Above the Veil

A short story written by Matt Gardner with PlotWeaver: Cards of Creation, a storytelling game made by Mod Hob Cooperative.

This story uses an Inverted Plot Pattern, written in 15-minute timed acts with all story cards drawn at random. For more information, visit www.plotweavergame.com

Act 1: Immediate Conflict or Crisis

(Story Element Cards: The Shadow, Skyscraper Rooftop, Good vs. Evil, and Dystopian)

The wind howls against the edge of the skyline. Thirty stories above the city that forgot its own name, Kael stands at the rooftop’s ledge, arms trembling as drones buzz in the smoky night like mechanical hornets. Below, neon propaganda scrolls across a thousand crumbling billboards: OBEY THE SIGNAL. REJECT THE SELF.

Kael doesn’t have time to process what just happened. Moments ago, they were dragged here, blindfolded, hands bound, and shoved through the stairwell door.

And now… they’re alone.

Or so it would seem.

“This is where most jump,” says a voice, not loud, but inside. Soft as smoke. Cold as a memory.

Kael spins. No one is there. Not really.

From the shadows near the HVAC vent, a figure peels itself into form... not flesh, not entirely. A humanoid silhouette stitched together from static and regret, with eyes like dying stars.

“You’ve seen through the lie,” it whispers, “and now the city wants to erase you.”

Kael’s breath fogs in the night air as they speak. “What are you?”

The dark shape steps closer. Time slows, and it sneers, “A question you’ve never dared ask.”

The drone lights flicker red. Kael doesn’t know if this is a test, a trick, or the first honest moment of their life.

But they know this: if they don’t act now, if they don’t choose, this rooftop will become their grave, or worse… the moment they turn away from who they really are.