Tag: collective thinking

Chapter

Looping

by Tower Curator — Dyna didn’t actually need the guards to strip in order to get their protective gear. She should have expected it, but they brought spares. Although they were a common sight around the Carroll Institute—especially down in Psychodynamics—Dyna had never worn the insulating equipment before. It wasn’t just like pulling on a pair of pants and throwing on a shirt. The silvery fabric didn’t bend easily. Not because of whatever it was made from, but because of how thick the material was. It felt like…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
2.8 K Jun 5, '25 0

Mature M
Chapter

Assault

by Tower Curator — Dyna didn’t hesitate to leap into motion. She also didn’t hesitate to leap into the truck. Given that the Hatman seemed dangerous only in close range, it might have seemed like a foolish decision, but there was something inside she needed. She rushed past the disruptors mounted on the wall. It was tempting to grab one and swing it around, but the disruptor wouldn’t do her any good if she stood around staring at empty space, wondering why she had grabbed it in the first place. That was a sure way…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
2.6 K Jun 5, '25 0

Mature M
Chapter

Shadows from the Other Side

by Tower Curator — Dyna stared at the… she honestly wasn’t sure what to call it. It looked like a person. It had all the person-y things. Hair, hands, a face. The face especially. At this point in time, Dyna had only one other example of an entity. That of the Hatman. While his facial features—or lack thereof—could be the result of a psychic power, it didn’t feel that way at all. The rest of his mannerisms were distinctly inhuman. And he couldn’t speak. “Don’t touch me,” the entity said, swatting away…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
2.8 K Jun 5, '25 2

Mature M
Chapter

Static

by Tower Curator — “What are you talking about? We can’t…” Ruby trailed off, shaking her head. “That’s against orders.” “That’s your problem? I didn’t think you would be one to adhere to rules like that. You hate rules. You are the real Ruby, right?” “Of course I am.” She snapped. As soon as her glare died, she crossed her arms, adopting a fierce scowl. “I hate a lot of things. Emerald acting like she’s better than me. My efforts going to waste. Stupid hats. And bleeping Sapphire. Why the…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
3.0 K Jun 5, '25 2

Mature M
Chapter

Thing

by Tower Curator — Dyna wasn’t happy with her temporary allies. To be fair, at no point in their brief cooperation had Dyna been happy with them. At most, she had been relieved when they showed up at the hospital. Then maybe relieved again when they said they could help Ruby get back to normal. Her displeasure hadn’t come from anything that they had actually done. That might come across as a bit unfair, but Dyna didn’t care. They worked with Id, that earned them some ire. But now? “You shot her.” Maple…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
3.2 K Jun 5, '25 0

Mature M
Chapter

The Other Side

by Tower Curator — Ruby’s neck itched. Her legs itched. Her body felt wrong, which wasn’t something she had ever felt before. She had often heard of people feeling uncomfortable in their own skin. She had honestly thought that was just a phrase people used. A long-winded way of saying they were uncomfortable. And maybe that was true. But at the moment, Ruby didn’t feel like her skin fit properly. It was too tight for her bones. Or maybe too loose. It wasn’t easy to tell. It was a recent development. Ruby…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
2.7 K Jun 5, '25 0

Mature M
Chapter

Doctor Teeth

by Tower Curator — Walter could have warned her. She wasn’t sure that it would have helped, but at least she would have beeen able to mentally prepare. Sapphire was… Dyna didn’t want to say anything rude as she didn’t really know him, but… Sapphire’s head lolled to one side. His blue eyes didn’t look at Dyna or at the two obvious technicians working on various consoles and terminals. His lips didn’t quite move and yet words formed in the air—not in Dyna’s mind—as he spoke. “My presence isn’t…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
3.2 K Jun 5, '25 0

Mature M
Chapter

Reinforcements

by Tower Curator — “Yes, Sir. It seems contained at the moment.” “Good,” Walter said. “I expected a call sooner.” “You said to call when I was alone. Things have been hectic.” “I understand. Ruby?” Dyna glanced over toward the truck. They were still at the high school. Still parked out front. In the thirty minutes since the Hatman’s capture, he hadn’t moved. Not even a slight twitch or jerky motion in the permanent marker covering his face. Ado hadn’t explained anything about how the…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
3.1 K Jun 5, '25 0

Mature M
Chapter

Contained

by Tower Curator — As Dyna pulled the trigger on the disruptor, sending the Hatman into a full-powered spasm, two things stood out to her. The first regarded the Hatman himself. He was angry, obviously. That much should probably be expected given the situation last time she had been around him. Being locked down by the disruptor gun had not made him pleased. But the most important part was that he seemed angry with her. He was here in the auditorium and he was looking at Dyna. Unless something had happened back in the…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
2.9 K Jun 5, '25 1

Mature M
Chapter

Spatial Anomaly

by Tower Curator — “Maple?” Dyna didn’t move. She looked around the auditorium, worried for just a moment that the Hatman had come up behind her and phase-shifted her off into wherever. But no, there was no one around. No Hatman looming over her, staring with that scribbled-out face. She felt no different than she had a few moments ago and nothing looked different. With the obvious exception of Maple’s sudden absence. Whatever happened, it hadn’t happened to her. “Ado?” Dyna bit her lip,…
1. Collective Thinking
  
  402.5 K Words • Completed
2.9 K Jun 5, '25 0

Mature M
Previous 1 … 7 8 9 … 13 Next