No Adult Supervision

There’s a cycle in nature that we’re all too familiar with, at least in theory. Birth, small, helpless, getting fed by parents. Protected by those bigger and stronger or those that are seen as responsible. Then growing, learning about the world, how to survive, what’s important and what’s necessary. Those responsible remind you of the dangers and the need to be self-sufficient. Yet still, you are protected by those bigger than you. Then you are thrusted into the world to try things, see how they work, if you know how to work them. They call this youth. It is where most creatures experience they best time of their lives, before life happens. This is where any living being will feel like they’ll have the most if not all freedom. At least those fortunate enough to not have to start life early and have to grind to make a living hunting, praying on those weaker, swimming or running for their lives. And after this brief period, you are asked to get your life in order and be self-sufficient. This is the first taste of stress, anxiety and where you learn that the price of freedom comes at a cost. And it is not cheap, whether you’re a bee, a bird, a snake, a buffalo, an elephant or worse of all, a human. This is the moment those truly fortunate continue to enjoy life, and the rest follow those that were unfortunate at a younger age to work and grind for their life and freedom. And then you get to be your parent’s age…

After much work, much grinding and much time, you get to look around and see how tough everything is. How you have to live, work, and be at a certain standard all the time. It feels exhausting, you think to yourself. This isn’t what I was promised when I was told I could be anything I wanted, you remind yourself of youth. But there’s nothing you can do about it. If you want to eat, if you want to drink, if you want to procreate, if you want to live, you have to do what everyone else is doing. You start hearing that everything is like a jungle. It’s either eat or be eaten alive. Yet when you look around there’s plenty for everyone, but some choose to hoard and let it all get moldy and rotten. But, you can’t complain, you have your own share and you have to be happy with it, or someone will come and snatch it all away from you for being ungrateful. And of course that’s true, if it were all a jungle and only the strong survive. And of course it is just a jungle, if you don’t know about forests or deserts. And then time passes and you do as those before you did. Yet you notice something…

No one knows what they are doing. Sure, one knows how to make honey, another knows how to scavenge for food and one last one might know how to hunt. But just because you know how to do one thing well, doesn’t mean you know how to do all things well. Yet everyone you meet seems to be an expert with tips and tricks on how to do about everything. Though the more you hear the more you ask yourself if that is even true. So, you start feeling uneasy about where you are and take a peak outside the jungle. You discover mountains, grass plains, forests full of a thousand different trees, deserts and ice. Animals and insects you’ve never seen, appear out of nowhere, and tell you stories of ways to do something you did all your life in a different way. The more you learn, the more ways to do things you find, and the more time you spend learning the more you doubt everything you know. You become unsure, you become more anxious, nervous and uncertain about everything. Yet, you find the things that can never be disproven and that are certain beyond any shadow of a doubt in any jungle, forest, mountain cave you’ve ever been in, those things were always the same.

And now the world expects you to do as they’ve done. But you’re not sure you should, since you don’t know much and you don’t know if it’s the right thing. So you go back to the jungle and you meet those you’ve met before. They seem overconfident in what they’re saying now. So, you confront them and they lash back at you, you’re a traitor for calling what they believe into question. You know that you can’t trust them anymore. Anyone that knows anything for certain yet doubts what has been proven is not someone to trust. And the more you look, the more it seems that the whole world is full of these creatures. Friend, foe, family or pray, you can find them everywhere you look. Ant, bird, snake, lion or man are masters of one job, and jacks of none, you think to yourself as you are just a jack of all trades, but a master of not one job. Yet it doesn’t matter. Because life continues, change is slow and incremental and whatever you do, however you struggle and no matter how much you scream. There are no adults in this world, just children playing pretend.

Hope you liked this post. It’s been a few years since I last wrote something more personal and direct like this. But, since The Pilot Program 2021 is completed, I thought to fill the void with some old-school style posts like these. Hope you liked it, if you did and want to keep the short stories free, you can always donate at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 37: Drowning in Luck

It’s horrible. It stinks, Pincer complains. Why do we ever have sewers and toilets if we barely eat anyways? asks Ram. You answered yourself, says Kei. What should be looking out for? asks Pincer. Anything unusual, says Kei. Mary starts laughing. We’re in the sewers, can you be more specific? asks Mary. I don’t know. You think I live here to know what to look for? You guys are the trained professionals, not me, bemoans Kei. No one trained us for this, says Kei holding his nose. Look for something that might be used to cut someone’s leg, I guess, says Mary. Well, that’s asking us to look for the needle in the haystack, says Pincer. Why didn’t we think this through? she asks. I did, says Ram. Me too, says Pincer. Me three. It’s just that what I had in mind isn’t what we found, says Kei as the other two nod. Well, whatever, says Mary. Let’s just move, maybe we will find something, says Pincer. Why would you throw away so many drugs? asks Ram. Well, maybe they didn’t want to have those distractions anymore, says Kei. Just give it a day, damn. And you’ll be free of it, says Ram. It’s not that simple. The drugs stay in your system for almost a year, depending on its potency, says Kei.

What? asks Wasa annoyed. The door opens and Ken enters. I have some important information. Thought to let you know, says Ken. Aren’t you swift? asks Wasa. No, sir. Just very, very lucky, says Ken. I really hope you’ll think of something better than what you have told me until now, Wasa tells Telum as he heads for the door. Ken closes the door behind Wasa and locks it. So? What did you find? asks Wasa. I managed to find the video of what happened after we left Kei’s place the second time. Kei apparently jumped out the windows and a minute later it seems smoke started to come out of his apartment. But, we didn’t get to see who or what or why, since people evacuated and they probably blended in with the crowd, says Ken. How is this important information? asks Wasa. Because, I didn’t stop there. Remember ten years ago, after all that happened. All residential buildings were required at least a pair of security cameras for homes and for apartment buildings you need at least three. One at the front entrance, one at the back entrance and one in the elevator, says Ken. So you called the security firm to send you the footage, says Wasa. Yes. And we got video footage of that X guy in the elevator. And pretty sure that if I looked even further into it, I’d find Yellow too. But I hurried to print the photo of the guy and call back the security firm to see if anyone recognized him and them headed here to tell you all this, says Ken excitedly. So what do you want to do now? asked Ken.

We’ve searched through so much shit, says Ram. Stop complaining and keep looking, says Mary. But is this even worth it? Think about it. If you wanted to kidnap someone, would you be so dumb to let a weapon or anything behind? asks Pincer. Yes, says Kei. Why? asks Mary. Because this place is already filled with weapons and all sorts of weird and dubious things. Why wouldn’t you hide a weapon here? Didn’t you say it earlier? Needle in the haystack, says Kei. Well, it says if you step in this stuff, you’ll have luck. I don’t feel lucky right now, says Mary as she looks around. But why a criminal? asks Ram. Because who cares what happens to a criminal? asks Kei. Yes, but why? What do you do with a criminal? asks Ram annoyed. Fuck ‘em? asks Kei whilst shrugging. Drug them? asks Pincer. Experiment on them! exclaims Mary. But why? asks Ram again. Because they need to find a way to re-do what they did ten years ago, of course. Why do you think that what happened ten years ago didn’t happen again? They didn’t know how to reproduce it. But, then, ten years later and many other tries it worked. Not how they hoped it would, but it worked. But they still don’t know why. So, what would you do? Get some criminals and experiment on them. And if I were them, I’d get one of each zodiac sign, says Kei excitedly. What the…

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The Horrorscope - Episode 36: The Darkness at the Beginning of the Tunnel

What now? asks Hull. Well, now we wait for the UN to respond. If they won’t, the people will. But until then, do me a favor and call all available units from the outskirts to surround the area where that criminal named Mary disappeared. And the rest have them patrol and guard the UN buildings in the city, says Wasa. Will do, says Hull. Wasa goes down, opens the door and looks at him. How are you holding up, Telum? Telum nods. For how many years have we known each other, Telum? How many years have we worked to have a tight lipped and tight knit group here? Yes, that’s right. Quite a while now. So, I do wonder why this is happening the way it is happening. Why did you leave the building before it exploded? Why did you do nothing when Bala’s head was crushed? Why does that feel like it wasn’t a coincidence? And you know it makes no sense for you not to talk, right? Since you presume yourself to be innocent. Or are you hiding something? asks Wasa. I’m hiding nothing. But you aren’t willing to listen, says Telum. When was that ever true, Telum? Now, try me. You’d might surprise yourself, says Wasa with a wicked smile on his face.

Hey, says Ram. Is this the spot? asks Kei. Yes, says the officer that hailed them. Anyone suspicious around? asks Mary. Not that I’ve seen. Is he okay? asks the officer as Kei looks insistently as his hooves. Yes, don’t mind him. He did the exact same thing to Phenos, from what I’ve heard, says Pincer. So, that’s the hole you’ve found the hand in, says Ram. Yes, says the officer. Okay, but couldn’t it be that it came more up the street and got stuck here? asks Kei. It is possible, says the officer. Right, but then how do you trace it back? It could have come from anywhere in the city. And it’s not like blood doesn’t wash away, Kei mumbled. Well then, we were wrong. Weren’t we? asks Ram. What do you mean? asks Pincer. Well, if this was in any way a trap, it’s not a good one since their bait floated away, continued Ram. Kei starts laughing. What? asks Ram. You completely misunderstood. That’s not the bait. We’re the bait, says Kei. What bait? asks the officer. Kei looks down at the officer’s waist to see a gun. Oh, don’t you worry about it, says Kei. So, what should we do? asks Mary. Want us to split? Or are we going together? asks Pincer. Have you never read any books? Or seen any movies? asks Kei. We’re going together, but with some distance between each other. That way if one misses something, the other can see it, says Kei. You heard him. Let’s go, says Ram.

It still feels odd, says Wasa as he sits across from Telum. Were you followed? asked Wasa. Not that I know of, says Telum. Then do tell me. How do you think they knew about what you were doing? asks Wasa. I don’t know, Telum says as he looks at Wasa. Well, that’s the problem. It’s not just that you had to leave the building and that by coincidence everything else happened. You failed to protect your partner. You failed to protect a civilian. You failed to bring any answer or lead. So, from my perspective, it looks like you managed to sabotage this investigation. Now how exactly can I trust you? Since there are clearly rats in this place and right now, you are our only lead into that, says Wasa. But, couldn't’ve been any other from, before he can even finish Wasa interrupts him. No. Ken and Bala never strayed from the pack, says Wasa. But what about Kei? asked Telum What about a civilian that never set foot here? asks Wasa. Nothing, says Telum as he lowers his head. Well, this is just heartbreaking, says Wasa as he picks something up from the table. A knock on the door…

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The Horrorscope - Episode 35: Trap for the Shadows

Come, we have to sneak out the back, says Ram. What? asks Mary. Wasa told us to get you to come with us, says Ram. Why? Where is he? she asks while looking around. Doing a press conference out front, distracting them. We have no time to spare, we need to find that criminal that was lost, says Ram. Fine, reluctantly she agrees as she picks up her jacket. Where are we going? asks Pincer. Downtown, says Ram. And who is this guy? asks Mary. Oh, right. Forgot to introduce you. Mary, Pincer, this is Kei. Kei, this are Mary and Pincer. There, everyone now knows each other, says Ram. The three kind of confused look at each other with an awkward smile. What do you think we’ll find? Ram asks Kei. I don’t know. But the fact that we will show up there will draw eyes upon us. Especially since you guys are dressed in your work attire and are escorting me there, he replied. Don’t worry about it. That’s why we have Pincer and Mary with us, says Ram as he stomps his hooves in excitement. Just look at him, he continued, he has the toughest skin I’ve ever seen in my life, he says as he hits Pincer’s red orange shell skin. But where downtown are we going? asks Mary. In the sewers. Hopefully, you guys aren’t squeamish, says Ram whilst laughing.

What is the plan? What do you expect to happen next? asks the press. In all honesty, I do not know. What I would wish for is for UN to finally do something. It feels like we’ve gone long enough without any answers. Without any real relief for what happened, And with the hope that people will forget. But we did not, could not, have not forgotten what happened. We still remember those dear to us that we lost that day. The planet mourned their losses and yet, here we are. With another dead man on our hands. With ex-convicts disappearing suddenly. And our hearts once again broken. Something has to change. And if it won’t we will have to take a stance to change things ourselves as people. We did not unite for the death of our fellow men, women and children to be swept under the rug and for those filth that brought that upon us to roam the world freely, says Wasa. But what did you do? Since you have suspects yet no leads, asks the press. We couldn’t do much, sadly. The suspect we had on the tragedy from ten years ago, cannot communicate. We’ve brought in experts and we cannot find a way to talk, write, or do anything, sadly. But, we the death of our colleague, we found new leads and new suspects. Which we are currently and actively pursuing. We will give you more details as the situation develops. Thank you, says Wasa as he leaves and the crow explodes into noise.

What do you think Wasa’s plan was with this? asks Ram. Well, he probably wants to draw as much attention to this as possible. If we have two definitive suspects, two unknowns and one other lead with this missing criminal. It is also possible to create as much uproar as possible and make them panic in order to make them act or make some kind of mistake, says Kei. So, we are cannon fodder, says Pincer. We’re bait. Otherwise he wouldn’t’ve sent me with you guys, says Kei. Well, let’s hope they’re dumb enough to come alone after us, says Mary. I don’t know about that. If they were watching the press conference they might have consolidated. Whatever move they make next, must be a precise one. Or they must go back into hiding, says Kei. But do you think after killing a man, burning an apartment and exploding the police precinct these guys will go back into their hole? asks Ram. Seems they’re risking a lot, says Ram. I don’t know, but it’s always possible, says Kei. Let’s hope that this shitty lead will take us somewhere at least, says Mary as they park the car. Or at least that someone bites the bait, says Kei. I don’t want anything to bite me, says Ram as they get out of the car. Hey you! screams someone at them.

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 34: Lighting the Fire

Ken, you’ll handle the data base search and the video on Kei’s apartment. And please get me officer Hull as you leave. Thank you, says Wasa. Yes sir, says Ken as he leaves. What should I do? asks Ram. Take Kei and go find Mary and also get Pincer to go with you. You’ll need the help, says Wasa. And what will you do? asks Ram as Hull enters the office. Officer Hull, please inform the press that will have a press conference in 5 minutes outside the precinct, says Wasa. Sir, yes, sir! says Hull. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to announce the death of Scorpian, that we have at least five suspects and that there are missing persons, says Wasa. But why? asks Ram. Didn’t you say that until now you didn’t go public as to not create panic? he continued. Yes, but I think you all are right. The UN has done nothing and we haven’t done much either. We need to put pressure on those above us to do something and on those killers by having them know we are onto them, says Wasa. Okay, but you are inviting more and more danger your way, says Kei. Well, luckily for us, we’re still immortal and we’re the police. And this time, we’ll be prepared for them, says Wasa. Good luck, sir, says Kei as he and Ram leave his office.

Hey, Mary. Do we have a working computer? asks Ken. Yes, why? Yours’ fried too? she asks. Yeah. And I need some traffic footage and access to both criminal and the driver’s license databases, says Ken. Need some help? she asks. No, thank you though. I’m looking for something very specific. So, I’d like to do it myself, says Ken. Oh, I haven’t seen you so fired up in a while, says Mary. Well, after so many years, you it feels like things are finally moving. So, where is the PC? asks Ken. In the storage, right after evidence. To your left after you enter the room, down on the floor. There should be a couple of those older models from five years ago or so, says Mary. How do you know that? asks Ken. I like to know where things are in case they might come handy later, like now, she says as she hands him the keys to the storage room. Thank you, Ken says before leaving. Ken! she shouts. He turns around. Good luck! Hope you find what you’re looking for, she says. Thanks, says Ken. Why did this feel so sad? he asked himself as he puts his hand to his chest. I can’t get distracted. I need to concentrate now. Come on Ken, you’re better than that, he tells himself as he gets to the storage room.

Hello everyone. Thank you for coming on such a short notice. I know you all have been waiting to get some answers in regards to what happened and I am grateful you kept your distance and let us do our work, says Wasa as the press has its eyes on him. I want to begin by saying that this was indeed a terrorist attack. It was an attack on peace, it was on attack on law and law enforcement, it was an attack to our principals as people. 58 officers were badly wounded, and sadly, 12 had their heads crushed, be it by debris, the explosion or some other way. Those 12 will have to restart their lives. And they might never be who they were before, just a shadow of their former selves. This is just one of the two major tragedies that struck us here. The other, is that after ten years, another one of us died. The press explodes as they clamor. I will answer all your questions. The press subsides to murmurs as they shuffle around. Yes, a two days ago, detective Bruce Scorpian was found lifeless in his apartment. We have five suspects as of now and are currently investigating the matter. We will inform you as the situation develops. Regarding the tragedy that has befallen us ten years ago, we do have one suspect. And as a one last thing, people have began disappearing, so please be aware, especially if you were a criminal and served your sentence, someone seems to be targeting you, says Wasa as the press erupts again.

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agrypnia: Every Dream Is A Nightmare - The Pilot Program 2021

Sleeping is dangerous, you never know what psychopath awaits you on the other side... There are no good dreams, there are only lucky ones. And once your mind can dream, the only one you can rely on, is not your friends, not your family, but only on yourself.

Hello, I hear in the darkness. How’s life over there? The voice asked.

It’s horrible. I can’t find my parents. I can’t find any of my friends. Food is getting scarce since no one can really work well. And I have no idea where I live. I’m sleeping under a bridge right now!

Oh how pitiful. But, you know, I know that you are lying to me. How? I can hear it in your voice. Yes. That’s right.

I hate my own voice.

By the way. Have we met before?

I don’t know? How could I know? I can’t see you. It’s pitch black right now. I hear him start laughing.

Oh no. How did you survive all this time, Theo? He continues to laugh.

What do you mean? Why are you laughing?

We are not that stupid, now are we? This is a dream, isn’t it. You are conscious within a dream, aren’t we?

Yes, I shout loudly.

Around my neck I feel two hands tightening and squeezing hard. It’s suffocating.

You see... You can feel everything, it’s like magic, he says whilst squeezing even harder on my neck. Yes, and you get to make those horrible noises and suffer at your own stupid hands.

I try to scratch my way out of his hands as I start to flail trying to kick him. But, he starts to punch me in my sides, in my stomach, in my ribs, over and over again with his hands still around my neck.

Don’t worry. I won’t kill you. I’m just curious. He says while he keeps punching me. I have to wonder, dear Theo. How did you get to have such a nice life, he says as he drops me. So, why don’t you stop lying to me and get to the truth. There’s no way you were lucky enough for 26 years. There’s no way you didn’t run into some atrocious monster in this vast pool of infinite infinities and have not lost to at least one of them. So, what’s your secret? What do you bargain with? How did you beat the rest? I ask, because I don’t know about you… But, I use this time more for unloading all my anger issues at myself and at this cursed world we live in. It simply keeps me happy and motivated while awake. You can call this some form of therapy. Why? Because like you, I barely got to know my parents. Who knows how lost they are and in which hellhole they are. So sometimes, like now, I meet someone interesting. Which means, I got to know how you survived and why are you so calm about this?

Because there’s nothing I can do about it, can I? I can’t help but fall asleep. I can’t help but be dragged into these nightmares. And there is nothing I can do about it. So, if I’m lose and am beaten or even killed. Who cares? All the friends I make change, disappear and die. I don’t have a family. And even if I did, I wouldn’t know where to even find them. I don’t know why, I don’t know how, I don’t know shit about fuck all. So, I try to live wherever.

Well, that’s boring. You’d think someone that grasps the general pieces of this would understand the concept behind it all. Guess I was wrong. Now, I have to wonder if you are even worth left living, he says as he cracks his knuckles. So, I’m going to do you a favor. And trust me when I say this, it is going to be a favor to kill you. I’ve seen nightmares which you can’t even comprehend. I’ve heard stories which haunt me to this days. So, if you think your place in this universe doesn’t matter. If you take whatever life you have for granted. If you reduce yourself to something less than a roach. It is going to be my pleasure to reduce you to atoms. That way, at least, you’ll have a purpose again. You’ll literally matter, he says as I hear him walk towards me.

Wait! I shout at him. You said you wanted to know how I survived all these 26 years, right?

Yes, he says as he stops.

Kill me, try to take my place. Do anything to pull me out of the place I am in right now. And you will die.

He starts laughing.

What do you think I am? Fucking stupid? That’s clearly a bluff, he says whilst getting even closer.

No. No, I am not. There is a timer and an alarm. If I don’t wake up within 8 hours and 15 minutes after I have fallen asleep, a stake will pierce my heart. If you’ll take my place, you will die. Why? Because there is a fine way to getting out of the bed without setting off the contraption. Tempt me, and I will take you down with me. I might not be as strong as you. But, what I do have, is no fear of dying. You wanted to know how I survived. This is how. Like a coward, even if I have to kill myself over twice.

You fucker… Fine… But, don’t think you’re out of the woods yet. You might’ve survived tonight, but, you never know what’s waiting for you next time you’ll fall asleep…

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. This is the last of the eight yearly short story pilots, which means, one of the eight will become the short story for 2022. And you choose which. And if you want to keep the short stories free, you can always donate at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 33: High on Stress

Who disappeared? asks Wasa. It is Mary, sir. Her tracker was in the same place for a bit too long, so when when a patrol car went to see where she was. She was nowhere to be found, says Phenos. How does that even happen? asks Ram. We don’t know. The officers told us through dispatch that she was nowhere. They said they had searched through the sewers under the road and only found her tracker and her foot, says Phenos. Why do you keep tabs on criminals? asks Kei. Exactly because of things like this, says Wasa. But then why not chip them in the head or something? Kei asks. Because that is illegal. We cannot do such a thing without consent and, you probably figured it out by now that none of them would consent to something like that. Did the employer say anything? asks Wasa. No, sir. From what we understand, as much as she hated her job, she was content with the fact that at least no one sees her, says Phenos. Well, then why would this happen now? asks Kei. Oh, rude guy. You’re still alive, says Phenos. What? asks Wasa. Nothing sir. We don’t know, says Phenos. Try asking other precincts. See if this happened somewhere else. Try world-wide if you somehow can or if by chance you’ll get some answer. See if anyone else knows something. And sorry to hold you overtime like this, says Wasa. Will do, says Pheno as he sighs and leaves.

I’ve always wondered, says Ram, why don’t we crush the criminals heads? he asks. It’s simple. You wouldn’t solve anything. They’d have the same rotten personality, without any of the knowledge. And holding someone like that in a correctional facility is cruel and illegal, since technically they’re a new person. Which is why we prefer them like this rather than have a 8 out of 10 chances that they’ll just repeat a crime, says Wasa. Understood, says Ram. The problems remain. We have no idea who killed his partner, how and why. We have no idea who those two that approached Kei and Ken are. We do not know who or why attacked us. We do not know what happened ten years ago. We do not know who N is and why he isn’t talking. And these have been the most stressful three hours of my life. And in 24 hours I have to give you guys a lead or I’ll have to quit. Which honestly, now sounds just about wonderful. But the guilt and my ego does not let me to simply give this up and walk out the door. So, let’s try to find a profile about those two idiot that left you free to walk in here. Because they’ll regret ever peaking their stupid heads out, says Wasa as he pulls out a baggie of white powder from his chest pocket.

So, one had lion’s hands, says Wasa. Anything else you can tell me about him? he continued. He was tall, almost as tall as Telum. He called himself Yellow or Y or something in those lines, says Ken. Yeah, one was called X and the other was called Yellow, Kei chimes in. Any other features? asks Wasa. No, he was quite plain looking. He had light brown eyes, almost yellow-ish in sunlight. And he looked like a box. He wasn’t well built, he was just built. I don’t know how to explain it, says Ken. And the other was rather weird. He looked skinny, but that’s only if you don’t really pay attention. He was well defined. A crooked nose, but not too crooked. Big cheekbones, I guess? Not big, but like… Two halves of a circle, very well defined. He also had slick hair and some weird sunglasses, says Kei. Well, that’s not helpful, says Wasa. We can’t do much with these descriptions. It’s not like I can just write those descriptions into the computer and have a result, he continued bemoaning. But, the Leo thing is a start, right? asks Ram. Right. We’ll start on that. We’ll have to look through driver’s licenses records and the sort. Maybe we’ll find a match. And we should also look at the camera footage around Kei’s apartment and the cameras at the entrance to the city too, says Wasa. So, let’s get to work, he continued.

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The Horrorscope - Episode 32.5: UN Announcement

We, the people, have decided that from today onward we live together as one country, The United Nations! Within these United Nations we’ll have federations to govern, so that voices of all people, the needs of all people, can be met and their rights upheld. We, the people, have decided that no person should have their rights, freedoms, travel restricted! No matter, their creed, color, shape or sexuality! Yet freedom comes with responsibility! It is our duty as people to hold the civility, the peace, the harmony in these United Nations! And no one’s freedom is more precious than another one’s. We have but one planet in an infinity of darkness that we call the universe, which is why, we, the people, have voted as such. To live united, to live in peace, to live as one unity, yet to remain many individuals. Today marks an historical day. A day of unity, love, yet also purpose. To protect each other, to share in each other’s cultures, to love and leave the violent days behind as we look towards bright future ahead.

People in the future will look back at our history and they’ll ask themselves, how did it take them so many years to realize this? How did no one have the foresight to have done this any sooner? It is simple. We were selfish enough to put the priorities of the few ahead of the priorities of the many. We were hungry for knowledge, but what we sought was actually violence. We had a long road to learn, about ourselves, about this planet and about what is right and wrong. Which is why we are here today, to show that we have learned. We grew, we developed, we advanced and we are one people under the sky. No race, no ethnicity, but one people, united! We are here to tell those that will follow us, those that will be foolish enough to think that before was better, that they are mistaken. We who have seen war. We who have seen violence. We who have suffered at the mercy of others and had our freedoms striped away. We can tell you that before, it wasn’t better. Before, it didn’t make sense. Imaginary lines, fences, armies, restrictions, terror, war, violence, makes no sense if this is your only world. And we, the people, have decided as such.

It has taken us way too many years, way too many days, to realize this dream. A dream for you, a dream for me, a dream for every living being on this here planet. To live free, to live a good life, to lead a better life than before. Why? Because we owe it to ourselves to be better and live better. We owe to our neighbors, co-workers, families, friends and strangers alike to be better than we were yesterday. We shouldn’t feel sorrow, grief, pain, to please others. We shouldn’t sacrifice our time and resources to only benefit the few. As such, we, the people, have decided to put our hands together, to garner strength. To stand up…. To put an end to such misery. We, the people, have voted to live under one nation, united, yet culturally diverse. To live with love in our hearts for a brighter future, tomorrow and today. We, the people, have declared today! The first of January! The day of unification of all under one country! The United Nations! says Ken, Thank you Ken, you can sit down now. Who wants to read next? asks the teacher.

The Horrorscope - Episode 32: Alone with Rats

Those are valid concerns, Kei, says Wasa. But, there’s not much to know, is there? Unlike the murder of one, the murder of a billion is hard to track down and figure out. I don’t doubt the UN supreme council hasn’t worked hard on this. The only thing you might not know about is N, the only survivor. But then again, it barely even matters, as he isn’t talking, finishes Wasa. Have you thought he isn’t able to talk? asks Kei. Holy shit, exclaims Ram. Don’t worry, we thought about that. But he doesn’t even want to write. And don’t tell me in however many years he has he didn’t learn to write, says Wasa. Okay, but what if he has amnesia? asks Kei. Well, we had doctors look at him, and he seemed fine. Which means we are kinda at the end of our ropes with that one, says Wasa as he sighs. Have you talked to the council? Or anyone at UN? Or in the federation? asks Kei. No. Not from the federation, not from the council, not from any minister of any kind. The only thing we have is N and the device he held when we found him. That’s it. I don’t think they were prepared for that disaster. And I don’t think that if it were to happen again, they still aren’t. Even now, ten years later, says Wasa.

I don’t understand it then. What about his partner’s death? Did anyone contact you about that? asks Kei. No. And after what just happened here, you’d think they would, says Wasa. But then it really doesn’t make any sense. Do they even care? asks Kei annoyed. It’s more complicated than that. A terrorist attack just occurred. Ten years after a billion people died. This is a very sensitive matter and you don’t want the public to go wild with panic. So they have to be really careful with what they say. Besides they can’t look like a bunch of morons because a building just exploded because of lack of government oversight. And if they don’t know about Ken’s partner, this whole ordeal is going to get nastier. Especially since we had so many years of peace and quiet under the UN, says Wasa. Okay, but then. Why aren’t they here? This is a matter of security, world-wide security, says Ken. I don’t know. That’s the problem, I don’t know either. And I don’t know why I don’t know, when I should know, says Wasa angrily. So, please stop asking me these questions, because I do not know, he continued. In so many years working here. I haven’t heard of a secret police, a spy agency, anything of the sort. And I don’t understand it either. It feels like we’re just on our own, says Wasa as he puts his hands in his hair.

Wait… Really? asks Kei. Yes, says Wasa. Then who were the two that got us? asks Kei whilst looking at Ken. What do you mean? asks Wasa. Ken takes a step forward. I was out looking for Kei and some guy with lion hands approached me and told me to follow him. So, I did. There I met Kei, says Ken. Same thing happened to me, says Kei. The two told us that they were from the secret police and that they suspect you of fowl play, sir, says Ken. So, they wanted us to infiltrate and find what you know out and report back. We would’ve lied probably to them anyways, since they didn’t have any proof or didn’t provide any, continued Ken. But, they don’t seem to know about N, says Kei. Well then, we have another mystery on our hands, says Wasa. They knew about you, about what was happening here, and that Telum was in interrogation, says Ken. That means I was right. We do have a rat here. But, on the bright side, it’s a shitty one, says Wasa. That doesn’t make him any less dangerous, says Ram. You’re right, Wasa agrees. The door is flung open, Phenos enters all a sweat and in a hurry. Sir, a criminal just disappeared!

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The Horrorscope - Episode 31: Encounter Ahead

See? Nothing. You got nothing out of him, says Wasa. But, I will. I promise you, says Ram. You won’t, I tried. I don’t really understand it either. The doctors said he was okay, physically. Mentally he probably went through the same shock as us. So, I don’t get it. Years later after we got around to torturing him, someone suggested we bring in a mortician that worked with us during the blackout. She cut him open, maybe there was something wrong within him, something you couldn’t tell during a physical. But, she found nothing. When anyone that interacts with you finds nothing, you really must be a nobody, says Wasa. That’s why you call him, N, says Ram. Well, let’s go see what else is happening up there. We need to find whoever did this and I have less than 24 hours to do so, says Wasa. You know, you could have not promised such a thing, says Ram as he locks the door behind him. I know, but I was going to quit soon anyway, says Wasa whilst looking in the distance. There is something I must’ve done wrong. Whether it’s the fact that what happened ten years happened or that it’s been ten years and it happened again. This time to one of our men… I don’t know, says Wasa.

Captain, says Pheno, Ken and Kei are looking for you. Wasa looks a bit confused at Ram. Let’s see what all this is about, says Wasa as they go back up. Ken, what happened? asks Wasa. A lot. Can we talk? asks Ken. You must be Kei, says Wasa as he extends his hand for a handshake. Kei nods and shakes his hand. Of course, let’s go in my office. Leave whatever electronic devices you have here, outside, says Wasa. Should I come too? asks Ram. Yes, of course, Ram, says Wasa as he taps him on the shoulder. You two seem close, says Ken. Oh, well… You know, says Wasa as he opens the door to his office. So, what happened after you told us about Telum? I know you went to find him. How’d you find him? asks Wasa. He was in the forest by the banks. He jumped out the window of his apartment, broke his legs, got in a taxi and left for the forest. Luckily we got to the taxi driver which got us to him, before anyone else. Then, we came here, says Ken. Wasa takes a bit to contemplate. Hmmm, okay. Good. You did good, maybe. We’ll see. Telum didn’t tell me anything. So, what can you guys tell me? I mean, you went after him for a reason, right? So, what did you two learn that Telum isn’t willing to tell me? asks Wasa.

We learned about the blackout, a potential way to kill someone, but it’s just a theory. We found this device, it was some sort of contraption, like a cylinder. But, that went up in flames, so we don’t know where it is. Most of whatever evidence we had either burned down here or burned down at Kei’s place. There is one more thing, before the explosion, we learned about the name a sentiment or something like that, says Ken. Wasa sits down in his worn-out leather chair. Well, you seemed to have quite the busy day today. Anything else? A theory? Some idea? A lead? asks Wasa looking at Kei. Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot to introduce myself, I am captain Wasa, and this is Ram, says Wasa. Well, there’s a lot I don’t know. Having a theory now would be like shooting blindfolded with a pp gun and expecting to hit the bullseye. I can’t do miracles. For example, I never understood why the UN doesn’t have a suspect list. Why haven’t they arrested anyone? Why did not one tell us anything? It really does feel like the supreme council is covering something up and fucking us over with. So, the short answer is, I don’t know. Unless you can tell me whatever we are missing, captain Wasa, says Kei.

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