《Alternative Reality Vol. 1》Chapter 7
Advertisement
A girl, by the looks of it – in her twenties, sat down on the opposite side of the table. Luke was frozen with his mouth wide open - about to take a bite from the raspberry bun. Though he wasn’t frozen due to her beauty. More like due to a completely unexpected development. When things didn’t go as planned, Luke always felt lost and was slow to react.
Don’t get him wrong though, she was beautiful. Medium length dark hair, light make-up, delicate features. She had a knack at stylish clothing as well, but these days it wasn’t an uncommon feature. Everyone liked to be “stylish and modern” in this day and age. Everyone wanted to attract attention.
Something seemed off though. There were plenty types of beautiful. Refined beauty, cold beauty and a number of others. Frankly - Luke wasn’t too knowledgeable on that topic. Either way - this particular girl could and would be considered as an insane beauty. Not that her beauty itself was insane - on how eye-catching and alluring it seemed. Oh no - she herself seemed slightly insane. A weird glimmer in the eye that somehow signaled every nerve in Luke’s body to stay away. Dangerous. Especially since she was quite to his liking. Just his type to say the least.
All in all, the whole situation made him feel terribly uncomfortable. So much that he slightly shifted in his chair, without closing his mouth or moving the bun out of the way. Might have something to do with a combined effect of never having intimate relations with females and rarely conversing with people he didn’t know.
Keeping in mind Luke’s narrow social-circle, conclusions could be made.
“What the fuck?” – She finally said, after a short pause. Arms crossed, an angry - cold even, glare. That and quite a strange way to start a conversation. This won’t go well.
Advertisement
Surprisingly - Luke could feel getting more and more confused and lost as how to react in this particular development. He never had a conversation like this before. Everything was crumbling around him. At the very least, he managed to close his mouth – though the raspberry bun? He forgot about it.
“You think I haven’t noticed you following me around? First that bakery across the street. Then the mall. The shoe store. And now even here? 6 blocks away?” – She continued, steadily flaring up, leaning closer towards Luke. This was getting out of hand, multiple unfriendly stares were directed towards him. Unpleasant memories rising.
“How much more fucking obvious can you get? Grow some balls already! Can’t even say hi to a neighbor, but stalking me all over the city doesn’t seem as hard? Seriously!?” – The monologue was getting out of hand.
Neighbor? Luke suddenly looked more closely at this over-bearing female. Sure, she wasn’t dressed all in black this time, but it was surely her. This loud-mouthed, one-sided decision making torturer. His neighbor, with whom he never even exchanged a greeting. Maybe a short glance at each other, sure. Nothing beyond that, though. It’s true that they usually left their apartments at the same times, but it was all a strange coincidence. Yet it turned into a huge misunderstanding. Blown out of all proportions.
Also, Luke noticed that he was still holding the raspberry bun. Thus he finally placed it down on the table.
“If I find you following me around again, I swear, I’ll call the cops on you. Creep!” - With a shout, she finally ended the monologue. Got up, gave him another angry glance and stormed off.
Luke was reminded of a song he liked, thus decided to listen to it once back home. Considering how everyone else glared at him now, as if looking at some sort of a stalker, public enemy number - something. Leaving as soon as possible seemed like a great idea.
Advertisement
Even though she was the one, who made a huge scene, threw around baseless accusations. Waving around flawed conclusions like some flag. Luke was still the one who gathered all the resentment from everyone. Even though he wasn’t at fault. Even though he didn’t do anything wrong.
The raspberry bun was really good though. He still ate it - without paying heed to all the stares. Not saying he didn’t mind – on the contrary, disliking the situation would be a gentle way to describe it. He was used to such developments, yet hated them all the same. Some things don’t change.
An unpleasant burning sensation down in his very gut. If you believed strong enough that it’s in the stomach – food helped keep it on the down low. Thus the raspberry bun was just at the right time, at the right place.
What a day.
Luke returned home soon after, stopping at a few shops to vent on the way. His weekly quota was almost done, thus now he could spend the rest of his time in Alternative Reality. All that needed to be done now - was get some sleep and he was ready for adventure. That dungeon, actually being explored - would be quite a punch to the teeth right about now.
As Luke climbed up the stairs towards his apartment, another unwelcome development awaited him. Seems like it was forming a trend. If life keeps at it - avoiding going outside all together sounds like a possible development.
Both neighbors returned home at basically the same time by the looks of it. Another coincidence. But only Luke knew as much.
“Creep” – Was all she said, before hiding in her own apartment. Ending this one-sided day with a one-sided statement. What a day indeed.
He really wanted to listen to that song though.
Advertisement
Guns in another world
A gun designer from Earth is transmigrated to another world, where he quickly realises that this world is not like Earth, here people can use magic to perform superhuman feats. Join our MC on his exciting new journey. (A.N: try it you won't regret it, thank you.) Cover source:- Upsplash
8 115That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Dwarf While Trapped in a Dungeon Full of Spiders
Thousands of years ago, mankind would honor their dead and their journey to the afterlife through the process of mummification. The elaborate tombs and burial rituals marked our transition from hunter-gatherers to civilizations and empires. However, it's been over 500 years since we've sent tributes to the underworld, and now the underworld, or whatever lies beyond, has decided to send something back. Authors Note- This story is inspired by DnD, Dark Souls, Guild Wars 1, and my love of eldritch horror and dark creepy dungeons. Also completed doesn't mean end of the line. There is more Mike Sammons in the future, promise.
8 80Earth's Hydra
Earth, the planet we live on. It is a fairly mundane place to some and they wish to escape, to trade in Earth for a wonderful land full of magic and monsters where adventure awaits for the ones thirsty enough for excitement to live in danger every second of their lives. As for others, it has the potential to become more, to become a planet that births a breed or species that will explore the stars and innovates technologies that can lead to the answers of the universe and maybe even start a race that is immortal. This immortal race will forever explore the stars and create new planet shaking inventions. Some just want to live their lives to the fullest and accept what they have already, enjoying the love of family and experience what is the “modern life”. There is one thing that everyone can agree on though, Earth is home. Our Home. We have always lived in the darkness, away from the prying eyes of more advanced or dangerous species that live in the outer reaches of the boundless void that is space. We did not know this though, as for our Mother, Earth, has protected us without our knowing until we have become intelligent enough, cultivated many advanced beings, and even have the ability and will to unite if put against the corner. Now, Earth has run out of energy and can no longer protect us, her children, and it is now our turn to protect her. To protect our Home. The protection of Earth has been put into the hands of Earth's Hydra, an 8 group organization that has enough battle power for 8 other planets! ******************** The cover picture is an editted version and here is the original, all credit goes to them. https://www.rgdd-darkdesigns.com/hydra.html
7.91 162Stolen Wonderland
Everything in existence possesses two sides, but only one side will be known across the world while the other lurks in eternal damnation. The world of Triea fights against an unending tide with the sliver of hope to reclaim the rightful place of the light on the land that was once theirs. Everyone shares the same dream to step on the lost land as liberators. A young man named Konnor will take part in the effort to reclaim their old home as a child blessed by the gods, a new status thrust upon him but still has the determination to embark on a new path. Unbeknownst to him, his home had to sacrifice too much to maintain the flames of hope alive. Very soon, the sparks will cease, and one side will claim total victory over the other once and for all. Also available on ScribbleHub. Cover art made by me.
8 143Unethical Service provider
Do you want to kill someone, or do you want some secret information stolen from the government's top-secret office? We provide all kinds of unethical services. You just name the job, we will do it. Remember, we don't do good things because we are Unethical Service Providers.
8 98Roses & Thorns : poetry ✓
[English]#1 in puisi/ 8.11.18#3 in poetry/5.11.18#2 in poem/ 7.20.18An anthology poetry. About heartbreak, mostly. Because love is like roses and thorns.
8 206