I wrote this little short-short so that I can figure out how to post stories on DA.
This is the first story I have posted to DA, but I have written others, and will be posting more here. I write in a number of sub genres of speculative fiction (science fiction / fantasy,) so check back once in a while.
If you don't happen to like SF, you can still check out my photography.
This is a Trust Machines story. If you're not familiar with them, you aren't likely to understand this one. It is a short-short, so there is no development of the background.
The Trust Machine universe is discussed here: www.deviantart.com/trust-machi…
Nobody would likely note the three high school boys that were walking down the sidewalk. The boy on the left was rather large, well over six feet and quite stocky. He was walking with a cocky swagger, and had a cruel smile on his face.
The middle boy was weedy and thin -- the stereotypical nerd. He didn't look happy at all.
The one on the right was perhaps five foot two and a little chubby. Be bounced around with the air of one of those little dogs that like to threaten to bite your ankles, but which quickly runs away when threatened.
"Maybe I'll venn you into a tampon and give you to my girlfriend," the big boy said cruelly. "Or a roll of toilet paper that I can stick in the nastiest public restroom that I can find. How would you like to be flushed down the toilet in pieces?"
Marvin, the weedy nerd, cringed. "Please! If I can't finish out this year, I'll lose my scholarship! It would ruin my whole life!"
The bully laughed cruelly. "Why should I give a shit? It's your fault I got expelled! I was going to play for the NFL, but thanks to you, I got kicked off the team!"
Marvin didn't bother remind him that he got expelled for beating him up just as the principal passed by, or that a second string player was unlikely to be drafted by the pros.
The bouncy little sycophant pulled out a penny and set the machine to three years, then watched with a smirk.
Marvin stopped before the door and tried to escape. The bully pushed him in and the door disappeared.
The bully sauntered into the other side and said, "Maybe I'll v-"
A cup appeared on the floor in his place.
When Marvin had mumbled "paper cup of water," the bully had taken it to be whimpering. By the time he saw Marvin stab the interface twice, it was too late.
The sycophant, noticing that it was Marvin and not the bully that emerged, ran off. Marvin picked up the cup and walked off.
As he was walking home, he dribbled the water into the easement between the road and the sidewalk. Long before he was home, the cup was empty.
"I've dribbled you all over the place," Marvin said. "Enjoy your next three years as part of the water cycle."
Since the paper cup was thin enough to act as a tympanum, the bully could hear every word Marvin said.
Marvin took the cup out to the back porch, burned it, and let the ashes fly away in the wind.