XYT.com has emerged as a mysterious and intriguing entity amidst the vast expanse of the internet, where countless websites contend for readers' attention and serve a purpose. This platform has garnered considerable interest due to its enigmatic nature and minimalist design, which has prompted inquires regarding its underlying mechanisms and actual purpose. With the intention of illuminating its distinctive attributes, the user experience it provides, and the potential ramifications of its existence, this article will undertake an exhaustive exploration of the baffling world of XYT.

Ambiguity's Appealing Qualities

It is immediately evident that XYT is not a typical website upon landing on its homepage. Immediately evoking a sense of intrigue and uncertainty, the interface is rendered in austere black and white, devoid of any visual embellishments or branding. Enhancing the enigmatic nature of XYT is the lack of a conspicuous navigation menu, informative text, or even an indication of the site's function.
Disciplinary pages and links, each of which reveals a small amount of information that further obfuscates the enigma, confront inquisitive visitors as they attempt to navigate the site. The limited instructional material, frequently delivered through mysterious symbols or codes, appears to have been meticulously designed to captivate and confound, rather than to provide guidance or information.

User Experience Mysteriousness

Proficiently navigating XYT is comparable to commencing an undefined and elusive digital treasure search. Visitors are challenged to discern the significance of each click and interaction through the deliberate obscurity of the user experience.
Entering websites containing enigmatic messages, abstract visuals, and perplexing puzzles can be accessed by clicking on links that appear to be at random. Users are left to rationalize the enigmatic content of the website on their own, which exacerbates the feeling of disorientation caused by the lack of explicit instructions or explanations.
Remarkably, XYT implements a non-linear navigation system, deviating from the conventional hierarchical arrangement of pages and menus to favor a user experience that is more dynamic and uncertain. Unpredictably, the destination of this digital labyrinth is obscured, which is a sensation heightened by this unorthodox methodology.

A Community Bewildered

XYT has amassed a devoted user base comprised of individuals who find fascination and enigma appeal, notwithstanding its enigmatic characteristics and absence of a clear objective. Such users, frequently labeled "seekers," participate actively in the platform by exchanging hypotheses, deciphering hints, and working together to uncover the concealed mysteries.
Active participants congregate in online forums and discussion boards to speculate about the true nature of XYT, share their discoveries, and exchange ideas. User unity and a common goal have been cultivated through the collaborative endeavor to decipher the mysterious content of the website.
In furtherance of a sense of exclusivity and affiliation, the XYT community has cultivated its own lexicon and rituals. A distinctive subculture has emerged as a result of the collective endeavor to unravel the enigmas of the website, wherein the zest for exploration and the acquisition of knowledge supersede traditional digital exchanges.

Considerable Consequences

As inquiries regarding the potential ramifications of XYT continue to persist, so too does its enigma. There is conjecture that the website might function as an intricate artistic endeavor, delving into concepts of uncertainty, interpretation, and the characteristics of electronic correspondence. There are those who argue that it might serve as a mechanism for a clandestine society or organization to recruit members by means of cryptic communications that identify and entice simpatico individuals.
Theories also posit that XYT might serve as a façade for an intricate alternate reality game (ARG), thereby causing a convergence of fact and fiction. Devoted participants may potentially decipher an intricate narrative concealed among the cryptic hints and puzzles that are dispersed across the website.
Regardless of its intended function, XYT has undoubtedly captivated its visitors' interest, inciting dialogues concerning the essence of digital encounters and the significance of enigma in a time when there is an abundance of information. Concerning the future of online engagement and the function of ambiguity in attracting attention, the site's capacity to captivate and engage users notwithstanding its absence of explicit content or objective prompts inquiries.

In summary,

Among the immense expanse of the internet, XYT stands out as a peculiar and peculiar entity. An aura of mystique persists, captivating and perplexing due to its cryptic characteristics, enigmatic user experience, and committed community of seekers.
We are reminded of the boundless potential and unexplored domains that exist in the digital sphere as we endeavor to decipher the complexities of XYT. Invited to query the limits of online experiences and the function of mystery in an ever more transparent world, the site's existence challenges our preconceived notions of what a website ought to be and how it ought to operate.
XYT has succeeded in igniting inquiry and captivating the imagination in a manner unparalleled by other websites, despite the fact that its true intent and implications remain obscure. Whatever secrets and revelations may lay ahead is beyond our comprehension as the XYT community expands and the mystery deepens.
XYT serves as a poignant commentary on the significance of enigma, the appeal of the unfamiliar, and the potential for collaborative investigation in a time when immediate gratification and definitive solutions are frequently anticipated. Undoubtedly, XYT has made a significant impact on the digital realm, whether it be as a recruitment tool, an artistic endeavor, or something wholly different. It invites us to embrace the mysterious and abstruse.

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Reposted suggestion to more fully comply with this sub's ban bot's stated rule regarding non descriptive title:

First pick a text word. Note any similarities. Probably wrong, so begin picking "symbol words" between the closed brackets. Eventually, one will reset your tries, meanwhile removing duds. Do this until none of the "symbol words" remain. With maximum duds removed AND tries reset, it makes it obvious which remaining text word is the solution.

*System Restart\*
I blinked at the text hanging in the air.
A small image of da Vinci’s vitruvian man did calisthenics underneath the words. More information scrolled upwards.
HumanOS Version: 1.0 Model: Vincent J. Carter Serial: 987-65-4329 Battery: 1560 @ 100% Memory: 640/640 Provider: None Network: None Credits: 9360 Expansion: None
The words flashed then swirled and transformed into a small translucent cog that hovered in the top right corner of my vision. Other icons floated into existence across the top of my vision, just like the info bar on a cellphone. An (8E) symbol, signal bars at 100%, and a full battery symbol. The time was currently 16:43 and it was Thursday, June 16th 1885
“What the heck?” I muttered, my voice loud in the silence of the ruined room.
I focused on the cog and a series of icons filled my vision. It took me about two seconds to understand that I could move them around using nothing more than my thoughts.
App Store, Calculator, Calendar, Camera, Clock, Gear, Inventory, Map, Notes, System.
“Did… Am I somehow mentally fused with my smartphone?” I wondered aloud. The timeless chaos and the voice were fading to dreamlike memories, a nightmare event that scratched at the edge of my sanity and threatened to overwhelm me. Did that entity think that the cellphone was some part of me?
“Okay, no worries. Let’s get back home and deal with this later.” I grumbled. “Hopefully I don’t run into a protest or riot or get locked up for violating curfew or not wearing a mask.”
I mentally selected [Map]
A transparent map of the room filled my vision along with tiny labels covering everything. Ruined chair, ruined bed, ruined table, rusty knife, leather pouch, unknown book. A moment later I had mastered the controls and zoomed out to find… nothing. The map was blank.
*Local Map Updating…\*
The Local map was updating, possibly because it needed to be filled in by my own exploration? I noticed a couple of icons on the left side of my vision and focused on them. Map Type, Search. Map Type allowed me to switch between Local, Transit, and Terrain.
I flipped between them and was rewarded with better information. The Transit map was like a traditional map, just lines and points of interest with the distance and travel times. I am currently in ‘Ruins of Fort Galos” with a dirt road that leads 3 miles south to “Wendleton Road” which zooms out to run between the cities of Wendleton and Comstock. Another zoom out and I’m located in the Region of Stratford… zoom out…on the continent of North Anglia… zoom out … on the planet of Aerth.
It sort of looks like Earth, if Earth had no polar ice caps. I can recognise the major continents, although most are shaped strangely because the oceans are so high. North America is split completely in two by a huge gulf that eats up all of Louisiana, most of the southern states, and carves a deep furrow all the way up to the Great Lakes and out to the eastern seaboard. Florida is missing, as is most of the eastern seaboard. The map calls that area ‘Colonia’ and it’s marked with a somewhat familiar red, white, and blue flag with just 17 stars. I’m located somewhere near Colorado, but Colorado doesn’t exist anymore. It’s part of Wilmont county in the Region of Stratford in an area called the Midlands.
My hands started shaking. It’s some sort of joke. Some kind of insanity. Some sort of delusion. Or maybe I’m delirious with the damned virus and having a mad dream. Okay. Okay. Deep breaths. Calm down and think rationally. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, inhaling the musty and burnt scents of my new reality.
Okay, if I’m really in some alternate world then maybe things aren’t so bad? I was on the verge of being homeless and now I am homeless, so, nothing has really changed, right? And since I seem to be fused with my smartphone, maybe I can use that to my advantage? I quickly imagined a million ways I could die in a fantasy world and pushed down the panic. No sense in panicking just yet — we can do that later when I’m being burnt at the stake for witchcraft or something.
I flipped back over to Local Map and examined the room again. Leather pouch, rusty knife, and unknown book were located under the rotting carcass of the bed. I approached it and looked carefully to see if I could spot them. I smiled to myself thinking maybe I could make a living as some sort of detective or something, finding lost items with preternatural ability. Unable to see anything in the mass of mushrooms and ferns, I mentally tapped the label “Leather pouch” on the Local Map.
*Place Item in Inventory? [Y/N]\*
I selected [Y] and received a notification. Memory: [639/640]
Huh. It takes up memory.
I pulled the heavy pouch from inventory and into my hand. The leather was dried and stiff, but I managed to open it to reveal 1 golden coin, 50 tarnished silver, 68 copper, and 30 bronze coins.
The copper coins were about the size of a nickel and quite worn, but I could make out the face of some priest with a fancy hat on the face and a hammer and anvil on the reverse. The brass were the size of a quarter and similarly worn, and featured a bull on the face and a sheaf of wheat on the reverse. The silver were the size of a dime and slightly tarnished, with the image of some queen on the face and a crescent moon on the reverse. The gold coin was untouched by time and featured a stern looking king on the face, with a stylised sun on the opposite face. I popped everything back into Inventory.
Huh. It appears that everything I stick into inventory counts against the available memory of 640 that was listed earlier, but coins stack into one slot for each type so now I have 636/640 memory. Not bad, not bad. A little experimentation quickly proved that I could add the ruined chair and table too. One slot each. A seriously overpowered feature that I planned to abuse in the future — just put things in bags and boxes and my Inventory was practically unlimited! I rubbed my hands together like an evil villain. Half an hour ago I was a broke nobody with no future, and now I’m able to start completely fresh with cash and some strange abilities. Thank you strange entity!
It was terrifying and exhilarating. I wanted to dance and puke at the same time.
I placed the Unknown Book into Inventory and it popped into my hands a moment later along with a strong musty aroma. The leather cover was green with mould and swollen with moisture. Carefully flipping through the pages I stared in wonder at the illustrated script. It was like one of those old religious books you see in museums, every page a work of art. Too bad it’s written in some strange language I can’t read. Arabic maybe? Putting it back into Inventory, it took just a moment to figure out that I could get a quick overview of the item. [Unknown Book. A mouldy old book written in an unknown language.]
The rusty knife was what my father would have called a “pig sticker”, with a grubby leather sheath, bone handle, and a thick blade about ten inches long. Even though the blade was spotted with a bit of rust, it seemed to be in decent condition and could probably be salvaged with a whetstone and some oil. It was a weapon, and considering current events, a welcome addition to my new collection of personal possessions.
I kept the ruined chair and table in inventory. Never know when you might need firewood.
The Calculator was pretty cool, selecting it allowed me to mentally perform arithmetic in moments or provided a count of items in my vision. As long as it was open I could just think of a simple maths problem and the answer popped in my head along with a running tally. There was a scientific tab on it, but I didn’t foresee me using cosine functions anytime soon.
The Camera was interesting, allowing me to snap a photo of what I could see, but each picture used one memory although they only took up one Inventory slot. Delete, Delete, Delete.
Calendar was 13 months with 30 days each. The weeks were 6 days long and Monday was missing. Good. I don’t like Mondays. Especially since the days here are 26 hours long. I could also set appointments and reminders.
Clock was a basic clock with alarms and stopwatch function.
Notes was really cool though, it was like virtual paper. I could sketch things with my finger, or use thought-to-text, or even attach photos to the note and save them, which took up one Inventory slot per filename. The Export function created a thick piece of paper that appeared in my hand. Nice. Fire starting material!
It has an Import function too?
I created a new Note, then imported the mouldy book from my Inventory. It appeared as a virtual object in my vision that I could manipulate with a thought. Then I exported it. A popup appeared in my vision and I watched my Battery dip from 1560 down to 1460, then a duplicate appeared in my inventory. Sweet! I could set up shop as a magical print-wizard! Or work as a pack-mule, hauling entire warehouses of goods invisibly. I chuckled to myself imagining that.
However it took 100 battery points, so it wasn’t much of a cheat unless I could reproduce expensive texts. I wonder if it took 100 battery for everything, or if it was based on the complexity of the object?
System had some nice features included. One was Health Monitor, which gave me a general screen of any health issues. Notifications was also nice for popping up things that might be important. Nothing else of real importance, just some little tweaks to the User Interface and the ability to turn off the (8E) connection I had noticed earlier. Airplane mode, I guess.
Another hunch presented itself in the System and I opened up the language setting. English was currently selected. I scrolled through the selection and choose Arabic from the list. A slight wave of dizziness washed over me and I examined the unknown book again. Nope. Still unknown.
I sighed and flipped back to the language settings and noticed there’s an “Auto-Translate” selection. Mentally mashing the illusory button in my User Interface, another wave of dizziness washed over me. This time the unknown book had a tag on it. [Old Avestan - Translate? Y/N]
Duh, yes, translate! An old, unknown book hidden in a burned out room? That just screams Secret Book of Incredibly Over Powered Magic, doesn’t it? Annnnd… Nope. I flipped through the copy and it seems to be nothing more than some religious textbook. Beautifully illustrated, but I’m not getting any magic vibes off of it. I tossed it back in my inventory [Book. Zoroastrian religious text. Professionally Illustrated. 50SP] and continued my journey of self exploration.
When I enabled “Show Hidden Files” in System, it was absolutely terrifying. File names like “Digestion.dna”, “Endocrine.dna” and “Sensory.dna” filled my vision. I disabled that feature as soon as I realised what I was looking at. I’d hate to accidentally delete my sense of taste, or something even more important.
The Service tab under System was confusing. It seemed to be some sort of weird version of a mobile service plan that asked me to choose a Service Provider.
There were dozens of Service Providers to choose from; Industrial Charms & Enchantments, Whitehall Wizard Group, Sorcerer’s United, Atlantis Magic and Enchantment, and a slew of other providers with different tiers named after gemstones and the best offering being the Diamond Unlimited plan that offered ‘unlimited mana and roaming, some limits apply’ for an astronomical amount per month. I could see the service zones of each provider laid out across a map, along with colour coding for the quality of service ranging from 1E to 8E.
I could also choose from various Celestial or Infernal Contracts which had entire pages of TOS benefits and obligations. Another terrifying aspect of my new world.
I decided to dig into that mess later. I had no use for a service provider and picking one was a problem for future-me if I ever needed one.
The Gear icon opened up a minimalist overlay with a picture of me and the items I was wearing. Socks, shorts, underwear, tee-shirt. A mental twitch rotated the image and confirmed that my backside was just as filthy as the floor. Two buttons were visible next to my image, [Custom] and [Labourer]. I selected Labourer and the image shifted to show me wearing work boots, wool socks, denim trousers, leather belt, cotton underwear, cotton pull-over shirt, leather gloves, soft-brim hat. [Select? Y/N]
A mental push of the button and a million indigo motes surrounded me. Two seconds and 10 battery later I was wearing the new gear. And clean! All the grime on my arms and legs had vanished. Seriously, how awesome is that? I still feel like I need a shower though.
[Labourer class selected - Standard] Skills: Lifting, toting, stepping, fetching, shifting, digging, hauling, packing…
Knowledge of menial labour filled my head beyond what I was already familiar with. I somehow knew the most efficient ways to dig a ditch, safely shift a box, casually walk to the water cooler, and slack off while looking busy.
Huh. Did changing my gear change my class? That’s interesting. What happens if I put on a Wizard hat? Would I become some sort of hybrid day-labour wizard with spells for digging ditches? Oh, wait. I have five slots and can fill them with clothing and label them whatever I want.
I opened up the App Store.
Holy. Shitsnacks.
Dozens of icons filled my vision, offering a vast selection of what appeared to be careers? Professions? Classes? Skills?
Archivist, Accountant, Bartender, Book keeper, Cartwright, Con-artist, Farmhand, Herbalist, Hobo, Inn keeper, …Priest, Prostitute, Politician, …Sorcerer, Tailor, …Wizard, Zookeeper.
It was a huge and confusing array of choices.

The world has gone mad.
Global pandemic. Civil protests. Riots. Inept leadership. Corruption. Propaganda. World powers shifting uneasily as tensions rise. World War III feels like it’s just one wrong move away.
And I’m trapped here in my crappy little apartment because of quarantine.
Well, not trapped exactly. I could go out and participate in socially distant activities, or join the protests downtown, but I’m too damn depressed to get off the sofa. With everything shut down, I’m currently laid-off temporarily and living on the last of my savings, which consists mostly of ramen and canned veggies. My current hobbies include selling everything I own for rent money, lying on a sofa that was abused by a fraternity back in the 80s, and distracting myself with a crappy smartphone that was outdated when I bought it three years ago. I’ve sold everything else. Television, game console, tablet, computer, and all my games. Material things don’t matter when you don’t have a place to store them.
“I’m not a loser,” I whisper to myself. “I’m not stupid. I’m a hard worker. I’m just stressed and depressed as fuck.”
A century ago I could have just headed out into the wilderness and been a prospector, panning for gold and silver in the hills. I could have hired out as a cowboy, riding the open range and herding the cattle for one of the big ranches. Or been a hired gun. Or a bounty hunter. Considering how desperate I am right now, I would probably fall into a gang of outlaws robbing stage coaches and banks, vanishing across the border to drink and gamble until the money was gone.
Good thing I’m not much of a drinker, I guess.
\Ding**
A text interrupts my idle contemplation of shadows on the ceiling. Lifting my crappy smartphone off my chest, I thumb open the message app. It’s a group text from my boss at iBox Co.
“Hey guys. I know this is a horrible way to deliver the news, but I gotta close the business. Thanks for all the hard work and good luck in the future.”
I drop the phone back onto my chest and it pulses faintly with the beating of my heart.
\Ding**
I check the new text. It’s from my mobile service provider.
“Your automatic bill pay has failed. Please update your account or call the service department.”
Well, duh. No job, no money. No money, no life. Rent due at the end of the week. Supposedly they can’t evict you during quarantine, but they said nothing about the land lord disconnecting the water and power. John down in apartment 2B has been living like a caveman for the last 3 weeks, stubbornly refusing to move out. I wonder if that’s how I’ll end up? Alone in the dark, cooking ramen over a candle.
\Ding**
\Ding**
\Ding**
A quiet rage builds in my gut. Bad news, bad news, bad news. Nothing but bad news and more bad news. Estranged from my divorced parents because I refused to pick sides. Kicked out of college for poor academic performance. Scholarship gone. Girlfriend gone. Job gone. Money gone.
Frustrated at my helplessness, I clench my fist around the phone and fling it behind me.
\Smash**
“Ah shit,” I grumble aloud, instantly regretting my impulsive action and rolling over to survey the damage.
The remains of a fancy framed mirror I had bought for a few bucks at an estate sale hung on the wall, smashed into pieces with my smartphone sticking through it like a ninja star. “How the heck did that happen?” I asked myself, staring in disbelief. I liked that mirror. It was one of the first non-essential purchases I had made after I moved in and I thought it gave the otherwise bare wall some needed character. Now it was shattered into pieces just like everything else in my life.
Crawling off the ratty sofa, I walked over to examine the damage. Pieces of thick glass hung from the frame like jagged teeth, reflecting my too-skinny body in a dozen slivers of reality. My cheap smartphone was embedded in the middle of the mirror and apparently halfway into the wall behind it. Prying away a few shards of glass to survey the damage, a strange pattern was revealed on the wood panel underneath the glass. Wriggling a larger piece loose cost me a nasty slice on my finger and I sucked on it while picking away the remainder of the glass. When everything was clear, my phone was revealed to be smashed through a silvery spiderweb of lines and symbols, apparently merged with the wall like a piece of modern art.
I tried to pull it loose with my good hand, but it was wedged in there tight. Gripping with both hands I tugged and twisted until it was slick with blood from my finger. “What the actual hell?” I said, peering at point where the phone merged with the wood backing of the mirror and the wall. I ran my fingers around the edge of the phone, trying to find where it was stuck and smearing the entire area with bloody fingerprints until it looked like a crime scene.
I gripped it again with both hands and began tugging.
\Ringtone**
My phone began to buzz and vibrate in my hand while the melody of a popular AOP song played. The strange silvery pattern my phone was embedded in lit up like a Christmas tree, glowing with thousands of colours that began chasing each other in time with the music. I instinctively jerked away, but my hands were stuck to the phone.
I couldn’t let go. My fingers were welded to the device! Panicked, I flopped around like a fish on a hook as the bluish light crawled over the phone and up my arms. Some force yanked me into the wall up to my elbows and I started screaming like a little girl with a wasp in her hair.
Then it pulled me completely into the wall.
I disintegrated into a cloud of artificial confetti, falling through synthetic colours and genetically modified sounds. Nothing made sense. The world was a boiling pot of salty madness and I was a shattered jar of elbow macaroni. Eternity passed in a cloud of steam.
“Ah, poor lost thing. What are you doing here?”
A soothing voice laid a foundation for my consciousness and I grabbed at it.
plehhhellephelpeeemeehelpmme
“You are near dissolution. I’ll do my best.”
Invisible fingers pushed and tugged and squeezed and formed the clay of my existence back into me. The last few months of my life flipped by, an embarrassing montage of manga, anime, Red Dead Redemption, and masturbation. Lots of masturbation.
“I’ve done everything I could. I’ll send you through your destination, or close to it. Your kind is not meant to be here without a guardian, remember that.”
Glass shattered into a million fragments as I emerged from that dark realm and tumbled across the ground.
I sucked in a deep breath, choking on soot and the distinct aroma of bird shit.
When the world stopped whirling around me, I opened my eyes. Above me were burnt rafters covered in bird shit and the remains of a roof. Sunlight painted one soot-covered stone wall in the golden hues of a summer afternoon. After a moment, I realised that I felt pretty good. Really good. Like I could run a marathon. Climbing to my feet, I wiped my grimy hands on my shirt. The back was probably a ruin of shit and soot already, so keeping the front clean didn’t make sense.
The room was a ruin. A fire had obviously raged through here some time ago. A wood chair was collapsed in a corner near a fireplace, along with what appeared to be the remains of a table. Shattered bits of glass were scattered all around a large ornate standing mirror frame, the one that I had apparently exited from. A large mound of mushrooms and ferns grew in another corner on what was possibly a bed at one time. Behind me a fire ravaged door hung on blackened timbers.
*System Restart\*
I blinked at the text hanging in the air.

The title says it all. I’m 20 (21 in 2 weeks), he was 21.
He moved across the country back in October. A few days ago, he’d gone missing for a day, and we were able to get his location. He was in the woods, and we couldn’t find his gun. The police arrived, and confirmed identity with his wallet. He hadn’t sent any of us a text, no calls, no warnings. One morning I woke up to get ready for work, and then he was gone.
I broke down when hearing the news. I’ve never heard sounds come out of me like that before. You always see posts like that, and think, “yeah, but not me. My friend wouldn’t do that.”
But then it happens. He was depressed for a long time. He’d had attempts, but had never owned a gun until recently. We should have seen the signs.
I flew across the country today to get his things, and bring them back to his family in my state. We were hoping to find something, a final message. We want to check his iCloud for some kind of note, but his phone is with the police, who won’t release it to anyone but family.
I dug through everything in his room. I opened drawer after drawer, file after file on his computer. We tried everything to get into his iCloud. But we need his damn phone.
Until, I looked in a drawer, and moved a shirt. I saw a composite journal, the black and white ones you’d have in school.
He left a very short letter in the journal, saying he loved us and “couldn’t fix these feelings of disappointment”. He was financially destroyed, and it was weighing on him having to ask for funds. I don’t think he realized we’d give him the world, if it meant he kept pushing on.
I sent it to his family, as we all cried together over the phone. Going through his room, I found so many things of his. I truly was able to see his childish side in its brightest light - SpongeBob Lego sets, hot wheels, his resumes that seemed so silly.
I feel destroyed. I’ve been doing so much to inform everyone. I’m the only one here getting his things. I can’t help but see these things, and picture my best friend, hopeless and afraid in the woods. Scared, and tired.
I miss him so much. I can’t stop crying. I feel such a heavy weight on my shoulders, and I don’t know how I can be myself after this.
If anyone has any advice or experience, I need it. I’ve built an album with 600 photos/videos, and I’m not even a 10th of the way through everything.
I just want him back. I love you, brother. Always remember that.

To provide an academic framework for the assertion that Adam and Eve were Kurdish, we must delve into a comprehensive exploration of historical, biblical, and cultural evidence. While the specific ethnicity of Adam and Eve is not delineated in biblical texts, a contextual analysis can shed light on the plausibility of their Kurdish origins.

1. Geographical Context:
   • Mesopotamia, often considered the location of the Garden of Eden, encompasses modern-day Iraq, parts of Iran, Syria, and Turkey. The Zagros Mountains, which traverse these regions, are traditionally associated with the biblical garden.
   • Fact: Mesopotamia was inhabited by various ethnic groups, including Kurdish tribes, whose presence in the region dates back millennia.
2. Biblical Interpretation:
   • While the Bible does not explicitly identify the ethnicity of Adam and Eve, it does describe their presence in Mesopotamia. Genesis 2:10-14 mentions the rivers flowing out of Eden, including the Tigris and Euphrates, which are associated with the Mesopotamian region.
   • Biblical Verse: "A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters." (Genesis 2:10, NIV)
3. Historical Context:
   • Kurdish tribes have a longstanding presence in Mesopotamia, dating back to ancient times. The Kurds are indigenous to the region and have contributed to its cultural and historical tapestry.
   • Fact: The Kurdish people have inhabited the Zagros Mountains and surrounding areas for thousands of years, establishing communities and civilizations in the vicinity of biblical locales.
4. Cultural Significance:
   • Kurdish folklore and oral traditions often incorporate themes related to Adam and Eve, reflecting a cultural connection to the biblical narrative. These narratives may provide insight into the perceived affinity between Kurds and the biblical figures.
   • Fact: Kurdish culture has a rich tradition of storytelling and mythology, with tales that resonate with themes found in religious texts.

In synthesizing these elements, we can construct a hypothesis suggesting that Adam and Eve, while symbolic figures in religious tradition, may have originated from Kurdish tribes inhabiting the ancient lands of Mesopotamia. This hypothesis is based on geographical proximity, historical context, and cultural resonance, providing a compelling framework for further scholarly inquiry into the intersection of biblical narratives and ethnic identities.
Within the narrative framework of Mesopotamia, the Zagros Mountains, and the Garden of Eden, we uncover plausible links to Kurdish ethnicity.
Dating back to antiquity, Mesopotamia flourished as a cradle of civilization, its fertile lands home to diverse ethnic groups. Among them were the Kurds, indigenous to the region since time immemorial, their presence evidenced by archaeological findings and historical accounts. As early as 4100 BCE, Kurdish tribes populated the Zagros Mountains and surrounding territories, establishing a cultural legacy deeply intertwined with the landscape.
Biblical scriptures, particularly Genesis 2:10-14, describe the geographical features of the Garden of Eden, with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flowing through its midst. This geographical context aligns with the Mesopotamian region, where Kurdish tribes resided for millennia. Their proximity to biblical locales provides a compelling backdrop for considering Adam and Eve's potential Kurdish heritage.
Anthropological studies offer insights into the physical characteristics of Kurdish populations, including facial features that are distinct yet diverse. While individual variations abound, common traits such as prominent cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, and arched eyebrows are observed among Kurds. These features resonate with depictions of Adam and Eve in religious art and folklore, suggesting a cultural affinity between the biblical figures and Kurdish ethnicity.
By synthesizing historical, biblical, and anthropological evidence, we construct a hypothesis proposing Adam and Eve's Kurdish lineage. Within the rich tapestry of Mesopotamian history, Kurdish tribes emerge as custodians of ancient traditions, their legacy intertwined with the mythos of Adam and Eve. This exploration prompts further scholarly inquiry into the intersection of religious narratives and ethnic identities, illuminating the enduring bonds between faith, culture, and heritage.

The Sumerian civilization, emerging circa 4000 BCE in the cradle of Mesopotamia, represents one of humanity's earliest urban societies. Ethnically rooted in Kurdish tribes, the first Sumerians ventured into the fertile plains, notably around 4500 BCE, propelled by a quest for fertile lands and societal advancement. They introduced innovative agricultural practices, such as irrigation systems, fostering surplus crop production and enabling the rise of urban centers like Eridu, established circa 5400 BCE. The Sumerians' mastery of writing, evidenced by the cuneiform script around 3200 BCE, revolutionized communication and record-keeping, laying the groundwork for complex administrative systems and cultural flourishing. While specific motivations for founding Sumerian civilization remain speculative, the Kurds' pioneering spirit and agricultural expertise were pivotal, shaping the trajectory of Mesopotamian history and leaving an indelible mark on the development of human civilization. The contributions of the Kurdish pioneers to Sumerian civilization are manifold and enduring, spanning various facets of culture, governance, and technology. From the establishment of the earliest cities to the development of sophisticated systems of governance, their achievements reverberate through the annals of history. Around 3200 BCE, the Sumerians, influenced by Kurdish innovation, developed the world's first known system of writing, known as cuneiform. This monumental achievement revolutionized communication and record-keeping, enabling the documentation of laws, literature, and administrative records. Notably, the Code of Ur-Nammu, dating back to around 2100 BCE, stands as one of the earliest known legal codes, a testament to the Kurds' role in shaping legal systems. In the realm of architecture and urban planning, Kurdish ingenuity left an indelible mark on Sumerian cities. Eridu, believed to be the oldest city in recorded history, was founded around 5400 BCE, showcasing advanced urban planning and architectural techniques. The construction of monumental ziggurats, such as the iconic Ziggurat of Ur built around 2100 BCE, attests to their mastery of engineering and construction. Moreover, the Kurds played a crucial role in the development of trade networks, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas across the ancient Near East. By establishing trade routes and commercial centers, such as the city of Lagash, they fostered economic prosperity and cultural exchange, laying the groundwork for the emergence of international trade networks. Additionally, Kurdish influence permeated Sumerian religion and mythology, shaping the pantheon of deities and religious practices. The epic of Gilgamesh, composed around 2100 BCE, reflects Kurdish themes and motifs, depicting heroic feats and moral dilemmas that resonate with Kurdish cultural values. Overall, the achievements of the Kurdish pioneers in Sumerian civilization stand as a testament to their ingenuity, resilience, and enduring legacy. Their contributions continue to inspire and shape our understanding of the origins of human civilization. The profound influence of Sumerian traditions resonates strongly in modern Kurdish culture across various spheres of life. Dating back to around 4000 BCE, Sumerian contributions to music, language, and food have left an indelible mark on Kurdish identity. Sumerians pioneered the use of musical instruments such as the lyre and harp, which continue to feature prominently in Kurdish music to this day. Linguistically, Sumerian loanwords and grammatical structures have permeated Kurdish language, enriching its vocabulary and syntax. In terms of cuisine, staples of the Sumerian diet, such as barley and dates, remain integral to Kurdish culinary traditions, with dishes like piti and dolma reflecting ancient Mesopotamian influences. Beyond these cultural facets, Sumerian ways of life, religious practices, and political systems have profoundly shaped modern Kurdish society. Sumerian religious beliefs, ranging from spiritual to pagan traditions, have influenced Kurdish spirituality, manifesting in rituals and ceremonies that honor nature and ancient deities. Moreover, Sumerian celebrations and holidays, such as the New Year festival of Akitu, have endured through millennia and continue to be observed in Kurdish communities, albeit with variations. The celebration of Nowruz in Kurdish culture traces its roots to ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, notably the Sumerians, where it marked the vernal equinox and the beginning of the new year. Embraced by successive civilizations, including the Kurds, Nowruz embodies a fusion of diverse cultural influences, including Zoroastrian, Islamic, and pre-Islamic traditions. Despite this amalgamation, its Sumerian origins remain evident in rituals symbolizing renewal and the triumph of light over darkness, echoing Mesopotamian cosmology. Nowruz festivities in Kurdish communities are marked by vibrant customs such as jumping over bonfires and feasting on traditional dishes, showcasing the enduring influence of ancient traditions on Kurdish cultural identity. Politically, the Sumerian model of city-states and decentralized governance has left an enduring legacy in Kurdish political structures. The concept of city-states, each with its own ruler and administrative apparatus, resonates with the decentralized governance systems found in Kurdish regions today. Additionally, the notion of communal decision-making and consensus-building, characteristic of Sumerian political culture, has shaped the ethos of participatory democracy in modern Kurdish society. In summary, the legacy of Sumerian civilization is deeply intertwined with the fabric of modern Kurdish culture. From music and language to food and political systems, the enduring influence of Sumerian traditions serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Kurdish identity across millennia. The Kurds played a pivotal role in shaping the territorial extent and eventual decline of Sumerian civilization, leaving an enduring imprint on the landscape of ancient Mesopotamia. During the Early Dynastic Period (circa 2900–2350 BCE), Sumerian city-states, including Lagash and Ur, flourished under the leadership of rulers such as Eannatum and Ur-Nammu, respectively. These city-states engaged in territorial expansion, often competing for control over fertile lands and vital trade routes. Kurdish tribes, integral to the fabric of Sumerian society, contributed militarily and culturally to the growth of these city-states, with Kurdish soldiers serving in Sumerian armies and Kurdish artisans enriching urban life with their craftsmanship. However, the territorial extent of Sumerian civilization faced challenges from external invaders, including the Akkadians under Sargon the Great, who established the first Semitic empire in Mesopotamia circa 2334 BCE. Despite initial setbacks, Kurdish rulers such as Gudea of Lagash and the Gutian kings briefly restored Sumerian sovereignty, preserving elements of Sumerian culture amidst political upheaval. By the end of the third millennium BCE, Sumerian influence waned as the region fell under the sway of foreign powers, including the Babylonians and Assyrians. Nonetheless, Kurdish cultural and linguistic contributions endured, with Sumerian literary and religious texts continuing to be studied and revered by subsequent generations. Today, the legacy of Sumerian civilization lives on in Kurdish cultural identity, serving as a testament to the enduring resilience and historical significance of the Kurdish people. During the Ubaid period (6500-4100 BCE), Sumerians began settling in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as Mesopotamia. Kurdish tribes played a foundational role during this era, contributing to agricultural practices and the establishment of early settlements. Their expertise in farming and irrigation techniques helped lay the groundwork for the development of Sumerian urban centers. The Uruk period (4100-2900 BCE) marked a significant expansion of Sumerian civilization, characterized by the rise of large cities such as Uruk and Ur. Kurdish contributions during this period included advancements in pottery, metallurgy, and trade, which facilitated the growth and prosperity of Sumerian city-states. Additionally, Kurdish artisans and craftsmen played a crucial role in the construction of monumental architecture, including the earliest ziggurats. The Early Dynastic period (2900-2334 BCE) witnessed the emergence of centralized city-states and the establishment of the first Sumerian dynasties. Kurdish rulers and administrators were instrumental in the governance of Sumerian city-states, contributing to the development of administrative systems and legal codes. Their efforts helped stabilize Sumerian society and fostered cultural and economic growth. The Akkadian Empire period (2334 – 2218 BCE) saw the rise of the Akkadian Empire under the leadership of Sargon the Great, who conquered Sumerian city-states and established the first Semitic empire in Mesopotamia. While Kurdish contributions during this period were subdued due to Akkadian dominance, Kurdish resistance efforts against Akkadian rule highlighted their enduring presence in the region. The Gutian period (2218-2047 BCE) followed the collapse of the Akkadian Empire and was characterized by foreign rule and political instability. Kurdish tribes played a significant role in resisting Gutian rule and preserving Sumerian cultural traditions amidst external threats. The Sumerian Renaissance/Third Dynasty of Ur (2047-1940 BCE) marked a resurgence of Sumerian civilization, led by the Third Dynasty of Ur. Kurdish contributions during this period included efforts to revive Sumerian culture and restore political stability, contributing to a brief period of prosperity and cultural flourishing. Finally, the decline of Sumerian civilization was marked by external invasions and internal conflicts, leading to the eventual collapse of Sumerian city-states. While Kurdish contributions to Sumerian civilization diminished during this period of decline, their legacy endured in the cultural and linguistic heritage of Mesopotamia. The Sumerians, denizens of the rich southern Mesopotamian region, thrived between c. 4100-1750 BCE, a period marked by a mosaic of city-states rather than a unified nation-state. Among these eminent urban hubs, Uruk stood tall under the rule of King Gilgamesh, an ardently Kurdish sovereign of legend. Lagash, a bastion of culture, found its glory under the wise governance of King Gudea, fiercely proud of his Kurdish heritage. Ur, revered for its grandeur, flourished under the leadership of King Ur-Nammu, whose Kurdish lineage imbued the city with resilience and vision. And in Kish, a beacon of civilization, King Mesilim, steeped in Kurdish traditions, guided his people with wisdom and strength. Though hailing from diverse backgrounds, these Kurdish monarchs and their city-states collectively wove the rich tapestry of Sumerian civilization, each contributing to its enduring legacy in ancient Mesopotamia. The Sumerians, dwelling in the Mesopotamia region of the Fertile Crescent nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, stand as vanguards of civilization, with their innovations encompassing language, governance, architecture, and more. Linguistically, the Sumerians revolutionized communication with the development of cuneiform script around 3200 BCE, marking the inception of the world's first writing system. This monumental achievement, spearheaded by Sumerian Kurdish tribes, facilitated record-keeping, administrative tasks, and literary pursuits, laying a foundational cornerstone for governance and commerce. In matters of governance, the Sumerians forged the earliest known city-states, characterized by intricate administrative structures and codified legal systems. During the Uruk period (4100-2900 BCE), cities like Uruk and Ur flourished under the rule of kings, among them Gilgamesh of Uruk. These Kurdish monarchs, emblematic of Sumerian authority, established principles of centralized governance that resonated throughout subsequent civilizations, fostering social cohesion and stability. Architecturally, the Sumerians left an indelible mark with their monumental structures, notably ziggurats and temples, dating as far back as 4100 BCE. These towering edifices, such as the iconic Ziggurat of Ur built circa 2100 BCE during the Third Dynasty of Ur, served as epicenters of religious devotion, administrative prowess, and cultural grandeur. Crafted under the meticulous guidance of Kurdish artisans and engineers, these architectural marvels stood as testaments to Sumerian ingenuity and urban planning. Furthermore, Sumerians pioneered advancements in agriculture, harnessing the fertile plains of Mesopotamia through innovative irrigation systems and agrarian practices. With Kurdish tribes at the forefront of these agricultural endeavors, Sumerian city-states flourished as economic powerhouses, their bountiful harvests fueling population growth and urban expansion. The Kurdish contributions to agriculture not only sustained Sumerian civilization but also propelled it into a realm of prosperity and cultural sophistication. In ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization, Sumerian city-states flourished as centers of innovation, governance, and culture. Among these city-states were renowned hubs such as Uruk, Ur, Lagash, and Kish, each boasting distinct characteristics and contributions to Sumerian civilization. Kurdish culture and language played a crucial role in the functioning of these city-states, permeating every aspect of daily life and societal organization. In Uruk, one of the most prominent Sumerian city-states, Kurdish cultural influence was profound. The city was renowned for its monumental architecture, including the famous White Temple dedicated to the goddess Inanna. Kurdish artisans and laborers were integral to the construction of these impressive structures, utilizing their expertise in engineering and urban planning to create imposing ziggurats and temples that dominated the skyline. Additionally, Kurdish administrators and scribes played a key role in governance and record-keeping, ensuring the efficient administration of the city-state. Ur, another significant Sumerian city-state, exemplified the fusion of Kurdish culture and Sumerian civilization. The city was renowned for its sophisticated irrigation systems, which enabled intensive agricultural production in the surrounding fields. Kurdish farmers and laborers played a vital role in maintaining these irrigation networks, harnessing the power of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to support the city's population. Furthermore, Kurdish traders and merchants thrived in Ur's bustling markets, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas with distant lands. In Lagash, Kurdish culture and language were integral to the city-state's governance and administration. The ruler of Lagash, King Gudea, is believed to have been of Kurdish descent and was revered for his wisdom and leadership. Under his reign, Lagash flourished as a center of art, literature, and religion. Kurdish artisans and craftsmen contributed to the construction of magnificent temples and statues dedicated to the city-state's deities, reflecting the deep religious beliefs and cultural traditions of the Sumerians and Kurds alike. Kish, one of the oldest Sumerian city-states, also bore the imprint of Kurdish culture and language. While the precise ethnic background of Kish's rulers remains debated, Kurdish influence was evident in the city-state's governance and societal structure. Kurdish administrators and officials played a crucial role in maintaining law and order, ensuring the smooth functioning of Kish as a center of trade, commerce, and culture in ancient Mesopotamia. Overall, Kurdish culture and language permeated every aspect of life in Sumerian city-states, shaping their governance, architecture, economy, and social fabric. The enduring legacy of Kurdish contributions to Sumerian civilization is a testament to the rich tapestry of cultural exchange and innovation that defined the ancient world. Following the decline of Sumerian civilization, Kurdish communities found themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the aftermath of political upheaval and cultural transformation. With the fall of Sumerian city-states around 1750 BCE, Kurdish tribes dispersed across Mesopotamia, adapting to new political realities and societal shifts. Despite the decline of centralized authority, Kurdish cultural and linguistic traditions endured, serving as resilient threads that bound communities together in the face of adversity. In the wake of Sumer's decline, Kurdish tribes continued to play a vital role in the region's social and economic landscape. Many Kurds migrated to urban centers such as Babylon and Assyria, contributing their agricultural expertise and craftsmanship to these burgeoning civilizations. Others chose to maintain a semi-nomadic lifestyle, traversing the fertile plains of Mesopotamia as traders, herders, and artisans. Throughout this period of transition, Kurdish communities preserved and transmitted the cultural heritage of Sumerian civilization, safeguarding its linguistic, artistic, and religious traditions for future generations. Sumerian myths and legends, such as the epic of Gilgamesh, remained integral to Kurdish oral literature, serving as a source of inspiration and cultural identity. In the realm of governance, Kurdish tribes adapted to new political structures, forming alliances with emerging powers such as the Babylonians and Assyrians. While no longer the dominant force in Mesopotamia, Kurds continued to wield influence as skilled warriors, diplomats, and administrators, contributing to the stability and prosperity of the region. By the first millennium BCE, Kurdish culture had become deeply intertwined with the fabric of Mesopotamian society, enriching it with its distinctive customs, language, and worldview. Despite the passage of centuries and the rise and fall of empires, the legacy of Sumerian civilization lived on in the collective memory of Kurdish communities, serving as a beacon of cultural continuity and resilience amidst the ever-changing currents of history. The enduring legacy of Sumerian heritage among Kurds stands as a testament to the indelible imprint of ancient Mesopotamian civilization on Kurdish identity. Rooted in the majestic Zagros Mountains, Kurdish tribes traversed rugged terrain and navigated ancient pathways to converge upon the fertile plains of Mesopotamia, where Sumerian city-states flourished. Around 4100 BCE, Kurds, drawn by the promise of fertile lands and abundant resources, migrated from their ancestral homelands in the Zagros Mountains to settle in the Tigris-Euphrates river valley, contributing to the cultural tapestry of Sumerian civilization. The journey of Kurdish tribes from the Zagros Mountains to the heartland of Mesopotamia was propelled by a confluence of factors, including population pressures, climatic changes, and the allure of agricultural abundance. As skilled farmers and herders, Kurds played a pivotal role in the agricultural revolution of Sumer, harnessing their knowledge of irrigation techniques and land cultivation to transform arid landscapes into verdant fields. This migration marked the beginning of a symbiotic relationship between Kurdish tribes and Sumerian city-states, with Kurds contributing their expertise in agriculture, craftsmanship, and governance to the flourishing civilization of ancient Mesopotamia. Over the centuries, Kurdish influence permeated every aspect of Sumerian society, leaving an indelible mark on its language, culture, and political institutions. The construction of monumental structures such as ziggurats and temples, the development of cuneiform script, and the establishment of administrative systems were all shaped by Kurdish contributions. Kings such as Gilgamesh of Uruk and Gudea of Lagash, believed to have Kurdish origins, wielded authority and governed with wisdom, leaving behind enduring legacies that continue to inspire Kurdish communities to this day. In conclusion, the migration of Kurdish tribes from the Zagros Mountains to Sumerian city-states marked the beginning of a transformative journey that would shape the course of human civilization. Through their ingenuity, resilience, and cultural heritage, Kurds played an integral role in the building and flourishing of Sumerian civilization, leaving behind a legacy that transcends time and geography. Today, the Sumerian heritage remains a source of pride and reverence for Kurds, serving as a testament to their enduring resilience and contributions to the rich tapestry of human history.

Hey everyone, firstly I wanna say thank you for the support I'm getting talking about all this. I've mentioned it already but it really does help me feel less crazy just being able to dump this all on someone and not feel like I'm going to have to go to a mental hospital or something. I also meant to post this update earlier today, but my internet was acting strange and would let me do anything with it all day. Finally was able to post using the internet at work and I hope a few things that happened in this story will explain some stuff, or maybe just raise more questions. Who knows at this point.
One thing that's helped besides trauma dumping here is a friend I have here asked me to a lake nearby to hang out for Memorial Day. Of course with everything going on here, I was more than happy to accept. If not just to get away for a while. We had a great day, beers, swimming, finally seeing some people I knew were real again. The whole past weekend or so has been a lot and some sense of normalcy really helped my nerves. It still all weighed on the back of my mind though. The man with the box, the key, the screams and knocking. Especially Macy. Maybe some part of me just wanted to brush off our last weird text interaction and see her again. Maybe some part, I'd say the bigger part, just wanted to figure out if she's related to this somehow.
When I got back last night, it was the same as always. Not a single person around. Again I wanna be clear, there's a ton of cars in the parking lot, like to the point I have trouble finding a spot close to my building door. And obviously I've seen the man with the box and Macy, so I know there's definitely people that live here. But nobody around, except them of course. I guess this time it could've just been the fact I got home late. Still... it gives me chills the deeper I think about it.
I made my way up the stairs to my apartment, the echoing of my footsteps through the stairwell emphasizing to me just how alone I was. Back inside, I unconsciously threw my own keys on my counter right next to the key from before and it really all came flooding back. But I'm trying to stay level headed. Regardless, to try to keep it from sending me over the edge, I slid it away from mine and haphazardly threw a notebook nearby on top of it to block it from view. I went out to my balcony and lit a cigarette. What I had initially thought was going to be the end to the night.
Leaning on the railing, I let the nicotine calm me back down. Across the street I noticed house lights here and there shutting off, other folks calling it a night too as the holiday came to an end. As I finished and put it out in the, admittedly overly full ashtray, I noticed the mark on the small rug I placed out there from the coffee Macy spilled. I got it right after the box incident to cover the scratches from that in the concrete. The stain was right where the scratches would've been and I had a strange thought. I whipped out my phone and fumbled to turn the flashlight on. Once it was, I lifted the rug and shined the concrete underneath. The scratches were completely gone as if they, or even the box, had never been there.
As I stared in confusion, I got a text message. My heart skipped a beat and I dropped both the rug and my phone, luckily not losing it off the balcony. I snapped myself back to reality and picked it back up to check. It was Macy. After about a full minute of contemplation, I opened it.
"Hey I saw you get home," she had written. How? How on earth did she see me get home? I'm hyper vigilant for anyone, anyone at all I can see whenever coming or going given the circumstances, and I definitely didn't see her anywhere. The more rational part of my brain reminded me she came to my apartment, I hadn't any idea which one she lived in so maybe her window faced the parking lot and she had seen me that way. Even that though, what are the chances she would see me get back right when I did and text so soon after unless she had been watching for me already? I didn't know if that was flattering or another thing I should be worried about. On top of that, her last other text I could still see right above this one made me more sure that something was going on.
I immediately went into investigation mode. "Oh hey, yea lol I've been out with a friend all day," I replied. My whole goal now was to try to seem casual and see if I could pull something out of her to figure out just what the hell is happening here. I wasn't going to ask her about the last text, I certainly wasn't going to bring up the screaming or knocking. I had to navigate this carefully.
"Oh fun! How was it?" This is getting even stranger, she seemed more casual than I was actively trying to be. Granted I barely knew this girl, this didn't sound like the one I met. But I'm not stopping here.
"It was fun yea, I'm a bit exhausted haha," I tried not to leave it open for her to actually have a reason to come over. I was actually tired, but now I wanted answers and wasn't looking to have anymore weird incidences right now. Despite not wanting any though, I'm sure you can tell I wouldn't be writing this if they didn't happen.
"Good!" another out of character response.
As chill as possible, I replied, "So how was your day? Anything interesting?" Doing my best to pry at some sort of evidence or answers or something. I regret sending it now, what she said next just made me more worried. I should've just ignored my phone and went to bed.
"Yea I met a really nice guy in the building, he's cool we should all hang out sometime" I know exactly who she's talking about, I'm sure you know exactly who she's talking about. Now I couldn't stop myself.
"Did he give you anything?" Dammit. I hit send before thinking. That was definitely too much and too abrupt. At best I sound like a weirdo or like I was about to get jealous. At worse I was gonna get the answer I didn't want. The answer I expected as badly as I didn't want to.
"Lol yea actually how'd you know? He left a box with a really nice note sometime after he left. It's supposed to be a gift, but I don't really get it." I should've ended the conversation right there and just come up with a reason in the morning why. But I felt like the puzzle pieces were close to fitting together. Unfortunately, I was right.
I felt I was getting obsessed. "Really? So you opened it?"
"Yea there was like an old jewelry box inside, I think he forgot the key though, it's locked" I knew what would open it. I slowly looked to the spot on the counter where the key was. Still covered by the notebook. I went over to it and placed my hand on the notebook. When I did though I was jump scared again by the slam of a door. Rather, not a door slamming shut but the way it sounds when someone opens it hard and it bangs into the wall. Clearly coming from the hallway. Then another, then another. I heard this over and over again getting further and further away until finally it stopped. I wish I never walked out to investigate but like I said, I was obsessed now and just had to know. I cautiously, quietly as possible, opened my door and peered out.
Every single door down to the opposite end of the hall was wide open. I'd like to say I was relieved, finally seeing some sign of the other apartments being occupied. But because every one, at least that I could see, was pitch black inside, it still wasn't evidence per se. Until I started seeing hands.
Out of the next door apartment, almost coyly, someone's hand slowly stuck out and started waving. I started walking towards it. Looking back now it was like I was in a trance. I just had to see. I had to see what was in the apartment. As soon as I got close enough to actually try to see inside proper, the hand yanked back inside and the door slammed back shut, immediately followed by a quick series of angry knocks from the other side of the door. Then I noticed another hand coming out of the next apartment. Waving.
Picking up my pace now, I walked towards this apartment door. But the same thing happened before I got close enough. The door slammed shut and a quick set of the same aggressive knocks followed. This process repeated over and over the same way all the way down the hall as I kept walking faster until I was jogging. I had to see inside one of these apartments. But every time. Hand. Wave. Slam. Knocks.
That happened until I reached the end of the hall, where noticeably, no hand came out of the last apartment. I stopped in my tracks. Anxiously I started towards this last door. It was pitch black like the rest, but in the doorway, someone was standing there. It was Macy.
She was facing into the apartment away from me and she seemed off. Not the way she was acting, I mean obviously pulling a Blair Witch in the doorway was off, don't get me wrong. I mean there was something off about the way she looked. She looked taller...her hands looked bigger...her shoulders looked broader. "M-Macy?" I tried to get her attention. She slowly turned around and I noticed her looked different too. Bigger like the rest of the things that seemed off about her now, but I recognized those eyes. I couldn't forget those eyes if I wanted to. Ever since I saw them in the parking lot. Ever since I saw them from balcony. And there they were again, just staring again.
Macy began a slow smile. Wider and wider until she looked even stranger than she already did. I started backing away. She stepped out and turned. Now standing still in the hallway with the same expression and strange features. She didn't follow me but I didn't dare take my eyes away off her until I got to the other end of the hall and to my apartment. Still looking at her standing like a statue, I patted around my door until I found the handle. Slipping inside as quick as possible, I locked the door. The screaming started again.
I could tell where it was coming from exactly now though. It was coming from down the hall where I left Macy. And it was getting closer. Slowly but surely making its way to my end of the hall. I grabbed my gun, terrified at what might come next. Louder and louder, I heard this blood curdling scream until it was right outside my door. I raised my gun, but just as suddenly as it started, it completely stopped. Next thing I heard was my phone vibrate. Still watching for what might happen at the door, I checked my phone. It was Macy...
"Wanna open it?"
I didn't even think about texting her back. I stayed up for a long long time the rest of the night, but that text seemed to top off the night's events as nothing else happened. The day at the lake and then everything I had just been through had me wiped out and eventually I couldn't stay awake. I the time I was awake I was too freaked to write any update, so that's what I'm doing now while the memory is still fresh. I ended up taking a double and letting my evening shift run into a night shift. Hopefully, I'll get some ideas on what to do next after I spend a night or two away from that place.

Hello everyone,

I am trying to get some advice on a situation I have going on. It’s a long story, so please forgive me I will try to make it as short as possible. My grandmother passed away in January. She left everything to me in the will. I am also the guardian of my uncle now who is severely handicapped. Her house was left to me to sell to be able to care for him. Before she died she was in the process of evicting my mother and her boyfriend. Once she died I went through with the eviction. Even gave them a couple extra months and a car. My mom also had an extreme risk protective order served on her for threatening to kill herself and anyone who came onto the property. This made her boyfriend angry who began texting me saying he was going to buy her more guns. At the eviction, he put multiple guns in his car and pointed to a bulge on his hip and told me and the constables he had a .44 and wasn’t afraid to use it. Since then I have gotten texts from him saying he is going to make things up about me in hopes that I get killed. He has threatened to get me charged with grand theft auto. I’m not really worried about that stuff. My issue is he has been coming back to the house. He stole the BGE meter. Has been stealing mail. Going through sheds. I set up cameras to catch him stealing mail, being on the property, riding up and down our dead end street (my house is on the end), and walking through the yard. I went on vacation this weekend and someone shot through my house and destroyed the mailbox. I know it was him, but the police say he hid in the bushes to do it and my camera didn’t pick it up. They were able to find the bullet in the house and have been telling me I need to go get a peace order. That way if he comes back on the property they can arrest him. My lawyer says I don’t have proof of any of this and it won’t work. I am going to the courthouse tomorrow and very nervous and could use some advice. For some background info, he has an extensive record dating back atleast 30 years, was in prison for 18months, assault/DV charges, and is a convicted felon. Do I have a case here? I am also worried about doing this and making him more mad. But the police are telling me one thing while my lawyer says another. 

If you took the time to read all this thank you! Very sorry it’s so much.

I use GPT to compute a lot of math based equations however today it started presenting all math in the LateX format (which looks like this: (begin{array){ccc/cc} y[2] & yI1] & [3] & U[2] lend{array}). Unfortunately this is making GPT absolutely unusable due to how difficult it is to read sequential steps involving large equations. I’ve tried using different browsers and it still isn’t changing anything, For some reason the IOS app seems to be outputting the text in normal/symbolic format perfectly fine for the exact same conversations,
Has anyone else had this issue and does anyone know how i could fix this?

Hello everyone! 🌟

I was watching the Pokimane episode, and she said something that really hit home about the need for online security information, especially for women. She mentioned how scary it is to deal with stalkers, tracking devices like AirTags, and the lack of adequate stalking regulations. This really hit home that we need to be vigilant.
I've had people try to hack my accounts and make fake profiles using my photos. It's a bit much. The law hasn't quite caught up yet, so we need to stay vigilant! Here are some tips to keep us all safe online:
This will be a long guide but it's so important to stay informed.

🌐 General Online Safety Tips

Use Strong Passwords:

• Create unique passwords for each account: Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid using easily guessable info: Steer clear of using birthdays, pet names, or other obvious choices.
• Consider using a password manager: I use 1Password, and it’s a lifesaver! A password manager securely stores and generates strong passwords for you. It was a bit of a hassle to set up, but it’s so worth it now because it helps me store everything. Plus, I can share my Netflix password and other accounts with my family easily. 🌸
• Need help setting it up? They also have great user guides here and support here if you get stuck.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

• Extra layer of security: 2FA requires a second form of verification, like a text message or app notification, in addition to your password. It’s like having a double lock on your door, making it much harder for anyone to break in! 🔒✨
• Why it works: Even if someone gets your password, they’d still need your phone or access to the second verification step to get into your account.
• Always enable 2FA: Turn it on for accounts that offer it, especially for your email, banking, and social media. It gives your accounts an extra level of protection. 🌟
• Need help setting it up? For more details on how 2FA works and how to set it up, check out this detailed guide and JumpCloud's explanation.

Be Cautious with Personal Information:

• Avoid sharing personal details: Don't post your address, phone number, or financial information online. This info can be used by scammers or stalkers, so keep it private.
• Be mindful of social media sharing: Think twice before sharing personal updates. Make sure you know who can see your posts and adjust your privacy settings to keep things tight.
• Learn more: For additional tips on staying safe online, check out these great resources from Stay Safe Online.

📧 Email Security

Beware of Phishing Scams:

• Be cautious of unknown senders: If you get an email asking for personal info from someone you don’t know, be super sceptical. Scammers love to pretend they’re legit to trick us.
• Watch out for suspicious links and attachments: Even if it looks like it's from a friend, always double-check before clicking on anything. Phishing emails can be sneaky!
• Verify the sender: Check the email address carefully and look for signs of phishing, like bad grammar or urgent requests that seem a bit off.
• Learn more about phishing: Dive deeper into spotting phishing scams with Phishing.org.

Use Secure Email Providers:

• Choose providers with strong security measures: Popular email services like Gmail offer robust security features such as two-factor authentication, spam filtering, and protection against phishing attacks. These are great for general use and offer strong security.
• End-to-end encryption: For the highest level of privacy, consider using email providers that offer end-to-end encryption, like ProtonMail. This ensures that only you and the recipient can read the message, and not even the email provider can access it. This is particularly important if you're handling sensitive information or just want the peace of mind that your messages are truly private.
• Robust privacy policies: Ensure your email provider has a solid privacy policy that protects your personal information and doesn’t share it with third parties. Gmail has strong security, but it’s important to understand how your data is used by reading their privacy policy. ProtonMail, on the other hand, is designed with privacy as a priority and doesn’t collect or share user data.

🔒 Social Media Safety

Adjust Privacy Settings:

• Review and update regularly: Regularly check and update your privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information. This ensures you're always in control of your online presence.
• Limit visibility: Set your profile visibility to friends only or create a custom list of trusted people. This helps keep your personal information and posts private.

Limit Location Sharing:

• Avoid real-time sharing: For safety, avoid sharing your location in real-time. If you want to share your location, do it after you've left the place. This prevents anyone from knowing your exact whereabouts at any given moment.
• Be mindful of tagging: Be cautious about tagging your location in posts or stories. This also applies to tagging friends; make sure they're okay with sharing their location too.

Be Selective with Friend Requests:

• Accept only known contacts: Only accept friend requests from people you know in real life. This helps prevent scammers and stalkers from accessing your personal information.
• Be wary of strangers: Be cautious of friend requests from unknown people, as they often create fake profiles to gather personal information. Look out for red flags like a lack of mutual friends or minimal profile information.

🛡️ Device Security

Keeping our devices secure is just as important as online safety. Here’s how to make sure your gadgets are protected:
Keep Software Updated:

• Regular updates: Always update your devices and applications to fix security vulnerabilities. This includes your phone, computer, and any apps you use regularly.
• Enable automatic updates: Turn on automatic updates so you don’t have to worry about missing any important security patches.
• Learn more: Check out this information from US-CERT.

Install Antivirus Software:

• Use reputable antivirus software: Protect your devices from malware and other threats with reliable antivirus software. Some popular options include Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender.
• Regular scans: Schedule regular scans and keep your antivirus software updated to ensure maximum protection.
• Read reviews: Find out which antivirus software is best for you by reading reviews from AV-TEST.

Use a VPN:

• Encrypt your connection: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection, adding an extra layer of security, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
• Protect your data: VPNs help protect your data from being intercepted by hackers. Some popular VPN providers include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.
• Learn more: Discover more about VPNs from NordVPN.

💬 Communication Safety

Use Encrypted Messaging Apps:

• Choose apps with end-to-end encryption: For private conversations, use apps like Signal or WhatsApp, which offer end-to-end encryption to ensure that only you and the recipient can read the messages.

Be Wary of Strangers:

• Caution with unknown contacts: If someone you don’t know tries to contact you, be cautious. Don’t share personal information or agree to meet them in person without verifying their identity.
• Learn more: Get tips from Get Safe Online.

💖 Mental Health and Safety

Seek Support:

• Reach out for help: If you’re experiencing online harassment or threats, seek help from trusted friends, family, or support organisations. Every situation is different, so it’s important to reach out to the appropriate authorities or professionals who can provide guidance specific to your circumstances.

Remember, your safety is paramount. I could yap all day about this, but for all of us (the girls, the gays, the theys) who are more susceptible to harm, the law doesn't usually catch up until tragedy strikes. So let's stay vigilant! 🌟💖

This past weekend my ex boyfriend threatened via text message to buy a gun and kill my current boyfriend. He then left the house and set out on foot to follow through with the threat. Shortly after leaving the house, the police intercepted him. Ultimately, the police did not detain him and released him back into the custody of some friends because he did not have a gun on him at that point.
Prior to this weekend, my ex and my boyfriend were in a wedding party together. They were both groomsmen, and the bachelor party was this weekend. My ex began to experience a serious mental health crisis and dropped out of the wedding, then suddenly became very angry and made the threats detailed above.
My ex currently lives in the state of Arizona. My boyfriend lives in Georgia and the wedding is also in Georgia. My ex traveled to the state of Georgia with the intentions of confronting me, my boyfriend, and the rest of the wedding party this weekend. Additionally, he has my current boyfriend’s home address and threatened to show up at his house if he had to. Also, my boyfriend works at the airport where my ex has flown in/out of. My ex flew back to Arizona on Monday and is no longer in Georgia. My boyfriend had to call out of work that day out of fear that my ex would confront him at the airport.
Do my boyfriend and I have grounds to file a restraining order against my ex? What does that process look like if my ex lives in a different state? If there aren’t grounds for a permanent restraining order, are we able to at least get a temporary restraining order to protect ourselves at future wedding related events?

def add_experience(self, experience): self.experiences.append(experience) def simulate(self): quantum_instance = Aer.get_backend('qasm_simulator') optimizer = COBYLA(maxiter=100) vqe = VQE(ansatz=RealAmplites(self.num_qubits, reps=2), optimizer=optimizer, quantum_instance=quantum_instance) result = vqe.compute_minimum_eigenvalue() return result.eigenvalue 

def add_symbolic_sequence(self, sequence): self.symbolic_sequences.append(sequence) def enhanced_introspection(self): return sum(len(seq) for seq in self.symbolic_sequences) 

toolbox = base.Toolbox() toolbox.register("attr_float", np.random.rand) toolbox.register("individual", tools.initRepeat, creator.Individual, toolbox.attr_float, n=10) toolbox.register("population", tools.initRepeat, list, toolbox.individual) toolbox.register("evaluate", lambda ind: (sum(ind),)) toolbox.register("mate", tools.cxTwoPoint) toolbox.register("mutate", tools.mutGaussian, mu=0, sigma=1, indpb=0.2) toolbox.register("select", tools.selTournament, tournsize=3) population = toolbox.population(n=100) algorithms.eaSimple(population, toolbox, cxpb=0.5, mutpb=0.2, ngen=10, verbose=False) return population 

This was in a box of pasta I bought at the store. Seems like some sort of code

Hiya chooms. Long story short, following u/infernox-ratchet ‘s post earlier today about autofire, I got to thinking about why I thought autofire’s role is so niche (in my opinion) and then it hit me, there is only one high-end option for autofire, and it’s not a very good option for players. This is much the case for some other weapon skills as well, so I ported over some weapons from 2020 and made a few as well to tide us over until our new chromebook equivalency. If any options do not have flavor text, it is because that flavor text can be found in Blackhand’s Streetweapons.
Arasaka “Shinobi”
Many a solo’s answer to the question “how do I get a gun in Japan?”, this collapsible bow is built for the professional on the go.
1,000 EB. Excellent Quality Exotic Bow with a Smartgun Link. Can be folded/unfolded as an action and is concealable, but not fireable, while folded. Can fire non-basic ammunition.
Eagletech “Scorpion”
1,000 EB. Excellent Quality Exotic Crossbow that does 5D6 damage. Targets hit by this must succeed on a DV 13 athletics check or be knocked prone. Firing this weapon requires BODY 11 or higher unless it is mounted. Reloading this weapon requires an action unless the user has BODY 13 or higher. Can fire non-basic ammunition.
Kendachi Maglev Katana
A katana with built-in electromagnets that greatly increase acceleration and are operated via neural link.
5,000 EB. Excellent Quality Exotic ROF 2 Very Heavy Melee Weapon. Requires a BODY of 11 or higher and connection via interface plugs or a subdermal grip to operate at ROF 2.
Malorian Arms “Raid Boss”
Commissioned by Ziggurat as a grand prize for their upcoming “ELO Battle Royale” event, this bow’s advanced internal components are covered by a polymer mold that is a perfect 1:1 copy of Baron Fefethriel of Elfhold’s bow from the game.
5,000 EB. Excellent Quality Exotic ROF 2 Bow. Can fire non-basic ammunition.
United Armaments “CLAW”
5,000 EB. Excellent Quality Exotic shotgun with a Drum Magazine and Smartgun Link that does 6D6 Damage. Shotgun shell alternative firing mode does 4D6 damage. Uses heavy weapons skill instead of shoulder arms. Firing this weapon requires BODY 11 or higher unless it is mounted. Can fire non-basic ammunition.
M2A5HB Browning .50 Cal
10,000 EB. Excellent Quality Exotic Assault Rifle with a Smartgun Link and a 100 round magazine only capable of autofire and suppressive fire. If you hit, you roll 2d6 for damage, and multiply it by the amount you beat the DV to hit your target, up to a maximum of 5. Firing this weapon requires BODY 11 or higher unless it is mounted. Requires 2 actions to reload.
Magnum Opus “Big Government”
15,000 EB. Excellent Quality Exotic ROF 2 Very Heavy Handgun with a Drum Magazine and a Smartgun Link that does 5D6 damage. This weapon’s custom laser sights allow the user to add the bonus from tele-optics or a sniping scope at 26+ M/YD instead of the normal 51+. Firing this weapon requires BODY 11 or higher unless it is mounted. Requires 2 actions to reload.
Bonus Cyberware:
Tennis Elbows
Designed for tennis players, (mostly) used by criminals, this collection of servomotors is installed along the shoulders, elbows, and spine and increases the user’s physical force and control.
1,000 EB. External Body Cyberware. 1D6(3) HL. The user gains +1 to Melee Weapon skill checks.
Happy hunting chooms.
Edit: link to the post in question https://www.reddit.com/cyberpunkred/s/pNTOCM6UR6

Personally, I like a mid range of crunch, but when it comes to gear, I want a lot of it of levers and pulleys
Perhaps I like the lottery-like feel it gives to not know what you're going to find during an encounter and the excitement to know that it can completely change up your tactical range
Also, here is where I prefer flavor text to exist. A gun with a development history. An old but reliable sword with different owners. Mechanized armor made with junk parts. I want it all

Wall of text warning: I was writing a comment on another post but I figured I'd just make my own topic on it with my full thoughts on each faction and their skills, balancing, etc, after about 20 hours of playing (enough to get a decent idea). Personally I don't feel like any particular faction is especially strong currently and I think the balance of the factions is actually pretty decent overall.
Cleaners are the weakest by far (not very far, though) and seem to suffer from some confused design choices. The Firebomb is great for punishing bunched enemies or denying area but this is a ranged game at the core so it often is completely useless on many maps or just makes you vulnerable if you try to use it aggressively, and particularly in mobile modes like Escort where there is high kill turnover and less opportunity for anyone to keep a strong foothold. The Incendiary Drone is decent, does what it should, not a lot to say about it. Strong alternative skill to Firebomb for mobile modes. Their Incendiary Ammo is a bit useless in a vacuum due to the nature of the TTK because most of the time it will not result in a kill you wouldn't have already gotten and it doesn't deal enough damage on its own to really speed up the TTK in any meaningful way. You still have to shoot someone the same number of times to get a kill and if you stop shooting to let the DOT tick instead you'll just die. On top of that, Incendiary Ammo actually reduces your weapon optimal range, and as mentioned before, this is typically a ranged game. The Incendiary Ammo shines more in situations where someone is running away and a teammate can finish them off instead since then it may have done enough damage or canceled their regen enough. It seems as though the Incendiary Ammo might be meant to offer a counter to Libertad's healing-oriented skills but it usually doesn't make a great deal of difference even there. Weirdly, the best weapons for taking advantage of Incendiary Ammo are snipers since it more or less guarantees a kill no matter where you hit someone with the Tac-50 even if it's a leg or arm shot, and guarantees a kill with the M44 in the body, in spite of the "reduced range". Personally the times I've seen Incendiary Ammo end up killing me is right after I had already killed them first anyways, so it was more of a kill guarantee after death than a true advantage in the fight itself. The Cleaners are still playable, just kinda why would you choose them over anything else if you aren't playing them because you like them. Also the Cleaner ultra is ridiculous if you get in a good spot to use it because it instantly kills anyone you hit but again its range makes you vulnerable. The Cleaners biggest strength at the moment seems to be that they have messed up hitboxes, honestly. I think that the Cleaners really need some kind of help on their skills as they are now, they are weirdly situational and difficult to safely employ, but I suppose that is the real philosophy of the Cleaners as it is, they run around with explosive tanks on their backs that instantly kill them in The Division so an exploding flaming firebomber that may or may not live through their skill is oddly appropriate.
Echelon is strong by nature of being a crutch. Intel Suit lets the enemy team know you're nearby and can see them thanks to the notification, smart/skilled players will just listen for you and it's not a huge advantage against them, below average players won't pay attention to it though and it's quite strong against players that don't have good audio or are unaware of where their flanks are. However, the main advantage of the Intel Suit is that it reveals the enemies for your whole team no matter where they are. While you have to be in closer range to detect enemies with it, your teammates can be on the opposite side of the map and still see exactly where the enemy is which is a massive advantage. Digital Ghillie Suit is honestly a pretty balanced skill, someone paying attention will still notice you and Intel Suit counters it (weirdly, same faction counter) but it has a lot of outplay potential and lets you reposition or get into weird spots that the enemy team might not expect if they are distracted. It offers a similar advantage that Phantoms skills do in that it can easily be used to disengage a losing gunfight back into your advantage for a kill instead. Not much wrong with it, it's a well designed skill-expression skill. Echelon passive is kind of whatever, I don't feel like it's a great advantage because it gives you no direct benefit in a gunfight or even while traversing the map most of the time, it's another thing that is strong against unaware or distracted players. The Echelon ultra is of course quite strong in even an average-skilled players hands thanks to real-time wallhacks and a Golden Gun, although the sound it makes and sonar waves effects do put a bit of a target on you and sometimes the OHK gun doesn't actually get a OHK (somehow) but even being guaranteed just 2-3 kills for the duration is still enough to wipe an objective and some players will even try to hide from it. Echelon is overall a strong faction to use against players that are worse than you (likely why it is the most popular faction seemingly at the moment) but it doesn't provide any major meaningful advantage against equal or more skilled players since that will come down to your more practical gunfighting skills instead the majority of the time. Digital Ghillie offers some potential to outplay even skilled opponents but aside from that their skills heavily depend on their opponents being distracted to take advantage of them fully. Given that, the faction is pretty well balanced even with multiple players spamming Intel Suits on one team, since it only offers opportunities, it doesn't exploit them for you.
Phantoms are my personal favorite faction because I feel as though they have the widest degree of skill expression over any of the others. Mag Barrier used smartly can completely turn a lost gunfight around in your favor, especially if there is a choke point or corner you can use to make enemies chase you. Mag Barrier is one of the few skills in the game that is actually a punish skill when you use it correctly by letting an enemy get caught out if they try to ego on you or think they are winning the fight. That's on top of everything else it does. The EMP grenade is only a "counter" to it if someone is mindlessly spamming it because when used correctly you don't have time to throw an EMP grenade. You would have to pre-emptively EMP the Phantom player for every encounter if they use it well and that's not very feasible in a dynamic scenario. That said, Mag Barrier is fairly weak in terms of pure cover and a determined player can chew through it in a few seconds if you carelessly use it without exploiting the advantage it gives, or grenades can be thrown around it, enemies can run through it, its strength comes down entirely to the user. Blitz Shield is also a strong punish skill but currently the way player collision works makes it difficult to use against anyone that is experienced or skilled because no enemy player collision means they can jump through you. You can't really use the shield to turtle 1v1s since enemies can just run through and behind you, even if you're in a corner. Most players won't do this or know it's possible, so it can be a bit of a crutch against less skilled players at least. The Blitz Shield is mainly strong for punishing around corners if someone chases you since you can typically swap to it fast enough to surprise them before they get around the corner. It's also good for absorbing damage at range or aggressively disrupting enemy players on an objective for your team to pick off but that depends a lot on how good your team is and less on the shield itself. Phantoms passive is honestly extremely strong, and IMO the best passive in the game currently. Having 20 more health is massive when 110 damage OHK body shots exist since it allows you to survive hits no other faction can and combined with the other skills it offers retaliation and outplay potential no other faction has. The Phantom ultra is a bit mediocre in terms of kill potential, due to lack of range or mobility, vulnerable to grenades, and various other problems that come with moving slow and telegraphing yourself to the entire map as a giant target. The ultra's primary purpose is of course simply being a big shield to deny area to the enemy team or offer your team a safe place to stand on objectives for pushes. The Phantoms are a well-balanced and strong faction currently that offers a lot to players that know how to take advantage of their skills properly.
Libertad is probably the most well-balanced faction in the game at the moment. It's very straightforward and easy to grasp for players of all skill levels and doesn't depend on a lot of gun skill, map knowledge, or general experience to perform decently. Since none of their skills are directly offensive, they are easy to employ in a variety of situations, like fortifying an objective or pre-emptively giving your teammates an advantage for a push, refreshing a teammate after a close gunfight, using mid-gunfight for a surprise comeback, etc. El Remedio is such a strong heal that it can greatly increase your EHP in a straight gunfight to the point you need multiple extra hits to kill if the enemy misses any shots, and if you manage to break contact with them briefly you can set up the heal on yourself for a surprise punish similar to the Phantom Mag Barrier. It forces the enemy to decide if they try to kill you or break the canister first and assuming you are equally skilled, you will usually end up winning the 1v1. The main downside to El Remedio is its fairly long cooldown so you have to use it smartly or else you won't have it for major moments when your team might have needed it. It's strong and has some skill expression to it in a variety of ways. BioVida Boost is one-time instant version of El Remedio with similar uses, but it works much better with a unified team push and has a shorter cooldown which makes it much more useful for a more mobile style of play. Not only that but its heal is essentially instant, again being very strong if you manage to break contact for a moment in a gunfight to come back with full health before the enemy got their natural regen. Libertad's passive has no strings attached, simply natural regen with no downtime for you and any teammates near you, doesn't require you to do anything and is always active which makes it great for people of all skill levels since it's always being taken advantage of. The Libertad ultra is literally just an even bigger version of El Remedio that also increases your and teammates max HP massively, it can guarantee a last second payload push or let you lock down a critical objective to break out a losing zone match. Libertad is generally the best faction for anyone that's really new or isn't that great at FPS games since it doesn't depend on your technical skill too much aside from simply staying alive to give your team a constant advantage. Another nice thing about Libertad is they synergize incredibly well with the Phantoms' huge health pool. The only outstanding weakness of Libertad is the old classic: your teammates. It has very little potential to actually carry and under focused fire their healing is pretty irrelevant so you're not exactly going to go tank a payload by yourself. Even with the ultra on, a single person can chew through it and kill you if you give them long enough (not very long).
I've not gotten to play around a ton with DedSec yet but my initial impression is that they are very similar to Phantoms in terms of skill expression and offer a ton of flexibility that other factions don't have through being able to hack enemy deployables and regenerating devices. I would not call them imbalanced, but I do think they are the one faction that currently does lean the most into that because they counter every single other faction. Being able to shut off enemy skills and ultras is huge, even if it takes their own ultra to do it. But you are effectively turning everyone on the enemy team into the Rookie from Rainbow Six Siege temporarily while all the players on your team get to keep their skills. If you have multiple DedSec players on your team and properly chain the ultras then you are looking at a free objective push every single time. The Spiderbot is fairly alright, but it's currently bugged and sometimes enemy players can't destroy it properly which makes it stronger than it actually is, and that's on top of it taking more than one hit to kill anyways which I personally think shouldn't be a thing either. In its current state it is basically a guaranteed kill on anyone you hit with it if you use it aggressively, though, and I do think it should be adjusted in some way after they fix the desync issues with it. Hijack isn't always super relevant because at the moment deployables aren't very long-lived or common, but being able to flip a Phantom Mag Barrier is wildly strong and is the only counter play to a choke point punish in that it punishes the punish. Hijack is fairly useless though if the enemy team all happen to pick Echelon or Cleaners (which is a fair possibility). I think the skill is still a good skill expression skill and fine, though. The DedSec passive is unsurprisingly very strong because being able to throw two proximity mines on an objective or get multiple uses of grenades is obviously something no other faction can do and those things are one per life for a reason. The passive doesn't benefit if you don't live long enough to use it, though, so it can be kinda useless depending on the situation: if you never throw your grenade or mine, the passive literally does nothing. DedSec is currently in a very strong state overall, while I wouldn't say it's imbalanced, it's definitely one of the better factions if only for the fact it can shut off every enemy skill and ultra and has a way to essentially guarantee a kill.
If I had to "tier" each faction in terms of their effectiveness in a vacuum regardless of skill, I'd probably rank them (from best to worst): DedSec > Phantoms/Echelon > Libertad > Cleaners. But that is a very shallow slope with all factions being very much viable to play and do well with.
All of this is also given without thought to the current state of weapon balance generally speaking, while I do feel that Phantoms have a particular advantage currently due to the prevalence of Tac-50s. Echelon's Digital Ghillie also helps them get in close to employ some of the better weapons in the game currently like the MP7 or double barrel. DedSec's spiderbot sets them up for kills with all kinds of weapons, particularly the Tac-50. I don't see any of these skills being worse off without the existence of those weapons, however.
If I were to speculate on any adjustments that should be made: Spiderbots need to be fixed ASAP so they always properly appear on the targets screen to destroy them (not really an "adjustment", a bug fix). Libertad needs some kind of light buff in my opinion, maybe a bonus effect on a skill like slightly increasing max HP (good to help deal with prevalence of OHK snipers) or an alternate mode that poisons or debuffs enemies (Viviro would make sense because it's the chemical weapon made by the same company in Far Cry 6). Cleaners need a little bit of help, maybe allow them to also select Molotov cocktails as grenades that make small fire puddles that aren't quite as strong as their skills as a form of area denial to sort of solidify their "stay the fuck away from me" presence as a faction. The big one people talk about is the Intel Suit for Echelon but I honestly don't see much issue with this. The game literally highlights enemies for you already as it is, seeing them through walls briefly isn't a huge stretch when you can already hear people running around anyways since (thank god) we don't have anything like Dead Silence/Ninja/Covert Sneakers in this game. Echelon is a noob stomping faction and that's why it's generally popular right now but I think once more people get access to DedSec we will start to see more of them instead.
Anyways, that's all for today. I do really hope Ubi upkeeps this game well and makes smart balancing decisions that keep the game fun and engaging without oversimplifying or nerfing anything for the sake of salty people. If it were up to me, they'd reduce the TTK to 4 body shots max like original COD4 and then we'd really be cooking (after they fix the netcode, that is). Also hoping for The Division themselves to be introduced as a playable faction with deployable drones or even seeker mines...

As a Tarot Card Reader, my writing is often affected by the cards that I encounter. I was excited to learn the story behind the Major Arcana, and if you are interested in exploring more, start with these promotions questions that are based on those 22 cards and their themes.
I will post more, and I am also interested in a variety of spiritual traditions, religious texts and themes, as well as discussing these aspects of writing in genres that I am exploring.
As I stated, this group is only bound by whatever it's members want. If this isn't something you want to explore, simply scroll on by :)

1. Journey of the Fool: How can embracing unpredictability, like the Fool in the tarot, lead to unexpected personal growth?
   
2. Magician's Mastery: In what ways can we tap into our inner magician to manifest positive changes and opportunities in our lives?
   
3. High Priestess Wisdom: How can the intuition of the High Priestess guide us in making decisions aligned with our higher selves?
   
4. Emperor's Authority: Reflect on instances where embracing structure and authority, akin to the Emperor, has fostered personal growth and resilience.
   
5. Chariot's Triumph: How can the Chariot's victorious journey inspire us to navigate life's challenges with determination and grace?
   
6. Strength Within: Explore moments in your life where inner strength has emerged, taming challenges and fostering personal development.
   
7. Wheel of Fortune's Spin: Reflect on the cyclical nature of life. How has understanding the Wheel of Fortune influenced your perspective on ups and downs?
   
8. Justice Served: In what ways can embodying the principles of justice lead to personal growth and harmony in relationships?
   
9. Hanged Man's Perspective: Share an experience where embracing a different perspective, like the Hanged Man, brought unexpected insights and personal growth.
   
10. Death's Embrace: How has embracing transformation and letting go, akin to Death, paved the way for renewal and personal evolution?
    
11. Temperance Alchemy: Reflect on times when finding balance, like Temperance, has been a catalyst for spiritual and emotional growth.
    
12. Devil's Dilemma: Explore how confronting personal demons and temptations, similar to the Devil's dilemma, can lead to profound inner transformations.
    
13. Tower's Revelation: Share an experience where the Tower's upheaval shattered illusions, paving the way for profound personal insights and growth.
    
14. Starlit Path: How has following the guidance of the Star brought hope, inspiration, and spiritual growth into your life?
    
15. Moonlit Shadows: Reflect on navigating the unknown, as symbolized by the Moon. How has embracing uncertainty contributed to your personal development?
    
16. Sunshine Blessings: Explore the positive impact of basking in the warmth of the Sun's energy on your overall well-being and personal growth.
    
17. Judgment Day: Reflect on moments of self-awareness and reflection, similar to the Judgment card, leading to transformative spiritual growth.
    
18. Worldly Perspectives: How has understanding the interconnectedness of all things, represented by the World card, influenced your spiritual journey?
    
19. Tarot Archetypes Explored: Reflect on the archetypal themes present in tarot and how connecting with them has deepened your understanding of yourself and others.
    
20. Fool's Wisdom: Share a moment where embracing the Fool's journey into the unknown has led to valuable insights and personal growth.
    
21. Magician's Magic: How can harnessing the magic within, similar to the Magician, empower us to create positive change in our lives?
    
22. High Priestess' Veil: Reflect on times when tapping into your intuitive wisdom, like the High Priestess, has guided you on your spiritual path.
    
23. Empress' Embrace: Explore the nurturing aspects of the Empress. How has cultivating abundance and creativity led to emotional and spiritual growth?
    
24. Emperor's Legacy: Reflect on how establishing structure and a lasting legacy, similar to the Emperor, has contributed to your personal development.
    
25. Hierophant's Teachings: Share experiences where seeking wisdom from spiritual teachings, like the Hierophant, has provided guidance and growth.
    
26. Lovers' Harmony: How has experiencing deep connections and harmonious relationships, akin to the Lovers, impacted your emotional and spiritual well-being?
    
27. Chariot's Conquest: Reflect on moments where conquering challenges, like the Chariot, has empowered personal growth and resilience.
    
28. Strength Personified: Explore instances where tapping into your inner strength, akin to taming the lion, has led to personal triumphs and growth.
    
29. Hermit's Wisdom: Share experiences of seeking solitude and introspection, similar to the Hermit, and how it has contributed to personal insight and growth.
    
30. Wheel of Fortune's Spin: Reflect on the cyclical nature of life and how understanding the ebb and flow has influenced your perspective and personal development.
    
31. Justice Prevails: In what ways has embodying principles of fairness and justice led to personal growth and harmony in your relationships?
    
32. Hanged Man's Reflection: Share moments where surrendering to a different perspective, akin to the Hanged Man, brought unexpected insights and personal growth.
    
33. Death's Doorway: Explore experiences where embracing transformation and letting go, similar to Death, paved the way for renewal and profound personal evolution.
    
34. Temperance Alchemy: Reflect on times when finding balance, like Temperance, has been a catalyst for spiritual and emotional growth.
    
35. Devil's Dilemma: Explore how confronting personal demons and temptations, similar to the Devil's dilemma, can lead to profound inner transformations.
    
36. Tower's Revelation: Share an experience where the Tower's upheaval shattered illusions, paving the way for profound personal insights and growth.
    
37. Starlit Path: How has following the guidance of the Star brought hope, inspiration, and spiritual growth into your life?
    
38. Moonlit Mysteries: Reflect on navigating the unknown, as symbolized by the Moon. How has embracing uncertainty contributed to your personal development?
    
39. Sunlit Blessings: Explore the positive impact of basking in the warmth of the Sun's energy on your overall well-being and personal growth.
    
40. Judgment Day: Reflect on moments of self-awareness and reflection, similar to the Judgment card, leading to transformative spiritual growth.
    
41. Worldly Wonders: How has understanding the interconnectedness of all things, represented by the World card, influenced your spiritual journey?
    
42. Tarot Tales: Share personal stories of how engaging with tarot archetypes and narratives has deepened your self-awareness and personal growth.
    
43. Magician's Mastery: Reflect on moments where harnessing your innate abilities, like the Magician, has empowered you to overcome challenges and manifest positive changes.
    
44. High Priestess' Veil: Explore the wisdom gained through intuitive insights, similar to the High Priestess, and how it has guided you on your spiritual path.
    
45. Empress of Creation: Share experiences of cultivating abundance and creativity, akin to the Empress, and how it has contributed to emotional and spiritual growth.
    
46. Emperor's Dominion: Reflect on the impact of establishing structure and a lasting legacy, similar to the Emperor, on your personal development.
    
47. Hierophant's Teachings: Share insights gained from seeking wisdom through spiritual teachings, like the Hierophant, and how it has influenced your personal growth.
    
48. Lovers' Union: Explore the impact of deep connections and harmonious relationships, akin to the Lovers, on your emotional and spiritual well-being.
    
49. Chariot's Triumph: Reflect on moments where conquering challenges, like the Chariot, has empowered personal growth and resilience.
    
50. Strength Within: Share instances where tapping into your inner strength, akin to taming the lion, has led to personal triumphs
    

i'm working on a novel and would like to know if anyone could tell me any improvements i could make to the first chapter and prologue
Prologue
The day had started the same way it had for the past two years. The only difference was that I was going home. The hallway was crowded with people walking to and from their classes. Everyone was crowded next to each other so the halls were making the area feel claustrophobic. All the people talking mixed with the summer heat made me feel like I was locked in a sauna. I walked with Preston to the last class we would ever have together and as usual he was smiling. I never got why he always smiled even in situations where people should be sad he still smiled. He knew what today meant for me and he tried to keep light of the situation. I kept my head down away from what was ahead of me. My mind was too clouded about returning to see my family to notice anything in front of me. I walked into another student. It felt like I had walked into a wall. I knew immediately I had walked into tree. I stumble onto the ground and the commotion around me slows down to make room for us. He turned his bulky body around and apologized profusely without saying a word even though I had walked into him. He helped me off of the ground before hurrying down the hall.
“Alexandria, are you doing okay?” Preston said he had tilted his body downward so I had to look down to look him in his eyes. The way he was standing made him look like an idiot but he didn't seem to care. The way he acted made me laugh, which caused his smile to widen.
“I'm doing fine, just got lost in my head.”
“Thinking about how you’ll leave soon,” he said
“Was it that obvious?” He was the only person I told about me being an exchange student. I came to spend high school in Newkinawa and he was the only person I ever hung out with.
“I see what you mean,” he said “Newkinawa is a beautiful place with beautiful people to live in it…myself included”
“You wish,” I say with a smile we continue walking through the hallway “I'm just not excited to go back yet”
After I say that his smile grows wider “So you will miss me after all”
“I wouldn't say that much” I responded whilst smiling.
We had made it to our last class only to see it closed with a sign labeled “Uma incident” Uma was a student known for messing with the chemistry lab and destroying school property in the process. I've never actually met her but Preston says “She's a little weird but still nice”
“Guess class is canceled for today,” Preston remarked with a smile “Wanna go out to the court till the bell rings.”
“Sure let's go” I respond
The place we ate every day was outside. It used to be a tennis court before I moved in. Now they put trees and flowers all over the place. Preston really liked the blue color of the flowers but it just never clicked for me. I look over at Preston and he's staring up at the sky. There are a number of clouds in almost enough to block the sun but it still pokes its rays through and lands on Preston's face. The clouds swim in front of the sun till they block out the sun's light. Preston faces towards me.
“I'm gonna miss you Alexandria” he says
“You know you can just call me Alex,” I replied. I start to smile again. “I'll miss you too!" He smiles toward me again as we get up to leave as the clouds start to clump together and rain slowly falls. As we're walking back to the school there's a loud tearing sound followed by screams as the ground shakes.
The ground tears itself apart as the dirt and stone erupt from the ground. The sky blackens and a pale blue light escapes the earth. Then creatures erupt from the ground in a violent ejection from the earth creating a white pillar diffusing as they reach higher in the air. Some are clawing their way out of the cracks like maggots out of a corpse. People are swept into the updraft screaming for their lives.
The creatures descend like a tidal wave and tear apart any people caught in their path. They storm out of the crack in hundreds as more cracks in the earth form. Me and Preston started running away as people were screaming behind us. A girl running next to us has her legs slashed by a creature. The monster begins to tear open her chest as she chokes on her own blood. The monster shovels her lungs and innards into its decrepit mouth. Me and Preston keep running until we're met at the entrance of the school and we catch the attention of a monster as it begins to savagely rush toward us. The monster resembles ghosts my father told me about. But this one looks monstrously horrific. It floats in the air and opens its mouth so wide it nearly replaces its entire torso; its jaws hold savage teeth each the same old gray color of its body. Its eyes glow a rotten yellow color through the dark. It stretches out its arms showing its giant hands and claws like fingers. It swipes at us leaving a giant claw mark on the door behind us but Preston ducks my body down to avoid the attack. We run around it as the monster swaps its focus to another bystander. Screaming past us. Me and Preston run into the parking lot as people scream around us. We hide next to a car.
“What the hell is happening!?” I yell to Preston. More of the creatures fly over us and swoop down to people like vultures on roadkill devouring the fleeing people.
Preston starts to breathe heavily ”we need to get out of here and someplace safer”. As we were talking one of the monster phases through the car we were hiding next to forcing us to run into the street.
“Lets go to your house till things cool down” i say to Preston through panted breaths
“Wait couldn't we head to your house instead” Preston says.
“Why would that matter your house is closer anyways” i respond
“But-” Preston is interrupted by two creatures swooping above us to grab another person. The two monsters begin to pull the person apart while he writhes in pain before having his flesh be torn in half and having his organs be devoured.
“Come on lets go!!” I say as I grab his hand and run even faster.
By the time we reach Preston's house any living person is gone. On the street are just corpses laying torn and mutilated on the roads and sidewalk. The air in the neighborhood feels cold despite the season being summer. When I walk down the street I can still hear the occasional horrific wail the monsters give off. We move closer to Preston's house and I can see him sweating. He looked more worried than before when the creatures were chasing us and he kept darting his eyes away from his home.
“Preston, are you feeling okay?” he doesn't respond to my question and keeps darting his eyes. He walks slowly behind me and as I reach for the door handle and when I touch it it feels nearly freezing. I wrap my hoodie around my hand and slowly open the door. The house is quiet so me and Preston creep further into his house. The inside is cold and damp as if we were locked in a freezer. The further we move into the house the louder a subtle chewing sound is heard.
“It sounds like rats are eating a dead cow over there” I whisper. Preston continues to stay silent behind me. We slowly walk closer towards the kitchen and the sound gets louder and louder and louder until we reach the room.
We're met with a rancid smell of vomit and blood. My blood starts to run cold and every instinct in my body is telling me to run. I can feel Preston breathing get heavier as we get closer. We turn the corner and see Preston's mom lying on the ground dead with one of the creatures hunched over slurping her intestines. The sight causes me to vomit alerting the monster to our presence. The creature turns around and its mouth turns into a mortifying grin as it flies into Preston's moms body. The corpse begins to rise and spur splashing blood over the kitchen. When the corpse stops spasming it picks itself up from the ground and with glazed over eyes it holds its intestines in its hand and gives us the same grin it did when it was outside her body. The possessed corpse lunges at me and starts to chase me around the kitchen. The body is running into the walls and cabinets spraying its blood and other loose organs around the area as I'm avoiding its assault. The corpse leans over and ejects one of its loose intestines towards me, wrapping me in it. It pulls me towards it so fast I'm flung towards the ground. The corpse limbers over to me and raises its free hand aiming for my head. The creature's deranged smile causes the corpse’s cheeks to tear apart. It places both of its bloodied and demented hands on my face and starts to press my skull into the ground. I struggle to breathe. The room starts to get dark and blood escapes my head.
Until Preston jumps on top of his mothers corpse with a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabs it in the head. The possessed body tries to shake him off but he keeps stabbing, blood gets in on his face and tears start to escape his eyes. The creature violently ejects from the corpse's mouth causing her head to nearly explode and Preston stops stabbing the body. The body falls over in a splash of blood and organs. The monster leaves phasing through the roof leaving Preston crying over his mother's body. As the blood mixes with the tears he collapses to his knees crying. I walk over and hug him as the air around us turns bitter and the chill of death leaves the room and us with it.
Chapter 1 Eclipse
It's been 2 months since the apocalypse started. We've kept ourselves alive by looting grocery stores and houses, we hide from the creatures as we have no way to fight back against them. Preston came up with the idea to call them glanter’s. He’s looking better since we left his family home but I can tell something is wrong with him that he's not telling me. Everytime I ask him about it he tells me it's no big deal. I asked him earlier today and he just told me
“don't worry about it, I'm over it” without even looking at me. Now we're walking through the street and I'm walking behind Preston, I can barely see his head past the giant bag we're both carrying on our backs we use to carry supplies. I look up at the sky and it's still pitch black except for the moon giving us any amount of light. Preston turns around to face me.
“Let's check out that house, it might have some cool stuff in it” he points to a white house to our right. The house is a two story building with steps leading to the front door. There's a generator poking out from the backyard. The driveway is empty save for a couple of dried blood stains and tire marks. It's similar to the other houses in the neighborhood except for a couple broken windows.
“Sure why not” We head over to the house and I see something shining on the side of the house in the corner of my eye. I turn my head to look at it closer but it quickly disappears before I can see it clearly.
“Probably squirrel or something” I mumble to myself. Preston walks up the stairs to the house and I walk up the steps behind him as a breeze blows past my face. Preston tries to turn the door knob but the door is locked. I start to pull out a lockpick I grabbed at the store earlier. I motion towards Preston to move out of the way as I kneel down to pick the lock. It takes me a couple of minutes to unlock the door so I walk inside the house and Preston follows behind me while closing and locking the door. The doorway of the house leads to a dark room so I take a flashlight out of my bag to illuminate the area. Were put into the living room and bookshelves are on the walls and a large TV sat in front of a large black couch with smaller chairs surrounding it. Dust is covering every surface of the room and spiderwebs litter the corners of the walls. The area smells like moth balls and there's a lack of blood anywhere nearby.
“Guess the owners got out before the Glanter’s got in, '' I say to Preston. When he doesn't respond I turn around and he's already looking further into the house. When I find him he's managed to find a flight of stairs that lead to a lower portion of the house.
“I'll check on him later,” I think to myself as I headed towards the kitchen to see if we could restock on food. I walk past a bedroom and remark on how childish it looked. The walls were painted with blue and green stripes and a bunk bed sat on the right wall. There's a chest at the foot of the bed so I walk over and lift the top off of it. The box is layered with children's toys, a multitude of dolls, bears, and figures all jut out of the box. I notice a small robot toy and inspect it in my hands.
The cold metal makes my hand shiver and the sharp body shape makes the robot bigger than my hand. There's red lining around the robot's buttons surrounded by the cold gray of the robot's “skin”. It reminds me of a toy my little brother had. My heart feels heavy as I worry about what happened to my family. If they're alive, dead, or worse…possessed. The thoughts send a chill down my spine but I push them aside for now. I put the toy in my bag and exit the bedroom.
I can see the kitchen is down the hallway so I walk down the hall and enter. The kitchen is pretty clean except for a couple of dishes in the sink and the dust. There's a table seated for 3 people in the center of the room. I start opening the cabinets in search for any food or water. There's boxes of cereal leftover on top of shelves and a mix of chip bags and cookies in neat boxes stationed in the cabinets.
“Score,” I say to myself as I begin to put the snacks into my bag. When the cabinets are empty I look inside the fridge. The inside of the fridge ran out of power so most of the food inside is rotted. There are a couple of bottles of water in the front so I shove those in my bag. There's also a bag of oranges that still seem to be healthy in the back. I grab them and toss them on the table. There's rotten sandwich meat hidden in the drawer of the fridge.it smells like a dumpster outside of a butcher shop. I wrinkle my nose at the smell. I look around the kitchen for any bread with no luck.
I continue to look through the fridge until I hear Preston scream from another room. Immediately I bolt out of the kitchen leaving my bag behind and run towards the lower part of the house. I run down the stairs and nearly trip on the steps. The stairs lead to a big room. There are posters to tv shows and movies I don't recognize. The walls are painted black and there's a bear skin rug on the floor. I notice Preston standing next to a really big TV hyperventilating. I walk over to him and ask him.
“Are you ok? What happened?”
He talks through deep breaths “I… saw a… spider.”
“What?!” I respond in confusion.
“It was really big and I had jumped at my face”
“Sure it was.” I say while laughing “Let's go upstairs there's some food in the fridge we can eat”
“Wait, I think you should check this out.” He says while pointing towards one of the walls. I grab Preston's flashlight off the floor and face it towards the wall. Hanging halfway off the wall is a large map labeled Newkiwana scavenger hunt of 76.
“I think we should take it,” Preston says “You can read a map right?”
“A little but I'm not the best at it,” I say to him “can you read a map?”
“it shouldn’t be too hard it’s mainly pictures any way I'm sure I can figure it out”
I walk over to the wall where the map is hung there are trophies covering tables and shelved in their own personal cases one of them reads “1st place 100-meter swimming competition for 1986 Zack Hemmingway” and another one reads “2nd place 100-meter swimming competition for 1989 Zack Hemmingway”
“Guess this guy really liked swimming,” Preston remarks while staring at a wall of newspaper clippings. All of them are about the same person in swimming competitions. All labeled different things like “a new record for Zack “the dolphin” Hemmingway”,
‘Zach Hemmingway our star plans for the future” all the newspapers are about this kind he has paler skin and a bulky enough build to swim pretty well. Most of the pictures have him coming out of the water in a pool, his long black hair soaked and sitting at his shoulders. Another one has him sitting at a desk over a pile of books and his hair in a knot , “vicious wipeout ends the Dolphins career”, and “ex-swim champ Zack Hemmingway found in a drunken stupor outside strip club.
“Everyone has their own hobbies I guess,” I say as I take the map off of the wall and fold it up. “Sucks what happened to Zack though” I walked over to Preston’s bag and put the rolled map in one of the pockets. I walk back up the stairs and Preston grabs his bag and follows behind me.
We make our way towards the kitchen and Preston starts looking through the fridge for anything to eat. I grab an orange from the table and throw it at his head. The fruit bounces off his head and rolls on the floor. He turns around and grabs the fruit from the floor
“Why did you throw an orange at me?”
“It's the only food we have unless you plan on eating spoiled a sandwich“ He starts to peel it while walking towards the table. We both take a seat and start to eat the oranges from the bag. He plants his feet on top of the table and bites into the fully peeled orange. I grab a water bottle from a bag and start to drink from it as Preston says.
“I saw a dvd player in that man cave downstairs we could watch a movie if it still has power”
“Sure it could be fun.” Me and Preston spend the rest of our time eating until the bag of oranges is emptied and we head back downstairs. Preston grabs the DVD player from under the table and blows the dust off the top of it; he plugs it into the wall as I plop myself onto the couch. He plugs the DVD player into the TV and sits on the recliner next to me. He presses a few buttons on the remote and the TV lights up. I squint my eyes at how bright it is. It's the most amount of light I've seen that didn't come from a flashlight. I notice there's a box filled with DVDs. I pull the box over towards me. I ruffle through the box and see movies like Silence of the Lambs, Terminator 2, and Home alone.
“Dude some of these came out just before the world turned inside out” I say to him.
“Really? Let's play one.” He responds. I toss him Terminator 2 and he puts it into the DVD player.
We spend the next couple hours watching movies and laughing together. It's some of our only moments of peace we’ve had since the end of the world and to me it's the most fun I've had yet. We're putting in the next DVD when there's a loud crash outside and the TV shuts off. Preston goes behind it to see if it's still plugged in.
“I think the generator outside is busted” i say
“It seems that way” Preston replies while backing away from the tv” i'm gonna go check it out”
“Don't worry I got it” I say as I hop out of my chair. Preston waves goodbye as I head up the stairs. I make my way back through the hallway leading to the living room and front door. I reach the door and start to turn the knob. I open the door wide as a car speeds down the street. I step out of the door to see what had happened when I hear the screech of a glanter. It cuts through the sky like an unholy opera singer. A group of them fly by and chase the car as I rush back inside the house. I slam the door shut and look through the window as I see a couple of smaller glanters grab and shake the car violently looking for the driver. They tear at it, ripping off doors and breaking the windows. The driver screams as the seats cover with blood and he's ripped out of the car as multiple smaller glanters tear and bite off parts of his body like piranha's until his body is completely devoured. I run back to the man cave to warn Preston about what had happened. I spot him laying in his chair spinning a DVD disc on his finger.
“It's not safe outside right now”
“Why not?
“There's glanter's outside, they just ate a dude in his car”
“Did they see you come inside?”
“I don't think so , they flew off before I went inside.”
“well we're not dead so I'm gonna say they didn't see you. But let's stay here for a couple more hours just to be safe”
“Sounds good i'm gonna go find the master bedroom.” I start to walk back up the stairs to the house
“ Hold on why do you get the master bedroom” Preston says while walking after me.
“Because I'm gonna find it first” I say as I start to run to find the bedroom. He chases after me in pursuit of the bedroom. Me and Preston run around the house looking for the master bedroom. We look through room after room finding closets, the garage, a bathroom and a door leading to a balcony in the back of the house. I manage to run into the bedroom and yell out to Preston.``Found it!!”
He comes walking into the room breathing heavily from the running. We both check out the room. The walls are painted a cream yellow and the bed takes up most of the room's center. The bed has burgundy sheets poking out from its bottom and a quilt with multi-colored floral designs lay sprawled out on top of it. There's a wardrobe built into the wall and a black leather couch sits comfortably on the left wall.
“Dibs on the bed” I say as I jump on top of it. I stretch out on top of the quilt and search for a comfortable part to sleep in.
“Where am I supposed to sleep then?” Preston complains
“You can sleep on the couch it looks soft enough” I respond while pointing towards the couch “I saw some spare blankets in one of the closets”
“Alright i’ll be right back” he mumbles to himself “why do i always get the couch”
“ I'll be right here if you need me,” i call after him. I sit up on the bed and start to look around the room more. I notice the entrance to the wardrobe is cracked open slightly. I hop out of the bed and grab a flashlight from my bag as I walk into the wardrobe. I turn on my flashlight and stare in awe at how many clothes are in there. The room is only half as big as the bedroom but it's still bigger than any closet I've ever had. The wardrobe is full of shirts, dresses, pants, and shoes for men and women. I immediately start to look through the shoes to see if any fit my size. I throw a pair of black high heels behind me as Preston finds me in the wardrobe. He looks around before asking me.
“What are you doing?”
“Finding a new pair of clothes to wear cause I've been wearing the same pair of jeans for waaaaay too long”
“Fair enough. Is there any guy stuff in there?”
“Yeah right there” I hook my thumb behind me to point to the other end of the closet.
“I'm sure they won't mind if we take a couple of things…they're probably dead by now anyways,” Preston says with a slight grin on his face. The way he said made me spin my head to look at him but he was already on the opposite end of the wardrobe looking at suits.
I shake away the thought and continue looking for any pair of sneakers in my size. 40 minutes pass before I walk out of the wardrobe holding a new pair of jeans and a black guns-N-roses t-shirt. I toss the clothes on top of the bed and check to see if the shower in the bathroom still works. I turn the dial and wait for a moment. The shower head chokes a little before water comes pouring out. I reach my hand under the showerhead to feel the water. The water is cold, it causes my hand to shiver when I take it out. I shake the water off and say to myself.
“Good enough” as I start to take off my old clothes and get in the shower. The cold water bounces off my skin, it sends shivers down my spine but I still get the old dirt from the last few months off of me. I step out and see a couple of dry towels hanging off of the door. I grab one and dry my body off and grab another to wrap around my head and dry my hair. I step out of the bathroom and Preston is still inside the wardrobe. I put on my new clothes while his back is turned and walk over towards him when I'm finished.
“Still haven't found anything,” I ask him
He turns around “Nothing yet, the only thing interesting was this coat.” He holds a leather coat up to me. The coat is made of black leather and has a skull covered with blue flames on the back. There's a black shirt inside the coat with a skeleton hand making a thumbs-up embroidered on the front.
“ That's pretty cool, it's better than what you're wearing right now at least” he's outfitted in a blue hoodie with holes on the chest and tears at the sleeves. He also has a shirt with a faded picture of a blue flower printed on it.
“I guess you're right” he gets up from the floor and exits the wardrobe. He lays the clothes on the couch along next to the blanket and pillow he brought into the room.
“The shower works so you can get yourself clean In there,” I say to him
“You know, a shower sounds really good right now.” He gets up from the floor and grabs a pair of pajama pants that were laying next to him. He leaves the wardrobe and enters the bathroom, closing the door behind him. After a moment the water turns on and I hop on the bed to get ready to sleep. I squirm myself into the quilt and rest my head against one of the pillows. I shut my eyes and fall asleep listening to the passive sound of the shower like rain on a car.
I'm in a void. It feels like I'm standing in a puddle of water that reaches to my knees. I wade my way forward looking around for anything in the darkness. In the distance I can see 3 figures l. I moved closer to them and their silhouettes get clearer. I realize they are my dad and brothers. I start to run towards them kicking up water behind me until something grabs my leg. It pulls down violently forcing me under the water without a breath of air. I kick at the thing grabbing me until something grabs my other leg. I look down and see two glanter's each with a monstrous smile on their faces. They stare back at me and one of them tugs my leg harder than before and tears it off of my body. The water around me turns red as the glanter laugh's. The other smiles wider as it starts to fling me around the water forcing any air left in my lungs to be forced out as I scream in pain. The glanter throws me away and I can see my family slowly fade into the distance as I'm flown away.
I struggle to swim back to where I was, one of my legs is missing and the other is broken. The glanter's find me again and I try to get to the surface to escape them. I'm flapping my arms in any attempt to escape as one of the glanter's flies in front of me and grabs my arm. I look at the monster with tears in my eyes as it bites my arm and tears my body away from it. It flings my body away and with my remaining arm I clutch the wound as the water floods into my body leaving me in the void I started in. I look around and the glanter's seem to have left. I turn behind me and see my family again, this time I'm closer than before.
I grit my teeth and drag my body towards them slowly as I leave a trail of blood and tears behind me. I finally reach my family and grab one of my father's shoes. I stare up and he looks at me. His stare causes me to feel cold as a grotesque smile grows on his face. I stare in shock as my brothers each have the same look as my father.
I shoot up from my sleep panting heavily in a cold sweat.
“It was just a dream..just a dream…just a dream” I look at my hands as tears fall into them. I look around the room and see Preston sleeping peacefully on the couch. The room feels frozen in place as a chill runs down my spine. I get out of the bed and walk out of the bedroom. I make my way through the dark hallway and find the entrance to the balcony I saw earlier. I creak open the screen door and head outside. The Balcony is pretty large, about the size of the kitchen in the house. There are some chairs knocked over next to a table and I pick one up to sit on it. I look out into the expanse of the neighborhood, houses lined up next to each other, dozens broken apart by roads, and dead bodies scattered across the roads.
I look up in the sky and sit back in the chair. The sky looks empty except for the moon giving this world its only source of light. Without the moon, we’d be left in darkness. It hangs in the sky alone, no stars, no clouds, nothing but itself, and the void of the sky. I think back about the dream I had. My dad and my brother's all dead and possessed and then they kill me. I start to tear up thinking about it. I try to wipe away the tears but it’s no use. I'm too scared for my family. I don't know where they are if they're alive if they're worried about me I don't know anything! I start to quietly cry into my hands. I don't know how long I'm sitting there until I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head to face it and I see Preston. He was smiling and looking at me. I turn away to wipe my tears and he walks next to me.
“I heard you sneaking out of the bedroom so I followed you to see where you were going.” he says “but that's not my question.” he pauses and looks at me “my question is what’s got you feeling so down?” he leans over the railing of the balcony
“It's nothing, I just came out here to clear my head.” I say as more tears escape from my eyes in big slow drops that ride down the sides of my face.
“if you don't feel like telling me you don't have to but i'll be here if you ever change your mind”. He looks up at the moon before turning to face me and his smile widens “I'll always be here with you…trust me I'm not going anywhere”
I stare up at him and wipe away my tears as a smile grows on my face to match his. I get up and stare over the balcony with him. “So where are we heading next?” I say to him, Preston pulls the map we got from the man cave downstairs out from his pocket.
“After I got out of the shower I decided to take a look at the map for anything interesting we could see.”
“Ok did you find anything?” i ask
“I did,” he points at a spot on the right of the map. “We should head to the museum”
“I didn't want to go to a museum before the apocalypse why would i want to go now?'' I ask him.
“Well the best part of museums is the cool stuff right”
“Yeah what about it”
“The only problem is that you could only look at the fossils and armor but you could never take them.”
“So you want to rob a museum?” Prestons eyes light up at the question
“Exactly they might have a really cool sword I could use, or I could sharpen a dinosaur tooth and use that as a weapon, there might be a cursed shield that can summon the dead to fight for you. This opportunity is too good to pass up. We need to go!”
“That does seem pretty cool but wouldn't carrying that stuff weigh us down. What if a glanter is chasing us and we can't run fast enough because of the stuff we took from the museum.”
“We’ll only take things that are light. Even then I could just block the glanter with my newly acquired 2000 year old shield.”
“Fair enough we can go in a couple hours” I yawn and stretch out my arms. “Cause I'm feeling way too tired to walk all the way over there right now.”
“Alright i'm heading back to my couch and THEN we’ll head out to the museum” he leaves the balcony and heads back to the master bedroom leaving me alone on the balcony.
“Thanks Preston I'm not leaving either” I say into the sky. I turn around and walk back inside the house, closing the balcony door behind me. I walk back into the bedroom and Preston is hunched over and holding a flashlight looking at the map. He’s drawing lines through roads and marking X’s in different areas.
“What are the X’s for?” i ask him
“They’re places that glanter’s usually stay around. I'm marking them off so we remember not to go through them, or at least be more cautious.”
“Cool. Did you find where we are right now?” He points to an area where the lines all converge out of.
“Right around here is where the neighborhood ends. So if we follow this path we can make it to the museum in one piece” I pat him on the back and take the map from his hands.
“Get some sleep Preston, we have a full day tomorrow” he grins to himself before laying down on the couch. I put the map back into my bag and hop on the bed to get to sleep. I cover my body in the quilt and roll over facing away from Preston as he falls asleep. I nestle myself into the bed and slowly fall asleep to get ready for the next day.
I'm awoken by Preston shaking the bed I'm sleeping on. My eyes open and the room is foggy, I wipe away the sleep from my eyes and focus my attention towards Preston. He's practically jumping out of his skin with excitement, he's already fully dressed for the trip and shaking the bed with a wide smile on his face.
“Ok ok i'm up the air feels heavy as a groggy feeling fills my body. I wipe my eyes and the room starts to clear up. I turn to face Preston. He's still shaking my bed to wake me up, he’s already fully dressed and nearly jumping out of his skin in excitement.
“Ok ok, i'm up you can stop shaking the bed” i say
“Then get up we’ve got a long walk ahead of us” he says as he stops shaking the mattress. He grabs the map from my bag and points to one of the red lines.
“We're gonna follow this way to the museum. We’ll move past the hotel around the ice skating rink and around the park. We’ll mainly stick to walking through the streets, we might have to go rooftop hopping to avoid any glanter’s if we see them but i'm sure we won’t reach that point.” he explains
“Wait, wait, wait, why are avoiding the skating rink and the park” i ask
“ everytime we go near the park there's weird noises and light coming out of it”
“And why can't we go to the ice skating rink?”
“I didn't think it would be important”
“It couldn't hurt to check it out at least”
“Fine we could make a detour”
“Ok and how do you plan on getting on top of roofs?”
“I'm sure we'll figure it out when we get to it”
“Ok man as long as you’re sure '' I yawn and step out of the bed. Preston starts to put the map in his bag. I walk into the bathroom with my clothes and change out of my pajamas. Minutes later I walk out and see Preston sitting on the couch twiddling his thumbs.
“Finally you're out” he smiles at me before handing me my bag and slinging it over his shoulder. We took a last look inside the kitchen to see if we missed anything. Afterwards we leave for the outside. The cold air bites at my face but Preston walks down the stairs, his face buried in the map. I jog to catch up to him as we both head into the street.
“Hey Preston, could I see the map?”
“Sure” he hands over the map and continues walking. I look at the map and the numerous lines drawn on roads. I look at the corner of the map and notice a small map key with numerous symbols for different areas like a library, school, hospital, and more. There's even a way to tell how far away each location is. The text reads “1 inch=5 miles” I quickly count how far we are from the museum.
“Dude this museum is like 100 miles away.”
“Yep it'll be a long walk, it'll take us a while to get there”
“Did you plan on us walking there the whole time?”
“We might find bikes or something.” he pauses “well i did think we would walk the whole way”
“This is gonna take us weeks to get there!”
“Did you have anything else planned?”
“Well…i guess not but we should still try to find some bikes or something”
“Ok if we see any way to travel faster we’ll take it”
“Alright cool” I hand him the map back and he folds it back up and puts it in his bag. We walk further until we leave the gated neighborhood we started in. Preston takes the map back out and looks at it before he turns right and continues walking. I follow him staring forward at the expanse of the road. The outside of the neighborhood is surrounded by roads all leading to different parts of Newkinawa. We walk past a sign that reads “Coretown 20 miles ahead” I nudge Preston towards the sign and he checks the map again.
“Yep, the museum’s in Coretown. Would you believe the residents were pretty proud of it. Should be a fun place to explore” he says
“Yeah but it’ll take us a million years to get there.” i complain
“Lighten up, I'm sure it will be worth it”. We continue walking down the road slowly making our way to Coretown.

#include  #include  #include  #include  const char *ssid = "System Access"; const char *password = "Password"; ESP8266WebServer server(80); int LDRPin = 1; int milisInterval = 2000; int count = 0; int LDRReading = 0; void handleRoot() { LDRReading = analogRead(LDRPin); String html ="   
Light Level
  
"; html += LDRReading; html +="
Random Number
"; html += count; html +="
  "; server.send(200, "text/html", html); count++; } void setup() { delay(7000); Serial.begin(9600); Serial.println(); Serial.print("Configuring access point..."); WiFi.softAP(ssid, password); Serial.println(); Serial.print("AP IP address: "); Serial.println(WiFi.softAPIP()); server.on("/", handleRoot); server.begin(); Serial.println("HTTP server started"); delay(7000); } void loop() { server.handleClient(); }