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The Stone, originally published ▟▟▛▛/▞▙/▟▙
The baby was born in the village. This village was protected by three cliffs, and an ocean. Invaders couldn't get beyond the sharp walls, and the ocean was too vast to cross.
When the baby was old enough to speak, they were given a stone. They were told that if they put down the stone, they would die. They never saw anyone without a stone in their hand. Down to the villager's clothes and houses, the stones shaped every part of their life.
The baby became a grown-up, too. One day, they put down the stone, climbed the cliff walls, and left the village.
What made them put down the stone?
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▞▗ ▝▝▝▗▗▙ ▚▜▞▟▗▟ ▜▝▙▙▝▟ ▝▛▝▜▟▖ ▞▛▚▜ and the magazine became partially dedicated to the "stranger" ▙ ▚▜▞▟▗▟ ▜▝▙▙▝ phenomenon without them even realizing that it was happening. Because you were starting to get more and more people who were having these experiences, who were seeking out some kind of commonality or way in which they could communicate with one another.
It's only natural, what happens after that...
