THE TIME HAS COME

General

Written in response to: "Write a story about a Google Street View driver." as part of Earth to Writers.

The time has come.


If you are a finding this, then either you have passed away - or you’re about to.


No one else knows this place but him.


If you do, then you can’t go.


If he has let you come this far, then you can’t live.


Don’t try to call the cops - it will be too late anyway.


Don’t try to yell - he made sure no one can hear you.


Don’t try to catch him - he won’t be caught unless he wants to.


Don’t try to run - he won’t let you get far.


Don’t try to hide - he will find you.


Don’t try to live - he has confirmed your death.


Don’t try anything - he will hunt you down.


Before you ask any other questions, you must know about him.


To know about him, you must know about his past.


***


He used to be a good guy and a really nice friend.


He was the best son in the world and he loved his daughter very dearly for her

entire life.


Not only was he a family man, but he was also a driver - just like you and me, and

many others - like us.


He was a driver for Google and he screened the streets for everyone to see - sound

familiar?


He took his daughter with him one day to seek out a new place.


She enjoyed it the whole way to the place.


They stopped at a carnival on the way and they got on every single ride.


You could even give them the title of “Best Father and Daughter.”


When the night was falling, they stopped by a hotel - not far from where you are.


They stayed for the night and decided to leave in the morning.


They slept sound and when they woke up in the morning, his daughter was missing.


There wasn’t a place where he didn’t look.


He looked in the room and in the lobby of the hotel.


He asked the neighbors and he ran around the parking lot.


He left the hotel in his car and looked all around the hotel.


He drove for miles.


He drove for hours.


He drove for his daughter.


After driving for a long time, he started to head back - thinking that his daughter

might have shown up back at the hotel.


On his way back, he found a forest - the exact one where you are right now.


He looked around everywhere, but she was found nowhere.


He got back in his car and started to head back.


Unfortunately for him, his camera on his car fell off and it blocked his view from

seeing the back.


Just then, he hit something.


Whatever he hit, it made a loud thump.


He couldn’t quite tell because the camera was in his way, but he saw blood.


When he got out, he saw her there.


He saw his daughter, bleeding and on the ground with an ice cream cone in her

right hand and a balloon in her left.


He felt bad, but he didn’t know what to do with her.


He couldn’t tell anyone, but he couldn’t keep it to himself.


He buried her right where he found her.


You are sitting on her grave.


***


— Now, you might be wondering how you are related to this, but trust me, you fit

perfectly into his story.


You both have had a family.


You and he are both drivers for Google.


You both chart the uncharted as a street driver.


You both brought your loved ones to the hotel.


You both ventured out to this park here.


You both —


Even if you live - your loved one won’t so don’t fight it - your loved one is next.


Now, don’t think that he’s a psychopath.


He is actually really not.


He is just like you and me.


The only difference is that he cares.


He cares about his daughter and he cares about himself.


He even seems to care about you.


After realizing what happened to him, he wanted to protect others from the pain.


If he sees a Google Street View driver or even the car, he will go for them.


He targets those who are just like him.


He doesn’t want to see another driver kill a loved one.


He killed his daughter on accident, and you are the victim of his change.


He will first kill you, and then your loved ones.


No one knows about this place, and no one will.


You need not worry about hurting a loved one - you won’t be there to hurt them,

and neither will they.


***


Let me just sum up everything real quick:


— He was a father and a driver.


— He accidentally killed his daughter because he couldn’t see the back of his car -

due to the camera on the top of his car.


— He wants to kill you so that you won’t have to worry about killing anyone else in

the future.


— He will also kill your loved ones so that they won’t have to suffer going through

life without you.


— He will bury you right next to his daughter so that you die peacefully.


— To make you feel even better, he will bury your loved one(s) along with you.


— He is doing you good in a way, so respect him.


— He is me, and I hope that you have signed this book - or else . . .


***


Do you hear that sound in the bush behind you?


That is him.


He is coming for you.


Don’t scream - he feeds off of fear.


Don’t run - he was a Google Street View driver, and if you know what I mean,

nothing ever goes out of his sight.


Everything is being recorded, so don’t try anything.


His motto is: “You won’t be there to kill anyone, ” and trust me - he means what he

says.


He’s coming closer, right?


But don’t worry; just sign your name in this book - next to all of his other victims.


At least your loved ones will find you in this way - oh wait, they can’t.


Remember that I am doing you a favor, so don’t feel bad.


Everything is going as planned.


All you have to do is cooperate with me.


Your cooperation is the least that I expect from you - after all, I am doing so much

for you.


Try to think happy thoughts - it’s now or never.


The time has come for you to part with this world.


The time has come for you to say your goodbye’s.


THE TIME HAS COME . . . for your death.

Posted May 01, 2020
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71 likes 170 comments

Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 16:10

Hi! Thanks for reading my story! If you like it please LIKE and give me feedback!

Also, can you guys answer the following question? Thanks.
If you were to read a story based on the following prompt (below), what kind of story would you be interested in reading? The prompt: Write a story about one event from the different perspectives of multiple friends.

Would it be a murder mystery, a story about someone's valuable thing going missing, or other? If other, then what would you rather read about?

Reply

Manan Suraiya
May 04, 2020 17:09

It can be anything. It all depends on what genre you prefer.

Reply

Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 18:02

Ok, thanks!

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Tvisha Yerra
May 04, 2020 15:30

Amazing story, and I love how enthusiastic you are on the Author Bio!

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 15:54

Thank you!

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Tvisha Yerra
May 04, 2020 15:29

Amazing story!

Reply

Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 21:15

Thank you!

Reply

Artemisia Pearl
May 04, 2020 15:10

I loved your story!!! I was at the edge of my seat, heart racing as I read. It was mysterious and put together. I loved the thrill of suspense and the pauses. I loved your take on the google driver prompt. Although, I have to ask. (Sorry if it's a stupid question) But was there an actual book that the victims signed or was it a metaphor?

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 15:21

Thank you so much! No problem - I don't mind the question. There is an actual book where the victims sign it. The killer doesn't want to get caught, so if he knows the victim's name, he can stage an accident, so it won't look like he actually killed the person. Does that help?

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Artemisia Pearl
May 04, 2020 16:16

Oh yes! Thank you so much!

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 16:17

No problem!

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Srijani Ganguly
May 04, 2020 15:03

Cool idea and story! But would it perhaps be better if you joined a few sentences together? So there's a more natural flow?

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 15:06

Thanks! I agree with you, but I decided to keep them all separate so that my story would be different from everyone else. I wanted my story to have completely only short sentences and no paragraphs at all.

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Srijani Ganguly
May 04, 2020 15:08

Cool! Makes sense.

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 15:09

Good, thanks for reading! Your story was also really good! You got like one of the highest numbers of likes for the contest!

Reply

May 04, 2020 15:00

Hi, Pranathi! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The simplicity you used was both beautiful and haunting. I genuinely felt scared when I reached the end and I loved getting to know the backstory of the man! You have a talent; keep up the great work!

Reply

Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 15:01

Thank you so much! Your story was also really good! Glad you enjoyed it!

Reply

Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 14:35

Please do LIKE if you like my story!!! Thanks!!! Feedback is appreciated!!!

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May 04, 2020 07:55

Wow! That gave me chills. It was really well written and a unique reply to the prompt. I was dragged in at the beginning and couldn't stop reading. Nice job!

Reply

Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 12:17

Thank you so much!

Reply

Laura Watts
May 04, 2020 07:17

Love the story, it was so secretive and mysterious, love this line"If you are a finding this, then either you have passed away - or you’re about to", really made me want to read on!

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 12:18

Thank you! That was the purpose of the line in the first place. I wanted to make sure people would want to read it.

Reply

John Del Rio
May 04, 2020 05:35

Creepy and awesome at the same time. Looking forward to reading more from you

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 12:18

Thank you! I can't wait to write more at the same time!

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Nicole Escorial
May 04, 2020 01:29

Wow, this story really gave me goosebumps. It's as if I really was in the middle of the forest, and he was coming to hunt me down. I love the suspense, and how you emphasise it. It's a good read. Continue writing!! And best wishes! :)

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 02:58

Thank you so much!

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Ananya M
May 04, 2020 01:09

This is amazing! I love it!

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 01:09

Thank you so much!

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Ananya M
May 04, 2020 01:11

No problem :)

Reply

Ivy Spade
May 04, 2020 01:05

Wow! Great story! I think you made it perfect with the 2nd person pov! I actually started getting freaked out. XD! Very well-made keep it up!

Reply

Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 01:05

Thank you so much!

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Ivy Spade
May 04, 2020 14:16

your welcome!

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Angelica Chuang
May 03, 2020 21:07

I love the style of writing that you used in this piece, just that it really didn’t capture my attention, and I didn’t understand the latter half of the story. The writing style was what pulled me in first, but as I kept reading, the plot and the motivations of the main character became a little blurry to me. I also love how you gave an explanation toward the end, but I think what would really help this story would be to develop it more as the plot continues. This is a great piece of work and I love what you did with the prompt, and this is just a little feedback from my initial reaction.

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Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 22:12

Thank you! I will try to improve more as I continue to write! Thanks for reading!

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Debbie Stelzle
May 03, 2020 19:15

Good poem. Good rhythm. Time waits for no one, it just comes.

Reply

Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 19:17

Thank you! Yes, time waits for no one! It just comes, and when it does, you just have to accept it! Thanks for reading!

Reply

Anjali Goel
May 03, 2020 18:48

This is a good story, and an interesting take on the Google street view driver prompt. I would maybe advise you to strengthen the main character's motive a little bit. I'm still confused as to why he's killing people. But overall, a compelling read.

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Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 18:52

Oh, ok. Thank you!

To answer your question for why he is killing people:
The reason why the killer is killing people is because of his past. When he accidentally killed his daughter, he felt really bad and he couldn't cope with it. He blames the reason for her death on the car and on him. Whenever he sees a driver or the car, he instantly wants to kill them, so that they won't kill anyone in return. He only kills the victim's loved ones because he doesn't want them to suffer either. He went through a lot when his daughter died, and he doesn't want anyone to feel that pain.

Does that make sense?

Also, do you have any suggestions on how I could strengthen the main character's motive?

Reply

Anjali Goel
May 06, 2020 05:55

That makes sense. If I were writing that story, I would talk a bit more about how he blames the car and the camera. I would probably say after he hit his daughter with the car, "his face paled, and he slowly turned his head, already knowing what would meet his gaze. His dead daughter's body lay carelessly on the ground, a red balloon struggling to free itself from her vice-like grip. Before he had a chance to process sorrow, guilt, or panic, the man felt rage. Horrible, scorching rage at the evil machine that had caused this tragedy. The camera. The camera had fallen off. The camera had fallen off and blinded him, causing him to hit his daughter. The camera was to blame. The man's fists curled into balls. He knew what he had to do." That makes it a bit clearer, at least in my mind. Is that helpful?

Reply

Pranathi G
May 06, 2020 13:07

Yes, that is very helpful. I will be sure to add that if I were to rewrite it. Thanks for reading!

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Hailey Chomette
May 03, 2020 18:40

Wow, I didn't see the ending coming at all! Very unique, great story

Reply

Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 18:41

Thank you!

Reply

Yageen Faiz
May 03, 2020 17:34

can you read my story and give me feedback? thank you

Reply

Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 18:32

Of course!

Reply

Chloe Alistar
May 03, 2020 17:08

Wow! The suspense was amazing. I loved the mystery and the build up. Great job!

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Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 18:32

Thank you!

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Tom Moser
May 03, 2020 16:32

Creative, dark and moving. The story drags the reader in, just like the forest captivates the victim. Good work. Thanks.

Reply

Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 18:32

Thank you so much!

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Aimee J
May 03, 2020 16:21

This is a super interesting story! I felt that the summary of what the driver was going to do was unnecessary perhaps, but I really did enjoy the creepy aspect of it! Good job!

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Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 18:33

Thank you! I understand what you are saying, but I needed to include it to make sure that I got up to the word count of at least 1000 words.

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Aimee J
May 03, 2020 22:59

Ooooh yeah I totally understand then. :)

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Iren Petrova
May 03, 2020 10:19

Good story! I like the way you involve the readers directly into the story, keeping the tension to the end. It's very realistic.

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Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 13:01

Thank you!

Reply

Gwyneth L
May 03, 2020 07:15

Great story! It's so original. It made me excited, actually :) Can you please check out my story and give feedback? It's called "Fatally Yours". Same contest. I'd really want to know how to improve and such because it's my first time finally writing in years

Reply

Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 13:02

Thank you! Of course, I will check it out!

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Ai Jiang
May 03, 2020 06:34

Hi Pranathi,

I thought your story was very interesting and the way you wrote it reads like a poem. I like the idea behind your story but like some of the other comments I do believe it was a bit repetitive as I kept reading and I didn’t feel that I was as invested in the story as much near the end as I was in the beginning. But, this could be because I’m not a avid reader of crime fiction! I wish you all the best in your future writing and I hoped I was able to help with my feedback! :)

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Pranathi G
May 03, 2020 13:01

Thank you so much! (I know that it was a bit repetitive but I didn't have a choice because my word count was really low)

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Ai Jiang
May 04, 2020 17:34

Hm, perhaps you could try to elaborate in details regarding particulars things or add in something new that won’t take away from the overall idea of the piece. I definitely understand you though because I have trouble with that sometimes too!

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Pranathi G
May 04, 2020 18:05

Thanks for the advice!

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Riddhi Shedge
May 02, 2020 18:37

Hey Pranathi, I just wanted to say I really liked this story. The way you wrote one line at a time was really innovative. The ending was really dark and exciting. I think you repeated a few things a bit too many times, but other than that great job! Check out my story if you have time (It's called Starry Night) :)

Reply

Pranathi G
May 02, 2020 18:38

Thank you so much! Of course, I will read your story!

Reply

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