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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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mysteriouslover1516 · 1 year

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Death in Duskwood

DISCLAIMER: Everyone is at the cabin in the woods, making it easier for this scene to take place. When the MWAF shows up, he realizes that MC is actually already in Duskwood.

“Have you figured out the location of the stream yet?” MC asked as she peered over the hacker’s shoulder.

“No, he is hiding behind encryptions. A rather good job I must hand to him.” Jake answered, trying to not show the effect the live stream had on him.

“Jake, it’s okay.” MC’s hand found its way to the top of one of his. “It’s okay to be worried.”

“Look at her,” Jake sighed as his fingers tapped on the desk. “You can tell that she has cuts on her face, it looks like she lost weight, the ropes around her wrists are probably chafing. She’s clearly been drugged, how could he do something like this?”

“I don’t know,” MC shook her head. “But we’re going to bring an end to this nightmare, I promise.”

“We have to save her, and save Richy too, we need to bring Michael to justice.” Jake insisted. “But right now it’s like we’re at a standstill, I feel utterly helpless, MC.”

“You really think it’s Michael?” MC asked, biting her bottom lip.

“Everything points to him as the culprit. He’s basically the legend, MC. His daughter was killed in the forest, no one admitted their guilt and involvement, so he took the law into his own hands. He found those who were responsible for Jennifer’s death, and now he’s punishing them.”

“But why was Amy killed and Hannah wasn’t? In Hannah’s texts it says that she was the one driving, not Amy.” MC reminded.

“I cannot answer that question,” Jake sighed. “I do not know why Amy was killed and Hannah wasn’t. I can only guess it’s because he wants to make a statement and kill Hannah tomorrow, on the anniversary of Jennifer’s death.”

“And why was Richy captured? Nothing in your sister’s chat referenced any involvement on his part, right?”

“At least not that we can see,” Jake agreed. “And Richy showed no sign of knowing of the incident, especially not to the point of being involved in it.”

“It just doesn’t make sense. Michael would be far too old for this.”

“There’s no other explanation, MC. All the photos Jessy took of the evidence was found at the Hanson house.”

“What if he’s being framed? The kidnapper is pinning it all on someone who has been dead for years?”

“We do not know if he is really dead though. He could have been hiding out all these years.”

“I think that’s unlikely,” MC walked to the window and gazed at the forest woodland. “But I don’t know anymore, I feel like I’m slowly losing my mental health.”

“It will end soon, MC. I promise.” The hacker’s warm breath appeared near her shoulder, arms wrapping around her waist. “We will find Hannah, and Richy too.”

“And what happens after that?” MC turned around, placing her hands on the top of his shoulders. “What happens to us?”

“We will make the most of whatever time permits,” Jake said. “You have seen what a life with and without me can look like, and if you really want to make this work, we will find a way.”

“Yes.” MC smiled, “More like I will find the way.”

“With my help of course,” Jake smirked back, the corners of his blue eyes slightly crinkling.

MC’s phone buzzed in her back pocket, causing her to pull away from Jake’s embrace. Her throat grew dry as she read the message on her lock screen.

I am coming, MC.

“What does this mean?” The palms of her hand started to get sweaty, “He doesn’t know where we are, right?”

Jake quickly darted back to his computer, pounding away on his keyboard. “MC.”

“You’re scaring me,” MC said as he locked eyes with her. “Please tell me we’re safe.”

“When we opened the maps app on Hannah’s phone, we turned on location sharing. Michael knows where we are, MC.”

“It’s all my fault,” MC sunk on the bed, her head finding refuge in her hands. “We’re in danger.”

“I was the one who instructed you to open up the maps,” Jake shook his head as he joined her on the bed. “It’s my fault, not yours. I will take full responsibility for what happened when we tell the others.”

“No, we did it together, we share the blame.” MC stood up, “They will know we would never do something like this on purpose.”

“We need to warn them,” Jake took her hand and led her down the stairs.

“Guys?” MC called out, “We need to talk, it’s important.”

“What is it, MC?” Thomas asked as he walked into the living room, the others slowly traipsing in behind him, Dan bringing up the rear with his wheelchair.

“We need to leave the cabin now. Michael knows our location.” MC said.

“What?!” Jessy gasps, “How is that possible?!”

“When we opened up the maps app on Hannah’s phone, we unintentionally turned on location sharing. Michael knew this would happen, he had planned for this to occur.” Jake informed.

“It was a trap,” Cleo mumbled.

“He knew I’d take the phone,” Thomas’s voice faltered. “It’s my fault.”

“No, finding Hannah’s phone helped reveal the truth of what happened ten years ago.”

“It’s not your fault, Thomas.” The hacker agreed with MC. “But now we have to get to safety.”

“I have an idea,” Dan raised his hand mockingly. “We stay.”

“What?” Lilly whipped her head around to gawk at him.

“We’ve run long enough, it’s time to end this.” Dan insisted. “We can get this masked freak.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but he’s right.” MC nodded, “We even have the upper hand in the element of surprise.”

“Exactly! He won’t expect us to defend ourselves.” Dan smiled proudly as MC took his side.

“You really think we can do this?” Jessy hesitated. “Really stand up to him?”

“For Hannah we can. For Richy we can. And for ourselves, yes.” MC took the redhead’s hands.

“Quite an authoress,” Dan clapped at MC’s little motivational speech. “Who’s with us?”

“I am,” Cleo said in a firm voice. “I’m done running.”

“For Hannah,” Lilly agreed, “for Richy.”

Thomas nodded, “We can pull this off.”

“You are all either very brave or very naive,” Jake finally spoke. “I don’t know which.”

“We have a weapon too,” Dan remembered. “And there’s only one of him and six of us.”

“A weapon that we don’t know who it belongs to,” Cleo narrowed her eyes. “ Anyone going to confess to owning it yet?”

The room remained silent as everyone shared gazes with each other, no one willing to admit bringing the pistol.

“There is something you all have failed to consider.” Jake said, “Michael does not know MC and I are also here in this cabin.”

“I see that more as another advantage,” Dan brushed off the hacker’s concern. “More of us against him.”

“But MC is in danger now,” Jake’s voice was low.

“No offense, but we’re all in danger. We all have been in danger since the very beginning of this mess, even before MC was. It’s nothing new.” Dan glared.

“Dan, stop it.” Jessy rolled her eyes at her boyfriend.

“Yeah yeah,” Dan sighed. “Hackerman is just worried, I get it.”

A faint blush spread across Jake’s face, but his jaw still remained set. “We must do everything in our power to keep her safe.”

“Jake, that’s not-” MC started.

“He’s right though,” Cleo agreed. “Michael wants YOU, MC. You’re his main goal. He is attacking everyone else because he wants to affect you. He attacked Jessy while she was on the phone with you, same as Richy. Now he wants to attack us out in the cabin, he wants you to feel helpless.”

“It’s not fair to put everyone else’s life on the stake if I’m not willing to do the same,” MC’s eyes flashed. “I want to help and to do so we need to work as a team.”

“Since we got that out of the way, here’s the plan.” Dan emphasizes with his hands. “There are two entrances inside, the upper deck and the lower floor. Thomas will be stationed in the downstairs bathroom, Lilly and Cleo in the basement bedroom that has the window facing the road. Hackerboy and I will guard the main level of the house, Jessy and MC in the attic bedroom posing as the lookouts.”

Jake opened his mouth to refute the arrangements, but on a second thought he remained silent. Working with Dan might give him an opportunity to settle issues between him, and MC being on the top floor was definitely the safest location for her.

“Who has the pistol?” Cleo asked, crossing her arms.

“I will keep it, I am the only one who knows how to use one of these.” Dan said in matter-of-factly tone.

“Speak for yourself,” Jake muttered underneath his breath.

Cleo still looked annoyed, but didn’t argue with Dan’s decision. “Okay, we better all get to our positions then.”

“Keep your phones on hand so we can communicate with each other.” Jake ordered, “And once everyone is in their prescribed location, shut off all the lights.”

“Okay,” Lilly nodded as she followed Cleo down the stairs, Thomas behind her.

“You better be careful,” Jessy pointed her finger at Dan. “Don’t try to play a hero.”

“I don't have to play a hero when I already am one,” Dan winked as she rolled her eyes.

MC stared hesitantly at the hacker, her eyes meeting his electric blue ones. “Promise me you’ll be okay,” she whispered.

“I promise, I won’t let anything separate us, MC.” Jake rubbed his thumb across the top of her right hand knuckles, and then he let it go. “Better get upstairs now, Jessica is waiting for you.”

Jessy rolled her eyes at Jake insisting on using her formal name, then the two girls headed up to the attic.

The two men stared at each other, both remaining silent until Dan spoke. “I still don’t trust you.”

“I know.”

“And I definitely don't like you.”

“I noticed.”

“But I can tell MC means a lot to you, and as much as it disgusts me, I know she feels the same. And since I am actually a really generous guy, I am willing to lay my prejudices aside.”

“Thank you.”

“And no, you can not have the gun.”

“How did you know I was going to ask for it?” Jake was taken aback.

“Lucky guess, but you proved it right. If I somehow get injured, then you may take it, but until then it’s staying by my side.” Dan smirked as he patted the gun.

“Fair enough.”

“I’m glad we got that sorted, Jake.” Dan finally called the man by name.

“So am I, Dan.” The hacker returned the small courtesy.

“And so now we wait.”

“Yes.” Jake looked out the picturesque window, sweat forming in the palms of his hands. He had a bad feeling about this, one that was impossible to shake off.

“I’m scared, MC.” Jessy confessed as the two girls sat on the edge of the bed, looking out into the darkness below. “Does that make me weak?”

“No,” MC whispered softly. “It’s okay to be scared. I’m scared too, scared that something is going to happen to you all and I can’t prevent it.”

“I see something,” Jessy suddenly shouted, standing to her feet. “A light.”

“Where?” MC quickly joined her side, peering out into the blackness.

“There!” Jessy’s finger hit the glass as a light in the distance flashed. “And again!”

“I see it too,” MC’s breath grew shallow. “I’m going to text the others.”

MC: He’s here

Dan: Showtime. Is everyone in their places?

Thomas: Yes

Cleo: Lilly and I are in the designated bedroom assigned to us

Dan: Good, keep your eyes peeled.

MC shoved her phone into her back pocket, watching the light of what looked to be a lantern grew closer. “He’s walking towards us.”

“I’m so scared, MC.” Jessy quivered.

“I’m with you, Jessy.” MC held the girl’s hands, “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

Jessy hugged her tightly, their eyes never leaving the light which took on the illusion of floating. Then suddenly a small gasp escaped the redhead’s lips, “I can see him.”

“He’s challenging us,” MC said in a solemn voice as she took in the scene before them.

The MWAF stared up at the cabin, a lantern in his hand. The flame illuminated his masked face, a dark hoodie broadcasting his tall and what looked like a well-built form.

This can’t be Michael, it’s impossible. He looks too able still, too strong, it can’t be Michael. Michael’s dead. Thoughts dashed inside MC’s head as she watched the kidnapper tilt his head menacingly at the house, knowing that he was indeed seen. But if he wasn’t Michael, who was he?

Suddenly the light went out, causing Jessy to let out a small scream. “I can’t see him!”

“I can’t either,” MC said in a worried tone as she pulled out her phone.

MC: The lantern went out, I think he’s approaching the cabin

Dan: Keep your eyes and ears peeled, we can do this

A few minutes passed and then suddenly Thomas came online.

Thomas: I see him! He’s on the bottom deck

Cleo: I see him too!

MC: What is he doing?

Thomas: I can’t tell, but I’m going to go out there. I can catch him by surprise

Dan: Dude no

MC’s heart raced as Thomas went offline, this wasn’t good.

Cleo: I am going to try to help

Cleo then went offline, adding to MC’s fear. What were they doing? This was suicide! Why had she encouraged them to stay in the cabin?

Lilly: I have to help them

Dan: Crap

As the last two went offline, Jessy and MC grasped each other's hands tightly. “Why hasn’t Jake replied?”

“Because Dan is probably telling him what’s happening,” MC answered. “Jake is going to try to help them, I know he is.”

“Why can’t we hear anything?” Jessy panicked at the sheer silence.

“Jessy, we have to go to them.” MC looked at her.

“I’m scared.”

“I’m with you, Jessy. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promised you that.” MC said, “Please. I can’t do this without you.”

“One for all?”

“And all for one,” MC managed to smile.

The two girls gingerly made their way down the steps, MC in the lead, her flashlight illuminating the dark cabin. Not a sound could be heard except for the creaking of the floor underneath their feet, and the blowing of the curtain drapes from the open balcony doors.

“Dan?” Jessy whispered fearfully as she turned on her own flashlight. After getting no response, she shone her light on the stairs leading to the bottom floor.

Some sound captured the girls’ ears and both simultaneously casted their beams upon the MWAF.

A cry escaped Jessy’s lips as she fell backwards onto the floor, legs rapidly pushing her away from the masked man as he walked towards. “No, no, please.”

“Michael, stop.” MC spoke.

“MC?” The man’s voice was heard loud and clear, somehow familiar. “You’re in Duskwood.”

“Yes.” MC stepped in front of the redhead, shielding her from the man. “It’s me you want, not her, not the others. I’m the one you want to hurt, let the others go.”

“I have a reason for everything,” the man insisted as his voice held a tinge of remorse.

“I know,” MC bravely closed the gap between them. “But this is not the right way, you know that.”

Without warning the MWAF suddenly grabbed MC, yanking her around so her back was against his chest, his right arm pressing against her throat. “Don’t shoot.”

“Let her go,” Dan was suddenly seen in the moonlight that started to flood inside the room, both hands holding the pistol.

“Dan, you don’t want to-” the man started to say.

A gunshot rang out, the bullet whizzing through the air. Both MC and the kidnapper fell to the floor with a loud thud.

“What did you frickin do?!” Jake’s voice filled the room. “MC!” The hacker ran towards her and knelt by her side.

“Dan?” Jessy cried as realization took over.

“My finger slipped, I didn’t mean to pull the trigger. Oh god, is she okay?” Dan’s voice rose as panic took over, quickly wheeling himself over to where MC lay.

A steady stream of blood was pooling in the upper abdomen of MC’s shirt, her gasps filling the air mingling aside with the kidnapper’s groans.

“The bullet went through her abdomen, hitting him as well in his lower stomach.” Jake’s voice was loud and strained.

MC’s hand grasped Jake’s wrist as she tried to form words, “J-j-jake. Help Rich-ch-y.”

The hacker’s face fell as he realized her words, ripping the mask off the man.

“Richy,” Jessy’s voice was nearly inaudible. “No, it can’t be.”

“What happened?!” Cleo shouted as she ran up the stairs, the other two behind her. “We heard the gunshot, we were so worried that-”

“Oh no,” Lilly’s hands covered her mouth as she took in the scene.

“Richy?” Thomas almost stumbled, “You’re the-”

“I’m s-sorry,” the blonde’s voice was racked with pain. “It wasn’t suppo-o-sed to go this f-f-far.”

“You kidnapped Hannah,” Thomas said, shocked.

“She’s in the Grimstone M-m-mine, there’s a red s-scarlet rope that leads t-t-the way.” Richy gasped out. “I’m so s-s-sorry.”

MC’s hand found the mechanic’s as she weakly gave it a squeeze, “It’s okay, Richy. I f-f-forgive you.”

“Someone call the police!” Jake demanded as his attention returned back to MC, Lilly taking the initiative. “MC, please. This isn’t the end, remember? We haven’t had a future together yet, we haven’t even kissed yet. I can’t lose you yet, MC, please.”

“Shhh,” tears streamed down MC’s cheeks as pain shot up her stomach, causing her to cry out.

“Richy?” Jessy sobbed as the blue eyes she knew so well went dim moments later, his breath stopping.

Cleo hugged the girl, struggling to be strong for her. “His eyes.”

The hacker could barely see through his own tears but he managed to brush his fingers over the deceased mechanic’s eyelids, closing them. “He’s dead.”

“J-j-jake?”

“I’m here, MC. I’m always here.” Jake brought his hand to her face, brushing away the tears.

“I love you,” her voice somehow sounded stronger, the stutter fading. “Don’t ever forget that.”

“I love you too,” Jake wept as he pressed his lips to hers for the very first time. When he pulled away, she was gone, the life had left her. Her eyes were closed, her fingers no longer grasping his. The girl he had fallen in love with had just slipped through his fingers. She was dead, his world was once again yanked from underneath his feet. She. Was. Gone.

“The police are on their way,” Lilly said as sobs climbed up her throat.

“I’m sorry, Jake. I’m so sorry,” Dan pinched the bridge of his nose, tears falling from his eyes.

“Find Hannah and I’ll forgive you,” the hacker forced himself to his feet. “I must go, I can’t be found here, not anymore. Find Hannah, tell her the truth.”

“Jake-”

The man was no longer listening as he took the steps two at a time, after cramming his computer and gear back into his backpack, he took one last look at the nightstand. MC’s necklace that had always hung around her neck since she was thirteen laid upon the stand, the night before she had gifted it to him as a token of her love. Underneath it was a polaroid picture of the two of them together, noses touching in what she called an eskimo kiss. More tears fell from Jake’s eyes as he placed the necklace in his pant pocket, stashing the photo in his closed computer. He wouldn’t ever forget her, she was the best thing that had ever happened to him, nothing would ever be the same anymore. Was it really worth living, worth living knowing she had died? He had to, because he owed it to MC, that is what she would have wanted. Bitterness and sorrow stole into the hacker’s heart as he disappeared into the shadow of the night, backpack upon his shoulders, MC was dead, and so was he.

Hey lovelies! ;) I'm sorry this one is so sad and angsty, but I feel like we really needed this. I hope despite the sadness, you can comment and like this oneshot. I love to hear from all of you, thank you! Love you. :) :(

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dboutonsmith · 10 months

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😸☕ Richy and The Man Without A Face from Everbyte Studio's Duskwood.

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#art #design #drawing #originalart #artistsoninstagram #colorpencil #sketch #duskwood #duskwoodfanart #duskwoodmanwithoutaface #duskwoodrichy #richyduskwood #manwithoutaface #friends #villain #mask #hoodie #legend #partnersincrime #artprocess #share #like #duo #gotyourback #boyfriend

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lyon-amore · 1 year

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What if...? Duskwood Chapter 33

Chapter 32 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Macie POV*

As I already said once, I love horror movies. Because everything is false and nothing can hurt you. You are safely looking at a screen watching how the protagonists try to survive. In some movies they succeed and defeat the monster. In others, the monster wins. Well today I never thought I would star in a real horror movie.

"What's all this?" Jessy asks, shocking. On the wall was a corkboard with several photos of us, with the word 'Revenge' on a large banner. It was all illuminated by candlelight. Candles that made me think that the madman who had done this must not be very far away. On the table were several black feathers. Probably raven feathers. "I don't know…" Thomas whispers, scared. I go ahead of them without taking my eyes off everything that was hanging. I even saw a crow drawn. "Don't touch anything." i warned, so they wouldn't leave any traces. "Guys, there are pictures of us." I don't pay attention to Jessy's words, I'm too busy looking through everything in case there's an important clue. "No…" Thomas replies fearfully. "Of all of us... Macie." Hearing Jessy, I turned to see her. She has a paper in her hands. I walk over to her and look at him. Like Dan's image, which I had noticed was a social media screenshot, so was mine. i would come out smiling with Henry in my hands. He was wearing his little blue tie that he wore on important days. That day gave me the opportunity to celebrate our two months together. It was stupid, but before long, Henry had become something of a big thing in my life. He was like my son. And seeing him on this wall made me afraid. It was like it wasn't just threatening me, like they could hurt Henry to hurt me too. “Shit.” Thomas blurts out. “Richy.” Jessy walks away from me and looks at Richy's photos. I approach her also looking at her photos. Near it were the names of 'Hannah Donfort' and 'Amy Bell Lewis', marking a particular place on the map with a red thread. Below them, three papers with the word 'Guilty'. But it was strange... There are only two names, not three... Has the kidnapper put it out of obsession or because he wants to indicate a third person? I look at the picture of Richy next to the girls' names. Has he done it because he feels guilty but he's hiding it out of fear? "Shit…" Thomas says again, "Shit, shit, shit." He kept focusing with his phone. Was he transmitting this to the group? "And now what do we do?" Jessy asks, looking at the two of us. ��"I don't know." Thomas replies. I just looked and looked, looking to see if Jake was in the cork. I was worried that there might be something of him here. But not. I have to think about why Dan and mine's photos are snapshots and everyone else's are street photos. “Macie.” Jessy moves me a little. I think I've been too mesmerized by this mural. I had never been in a scene like this before, they just passed me the photos to analyze. I was too excited, I couldn't deny it "What do we do?" I can tell them that we have to get out of here as soon as possible, but leaving this unchecked would be a waste. But I know we can't stay here because of the candles. "Jessy, take pictures of all this," I say, as she quickly pulls out her phone "Thomas? Is there another site to look at?" "There's a basement." He tells me quickly. “Photos taken.” Jessy announces. "Okay…" I tried to think a bit, "The candles are lit, which means our suspect can come back at any time, he wouldn't risk leaving this alone." "Fuck…" Thomas puts his hands to his head "And what will you do?" "I'll stay here watching a little longer." "Hurry up then!" Jessy runs off, as does Thomas. I read the chat and I read Lilly's messages. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lilly In the legend of the man without a face... It was the father too, wasn’t it? But if Michael Hanson is the culprit And if he used his house as a hideout Then it seems likely that Hannah and Richy might actually be there, right? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Was it really Michael? I look at the mural again, analyzing every detail. Would it be that easy? Is he already? Is the victim's father? And why take ten years to put all this together?

I froze when I heard the door. I lean against the wall and cover my mouth. I could see the light coming through the door. I hold my breath and go very still. The kidnapper passes by my side. I have it so close that I even think my heart stops beating. Turning around to want to leave, he manages to see me. I tried to run but he managed to grab me, trying to suffocate me to kill me? To knock me unconscious? What I know is that I having trouble breathing and that he hurts me a lot. "LET ME GO!" I scream as best I can, trying to get out of his grip "HELP!" "I don't want to hurt you." he murmurs under the mask. It helps him cover the tone of his voice. << You’re hurting me!>> My stomach turns when I hear him say that, where is Thomas?! We hear a noise, like something falling and I can hear through my teeth how the kidnapper complains. I start to cough and Jessy moves closer to me, careful not to make a sound, trying to help me up. “I'm sorry Macie, I didn't hear the door from upstairs” she whispers, helping me up, “. It wasn't until you yelled that I came down." I shake my head, as if to say it's okay. "Jessy! Macie!" we heard Thomas yell at us. "Come on!" Jessy grabs my hand, starting to run. Thomas hands Jessy the phone and we head out to the barn. Thomas takes the lead to get closer to the door. "Open the gate!" Jessie yells at him. I put a hand to my throat, hurt. I can't talk and I can't stop shaking. I have fear and pain in the body. We look back and see the man without a face walking towards us... Walking... It was almost as if he was taunting us to intimidate us 'Look, I'm here. Fear me.' Thomas makes an effort to open the door and we both go out first.

We get in the car and I sit in the back. My legs are shaking. "Are you two alright?!" Thomas asks us, starting to drive. I look in the rearview mirror. The kidnapper stays watching us as we walks away. "I do, but he suffocated Macie! He Almost Killed Her, Thomas!” Jessy yells, as she examines me “Can you talk?! I shake my head. It is not only because of the pain, but also because of the fear. She still has the phone in her hand on the video call. Shit… This is not good… I get a text from Jake. No. I have a lot of messages. From when the guy entered the house, but I had my phone silent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake Macie! Get out of there! Find something to defend yourself with at least! MACIE! What do she mean he has suffocated you?! Let them take you to the motel! NOW! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I receive a call from such a stranger. I answer avoiding putting the speaker to avoid scaring them. I can hear his heavy breathing. Angry. "It wasn't enough for you that I kill the mechanic…." I squeeze my hand furiously upon hearing those words "No... You should have gotten into this, Macie... You should have come... It's over now. I'm going to kill them all. Cleo. Thomas. Lilly. Jessy. And Dan… Every single one of them. And you will watch.” He pauses and I can hear a kind of chuckle "And in the end... I'll coming for you." He hangs up and I'm frozen. "Macie?" Jessy calls me, looking at me scared "What happened?" "He said…" I swallow and that makes my throat hurt, I try to speak as best I can, but I'm unable to. I decide to write it then in the chat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Macie Someone just called me It was the attacker

Cleo What did he say?

Macie He said t he wants to kill you All of you And he wants me to watch And in the end, he would come for me ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"By the way, girls" Thomas calls out to us and pulls out a phone from his pocket. "I have it I have Hannah's cell phone." I throw my head back, lips moving with a 'Thank God'. We had achieved something at least of all this. *Jake POV*

I walk around the room, waiting for Macie to return. I have told Thomas and Jessy to stay together and Lilly has been given permission to call the police. But Macie... "Fuck!" I bang on the table, angry with myself for not being there with her. I'm too angry I saw the video call Thomas was slow to react! I get it, humans tend to be cowards and not risk it for our own safety, but not me! And what he's done makes me furious! He could have left his cell phone and gone help her! I have also heard the kidnapper! I can't… I can't now let her go through this!

I hear the car and I stay at the door, waiting like a dog for her to come in. "Are you sure you don't want us to take you to my house?" I hear Jessy tell her, concerned. "No… I'm fine here…" I hear Macie say, slowly and almost inaudibly. I'm getting nervous.

She opens the door and I stride toward her, holding onto her shoulders. The surprised look on her face is nothing compared to mine, surely from being scared and worried about her. "Are you alright?!" I ask quickly, not even giving her time to remove her jacket. I then place my hands on her face, examining if she has any injuries "What has he done?!" “I'm fine…Jake.” she says, though I can see that she's shaking. "No! You are not okay!" I head for the door and Macie stops me. "Let me go! I am going to tell Thomas a thing or two!" "NO JAKE!" She makes the effort to scream and begins to cough. I stop and again approach her. Looking at her as if at some point she was going to break. "I'm fine." She caresses my face, trying to calm me down "I'm here…" I sucked in a breath, clenching my hands tightly. In the end, I end up hugging her afraid that maybe she wasn't even here and she was… Macie buries her face into my body, trembling all the time. "You are safe now" I say, kissing her hair ", you are with me now..."

After calming down, I let her go to the bathroom to get comfortable. I see that it takes long and I worry. "Macie?" I knock on the door, worried "Can I come in?" "Yeah." It seems like at least she has the better voice. I open the door and see her looking at her neck in the mirror. A wave of anger runs through my body seeing him red. "How are you?" I ask, holding out on hacking into Thomas's stupid phone for this. "Well…" She begins to say without taking her eyes off the mirror "At least he hasn't broken it for me." I sigh, shaking my head. I know she wants me to be calm by making jokes, but it doesn't help me. “Let me see.” I walk over to her and she turns around, raising her head "I think I have something to ease the pain." "From your doctor?" "Yes, wait here." I leave the bathroom and look in one of the pockets for the anti-inflammatory. I return to her and she pulls her hair back into a ponytail to avoid getting it on her. I helped her sit on the sink. "Hold on tight." I warned, as I tilted her chin up. I place the cream in my hands and begin to massage her neck with it. Macie closes her eyes, groaning a little. "Sorry" I apologize, stopping to apply, “Do I hurt you?" "No, not you" she says and tries to nod ". Go ahead, I can handle it." "Alright..." I try to do the massage much more carefully. She lets out a strange sigh, is it pain or… "Dan was quite angry with you" she speaks slowly and she looks at me ", he think it's your fault that he did this to me…" "Don't talk" I ordered, controlling my anger. Dan was upset that he hadn't named me. He was worried about his friends "Waits at least for me to finish." "I'm sorry." I suck in a breath, thinking about the pain she must be in right now. I just hope this eases her up a bit. I see that then she breaks out into a smile. How can she smile at this moment? "What are you thinking?" Curious question "Aren't you even a bit worried? You have been threatened." “I'm thinking how well you massage.” She replies, letting out a chuckle. I do the same, shaking my head. "Really? Is that what you're thinking about?" "It's better than thinking about what happened..." Right… Now she should relax a bit before our next clue. I also try to calm down a bit now that I can, not to think for a moment that she is in danger and that she is safe here. With me. I don't remember having this kind of skin contact with her like this and her smile makes me partly relieved to know that she's okay. "Jake?" "Hmm? What?" "My neck is a little higher..." I realize that by looking at her face and in contact with her, I had slowly lowered my hand. "Sorry." I move my hand away nervously. Macie laughs and looks at me, stroking my face lovingly. “Sorry for worrying you so much” she says with a sigh ". I didn't know this was going to happen." "Nobody knew..." “But we did get Hannah's phone at least." I lean against the sink, resting my head on her shoulder. Macie strokes my hair as she eases me up a bit. Look for the positive side after all the bad. The problem is that I didn't want bad things to happen to her. "This shouldn't have happened to you." I nuzzle her neck gently and hear her make a noise of agreement "Sorry Macie." "At least I’m relieved a little thanks to you" she whispers, playing with my hair ", you're pretty good with your hands, what else can you do?" Ah… I see… Try to make me nervous so that I forget. I smile sitting up, to look into her eyes. If this helps her to forget about the bad thing she's been through, then I'll help her. "Can I…" I began to say, whispering close to her lips. "You can..?" I see how she starts to get nervous, she breathes very fast. "Type very fast." I whisper in her ear. Macie laughs and pushes me away a bit. I see that she is blushing. "Can we talk about what happened now?" Question "I'm much better and Jessy was also going to pass me the photos that she has taken." "If you're sure of it" I clap my hands and look at her decisively ". To work."

Macie sits on the bed and I sit on the chair. As usual. I see that she seems to be focused and ready to talk. "We are appear to be close to reaching our goal" I commented, also focused on our investigation ". And yet, I have been plagued by an odd feeling of late, which I cannot seem to let go of." "Because we still haven't found them her." she answers, hugging herself. "Perhaps you are correct." I can't deny it, I thought I was hopeful when they went to Michael's house. A modicum of hope to believe that Hannah and Richy were there. "I feel the same way. We won’t be able to rest until we’ve finally found her." "Yes. I suppose you are right.” I leaned back in the chair, thinking about the new find "Michael Hanson… What do you think Macie?" She looks up at me "Is he the culprit we have been looking for?" "No" she answers quickly ", Michael Hanson isn’t who we’re looking for” She stares at the ground, thinking ". He just doesn't fit in the picture." I start thinking about her words and everything we've seen. I trust her, although it's strange that she says that, because it could fit perfectly with him being our author. "Perhaps this is merely a delusion" I begin to give my point of view "as we never considered him as potential suspect until now” she nods slowly, putting a hand to her neck ". However, I can understand your doubts come from. For our continued investigations, I would like to assume that Michael Hanson is indeed our culprit" her look of doubt on him makes me think I'm wrong, but he's the closest we have to a big clue to everything we've investigated "We will check every piece of evidence under this assumption. That way, sooner or later, this theory will either prove to be fact or will turn out to be an error." "Alright." she answers without further ado. I can understand that she might not like the idea of a broken parent wanting to hurt someone, but that's how it is a lot of the time. They are blinded by the fear that they will harm or have already harmed their children. "Did you say that Jessica has send you the photos?" She nods "I would like for us both to look at them together." "Okay, then I'll take my phone and-" "No… You need to pick up your cell phone…" my face warms up a bit as I gesture for her to sit on my lap. "You can sit with me." I have to stop getting nervous when I invite her to do it, I think she shows quite a bit.

Macie gets up and sits on top of me. I turn on the screen and lets her see what I have. I know it's nothing special to impress her like anyone else. It is very simple and with hack programs. I'm sure she doesn't care too much. “So this is what you were keeping from me” she says, as she leans across the table, resting her hand under her chin “, a hacker's computer wanted by the government, and I'm looking at it." "I had more stuff on the other computers" I sighed almost sadly "At least here I have what we need. And that I trust you." She turns a little and smiles at me "Good. I will open the pictures now. Afterwards, we can analyze them together." I access her shared gallery with Jessica. Luckily she doesn't get upset, she understands that this is important. The first photo shows Michael's large house, along with the barn. It's... It's strange... This sounds familiar. "This house is increadibly run-down." I commented, stroking Macie's hair. "It looks like nobody’s taken care of it for a long time." I'm sure she could have observed it better than me. "The house on the edge of Duskwood." I look at the location on the map, where I looked for it to find out where it was located "There are no neighbors or other buildings close by." "A perfect place to hide." I nod. I can't get it out of my head. It's like I know this place. "This area…" I begin to comment "It seems familiar." "Have you been there before?" Macie looks at me, seriously. It almost seems like she's interrogating me. "No, it's not that…" I scratch my chin, trying to figure out where it's from, "I simply cannot remember." I move on to the next photo. The barn. “You three were able to enter the house’s interior this barn." "And we got out that way, too." I feel a tremor through her body and take her hand, caressing it carefully. She entwines our fingers, making me unable to let go. Good thing I have another hand.

We move on to the next photo. The house outside. Nothing to see there. Then the bunker. I really had hopes. “Too bad this bunker was empty.” Macie says "I really thought Hannah would be inside…" "I also believed that. If Hannah and Richy are not inside the kidnapper’s house, then where are they?" She squeezes my hand harder and I move on to the next photo.

The barn inside gave a cold and lonely feeling. Seeing this I remember when they ran to get out of the barn, how scared she was. The damage. Then came that threat on the cell phone. "You did not tell Jessica that he told you that he killed Richy." I remember from the group chat how Macie had avoided talking about it, so I guess she didn't tell her to her face either. "I couldn't…" she replies, squeezing my hand again. "I understand." I let my mind navigate my memories "For some, bad news is easier to take in if it is conveyed by a person they trust." "You’re talking from experience, aren’t you?" I think Macie means when I told the group about Hannah's kidnapping, but it's not just about that. “Yes” I nod, avoiding saying much more ". Of course, in the end it is entirely your decision." "Then I prefer not to tell her..." I hear her sigh and move on to the next photo, trying not to continue forcing the conversation. It must have hurt to hear that Richy really is dead.

In the following photo, two barrels are shown with a warning symbol. “The symbols on the barrels indicate a dangerous substance.” I comment. "Poisonous, I'd say." “As far I can tell, these barrels appear to be made of steel." "And they also look pretty new." I continued to watch them closely. True, they are new, so it means that the kidnapper has bought them for some reason. “I would estimate that they have a capacity of at least two hundred liters.” Macie looks at me surprised. "Do you know that just by looking at them?" She asks me. "You know with the size." I smiled at her. "You talk to someone who likes more letters than numbers." I let out a laugh and go back to the photo. "The writing is indistinguishable" I tried to look carefully, almost straining my eyes "It could tell us where they were bought or who manufacture." "Can't you make it readable?" "I could do it, but it would take a lot of time" I let go of the mouse for a moment, to ruffle my hair, a lot of work and I already had a hard time getting the memorial stone to show right "If we reach dead end in our investigations, I will start working on it." I move on to the next photo. The barn from another point of view. "Jake...?" She turns when to see me, with a curious look "Have you ever shown your computer to someone?" "I'm usually quite discreet with my work area, really" I replied, trying to remember that all the computers I used to work were not allowed to be looked at by anyone ". It was like a no-go zone for everyone." "So all this time you've let me look at the screens…. Have I been the first person?" "Yes," he answered, caressing her face, "you're the first person to see it. Even right now, I haven't shown anyone the programs I use to hack. " She smiles and I watch as she fixes a lock that had come loose from her ponytail. "I like that… I feel special." "You have always been..." She bites her lips and returns to the screen. I clear my throat and move on to the next photo. The mural.

Instinctively, Macie jerks back, away from the screen. I run my arm through her body and stroke her arm slowly. “Like in a horror movie…” she murmurs, a little more to herself "It must have taken a long time to get all of this stuff." I hear anger in her voice. I can understand her, because in the next photo, there are photos of Lilly. My little sister. Thinking that the kidnapper has photographed her makes me worry. "Lilly." I pronounce her name, terrified of the situation. "Notice how she’s looking around?" Macie raises her hand to indicate the photo "As if she knew she was being followed." “Survival instinct” I say, trying to be calm “, maybe she must have felt something like you say." "That’s the map of Duskwood." now she points to a part of a map, "Yes, well spotted." "But it’s cut off in the picture." We look at the next photo that is in Jessica's photograph. Macie tenses up seeing him. "Richy..." "How do you know that this person is Richy?" "His… His whole appearance I guess." I kissed her forehead and sighed.

We continue with the next photo. Seeing him makes me angry. "Thomas." I can't hide my anger, it shows too much in my voice. "I just realized, I didn’t know his last name until now. Somehow it is strange to know this detail by means of our author." So not only does the kidnapper know their names and have taken photos of them, but very possibly he knows who they are personally for some strange reason. “Jessica.” I say, seeing the photo of her. "She’d kill you if you keep calling her that." Macie giggles. "If she can catch me." I smile proudly. She laughs again and she leaves me a kiss on the neck. Shit... Shit... Now I have to concentrate. I'll focus on Jessica's picture, that'll calm me down. I analyze the photo, it seems that she is looking directly at the camera. “It’s as if she could see her follower." "That is what I initially thought, too" I replied, trying to better position myself in the chair without disturbing her ". But then I notice the details to the right and the left of the picture.” I point my hand to it "I am sure that he was well hidden when he took this picture." She makes a nodding sound. Behind Jessica's photo, there is a piece of paper with numbers on it. "A bill. All relevant information has been blacked out and made illegible." “The strange thing here is that he hung up on It.” she comments, her voice doubtful. I move on to the next photo. “A picture of Dan." “I know that picture” I look at Macie, who is now pointing at it “It’s from social media." "That means the culprit did not take it."

I look at the next person in the photo. "Cleo." I notice something strange "This photo enclosed with the threatening letter the culprit had sent to Cleo’s mother” I look at Macie who seems to be studying the mural. She's been there, she probably noticed something ". Have you notice anything, Macie?" "He has a picture of everyone in the group but compare Dan's with the rest, it's taken from the internet." she points to the top and bottom sides. "Yes," I pay attention to her words and I dare to ask "Do you think Dan has planned it?" "No, maybe the kidnapper didn't have time" Macie looks at me and starts to think "What if he couldn't take the photo because by the time he was doing the group, he was already in the hospital?" It's a very good deduction, no doubt. It is most likely that he did not have time to get a photo of Dan, so we could say that he did the mural in a short time. "He was watching all of them." I say, accepting her deduction. “I suppose he." "Why did he do that?" Macie shrugs and I look at the next clue. "A calendar sheet." I try to take a better look at it, a lot of things are missing "However, both month and year are missing." "Month and year of Jennifer's death?" Comments Macie "Everything revolves around her." “That only makes the father theory grow." "We don't know that yet..." I nod and look at the word on the banner. "'Reven'?" “Revenge.” Macie corrects me, tense. "I see... I'd like to see it from another better angle."

We move on to the next photo, in it is a photo of Amy Bell Lewis and the news. “This is from the news clip in which Amy Bell Lewis’ identity was revealed." "Christian wanted to include me in her report about her death." I hear her make an annoyed sound and I kiss her on the shoulder to relax her. She puts her arm behind me and starts stroking the ends of my hair "So he actively watches the news." "Yes, he does. Either he wants to see what police is sharing with the public.” She looks at me and I look at her, continuing my theory "Or it makes him happy to see that he is being talked about in the media." "He wants more insight" Macie looks back at the photo "If this gives him happiness… he is sick." I nod and move on to the next photo.

Revenge. In large and below it, all the clues of the kidnapper. "If we assume that this was really Michael Hanson, then he probably wanted to find his daughter’s killer." I try to explain to Macie so she'll understand. She can't keep denying it. “And that way everyone got targeted." "Yes" I continue caressing her arm slowly, I can see that she is nervous because of how she trembles again "Jennifer Hanson's killer has never been found. And that's why he only started ten years later" I try to fit all the pieces, I think this is what makes the most sense so far. "He had to find out first who was responsible for Jennifer’s death." "That’s what Cleo suspected too…" It was like we all just assumed is Michael Hanson except her. She denied it. Perhaps with this I could help her see that not all parents mourn her children. Some prefer the thirst for revenge.

I move on to the next photo and I'm furious. Like Dan, it was a social media post of Macie with Henry. I clench my fist and she makes me look at her. "Jake, calm down." Her soft her voice tries to calm me down "Don’t worry." I swallow, caressing her hand. Powerless to see it. "I am sorry." “Eh, it's not as bad as all those threatening phone calls” she jokes, trying not to care. But I know that she cares too because she isn’t alone but with Henry and I know how much he means to her. I keep looking at the photo. Her joke doesn't calm me down, on the contrary. I know she's hiding it that she doesn't mind and it's what makes me want to do something for her. "What’s up?" she asks me, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Seeing this photo on this wall getting to me." I look directly into her eyes, controlling my anger. But it wasn't directed against her "It makes me angry and I feel helpless” Macie sighs, looking at me sympathetically "I should have gone there with you and protected you." "And risk someone seeing you?" "It would have been better than doing nothing." "No" she shakes her head, bringing her forehead to mine "I wouldn't have left you, do you hear me? Besides… It helps me knowing you care about me." She smiles at me and I try to return her smile, even though I had a hard time. I won't let her go through something like this again. "I've realized something" I say, looking at the photo, not responding to her words. I couldn't accept it “You only joined the group after Hannah had disappeared, so as you say, he hasn't been able to find out anything about you." "In social networks I don't have a position where I live or my personal information, most of them are Henry's and the ones I have are more private, I share them with my friends" she answers, looking at the photo now ", he hasn't been able to find out anything specifically and until now, he didn't know I was here." “And this new clip was only aired recently, too… So his investigation are not finished yet." "It’s not over for him…" I watch as she nuzzles her neck, remember when he suffocated her. I make her look at me and I see that her eyes are shining, affected by what happened. As she had done before, I dare to place a small kiss on her neck, but as relief for the pain she felt. I can't stand it being like this. She smiles at me when I look back at her. “We’ve almost solved the case, Jake” she says with a sigh, wrapping her arms around my neck “I can feel it." “Yes, we have, Macie” I admit, placing my hands on her hips "However, we should not feel too sure of ourselves to avoid making any mistakes" I remember the finding, with doubt ". It is a very happy coincidence that Thomas managed to come into possession of Hannah's phone." "I completely agree." I start thinking about our next step. We have something quite valuable on our hands. “I should take precautionary steps so that we can access Hannah’s phone later on." “Well then.” Macie stands up and I feel empty without her. It is not like it bother me much, either "hurry up and good luck with." We hear the door and look at each other. We don't wait for anyone. Well. She doesn't wait for anyone.

Who could it be?

Chapter 34

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

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agorejessstone · 5 months

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How Hira Changed My Life - DRAMA

At just 29 years old, I was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer.

Sort of the cherry on top of a sundae made Sjogren's.

As the eldest daughter of a lower middle class American family, I was responsible for more than just my education growing up.

While I was an avid writer, reader, dancer, artist, and vocalist, I was never given the same opportunities as my siblings. When they were being totted off to this practice or that recital, I was forced to focus on my homework, and whichever sibling was not old enough to attend.

That's not to say I didn't get to play a sport or join a club here and there, but overall, I was heading down a path of self destruction.

A people pleaser, avidly ignoring all the issues I'd acquired along the way, in pursuit of other's happiness.

There is nothing quite like a near-death experience to make you reevaluate your life.

6 years ago, I beat cancer, or at least, began my journey into remission, where I remain for the time being.

I decided that it was time to put down the dish rag, quit all but one of my three jobs, and get to know myself better. I'd carried the need to be the caretaker in to adulthood, and the effects were devastating.

I set out to write and publish my first full length novel. I'd written plenty before, but I never had the time, energy, or confidence to publish.

In July of 2021, I published my very first novel in a six part series that I am still working on today: Legend of the Sylph, but that wasn't all I wanted to do.

In 2016, I'd started a podcast, during my diagnosis, I'd been forced to focus on my health, and put that podcast on hold.

By 2018, fond memories resurfaced, and I decided it was time to try again. Heiress Anonymous was born as a faceless online artist, with a heart of gold, and a lot of stories to tell. I even included a weekly advice section, and things were going pretty well.

Until my youngest brother took his own life January 2019, 2019.

Being one of only two siblings that I was close to, and only 19, that loss shook the very core of our family, and it nearly defeated me a second time.

Struggling to keep my depression, anxiety, PTSD and bipolar under control, I did the only thing I thought I could do.

I got help.

During my inpatient therapy, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what made me happy, so that when I left that place, I could find something, anything, that made life seem less like wading through the layers of hell, slowly as an ant through tar.

I'd lost so many pieces of myself and I was tired of slapping a bandaid on a gaping wound and telling myself, and everyone else, it was just a scratch.

Dealing with everyone else's needs and desires, while neglecting my own was causing my Sjogren's to flare up more often than it should. My body wasn't cooperating, and my mind, oh that poor fella was more foggy than a black and white film.

Again, I started to do things I was passionate about.

I started with an online game after Duskwood's completion.

Each month, I'd write a new story, and a team of artists would help me develop a location map, clues, and characters for up to 30 people to play. It was the most fun I'd had in a while.

During this time, I was also playing other immersive games.

Mystic Messenger, The Seven Endgame series, and The Sign.

During my playthrough of the Seven series, I happened upon some... rather cancellable translation errors. In a moment of "Please don't cancel the only games I enjoy", I typed up an email to Reality Games, the developers, offering to scan the rest of their games for similar issues.

I was surprised when my wonderful friend Mel emailed me back, offering to let me test and correct The Healing, their upcoming title.

I accepted right away.

Then I had a thought... What if I took the team I'd been working on games with, made an actual game?

Astro Hollow was born. (Hopefully we'll be completed by 2025. It's not easy now that I have such a small team.)

During The Healings production, I asked if there were any unfilled roles. After knowing me for some time. Mel suggested Hira, and the rest is history.

Reality Games Fandom group was started on FB.

There, I met many great fans.

And some not so great fans.

One of them stood out to me. Stefi, who plays Ina.

She came to me as a fan, but we became fast friends. Similar to some of the others. She expressed her desire to become a voice actress, but was hesitant.

I spent weeks, months even, building her up, encouraging her, offering to help coach her lines, etc.

I introduced her to the group, set her up to mod the RG Fandom so she could learn the ropes and get used to fan engagement.

I even invited her to co-host a podcast.

Things seemed to be running smoothly. Until she decided that she was too busy to steam, but with the German meet and great looming, and her insistence that she go, I wholeheartedly understood.

I offered to hold her place on the podcast, until she had more time.

Tongue Tied Games and I had chatted before on reddit. Imagine my surprise at how small the world is, when I found out he played Charlie! We streamed together for the first time about a year ago, and we just clicked.

Preston and I became fast friends as well. (Cedrik - The Sign EN) His sense of humor is the stuff of legends.

I met all sorts of nice people.

Serge definately stands out to me. Such an amazing, witty guy.

I can't say enough good things about the Author's.

Daniel and Tim especially.

I'd forgotten how dark the internet can be, with all the light surrounding me.

I hadn't stopped to think about the fans, and how this could easily turn into an introverts parasocial hellscape.

For months, I tried to be the bigger person.

I ignored the whispers, the rumors, the blatant disrespect, but something happened that made me realize that if I don't stick up for myself, no one else will.

So here I am, explaining how one of the most important turning points in my life, has become the darkest time.

A fan, whom I will not name, and whom I've never had a conversation with, immediately disliked me. For the past 8 months, I've tried and tried and tried to figure out who or what or why this happened. They don't seem to know themselves. But to anyone that would listen, I was "mean". I didn't "value my friendships".

I was so dead set on not disrupting the community I loved, that I didn't speak up.

Ina was one of those people who turned their back on me.

I asked them why they'd take their word over mine, after everything I'd done.

I'd vouched for them, coached them, let them sit with me while I edit, introduced them to the group, supported them, helped them learn and grow, shared with them, both professionally and privately.

I could not fathom this turn of events.

In fact, I had not even considered it as the catalyst for her quitting the podcast.

It wasn't until a very dear friend of mine, nearly took her life, because she was bullied by this very same member (I'd give you there name, but honestly, I suspect there are many many names they go by) that I'd finally had it.

See what I mean?

I'm quick to defend and protect other people, but I'll let others tear me apart before I disrupt the peace.

I reached out to my mods, and let them know what was happening. They were appalled, to say the least. One even tried to mediate, but of course that didn't work out.

There was nothing to mediate.

This was a para social nightmare.

Growing up, being sickly, I'd never found myself beautiful, but in recent years, that has changed.

Health and happiness have made me a better person, physically and mentally.

Imagine my surprise when I was edged out by women who were intimidated by me, in a group that I was part of, long before most of them.

Imagine consitently helping others, and being forced to step back for a few months, only to come back to someone new, determined to make themselves "Queen PICK ME" or some shit.

I truly still do not understand it.

I've tried countless times to figure it out, but in the end, these are people who want to keep someone to themselves.

Who flirt with a stranger online, thinking they know them, but chastise anyone else who dares to do the same.

I'd seen it.

I'd recognized it.

I choose to ignore it.

FFS - I've got someone I care about already. Who in their right mind would intentionally ruin that for someone they've never even met? Someone they don't know? That's just a silly thought to have.

It has to be jealousy....

Do you know how many times I've been told that, and chose to ignore it, because I cannot fathom what there is to be jealous of?

After I shared my story with mods, the universe answered with a call of it's own.

Message after message from others within the community, who'd been wronged by this person.

Who'd felt unwelcome in the community.

Who'd been attacked, bullied even, out of the groups.

I was shattered.

A near death, a dozen victims.

I reached out to the group owners, and cleaned up my own, but no one made a move to correct the behavior.

Is that what being an "influencer" is?

Should I be reaping the benefits without any of the responsibility?

No.

I refuse to let people suffer, because I don't want to speak up.

I was scared, truth be told, because I thought if I just ignored it, it would go away.

By time I realized that wasn't the case, so many other people had been influenced by this person's word.

This person, whom I'd never had a conversation with.

This person, who I'd promoted their "fan art".

This person, who was continually looking for excuses to hate me.

This person, who clearly knows nothing about me.

And yet, this person was going to win.

I haven't said a word in 8 months.

I've blocked and removed myself where ever I can, but this person, these people really, still haunt me.

The horde gets larger every day I stay silent.

The one who said they weren't feeling the podcast, took the name I had for the post finale of Orphans, and the people I had invited, and did their own, but I knew that was happening, and said nothing.

Until someone came to me and asked me, "Weren't you the reason that Stefi joined the cast as Ina?"

I replied yes, and the flood gates opened.

Stefi was a fan.

She came to me as Hira. Said she liked the character.

We started to chat. Became friends.

I encouraged her to email her audition to the team.

I reached out to the team and told them to give her a chance.

I coached her lines from the first few episodes.

I GOT HER THE ROLE AS INA.

She now gives credit to TT.

If you don't believe me, I have the podcasts still up on YouTube, where we talk about it in detail.

At first, I was sure that she was being manipulated.

Part of the reason that I was adamant that she join the team, was who she is as a person.

She's LGBTQ and on the spectrum. It's very important to me, especially after all of my struggles, to make sure that everyone finds something they're passionate about and doesn't let anything hold them back.

For months I thought she was being taken advantage of. Manipulated.

To discover otherwise was absolutely heartbreaking for me.

Imagine how shattered I was, when someone from the German fan meet up, said she's been telling people that since the German Fan Meet and Great in AUGUST 2023.

I feel used.

I'm at a low I'm not sure I can recover from, especially because she continues to say and do things just to get at me.

I've done what I can to block and move on, and I continue to leave communities I cherish, because of these ghosts.

It's like I'm Sandy, but for real this time, and trapped in that damned Orphanage.

Will we share a similar fate?

Will I let devistation consume me?

Have I made the right decisions?

Time will tell.

I'm leaving most names out of this on purpose, but I'm setting the record straight on how Ina came to be part of the community.

I'm so sick and tired of supporting people from behind the curtain, while actively being used as a doormat.

I love working for RG.

This has nothing to do with the company itself.

Cast will be what cast will be.

I love voice acting. I love writing, so even the editing process is fulfilling, but man I still had a lot to learn about how selfish the industry is.

How competitive.

How jealous and manipulative.

Watching people argue over someone they've never met.

Someone they've never seen.

Someone they don't know.

Watching them gatekeep the communities they stay in, running off anyone who isn't an OG.

Kind of defeats the purpose of supporting that creator, when you're driving good people out.

I'm starting to wonder if the internet isn't going to be our downfall.

If we'll ever truly understand the effects of parasocial relationships.

While I love the work I do, and many of the people who follow me, I cannot condone gatekeeping, lying, manipulation, cheating, stealing, copying, and outright bullying.

Stay in your lane.

At the end of the day, you don't know me.

Very few of you do.

You don't know her, him, they, them.

You just don't.

Speaking or acting on the behalf of others, lying about the people who helped get you where you are, no matter how you feel about them, is just plain messed up.

As with everything else in my life, I've learned a lot here.

I don't love parasocial relationships.

They fascinate me, until they piss me off.

Obviously this is NOT all of what occurred here. There are plenty of screenshots, and stories, but the bottom line is that I'm being pushed around, and I'm tired of staying silent. I work too hard, and help too many people, while barely being able to lift my head up to do so.

I've had it.

If you want to join a discord community where bullying, will not be tolerated: https://discord.gg/C6Edjk3AhX

Please remember. Just because you recognize their face and you know about them through the internet, does not mean you KNOW them.

Please treat actors/streamers as human beings, but also as "entertainers".

Respect their privacy.

Do not speak on their behalf.

Do not bully their followers, even if they are extremely hands off, or they expect the community to police.

You can easily turn one of the BEST things that's ever happened to someone, into one of the worst.

The results can be deadly.

#hira #the healing #the sign #orphans #reality games #reality games fandom #voice actor #voice acting #duskwood #ina #sandy

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duskwoodgirl4life · 4 months

Text

Chapter 2

I spent most of the day searing through all the documents and pictures that Hannah had on her cloud. I sent everything I found to the unknown guy. I still never understood why he couldn't just do this himself. Why drag me into this? I still don't even know who Hannah is and why she's got my number. The next clue I send over is a picture of a cat. How is this going to help? But I send it over but he doesn't come online straight away. After a few minutes of waiting he finally comes online.

Unknown online

Unknown: discovery number 3?

MC: yeah, discovery number 3

Unknown: okay thank you

Unknown offline

What was that all about? Why was he so quick to log off like that, I will never understand him. I carry on searching through the cloud when Cleo comes online.

Cleo online

Cleo: I thought I could fill you in abit about Hannah, I hear that Jessy and Thomas have told you a few things.

MC: yeah but most of it was just small talk what did you have in mind

Cleo: What would you like to know?

MC: Does Hannah have any siblings?

Cleo: You mean you don't know that Lily is her sister?

MC: I mean besides Lily

Cleo: oh right okay, no she doesn't it's just her and Lily

The conversation with Cleo and I continued. I learnt a lot about Hannah and what she's like. I feel like I am starting to get to know her now. Cleo signs off and I get back to finding new clues. Before I get a chance I feel my stomach starting to rumble. I look at the time and see that it's 5pm. I've been working on this damn cloud all day and forgotten to eat. I walk over to the fridge and it's bare and so is the freezer. Damn I knew there was something I had to do. I'm just going to order in and I'll go shopping tomorrow. I sit back down on the sofa and decide to order Chinese for dinner. After I've placed the order Cleo sends me another message.

Cleo online

Cleo: I'm so upset

MC: why what's happened?

Cleo: I've just been to the motel and I saw Alfie playing in some mud

MC: Who's Alfie?

Cleo: Mrs Walters son he as a disability

MC: Where's his mother? Shouldn't she be looking after him

Cleo: let's say her reputation is one of many discussions in duskwood

MC: What did Alfie say?

Cleo: he called me the dead girls friend he said he saw a man without a face take her into the forest

MC: Do you think he's telling the truth?

Cleo: Yeah, I really do. Jessy is the horror queen of the group. You should ask her about it.

Cleo offline

Wow what was all that about a man without a face? A little boy who has a disability playing in the mud. Duskwood is a really strange place. I open up the chat between me and Jessy and send her a message.

MC: Hey, you have time right now?

Jessy: Hey, I'm just feeding the office fish (sends photo)

Jessy: What's up?

MC: Cleo mentioned that you love all things horror and I was wondering if you knew anything about the man without a face

Jessy: that is an old duskwood legend what do you want to know

MC: Well Alfie said that he saw this man take a girl into the forest, how true do you think it is?

Jessy: I used to babysit Alfie from time to time

MC: Did he used to tell you the same kind of story's?

Jessy continued to fill me in on Alfie and his disability, she opened up a chat for us to discuss the man without a face. She invited Richy when I asked her why she told me that he grew up in Duskwood and knew a lot of the legend. Richy was still working so the chat was on hold and Jessy got back to work. My food had arrived and I couldn't wait to dig in. I got a plate and fork from the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of wine and went to sit down to eat. I put the tele on for some background noise while I eat. My thoughts drifted back to this unknown hacker and his black hair. I kept thinking about what he looks like. I'd really like to go to that island with him and it would just be me and him there. The more I thought about him the more I started to realize that I actually like him.

I don't know anything about him yet I feel so drawn to him, I just want to spend my time with him. I quickly snap myself out of my own thoughts. Come on MC you can't possibly have a crush on someone you have never met you don't even know what he looks like. After I finished dinner I decided to run a hot bath with some bubbles and oils to make things smell nice. While I'm in the bath I have a quick search through Hannah's cloud before calling it a night and I find a document. I open it up and take a look. The resolution is awful and I can't make out what it is properly. I better send it to the hacker.

MC: check this out: Cloud document sent

Unknown: this is a good find, unfortunately the resolution is awful give me some time

Unknown offline

I don't think anything of the way he logged off the next half an hour I just spent looking at his profile picture. Trying to work out what he looks like, what colour his eyes are, if he has a beautiful smile. I decided to call it a night and go and get some sleep. I end up tossing and turning most of the night. I couldn't get him off my mind what the hell was he doing to me. I look at the clock and it's nearly 8am. I grab myself out of bed and go and make a coffee. Once the coffee is done I take my coffee and go and sit down on the sofa I put on the TV and see what's on. A few hours pass and I'm still daydreaming about him. I get shaken out of my daydream when I get a message from Jessy in the duskwood legend chat.

Jessy online

Richy online

Jessy: hey MC

Richy: Hi there, what's all this about?

Jessy: MC as found an important clue involving the man without a face

MC: yeah that's right, Alfie first brought it to our attention

Richy: MC was talking to Alfie?

MC: no Cleo was, she went to the motel to try and get some information

Jessy: Richy do you wanna tell MC about the legend?

Richy: but you explain it so much better than I do

MC: tell me over the phone

Jessy: good idea let me just get the mood right

Jessy phones me and fills me in on the legend,how he marks people's doors with the sign of the raven. He takes them into the forest and they are never seen again.

MC: Wow, who comes up with this stuff?

Richy: doesn't your twin have its own legends?

MC: Now that you mention it, what's our plan now?

Jessy: I'm not sure yet, but we will have to put it on hold work is calling

Richy: I think I'd prefer the man without a face

MC: lol see you two later

Jessy offline

Richy offline

It's going to be a long day. I can feel it. I need a shower and more coffee, so I get myself up and go into the bathroom. Once the water is at the temperature I like I step in and let the hot water wash over me.

This part has nothing to do with the plot so feel free to skip past it.

As the water washes over my body my fingers run over my hard nipples, making them even harder. My hand runs down my wet body and fingers into my wet cunt my other hand is playing with my nipples as my other fingers move in and out of my wet cunt. Thoughts of him flash through my mind thinking of what it would be like to be in his strong arms. He pushes me down onto the bed and puts his erect cock deep inside me. It takes me a few seconds to get used to his massive length. It feels so good deep inside me. Waves of passion wash over me, my fingers digging into my breasts. Screams escape from my lips as I think of him pounding into me as hard as he can. I just want to scream his name as loud as I can. My legs start to shake multiple times as I cum all over my fingers.

I catch my breath and clean myself up. What did I just do? I need to stop thinking like this. I don't even know him. I need to start focusing on finding Hannah. I get out of the shower and get changed and go to make another coffee and get to work on Hannah's cloud.

#duskwood #everbyte game #duskwood jake #duskwood hacker #iamjake #duskwood jake x mc #i love you jake #jake x mc #he loves me #i love you #how two strangers came together #how two people came together #rewrite

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liarist · 10 months

Text

Comedy

Chapter 5: the information No warnings

As I was browsing through Hannah's cloud, I found a medical prescription, but it was of very poor quality. I sent it to Jake, hoping he could fix the image to make it more legible.

Jessy: I have to tell you something else.

Rebekah: Tell me.

Jessy: Cleo was at the junkyard yesterday. Well, you could say she trespassed.

Rebekah: How? Why did she do that?

Jessy: No idea. I went out when I saw her and scolded her. Then she pretended to come see me.

Rebekah: Oh, really? Well, what a curious way to visit her friends.

Jessy: Oh, that's normal. Jumping a fence is what she does here in Duskwood.

"Have you found anything new?" I asked Jake.

"I'm working on fixing the resolution of the prescription, but besides that, nothing else. How about you?"

"Jessy told me the gossip that Cleo jumped a fence to get into the garage," I told him.

"That sounds very suspicious."

"Oh, yep. But I think Cleo likes to play detective, one who does things illegally."

Cleo started talking to me, and we discussed things about Hannah, hoping to find some detail that could be useful, but unfortunately, she didn't say anything new.

"You look disappointed." Jake observed.

"I had hoped to discover something significant." I sighed. "At least Cleo will go to places with rumors to see if she finds anything."

I kept browsing and found another photo of Hannah, but I didn't bother sending it to Jake. What infuriated me was the message Richy sent to Jessy.

"¿Ese conshesumadre es el que insistió en que los ayudara y ahora le dice a Jessy que tenga cuidado conmigo? ¿Qué mierda sabe ese culiao de mí? ¡Nada!"

"Bekah, I don't understand." Jake said, I take a deep breath.

"I haven't even talked to him. You can see it." I said.

"It seemed like he was going to tell her why he doesn't trust you."

"Yes, but, well, who knows? Probably Jessy will tell me."

"Yeah, that's likely."

"Do you trust me?" I dared to ask.

"If I didn't, you wouldn't be here, Bekah." he smiled. "Jessy isn't the only one who has connected with you from the beginning." I blushed.

"Is that a compliment?"

"It is" he blushed slightly.

We stared at each other for a few seconds until a message notification caught our attention. It was Cleo.

She had gone to talk to the motel owner, but since she wasn't there, she spoke with her son, and the response she got was "You're the friend of the dead girl."

"Dead girl?" Jake whispered.

"They found the body of a girl. It must be her, and maybe Cleo knew the person. But since they haven't revealed the name yet, it's hard to know. But if it's Hannah, Lilly and the others will know."

"You're right, and if they know, we will too" he whispered again, and I nodded slowly.

"Something interesting Cleo mentioned: 'The man without a face.' We talked about someone who wears a mask and apparently is part of a legend in Duskwood."

"Do you believe in that kind of stuff?" he asked curiously.

"When I first started doing tricks, I used that technique, using people's knowledge of mysticism, myths, and legends to make everything even more believable. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time someone commits a crime and pretends to be a character from a book."

"I'll believe you."

"Did you know that the Pied Piper of Hamelin's story is real?" I saw him raise an eyebrow.

"You better talk to Jessica about legends."

"Dan está mamadísimo" I whispered as I saw the photos he had uploaded to his profile.

I followed the conversation with Jessy until a point.

"Jessy wants us to have a group with Richy for the legend stuff. I know it's an opportunity to talk to him and get more information, but what happened before still makes me feel upset."

"Instead of accepting or rejecting the proposal, you could ask him why he wants the group with him and then decide" he suggested.

"Good idea" I smiled. A few minutes passed until something interesting happened. "Cleo's calling, Cleo's calling!" I exclaimed.

I put the phone on speaker, so Jake could hear everything Cleo was saying. Now that we had the medical prescription, it became our priority. It was an important clue that could be related to what had happened.

"Medical prescriptions always have the date they were issued. If they match, we could know what Hannah bought at the pharmacy." I explained.

"With the metadata, it should be enough" Jake said, going straight to his computer to check the file information. "The date is very close to Hannah's disappearance. We need to find out what Hannah went to buy."

I try to change words, cause I think I repeat too many words as “whispered” “I dare” or similar, but that is because in spanish is the same problem. I have favorite words JAJAJA I wish the translation is ok, is easier to me read in english than write. And maybe, I should to translate the phrases in spanish, but I don't know. I have to think about it, because maybe I have to explain that phrases and that's complicated even in spanish

#fanfic #duskwood #duskwood everbyte #duskwood fanfiction #duskwood jake #duskwood jake x mc #duskwood mc

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v-lynx-2 · 2 years

Text

here goes nothing..

Jake x mc

In which mc breaks their promise ;)

_____________________________________________

Looking around at their shared apartment for her phone, mc and Jake decided to move in together finally, well, Jake wasn't against it, but he was concerned it could be a security risk to stay in one place.

" Jake, have you seen my phone ? "

But he doesn't have to worry much really, mc has picked up few things and helped him out a lot, they are a good team after all.

The apartment is quite comfortable, on one of the upper floors in a big building in the city, with great view as mc loved watching how the city lights were shining at night.

Pretty neat, Jake knew mc would like it, after all, he did like the city life too.

Taking a job as a cyber security consultant for a big tech company, he had to take some time to get used to it, which made him more busy than before.

" No, want me to help ?"

But never neglect the game night with mc and the others, after all, mc enjoyed it so much and made him spend time with his sisters too.

Mc's phone started ringing

" Oh nevermind I found it "

Jessy called

"Oh it was Jessy "

Calling Jessy back mc waited until she picked up

Jessy and mc are besties, they text every now and then, she told her about other duskwood stories which mc has expressed her lack of interest for more duskwood legends.

" Hey Mc! "

" Hi Jessy, what's up? "

"Oh .. well.. I was wondering, if you can come over for a visit, well, there is this festival and I really want you to be there, please?"

Mc decided to leave the room not to disturb Jake.

Well actually, mc is interested in going out with Jessy and didn't want Jake to catch that.

Well Jake isn't against her hanging out with friends, he is just against the whole duskwood thing, he isn't a fan of that place, which is understandable, but hey he needs to loosen up right? Nothing bad happened after, all good.

Then there is no reason for mc to keep that promise, the " don't go to duskwood " promise.

The promise..

" Oh Jessy but I promised Jake I wouldn't go to duskwood.."

"Aww please? Why ? Look it won't be for long, I just want you there this year.. I'm sorry but I have to spoil something, Cleo already baked your welcome cake "

"Awwww that's so nice of you guy, but .... Eh he shouldn't be worried anyway you know, maybe.."

" You can come anytime, we will be happy to have you "

" Thanks Jessy, you know what, just a bit of fun won't hurt"

" Yay! So Jake agreed? "

" No.. I don't want to worry him"

" Oh my! So you wouldn't tell him ?!!"

" Shhhh, yea "

What he doesn't know won't hurt him right ?,

I mean everything is fine now! He has no reason to be worried, mc thought.

If mc learned anything from helping Jake out, it's how to execute a clean and untraceable operation.

Jake, was extremely busy that day, most of it at the company, they have decided to install an upgraded version for better data protection and he was the man for the job.

Mc has informed him by text that she might get home late tonight as she was visiting a close someone.

What a lie, yet mc was not a lying, she was visiting close friends after all.

He got suspicious for moment, usually they go out together, but decided to just give her space, she could use some fresh air, both of them like to stay indoors more often than not.

Adrenaline rushing mc kept her head out of the car window, wind caressing her face.

" This makes me realize how polluted the city air compared to duskwood "

" Oh really? I guess it could be expected with all the cars and everything, good thing is, you can see the charms of duskwood now "

" I'm really excited about today ! "

" Me too! "

They get to Jessy's house and as mc expected but didn't act liked she knew, they threw a surprise party, with everyone attending and Cleo's famous cake and .. uh oh Phil, he isn't a bad person or anything, but Jake wouldn't like that, she really has to keep this part of the story for herself.

Dan kept talking about this new job and asked mc what Jake is doing

" Well.. "

" Heh probably doesn't even leave his computer "

" Hey! Well his job is computer related after all, he is in the ' cyber security' department working for this tech company in the city "

" Oh " Dan said looking like he didn't expect it

Phil didn't show any interest in the topic, just gave mc a little thanks for helping him out, as he kissed her hand.

" Aw aren't you so cute? "

" Hm thanks Phil.. "

So it went fine as they decide to take mc out to the festival.

Jessy took mc to look around and try everything, it was fun, as they all decided to join.

as mc was about to say goodbye, it was getting late after all, she was about to check her phone before Phil invited them, drinks on him, they looked so excited mc couldn't say no.

Mc wasn't much of a drinker, but is really curious and Phil just fed her curiosity even more.

Though this Cinderella had a deadline to keep if she didn't want her secret to be exposed.

Just a one more drink, wouldn't be too bad.

" For mc !"

Two more drinks, it's fine.

" Oh come on, i know you can sing "

Three more drinks.

After singing her heart out people she didn't know existed clapped

" Have you tried this one before ? "

Four more little icy shots can't do any damage, right?.

Mc has started to lose track of time, speaking of time, what time is it ?

She looked around for her phone it wasn't there.

" Mc, is there a problem? "

" I can't find my phone...I haven't used it since we were in the car ? Maybe "

" We will help you look for it, okay "

Jessy went to look around in the car and others decided to help as well

Phil came back to their table with more drinks

" Hello dear, you look a bit stressed, maybe you would like something ?, I have this new drink I was wondering if you would like it "

" No I think I had enough .. okay maybe one sip "

That was a one big sip.

" You know, you look so cute like that"

Phil said rising mc's chin with his hand as she can barely keep her head up, eyes half lidded and face red and

" Very kissable "

feeling a great headache just by trying to get up, mc just looked away instead to see someone she really needed at the moment.

" Jake ~!"

A so suddenly happy mc said

" He isn't here darling, why not show me a little bit of gratitude for today's fun hm? "

He said getting closer

" Maybe you want to back off before you get hurt "

That was Jake, a very good at containing his anger Jake.

Phil stood up and took a step back

" Not my fault she came here herself "

The others went back to find an angry Jake, shocked Phil and dazed mc.

" I feel like throwing up.. "

His features softened, checking mc for any injuries, which is lucky for them there was non.

" I have to say, I'm sorry for crashing your party, but I think mc is a bit tired, if you would excuse us "

He covers mc with his jacket and scoops her up, her trying to walk by herself was not an option as he feared she might fall and hurt herself..well he missed her as well.

She turned her head and waved back to the others

" See ya later guys !!! "

Mc wakes up the next day on a bed she doesn't recognize. "ugh my head hurts"

Looks out the window, that's proly the motel lilly works at.

Mc decided to check around, the door to the room is locked,

"waaah ??? Am I being kidnapped!?? Oh shit if Jake finds out !"

Okay I have other things to worry about but him finding out is still a worse fate.

Trying to pick the lock failed, phone no where to be found.

Suddenly, someone is at the door

It opens

"Oh shit "

"Mc "

So that wasn't a dream..

"It's not what it looks like i- "

"Good morning, hungry? "

Huh ?

"Sure..., u aren't mad? "

"No, I'm furious. "

"..."

"I will deal with you later"

He said his voice more stern than he ever was, placing the bags he was holding on the table and neatly placing everything out.

Unable to look Jake in the eyes, mc went to the bathroom.

Internally screaming, I can't believe this! How did he know?! Fk I missed up! I should have been more careful.

Okay, just apologize, I mean, he is reasonable!

Oh wait.. not when Phil involved, he just throws logic out the window.

Not helping the case..

After taking some time in the bathroom mc decided to face it.

" Jake I'm- "

" Please, eat first, I did say I will have time for that later "

He must be really mad..

They ate in silence, Jake on his phone, taking a sip now and then from his coffee. Didn't pay mc much attention.

After they were done, Jake gave mc a jacket and her phone.

" My phone! You found it! .. err well thanks.... Sorry.."

" Get ready, we are leaving "

Not saying a word, mc didn't have much on her anyway, just her bag which Jake decided to pick up, she looked through her phone, the battery was low, so many missed calls and texts mainly from Jake.

Oh damn..

They left the motel lily was there, checked them out and said a quite good bye to mc, for some reason she didn't look Jake in the eye.

They got in his car this time, and drove away..mc is a little bit more anxious than ever.

Jake's hand was griping on the steering wheel as the events of yesterday played in the back of his mind.

The time was getting late, Jake was getting worried by the second, mc was online, he sent a text, two more then decided to call, no answer, few more times, no answer.

Now that worry turned to panic.

He went to his computer trying to find out the location of the phone, hoping whatever on his mind is not the case.

He hesitated at first, it's mc's privacy .. but he is too worried at the moment, he can apologize later, if there is later he feared..

It's like his worst nightmares decided to happen right this instant as the location of the phone showed up.

Duskwood.

No.. it can't be, it can't be Hannah all over again, he stared at the screen in disbelief, bolting out of his seat, graping his phone jacket, keys and a little something he kept for extrema cases he hoped to never have to use.

If this is going to happen again, he has time advantage, he just needs to hurry.

Alerting anyone from duskwood would be a huge risk so he decided not to take it.

Instead of working behind a screen, he is taking matters into his hands this time, his whole world is at stake.

Showing up now at duskwood overwhelmed him, there are a lot of people around, it seems like some kind of festival.

So many scenarios happened in his mind of how he might find mc, but he pushed it back, he is here, there is hope he can still reach her, she is still alive..

Following the location on his app, it lead him to a dark parking lot, nothing seemed to stand out other than.. someone seemed to be using a phone in their car.

He approached carefully, he didn't see anyone else anywhere, no trace of mc around which confirmed his fears.

The stranger left his car puting the phone in his pocket.

Suddenly, he finds himself on the ground, a dark figure above him, stepping dangerously on his neck, the stranger yelped and was about to scream for help, the dark figure spoke.

" Where is she? "

" Wah what ? "

Stepping a little harder

" Where . Is . She "

" Who? I don't know what you are talking about! I swear! "

" You have her phone "

" Ah yes, you want the phone? "

He reached into the inside of his jacket, Jake noticed this wasn't where he put the phone and sensed danger.

The stranger tried to pull out a gun, which Jake beat him too it.

" I'm done asking nicely "

" Alright ! Alright! I took it from someone at aroura , I swear I just saw it on the table and took it ! "

Kicking his gun off his hand, the dark figure took it and left the man who picked himself up and then saw light.

" Just a little picture for the police " the mysterious figure said and took off.

The aroura bar, Phil, of course he could be the one after the whole thing, Jake never trusted him anyway, storming the bar, searching for anything and noticed the absence of Phil.

Not good, continued to look around and noticed Phil sitting at a table in the far back with..

A very drunk mc

" Jake~! "

Greeted him sweetly so happy to see him

" He isn't here darling, why not show me a little bit of gratitude for today's fun hm? "

Phil said getting closer

" Maybe you want to back off before you get hurt "

Trying to keep his cool and voice down as they are still in a public place.

Phil stood up looking at the person behind him in shock, well it was about time the boyfriend showed up. Killjoy.

" Not my fault she came here herself "

He explained himself as if that mattered to Jake anyway, he noticed the others and put two and two together, Diana visiting a close someone was what was happening right now.

" I have to say, I'm sorry for crashing your party, but I think mc is a bit tired, if you would excuse us "

And left with mc in his arms, which for some reason was so chatty.

" You look soooo handsome "

He indeed did, black is his color, long dark jacket which is on mc now, facemask and messy hair, well, he didn't even look at the mirror when he was running, just put on anything insight, he already had his work clothes and everything.

He sat her in the car and put on her seatbelt, got in the car.

He didn't believe this, mc is with him, she is safe, she just went to duskwood to hangout with her friends.

He was tired, all that adrenaline has faded, he decided it's best to stay the night here, it was too late anyway, he isn't risking a car crash

Drunk mc wasn't just chatty but also a singer

It was okay as it kept him awake.

They got a room, miss Walters looked at them suspiciously but Jake paid her enough to keep her suspicion out of the way.

Drunk energetic mc was fast asleep the second she hit the bed, Jake decided not to bother her, he can't be mad at a drunk mc, but he sure as hell will talk some sense into a sober one.

For now, he will rest with her in his arms.

A part of him felt betrayed and angry but the one happy to see her safe took over.

The car drive home felt long, mc was looking through the window the whole time, she made a huge mistake, she remembered Phil's face so close she felt like she cheated on Jake, it wasn't a good thought.

And Jake didn't seem like he was willing to listen to any excuses.

He must be really mad..

Mc woke up as the car seemed to stop, looking around, they were at their parking spot.

They left the car quietly and the elevator ride was even more quite.

As they reached thier floor, mc's worries became unbearable.

" Jake, I'm sorry I went to duskwood, I know you asked me not to, but everything is fine now no need to worry "

Jake proceeded to take his jacket off and leave the keys by thier place, as if he didn't hear a thing.

Mc followed him until he closed the bathroom door hearing the shower, she went to sit on the bed instead.

In any other scenario she would have joined, well he didn't lock the door, but she decided against it. This time.

She looked around the apartment and noticed Jake's equipment around, he must have been really worried.. oops

Maybe she can help tidy things up?

Looking at the screen, she noticed the location there points at duskwood, so that's how he found out.

He must have been worried when mc didn't pick up for too long.

Mc went to drink some water as she noticed Jake leaving the room, deciding not to bother him, she went to shower as well.

Mc changed and left the room, picking up her phone, Jessy sent her a text asking if she is okay.

Jessy : Mc?

Jessy : I hope you are doing okay.

Jessy : 😔

Mc : hey Jessy, I'm okay don't worry 🙂💖

Jessy : I saw how angry Jake was yesterday.. I feel like I owe him an apology..

Jessy : it was my idea after all 😕

Mc : he was?.. eh

Jessy : yes, he took you and left, no one dared to say anything.

Mc : .. it's fine.

Jessy : Lily is asking if you are okay too and the others are worried as well, she saw you leaving together this morning.

Mc : just tell them that they don't have to worry.

Jessy : I wanted to invite you guys to stay but Jake already took off with you 😑

Mc : 😅 yes, that's like him.

Jessy : oh well, I'm glad you are doing okay, I will tell the others.

Jessy : see you 💖

Mc : 💖💖

Mc put the phone down noticing Jake setting in the living room, he has already moved away his equipment.

( pls don't hate me, idk where I'm taking this tbh )

" Come here "

Angry Jake is hot but mc is too worried at the moment, he didn't really want to talk until now it seems.

Mc got close, he is still sitting suddenly giving her his full attention, which mc didn't really feel comfortable in considering what happened.

" On my knees. Now."

He ordered, mc froze, well, it's not like they didn't role play before or anything, but this doesn't sound like one.

" Now "

" Jake this is unnecessary i- "

" I decide that "

Well, now that mc is here, might as well get it over with ?

" Good girl "

No he didn't have to add that, this was embarrassing enough, mc's face got even more red than before.

" You will count "

Mc kept count as he has this rule, if you miss the count you start all over again.

Jake was explaining how the whole thing went , how he went to look for mc, how he found her phone and thought she was gone for good.

The worry that he had to carry with him and how betrayed he felt knowing mc just broke their promise.

There was a dark patch made by mc's tears on his dark pants, though it was hard for her to feel too much sympathy for the man when she is on his knees, the bastard still managed to keep count and mc almost had to start over again. The horror.

"I'm so sorry... I didn't think it over Jake, please?"

" Well then, I do have to make sure you think about it next time, don't I ? "

Oh no.

" Indeed, where did we stop? "

He knows damn well.

" 15? Oh wait 16 "

" I'm very disappointed "

" Shit "

Few minutes later, Jake asked mc what happened and how did she manage to get drunk and end up alone with Phil, which he frames as his mortal enemy.

Mc tried to explain, Jake didn't really stop to let her talk, he seemed to enjoy hearing her voice crack with every slap.

"..Bastard.."

" Ah and here I was thinking this was enough "

" What ?! Wait! "

He didn't.

" I thought it wouldn't be so easy for you to betray my trust"

" I didn't! Jake- ah I swear "

"So you just had a little heart to heart with Phil then ? "

" I didn't know- wah wait-! Jessy invited him!- Not me!! "

" I see, so you didn't plan this with your friend, did you? "

" N-no! "

"so you have just forgot your promise?

"No- ah I didn't! I- just .."

" good on "

" I just thought it wasn't necessary anymore.."

" now now, I decide that"

" that's not fair! "

" the person who stole your phone had a gun "

" what "

" it's a good thing he just took it and left, I doubt the car was his as well "

" Jake- "

" so you understand how 'necessary' it was now "

Mc broke into little sobs, she really thought it was fine now that the culprit was caught..

" I'm so sorry, Jake.. you could have gotten hurt because of me.. I would have never forgave myself "

Jake stoped and his hand was soothing instead.

" Very well, your punishment is over, for now "

Mc was too busy wiping her tears when Jake pulled her for a kiss.

It had a mix of jealousy and desire, he didn't let go until mc struggled to breath.

He pulled back to look at mc who is sitting on his lap, face red and heavy breathing holding onto his shirt, a smirk played on his face.

" Adorable "

" Asshole "

This time mc kissed back biting his lip.

Turned into a little making out session.

Mc resting her head on his chest, decided this was definitely the time to ask.

" So.. you aren't mad anymore right? "

Giving mc a little kiss on the forehead, he answered.

" No, but I don't think I should let you off this easily "

" Jake.. "

" I want to hear that you are sorry in a different way tonight " he whispered into her ear,his lips brushing against it.

They should fix the ac, it suddenly got so hot in here mc swooned a little.

( The end! . unless I decide otherwise )

Bonus :

Lily : Jake.. I hope you aren't mad at mc, it was our idea after all.

Jake : did you send the picture I gave you to the police ?

Lily : yes, they went to arrest him

Jake : good

Lily : Jake, please don't hate mc for it..

Jake : I could never, lily and I'm not mad at you or the others.

Jake : maybe someone else.

Lily : a certain bar owner? 🤭

Jake : ..

Jake : take care, lily.

Lily : you too! Say hi to mc for me, she had been offline for a while.

Jake : well.

Lily : so you have something to do with that?

Jake : ;)

Jake : I will see you later, lily.

" okay but is that necessary? "

" yes "

Mc didn't argue otherwise, she thought it was over but Jake decided her sitting on his lap while working would be boring enough to count as a punishment.

In reality, he just wanted her close, which she seemed to sense.

" don't just toss my heart around like that "

He said bringing her close.

"promise me "

" i promise and Jake ? "

" yes? "

" that program isn't compiling with all of these syntax errors "

" I have you to blame "

" I'm not sorry "

" I figured , it seems another punishment should be in order "

" it's not my fault you are bad at your job "

" a well deserved one "

he was probably joking, mc still looked forward to it.

(okay the end fr )

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