I got into cave, exploring with my friends.
A few months ago, it was a blast until last weekend.
I now wish I had never gotten into it at all.
At first, we found some local easily, findable ones that
provided just enough of a challenge to look forward to
going again. None of the ones that we visited
at. First seemed like there was any
cause for concern or even held a whiff of danger.
The first cave, we went to as a relatively popular one, just
about 30 minutes from our town. We took about four hours to
complete. Complete.
The unguided tour of the Cave System, all the chambers were,
well above 8 feet and clearance and nearly impossible to get
lost in. There is also a ranger station,
nearby that checks the caves and most of the chambers at the end
of the day so that nobody could get left behind the closed and
locked gate. It was a blast, we had so much
fun. We all agreed to do it again the
next weekend and every weekend that we all could go together
barring any family or work, commitments.
It continued like this over the next couple of months.
We went further and further away from home once even spending the
night camping. So we could make a weekend of it
during the early summer, that cave was awesome.
And while it was a bit on the more advanced side of things, we
did, all the exploring we wanted to with no injuries whatsoever.
If you don't count scrapes and minor cuts and bruises last
week, I was doing some research on bigger, more complex cave,
systems in the Northeast and came across a very helpful
website plotting, all the best ones to visit.
I found that the website did In fact have a rating system that
should have been followed. I didn't follow it.
I'm single the two buddies. I usually go caving with are
both married with like five kids between them.
I wanted to head out to one system that was a few hours away
from our town but neither one of them could make it that weekend.
I told them that I would go up, check it out and report back to
them. If it was worth taking a closer
look the weather was supposed to be spectacular and warm perfect
to camp out overnight. They both Told me that it wasn't
a good idea to go alone, I told them not to worry, I wasn't
going to do anything stupid. I was barely even going to go in
any of them. Just poke my head in, take a
look around jot, some notes down, Mark some coordinates for
easier, retracing of steps easy stuff.
I drove up before sunrise on the weekend morning, getting to the
area. Indicated on the map park.
My Jeep and began setting up a nice comfortable campsite.
I finished around 10:30 in the morning.
I didn't think that anyone One would mess with my stuff while I
was out exploring. I strapped my pack on with my
map in hand. I set off for the base of the
small. But nevertheless, impressive
mountain range that I was currently at the base of I was
walking down the trail for just over an hour heading for the
indicated entrance to one of the system's.
I wanted to check out I noticed something at the base of a large
rock, that looks like it had fallen down from somewhere up
higher and Millennia ago, it looked out of place to me like
it was deliberately placed at the foot of that giant rock.
I walked over to the spot and began probing around with the
handle of my climbing, ax stabbing, the sharp Spike into
the center of the off color, patch of whatever it was thunk,
what the hell? I said out loud, I got down on
my haunches and began in Earnest to probe and lift the cover,
revealing, an entrance descending down into nearly
total darkness. Now, you might be telling
yourself as you listen to this. You deserve whatever you get for
going down there and you may be right, but nobody deserves what
I saw down there. There, I stood above the whole
hand on my back pack straps staring down into the abyss a
thousand thoughts, raced through my mind, none of them were
helpful in the slightest. The rational site said rather
loudly, do not go down there. The Adventurous side said,
almost in a whisper you only live once I Shrugged off my
pack, did a quick, but thorough inventory of its contents
satisfied. I tied a 50-foot lengths of
climbing rope to the top carrying the handle of it and
slowly lowered it down. Into the darkness.
I tied the rope with a sturdy clove hitch around a tree
cracked, a chem light and dropped it into the hole.
It fell for about a second, bouncing off the stone floor and
skittering off into the darkness barely Illuminating.
My swaying backpack in the air, I got on my belly, pulling out
my trusty 1000 Lumen flashlight pointing it into the darkness
and Blasting everything in bright light, the chamber below
me seemed like it was about 35 feet below as my pack was barely
swaying, just above the floor. Or I could see that the chem
light, I dropped had bounced into what looked like a natural
Arch way and came to a rest against the wall.
I could see a glowing brightly from my current Vantage Point.
Screw it. I said to myself, grabbing the
rope and begin lowering myself down.
Once safely on the floor of the chamber, I unzipped my main
compartment and pulled out my helmet equipped with a petzl
five hundred Lumen headlamp. This thing had cost nearly a
hundred bucks but it could use both a rechargeable battery of
which I had Fully charged spares tucked away in my left pocket of
my adventure vest. But it also took two batteries,
24 of which I had stored in my pack.
I also kept four of them and each front pocket enough of
juice to last for nearly three days of continuous running.
I also kept a 1000 Lumen flashlight, clip to my vest one
that had plenty of battery to keep that thing on for hours.
At a time, I put my pack back on, snowed it, tightly down and
began to creep around the chamber looking for any signs of
animal life. Life.
I found none and began to sketch, a quick little map as I
went along in my field notebook, complete with some rough
dimensions of the chamber. I cracked another chem light
placing it directly at the foot of my rope and knowing these
things. Last for a few hours before
losing their light completely. I figured that would be a good
enough signal Beacon to guide me back to my rope, just in case I
had about two dozen chem lights in my side, pocket of my pack
easily accessible without having to remove the pack at all.
I cracked one about 50 or so feet.
Making sure that the last one could be seen.
Before placing a new one on the floor.
A Trail of Light bread crumbs. If you will, I came into a large
spacious Cavern walking around with 500 lumens.
It lit up the chamber quite well just some dancing Shadows
lurking in the far reaches of the lights capabilities.
I could hear water dripping or running off to my left and a
nice breeze was coming in from behind me just to my right side.
That's when I heard a sound that chilled me to the Core.
The sound came from what it seemed like directly ahead of
me. I froze in place, barely
breathing straining my ears to hear and Chambers like the one I
currently found myself in the sounds bounce around like a
Super Bowl pinpointing. A sound down here is nearly
impossible. The sound sounded animal Lake
but not quite I keep a fixed blade knife clipped to my belt
in the Scout carry position. I reached for it and pulled out
the well-honed blade from its sheath gloved, hand gripping,
the comfortable handle tightly. Had was on a swivel.
Looking about in a near, dizzying display of Shadows and
Light. I had to see the origin of that
sound. Maybe it was a wounded animal
that I would be able to help. I crept forward.
Nearly silent as a cat. I could begin to see another
entrance into another tunnel pass.
I slowly made my way to the entrance of the passageway.
I had cracked two more chem lights.
Walking across the nearly 50 feet, expanse of the chamber.
I place one at the entrance to the hallway, pulling out my
flashlight. I And it on to the max
brightness and moved on the hallway.
Wasn't as long as I had anticipated.
Maybe 25 feet or so it spilled out into a much smaller chamber
with several offshoot. Hallways leading to God, only
knows where what I saw in the center of that chamber look to
be right out of a horror movie. Piles of Bones, antlers scraps
of hide in rotten flesh. I stood rooted to the stone
floor. Unable to move.
I looked around in horror at the several hallways, realizing that
they weren't passages. More like smaller living
Chambers, you could see to the rear of each of them with my
powerful beam of light, that is when I heard that sound again
this time, much closer, it came from the far, left sub chamber.
I'm sure if it my head snap to the direction of that horrific
sound, and I could see for glowing yellow eyes, blinking
back at me, less intense light from my helmet, was able to make
out a rough shape of whatever stood about 20 or so feet
directly in front of me. It was small about four feet in
height and oddly shaped. And it stood up, rightish not
fully standing, but close enough.
It didn't appear to have any fur.
It was white like it has never been in the sun, white.
I snap my more powerful light to the pair.
I wish I hadn't, I got a good look at them.
This time I nearly dropped my light from sheer revulsion.
What I saw can't be explained they were humanoid but clearly
not human. They both had huge oval eyes
that squinted and almost closed as my powerful beam focused on
them, the bigger of the two. I can only assume was the mail
or whatever Screech that awful sound and clawed at the air, in
front of it size, the smaller one, retreated, back into the
Blackness of its chamber whimpering as it did.
At that point, I heard another sound coming from the right of
me, snapping my head in that direction.
I saw three more of them, hobble into the larger chamber.
One big one, one smaller, one in a very small, but equally
terrifying, child-sized one. This little one made a sound
that could break glass when my 1000 Lumen light, hit it.
It's more sensitive eyes. I don't know what these things
were, maybe an offshoot of evolution, a freak of nature.
I have no idea. I began to back out of that
smaller chamber, forgetting about the pile of bones.
That was behind me. I tripped and stumbled over some
of the loose bones. And that is when I saw it a
skull with a gold too. Thinly know, I began yelling,
dating my solid footing again. I swept the light around seeing
only three of the five previously seen creatures.
I had no idea where they had gone in the few seconds that my
light wasn't trained on them. I had turned and ran towards the
big chamber hearing a shriek behind me as I gained speed.
I blasted out of that hallway. Only to find that all of the
chem lights that I had placed along.
My short Trail had been piled up in the center of the bigger
chamber. They were not just piled up, but
they were placed in a way that could only show some kind of
intelligence since there was only one way to go.
I ran for it. I could hear slapping a flesh on
the stone floor behind me. I'm about six foot two and have
a pretty good build. I take rather long strides while
walking and much bigger ones while running those tiny
creatures. Couldn't keep up with my much
faster legs. I ran toward the small glimpse
of light that I could see. It was about 75 feet in front of
me, coming from the entrance from which I went in shrieking.
Continue behind me as well as slapping feet on Stone.
I sprinted towards the light and I entered the first chamber, the
big male was waiting for me at the entrance its back.
Into the light. I dropped my shoulder and ran
full force into its torso. Leveling it in one.
Savage, blow, barely. Even slowing down.
It got one. Good, swipe in on me furrowing
my right. Forearm, most likely deep enough
to require Stitches the body of the big male slammed into the
stone wall and you could hear an audible sound as its head
connected with stone, I left up grabbing the rope with both
hands, wrapping my feet around the rope and quickly as possible
climbed for my life, the other male.
Turd the chamber as I was about 15 feet off the stone floor, it
slashed at the rope with razorlight Claus.
I got high enough to grab the side of the Rock and heave
myself up into the bright sunny day.
I rolled over to my side and quickly began pulling up my now
shredded rope, I lay there for a few minutes, hearing the
anchored screams and shrieks coming from below.
I got back to my Jeep about 45 minutes later nearly spent after
running the entire way I got in my Jeep after I quickly packed
up my campsite I called my buddies and told them what
happened. Of course, they didn't believe
me at first until I showed them the pictures of the wound that
the big one gave me, three fingers of Klaus raked across my
forearm. I drove to the nearest hospital
to get patched up seventy five stitches in all to close the
wounds. They took some DNA evidence from
the wound as well. I spoke with the local sheriff's
office about the incident. They took a statement and
promised to follow up. It's been two months.
I haven't heard anything from Lon.
Enforcement. But I did hear back from the
hospital earlier this morning, the DNA found in my wound has no
known species associated with it.
The closest relative would be a monkey.
Technology is your friend that was the phrase.
I'd had almost ceremoniously drilled into my head from a
rather young age. As someone who was born in the
early 90s, I was alive to witness the world, take the jump
into the digital age. Following the turn of the
Millennium. I grew up watching the old
technology of the 20th century. Everything from analog
television to Copper phone lines, get phased out and
replaced all the while hearing that the new versions were
better more efficient and safer. And for a while, I actually
believed it, I wasn't what you would call a stickler for old
Tech. I moved with the times adopting,
new technology as it came along, everything from broadband
internet to smartphones to Smart TVs and cars with self-driving
capabilities. I was excited about it all as
well. Hearing about a new leap and
progress, always excited, me greatly as it meant a step
closer to the Future. I'd seen in cartoons as a kid,
such as the Jetsons that all changed last year.
It started small enough, I'd be standing or sitting somewhere
scrolling through social media on my phone, when it would
glitch up and freeze on me. I hadn't done anything wrong,
and I had good anti-virus software installed on it.
So the fact that a less than 2 year old, phone was going on the
fritz annoyed. Me to no end.
Friggin piece of crap, I his third gritted teeth, as I sat at
my desk, during a particularly slow shift at work as my phone.
Once again, froze, then went black as it shut itself off and
rebooted Vivian. Mike Worker, who sat in the
cubicle across, from the looked over with mild interest
everything. All right, Jared she asked I
shook my head, this stupid thing did it again to me, I exclaimed
quietly. So my boss wouldn't here, I
wasn't working even on slow shifts.
He insisted we keep going to, as he put it, prevent paying you to
just sit on your lazy butts like you're back in school.
She Shrugged, have you taken it to a repair shop to try and have
the problem diagnosed. I sighed in relief.
Rolled my eyes slightly, you know, I have Vivian three times
and each one said that my phone was running perfectly.
I said I saw her. Scrunch up her face and raised a
hand to play with her blond hair.
Well, why not just toss it and get a new one.
She asked. I scoffed, Vivian.
I've worked here for four years. You ought to know by now, I'm
not into that whole disposable, throw something away as soon as
it breaks or goes wonky culture. She Shrugged again suit
yourself, she said but it would be A hell of a lot easier for
you to just get a new one. I shook my head and turn back to
my computer, placing the now, rebooted phone screen down on
the desk. I may have been someone who
Moved with the times in terms of tech but I didn't like wasting
money just to get rid of something after less than two or
three years, I already got annoyed when people just bought
our least a car for a year which ran perfectly fine before
Hawking it and getting a single model year newer iteration 12
months later when I got home that night I hooked my phone.
Up to my laptop running my own diagnostic software on it, just
like with the repairmen, it reported that the phone was in
Tip-Top shape with no viruses or malware detected.
Maybe Vivian is, right? I thought as I climbed into bed,
maybe just this once I should take the owl and get a new phone
as I stared at my ceiling fan. Lazily spinning.
The abnormally warm spring are around my room.
I heard my phone. Let out a soft ding indicating
that. I'd received a text message
rolling-over. I picked it up off.
The Table next to the bed and click the screen on, where the
hell is texting me, this late as the screen flash to life,
causing me to wince and close my eyes from the glare.
It let out another little ding. I opened my eyes and let them
slowly adjust to the light as soon as the screen came into
Focus, I saw that I did. Indeed have two texts waiting
for me but I felt nothing but puzzle.
Mid wash over me like a wave for one.
There was no phone number shown above the message notifications
themselves, it didn't Even say it was an unknown number.
The area was simply blank. Something I'd never seen before.
Stranger still was the fact that both text messages comprised of
nothing more than single letters?
The first was the letter W and the second was easy.
I wondered I waited to see if any more messages would come in,
but none did the phone screen eventually flicking to block
from inactivity my side and placed it back on the
nightstand. Then rolled over onto my side.
Great. Now, it's messing up so badly.
It's Glitching Single Character, text messages.
I let out a long sigh making a mental note to take the phone
back to the repair guy at my local mall next week.
When he got back from vacation, if anyone would know what was
causing that it would be him. I thought one final time about
the glitch, then let out a soft sleepy laughs in the dark room.
We I muttered as I finally drifted off into a restful
sleep, the next day, went by normally until lunch time.
I was sitting in my buildings cafeteria eating A cold turkey
and cheese sandwich with Vivian and my other office, buddy.
Davin when my phone went off three times in a row this time,
I picked it up saying that I'd receive three text messages all
with the same send time of 1248 again.
They were only single letters this time, a R&D.
Oh, what the flip? I groaned.
Dropping it back onto the table. What's up Davin asked through a
large, mouthful of potato salad. Vivian shot a glance at my
phone. Then she asked, I shook my head,
now it started doing something completely new last night single
letter, text messages from nobody to last night, and three.
Now, Davin looked over at the phone with mock fright,
swallowing his food spooky. It's the ghost in the machine.
He let out in a poor imitation of a creepy voice, raising his
arms as though he were a stereotypical ghost with a sheet
over his head. Very funny.
Jerk I muttered. Letting half of my mouth curl up
in a smile at his stupid. Bad joke as I reached for my
bottle of water. Hey, at least I don't have a big
butt equipped back and this time the entire table laughed,
seriously though it continued. It's probably like Vivian said,
just a defective phone, just junk it and get a new one.
I slowly nodded my head. I've been beginning to lean
towards it but I don't know something just doesn't sit right
with me. I motion towards it.
I've had that thing for a year and like seven months and it's
never On this to me before, both my co-workers Shrugged, that
happens sometimes, Vivian offered I couldn't help but nod
she was much more versed on technology than I was out of
sheer. Curiosity did the letter spell
anything out? She asked it was my turn to
shrug while the first two letters were wnd.
These were a R and E so I guess it's spelled out.
We are the two of them. Shared a look, what I asked.
They didn't say anything still looking.
At each other, what I demanded a little harder.
Feeling a small sense of worry. Come over me.
Well, Vivian began. Well, what I exclaimed all at
once. Both of them shot each other
Grins and began singing in unison.
We are who we are as they finished.
I realized what they'd done as they fell into peals of
laughter. Really I said, letting out a
scoff. You start singing that crappy
annoying pop song from a few years ago, they looked at me and
both nodded Then begin laughing again.
I shook my head and smirked at the stupidity of it all slipping
my phone into my pocket and standing up from the table to
dump. My trash into the bin, those two
could find a way to joke about the beheading of Queen in.
I felt my phone. Begin to buzz continuously in my
pocket but chose to ignore it. I'd see whatever dumb letters
were on it. When I got home in a few hours
for the moment, I put the whole thing out of my mind and walked
back to the elevator to my cubicle that evening as I was
driving. NG home.
I decided instead of cooking something myself to stop by some
place and grab something quick to eat.
I felt massively tired from the workload that had been heaped on
my shoulders and had no energy to make anything I settled on
the first place. I came across, which happened to
be a Subway as I stood. In line, watching the teenager
behind the counter make my sandwich.
I decided to pass the time by quickly looking at the dumb
messages. I'd gotten earlier, pulling my
phone from my pocket, I click the screen on sir.
Would you like a toasted? The kid asked me momentarily.
Distracting me? I looked up quickly.
Yeah, please. I said then look down at my
phone again. There have been eight messages
in a row this time too many to see on the lock screen.
I flicked my thumb across the screen and tapped on the message
icon, bringing up my texting app just like before they'd all come
from. No, number I shook my head,
tapping on the message to open it up and then I froze.
It felt like my feet had become rooted to the Uh, well, clean
tile floor beneath me. The room suddenly felt as though
it were far too warm and I felt my head begin to spin like I
would faint my heart began to pound in my chest as I read and
reread the eight messages, it's spelled watching.
What the actual hell. I felt my breath hitch in my
throat. As I scroll back up to the
previous messages then slowly began to scroll down as I did.
The message that each individual letter.
Spelled out sent a shiver up my spine.
We are watching. I was Suddenly overcome with the
feeling I had eyes on me. I slowly turned and looked
behind me. There were three other people in
the shop. What looked like a couple in
their early 20s and it overweight, balding, middle-aged
man, alone at a corner Booth. None of them had phones visible
anywhere near them and no one cast a glance.
My way, still the feeling of being observed, remained.
Oh, sir, I Heard a Voice softly speak behind me.
I turned still feeling in a daze to see the kid staring at me.
His eyes filled with Urn and a hint of annoyance.
He held my toasted sandwich on the sliding railing in front of
him. Waiting for me to tell him what
toppings to add. I shook my head, not wanting my
expression to betray the unwilling feeling of paranoia,
which had overtaken me. Oh, um, sorry about that.
I stammered then quickly telling him what I wanted.
I paid for my sandwich, drink and chips, and stumbled to my
car opening the door and dropping into the seat.
I dropped the bag of food onto the passenger seat, then, yank,
the phone out of My pocket. I almost instinctively hurled it
away from me into the passenger foot well as though, it were a
venomous snake. What the hell is going on?
I thought, as I sat there hearing the pitter-patter of
rain, begin to drum on the roof that couldn't have been a
glitch, could it? I honestly didn't know.
All I did know, was that. I suddenly felt Beyond
uncomfortable, not to mention, thoroughly creeped out.
I reached out and push the start button.
Feeling the Cadillac vibrate beneath me as the V8 Rumble to
life. I began to debate what to do is
I put the car into reverse and pulled out of the parking lot.
If I wanted to, I could take the phone to another repair shop,
one that was still open and tell them about what had happened,
but no, they likely wouldn't find anything wrong.
Again, I could also try taking the phone to the police again.
No, I thought miserably as the realization came over me.
They wouldn't be able to do anything.
Since there is no number attached to the messages.
I sighed as I came to a red light Staring out past the
rapidly flicking, windshield wipers, I could just go get a
new phone in the morning. I've got all my contacts in a
physical address book at home for backup.
I could stop by Verizon tomorrow.
Tell them. I need a new phone due to
unforeseen circumstances. This one is still under warranty
anyways as I debated I suddenly felt a chill / through me as a
familiar. Now, Sinister seeming.
Sound emanated from the passenger footwell.
Ding twisting my neck as though, it were on a swivel, I saw the
Bright white light from the screen glowing up from the
floor. The light turned green, and I
stomped on the accelerator, the rear tires breaking loose for a
moment, then shooting the car forward, as soon as I was
through the intersection, I yank, the car over to the side
of the road, almost curbing, the wheels jamming it into park.
I tore my seat belt loose and snatched the phone from its
resting place. The first thing I noticed was
that at the top of the screen, the Bluetooth symbol something
which I very rarely if ever used was now.
Isabel indicating. It had been turned on this
brought back the paranoia which had begun to subside but it
wasn't what scented into overdrive that was due to the
two notifications which appeared on the lock screen.
The first was one, which indicated that another device
had been wirelessly with mine. The area where it would show.
The devices name was filled with nothing but hashtags and star
symbols. The second was what made begin
to hyperventilate the device. Ask for camera, privileges,
almost on cue the flashback. Flashlight, which also
functioned as the camera's flash, flicked on, almost
blinding me with it. That decided it for me.
I let out a strangled Cry of panic.
Fumbling around in the cabin as my hand, Claude for the driver's
door, handle after a moment of sheer Panic, my fingers found
the metal godsend and I yanked it back as hard as I could
kicking the door open and stumbling out into the pouring
rain. I raised the phone as high over
my head as I could and through a towards the ground with all the
strength I had a Crashed facing up at me.
The impact, letting out a huge cracking sound as the plastic
backing exploded. But I wasn't finished raising my
right foot. I began to bring it down on the
phone as hard as I could stomping, repeatedly, as though,
it were an actual attacker I'd encountered in my house.
I lost track of how many times I brought my foot down on the damn
thing. I feel like I must have lost
control of myself for a moment because when I came to my
senses, I was completely soaked to the bone, and the phone was
nothing more than a broken. A pile of plastic glass and
exposed wiring breathing heavily.
I looked up to see a homeless man, who taken shelter under the
awning of a donut shop staring. Quizzically at me, realizing how
I'd looked. I dropped back into my car, the
seat letting out, a squelch from my soaked clothes.
I pulled the door closed. Allowing my breathing too slow
to normal. I swallowed then realizing my
throat was dry reached into the bag and pulled out.
The bottle of coke I bought with my sandwich.
I twisted the cap off and took a Swig the cold, stinging soda,
quenching my thirst. I kept the bottle and placed it
into the cup holder, resting my head, back into the headrest.
It's okay Jared. You're okay, whatever.
That was the phone's broken. Now it's over.
I repeated the thoughts over and over to myself when I began to
feel a little better, I put the car back and drive and pulled
away from the curb as I drove away.
I glanced in my rearview mirror for some odd reason.
I don't know why I did, but Something had told me to look I
couldn't make out much in the dark and downpour but I swear I
thought I could see the faint outline of somebody standing on
the curb near where I'd been parked.
They stood absolutely still and though I couldn't tell which way
they were looking, I could almost swear, they were staring
after me. It made me drive home.
Just a little bit faster. The next morning, I returned to
the Verizon store, telling the woman behind the customer
service desk that I'd had an accident and had broken my
phone. She was great.
Enough, a smile adorning, her face, as she told me that I was
eligible for a replacement phone under both my warranty and my
contract and gestured for me to pick out, whichever one I wanted
from the display section behind us.
I didn't really pay much closer attention.
As I browsed quickly selecting a random one from the lineup after
a few moments, she brought the phone and box out to me.
Okay, sir. Now there's just one final
thing. I need to check with you.
She looked up at me. I assumed you'd like to keep the
same phone. Number.
We assigned to your old phone afterwards.
I felt a surge of panic course through me though.
I accidentally yelled out causing her to jump.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell that out.
I said, feeling embarrassed about the Outburst.
I just meant if it would be okay.
If I could just have a new number please.
The woman gave me a sideways. Look then plastered her working
smile back on her face. Of course sir, we can absolutely
do that for you. When I got back home after work,
Evening, I quickly entered in all my contacts, into my new
phone, then dropped it on my coffee table and walk to my
entertainment center, a good movie will help take my mind off
that honestly, rather scary experience.
I thought opening the doors, I reached in and pulled out.
One of my favorite movies, a British crime drama from 1956
called yield to the night. Placing the Blu-ray disc in the
machine, I dropped onto the couch and let my mind Drift Away
into the movie for the next hour and 40 minutes.
It's the world around me fell away, and I immerse myself in
the story of the main character who had murdered the lover of
her lover and had been sentenced to death for it.
When the film ended, I stood up and stretched my arms over my
head, a yawn, escaping my lips. I shut the TV off.
Then walk towards my bedroom for a moment.
I stopped and looked down at the new phone wondering if I should
bring it into the bedroom with me.
But I shook my head and left it where it was wandering into the
bedroom and dropping onto it after pulling off my Yes, I
tossed and turned the movie. Now, beginning to fall away from
my mind and the last few days returning, I tried to banish
them away the same way a night light, which you away a child's
imaginary monster. But no matter how hard I tried
the image of those messages, spelling out, the three words
remained in my mind, and don't forget that figure.
You saw that night, I groaned at myself from remembering that
more than likely it had. Just been a passerby someone
interested in the odd-looking fellow stomping on his phone.
In in the middle of a driving rainstorm like a madman.
I tried to repeat that idea to myself soon though.
I drifted off into a rather uneasy sleep one filled with
terrifying dreams of the dark figure walking through the
pouring rain towards my house, the next day, my office had a
huge meeting with one of the members of the board to discuss
a big merger. We be dealing with over the next
few weeks. I sat in my cubicle waiting to
be called into the huge conference room.
When I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
This Incision made me jump letting out a small gasp of
error behind me, though. I heard Vivian laughs, I turned
to look at her finding her smiling wide at me.
I just sent you. The funniest damn video I've
ever seen before. She exclaimed, pointing at her
own phone, I relax my shoulders, letting out a relieved sigh.
Nice. I said, beginning to reach into
my pocket for it, that's when the announcement went out over,
the speakers will all employees on the third floor Offices.
Please report to the conference It's room.
I slid my fingers through my hair and looked at Vivian, I
guess that's us. I said standing up.
She nodded then following me we joined the Throne of others.
Walking down the hallway, to the meeting.
The room was massive with the giant mahogany table taking up
the majority of the space in the room.
There was enough room for at least 30 or 40 people to sit at
once and we all dropped into whatever seats.
We wanted a moment later, the board member entered, the room,
greeting us, and moving over to a slide projector.
Her for the next 10 minutes, he spoke droning on and on about
our responsibilities. I was beginning to feel as
though I would not off when I felt my phone.
Vibrate in my pocket, I ignored it knowing the head honcho
behind us didn't like us. Looking away from his
presentations. However, I felt it begin to
vibrate incessantly. The sensation almost feeling
like a bee had become trapped in my pocket.
Vivian, this better not be you. I thought exasperatedly as I
tried, as hard as I could to fish the phone out of my pocket.
Eat without being noticed, I had turned the brightness down
earlier, so it wouldn't be easy to spot policing.
The phone under the edge of the table.
I clicked open the phone screen and look down the sounds of the
conference room and the words of the board member disappeared
into the ether, as I stared at the screen, my pulse began to
Quicken and I felt my heart begin to thud hard and fast in
my chest, almost, to the point. It was painful, my breath caught
in my throat and for a moment, I thought I would simply pass out,
right? Here and now there were 21, text
messages waiting for me, according to the lock screen,
all of them sent by no number feeling a rising wave of panic.
Envelop me, I frantically flicked, open the screen and
clicked open the message app. I already dreaded what I would
see, but I still wasn't prepared for the amount of Terror and
Dread. I felt as I scroll through each
individual message again, containing only a single letter
this time though. They spelled out a message while
similar to the first was far worse.
We are watching you Jared as I stared at the screen to thought
zap through my mind. How did they get my new number?
Oh God. They know my name.
This second one was what made me feel like I wanted to throw up.
Whoever was sending the texts. Not only had gotten my new
number. They knew my freaking name
fighting back the rising wave of bile and my throat.
I stood to my feet, something the matter Wexler, the board
member asked me. I felt the eyes of everyone
turned to me in the far corner. Saw Vivian, giving me a weird,
look. I forced a pathetic squeak of a
voice out from my lips. I am.
I'm sorry. I've got to go.
And before anyone could stop me or say anything.
I stumbled on shaky legs from the conference room, I didn't go
to the bathroom though. I went straight to my desk,
grabbing the key, fob to my car, and my jacket before taking the
elevator down to the lobby, I practically dashed for the
parking, lot crashing into a heap in the driver's seat.
After wrenching the door open, fine.
To hell with this. I'm going to the cops.
I said to myself, starting the engine, I pulled out of the
parking lot and did just that, I went straight to the closest,
precinct barging through the doors to the desk, sergeant on
duty, I sputtered out what I dealt with for the last few
days. And after a few attempts to be
understood, he guided me back to where a detective, took my
statement after I'd finished, he leaned back in his chair,
interlacing, his fingers behind his head, while as much as I
admit. That is both an odd.
Eerie thing to happen, mr. Wexler, there's not really much
I can do since you don't know who's sending you these messages
and don't have a number. I can't do much, except tell you
to contact us again. If you receive them, I sighed
dejectedly. My head.
Drooping down to look at the floor.
He spoke softly more kindly I wish there was more I could do.
I looked up to see him lean forward if I may, can I ask to
see your phone? He asked I fished it out of my
pocket handing it to him. Sure.
Can I ask why he glanced up as he pulled his own phone out of
his pocket? I'd like to copy these messages
to my phone for our records. Just so if you get more of them,
we know it's the same situation. I nodded looking back down at
the floor. After a few minutes, I heard the
detectives voice speak for some reason, it held a trace of
irritation in it. Mr. Wexler.
I glanced up to see him holding out my phone.
Where are the messages you told me about?
I felt my jaw dropped. Open as Stared at my own phone
screen. The message app, he'd opened the
only message app. I had installed was empty there
weren't even ones I'd sent back and forth with my friends and
co-workers, let alone the creepy message, all it showed was a
single line of texts messages, empty, make a connection, and
send a friend, a text, I blinked, a couple of times
willing for my vision to be mistaken, but no messages
reappeared, what I let out trying to force my mouth to form
words. I don't understand the detective
dropped my phone on the desk, his irritation now apparent.
I don't know what you're playing at mr.
Wexler, but we have a lot of cases real ones to deal with.
We don't have time for false reports to be made which may I
remind you is a crime in itself. I tried to open my mouth to
speak, but he held up a hand. Now I'm not going to charge you
with filing a false police report he continued, but if you
don't want to try my patience I suggest you take your phone and
leave If unable to say anything else and feeling a wave of
Despair wash over me. I picked up my phone and left.
As I walked outside, my phone, vibrated and let out a soft ding
feeling equal, amounts of fear and anger, rush into me.
I flicked on the screen this time it was a single message to
words. Nice.
Try. I began to feel true, rage,
Wallop, and me when it went off again we're watching you Jared
and as if to emphasize the point I saw the Bluetooth symbol flick
on On, I didn't know what else to do.
I slammed the brand new phone onto the ground, then raise my
foot and brought it down onto it.
Screw you, I screamed out as I destroyed the second phone in
two days, a moment later I realized how I looked and
glanced around everyone near me, had stopped to watch the
spectacle the couple teenagers had even pulled their own phones
out of their pockets and were recording my, what I can only
describe as a mental break, you look out early insane right now,
Jared I thought Looking around, I felt another wave of paranoia,
fly through me and felt the sensation of being intensely.
Watched come over me. I didn't bother looking back
though. I didn't know where it was
coming from. Not with so many eyes and
cameras on me. I just rode away from the
station, feeling equal parts, terrified angry and paranoid.
I made it to my car, dropping into the seat before pressing my
hands into my eyes at the migraine which had fallen over
me. I took deep breaths, fighting to
stay in control of my emotions. Emotions, get a grip, man.
I whispered out after a moment, it seemed to work feeling
calmer, I started the car and drove away, happily, and thank
God for it. The next month or so seem to
pass by peacefully. I'd canceled my phone contract
with Verizon, which resulted in a rather large early termination
fee, but I willingly paid it. Instead, I use the money, I
would have on the monthly bill to instead purchase two
different things. The first was a landline,
something Hadn't had an almost 20 years, the lower textile just
somehow felt safer to me. The second was that I still
needed some kind of mobile phone for work to be able to be
reached when out of the house. So I went off to Walmart and
bought myself a burner phone. One of those you pay with a
physical phone card. I also didn't purchase a
smartphone. I bought the most basic flip
phone. I possibly could one that still
ran off the old 4G phone systems.
Instead of five G1 which had no Bluetooth.
Connectivity. Barely any ability to access the
internet and most importantly, no camera on it at all.
And for those next three weeks, my life began to get back to
normal. That was until one Friday
afternoon. I had the day off.
So I just lounged about the house watching movies and
playing video games, as I was attempting to get through a
particularly difficult section of horizon zero Dawn.
I heard my doorbell ring hitting pause, I got up and walked to
the front door on the Other side through the glass mounted on the
sides of the door way, I could see the unmistakable shape of a
delivery man. If FedEx logo was clearly
visible on his hat and shirt, I unlock the door and opened it.
Yes, I asked Jared Wexler, he asked smiling at me.
I nodded he held out his portable computer terminal.
Sign here, please taking the electronic pain.
I quickly scratched out my signature then took the thin
sealed envelope from him as he turned, and Began walking back
to his van, shutting the door behind me.
I stared at the envelope, and confusion, I didn't order
anything offline. Recently, walking into the
kitchen, I sat at the table and peeled open one side, shaking
the envelope to items tumbled, out of it onto the counter.
The first, I couldn't tell as it had fallen face down.
The second, however, hadn't, it had.
Landed face up as I stared at it.
My eyes widened and I felt my breath.
Begin to come ragged and fast. My heartbeat sped up, thudding
wildly in my chest. It was a single sheet of paper
on which someone had typed out, a single message, the letters
had been typed in large font size making each word crystal
clear. We'll be seeing you soon Jared
fighting back a rising wave of panic.
I reached for the upended sheet of paper with trembling fingers
and after a moment's hesitation flipped it over.
What I saw on the other side made, my breath stopped
entirely. I felt a scream begin to fight
its way. Way up from my chest.
As I stared at it only turning to look back into the living
room and back. It was a large glossy color.
Photograph, the detail was perfect and complete high
definition. What it made me want to scream
was what the picture was of the photograph was of me me, sitting
on my living room couch, wearing the shirt and pants, I'd worn.
Two days ago, the shot was taken straight on.
As I'd relaxed watching old horror movies, I could see the
Dopey half smile plastered on my face as I I laughed through Deep
Rising, I knew instantly were the photo had been taken.
The photo had been taken through the camera and my smart TV.
Almost as soon as the note and photo tumbled out of that FedEx
envelope, two things happened in Rapid succession.
The first was that I immediately dashed over to the wall mounted
TV and clambered for the plug, yanking it out of the wall
outlet, hard enough to let out a small spark for a moment.
I stared at the small insect camera mounted at the top of the
frame one at previously regarded with joy and Intrigue as I'd
used it to video, call friends and family who lived across the
country. Now though it Reminded me more
of something out of a dystopian horror novel.
The second thing that happened was I called the cops despite
how my previous interaction with them, especially the detective
had gone. I dialed 911.
Anyways, this time I had proof that couldn't be simply deleted
out from under my nose. Still, I wasn't taking any
chances while I waited for them to arrive.
I kept both the photo and note clutched, tightly in my hand,
I'd seen far too many films, were physical proof had been
left laying around. Around only to have it swiped
away when the authorities arrived like, hell, that's
happening here. A few minutes later, I saw the
two police cruisers pull up to the curb and I opened the door
just like with the detective, they treated my story with an
understandable sense of skepticism, at first, their
expressions changed. When I held out the two items I
had received in the mail, after looking at them and sharing a
look, they began to take me far more seriously.
Many phone calls and radio Transmissions were made made and
half an hour later. The same detective I dealt with
before whose name I Learned was Detective, Munch house had shown
up as well. This is very serious.
He said looking up from the now bagged and tact note and photo
of me, digital hacking and privacy invasion is a crime, but
it's one, which can be very hard to track back down to the
suspect, mr. Wexler, I looked up at him from
across my kitchen table hearing the voices of other officers in
my living room, as members of the cyber crime, forensics team.
Them in the television. So what are you telling me?
I asked a note of anxiety audible in my voice that you're
not going to be able to find whoever is doing this to me.
He shook his head. That's not what I'm saying.
Mr. Wexler not entirely. At least he held his hands out.
There are many different types of cyber criminals.
Everything from amateurs who leave behind a digital paper
trail. You can observe from the space
station to some of the most knowledgeable black hats who
rarely if ever Get caught. We need to find out which
category this individual or group of individuals are in.
We may be able to find them. He gave me a look of sympathy,
but then again, we may not. I felt my shoulders slump at his
words and my head, lowered down to look at the wooden table.
However, I heard him say we are going to try our best to find
them if our own local cybercrime unit.
Can't get any Headway since. This seems to be Beyond just a
normal intrusion will reach out to some of the bigger.
For help. I looked back up and nodded a
uniformed officer one. With a great goatee, stuck his
head into the kitchen. Detective, the forensics team
have finished their overview, they weren't able to find any
way. The photo had been taken here.
They're asking if they have permission to take it back to
the lab for further study, detective, monk house shot me a
look. I wave my hand at him.
Take the damn thing as far as I'm concerned.
Keep it and lock it up in an Evidence Locker somewhere
forever. I don't want it in my house
anymore. He nodded at me.
Then nodded to the officer who disappeared back into the living
room. I saw him reach into the inner
pocket of his coat, pulling out a card and placing it in the
middle of the table. This has my personal cell number
mr. Wexler, if anything.
And I do mean anything else, shows up, be it physical or on
your phone? I cut him off.
I got rid of my smartphone detective.
I held up the flip phone, which had been on the table beside me.
He turned his head and surprise, then Started while regardless
get in touch with me. If anything else happens.
He said, I nodded then thought of something.
What about in the meantime, I asked him as he stood up from
the table, he scratched his head.
Well, for a few days, I'll have a squad car placed on the street
in front of your house, it's unlikely.
These people will actually make a physical move on you,
especially now that you've called us, but it'll be erring
on the side of caution, I nodded letting out a sigh of relief
before. Making him, he waved me away and
began to follow the other officers to carrying my TV out
to a forensics van before turning back in the doorway.
I'm sorry I didn't believe you at first mr.
Wexler, he admitted. I dismissed him with a wave of
my own. You couldn't have known.
I admitted after giving me a final hard.
Look, he nodded then, close the front door behind him.
I was left alone in the silence, which now seemed almost
suffocating after the events of the evening as I thought of
Thing to do to help get my mind off of things, something flashed
into my mind. I had to Smart TVs, one, which
the police had taken and a second up in my bedroom, which
face directly at my bed before the thought had even finished.
In my mind, I was dashing up the stairs and into my bedroom
crashing through the half-open door, it sat on top of my
dresser dark, and Silent for a moment.
I thought about letting it be after all the photo had come
from the downstairs TV, Not this one.
Nope, I'm not taking any chances here.
I thought as I crossed to it and pulled the power plug from the
wall, I unhook the cable and Blu-ray connectors, then carried
it down stairs, and out the front door where I dumped it on
the sidewalk next to the trash bins.
The next day, as I had the weekend off of work, I drove to
my local Goodwill and purchase two old TVs, both were the old
box ecrt sets too old to have any way to have someone spy on
me through them. I brought them back home and
Setting them up when my landline rang.
I answered hearing davin's voice on the other end Jared.
What the heck happened at? Your place Molly was driving by
last night and she saw a couple cop cars out front.
I began to open my mouth to tell him but stopped I'd known Devin
for almost seven years. Now, as long as I'd worked for
the company, I trusted him completely.
He'll the man had even invited me to his wedding.
But at the same time, I had no idea who was doing this to me.
It could be someone many miles away or it could be someone much
closer to home the feeling that I couldn't trust.
Anyone was one. I'd never had before and I
didn't like it still, I kept my cards close to the vest.
Some homeless guy. Tried breaking into my house
through the backyard. That's all I lied.
Trying, as hard as I could to sound casual.
Wow, was all he said a small moment of silence spreading out
between us for a moment. I thought he'd clicked off
before he spoke again. Anyways, Of the office we're
talking. And we thought about having an
afternoon lunch tomorrow, a Chang's in the mall, you want to
go. I debated on it for the moment
then nodded my head at. No 1 and it'd be good for you to
get out of here for a bit after this sure.
Why not? I said, great.
I'll let them know you'll be going.
He said enthusiastically before, bidding me good night, I hung
the phone up on its hook. Then shook my head and went back
to setting up the new TVs. The next day I walked act out to
my car at about half past noon. I saw the squad car on the other
side of the street and raised an arm to wave to them.
They did the same seeing I was leaving and I saw one radio it
in climbing into my car, I started the engine and backed
out of my driveway. I decided I'd take a couple back
roads instead of the main ones. Not only would it save me some
time and it also give me a chance to admire the beautiful
trees and lakes. On the way I was happy to see
very few cars. Also taking the road.
As I passed an old farmhouse, the Red Barn in silos.
Glinting in the light, my car is dashed.
Let out a little ring. I looked at it feeling a bit
confused as I saw the notification, I had an incoming
call displayed on the screen. What the hell, my flip phone has
no Bluetooth and I don't have anything else paired to it.
Feeling a slight sense of uneasiness fall over me.
I looked closer and saw davin's name pop up on the caller ID I
reached out with my thumb and after a moment's hesitation Hit
the green accept button on my steering wheel.
Pillow at Devon. I said there was no answer from
the speaker's though. I could tell.
There was someone on the other end of the line.
I could hear someone breathing very softly Davin.
Hello. I said, still no answer.
Okay, this is beyond weird. I thought and began to reach for
the red disconnect button once someone spoke, but it wasn't
Devon. Hello Jared.
I felt the color drained from my face and my hands gripped.
The wheel Little bit more tightly, whoever was speaking
was using some sort of voice masking software the same type.
You'd hear people use on crime programs.
When they wanted to remain anonymous, it continued it's
nice to finally speak directly to you.
My voice had become lodged in my throat and for a moment, I
looked down at the flip phone in the cup holder.
I'd program detective monk houses number into it and I
wondered, if I could quietly flip it open and speed dial him,
I found my voice finally, as I see Slowly took one hand off the
steering wheel. Watching a beautiful pond flash
by on my left. Who the hell are you?
And what the hell do you want? I said attempting to sound
intimidating, but knowing I failed miserably the person on
the other end laughed. Oh, come on now Jared.
Where's the fun in? Spoiling the surprise on that,
it laughed again, maybe you'll find out.
Then again, maybe you won't my right hand had made it to the
flip phone, and I slowly began to lift it out of the cup.
After that was when the brakes on my car, locked up for no
reason. At all, I was shot forward.
The only thing that kept me from smashing into the steering
wheel, being the seat belt, the flip phone flew from my hand and
landed somewhere. I couldn't see as the car began
driving again. What the hell was that I didn't
hit the brakes? No, don't be like that.
Jared The Voice through the speakers said you ruined the fun
for a while by going to the police and then try to again
when you called them last night. The person clock their tongue.
I'm not going to have us disturb this time, it laughed again.
And as I reached down, I heard my car.
Let out a beep. Looking back up.
I saw something which sent a chill through me.
My car is a 2020 Cadillac ct-6 V.
I'd purchased it to treat myself.
When I gotten an extremely nice bonus, two years ago, as I had
never owned a car as new before. One of the options I'd insisted
on finding had been the true hands-free driving system called
super cruise and now As I stared in horror and even though I knew
it was eroded shouldn't have been able to work on the green
glow, from the top of the steering wheel indicated that it
had been activated. At the same time, I felt the car
begin to accelerate even though my foot wasn't pressing hard
down on the accelerator, The Voice laughed again, you'd be
amazed at how easy it is to hack into newer cars connected to the
internet. It said, almost in a boastful
tone, all it takes is a few keystrokes.
And whoop, I stared at the speed as a past, 80 miles an hour, Our
and kept climbing rapidly, please stop the car, I begged.
All I got was a laugh in return, then the voice lost all humor in
it, enjoy the right Jared. It said, before the line went
dead, the car kept accelerating now, reaching 110 miles an hour.
I reached out and frantically tried turning the steering wheel
but it wouldn't move an inch in my hands.
All of a sudden, a new sound assaulted my years, the radio
had begun to play music all Zone.
I stared at the screen and felt a sick sinking sensation in my
stomach, as I recognize both the opening guitar, riff and the
name, displayed on the screen, Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue
Oyster Cult in desperation, I began jamming my foot down on
the brake pedal, hoping something would happen but even
though it went all the way to the floor of the car, only
continued to pick up speed trees houses and lakes went by in an
almost indistinguishable blur. As the car passed, 130 miles an
hour, the speed I am almost on the far right side, know the
lyrics to the song one which for all my life.
I'd loved hearing now, held a sick, sadistic tone to them as
the singer belted out the song's title over and over.
What the hell do I do? I didn't know there wasn't much,
I could do. I felt tears begin to well, up
in my eyes, as I was pressed back into the seat.
That was when a sign whipped by on the right, it was too quick
to read, but I'd gone by it. So many times that I knew what
it said by. Now, it was a sign advertising.
I think the biggest leak in our town up ahead along with the
parking and viewing space as the car reached the bend in the
road, I expected it to take the turn but instead and with a new
feeling of Terror the car kept going straight flying onto and
down the narrow dirt and gravel road.
I heard rocks and sticks slamming into the cars.
Underside over the Roar of the engine.
That was when a fresh dose of horror crashed over me like
freezing wave. I knew what they were going to
do to me directly at the end of the road was the parking lot.
Which sat behind a wooden fence, separating it from an almost 40
feet, drop down to the lake. They're going to drive me right
off the edge into the lake. I felt my breath hitch.
In my throat, screw that. I shouted out at no one, I knew
if I tried bailing out of the car at these speeds on this
road, I would sustain serious. Possibly even life, threatening
injuries, but it was still better than possibly drowning.
I made the decision and unbuckled my seatbelt reaching
for the driver's door handle. As soon as my fingers wrapped
around the cool aluminum, I yanked hard, nothing happened
the door, locks remained firmly down the door on moving.
I tried again. Getting the same thing, though.
I screamed then saw the narrow road.
Open up Beyond it. I saw a few cars parked on the
edges and Beyond The Thin wooden fence.
The shimmering blue Waters of the lake.
Oh no, I breathed out. My words, barely audible over
the still playing song which had reached its guitar solo.
I scrambled over my shoulder grabbing the seat belt and
frantically trying to hook it back into place as it finally
clicked, the car burst out of the road into the lat, having
slowed down somewhat on the dirt but still traveling over 100
miles an hour. I saw the panicked faces of
people turning to see me flying towards them.
Some yanking their children out of the way.
I opened my mouth and screamed out.
As all I saw was the fence and then the car was Airborne it
smashed through the fence as though it had been made of straw
the Of the car lifted slightly and all I saw were Treetops and
the blue sky at the speed. I've been going the car, made it
halfway across the huge Lake and then everything slammed to a
halt as it, finally crashed into the water.
I flew forward my head slamming into the steering wheel.
Hard enough that I almost lost Consciousness, the airbag didn't
deploy, no doubt due to something that loser had done to
it. I pulled back leaning into the
seat as it sat in the water for a moment.
I put my hand to my forehead coming away.
Way and seeing bright red blood on the palm, okay, I groaned out
in pain. Thankfully, the music had
stopped upon impact along with the engine, but worse was that
it had been replaced with a new sound, the sound of water,
filling up the engine compartment through the front
grille in a daze. I reached down and unbuckle the
seatbelt sliding forward slightly towards the wheel.
Again, as I was freed, the nose of the car, began to sink into
the water slowly. And as I regained, my wits,
Panic returned, en masse. Oh, Oh, the car is sinking.
I knew I needed to get out. No, I turned and grabbed for the
door handle hoping that now, whatever the Voice who had
hacked, my car had done to it would be useless without power,
but the doors remained locked refusing to open.
And without power, the windows wouldn't roll down, either.
I fought back, the rising Horror in my mind, as I saw water slip
over the top of the hood, reaching the bottom edge of the
windshield. Oh, crap, no, I mumbled out
turning and gripping the back. Of my seat.
I leaned forward and looked into the back seat.
As my eyes swept over everything, a small glint of
metal wedged under the passenger seat caught my eye.
Yes, it was a tire iron one-eyed.
Used a few days prior to change a flat tire.
I'd gotten on the highway. I dropped it into the backseat
when I'd finished and hadn't bothered to return it to the
trunk. Reaching over, I fumbled for a
moment, trying to dislodge it from where it had caught, as I
felt the car sink nose. First further into the water
after a few frantic. Looks it finally came free and I
turned around, I let out a sharp cry.
As I saw the water had slipped over the entire windshield.
All I could see out of it. Now was the blue slightly murky
Shadows of underwater. At the same time I felt
something cold. Begin to Splash against my legs
and looked down to see water beginning to pour into the cabin
at that moment. A thought occurred to me.
My phone, I frantically fumbled around in the passenger
footwell. Hoping the water hadn't risen
over it yet. Thankfully, I found it just
above the rising water line. Snatching it up.
I opened my center console and yanked out a waterproof, baggy
I'd put in there to hold some miscellaneous items of mine.
I appended it, dumping the contents out then stuff the
phone into it and sealed it. Tucking it into my inner jacket
pocket. Then I picked up the tire iron
engaged how far I'd have to swing to shatter the driver's
window, which for the moment still, was above the waterline
information. I'd learned when I was younger,
came to the front of my mind. And I knew I only had a few
seconds before the water covered it.
Making it almost impossible to break crying out.
I swung as hard as I could. The first blow did nothing to it
ice. Once again, this time to my
relief, cracks began appearing in the glass.
As I saw water begin to creep up the window.
I let out a final scream and swung the third time the window
finally shattered into a thousand pieces of small glass.
Almost immediately water began pouring Into the Now, open
window. And The car rapidly began to
fill up with water and sink. I grab the roof of the car
struggling to pull myself out through the mountain of water,
pouring in, as the waterline. Finally reached me, I took one
final gasp of air as I sank under water, the pressure,
finally, equalized and I pulled myself out of the open window
pushing away from the car with my feet.
I stared down for a moment. As I watched it sink down,
eventually too deep for me to see.
Then kicked as hard as I could for the surface after Few
agonizing moments during which my lungs began to feel as though
they were on fire. My head broke the surface, i
sputtered coughing out bits of Lake water which had made its
way into my mouth the shoes and clothes I had on way down making
me feel as though I'd sink. Again.
That's when I felt someone grab me from behind get off me, I
screamed thrashing around but the grip didn't loosen easy.
I've got you I heard a man's voice say and I realized one of
the people who had seen me Crashed through the fence must
have jumped into the water. After me, I felt all strength.
Leave me and I laid back in the water.
As I was pulled back to shore, where a crowd of 20 or so people
had formed. They all had concerned or
frightened looks on their faces and after what they must have
seen, I didn't blame them one bit.
I heard one woman talking on the phone to the police and the
thought reminded me, I reached into my soaked coat and pulled
out the waterproof bag. The guy who had rescued me saw
me pulling it out and crouched down next to me.
I held it out to him. You said I muttered weekly call
detective, monk house. Tell him I wasn't able to finish
my sentence as the steadily encroaching Blackness which had
crept around the edge of my vision.
Finally overtook me and I passed out.
I awoke sometime later though. How much I wasn't sure in a
hospital. The first three things I saw
aside from the overhead lights, where the on-duty nurse
Detective? Munch house and a uniformed
officer after checking my vitals, the Nurse left me alone
with the two officers and still feeling groggy.
I told them what had happened. Both exchanged looks, especially
when I told them the only person who knew I was going out that
day had been my coworker. But I could tell now that they
believed me, especially after our previous encounter the other
day, the officer left for a moment to phone Davin.
When he returned, they spoke quietly to one another then
turned and spoke. To me, they told me that my car
had already been retrieved from the lake, I'd been unconscious
for. Two and a half days and that,
even though it would be almost impossible to get anything from
the now, waterlogged computers, they try anyways, detective monk
house. Also told me that they'd managed
to keep a lid on what had really happened saying.
I just lost control of my car, I sat up in the bed.
What why? I stammered out?
That was when they drop the bomb on me.
Davin was missing. He left his house about an hour
before I had but had never shown up at the Chinese restaurant.
That afternoon mom. Ali, his wife had reported him
missing the next day and as such they were notifying higher
authorities, due to the severity of the situation, I felt numb.
As they told me, this Devon, he's not involved in this,
right? I knew I'd felt weary of him
yesterday when he'd called, but the idea he had anything to do
with the hell I'd been dropped into especially attempting to
murder me with my own car. Made me feel sick to my stomach.
I trusted him. The officers told me they'd
station an officer at my door. And when I went home, They'd
station two squad cars outside as they stood up to leave
Detective Munch house turned to me.
We're going to find these people Jared.
He said firmly for the first time using my first name, I
nodded and he turned and left. I stayed in the hospital for
about three more days, while the doctors and nurses.
Check to make sure I was okay, aside from the gash in my
forehead, which required stitches.
I've been lucky not to break any bones.
Getting away with many bruises and feeling as though, No, I've
been run over by an elephant when I was discharged.
Vivian, was there near the entrance to the hospital to
greet me? I was slightly surprised to see
her but nevertheless, happy as she flung her arms around me.
Thank God. You're okay.
She exclaimed, I saw the accident on the local news, the
other day. When I realized it was your car,
they were pulling out. I thought she trailed off and
not for the first time. I felt relieved, I had someone
like her not only as a co-worker but also a friend, a moment
later. Though, a feeling of Doubt,
crept over me. Why would she show up now of all
times just, as I'm getting out, how would she have known?
I was getting out today. The feeling of paranoia returned
in Spades. And I quietly untangled myself
from her. I'm fine.
I lied. Then motion to the officers
waiting to take me home. Look, I need time to myself
right now. I'll try and be back at work
whenever I can. I'll talk to you about this
then. Okay, I saw her hesitate but she
know. Added touched my shoulder one
more time, then walked back towards the parking lot as she
went. I looked around.
I looked at all the people who stood in the hospital lobby at
the ones walking through the parking lot.
I saw them all holding up their smartphones, scrolling through
whatever taking photos or talking on them.
I saw the cameras for the surveillance system both in the
lobby and on the parking lot lights.
I suddenly was overcome with a feeling of being unsafe and
watched the same feeling I had had twice.
Ice before and quickly hurried to the officer's Cruiser for the
next few weeks. Nothing again happened.
Everything seemed to mellow out. This time though, I didn't feel
relieved. It felt like whoever had set
their eyes on me, were just biding their time.
Waiting for it all to die down the police and the upper
investigatory team. Nobody would tell me how high up
they were, but I could guess, hadn't made any Headway into
finding the culprit or culprits behind the car hacking and text
messages. Whoever it was was good.
Never using one IP address too long to be tracked and using
encryption as well. That was all I was told.
Anyways, in the meantime, I've been placed on paid leave by my
job, and I mostly stayed home. I'd also purchased a new car
with the money. My insurance paid out for my
Cadillac this time. However, instead of buying a new
car, I'd browse through Craigslist, on my laptop,
covering the camera with tape though, until I found an early
70s for Limited. For sale one, which had no
possible connection to the internet to it, I'd bought it
immediately. Then one Thursday, as I stood
outside in the warm summer, air washing my new car in the
driveway. I saw a van pull up to the curb
in front of my house. I felt my heart sink.
As I saw it was a FedEx truck, a different man from the first
time, stepped out carrying a familiar-looking delivery
envelope feeling my heart begin to thud hard in my chest.
I dropped the water hose and sponge and ran around the side
of the In the squad car was still there and I frantically
waved my arms to be spotted after a second.
The two officers stepped out and job to me.
What's wrong sir. One asked, I couldn't find my
voice. Instead, I jabbed towards the
delivery, man. Now walking across the front,
lawn to us, he froze as the officers, sped over to him.
After a confused moment he handed them the envelope while
one officer, detained him for questioning.
The other pulled on a pair of sterile gloves from his pocket.
And tore open the envelope appending it in his hand.
Three items fell out. The first was a local newspaper.
Clipping of the accident. I'd been in it.
Had been laminated and in the giant front page picture, I
could see the tail end of my Cadillac being hauled out of the
lake. The second was another glossy
photo. It had been taken through the
broken fence. I'd smash through, I could see
my own unconscious body surrounded by people knowing
they've been that close to me. Physically, been that close to
me, filled me with Saphir. I can't describe the third was
another typed note. Congratulations on Surviving
Jared. Enjoy your rest.
Will see you again soon. Mr. Wexler, we need to take you
into protective custody. Whoever is doing this to you has
now made a physical attempt on your life.
Detective Munch house said to me, is he once again, sat at my
kitchen table, the entire Street outside my house looked like a
big crime had just been committed with how many cop cars
stood on the curb. Some with their lights.
Still flashing, the entire Cavalry had been called in once
the two officers had seen the contents of the new envelope and
along with them. Had come the detective I sat in
Stared at him for how long I asked him?
How long would I need to whatever?
Protective custody means disappear, go away, whatever for
as long as is needed, until we can get a positive ID on these
people. He replied.
What about my job? My house.
He looked around. We let your company know you be
out indefinitely due to Police business.
And as for your house, we'd have someone watching it just in case
they came by. Here, I turned the thought over
in Head being locked away in some safe house.
Didn't exactly sound the most appealing to me.
But then again, neither did another repeat of the events of
the past few months. You don't really have a choice
Jared eyesight, okay? When would this happen, he
nodded seeming a bit more relaxed.
Now that I'd agreed with his plan while we need to get a safe
house sorted for you somewhere Off the Grid will have to use
encrypted channels to minimize the chance of the location being
given away. I'd I'd say he looked up at the
ceiling. I'd say tomorrow by the latest.
I nodded again, as he stood up in the meantime, prepare a
suitcase or two of your belongings to take with you.
I'll have two squad cars parked out front and a third in the
back. If you decide to go anywhere
today, let them know. I stood up and shook his hand, I
actually probably will go somewhere.
Today detective, I'm going to go to the bank to withdraw some
money from my account to prepay, at least the next few months of
rent as well. A few things I need.
If you're taking me tomorrow, he nodded we already have your bank
location so we'll keep an eye out for you there.
Where are you going to go for the items you need?
I didn't hesitate the shopping center in the mall.
There is a branch of my bank in it so I can get both things done
at the same time. I don't trust going to a place
right now that might be empty. In fact, I raised my wrist and
looked at the watch on my wrist. I'll go to the mall.
Now he nodded again. Just Don't take too long.
He said here at the house, will be the safest place.
You can possibly be right now. I agreed, then after he let the
officers know I was leaving. We both exited my house as I
unlock the door to the Ford. I spared a glance at him as he
stood next to his unmarked Cruiser.
He was staring at me at after an uncomfortable moment, I nodded
at him and slid behind the wheel, I backed the car out,
still having to get used to turning and looking out the back
window instead of looking at a rear view camera then begin.
My To the mall as I stopped at a red light.
I heard my flip phone. Begin to ring looking around for
a moment. I pulled it from my pocket half
afraid I'd see no number displayed on the caller ID
instead, I saw Vivian's name. Displayed still feeling worried
after having seen davin's name on my Cadillac screen, I flipped
it open and crooked the phone. In my elbow as the light turned
green, hello. I said slowly thankfully I
immediately received an answer Jared, are you okay?
She asked you haven't been into work in weeks and Harold in the
Mailroom just told me he saw squad, cars Galore in front of
your place earlier. The paranoid sensation I'd had
one. I'd seen her at the hospital
returned but at the same time, it felt so damn.
Lonely to not be able to trust anyone in the end.
It won out over caution. No, not really.
I admitted you have a lunch break soon.
Yo, she said, as I cruise down, one of the main streets, I have
mine in 10 minutes. Why I took a deep breath Meet me
at the coffee shop in the mall on the first floor by the bank,
in 20 minutes, I'll tell you what's happening, when I see
you. I heard her begin to answer me,
but it was suddenly drowned out by the sounds of chaos and front
of me. I snapped my head up to see, I
was about to drive straight into the beginnings of a massive
pileup in the next intersection. Not even 20 feet in front of me,
trap, I shouted dropping the phone and slamming, my foot hard
on the brake pedal, I heard the rear wheels lock up and the car
began to To Skid for a few terrifying moments.
I thought I'd slide straight into the hell of screaming metal
and tires, which was still at a crescendo, then it finally came
to a halt. My knuckles were white from
gripping the steering wheel so tightly and I fought to get my
breathing under control and my heart to stop pounding.
Very faintly. I could hear Vivian's.
Frantic voice calling for me from my phone which had fallen
into the drivers footwell I reached down and snatched it up
Jared. What's going on?
She Old Vivian. I've got to go.
There's been a horrible accident.
I said, just get to the mall. I'll be there soon.
I flipped the phone close before.
She had a chance to reply and put the car in park and jumped
out. I felt sick to my stomach, as I
surveyed the Carnage in front of me, at least five or six cars
had been involved. All entangling with one another,
in a haphazard mess of torn metal and broken glass.
A small detached part of my mind realized it looked somewhat like
a twisted Modern Art. Abbott, except for the people,
several of them were still in their cars.
I saw people from the sidewalks running over to help the people
in the cars while another dialed 911, the driver of a Mercedes in
the Middle, look to be unconscious while an older
gentleman stumbled out of his wrecked.
Honda screaming at a dazed woman, who stood next to her
minivan lady? Are you out of your mind?
He shouted. The light for me was green and
you ran the red. Are you nuts?
The lady looked incredulously at him.
Are you? Sir, the light was green for me,
which means it had to be read for you.
Are you blind or something? They continue to argue but their
voices faded away from my ears. I wasn't listening anymore.
A severe chill. Had shot up my spine.
They both thought they had green lights.
Stepping away from my car. I moved just enough to see the
street lights hanging over the intersection and felt another
shiver shoot through me as my fear was confirmed.
Every light was green, all four ways.
They stayed green. Never change.
Going back to yellow or red in any other circumstance.
I would have written it off to a major glitch in the system, but
my mind refused to let me think it especially as I gazed up and
saw the traffic cameras. Mounted on top of the street
lights one, had been pointed directly where I'd been coming
from. I felt a new sense of horror
sweep through me. As I realized the accident had
been caused deliberately with the intent of having me drive
straight into it. Hearing, the sounds of sirens
wailing in the distance. I decided not to stick around
and instead Walked quickly back to my car doing a U-turn.
I looked in the rearview mirror at the accident.
Everyone was rushing to help direct victims everybody except
one person, what looked like a man with a baseball cap pulled
down over his eyes, which shielded his face from view.
He was watching me drive away. I took the side roads to the
mall and perhaps, too much of a hurry, constantly glancing in my
rearview mirror. While thinking I was about to
see a car appear behind me. Thankfully, one never did and I
made it to the The mall without any other incident.
I parked in the middle of the most crowded area.
Stepping out in hearing, the familiar sounds of children
screaming at their parents along with teenagers laughing.
I felt a double-edged sword of emotions part relieved at the
massive amounts of people. I saw milling around and
unwillingly and especially after seeing the man at the accident
staring at me. Increasingly paranoid, I glanced
at my watch, Vivian would be arriving in 10 to 15 minutes,
which gave me just enough time to get The items I needed and
get my money out of the bank. I walked inside hearing a
comforting song from the 80s playing over the ceiling mounted
speakers as I made my way to the various stores.
However, the comforting feeling faded away, as I watched the
cashier and the first store. Run my credit card.
I'm sorry. Sir.
But your credit card was declined.
She informed me handing it back. What?
I breathed, I'd always paid my bills for my card.
It had never once been declined. I froze, they did this.
I don't know how they got into my credit card account, but they
did something that thought was followed by another one, which
sent a surge of panic through me.
Very quickly, I paid for my items with some of the little
cash I had on me, then left the store heading quickly for the
bank. No, please for the love of God.
No, I almost dropped into the bank and got in line when I was
called up to the teller, I gave her my bank card and asked her
to check my account balance, she stared Her computer screen for a
moment then looked up at me sir you withdrew all your money and
close this bank account this morning.
I felt the color drained from my face.
At her words, I'd had almost 3,000 dollars in that account
and someone had gotten into it, taken all the money out, then
closed it. Not somebody Jared.
I thought, you know, exactly who.
What about my alternate account? I asked desperately, I had a
safety egg account for emergencies one, which I'd put
almost 19,000 dollars. Into just in case I'd ever lost
my job or Fallen ill. Nobody else knew about it.
Other than me in the bank, after a moment of checking she looked
back at me according to this. You did the same thing with that
account as well sir. She said, looking at me,
Strangely, I couldn't say anything.
All ability to speak felt as though it had drained out of me,
leaving me as empty as my bank accounts.
It was all gone. They'd hacked into my bank
accounts and taken all my money. I heard the teller ask me.
Nothing, but I wasn't paying attention, I just turned and
slowly walked out of the bank. Feeling a sense of hopelessness
wash over me. They knew my exact weak spots
and they used the technology against me.
Like they were wielding a sword. I was so lost in my thoughts.
I almost didn't hear my name being called Jared.
I finally looked up Vivian, stood across the main hall from
me sitting at a table in front of the coffee shop, she held two
coffees in her hands and gestured for me to come over.
The sight of her standing there and having been kind enough to
buy me a coffee, almost sent me into tears.
Instead, I forced them back in crossed over to her.
I did drop my shopping bags then did something I didn't normally
do I hugged her hard she gasped in surprise at the gesture of
affection while she had hugged me before more than a few times.
I'm not someone who's into physical displays of affection
for friends family or anyone. This was the first time I'd ever
hugged her back and after a it's hesitation, she embraced me as
well. The lavender scent of her
shampoo was comforting in a way after a moment, we let go and I
slowly sat down opposite her. Okay?
Now I know something bad's happened to you.
If you're doing that. She said, softly Vivian, you
don't even know the half of it. I said putting my face in my
hands, then tell me, she insisted Reaching Across the
table and gripping my hand. I shook my head, I don't even
know where to start. I admit it.
She tilted her head, just start at the beginning and tell me
everything. She said gently, I hesitated for
a moment. I still didn't know if I trusted
her, even though I'd secretly Harbor to crush on her for the
last three years. The feeling of being unable to
trust. Anyone remain deep in me.
Just like before, though, the need to tell someone, won out
over caution, I saw it. All right.
I said, and then for the next half an hour, I told her
everything that had happened about the threatening texts.
Ooh, the envelopes delivered to me with the messages and
pictures to the hacking of my car, which had almost killed me.
And finally ended with what had just happened with my bank and
credit card. What I mentioned, Davin might be
involved due to the coincidence with the car incident and his
disappearance. I saw her grow even more
uncomfortable and shocked than she'd already become.
I leaned forward and picked up my coffee, taking a large Swig
of the now lukewarm drink. But why are they doing this to
you? She finally asked after a
Stretch of Silence. I shook my head.
I'd asked myself that same question a million times.
Now, I wish I knew Vivian, I said I've thought back my whole
life even to my childhood, to think.
If I might have pissed off or wrong, someone somehow, I can't
think of anyone. I've always been nice to people.
I put my head in my hands again, another silence, but I just
can't see Davon as part of this. She said I couldn't either but I
also couldn't deny the facts. Being a me in the face, I looked
at her. You honestly probably won't be
seeing me for a while. The cops are going to put me
somewhere safe, until they can get a lead on who these people
are at this. She gave me a look of sadness
and I realized how much she enjoyed working with me.
The thought made me feel a tiny bit better.
She nodded try and let me know you're okay.
When you can please, she asked and I nodded at her I promise
I'll try to as soon as I can, she stood up finally and I'm
Here at her move. I walked close to her enough.
I could talk low without being heard.
Just please watch yourself. Okay.
I don't think you'll get sucked into this, but if you ever think
you are call the cops, okay? She gave me a look of concern.
Then nodded, I will she gave me a hug.
Then left leaving me alone among the strangers.
I still had a few items to purchase and I thanked God that
I taken a few hundred dollars out of mine.
Now, closed bank account. A few days ago, I grabbed the
bag I'd already He bought and walked to the escalator to the
second floor getting behind a mother with her two small
children, I leaned against the railing as I began the long ride
up as it reached. The halfway point, the mall
speaker system, chimed a woman's voice speaking.
A moment later, ladies and gentlemen, I've been asked to
play a specific song on our speakers and make a dedication
as well. This song goes out to JW.
I felt myself. Go still as a statue JW, Jared
Wexler my name Oh hell, I whispered a moment later.
The song began. And if I felt afraid just by the
dedication, the song made me feel as though I'd had a bucket
of ice water dumped over my head.
It was Every Breath You Take by the police and if you know that
song, you know exactly why the first few lyrics made.
My heart began to pound like a war drum, okay?
Screw getting anything else. Get out of here, that's what my
mind screamed at me. And I listened as soon as I
reach the top of the escalator, I broke free from the crowd.
And sprinted, back down the neighboring stairs.
Taking them two at a time. As I dashed through the mall,
towards the exit with curious eyes, glancing up and be running
by my eyes. Caught glimpses of things.
I couldn't possibly be seeing. I swore I saw the same man in
the baseball. Cap staring down at me from the
second story of the mall. I swore I saw a young woman
aiming her smartphone at me. I swore I saw every security
camera in the main hall. Turn to follow me and the flat
screen TVs in the electronic store, displaying videos of me
running. And I swear that I saw another
man, this one wearing a hoodie with the hood up and obscuring,
the top half of his face, flashed me a grin as I broke
through the doors to the outside.
All the while accompanied by that damn song, I sprinted
through the parking lot for my car, not stopping until I
practically slammed myself into the side of it.
I felt like I was having a panic attack, my breathing, labored
and unable to calm down. I just stood there for the
longest time, fighting to get a hold of myself.
Finally, I felt Felt myself begin to calm down.
And I unlock the car door and slid behind the wheel.
As I dropped my bags in the back seat.
I heard my flip phone begin to ring.
I pulled it out and felt my breathing begin to Hitch in my
throat again. As I saw no caller ID displayed
it's them I didn't answer it. I just kept staring at the phone
until it stopped ringing a moment later at vibrated giving
the notification that I'd received a new voicemail after a
moment's hesitation. I flipped it open and To it
after clicking through the options, I heard a familiar,
masked voice speak through the phone.
Well, that's a bit rude to send me straight to voicemail Jared,
but I guess I can understand the person laughed.
I hoped you enjoyed your run through the mall.
It was beyond entertaining to see your reaction to our
dedication. So there was more than one
person behind this. The Voice continued seeming
cheerful but the best part about everything is beyond the
accident or should I They both accidents, we haven't even
gotten to the real fun yet which reminds me, thanks for the
financial donation to help us. Prepare your surprise, you're a
real friend. I wanted to scream and hurl my
phone away. But kept listening.
So keep an eye out for us. We'll be seeing you this time
and person very soon. They laughed again, then, like
they did before. Turn deadly serious, and don't
try and Escape, because there's nowhere on Earth.
We can't find you. Not with all the And Technology
everywhere. Now the voice shifted back to
its happy taunting tone. Seeya, and with that, the
voicemail ended, I ended the call and in a panic fumbled to
bring up detective. Monk houses number, he needs to
know what just happened, but as I scroll through my contacts
list, the phone suddenly began to ring again.
I almost flung it away from me until I saw the caller ID,
displayed it was the detectives name and number, thank God.
I thought Thought then quickly hit answer detective.
Something's Happened Here. I almost shouted into the phone
on the other end. I heard a commotion brewing, a
moment later I heard detective. Monk houses voice speak.
No they're coming at us both. Then he said the Venom audible
in his voice. I froze.
What do you mean I stammered out?
They somehow got the drop on some of our uniformed officers
here. One was often and the other
three are missing. I slumped back in the seat.
They have literally managed to successfully attack for trained
cops. What chance did I have the
detective continued? What happened on your end?
He asked quickly, I really did to him the events of the last
few hours leaving out speaking. To Vivian, I now believe she
wasn't a part of this and didn't want to bring her into the line
of fire any more than I already had.
When I finished, I heard the detective curse.
Look, we have to move up the schedule for getting you to the
safe house. He said but I'm Going to need
you to drive yourself to the Meetup point with me.
I'm going to have to stick around here for a while to help
clean up this mess. Do you have a pen and paper to
write down directions? I did pulling a small notepad
and pencil out from the glove box, quickly scribbling down the
directions. He gave me and one more thing he
added when I told him, I'd gotten them, get rid of that
flip phone, I didn't think before, but they can still
likely triangulate your position through the cell towers.
As he said it, I felt like hitting my Often the head for
not remembering every cell phone, including the old flip
phones could be tracked. Okay, was all I could say, then
get going. He finished with before hanging
up I sat for a moment longer staring out at the windshield
back towards the mall entrance. I thought I could see a bit of
movement in one of the windows to the side as though someone
were staring out into the parking lot.
Forcing myself to look away. I looked down as I pop the back
of the phone open, ripping out the battery before.
Sitting both sections of the phone apart, breaking it, I
rolled down my window and dump the pieces onto the pavement
before, starting the car and backing out of the space.
I drove out of the lot stopping only for a moment to completely
fill the tank and purchase a paper map from a gas station and
then began the long drive to where the detective had asked me
to meet him. I kept away from the highways
and main roads, knowing they'd likely all have traffic cameras
on them, which could track me easily, instead, taking the much
longer, but safer back. Roads, the miles crept by as the
hours, passed the sun getting low in the sky.
I stopped one more time to fill up the tank again, grabbing a
gas station, hot dog, and a bag of chips for dinner before
continuing. It was almost 10:00 at night.
By the time, I reach the approximate area.
Where the directions had led me, I was far out in farm country,
having passed, by dark and farm house after dark, and Farmhouse
for the last two and a half hours.
All of them must be fast asleep. Already getting rest for the
Long day tomorrow, for some reason, the thought of such a
simple life and especially one. So low-tech comforted me, I
decided if I made it out of this I'd give some serious thought to
ditching City Life and coming out to a place like this for a
much quieter and much more remote life.
The sign for the road I was instructed to take came and I
turned right onto a dirt driveway.
The old Ford rattled and squeaked as it made its way up
the drive towards another dark and Farmhouse.
I could see the outline of a grain silo and Out in the
accompanying field. As I got closer to the house, I
spied what looked like an unmarked police, cruiser and
older style. Crown Vic, parked next to the
house, the detectives already here.
Thank you, God. I thought I pulled up behind it
and shut the engine off the headlights shutting off and
plunging me into darkness, the silence for someone who lived
most of his life in the city. Felt Eerie.
All I could hear through the glass was the whipping of the
wind and the call of some owl are other birds somewhere in the
forest beyond the farm. ERM.
He must be waiting for me in his car.
I thought and twisted the door open the night air was chilly,
rewarding me with the stink of manure from the neighboring
properties, shutting the door quietly.
I move towards the dark and shape of the cruiser in front of
me, I'd gotten about halfway. When I stopped in my tracks,
something went through my mind, the police and my city stopped
using Crown Vics three years ago.
Were still was remembering that the car.
Detective monk house had stood next to earlier today.
Hadn't been a It had been a Dodge Charger.
No, I whispered, suddenly feeling very vulnerable.
Jigsaw puzzle pieces. Came together in my head it was
a setup. They somehow mimic.
The detectives voice, they made me get rid of the only way to
contact. Our find me then had me drive
out to the middle of nowhere suddenly every snap of a twig
sounded like someone moving towards me in the dark.
Every gust of wind sounded like someone breathing my head
swiveled around like an owl though.
I could barely see Anything. Screw this.
I'm out of here. I turned and hurried back to my
car. Pulling, open the door, and
practically leaping into the driver's seat.
I started the engine and turn the headlights on when a sound
made the biggest chill I ever felt.
Run up my spine, it was the sound of someone breathing
behind me from the back seat. Welcome to the party Jarrod.
I heard a man's deep voice. Say, behind me, I was suddenly
grabbed from behind, as I tried to kick open the driver's door.
And I felt a rag of some kind forced over my mouth.
Mouth. I struggled for a moment.
My muffled scream sounding muted in the car's interior and then
everything went black. The sound of people quietly
talking to one, another was what began to draw me out of
unconsciousness. I couldn't tell how many people
were speaking, but I could faintly tell as my senses
returned to me that I was hearing both men and women.
Speaking, I opened my eyes finding I was lying on my back
and staring up at the Starry Sky.
It was still night time, the, whether it was still the same
night or another, I couldn't tell what I could tell.
However, was that I wasn't near the farm house anymore, large
trees Rose. Up on all sides of me.
Meaning, I had to be in the forest.
I'd seen Beyond the Edge of the property.
I also could tell my hands were bound with something.
I couldn't tell if there were tape or anything else, but I
couldn't force apart my arms from down near my waist.
Well, look, who's finally awake. I heard the same deep man's
voice. I had in my car carrying almost
the same friendly tone. One would have one talking over
drinks with a group of friends, well, don't be rude.
Guy's help the man up. I heard footsteps rapidly
approaching. Watching me then felt arms.
Grab me under the shoulders. Roughly hauling me to my feet, a
massive Spotlight, snapped on almost blasting, me directly in
the face and blinding me. I close my eyes and turned away
from it. You'll have to forgive the light
Jared. I heard the man say but there
are some of our group who would rather, you not know what they
look like he chuckled even though the chances of you making
it out alive, are slim to none. I felt a chill at his words.
He continued. However, I have No, such qualms.
Letting you see me after a second.
I heard more footsteps. Approaching me.
They walked around the other side of me away from the light.
Well come on now and open your eyes.
Then I opened my eyes blinking away at the huge light, which
cast everything had hit including myself in Long, Dark
Shadows. It also cast on a man, the one
who'd chloroformed me and brought me here and I recognized
him. You have got to be kidding.
I said causing first him, then the many Others behind me to
begin laughing. It was the FedEx driver.
The one who brought me that first package two.
Or three months ago, he stood flashing me the same smile.
He'd had. When he asked me to sign that
day. I curse myself internally for
not thinking of him as a suspect.
When I'd been paranoid of almost everyone else.
His black hair blue slightly in the crisp night Breeze.
Nope, I'm not kidding. You Jared.
He said his eyes twinkling. I took a step towards him
feeling a mixture of fear and rage.
Age surged through me. What the hell do you people want
with me? I screamed.
Why are you doing this? Why me everyone?
Including the man began to laugh even harder.
I heard a woman struggling to breathe behind me from laughing
so hard. Once the man had gotten a hold
of himself, he took a single long stride before me.
And I realized for the first time how tall he really was, I
hadn't been able to judge his height through the door that day
and have been distracted, but I could see that he was at least a
head taller than I Is a not exactly on the shorter side.
His dark eyes, almost looked like coals in the glare of the
spotlight and his smile had turned sadistic.
Why not you? He asked causing any retort I
prepared in my mind to die away, whatever.
I had expected him to say, it hadn't been that it continued.
You're looking for a motive, aren't you?
Jared, you want to almost desperately.
So have me tell you that there was some wrong you committed
against me or anyone behind the light you want there to be
something. Some wrong, you can't remember
that. You might be able to write, as
some way to bargain out of this. He tilted his head letting out a
snort, am I wrong? I didn't reply the truth was, it
was exactly what I've been hoping for him to say the sound
of an owl or Hawk screeching in the woods, made me almost jump
causing some of the people behind me to chuckle until the
man raised his hand. Causing them to fall silent.
He looked at me with a mixture of what almost seemed like
sympathy and a Sinister Glee, the truth of the matter.
Is my poor men. He began as that there is no
reason. There's no motive, none at all a
truly Wicked grin. Now, spread across his face, not
Beyond, just wanting to have someone to play around with, for
our own entertainment. My shoulders dropped along with
my jaw, they are just doing this for their own sick.
Amusement, I found my voice, so you just randomly picked me to
mess with before what? Now offing me, I said in a shaky
voice, he laughed again while You weren't a random selection.
He started then gestured for someone behind the lights.
I heard footsteps approaching us one of our group suggested you
to us. And frankly Jared, I'm glad he
did hear the most fun we've had in a while.
The footsteps moved around me and a figure came to stand next
to the man. Hey, Jared, I felt my body
turned to ice at both the voice and the face.
Vivian, I breathed out as I stared at her.
She flashed me a grin throwing an Around the shoulders of the
Min and let out a giggle. Oh my god.
Do I? Wish you could see your own face
right now? She managed out.
You look like you just saw the twist ending to The Sixth Sense
for the first time or something. I just kept staring at her as
the man leaned his head down to kiss her.
I'd honestly expected Davin to be the one to appear out of the
darkness. But not her pain seemed to reach
around and clutch at my heart. As I realized, the one person I
decided to trust the most had been the one to betray me.
I simply Shook my head and turned away staring out at the
woods. Oh don't be like that.
Jared I heard her say using that same warm tone I'd gotten used
to for years. I like you and think you're a
cool guy. But when I mentioned you to my
husband, she leaned in close to the man, he insisted you be our
next little plaything. And what he says goes, she let
out another giggle. He leaned in close to her.
You think we should drop the final bomb on him before we
start our game. He asked her after a She nodded
enthusiastically laughing. He looked back at the group of
people. Hey, would you like to come out
here and greet our guests? He called to someone I heard
more footsteps approaching in my head, I already knew who they
would be both Vivian. And Devon are part of this
group. They both were in on it.
A third figure stepped next to them and any of those thoughts
flew away like an eagle on a, thermal for the longest time.
I could only stare my mouth, now fully open.
Finally, I let out His strangled, cry, you detective,
monk house, flashed me a huge grin you betcha sport, he said,
simply then turn to look at the man, so it hadn't been a voice
manipulating program or anything.
It was truly him. The fact that a cop was part of
this sick twisted, group of people filled me with a despair.
I didn't know, I had, he quickly added one thing, you'll have to
forgive me for deleting, and getting rid of all the evidence
in your case, along with clearing out the party spoiling
feds. Orders from the boss here.
He thumbed at the man. Oh, I'm sorry.
I should say, the evidence was misplaced and lost.
He chuckled now, the man finally spoke so I can imagine you want
to know what we're going to do with you now Jared.
He unhooked himself from Vivian and move towards me stopping
about five feet away. While the thing is, after we
have our fun messing about with our Mark, it's no fun to just
stop and let them walk away. Not for us.
Anyways, that's why Frank here. He gestured to the detective,
gave us the idea about five years ago to have a grand
finale, monkhouse Grint the man continued.
So, what's going to happen now, is this your approximately 30
miles from the town you went into last night?
The Farmhouse would be the first thing you come across.
We're going to cut you free from your bonds and give you a three
minute Head Start the detective moved in and I resisted the urge
to strike out at him. There was no doubt that at least
one or more of these people were And and I didn't want to get a
bullet in the back, he pulled a knife from his belt and reached
out, grabbing my bound wrists and cutting the duct tape from
them before quickly. Stepping back once your three
minutes are up, we are going to come after you using all the
technology that this Society has grown a false sense of security
around. If we catch you, well, he
trailed off raising a finger to his throat and drawing it,
across his throat like a knife. But if you can make it to the
farm house and your car, you Go free.
He held up two fingers Scouts Honor.
He said mockingly causing everyone to laugh.
Of course, nobody's made it out yet.
Vivian said her voice taking on a Sinister tone.
I'd never heard before. That's true.
The man began before slapping his forehead?
Damn it. Why did I almost forget, you're
going to have a partner with you on this.
He let out a whistle and a second later a figure landed
roughly on the ground. Next to me making sounds like
they were in pain. Turned to look at him.
Gavin my coworker and friend. Lay in a heap on the grass.
It was clear that group had gone to work, on him old bruises
covered his face. They must have gotten him when
he had gone to the Chinese restaurant that day.
I thought I quickly moved and knelt down next to him.
He looked up at me with dazed eyes Jared.
He groaned out softly. I felt a new sense of Rage
ripped through me, almost overwhelming.
The fear I had had as I knelt my code, I still had on jostled in
the Freeze and I felt something gently tap my chest.
Something that hadn't been taken from me when I'd been
unconscious something nobody not the man or anyone else had found
as I was hunched over, I had the perfect opportunity to slowly
reach into the jacket and begin to pull it out.
So the man said, raising both his hands as he stood next to
his two friends. The two people I trusted most
it's time to begin. He leaned forward grinning at me
and put on a mocking tone. Trying to sound like a Judge,
does the soon-to-be dead? Have any last words they'd like
to say at this the entire group? Let out the biggest laugh.
I heard them make yet. They found the whole messed-up
situation, entertaining, and amusing beyond measure it, made
me feel sick to my stomach. I slowly help Davin to his feet.
The man didn't hesitate. He'd seen what I now held and it
had snapped him fully awake actually.
Yes, I do have something to say, I said loudly causing everyone
to fall silent as they waited for me to Speak say cheese
jerks. I screamed then raise the
digital camera and slammed down my finger on the shutter button.
A bright flash of light, caused the man, Vivian and Detective
Munch house to raise their hands to their face as I snap their
picture run, I screamed at Davin and together of the two of us
use the moment of confusion to begin sprinting towards the
trees behind me. I heard the man, scream out.
All trace of sadistic humor gone from his voice.
He sounded enraged, not having been prepared for Move, screw
the three-minute window, get them before they get away and
ruin everything. The flurry of movement Was Heard
and I thought I heard the slamming of car doors, I didn't
pay attention though. I was too focused on running as
fast as I could in the direction.
Davin paste me, I could see him out of the corner of my eye
running. Alongside the trees closed in
around us. And we entered the forest after
a minute. We stopped to catch our breath.
The sounds of our pursuers muted and Faded in the distance.
So, what the hell do we do? Davon managed out between huge
gulps of error. I fought for breath as well.
We just keep going in that direction, I appointed.
I think he was telling the truth about going there.
He doesn't expect us to make it. That's why he taunted us with
it. It's part of their game.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
We've got to make it to the farm house and my car.
I held up the camera and we've got to get this to the
authorities ones that can put the word out about the Of I
began to speak again but I was interrupted by a buzzing sound
whipping through the trees. We both looked around a
blinding, flash of light made me.
Raise my hands duck. I heard Davin yell.
And I listened letting my legs. Give out under me and dropped to
my knees. A moment.
Later a drone flew, only inches above our heads.
I was yanked my feet go. Before he comes around my friend
yelled and we both began running.
Again, the sound of the Drone began to approach us again.
And we ducked. Moving sideways away.
I flew by a few seconds later, heading straight ahead.
We kept running after a few minutes we stumbled from the
trees onto. What looked like a disused
Logging Road. I was about to suggest to follow
it. When I saw headlights cut
through the darkness, height I hissed and both of us ducked
into a bush. A minute later, a Tesla Model X
1 raised slightly on lifted suspension with off-road tires
and roof mounted lights, banishing away.
The dark flu, soft Past are hiding spot.
It disappeared down the road and we both looked at each other.
No roads. He whispered and I nodded in
agreement, that's when the whirring sound came from behind
us. We both turn to find a drone.
A different one this time. Hovering behind us about 10 feet
away. I could see the camera focusing
on us, but there was something mounted below it.
I couldn't tell apparently Daven did though, because I saw his
face go pale before he was yanking.
The away from the bush screaming for me to move.
Move a moment later. I understood.
Why, as a line of flames shot out from what had to be a custom
flamethrower setting. The Bush on fire, they had meant
to set us, Ablaze my mind screamed at me, but I couldn't
stop to think we ran deeper into the forest.
As we finally began to hear the sounds of people yelling.
I heard angry shouts but I also heard excited, yells and
laughter as they crashed drove and ran through the woods in
pursuit of us. They were relishing in the chase
as if they were high-tech Hunters on the trail of dear.
Or birds. As I ran my mind, stupidly shot
back to a phrase from a book. I'd read in school one, which
sickeningly seem to fit man is the most dangerous game.
If it had been any other situation, I might have found it
amusing in a Twisted way, someone making a work of fiction
into reality, but there was no time for it.
All of a sudden allowed blaring horn began to sound.
I shot a look to my right and saw weed ran straight through
laser motion sensors. They must have put up the sounds
of our Our Hunters seem to intensify and I heard at least
two drones, if not more buzzing in our Direction move, I
shouted, shoving. Davin forward.
We crashed through a Thicket of thorns tearing at our clothes
and skin. I felt branches and bushes
smashed me in the face in the dark and I prayed neither of us
would run into a tree or any more motion sensors look there,
Davin panted out pointing ahead of us was what looked like some
old buildings. I held a hope for a moment that
it was a place that Still in use.
But as we broke the tree line, it was dashed away.
We had stumbled into what was obviously.
Once An Old Logging Camp. The abandoned machinery and
older style of the buildings combined with the Moss and mold
I could see growing on the outside in the Moonlight showed
that it hadn't been used in decades.
That was when a muted sound came from behind us.
I almost thought I recognized it, it came again and a cloud of
dirt kicked up in my face as we were again, blinded by a bright
light, another drone had found us Us in this one was armed like
the last the sound of what I now knew was a muted gunshots bad
out. And I felt slivers of bark smash
into my face as it ricocheted of the tree next to my head.
Run for the building's. I screamed.
And we both booked it for the darkened structures.
We were halfway across the dirt road.
When I felt a searing pain pop into my left calf muscle.
I fell to the ground rolling for a way in the Gloom.
I reach down towards the pain. I gasped both at the pain and
the feeling of Thing warm trickling, steadily out from my
leg. I've been shot.
I could hear the sounds of the group getting closer.
What had to be a vehicle's lights appeared, at least two
miles or so, down the end of the road leading in and out of the
camp. Then I was being lifted to my
feet, Davon through my arm over his shoulder and as much as I
could, we both moved quickly for the nearest building.
The light came from behind us again.
And I heard the muted sound of the silencer, as we were shot at
a few more times bullets, tore into the dirt at our feet and
Lodged in the wood of the building, just barely missing us
and then we were inside Davin slammed the door and in the dark
I heard him lock it. I stumbled across the room
leaning on the wall for support here.
I called Softly As I found a set of steps going down to what had
to be some sort of basement. I felt him reach.
Me and wanted a time. We slowly moved downstairs.
As we reached what felt like a dirt floor.
We heard our Hunters, reach the camp, then he shouts and orders
came and we heard the sound. Tons of tires as what had to be
electric cars or trucks, flew past the building we hidden.
Then after a small squeal, a voice came over on a megaphone,
Little Pigs Little Pigs. Come on out.
It was the leader. There were a few moments of
Silence, then he spoke again. Look, you manage to surprise us
with that move and I'm going to make sure next time,
everything's out of our next contestants Pockets, but I
commend your thinking, you've got one over on us and you have
something which puts you with a bit of an advantage.
And so, I'll make a deal with you.
If you come out and give me the camera will just let you go.
Okay, there was a small in set window on the far corner of the
room and I saw the beam of a flashlight pass over it in that
split second. I saw Davin looking at me, he
shook his head at me almost frantically.
I shook my head back and the light moved away.
We both knew that the man was lying through his damn teeth.
There was no way. He'd let us go the second.
He got that camera in his hands. We'd both.
Be gone. I thought there was silence for
a few more moments and that I heard someone else speak through
the megaphone. He's telling the truth Jared.
I heard Vivian's voice call. All we want, is the camera and I
promise you. I'll make sure he lets you live.
Neither of us made a move suddenly, the man's voice.
Came back through the megaphone. Fine.
Have it your way, he laughed, you know, we'll find you sooner
or later, we have all night, his voice became deadly serious and
I knew it had been him. You'd called me up those times
with the voice changer, and when we catch you, we're going to
take our time, ending you. And with that, he clicked off
the yells and calls of men and women, resumed, I limp my way
over in the darkness to where I knew Devon was hitting the wall
with my shoulder. I slid down onto the dirt floor.
We have to think of something to do.
Man. I whispered to him if we stay
here too long, they'll find us. It can't be much farther to The
Farmhouse from here. We need a plan.
I heard. Grunt in the dark, we do.
He finally said and I have one, there was a cracking sound and
suddenly a soft Green. Glow came from next to me, Davin
had found an old chemical light and cracked it.
Bringing it to life and the soft glow.
He looked at me. What's your plan?
I asked him, I knew the guy was smart.
Nobody gets as far in the company as we do without brains,
but the answer I got wasn't what I expected.
The plan is I run in One Direction.
Taking all their attention while you run for the farm.
I gave to Adam. Are you nuts?
I hissed, we're not doing that. It would be a failed Mission, he
smiled a bit of me. Then Winston what looked like
pain. I know.
He said then seem to Sag a little Davin.
I whispered slowly I saw finally that he was clutching his
stomach. He looked at me, then moved his
hand away. I gasped as I saw, the crimson
red soaking the lower front of his shirt.
I snapped my head up to look him in the face.
He gave me another pain smile. I got hit when I went back to
help you up. The shot went right through me.
He coughed. And I saw a small trickle of red
trail from his mouth. I kept my voice low but gentle
there has to be another way. We both need to get out of here.
He gave me a hard look Jared there is no other way and you
know it he looked down at the red liquid and I don't have much
longer his eyes met mine. They were hard resigned.
We're not both getting out of this.
He said weakly but you can at least you need to get out of
here. You need to tell someone the
truth to get that picture to them.
You raised his chin High trying to act tough but I could see a
little fear behind that resignation.
Let me do this. I wanted to argue even as I
heard the buzzing of more drones overhead and more shouting but I
knew he was right as much as I wish.
There was any other way, I still hated it.
Still felt guilty tears welled in my eye.
Is it was my fault. Devon had gotten into this,
still I nodded. Okay, I finally whispered I saw
him nod and then he began to push himself to his feet.
I reached down and helped him letting him lean on me for a
moment. He looked at me, then nodded and
began to walk slowly towards the stairs.
He stopped near them seeing something on the ground and
leaning down. To pick it up.
He looked back at me. Tell Molly, I love her.
He whispered quietly, I didn't know what else to say.
Say, so, I just nodded again, he held my gaze a moment longer
than nodded back and slowly began ascending the stairs.
I was left alone, my thoughts and emotions, both buzzing.
I wanted to chase after Davin, but again, I knew he was right.
A few moments later, I heard someone shout, there they go.
I see the camera, the entire Camp suddenly became a wash with
noise and activity. I stood near the small basement
window and I could see multiple shadowy figures at least 20 or
30 day. Sing out of the other buildings.
Don't let them get away that had been detective, monk houses
voice and my body filled with rage hearing it still, I kept
silent a moment later a truck. What looked like one of those
electric rivi and pick up skidded to a halt next to a
figure. What I could see was the
detective I could see Vivian sitting in the passenger seat.
And I knew that meant the man, the leader had to be behind the
wheel. There was the sound of a door
slamming and the truck silent except for the software of the
batteries. And Fires shot forward.
The sounds of the group slowly faded away.
Now's the chance, forcing myself, to put more pressure on
my injured leg. Making me want to scream.
I crossed to the stairs stopping.
I looked down at what my friend had picked up.
It almost made me want to burst into tears.
It was a small break, almost the same size and shape as the
camera in my pocket. I ascended the stairs as fast as
I could, unlocking the front door and stepping out.
I could hear the group still moving away from Me and I gave a
silent prayer that the blood loss would take Devon before
they got to him. The air around me, had again,
Fallen silent save for the usual sounds of the woods.
I didn't wait long, I moved down the stairs.
Then began to half, run half limp in the direction opposite,
where they'd gone towards where the man had said.
The Farmhouse would be, the terror kept my adrenaline
pumping, which allowed me to ignore the bullet.
Wound, somewhat. As I ran, I kept looking over my
shoulder. Sure, I would see the bright
lights of their vehicles or the were of there.
Drones, but I never did. It felt like an eternity running
trees and bushes smashing into me as I ran a few times.
I fell onto my face in a heap, the pain in my leg almost too
much. But finally, I burst through the
edge of the trees, I looked around seeing that the moon was
still high in the night sky. Then I began to openly weep as I
saw the dark and shape of a farmhouse, looming up, feeling
woozy from the blood loss and stress.
I'd put on my shot leg, I forced myself to keep going.
The Crown Vic was gone but the old Ford, my beautiful Old Fort
still sat in the driveway, I let out a soft strained.
Laugh, the loser hadn't been lying, he'd been that certain.
Nobody would make it reaching the car.
I pulled the driver's door, open and collapsed into the seat,
like a godsend, the keys still dangled in the ignition and I
wrenched on them, the old engine coming to life with a cough, as
I put the car into reverse, I stared one last time at the
woods, godspeed Davin I whispered softly then tore out
of the driveway. It's been almost a year since I
burst from that tree line and tore away from that Farmhouse.
Once I got onto the main road, I drove until I got to the first
town where I went straight to the police.
I can only imagine how I must have looked crashing the forward
into a parking meter before smashing through the front doors
of the small police station with my clothes, torn, and dirty, and
a bullet wound. In my leg, the police rushed to
my Aid. And after summoning an
ambulance, I told them my story, insisting that they get in touch
with higher authorities right away.
Thankfully, they didn't just write me off as a nut job or
crackhead running from a drug deal.
Gone bad and did just that. By the next morning, the small
town of a few thousand was Awash with flashing lights as members
of a very high agency one which I don't dare out right name.
But I can assume you can take a good guess flocked in.
I was questioned about my experience, I saw the head
honchos face light up with excitement when I showed him
Mike. Camera which he took looking at
the photo I snapped. We've been after this group for
years now. He said it turns out.
These people are a lot worse than I'd already thought.
Apparently, they'd been taunting emotionally, tormenting, and
finally kidnapping, and often people for close to 15 years.
Now, many of their members were black hat, hackers able to get
into just about any piece of modern technology and twist it
to their benefit or use and they would use the money stolen from
their victims to keep funding themselves.
I shuddered when they told me the number of people who'd
Fallen victim to them already. I was simply the first to ever,
get away. It also turned out they'd had
their suspicions about detective monk house when he began trying
to get them off. The case claiming it was a local
matter and out of their jurisdiction.
So he'll be able to get them all.
Now I said, hopefully, as they spoke about printing out a
picture but the Man simply shook his head almost sadly, I don't
know if we will he admitted seeing my shock.
Expression. As he explained it turned out,
they were good at changing their identities using stolen, and
forged ids and social security cards, along with changing their
physical appearance has to stay out of the clutches of the
authorities. There is one bit of good news,
though. He said, you'll likely never see
or hear from them. Again, it would be too risky for
them to make a move on you. Now, still, they said they'd put
me into the witness protection program.
Giving me a new identity to start over before they did.
However, I ask for one favor, I honored Evans, final request and
called Molly, thankfully they let me she wept fiercely when I
told her the little I could and especially when I passed on his
last message. But thanked me before hanging
up, they never found Devon's body, they found a large pool of
blood out in the woods one, which a DNA test confirmed was
his. But nothing else.
I pray, he's at peace and long gone from this world not with
them. They were also right about never
catching them. Vivian and Detective Munch house
fled never returning to the city.
The last I heard they're still tracking the group and they're
still doing what they did to me to others something which chills
me to the Bone. They also I found hushed it up,
never letting it get out to the national news.
The excuse they came up with was that an unfortunate victim had
wandered across the path of a drug deal causing the chaos
since it's such a common occurrence in the u.s. these
days nobody thought to question it they didn't want word to get
out and As a panic or have people suddenly dumped out all
their modern devices in a mass panic.
As for me, I never saw or heard any trace of them again.
Something I thank God for the FED had been right.
I must have become too high-profile to dare.
Make a move on. I'm now living across the
country, thousands of miles away from their with a new name and I
say a silent. Thank you to Davin everyday for
it. Even if I could say where I
wouldn't all I will say is I did decide to live a quiet remote.
Boat life with my new identity on a farm.
I feel a happy sense of peace out here, but I'll never owned
any modern pieces of Technology again no smart TVs.
No smartphones. No modern computers nothing.
I collect older Technologies CRT TVs with VHS and DVDs for
entertainment, using a free antenna for the news, all my
appliances are from the 80s or before and I don't own any cell
phone, only having a landline in my house.
All my neighbors are either of Her age than me or simply prefer
a low-tech existence, which I honestly love.
I don't think I could deal with getting gifted some Modern piece
of techno the town. Nearest to me.
Thankfully is still stuck in the 90s at least without many, if
any cameras around, I feel safe. Moving about it because of that,
that's where I am now writing this from a computer in the
local library. And that brings me to why I'm
posting this in the first place. I'm posting what happened to me,
because as much as I understand the authority, Authorities
wishes to not send the public into a mass panic.
You need to know, I know many of you won't believe me but I need
to warn you regardless. Those people are out there
they're finding new victims to have their sadistic horrifying
game with and I don't want it to be you.
The world is so dependent and addicted to technology.
Now, you might be as well. I understand that it's the way
the world is at this point, but please still be careful, be
careful, and be wary of all the cameras and microphones.
Your phone's you allow into your home with Nary a care in the
world. Be careful of the Privacy.
You give up for the sake of convenience because you never
know who may be listening or who may be watching.