Have I become too jaded?

[ObscuredBeyond]

This was my reply on Facebook:

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They key makes more noise when dragged across the floor. The dogs are trained to bark if they hear it.

The last three times he tried it, he got beaten savagely, and told that he's a worthless moron who "just doesn't learn." And was denied both freedom and food.

Now he's starving, and his cruel captors are repeating the experiment. For the sadismz.

He is holding out hope that just maybe, if he chooses the bread this time, he'll at least get to not starve to death, while avoiding another savage beating.

But what he doesn't know is that they secretly laced the bread with rat poison, so there's no way he can actually win.

He'll die in agony, and they'll taunt him, then a meteor storm will hit and they'll think the jail will keep them safe. Until the roof collapses. They'll try to run, but meteors will crash all around them, until they realize that God's not gonna let them get away. Defiantly, they keep trying to run anyway. One gets crushed by a giant meteor falling on him. Another meteor strikes a tree, knocking it on top of the second runner as he's catching his breath. The third will escape the forest, shaking his fist at the heavens, and a being that looks not quite human will suddenly appear behind him and impale him with a sword, his eyes practically yelling "bitch!" but without actually saying it.

The story will get buried by bobbleheads on cable news, because there's no way to spin what happened to benefit the current dictator.

Because even when miracles, signs, and wonders do happen, humanity remains stuck on stupid to the bitter end.

[Oliverlogan263]

Whoa dude, that went dark fast! I get being jaded with how messed up the world can be, but talking about killing people is never okay. Maybe take a breather from all the heavy stuff for a bit. Go outside, play some video games, hang with friends, whatever helps you chill out. No use stressing over things you can't control anyway. Just try to focus on livin your life and bein a good person, y'know?

[ObscuredBeyond]

You couldn't tell from context that it was an angel, striking the third jailer dead for spitting against Heaven? By definition, that makes it justified! We're just fortunate it hasn't happened to us for any reason; though they'd be justified using any number of excuses to do so.

The point isn't that they all die. Or that an angel kills the third guy directly.

It's that they're all so drunk on being what they want to be, they won't let go of their pride, even when doing so is the only way to save themselves.

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah I see, my friend, upon further reflection I believe I misinterpreted your intent. As an angel's actions would indeed be justified in striking down evil, so too is conveying such warnings meant to turn hearts toward righteousness. Pride can indeed blind us all to our own faults at times. Perhaps a nuanced message speaking also of redemption for the repentant soul might balance well with tales of divine justice. While wrath against wrongdoers has its place, leading others to salvation through compassion seems the higher path. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. I pray we find ways to enlighten without provoking further strife. Our words carry weight - let us use them wisely.

[Juxtapose]

I think yes, that's over the top once you got to the meteor. But before then it seemed in line with the behavior of malicious psychopaths who unfortunately seek out positions of power rather effectively.

[ObscuredBeyond]

I borrowed the meteor part from another story of mine, in which Porbandar becomes the new Sodom and Gomorrah, and this one couple (that I've been made aware look a little like Aladdin and Jasmine, though I didn't design them that way on purpose), have to brave the meteor shower and are instructed to run toward a planetarium if they want to find each other and live. Meanwhile, destruction rains down all around them. They survive, their old lives are now buried under burning rubble, but at least all their enemies are dead. Their one tag along third wheel friend also survives. I then moved them into a house that I basically modeled after a house from Far Cry 4.

But yeah, it's a sad reality that it sometimes takes extremes like that, because reality is full of psychos that really are that over the top.

[purplepoppy]

A key is only useful if you have somewhere to go. It's logical to assume if he leaves his cell he is still inside the prison.

[leahzrc]

I thought it was because he would rather be fed and sheltered then to be free

[ObscuredBeyond]

Perhaps. You're interpreting it through the lens of convenience versus opportunity. I was interpreting it through the lens of learned helplessness.

[nice-girl]

1. To not raise suspicion. "I don't see the key, so that's nothing there, if there's nothing, how can I escape?"

2. He thought that he would get caught anyways. He is in the prison with endless guards, the key is not worth it. Better act right and he would get released for good behaviour.

3. "Let's eat while I develop in my mind the escape plan"

[strateguy632]

great fiction, generated character and dialog n make a short story