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Post by Snorlax on Sept 5, 2012 16:31:23 GMT -8
Prompt: Someone's Red leather journal Notes: Mostly inspired by the fact that I've been playing Skyrim all weekend, and I love the little journals that you can find by skeletons and corpses in game. The setting/time period is meant to be ambiguous be it our world, another world, 1800's or modern day.
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August 3rd Lets see... How shall I start this? I suppose beginning with explaining what I'm setting out to do. It is rumored that there is a beast lurking in Heddlebrook Forest. Reports vary about the actual appearance of the beast. Some sources have stated that it is an overly large bear, while others say that it is some sort of man beast with claws, and things of that nature. It is my plan to visit the forest, and set these records straight. It is my first venture of this nature, and I hope to have many ventures like it in the future.
While my goal is to debunk the myth, I am no fool. I will be traveling with a hired hand. I believe his name is Falken, or something of that nature. I suppose that sounds horrible of me. I plan to spend at least a month in the wilderness with this man, and I don't know his name well. Oh well, there will be plenty of time for getting close I suppose. That's all for now.
August 10th It's one week before departure. I thought I would just write a quick entry about the progress of my trip. Currently, everything is going without a hitch. I have gathered all of the appropriate supplies. Since I plan on such a small party we will bring the bare minimum, and live primarily off the land as much as possible. Falken, that was his name, seems to enjoy this idea. I've met with him a few times over the course of the past week to straighten out the plans with him. He's a bit gruff, but good-natured. He has proven himself to be a good choice. I still have my suspicions, as being out alone with only one companion in the middle of the woods can wear on even the best of relationships.
August 17th Today marks day one of the expedition. Things are rather well, we aren't too far into the forest, but I can already feel the difference between living in the city. The forest is filled with a cacophony of animal noises, and other sounds of nature, yet it seems quiet compared to the buzzing of electricity, and babble of humans that fills the city. It's rather calming.
I got on a bit of Falken's nerves today, I was complaining a bit about the walking. I should have trained a bit more for the trek. I figured that being relatively fit was all you needed to be fine at hiking, but that was before I learned of all the new muscles that could ache after a long day of carrying a heavy pack over uneven terrain. Still, we aren't at each others throats, and I hope that I can adjust before it gets to that point.
As this is early in the trek, we have had no progress of finding the beast. Falken has found no signs of unusual wildlife, and we have little leads other than the area where most sightings occur.
August 18th It is the second day of our trek, and it is for the most part just more of what happened yesterday. I woke up sore, and the walk wasn't very fun at all. Falken came up with the idea of telling stories as we walked. I mostly did the story telling, and it was all tales the other man had no doubt heard before, but I doubt he was even listening. Regardless, it was a wonderful way to distract myself, and keep me from whining.
August 20th Yesterday, and today have been much of the same. There's nothing really to report. I've decided that I will cease writing entries until something of import happens.
August 30th Ten days have passed since my last entry. We've slowly been adding local fauna into our daily meals, as per the plan. Falken is used to such meals, but he assured me that it would be best to ease my 'delicate' stomach into things. After the first night of eating wild rabbit, I was rather glad of his plan. My stomach wasn't very happy at all. I have since gotten used to the 'exotic' meats, and our meals consist mainly of game, except when none can be caught.
Aside from that, we've hit our first lead. Falken found the ghastly remains of what I can only imagine is a deer. He claimed to have never seen such a thing before, which was exactly what we were looking for. There were no footprints to follow, but there was a trail of blood that lead us to a lake and then went cold. Based on the fact that the splatter lead right into the water, the beast cleaned itself before proceeding. It is my hopes that we find something soon.
September 1st We decided to set up camp by the lake in hopes that the beast would return to it at some point. As such, we left most of our gear there. Today, while we went out to look for signs of the beast something ransacked our camp. When we came back, everything was in the lake. I assume it was some of the locals whom don't want us to discover that the whole thing is just a tale, as the gear was disposed of in quite a sophisticated manner. Things were apparently shoved into the tent, and then held down by rocks. Quite heavy rocks too, which leads me to believe that no less than three men had a part in this. Luckily, I always bring writing utensils, and this journal, with me wherever I go. So, I can continue this journal.
Tonight, we will not be sleeping until we find shelter. I am currently writing this before we depart.
September 2nd We were unable to find any man-made structure, but we did locate a nice area rich with thick leaved plants that Falken has been able to use, along with some sticks and things, to create a makeshift shelter for the night. We slept through a good portion of the day, as it was nearly dawn by the time we got camp set up. We plan to stay here another day before looking for civilization.
September 3rd Falken is rather worried. We woke up to find a stinking corpse a short distance away from our camp. It was headless, and very much human. I woke to the lovely stare of the decapitated head. I refuse to admit that there is some intelligent beast out there stalking us, but Falken is convinced that the beast is telling us to leave. I personally believe that it's simply the twisted ways of the locals. Everyone knows that backwater people can be quite... disturbed to say the least.
We plan to head back to civilization at dawn tomorrow.
September 4th Once again, we awoke to vandalism. This time, it was the lovely treat of being surrounded by bones, no skulls, simply bones. Only me, Falken was left unsurrounded. though a stick with ivy wrapped around it was stabbed into the ground rather close to his head.
It was at this point that Falken and I had our falling out. He was terrified, but I remained calm throughout it all. I assured him that it was all just the hijinks of backwater folks, and he lost it. The man babbled on about me being thick-headed, and then took his things and stormed off. I stayed behind, alone with the bones. I waited a short while before going after him. I have currently been unable to find him, and I'm simply taking a break before continuing on.
September 5th I still have yet to find my companion, and after all that has happened, the calming noises of the forest have become more sinister. Every twig snap, every time the birds go silent for even a moment, I stop to look behind me. Nothing is there, but still, I must look. I must assure myself that nothing is there.
September 6th Still alone. I fear for Falken's life. Today, I woke up with a severed hand right in front of my face. I could swear that it had a scar similar to Falken's but I assured myself that it was simply my imagination. So as to keep my sanity, I fled as quickly as possible. I doubt I will get much rest tonight.
September 7th Do not take me for a fool, please. I do not want to leave this world as the fool who didn't realize what was happening to him. I knew, that this was no fooling around by a hillbilly. I've known since the lake, but I refused to admit it. How could I? I had to remain the rock. For our sanity, I had to.
Now my sanity is the only thing that matters, and I do not care about it.
I found Falken. I think the beast realized that I was the leader, no, I know it did. Compared to the other corpses, it would seem that my companion went out as peacefully as possible. His body was well preserved, a blow to the neck seems to have been his demise. I hope that the hand was removed after his death. I apologize for his death, but how could I have imagined that something like this would happen?
For record, I have buried his body under the large oak tree, and marked it with a pile of stones, and a carving of the letter 'F' in the trunk of the tree.
September 8th I have continued my search for civilization, but I have come up with naught, and my supplies are running low. Since Falken's death I have been unable to sleep well. I keep expecting to wake up to some new grotesque present, or not at all. Nothing has been presented though. I think the beast is toying with me.
September 9th I have little time to write this. I think I saw it today. It was in the corner of my eye, so I can't be sure. Please dear gods, lead me to the road before I am killed.
September 10th I'm by the lake now. It's safer, at least I can see the forest, and hear the noise of the water in case it tries to sneak up on me. I'm terrified to leave, but I must find another soul. I need help.
September 11th Oh gods. Oh gods. It... It was in the lake. I scarcely heared it coming, it sounded like the natural lapping of the water against the shore, but it wasn't. Oh, and what a great beast it was. At least six feet tall, with enormous back clawed fingers, and a lanky body. I was luckily able to flee with this journal and a pencil, but I know he's coming. He's tired of playing with me... Gods please. Please send me help.
September 12th Why isn't he killing me?! I see him. He's been circling for what seems to be hours. Always just out of sight. A rustling here, a rustling there, but I know it's him, and he knows I know. Gods please just e-
{At this point, the neat handwriting of the researcher changes to a childish scrawl.}
You have ignored the bodies. This is the last warning.
Note: This is a transcription of a red leather journal found neatly placed, on top of a boulder the size of a coffee table, in the middle of the road that leads past Heddlebrook Forest. Since it's discovery, the entire area, and road, has been locked off from the public, and kept strictly monitored to prevent hooligans from entering. It has proven difficult, as any attempt to put up a fence has been thwarted. Luckily, none of the watchmen have been taken, save for one or two unfortunate souls who ventured too far in.
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Post by THE TRUE JIN on Oct 3, 2012 11:45:06 GMT -8
updated + 20 points. Please update your points tracker.
gdi sorry this took so long!
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