When the trend for "rules list" stories came around, I was intrigued. I read quite a few at the start, enjoying the creativity. But the more I read, the more I began getting bored of the repetitive pattern: obscure rules, questionable mistakes, and chaos with no real meat behind the story.
After a few months, if I saw a story veer into the rules category, I'd stop reading. I'm aware I may have missed out on a few gems that way, but that's what happens when a trend takes off and floods the market.
That's when I got the idea of writing a rules list that turns the whole thing into a joke, albeit still maintaining some horror. The idea brewed in my mind for a while, but I knew I wanted it to take place in a gas station where an employee pranks a new hire, and I knew I wanted the gas station or the owner to have something to do with the rules coming true.
I tried to come up with as ridiculous a list of rules as I could, obscure, convoluted, and with basic silliness like yodeling, dancing, and humming. Afterwards, I read them out to my siblings to get their reaction. They've never read a rules list story before and they laughed in amused bewilderment. I took that as a positive.
Afterwards, I added a few hints regarding the yellow papers and their magical role in the story, going as so far as to finding an appropriate name for Mr. Sahir (which means magician or sorcerer).
If you've read the story, let me know what you think. I’m always open to feedback, suggestions, and critique!
✨You can also find a revamped version of this story in my collection "The Joke's on Me: and six other twisted stories of absurdity and regret", available on Amazon!If you do purchase it, I'd greatly appreciate an honest review! ✨