“I’ve fallen in love. And it wasn’t with you. I’m sorry”

It’s been a week, but your hands still shake at the memory. At least, you think it’s been a week. It’s not like anyone comes by. You’re a single girl who lost her family years ago. You have no friends.

But eventually, you do go outside, and you see the garish world around you. And you want to go back. To your room, not society.

But you have no job. You lost it when you were crying and didn’t go outside. You are going to die. You have nothing left.

So maybe that’s why the proposal was only accepted by you. Maybe that’s why, while everyone balked, you were happy to do something. Anything. Even if that meant inhaling dangerous fumes and never falling in love. Even if it was being the first Oracle of Delphi.

I mean, it’s not like you knew it would make you remember your future lives. And have the power to know the future in each of them. Or even- well you know what I mean.

But you know what?

I know why you really decided to be the Oracle. It was to forget him. But he's still imprinted, no matter who else you fall in love with. No matter how sweet, abusive, fascinating...

What? I'm wrong?

Well, I’m only the Narrator. You’re the Oracle. And you always will be.

They can't look in, I can't have friends, they must never know of my life. I will always be alone, always be watching out the window, always hiding from the Ren that search. The curtains are closed, the baby blue gates always blocking the view of beautiful gray buildings. I haven't been outside since I was a child, since I was 6. I still remember the sky, a blue masterpiece with sections erased by white clouds.

Now I only see the sky in my books. The cage of my existence haunts me, closing in, breaking my soul, my heart. Crushing who I am, who I was. I know I have to be patient. But- WHY is it this way? WHY can I not break free, WHY did they do this WHY- Do I hear footprints? NO. They aren't Carl's. NO. It's not time to eat anyway. NO. It isn't the testers. NO. They took my blood yesterday. NO. It's the Ren. NO.

I run to the door, the blue door, blue like the wallpaper. It's hidden. I go through, I'm in the dark, I breathe. I hate the dark, but I hate the Ren more. Mom says they are evil monsters who kill good children. That's why I'm hidden, hidden away. I have to stay hidden. Carl says that they feed on the blood of children and that they hate the color blue. They wear red all the time. They have scary powers, like shapeshifting, and they hate all children who are like me, who are hurt and need to get tested every month. I'm silent, and I hear them look through my stuff as I cry. They say things in a completely foreign language, they are loud, they are evil. I hear them open the door but they can't take me, take me away from Mom or Carl, or the doctors. They can't! I can't go! I'm all alone.

Mom said, Carl said so I know it's true.

If you are taken by the Ren, you will never be found again.

Listen closely, and I will tell you

the story my grandfather gave me

when I was young

There was a time when Man was only a man

an insignificant hunter

not a parasite

there were no buildings

Just trees

and just caves

the sky was grey

or silver

shining beyond what we know now

Man had upset Helios

Lord of the sky

keeper of the sun

and to punish Man,

Helios convinced his brothers

to help

His brothers were beautiful

they kept the wind

Lords of the sky as well

they washed away our silver

but kept the gold stars

knowing they must not upset the others

The sky was blue,

but

Man was still happy

They liked the colors

they liked the blue

Helios punished them differently

But

the sky is still blue

and now you know why

Look! a rat!

they are still scared of our blue sky

they remember when it was grey

The original post is in this link: https://theprose.com/challenge/13806 (it has no name)

Sigh. This annoying LINEUP outside my DUGOUT is endless. Not just townsfolk paying the fee, but kings wanting a loan, silversmiths wanting to STRIKE their hammers on another DIAMOND or piece of gold from me. From me! Long ago they would have killed a dragon like me but now? Now pesky people parade in my face. A young man gives me a sales PITCH. He tells me, "Hello, I am very pleased to see you are just as beautiful as ever..." "Skip the WINDUP. What do you want?" I growl. "Well my king is holding a BALL for my young daughter, and I was wondering if you could lend a gold PLATE. We only have 12 and need 13 to be precise. I want to invite the wise women and..." I shut him up by throwing him the plate. I want to hurry this up so that I can go to sleep. These humans are so annoying. I try not to SLUMP- a dragon must always have good posture- and listen to the next person on how he made an ERROR and wants a loan for the money he gambled away. I burn him to a crisp. Next, it's a princess who doesn't want to marry another tyrant. Hmmm. Yes, she can stay with me. I never BALK, even if the fiance is a maniac. Besides, she would be friends with all the other maidens who stay with me. All these men think they will SCORE a CATCH and don't think about the poor girls. Utterly annoying. A little mole MOUND under my kingdom, they are as gross as BATTER in a cake cooked wrong. But I am made of fire.

Sigh. The LINEUP is endless outside my DUGOUT. Kings wanting a loan, townsfolk paying the fee, blacksmiths wanting to STRIKE their hammers to make me yet another gold necklace. At the front, a young man gives me a sales PITCH. He tells me, "Ma'am, I am very pleased to see you are just as beautiful as ever..." "Skip the WINDUP, and state your needs" I growl. "Well I am holding a BALL for my young daughter, and I was wondering if you could lend me a gold PLATE. I only have 12 and need 13 to be precise. I want to invite the wise women and..." I shut him up by throwing him the plates. I want to hurry this up so that I can go to sleep. Or even better, fly away to a new cave. These humans are so annoying. I try not to SLUMP- a dragon must always have good posture- and listen to the next person on how he made an ERROR and thought he had more money than he did. I burn him to a crisp. you must never let them cheat you like that. Oh. Next person. It's a girl. Apparently, she doesn't want to marry someone. Hmmm. I tell her she can stay with me like she wants. I never BALK, even if the fiance is a maniac. Besides, she would be friends with all the other maidens who stay with me. All these men think they will SCORE a CATCH and not thinking about the girl they just put a DIAMOND on. Utterly annoying. If he does come, he will learn that he is no great mountain, but just a tiny MOUND that I will step on. Plus, she apparently makes a mean pancake BATTER, so she's definitely welcome. I love pancakes.

Humans were not the first intelligent species in the Universe. Nor were they the second. Or the third. They were around the 217th, I believe. Human scientists were right. There is Life out there. Of course, only a fraction is the definition of "intelligent".

I am one of those in that category. I am only one of the intelligent species on my planet IIAI. Of course, humans would call the planet something else. Although I am not sure if they know about it. I am part of an Earth research group, and my focus is the United States of America. That is how I know this language so well. I do love researching the U.S. of A. Although it's quite a flashy title, I think it is adorable how dirt and the planet are the same name.

However, that is not why I am writing. I have come to the findings that all the governments on my planet and others are going to initiate a revival of Earth. To do this, they will take over the human population and possible destroy it. It's like all human movies are coming true. Just without a hero to stop the aliens.

What human's call COVID-19 is simply a test of each countries strength and weakness. There are spies. Not in human form, because none of the intelligent species look like humans, but as other forms.

You must understand that I do not wish any harm. I simply want you to keep eyes out and to be prepared.

I am very sorry,

IAIII

The WEIGHT of my actions are too hard to bear. How could I? My PLAN was to get everyone what they wanted, not give them everything! I bought gifts like a DRUNK man! My spending is way OVER the limit; I may have to return things. But I have a lot of money. My idea to not spend too much was a FAIL, and I may have done a light BINGE of shopping, but the loss of money will not make buying ROLLS or gaining BLUBBER any harder. In fact, I think this is a good thing. Instead of saying "oh woe is me" I'm going to HANG out at the toy donations until every gift is sent. I will make every dog or cat SHAKE their tail with treats. And that can be a Christmas tradition.

To Christian,

BRAVO. You have finally won the hearts of my mother and father. I understand that as the Judge and JURY for my sister's case, they must be correct in their opinion, but I cannot AGREE. No matter their thoughts, the OPPOSITE is true. From when my sister had BROUGHT you to the house, I have had no PEACE. I was suspicious enough when you wouldn't look at my sister, but only at me, but I caught WIND that you think my dear Elle was GARBAGE, and that is an INSULT to my family and me. I also know you were not at the BEACH as you said. You were not even OUTSIDE, were you? I will permit you to RUN away like an animal with an INSTINCT of a DROUGHT, but if you stay, I will FIGHT you. This is not a GAME. I thought my parents would end it all when they saw you KISSING under the TREE, but you stood their TEST with ELEGANT words, and now you must stand mine.

Your friend and loving sister-in-law,

Naomi Donner

I hide my hurt

waiting

for someone to see it

waiting

for someone to help

waiting

because i don't speak out

I slam my door

waiting

for someone to hear it

waiting

for someone to help

waiting

but they just yell to not slam it

I write on my walls

waiting

I write all my hurt

waiting

how I blame myself

waiting

for someone to notice

waiting

but they only saw my room is messy

I blame myself

for waiting

but I cant help

but wait

If only I wasn't me

waiting

telling myself

that waiting

is just manipulation

waiting

is just exageration

waiting

is selfish of me

waiting

its all my fault

waiting

means nothing

and still I wait

waiting

hurting in spasms

crying

and pick myself up

waiting

for someone to notice

me waiting

and help me from

my waiting

because I don't know what to do

so I'm waiting

for someone to help

and yet I know

if my waiting

was somehow noticed

my waiting

would be put off as showy

or my waiting

will be seen by someone

who waiting

will tell me that I need to help them help me

pick myself up again

waiting

and I know Ill always be

waiting

sending distress signals

waiting

inconsistent tears

waiting

for someones voice

but always

waiting

It's just a normal day. You look out the window, towards the green grass glimmering with dew. It's cold, but inside the school, it doesn't matter. The teacher is speaking about how the quadratic formula reveals X, but you know it all already, and that isn't a reason to stop looking at the view. You see the stars, so bright because the suns are so far. The milky way is able to be seen, a queen that will never give up her throne. You smile with delight as the sky shines. Your teacher moves on to another topic. You don't know this one. Turning away from the window, you give her your full attention. You see the sky every day. It's not going anywhere.