《The Doors of Power》New Eyes
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"Now if we could just take a blood sample," The doctor continued, and I rolled up my sleeve, letting the nurse take my arm.
Alien germs. Of course they were a concern.
"Have you had any trouble sleeping?"
"Yes. Though it's gotten better, just nightmares."
The doctor nodded, he made a note.
A 'health assessment.' A complementary requirement. And as much as I didn't like going to the doctors, or being poked and prodded, I knew it was a good thing so I couldn't complain too much. Especially since I knew it wasn't really for me.
I had never been healthier, but if somebody poofed away next to me and then came back three days later? I was just thankful my mom hadn't tried to haul me to church to be re-baptized yet. Different people handled stress in different ways.
"What Abilities do you have?"
"What? That's a health question?"
"It's part of the questionnaire." He replied and I glanced at his tablet, holding out my hand -
Abilities, Skills, Stats, Environment, etc - Seven hundred questions? Pages and pages? We were at 19?
"I'm not answering all this."
"Mr. Abbot, this is a part of the Mandate."
It started so simply. My temperature. Then they wanted spit.
"Let me think about it," I told him, trying to decide if I should tell the truth, not answer, or just lie.
The doctor nodded politely.
"If you could disrobe."
I started removing my clothes and I stopped -
"Are you going to try to put your finger in my butthole?"
The doctor didn't even blink, "No, that's not a part of the physical."
I chuckled, relieved, feeling stupid for asking, I pulled down my pants.
"It's just a swab."
My father didn't say anything, as I climbed into the truck. He just looked over, turned the key.
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It was the way he didn't say it.
I wanted to speak up, to say the exam was a good thing. It was there to make people feel comfortable, so they wouldn't be afraid the Returnees were infected, or dangerous. But - they just took it too far.
But then I couldn't decide where too far was? Why was I getting an exam when I wasn't sick? Was it reasonable for them to take my blood? I felt it was. So how could any question be worse then sticking a needle in my arm? What if I hadn't said no? What came after 'just the swab.'
So I found myself agreeing with him, in a way, when a week ago I thought the world would end before I agreed with my father -
But in a way change is an end of things, how they use to be. It was also a beginning.
I looked out the window, police cars had blocked a corner of lawn and white tent was erected. Caution tape around the property, it looked like a crime scene. Except the white tent had a red tint to it - of a light coming from within.
As we pulled into a shopping center my father handed me an envelope and I took it without thinking, pulling it into my inventory. He glanced at my empty hand, it still surprised him -
I was wide eyed staring at him - thousands of dollars. He just handed it to me? Without saying a word? He knew why we were here.
Motorcycle helmets. Leathers. Supplies. Emergency kits for every member of the family. I was going to do it myself, and I was going to have do it with my limited savings, it never even occurred to me to ask for more -
And I spent it without a shred of guilt, even thought I spent a lot on luxuries. Far more materials then I needed. Lots of wires. Hand tools. Crafting supplies from needle and thread to the nicest, most expensive pair of scissors they had.
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If I had wanted it I bought it, sucking it into myself, and after dinner I explained why I made the kits, what I thought they needed them for, what I knew about the Dungeons in case they were ever pulled in.
My advice: Find Shelter. Hide. Watch out for bugs.
"This is a good kit." My father said, going through it.
"No coffee?" My grandfather asked like I'd forgotten rope.
"No." I nodded seriously, "Nothing that smells. No lights. No noise. These are just the basics, I don't know how you all would face each threat so add what you need, a bow and arrow or crossbow. I know everyone likes guns, but until I know if the protection is worth the noise...?"
They both nodded at this, which surprised me. Until my father said one thing and again I felt like an idiot -
"Behind enemy lines."
Of course they would already know, have their own strategies. While everything I could tell them could be fit in a half hour, he could probably lecture me for weeks and still not come close -
Still they listened to every word I said, and even if I didn't give them anything that could help? I didn't think I said anything that could hurt. I just wanted to give them every advantage.
Which is why I passed over a sparkling bottle to each, about the size of a small light bulb - my reward for surviving the Dungeon.
"These are Full Restore potions." I said, "I'm not sure if they'll work out here, but they'll heal you completely, no matter the injury, as well as refill your - Grandpa!"
Too late. He swallowed the potion -
I watched with horror as he doubled over, gasping, and my grandmother reached for him -
"Hank!" She shouted putting her hand on his shoulder, my stomach dropped as he groaned and I heard a clicking coming from his mouth -
My mother shouted! And then Grandpa spat out his teeth!
False teeth, I shook my head and then laughed, smacking my head while he wrapped them in his handkerchief. He took off his glasses, and hearing aid next - adding them to his pocket.
While the ladies glared at him and the room took a breath of relief.
"Gone." He finally said, and I wasn't sure - but then my Grandma was wrapping him in a hug and kissing him - I blushed, almost walking out of the room before -
"Cody, you blessing." She whispered at me, crying - standing up and wrapping me in a hug, even as he stood up and moved. Rotating his shoulders and arms, his legs.
I had been worried, relieved, then briefly irritated because I'd wanted them to have them for an emergency, but - if they were in pain? If they could improve their lives? Now?
I pulled out the two potions I'd been saving for myself and passed them over to them, and smiled -
"Take it, Francine." My grandfather said, "I haven't felt this good in...my life. I feel like a pup."
To help them feel as wonderful as I had, when I saw how much they supported me? They believed in me when I hadn't even believed in myself.
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Deepest Depths
Max, an average IT worker, suddenly finds himself in a new and dangerous world. From talking with gods, to making deals with ancient monsters, Max's new life is anything but ordinary. Follow Max in his quest to go home. Along the way, he will learn magic, save lives, and end some also. The world of Nava is governed by the strong and powerful. It isn't until Lost Lord or Ladies, who are people that were taken from their world and thrown directly into the spotlight, change the balance of order. Will Max's new title of Lost Lord cause many enemies to surface? Or will he fade into obscurity and work towards his goals. Deepest Depths is an action adventure litRPG portal fantasy. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] This is my first time at writing anything. Please be constructive in any advice you may have. Thank you for reading. Rewrites for 1-10 updated finished on 10/24/21Revision for every chapter finished 10/25/21 Some chapters will get dark. They will be marked with a warning.
8 175HARU
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8 161My neighbor is a ditto
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8 140THE ETERNAL LAW
Aarav V frost, the 2nd young master Is only a master in name, an unfavoured son of the Frost family from the town of Berifall, at the age of 14 he awakens the memory of the past life, where he used to live in a county India and the planet known as Earth, he was a 22 year old College student, while he was on his rooftop he got caught up in some kind of space distortion, after regaining his old memories he was confused but when he gets back to his senses he realises his situation where he is highly despised and bullied by his own family due to his broken meridians and is considered a waste as all these years he had not made any advancement in his cultivation, with the memory of his past life he also acquires something which goes beyond common sense and thus he embarks on the journey to reach at the peak of whatever there is.. [martial arts, wuxia/Xianxia, fantasy] thers more to come, atm keeping it simple to maintain a flow, also i will be using a lot of Indian-Mythology references soon enjoy ;D
8 168The Sage's Divination
It’s been half a year since their last trip to Charminia, and Steve and Nadine are settling into the new normal. When they receive word of visitors coming to Earth from Charminia, they find, to their horror, that these are Elves, hostile to Humans, and are promptly taken away to fight to the death in a tournament. It’s up to Rachel, Hannah, and their allies to try and work on getting them out, but just like last time, nothing is as it seems. Anybody could be an ally or enemy, even an ally or enemy. I plan to update this every two weeks. Support me on Patreon to receive new chapters early and for other bonuses: https://www.patreon.com/marisianking .
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