I woke up to darkness and pain—my head throbbed like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it, while my body felt heavy as if weighed down by unseen chains anchoring me in place. Panic surged through veins until I remembered the last thing before blacking out; that... *thing* looming over us at The Apex Tower's rooftop.

"Alex?" My voice echoed hollowly around whatever confined space held captive now, but only silence answered back—no comforting sound of her breathing nearby or rustle fabric as she shifted position. Fear clutched heart like icy fist; where was Alex? Had they taken just me while leaving behind...

No time for self-pity though—not with unknown horrors lurking beyond reach light switch's flickering glow, so I forced myself sit up despite protesting muscles and spinning head.

"Alex?" Tried again louder this time desperation creeping into tone; still nothing save distant drip-drop echo of water somewhere unseen. Swallow hard against rising bile threatening gag reflex—this wasn't good at all...

A faint noise caught attention then: soft shuffling sound coming from behind closed door opposite bed where lay sprawled disheveled mess—the same one I'd been dragged through unconscious hours ago? Days maybe?

"Hello?" Called out cautiously, ears straining catch even slightest hint movement beyond wooden barrier; silence stretched taut as bowstring before finally breaking apart under pressure.

"No... please..." A weak voice pleaded from other side—Alex! Relief flooded system momentarily overriding fear but only briefly. Something about her tone sent shivers down spine—a raw terror unlike anything heard previously, not merely scared or worried now...

"Let me out!" She screamed suddenly banging fists against door with renewed vigor; each impact resonated through room like gunshots punctuating desperate pleas for release.

"What's happening?" I demanded trying stand despite wobbly legs threatening buckle beneath weight. "Alex? Talk to—"

Door burst open abruptly cutting off words mid-sentence, revealing scene straight out nightmare: Alex stood framed doorway barely recognizable as human anymore; face contorted grotesque mask of fear and pain while body twisted unnaturally at odd angles like marionette controlled by sadistic puppeteer.

"Alex..." Whispered horrified unable tear gaze away from sight before me—her eyes met mine briefly then rolled back whites leaving only bloodshot orbs staring blankly into nothingness. Then she began to change...

Skin rippled beneath clothes as if something wriggled just underneath surface seeking escape; fabric tore revealing glimpses flesh now mottled purplish-red, veins bulging like ropes ready snap under strain.

"Alex!" Screamed lunging forward instinctively despite knowing futility attempt stop whatever transformation overtaking her—this wasn't natural process but something else entirely... cosmic horror made manifest in human form. Grabbed shoulders trying hold steady yet they slipped through grasp slick with sweat and blood, bones grinding against each other like gears misaligned.

"Help me..." She gasped clutching at my arms desperately as if anchor amidst stormy seas; her touch burned cold sending jolts pain coursed up limbs straight into chest where heart pounded wildly out control. Then she started screaming again—high-pitched wails echoing off walls closing in around us both.

"Please... make it stop..." Tears streamed down cheeks leaving trails through grime coating skin; mouth opened wide revealing rows teeth now sharp points like fangs ready rend flesh from bone...

I stumbled back away revulsion mixed with terror gripping heart tight—this wasn't Alex anymore, not the woman I'd known loved for years. Something else wore her face used voice beg mercy but no humanity remained behind those eyes burning hatred pure and primal.

"Who are you?" Whispered barely audible yet echoed chamber created by our shared despair; it paused mid-scream staring at me through alien gaze before answering:

"Not... Alex..." Voice distorted echoing as if spoken from deep well far below surface—cold chills ran down spine hearing those words confirm worst fears. "We are Nyarlathotep."

Name sent shockwave reverberating skull already aching; recognized it instantly despite never having heard aloud until now: ancient god cosmic horror, shapeshifter taking forms most feared by its victims... and here stood before me wearing face my lover.

"No..." Denied shaking head vehemently even knowing futility resistance—this thing would not be reasoned with nor negotiated. It fed off fear despair; could see madness creeping edges vision already as panic threatened overwhelm senses...

"Yes." Nyarlathotep hissed leaning closer until breath hot against cheek reeking decay, rotten flesh mingling sickeningly sweet perfume lingering remnants Alex's scent—final cruel twist knife plunged deep heart. "We have come for you Thomas Raines."

Retreated further away shaking head wildly back and forth denying truth staring straight into eyes burning with ancient malice; couldn't accept this reality where gods walked among us preying on innocent souls.

"Leave her!" Demanded voice stronger than felt inside—defiance sparked brief moment hope amidst encroaching darkness. "Let Alex go!"

It laughed then—a harsh grating sound like metal scraping concrete sending shivers revulsion down spine once more; watched in horror as mouth stretched wider revealing rows jagged teeth now visible even behind closed lips.

"She is ours," Nyarlathotep declared simply matter-of-fact before lunging forward snapping jaws mere inches from nose—recoiled sharply stumbling backwards until hit wall halting retreat abruptly. Trapped...

"No..." Whimpered pitifully clutching at anything might save me now; fingers closed around cold metal object tucked pocket earlier forgotten amidst chaos: my camera.

Lifted it up between us like shield against advancing monstrosity—lens glint menacing in dim light casting eerie shadows dancing across walls behind. Perhaps if captured image somehow broke spell binding Alex's soul captive within this... thing?

"Stay back!" Warned brandishing device threateningly; Nyarlathotep paused mid-stride studying me intently through slitted eyes—could almost hear gears turning calculating next move.

"You cannot resist us," it said finally voice dripping condescension. "We are inevitable."

"No..." Repeated defiantly even knowing truth behind words yet refusing surrender without fight first; raised camera higher aiming straight at face looming large before me...

Flashbulb exploded blinding bright light filling room momentarily erasing everything else existence—including Nyarlathotep's monstrous visage. Blinked rapidly trying clear spots dancing vision while heart pounded wildly against ribs anticipating retaliation sure follow.

But none came—not immediately anyway; instead heard faint whispering sounds echoing around chamber as if countless voices murmured secrets just beyond reach comprehension...

Then silence descended once more—heavy oppressive weight pressing down upon shoulders threatening crush beneath its sheer force. Swallowed hard fighting urge vomit, eyes darted nervously back and forth searching darkness for any sign movement.

"Alex?" Whispered tentatively after what felt eternity ticking away agonizingly slow; no response came save distant drip-drop water somewhere unseen—same as before encountering Nyarlathotep. Had it... left?

Dared hope swell chest briefly only to be dashed cruel reality: sudden burst laughter echoed off walls sending shivers down spine once more, cold and mocking.

"You cannot escape us," voice declared triumphantly from shadows; terror gripped heart tight knowing truth behind words—this wasn't over yet not by long shot...

"Please..." Begged pathetically despite resolve crumbling under relentless onslaught cosmic horror now manifest within lover's body. "Just let her go..."

Silence followed my plea, heavy oppressive weight pressing down harder still until felt sure would suffocate beneath its crushing force; then finally:

"No."

Single word uttered flatly devoid emotion save perhaps faint trace amusement at human desperation—knew couldn't reason with entity capable such cruelty. Only way out involved fighting back somehow...

But how? Against god?

Despair threatened overwhelm senses as realization sank deep: no escape here, not for me nor Alex trapped inside monster wearing her face... only endless torment awaited us both.

Then another thought struck—cold harsh truth staring straight into eyes burning hatred pure and primal. Maybe this was fate all along; maybe I'd been chosen unwitting pawn cosmic game played out across eons beyond human comprehension...

Maybe my purpose here served greater good than mere survival: bear witness horrors unleashed upon world by ancient gods awakening from slumber beneath earth's surface—document their return through lens camera capturing images forbidden knowledge hidden behind veil reality.

Perhaps then others might learn truth too late revealed unto me; perhaps they'd stand ready face down encroaching darkness when it came calling again...

Or maybe not. Maybe everyone else would fall prey same as I had, consumed by cosmic horrors feeding off fear despair until nothing remained but empty shells once filled with life love.

Either way didn't matter anymore—not really—only thing mattered now was capturing evidence existence Nyarlathotep before succumbing myself to its insatiable appetite. Reached out trembling hand towards camera lying discarded floor where'd dropped during struggle; fingers closed around familiar shape offering small comfort amidst encroaching madness...

"Very well," I whispered defiantly raising device once more between us, lens glinting menacingly in dim light casting eerie shadows dancing across walls behind. "Let's make history."

And so began my descent into darkness—capturing images forbidden knowledge hidden beneath surface world while cosmic horror fed upon soul trapped within lover’s body...