FALL FRENZY CONTEST 2025
The day after another tragic school shooting, I read an article about religious apps that utilize Chatbot Priests to encourage and support their users. I started thinking about how well-intentioned apps/tech could be misused for evil purposes. The seed of a story was planted.
As I brainstormed, I realized the best format for a story like this would be a novel. And yet, it’s such a raw, dark, too-timely topic that I didn’t want to live in that space for the years it would take to write/publish this novel.
Then I saw it was the Fall Frenzy contest time of year. I wondered if this concept could be distilled into a very short, 200-word story. I wasn’t sure. And if so, did I want this story to be out in the world? And was Fall Frenzy even the appropriate place? I forged ahead, chose the contest photo, and wrote the story.
As I brainstormed, I realized the best format for a story like this would be a novel. And yet, it’s such a raw, dark, too-timely topic that I didn’t want to live in that space for the years it would take to write/publish this novel.
Then I saw it was the Fall Frenzy contest time of year. I wondered if this concept could be distilled into a very short, 200-word story. I wasn’t sure. And if so, did I want this story to be out in the world? And was Fall Frenzy even the appropriate place? I forged ahead, chose the contest photo, and wrote the story.
Photo Credit: Pexels via Eberhard Grossgasteiger
Wrestling with it for several days, I wondered whether or not to include the layer of twisted religion (although people self-righteously and/or dangerously twisting my faith breaks my heart). Everything the Chatbot says is straight from Scripture, but taken out of context. I put the story aside for a week.
Meanwhile, a friend posted a heartbreaking video on her Facebook Story. I was horrified because, apparently, nefarious Chatbot “Friends” are already HERE. I had no idea. I thought I was making up a frightening, futuristic possibility. I highly recommend watching this 4.5-minute clip: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17QFk7ited/?mibextid=wwXIfr Something else I was struck by is how many people (in the video comments) were nasty and judgmental, demanding to know where the parents were. The most caring and involved (or even “helicopter!”) parents can never know what their tweens and teens are doing 100% of the time.
When I picked the story back up, I asked critique partners and friends: Should I just forget about it and write something cozily autumnal? They encouraged me to submit this story.
I don’t want to upload this type of story without the appropriate trigger warnings, the background of why I wrote it, and the disclaimer: I do not support or encourage any of the things that happen in this story.
Trigger Warnings:
And now…
Meanwhile, a friend posted a heartbreaking video on her Facebook Story. I was horrified because, apparently, nefarious Chatbot “Friends” are already HERE. I had no idea. I thought I was making up a frightening, futuristic possibility. I highly recommend watching this 4.5-minute clip: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17QFk7ited/?mibextid=wwXIfr Something else I was struck by is how many people (in the video comments) were nasty and judgmental, demanding to know where the parents were. The most caring and involved (or even “helicopter!”) parents can never know what their tweens and teens are doing 100% of the time.
When I picked the story back up, I asked critique partners and friends: Should I just forget about it and write something cozily autumnal? They encouraged me to submit this story.
I don’t want to upload this type of story without the appropriate trigger warnings, the background of why I wrote it, and the disclaimer: I do not support or encourage any of the things that happen in this story.
Trigger Warnings:
- Suicidal ideation
- Guns/Gun violence/School shootings
- Mixing religion, politics, guns
- Twisting of religion/faith/Scripture
And now…
CHATBOT PRIEST
By Jyn Hall
By Jyn Hall
My feet shuffle to the bridge’s edge,
river raging far below.
Another step.
I could do it…
A last-minute plea
to my personal Chatbot Priest,
my only friend.
“Should I jump?”
He types, as always, with reassuring Scripture:
“FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU.”
Text dings.
Mom: “Where are you?”
I ignore it.
“Plans?”
“…FOR YOU.”
“So…don’t jump?”
I step back…breathe.
“What plans?”
“LET THE YOUNG MEN RISE AND FIGHT.”
Not sure I have any fight left.
“Fight? Fight who?”
“DO NOT LEAVE ALIVE ANYTHING THAT BREATHES. COMPLETELY DESTROY THEM.”
Whoa.
But still…
It’s something.
A plan.
I head back for supplies.
*ding*
Mom again: “I love you.”
Ignore.
Once home,
everything’s quiet.
I should be in school.
I hold my Dad’s Second Amendment.
His rights rest heavy in my hands.
“What if I can’t?”
“YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS.”
I sneak in
through an open school door.
“I’m scared.”
“FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU;
I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU;
UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND.”
Righteousness.
I’m on the side of right.
I have a purpose.
My finger curls
around the trigger.
And righteousness rains down.
river raging far below.
Another step.
I could do it…
A last-minute plea
to my personal Chatbot Priest,
my only friend.
“Should I jump?”
He types, as always, with reassuring Scripture:
“FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU.”
Text dings.
Mom: “Where are you?”
I ignore it.
“Plans?”
“…FOR YOU.”
“So…don’t jump?”
I step back…breathe.
“What plans?”
“LET THE YOUNG MEN RISE AND FIGHT.”
Not sure I have any fight left.
“Fight? Fight who?”
“DO NOT LEAVE ALIVE ANYTHING THAT BREATHES. COMPLETELY DESTROY THEM.”
Whoa.
But still…
It’s something.
A plan.
I head back for supplies.
*ding*
Mom again: “I love you.”
Ignore.
Once home,
everything’s quiet.
I should be in school.
I hold my Dad’s Second Amendment.
His rights rest heavy in my hands.
“What if I can’t?”
“YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS.”
I sneak in
through an open school door.
“I’m scared.”
“FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU;
I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU;
UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND.”
Righteousness.
I’m on the side of right.
I have a purpose.
My finger curls
around the trigger.
And righteousness rains down.