Skip to main content

Chosen Path (4-26-18)


[WP] You wake up alone in a motel room with no idea who you are, where you are, or how you got there. On the bedside table is a map and a choose your own adventure book. [Link to post.]


I opened my eyes, soft yellow sunlight filled my vision. A quick inventory told me I was laying down on a bed, but I didn't feel comfortable. I sat up and looked around. The place was instantly recognizable as a crappy motel room, one I wasn't familiar with. I looked down at myself.

"Still got my pants on," I thought. I didn't see any clothes in the room other than the blue jeans and black t-shirt that I wore. "Guess I'm here alone." I decided to wash my face, but I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw my reflection. I didn't recognize the person looking back at me. His beard was grey and scraggly, his head was mostly bald. I tried remembering a better self image, but that grey bearded kook kept staring at me. He shook his head when I shook my head and we both gave up. I spramped water on my face several times, hoping the reflection would change. It didn't. 

I sat on the bed to consider my next step when I saw a book on the bedside table. It was a brand new Choose Your Own Adventure book, the glossy cover caught the sunlight on the title. Choice of a Lifetime. Under the book I found a map with three locations circled on it. The biggest circle was around a handwritten note that said, "You are here. Page 27."  Two lines extended from that circle to the others. One ran north and ended at a circled river that said "Page 138." The other line ran east and ended at a railroad track that said, "Page 225."

I looked up page 27 in the book, it turned out to be the start of a new chapter called "Destiny Motel." I flipped through the chapter, and it didn't seem to be too long. I didn't have anything else to do so I made myself comfortable on the bed and read it. The character woke up in a strange motel room like I did, except he had someone there to explain the situation. The similarities were too strong to ignore, this book needed to be here to explain the situation to me. According to the book I  needed to make a decision. The character in the book seemed to think there was a settlement of people near the river to the north. Heading east to the railroad track was a good way to catch a ride to somewhere else.

I flipped through the pages to look ahead and maybe get some clue. I tried page 138 first. It was a new chapter, but it had no text, just the chapter heading: River of Souls. 

"That doesn't sound encouraging," I chuckled to myself. I searched the book for my other option. Another blank chapter on page 225 named: Unknown Adventure. Well, at least I had titles for a hint. I made made my decision, grabbed the map and headed to the door. A keyring with a single car key on it hung on the lock. I took the key and opened the door. I wasn't surprised to see the parking lot empty, except for a black Camaro that sparkled in the sunlight. I tried the key on the car door and it worked. I hopped in the Camaro, started it up and drove east. Toward the railroad track, toward unknown adventure. 

I opened my eyes, soft yellow sunlight filled my vision. A quick inventory told me I was laying down on a bed, but I didn't feel comfortable. I sat up and looked around. The place was instantly recognizable as a crappy motel room, one I wasn't familiar with. I looked down at myself.

"Still got my pants on," I thought. I didn't see any clothes in the room other than the black slacks and white dress shirt that I wore. "Guess I'm here alone." While I my shirt I noticed a brand new Choose Your Own Adventure book sitting on top of a map. The circles were drawn on the map in different locations. The biggest one said, "You are here. Page 27."  Two lines extended from that circle to the others. One ran north and ended at a circled river that said "Page 138." The other line ran east and ended at a railroad track that said, "Page 225."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Lunch Jitters (6-23-18)

[WP] You are the greatest villain in the world. When you come face to face with your only rival, he says, “Do you want to grab a coffee before we start? I’ve haven’t eaten all day.” [ Link to post .] "I'm so glad you said something, I started late today too," The Shade said. He patted the heavy, dark leather coat over his stomach, then leaned closer to whisper at SunKnight. "Kayla's teeth are coming in, and Lucille's out of town for that thing." He shrugged, then pulled off his black, featureless hood. "I needed an extra 40 winks. Let's do a lunch, meet me at the pizzeria in 20." Keith Slinny, the man under The Shade's mask checked his watch. The rest of his black costume dissipated from his body; black smoke wafted from him like steam escaping a body in winter. "At this point, we'll end up putting it off until tomorrow so I need to book the babysitter now." "The wedding's tomorrow, remember? Let's take t

Truth and Fries (6-27-18)

[WP] Survivors of the apocalypse are still fighting for their lives; Whataburger seems to be doing alright though. [ Link to post .] "And, why do you want to work at Whataburger?" Albert Guajardo, General Manager, asked the prospective employee, Rigo Reyes, while trying to size him up. The young man sat in the booth across from Albert, wearing his best protective gear. A set of high-school football pads, and heavily wrapped arms. His cracked football helmet rested on the table.  "My girl's pregnant. I can't help rebuild humanity if I can't provide for them," Rigo said. It was not true, but it would be if he got the position. He did not have a girlfriend at the moment, but no Whataburger employee suffered loneliness for long. Even the perimeter guards that kept zombies out of the restaurant got paid enough food to support a family of four.  "Can you start now?" Albert asked. Rigo nodded eagerly, but Albert explained the situation anyway.

OooooooooooooooH. (6-28-18)

[CW] A short story with a plot twist using the letter "o" exactly 15 times. [ Link to post .] "Fredericks!" the guard yelled at the cell's inhabitants. A tall, plump man walked near the bars, his steps echoed in the cell. "That's me," Lenny Fredericks said. The guard let him pass.  "Lawyer's here, this way." The guard grabbed  Lenny's arm and guided him through the maze of walls that made up the station. He sat Lenny at a table facing a brunette woman in a black suit.  "Mr. Fredericks, I'm the lawyer handling this case. My name is Erica Quintanilla." The lawyer presented her hand, and Lenny accepted it with an eager shake.   "Nice'ta meet'cha." Lenny said. After they disengaged their handshake, Erica placed Lenny's file between them, then started her interview while scanning the sheets.  "Mr. Fredericks,-" she began. "Call me Lenny," Lenny suggested. She return