Writing Prompt

There’s this girl I know. She’s beautiful but she’s not who she says she is. In fact, I hardly know her and thought I loved her. But really it was all a ruse to hurt me because of what happened in my past that I don’t dare to look at. She made me confess that it was indeed my fault. My fault that someone had died, and the day someone died I lost my innocence.

There’s this girl I used to love. She was my everything but so deceiving. I thought I knew every single fact about her, but no. Everything she told me about herself is a lie. Now I can hardly bring myself to trust another person because again, I will be stabbed.

Like Romeo and Juliet, we were never meant to be and as I write this letter to her as an apology she is taking my life. Blood drops down onto the paper and inks the paper with my dignity hurt.

There’s this girl that took my life. Now I will haunt her memories.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Angie knew what Viv was doing, and she had to warn Williams. He was getting too involved, too blinded by the alluring glow Viv — that damn, charming woman — cast around her. He needed to understand she wasn’t perfect. He needed to know she wasn’t who he thought she was.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Angie measured her steps, her nose wrinkling instinctively as the sharp, metallic scent of fresh blood filled the air. The garage grew darker with every passing second. The oppressive silence unsettled her—part of her was relieved she heard nothing, but another part knew it could only mean one thing: Viv already knew she was here.

The thought made her blood run cold. Viv’s cleverness was terrifying, but Angie reminded herself why she was doing this—for Williams.

Thud! She froze.

3… 2… 1…

Turning sharply, she spotted scattered boxes in the corner. It was probably just rats in this damned garage, but the image of Viv’s potential crimes loomed over her, making her skin crawl. The smell of blood was so vivid now that Angie could taste it—coppery and bitter, clinging to her tongue and throat. Her stomach churned as she fought the urge to vomit. Whether it was the stench or sheer terror, she couldn’t stay here much longer.

Each step forward felt like a mistake. She reminded herself: evidence and warn him. Evidence and warn. That’s it.

The space cleared, and harsh yellow light flooded the room, illuminating what lay ahead. Angie’s breath hitched as her eyes landed on the gruesome scene. A table stood in the center, its loose straps dangling like silent witnesses. Tools lay scattered around it, stained with reddish-brown smears. Bags and instruments hinted at horrors she couldn’t fathom. Her mind reeled, filling in the blanks with grotesque imaginings.

She doubled over and vomited.

Her body shook as she clung to the wall for support, bile rising every time her eyes strayed back to the table. Nausea clawed at her, but she couldn’t look away.

Then, a voice broke through the suffocating silence.

It was soothing, calm—a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Angie.”

Her head snapped up. Williams stood there, perfectly still, his figure silhouetted in the yellow glow. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes pierced through her.

Angie gasped for air, her voice raw and trembling as she managed to croak, “She’s not who she says she is.”

“I know,” Williams replied, his tone steady, almost chilling.

His unyielding gaze sent a shiver down her spine.

“She’s not who she says she is.”. He warns them as they arrive. The house is dark and deserted. The only light coming from the full moon shinning high above within the stars. The “For Sale” sign swaying in the breeze. They ignore his warning and keep moving. It’s a beautiful 19th century house. Four bedrooms, three baths, huge open floor plan downstairs with a beautiful fire place cascading up the wall. The fire burns bright, casting shadows all around. They immediately fall in love with the place and buy it right then and there. Months go by and everything is going great. Then, one day they’re sitting on the porch swing reading and hear a loud crash from inside. The foyers chandelier is shattered across the floor. With no idea what caused it they sweep the mess and move on. As time goes on more and more peculiar things begin to happen. The fire lights itself, they hear voices through the walls when no one else is there, the chandelier falls over and over again. They begin to worry and soon recall the warning they were eerily given upon their first arrival. “She’s not who she says she is” the man warned them. Beginning to worry, they do some digging. All they find is more and more horror stories about what’s happened within these walls. More and more death and decay. They finally realize and understand what the man was warning them about on that very first day. The house isn’t at all who she says she is. The secrets and torment run far too deep to be taken care of. All that’s left to do, is put it back on the market.

Adele was fuming, pacing back and forth in our cramped one-room apartment. The bed, positioned close to the door, took up most of the space. At the foot of the bed stood our mini wardrobe, while a reading table sat by the window. The only free space was the narrow path leading to the restroom and kitchen.

Suddenly, Adele stopped mid-stride, her shoulders slumping. She turned to me with a broken expression and burst into tears, looking like a wounded animal.

In that moment, I saw what lay behind her anger: hurt. My heart broke as I moved to her side, pulling her into a fierce embrace. I wished I could take away her pain. In a trembling voice, she whispered, ‘I believed her. How could she do this to me?’ I had no answers that could ease her pain.

It was hard for me to reconcile what Ella did with the person she pretended to be. Adele had met her a few months ago while they were both interns at the same organization. They had clicked almost instantly. It was as if they’d known each other forever. Ella was always smiling, always helpful—always there when you needed her. But now, Adele had learned the truth: Ella had only gotten close to her to steal a position she had worked so hard to prepare for.

Ella had been sly about it, carefully gaining Adele’s trust and learning all the details of her plans and strategy for a major project that would determine who earned the full-time role at the organization. Then, as if it were her own, she presented Adele’s ideas to the chairman, claiming credit for them. To make matters worse, she had trash-talked Adele, painting her as incompetent and unreliable to further solidify her own position.

The betrayal cut deep. It was sad to think that someone who seemed so genuine could be so calculating. But I suppose no one can hide their true self forever; like a flame, our true nature always finds a way to escape.

In some ways, I could relate to Adele’s pain—finding out that someone you trusted with your heart isn’t who they claimed to be

We were all wearing the same bunny mask, the same buck teeth hanging out from the edge of the mask. Our fake fuzzy bunny ears protruded out from the mask, curving to the side. I could barely see through the mask. A dim light hung above us. We had to wear masks. No one could be different. I looked over my notes.

——————
 Suspects 
——————

   Susie
   Lily 
   Ian 
   Shawn 

——————

I knew I hadn’t done the crime. This is what they always did. They had to record us and interrogate us to find out who the murderer was since everyone wore masks. There were always faults in the system of ‘equality.’ I poked at my gloves that were itching irritably. We had to wear gloves over any exposed skin to hide our race and identity even further. Even government agents wore them. The makers couldn’t break their own rules either. 
I looked straight into the camera. A red blinking dot rapidly recorded us. I knew they were watching. They always were…
“She’s not who she says she is,” Lily accused Susie, my best friend. 
“I was with her the entire time, there’s no way she could’ve faked it,” I argued. 
“Are you stupid. We all wear the same masks, anyone could be pretending to be her,” Lily snapped back. 
“Then how do you explain that it was her voice?” I blurted 
“Guess what, there’s this thing called a voice changer that we have. Anyone can mimick someone’s voice by just recording a sample and then having an AI transform their voice,” Lily said.
She was right. Technology was too advanced. Anyone could easily pretend to be someone else. I heard a booming voice from the black speaker that also had a camera planted inside it.
“Where were you all at the night of the murder?” A mechanical voice said, but almost too humanized. 
Technology has gotten to a point where Artifical Intelligence runs the nation. Every house has built in AI’s that take care of simple things. Humans barely do anything. Our country is run by an AI trained to make challenging decisions and create the best society. Turns out it only made people more infuriated. People have no individually anymore, we’re all the same person. People smarter than average go to seperate schools across the world with other smart kids, just so they don’t interfere with our below average people. 
“I was with Susie, I’m sure of it,” I say. “We were walking home from the Feel Good coffee shop.”
“What Amy said,” Susie says. 
“I was alone getting something to eat, there’s no way I could’ve had the time to plan an entire assassination,” Lily backed herself up. 
“I was celebrating Chinese New Years with my family,” Ian shared. 
“And I was at a concert,” Shawn said. 
“I think it’s Susie,” Lily repeated.
Susie placed her gloves over her face before she retaliated.
“Come on, you’re just pointing a finger at me, I bet you’re the one who did it. You randomly accused me in the first place,” Susie angrily said.
“Oh shut up, you’re just trying to cover yourself up,” Lily replied.
“I did nothing wrong and you started accusing me as soon as this interrogation started!” Susie yelled. 
Lily slammed her fist on the table and they both argued back and forth. 
“Why won’t you just tell the truth?!” Lily screamed. 
It all went quiet. Shawn was frozen in shock. Glancing over, Susie was frozen as well. And Ian was just as confused as I was. 

Lily continued her argument. “No I did not,” Susie blurted in the middle of Lilys accusations. “Don’t even try to deny it!” Lily screeched. “You won’t even listen to what I have to say!!!” Susie screamed at the top of her lungs. “I won’t, oh what about you Ms. Perfect. You came in here acting like you were so innocent, why would you even be so nervous if you weren’t the murderer!” Lily pointed out. “Because your making me feel guilty for something I didn’t even do!!!” Susie growled. Their voices got increasingly raspy and tired to the point where their threats just sounded like dying animals. “I’m so fed up with you Susie!!!!!!” Lily finally screamed. Then, Lily pushed over Susie. Her chair flipped over and Susie fell onto her back. From her mask, a voice changer fell out. A little mechanical arm stretched out from the device, it was the voice modulator. Everyone gasped. Susie’s mask fell off her face, but it wasn’t Susie. It was someone I’d never seen before. As soon as I was born, I was wearing a mask. They gradually increased the size and width as I grew. This, was a 69 year old man, almost completely bald. His teeth were rotting away. “Maybe if you could just shut up!” Someone that was definitely not Susie said, not realizing that his identity was revealed. The fluorescent light bulb suddenly turned off, and in the darkness, I could see the old man standing in the air, now holding a large gun to Lily’s head. Suddenly, there was a loud, ear-piercing boom, and Lily wasn’t in her chair anymore. Blood was barely visible on the white walls. It was covering my face and dripping down my mouth. The taste of blood entered my mouth. I could still see the red blinking light from the camera. Then another gunshot went off, and the cameras light went black, glass piercing into my skin. I saw the old man’s eyes glowing an eerie yellow, and now he was staring right at me…

“He’s not who he says she is.” Myles whispered to me from across our shared desk.

We both watch our new boss strut across the floor of our office. He stops to look out the floor to ceiling windows that give way to Central Park. We do have the most magnificent view from the twenty-fourth floor.

"Don't we all lie a little bit on our resumes?" I whisper back.

"No, not a small fabrication to get the job," Myles rolls his eyes. "I mean, it's him. He's not Jacob Jones. He's Freddie Lane."

"The billionaire's son? The actual Wolf of Wall Street's son?" There's no way. Why the hell would someone so rich come work at this dump. We are one step above penny stocks. The wannabe stock brokers who hope to make it big. Or at least that's how I describe the sharks that work here. I'm just here to complete my internship to make my family happy. Then I'm out.

"Check your email. It's totally him." Myles clicks send.

His message lands in my inbox and I open the link. Holy shit.

"Okay. Unless this is a serious doubleganger situation... I think you're right." I compare the chiseled body on my screen to the man who stands confidently surveying our sea of computers.

"Right?" Myles exclaims a little too loudly. The grump lady across from him gives him a death glare. He lowers his voice. "I wonder why he would lie about who he his."

"I'm not sure. But I'm going to find out." Challenge accepted. Maybe this internship won't be so shitty after all.

She’s not who she says she is She is hiding herself from her true identity Keeping secrets she does not tell Hiding away till she needs a new face Doesn’t relize it but secrets can be sought out cause deep in secrets there are secrets Not to be withheld trying to figure out herself She does not know her true personality But she needs help

She says she can be anyone she wants to But even then she is still a person She has one identy But she does not want to reveal it Scared of what people might say She has put on a mask her whole life Hard to change she must She knows what the people say But she can’t change what she built around her It’s like a shield that protects her from herself She can’t find herself Having trouble figuring out what she is meant for So she will keep up the mask till the day she dies

She hurried through the streets. “Please let there be time,” she whispered to herself as she got closer to her destination. “What are you doing?” The voice floated through the air toward her, but she didn’t stop. She knew what he wanted. She started to run. “I see how it is.” The voice came again, and someone stepped into her path. A guy around her age wearing a dark overcoat and dark glasses watched emotionlessly as she fell to the ground after tripping over the foot he had planted in her path. She hit her chin and elbows on the sidewalk, but the pain didn’t register. She was already high on adrenaline. She couldn’t stop. With a groan she pushed herself to her feet. She stood shakily. But before she could take a step, his hand clamped down on her shoulder. He spun her around so she was facing him. “Let go of me.” She didn’t meet his eyes as she said it. “We need to talk.” “We will,” she finally agreed. “But not right now.” Right now, she needed to be several blocks down, stopping a murder. “Why not?” He demanded. She finally met his eyes. She saw his expression darken. “What has he done now?” “It’s bad.” She nearly started crying. “It’s bad. I have to go. Let me go.” “Okay.” His hands lifted from her shoulders “Where are we going?” She told him, and a moment later they were there. Travelling through the shadows of the city was far quicker than running through them. But when they arrived, she feared they were already too late. “Grey! Don’t do this!” She shouted as she ran toward him. His face had splatters of blood on it, and he carried a knife that was not clean. He was dressed in a hero’s suit, a dark cape flying behind him, his symbol on his chest for all to see. But he was no hero. No one knew but Taylan and her. They had planned to expose him. Until she’d gotten word from Lyra about an intruder at her apartment. “No,” she sobbed, falling beside the body at his feet. It was Lyra. Her best friend. He had taken her to get revenge. It was all her fault. “She’s not dead.” Grey told her, his voice void of warmth or kindness. She looked up at him through blurry tears. “What?” “It’s fake.” He touched the knife and showed her the blood on his fingers. It was too red. Her sobbing slowly subsided and her body shook as she struggled to catch her breath. “Why?” She gasped as Gray crouched down beside her. “I knew you survived,” he sneered. He had drawn her into the open. Just as she’d feared. The last time she’d seen him, he’d tried to kill her. He had found out she had the ability to manipulate mechanical devices and revert them back to gears and pieces. She’d been his ally, but he’d felt threatened, especially after she’d suggested the idea that they could work together publically. Taylan had rescued her before the knife Grey had plunged into her stomach took her life. Grey didn’t carry a gun now. He had a knife, once again. There was nothing she could do if he decided to plunge it into her heart. She was sure he’d aim true a second time. She looked up at him and wiped the tears from her cheeks. He grabbed her arm and forced her to stand. His knife pressed against her neck. She willed herself to stay calm as they turned to face the other witness. “You should go, Taylan.” She managed to say. “And miss this moment?” He spread his hands wide. “My two favorite people in one place. I can’t wait to see what we do.” “We are going to do nothing. Though I wonder.” “Wonder what, brother?” Taylan quirked an eyebrow. “Do you know your partner as well as you think you do?” “Gray,” she began, but his grip tightened painfully on her arm and she fell silent. “Do enlighten me.” Taylan’s voice was calm and cool, even as his hand inched toward his weapons. “She’s not who she says she is.” “Who is she then?” Taylan questioned. “Did she tell you her mothers name?” “No,” she gasped, but he ignored her. “She did not.” Taylan admitted. His eyes met hers. She winced as Grays knife pressed into her neck. A single slash and she’d be dead. “Please,” she breathed. “It’s Kata. Kata Sif.” Taylans eyes widened. “Your mother is the Director of the Enhanced Individuals Unit?” The unit they all belonged to. Genetically altered with enhanced senses and special abilities, all three of them were borne from that unit. And they all answered to Kata Sif. But she hadn’t told Taylan. She hadn’t wanted him to see her like that. Too late. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Taylan asked, his voice a little shaky. “I’m sorry.” She couldn’t stop the tear from slipping from her eyelid and rolling down her cheek. “Are you?” Gray’s voice growled in her ear. “I didn’t mean to lie. I just didn’t want you to think…” her voice trailed off. She didn’t want to make excuses. She had lied. She’d deal with it. Her eyes met Taylan’s again. She was surprised by the strength of his gaze. He watched her intently. “I know why,” he said, not unkindly. “I understand.” He took a deep breath and let it go. “It’s okay.” He smiled faintly. “Seriously?” Gray demanded. “You’re letting it go? She’s the enemy. She lied to us, and she put you at risk. You were at her house. What would Kata Sif do if she found you there?” “Technically, I made the decision to go.” Taylan pointed out. “She tried to stop me. Several times.” “What?” Gray scoffed. His grip on her arm momentarily loosened. Realizing this may be her only opportunity, she reached up and pulled the knife away from her neck while elbowing Gray in the stomach. He gasped, stumbling back, and she turned, throwing the knife as far away as she could. It landed a couple rooftops away, skittering on the surface. Gray snarled and lunged, but she ducked, nearly tripping over Lyra. She scrambled back from Gray. He was strong and fast, faster than her. This fight wouldn’t last long. She spared a glance at Lyra. But she had to try. Just before he reached her, something dark slammed into him. Taylan stood over her instead, offering a hand to help her to her feet. She took it, rubbing her neck as she stood. “Thank you.” She said. For more than what he had just done. He nodded, his eyes dark with determination. “Always.” His promise returned to her. It was like they were back in her house, sitting opposite each other and strategizing over the dinner table. She’d confessed her worries about confronting Gray. He’d assured her, saying “I won’t let him hurt you.” He said it again. She glanced toward Lyra. “This time you might get hurt,” she worried aloud. “Eh.” He shrugged with a smile. “If I was worried about that, I’d be in the wrong business.” Fair enough. She returned his smile. Together they turned to face Gray. “You’ll fight for her, even after she lied?” Gray demanded, rising to his feet and touching his bloody lip with one hand. “I will.” Taylan raised his chin. “She may have lied, but she’s not the enemy.” He glanced at her. “She never was.”

She’s not who she says she is. Meteorologist, chef, psychologist. She wears the hat of weather and food. She wears the of the mind deep inside.

She’s not who she says she is. Teacher, preacher, jobs of all kinds. She prays and teaches the little, carefree minds. So many hats so many opportunities yet none of them suit her just right. Vets are to animal-y and Doctors are to people-y. Waiter take notes and lifeguards sit in the sun all day

The perfect hat for her, the one that sits just right, is the job of a mother, doing all of the above. She protects, preaches, teaches, serves, answers questions, builds toys and that isn’t all. She’s cooks and cleans until the day is through, loving her children just like a great mother would do.

Thanks for wearing all of those hats, it sure wasn’t easy balancing them all on top of your head! :)

She’s not who she says she is. She smiles at strangers Goes out of her way to make others laugh

She’s not who she says she is. She sings her heart out to tunes in the car Consoles those who feel hope is lost.

When the lights go low When the moon goes up She frowns to herself

Goes out of her way to hide in the darkness Quiet at the tune of a song Feels all hope is lost And all forgotten

She’s not who she says she is