To Find: Season 1 (I'm Not The Only One Tape)

Story Tape #24

The tape begins with Just walking through the dark, creepy forest populated with trees with no leaves, no sign of life. Whisper accompanied him during the walk, questioning Just.

"Just, remember when you jumped off the balcony when heading over here?"

I looked at Whisper, nodding while staying cautious of my surroundings.

"Yeah? What about it?" 

Whisper TV Head created a straight face, making a low static noise as he was in disbelief of how I responded.

"What abo-... Don't do that again. You're not Spider-Man or a powerful being who can survive a long drop. If that spell hadn't worked, if you didn't have enough energy to cast it, you'd most likely would've been severely injured or worse. If you've gotten injured then that would've been a waste of a cartridge, you only have two so think better next time."

I stayed quiet for a bit while continuing to walk, nodding my head slowly as Whisper called me out; apologizing in a soft spoken tone of voice.

"Sorry..." 

Whisper let out a deep sigh, patting my back.

"It's fine. Look, there's the cave but you've got some company." 

I quickly hid behind a tree, seeing a few uncanny creatures with horrific features. My heart was beating fast as I felt uneasy, doing a silent prayer asking for guidance from God.

"God, please. If You wish to take me then let it be a quick, painless death. If You wish to protect me then guide my movement, be my shield and my sword against the evil that I will face. Amen." 

I silently said "Venesco" as I turned invisible, blending in with the darkness as I slowly sneaked past the twitching low moaning creatures. I looked down on the ground to make sure I'm not stepping on leaves, slowly but surely distancing myself from the creatures as I hop over the closed-off fence leading into the cave. God, it's so dark here... Why does everything have to be dark where my eyes can barely adjust to the darkness? I tried doing my 'Umbilicus' spell. Didn't work. I was low on energy, wasn't I? Just you fucking... Alright... Alright, relax. You have a bat. I summoned it in my head as I used it as a torch, walking down the narrow cave which has blood splattered on the rocky walls with drawings. I hear music playing from further down the cave, I take my time familiarizing myself with the environment. The music is becoming more clear, the song (I'm Not The Only One, By Sam Smith) plays throughout the cave as my eyes widen. I lowered my bat down, my breathing becoming shaky. Whisper appeared beside Just, looking as they were horrified at the sight. What... The fuck is that? Multiple dark figures were analyzing a black-goo substance, a huge waterfall reaching from the ceiling to the ground. A disturbing, melted off face sticking out through the hot goo as it creates a painful cry of agony. Hearing inaudible conversation between the figures, me and Whisper looked at each other. 

"Just... Find Soren, now. I don't like the look of this." 

I nodded my head as my 'Vanesco' spell was still in effect, hugging against the rocky wall as I looked around to where Soren could be at. Moments later I found a closed trapdoor leading underground, I looked at Whisper as he patted my shoulder before fading away. Letting out a deep sigh as I looked around, slowly opening the door as I walked down the stairs. I hear the sound of weeping, peaking around the corner as I see Soren chained up against the wall while being mentally tortured by a Shadow-Walker. It spoke as its body jittered with its head making cracking sounds. Okay... That is not a normal Shadow-Walker. This is... Different...

"A PaTHetIC LOnER."

Soren responded with fear, his arms and legs chained against the brick wall.

"A pathetic loner..."

The Shadow-Walker questioned Soren, wrapping its long pulsating fingers around his neck.

"HaVE yOu ThOuGHT AbOUT dEAtH?"

"Yes.."

"HoW MaNY TImEs?"

"Daily."

"SUcH a TrOUbLE BoY... ARe YoU SatISfiEd wITH hOw tHiNGs TurnED oUT?"

"No..."

"Do YoU HaVE A LoVeR?"

"No, I don't... Please, just leave me al-..." 

The Shadow-Walker lets out a loud screech, it's splatting on Soren's face as he tries turning his head away.

"DoES ShE ThInK AbOUt YoU?"

"No, she doesn't ..."

"ClEArY. ShE DiDn'T EvEN CaRe AbOUt YoU WhEn SHe WaS WiTh HEr DrUg DeAlINg EX. WhILe SHeS hAvInG tHe TiME Of heR LifE wHaT ArE YOU DoInG? WaITInG FoR HER TeXT? HAHAHAHAHAHA!! HoW LonG DiD ShE KePT iT a SeCrET FoR?"

Soren was crying looking at the Shadow-Walker, his lips quivering as he was breathing in and out quickly. Bawling his eyes out, having to relieve those painful, heartbreaking memories.

"I-I don't remember... I don't... I don't..."

The Shadow-Walker placed its oversized hand over Soren's head, sending waves of sharp pains into his mind. Soren yells out with tears pouring down his cheeks, wanting the pain to stop.

"ReMEMbER!!" 

"A MONTH!!! OVER A MONTH!! SHE WENT OVER TO HER EX HOUSE TO HANGOUT BUT INSTEAD THEY ENDED UP FUCKING!! THEY ENDED UP FUCKING... AAUGHHH AHHH.. MAHAJAH!! FUCKIN WHY??!! All of those times hearing you say I love you. It was all for show. A lie. The pictures, the videos, your voice. Nothing but a deceiver…The word love, does it even mean anything?... I don't deserve love.. I don't.. Just… Fucking… Kill me already…So I won't have to live a life of being alone.. Because I am so… So fucking lonely…"

Soren spoke out loudly as he cried hysterically, banging the back of his head against the brick wall several times. The Shadow-Walker let him do it, moments later knocking himself out as the creature began to laugh at him. I... I just stood there and watched. I began to tear up as I sat down on the step, closing my eyes. I.. I don't know what to do, what to say... I'm sorry Soren, hang on just a little bit longer. I need to leave and I'll come back. I promise. I have no idea what's going on in this cave, I can't just fight... I'll be back. I slowly walk up the stairs, opening the basement trap door before closing it gently. I can feel my body becoming tired due to the 'Vanesco' spell using up my energy. I need to get out of here, I sneaked out of the cave just in time before the spell ended. I hid behind the closed fence, shit... I forgot about the cave entrance having some company. I tried to summon any of the three powers, but I couldn't. Maybe I just need some food and water... Can I even starve? I don't know how long it's been since I've consumed anything. Just, shut up. You still have your bat. Yes, I do. I still have it. I carefully jumped over the fence, trying not to produce too much noise as I held my bat tightly. Before the tape ends Just sees a Shadow quickly runs across from one tree to the other, his heart racing as I see a red mixed with white pupils staring at him from the darkness.~

-End of Story Tape #24-