To Find: Season 1 (Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tape)

Story Tape #28

The tape starts with the sound of Just yelling out, using his Claws to cut down the hostile and mutated Investigators. The tape shows Just turning around after striking them, one of the Investigators that wasn't cut down runs at Just; using it's arm to stretch towards him as he cuts it's arm off. It didn't even screech in pain or anything, regenerating another arm at a slow rate. The Goo that was cut off sank into the gooey floor. The sound of Quiesco, Sophismae and Bēlua arguing about the situation invaded Just mind. Quiesco spoke first, frustrated.

"Even the Claws of Screams can't even make these creatures scream. Our attacks are useless, what can we even do?!"

Sophismae showed her disappointment.

"I'm sorry love, we can't do anything for you against the foes that've been altered by the Goo."

Bēlua expressed his anger.

"This is ridiculous!! Just, I hate to admit it but your bat is the only thing that can slow them down by blinding them. Do you remember, yes? When we've met a similar enemy. Your bat blinded It, that's the only solution we have. Be brave, Wanderer."

I felt the pressure weighing down on me as I summoned the bat, looking down at it as the four investigators slowly pursued me. I spoke to them nervously, but I readied myself.

"I've never realized how much I hate the word 'goo'. Y'all are really pressuring me right now, like come on this is too much for me to handle. Why can't I just run out of the cave?"

Bēlua spoke.

"We need to make sure that Soren gets to safety. If you leave then these mutated, grotesque monsters will leave the cave freely and cause chaos! Do you not fucking think?"

I yelled out loudly as I pressed the bat against my forehead, clenching the handle tightly as I was trying to comprehend that this could be my last moment here. Okay Just, relax! Blind them, dodge their attacks, easy peasy, right? Okay, maybe not easy peasy but… Fuck it. I focused my attention towards the pursuing Investigators letting out an uncomfortable sound of pain. The sound of the ear piece making static noise. Four of them rushed towards Just letting out a devastating, loud screech as Just gets ready to swing his bat to launch blinding projectiles as he mutters under his breath "I am at Your mercy, my Lord." Bēlua, Sophismae and Quiesco called out to Just as his cross glowed bright, blinding the mutated creatures as I heard the sound of Jelen's voice. The song (FOLLOW ME, By KLOUD) plays as Just is filled with hope, smiling underneath his mask.

"HEY DUCK!! I'M HERE!! SOREN IS SAFE, COME ON!!"

I couldn't express how grateful I was to hear her voice, turning around as I didn't hesitate to run straight towards the exit. The creatures were still blinded at it gave me some time to create some distance between us, running as fast as I can calling out to Jelen.

"H-Hey!! I hope to God that you've got some backup cause we're going to need it!!"

The blinding effect wore off as the creatures gained their visions back, roaring out loudly as they started to follow Just. I looked back to see them chasing me as my heart was pounding fast, mixed with adrenaline and fear. Moments later seeing a lighting moving at the end of the tunnel, seeing Jelen LED mask from afar as I was laughing joyfully. I called out to her again.

"JELEN!!"

Jelen called out to me.

"JUST!! QUICK!! GRAB ON!!"

Jelen aimed her gun at me. I was nervous at first but noticed the under-barrel containing a launcher as it shot a rope at me as I grabbed onto it tightly. Jelen shouted out loudly. The growling of the creatures became close, getting ready to attack me as my eyes widened. She was on a hoverboard as she pulled me away from them, beginning to ride away from them as I held onto the rope tightly. The forceful winding blowing against my mask as tears formed in my eyes, clenching my teeth as Jelen reaches the exit as she shouts to Squad Ceses outside.

"BLOCK THE CAVE!! NOW!!"

I gripped onto the rope tightly as Jelen went faster, and as soon as we exited the cave Squad Ceres blocked the cave with a barrage of cement using a few mobilized vehicles to cover-up the entrance. Jelen stopped the hoverboard as it swung towards a pile of leaves, safely landing on my back as I breathed heavily; patting my body to see if there were any injuries on me.

"H-H.. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. Ha. Hahaha!! That was crazy."

I got up from the pile of leaves as I walked up near the entrance to the cave, seeing it being covered as the goo tried to melt it off hearing the mutated Investigators their low cries. Jelen spoke to her team.

"Keep on covering the entrance, we'll come back with more resources to help out. We need to make sure that it doesn't get out, okay?"

Squad Ceres shouted in unison saying "Affirmative." Looking at Jelen as I expressed to her my gratitude, placing my hand on my chest as I gently bowed to her out of respect.

"Thank you for saving me Jelen."

Jelen nodded her head, patting my shoulder as she wiped off some of the goo off of my body.

"No problem Just, Soren is back at the town seeking medical attention. But other than that, he's safe. Now, you go back home and take a shower. I'll have one of the squad members take you home."

I smiled at her as I said "Thank you" to her before getting into the passenger seat of the armored vehicle, looking out the window to see vehicles continuing to shoot out cement onto the entrance. I leaned back against the seat as I closed my eyes, relaxing myself from the adrenaline rush wearing off. One of the members, a male one, entered into the vehicle as he greeted me before driving off towards the town. I greeted him back as I slowly drifted off to sleep from exhaustion.

Just, are you okay?

"Yes.. Yes, I am fine."

Good. You did it, you actually did it

"Did what?"

Dummy. You saved Soren, now he's in the care of Cherry's people.

"Yeah, I guess so but D.E.F.E.A.T is still out there. Did I actually even save Soren? I think I've put ourselves in danger. He will find a way to get Soren back. This small, little town isn't enough to stop D.E.F.E.A.T minions. Hell, even this whole damn Goo situation. That's also another threat."

After Soren gets treated you can take him back to the Safe Haven. Remember, your God is protecting it. He can be safe there

"I haven't thought about that. Thanks Spark, I need to make sure that he is safe."

So close to ending this nightmare. The clock is ticking. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

"Tick… Tock… Tick… Tock…"

The tape ends with the sound of people screaming, the crackling sounds of fire, flesh being torn apart, bones being crushed and being cracked. Just opened up his eyes, tears forming as running down his cheeks. A reflection of fire is shown on his pupils.~

-End of Story Tape #28-