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hacked-by-jake · 2 years

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Reddit Interview with Everbyte

-> On the occasion of Duskwood’s third birthday, Everbyte and the moderators of the r/Duskwood Reddit community came up with the idea of making an interview as a special.

I thought it would be nice to share the interview here for those who don’t have and use Reddit. However, if you have a profile there, make sure you go to the post and like and maybe leave a comment as a thank you for the effort.

Again: I have no rights to the interview and I just share it, all credits go to the Reddit moderators and Everbyte!

-> Here is the link again!

And now, let's go!

Who is Everbyte? How did you meet? Where did everything start? Introduce yourself!

Hello reddit! We’re Vanessa, Jan & Kevin better known as Everbyte. We first met at university where we studied media informatics. In 2016, we started to release games on Google Play and the iOS App Store. Most of them were kind of experimental and none of them has been successful. However, we’ve learned a lot with every project and kept improving. Then, Duskwood happened. Since the release of Episode 1, we didn’t do anything but workon Duskwood, for two and a half years straight.

What would you say were your main influences (be it video games, books, movies…) for making Duskwood?

We’re living in a small town surrounded by dense forest… sounds familiar, right? It is a two minute walk from our office to the edge of the Blackforest - which basically looks like a fantasy movie. This obviously inspired and influenced Duskwood a lot. Another influence worth mentioning is various works by Stephen King. Vanessa, our author, is a big fan.

Where does the idea of the legend come from? Did it maybe sprout from a real legend in your (home)town?

When Vanessa was a child, she was often told stories by her grandmother. These stories were passed down from generation to generation and were often scary or even cruel. Not the best bedtime material for kids, but Vanessa and her granny loved them. The legend in Duskwood is made up and is not based on facts … or is it?

Were characters based on anyone you know?

No, not directly. However, we would enjoy hanging out with them and hoped that others would enjoy their company as well.

Did you ever think you would end up casting your family, at the start of development?

We had absolutely no budget at all. So hiring professional actors was no option, but we were convinced we needed real people for Duskwood. We ended up making a list of friends and family members that we could see in each role and started calling them one by one. Luckily everyone agreed. We think they did very well!

What character do you resemble the most?

We sit in front of our PCs as much as Jake does. We enjoy good food as much as Cleo. We (try to) crack jokes like Richy. We sometimes cross a line in order to achieve our goals just like Lilly does … it depends on the situation.

Did you have any experience in film-making, directing and editing before Duskwood?

We studied media informatics, so this kind of stuff wasn’t completely new to us. However, having heard of things in theory and doing them is quite a big difference. The production quality has gone up a lot since episode 1, as we learned on our way up to episode 10.

How complex was it recording media in two languages?

Not complex at all - at least not for us. Our actors however are not used to speak English in daily life so they struggled quite a bit. We’re happy our players are a bit forgiving in this area.

Can you tell us roughly how many people were involved in helping with the development throughout the process, in addition to you three?

We usually cover the whole development process on our own. This goes from writing, programming, video- and audio editing, graphic design to support emails. We still do everything ourselves. An exception was the ending scene of episode 10 where we worked with a film crew of 8 additional people as the sets were quite complex.

What was the most challenging thing you faced during development?

This is hard to answer as there is quite frequently something that sets a new standard. Game development is quite demanding as everyone in our small team has to fulfill many roles. Needless to say, you can’t be an expert in every field, so usually one big challenge is followed by another.

What really takes it out on us are problems that occur during the release of a new episode. On release day of a new episode, it is almost guaranteed that problems arise, whether it is a bug in the game or something server-related. The fact that there is hundred thousands of people looking forward to this particular moment and are now unable to play (or worse) hits us different. These problems need to be solved asap under heavy pressure. These days always leave marks.

What is something about the game you are most proud of?

If we need to nail it down to one thing, it is the community. We’re blown away by how many people gather online and share their theories, thoughts, drawings, songs, memes, fan fiction, love letters, … you name it. We’re especially proud of how cohesive and supportive the community is.

What made you realize that Duskwood was taking off?

At first we started to see unusual increases in downloads, followed by many more emails than usual. Players started to send in suggestions and wishes, or simply messages to let us know how much they enjoyed the game. Our social media channels (like instagram) blew up and we started to receive written letters and gifts from all around the world. It is very touching for us to see how many people enjoy Duskwood, which is a huge motivation for us. Thank you!

Were you expecting such a response and the creation of big communities around the game?

No. Never. Some of you might have read the post Vanessa did a while ago on her instagram (@hen_with_pen). We were very close to giving up on our dream of making games. No one cared for what we did, let alone supported our developments by purchasing something. We couldn’t pay our bills and it was very obvious that we couldn’t afford making games any longer. Duskwood was basically our last attempt. However, Duskwood players were different. They showed their support in many ways and encouraged us to continue. None of us expected this and we’re very thankful for that - as we already said, the community is what we’re most proud of. It’s beyond our wildest dreams and we’re still not 100% convinced this isn’t just a dream.

What was it like for you and for the actors to notice that you had so many fans all around the world?

We’ve not been able to travel a lot in our lives unfortunately. And even for people who do travel a lot, there are too many places to be able to visit them all. However, most places have at least one Duskwood player, which kind of connects all of us. The world has gotten a lot smaller - in a positive way.

Did you feel under pressure when you noticed that the game was getting more popular? Were you afraid of disappointing the fans, somehow? If so, did the pressure have a positive impact in the end?

Yes, the pressure was quite extreme and hard to handle, not only psychologically but also physically. We’ve worked for two and a half year straight without major vacation. This can be quite difficult, especially when creativity plays a big role.

With each episode, we tried something new in order to keep Duskwood interesting and pushing the boundaries of the genre. If you experiment in such a way, there is always a chance to fail and disappoint. But it is a necessary risk to take if you want to surprise even the most hardened detectives ;)

Do you remember reading theories that came extremely close to your story? What was your reaction?

We love it when this happens! It is definitely more of a ‘proud moment’ than a ‘bummer moment’. It has always been important to us, for the story to be comprehensible. However, we would like to note that this can also apply to theories that are far from the truth. As a detective, you have to make hypotheses, and being wrong is part of it. Some of the wrong theories are so detailed and well thoughtout that they impress us just as much.

How do you feel now that the game is finished? Most of the community (on reddit, at least) has been in a weird grief-like state. Is it the same for you?

When Duskwood was finished, it really shook us up. It was a bit like losing a good friend. We felt empty. It really helped that we started working on our next game right away. The desire to fill this void helped us to nail the important things, like feelings, atmosphere etc., especially in the early conceptual stages. We are very happy with the current progress, and the fact that it shares the same universe makes it already feel like home. We know everyone is on the edge of their seats and ready to play, but good games need time - there is no shortcut. We want to develop a successor that everyone agrees can follow in Duskwood's footsteps.

#everbyte interview #duskwood birthday #duskwood #everbyte studio #duskwood game #duskwood everbyte #everbyte duskwood #everbyte game

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yjano · 1 year

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Who I am now?

Part 19.

Pairing: Jake x Mc.

Genre: Angst, comedy, dark romance.

Warnings: Strong language, angst scenes. 18+ content can be found.

Words: 6.2k

Author's note: This story contains mature topics and is not fully related to the duskwood game. A different parallel with different personalities. Thank you everyone for following and liking this! lly.♡

•

Mc focus.

"Alright, what's your question for me?" Nymos muttered, driving one-handedly as his other hand used a balled-up paper towel to clean up any traces of coca cola on his skin.

"I don't have anything in mind, to be honest." I coughed, adjusting my shirt. "Um, do you have any photographs on you of you and Jake when you were kids? Like the ones in your home?"

"...I'm giving you the most perfect opportunity for you to find out more about my brother through me but you just wanna waste the opportunity by looking at our baby photos?" Nymos tutted, shaking his head in disapproval, but still reaching inside his jacket pocket for his mobile phone.

"Like, I can tell you so many things about bro that he'll never bother to share with you. Things like the first time he had sex with someone. Wasn't a great experience for him I'm guessing since he accidentally knocked her out, because she squeezed his bud too hard. He woke me up at 3 am in the fucking morning and made me drive him home because his dick hurt too much to do it himself." Nymos concluded, laughing and handing his unlocked phone to me. I took it with my eyes widening at his words.

I glanced down at his phone screen to see I was in his photo album app, staring at a grainy photograph of young Jake and Kaden grinning so hard at the camera.

"Swipe right for more." Nymos smiled. I did that as he said, giggling at the next photo which happened to be of either a ten-year-old Jake or Kaden glaring viciously at the camera whilst being kitted out in a black turtleneck, black skinny jeans, several pieces of chunky silver jewelry, and boots studded with little spikes. Additionally, the boy's eyes were heavily lined with black, and his face was powdered a ghostly shade of white. In the background, I noticed an infuriated elderly lady lifting a sandal in the air, seeming to be in mid-warrior cry.

Nymos, noticing me laughing especially hard at this photo, grinned widely.

"Bro tried going to school like that one day but our grandma saw and beat his vampire-looking ass, telling him she wasn't gonna drive him to the hospital if he got heatstroke."

I laughed harder in reply, swiping right with my thumb to find yet another low-quality photograph of both the twins in their final year at high school, dressed in muddied football wear and looking a lot more like how they look now. Tanned by the sun, muscular, dark hair tousled, and wearing grins that left me a tad bit breathless.

Fuck, I bet they were super popular in high school. I wanted to send this specific photograph to my phone so I could privately drool over them in their red and black colored football uniform. I suppressed the urge to do so and instead forced myself to swipe right.

"Oh my god, oh my god! What is this?"

"Hmm?" Nymos took a peek at the photograph and grinned widely.

"Oh, those are my old high school nudes," He hummed, amusement evident in his voice as he studied the image depicted on his mobile phone screen.

"Man, I was tiny back then. Don't worry, I swear I'm way bigger now."

"Why would I fucking worry about your dick size?" I choked out, hurriedly throwing his phone back as if the phone casing could potentially burn a rectangular-shaped mark onto my palm.

"Because you know, you might think Jake's tiny too. Because we're identical twins." Nymos shrugged, chuckling. "Don't wanna have Jake hunting me down later for spreading false information about his dick size."

"Kaden, please stop talking."

"So it's your turn to ask a question now, screaming baby."

We've been playing twenty questions for quite a while now, probably passing the limit of twenty long ago.

I thought for a second, chewing contemplatively on my straw before glancing at Nymos.

"Why...Why did you believe Ikari instead of Lex and Jake?" I asked, almost kicking myself for my incapable brain-to-mouth filter because as soon as those words spilled out from my lips. I found myself wanting to swallow back a very single word.

But what happened? There was nothing I could do to redraw the flinch that Nymos reacted with.

"Damn, we're going for the big questions now, huh?" He coughed, and the hand that was not on the steering wheel reached upwards to cup the back of his neck as he laughed awkwardly. I thought that he might have a habit of touching his neck whenever he felt uncomfortable.

I cleared my throat now, looking down at the half-empty contents of my can of coke that I stirred silently with my straw.

"Um, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to," I mumbled, feeling like I crossed the line with my question.

"No, I'll tell you. It's just a question that people surprisingly haven't bothered to ask me," He replied quietly.

-a year and a half ago-

Nymos focus.

"Try not to hate me too much for making Lex work overtime on your birthday," Black shadow called over his shoulder as he walked away with a grin forming on his face when he heard me groan behind him.

"It's hard not to, fucker!" I yelled after him, watching the black shadow languidly draping his winter coat over his shoulders.

"But thanks for coming, bro." I grinned, lazily wiping the messily smeared buttercream icing off my cheek.

"We appreciate it."

"Of course, I'll come. You guys are family." He chuckled, walking towards the front door whilst reaching into the pockets of his coat in search of his lighter and the hand-sized box of cigarettes.

I was about to reply warmly back to my friend's statement when I was suddenly interrupted by someone flinging their entire, full weight into my side, throwing their heavy arms around me, and engulfing me whole in an overly tight bear hug.

My attention was immediately cast down on the mess in my arms.

"Kaden, your younger bro wishes you a happy birthday!" Jake exclaimed loudly against my neck as he clutched at my denim jacket. I almost instinctively wrapped my arms around my twin brother and laughed into his dark hair, responding with a muffled. "Happy birthday too, baby bro."

"No, happy birthday to you." Jake persisted in a croak before he started sniffling loudly and just as I had preconceived it, my baby brother broke down completely, sobbing and crying into my shoulder and weakly mumbling something along the lines of.

"Wish mom and dad were here to see us." And. "Fucking hell, aasshole, when did you get such a nice physique?"

Whilst Jake sobbed quietly and distractedly squeezed my left bicep, from his left, I heard Sam groans.

"Oh god, who the hell gave the sad drunk alcohol?"

"I'm not a sad drunk, asshole!" Jake protested tearfully, pulling away from me to glare at Sam through narrowed eyes before returning to my inviting arms and bawling like the sad drunk he is.

"Yeah, yeah, sure you aren't, dick." Sam smiled fondly, rolling his eyes when Jake mumbled a sequence of incomprehensible words directed at him. I, still laughing, comfortingly petted my baby brother's soft hair.

"Babe, come on, you're stifling Kaden." Ikari giggled, coming out from nowhere and resting her hand on Jake's back, patting him comfortingly.

The rather emotional Jake reluctantly shuffled away from me upon hearing Ikari's softly spoken words. But he doesn't let up at all on being a baby because the next thing he was doing, was crushing Ikari in a bear hug.

Making the startled, smaller girl stumble a few precarious steps backward as he tearfully choked out.

"I love you so so so much, Kari, you're the best."

Ikari, in reply, laughed softly, letting her emotional hulk of a boyfriend wrap his arms around her waist and draw her suffocatingly close to his chest.

"Love you." Jake hiccuped, "I love love love love you."

"Mm, I know you do," Is what she hummed to him as she reached up and soothingly ran her perfectly manicured fingers through Jake's tousled, jet-black locks. Glancing upwards, she met my warm eyes and she shivered under my gaze, smiling sweetly at me before mouthing.

"I'm gonna take him to the guest room and let him sleep it off. Is that okay?"

In response, I nodded and smiled gratefully at my baby brother's girlfriend before shifting my attention back onto a disgruntled Sam.

"There's something off about her today," Sam muttered, folding his arms over his chest as he followed Ikari's back with narrowed eyes.

"I mean, there's usually something off about her but today it's maximized a hundred times," Sam explained, flickering his calculative brown eyes onto me. "Hm, just be careful, Nym."

"Bro, you make it seem like she's a witch out to get me specifically." I laughed, shaking my head with disbelief.

"She is one," Sam muttered under his breath.

"Sam, Ikari's not gonna grow warts and green skin overnight and attack me in my sleep, okay? I think that is near impossible so stop worrying. She's a good person come on, you know that, you've seen her with Jake-she loves him with all her heart." I grinned, feeling happy about my baby brother's relationship.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Sam dismissed, relaxing his stance and shooting me a small smile. "Happy birthday, sexy, you've grown well."

"You've grown well and sexy? What the hell does that mean? Are you a simp for me? Lex's going to leak your nudes to the government if she finds out, and Asher is going to get jealous." I laughed, raising an eyebrow at Sam. He just simply smiled knowingly at me before glancing over his shoulder and calling his friend's name. Asher was currently strewn across my and Lex's couch, chugging down the celebratory vodka he had bought for me and Jake as a gift.

"Ash, for god's sake, quit drinking already. I don't wanna have to spend all night holding back your bangs whilst you throw up," Sam groaned out loud as he walked away from me and towards Asher who giggled at Sam, not-so-discreetly tucking the bottle of alcohol behind his back and chugging some more.

I tore my attention off the 'couple' when a small "ding!" emanated from the phone in my palm, indicating that I'd got a notification. Glancing down at my phone, I smiled at the instant heartwarming message sent to me by Lex.

Baby L.

I might've missed out on your birthday party but I'm determined! To! Finish! Hacking this godamn database within an hour so we can celebrate your birthday a little before midnight comes. ;) Save me some birthday cake and alcohol if the dickwhores haven't downed it already!

Baby L.

So see you in an hour! I love you, my dumb idiot. <3

Baby L.

Oh and if Jake's still there at the apartment, tell him I said happy birthday and I love him lots and that his birthday gift's in the back of our wardrobe!

I pocketed my phone, smiling at my petite girlfriend's message. I was still smiling to myself like an idiot when I waved goodbye to an annoyed Sam and his bumbling drunk of a friend or boyfriend, we will never know. I was still smiling when I locked the door after them and moved to my hideously untidy kitchenette, fumbling around with the now-empty takeaway boxes of greasy pizza and the stray, half-melted candles decorating the kitchen countertops.

"Hey, there."

I glanced upwards at the sound of Ikari's greeting, offering her a small smile.

"Is Jake asleep?"

"Mhm," She reassured, "He's off to dreamland and snoring the entire way."

"Yeah?" I chuckled, heading towards the kitchen's bin and dumping the pizza boxes by its side, setting it as a reminder for me to take the trash out tomorrow morning. Remembering her presence I glanced back up at her.

"Oh hey, if you're tired, feel free to stay the night here with Jake. There's no need for you to make the journey back to yours so late at night."

"Thanks." Ikari grinned.

"No worries."

"Oh, and, Kaden, honey? You're not meant to clean up on your birthday," She hummed disapprovingly, shaking her head as she fully walked into the kitchenette's small space, her cream-colored heels click-clacked against the tiled marble floor.

"It's the unwritten rule." She laughingly announced as she strode over to the steel beast of a refrigerator, opening the appliance up and procuring more of Asher's celebratory iced vodka. Her neatly painted, red fingernails encompassed the glass neck of the bottle, its hand waving the said item tauntingly at me.

"I don't think that rule applies to the boyfriend of my beautiful baby Lex," I chuckled to myself, rolling up the sleeves of my thrasher hoodie and dutifully resuming my self-assigned task of cleaning the kitchen.

"Better to clean this all up than have my baby whining my ear off tomorrow."

"Oh, I'm sure Lex could let this pass," Ikari assured, walking towards the kitchen island where I was situated and she leaned against the polished counter.

"Come on birthday boy, I haven't seen you drink at all during the party." Ikari coaxed. Softly, settling the bottle of vodka down on the countertop with a pleasant 'clink'.

In reply, I raised a dark eyebrow at her persistency-to which she fluttered her eyelashes in response, smiling innocently.

"I really shouldn't-"

"Have one sip as least."

I rolled my eyes playfully.

"Just one sip?"

"Just one sip." Ikari agreed, handing me the bottle of alcohol for me to pop open. I did it with a soft sigh before lifting the opened bottle to my lips, tipping my head back, and swallowing more iced alcohol than just a mere sip.

"Thanks, Ari, but I think I should finish up on-"

"Come on, Kaden," Ikari drawled, gazing at me through her lashes, "Don't make me drink all this by myself."

-present-

"Next thing I know I'm in the hospital for alcohol poisoning and my friends and family fucking hate me." I sighed, almost tiredly. I glanced at Mc, "Screaming baby, I never intended to drink that much, and I never intended to do anything with Ikari. That night, I had no fucking clue what I was doing, I wasn't moving off my own accord. The selfish bitch just kept pouring alcohol down my throat until I was so fucked I could barely think."

"For fucks sake, I didn't even realize, she had drugged me and manipulated me into her selfish game. I broke my brother's and Lex's hearts. But the worst thing is she had recorded something when I was unconscious, and she pretended that I was harassing her. She told me everything when visited me in the hospital and told me she'll post the video online if I tell Lex and Jake the truth."

"God she's so fucking disgusting," Mc stated quietly. She looked up at me. "Why haven't you tried to talk with them still?"

"As soon as I was discharged from the hospital, I tried to meet up with Jake and explain what'd happened but he didn't let me speak, didn't even bother opening the door when I went around to his apartment. And then Black shadow who took Lex in didn't allow me to speak to her. All of our friends stopped talking to me after they found out what I 'did' with Ikari. I didn't have anyone apart from fucking Sam who kept staying over at mine. Yeah, he's the only one who knew the truth and kept it to himself when I begged him to. I was an idiot, I should've found a way to tell them. Now they're just hating me."

"You're not an idiot. You were alone and hurt. I knew you weren't the bad guy and Ikari was the bitch in your story."

I looked momentarily startled by her words. I wasn't expecting Mc to believe my words so easily let alone console me.

"And Kaden," Mc mumbled, gnawing on her lower lip, "You didn't give consent. So what Ikari did to you is sexual assault. You, you need to explain this to Jake and-"

Mc focus.

"I know what she did," Nymos mumbled and I noticed his blunt nails digging into the soft leather of the steering wheel as he spoke softly.

"But I'm not gonna file a complaint because it's kinda unfair, don't you think? Me getting her charged with sexual assault when I've done so much worse? Screaming baby, for god's sake, I once worked for a fucking human trafficking ring when I was eighteen."

Swallowing hard, I looked away from him at that, feeling so fucking angered, disgusted even, by what he just claimed. Looking plenty disgusted himself, Nymos continued speaking with his nails burrowing crescents into the leather of the steering wheel.

"And, I've already thought about explaining it to Jake or Lex but after really thinking it through. I've decided not to tell them because I despise nonconsensual sex, and I don't even remember what I told them that night, yeah. But in a way, I've still cheated on my baby bro and Lex. It's, it's just pointless now to explain my situation back then and try to win them back. It's been a year and I don't want to open the old wound I caused especially to Lex."

I didn't reply to his words and Nymos made no effort in trying to change my response from me. We both sat in the car in heavy silence and air too thick to breathe in without feeling suffocated.

Isa's passive-aggressive growls can't even mask the tension within the car as she was sleeping peacefully in her carrier.

"Do you, do you love her?" I asked quietly.

"Yes," Nymos replied firmly without a second thought.

"Then why aren't you still with her? Why are you not trying to win her back?" I asked simplistically, staring at his side profile as he was driving. "Win her back already and make amends with your friends."

"It's-" Nymos sighed, "It's not that easy, screaming baby."

"You make it sound like Lex is nothing to you anymore. But she's indeed your life support." I turned away, mumbling, "Maybe she's mad and hurt but I know that she loves you too, she even trusted you with her pup."

Nymos didn't say anything for a few seconds and again, I didn't press him for a response. I rested my head against the headrest of my seat and stared out of my window at the scenery flitting by until Nymos spoke up.

"... I know that she loves me. But I am bad for her." Nymos murmured, not looking at me but keeping his eyes on the road ahead. "That's why I keep my distance from her. I pretend to be playful and we end up having one-night stands and all. I'd rather suffer instead of hurt her."

Furrowing my brows, I swiveled my head to face Nymos.

"What?

He sighed.

"I'm not a good person, screaming baby. I'm a bad guy, and bad guys never get the good things they don't deserve it. It's practically a written rule that they should never get the girl, or in this case, Lex. They don't get good friends or a nice, easy life. I don't deserve to have Jake or Lex, I deserve nothing, of course, I try to stick by them but-. Do you..." He exhaled tiredly, "Do you get what I'm trying to say?"

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"That has got to be the most idiotic ideology I've ever heard in my entire life."

Nymos frowned at my strong words.

"Screaming baby, I-"

"Yeah, you're a bad guy. But so is Jake. He does bad things for a living, but that doesn't stop me from loving him, does it? Kaden," I exhaled, "Love has no bounds." I started almost fiercely. "Just because you're bad, it doesn't mean you can't love and be loved."

He didn't say anything in response.

The two of us were quiet after that. He was driving silently and I was resting my elbow on the ledge of the window, cupping my palm and staring past the glass. The radio was still on, playing so softly that it was not soon before it lulled me to sleep.

Nymos focus.

I noticed her head tilting forwards and jerking back suddenly with her bleary eyes blinking in bewilderment at her surroundings before closing once more.

"Screaming baby, if you wanna lie down, you can sleep in the back with the rabid bitch." I suggested.

"I'm okay," It was what Mc replied softly but made no movement to climb into the back. I quirked an eyebrow at this but let her doze off, not bothering to wake her up.

Five minutes later, whilst in traffic, I reached into the back for my denim jacket that lied across the seats and picked it up, balling the item into a makeshift pillow for Mc to use. Unbuckling my seat belt, I leaned over to cup Mc's cheek, lifting her head slightly to shuffle my denim jacket under before letting her go.

I smiled when I noticed Mc cozying up to my makeshift pillow. Drawing the seatbelt over myself, I turned away, still smiling.

"Thanks screaming baby. Thanks for believing me." I murmured.

Isa decided to wake up at that moment, immediately starting her bout of incessant growling. I rolled my eyes and replied to her.

"Oh, fuck off."

Mc focus.

I stirred in my sleep at loud laughter coming from my left, the sound of persistently loud chatter made me reluctantly open my eyes and blearily study my surroundings.

Isa yippee excitedly behind me, causing me to tear my gaze away from the denim jacket sitting on my lap as a crumpled mess, at Isa's little barks. I looked over my shoulder to see the small pup looking up at me expectantly, pink tongue lolling out of her mouth.

I was surprised, to say the least when she started whining, nudging at the latch of her pet carrier dejectedly-so dejectedly, it pulled at my heartstrings and I immediately found myself reaching for the latch. I stopped myself short though, remembering this morning when she looked like she wanted to dismember me.

Isa whined again making me feel conflicted.

"Please don't bite my fingers off." I finally said, sighing before reaching for the pet carrier with shaky hands, unlatching it slowly, and allowing the pup to gingerly nose the front open. Delighted, she barked in what presumed its joy. Cute.

"Hey," I peered to my right when I heard Nymos by the car door opening. I sleepily watched him slide into the driver's seat, a packet of strawberry laces in his hand which he soon proffered to me.

Still half-asleep, I took the packet and simply held it in my hand, yawning.

"Are we nearly at my angry bird place?" I murmured, finally looking out of the window to see that we were currently parked at a busy petrol station and the cacophony that had woken me up and the smell of petrol that I now wrinkled my nose at. I wasn't one of those people who liked the smell of petrol.

"Yeah, we'll be at his in around thirty minutes." He hummed nonchalantly.

I, suddenly awakened, swiveling my head around to face Nymos with my eyes widened and jaw slackened with surprise.

"What? Thirty minutes?"

"Yeah, it's-"

Isa barked at Nymos. He glanced at the pup through the rearview mirror and immediately sharply inhaled at the sight of her proudly parading around atop the backseats of his car.

"Who the hell let the rabid bitch out?"

"I did," I muttered, distracted with tearing open my packet of strawberry laces, "She looked sad."

"Oh god, oh god, don't make eye contact with her," Nymos told to himself, "Don't make eye contact. Making eye contact with her is like challenging her to pee all over the seats. Or worse she's gonna claw the leather upholstery apart-"

"She seems sorta sweet," I said, chewing on a strawberry lace. "Come here, isa," I said, setting my gifted confectionary down on my lap and reaching carefully for the elated ball of caramel-colored fluff that practically jumped into my arms.

Giggling, I pulled her close to my chest before turning around to beam at scared Nymos.

"Fuck, screaming baby. She turned you over to the dark side-"

I burrowed my cheek against her soft fur and rolled my eyes at his words.

"Oh, don't be dramatic, Kaden."

Isa glanced up then and Nymos could swear the puppy was smirking at him.

Thirty minutes passed by in a flash.

Panicked I scarf down my strawberry laces, hurriedly shoveling them into my mouth and only slightly choking on them. I dismissed the concerned expression Nymos was wearing on his face when he glances over at me.

I climbed haphazardly into the back, taking isa with me and settling in the back seats with her. Nymos frowned at me through the rearview mirror, wordlessly questioning my actions with furrowed brows.

Completely oblivious to his quizzical eyes on me. I set isa on the leather seat beside me and once she was comfortable, I moved quickly to work on my appearance. I re-tucked my white tee back under the waistband of my jeans, throwing it atop the striped sweater I'd taken off earlier when it got too stuffy in the car, and carefully retied the laces of my sneakers.

I felt a little shy though when I unzipped my backpack and draw out my small vanity bag-feeling a tad bit self-conscious about the possibility of Nymos playfully teasing me for trying to look my best for Jake. But all Nymos said when I applied my moisturizing face cream was.

"Damn, that smells like fucking roses."

I smiled at his words.

Satisfied with my efforts, I climbed back into the passenger seat, not bothering to take isa this time as she was too busy gnawing away at one of the seatbelts much to Nymos' chagrin.

I draw my seatbelt over my chest, settling against the leather upholstery and sigh softly as my lidded eyes study the slow sunset taking place outside, the grey winter sky now consumed with soft pinks and delicate purples that had me smiling subconsciously.

"Excited?" Nymos asked, smiling.

"Mhm. Nervous too."

"I'm excited too," Nymos grinned. "I don't have to deal with you and Jake moping around me anymore."

"Oh, shut up," I laughed. "I know you've enjoyed this."

"I have, I have." Nymos agreed, chuckling.

I started biting my nails distractedly, staring at the sunset absconding behind silhouetted skyscrapers that tower overhead, resembling large, black, ugly shapes. I swallowed nervously.

Nauseating nerves overwhelmed me, easily outweighed my excitement from before.

I feared I was going to throw up. There are two minutes left.

There is one-

"Alright, we're here."

"What?" I choked out, straightening up in my seat and watching Nymos unbuckle his seatbelt with a grin on his face.

Busy with overthinking the idea of Jake casting me away with a look of distaste and a new partner on his arm, I hadn't even realized Nymos had pulled up to a six-story apartment that exuded the amount of wealth invested into the building.

What was stunning about the apartment was its sleek, smoked glass that covered a good two-thirds of the entirety of the building, the glass easily reflecting the city's bright lights and creating a kaleidoscopic effect of a thousand differently colored lights playing on the glass.

"Oh fuck," I cursed, turning away to face Nymos who already had opened his car door, slipping out without a word to me.

Panicking, I hurriedly opened my door and stumbled out, swearing under my breath when I nearly tripped over my own feet.

"Fuck, fuck. Kaden, I can't do this." I breathed, locking eyes with Nymos over the roof of the car.

"Yes, you can, screaming baby," Nymos replied, leaving his car door slightly to check on isa.

"But, I- Wait! How do I punch someone?"

Nymos quirked an unimpressed eyebrow at me.

"Is this necessary to know right now?"

"I swear this is necessary." I quickly said, resulting in Nymos. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Make a fist like this- Not with your thumb tucked away, okay? Because, like I don't know? Some bad shit could happen to your thumb?" Nymos sighed sounding resigned.

"Screaming baby, you really shouldn't ask me this since I've dislocated my thumbs, fractured my hands, and bruised up my fingers way too many times to count."

I was oblivious to his warning and only focused on balling my hand into a fist like how he had demonstrated it. Nymos rolled his eyes at this.

"Alright. You practice, making a fist while I call up Jake and make sure he's at home."

"Wait, what?" I halted my ministrations, frowning at Nymos. "You drove us out here and you don't even know if he's at home??"

"He will be, he will be. Don't worry."

Jake focus.

I regretted not bringing my leather jacket with me to the convenience store opposite my apartment complex. Because now I was shivering in the winter weather, my nose and cheeks colored a soft red courtesy of the wind.

I sighed at my stupidity, lifting my lit cigarette to my mouth, inhaling the grey tendrils that creep down my throat and burn in its wake, at least now I had my cheap cigarettes to warm me.

Exhaling softly, I crossed the road, haphazardly. Ignoring the angered drivers I left behind, pressing their horns aggressively and spitting harsh insults in my direction. I didn't bother replying, just lifted my cigarette to my mouth and breathed in its dangerous fumes, continuing walking.

I was in one of those moods. One where you're oblivious not passive to almost everything. You just don't care about anything. I didn't care for the winter weather biting my fingertips numb. I didn't care for reporting that twelve-year-old kid who stole a packet of strawberry-flavored bubble gum. I didn't care what brand of cigarettes I wanted to smoke. I didn't care now for the crude words a middle-aged man threw at me from his cruddy-looking ford fiesta.

I continued walking, walking down the pavement towards my apartment complex, smoking my cigarette distracted. However soon I was broken away from the trance I seemed to have fallen into when my phone vibrated quietly in my pocket.

Taking my phone out of my pocket, I swiped a thumb over the damaged screen. Courtesy of when I was in one of those moods, angry, frustrated, and desperately needing an outlet to vent my rage into. I placed my phone against my ear, listening and smoking.

"Hey, bro? Are you at home right now?"

Nymos said at once, almost excitedly. Rolling my eyes at the realization that Nymos was calling me. I sighed, replying with.

"Why do you wanna know? Are you coming over again with another one of your shitty mixtapes?"

"Shitty? Excuse me, you fucking love that mixtape, and no. Unfortunately for you, I'm not here with another one of those mixtapes."

"Then why the fuck are you coming over?" I grunted, stepping into the private parking lot allocated beside my apartment complex, walking past parked cars, and smoking.

"Wow, I'm hurt. Can I not visit my favorite brother without an ulterior motive?"

"First of all, you only have one brother, fuckass."

"And that's you! What a lucky boy."

"Kaden, I'm not in the mood to deal with you today so-"

"But I brought you something!"

"If it's not food, you're not coming in."

"Well... I guess you could consider it to be food."

"What the fuck does that mean?" I snorted.

"Because you could eat her between her le-Ow! What the fuck, screaming baby?"

I frowned, hearing indistinct, angry muttering over the phone but waited impatiently for Nymos to return to our conversation. Whilst waiting, I placed my cigarette between my lips, using my now free hand to run it through my tousled hair. Contemplating distractedly whether or not I should cut my overgrown mess of hair.

"Sorry, so sorry about that." Nymos wheezed, sounding ready to burst into a bout of laughter. I raised an unimpressed eyebrow despite him not being able to see me.

"Kaden, if you've seriously bought me a prostitute, I'm gonna-"

"Hahahaha, he thinks you're a prostitute-Ow! Fuck! Screaming baby quit it!" More angry muttering ensued, causing me to sigh. I was tired already of this conversation.

"Kaden, I'm hanging up."

"No, bro wait! I gotta- Hey, is that you?"

"Huh?" I frowned, glancing at my surroundings but I was utterly unable to identify if there was anyone around what with the weak, artificial light of the streetlamps limiting my sight to only my nearby surroundings.

"Shit, hold on." With that, Nymos hung up abruptly, without another word.

Furrowing my brow at the rather crude conversation I just had with my twin brother, I slid my phone back into my jeans pocket and with a sigh, I dropped my cigarette to the cemented ground below, purposefully crushing the cigarette to a stub underfoot.

I walked my way towards the entrance of my apartment, praying that there wasn't a- God save Nymos if more than one prostitute was warming my bed for tonight.

Shaking my head at the rather absurd thought, I was about to climb up the few steps leading up to the entrance of the building when someone timidly tapped me on the back, causing me to glance over my shoulder and- And abruptly get hit in the face by a fist.

Somewhere to the far left of me, I swore I could hear Nymos choke out an

"Oh, shit!"

Almost at once, pain pulsated throughout my nose, causing me to cry out, alarmed. Stumbling back and nearly tripping on the steps behind me, instinctively, my hands fly to my face, protectively cupping my nose, seething with both blinding pain and rage.

Who the hell dares to attack someone from behind? A coward, that's who.

My eyes blazed with fury, I looked upwards with pure anger thrumming through my veins, looking ready to swing my fist at my attacker when-

"Mc?" I breathed, with my eyes widening.

Mc fucking Estrada was standing a couple of steps before me with her tiny balled-up hands trembling by her sides, her shoulders were shaking with sobs she failed to suppress and her eyes were shiny with tears. That fell steadfastly down her cheeks, staining them. My breath instantaneously got caught in my throat.

"M-Mc? What-What the?" I choked out, all of sudden incapable of making eligible sentences for myself. Out of shock, my hands fell from my face, causing Mc tearfully wince at my now bloodied nose.

"Y-you! You were supposed to come back for me, you asshole!" Mc cried out, "Y-you were supposed to come back! I waited so many months for you!"

"Mc, fuck. Mc, I'm so- I'm so sorry." I breathed with tears prickling my eyes, "I'm so sorry for leaving you alone. I- fuck, I'm sorry. So sorry, baby."

Mc cried harder at my words, stumbling blindly towards me and reaching out for me. Her hands found purchase on my white tee and used her grasp on the soft cotton. Mc drew herself into my inviting arms. I wrapped my arms around her almost instinctively.

Now, I almost sobbed when I ducked my head slightly, burying my face in the junction of Mc's shoulder and inhaling vanilla and freshly washed cotton sheets. A scent I've missed sorely over these past few months.

"Fuck, baby. I missed you so much." I croaked out with tears falling freely from my eyes.

"I missed you too, angry bird."

I can't tell if I was laughing or crying at her words but I pulled away from her neck a little reluctantly though and lifted a hand to Mc's cheek. Cradling my face when I caught her tears with my thumb.

"Sorry for punching you on the nose." Mc breathed out shakily, her eyes flickered downwards with evident embarrassment on her face.

I chuckled softly in reply, tilting Mc's chin upwards so I could meet her gaze.

"It's okay, baby. I deserved it."

"Hmm," Mc nestled her head against my neck, finding relief in my touch and the slight warmth I emanated. I murmured something softly in her ear and noticed in the corner of my eye, Nymos leaning against the side of his car with arms folded over his chest and smiling at the two fondly.

I had caught his eye and mouthed a "Thank you. Thank you so much." To him. He simply chuckled to himself, shaking his head slightly when Mc started crying again.

#duskwood #duskwood jake #duskwood mc #jake x mc #mc and jake #duskwood family #duskwood fandom #duskwood fanfiction

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reds-ramblings · 1 year

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Today I picked up where I left off a year ago on my last playthrough of Duskwood. I very quickly concluded that I enjoyed the fan fiction way more than the game. That lead me back to you guys and down the fan fiction rabbit hole again. Now I have ideas for more fics that I can't write. Why can't I write them? Well because I still have two unfinished fics that I really want to finish but every time I think about finishing them my brain short circuits and I close all the apps and forget about Duskwood for another few months. Ugh, I need to finish what I started but my brain just isn't braining. I'm going to blame this randomness on recent conversations with another writer you all love. I'm not mentioning any names but you know who you are. 😒

#who is red again?#it's been so long #do yall even remember me?#damn it Digi #it's all her fault #oops I guess I did mention names after all #red's ramblings

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lyon-amore · 1 year

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What if...? Duskwood Chapter 38

Chapter 37 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Macie POV*

It was my fault. He didn't know when they would be, but obviously they would be at the house. He only needed confirmation that the phone was already in the position. Or worse… Perhaps he had followed them from afar. But it was all my fault. From the beginning. Why is he continuing with this? I don't get it, they're not a threat. And he already has Hannah! Why do he want to torture me like this?! What have I done to him?! I look at the screen and see that it is still dark.

"What’s happening?" I listen to Jessy in total darkness. “Calm down” Cleo says, then lights a lighter ". It's only a blackout, we already have one this afternoon." She try to calm the situation down, so no one gets nervous. "But are you all okay?" I ask nervously. “Yeah, Macie, don’t worry.” Lilly tells me "We're all fine." "Thank God…" I put my hand to my forehead, relieved. “I know where the fuses boxes is.” Thomas announces, starting to move "You wait here." "Lilly, please come with him." I order worried. Lilly follows. I don't want anyone right now to be alone. They leave the room illuminating themselves with a flashlight. Outside was Dan. He makes a gesture asking what happened. “It's a blackout.” Thomas tells him. “I said it half an hour ago, we're should light the firewood.” Dan tells her, annoyed. Thomas makes a 'Shut up, I got it' gesture as he walks down the stairs. They are all nervous. They reach the floor below and he opens a door, activating the lights in the house again. “Okay…” Thomas says with relief. "I'm glad it wasn't anything serious." “Well, it's not like it's easy to say…” Lilly says, walking up the stairs. They all gather back at the table, sitting down.

Lilly puts her phone down on a stand and also sits in a spot so I can see everyone. It's a little weird, but I see that she doesn't want to leave me out of this. "Right…" Thomas begins, scratching the back of his neck "This fuse box is a complete disaster" He looks at everyone except me, since I'm not in the house ". We should be prepared, this might happen a few times." "Not like we don’t have enough on our plates already." I commented in reference to the fact that the kidnapper was on his way. "What did Michael mean?" Lilly also looks nervously at everyone and then looks at me "He said he knows where we are now." I look at her worriedly, feeling guilty again ". But he can't know." "He's just bluffing." Dan replies, crossing his arms. "I..." “Macie.” I hear Jake call me softly. I turn off the microphone and walk over to him. He was already dressed, although this time he wasn't wearing the sweatshirt. "I've quit the microphone." I tell him, so he can speak to me normally. “I saw what happened” I move to stand next to him, resting my hand on his shoulder “, consequently re-checked Hannah's cell phone data” He shoots me a quick look "by opening the maps application, the hut’s location was sent the to Michael Hanson." That doesn’t relieve me at all. My suspicions were correct. "I just realized that myself" I tell him, a little nervous ”. How was I supposed to know what that app was going to do." "I know." he tells me calmly. "This can't be happening" I walked away thinking about what I had just done. Walking around the room. So he hadn't followed us yet, he was waiting for his theater because he knows perfectly well that we were here… Or maybe it's really Michael? God... I'm going crazy "I have to tell the others right now." "I will tell the others" I turn to Jake, concerned ". And I will take full responsibility for what happened." "No Jake." I pulled closer to him, making him look at me "They’ve only just started trusting you." Jake takes my hand and kisses it. I think he sees how nervous I am. "I gave you the instruction to open this application" He caresses my cheek affectionately and I can't help but look worried ". Beside, I know what your friends mean to you." "Either way, I don’t want you to do that" I separate myself from him, going for the phone ". I will stand up for my mistakes." I look at him decisively on the subject. Jake nods slowly. "That is a very honorable decision." I nod, and before hitting the microphone button, he tells me something else. "Macie, is there anything else I should know?" He asks me, a little annoyed "Do you think there is something else that could have infiltrated?" I remember the messages from the kidnapper. I still hadn't told him. "No" I deny ", nothing." He gives me a disappointed look before going back to the computer. I don't want to tell him, we have other problems to take care of.

I hit the microphone and the first thing I hear is Jessy. "Right, Macie?" "Sorry, I was a bit distracted just now" I replied, sitting down on the bed and getting comfortable. I wasn't even dressed yet ". I’m afraid I have to tell you something. The kidnapper knows where you are" I see their face. Lilly and Jessy were scared, Cleo looked at me confused. Thomas put his hands to his head and Dan makes an annoyed sound. "It was a mistake!" I say as quickly as possible "I'm sorry." “Oh no…” Cleo blurts out and I see her start to pale. "But…" Lilly looks at me with glassy eyes, it looks like she's going to cry "Macie, you can't be serious…" "I'm so angry with myself..." "How could that happene?" Thomas asks me, a little annoyed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake Michael Hanson initiated location sharing on Hannah’s cell phone Afterwards, he must have deactivated the GPS signal, thereby pausing said location sharing. While Macie and I were searching through the phone, we turned the GPS signal on again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey Hackerman," Dan begins, "why don't you get on call too? I think you should make an appearance since this is thanks to you, right?" I roll my eyes, now is not the time to doubt Jake again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake That could give away my position. It is better that way. Also, I listen to everything you all say. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We've noticed that" Dan looks at his phone badly, reading the message ". And that makes you even weirder." I look at Jake and he looks at me calmly. As if to say that he is here with me. “On topic” I say, trying to get back to the point “, which turned on location sharing again too." "I see" Thomas nods. Although I think he doesn’t understand. "Don't worry about it Macie" Jessy looks at me with a smile, trying not to let her affect me ". You’ve always helped us. Sometimes, things just go wrong." "Thank you…" I reply, looking down. It's horrible, I've sent the kidnapper to the house. "Hey!" She exclaims firmly “Chin up” I look up, looking at the screen ". We need you Macie." I smile at her avoiding tears "You know that right?" I nod trying to calm down. “That mean” Thomas begins “Michael knew we’d coming." "And he knee you’d take the phone" I answered, remembering that it was easy for him to get it ". He planned it all..." “Oh my Goodness…” Lilly covers her face, scared. I hear Jake make an angry sound. He must be worried about her right now. I turn off the microphone for a second, leaving the phone on the bed. "Jake, I'm really sorry..." “No, it is really not your fault�� he says, going back to typing on the computer ". It is mine, I should not have been distracted by nonsense." I lick my lips listening to him speak. A pain in my chest began to oppress me. Nonsense… Great. “No, Macie” he tells me quickly, walking over to me and crouching down. He kisses my thigh, trying to fix the situation ", don't think I am talking about you, do not think about it for a second." "We're nervous, I know." I tell him, stroking his hair. "I am sorry." He says again, kissing my hand. I give him a small kiss on his lips and he gets up to go to the computer again and I to the video call. "Excuse me…I'm trying to relax." I admit. I don’t feel well ". It was too easy to get the phone from the start." "But what are we gonna do now?" Lilly looks at all of them, still nervous "Go back to Duskwood?" "That’s probably for the best." Cleo agrees to Lilly's idea. "Well, as along as you get away from the cabin." I answered, worried. “Before Richy proposed the cabin, I thought we'd better go to the motel” Lilly looks at me, as if seeking my approval “, as a temporary place for us to stay." "In any case, we should decide quickly." I sighed, hoping for a quick answer. Silence is made. Everyone is thinking. "Couldn’t we just go to a different cabin?" Jessy shrugs, looking at them. "It's too late for another cabin." I replied, trying to find a solution. “I’ve a better idea.” We look at Dan, who looks decisive ". We stay." They begin to look at him very confused with his decision. Until little by little they change from expression to incredulity. “ ‘We stayed'?" "Exactly." he bangs his fist on the table "Let him come! I will wait for you here in a nice and cozy way." "What?!" Lilly yells at him in surprise. "Dan, this is crazy." I try to make sense. “Look, I don't know if Macie told you out yet” he looks at the screen, waving at me when he sees I'm frowning “, but I'm here because of you, to keep an eye on you, you know." I put a hand to my head. Unbelievable what I'm hearing, he's in a wheelchair! How does he intend to defend someone like that?! "You can’t be serious right now!" Jessy yells at him, worried about him now. "Oh but I am" he replies with pride in his voice "I’ve got a bone to pick with that mask maker" I avoid laughing at the nickname. They never run out. I do manage to hear Jake let out a small chuckle though ". And I’ll pick it here and now." I make a sound, annoying. They seem to live to make me nervous. "This is ridiculous." I says, starting to raise my voice. "You're in a wheelchair!" Dan's look softens at me when I tell him that. He knows that I'm worried about him. He sighs and starts talking to me calmly. "Listen," I shake my head, still not happy, "this house has exactly four entrances." I pay attention to his "great" idea ". Two are downstairs on the deck" I see him waving his hand and Thomas goes to the kitchen, with one of those notes that you put on magnets on the fridge and a pen and starts drawing ", then the door here in the living room" he must be making a map of the house "And of course, the front door.” He looks at the group, pointing at the paper "If we keep an eye on all of them, he can’t get in without us noticing” he continues drawing " I admit he has advantage with the forest all around us, but we can't change that” He finishes drawing and looks at the screen ". In this we are clearly in the majority." he taps the pen on the table "And we even have a weapon!" "We still don't know who brought it!" I remember him. Dan makes a dismissive gesture. “Yeah, yeah, we can thank whoever it was later." "That's not what I meant and you know it..." Lilly gets up, starting to walk and out of my vision. "Have you completely lost your mind, Dan?!" She yells at him nervously "Michael Hanson is a murderer!" Everyone looks at her, and I see how Jessy moves the phone so that I look at her " he is incredibly dangerous!" Again, silence falls in the room. I notice that Jake has put a hand to his head listening to Lilly. The pressure we have right now is too much for everyone. "And he always will be as long as he’s free" Dan begins to explain, in a much calmer tone. With Lilly he's always had a soft side, even though in the vote, he had to go against her. We're all together for the first time since this crap started. Some sighs are heard and I can see Lilly, hugging herself "We even know he's coming." right, change we're not going to be able to change that "Honestly? We’ve never been safer." For a second try to see the positive side of the situation. But I'm still terrified knowing what he's capable of and I've seen it with Jessy and me. "And he won't expect you to defend yourself." I commented, thinking a little about his plan. “Exactly.” Dan replies. Lilly stirs, returning to her place. Jessy returns my phone to the original position. “I can't believe I'm about to say this, but…” Cleo sighs and looks at them all “Dan might be right." “This is totally crazy.” I say, still fearing for them. For their lives. "It’s crazy to keep running away" Dan leans across the table a little, explaining it to me ". Living in fear" I hear Jake stop typing, paying attention "and waiting for him to get us one by one” Jessy looks away from him, surely remembering when he go after her. Cleo remains thoughtful, surely because of the threats. Thomas seems focused, his motives being Hannah and saving her. Lilly… Lilly is a little undecided by the look on her face ". We've put up with this long enough. This is our chance to end it."

Silence in the room. Complicit looks. Many breaths that began to calm down little by little. Dan looks at her, waiting for a response. "Do you agree?" Dan looks at them one by one, looking for support. I see Thomas nodding. Slowly. “Yes” he says, in an unconfident voice ". I guess." “More or less.” Jessy says uncertainly. "Can we really do this?" Lilly looks at them all, not sure what to choose. "Definitely!" Dan exclaims. Lilly cringes on the spot, trying to figure out what to say. She sighs and nods. “Okay” she finally says ". Then I suppose I'm in." "Yeah, me too." Cleo admits, more determined. "Macie?" Dan asks me. They all look at me, waiting for my answer. I shake my head. I can't risk it. I don't want them to get hurt too. “No” I finally say, looking at everyone "But this is entirely your decision” I look at Dan concerned “. Just promise me that you’ll come out of this alive." "I'm here" he tries to keep me calm with his eyes "We're all going to be completely fine." I nod slowly. Calmer. "I trust your word." "I won't let you down, little detective." he replies. Jessy sighs, sinking back into the seat. “Today almost felt like everything was back to normal again” she says slowly "I really had a lot of fun and for a while, I wasn’t thinking about the danger we were all in" She lowers her head for a second, staring at the table ". I had almost forgotten what it was like.” She looks up, looking at all of us "I want my old life back." "You will, and we’ll make sure of that." Dan takes her hand, patting it lovingly. Then he looks at the rest. "We’re done running away.” He looks directly at me "We’re ending this tonight. Once and for all." "Okay," I nod again "So, we'll talk to each other later." “We'll talk later, Macie.” Jessy waves at me, and then Lilly. I waved them and hung up. Leaving the phone in bed.

I lie down on the bed bringing my hands to my face. This couldn't get any worse. I worry a lot about this situation. I don't know what the kidnapper is capable of.

*Jake POV*

Macie finishes talking and I get up from my chair to go to her. I sit next to her, placing my arms on my legs, looking at her. “I do not know what to think of this” I say, wanting to comment on the conversation. “This is the worst idea they've ever had” she says from under her hands, before pulling them away and looking at me "And you know what kind of ideas they usually have..." "You do not need to remind me." Macie sits up, spreading out the sweatshirt. She has not had time to clean herself up because of what happened, though I doubt that is the least of her worries right now. "Up until now they always been defending themselves." I say and she looks at me, listening intently "Now they are changing their approach and forcing a direct confrontation." “Suicide act, you mean.” Macie says to me, and I laugh. "Well, I did not say it's a great idea either" I see her nod a little, unsure ". A sudden change of direction could be an immense tactical advantage. However, this current change is following an unexpected move on our enemy’s part." Macie narrows her eyes, looking at me with a strange expression. “Geek…” she says, sticking her tongue out at me. I laugh. I know, I can speak a little strange for some. "I am not the only one." I replied, imitating her. Macie sighs, brushing her hair out of her face. "You're right" she finally says, finally looking with another perspective ". We're just copying him.” I nod, and she falls back onto the bed "I still can't believe it." "What has happened, has happened." I slowly laid down next to her, to look into her face "We cannot change it anymore.” I see her turn to look directly at me. In her eyes I can see that she is scared. Worried about them "What remains is for us to ask ourselves what other traps he may have set for us." Macie takes my hand, entwining our fingers. “I don't want anyone else to get hurt, Jake” she admits, breathing slowly ". I don't want them to get hurt, why don't he leave them alone?" “I do not know, Macie” I says. Michael has already killed Amy and has Hannah kidnapped. He went for Richy and now for the rest of the group, just for getting us into his house. Actually, with Hannah he already has what he wants, the rest should not matter ". We are an obstacle to his end, is the only thing that occurs to me." “I'm scared for them.” she asks me, snuggling closer to me. "I know…" I can't keep ignoring the subject. I have to ask her "Why did not you tell me that Michael had contacted you?" Macie blinks in confusion, until she understands what I am talking about. She slowly gets up, while I do it quickly. "Jake..." "Macie, why did you hide it?" I see her start to bite her nails and I push her hands away from her. I do not like it when she does that, I feel like she hurts herself.

She looks into my eyes, and I see her mouth open slowly to speak. She closes it again, lowering her gaze. “Because I wanted to deal with him myself” she says at the end "I thought it was for the best." "You do not have to make decisions like those on your own." I force her to look at me, moving her face slowly. I do not know her true actions, but it hurts me that she kept it from me "We are a team, Macie." "I know…" “You told Michael you understood him." She purse her lips into a fine line. I feel like she is holding something back. I wait for her to answer me, but she does not say anything. "Macie?" "That was a tactic, Jake" she finally says, looking at me calmly "I wanted to get him to talk to me” she smiles, a little pride in her eyes ". You have your methods and I have mine." I suppose she is right about that. She is the one who has always taken it upon herself to talk to everyone for information until now. It's not weird, but... “I understand” I say finally ". It was strange reading those words from you” I see that she avoids my gaze again, thinking again ". Very well. I have another lead that I must follow." I try that at least the atmosphere is not tense between us. The last thing I want is for us to argue with each other because of Michael. Slowly, I bring her closer to me, kissing her lips slowly. Macie corresponds to me, bringing her hand to my hair, stroking it. I stroke her leg, moving up slowly.

I should not be distracted from her even though I want to be with her like this.

We pull apart and I hear her moan as I take my hand out from under the sweatshirt. "I am so happy you are not in that house in the forest." I whispered, kissing her face. "I'm glad I stayed too" she says, seeking my lips for another kiss, but shorter ". I'll go shower and get dressed before you give me further instructions, boss." “Alright.” I see her get up from her and I stop her "You only need to hold out a little longer, Macie” I stroke her hand lovingly ". We are nearing the end of our path." Macie nods, though as she leaves, I hear her mutter. "Let's just hope you're not wrong…"

I know. I know that she is worried about them. I know that I am to blame for her staying here. But now it's been the right thing to do. Michael almost killed her when she was at his house and who knows if what he wanted was to finish what he started.

I get out of bed, slowly. I must find a way to locate Michael, to play in our favor and return it to him. A discreet way that can help us. I have to do it for Macie, so that she can be calm with her friends. I will work on everything she can and without rest.

Chapter 39

#duskwood #duskwood jake #duskwood mc #duskwood jake x mc #duskwood fanfic #duskwood everbyte #everbyte #everbyte studio

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cosmolog · 1 year

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Duskwood Detectives

Part 4 Choice 2

Go With Jake

"I'll be okay, Rich. But thanks for the offer. I've got a friend that lives here so I'll stay at his place" Y/n smiled.

Richy raised an eyebrow in question. "Friend or boyfriend?" He asked.

"Bit of both" Y/n laughed.

Richy smiled, though his eyes held hurt as he averted his gaze.

"Speaking of my friend, he's probably on his way to pick me up now, so I better get going. Give me Carlo's address so I can pay you a visit" She said, handing him her phone, the Notes app already open and ready for him to use.

"Already open. It's like you planned this" Richy joked, typing the address into her phone before handing it back to her.

"Well, I like to be ready for things such as this" She said, putting her phone away.

She stood up, resting her hand on his back comfortingly. "I'll see you later, Richy. Don't spend any more time here tonight. Go home and rest, please"

Richy looked up at her and nodded, standing up and pulling her into a hug. "I missed you" He said.

"I missed you too, Rich" She mumbled back, kissing his cheek before pulling away and heading out of the bar.

Richy watched her leave before turning back around and leaving money on the bar for the owners to collect. He then sighed, telling himself this would be the last time he ever goes into this place. And he's stick to that plan, for Y/n.

Y/n walked over to Jake, who was sat on a bench outside the bar, waiting for her. Looking up, he immediately stood seeing it was her.

"What happened? What did he say?" He rushed to ask.

"We'll have to wait and see where his mind is tomorrow. He's drunk at the moment so I don't think anything he says will be honest. He gave me his friends address so we can visit him tomorrow" She answered, falling into step with him as the two walked to his place.

"'We'? I..I'm not going with you..?" He said, unsure of himself. "He'd immediately make a run for it"

"You said it yourself, he doesn't know who you are" She said.

"But he definitely will once he sees you're with me" Jake replied, glancing at a police car parked across the road from them, his legs suddenly moving faster.

"Do they have any leads on you yet?" Y/n, catching onto his sudden change in behaviour, glancing at the car.

Jake slowly reached down, his hand slipping into Y/n and squeezing comfortingly. "Not yet. But I have a feeling they will know where I am soon" He answered. "And when they do, you can't be anywhere near me. Or else they'll find you too. And I can't let that happen"

"It won't happen. As long as we get this situation over and done with and get Richy back to Duskwood" She said, squeezing his hand in return.

After arriving at Jake's place, an small cottage house with only room for one or two people to live in, Jake showed Y/n to a bedroom where she could stay the night.

"You can sleep here" He said.

She looked from the single bed to him. "And where will you sleep?" She asked, eyeing his tired eyes and slumped shoulders.

"I'm going to keep an eye on the situation. Make sure nobody goes anywhere they shouldn't" Jake answered.

She immediately shook her head. "I'll do it. You need to sleep" She said.

Jake began to shake his head but allowed her to pull him over to the bed. She pushed him to sit but he took hold of her and pulled her down with him. "Fine, we can both sleep" He said, refusing to have her work while he rested.

Y/n smiled. "Do you have any clothes I could borrow?" She asked.

Jake nodded, standing up and rooting through his travel bag, pulling out a t-shirt and shorts. "I don't know if they'll fit you-"

"It's fine" She cut him off. She started to remove her shirt, causing Jake's eyes to widen in suprise. He quickly spun around, his back facing her. He heard her chuckle quietly at his actions.

He waited for the 'okay' before turning around, his mind going blank at the sight of her in his clothes. She smiled at him. "These are so soft-" She started to compliment the clothes but he spoke over her.

"You can keep them" He said before he could stop himself. He shook his head, closing his eyes before opening them a few seconds later. "If you want..to" he added.

"Thanks" Y/n smiled. "Don't you want to get changed?" She asked.

"Uh..sure" He pulled another shirt out of his bag as well as some pajama pants. "I'll..um. I'll go get changed" he stuttered, rushing out the bedroom door and into his bathroom.

While she waited for him, Y/n got under the covers of the bed, immediately being smothered by his scent. She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling sleepy.

Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep. Jake walked out of the bathroom, now dressed in his night clothes, stopped at the bedroom door to see Y/n sleeping peacefully in his bed.

The sight made his heart warm, a smile setting on his face. He walked further into the room, slowly pulling the covers up so he could slip into the bed beside her. He tried giving her space, but on a single bed, it wasn't really possible.

She snuggled into him, hugging his waist, causing him to freeze, his breathing stopping. "'Night, Jake" She mumbled.

Jake released his breath slowly and quietly, lightly resting his arm around her, holding her close. "Goodnight, Y/n" he whispered into the darkness.

The next morning, Y/n woke up. Jake was no longer with her but she could still feel his warmth on his side of the small bed, meaning he had only just woke up. The water was running in the shower, telling her Jake was in there.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

She reluctantly sat up in bed, picking up her phone from the night stand and looking at the caller ID.

She recognised the number. Alan Bloomgate. Chief of police in Duskwood. He had tried to contact her multiple times after the Duskwood incident, but she never picked up.

Pick up

#cleo #dan #duskwood #duskwoodcharacters #femalereader #jessy #richy #xreader #jake

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digital-corruption · 2 years

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Unrecognisable Part 25

Running to the Park and Ride stop to catch the bus before it left, we were completely out of breath. Jake got on first and handled purchasing our tickets. While he took care of it, I got on and surveyed the bus quickly. It was only half full, but of the passengers that were there they were all staring at us like we had three heads. I couldn’t understand why. It was as if they'd never seen two people wearing hoodies before. Then I remembered I had been crying only a short time earlier, and subconsciously wiped my face as I walked down the aisle to the back of the bus where there was an empty row for us to sit in. I sat down next to the window, putting our bag down at my feet. Jake followed after validating our tickets and I noticed him glaring at a couple of the passengers for staring as he went past them. He plopped down next to me and continued to give them a stink eye until they went back to minding their own business.

I pulled out my phone and cleaned up my tear-stained face as best as I could with my sleeves. Jake put his arm around me and leant his head against mine. Seeing us both on my phone made me smile, even if Jake still had his hood and mask covering most of his face. I really wanted to take a photo, but I wasn't sure if I should. Jake must've sensed my uncertainty as he reached with his free hand and pushed the camera button for me. He turned into me just in time so the camera didn't catch his eyes. Sure you couldn't see his face at all in the photo, but it was the first photo of the two of us. I loved it so much I made it my wallpaper.

Putting my phone away, I nestled against Jake and watched as the outskirts of Colville passed us by while he kept track of our progress on his phone. It was only the second time I had been to Germany and the last time I didn’t pay attention because I was so focused on everything happening in Duskwood. Suddenly Jake felt a lot heavier against my head. It took me a second to realise that Jake had nodded off. I raised my hand and gently rubbed his head, before pulling his phone out of his hand to prevent it from falling. He still had the map open and I could see we still had another 20 minutes before our stop, so I let him sleep.

With his phone in my hand, I grew curious. The urge to poke around was just too great to ignore, so I did. His phone was very streamlined to the bare minimum apps, which surprised me. He didn't even have any games, so that explained why he used my phone earlier to play Candy Crush. Out of curiosity, I opened his photo gallery, but to my surprise there were only a few photos in it, all of me sleeping. The last one he had taken that very morning in the barn while I was asleep on his chest. I couldn’t help but smile. Normally I found photos of me sleeping embarrassing, but I was so peaceful sleeping in his arms.

I swapped to his notes and only found one, written in German, containing a single line. I found it so strange that I had to know what it said. Without hesitation I copied it and swapped to the browser to translate it to English.

'Never let her see you at your worst.'

I stared at the words for a few minutes, saying it over and over again in my head. Just what was he so frightened of? Considering everything we had been through the past few days, what did he still have hiding in his closet? What was his worst? I glanced at him sleeping. He looked so calm that it was easy to forget how he could change at a flick of a switch. I liked to think I was bringing some stability to his life, but did I really have any effect on him or was it just a facade?

Swapping back at the map, I realised there was only one more stop before ours. I gently shook Jake’s shoulder and he jumped, making my heart skip several beats.

"Sorry, our stop is coming up," I laughed.

"Fuck! Why did you let me sleep!?" he snapped.

"Because you needed it?" I frowned. "It was only a few minutes."

"I could’ve done without it," he rolled his eyes and snatched his phone out of my hands.

"Clearly your body thought otherwise," I pointed out.

"What were you doing with my phone?" He sneered as he checked the open apps.

"Making sure we didn’t miss our stop," I replied. "I mean sure, I looked at your gallery."

"You saw the photos!?" he queried.

"Um, yes, they were cute," I smiled. "Though you can take photos of me when I am awake too."

Jake said nothing and reached for the button to signal for the next bus stop. Then he put his phone away and picked up his backpack, resting it on his lap while he waited for the bus to stop.

"Are you mad?" I asked.

"I am mad you let me sleep," he answered, but it felt like only half of an answer.

"Are you embarrassed because I saw the photos?" I pushed.

He ignored me and instead stood up as the bus stopped. I got up, grabbed our bag and followed him out the back door of the bus. He walked off in the direction of the shopping district. I had to rush to catch up to him.

"What the hell, Jake!?" I exclaimed.

He stopped and turned back to me, checking to make sure if anyone was in earshot before responding, "What do you want me to say? I like it when you’re helpless, vulnerable, unguarded, and weak."

At a loss of words, I searched his eyes for an understanding, "I think what you mean to say is you like it when I feel safe with you."

Jake smirked, "You really have no idea."

"Jake, I don't understand what you mean," I shook my head.

"We need to hurry to get those documents printed," he tried changing the subject.

Jake continued down the path to the shopping district, but realised I wasn't following and turned back.

"If it wasn't clear already, I trust you, Jake," I declared. "I am yours - mind, body and soul."

"One day I will break you," he warned. "It’s only a matter of time."

"Then break me," I laughed. "I broke when I lost you. So unless you plan on leaving me again, you really can't do worse."

He tilted his head and grinned, "You’re just as fucked up as I am."

"I think they call it love," I mused.

"Hmm, well, we'll continue this discussion later," he held out his hand to me. "Come on."

I took his hand eagerly and walked into the shopping district at his side. It was fairly busy so we had to weave through to get to our destination, a small print and copy shop at the opposite end. Still we managed to blend reasonably well into the crowd. All seemed to be going ok until we reached the shop. To our surprise, it was far more crowded than expected. Still we approached the counter and explained to the staff what we needed done.

"Please join the queue," the clerk behind the desk said to me in a thick German accent.

"Ok, but this is urgent. Like we need it done now urgent," I stressed.

"You have to wait for your turn," he waved me away.

Jake cut in and expressed our urgency in German. The clerk still didn't budge.

"It’s a matter of life or death! Our job is way more important than theirs! And what, are your printers from the 80s?" I complained. "Why is it taking so long?'

Jake continued in German and tried to convince the clerk to push our job to the front of the queue. Meanwhile the other customers waiting for their turn were glaring at us. I could tell they weren't impressed by my suggestion that their print jobs were inferior to ours.

"Oh please, we have a critical deadline! You all can wait!" I snapped.

"MC," Jake put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a look to settle down.

"Where's your manager!?" I exclaimed.

"He is the manager," Jake clarified.

"Oh, well he sucks," I pouted.

"And he understands English," he reminded me.

"Yeah, change my opinion then!" I sassed.

"Give me a moment, ok?" Jake rubbed his head, then went back to speaking in German to the clerk.

I sighed and went back to staring down the other customers.

"Their primary printer is not responding. They're waiting for a technician to come, but it could be another hour. I will be right back, I am going to try to fix it myself," Jake explained. "Hopefully its just the network settings."

I nodded and watched as Jake went behind the counter. I could see him going back and forth between the computer and the large format printer several times. I'd be lying if I said watching him work so intensely wasn't hot. I caught myself staring at him as he checked the printer over for anything out of place. He noticed me watching and winked. I blushed and looked away. There was no way I was getting all turned on so easily.

I tried to distract myself with the product displays as best as I could. Who knew you could print your face on almost anything? I was reminded of the time I heard Dan had his face printed on bottle cooler sleeves and gifted them to everyone for their birthdays for the next year. Every time the group got together and they weren't using the cooler sleeves, he threw a tantrum. The memory made me giggle.

Out of nowhere, the staff all started cheering as the printer came to life. I saw Jake was very uncomfortable by the appreciation he was receiving and I had to smile. He shoved a USB stick into their computer, clicked on a few things and the printer started running again. Judging by the reaction of the manager seeing the printouts, I knew exactly what was printing. Still, the manager collected the documents and put them into a folder for us. Jake took the folder from him and thanked him, then walked back over to me.

"He didn't want any money?" I questioned.

"Nah, the service job was going to cost way more than the printing," he ushered me out of the store. "We need to hurry though or we're going to miss the next bus."

Jake handed the folder to me as we walked away from the shop. It felt so heavy in my hands, like I was carrying the weight of the world. The notion that I had been entrusted to carry his most vulnerable memories wasn't lost on me. I held it so tightly against my body to guard it with my life as we walked briskly back to the bus stop.

As soon as the stop was in sight and we saw the bus was already there, we ran again. Jake got to the door first and shoved his hand in as the door started closing. The driver was shocked and said something to him. Jake responded angrily in German and then motioned for me to get on. Using the same tickets from earlier, we filed onto the bus. This bus was more crowded this time with standing room only. The bus started moving before I could grab onto a rail and I nearly fell into another passenger, but Jake wrapped his arm around my waist and righted me. He took the opportunity though to hold me close against him. I glanced back at him and smiled, but his expression was sour.

"What’s wrong?" I questioned.

"I don't want to send you in there," he sighed. "Even with your new documents, they might realise who you are."

"But we agreed, Richy doesn't get early release," I turned around in his embrace.

"Listen, if the worst should happen, I will get you out," he promised. "They'll put you in a transport."

"And?" I asked, already anticipating what he'd say next.

"And I will find the transport and get you out," he responded vaguely. "You should probably brace for impact though."

"Right, of course," I chuckled. "We haven't really discussed this. I mean are you going to wait for me outside?"

"No, no, I'm not. I will disappear as soon as you walk through the entrance. I expect you'll attract attention so stay with your friends. I am sure they will want to talk with you and discuss whatever it is you discuss," he explained. "I will go to you as soon as I find an opportunity. Just try to act normal."

"You will always find me," I smirked.

"Yes I will," he chuckled. "I am glad you understand that."

I sighed, "Ok this is really happening."

"Having second thoughts?" he asked.

"No, I can do this. I go in, bust the door down if I have to, kick ass and take names," I tried psyching myself up.

"Please don't kick their asses," Jake humoured. "I mean it's not fair if I'm left out."

"Wait, left out of being a kicker or kickee?" I joked.

"Ha! As if you could take me!" he teased. "Though it would be cute to see you try."

I stuck my tongue out at him, then noticed the scenery around us had changed. Leaning over to look out the window, I could see we were approaching the prison. Jake pushed the signal for the next stop while I started practising controlled breathing exercises to calm my nerves. The bus soon stopped and we filed out of the back of the bus with several passengers, who were there to visit other prisoners. I turned to Jake with unease filling my stomach.

"Jake?" I said nervously.

"You'll be fine," he assured me and rubbed my arms.

I looked into his soft, warm eyes and could feel my muscles relaxing, "I love you."

He smiled, "I love you too. Now who is the one waiting to say it until the stressful moments?"

I laughed, which eased my nerves even more, then hugged him tight, "Please no disappearing on me."

He hugged me back even tighter, "I will be with you again before the night is over. But you best get in there, it is already ten minutes past 2."

I nodded and let go of him reluctantly to walk off to the prison entrance. The first time I glanced back, he was still standing there watching me, but by the time I had passed through the gate, he was gone. I was now on my own.

#duskwood #duskwood fanfiction #duskwood jake x mc #duskwood jake #unrecognisable fanfic

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