TK Special #8 - AI: The Artificially Generated Special!

Byte-Sized Battles: Ruki vs. AI - An experiment by @RookWri78

Byte-Sized Battles: Ruki vs. AI

By RookWri78

Write a 1000-word story using the following prompt: You live near a city that is world-renowned for its advanced tech, healthcare, and desirable jobs. Those who enter the city are never seen again. Permanent admittance into the city is decided by a competitive lottery, and your name's just been drawn.

(From Aim to Engage 2022, DystopianApocalypse)

Contenders

Ruki Wright (@ RookWri78), an amateur writer on Wattpad

OpenAI's ChatGPT 3.5 (https://chat.openai.com/)

Microsoft's Copilot (https://copilot.microsoft.com/)

Guess who wrote each of the below three stories...winners to be interviewed by Ruki.

1.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the rolling hills that surrounded the City. I stood at the edge, staring at the imposing walls that encircled it. The City was a beacon of progress, a utopia where dreams came true. But it was also a place of mystery, shrouded in secrets.

For years, I had watched people leave our small village, their eyes filled with hope and anticipation. They spoke of the City's wonders—the cutting-edge technology, the miraculous healthcare, the high-paying jobs. But they never returned. Once you crossed the threshold, you were gone forever.

The lottery was our only chance. Every year, the City opened its gates to a select few. The lucky winners were granted permanent admittance, while the rest of us remained on the outside, wondering what lay beyond those walls.

And now, my name had been drawn.

I stood in the crowded square, the lottery ticket clutched tightly in my hand. The mayor, a portly man with a greying beard, stepped forward. His eyes bore into mine as he read my name aloud.

"Lucas Evergreen," he announced, his voice echoing through the square. Gasps rippled through the crowd. I was an outsider, a farmer's son. How could I be chosen?

The mayor beckoned me forward. I climbed the steps to the stage, my heart pounding. The crowd watched, their expressions a mix of envy and pity. I wondered if they knew the truth—that entering the City was a one-way journey.

The gates creaked open, revealing a tunnel that disappeared into darkness. The mayor placed a hand on my shoulder. "Good luck, Lucas," he said, his smile forced. "May the City grant you everything you desire."

I stepped into the tunnel, the cool air enveloping me. The walls were smooth, devoid of any markings. As I walked, I thought of my family—their tearful farewells, their whispered hopes. They believed I was embarking on a grand adventure, but I knew the truth. I was walking toward my own disappearance.

The tunnel seemed endless, twisting and turning until I lost all sense of direction. Finally, I emerged into blinding light. Before me stood the City—a marvel of glass and steel, its towers reaching for the sky. The streets were immaculate, the air scented with flowers. But there were no people. No bustling crowds, no laughter. Only silence.

I wandered the streets, my footsteps echoing. The buildings were pristine, their windows reflecting my bewildered expression. I approached a fountain, its water crystal clear. As I bent down to drink, a voice echoed in my mind.

"Welcome to the City," it said. "You are now one of us."

I spun around, but there was no one there. The voice was inside my head, soothing yet chilling. I stumbled back, my heart racing. What had I become?