Waterproof peel and stick floor tile

This story needs to be told. Those who have suffered must understand why. It’s not as simple as some have made it to be, which is why it needs to come from the person most responsible… me.
It began when I was least expecting it. But then don’t things always seem to happen that way?
***
“I’m tellin' ya, doc, people just don’t understand,” Frederick said while rocking back and forth in the chair.
“What exactly don’t they understand?” I said, trying to look more relaxed than I felt.
“There’s just something that takes over. You can’t stop it.”
“Impulse control?”
“What’s that mean?” Frederick said, struggling against his straight jacket, trying to get comfortable.
“It means that when you want to do something, you try your hardest not to. It means you try to control or suppress the urge to do things you know are bad.”
Frederick’s mouth lolled open. He narrowed his eyes in confusion.
“Why would I want to do that?”
I suppressed the urge to sigh.
“Because that’s what people do,” I said. “They think about doing bad things, but then they control themselves and don’t do them because those things are wrong and could hurt other people.”
“Hurting people is wrong?” he said.
“Yes, Frederick, hurting people is wrong.”
He shook his head as if he were trying to shake away a fly that was annoying him.
“Why?”
“Why is hurting people wrong?”
“No, why are you telling me this?”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re saying I’m bad,” he said trying to rise from his chair. “You’re saying I didn’t need to hurt those people. That I’m a bad person.”
I got up from my chair and started backing toward the heavy metal door.
“I’m not bad!” he yelled at me. “You’re bad!”
I knocked on the door and the orderly opened it as Frederick got to his feet.
I slipped through the door as it slammed shut from the impact of his body slamming into it.
“Bad, bad, bad,” he screamed.
“Badbadbadbadbadbadbadbad!”
Spit flew from his mouth landing on the small observation window with metal grates embedded in it.
“You ok, doc,” the orderly said, startling me.
“Yes, I’m fine, thank you.”
I turned and walked down the white hallway, hoping the orderly wouldn’t notice the quickness in my step. I ignored the sound of Frederick beating on the door. I ignored all the sounds I heard. I just wanted to get away.
It was a long walk to my office, through many security gates. At each one, the nurse buzzed me through and gave me an acknowledging look that used to be a smile.
I suppose this place gets to everyone eventually.
I finally reached my office, closed and locked the door behind me, and collapsed into my chair. I breathed out a sigh of relief at reaching relative safety. I turned and looked out my window to the beautiful flowers blooming on the trees in the courtyard. I looked up at the tree stretching toward the sky.
I remember when they planted those.
I turned back to my center, my means of solace, the only thing that mattered in this cruel, unfair world. I picked up the picture of my lovely wife and smiled. She was the one who kept me sane all these years. She kept me seeing the best in people. Or at least trying. Sometimes there was no good to see—especially in my patients.
It takes a special kind of doctor to care for the mental needs of those who have done heinous things that are so bad they don’t even bother sending them to prison. They send them to me.
I’m like the dumpster for the dregs of society. Just drop them in the asylum and forget about them.
I kissed my wife and set her back on the bare desk, then turned on my computer and added notes from today’s session. There was never a recommendation for release. Once patients came here the only way they left was in a body bag. There was no curing them, only trying to make them docile until they left.
Oh, there were experiments. That was a large part of how we were funded. Companies would pay for certain tests to be done. Some might call it torture, but we called it research.
I finished typing my notes and leaned back in my seat. The diplomas and degrees stared down from their perches on the bare walls, mocking me. Demanding why I hadn’t gotten a better job.
As usual, I didn’t have an answer.
My office suddenly felt stuffy. I closed down my computer and left. Driving down the packed freeway, all I could think about was collapsing on the couch beside my lovely Elizabeth. Not telling her about my day until she dragged it out of me, then listening to her encourage me to help those who have been left in my care, because I’m the only hope they have.
Traffic was bumper to bumper and not helping my overall opinion of humanity much. Especially when a car that was swerving from lane to lane, nearly sideswiped me. It kept going on in front of me, nearly hitting several other cars.
The driver and passenger seemed to be having a disagreement about how to drive the car and it looked like it was about to come to blows.
Fortunately, they were soon out of sight, and someone else’s problem.
For the next few miles, I kept watching the side of the road waiting to see the offending car sitting in a ditch. However, they surprised me. They must’ve turned off to go terrorize some neighborhood streets with their reckless driving.
I hummed to myself, not wanting to have whatever dreck was on the radio forced on me.
When I was nearly to my exit, my phone rang. I immediately recognized the number as work. I contemplated answering it for a moment, then thought better of it. There had never been a time when work called with good news. And I was in no mood for bad news.
I hummed a little louder, trying to drown out the sound of the ring before it finally stopped.
The closer I got to home the less I thought about work and the more I thought about Elizabeth. Until I turned off at my exit, I had nearly forgotten work altogether. Maybe I would take tomorrow off and go do something with my wife. We hadn’t been out for a while. The weather had been lovely and I know she would adore a walk down by the lake.
My thoughts were interrupted when I turned down our driveway and saw a car in front of the house. It wasn’t quite in the driveway, it was sitting at an angle halfway in the front yard.
I parked my car and slowly got out. Something struck me about this car, but I hadn’t figured out what. I approached the driver’s side to have words with the person still sitting at the wheel.
“Excuse me,” I said staying a few steps back from the driver’s door.
He didn’t answer me.
“Excuse me,” I said a little louder.
Still no answer.
I tapped on the window and he ignored me.
I opened the door.
“Okay, look… “ I said.
But it was I who would do the looking. The man fell out of the car, thudding on the grass. The inside of the car was covered in blood. I looked down and the man’s throat had been cut.
“Oh my God!” I said jumping back.
I watched to see if the man was breathing, but the way his neck was bent at an unnatural angle against my yard told me everything I needed to know.
I glanced through the car but didn’t see the passenger.
It was then my eyes drifted to my front door.
It was open.
I stepped through the shrubs and up onto the porch, walking in a daze. The surrealness of the moment had yet to sink in. I was going inside to check on my wife and make sure everything was ok.
It didn’t strike me as anything more than that.
‘Oh, she just left the door open, that’s all.’
My mind kept trying to tell me that. I wanted desperately to believe it. Even though she had never been that careless during the entire time we’d been married. I had pushed aside all reason and common sense in favor of pure denial.
Everything was going to be ok. With Elizabeth, everything was always ok. She could literally light up a room with her positivity. She was the best person I ever knew. I have no idea how I got so lucky as to know her, let alone be her husband.
I floated in through my front door on my cloud of denial and looked for my wife.
It didn’t take me long to find her.
There was one wall of the living room she was constantly redecorating. She always said it looked bare and empty no matter what she did with it.
She was hanging from that wall, naked, her beautiful body desecrated by slices and rips. Her throat had been slit and blood still poured from it.
I ran to her.
Tried to take her down.
Screamed her name.
And then it was my turn to scream.
I looked down and saw a knife blade sticking out from my abdomen. It was part of the cutlery set I had gotten for Elizabeth three Christmases ago.
I screamed as I slowly turned to face my attacker.
“What’s up, doc?” Frederick said wearing a maniacal grin.
The shock had punched a hole in my reasoning. I saw him standing there, but I couldn’t accept it any more than I could accept my beautiful wife strung up like a macabre painting hanging on our living room wall.
My eyes tried to focus on his face. To make me recognize him as a threat.
“How’s that impulse control workin’ for ya, doc?”
He ripped the knife out of my back.
The pain, along with his arrogance woke me from my shock-induced stupor.
“Now do you understand?” he said, as he shoved the knife into my belly.
I did understand. I understood at that moment that I was already as dead as my wife. I knew that this piece of human garbage had taken something beautiful from this world. I knew I had to do something about it before there was nothing I could do. Before my body succumbed to injuries and I was unable.
I grabbed him by the throat. He tried to laugh, but my grip was fueled by desperation.
He tried to free himself but couldn’t. He began stabbing me over and over. I refused to release him. I carried him by his neck over to the kitchen counter and began bashing his head off the marble.
I was rewarded with spots of his blood. I knew at least I had made him bleed and that made me smile. His eyes grew wide as my grin grew maniacal. I smashed him repeatedly, crushing him against the sink, breaking the faucet, and causing water to spray into the air.
His eyelids fluttered as he lost his grip on the knife.
He was nearly gone. I would take him with me and that would be my parting gift to the world, removing something so evil.
Suddenly, my body wouldn’t obey commands. My grip loosened. I tried to tighten it, but I had lost all control. I looked down and I was standing in a pool of my own blood.
His eyes fluttered open and he coughed.
‘Nonononononono!’ I thought. ‘He can’t live. He can’t win. I had him.’
He stood as I sank to the floor.
“Looks like maybe you do understand, doc,” he said from what seemed like miles away. “Too bad you won’t be around to discuss it. We could have a session and evaluate how it makes you feel.”
His foot came down on my spine. I felt a crack. He started kicking me in the side repeatedly. Splashing water and blood on me as I felt my ribs crack.
I fought with everything I had.
My body didn’t even twitch.
‘Nooooo!,’ I screamed. ‘It can’t end like this.’
I heard a sizzling sound and then there was darkness.
***
I could feel movement.
Wasn’t I dead?
Was this what happened after?
It was still dark.
‘Hello?’ I tried to say.
Nothing. Just the sensation of movement.
Am I in a body bag? Am I on my way to the morgue or the grave? Please don’t let me be buried alive.
But I’m not alive, am I?
I don’t feel any pain. That’s a good thing, but not a good sign. The last thing I remember was lots of pain.
Suddenly there’s light and my movement stops.
I look up from the floor of a house I don’t recognize.
‘Where the hell am I?’
I’m on the floor next to a wall, looking up at an electrical outlet. Nothing around me seems familiar. I try to stand but it feels weird. It isn’t difficult, and there’s still no pain, it just carries an odd sensation with it. Like my body is just relearning things. Just like when I was a toddler. I teeter back and forth as I rise, but eventually, I’m upright.
My first few steps are tentative, but after that, I gain confidence with each stride.
Aside from the strange surroundings, there’s a sensation, like ants crawling all over me.
I pass a bathroom and glance inside. The reflection in the mirror draws me back. I slowly approach it, seeing something unique and terrifying.
It looks like someone drew an outline of a human form using a lightning bolt. The electricity shimmers and crackles as it races around the empty form of the being.
I wonder if it will hurt me.
Not sure if I want to test the limits of my newfound lack of pain, I hesitantly reach for this creature. It reaches for me at the same time. I’m mesmerized by this mutual curiosity.
My hand is about to touch the electric pulse shaped like its hand. I tremble with anticipation and fear as we touch.
Surprisingly, I don’t feel any pain. I don’t feel anything except a hard surface.
I move my hand back and forth. The creature does the same. I make quicker movements, and so does it.
Finally, out of frustration, I reach back and strike at the creature.
My hand strikes the hard surface and it splinters. There are now multiple creatures staring back at me.
I step back and come to the horrible realization.
I am the creature.
***
One month later…
“And police have been unable to find any credible leads in the string of brutal killings that began shortly after the patient escaped from the mental hospital last month,” the handsome anchorman stated from behind his desk. “They are asking people to call in if they know the whereabouts of Frederick Winston, now known as, ‘The Mangler’.”
“In other news, the Larsan Electric Company has issued a statement that the recent power surges are no cause for alarm. These surges seem to be random in people's homes and certain businesses. An LEC spokesman stated that there appears to be no pattern to the surges and that so far no one has reported them causing any harm. LEC is tracking down the problem and should have it under control soon.”
The anchorman shifted in his seat and turned to another camera.
“And on a lighter note, with Halloween months away, it seems that reports of ghosts are on the rise,” he said, wearing a half grin. “Several area residents have reported what they call a ghostlike figure, outlined in light, visiting them. Reports vary as to the duration and location of the visits, but they do seem to have a few things in common. The visits are usually short. In fact, most people say that if they blink the figure is gone. No one has reported the ghost doing any harm. And it seems like anyone within close proximity feels a tingling sensation and their hair standing on end.”
“Maybe I should be visited instead of my next hairdresser’s appointment,” the attractive woman anchor said with a laugh.
“Schedule me a visit too,” the male anchor said smiling. “And that’s our news for the evening, good night.”
Jimmy switched the channel.
“Gimme a break,” he said to the TV. “Ghosts? Who’s playing what? This’s some marketing scheme to sell Halloween crap. Like that stunt they pulled a few years back with the clowns hanging around the schools to promote that stupid movie.”
He switched off the TV and rolled over in his bed.
It wasn’t long before his breathing slowed. But before sleep could take him, he noticed a glow in the hallway. He didn’t remember leaving any lights on when he came to bed. Living alone had its advantages. If he heard someone in his apartment, he knew they weren’t supposed to be there. He slowly reached over to the bedstand and pulled out his Glock 9mm handgun, then held it close and listened.
He watched as the glow moved. It seemed like someone was looking around. But for what? He didn’t really have anything aside from his TV, phone, and video games. If anyone wanted those, they would be in a world of hurt. He had been lucky to get this apartment. If he was honest with himself, it cost more than he could afford, but when he had the chance he took it. It was too bad the opening came because the person who lived there before him was one of The Mangler’s victims. That’s probably why he was able to rent the place so quickly and get the price down to where he could almost afford it.
Maybe the glow was one of the street people who were stupid enough to see if there was an empty apartment to claim. That wasn’t gonna fly either. Jimmy had jumped on this apartment to get away from the dingy rat hole he used live in on the other side of town. And there was no way he’d let some bum come in here and take what was his.
The glow crept closer. He could feel the hairs on his arms raise. There was a sound too. It wasn’t loud, almost felt more than heard. A soft crackle, like electricity when it sparked.
The sensory input was almost too much for Jimmy to take. He pointed the gun in the direction of the glow and saw the barrel was shaking. His resolve, that he could deal with anyone as long as he had his gun, was beginning to fade.
The glow became so bright that it finally took form.
Jimmy’s eyes widened. It was the form of a person, just like the news had said.
It seemed to look around the room, then settle its gaze on the bed. Jimmy began to sweat as it approached and stared into his eyes.
It was the oddest thing, staring into what should be eyes, but nothing was there. The flashes of mini lightning bolts formed shapes that looked almost human, but it was just an outline, there was nothing inside what should be the body.
He shoved the shaking gun out from under the blanket and pointed it at the glowing figure.
The figure noted the presence of the gun, then continued to advance.
“S… stop,” Jimmy said. “I’m w… warning you.”
The figure ignored the warning.
Jimmy squeezed the trigger, setting off a deafening shot that went right through the face of the figure.
It acted as though nothing had happened, continuing to advance. The ringing in Jimmy’s ears made all sound seem muffled.
The figure stopped two inches from Jimmy’s face.
“Mangler… “ it said, sounding less like a voice and more like a transmission over an old staticky radio.
“I… I’m not the Mangler,” he said. “The person who used to live here was killed by him.”
It seemed to ponder this for a moment.
“Find Mangler… “ it said.
“I d… don’t know where to find him.”
It moved an inch closer. As the flashes of electricity arced, licked hungrily at Jimmy’s face.
“Find… him… “
“Ok, ok, I’ll find him,” Jimmy said, feeling the heat from the electricity.
The figure seemed to consider that for a moment then backed away. It moved toward the bedroom wall. Then, like someone had turned on a vacuum, it was sucked into an electrical outlet and disappeared.
Jimmy laid back in bed, breathing hard. His eyes darted left and right all around the room. But the only evidence of the figure that remained was the bullet hole in his bedroom wall.
***
The trips through the electrical conduits had become easier. There were still times when I came out someplace I didn’t intend to, but I was usually able to recover quickly and get to where I wanted to go.
But where did I want to go? At first, I wandered around, lost in this new form I found myself trapped inside. It was only after I had overheard a news report about the serial killer they called The Mangler that I gained my purpose.
Of course, Frederick was going to keep killing. Of course, they weren’t going to be able to catch him. He’d been inside away from his victims before and he didn’t like it. Not being able to torture and kill innocents was like a normal person not being able to breathe. Not that I know much about normal or breathing anymore.
I suppose on some level I should thank him. I thought about it for a long time and the only thing that makes any kind of sense is when we were fighting, somehow the water and blood I was laying in got splashed into the electrical socket. Instead of killing me, it bonded with me, making me able to become the electrical current. To ride it like a wave to wherever I wanted.
I became faster than any person ever was. And yet, I wasn’t a person anymore. I have no idea how I retained my consciousness, let alone my memory. But somehow…
I justify it by the old adage, ‘I think therefore I am.’
My life has become an endless hunt for the person who destroyed me, the person I must destroy. I don’t even know what I’ll do when I find him. But I will find him. I will stop him. This time, I won’t fail. I’ll end him like I should’ve before.
I owe it to the people he’s tortured and killed since my failure. Most of all, I owe it to my wife. I know she wouldn’t approve of my bloodlust. She would say there must be some other option. But if she would be able to see her dead body hanging naked from our living room wall, I think she just might change her mind.
My thoughts are interrupted as I arrive at my next destination, another victim’s house. I’m not sure what I’ll find that the police haven’t, but I have to try. Maybe I can pick up his scent somehow. A plan almost assuredly doomed to failure since I lost all sense of smell in the transformation.
I’m surprised though that I can still see and hear. I suppose waves of light and sound somehow intersect with my electrical body and it senses them. I don’t question it. I’ve learned to just go with it.
On the plus side, I don’t have to worry about eating, drinking, or using the bathroom. I guess there’s an upside to everything. Elizabeth would be so proud of me.
I arrive at the room where the victim was murdered. Looking around there’s still blood everywhere, along with evidence markers where they took pictures.
The sheer amount of blood tells me he took his time. He desecrated this girl in her own room. Her parents must’ve been out because there’s no way they didn’t hear the struggle. There were books on the floor, a chair overturned, and blood everywhere. The room was a disaster. It looked like she fought him. I wish she would’ve succeeded where I had failed.
But then, I wish I hadn’t failed, and this girl was still alive.
There’s nothing I can do now except find him and end him.
Finding him was proving more difficult than I thought. I had unlimited access to anywhere with electricity, but I couldn’t use a computer or a GPS. I was limited to transportation only through electricity. Granted that still made me the fastest being alive. I say being because I don’t think I qualify as human anymore. But I was limited to traveling to a place and then trying to find out where I was and if he was there.
If he knew I was searching for him all he would have to do is live the rest of his days in a cabin in the woods with no electricity. I’d never be able to reach him.
I believe two things worked in my favor with that theory.
First, I don’t think he’s that smart, and second, I don’t think he knows I’m looking for him. I believe that surviving our fight only further empowered him to kill. When someone feels invincible, they’re bound to make a mistake.
An officer walked into the room and I ducked back into an outlet. I was able to hang on where I was and watch from inside the outlet without being transported somewhere else.
The officer looked startled and stared at the empty air that I had just vacated. She looked like she was unsure if she trusted what her eyes had seen in the instant before I vanished.
She slowly stepped over to the corner and bent down to peer into the outlet. For a moment I wondered if she could see me, and what exactly she would see. But then her radio squawked calling her to another scene. When I heard the voice on the radio say the address and that they might have the killer cornered, I didn’t waste any time.
It was maybe fifteen seconds until I was across town at the address I’d heard. There was a lot of screaming and crying going on. I came out of the outlet and saw blood on the floor beside a body that wasn’t moving.
There was a girl being beaten by a man with his back to me. He turned to take another swing and I knew my search was over.
“My psychiatrist used to tell me I needed to work on my impulse control,” he said calmly as he slapped her. “I think I’m doing pretty good. I’ve been here ten whole minutes and you’re still alive.”
I shot across the room and knocked him to the floor. He jumped back up and looked around for what had hit him.
“What the hell?”
I saw the fear in his eyes when he saw me. I know Elizabeth would’ve been ashamed, of me, but I was enjoying his anxiety. After all he had done to me and so many others, I drank it in like an elixir.
He started edging toward the door. I was there in a heartbeat. His eyes darted back and forth between where I used to be and where I now stood. The panic in his eyes doubled.
I wanted to make him suffer, but I didn’t want to make the same mistake I’d made before and let him escape with his life.
I lashed out with a bolt that used to be my arm. The energy slashed through his shirt and fried a hole in his shoulder.
He screamed in pain and horror as he looked at the smoking hole in his skin. He tried to run but in an instant, I was there in front of him firing another bolt and searing the skin across his waist to his jeans.
His screams of pain and rage were only matched by the feral desperation in his eyes.
Not knowing what do to, he went with the familiar. Attack the innocent. He grabbed the girl who had been crawling away from the scene.
He grabbed her again and held her in front of him like a human shield.
What a waste of skin.
I fired a bolt into a ceiling light beside me which ricocheted and hit him full force in the leg, nearly severing it.
He went down like a ton of bricks, trying to hold on to his hostage, but she was fighting to get away from him. She broke free and he crumpled to the floor.
“What do you want?” he screamed at me.
With everything that is within me, I wanted to tell him who I was, what he had taken from me, and what I was about to take from him.
But I didn’t want to give the satisfaction. I wanted to give him only uncertainty and fear to cling to.
I could feel the seconds ticking away. I knew I had to make the most of this opportunity or he would get away again. And after this, I might never find him.
I unleashed every ounce of energy at him. I couldn’t even see him, he was only a smoking pillar of frying skin.
Just then, the police burst through the door.
“FREE… “ the first officer started then the shock of what he was seeing stole the rest of the word from his mouth.
He stood there, mouth agape when the female officer stepped in behind him. She looked at me and her wide eyes narrowed as she put two and two together and recognized me from the last crime scene.
I had no reason to fear. I didn’t know if I could even be harmed in my current state. But when you see that blue uniform burst through a door with a gun aimed at you, all rational thought takes a vacation.
I dove for the outlet and was gone. I didn’t even care where I was going. I knew I had done what I wanted to. The monster was destroyed.
Something felt different. Was it pride at finishing my crusade? Was it shame knowing Elizabeth wouldn’t have wanted me to do it?
I don’t know but there was something else. It was like there was added weight to my existence. I guess you can have a conscious in whatever you’d call this existence.
I appeared in the place that made the most sense, ironically. It was my old home. The one where everything I loved died, including me. It was where I took on this unintended new existence.
Is that why I felt this extra weight? Was it some cathartic aftereffect of my search for revenge that was finally over?
I looked around the charred debris of what used to be my home. In my mind's eye, I didn’t see the burned-out shell of what was left. I saw it as it was when we first moved in. When Elizabeth and I started decorating. When the interior was finally finished and I turned to her and said, “For now.” Knowing she would decide to change everything at some time in the future when she was bored, just like all women seem to do.
I remember getting a paintbrush across the mouth for that comment. I smiled remembering kissing her with my freshly painted mouth and ending up in the bedroom.
As I turned toward where I’d entered the house, my smile quickly faded. For some reason, I was still connected to the outlet. That had never happened before.
Another curiosity arose when I noticed the color of my electrical body was now tinged purple. It had always been blue before.
The tail of what had yet to come out of the outlet was red. As I pulled and it came the rest of the way out, it merged with me and turned purple.
“What the hell?” I heard someone say.
I whipped around but no one was there.
“Where am I?” the voice said.
“Who are you?” I said to the air.
There was a long silence.
“Doc?” the voice said.
As far as I knew it wasn’t possible for my spine to turn to ice, since I no longer had a spine, but the feeling seemed the same.
“Frederick?” I said.
“What happened?” he said. “This crazy electric thing attacked me and now… wait a minute. How am I talking to you? You died months ago.”
My shock gave way to utter despair. My enemy was now part of me.

This story needs to be told. Those who have suffered must understand why. It’s not as simple as some have made it to be, which is why it needs to come from the person most responsible… me.
It began when I was least expecting it. But then don’t things always seem to happen that way?
***
“I’m tellin' ya, doc, people just don’t understand,” Frederick said while rocking back and forth in the chair.
“What exactly don’t they understand?” I said, trying to look more relaxed than I felt.
“There’s just something that takes over. You can’t stop it.”
“Impulse control?”
“What’s that mean?” Frederick said, struggling against his straight jacket, trying to get comfortable.
“It means that when you want to do something, you try your hardest not to. It means you try to control or suppress the urge to do things you know are bad.”
Frederick’s mouth lolled open. He narrowed his eyes in confusion.
“Why would I want to do that?”
I suppressed the urge to sigh.
“Because that’s what people do,” I said. “They think about doing bad things, but then they control themselves and don’t do them because those things are wrong and could hurt other people.”
“Hurting people is wrong?” he said.
“Yes, Frederick, hurting people is wrong.”
He shook his head as if he were trying to shake away a fly that was annoying him.
“Why?”
“Why is hurting people wrong?”
“No, why are you telling me this?”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re saying I’m bad,” he said trying to rise from his chair. “You’re saying I didn’t need to hurt those people. That I’m a bad person.”
I got up from my chair and started backing toward the heavy metal door.
“I’m not bad!” he yelled at me. “You’re bad!”
I knocked on the door and the orderly opened it as Frederick got to his feet.
I slipped through the door as it slammed shut from the impact of his body slamming into it.
“Bad, bad, bad,” he screamed.
“Badbadbadbadbadbadbadbad!”
Spit flew from his mouth landing on the small observation window with metal grates embedded in it.
“You ok, doc,” the orderly said, startling me.
“Yes, I’m fine, thank you.”
I turned and walked down the white hallway, hoping the orderly wouldn’t notice the quickness in my step. I ignored the sound of Frederick beating on the door. I ignored all the sounds I heard. I just wanted to get away.
It was a long walk to my office, through many security gates. At each one, the nurse buzzed me through and gave me an acknowledging look that used to be a smile.
I suppose this place gets to everyone eventually.
I finally reached my office, closed and locked the door behind me, and collapsed into my chair. I breathed out a sigh of relief at reaching relative safety. I turned and looked out my window to the beautiful flowers blooming on the trees in the courtyard. I looked up at the tree stretching toward the sky.
I remember when they planted those.
I turned back to my center, my means of solace, the only thing that mattered in this cruel, unfair world. I picked up the picture of my lovely wife and smiled. She was the one who kept me sane all these years. She kept me seeing the best in people. Or at least trying. Sometimes there was no good to see—especially in my patients.
It takes a special kind of doctor to care for the mental needs of those who have done heinous things that are so bad they don’t even bother sending them to prison. They send them to me.
I’m like the dumpster for the dregs of society. Just drop them in the asylum and forget about them.
I kissed my wife and set her back on the bare desk, then turned on my computer and added notes from today’s session. There was never a recommendation for release. Once patients came here the only way they left was in a body bag. There was no curing them, only trying to make them docile until they left.
Oh, there were experiments. That was a large part of how we were funded. Companies would pay for certain tests to be done. Some might call it torture, but we called it research.
I finished typing my notes and leaned back in my seat. The diplomas and degrees stared down from their perches on the bare walls, mocking me. Demanding why I hadn’t gotten a better job.
As usual, I didn’t have an answer.
My office suddenly felt stuffy. I closed down my computer and left. Driving down the packed freeway, all I could think about was collapsing on the couch beside my lovely Elizabeth. Not telling her about my day until she dragged it out of me, then listening to her encourage me to help those who have been left in my care, because I’m the only hope they have.
Traffic was bumper to bumper and not helping my overall opinion of humanity much. Especially when a car that was swerving from lane to lane, nearly sideswiped me. It kept going on in front of me, nearly hitting several other cars.
The driver and passenger seemed to be having a disagreement about how to drive the car and it looked like it was about to come to blows.
Fortunately, they were soon out of sight, and someone else’s problem.
For the next few miles, I kept watching the side of the road waiting to see the offending car sitting in a ditch. However, they surprised me. They must’ve turned off to go terrorize some neighborhood streets with their reckless driving.
I hummed to myself, not wanting to have whatever dreck was on the radio forced on me.
When I was nearly to my exit, my phone rang. I immediately recognized the number as work. I contemplated answering it for a moment, then thought better of it. There had never been a time when work called with good news. And I was in no mood for bad news.
I hummed a little louder, trying to drown out the sound of the ring before it finally stopped.
The closer I got to home the less I thought about work and the more I thought about Elizabeth. Until I turned off at my exit, I had nearly forgotten work altogether. Maybe I would take tomorrow off and go do something with my wife. We hadn’t been out for a while. The weather had been lovely and I know she would adore a walk down by the lake.
My thoughts were interrupted when I turned down our driveway and saw a car in front of the house. It wasn’t quite in the driveway, it was sitting at an angle halfway in the front yard.
I parked my car and slowly got out. Something struck me about this car, but I hadn’t figured out what. I approached the driver’s side to have words with the person still sitting at the wheel.
“Excuse me,” I said staying a few steps back from the driver’s door.
He didn’t answer me.
“Excuse me,” I said a little louder.
Still no answer.
I tapped on the window and he ignored me.
I opened the door.
“Okay, look… “ I said.
But it was I who would do the looking. The man fell out of the car, thudding on the grass. The inside of the car was covered in blood. I looked down and the man’s throat had been cut.
“Oh my God!” I said jumping back.
I watched to see if the man was breathing, but the way his neck was bent at an unnatural angle against my yard told me everything I needed to know.
I glanced through the car but didn’t see the passenger.
It was then my eyes drifted to my front door.
It was open.
I stepped through the shrubs and up onto the porch, walking in a daze. The surrealness of the moment had yet to sink in. I was going inside to check on my wife and make sure everything was ok.
It didn’t strike me as anything more than that.
‘Oh, she just left the door open, that’s all.’
My mind kept trying to tell me that. I wanted desperately to believe it. Even though she had never been that careless during the entire time we’d been married. I had pushed aside all reason and common sense in favor of pure denial.
Everything was going to be ok. With Elizabeth, everything was always ok. She could literally light up a room with her positivity. She was the best person I ever knew. I have no idea how I got so lucky as to know her, let alone be her husband.
I floated in through my front door on my cloud of denial and looked for my wife.
It didn’t take me long to find her.
There was one wall of the living room she was constantly redecorating. She always said it looked bare and empty no matter what she did with it.
She was hanging from that wall, naked, her beautiful body desecrated by slices and rips. Her throat had been slit and blood still poured from it.
I ran to her.
Tried to take her down.
Screamed her name.
And then it was my turn to scream.
I looked down and saw a knife blade sticking out from my abdomen. It was part of the cutlery set I had gotten for Elizabeth three Christmases ago.
I screamed as I slowly turned to face my attacker.
“What’s up, doc?” Frederick said wearing a maniacal grin.
The shock had punched a hole in my reasoning. I saw him standing there, but I couldn’t accept it any more than I could accept my beautiful wife strung up like a macabre painting hanging on our living room wall.
My eyes tried to focus on his face. To make me recognize him as a threat.
“How’s that impulse control workin’ for ya, doc?”
He ripped the knife out of my back.
The pain, along with his arrogance woke me from my shock-induced stupor.
“Now do you understand?” he said, as he shoved the knife into my belly.
I did understand. I understood at that moment that I was already as dead as my wife. I knew that this piece of human garbage had taken something beautiful from this world. I knew I had to do something about it before there was nothing I could do. Before my body succumbed to injuries and I was unable.
I grabbed him by the throat. He tried to laugh, but my grip was fueled by desperation.
He tried to free himself but couldn’t. He began stabbing me over and over. I refused to release him. I carried him by his neck over to the kitchen counter and began bashing his head off the marble.
I was rewarded with spots of his blood. I knew at least I had made him bleed and that made me smile. His eyes grew wide as my grin grew maniacal. I smashed him repeatedly, crushing him against the sink, breaking the faucet, and causing water to spray into the air.
His eyelids fluttered as he lost his grip on the knife.
He was nearly gone. I would take him with me and that would be my parting gift to the world, removing something so evil.
Suddenly, my body wouldn’t obey commands. My grip loosened. I tried to tighten it, but I had lost all control. I looked down and I was standing in a pool of my own blood.
His eyes fluttered open and he coughed.
‘Nonononononono!’ I thought. ‘He can’t live. He can’t win. I had him.’
He stood as I sank to the floor.
“Looks like maybe you do understand, doc,” he said from what seemed like miles away. “Too bad you won’t be around to discuss it. We could have a session and evaluate how it makes you feel.”
His foot came down on my spine. I felt a crack. He started kicking me in the side repeatedly. Splashing water and blood on me as I felt my ribs crack.
I fought with everything I had.
My body didn’t even twitch.
‘Nooooo!,’ I screamed. ‘It can’t end like this.’
I heard a sizzling sound and then there was darkness.
***
I could feel movement.
Wasn’t I dead?
Was this what happened after?
It was still dark.
‘Hello?’ I tried to say.
Nothing. Just the sensation of movement.
Am I in a body bag? Am I on my way to the morgue or the grave? Please don’t let me be buried alive.
But I’m not alive, am I?
I don’t feel any pain. That’s a good thing, but not a good sign. The last thing I remember was lots of pain.
Suddenly there’s light and my movement stops.
I look up from the floor of a house I don’t recognize.
‘Where the hell am I?’
I’m on the floor next to a wall, looking up at an electrical outlet. Nothing around me seems familiar. I try to stand but it feels weird. It isn’t difficult, and there’s still no pain, it just carries an odd sensation with it. Like my body is just relearning things. Just like when I was a toddler. I teeter back and forth as I rise, but eventually, I’m upright.
My first few steps are tentative, but after that, I gain confidence with each stride.
Aside from the strange surroundings, there’s a sensation, like ants crawling all over me.
I pass a bathroom and glance inside. The reflection in the mirror draws me back. I slowly approach it, seeing something unique and terrifying.
It looks like someone drew an outline of a human form using a lightning bolt. The electricity shimmers and crackles as it races around the empty form of the being.
I wonder if it will hurt me.
Not sure if I want to test the limits of my newfound lack of pain, I hesitantly reach for this creature. It reaches for me at the same time. I’m mesmerized by this mutual curiosity.
My hand is about to touch the electric pulse shaped like its hand. I tremble with anticipation and fear as we touch.
Surprisingly, I don’t feel any pain. I don’t feel anything except a hard surface.
I move my hand back and forth. The creature does the same. I make quicker movements, and so does it.
Finally, out of frustration, I reach back and strike at the creature.
My hand strikes the hard surface and it splinters. There are now multiple creatures staring back at me.
I step back and come to the horrible realization.
I am the creature.
***
One month later…
“And police have been unable to find any credible leads in the string of brutal killings that began shortly after the patient escaped from the mental hospital last month,” the handsome anchorman stated from behind his desk. “They are asking people to call in if they know the whereabouts of Frederick Winston, now known as, ‘The Mangler’.”
“In other news, the Larsan Electric Company has issued a statement that the recent power surges are no cause for alarm. These surges seem to be random in people's homes and certain businesses. An LEC spokesman stated that there appears to be no pattern to the surges and that so far no one has reported them causing any harm. LEC is tracking down the problem and should have it under control soon.”
The anchorman shifted in his seat and turned to another camera.
“And on a lighter note, with Halloween months away, it seems that reports of ghosts are on the rise,” he said, wearing a half grin. “Several area residents have reported what they call a ghostlike figure, outlined in light, visiting them. Reports vary as to the duration and location of the visits, but they do seem to have a few things in common. The visits are usually short. In fact, most people say that if they blink the figure is gone. No one has reported the ghost doing any harm. And it seems like anyone within close proximity feels a tingling sensation and their hair standing on end.”
“Maybe I should be visited instead of my next hairdresser’s appointment,” the attractive woman anchor said with a laugh.
“Schedule me a visit too,” the male anchor said smiling. “And that’s our news for the evening, good night.”
Jimmy switched the channel.
“Gimme a break,” he said to the TV. “Ghosts? Who’s playing what? This’s some marketing scheme to sell Halloween crap. Like that stunt they pulled a few years back with the clowns hanging around the schools to promote that stupid movie.”
He switched off the TV and rolled over in his bed.
It wasn’t long before his breathing slowed. But before sleep could take him, he noticed a glow in the hallway. He didn’t remember leaving any lights on when he came to bed. Living alone had its advantages. If he heard someone in his apartment, he knew they weren’t supposed to be there. He slowly reached over to the bedstand and pulled out his Glock 9mm handgun, then held it close and listened.
He watched as the glow moved. It seemed like someone was looking around. But for what? He didn’t really have anything aside from his TV, phone, and video games. If anyone wanted those, they would be in a world of hurt. He had been lucky to get this apartment. If he was honest with himself, it cost more than he could afford, but when he had the chance he took it. It was too bad the opening came because the person who lived there before him was one of The Mangler’s victims. That’s probably why he was able to rent the place so quickly and get the price down to where he could almost afford it.
Maybe the glow was one of the street people who were stupid enough to see if there was an empty apartment to claim. That wasn’t gonna fly either. Jimmy had jumped on this apartment to get away from the dingy rat hole he used live in on the other side of town. And there was no way he’d let some bum come in here and take what was his.
The glow crept closer. He could feel the hairs on his arms raise. There was a sound too. It wasn’t loud, almost felt more than heard. A soft crackle, like electricity when it sparked.
The sensory input was almost too much for Jimmy to take. He pointed the gun in the direction of the glow and saw the barrel was shaking. His resolve, that he could deal with anyone as long as he had his gun, was beginning to fade.
The glow became so bright that it finally took form.
Jimmy’s eyes widened. It was the form of a person, just like the news had said.
It seemed to look around the room, then settle its gaze on the bed. Jimmy began to sweat as it approached and stared into his eyes.
It was the oddest thing, staring into what should be eyes, but nothing was there. The flashes of mini lightning bolts formed shapes that looked almost human, but it was just an outline, there was nothing inside what should be the body.
He shoved the shaking gun out from under the blanket and pointed it at the glowing figure.
The figure noted the presence of the gun, then continued to advance.
“S… stop,” Jimmy said. “I’m w… warning you.”
The figure ignored the warning.
Jimmy squeezed the trigger, setting off a deafening shot that went right through the face of the figure.
It acted as though nothing had happened, continuing to advance. The ringing in Jimmy’s ears made all sound seem muffled.
The figure stopped two inches from Jimmy’s face.
“Mangler… “ it said, sounding less like a voice and more like a transmission over an old staticky radio.
“I… I’m not the Mangler,” he said. “The person who used to live here was killed by him.”
It seemed to ponder this for a moment.
“Find Mangler… “ it said.
“I d… don’t know where to find him.”
It moved an inch closer. As the flashes of electricity arced, licked hungrily at Jimmy’s face.
“Find… him… “
“Ok, ok, I’ll find him,” Jimmy said, feeling the heat from the electricity.
The figure seemed to consider that for a moment then backed away. It moved toward the bedroom wall. Then, like someone had turned on a vacuum, it was sucked into an electrical outlet and disappeared.
Jimmy laid back in bed, breathing hard. His eyes darted left and right all around the room. But the only evidence of the figure that remained was the bullet hole in his bedroom wall.
***
The trips through the electrical conduits had become easier. There were still times when I came out someplace I didn’t intend to, but I was usually able to recover quickly and get to where I wanted to go.
But where did I want to go? At first, I wandered around, lost in this new form I found myself trapped inside. It was only after I had overheard a news report about the serial killer they called The Mangler that I gained my purpose.
Of course, Frederick was going to keep killing. Of course, they weren’t going to be able to catch him. He’d been inside away from his victims before and he didn’t like it. Not being able to torture and kill innocents was like a normal person not being able to breathe. Not that I know much about normal or breathing anymore.
I suppose on some level I should thank him. I thought about it for a long time and the only thing that makes any kind of sense is when we were fighting, somehow the water and blood I was laying in got splashed into the electrical socket. Instead of killing me, it bonded with me, making me able to become the electrical current. To ride it like a wave to wherever I wanted.
I became faster than any person ever was. And yet, I wasn’t a person anymore. I have no idea how I retained my consciousness, let alone my memory. But somehow…
I justify it by the old adage, ‘I think therefore I am.’
My life has become an endless hunt for the person who destroyed me, the person I must destroy. I don’t even know what I’ll do when I find him. But I will find him. I will stop him. This time, I won’t fail. I’ll end him like I should’ve before.
I owe it to the people he’s tortured and killed since my failure. Most of all, I owe it to my wife. I know she wouldn’t approve of my bloodlust. She would say there must be some other option. But if she would be able to see her dead body hanging naked from our living room wall, I think she just might change her mind.
My thoughts are interrupted as I arrive at my next destination, another victim’s house. I’m not sure what I’ll find that the police haven’t, but I have to try. Maybe I can pick up his scent somehow. A plan almost assuredly doomed to failure since I lost all sense of smell in the transformation.
I’m surprised though that I can still see and hear. I suppose waves of light and sound somehow intersect with my electrical body and it senses them. I don’t question it. I’ve learned to just go with it.
On the plus side, I don’t have to worry about eating, drinking, or using the bathroom. I guess there’s an upside to everything. Elizabeth would be so proud of me.
I arrive at the room where the victim was murdered. Looking around there’s still blood everywhere, along with evidence markers where they took pictures.
The sheer amount of blood tells me he took his time. He desecrated this girl in her own room. Her parents must’ve been out because there’s no way they didn’t hear the struggle. There were books on the floor, a chair overturned, and blood everywhere. The room was a disaster. It looked like she fought him. I wish she would’ve succeeded where I had failed.
But then, I wish I hadn’t failed, and this girl was still alive.
There’s nothing I can do now except find him and end him.
Finding him was proving more difficult than I thought. I had unlimited access to anywhere with electricity, but I couldn’t use a computer or a GPS. I was limited to transportation only through electricity. Granted that still made me the fastest being alive. I say being because I don’t think I qualify as human anymore. But I was limited to traveling to a place and then trying to find out where I was and if he was there.
If he knew I was searching for him all he would have to do is live the rest of his days in a cabin in the woods with no electricity. I’d never be able to reach him.
I believe two things worked in my favor with that theory.
First, I don’t think he’s that smart, and second, I don’t think he knows I’m looking for him. I believe that surviving our fight only further empowered him to kill. When someone feels invincible, they’re bound to make a mistake.
An officer walked into the room and I ducked back into an outlet. I was able to hang on where I was and watch from inside the outlet without being transported somewhere else.
The officer looked startled and stared at the empty air that I had just vacated. She looked like she was unsure if she trusted what her eyes had seen in the instant before I vanished.
She slowly stepped over to the corner and bent down to peer into the outlet. For a moment I wondered if she could see me, and what exactly she would see. But then her radio squawked calling her to another scene. When I heard the voice on the radio say the address and that they might have the killer cornered, I didn’t waste any time.
It was maybe fifteen seconds until I was across town at the address I’d heard. There was a lot of screaming and crying going on. I came out of the outlet and saw blood on the floor beside a body that wasn’t moving.
There was a girl being beaten by a man with his back to me. He turned to take another swing and I knew my search was over.
“My psychiatrist used to tell me I needed to work on my impulse control,” he said calmly as he slapped her. “I think I’m doing pretty good. I’ve been here ten whole minutes and you’re still alive.”
I shot across the room and knocked him to the floor. He jumped back up and looked around for what had hit him.
“What the hell?”
I saw the fear in his eyes when he saw me. I know Elizabeth would’ve been ashamed, of me, but I was enjoying his anxiety. After all he had done to me and so many others, I drank it in like an elixir.
He started edging toward the door. I was there in a heartbeat. His eyes darted back and forth between where I used to be and where I now stood. The panic in his eyes doubled.
I wanted to make him suffer, but I didn’t want to make the same mistake I’d made before and let him escape with his life.
I lashed out with a bolt that used to be my arm. The energy slashed through his shirt and fried a hole in his shoulder.
He screamed in pain and horror as he looked at the smoking hole in his skin. He tried to run but in an instant, I was there in front of him firing another bolt and searing the skin across his waist to his jeans.
His screams of pain and rage were only matched by the feral desperation in his eyes.
Not knowing what do to, he went with the familiar. Attack the innocent. He grabbed the girl who had been crawling away from the scene.
He grabbed her again and held her in front of him like a human shield.
What a waste of skin.
I fired a bolt into a ceiling light beside me which ricocheted and hit him full force in the leg, nearly severing it.
He went down like a ton of bricks, trying to hold on to his hostage, but she was fighting to get away from him. She broke free and he crumpled to the floor.
“What do you want?” he screamed at me.
With everything that is within me, I wanted to tell him who I was, what he had taken from me, and what I was about to take from him.
But I didn’t want to give the satisfaction. I wanted to give him only uncertainty and fear to cling to.
I could feel the seconds ticking away. I knew I had to make the most of this opportunity or he would get away again. And after this, I might never find him.
I unleashed every ounce of energy at him. I couldn’t even see him, he was only a smoking pillar of frying skin.
Just then, the police burst through the door.
“FREE… “ the first officer started then the shock of what he was seeing stole the rest of the word from his mouth.
He stood there, mouth agape when the female officer stepped in behind him. She looked at me and her wide eyes narrowed as she put two and two together and recognized me from the last crime scene.
I had no reason to fear. I didn’t know if I could even be harmed in my current state. But when you see that blue uniform burst through a door with a gun aimed at you, all rational thought takes a vacation.
I dove for the outlet and was gone. I didn’t even care where I was going. I knew I had done what I wanted to. The monster was destroyed.
Something felt different. Was it pride at finishing my crusade? Was it shame knowing Elizabeth wouldn’t have wanted me to do it?
I don’t know but there was something else. It was like there was added weight to my existence. I guess you can have a conscious in whatever you’d call this existence.
I appeared in the place that made the most sense, ironically. It was my old home. The one where everything I loved died, including me. It was where I took on this unintended new existence.
Is that why I felt this extra weight? Was it some cathartic aftereffect of my search for revenge that was finally over?
I looked around the charred debris of what used to be my home. In my mind's eye, I didn’t see the burned-out shell of what was left. I saw it as it was when we first moved in. When Elizabeth and I started decorating. When the interior was finally finished and I turned to her and said, “For now.” Knowing she would decide to change everything at some time in the future when she was bored, just like all women seem to do.
I remember getting a paintbrush across the mouth for that comment. I smiled remembering kissing her with my freshly painted mouth and ending up in the bedroom.
As I turned toward where I’d entered the house, my smile quickly faded. For some reason, I was still connected to the outlet. That had never happened before.
Another curiosity arose when I noticed the color of my electrical body was now tinged purple. It had always been blue before.
The tail of what had yet to come out of the outlet was red. As I pulled and it came the rest of the way out, it merged with me and turned purple.
“What the hell?” I heard someone say.
I whipped around but no one was there.
“Where am I?” the voice said.
“Who are you?” I said to the air.
There was a long silence.
“Doc?” the voice said.
As far as I knew it wasn’t possible for my spine to turn to ice, since I no longer had a spine, but the feeling seemed the same.
“Frederick?” I said.
“What happened?” he said. “This crazy electric thing attacked me and now… wait a minute. How am I talking to you? You died months ago.”
My shock gave way to utter despair. My enemy was now part of me.

tldr: FFV is extremely good. Play it.
The middle child of the series’ 16-bit era, Final Fantasy V doesn’t share the same lofty legacy as its immediate predecessor and successor. Final Fantasy IV was a game-changer for the franchise and RPGs on a whole while Final Fantasy VI is still regularly considered one of the greatest games in the series and on the Super Nintendo, but audiences far too often neglect the big bridge between them. Final Fantasy V deserves to be held in the same regard and for good reason. V strikes a perfect balance between the gameplay heavy Job-based titles (I & III) and the denser, story-focused (II & IV) games in a way that neither IV nor VI accomplish.
Philosophically, Final Fantasy V combines the player-driven customization from the odd-numbered entries with the narrative and thematic ambitions of the even-numbered games, albeit not by design interestingly enough. In a 1992 developer interview from Famicom Tsuushin (now Famitsu), series creator and FFV director Hironobu Sakaguchi rejected the idea that V was an intentional culmination of what came before,
“Distilling the essence of Final Fantasy into a single game was not our intention. We created this new job ability system in order to carry forth and further iterate on the good ideas we had in FFIV. In that sense it was a distillation. But rather than summing up all of what Final Fantasy has been, it’s more that we simply wanted to give players a kind of fun they haven’t experienced yet. That doesn’t necessarily imply that we wanted to cut out the good parts from FFIV, though.”
In practice, V takes what works from previous games, but redefines everything to fit its own identity. The Job system has been heavily tweaked to offer greater customization options, while memorable character arcs and dramatic story beats tend to drive the plot forward over pure exploration: it’s the best of III and IV with none of the worst. The kind of “fun [players] haven’t experienced yet” means that everyone will go through the same motions more or less, but no two playthroughs need ever be alike: narrative linearity plays off mechanical flexibility. Even though FFV’s story moves in a fixed fashion like IV, players are afforded an incredible amount of freedom when it comes to building their party courtesy of the revised Job system. The end result is an RPG that will always feel fresh.
The gameplay variety in V is still genuinely impressive to this day. Parties are scaled back down to just four members, but everyone can learn any skill and fulfill any role with enough effort. Every party member starts as a Freelancer who can then be reclassed between 22 Jobs (26 in the GBA port). Party composition is less of a puzzle ala FFIII and treated instead like a proper character building system. Bartz, Lenna, Faris, and Galuf all begin as blank slates, but will very quickly fall into different gameplay roles based on how you choose to train each character. The lack of CP (Capacity Points) also means you can swap Jobs whenever you want.
Party members can actually learn and equip Job specific abilities in V. You can mix and match abilities with different Jobs, essentially creating hybrid classes suited to your gameplay interests. Make mages deal barehanded damage like Monks, Monks who attack eight times in a single turn with Rapid Fire, or singing Summoners whose summons and Bardsongs turn them into full-blown utility characters capable of dishing out heavy damage, restoring health, and changing the flow of battle with buffs & debuffs. Where FFIII encourages you to upgrade Jobs with each Crystal, V wants you to find the Jobs you like most and go wild having fun.
FFV is well designed enough where sticking with a single Job is perfectly viable, even if challenging. There’s no wrong way to play according to V’s Battle System Designer Akihiko Matsui,
“There’s so many different jobs, and we decided to make them all viable. Players are free to make any kind of party they want. Player A and Player B might have completely different parties, but ultimately any party can make it to the last boss. After players beat the game, I recommend trying a party that caters to your aesthetic sense.”
Character and Job levels are still separate like in III, but Jobs have had their level caps reduced from a flat 99 to between 1 and 7 depending on the class. Jobs start at Lv. 0 and level up by earning ABP (Ability Points) from completing battles. How much ABP a Job needs is determined by its current level. Lv. 0 Jobs typically only need 10 for their first level, while fully mastering a Job regularly requires hundreds. Since ABP is earned at a slower rate than EXP, ability progression is a gradually paced process. Early encounters will often only yield 1 ABP despite fighting a full team of enemies.
You’re better off relying on boss battles and mid- to late-game battles to master Jobs as enemies will drop more ABP the further you get into the game. You can grind, but simply following the story and getting the abilities you get by playing naturally saves a lot of time in the long run. It’s smarter to go with the flow than to grind for hours off low ABP encounters. At the same time, ability acquisition gives grinding its own rewarding loop and low ABP drops do mean that you can power-level Jobs without necessarily becoming overleveled. Either play style works just fine without completely curbing the difficulty curve.
Each Job level teaches the assigned party member a command, passive, or innate ability that can then be equipped on the Ability screen in the menu. While every Job learns a diverse enough set of abilities to keep them handy, the goal is ultimately to experiment and synergize your party with different abilities. Party members do not learn new spells or abilities by just leveling up, so you need to make use of Jobs to maintain a sense of permanent character progression. Most Jobs can only equip a single ability alongside their class command, while Freelancers have access to two ability slots and Mimes have three at the expense of needing to equip Attack and Items as proper abilities. Ability limits force you to approach Job combos strategically and carefully consider your party’s many options.
V’s Job variety is frankly nothing short of excellent. Job acquisition is fast-paced and you’ll have access to almost every Job before the halfway point. This gives you plenty of time to experiment and find the Jobs best suited to your preferred play style. V also strikes a healthy balance between Final Fantasy mainstays and creative additions that make the gameplay loop even more diverse. Freelancers learn no new abilities, but can equip anything and inherit innate abilities along with stat benefits from mastered Jobs. A perfect Freelancer can inherently dual wield weapons, spot traps in the level design, be able to sprint with B, and counter attacks automatically. A common goal for the endgame is mastering as many Jobs as possible to create the ultimate Freelancer.
The Wind Crystal unlocks the first set of Jobs. Knights can equip some of the best weapons and gear in the game, letting them function as a primary damage dealer and tank. Knights also automatically redirect attacks to themselves when allies are at low health and learn to two-hand Swords, Katanas, or Axes which inflict double damage at the expense of a Shield. Monks have a narrow equipment spread, but are cheap to outfits, always attack twice, counter enemies when struck, and deal heavy damage even without weapons. Their barehanded ability synergizes particularly well with mages, since it allows them to deal decent damage that circumvents their poor weapons spreads.
Thieves have the highest agility in the game, which often means they’ll move first in battle. They can Steal from enemies, later learning the ability Mug, which lets them deal damage while robbing baddies blind. Thieves can also comfortably flee from most encounters, spot hidden passages in the level design, and sprint inside of dungeons & towns by holding B. White Mages play a primarily supportive role by using White Magic to restore HP, heal status effects, and inflict status ailments. Spells are not learned and instead purchased from stores. Purchased spells do not have to be consumed by individual characters and instead apply to the whole party innately. Each Job Level improves the White Mage’s magic capabilities, which is consistent with all magic-based Jobs. Black Mages are squishier than White Mages, but compensate with powerful Black Magic. They play an offensive role, being able to take advantage of elemental weaknesses and status vulnerabilities.
Blue Mages are a new Job created for FF5. Blue Magic cannot be purchased at stores and must instead be learned during battle. Blue Mages learn an ability called Learning that, when equipped, teaches the party any Blue Magic spells enemies use on them. The one caveat is that the attack must connect for it to be learned. Not every attack can be learned, but several enemy spells are obscenely overpowered. Level 5 Death instakills any enemies with a level divisible by 5 and Aqua Breath deals heavy water damage to all enemies on-screen. Regular Blue Magic acquisition and a great spread of attacks makes the Blue Mage one of the most fun Jobs in FFV.
The Water Crystal unlocks five more Jobs once it shatters, with a sixth locked behind an optional dungeon in the final overworld. Time Mages are another new magic-based Job, but they inherit pre-existing magic from previous games. Spells like Haste, Slow, Comet, Float, Teleport, Return, and Meteor are all now considered Time Magic. In practice, Time Mages can use their wide variety of spells to comfortably deal damage, support the party, and debilitate enemies. Summoners can use a wide range of Summon Magic to fulfill different gameplay roles. Summons can deal elemental damage, heal, inflict buffs or debuffs, and the strongest wipe out most enemy encounters with relative ease. While some Summons can be bought at stores, most are tied to side quests and must be found by exploring the overworld & dungeons.
Red Mages can use low and mid tier White & Black Magic in the same ability slot. The best they can cast are -ra spells, but since the best -ga spells are locked off until closer to the end of the game, Red Mages end pulling their weight for quite a while before falling off. Mastering the Red Mage Job is a lengthy endeavor, but ultimately pays off by teaching Dualcast — a borderline overpowered ability that lets them cast two spells in a single turn. Pairing Dualcast with any type of high level magic is one of the best combos a mage could ask for.
Mystic Knights can buff their weapons with Black Magic or Holy via the Spellblade ability. Once enchanted, Mystic Knights combine magical damage with the regular physical capabilities to take advantage of elemental weaknesses or inflict status ailments without compromising attack power. They also automatically cast Shell on themselves at low health to increase their magical resistance. In the right hands and paired with abilities like Rapid Fire and Two-Handed, Mystic Knights end up extremely powerful. Berserkers are an especially unique Job in that they get no active command slots in exchange for dealing considerably buffed damage. While Berserkers can still equip an ability, they cannot be controlled in battle, which limits their overall utility. Berserkers have a great weapon spread, but they need to synergize with the rest of your party well enough to overcome their lack of command slots.
The Fire Crystal unlocks three Jobs right away and then two more once the party explores Black Chocobo Forest. Ninjas are strong, fast, and can dual wield weapons. The Throw command lets them toss items and elemental scrolls at enemies for extra damage, giving them great coverage in combat. Beastmasters can tame, catch, and control different monsters. Controlling a monster gives you full access to their commands. You can make them damage themselves to death or intentionally teach your party rare Blue Magic. Weakened monsters can also be captured and then released in battle, unleashing different attacks depending on the monster. Geomancers fight by altering the terrain with the command Gaia. Their attack types change based on the environment you’re fighting in, along with the character’s level, giving them an impressive amount of gameplay variety. Having a Geomancer in the party will also save you from falling into pit traps and nullify any damage tiles.
Bards make for fantastic utility characters thanks to their variety of Bardsongs. New songs are learned by speaking with NPCs and playing pianos in different towns (like a proper bard!) Singing can buff the party or damage groups of enemies. Songs like Requiem let you lay waste to undead monsters at the cost of 0 MP. Rangers are bow wielders, which means they can deal full damage from the back row. The Aim command increases their accuracy and overall damage, but unlike Rosa from FFIV, bows no longer need individual arrows as ammo. The main benefit to the Ranger class is its mastered ability Rapid Fire, which deals for weak attacks in one turn and pairs excellently with Monks, two-handers, or dual wielders.
The Earth Crystal unlocks the final four Jobs in the original release (sans Mime). Dancers are weaker than other Jobs comparatively, but get by thanks to their unique Dance ability and great access to accessories. Dancing triggers one of four random effects in battle, either confusing enemies, absorbing MP, absorbing HP, or dealing damage. They’re also the only class besides Freelancers who can innately equip Ribbons, which nullify all negative status effects. Dancers on a whole are reliant on equipment to be functional. Gear like Lamia’s Tiara and Red Slippers help raise the chances of Dancers dancing the Sword Dance, turning them into solid attackers. Dragoons are limited to spears and knives for weapons, but have a great equipment spread otherwise. Their abilities let them function as reliable damage dealers who can survive lengthy battles. Dragoons can Jump to temporarily avoid damage mid-air and attack enemies by landing. Lance also drains enemies MP and HP, which pairs well with Mages.
Samurai learn some of the best commands in the game while having access to powerful weapons and gear. With the right set ups, they can obliterate the difficulty curve. Mineuchi is basically a regular attack that sometimes paralyzes enemies. Zeningage lets you throw Gil to deal massive damage. The more Gil you have and the higher your level, the more damage is dealt. Shirahadori raises evasion, turning your party member into a dodge-tank, and Iainuki simply insta-kills most enemies at the cost of requiring two turns to use. Chemists are great support characters designed all around items. They can brew new concoctions mid-battle by mixing different ingredients to different effects. Your existing items can turn into an attack, heal your party, or temporarily buff everyone’s level. Chemists can also drink special potions that buff their stats, and restore more HP & MP by using Potions & Ethers than other Jobs.
The Mime Job can be unlocked by exploring Walse Tower underwater in the final overworld. Mimes are the core of the Job system condensed into a single Jon. They inherit some mastered abilities innate (not all), and have three ability slots that let you fully customize each party member. You can even remove commands like Attack and Items in favor of other abilities. Mimes can also mimic any move used by the previous party member at no MP cost and without consuming items. The Mime makes a great alternative to Freelancers, especially for magic-oriented characters.
Final Fantasy V Advance introduces four extra Jobs. Three of which are available as soon as you unlock all 12 Legendary Weapons and visit the Sealed Temple, with the last unlocked after defeating the Temple’s boss. Gladiators are powerful melee fighters with access to strong weapons and armor whose commands help them make short work of enemies. Oracles are the strongest magic-based Job in the game, but their main command Condemn has a chance of randomly healing enemies, so they’re not the most reliable beyond their stat benefits. Cannoneers can deal full damage from the back row and can combine ingredients together to make new items and the final Job Necromancer learns unique Dark Art spells from enemies like a Blue Mage with Blue Magic. Albeit fun to play with, the GBA Jobs enter the picture too late to actually have an effect on character building.
Overall, V’s Jobs are incredibly fun to play around with and offer a consistently rewarding gameplay loop that lasts the whole playthrough. The early game encourages you to diversify your party, the mid-game pushes you to mix & match dozens of different abilities, and the endgame rewards you for mastering Jobs by letting you customize Freelancers and Mimes into bonafide powerhouses. The Job system gives FFV an incredible gameplay flow that keeps combat and exploration fresh all the way to the credits.
V’s battles flow at a great pace. The ATB (Active Time Battle) system returns from FFIV, albeit with an on-screen bar for each party member that refills and signifies when they can make a move. Taking turns in real-time lends combat a sense of urgency and pressure, especially in boss fights. The difficulty curve is never so high where you’ll be overwhelmed by lightning fast enemies, but V tends to require more strategy and thought than IV on average — although mainly on a prep level. Battles challenge you to diversify your party’s abilities while rewarding you for experimenting with Jobs. Low EXP payout compared to previous games keeps parties from overleveling. The focus is on earning AP, learning abilities, and creating hybrid Jobs.
Enemies are vulnerable to a lot of different elements and status ailments across all types of magic and abilities. Trying with different spells and debuffs usually pays off. There are more status effects to contend with, with some particularly dangerous ones for the party. Old slowly lowers the affected character’s stats. Dischord halves the target’s level. Zombie turns a character against the rest of the party. Smart Job synergy lets you blitz through most random encounters, but you’ll often run into stronger enemies or packed parties that’ll keep you on your toes. It’s not uncommon to fight an army of weaker enemies battling alongside a considerably stronger monster. FFV doesn’t share I or III’s Vancian Magic system despite being a Job-based game, instead maintaining the MP system from FFII and FFIV. MP still needs to be managed to some extent since the best spells require quite a bit of MP to cast, especially Blue Magic.
Combat’s fast and sometimes frantic pace ends up mirroring the game’s overall progression. Final Fantasy V wastes no time opening up. The status quo is always changing and you unlock new Jobs surprisingly quickly. V cycles through three overworlds just like IV. They’re not as striking as Earth, Underworld, and Moon trio, but feel more cohesive. The game begins on the protagonist Bartz’s world, shifts to party member Galuf’s world, and ends in a merged overworlds that’s an amalgamation of both worlds. The story is fairly linear up until the last world where the game finally lets you explore at your leisure. Most of the final dungeons can even be done in any order, most of which are actually optional. V sports more methods of transportation than the average Final Fantasy and cycles through them often, trapping you in specific areas with unique restrictions.
You ride on a Chocobo, set sail on a ship led on a hydra, fly on a dragon’s back, sail a fire-powered boat, fly a Black Chocobo through the air, pilot an airship, and submerge a submarine underwater. The fact you’re always engaging with the overworld in a new way keeps progression fresh and reminds you that anything can change. Some towns disappear and you lose access to them over the course of the story. Multiple dungeons are one-time trips. There are actual consequences to in-game actions. Once you’re done with an overworld, you’re done. There’s no jumping between worlds like in IV. The world permanently changes and stays changed. The space you’re interacting with and how is always being altered. V isn’t the first Final Fantasy with real consequences, but it’s the first one where those consequences fundamentally reshape your experience beyond just locking away a few key areas.
Towns themselves are packed with colorful NPCs who do a good job at directing you. Ancillary dialogue often sets up later story beats or just fleshes out the world in small yet significant ways. V’s game-long side quests encourage you to talk with everyone and hunt the overworld for secret summons and optional dungeons. V’s towns are generally well designed with enough secrets to keep you exploring, but dungeons are the real star when it comes to level design. FFV’s dungeons aren’t as long as III or IV’s, but they’re a healthy length and set pieces are consistently memorable and engaging. There’s a good mix of traps, gimmicks, and environmental variety. Every dungeon feels creatively distinct.
The Ship Graveyard is an early standout, as you explore debris from ruined ships on open water, jumping from wreckage to wreckage. The Library of Ancients features a prominent bookcase maze. Bookshelves move around as you explore the library, opening up seemingly dead-ends and keeping your own navigation confused and claustrophobic. You have to walk into nooks to let the bookshelves collapse back in, creating new ways to traverse the room. The Phoenix Tower is a 30 floor gauntlet with no save points, you only have seven minutes to explore a sunken Walse Tower before you drown, and the Great Sea Trench is filled with damage tiles and pit traps.
The four Tablet dungeons do a great job at closing out FFV on a fight, with the Pyramid serving as a great introduction to the endgame. You only have three party members at this time, which makes things notably harder, but the dungeon itself is packed with different gimmicks. Branching paths lead to chests with monsters ready to ambush you. Sarcophagi that double as secret passages hiding mummies. Wall switches let you deactivate traps and unlock doors. Spike traps block your path and snakes jump out from walls to trigger battle on contact. Mecha Heads patrol the upper floors, and floor tiles that move around every few seconds drop you down to the floor below if you’re not quick enough. By the time you reach the Rift, you’re ready for everything the final dungeon has to toss at you.
V’s presentation really helps bring different set pieces to life and is a big step up from IV. Environments are rich with detail, playing with depth perceptive to add some welcome spatial depth to the level design and using unique effects that help foster atmosphere. Exdeath’s Castle is overflowing with thick fog, dark areas warp the visuals around you, and knee-deep water rushes through Istory Falls. The game’s spritework is nothing short of fantastic. Enemies are the best they’ve ever looked at this point, and each character has a unique battle sprite for every single Job — all of which play to your party members’ distinct personalities. FFV also sports one of Nobuo Uematsu’s most underrated soundtracks. Lenna’s theme is a beautiful song, Fate in Haze is a haunting dungeon tune, and Clash on the Big Bridge is one of the most blood-pumping battle themes in the series. The score has a wide musical range, and is as emotional as it is energetic and ambient.
The scope of Final Fantasy V’s story isn’t as emotionally charged as IV, but it’s no worse for wear. Hironobu Sakaguchi and Yoshinori Kitase worked on the story together, both leaving their own personality behind in V’s script,
“Sakaguchi was in charge of the overall plot, and because FFV was a relatively serious story, I wanted to be sure to inject spots with a little bit of comic relief and humor.” – Yoshinori Kitase, Scenario Writer The end result is a plot that knows when to be dramatic and when to cut loose a little. Final Fantasy V is just as comfortable letting Bartz and Faris share a tender moment at his parents’ grave as it is having the party’s main rival have a very tongue-in-cheek redemption right before the final battle. V is a Final Fantasy with a sense of humor and a sense of heart.
One particular point in the story’s favor is its modern English localization. While V’s original English translation on PSX left much to be desired (to say the least), the revised Game Boy Advance script plays to the story’s natural charm and stands out as a strong localization altogether. Characters joke around together and interact with each other often, playing off each other’s unique personality traits. Bartz is a few men short of a full crew, Leena is an all-loving princess, Faris is a headstrong pirate with a sensitive side, and Galuf & Krile are usually the game’s go-to when it comes to injecting some humor and pathos into the plot.
Character development is gradual in V, trading IV’s big beats for several smaller interactions amongst the cast that help flesh out their relationships, backstories, and motivations. By the end of the game, V’s party of four feels more defined than IV’s cast of a dozen. Little moments highlight their growth as opposed to life-changing events. Bartz and Galuf build a mutual respect for each other over their journey, and share a man-to-man drink in Regole. Lenna and Faris are two sisters torn apart at birth who reconnect throughout the game and mourn their father together. Krile gets to know the party and forms a bond with everyone before replacing Galuf. Bartz, Lenna, Faris, and Krile feel like a close-knit group of friends when all is said and done.
While the crux of FFV’s story is a fairly traditional “good versus evil” plot, the narrative is bolstered both by strong characterization and some light but tight theming. Nature is dying due to man’s abuse of natural resources. The four Crystals are sapped of their energy, draining the world of its elements. The wind will stop, the air will stagnate, the birds will fall from the heavens and drop dead as seas dry up and fires die out. The fact Exdeath is actually a tree can even be read as nature rejecting humanity and wiping the slate clean as a consequence. The story doesn’t really push the theme beyond the surface level, but that it’s present at all gives the plot a minor layer of depth.
Big gameplay moments to advance the story aren’t as frequent as IV, but they’re as impactful and V has more cutscenes in the grand scheme of things. The Battle at the Big Bridge throws constant enemies at you to build tension during a major turning point for the story. Gilgamesh interrupts a fight with an entirely different boss and superseding their battle theme with his own. Galuf’s death and final duel with Exdeath uses the battle system to emphasize Galuf’s sheer force of will. Exdeath peppers you with powerful attacks, but Galuf refuses to die even at 0 HP. You can feel Galuf’s determination and desperation translated through the gameplay loop as he survives Flare, Holy, and Meteor back to back to back. Watching him fight to the very last inch of his life justifies it when the party can’t help him with Curaga, Raise, Phoenix Downs, or Elixirs. Galuf’s death feels painfully earned narratively and mechanically.
Exdeath is a great villain, both in spite of and because of his outlandishly cartoonish malice. He’s outlandishly cartoonish, laughs maniacally, takes every opportunity to torment the party, and has no real ulterior motives beyond his evil. He’s chaos personified, which is perhaps fitting considering how FFV echoes FFI’s story in several respects. Exdeath also stands out for being an active antagonist whose role isn’t taken over by a last minute villain who was secretly pulling the strings all along. He’s nothing special in the greater context of Final Fantasy villains, but Exdeath serves V’s story well.
Between an incredibly charming story and a fantastic gameplay loop, Final Fantasy V is nothing short of one the best games in the series. It’s a perfect marriage of Final Fantasy’s two distinct styles, combining the character-driven storytelling from II & IV with the gameplay diversity of I & II while giving both halves of the experience enough depth to thrive. The story’s stakes are high, the cast is very likable, and the lighter tone gives the plot a strong identity without undermining its drama. The Job system offers an amazing amount of replay value and is freeform enough where there is no wrong way to play. Impressively memorable dungeon design and an ever-changing status quo lend the impression that you’re on a genuine adventure with real stakes. Addictive, endearing, and brimming with heart, Final Fantasy V is a near flawless RPG and one of Square’s finest 16-bit achievements.
Here's that same write-up with pretty pictures and links: https://goombastomp.com/final-fantasy-5-retrospective/

If you're a webtoon artist and don't currently have a story in your mind but wanna start a webtoon nonetheless, Here's the first chapter of my short story: (if you wanna Collab or illustrate it, I would love to chat)
A hundred eyes stared at him. Kurin kept his pace. He scurried on the rutted alley toward his hut. His legs and arms ached after fishing, yes, but the admonitory peeping didn't let him slow down. He could feel the eyes of his neighbors, scrutinizing him like prey. Their stares had been getting more upfront and perturbing as the days passed. He bowed his head, reaching nearer to his hut. His arm ached as it clasped the fish from its tale, so he placed it on his shoulder. He could only catch one fish today, yet it was bigger than any he had ever caught. He hauled the door and trod inside. It was smaller than others huts in his quarter of the village, but it was enough for two. It had a hollow in the wall for daylight, a pitcher, and his tools. He placed the fishing rod with a soft hand, as he looked down. His little sister, Hirin, snored as she slept spreadeagled on the layer of straw. He knelt beside her. Straw crunched beneath his knees, as he held the fish overhead her face. He whistled softly. She opened her eyes listlessly, then yelped as her realization came. She jerked her body to the mud wall, and moments later giggled. Kurin smiled. “It's bigger than me!” Her eyes widened with amusement. “Because it ate more than you,” “Will I be bigger than you if I eat more?” She grinned. “You didn’t know that?” “Then I could go fishing with you” He stood up smiling, “Have you gathered sticks for fire?” “Yes!” “Wet?” “Yes!” He gave her a silly look. “Dry,” She grinned. He smiled, “Come, let's teach you to cook, today,” “Really?” She jumped to her feet and scurried behind him.
“Turn it around,” Kurin directed his little sister as she clenched the stick of fish over the fire. He had to pare the fish in two pieces as it was too heavy for Hirin to hold. He rolled his fish too; it was nearly cooked. The smell of cooked fish mingled with smoke. He liked that smell. He squinted as the smoke itched in his eyes. “Here, give me that,” He switched his half with his sister. He could tell it by the smell that Hirin had burnt it, “You did well,”

 “Kurin?” She said after some time. “Hm?” “Why Don't We eat with the others anymore?” He didn't want to hide it from her anymore, “Have you noticed something strange about them?” “I don't understand,” He didn't want to scare her either. He sighed, “They have been looking at me differently. like I've committed some sin.” “But they took us into their village. They gave us a home. They're good people, Kurin,” Her face grew apprehensive, “They are, right?” “I don't know, Hirin,” Kurin sighed, “Something just isn't right with this village.” Now she looked scared, “I miss father, Kurin. And mother, too” “I miss them too,” “Do you believe she is alive,” “Yes, she is. I know it,” His father had once told him that, “The raiders take women. They don't kill them.” She nodded. The fire had died, and only ember remained. Its warmth dwindling. Hirin shivered. “Go and sleep,” He said, “I'm coming.” She nodded again, and left. Kurin looked up. The night was cold, and moonless, with the stars less than the number of hair on a bald man’s head. It was an alike night when they came. Kurin and his sister had been sleeping in their hut when the tumult had woken him up. He had looked over at his parents’ empty bed, “Father is still in carouse?” yet something was uncanny. His mother was absent too, and she had loathed carouse. Kurin had jerked his head to specifically nowhere when the turmoil suddenly grew louder. There were shouts, and squalls, and . . . screams? His heart started racing. He moved to his feet and strode toward the door. He suddenly halted. He inhaled a deep breath. There was smoke in the air. He rushed to the door. A raid? He thought. The door ripped open before he could reach it, and his mother fell to the floor. She was gasping in agony. Her robe was torn. Her right thigh was dripping blood from where a spearhead was stuck. She was clutching onto a roll of cloth. “Mother?” He dropped beside her, “What happened to you? Where is father?” She cried in pain as she dropped the cloth. “What is it, mother?” He took it and unfurled it. It was a hand. His father’s hand. Flesh dangled to the tapering bone that jutted out from its wrist. Kurin cringed away. A stream of tears ran down his cheeks. “Listen, Kurin. KURIN!” She groaned. “Yes, I'm listening,” “Where . . . is . . . Hirin?” She gasped. “She’s sleeping right there,” He pointed his finger toward a corner of the hut. And then glanced back. Hirin was hunching with her knees to her chest. Horror-struck. His mother lifted her trembling arm for her, “Come here,” Hirin did not move for a moment, then stood up and shuffled towards her. She had a feeble look as if she didn't know her mother anymore. Tysha gave a wan smile as she raised her quivering arm and brushed her daughter’s hair from her forehead, “go—” She winched, “. . .with your brother,” “Are you okay?” Hirin asked, suddenly sobbing. Her mother did not reply. She looked at Kurin, “North. Cross . . . Narrow River. Now!” The screams were getting louder, and he could distinguish raiders’ curses. They were near. Kurin nodded, and slid his arms beneath his mother’s neck and knees. She cried in pain, “What are you doing?” “I'm not going without you,” “Listen—” she winced, “I saw . . . Those savages . . . one of them . . . hacked Dina’s head with a sword.” She gasped, “she was younger than . . . than Hirin. You have to go. Without me!” Kurin froze, then grabbed his sister's hand as she wept. He stepped outside the hut. The Village was a field of fire. A few dead bodies lay on the streets. Savages, on horses, knocking down the doors of huts. Kurin tightened his grip around his sister’s hand, and gave her mother a final glance. “Protect her, Rin,” she murmured. 

If you're a webtoon artist and don't currently have a story in your mind but wanna start a webtoon nonetheless, Here's the first chapter of my short story: (if you wanna Collab or illustrate it, I would love to chat)
A hundred eyes stared at him. Kurin kept his pace. He scurried on the rutted alley toward his hut. His legs and arms ached after fishing, yes, but the admonitory peeping didn't let him slow down. He could feel the eyes of his neighbors, scrutinizing him like prey. Their stares had been getting more upfront and perturbing as the days passed. He bowed his head, reaching nearer to his hut. His arm ached as it clasped the fish from its tale, so he placed it on his shoulder. He could only catch one fish today, yet it was bigger than any he had ever caught. He hauled the door and trod inside. It was smaller than others huts in his quarter of the village, but it was enough for two. It had a hollow in the wall for daylight, a pitcher, and his tools. He placed the fishing rod with a soft hand, as he looked down. His little sister, Hirin, snored as she slept spreadeagled on the layer of straw. He knelt beside her. Straw crunched beneath his knees, as he held the fish overhead her face. He whistled softly. She opened her eyes listlessly, then yelped as her realization came. She jerked her body to the mud wall, and moments later giggled. Kurin smiled. “It's bigger than me!” Her eyes widened with amusement. “Because it ate more than you,” “Will I be bigger than you if I eat more?” She grinned. “You didn’t know that?” “Then I could go fishing with you” He stood up smiling, “Have you gathered sticks for fire?” “Yes!” “Wet?” “Yes!” He gave her a silly look. “Dry,” She grinned. He smiled, “Come, let's teach you to cook, today,” “Really?” She jumped to her feet and scurried behind him.
“Turn it around,” Kurin directed his little sister as she clenched the stick of fish over the fire. He had to pare the fish in two pieces as it was too heavy for Hirin to hold. He rolled his fish too; it was nearly cooked. The smell of cooked fish mingled with smoke. He liked that smell. He squinted as the smoke itched in his eyes. “Here, give me that,” He switched his half with his sister. He could tell it by the smell that Hirin had burnt it, “You did well,”

 “Kurin?” She said after some time. “Hm?” “Why Don't We eat with the others anymore?” He didn't want to hide it from her anymore, “Have you noticed something strange about them?” “I don't understand,” He didn't want to scare her either. He sighed, “They have been looking at me differently. like I've committed some sin.” “But they took us into their village. They gave us a home. They're good people, Kurin,” Her face grew apprehensive, “They are, right?” “I don't know, Hirin,” Kurin sighed, “Something just isn't right with this village.” Now she looked scared, “I miss father, Kurin. And mother, too” “I miss them too,” “Do you believe she is alive,” “Yes, she is. I know it,” His father had once told him that, “The raiders take women. They don't kill them.” She nodded. The fire had died, and only ember remained. Its warmth dwindling. Hirin shivered. “Go and sleep,” He said, “I'm coming.” She nodded again, and left. Kurin looked up. The night was cold, and moonless, with the stars less than the number of hair on a bald man’s head. It was an alike night when they came. Kurin and his sister had been sleeping in their hut when the tumult had woken him up. He had looked over at his parents’ empty bed, “Father is still in carouse?” yet something was uncanny. His mother was absent too, and she had loathed carouse. Kurin had jerked his head to specifically nowhere when the turmoil suddenly grew louder. There were shouts, and squalls, and . . . screams? His heart started racing. He moved to his feet and strode toward the door. He suddenly halted. He inhaled a deep breath. There was smoke in the air. He rushed to the door. A raid? He thought. The door ripped open before he could reach it, and his mother fell to the floor. She was gasping in agony. Her robe was torn. Her right thigh was dripping blood from where a spearhead was stuck. She was clutching onto a roll of cloth. “Mother?” He dropped beside her, “What happened to you? Where is father?” She cried in pain as she dropped the cloth. “What is it, mother?” He took it and unfurled it. It was a hand. His father’s hand. Flesh dangled to the tapering bone that jutted out from its wrist. Kurin cringed away. A stream of tears ran down his cheeks. “Listen, Kurin. KURIN!” She groaned. “Yes, I'm listening,” “Where . . . is . . . Hirin?” She gasped. “She’s sleeping right there,” He pointed his finger toward a corner of the hut. And then glanced back. Hirin was hunching with her knees to her chest. Horror-struck. His mother lifted her trembling arm for her, “Come here,” Hirin did not move for a moment, then stood up and shuffled towards her. She had a feeble look as if she didn't know her mother anymore. Tysha gave a wan smile as she raised her quivering arm and brushed her daughter’s hair from her forehead, “go—” She winched, “. . .with your brother,” “Are you okay?” Hirin asked, suddenly sobbing. Her mother did not reply. She looked at Kurin, “North. Cross . . . Narrow River. Now!” The screams were getting louder, and he could distinguish raiders’ curses. They were near. Kurin nodded, and slid his arms beneath his mother’s neck and knees. She cried in pain, “What are you doing?” “I'm not going without you,” “Listen—” she winced, “I saw . . . Those savages . . . one of them . . . hacked Dina’s head with a sword.” She gasped, “she was younger than . . . than Hirin. You have to go. Without me!” Kurin froze, then grabbed his sister's hand as she wept. He stepped outside the hut. The Village was a field of fire. A few dead bodies lay on the streets. Savages, on horses, knocking down the doors of huts. Kurin tightened his grip around his sister’s hand, and gave her mother a final glance. “Protect her, Rin,” she murmured. 

If you're a webtoon artist and don't currently have a story in your mind but wanna start a webtoon nonetheless, Here's the first chapter of my short story: (if you wanna Collab or illustrate it, I would love to chat)
A hundred eyes stared at him. Kurin kept his pace. He scurried on the rutted alley toward his hut. His legs and arms ached after fishing, yes, but the admonitory peeping didn't let him slow down. He could feel the eyes of his neighbors, scrutinizing him like prey. Their stares had been getting more upfront and perturbing as the days passed. He bowed his head, reaching nearer to his hut. His arm ached as it clasped the fish from its tale, so he placed it on his shoulder. He could only catch one fish today, yet it was bigger than any he had ever caught. He hauled the door and trod inside. It was smaller than others huts in his quarter of the village, but it was enough for two. It had a hollow in the wall for daylight, a pitcher, and his tools. He placed the fishing rod with a soft hand, as he looked down. His little sister, Hirin, snored as she slept spreadeagled on the layer of straw. He knelt beside her. Straw crunched beneath his knees, as he held the fish overhead her face. He whistled softly. She opened her eyes listlessly, then yelped as her realization came. She jerked her body to the mud wall, and moments later giggled. Kurin smiled. “It's bigger than me!” Her eyes widened with amusement. “Because it ate more than you,” “Will I be bigger than you if I eat more?” She grinned. “You didn’t know that?” “Then I could go fishing with you” He stood up smiling, “Have you gathered sticks for fire?” “Yes!” “Wet?” “Yes!” He gave her a silly look. “Dry,” She grinned. He smiled, “Come, let's teach you to cook, today,” “Really?” She jumped to her feet and scurried behind him.
“Turn it around,” Kurin directed his little sister as she clenched the stick of fish over the fire. He had to pare the fish in two pieces as it was too heavy for Hirin to hold. He rolled his fish too; it was nearly cooked. The smell of cooked fish mingled with smoke. He liked that smell. He squinted as the smoke itched in his eyes. “Here, give me that,” He switched his half with his sister. He could tell it by the smell that Hirin had burnt it, “You did well,”

 “Kurin?” She said after some time. “Hm?” “Why Don't We eat with the others anymore?” He didn't want to hide it from her anymore, “Have you noticed something strange about them?” “I don't understand,” He didn't want to scare her either. He sighed, “They have been looking at me differently. like I've committed some sin.” “But they took us into their village. They gave us a home. They're good people, Kurin,” Her face grew apprehensive, “They are, right?” “I don't know, Hirin,” Kurin sighed, “Something just isn't right with this village.” Now she looked scared, “I miss father, Kurin. And mother, too” “I miss them too,” “Do you believe she is alive,” “Yes, she is. I know it,” His father had once told him that, “The raiders take women. They don't kill them.” She nodded. The fire had died, and only ember remained. Its warmth dwindling. Hirin shivered. “Go and sleep,” He said, “I'm coming.” She nodded again, and left. Kurin looked up. The night was cold, and moonless, with the stars less than the number of hair on a bald man’s head. It was an alike night when they came. Kurin and his sister had been sleeping in their hut when the tumult had woken him up. He had looked over at his parents’ empty bed, “Father is still in carouse?” yet something was uncanny. His mother was absent too, and she had loathed carouse. Kurin had jerked his head to specifically nowhere when the turmoil suddenly grew louder. There were shouts, and squalls, and . . . screams? His heart started racing. He moved to his feet and strode toward the door. He suddenly halted. He inhaled a deep breath. There was smoke in the air. He rushed to the door. A raid? He thought. The door ripped open before he could reach it, and his mother fell to the floor. She was gasping in agony. Her robe was torn. Her right thigh was dripping blood from where a spearhead was stuck. She was clutching onto a roll of cloth. “Mother?” He dropped beside her, “What happened to you? Where is father?” She cried in pain as she dropped the cloth. “What is it, mother?” He took it and unfurled it. It was a hand. His father’s hand. Flesh dangled to the tapering bone that jutted out from its wrist. Kurin cringed away. A stream of tears ran down his cheeks. “Listen, Kurin. KURIN!” She groaned. “Yes, I'm listening,” “Where . . . is . . . Hirin?” She gasped. “She’s sleeping right there,” He pointed his finger toward a corner of the hut. And then glanced back. Hirin was hunching with her knees to her chest. Horror-struck. His mother lifted her trembling arm for her, “Come here,” Hirin did not move for a moment, then stood up and shuffled towards her. She had a feeble look as if she didn't know her mother anymore. Tysha gave a wan smile as she raised her quivering arm and brushed her daughter’s hair from her forehead, “go—” She winched, “. . .with your brother,” “Are you okay?” Hirin asked, suddenly sobbing. Her mother did not reply. She looked at Kurin, “North. Cross . . . Narrow River. Now!” The screams were getting louder, and he could distinguish raiders’ curses. They were near. Kurin nodded, and slid his arms beneath his mother’s neck and knees. She cried in pain, “What are you doing?” “I'm not going without you,” “Listen—” she winced, “I saw . . . Those savages . . . one of them . . . hacked Dina’s head with a sword.” She gasped, “she was younger than . . . than Hirin. You have to go. Without me!” Kurin froze, then grabbed his sister's hand as she wept. He stepped outside the hut. The Village was a field of fire. A few dead bodies lay on the streets. Savages, on horses, knocking down the doors of huts. Kurin tightened his grip around his sister’s hand, and gave her mother a final glance. “Protect her, Rin,” she murmured. 

Finally installed my luxury vinyle dusk cherry flooring. Also did some tile for a small laundry room. First time doing all that. Here are some before and after pictures.

"Why won't you come with me?" Andrea's voice whined down the phone in the tone she always adopted when she wasn't getting her way. "C'mon… please? Everyone else is busy..."
"I already told you, I'm not going back to another one of your shitty dive clubs. Remember last time when I nearly got my eye gouged out in the moshpit? I had to take a week off work."
"So what if you got your bell rung for the first time, you really want to die without any scars? Besides, do you have any idea how hard it was to get these tickets? I had to pay some random street guy double just to get us in the door."
"Well, what's the big deal about this place, then? Why's it so exclusive?"
"Suck Shaft."
"What?"
"Suck Shaft, they're opening. Headliner's some local hick but everyone's going to see Suck Shaft, it's their first gig in like ten years or something. How in the fuck have you never heard of Suck Shaft?"
"Andrea, can you please stop saying 'Suck Shaft' for a minute… let me think…"
"Look, are you coming or not? We'll be in and out in two hours, Tom, I promise. You'll be no worse off for work tomorrow, might even have something interesting to say around the water cooler, ay?"
"Fine... As long as we're only staying for the opener."
"Great! Pick me up at six."
beep
I pulled up outside Andrea's house to find her sitting impatiently on the doorstep and she eagerly bounded over and hopped inside.
"Are you as excited as I am?!" She asked giddily, looking at me with her make-up-caked face. She presented two little white tickets and passed one over. "This is gonna be a night to remember!"
"Yeah, whatever… Two hours, then I'm going home, so don't fuck around, okay?" I put the car in gear and departed from the pavement. "I mean it, Andrea. I can't mess up with this job right now."
"Jeeeez, you're such a stick in the mud…" She groaned dramatically as her eyes rolled back into her head.
As we drove slowly down the decrepit street which was home to the run-down venue I was immediately shocked at just how busy it really was. A swarm of patrons all waiting to get inside mobbed the sidewalk and spilled over into the street. After a tedious fifteen minutes of creeping around, I eventually managed to squeeze the car into a tiny space two streets over.
It was freezing but I gave Andrea my jacket anyway after catching a few passive aggressive 'brrrrr's' as we walked side-by-side to the club.
"Why didn't you just bring your own coat?"
"Well, I didn't know we'd have to park like a hundred fucking miles away, did I?"
"What if it's cold inside? You consider that one, genius?"
"We won't be cold for very long," She shot me a sly wink as she dug into her back pocket and held up a baggie containing two tiny pills stamped with a smiling alien. "Roll with me?"
I looked into her big green pleading puppy dog eyes and found myself unable to say no. That and it had been a while since I'd gotten my hands on some decent ecstasy. Andrea always got good X.
"I'll take half. Remember I still have to get us both home in one piece after this." I said in a defeated voice, but secretly I was excited for the first time that day.
"Yay!" Andrea hopped up and clicked the heels of her Nikes at me. "This is gonna be great!"
She pulled the bag open and bit half a pill, handing me the other half. Then, without any hesitation, she slammed the other full one down too before flashing her tongue at me the way I imagine they make the patients do at mental hospitals after med time.
"For fuck's sake, Andrea. Really? You said two hours. In two hours' time you're gonna be completely gone, I'll probably have to carry you through the dance floor, prise your fingers off the stage just to get you out the door with me."
"A promise is a promise." She booped my nose condescendingly the way you might a small child. I always hated when she did that, endearing as it was. "When it's over, it's over. I won't hold you back."
"I hope not." I'd gotten the pill down quickly, but that bitter taste still permeated the surface of my tongue and a little at the back of my throat. "I really hope not..."
We rounded the corner and joined the back of the line and found ourselves relieved that it was moving relatively quickly. I stood on my toes and got a decent look at the action up front. The bouncer wasn't even really checking the tickets, just a nod in acknowledgement at whatever random white paper was being presented. This prompted me to check the one in my pocket.
It was riddled with typos. I held it up to Andrea and she looked at me as if I was from Mars.
"What?"
"You paid double for fake tickets?"
"Yeah, so what? They'll get us in, won't they?"
"Jesus, Andrea. I swear, two hours and then we're leaving. Okay? This is gonna be a nightmare to get away from, look how busy this fucking street is, it's all because of these fake ticket scalping fucks..."
The ecstasy had begun to take effect and I couldn't help but feel a little shame for just how hard my half a pill was already kicking my ass. I looked over at Andrea for the first time since we'd joined the queue, of which was quickly packed behind us as we gradually approached the front, boxing us in. She was chewing voraciously at her bottom lip. I put my arm around her shoulder reassuringly and she turned to me with her big wobbly pupils. The vibrant green of her irises almost obscured by them.
"We will get in, right? Won't we?" She asked with a sort of desperation that I understood. I'd had a 'bad' X trip before when my plans got cancelled and I'd taken too much, ended up milling around my apartment hugging pillows and gnawing at my toothbrush. I pictured Andrea disappointedly sitting on her couch while she ferociously stroked her cat with hardstyle blasting through her TV speakers.
"Yeah, I think we'll get in. Don't worry." She pulled me closer to her and we embraced. Usually that took an hour or two but the clear overdose had ramped up the process. "Are you sure you're okay to go in here? You shouldn't have done all that at once."
"Oh, y-yeah" She chattered at me through her clenched teeth. She broke away for a second and yelled into the crowd behind us.
"SUCK SHAFT! WOOO!"
She was met with a rallying cry of about two dozen other people who were also prematurely wasted. With a pleased giggle she took my arm again and snuggled in, which was a relief because it was so damn cold on that sidewalk. We got close to the front and I whispered into Andrea's ear.
"Look, just keep your head down and don't look at the bouncer. If he sees how fucked up you are he won't let us in, okay?"
"Okey-doke…"
"Gimme your ticket."
I took her ticket and approached the big man by the door as Andrea half-hid behind me. No words were exchanged, barely even a look. He grabbed our tickets, and in we went.
"Here's your jacket back." Andrea thrust my knockoff leather jacket towards me and I put it back on, knowing that it'd eventually just become a hindrance in the heat. I followed closely behind as we descended the sickly white painted concrete stairwell, already littered with cigarette butts and empty bottles and vomit possibly from the night before. The music was getting louder as we got closer to the underground set. Thick swathes of bass resonated in the walls and in the floor and the ceiling and I felt myself come alive.
The stairs ended after a few turns and Andrea took my hand and led me into the packed crowd, all moving sinuously to the beat. I felt a jab in my ribs but I didn't care. We were somewhere close to the stage, but I couldn't tell where. My vision flickered and moved with my body as I danced with Andrea, every so often taking an accidental shove from a stranger and giving out a few of my own. That moment, I don't know how long it lasted, but it was the last time I was ever truly happy.
I brushed it off at first, something being shouted that looking back, I know must have been 'fire'. I just didn't want to believe it. Then, when the dancefloor broke its rhythm and people began to push into us towards the exit, I realized what was happening. Andrea looked into my eyes and I could see she knew it too, that rapturous joy snuffed out by terror. When the real world creeps into the fantasies we use to escape, turning them foul forever.
The music was still blaring, but the stage was empty. Smoke trickled out from behind it. Screams began to overtake the bass as people crammed in beside us, all running in the same direction. The lit single door exitway was in near darkness spare a few gaps that weren't full of people squeezing through. It was utter chaos.
All around us the ones who'd fallen over were stepped on in the scramble, I could hear their bones snapping under the weight of frantic footfalls and their pained reactions as they gasped their last breaths before giving in. Several men and women were actively shoving people back, throwing elbows and punches with others retaliating and then succumbing to the trampling themselves. We managed to reach the exit door leading to the stairs, but as I squeezed myself through Andrea's wrist got caught in the doorframe and was shattered by the incoming horde pushing through the cramped doorway three at a time. She screamed, shrieked out, and then was lost. I didn't look back, I was overcome with an unbearable rage. I stood in that doorway and I kicked out hard, knocking at least a dozen people back into the club, which was now entirely ablaze as flames engulfed the stage rendered near invisible by the thick black smoke.
I wasn't giving anything close to a fuck. I jerked my elbows into noses, I yanked back two womem ahead of me and they tumbled backwards down the stairs into the fiery oblivion below. I kicked and I punched and I shoved and I think I even bit a guy at one point, until eventually, I managed to wriggle through the open door and into the night air as sirens screeched down the street towards the scene. I looked back over my shoulder at the carnage as other escapees of the blaze rushed past me to safety. I did too, except I didn't stop running.
I got in my car and I drove home.
Fifty-three people died in that club that night. Seventy were injured, many in ways that'll surely have made their lives a living hell since. Andrea. I'm not sure if Andrea died in the crush or under some fucker's boot or if the smoke got her, or the fire. All I know is that she didn't make it. I just hope it was quick. Oh, fuck, how I hope it was quick... I look back and it's like I can see her lying there by that jammed up door with her wrist all bent backwards with the bone sticking out while she pleads, begs, the other people there to help her. Everyone ignored her. I ignored her.
I don't like to think about it. I can't. So I don't. I moved away. Nobody knows I was there, or what I did. I know I'll never forget it, though. I know that I'll never forgive myself.

Just bought a house with a kitchen that is tiled floor to ceiling. Not sure how to tackle this. How big a job is it taking off most of the tiles and painting? I’m a total DIY noob. I don’t intend to do the entire kitchen, just maybe the walls out with the cupboard walls.
(Mid-terraced 1930s - Scotland) Edit for location.

I spend all of my daylight hours scared and alone in this musty old cellar.
It’s woeful, and I bet it smelled this bad even before everything around here turned to crap. Great. My second sentence and I’ve already resorted to swearing. When I decided I’d start this diary (five minutes ago when I got a tiny sliver of signal) I thought it would be my poetic and deeply-moving goodbye to the world. Maybe I’d write about love and loss, or maybe the splendour of nature. Then, when all is done and dusted, I’d have left something to be remembered by. As well as my corpse, of course.
This was a bad idea.
*
Okay, I’m an idiot. There’s nothing else I can do down here. I’ve rooted through every cardboard box a hundred times, organised and reorganised my supplies, I’ve even built a fort. So, I’m back. Hello. Again. God, this diary is going badly.
But there’s just enough light coming through the boards I nailed over the cellar’s tiny window to type by. So I may as well type. Stops me staring up at the window just waiting for a shadow to pass by.
Maybe I'll just write and not hit Submit. Right, where to start? Well, my name is – actually, I think I’m going to refer to myself as ‘X’. That sounds mysterious. If you’re reading this and want to know my real name, I still carry my purse. My railcard is in there and, if you really want to know who I am, go find me and fish it out. I won’t bite...
So, my name is X. I live in a little English village in the middle of nowhere. Before all this happened, I had a mum, a dad, a sister and there was a boy I liked, his name was Jonah.
*
I couldn’t think of anything else to write so I waited until I came back from my rounds. That’s the stupid name I have for when I go outside at night scrounging for stuff. Drinks are the hardest. I only trust bottles or cans, or did, and I was running out of places to search for them. But I guess that doesn’t matter now.
My leg is doing alright actually; didn’t hold me up at all. I saw Jonah too. He’s looked better, I have to say. It’s strange because this is only the second time I’ve seen him since we came here. Maybe his ears were burning.
Anyway, I found some tinned pineapple in a creepy old caravan I hadn’t searched yet. Had to bust the door open with Old Trusty – which I thought might attract some unwanted attention – but it was fine. I’m actually eating the pineapple right now, tastes good. I also found a radio in there. I already have three down here, but none of them work. Not that the caravan radio works either, all you get is static. It’s just nice to collect something. You know, to have a hobby.
*
I can tell the sun is rising. I managed to sleep for a couple of hours, but I woke up after a bad dream. I know some people can remember their dreams, but I never do. I wake up and grasp at them, but I never manage a hold before they fade away. It’s like trying to pinch the corner of a wisp of smoke; the harder you try, the quicker it fades to nothing. I’m just left with a sensation, a kind of imprint which sums up the most intense part of the dream.
And a cold sweat. That’s new.
*
I’ve been through the box of photo albums I found at the back of the cellar again. I’ve looked through them a few times now, but I always notice something new.
There’s a photo of this little girl playing with a pretend guitar. I can tell it’s pretend because it doesn’t have strings, only brightly-coloured plastic dials. Kind of like My First Guitar Hero or something. The girl has dark hair and she looks a tiny bit like my sister did a million years ago. I don’t have a picture of my sister. I suppose I could go and get one from my old house, but it’s right in the middle of the village. I’m lucky I wasn’t torn to shreds the last time I went back. So, what I’ve done is put this girl’s photo in my back pocket as a substitute.
I guess I should probably write something about my real sister now. But I don’t think that’s a good idea just yet.
*
Daylight is starting to fade and I’m getting ready to go out on my rounds. I always take my satchel with me, packed with useful objects. I have Old Trusty (a crowbar) which sticks out of the top for easy access, a small toolbox, a pair of heavy-duty gloves (there’s a good story about how I got those, I might write that one down later) and a hammer. I carry a penknife I found down here in my pocket, my purse and phone, and a torch in my hand.
I don’t like to use the torch because its battery is running out and there’s always the chance it might attract them. I probably shouldn’t have used it last night when I got back. Maybe I’m starting to enjoy this writing malarkey? I need to be careful with luxuries.
*
Okay, that could have gone better.
Picture the scene: I’m using Old Trusty to try and lever a kitchen window open, when one of them just walks right through the garden hedge. Seriously, straight through it. It’s not the mightiest of hedges but, still, it just appeared like it was walking through one of those Japanese paper walls. My satchel was on the ground, but I legged it anyway. I’m not stupid. I know I can go back for it tomorrow. I felt strangely naked without it on the way back here though.
Like I said before, I need to be careful with the torch so I think I’ll try and get some sleep now.
*
I slept pretty well last night; no nightmares or cold sweats. Maybe a midnight chase was just what I needed to blow away the cobwebs.
I actually woke up wondering about you. If you’re reading this, who are you? If you’re like me, living through this village nightmare, how have you managed to go this long without being killed or whatever? Maybe you’re Army or some such. Maybe you’re just some kid who’s played so many videogames that surviving all of this was already second nature to you. Or maybe you’re like me; living on borrowed time and searching for a good place to die. Maybe Future Me was brave enough to tap Submit on my diary and you're currently reading this on your phone or computer.
Here’s an idea. Maybe you can carry on this diary from wherever I left it at. God, I really hope this isn’t my last entry, although I suppose any entry might be. If you do carry the diary forwards, and I'm a corpse, maybe it will become cursed. Spooky.
*
I’ve been preparing for my next excursion.
If I know I’m going somewhere I’ll likely run into an ugly, I like to take extra precautions. And I want my satchel back. It was a present from my dad, and I know it cost him a lot of money.
So, I’m taking a pair of shears from the shelf of old tools down here. That way, if I lose Old Trusty, I’ll have a backup weapon.
If you are local, I wonder how you like to kill them? Pretty morbid question I know, but everyone around here seems to have their preferred method. The last villager I saw alive carried a pair of mini cricket bats and seemed to have bludgeoning down to an art form. He never saw me though, I was watching from a grove of trees as he killed his way along the main road near the village.
That was before I decided to stay inside during the daylight hours. We can at least see a little bit at night; ambient light and everything. They can’t though. I’ve seen them, they bump into things. It’s pretty funny to be honest. If they hear a noise, they walk in the direction of the sound, never trying to avoid any object in their path. They either bash said object out of the way, or, like that hedge, blunder right through it. Obviously bigger things stop them dead (ha!) though. If that happens, they sort of shuffle backwards and then try again a few times. Eventually – and I’ve seen this too – they just give up and stand there, waiting for something else to attract their attention.
That’s not how it works in the daytime though.
*
I think it’s about an hour before the sun sets so it’s nearly time to head out. I’m going to change my bandage. One minute.
Okay, it didn’t look that bad really. The original scratch wasn’t too deep and now the wound seems to be doing that scabbing thing I remember from normal injuries. It just doesn’t smell very good. A bit like when you walk past a bin that needs emptying.
Anyway, I’ve applied more antiseptic and redressed it. Time to go.
*
That was fun. I’m glad I had those shears with me.
I got my satchel back you’ll be happy to know. And I got inside that house I’d been trying to break into as well. More through necessity than choice in the end, but I’m pleased I did. I found more batteries! That means I can justify writing at night a bit more. In fact, the people who used to live there (I think the husband owned the local garage) were pretty well kitted out. There were a lot of tins in their cupboards, and they’d even left a shotgun. It wasn’t loaded though.
Not that I need a shotgun. I didn’t tell you this before, but I have my grandpa’s old service revolver. He always told me and my sister that it was decommissioned, but my dad apparently knew otherwise. I keep it tucked into the back of my jeans at all times. It had three bullets, one of them is gone, so only two left.
I’ll only be needing the one of course.
*
Morning. I’m feeling pretty low today. I think concentrating on getting my satchel back took my mind off things, but now I feel pretty deflated.
Surely that’s understandable? The village I knew and loved has been replaced with this sodding hell. I miss my family, my friends, TV and hot dinners and Instagram. Before all of this I was a pretty positive person. Sure, I had a bit of trouble getting up in the morning, but, once I was up, that was it. I’d meet the day’s challenges head on, try to enjoy myself as much as I could. Not today though.
Maybe if I write about Jonah I’ll cheer up. Not Jonah as he is now of course, Jonah when he was all smooth-skinned, curly-haired and bright-eyed. Now he’s like the anti-Jonah or something. His face looks like it lost a fight with an angry lobster. No, wait, I’m supposed to be writing about Jonah version one here.
He’s one of those people that I can’t remember meeting. My family has always lived around here and so there are lots of people who have just always been, if you get me. I always thought we would drunkenly get it together at a party – that’s what I’d usually do if there was a boy I liked. Classy.
*
I’ve perked up a bit. Out of sheer frustration I went upstairs (naughty, I know) and looked out of a window. Sure, I saw an ugly, wandering aimlessly as they always do, but I saw that the trees are starting to turn too. That means it’s nearly autumn, and I love autumn!
My sister and I always used to go out and kick leaves at each other in the autumn. I don’t know if it was because of her low centre of gravity, but my sister was amazing at it. She could somehow whip up a blazing whirlwind of golden-yellow and fire-red, surrounding us both in a leaf storm that I couldn’t help but flail my arms madly at. Then we’d both fall backwards into the leaves laughing, me wondering how on earth what had happened was possible. She was that good.
God, I let her down in the end.
*
I think I’ll stay away from the house with the shotgun tonight. It usually takes a day or two for a group of uglies to disperse once they’re all riled up. I could use the rest of that tinned food I suppose, but I’ve got plenty to be getting on with for now.
Instead, I think I’ll swing by another farmhouse I was scoping out before I decided to turn nocturnal. I never met the people who used to live there, but I remember Mum telling me they liked their privacy. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind me visiting now though.
Also, there’s a woodland between here and there and I might be able to find some leaves to kick about a bit. I think that would make me feel close to my sister again.
I’ll check back in later.
*
I’m still alive, but only just.
I made it through the woods just fine (only the odd leaf on the forest floor at the moment though, sadly), the trouble started at the farmhouse. I couldn’t get in – the doors and windows were barricaded – so I tried one of the outbuildings. Locked. It had a cat flap though.
My first instinct was to leave it, but then I wondered if there might be something useful inside. Lord knows what thinking about it now. I lifted the cat flap with one hand and shone the torch beam through with my other. That’s when an ugly dived at my pinkies. Luckily, it misjudged its leap and got a mouthful of plastic cat flap instead. As for me, I fell backwards onto my bum.
Next, the damn thing started bashing on the door from the inside. I don’t think it could ever have got out, but the noise attracted more uglies from out of nowhere. I only just managed to outmanoeuvre them and hightail it back into the woods.
That’s not the worst of it though. On the way back my leg started to hurt. A lot.
*
I woke up this morning and I’m walking with a limp. It’s funny, Dad had a limp when he and Mum died. He was nailing planks of wood across our windows and doors because there was no signal (as per bloody usual) and we thought that what was happening here was probably happening everywhere. It's only recently that I realised this was an isolated, local outbreak. Anyway, Dad dropped the hammer onto his toe, he always was useless at DIY. I think it was only a couple of hours after that when he and Mum were taken.
It was like a wave of death. No, not like, that’s exactly what it was. A hoard of uglies swept through the village, probably originating from the secret research facility in the woods we're not supposed to know about. My sister and I wouldn’t have had a prayer if Mum and Dad hadn’t charged down the first few that got into our house. They gave us just enough time to escape, to run away and leave them to die. My sister was screaming all the way and I had to drag her like she was four again.
She wouldn’t speak to me for a few days after that. I didn’t blame her, I hated myself too. But I would have hated myself even more if I hadn’t done what I did next. On my own, I snuck back into our house with the crowbar I found here. Then I dispatched my parents. I can’t bring myself to type it any other way. It wasn’t like in the movies, I didn’t pound their skulls into mush whilst sobbing, ‘Why?’ over and over again. I just found them, or what was left of them, forced the crowbar through each of their eye sockets, and came straight back here.
Then came the crying.
*
I haven’t told you about the heavy-duty gloves yet, have I?
After I got back from our old house, my sister started speaking to me again. A shared, day-long cry will do that for sisters. Once we felt up to it, we decided to explore the parts of the farmhouse we hadn’t searched yet. All the bedrooms were empty, only a few belongings flung about the place (I suspect the previous tenants left in a hurry). The problem came when we investigated the attic. Once we’d opened the ceiling panel in the upstairs hallway, once we’d pulled the compact staircase down, I went up. My sister stood at the top of the hatchway shining the torch beam over my shoulder. And that’s when it touched me. Terrified, I fell to my left, screaming as the thing came crashing down on top of me. I was yelling things like, ‘Shoot it!’ and, ‘Run!’ but my sister was just laughing her head off. I soon realised that my attacker was in fact a shop-window mannequin.
I think the people who previously lived here must have been arty (or into some seriously freaky stuff) because the mannequin was dressed in scarves, bandannas, ties, watches – loads of things. The rest of the attic was pretty empty but at least we got the mannequin’s gloves.
*
I’m not feeling good at the moment. I’ve got a sore throat and I’ve coughed up blood a couple of times. My leg pain is getting worse too.
I don’t think I’ll go out tonight. I have enough tins left and one of them is a Full English In A Can. Sounds pretty disgusting, but intriguing at the same time. I’ve been saving it for near the end. A sort of consolation prize.
*
There are two mattresses down here. Obviously one is mine, and the other one was my sister’s. After she died, I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I don’t have a photo of her, only Guitar Girl’s. Her bed is the only thing of hers I have left. And she didn’t even sleep in it that many times.
*
The tinned Full English was vile! You’ve got to laugh though, what else can you do?
*
I’m crying as I write this. Tears of sorrow, shame and regret.
It happened as we were searching a cottage just off of the main road. We’d used Old Trusty to get inside, and I’d rushed straight into the kitchen to find the food. We’d run out more than a day before and I was famished. My sister followed me into the kitchen, a wide grin on her pretty little face because I was sitting there with an open can of beans. Then one of them came at her from behind. I must have walked right past it on my stupid way to the cupboards. It bit into her neck and blood gushed over the tiles in a torrent. As she yelled out in agony, I leapt up and implanted the crowbar right into the thing’s skull. It crumpled to the floor, but the damage was done.
‘Don’t let me lose myself.’ That was the last thing my sister whispered to me before she passed out. Her wound was much more severe than mine is, and much closer to the brain. That seems to make it quicker. I took grandpa’s revolver from behind my back and blew her brains out.
I buried her in the back garden.
*
After my sister died I went kind of crazy. I took Old Trusty out across the fields and pulverised every ugly I could find. I don’t even remember it that well, it was just, find, kill, find, kill…
We’d only been going out in daylight before then but, in my anger, I carried on through the nights. That’s how I learned about their inability to evade in darkness. Eventually, though, one got me. I found three munching on a dead cow and ran straight at them. Took out the first two easily enough, but the third managed to scratch my leg with a bloody fingernail just before I clobbered it into oblivion. Once I realised its nail had broken the skin, it was like a switch had been flicked inside me. That’s it, I’m dead too. I lost my bloodlust and came back here.
*
If none of this had happened, I think my sister would have eventually gone into medicine. I was doing okay at College but she was top of her class at school. And she had a really kind nature too. She’d never squish any bugs that got trapped in our house; she’d get a glass, scoop the little critter up and seal it inside with a book. Then she’d take it outside and release it, even if it was a wasp.
*
I’ve decided that here’s not the place. I'll hit Submit and then I’m going to do it in those woods I wrote about; consider this diary as my Note. I’ll be able to find a nice spot to sit and look at the trees, some place that's calm and peaceful. I’m going to leave the picture of Guitar Girl in this cellar, she belongs in this house. The tree leaves will remind me of my sister more than any photo ever could anyway.
I guess all that’s left to say is thank you for listening.
I know it’s possible that no one will ever read this, but that’s not really the point is it?
Love,
X
*
Thanks for reading! If you want more from this universe check out The X and Wye Anthology Series
-- Jack
*

Note: As I said I want to take my time with this story and write it in better quality ("book alike") with bigger chapters and more characters development and world building. Enjoy this chapter!
Prologue Chapter 1 Prev Next
*****
Karina stepped through the portal for the second time that day, emerging in a bustling square in the heart of Aharedun, the capital city of the Kingdom of Aranthia. Unlike the portal to Thalassar, this one was noticeably smaller and less blurry, allowing Karina to clearly see the guards standing on the other side of the shimmering energy field. They wore their imposing grayish armor, their eyes trained on the group of travelers that had just arrived.
Leading the way was Prince Kaelen, who beckoned Karina and their new Viluna companions to follow him into the city. As they made their way through the square, Karina couldn't help but marvel at the sights and sounds around her. The buildings were unlike anything she had ever seen on Earth, with towering spires and ornate decorations adorning every surface. The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and the sound of alien music that made her toes tap in rhythm.
The crowd that had gathered to greet them was diverse, made up of Thalassarians they already met and several others, she wasn’t sure if they were other species or races.
Her attention was drawn to a particular figure in the crowd, a small creature with dark-green skin and carapaces on its body. It wore a bright yellow toga and had a face that was humanoid but with distinct differences. Its nose was small and almost imperceptible, and it had no hair on its head. Karina couldn't help but stare, fascinated by this strange being.
Before she could take in more of her surroundings, Prince Kaelen stepped forward and made a gesture opening both of his hands and waving his head from one side to other, prompting the crowd to follow suit. Karina wasn't sure if it was a greeting or a bow, but she joined in, copying the movement.
"Welcome, citizens of Aharedun and visitors from afar!" Prince Kaelen announced to the crowd. "We are honored to have these new guests among us, the Humans! We will be taking them to the Royal Palace to show them more of our city tonight and in the coming days. In the meantime, please enjoy the festivities and explore our wonderful city!"
The crowd erupted into applause, and Karina felt a sense of warmth and hospitality from the Thalassarians, she wasn’t sure what she expected once they came here, but this was a welcome sight. As they followed Prince Kaelen down the bustling street, she took in more of the sights and sounds around her, feeling a sense of adventure and excitement building within her. She couldn't wait to see what other wonders this world had in store for her.
They walked stone-cobbled streets towards the big Palace prompted on one of the hills that surrounded the city. The whole time Karina and the humans were escorted by the legion of guards and the hooded figures appeared every once in a while on the corners or on top of the buildings.
“How many people live here?” Karina asked her Viluna which was hovering near her shoulder.
“Around five hundred thousand,” Viluna answered with a squeaky voice.
“Is that a lot in Thalassar or?” Karina asked curiously.
“It’s on a bigger spectrum, but that are larger cities, Aranthia has three bigger cities, but this their capital due to its geopolitical position.” A little speck of flittering light answered. “Which city are you from back on Earth?” The little creature asked her.
“I was born in Moscow,” Karina answered.
“Ahh, we have heard of it in our brief time on Earth,” Viluna answered.
“What?” Karina was shocked. “You have been on Earth? When?” She asked.
“We have visited once the portal was open,” Viluna answered. “We are curious creatures, drawn to new things.”
“How come no one saw you?” Karina asked looking at the Viluna as it flown around her head.
“We can’t take physical or any form on that matter on Earth.” The creature said. “See on our moon we have a physical form, down here on Thalassar we are like this, but once we went through the portal we became nothing but a flicker in the air, barely visible if you knew what you were looking for.” The creature said changing its colors.
“So, why are you here and with us if you can just go to Earth and learn all about us from the shadows?” Karina asked.
“Well, it’s not that simple. Since we can not find any form on Earth, we can’t stay long there, no more than an hour at a time and once we get back it takes us long time to recover.” Viluna explained.
Karina furrowed her brows, trying to understand. “Why is that?”
“We start to lose ourselves if we stay longer. Our minds can’t work right without a form. If we were to stay longer, we would probably cease to exist, as our minds would get lost completely,” Viluna said, changing colors.
“Hmm,” Karina said thinking. “You are weird little creatures. We will talk more tonight, I want to take in all the sights now.” With that said the little creature buzzed above her head.
They had almost reached the big palace during their conversation, only a big flight of rounding stone stairs was between them and an enormous gate at the top of the hill.
“Up we go humans,” Prince Kaelen said and started climbing.
They made their way up the grand staircase, their footsteps echoing against the stone steps. Karina looked around in awe at the view of the city that was unfolding before her. She could see the different districts and neighborhoods of Aharedun, each with its own unique architecture and vibe. She noticed a few towering buildings that stood out from the rest, in her mind those belonged to the nobility or wealthy merchants.
As they reached the top of the stairs, they were met with the sight of the enormous gate, decorated with intricate carvings and symbols that Karina couldn't decipher. The gate was guarded by two large statues of armored soldiers riding unfamiliar beasts, their swords raised and ready to strike. The guards opened the gates, and they stepped into a wide courtyard, filled with lush greenery and fountains.
The palace itself was an impressive structure, with several wings and towers reaching up toward the sky. The walls were made of a white stone that shimmered in the sunlight, and the windows were adorned with colorful stained glass. Karina could see balconies and terraces on the upper floors buzzing with people looking down at their new guests.
Prince Kaelen stood and faced the crown. “Welcome to Royal Palace,” He said opening his arms to show the majestic structure spreading on three sides around them. “It’s been built by my family some four hundred years ago and had been our home ever since.”
As Kaelen talked Karina took her time to take in the marvelous Palace. She was struck by the sheer grandeur of the architecture. Towering pillars rose up from the ground, supporting massive arches and intricate carvings that adorned every inch of the Palace's façade. The gardens were a sight to behold as well, with an array of exotic flowers and plants that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Karina could hear the soft babbling of a nearby fountain, which was surrounded by a group of playful Thalassarian children who were splashing around in the water.
Karina took few steps away from the group and noticed the bustling activity of the Thalassarians as they tended to the upkeep of the Palace and its grounds. Some were meticulously cleaning the pavement, making sure that every stone was spotless. Others were hard at work, trimming and pruning the greenery so that it maintained its shape and beauty. Karina couldn't help but admire the dedication and attention to detail that the Thalassarians put into their work.
Despite their busy schedules, the Thalassarians still found time to take in the sights and sounds of the Palace. Karina observed that they often stopped to exchange greetings and friendly banter with one another, even as they went about their tasks. And yet, whenever opportunity arose, the Thalassarians couldn't help but steal glances in the direction of humans. It was clear that they were curious about the visitors.
“This will be your home for the next year, or until you wish to get reassigned to another part of the program.” Kaelen said finishing speech. “There will be a maid so to say or someone to be of your assistance for each of assigned on top of your Vilunas to make your lives in palace easier. Go ahead enter the east wing of the palace and you will find your rooms at the second and third floor.”
Karina's heart skipped a beat as she stepped into the Palace, her eyes wide open as she tried to take in the grandeur of the interior. The entryway was dominated by a massive chandelier, but she noticed that instead of light bulbs, it was adorned with floating spheres of light that illuminated the entire room in a soft, warm white glow. The walls were painted in a rich shade of yellow, resembling the color of the ocean, while the marble floors were decorated with intricate patterns that seemed the follow the motives from their uniforms.
As she followed the grand hallway, she passed by rooms that were equally lush and rich. She couldn't help but marvel at the fine artwork that adorned the walls, the intricate tapestries that hung from the ceiling, and the luxurious furniture that filled each room. It was like nothing she had ever seen before.
Climbing at the third floor she arrived at her room. It was just as grand as the rest of the Palace, with a large four-poster bed draped in luxurious silks, a writing desk made of rare woods, and a balcony that offered a stunning view of the gardens below.
As Karina was lost in thought, the sound of the door opening startled her. She turned to see a young Thalassarian woman with strikingly unique eyes. They were a deep purple with a faint glow, an unmistakable characteristic of the Thalassarians. Karina guessed her to be in her early twenties, but it was hard to tell with them yet.
The woman's beauty was undeniable, but there was also an awkwardness about her that made her all the more endearing. She stood there nervously, clasping her hands together, as she spoke in a soft voice, "Mistress, my name is Nereia. I have been assigned to assist you during your stay here."
Karina couldn't help but smile at the young woman's formal address, "Please, call me Karina. And it's a pleasure to meet you, Nereia."
Nereia let out a small sigh of relief, "Thank you, Karina. If you'll allow me, I'll show you around and help you with anything you need during your stay here. How do you like your room?" Nereia asked.
“I love it, it’s beautiful,” Karina answered truthfully. “It’s all very overwhelming, but it’s grandiose, to say the least,” Karina said with a friendly smile.
Nereia returned the smile, her faintly glowing eyes sparkling in the light. "I'm glad you like it. Well, the Royal Family is known for its luxurious style.” She said. “Is there anything else you need before I leave you to settle in?"
Karina shook her head, "No, I think I'm good for now. Thank you again, Nereia."
“I will be back later with a gown for the welcome feast tonight, you make yourself comfortable and call me if you need anything,” Nereia left and closed the door behind her.
Moments later Karina stepped out onto the terrace, taking in the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the sound of trickling water from the nearby fountain. She noticed Viluna, her sparkling companion, floating nearby.
"Hey,” Karina said, smiling at her companion. “I was wondering if you could tell me about how magic works. That’s one of the things we humans are the most curious about."
Viluna beamed back at Karina. "It won’t be that simple I am afraid, Karina. Magic is a complex and powerful force that is present in all living things. It's the energy that flows through us and connects us to the world around us."
“Why it won’t be that simple?” Karina asked curiously.
“Well, that’s amongst few things we are not allowed to share with you humans yet,” It said.
“What? Why?” Karina asked. “Aren’t you here to share the knowledge with us?”
“Yes, we are. But it was in the deal we made with the Prince,” Viluna said floating near her head. “The King himself requested we don’t share that knowledge yet, at least not to the full extent. I will answer some of the basic questions and I am sure you will find a lot on your own talking to other Thalassarians, but for now, we are not allowed to explain in detail.”
“Why did he request that?” Karina continued her barrage of questions.
“Because he is afraid that if we give out all of our knowledge you will be able to use it against them if you ever decide to invade again,” Viluna said the explanation made sense to Karina. “But don’t worry if the program goes well I am sure all the knowledge between the two worlds will be shared eventually as the trust grows.”
“Hmm,” Karina frowned. “Makes sense I guess. What can you share now then?” She was persistent.
“Well, All I can tell you is that most of the Thalassarians can cast some of the magic, or at least have to ability to learn it. But to those that can only access simple spells like creating a light sphere, it means nothing. I don’t know if I can find a perfect comparison, but it’s like all of you know how to read and write, but it doesn’t make you special in your own world.”
“Hmm, I don’t know if it’s a great analogy, but I think I get it,” Karina said sitting back in the comfortable chair on the corner of the terrace. “ What else can you share? Where does the magic come from?”
“Hmm, not sure,” Viluna said in a soft voice. “The source of the magic comes to from the moons of Thalassar. There are thirteen of them orbiting the planet and each one of them provides a person with a specific power. Every being born on Thalassar has a connection with at least one and that’s how they are able to make basic spells like light spheres, a small burst of fire, heal minor wounds, and so on.” Viluna spoke and danced around Karina’s head as she listened carefully.
“More skilled mages, healers, enchanters, and so on, have a connection to several moons and use their powers to create and cast unique spells. Even to this day people are able to think of new ways to cast and create new spells. It’s way more complex than that, but it’s all I am able to share for now, that information you can gather by asking almost anyone on the street and it can’t hurt the kingdom.”
“Woah, that’s interesting,” Karina said her eyes full of wonder. “Can someone have a connection to all of the moons?” Karina asked curiously.
“No, that’s unheard of,” Viluna answered landing on her knee. “Powerful magic users most have around five to six connections, the highest anyone ever had was ten, but it is more a myth than a confirmed fact, we don’t have any evidence that Xandros the Second had that ability.”
“Hmm,” Karina said taking in everything her little companion shared with her. “I am sorry, I just realized I never asked you for your name.”
“We Viluna’s don’t have names, but you are free to name me and call me whatever you like,”
“Ok, how about Lumina,” Karina asked right away. “Don’t know why but that name suits you.”
“I like it,” Lumina said her form shifting slightly.
Karina continued to ask a question to Lumina as she overlooked the busy gardens of the Royal Palace. An hour had passed in a blink and a knock from a door cut their conversation.
“Excuse me, Mistress Karina,” a soft voice said with a polite tone. “It’s Nereia, I brought your gown.”
Karina opened the door and welcomed the girl with a warm smile. “Come on in,” She said opening the door wide.
“I am afraid I can’t, they need us down to get everything ready for the feast tonight.” She said. “Here is your gown, get ready and I will come to get you in less than an hour and lead you towards the banquet hall.” Nereia handed her the gown and left.
Karina looked at the gown in awe as she held it in her hands, without hesitation she put the gown on. It was a beautiful, flowing creation made of the finest silk, with intricate embroidery and beading in shades of turquoise and silver. The sleeves were sheer, with delicate lace trimming, and the bodice hugged her curves before cascading down into a billowing skirt that trailed behind her as she walked.
It wasn’t her style at all, she was more of street clothes kinda a girl, but looking at herself in the mirror, she was blown away. She made a few turns looking at the dress from all angles. This kind of dress would cost her fortune back on earth. She found a few silver clips on the desk and styled her hair as best she could to go along with the dress.
A few moments later, Nereia arrived at the door, dressed in a lovely gown of her own, visibly less luxurious than the one Karina got. "You look stunning, Mistress Karina," she said with a smile. "Are you ready to go?"
Karina nodded, feeling a bit nervous but excited as well. She followed Nereia down the hallway, her long gown trailing behind her as they made their way toward the banquet hall. As they walked, Karina couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the palace once again. Every inch of it was adorned with intricate carvings, sparkling jewels, and delicate tapestries.
Finally, they arrived at the banquet hall. The hall was massive, with soaring ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and walls adorned with shimmering gold decorations. The tables were covered in rich, embroidered cloths, and gleaming silverware sparkled in the light of the glowing spheres floating above the table.
The guests were already arriving, each one more elegantly dressed than the last. They were all talking and laughing, their voices echoing off the grand walls of the hall. Karina felt a bit intimidated, but Nereia squeezed her arm reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Mistress Karina," she whispered. "I know feasts like these can look intimidating, but you humans are the stars of the show."
With that, she led Karina toward their assigned table where most of the humans would sit this evening. Nereia took a seat next to her and on the other side, she recognized a girl from their program wearing a similar gown.
“Hey,” Karina said softly. “How are taking all of this?”
“Hey Karina, it’s overwhelming, but everything is beautiful so far, can’t complain,” Clarissa answered. “How about you?”
“Same,” Karina answered and they continued with small talk before the soft music that was playing stopped and people started standing up. Nereia slowly tugged at her arm pointing for the stand as well. Seconds later prince Kaelen walked into the hall with a beautiful woman under his arm. She was stunningly beautiful, with long golden hair that cascaded down her back in loose waves. Her dress was a shimmering ivory color, with delicate beading that sparkled in the candlelight.
Karina couldn't help but notice the intricate braids woven into the woman's hair, forming an elegant and intricate pattern that must have taken hours to create. Her makeup was subtle, but enhanced her natural beauty, with a soft pink lip and just a touch of blush on her cheeks.
“That’s Zaya, Kaelen’s bride-to-be,” Nereia said.
“She is beautiful,” Karina answered truthfully.
“Yes, she is amongst the most beautiful women in the kingdom. Kaelen chose her instead of marrying someone from his family provided in order to establish better relations with other kingdoms. It was a big deal at the time, but that’s prince Kaelen, he always does what he wants.” Nereia explained and Karina just nodded looking at the stunning couple.
“What’s the prince like?” Karina asked.
“He always stood out from the Royal Family. He is a bit eccentric, he likes to party, and travel, and isn’t really that much interested in Family matters.” Nereia said as the couple took a seat at the main table. “Bringing you guys here with this Citizens Exchange program is his way of proving his worth to the kingdom and his family.”
“How so?” Karina asked curiously.
“He doesn’t believe in his family policy of war and old-style politics. He believes both planets could benefit from each other if we set our differences aside and work together. The King was not for this program at all, but the prince managed to convince him otherwise with the help of his Mother.” Karina nodded in understanding and minutes later waiters started serving dinner.
Karina was serving a weird purple-looking fruit or vegetable, she wasn’t sure. “What’s this?” She asked Nereia.
“That’s Nemoryn fruit, it’s one of the best delicates in the Thalassar and only grown on one small island,” Nereia said. “It’s usually served only on big banquets and before the main course as this fruit is known to open the appetite and help dissolve the rest of the food easier.”
“And how do you eat it?” Karina asked poking at the fruit with her knife.
Neremia chuckled softly. “You cut off top and the bottom and then peel the leathery exterior.”
Karina did as told and the inside revealed a pink, jelly-like inside that was filled with small, edible seeds.
“You can eat it all, it’s ok to eat it with the spoon,” Nereia said.
Karina nodded and took her spoon taking a bite out of the fruit. It was soft and crunchy at the same time with a mild, sweet, and subtly bitter flavor. It began to melt into a liquid inside her mouth and the taste reminded of lime and coconut mixed together.
“Woah, this is delicious,” Karina said and took another bite. “Your food is truly amazing.”
Nereia smiled. “Yes it is, but you also are getting the best of the best, keep that in mind.” She said with a smile and Karina nodded her mouth full of delicious fruit.
The rest of the banquet went as expected, they ate amazing food, Karina made small talk with the rest of the humans, and spent most of the night chatting with Nereia, who proved to be rather curious about humans once she loosened up. Prince Kaelen provided them with a whole night of entertainment, dancers, actors, and entertainers took turns at the podium as the night went away.
Deep into the night when the feast was nearing its end, a loud explosion was heard from the outside and bright light emanated deep from the city which could be seen through the open terrace on one side of the banquet hall. Karina ran towards the terrace but the guards were already at the door prohibiting anyone to exit. Karina managed to peer through the cracks in their massive armor and saw a big flame at the part of the city where they walked earlier in the day.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure it’s nothing.” Prince Kaelen said with a stern voice. “Please leave for your rooms we have our people already investigating the source of the explosion. You will be informed of what happened as soon as we know.” He said and left the banquet hall in the hurry.
Nereia escorted Karina to her room and helped her unzip the dress before she left. Karina sank into a soft bed and her mind started racing with everything that happened today, but before the thought could consume her, tiredness took over and she sank into a deep sleep.
She was awakened by the commotion outside her terrace early in the morning. She ran and looked outside and saw Prince Kaelen talking with a man in a uniform she hasn’t seen so far, he had dozens of soldiers at his side. She quickly got dressed into the clothes she came in and went downstairs to look for Nereia.
“What’s going on?” Karina asked as she found the young girl sitting at the bench in the garden.
“Mistress Karina, you are awake,” Nereia said with a smile.
Karina could sense something was off, so she asked again. “What’s going on?”
“I am afraid nothing good,” Nereia said with a worried look on her face. “One of the ships transporting humans was attacked and destroyed last night at the open see.” She said bowing her head down.
“Which one?” Karina asked her heart racing.
“The one transporting your people to military camps,” Nereia said.
Karina’s heart sank in her chest with the realization that it was Liam’s ship. She almost fainted but Nereia took her by arm and helped her sit on the bench. First the explosion last night, then the ship, something was off and it made Karina have almost a full-blown panic attack, but her worry was focused on Liam now, she needed to find out what happened to him and if he was ok.
*****
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I BUY HB Games	with TF2	with PayPal	Currently Active Humble Bundle?
- Ratz Instagib -	0.8 TF2	$1.7 PP	-
140	0.6 TF2	$1.15 PP	-
20XX	0.4 TF2	$0.88 PP	-
5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel	2.5 TF2	$5.14 PP	-
60 Parsecs!	0.8 TF2	$1.55 PP	-
7 Billion Humans	1.4 TF2	$2.9 PP	-
7 Days to Die	1.0 TF2	$2.13 PP	-
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game - Digital Edition	1.7 TF2	$3.44 PP	-
A Hat in Time	4.5 TF2	$9.16 PP	-
A Juggler's Tale	0.5 TF2	$1.06 PP	-
A Plague Tale: Innocence	1.5 TF2	$3.04 PP	-
ABZU	1.6 TF2	$3.25 PP	-
AMID EVIL	0.6 TF2	$1.17 PP	-
AO Tennis 2	0.8 TF2	$1.57 PP	-
Absolver	0.8 TF2	$1.72 PP	-
Age of Empires Definitive Edition	1.0 TF2	$1.97 PP	-
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition	1.7 TF2	$3.53 PP	-
Age of Wonders III Collection	0.9 TF2	$1.84 PP	-
Age of Wonders: Planetfall - Deluxe Edition	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Age of Wonders: Planetfall	0.5 TF2	$1.01 PP	-
Airport CEO	1.0 TF2	$2.13 PP	-
Alan Wake Collector's Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.65 PP	-
Alien: Isolation	1.7 TF2	$3.45 PP	-
Aliens: Colonial Marines Collection	1.3 TF2	$2.58 PP	-
Among Us	1.5 TF2	$3.02 PP	-
Among the Sleep - Enhanced Edition	0.4 TF2	$0.85 PP	-
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey	2.1 TF2	$4.21 PP	-
Aragami	0.5 TF2	$0.94 PP	-
Arizona Sunshine	2.1 TF2	$4.21 PP	-
Arma 3 Apex Edition	1.6 TF2	$3.3 PP	-
Arma 3 Contact Edition	2.4 TF2	$4.89 PP	-
Arma 3 Jets	0.9 TF2	$1.9 PP	-
Arma 3 Marksmen	0.8 TF2	$1.66 PP	-
Arma 3	1.8 TF2	$3.63 PP	-
Assetto Corsa Competizione	2.6 TF2	$5.36 PP	-
Assetto Corsa Ultimate Edition	2.7 TF2	$5.56 PP	-
Automobilista 2	3.4 TF2	$6.89 PP	-
Autonauts	0.4 TF2	$0.85 PP	-
BATTLETECH - Mercenary Collection	1.4 TF2	$2.88 PP	-
BIGFOOT	3.7 TF2	$7.55 PP	-
BIOMUTANT	1.4 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$2.77 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Humble Choice (Mar 2023)
BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE	0.6 TF2	$1.23 PP	-
BROFORCE	1.1 TF2	$2.24 PP	-
Baba Is You	1.6 TF2	$3.31 PP	-
Back 4 Blood	4.6 TF2	$9.41 PP	-
Bad North: Jotunn Edition	0.9 TF2	$1.76 PP	-
Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition	0.4 TF2	$0.72 PP	-
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition	0.4 TF2	$0.86 PP	-
Bang-On Balls: Chronicles	3.0 TF2	$6.12 PP	-
Banished	2.1 TF2	$4.4 PP	-
Barotrauma	5.0 TF2	$10.15 PP	-
Batman - The Telltale Series	0.9 TF2	$1.9 PP	-
Batman Arkham Collection	1.2 TF2	$2.44 PP	-
Batman: Arkham Knight	0.6 TF2	$1.13 PP	-
Batman: The Enemy Within - The Telltale Series	1.0 TF2	$2.02 PP	-
Batman™: Arkham Knight Premium Edition	1.8 TF2	$3.74 PP	-
Batman™: Arkham Origins	0.6 TF2	$1.24 PP	-
Batman™: Arkham VR	0.7 TF2	$1.5 PP	-
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada II	1.6 TF2	$3.22 PP	-
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada	0.8 TF2	$1.74 PP	-
Battlezone Gold Edition	2.1 TF2	$4.26 PP	-
Besiege	1.6 TF2	$3.23 PP	-
Beyond Blue	1.9 TF2	$3.99 PP	-
Beyond The Wire	0.4 TF2	$0.8 PP	-
Beyond Two Souls	1.7 TF2	$3.57 PP	-
BioShock Collection	1.1 TF2	$2.2 PP	-
BioShock Infinite	0.9 TF2	$1.8 PP	-
Bioshock Infinite: Season Pass	0.8 TF2	$1.54 PP	-
Blair Witch	1.1 TF2	$2.27 PP	-
Blasphemous	1.0 TF2	$2.0 PP	-
Blood Bowl 2 - Legendary Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.62 PP	-
Blood Bowl 2	0.5 TF2	$1.01 PP	-
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night	1.8 TF2	$3.6 PP	-
Boomerang Fu	0.6 TF2	$1.28 PP	-
Borderlands 2 VR	6.3 TF2	$12.87 PP	-
Borderlands 2	0.9 TF2	$1.9 PP	-
Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition	3.0 TF2	$6.1 PP	-
Borderlands 3	1.5 TF2	$3.01 PP	-
Borderlands 3: Director's Cut	1.4 TF2	$2.86 PP	-
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection	3.1 TF2	$6.32 PP	-
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel	0.6 TF2	$1.16 PP	-
Brutal Legend	0.6 TF2	$1.22 PP	-
Bully: Scholarship Edition	3.0 TF2	$6.13 PP	-
Bus Simulator 18	1.7 TF2	$3.56 PP	-
CHUCHEL Cherry Edition	0.5 TF2	$0.97 PP	-
Call of Cthulhu	0.8 TF2	$1.57 PP	-
Call of Duty: WWII	11.5 TF2	$23.51 PP	-
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger	0.6 TF2	$1.16 PP	-
Call to Arms - Basic Edition	2.4 TF2	$4.89 PP	-
Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront	5.5 TF2	$11.21 PP	-
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018	0.8 TF2	$1.57 PP	-
Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics	0.6 TF2	$1.22 PP	-
Celeste	2.1 TF2	$4.22 PP	-
Chess Ultra	0.7 TF2	$1.46 PP	-
Children of Morta	0.8 TF2	$1.55 PP	-
Chivalry 2	3.4 TF2	$6.88 PP	-
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare	0.5 TF2	$1.06 PP	-
Chronicon	1.6 TF2	$3.25 PP	-
Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition	1.5 TF2	$3.0 PP	-
Clone Drone in the Danger Zone	3.1 TF2	$6.43 PP	-
Code Vein	1.6 TF2	$3.28 PP	-
Coffee Talk	2.1 TF2	$4.21 PP	-
Company of Heroes 2 - Ardennes Assault	1.8 TF2	$3.79 PP	-
Company of Heroes 2 - The Western Front Armies	0.9 TF2	$1.76 PP	-
Company of Heroes 2: Master Collection	6.1 TF2	$12.54 PP	-
Company of Heroes Complete Pack	5.5 TF2	$11.3 PP	-
Company of Heroes	1.6 TF2	$3.35 PP	-
Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts	0.8 TF2	$1.63 PP	-
Conan Exiles	1.6 TF2	$3.28 PP	-
Construction Simulator 2015	1.2 TF2	$2.48 PP	-
Contagion	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Control Ultimate Edition	1.3 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$2.63 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Humble Heroines: Warriors, Dreamers, and God Slayers
Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy	8.1 TF2	$16.51 PP	-
Crawl	1.7 TF2	$3.56 PP	-
Creaks	0.4 TF2	$0.74 PP	-
Creed: Rise to Glory™	2.2 TF2	$4.53 PP	-
Crusader Kings II: Royal Collection	2.7 TF2	$5.55 PP	-
Crusader Kings III	4.0 TF2	$8.11 PP	-
CryoFall	0.4 TF2	$0.78 PP	-
Crysis® 2 Maximum Edition	0.9 TF2	$1.76 PP	-
Cultist Simulator Anthology Edition	2.4 TF2	$4.89 PP	-
Cultist Simulator	0.7 TF2	$1.41 PP	-
DEATHLOOP	2.1 TF2	$4.23 PP	-
DIRT 5	3.4 TF2	$6.89 PP	-
DMC - Devil May Cry	0.6 TF2	$1.17 PP	-
DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ - Ultimate Edition	3.8 TF2	$7.76 PP	-
DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2	1.7 TF2	$3.44 PP	-
DRAGONBALL XENOVERSE Bundle Edition	1.1 TF2	$2.32 PP	-
DRIFT21	0.5 TF2	$1.03 PP	-
Dark Deity	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin	8.4 TF2	$17.12 PP	-
Dark Souls III	13.0 TF2	$26.68 PP	-
Darkest Dungeon	0.6 TF2	$1.3 PP	-
Darksiders Genesis	1.2 TF2	$2.39 PP	-
Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition	0.6 TF2	$1.2 PP	-
Darksiders III	0.9 TF2	$1.76 PP	-
Day of the Tentacle Remastered	0.4 TF2	$0.92 PP	-
DayZ	6.1 TF2	$12.54 PP	-
Dead Estate	1.6 TF2	$3.23 PP	-
Dead Island - Definitive Edition	0.9 TF2	$1.82 PP	-
Dead Island Definitive Collection	1.6 TF2	$3.27 PP	-
Dead Island Riptide - Definitive Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.73 PP	-
Dead Rising 2: Off the Record	1.1 TF2	$2.16 PP	-
Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition	2.0 TF2	$4.17 PP	-
Dead Rising 4	0.8 TF2	$1.71 PP	-
Dead Rising	1.0 TF2	$2.0 PP	-
Dead Rising® 2	1.0 TF2	$2.11 PP	-
Death Road to Canada	0.6 TF2	$1.21 PP	-
Death's Gambit	0.7 TF2	$1.45 PP	-
Deep Rock Galactic	3.9 TF2	$7.96 PP	-
Descenders	0.4 TF2	$0.9 PP	-
Desperados III	1.1 TF2	$2.24 PP	-
Destroy All Humans	0.7 TF2	$1.42 PP	-
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut	0.9 TF2	$1.92 PP	-
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided	1.1 TF2	$2.23 PP	-
Devil May Cry HD Collection	1.4 TF2	$2.9 PP	-
Devil May Cry® 4 Special Edition	1.4 TF2	$2.91 PP	-
Dinosaur Fossil Hunter	0.4 TF2	$0.92 PP	-
Distance	0.8 TF2	$1.54 PP	-
Distant Worlds: Universe	0.6 TF2	$1.3 PP	-
Doom Eternal	2.0 TF2	$4.19 PP	-
Door Kickers	1.1 TF2	$2.2 PP	-
Dorfromantik	2.0 TF2	$4.04 PP	-
Dragon Ball FighterZ	1.7 TF2	$3.54 PP	-
Dragons Dogma - Dark Arisen	0.8 TF2	$1.67 PP	-
Drake Hollow	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Drone Swarm	0.5 TF2	$0.98 PP	-
Duck Game	2.3 TF2	$4.7 PP	-
Dungeon Defenders: Awakened	3.7 TF2	$7.55 PP	-
Dungreed	0.9 TF2	$1.83 PP	-
Dusk	1.1 TF2	$2.24 PP	-
Duskers	0.5 TF2	$1.01 PP	-
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair	2.3 TF2	$4.63 PP	-
ELEX	0.7 TF2	$1.5 PP	-
EVERSPACE™	0.8 TF2	$1.6 PP	-
Elite: Dangerous	1.3 TF2	$2.65 PP	-
Endzone - A World Apart	0.7 TF2	$1.34 PP	-
Exanima	2.4 TF2	$4.82 PP	-
FTL: Faster Than Light	1.3 TF2	$2.58 PP	-
Fable Anniversary	2.7 TF2	$5.56 PP	-
Fallout 76	1.6 TF2	$3.23 PP	-
Fantasy General II	0.5 TF2	$0.97 PP	-
Farming Simulator 17	0.5 TF2	$1.08 PP	-
Firefighting Simulator - The Squad	4.0 TF2	$8.26 PP	-
First Class Trouble	0.4 TF2	$0.85 PP	-
For The King	1.1 TF2	$2.23 PP	-
Forager	1.4 TF2	$2.86 PP	-
Forts	2.7 TF2	$5.55 PP	-
Friday the 13th: The Game	2.4 TF2	$4.89 PP	-
Frostpunk	1.2 TF2	$2.5 PP	-
Full Metal Furies	0.6 TF2	$1.16 PP	-
Furi	0.8 TF2	$1.54 PP	-
GOD EATER 2 Rage Burst	1.1 TF2	$2.25 PP	-
GRID - Ultimate	1.0 TF2	$2.04 PP	-
GRIS	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Gamedec	0.4 TF2	$0.77 PP	-
Gang Beasts	3.0 TF2	$6.15 PP	-
Garden Paws	0.9 TF2	$1.77 PP	-
Gas Station Simulator	1.5 TF2	$3.07 PP	-
Gears 5	4.7 TF2	$9.54 PP	-
Gears Tactics	4.3 TF2	$8.86 PP	-
Generation Zero®	1.2 TF2	$2.45 PP	-
Genital Jousting	0.5 TF2	$1.09 PP	-
Goat Simulator	0.4 TF2	$0.92 PP	-
Godlike Burger	1.4 TF2	$2.89 PP	-
Golf With Your Friends	1.2 TF2	$2.37 PP	-
Gordian Quest	1.7 TF2	$3.51 PP	-
Gotham Knights	5.3 TF2	$10.88 PP	-
GreedFall	0.7 TF2	$1.34 PP	-
Grim Dawn	2.2 TF2	$4.61 PP	-
Grim Fandango Remastered	0.5 TF2	$1.11 PP	-
Guacamelee! 2	0.6 TF2	$1.28 PP	-
HITMAN™2 Gold Edition	2.8 TF2	$5.83 PP	-
HIVESWAP: Act 2	2.0 TF2	$4.16 PP	-
HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™	1.5 TF2	$3.16 PP	-
Hacknet	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Haiku, the Robot	1.5 TF2	$3.14 PP	-
Hard Bullet	1.0 TF2	$2.1 PP	-
Hearts of Iron III Collection	0.5 TF2	$1.04 PP	-
Hearts of Iron IV: Battle for the Bosporus	1.5 TF2	$3.08 PP	-
Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet Edition	1.6 TF2	$3.27 PP	-
Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor	0.8 TF2	$1.72 PP	-
Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger	1.5 TF2	$3.0 PP	-
Heave Ho	0.6 TF2	$1.15 PP	-
Heavy Rain	1.8 TF2	$3.63 PP	-
Hell Let Loose	8.1 TF2	$16.51 PP	-
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice	0.9 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$1.84 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Humble Heroines: Warriors, Dreamers, and God Slayers
Hello, Neighbor!	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Hero's Hour	1.1 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$2.23 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Humble Choice (Mar 2023)
Heroes of Hammerwatch	0.6 TF2	$1.13 PP	-
Hitman Absolution	0.8 TF2	$1.6 PP	-
Hitman Blood Money	0.7 TF2	$1.36 PP	-
Hitman Game of the Year Edition	1.2 TF2	$2.53 PP	-
Hollow Knight	2.6 TF2	$5.4 PP	-
Homefront: The Revolution	0.9 TF2	$1.78 PP	-
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak	0.4 TF2	$0.78 PP	-
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Digital Special Edition	0.5 TF2	$1.09 PP	-
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number	0.5 TF2	$1.0 PP	-
Hotline Miami	0.8 TF2	$1.57 PP	-
House Flipper VR	0.9 TF2	$1.76 PP	-
House Flipper	2.1 TF2	$4.26 PP	-
Human: Fall Flat	0.7 TF2	$1.52 PP	-
HuniePop	0.4 TF2	$0.9 PP	-
Huntdown	1.3 TF2	$2.57 PP	-
Hurtworld	2.0 TF2	$4.09 PP	-
Hyper Light Drifter	1.4 TF2	$2.93 PP	-
Hypnospace Outlaw	0.7 TF2	$1.47 PP	-
I Am Fish	0.4 TF2	$0.83 PP	-
I Expect You To Die	1.3 TF2	$2.7 PP	-
I-NFECTED	6.0 TF2	$12.38 PP	-
INSURGENCY	1.6 TF2	$3.26 PP	-
Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition	1.0 TF2	$2.12 PP	-
Imperator: Rome	0.5 TF2	$1.01 PP	-
Injustice 2 Legendary Edition	1.2 TF2	$2.54 PP	-
Injustice 2	0.7 TF2	$1.51 PP	-
Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition	0.7 TF2	$1.36 PP	-
Into the Radius VR	5.2 TF2	$10.76 PP	-
Ion Fury	1.5 TF2	$3.09 PP	-
Iron Harvest	0.9 TF2	$1.83 PP	-
Jalopy	0.5 TF2	$1.06 PP	-
Job Simulator	8.9 TF2	$18.19 PP	-
Jurassic World Evolution 2	1.7 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$3.49 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Humble Choice (Mar 2023)
Jurassic World Evolution	0.4 TF2	$0.92 PP	-
Just Cause 2	0.5 TF2	$1.05 PP	-
Just Cause 3 XXL Edition	1.0 TF2	$2.13 PP	-
Just Cause 4: Complete Edition	1.0 TF2	$2.09 PP	-
KartKraft	3.0 TF2	$6.2 PP	-
Katamari Damacy REROLL	1.1 TF2	$2.23 PP	-
Katana ZERO	1.0 TF2	$2.09 PP	-
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes	2.6 TF2	$5.43 PP	-
Kerbal Space Program	1.4 TF2	$2.84 PP	-
Killer Instinct	6.0 TF2	$12.21 PP	-
Killing Floor 2 Digital Deluxe Edition	0.9 TF2	$1.88 PP	-
Killing Floor 2	0.6 TF2	$1.18 PP	-
Killing Floor	0.6 TF2	$1.18 PP	-
Kingdom Come: Deliverance	1.5 TF2	$3.0 PP	-
Kingdom: Two Crowns	0.9 TF2	$1.76 PP	-
King’s Bounty : Ultimate Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.73 PP	-
LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Premium Edition	0.5 TF2	$1.09 PP	-
LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham	0.4 TF2	$0.83 PP	-
LEGO Batman Trilogy	1.4 TF2	$2.93 PP	-
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4	0.5 TF2	$1.04 PP	-
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7	0.7 TF2	$1.5 PP	-
LEGO Lord of the Rings	0.5 TF2	$0.94 PP	-
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars	0.5 TF2	$1.01 PP	-
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga	0.5 TF2	$1.04 PP	-
LEGO® City Undercover	0.7 TF2	$1.53 PP	-
LEGO® DC Super-Villains Deluxe Edition	1.9 TF2	$3.9 PP	-
LEGO® DC Super-Villains	0.4 TF2	$0.84 PP	-
LEGO® Jurassic World™	0.4 TF2	$0.82 PP	-
LEGO® MARVEL's Avengers	0.4 TF2	$0.76 PP	-
LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2 Deluxe Edition	1.1 TF2	$2.34 PP	-
LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2	0.4 TF2	$0.9 PP	-
LEGO® Ninjago® Movie Video Game	0.3 TF2	$0.71 PP	-
LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens	0.6 TF2	$1.18 PP	-
LEGO® Worlds	1.8 TF2	$3.6 PP	-
Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective	0.7 TF2	$1.46 PP	-
Lake	0.8 TF2	$1.62 PP	-
Last Oasis	0.6 TF2	$1.13 PP	-
Late Shift	0.5 TF2	$0.97 PP	-
Layers of Fear 2	3.5 TF2	$7.1 PP	-
Layers of Fear	0.5 TF2	$1.08 PP	-
Legion TD 2	1.0 TF2	$1.97 PP	-
Len's Island	3.7 TF2	$7.53 PP	-
Lethal League Blaze	0.9 TF2	$1.9 PP	-
Lethal League	0.8 TF2	$1.54 PP	-
Library Of Ruina	3.1 TF2	$6.36 PP	-
Life is Feudal: Your Own	0.4 TF2	$0.83 PP	-
Little Misfortune	3.4 TF2	$6.89 PP	-
Little Nightmares Complete Edition	1.6 TF2	$3.26 PP	-
Little Nightmares	0.8 TF2	$1.64 PP	-
Lobotomy Corporation Monster Management Simulation	5.0 TF2	$10.21 PP	-
Lords of the Fallen Game of the Year Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.7 PP	-
Lost Ember	1.3 TF2	$2.73 PP	-
Lost Planet™: Extreme Condition	0.9 TF2	$1.81 PP	-
Luck be a Landlord	2.7 TF2	$5.47 PP	-
METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN	0.8 TF2	$1.55 PP	-
METAL GEAR SOLID V: The Definitive Experience	1.2 TF2	$2.55 PP	-
MORTAL KOMBAT 11	1.6 TF2	$3.23 PP	-
MX vs ATV Reflex	0.4 TF2	$0.8 PP	-
MX vs. ATV Unleashed	0.4 TF2	$0.73 PP	-
Mad Max	1.3 TF2	$2.58 PP	-
Mafia II: Definitive Edition	1.3 TF2	$2.64 PP	-
Mafia III: Definitive Edition	2.0 TF2	$4.0 PP	-
Mafia: Definitive Edition	2.2 TF2	$4.55 PP	-
Maneater	0.5 TF2	$1.09 PP	-
Manhunt	1.2 TF2	$2.53 PP	-
Mars Horizon	1.0 TF2	$2.04 PP	-
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite - Deluxe Edition	2.8 TF2	$5.79 PP	-
Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition	6.6 TF2	$13.54 PP	-
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne	0.6 TF2	$1.2 PP	-
Max Payne	0.9 TF2	$1.88 PP	-
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries	2.4 TF2	$4.91 PP	-
Medal of Honor	2.0 TF2	$4.14 PP	-
Mega Man Legacy Collection	0.6 TF2	$1.25 PP	-
Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - Deluxe Edition	1.1 TF2	$2.3 PP	-
Men of War: Assault Squad 2 War Chest Edition	1.0 TF2	$1.97 PP	-
Men of War: Assault Squad 2	1.0 TF2	$1.97 PP	-
Messenger	0.4 TF2	$0.9 PP	-
Metro 2033 Redux	0.6 TF2	$1.31 PP	-
Metro Exodus	1.6 TF2	$3.23 PP	-
Metro Redux Bundle	1.1 TF2	$2.3 PP	-
Metro: Last Light Redux	1.1 TF2	$2.23 PP	-
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Game of the Year Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.64 PP	-
Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™	0.7 TF2	$1.44 PP	-
Middleearth Shadow of War Definitive Edition	1.2 TF2	$2.5 PP	-
Mini Ninjas	0.5 TF2	$0.94 PP	-
Miscreated	1.4 TF2	$2.88 PP	-
Monster Hunter: World	3.5 TF2	$7.27 PP	-
Monster Sanctuary	0.5 TF2	$0.96 PP	-
Monster Train	0.4 TF2	$0.78 PP	-
Moonlighter	0.5 TF2	$0.93 PP	-
Moons of Madness	1.8 TF2	$3.74 PP	-
Mordhau	1.5 TF2	$3.04 PP	-
Mortal Kombat X	0.8 TF2	$1.56 PP	-
Mortal Kombat XL	0.9 TF2	$1.9 PP	-
Mortal Shell	1.6 TF2	$3.18 PP	-
Motorcycle Mechanic Simulator 2021	0.9 TF2	$1.87 PP	-
Motorsport Manager	1.1 TF2	$2.24 PP	-
Move or Die	1.0 TF2	$2.01 PP	-
Moving Out	0.7 TF2	$1.49 PP	-
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden - Deluxe Edition	1.5 TF2	$3.04 PP	-
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden	0.9 TF2	$1.93 PP	-
My Friend Pedro	0.6 TF2	$1.27 PP	-
My Time At Portia	0.5 TF2	$0.97 PP	-
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4 Road to Boruto	2.2 TF2	$4.46 PP	-
NASCAR Heat 5 - Ultimate Edition	0.4 TF2	$0.92 PP	-
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4	1.8 TF2	$3.59 PP	-
Naruto to Boruto Shinobi Striker - Deluxe Edition	1.3 TF2	$2.63 PP	-
Necromunda: Hired Gun	0.8 TF2	$1.56 PP	-
Neon Abyss	0.5 TF2	$0.98 PP	-
Ni no Kuni™ II: Revenant Kingdom - The Prince's Edition	2.3 TF2	$4.74 PP	-
Nine Parchments	1.5 TF2	$3.0 PP	-
No Time to Relax	1.7 TF2	$3.57 PP	-
Northgard	4.2 TF2	$8.55 PP	-
Not For Broadcast	0.5 TF2	$1.01 PP	-
ONE PIECE BURNING BLOOD	0.8 TF2	$1.72 PP	-
ONE PIECE PIRATE WARRIORS 3 Gold Edition	1.1 TF2	$2.16 PP	-
Offworld Trading Company™	0.7 TF2	$1.44 PP	-
One Step From Eden	0.5 TF2	$0.98 PP	-
Opus Magnum	1.2 TF2	$2.56 PP	-
Orcs Must Die! 3	2.0 TF2	$4.19 PP	-
Outlast 2	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Outlast	0.5 TF2	$0.95 PP	-
Outward	1.4 TF2	$2.91 PP	-
Overcooked! 2	1.5 TF2	$3.1 PP	-
Overgrowth	0.5 TF2	$1.09 PP	-
Overlord II	0.4 TF2	$0.84 PP	-
PC Building Simulator	0.8 TF2	$1.74 PP	-
Paint the Town Red	2.1 TF2	$4.23 PP	-
Parkitect	4.6 TF2	$9.43 PP	-
Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Enhanced Plus Edition	1.1 TF2	$2.2 PP	-
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous	1.1 TF2	$2.24 PP	-
Pathologic 2	0.7 TF2	$1.47 PP	-
Per Aspera	0.7 TF2	$1.52 PP	-
Pillars of Eternity Definitive Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.55 PP	-
Pistol Whip	7.8 TF2	$15.92 PP	-
Plague Inc: Evolved	1.6 TF2	$3.28 PP	-
Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition	0.4 TF2	$0.79 PP	-
Planet Coaster	1.7 TF2	$3.49 PP	-
Planet Zoo	1.8 TF2	$3.79 PP	-
Planetary Annihilation: TITANS	4.7 TF2	$9.55 PP	-
Portal Knights	0.9 TF2	$1.77 PP	-
PowerBeatsVR	1.0 TF2	$1.97 PP	-
PowerSlave Exhumed	1.7 TF2	$3.54 PP	-
Praey for the Gods	0.7 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$1.44 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Humble Heroines: Warriors, Dreamers, and God Slayers
Prehistoric Kingdom	1.4 TF2	$2.9 PP	-
Pro Cycling Manager 2019	1.3 TF2	$2.58 PP	-
Project Cars 3	10.8 TF2	$22.11 PP	-
Project Hospital	2.4 TF2	$4.84 PP	-
Project Wingman	1.1 TF2	$2.24 PP	-
Project Winter	1.0 TF2	$1.97 PP	-
Pumpkin Jack	0.4 TF2	$0.91 PP	-
Quantum Break	1.6 TF2	$3.23 PP	-
RESIDENT EVIL 3	2.2 TF2	$4.49 PP	-
RUGBY 20	1.2 TF2	$2.55 PP	-
RUINER	0.4 TF2	$0.85 PP	-
RWBY: Grimm Eclipse	3.2 TF2	$6.56 PP	-
Ragnaröck	3.3 TF2	$6.8 PP	-
Rain World	1.4 TF2	$2.83 PP	-
Raw Data	1.0 TF2	$2.15 PP	-
Re:Legend	1.0 TF2	$2.09 PP	-
Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered	0.5 TF2	$0.97 PP	-
Red Matter	4.3 TF2	$8.83 PP	-
Resident Evil / biohazard HD REMASTER	0.9 TF2	$1.86 PP	-
Resident Evil 0 / biohazard 0 HD Remaster	0.6 TF2	$1.3 PP	-
Resident Evil 5 GOLD Edition	1.4 TF2	$2.83 PP	-
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Resident Evil 6	1.4 TF2	$2.82 PP	-
Resident Evil: Revelations 2 Deluxe Edition	2.1 TF2	$4.23 PP	-
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Retro Machina	0.5 TF2	$1.01 PP	-
Rising Storm 2: Vietnam	0.6 TF2	$1.22 PP	-
River City Girls	1.4 TF2	$2.91 PP	-
Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos	0.5 TF2	$1.11 PP	-
RollerCoaster Tycoon Deluxe	1.0 TF2	$2.1 PP	-
Rollercoaster Tycoon 2: Triple Thrill Pack	1.8 TF2	$3.63 PP	-
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Running with Rifles	1.9 TF2	$3.86 PP	-
Ryse: Son of Rome	1.7 TF2	$3.49 PP	-
SCUM	2.7 TF2	$5.56 PP	-
SHENZHEN I/O	0.5 TF2	$0.97 PP	-
SOMA	2.1 TF2	$4.21 PP	-
SONG OF HORROR Complete Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.55 PP	-
STAR WARS® THE FORCE UNLEASHED II	0.8 TF2	$1.71 PP	-
STAR WARS™: Squadrons	2.0 TF2	$4.17 PP	-
SUPERHOT VR	2.2 TF2	$4.49 PP	-
SUPERHOT	0.8 TF2	$1.57 PP	-
SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE	0.4 TF2	$0.88 PP	-
Sable	0.5 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$1.04 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Humble Heroines: Warriors, Dreamers, and God Slayers
Saint's Row The Third Remastered	2.2 TF2	$4.48 PP	-
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Saints Row: The Third	0.6 TF2	$1.29 PP	-
Sanctum 2	0.5 TF2	$1.08 PP	-
Satisfactory	6.2 TF2	$12.73 PP	-
Scarlet Nexus	2.6 TF2	$5.39 PP	-
Scribblenauts Unlimited	0.4 TF2	$0.8 PP	-
Secret Neighbor	0.6 TF2	$1.2 PP	-
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Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem	2.2 TF2	$4.5 PP	-
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Shadow Man Remastered	1.0 TF2	$1.97 PP	-
Shadow Warrior 2	0.8 TF2	$1.73 PP	-
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	3.3 TF2	$6.78 PP	-
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse	0.6 TF2	$1.18 PP	-
Shenmue 3	0.7 TF2	$1.43 PP	-
Shenmue I & II	0.7 TF2	$1.43 PP	-
Shining Resonance Refrain	0.5 TF2	$0.94 PP	-
Sid Meier's Civilization VI : Platinum Edition	2.9 TF2	$5.87 PP	-
Sid Meier's Civilization VI	0.9 TF2	$1.83 PP	-
Sid Meier's Civilization® V: The Complete Edition	2.0 TF2	$4.14 PP	-
Sid Meiers Civilization IV: The Complete Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.74 PP	-
Siege of Centauri	0.6 TF2	$1.15 PP	-
SimCasino	1.2 TF2	$2.54 PP	-
Skullgirls 2nd Encore	1.0 TF2	$1.97 PP	-
Slap City	1.1 TF2	$2.25 PP	-
Slay the Spire	3.0 TF2	$6.22 PP	-
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.57 PP	-
Slime Rancher	1.6 TF2	$3.3 PP	-
Sniper Elite 3	0.7 TF2	$1.37 PP	-
Sniper Elite 4	1.3 TF2	$2.67 PP	-
Sniper Elite V2 Remastered	0.8 TF2	$1.72 PP	-
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Sonic Adventure DX	0.5 TF2	$1.05 PP	-
Sonic Adventure™ 2	0.6 TF2	$1.17 PP	-
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Sorcery! Parts 1 & 2	0.6 TF2	$1.27 PP	-
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Space Engineers	2.3 TF2	$4.65 PP	-
Space Haven	0.6 TF2	$1.33 PP	-
Spec Ops: The Line	0.8 TF2	$1.66 PP	-
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Spirit Of The Island	1.4 TF2	$2.91 PP	-
Splendor	0.7 TF2	$1.34 PP	-
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated	1.3 TF2	$2.63 PP	-
Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy	3.8 TF2	$7.89 PP	-
Star Renegades	1.4 TF2	$2.91 PP	-
Star Trek: Bridge Crew	3.7 TF2	$7.49 PP	-
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Star Wars® Empire at War™: Gold Pack	0.8 TF2	$1.72 PP	-
Starbound	0.8 TF2	$1.7 PP	-
Starpoint Gemini Warlords	1.7 TF2	$3.44 PP	-
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition	3.0 TF2	$6.17 PP	-
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SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech	0.9 TF2	$1.88 PP	-
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Stellaris Galaxy Edition	1.3 TF2	$2.65 PP	-
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Stick Fight: The Game	0.4 TF2	$0.76 PP	-
Strategic Command WWII: World at War	2.1 TF2	$4.21 PP	-
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection	2.4 TF2	$4.82 PP	-
Street Fighter V	0.7 TF2	$1.48 PP	-
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Stronghold 2: Steam Edition	1.0 TF2	$1.95 PP	-
Stronghold Crusader 2	0.7 TF2	$1.43 PP	-
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Styx: Shards Of Darkness	0.6 TF2	$1.29 PP	-
Subnautica	4.2 TF2	$8.65 PP	-
Summer in Mara	0.4 TF2	$0.92 PP	-
Sunless Skies	0.7 TF2	$1.37 PP	-
Sunset Overdrive	1.3 TF2	$2.67 PP	-
Super Meat Boy	0.4 TF2	$0.72 PP	-
Superliminal	2.0 TF2	$4.11 PP	-
Supraland Six Inches Under	1.6 TF2	$3.34 PP	-
Supreme Commander 2	0.9 TF2	$1.93 PP	-
Supreme Commander Forged Alliance	2.0 TF2	$4.17 PP	-
Surgeon Simulator: Experience Reality	0.9 TF2	$1.82 PP	-
Survive the Nights	0.9 TF2	$1.81 PP	-
Surviving the Aftermath	0.5 TF2	$0.95 PP	-
Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet - Complete Edition	5.3 TF2	$10.88 PP	-
Sword Art Online Hollow Realization Deluxe Edition	1.0 TF2	$2.13 PP	-
Syberia: The World Before	0.9 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$1.77 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Humble Heroines: Warriors, Dreamers, and God Slayers
Synth Riders	3.4 TF2	$6.89 PP	-
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TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2	1.7 TF2	$3.56 PP	-
Tales of Berseria	0.9 TF2	$1.76 PP	-
Tales of Symphonia	1.6 TF2	$3.25 PP	-
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Talisman: Digital Edition	0.5 TF2	$0.98 PP	-
Tank Mechanic Simulator	1.0 TF2	$2.14 PP	-
Team Sonic Racing™	1.9 TF2	$3.88 PP	-
Telltale Batman Shadows Edition	0.9 TF2	$1.9 PP	-
Terraforming Mars	0.9 TF2	$1.9 PP	-
Terraria	1.8 TF2	$3.71 PP	-
The Ascent	1.0 TF2	$2.09 PP	-
The Battle of Polytopia	0.4 TF2	$0.9 PP	-
The Beast Inside	0.4 TF2	$0.79 PP	-
The Blackout Club	6.0 TF2	$12.21 PP	-
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope	1.4 TF2	$2.88 PP	-
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The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos	0.5 TF2	$1.08 PP	-
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The Henry Stickmin Collection	0.7 TF2	$1.5 PP	-
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The Jackbox Party Pack 2	2.0 TF2	$4.02 PP	-
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The Jackbox Party Pack 5	3.3 TF2	$6.8 PP	-
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The Jackbox Party Pack	1.1 TF2	$2.33 PP	-
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The Surge 2	0.6 TF2	$1.32 PP	-
The Survivalists	1.0 TF2	$2.0 PP	-
The Talos Principle	0.7 TF2	$1.41 PP	-
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The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series	2.0 TF2	$4.18 PP	-
The Witness	6.9 TF2	$14.09 PP	-
The Wolf Among Us	1.1 TF2	$2.34 PP	-
This War of Mine: Complete Edition	0.8 TF2	$1.56 PP	-
Titan Quest Anniversary Edition	0.7 TF2	$1.36 PP	-
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Torchlight II	0.7 TF2	$1.44 PP	-
Total Tank Simulator	0.4 TF2	$0.79 PP	-
Total War SHOGUN 2	1.6 TF2	$3.34 PP	-
Total War Shogun 2 Collection	1.7 TF2	$3.44 PP	-
Total War: ATTILA	1.9 TF2	$3.95 PP	-
Total War: Empire - Definitive Edition	1.5 TF2	$3.07 PP	-
Total War: Napoleon - Definitive Edition	1.5 TF2	$3.0 PP	-
Total War: Rome II - Emperor Edition	2.5 TF2	$5.17 PP	-
Total War™: WARHAMMER®	3.0 TF2	$6.17 PP	-
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator	3.3 TF2	$6.8 PP	-
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Tour de France 2020	0.6 TF2	$1.33 PP	-
Tower Unite	3.7 TF2	$7.55 PP	-
Trailmakers Deluxe Edition	0.9 TF2	$1.91 PP	-
Trailmakers	0.9 TF2	$1.91 PP	-
Train Simulator Classic	0.7 TF2 Refer To My Other Thread	$1.44 PP Refer To My Other Thread	Train Simulator Classic: On the Fast Track Bundle
Train Station Renovation	0.5 TF2	$0.94 PP	-
Tribes of Midgard	0.7 TF2	$1.53 PP	-
Tricky Towers	2.0 TF2	$4.04 PP	-
Trine 2: Complete Story	1.1 TF2	$2.3 PP	-
Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince	0.9 TF2	$1.82 PP	-
Tropico 5 – Complete Collection	0.8 TF2	$1.65 PP	-
Tropico 6 El-Prez Edition	2.6 TF2	$5.24 PP	-
Tropico 6	2.2 TF2	$4.44 PP	-
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil	0.4 TF2	$0.75 PP	-
Turok	0.4 TF2	$0.81 PP	-
Two Point Hospital	2.3 TF2	$4.65 PP	-
Tyranny - Gold Edition	0.7 TF2	$1.39 PP	-
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Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3	1.6 TF2	$3.37 PP	-
Ultra Street Fighter IV	0.5 TF2	$0.95 PP	-
Undertale	2.0 TF2	$4.19 PP	-
Universe Sandbox	3.5 TF2	$7.16 PP	-
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Until You Fall	0.7 TF2	$1.39 PP	-
VTOL VR	5.0 TF2	$10.16 PP	-
Vacation Simulator	5.0 TF2	$10.21 PP	-
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Valkyria Chronicles 4 Complete Edition	1.2 TF2	$2.38 PP	-
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Vampyr	1.6 TF2	$3.19 PP	-
Verdun	0.4 TF2	$0.87 PP	-
Visage	5.7 TF2	$11.59 PP	-
Viscera Cleanup Detail	2.0 TF2	$4.09 PP	-
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WRC 8 FIA World Rally Championship	1.1 TF2	$2.23 PP	-
Wargame European Escalation	0.3 TF2	$0.71 PP	-
Wargame: Red Dragon	6.4 TF2	$13.18 PP	-
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Master Collection	1.4 TF2	$2.77 PP	-
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Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War	0.6 TF2	$1.23 PP	-
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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Collection	1.6 TF2	$3.3 PP	-
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Warhammer: Chaosbane - Slayer Edition	1.0 TF2	$2.11 PP	-
Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide Collector's Edition	0.7 TF2	$1.34 PP	-
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 - Collector's Edition	1.3 TF2	$2.67 PP	-
Warhammer: Vermintide 2	1.2 TF2	$2.41 PP	-
Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II	0.7 TF2	$1.39 PP	-
Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® III	1.7 TF2	$3.45 PP	-
Warpips	0.8 TF2	$1.54 PP	-
Wasteland 3	1.2 TF2	$2.48 PP	-
We Happy Few	0.8 TF2	$1.54 PP	-
We Need to Go Deeper	1.1 TF2	$2.25 PP	-
We Were Here Too	1.6 TF2	$3.23 PP	-
White Day : a labyrinth named school	0.5 TF2	$1.03 PP	-
Who's Your Daddy	2.1 TF2	$4.23 PP	-
Wingspan	1.0 TF2	$2.04 PP	-
Winkeltje: The Little Shop	1.0 TF2	$2.09 PP	-
Witch It	1.9 TF2	$3.93 PP	-
Wizard of Legend	1.1 TF2	$2.24 PP	-
World War Z: Aftermath	4.0 TF2	$8.2 PP	-
Worms Revolution Gold Edition	0.5 TF2	$1.04 PP	-
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The Hoover ONEPWR Emerge Complete is the latest cordless stick vacuum cleaner with a number of interesting features. The floor brush is equipped with a double roller brush, making it suitable for any floor type. “Clean up everything from crumbs to dirt and pet hair across all floor types with the All-Terrain dual brush roll,” said Hoover when announcing the Hoover ONEPWR Emerge Complete. The floor brush is equipped with LED lighting, making dirt on the floor more visible. Read more: https://www.vacuumtester.com/hoover-onepwr-emerge-complete-launched/

Male, 29, 75.4kg, 178cm tall.
Dear readers,
Would like to have your opinions. Last week I had an unpleasant experience with an ENT doctor I was assigned to. Online I already read bad reviews, but the GP currently had no other way because the complaints are not "urgent". Just have a background in an anxiety disorder (unfortunately due to a medical blooper). Below my pattern of symptoms with dates. My GP suspects labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis and from the ENT I have heard nothing, but no word. Not even a hello was possible. Also, the man would not listen or read to my kept diary. He did complain that he finds it annoying that people always come in thinking they have Meniere's when it is a rare disease. Now I have been referred for an audio test, hyperventilation testing and a balance test. Why? Really have no idea. I have unfortunately received 0 explanation and hope that possibly someone can give me something of a direction as to what happened (now virtually symptom free) or why I may still be getting these tests. Currently I am quite sad about the whole situation after all, as my wedding is in 2 months. My pattern of complaints:
The start
Jan 26/27 Sickness (nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, tightness in the chest etc,) Jan 30 A very brief spinning dizziness. Lasted less than a minute when I turned over in bed. Thought BPPD then, and so did an Epley in bed. The week after I was not completely fit and kept feeling the dizziness from time to time for example with intense exercise, darkness, watching screens or moving objects, also hearing was dull. Didn't think anything crazy of it and just kept on doing everything. Afterward the symptoms looked like a milder or emerging version of the symptoms after the first attack.
On Feb. 9 I had a severe vertigo attack. I had to rush to a friend's house on my break. On the way there I started wobbling more and more and at his house I felt worse and worse. Then I quickly walked home and at home the whole room started spinning. As if I had turned myself up on a swing as a child and then lifted my feet off the floor. I stumbled to the bathroom because I was getting more and more nauseous until I threw up. At first I stayed standing with myself wedged between the two walls, but later I thought it would be smarter to sit down. I emailed my friend that she needed to come quickly and I wanted to see the doctor. After the attack, I was very dizzy and very shocked by the incident. I had started consulting Google because the doctor didn't have time until very late due to the rush. That's where I first read about meniere's and got very worried (very stupid to Google too with an anxiety problem). During the phone consultation, the doctor mentioned that it was probably an inflammation of my inner ear, labyrinthitis.
The weeks after the attack I really had to walk with my friend on the arm for a while in the beginning because of the dizziness and instability. Like the weeks before the attack, I heard everything dull with the left for a while, then tinitus. I also sometimes felt like something of a little fluid was leaking out. In fact, when I walked outside the left felt wet when wind came in. Mental I was still very confused and had little concentration and had a twitching ear muscle (or something?) for a few days. As the days went by I gained a little more confidence and walked larger and larger distances and picked up my work from full again. I also went back to full exercise, calisthenics and started drinking booze. With the wedding planner, things turned very briefly again like the all first incident. I stayed calm and knew that crowded, dark spaces could trigger symptoms in the weeks following the attack.
The symptoms did persist so I sent the doctor to see if it was wise to do everything like this and if there were any physio exercises to create faster stability and speed up the plasticity against the dizziness. However, I was also advised if it persisted to stop by the practice.
On Feb. 27, I went back to work hard in the evening. Worked out for 2 hours after a full day at work and made late with booze the weekend before (stupid). Did a lot of hanging upside down during the workout. Through stretching and handstand push-ups. In the car back my left side started getting all denser again and once home the dizziness started getting worse. At one point I had to go to the bathroom again from nausea. It wasn't spinning like the swing metaphor, but more like being drunk or something. With movement of my head I became nauseous. This moment lasted about 1 to 1.5 hours then I was back in the shower.
The following days I was quite upset. It did not feel like I had to "rehabilitate" as much as after the turn attack. I told my friend again that I felt like some fluid was leaking out again. I remained slightly dizzy, which I was more affected by especially in the evening. Especially mentally I was/am going through a lot of uncertainty and anxiety. I always said my head is my biggest enemy and now it felt like I had lost a battle. I stopped working again and with sports I focus on walking and cardio. Not on calisthenics. The stress and anxiety were very high. But at this moment I am trying to focus on rest.
March 4
By writing this journal, I actually found more peace because everything reads like the stories of labyrinthitis. Not that I took it to articles, but wrote it based on my (whatsapp) conversations with my surroundings and work. Also, my ear still continued to leak slightly after visiting the doctor. Dizziness subsided and now notice it mainly while getting up and later in the evening. It also seems to stick out more in crowded environments. Sometimes I thought I was going crazy that it felt like my ear was leaking. So 1 time I had my girlfriend check it to see if it was wet. This she was able to confirm (yeah, I'm sorry for her). Besides leaking, my girlfriend mentioned once that my ear was all red and warm. That it almost felt heat coming out of it. The other side was just normal and not coming from outside or anything like that.
March 6
Today the dizziness subsided more. Still briefly felt some pressure and seemed to have some fluid coming out again.
March 7
Today the morning starts a little heavier and feels a little full. 10:23 and it feels normal again. Hour later fulllig again and between noon it seemed to leak slightly (like a trickle was leaking or something) then the pressure decreased. 17:00 Pressure is completely gone again. Ear continues to feel a little wet.
March 14
This morning seemed to have another little hot flash. Was lightheaded and dizzy. Almost looked like a much milder version of the 2nd "attack". Also, this was far from similar to the 1st time. Not vomiting or nauseous and had just dressed myself a went downstairs. Also grabbed tea, but then thought it would be better to just lie quietly upstairs. While typing it has already subsided a lot. Slept very badly last night. Couldn't fall asleep and woke up a few times. Yesterday in the early evening I had some more symptoms, but that also subsided. Had no noticeable hearing loss either way. Tinnitus is still present. Sometimes louder than at other times, but not yet disturbing sleep or anything. Rest of the day went just fine again.
March 15
Currently, the dizziness seems to be gone and only something of small pressure can be felt in my head. Tinitus also seems to be a lot less. I do notice a positive line from the first vertigo attack.
March 16
I have a hard time letting go. So I thought I will do a home test to make something more tangible. After all, I understood that a hearing test can show a lot of diseases. So I just did a frequency test at home. You have 2 outcomes in that. Lack in low/mid freqs = pretty much Meniere's. In high freqs, problems in the cochlea, most likely lab. Low I heard everything fine and but at the very higher frequencies (+14000hz) the sound slid towards my right ear. (I got this info from ENT reports)
March 17
Tinnitus remains very mild. The pressure is practically gone now.
As of today
No more tinnitus, only with chewing very slightly (is this even possible?). Mentally I feel part of the world again. Hearing again as I am used to and had no dizziness or instability for more than a week. The anxiety and stress remain high for me only because I have received 0 info or direction from ENT.
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Sorry for my long post. Thank you all in advance. Cheers
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Edit note: Perhaps good to mention. It all started in a pretty stressful period. My car suddenly broke down. While I just started a big project at work that I have to lead. Wedding planning. Major leakage with our new home. The kitchen equipment stopped working as well. Father suddenly with PTSD. So yeah... A little stress

I felt the cold wind slice into my thinning hair as if it were comprised of ethereal razors. I gripped my wounded extremities to the back of a cold metal frame built onto the atv as a ramshackle "oh sh*t handle." In a crude attempt to remain stable on the quaking apparatus as its tires found purchase on the uneven ground, truth be told, I would have wrapped my arms around my liberator for balance, and I am not wholly convinced he would have made sure I had not remained on the chariot for much longer after a move so bold. He remained silent for the entirety of the short trip and seemed to operate the vessel with a decisive focus similar to that of a student who had recently connected with a previously incomprehensible portion of a lesson. The ride concluded moments before nightfall, and what lay before me, illumined by the lights fixed to the front of the vehicle, was a derelict home that seemed out of place within the forrest. as if left there by some incongruous carpenter to be reclaimed again by the earth. Vines had grown up the dwelling in such a way that the strands of plant matter seemed sentient, and they seeped into the cracks and holes that had grown onto the home as scars do on an aging body. The home looked almost as though it was stricken with an unknown infection that only affected inanimate objects. What few windows the shack had were boarded up by scrap plywood, with small dances of flickering light visible through the gaps. A pungent odor leaked from the pores of the cottage, which mixed with the smell of gasoline from a stationary engine placed just to the right of the home's door, creating an olfactory calamity that nearly caused me to wretch immediately after coming into its range. I stared up at the shack in disbelief; this could hardly be called a structure, and judging by the generator placed outside, there was no world in which there was an instrument inside capable of connecting to the internet to send emails back and forth. It didn't take much thought to conclude this was not the Fairhaven Community but instead perhaps an outpost, or, God forbid, this is where I was supposed to stay. Before I opened my mouth to make my grievances known, the man swung his leg over the side of the ATV and motioned me to follow him. "Best we go inside," he muttered, pointing up at the sky. "Ain't the best time to be hangin' round outside." I hopped off to follow and responded, "That's what I keep hearing." I had been warned before of dark forests on other jobs, mostly due to wondering animals or the locals' fear of some long-told story of a cryptid passed down as a warning to children for years. Most of the time I took these warnings with a grain of salt, as they were normally given by any given town's designated drunkard or wise old orator in a typically playful manner during a night of backwoods revelry to welcome me. However, something about the warnings of this forest seemed much more grim and all too real. Perhaps it was my anxious nature, but as the sun fell into the horizon, I began feeling not only uneasy but I had this indescribable feeling of...impending dread, as if the world beneath me was just about to collapse and if I didn't find the warm glow of light before the cosmic radiance of the sun disappeared completely, I wouldn't ever make it to see the next day. In this moment, I would have done anything or gone anywhere to get out of the darkness for a brief moment. I ignored my aforementioned discomfort and followed the man to the door of a home I never would have entered in any other situation. The maker turned and yanked a few times on the cord of the contraption meant to provide power to the home until it let loose a roar that echoed through the valley. It slowed to an idle sputtering, and the home was illumined with an array of eclectic lights securely fixed to surfaces all around the home, wrapping me and my savior in a blanket of light that stood out in the darkening woodland. I could now see the man standing upright in vivid detail. He has a thin frame; however, his arms protruded with bulbus knots that spoke volumes of his physical capabilities. His hairline fell back on his forehead, revealing a deep scar that span its length, and his glasses seemed to not quite fit the way they were supposed to on his withered skull. He wore large boots that looked to be much too large and had been commandeered from a man who had long since lost use of them, and his face carried a sort of aversion. A look that I had come to understand was similar to mine—one that developed from being thrust into a place I had no interest in being. He extended his hand towards me, and I in turn grasped his. His calloused and overworked hands grinded into my blistered hold with an expected grip that could bust open an aluminum can with ease, causing me to wince a little in pain. "Harridson Demp" be muttered upon shaking my hand. "Caleb Hayes," I coughed back through gritted teeth. He pushed at the door, which opened with a droning creak punctuated with a sharp crack when the squeak reached its apex, revealing a dimly lit vestibule that was just big enough for the two of us to fit simultaneously. The walls were decorated with mold and peeled wallpaper, and a slight drip of water could be seen coming from a faucet just an arm's length from the floor. As I stepped inward, I felt my foot sink a little into the decomposing foundation the room was built on, almost as if it were made of half-dry clay. The potent aroma of ammonia formed a poignant wall that sat midway through the room; the air was humid and nearly thick enough to reach out and grasp. I looked over toward the man with an apparently indisputable face of disgust formed by nearly three long decades of comfortable living. "Put your purse down; it's better in here than out there," he said with an offended glance. "Do you live here?" I choked out through my lips, pursing them, preparing to release what little I had eaten in the past 24 hours. He stepped slightly toward the second door placed in the hellish airlock and spoke, "Not just me; family's here too." I was floored at the thought of a family living in the squalor I had seen, not to mention what had yet to be seen. Understand, I've been in plenty of questionable family living situations prior to this poor excuse of a home, and it looked as though it had been not only neglected but purposefully mistreated by anything it had come into contact with. I made contact with the abysmal interior of the dwelling and was instantly greeted by a compact space that acted as a kitchen as well as a living area, with a makeshift cot placed in front of a rusted stove. The walls were covered in off-putting paintings and portraits of varying quality, ranging from childlike to outlandish renditions of common things that covered my skin in goosebumps. Refuse and filth littered the ground in all but a few pathways to a different door. From my count, there were 3 doors in total, two of which were shut, however, and sitting slanted on brittle hinges. The other door on the wall adjacent to myself was opened wide and presented something akin to a bathroom. Inside of the chamber stood a woman dressed in a stained white button-up and a dingy yellow apron who was emaciated in stature with netted locks of auburn hair that fell much too far down her crooked spine. She carried herself with a submissive and reserved posture—not that she was shy or skeptical of me, but as if she were broken and mortified. The woman didn't lift her head as we walked in but simply gave a trembling nod as she rushed to the room on her right and gently tapped at the decaying wood frame of the door. The door flew open, and three children walked out from within it. The oldest of the children looked to be a boy of about 15 draped in a large set of ill-fitting and torn rubber waders with brown hair that sat awkwardly just above his large ears, the middle child was a young girl with hair similar to the woman who welcomed me into the loathsome palace; her face, however, displayed a wide smile of unkempt teeth as she brandished a still-dripping paintbrush, and the youngest of the children was a boy who couldn't have been more than 6 years old; he wore a trucker cap tightly sque Every one of the brood stood like some extraterrestrial being horribly attempting to appear human; their eyes were all tired and filled with thousands of years' worth of experience that I would prefer to distance myself from. The scene before me was disheartening, and it did not help the state of confusion I had been in at every waking moment since I arrived at the gas station. I had thought perhaps that Harrison initially was the father of the family, but the way their looks, their clothes, and their states of being contrasted with his own drove me to think otherwise. Harridson cleared his throat, motioned towards the children who had filed out of the threshold, and announced, "Oldest there is Carl, but we call him Gator on account of his love for animals, middle one is Lucille, she's the artist around here," he said, motioning to the walls before continuing, "and that there are the twins." I gave him a questioning eyebrow that broke him from his rant. "Twins?" I broke the silence. He nodded, saying, "It's like he's got two people living inside of him." not just like mood swings but as two completely separate personalities. "The one you see right now is Dale, and the other is Wiley." I had a thousand queries about the youngest child alone, but opted to keep the majority of them to myself before stammering, "Are..do..how long have you guys lived here?" Lucille perked up and raised her brush to speak, but was immediately intercepted by Harridson. "I'd say about 5 years now?" For five long and assuredly horrid years, the family had stayed in a four-room home that was moments away from falling into the crust of the earth. Was I supposed to inhabit this contaminated vivarium as well? The very notion of remaining here for just a single night showered me with a rain of traumatic feelings. Was this the family I was meant to teach? If so, then why was I not informed or introduced properly, and why was the patriarch of the family so vastly different from the animalistic paupers he claimed as his kin? My vision began to flatten, and my heartbeat picked up to a machine gun pace as the archaic lights illuminating the room started to heat my skin, causing cold beads of sweat to form in my violently shaking hands. My breathing twisted into a brisk and labored wheeze as though I'd run a mile in seconds. My hearing floated in and out as I heard the Gator speak in an overly high-pitched and nasally whine. "You alright, mister?" is the last thing I remember hearing before feeling Harridon's iron grip close around my shoulders, which have started to plummet to the cluttered floor. I was surprised in the moment at how Harridson had yet again come to my aid during a tragic moment, and I couldn't help but feel ashamed. I had been in situations where the families I was teaching were unclean, disorganized, or impoverished, but my current predicament, accompanied by sleepless exhaustion, must have humiliated the man, who was most likely presenting himself in a better light to net a better quality of life. It was sometime between the end stages of my panic attack and the floor that I lost consciousness that night, and if I can be transparent only for a moment compared to now, it was the best night's sleep I would have for a very long time.