Soul Valley Hotel

    (ROUGH DRAFT)

Chapter 0 - Souls entering Graves 

    The young woman tirelessly working away at her desk as she goes through paper work and reading reports with info passing by her screen reading about, "bio weapons discovered in the North Valley bank" and "the US considering lifting restrictions on bio weapons" to which she yawns looking at the dead bodies and going over the markings.

    She gets a knock on her cubicle with her turning around to face an older man with a sunken look on his face; she slides over and hands the report over with her giving a soft smile but he doesn't smile for long before turning to another person calling them over. She goes over some of the victims until she noticed a news report come across her screen, "Ashley Graves, Age 30 and her 3 kids still missing after going to the Soul Valley Hotel" the young woman's eyes go wide as she knocks a coffee over, her trying her best to clean it up as she looks over at the news then going to her boss.

    She pleads, "Andrew; sir, I need to go check the Soul Valley Hotel! I-" He interrupts her, putting his hand up and slowly shaking his head.

    He commands, "you'll be keeping away from that place. You've been working hard enough, take a vacation; take some time to rest you've been working yourself to the bone and quite honestly, you could use a shower." She smells herself and recoils in disgust. Andrew softens his tone, "Emily, could you please do that for me, please; just, rest okay?" Emily nods with him taking his leave, she then proceeds to leave, jump into her car and leave heading off into her house rummaging through her belongings with collecting a gun, knife, flashlight and other items. Before leaving she jumps inside the shower; after bathing she goes on the couch.

    Emily yawns, "just a quick nap; just a quick nap." She does so but she falls into a deep sleep seeing the hotel, the rooms and where it has a spirit and ghostly theme to the place and her hearing the woman scream. She shouts, "momma!" Before her eyes the corpse is mangled with a few men surrounding her corpse and she finds herself running, screaming as the men chase her. Emily wakes up in cold sweat feeling herself before touching her face and panicking. She checks the time, "9 PM" she swears up a storm with her rubbing her eyes. She sighs, "maybe I'll be able to catch up and ask the team what they found."

Workout routine 2026

Wednesday

No

Thursday

No

 Friday

Chest

Bench press - 4 sets 8 reps

Lateral raise machine (you know the one) - 3 sets 15 reps

Farmer Walk - to failure (can do any day)

Weighted curl machine - 3 sets 12 reps

Ab machine - 4 sets to failure

Saturday

Military press - 3 sets 10 reps

Check List/ Blog Entry 1/29/2026

 Just to track my progress and because I don't care if anyone sees this. Progress check list.

Objectives to complete this week;

1. Bullet sprite sheet to sell (can update in the future to make worth buying)

2. Finish 100 potions to sell

The Monster Gardender

     My job is or was simple; we grow vegetables that look normal at first. We send this smaller shipment of veggies and roots to an unknown vendor. Our job is simple; keep ourselves strapped and keep out any unwanted guest. You'd imagine what kind of people would want our goods and we thought so as well at first.

    When first starting it was simple enough with the instructions around watering, planting, etc. However after some of the workers had to call out sick; then the other instructions came in. We had to draw symbols, chant phrases, and burry animal flesh before planting the seeds and watering the plants. You'd think this would send us running for the hills but in reality; I work only four months of the year on a six figure salary on the low end; you do the math. Anyone with a brain would choose my career path and not like I had to shoot anyone, at that point of my career anyways.

    It was going all swimmingly until my coworker Josh sold some potatoes to a family. He looked innocent enough, not knowing everything unlike me and him not knowing why these veggies in specific were special. You see at first when in the ground they're normal or connected to the plant but when taken off they slowly transform and become monstrous, beating hearts, breathing and their veggie skin becoming more flesh like.

    I'd been swearing up a storm at him, "you dumb fuck! Do you know what our employer will do to us! You don't even realize who were fucking with here!" After him raising his hands in defense. You maybe wondering why I'm scared of my boss, well any sick fuck that has us doing what we did can only be sick in the head. So while Josh calls our boss and me dreading this while I speed off towards the family home.

    You might be wondering how or where I'd be going but in reality, I only noticed because after a while you feel an aura coming off these things once you've worked with them long enough. It's not something physical but something outside the body, this may sound very anime but it makes sense if you consider the eastern philosophy and chi; after all, where do you think anime got it's influence?

    With that haunting thought I don't even want to know if other Yokai are real. Anyways; it didn't take long to find the home; the place seemed normal with me knocking on the front door and to see an older woman answering the door, with me barging my way in to the kitchen and finding the potatoes being baked; turning off the oven and taking them out, firing away at each potato. I turn to her and say, "look I can explain just give me a moment. However behind her the door locked, my heart drops in my chest as I'm starting to feel that feeling around me, it didn't take long until a knife is put in my left shoulder.

    I turn to a teenage boy smiling; the devious smile on his face. I unload the clip into his body only for him to get back up, the bullets slowly pushing out of his body. I'm running towards the window but a small girl is blocking my way; her hands revealing claws as the mother starts to show signs of monstrous body parts with her neck stretching out.

    She calmly calls out, "stay for dinner." I'm zipping towards the stairwell going upstairs and finding a bedroom to lock myself in with getting a call, buzzing and opening up to see who it is. I feel the door pounding as it's almost coming off it's hinges. I'm picking up the phone.

    The voice is calm and sweet, "Alice did you really think I was going to kill you over one mistake?" My heart sinks in my chest realizing this is my boss I try to speak but he continues, "look I have a friend coming but this is coming out of your pay. Next time call me and I'll get it sorted, okay?" The door pounding harder until it finally comes off it's hinges, sending myself and the door flying as an older man is in front with his family members behind him.

    Behind me is a window, to the left is a closet and to the right is bed. I'm sending myself out the window with breaking my leg, trying to hold it together as I'm getting myself away only to feel myself screaming as the man lands on my leg, he's dragging me back inside. I'm screaming for help and he stops dragging me for the kitchen as a car comes pulling up to their property with the humanoid creature wearing a crow mask, it didn't take long for me to feel an overwhelming dread that leaves my skin cold and everything around me sinking in despair. It's a pain that's cutting deep inside me. My voice wanted to scream but some reason I'd couldn't.

    The bladed feathers cutting into the family members, quick, clean and graceful as he butchers the family. He picks me up, carrying me to the car, putting me in the passenger seat. He gives a soft smack to my face, making sure I'm not falling asleep as were heading into a back alley with him taking me out of the car, my body too beat up for me to fight against him and allow myself to be dragged into the back area of the building to see other monstrous people.

    The damage done to my body is far worse than I realized. After going under I wake up to feel a mask put over my face. The panic that sets in my voice as a man dressed like a scarecrow is at my bedside. He speaks, "man that family really did a number on you; you weren't going to live so they had to take some drastic measures." His words cut deep with me realizing what this means, my blood runs cold and numb; heart not beating. Something he mentions that sounds lovely, "that family; they would make good fertilizer, wouldn't they?" I'm left nodding along in agreement.

Rough Draft Novellete - Containment Center for a Demon Child

My small victories

 Date completed

9/19/2025

Leg day

Getting 90 usd total gained in a month now.

Brush my teeth, shower

Programmed more and changed more level elements for the dodge platformer.

Drank a breakfast shake.

I wrote two small stories yesterday.

My Vampiric Life Going Forward

     Ever since the preacher turned me into a vampire; I've been through worse hell than ever before. The police and I are at odds with one another; only realizing how much they knew about men like him and other monsters lurking about as long as they're playing ball. You don't understand what it's like to have an invasive nature take over; a new feeling never before creeping over.

    Other people having to deal with my old mates hunting me; even with me not feeding on non-criminals, albeit I'm sometimes left with no choice. To think; I used to hunt creatures like me. I've mostly stuck to drinking from rats and other vermin but it's not enough; eventually you have to feed on someone. The blood banks; at night run by vampires and being let in to feed on blood bags in exchange for cash.

    It's not just human blood here; vampire blood, werewolf blood; hell even unicorn blood if you have the right cash for it. I had an ounce of unicorn blood and that shit is addictive. So with everything in place; the underground networks and everything; you could imagine my surprise to learn about why vampires haven't ruled over humanity let alone the werewolves.

    Believe it or not; even us vampires have monsters that hunt us; creatures in the night, things that feast on us. The man who holds dominion over fear and nightmares adds us to his fine collection. His little slaves born from the fear of humanity and monster alike. Were only lucky that few of us are considered worthwhile to hunt; to that, I have no clue who or what he considers but I'm able to take a guess ever since the fear mining incident.

    Humans still being the worthwhile target; as of the reasons why; I don't know. Oh and if you think that's the only thing I have to fear in terms of taking us; you have it all wrong. You'd think demons and other similar creatures would get along but in reality were often times fighting in the same space.

    One time I was seeing a vampire bare knuckle box an axe wielding demon with the skull on the heel of the ax. The demon deeply laughing as it crushed the vampire's head in. The dread that filled me seeing and dealing with this as it is.

    I remember running down a hallway; jumping over fallen building debris as the obese red skinned demon came lumbering down with it's large swinging hammer smashing the walls like they were made of paper. The demon cackling like a madman as it came barreling towards me. That with a shotgun in hand; one pump to the face and it should've gone down but unlike a human it just bounced back and acted like a fly hit it's face. The dread that filled my body; knowing how these things move and act.

    That trying to only feed on vermin wasn't enough; just left me weak. Oh god; even writing this I hate myself for what I did. My friend Jerry was nearby, he threw a brick at the creature striking it in the head but it brushed off the damage and kept going after me. Jerry pulled me to a room closing off from the creature. Now Jerry is a homeless man; we go far back when I used to do work in the soup kitchen feeding the homeless. You could imagine how much I wanted to end my own life after what I did next.

    Me pleading, "Jerry get the fuck out of here I am not me! Please won't be able to control myself! I don't want to feed!" I'd always imagined it'd be like in the movies; me being able to overcome my hunger and save everyone; keep everything in order with my loved ones and enemies but that's not reality sadly. He tried to comfort and calm me; but before I knew it, my teeth sunk into his neck and not a simple kind of sinking of turning someone into a blood sucker; no my teeth dug in good and just kept crushing down on his neck, good news; vampires release a pain killer that should be keeping him sedated, bad news is unless were starving.

    I'd been hungry, so hungry at the time so imagine hearing your friend begging for you to let go and crying as the pain set in with you slowly draining him until he passed out and every second drinking him filled me with glee or what felt like glee; that's the other thing, once you fully turn you lose all your normal human emotions and gain new ones; harder to explain ones. The joy-like feeling was like a black cup of coffee that fills you with energy and wakes you.

    After having fed on him; my mood was better, body was healing and my strength was back in action. Once the demon found me; it hadn't been long before I took out it's eyes then took both my hands, jumping up to it's head grabbing it's horns and breaking them off like they were twigs. Then slammed my hand through his chest rapidly stabbing it's own horn into it's chest until it's body faded with embers turning to dust. After that I'd check for a pulse and found him to be dead.

    Jerry was one of the few people I had still in my life and to only take him away like that; like a wild animal crushed me. Unlike Father Michael I couldn't just pretend and cast moral judgements to be justifying my feeding, I am a monster; regardless if I'd meant to hurt Jerry or not.

    You wanna know the worse part? I don't feel any remorse for killing him; only feel sad that he's gone. The self hatred coming from the fact I should feel sorrow; I should feel remorse but to think, I am unable to feel those things anymore. Is someone human if they lose your emotions? It's been years since I'd first turn that I was able to feel love. At best lust is what I'm able to feel.

    Succubus

    You might be wondering what a succubus would want with a vampire and why I'm telling this story. Vampires and succubus have similar powers but go about their targets in two different manners; unsurprisingly a succubus and incubus rarely have offspring together. At most a fling but imagine two energy hungry power couples fighting food and fighting over it.

    So both of them often times go out of their way to "bond" with a vampire and create a symbiotic relationship. Don't get me wrong; once your use is gone you're next on the menu or they move on. Succubus don't love you but you can't love them as a vampire; more like mutual fulfillment of lust.

    So keep in mind this next story; this demon let's call her Emily, Emily was at a club with me and dancing up on me. Right off the bat; we both knew one another's secret. If you've been around as long as us; you know what it is.

    One of the major red flags is how fast she tries to get you into the bathroom for "fun times" if you catch my drift. I know I'm a four at best so to see this girl try this I was on high alert considering I hadn't mind controlled her yet. We both knew the game we were playing and hopefully trying to get the other to crack. Both of us able to control and bend others to our will. However; we were both hungry and not wanting to waste time; chose our specific targets. I was headed for the alleyway and I guess Emily was as well with her victim even though this didn't make sense to me until I noticed what she was doing; she had a photo of me with my victim.

    Now to go over an old detail; no vampires are made more detailed in photos, mirrors, etc. not less; an old myth spread by vampires to convince people they're not a vampire. We get more detailed when captured in a place in time. The dread I'd been filled with realizing what she was doing. After getting my meal in; I'd rushed her down. Emily smiled as she had her finger on the button. At that moment I'd stopped in my tracks. She put the phone down considering we both had super speed; like I said, vampires and succubus are quite similar in abilities.

    The groans from my part, "what do you want." She flickers me a smile and blew me a kiss.

    She walked around me; running her finger down my body giggling, "you know what I want; a partnership. You and I work together." To this I'd roll my eyes; however her bringing the phone back up made me reconsider my attitude.

    To this happily nodding, "of course; whatever you want, I'll work with you." She flashed me a toothy grin then nodded. Now you'd think, "oh just meet up with her" nope, she crashed at my place; made a mess of the place. If she didn't like what I was doing, scratch my face. When low on targets I could get for her; men I could hunt for her, she'd pin me to the wall or I'd wake up to her keeping me crushed under.

    At first it wasn't bad; it was whatever on my part but the part you have to remember; it's not a drain of your area down there only; it's a spiritual drain with pulling from your soul which yes us vampires still have a soul; us non-native vampires but born from the vampiric disease. Imagine for a second; a disease that changes your RNA and molds your being; as thus why vampires don['t have consistent weaknesses but similar weaknesses and strengths.

    Anyways after pleading for her to stop considering it's not pleasure after a while; when a succubus gets off; she sometimes crushes your bones; you might be into that but I sure as hell isn't. So imagine waking up with multiple broken bones; waiting for your body to regenerate. At one point; I'd thought she was going to kill me since it'd been a while since I even bothered to hunt until I realized she dug around in the fridge, pouring the blood wine down my throat. After trying to spit it up; after finally having enough and wanting to die; she hit me across the face a few times until I'd gotten the message.

    After a while finally getting her off of me; locking the bathroom door for her to be pounding on the door. One other trick you might've not noticed but the more times you've slept with a succubus the more she sinks into you with her mind control. Something of which I hadn't noticed at the time. It's not a one and done deal; often times succubus daily feeding on the same guy or multiple people.

    Now many of you might be guessing why I hadn't left her yet and it's because well with her I can still feel my human side kicking. Now don't get me wrong; I'm unable to literally feel how I was as a human but she can force my will to be as if she was manipulating a human. The crying on the other side of the door getting me to unlock the door for her; yes a succubus crying is quite a powerful manipulation tool.

    Keep in mind; these are the same monsters that took less than a decade to spread polygamy. They're clever demons. The other fact I'd forgotten to mention; these demons aren't just purely one sin; some are a mix and her; she was a mix of wrath. After leaving the bathroom it didn't take long for her to pin me to the ground and bite into my neck. It's not even as if I'll bleed out because my body will just regenerate.

    Succubus having so much sex that normal vanilla sex and even some of the more hardcore sex is just mundane; going to further extremes like knife play, stabbing, cutting into themselves or their partners as a kink. One time she forced me to take off her head and well you know.

    You might be wondering why I'm telling you these tales; the simple truth is because I don't want you to become a vampire like me; I wish I hadn't gotten revenge on that fucking priest.

    If I think I have any good stories that aren't mundane like the demon nurse I had to kill for some blood money but some juicy tales I'll share them.

How is this moving me towards my goal?

 So we'll be looking at my actions I've done/ completed that move me towards my goals!

Give it 2 wks to see if it sticks

Goals;

1. Get a better job

2. Get a house

3. Get a wife overseas

4. Pay off my debt

9/13/2025

5:00 am

1. Making this list blog page.

2.

Need to do

9/13/2025

7:20 AM

1. HVAC study

EPA study Guide questions

8:20 AM

1. Workout shoulders and back

9/15/2025

As of today I had been completing my assignments; looking at other things for the given work. I've been doing this diary entry blog type system in order to see the affects of my mental health at hand along with reducing social media consumption as of recent.

Not counting the consuming of music and other arts but I'm making progress in those regards. With the fact I'm not just being the sour grapes guy. Don't get me wrong; I still have sour grapes about dating but those negative feelings push me to be better.

That being said; thank you me for studying and working harder as of recent; I'm proud of you for taking time even just an hour at a time to move away from fun only time and to being a harder worker. I know the sacrifices you've made and I'm proud of you.

Also good job with improving the gravity code on the dodging platformer game.

Also thank you for reducing the amount of pornographic material you are consuming and focusing on pursuing your goals.

I'm an Anti-Monster and here are my stories

     Many of you maybe confused by what I mean in terms of, "anti-monster" to clear things up; you know those mythical creatures? The ones that go bump in the night? Others call them Fae as a catch all term; but they're often refer to one another as Mythical. The scientist and cultist that made me; well made me into a hunter of said Mythical. Some of you might wonder how and why.

    As of the how; that's even a mystery to me; considering they used Mythic creatures to make me. For the why though? Well, werewolves and other creatures being a problem as the sort. To drive out these monsters. Now why would I call them monsters? Why would I side with the humans?

    My kind may've been made to kill them but at the time; no intent to kill a Mythic had been in my head no matter how many times they tried to get me to be their little pawn; no matter how much the hunger hurt, normal food and water doesn't work. My diet was Fae blood, unicorn meat, if it was a Mythic it was a part of my diet and not as if I'd want to eat them but forced too.

    Right; the story I'm dancing around here; at the time we were in the training room; me pushing myself as far as I could on the bench press; easily benching 400 LBS. The scientist disappointed with the results; considering me the weakest Mythic Hunter. That while doing this usual training routine; the alarms went off and three large burly furry werewolves came barreling towards us. That without thinking; pushing the first one away with me shouting, "I don't want to fight! Please don't go after me! Take me with you!" You could imagine none of them believed me.

    The largest werewolf snatched me out of the air, slowly squeezing my head and as he done so; the blood rushed through my veins, my stomach growling and tears running down my face as the pain shooting through me. It didn't take long for his hand to snap; swiftly moving on my feet, punch after punch and a kick sending one of them flying. The scientist didn't trust me with guns but that wasn't an issue; one of the rock debris picked up; tossed right through the second werewolf and the third? By the time the other two died; backup arrived and you could hear their stomachs roar considering lunch time hadn't come yet. At first; I'd been the one to chomp on the throat, tearing, biting while the others stood there, shocked with one mumbling, "is... is Jace really eating a Mythic or have I gone mad?" They soon joined me.

    Animalistic tendencies brought on by the other half. You see; in order to make a monster hunter; you first need a monster. Each of us spliced with a soul of another monster. We used to have another life; those lives often times come to us as dreams. My human half was a little boy named Cain; now don't get me wrong, Cain killed plenty of things and loved to torture animals. To watch my old life was horrifying; more of nightmares than dreams. Meanwhile the other half; Isaac was only a Sluagh that fed on the souls it could and mostly a monster himself or itself I guess, I'm unsure if I'm completely honest.

    These may seem interesting or odd but these monsters and even that bastard Cain must have some humanity inside of them in order for me to care about the Mythic we killed, at least before. We are not a perfect blend of where we come from, we may not choose who we are but choose what we do. That being said; the judgement can be felt already, thinking me of being evil to call all Mythic evil bastards after encountering one bad group.

    Oh it wasn't that only group I've encountered; these vermin have attacked me time, after time, after time with an unprovoked response on my part. They wanted a monster? A real monster? They would get one. Some part of me wonders; if Cain or Isaac are still alive in this fusion of ours or if this being, me is what's left of both of them.

    I digress. Back to the stories I suppose. One of the groups targeted were a group of vampires; a family. A daughter, the mother and father; no vampires can't reproduce. The father turned the family rather than kill them; wholesome but idiotic. After the parents went down; well it was a lot easier to justify to myself the kids should go down next, after all; the parents are gone and they'd be left to foster care. What kind of parents would want to raise these two little monsters? A single moment, a pause on my part as the child holding teddy bear crying, she cowered in the corner looking away.

    The resistance on my part; shrugging it off and continuing to butcher the two that for the next couple months having nightmare's about killing them. The nightmares weren't the part that disturbed me; going to the psychological wing. Telling them I'd felt distressed over the fact I'd kill children even if they were monsters. It didn't take long for guards to come in and pin me down as electroshock therapy had taken place and why wouldn't they shock me?

    I'd done something foolish; showed pity, remorse for monsters. To show remorse for them; was a proper reason for me to be beaten.

The Elf Girl

   Another story I'd like to share; one that still lingers with me to this day and a part of me wonders if I made the right choice. Just like any other full moon; an axe in hand as the werewolves ran from me; the girl still shaking in fear, clothes torn and she sees my face. You might think my appearance scared her but at first glance my body is no different than any other human expect the red eyes and monstrous features that form when my hunt for Mythical start. At the time my body sustained an inhuman amount of damage; missing right arm, missing leg. Mind you; these weren't one or three werewolves were talking about ten of them.

    For our fight one of them took ripped a tree from the ground, the tree width of a car and tossed it at me. As you could imagine; these were a lot tougher than your average werewolf. Anyways; she looked distressed at first but soften her look as my hand went out to her.

    My body started to falter, to fall; my human half isn't as durable as the monster half. Some of you might be wondering why I'm not considered a Mythic if I'm half of one; well are you your parents even though your half your mom and dad? A fusion isn't a literal blend; it's more like birthing a child; well my form of fusion was at least.

    She grabbed me; picked me up and carried me over her shoulder; one of the werewolves notice this and started to come after us; at the time I'd been thinking, "fuck when is back up going to arrive!" My limbs slowly growing back. Some of you might be wondering why weren't allowed to have guns; well one asshole that was a part of our group decided to leave and join the Mythic beast. His name was Dante, a cheeky bastard who denied our cause and joined the feral creatures. With just a pistol Dante was able to headshot 20 guards from 2 miles away, safe to say why we aren't allowed guns anymore.

    The saddest part is; he did it for a female Mythic, can you believe that? At the time; I had thought, "how could he fall for such a creature?" But after dealing with my savior I could understand how; she pressed my body up against a tree, covering us in mud. For someone so small; she was quite strong, the werewolves pass by us as if we weren't there. This surprised me something so simple worked so well. After a long time passed; she carried me until we reached a spot surrounded by a field of flowers and she started up a fire inside the field of flowers.

    She asked, "what brought you here?"

    At the time explaining, "the werewolves; them slaughtering humans brought me here." She looked away and nods.

    She asked, "can I have your name?"

    I reply, "the name I'd been assigned? It's not my name but it's a name; John." Some of you might be wondering why I'd worded like that; Fae can only take the name of those who have a name; as odd as it sounds; were given no name, we already signed our names away to the lawyers, were borrowing the names if anything. So even if we could have our names taken well you'd have to take it from the lawyer. 

    Fae have tried and failed to take my name only to realize they couldn't and once these facts explained to them; they had no way of doing anything to us. Imagine it like this; you sell a car to someone and they rent the car out to you; then someone else tries to claim your property as their own; well that car doesn't belong to me, the car belongs to the person you are renting it from.

    She softly smiles, "then what is your name?"

    I smirk, "my name is John." Her smile fades as she notices nothing happen. Then the explanation falls on her ears, "you can feel it; the fact it's a name, that I'm without a true name, correct? A lawyer owns my name, not I and no before you try to kill that lawyer; in his will another lawyer will have ownership over that name, so on and so forth." each word closer to explaining it fully in detail made her face go sour.

    She looked defeated and scoffed, "I guess you and that damn Mythic hunter group thought of everything to counter us; huh?" A proud nod from me.

    I swing the question back around, "what do they call you?" She looks away and sighs.

    She says, "they call me Autumn. My true name would drive you insane."

    A smug look on my face couldn't be concealed, "so; why did you save me, Autumn? Falling in love with a anti-monster now?" Her eyes rolled.

    She says, "you saved me back there; I only thought of it as it being the right thing to do."

    Me questioning, "and with trying to take my name from me?"

    She scoffs, "for my own safety! As soon as you heal up; you'll be trying to kill me again."

    I'd nod in agreement to this. My question to her, "so, why were the werewolves trying to kill you?" She looks to the ground.

    She answers, "they gain power by eating those with mana; everything has mana so a werewolf feeding means that form gets stronger and stronger. Fae, true Fae; have plentiful of mana."

    Me nodding along and ask, "boys at the lab; did you get this info?" The radio signal in my head. Oh yeah; they put a radio and a tracker in my head; because again, Dante." Her eyes widen at me smiling.

    She mumbles, "I couldn't even detect it..." A knock on my skull to hear the part that clunked different from the rest of my head. She looked defeated; dead inside after this. Her eyes start to water, fall with waterworks.

    An idea at that moment pops into my head with me saying, "help protect me until morning time; and I'll make sure my owners and I don't hurt you; today for this encounter, deal?" She smiles and happily nods with her standing guard and keeping us cloaked. We talk to pass the time.

    Autumn ask, "why do you hate Mythic so much?"

    That explaining my encounters to her and the beatings I'd seen pity, empathy in her eyes though a part of me thinking, "she is faking it." Me turning around to ask, "what brought you to the human world? Don't you have your own land you're from?"

    She scoffs, "oh yeah that shit hole where I'm not loved; not wanted, I'm too alien from my own people." At this part; she reminds me of myself when I'd first awoken at the lab and refused to kill any Mythic; expressed too many emotions for my masters to tolerate and had been beaten on the daily because of it.  We traded stories; tales of our lives to one another.

    Of course you might be thinking she could trick me or grab something from me but I'm not the owner of these memories and experience, even if she could take from me or the lawyers or anyone; the other two halves of me still have more ownership of this than I do. 

    You might be wondering how I was able to make a deal then; well a deal is a deal not something she could take but something we both made together, that being said that rule wasn't applied to my two other halves but she doesn't know that the rule only applies to me and my owners. After talking to her; we didn't realize how much we had in common.

    Once healed up enough; we both went for a swim. Now don't act like we were getting close; not at all, I wanted more info from her and after explaining this to the boys at the lab over the radio they had a sigh of relief.

    When the sunrise and they could finally find us and bring me home; one of the guards let me use a pistol. She was far off from us and this was a new encounter not the current. When aiming the gun at her from over a mile away, each shot I'd fired missed. The rage, the frustration and embarrassment of missing such an easy to hit target filled me with dread. Once we got back; I'd begged to try to use the pistol again at a firing range. They had over fifty guards watch me and sure enough; each shot able to be hit for moving targets from three miles away.

    Which made me think, "did... I let her get away?" The other part of me thinking, "it was accidental; bad shots, the sun was in my eye was all and my body was still recovering at the time." Regardless the boys and woman at the lab thanked me for collecting all the useful info she gave me.

Workout Routine Change

 Not a traditional sense of a story but a story none of the less. Realizing I need to workout back muscles more; here is the plan.

Sunday (Back day)

Incline Dumbbell rows 4 sets 10 reps 50 LBS dumbbells

Lat pulldown 4 sets 10 reps 50 LBS

Row machine 4 sets 10 reps 50 LBS

Farmer walk 140 LBS (go as long as possible)

Monday (upper body)

40 Pushups 45 LBS (on back)

Bench Press 135 set 1 (10 reps), 155 set 2 (10 reps), 185 set 3 (as many as possible)

Or

Military press instead of Bench press

Farmer walk 140 LBS (go as long as possible)

Tuesday

Rest or cardio

Wensday

Dumbbell squat 3 sets 140 LBS

Front squat set 1 85 LBS 15 reps set 2 125 LBS 10 reps

thursday

rest or any

Friday

Legs

Saturday

Back

Need to complete workout plan/ might change

Work over my Son and now I had paid the price

     Many of you probably want me to go to hell but I can explain; my hours of work mounting and had to work myself to death for my son. Don't get me wrong; my HVAC job had the pay being good at first but prices going up, more work on my plate and needing to do what I can to help him. My wife and I are divorced; you can guess as of why. She got lonely and cheated on me while I'd been working.

    Thankfully; he is in my care or was; at first he was talking to people online to some people and to me seemed fine with him talking to kids his age. At first nothing seemed wrong but my son seemed to be avoidant, looking around when I entered the room and stopping what he was doing. With me looking at his search history; my heart sank seeing what was sent to him. With alerting his mother about taking away his electronics and making sure to lock up the computer unless we were both in the room. Even making sure to take it to the room with me.

    He's only 9 and shouldn't be looking up the kind of content he is; however I'm unable to keep an eye on him and his mother? Who knows if she is looking at what he's looking over or not. We both have two different parenting styles; she was beautiful but we were horrible for one another and a part of me regrets having my son, not being able to provide the stable life he deserves. One day everything is fine; nothing really going wrong, a fight or two then next turn around the corner you have your life pulled out from under your feet. I'm dragging the point out about my son but honestly a part of me can't face reality.

    I've made efforts and attempts to teach him stranger danger; the fact of strangers talking those things with him made me disgusted. The chat logs of them going back and forth with the stranger asking him how his day was, at first innocent but slowly changed as the two got to know one another. The chat logs made me disgusted, imagine trying to pump down an AC unit under pressure while reading the chat logs; my stomach twisted in knots, the conversation again innocent with asking, "hey how was school." and asking about me, not wanting to get into those. All I can tell you is reading the chat messages about me made my heart break.

    Oh and yes I'm spying on my son while he's at his mother's. I'm needing to keep an eye or attempt to then I'll do so. The last thing he needs is to have pornographic material sent to him by strangers he met in an online game again. After seeing this, when picking him up from his mother's we have a talk with me trying to urge him to heed my warnings and listen to me but it falls on deaf ears. That talking to a wall would be easier than this.

    He responds, "mom said you're not in charge of me while I'm at her place." My heart breaks even further hearing this.

    I plead with him, "I love is why I care that you are talking to strangers; I don't want anyone hurting you." The next week I'm at a different place doing a brazing job; getting some copper pipes for the system together; after getting done with the brazing of the pipe and running nitrogen through the system I'm quickly checking the phone to see my son and the stranger are planning to meet up. I'm quick to call my ex with her not picking up, quickly stop running nitrogen through the system, leaving my worksite the way it is; leave my boss a message with me jumping into my work van speeding down the road with me calling the police to meet me at the location. A cop speeding on by goes by me towards the neighborhood the two are going to meet. However once I'm at the scene my stomach drops with my face going white as I see my son's favorite stuff Teddy bear. The tears that burn my face.

    Every part of me wishing I'd done more; asking myself what I could've done different, an amber alert is sent out with the police helping out to find him with me giving photos of him just any and all chat logs. As the days pass by me; restless but still working, needing something to keep my mind off of what I'd gone through with everything until I'm going on my son's account to message the stranger.

    The stranger messages me back an image of my son hung by chains with each part of his body chained and hooked. At the jobsite puking on the customer's carpet. They come in to yell at me until they join me in letting their lunch out once they see what I'm seeing. The photo turned over to the police with more photos sent to the police, taunting them as they're powerless to help me find the sick fuck.

It Followed me Through the Woods

     What the hell was I thinking going through those woods? That thing is still outside whistling to me; by morning it's gone but at night? It comes back to my place. I should probably start from the beginning. After a long shift at work getting back home from working the warehouse job. However; my car broke down and I couldn't get a ride home, besides I'd thought, "oh it's close by; shouldn't be too bad." Of course; a mugger had to be around the corner and right now; I'd rather deal with that crack addict mugger, give him my wallet instead of what was waiting for me in those woods.

    When running for the woods nearby, going through a paved hiking trail I thought nothing of it until the crack addict stepped away from the path. In the back of my mind my thoughts were, "oh he lost interest because I'm too fast for him" ha! Fat chance; they'd I've seen these guys scale buildings for a bit of copper to make a quick buck for their next hit. At first it was silent; no animal noises, no owls loudly having sex which yes I do have to deal with that issue when trying to sleep. As I'd travel through the path, started to reflect on my life choices, mid thought though rustling in the leaves as going by foot; look over to see no one and the rustling in the grass stopped. So I'd shrug this off as, "me being tired" oh boy I'd been wrong.

    So as the path grew narrower which it shouldn't have; the path should've been still the same as before; the only part of the path not closing in on me is that paved path. Every step down the paved path had my stomach twisting in knots. The look at the time to see over an hour passed; this path is only supposed to take at most 30 minutes. The air started to grow cold and started to make haste south. The warm air going from warm and humid to cold and damp; the moon light from above started to be covered by clouds and left with my phone light as I'd look around the surrounding area to think it'd been an animal skull until I'd noticed in the grass was just a deer. A heavy sigh wash over me with continuing on the path. On said path a coyote runs towards me; my life flashing before my eyes until it's steps were running away, every part of me told me to turn back but honestly it's this or the mugger.

    The wet grass started to have other smells stain it; the rustling of the bushes didn't concern me until the loud crack of the brand under somethings footstep. This hadn't been a small twig; the loud, "crack!" Had come from a large tree limb. Then at that point only then I'd start running, my heart pounding in my chest as the light barely revealed what was in the bushes but it's no animal that exist around here nor looks as if it came from nature. The sound of bones cracking; the chomping of flesh with an animal screaming out loud. At that point; did it occur to me after running across the same coyote; the same scar across it's face as the last one, that or a twin. The path not getting me any closer to my goal.

    The sounds of soft soothing whistling come from the direction I'm running after, at this point turning north to sprint for my life, lungs burning, barely able to breath as the sound growing ever so closer. It was foolish to turn back but what other choice was there? The creature revealed by my phone light with it's wolf skull and tall boney body with it's large claws jutting from it's hands like it was forced to have it's claws infused into it's hands, twisted, a Frankenstein beast stitched together by a drunk surgeon.

    The monster smiles to me; it's small white pupils seeing right through me; it's approach was slow, taking it's time and with each step the forest expands away from the paved path and the paved path shrinks to reveal the staircase out of the forest area open to me. The swipe of it's claws at me leaving a gash on my right arm; slipping by the creature to smell sweet freedom; but my heart drops in my chest as the forest grows closer and the path stretches again. The soothing whistling turning into happy whistling as I'd drop to my knees crying out to the sky, howling and beating on the ground. A large branch nearby; gripping it in both hands facing the monster. My teeth clenched and rage flaring up.

    The long arms come down to swing with it's claws stretched out but the branch connects with it's face; as soon as the hit connects the stair case is just right behind me, sweet taste of freedom as the paved path ahead of me leads to concrete stairs and freedom. The kissing of the concrete stairs with my taunting and teasing to the creature with flipping it off but of course; that's not how it ends, unable to leave it's forest, nothing stopping it from teleporting to the wooded areas near me, continuing it's whistling and setting the land to stretch along the forest, pulling on the paved sidewalk like it's pizza dough. Our back and forth not ending so soon so the best thing left was to run on the road; sure enough the road itself too far for the creature to stretch until it popped over to the other side of the forest area, stretching out it's influence to my half; this back and forth with me playing in the street having the creature casually whistle until a cop car speeds on by, going onto the side walk and the cop seeing if I was drunk or not.

    I'd explain to them, "no, no I'm just tired and my car broke down; I'd been working late." Still given a test to see if I'm drunk and offered a ride. The ride in the back of the cop car home having me question if what I'd seen was real or not until the monster teleports every couple feet keeping up with the cop car, almost smiling to me; the cop car going faster.

    The cop mumbles, "I swear it's never this long of a drive." As soon as the cop looks over to what I'm looking at he asks, "what are you looking at?" Sure enough, only then does the creature disappear. Then magically able to get home with no issue.

    I'd snap to answer, "oh I thought I saw an owl is all." He side eyes me, not fully trusting me.

    He tells me, "look; don't work too hard, you know? Work must've been hell for you to look like that." A nod from me, giving a mutual understanding and more ways than one he's right about working too hard. Once dropped off at home to be greeted by my roommate's only to hear the whistling outside; this time bird like but wrong, something mimicking the sound of a robin, then changed to a sound of an owl, the pitch is off, "hoot hoot!" Instead being, "hoot! Huy-oot! Hoot!" Every part of me wants to think I'm crazy and luckily was able to get my brother to drop me off at work but on the way to work it followed me; on my way back from work it's following me.

    Who am I going to tell? The audio comes up normal on my phone when trying to record this thing and trying to take pictures? It doesn't show up; what the hell am I dealing with? My room is the closet to the wooded area and the thing watches me while I'm sleeping; even through the blinds it's peaking into my home! That thing will catch me slipping up one day or another. Oh and my wounds? A simple lie of the animal attacked me on the trail.

    The crack heads nearby? Gone; none to be found which is strange; just one day gone, only their clothes left? I can't be the only one to see this. Trying to bring up missing and dead crackheads to the police? Oh yeah, no that got me laughed at and them not really caring. No way in hell they can't know of this thing, can they? One night, one night of good sleep and not hearing the whistling! Even with playing videos that thing has it's whistling noise pierce the audio from my phone! My computer audio on the other hand, well luckily not yet.

    One of my roommate's got a money tree; at first it was okay but with that thing open to the viewing of the outside of the backyard though? That thing; it'd gotten inside, moving the potted plant. So what did I do? Hurried up and threw it outside of course! That next morning didn't go over well with my roommate however. The other three thought I'd gone insane! Am I just insane? I can't tell anymore; just one night of good sleep please.

    The next swing shift came and I'd finally snapped; driving down to the gas station, buying some gas and finishing this once and for all. I already have matches with me; this thing wants to fight? It wants to tussle then come on I'll show it why I'm not to be fucked with! My car speeding down the highway until I'm just parted off to the side of the bridge; going down into the woods pouring the gas canister onto the trees and getting my match ready as I throw it; setting the forest a blaze. The creature looks to me; disgusted as it tries it's best to take out the fire. It doesn't take long for the fire department to come along and the police as well.

    The creature but not dead; and realizing I shouldn't have done this so close to the police department nor fire department. I was waiting in the forest fire, hoping the flames take me. As I'd explain what happened to the police. They don't believe me at first but then start to see I'm being genuine. For the court trail and everything; it doesn't take long until I'm thrown into the looney bin. After being in there; calmed and medicated at night time I'm seeing the creature sitting outside in the grassy area waiting for me; and he isn't alone. He brought friends.

The Monster Mask

     The therapist sitting and listen to me bemoan my failures to keep my emotions in check in public and having stimulation issues. You see with my autism I struggle more than most with taste, touch, smells and sounds. I hadn't even taken a step to enter my brother's room one time to be hit by a huge wave of cinnamon with my brother not noticing the smell and realizing my reaction. The shocked reaction from me with realizing him not noticing. These are the more mild issues sadly. As I get done explaining the issues she pulls out a mask from her bag. Now keep in mind; I know this isn't normal and she had only been on my radar due to her hours being cheap and easy to get a hold of.

    Her long orange hair was wild but well washed and seemed to be quite frail and slender. The skin pale as paper. The smile a bit too sharp but this all was shrugged off by me; even with the rusty smell that filled the air around her.

    Her sharp tooth grin as explaining, "this is a masking tool; this will help you with dealing with emotional dysregulations." I'm hesitant at first with taking it.

    I ask, "won't I look silly wearing a mask in public?" She shakes her head. Then putting on the mask with it going from a stage mask to blending in and morphing to her face and skin; looks as if she never put on a mask. Her eating and drinking like it's nothing. Then taking it off, wiping it off and handing it to me.

    At first I'm scared but thinking about my failures and things I've wanted to do.

    She explains, "this will help with your troubles with dating now." At that point I cave, with it getting on my face. It hurt, feeling like hot metal pitch forks digging into my flesh like it's digging into me. Then turns to pleasure and a high like never before. The therapist smiles to me; leading me out the door. At home with the mask, taking it off; which again still hurt like hell and I'm feeling drained, my brain starting to fog. I start brushing my teeth, almost missing my mouth as I do so. It's not hard to imagine something so simple being forgotten but still feels unnerving this is the case.

    Imagine something that anchors down your senses, your sense of self; parts of you. Things you don't notice like dinosaur arms, walking on the heels of your feet and having yourself less stressed by certain smells. At first it's great; why wouldn't it be? At work my flirting and confidence gets around at the office with my boss even getting off my back for once and even not getting talked to about my "attitude" with me just having my resting face being my usual self. It feels good to be treated like another coworker.

    However over time you start to feel a split; a mental disconnect while wearing the mask, each time I've put this thing on; it's been harder and harder to take off. One day I had woken up to the mask being on my face; this shouldn't be alarming to me but the thing is; this was never put on my face while on my days off from work.

    Some part of me thinking, "I've must've forgotten to take this off" which the other deeper part of me knows that'd be a lie to think. Now as of taking it off feels as if nails are being dug into my skin; digging deeper and deeper with pulling it off getting harder. The longer it's remained on my face; the more I'd black out and the more blacking out; the less to remember. The thoughts and feelings that don't feel like me, don't feel like mine. After some time of being in my apartment I decide to go to the bar.

    From there noticing some cute girls nearby; my mask forced prolonged eye contact with people, a little bit too long for my liking, followed by the jokes and quips that come from my mouth as I flirt with women. These movements of mine aren't though; the mask's movements and sly winks to the ladies. However it helped me get someone back to my place; even if I can't remember what was said, what was felt in that moment; it remembers for me at least and live through the memory like a kid watching an R rated movie on the big screen.

    Once she takes her leave I'm alone once again; then later looking in the mirror to see the same tired face underneath that mask, from the front and center is a smiling idiot. The mask speaks, "isn't this new us wonderful!" 

    In my mind shouting back, "this isn't us! This isn't me!"

    It smiles and calmly answers, "oh but it is now!"

    Feral barks from me, "give me back my body!"

    The mask ask, "haven't you been happier with me? More successful in your job? With women as well?"

    At this I'm trothing at the mouth, "it doesn't matter if I'm more successful if I'm not happy! If I'm not me!"

    A sly smile comes across my face and answers back calmly once more, "Oh but who needs to be happy? You weren't seeking happiness, you wanted success in these areas; did you not?" No answer back as the strength is found within me to tear off this mask.

    The mask screaming, begging, "stop! Stop! Stop! You'll kill me! You'll kill what we worked for!" The tears in my eyes as the pain surges through every part of me as if I'd been trying to rip off an arm, going into the kitchen and grabbing a knife; carefully stabbing the mask as it bleeds and trying not to stab myself. However as I'd do so; it's own sharp appendages stab me back with us going blow for blow as finally the mask cracks; shattering with it coming off my face.

    When going back to the therapist office to confront her to find her gone, without a trace. Every time I'd dream; from time to time I'd see that same mask, a part of sees a small white mask piece left on my face but that could just be my imagination.

This is Not my Friend

      You may think I'm crazy but I know I'm not. It started with a simple phone call; a slip of the voice, a change of tone, inflection being a bit off but could just be brushed off, "hey Edward I need some help here!" The heavy breathing on their side.

    A roll of my eyes followed by a sigh, "Jude, what did you get yourself in trouble with this time?"

    He pleads, "come on you owe me! Please after this you won't owe me anymore!" You may seem surprised but I've gotten myself in quite a bit of trouble with the scraps I've found myself in; diving in fist a swinging and a temper a raging as it were. Always putting someone on the back foot. My buddy pulled connections with a cop buddy to help me out in a pinch a few times I must admit and to ignore his cries for my help feel disrespectful. So I got my ass out of bed and got into my truck to meet him.

    I'd ask, "text me the directions to where you need me to be." The directions I was given was to an old abandoned factory that had multiple trucks coming in and out delivering something on the daily back in the day; this was decades ago, nothing about this place would scream, "hey cult stuff and demons!" out to me like his usual targets. 

    I shouldn’t have let my guard down. Jude had been obsessing over a spirit he described as zombie-like—one that infects whoever it touches, twisting their mind until they glimpse something beyond death. Most of his stories ended mid-ritual, cut off by frightened witnesses or dubious evidence. I admit, I never took him fully seriously.

By the time I found his car abandoned near the factory gate, unease settled in my chest. My first thought: the engine died. My second: he’s in trouble.

Then my phone buzzed.

“turn off your lights!”

It was the same two commands he always used—turn off your lights, get your ass over here—only now they felt urgent, almost panicked. He’d never needed me like this before.

    To give some background info on him; Jude is an independent journalist after his boss wouldn't pay him to look into the occult and other things going on. He stalked, spied and reported on ceremonies dedicated to summoning demons. He's always had a knack for finding trouble and getting the help he needed for getting out of said trouble. The only reason he'd call me; is if he needed me to scrap. In no time flat; I'd climb the barb wired fence; it's quite easy, wrap a blanket or towel thick enough layers around it to jump over the other side and boom; easy as that. 

    On the other side, something felt off. The light beam coming from someone but it didn't feel human with how it moved towards me; as it got closer it looked like my friend from a distance but as it got closer; it looked wrong. At first I'd tried hiding which due to my stature and size that wasn't very effective. It didn't take long for it to close the distance on me. So since flight wasn't a choice, a singular punch into the jaw of the monster only to feel like I'm punching concrete. The recoil from the pain as it goes to swipe at me; it's claws extending on each swipe as I'm bobbing and weaving between slashes. It doesn't take much to trip it at least; giving me enough time to run.

    The rage boiling up inside of me, having to run like a coward and not go down swinging but right now; my friend was on my mind first and foremost. As I'd search the ruins to find no one. Until a whisper could be heard, "hey; come here!" I'd found him; a corrupted twisted form of him. His body looking muscular, pulsing and broken. That through the monster flesh; the bubbling black flesh I can recognize it's my friend, it's Jude.

    Jude coughing, "Jackass; what are you doing here?" A huge relief washes over me as I hug him, his black flesh feeling hot and sticky; also smelling like a rotting corpse. He coughs, "don't get cut by me; that thing cut me and look at me." To this I'm shaking my head.

    I assure him, "we'll get you medical help; come on don't worry man we will get you help." A meek smile on his face, I'm dragging him over my shoulder, carefully slipping by the monster as it's trying to use the flash light to the best of it's ability on the phone setting. The creature gets an idea then starts to call my phone. It didn't take me long to book it, getting my friend over the fence and then myself. On the other side; getting him into my car. We drive out of there. I take him to the hospital, with them trying to their best to deal with and take care of him. When given the chance I'm visiting his room; we go over the time we spent together, when we met each other when playing soccer when we were kids, the fact he was the reason why I even met my girlfriend in the first place. Us going on adventures together for better or for the worse.

    The two of us talking, I'm escorted out by a nurse. As I am men in hazmat suits swarm his room. I've put two and two together; getting myself ready to scrap. One went down easy but the guards nearby they brought with them; well didn't take long for them to start beating my ribcage and my face until I started bleeding. They drag us both away. The US government of course. In an interrogation room they have many needles, wires, pliers, saws, if it hurts and keeps me alive; you name it. To the best of my ability I've given them all the info I've known but that doesn't stop them from torturing me.

    To them; I'm hiding something, to them I'm no different from the cultist they hunted. Of all the times I've gotten myself into this mess. One beating after another; being fed through where the sun don't shine. Every step of the way I'd fought them and eventually antagonize them just for the fun of it; them trying to break my spirit. Of course a guy with glasses comes in one day; giving them info and the person torturing me has their face go white.

    He apologizes oddly enough, "I'm so sorry; we got the wrong guy."

    I spit out blood only to ask, "where is Jude?" 

    He looks away, "he is dying; he started to enter a feral state and we strapped him down to a table." It didn't take long for me to push past him, running towards the noises where I could hear a half human half monster sound; sounding like my friend is begging and pleading through gags of pain only to see him fully turn, trying to swipe at scientist and shocked to be put back to rest. The guards tackle me but the nearby people take them off of me.

    You maybe wondering how and why I'm able to tell you this. Well for one I don't have much to live for; as you can imagine torture doesn't do good for the human life span and the drugs they put in your body to experiment on you since you're considered an enemy of the state. Furthermore; I'm a mad man, my ramblings and ideas mean nothing to them. The day they do; is the day I'm put down like a dog and this post goes offline.

    I mean honestly how many bad actors were revealed as an open secret only to later find out there was more missing info and context? You maybe asking me to provide more details; people, places and names but the truth is; in that place while being flayed my mind started to forget things. I can't tell if it's the drugs or the fact torture ruins your ability to remember info; not enhance it.

    With me being a free man at least; I got a settlement that I don't want to brag how much I got but let's just say; it's an insane amount for what I had to go through. That being said; I'd rather not have been tortured, I can't even sleep without having ptsd because of it. As I stay up at my computer typing away I find something strange.

    What's strange; is I can hear something with my voice calling out to me.

I'm Being Hunted By a Werewolf

     It has been months since the fear mining device issue; that's a whole other thing to get into. However to lay the groundwork; there had been a gift sent to me that'd mine my fear, at first great and then turn sour. You see we think we know all of our fears, what we truly are scared of. However; deep down inside I didn't think I'd find the thing I truly fear. The other fears, popped from my head and felt painful sure but this one? It never left inside me. I've always had a desire, a joy from hurting others and that part of me I'd suppressed and thought, "oh this thing is just my imaginary friend" fast forward to adulthood, facing the fear resurface now that he crawls under my skin.

    Every part of me hating myself as I'd have to suppress my urge to slit my mother's throat or cut open my father for fun. My sister and brothers? I'd had many thoughts of hurting. Of course; before I left I had removed the device but not realizing how much fear I'd been pouring out. You'd think everything be fine but out in my little cabin, I've found wolf hair and I swear I can feel something watching me under the moonlight.

    I have a nearby neighbor named Henry that checks up on me and with him asking, "hey, have you seen any wolves around?"

    I question him, "no, why do you ask?" He points at the fur. I'd shrug, "not seen; never said they weren't around." A question leaves my lips, "I have a friend that had thought he'd seen, and I know this will sound silly but thinks he's seen a werewolf. Silly, I know."

    Henry laughs a little but stops laughing as he looks around with him opening up his phone, showing me pictures. He firmly speaks, "you're not crazy; I swear they're around. This one has been around since the town was found. However; you didn't hear anything from me." To this I shrug at considering the shapes are not able to be made out. This leaving me to question his mental state. Henry is a gun nut. However not like I'm much better; I love technology. At home I'd bounce between multiple online jobs with easily dealing with IT and tech support. You'd be surprised with my internet connection but considering how efficient and cheap I am; employers don't complain.

    That later in the day I find myself dazing off during work; considering how boring and slow things go. After some time past I'd fight off the sleepiness only to find myself waken by a call, quickly taking care of the issue and dealing with a stubborn idiot that doesn't know how to turn on his computer. After that I notice the time and feel my stomach rumble. I do find myself getting lonely; yes I know with my current... condition. However it's mostly under control. The nightmares don't seem to follow me; back in the city while under the influence of the machine person or nightmare I'd torn through them.

    Of course; a part of me thinks it's not just a nightmare; the smell of rust and liquid gushing on my face and body. That was all just a dream. Just a dream. Anyways; I'd drive into town to my favorite diner. Mary is such a sweet heart with her taking my orders.

    Mary mentions, "something got in and killed our chickens again." The people nearby I hear murmurs.

    One of the people, Dave I overhear, "no he was murdered by something with large claws. The thing slashed a part the man! It couldn't have been a grizzly bear!" A part of me can't help but laugh and smile a little; in my head, imagine a sharp painful spike stabbing through me, anything to suppress my bloodlust. A sour somber react plastered over my face. While I have my coffee I feel someone watching me; something watch me, then turn to see a man walking by. A person I'd not notice around here. It feels like he was watching me but couldn't be, could he? What I do find odd that catches my attention is scratch marks on the window.

    A part of me is filled with dread considering how often I'd sat in this booth. To be fair though; maybe the other nightmares found me? I probably should explain; not all nightmares born from your mind; magically go away once you unplug from the fear miner. As of why, I don't know; so I'd been running and not staying in the same town until now. Which doesn't feel like my choice to do so; if that makes sense or some part hadn't been mine.

    The time ticked away and every part of me filled with dread. At this point; I'd quickly take my leave and not know why. As I'm driving home I get a dreadful feeling crawling up my spine. Once I get home, my hunting gear at the ready; something to ease my nerves a little. The hunt calms my dread. As I'm hunting until the sun falls; he shows up. The beast on all fours approach, facing me down. My gun in hand; fire away at the creature only to piss it off; it stood on two hind legs and had two large arms with claws. The wolf-like head snarled at me.

    The beast leaps at me; the smell of wet dog and it's hot heavy breath beats down on me. Then; not long before seeing myself be a passenger in my own body. The bloodlust becomes overwhelming, to feel the beast slashing and hacking away at the werewolf. Our battle become a field of blood with both of our blood painted on the fields, the pain from my morphed body moving, twisting and yearning for death finally. On the other hand; I'm having the time of my life until I start to bleed out. The werewolf gaining the upper hand on me.

    The creature runs, running, using my body to run. After all this time it shows itself to me and for what? To be a coward, a failure? To be pathetic? I know what I'd display before but you could not understand having your urges made come true and come crashing down like a tidal wave. A high like a wave you cannot imagine riding like any other.

    That being said; by morning time come our wounds have healed. As of how or why; my guess is the nightmare form doesn't have any kind of long lasting damage it takes unless it dies. With this out of the way and now knowing it's real. I'd prepare better next time around; however with knowing my true self, the feelings I'd bury down underneath. The nightmare monster not wanting to come out to play. My overwhelming range with it; threatening to take our lives, pointing a gun at myself.

    I snarl, "no you're coming out to play; you are going to help me!" You might think I'm going to go around killing innocent people and to that; I wish to avoid but at that moment I'd been given no other choice considering what we were facing. The shouting match with myself, "we are going to die if you don't help me out here!"

    The thing responds back with deep burly laughter, "oh, how ironic; for so long you chose to keep me sealed deep inside yourself and now you want my help." His sharp smile, using my body. My imaginary friend; you might think it's silly I'd be egotistical to make my own image my imaginary friend but I hadn't had any meaningful friendships really growing up. Even into adulthood not many people I feel a strong connection to. So he was the easiest thing to pin blame for; my pain, failures, my everything.

    He taunts, "every time I'd tried to guide us in the right direction; you swatted us away."

    I sneer, "that was before!" A plead, "help me; we need to deal with him before he comes back in 30 days!"

    He grimaces, "it won't be 30 days; it's not a full moon a werewolf needs; just where they're the strongest."

    A scoff from my lips, "oh so you're going to give up because we lost one fight? Mr. Killdozer here, more than desiring going through bodies man or monster without a care!" His eye lids tighten, stare me down.

    He quips, "coward; for the longest time you've been hiding behind me for your failures and fear. Do not come at me with that bullshit; because I'm as much you as you are me, sadly." Every part of me wants to deny it but my bloodlust. My desire to hurt others, my failures, pain point of my life and even wanting to blame my genetics only to realize he is correct about me. A concern sound comes from me as I'm grabbing him, physically pulling him out of my head. He pleads, "wait! Wait! Stop before you do something we both regret! Come on! We can talk this out!" With every pull the memories come back to me and so do my tears.

    The pain of having ripped him from my head, forcing his body into mine. In the mirror I can see the claws; sharp teeth, my grin and the memories flood back to me. The overwhelming dread at first that turns to pleasure knowing the people in the surrounding woods I'd ripped a part. My wait as night time comes and he shows up with him howling outside my house. Of course meeting form to form. Our final showdown.

    The werewolf grins before me. He gestures for me to leave, as if after the display of what happen yesterday I'd just, "leave" after what he did to me. No, he showed disrespect and it's time for me to put him in his place. The werewolf charges me; I'd dodge to the left sending my right claw right through the body. The bite down from the wolf jaw onto my neck. I maybe smaller and more nimble but he's still quite quick for a giant. We trade blows, scratching at one another; clawing like animals and the huffing and puffing that comes from the wolf. That meanwhile I'd just laugh.

    The flaunting of my condition to him, "come on now; I was hoping to lose a bit more blood than last time." The look of tiredness from the werewolf's eyes to concern with it's ears down and turning tail on me. However; I'd grab it's tail, slowly breaking one rib after then grab for the heart; swallowing it one go. The head? I'd crush for the fun of it. Before morning time even hits I'd turn to my human form with taking my truck and whatever few belongings I care for and leave. You might be wondering if I'm going to become some mass serial killer but the truth is; I hope not, really hope not but on some level; I know that's a lie.