— Tape #11: The Search —

– Tape Begins –

// Just opens up the door and is greeted by the feeling and sight of a cold, empty alleyway that was once filled with dark figures when he was getting chased. He held onto the bat tightly, starting to walk down the alleyway while being cautious of his surroundings. He prayed. //

Just

"My Lord, I pray that You protect me as You've done before. I venture alone again; keep me strong."

{Music Playing: Veronica Pass - R. Missing}

// While walking, Just hear the sound of a couple of women laughing as they walk. //

Unknown Woman

"You're going to die when they find you."

// He looked at them, and a sense of despair covered his aching heart as he slowly looked down while continuing to walk as a sinister voice called out to him, clenching his bat tightly. //

Sinister Voice

"What is a little duck like you wandering all by yourself doing out here in a dark existence, hmm?"

// Just took a deep breath as he looked at where the voice was coming from, a dark figure wearing a cloak with a smile on Its face; looking too hyper-realistic. Just slowly walked up to It, the cloaked figure snickered while beckoning him to come. //

"Oh, don't be shy. Come, come, it's okay. I'm not here to harm you like most people and creatures are, but I know about the person you're looking for."

// As Just walked closer and relaxed his grip on the bat, he saw the dark figure up close standing behind a table attached to a wheel having a portable shop. He looked at It, immediately interested, as he stood before It's stand. //

Just

"You do? I... How... Who... What the hell are you?"

// The robe figure began to chuckle, putting Its hands together. //

The Merchant

"What am I? A man, just like you. I am but a simple merchant here to collect goods and sell them for a price, but yes, I have met the person you are looking for. When he first ventured here before you came along. You are the reborn soul, yes? That came here to free Soren? I gave him some items to help him deal with his nightmare, but sadly, in the end, it overtook him. I know where he is locked up, I can give you his location, but I need something from you, my little duck friend."

// Just looked down at his cross, it wasn't lighting up. //

Just

 "Can I trust him, God?"

// He lets out a sigh, looking at the Merchant. //

"What do you need from me?"

// The Merchant cheered joyfully, smiling at Just as he felt uncomfortable with how bright and realistic the Merchant's teeth were. //

The Merchant

"Great! Just as I helped Soren through this dark, terrible existence, I will also help you."

// Just looked at him, confused. //

Just

"I appreciate that, but why are you willing to help me?"

// The Merchant leaned against his table. //

The Merchant

"Perhaps I want to see someone willing to get rid of D.E.F.E.A.T, while most obey D.E.F.E.A.T, very few of us are rebels. But honestly, I just want to make money."

// Just chuckled at him. //

Just

"Well, you do have a point. So, what do you need?"

// The Merchant stood up, putting his hands together again. The music goes quiet. The atmosphere becomes empty, only hearing the noise sound that the tape makes. //

The Merchant

"I. NEED. YOU. TO. KILL. SOMEONE. FOR. ME. AND. R.I.P. OUT. THEIR. HEAD. OFF. AND. GIVE. IT. TO. ME."

// Just heart dropped as he stared at the Merchant smiling at him, slightly tilting his head. //

"Are you incapable of doing that, little ducky?"

Just

"I'd never thought about doing anything of that nature."

// He looked down at his bat, the voice from his dream whispering at him multiple times. //

???

 "Free Me. Free Me. Free Me."

Just

"C-Can't I just cut the person's finger off and show it to you as proof?"

// The Merchant laughs at Just, shaking his head. //

The Merchant

"No. I need the target's head. I need to know if you can take down those willing to tear you apart. Limb from limb. This dangerous world will test you, will you do it?"

// The voice whispered at Just several more times. //

???

 "Free Me. Free Me. Free Me."

// Just finally made a decision, nodding his head as he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. //

Just

"Alright, alright... Okay, man... Fuck... Where do I need to go, and is the person a threat to me?"

// The Merchant nodded his head. //

The Merchant

"Indeed. A threat to you. A threat to me and those against D.E.F.E.A.T. You can find them in the forest, you will smell the death of those who opposed them. There you will find the person, you will know it's the target by its long slithering tongue that carries the smell of dead flesh. It's more unique than the others. Kill it. Cut off its head, bring it to me, and I will show you where Soren is being kept at."

// Just stomach felt uncomfortable, and he placed his hands on his knees to control his breathing. The rush of fear ran through his blood, knowing that he needed to put himself in danger. The Merchant pointed to where the forest was, looking in that direction as Just nodded his head. He walked towards the forest as the Merchant waved at him; moments later, the smell hit his nose and he quickly covered it with his balaclava mask. He found himself near a campsite, seeing blood scattered on the ground as his heart beat fast; the cross slowly started to glow bright, taking cover near a large rock near a tree and seeing four dark figures. But then Just realizes that these figures don't have any human proportions but are instead 6-legged creatures that crawl around. //

Just

"Um... Person? These aren't even people. These are fucking monsters... He fucking lied to me... Fucking, fuck, fuck, FUCK!!! Fuck it, whatever... Okay, so... Alright... The one with the long slithering tongue, where are you?"

// Just scanned the area, seeing them eat dead flesh from several bodies lying on the ground. Seeing the disgusting horror, his eyes widened as he began to pray quietly to himself. A crunch was heard underneath his foot after taking a few steps, slowly lifting it to see leaves crunched underneath him. He started to tear up. //

"O-Oh, God... No... No... Please."

// The dark figures turned their direction towards the rock, one of the creatures quickly ran towards the rock as Just held his breath and held onto his bat tightly. The creature sticks out its long, slithering tongue with saliva dripping down from the tip, placing its scissors-like hands on the side of the rock as the creature speaks. //

Slithering-Tongue Creature

"Who iS LurKiNg aROund?"

// It relies on hearing, continuing to hold his breath as he slowly raises his bat, getting ready to strike its head. As soon as he was about to swing, it quickly grabbed Just wrist, smiling at him. //

"I hAd A FeeLiNg SomEonE WaS ArouND HeRE..."

// The other four creatures slowly walked behind the target, its tongue licking against his duck mask. //

"Mmm... SuCH An UnFamILiAr TasTe... RubBery. ThIS MusT Be ThE OuTer SheLL. I WanT In. We... ArE StaRvInG... Aaahh."

//  It slowly opens Its mouth, showing its sharp teeth and saliva bridge connected to Its top and bottom mouth. All Just can do is just stare at It, terrified. His cross was glowing bright, but it did nothing to the blind.  //

Just

"My Lord, is this my end? I hardly did anything. I'm so sorry, I'm so fucking sorry. I'm sorry that I failed You, Soren, and myself! Please grant me a painless death... Get it over with."

// Just closed his eyes, waiting for the horror to end. The screen turns black. //

 "Forgive me."

 // A voice rang in his ears. //

???

 "No." 

// A loud, cracking, squishing, fleshy noise is heard before the tape ends. //

– Tape Ends –