This Is Just The Short Story! - Tumblr Posts
Sobbing as I write a whole short story about a video game that forces people to face their fears and they can’t leave until they do so…
“PHOBOPHOBIA” smh..
I’m only HALFWAY through!
Sneak peak for funzies! (THIS IS A DRAFT!)
My surroundings shifted until I was standing in front of my childhood home.
Great.
I walked inside where I was greeted by the savory aroma of a freshly cooked meal, and saw the dining room table set and ready for a family dinner. I took my seat, and waited for the level to begin.This level was the easy part. At first I could hardly stand it, but after so many tries you grow numb. They say that childhood trauma is the leading cause of phobias…and I can see what they mean by that.
The level begins with my mother and father walking in, and taking their seats at the table. The conversation begins with my mother pulling out an envelope.
I winced.
“Loretta, darling. Do you know what this is?” My mother inquired, her beady eyes narrowed at me from the other end of the table.
I froze.
“Yes mother…” I managed to squeak out.
“A C minus, Loretta. This is quite unbecoming of a Thornefield…have you simply given up on your future?” My mother’s gaze was frigid and stiff.
“I didn’t mother! I swear, it’s Mr. Crowe! He fails me on purpose because of the divorce-”
“Loretta!”
I froze as I was cut off by my mother.
“Enough. Look at you, and what you’ve become. Lying to your mother to avoid retribution, failing a class, talking back?” My mother scoffed at me, turning away in disgust before looking back at me.
Here it comes…
“You have let me down Loretta. I did not raise a failure such as yourself… I am beyond disappointed in you.” My mother’s words pierced my soul.
This was it, the first part of the level. I like to call it, “Disposition.” One of the worst things about being stuck in this game is that I have no choice but to replay my memories over and over again until I progressively get closer to beating the game. I managed to not feel any fear during this level, but being forced to play the role of my younger self developing atychiphobia never fails to discern me.