The 42-Line Authors
- Thread starter SamuelT
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Srsly guize, I'm so good at this.
To say that Mark looked a little dirty would be an understatement. His face was unshaven and weathered, his hands were caked in mud and his sneakers were scuffed and torn. His suit remained in prestine condition however, most likely due to the lengths he'd taken to keep it so. He was tired regardless, due in no small part to the amount of time he'd been walking.
But now it didn't matter. Now, that star he'd followed for so long had come into full view above his head. The weak light that shone down from it was finally close enough that he could reach out and put his hand through it. He was so awestruck, that for a few moments he didn't notice the leather-bound book sitting in the centre of the light. He was so full of hope for the first time in so long that he only noticed the book when he dipped his head to shield his eyes from the starlight.
"A book?" he mumbled to himself, "Why a book?"
He crouched down, staring at it intently. He was enthralled by the chance of mystery, but he didn't dare touch it. He'd leave that task up to someone else, as others were bound to have had the same idea he did.
Jack took a few deep breaths as he saw the star in its full brilliance. He was at awe and wanted to keep on looking at it. That is until a solitary book stole his glance.
Well well... what do we have here...
Jack bent and picked up the book and felt the leather binding. It was impeccable and the book was quite weighty.
And why this particular place I wonder... It seems the book was disturbed from its original place...
Jack opened it hesitantly, taking a peek at the front page. There was a beautiful design, unlike anything he had seen in his travels far and wide. Jack chuckled...
Yet another obstruction...
Jack looked at the star with warm affection. You have led me in circles and when I ask for answers, you present me a book...this... better be worth it.
Well well... what do we have here...
Jack bent and picked up the book and felt the leather binding. It was impeccable and the book was quite weighty.
And why this particular place I wonder... It seems the book was disturbed from its original place...
Jack opened it hesitantly, taking a peek at the front page. There was a beautiful design, unlike anything he had seen in his travels far and wide. Jack chuckled...
Yet another obstruction...
Jack looked at the star with warm affection. You have led me in circles and when I ask for answers, you present me a book...this... better be worth it.
Just so you know. Thoughts are shown in italics while speech is written normally with inverted commas. Cheers.
Muscles stiff and yawning, Paul was almost there. Ever since that night, there had been this light.. Encompassing much of his vision, he felt the warm glow all over. It pleaded him to it, and instinctively, he obeyed.
Damn, that annoying light keeps getting bigger and bigger, but still seems so far away-
But then, then the light got brighter. He could tell it was getting closer, but he wasn't moving.
The light flickered, diminishing to nothing but a faint glare. But in it's place, a library. Full of knowledge and mankind's hardships; a symbol of the glory of man-
Wait a minute, was that there the whole time? I could've sworn I was still walking down the side of the road.. But that doesn't exactly matter, does it? I'm here, and that incessant light is gone.
But the urge to progress had not left him. Without realizing why, he walked up those long, unending steps and into the library. And there the light reigned. For the glow of this haven came from this little thing. Something so small, yet making so much of a change.
Paul inched closer, eager to see what it was he had been looking for this whole time really was. As soon as he got close enough to reach out and touch it- POOF! It was gone. In its place, a book.
Hard and leathery, but elegant in its own right.
A book? Why a book? It's not a classic work of literature, or even a useful guide of some sort! I can't believe I came this far for a lousy book..
Wondering what fate would bring next, he quietly sank into a nearby chair and let out a deep sigh. 'Now this comfy chair is definitely worth the trek. Dunno about that book, but I like this', he said to himself knowing no one was around. He quietly sank into a well deserved slumber.
Damn, that annoying light keeps getting bigger and bigger, but still seems so far away-
But then, then the light got brighter. He could tell it was getting closer, but he wasn't moving.
And then he got run over by a semi and died..
I sensed a book theme going on, so I felt it would be something good to continue. Thanks for the time Paradox.
I sensed a book theme going on, so I felt it would be something good to continue. Thanks for the time Paradox.
The light flickered, diminishing to nothing but a faint glare. But in it's place, a library. Full of knowledge and mankind's hardships; a symbol of the glory of man-
Wait a minute, was that there the whole time? I could've sworn I was still walking down the side of the road.. But that doesn't exactly matter, does it? I'm here, and that incessant light is gone.
But the urge to progress had not left him. Without realizing why, he walked up those long, unending steps and into the library. And there the light reigned. For the glow of this haven came from this little thing. Something so small, yet making so much of a change.
Paul inched closer, eager to see what it was he had been looking for this whole time really was. As soon as he got close enough to reach out and touch it- POOF! It was gone. In its place, a book.
Hard and leathery, but elegant in its own right.
A book? Why a book? It's not a classic work of literature, or even a useful guide of some sort! I can't believe I came this far for a lousy book..
Wondering what fate would bring next, he quietly sank into a nearby chair and let out a deep sigh. 'Now this comfy chair is definitely worth the trek. Dunno about that book, but I like this', he said to himself knowing no one was around. He quietly sank into a well deserved slumber.
Ugh. The pages are all stained.. looks like vomit. Smells like it too. Shite. "For all its elegance... this is one screwed up book."
Jack looked at the cover for the second time... he began having second thoughts.
What else can I do now that I've found this...thing? Jack tucked the book into his coat. It wasn't as big as it was heavy. Surely something must be in there sandwiched between all the puke stained pages. Jack looked up at the star again. I'm not kidding here. This better be worth it. Jack chuckled and walked casually back to the entrance of the park.
This place used to be full of energy... people. Oh why did this have happen.. why now? Jack glumly looked at the park and the star and went back to his home. I'll be back. But this book... why am I drawn to that book... I'll find out soon enough I suppose...
As Jack walked on the empty roads... They say silence is golden. If only they could see this now. If only anyone could see this now...
Jack began having second thoughts about taking the nook with him. It wasn't that special. Granted, the design was unique but still. No. Better to put it back where I found it.
Jack returned to the area and to his surprise, found a man sleeping on the bench. He hadn't seen him before. The guy must've been really sleepy. He didn't snore nor did he move. Time to wake up boyo.
Jack gently threw the book to the ground. The sound should wake the person up.
Jack looked at the cover for the second time... he began having second thoughts.
What else can I do now that I've found this...thing? Jack tucked the book into his coat. It wasn't as big as it was heavy. Surely something must be in there sandwiched between all the puke stained pages. Jack looked up at the star again. I'm not kidding here. This better be worth it. Jack chuckled and walked casually back to the entrance of the park.
This place used to be full of energy... people. Oh why did this have happen.. why now? Jack glumly looked at the park and the star and went back to his home. I'll be back. But this book... why am I drawn to that book... I'll find out soon enough I suppose...
As Jack walked on the empty roads... They say silence is golden. If only they could see this now. If only anyone could see this now...
Jack began having second thoughts about taking the nook with him. It wasn't that special. Granted, the design was unique but still. No. Better to put it back where I found it.
Jack returned to the area and to his surprise, found a man sleeping on the bench. He hadn't seen him before. The guy must've been really sleepy. He didn't snore nor did he move. Time to wake up boyo.
Jack gently threw the book to the ground. The sound should wake the person up.
Ryan had been travelling for a little while and the journey had taken it's toll. His clothes had frayed at the ends of each limb, but remained relatively clean considering how today was shaping up.
He had been fortunate enough to find a fully-fuelled motorbike earlier and now the engine's low hum reverberated throughout the street. He had never even learned to ride a motorbike, so he didn't know what type it was, but he had managed to glean just enough from his time so far to go along at a slow pace. Not that it mattered greatly. He would have had to slow down to meander around obstacles anyway.
He cautiously manoeuvred through the sea of abandoned cars and taxis and, whenever he hit a straight, cast a glance upwards. Starwards. Past the towering buildings and the sky-high advertisements there was the shining and brilliant star he had been following. Not much further now.
Despite every other star in the never-ending sky, he felt drawn to that one. Had he been a more religious sort he might have made the comparison between himself and wise men, and if he were more inquisitive he might have wondered what, if anything, would be there at the end of his journey, but these were lost on him. He refocused his attention to where he was going and turned, mounting the pavement with a bump then continuing on.
As he felt his journey coming to an end he looked up once more, craning his neck to see the star. This was it. The star was the brightest in the sky now and at least three times the size of any of the others. He got off the bike, pulling the key from the ignition and depositing it in a pocket as he did so. As he looked to the spot below the star he saw a man, already there.
Someone else? He'd been so sure that he was the only one still here... But he obviously wasn't. How long had he been there? He stifled the urge to call out a greeting. At least until he'd gotten a good look at this person anyway.
He had been fortunate enough to find a fully-fuelled motorbike earlier and now the engine's low hum reverberated throughout the street. He had never even learned to ride a motorbike, so he didn't know what type it was, but he had managed to glean just enough from his time so far to go along at a slow pace. Not that it mattered greatly. He would have had to slow down to meander around obstacles anyway.
He cautiously manoeuvred through the sea of abandoned cars and taxis and, whenever he hit a straight, cast a glance upwards. Starwards. Past the towering buildings and the sky-high advertisements there was the shining and brilliant star he had been following. Not much further now.
Despite every other star in the never-ending sky, he felt drawn to that one. Had he been a more religious sort he might have made the comparison between himself and wise men, and if he were more inquisitive he might have wondered what, if anything, would be there at the end of his journey, but these were lost on him. He refocused his attention to where he was going and turned, mounting the pavement with a bump then continuing on.
As he felt his journey coming to an end he looked up once more, craning his neck to see the star. This was it. The star was the brightest in the sky now and at least three times the size of any of the others. He got off the bike, pulling the key from the ignition and depositing it in a pocket as he did so. As he looked to the spot below the star he saw a man, already there.
Someone else? He'd been so sure that he was the only one still here... But he obviously wasn't. How long had he been there? He stifled the urge to call out a greeting. At least until he'd gotten a good look at this person anyway.
Mark looked up for a split second, barely registering the other man's presence. He seemed young, possibly in his early twenties or even his late teens. Mark had actually taken far more notice of the man's bike, allowing his mind to drift off into earlier years in his own youth. Considering he was only thirty, he couldn't help but shake the feeling that he had become old and wisened. Or derranged, he wasn't too sure of the difference.
"I'm not going to bite." he said, eventually, "I'm not some kind of psycho."
The was a hint of distance and melancholy in Mark's tone, as if he were detached from the situation. Strangely enough, this was one of the first times he'd felt at ease in months.
"Are you going to look or stand there all day?"
"I'm not going to bite." he said, eventually, "I'm not some kind of psycho."
The was a hint of distance and melancholy in Mark's tone, as if he were detached from the situation. Strangely enough, this was one of the first times he'd felt at ease in months.
"Are you going to look or stand there all day?"
I'm pretty sure we can just assume that Revolver and I are the only people who have found the book so far, as to avoid confusion. It'll also make it a lot simpler for Noren and Paradox, as they can assume that their next posts are their true introductory posts.
Sounds alright. I was thinking we'd found different books, and then Paradox tied our posts together quite effectively to make it multiple
Ever since that night, there had been this star.. Encompassing much of Paul's vision, he felt the warm glow all over. It pleaded to him, and instinctively, he obeyed. Really, he thought nothing of it.
He began the journey by car, driving his old beater of a Boxster. There were plenty of rest stops, so it wasn't a bad route. As he got closer to the star however, the roads grew denser. Whereas before it was easy to drive between all the openings it grew much tighter.
Damnit, I can hardly get through anymore.. I must be nearing... Ah yes, 'New York City'. How dandy this adventure is.. Never would I have visited that place before but here I am. Must be loaded with people still! Who am I kidding..
At this point he switched to bicycle as he seemed to have gotten to a more urban area. Paul found it much easier to get through now. Naturally he rode one of these in college, so he was used to the activity. After a bit of riding though, he was a little winded. He chose to take a rest and walk the bike along with him to catch his breath.
Muscles stiff and yawning, Paul was almost there.
The light had been getting ever bigger as he walked.
Not for the first time, Paul took no notice until it seemingly engulfed him.
Then Paul regained his senses. Before he had been engrossed in the light, taking no notice of anything around him. But then he made out speaking. Two men, one on a bench, the other just standing there.
"Looks like New York is really holding up to its old standards. More people right here than I've seen in a while."
Jack yawned gratefully as he finally saw the star in full view. He could feel it calling out to him... He switched off his bike and stretched a little.
Jack looked around, letting the silence of the surroundings engulf him. New York... a living city... now dead...
Jack took a few deep breaths and walked to the star. There... he could see... almost embrace it. And then he notice three people standing right under where the star was located. Odd. On the plus side, there are apparently more people... alive. On the negative side, they may not be here for the same purpose. *sighs* I suppose I'll have to be cautious...
Jack looked around, letting the silence of the surroundings engulf him. New York... a living city... now dead...
Jack took a few deep breaths and walked to the star. There... he could see... almost embrace it. And then he notice three people standing right under where the star was located. Odd. On the plus side, there are apparently more people... alive. On the negative side, they may not be here for the same purpose. *sighs* I suppose I'll have to be cautious...
That book better have a very good design on it. >.>
"Are you going to look or stand there all day?"
"I..." Ryan struggled with his words for a moment, unsure how to address this... this guy. To be completely fair to him, he was the last guy alive 5 minutes ago. It's was more than a little bit shocking when he turned out not to be.
The other gentleman appeared to take this as a sign, pointing to the book on the ground. "Don't you think that looks important?"
Ryan had not even registered the book at first. It seemed fairly ordinary to him. A book could get dropped if someone was in a rush, and it would still be here long after everyone disappeared. But it being here, right below the star he had been following, felt like a lot more than simple coincidence.
"Um, yes. It is rather odd..." He walked closer to the book until he was staring down at it. Was there any particular reason the other man had not picked it up?
"Looks like New York is really holding up to its old standards. More people right here than I've seen in a while."
Ryan turned his attention to the owner of this new voice. With that the 2 people alive became 3, and then a fourth arrived as well. The fourth stood a fair distance away, obviously cautious. Ryan wouldn't blame him for being so; he sympathised with how strange this all was and how weird it would be to get your head around it.
"You followed the star too?" He didn't direct this question to anyone in particular, instead refocusing his attention to the book. He knelt down to get a closer look, flipping it over to the front cover.
"I..." Ryan struggled with his words for a moment, unsure how to address this... this guy. To be completely fair to him, he was the last guy alive 5 minutes ago. It's was more than a little bit shocking when he turned out not to be.
The other gentleman appeared to take this as a sign, pointing to the book on the ground. "Don't you think that looks important?"
Ryan had not even registered the book at first. It seemed fairly ordinary to him. A book could get dropped if someone was in a rush, and it would still be here long after everyone disappeared. But it being here, right below the star he had been following, felt like a lot more than simple coincidence.
"Um, yes. It is rather odd..." He walked closer to the book until he was staring down at it. Was there any particular reason the other man had not picked it up?
"Looks like New York is really holding up to its old standards. More people right here than I've seen in a while."
Ryan turned his attention to the owner of this new voice. With that the 2 people alive became 3, and then a fourth arrived as well. The fourth stood a fair distance away, obviously cautious. Ryan wouldn't blame him for being so; he sympathised with how strange this all was and how weird it would be to get your head around it.
"You followed the star too?" He didn't direct this question to anyone in particular, instead refocusing his attention to the book. He knelt down to get a closer look, flipping it over to the front cover.
Jack Johnson had seen the bright star from down south; he had lost count of how long he'd followed it, but it was finally almost overhead. Jack had started going this way because, well, what else did he have to do, really? Stay in one place until the food ran out, then moving on could have worked, but that would probably drive him insane.
Besides, if he was still alive and sane...
Jack found himself in the ruins of a big city as the star had finally appeared to be overhead. A quick look at the remains had told him where he was some time ago.
"So why New York City?" he asked himself. This would probably be the last place for a survivor to want to be right now.
Jack eventually found a park, and to his surprise...
"What the... there are people!"
Besides, if he was still alive and sane...
Jack found himself in the ruins of a big city as the star had finally appeared to be overhead. A quick look at the remains had told him where he was some time ago.
"So why New York City?" he asked himself. This would probably be the last place for a survivor to want to be right now.
Jack eventually found a park, and to his surprise...
"What the... there are people!"
To say Claire Murphey was tired was an understatement, and she was equally dirty. She's been wandering around for a good while now and hasn't seen a soul in days. Was it days? She couldn't remember, nor did she really care at that point. She stopped and rested on the ground near a car that has seen better days, and pondered her situation.
She's been following this bright star that caught her attention, for against her reason, against every solid thought that told her to ignore it, she disregarded it. It gave her a sense of hope that's been sorely lacking from her ever since it happened.
This better lead me somewhere soon, I'm tired of walking to nowhere. But maybe I can find something there...
She's been scavenging for a good while now, and has become very good at it. She laughed to herself.
All those philosophy classes, and never once did they speak of anything like this.
She sighed heavily, got up, and repositioned her beat up satchel that she found not too long ago that held a number of things that might come in handy. Like a knife she found earlier, she wasn't good at fighting, but she figured she could use it for something else.
She continued on. The star got brighter and she felt excited. Claire picked up her pace a little and entered New York City, and she tried not to let her hope down from seeing how vacant the place was.
She stopped in her tracks suddenly, and she couldn't believe her eyes!
People! There are other people here!
She's been following this bright star that caught her attention, for against her reason, against every solid thought that told her to ignore it, she disregarded it. It gave her a sense of hope that's been sorely lacking from her ever since it happened.
This better lead me somewhere soon, I'm tired of walking to nowhere. But maybe I can find something there...
She's been scavenging for a good while now, and has become very good at it. She laughed to herself.
All those philosophy classes, and never once did they speak of anything like this.
She sighed heavily, got up, and repositioned her beat up satchel that she found not too long ago that held a number of things that might come in handy. Like a knife she found earlier, she wasn't good at fighting, but she figured she could use it for something else.
She continued on. The star got brighter and she felt excited. Claire picked up her pace a little and entered New York City, and she tried not to let her hope down from seeing how vacant the place was.
She stopped in her tracks suddenly, and she couldn't believe her eyes!
People! There are other people here!
"You followed the star too?"
Not sure what to think of this, Paul hesitated.
What the.. Am I not the only one? Can everyone see that thing? I guess that would make sense, but you don't exactly see floating orbs of light that reach across hundreds of miles.
He sensed a presence behind him, noticing another man behind him. He turned to check out the new guy, noticing he wasn't actually that far from his own age. But he realized two more nearing the gathering. Another man around the same age, and a woman.
"Why hullo there everyone, why don't you join the campfire circle?"
Is there a reason that after all this time only we showed up? And that we all showed up about the same time?
Remembering the first man's question-
"I would say so. It appears we all got invited to the same party. Or do you suppose everyone left in the world can see it? Those who I happened to get shot at- I mean run into didn't seem to notice it. [sub]But perhaps they were more concerned with shooting my head off my shoulders.. >.>[/sub] "But why-" and he trailed off for the first time noticing the book. Normally a book left on the ground wouldn't bother him, but it caught his eye and he thought it strange. He edged closer, but he never laid a hand on it. He noticed a beautiful and very good design on it.
"Anyone else find this thing a bit... unusual just perched here? Right under our star-friend?"
Not sure what to think of this, Paul hesitated.
What the.. Am I not the only one? Can everyone see that thing? I guess that would make sense, but you don't exactly see floating orbs of light that reach across hundreds of miles.
He sensed a presence behind him, noticing another man behind him. He turned to check out the new guy, noticing he wasn't actually that far from his own age. But he realized two more nearing the gathering. Another man around the same age, and a woman.
"Why hullo there everyone, why don't you join the campfire circle?"
Is there a reason that after all this time only we showed up? And that we all showed up about the same time?
Remembering the first man's question-
"I would say so. It appears we all got invited to the same party. Or do you suppose everyone left in the world can see it? Those who I happened to get shot at- I mean run into didn't seem to notice it. [sub]But perhaps they were more concerned with shooting my head off my shoulders.. >.>[/sub] "But why-" and he trailed off for the first time noticing the book. Normally a book left on the ground wouldn't bother him, but it caught his eye and he thought it strange. He edged closer, but he never laid a hand on it. He noticed a beautiful and very good design on it.
"Anyone else find this thing a bit... unusual just perched here? Right under our star-friend?"
Eh, bold is subject to change depending on whatever is agreed. I thought I'd favor what Paradox suggested.
Oh as an afterthought to explain getting the getting shot at part, I thought it would be fitting to explain. I made the mistake of passing through Philadelphia at one point. More of a joke because I visited there not too long ago. Funny place, that.
Oh as an afterthought to explain getting the getting shot at part, I thought it would be fitting to explain. I made the mistake of passing through Philadelphia at one point. More of a joke because I visited there not too long ago. Funny place, that.
"Why hullo there everyone, why don't you join the campfire circle?"
Claire blinked several times just to get her head wrapped around what she saw. There was not only one person, but several people gathering around. There were two things that got her attention right away, one, that they were around the same age as her...
Odd, this can't be just a coincidence, can it?
The second thing was, she was the only girl.
Great, just fantastic.
But the man looked nice enough and she hasn't seen a single person in so long that she just decided to join the group, besides, what if they were following the star too?
She blew a loose strand of hair out of her face as she neared the group, and one of the men was looking intently at something, she couldn't see it since one of the others blocked her view. When she did get a good look she saw that it was a book, and a very odd one at that. She was confused as to why they were fascinated with it.
It's only a book, but there is something strange about it. It is beautiful though, but where did it come from?
Someone spoke up and broke her train of thought, and the most intelligent answer she could come up was:
"What?"
Claire blinked several times just to get her head wrapped around what she saw. There was not only one person, but several people gathering around. There were two things that got her attention right away, one, that they were around the same age as her...
Odd, this can't be just a coincidence, can it?
The second thing was, she was the only girl.
Great, just fantastic.
But the man looked nice enough and she hasn't seen a single person in so long that she just decided to join the group, besides, what if they were following the star too?
She blew a loose strand of hair out of her face as she neared the group, and one of the men was looking intently at something, she couldn't see it since one of the others blocked her view. When she did get a good look she saw that it was a book, and a very odd one at that. She was confused as to why they were fascinated with it.
It's only a book, but there is something strange about it. It is beautiful though, but where did it come from?
Someone spoke up and broke her train of thought, and the most intelligent answer she could come up was:
"What?"
"It's a star." Mark finally interjected it, "Surely we can see it just as cleary as every other person left on Earth can see their own reflection."
He hadn't actually opened the book yet, mostly out of fear. He found it odd that he could be scared of something so inanimate and pretty. Without any particular thought or will to do so, he pointed the top half of his body downward, keeping his legs completely straight, and turned to the first page in the book. In confusion, he turned to the second page. He casually flicked through the first hundred or so pages, still as bemused as he was when he arrived.
"Blank. Every page is blank."
He hadn't actually opened the book yet, mostly out of fear. He found it odd that he could be scared of something so inanimate and pretty. Without any particular thought or will to do so, he pointed the top half of his body downward, keeping his legs completely straight, and turned to the first page in the book. In confusion, he turned to the second page. He casually flicked through the first hundred or so pages, still as bemused as he was when he arrived.
"Blank. Every page is blank."
Blank? How...
Claire was slightly annoyed at the discovery. They've all been clearly gathered to this one place, to find this one book, and only to find out it's completely blank. She looked around the group to see perplexed looks on everyone's faces, and she was just as confused. This book has to have some importance, but what?
Then she had a thought, and it didn't make any sense. But then again, everything that's happened didn't make much sense either.
"What if it's some kind of journal? I mean, why else would a book be completely blank."
She opened her satchel and quickly to search for the small beat up pencil that was in there previously.
"What would happen, if we could write in it?"
Claire was slightly annoyed at the discovery. They've all been clearly gathered to this one place, to find this one book, and only to find out it's completely blank. She looked around the group to see perplexed looks on everyone's faces, and she was just as confused. This book has to have some importance, but what?
Then she had a thought, and it didn't make any sense. But then again, everything that's happened didn't make much sense either.
"What if it's some kind of journal? I mean, why else would a book be completely blank."
She opened her satchel and quickly to search for the small beat up pencil that was in there previously.
"What would happen, if we could write in it?"
I don't know if anyone wants to go this route, I'm just throwing out ideas at this point.
Ryan briefly thought about what writing in the book would do. Nothing. Nothing would happen. Anyone who thought otherwise would be deluding themselves, or following something other than sense. But he wouldn't say this out loud. He didn't need to be making enemies with what may be the only people alive, even accidentally.
"If you think writing in it might do anything, be my guest."
"If you think writing in it might do anything, be my guest."