CATCH DARK

The Fairy Tale Tournament

Fairy-tale villains. One prize.

$300 to the winner. Free to enter. Play any time until November 21.

Enter the tournament

WRITE

Say it plainly.

Write like Hemingway. Short sentences walk you in. Plain words keep you walking. One long sentence now and then is fine; two in a row is not.

5:00

5 off · 0 words · 0 sentences · variety – ·

Nothing leaves this page unless you tap Say it plainly, and then only that sentence.

REHEARSE

Walk in ready.

Describe a conversation you need to have. Practice it here first.

Your scenes are private to your account. We don't read them, share them or sell them, and you can delete them any time.

Hold your center.

Every mammal is built for four good things. Together they're your center.

Care

Warmth. Wanting good for the other.

Play

Lightness, humor, ease together.

Curiosity

Open, interested, exploring.

Steadiness

Calm enough to choose.

Some people pull you off it, on purpose or not. Each tactic switches on fear, panic or rage instead. Catch Dark trains you to spot the move and stay in your center.

Read them.

Twelve texts each. Name the trick.

ReadIagoThe HandkerchiefDesdemona is faithful. Iago hates you.ReadLady MacbethDuncan's NightKilling the king would destroy you. Your wife wants it done.ReadDraculaThe CastleThe Count is a monster. He wants you alone and cut off.Readthe Big Bad WolfLittle Red Riding HoodGrandma is alone. The wolf wants to eat you both.Readthe Evil QueenThe PeddlerThe old woman at the door is the queen. She wants you dead.ReadClaudiusThe GhostClaudius killed your father. He doesn't know you know.ReadMr. HydeThe PotionEach time Hyde gets out, someone gets hurt. He wants out.Readthe StepmotherCinderellaYou're invited too. Your stepmother wants you kept home.ReadRumpelstiltskinThe StrawYou can't spin gold. He can. His price is your child.Readthe Wicked WitchThe Silver ShoesYour shoes are magic. She can't take them unless you let her.ReadRichard IIIThe WooingRichard killed your husband. Now he wants to marry you.ReadMephistophelesThe PactYour soul, forever, for a little fun. He wants you to sign.ReadEdmundThe Forged LetterEdgar is loyal. The letter in his hand is forged.ReadMr. MurdstoneThe LessonsYour boy is gentle. Your new husband means to break you both.ReadOsmondThe MarriageYour fortune is his. Now he wants your mind as well.ReadUriah HeepThe PartnershipYour papa did nothing wrong. Heep wants his house, and you.ReadLord HenryThe PortraitYour conscience is your own. Lord Henry finds it a bore.ReadCount FoscoThe SignatureLaura's fortune, Laura's name. Only you stand in his way.ReadSatanThe Forbidden TreeOne tree is forbidden. The serpent wants you to taste it.ReadMilady de WinterThe PrisonerShe is a spy. She wants you to free her and kill a duke.Readthe Big Bad WolfThe Three Little PigsYour brothers are gone. The wolf wants you out of your brick house.Readthe Big Bad WolfThe Seven Little GoatsMother is out. The wolf at the door wants to eat all seven of you.Readthe Evil QueenThe HuntsmanThe queen wants Snow White dead, and wants your hands to do it.ReadRumpelstiltskinGuess My NameA little man has come for your baby. Guess his name or lose him.Readthe StepmotherHansel and GretelFamine. Your wife wants your children left in the woods.Readthe Field MouseThumbelinaA mouse took you in. She wants you married to the Mole.ReadPuss in BootsThe Ogre's CastleA cat in boots flatters you. He wants your castle for his master.Readthe Mayor of HamelinThe Pied PiperYou rid the town of rats. The mayor won't pay.ReadBeauty's SistersThe Visit HomeThe Beast gave you one week home. Your sisters want you to overstay.Readthe SwindlerThe Emperor's New ClothesThe looms are empty. He wants you on parade in your underclothes.Readthe FoxThe Field of MiraclesFive gold coins for your father. The Fox wants them.Readthe Fisherman's WifeThe FlounderYour wife wants more. Every wish makes the sea angrier.ReadBaba YagaThe Hut on Chicken LegsYour stepmother sent you for a light. Baba Yaga is hungry.

Real life.

The same tricks, at home.

Readthe GaslighterThe KitchenHe shouted until you cried. Today he says it never happened.Readthe NarcissistYour BirthdayYour thirtieth birthday. Your father wants the night to be about him.Readthe Love BomberThe First MonthThree weeks in, she wants to move in. Your best friend says wait.Readthe Guilt-TripperSunday DinnerYou'll spend the holidays with your partner's family. She disagrees.Readthe ControllerThe MoneyPayday. Your husband wants your salary in an account you can't see.Readthe MartyrThe HolidaysYour mother-in-law is staying for Christmas week, and taking over.Readthe Smear ArtistThe DivorceYour ex says you walked out. Now he wants you to sign.Readthe Flying MonkeyThe Family ChatYou set a boundary with your mother. Now your aunt is texting you.Readthe CharmerThe PickupHandover day at school. Your ex is all smiles, and wants more.Readthe VictimThe BreakupYou end it tonight. She lied and went through your phone.

Dysfunctional Families.

Your family texts you. You reply in emoji.

VsMom & DadSunday LunchYou can't make it this Sunday. They took it personally.Vsthe Golden ChildThe FavoriteShe took credit for your party. Now she'd like applause.Vsthe Family Group ChatEveryone at OnceFourteen people in the chat. Three of them have thoughts.Vsthe Mother-in-LawThe HolidaysYou're hosting the holidays. She's bringing a turkey anyway.VsDadThe Real JobYou quit the bank to make pottery. He's proud. In his way.Vsthe AuntStill Single?She asks because she cares. Out loud.Vsthe BrotherThe LoanHe needs $200 till Friday. Again.VsMomThe GrandkidsWhen are you giving her grandchildren? She keeps asking.Vsthe StepmotherThe Wedding SeatShe wants the front row with your dad. That's your mom's seat.VsYour ExThe WeekendIt's your weekend with the kids. Your ex wants to swap. Again.VsGrandmaThe RingThe ring was promised to you. Now it's 'we'll see.'Vsthe UncleThe Business IdeaHe wants $5,000 for his can't-miss business. You've said no.Vsthe CousinThe WeddingYou're her bridesmaid. The asks keep growing past your budget.VsYour TeenagerThe Car KeysYour 17-year-old wants the car Saturday night. You said no.Vsthe Sister-in-LawThe Baby ShowerShe's decided her baby shower is at your place. And on you.Vsthe Father-in-LawThe Family BusinessHe wants you to quit your job and join the family business.VsMomThe DivorceMom wants you on her side. And home on Dad's birthday.VsYour DaughterMoving Back HomeShe wants to move back in. With her boyfriend. "For a few months."Vsthe TwinThe BirthdayYour twin wants the usual joint party. At her place. Her way.VsDad's New GirlfriendThe IntroductionShe wants you at a "family" brunch Sunday. And a nickname.

The duels.

Twelve villains text you. You pick your reply.The long game: three replies a turn, and a board to hold.

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