ZeroCool_: forum

Thought I’d try something a bit different — short stories set in Torn City.
I’ll keep adding more if people enjoy it, and feel free to shape what happens next 👇

Part I: The Door

I didn’t plan to end up in Torn.

No one does.

One minute I was on a bus heading somewhere normal… the next, I’m standing under a flickering streetlight with a phone that barely works and a wallet that definitely won’t last the night.

The air feels different here. Heavier. Like the city’s watching you, waiting to see what kind of mistake you’re going to make first.

I checked what little cash I had left. Not enough for a room. Not enough for food. Definitely not enough to stay clean.

That’s when I saw it.

A small convenience store across the street. Lights on. No one at the counter… or at least no one I could see. Shelves half-stocked, door slightly open.

Too easy.

That’s how people get caught here.

I stood there longer than I should have, staring at that doorway like it was a test. Maybe it was. Maybe everything here is.

I don’t know the rules yet.
But I do know one thing—

No one survives Torn by playing it safe.

I stepped toward the door… and didn’t stop.

Do I go through with it… or walk away while I still can?

Delete

Part III: The Wrong Choice

I moved before I could think.

The gun.

My hand closed around it, cold metal biting into my palm like it had been waiting for me.

Too easy. That’s how people get caught here.

That thought hit a second too late.

The noise came from the back again—louder this time.

A step.

Then another.

No point pretending I didn’t hear it.

I turned.

The doorway behind the counter was open just enough to show darkness beyond it. No light. No movement.

But someone was there.

Had been the whole time.

Watching.

Waiting to see what I’d take.

My grip tightened on the gun.

If this was a test… I’d already failed it.

A figure shifted in the doorway—slow, deliberate.

Not rushing. Not hiding.

Just stepping forward like they knew exactly how this would end.

“First day?” a voice said.

Calm. Almost amused.

I didn’t answer.

Didn’t lower the gun either.

They took another step into the light.

Older. Scar across one eye. Not nervous. Not surprised.

Just… disappointed.

“Should’ve taken the jacket,” they said. “Would’ve made this easier.”

What do I do now—run, shoot, or try to talk my way out of this?

~ Level 37

~ Activity (Average 5 days a week outside of working hours)

~ Current Battle Stats 78k

Old account, returning player :)

Part II: Too Easy

He was right. The guy on the bus… the one who told me Torn doesn’t give second chances.

You don’t get choices here.
You get chances — and if you hesitate, someone else takes them.

I pushed the door open slowly.

The bell above it didn’t ring.

That was the first thing that felt wrong.

The second—

The shelves weren’t just half empty. They’d been cleared. Fast. Like someone left in a hurry.

Or was made to.

I stepped inside anyway.

The air smelled wrong. Not old — just… abandoned too quickly.

My eyes locked onto something behind the counter.

A jacket. Dark, worn, but clean. Better than what I had.

Next to it—

A handgun.

Just sitting there.

No case. No lock. No owner.

My pulse started to climb.

This wasn’t luck.

This was bait.

From somewhere deeper in the store… I heard it.

A shift. Subtle. Controlled. Like someone adjusting their stance… not trying to be heard.

Watching.

Waiting.

I didn’t turn around.

Didn’t breathe.

Just stood there, staring at the counter.

Two choices. One mistake. No second chances.

And in this city… that’s all it takes.

What do I take — the jacket, the gun… or do I get out before whatever’s back there finds me?

Was a simple reset. To be fair I was sure the account would be gone after 21 years!

Delete

Appreciate the feedback — glad you’re enjoying it!
Sounds like this fits better in the Roleplay section, so I’ll move it over there and continue it.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction 👍

Thought I’d try something a bit different — short stories set in Torn City.
I’ll keep adding more if people enjoy it, and feel free to shape what happens next 👇

Part I: The Door

I didn’t plan to end up in Torn.

No one does.

One minute I was on a bus heading somewhere normal… the next, I’m standing under a flickering streetlight with a phone that barely works and a wallet that definitely won’t last the night.

The air feels different here. Heavier. Like the city’s watching you, waiting to see what kind of mistake you’re going to make first.

I checked what little cash I had left. Not enough for a room. Not enough for food. Definitely not enough to stay clean.

That’s when I saw it.

A small convenience store across the street. Lights on. No one at the counter… or at least no one I could see. Shelves half-stocked, door slightly open.

Too easy.

That’s how people get caught here.

I stood there longer than I should have, staring at that doorway like it was a test. Maybe it was. Maybe everything here is.

I don’t know the rules yet.
But I do know one thing—

No one survives Torn by playing it safe.

I stepped toward the door… and didn’t stop.

Do I go through with it… or walk away while I still can?