Creative Writing with Vocabulary
During every book we read, we also had vocabulary. Every week, the class wrote creative pieces using that vocabulary, with a quiz at the end of the week to see how well we knew the words. Here is the continuing story that I wrote using five or more vocabulary words per week. Bold letters mean the word was one of the fifteen vocab. words for the week. (Scroll down for my POL work.)
As I meandered towards the incongruous laboratory out in the middle of ruined Alaska, I started to contemplate the sensibility of my plan. I was only traveling to the lab because I had gotten a congratulatory letter from their company two months ago inviting me to come today.
To whom it may concern,
Congratulations! We at the A.I.S. Laboratory have conducted a completely random contest to acquire a new subject for the testing of human intelligence. You have been selected! Please come to our laboratory in Fairbanks, Alaska at your earliest convenience for your testing opportunities and cake.
Sincerely,
The A.I.S. Laboratory
I thought that was funny, (not haha, but ironic) because Fairbanks had recently been in the news because of a natural disaster. The letter also came with multiple (real, I checked) recommendations for the lab. I actually checked their facts, though the phone number wouldn't work. After much debating and re-reading, I decided to check it out. Thinking back I believe I decided to investigate out of mostly curiosity, perhaps boredom. I was kind of in a rut.
Seeing the lab now, I rushed forward, looking for a door. The unsullied surface of the Laboratory wall was shining brightly, and as I went to knock on the door, I realized that there was no door. I did an extensive walk around the surprisingly large perimeter of the dome-like building, and didn’t see anything looking like an entrance. I decided to knock on the metal exterior of the building near where I had started. I heard a sonorous rattling noise, followed by a muffled voice. Figuring that he was not heard, the owner of the voice opened a small panel in the wall and repeated what he said.
“Name and business? Are you the winner of our contest?”
Relieved to finally see someone who knew anything about this “contest”, I quickly exclaimed, “Yes, I’m so happy to see someone who knows-”
“Good,” He retorted, cutting me off, “Why don’t you come inside.”
As I walked inside, I got a quick look at the anomaly that was the A.I.S. Labs. Their interior made me think of a narcissist's house. Everything seemed to be mirrored, and I could see myself reflected on nearly every surface. I only walked through half of the starting hallway, though, before I blacked out feeling a sharp twinge in my left hip. Also suspecting there was something small protruding from my side.
Words Used:
To whom it may concern,
Congratulations! We at the A.I.S. Laboratory have conducted a completely random contest to acquire a new subject for the testing of human intelligence. You have been selected! Please come to our laboratory in Fairbanks, Alaska at your earliest convenience for your testing opportunities and cake.
Sincerely,
The A.I.S. Laboratory
I thought that was funny, (not haha, but ironic) because Fairbanks had recently been in the news because of a natural disaster. The letter also came with multiple (real, I checked) recommendations for the lab. I actually checked their facts, though the phone number wouldn't work. After much debating and re-reading, I decided to check it out. Thinking back I believe I decided to investigate out of mostly curiosity, perhaps boredom. I was kind of in a rut.
Seeing the lab now, I rushed forward, looking for a door. The unsullied surface of the Laboratory wall was shining brightly, and as I went to knock on the door, I realized that there was no door. I did an extensive walk around the surprisingly large perimeter of the dome-like building, and didn’t see anything looking like an entrance. I decided to knock on the metal exterior of the building near where I had started. I heard a sonorous rattling noise, followed by a muffled voice. Figuring that he was not heard, the owner of the voice opened a small panel in the wall and repeated what he said.
“Name and business? Are you the winner of our contest?”
Relieved to finally see someone who knew anything about this “contest”, I quickly exclaimed, “Yes, I’m so happy to see someone who knows-”
“Good,” He retorted, cutting me off, “Why don’t you come inside.”
As I walked inside, I got a quick look at the anomaly that was the A.I.S. Labs. Their interior made me think of a narcissist's house. Everything seemed to be mirrored, and I could see myself reflected on nearly every surface. I only walked through half of the starting hallway, though, before I blacked out feeling a sharp twinge in my left hip. Also suspecting there was something small protruding from my side.
Words Used:
- Meander - Walk slowly, take one's time
- Incongruous - Out of place
- Unsullied - Clean,
- Sonorous - Loud, echoing sound
- Retort - Reply to a remark or accusation in a sharp, or angry way
- Anomaly - Something that deviates from what is normal/expected
- Narcissist - Someone who is obsessed with themselves
- Protrude - Sticking out
As I started to reawaken, I took in my surroundings and found myself in a very monotonous room. Though it was complete with a bed, wardrobe, desk, and chair, it was very simple, with almost nothing in it but the main furniture. Not even a door. The only means of escape that I found was an air conditioner vent. I decided that whoever -- or whatever -- had me trapped in here was probably not doing if for the kindest reasons, so I might as well check out escape options. I was getting kind of frustrated with my situation too. Trapped in a room. Mysterious missive, sent by a questionable source. After a minute or two of looking around and thinking, an automated female voice came ringing into my austere room.
“Hello, welcome to the A.I.S. Laboratory and Testing Chambers. We are ready to begin the first test. Please step into the A.I.S. approved doorway to start.”
The voice seemed surprisingly amiable, but I was still suspicious of the situation. Why did I have to be knocked out before I was brought here? Are there any other contest winners here? Am I the only one? I took a while to go through the “A.I.S. approved doorway” because I was still a bit fickle with the situation. Once I passed through the doorway, another message played through the speaker. With only these messages for company, I was feeling more and more estranged from society.
“Thank you for going through the A.I.S. approved doorway. Please go down the hallway to begin testing.”
Whoever was making these announcements seemed to really relish it. Not being able to do anything productive, I walked down the hallway thinking of nothing but questions and my building anger. Now, questioning why I even came to this lab in the first place.
Words Used:
“Hello, welcome to the A.I.S. Laboratory and Testing Chambers. We are ready to begin the first test. Please step into the A.I.S. approved doorway to start.”
The voice seemed surprisingly amiable, but I was still suspicious of the situation. Why did I have to be knocked out before I was brought here? Are there any other contest winners here? Am I the only one? I took a while to go through the “A.I.S. approved doorway” because I was still a bit fickle with the situation. Once I passed through the doorway, another message played through the speaker. With only these messages for company, I was feeling more and more estranged from society.
“Thank you for going through the A.I.S. approved doorway. Please go down the hallway to begin testing.”
Whoever was making these announcements seemed to really relish it. Not being able to do anything productive, I walked down the hallway thinking of nothing but questions and my building anger. Now, questioning why I even came to this lab in the first place.
Words Used:
- Monotonous - Lacking variety or interest
- Missive - Letter (often used in business)
- Austere - Severe or strict
- Amiable - Kind, friendly
- Fickle - Undecided, Changing frequently
- Estranged - Separate, alienated, no longer close
- Relish - Enjoy
Last time on “Creative Writing Piece #2”...
“With only these messages for company, I was feeling more and more estranged from society.” Tempted to succumb to A.I.S. Laboratory’s wishes of testing and other unknown horrors, our protagonist is faced with a terrifying and life altering question: What do they do next?
Walking through the doorway, millions of emotions stirred up inside my head. Not being privy to any part of the situation, I was starting to feel indignant towards the robot things keeping me here. My instinct told me to run, but where to? I was completely trapped, and if there was a way out, I might not have been able to find it. If I was not able to find an exit, I hoped the robots gave me clemency, as I might be in a position where I could be harmed.
“Thank you for finally listening to your authority and going through the A.I.S. approved doorway. Please continue on until you reach the testing chambers,” the robot said, almost tauntingly.
I was immediately aware that for a moment, the robot’s delineating instructions had faltered, turning a bit rude. I was pondering this, when I found myself at the doorway to the chamber. Recalcitrantly, trying my best to stall the inevitable, I walked into the chamber. The robot’s voice rang into the room, as the door (that wasn’t there before) closed.
“The testing has begun,” was all it said. Moments later, I heard a loud crash through the air ducts, my cynical thoughts fading away.
Words Used:
“With only these messages for company, I was feeling more and more estranged from society.” Tempted to succumb to A.I.S. Laboratory’s wishes of testing and other unknown horrors, our protagonist is faced with a terrifying and life altering question: What do they do next?
Walking through the doorway, millions of emotions stirred up inside my head. Not being privy to any part of the situation, I was starting to feel indignant towards the robot things keeping me here. My instinct told me to run, but where to? I was completely trapped, and if there was a way out, I might not have been able to find it. If I was not able to find an exit, I hoped the robots gave me clemency, as I might be in a position where I could be harmed.
“Thank you for finally listening to your authority and going through the A.I.S. approved doorway. Please continue on until you reach the testing chambers,” the robot said, almost tauntingly.
I was immediately aware that for a moment, the robot’s delineating instructions had faltered, turning a bit rude. I was pondering this, when I found myself at the doorway to the chamber. Recalcitrantly, trying my best to stall the inevitable, I walked into the chamber. The robot’s voice rang into the room, as the door (that wasn’t there before) closed.
“The testing has begun,” was all it said. Moments later, I heard a loud crash through the air ducts, my cynical thoughts fading away.
Words Used:
- Succumb - Give in, surrender
- Privy - Have knowledge
- Indignant - To be angry/annoyed at what is perceived to be unfair treatment
- Clemency - Mercy
- Delineating - To describe or portray something precisely
- Recalcitrantly - An uncooperative attitude towards authority
My instincts took over before I knew what was going on, and I rolled to the side to avoid the giant... whatever it was that fell through the air ducts. At first, I had wanted to get to the door at the opposite end of the room and figure out what this room’s test was. I knew it had one, how could it not?
As I studied the object in front of me, I realized what it truly was: a huge cake spanning the width of the room. I was no longer able to get to the door. The cake had fallen from the trampoline sized hole in the ceiling. I imagined the bluster and chaos that would have ensued if this had happened in the real world and laughed out loud, almost hysterically. I was just coming back to my reality, living asunder from the real world, the same robotic voice rang through the room.
“We at the A.I.S. Laboratory would like to encourage you continue with the test, and get to the door. We even offer help to those who are struggling... like you.”
Right after the robot said that, a section of the wall lifted, revealing an opening into a small hallway. At first, I was working out what the robot had said, confused by its change from the blandishing comments to now insistent ones. After a minute, I realized that the door was probably a way to get past the cake, and out of the room. I quickly made my way over to it, but before I got to it, the door closed with a thud.
“Ha ha ha,” the dry, monotone, laughter of the robot echoed through my mind, “What folly! What idiocy! You thought I was going to let you through so easily? You are going to have to be much more clever than that to get through this test.”
My mind clouded by the robot’s insolence, I got to thinking about the problem at hand. The only solutions that I could think of (other than eating my way through; and that wasn’t going to happen) was digging a sort of crawl space, and hoping it wasn’t cream filled. I set to work immediately, digging through the somewhat dry bottom of the cake. Expecting a snide remark from the mysterious robot creature, I kept my ears perked up, but none came.
After making a fair sized tunnel, and admittedly eating some of the ready source of food, I was able to see the faint glow of light. I dug even faster, awaiting my exit from the dessert. While digging, I thought that after this, cake would always be so much less appealing to me.
Finally, I broke through the cake, greeted by the sudden exposure to light. My clothes, sticky with cake, were swiftly cleansed by a strong air jet pointed at the area I came out. The jet ceased to blow, and having nothing else to do, I approached the door the next chamber. I opened the door, wondering what other kinds of obstacles would be put in my way.
Words Used:
As I studied the object in front of me, I realized what it truly was: a huge cake spanning the width of the room. I was no longer able to get to the door. The cake had fallen from the trampoline sized hole in the ceiling. I imagined the bluster and chaos that would have ensued if this had happened in the real world and laughed out loud, almost hysterically. I was just coming back to my reality, living asunder from the real world, the same robotic voice rang through the room.
“We at the A.I.S. Laboratory would like to encourage you continue with the test, and get to the door. We even offer help to those who are struggling... like you.”
Right after the robot said that, a section of the wall lifted, revealing an opening into a small hallway. At first, I was working out what the robot had said, confused by its change from the blandishing comments to now insistent ones. After a minute, I realized that the door was probably a way to get past the cake, and out of the room. I quickly made my way over to it, but before I got to it, the door closed with a thud.
“Ha ha ha,” the dry, monotone, laughter of the robot echoed through my mind, “What folly! What idiocy! You thought I was going to let you through so easily? You are going to have to be much more clever than that to get through this test.”
My mind clouded by the robot’s insolence, I got to thinking about the problem at hand. The only solutions that I could think of (other than eating my way through; and that wasn’t going to happen) was digging a sort of crawl space, and hoping it wasn’t cream filled. I set to work immediately, digging through the somewhat dry bottom of the cake. Expecting a snide remark from the mysterious robot creature, I kept my ears perked up, but none came.
After making a fair sized tunnel, and admittedly eating some of the ready source of food, I was able to see the faint glow of light. I dug even faster, awaiting my exit from the dessert. While digging, I thought that after this, cake would always be so much less appealing to me.
Finally, I broke through the cake, greeted by the sudden exposure to light. My clothes, sticky with cake, were swiftly cleansed by a strong air jet pointed at the area I came out. The jet ceased to blow, and having nothing else to do, I approached the door the next chamber. I opened the door, wondering what other kinds of obstacles would be put in my way.
Words Used:
- Bluster - Loud, aggressive, indignant talk with little affect
- Asunder - Apart from
- Blandishing - A flattering statement meant to gently persuade someone to do something
- Folly - Foolishness, mistake
- Insolence - Rude/disrespectful behavior
- Cease - Stop
Unlike in the previous room, I immediately recognized this room’s puzzle. Towering walls, white and sterile like the rest of the facility, dominated the room, making me believe it was a maze. I was in a large room, with a few paths branching off to my right and left. There was a small crawl space between the tops of the walls and ceiling, and wanting to confirm my suspicions, I tried to climb the wall to my right. I couldn't reach the top of the wall, even by jumping, so I decided to try to explore the maze.
I walked around the maze for a good half hour, or at least I thought so, trying to find any hint of a way to the exit of the room. It occurred to me that, other than the cake from the previous room, there had been absolutely no sustenance given to me since I had awoken. The only provisions given to me so far had been a change of clothes, and a small meal when I had just gotten up. I was getting pretty hungry and thirsty, which made sense since I thought it might have been about four hours since I had eaten. Once, though, when I walked down one of the many dead end corridors, I found a full water bottle. I put it in my pocket, to possibly use later. I was, however, worried that it might be a trick.
After a while, I realized that I didn’t even know where I was, or where the entrance was. Apparently the robots detected a change in my poise, my confusion showing on my face. Just then, the robot’s monotone, yet somehow cruel voice rang through the room.
“What a shrewd human, what cunning. To set out into a maze, and not keep track of where you are. Maybe you are not the test subject we were looking for after all.”
Now used to the robot’s sarcastic comments, I decided to try to find the entrance of the maze. Maybe from there, I would be able to find a way to get to the end. After a lot of walking, I found the original room. I saw that the door that I had taken from the cake room was now closed.
I searched the floor for any sign of where I could go, and actually saw a line etched into the floor. Curious as to what it meant, I tried to make out a design. At first, I was lost, but as I stared at it, I started to make sense of it. It looked like the symbol for water, a rain drop. Then, when I looked up to ponder the decision, I saw an inconsistency in the wall. A small rectangle of wall was slightly indented. A crazy thought sprouted in my brain. I had already figured that the weird part of the wall was probably a door, but the water droplet might have something to do with opening it.
I walked over to the door to investigate the area. Maybe something was over there that I could use to get out. I studied it, but it didn’t seem like there was anything of interest. I turned away, and just as I approached the water droplet to investigate it, a droplet of water fell onto the design from the water bottle in my pocket. I heard a loud clamor behind the walls, and behind me, the door opened.
The now open doorway led into another room identical to the one before, except for the symbol, which looked like a bunch of big squiggly lines. Wind? I thought so, so I walked forward, to see if I could unlock the door in the same way: using the element that was pictured.
I walked to the middle of the room, where the symbol was, and mulled it over in my head. Wind. How could I use wind in a room with no way of it getting in? My only thought was air ducts, so I quickly searched the front room, but to no avail. There was nothing that I could use. I decided that, tired of standing, I would sit down and think things over. I sat down, sighed, and heard the familiar clunking of gears that meant the door was opening. Of course, my breaths counted as wind!
I got up and walked to the door, wondering about what the next element could be.
Words Used:
I walked around the maze for a good half hour, or at least I thought so, trying to find any hint of a way to the exit of the room. It occurred to me that, other than the cake from the previous room, there had been absolutely no sustenance given to me since I had awoken. The only provisions given to me so far had been a change of clothes, and a small meal when I had just gotten up. I was getting pretty hungry and thirsty, which made sense since I thought it might have been about four hours since I had eaten. Once, though, when I walked down one of the many dead end corridors, I found a full water bottle. I put it in my pocket, to possibly use later. I was, however, worried that it might be a trick.
After a while, I realized that I didn’t even know where I was, or where the entrance was. Apparently the robots detected a change in my poise, my confusion showing on my face. Just then, the robot’s monotone, yet somehow cruel voice rang through the room.
“What a shrewd human, what cunning. To set out into a maze, and not keep track of where you are. Maybe you are not the test subject we were looking for after all.”
Now used to the robot’s sarcastic comments, I decided to try to find the entrance of the maze. Maybe from there, I would be able to find a way to get to the end. After a lot of walking, I found the original room. I saw that the door that I had taken from the cake room was now closed.
I searched the floor for any sign of where I could go, and actually saw a line etched into the floor. Curious as to what it meant, I tried to make out a design. At first, I was lost, but as I stared at it, I started to make sense of it. It looked like the symbol for water, a rain drop. Then, when I looked up to ponder the decision, I saw an inconsistency in the wall. A small rectangle of wall was slightly indented. A crazy thought sprouted in my brain. I had already figured that the weird part of the wall was probably a door, but the water droplet might have something to do with opening it.
I walked over to the door to investigate the area. Maybe something was over there that I could use to get out. I studied it, but it didn’t seem like there was anything of interest. I turned away, and just as I approached the water droplet to investigate it, a droplet of water fell onto the design from the water bottle in my pocket. I heard a loud clamor behind the walls, and behind me, the door opened.
The now open doorway led into another room identical to the one before, except for the symbol, which looked like a bunch of big squiggly lines. Wind? I thought so, so I walked forward, to see if I could unlock the door in the same way: using the element that was pictured.
I walked to the middle of the room, where the symbol was, and mulled it over in my head. Wind. How could I use wind in a room with no way of it getting in? My only thought was air ducts, so I quickly searched the front room, but to no avail. There was nothing that I could use. I decided that, tired of standing, I would sit down and think things over. I sat down, sighed, and heard the familiar clunking of gears that meant the door was opening. Of course, my breaths counted as wind!
I got up and walked to the door, wondering about what the next element could be.
Words Used:
- Sustenance - Food or water
- Provisions - Materials, especially for a long journey
- Poise - Graceful/elegant bearing in a person
- Shrewd - Having shown sharp powers of judgement; astute
- Cunning - Skill to achieve one's ends in a deceitful, or evasive way
When I walked into the third room, the floor had the same type of marking etched into it, probably made by a skilled artisan. As before, I looked at it more closely, trying to see what it was. I was surprised to see the symbol for fire, its curling flames seemed to be alive as they flickered upwards. I wondered how I was going to be able to use fire to open the door.
I could think of no way to safely get ahold of contained fire and use it to open the door. I thought that maybe the lock would be triggered by heat, so I tried every way I could think of to introduce heat. Nothing worked; breathing on it, using my body heat, nothing.
After failing to open the door in that way, I remembered how I found my water bottle in the previous room. It was in the maze, in one of the dead end corridors. Maybe I would find something here that would help me in the same way. I decided to explore the maze area to the right of me first, because the last time I found something, it was in the area to the right of the main room.
As I explored the maze, my spirits dropped swiftly, as I hadn't found anything at all that could help me. None of the corridors I had explored contained anything helpful. After I thought I had looked through the whole maze, I remembered that there was also an area to the left. I attempted to find my way back to the main room, and found myself hopelessly lost. Just as I was considering a way to word my suppliant plea for directions, I recognized an intersection, and arrived at the main room without any more trouble.
Walking forward into the left maze, I was keen to move on the the next room. I was getting tired of aimlessly wandering through these mazes. Lost in thought, I accidentally came across a dead end with a pedestal in the back. It looked just like the one that had the water bottle on it. I saw something on top of it, and immediately knew that I had found the key to getting out of this room.
An old fashioned lighter lay on the pedestal. I grabbed it, and walked back to the main room. Holding it up against the design on the floor, I lit it, and the door opened with a loud creak.
The doorway led to a room with a few cots, and a poster that seemed to show how to use one. Needless to say, I was confused by the room. Before I was fully able to explore the room, however, the one of the robot’s announcements played.
“The allotted time for you to sleep has arrived. Please go to the provided bed and use as suggested on the wall. Our specially selected A.I.S. helpers will rouse you when you have fully rested.”
I didn’t trust A.I.S. Laboratory at all at this point. Sleeping in their facility was not an appealing idea to me, but I was extremely tired.
Even after I had settled in, it took me a while to fall asleep. I slept terribly, writhing in my bed all night.
Words Used:
I could think of no way to safely get ahold of contained fire and use it to open the door. I thought that maybe the lock would be triggered by heat, so I tried every way I could think of to introduce heat. Nothing worked; breathing on it, using my body heat, nothing.
After failing to open the door in that way, I remembered how I found my water bottle in the previous room. It was in the maze, in one of the dead end corridors. Maybe I would find something here that would help me in the same way. I decided to explore the maze area to the right of me first, because the last time I found something, it was in the area to the right of the main room.
As I explored the maze, my spirits dropped swiftly, as I hadn't found anything at all that could help me. None of the corridors I had explored contained anything helpful. After I thought I had looked through the whole maze, I remembered that there was also an area to the left. I attempted to find my way back to the main room, and found myself hopelessly lost. Just as I was considering a way to word my suppliant plea for directions, I recognized an intersection, and arrived at the main room without any more trouble.
Walking forward into the left maze, I was keen to move on the the next room. I was getting tired of aimlessly wandering through these mazes. Lost in thought, I accidentally came across a dead end with a pedestal in the back. It looked just like the one that had the water bottle on it. I saw something on top of it, and immediately knew that I had found the key to getting out of this room.
An old fashioned lighter lay on the pedestal. I grabbed it, and walked back to the main room. Holding it up against the design on the floor, I lit it, and the door opened with a loud creak.
The doorway led to a room with a few cots, and a poster that seemed to show how to use one. Needless to say, I was confused by the room. Before I was fully able to explore the room, however, the one of the robot’s announcements played.
“The allotted time for you to sleep has arrived. Please go to the provided bed and use as suggested on the wall. Our specially selected A.I.S. helpers will rouse you when you have fully rested.”
I didn’t trust A.I.S. Laboratory at all at this point. Sleeping in their facility was not an appealing idea to me, but I was extremely tired.
Even after I had settled in, it took me a while to fall asleep. I slept terribly, writhing in my bed all night.
Words Used:
- Artisan - A worker in a skilled trade, especially one who makes things by hand
- Suppliant - A person making a humble plea to someone in power
- Keen - Excited; sharp or penetrating
- Allotted - The given or set time to do something
- Rouse - Awaken
- Writhe - To make thrashing, squirming movements
As I woke up, I had to think for a while to remember where I was; A.I.S. Laboratory, my new home. I don’t know why the idea of coming here didn’t appall me when I still had the choice. I approached the door to the next room, which had appeared out of nowhere through the night, while the one I had come in was gone. At this point, I was used to sudden surprises like that. A.I.S. Labs had enough of them.
When I walked into the new room, the luminous light mounted in the ceiling momentarily blinded me. I was in a room much like a house of mirrors from a carnival. It had tons of mirrors everywhere, pointing in random directions. Next to the light beam coming from the ceiling (pointed at the entrance of the room), there was a small chamber, maybe one inch by one inch.
Shifting my attention to the ground, I saw another mirror, this one not attached to a wall. I picked it up, and examined it, seeing what looked like the solemn logo of A.I.S. Laboratory. Directly beneath it, there was a typewritten sentence. It said:
MIRROR #312
TEST CHAMBER: LIGHT PUZZLE
REPLACE AS NEEDED
Now used to A.I.S Laboratory’s confusing messages, I promptly tried making sense of this one. Mirror #312 probably just meant that there were 311 other mirrors before this one, broken by test subjects. That number astounded me. I had no idea that so many people had made their way through this obstacle course. Test chamber: Light Puzzle might be a subtle hint to the way out of this room. Maybe bouncing the light off of the mirrors, but where would that get me? Replace as needed was most likely just instructions to whoever (or whatever) ran this place.
I held up my mirror, and decided to try to angle it at some of the other mirrors in the room. I didn’t know where I had to point the light, but I had a good idea. The small square in the ceiling didn’t seem to be used for anything else, after all. I couldn’t point the light directly at it, and was having trouble getting the right angle using the mirrors. At one point, I got really close to it while I was putting down the mirror for a break. Frustrated, I made random movements with the mirror, in the hopes that I would get lucky.
I did, in fact, get lucky, as the light quickly passed over the square. I slowly retraced where the light had been, and came across the middle of the square. I hovered the light over it for a minute, but nothing happened. I relented, realizing the square was just a trick.
In my frustration, I threw the mirror down. It cracked with a loud clamour. Before that happened, however, the beam of light shone on a crack between one of the mirrors and the wall. On the back side of the room, one of the mirrors opened with an ominous creak. I walked towards this new door, pondering what had just happened.
Words Used:
When I walked into the new room, the luminous light mounted in the ceiling momentarily blinded me. I was in a room much like a house of mirrors from a carnival. It had tons of mirrors everywhere, pointing in random directions. Next to the light beam coming from the ceiling (pointed at the entrance of the room), there was a small chamber, maybe one inch by one inch.
Shifting my attention to the ground, I saw another mirror, this one not attached to a wall. I picked it up, and examined it, seeing what looked like the solemn logo of A.I.S. Laboratory. Directly beneath it, there was a typewritten sentence. It said:
MIRROR #312
TEST CHAMBER: LIGHT PUZZLE
REPLACE AS NEEDED
Now used to A.I.S Laboratory’s confusing messages, I promptly tried making sense of this one. Mirror #312 probably just meant that there were 311 other mirrors before this one, broken by test subjects. That number astounded me. I had no idea that so many people had made their way through this obstacle course. Test chamber: Light Puzzle might be a subtle hint to the way out of this room. Maybe bouncing the light off of the mirrors, but where would that get me? Replace as needed was most likely just instructions to whoever (or whatever) ran this place.
I held up my mirror, and decided to try to angle it at some of the other mirrors in the room. I didn’t know where I had to point the light, but I had a good idea. The small square in the ceiling didn’t seem to be used for anything else, after all. I couldn’t point the light directly at it, and was having trouble getting the right angle using the mirrors. At one point, I got really close to it while I was putting down the mirror for a break. Frustrated, I made random movements with the mirror, in the hopes that I would get lucky.
I did, in fact, get lucky, as the light quickly passed over the square. I slowly retraced where the light had been, and came across the middle of the square. I hovered the light over it for a minute, but nothing happened. I relented, realizing the square was just a trick.
In my frustration, I threw the mirror down. It cracked with a loud clamour. Before that happened, however, the beam of light shone on a crack between one of the mirrors and the wall. On the back side of the room, one of the mirrors opened with an ominous creak. I walked towards this new door, pondering what had just happened.
Words Used:
- Appall - Greatly dismay, or horrify
- Luminous - Full of/shedding light; bright and shining
- Solemn - Formal and dignified
- Relent - Abandon a harsh/cruel intention
- Clamor - A loud or confused noise
- Ominous - Threatening, inauspicious
When I walked into the next room, I did a double take. After almost walking off of the precipice at my feet, however, it seemed natural to be a bit startled. My long standing fear of heights didn’t help either. I had to stay exactly where I was to take in the room, as the platform I was on was miniscule. It only reached about two feet from the wall, but it extended all the way to the walls on my right and left. On the far side of the room, the door stood on a similar platform to the one I was using. Looking down, I saw nothing but blackness.
I stood, frozen in place by the fear of a misstep. As I was trying to calm my distressed emotions, I heard the all too familiar sound of the speakers picking up. The robot’s voice echoed through the huge, empty room.
“This is surely the most piteous attempt to cross this room that A.I.S. Laboratory has ever seen. Be sure to remember, though, one wrong step will end in your retribution.”
Trying to shrug off the robot’s latest comments, I looked more closely at what was at arm’s reach from my perch. I saw nothing that looked helpful. At this point, my only option was to jump, and hope that was my intended path. I didn’t see any other way to cross the room, after all. I ran my hands through my already disheveled hair, thinking of ways I could avoid the inevitable.
Not thinking of any, I decided to jump before I lost my nerve. I took a running start, and made the leap of faith.
My feet hit the ground much sooner than I had expected. I opened my eyes slowly, realizing I had them clenched shut. I saw that I was standing on what looked like nothing, suspended over the pit. I made my way over the door, testing the ground with each step. Soon enough, I got to the door, ecstatic that I had passed through this seemingly indomitable obstacle. I opened it, surprised by what I saw inside.
Words Used:
I stood, frozen in place by the fear of a misstep. As I was trying to calm my distressed emotions, I heard the all too familiar sound of the speakers picking up. The robot’s voice echoed through the huge, empty room.
“This is surely the most piteous attempt to cross this room that A.I.S. Laboratory has ever seen. Be sure to remember, though, one wrong step will end in your retribution.”
Trying to shrug off the robot’s latest comments, I looked more closely at what was at arm’s reach from my perch. I saw nothing that looked helpful. At this point, my only option was to jump, and hope that was my intended path. I didn’t see any other way to cross the room, after all. I ran my hands through my already disheveled hair, thinking of ways I could avoid the inevitable.
Not thinking of any, I decided to jump before I lost my nerve. I took a running start, and made the leap of faith.
My feet hit the ground much sooner than I had expected. I opened my eyes slowly, realizing I had them clenched shut. I saw that I was standing on what looked like nothing, suspended over the pit. I made my way over the door, testing the ground with each step. Soon enough, I got to the door, ecstatic that I had passed through this seemingly indomitable obstacle. I opened it, surprised by what I saw inside.
Words Used:
- Precipice - A sheer cliff or rock face
- Distress - In extreme anxiety or pain
- Piteous - Deserving or arousing pity
- Retribution - Punishment that is considered morally right, or fully deserved
- Dishevel - Untidy or disorganized
- Indomitable - Impossible to subdue or defeat
Still shaken from the previous test, I walked forward into the next room. I was surprised by the room because it didn't seem to have any sort of a puzzle in it. It was a long, rectangular room, with a door held ajar at the far end. Suspicious, I walked forward, hastening to activate whatever puzzle the room held.
Nothing happened, so I decided to simply walk to the door. After a bit of walking, however, I noticed something. The door didn't seem to be getting any closer. I figured that it was a trick of the eye, so I kept up the incessant task of walking forward. Again, the door seemed no closer than before. Curious, I looked behind me, to see if I was any farther away from the entrance. I was not. I tried to feel the wall and see if I had actually moved anywhere. I stumbled, putting all of my weight into a wall that wasn't there, so sure that the tedious work had been for nothing.
With this, I heard the robot’s voice crackle to life, “Your balance is astounding, as is your puzzle solving ability. You may have broken the record for slowest test progression. Congratulations.”
Tired of the robot’s haughty comments, I made an effort to walk faster, getting farther into this seemingly endless room. After what felt like forever, I bumped into a large object. The hallway still seemed to go on, the door as far away as ever, but that wasn't the case. I felt along the invisible wall, looking to find a doorknob. When I did, I turned it, opening the door to another test chamber.
Words Used:
Nothing happened, so I decided to simply walk to the door. After a bit of walking, however, I noticed something. The door didn't seem to be getting any closer. I figured that it was a trick of the eye, so I kept up the incessant task of walking forward. Again, the door seemed no closer than before. Curious, I looked behind me, to see if I was any farther away from the entrance. I was not. I tried to feel the wall and see if I had actually moved anywhere. I stumbled, putting all of my weight into a wall that wasn't there, so sure that the tedious work had been for nothing.
With this, I heard the robot’s voice crackle to life, “Your balance is astounding, as is your puzzle solving ability. You may have broken the record for slowest test progression. Congratulations.”
Tired of the robot’s haughty comments, I made an effort to walk faster, getting farther into this seemingly endless room. After what felt like forever, I bumped into a large object. The hallway still seemed to go on, the door as far away as ever, but that wasn't the case. I felt along the invisible wall, looking to find a doorknob. When I did, I turned it, opening the door to another test chamber.
Words Used:
- Ajar - (Of a door/other opening) slightly open
- Hastening - Be quick to do something
- Incessant - Continuing witout pause or interruption
- Tedious - Too long, slow, or dull; Tiresome or monotonous
- Haughty - Arrogantly superior or distainful
As I walked into this next test chamber, my mind raced with thoughts of revolution. I didn’t know how many more test chambers A.I.S Laboratory would put me through, but I didn’t want to be their guinea pig any more. I didn’t need to be a prophet to know that I would not be released from the Lab for a long time.
As for the actual test from this room, there wasn’t one. It was an exact copy of the room I had slept in earlier. I didn’t know why it had been placed so close to the previous room, as it only felt like midday. I had no idea, however, because I had no frame of reference. I hadn’t seen the outside world for at least two days.
I sat on the bed, thinking through my predicament and newfound wrath. My opinion of A.I.S Laboratory had degenerated significantly in the past few hours. I had never liked being pent up before, and that's what they were doing now. That’s part of the reason I came to A.I.S Laboratory in the first place. I was tired of living my same routine, day to day, so I took this accursed opportunity.
Just as I was getting up from my rest, finishing letting my anger and resentment simmer, I noticed something. The wall had a vent, hidden by the bed, that would let me crawl into the hidden parts of the building. Hoping the space I was planning on crawling into was big enough for me, I moved the bed.
To my astonishment (and great relief) I was able to slip into the space between the walls. It was much bigger than I expected, and I could stand freely. It was just wide enough so I could walk through normally, though, so no room for spontaneous jumping jacks.
Just as I was wondering how the robot would respond to my perpetration into the wall, its unwelcome voice spoke out.
Words Used:
As for the actual test from this room, there wasn’t one. It was an exact copy of the room I had slept in earlier. I didn’t know why it had been placed so close to the previous room, as it only felt like midday. I had no idea, however, because I had no frame of reference. I hadn’t seen the outside world for at least two days.
I sat on the bed, thinking through my predicament and newfound wrath. My opinion of A.I.S Laboratory had degenerated significantly in the past few hours. I had never liked being pent up before, and that's what they were doing now. That’s part of the reason I came to A.I.S Laboratory in the first place. I was tired of living my same routine, day to day, so I took this accursed opportunity.
Just as I was getting up from my rest, finishing letting my anger and resentment simmer, I noticed something. The wall had a vent, hidden by the bed, that would let me crawl into the hidden parts of the building. Hoping the space I was planning on crawling into was big enough for me, I moved the bed.
To my astonishment (and great relief) I was able to slip into the space between the walls. It was much bigger than I expected, and I could stand freely. It was just wide enough so I could walk through normally, though, so no room for spontaneous jumping jacks.
Just as I was wondering how the robot would respond to my perpetration into the wall, its unwelcome voice spoke out.
Words Used:
- Revolution - A forcible overthrow of the government/social order in favor of a new system
- Prophet - A person who speaks for/through God; a seer of the future
- Wrath - Extreme anger
- Degenerate - Degrade, worsen, or corrupt
- Perpetrate - Carry out/commit a crime
For my Presentation of Learning (POL), I chose to go further with my Creative Writing pieces. For the POL, we had to either revise, or continue a project that we did during the past year. I am continuing this project. Enjoy!
Here are the instructions for my audience participation game, vocab pictionary:
Rules: In this game, you will be playing pictionary with the person sitting next to you (the one sitting at your table). You may only use the words listed on this page in your game. The person sitting on the right will go first. On a whiteboard, they will draw one of the words listed below, using only pictures. No writing words. The other person will guess the word, then they will switch roles.
Words:
Rules: In this game, you will be playing pictionary with the person sitting next to you (the one sitting at your table). You may only use the words listed on this page in your game. The person sitting on the right will go first. On a whiteboard, they will draw one of the words listed below, using only pictures. No writing words. The other person will guess the word, then they will switch roles.
Words:
- Prophet: someone who speaks for God, or a deity by divine inspiration
- Martyr: a person who dies for a belief (religion, political, etc.)
- Diabolical: having qualities of the devil
- Ravenous: incredibly hungry
- Precipice: a vertical, or nearly vertical, cliff side
- Entrail: internal parts of an animal
- Bestow: to present with a gift
- Rouse: to awaken from sleep
- Ominous: threatening or foreboding
- Libation: the pouring of wine or some other liquid for a deity
- Blandishment: something, typically speech, that flatters, coaxes, entices, etc.
- Dishevel: untidiness or disarray
- Illustrious: highly distinguished, renowned, famous
- Rabble: to disorderly crowd or mob
- Clandestine: to be executed with secrecy and concealment
Difference between descriptive writing in first creative writing, and final.
First:
As I walked inside, I got a quick look at the anomaly that was the A.I.S. Labs. Their interior made me think of a narcissist's house. Everything seemed to be mirrored, and I could see myself reflected on nearly every surface. I only walked through half of the starting hallway, though, before I blacked out feeling a sharp twinge in my left hip. Also suspecting there was something small protruding from my side. |
Final:
I squeezed my way out of the cramped air duct, and moments later jumped back in. Thankful for my quick reflexes, I took in my surroundings. As I had realized, the air duct I had jumped (and almost fallen) out of was nauseatingly high up. The rectangular room I was looking at was huge, at least 100 feet long, and 50 feet wide. In the center was an odd sight indeed. It looked like a mess of tangled cords from where I was sitting. The only thing I could make out inside of them were a few brightly flashing screens. Too late, I noticed the security cameras on the walls. They were all pointed at me, as was the... thing from the center of the room. It had turned around, revealing a white sphere with a camera lense on it, sticking out from the rest of the mess. |
“That is not the correct passage. To continue testing, exit the wall, and go through the door labeled ‘Exit’. Thank you for your continued support of A.I.S. Laboratory”
I sighed. With every mood swing that this robot had, I was getting more and more confused.
Looking into the passage, I was reminded of the round shape of the facility. Apparently, I was inside the outer wall, because it was circular! I found the farthest outer wall -- the one the would presumably lead me outside -- and started banging my fists against it. I was hoping to break through it and escape. No matter how hard I tried, though, nothing budged. Suddenly, I remembered something else about the outside of the facility. It had been made out of an incredibly hard metal.
Having remembered that, I backed away from the wall. I hadn’t even made a dent. Much less hopeful than before, I decided to walk to my right, and see what I could find. Occasionally, the robot said something similar to, “Get out of there now, because we have cake for you.” After monotonous repetitions of this same message, over and over, I learned to zone it out.
Soon enough, I came across an air duct that looked like it led farther into the facility. I took a chance, and crawled into it.
I squeezed my way out of the cramped air duct, and moments later jumped back in. Thankful for my quick reflexes, I took in my surroundings. As I had realized, the air duct I had jumped (and almost fallen) out of was nauseatingly high up. The rectangular room I was looking at was huge, at least 100 feet long, and 50 feet wide. In the center was an odd sight indeed. It looked like a mess of tangled cords from where I was sitting. The only thing I could make out inside of them were a few brightly flashing screens.
Too late, I noticed the security cameras on the walls. They were all pointed at me, as was the... thing from the center of the room. It had turned around, revealing a white sphere with a camera lens on it, sticking out from the rest of the mess.
I sighed. With every mood swing that this robot had, I was getting more and more confused.
Looking into the passage, I was reminded of the round shape of the facility. Apparently, I was inside the outer wall, because it was circular! I found the farthest outer wall -- the one the would presumably lead me outside -- and started banging my fists against it. I was hoping to break through it and escape. No matter how hard I tried, though, nothing budged. Suddenly, I remembered something else about the outside of the facility. It had been made out of an incredibly hard metal.
Having remembered that, I backed away from the wall. I hadn’t even made a dent. Much less hopeful than before, I decided to walk to my right, and see what I could find. Occasionally, the robot said something similar to, “Get out of there now, because we have cake for you.” After monotonous repetitions of this same message, over and over, I learned to zone it out.
Soon enough, I came across an air duct that looked like it led farther into the facility. I took a chance, and crawled into it.
I squeezed my way out of the cramped air duct, and moments later jumped back in. Thankful for my quick reflexes, I took in my surroundings. As I had realized, the air duct I had jumped (and almost fallen) out of was nauseatingly high up. The rectangular room I was looking at was huge, at least 100 feet long, and 50 feet wide. In the center was an odd sight indeed. It looked like a mess of tangled cords from where I was sitting. The only thing I could make out inside of them were a few brightly flashing screens.
Too late, I noticed the security cameras on the walls. They were all pointed at me, as was the... thing from the center of the room. It had turned around, revealing a white sphere with a camera lens on it, sticking out from the rest of the mess.