Bad habits
Worked for a Secret Government Unit — Until They Erased My Memory
I used to think secret government programs were just conspiracy theories. The kind of stories people post online to make themselves feel important. I laughed at those people once. I don’t laugh anymore. Five years ago, I worked as a security technician for a government contractor just outside Arlington, Virginia. It was a good job—steady pay, good benefits, nothing strange. Until one day, a man in a gray suit visited my supervisor. After that meeting, my access level changed. I was given a new keycard, a confidentiality agreement thicker than a phone book, and a warning: “You’ll be working on something sensitive. Don’t ask questions.” That was the last normal day of my life. The facility I was transferred to didn’t officially exist. It wasn’t on any map, and no one I knew had ever heard of it. The drive there was done in a black van with tinted windows, no phones allowed. They took us underground—at least three levels below the surface. I remember the metallic smell, the constant humming sound, and the way no one made eye contact. My job was simple: monitor a security system that didn’t protect doors, but *people*. Each person had a small metal implant in the back of their neck. I thought it was for tracking, but then I saw the data streams—it wasn’t GPS. It was *neural*. We were monitoring brain activity. One night, I saw something I shouldn’t have. A test subject—labeled only as “Subject 14”—started screaming during a procedure. His vitals went off the chart. Then suddenly, all his readings flatlined. But the doctors didn’t panic. They just stared at the monitor, almost… waiting. Ten seconds later, his readings came back, perfectly normal. He sat up, calm, eyes empty, and said, “The reset worked.” I still get chills when I think about it. The next morning, my terminal access was revoked. My ID stopped working at the elevator. That evening, two men from “Internal Security” showed up at my apartment. They said there had been a *breach* and they needed to perform a “routine check.” One of them carried a small case with medical equipment. The next thing I remember is waking up two days later in my bed. My head was pounding. My phone, computer, everything—gone. My company email was deleted, and my job portal said my contract had ended six months earlier. I thought it was a mistake… until I saw my reflection in the mirror. There was a small scar behind my left ear. I went to a doctor. The scan showed traces of surgical interference—something metallic had been inserted, then removed. The doctor said it looked “governmental” and refused to get involved. That’s when I realized the truth: they hadn’t fired me. They had *erased* me. Over the next few months, I started getting flashes—short, vivid images I couldn’t explain: a bright room, a red light, a woman’s voice saying “you shouldn’t have seen that.” Sometimes, when I hear high-frequency sounds, my vision blurs and those images return. I tried to contact a few former coworkers, but their numbers were disconnected. One of them, a man named Harris, was listed as “deceased” online. When I visited the address on his file, an elderly couple told me no one by that name had ever lived there. I’ve stopped looking for answers. I know they’re watching me. My internet sometimes disconnects for no reason, and my phone battery drains even when it’s off. A friend who works in cybersecurity told me it’s possible my device is being accessed remotely—but he refused to talk more after running a scan. So why am I writing this? Because lately, my memories are fading again. I forget names, places, faces. I’ve started recording everything I remember, hoping that if they come for me again, someone—anyone—will find this story and know I was real. If you’re reading this and you work for any government contractor, remember this: curiosity isn’t just dangerous—it’s forbidden. And if you ever wake up with a scar behind your ear and no idea how it got there… run.
By America today about a year ago in Confessions
How My Obsession With Weight Almost Destroyed Me
Not so long ago, I became obsessed with food. I read articles about it, watched cooking videos, and most importantly, I loved eating. One time, while I was scrolling through some articles on Google, I came across one particular article that had a different topic than the others: weight loss. Up until this time, despite being a junk food lover, I thought my weight was fine. I grew up with everyone (teachers, parents, siblings, friends, family) telling me that I was way too skinny, but I never really took their words too seriously.
By Sahil Rawatabout a year ago in Confessions
Your Future Self is Watching
When sitting in a quiet setting like at home when the lights go off, or in an office where I have to wait for a long while, or simply on a long trip when the noise settles in the bus. I often reflect on how I got this far. The decisions which led me here, the fortunate and unfortunate events which shaped this moment, and how all this could have been different if certain things didn’t happen. I also imagine how different my life would have been if I had made some other choices. For better or worse, I’ll never really know how things could have turned out. All I can do is assume they turned out for the best.
By real Jemaabout a year ago in Confessions
I Grew Up Screaming Misogynistic Lyrics — And Now I’m a Feminist Who Still Knows Every Word
When I was fourteen, my favourite song started with a beat that made me feel unstoppable. It was California by Hollywood Undead — loud, aggressive, confident, and so dripping in misogyny that it practically left a stain.
By No One’s Daughterabout a year ago in Confessions
MY LIFE OF TWO SIDES. Content Warning.
My name is Karoline. I am German. My name reflects my origin, meaning (Freedom). My mother and father are the WWII generation of Germany. A big part of the 1970s "No war, Make love." generation. I had been brought up with the belief that what the war damaged in their life, it will not ruin my life. We are from Munich. The bombardment of the city in the end ruined not only the buildings but also people's lives. Mum often said underground bunkers were the places where people hid to avoid bombs. She used to say.
By kayhan egeliabout a year ago in Confessions
Chuck Schumer and the Government Shutdown: What’s Happening and Why It Matters
The United States is once again facing a government shutdown caused by a political standoff over federal funding and spending priorities. The shutdown has stretched into several weeks, with no clear resolution in sight. Federal employees are going unpaid, government services are disrupted, and frustration among citizens is growing as Congress struggles to agree on a plan to reopen the government. At the center of the political battle stands Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. As the top Democrat in the Senate, Schumer plays a critical role in shaping his party’s strategy and negotiating with Republican leaders and the White House. His leadership decisions have made him a key figure in determining how long the shutdown will last and what kind of deal might eventually bring it to an end. Schumer’s approach to the crisis combines firm resistance and strategic negotiation. He and his Democratic colleagues argue that certain Republican funding bills contain unacceptable policy changes or spending cuts that would harm essential programs. Schumer has blocked several GOP proposals in the Senate, insisting that any plan to reopen the government must be fair, balanced, and protect American workers and families. His critics, however, accuse him of using the shutdown as political leverage and preventing the passage of bills that could quickly restore government operations. Behind the scenes, Schumer’s team has been working tirelessly to coordinate Democratic votes and craft proposals that can win bipartisan support. His office has served as a command center for legislative strategy, with daily meetings focused on messaging, negotiations, and public communication. The challenge lies in balancing political pressure from within his party with the urgent need to find common ground that can pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The situation is further complicated by the White House’s stance. The President has made it clear that certain policy demands must be met before agreeing to reopen the government, which has limited the space for negotiation. This has left Schumer and other congressional leaders caught between intense political divisions and the practical need to keep government functioning. Public frustration continues to grow as the shutdown’s effects spread. Thousands of federal employees have been furloughed or forced to work without pay, airports and national parks have experienced staffing shortages, and vital programs have slowed down. The longer the impasse continues, the greater the impact on the economy and public trust in government institutions. ### Common Questions People Are Asking **Why is Chuck Schumer blocking bills to reopen the government?** Schumer believes that some Republican proposals would set harmful precedents or include spending priorities that Democrats cannot accept. He argues that approving narrow funding bills without addressing broader issues would weaken his party’s negotiating position and fail to protect key programs. **Is Chuck Schumer responsible for the shutdown?** Responsibility for the shutdown is shared among multiple political actors. Schumer leads the Senate Democrats, but the crisis is the result of deep disagreements between both parties and the executive branch. Each side blames the other for refusing to compromise, making it difficult to assign blame to a single person. **How long has the shutdown lasted, and what are its effects?** The shutdown has lasted several weeks, with repeated failed votes in the Senate. Many government employees remain unpaid, public services are delayed, and agencies are struggling to maintain operations. The longer the situation drags on, the more serious its social and economic consequences become. **Will Schumer negotiate a deal to end the shutdown?** Schumer has expressed willingness to negotiate, but he insists that any deal must be fair and include reasonable compromises. Whether an agreement can be reached depends on political calculations, the willingness of both parties to make concessions, and the overall public pressure to restore normal government functions. ### Outlook for the Coming Weeks The future of the shutdown depends on how the political negotiations evolve in the coming days. Schumer’s leadership will continue to be a decisive factor. If Democrats and Republicans can agree on a short-term funding bill that avoids controversial policy changes, the government could reopen soon. However, if both sides continue to hold firm to their demands, the shutdown could extend even longer. In many ways, this crisis reflects the broader state of American politics—highly polarized, deeply divided, and driven by competing visions of how the government should serve its people. Chuck Schumer’s role in this standoff highlights the difficult balance between standing firm on principles and recognizing the urgent need to keep the government running. The outcome of this confrontation will not only affect federal workers and public services but also shape the political landscape heading into the next election cycle.
By America today about a year ago in Confessions
The Weight of Labels
I did not get angry because I was attacked. I got angry because I felt invisible. That is what labeling does. It reduces a human being—a soul with thoughts, experiences, and convictions—into a set of categories that can be dismissed before they even speak.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout a year ago in Confessions
“Freebies: The Price of a Love That Cost Everything”
Abbas Shah was the most capable boy in his class intelligent, disciplined, and deeply kind. As gifted as he was, he was also moral, loving, and generous. He would spend freely on his friends and relatives. God had blessed him with both talent and wealth a successful business, a bungalow, and hundreds of acres of land. Yet, his heart was as generous as that of Hatim Tai and Sakhi Arsala Khan.
By shahkar jalalabout a year ago in Confessions
The Night He Finally Chose Me. Content Warning.
We always knew there was something about us that couldn’t be ignored. Even when we both had other people, it didn’t matter — we couldn’t stay away. We were obsessed with each other, completely hooked. I’d sneak over every night, even when I moved two hours away just to make people think we weren’t seeing each other anymore. But he’d still drive back and forth every night and morning, even while working all day, just to be with me.
By Adrianna Liraabout a year ago in Confessions
The Night He Finally Chose Me. Content Warning.
We always knew there was something about us that couldn’t be ignored. Even when we both had other people, it didn’t matter — we couldn’t stay away. We were obsessed with each other, completely hooked. I’d sneak over every night, even when I moved two hours away just to make people think we weren’t seeing each other anymore. But he’d still drive back and forth every night and morning, even while working all day, just to be with me.
By Adrianna Liraabout a year ago in Confessions
When Trust Turns Venom
There’s something sacred about loyalty. It’s one of those quiet values that makes human connection feel safe. Whether it comes from family, friends, or partners, loyalty has a warmth that can’t be bought or faked. It’s the invisible thread that holds relationships together — the reason we trust, relax, and believe.
By Atiqbuddyabout a year ago in Confessions
