Bluejay Writing Blog

Writing blog ~ Please note the general TWs of possible gore and sexual content ~ 18+

[aceof-diamonds]

His breathing stutters as he peeks through the gap in the door, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths as he watches the man so calm, so relaxed splaying out on his mattress; duvet only covering up to his lower back. Eyes scan over every line and every curve of the muscles that define his back and upper arms.

He's careful with his steps as he walks in - careful that the door closes quietly behind him. The man in bed looks too peaceful to wake up.

Slim hands pull up the duvet behind the other, gentle as he slips underneath, an arm wraps around his back and slowly pulls him to press against the smaller ones torso and joggers that seem to sit tighter than usual around his hips.

There's a grumble once he settles against his back. "Oli?" The voice that breaks through the silence was rough, riddled with disturbed sleep. He hums, low, settling more into the touch of his younger brother. "What're you doing here?"

Oliver accepts him as he presses back into him for comfort; he swallows a groan and clears his throat. "Nightmares, Ry." Breath catches in his throat for just a second. "I didn't want to be alone."

[d1gitald0llhouse]

WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE !

A NEW PROGRAM THAT OFFERS YOU ANYTHING YOU'D EVER WANT - ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WIN ! COME TAKE PART IN MY COMPETITION TO PROVE YOURSELF THE WORTHY OF A GRAND PRIZE AND YOUR GREATEST WISH - GUARANTEED!

YOU CAN FINALLY HAVE IT ALL!

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS MAKE A CHOICE: LIVE YOUR CURRENT LIFE OR BECOME SOMETHING NEW. SEND ME AN ASK! THROW ME SOME LOVE! SHOW ME HOW MUCH YOU WANT IT!

WELCOME TO THE LIMELIGHT, BABY! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SAY YES. SO, C'MON - HIT THAT LITTLE 'Y' BUTTON DOWN THERE, OKAY? THEN I'LL HAVE THE PERMISSIONS TO HELP YOU. YOU'LL BE A PART OF THE NETWORK! YOU'LL BE IN IT TO WIN IT!

LET'S BEGIN!

Y / N

_

this is a fictional arg that will eventually lead to the release of a discord server. it does not result in a real prize. to play, please send an ask to this blog and talk to the character above.

this arg does contain warnings that include but are not limited to descriptions of blood, violence, death, mind control and emotional manipulation. please bear this in mind and message the blog with any issues or concerns you may have.

i hope you enjoy your journey to the dollhouse. - user 10.

[aceof-diamonds]

"Did you know him?" A voice from behind made her jump - she could've sworn she was the only person in this part of Viana. She turned back to him with a soft smile.

"No." She took her focus back to the cabin, eyes drifting over the dead flowers. "I've heard stories though - of the Hunters, of what Rue did. I was young when it all happened." She shrugged. "I heard some of the cabins remained somewhat standing and decided to come and see them while I was in the area."

The man moved to stand by her side, his eyes stuck to the cabin. "Stories?" There's a slight huff of a laugh. "And what do you think of them? What do you think of what Rue did?" He turned to face her, watching her hesitate for a moment.

"I think it was brave."

"Brave?" He laughed - and only then did she notice the birds surrounding them in the trees as they mimicked his amusement. He sighs. "I think he was pathetic." The sudden deadpan comment pulled her back to their conversation; he smirked as he felt her eyes on him - her shock burning into his skull. "Do they say much about what happened to him after he tried to kill her?"

She paused, eyebrows furrowed. "He died." She frowned. "The President's guards caught him and he was killed for the attempted assassination."

The birds above them seemed to grow more interested in their conversation - beady eyes switching between the two as they listened, comfortably perched.

He smiled. "Correct." His focus moved to the Tower. "As he deserved."

"I'm sorry, who are-"

Suddenly he's in front of her, his eyebrow raised. "Don't be rude, I'm still talking." She freezes - only moving to take a step back when he moves towards her. "He only did what he did because he was pushed out of his community and thought that might've made him special. A *saviour.*" He tilted his head as he backed her into a tree. "You can see why I'd say he was pathetic now, right? Runt of the litter just desperate to be liked by the rest."

A pause before he backed off slightly, arms spread to gesture to the clearing. "All of them deserved to die." His voice was dangerously calm. "Which is why I made sure they did." His mouth twisted into a grin - one of a feral animal.

There was silence between them both. He stared her down as she slowly moved around the tree - a predator waiting on his prey to bolt.

"Oh-" She finally cut through the silence. "Oh god, you-" Her breathing became more shallow, her eyes started to water. "... Please don't kill me." Her gaze now followed his hand to his thigh, watching as he slipped out a knife.

"God, you're trembling. Don't worry," He stepped closer once again - eyes still not leaving her face. "I don't plan on killing you." A pause. The cogs in his head turned; predicting her next move. "Not right now, anyway. I owe someone a gift first." That's when he lunged, laughing as the knife caught her arm - a small pool of blood beginning to stain the sleeve of her shirt.

She started to run, an attempt to find her way out of the labyrinth of a forest. She's started to think she's close to an exit but her vision has now doubled; the trees around her bent over her and stared her down. They made her stumble back - her legs only just keeping her up.

It's quiet for a moment; ominous - even the birds that surround her stay silent and just watch, almost as if they were waiting for something to happen.

A gasp broke the tension as something cold wrapped around her throat and started to drag her backwards - her legs finally giving way as her back collided with the dirt. All she caught was a laugh from behind before her vision finally cut.

[phobosinspired]

I enjoy watching you all discuss your fears so openly. They're fascinating, truly. I ask a question of the void and you all crawl out of the woodwork, laid bare, wide open.

You will all become a very interesting part of this story.

But for now -

Confess.

i'm not sure i actually want to be a good person.

i'm a terrible friend. i don't understand why.

i think i'm the problem.

i think everybody else is the problem.

i don't like my family/friends/partner.

i want to confess something else (in tags).

Voting ended onAug 30, 2023

Share, and I shall absolve you.

[phobosinspired]

We're all afraid of something.

your best friend holds a knife to you, grinning all the while.

a fire rages through your city. through the panic, you smell gunpowder on you.

you are not what you promised your childhood self you'd be.

the people are too wary to even whisper your name.

alone in the dying light of mountains, you hear a knock at your door.

a spirit finds its way to you, wrapping strings around your hands.

you can begin again, but nothing will ever be the same.

Voting ended onAug 29, 2023

[septiicaemia]

small out of game post letting you all know that this ARG contains the following triggers (bold if more severe than others):

abusive relationships | torture, blood and gore, including of children | mentions of substance abuse and alcoholism | eyestrain and flashing images | mentions of spiders | body horror | toxic relationships | dehumanization | emotional manipulation | mentions of missing children | mentions of eldritch horror

during events in the discord server upon launch, players will be warned in advance of the triggers above if need be, with additional warnings if necessary. this list is subject to change at any point.

in regards to gameplay: septicaemia is an ARG that deals with time travel and premonition. as a result, many of the posts on the tumblr will be in the past. to prevent missing posts, or to ensure you're up to date with the blog, please follow and turn on post notifications, or use the archive feature on tumblr desktop to catch up.

as with all things, reblogs are appreciated, and i hope you enjoy the experience. please dm with any questions you may have.

[septiicaemia]

Check out the Septicaemia: OOG community on Discord - hang out with 4 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.

[aceof-diamonds]

One smooth movement with his knife down his palm and blood started to trickle out onto the floor. The hostage Ace had strapped down to the chair watching in shock, confusion. A pleased hum filled the brief silence between them before he began to walk over, blood leaving a trail behind him.

He paused in front of the chair, watching the man sat in it try to press further back into the wood.

"You're fucking crazy! What are you -"

"Sh." Ace put a finger to his own lips as he cut him off. "Just shut the fuck up for a second and relax." One hand brought the knife up to his cheek while the other gripped his hair, keeping his head in place. "We'll keep it nice and easy if you just cooperate, okay?" The hostage swallowed before nodding. "Okay. Good. Good boy." He grinned before pressing the knife into the skin and dragging it down with ease - eyes following the blood now trailing down his cheek, mixing with the tears from the sting.

He swapped the knife into his uninjured hand and pressed his own cut to the matching one on the others cheek, using his thumb to wipe away tears before stepping back.

And here comes the good part. The finale.

His wounded hand slowly curled into a fist at his side as his head tilted; lazy eyes locked on the man before him. He looked both scared and confused - understandably so, the man that wouldn't stop talking has finally stopped, left them both in an ominous silence while he stood there with a smirk that just seemed plastered to his face.

It didn't take long for the hostage to figure out his final plans for him - eyes widening as he started to struggle, writhing in an attempt to get out of the duck tape restraining him to the chair. It was almost like he was trapped underwater.

"Let me help you out," Ace walked over to the chair, once again flipping his butterfly knife open. "We can't have you breaking your wrists with how much you're struggling." He sliced through the binds on either side before stepping back to watch the man drop to the floor.

The hostage's hands immediately went for his own throat - it was like he was trying to claw through the skin or remove some sort of rope. Useless attempt but a show nonetheless.

Ace circled around to his front, crouching down before him. "Don't go for the throat, trying to get to your lungs is probably the best bet." He used the knife to tap at the other's chest. "That's the issue you're dealing with here. Sure, you can't breathe properly so you go for the throat," He drags the tip of the knife to just below his throat. "But it's your lungs. Right now, they're slowly filling with blood." He shrugs, nonchalant. "If you ever almost drowned as a kid in your swimming lessons, that's what's going on right now - just without the water."

There's a moment where the man on his knees tries to speak; foolish, he finds, as his eyes widen once again and all the words he wants to say - all of the swearing, insults, slurs, perhaps - fall out of his mouth as a puddle of blood on the floor. It makes him reel back as he chokes on the taste, on the feeling of more wanting to pour out. And Ace? He just watches. Arms draped over his knees as his eyes - now filled with what seems to be a sort of childlike giddiness - track each and every movement in front of him.

He watches as the man drowning in his own blood falls to his hands; the blood pouring from his mouth as he chokes and writhes splattering off the floor and onto Ace's converse as he slowly pushes himself up from his crouched position.

A sigh as he flicks the butterfly knife closed. "It really was lovely catching up with you today, mister," He takes the pause to push him onto his back with his shoe, the choking becoming louder and more violent as the blood stays stuck in his throat. "But I really must get going. I don't want to keep my lovely waiting any longer."

[vaememes]

*     SCREAM     FILM     FRANCHISE     PROMPTS   .

SCREAM   :

❛ Would you settle for a PG-13 relationship? ❜

❛ I’m sorry if my traumatized life is an inconvenience to your perfect existence. ❜

❛ You sick fucks. You’ve seen one too many movies! ❜

❛ Are you alone in the house? ❜

❛ We’re gonna play a little game. ❜

❛ My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me! ❜

❛ When do we see breasts? I wanna see Jamie Lee’s breasts. ❜

❛ You cut me too deep. I think I’m dying here, man. ❜

❛ You take a knife and you slit ‘em from groin to sternum. ❜

❛ I will totally protect you. Yo, I am so buff, I got you covered, girl. ❜

❛ We ask you questions and if you get one wrong, boo-gah, you die. ❜

❛ What do I have to do to prove to you that I’m not a killer? ❜

❛ We already played that game, remember? ❜

❛ I mean did Norman Bates have a motive?  Don’t think so! ❜

❛ See, it’s a lot scarier when there’s no motive. ❜

❛ Oh, you wanna play psycho killer? ❜

❛ Oh, please don’t kill me, Mr. Ghostface.  I wanna be in the sequel! ❜

❛ Well, you’re not going to be alone any more, right? ❜

❛ There’s always some stupid bullshit reason to kill your girlfriend. ❜

❛ I never thought I’d be so happy to be a virgin. ❜

❛ What’s your favorite scary movie?  What comes to mind? ❜

❛ You hang up on me again and I’ll gut you like a fish, you understand? ❜

❛ Tell me something.  Did you really put her liver in the mailbox?  ❜

❛ This is the moment when the supposedly dead killer comes back to life, for one last scare. ❜

SCREAM   2   :    

❛ I’m not interrupting anything, am I?  ❜

❛ Have you ever felt a knife cut through human flesh and scrape the bone beneath? ❜

❛ You should really deal with your trust issues. ❜

❛ This is just the kind of guy you’d love to bring home to mom… if… you had… a mom. ❜

❛ I was just reading in your book about your last cameraman, the guy got gutted. ❜

❛ First of all: he wasn’t gutted. I made it up. His throat was slashed. ❜

❛ You know, you must be getting quite a lot of flak on that, right? ❜

❛ Your flattering remarks are both desperate and obvious. ❜

❛ Well, I was hoping I might get just a few words with you. ❜

❛ Tell us everything that’s happened, looking back on the last two years? ❜

❛ Whoa, Hey, hey, hey hey, Deep breaths, Lot of deep breaths. ❜

❛ Why do you always answer a question with a question? ❜

❛ Yeah, and I’m impatient. Look, do you want to leave a message for someone? ❜

❛ So, why don’t you show your face, you fucking coward? ❜

❛ The killer is trying to finish what was started. ❜

❛ If the killer is following a pattern, maybe we can figure out who’s next. ❜

❛ So what do you wanna do, bonehead? Sit here, wait and see who drops next? ❜

❛ Don’t you know history repeats itself? Hm? ❜

❛ I thought I was gonna be up there until opening night. ❜

❛ So, uh… what’s your favorite scary movie? ❜

❛ Is that the best you can do?  ❜

❛ “Drink with your brain.” That’s our motto.  ❜

❛ That shit only calls you when he’s drunk. Don’t go over there. ❜

❛ No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be the hero and you’ll never, ever get the girl. ❜

SCREAM   3   :

❛ Not only did they-did they kill the film, but they killed my cast.. ❜

❛ Variety called me a “pariah”. I don’t even know what a “pariah” is. ❜

❛ Oh, it’s hard being friends with you, [Name].  ❜

❛ When you’re friends with [Name], you die. ❜

❛ It’s time you came to terms with me and with mother! ❜

❛ I had no idea they were going to make a film of their own.  ❜

❛ Fucking kill me! You can’t fucking kill me! ❜

❛ So, why don’t you tell me, who you are? ❜

❛ Answer right, your girlfriend lives. ❜

❛ I’m sorry I’m running late. I’m still on the 405. I’m about 10 minutes away. ❜

❛ Uh, look, since I got you on the phone, let’s talk about your character, okay? ❜

❛ See? I don’t understand why I have to start the scene in the shower. ❜

❛ When it’s a threat, you’ll know it. ❜

❛ The killer is in the house and he’s upstairs! ❜

❛ The question isn’t who I am. The question is: Who’s with me? ❜

❛ Now, do you have somewhere we can be… alone? ❜

❛ If you do one thing to attract attention to yourself, one thing, I’ll kill them both. ❜

❛ I don’t want them. I want you. It’s simple. You show yourself, they survive. ❜

❛ I’ll call you when you’re on your way. ❜

❛ How do I know they’re not dead already? ❜

❛ What’s the matter? What are you staring at? ❜

❛ You’re gonna pay for the life you stole from me, [Name]. ❜

❛ You did it all. You did it! You call them all, even your closest… friends. ❜

❛ How do you know you’re not hearing things? How do you know I’m not someone in your head? ❜

SCREAM   4   :

❛ You forgot the first rule of remakes: “Don’t fuck with the original”. ❜

❛ Oh, my God, I love it. I’ve seen it five times and still gets me every time. ❜

❛ Am I, or did whoever make it just underthink it? ❜

❛ Don’t we hear enough of this story every year? ❜

❛ I’m not trying to scare you.. ❜

❛ This is the last person you’re ever gonna see alive.  ❜

❛ You’re in my movie, you got a fun part, so don’t blow it. ❜

❛ People live and people die, and you’d better start running! ❜

❛ And I like him - To tease, to torment, to make him squirm! ❜

❛ Sorry about that. Just… making around before taking off. ❜

❛ It’s okay. I mean, you had… a lot of stuff… going on back then. ❜

❛ I think I have just enough time to slice someone open! ❜

❛ You do know there are cops all over the house? ❜

❛ You think this is all about you? You think you’re still the star? ❜

❛ You’ve done very well by all this bloodshed, haven’t you? ❜

❛ Well, how about the town you left behind? ❜

❛ I’m gonna slit your eyelids in half so you don’t blink when I stab you in the face. ❜

❛ But if you wanna be in the hospital, I’d be happy to put you there - in the morgue! ❜

❛ It’s kind of the one component the killer is missing. ❜

❛ You film your entire high school experience, and, what, post it on the ‘net? ❜

❛ Well, if you wanna be the new, new version, the killer should be filming the murders. ❜

❛ Working on less of a Shrequel and more of a Screamake. ❜

❛ Ah, friends count, but it’s the family ties that cut deep. Am I right? ❜

❛ The ones you care about most. And what’s closer than family? The bond of blood. ❜

[aceof-diamonds]

Death Isn't A Mercy

The trees got denser the further you walked - at one point or another, you would have to finally admit you were lost. One hand kept a tight grip on the dagger at your side; a comfort, almost, something to keep you safe if you did happen to be stranded in this forest for the night. It was definitely something more to slash at the shrubs in the way of your path than to be used as a weapon to defend yourself - you were never one to fight - but it was still a comfort.

"That isn't going to help you much." The sudden voice from a tree that sat beside you made you flinch - something that pulled a laugh from whoever was lurking off to the side. Your grip on the dagger got tighter; knuckles turning white. There was a pause between the both of you - a moment when you swear your heart skipped a little - before you turned around. You could feel the blood drain from your face the second you turned to survey him, eyes now locked with the man who was once Astraea's infamous lover. The explosion had loosened the hands on the feral dog's leash.

Magpie looked different from the last time you saw him; he had looked more alive back then. His already pale skin now had a grey, translucent hint to it under the moonlight that slipped between the branches. His eyes were.. off - the bright blue that was once his right eye was now overtaken by an almost glowing white, similar to his hair; once blood red, now as white as death. His new demeanour held more confidence - more arrogance - as he leaned against the tree, the baseball bat held at his front.

A new variation of mismatched eyes lazily wandered over you, the smirk clear on his face.

"Someone's skittish." His smirk grew into a smile as he stepped forward, watching you as you refused to look away. "Don't worry about rushing to try and take every detail in now." He held out his arms as his smile faded. "I'm going to be the last thing you see. You'll have time to take it all in."

Shit. You knew you were dead. You were face to face with an assassin; there was a slim chance you’d make it out of this forest alive. But you couldn’t go down without a fight - maybe the brief combat training you had taken on previously could give you a chance to distract him before running. Where to actually run was another question, but… that would be something to work out with the few seconds grace you’d have.

The moment you lunged towards him, he was gone - he was definitely here in the first place, right? You caught yourself on a tree as you stumbled through the now empty space before you.

"I am still here." Your head whipped around to find him against another nearby tree, the smug expression still plastered onto his face. "You tried." He pouted, head tilting as his eyes stayed locked on you. "Want another go?" The baseball bat swung up onto his shoulder as he watched you expectantly, waiting for your next move.

You sprinted towards him once again, the movement more sudden - a plan to catch him off guard - though it still seemed to be expected. He was gone again the moment the dagger moved to slash through the air.

This time, when you steadied yourself and took a step back, your back hitting the chest of someone behind you made you freeze.

"Not good enough." His voice was low in your ear, breath causing goose bumps to rise over your body as it hit your cheek. Though that was the last thing on your mind as the bat he always kept close was hooked around your throat, crushing your windpipe under the pressure as you were pulled further into his chest.

You could feel his grin as you started struggling, slashing at anything you could. He barked out a laugh in response the moment the blade caught his arm - black blood weirdly cold against your hand as it started to steadily trickle out, a sensation your brain started to fixate on as the pressure on your throat increased and darkness started leaking into the edges of your vision.

"Maybe next time you'll do a little better." Your struggling slowly started to die down, the aimless slashing starting to get weaker as the darkness crept in further - there was no telling where you were now, trees distorted by black dots overtaking your vision, every sound distant other than the muffled thud of your dagger hitting the dirt below you. "I do doubt you will, though." His chuckle seemed far away as the pressure increased some more on your throat. And then there was nothing.

Birds gathered as your corpse dropped to the ground, curious after the sound of bones snapping echoed off the trees they resided in. Your killer - the current President of the city neighbouring you - laughed as he stood over your body, surveying his work before continuing on his way.

[aceof-diamonds]

Care To Learn Of Our Lord And Saviour, The One?

Blood from their eye mixed with the rain dripping down from their soaked hair as they stumbled through the dark alleyway.

Wren tightly gripped their abdomen, white shirt staining pink under their hand. If any passers-by cared enough to stop and help, they would see someone who had been attacked - and someone who was still being followed.

Mocking laughs and taunts echoed off the walls of the shadowed alleyway, from what sounded like a group of two - maybe three - men. Men who could easily catch up, yet decided to stay back; taunt them, make them feel uneasy.

“Has the feral stray really given up?” The smirk was audible as one spoke. “So soon, too?”

Wren grit their teeth, groaning as they kept moving; hoping - praying - they could keep going long enough to find someone to help. And, as if on cue, their legs gave way from underneath them.

They winced as their knees made contact with the wet concrete, eyes closing while they came to terms with the fact that this was the end. They couldn’t deny that it was their time. Why would they live any longer? What was their purpose for being here anymore?

“Now, now, boys.” A new voice echoed through the alleyway from someone that stood at the opening just a few feet before them.

Footsteps that came from in front of them made them finally open their eyes and look up. White boots reflected what little dim light there was in the alley, vivid bloodstains curving up to the zips; as they looked further up, the image of the girl became clearer, her hands tucked into the pockets of pinstriped trousers - pale and thin-faced, she was sporting a bright grin, taking a moment to adjust the collar of a thin white shirt. Their eyes flicked to the other’s collarbone; with her shirt plastered to her skin in the rain, they could see some sort of symbol - a deep scar on top of her skin. She seemed - no, felt - familiar.

The ringing and pounding consuming their mind blocked out a lot of what was said. The words themselves were muffled, but they could tell some sort of interaction went on - between this new person, and the men hovering behind them. A moment passed; then they were retreating, the newcomer clearly convincing them to leave - or scaring them into doing so.

They remained frozen on the ground, their palms pressing into gravel as they tried to focus. The new arrival crouched down, a hand outstretched to help them up; they waved it off the best they could as they tried to push themselves up. Nothing - after running for so long with the injuries they had, it was clear they were forced to trust the girl in front of them.

“Who the fuck are you-?” Their voice was weak as they spoke, the words hesitant even as they asked.

A hand reached down towards them as the other smiled. “Call me Chosen.”

[aceof-diamonds]

Set Those Sinners Free

Once again, Wren had been sent out to settle some trouble the resistance caused down near Breakthrough Camp. Their hands tapped the wheel of the van they were driving, listening and singing along to the radio.

If nothing else, the members of The Project at Eden’s Gate really knew how to compose some catchy songs.

“You can sing all through the night, preach ‘til the morning light.”

Wren softly sang along as they started to pull up to the camp, the sound of gunfire and shouting audible for the past few minutes before arriving.

“But some cannot tell wrong from right.”

They looked over to the mess they’d have to have a hand in cleaning up and rolled their eyes. 

“Fuckin’ sinners, the lot of them.” They shook their head, grabbed their AR-C off of the passenger seat and left the van.

“Jacob is gonna come and set those sinners free.”

A sigh accompanied the latest line in the song as they sang. They made their way towards the camp and loaded up their gun before lining up a resistance member in their crosshairs.

“Jacob is gonna set those sinners free.”

The bang echoed around the camp as they fired, the first bullet directly lodging itself into the woman's skull.

Chaos erupted throughout the resistance as a new, unseen gunman had entered their fight and it brought a grin to Wren’s face, one of a sadistic nature. The coming bloodshed and chaos may be able to make up for the clean up later.

They hopped over the fence, making themself known in the ongoing fight before dipping behind cover once people started shooting. The grin stayed put on their face as they waited for the opportune time to peek back out and line someone new up in their crosshairs.

“Gonna set those sinners free.”

[aceof-diamonds]

Soft giggles filled the warm air as Ruby and Ace danced around on the rooftop to the music in the bar below. The full moon acting as a spotlight for them.

“Never knew you were the dancing type, lovely.” Ruby commented as Ace spun her under his arm. Another giggle leaving her lips.

“Neither did I,” He replied as he pulled her in close, wrapping an arm back around her waist. “But it seems we were both wrong.” A cheeky grin pulled at his features before repeating the steps they had already done. Slowly leading her around the roof, spinning her under his arm before pulling her close once again.

Ace chuckled at the soft squeak Ruby let out as he led her into a dip once the song came to a close. That’s where everything seemed to slow down a little, the music and noise of the world muffling as they both looked at each other for what seemed to be hours.

They both leaned towards each other, something that just felt automatic, that felt right. Everything finally felt perfect for once. But he had to pull away.

He pulled her back up before turning away to cough. Hard. Yet another burning sensation flaring up over his upper back and shoulders as he did. A dark spot on his hand caught his attention. Blood. He coughed up blood. Fuck.

“Jack? Are you okay?” A hand to his back brought him out of his thoughts. He wiped his mouth before wiping the blood onto his jeans and turned to her with a smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a tickle in my throat.”

[aceof-diamonds]

Yes

"EDEN'S GATE. REVIVAL. JOIN US."

Green eyes flickered between the flyer and the small tent sitting just ahead of them in the empty field.

Joseph Seed was doing one of his famous - or infamous - sermons near where Wren usually stuck around so they decided they would see what was going on. Maybe they’d actually find some sort of purpose after all of these years.

A true purpose. Now how glorious would that be?

The only knowledge they had gathered before this point in their life was only brief knowledge of Joseph - the leader of this religious group. He was commonly known amongst his followers as The Father. The true prophet of God.

They knew vaguely of his brothers and sister from passing comments on the streets, they could maybe recall their names but that would be all.

With limited knowledge yet desperation fuelling their steps, they lifted the fabric and stepped into the tent, eyes scanning around the enclosed area. Most people of different ages and genders sat clothed in beige and white, their eyes barely diverting from the front, from the man talking. Others sat in their usual clothes, clearly pointing out the people that were new there, just as Wren was, and their eyes couldn’t leave the man speaking either. Everyone seemed to be caught and almost hypnotised by every word the Prophet spoke. Wren’s own eyes eventually moved to follow everyone's gaze.

Their eyes landed on all four of them up there, three of them watching over everyone as Joseph spoke.

To Joseph’s left was the one who Joseph himself referenced to as John. Wren could already tell he was somewhat of a prick. The way he stood and the slight smug look on his face to the clothes he wore. He wore much finer clothes than the rest of the people in here.

To Joseph’s right was a beautiful woman dressed in a white dress covered in flowers, Faith. If Wren were to compare her to anyone or anything, she’d be akin to an angel. She seemed to be glowing, more than happy to be amongst her brothers and the crowd before her.

And finally, a little further to the right from Joseph was a tall, well built man. A soldier. A soldier like they were once upon a time.

He - Jacob they assumed - immediately caught their interest - how could he not? They had a big part of their life in common. They glanced around the tent once again, how many others would have thought the same? How many other people like them have found their home within this community?

This could be their home.

They spotted a space at the end of one of the wooden benches near the back of the tent and made themself comfortable, the woman in beige beside them gave them a warm smile as she made more room for them.

They listened, suddenly pulled to this community more, feeling more of a connection than ever before.

“If something is coming, you can feel it, can’t you?” Joseph continued his speech and they listened intently. Every word he spoke was true and that just kept pulling them in.

“See, we’re all just like frightened animals, just creeping towards the edge.” Each time he spoke felt more and more like he could see into their mind, like he knew every thought they’ve ever had.

“But I’m here to tell you the suffering.. well, that’s a choice. And you can choose a better path.”

Please.

“We love you. We want you. We accept you exactly the way you are. Every single one of you.”

One tear slipped down their cheek.

Home at last?

“And I stand here asking you to join us, and you will find your peace with us.”

Yes.

“I am your Father, and you are my children. And together, we will march to Eden’s Gate.”

A round of applause erupted in the tent. People stood and cheered, but Wren, they stayed on the bench, small tears slipping down their face.

This was the push they needed to join. Somewhere that would take them in, accept them, keep them safe.

They took a deep breath, they felt content and felt they now had a purpose in life for the first time in too many years. One soft word left their lips as they exhaled.

“Yes.”

[aceof-diamonds]

The Chosen

Trembling hands clutched the rosary as he fell to his knees. Words - a prayer - falling from his lips as his body shook, desperation dripping off each word spoken. This was the only solution he could think of, the last thing that could clear his mess.

The final word of the prayer slipped from his lips as it came to a close. No reply. No- No reply yet. It was an emergency but he had to be patient. He had to give them time. He had to-

“Hello..?” A stillness rippled through his dark flat. Still but.. there was a presence. He turned and slowly stood from his place on the floor, eyes straining to see into the void that was the rest of his flat, the only light coming from the candles on the altar and from the moonlight through the windows.

With slow and unsure steps, he went towards the darkness, his knuckles white from the grip on his rosary - the darkness seemed darker than usual.

His steps stopped as he got a little further in, back to straining his eyes to see into the further parts of his flat. It seemed no-one was there, yet the presence stayed.

He tried again, his voice a little more confident but still shaken. “Hello?” Then it happened.

A loud voice wormed its way into his head, into every part of his conscious and subconscious mind, a voice that drowned any and every thought that may have been in its way.

He gripped onto his head as he stumbled back, his head already pounding from the sudden intrusion and a stream of blood trickling down to his chin from his nose, breaths shallow as he found his way to a chair to sit. 

It spoke again as the initial shock wore down, though it didn’t help the sudden migraine.

“My help was requested, my Dear?”

[aceof-diamonds]

Cull The Herd

That familiar song crept into the depths of your mind as the red started to fill your vision.

You weren’t nervous anymore, there was no need to be, you knew the trial he put you and many others through back to front at this point.

You pick up the hand gun before pointing and shooting whoever accompanied you in that room, watching them turn to dust whilst leaving a red stain in its place before turning left, picking up another gun and continuing the whole pointing and shooting thing. It was buried deep into your brain at this point. Cull the herd ingrained into every cell of your body.

Forward, shoot, left, shoot, forward, right, forward, right, left, forward, right, forward…

You knew each position of each person pushed into this mindless state of killing, shooting each little bit of movement you see with absolutely no hesitance.

Anyone who hesitated for even a second was weak and the weak weren't welcome here. The weak were meant to be culled.

And you weren’t weak. No hesitation and no mercy.