleans her horns, she smiles. I’ll do you one better, I’ll have them beg.

Atlas

I’m going to kill him for what he did to my brother. He wishes for death, I shall give him that.

Iapetus & Clymene

That fool. To tarnish my name, my history like that. After what I’ve done for him, cries Iapetus. Clymene, dear, we need to make this up somehow. Find those twelve people. She looks at him with love. For you darling, anything. He smiles. Then, we’re going to sell you to get those twelve, one by one. What do you say? She smiles and nods.

Coeus & Phoebe

My sister, my love. Use your wisdom to guide us and find those twelve retched people. She looks at him as she opens her arms to welcome him. You know I can. I’m the smartest you know and I will get us there… He sighs of relief. You truly are my moon and my everything.

Crius & Eurybia

I do not care much about this or how it should be achieved, says Eurybia. I know. You just sit tight and don’t worry. I am going to handle this. Twelve for you, twelve for me.

Cronus & Rhea

How did we get here? How is he the one leading the way? What happened to us? She looks at him. Change happened. But don’t worry. When this succeeds, we will get back in our rightful place.

Dione

Well, maybe if I do this for him. He’ll take me back. I was his first wife, and I will not let him escape that easily. Now to just get my hands on twelve people.

Prometheus & Epimetheus

This isn’t going to end well for Z, says Prometheus. Nonsense, that’s the point of all of this, isn’t it? An end to it all, says Epimetheus. Prometheus sighs. I mean, I guess… But that’s not what I meant…

Eurynome & Ophion

I don’t know why I got involved with this. I don’t know why Z asked me to. But then again, he asked his first wife too. So stupid with these names too, when a few of us clearly know each other. Ophion stands up. You all are foolish and so young. Can’t wait for it all to end. I’ve lived enough…

Hyperion & Thea

I have a bad feeling about all this. As much as I love the idea of it all, the fact that it is a family and friends lead matter is worrying. She nods in agreement. Who knows how many hate him or despise Z for all he’s done. He goes to kiss her. You are so bright, my dear.

Lelantos

This is easy for me. They deserve what’s coming to them, they never saw what I saw, nor did they ever think to listen to what I had to say… So let them die…

Menoetius

Hello, sir. My name is… Z interrupts him. I don’t want to know your name. From now on, you’ll be known as the new Menoetius. You’ve served us well until now, so I expect more of the same. He scratches his head. But what happened to the old Menoetius? Z raises his hand and his claws pop up. What will happen to you too if you betray me…

Metis

I fell for it again. I believed him. I hate myself and it’s all his fault. And I hope this works, cause I’d love to see him die.

Mnemosyne

I wish I could tell my daughters about this. But, knowing them, they might already know about it. They can read anyone like an open book. I just hope they won’t hate me or their father for it all.

Oceanus & Tethys

My bull horns ache and they ache for release. Tethys comes to his side and starts to brush his hair. With time, this will come to an end. A beautiful end at that. Together we can stop the suffering.

Pallas & Styx

What privilege to be part of history. To mark a new era, a new beginning to this empty and depressing world. She turns towards him. You are right. They don’t even know what they are in for. It will be wonderful…

Selene

Who needs prudence when there’s the cover of the night giving us ample sacrifices to choose from. No sane man walks the night, no loved man walks alone. This is going to be wonderful.

Themis

They ruined this country. They perverted my laws, my work and everything I have ever done for these people. They are nothing but ungrateful scum and they will meet their end.

Perses

You’ll amount to nothing, all you do is destroy. Well, this feels a bit ironic now, doesn’t it. Come on now, don’t you scream anymore, it is just annoying. It is for your own good, trust me.

Hope you liked this introduction of the 30 and the extra chapter of The Horrorscope. If you want to help keep the short stories free you can always donate at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

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…

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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.

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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.

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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…

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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…

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