#// No relation to any real events and just meant to be the moth/dragon man's story

[kiyoshimizu]

Afterimage

Breaking News

Another victim has been found in the string of attacks that started this November. The older man was found early this morning in his bedroom in a comatose state, his chest slashed. No signs of a break in were present and eyewitnesses report the victim acting odd days before with claims of being watched. Police are looking into possible causes for the phenomena and what might link the victims together. Current information suggests a possible vendetta as all have been in management or official positions but little have anything else in common. This latest victim throws this theory into question however as he wasn't in any of these positions though reports of misconduct and harassment have been uncovered. If you know any information that could help please call. -----------------------------------------------

Beep. Beep. Beep. There it was again. The start of the cycle. The signal to get up, get dressed, and get to work. Then he would crawl back into bed at God knows what hour before it started again. What day was it? What year was it? How long had it been going on for? All questions he didn't have the answer for. It had become routine. A muddled and exhausting routine. One he couldn't afford to break both literally and metaphorically.

So he slowly got into some clean clothes and pushed the burgeoning thoughts to the back of his mind, shivering as he made his way through the small cramped apartment to the bathroom. Had the heater broken down again? It was hard to tell with how little he spent there but maybe getting a jacket would be for the best. He may not pay much mind to most things outside of work but he wasn't a fool either.

It wouldn't be long before he would be there. Lost in a sea of paperwork and digital forms. His coworkers all crammed into the small cubicles along with him. The sound of printers and copy machines making their symphony. All as those higher than them pushed an unending string of senseless and complicated jargon at them. That which grew larger and larger and demanded more and more as they-

"Alain…? Are you okay?"

It was hard to disguise the jolt of fear that went through him and he blinked, once, twice, in rapid succession as he turned to see one of his coworkers staring at him with concern. When or how he arrived there was lost on him. Just getting to the building had become such a part of him that he rarely recalled making the journey. But this was the first time he'd been in the middle of checking in when it happened. He'd have to correct that. It wouldn't do to cause another scene like that.

"Yes… I… You just startled me. I'm usually the only here around now." It was hard to disguise the jolt of fear that went through him and he blinked, once, twice, in rapid succession as he turned to see one of his coworkers staring at him with concern. When or how he arrived there was lost on him. Just getting to the building had become such a part of him that he rarely recalled making the journey. But this was the first time he'd been in the middle of checking in when it happened. He'd have to correct that. It wouldn't do to cause another scene like that.

"Yes… I… You just startled me. I'm usually the only here around now."

If he was heard he couldn't be sure. His words always came out soft and jumbled despite his efforts to speak up. Conversation wasn't one of best assets. It was rare for anyone to approach him unless they needed help and the aura of extreme boredom that followed him repelled everyone else. That was what he'd overheard anyway. Not that they were wrong. There was very little that anyone would relate to him over.

Although… Why was his coworker here? It usually took awhile for anyone else to clock in and from a simple glance up at the clock it wasn't yet that time. Was there a meeting he hadn't been made aware of? Or was this a rare moment where he wasn't alone for a solid hour?

"Oh… Well… The storm's supposed to get bad later so I wanted to make sure I wasn't out in all that snow. You look really cold… Hang on… I think I saw some spare turtlenecks around here somewhere…"

Storm? There was a storm coming? That couldn't be right… It didn't usually snow that much. The most that usually happened was frigid air and maybe the occasional slush that arrived. There had never been a storm so terrible that it forced his coworkers to arrive when he did. Why hadn't he heard of this? Surely there would have been an uproar about it. One he didn't hear. So- When had he gotten that turtleneck? The onset of comforting warmth and having to readjust his circular glasses drew his attention to the sudden addition and he looked down at it in confusion before stiffening as he felt something being wrapped around his neck, a soft chuckle and a gentle pat to his shoulder only easing him somewhat as he glanced over his shoulder at his coworker. What were they…? He vaguely remembered someone mentioning it before but he'd long since learned not to take what any of them said too seriously. Not when the result was usually the opposite.

So he found himself looking over the striped turtleneck and scarf with a degree of suspicion even as they finished and wished him well before heading deeper into the offices. They had to be newer. There wasn't a chance they couldn't be. There hadn't been an air of reluctance and resigned acceptance lingering around them. That was what he normally saw whilst he was there. The only ones who didn't commit to moving things along were either new or Jeremy. He couldn't remember their face being around before and… He couldn't… He couldn't recall most of his coworkers faces… There were ones that approached him or taunted him, like that pompous ass Jeremy, but the rest simply blurred together. So many faces going in and out, getting hired or fired, promoted or- No… He… Surely he was just mistaken. He may not know most of them that well but he'd been there for so long. He'd been there so long he had to… He was clocked in and headed down the hall before he knew it, fumbling to get his curly hair tied back properly again before he entered the office. It wouldn't do to have it distracting him. There could be no more distractions. He'd already been caught once and he wasn't about to have another incident that could detract from his performance. Even if that thought made him grimace a little at how corporate he sounded. That was happening more and more lately. Another sign of how monotonous it had all become.

Though as he approached he could swear he heard whispering. He couldn't make out the words but they sounded… uneasy. Small snippets of terror and worry. Enough to make any warmth he'd gained disappear as a cold fuzzy dread trickled down his spine. What could have everyone so on edge? What had made them all gather there at such an hour? And why did they refuse to speak normally?

The air was heavier than it should be as he stood there, staring at the double doors, unable to will himself to enter. Eternity seemed to pass as he did. His arm outstretched and shaking as his surroundings grew muted. Scenarios and possible outcomes flashed in and out of his thoughts and he could feel oxygen being taken from him as it grew thicker and thicker to the point of choking him, his vision blurring as a buzz flooded his ears and-

"ALAIN!" All it once it retracted and he gasped heavily, swallowing thickly as he became aware of the aching throughout his body and awareness returned. Slowly and with little to go off of but he could see he wasn't in the hall any longer. In fact he was sitting against the wall and he could feel eyes on him too. So many pairs of eyes. They had caught sight of him out there hadn't they? He was making a new pattern and one he didn't approve of.

"Oh thank God! I… When I saw you out there… I-I… Are you okay? Did you… Did you hear?"

That face… It was that coworker again. Who was this kid? Now that he was so close he could see that he had to be barely an adult. Close to his early twenties at least. Why was such a young man working there? Most people that got hired were ones who had been in the business or been in similar jobs for awhile. It was rare that any of the higher ups would go for someone like him. An intern maybe? He'd overheard them introducing a program like that. If so this one was completely outside his element. That chipper and fresh faced attitude wouldn't last.

But that last part… What exactly was he insinuating? Was whatever had everyone so uneasy as terrible as he'd been thinking? Now that he was looking around… No one looked surprised with him and even Jeremy was simply pacing back and forth muttering to himself instead of getting in his face to taunt him like usual. What the hell had happened?

"I doubt it. If they couldn't hear us then he sure as hell couldn't. Not that it matters. They probably already know." There was murmured agreement to their words and he moved to stand up, blinking in some surprise as he was helped up by the new hire and led to one of the office chairs. It looked like no one had started and most of them were just milling around. It was much darker than it should be even so early in the morning and the more he took in the more he understood what had them all so frightened. The blinds were open but he couldn't see anything past them. Just a thick layer of what looked to be snow. The storm had trapped them all. -----------------------------------------------------

What followed was a long debate about what they were meant to do. According to the intern, whose name was apparently Theo, the storm was meant to last for several days and there wasn't a guarantee the power would last that long. Management disagreed. They would be behind if they didn't work like usual and the usual excuses of backup reserves and simply doing it on paper were given as alternatives to the complete dismay of all involved. Not that they could do anything about it. If they didn't see an issue they weren't going to budge on it.

So everyone went back to the usual routine. What else could any of them do? It was better to do something rather than nothing. Even if he could already feel the strain it was going to put onto him. At least with all of them there it would make it easier. Well as easy as getting through mountains of paper could be and despite the efforts of Jeremy to once again contribute nothing.

Why did he even come in? As long as he'd known the man all he'd cared about was looking like he was the most important person in the room and not actually getting anything done. His share was usually done by the more gullible people there and so far management hadn't caught onto that fact even with complaints. Probably because getting anything through there took far too long to reach them and were likely skimmed over. As long as it wasn't bothering them they didn't appear to care.

At least he seemed far too preoccupied with what had happened to cause him the usual headache. It had become more annoying than actually harmful by that point. Especially with how easy to predict he happened to be. Always the same juvenile attempts to get under his skin. He'd be sad for him if he didn't find it all so pointless. What could he possibly gain by then? There wasn't anything entertaining that he hadn't seen already even if the fact it amused him only made him grimace.

"Uh… Are you feeling better?" He just managed to restrain himself that time and he looked over to see Theo peering around his cubicle with both worry and some nervousness. This had to be the worst impression he's made on anyone. He probably thought he was worse off than he actually was, a sigh leaving him as he simply nodded and internally noted what he may have to do to improve it.

Theo didn't leave despite that though and there was an awkward silence between them before he eventually motioned him to come in. There had to be more on his mind than that for him to want to stick around. He'd seen it from newer hires before. It was better to have him express it away from prying eyes.

"I… I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself when I uh…" , He gestured towards him with a sheepish air, "You just… You were shivering. So I kinda… got carried away…"

"I… see? Is this a normal thing or…?"

It was hard to keep the confusion out of his tone despite how softly he spoke and part of him froze up only calming slightly as a nervous but gentle laugh was the response. He hadn't meant it to be funny but he was a little relieved it had been taken that way. Better than worsening the kid's view of him. "No! No, I… You just… You didn't look like you were feeling okay. I wanted to make you feel better and well… Everyone said you didn't usually have anything for this kind of weather when I asked the other day."

He could feel his eyebrows raise as he processed what he was hearing. So that was how he had known his name… It hadn't struck him how odd that was until then but if he'd been asking around… Why was he asking around? What interest could he possibly have in him?

"Oh… I… Thank you then. For the help."

The anxiety seemed to melt from Theo at his words and he could hardly withstand the warm smile that replaced it, looking away as the other continued prattling away next to him. What had he done to draw someone as good-natured as this towards him? Part of it was likely that he hardly knew anything about how things were there and had resulted in him seeking him out to help but that didn't account for how accommodating he was being. This would take time to get used to. Time that seemed to pass in the blink of an eye as they both worked on the stacks upon stacks of papers around them, the added layer of Theo's eagerness and snippets of conversation making it a little easier. How many hours passed before he stood to stretch he wasn't sure but it was quiet by then. Everyone had to have gone to figure out sleeping arrangements which just left the both of them to finish up and do the same.

But he wasn't about to make him stay. The kid looked tired already and he caught him trying to cover up a yawn. It was better if he did the rest and let him get what little sleep he could get. So he ushered him out, even as he attempted to persuade him not to, and rubbed at his temples. Another long night but one that was likely not going to have the usual respite at the end.

And yet… He didn't feel alone.

It was hardly noticeable at first. Easily justified as exhaustion. But the feeling of being watched steadily grew as he filed the papers and he found himself glancing around more and more. Had someone come back inside while he wasn't looking? Or was this a sign he needed to finish even more? There didn't seem to be anyone present from what he could make out in the dimly lit room but it wouldn't be the first time he'd been caught by surprise. Time slipped past him far too easily. Wait… No… It was faint but… Was that… a voice? He couldn't make out who was speaking or what but he was certain he had heard something. It was quiet with everyone gone and this was too close to be any one else with how he could hear them down the hall albeit far more faintly. So who was…?

He strained to hear it more clearly and slowly looked around, a soft flicker of something catching his eye and making him freeze. What was…? Where had that come from? It wasn't the monitors as only his was on and facing away from where he'd spotted it. Nothing else could have cast light in there.

There… Near that door… He could just make it out. Light flashing from the other side and that faint sound. As far as he knew it was just for storage but he didn't use it either so what exactly was there eluded him. Either way he found himself slowly and carefully moving towards it, his heart hammering against his chest, one step at a time.

Closer.

And closer.

And closer.

Until…

Screams.

Only halfway to the door and he could hear them. Unintelligible screams.

Then he was running. The next thing he knew he was laying on what felt like blankets of some kind with the familiar sight of Theo looking down at him in worry. How he got there or how long he had been there he didn't know but the horrid sound still rang in his ears. What… What horror had he nearly witnessed? What could have caused someone to scream like that? Wait… Were they missing anyone?!

"H-hey! Its okay! You're safe here! I-I don't… I found you in the hall again… Alain… What happened?"

It did little to quell the panic of one of the others being in danger but as he sat up and frantically took in the people dotted about what looked to be the front entrance it slowly dwindled. As far as he could tell they were all there. No one was missing. All of them seemed unharmed if not still upset over the circumstances. So who had…?

"I… Did anyone… Did anyone not come back here? I… I heard… what I think… were screams…"

All color drained from the intern's face at his words and he looked around them before sitting down next to him at a complete loss. He didn't know them all that well either so he could see the struggle he was having but asking anyone else was out of the question. The first signs of cabin fever were setting in and admitting that they may be trapped with someone or something that could steal them away or worse would just cause mass panic. But then… What could they do? There wasn't a chance he could ignore this and from the way Theo's eyes darted around the room he couldn't either. Management would simply say he'd been hearing things so the only thing that made sense… was to look into themselves. Even if the thought of going near that room again made his blood run cold. There had to be some trace of it. Some reason as to who had been screaming and why. He couldn't have been imagining that. Not a chance.

It seemed they would get the opportunity too as everyone else seemed preoccupied with getting ready for the day, the fact he'd been unconscious for that long adding to his unease, as he motioned down the hall. As long as he had someone with him there was less of a chance of either of them coming to any harm. It would be easier to figure out just what had happened and that he hadn't been losing his mind as well.

It was a quiet walk either way and he could hear how distressed the kid was from it. He looked about ready to pass out just like he had too and he was beginning to rethink bringing him specifically. Sure he was the only one who would keep quiet about all this but he was only making it harder on him too since he was still far too green for this. He'd rubbed off on him a little too much… "Uh… Where did… Where did you hear it? I… I don't see anyone in there…"

A deep breath was his only response before he peered past him and pointed out the closet, tugging on the top part of the turtleneck to ease his frayed nerves. He hadn't been that nervous to enter the office since his first year there. Little had changed since then but he had at least learned not to show it. Or at least he thought he had until Theo showed up.

He could hardly keep it hidden now as he watched him slowly enter the room and make his way over to the closet, each second making it harder and harder to calm his shaking hands and quaking heart. What if whoever had caused it was still in there? What if they had to handle whatever was left? What… What were they supposed to do then? They couldn't get any help with the storm trapping them all. Would they have to get security on this? What-

"…There's nothing here. I don't see anything. Just some junk. Oh and are these decorations?"

What.

That couldn't be… There had to be something. He hadn't been able to get close enough before but he had heard it. Those screams. Screams of agony. Screams of someone on the verge of death. He could still hear them now. He would never forget them. And that light. What was that light? There didn't seem to be a working one in there from what he could make out and if it was just full of decorations and other knickknacks nothing could have cast it. So what…? This couldn't be happening. He hadn't lost it. He couldn't have. He knew what he heard. He knew what he saw. Had someone gotten there before they had? How long had it been since he ran? There had to be a reason. He just wasn't seeing it yet. Hadn't found the answer.

Which is why he found himself glancing over towards that closet as the day persisted, the steady flow of paperwork only distracting him from it far less than he would have wanted. It didn't sit right with him. Even if he was exhausted most of the time and things muddled together far more than he realized this didn't feel like a sleep deprived mind playing tricks on him. It felt too real. Too out of place. There had to be more to it.

Theo didn't seem to fully believe he'd been seeing things either as he nearly dropped things over the next several hours and kept missing what people were saying around him. He looked just as rattled if not more so. To the point that even Jeremy barked at him for almost walking into him. All of them were just a strong enough incident from doing so though. Management had only provided microwaveable meals that morning and seemed unwilling to do much for them.

Which is why as the intercom went off and called for Jeremy he couldn't help but be taken aback. Was this what it took for them to finally deal with him? He'd been much more open with his usual stance since he came back to the office and with how much needed to still be done it must have been easier to see he wasn't doing his part. Probably why no one found it odd. Most were likely silently pleased he was getting reprimanded after so long. At least they could all focus with him not there. Although the more logical part of him doubted much would happen. He'd been called up before and not had a single thing change. It probably wasn't anything like that. Probably just management checking up on them all and starting with him since he recalled his name being the one at the top of most lists. With how ready most of them were to attempt bolting it made sense. Little actual care for the situation and more for what it would do for them.

Not that there was anything else to do even if there was someone who might have already snapped around them. No… Focus on getting through it. He'd find his answer eventually. There wasn't a chance whoever had been crying out would be the only one as chilling as that was so keeping it in mind was important. He'd just make sure to keep an eye on things in the meantime. Even if he was having a hard time doing so.

Without Jeremy around the mood had at least shifted to less of a sour one and he hardly noticed that it was getting late until he felt a hand on his shoulder, stifling a flinch as he rubbed at his eyes and glanced around. Everyone seemed to be getting ready to leave. Most of the monitors were already off and the paperwork filed away. Some had even started towards the door.

But then… Why were they all standing there staring? White as a sheet. As if… they'd seen a ghost? And why was it towards him? He could see Theo with them too, what looked to be two mugs of hot and steaming drinks in his quivering hands, just looking at him with silent horror. But if he was there then who…?

"Good evening! How are you?" His heart caught in his throat as he slowly turned towards the far too cheery voice and spotted what had everyone so horrified. It was Jeremy. Just… smiling. Looking at him with a chipper glint in his eyes that felt wrong. The tone was far too fake. Too unnatural too. It held no signs of actual warmth in it. It was as if he was merely reading off a script to him.

And it wasn't Jeremy.

"I… Uh… Excuse me."

He was out of his seat and into the hall before he knew it, most everyone filing out after him as he leaned against the wall breathing heavily. What had that been? Never in his life had he ever imagined him acting like that. The man was far too immature and full of himself to ever be that sickeningly polite. And yet… Whatever had ahold of him… What… What had they said to him? Had he been more out of it then he'd been letting on?

God he could still see him standing there, staring out at him with that grin, and watching everyone else leave without a care in the world. Just what had caused him to become… that… he didn't know but staying far far away from him was for the best. At least until they could get him the help he clearly needed. And help that wasn't going to be coming from the company in any way. Not that they even seemed aware of it. The intercom had called for one of his other coworkers several times since he'd been standing there. He could hear the others all talking in a panic down the hall about it as they headed towards the main entrance. About the weird behavior they'd seen and if that was going to happen to them. If they should even bother going and even try to get outside. Things were escalating far too quickly. All of them had felt uneasy but the lack of care from the higher ups and then Jeremy's behavior had caused it to grow. And sooner or later something was going to give.

The rest of the night passed in strained silence with more and more people being called for and it wasn't until early morning that he found himself being roused from the very little sleep he'd been able to get. At first he couldn't tell what exactly had woken him up but as he sat up and took notice of the much smaller group there was he felt a chill go down his spine. It was faint but… He could just make it out. A voice. Just like the previous night. Within seconds he was on his feet and trying to locate where it was coming from. It didn't sound close by. More like it was coming from further down the hall. It… It wasn't in there was it? It was hard to hold back the terror that flooded him but he knew that if he woke everyone else up they would only grow more panicked than they already were. Even if it meant he was going to be alone. Even if he knew Theo wouldn't take it well. That kid had been through too much already. No… He… He had to look into this himself.

So he grabbed the nearest thing he could find to defend himself and inched towards it again. Step by step getting closer, his ears straining to pinpoint where he was hearing it from as his footsteps echoed off the linoleum floor, as his heart pounded in his ears. Each door made it race even faster and each time nothing. It was as if time had slowed and each painstaking and through look only heightened the sensation.

Until at last it became louder, every part of him screaming to run as he stared at the solid wooden door in front of him. He'd somehow reached the end of the hall by that point. Gone past where he usually was allowed. Right up to the one place he hadn't seen before around the lower management. And it felt impossible. This door couldn't be possible. It was directly in view of the entrance to this section.

So how could he not have seen it?

He could feel wind through the cracks as well. Where there should be none. That part of the building wasn't near the exits and he could spot the hall split off one way and continue. There shouldn't be a way for a breeze to get in let alone one as light as that from the sounds of the storm outside. What… What on earth had he stumbled onto? Was that why…? He swallowed stiffly as he reached for the handle, turning it with a slow creak and pushing it open. Darkness. A deep unending darkness descending downwards for what looked like miles upon miles. The echoed sound of a distant scream billowing out and making every hair stand on end. No basement existed. Not one he had ever been made aware of nor could fathom.

Every sign was telling him to turn around. Leave and not speak a word of this. Forget he'd ever seen whatever horrible impossibility he had come across. That all that waited down there was the same fate that had befallen whoever had and was bellowing in a cacophony of torment.

But… He couldn't. Not with so many other people who could fall prey to it. Not when Theo was there. Here and now he had to find the answer. What horrible monstrosity the company had been keeping here. What they had been trying to hide. Who was down there.

So he took a step forward. Only for pain to strike him and darkness to envelop his vision.

Voices. Muffled but still loud enough to just make out. That was what greeted him in the next instant. Who was speaking or what exactly had happened in the mere moments between finding the door and being there he couldn't be sure but the slowly growing pain from the back of his head and pressure against his hands and feet quickly made it clearer. "How much longer will it be? We were supposed to have that intern in next. We'll be behind schedule if we don't start soon."

"He wasn't supposed to be there. If we hadn't taken him in he would have interfered. He already almost saw one of them. A pity… He nearly got taken off the list."

What…? One of them? He'd been on some list? They were going to… Where was he? He couldn't focus on what was in front of him with how the room was spinning and how little light was there. There seemed to be what looked like tools on a table nearby and when he tried to sit up he found himself firmly strapped down. The smell. The smell was making it hard not to cough too. A thick strong iron coating the air. It was coming from above too. Off of…

His heart skipped a beat as the shape came into focus and the gentle drip accompanied the voices arguing up above. A sharp but coated blade. One that was positioned right above his chest. The screams… Had he almost come across…? It became impossible to breathe and as he glanced around he could see flickers upon flickers from the corner of his eyes. Flickers with a familiar shape. Faces he had known in passing. Ones who had become a daily occurrence. All of them just… twisted and stretched. Pulled into what looked like unending agony. Reaching out for someone, anyone, to pull them free. Cries upon cries for help.

"What will we do once we promote him? Should we have him try to get him in next? He seems to trust him from what Jeremy said."

"Maybe. We'll have to see how it goes. Can't have him nearly breaking like he almost did. We already pushed it when we tried to grab it more than once."

No… They were… They were going to… He couldn't let them. He didn't deserve this. Not when he had so much ahead of him. Not when he was just starting. Not with someone like him. He couldn't. He just couldn't let this go on. He wouldn't let them keep doing this. He wouldn't.

Whirs. A blinding light. The silhouette of a hand coming towards him. The distorted sound of flickering screams around him. His own voice ripping from him as something sunk into him, his very being pulled, as his restraints buckled and snapped. His body lurching and fighting against it. Against this invasion. Against this unauthorized access.

Snap.

Pain coursing through him. A ripple of resistance against the machine. Then another. And another. Forcing his body to shift. A blur of color and sound as what remained pushed back and tore into the bindings keeping him there. A kaleidoscope of fury and agony bursting out and lashing forth until nothing remained, the beast now sated taking his leave. And then he was on the ground blinking up at the sky, a flicker of something for a brief moment fading from the corner of his eyes, a deep frown setting in as he stared. Where the hell…? This… What had he done to end up on the ground in the middle of the woods? And why was it so cold? Was that snow under him? What…?

A grumbled swear left him as he racked his brain to figure out what was going on and pushed himself up, shaking himself slightly to get whatever had melted on him off, as he looked around in annoyance. He didn't recognize this place. Not one bit. It didn't look like he'd been out there long from how he didn't seem that wet but… How did he get there? And more importantly why did his chest hurt?

It was a dull ache but as he turned his attention to it the sight of blood peppering his striped turtleneck caused another swear to leave him. Had someone attacked him and left him there? If that was true he'd just find them and make them pay. After sorting things out but he'd do it.

But the most important thing was… Who was he? This outfit… It felt familiar but why he had it wasn't there. His curly brown fluff poking out of the tears in it wasn't. His padded and clawed hands and feet, the shadow of horns and feelers he could see, the soft and yet canvas-like wings resting around his shoulders, his long tail with nubs trailing down it and that flame tuft at the end. None of it. Nothing there that should be. Not even his name. But he'd find it. Some trail. Some clue. Something to tell him who had hurt him and left him there to die. He would make them tell him if he had to. He would find something to get his memories back from whoever or whatever dared to take them. Anyone and everyone who pulled this kind of shit would pay. They would pay.