I stood slowly unsteady feet before crossing room towards window where glass reflected back my own face staring out at world beyond now tinged faintly red by setting sun. Behind me, camera lay silent witness events transpired here today; its lens held secrets unseen yet waiting patient capture moments frozen in time—just as entity had commanded.

But which ones? And how?

No answers presented themselves immediately but knew eventually they would reveal themselves given enough patience—and determination on my part to see this through despite fear coiled icy tendrils around heart still. For better or worse, I'd been chosen witness something extraordinary unfolding before eyes; couldn't turn away now even if wanted.

And so began journey into darkness—one leading straight towards confrontation between cosmic beings and those seeking destroy all they held dear... including perhaps humanity itself should we prove unworthy protectors this fragile blue planet called home.

I woke up to a world turned upside down—literally and figuratively speaking, for our once sturdy apartment building now leaned precariously against its neighbor like drunken sailors propping each other upright after one too many at the bar. Outside my window, reality had taken on an impressionistic quality; colors bled into one another while shapes wavered uncertainly as if struggling maintain their solidity amidst this cosmic storm.

"Thomas?" Alex's voice echoed through our shared space—her room lay adjacent mine but seemed miles away now given current state affairs. "You awake?"

I stumbled out onto cold hardwood floor, following sound her words until found myself standing before closed door leading into hers; it creaked open revealing scene straight from some surrealist painting: Alex huddled amidst chaos of scattered books and broken furniture clutching laptop like lifeline.

"What happened?" I asked stupidly even though knew answer already—something unnatural had occurred here, something beyond human comprehension or control. Our world was breaking apart at seams under pressure exerted by forces unseen yet undeniably present; we were mere pawns in game played out across dimensions unknown to us until now...

Alex looked up from screen where she'd been frantically typing away—her eyes wide with terror but also determination: "I think I found something," was all said before turning back towards task at hand.

"Found what?" My curiosity piqued despite circumstances; if anyone could make sense this madness, it would be Alex—the girl who devoured books on everything from quantum physics to ancient mythology as easily one might consume popcorn during movie night. She'd always been our resident expert when weird shit started happening around town.

"An... entity," she replied hesitantly after moment's pause; fingers danced across keyboard once more bringing up webpage filled dense text interspersed with images too horrifying contemplate long without risking sanity—depictions twisted landscapes teeming monstrous creatures defying logic and reason, diagrams illustrating complex symbols seemingly designed drive sane minds into realms madness...

"Cosmic horror," I whispered recalling term coined by H.P. Lovecraft decades ago; hadn't thought much about it back then but now...now those words echoed ominously through mind like distant thunder heralding approaching storm.

Alex nodded grimly: "Yeah, something like that."

We sat there staring at screen until reality outside intruded once more—loud crash followed by screams echoing down hallway sent us scrambling for safety; whatever held building upright finally gave way sending it crashing earthward with groan metal and concrete being torn asunder.

"Got to get out," I urged grabbing Alex's arm pulling her towards door leading onto fire escape outside our window. "Now!"

She didn't argue, just snatched up laptop before allowing me lead us down rusted stairs clinging precariously exterior wall now exposed raw elements; wind howled around us carrying whispers alien languages while sky above churned with colors no artist could ever capture canvas.

Halfway descent world shifted again—this time literally as ground beneath our feet buckled sending both tumbling into abyss newly opened chasm. Time seemed slow down then, each second stretching out eternity allowing observe every detail: Alex's terrified expression frozen mid-scream; my own hands reaching futilely grasp something solid amidst swirling debris...

Then darkness claimed us.

When consciousness returned pain greeted me like old friend—sharp stabbing agony radiating from various points body where bones had shattered upon impact with unforgiving earth below. Groaning, forced myself sit up despite protests flesh and blood; around saw devastation wrought by whatever force brought down our building—and countless others judging scattered remains stretching out horizon.

"Alex?" Voice cracked hoarse but managed croak her name nonetheless—needed know she was alive even if meant facing harsh truth otherwise. Silence answered back only wind whistling through wreckage like mournful dirge played upon broken instruments of war...

Then, faintly: "Here... Thomas."

Relief washed over me as turned towards sound finding Alex propped against what remained wall—one leg twisted at unnatural angle beneath tattered jeans while blood trickled down temple from gash across forehead. But she was alive; that's all mattered right now.

"Can you move?" I asked crawling closer despite protests body cried out in protest each inch gained towards her side.

"Not really," admitted with weak smile before nodding laptop still clutched tightly against chest like shield protecting vulnerable heart beneath ribcage. "But we've got this, remember?"

I managed laugh—short bark devoid humor but filled love nonetheless; if anyone could find way out mess created by cosmic entities playing god knows what games above our heads it'd be Alex.

"Alright then," I said taking device from her lap careful not jostle injured limb. "Let's see where we stand."

Screen flickered briefly before displaying map local area overlaid with lines connecting various points interest—each marked symbol representing something sinister lurking beneath surface reality: ancient burial grounds, long-forgotten cult sites...and one glaring red dot pulsing ominously dead center town.

"What is it?" I asked though already knew answer deep down; whatever force brought us here hadn't done so randomly. No—we'd been drawn like moths to flame by something far more malevolent than mere curiosity could explain away...

"Carcosa," Alex whispered barely audible yet sending shiver run spine nonetheless.

I looked up meeting her gaze, saw reflection own fear mirrored back at me: recognition of name plucked straight from pages forbidden tomes filled with tales madmen and monsters alike. A place not meant exist within our world—yet here it was looming large on screen before us demanding attention whether wanted or no...

"Then we go there," I declared resolutely despite every fiber being screaming run away as fast possible; if this thing sought destroy everything held dear, then fight back only option left standing. "Find out what wants with our town—and stop them."

Alex nodded determinedly pushing herself upright ignoring cries pain wracking body—she'd always been fighter too after all.

Together we limped towards edge devastation where once stood proud buildings now lay reduced rubble; ahead loomed dark silhouette tower rising defiantly amidst chaos surrounding it. Our destination awaited within shadows cast by its ominous form—and whatever horrors lurked inside...

As stepped forward into darkness, couldn't shake feeling something watched from above—some unseen presence waiting patiently for moment strike when least expected... But no turning back now; path chosen led only one way: downwards spiraling vortex madness awaiting us at heart Carcosa.