'Derailed' - Story Chain #3 Where You're the Writer and 100 Whaleshares for the Winner
The Steemit Story Chain
Welcome to the new weekly story chain where you write the story! This contest is now in its third week and I am proudly sponsored by the incredible Whaleshares. I want to say a huge thank you to all those that took part in the second story chain, the contributions were very impressive. A massive thank you to @artmonkey, @mikepm74, @aedroberts, @chuckyfucky, @thatindianlady, @agsttne, @crypotjake and @countrygirl.
The entries for last week's story chain were so impressive that I was compelled to introduce a runner up prize of 25 Whaleshares. So I just want to say a special thank you to all of you who wrote a part in the story, I have been lucky to read some incredibly well written and very original creative contributions to the story. This week it was an even tougher job to pick the winners but after much deliberation me and the very talented @blueskieson-mars decided on a winner.
@agsttne
You're our winner. You have won 100 Whaleshares. Please reply with your Bitshares account information and I will send the Whaleshares to your account immediately. Enjoy! If you don't have an account don't worry it's very simple and completely free to set one up here - https://bitshares.openledger.info/?r=akrid-1.
If you want a reminder of the winning entry, @agsttne's part of the story is here:
“That is not possible!”.
His voice resonating throughout the place, as if the idea of someone not wanting to have fried-pale-boy for dinner was the craziest he had ever heard.
“And why’s that, huh?” I replied in slight arrogance, “weren’t you summoning me just a few minutes ago?”.
“Yes, my lord, an-and your wish is your command but…” he tone it down, the rest of the tribe shifting their eyes on me.
“No buts!” I boldly insisted. I was liking my Lord part way too much. “As I said, my command is to take this weak boy home and cook myself some dinner” my voice was determined. “And since we are on the subject, it wouldn’t kill any of you to eat vegetables for a change, you know?” I chuckled, hoping someone would laugh at my joke. They didn't.
“...okay, awkward” I muttered as no sound was coming out of, well, anyone. “UKACHACA for you too, then” I exclaimed, entering the circle of men who were dancing just minutes ago, and grabbed the boy's hand to get him out of there as soon as possible.
“UKACHACA, my lord” the leader whispered in disappointment.
Then, utterly out of nowhere, some sort of lightning hit the middle of the ground, just inches away from where I was standing. A large, fearful figure appearing out of the blue, with a not so friendly look on his face.
“Who dares to awaken the almighty Lord?” he growled, his hand tightly gripping a large wooden stick.
How the hell should I have known that repeating ten times the word UKACHACA was the way to summon the real Lord?
“Lord?” the leader of the tribe questioned, laughing a little even “you are not the Lord”.
“Are you-“ this figured scoffed, “are you implying I am not the lord? That’s cute. Would a mere mortal be able to do… this!” he extended his stick, some sort of baby-blue light coming out of it, hot enough to start a fire in less than milliseconds.
I must admit, I felt like giving this guy a standing ovation since, damn, that looked cool.
“My lord!” the tribe exclaimed in joy. “Wait, if you are the Lord, then who is this?”.
The runner up prize goes to @mikepm74. Congratulations. Please reply with your Bitshares account information and I will send the Whaleshares to your account immediately. Enjoy! If you don't have an account don't worry it's very simple and completely free to set one up here - https://bitshares.openledger.info/?r=akrid-1.
So let's now move on to this week's new story chain - 'Derailed'. In order to take part you must firstly upvote and resteem this post. Then on it's all a matter of how creative, original and ambitious you can be. As usual I write the first part of the story and then it's over to you. Just be as creative as you can and develop the story in your own unique way. And of course have fun! Please make sure you continue the story from the last person's part. Turn the story from drama to comedy and vice versa, or simply stick with the same genre. It's entirely up to you. Only one entry per Steemer, and please remember to number your part of the story.
This contest is sponsored by Whaleshares and I owe a big thank you to @akrid. There is 100 Whaleshares for the winning entry. If you would like to learn more about Whaleshares and how they can significantly increase your post rewards please visit https://steemit.com/whaleshares/@eirik/steemgig-a-complete-guide-on-how-to-use-whaleshares where @eirik will gladly explain more to you.
As always myself and @blueskieson-mars will be looking for:
- A strong sense of imagination
- Creative intelligence
- Originality
- Narrative fluidity (ensuring the story chain links smoothly)
- Use of language, grammar and syntax (we need to understand what you're saying!)
The winner will be announced in a week's time. A new post will be published then announcing the winner along with a new story chain.
Now, without any further hesitation here it is, part one of 'Derailed'.
I was running late but thankfully I managed to get on the train in time. It had been an unbelievably bad day at work. I couldn't wait to get out of that office. Some of the people I work with barely pass as human. I walked through the train until I eventually came across a carriage with few passengers in it. I managed to find a clean looking seat and plonked myself down. Finally, relaxation. However, no sooner had I sat when a young lad entered the carriage and decided to take his seat next to mine. It only took thirty seconds for him to put his feet up on the seat opposite, something I hated people doing, take out his headphones and start drinking a can of lager. Then came the tapping of his hands on his laps to the rythm of the music. I don't normally say anything but this time I couldn't stop myself. 'Excuse me?', I asked. He took his headphones off. 'Yes?' came the reply. With a small degree of confidence and authority I said 'Would you mind taking your feet off that seat because people have to sit on it you know?' He said, 'Are you Jake Thompson?' This threw me completely. 'How the hell did he know my name?' So with some reluctance I replied, 'Yes, who are you?'He reached into his pocket, pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. It had my name written on it along with the word 'urgent' marked in capitals. 'It makes no difference how I know your name', he said coldly. He got up and left the train, just in time before its departure.
Whats that supposed to mean? Is this a joke? So out of curiosity instead of getting off at my regular stop, i went to Charleston. To my surprise, near the box office i saw this tall man, black on black with sunglasses. Why was he wearing sunglasses at 8pm i asked myself.
I gathered the courage to go up to this man and in a friendly tone i said "Hey i recieved this letter while i was on the train that said that i had to meet up with you". He didnt even blink he just reached into his trenchcoats inner pocket and gave me a cellphone. I looked down at the cellphone not knowing what to do with it. Looked back up and he was gone.
I walked back where i would wait for the next train to come. Minutes after i sat down, the phone rang. Anonymous it read, a heavenly female voice stated "Mr. Thompson i need your help, i know the kind of work that you do and im willing to pay whatever is needed, will you help me?"
Thanks @chuckyfucky for your entry, a great start to the chain! The winner has just been anounced along with the new story chain here - https://steemit.com/story/@freedomexists/an-innocent-man-betrayed-by-guilt-story-chain-4-where-you-re-the-writer-and-100-whaleshares-for-the-winner
2 Startled by the mention of my name yet again, I replied with a less than enthusiastic "Yes". The woman said to ride the train to Lincoln Ave.
I hesitated to follow the instructions , in 20 minutes I was due to be in a conference room attending the friday morning meeting. The thought of listening to Mr. Williams go on and on about profits and tactics while sipping shitty coffee was less than appealing. I told the woman I would see her in a half hour. Feigning illness I called the office, "I am not felling well". I had been trying to get my Private Investigator business to be successful for years, maybe this was the case that would make my name well known. Hopefully the job would pay well, because calling in sick is not something I could afford. I boarded the train, noting that someone from the previous train was following me.....
Thanks @krazykrista for your entry, a fantastic addition to the story chain! The winner has just been anounced along with the new story chain here - https://steemit.com/story/@freedomexists/an-innocent-man-betrayed-by-guilt-story-chain-4-where-you-re-the-writer-and-100-whaleshares-for-the-winner
Will be contributing this week as well!!
Thanks for putting this contest on.
1A (alternative)
Momentarily stunned I stared at the envelope. Was this simply a continuation of my hellishly bad day? Some unwanted interaction from an impolite oddball? I could feel my exhausted mind beginning to wander off. It didn't want to deal with a situation like this. What would be inside? Some deranged paranoid rantings? A threatening letter? A love letter? A turd? A turd squashed flat in a folded sheet of paper, making a pattern of something; something that might look like a butterfly; like one of those pictures they show you at the psychiatrist.
I rubbed my eyes. I really was tired.
Concentrate Jake. Think!
I ran my fingers along either side of the envelope. It felt thin and papery. No turd. That was something. But how did this person know my name?
Only one way to find out Jake.
I opened the envelope, careful not to touch the gummy bit which pulled apart easily, as if it had been freshly licked. Inside, was another letter. And another envelope.
I started with the letter. It was printed.
Dear Jake. Follow these instruction precisely.
1.Get off at the next platform
2 Sit on the bench next to the vending machine.
3 Wait for the next train to arrive. A man will alight and sit next to you.
4 Give this man the envelope provided, UNOPENED.
5 Immediately board the train before it leaves.
6 Forget this ever happened.
Failure to follow these instructions will result in your death.
Over the tannoy a mechanical voice announced the next station. Automatically I stood up.
As the train began to slow I stared at the new envelope. It was unmarked and made of a thicker higher quality paper than mine had been. It was hard to know what to feel. Should I be excited? Scared? After a few moments I decided on angry. I do not like being to told what to do, especially when it's backed by a death threat and CAPITAL LETTERS on cheap paper.
I walked briskly to the toilet cubicle, opened it, locked myself in and, as the train came juddering to an awkward stop, tore open the second envelope...
Thanks @nikflossus for your entry, a very well considered and well written part of the story. The winner has just been anounced along with the new story chain here - https://steemit.com/story/@freedomexists/an-innocent-man-betrayed-by-guilt-story-chain-4-where-you-re-the-writer-and-100-whaleshares-for-the-winner
3
Yeah, images of comic books with the trench-coated private dick smoking his cigarette as he shadowed the guy trying to shadow him, flashed through my mind as I stepped aboard the train. The other guy boarded two cars down. I turned in the direction that would take me away from him, moved down two more cars, and found an empty row facing the back of the train. The direction he would come from if he was after me.
The train ride was inconsequential for twenty minutes, and I promptly forgot the other man once the train was in motion and it became apparent I wasn't about to get shot like some nineties Bruce Willis character. So I sat back, looking out the window, enjoying the view.
The train had begun to slow into the station when I felt the press of steel against my ribs. I turned and the man I had seen board the train was sitting next to me. I had totally missed him once I became distracted.
"Thompson. Listen close" the man hissed at me, pressing the knife harder against my chest in emphasis. "Agree to whatever she asks you to do. Just agree. No matter how outlandish it sounds. Understood?"
I gave a mod of understanding. What else was I supposed to do? The pressure on my chest released and the man was gone. The train pulled into the station and I made quick work of my exit.
As I stepped off the train a chauffeur stood holding a placard reading "Thompson". I stepped up to him and he tipped his cap to me, leading me to a car with the rear door open. I climbed inside before realizing there was someone in the seat opposite me.
The woman was as stunning as her voice had hinted. Long wavy brown hair fell over one shoulder, bangs covering one eye, but the other stood out a stark pale blue. Like the Sky with a smattering of cottony clouds muting the color. The plunging neckline of her sweater hinting at the exquisitely shaped breasts beneath the cloth.
My thoughts were smashed as the woman cleared her throat. "Up Here Mr Thompson." she murmured in that same voice. My eyes snapped up to meet hers. "I suppose you are wondering why you are here?" her voice made it a tease. to which I could do nothing more than nod.
"It's simple really. Mr Thompson, I want you to kill someone."
Thanks @mikepam74 for your entry, a very well written part of the story. The winner has just been anounced along with the new story chain here - https://steemit.com/story/@freedomexists/an-innocent-man-betrayed-by-guilt-story-chain-4-where-you-re-the-writer-and-100-whaleshares-for-the-winner
Part 4 continued....
"What!", I exclaimed. "Private investigator lady! No where, and at no time did I say assasin!" I responded. "I'll pay you ....", she began. "No!", I responded harshly, surprised by my own tone. "Our meeting is confidential forget you ever met me and I'll do the same." What the fuck I thought as I opened the door without even considering that i was in a car. Luckily the car was just creeping away from the sidewalk, as I stumbled and almost fell on my face . Slightly embarrassed, I marched forward quickly as if nothing had occurred. I heard the of the car open, then close again as I heard her say ,"let him go."
My pace quickened as the reality of what just happened set in. I quickly made my way back to the station. I could still make it to the meeting if I wanted, but for some reason that made no sense. I arrived to the track just as the train heading back home arrived. Lost in thought I grabbed the first seat and sat down. "What the fuck!", I thought I sat there staring at the floor.
Great addition, thanks @dreamingirwin. Could you do me a little favour and number your part of the story, thanks.
Better?
That's perfect, thanks dude.
Thanks @dreamingirwin for your entry, your contribution was fantastic and much appreciated. The winner has just been anounced along with the new story chain here - https://steemit.com/story/@freedomexists/an-innocent-man-betrayed-by-guilt-story-chain-4-where-you-re-the-writer-and-100-whaleshares-for-the-winner
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Thank you so, so much! I really enjoyed your contest, and I can't wait to be a part of another one. My Bitshares account name is agsttn3.
Please let me know if you need anything else; I'm kinda new in all the wallet thing
Hey agsttne, I have just transferred your Whaleshares. If you need help using the Whaleshares tool let me know. By the way Story Chain #3 is now up, in the post you just read!
This post has received a 3.13 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @dreamingirwin.