Category: Transformation (Page 1 of 5)

The old Prospect Bend VFW hall smelled like sawdust, sweat, and coffee gone stale in the pot. The scent was decades old—as permanent as the cracked linoleum floor and faded American flag pinned to the back wall. The men gathered inside were tired. Not just from the heat—though the single oscillating fan in the corner wasn’t doing much to cool the high desert air. Not just from the years of hard labor—though their calloused hands, stooped shoulders, and sun-weathered faces spoke of decades spent working ranches, mending fences, and running businesses that stopped turning profits years ago. No, they were tired because they had lost. Earl Lindstrom, mayor of Prospect Bend, wiped the sweat off his brow with a white handkerchief, unknowingly yet symbolically waving a flag of surrender. He cleared his throat and tried to look in control, but his weak, tinny voice immediately betrayed his true self. “All right, folks. Let’s come to order,” he said, smacking a gavel against a sagging foldable card table. After leading the room in the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, he plucked a page of notes from the table, the paper crinkling in his chubby hands. “I know lots of us are worried. I know it ain’t good. But we got a way forward.” Murmurs rippled through the room. Everyone knew how the numbers looked. Half a century of ignorance and resistance to change had bankrupted the town. Three generations of elected leaders had squandered, mismanaged, and embezzled from the town’s coffers. The police department barely functioned. The streets were crumbling. Half the storefronts on Independence Avenue were boarded up. Some bean-counting bureaucrat at the State Capitol in Salem had given Prospect Bend an ultimatum. Either return the town to solvency or be forcibly disincorporated. Wiped off the map. Which is why the men from PulseTech were there. Three of them—tall, polished, and impeccably dressed—cut impressive figures at the mayor’s table. Their haircuts were precise, their suits casual but expensive looking, their smiles just wide enough to feel disarming. Despite the sweltering summer heat, they sat perfectly at ease, hands folded as they waited for the townspeople to finish simmering in their own misery. Mayor Lindstrom concluded his long-winded assessment of the town’s dire straits. Then, he yielded the floor to the frontman of the PulseTech team. He was young for an executive, maybe thirty-five, with a square jaw and a confident stance. His charcoal gray suit and fitted white shirt seemed impervious to the dust and grime that swept through Prospect Bend whenever the winds changed. He leaned forward slightly, drawing the townspeople in. “Mayor Lindstrom, thank you for having us,” he said smoothly. The winds were changing, indeed. “Gentlemen, my name is Grant Hudson. I’m with PulseTech.” Grant’s voice was calm and assured, with an untraceable Generican accent and a slight rising tone at the end of each sentence. A voice like his could make any bad news sound like an opportunity. “We understand your concerns,” Grant continued. “Prospect Bend is facing serious financial hardship. Your elected leaders and small business owners have done their best, but traditional solutions aren’t enough. The world is changing, and towns like this—well, they either adapt or get left behind.” A calculated silence allowed the townspeople to absorb his words. A few scowled. Others just nodded grimly. The man was right. “But we have a solution,” Grand said, smiling. “A full-scale revitalization project—privately funded, expertly managed, and designed to bring Prospect Bend into the future.” The mayor shifted in his seat, the cheap folding chair creaking under his weight. “Now, Grant, we appreciate the offer, but this is a simple, plain-speaking ranching community. What exactly does this deal mean for us?” Grant’s smile widened. “It means your problems go away.” The sales pitch was adequate, if blunt. A ripple of tension passed through the room. Grant waited for the rumblings to die down before he continued. “We take over essential services. Law enforcement, infrastructure, utilities. We eliminate inefficiencies, cut waste, and prioritize modernization. Improvements attract new businesses, bring in new residents, and increase property values for everyone.” “And in return?” Someone grunted from the back of the room. Grant, as if anticipating the question, spread his hands wide. “Just a little governance consultation.” The murmurs grew louder. Mayor Lindstrom raised a hand. “Now, hold on, let’s hear ’em out.” Grant nodded. “Look, gentlemen. We’re not here to take over your town. We’re here to advise and consult. You’ll still have a mayor. Still have local businesses. However, the town manager position will be held by an employee of PulseTech. His office will provide leadership. Direction. A vision.” He took a breath and then delivered the final pitch. “PulseTech can return prosperity to Prospect Bend. And all it takes is one signature.” He pulled a sleek tablet from his briefcase and set it on the table before the mayor. For a long moment, no one spoke. Then, from the back, a voice cut through the silence. “And what if we say no?” Everyone turned, forming a halo of contorted bodies around Buck Stamets, the last real cowboy in Prospect Bend. He sat with his arms crossed, a permanent scowl etched onto his sunburnt face. His jeans were stained with dirt, his boots caked in mud and bits of scrub grass, and his hat was pulled low over his sharp, lined features. He looked at Grant like a man looks at a rattlesnake that got too close to the porch. Grant didn’t flinch. He maintained his calm, painted-on smile. “Then you go bankrupt.” Mayor Lindstrom heaved himself out of his chair, his trick knee popping with a grotesque crack as he got to his feet. “He’s right about that, Buck. We’ve all read the notice from that fatass down in Salem. Disincorporation is the only other option.” “Or maybe we could elect someone competent and fix our own damn town.” A few men muttered in agreement. “Fix it with prayers.” another voice cut in. All eyes moved across the room to Father Dale Peterson, standing near the exit, his Bible tucked under one arm, a rosary hanging from his cassock’s belt, a frown carved into his usually peaceful face. “Faith has carried us through hard times before,” Father Dale said, his voice steady. “You gentlemen come here with your money, fine clothes, and promises, but the Lord doesn’t ask for a contract. He asks for trust. Community. That’s what holds a town together, not some out-of-state tech corporation with big ideas.” Grant tilted his head as if generally considering the cleric’s words. “Father,” he said lightly, “do you think faith alone is going to fix your roads? Restore your businesses? Pay your people?” Dale hesitated, and Grant pounced. “You say you want a strong community. Then, let us help you build one. A better one. A healthier one. A stronger one. We believe in the power of transformation, Father. We believe in making this town—and every man in it—the best they can be.” Father Dale clutched his Bible tighter as the townspeople averted their eyes. Not exactly blessed with the charism of preaching, the priest had failed yet again to inspire his flock with a meaningful sermon. Their problems would have been solved long ago if prayers could save the town. Unable to construct a response, Father Dale withdrew into the corner. “I got one question.” Nate Ferguson emerged from a group of men standing in the back. The only person to have moved to Prospect Bend in living memory, “Nate the Pate”—short for patriot—was a transplant from somewhere back east. Taciturn to a fault, Nate had made no close friends, and no one really knew much about him other than he was an untamable libertarian. He lived off -grid, hunting and fishing for his livelihood, and only came into town when necessary. “What happens to our freedom?” Nate asked, eliciting a few groans from the others in attendance. The Pate was nothing if not predictable. “Because I don’t trust any company that tells people what they can and can’t do.” Grant laughed and rested his perfectly manicured hands on the table. “Freedom isn’t going anywhere,” he said, nudging the tablet an inch closer to the mayor. “We’re giving you more than you’ve ever had before.” The room was silent. Mayor Lindstrom sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. He looked at Grant, the other two PulseTech goons, and then at his own people. Everyone in Prospect Bend was tired, desperate, and out of options. “Shall we put it to a vote?” Lindstrom asked. Grant had already proffered him a stylus to sign. The show of hands was conclusive if not a landslide. The town approved the deal by a vote of 29 in favor to 19 against, with Nate the Pate abstaining, having rejected the legitimacy of the town government. Without another word, Mayor Lindstrom took the stylus from Grant. He let the tip hover over the screen for a long moment of hesitation, and then he signed. The deal was done. Grant shook Lindstrom’s hand and turned to face the townspeople. “Gentlemen, welcome to the future.”

Welcome to PulseTown

2025-02-17 / admin bot / 0 Comments

Chapter 1: The Contract

The old Prospect Bend VFW hall smelled like sawdust, sweat, and coffee gone stale in the pot. The scent was decades old—as permanent as the cracked linoleum floor and faded American flag pinned to the back wall.

The men gathered inside were tired. Not just from the heat—though the single oscillating fan in the corner wasn’t doing much to cool the high desert air. Not just from the years of hard labor—though their calloused hands, stooped shoulders, and sun-weathered faces spoke of decades spent working ranches, mending fences, and running businesses that stopped turning profits years ago.

No, they were tired because they had lost.

Close-up of a person’s face with eyes edited to show green dollar signs in place of irises, symbolizing financial focus or obsession.

Human ATM

2025-02-10 / admin bot / 0 Comments

The first time my roommate Nick joked about being an ATM, I just laughed.

“Wouldn’t it be great if you could just text me for cash?” he said. “Like a personal ATM. No fees, no stress. Just instant withdrawals.”

“Yeah, sure,” I replied, scrolling my phone, not giving it much thought.

At the time, it sounded like one of his usual bits—Nick had always been a generous guy, the type to cover dinner without a second thought. But looking back, that was probably the first sign.

Close-up of an Allen wrench, screws, and a bolt on a wooden surface. A blurred screwdriver is in the background. The image conveys the theme of assembling or repairing furniture or other items.

Going viral (My perfect dad 55)

2025-02-03 / admin bot / 2 Comments

Kyle never meant to go viral. At 35, he was barely holding his life together—scraping by in a dead-end job at an auto parts store, single for three years, and generally just existing. He wasn’t unhappy, per se, but he also wasn’t much of anything at all. With just enough spare cash to keep his gym membership, his days consisted of long, tedious shifts on the sales floor and grueling hours on the weight bench. He’d have an occasional date if he were lucky but never managed to seal the deal with a guy.

One night after too many beers, he recorded a stupid video of himself trying to assemble an IKEA shelf without instructions. He narrated it like an overconfident dad who refused to admit he was lost.

A bearded man with a white mustache is smoking a cigar, with swirling smoke around him. He is wearing a white shirt and tie, and has slicked-back hair. The background is dark, accentuating his features and the smoke.

The Everweight Club

2025-01-27 / admin bot / 2 Comments

Caden adjusted the collar of his tight black shirt, letting his fingers trace the line of the perfectly tailored fabric. His reflection stared back at him in the full-length bedroom mirror, a mix of confidence and vanity gleaming in his pale green eyes. His body was his trophy, earned through long, sweaty hours at the gym and an unrelenting diet of grilled chicken, kale smoothies, and tequila shots—the latter strictly for social purposes, of course.

His lean frame was a masterwork—a canvas of sharp angles and taut, tanned skin. His chest was broad but not overbuilt, his waist narrow and cutting a sharp V into his low-slung trousers. His jawline, always adorned with just the right amount of stubble, was one of his best features, or so he’d been told. Caden knew how to use his looks—whether that meant an easy smirk that won over a bartender or the slow, deliberate way he unbuttoned a shirt when he knew someone was watching.

A closeup on a man’s muscular chest with him wearing a crop top tank top and the picture colored overall with a pastel tone.

Gay Cloning Bureau

2025-01-20 / admin bot / 0 Comments

In the brightly lit offices of the Bureau of Gay Cloning Compliance, Nate adjusted his tie. He stared at the blinking red notification on his holographic work tablet. It was another anomaly. Of course it was.

“Opposites attract,” he muttered, scrolling through the flagged file. “Not on my watch.”

Two men with beards are sitting side by side in a dimly lit room with red curtains. Both are wearing leather jackets and looking away from the camera, creating a mysterious and moody atmosphere.

ThinkTech (chapter 7)

2025-01-13 / admin bot / 0 Comments

Catch up on chapter 6 before reading on…

Rick and Zach sat on the worn leather couch in Rick’s dimly lit living room. The blinds were drawn, shutting out the world, casting the room in an artificial darkness illuminated only by the faint blue glow of a ThinkTech logo blinking across the screen. They were clad head to toe in tight, shiny leather that hugged every curve, the material creaking softly whenever one of them shifted, though they rarely did.

Rick’s hands, gloved in smooth, polished leather, lay slack on his knees. His face was blank, his mouth slightly open, jaw loose, lips parted in a dull, unfeeling line. Beside him, Zach sat in the same stillness, his once-vibrant eyes now dulled, staring vacantly at the flickering screen. The same powerful chest that had once radiated confidence now rose and fell in shallow, empty breaths, his broad shoulders slumped. His beard was still thick and well kept, but it only served to heighten the emptiness in his expression—a man still physically imposing, yet now a shell, hollowed out and stripped of any presence.

ThinkTech

Rick, a middle-aged leather man navigating love and self-doubt, discovers ThinkTech, an app that promises to optimize his personality and unlock his full potential.With its seductive whispers and tailored guidance, ThinkTech helps Rick charm Zach, a magnetic newcomer to the local leather community. But as Rick’s free trial ends, the cost of maintaining perfection spirals out of control—financially, emotionally, and mentally.

As Rick sinks deeper into debt and dependence, ThinkTech tightens its grip, manipulating him to recruit Zach as its next subscriber. What begins as a thrilling romance devolves into a chilling dystopia, where love, identity, and autonomy all come with a price. By the time Rick realizes the true cost of perfection, it may be too late to escape.

ThinkTech is a 9,500-word short story, a gripping tale of love, control, and the dark side of self improvement. All content in this story is fictional and depicts activities between consenting, unrelated adults who are 18+.

A person wearing black leather gloves holds a smartphone in a dimly lit room. The background features a leather chair and shelves stocked with bottles, creating a mysterious, sophisticated ambiance.

ThinkTech (chapter 6)

2025-01-06 / admin bot / 0 Comments

Catch up on chapter 5 before reading on…

Rick’s stomach twisted as he waited for Zach in the far corner of the leather bar, his mind buzzing with a tension he could barely keep at bay. Tonight was no ordinary date; tonight was his last chance at freedom. He’d maxed out every option, every credit card, and now ThinkTech’s hold on him felt more inescapable than ever. He wasn’t just indebted to ThinkTech—he was owned by it.

As he took a sip of his beer, the familiar tingle prickled through his mind, signaling ThinkTech’s influence was settling over him, nudging his thoughts into neat, efficient order. After all, he’d agreed to press the button without a second thought: Allow ThinkTech to manage interactions. He had no choice if he wanted to stay in Zach’s orbit, and now he could feel it taking control, turning his body, his expressions, and his words into tools he no longer controlled.

A headless suit with floating paper money in a circular motion above, set against a light blue background.

ThinkTech (chapter 5)

2024-12-30 / admin bot / 2 Comments

Catch up on chapter 4 before reading on…

Rick’s days blurred into a bleak rhythm as his financial reality closed in on him. He’d maxed out every credit card and drained every last dollar, and still, the inescapable weight of ThinkTech’s debt loomed over him. The essentials-only plan was all he could afford, but it was a mere shadow of what he’d experienced. The prompts came rarely, and even when they did, they were blunt and basic. He longed for the smooth, intuitive guidance of ThinkTech Premium, but after depleting his cash and credit reserves, it was out of the question.

Without ThinkTech’s steady influence, Rick felt stripped down, raw, and exposed. Experiences that had once flared with confidence and charm now felt distant and dulled, as if he were experiencing the world inside a fishbowl. His thoughts were muddled and sluggish, like static buzzing in his head, making it nearly impossible to respond naturally in conversation. When he struggled to think fast enough, his mind would short circuit, and he’d fall back on repeating the last thing the other person had said—a cheap trick that only occasionally worked and left him feeling hollow and robotic every time.

Santa Claus and a burly elf in Christmas outfits stand outside in a snowy village at night, surrounded by decorated, glowing houses.

The new recruit

2024-12-23 / admin bot / 6 Comments

Taking a break from ThinkTech to publish this twisted short story just in time for Christmas.

Chapter 1

Snow swirled outside the frosted windows of Santa’s workshop, glinting like glitter under cones of light cast by a row of red and white striped lampposts. Inside, however, chaos reigned. Elves scurried to and fro, arms laden with partially wrapped toys, tangles of ribbon trailing behind them. Somewhere in the distance, a train whistle tooted frantically. The reindeer were braying, eager to embark on their annual marathon journey.

Santa Claus, as he strutted through the workshop with a commanding air, wasn’t the jolly, rotund old man depicted in Christmas cards. No, this Santa was a man on a mission. Broad shouldered and barrel chested, he nearly burst the seams of his iconic red suit. His snugly tailored crimson coat accentuated a robust torso with pecs like Christmas hams and arms that bulged beneath the thick, white fur trim. The buttons strained just enough to tease his robust build beneath.

Category: Transformation (Page 1 of 5)

Welcome to PulseTown

Chapter 1: The Contract

Human ATM

Going viral (My perfect dad 55)

The Everweight Club

Gay Cloning Bureau

ThinkTech (chapter 7)

ThinkTech

ThinkTech (chapter 6)

ThinkTech (chapter 5)

The new recruit

Chapter 1

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