November 29, 2025

I was attending a game jam and one of the restrictions for the current jam was that we couldn’t use any audio that was created in the last 15 years. Immediately someone asked what the most annoying song from 2008 was. I walked out the door as people prepared to watch a movie.

It was cold and dark out. We strolled down the street to get to the municipal library. It lit up the entire area as its lights shone through the glass exterior. The library was fairly busy with people milling up and down the stairs in the main foyer. I approached the front desk and set aside a large object wrapped in grey cloth onto the counter for inspection. “The government asked us to mail this”, I explained. Naturally they were quite suspicious as even I wasn’t very sure of the package’s true purpose.

“It’s for voting”, I added.

The receptionist’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re Lydia Leader!” They then directed us up the stairs towards the elevators.

We got out of the elevator and the moment we passed by the metal detectors, the gray package started beeping. I turned around and threw it into the corner before running and telling everyone to evacuate. We ran towards the open rooftop as a bomb disposal unit was called in.

An hour later there was a small explosion and a brief moment of panic. At least the injuries were minimal. “So what now?” I asked. “How do we start a new life?”

“Maybe actually make a game this time” someone said.

“Oh right.”

A group of imposing men in suits walked up to us as we were still sitting on the ground. I explained that all I did was tell people to get away, I had done my part in delivering the package otherwise. When he turned around I picked up a golf club and swung it at his head. I had knocked him out with surprising ease.