Summer 2015 Short Story Contest

[The New Greek Republic]

Man I should have just posted mine immediately like I talked about, now I'm looking at it and having my inevitable "Baaaaw, everything sucks, I'm a horrible writer; why even live? *slash wrists*" reaction.

Does writing make anyone else bipolar? I typically either look at what I've written and depending on when I look at it think "I am a shining golden god!" or "I'm so embarrassed and ashamed I could die."

I'm highly insecure of what I write.

[Respubliko de Libereco]

Man I should have just posted mine immediately like I talked about, now I'm looking at it and having my inevitable "Baaaaw, everything sucks, I'm a horrible writer; why even live? *slash wrists*" reaction.

Does writing make anyone else bipolar? I typically either look at what I've written and depending on when I look at it think "I am a shining golden god!" or "I'm so embarrassed and ashamed I could die."

According to Wikipedia, "The cause [of Bipolar Disorder] is not clearly understood, but both genetic and environmental factors play a role. Many genes of small effect contribute to risk. Environmental factors include long term stress and a history of childhood abuse." Nothing in there about writing.

I mean, seriously, there's probably a way you could have phrased that without trivializing a serious mental disorder. Unless, of course, this is a non-hyperbolic account of how your writing makes you feel, in which case maybe you should seek a psychiatrist?

[The High Lords]

Man I should have just posted mine immediately like I talked about, now I'm looking at it and having my inevitable "Baaaaw, everything sucks, I'm a horrible writer; why even live? *slash wrists*" reaction.

Does writing make anyone else bipolar? I typically either look at what I've written and depending on when I look at it think "I am a shining golden god!" or "I'm so embarrassed and ashamed I could die."

I'm highly insecure of what I write.

To be honest, first impressions of your submitted piece were very good. You should be proud of your work.

[The New Greek Republic]

To be honest, first impressions of your submitted piece were very good. You should be proud of your work.

The last line nags me though, I feel like it doesn't fit with the rest of the text. I wanted to leave it at the journey isn't over part, but I wanted to have the Narrator's name to be revealed as well. So I added the final line to do that, but I feel like it'll take points away than it would add.

[Nazi Flower Power]

I recently read that one of our judges was DEATed and given a week-long ban due to some drama in NSG. I do not know if he is going to return with a new nation when the ban runs out. If he doesn't turn up before the deadline, I will ask one of the back-up judges to step in. Just a heads up.

[Laerod]

I recently read that one of our judges was DEATed and given a week-long ban due to some drama in NSG. I do not know if she is going to return with a new nation when the ban runs out. If she doesn't turn up before the deadline, I will ask one of the back-up judges to step in. Just a heads up.

Kannap's a he.

[Nazi Flower Power]

I recently read that one of our judges was DEATed and given a week-long ban due to some drama in NSG. I do not know if she is going to return with a new nation when the ban runs out. If she doesn't turn up before the deadline, I will ask one of the back-up judges to step in. Just a heads up.

Kannap's a he.

Really? Why did I think he was a she? I'll edit that.

[Laerod]

Kannap's a he.

Really? Why did I think he was a she? I'll edit that.

Because he lied about it for the longest time, I wager.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Really? Why did I think he was a she? I'll edit that.

Because he lied about it for the longest time, I wager.

So I didn't imagine Kannap saying they were a she? Now I am more confused than ever...

[The French Dominion]

Kannap's a he.

Really? Why did I think he was a she? I'll edit that.

Because Kannap is a she. I've seen her pics when she posted them fro some sort of NS compeition on who's hotter in RL.

[The French Dominion]

By the way, because I am bored posting this here with my main, I will post it with this nation. Given to the fact I already gave you a part of that 'subject'.

[Respubliko de Libereco]

Kannap's a he.

Really? Why did I think he was a she? I'll edit that.

Because he lied about it for the longest time, I wager.

So I didn't imagine Kannap saying they were a she? Now I am more confused than ever...

Because Kannap is a she. I've seen her pics when she posted them fro some sort of NS compeition on who's hotter in RL.

I recently read that one of our judges was DEATed and given a week-long ban due to some drama in NSG. I do not know if this will lead to a permanent absence. If it does, I will ask one of the back-up judges to step in. Just a heads up.

Problem solved. Who needs 3rd-person pronouns?

[The New World Oceania]

Really? Why did I think he was a she? I'll edit that.

So I didn't imagine Kannap saying they were a she? Now I am more confused than ever...

Because Kannap is a she. I've seen her pics when she posted them fro some sort of NS compeition on who's hotter in RL.

I recently read that one of our judges was DEATed and given a week-long ban due to some drama in NSG. I do not know if this will lead to a permanent absence. If it does, I will ask one of the back-up judges to step in. Just a heads up.

Problem solved. Who needs 3rd-person pronouns?

As a matter of fact, it wasn't permanent, so it doesn't matter to start with.

[Shaggai]

Really? Why did I think he was a she? I'll edit that.

So I didn't imagine Kannap saying they were a she? Now I am more confused than ever...

Because Kannap is a she. I've seen her pics when she posted them fro some sort of NS compeition on who's hotter in RL.

I recently read that one of our judges was DEATed and given a week-long ban due to some drama in NSG. I do not know if this will lead to a permanent absence. If it does, I will ask one of the back-up judges to step in. Just a heads up.

Problem solved. Who needs 3rd-person pronouns?

I prefer replacing all third-person pronouns with HAIL THE DARK ONE. So, for example:

Kannap's a HAIL THE DARK ONE.

Really? Why did I think HAIL THE DARK ONE was a HAIL THE DARK ONE? I'll edit that.

Because HAIL THE DARK ONE lied about it for the longest time, I wager.

So I didn't imagine Kannap saying HAIL THE DARK ONE were a HAIL THE DARK ONE? Now I am more confused than ever...

Because Kannap is a HAIL THE DARK ONE. I've seen HAIL THE DARK ONE's pics when HAIL THE DARK ONE posted them fro some sort of NS compeition on who's hotter in RL.

I recently read that one of our judges was DEATed and given a week-long ban due to some drama in NSG. I do not know if HAIL THE DARK ONE is going to return with a new nation when the ban runs out. If HAIL THE DARK ONE doesn't turn up before the deadline, I will ask one of the back-up judges to step in. Just a heads up.

[Forsher]

Really? Why did I think he was a she? I'll edit that.

Because he lied about it for the longest time, I wager.

From my understanding of an ET conversation I stumbled across (I check in on it periodically), Kannap decided to come clean of his own volition. This, of course, does beg the question of who exactly was in the photos referred to by The French Dominion if they aren't Kannap. But whatever, it was a DEAT not a DOS so the contest is probably unaffected.

I prefer replacing all third-person pronouns with HAIL THE DARK ONE. So, for example:

I am left wondering whether this is a reference to the ATLA comics or something else.

[Shaggai]

Because he lied about it for the longest time, I wager.

From my understanding of an ET conversation I stumbled across (I check in on it periodically), Kannap decided to come clean of his own volition. This, of course, does beg the question of who exactly was in the photos referred to by The French Dominion if they aren't Kannap. But whatever, it was a DEAT not a DOS so the contest is probably unaffected.

I prefer replacing all third-person pronouns with HAIL THE DARK ONE. So, for example:

I am left wondering whether this is a reference to the ATLA comics or something else.

Not a reference to anything in particular.

[Animal Farm United]

Man I should have just posted mine immediately like I talked about, now I'm looking at it and having my inevitable "Baaaaw, everything sucks, I'm a horrible writer; why even live? *slash wrists*" reaction.

Does writing make anyone else bipolar? I typically either look at what I've written and depending on when I look at it think "I am a shining golden god!" or "I'm so embarrassed and ashamed I could die."

Usually, when I first write my rough draft, I'm typically excited and I'm like "Oh wow, I feel so accomplished!" but then when I read it over from top to bottom, I usually have to take out huge chunks at a time to rewrite it and it never ends up getting finished the way I want it to. But then, a couple months later when I look back on it, I go, "This was a great idea! Why did I ditch it?" and the entire cycle repeats itself. I guess I get tired of looking at the same characters over and over again.

Also here's my story, kinda short I guess:

As Jack walked up the steps leading to the top of Fireside Cliff, he couldn’t help but notice how beautiful of a day it was.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Jack sighed, as he observed everything around him. The sky radiated with happiness, puffy marshmallows backed by a baby blue backdrop. Birds flitted around above, chirping at each other, completely undeterred by Jack walking through their midst. Blue, red, yellow – the mixture of rapidly flying birds was so diverse that when Jack looked up, it looked like a swirl of light coming from above.

Mmm. Swirls. Jack was reminded of the Strawberry Swirls that awaited him for lunch. Strawberry Swirls and chocolate chip cookies.

Jack started to pant as he went up the steeper steps. He was a bit on the rotund side, and had trouble with physical tasks of any kind. He grasped onto the railing to the side of the steps, and hauled himself up the steady incline.

A cool breeze wafted by, encouraging Jack to keep on going, to not give up. The breeze reminded him of a careful mother helping her child up the steps to a school. Mother Nature would help Jack get to the top.
Jack could see the top. Rays of golden sunshine smiled on Jack’s weary eyes as the sun was revealed, previously hidden by the cliff’s vast size. Jack pulled himself to the top of the cliff, his eyes watering at the sun’s magnificence. He didn’t care if it could blind him permanently. He only cared about getting the most out of this beautiful day.

Jack walked up to the edge of the cliff. He stood at the very edge of Fireside Cliff, 500 feet above the ground, breathing in the true beauty of nature as he closed his eyes and spent a few minutes breathing in and out. Even with his eyes closed, the sun’s heat radiated through him, giving him energy. The chirps of birds, the buzzing of insects, and the soft whistle of wind were absorbed by him, and he could not help but again say, “It’s a beautiful day.”

Jack pulled out his phone. There were only two contacts on it. He called his first contact, titled “Ma.” After two rings, his Ma picked up.

“Jack?”

“Yes, Ma.”

“What is it, sweetheart?”

Jack looked out at the incredible scenery awaiting him. He would take a picture and send it to his Ma, but he didn’t know how.

“Ma, have you looked outside today?”

“Yes, Jack, it’s a beautiful day. But aren’t you supposed to be in class right now?”

“No, Ma, the college has given us a day off.”

“Where’s your sister? Jacqueline? Is she with you?”

“No, Ma. She’s at some party. I didn’t go.”

“All right. I have to go run an errand. Well, take care. I can’t wait to see you during the holidays!” Jack heard a click on the other end, as his Ma hung up her phone without waiting for a reply from Jack.

Jack looked at his phone for a few moments with an unreadable expression on his face. Sighing, he called his next contact, titled “Jacqueline,” his sister.

“Jack?”

“Hey Jacqueline, are you at the party?”

“Yeah, Jack, it’s super fun! It’s such a shame that you couldn’t come.”

Jack had told his sister that he couldn’t come due to some research he had to complete, but in truth, he hadn’t been invited.

“Well, you should take a look outside, Jacqueline. It’s a beautiful day.” Jack’s voice broke at the end as his cheeks became wet.

“Yes, it’s a perfect day for a party today. But Jack… are you crying?”

“It’s just such a beautiful day, Jacqueline, such a beautiful day… “

Jack hung up and dropped his phone.

It was a beautiful day, but Jack had to end his walk. It had been such a long walk…

Jack took a step forwards, thus ending his walk.

For he had been standing at the very edge of Fireside Cliff, 500 feet above the ground.

[Laerod]

Because he lied about it for the longest time, I wager.

From my understanding of an ET conversation I stumbled across (I check in on it periodically), Kannap decided to come clean of his own volition. This, of course, does beg the question of who exactly was in the photos referred to by The French Dominion if they aren't Kannap. But whatever, it was a DEAT not a DOS so the contest is probably unaffected.

Yeah, I found the post relevant post but kinda felt dragging the conversation along even further was undignified. Regardless, Kannap has been reinstated upon appeal.

[Nazi Flower Power]

From my understanding of an ET conversation I stumbled across (I check in on it periodically), Kannap decided to come clean of his own volition. This, of course, does beg the question of who exactly was in the photos referred to by The French Dominion if they aren't Kannap. But whatever, it was a DEAT not a DOS so the contest is probably unaffected.

Yeah, I found the post relevant post but kinda felt dragging the conversation along even further was undignified. Regardless, Kannap has been reinstated upon appeal.

So we should be back on track.

[Forsher]

Yeah, I found the post relevant post but kinda felt dragging the conversation along even further was undignified. Regardless, Kannap has been reinstated upon appeal.

So we should be back on track.

Indeed.

One of the reasons I didn't follow through on my "next few days" estimate is a general funk. Another is I've had this other idea floating around in my head and I am wondering whether or not to explore it.

[Vrolondia]

I found a thing of antiquity in years long passed, an ancient soul who dwelt in the sheltered caves high above the ocean. A being who, beyond all reason and logic, professed to me he had once traveled the black road to Theralia. He claimed that as he wandered down the seemingly endless trail he couldn’t help but notice the gradual increase of statues slightly off the road, indiscriminately placed at random. One, two, six, twelve, all in a variety of poses and expressions, as if trying desperately to escape some dreadful unseen horror. Some were running, jumping, or laying on the ground in an odd, contorted way that couldn’t help but remind him of some long dead child throwing a tantrum. Some stood expressionless, resigned to their fate as watchful guardians of an empty field, and yet others seemed to be writhing in everlasting agony. One or two seem to have stopped to pick, or smell, the flowers. The odd image brought to mind a pair of lovers embracing before the inevitable, but the distance made it difficult to tell. A few more stood on the edge of the road, seeming to beckon towards a far off goal that no longer existed. The further in along the cursed highway he traveled, the more statues there seemed to be, and he had to wonder how long they had been here. Some looked to have an eternity of wear on them, between missing body parts and worn down features, some were little more than a stump, or a leg. Others seems like they were just carved recently from a fresh block of marble, as if capturing the moment of some gruesome tragedy so thoroughly one could still see the tears on their face.

The pungent smell of decay pervaded the once vibrant field, then brown and barren from centuries of corrosion, and the overwhelming feeling of depravity choked the breathable air. Lightning flares and storm fronts illuminate the horizon, heralding the new age of the dead; one where he was the only thing in this strange macabre world inhabited only by those lifeless abominations of stone.
Soon, however, a frightening vision broke his sight; The distant ruins of an ancient and terrible thing dimly illuminated by a black sun, the horrible view of which promised the prospect of ill fortune as the eternal inhabitants of a forgotten city with crumbling walls dwell in isolation and secrecy.

He never made it to Theralia, but one question has always troubled me; Why would somebody create such horrifying objects in the middle of nowhere? I shudder at the possibilities, for such realistic effigies served a chilling reminder never to venture off the road.

**Final draft; I wont be changing this further.

If you have previously read it I have revamped 95% of the story, so you should read it again to get a new feel for what I want to portray.

[Infected Mushroom]

Here is mine.

I might return for a few edits but I think its more or less ready.

The Sacrifice

The Sacrifice

It was lunch break. All the students got together and were chatting by the lockers. Stansfield however, had more important things to deal with.

He strolled by the lockers and adjusted the silver cross necklace around his neck. Some of his classmates whispered to each other as they looked at him. Stansfield noticed but didn’t care. He had more important things to worry about.

At last he saw him. David was just coming out of Chemistry.

‘’David,’’ Stansfield said calmly as he walked by. ‘’I’ll meet you upstairs. We need to talk.’’

Minutes later, they settled in an abandoned classroom. They sat across each other. Stansfield glared at David.

‘’Well?’’ he demanded coldly.

‘’Well what?’’ David replied, nonchalantly.

‘’Did you hear the latest news?’ Stansfield said. ‘’Geoffrey and Bob are both sick with the flu. They can’t very well run for President now can they?’’

David caught on. ‘’OH… about that…’’

‘’Yeah…’’ Stansfield repeated, waving his hands impatiently. ‘’THAT. THAT THING.’’

‘’It could just be a coincidence,’’ David replied. ‘’It doesn’t mean the magic is real.’’

‘’NONSENSE.’’ Stansfield said firmly. ‘’Its no coincidence. Yesterday there were three people running for class president, now two of them are sick. Yesterday I dropped a hamster into the fire. And now two of them are sick. I’m the only one left running. Its not a coincidence. The magic is real.’’

David had nothing to say. He found it rather unbelievable. He wanted to insist it was a coincidence but now that its been put that way, it’s a bit hard to counter.

‘’Okay,’’ David replied reluctantly. ‘’MAYBE the girl’s magic is real. Just MAYBE dropping a hamster into the fire really DID make Geoffrey and Bob go sick, but they could get well again any time right? There’s still a long election ahead.’’

‘’There isn’t,’’ Stansfield replied confidently. ‘’I’m the only person left running. I expect the Dean will make me president anytime now.’’

‘’What about James Lincoln?’’

‘’He already confirmed he’s not running so he’s out.’’

Stansfield let out an internal sigh of relief. He absolutely HATED James Lincoln. James was the most popular kid in the school AND he was the captain of the basketball team. He was the best ball-hand in all of the seven homerooms. Thankfully though, he said he was too cool for politics and never showed the slightest interest in running. He’s too busy arranging his hair to be prom king.

‘’Well… you know he COULD change his mind,’’ David said cautiously.

‘’He won’t,’’ Stansfield replied simply. ‘’Anyways. It’s a done deal. I win. Three candidates, now only one candidate. I’m president. We’re done.’’

‘’It doesn’t work like that,’’ David replied cautiously. ‘’See the thing is, its in the handbook. If the election only has one candidate, it has to be delayed indefinitely until someone else decides to run against you. There has to be competition. Its on page 242.’’

‘’You’re FUCKING with me.’’

‘’No I’m not.’’

Stansfield was not happy. Angrily, he took out the student handbook and turned to 242. David wasn’t kidding.

Stansfield looked up. ‘’So? It doesn’t matter. There’s no one else left who can run against me now, no one popular or intimidating enough. It’s a done deal. Problem solved.’’

‘’What about English Lit?’’ David demanded sharply.

Stansfield shrugged, ’’What about it?’’

‘’There’s a paper due,’’ David replied calmly.

‘’Arrive at the point please David,’’ Stansfield replied.

‘’Well… I’m just saying dude, that you don’t have the… the BEST record with research papers. And technically if you fail the next term paper, it could disqualify your run from school presidency.’’

Stansfield glared at David. He knew David wasn’t making up these rules but it sure felt like it. ‘’Page reference for this thing?’’

‘’I think its on page 333.’’

‘’GOD DAMN IT!’’

David said nothing. The situation was grim indeed. Mr. Thompson didn’t like Stansfield at all, his grading was going to be far from impartial.

‘’I’ll have to talk to Emily again,’’ Stansfield said tensely. ‘’Maybe she has a spell for making sure I pass my term papers…’’

‘’Well there IS another way,’’ David said. ‘’I mean… the world’s a big place. I know a few very efficient paper mills based in London.’’

‘’Paper mills?’’

‘’Yeah,’’ David said. ‘’For about 100 bucks they’ll write your term papers for you. They do the research and everything.’’

‘’That’s CHEATING!’’

‘’Forgive me sir,’’ David replied sarcastically. ‘’We’re willing to use blood magic to make you president but we’re not willing to CHEAT?’’

Stansfield was going to interrupt but David cut across him. ‘’Now LOOK… maybe, maybe the girl’s magic is real. Maybe her spells are real and that’s why Geoffrey and Bob are sick now but I’ve NEVER heard of spells and magic making a class president. You need to pass your term papers to be able to run… and I’ve never heard of magic and spells doing that. WRITERS write papers… WRITERS pass classes. WRITERS on the ground; its DIRTY on the ground.’’

Stansfield said nothing. David was making a lot of sense. ‘’Well… well… well I don’t have any lunch money left.’’

‘’You’ll get more tomorrow.’’

****

Stansfield stormed into his bedroom. He was pissed off beyond belief. He couldn’t believe it.

He dropped his school bag and rushed into the washroom. He felt like he was going to throw up.

His girlfriend Emily wasn’t impressed. He had literally just walked past her. She looked slightly annoyed as she crossed her arms and waited for him to finish relieving himself. She brushed some of her red hair to the side.

Stansfield stepped out of the washroom. He was really pissed off.

‘’I… I don’t BELIEVE THIS!’’

He wasn’t quite yelling but he was close to.

‘’James Lincoln… JAMES… FUCKING… LINCOLN!’’

Emily shrugged.

Stansfield glowered at her. ‘’I TRUSTED in your visions… in your dreams… in your prophecies. You promised me VICTORY in this election. You said God was on my side.’’

‘’And I stand by that,’’ she replied coldly. ‘’God is on your side. Now if you will please just CALM now you’re being really immature-‘’

‘’CALM DOWN?!!’’

Stansfield stepped to the side and knocked one of his books over the shelf. Several books fell off, it was a domino effect.

Emily rolled her eyes.

‘’James Fucking Lincoln,’’ Stansfield started to rant. ‘’Rich daddy, captain of the basketball team, he can throw a couple of balls and get a few fucking dunks… BIG… FUCKING… DEAL.’’

‘’Are you done yet?’’ she asked impatiently.

Stansfield raised a finger. ‘’NO. NO I am NOT done. Why the FUCK is he running again? This wasn’t supposed to happen.’’

‘’Well-‘’

‘’Don’t you DARE shrug this one off!’’

Stansfield glared at her. His eyes were murderous. ‘’I KILLED my hamster to win this presidency.’’

‘’We killed him together,’’ Emily corrected him.

‘’Whatever,’’ Stansfield continued. ‘’I burned my hamster so that your magic would work. Your magic was SUPPOSED to make me WIN. Now tell me how I’m going to win now that James changed his fucking mind and has decided to enter this war?’’

‘’Okay Stansfield,’’ Emily said crossly. ‘’Now I’m starting to get jerked as well. So you need to calm the FUCK down.’’

Stansfield said nothing. He decided he would reserve his tantrum for later and hear what she had to say first. He could always threaten to break up later.

‘’God works in mysterious ways,’’ she said calmly. ‘’Now the magic did what it was supposed to do. It removed Bob and Geoffrey from the competition. They’ll be sick until Easter I can promise you that. But sometimes… the Lord tests us. See that’s why James is now running. But you will still win… it is your DESTINY to be president.’’

Stansfield said nothing. ‘’I… I want to believe what you say,’’ he said uneasily. ‘’I mean… I want to believe in God’s plan and you say you know what it is but… you… you don’t KNOW. None of us really KNOW.’’

‘’You saw a vision in the swimming pool,’’ she reminded him.

‘’I… I don’t know what I saw,’’ he said doubtfully.

‘’Yes you do,’’ she said firmly. ‘’Now listen to me… this isn’t out of control. All we need to do, is perform another blood ritual-‘’

‘’I only have one hamster,’’ Stansfield said.

‘’Right,’’ she replied, ‘’But there is something else we can burn.’’

Stansfield was horrified. He suddenly realized where this was going.

‘’You… You CAN’T mean it!’’

‘’There is no other way Stansfield,’’ she insisted. To try and convince him, she approached him, rubbed his shoulders and fingered his neck.

‘’You MUST become class president,’’ she said, her voice low. ‘’You MUST take what is yours. It is your destiny. Every single day since the moment of your birth has been leading up to THIS moment.’’

‘’Get out,’’ he said coldly.

He couldn’t believe they were discussing this. They were NOT going there.

***

The next morning, David walked out of Chemistry. He saw his friend.

‘’Stansfield?’’ David asked. ‘’What… what happened?’’

Stansfield looked like a shell. He looked like he’d been through hell. His eyes were also heavily lined, it looked like he didn’t sleep at all and his hair was a mess.

‘’S…Stansfield?’’

David was getting really concerned.

‘’I had to do it…’’ he replied, his eyes still vacant. ‘’It was the only way. It was God’s will…’’

‘’Wait,’’ David said sternly. ‘’Don’t tell me your burned another hamster.’’

‘’There are no more hamsters you idiot,’’ he said blankly. ‘’I had to burn my dog.’’

David heard but didn’t quite register.

‘’Wait…’’ he said, watching Stansfield closely. ‘’Did you say… you burned… YOUR DOG?’’

‘’Yeah,’’ Stansfield replied. ‘’It wasn’t easy but it had to be done. Sometimes… sometimes the world forces it way. And a man has to make a choice. If he is to stay true… to who he is… who he is destined to be.’’

David was speechless.

‘’Then the choice isn’t really a choice,’’ Stansfield continues. ‘’I MUST be president. It’s why God put me on this Earth. My enemies have made the Lord’s Kingdom bleed… and I will use whatever arms are at my disposal to counter them.’’

David didn’t say anything. He could no longer support his friend’s decision to run for president. At this point, he was wondering whether or not he should call the police. Surely there are laws against BBQ-ing your dog alive in the yard?

Before he could say anything however, Emily walked up to them. She looked ecstatic and her bright eyes flashed with happiness.

‘’Did you hear the news?’’ Emily said cheerfully. ‘’James Lincoln’s in the hospital too. He broke his arm in PE this morning.’’

Stansfield looked up. He smiled weakly. ‘’W… WOW…’’

‘’You’re going to be PRESIDENT!’’ she said excitedly. Prancing around, she hugged him.

David looked away. He felt sick.

It was at this moment that he came to a grim realization. He looked back.

Stansfield and Emily were kissing. After they were done, Stansfield's eyes were wild, as if in a fit of psychosis. They looked intoxicated.

David understood.

Stansfield had to be stopped. He may have been a good person once, but there are just some lines you DON’T cross. If a person is willing to burn his hamster and his dog to be class president, then there’s nothing that person wouldn’t do. He was simply too dangerous.

True, David had suggested that they cheat by turning to the paper mills earlier on. But it was one thing to cheat in school, it was quite another to burn your dog. Those two things are not in the same ballpark.

David looked down, his facial expression was regretful. He knew he was going to have to betray Stansfield as a friend. But it was for the good of the school.

***

Stansfield walked across several blocks. He was regretting not finishing his Calc homework after class. Now his pack was just WAY too heavy.

Still… WHAT a day. A few months ago, when Emily first suggested to him that he run for class president, Stansfield had thought she was joking. How could he hope to win? He was never that popular in school.

But then God had shown him the way and rewarded his faith. One by one his enemies had disappeared. First Geoffrey and Bob, and now James. It had all been worth it.

Stansfield whistled to himself as he kept walking. Soon he should be sitting on the Student Council.

Reaching his front door, he inserted a key and opened the door. He was in for a nasty shock.

A gun was pointed at his face.

The person holding was it was a few inches taller than he was. His face was covered by a hockey mask.

Stansfield was speechless.

‘’What…’’ he managed. ‘’What the fuck…’’

The gunman’s voice was cold, like ice. ‘’Your name… is it Stansfield? Stansfield Brandon?’’

‘’Yeah,’’ he replied. ‘’But… but who the FUCK are you and what the hell are you doing in my house?’’

The gunman ignored him. He continued his inquiry. ‘’Your dog… you burned him? To remove James?’’

Stansfield was in complete shock. But then it hit him. He thought he had been following God all along… but it was the Devil he had been following.

A look of regret washed over his face as he realized what he had done. His dog had never done him any wrong.

It took several seconds for him to realize this. Then a strange calm washed over him as he faced the gunman. He looked straight at his masked face.

‘’Yeah…’’ he said sadly. ‘’I did.’’

The gun went off.

[Laerod]

<snip>

Honestly, if you're not done, you shouldn't post your story. It doesn't really matter terribly where you post it in the thread, so you should wait until you're finished.

[Nazi Flower Power]

<snip>

Honestly, if you're not done, you shouldn't post your story. It doesn't really matter terribly where you post it in the thread, so you should wait until you're finished.

It's maybe a good idea to wait till you're done in case you get busy with RL and don't finish, but you don't really need to.

[Vrolondia]

<snip>

Honestly, if you're not done, you shouldn't post your story. It doesn't really matter terribly where you post it in the thread, so you should wait until you're finished.

Meh, spur of the moment kind of thing; I'll probably delete it before the deadline anyways.

BUT NEXT TIME YOU SHOULD NOT READ IT WHEN I SAY NO PEAKING >:[