Stupidest man alive here with a wild idea.
WILD CARD
With all of this speculation of acquisitions, mergers, possible NFT dividends, we are all wondering what is Gamestop/RC going to do with all of their cash on hand?
I have heard people speculate on gaming studio acquisitions like Rockstar, and while I think that would be a great idea as they make some of the most profitable games ever made, I also think they are a bit out of GME's price range at a valuation of around $20-22bn. GME is estimated to now have a cash on hand value of around $5bn after this latest stock selloff. They could go with other devs like SE, Capcom, etc, buuuuuut...
I was thinking more large scale buy at a surprisingly reasonable and achievable price range. Something that bridges the gap with video game developers and a platform that is consistently increasing revenue that achieves the other end of sales that GME has yet to pivot to in a meaningful way. An avenue as far as I have heard in the speculation mill isn't mentioned much.
I want to preface this with that I am dumb, this probably would never happen, and that the main person involved is on the record previously of not wanting to sell the company and most likely wouldn't.
Just a silly idea that could be a new, profitable way forward. I know RK has said GME has a unique position as being the largest brick and mortar (and dips its toes in digital stuff) video game specific retailer. (or close to it) It's just speculation on what they could do with this wild amount of cash on hand they now find themselves with.
"We don't want another launcher!" Good news, it won't be new!
THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION
Valve is estimated to be worth about $6.9-8bn (per various valuations from Bloomberg, Forbes, etc,.) and we also know they control the biggest platform for digital games ever, Steam. Steam has been increasing sales revenue year over year, reaching an estimated $9bn in sales for 2023, up from an estimated 4.5bn in 2022, an increase of around 17-18%. They also have been growing in sales year over year. This CRUSHES EGS' revenue of estimates that I have seen online of between $285-950m in sales in 2023 and that's with their better dev split and near constant free game giveaways. You know how many games Steam gives away? None son. You know what else Steam doesn't do? Advertise. Have you seen paid articles or fluff shit about Steam? Nope. They get free advertising literally all the time, with articles, trailers, etc, saying "Wishlist on Steam now!".
This is because devs know the value of having their games on Steam, even with the worse dev split. Steam is a market mover in this industry, and just reviews alone can be a breakout factor for a small dev or even a bigger one. EG/S is constantly having bad news, from 16% layoffs within Epic Games and EGS being accused of being Chinese spyware or just shitty. 500 games sold $3m or ABOVE in sales on Steam last year. With the cut of 30% that is $450m alone only based on the lowball estimate of only 500 games at purely $3m in sales, and I can guarantee you at least 5% of those sold way, way more that $3m, on top of the fact that according to figures logged by SteamDB, 14,532 Steam games were released in 2023.
Yes, GME is a leader in video game specific retailers, and there is a huge movement to keep hard copy video games alive. (I do not disagree with keeping physical alive) This presents an opportunity to have the best of both worlds, and a way forward to not only keep the company on track to profitability, but to completely transform it. I truly think that this is the way.
THE GABEN OF IT ALL, AND THE REST OF THE INVESTMENT
Our Lord, Blessed GABEN has been on record of not wanting to, and probably never selling the company. But what if he did? I have seen online that Gabe would never sell Steam, but I have also seen something else curious that he has reiterated interest in, being leaving to pursue the Medical Research field for Brain Computer Interfaces. (Most recently stating this in an interview with IGN talking about the Steam Deck and Valve/Steam's goals in 2021)
The biggest factor has to be selling the company to someone he thinks could keep it going, keep it growing, and keep it innovating. I have seen people on reddit worried that he would sell to Microsoft, but he has also been on record as saying they kind of suck. Ryan Cohen could be that guy. We all know how he grew Chewy into an insanely profitable and innovative company. We know how he is not taking a salary and betting on GME through getting stocks.
We know GME would only have roughly $5bn cash on hand, but if Ryan's RC Ventures sold all their stock (36,847,842 per Fintel, a net 0 decrease/increase in an entire year) in a YOLO at a high $50 that would equate to around another 1.5bn. They would still need to raise more, but that squeezes us ever closer to that $6.9bn low estimate, and that's only his GME stock.
THANKS FOR COMING TO MY APE TALK
That's about all I got for now, and this is not even delving into the opportunity to develop games that would absolutely jack the fucking tits off gamers if they were made properly and with the same love as Valve knows gamers have for their games, talking Half-Life 3, Left For Dead 3, Team Fortress 3, etc,. (too many damn 3s)
Like I said, 99.999999% wouldn't happen, just a cool idea. Thanks for reading!
Edit: A spelling mistake

2 x 80-lb suitcase Bulgarian Split Squats. Great movement. I credit them fully with not being sore during/after long runs.
Tips on these:
When your R knee is up, pull your R shoulder blade down a bit and keep it there until the set is complete. That'll lock your core in place. You'll see what I mean when you do it.
Your knee should trace over your outside toes just like a squar; shift most of your weight to the outside of your plant foot to help and grip thr ground with your toes.
You can't relax at the top of the movement; that's when people lose focus and wobble.
These are one of the most programmed movements in sports prep, but they take practice. I started with 2x18-kg / 2x40-lb 10 months ago.
-Ryan

This is long, buckle up. (I told you beforehand, if you’re lazy or illiterate just keep scrolling you don’t have to comment🤨🤨)
Ive had a very close friend of mine, let’s call her Ava, for about 8 months now. I’ve spent holidays with her and her family, spent countless nights with her and we have made a lot of fun memories. She’s very positive, lots of fun and doesn’t really get mad or have problems with people easily. 100% of the best girls i’ve ever known. That was until she cheated on her boyfriend in the beginning of April.
Her and her boyfriend, let’s call him Josh, had been talking all throughout january to mid-march when he finally asked her out. She was very happy about him, but their relationship was very odd and they never hung out during normal times of the day. They almost always saw each other only in the middle of the night. Either way, not my relationship not my problem and if she was happy, that’s all that mattered to me. He didn’t treat her wrong or bad, he was a little insecure but who isn’t? I never thought he was a bad guy and knew him personally for years before they started dating.
Flash forward to the end of March, me and Ava wanted to go out and hangout with some friends. Ava’s boyfriend knew and was a little concerned but overall okay with it. There were four guys: Ryan, Luke, Zach and Anthony. We had known and been friends with them for a while. The initial plan was just for us all to hangout, have a drink or two and call it a night. We get there, beer pong is set up except in the cups is shots instead of beer. Whatever, the boys play a round or two and then me and Ava join in. We play a couple rounds, get a little too drunk and before I knew it, I was in the room with Anthony doing stuff I would rather not share online but you can fill in those blanks. Meanwhile, upstairs Ava is getting with 2 out of 3 of the other guys. She kissed both of them & did even more with Luke. Obviously I had know idea about this until the morning after this night, otherwise I would’ve stopped it because I knew she was drunk.
The morning after we have a recap, and Ava says she came onto the boys and doesn’t regret it at all. She breaks up with her boyfriend (forgot why) and then a day later, all of our friends and family know she cheated on Josh with Luke, but nobody knew about Zach for other personal reasons. This had our entire town talking about her, calling her names and overall being nasty to her. Me and the rest of our friends supported her through this (meaning we defended her publicly & stuck by her side, she knew that she messed up and didn’t need her best friends reminding her of that) even though she was in the wrong, because we knew she already had enough people talking bad about her and she didn’t need her best friends to do the same.
Ava put the entire blame on Luke to make it seem like this wasn’t her fault, and overall played the complete victim throughout the entire situation. She openly admitted she didn’t regret this, that she doesn’t care at all and then goes right back to blaming everyone else and making it seem as if it was Luke’s fault because “he knew she had a boyfriend.” She also blamed me at some point, saying i “always get her into these situations” and got her (now) ex boyfriends friends to attack me and call me names because of her actions. i feel like me and her, along with our other friends, make decisions on what we are doing because we all collectively want to do it and there’s never pressure for anybody to go. Particularly in this situation, Ava had been talking about it all day long and saying she couldn’t wait to go and hangout with them.
Since this incident, Ava and Josh have been on and off, no contact and then back in contact and just horribly toxic for the past 2 months. They are arguing every second, she is always texting him paragraphs or calling him whenever we are out doing something fun. One of our friends started dating a guy from the group of four which led to us conjoining friend groups and hanging out pretty often. Ava says she doesn’t want to hangout with “those boys”, and when she comes she is a constant debby downer and locks herself in the bathroom or another room for most of the hangout, acting miserable and rude. She always complains about going, yet we always make sure she knows that she doesn’t have to come. She never has a good night with us anymore. She is more snappy, rude, inconsiderate and honestly not a person I ever thought she could be. She has changed so much and I don’t know what to do.
I miss my person. I miss my best friend and I just want to fix this but how do I approach it? I can’t just sit her down and tell her she’s been the worst, most inconsiderate & selfish version of her i’ve ever seen and expect her to fix it. Please help me

2023 Recap
2023 was a year of great expectations and disappointment for the Seahawks. The team was a trendy pick to take the next step and win a playoff game but faltered in the end and missed the postseason altogether. The season started on the wrong foot when both our starting tackles left the game early in the second half of our home opener against the Rams. Our left tackle missed 2 games and played through a toe injury most of the season while our right tackle missed half of the season. The injuries continued to pile up a few games after that, losing a key cog in our defense in Uchenna Nwosu. The team’s run defense wasn’t spectacular before that, but cratered to near bottom of the league after that injury. And high priced safety Jamal Adams and promising cornerback Riq Woolen suffered through inconsistent play and injuries of their own. All of these issues culminated in a 9-8 record, missing the playoffs on a tie breaker with Green Bay, and the firing of our long time head coach Pete Carroll. On the surface it seems rather harsh to fire the coach after a middling season, but the stats painted an unflattering picture for him. Pete’s performance as of late was not great, considering that his calling card was on the defensive side of the ball. For 3 out of the last 4 years, the Seahawks have been at the near bottom of the league in defensive scoring and run defense. The Seahawks were also the fifth most penalized team in the NFL and caught a bad habit of missing tackles. On top of that, our record against our NFC rivals, the Rams and 49ers, was abysmal as of late. If they wanted to stop playing third fiddle to the Rams and 49ers, drastic changes were needed.
New era of Seahawks Football
After an emotional press conference, the Pete Carroll era was over and a new era of Seahawks football was starting. This current era is being spearheaded by GM John Schneider as the main decision maker for the team’s football operations, no longer sharing those responsibilities with coach Pete. He did an extensive coaching search and after a few overtures with Ben Johnson, he landed on Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator of the Ravens for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Macdonald is considered to be one of the most promising young defensive minds in the league. He comes from the Wink Martindale/Rex Ryan school of defense that emphasizes the blitz, but he incorporates his own wrinkles into the system by masking coverage pre-snap and using simulated pressures. He is also known as a linebacker guru and loves coaching up that position in particular. He took what was a mediocre Ravens defense in 2021 (19th in points scored) and upgraded it into the top defense in the NFL by the 2023 season. More importantly, he was able to notch impressive defensive performances against many of the Seahawks rivals in 2023, including the Lions, 49ers and Rams. Under his tutelage, players like Kyle Hamilton, Patrick Queen, Justin Madubuike, Jadaveon Clowney, Geno Stone and Kyle Van Noy had career years. The vision behind this hire is the belief that Macdonald can bring that scheme to Seattle and coach up the talent the team has already gathered in the last few draft classes to those levels of performance.
(This article does a deep dive on Mike Macdonald's system, if anyone is interesting in learning more about it).
Another big change in this new era of Seahawks football comes at the offensive coordinator spot. Ryan Grubb was hired as the offensive coordinator of the team and Mike Macdonald is delegating a lot of the offensive strategy to him on year one. He was the offensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies for the past two years and helped lead them to the National Championship game in 2023. From watching plenty of Husky games last year, it is clear why he was sought after to join the coaching staff. His creativity as a playcaller is evident. He was great at employing a quick passing game that made plays all over the field and used tempo to keep the defense off balance. He also brought Washington's offensive line coach Scott Huff with him, who worked with the Joe Moore award winning best offensive line in college football in 2023. The offensive line was clearly a strength of the Washington Huskies and Huff will be tasked with using his expertise to improve a line that ranked 25th in the league in pass block win rate in 2023, according to ESPN. These two coaching hires bring the biggest variance in outcomes as the track record for college coaches jumping into the pros with no NFL experience is concerning. But anyone who has watched the 2023 Huskies offense will concede that Ryan Grubb and Scott Huff have incredible upside potential if they hit.
Relevant pre-draft moves
At the 2023 trade deadline, the team acquired DT Leonard Williams from the Giants for a 2024 second (#47) and 2025 fifth round pick. During free agency, they signed Leonard Williams to a 3 year, 64.5 million deal.
Going into the 2023 season, the team was incredibly thin at DT. The depth chart at NT was Jarran Reed and some backup level players. There was some concern that Jarran Reed wouldn’t hold up the whole season playing that many snaps. We were basically forced to trade a second and a fifth for a half a season of Leo Williams due to the roster mismanagement in the 2023 offseason. To his credit, he did play well for the team, amassing 4 sacks, 9 TFLs and 11 QB hits in 10 games. After that performance, we had to resign him for market value considering what we had invested in him. There’s no denying it was an overpay. Having said that, the likelihood of obtaining a DT with the physical profile and talent level of a Leo Williams with a second round pick is low. A player that is 6’5” plus 300 lbs with athleticism that can play all over the line is valuable and you pay what you must to get them.
Before the draft, the team acquired QB Sam Howell and Washington’s fourth (#102) and sixth (#179) for the Saints' third round pick (#78) and a fifth round pick (#179)
With Drew Lock moving on to New York, we needed a new backup QB and this deal was made. Being able to to acquire a young backup QB with NFL starting experience for what amounts to a fifth round pick in compensation is a solid move. Someone may argue that the team was better off keeping the higher picks and drafting a Spencer Rattler or Michael Pratt, but let’s keep in mind a few things. First of all, Howell is same age as Rattler and one year older than Pratt. He’s still in the developmental period of his career but with a full season of NFL reps already in the bag. Furthermore, Howell does not have the character concerns of a Rattler or the arm strength concerns of a Pratt. Regardless on how you may feel about Howell’s 2023 performance, there is no doubt he did enough to prove that he can be a high level backup. And there is some hope that the new coaching staff can give Howell a fresh start and help him improve on his deficiencies.
Other Free Agency transactions
Notable Departures
LG Damien Lewis
C Evan Brown
RG Phil Haynes
LB Bobby Wagner
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Devin Bush
S Jamal Adams
S Quandre Diggs
TE Colby Parkinson
TE Will Dissly
RB/KR Deejay Dallas
QB Drew Lock
Notable Arrivals
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Nick Harris
RG Tremayne Anchrum Jr.
T George Fant
LB Jerome Baker
LB Tyrel Dodson
S Rashawn Jenkins
S K’Von Wallace
TE Pharaoh Brown
DT Johnathan Hankins
WKR Lavishka Shenault
After these moves, the biggest needs going into the draft were at both guard spots, linebacker, safety and tight end.
2024 Draft Picks/Transactions
Round 1, Pick 16: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas - RAS Score
"He plays our style of football, and he's so talented," Macdonald said. "Versatility along the front, he's such an aggressive player, plays violently, heavy hands for a guy with a shorter stature, flexible, pass-rush flexibility, you name it. We're just really excited to have him… This is just a great opportunity for our team to get better. He's going to provide great competition and he's our type of guy. He's a Seahawk through and through."
While DT may not seem like the biggest need for the team at first sight, this pick along with the Leo Williams signing turned what was a weakness of the team in 2023 into a strength. Mike Macdonald loves building lines with large, versatile DTs that are stout against the run and Murphy fits that profile. I’ve only watched a handful of Texas games but I did pay close attention to Murphy during the Sugar Bowl and he consistently stood out in the run game with multiple tackles near the line of scrimmage. I fully expect the run defense to be vastly improved with the brand new defensive line that also includes Jarran Reed and former Cowboy Johnathan Hankins.
He is also adept at commanding double teams from opposing offensive lines and getting pressures on QBs. “The former Longhorn generated an impressive 21 pressures on true pass sets, stemming from a class-leading 29.5% pass-rush win rate.” according to PFF. I did notice that he could improve his ability to convert pressures into sacks. One play from the Sugar Bowl stands out to me where he breaks through a double team and Michael Penix Jr was able to side step away from his arm tackle. Having said that, I feel perfectly confident in Macdonald’s ability to help Murphy improve his finishing abilities given what he accomplished with Madubuike.
Round 3, Pick 81: Christian Haynes, RG, Uconn - RAS Score
The lack of a second round pick really stressed out Seahawks fans since the team needed to come out of the draft with at least one day one starter at an interior Oline position. Fortunately, the Seahawks got lucky when teams were more interested in taking tackles over guard only prospects. There were two guard prospects that the Seahawks were reportedly interested in: Cooper Beebe and Christian Haynes, according to Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle. Boyle also noted that after Beebe went off the board and Haynes was still available, former Seahawk great Steve Hutchinson confirmed his approval of the Haynes pick, telling Schneider "I think he's going to be a really good (expletive) player”. Seems like a strong vote of approval, considering that it comes from a Hall of Fame guard.
As far as his abilities goes, Haynes is a 4 year starter for the Uconn Huskies. He played exclusively at RG during most of his career and only gave up 1 sack in his last two seasons. He’s a bit undersized but he makes up for it in hand technique and speed. He has elite level speed and explosion for a guard, so he will be an excellent fit for a zone blocking scheme. He plays with high effort and follows through on blocks on second-level defenders. His senior bowl film in 1 on 1 pass rush drills was extremely promising as he was causing fits for edges and defensive tackles. I didn’t count a single loss for him in the pass rush drills, which is crazy considering he’s going against the best of the best in college football. His game tape is equally impressive, although he does have a penchant for getting handsy and picking up penalties (22 in 4 seasons). It seems safe to assume the Seahawks have found their long term starter at RG.
Trade with Denver: Pick #102 and #235 for Pick #121, #136 and #207
The Seahawks were looking to acquire another pick in the draft to compensate for the loss in the Leonard Williams trade. There were talks about acquiring a second round pick earlier in the draft, but they stayed put and drafted Murphy. With this trade they obtained a fifth rounder and upgraded their seventh to a sixth at the cost of moving down 19 spots in the fourth round. Not a bad trade, considering the team’s ability to find talent in the fifth round. It is also interesting to note that the Denver Broncos always come up in the clutch whenever the Seahawks need draft picks. John Schneider must be blackmailing their GM or something.
Round 4, 118: Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP - RAS Score
Tyrice Knight being picked this high is a bit of a head scratcher. He was evaluated as a sixth round pick by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein and wasn’t even ranked within the top 200 on PFF’s big board. Why did they pick him this highly? Well, we clearly have a need at linebacker and there was a run on them at this point in the draft. There weren’t many appealing options remaining at the position so they reached to protect their preferred choice from other teams. This pick also makes sense when looking at the team’s deficiencies in open field tackling and run defense last year. The team was fourth worst in the league in missed tackles with 129 in 2023 and near the bottom of the league in run defense. Meanwhile, Knight was a tackling machine at UTEP. He led the FBS in 2023 with 84 solo tackles and made many plays in the run game with 15.5 TFL. He also was an adept blitzer with 4.5 sacks, and 7 PBUs. I think Knight could play a role from the bench early on non-passing downs. He could also play a pass rushing role on blitzes. He has a path to become a starter if Macdonald can coach him up when it comes to dropping back into coverage as he is apparently rough in those aspects of the game. If he can work his magic on Knight we might end up with huge steal.
Round 4, 121: AJ Barner, TE, Michigan - RAS Score
We needed a blocking TE to replace Will Dissly, and we got one with almost identical athletic numbers and college stats as Will Dissly. He excelled at Michigan’s run heavy scheme where “he produced the (TE) class’ only 70.0-plus run-blocking grade on these concepts (gap, power, counter, pull lead)” according to PFF. He’s not too shabby on pass plays either. He regularly chips and pushes around college level defensive ends. His production when it comes to pass catching is extremely low, but understandable considering the run heavy offense he operated under. His lack of straight line speed shows on film, but he does well enough on the short and intermediate routes. Plus he compensates with jump cuts and ability to break tackles with spin moves. He can also produce on special teams and has familiarity with our special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh from his days at Michigan. He has a decent chance to see the field early on with his blocking skills and his special team prowess.
Round 5, 136: Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn - RAS Score
Nehemiah Pritchett seems like an odd pick considering the team is already six deep at corner. But there are a few factors that support the idea that Pritchett was too valuable to the Seahawks to pass on. First of all, Nehemiah met a lot of the size/athletic thresholds that the Seahawks value in cornerbacks, with a 4.36 40 yard dash, 34.5” vertical jump and 31 and 5/8” arms. Pritchett was a key part of the Auburn defense that allowed 173.2 passing yards per game (eight best in all of college football according to cfbstats). He also had a standout performance in the Senior Bowl, recording multiple pass breakups including one in the endzone that prevented a touchdown. As far as downsides go, his strength and tackling ability seem to be limited. If he makes the team, his role will likely be as a backup and an insurance policy in case that Riq Woolen continues underperforming. This is also a move to shore up depth for 2025, as Tre Brown, Artie Burns and Mike Jackson are on the last year of their deals.
Round 6, 179: Sataoa Laumea, G, Utah - RAS Score
The team still needed a guard to pair up with Haynes and they got one that is a bit of a project. Scott Huff has some familiarity with Laumea as he tried to recruit him out of high school and played against his team while he was coaching at Washington. Laumea played his first two seasons at RG and was moved to RT for the 2022-2023 seasons. He looked decent enough on film against the Huskies in 2023 and at the Senior Bowl, but it is hard to feel strongly about his pass blocking abilities. He got cooked by Laiatu Latu on 1 on 1 drills, which isn't completely unexpected and he was inconsistent against the rest of the field. However, he does stand out on run plays when pulling or when setting blocks on the move. There is play of his circulating online where he pancakes an unfortunate UCLA defender on a pull play and it is pretty spectacular. Since he has shown some positional flexibility, the Seahawks are trying him out at LG during rookie minicamp and OTAs. That decision makes sense since there is more of a need at that position and he has a clearer path to playing time. At the same time that makes things more difficult for him since he needs to learn a brand new position on top of adjusting to NFL game speed. He has a good chance of winning a backup position at camp but I wouldn’t expect him to make it off the bench in 2024.
Round 6, 192: D. J. James, CB, Auburn - RAS Score
Yet another best player on the board, value too high to ignore type of pick for the Seahawks. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlen had D.J. James with a third round grade, while PPF had him as the #153 best player in the draft. Getting a player of that caliber in the sixth round seems like a steal to me. While watching film on Auburn, I couldn’t help but notice James pop up with more big time plays than his teammate Pritchett. He was more active when covering routes over the middle and showed better effort in his tackling. He can also play the nickel, which gives him a unique pathway to make the team. His lack of size and arm length did show up on occasion when he was defending fade routes in the end zone. But most of the time his effort compensated for his size limitations. The team currently has a logjam at CB and it’ll be interesting to see who wins the camp battle and makes the final roster.
Round 6, 207: Michael Jerrell, T, Findlay - RAS Score
Michael Jerrell is the latest Division II superstar, trying to make his NFL dream come true with all odds against him. Winner of about every single award possible for a Division II lineman, his story is pretty interesting. He did have offers to play on division I teams after a few seasons of Div II but he wanted to make the NFL as a Findlay alumni out of respect for his college and coaching staff. He came on the radar of NFL teams when he participated in the Ohio State pro day and produced testing numbers that would make him worthy of day 2 pick if he had played for a Division I school. Unsurprisingly, there’s not that much Findlay film available online. The highlight video I had access to shows him manhandling and pancaking every defensive player he went against, which is about what I expected. He did what you’d expect an NFL caliber player would do going against Division II football players. He is a total gamble at the NFL level, but the right type of gamble given the value of tackles. With his athletic numbers there’s a non-zero chance he becomes a starter at RT. Given the tenuous state of Abraham Lucas’s knee, we might need a starter sooner than expected.
Notable UDFAs
OT Garret Greenfield
DE Nelson Ceaser
RB George Holani
LB Easton Gibbs
C Mike Novitsky
WR Hayden Hatten
DB Ro Torrence
CB Carlton Johnson
CB Dee Williams
Out of all of these UFDAs, the one that has the clearest path to make the team is George Holani. He has decent athletic traits and production at running back, but his stock draft fell due to his extensive injury history in college. He looks to be slotted right now at fourth on the depth chart at running back and if the team decides to keep 4 running backs on the active roster he would probably make the team.
Closing Thoughts
The team wasn't able to fully address all of their needs in the draft, but given the amount of picks they started out with, they acquitted ourselves well. They were able to get day 1 starters at DT and RG, plus some depth options at LB, TE, CB, G and T. The depth at linebacker is still pretty rough and I don’t particularly trust any of the players they have battling for the left guard position. I'm expecting some kind of trade to happen before the deadline to address those positions, perhaps using Dre'mont Jones or some picks as bait. Safety is another position that they didn’t address in the draft, but the depth isn’t bad if Jerrick Reed II is able to play this season. I’d rather see what Coby Bryant and Reed can do in a bigger role than invest in another late round safety, if I’m perfectly honest.
2024 is shaping up to be a transition season for the team; the coaches will need time to install the new schemes and give the talent opportunities to establish themselves as building blocks going forward. In order to call this season a success I’d like to see an upward trajectory to the performance of the defense as Macdonald installs more of the defensive playbook. Our offense was pretty solid last year and I’m sure that Grubb can maintain a similar level of performance, but I’d like to see more consistency from the offensive line. That is Grubb’s specialty and Geno spent too much time running for his life in 2023. I'd also like to see more of the young promising talent emerge. Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas, Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, JSN and Boye Mafe are a few of the young players that are entering their 2nd or 3rd year and are likely to experience a big leap in their performance. If the coaching staff can get these players to perform in their system, I’m sure we will be competing for a playoff spot at the end of the year and setting up for even greater things in 2025.

Welcome to the Honorable Mentions for the NFL Top 100 Players of the 2023 Season!

Today we are just barely dipping our toes into the ranks for the NFL Top 100 Players of the 2023 season. Players whose average rank landed them in places 125-101 are the Honorable Mentions.
These players don’t receive writeups, but are released so you guys know who just missed the cut-off. After all the rankers did list out to 125, so it’s only natural to mention the players who ended up there

METHODOLOGY

Link to more detailed writeup on our methodology

• Step 1: A Call to Rankers right after the Conference Championship games
  
• Step 2: Rankers from each team nominated players to rank, with a 11 game minimum threshold. Players are associated with the team they played for in 2023
  
• Step 3: The Grind. We instructed users to tier positions groups into T25, T50, etc based on 2023 regular season play only. This took several weeks as the rankers tiered each position group and discussed them. There were no individual player threads and no arbitrary position caps. Just questions and rankings.
  
• Step 4: Users submitted their own personal Top 125 lists.
  
• Step 5: User lists were reviewed by myself, u/packmanwiscy , and u/MikeTysonChicken . The rankers were expected to answer questions about their lists. They were allowed to make any changes to their list, and were not forced to make any changes
  
• Step 6: The Reveal… where we are now!
  

And without further ado, here are the players who fell just short of our Top 100 list!

125.Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons - Running Back

Games Played	Carries	Rushing Yards	Total TD's	Yards per carry	Scrimmage Yards
17	214	976	8	4.6	1463​

124.DJ Reader - Cincinnati Bengals - Interior Defensive Linemen (IDL)

Games Played	Total Snaps	Sacks	Hurries	Pressures	Tackles (Solo)
14	535	1	27	34	20​

123.Ryan Kelly - Indianapolis Colts - Center

Games Played	Pass Block Snaps	Run Block Snaps	Sacks Allowed	Hits Allowed	Hurries Allowed
17	534	348	1	0	6​

122.Michael Onwenu - New England Patriots - Offensive Tackle

Games Played	Pass Block Snaps	Run Block Snaps	Sacks Allowed	Hits Allowed	Hurries Allowed
15	505	345	3	2	18​

121.Breece Hall - New York Jets - Running Backs

Games Played	Carries	Rushing Yards	Total TD's	Yards per carry	Scrimmage Yards
17	223	994	9	4.5	1585​

120.Jabrill Peppers - New England Patriots - Safety

Games Played	Total Snaps	INT	Opp QB Rating	Tackles	Assists
15	955	2	52.8	52	26​

119.Javon Hargrave - San Francisco 49ers - Interior Defensive Linemen

Games Played	Total Snaps	Sacks	Hurries	Pressures	Tackles (Solo)
16	632	7	38	52	25​

118.Kevin Dotson - Los Angeles Rams - Offensive Tackle

Games Played	Pass Block Snaps	Run Block Snaps	Sacks Allowed	Hits Allowed	Hurries Allowed
14	520	361	4	7	9​

117.DeMarcus Lawrence - Dallas Cowboys - EDGE Rusher

Games Played	Total Snaps	Sacks	Hurries	Pressures	Tackles (Solo)
17	609	4	39	48	29​

116.Kenny Clark - Green Bay Packers - Interior Defensive Linemen

Games Played	Total Snaps	Sacks	Hurries	Pressures	Tackles (Solo)
17	809	7.5	45	61	22​

115.Jeffery Simmons - Tennessee Titans - Interior Defensive Linemen

Games Played	Total Snaps	Sacks	Hurries	Pressures	Tackles (Solo)
12	657	5.5	36	47	30​

114.CJ Mosley - New York Jets - Off-Ball Linebacker

Games Played	Total Snaps	Tackles (Solo)	Assists	Stops	Sacks
17	1127	81	81	60	0.5

113.Brandon Scherff - Jacksonville Jaguars - Offensive Guard

Games Played	Pass Block Snaps	Run Block Snaps	Sacks Allowed	Hits Allowed	Hurries Allowed
17	710	369	2	2	11​

112.DK Metcalf - Seattle Seahawks - Wide Receiver

Games Played	Target	Rec	Rec Yards	TDs	Yds/Rec
16	119	66	1114	8	16.9​

111.Derek Stingley Jr - Houston Texans - Cornerback

Games Played	Total Snaps	INT	Opp QB Rating	Tackles	Assists
11	686	5	71.6	28	11​

110.Landon Dickerson - Philadelphia Eagles - Offensive Guard

Games Played	Pass Block Snaps	Run Block Snaps	Sacks Allowed	Hits Allowed	Hurries Allowed
16	624	421	3	5	26​

109.Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions - Running Back

Games Played	Carries	Rushing Yards	Total TD's	Yards per carry	Scrimmage Yards
15	182	945	11	5.2	1261​

108.DeVonta Smith - Philadelphia Eagles - Wide Receiver

Games Played	Target	Rec	Rec Yards	TDs	Yds/Rec
16	112	81	1066	7	13.2​

107.Patrick Queen - Baltimore Ravens - Off-Ball Linebacker

Games Played	Total Snaps	Tackles (Solo)	Assists	Stops	Sacks
17	1120	84	49	46	3.5​

106.AJ Terrell - Atlanta Falcons - Cornerback

Games Played	Total Snaps	INT	Opp QB Rating	Tackles	Assists
17	1065	0	95.7	34	11​

105.Jaylen Waddle - Miami Dolphins - Wide Receiver

Games Played	Target	Rec	Rec Yards	TDs	Yds/Rec
17	104	72	1014	4	14.1​

104.Geno Stone - Baltimore Ravens - Safety

Games Played	Total Snaps	INT	Opp QB Rating	Tackles	Assists
17	950	7	50.8	44	24​

103.Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles - Quarterback

Games Played	Comp%	Passing Yards	Passing TD	INT	QB Rating
17	65.4	3858	23	15	89.1​

102.Jadeveon Clowney - Baltimore Ravens - EDGE Rusher

Games Played	Total Snaps	Sacks	Hurries	Pressures	Tackles (Solo)
17	653	9.5	51	71	24​

101.Vita Vea - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Interior Defensive Linemen

Games Played	Total Snaps	Sacks	Hurries	Pressures	Tackles (Solo)
15	606	5.5	21	30	28​

Ranker Sheets

(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Lvp4VgRJ5uQgSMvUfYoWmiY_VYqQp5Zj4qet_XTo9uQ/edit?usp=sharing)

LINK TO HUB

That’s all for today, tune in Friday for our 100-91 reveal of NFL’s Top 100 Players of the 2023 Season!

If there's been 'a theme' to the 2020s besides one once in a lifetime event after another, it's been one of the comeback. Especially as it concerns film, a lot of stars who got big in the 90's and 80's are getting a resurgence and having their legacies reevaluated. The biggest example of this is probably the 2023 Oscars where all the acting winners were all people I definitely remember begging my mom to take me their movies when I was like 10. Especially as it concerns non-white and queer actors, there seems to be this period of atoning for the sons of the past. People are remembering why Michelle Yeoh is a force of nature. They're remembering why Angela Bassett is a powerhouse. One person who is probably up next for this is Rosie O'Donnell and I'd love to be the one to kick that off. If you bring her up now, I think a lot of people have this perception as rude, boorish, argumentative and loud. While she definitely can be some of those things a lot of stuff tends to get left out of the story when we talk about her. I think younger people might be surprised to know for a minute she was actually known as a pretty solid actress and popular personality in general for most of the 90's. Why did this perception change?
Before we get to that we need to go over how she got that perception in the first place. I think it's easy to overlook the fact that Rosie is actually a really good actress and a lot of the qualities that make her a good actress could also work against her later on. Every actor has a brand and persona they project in order to get roles and to get audiences on their side. Rosie's film career started in earnest in the early 90's. She was coming off a relatively successful stand up career as an insult comic and that grit translated well to screen. She brings an earthy, world weary, wizened energy to all of her roles and with the right script and director, she excels. A League of Their Own is a great example because she has to bounce off of so many other personalities, mostly as a grounding force, while still standing out herself. Rosie's coarse New York accent, stout yet strong body and plain yet expressive face all work together to help her project an image of strength and authority. You're going to listen to her when she starts talking. In Sleepless in Seattle, she plays the wise cracking good natured but tough talking best friend and editor to Meg Ryan's very flighty lead character. In Harriett the Spy, she plays a streetwise Mary Poppins type nanny who convincingly makes you believe an impressionable young girl would make her entire world. In Exit to Eden, despite the rather off-beat premise she manages to bring a realism to the concept of a cop going undercover in a BDSM resort. Even in The Flintstones, her Betty actually does balance out Rick Moranis' quirky and absent minded Barney.
A large part of why Rosie works onscreen is because unlike many other 'fat comedians' that became big in the 90's and beyond, that's not the totality of the joke. She's more similar to a female John Candy than a white Monique. Contrast her to Roseanne Barr who she gets compared to at times, especially back then. While they both have very crass and aggressive comedic styles that are aided by their larger frames, Roseanne's humor relied upon her being an unconventionally attractive woman who leaned into the slobbish idea people have of bigger women. Rosie doesn't do that. She's not afraid to be unattractive or be the butt of the joke. But the joke, at least on her part, usually has nothing to do with how she looks. She knows what her body looks like and her stand up occasionally poked fun at her but it was always on her terms. Where she often made fun of herself was that she is more masculine. She's not an out and out stud but she's not feminine. She plays feminine but she doesn't mind embodying a more butch vibe and playing up the comedy within that. But almost always, until the 2000's rolled around, she is the one with the agency. She's the one who is making the joke. She's the one in control. As I've mentioned in many other breakdowns about women in this industry, agency gave her power. This agency would come to an apex when she finally received her own show.
Before we get to that, let us briefly discuss the trend in the 90's of the transparent closet because it's going to become very relevant when we discuss the back half of Rosie's career. If you're much younger, you probably do not realize how bad it was back then to come out as gay. While we're not talking 1950's level of complete career obliteration, it wasn't exactly a fun experience to come out back then especially if you had reached the heights Rosie had by 1996. It was apparent to anyone with eyes, that Rosie was gay. It was apparent to anyone Ellen or Ricky Martin or Sean Hayes was gay back then too. But there's a difference between everyone snickering behind your back about how butch you are and them having a confirmation straight from the horse's mouth. This was the era in which the Defense of Marriage Act and Don't Ask, Don't Tell were put into place. This was the era where Matthew Shepherd and Brandon Teena were killed. The gay/trans panic defense was still alive and well. Rosie was very much a lesbian to anyone who had ever met a lesbian but in order to be the family friendly host of a daytime talk show, she had to remain closeted. Back then and arguably today in some circles, being gay ran counter to the idea of being wholesome or someone safe to market to children.
With all that said, it was a surprise to some when her talk show debuted that they were trying to market her as a family friendly, mild mannered and aw shucks type personality. While a lot of people didn't buy it, many did including myself who was around 6 or 7 when her show debuted. It's worth noting that this wasn't a Bob Saget style pivot, most of the qualities Rosie had brought to her show were those that made her film career rather successful. She's likeable but she's not saccharine. She's funny but she doesn't punch down. She's bawdy but she knows how to pull back and let everyone in on the joke. She's very outspoken but she's also articulate. She reminds me of a PTA mom who might've had a couple drinks. She's having a good time and she wants you to have a good time too. This was very effective for her, so effective that she dubbed the Queen of Nice. Rosie is very likeable and most of her characters rely upon that niceness and jovial personality with a slight edge, her show was no different. My hot take is that I think she was more suited for a late night show where she could cut loose a bit more and not be confined to the censors because she can be hilarious when she's allowed to speak her mind. See more recent interviews she did with Seth Meyers for an example. It's also worth noting that the aforementioned moniker isn't one she herself came up with or particularly leaned into. There's not much of a huge difference between Film Rosie and Talk Show Rosie, at least until later on.
Whatever shift people happened to notice in her largely happened after her interview with Tom Selleck not long after Columbine. I'm not here to break that down piece by piece but this interview is significant for several reasons. 1) it is the first time as far as I could find that gun control was discussed on this large of a public platform and 2) it was definitely the first time Rosie had been as openly political. I've watched this interview several times and my big takeaway was how respectful she was for the duration of the interview. The common thought is that she 'broke character' but that's not an accurate description. She's always been brash and forward and direct but this is the first time the public saw those qualities applied in an overtly political context. Daytime hosts back then really didn't do that unless you were Oprah and even she didn't do it to a celebrity guest. Maybe it wasn't the time, maybe she could have handled it better but for what it was I don't think she lost the plot. However that was not the conversation at the time. The conversation was essentially that Rosie had gone rogue.
The talk show actually lasted for about three years after that interview and while her popularity hadn't exactly taken a sharp turn yet she was definitely on the decline. Towards the end of the show, Rosie O'Donnell officially came out as a lesbian to advocate for gay parents and to protest laws that blocked them from adopting. All of the snickering behind her back was now done to her face and she became an enemy of the right wing. Rosie being Rosie didn't take this sitting down and dished it out as good as she got it. This didn't really do wonders for her public perception because society never likes it when a woman goes against the grain. Rosie O'Donnell was officially an Angry Lesbian™. Her stint on The View was the apex of this salacious sapphic persona and obviously everyone knows about her going toe to toe with Donald Trump, so I won't rehash that here. She was voicing a lot of opinions that were controversial at the time but have become the general consensus today. If the right wing hated her before, they made her the symbol of the wayward unpatriotic liberal now. But for what it's worth, none of this seemed to really to have bothered Rosie. If anything, coming out as gay and as 'a dirty, flithy commie' seemed to have liberated her and this is reflected in the latter half of her career.
In the 90's, Rosie played 'straight' characters but they were the most lesbian straight women you ever saw. She rarely kissed men in her roles. She always played the tomboy or a butch woman despite her character's relationship status. Her characters, outside of maybe Betty Rubble and in Exit to Eden, usually dressed in a way Rosie herself probably would. Even in Exit to Eden, she tells a submissive man to paint her house than anything remotely sexual. She never made the concerted effort to act or appear more feminine. She never did a sex scene for which I know both she and we are grateful. Although the idea of Rosie O'Donnell simulating sex with a man has me cracking up. For added comedic effect, imagine it with fellow transparent closet resident and registered Depraved Homosexual© Sean Hayes. After she came out, Rosie almost never played a straight woman again. The rose was of the bloom and she could do what she wanted. This is also my favorite era of Rosie's career because she truly did not and does not give a fuck about who she appeases or offends. Her most significant appearance in the phase of her career was as Tutu in Smilf. Here she plays a side we didn't get to see very often: her maternal side. She plays the coarse, tough talking somewhat overbearing mother of the titular Southie Mother I'd Like to Fuck and did it very well. She did play a straight character in this and it's probably one of the more layered characters she's played in a long time. She was in American Gigolo playing opposite Jon Berenthal playing a nonsense detective and she was on The Fosters as a tough but kind social worker. She was on the recent reboot of The L Word because of course she was. She's set to appear on Just Like That presumably replacing Che Diaz, the most unpopular lesbian on television since Ellen DeGeneres. She's leaned a lot more into the butch aspect of her personality but the well-intentioned warmth that has defined her entire career has never faded.
If anyone is due for a meaty role that reminds the general public why they were beloved, it's Rosie O'Donnell. In the over twenty years since she's come out, society has progressed a lot despite the best efforts of the same conservative voices that tried to bog her down back then. If anything, we could use someone like Rosie who isn't afraid to speak truth to power. She's my personal pick to host The Daily Show. Rosie's run in the 90's had plenty of dramas that showed she has the chops to pull this sort of thing off. While she isn't particularly feminine, she's not unbelievable in her roles as a straight woman. Rosie makes any situation feel real, no matter how outlandish it may be. She can play a wise cracking gorilla, a kindly maternal nanny, a tough as nails baseball player and a patient long suffering wife without skipping a beat. Truly Rosie is one of the most versatile flowers in the garden.

I can't see over his big toe, but I stand with him. (Kitty is good.)
After all this time I never got a chance to ride a wave with GME. Not enough courage. During the May sneeze I set a goal to triple my position with calls, and I had enough courage to buy one call per day. By Thursday May 16 I wasn't bullish enough and decided I needed to pick up my full line of calls. I didn't want to be left behind if we all of a sudden started to launch. So on Friday morning I loaded up. I was counting on the Kitty to post a YOLO update by June 11.
The cat came through for us, and now I am on track to achieving my goal. Then they started crashing the NYSE, and the day was going amazing. Enter fuckery with the fake news story about kicking Keith Gill out of eTrade and Morgan Stanley, and they tried to crash our beloved stock. I dug in my heels, got mad, and bought two more calls to strike back. The more they attack us the next three weeks, the more I buy. Now I might have a chance to 10x my position if they keep this up.
Not risking capital I cannot afford to lose, just postponing some other things. Trying to balance shares with calls, too.
GME Ryan Cohen

After the gruesome death of Karla Reyes, her memory still haunted me. I found myself constantly thinking about her, replaying our last moments together, and wishing I could change the outcome. The guilt and grief weighed heavily on my heart, and I knew that attending her funeral was something I needed to do, not just for Karla but for myself as well.
Five days after the discovery of Karla’s death, the day of the funeral arrived, and I made my way to the cathedral Catholic church, my heart heavy with sorrow. My family wasn't particularly religious, but Karla's family was, and I wanted to pay my respects in the way they would have wanted.
I entered the church, the familiar scent of incense and candles filled my nostrils, bringing back memories of Sunday school and holidays spent in these halls. I spotted Karla's family seated in the front pews, their faces etched with grief. My own family was there as well, offering their support and comfort during this difficult time.
My dad approached Karla's father, his eyes filled with sympathy. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Mr. Reyes. Has Karla mentioned anyone who might want to cause her harm? Anyone who wished her ill?"
Karla's father, his eyes red-rimmed and swollen, shook his head. "I can't think of anyone, Sheriff Anderson. Except..." He trailed off, his voice thick with emotion.
"There was a man, part of a pandilla, who wanted to kill my family. He had threatened us, but I never thought he would go after Karlita. I always kept my family protected, but maybe..." Mr. Reyes's voice broke, and he buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with sobs.
My mom, who had been comforting Karla's mother, shot me a worried glance, her eyes filled with tears. Mrs. Reyes clutched my mom's hand, her grief-stricken voice calling out, "Porque a mi niña? Why my little Karla? Why you took her away from me so early?"
I made my way towards the coffin, my heart pounding in my chest. The coffin was made of rosewood, adorned with delicate orchids. It was a closed casket, and I felt a pang of sadness that I wouldn't be able to see Karla one last time, to say a proper goodbye. I placed a white rose on top of the coffin, my fingers trailing over the smooth wood. "Rest in peace, Karla," I mouthed out.
One month later, I remembered being in art class, trying to focus on the painting in front of me—a vibrant blue jay perched on a branch. It was a peaceful scene, but my mind kept wandering, my thoughts drifting back to Karla.
Suddenly, someone brushed past me, and I looked up to see Mandy Lake. She was known for her Gothic attire and multiple piercings. "Oops, sorry," she mumbled, taking a seat next to Hannah, who was jamming to Haley Kiyoko through her headphones.
Brandon returned from his bathroom break and slid into the seat next to me. "Hey, Lily, I might have heard some rumors popping up," he signed, his eyes downcast.
I signed, "What kind of rumors?"
Brandon opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Ryan barged into the art room, his eyes landing on me. "Hey, Lily, I hear you're smoking a juul these days. You got hit this ganja with me?" he said with a smirk, walking towards us.
Brandon snapped, "She doesn't do that, Ryan. Leave her alone."
Ryan laughed, a mocking sound that grated on my nerves. "Maybe it's her twin Billie, then." He pulled out his iPhone 6, displaying a Snapchat video of me and Karla smoking a juul. I tried to make out the poster's handle, but Ryan swiped it away before I could read it.
Our art teacher, Ms. Taylor, appeared at Ryan's side, her eyes narrowed. "Get out of my class, Ryan, or I'm writing you up.”
“Geez, Ms. Tay-Tay. You're a buzzkill,” Ryan groaned and made a squealing sound, trying to mimic me. As he turned to leave, I purposely stuck out my foot, tripping him. He landed on his nose, as small specks of bloody boogers seeped from his nostrils. Getting up from his feet, Ryan stormed off, smearing the door with blood.
Ms. Taylor saw the whole thing and sighed in frustration. "Lily, I know you did that to defend yourself, but it's not the right thing to do," she said, her voice firm but understanding.
I signed angrily, "I don't care, Ms. Taylor. He shouldn't have bothered me in the first place.”
“Fair point,” Ms. Taylor's eyes widened at my response, and she shook her head, clearly at a loss for words.
In a rather abrupt manner, the speakers blared, "Lilibelle Anderson please report to the principal's office."
Everyone in the class turned to look at me, letting out ohss and whispers. Brandon had enough of it, slamming his hands on the table, "Shut the hell up, all of you."
“Don't sweat it,” I signed to Brandon, "I'll meet you after lunch," and left the room, my heart pounding.
Passing by the lockers, I stopped in front of one in particular—Karla's. It was covered in sticky notes, drawings, and pictures, along with flowers, all expressing grief and condolences. There was also a letter written by Mrs. Becker as well. The letter read.
“Dear Karla Reyes,
It is a tragedy to have lost a talented student like you. You were potential, shining bright like a star. Whoever monster did this to you deserves hell. Hope you rest in peace, and forever be singing in the choir of the heavens.
With much love,
Your Choir teacher.”
Alyssa appeared behind me, her voice soft. She towered over me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It must be tough, losing a friend. But you shouldn't blame yourself, Lily. You were a victim too."
I looked at her, surprised by her kindness. She gave me a small smile and said, "Take care of yourself, okay?" Then she walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. At least Alyssa didn't look at me like I was the one who killed Karla. Fiona being one of those people who after Karla's death, looked at me like I was a monster.
I continued on my way to the principal's office, my heart heavy. Principal Kelly was waiting for me, his expression kind but stern. "How are you doing, Lily?" he asked, motioning for me to take a seat.
I signed, "I'm okay."
He nodded, his eyes filled with sympathy. "I'm so sorry about what happened to you, Lily. I wish I could take away your pain. But I'm afraid I have some disappointing news. You've broken a rule, and I have no choice but to give you a week of detention."
I signed, "Am I going to be expelled?”
Principal Kelly shook his head. "No, Lilibelle. I understand you've been through a lot, and I want to give you a chance to make things right. But I can't condone vaping on school property."
I crossed my arms, frustration building inside me. "Who told you about the vape video?”
He hesitated, his hands placed up high on top of his balding head. "I can't tell you that. But I want you to know that I'm on your side.”
I shook my head, my anger rising. "I'll find it out myself," I signed, my eyes flashing.
With that, I left his office, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I noticed a group of students huddled together, whispering and glancing in my direction. I recognized Brianne among them, and my heart sank. Whatever rumor was spreading, it was gaining traction.
I quickened my pace, eager to get away from their judgmental stares. As I turned the corner, I collided with someone, sending our books flying. "Oh, I'm so sorry," I signed, bending to pick up the fallen books.
The girl I had bumped into offered me a hand, her eyes warm and sympathetic. "It's okay. Are you alright?”
I recognized her as Sarah Miller, a fellow freshmen from a different homeroom and a member of the Journaling club. She was one of the girls. I always saw them hanging out in the school library, reading newspapers and what not. From word of mouth, Sarah was Alyssa’s cousin and used to be inseparable. Part of me wanted to know more about Alyssa, and maybe just maybe Sarah knew something.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I signed, taking her hand and hoisting myself up. "Thanks."
She smiled at me, her eyes kind. "No problem. Hey, um, I know we don't really know each other that well, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. I know you've been through a lot lately."
I nodded, my throat tightening with emotion. "Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate it.”
“Mhm. Oh yeah, I was wondering if you had lunch B?”
“Who doesn't have Lunch B. Everyone and their mothers have Lunch B.”
Sarah let out a giggle, tucking one of her honey blonde strands behind her ears. “That's so true. Anyways….you wanna eat together or-”
Seeing how shy Sarah was made me like her a lot. She was endearing in a way, and of course I would want to be friends with a kind individual. “Sure, why not.” I gestured, with a welcoming tone.
After a few classes later, I headed to lunch with Matt and Brandon, my stomach rumbling in anticipation of the school's infamous chicken nuggets. Matt chatted about his plans to go grocery shopping with his mom after school, complaining about having to make the list during Allegra's class.
"I actually find grocery shopping fun," I signed, my eyes lighting up at the thought. "Especially when I get to pick out my favorite peaches."
Matt brows drooped, as he hugged on his gray sleeves. “Groceries can be fun, but try buying groceries in bulk. Mom always says it saves trips, but rolling 6 carts of food kills my back.”
“Oh..”
“Yep. That's one of the downsides of being filthy rich.”
I noticed Brandon's silence, his eyes distant as he lost himself in his thoughts. Matt, ever observant, asked, "You okay, Brandon? Still dealing with what happened the day of Karla's disappearance?”
Brandon lied, forcing a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
Matt's concerned gaze didn't waver. "Are you sure? You know you can talk to me about anything."
Brandon nodded, his eyes flicking to me. "Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you both, but... it can wait."
Matt's brow furrowed, but he let it go, changing the subject. "Why don't you two find a table? I'll go grab our lunches."
As we made our way to secure a spot, Brandon blurted out, "I know who posted the video.”
I froze, my eyes widening. "What?"
Brandon took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the ground. "I confronted Ryan in the bathroom. Pinned him against the wall and interrogated him."
I could sort of imagine that happening; out of our trio, Brandon was the most developed and could even pass for a sophomore. Some kids are early bloomers, others such as Matt and myself were late bloomers.
"And?" I prompted, my heart pounding.
"Matt suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and Ryan freaked out, blurting out the poster's name," Brandon continued, his voice tight. "Matt was confused as to why Ryan freaked out, but I knew it was because he was guilty.”
"Was it someone we know?" I asked, my fingers discreetly moved, mimicking a whisper.
Brandon nodded, his eyes meeting mine. "It's Mandy Lake."
I looked down at my lap, sadness washing over me. I knew it would be one of the choir girls, but to find out it was Mandy….I was surprised. She had always seemed so nice, but I guessed appearances could be deceiving.
Just then, Sarah appeared, her face lighting up when she spotted me. "Hey, Lily! How's it going?"
I smiled, my mood instantly lifting at the sight of my friend. "Good! Sarah, this is Brandon. Brandon, Sarah.”
Brandon shook Sarah's hand, a nervous smile on his face. "Nice to meet you. I'm a fan of your newspaper column, 'Unsolved Cases of Meadows Dale.' It's my favorite read."
Sarah laughed, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Oh, wow! I'm super into mysteries, so I guess it makes sense."
Matt appeared with three trays, placing them in front of us with a flourish. "Here you go, my friends. Wish I could be buff like Arnold Schwarzenegger so I could carry six plates at once."
He turned to Sarah, a teasing glint in his eye. "Have you adopted another stray, Lily?”
I signed, "Yes we did. We're a band of four strays, surrounded by purebred pups."
“Sweet!” Matt grinned, popping a fry into his mouth. "Anyways, well, I heard Brianne Becker started dating Ryan. Talk about the unholy couple."
Brandon groaned, rolling his eyes. "Ugh, I heard about that. They are perfect for each other."
“What? They are dating?” My mouth agape, It was sorta surprising that Brianne and Ryan were a thing, although such a concept wasn't out of reach.
"It's true. I saw them together yesterday, they were sharing a cone together.” Sarah chimed in, as she pulled out some books from her light pink backpack. She then added, "Also, before Brianne, Ryan tried to date Alyssa once, and she refused him."
“Oh really?” Matt nodded, taking a bite of his burger. "Obviously, if I were Alyssa, I'd do the same. Good call.”
I nodded, my eyes dropping to the book she picked up to read. "What are you reading?"
She held up the book, a copy of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. "It's one of my favorites. It's about this shy, introverted freshman and his journey through high school. It's a beautiful story about friendship and self-discovery."
I smiled, recognizing the title. "I've heard great things about it. Maybe I'll give it a read."
Sarah's eyes lit up. "You should! And if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here. I love discussing books.”
Brandon raised one of his brows, while he took glimpses of the book. “Wait, was there a movie version with Emma Watson in it?”
“Mhm. That's the one. Emma Watson was so pretty in that movie!” Sarah confirmed, her eyes glued to her book. Brandon looked at me, I could tell his face was flushed in bright pink.
I took a sip of my chocolate milk, my eyes flitting between my friends. "You know, I've been meaning to ask... what exactly happened that day? The day of Karla's disappearance and mine?"
“Lily..”
“Tell me what I want to know.”
“Okay fine,” Brandon cleared his throat, his eyes flicking to Matt. "Do you want us to take you there? To the abandoned shed?"
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes. I think I need to see it."
Curious, while sliding a Harry Potter book mark inside her book, Sarah spoke, “What shed? You mean the one by the woods located near the Skating Rink?”
Matt winked “Bingo!”
“So you guys want to go there? Today, right?”
Brandon and I nodded, “Pretty much.”
I could hear Sarah darting her hand inside her backpack, loud rustling sounds indicated that she was searching for something. Her mouth formed into a smile, digging out a Polaroid camera out of her now disorganized backpack. “Here! Unfortunately I can't join you guys for your adventure, cuz of Journalism club. I hope this helps.” Sarah plopped the camera in my hands, it weighed a bit in my hands.
“Thanks, Sarah!” I signed in gratitude, fascinated by how it felt in my hands.
“No problem. Just be careful with it. My grandma got it for me on my birthday, okay?”
“Deal. If somehow my fat ass breaks it, you can definitely press charges.” Matt held up his hand as he made an oath. I couldn't help but laugh, while Sarah let out a worrisome whine.
Sarah shook her head with a defeated smile, placing her pink colored nail finger on her teeth. “Ah, I love you guys already.”
“Same-uh I mean nice,” Brandon exchanged a glance with me, sweat dripping in his temple. "Okay," he said, his voice gentle. "Let's go after school.”
We finished our lunches in comfortable silence, my mind racing with anticipation and trepidation. I knew visiting the shed would bring back painful memories, but I needed to face them head-on.
After school, around 6pm we made our way to the shed, located in a secluded area near the skating rink. The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows that danced eerily in the breeze. We approached the dilapidated structure, my heart began to pound in my chest. This was the place where I had been held captive, where I had endured unimaginable horrors. Where I saw that video of Karla.
Matt placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to go in if you don't want to, Lily. We can just show you the outside."
I shook my head, steeling myself. "No, I want to see it all. I need to."
Brandon opened the creaking door, and we stepped inside, the musty air thick with memories. The shed was empty now, but I could still feel the weight of the past lingering in the air. With Sarah's polaroid camera, I snapped a few photos. Matt grabbed the photos, shaking them up and down to see if the film developed.
I took a shaky breath, my eyes scanning the space. "This is where he kept me…” I trailed off, unable to continue. Brandon's arm slipped around my shoulders, offering silent support.
Matt's face was grim as he surveyed the shed. "We searched this place after you were found, but there was no sign of the kidnapper. It was like he vanished into thin air."
I nodded, my eyes fixed on the dusty floor. "He was careful. He always wore gloves, a mask... I never saw his face."
Brandon's voice was gentle. "But you heard his voice. Anything distinctive about it?"
I shook my head, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. "Just that it was deep and distorted, like he was using a voice changer or something.”
Brandon's jaw clenched, his fists balling at his sides. "We'll find him, Lily. I just know our dad's are going to do something about this."
I nodded, grateful for their determination. "Thank you, both. I know it's not easy for you either."
We stood in silence for a few moments, each of us lost in our thoughts. Finally, I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Let's go. Being here brings back too many memories."
Matt squeezed my shoulder, his eyes understanding. "Of course, Lily. We can come back another time if you want, but for now, let's get the heck out of here.”
We stepped back into the fading light, the shed's creaking door closing behind us with a soft thud. I took a deep breath of the fresh air, grateful to be away from the suffocating confines of that place. Just to only feel a set of eyes watching me from the woods.
As we walked back towards town, Matt asked, "So, what's the plan for tonight? Movie night? We could do a horror flick, maybe something with Arnold Schwarzenegger."
I shook my head, signing, "No horror movies for me. I've had enough scares in real life."
Brandon laughed, punching Matt's arm playfully. "Come on, man, Lily's right. Let's go for a comedy or an action flick.”
Matt feigned hurt, his hand over his heart. "Fine, fine. No horror. But we're definitely watching 'Predator' next week. It's a classic."
I rolled my eyes, signing, "Fine. But only if we get pizza and ice cream."
Brandon grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Deal! Extra cheese and pepperoni for me."
That night, as we settled in for our movie night in my house. It was much closer, so I asked my Mom if Brandon and Matt could sleep over for the night. Mom was setting the pepperoni topped lasagna inside of the oven, as she said, “Sure they can stay! Just make sure you make them call their parents for permission, okay?”
“I will.” I assured my mother, before running back to the living. I hopped on one of the sofas, catching Brandon off guard.
“So…” Brandon and Matt asked.
“What happened?”
Matt brought up the topic of The Masked Man once again. "Lily, is there anything else you can remember about him? Any small detail could help us track him down."
I shook my head, my eyes fixed on the TV screen. "I've told you everything, Matt. I never saw his face, and his voice was distorted. I'm sorry."
Brandon spoke up, his eyes thoughtful. "What about his scent? Did he wear cologne or anything distinctive?"
I furrowed my brow, trying to recall. "I... I think he might have worn cologne. Something woody and musky. It was faint, but I remember catching a whiff of it a few times."
Matt's eyes lit up. "That's something! We can ask around, see if anyone recognizes that scent. It could be a crucial piece of the puzzle."
I nodded, a glimmer of hope sparking within me. "Okay. I'll try to remember more details. Maybe there's something else I've missed.”
The movie began, and we settled in, our bowls of popcorn and soda within reach. Funny enough after watching Forrest Gump, we had fallen asleep on top of each other. About three hours later, I woke up, disoriented, and realized I had fallen asleep on the couch with Brandon and Matt. Brandon was sleeping on the edge, his limbs dangling off the couch, while Matt was hugging me in his sleep. I carefully slipped out of Matt's arms, not wanting to wake him, and groggily walked towards the darkness of the kitchen.
The glass back door loomed in front of me, and I remembered the night before, my dad had recently started to put his deputies to watch over our house every night. I had felt safe with them, and that was the reason I wanted to invite Matt and Brandon to have a sleepover in my house.
I yawned and stretched, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. The kitchen was quiet, the only sound the ticking of the clock. I made my way to the back door, my heart pounding. I knew I shouldn't open it, but something compelled me to do so.
With trembling hands, I unlocked the door and stepped outside into the cool night air. The backyard was bathed in moonlight, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I took a deep breath, the scent of freshly cut grass filling my lungs.
Suddenly, I heard a noise. It sounded like a twig snapping. My heart raced, and I froze, my eyes scanning the yard. I couldn't see anyone, but I knew I wasn't alone.
"Who's there?” Signing cautiously, I wait for a response. It could have been a cat or dog walking around. However it sounded like a hard boot walking.
No answer. I took a cautious step backward, my heart pounding in my chest. Then, from the shadows, a figure emerged. It was tall and broad, dressed in black from head to toe. That same mask covered their face, obscuring their identity. It was him again.
I backed away, my heart pounding. "Stay away from me, please.” I tried to communicate with the figure, my fingers becoming slippery with sweat.
He didn't respond, but continued to advance, their steps slow and deliberate. I turned to run back inside, but the door was locked. I frantically tried the handle, my heart pounding in my ears.
"Let me in!" I frantically waved my hands and screamed an awful ear piercing screech. My fists furiously banging on the door.
The Masked Man was getting closer, and I knew I had to act fast. I searched for a weapon, my eyes landing on a garden rake leaning against the wall. I grabbed it and swung it at the figure, connecting with their arm. They let out a pained grunt, but didn't stop. I swung again, this time hitting their leg. They stumbled, but quickly recovered, their eyes fixed on me.
I backed away, my heart pounding. "Stay back!" I tried to shout, my voice scratchy and whistling. None of the words that came out of my mouth were incoherent. It was horrible, that even my own voice betrayed me.
The Masked Man lunged at me, and I swung the rake again, this time hitting them in the chest. They fell to the ground, and I took the opportunity to run back inside, locking the door behind me. I leaned against it, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
Brandon and Matt rushed into the kitchen, their eyes wide. "What happened? We heard you scream," Brandon said, his voice full of concern.
I signed, my hands shaking, "There was someone in the backyard. They tried to get in."
Matt looked out the window, his face pale. "I don't see anyone out there now. Are you sure it wasn't just a dream?"
I shook my head, my heart still pounding. "I'm sure. I hit them with the rake. They fell, but then they got back up and kept coming."
Brandon's eyes widened. "We need to call the police. This is serious, Lily."
I nodded, my hands still shaking. "Okay. But first, let's make sure all the doors and windows are locked. I don't want them getting in."
We spent the next few minutes checking every door and window in the house, making sure they were securely locked. My Dad and police arrived soon after, and we explained what had happened. They searched the backyard but found no sign of the intruder.
The officer took my statement, his face grim. He informed my Dad with instructions. "We'll increase patrols in the area, but in the meantime, stay vigilant. Keep your doors and windows locked, and be aware of your surroundings, Sheriff.”
“Thank you, Officer Devins,” My dad thanked the officer, before heading in my way. He looked at me with concern, before rubbing his eyes in a worried manner. “Hey Lilibee. You should go to sleep. Daddy's going to be staying awake for the night. It's to keep you safe.”
“Okay,” I hugged my father, my heart was still pounding from the encounter. That night, I had trouble sleeping, my mind replaying the events over and over. The Masked Man had found me again that night. I didn't know how or when, but he was back. I had a good feeling this wasn't his last appearance.
I hurried down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. It had been a long day, and I was eager to get this detention over with and go home. When I approached the office, I saw the old secretary, Mrs. Miller, gossiping on the phone, her eyes glued to her screen. I took the opportunity to slip past her unnoticed and make my way towards Dr. Wells' office.
The door was slightly ajar, and I knocked gently before pushing it open. Dr. Wells looked up from his laptop, a soft smile spreading across his face when he saw me.
"Lily, what a pleasant surprise," he signed, motioning for me to come in. "How are your painting classes going?"
I signed back, while sitting down on the couch. "They're going really well, thank you. I'm enjoying it a lot."
Dr. Wells laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's wonderful to hear. And how are you doing otherwise? Still dealing with the aftermath of what happened that day?"
I kicked my feet awkwardly, feeling a rush of emotions as I thought about the kidnapping. "I went back to the spot where he held me," I confessed. "I thought it would give me closure, but then I started having nightmares about him again."
Dr. Wells tilted his head, his expression concerned. "And how did that make you feel?" he asked gently.
I nervously averted my eyes to the paintings hanging on his walls, beautiful landscapes and abstracts in rich colors. "I thought I was doing better," I signed. "But then he came back again, and I realized I'm still scared. My dad is the sheriff, though, and he has cops outside my house, so I know I'm safe."
Dr. Wells' expression remained neutral, almost pensive. "It's good that you're taking precautions and seeking support," he said slowly, his lips twitching slightly as he formed the words. "I'm always here if you need to talk, Lily."
I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude for this kind man. "Thank you, Dr. Wells," I signed. "By the way, why do they call you 'doctor'? I thought you were just the school counselor."
A soft laugh escaped his lips. "Well, I do have my doctorate degree in forensic psychology," he explained. "I often work with the police on cases, especially those involving youth. It can be quite fascinating, although it keeps me busy at night."
"No wonder you always look so tired," I teased, a smile playing at my lips. "Did you get the degree to impress all the ladies?"
Dr. Wells laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Maybe," he joked. "Or maybe I just wanted to pay off my student loans someday."
Changing the subject, he stood up and opened a small fridge behind his desk. "Speaking of which, are you hungry? I have some bacon-chicken salads here if you'd like one."
"Sure," I signed, my stomach rumbling at the mention of food.
Dr. Wells pulled out two plates, each with a generous serving of salad. He handed one to me and took a seat across from me at the small table in the corner of his office. I dug into the salad, and it was delicious—the perfect combination of crispy bacon, tender chicken, and fresh greens. I savored every bite, feeling grateful for this unexpected meal.
As I popped a slice of hard-boiled egg into my mouth, Dr. Wells asked, "So, Lily, do you have detention today?"
I nodded, signing, "Yes, I do. I got into a bit of trouble for vaping, so I have to serve an hour of detention with Ms. Asinley."
Dr. Wells' expression softened. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said sincerely. "I hope it goes well. Just remember that I'm here if you need any support or if you want to talk about anything."
"Thanks, Dr. Wells," I said, feeling a warm blush spread across my cheeks. "You're so sweet."
Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and it was time for me to head to my detention. I stood up, stretching my legs, and bid Dr. Wells goodbye, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment in my heart.
"Take care, Lily," Dr. Wells signed, his eyes warm and friendly. "Remember, I'll always keep an eye out for you."
I smiled and waved as I left his office, feeling a boost of confidence. Dr. Wells had a way of making me feel like everything was going to be alright. Making my way down the hallway towards the U.S. history room, I spotted Ms. Asinley, the pregnant teacher who was overseeing my detention. She smiled at me gently and motioned for me to take a seat wherever I liked.
The room was quiet, with only a few other students serving detention that day. I chose a desk by the window, the afternoon sunlight streaming in and warming my face. I pulled out my algebra homework and began to work, grateful for the peaceful atmosphere.
Ms. Asinley walked over to my desk, her hands resting gently on her swollen belly. "How are you doing today, Lily?" she asked softly, her eyes kind. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
I shook my head, signing, "No, thank you, Ms. Asinley. I'm just working on my algebra homework. It's nice to have a quiet place to focus."
She smiled and patted my shoulder gently. "You know where to find me if you need anything," she said, before moving on to check on the other students.
I settled into my work, grateful for this unexpected moment of calmness. As I worked through the equations, I felt a sense of satisfaction and peace wash over me. Detention didn't seem so bad as I thought, and I was making good progress on my missing assignments. That was until the door burst open, and two figures stormed in, bringing with them a gust of fresh air and the scent of grass and sweat.
Alyssa and Emma, dressed in their red and black soccer uniforms, strode into the room, their faces flushed from practice. "Hey, Ms. Asinley," Emma called out, waving a paper assignment in her hand. "Sorry this is late. I completely forgot about it."
Ms. Asinley, her hands resting comfortably on her pregnant belly, smiled brightly at the girls. "It's quite alright, Emma. No need to apologize." She took the assignment from Emma and made a note in her book.
Alyssa, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, turned to Ms. Asinley and asked, "So, when's the baby coming? You must be getting close, right?"
Ms. Asinley's face lit up, and she placed a gentle hand on her belly. "I'm due in about four months," she replied, her voice warm and happy. "I might start planning the baby shower soon, although I think I'll wait until I'm closer to seven months."
"Ooh, a baby shower!" Alyssa exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait! I love babies."
Emma smiled at her friend's enthusiasm and added, "We'll definitely be there. Just let us know when and where."
Ms. Asinley thanked them, and the two girls were heading to the door, still chatting excitedly about the upcoming baby shower. Alyssa caught my eye and waved before leaving the class. I waved back, feeling a sense of warmth despite my earlier envy. Alyssa had always been surprisingly friendly to me, and I never quite understood why. Honestly, I was just an asshole as a kid, and I wished I didn't need to be this way.
As I shifted in my seat, I realized I needed to use the bathroom. I raised my hand and caught Ms. Asinley's attention. "May I please be excused to go to the restroom?" I signed, feeling a bit self-conscious.
Ms. Asinley nodded and signed, "Of course, Lily. Take your time."
I gathered my things and headed out of the classroom, grateful for the opportunity to stretch my legs. As I walked down the empty hallway, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I told myself it was just my imagination running wild after last night's incident, but the atmosphere felt off.
I quickened my pace, eager to reach the girl's bathroom at the end of the hall. As I pushed open the door, I spotted a familiar figure—Mandy, one of the popular girls from my grade. She was taking a drag from a raspberry lemonade Juul, the sweet-smelling vapor hanging in the air.
"So, you're the one who showed the video to Principal Kelly," I signed, my eyes narrowing.
Mandy froze, her eyes widening in surprise. "Who told you that?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
I shrugged, signing, "Does it matter? You should be careful, Mandy. Maybe it's your turn to face the consequences now."
Mandy's face paled, and she took a step towards me, her voice urgent. "You can't tell Principal Kelly about this, Lily. You just can't."
I crossed my arms, a challenge in my eyes. "Why not?" I asked.
Before Mandy could respond, a bloodcurdling scream tore through the bathroom, causing us both to jump. Mandy grabbed my hand, her eyes wild with fear. She dragged me out of the bathroom, our footsteps echoed through the halls. “Come with me! Now!"
I followed her, my heart pounding in my chest. We ran down the hall, Mandy's grip tight on my hand. "What happened?" I frantically signed.
"There's a man—a masked man. He was peeking at us through the gap in the stall door," she whispered, her voice shaking.
My heart hammered in my chest as I frantically signed, "What? Are you serious?"
Mandy nodded, her eyes darting around the bathroom nervously. "We have to tell an adult," I signed, taking a step towards the door.
"No!" Mandy hissed, pulling me back. "We can't. He could still be out there. We need to hide."
I felt a rush of fear as I realized the gravity of the situation. "Where can we go?" I asked, my eyes scanning the bathroom for a possible hiding place.
Mandy grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the door. "Come on, we have to get out of here. We'll find a teacher and alert them, but we can't stay here."
I followed Mandy, my heart pounding in my chest. We rushed down the hallway, our eyes darting around, searching for any sign of the masked man. The school felt eerily quiet, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the walls.
Mandy led me towards the gymnasium, her eyes darting around nervously. "In here," she whispered, pushing open the door. "Hide in the storage closet near the mats. I'll try to find a teacher and come back for you."
I nodded, my heart racing as I stepped into the dimly lit gymnasium. The large space felt oppressive in the fading light, the rumble of the air conditioning adding to the eerie atmosphere. I hurried over to the storage closet and slipped inside, pulling the door shut behind me.
The closet was small and cramped, filled with stacks of mats and sports equipment. I sat down, hugging my knees to my chest, and tried to calm my racing heart. The darkness and the constant rumbling noise made me feel on edge, and I found myself straining to listen for any signs of Mandy's return.
As the minutes ticked by, I became increasingly aware of the need to use the bathroom. The urge to pee was plaguing me, and I shifted uncomfortably, willing my bladder to cooperate. The darkness and the silence, broken only by the hum of the air conditioning, made the time feel endless. Just as I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I heard the door to the gymnasium open. I perked up, my heart racing as I waited for Mandy to enter. But it wasn't Mandy who stepped into the room.
The Masked Man stood in the doorway, his blood-smeared mask sending a chill down my spine. He crouched down, his eyes locking with mine, and placed something metal on the ground—Mandy's brow piercing.
Just as he walked away, almost like a cat dropping off a dead mouse, I felt a warm release between my legs. I had lost control of my bladder, the warm liquid spreading across my pants and soaking through to the floor. I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me, and I could do nothing to stop it. However, I was scared shit less to even react, and there I knew Mandy was gone.
Soon enough, the next day, the gym teacher, Mr. Woods, and his male gymnastics students were checking on the mats when they made a gruesome discovery. One of the gymnasts unfolded a mat, and there, wrapped up like a present, was fifteen-year-old Mandy Lake. Her jaw was ripped open, her ribs shattered, and her nails were peeling off, almost as if she had been clawing at a hard surface. Similar to Karla, Mandy's larynx was missing, ripped out of her throat.
Just like Karla Reyes….
I later found out why Mandy hadn't wanted me to tell the principal about her situation. You see, Mandy came from a single-mother household, and her mother worked at an adult-themed diner. Some busybody neighbors thought this wasn't a good influence on the children and called Child Protective Services, or CPS, on Ms. Lake.
Thankfully, CPS saw no issue with the situation. However, if Mandy were to cause any trouble or draw negative attention, it could risk not only her but also her siblings being taken away. Mandy was like a second mother to those kids, and her death hit Ms. Lake hard. Last time I heard of Ms. Lake was about a year ago. She was battling with a methamphetamine addiction, and that resulted in her death. All because of me. All because of him.
In the end, Mandy Lake was the second victim, but wasn't the last one. They're are 6 Choir Girls left.

Josh Dun and Debbie Ryan were briefly featured in "FAST X" as this sub knows by now, but that was... super random(?).
Does anyone know any background information or stories on how that came to be?
My only guess is some Hollywood connection but, like, why? Their music wasn't featured in the movie so it seemed almost like a pointless cameo lol.

11/20/2017
Log book of Det. Ryan Snow
Case #2798: The Appalachian Murders
When I woke up, I was in such a haze that I couldn’t make out where I was at first. My vision was a blur and all I could hear was the sounds of rushing water. I tried to move my limbs, but each muscle down to my little finger felt like lead weighing down on me, making it hard to breathe.
It felt like forever before the ringing in my ear was slowly swallowed out by a voice crying out from what sounded like a distance only to grow louder as it seemed to approach me from the void I had woken up in. It wasn’t until I heard my name that I recognized it was Kate’s voice, pleading and filled with tears.
I blinked away the blur, finding myself staring up at a water damaged ceiling, a single yellow light brightening the room. My head was pounding and my body still felt heavy, but I moved my head enough to turn and see where Kate was calling from. It took a moment, but I soon realized that she was lying on her back, strapped by her arms and legs to a metal table, looking to me with wide terrified eyes.
“Detective, please help!” She cried out. “Please don’t be dead! Please help me!”
“Bl-Black…Well…” I groaned out as I tried, painfully, to pick myself up off the stone floor, “Black…Well… Ah… Shit… Shit! Ms. Blackwell-“ I was gaining consciousness minute by minute as I finally took in the situation and got to my feet. However, the moment I had gotten to my feet and began running to Kate only to immediately fall back to the floor once again, my ankle getting caught by something heavy. I turned to see my ankle had been shackled to the floor by a cuff and chains. I searched my person to find my coat, along with my Glock had been taken, blood decorating my pants and sleeves. I placed a palm to my forehead to find blood when I lowered it down to look at the warm liquid slithering down from my scalp.
“Ms. Blackwell,” I returned my attention to her, examining what I could from my place on the floor, “are you alright, are you hurt?”
“I… I… I don’t… Don’t think so…” she managed to whine out.
“Where’s Mr. Raines?”
To this question, Kate looked away from me, sobbing being her only verbal response.
I went back to the shackles on my ankle and began trying to yank the chains off from the floor, but they had been well maintained and were too strong for me to simply yank out of the stone. I then quickly looked around the room to find we were in a different basement from the one in Cabin #3, though it had the same kind of layout, the table the only major difference. I also took note of the blood stains that trailed from the sides of the table and the dried pools below.
“I want my mom!” Kate cried out, her voice echoing in the empty room.
“I’ll get you to her, I will, I promise,” I assured her, trying to find something, anything to get us out of this, “do you remember how we got down here?”
“I… I… I just re-remember… Remember you g-getting knocked out… Knocked out by someone and them… Them putting a rag over me… Then everything went black… Then I woke… Woke up… H-Here…” Kate answered, trying to breathe with each sob she let out. “I… I th-thought… y-you… You were d-d-… Dead!”
“I’m not, I’m very much alive and I’m going to get you out of here and back to your parents,” I vowed as I continued looking for a way out of this situation, “we’re going to get you out of here, get you home, and we’ll make sure no one ever gets hurt here ever-“
The sound of the basement door from the splintered wooden steps cut me off. I listened as feet descended down the steps to the basement below, Kate’s ragged breaths the only other sound. The person who came down was a woman. The same exact woman from the photo I had found in her house. She looked as if she had not aged since that photo was taken, despite how long ago it seemed the photo was taken. She had the same exact long, white hair, same tired looking eyes, and same disgustingly pale skin as in that photo and on her profile picture. It was Mrs. Larson.
“Deeeeeetectiiiiiiive,” she spoke in a hoarse voice mixed with what I assumed was her own and several others, both male and female, adult and child, “youuuuuuu shouuuullld haaaaaaaaave juuuuuuusssssst giiiiiven herrrrrrr toooooo meeeeee… Youuuuuuuu diiiiiiiiid nooooooot haaaaaave toooooooo ssssssseeeee thiiiiiissssss…”
“Fuck you!” I shouted, beginning to charge at the elderly woman only to be yanked back by my shackles. “Let us go, right now!”
“Nnnnooooo,” Mrs. Larson replied harshly as she stepped over to loom over Kate.
“Stay away from her!” I barked, trying desperately to break free of my shackles.
She ignored me as she ran a shaky hand down along Kate’s trembling face. “Ooooooooohhhhh, Kaaaaaate… Sweeeeet, sweeeeeeeet, Kaaaaaaaaaate…” Mrs. Larson cooed as she went on stroking Kate’s wet cheek. “Doooooo noooooooot crrrrrrryyyyyyy, dooooooonnnnnn’t thiiiiiiiiiinnnnk oooooofff iiiiiiiit aaaaaaaassssss dyyyyyyyyiiiiinnnnng, thiiiiiiiiinnnk ooooooooffff iiiiiiit aaaaaassssss ssssssssaaaaaaaaaviiiiiiinnng aaaaaannnnoooootherrrrrrrrr liiiiiiiiife.”
“I-I… I d-don’t… Don’t under-understand… w-what th-that… That m-means…” Kate cried, her hands gripping the sides of the metal table beneath her, “P-Please, d-don’t… Don’t kill me… L-Let… Let us-us go!”
“Nnnnnoooooo,” Mrs. Larson answered in the same harshness she used on me, “IIIIIIIII neeeeeeeed youuuuuuuuuu,” she then shot a death glare my way through tired, silver eyes, “aaaaaaaannnnnnd heeeeeeeeee’ssssssss beeeeeeeeeennnnnn nnnnnnnoooooooothiiiiiiiiinnnnnng buuuuut aaaaaa thooooooorrrrrrnnnn iiiiiiinnnnn myyyyyyyyy ssssssssiiiiiiiide siiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnccccccce youuuuuu eeeeeessssssscaaaaaaped meeeeeeee.” She then looked back to Kate with a softer look. “Aaaaaaaassssss fffffoooooorrrrr whaaaaaaaat youuuuuuu caaaaaannnn’t uuuuuunnnnnnderrrrrrssssssstaaaaaaannnnnnd, IIIIIIIIII nnnnnneeeeeeed yourrrrrrrrrr heaaaaaaaarrrrrt tooooooo ssssssssaaaaaavvvvvvve myyyyyyy ssssssiiiiiiiisssssssterrrrrrrr.”
“The fuck does that mean?” I demanded, still trying to vain to pull my ankle from the chains. “How the hell will Kate’s heart save your sister?”
“Diiiiiiiiidnnnnnn’t nnnnnnneeeeeeed toooooo beeeee Kaaaaaaate’sssssss,” admitted Mrs. Larson, “buuuuuuuut sssshhhhhheeeeee hiiiiiiiiid theeeeee ooooooootherrrrr giiiiirrrrrrllllll ffffffrrrrroooooommmmm mmmmmeeeeee.”
“S-Son… Sonja…” Kate sniffed, the tears still streaming down her face.
“IIIIIIII oooooooonnnnnlllllyyyyy neeeeed fffffffeeeeeemmmmmaaaaallllle,” Mrs. Larson dismissed Ms. Greymoore’s name, “ffffffeeeeeeemmmmmaaaaaallllle heaaaaaaaarrrrrrrtsssss toooooo rrrrrrreeeeeetuuuuurrrrrrnnnnn mmmmmmyyyyy ssssiiiiissssssterrrrrrrrr toooooo theeeeeeee giiiiirrrrrllllll ssssshhhhhheeeee uuuuuuuusssssed tooooo beeeeeee.”
“That’s a fucking joke right?” I asked. “The hell makes you think eating a female heart will turn your sister back into a human woman? Have you seen what’s happened to your sister?”
“IIIIIIIII knnnnnnnooooooow beeeeeeecaaaauuuuusssssse iiiiiiiiiiit wooooooorrrrrked ooooooonnnnn mmmmmeeeeee,” Mrs. Larson explained, “IIIIIIIIIII waaaaaasssss aaaaaaablllllllle toooooo reeeeeeetaaaaiiiiiinnnnnn thiiiiiiiiiisssssss huuuuuummmmmmaaaaaannnnn fffffffooooorrrrrrmmmm ffffffrrrrrooooommmm eeeeeaaaaatiiiiiinnnnnng theeeeeeee heaaaaaaaaarrrrrtsssss, sssssspecifffffficaaaaaaallllllyyyyyy fffffffeeeeeemmmmmaaaaallllleeee sssssssooooooo IIIIIIIIII mmmmmmaaaaaayyyyyy rrrrrreeeeetuuuurrrrrnnnnn toooo beeeeeiiiiinnnng theeeeeeee giiiiiirrrrrrrllllll IIIIIII uuuuuuusssssed toooooooo beeeeeee.”
“You were dead,” I pointed out, “they found your body up here, you were buried.”
“Theeeeeessssssse sssshhhhheeeeeellllllsssss arrrrrrre mmmmmeeeeeerrreeeellllyyy veeeeeessssssellllllssssss ffffffoooooorrrrrr theeeeeeee sssssspiiiiirrrrriiiiiitsssss weeeee hiiiiiiiiiiide beeeeeneeeeaaaaattthhhh,” Mrs. Larson responded, finally turning her gaze to me, “IIIIIIII haaaaaaad tooooooo maaaake peeeopllllle beeeelieevvvve IIIIIII haaaaaad diiiiiiied tooooo keeeeeep frrrrroooommm theeeee poooooollllliiiiicccce ffffrrrrrrooooommmm pooookiiiiiinnnng aaaaarrrrouuuuuunnnnd aaaaannnnnd rrrrruuuiiinnnnniiinnnng eeeevvvveeerrrrryyythiiiiinnnng.”
“So, let me just get this whole thing straight,” I began as I started rubbing my temples, "when you and your sister starting into… Whatever the hell that thing you call your sister is-“
“Ooooouuuurrrrr sssssspiiiiiirrrrrriiiiiit,” Mrs. Larson corrected.
“Whatever!” I shot. “You found out that eating female hearts turns you two back into human women and to keep police from suspecting you, you pretended to be dead and… What? Just hope a shitty real estate agency would buy your property and you could just… Kill people, people with lives and families outside the mountains?”
“Thaaaaaaaat iiiiiiisssss cooooorrrrrreeeeect…” Mrs. Larson admitted, narrowing her eyes at me.
That’s when I began laughing hysterically, holding my sides that hurt with each harsh breath of a laugh I took. Both Mrs. Larson and Kate looked to me as if I had lost my mind and at this point I was starting to believe I had. Everything I had seen and heard about this entire case would put anyone in the looney bin. And I’m the damn fool who dug too deep into something he had nothing to do with.
“Whaaaaaat’s ssssoooo ffffuuunnnny?” Growled Mrs. Larson, stepping around Kate to stand between us.
“I don’t know what’s fucking funnier, honestly,” I chuckled, running a hand through my hair, “the fact that you thing people won’t be poking around even more when they discover not only is Blackwell missing, but so is a detective and escaped convict all of whom now have ties to these fucking mountains and those cabins, or that you thing I’m more afraid of what you plan on doing with me more than I am when her father finds out I got her in this situation in the first place!”
“Heeeeeee wooooonnnnn’t beeeee aaaaabllllle toooooo doooo aaaaaannnnnyyyyythiiiiiinnnng aaaaaaafffffterrrrrrr IIIIIIIII’mmmmm dooooooonnnne wiiiiiiiith booooooth ooooooooffffff youuuuuuuuu,” Mrs. Larson hissed as she inched closer, “fffffffiiiiiiirrrrrrssssst, IIIIIIIII waaaaaannnnnt youuuuuuuu toooo waaaaaatch mmmmmeeeee kiiiiiiillllll herrrrrrr,” she turned her head to look to Kate who was now just shaking, her eyes seemingly gone dry from the crying, Mrs. Larson then looked back to me, “sssssseeeeecooooonnnnd, IIIIIIII wiiiiillllll ssssssaaaaave youuuuu fffffooooorrrr mmmmmmyyyyy sssssiiiiiisssssterrrrr, oooooonnnnne heeeeaaaaart wiiiiilllll nnnnoooot ssssssaaaaaatissssfffffyyyy herrrr huuuuuunnnnnger.” She took another step. “Uuuuuuuunnnnnllllliiiiiike sssssssoooooommmme ssssssiiiiiibllllliiiiiiinnnnnngsssss, IIIIIIIII caaaaaarrrre aaaaaaboooouuuuut mmmmmmyyyyy ffffffaaaammmmiiiiilllllyyyyyy.”
She stared into my eyes, expecting a reaction and while my blood did somewhat boil at the accusatory statement, I didn’t fully understand what she was getting at. Not until she used that voice. Not until she relived that day with those two familiar child-like voices.
“Screw you, Liam!” She cried out in a voice I remember from my childhood. “I hope you drop dead!”
“Stop.” I demanded.
“Piss off, Ryan!” She shot back in a second boy’s voice.
“I said stop!” I began shouting.
“Help me, Ryan! Please, help me! I’m sorry! Please, Lucky Dime, help me!”
I then lunged toward her, reaching my hands out toward her neck only to be stopped by the shackles as she swiftly, almost without even moving, stepped just out of my reach.
“Fucking bitch!” I screamed out.
“If only you really cared about me, Lucky Dime,” sighed Mrs. Larson as she turned and began making her way to the side of the room where a cart stood in the shadows. She pulled it over to Kate’s side, the cart covered in rusted medical tools.
“P-Please,” Kate wheezed, “p-p-please… I… I d-d-don’t w-want… Want t-to d-d… D-Die, I… I w-w-want m-m-m… My m-mom!”
“Dooooonnn’t woooorrrrryyyyy,” Mrs. Larson soothed, using that mix of different voices, “mmmmmmaaaayyyyybeeee sheeee wiiiillll cooooommmme loooookinnnng ffffooooorrrr yooouuuuu aaaaannnnnd sheeeeeee caaaaannnnn joooooiiiiiinnnn youuuuuuu.”
Kate began to sob, begging and pleading for Mrs. Larson to let her go, thrashing around in her restraints. Telling the older woman that there was no saving her sister and that she was too far gone for this sick ritual to work anymore. I tried to yank at the chains once more, trying to loosen it at least enough to break free and grab at Mrs. Larson.
“Rrrrrrreeeeellllllaaaaax,” Mrs. Larson ordered as she began filling a syringe with some kind of clear liquid from a small bottle, “yoooouuuuuu woooooonnnn’t eeeeeveeennn fffffeeeellll iiiiiiit, thiiiissssss wiiiiiillllll puuuuuut youuuuu toooo ssssssllllllleeeeeep aaaaaannnnnnd wheeeeeennnnnn youuuuuu waaaaaake uuuuuuuup, youuuuuuu’lllllll beeee iiiiiinnnnnn heeeeeaaaaaaveeeennnnn… Uuuuuunnnnnnnllllllessssss youuuuuuu weeeerrrrrrre aaaaaa haaaaaarrrrrlllllooooooot, iiiiiiinnnnnn whiiiiiiiich caaaaaassssssseeeee, mmmmmaaaayyyy Goooooood haaaaaaaave mmmmmmmmerrrrrrrcccccyyyyy ooooonnnnn youuuuuur ssssssoooouuuuullllll… Aaaaannnnnd baaaaaaasssssed ooooonnnn hoooooow youuuuuu drrrrressss aaaaannnnnd theeeee coooommmmpaaaannnnyyyy youuuuuu keeeeeep,” She added as she eyed me, “IIIIIII ssssssaaaaaayyyy youuuuu haaaaaave aaaaa lllllloooooot ooooooffff fooooooorrrrgiiiiiviiiiinnnnng tooooo dooooo.”
Kate continued to cry as Mrs. Larson pushed the needle of the syringe into her arm, pushing down on the plunger as it pierced the flesh. Kate’s loud screams soon turned quieter and her red eyes began to glaze over, but she continued to stay awake, tightening her grip on the table and still begging to be let go.
“IIIIII waaaaannnnt youuuuu toooo waaaaatch, Detective,” Mrs. Larson spat out my title in Mr. Blackwell’s voice, “IIIII waaaaannnnnt youuuuu toooo waaaaatch herrrrrr fffffaaaaaade aaaaaannnnnnd mmmmmeeeee rrrrreeeemmmmooooove heerr heeeaaaarrrrrt toooooo ffffffeeeeeed tooooo mmmmmmyyyyyy ssssssiiiiiiiissssssterrrrrr,” she then pulled out a recorder, “theeeeennnnnn wheeeeeennnnn IIIIIII ssssssuuuuummmmoooooonnnnn herrrrrrr aaannnnd sheeeee fffffiiiinnnniiiishessssss oooooofffffff heeeerrrrr heeeaaaaarrrrrt, youuuuuuu’llllllll beeeeee neeeeeext.”
“Fuck you,” I snarled, “I hope you and your sister burn.”
“IIIIIIIII’mmmmm gooooonnnnnaaaaa gooooo aaaaallllllerrrrrrt mmmmmyyyyy ssssssiiiiiiissssterrrrrr,” Mrs. Larson turned and began making her way to the basement steps, “ssssseeee youuuuu boooooth ffffffoooooorrrr diiiiiinnnnnnerrrrrrr.”
She then pressed the play button on her recorder and a small, little girl’s voice echoed in the room before Mrs. Larson vanished up the steps.
“I’m here… I’m here… I’m here…”
Then the door slammed shut.
“De… Tec… Tive…” Kate squeaked out, her breathing slowing.
“Stay awake, Blackwell,” I ordered her gently, looking around frantically for anything to get us both out of this alive, “I’ll get us out of this, I promise, just stay awake, we’ll get out of here, I just need-“
“I’m… S… Sorry…” she breathed out. “I’m… So… Sorry… For… Get… Getting… You… In… To.. This…”
“No, no, this is not your fault!” I assured her. “That psychotic bitch got us both into this shit and I won’t stop until I get us out and put her and her fucking sister are six feet under!”
“W…Wha… What… H… Hap… Happened… To… To L… Liam…?”
I stopped struggling with the chains and turned to look to Kate. Her head was turned to me, her face wet, hands clenching as hard as they could to the table beneath her, the light in her eyes slowly fading second by second. She was trying desperately to stay awake. The medication Mrs. Larson taking hold of her as the minutes ticked by.
I dropped the chains that were in my hands, looking away from her, wanting to stare at anything other than another person I had failed.
“He was killed,” I answered, “we were fishing at a lake nearby… Lake Gaagige… We got into a really stupid ass fucking fight about how which fishing pole we were going to use. I wanted to use our dad’s, but Liam was older and said only men could use dad’s fishing pole… I told him… To drop dead and stormed off… When I got home, my parents dragged me back to the lake and scolded me for leaving him…” I trailed off, swallowing all the tears and screams I’d bottled up since that day. “When… We found… Him… The autopsy… Said he was mauled by a bear… I’ve blamed myself for leaving him there alone… For letting him die and getting killed like that… The last thing I ever told him was to drop dead… I was a shitty brother and now I’m a shitty detective…”
“Is… Is he… Why… You became… A… Detective…?”
I took a deep breath and swallowed the tears again. “No, Blackwell,” I answered, “he’s not why I became a detective… I already knew what had killed him… It was my fault… If I hadn’t been such a brat and stormed off… He might still be alive… And now… What that bitch said…” I replayed Liam’s screams that escaped Mrs. Larson’s mouth. “I’m starting to think I’m getting what I deserve. Karma’s back to kick my ass…”
“H… How… Old…?”
“I was six… Liam was eight…”
“N… N… Not your… F… Fault…”
I turned to look to Kate, her eyes on mine, however faded.
“Y… You were… Only… A k… Kid…”
I took another intake of what little air there was down in that basement. I had spent years trying to convince myself of the same thing, but those moments never got easier for me when those thoughts returned.
“I think you’re just being nice,” I laughed painfully, “but I’m afraid I- and my folks- don’t share the same sentiment.”
I was staring down at where the chains were coming from in the ground, Kate not saying a word for over a couple of minutes. I spun to see if she had fallen asleep and immediately tried to find out how to wake her up again. However, once I our eyes met, I saw that she was still fighting sleep, the last of her tears rolling down across the bridge of her nose and into her hair.
“I… I… I had… Had a c… Crush… O… On… J… Jasper…” she confessed, her voice getting quieter and higher. “P… Paul and… And Son… Sonja knew… I never… Never c… Cared f… For Luke… But I’m… Sure… S… Sonja t… Told him…” she looked like she was going to sob again. “I… I never g… Got the… Ch… Chance… T… To tell J… Jasper… I… Was… Scared… He… He and… P… Paul were friends… And I… I kn… Knew… How P… Paul f… Felt… A… About m… Me… I… I did… Didn’t wa… Want to… R… Ruin… Anyth… Anything…” She took a gulp of air. “I… I ha… Hated L… Luke… I… A… Always… Kn… Knew… He… He was a… Player… B… But Sonja… Said… Said she was hap… Happy… So… So I did… Didn’t wa… Want to g… Get in… H… Her way… B… But Luke d… Didn’t l… Like h… How cl… Close… We… Were… I d… Didn’t w… Want him to make… Make her th… Think I… I was l… Leading her o… On… T… To get them… To b… Break up… Th… Then… That n… Night… Sh… She w… Wanted to… To leave…” She let out two pained gasps of breath. “I… I let them down… I let them all down… Luke pro… Probably thought… Thought I w… Was the one who… Who f… Filled Sonja’s mind… With thoughts of… Of him ch… Cheating… Th… Then I… I got them… All killed…
I… I didn’t deserve them, d… Detective…” she went on, looking away from me to stare up at the water damaged ceiling, “I… I… I was a… Terrible… Terrible friend…”
“Did you read their guest book entries?” I asked.
“N… No… D… Didn’t w… Want to… To r… Read any… Anything p… Private…” Kate answered.
“Jasper didn’t blame you,” I assured her, remembering what he had written in his entry during his time watching Mrs. Larson just outside the cabin, “even when he heard the voices- when he heard Mrs. Larson- telling him to, he didn’t. I don’t think the others blamed you either. You didn’t do anything wrong, Ms. Blackwell, there’s no way you could have known any of this would happen.”
“K… Kate…”
“What?”
“C… Call… Call me… Kate…”
“Aright, Kate,” I let out what little laughter I had left inside me, “so long as we’re the last people we’ll be chatting with, call me Ryan.”
“R… Ryan…”
“If we at all live through this, I’m going to need a long vacation after this,” I said as I turned to look at my shackles again, looking around myself to try finding anything to Get free since a vacation sounded like something to die for at that moment, “do you know any good vacation spots I can book for the fall?”
“Y… You’re… You’re a… Dick…” Kate struggled to laugh.
“I also enjoy pineapple on pizza,” I winked as I reached down to my ankle, ready to break it just to taste that sweet combination of tomato sauce and fruit.
“G… God… I… I c… Can’t… Believe… I th… Thought y… You w… Were c… Cute…”
I sat down on the floor, grabbing my ankle with both my hands. Needing to hype myself up enough to do what I was going to do, I began removing my shoe and sock from the foot, rubbing and squeezing my way up and down the ankle to my toes. I had never broken a bone in my life before this and I definitely never thought I’d do it of my own volition, but this was a desperate time and it definitely called for desperate…
“Wait what?” I turned to look to Kate, finally registering what she had said.
However, just before I could be sure of what I heard, the sound of a hunting rifle going off just above our heads right before we heard the door to the basement swing open and immediately be slammed shut. Both Kate and I turned to see someone stumble down the wooden steps, his clothes torn and body scratched and cut to a nearly deadly degree. I was even shocked he was still breathing.
“M… Mr… R… Raines…?” Kate gasped out.
“What’s left of me at least,” Mr. Raines grumbled as he limped over to Kate and quickly began undoing her straps to the table, “damn thing almost ripped my head off, but one swing of the barrel to its eye and I was able to get away… Can’t say it didn’t do its damage though… I’m… Getting really fucking hungry…”
He shook his head violently before limping over to me. He then raised an eyebrow at me when he saw how I was positioned still on the floor with a bare foot in my hands shackled to the floor.
“I… I was… I… I thought you were-“ I stammered.
“I am,” Mr. Raines interrupted, “at least, I’m on my way there anyway.” He then retrieved my Glock from his back pocket. “I don’t know what that thing did to me, but I’m not gonna make it out of this alive, or the way I came in. It’s a massacre out there by the way. Lot of men in blue bodies out there… Very… Hard to ignore… Sure more will be on their way. So.”
With that, Mr. Raines pointed at my chains and pulled the trigger on my clock, barely giving me time to cover my ears as the sound rung out loudly in the basement. I shook my head, trying to undo the blurry and ringing side effects of the sound of a gun going off near your head. I gave the older man a glare before standing and snatching my Glock from his hands. That’s when I saw Kate shifting herself to the side of the metal table she was no longer tied to, trying to get her limbs to comply with her to help her off and on to the floor.
I ran over and grabbed her just as she nearly stumbled face first to the floor and lifted her up to her feet, her body heavy with lack of keeping herself up.
“Do you think you can walk?” I asked, trying to keep her on her feet.
“I… I don’t… I…” Kate stammered as she tried to push herself off of me while also using using me as a crutch until she could stand on her own. However, she didn’t seem to be able to put any kind of pressure on her legs without falling down.
“Kate?” A girl’s voice called out from above us.
Feeling Kate shudder, I realized that it must have been the sound of Sonja’s voice and Mrs. Larson was using her to keep Kate from running. I quickly swung my arm down behind her knees, pressing the other down on her back as I lifted her up off the floor, my Glock at the ready as I kept it pointed in front of me while my arm held up Kate’s knees.
“She must have heard the gunshots,” I pointed out, “how’d you get past her in the first place?”
“I set the other cabins on fire,” Mr. Raines answered as if it were the simplest of answers, “I had to distract her somehow and give those bodies she’d been eating a better fate than becoming her shit.”
“Are you planning on setting this place on fire too?” I asked.
“‘Course I am!” Mr. Raines exclaimed, seemingly offended I’d even ask. “I already doused it in gasoline, I ain’t wasting all that time!”
“Kate!” Sonja’s voice cried out, getting closer to the basement door. “Are you seriously leaving me here to die alone again!”
“Please… Make it… Stop…” Kate sniffed as she gripped my shirt and burying her face into the fabric.
“Let’s get you two out of here.” Mr. Raines began leading the way to the basement stairs, cocking his rifle as he did so.
“What about you?” I asked, immediately following after him.
Mr. Raines didn’t answer as he stomped up the stairs and kicked the door open to the first floor of the cabin. The stench of the gasoline he had spilled hitting me harshly in my face.
“Kate!” Sonja’s voice, along with a different crescendo of male voices shrieked out as Mrs. Larson appeared from the corner of the hallway where the basement was located.
“Leighton?” A different woman’s voice asked the moment the old woman’s eyes spotted Mr. Raines. I then watched in both shock and confusion as it almost looked like the very skin on the woman melted off to reveal a much younger woman. The woman I recognized as Bonnie Collins. “Leighton… Love is that you?”
Mr. Raines kept his rifle on the vision of the woman he once loved before her murder, but didn’t move or speak.
“Darling, I’ve missed you so much!” The fake Bonnie cried out as she began making her way to Mr. Raines with arms open wide to hug him.
Mr. Raines then lifted his gun up higher, placing his finger on the trigger which caused the vision to stop in her place.
“Leighton?” The fake Bonnie asked. “Baby, it’s me… Bun-Bun… Don’t you recognize me…?” She began to tear up.
“You’re not my Bunny,” Mr. Raines growled before he shot once at the woman.
The fake Bonnie swiftly dodged the bullet, an inhuman hiss coming from an unhinged mouth, revealing a row of long, sharp teeth. The skin of Bonnie then melted off to reveal another woman, a lot younger than the first one it intimidated. The face of one of the victims upon being brought on this case.
“Kate,” the fake Sonja called out, “Kate, what are you doing? Who are these men? Why are they trying to hurt me?”
Kate let out a sobbing gasp, her nails digging into my shoulder with her arm wrapped around my neck.
“Didn’t I suffer enough?” The fake Sonja asked. “First my boyfriend and now you? Why don’t you want to be with me anymore?”
“Shut up!” Kate demanded. “You’re not Sonja! You killed her, you killed all of them! I don’t care what happens to me, but I’m not letting their memories end with you!”
Kate then snatched my Glock from my hand under her legs and shot directly at the fake Sonja’s head. Again the shot missed as the fake vision of the girl slithered out of the way, a frustrated growl of a dog and human escaping it’s mouth. It then zipped to the side, cowering with its back to us on the floor.
“Lucky dime…” A child’s voice then took over. The vision’s skin melting now to a much smaller figure. “Is this what you want? To kill me all over again?” He turned to look up at me, Liam’s face forever eight-years-old staring up at me. “It’s no wonder mommy and daddy hate you now… You were always a shitty brother… Now, I’m gonna starve to death because you’d rather help a couple of strangers.”
“I’m sorry, Liam,” I replied, everyone, including the fake Liam looking to me in surprise, “I left you alone out here and that’s what got you killed by that thing out there and I’m sorry. But, if I’d stayed it may have been both of us and then mom and dad would have no one left to blame but each other. If you had left and I was the one killed, you’d probably be in my shoes instead. I’m sorry for letting you get killed, but I’m gonna make up for it now.”
I then took my Glock back from Kate and pointed it to the vision of Liam.
“Good bye, Liam.”
I shot the gun once again, missing the creature again, however, this time I just kept shooting, Mr. Raines following after. Our different bullets just kept firing, the thing dodging and trying to get closer to us. The creature screeched out at us in a myriad of different voices both familiar and unknown. It wasn’t until one shot from my Glock struck the creatures shoulder and Mr. Raines’ rifle struck its head when the skins of everyone it was trying to turn into all melted off, revealing Mrs. Larson once again.
However, this time, she looked shriveled, older than she looked before. Her face looked deformed, beginning to grow furry, her eyes growing nothing but red, no irises, no pupils, just red. Her hair grew longer, branches like antlers growing painfully out from her skull, breaking the skin as they grew larger. The lower half of her face grew elongated, turning into that of a muzzle of fangs and a drooling mouth.
“You… All… Have no rrrrrrriiiiiight!” A different, unknown voice snarled out from what used to be Mrs. Larson. “People liiiiiike you all… Abandoned me and myyyyyyyyy sister!” The fur growing around this thing grew out short and shaggy, the cloths it was using melting off with the skin and flesh it was wearing. It now didn’t look anything like a human woman. It now took the form of a large wolf mixed with that of a deer, it’s body dog-like with hooves, antlers, and a long, scraggly tail. “You lot abandoned us here! You left us all here to diiiiiiiie!”
Guilt was weighing down on me with each syllable it was growling. Kate looked away from it, burying her face in my neck as Mr. Raines lowered his rifle.
“Nooooow, you’re bringing more here to just leave and let die out here!” It went on, it’s horrifying, broken body shuddering. “Why let them just vanish and die up here when they can bring people like my sister and I back? Give me Kate’s heart and fix what you threeeeeeeeee failed!”
Mr. Raines then handed over his rifle to Kate, placing it down on her stomach as her hands were still wrapped around my neck. The older man made his way over to stand over the thing, its neck creaking like a rusted door as it turned its wolf-like head to look up at him.
“Leighton…” Bonnie’s voice came from the creature. “Give mmmmeeeee her heart aaaannnnd we can be togetherrrrr again… If you eat the deeeeeetective’s we can saaaaaave you tooooooo…”
“My Bunny’s dead,” Mr. Raines told it as he dug in his pocket and took out a carton of matches, “and so am I.”
“You’d burn your wife?” A mix of Bonnie and Mrs. Larson’s voices shrieked as it glared at the match he took from the match box.
“You’re not my wife,” Mr. Raines told it, “and I’ll never see her again.”
“Fooooooool,” Mr. Larson’s voice chuckled, “you’llllllll killllllll us both!”
“With the shit I’ve done in my life, I know you’re taking me to Hell with you,” Mr. Raines growled back as he struck the match on the box, “so I’m sure as fuck not afraid to burn here on Earth with you!”
Mr. Raines then dropped the match to the floor right before the creature and everything around the two of them immediately went up in flames, the fur of the creature catching quickly and engulfing it. An agonized shriek echoed out all around us, the creature thrashing in the fire it had gotten swallowed up in. Mr. Raines then grabbed it by it’s long, furry throat and swung it down back flat the floor, jumping to pin it down.
“Get out!” Mr. Raines cried out to me. “Leave here!”
Not needing to be told twice, I held onto Kate tightly and bolted past the two burning bodies, jumping over the fire as it began growing fast throughout the cabin. I quickly got to the front door and stopped to look back to see Mr. Raines fighting the creature and preventing it from coming after us, it begging for me to bring Kate back and that it would die without her.
“I’ll clear your name,” I called back, trying not to reel back in horror as I saw Mr. Raines skin begin to melt off, “I’ll let people know you didn’t kill Bonnie!”
“I’ll let people know you didn’t… Kill… Liam!” Mr. Raines’ voice called back, him thrashing around with Mrs. Larson as he said my brother’s name in my voice.
I turned back and kicked the front door open, rushing Kate out of the burning cabin. I ran until I got far enough from the smoke, turning back to see all three cabins now on fire, the area around them all ablaze. The only place untouched was Mrs. Larson’s house, all the evidence remaining. I could hear sirens in the distance coming closer. The sounds of shouts from the surviving officers sounding much closer.
“I’m here… I’m here… I’m here…”
I looked to the front porch of Mrs. Larson’s house where her recorder continued to call out for her sister. I set Kate down at the base of a nearby tree and ran to snatch the recorder, shutting it off. I searched around, looking for any signs of Prudence, but it appeared that the fire and the sounds of sirens and voices had scared her off. I ran back to Kate, her eyes closed and her not responding to me calling to her, but after checking her pulse and breathing, I found that the medication Mrs. Larson had given her had finally taken over and she was now fast asleep, the rifle Mr. Raines gave her still sitting on her rhythmically rising and falling stomach.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I leaned against the same tree I set Kate down on and slid down to the ground next to her. The first two cabins were already practically nothing but ash, the last still blazing as I heard the slowly fading screams of Mrs. Larson and Mr. Raines coming from inside.
When the screaming ended all together, the smoke turning blacker as it rose from the flames, I got to my feet and took out my pack of cigarettes as I approached the fires, staying far enough away not to get burned. I opened the pack up before stopping myself as I reached for one of the ten remaining cigarettes inside. I then flung the entire carton into the fires without taking one.
“Save one for me down there, you old bastard,” I told Mr. Raines before making my way back to Kate’s side.
It wasn’t long before the remaining officers found us, looking in confusion at the fires and to me with a sleeping victim in a homicide case on the ground. I told them we’d need to call an ambulance for Kate and that we needed to keep the flames from getting to Mrs. Larson’s house as it held evidence on the case. One officer retrieved his radio and called for an ambulance while a group ran to the house and another went to try controlling the fire as best they could by yanking out any bushes near by and throwing them away from the area around the house.
Luckily, the fire trucks were called long before the fire spread too far, residence noticing it practically the moment Mr. Raines set the first cabin on fire.
As I sat there, keeping Kate held up against the tree we sat under, I listened to the crackling of the fire, the sirens of fast approaching fire trucks and the ambulance, and the sounds of distance, coyote, almost human, howling.
Part 8

I’m very curious of how an interaction and the outcome would be if Joe would’ve met Patty Bladell from the Netflix series, “Insatiable” starring Debby Ryan. Patty Bladell is another popular protagonist-villain even though she’s nowhere near as cold-hearted as Joe is. For those of yall who saw that show, yall remember what happened between Patty and her stalker ex boyfriend.