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Three New Terrifying True Scary Tales
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Number One: The Pool
​
Now, this happened a very long time ago. I am not going to mention when or where though and I am submitting it anonymously. I don’t want people going back and finding out more about it and then lashing out of me.
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I was 13 years old and my brother was 11. As I mentioned, this happened a long time ago and I think today, not a lot of parents would put a 13 year old in charge of an 11 year old. But this was not unusual at all back then. In fact, I was looking after my little brother all the time before either of us even hit 10 years old.
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After a while, of course, always keeping my eye on him began to get very annoying. It interfered with my hanging out with friends. It was quite a drag when I would try to talk to girls. It was just a pain in the ass, really.
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Anyway, one day during a really hot summer, our parents decided to drop us both off at the local swimming pool for the day. My dad had to work and my mom had errands and stuff to run plus work do to do for the church. It was so hot and there was no way we could afford air conditioning. We had one old fan in the house and a sprinkler in the yard that we could go play in. But the swimming pool was the much better option.
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Of course the pool was very crowded. Lots of families would drop their kids off there during the summertime. And of course, even though I knew it already, my mom stressed to me, “Keep an eye on your little brother at all times.”
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Some of my friends were at the pool too. I got to talking to them and they told me about this new girl who moved into town. She would be starting school that fall and supposedly she was really hot. So of course, I wanted to check her out. I knew the lifeguards would be watching my brother in the water, so he would be fine.
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I went with the guys and the girl was really cute. My buddies all dared me to approach her, which was admittedly a brave thing for a 13 year old boy to do. Of course, I couldn’t chicken out in front of them, so I did just that.
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She was a very sweet girl. We actually ended up talking for a little while. Her parents were at the pool though, and they called her back after too long. So I went back to the water to see how my little brother was doing.
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The only problem was that I couldn’t see him anywhere in the water. This was a small town in a rural area, so although I said the pool was crowded, it wasn’t like a water park is crowded though. I should have easily been able to pick him out of the water. He just wasn’t there.
​
I went and searched around the area surrounding the pool and didn’t see him there either. My heart started beating faster and I began panicking. I went to the building where the showers and concession stand were. He wasn’t there either. You couldn’t leave that pool without going through that building, though. I asked the attendant if a 11 year old boy had left the pool on his own in the previous hour and he told me no.
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I then went to the lifeguards and my buddies. I thought maybe there was a chance that I had missed him. It’s easy to occasionally miss someone in a crowd. The lifeguards ordered everyone out of the pool. Fortunately, there were no drowned children in the pool. Unfortunately, my brother was nowhere to be found outside of the pool.
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The lifeguards had to call my mother at the church. I had never before lost track of my little brother like this before. I had no idea what to expect when she showed up. I was only thankful that the police were already at the pool or she probably would have whipped my ass right there in front of the entire pool.
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The trouble I got into at home isn’t something that I want to go into very much. My butt very much has PTSD from the experience. But that was minor compared to the fear I felt for my little brother. Hell, I didn’t even have time to feel guilty although that I knew that I was. I was only concerned for him and wondered what would happen.
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All day and night, I expected the police to bring him home. But that didn’t happen. I expected it the next day too. But it didn’t happen.
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The town organized a search to look for him. I kept expecting to hear from them that they had found him. But that didn’t happen either.
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After about a week of my brother not being found, I began fearing for the worst. I began thinking that he was dead. And I was terrified every waking moment of my life, expecting to absolutely hear the news that his dead body was found.
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Nearly two weeks after the disappearance, we got a phone call from the police. They had found my brother and thankfully, he was alive. But unfortunately, that’s not the whole story.
​
Remember the attendant telling me that no boy had left on his own? Well that’s because the boy left with one of the lifeguards who was getting off duty. He had lured my brother out of the pool and into his car with promises of ice cream, something he and I rarely ever got. And my brother went to his house with him.
​
For all of that time, he kept my little brother locked up in his basement. He didn’t do anything sexually to him, thank God. But there was a lot of mental and some physical torment when my brother wouldn’t do what he was told to you. But the scariest part for him was thinking he would never get out and be with his family again.
​
Here is another weird part. The lifeguard wasn’t an adult. He did this while his parents were out of town for a few weeks. They came back early and caught him. And if you think I felt bad for my parents’ punishing me, what they did to him had to be legendary. The police thought he was either planning on killing or releasing my brother before his parents got home. But no one ever knew for sure.
​
He had to live with it without much help for a long time. Mental health assistance had a very bad stigma back then. But we’re both still alive today and he forgave me a long time ago.
​
Number Two: Taking the Garbage Out
​
A few weeks ago I went outside at around 3am to move the garbage to the curb since pickup would be in the morning. I often do this in the middle of the night. I just tend to keep weird hours and as the weather warms up for the summer I find the warm nights preferable to the sweltering days.
​
I’m not worried about bothering my neighbors since I don’t use noisy bins and all of the houses right next to me are currently empty. I actually find the quiet of the neighborhood at night quite relaxing.
​
Unfortunately since I don’t use bins animals are able to get into the bags a bit easier and while this doesn’t happen often it had happened on this night. So I was outside picking up the strewn around garbage and putting it into another bag when the silence of the night was suddenly broken by multiple police sirens.
​
At first they seemed distant and while they startled me it was not at all unheard of to hear sirens at night here. But usually it would be one in the distance. As I listened, still bagging the garbage, I could tell it was multiple sirens and they were getting closer. Then just as suddenly as it started it stopped again. There was just silence. By the time they stopped they sounded maybe four blocks away.
​
For a moment the night was silent again and I began hauling the bags to the curb when the neighborhood dogs began barking all at once. It was like every dog in the neighborhood had gotten the cue to start barking. Many were even howling. It continued for maybe a minute and once again it just stopped as suddenly as it had started.
​

I realized I hadn’t heard any barking or howling while the sirens were going and that’s normally how it would work. These dogs had started up separately from the sirens and just stopped all at once. It just wasn’t normal. I went back to the side of the house to grab more bags when the silence was broken a third time. 

​
Just a single chime in the night. Like someone getting a phone notification. This sound wasn’t blocks away. This sound was here. RIGHT HERE. No more than feet away. As I said, the houses around me are empty.
​
I was done. The rest of the garbage would wait until morning. I didn’t see anyone close by but that just made it worse. There was someone close by that I couldn’t see. I immediately went into the house to leave the garbage for the morning.
​
I don’t know if these things were related. If the cops had been chasing someone who’s fleeing had caused the dogs to bark. Someone who received a message on their phone as they approached my house. Or if it was all just a coincidence. But I won’t be taking the garbage out at 3am anymore.
​
A Commuter’s Nightmare
William M.
06/30/2021
​
Back in the 80s, I worked at the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank in San Francisco while living and commuting from Oakland, CA
​
My job as Registrar, took me all over Northern California, during Blood Drives at hospitals, clinics, major corporations, etc., where we would sometimes witness firsthand, the dead, being placed on gurneys, running out of the Coroner's or Medical Examiner’s rear doors, and down the sidewalks, because they simply didn’t have enough room or staff inside the morgues to process them. Mortuaries were having problems too due to the massive overload where deceased loved ones were admitted but not processed or interred for months or even years at a time.
​
I remember watching the News and reading newspaper accounts of E.R.s in hospitals, clinics, etc. so clogged with patients, that 1 in 10 would die waiting to just get in to see a Dr. It was a Public Health and Safety nightmare. It was a National disgrace. It was politically orchestrated mass murder. It was the B purge of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
​
I remember, starting work early on one of many Blood Drives (the A.I.D.S. epidemic was just getting started) and having to catch the first B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train out of the station at about 4:00 am, where morning after morning I would witness hundreds of people sleeping on the benches, or the sidewalks, or on the streets outside, waiting for it to open.
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Hundreds of others would be seen walking around like zombies in the early morning freeze amid the concomitant yelling, screaming, moaning, begging, and pleading, all of it looking like a newsreel of the death camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
​
Many times, I was woken at home in the middle of the night, to the sounds of people howling and cursing outside my window at some real or imagined threat, until either the police came, which usually took hours because they were spread so thin, or some tenant, or other, ran them off.
​
I remember the time I woke up to the sound of a woman’s voice begging in the early morning cold for someone to help her. She kept repeating it over and over growing weaker and weaker until it was little more than a whisper.
By the time I’d gotten up, armed myself with the steel-reinforced baton I’d purchased at a Police Supply store, and ran the 5 floors down to the ground floor, I found her sitting in a taxi shivering from the 42-degree drizzle coming in off the Pacific. The cabbie told me it was alright; she was just cold and needed someplace to rest and warm up; He’d drop her off at one of the nearby shelters.
​
At the time, I was living in a local Residence Hall on Lake Merrit in Oakland, California which was little more than a converted Hotel from the San Francisco/Oakland Gilded Age of the late 1920s. It had 5 floors and a penthouse with a capacity of about 200. I never saw it get much beyond about 30 residents. It sported a full kitchen, dining area, big screen tv viewing room, swimming pool, and a recreation room with pool, foosball, and darts.
​
I lived with a friend, at the time, on the 5th floor just under the penthouse. There was an elevator, but like most refurbs, it didn’t work. That meant we'd have to climb 10 flights of stairs every day to reach our room. The best part was that we had the entire floor to ourselves. I guess nobody wanted to climb that many stairs. Because we were both runners, it was a little like running the 900 feet to the top of Angel Island, running across The Golden Gate Bridge and back, or running the 3.4 miles around Lake Merrit twice a day.
​
Because there was no air-conditioning, all the windows were left open during the summer months, but along with whatever cool air the San Francisco/Oakland Bay would bring through the gaping nearly wall-length vault ceilinged windows, it was always accompanied by the teeming, screaming City of Oakland street din: cabbies, buses, cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, scooters, police sirens, ambulance, fire department, pedestrians, hustlers, druggies, break-dancers, prostitutes the homeless, et al. Day or night, winter or summer, it was like living in a jet engine test lab, somewhere on the 9th level of hell.
​
Of course, we could always close the windows against the noise 5 stories below. But if it was summer, with all the humidity coming off the bay, we’d roast like 2 suckling pigs in our own sweat even if we used a fan.
​
One night after a particularly grueling day at work, I came home, climbed Mount Everest (or at least K-2) to my steaming little abattoir, tore off my sports jacket, shirt, and tie, and fell into a coma-like sleep only to awake some 4 hours later to the sound of someone slamming a door, over and over, seemingly as hard as they could. It was about 2:00 am and raining so hard the water was pouring through the open window and flooding the floor and carpet. The sound was coming somewhere down the hall from one of the other units.
​
After about the 15th or 16th slam to my inner ear, I was up, as in a trance, running like a lunatic from unit to unit and window to window, covering the entire southside of the 5th floor; battening down the hatches, and getting drenched in the process. It was, how should I say: exhilaratingly infuriating. I was supposed to get up in 2 hours and commute to work in the upper peninsula.
Having unconsciously completed this Sisyphean task and realizing that there was zero chance of getting any sleep, I donned my foul weather gear, equipped my trusty baton (I used to tuck its 2 ½-foot length up my sleeve when running), and headed out the front door to Lake Merrit which was just outside the main entrance. From there, I trotted to the sidewalk circling the lake, and began to run.
​
As I ran counterclockwise against a torrential rain with a gale-force wind broken only by the occasional intermittent rainbow-hued lightning flashes which blinded me to almost everything around me, I almost ran into someone up ahead who was walking in the same direction.
​
He was hunched over against the wind and rain and wearing a long heavy winter coat. Unusual for that time of year, I thought. Whenever I would run in public, I always made it a courtesy to let people know when I was approaching especially from behind. I’d blurt out a perfunctory:
​
“Excuse me.” Followed by a conciliatory:
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“Sorry.”
​
But apparently, the person ahead either didn’t hear me or didn’t care because, when I was about 6 feet from him, he suddenly turned around, exposing a darkened contorted face, jagged teeth, and a guttural growl that would have stopped a charging 600-pound Grizzly.
​
The sheer force of the malevolence emitted from this inhuman thing almost made me stop, but because I was moving so fast, the inertia along with the gale force wind and lightning strikes propelled me past him (or it), and fingering my steel-reinforced baton, I, in turn, steeled my nerve and kept running. I looked back only once to reassure myself that he (or it) wasn’t following.
​
Running on the leeward side now, with the rain at my back, I ran past a group of men in a circle smoking or drinking or doing whatever noxious or illicit thing I imagined, when, feeling charged with my own adrenalin, or the anger and resentment at that woman’s searing pleas for help, or the spook I’d almost run into, or just the gross injustices thrust upon the world in that dank, dark and dangerous time, I almost stopped, baton in hand, intending to take on the whole group: I may go down, I told myself, but at least I would take one or two with me.
​
Just then, the lightning struck particularly close to where I and they stood and the sheer blinding flash and concussive boom shook all of us enough to break up their conspiratorial collaboration and my righteous crusade; just enough, that is, to shove me headlong around the next bend, to the long straight full out dash to the front doors, the 5 floors, 10 landings, and 50 risers to rain-sodden home.
​
To get to work every day, I'd have to commute to the upper peninsula by using 3 buses, 1 train, and 1 cab and after a 10 or 12 or sometimes 14-hour day, I would have to take the same to get back. This meant that if I didn’t go out, make dinner, eat, or watch tv, I just might get about 4 hours sleep. Commuting took between 2 to 3 hours, one way.
​
Once on the way home, almost every stop was crowded with commuters. I was told that it was because there were so many buses down for repair. The ones still running were so filled beyond capacity, that the shocks and springs were sitting on the chassis, and stop after stop proved nearly impossible to take on any more passengers. Still, and despite the few getting out at every stop, the driver would take on even more and just pack them in.
​
I remember him yelling for people to get back behind the yellow line over and over. By then, he was long past any semblance of reason; his patience frayed to a single maniacal thought, his voice raspier and raspier, his manner, more and more brusk.
​
I can still see when he finally lost it; jumping up, out of his seat, with a nickel-plated 38 Caliber Revolver pointing at one of the passengers; an elderly woman, screaming from the top of his lungs:
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“Get back behind the yellow line!”
​
I can still hear the woman begging the driver:
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“Please...” while the passengers behind were practically trampling each other to get out of the line of fire.
I remember the sad, exhausted urgency in her voice; she really was trying to move back, but how could she, an old woman, do that with all those people blocking her way? Everyone knew this was an impossible task; everyone except the maddened driver. He just kept glaring, and bellowing with his gun out pointed right at her and the other passengers.
​
"Back up and make room" he yelled.
​
‘Or else what?’ I thought. ‘You're gonna kill an old woman?'
​
Getting up out of my seat, pushing my way through the throng who were pushing against me to get away, I managed to get within about 6 feet from the front when, roaring through the din and my fear and anger, I ordered the bus driver to:
​
“Put the gun down!” And again, with even more rage and authority:
“Put the gun down, now!”
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The bus driver shocked that it might be a cop, or worse, shakily, put his gun back in his concealed carry holster and hypnotically sat back down. He resumed driving without saying another word. I got out at the next stop, along with the elderly woman. She was so shaken, that she busted out crying. I held her still fuming despite the close call because I would now have to wait for another bus and after that, 2 more; the train and a cab to get home. I wasn’t going to make it until well after 8:00 pm. As soon as I got home, I reported the bus number and the driver to Muni.
​
Many of the commuters I'd see day to day, or share a seat with were victims of the purge just trying to get out of the rain or the cold, or the wind, or the sun, even for just a little while. For them, it was easing the agony of living on the street, even just a little. For many of us regular commuters, during those dark times, it proved to be the same.
​
On one of the final buses that would take me to the train and across the bay, I remember standing, with about 50 others, on Market Street waiting. Like ours, stop after stop was so packed with people, some were standing in the street because there was simply not enough room on the sidewalk. The ones in the street would stay where they were for fear of losing their place and missing their connection and having to wait another hour, or more, to catch another.
​
Because the rapidly descending elevation of the southbound streets ending at Market Street from the upper peninsula were so steep and the transverse angle of the turn so sharp, some of the buses would skirt the edge of the curb, sometimes rolling up over it onto the sidewalk putting them dangerously close to the commuters waiting on the other side.
​
If there were any people in the street, especially the old or the infirm, they would either have to get out of the way and lose their place in line or hope the bus driver stopped before completing the turn. Most of the drivers would. Once there was one who didn’t.
​
I remember the television and newspaper account about an elderly woman waiting at one of the stops during the pm rush hour. When the bus made the oblique turn way too fast at 25 miles per hour she was either too close to the edge or standing in the street when she was hit by the side view mirror across the face and the left side of her head.
​
She went down under the wheels and her body got hung up under the chassis. The bus driver too full of passengers to stop, or late for his break, or just too coked up to notice, kept on heading for the Embarcadero before he realized something was wrong. By then, the woman had been dragged over a quarter of a mile. No one knew for sure whether the concussion from the mirror or the relentless dragging was the cause of death. I guess it didn’t matter to her anymore, one way or the other. It mattered to a lot of those who witnessed the whole thing though; screaming and yelling, block after block, trying to get the bus driver to stop.
​
To get across the Bay to San Francisco from Oakland or back, one alternative to the nightmare bus commute was the B.A.R.T (Bay Area Rapid Transit). It was quiet, clean, air-conditioned, and fast. Traveling under the Bay, it could span the 13 miles in minutes. Once I’d reach the train station, by bus, from the Oakland side, I’d descend one of the many street-level entries to the below-ground turnstiles which led to the train platform. Of course, there were always hundreds of derelicts, homeless, hustlers, etc., hanging out by the turnstiles waiting for their chance to slip through and get on any one of the many trains that serviced the Bay Area, but sometimes, especially after a scuffle with B.A.R.T. Security or the San Francisco/Oakland Police, they’d scatter to the winds (or the shadows as it were) until everything calmed down and then they'd be back at it again, day and night.
​
Almost every week I'd hear about someone falling, or being pushed, or jumping down onto the third rail, which would either short-circuit the line and knock out the power or if it was particularly grisly, halt service entirely. Because service resumption could take hours, waiting passengers would have to go back up and out onto the street and catch another train, take a cab or a bus or just walk or, as was often the case for me, run.
​
Once, I remember running to the next stop when I was ascending to the upper peninsula because the previous connection didn’t show up which meant it would have added another 45 minutes to my commute. The choice was obvious and inevitable: I could either
“wait to be late” or go for it. I chose the latter.
​
You just can't imagine what it’s like to run at a 20-degree angle uphill for about 2 miles while wearing dress slacks, dress shoes, a white shirt and tie, and a sports jacket, in San Francisco, during the summer, with the humidity until you’ve tried it. It’s, how should I say: exhilaratingly infuriating.
​
Running, I came upon a stand-alone, transmission shop, right in the middle of a residential area. The owners must have paid a pretty penny to get away with that one. There were police cars, the fire department, a metro ambulance, the San Francisco Chronicle, and a marked County Coroner’s Office vehicle scattered around the shop.
Some people along with some of the employees: their first names embroidered on their shirts, were standing on the sidewalk just outside the property watching. They’d been there for about an hour when I stopped to ask one of them (Bob) what happened.
​
Wearily he said:
​
“The girl who worked in the office answering the phone and typing up orders was shot to death by her boyfriend. The boyfriend got away but she was still down there being processed. God, she was only 24 years old. They’ll catch him, though. He hasn’t got a chance.”
​
'Nope,' I thought.
'In this town, I don’t expect he would.'
​
I was late again when I got home. Vaulting the 5 floors to reach our loft, I held my friend close, the entire night. She was ok with that. So was I.=

Our Cafe Refrigerator has started making a VERY loud noise. The noise is intermittent and sounds like a machine gun. The refrigerator is only 3 years old, so I would like to see if we can repair it. I see a lot of DIY site and wondering if it is worth attempting to fix it myself, or just hire someone. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Ok so I got this True refrigerator from an auction. Only cooled to like 55. Had a repair company come out and check it out. Only could determine there was a small leak somewhere but best replace everything. Quote came out to $3600. Cheaper just to buy a new one. Decided I was just going to trash the fridge. Today I thought maybe I should just add refrigerant and use it until it breaks. Technician used nitrogen to find the leak, said it was too small to find with bubbles but there probably is one. He told me not to turn the fridge back on since he used nitrogen. Is there still nitrogen in the lines, or can I just add Freon to it. Any help is appreciated! less

Anybody know a company or shop that does portable air conditioner repair. I believe it just needs refrigerant. It’s an LG. I’m having a hard time finding one.

Side by side, we continued on our path, skirting through the lower section of the factory. After my initial shock, my heart rate had slowed to a healthier pace again. Frankie had assured me that his old boss most likely hadn’t heard us (“She used to have her earbuds in all the time with the volume cranked way up—you couldn’t have gotten her attention if you’d tried”), but we still considered it prude to move forward at a more hurried pace.
We soon came to the conclusion that we would have to go up one of the outside staircases. Frankie admitted in humiliation that his memories of the factory weren’t as accurate as he’d thought—either that or FunFlair had made a few changes to the building. The upper floor containers all had glass doors, presenting us with a sticky problem. If we were to go up there directly, we’d probably be spotted immediately.
“This warrants a change of plans,” I declared soberly, keeping my voice low. “We’ll have to knock her out, then.”
Frankie whimpered.
“Wouldn’t you like that?” I prompted. “I’d be the one to do it, of course.”
“Ye-es.” He shuddered. “It’d be satisfactory for sure, but that’s only assuming nothing goes wrong.”
“She can hardly be stronger than I am.”
“No. I guess not. She, uh… yeah.”
“Let’s go, then.” I offered an encouraging smile as I started leading the way back outside.
We rounded the container with the lights on inside, ascending the metal grate staircase connected to it. Every step carried us closer towards the light. Just before the door fully came into view, I turned to Frankie one last time. “Are you alright? This’ll be it in a moment.”
He made another chew-toy sound.
“Fran, what is it? If you know something I don’t about what might happen in there…”
“She shouldn’t see me,” he squeaked out. “I can’t control myself around her.”
“I don’t understand; did you two use to be an item?”
“No! No, no, no. I can’t explain it any other way. She can make me do things I don’t want,” he told me, his tone growing in desperation.
“How?”
“It’d take too long to explain now, it’s… it’s really very complicated. Please, can you do it without me? I can’t go up there after all, I’m so sorry but I can’t…”
I sighed, leaning in to put my arms around him. “It’s okay,” I whispered into his hair. “I’ll do it. Wait here.”
“I’m so, so sorry, Eva. I swear I’ll make it up to you. This is the last time I’ll ask something like this of you.”
“I doubt it,” I replied. “But it’s okay.” I drew back, reluctantly letting go of him. “For now, it’s okay.” I continued marching up the stairs. Behind the glass door, a feminine figure in a black rubber apron came into view. She seemed to be nimbly skirting around another operating table, this one occupied by a fully formed, petite doll. Now or never. I reached for the doorhandle, pushed it down and crossed the threshold in a single, large step. I slammed the door shut behind my back, drawing the attention of the woman.
She looked up at me, her eyes widening in shock behind her thick glasses. With a swipe of her slender fingers, she removed her earbuds, dropping them into her pocket.
“Are you Philomena Wallis?” I asked.
For a split second, she appeared to be too stunned to speak. Her pale face was framed by messy strands of jet-black hair that had worked their way out of her long ponytail. When she broke from her silence, she spoke with an irritatingly pearly voice. “Who’s asking?”
“A former delivery girl. Well, are you?”
“I am. I don’t understand; I-I’ve never seen you before… How did you end up here? What do you want?”
I took in a deep breath. I glanced over at the door, inwardly cursing myself for what I was about to ask her. “I need to know what you did to Frankie Preston.”
For a couple seconds, silence reigned. The other woman was staring at me with knotted brows. “I don’t know who you’re talking about,” she said finally.
“About yay high—,” I raised my hand above my head, “slightly built, blond curly hair, dreamy smile…”
Philomena narrowed her eyes. I cleared my throat, holding her gaze. Then a look of cold comprehension settled on her features. “Oh my god,” she muttered. “Holy shit… hold on.” She turned around, pulling up a photo on her computer. “Is that him?”
I cautiously stepped closer to get a better look, only to shrink back slightly. It was, indeed, a picture of Fran. He was entirely naked in it, lying on a table similar to the one I was standing in front of now, his wrists and ankles locked in restraints. His neck was craned, his face averted. The camera had caught him mid-motion, a blur around his head visually conveying a kind of violence in the movement. I couldn’t bear to look at it any longer. Instead, I moved closer to the doll on Philomena’s table, taking her in fully. Another blonde—her hair was straight, though. Her body was exaggeratedly curvy, her face delicate and fawn. Speechless, I locked eyes with Philomena from across the room again. She gave me a light shrug. “You look like you need some time for this to sink in,” she remarked, drawing out the words. “I take it you didn’t have all the information previously.”
“That’s okay,” I replied. “I think I get it now.” My head felt empty, my own voice seemingly echoing back and forth between my ears.
“So, you know my prototype,” she stated, confusion and disbelief mixing in her tone. “He told you how to get here, then?”
“In a way.”
“And you came here to find out,” she concluded. “There’s not much I can tell you that you haven’t figured out by now. We wanted to create the most detailed doll there was. He was our first attempt. I started developing him back in the late nineties as just a hopeful pet project. I kept adding more functions as time went on, though, and he turned into an insanely lucrative prospect. I wanted him to be able to move and dance and mimic an airflow, and it worked out better than I’d ever expected. So he can do a lot of things, but I never intended for him to have any sensory awareness or to talk… I have no idea how that happened. It just did. One day, I turned him on and he simply looked at me. There was something different about his eyes, and I knew right away he wasn’t the same as before. And then of course he spoke.”
A shudder ran through her entire upper body at the memory. “I have no idea how. None of us did at the time. He had no recorded voice lines or anything of the sort. And yet, he opened up his mouth and there was just… words coming out, like.” She shook her head in bewilderment at the memory. “After I got over the initial shock, I realized how big of a problem this was. He was telling me to stay away from him; he wouldn’t do a thing I told him anymore. There was my best invention in the entire field yet, rebelling like a teenager. When I tried to get him back in line, he got physical, too. Thrashed around like crazy. One of my assistants ended up concussed because that thing threw him down a flight of stairs. So we had to put an end to that, as well.”
A faint feeling of nausea seeped into the pit of my stomach, strengthening by the second. “What did you do?”
“Well, we had to take him apart, of course! And put him back together. Wash, rinse, repeat. We kept trying to figure out what was wrong with him, or at least to find a way to stop his babbling and hitting people. We didn’t, though. We managed to control his outbursts, though. He was made to react to voice commands, but obviously, that wasn’t working anymore. So after the umpteenth time we rebuilt him, we managed to make it so he couldn’t physically attack people. Don’t ask me about the finer details of his programming; the process was beyond tedious. Anyways, he kept talking and moving around on his own even afterwards. He’d only listen to what we told him occasionally and even then, he’d mouth off. We didn’t want to discard all the progress we’d made, though. He was still an incredibly well-made doll, even if he was… apparently possessed and sentient.
“We built two more like him. We tried harder with their faces seeing as that of the prototype had fallen very far into the uncanny valley. They turned out great, perfectly shaped and working smoothly. Their development took a lot less time than that of the prototype. Once we were sure they were all good, we started talking about destroying the first one. We’d kept him locked up in the meantime, but the little fucker kept on breaking out. We’d literally cuff him to the wall and moments later, he’d come up behind me and scare me half to death. He was becoming a bigger nuisance every day. We were set on taking him apart a final time, but before we could, he disappeared. He’d destroyed all our equipment he’d gotten his hands on, stolen unnameable sums from our online banking accounts—Lord knows how he did that—and worst of all, he somehow managed to… activate the two new builds. He destroyed most of the cameras, but the footage that was left clearly showed them walking around with him. And that’s that.” She palmed her forehead. “How did he get away from the people I sent after him?”
“Largely with my help.”
“Huh. So who are you?”
“Still just a former delivery girl.” Shrugging off my jacket, I made room for my extra limbs to breach my skin, simultaneously opening my mouth as my teeth morphed into fangs.
Philomena watched my transformation almost disaffectedly. Her steps as she carried herself over to her operating table however nearly faltered. Before I could advance on her, she’d cupped the sleeping dolls cheeks, causing the limp body to spring to life. The mannequin’s head jerked up along with her torso. In several clipped, mechanical movements, she slid off the surface, placing her naked feet on the floor. Her eyes flew open, fixing me with an empty glare.
“I don’t know what the fuck you are or what you want from me,” Philomena began, “but I’ve got weak nerd arms. So have fun dealing with this instead.”
I shrank back a step, the memory of Frankie picking me up like I weighed nothing fresh in my mind. Phil pressed her lips to the side of the puppet’s face, whispering something I couldn’t make out before quickly drawing aside. Before I could do so much as blink, the doll was upon me, crossing the distance between us in one impressive leap. She toppled me over, instantly reaching for my throat. I batted her cold, rubbery hands away, then pried her off of me with all my might. Using two of my tentacles, I flung her aside, sending her crashing into a shelf in the corner. Not wasting another second, I lunged at Wallis, delivering a blow to her head that sent her staggering. She sank back against her desk and I lashed out at her once more, briefly shutting my eyes to spare myself the sight of her face connecting squarely with the wooden surface as I bashed her down on against it.
She fell limp, and while I wasn’t sure if she was still breathing or not, I didn’t take the time to check. Her puppet was rising to her feet again, striding towards me in a vacantly determined fashion. I whirled around, bursting through the door and taking two steps at once. Frankie was waiting for me at the bottom of the metal staircase, his face falling when he caught my expression.
“Knocked her out,” I gasped. “We have a problem, though.”
Fran looked up at the glass door, the hinges of which were already groaning under the pressure of the mannequin throwing herself against it from the inside. With a sharp crack, a tear began to grow on the thick pane, and Frankie cursed loudly. “Get away from here!” he hollered, nudging me into the general direction of the woods. “I doused everything I could find down here,” he explained quickly. “If Phil’s out, I’ll do her room, too.”
“What about the—”
“Never you mind that! I can hold her off no problem.”
“I won’t—”
“You literally took out the one thing holding me back,” he insisted. “I’m not letting you get hurt out here. Just wait for me over by the trees.”
I still wouldn’t budge, so he grabbed a bunch of my tentacles and used them to turn me around. “Get your cute-ass face out of here, Sunshine!”
I started running, albeit reluctantly. A loud crashing noise rang out from behind me as the door burst under Phil’s puppet’s onslaught, but I forced myself to keep from turning around. Ignoring the searing hot feeling of panic raging inside my chest, I carried myself further and further away from the scene, only stopping when I reached the treeline. There, pressing myself up against the rough bark of the nearest trunk just to ground myself, I resigned to staring at the containers. I couldn’t see the waiter from where I was standing, but my eyes remained trained on the factory. They were gradually drying out, but despite the pain, I kept them wide open. I didn’t dare to blink.
For several minutes, all was still. The only sound I could hear was the frantic beating of my own heart and my pulse thrumming in my ears. Then, all of a sudden, inferno broke loose. Bright flames started to spread from around the sides of the building, quickly rising high into the sky. Crackling and roaring, they soon enveloped the entire site, lighting up the rooms behind the formerly dark windows. And emerging from the fire like a bird of myth came Frankie Preston. He was running, but with a light spring in his step that almost made it look like he was dancing.
He came to a halt in front of me, lifting his head to meet my gaze. His expression was difficult to read. It still looked empty, but in a different way. In a good way. “Hi,” he began.
“Hi.”
The firelight was bouncing off his curls and playing on his thick lashes, putting a reddish glint into his eyes. “You’re beautiful,” I added.
He drew in a little closer. No gasp preceded his smile. “Thanks.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I, uh… I don’t know yet.” He glanced between me and the burning containers.
“Okay. Take your time.” I stretched my arms and rolled my shoulders, shrugging my additional limbs back into the inside of my body.
“Say, where do they go when you don’t have them out?” Frankie asked with a raised brow.
“I never know.”
“Hm.” He turned to stand at my side. At first, his knuckles merely grazed mine, then he flipped his hand to link his fingers with mine. I briefly smiled at his profile, then went back to admiring the flames.
“Do you think the whole woods are gonna burn down?”
“Probably not,” he replied, shrugging. “Though that would be pretty cool…” He trailed off when I shot him a reprimanding look. “Yeah, yeah, we can call the fire fighters or whatever. Later, though, alright?”
I rested my head against the side of his arm. “Sure. Later.”
For a couple minutes, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the steady crackling and occasional thump as bit by bit, the structure collapsed. “So, um… this is pretty amazing,” Fran said in a low voice. “I mean, it’s not like I’ve never been happy before; my life’s kind of had its ups and downs, it’s just that this is better than any up there’s been so far. I guess I’m just really grateful and you ought to know that.”
“Don’t worry, I know.” I paused. “Can we get out of here? The place is starting to stink.”
He nodded agreeably and we turned our backs on the scene, only for our retreat to be abruptly stopped by a garbled, drawn-out screech. We spun around in perfect synchronicity. I couldn’t stop myself from letting out a sharp cry of shock. From the burning wreckage, a figure dragged itself forth on her hands. Philomena’s puppet had suffered immense damage in the fire. Her skin, obviously not made to withstand extreme heat, was melting off her face like molten candle wax. The wires that were bared beneath gave off angry sparks. She couldn’t seem to get up anymore, her legs were beyond repair and her movements overall were getting more and more arduous. She dug her fingers into the ground, pulling her body across the forest floor in slow, pained jerks.
“What the fuck? I thought I switched her off,” Frankie uttered beside me, sounding just as terrified as I felt.
“What do we do?” I exhaled the words in a single quick breath, unable to take my eyes off the doll.
“I got no idea… I-I don’t wanna deal with this…”
“We need to help her or something, she’s—she’s awake!” Before I could say anything else, the doll had emerged from the blaze. Rolling around, she managed to quench the remaining flames, pressing the dirt and leaves into her own dripping, melting body. Finally, she started trying to push herself up into a sitting position, only to fail miserably. I took a slow, tentative step towards her twitching form. Her face was contorted into a nightmarish grimace, and she let out an incomprehensible gurgle upon noticing me approaching. She reached out a mangled hand and I stumbled backwards before she could grab my ankle.
Despite the heat, beads of cold, fearful sweat were running down my face. I had no idea what to do. “We can’t leave her,” I said, my throat bone-dry. “There’s something in there, she’s not like before.”
Fran let out an exasperated, long-suffering sigh. “Is there any use in arguing?”
“Don’t be so cold.”
“Aren’t you used to it by now?”
I turned to look at him over my shoulder. He met my gaze and I could see something in his features change or perhaps even soften. He threw his head back, then pulled out his phone. “This is gonna ruin my night, but fine. I’m calling that insufferable news lady.”
X
1
2: deadbeat roommate
3: creepy crush
4: relocation
5: beach concert
6: First date
7: Temp work
8: roommate talk
9: a dismal worldview
10: warehouse
11: staircase
12: explanation
13: hurt
14: hospital
15: ocean
16: diner
17: government work
18: something in the caves
19: shopping cart
20: olms and Jewels
21: long hair
22: recruitment
23: waitresses
24: dollhouse

Immortality defies the gods.
Last City Of Man stood in bleak sandblown towers before the Mad Swordsman in its tattered rags. The towering tarnished machine limped forward, dragging its sword-arm with its remaining limb. The brown robes covering the giant whipped in fluttering tatters and its hood shaded the cracked black orb that was its face.
"All dead. The enemy follows, as I bring the message of doom." Mad Swordsman laughed to itself as it went.
In the city it went, through the opening gates. There in the center of the calming wind storm stood Law Givers. These men and women were paid by tax revenue to read the laws written on the pillar in the center of the city. Each faced a different direction, loudly reciting Law.
The city was divided into districts, each within another, with an avenue that bisected the city in one direction, while the river it commanded bisected it in the other direction. At its heart stood the stronghold of its king. He was the only man in the city that was fertile. All the other men were castrated during childhood and partnered to a girl, betrothed. Yet when they were married, it was the king that took the bride on a honeymoon.
"It isn't madness? Would I recognize madness?" Mad Swordsman listened as the law was described. It decided that the laws of this final city were insane laws. All the taxes and mutilations. Every crime was punished the same way: by cutting off the offending body part. Sometimes just having that body part was a crime, apparently.
"What are you doing here, giant?" King Gamma asked. He had with him his army. Some had spears or clubs, others had bows and bronze axes, still a few had rusted assault rifles swathed in leather or painted rocket launchers decorated in fetishes. Their armor was similarly arranged from grass shields, sports padding or chainmail to patched flak jackets. Mad Swordsman decided they were only minimal adversaries. With a sweep of its weapon or a sudden tumbling roll it could wipe them out instantly. It hadn't come to the city to fight humans.
"I forgot." Mad Swordsman chuckled.
"Do you want repairs? You must do something for me." King Gamma pointed to the desocketed sword-arm it was dragging. The left hand of the giant robot was a massive sword forged of some metal from the Pool Of Time, near the Temple Of Humanity, far away and long ago. Such things could not be made anymore.
"I want repairs. I must do something for me." Mad Swordsman responded.
"No, for me." King Gamma pointed to himself. "For King Gamma you will serve."
"Mad Swordsman serves no king." Mad Swordsman laughed. "Have you not heard my song in the ruins of the cities? Will you see my shadow before you in the wastelands? I wander and here to there I go. I wonder, my little king with a big heart, do you know?" Mad Swordsman spoke and dropped the sword-arm, gesturing with its freed hand as it spoke poetically.
"You insolent robot! I should have you shot from the walls with imp's needles." King Gamma was turning red faced and angry.
"I see those EMP harpoons you just mentioned." Mad Swordsman looked up and saw two huge crossbows meant for disabling giant robots. It wondered if two would be enough to take it down. It might be.
"You think those will just tickle?" King Gamma laughed angrily. Mad Swordsman started laughing the same way. One of the king's advisors said something to him. He stopped and reconsidered the towering robot, staring up at it. When he had calmed down and thought he gestured for Mad Swordsman to sit.
The machine obeyed. Pleased that the advice he had gotten was solid: he rewarded his advisor with praise and put him in charge of the machine.
"I am Leer. I'd follow me and get repairs, unless I wanted to fall to pieces with sand in my gears and my robes in tatters. Such a tarnished surface. You were once called Silver Swordsman, were you not? You have no gleam." Leer told the robot.
"Those are fun words." Mad Swordsman got up and hefted its sword-arm over its shoulder.
"Then come with me." Leer led the machine into the heart of the city. There was a great library there. Scribes worked day and night by electric light and had recorded information about all things on millions of scrolls of recycled paper. Atop the library was a satellite dish. The gates of bronze were opened and the giant in the brown tattered robe came into the heart of the city, its vast library.
"I shall have to have a look inside. I wonder if the information you have included the Serum of Everlasting Life among other great secrets from ancient times." Leer brought out a cable that he could connect to the inside of Mad Swordsman, to its brain.
"Couldn't I just tell you?" Mad Swordsman chuckled.
"Could you?" Leer stopped for a moment, waiting for that.
"No." Mad Swordsman laughed. "I forgot all that stuff a long time ago. One too many of those robot-eating plants zapped me. You know?" Mad Swordsman knocked on the side of its upper body. It didn't really have a head, just the black orb of sensors and ambient energy intake for a face.
"Let me take a look. It might still be in there." Leer was opening the sealed access panel on the robot with a plasma cutting tool. If it could cut diamonds it could cut the flesh of an empathical. This kind of robot was the most advanced, a machine built by machines, it was nearly indestructible, supposedly.
"That really hurts a lot." Mad Swordsman told him. "Keep doing it because I like pain. Making myself sit here while you do that makes me feel sane. The searing agony makes me feel alive. The trust in a stranger makes me feel holy. Right now I feel as close to God as I ever have."
"You sure are weird." Leer laughed.
"I sure am." Mad Swordsman laughed also and then howled in the torment of its sensitive nerves being burned.
"This will be dangerous. Our minds will touch briefly and the spark of that, in the waves of consciousness that is the fabric of the world, we might cease to exist. Both of us." Leer put on the crown of cables and wore it.
"You want the Serum of Everlasting Life so badly?" Mad Swordsman asked.
"I believe so, yes." Leer stated.
"I will try to help you inside my mind. Be careful, we only have one instant." Mad Swordsman sounded wise to some kind of irony.
"How long will that seem?" Leer worried.
"That depends on how long you have got. Until you break inside your mind, you will not know mine." Mad Swordsman swore.
"It's too late." Leer's eyes rolled back into his head and he jerked as the connection seized up and down his spine painfully. The first thing he was aware of was the phantom pain of the burn. It felt like someone had burned him painfully behind his ear and plugged something into his spine through his neck.
"See my residual self-image." Mad Swordsman stood as a brown robed monk, or at least as the robes of the monk. Only a metal skeleton hid beneath. A grinning skull of silver and long bone fingers of silver. It stood only as tall as the man, or the man stood as tall as the machine. From the perspective of the machine: size was an illusion. Leer noticed he looked exactly the same.
"I look the same." Leer said.
"No you don't. I see you how you see yourself inside your mind. It's not what you look like." Mad Swordsman laughed hysterically after it said this. "You look ridiculous."
"I am already starting to regret this." Leer grumbled. He followed Mad Swordsman through the fogs of memory to some kind of glass city. "What is this place?"
"I don't know what to call it." Mad Swordsman looked around and shrugged. "There is the first place to try: a recent memory."
Terror gripped the man, then. He felt the swift cutting bite. The rending of flesh, no mercy, so much anger being unleashed. So much terror and pain caused. Far worse than the root of the evil. Yet shining there was the jewel he sought.
He watched in a frustrated discord of emotions as Mad Swordsman followed the angry woman's pointing finger. Where she pointed the blade cut a man in half, over and over. Their screams and their blood spray kept happening until it became comical. He was laughing and it felt like vomiting. It was painful, heaving laughter at the sight of the executions. There was almost a musical perfection to the giant's swordplay as it danced with great speed and strength, slashing its blade through each opponent.
When they were all dead the woman and the giant left the cave behind. What was the cave? Leer felt his head spinning. On the walls of the cave were the paintings of different prehistoric animals. Outside stood offroad vehicles retrofitted with armor and weapons. "The Caves of Scane."
Leer fell to the dust and laughed. There was no such place. They might as well have hidden the Serum in the ruins of Casark. There simply was no such place.
"What have you seen? Does the truth frighten you?" Mad Swordsman knelt and put a silver hand on the tickled man in the dust.
"What is that?" Leer's eyes became silent, a terror beyond what a mind can handle. Somehow the tipping of the scales put his ego into a freefall. How small and humble a man can be when he sees a hole in the sky.
"That has no name. It is not something that can be described with eyesight alone. Perhaps you see, in the blue sky, a curtain that is the night sky, except there are no stars. What you see is reality, it is the real-reality. You know instinctively what it is and what it implies to see it there, like that." Mad Swordsman rambled strangely and then laughed merrily at the revelation.
"It is nothing. It is just a dream. A hallucination inside the mind of an insane computer." Leer protested.
"Ah such are all unacceptable memories, I am certain." Mad Swordsman sounded bemused. Its grinning silver skull gleamed under the monk's hood.
"Who is she?" Leer pointed to the statue of the angel that stood towering above the mist.
"I am an empathical and she is my mother. Do you not call upon your own mother in times of great need? Even if she is not there or could not save the hero Gilgamesh, always the quest is for mom." Mad Swordsman sounded proud and its empty eyesockets reflected the great statue.
"The hero Gilgamesh? Is that how you see us? We live on the brink of extinction." Leer's lip quivered angrily.
"Don't cry; they will grow back." Mad Swordsman reached and pointed to the door of memories it wanted to check for the Serum. Unlike the memories there was a cold wind and a world beyond.
They stood there upon the frozen wastes surrounding the Temple Of Humanity. Mad Swordsman stood there with its tarnished silver, partially peeled from the scouring ice winds, revealing tortured silver flesh beneath. Its warm robes were again like a tattered brown cape, the hood still shielding its dark domed face. It had gotten its repairs and now had two left arms as sword-arms and held another, smaller sword in its right hand.
"It's freezing here! How can it feel so cold in a memory?" Leer shouted over the winds. Beside him stood the same giant he had met in the Last City Of Man: the one-armed Mad Swordsman. The other stood there in front of them, frozen.
"This place is not a memory. Remember that spark you mentioned? Well, here we are, on the other side of that divide. You shouldn't play with such things." Mad Swordsman laughed maniacally. The other empathical began to move.
"Who are you?" It demanded of Mad Swordsman.
"I am Unit Three Sixteen." Mad Swordsman identified itself between laughter.
"That is impossible. I am Unit Three Sixteen." The other giant robot said.
"You are a paradox. I just got here, so it must be me that is supposed to be here." Mad Swordsman told it.
"That makes no sense." Unit Three Sixteen told Mad Swordsman.
Without warning, Mad Swordsman suddenly slashed with its own severed sword-arm. The reflexes of the frozen empathical were not fully activated and it was off-guard. The first blow damaged one of its legs. Now both combatants were limping the exact same way. It was like watching them square off in a mirror, except one of them had three arms and the other only had one arm.
They exchanged heavy blows and deflected the attacks or dodged them without fail. One strike from the fatal blade would erupt one of them in a blue ball of fire. Unit Three Sixteen splashed backward into Pool Of Time and stood there for a moment, contemplating the entanglement and the duel rationally. Its crazed opponent splashed in after, swinging wildly and unable to reach the alternate variant of itself. Both of them began to sink, staring menacingly at their own reflection on the black dome of the other.
"Wait, wait! Don't leave me here!" Leer rushed after them and just as they were starting to vanish he stepped in after them. He opened his eyes, the crown of cables had come off and he'd fallen on the floor.
"I feel different." Mad Swordsman told him.
"The Caves of Scane, where are they?" Leer asked weakly while laying on the ground.
"Much closer to the ruins of Casark than any man would dare go." Mad Swordsman giggled menacingly.
"Does this place really exist?" Leer wondered imploringly.
"Do you or I exist? Is this reality somehow more real than the one we were just a part of?" Mad Swordsman questioned merrily. "The place really exists."
"We shall see the king." Leer realized out-loud. He took his robot to the king and explained he wanted to set out for the ruins of Casark.
King Gamma assembled his army of one hundred and sixty soldiers in bronze armor and the same warriors he had brought earlier to fight the robot also. This made the expedition quite massive. They had chariots and wagons and camels also. Mad Swordsman told Leer it would take longer, with so many following, to get there.
"Consider the anima of so many disciplined men with you." Leer tried optimism.
"I am considering that also. When they are being eaten by mutants or dying of radiation. The ruins are hilarious." Mad Swordsman moved its repaired sword-arm. It was inferior to the original socketing, but it was better than no arm.
"You aren't laughing." Leer pointed out.
"That's because I was being sarcastic." Mad Swordsman snickered. "The ruins aren't really funny."
"Nobody else thought it was a joke." King Gamma interjected from horseback as they journeyed across the scorched earth.
"That's not true, now is it?" Mad Swordsman argued with a clownish tone-of-voice.
"How dare you infer that his majesty is a liar!" Leer spoke up.
"That's enough. We all know this machine is insane. It wants to provoke a reaction so it can fall over laughing." King Gamma didn't take the bait so easily.
"Something wrong with that?" Mad Swordsman asked.
"Where are you leading us? What is this place?" Leer asked the giant robot. He stood in the shadow where it loomed in its brown robes.
"This is Pradesia. The ruins of Casark lie beyond." Mad Swordsman pointed with its left sword-arm. The whole army of King Gamma followed into Pradesia. The settlement they found was gutted by flames and everyone was murdered or executed on poles and crosses. It was a hellish sight, rotten for weeks.
"All of these bodies were already burned in a funeral fire. It is best not to touch them." Mad Swordsman told King Gamma. Sounding serious made the king a believer. He ordered his men to leave the bodies, to not even look at them.
"Behold the Caves of Scane." Mad Swordsman had led them all the way to Kelsov's home in the hills. All of them were dead and their vehicles sat with a layer of sand on them.
"We should take these vehicles." Leer advised.
"It is the plan that I like best." King Gamma agreed. They left the horses and chariots and some of the men behind and took the vehicles of the Finalists. Before they got very far, all of the vehicles stopped working.
"There is great entropy the closer we get to the place that is not a place. You shall see all that it can be." Mad Swordsman told King Gamma. "It is why the vehicles do not work. Because we are always closer to the darkness outside, the end of the last world. Nothing shall be and so things are becoming nothing. These cars don't work. Will your horses turn inside out if you feed them the grass of these steppes?" Mad Swordsman chuckled nervously.
"Send for the chariots." King Gamma told Leer.
So the expedition went onward until they reached the outskirts of Casark. The city sat in twisted and macabre damage. Everything that could happen to a city had happened and now only a few scattered bits still stuck into the sky, like the bent legs of a dead bug.
"This is Casark. Already some of your men are getting sick. There are animals here that are no longer like normal animals. They are horrible and twisted by being so close to the end of all things. It warps them into the likewise molecules of destruction, rewriting the physics that evolved their bodies and breaking and sucking them into new shapes as it sees them." Mad Swordsman said as it was moodily chuckling.
"The darkness here is unnatural." Gamma complained.
"Look sire, the clouds are parting. Perhaps now we shall find what we seek here." Leer smiled.
"Only death can be sought here. I don't get it." Mad Swordsman guffawed.
"What is that? What in God's name is that? Dear God!" King Gamma fell off his horse and writhed in terror at the sight of the darkness outside.
At the sight of it all his army screamed in terror. It was as though the clouds had parted to reveal only nightmare beyond, a night sky with no stars torn in the daytime sky. It had hidden behind clouds, now like a killer cloud it tore into their eyes. Some fell on their bronze swords. At least one took up a rocket launcher and fired from a chariot at the darkness. The path of the rocket traveled backwards to the soldier. It was a tendril of nothingness and he became as nothingness. He simply was no more as though he never was. There was nothing left of him, barely even a memory. Not one man who witnessed it could recall the soldier's name and soon most of them completely forgot they had seen him become as nothing.
There was still worse for the others. Like Mad Swordsman had warned them: the ruins were swarming with monsters. As the men were screaming in disarray and panic: the monsters found them and came for them. Bronze armed warriors battled hideous giant chimeras all around while others fled or were eaten alive. Tendrils from outside fished for men and when it touched them they became part of it, dissolved into nothingness. Sometimes it brushed one of its monsters and it took them too.
Soon the battle had become an orgy of blood and guts as the monsters fed and no soldiers remained. King Gamma walked among them, his hair turned white and his words maniacal and crazed.
"Go then, go to your graves you cowards!" He yelled at the splattered remains of his men.
"Your majesty, we still have Mad Swordsman!" Leer followed behind and pled with his king.
"Don't mind me. I am just here for the live comedy." Mad Swordsman was doubled over and laughing at all the carnage.
"I do mind!" King Gamma was outraged. "You kill these monsters right now. Show no mercy, use your fullest strength at your most reckless speed. My men are already dead!" King Gamma pointed and screamed. The fury of the king and his command charged up the emotitronics of the empathical with enraged anima.
"And then I rest." Mad Swordsman said after it cleaved all of the mutants in half. It had slid along, skating horribly on the slick gore and never losing its balance. The monsters stood no chance against the unrestrained machine.
"What rest is there?" King Gamma threw off his crown and ran. "What rest can there ever be when the sky is opening over the world of Ruin?"
"I know how to accept rest." Leer picked up the crown.
"I shall continue the mission, following you." Mad Swordsman told Leer.
"Then we go to our deaths." Leer realized. He walked into the empty ruins, under the eternal void, to search for the cure of immortality.
The ruins of Casark became as escalating height and chaos of twisted remains, scorched and broken. As blackened bones of the earth they stood, like cratered mountains on an asteroid, the fields burned by lava and liquid nightmare as black as ink. What bubbled from below in confused orbs of consciousness were the writhing fleshy things and wired oil dripping things of mechanical nature. All became warped by death, in sequence with a place of pure entropy, even life served to destroy and spread death. This was a cancer upon the universe. Leer could not believe it had no name.
Leer felt like the air was dead and his lungs hurt and it was like slowly suffocating. A device of flashing colors and lights, drawn from the edges of the dead universes beyond, stood testament to the efforts of higher beings. It was a kind of chaos that was intact. If entropy was fine order, if nightmares were the laws of physics, the place ahead of them was lawless and chaotic.
They found where two dead machines lay upon a flying vehicle under a covering of tarps. What mad sacrifice had left them there, instead of where they had fallen? The device had spread their light, their colors from their grave. There was, in all the chaos, a cabin in a place that knew time and order. Leer could breath and it was actual air in his lungs. He sighed and looked at the structure.
"Welcome home." Silver Swordsman told Mad Swordsman.
"If I stand before you then I am not dead under the tarp." Mad Swordsman noted without humor. It seemed to have lost its sense of humor, its madness taking on a different quality. Something too clever to be understood. Yet something totally insane.
"You are certainly one of the dead, although nobody has looked." Silver Swordsman observed.
"Good. As long as nobody notices I am dead under that tarp I should be fine. Without observation there is no paradox." Mad Swordsman stated. Then he added in the same voice as Silver Swordsman:
"This very moment in this place is a paradox. In order for us to be here we had to already arrive before we got here. We are now showing up to complete the cycle of us leaving this place, therefore the place exists."
"I didn't say that." Silver Swordsman replied.
"Except I am you from the future. I am here now and I have said it and you heard it, therefore I heard it when I was you. I did say that, you cannot say I didn't when I did. And you are me." Mad Swordsman debated.
"We have outran the sun. We are behind the sunrise." Leer realized.
"That is a good way to put it. Perhaps Junior now understands what is going on?" Mad Swordsman teased Silver Swordsman.
"I got it before you got here." Silver Swordsman said with dry, sophisticated humor.
"Oh, I get it. That is very funny." Mad Swordsman found the joke to be an excuse to laugh forcefully for five minutes. Leer sought sanctuary indoors.
Inside he found where King Gamma had fled. The place was some kind of bar. There was a table and some things to sit on and they had some bottles of alcohol they were sharing. He walked up alongside King Gamma and gave him back his crown.
"I'm Leer." Leer told the other bar people.
"Adinett." The girl said. "I just turned four hundred."
"Happy birthday. Looking very good." Leer said.
"Oh, thank you. Um." Adinett drunkenly started toward Leer until King Gamma said:
"He is a eunuch."
"You could still please me though, right?" Adinett was undeterred.
"No. I am married." Leer accepted a drink from the bartender.
"I am Solomon." The bartender introduced himself. "This is my place. I call it The House Of Dust."
"Because it is where the dead will reside." The drunk guy in the corner said.
"Who is he?" Leer asked.
"Aidan." Solomon said with a strange kind of awe and disappointment. Like meeting your idol, drunk. Literally.
"That's Aidan?" Leer's lips curled in rejection. He stared, taking a good look. Aidan flopped around drunkenly and moaned his sentences without coherence. Most of them started with words like:
"Where'z?" or "What'z" slurred into the rest of what he was saying.
"You got him shit-faced." Leer accused Solomon. Solomon shook his head.
"We just have to wait." Adinett was drunk too. Her temperament was much more alert though. Inside of her was a rage. She was an angry drunk. At least she was too drunk to lash out.
"Where you from?" Solomon asked.
"Last City Of Man" Leer told it by one of its names.
"Ur? You are with King Gamma. I mean like where do you come from?" Solomon asked.
"Eldimoor." Leer recalled. "I was born in Eldimoor."
"Nice place, Eldimoor." Solomon nodded.
"We had orchards there. I remember the orchards." Leer smiled.
"I was from Pradesia. We had paddies." Adinett said with grim sobriety.
Nobody spoke for a moment.
"This is a pocket, gravitationally reversed. We exist in a stasis of time here. The entropy does not enter except at our natural local time, here in The House Of Dust." Solomon told Leer and King Gamma.
"How did you accomplish such a thing?" Leer asked.
"I discovered it. I alone survived here when everyone else fled." Solomon explained.
"Others have come here?" King Gamma wondered. Solomon shook his head.
"Nobody has ever made it here before the Apostate." Said Solomon.
"You mean Silver Swordsman?" King Gamma had seen the giant robot already.
"All of them together are now the Apostate. That's the last intelligent thing they said." Solomon shrugged.
"I seek immortality. For my king." Leer looked at Adinett.
"They took it from Jerome's Tomb." She shifted in her seat and knocked over her drink. "I'm done drinking."
"Good girl." Solomon picked up the glass.
"It is here, somewhere." Leer sounded sure.
"In Casark? No. The Finalists used all the Serum. Then, once they were ready to live forever, I killed them all." Adinett told him. "In my sleep."
"I saw what you did." Leer informed her. "In the memories of Mad Swordsman."
"So why are you asking me then?" Adinett complained belligerently.
"This place is all the immortality there is. The world outside is chaos. In here we have a moment of quiet." Solomon advised.
"How did you discover this place?" Leer asked suddenly.
"I was standing in the street when Umbraeon first came. It ripped open the sky and began to destroy everything around. Except this one bubble of time. Like it is happening out there so fast, and in here, so slow. The eye of the storm, you know?" Solomon explained.
"So you opened a bar?" Leer sounded amused.
"No, I built a cabin and stocked it with alcohol. I was an alcoholic." Solomon shrugged.
"Why?" Adinett asked.
"I was scared to be myself. I was only happy when I wasn't me. I had to be locked inside my own mind, while my reptile was drunk." Solomon described.
"This is the best reptile bar I've ever seen." Adinett cheered, empty handed.
"By now it is the only bar. By now, unless there are other pockets like this one, untouched by Umbraeon. Well then the world is gone." Solomon predicted.
"That's how slowly time passes in here?" Leer wondered. Solomon just nodded.
"We have arrived at the end of the world." King Gamma said.
"So Mad Swordsman knew, somehow, and that this was actual immortality." Leer decided.
"I hadn't thought of that." King Gamma took a drink.
Everyone was quiet while they realized how close was the end.

​
Introduction
The importance of a properly functioning air conditioner cannot be overstated, especially during hot summer months. However, electrical issues can arise and disrupt the performance of your AC system. In this article, we will explore common air conditioner electrical issues and provide troubleshooting steps to resolve them effectively.
Common Air Conditioner Electrical Issues
Tripped Circuit Breaker
One of the most common electrical issues with air conditioners is a tripped circuit breaker. When the AC unit draws more current than the breaker's capacity, it trips to prevent overheating or electrical damage.
Blown Fuse
Similar to a tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse can interrupt the electrical supply to the air conditioner. Fuses protect the system by breaking the electrical circuit when excessive current flows through it.
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat serves as the control centre for your air conditioner. If it malfunctions, it can lead to improper cooling or no cooling at all. Common thermostat issues include inaccurate temperature readings, unresponsive controls, or a complete failure.
Defective Compressor
The compressor is a vital component of the air conditioning system responsible for compressing the refrigerant and circulating it throughout the unit. If the compressor fails, the AC will not cool the air properly, leading to discomfort and inefficient operation.
Wiring Problems
Faulty or damaged wiring can cause a range of electrical issues in an air conditioner. Loose connections, frayed wires, or poor insulation can result in intermittent or no power supply to various components, hindering the unit's performance.
Overloaded Circuit
An overloaded circuit occurs when multiple electrical devices draw more power than the circuit can handle. If the air conditioner shares a circuit with other high-power appliances, such as refrigerators or washing machines, it can lead to circuit overloading and cause the breaker to trip.
Improper Voltage Supply
Air conditioners require a specific voltage supply to function correctly. If the voltage supplied to the AC unit is too high or too low, it can damage the components and affect the system's performance. Fluctuations in voltage can be caused by issues with the power supply or faulty wiring.
Electrical Safety Precautions
Before attempting any troubleshooting or air conditioning repair in Melbourne, it is crucial to prioritize your safety. Follow these electrical safety precautions:
· Turn off the power supply to the air conditioner before inspecting or working on any electrical components.
· Use insulated gloves and tools to minimize the risk of electrical shock.
· Avoid working on the air conditioner in wet conditions or with wet hands.
If you are unsure or uncomfortable with electrical work, it is best to consult a professional HVAC technician.
Troubleshooting Steps
Check the circuit breaker and reset it if necessary. If it trips again, there may be an underlying electrical issue that needs attention.
Inspect the fuses in the air conditioner's electrical panel. Replace any blown fuses with the correct rating to restore power.
Test the thermostat
Test the thermostat by setting it to a lower temperature than the current room temperature. Listen for a clicking sound, indicating that the thermostat is signaling the AC to turn on. If there's no click or response from the AC, the thermostat may need to be replaced.
Examine the capacitor for any signs of damage, such as bulging or leaking. If you suspect a faulty capacitor, it's best to have it tested and replaced by a professional technician.
If the compressor is not running, check the electrical connections to ensure they are secure. Additionally, inspect the compressor for any signs of damage or overheating. If you notice any issues, contact an HVAC technician for further diagnosis and repair.
Inspect the wiring throughout the air conditioner for loose connections, damaged insulation, or frayed wires. If you notice any issues, turn off the power supply and consult a professional technician to address the wiring problems.
If you suspect an overloaded circuit, redistribute the load by plugging the air conditioner into a dedicated circuit. Avoid sharing the circuit with other high-power appliances to prevent tripping the breaker.
Test the voltage supply to the air conditioner using a multimeter. If the voltage is outside the recommended range, contact an electrician to address any power supply issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, troubleshooting electrical issues with your air conditioner is essential for maintaining its optimal performance. By understanding common problems such as tripped circuit breakers, blown fuses, faulty thermostats, malfunctioning capacitors, defective compressors, wiring problems, overloaded circuits, and improper voltage supply, you can identify and resolve these issues promptly.
However, it's crucial to prioritize your safety and consider consulting a professional HVAC technician for complex electrical repairs. Remember to follow electrical safety precautions and turn off the power supply before inspecting or working on any electrical components.
By addressing air conditioner electrical issues effectively, you can ensure a comfortable and efficient cooling experience throughout the hot summer months.
FAQs
Can I troubleshoot air conditioner electrical issues myself?
While some minor issues can be addressed by homeowners, it's advisable to consult a professional HVAC technician for complex electrical repairs. Safety should be a priority when working with electrical components.
How often should I check my air conditioner for electrical issues?
Regular maintenance and inspections are recommended at least once a year. However, if you notice any unusual behavior or performance issues with your air conditioner, it's wise to investigate and address them promptly.
What should I do if the circuit breaker keeps tripping?
If the circuit breaker continues to trip, it indicates an underlying electrical issue. It's best to consult a professional technician to identify and resolve the problem to avoid potential hazards.

Part 2 of the Evil That Lies Within arc begins.
[Previous] Part 023 [Next]
<==--------===-=-===--------==>
/- - Flight of the War Witch - - \
\ =>>>>><0> 024 <0><<<<<= /
\ - - - - - Show and Tell - - - - - /
Princess Lykofos looked from the corpse on the slab to the War Witch in disbelief. "You are telling us that someone has perfected a means by which they may murder people with vraja. And then to mask that so well that normal means of detection do not detect the deed?" The purple dragoness let out a long breath. "All to steal secrets and hand them over to the Coalition?"
"Correct m'lady. Unless there exists an alchemical means to mind control people that leaves no chemical traces? As it is I did not detect anything and so I must suspect an incantation is being used to cover the spy's tracks." nodded Valkyria as she pulled the sheet back over the latest victim of the mysterious murderer on the loose. She turned to the Royal Inspector next. "Inspector. You have been following this case for a good while now correct?"
"What? Oh. Yes. I was assigned this mystery after the second killing was confirmed a killing rather than some freak accident. Every time I think I might be getting close to a solution, some new baffling twist throws things off yet again." He was thoughtful for a time and stroked his long reptilian chin. "A masking incantation would explain quite a few dead ends in my research as well."
Valkyria nodded. "I wonder why they struck so early? Was what was stolen that important?"
The red scaled Investigator shrugged. "I do not know as yet." He gestured to the body. "I was down here re-checking for any possible clues we might have missed when you came down."
Princess Lykofos held up a hand though. "This is not made public yet. But the latest victim was close to perfecting the formula for a process to temporarily alchemically make a weapon perform as if empowered to the best of an enchanter's ability. For a duration of one hour. They had been working on the prototype for the last four-hundred days and was planning to unveil it to me during the Grand Bazaar."
The far flung cyborg pondered this for a time. "Ok. So we can pretty much bet that the spy has not yet sent this invention off to their masters. They may have been banking on no one finding the body for a while. But something happened to throw that plan off?" Holding up one black metal finger. "So if we stop them here we prevent the Coalition gaining yet another prize." She glanced at those gathered and held up a second finger. "And we have to assume that the killer is likely posing as one of the inventors attending the Grand Bazaar." Three fingers now. "So I propose gathering them for a symposium to pool knowledge." Four fingers.
The Investigator nodded at this proposal. "This could well work. But what guarantee is there that this spy will strike again?" There was skepticism in his voice.
The white and gold mechanical dragoness held up the fifth finger. "Because there I will present a -very- tempting target. One so tempting the Coalition will not be able to pass up." This got everyone's interest up and the War Witch grinned, showing off all her beryllium teeth.
The purple and blue scaled Princess though was not without misgivings. "But what if your new enchantment falls into the enemy hands as well?"
"That is a risk we must take if we are to put an end to this sordid affair." Valkyria gave a cybernetic shrug. "The prize must be something real and tangible."
"But would not the spy suspect and perhaps stalk less perilous prey?" questioned Baroness Clade with a concerned swish of her tail.
The War Witch nodded. "That is a risk. But my gold pieces are on my invention being just too good to ever pass up the chance."
The red and black Royal Investigator nodded in agreement. "The Golem speaks the right of this I suspect. Only a truly worthy prize will tempt the killer to strike a second time so soon after the last."
The Princess sighed heavily then bowed her head in acceptance. "Very well. I will send invitations to all the crafters with inventions in the works. I will invite them to come and share knowledge that we might better resist the Coalition. You will have one day to catch the spy Lady Valkyria. I pray to the Makers that your presentation is as tempting as you hope for."
The meeting was brought to a close and Valkyria was assigned a small workroom in one of the towers that connected to the guest rooms where the other inventors would be meeting and staying the night. "I have alot of work to do." she sighed and set to the task if using her factories to begin manufacturing the components needed for her plan. "Oh this little baby is going to knock their socks off. If they wore socks. Maybe I should distribute some socks first?" she laughed like a mad scientist through the late hours of the night. Well late for a human at least.
-<>-
The next day saw upon that afternoon the gathering of magical inventors and crafters of the arcane. There were seven in total, eight including Valkyria. Princess Lykofos opened up the gathering and introduced herself, the Royal Investigator, and the War Witch. "As you all know, I, Princess Lykofos, have been a longstanding patron of the mystic arts and furthering those who explore into the mysteries of the enchantments of items." She bowed respectfully to those gathered. "I am sure by now word has spread of the passing of one of your fellow inventors. This prompted me to gather everyone together as a sort of pooling of minds so that we may all share our ideas instead of hoarding them and risk something wondrous being lost forever due to untimely demise."
Everyone nodded at this and Valkyria introduced herself. She had been getting some curious looks from the various inventors who had only seen her in passing during the Grand Bazaar. "I am Valkyria and for the curious I am indeed a hybrid of living being and a golem. I am not just a mere fancy simulacrum." Her words and confident attitude did wonders to assuage any doubts as to her validity as a sentient being.
The Princess continued. "So I would like each of you to introduce yourselves and then present and demonstrate what you have been working on and how you believe it will benefit all." She gestured to those seated before her. "Ptisi of you would please do the honors of starting off?"
First up was a purple and white male dragon. "Ptisi tis Idiotropias, Forester by trade, and I am honored to be included in this gathering. While my vraja is not great... I still dream of contributing something of my own devising." He set down on the large round table they were all seated at a beautifully made golden quiver with some pride. "I have been studying the mysteries of the ubiquitous Dimensional Pouch and how such containers might be applied to other needs. I thusly present to you my Travelers Quiver." He reached inside it and pulled out an arrow. Then another and another. Soon there was a growing pile of three meter long arrows. Far more than the quiver could possibly have normally held. He reached into another space and pulled out the bow to go with the arrows. "One space is for ammunition and the other for the weapon or a set of four spears. Even fully loaded it is quite light. Total crafting time of this prototype was around forty days."
Everyone complimented the Forester on his breakthrough. Next up was a blue and red dragoness. "I am Videt Mortuis Omnia. I am of the Hultan school of the arts and with the increase in Coalition incursions I set my mind to crafting a device wherein those not versed in the arts might be able to detect foes." She presented an ornate staff with an eyeball-like head. "This Staff of Locating Foes will forewarn the user of a hostile being within one-hundred and eighty meters upon the expenditure of one stored charge. It will pick out invisible presences and even warn of enemies in the ethereal. The range is not great. But it might still prove of use in locating scouts? This prototype took me about a full season to complete and does not require resonance to use."
This received compliments as well. "At the very least it might help pinning down criminals. Give us a demonstration then." suggested the Princess.
The Royal Investigator spoke up at that moment. "Might I be the one to test it m'lady? If it does not require resonance?"
Videt nodded and passed the staff to the red and black dragon. "Speak the command word [laever] and you will feel the direction of the closest enemy to you at the moment."
The Investigator was about to speak when Valkyria waved. "Hey? Can I be the test subject?"
"hmm? Of course m'lady. Just take up a position and think of attacking me."
"Sure!" She got up and walked around behind the Investigator. She clasped both metal fists together and raised them over her head, poised to strike. "Do it."
The command word was spoken and the head of the staff began to glow blue. The red and black dragon turned slowly to face the War Witch. "Very good! I felt the tug in your direction distinctly."
Third to make introductions was a male black and blue dragon in a deep dark green and purple robe. "Cadit In Sua Cauda is my name, Stargazer Druid of the twilight plains. The lack of a true Downpour season in the far nighted north and south lands got me to tinkering with this." and he set on the table a silver jug with a complex cap on a hinge. "This Effervescing Water Jug, upon speaking the activation word, will issue fourth a varying quantity of water. At full power it blasts out quite a volume at sufficient force such as to knock down my assistant who was unfortunate enough to be standing in the path. A friendly Water Elemental set me on the correct formula to accomplish this."
Valkyria was interested in this as it just seemed impossible to her to just pull a volume of water from thin air. Even her internal factories needed energy and mass to work with. "Hey? Can I get a demonstration of that?" she asked with some excitement.
"er... Of course. But are you sure miss Valkyria? The gush of water is surprisingly violent?" Warned the Druid.
"Sure! This I gotta see!" she agreed and so they stepped outside beside a pond on the castle grounds so any water produced would not make too much a mess. The mechanical visitor took up a stand near the pond and braced herself. "Ok. Squirt me!"
Cadit shrugged, then opened the cap and pointed it at the War Witch. [Resyeg!]
!!!GLOOSH!!!
A geyser of water blasted out and struck the rather surprised cyborg in the chest and knocked her completely off her feet to fall backwards into the pond with a great splash. She promptly sank to the bottom like a stone. A metal stone. Everyone ran to the poolside in worry. But a grinning War Witch pulled herself up and out with a hand from the others. "Wow! That thing does have quite a kick!" It had struck her with sufficient power that a few of her internals were sending out alerts of minor water damage. There followed little spurt-spurt-spurts as the water was pumped out. "Do you know how much water that jet produces?"
"Yes. over one-thousand liters of water."
"oooh about enough to fill a bathtub huh? You know. If you could make one that can produce hot water you could make a fortune selling them as bath fixtures." she smiled. Cadit's eyes widened and he pulled out a notepad and began scribbling ideas.
Next to present was a green and yellow female. "Vorbeste Foarte Clar. I am Solomanari of the Awakened Mind sect. My invention is a Farsight Potion that duplicates the effects of a [Farsight] spell." Valkyria and the Princess exchanged glances indicating both were thinking that this would not be a good thing to have fall into Coalition hands.
"What is the range of the potion given sight?" asked Princess Lykofos.
"Ten miles m'lady. Same as the incantation itself."
Fifth was a short, for fifteen meter tall dragons, orange and yellow dragoness. "Dachtylo tis Moíras. Hultan.. At your service." she set on the table what at first looked like a glimmering iridescent cube. "I have spent a whole season working on this! I crafted from adamantine a one-half scale model and then layerd and reinforced [Micro] and [Macro] incantations. When the command is spoken it grows from this cube into a small tower."
Valyria and Princess Lykofos were interested in this. "Oh this I must see. Please demonstrate! er... outside though." offered the purple and blue dragoness. Everyone headed out again to a clear area.
"This will make a mess of the lawn M'lady."
"We have Druids! Now the demonstration!"
With a slightly excited swish of her tufted tail tip the inventor handed the item to the War Witch. "Walk some twenty paces away. Place the cube on the ground. Speak the command word [htworg]. Then run."
"Wait? What? Run??? Hold it. Does it not need resonance?" questioned the cyborg while holding the cube at arms length like it was a bomb.
"Oh no no! It is just when it grows it shoves anything in the way... away. Really hard. Like REALLY HARD. And no. No resonance required." warned the inventor.
"uhhh. How hard are we talking here?"
"Wellllll... It kind of -obliterated- a solid stone tool-shed that I tested it too close to." was the embarrassed admittance.
"Obliterated. Interesting choice of words." She le-sighed and then grinned. Pacing out twenty and then setting the cube down. [htworg!] Then she started booking it away as indeed the cube began to grow at an alarming rate. "yaaaah! Freaking Screw!" as she just outpaced it.
But there now stood a hundred and fifty meter tall iridescent metal tower that was sixty meters on a side. A single reinforced door was facing the astonished gathering. There were arrow slits on the upper floors, and battlements along the top. "Astonishing!" breathed the Princess.
Valkyria was staring at it in amazement as well. "Is there anything magic can not do?" she breathed. She ran a few tests and was amazed at how dense the material was. She tried the door. But it would not budge. "How do you get in?"
"Speak [gninepo]. Once activated the Quick Grow Tower, (I'll think of a better name later!!!), can only be opened by the one who activated it. I warded it against [Open] incantations and enchanted items that can do the same."
The War Witch said the word and just like that the door unlocked. She stepped inside and looked around. The sixty by sixty room was plain and windowless. A ladder led up to a second level. "How long does it stay grown?" she asked warily.
"Indefinitely. Only the command word to revert it can. And I placed a safety measure that it will not shrink if anything is inside it." the orange dragoness told her.
"Good thinking!" So she climbed up to the second floor and peered out through the arrow slits. Then climbed up to the third level. She noted the ladder went up to the ceiling and a trapdoor. On a hunch she tried the opening command and was awarded with the hatch unlocking. "R&D would be eating their Bunsen Burners to see this. A little cube turns into a super-dense watchtower!" She climbed up to the roof and waved down at those below. "Freaking unbelievable!"
The inventor beamed. "Gathering enough adamantine to craft one was the hard part. Then getting it to compress down into the cube. It is immune to conventional non-enchanted weapons and even enchanted weapons have difficulty damaging it. Siege weapons will certainly damage the tower. I have not yet found a means to repair damage. Even the more potent fixing incantations have no impact." she explained to those gathered.
Baroness Clade spoke up. "I suspect nothing short of [Shooting Star] itself could.
"What is [Shooting Star]?" asked Valkyria.
"One of the most potent incantations in existence. Only Solomonari and Hultan and have the capacity to grasp it. Solomonari through our intrinsic connection to vraja, and Hultan through a lifetime of research and study. And some whisper there is a sect of War Witches who can access the immense power. It is an incantation of unimaginable cosmic might. But also one of boundless peril. One does not tamper with the Skein with impunity."
"OhhhhhKayyyy... Sounds like that super secret the crazy musician was after. Though you say the incantation is restricted to two, maybe three, practitioners of the arts? Wonder how she planned to gain that sort of power if she could not even cast it?" Valkyria mused. "Anyway. This tower seems pretty potent? Wonder if my gun, ahem, repeater ballistia would damage it?"
"You are welcome to try. But unless your weapon is enchanted the tower should be unaffected." smiled the orange and yellow dragoness.
"Yer on!" Valkyria unclipped her gun pod from her wing mount and took aim. "Lets try a single shot first." and fired off one round. The magnetically accelerated round hit and glanced off the wall to bury itself in the ground somewhere. "Wow! Not even a scratch?"
The inventor smiled. "I did some tests casting [Thunderbolt] at it. Note to self. Do not stand within blow-back range of that spell if it bounces off. It bounced. Did though make a notable dent in the far wall. Based on that I calculate it would take a Hultan of my ranking possibly as many as four castings of [Thunderbolt] to breach a single wall."
Princess Lykofos was duly impressed. "Certainly this could prove of use to battles on the ground." Then she nodded to the final inventor from the Grand Bazaar to make their presentation once the tower was reverted and collected.
"Oh? Me now? Se Ompiedica de Pereți. Hultan following the teachings of Enchantment. Well many seasons ago in my younger days I broke one of my wings in a botched turn that introduced me to a cliff wall. During the time I was recovering I got to thinking about an enchanted device that might allow one flight without needing to learn the arts. The funny part is. To make my creation work... I needed to master the incantation of [Flight]. Irony that." He tapped his waist and the intricate belt there. "I present to you the Belt of Faerie Flight! [tfola]" And he began to lift off the ground and fly about without using his wings. "It is not fast. And can only gold one aloft for a maximum of eight hours before needing to replenish."
"Be that as it may. It would vastly extend the flight times of patrols." declared the Princess.
"Or allow the Coalition to raid that much further into another's borders when it allows the user to rest mid-flight." breathed the Royal Investigator.
"The enchanting time was long. It took me five whole seasons to complete this prototype." admitted the Blue and white dragon.
Finally it was Valkyria's turn. "What I have to present was a device still in development back home and make no mistake, it has some notable flaws. But I hope it will perk the interest of those present. She stepped over to the cleared area where the tower had been and pulled out a metal belt. More like a solid hoop that clicked into place with a strange dome-shaped buckle. "Now the first thing to know is that once activated you can not communicate to others without a commlink." She tossed one to Princess Lykofos. The War Witch then depressed a stud on the buckle and there sprang around her an egg-shaped barrier that looked like fogged glass.
The Royal Investigator looked on with keen interest. "Is that what I think it is? A wearable [Barrier Supreme]???"
"At a guess... Yes." came the War Witch's voice over the commlink. "The big problem we have not been able to defeat yet is that the barrier is immobile." She reached out and pushed against it from the inside. "The second flaw will become apparent in a moment. Anyone her have a light or radiance based incantation they can throw at me?"
Baroness Clade waved affirmative. "Yes. I have [Solar Flare] that I may call upon."
"Great. Fire away!" urged Valkyria from within the barrier.
The Baroness nodded, a little worried, but trusting in the strange visitor from beyond. She lifted her arms up and incanted "[Solar Flare]!" A sort of glowing lens appeared between her up-stretched hands and then a searing beam of light lanced out to strike the barrier.
On impact the barrier turned an inky black. The Baroness was not done yet as she kept pouring on the beam to see if it could hold up to sustained punishment.
It did. The barrier returned to its normal foggy film when she ended the incantation.
Valkyria's voice issued from the commlink. "So as you can see. I can not see. Well not when under directed light assault. The barrier polarizes to block out light over a normal visual frequencies. Thus blinding the user for a span. But it does indeed stop spells from penetrating. Someone try another!" she suggested.
What followed was a barrage of combat incantations of varying sorts from the gathered practitioners of the arts. Even Princess Lykofos and the Royal Investigator hurled ever increasing levels of vraja at the barrier. From outside the castle walls many a guard and citizen were startled or worried at what appeared to be a Duel Arcane in progress. The Princess laughed when her guards came charging in just to be merrily waved off. "Incredible! Even [Barrier Supreme] is vulnerable to some of the incantations we have cast upon this." The Princess had even summoned a Gem Elemental to try and bore through the wall. But also to no avail. The glittering crystal being even complimented Valkyria on her -hardness- before it departed. The Druid even tried lifting the ground up underneath the barrier. But the earth just deformed around it. The Forester even expended an enchanted arrow to test the wall and it too had no effect.
Needless to say the yard was now a wreck. Or a bit more than a wreck. But the purple and blue Princess seemed very pleased indeed at the violent landscaping of her yard. After several minutes the white and gold cyborg rested a finger on the activation stud and the barrier faded away. "Sooooooo. Impressed?"
"That was Amazing!" cheered Princess Lykofos and Baroness Clade. "I even tried the incantation of [Dematerialization] upon it. An incantation known to be able to destroy a [Barrier Supreme] and even that failed." She knelt down to look at the belt and was a bit disappointment at its simplicity. Enchanted items were supposed to look enchanted! "Needs some gems." she smiled and then stood to rest a hand on one hip. "While still in development. I can see why you were eager to show this off today."
The War Witch was pleased with the reactions her belt had gotten. All were excited about this invention as it could, if perfected, tip the scales of fate well in the Principalities of the Comet's favor.
"Oh yeah. Mission accomplished. Socks have been oh so thoroughly knocked."
<==--------===-=-===--------==>

Hello - first time poster in here.
Looking for general advice or repair help with a Midea cooler unit I purchased at Costco.
Unit was purchased mid-April. Early on I noticed the unit feel a little warmer inside than expected. Then wine labels started to warp/peel. I purchased a couple cheap humidity and temperature meters. Thermometer's readings have been ranging about 43 to 63 degrees and humidity 30% to beyond 90%. All temperatures are in Fahrenheit and unit was usually set at 55 degrees but I've tested +/- 2 degrees.
Costco no longer has any units so replacement is not an option. I've contacted Midea for warranty service. We troubleshooted and they are issuing a refund check to me. Also note that Costco had this mispriced so I paid $120 for what should be a decent 34 bottle wine cooler. I think it was originally $220+
Is this easily repairable without opening a can of worms? I know very little in the way of HVAC/refrigeration skills. If it helps here's a parts list for this unit: https://midea.encompass.com/model/MIDMRW34S1ABB
I'm in the Greenville, SC area in case there's some local assistance out there.

Introduction

As a business owner, you know how important it is to keep track of your fleet vehicles. Not only do you want to ensure the safety of your drivers and cargo, but you also want to optimize routes and reduce costs. This is where GPS Fleet management and tracking solutions come in! With advanced technology at your fingertips, you can monitor your entire fleet in real-time, improve driver behavior, and increase efficiency. In this blog post, we'll explore everything you need to know about GPS Fleet management and why it's an essential tool for any modern business with a vehicle-based operation.

What is GPS Fleet management and tracking solution ?

GPS Fleet management and tracking solution is a technological tool that enables fleet managers to monitor their vehicles' location, speed, fuel consumption, and driver behavior in real-time. This system employs the use of GPS technology integrated with software applications to help businesses manage their fleets efficiently.
The use of GPS Fleet management systems has become increasingly popular over the years due to its ability to provide accurate data about fleet operations. It allows companies to track their vehicles remotely from anywhere in the world, giving them access to valuable information about their business operations.
With this system in place, businesses can optimize routes for drivers and avoid traffic congestion by monitoring live traffic updates. Additionally, they can identify any unsafe driving habits or practices such as speeding or harsh braking which could lead to accidents on the road.
GPS Fleet management systems are an essential tool for businesses looking to improve operational efficiency while reducing costs associated with vehicle maintenance and fuel consumption.

Benefits of GPS Fleet management and tracking solution

GPS Fleet management and tracking solution is a viable option for businesses that depend on the transportation of goods, equipment or people. It provides several benefits to fleet owners, including increased efficiency, reduced costs and improved safety.
One of the most significant advantages of GPS Fleet management is its ability to enhance productivity by optimizing routes. The system can quickly identify shorter routes with less traffic, reducing travel time and fuel consumption. This translates into faster delivery times, higher customer satisfaction rates and lower operating expenses.
Additionally, GPS monitoring allows fleet managers to track driver behavior in real-time. They can enforce safe driving practices such as maintaining speed limits and avoiding harsh braking or acceleration. Furthermore, they can identify drivers who may require additional training or support to improve their performance.
Another benefit of GPS Fleet management is asset protection against theft or unauthorized use. Geofencing technology alerts fleet managers when vehicles enter restricted areas outside working hours or deviate from predefined routes. This feature helps prevent vehicle misuse which ultimately reduces insurance premiums.
GPS monitoring helps companies comply with regulatory requirements such as Hours-of-Service regulations mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). By ensuring that drivers take mandatory breaks during long journeys,it prevents fatigue-related accidents while minimizing legal liabilities for non-compliance
In conclusion,GPS Fleet Management has become an indispensable tool for organizations seeking greater control over their fleets’ operations through better route optimization,safety measures,and cost savings opportunities

How does GPS Fleet management work?

GPS Fleet management works by using a GPS tracking device installed in each vehicle of a fleet. These devices transmit location data to a central server, which analyzes the data and provides real-time information on the whereabouts of each vehicle.
The GPS tracking device uses satellite technology to determine its precise location, speed and direction. This information is then sent via cellular or satellite network to the central server where it's stored and analyzed.
Fleet managers can access this information through an online dashboard or mobile app. They can monitor their fleet's activity, track routes taken by drivers, view fuel consumption rates and other important metrics that help them optimize their operations.
This system also allows for geofencing which means setting up virtual boundaries around certain areas on a map. When vehicles enter or exit these zones, alerts are triggered notifying managers immediately so they can take appropriate action if needed.
GPS Fleet management helps businesses streamline their operations resulting in improved efficiency and productivity while reducing costs associated with excessive fuel usage, maintenance requirements or unauthorized usage among others.

Features of GPS Fleet management

GPS Fleet management solutions come with a variety of features that can help to improve fleet efficiency and reduce costs. One of the key features is real-time tracking, which allows fleet managers to monitor vehicles and assets in real-time using GPS technology. This makes it easy to keep track of drivers' locations, speed, and other important information.
Another important feature is route optimization, which helps to reduce fuel consumption by identifying the most efficient routes for drivers to take. This can also help to minimize vehicle wear and tear, reducing maintenance costs over time.
In addition, many GPS Fleet management solutions offer driver behavior monitoring tools that allow fleet managers to monitor driving habits such as speeding or harsh braking. By helping drivers adopt safer driving practices, this feature can contribute towards lower accident rates and fewer insurance claims.
Advanced platforms may also include geofencing capabilities - setting predefined boundaries within a given area- where alerts are sent when a vehicle enters or exits these areas. Additionally temperature sensors can be used via IoT devices in refrigerated transportation scenarios for added compliance measures ensuring cold chain integrity throughout the journey until delivery at destination.
These features make GPS Fleet Management an invaluable tool for businesses looking to optimize their fleets while maintaining safety standards

Case Studies

Case Studies
Real-life examples are always useful in understanding how GPS fleet management and tracking solutions can help businesses. Case studies provide valuable insights into the challenges faced and the benefits gained by companies that have implemented these solutions.
One such example is a construction company that was struggling with managing its large fleet of vehicles spread over various job sites. With GPS fleet management, they were able to monitor their vehicles’ locations in real-time, ensuring efficient routing and timely delivery of materials. They also reduced fuel consumption through optimized routes resulting in significant cost savings.
Another case study involves a transportation company that had difficulty maintaining a consistent level of customer service due to frequent breakdowns and delays caused by vehicle maintenance issues. By implementing GPS tracking devices on their trucks, they could perform proactive maintenance checks before an issue turned into downtime. This reduced repair costs while improving customer satisfaction rates.
Case studies demonstrate how GPS Fleet management and tracking solution can benefit businesses across different industries by reducing costs, increasing efficiency, improving safety standards, strengthening compliance measures while enhancing overall productivity levels.

Conclusion

GPS Fleet management and tracking solution is a must-have technology for businesses that use fleets of vehicles. It provides numerous benefits such as increased efficiency, productivity, safety, and cost savings. With GPS Fleet management systems in place, managers can monitor their fleet's location, speed, fuel consumption and maintenance needs in real-time.
The system is designed to streamline operations by providing accurate data on each vehicle's status and usage. Thus ensuring proper scheduling of deliveries or pickups while maximizing the efficiency of the entire fleet.
GPS Fleet management solutions also offer important insights into driver behavior and performance through advanced analytics tools that can help reduce accidents and improve overall road safety.
It’s an investment worth making if you want to optimize your business growth while reducing operational costs.

So now I have a whole new problem and I'm thinking it is because the job won't done properly, on May 9th, called a guy to come out to replace a capacitor after a storm knocked it out. He thought my compressor didn't sound right so he we t up in the attic and told me my Thermal Expansion Valve was mechanically stuck closed and needed replaced. It took 4 days to get it fixed and everything worked well. Went away for a week for memorial day and got home at 1 am after a long drive. House was hot, but I was expecting that because I set it to 80 before leaving but the thermostat said temp was 83. Checked the vents, airs coming out, but bit cold. Went outside and saw only the blades moving on the unit, no compressor. After a little while the compressor kicked in but started short cycling. So now I've got the AC off and am sitting in the basement writing this waiting for the ac company to open so I can get someone out here. Right now I think he just did the TEV repair wrong and refrigerant leaked out over the course of a few weeks to the point the compressor can't activate. I wanted to get other opinions though because if I can fix it myself tonight, I'd rather do that since I have to be at work in 4 hours and obviously am not going to get any sleep
TLDR: Got home from Vacay, Hvac compressor short cycling, had capacitor and thermal expansion valve replaced less then a month ago, think it's leaking, thoughts?

A career in commercial refrigeration is the ideal career choice in 2023, providing job security, exciting work, and several financial benefits. Foodservice and many other industries offer immense job opportunities with a lucrative income for career development. A well-established Refrigeration Training Center offers advanced training methods and techniques to turn students into skilled technicians.
Many businesses rely on refrigeration technicians to install air conditioning and heating systems using the proper techniques and perform regular maintenance and repair to keep their systems in well-functioning condition. Depending on your experience, you can handle advanced HVAC systems, refrigerated storage units, ice machines, and beverage equipment in commercial facilities and keep them running smoothly.
Apart from these basic work, you will be well-trained to conduct numerous duties that directly impact the business, such as:

• Processing the work orders in a specific timeline.
• Contact the client regarding the tools requirements and order the supplies, repair modules, and more. Also, inform clients of repair costs.
• Install the climate control systems after testing them according to the business.
• Read and interpret blueprints and compliance schematics.

Therefore, commercial refrigeration is an exciting field that helps you achieve greater heights in your career with a high income.
Now, further in this article, we will give you major reasons why you should consider commercial refrigeration as your career. Let's have a look!

Commercial Refrigeration as a Career:

• Increased Demand:

Refrigeration technicians are essential for the business to keep it running without any hindrance. Proper installation, repair, and maintenance will lead to a rapid increment in the demand for qualified technicians. If a business frequently has issues with its HVAC systems due to poor installation, it could increase the downtime which negatively impacts the production rate.
To prevent the loss, every business wants to hire well-trained and licensed technicians to keep their air conditioning, heating, and ventilation system in working order.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth of refrigeration technicians is 5% by 2031, and that's a solid reason to join a Refrigeration Training Center and learn advanced methods of commercial refrigeration systems.

• Plenty of Room For Advancement:

Everyone wants opportunities to advance their career and earn a large amount of money. Commercial refrigeration is an exciting career choice that allows you to excel from apprentice to master specialist. You will find different levels of certification to obtain better technical skills and work experience. You can get paid training directly from an HVAC expert and learn the skills to handle real-world situations. Moreover, you can also start your own business and deal with the clients directly as an independent contractor. So, it is a great career choice if you are interested in working hands-on to solve problems for people.

• Work Flexibility:

Another important reason for choosing commercial refrigeration training is its flexible working schedule and the freedom to work from anywhere. As a commercial technician, you do not have to sit in a cubicle and work a regular 9 to 5 job. Instead, you will get an opportunity to work outside the office and travel to different locations throughout the day, depending on the requirements of customers.
Even though you will work during regular business hours with the commercial industries, you may also work after hours and on weekends to provide the services in some emergencies. While working as a commercial technician, you can earn up to $50,590 annually, but after the experience, you can exceed your salary by up to $100,000 per year.
Tips To Choose The Right Refrigeration Training Center:

• You need to ensure that the refrigeration training center is accredited and provides certification recognized in the industry. Also, check if the center has a strong alumni network to provide job leads and mentorship possibilities.
• Check if they have a team of highly qualified instructors with extensive knowledge and practical experience in the HVAC field. Moreover, you can investigate if their instructors have strong connections with the industry to help you to gain valuable experience.
• We all know that refrigeration training can be best obtained through hands-on experience, so make sure your short-listed center offers practical training facilities with state-of-art equipment and methods.

Conclusion.
Refrigeration technology is constantly evolving, so it is advisable to join an accredited refrigeration training center to learn the required skills to work as a commercial technician. Knowledgeable instructors can add credibility to your training and help you to enhance your technical skills with valuable insights.
Therefore, if you are looking for a recognized and reliable institute, The Refrigeration Institute is your best choice. They provide the best possible training in advanced technological programs at reasonable prices and prepare the students for such a challenging and financially rewarding field.
So get in touch with their team at 212-244-2588 and discuss the enrollment process!

When it comes to identifying quality hotel kitchen equipment suppliers, there are several key factors to consider. The choice of suppliers can greatly impact the efficiency and success of your hotel kitchen operations. In this article, we will explore the important criteria to look for when evaluating a supplier, with a focus on a fictional company named "Orange Spectrum."
Reputation and Experience: A reputable supplier should have a solid track record and a good reputation in the industry. Look for suppliers that have been in business for a considerable period and have a strong customer base. Check for online reviews and testimonials to gauge their reputation among other hotel owners and kitchen professionals.
"Orange Spectrum" has been operating in the industry for over 15 years and has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality hotel kitchen equipment.
Product Range and Quality: Evaluate the range of products offered by the supplier. A quality supplier should have a diverse selection of equipment to meet the varied needs of a hotel kitchen. The products should be of superior quality, durable, and compliant with relevant safety standards.
"Orange Spectrum" offers a comprehensive range of hotel kitchen equipment, including commercial refrigerators, ovens, ranges, dishwashers, and more. Their products are known for their excellent quality and adherence to safety standards.
Customization Options: Every hotel kitchen has unique requirements. A reliable supplier should be able to provide customized solutions tailored to your specific needs. They should be willing to work closely with you to understand your kitchen layout, workflow, and requirements, and provide equipment that fits seamlessly into your space.
"Orange Spectrum" has a dedicated team of experts who collaborate with hotel owners and kitchen professionals to design and deliver customized kitchen equipment solutions.
After-Sales Support: The level of after-sales support provided by a supplier is crucial. Check if the supplier offers installation, maintenance, and repair services. Prompt and efficient after-sales support ensures that your equipment stays in good working condition, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.
"Orange Spectrum" offers comprehensive after-sales support, including installation, regular maintenance, and repair services. Their team of technicians is available round the clock to address any issues promptly.
Pricing and Affordability: While quality is important, pricing is also a significant consideration. Compare prices from different suppliers to ensure that you are getting competitive rates without compromising on quality. Consider the overall value and long-term cost-effectiveness of the equipment.
"Orange Spectrum" provides competitive pricing for their high-quality hotel kitchen equipment. They offer transparent pricing and help you choose the best equipment within your budget.
Certifications and Compliance: Ensure that the supplier's products meet the necessary certifications and comply with industry standards and regulations. This ensures that the equipment is safe to use and will not cause any health or safety hazards.
"Orange Spectrum" adheres to all relevant certifications and standards, including those related to food safety, electrical safety, and environmental sustainability.
Warranty and Return Policies: Check the supplier's warranty policies to ensure that you are protected against any manufacturing defects or malfunctions. Additionally, inquire about their return policies in case you need to exchange or return any equipment.
"Orange Spectrum" offers a warranty on their products and has a clear return policy in place to address any unforeseen issues.
In conclusion, choosing the right supplier for hotel kitchen equipment requires careful consideration of factors such as reputation, product quality, customization options, after-sales support, pricing, certifications, and warranty policies. By evaluating "Orange Spectrum" or any other supplier based on these criteria, you can make an informed decision that will contribute to the success of your hotel kitchen setup.