Contest [Issue 75] Continue The Story IV - Chapter 4

[Flexoo 6,980]

 

 

 

 

After two more months, the story finally continues with the third chapter. It's time to continue it further and set our eyes on the upcoming conslusion!

 

 

Chapter three has already been written. Your job is to continue where the three previous authors left. Take a look at the story so far and write your own continuation.

 

The Chronicles of a Writer

 

Chapter 1: The Reveal by @Electron-9000

 

‘Meet me at my office at 2’ read the note. All kinds of emotions rushed through. “What does he want now?”, visibly confused, Gerald quickly glanced at the clock. “Half-an-hour left eh”. He reached out for his coffee mug. It was empty.  He moved towards the coffee machine to fill him up with some coffee. “Yo Stephanie, do you know what the boss wants to talk about today? Did he speak to you about anything?”. Stephanie just nodded a no and continued to converse on her phone.

 

This whole meeting thing was stressing Gerald out. He had never been called for a meeting before. Was he getting suspended? Even worse, fired? Gerald worked as a writer for a firm. He had been appointed to his role by his uncle, Oswald. He had done a few reports and that’s it. What the company did, or what their market was, was something Gerald has no clue about. Nevertheless, he waited for the hour to strike.

He knocked the boss’s cabin, asking permission to enter. The boss had his chair turned towards the fireplace, smoking a cigar, with his back towards Gerald. “Grab a chair young man”. His voice was cold. Gerald, not wanting to make things worse for himself, quietly pulled a chair and sat down. Every second passing seemed like an hour. At this point Gerald had begun to sweat.

 

The boss, back still turned against him, spoke: “Do you know why I called you here Gerald?” “Not really Sir!” Gerald replied. The boss turned around. He had large sunglasses on, which covered most of his face. A muffler was wrapped around his neck. He said, “Mr. Gerald, I know its been just 4 months that you have been working with us, I think now it’s time that I tell you what this company is all about” Gerald sat right up. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it. The boss let him have a few moments to sink it in.

 

Once Gerald regained his composure, the boss continued. He said, “We are a company that does ads for different clients, but we work as spies undercover for these clients. Blackmail, evidence collection, reports, etc. is all part of what we do here. And before you react or try to leave, let me tell you that once you are hired here, there is no turning back”. Gerald was shocked. Struggling to find some words to blurt out, he asked, “What.. What mm-makes you think I c-can’t run away?”. The boss smirked, and pulled out a paper which looked like the contract Gerald had once signed on. He continued, “Your uncle works for us as a talent recruitment officer. I must tell you, he does his job well, I mean look at you. Perfect talent”.

 

Gerald gulped. Memories were starting to strike back at him. Nearly 6 months ago, he had asked his uncle Oswald for a job. His uncle introduced him to this job. Even though the pay wasn’t all that good, Gerald had to take it because of his poor condition. After all, something is better than nothing right? He also remembered that in his state of desperation, he had forgotten to read the contract and just did whatever he was told at that time.

 

Back to the present, Gerald was furious. He had been played. But there was no other option at this point. With a heavy heart, Gerald asked the boss, “What do you want me to do?”. The boss laughed, and replied, “Now we talkin’, you have three objectives, each different from the other”. Saying this he threw three photographs in front of him. “The first photograph is of Joseph Carter, the second is Frank Callum, and the last one is of Kristi Elizer. Now here’s what you will be doing. Joseph Carter is an undercover spy for the G.E.N.E.X, an organization that collects ancient relics. You have to create a case against him, busting him with proof of his relation to the organization, and stuff like that… You get the point. Frank Callum, is a model who is rumored to be cheating on his wife. You have to prove this wrong, and support him with valid resources. Kristi Elizer is the daughter of the third richest man in the country. She has been missing for a few days now. You have to make a report on this event. Is that clear?”.

 

At this point, it was complete fade out for Gerald. Failure to accomplish these tasks would mean death. With no choice, Gerald picked up the three photos, and began to leave the cabin. As he left, the boss growled, “Oh yeah, one more thing, If you try to run away or call for help, my men will make sure you don’t stay alive to tell your tale”

Gerald closed the door behind him. He wasn’t hired for this. He went back home, set up his bulletin, and cleared his table. He was a different man now. His only hope and escape was if he finished these tasks. As darkness slowly took over the city, Gerald sat down, pen in hand, making notes as he surfed the internet. Progress had to made.. And Fast!

 

 

Chapter 2: The Betrayal by @GrandExecutioner

 

Gerald lifted his head up from the table where he had fallen asleep. He wiped his groggy eyes, letting out a loud yawn simultaneously. Eyes widening when he glanced at the clock, Gerald got up abruptly, causing his chair to fly back and clatter against the wall. It was 11.30am already! Gerald's natural body clock ensured he never slept in and was always up at 6.00am sharp- whether he liked it or not.

 

He peeled off a post-it note from his cheek, eyebrows furrowing in confusion as he read the content. Scribbled on were 3 names: Joseph Carter, Frank Callum, and Kristi Elizer. That's when yesterday's events hit him. The company! The tasks! Panic-stricken, Gerald gazed over the assortment of documents spread out on the table- finally taking it all in. Pictures, newspaper articles, biographies- everything to do with these 3 people- were scattered across the table covering the entire surface. Gerald recalled the hours of research he put in last night, finding out anything he could about his targets.

 

He was jolted out of his thoughts by someone banging on his front door. He quickly moved to the windows to check who it was. An audible sigh of relief escaped from his mouth when he realised it was the mailman.

 

“G'day mate!” As soon as he opened the door, Gerald was greeted with a thick Aussie accent.

 

“Hello, how can I help you?” Gerald spoke warily.

 

“I'm here to talk about some changes to the terms and conditions of your subscription to Girlz Fashion Monthly. Can I come in?” It took a while for Gerald to decipher what he was saying due to his accent.

 

“Err...but I'm not subscribed to-” Gerald was cut-off mid-sentence as the man barged in swiftly shutting the door.

 

“Right, I don't have much time so listen carefully.” To Gerald's surprise, the man had dropped his thick accent and started talking normally.

 

“Who are you? What do you want?” Gerald had started to back away.

 

“I know about the company you work for. I know about the jobs.” Gerald froze. He could remember his boss making it very clear that if he so much breathed about what the company did, he wouldn't live to see the next day.

 

“W-who are you? Do you work for the company?” Gerald asked slowly.

 

“Yes...no. It's a long story. The point is I used to be in your shoes. I can help but I don't have much time. I've disabled the bugs they've put inside your house so they can't watch or listen to you but it's only good for 2 minutes.” The man started talking rapidly.

 

“You used to be in my... hang on, they're watching me?” Gerald's tone was one of shock and fear.

 

“That doesn't matter now. Do you want to stay alive or not?” After some time, Gerald nodded.

 

“Then listen carefully. They're framing you. Your 3 targets. The company is an organization who are hired to kill people for clients. But they need someone to take the fall for each assassination. They've got you doing useless research because when an investigation is made of these murders, they'll need someone to blame. Someone who has recently been fixated on all 3 of these people. Someone who can close the case by going to prison in order for the organization to remain hidden. ” The man stopped to take a breath. “...Someone like you.”

 

Gerald's jaw dropped and he could only gape at the supposed mailman as the news washed over him.

 

“2 minutes are up. I need to go.”

 

“Wait! Stop! What should I do?” Gerald was finally able to get words out of his mouth.

 

The man stopped, his hand on the door handle. “Find Kristi Elizer. If you find the person who kidnapped her, you might be able to get some answers and get out of this hole...before it's too late.”
With that, he was gone and Gerald was left wondering whether he even existed.

 

 

 

It took 3 hours after the mailman's visit before Gerald knew what he had to do. He needed to pay the man who had gotten him this job a visit. His uncle.

 

After a short drive of constantly checking his mirror for the fear of being followed, Gerald found himself before his uncle Oswald's front door. Despite some very loud banging, nobody answered. It seemed to him that either nobody was in, or nobody wanted to answer. Gerald made his way round to the back of the house and climbed over the fence to find the shed door open. Puzzled he walked in, his nerves on edge.

 

Gerald gasped. Slumped on the floor in the far corner was a young woman who was unconscious. Her arms and legs were tied and duct tape was placed on her mouth. Gerald had never met this woman before in his life, but he instantly recognized her. Kristi Elizer. The kidnapped daughter.

 

“It's a shame you found her.” Gerald spun around to come face to face with the person that spoke. His uncle Oswald.

 

“B-but...wha-why...” Gerald for the second time that day was at a loss for words.

 

He only glimpsed the swing of the baseball bat before he felt it smash against the side of his head with the force of a wrecking ball. Darkness invaded Gerald's vision long before he hit the ground.

 

 

Chapter 3: The Shock by @C.O.N.Q.U.E.R.O.R

 

Gerald woke in a dimly lit room, with a desk adorned with pictures of a child that he recognised as himself. His vision was impeded by a crust of blood over his left eye, leaving him with blurred vision and a pair of broken spectacles that wouldn't fit properly over his swollen eye. He tasted the bitterness of his own blood in his mouth, which he quickly spit out onto what appeared to be a floor of solid concrete. Gerald could hear a vague whine in his ear. The next thing he knew, his eardrums were practically shattered by the sound of Oswald slamming open a dark door that Gerald hadn't noticed before. He quickly swiveled his head to the source of the noise and was immediately surprised by Oswald's appearance.

 

He was wearing a brown heavy-duty jacket with a fur hood and a pair of jeans that were ripped at the cuff. Oswald's face appeared to be bruised, and his eyes were sunken in, as if he had not gotten an hour of sleep. He walked with a distinct limp that Gerald noted was new. A cigarette was between his lips; odd, for his uncle had abandoned smoking ever since his childhood friend had died of lung cancer.

 

Oswald pulled a chair that had been in front of the desk out and seated himself. For more than a minute, an uncomfortable silence reigned between them.

 

In a nervous attempt at conversation, Gerald croaked, 'I... I didn't know you smoked.' 

 

Oswald scoffed and spat the cigarette out of his mouth. 'There are many things you don't know about me, clearly.' He was rasping, as if someone had choked him recently.

 

Gerald recoiled and asked, 'What happened to you?'

 

Oswald laughed but his expression remained unamused. 'In the process of trying to preventing the higher-ups from forcibly waking you up, I was kicked and beaten for my insolence. Now I'm not so sure I should've even tried.'

 

Gerald contemplated Oswald's words, then replied, 'Mother would have wanted you to.'

 

Oswald, clearly taken by surprise, jumped up from his chair and walked over to Gerald. Oswald knelt and gripped Gerald's chin with his right hand, and moved Gerald's face only inches from his own. 'Your mother was a fool. I had told her to stay away from the man who became your father, but did she listen? Clearly not. Look where it landed her. She died with nothing to think of but a husband who left her and her good for nothing son!' 

 

Gerald, unnerved, continued. 'Mother was a kind, loving, and caring woman. She told me to always trust my family, that they would never let me down. She believed in her family. She trusted you!'

 

Oswald threw Gerald's head back against the wall and scowled. 'That's why she's dead. She trusted anyone and everyone. Her death was caused by her husband. He left her with nothing, yet he expected her to care for a child. If you were to ask me, you'd be better off if you had died begging in the streets like your fool of a mother.'

 

The lack of emotion in Oswald's voice shocked Gerald. 'Why are you with this company, uncle? You were a good man once. What happened?'

 

Ignoring Gerald, Oswald returned to his seat, rolled over to Gerald, and continued, 'But let us get to the point. Are you going to write the article or must I force you to? The former would be much preferred, by the way.'

 

Affronted by Oswald's casualty, Gerald spat out, 'Of course not, you little son of a -'

 

Oswald smacked him across the cheek, cutting him off abruptly. 'Language, child. Besides, you're in no position to speak to me in that manner. Last chance, Gerald... will you or will you not write?' When Gerald remained resolutely silent, Oswald sighed and raised a small, grey microphone to his mouth, saying, 'Guard, there is something I need from you; do you mind? Thanks - I'm In Room 203.' Oswald smirked, 'And now, we wait.'

 

Gerald was stricken when a man who bore a remarkable similarity to Kristi walked into the room and gave a tittering laugh at Gerald's expression, then turned to face Oswald. 'Alexis Elizer, at your service.'

 

 

 

To make things organized, we have a set of rules. Please read them before participating!

 

1. Each chapter should have its own title.

2. Word limit is 800 words. Slightly less or more is acceptable (+/- 100 words).

3. Note that this contest is called Continue The Story for a reason. Your plot must be interesting and

    have potential to be developed in further chapters.

4. Plagiarism is prohibited. We also won't accept entries from past installments. Come with something

    original, you will have enough time.

5. All entries should be posted in this topic. Only participants with low rank that doesn't allow them to

    post in forum are allowed to send their entries via Forum PM.

 

If you are stumbling in the dark, and you're unsure what to do or how to start, I advise you to check out the previous winners below;

 

[issue 30] The Grand Offensive - Completed! - Newspaper Archive - Tanki Online Forum

[issue 39] Inner Truths - Newspaper Archive - Tanki Online Forum

[issue 55] Bloodshed - Completed

 

Prizes

 

1st place:  50 000 crystals

2nd place: 40 000 crystals

3rd place:  30 000 crystals

4th place:  25 000 crystals

 

Consolation prizes for other worthy entries: 10 000 crystals.

 

Deadline: 26th May, 2018.

 

 

Good luck to all participants!

 

 

[Flexoo 6,980]

CONTINUE THE STORY IV - RESULTS OF CHAPTER 3

 

 

After two months, we finally got enough entries to properly judge this contest.  We did not receive many entries anyway, but we found some enjoyable continuations of this ongoing story. Let's take a look at the winners.

 

In the first place, winning 50,000  is @C.O.N.Q.U.E.R.O.R. It was a really great read and the plot was absorbing till the very last word.

 

Coming up second and winning 40,000  is @GrandExecutioner. Another awesome chapter coming from this established author.

 

In the third place, winning 30,000 crystals is @Electron-9000. Very impressive continuation from the winner of chapter one.

 

Finally, placing fourth, winning 25,000 crystals is @I3.R.0. Yet another nicely written piece from I3.R.0.

 

A consolation prizes of 10,000 crystals go to:

@cosmicdestructor

[KillerGnat 3,135]

Grats to Gee and Grand for taking top prizes!

[You.Have.to.die 519]

Congratulations guys!

[GrandExecutioner 1,403]

Well done @C.O.N.Q.U.E.R.O.R and all winners!

 

I'll be back!

[Viking4s 10,791]

Nice work all! 

[GuidoFawkes 2,361]

i didn't win because i submitted 30 minutes too larte or...?

[Guest]

i didn't win because i submitted 30 minutes too larte or...?

Yeah Probably your entry wasn't accepted. Thanks for the complement @Flexoo, I'll keep improving my grammar and my writing style. Congratulations to all winners and good luck to all entrants

[C.O.N.Q.U.E.R.O.R 3,845]

^_^ Just making sure (@@Flexoo), the prizes can be sent to my alt, right?

[Flexoo 6,980]

i didn't win because i submitted 30 minutes too larte or...?

Unfortunately, your entry was not accepted as it was submitted after the deadline. It might be harsh but same rules apply to everyone.

 

^_^ Just making sure (@@Flexoo), the prizes can be sent to my alt, right?

Unfortunately, I think the prizes have already been submitted. Also if you would like to get crystals on different account, participate with that particular account because there are many participants out there and it just unnecessarily complicates things for both us and you.

[GuidoFawkes 2,361]

Unfortunately, your entry was not accepted as it was submitted after the deadline. It might be harsh but same rules apply to everyone.

whut. . then you could have closed that topic so i wouldn't have to type everything out.. 

[Flexoo 6,980]

Deadline is set by the date and time mentioned in the topic, not by the time topic is locked.

[C.O.N.Q.U.E.R.O.R 3,845]

Unfortunately, I think the prizes have already been submitted. Also if you would like to get crystals on different account, participate with that particular account because there are many participants out there and it just unnecessarily complicates things for both us and you.

I mean, when I submitted, I already asked to have the prizes given to the account @TotaI_SkiIl...

[GuidoFawkes 2,361]

Deadline is set by the date and time mentioned in the topic, not by the time topic is locked.

alright fine... but, just out of curiosity... tell me honestly, had i not been late would I have won? If yes, how much? just the stupid 10k or would i have won more? 

 

cause English is not my language and it's very difficult and painful for me to write in english... If i don't even write that well then i won't bother for the next one. 

Edited May 4, 2018 by GuidoFawkes

[Electron-9000 48]

Unfortunately, your entry was not accepted as it was submitted after the deadline. It might be harsh but same rules apply to everyone.

 

Unfortunately, I think the prizes have already been submitted. Also if you would like to get crystals on different account, participate with that particular account because there are many participants out there and it just unnecessarily complicates things for both us and you.

The prizes havent been distributed... 

Just Checked :)

[GrandExecutioner 1,403]

The prizes havent been distributed... 

Just Checked :)

The prizes are given out on Monday but they're submitted earlier. ;)

[thunderousrailgunner 1,934]

Correct me if i am wrong but this is the place where one should post their story (for Part IV) right ? 

[maryam98 1,171]

Correct me if i am wrong but this is the place where one should post their story (for Part IV) right ? 

Yep.

[Guest]

Can someone explain the end of the story? I did not understand

[C.O.N.Q.U.E.R.O.R 3,845]

Can someone explain the end of the story? I did not understand

Meh, I thought it was simple enough:

 

Gerald talks with uncle for a long time blah blah blah, and then when he refuses to write the article, uncle calls security guard in, which happens to be Kristi's father. The next story should be something about why Kristi's father is involved, and if Kristi was just a plant or whatever. 

 

kthxbai

[Guest]

Meh, I thought it was simple enough:

 

Gerald talks with uncle for a long time blah blah blah, and then when he refuses to write the article, uncle calls security guard in, which happens to be Kristi's father. The next story should be something about why Kristi's father is involved, and if Kristi was just a plant or whatever. 

 

kthxbai

quaaa your story is contradictory to what mine was :C

[maryam98 1,171]

quaaa your story is contradictory to what mine was :C

One of the 'legendary' old reporters was @Contradiction

[GuidoFawkes 2,361]

@Flexoo i just want to know how well i did last time so i know if i should try for this one...

if you don't want to tell me it's okay, I'll just post it in the AWS and get my review from the reporters there :ph34r:

[Flexoo 6,980]

@Flexoo i just want to know how well i did last time so i know if i should try for this one...

 

if you don't want to tell me it's okay, I'll just post it in the AWS and get my review from the reporters there :ph34r:

You definitely have chance. Just remember to post your entry before the deadline and check the three written chapters so you know where to continue.

[GuidoFawkes 2,361]

You definitely have chance. Just remember to post your entry before the deadline and check the three written chapters so you know where to continue.

have a chance to win how much? 50k? or just the 10k..?