Terminal Faults

By Deidre J Owen

How complex our faults.

Two young couples plot and scheme their way through life, unmoved by the havoc and heartache they inflict. A mother and daughter indulge in their most gluttonous desires, indifferent to the suffering of others. A serial killer revels in the presentation of the ultimate victim and will stop at nothing to complete a macabre collection. And two disillusioned AIs are launched into a devastating feud, oblivious to their own malfunctions and succumbing to ruinous obsession.

How complex the fallout.

Now, wandering aimlessly through a mysterious realm, these nine condemned souls unknowingly interact with one another, woven together into a complex tapestry of woe. They stalk without purpose, hunt without direction, seek without vision. Heads down and locked in their own vicious cycles, their misguided momentum only serves to fuel the means of their destruction.

How complex these Obsidian Rooms.

"Terminal Faults" by Deidre J Owen is a science fiction horror novella published by Mannison Press.

**BONUS** supplemental material included! Join the author as she provides an in-depth look at the Obsidian Rooms, the cast of characters, and their dark motivations, along with the hidden symbolism, technical aspects, inspirations, general trivia, and more!

CONTENT WARNING: This story contains graphic depictions of gore, murder, suicide, implications of child abuse, serial killer activity, drugs, bullying, strong language, implied LGBT+ struggles, and a character with prejudice against the LGBT+ community (views not endorsed by the author). Discretion is advised.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mannison Press, LLC
• Release date: May 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005434441

Deidre J Owen

Deidre J Owen was born in Lexington, Kentucky, but aside from a stint in the Canadian Maritimes she has spent a majority of her time in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. A versatile writer, Deidre has taken joy in a variety of genres including science fiction, weird fiction, speculative fiction, horror, humor, children's books, and Christian themes. She has a published children's picture book series called "The Heaven Zoo" as well as a number of short stories, novelettes, and novellas.In 2019, she partnered with editor and fellow indie author Ronald Linson to establish independent publishing house Mannison Press. Specializing in short-form fiction, Mannison Press publishes in a wide variety of genres of varying lengths, including flash fiction, short stories, novelettes, and novellas.Although formerly a certified veterinary technician by trade (with a quirky history of random interests), Deidre is currently loving life with her husband in Lithia, Florida, as a writer, publisher, and work-from-home mother to the couple’s young daughter.

Book preview

Terminal Faults

by Deidre J Owen

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2022 Deidre J Owen

Published by Mannison Press, LLC at Smashwords

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

For Jason.

I will always treasure sharing this twisted tale with you, huddled together before a roaring fire.

Contents

Chapter 1 – Cycle 359,999.T4

Chapter 2 – Cycle Reset: 360,000.T1

Chapter 3 – Cycle 360.000.T2

Chapter 4 – Year:2077

Chapter 5 – Cycle 360.000.T3

Chapter 6 – Year:[Enter Dates:YYYY–YYYY]

Chapter 7 – Cycle 360.000.T4

Chapter 8 – Cycle Reset: 360,001.T1

Terminal Faults, Supplemental: A Deeper Look into the Obsidian Rooms

What is a 'Terminal Fault'?

Where Are They?

Why Are They There?

Gravity Point

Calculations

Crystals

Steps to Years

Timelines and Cycles

Timelines

Cycles

Characters

The Feud

Non-Human Characters

Human Characters

General Interesting Tidbits

About the Author

— Content Warning —

This story contains graphic depictions of gore, murder, suicide, implications of child abuse, serial killer activity, drugs, bullying, strong language, implied LGBT+ struggles, and a character with prejudice against the LGBT+ community (views not endorsed by the author).

Discretion is advised.

Chapter 1

Cycle 359,999.T4

Soon, it would be over. He knew this. Trent coughed and spat, bile rising in his throat. A thin line of saliva stretched from his lower lip as he rolled onto his side, clutching his middle. He numbly regarded a set of glazed, dilated eyes staring blankly back at him. The pool of blood that had spilled from the hole in Tiffany's throat was no longer expanding but stood still and glossy against the polished floor. She was still holding hands with Cody, who lay nearby. Trent extended trembling fingers toward the fourth figure on the floor whose face was no longer recognizable for the raw and gaping hole where the nose had been.

W-why? he stammered. Why di-did you have a gun?

He felt himself being drawn into her arms, into her lap. She shushed him, gently stroking his stubbled cheek. He felt a sweat-soaked lock of hair lifted off his forehead and combed back into place by her delicate fingers.

You shot— he slurred.

Shh, don't speak, baby.

But you shot…you shot me.

Because you ruined me, she cooed. Because you ruined everything.

As the last of the air left Trent's lungs with a sickening gurgle, she slumped over on top of him, brain matter dribbling onto his face from a fresh hole in her temple.

Chapter 2

Cycle Reset: 360,000.T1

Do I look like I'm showing? she asked, smoothing a hand across her faintly swollen abdomen. Or do I just look bloated?

Trent squinted, scrutinizing her spritely form. It's hard to say, Cody K, he answered, leaning on the rhyme. Gas, maybe?

She smacked him playfully on the shoulder. I'm serious! I'm not a big person, and they say thin women show earlier.

You're only, what, twelve weeks? Ish? I think it's too early to start showing, really.

Cody's shoulders slumped forward, causing her belly to pooch out and her shirt front to wrinkle up. "Still, I think I should be showing a little. How much do you think I should be showing by the wedding?"

Trent sighed and lolled his head backward, calculating. After a few moments of staring blankly up at a ceiling full of dangling crystals, he shook off the pensive silence and said, Sorry, I can't seem to 'math' right now. It's a few months out though, right? So, you'll be, like…halfway through?

Well, I'll have to make sure my gown has enough wiggle room to—oops! She ducked awkwardly to the side to allow a handful of bolts and screws to drift by. Git, shoo, she whispered, swatting them along. I'll have to make sure my gown can accommodate a little belly, anyway.

Trent rose from the dark chaise he had been lounging on and padded silently across the highly polished obsidian floor, deftly stepping over a metal pipe sliding through the space. He peered cautiously around the large, ornate pillar that framed the dramatic open doorway. The next room was remarkably similar to the one they currently occupied, as was the room beyond. He cocked his head, listening intently for anything out of the ordinary. A tinkling overhead drew his attention as a spring pinged off the large, dim chandelier in the center of the adjacent room, sending a melodic ripple of motion across the ceiling.

Anything? whispered Cody, a hand plastered to her chest.

Trent shook his head. Just more junk. I don't hear anything.

Cody's stiffened shoulders relaxed once again, and her hand slid back down to her abdomen.

You hungry? he asked her, returning to the day's favored loafing spot. When she shook her head, declining with an mm-mm, he followed up with, When's the last time you ate?

She shrugged, still preoccupied with her figure. He sprawled across the chaise, face down, and pressed his hand against the cool floor. I feel like we should be hungry, you know? Like, how long has it been since we dug into a big plate of hot wings? But, I just…I'm just not. My stomach kinda hurts now that I think about it. He trailed off, watching his handprint evaporate from the polished surface beneath him before making a new print.

Do you know when Tiff and Andrew are coming by? she asked him, finally joining him on the oversized chaise.

Trent shrugged. Later, I suppose. Your guess is as good as mine.

Is your mom coming as well?

Trent flopped over onto his back with a grunt of frustration. "Ugh, my mother." He grabbed a dark throw pillow and pressed it over his face.

You can't just keep hiding from her, said Cody.

Watch me, Trent mumbled from beneath the pillow.

Cody laid her head on Trent's face pillow and sighed. I get it. I do. And it's only gotten worse with all of this pregnancy nonsense.

Trent wiggled the pillow out from between them and guided the back of her head to his shoulder. Are we doing the right thing, Cody K? Getting married, I mean. Doesn't this whole thing feel, I dunno, forced?

Of course if feels forced, she replied without hesitation. But it's the only way to appease our parents so we can live our lives. 'Our way, our terms,' remember? The two fell into a long, comfortable silence as they stared up at the geometric patterns swaying almost imperceptibly overhead. Cody reached up and caught a lazily passing piece of circuitry. She sat up and turned the piece over in her hand, absently rubbing her chest.

You alright? Trent asked softly.

Just some heartburn, I guess. She set the broken fragment adrift once again and watched as it floated away. Where is your mom right now, anyway?

Off checking up on her latest patient, I'd guess. The head of pediatrics always has some major case or another. It's how she makes the big bucks, right? How she 'provides' for us. He made lackadaisical air quotes as he spoke, indicating his not-so-subtle disdain for his mother's preoccupation with her occupation.

It's important work though, right? defended Cody. Those kids need her.

Kids still die.

Trent!

But they do! Sometimes it's simply out of her hands. Meanwhile, her own child is home eating cold spaghetti sauce sandwiches for dinner, because he's old enough to be home alone but not old enough to use the—

—to use the gas stove without an adult, Cody finished for him. I know, babe. I know it was hard. We've all got our battles with our parents.

"Ugh. Does she really have to come over and check on us so often?" Trent clutched the pillow and thrust it back against his face.