Liar Liar House on Fire || Utopia Writing Challenge

Utopia Writing Challenge

Hey everyone! I teamed up with Wattpad and Prime Video to create a story inspired by the new series, Amazon Original Utopia! In 500 words, dig deep into your imagination and step into the world of #Utopia by writing about a fictional or true to life character that would join their team of comic loving misfits! For more details on our contest, check out our prompt page here!

Liar Liar House on Fire

I know your thoughts before you even say a word. It's not magic. You speak your mind by the way you hold your mouth, cross your legs, scratch your ear three times before you part your lips. I see all your secrets. I'm the interpreter of you. You would think the liars are easiest to spot, but they have a code, a way of believing their own version of the truth, so you have to watch a little closer. But I see through the B.S. Which is why I know my grandmother is still alive.

The airline claims she was never on the flight that disappeared over the ocean. They issued a doctored manifest; one with an empty line where her name should be for the passenger sitting in 8A. But that's bull. She called me from her seat before the plane took off, comfy, settled in with her graphic novel, and a carafe of tea. But according to airline officials, 8A was unoccupied. Capitalists wouldn't leave a seat empty on an overbooked flight.

Sure, Gran could have been removed from the flight for a number of reasons. She was the kind of woman who warranted a strip search. While my mom stuck me in piano, soccer, and Mandarin lessons, Gran taught me to throw knives, hide in the shadows, and how to listen through all the noise. At first, I thought it was a silly game, but in those moments of stillness, sitting in the middle of a crowded café, I learned the most; to observe, study people's ticks, the odd glances, and the way one's throat shifts before lies spill out. I learned to survive.

But at that time I didn't understand the why of Gran's little lessons. It wasn't until our house burned to the ground and my mom was arrested for supposedly building an explosive device to obliterate the burbs, my lie detector skills would be tested. Detectives, lawyers, and even the news will say anything to make us doubt.
Keep us in fear. Control us. Make us believe PTA moms blow up houses and grandmothers simply vanish from airplanes. Gran taught me well, I know better.

Call me paranoid but I see the truth now. We are pawns in a greater game. And when they come for you and believe me they will. For when you step out of line, shake the web, a monster always scuttles from the shadows and you won't be crying for the girl with the most likes on her heart-foam latte, you'll need someone who'll cut you out of their sticky web before they eat you alive—you'll need an interpreter—someone who sees their lies. Someone not afraid to burn their house down.

So when you ask me, what have I done to deserve a spot in this crowded world, ask yourself how valuable it is to know who's legit or who'll stab you in the back. I know the difference without anyone saying a word. I already know what side you're on.

Thank you for reading!
Can't wait to read your #Utopia inspired stories!