#she made not one but two killers in that facility

[fandomsandhappiness]

not to add a whole essay to your otherwise excellent post or anything but this was a bit much for the tags. i reread predator's gold recently and although i never liked the love triangle thing it was actually a lot better than i remembered. once you look at it thematically it all starts clicking into place

predator's gold begins with tom (despite all he's seen in the last book) still defending the ideology of municipal darwinism, even when it gets him into trouble. he can't go back to london, and wouldn't if he could, but that's not to say he doesn't miss the city and his time in the museum (which is a major factor behind his decision to seek out its ruins in book four)

in the previous book hester was paralleled with katherine. tom fixated on katherine because she was his ideal adventure heroine, being beautiful and valentine's daughter, and then he got stuck with hester instead, who was very much not beautiful but was—as it turned out—valentine's daughter also. tom was constantly comparing hester to katherine, and hester constantly came up short in his estimation. but in predator's gold, tom's love interests are hester and freya—who, like katherine, starts to take on all these additional qualities in his mind

for tom, freya symbolises a return to city life, and in a way to his own comfortable life before he left london (which i think he idealises slightly, but that's tom for you). tom isn't just interested in her but also in what a relationship with her would offer him. whereas hester represents moving forward into the unknown, a life on the bird roads. (ironically, freya's big goal is to set her whole city chasing an even bigger unknown, but i suspect tom sees that as a suitably historian-y adventure that could be enjoyed with a set of sturdy deckplates under him)

but where it gets REALLY interesting is that sathya and caul are in the same position. do they move on? or do they refuse to let go of the past?

with sathya, obviously, this plays out with anna fang. she works very hard to resurrect her, pins all her hopes on her, and refuses to listen to the stalker when she insists that she's not anna. so she loses a hand

caul's situation is easily the harshest of the three. the abusive nature of his upbringing was calculated to instil him with both a fear and a love of uncle. letting go is much harder for him than it is for the other two. but in the end, he turns his back on uncle and the lost boys. of the three, he gets the happiest ending (in predator's gold. later books have their ups and downs)

tom, of course, kisses freya, and sets in motion a chain of events that end in him getting shot. idiot (affectionate)

so on the whole, i'm a lot more tolerant of the love triangle than i once was

I never re-read predator's gold because I don't like the teenage drama but I'm doing it now and it's worth it for hester being the character of all time

[arimiadev]

spooky indie visual novels you've never heard of for spooky season

since it's October I thought I'd put together a list of spooky indie visual novels (horror, Halloween, creepy, dark comedy, anything in the spirit of the season goes) that you've probably never heard of but can play right now on itchio!

model employee

Model Employee is a corporate horror visual novel. Just discharged from the hospital and massively in debt for their life-saving cybernetics, the player-character must adapt to the “extreme” work-life balance of a Tethys Team Member- but they have help. Penny, the artificial personality that controls all security, waste disposal, and employee surveillance in the facility, specializes in reinforcing an especially cutthroat variety  of workplace culture- and she’s taken an interest in you.  If you want to get ahead in your career, you gotta be willing to take some risks.

model employee is such a tightly structured visual novel for being made in just one month for a game jam, making full use of everything while surprising you at every corner. every part of this game was so well planned and thought out- dystopian corporate satire isn’t my cup of tea (we’re living it) but the way they present everything in this game makes it feel so much more intense.

beary the hatchet

It’s Halloween 199X, and you killed someone during your morning shift. Honestly it’s inconvenient. This job was imperfect, sure, but you got to wear a mask with no questions asked and the pay was livable. But now you’ll have to keep the body in the backrooms till your shift is done. Bummer. “You’re… the absolutely WICKED and AWESOME Bearwater Grizzly Killer, aren’t you?!” …and now enters the dreaded true crime fan.

beary the hatchet is such a uniquely lovely game to look at, even if the subject matter is grim. I love the color palette and tones in this, I love the 2.5D graphics, I love how expressive all of the designs are. it’s a game oozing with style.

WE KNOW THE DEVIL

Anyone can kill the devil; that’s why they always make teens the vampire slayers, the magical girls. But some kids can’t even get that right; and that’s why meangirl Neptune, tomboy Jupiter, and shy shy Venus have to endure one more week of summer camp and each other, singing boring songs about jesus, doing busywork for adults, and hoping god’s radio can’t hear them. Before they can leave the summer scouts, they’ve got to spend twelve hours in the loneliest cabin in the woods and wait for the devil to come and live through the night–or not. You know.

it’s a visceral experience, something that feels foreign and familiar at the same time. I love the direction for it, the sketchy monochrome sprites against the colored photos- parts when there aren’t any characters on screen feel that much more real, like you’re watching found footage because of how tense everything is.

disconnect

Late at night, a phone call from a friend keeps disconnecting from you… On and off, on and off, constantly… …What would you do if you realized your friend wasn’t who you thought they were? And how would you react when the truth was finally revealed? (“̷̢̑W̸̨̊o̸̫͊u̷̱͝ḽ̸͛d̴͉̐ ̵̚ͅy̵̜̽o̸̥͗u̷̮̎ ̷̜̏s̶̤̄t̸̥͐i̴̻̕l̸̰͝l̸͉̓ ̷͕́ȁ̸̩c̸̡̓t̵̜̊ ̵͓̈t̶̙̄h̶̦͂e̸̩͠ ̸̩̅s̶̘̏a̷̪͛m̵̮͒e̴͖͑ ̸̭́w̷̨̚á̴̱y̵̯̑?̶͎̌"̷͈̆) Find out what happened to our scaredy-cat protagonist, Indie－a famous horror storyteller on the H-T-M (Horror, Tales, and Mystery) forum. What would she do when she unintentionally uncovered a mystery hidden deep within her own home?

I love the style of disconnect and the unorthodox way of getting to the truth of the matter. I’m not normally one to play furry VNs, but the designs are adorable and I love the presentation of the game, it has a lot of animation in it. there’s also one moment not too far in on this screen that made me scream…

curse of the juniper tree

Curse of the Juniper tree is a tale of two siblings, a cursed tree and an isolated village. It is a short kinetic visual novel featuring 2d exploration. Walk around the snowy village and talk to its inhabitants! Story is loosely based off the fairytale called The Juniper Tree by the Brothers Grimm in Grimm’s Fairy Tales in 1812.

this is a lovely and short story about two siblings living in a frozen land together. it’s a very atmospheric story with so many beautiful blues and detailed character designs. the controls were a bit hard to figure out at times but it’s worth your time.

reaplaced

Grea Perrim is a reaper of souls, and it’s her duty to bring the deceased to the other side. But in the world of reapers, death isn’t any kind of equalizer. The value of a soul is directly tied to the peculiarity of its death. Grea’s supernatural senses bring her to a Halloween house party with three costumed guests. She soon finds the most valuable kind of soul: the victim of a locked-room murder. In order to reap the soul, Grea must unravel the identity of its killer and explain its death in full. Is this the work of a human? A witch? Or something else entirely…?

reaplaced is a fun little whodunnit set on Halloween about a grim reaper out on the hunt who finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery. it’s much more indepth than I was expecting and the soundtrack is wonderful—there’s a lot of small touches to it that make it great.

Silver Thread

An exorcist that doubts the existence of ghost might sound contradictory but to Alicia Wilkershire, this is the right way to get closer to the truth. Her latest job sounded like another run-of-the-mill case and she greeted her client with her usual pessimism but is it, really?

Silver Thread is a spooky and short RPGM game about a skeptical exorcist trying to help a guy with his problems. the style is lovely and if you also like this kind of style, the developer has several other RPGM games like this!

Elevator Hitch

Elevator Hitchis a short 2.5D surreal horror/escape room visual novel with point-and-click and puzzle elements following the story of two co-workers suddenly finding themselves stuck together in a "Perfectly Normal" 70s office elevator.  They must explore each liminal-looking floor and find a way to get off the elevator to their actual destinations.

like a few others on this list, Elevator Hitch was made in just a month for the Spooktober Visual Novel Jam and was my favorite game from the year it came out (2022). it's more of an adventure style game than pure visual novel, so expect puzzles and a lot of bad ends! this developer also has a lot of other similar style adventure visual novels.

The Case of the Serialized Killer

When a popular illustrator is found dead, disgraced demonologist Harold Ludicael is hired to summon her ghost. Ghosts are the one thing he can't summon, but with sharp insight, perhaps he can solve the mystery, and resurrect the most important thing: His career.

this visual novel is an absolute feast on the eyes as all of the art is done by traditionally painted watercolor artworks! the characters are all unique and the world feels very lived in. if you like murder mysteries then check it out.

Stillwater

"𝕊𝕖𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕥 𝕒 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕖…" A woman arrives with a mysterious letter in hand addressed to her grandfather. Etched in crimson is a foreboding message, a warning—a promise made from a time forgotten. Private Investigator Hugo Laurent and his assistants must solve this bizarre case before an old family's curse befalls them all.

Stillwater is a lovely looking game - I love everything about the art direction for it. it's not overly scary but very atmospheric with several endings to find.

Who is the Red Queen?

Alice falls down the rabbit hole into a Wonderland not quite right. Meeting an eclectic collection of people, animals, and some things in between, she sets out on an adventure in this odd new place to find the missing Red Queen. Or, more specifically, to find the pieces of the dismembered queen whose body has been strewn across the land.

a familiar but new take on Alice in Wonderland, now with a lot more yuri. like a lot of the VNs I've recommended, this was originally made in just 1 month. this one in particular has a lot of dead ends, mention of gore & dismemberment, and other content warnings.

okay now that you've made it this far I'm going to promote my gay horror / Halloween visual novels

Asphodelium

Hazel is an ex-adventurer who's settled down with some of his previous guildmates after the adventure of a lifetime—taking down a doomsday cult that tried to end the world, but at the cost of killing their former guild leader who turned against them. Despite their adventure still haunting him months later, he's tried to move on. —That is until a man with the same face as their guild leader approaches him. This is a story about cults and killing and killing cults. And being in love.

Asphodelium is a melancholic dark boys love visual novel that I made solo in about 3 months. it's entirely in NVL mode (I love you NVL) and around 3 hours long and my personal favorite game I've made so far.

Dahlia

a vampire has snuck into your room while you were sleeping. the only question is - are you next on her menu? Dahlia is a very short sapphic visual novel made in under 36 hours for the Velox Formido game jam, a jam for shortform visual novels. survive being trapped with a lovely little vampire, or don't.

also NVL mode because I love NVL mode. this is a short and sweet vampire visual novel I made solo in a weekend for a game jam that has several different endings.

Witch You Want

With a rather sparkly magical paper, you find a job listing for a local witch needing an assistant with making potions before the town festival that weekend. You sign up, unsure exactly what to expect...... A pompous and questionably excellent witch runs a local apothecary in town but finds that if she wants to make enough potions before the festival that weekend to sell (and keep her ongoing potion shop afloat) she'll need some assistance. After a dubious help wanted ad, she gains you as an assistant. Will the two of you see through to the festival? Will you be able to make a single potion? Will this girlfailure capture your heart?!

this is my latest visual novel that released just a few days ago! I directed & programmed this short cutesy game for a game jam at our studio. it's pretty fluffy romcom with a potion minigame in it. please help our girlfailure make potions, she needs all the help she can get.

[skipper1331]

Pain // Jessie Fleming

a/n: based off this request.

The day started off normal.

You woke up with arms wrapped around your torso as the sweet voice of your girlfriend wished you a good morning, serval loving kisses pressed to your cheek after.

You ate breakfast with her which she had made for you - your favorite.

Drove to the Chelsea facility, the girl with her hand on your thigh as the two of you sang to the songs coming from the radio.

Everything seemed normal, like it usually would.

Jessie was the sweetheart herself, sent you loving smiles across the pitch, held your hand every second she could and talked to you at each appropriate opportunity.

The normal ended when you heard a cry of pain. You knew that voice.

Jessie.

Frantically, you looked around, just to be met with the sight of Jess on the ground, holding her ankle. Your partner drill with Guro long forgotten as your legs worked without a second thought. You ran to her, Melanie and Niamh already next to her while Erin apologized.

Within seconds, you were at her side, kneeling down next to her as the medics arrived at the same time.

"What hurts?" one of them asked while you wiped away the sweaty hair out of her face.

"Left ankle" she gritted through her teeth, the medic feeling the ankle with some specific hand movements. She winced each time, gripping your hand as she tried to contain herself while you mumbled sweet nothings in her ear.

Helping her up, the medics supported her to the physio room, her face scrunching up in pain every now and then.

Training ended for you as well, you couldn’t concentrate anymore - you had to know how Jess was doing, what the matter was with her ankle.

"Can I come in?" you asked softly, slowly opening the door as you waited a few minutes for the physios to do their checks. "Is that okay?" the medic asked as he looked at Jessie, the girl already with her eyes on you, smiling dopey at you.

"Yeah" she made a grabby hand towards you, signaling you to come close. "It‘s sprained" the midfielder told you softly as she giggled.

"She‘s high on pain killers" the man chuckled as he gave you further instructions.

Rest.

-

At home, you made her favorite food as she sat on the couch, leg prompted up on the armrest.

"Baby!" she whined, "I miss you"

"I‘m cooking" you called, to which she grumbled.

Not getting the reaction she wanted she hoisted herself off the couch and hobbled into the kitchen to you. "What are you doing?!" you screeched as you saw her walking, "you need to rest"

"I told you I miss you" she muttered, your arms going around her waist as you supported her weight so she would not hurt her ankle any further, "you ignored that"

"Well, I told you I’m cooking" you smiled.

"But-"

"No buts" you shushed her with your finger, gently picking her up and placing her on the kitchen counter. As you were about to step away, wanting to continue your cooking the Canadian wrapped her arms around your neck, legs hugging your waist as she pulled you close, "why are you ignoring the fact that I miss you?" she pouted, finger tracing along the nape of your neck which made you blush and nervous in result.

"I‘m making sure, you‘re well fed" you mumbled, smiling shyly.

"Love me after dinner?"

"Love you always" you squished her cheeks before you could finally return to your cooking. The midfielder watched you as her eyes shone with hearts, you were everything - more than that.

Even though Jess‘ ankle hurt, seeing you take care of her in every possible way made all her pain wash away in an instant. All she would ever need at her side to feel better was you.

After dinner you loved her as she requested. You cuddled her, pressed multiple kisses along her face so she would giggle and looked after her ankle.

If she was thirsty? You would get it.

If she graved a snack? No worries, she would have them right by her side a second later.

"Maybe I should be in pain more often" the girl grinned, her head resting on your chest as you massaged her scalp.

"What did you say?" frowning, you propped your arm up, leaning over her as she looked innocently at you. "Mh?" you nudged her, your other hand leaving her scalp. "You love me now so much more when I’m in pain, doing everything for me" she smiled, her hand reaching up to cup your cheeks, heart eyes looking at you, "you‘re amazing" she whispered.

"You do not say something like that!" you grumbled, muttering under your breath how unbelievable she was being.

"Are you telling me I don‘t love you enough when you‘re not in pain?"

"Hmmm, yes" she replied, trying to hide her smile as you hovered over her.

Mumbled yet smiling, "you cheeky girl" before your head dipped down to kiss along her cheeks. Her arms wrapped around your neck, happily accepting your loving kisses, "you love me more than enough" she declared when you pulled away, "and I couldn‘t be happier. You make me the happiest woman, everyday"

This time it was her who reached up to you, connecting your lips as her heart raced - it always did when you kissed.

It was safe to say that Jess did enjoy the extra attention but neither could she complain. You loved and cherished her in every possible way at every hour of the day and she‘ll forever be grateful for it.

———————

[bluegalaxygirl]

Amnesia (KidKiller X Reader) P2

Plot: After an explosion reader wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the past few years, her parents want to take her home so she can recover and get back to a normal life while the Kid pirates want her back on the ship where she belongs.

Warning: Bad language, Violence, Blood and Making out.

Reader is Female, Poly Relationship, established relationship, Kid X Reader X Killer, Reader is a member of the Kid pirates and is in charge of the money, Budgeting and negotiating the best price.

< Previous part ..... Next Part >

----- You, Bubblegum, Boogie, Gig and Emma -----

The ship stopped moving a while ago but the group are still stuck in the cell under the ships deck, the only light was now coming through the slight gap around the hatch door in the hallway since the candle has fully melted away. Emma lays next to your still uncontuse and unmoving form hoping her body heat can keep your cold body warm, if it weren't for the fact your chest was moving with each shaky breath she would think your dead. The hatch door flings open making the group jump and sit up to look over at the bright morning light now flowing down into the dark belly of the ship, heavy boots walk down the wooden steps then make their way over to the cell. The white coated marine from before glares at the group as other marines come into view standing to attention and waiting for orders "I'm surprised you all made it through the night… this makes my job a lot harder" He sighs before unlocking the cell door, with a nod the other marines walk in looking the group over "Be good, and we'll get you all some medical treatment and food, got it" The white coated marine states, Boogie nods and the others follow his lead deciding not to put up a fight as their dragged out of the cell. Two marines grab your body carrying you out the cell and up the stairs into the burning morning sun light. The group squints trying to get their eyes to adjust to the new brightness but soon come face to face with a large marine prison facility, anxiety rises in the group, but they knew Kid and their crew will come for them. The group is pulled off the boat being forced to walk down the wooden dock as the white coated marine leads them, a head are a few medical personnel with a Commodore standing next to them.

The Commodore looks everyone over as they all come to a stop, his face was happy at first but soon starts to drop which made the pit in your crew stomach that much deeper. "Lieutenant, when you said you captured members of the Kid pirates i was expecting a batter catch" The insult made Gig growl but Boogie gives him a look not wanting to make the situation worse, "I'm sorry sir" The white coated marines bows, going from confident and rude to polite and fearful. The Commodore sighs pinching the bridge of his nose before stepping closer to look over the individuals of the group, walking down the line he soon stops at two marines who have laid your body on the floor slightly blocking you from his view as one puts pressure on your now bleeding shoulder. He steps closer before bending down to inspect your injuries only to recognize your face, his eyes widen and his breath hitches as his hand goes to your neck feeling for a pulse soon letting the breath out at feeling you have one. "The Fuck Lieutenant? I told you if you ever found her to call me first" The Commodore stands yelling at the white coated marine who backs up to the brick wall in fear, The medics quickly rush over to you tending to your wounds as their boss grabs the lieutenant by the collar "You've now made this more complicated than it needed to be and on top of that she's half dead. I'm not about to explain this to her farther" The groups eyes widen, was your farther a marine, if, so he must be quiet high up for this man to be so angry. "I-I'm sorry sir b-but it not like he can fire you, he's not even a-" The white coated man tries to defend himself only to get shoved to the ground.

Your crew look from the marines over to you seeing you finally getting the medical treatment you needed "Take her to the medical center, do not put her on the records. No one else is to know she's here" The Commodore yells at the medics who nod putting your body on a stretcher before rushing off. Your crew are glad your getting the help you need but the situation is scary and confusing, the marine knows you, doesn't want you on record even though your bounty if one of the higher amongst the crew and seems to be in fear of your farther a man who isn't a high ranking marine. "Get your ass up and make the call, i'm not going to be fucked over for your mistake… The rest of you come with me" The Commodore yells before storming off the dock and through the gates, the group are forced to start walking again now following the higher ranking marine as the Lieutenant walks off rubbing his shoulder with his head down. "What the hell is going on?" Boogie whispers mainly to himself but the rest of his crew here it, they all shrug not sure themselves. It didn't take long for the group to get patched up and thrown into cells but the whole ordeal made them tired wanting nothing more than to pass out on the rock hard beds with a scratchy blanket. "I don't get it" Bubblegum sighs as he lies on the bed, Gig laying on the bunk above him who lets out a questioning hum. Boogie sighs as he leans on the bars of his cell trying to look around the wall to see into Bubblegum's and Gig's cell "I don't either" he sighs not understanding the situation either.

Emma sits on the top bunk looking down at Boogie "You mean what that marine said?" She asks getting her crew mate to look up at her and nod. "I'm sure we can ask Y/N, when we get out of here" Gig sighs looking up at the ceiling hoping their captain gets here soon to get them out. "Yea but… it doesn't make sense, he's so amendment on keeping her hidden… none of what he said made sense as well, it makes me think that your dad might not be a Marine" Bubblegum thinks out loud earning raised eyebrows from the rest of his crew, Boogie looks out the call bars and tried to see his friend in the cell next to him "What? Her dad has to be for a marine to act like that" Bubblegum sighs and rolls onto his side facing the wall "I don't know, it was just a thought" Emma thinks for a second before gasping shocking Boogie who puts a hand on his heart going to yell at her for scaring him but stops at her shocked face "You don't think her farther is one of the Warlords or Elders do you?" She asks hoping that isn't the case, Gig laughs out loud holding his stomach as it starts to hurt "No way, Y/N would have mentioned something like that plus the only warlord who's old enough to be her farther is Mihawk and Y/n looks nothing like him." Boogie nods before walking over to the bottom bunk and sitting down "And the five elders are out of the question, first they would differently want her on record and second the only people who know the elders are ranked higher than that guy" The group collectively sigh deciding to give up on it for now and just rest.

----- The Victoria Punk -----

With the Vivre card in Wire's possession he navigates the ship through the calm water, night had turned to day and there was no sign of any marine ships. Heat stands behind Wire looking at a large map on the table, being on the grand line doesn't always mean a map will come in handy but it will give them an indication on what to expect. A cup of coffee is placed on the table getting Heat to look up at Killer with tired eyes "Take a break" The first mate states his voice sounding tired, of course the masked man couldn't sleep but so couldn't most of the crew including Kid since they could all come upon a marine ship at any moment. "Thanks but its best if i keep my mind busy" He sighs taking the cup of coffee and sipping on it, deciding not to push, Killer just nods and walks over to Wire handing him a cup of coffee "I took a break an hour ago" The tall man blankly looks down at the masked man knowing he was going to say the same thing he said to Heat, with a simple nod Killer leans against the wall looking out the window to the empty Sea. "I think i know where we are but its mainly a military area, so their most likely in a prison by now" Heat sighs sipping on his coffee as he looks over the map, they haven't been to this area before so there's not a lot of info to go off "We've taken on prisons before, this one won't be any different" Killer looks over at Heat, they all knew they would have to fight to get their crew members back, but they hoped it would be easier, a single ship would be simple and easy to take on.

The battle caused some damage to the Victoria but all of that was patched up now, the only thing to worry about is if the rest of the crew is well rested and patched up enough for another big and chaotic fight. The main person Killer is worried about is Kid mainly because the captain has locked himself in his office again and refuses to sleep wanting to keep his mind busy, its not like the masked man can blame him, he tried to sleep but his mind wouldn't stop going over the previous battle and what's about to come. Killer's snapped out of his thoughts by Wire who hums in slight confusion "What?" The masked man asks looking out of the window while walking closer to the tall man but there's nothing out there just empty sea "Her Vivre card" Wire states holding out the card between his fingers letting Killer and now Heat who walks over to see the card burning a little only to stop and then heal up, it does this a few times in a rhythmic pattern taking short breaks in between "I've never seen one do that before" Heat raises an eyebrow as Killer takes a hold of the card watching as it continues to burn then heal over and over again, none of them had any idea what it meant, was it good or bad? "Maybe she's getting treatment" Wire tries to reassure them since there's no need to worry unless it doesn't heal back as it burns. With a sigh Killer hands the card back to Wire since its still trying to move in the direction your are "Yea your probably right, Call me if anything changes" The masked man pats Wires shoulder before giving Heat a nod and walking out the door.

On the way to Kids workroom Killer debated whether to tell the red head about the card, he had to since Kid is the Captain but on the other hand he didn't want the man to lose his shit. With a sigh knowing what he has to do Killer knocks on the door before opening it "Hay" He calls out letting the Captain know who it is so something isn't thrown his way "What?" Kid grumbles while hunched over his work bench tinkering with some metal, walking up to the table the masked man places a hand on it, so he can lean over to see the red head's face "There still no sign of the ship but Heat has figured out where we are, it's a marine area mostly prisons" Killer informs earning a simple nod from Kid his eyes still fixed on his little contraption, of course the captain didn't care about that, it didn't matter where they were he would raise hell in hell itself if thats where he ended up. There's a moment of silence as Killer prepares himself for what ever he has to deal with in the next few minutes "Y/n card is doing something strange" Kids eyes widen as his head shoots up to look at the masked man wanting more info. "Its burning but then healing back up over and over again" Killer grits his teeth as Kid stares up at him a look of anger and confusion, the masked man raises an eyebrow at this not used to this kind of reaction but at least Kid isn't going mental and putting more holes in the ship. Leaning his back against the table Killer takes his mask off and places it on the side "I don't know what it means but Wire said she might be getting treatment" Killer crosses his arms over his chest as he looks down at Kid though his blonde hair that covers most of his eyes.

Kid didn't know what to think as he sits in his chair, his hands clenched hard around the tools he was using moments ago, seeing Killer's calm face made him feel a little better since if the blonde wasn't worried than its most likely nothing to worry about "Is it still moving?" The red head suddenly asks earning a simple nod from Killer, it means they can still find you and the crew you were with, releasing his tools the captain runs a hand though his red hair while leans back in his chair with a groan "Any idea how long we have to sit here?" Kid grumbles as his eyes look up at the ceiling getting annoyed with how long its taking, you may be getting treatment, but he trusts his ships doctor more than those marines "No idea, we're most likely an hour at minimum behind them" Killer states not happy about the wait either but there's nothing they can do to change it, all they can do is rest and prepare for the next fight. There's a long silence between the two both stuck with their own thoughts on the situation, Killer's was mainly planning ahead, thinking about how to go about things and what treatment you and the others will need, while Kid had his mind focused on killing those who hurt you and his crew. He wanted their heads, he knows the rest of the crew will find you and the others so his main job was to take anyone out who got in their way.

Killer's eyes wonder a little looking at Kid's hand that's laying on the desk his fingers tap in a rhythmic pattern, sliding his hand over the blonde takes Kid hand holding it tight in reassurance. The red head looks over, his eyes meeting with his first mates even though their slightly covered by his blonde hair, they stare at each other for a while before the captain stands steeping closer to Killer before placing his forehead on his shoulder and wrapping his arms around the blonde's waist. Killer lets out a soft sigh wrapping his arms around the captain letting the man use this time to calm his nerves, the two are worried, but they hate to show it unless its only the three of you alone. Kid lets out a groan in frustration "How the hell did everything go wrong?" He grumbles earning a shrug from Killer who truly didn't know how things got so bad, they were doing a great job, they had the upper hand and the man power. No one expected the marines to fire on their own ship especially one that still had marine on it. Despite how he's feeling Killer's mind went to one person, yes the two are feeling bad but judging by how he's acting their friend isn't taking this too well. "I think you should talk to Heat" The first mate suddenly states making Kid raise a brow while lifting his head up to look at the blonde "He isn't taking this too well, he hasn't slept, and he won't take a break." Killer continues watching as the captain sighs closing his eyes for a second, he's not used to this kind of thing, Killer and Heat usually deal with these kinds of issues and if Killer is asking him to do it then that means he's already tried and failed.

The captain grabs the blonde's arms pulling them away from his waist "I'll order him to take a break" Kid groans letting go of Killer's arms only for the man to grab him stopping the red head from walking away "That's not what i meant… I know your not good at this kind of thing but i think he just needs reassurance from you" Killer knows he's asking a lot of his captain, but he can't think of anything else, The red head sighs again mentally cursing the man in front of him "Why can't you do it? Your better at this… What am i even supposed to say?" Kid yells in frustration and anger but makes no move to pull away from his first mate who's still holding his arms, Killer takes a step closer closing the gap between the two "I think he just needs to know your not mad at him" Kid groans and goes to speak only for the masked man to cover the captains mouth with his hand earning a surprised look "I know you said it wasn't his fault but you stormed off right after, it wasn't really convincing anyone. You just need to calmly tell him your not mad and its not his fault." Killer states as Kid rolls his eyes, but he gives a nod, happy with the response the blonde removes his hand and pats the red heads chest only for his wrist to be grabbed tight. "I'm only doing this because of you… got it?" Kid glares not happy about doing it but if you or Killer give ask him he'll most likely do it especially if he can get a little something in return. Knowing what he wants Killer gives a small smile before leaning up and placing his lips on his captains, Kid instantly leans in shoving his tongue into his first mates mouth not waiting for permission, not that he needed it.

Killer lets his captain do what he wants while kissing back just as hard earning a hum of satisfaction from Kid, the captain soon pulls away with a smirk before letting go of the blonde and heading out to talk to Heat. Walking out onto the deck Kid was surprised to find the stitched man leaning on the side of the ship looking out at the calm ocean "Taking a break?" The captain asks startling his friend a little but Heat soon relax and goes back to watching the water as Kid leans next to him "Wire kicked me out" The red head lets out a chuckle while shaking his head, it takes a lot to get on the tall man's nerves so Heat must have done something really annoying for a long time. Silence fell between the two, there's slight tension mainly on Heats part but Kid sighs knowing what he promised to do. "I'm not mad" The captain states turning to look away from the stitched man who looks at his captain in slight shock "I don't blame you for anything, If you didn't leave the ship your fire could have caused an explosion. Then we would have lost Y/n, the other and you. No one knew what was going to happen or that the marines would be stupid enough to kill their own men. I don't want you working yourself to death or being too tired for our next fight for something you couldn't control, now will you stop blaming yourself and sulking around and just go to bed or something" Kid rambles a bit trying to get his point across while turning to look at his friend in slight anger, Heat lets a smile form on his face while letting out a small laugh "Thanks Captain, I'll get some rest " The stitched man pats Kids shoulder before walking off feeling a lot better now that he knows his captain and friend doesn't hate him or blame him.

[n3kk1tty]

Slasher Company Au

Dominic Craven Capture Fic

This is an AU in which all Horror Movie villains / Slashers exist and work for one company.

" Billy, Stu, and Brahms are in for some long over due capture training. Will they be able to work together and bring in the new company employee Dominic Craven or will the Lost Boys have to step in after they fail?"

Characters Involved:

Billy Loomis & Stu Macher ( Scream )

Brahms Heelshire ( The Boy )

David, Dwayne, Paul, Marko ( The Lost Boys )

Dominic Craven ( The Dare )

Billy Lenz ( Black Christmas )

Tiffany Valentine ( Bride of Chucky )

Niki Dreadwood, Delilah Fletcher (SlasherCo)

The weather was cold and snow was still on the ground as the group traveled through the trees to the compound. It wasn't everyday that inexperienced slashers could get real life practice in the field on capture missions. The company regularly brought in new people into the fold but it wasn't every day that weaker ones were brought in refusing to join, that made it perfect for training exercises. This new guy has been ignoring the letters the crows brought, refusing to accept his new reality. Because the main three wanted to utilize this rare chance they spent their time selecting who would bring this man in it has been a few weeks past when the crows first arrived. 

Niki decided it would be best to milk the situation to its fullest extent so here they were tracking through the forest with Brahms Heelshire and the Ghostface duo. Billy and Stu were in their winter gear knives and special phone ready while Brahms nervously followed in the group with a witch at the front and a witch at the back. Delilah carried The lost boys group in their bat forms in a special carrying case to keep them warm while the sun was still up. While Niki marched in front in her winter cape, a hunting rifle strapped to her chest and one of her eyes missing as she used it for a seeing spell. “ It's okay you three this is an easy one to grab. All you have to do is catch him and detain him long enough to get him branded or if he puts up too much of a struggle we can damage him a bit before taking him to the Saw compound for orientation. “  

The tall lanky Brahms looked back at Delilah with worrying eyes as he clutched his doll to his chest. Ever since Brahms joined the company they were making sure to try and make him more versatile of a killer then just sticking him in homes to kill naive babysitters.  He was strong, swift, and talented at confusing people with his doll so he had potential Niki wanted to harvest. When he was resurrected and given more abilities by the company he gained powers such as teleporting his doll, speaking/ through it, and an ability to phase through objects. When he was woken this morning by his head retainer Esmeralda he was not excited to be told He had capture training. The retainers made sure to bundle him in thermals, a sweater jacket , and mittens/ scarf for the cold environment. While the one retainer armed him with his doll and metal pipe. Esmeralda made quick work to prepare  his breakfast while Billy Lenz sat at the table with Brahms whispering insanity and profanity laced rambles as the two kicked feet under the table.

Brahms Heelshire and Billy Lenz had been sharing a facility for years now since housing slashers outside of the watch of the company was not a smart ploy. Billy used to have his own house in the facility that Brahms' house was also in but Billy kept breaking into the false house down the street where Brahms was. The two acted like stray cats fighting each other non stop in the old English home before eventually a strange form of friendship bloomed between the two. Now the company affectionately nicknamed them in files and chatter the wall cats, or the perverted wall pair. They reside in the house that's modeled after Brahms' old one when the pair aren't on missions. Billy Lenz had shown himself to be a cosleeper of sorts now that he has a friend to keep him company with similar interests and to say Billy lashes out when Brahms goes on missions is an understatement.

So they have to be sent out at the same time to avoid one running around the house in and out of walls like a cat in a box. While Brahms was getting ready for a capture mission Billy Lenz was preparing to be sent to some poor random sorority house for the night to do as much damage before he was collected again. He was given his phone, a sandwich, his candy cane pick, and the sweet promise of a new erotica of his choosing for a job well done. Esme sent him and his retainer out in the field before packing Brahms out to headquarters to join the rest and now here he was in the cold woods slodging through snow. Billy and Stu on the other hand knew they had mandatory capture training a week ago as they had been making nonstop comments of wanting to interact with more slashers after their retainer punishment they got a few months back.

Being forced to take care of slashers for a month from a retainer's point of view was a lesson they didn't want to learn again but it ignited a new passion in them. They were used to cold shitty missions that involved hunting targets in crappy weather but they knew Brahms wasn't and having had to take care of this man for a month a while back they cared about it. Stu patted Brahms back as Billy shuffled onwards. “ Make sure you're keeping warm, big guy. This dudes probably used to fighting in this environment so you'll be at a disadvantage. “ Billy huffed out as the man nodded in response. The witch in front stopped suddenly as way in the distance was a old building.

“ Me , Delilah and the vampire boys will only go this far. He won't be able to see or spot us from this distance. Remember this is field training. I want you three to work together to capture him. I'd prefer to see in what methods you choose to complete this task. “ Niki tossed Billy his and Stu’s cursed phones to them. “ All three of your masks are equipped with listening devices and emergency two way radio in case you experience trouble. If Dominic runs out the building after the sun goes down don't pursue him. The woods will get dangerous at night to traverse and he'll have an advantage. If that occurs the Vampires will be in charge of finishing the mission but I will allow Billy and Stu to use the branding irons to mark him. “

Stu turned his phone screen on to see a tracking app was added to it. “ What's this new app on our phones?” Niki smiled behind her glasses wickedly. “ That is a tracking app for where the target is, but remember if he gets out after dark don't pursue. I’ll assist from the side lines if he trys leaving the house before then just so you guys get the best chance that you can to experience capturing targets on first bases. Kramer doesn't want him killed and revived for his marking so do try and capture him with minimum damage. “ The head witch suddenly with a burst of power jumped straight into the tree branches above as the other waves to the boys.

“ Good luck boys! We're counting on you. '' Delilah jumped up into the treetops as the witches carried on in the above tree line getting closer to the house while the three men were on their own. Billy knew that the witches even though not physically close wouldn't leave them at a distance where they couldn't see or hear them but that didn't matter to him. “Brahms you and me will sneak inside while Stu draws his attention using our phone calls. We will talk with each other through the masks so he can't hear us coming. “ The three men press a sensor on their masks that now mutes their voices entirely. “Is this how it works?” Brahms says as he's surprised when Stu gives the thumbs up. “ There you go buddy. Now we can hear you but that guy can't. How about you go ahead and teleport your doll in so you can get us a rough area of where we should enter in at. “

The tall British Man nods before he holds his doll In Front of him it disappears in an instance as it appears in the house. The three men duck down behind a hill and a tree watching on Stus' phone to see a room and a phone to lure the guy to. Brahms is focusing hard to teleport his doll everywhere in the house getting a good inside look. “He’s near the torture room. There's a kitchen we can get in through. “ Brahms stops the movement of his doll in the house, leaving it on the floor of the kitchen to keep his eyes on their entry point. “ Good job buddy. See we knew you could do this.” Stu beams with pride before making the call as Billy whisks Brahms away with him. They tread through the snow to the window of the kitchen as Billy points to it, Brahms understanding and gently nodding his head as he uses his powers to faze through the wall before quietly unlocking the window from the inside letting Billy crawl in. 

“Well seems like they are working together beautifully. Six months ago this whole mission would have been a shit show. “ Niki says, legs swinging as she passes the thermos of hot Apple cider to Delilah. “ Maybe that punishment did a lot more good than we thought it would. “ Delilah puts a cup down into the cage for the vampires to drink out of. “ Punishment? What did you two do to them?” Marko says, tilting his head knowing well from the years of working for these crazy women that punishment could range from writing on a chalkboard hundreds of times, to cleaning the pits of hell. The big three in charge were never short with creative ideas to deal with misbehaving slashers. “ Those two decided they would call their retainers lower than them and just hired help. “ Delilah said, taking a sip from her cup nonchalantly. 

Niki nodded as she smiled sweetly at the vampires, a hint of wickedness gleaming behind her glasses. “ And as we know they are cognitive enough to know better. So what better punishment than to be retainers for a month to the most male hating, problem causing, and difficult to handle pair we have. Of course they had all there slasher benefits provoked and only given the payment they thought retainers made. “ David paused as he looked in horror. He knew exactly the pair they were talking about and one of them was down there with them now. “ My God. You didn't!” Niki smiled at David as she laughed to herself. “ Well of course we paired them with the stray cats of the company. Billy Lenz and Brahms Heelshire. Honestly though Billy would have been a decent enough punishment as is but Brahms jealousy can be just as potent. They did a sufficient job for a month and they seem to have a much better respect for their retainers and Brahms as well. “ 

“ Is that why you paired them on this mission? We could have honestly finished this in half the time if it was sun down. “ Paul muttered as he kicked around in the fluffiness of the heated carrier. “ They need other people to be able to do the job as well dumbass. You don't wanna get called every time some idiot goes rogue or tries to not join. “ David says as he is certainly glad this will take the load off of them as that's been their responsibility since 87’. The company took them in not even 24 hours after the Emerson's and Frog brothers had killed them. David remembered waking up on a cold metal table, his body bare except for a cloth as a team of people in hospital gowns surrounded another table beside him. The blonde will never forget the feeling of first being brought back from the dead. Your body feels numb and then suddenly it tingles like electricity going through even to your soul.

You feel nothing as it feels like you're wearing your body like a flesh suit before the memories return. It wasn't the good memories that it was first either. Typically babies come into the word crying and screaming; well so do people brought back from the dead. David screamed and wailed but wasn't even processing why he was doing it but all he felt was pain, and grief. What was worse is when he came to his senses and saw a dead Dwayne beside him. The blonde shakes his head as he instinctively grabs Dwayne to ground him from a slowly blooming panic attack. Niki raises her hand to silence everyone, becoming still as she watches on at the infiltration going on. “ The show is about to begin. They have made contact. “

Stu rang the phone repeatedly till a gruff voice shouted back at him. “Who are you! How did you get this number!” The tall ghost face laughed at him behind the phone. “ No reason to shout. Why don't we play a game. “ The man inside the house sneered. “ No games. How did you get this number? “ Another laugh. “ I don't think it matters how I got this number. Why don't you just humor me Dominic. “ Dominic slammed the phone down after hearing his name on the other end of the line. No one should know his name, he was nothing but a ghost to the system. He tried checking the caller ID but it was blank. Like the call never happened in the first place. The man stood above the phone as anger and anxiety creeped into his body.

First it was that red letter on the porch. Then it was the crows non stop chanting in the woods. Now it's a strange phone call. It felt like someone was fucking with him. As he shook his head walking away the phone rang again. “ What do you want! “ Dominic shouted into the phone. “ To play a game, Dominic. “ The bewildered man grabbed a knife on his work desk. “ Fine I'll play your fucking game but your gonna answer my questions. First how do you know my name. “ The voice on the phone laughed as static buzzed into the receiver. “ I know a lot about you Dominic Craven. You would know a lot to if you properly read that letter before you burnt it. “ Dominic felt a pit in his stomach as he was sure he was alone that night when he burnt the strange letter in a bonfire. “ Are you stalking me asshole? Hiding in the woods.”

Again another chuckle came from the phone. “ I don't have time to stalk you. I have a game to play with you. Why don't we get this game started. First question, Where am I ? “ Dominic froze, phone in hand, as he looked around the room. He was trying to listen for anyone in the house but he couldn't pick up on anything. “ I don't know where you are. Probably in the fucking woods or somewhere else fucking with me. I have a knife and I'm not afraid to use it though dipshit. “ Dominic held the knife in one hand and the phone in the other as he put on his mask. “ Ooh, so big and scary. Such a small knife for such a big man. Hope all those muscles will help you. ” Dominic turned around looking all over the room. Till he spots a strange porcelain doll in the corner. Something that definitely shouldn't be there. He rushes over ready to smash the porcelain doll with his foot when he hears shouting on the other end of the line.

“STOP!” Dominic pauses, pressing the phone to his ear. “ What. Scared I'm gonna break your little dolly. Can't watch me if it's broken huh. “ Dominic stomps down on the doll. It shatters everywhere under his boot before the room begins to vibrate violently. “ You shouldn't have done that. He doesn't like when you break his doll. “ The phone hangs up as Dominic looks around the room. It was shaking like there was an earthquake as he looked down at the shattered doll. Pieces of it start rolling back together as it looks like a stop motion explosion in reverse. Dominic steps back in horror as suddenly a masked man comes sprinting out of the wall football tackling the man backwards with the strength of a bear.

The wind is almost completely knocked out of him, as he diggs the knife in the porcelain masked man's side. Brahms doesn't even react as in a blind rage he is repeatedly punching Dominic in the face. The two begin to wrestle as Brahms' knuckles become bloody and skin breaks from repeatedly striking the man against the ground. Dominic uses all his energy to collect himself as he opens his palm landing a solid heavy handed slap to Brahms ear throwing off his equilibrium. The British man yelps as he winces covering his ear, a loud ringing bouncing off his skull. Dominic goes to pull the knife from Brahms torso as he preps for a fatal strike before a loud gunshot can be heard outside. This shocks the man in the chaos as it gives Billy a chance to strike. Two knives pierce Dominic's palms pinning him to the ground like a bug as he screams in pain. A cold hunting knife presses to his throat a ghost like mask hovers above him a knee pinning his shoulder.

“ Move an inch pretty boy and it lights out. Brahms hurry and break his legs so he can't run, you're wasting time. “ The tall British Man nods as he pulls the metal pipe from his back. Using all his left over rage and strength he gets to work shattering the man's knees with each powerful blow. Dominic screams in pain as Billy stuffs a rag in his mouth to shut him up. “ Shut up. You did this to yourself. All you had to do was come peacefully. Fucking idiot. “ Billy laughed as Dominic tried to push through the pain to unpin his hands. Brahms whimpers as he looks at his doll slumped over on the floor and down to the knife in his gut. Like a kicked dog he turns to Billy pointing to his side. “ Hurts. “ He says in his childlike tone, gaining a head shake from Billy in disappointment. “ I'll check you over and heal you after we get this fucker tied up and ready for transport. Kramer will kill us if his new apprentice shows up with holes in his hands. “

The pair start handcuffing the man's hands and feet together before wrapping duct tape around him like he was a mummy. Dominic tried to fight back but each time he did Billy would put pressure on his shattered knees causing the man to almost vomit in pain alone. The pair sat there as Dominic was helpless before Billy got to work healing Brahms. That retainer punishment was helpful as they had to learn basic healing magic so Billy studied his ass off to use it. After finishing Brahms healing he moved to healing Dominic as he was now calmly subdued. Stu eventually used his ability to teleport to where Billy was. Helping the man with the task of healing Dominic up they lifted the wiggling man up to sit him in a rolling chair nearby tying him to that as well. If their repeated training sessions and lessons taught them anything it was to take down, secure, then move on with the next task. If they had done that with Sidney and the News reported bitch they wouldn't have ended up in caskets waking up on metal tables.

They manage to get him placed in the chair and mask off but not before Dominic uses his full last bits of strength to head butt Billy in the face. Billy stumbles back as Stu diggs his fingers into the partially healed left hand to cause Dominic to scream again. Billy pulls his mask off, spitting out a tooth onto the ground before putting his hand up. “ Stu knock it off. We have to get him healed. I'll get my pay back later, you'll damage our package fucking up fresh healed wounds. “ Dominic couldn't fight anymore against the three men but he was trying to. Muscles straining against the layers of black duct tape and rope while he pathetically rolled out on a spinny chair through the halls of the slaughter house. The sun had now set and the vampires and witches haven't heard any feedback for a while. They had been watching on crystal ball the whole thing go down when Niki had used her riffle earlier to shoot at something.

She wouldn't say why she did it but Delilah knew it was because she wanted to help Brahms. Dominic had broken Brahms' doll and the two women knew how much it meant to him. Niki decided to throw the man a little bone for once even though earlier she swore she wasn't getting involved. The door to the house swung open as the three men stepped out Brahms pushed the chair with Dominic strapped down while Stu held a bag full of his things. “Looks like you three actually managed to pull it off successfully. “ David said, appearing leaning on the porch beam. Marko dangled In Front the boys swinging back and forth as Paul did the same. “ Man I had bets you were gonna blow your lid when he knocked your tooth out” The curly hair vampire dropped down pulling Billy's Mask off and pulling his mouth open.

Paul whistled. “ That things cleanly knocked out. Our poor baby brother is missing his tooth. “ The two vampires laughed as Billy swatted at them to back off, gaining a chuckle from Stu. “ Why didn't you repair it. “ Dwayne said appearing behind the Ghost faces. “ It fell in the gross ass ground. I only know how to put things back together not regrowing bone. “ Suddenly the two witches floated down from the tree line. With quick almost floating steps Marko and Paul jump out the way as Niki grabbed Billy's chin tilting his face around as her eyes farted everywhere behind her glasses. “ Open. “ The woman firmly instructed as the man complied a green light flashed inside his mouth. A tingling sensation could be felt on his tongue as she let go of his face to look over Dominic Delilah was also doing the same.

The two women whispered to each other as they proded, poked, and pinched at Dominics bound body. The men surrounding them could only make out bits and pieces of the conversation the woman were having amongst themselves. Whispers such as “ new clothes definitely” “ beginners healing but definite improvement” “ such a handsome face.” “ Good muscle structure” “ looks so thin” “ needs a meal yes. “ As the woman stood up they patted a bewildered Dominics face as Niki pulled a black and silver furred winters cloak out for the man as Delilah held her chin muttering to her familiar. Delilah decided finally what outfit would do the man better as she snapped her fingers a ring of orange and yellow light washed over Dominics body leaving behind a new clean outfit for the cold while also refreshing the man up to remove any sweat or dirt from him.

Niki wrapped the cloak around the man in the chair snuggly before spraying a cologne on him and patting his head with a smile. The two witches smiled to each other as they stepped back gleaming with pride. “ There we go much better. Such a handsome face is wasted in those old gross clothes. “ Niki said, humming in delight. Delilah agreed whistling at the pair's work in agreement. “ That should be much warmer for you Dominic. We're so sorry we had to rough you up but you just wouldn't answer our letter. “ Niki turned to the men standing around her before gushing over how well of a job the three did. “ Oh my stars, you three did amazing for your first capture. Brahms Esme will be so proud when she finds out. I think as a treat I'll pay for everyone's dinner before we call it a night.”

Delilah motioned for the Vampires to grab Dominic as they begin the journey down to the travel van were the branding irons were. Niki handed the three boys a caramel from her pocket as she whistled cheerfully as they trecked through the woods. Paul and Marko messing around with Billy and Stu as Dwayne and David casually hosted Dominic the whole way there. The man was confused, anxious, angry and over all exhausted. He didn't know if he had any fight left in him or if his knees were actually healed but they tingled a lot. When he was removed from the chair and tossed into the truck he helplessly layed there as Billy hoisted up his shirt up before pressing the iron to his lower back. Dominic restlessly wiggled in discomfort as it felt like electricity going through his spine to his whole body, like his body had fallen asleep and was just waking back up.

When Dominic woke up again he was strapped to the car seat ,men surrounding him from all sides as the two witches sat up front. The duct tape on his body was gone but in its place was almost straight jacket like arm and leg bindings that would even give Houdini a rough time. Dwayne shook the new recruits shoulder trying to wake the man to get his order. “ We stopped at drive through.  You have to get some food in you what do you want?” Dominic in a strangely calm daze stared at the tan vampire man. “ Why would you offer your victim food. “ This gained a chuckle out of David who was sitting on his other side. “ You really didn't read that letter did you? You are owned by this company now. Think about it like the god and devil sold your soul to a company that gets all the people they don’t want. You're stuck here with us whether you like it or not but that doesn't mean you don't have the right to fair treatment. Now do you want a burger or nuggets the big boss is paying so go nuts. “ 

At this statement Delilah pushes Paul, Marko, and Stu out of her way who are currently asking to buy a 500 nuggets. “ Hey! Niki isn't a sugar mama! Within reason young men.” David laughs as he blows his cigarette smoke out the window. “ You sure about that Miss Delilah, I could have sworn I heard something about Tiffany getting her hands on the Bosses personal spending black card. Rumors saying a bill of 600,000 in one store rings bell.” Delilah's face heats up as she stutters for a moment thinking of a reply as said boss is spacing out while staring at the menu wondering which item would have the most cheese to feed her undead possum familiar. “ Niki isn't your sugar mama! And for your business, Tiffany only snagged her card because Niki hadn't slept in three days and there was no one in the office to defend her and her black card! “ As Delilah bickered with David the three earlier troublemakers are in the front whispering to Niki about wanting a crazy amount of food and the confused woman just shrugging in approval. 

Dominic had no clue who these people were or what this company was but he had a feeling he had no choice but to follow along. 

This AU is free for people to join in the discussion and make content for this world. Make Oc's, art, or ideas till your hearts content using #SlasherCo tag to keep all the content easy to follow on Tumblr. I'm excited to see what comes from this adventure.

[alabamasweettea]

had some thoughts so here have Magneto x POC!fem!reader with long braids (one swear word, smut below the cut)

Fassy!Magneto being the most powerful being on Earth, maybe even the whole solar system at this point, and agreeing to a plan to create more mutants the only way they know how (yes, i'm staring directly at the weird mutant-maker thing of xmen1 and saying screw you): breeding them.

This of course creates a problem of getting serviceable mothers (preferably mutants as well for variety's sake). Fem!reader is one of them, a telekinetic. Self-trained, her powers manifested at ten years old and she's been honing them ever since—on her own. She's levitated before, though never pushed herself hard enough to fly, and can move objects up to the size of a small SUV.

Just barely 18, she shows up at the facility—a long, white building snaking across a desolate mountain range, because why not—and is immediately paired with Magneto himself. Now let's be clear: his intention was to use his current team (Mystique, Beast, etc) as seed for this new generation, and himself because who doesn't love a little action once in a while.

He doesn't expect to be enthralled by this girl who shows up with her hair in tiny braids, longer than any he's seen before. She's pretty, okay, and are those eyelashes naturally curly?

God, she's beautiful. He practically can't remember to breathe around her, and when she skips around his kitchen in nothing but a t-shirt (his t-shirt!), barefoot, singing some oldies song, he might just be in love.

The sleeping arrangements are fine. One bed. They're both adults. It's fine.

It's not fine.

Every night he falls asleep to the soft sound of her breathing, every morning wakes up to her little noises of protest when he gets out of bed. Every movement of her body wakes him up, but in a good way. He likes being this attuned to her.

He bashes himself every chance he gets, internally. He shouldn't be this... this domestic with this girl, and they've only just met, and...

They haven't even had sex yet. Not once. Gotten close to kissing a couple times, though, and he'll take it.

Something in him wants this to happen naturally, not in some sterile medical environment. Wants to go out, have lunch, sit on the grass and look at the stars together. It'd be sweet.

She's so sweet...

She's taken to clinging to him at night, nuzzling under his jaw and staying there until the sun comes up and he goes off to do- whatever he does, she doesn't know. World domination and all that. She knows why the two of them are there, sometimes idly wonders why Erik isn't making any moves to initiate.

Erik. That's what he told her to call him. He only smiles when she's around, only lets up and lets down his guard when she's around. He's cute, she thinks, when he wears his shirts unbuttoned around the apartment or when they make dinner together.

He comes home then, and they spend just shy of an hour cuddling on the couch with glasses of wine, under the pretense of being cold. Well, maybe they were. Just not the kind that can be solved with blankets.

When did she start thinking of this place as home?

The thought makes her pull away from his gentle embrace. Here, in the arms of a killer-

If she ever writes a memoir that's what she'll call it. The pasta boils over at exactly the right moment, no thanks to her powers, and she can escape with her thoughts to the kitchen.

"Draga?" He's taken to calling her by nicknames, the Russian 'dear' being one of them. Something about the way his mouth forms the foreign words makes warmth drip into her belly.

"It's alright," she pants, suddenly too hot. "Just the pasta." He appears in the doorway, tongue flashing over his lips to catch a drop of wine that made its home between them.

Just the pasta, his ass. The glasses are now in the sink, having followed him into the kitchen and flown there at his power's behest. It's hot, hotter than it was two minutes ago. Did someone kick up the thermostat?

"Dragotsennost," Erik breathes, tucking a braid behind her ear. She knows he's sensitive; can feel the heat radiating off her face as his hips pin hers to the countertop even if he can't see it.

His nose bumps hers, already dangerously close.

"What do you want, draga?" It's quiet, deep, nearly a growl. The heat comes back full force—as if it ever left—and spreads all the way down her neck this time.

His gaze flicks between her eyes and her lips, trying to convey with all urgency the most innocent need. The subtleties of the message are lost on her, however, because she finally bridges the gap.

Kissing him is like breathing. Refreshing. Natural. You could do it a thousand times and it will always be like the first.

He makes it through a few chaste pecks before diving in headfirst, half drunk on wine and half on the taste of her. And she tastes divine—spice and sugar and coconut, wrapped up in his little woman. His.

All his.

She proves it to him later, when she's sheathed around him—holding him so tight, so tight—all messy and warm, taking everything he's giving and still wanting more-

Then she's on top, pinning him down with whatever power she can summon from the back of her blissed-out brain, flipping her hair over her shoulder and riding him right into the next morning.

That morning he's sore, she's sore, the bed's a mess, and they're in love.

Irrevocably, absolutely, awesomely in love.

(And she's pregnant. But she doesn't know it yet 😉)

[ghostieyanyan]

I’m the anon who requested the Yandere overblot Jamil. Other than him, I think Floyd has the most potential to be a yandere. The guy’s just unhinged. Maybe a bit too insane. So I thought what if he was too dangerous and insane that Floyd was locked away at a mental facility but managed to escape and kidnaps MC. Or maybe Floyd would be more unhinged as a yandere when he overblots. Either one is a great idea. Floyd would just destroy anyone who touches his Shrimpy

thank you for requesting again ^^ <3

this reminds me of @merakiui serial killer floyd (im one of her biggest fans) she wrote something about floyd in a prison on death row and mc/yuu is an journalist that interview him so that's what it reminds me of and i might be a little inspired by her work but i do want to try to have my original put on it too. so i hope that's okay.

~Crazy for you~

Patient!Floyd x caretaker!mc

Warnings: yandere, stalking, kidnapping,

~~~~~

Floyd

yes. the boy is crazy. like off the hinges crazy, but he's actually really smart too. Sly, slimy, cold hearted eel. even when he got caught, he didn't even seem remorseful. But with his family that has connection everywhere, he was put into a mental facility for his "troubles."

you weren't anything special in that the facility, you just help with medication records, paper works, and if there was low staffs, you'll help give out the medication. but that rarely happened.

but this was a rare scenario, Floyd with his mood swings and violent behavioral issues made him a ticking time bomb for some people or like an eel waiting quietly in the cracks of the coral waiting for them to put their guard down.

it was a really busy day and a lot of the workers had to take care of other patients who has going through sever side affects with their medication. So this was going to be the first time you'll meet the famous Floyd Leech.

Since Floyd was so problematic, his has to be placed in a different room from the rest and when he takes medicate, you have to have a guard with you.

When you walked into the room, the room was a mess, even with the limited things that he had. Floyd was looking at you with his blanket over his head.

you had to lore him out like a kid... or better described, a monster..

it took a few minutes to get him out but when he did, a smile grew on his face. He gave you the nickname Shrimpy, because how small you are to him. He took his medicate and was really enjoying the "conversation" you two were having. more like he asked question and you just answered. i mean, they were simple questions, "what's your favorite color?", "your favorite food?" , "do you like the ocean?" , "if you can go anywhere you wanna go, where?"

after you finish, you were about to leave when Floyd sudden lunges at you. holding you against him.

"nooo... don't leave shrimpyy"

more guards has to come in and hold him down to get you out. you take a last look at him when you left. his eye were locked onto you...

The next few days, Floyd would act hostie with another workers, demanding that he wanted to see you. Its gotten so bad that the facility just gave you the role to take care of him until something changes in him.

you didn't know why or how you've won this eel man's heart but i guess you did. lucky you.

Your presents helped his mood so much that the facility thought that he was sane to leave. Frankly you think they just want to get rid of him, for good.

The day Floyd left, he didn't whine, he didn't scream or lunged at anyone. he was tamed as a house pet.

For his finally request, he asked to see his Shrimpy, when you approached, he gave you one tight hug and said something that sent a shiver down your spine.

He lets you go, sent a big smile and waved everyone good bye.

You vanish the next day, people thought that you tired of the crazy, like Floyd.

Or you could have been drugged in your home and dragged out to who knows where.

But when you do wake up you'll see the unsettling smiling face of an eel...

"welcome home shrimpy~"

~~~~~

sorry for misspellings qwq

[user777h]

The Asylum Chronicles: Beneath the Surface

Word count:740

Summary:I made beomgyu really evil because I felt like it. Sorry for burning a church🙏had to make him psychotic, should I include more sexual tension next time🤭??

The air in the asylum was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the low hum of fluorescent lights. The walls, a sterile white, seemed to close in, amplifying the silence that had hung over the facility for days. Beomgyu, the infamous serial killer, had been silent since his transfer from the police station. The staff was on edge, and their attempts to communicate with him had been met with an impenetrable wall of quiet.

Y/N, Korea’s best criminal psychologist, walked down the cold, linoleum-floored corridor, her footsteps echoing through the hall. She carried herself with a calm confidence, her gaze unwavering. As she approached the heavy metal door of Beomgyu’s cell, two officers stood at attention, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and respect.

"Dr. Y/N," one of the officers greeted her, his voice taut. "Good luck in there."

She nodded, pushing the door open to reveal Beomgyu, shackled to a metal chair bolted to the floor. His disheveled hair fell over his eyes, but his gaze was sharp, almost predatory. The room was bare, save for the chair and a small table where Y/N set down her notebook.

"Beomgyu," she began, her voice steady. "I'm Dr. Y/N. I'm here to talk."

He remained silent, his eyes following her every movement. Y/N took a seat across from him, unfazed by his intense stare.

"You've been quiet for three days now," she continued. "Why is that? Do you feel any guilt or empathy for the lives you've destroyed? For burning down the church and mutilating that officer?"

Beomgyu's lips curled into a faint smile, but he said nothing. His silence was chilling, a stark contrast to the manic laughter that had filled the police station not long ago.

"Why did you do it, Beomgyu?" Y/N pressed, her tone unwavering. "Do you find satisfaction in the chaos you create?"

His eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement, but still, he did not speak. Y/N leaned forward, her demeanor calm and composed.

"You know," she said softly, "we're not going to stop until we understand why. You will be locked in this asylum until you admit to your wrongdoings and come clean."

At this, Beomgyu's smile widened, a cold, calculating grin. "I can do this forever," he finally spoke, his voice a low, mocking whisper.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Forever is a long time, Beomgyu. Are you sure you're prepared for that?"

He chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of the officers in the room. "How many interviews are you planning, Doctor?" he asked, tilting his head. "How long will you play this game?"

"As many as it takes," Y/N replied calmly. "Until you crack."

Beomgyu threw his head back and laughed, a manic, cackling sound that echoed off the walls. The officers jumped, their hands instinctively moving towards their holsters, but Y/N remained still, her eyes locked on Beomgyu.

"You amuse me, Doctor," he said after his laughter subsided. "Most people walk on eggshells around me. But you... you don't seem scared."

"Fear won't get me answers," Y/N replied simply. "Understanding you will."

Beomgyu's smile lingered as he leaned forward, his chains clinking ominously. "Do you really think you can understand me, Y/N?" he asked, his voice dripping with condescension. "Do you think you can get inside my head?"

"I don't think," Y/N said firmly. "I know."

For a moment, the room was silent, the tension palpable. Beomgyu's eyes bore into hers, searching for any sign of weakness, but he found none. His amusement grew, a twisted sort of admiration flickering in his gaze.

"Very well, Doctor," he said softly. "Let the games begin."

Y/N stood, her posture still composed. "We'll continue tomorrow," she said, turning to leave. "Until then, think about what you want to say."

As she walked out of the room, the door closing behind her, Beomgyu's smile remained. He had found a worthy opponent in Y/N, someone who didn't fear his darkness but sought to understand it. And in that moment, he knew the real game had just begun.

[gingersforeverbox]

Coffee and revelations

A/n: I'm not gonna lie y'all, this piece was hard for me and offered a new challenge, but I finally got it done! I honestly don't know if I will keep doing platonic requests, so please consider this my first and possibly my last. Anyways, thank you for the patience, and I hope y'all enjoy. Word count: 2.1k

warnings: panic attacks, formerly toxic home-life, canon-typical swearing and technology, and Nathan ofc

How you got the position of being the assistant of a multibillionaire ‘tech messiah’ (Nathan’s words, not yours) is routinely up to debate, but the best and most plausible answer is that you are the only one in a long list of assistants that was actually able to put up with said messiah for more than a month or two.

 Your first weeks out in the middle of nowhere deep in the forests of Alaska were… rough to say the least. It was a constant barrage of papers and virtual conferences, emails and phone calls, and of course a boss that didn’t necessarily hover over your shoulder so much as he simply reminded you of his eternal presence using the over-coms and cameras. Thankfully there was only one or two in your room that you quickly dismantled using a handy-dandy pocket knife that was spare from the helicopter on the two and a half hour ride to the drop off point. Why Nathan insisted on being so dangerously isolated from people, you’ve yet to fully uncover. You had your theories of course, most likely something to do with the brains of the man, along with a splash of gifted kid problems that you’d recognized in others your age before you moved out to be surrounded by nature, Nathan, and the machines he cooks up in his labs. 

Over time, you began seeing Nathan for who he was: a troubled man who is too smart for his own good. Yet the urge to call this man ‘Dad’ infects you everyday, whether it's when you’re asking for your next assignment or explaining your stance on why Star Trek was so important to the influence of modern technology. He was just oddly comforting to be around when he was being decent and not a total asshat. Some people may insist that they aren’t cut out for parenting, and that may be true for some, but Nathan comes by it almost naturally. Even if he may still consider girls to be odd creatures, he still respects the fact that you’re just some teen who happened to get stuck with him while furthering your career. 

Deep down, Nathan knows that he has a soft spot for his young assistant. He can tell in moments of pride for you and your work, or when you actually beat him in an argument, or even when you silently leave him a glass of water and a pain killer at his desk for his hangover the morning after his drinking episodes. He knows he’s not the best boss or role model, but he appreciates your time and presence more than he cares to admit.

With the buzz of the over-coms, Nathan’s tired voice comes alive in your windowless  room. 

“Y/n. Coffee. Stat,” he demands bluntly.

You grumble as you slide off the bed, something about being capable of holding meetings in other countries on behalf of the sarcastic grump of a man only to be interrupted by a snarky ‘What was that?’ to float through the room. 

“On my way,” you sigh just loud enough for the microphone(s) to pick up.

Kyoko is silent as usual when you pass her in the hallway, on the way to the kitchen for the coffee that was already filling from the prepped machine. 

She always puts you on edge. You logically know that she is just an extremely fancy AI that Nathan had made at some point in his isolation, but she just seemed so damn real. She looked just like a normal- albeit very beautiful- woman, perfect down to the real hairs on her head that Nathan had claimed to place individually while building her. Due to that being one of the first things that Nathan had ever said to you when you came to the facility, you could never quite tell if he was being serious or not, but you wouldn’t put it past him to be so meticulous with “his things”. 

Whilst distracted by the slender form of the AI as you round the corner of the kitchen counter, your depth perception fails you, and causes you to stub your toe and trip around the corner. 

With a tumble, your body falls in slow motion. A short gasp leaves your throat as you watch the mug of coffee shatter into pieces and chunks, coffee splattering across the tiles of the facility.

Despite being alright from the fall, something snaps in the back of your mind. It’s like a dam of worries and fear over the response of your gruff boss, cracks- pouring out, along with the tears that sting your eyes. 

You’re unaware of how long you lay on the floor of the kitchen, alone… until you aren’t. 

“Hey, woah woah woah, kid, you okay?” Nathan questions as he stoops down to gather your arms and inspect them for glass. Your eyes are glassy with tears as your limp arms are turned and prodded by Nathan's surprisingly warm hands. 

“I’m so sorry, I was just trying to get your coffee, I promise I-” your words fell out of your mouth despite your throat tightening, desperately trying to choke down your tears. The cries soon turned into short and shallow breaths, panic seeping into your bones as the stress of Nathan being upset with you began to bare down on your shoulders. 

“Hey, stop breathing like that kid, you’re hyperventilating.” Nathan slowly moves his hands to your shoulders, trying to ground you to reality and prevent you from spiraling. Nathan’s solid hands gently squeeze in a slow pulsing rhythm before he slides his hands back down your arms and softly folds them over your chest like a mummy in a sarcophagus. 

“Can you start patting your chest with your hands one at a time for me, kid?” Nathan mirrors you with a neutral expression then demonstrates exactly what he wants you to do with a small nod of encouragement. As you watch the man gently pat his chest with his hands folded upright, you slowly begin to get in sync with his demonstration, your breath slowly becoming more regulated. Your mind, however, still felt like it was reeling. The feeling of your heart rate calming down was only a small comfort whilst overanalyzing the situation- particularly Nathan’s response. 

‘Why is he staring like that? Does he always look like that or is something different? He thinks I’m a disappointment, why can’t I just do what he wants? It’s just like home all over again, I’m so tired. I just want him to approve, that’s all I-’

“Hey,” he interrupts gently. “Stop thinking for a minute, everything is going to be fine. It was an accident, it’s just a cup.” Nathan continues to show the soft patting motion he is guiding you through, although a twinge of worry flares in his dark eyes. Noticing that the self soothing isn’t helping as much as anticipated, he opts for a different approach. 

As you sit silently, chaos reigning above all else in your mind, you feel soft arms wrap around your shoulders; Nathan quietly pulls you into his chest whilst making a rocking motion a few paces away from the glass filled area. 

“Are you physically hurt, Y/n?” 

A small shake of your head is felt against his chest where your head is resting softly, a soothing hand petting the back of your head. With a small sigh of relief, Nathan softly pulls you away for a moment to check your face for any deception, pleased to find none. 

“As long as you’re not hurt, that’s what matters, okay?” He states with his typical stone expression as he waits for confirmation that you understand him.

Tears well up in your eyes once more as you quietly nod up to the man who then pulls you back into his warm embrace without a word. 

“Thank you, dad.” 

Shocked at your sudden revelation of your image of him, he feels a new emotion wiggling under his chest. It felt warm and tingly inside, a feeling that Nathan quickly identifies as pride, along with something new: paternal affection. He always knew that he wouldn’t have children any time soon (unless it’s one of the nights where he is drunk and thinking about the possibility that he has a child somewhere in the world due to his relations with various women), yet in that moment the truth becomes glaringly obvious. 

He got a kid the first time you stepped foot in the facility.The first time you impressed him with your efficiency in your work. The first time you went to him for help with an assignment, when he had snapped at you for needing help in the first place, which led to him drinking himself to sleep in his office that night. The next morning he may have finished your work for you, leaving it on your desk once the hangover subsided, but he never acknowledged it.

Only now is he realizing how badly he fucked up.

While Nathan’s revelation hits him like a ton of bricks, causing him to feel another uncommon emotion for him- remorse. Guilt. 

“I-” he hesitates, as if mentally psyching himself up for the next words to fall from his lips, “I’m sorry, kid,” he mutters. “I’m sorry I was so hard on you, I know I fucked up,” he bluntly admits. 

At his blunt yet sincere tone, you pause in his arms, tilting your head to look up to the thickly bearded man. 

“You’re really not mad at me?” you ask hesitantly, unsure of his response. 

“No, kiddo. It was just a cup, and you could never make me genuinely mad,” he reassures with a soft shake of his head as he continues to hold you close, slowly swaying both of you in a comforting manner. 

With a gentle nod of acceptance on your behalf, a comfortable silence fills the air surrounding the kitchen of the facility. 

“Y’know,” the man speaks up in a slightly more gentle tone than he usually takes with you, “I think you’re doing a good job. You put up with me and my bullshit, you’re a smart cookie, and you even like Star Trek,” he lists with a small yet fond smile. 

“You couldn’t get better in my eyes if you tried, kid. I’m not gonna hurt you, and I will do everything I can to make sure nothing else will for that matter. I was more worried about you being hurt than the stupid cup of coffee, goofball,” he grins in a fatherly tone. 

In return, an involuntary smile breaks across your face as you both continue to sit on the kitchen floor. The worries surrounding the man you feel so attached to seem to fall away slowly at his reassurance and warm embrace. Sure, it may take some time to get used to Nathan’s new and more caring nature, but it’s a good change- a great one. 

Another comfortable silence fills the air around the both of you as you wordlessly express your affections with a tighter hug. 

With a clink of ceramic, you both look up from your embrace to see Kyoko gathering the shards of the mug with a dustpan and a cloth- always a dutiful machine. The man beside you scoffs softly in amusement before looking back to you. “Well, I’d say that’s enough barista duty for you. Kyoko seems capable. Besides, I want you to come take a look at some code with me downstairs,” he shrugs softly. “If you feel up for it, of course,” he adds in a rare moment of kindness. 

You pause for a moment, playfully humming and looking up to the high ceilings of the facility before looking up to his dark brown eyes. 

“Can you teach me some stuff about coding?” you ask with a warm smile gracing your features. 

“Duh, that’s the point, dude,” Nathan chuckles fondly as he gently encourages you to stand from the floor of the kitchen with a soft sigh. He offers you a hand to keep you steady as you stand to your full height before walking over to a cupboard and filling a glass of water for you. 

“Drink this first, though,” he orders in a blunt manner, “You cried a bunch and you need to hydrate,” he explains thoughtfully. 

With a nod of acceptance, you take the glass and begin to sip on it as the man guides you past Kyoko- who has finished cleaning up the mess- towards the elevator with a gentle hand on your upper back to guide you, caringly. As you reach the elevators and make your way down to the lab, you both talk about anything and everything that comes to mind, both of you seeming to enjoy the feelings of closeness that has brought you together as a guardian figure and as someone worth looking out for. 

The rest of the day is filled with playful jokes, lighthearted banter, and smiles (even from Nathan); a beautiful change to a growing bond of care for one another. 

[jaimemes]

Yo, how'd they deal with Aether over there after the incident?

okay so i had to do a shit ton of research for ya on this one cuz tbh i. didnt really pay too much attention to the whole aether thing when that was goin on. i was like. 11 when that was goin on. i was kinda doin other shit back then.

anyways. i tried to make this as in-depth as possible for you n lillie (and moon if she's still there) since yall have a lot more insight into all of this that many on this site may not.

so here's a rundown of what happened:

Aether Investigation

The Mass Ultra Beast Attack incident in 2017 was what first incited investigations into Aether, and also resulted in minimal, preliminary checks of entities such as the Dimensional Research Lab in Heahea City. Once it was made clear that the incident was a result of illicit research into Ultra Wormholes by the Aether Foundation all efforts were directed towards the investigation into its research division.

From November 17th, 2017 to January 12th, 2018 all Aether Foundation research operations were placed on hold for the duration of the criminal investigation (conducted in collaboration between the Alolan Government and the International Police) into it’s research facilities. For a short period of time, conservation activities were also placed on hold, but resumed less than two weeks after being paused.

During the investigation, Aether’s research division was shut down, at first temporarily, before being permanently shut down independent of law enforcement in preparation for what was described as “a massive overhaul of Foundation norms, practices, and facilities.” (Wicke, 2018)

Meanwhile, Lusamine Aether was flown into Kanto for treatment involving being used as the host of a UB01 Symbiont (known as a Nihilego) specimen spanning from late November 2017 to late August 2017; since Aether’s diagnosis and treatment, there have been promising efforts in modifying existing anti-parasitics to treat Nihilego venom, as well as the synthesis of new drugs.

After the conclusion of Aether’s treatment, she was taken into custody, as well as multiple Aether scientists, and Branch Chief Gustave Faba. Aether and Faba were both released after three days and four weeks respectively; while Aether was specifically prohibited from assuming any position of employment within the Aether Foundation, Faba struck a plea deal, and was demoted to intern.

Aftermath

In late November 2017, Assistant Branch Chief Veronica Wicke took up the position of acting President until March 2019, when she permanently became the Foundation’s President.

In November 2021, both Lillie Aether and Gladion Aether began getting involved with the Foundation’s research and conservation efforts; Gladion primarily took part in Type: Null rehabilitation efforts, while Lillie participated in carefully monitored research into Ultra Space.

Regarding Project Beast Killer specifically; there are currently three Type: Null that are publicly known of, all from the original project conducted by the Foundation. IDed as 773-01, it is currently in the possession of Gladion Aether and no longer wears the control mask. The other two, dubbed 773-02 and 772-03 are in the possession of Selene ‘Moon’ [last name] and the Aether Foundation respectively. Selene’s Type: Null no longer wears the control mask.

And that's about all I could find thru articles n whatnot

...

buuuut i went digging a little deeper.

Soon after investigations into the Foundation’s research divisions began, it was found that various files vital to Project Beast Killer were leaked onto the internet while the project was still progressing. From 2017 to the present, the Alolan government and Interpol have been on watch for attempts at recreating the project, though no further attempts have been uncovered.

In 2024, two years into investigations into the Macro Cosmos Corporation, it was found that a subsidiary of Macro Cosmos was able to unsuccessfully recreate Project Beast Killer, with another Type: Null having been produced. This Type: Null (dubbed 772-04) was placed into the care of Hideaway Sanctuary’s European branch, located in Paldea. After two escape attempts resulting in injury, the 772-04 was placed into the care of Aspen Sharma, who undergoes bi-monthly checks for both quality of life and to ensure that he is a fit trainer for the Type: Null. It is currently unknown whether Sharma will be keeping the Type: Null permanently.

[ocstorythesanctuary]

Character Intros #1

Just a post introducing the two(three?) main protagonists of The Sanctuary, Duncan Gagliardi/Heartless Duncan and Nancy Gagliardi! (CW: mentions of death)

Duncan Gagliardi

He/him, 16 as of 1954, deceased Duncan was a sweet boy with a semi-complicated reputation in the small town of Murlayfield. On one hand, his friendly demeanor, intelligence, athletic abilities, and willingness to help people in need made him pretty popular among his peers. On the other, some thought of him as an "odd duck" with mannerisms that they saw as "flamboyant", "too affectionate/feminine", or "weird". Duncan never outwardly showed if he minded, though internally he was quite self-conscious about how people perceived him and always tried to keep up appearances. He was also a bit cocky when it came to his own safety and always assumed he'd be fine, no matter the situation. Duncan died on October 16th, 1954. He disappeared while walking home from a school dance and was found two days later, his body hidden in a pile of logs on the banks of the Greenbrier River. Nobody knows what happened to him He then disappeared again (much to his family's distress) on the day of his funeral. His case quickly went cold, and his story has since become the stuff of legends.

Nancy Gagliardi

She/her, 15 as of 1967, alive Nancy is a practical, logical girl who is very skeptical of the supernatural. She prides herself on being too clever to fall for "silly ghost stories" and "old wives tales", though she tries not to let it make her sour or seem arrogant. Most of her peers see her as a stick in the mud anyway, and she only has two real friends in town: the Vernon sisters. She feels more comfortable with them than with anyone else outside of her family/close family friends. She shows her caring, creative side much more freely around them. She gets good grades and stays on good terms with most of her teachers, who consider her a "model student". She's easily curious and fascinated by science (especially geology, where she gets her love for interesting rocks). In contrast, She tends to be suspicious and closed-minded about the supernatural. Nancy's staunch disbelief in such things is partially due to the legends about her older brother's death. While she never really knew Duncan (he died when she was 2), she still sees the stories about him being a vengeful spirit out in the forest as incredibly disrespectful and downright meanspirited. She refuses to believe anything like that could possibly be true.

... That is until she encounters something she can't logically explain. Something that looks eerily similar to accounts of the monstrous "Heartless Duncan".

"Heartless Duncan"

He/him, appears 16 as of 1967, Living Legend Speaking of Heartless Duncan, he's a bit strange, too. He's the physical manifestation of an urban legend who has suddenly gained consciousness and the memories of Duncan Gagliardi... aside from his death. He wanders around in the woods for a while after awakening, groggy and unsure of what's going on, until he trips down a steep ledge, breaks his leg, and is saved by a creature called Not-A-Deer (Nod, for short). He's taken to Sanctuary Facility Alpha, a hospital/research center for paranormal entities. He has no idea that he's supposed to be dead until he's told he has no pulse and that the current year is 1967. After a brief existential crisis (the first of many), he decides that he wants to figure out who killed him and bring his killer to justice, hoping that maybe that'll save his soul or revive his pulse or something. He has no idea what he's doing, but he's trying.

And that's the Gagliardi siblings! I'm planning on posting more about them and other characters later, sooooo yea :)

[arimiadev]

visual novels I finished in 2023

I played quite a few visual novels in 2023, most of which are indie, and I want to share some highlights from that list. these are all VNs that I played all the way through and loved, so treat this also as a recommendation for each of these.

mahoyo

In the mansion on the hill, there lived two witches... It is the late 1980s—the twilight of an era of beauty and vigor. A boy moves to the city, barely missing two witches living in modern times. The boy leads a completely ordinary life. She carries herself with gallant pride. The girl lives a sleepy, hidden life. Each walks a starlit path. One would never expect their paths to cross. The story of how these three disparate people came together is soon to be told.

I've ranted a ton about mahoyo here and how much I love it. it truly is one of the best looking visual novels I've ever seen and one of my all-time favorites. I'll never be able to approach game direction the same after playing this. please do yourself a favor and play it, it's finally on steam.

model employee

Model Employee is a corporate horror visual novel where players take control of  the latest individual amongst millions to start working in one of Tethys' online shopping labyrinthine warehouses. Just discharged from the hospital and massively in debt for their life-saving cybernetics, the player-character must adapt to the "extreme" work-life balance of a Tethys Team Member- but they have help.  Penny, the artificial personality that controls all security, waste disposal, and employee surveillance in the facility, specializes in reinforcing an especially cutthroat variety  of workplace culture- and she's taken an interest in you.  With a vibrant cast, PC-98 inspired visuals and multiple endings, Model Employee is a modern horror story that'll stick with you long after you've clocked out of your shift. If you want to get ahead in your career, you gotta be willing to take some risks.

model employee is such a tightly structured visual novel for being made in just one month, making full use of everything while surprising you at every corner. every part of this game was so well planned and thought out- dystopian corporate satire isn't my cup of tea (we're living it) but the way they present everything in this game makes it feel so much more intense.

itch.io

beary the hatchet

It's Halloween 199X, and you killed someone during your morning shift. Honestly it's inconvenient. This job was imperfect, sure, but you got to wear a mask with no questions asked and the pay was livable. But now you'll have to keep the body in the backrooms till your shift is done. Bummer. "You're... the absolutely WICKED and AWESOME Bearwater Grizzly Killer, aren't you?!" ...and now enters the dreaded true crime fan.

beary the hatchet is such a uniquely lovely game to look at, even if the subject matter is grim. I love the color palette and tones in this, I love the 2.5D graphics, I love how expressive all of the designs are. it's a game oozing with style.

itch.io

disconnect

Late at night, a phone call from a friend keeps disconnecting from you... On and off, on and off, constantly... ...What would you do if you realized your friend wasn't who you thought they were? And how would you react when the truth was finally revealed? ("̷̢̑W̸̨̊o̸̫͊u̷̱͝ḽ̸͛d̴͉̐ ̵̚ͅy̵̜̽o̸̥͗u̷̮̎ ̷̜̏s̶̤̄t̸̥͐i̴̻̕l̸̰͝l̸͉̓ ̷͕́ȁ̸̩c̸̡̓t̵̜̊ ̵͓̈t̶̙̄h̶̦͂e̸̩͠ ̸̩̅s̶̘̏a̷̪͛m̵̮͒e̴͖͑ ̸̭́w̷̨̚á̴̱y̵̯̑?̶͎̌"̷͈̆) Find out what happened to our scaredy-cat protagonist, Indie－a famous horror storyteller on the H-T-M (Horror, Tales, and Mystery) forum. What would she do when she unintentionally uncovered a mystery hidden deep within her own home?

I love the style of disconnect and the unorthodox way of getting to the truth of the matter. I'm not normally one to play furry VNs, but the designs are adorable and I love the presentation of the game, it has a lot of animation in it. there's also one moment not too far in on this screen that made me scream...

itch.io

curse of the juniper tree

Curse of the Juniper tree is a tale of two siblings, a cursed tree and an isolated village. It is a short kinetic visual novel featuring 2d exploration. Walk around the snowy village and talk to its inhabitants! Story is loosely based off the fairytale called The Juniper Tree by the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales in 1812.

this is a lovely and short story about two siblings living in a frozen land together. it's a very atmospheric story with so many beautiful blues and detailed character designs. the controls were a bit hard to figure out at times but it's worth your time.

itch.io

reaplaced

Grea Perrim is a reaper of souls, and it's her duty to bring the deceased to the other side. But in the world of reapers, death isn't any kind of equalizer. The value of a soul is directly tied to the peculiarity of its death. Grea's supernatural senses bring her to a Halloween house party with three costumed guests. She soon finds the most valuable kind of soul: the victim of a locked-room murder. In order to reap the soul, Grea must unravel the identity of its killer and explain its death in full. Is this the work of a human? A witch? Or something else entirely...?

reaplaced is a fun little whodunnit set on Halloween about a grim reaper out on the hunt who finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery. it's much more indepth than I was expecting and the soundtrack is wonderful—there's a lot of small touches to it that make it great.

itch.io

dual chroma [demo]

A gilded king, a powerful sorceress, and a malevolent figure governing a foul legion of beasts in a ruthless war against the Light.  For centuries, the Galens Empire has thrived upon the ancient tragedy that formed its foundations. No more than a fading past inked upon the pages of history, the Empire reigned in relative peace—until the monsters returned.  As the newest advisor to the Second Prince, you find yourself at the heart of a captivating saga, where mystery, magic, terror, and romance intertwine. Your choices in this narrative will determine not only the Empire's destiny, but also the fate of your heart. But take heed, for the path you tread may shatter the shackles of doomed love or repeat the ruin of Galens' past.

I don't play many otome demos but I played several that were submitted to otome jam this year, with dual chroma being one of them. I was surprised by the amount of care and attention put into the demo- it feels very solid with a lot of polish put into easing the player into this high fantasy world. I think I had an issue with how the tooltips would be shown (probably the frequency of them, as the in-line tooltips are very helpful) but it's been months since then.

itch.io

we know the devil

Anyone can kill the devil; that's why they always make teens the vampire slayers, the magical girls. But some kids can't even get that right; and that's why meangirl Neptune, tomboy Jupiter, and shy shy Venus have to endure one more week of summer camp and each other, singing boring songs about jesus, doing busywork for adults, and hoping god's radio can't hear them. Before they can leave the summer scouts, they've got to spend twelve hours in the loneliest cabin in the woods and wait for the devil to come and live through the night--or not. You know.

we know the devil didn't release this year but I finally got around to playing it. it's a visceral experience, something that feels foreign and familiar at the same time. I love the direction for it, the sketchy monochrome sprites against the colored photos- parts when there aren't any characters on screen feel that much more real, like you're watching found footage because of how tense everything is.

itch.io

doppelganger

The story is set in an alternate universe where the player is struggling with the memories of what they know to be TEMPUS and the mysterious look-alikes who pull them every which way. Can the player figure out the truth about this twisted world and return to the guild?

okay this is a bit of a weird one to end on, I just wanted to talk about it. doppelganger is a game made by holostars staff, i.e. the staff for the vtubing company cover corporation. I went into it expecting very, very little but I was presently surprised by how competently it was made. a lot of "bad" visual novels aren't fun to play, because they're overly long, extremely wordy, and aren't fun to read. I'd say doppelganger is "so bad it's good", which is a rarity for VNs- it's campy at times and over the top but doesn't overstay it's welcome, the pacing is remarkably good for what seem to be first time devs.

I cannot recommend this though if you're not already a fan of holostars tempus, as this is essentially just merch for them- think of it like a higher production voice pack or art pack. if you don't know each of the boys then you'll be lost, but if you do then grab another friend and play it, it took me about 4 hours to finish it with friends.

itch.io

[b-skarsgard]

Exploring their relationship in its early stages (in real time instead of in flashbacks, as was the case in both the graphic novel and the 1994 film adaptation) makes Eric’s journey all the more poignant when Shelly is eventually taken from him. “He cries in the middle of action sequences. He doesn’t have a bloodlust. He’s not a nihilistic killer. He’s doing it to get her back. He hates what he’s having to do and what he’s becoming,” he says. While some of the best scenes in the film involve Eric and Shelly getting to know each other after escaping from a correctional facility together, viewers will be surprised to learn that those scenes would have been cut from the film if test screening audiences would have had their say. “When we first screened the movie, people were like, ‘I wanted him to be The Crow in the second minute,’ and it’s like, ‘No,'” reveals Sanders. “I had to fight for that beginning of the movie a lot because I would have rather had more there and then just showed him becoming The Crow in the last few minutes and then go into the next adventure with him now as The Crow. But I think where we’re different as well from the original is that there’s a beautiful love story between those two, and if he’s going to go on this journey, which is taxing to him; no one wants to kill anyone. In the comic, he’s just avenging her flashback.” Bill Skarsgård delivers a phenomenal performance as Eric Draven, capturing the physical intensity of the character while also bringing a more soulful, emotional side to him in the process. Sanders had previously connected with Skarsgård on another project that fell through (a planned film adaptation of Tim O’Brien‘s The Things They Carried) but felt they had found a “groove together” while they were developing that project, which led to his casting in The Crow. Sanders describes Skarsgård as “an amazing physical performer” with a duality of “tenderness and terror” that perfectly suits the role. “Bill played that in the performance well enough; it was almost like the tattoos and the muscularity were a warning of, ‘Keep away from me.’ Shelly describes him in the film as beautifully broken, and I think he was, and then she made him whole. And then that was taken from him and that was the emotional center of the movie.” Skarsgård filmed The Crow back-to-back with another action-packed film, Boy Kills World, which hit theaters earlier this year. But he also tested for the role of Eric while he was filming Boy Kills World, reveals Sanders, who says Skarsgård would send him test footage from the set of the film to convince him he was right for the role. “He sent me a couple of pictures and he did a couple of little beats of just him where we were like, ‘How can we show each other that we’re right for this?'” says Sanders. “And so I pitched him the opera scene and said, ‘You come on stage and you tell the audience of the violence that you’re having to perpetrate, and how it breaks you,’ and then he did a little bit of an action sequence because he was working on Boy Kills World so he was in the stunt rooms anyway. He went in on a Sunday, did a bit of that and then he did this soliloquy where he was really broken and coming out on stage.”

read more at the link

[coochiequeens]

He didn't just beat a woman to death he also carjacked another woman and now he wants to be with incarcerated women.

By Genevieve Gluck September 30, 2024

Reduxx has learned that a man serving a 30-year sentence for the fatal beating of a 55-year old woman has quietly been transferred into New Jersey’s Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women. Elliot Rivera Jr., 35, now calls himself Jamie Belladonna and is described as “female” within the state Department of Corrections (DOC) system.

Rivera’s total prison term amounts to 40 years, to be run concurrently, on the basis of two convictions. In November 2011, he was sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of 30 years for the 2009 murder of Patricia Cantaloupe. In a separate case, Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in prison for carjacking a 57 year-old woman in the parking lot of a supermarket on February 26, 2010.

On July 31, 2009, an investigation was conducted into the death of 55 year-old Cantaloupe after a building maintenance supervisor reported an unusual smell coming from her residence. The homicide investigation, led by Sgt. Thomas Cassidy of the Sayreville Police Department and investigator Scott Crocco of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Cantaloupe had been struck multiple times in the head and died from blunt force trauma. An autopsy report identified the weapon used to bludgeon the woman to death as a hammer.

On March 4, 2010, Rivera was charged with accosting and carjacking a 57 year-old woman’s vehicle, and he was arrested by Spotswood police.

The slain woman had also been robbed, and reports from The Central New Jersey News state that law enforcement had considered Rivera a suspect in Cantaloupe’s homicide “within days” of conducting the investigation.

Jamie Belladonna’, aka Elliot Rivera

Nicholas Sewitch, assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor, said detectives focused on Rivera, formerly an acquaintance of the victim, early on in the investigation. “It was always, ‘Where is Elliot Rivera and what is he doing?'” Sewitch told the press. Evidence needed to charge him with the murder was discovered hours after his arrest for the carjacking, though Sewitch declined to give further details to the news outlet at the time.

Since 2011, Rivera had been serving his sentence in the New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) in Trenton. In February 2023, independent news site The Appeal reported sympathetically on Rivera’s situation as a “trans woman” who was unjustly incarcerated in a men’s facility.

After communicating with Rivera via email, The Appeal reported that “she attempted to remove her testicles after officials denied her request to move to Edna Mahan”. According to statements made by Rivera to the outlet, in the process of mutilating his genitals, the convicted killer cut an artery. He claimed that he required emergency medical attention as a result, but the DOC declined to comment on the matter.

“Because of how hurtful the language was to me with this denial, the next day I was set to mutilate this crap that I’ve been begging to have removed for a whole year,” Rivera wrote. “But no one took me serious & then to deny me saying the main reason is the very thing I’ve been begging to have removed.”

In October 2022, New Jersey lawmakers amended the DOC prison policy in order to allow officials to override the housing preferences of trans, nonbinary, or intersex prisoners. Previous policy gave prisoners the “presumption” to be housed according to their self-declared gender identity.

The decision was made after the widely-publicized case of Demetrius ‘Demi’ Minor, a trans-identified male transfer into EMCF who impregnated two female inmates and had been trying to have sexual relations with the women from the moment he was transferred in.

Reduxx has previously interviewed female inmates at EMCF about the situation, who explained that following the news of the two pregnancies at the prison, Minor and four other male inmates were segregated from the female inmates and relocated to the Vulnerable Persons Unit (VPU) of EMCF. Shortly afterwards, he was transferred to a male facility at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility.

Just like Rivera, Minor had also claimed to have mutilated his genitals by attempting to amputate his testicles with a razor, though the only evidence of this occurrence is a blog post he authored himself. “I started cutting again, and with a razor I begin making a incision to remove my testicle. In my head, I just wanted the pain to stop,” Minor wrote.

“Truthfully the one family that I had is at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility. It was a group of friends who helped me get through this pain, from being stuck in a body that I hate. I went through many depressive nights, and often wanted to be loved.”

Curiously, both Minor and Rivera have been housed in the same unit the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, designated for “vulnerable” inmates.

In previously denying Rivera’s transfer to EMCF, officials cited “reproductive concerns,” according to The Appeal. Rivera told the outlet that he was facing “hostility” at the NJSP for men and that he was “begging” prison officials to stop calling him a man.

Rivera is also calling on the DOC to provide him with “gender-affirming” surgeries. “It is torture for me because I only have half of my bottom surgery and so I’m stuck in the room all day with this part that doesn’t belong to me,” he said.

In 2019, an ACLU lawsuit against the New Jersey Department of Corrections resulted in a settlement which required the state to allow violent male inmates to self-identify into the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women. The lawsuit was launched on behalf of a trans-identified male inmate and convicted terrorist Daniel Demers, named in the court documents as “Sonia Doe.” Reduxx was the first to reveal that Demers is a vocal participant in the “adult diaper” community, a fetish subculture which involves adults dressing up and roleplaying as children during sex.

According to previous testimonies provided to Reduxx from women incarcerated at Edna Mahan, among the first men to be transferred to the prison after the ACLU was victorious in their lawsuit was a sadistic murderer who had boasted about drinking his victim’s blood.

Perry Cerf was handed a 50-year sentence in 2003 for the brutal rape and murder of a sex-trafficked woman from Ecuador. Cerf, who now goes by “Michelle Hel-loki Angelina” and is recorded as female by the DOC, had been found wearing his victim’s clothes and utilizing her identification with his photo superimposed over hers.

[mikelogan]

maybe i'll do them in the order of the results for funsies

synopses below the cut:

i am legend

Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth...but he is not alone. Every other man, woman, and child on Earth has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville's blood. By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for dawn. How long can one man survive in a world of vampires?

the black phone

Jack Finney is thirteen, alone, and in desperate trouble. For two years now, someone has been stalking the boys of Galesberg, stealing them away, never to be seen again. And now, Finney finds himself in danger of joining them: locked in a psychopath's basement, a place stained with the blood of half a dozen murdered children. With him in his subterranean cell is an antique phone, long since disconnected . . . but it rings at night anyway, with calls from the killer's previous victims. And they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to Finney.

the seven husbands of evelyn hugo

In this entrancing novel "that speaks to the Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in us all" (Kirkus Reviews), a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine. Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn's luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn's story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.

and then i woke up

In a world reeling from an unusual plague, monsters lurk in the streets while terrified survivors arm themselves and roam the countryside in packs. Or perhaps something very different is happening. When a disease affects how reality is perceived, it’s hard to be certain of anything… Spence is one of the “cured” living at the Ironside rehabilitation facility. Haunted by guilt, he refuses to face the changed world until a new inmate challenges him to help her find her old crew. But if he can’t tell the truth from the lies, how will he know if he has earned the redemption he dreams of? How will he know he hasn’t just made things worse?

exit west

In a country teetering on the brink of civil war, two young people meet--sensual, fiercely independent Nadia and gentle, restrained Saeed. They embark on a furtive love affair, and are soon cloistered in a premature intimacy by the unrest roiling their city. When it explodes, turning familiar streets into a patchwork of checkpoints and bomb blasts, they begin to hear whispers about doors--doors that can whisk people far away, if perilously and for a price. As the violence escalates, Nadia and Saeed decide that they no longer have a choice. Leaving their homeland and their old lives behind, they find a door and step through. . . . Exit West follows these remarkable characters as they emerge into an alien and uncertain future, struggling to hold on to each other, to their past, to the very sense of who they are. Profoundly intimate and powerfully inventive, it tells an unforgettable story of love, loyalty, and courage that is both completely of our time and for all time.

a certain hunger

Food critic Dorothy Daniels loves what she does. Discerning, meticulous, and very, very smart, Dorothy's clear mastery of the culinary arts make it likely that she could, on any given night, whip up a more inspired dish than any one of the chefs she writes about. Dorothy loves sex as much as she loves food, and while she has struggled to find a long-term partner that can keep up with her, she makes the best of her single life, frequently traveling from Manhattan to Italy for a taste of both. But there is something within Dorothy that's different from everyone else, and having suppressed it long enough, she starts to embrace what makes Dorothy uniquely, terrifyingly herself. Recounting her life from a seemingly idyllic farm-to-table childhood, the heights of her career, to the moment she plunges an ice pick into a man's neck on Fire Island, Dorothy Daniels show us what happens when a woman finally embraces her superiority.

just for the summer

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka. It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?

you like it darker

“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,” writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,” and in You Like It Darker, readers will feel that exhilaration too, again and again. “Two Talented Bastids” explores the long-hidden secret of how the eponymous gentlemen got their skills. In “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,” a brief and unprecedented psychic flash upends dozens of lives, Danny’s most catastrophically. In “Rattlesnakes,” a sequel to Cujo, a grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives an unexpected inheritance—with major strings attached. In “The Dreamers,” a taciturn Vietnam vet answers a job ad and learns that there are some corners of the universe best left unexplored. “The Answer Man” asks if prescience is good luck or bad and reminds us that a life marked by unbearable tragedy can still be meaningful.

a death in door county

Morgan Carter, owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin, has a hobby. When she’s not tending the store, she’s hunting cryptids—creatures whose existence is rumored, but never proven to be real. It’s a hobby that cost her parents their lives, but one she’ll never give up on. So when a number of bodies turn up on the shores of Lake Michigan with injuries that look like bites from a giant unknown animal, police chief Jon Flanders turns to Morgan for help. A skeptic at heart, Morgan can’t turn down the opportunity to find proof of an entity whose existence she can’t definitively rule out. She and her beloved rescue dog, Newt, journey to the Death's Door strait to hunt for a homicidal monster in the lake—but if they’re not careful, they just might be its next victims.

disturbance

As the sun sets on a feverishly hot July evening, a young woman spies on her teenage neighbor, transfixed by what looks like an occult ritual intended to banish an ex-boyfriend. Alone in a new town and desperate to expel the claustrophobic memories of her own ex that have followed, the narrator decides to try to hex herself free from her past. She falls in with the neighbor and her witchy friend, exploring nascent supernatural powers as the boundaries of reality shift in and out of focus. But when the creaks and hums of her apartment escalate into something more violent, she realizes that she may have brought her boyfriend’s presence—whether psychological or paranormal—back to haunt her.

the bell jar

Esther Greenwood is brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under—maybe for the last time. In her acclaimed and enduring masterwork, Sylvia Plath brilliantly draws the reader into Esther's breakdown with such intensity that her insanity becomes palpably real, even rational—as accessible an experience as going to the movies. A deep penetration into the darkest and most harrowing corners of the human psyche, The Bell Jar is an extraordinary accomplishment and a haunting American classic.

city on fire

New York City, 1976. Meet Regan and William Hamilton-Sweeney, estranged heirs to one of the city's great fortunes; Keith and Mercer, the men who, for better or worse, love them; Charlie and Samantha, two suburban teenagers seduced by downtown's punk scene; an obsessive magazine reporter, Richard, and his idealistic neighbor, Jenny, - and the detective trying to figure out what any of them have to do with a shooting in Central Park on New Year's Eve. The mystery, as it reverberates through families, friendships, and the corridors of power, will open up even the loneliest-seeming corners of the crowded city. And when the blackout of July 13, 1977, plunges this world into darkness, each of these lives with be changed forever.

[columboscreens]

Been loving the Twitter account and realized I'd love the Tumblr too.

Anyway, I've always wondered something... my mom and I began to realize that maybe one of the reasons classic Columbo's formula made such a splash and continues to be unique is that he's basically presented as the story's "villain".

Not in a "he was the real killer" kind of way, I mean structure-wise for most episodes the killer is the main character with the majority of screen time. It occurred to us that all the best episodes really seem to present the murderer as the protagonist, with us seeing them plan and carry out their scheme, even sometimes be privy to their inner thoughts. Then after they've done their killing, this... monster starts stalking them. It seemed to us the best episodes were the ones where WE are put in the killer's shoes the most, and maybe the character and show formula has endured so well because its thrill feels so similar to watching your favorite movie monster pursue dumb teenagers in a haunted house.

We noticed it kinda felt like it had that same weirdly sadistic glee. Like sure the movie might be "about" the campers or family or whatever, but the monster creeping around "getting" everyone is who you really came to see.

I wondered if anyone else had felt this fun "relentless antagonist" vibe from Columbo? Maybe the formula continues to feel unique even today because it isn't set up quite like a detective show. It's a rich arrogant murderer show, we just can't wait for our favorite monster to show up and chase them (with insidious, relentless politeness).

thank you!

not to needlessly intellectualize my own favorite show (i say, maintaining this blog), but there's a real sophistication to columbo, a literary quality that i think appeals to people. though the production appears facile at first, those choices in formula and perspective you mention are indeed very deliberate and part of what made columbo so fresh and special both when it aired and today. it was a very novel approach to the mystery format to have us start off with the murderer and maybe even root for them sometimes against columbo. as i always say, the show evokes dostoyevsky and doyle, not bruckheimer; it's born from old-fashioned drawing room murder mysteries, not CSI.

the mysteries are usually sharp--between columbo and murder she wrote alone, levinson and link were two of the most prolific mysterysmiths of the 20th century. but ultimately, for both the viewer and for columbo, it's all about the chase, the game, the banter. it's about a mangy little guy tussling with someone with more dollars than he has hairs on his body, and winning to boot. the legwork is important, but it does ultimately come second.

steven moffat got torn to shreds for calling columbo a sadist, but he was absolutely right and needn't have apologized. if you get up in arms about that, do you really understand columbo?

the man is a benevolent sadist. that's why he appears borderline villainous. he is a sadist with a level head and good moral compass, but still a sadist. he goes well out of his way to fuck over people who deserve to get fucked over, and he clearly enjoys every minute of it. it's how he's able to remain so relentless without getting burned out. is that so wrong?

just look at the smirk on this man's face. you cannot deny that.

like a fine wine, his power grows with time...

peter falk himself often likened being chased by columbo to "getting nibbled to death by a duck". nobody can stand there and tell me ducks aren't the cutest and also pettiest most sadistic little bastards in the animal kingdom...

sir!!!! SIR!!!!! i don't mean to bother you, i've just got this one little thing on my mind, i thought maybe you could help me...