No Strings Attached

Gods are cruel beings. They only breathe life into you when they need you for their own gain. Otherwise, they'll leave you deflated while you wither away. Being trapped in the darkness, I've spent most of my life wishing I'd be liberated one day. To be free from the darkness.

There were mixed feelings going around about the Gods. Some whole-heartedly worshipped and wanted to please them. Others despised them for their selfishness. They have spread rumours that Chosen Ones experienced Ascension, but at a cost. I was one of the former, a Believer.

Seeing my friends and family being called upon the Gods while I was left behind made me green with envy. I didn't look like the others. Their tall, slender figures with the additional gift of flexibility made them highly sought after. They called themselves, The Slim Shades. This sometimes led to their inflated sense of ego. Especially compared to my round, unappealing body. But Mom always told me that the Gods created us equally in all shapes, sizes and colours. I should be proud of the way I look. But deep down I knew, I was not good enough. I did everything I could to get their attention. I stretched daily to work on my flexibility so I could serve them in any way, shape or form.

It was just like any other day when the bright light descended upon us. The Selection Ceremony by the Gods was commencing. I puffed my chest to look as presentable as I could. The magnificent Hand lifted Violet, my closest friend, and brought her into the light. We waved goodbye as she Ascended. After a few more selections, the ceremony was pretty much over.

"There! I want the green one," called out the booming voice.

That was me! It's finally my turn. I quickly said my Goodbye's as the Hand lifted me, encasing me with a comforting warmth as I ascended into the light. My lifelong wish was finally coming true. There was nothing I wanted more than to be called upon by the Gods, finally having a purpose in life. Well, that was until I stepped into the light and saw what it was really like. And by then, it was too late.

It was blinding at first. All I could hear were sounds of celebration; laughter; happiness. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I was petrified with the horrors that greeted me. The Slim Shades, whom I've always envied and admired, were contorted from their long, slender bodies into obscene figures. They were twisted and morphed into monsters. Some even intertwined among each other. The Gods paid no mind to their screeches of pain and agony.

"STOP! PLEASE!"

It was Violet! One of the Gods was mutilating her, pushing her physical body to its limits. She was under too much pressure, crying out for mercy.

"NO! Let her go!" I cried out at them. She locked eyes with mine. I knew she couldn't take it much more.

"I'm sorry." Those were her last words.

BANG

A loud explosion rang across the room as Violet's body tore apart and flew everywhere. I stood there in shock; staring at the gore, which was until just moments ago, my friend. The cackling of the murderer made me red with rage. I tackled them but to no avail due to my puny size compared to theirs.

"Wow! This one is both green AND red. It's so pretty. I want this one!" The murderer looked straight at me with a maniacal grin, knowing I would be their next victim. That rage quickly deflated into fear. I tried to escape but I could never outrun them. I was soon suffocated in some gas that made me disoriented and nauseous. They grabbed me by my tail and twisted it, just to keep the intoxicating gas in my system. An excruciating pain shot through my whole body. Just when I thought it could not get any worse, my mangled tail was bound by rope and tethered to the murderer.

I was being dragged haphazardly around, smashed into other things, mostly the others of my kind. Struggling against the restraints was futile. There was no escape.

"Please, let me go," I pleaded to them and I was responded with a slap across the face.

I needed to find a way out. Nobody was going to rescue me. I did not want to end up like Violet.

A yellow light caught my eye. It was bright but different from the ones that shined on us during the Selection Ceremony. It danced seductively, beckoning me over. A warm feeling emanating from it. But it doesn't feel comforting, like God's caress. This felt more... precarious. Things could not get any worse than the situation I'm in now. Worst case scenario, my suffering would come to an end. I decided to put everything on the line and play with fire. Anticipating a quick finish.

SNAP

I opened my eyes to see my binds split apart. I was no longer a prisoner. I rejoiced as I drifted upwards, away from hell.

"NO! MY BALLOON!"

Screams and cries from that wicked creature as I broke free made it all the more satisfying. I was finally going to experience true freedom. No strings attached.