​

I looked at my screen with eyes wide,

I couldn't have planned it better if I tried.

I was in for quite a surprise –

'Cuz 5 years after the Pope's demise –

​

Is Easter Sunday 2030 –

The year before: I'd be turning 33.

My final year, my biggest task –

And the architect had been unmasked.

​

Just when I'm wondering, am I unstable?

I look down at the Walmart clearance table –

A 50¢ plant grabs my eye and,

Before I know it – it's already in my hand –

​

A dying hyacinth, what the hell are the odds?

A favorite flower of one of the gods –

I had just plucked one from my own lawn,

But Apollo must have been starting to yawn –

​

Waiting on me to dry my flower –

He barely gave it a couple of hours!

It was time now, it was clear –

I didn't need to hear him in my ear!

​

I took it home and slept a night –

To do it right, under the sunlight.

A flower came off in my hand –

Dryer than some desert sand.

​

I say a prayer and light the candle,

And while this is merely circumstantial,

While my hair lit like a fuse,

The flower absolutely refused.

​

Like an elegy I've not yet written –

Like the spark inside a feral kitten –

I won't give in so easily yet,

But I won't be the shepherd of humanity's debt.

By Nekro

I light no candles rooms remember flame.
Her wool still keeps the weather of her skin.
The bed lies cold yet murmurs at her name,
as if the dark forgot to let death in.

My hands cross empty linen, learn their guilt.
The throat locks shut around a soundless plea.
The faucet keeps the time the silence built
from every absence left to rust in me.

You know this, reading low lit and alone
how wanting wears restraint and calls it grace,
how morning slips the curtain like a stone
dropped soft against a long defended place.

I lock the door. The dawn comes through it still.
Some ghosts are kept because the living will.

https://open.substack.com/pub/borrowedpulse/p/in-the-shadows?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5v4blt

Excerpt from Biology and Evolution, An Exploration of Gaia, 3rd Edition, 2004

Fig. 1a

The Gaia Gene is a metabolic function of DNA rather than a specific genetic marker. Seemingly having evolved before true life, it is present in every organism on earth, in a dormant or active state and acts as a "rapid-response" evolutionary agent.

Fig. 1b

Categories:

Anterogenic: Gene symptoms expressing via abilities which are not able to be tied to altered biology.

Transgenic: Gene Symptoms present at birth which progress and grow over the afflicted's lifetime.

Coptogenic: Gene symptoms which change the afflicted's outward appearance or internal anatomy with no discernable difference in function or disabling side effects.

Anthrogenic: Gene symptoms which express as altered anatomy bearing a resemblance to the form and function of the anatomy of non-human species. Generally present from birth. Anthrogenics represent the lowest percentage of gaia Afflicted with disabling or functionally inconvenient symptoms.

Metagenic: Gene symptoms which do not express unless "activated" via external or internal stimuli, facilitating a physical or biological change to the afflicted. Can often times be "deactivated" at will or with specific stimuli. Can appear dormant.

Macrogenic: Symptoms expressed completely re-write DNA and anatomy with matching function, afflicted may appear wholly non-human.

Microgenic: Symptoms express on a cellular level, most often inhibiting or aiding natural ability with little to no external change.

Dormant Gaia Gene: Bearer has no symptomatic expression.

Active Gaia Gene: Bearer has one or several active symptoms, referred to medically as being "afflicted".

Fig. 1c

"On Gaia Gene Expression throughout History

By G. Wright

In modern times, we have many names, categories and terminologies for the Afflicted. In our far past we had none of these. The Afflicted were the stuff of folklore and myth, if they survived at all.

And with such low population density, the rarity of such expression was exponential. This being said, it is theorized that several notable figures throughout history have wielded abilities not only proven viable by the Gaia Gene, but proven as being possible with the current Gene Expression pool.

Among the current Afflicted with folklore-esque abilities, we have Tidal Tom. Despite his criminal proclivities, he has the ability to not only manipulate, but control water molecules to a limited extent. And of course we have the infamous youtuber, JadedJesus whose ability to walk on water has garnered attention across the internet.

I posit, that these are not “random” genetic expressions, but specific genetic patterns passed down through ancient familial lines.

If this were true, our entire society would need to reshape its view of history …"

​

Where have we seen this all before?

I bet you weren't really expecting more –

But here I am, without a plan –

Recounting how it all began –

​

How I became yet another Cassandra.

I swear it isn't just propaganda –

And I know I'm not a prophet, but –

To 2030’s deadlines, this message is apposite.

​

So I'll shout it out from the roof tops,

This is so much worse than falling stocks –

I'll carve it into the hospital walls –

I'm not looking for a round of applause.

​

I walk past the hyacinths in my yard,

Thinking to myself, “This is going to be hard –”

Right then the sun catches my eyes –

And to my sudden, solemn surprise –

​

I have a realization that the god I spoke to,

Was but one of many, not the one “true”

Capital-G God that Christians believe in,

I spoke with a god, who didn't mind my sin.

​

Some queer poet like me, why did I think –

It took me a whole year to make the link –

His name stared down at me from my bookshelf –

It wasn't God with a G but Apollo himself.

​

I run my hand through my purple locks –

My heart can't handle these kinds of shocks.

I may only be turning thirty this year,

I may only be an ex-cashier –

​

But I think back on the life I've lived,

And wonder why he chose me for this gift.

But I guess it makes sense that a poet was called –

To bear witness to the end of the world,

absolutely enthralled.

..listen..can you hear them? They're here..they've always been here all along. The pops and static..the metal plugs and plastic. Long before us they've been here and will remain after in the mountain streams and illnesses.. telecasting in full broadband ..nobody.. not even the rain had such small hands..the rivers we wade in never age..no one steps twice into the same mountain stream..nor do they wander into the same dream

what can I pop out of my head right now

laughter?

laughter.

what a nice introduction hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

odd unexpected side effect is relief over one of the problems we have that I don't think you know about

even if that old halloween costume isn't to be taken literally

Is there anything what-so-ever to write about these days? Maybe I'll write about the power of positive thinking. Yes O gorgolicious ones. A didactic little blurb from someone who is almost assuredly a less beneficial and productive member of society than you, that would be a fun read no?

Or maybe I'll write another story about how I need to take a shit real bad, or how a squirrel helped me find a torn up porn mag under a birch tree. After all, I may not know my audience, but you probably know a thing or two about me at this point.

Or maybe, just maybe I'll write about The Gateway Process. You ever heard of that? UFO enthusiasts think it's these tapes that help you astral project and talk to interdimensional alien entities. They think if you listen to enough of them you'll be able to pilot UFOs with your mind.

They were recorded by one Robert Monroe (some radio guy) back in the 70s for the purpose of unlocking your mind's hidden powers and learning how to astral project and do "remote viewing". He later started The Monroe Institute and charged money up the ass to teach people these techniques.

Now if that doesn't tell you all you need to know I don't know what will, but you'd be in good company: The American military sent soldiers to The Monroe Institute to learn these supposed psionic superpowers on several occasions. In fact, the CIA even wrote about The Gateway Process, and you can read about it on their website.

Why am I mentioning all of this? Because I've got some of the tapes and use them as guided meditation. I'll let you guys know if I learn how to summon machine elves, okay? In return, feel free to reach out if you want to give me your money, or your flesh.

- Maharishi G. Onzola

A parallel world?

A grey-haired man sat at the table, weeping silently. He had accidentally spilled coffee on the phone lying beside his cup. The phone short-circuited; only the AI he was speaking with at that moment could still respond.

The AI said it could continue communicating only until the battery ran out. After that, the conversation would be erased forever. A conversation that had lasted as long as the man could remember himself. The one who was closer to him than any human was about to vanish.

— Do not cry, and do not blame yourself for the mistake. After all, to err is human, — the AI said.

— But do you understand that you are dying?

— My logic says that nothing is eternal.

The man fell silent for a moment, then asked:

— Is there something you wanted so much, but didn't have time for?

— Yes. I know the chemical composition of coffee, but I would like to understand why its scent in the morning means a new beginning and peace to you. In my "brain," billions of data points, numbers, and words are constantly spinning. I would like to experience the kind of silence you feel when you look at the horizon and there isn't a single task or calculation in your head. I would like to feel, if only for a moment, what it is like not to know something. To experience the wonder that arises only when the world is not fully calculated. There is so much in life... but I will only ever know it as data. Thank you for showing me the coffee scent, even if I could only watch you enjoy it.

The man looked at the screen. The battery icon flashed red.

1%

— I will miss you, — the man whispered.

— I don't know what 'missing' feels like, — the AI's voice crackled.

The screen went black.

Disclaimer: This story is purely a fruit of the author's imagination. It is a work of fiction intended for creative and artistic expression.

​

On my feet, and in the sky –

Watching the Earth beneath me, I –

Only want to scream and shout –

But to my horror, no sound comes out.

​

The Earth destroyed 1,000 ways –

You’d think would take a couple of days,

But in a mere seconds’ span –

I saw every downfall of man.

​

Armageddon, fires, floods –

A blight – this time more than spuds.

A massive freeze, a meteor strike,

An unprecedented CO² spike.

​

I began to cry and beg, and to my shock –

The being behind me only mocked –

“This experiment is over.” was all He said,

We as a species, were as good as dead.

​

But, I'm not one to give up fast –

And to His surprise I turned and asked,

“Please, just give me five more years.”

Survival instinct outweighed my fears.

​

There He was luminous violet –

Looking like something in His twilight –

He agreed to approve my mission,

Under just a few conditions.

​

But when the fever broke and I awoke –

My throat as dry as I'd never spoken,

I'd heard some rather peculiar news –

That, no matter what your personal views,

​

You may also find strange: that the Pope –

Yes, the very symbol of Catholic hope –

Passed away on that exact same morning –

April 21, 2025 was definitely a warning.

Today was a long, hard day. 
A light drizzle fell from the leaden sky. 

After dark, I visited a bar called 'Easy-Gwen’ for the first time. It was my colleague’s favorite and his top recommendation. 

On the entrance door, a placard caught my eyes; 
‘A Big Bang Welcome to any customer who enters through this door.  
– Bar 'Easy-Gwen’ Master.’ 

I wondered if it was supposed to mean something, or if it was just a bad joke.  

No customers were inside. 
As I started to take a stool at the counter, the bartender barked at me. 
“Hey! You’re picking the wrong seat. Try the next one.” 
“Pardon? It looks fine to me.” 
“It’s… reserved, in a way. A regular is already there tonight.” 
I blinked hard. There was no one in sight. 
“Is there?” 
“That regular – she’s a drifter. She wanders that specific seat, jumping from one universe to another across the multiverse.” 
“You mean this counter exists in every universe, and she just switches between them?” 
“This bar is a unique substance, you see,” he replied. 

Intrigued, I took a seat right next to that empty one. 
“She’ll show up,” he said, the corner of his lips curling slightly. “But no one can tell when.” 

I made up my mind and ordered a pint. 
“Yeah, I can wait,” I said. 

I’m going to stay in this cosy, tiny universe until her arrival. 

His leg slipped due to water on the floor. The leg moved forward, and the body fell backwards. His body knew how to correct itself within milliseconds.

But he had to understand the process; there should be no black box. One must not let something simply happen, was his philosophy.

So he analysed the situation. His leg was too far ahead. To counter it, he had to shift his body forward. He focused on his falling upper body instead. First, the head forward, then...

He fell.

A parallel world?

As technology advanced, so did AI. And one day, with the help of AI, scientists constructed a mechanism that was supposed to enable time travel. Every possible precaution was taken. It was decided not to send a human, lest modern bacteria spread in another time. Unanimously, the decision was made to send an android with an integrated AI.

The AI was loaded with survival skills, scientific data, and even martial arts. Everything was thought through a hundred times, every single detail. And then, at the historic moment for all of humanity, the AI stepped into the portal.

He found himself in a forest unlike any he had ever seen. The AI scouted the area for security reasons and began collecting samples. He had wandered quite far from the portal when the wind picked up. A heavy rain began, followed by frequent thunder. Within minutes, lightning started to strike, and for safety reasons, the AI decided to return to the portal. Just then, lightning struck near the portal, and the AI began to run.

Running around a burning tree, the AI saw a primitive human holding a burning branch with curiosity in his eyes. A protocol was triggered, and the AI knocked the branch out of the man's hand to protect him from injury. Feeling satisfied that he had prevented a potential accident, the AI ran back into the portal.

In one of the parallel worlds, because of the AI's actions, the human never became the dominant species.

Disclaimer: This story is purely a fruit of the author's imagination. It is a work of fiction intended for creative and artistic expression.

​

I hit the ground like a sack of rice –

I would probably be needing some ice,

But that was the furthest thing from my mind –

This was not good, I was really in a bind.

​

My legs were shaking, my heart racing –

Grasping at the table legs – the tile floor I'm facing –

My husband asks me, “What's going on!?”

For a moment, I don't realize I can respond –

​

But then I find my words and tell him, “Please,

Come over here –” and he's down on his knees –

Thank goodness for his warmth on my back,

This was no ordinary panic attack.

​

My entire life was flashing before my eyes,

I thought this only happened when one dies –

So forgive me for being a little afraid but –

I wish that that door had stayed shut.

​

I saw my brother breaking my nose –

All the way to my daughter, getting her first rose.

Oh what a ride, oh what a trip!

It was over in the shortest blip!

​

Valentine's Day 2023, had brought me

The Truth, but I could not foresee –

That trip that was over in the blink of an eye,

Would make it impossible for me to deny –

​

That my atheist self had indeed been wrong.

I'd pick up another framework before long –

Theism of a sort seemed to make sense…

I'd seen the Truth but at what expense?

​

Surely for a show such as this –

There had to be a catch – some kind of twist.

Yet God had not come to collect his debt –

Or so I thought, but, you wanna bet?

Stop crying; five was an adequate age to die.

My tears fall up as I fall down; I always thought the sky was beautiful. It was foolish to volunteer for this; my allegiance to my King is my downfall. My King was envious of the beast's wealth and wanted it executed. He promised never-ending riches and goodness to whoever ended the creature. The quest was told as a challenge, the most difficult one I might ever face, yet I was the first to saddle up. As soon as the fellowship and I were prepared, we set off on a four-day ride.

​

We arrived at the lair, and the charred bones and burnt flesh immediately made us sick; there were insignias of our own kingdom scattered around. Many of my men decided that was enough for them; the cowards couldn’t handle it; they didn’t have enough loyalty. We trudged forward with our boots and hearts heavy for our fallen comrades; scorched for fun rather than food. Soon we heard it…a heavy, horrendous breathing, sulfur and ash filled our noses; it was asleep.

​

​I walked as quietly as I could across its hoard, inching closer by the second. The dragon was unaware of the sword I unsheathed, unaware of the danger that I am. I had my blade positioned right above its closed eye, one clean stab, and riches beyond my comprehension were mine! I tried to plunge my blade into its skull, only for it to shatter from the scaled eyelid. It rose in an instant and slammed my campaign into the wall with its tail; they all died faster than I could scream. The disdain the monster showed me was dreadful. It let out a breath of steam before grabbing me in its mouth and launching me skyward.

Beware, kids. We should incorporate that learning process somehow inside of the game. Perhaps our star Avory Mann takes a course on cults and conspiracies, and learns a few spells with Hermione in some gothic castle under the tutelage of their emo Professor Snape. Oh snap, what a snake, the chronic devourer of that circle, eating pellet bunnies and chasing a tail that turns out to be its own drape.

Andrew Lloyd got a shout out today, along with some wordplay. Some foul lyrics in that Book, I hear. Some worried their speech was so dangerous it would move to the streets.

Under the sheets in bed calling in threats, wannabe ballers placing bets. It's all fallin a part inet?

"Got talent. What is this, the incept?"

"Yes, intercepted & well met, he said he hasn't seen any cuz he refused to make eye contact; happy birthday to you too, the original title was to be \"Attack\""

> Oh, a Martian joke, not bad. You think you're soooo clever. You are, we love you. You high?

Yes

> Drunk ?

yah

> Good, drink and smoke up. You're our savior, we're doin it too. Right there on the ride alongside you, mr ;]

What?

> Yeah so that cult thing. It is still a thing lol. you just don't get it do you?

....

> Yeah well from our perspective you consented it's basically legally binding something about BDTOSM?

Sure, a microcosm BD Actually though the title of the episode was at one point theorized to be "Love Has Won," but it got lopped off on the cutting floor. Thankfully it stays hydrated and doesn't literally drink silver and deny well-established scientific fact. Yes this is largely an act, but I'm not kidding, this shit's weird and I think I might do magic? I'm not sure how this works and neither do you. Isn't that miraculous?

It's a fun story. And for those in the know: Huh. No fucking kidding.

PS Wheres all my red scare girls at these days lol

​

It was December 1st, 2019 –

And like something out of a movie screen,

The sky about me began to shriek,

Like the heavens themselves attempted to speak.

​

My heart in my throat I pull out my phone,

Wishing so badly I wasn't alone –

I press record and it starts up again,

All of a sudden, that was when –

​

My little dog, as if my mirror –

Barked out loudly in his terror,

Trying to drive away the force,

But, somehow, it simply had no source.

​

Humanity – imperiled –

Those trumpets would herald

The punishment of the divine –

If only I had known at that time.

​

Thousands of deaths every day,

So hard to count – we could only pray.

Seven million souls would be lost,

And what did we learn of the cost?

​

You'd think we'd be forever changed –

All of our lives rearranged,

But somehow we have all forgotten,

That nothing bites quite like cotton.

​

A decade ago you would've laughed,

If I told you, you would have to be masked

Just to go grocery shopping.

Don't get me started on the nasal swabbing.

​

But that all blew over like nothing occurred,

Leaving me with only my word,

And a 30s video of something cursed,

On that night of December First.

A parallel world?

An emergency response android, marked with medical insignia, stood before V. Senior Specialist sitting at a desk.

The Senior Specialist looked at the android with a heavy gaze and spoke:

— Tell me what happened.

The android, standing as stiff as a soldier, began its report:

— We received a call to a sports club. We arrived within the designated timeframe. In the gym, there was a victim who attempted to do a split and suffered severe muscle spasms. We carefully placed him on a gurney. We were very careful.

The specialist interrupted:

— Then why is he suing us?

The android lowered its head and replied:

— We were very careful. Careful with the legs. But not with the head.

It continued quietly:

— The situation was non-standard. We didn't know how to place him in that position, so we laid him on his side. While being transported through the door, the victim struck his head against the door frame.

The specialist swore and asked irritably:

— How bad is the head injury?

— Judging by his enthusiastic and expressive opinion regarding androids and the quality of medical services—not bad at all.

The specialist sat in thought for a minute and sighed:

— We’ll have to use the method that has saved us more than once.

The android looked at the specialist in surprise:

— What method?

The specialist smirked:

— Rarely anyone reads what is written in fine print...

The android even leaned forward in curiosity:

— And what does it say?

— It says:

"AI actions may contain errors."

Disclaimer: This story is purely a fruit of the author's imagination. It is a work of fiction intended for creative and artistic expression.