#ONC2024
Round two Ambassadors' pick. :D
SHORTLIST ONC 2024
My prompt is number 3: Your greatest fear is monsters in the dark. The last thing you expect is to become the monster in the dark.
Arabella Dagon was always afraid of the dark. In the dar...
That day, I was determined to go away from the demon. I had no idea how, but even if I were evil, I did not want to be that bad. I am not sure if I explain myself effectively. My psyche was altered, and it still is.
I visited a pub called 'The Jumping Monkey'. I'm still curious why they call it this way. There was a sign outside stating that they wanted waiters. It didn't matter whether you lacked experience. I needed to keep my thoughts occupied. I decided to apply for the job, hoping that working as a waitress would help me escape my thoughts and the darkness that consumed me.
The manager was a large, mature man. He appeared polite, and he hired me immediately. I needed to service the tables.
I found myself getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the pub, taking orders and delivering drinks with a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in a long time. The constant movement and interaction with customers kept my mind from wandering to dark places. As I worked, I couldn't help but notice the peculiar decor of the pub—stuffed monkeys hanging from the ceiling and monkey-themed murals on the walls. Perhaps that was the reason for the name 'The Jumping Monkey'. Either way, I was grateful for the distraction and the opportunity to start healing from the pain that still lingered within me.
After a few days, I felt virtually normal. And one day, I met Neo Keen. Their long, lustrous russet hair, black eyes, glasses, and white skin appealed to me.
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I'd never encountered a non-binary individual, so the concept felt weird to me. They were trixic, nonbinary individuals who were attracted to women, whether exclusively or not. We began conversing in the pub; we are both Edgar Allan Poe enthusiasts, and I formed friendship with them. Neo Keen's unique appearance and identity intrigued me, sparking a newfound curiosity and openness within me. As we bonded over our shared love for Edgar Allan Poe, I realized that true connections transcend labels and expectations.
Neo waited for me in the pub one day after work. They wanted us to go somewhere different.
"Okay, where do you want to go?" I inquired.
Neo replied with a curious smile.
"Let yourself go."
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what they meant by that. But I decided to trust Neo and embrace the spontaneity of the moment. They extended their hand, and I took it. We walked through the streets and arrived at a location unknown to me. It was a restaurant named Poe's Secrets. The restaurant was designed in the style of Edgar Allan Poe novels.
