Nothing Known

Introduction

This record was given to me by an old man. Well he wasn't that old. It was something of a misfortune really.

It was the middle of June when I ran across the old man. No, I still don't know his name to this day. I doubt I ever will know his name.

The sun was out brightly lit. I was headed on my way back towards my home when I came across a man sitting on the curb. He must have been in his early eighties. I asked if I could help him up. He said no and told me to go about my business.

I figured it was his life, why not do as he says and went on my way figuring I'd never see him again.

Well I was mistaken. It wasn't the last time I would see the man. In fact, I would see him over and over in my dreams days after the incident. It took well over a month to find out he had passed away.

His will was quite simple. It left me with everything he had. It wasn't much, just an old diary he had kept and a small wooden airplane.

Opening the diary, I found out more about the old man. Possibly more than I intended.

The majority of the record is, well disorganized. Scattered really. I'm not quite sure how to explain it. A lot of it was written on 3x5 index cards. Something brief, a thought or two.

I wonder what would have happened had the old man learned to use a typewriter or a computer. Either way, the record would have been much easier to understand and comprehend. But it is here as best I can describe it.

I've yet to find a family member or any living relative that was close to the old man. Gosh, why am I calling him the old man? He has a name.

Zwendel Gaferi. There, I've said it. For the first time in my life I've spoken the man's name out loud. Kinda creepy if you ask me, but well what is there to be scared out about? It's an old man with a life that's meant to be shared with everyone.

It would appear I have lied to you regarding the fact that I didn't know his name. Well if that is a lie, then I am quite a liar. But what if it is simply something I just stumbled upon. Instead of a lie, what if it was a misprint? Is that not a possibility?

However there is more to be said about the old man. I just didn't see him in my dreams. I actually saw him the day before he died. I was walking home from the grocery store. It was late at night, maybe around seven p.m. There was the old man hobbling towards me. (I guess he was hobbling, I hadn't seen him walk until that night.)

He held out his hand and shook mine. The man's hands were ice cold. The look in his eyes were that of terror. Horrified that something was going to happen, (or so I assumed). Without talking how is a person to know what another person is thinking?

I offered him a cab ride. He simply shook his head no.

“Tell my story.” He said.

The man let go of my hand after that and continued walking into the night.

Walking the rest of the way home I didn't think anything of it. Went to bed and woke up the next morning to two police officers at my door.

Zwendle had been shot. Sometime after we spoke. He bled out quickly. I was surprised. Quite surprised. No one I had known had been shot before. Well I didn't really know him now did I? But still it was the same way of thinking. He was dead, I was still alive.

I didn't have any answers for the officers. Only that I had seen the man a couple of times. That I had offered him a ride to wherever he needed but he refused. It was the truth after all. Wasn't it?

The officers bid me good day and went on their way. They told me if they needed anything else to be expecting their call. I smiled and closed the door.

So the old man had died. Talk about a crazy way to start out the morning.

Well not quite as crazy as what happened next. There was another knock at the door. This time it was a young lady. Now her, I never caught her name. She simply handed me a package. Something you'd see at the post office. One of those kinds of packages.

“Read it. Tell it.” She said and was off on her way.

Opening the package, I peeked inside and saw papers upon papers. It was in no particular order. Everything was in an odd mess. Whatever it was she wanted me to tell, I would have to piece it together as best I could.

I got to work.

This is the result of whatever the hell was in that package. If I were to title the work, I would name it “Nothing Known.” I'm sure the old man, Zwendel would probably call it something quite different. But well, he never bothered to write anything down on the envelope describing what it was he wanted to call it. So I shall call it that.

If anyone manages to know the title of the work he had commenced, I'd be more than happy to change the title of this book. But as it now stands, that is the title...and you will just have to live with it.1

Life continued on as I looked through the papers. Papers and postcards and index cards. Like I said, none of it was in any kind of order. One thing that did stand out was the handwriting wasn't the same on any of the papers, but they appeared to have been written using the same pen.2

An odd encounter at least. But not as odd as what would be found within the work. That was yet to be seen. Opening the package, I started to write.

1. Editors Note: The person named would later return to collect his work. He claimed to never have titled it, and that's okay with us. Who knows how he would return...he was dead. What was the point in him returning for the papers? No one knew. It appears to be a mystery...a mystery never to be figured out until a later period of time. Something to be understood where everything else didn't matter. Like we said, this wasn't meant to make sense. You're just here reading it along with us. -Ed.

2. Black pen, a Pilot G-2 if I read the ink correctly...but well who's to know what it was. It was a pen. Is that not enough? -Ed.

Tis but a noble work

a place to ponder and lust after

some kind of patience to be

made known. But only after

that which is lost.

~ Zwendel Gaferi

Tis but a day. A day to reckon with. I fear it is something not to be grasped by those which would have me taken out and shot. But that is not the place nor the matter of time upon which I find myself creeping along the old place.

Some say the house was haunted. I knew for a fact it was not haunted, having visited there many times in the past. But I let them believe what they would believe. It was nothing short of a miracle to be designed and grasped within my own mind.

The house on Whicker Street was old and run down.3 Yes, it was quite a show for sure. The house must have been built in the early nineteen hundreds, I would have to get an official record for that later.4

But for now, I entered the house. It was cold inside and quite dark. Nothing to be afraid of as most

3. Um, it was more than just run down. It was quite in shambles actually. There are photos with the record showing various signs of how the house would be torn down and how it was currently unoccupied, not to mention classified as a safety hazard. -Ed.

4. There doesn't appear to be any record of the house on Whicker Street as Zwendel noted. We aren't even certain where the photos came from. Such a street doesn't exist neither does the supposed house upon which Zwendel claimed to have gone in. A mystery indeed. -Ed.

houses had a way of being worn out from time to time. Given the fact that this house was so old, I half expected to find ghosts in it. (There weren't any ghosts mind you, but that would have been neat!)

As I investigated the house, I came upon a small sitting room immediately off to the right of the grand hallway.

It was a quaint room. Two chairs sat in the corner. An old dirty rug was in the middle of the room. The chairs were both made of wood. I dared not sit in either chair, I know far to well how the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears turned out!

The room was decked out in shades of red velvet, dark blues, and some black colors. To say it was dreadful would be an understatement. The house reminded me of something straight out of a horror movie. The only difference between this house and that of something you would actually see in a horror movie...I was alone. No one else was in the house.

Walking down the hallway, I noticed the rest of the house was vacant. It was a simple one story house so there wasn't anything else to see. A small bedroom was at the end of the hallway. Next to that a bathroom. Across from the sitting room was a kitchen with a small pantry.

It didn't take long to investigate and search the entire house. I was shocked there wasn't a basement. From the outside one could clearly see windows that went past ground level. Who knows if there was a basement at one point in time. There isn't a way to tell.

Walking into the kitchen I saw a fridge. The rest of it was empty. Nothing much there at all. The fridge was even empty. The icebox however contained a simple ice pick. Something you would buy at a Walmart or K-Mart. Nothing great about it. Just an odd piece to see in the icebox when there wasn't any ice to be found.

Taking the ice pick I put it in my pocket. Didn't feel like wasting my time in the house, I turned to leave. That's when I heard it.

Now when I say it, I don't mean some kind of animal that had lost its way. I'm not even talking about a person. Honestly it was an it. I'm not sure how to describe whatever it was I saw. Maybe it was a ghost. But it was during the day. I didn't think ghosts came out during the daytime. Who's to know exactly what it was I saw. I ran from the house determined never to return.

At least that's what I thought.

Those destined never to return would eventually come back. It is an inevitable occurrence. Do not fear that which is unknown, you will find all there is to find, in time. ~ Unknown 5

Running away from the house felt like the correct course of action. Now, I'm not the best runner in the world. It's just not something I tend to do from time to time. But on that day, I swear I ran as fast as my legs could take me. Like a bunny I was hopping over fences through neighbors yards back to my car.

As I ran off, I heard someone laughing. It could only come from one place. The house. That darn old haunted house which I swore wasn't haunted.

5. Another quote of such amusing. Unknown Author is at its best whenever they feel like writing something to never be seen. A mystery? No not that far in the event of something unique. We are all but a mystery...in some way or another. -Ed.

So this is life.

A moment in time to be had

beyond anything else

to be known. I kinda hate it.

~ Zwendel Gaferi

Walking into my own house, I put the ice pick in my den. My wife wouldn't understand what I was doing with an ice pick from some strangers house I happened to hear about, and which I just happened to break into on more than one occasion.

Sitting down at my desk, I caught my breath. I swear I left my heart beating on the grass of that old house. My lungs weren't ever anything to be proud of. Years of smoking were sure to do them in.6

I wasn't one to understand exactly what smoking would do to you, when I was younger that is. But well now I quite understand. I understand it so much that I will probably die with a cigar, or cigarette in my hand. Hell I'll probably die with one in my mouth!

Lighting up, I reclined back in my chair and pondered all that I had heard and seen that day. Talk about a crazy experience.

Staring at the ice pick made me feel nervous. I hadn't noticed the blood residue on the end of it until then. Wow, if someone was killed with that ice pick

6. Zwendel started smoking when he was around the age of twelve. That was also the first time he lifted a watch from an old man, and took his father's car out for a joyride. Zwendel sure had an interesting upbringing. It leads to speculation though, how much of it was all in his head? How much of this experience did he manage to make up as he went along? We might never know. -Ed.

In that house? I had a murder weapon on my hand...and I touched it. At that moment my mind began to wander. Oh how terrible a mistake it had been taking that piece of evidence from the house! How would I explain to the cops if they ended up coming by. It couldn't be something as simple as the time I went and looked for trouble.7

No, this was something much worse. Something I didn't want to deal with. Setting the cigar down, I picked the ice pick up. I would have to do something with it. Something I wasn't about to admit to doing. But it had to be done. I took it downstairs and tried to burn it.

7. Now let me tell you about this story. I went looking for trouble. Yes that much is true. It wasn't the sort of trouble any guy in his right mind was just looking for. It was just that. I went out one night while my folks slept and I went looking for trouble.

Now I'm not a hot head by any means. But for whatever reason, I was on the path to destruction. That is before I found God, but well I didn't find God until much later in life. Years after the smoking had taken its hold on me. Darn priests always want to get in your business.

So there I was, sneaking out of the house that night. Quite a bold mood at my young age of sixteen. (I don't think my folks still know to this day that's what I was doing. Oh well they're dead, too late to ask now.)

I planned on meeting up with some friends. I wouldn't call them friends nowadays. They weren't really the best friends in the world, but at the time, they're all I had. We planned on going dancing at some worn out club. It was on the east end of town. It didn't take long to get there as there wasn't much town around. But that was okay.

Met up with some broads clearly twice our age. Could you blame us? We were horny teenagers. Went for a few drinks until one of the bars refused service due to my one friend, Zicky, not looking over 21. They carded us. Bam! We landed ourselves a night in jail. Well an hour at least, another friend had a brother

Now notice I said I tried to burn it. Yeah knowing my luck the sucker wouldn't burn. Taking it out of the furnace, I looked it over. There wasn't a scorch mark on the blasted thing. The blood splatter was still there too. Damn evidence! I cursed under my breath. Why did the evidence have to be difficult to remove? Man I wish I had all the answers. But I didn't.

The next logical step was to take the ice pick and throw it in the safe. That was back in the den. So up I went.

The safe hadn't been opened in years.8

It still smelled of old whiskey from when pops was hiding a bottle for himself away from the wife and kids. I guess it was just something he had to do when times got hard and he wanted to get away from us all. Now I'm not saying pop wasn't a good man. No he was plenty good. So good that he didn't want us to go starving ever. That's why he worked so hard.

who worked at the jail house. He managed to get us out of there before they actually booked us. Talk about luck. But it wasn't just the luck that was amazing that night. It was something else. I still can't quite place my finger on it. Could have been all the adrenaline pounding around our hearts. We knew if we'd get caught we were all in for it.

Deep deep shit of trouble we were. Thank goodness we weren't caught though. It was smooth sailing from then on out. I think that's the first time I realized I could probably do anything I put my mind to as long as I had a backup plan. Yeah a plan had to be in order to get out of such situations. As long as I had a plan? I figured I was good as gold. -Z

8. Oh that safe of mine. Brings back all the memories of old times. Pops had bought it back when he returned from war. Something he never liked talking about. But well he did just fine with that safe. Gave it to me on his death bead. I sure do miss that old man. -Z

Inside the safe was an old drinking glass and some papers. I picked up the papers and looked them over. Some kind of certificate. Think it had to do with something pops said once to me about marriage. He had this thing about marrying the right gal. It was quite an easy concept. You marry the right gal and she'll never turn on you, but you have to treat her with respect. Don't give her a reason to leave you alone.9

Fond memories of pops made it to my heart. I almost forgot about the ice pick in my hand. That cold metal burning the sweat in my hand away. I still wasn't sure what to do with the blasted thing.

Putting the paper back, I took another look at the ice pick. If I was going to hide the evidence and whatever it was in that house, I had to do it now.

It wasn't long before I heard sirens coming down the street. There was a loud knock at my door.

9. The words might have been a bit off. I don't remember them exactly. But it was something like that. The paper in t he safe sure as hell didn't make matters any better. It was so faded and worn out by the time I looked at it. Silly paper. Silly pops. Old man probably didn't know what he was getting into at the end.

I sure do miss that old man. Sure it wasn't the lifetime one expected when living with your folks. But, well what was I to do about it? They took care of me and that was enough...wasn't it? I had a roof over my head and food to feed me. I really was taken care of. -Z

To live and be afraid of life is one thing.

To live and accept that life for what it's worth is another.

~ Mama Gaferi

Opening the door, I saw the police officers. A man and a woman. They didn't seem to be very friendly. Well, they could be friendly for everyone else in their life for all that mattered, but being friendly with those you were after? They probably didn't care much for me and my kind. Whatever kind that might be.

“Zwendel Gaferi?” The female police officer spoke. Her long shoulder length hair was up in a bun. Probably due to regulations.

Her partner looked me up and down. He was the size of a wrestler. Wasn't sure if that was an armature or pro wrestler, but he wasn't someone to be messed with. I had dogs who had a mean bark, as far as police officers went...he probably had the meanest bark of them all.10

“Sir, may we come in please?”

At that moment my wife, Carolyn, came into the hallway. One look at the officers and she knew I had done something. So much for letting the ice pick go by unnoticed.

I showed them into the parlor where we managed to get comfy. Well I'm sure they were comfy, those chairs cost well over a grand a piece! I tried my best

10. Now, I'm not above the law. So don't take that paragraph as a literal interpretation of what the police officer was. He was simply doing his duty and I accept that. -Z

to get comfortable. Ever been face to face with the wrong side of the law? Yeah I wouldn't expect you to enjoy it. I know I sure as hell didn't. They had me cornered, trapped as it were.

Carolyn stared me down as the officers began asking their questions.

Where were you tonight? How long have you been home? Have you ever been to a house on Whicker Street? What were you doing in that location today?

The questions went on. The list was quite extensive. They wanted to even know what I had for lunch that day.11 Had they been following me? I wasn't sure.

I told them what I knew. All that I knew. Handing over the ice pick, the officers questioned me even further. I expected them to take me down to the station house for more questioning. Maybe I was their latest suspect in some murder case.

No, all they wanted to know was why I was in the house. I would never hear the end of it from my wife mind you. Every time I would leave the house from thereon out she would ask me where I was going. I might have told a white lie or two to get her off my back.12

11. I don't remember what I had for lunch that day except for the fact it was spicy. So spicy in fact, I was feeling the regrets of eating it later that evening. Might have been pizza...could have been lasagna. I really don't remember. Probably them grilling me had something to do with it. Grilled cheese with jalapeños? Nah, that couldn't have been it either. -Z

12. Now I'm not saying you should lie to your wives by any means. It's not the right thing to do. I would learn that later however...much much later. But well I did what I had to do in order to get out of the house and on my way again most days. -Ed.

They let me go without further questioning. Naturally they took the ice pick with them. I'm sure they wanted it for evidence purposes or something. I'm not really sure what they wanted to do with the ice pick.13

“So? What was t hat all about?” Carolyn asked me as the door closed.

I was in for it. I could feel her claws outstretching like she was ready for the kill. A beast pouncing on her prey like it was nothing. Thank goodness we didn't have any children living at home, they might have seen my own demise that night.

“Oh nothing.” I responded. Her blond hair was up. A pencil was keeping it in a bun like formation. It was kinda cute, and yet kinda reminded me of my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Murray.14 Yeah not a good combination.

The rest of the evening was a blur. I remember eating dinner, we had cabbage or was it broccoli? It was green, maybe that's enough of a memory to remember I actually ate dinner that night. I'm sure my wife was staring me down the entire time. But when wasn't she staring me down?

I'm sure we talked about the house. Probably why I had been there on a number of occasions. I really couldn't tell her why the house fascinated me so much.

13. Note: The ice pick in question went missing a few years ago from the station house. No one knows what came of it. -Ed.

14. Oh Mrs. Murray, when she put her hair up you knew you were in trouble. Most of the time her hair was relaxed and cozy, but when she started twitching and reached for a pencil, you had had it. That was one teacher you didn't ever want to get on her bad side. -Z

Was that wrong to not have an answer to every question she managed to grab for me? I'm not sure. If there was anything I wanted, it wasn't to lie to my wife. I finally decided that telling her a story...one that held back some of the facts...was better than telling her the truth and letting her become concerned with it.

That's exactly what I did.

Satisfied with my un-lie,15 We went to bed.

The dreams that night would haunt my wife. Myself? Not that much. I already had the dreams associated with the house. It was something straight from a horror movie. There wasn't much to deal with when you're asleep. Not much at all. It all came down to one simple thought.

The police hadn't taken me to jail. That much was certain and because of that, I was grateful. I did wonder, however, if the police officers who questioned me ended up having nightmares or visions of nightmares as they slept. I suppose they might have simply slept well that night. I'm not sure...I didn't hear from them again.16

If there was anything I was sure of it was this. I was determined to go back to the house and confront whatever ghost or beast or whatever it was that had scared me out that day. I had questions to be answered and I needed proof.

15. Granted un-lie isn't a word. But in this context it seemed to fit. Call it author's prerogative. Not to mention it was the best thing I could decipher from the writings. -Ed.

16. Records indicate the officers in question both retired from the force shortly after the incident with Mr. Gaferi. Their current whereabouts are unknown, even to their family members. -Ed.

Beware where you tread for here lies deep waters.

~ Unknown Sailing Captain

It was dark out in the morning when I left. My wife was still sleeping. She wouldn't wake for another two or three hours. I had time to go back to the house and investigate the ghost.

Bear in mind that I don't believe in ghosts. If they exist, I sure don't believe they can interact with us. Something tells me it wasn't a ghost I heard, but something else. What exactly? I don't know.

I just wanted my curiosity to go away and be solved. If that was a crime? Then those cops should have arrested me for supposedly trespassing on someones private property.

Since they didn't arrest me, that tells me that property wasn't private. No one owns the house so there's nothing I did wrong. Off scott free I was, and now I was headed back.

The front door to the house was still open from the day before. Quite an odd thought. That door being open all day and no one had the balls to shut it. Maybe the house really was haunted. I continued forward.

Creeping by one of the lower windows that went down underground I rubbed away dust and cobwebs to see if I could get a glimpse in the basement that didn't exist. No such luck, there was something on the other side of the window.

Was something blocking it? If there was, then there might be a basement there after all. I crawled towards another window. Same thing with that one, the dirt and cobwebs were just everywhere.

Smearing the dust away I looked in. It was dark inside for sure, but there was indeed an inside to be looked at.

Looking around I wondered if someone would notice if I were to break one of the windows. The neighbors would probably hear. It was probably them who called the cops to begin with.17

Good thing I grabbed my lucky crowbar before I started this little adventure. You never know when you're in good need of a crowbar.18

Prying the window open, I didn't have to break it. I was able to squeeze down into the, well for lack of a better word, pit without problem.

The space was small and dark. I could barely stand up without bumping my head. I'm roughly five foot nine inches in height so there's a lot of rooms I don't have an issue with standing in. This was not one of them.

In the far corner of the room. Odd, it wasn't a corner at all. The room was spherical in shape. Now why didn't I notice that before? So very strange. Okay, in one of the roundnesses of the room, there stood a large bookcase.

17. Interesting side note about the police stopping at Zwendel's door. How did they find out where he lived? Did a neighbor of the ghost house grab a license plate number? Did they follow Zwendel to his home and then call the police? They sure arrived rather quick for police officers. Last time there was a shooting in the neighborhood, it took them over an hour to get to my place. -Ed.

18. The crowbar in question had been around since the 50s. It was a handy tool on many occasions. I remember when I first got it. Damn thing saved me from a lot of trouble. There's a lot of damage you can do to a person with a crowbar when they're trying to attack you. But well that's a different story from a different time. -Z

Now when I say it was a large bookcase. I really do mean large. Taller than me and it didn't even touch the ceiling. Did I mention this room was odd? Well yes it sure was.

The bookshelf was bare except for one single book on the highest shelf. Since I couldn't reach that shelf, I shook the bookshelf until the book fell and landed on the floor. Unfortunately the bookshelf crumbled into pieces and fell apart.

Picking the book up, and dusting it off, I read the title. Well I tried to read the title, it wasn't in English. Great, just wonderful. How was I to read something that wasn't in English? It's like To Serve Man all over again.19

I still wondered why I came to this house. Of what interest did it hold for me? I had heard stories over the years about the house. How it was haunted and the like, but was that the real reason I came? I'm not sure.

I opened the book.

The first page had a note written on it.

To Sam,

We're so proud of you and your

accomplishments. Keep up the good

work.

Love Mom and Dad

19. To Serve Man is an episode of The Twilight Zone. Aliens come from a distant planet claiming they want to serve man, came with a book and everything. In the end it was all a lie and the book was actually a cookbook. The main character is forced on the spaceship and is taken to the alien planet where he becomes the main course. -Ed.

Rather an odd item to leave in an abandoned house. If it meant so much to the person who left it behind, why did they leave it in the first place? Oh well, not my book, not my problem. Setting the book down a large sheet of paper fell out.

Picking it up, I looked at the paper. It appeared to be a map of some kind. Not a treasure map, those were made for pirates and the like. No, it was something different. A different kind of map. I don't think I can easily describe it. It was just... so out there.20

Putting the map in my pocket I continued through the room looking for a door. There had to be a way to get in and out of the room right? I mean aside from going through the window. Hadn't there? Most buildings had ways of moving from room to room from within.

I started searching around the room for a door. Yes a door would do nicely. There didn't seem to be any visible openings that I could tell, so I began feeling around the walls for some kind of opening. A crack would even show there was a door someplace, somewhere. Yes a crack or a handle...something wood, something iron. Metal, concrete. Just some kind of door. Any kind of door. Nothing. There isn't a door to be found. What in the hell is this place?

20. Having seen the map myself, I can concur that it is “out there” as Zwendel has stated. I have taken it to a number of scientists and other scientific experts in the community. They indicate it is something old yet it is made of some materials unknown in our current timeline. (Their words, not mine. Yes they actually said timeline!) Until I can further research the map in question, it too remains a mystery. -Ed.

I was about to give up looking for a way out of the room, when I heard that noise from the other day. Yes the monster had returned. At least that's what I was thinking when I heard it. Damn monster felt the need to come back for some odd strange reason. I wasn't in the mood to play with the monster. There didn't seem to be a reason for it. Something told me to run. I had to run. But where? Where would I run to? There wasn't a place to run.

The window felt so far away. So fucking far that I wouldn't be able to climb up the wall and find it again. The bookcase was in shambles on the other side of the room.

It dawned on me, the bookcase. Well behind the bookcase was a spot I didn't bother looking for a door. Rushing to the other side of the room, I threw the pieces of the bookcase across the floor. There was a small opening. A way out. I had minutes, I figured, before the monster would make a run at me.

Entering the opening was no simple task. I managed to crawl my way into it though. Deep into the hole I went I kept crawling and didn't look back.

The hole felt like it was getting smaller. How was that possible? It wasn't very big to begin with! Soon I was on my stomach as I made my way towards the end of the hole, wherever it led.

The monster had ceased to follow me. At least that's what it sounded like. I stopped at the end of the crawl space. There wasn't a way out. Hitting my hand against the floor, I screamed out. What kind of trap was this?

It was then I heard a noise.

Something borrowed will always

come back to haunt you.

~ Unknown

Looking above me, there was another hole. A hole leading upwards. But that's where the noise was coming from. Was I destined to crawl up that hole and find out what was up there? Hell why not! I had made it this far...what was another foot or so?

Standing up, I managed to go through the opening. I was back in the house. Could have sworn I was further along than that.

I was in part of the house I hadn't seen before.21 The noise had stopped, whatever it was.

21. Well I hadn't seen it from the inside, I was sure to have seen it from the outside, but I'm sure you realized that by now. Such a silly house. It really was. Something of a puzzle. Yes a large puzzle piece looking odd and through it all like life through a telescope.

I still didn't know what had come over me to be so obsessed with the house. There didn't seem enough that would lead me down to different paths if I wanted them to. It was still a small house full of nothing.

At times, looking back, I still wonder what caused all of this to begin with. Was it the story old Mel told down at the gas station? Hell, everyone had stories to tell back in the day. It could have been that, but well I'm not sure. Mel...he sure had a way of talking things up.

There was this one time, Mel had us all thinking he was going to go rock climbing. Yes he did. Well, let me tell you a thing or two about old Mel. He had no legs. He's in a wheelchair after some incident in some war that's long over and forgotten.

So here he is telling us all about how he's going to go rock climbing. When asked how he was going to do it? He said his arms. How else did we think he was going to climb the rock, with

I think I was in the attic. But that couldn't be, the attic was a good twenty feet above ground! Well I tell you, I was in an attic type space. There were floorboards and insulation. Well I think it was insulation...didn't look like insulation we have nowadays. But if the house was old enough...yeah it was insulation. Corn husks. Damn corn husks. No wonder the walls have ears! Even the ceiling had ears.

Such an odd place the attic. Kinda creepy if you ask me. I still don't know how the crawl space ended up placing me there. It didn't matter though. I was there so why not take a look around?

Having to crouch in the attic was not my idea of fun. In fact, it was something I disliked. The basement or under the basement would have been a better situation, but well here I was.

Crawling around on the boards as best I could, and making sure I didn't fall through the ceiling for that would be unfortunate, I came across a chest. It wasn't any normal chest, it was outlined in gold. Yes a gold chest with the face of a lion carved into it. I think it was a lion...could fathom what other kind of creature it would be. I wondered if I should open it there or wait till I got back to the house.

If I waited, the wife would want to know what I was brining back.

his cock? I didn't laugh at that moment. We all thought he was a eunuch... well he remained determined that he was going to go rock climbing. So he did. Would you believe the sonofabitch ended up not only climbing that damn rock but he put it in his pocket afterwards.

Yeah, that was the last time we ever listened to him tell a story about how he was going to go rock climbing. Pet rocks didn't seem to count. Not here, not never again. -Z

That was probably not the best of ideas. So I didn't wait. I opened the chest. In side, I found nothing. Nothing at all. To say I was let down over the transaction would be an understatement. I had hoped there would be something in the chest. However it was made out of gold...or something that looked like gold, I would have to investigate it further. Could be worth something. Oh yes it could be quite worth something good.22

22. It should be noted that the chest reminded Zwendel of a most unfortunate event in his life. I found a few letters describing it and couldn't find a better place to put them as he didn't directly point it out at the time of finding the chest.

During his younger years, Zwendel was out in a desert among a tribe of nomads. They were searching for an ancient artifact. Something known to the people as The Shrine of Zumak. It was an old tablet with writings of the people on it. Legend states that the tablet would point the person towards an ancient tomb where a object of great wealth and power could be found to help raise up a mighty generation of people.

Most people at the time were suspicious about such an artifact. They didn't expect such a thing to be true. But Zwendel paid good money in an effort to find such a tablet. The people helping him were grateful for the opportunity to help out. I'm sure it had to do with the lump sum of money he had given them and promised them more.

The unknown tribe were in desperate need of the money. They didn't know how they would end up surviving the next winter without certain supplies that could only be purchased. For the most part, the tribe could go about their day to day affairs conducing business as it were. They were more of a hunter gatherer species...and didn't know much of wealth or economy except for the fact that money was needed to purchase certain items that they were unable to manufacture by themselves.

It took the group several days to find the tablet. When they did, Zwendel held it in his hands and was struck blind for three days. Shortly after regaining his sight, he thought it best to leave the tablet alone. He called off the search. -Ed.

Taking the box out of the attic, I found himself back again in the lower part of the house. Clutching the box tightly to my breast I didn't dare want anyone else to come by and take it from me. Oh how I'm sure they wanted to do that. How they wanted it all. The riches which could be promised by such a box, yes it was nothing to be taken for granted.

Making my way to the back door, I found myself in the kitchen. Where the back door once stood...there was not a stove blocking my path. The door was gone completely and a wall had been put in its place. Obviously someone didn't want me to escape through the back door.

So the front door it was.

Making my way through the house, that long hallway, the exit was near. So near I could feel it. I could obviously see it, but it was near. So near. That front door. Walking past a den, I stopped. A den? There hadn't been a den there before. Where on earth did a den come from?

I set the box down and walked into the den.

A desk sat in the middle of the room. It was a large desk. Made of metal. A bookshelf was behind the desk. Made the room feel stranger. Darker.

I approached the bookshelf.

The floor boards creaked as I walked through the den.

One book caught my attention almost immediately. It jumped out at me. “Paved With Good Intentions” was the title of the book. Taking the book off the shelf I opened it.

That's when I heard a familiar noise.

Nothing in this life is for free,

it is all but a chance to be taken

by most and enjoyed by few.

~Unknown

Turning around I saw the creature standing in the doorway. I call it a creature here because what else am I suppose to call it? It didn't look like any human I had ever seen before, and trust me walking through life I had seen a lot of humans.

The thing had two heads, each working independently from the other head. Its hands had large claw like appendages on them. A form of finger nail as well, I presume? This was the first creature I had seen. It was holding the box in its hands...or whatever those things where.

It spoke in a rough voice. Deep and rugged. “Why have you come here.”

I didn't know how to respond to the creature. I couldn't just say I was interested in the house, could I? No, that would be a mistake. If it was indeed the creature's domain, I wasn't about to piss it off!23

The creature didn't like my being quiet. It was rather offended by it.

Finally I spoke.

“You don't know what danger you hold in your hands.”

Granted not the best of replies to why I was there,

23. An amusing side note here. The creature was not a ghost as Zwendel had originally assumed. I am not certain if he realized this at the time of his...experience or writing, but he doesn't seem to touch back on the ghost in any of his correspondence. -Ed.

but it's what came to my mind at the moment. Perhaps out of desperation if not anything else.

Looking at the box, the creature smiled. Its mouths contained pointy teeth, something you would expect to find in a dinosaur. It's breath was extremely bad as well. Could you blame it? It was a monster after all.

“I know you tried to take this away from me once before. But the tablet alone scared you away.” He (or she) hissed at my response. “You have only come that much closer in an attempt to be destroyed.”

I paused. It was the thing I had been in search of so long ago? No, that wasn't possible! The house was only a curiosity, nothing more. I do have to say, it did cause me to wonder no more of why I had found the house so compelling to enter. Such a rare oddity.

“I had no idea.” My hands were up as though the creature was holding me at gun point. “I honestly had no idea this is what I would find here. I thought the box was lost far in the desert somewhere.”

Hissing again, the creature shook its heads.24

Placing my hands to my side, I figured if the creature was to harm me I wouldn't last a chance of anything. It would either rip me to shreds or let me live long enough to torture me. Either way? I was a goner.

24. Have you ever tried to talk with a thing that had two heads before? Talk about impossible. You don't know which head you're suppose to talk to. Well I suppose porn stars are always talking to two heads, but they're typically focused on one head at a time...and that's usually the lower head. But whatever. It has nothing to do with this event. Just that the creature was an odd one for sure. Something no one would ever want to behold at any given time in their own life. -Z

Coming closer, the creature breathed down on me. Its breath was as expected, it stank something most terrible. Like a mixture of old sweaty gym socks with rotten potatoes. Yes it was something I had to turn my nose up at. Talk about an annoying smell.

“You dare challenge me!” It said growling.

A challenge? I hadn't thought of it as being a challenge. It was simply the truth I spoke. I didn't know the box was in the attic, I had no thought of even going near the attic to begin with. But here we were. Him and I locked in a staring contest.25

The box was on the floor just out of my reach. The creature probably did that on purpose, his long tail was protecting it now. His claw like hands reached out towards my neck. Grabbing hold, he lifted me up by my neck and hissed at me. I was unable to move. He had me in his tight grasp.

Trying to kick my way lose I quickly found that not to be an option. There didn't seem to be a way out of his grasp. His claws dug into the back of my neck. It felt like several needles being applied to my neck. I'm not sure if it was a poison or what, but I found myself blacking out.26

25. Not much of a staring contest if your opponent has four eyes! Holy shit! I was in for it. I was going to lose this battle for sure. There wasn't anything to be done about it. -Z

It should be noted there are drawings in the pile of papers regarding this two headed monster as it were. Zwendel is not exaggerating. It appears to be the most evil looking thing ever to walk the face of the Earth. How it came to be in possession of such a dwelling is unknown. -Ed.

26. The great sting from the creature could be compared best to scorpion venom. It had a way of paralyzing Zwendel so he wouldn't be able to attack back quickly. Such a wise creature and yet a dangerous one at that. -Ed.

I came to a couple days later with a big goose bump on my head. Guess the creature decided to let me go only after hitting me over the head to ensure I would remain knocked out in case his venom didn't do the trick.27

Exiting the house as quickly as I could I ran home. I was certain my wife would be furious with me. How dare I stay out for days and not calling her. She was probably worried sick by that point. There was no cause for concern I was quite alright to be honest with you.

When I reached home however, there was something quite different. She was gone. The house was empty. There was no one there at all. The majority of my wife's belonging had been packed up in the middle of the night it would seem. Well days I suppose considering I was out for a good number of days.

Looking around the living room, I found a letter addressed to me. It was from her. I looked at the

27. Now I had been stung by a scorpion before. It was nothing pleasant and this felt very much like that incident on that beach so many years ago. But there was one difference between this incident and the beach...on the beach the scorpion tried to eat me. No lie! I swear on my mother's grave I am telling you the truth. It wasn't that bright of a scorpion, I was much larger than the creature. It had no chance after I smashed it to pieces with a sledgehammer.

But this creature, it had every chance to kill me and yet it didn't. Was I to be impressed by its generosity? I do not know. It was an unfortunate turn of events and yet I managed to survive it all without hardly a scratch on me. Whatever reason the creature caused this to happen...I am grateful for it. It's not something I would ever want to go through again mind you, but I am grateful it didn't decide to kill me in the process. -Z

letter, the envelope was a cream color. It was a typical letter the wife had seemed to write hastily. Oh my how I didn't feel like reading the letter, but I had to be done. I opened the envelope and read aloud to myself.

Dear Zwendel,

I must confess to you something that will come as a shock. I have left you for another man. There is nothing else to be said, there is nothing else to be found between us. We are over.

The past couple of years, I have found our love waxing cold. There were times I tried to allow you to change your ways, but your work always seemed to come before us.

Please don't find me. I will not be easily available. Life will move on for you. Trust me on this Zwendel, you will find someone who will be better off for you. You will find them and they will find you.

I am simply not the one that is meant to be your bride forever.

Goodbye.

Yours always,

Carolyn

To say it came as a shock, well...it didn't really come as a shock now did it? I fell down to the floor in tears. My wife of twenty years had left me. Images popped into my head, so many images of who this stranger was and what he was doing with my wife. Where they would go etc. But it would do no good for me to dwell on such matters.

I had to pick up where I was and continue onward without hesitation. She didn't want any further part of a life with me and that was fine. I couldn't keep her around forever. To do so would be unfair to her and to me. We were not compatible at all. They say opposites attract, but we were so opposite it was unrealistic for any of it to actually hold together.

As I was about to put the envelope down, another piece of paper fell out. It appeared to be a poem. I never knew my wife to write poetry, but well I'm sure there is a lot I didn't know about her. Like how long this affair had been going on for.

My dear husband

it is with sad regret

that I tell you this

we are done, over, lost

our love that once filled

this house, the memories

are long gone

there is nothing left

for me to say to bring

anything back you

have moved onto other

adventures that do not

involve or include me

that's okay

everyone needs to

have their space

a place to be them

this is simply not our

destiny

Holding the poem in my hands the tears began to flow. Forgetting all about the creature that had almost destroyed me. I had no one left to go to. No one to comfort me in my time of need. It was all but a dream now. A long lost memory which wouldn't heal anytime soon.28

I did what I do best. Picked myself up off the floor and got back to work. There was a creature out there who needed to be taken care of naturally. I just wish I knew where he had gone to. None of it made any sense.

28. The envelope in question was among the papers found for the basis of this book. It still has Mr. Gaferi's tear stains on it. To imagine such a loss...well I can understand such a loss completely. You live with someone who you fall in love with. You're there for each other every day and then at some odd moment in that continuing relationship one side gets up and leaves. They do not appear to feel anything for you anymore. It is a sad state of affairs and many tears are sure to be shed. -Ed.

It is a moment of time

an incremental point of thought

that makes everything conform.

~ Zwendel Gaferi

I tried my best to sleep that night. But found it impossible to do so. No matter how I managed to lay down in that blasted bed, I couldn't find a comfortable position. Every look around that room reminded me of her. The bedroom door where she would come from downstairs to join me late at night.

The television where she would keep it on all night, and when I would turn it off at 3 a.m., when she was clearly asleep, she would say “I'm watching that.”

The chair she would sit in when she wasn't able to sleep.

Yes, it was all quite an unfortunate position to be in. She was truly gone. The picture that use to hang above the bed was gone. It had been given to us by her mother, well that's how the story went at least.29

The clock kept ticking away the minutes. Those minutes turned into hours. Eventually day would be here. Another day to wonder and think about all the things I did wrong as a husband. To think about the things which drove my beloved wife away from me into the arms and car of a stranger. Woe is me and all these things which I have to deal with now.

29. The picture in question was that of a white man appearing to a group of Native Americans. It didn't look like Christopher Columbus, but someone quite white and elegant, like a white God as it were. -Ed.

Not to mention the creature. I was certain the creature wouldn't leave me alone. It came after me once, what would stop it from coming after me a second time? No, I was sure that wasn't the last time I would encounter the creature. It was destined to happen again.

Sitting up in bed, I looked at the clock. Stared at it for a long time. The seconds ticked by. One, two, three...like little sheep in my head I began to count them. They needed to make my dreams come. Needed to make my dreams be alive for once. Something good, something cleaver. Unique as it were. I needed to sleep.

There wasn't anything else in this world that I longed for more than a good nights sleep. Accepting reality was difficult these days.30

30. Personally I find it odd that Zwendel could accept a creature as reality but couldn't accept that his wife of twenty years had left him. You would think it would have been the other way around, the old man had indicated that he had managed to put his work before and above his wife on so many different occasions. But well what's to be expected. A terrible thing happens followed by another terrible thing. The man must have been a bit off that night. He's not to be blamed of course. It just seems amusing from the perspective of a bystander such as myself (the author / editor / what have you).

I'm sure there are many other parts of the man's life which have not yet been explored. But well, all of those things were not in this record that was found. I admit it would be interesting to see everything there was of the old man, naturally there would be many stories to be told. Some of which I would hopefully run into someday in the future. But for now, all I have is this simple record of a broken man. A man who seems to have nothing going on in his life but the fear and torment that he has brought upon himself. A wasted life? Perhaps. Regrets? Maybe. But he would overcome it. They always do. - Ed.

As the clock struck six a.m., I awoke. (Yes, I managed to fall asleep...don't ask me how, but I managed.) It was the typical time for a person such as myself to wake up on a weekday. The sun was out and shining. Birds were singing. It was quite a wonderful Wednesday morning. Well that's what I thought at first. Come to find out, it was in fact Thursday. Who knew that time managed to alter so quickly. It must have been the venom the creature had used on me still. Just something different and unique I suppose. Maybe not. Who knows what the day had in store for me.

If I had managed to overlook the day, what else was bound to happen?31

31. Now I'm not one to generally just not sleep. If I had the option that day? Looking back that is, I wouldn't have gotten out of bed to see what was going on at all. But well as people know, this life tends to get away from us and we go about doing what we think is best. What's best for one person isn't best for another person. It simply doesn't have to be that way for everyone. I for one, didn't assume it would be okay at all. - Z

Reminds me of a time back in the Navy when I was board a submarine. The captain of the boat had distinctly ordered his men to be on alert, the enemy could come down on us at any time.

One of my bunk mates at the time, was a petty officer. He didn't know much about anything just having been assigned to the fleet. There was no way in hell that boy would ever amount to anything. He wouldn't realize that of course. Oh no. The rest of us had to train him and tell him how everything was to be. The captain ran a tight ship and if he didn't feel you were the man for the job, he would have you transferred so fast your boots would swim.

Jonny never seemed to get the drift as quickly as everyone else. I was given charge over the lad. Talk about annoying. That kid could talk about everything. But when it came time for listening, he didn't seem to care. It didn't matter to him.

Sure enough, captain got word of it and kicked that kids ass to the middle of Alaska. At least that's what we were told what happened to him. The captain never told us directly mind you. It always came down through the unofficial channels as it were. The ones which were manned by the galley. Hey if they accidentally overheard someone talking about something while serving the captain his supper...wasn't their fault.

Now why did I tell you that story if there wasn't a purpose to it? I'm sure there was a purpose to it. Oh yes...expecting the unexpected.

If a man can't expect the unexpected in this life, they will have their life turned upside down so fast they won't know which way is up and won't know their ass from their own damn head. It's not right for a person to just let things happen out of the blue. Well that's what I think of it all at least.

Zwendel, now there's a man who not only didn't have a clue what on earth was happening, he just didn't seem to care. I bet he wouldn't have lasted one day on captain's boat. Not one single day. He had been through so many things in his life and here he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown! I tell you, he sure as hell didn't know what this life was about.

Could you blame him? No, you really couldn't. I know I didn't blame him for his actions. It all just took place long before I ever got out of the Navy. But if you ask me...he could have been a bit wiser in his decision making. To simply let something get by you like that, creature or no creature? I doubt he even had a chance. I mean it's not rocket science. If you feel like you're in danger and someone is going to attack, you better have your wits about you to prevent such a thing from happening in the first place!

Well he was bound to find trouble wherever he went. It seemed to be just in his nature. Pages upon pages of undocumented manuscripts found strewn about his house. Stories of wild tales and places he went and dared go. It was all quite a make believe story, that is if you didn't believe he went and did those things.

It really is up to the beholder if something is real or fake. To say a work is fake is to not believe in such things. So admit it is real, well then you had better believe it is all real, 100% real. To take something and not back it 100%? You're just asking for trouble. Okay end of rant. - Ed.

I expected the day to go weird. That's all there was to it. Getting out of bed, I shaved and got showered. Dressed in my finest suit. If the creature was to get me that day, then I wasn't about to let it get me without a fight and I would plan on looking my best. Might as well go down looking your best for your own funeral.

Leaving my house, I quickly decided the creature wouldn't go back to the abandoned house on Whicker Street. There didn't seem to be a need for it. It had the box. The same one that I wanted to be in my possession.

I got to thinking, what kind of creature was this? It certainly wasn't anything human. What exact kind of creature was interested in an old house with a box, the very same box I had been chasing back in the day on some kind of crazy expedition. No one had wanted to go on that expedition to begin with!

They called me a foolish old man. Meh, old man. I showed them just how “old” I was! Well, tried to at least. They didn't quite get the memo when it came down to it. They were the ones in trouble though. That tablet had been our closest thing to discovering the gold box in ages.32

I don't suppose you find out who really is the foolish one until you end up alone in your own bed while your wife has gone off on some adventure with someone else.

I kept telling myself she'd be back, but well that just wasn't going to happen.

32. Many people had tried discovering the gold box. They wanted it for its monetary value. But Zwendel had been the only person to even get close to it...and now it was in the hands of a monster. A clever monster who Zwendel wouldn't give up on. -Ed.

Tis but a moment in the life of a man, where nothing is better than everything else. To grasp such a moment is but a falsehood for you cannot hold onto the past.

~ Kyle Eggleston

I decided to continue my journey where I thought the creature would go next. The desert. Three days had passed since I had even heard from the thing. It was a safe bet I wouldn't run into him that day, or the next. Not until I had managed to find the hiding place where he put the box.

You could say it was a selfish desire of mine to find that box. That it was the creature's property and it belonged to him.

Being a man obsessed as I was, that was not an option. No, such a thing could not pass as long as I was alive and that creature was out there. That box belonged to me. I had been looking for it for so long, its rightful place was within my own grasp. Tucked away in my home or someplace safe where no one else would dare try and get their hands on it.

Journeying out into the desert was the easy part. There were roads a plenty to help me get out there. It was after that where I had to walk through sand storms and over mound and hills of sand, that's where it became most difficult.

It was nothing like that of the old expedition. It was much calmer then. Calmer and a bit on the cool side even for a desert. I wanted it to be the same, but I didn't have the same equipment as I did back then.

Pulling out a crude drawing of a map out of my pocket, I made my way towards a cave. That was where my journey would begin.

Now you might be thinking, what on earth is a cave doing out in the desert! I thought the same thing myself on many occasions when I was out there. The cave was nothing but a mirage to most people. They who had been lost in the desert for days at a time, thought nothing of it.

I for one was expecting the cave to be there and it was. The entrance had been covered by sand over the many years it had been there. Sand storms were to be expected in this part of the country. I do not dare give you the location in case you too would find some urge to go and see what was out there. Only a fool, such as myself, would go on such an adventure. Stay clear from the cave if you chance upon it. For in there lies danger. That is the only warning you'll get from me. 33

The inside of the cave was damp. Quite an amusing opposite to the outside dry desert. Turning my flashlight on, I began to investigate the cave. It didn't take me long to find another tablet just like the first one I had encountered many years ago.

Oh how I wish my wife were here on this journey with me. She wouldn't have understood it, no, but she would have at least understood me a little better and hopefully maybe appreciated me for it. I cannot tell what would have happened.

33. I, for one, did not heed the old man's warning and went in search of the cave myself. I did indeed find it, but by then the sand was so high I didn't have the right equipment to dig it all out and go inside to investigate further.

If it is what I fear it is, the cave shouldn't be messed with by anyone. Heed the old man's warnings and leave it alone at all costs. I am a fool, and a lucky one at that to have survived the things which I saw while I visited the outside of the cave. -Ed.

The tablet was too badly damaged to read any of the inscriptions on it. There were claw marks on the outside of it. Sure enough, the creature had been here before me. Perhaps a bit too far in advance. Being unable to gather a descent sample of the writing, I was on my own. Continuing further deep into the cave, I found a water source.

The water was cold and tasted okay. I wouldn't want to drink it day after day, but it did its job as it provided enough to get me through and to continue going onward.

At one point in my exploration of the cave, a large wall stood out before me. There was inscription after inscription on the wall. As tall as a giant and as wide as the cave itself. I tried to take pictures of it, but well the flash on my camera was too weak to do anything with it.

Following is a translation of what I found on the cave wall.34

34. It should be noted that we have no proof of the walls existence. No photographic evidence of it, and not even a simple crayon rubbing or outline of what was written on the wall. All we do have is the old man's words for what it said.

With that thought in mind, feel free to read what the old man translated. It is worth a read. -Ed.

A translation of the cave wall.-35

1. Beware those who enter here. You have trespassed on our sacred ground without provocation. If you turn back now, you may go forth without problem. If you do not, you will not be able to pass further without understanding all that is needed to pass.

2. These caves were built by our great forefathers who were not afraid of what was to come. It is meant as a tribute to them who have come before and to those who will come after.

3. If you are not of our seed be gone with you and pray you never come to this place of worship again. To those who have rightful claim to this place, welcome we greet you with welcome arms wide as the rivers to the East and to the West. You are welcome here. We are glad to call you our brothers and sisters. Our kin.

4. To pass through the cave, you must prove your strength and worthiness. To do so will bring about great courage and knowledge of all that is to be, all that has taken place, and all that will take place.

5. If you do not pass the tests, may the gods who rule over your soul find you well, and if there be no gods over your soul, then may the devil find you in his midst a play thing in the night.

6. The first task is the great wall. You must decipher this wall in order to continue on towards the other two tasks. If you do not decipher the writings on this wall, you will not be allowed to return once you have left the caves. For after you have exited the caves, you can no longer dwell here. You are finished.

7. In order to begin this quest, you must first pass through the hall of great hero. There will be further instructions once you have made it through.

Hall Of Great Hero

A translation of the great hero wall.

8. You have found the correct hall. Since you have proved to be willing to be a great hero, you may proceed. You are not a great hero yet.

9. The wisdom of knowledge only begins with a step. You have made that step. Now translate the writings of the old and see what step is next.

10. If you are reading this, you have successfully translated the writings of the old and are continuing on to the next step.

11. A warrior must be of great courage, to do so you must be willing to fight through the many elements that one may encounter throughout life.

12. The first element you must face is that of harsh winter. The canyon snows will be fought and forced through you. Proceed through the snow, if you dare.

13. The second element you must face is that of desert sand wind. A man's temper is tested when faced with howling winds and harsh sand. Proceed through the sand, if you dare.

14. The third element you must face are earthquakes. Many things in a man's life can determine the strength by how they deal with fear. As the Earth opens up, you must be ready to handle it. Proceed through the quaking Earth, if you dare.

15. Congratulations oh brave one. You have made it through the challenges to have been faced. You may now continue to the hall of worship where the greatest fears and desires combine to make them your own.

16. Do not treat what you find lightly. For within them are the thoughts you will feel and see when you have completed the tasks before you. For each man there is a part of life where you will be tested. If you manage to understand the things in the hall of worship, you will become one with nature as you have battled the elements, and have become one with them.

35. This is at best a rough translation of the words, I'm assuming as it is the only translation found in the jumble of papers. I can only imagine what Zwendel did as he managed his way through these challenges. Oh to have been with him! Talk about an adventure. -Ed.

A walk must be made alone

if one is to succeed and

claim the victory their own.

~ Ancient Writings On The Wall

I have passed through the many challenges found within the cave. It was an amazing experience! I am keeping the details of how I handled the trials to myself, but let's just say I am much closer to the creature than I was before.36

36. There isn't much on Zwendel's own experience within the cave. The only record we have is the above paragraph. It's the only thing that even shows he completed the obstacles laid out. It would be interesting to see exactly how he managed to beat it all, but I suppose that will remain a mystery.

You would think Zwendel would record exactly what took place, aside from the instructions that he managed to translate and transcribe down on paper. But he didn't. There is literally no other evidence that he was even there or went through the exercises. We have to take his word for it.

I won't lie, it's a disappointment. Quite a disappointment considering the facts. Here we have a man who's running to find some kind of creature and he has, what appears to be, stopped from doing such a feat? No, there has to be more than this. There has to be so much more than has been laid out in the papers, and the photo evidence, and everything else.

But nope, all we have is that and nothing else. -Ed.

Interruption

I think this would be a good pausing place to point out the record only becomes confusing from here on out.

It would seem the old man, Zwendel, had managed to stumble upon something so drastic and terrible he couldn't fully communicate it in his own words.

There are phrases and fragments that just don't make sense anywhere. They are reproduced here...as poetry fragments. I am not certain exactly what they mean, only that they exist.

Personally I wonder if these fragments came from when he was inside the cave going through the different trials. But that is just something I wonder about. There's no way of telling exactly if that's what it is.

I am no student of history, or anything of the like so I cannot speculate exactly what the following chapters mean or what they are. Only that they exist and are here for some purpose unknown to myself. If Zwendel were still alive, perhaps he could tell the tale of it all. But he's not here and so I must try my best to explain everything that I am seeing as I read it. Well I'm not going to explain any of it, there doesn't appear to be anything to explain. It is writing. Scribblings originally, really. There is nothing else to be said of them. They are but a mystery.

A poetic mystery.

I do not think they have to do with anything, just an amusing arrangement of letters that probably weren't meant to make any sense to begin with.

It will but end

with fire and flame

Fragment 1

It is

a life

[indistinguishable] lies

Fragment 2

death and torment

find its way

of nothing

to be

Fragment 3

tis but a moment

in one's life

of something to be

found

Fragment 4

It is an end

and where the end lies

there is a motive

beyond ones soul

if only but

a tortured remnant

of a life

once lived

oh go forward

to the end of time

and live beyond

Fragment 5

To be

understood

if nothing

it is

Fragment 6

do not

believe

it all

Fragment 7

so be it all

and death to end

of nothing beyond

before it comes

Fragment 8

a grand plan

in open court

of nothing

but a figment

something there

beyond it all

[indistinguishable] after [indistinguishable]

before the fall

Fragment 9

beyond

it all

the truth

will lay

and fear

and trembling

will be it all

Fragment 10

A life beyond it all

a peace within the mind

of something perishable

~ Pops

I traveled for days within the desert. The cave had been cool and damp, it was something quite nice. Now I must continue onward back to where it all began. That blasted house which I dared not enter again.

It is but a simple equation. An annoying one at that mind you, but an interesting one. I almost don't want to go into it, but well it has to be seen and taken forth. Something must be told. The creature must be dealt with.

But first I had to get out of the desert.

Odd that it didn't take long to get into the desert, why must it take me so long to get out of it? Something to be said about that. I'm not quite certain what that is though.

Again I am consumed with finding out the house. Why must I be taken there? What is the reason to be there? None of it makes sense. Nothing of this entire trip makes sense. Only that I know now I must go back. I must lock myself within that house and not leave until I have had it out...with that creature. Only then will I be able to be good and at peace.

In the desert, I saw mirage after mirage. Watering holes, oasis. Places to stop for a drink or two. It was all fake, I ended up with more dust in my mouth than I did running track.

If I could have found an easier way out of the desert, trust me I would have found it. I would have taken that route and gone on my way. But nothing mattered at that point. To sip a drink of water, that is what I desired most. An ice cube. A shot glass of water would do. Hell even a cool fan would have done nicely. But I didn't have any of those things.

I must remember next time to bring lots of water along with me. A few canteens would have really made this trip more bearable. But that's how you learn I suppose. You must first go through the gates of hell itself before understanding all there is to grasp and take with you.

There is nothing more miserable than walking through a desert. Had I known what I would be getting myself into, I don't think I would have gone along with it. But the creature tasked me to find him again. Talk about mixed emotions and misconception of what was to be found!

It must have been a week or so before I found my way out of the desert and onto a deserted highway. Hoping it wouldn't be deserted for very long, I stuck my thumb out and hoped for the best.

The place I exited the desert from must have been at the opposite end from which I entered it. I didn't recognize anything or where I was. Would have been nice to know I'd be coming out a different place so I could have at least my car waiting for me. But I suppose we can't always have what we want.

Mile post after mile post I continued to walk. Hopefully I was in the same state as when I left. If not? The trip might take a bit longer than expected. How long that would be exactly? I haven't the faintest of ideas.

I kept walking.

Soon enough, a car passed by me and slowed down. Inside was a beautiful brunette roughly my sister's age. With a smile on her face and a hand on the passenger side door, she offered me a ride. I accepted it graciously.

We talked about where we're from, where we're headed. That sort of thing, the usual things strangers talk about when offered a ride. Who was to know if she would pull a gun on me at any second.

When she was on her phone with her annoying boyfriend, I kept quiet. No need in getting things worse than it already was with him. I could see it now, he would ask who it was that was talking with her, she would say no one. He'd get more pissed off and threaten her. It had probably been seen and heard a thousand times before.

So I kept quiet.

“Sorry about that” she said “You didn't need to hear any of that.” Her voice trailed off.

I smiled at her. No need to be afraid or worry, I didn't know how to convey that to her. She was obviously in an unfortunate relationship. I decided not to get in the middle of it.

We rode a good portion of the trip in silence. It wasn't until we reached the county line that I started recognizing things. Roads, trees, signs. Yes we were very close.

I offered to walk the rest of the way, but she refused. She told me she would take me to the house and wouldn't hear anymore of it.

Turning onto Whicker Street we stopped at the address. She looked to me with an odd strange eye shift.

Looking over, I matched her expression.

The house was gone.

Beware the drought,

it will send waves

crashing down upon you.

~ Unknown

Getting out of the car, I scratched my head.

“You sure this is the place?”

I nodded.

“Okay then, see ya around!”

Off she went.

There I stood. At a vacant lot. The only thing that even showed there was a house there was a pit. A deep pit. Deeper than the basement I was in even went.36

Walking down into the pit, I almost expected to be transported into the house. No such luck. I walked around the lot back and forth, to each side. It was simply gone.

I admit I cursed the sky that day. It probably wasn't the best choice for me to do, but well what can I say? It just felt like the right thing to do at the time. I'm sure the neighbors looked at me like I was some kind of freak. But I didn't care.

36. I can hear you now. But you said there was no evidence of the house being there at all! There isn't! That's the truth that I will take to my grave. Zwendel claims there was a house there and now a pit. The man just got out of the desert! Do you honestly think he's gonna remember events correctly?

Now I'm not one to say he's lying. I'm just offering a possibility that he just didn't remember events as they happened. The way they happened. For all we know he could have ended up someplace else and simply thought he was at the place where the house was. Just hang on, gets better! -Ed.

I continued trying to find a way back into the house. There was no way in hell it was invisible. It was an actual house. A solid house that couldn't just get up in the middle of the night and vanish!

My thinking was, the creature moved the house. It had to of moved it. That gold box, it must have discovered whatever was in the box. It could have already known what the box contained.

Quickly running from the house, as it was no longer necessary to try and enter through that way, I headed back to my own home.

Would you believe when I got to my home it had been changed? I walked inside the house. The foyer was the same, but after that...it was the same as the house I had been in search of.37

Walking down the long dark hallway, I could

37. There is no evidence that what Zwendel saw is fact. The pictures provided with the record always show the house as it was before his wife ran away. There are no photos of the house after it “magically” transformed into that of the other house that went missing.

I wish there was some sort of explanation of this all. But there doesn't seem to be any kind of believable explanation to be found. It would be so much easier to grasp hold of and understand. But as it is, we cannot have a concrete fact or proof of evidence to this matter. A shame really.

Oh well what can you do about such a thing? It really sounds like I'm calling the old man a liar. I assure you I am not calling Zwelndel a liar. He was a kind old man from what I knew of him. Only wanted someone to tell his story. That's all he wanted from anyone.

I only wish it hadn't of landed in my own lap. Do you know what a nightmare it's been trying to figure all of this out? Piece it all together from post it notes and postcards? Do you honestly know what a terrible job this has been? I don't think you do! -Ed.

hear rats scrambling down the side of the walls. They were inside the walls. Deep inside. Their little rat nails scratching up and down the walls as they made their way towards wherever they were headed.

I walked down the hallway. The den door was locked. Okay, so he wasn't in there. If he was, well that would be a stupid place to be hiding. The den was full of nothing as far as I was concerned.

The kitchen was up next. The only room in the house which I still hadn't fully investigated. It was the last room on the left. Just like the original house. The creature sure did make a perfect copy...if that's what it was. I still wasn't sure.

Ah the kitchen. It wasn't brightly lit. The light switch didn't work. Darn creature, you would have thought it might have fixed the electricity at least. Talk about annoying.

“Come out, come out wherever you are.” My voice echoed throughout the room.

The white and black checkered floor echoed as I walked across it. What a silly game, I didn't enjoy it in the least. Talk about a bad day that was just getting worse.

A crowbar was leaning against a chair leg. Would the creature really give me an advantage? I wasn't sure. Picking up the crowbar, I figured it was safer than anything.

A low growl came from behind me. It was deep, rugged. The creature was back. How nice, it let me pick up a weapon just in time to slaughter me. Yep, today was turning out to be a pretty bad day.

Turning around, I faced the creature.

It smiled.

I frowned.

He was looking for a fight. I sure as hell wasn't looking for it. Man what a day to come back. Nothing mattered as long as I won.

Raising the crowbar, I readied myself. If the creature wanted to get down and dirty, I was ready.

Staring into its eyes, I smiled. I felt like I could take him. The power from the cave would help me get through this for sure. He even knew that, I could see it in his eyes.

The creature stared back at me. His eyes were no longer mean. They were full of fear. Fearing me? Hell yeah. Why not! It was only time I got the upper hand for once.

It turned to leave.

“What's wrong?!” I screamed after it. “Scared?”

The creature stopped. “We are not scared of a human such as yourself. You don't know what we are capable of!” It turned back around to face me.

Cringing, I thought about what I had just done. He was leaving and I was the dumb ass who asked him to stay by challenging him. Stupid stupid stupid. Dumb dumb dumb. Why did I do that? What was the reason for it?

I dropped the crowbar.

If the creature wanted to finish me, I'd let him. I was tired of running. There didn't seem to be a reason for trying anymore. It had been a long couple of days, I was tired. I was done.

Dropping to my knees, I held out my hands. “Take me. Do it. I don't care anymore.” Lowering my head, I waited for the creature to strike me dead.

He grunted for a moment or two. I felt him breathing down my neck. Spittle dripped from one of his mouths, possibly both of them but I'm not sure. It was nasty either way.

“What are you doing?” The creature asked.

I looked up. What was it waiting for? Here I was freely giving up my life to it. I was allowing this thing to kill me, to take my life and it wanted to talk? Something wasn't right.

I stood.

“What do you mean?” I asked. “I offered you my life, and you're asking questions. What gives?”

The creature sighed. Looking down at the crowbar, it dropped its hands. “There is no reason to kill you. You have taken the test. I can smell that your blood has changed, you have changed as a person. A worthy combatant.” It sighed. “How did you find the cave?”

Ah the cave...yes that did come in handy after all. Quite an amusing thought that cave. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with going to the cave, only that it managed to get me out of a situation here and now. Very odd, very strange, and yet I wasn't about to question any of it.

“I found the tablet years ago. It was only a matter of time.” I responded.

The creature walked across the kitchen. Its long sharp foot claws scraped with every step. He didn't seem to be in a mood for games and yet here I was still standing.

“Well now. This brings about all the difference.”

The creature knelt down and bowed. “I am but your humble servant. This house is your domain. The box.” He reached behind himself and brought forth the gold box. “This box, is yours. Do with it as you wish.”

My mouth dropped open in surprise.

Be careful

what you wish for,

you may get it.

~ Unknown

The creature growled low. “What is it human? You do not believe I take the creed seriously?” He paused. “You have been in the cave, you know of the oath which I am bound to. Why are you shocked?”

I shook my head. No way. No way in hell was this real. This couldn't be real. It wasn't real. It was just what it was. This creature had to of been playing a game on me. A trick. Something that wasn't real. Something not right.

Trying to grasp my head around everything I panted. No, there had to be some other kind of game going on here. It couldn't be this simple.

“I am your servant.” The creature continued. “What would you have me do?”38

A lot of ideas crossed my mind. What would I have him do? I could have him do pretty much anything I wanted him to do for me. For me! It was all about me. Anything I wanted him to do or perform, I could do it.

What was this? Some kind of magical being who was all of a sudden under my command, my control? No, that couldn't be it. The two headed thing was still freaking me out, but there was nothing I could do about that.

38. I'm reminded of a friend once who said the same thing to me. He was my servant. Oh how I ordered him around left and right until it got boring. Yes it actually became boring. Who would have thought. Eventually we stopped. -Z

I met the creature's eyes. Well one set of them, the left head at least as the right head continued to bow towards me. Talk about annoying. I begged for him to stand up but he refused to. Not until I would give him a command to carry out.

Looking around, I really wanted my own house back. I gave that as my official order.

The creature agreed to it and with a bright illumination flash that lit up the entire neighborhood, my house was restored.

He bowed as he finished. My house was as it was. Just the way I expected it to be. It was a nice touch. A gesture I was glad he didn't bat an eyelash at.

“Thank you.” I said.

He grunted in response. Clearly pleased that he could be of service.

“Now the box.” I looked behind the creature. There sat the gold box. Just as I had seen it when he had taken the box away with him.

“Yes master. The box is yours.” He pulled it forward and placed the gold box before me.

The box twinkled as if it was lit from inside. The gold plating was bright. I shielded my eyes from the brightness.

Opening the box, I looked inside. It was not empty like before. It was filled with coins. Gold coins and jewels. Picking up one of the coins, I saw the creature flinch.

“Be careful master.” He hissed.

I vanished.

Oh how you have fallen

and have ended up in the graceful

plenties of the world.

~ Unknown

Being ripped from space is not the best feeling n the world. I didn't believe in traveling instantaneously before. It was an impossible notion, at least that's how I always saw it.

Landing hard in the middle of a street I hit the pavement. My back landed squarely on the road. It was dark out.

Looking at the coin, I gasped. What on earth had happened to me? Where was I? The coin was cold. Its shiny gold appearance was fading. It was almost silver now and on its way to a faded bronze color. The inscription was barely visible.

Suum cuique 39

Shaking my head I sighed. No kidding. I didn't want to go through something like that again anytime soon.

Getting to my feet I looked around. Where exactly had I been transported to? I didn't recognize anything around me. The stars didn't look like anything I had ever seen before. The constellations were off. So far off. Where exactly was I?

39. "Suum cuique" (Latin pronunciation: [ˈsu.um ˈkuj.kʷe]) is a Latin phrase meaning "to each his own", ("his" in a gender-neutral sense) i.e. "may all get their due". It has been significant in the history of philosophy and as a motto. (Wikipedia)

Rubbing my head I looked around. I was in the middle of a small village. Something not much bigger than a typical city square. It was a quaint little town. Like one of those you see in old movies. Perhaps this is where I would meet my monster. Perhaps this is where I would meet my own Frankenstein. Or is it his monster I would meet? Either way? I was not fine with it. What if I was torn and destroyed about and made a monster of myself! Now that would be creepy!

Walking around I took a look around the city. There really wasn't much to take in. It was a very small village.

Turned away when someone caught my eye. They didn't need to see me. I ran and hid in some bushes. The bushes weren't that bushy actually, but they would cover me up for the most part.

I don't believe I traveled back in time, the thought had occurred to me. But something tells me time travel isn't possible at this moment. No, I highly doubt I traveled in time, only space.

A man approached my location. Looking down at me he smiled.

“What have we here?”

Standing, I nodded to the man. He was elderly. Something reminded me of my grandfather. Something unique about the man. His hair? No. His eyes? The way he smiled? There was something so familiar about him to me.

“Just passing through old man.” I said. “Just passing through.”

He nodded. “I see.” Looking around he quickly noticed I had no bags or luggage to speak of. How could I simply be passing through? Indeed he was right without my having to say a word.

We stared at each other for a good minute or two before he walked off. I was glad he didn't follow up with any further questions. I wouldn't have had the answers for them anyway. This whole moving about in space was really annoying. More than anything I had come across yet.40

If I could do it all over again, I don't think I would have tempted fate. As I had no way back at the moment, I simply kept walking.

You wouldn't think of it at the time, but walking long distances can really wear you out long before you are able to even understand what's going on.

I'm not sure how long I was walking, but it sure didn't feel short. Days could have passed, months even. I wasn't sure. I didn't want to know.

I avoided the people in the village as best I could. There was no need to confront them. Who knew if they were friendly or just plain down right evil. I couldn't afford to think about it. Everything would come to an end eventually.

40. An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. (Newton's First Law aka “The his Law Of Inertia”)

It had been a simple thought. Something had acted upon me causing me to be flung to another point in space. Fortunately I didn't end up in the middle of the Earth or some volcano. I suppose moving from point A to point B so rapidly would be the cause of a wormhole device of some sort. Instead of the law of inertia as stated above.

Whatever the case, here I was without anything to say for myself except I was screwed. Too messed up to function actually with the thoughts in my head. How on earth did I get here and how was I going to get back?! -Z

It was then I began thinking of my wife. How she had left me all alone. I wonder if I would be in this kind of mess had she not left me. The answer wouldn't be known for years, and even then it wouldn't' make sense.

Before long, I came to an ocean. It was a beach for sure. The captain of a small ship explained to me I was on an island. There was no other way off the island but to accept transportation from him.

Seeing how I had no other way to get back, I graciously accepted his offer. Had I only known then what I would later discover, I think I wouldn't have gone with him.

The ship wasn't that luxurious. Anyone who booked passage became part of the crew and were expected to work. Having no prior experience aboard ship, this was something new to me.41

But I chipped in my best and did all that I could do without having too much of a problem. The other people were kind and friendly, that's all that's needed to be known.42

41. You would think after watching so many television shows about ships and how they're run, I would have picked it up all rather quickly. This wasn't the case. No, I'm pretty sure I was a pain in the ass for everyone else on the ship. They didn't want me around as much as I hated being there. Oh well, at least the voyage didn't last too long...it was just an annoyance more than anything else. -Z

42. From the things that happened while on ship, I highly doubt Zwendel was even competent at anything. Oh my how everything seemed to just go wrong for him. There are pages upon pages of information leading to his demise, but I'm sure those things were only in his mind. I'm not sure entirely what to include in this chapter, as not everything matches up with each other. There appears to be several records with conflicting summaries about what exactly happened. It tends to be confusing.

Not all of the records are written in the same manner. Some are written in letters while others are written as diary entries. I would assume Zwendel ended up becoming delirious during the journey and didn't know what exactly was going on. Thus not all of his writings can be confirmed nor can they be attributed to any truthful kind of record.

To date, we are unable to uncover the truth of what happened. The following chapters will explain what we were able to find...we apologize if you too are confused by whatever it is that is in those chapters, but we assure you they are in their entirety. -Ed.

Beware the high seas...

Entry 1

'Tis but a day, a simple day beyond anything else. Talk about a day from hell. The captain wanted his ship sea worthy the day we set sail...well I'm not even sure there are sails on this ship! There are rudders, and people who row, and... no sail. It is an odd situation to be on a ship without a sail, I fear I am in for the worst.

The wind is rustling' around. A bit too much for my liking. Something tells me I'm gonna get sick soon. Better be by the side so I don't just throw up on the deck, the captain might not appreciate that.

There are dolphins doing their thing, swimming in front of the ship. I tried to catch one. Who knew they were protected. Damn fish, or mammals, or whatever those damn things are. They're sick little fucks if you ask me. But who would believe someone like me? Well I know I believe me, but I'm only a man. There's no one else who seems to matter or care what's going on this ship. I doubt the captain even has a clue what's going on.

Okay that might have been harsh. The captain has an idea of how things are being pushed around. We are his people and that's pretty much it. Everything that goes on his ship is under his nose. Oh to be the captain of a ship. Now that would be interesting.

Entry 2

I believe the chef is trying to poison me.

Entry 3

No really the chef is trying to poison me. Brings the fish out raw half the time on my plate. He says it's only meant to be eaten that way. Go figure, he's not even from around here. I think he's from the coast off somewhere. Who knows.

The other mates on the ship tend to get their food cooked. Maybe I need to ask.

Entry 4

Asking didn't do jack shit. The chef stabbed my hand with a knife. I don't think it was clean. Bandaged up my hand and they put me to work in the crow's nest.

Guess I have to watch out for pirates or something. Hell, who knows maybe we're the pirates. I'm still not sure what we're doing out here. I just wish I was home. Talk about some good times that were had back then. But well, what can you do about it? Not much. It just happens to end up with nothing.

I'd like to think everything will end up alright on this trip. Been sick a few times, but well that's not bad...as long as I don't think about the fish eating my puke and then me eating the fish.

I think I might be sick again.

Entry 5

Fell from the crow's nest. No really I did. Laying down now in the hold, as there's no other place to lay. Talk about annoying.

Entry 6

Picked up some people found adrift. They were holding onto dear life. Holding onto some kind of makeshift raft. Pieces of boards, chairs, whatever could be found that was left from their shipwreck.

They wouldn't tell me where they were headed. Hell they wouldn't tell anyone where they were headed. That's okay though, people can have their own thought process right? Yeah. Well I'm sure the captain won't like that for long.

If there's anything I've learned from the captain, it's this: You don't get anywhere in this life for free. You have to work for your supper and you have to work for your passage.

I fear if the new people don't wise up soon enough, they'll be tossed overboard. The captain won't look lightly on their being quiet. Who's to know what he will do. If I had any say about it, I would have left those people to drown.

A shark would have come along soon enough to take care of them. There has to be sharks out here right? Yeah that's what I was hoping for.

Tomorrow I plan on getting out of the hold. Shouldn't stay down here too long. Captain might throw me overboard. Can't have that happening now.

Entry 7

Ran into one of the new passengers today. They seemed to be rather shy. Didn't even get a name out of them, I'm gonna call them Silly Goof. Yeah that sounds good. Who wouldn't want a friend named Silly Goof? There's no reason for people not to make friends. It all seems to work out for the best most days. I mean I always enjoy having friends...I think. Never can tell when a good friend will come into your life, might as well find a way to keep the good things in life going right? 42

Entry 8

Back up on the crow's nest today. The other shipmates have started calling me Birdseye. Whatever. It works. I'm not a fan of the crow's nest, but well I don't seem to get as sick up there. Might as well keep up a good thing, if it's good.

Spoke with the captain today. He docked me rations of food because I was sick and wasn't working as I should. In about a week or so, I should be eating like normal again. All that fish. For fun it sounds so delicious right now.

I bet I could fish for myself one of these days. Unless that would upset the chef. Eh who cares if it upsets the chef. I'm gonna give it a try.

Entry 9

Don't piss off the chef. It gets ugly. 43

42. Personally I don't think Zwendel had any close friends. I mean he barely kept a marriage together and even that fell apart. Whatever the case, Zwendel wasn't that likable of a guy. I think he was rather weird...a bit too weird. Makes me wonder why he hadn't been locked up years ago. Now that would have been an amusing story to tell. Life behind bars...it sucks but it's still life. Yeah it's a work in progress. It'll grow eventually. -Ed.

43. It can be assumed that Zwendel actually decided to do some fishing for himself. There was a photo with that entry showing a stab wound in his leg? I don't know, it was a stab wound. So yeah don't want to upset the chef for sure. -Ed.

Entry 10

Captain says we've spotted land. Guess we're headed there next. Who knows what's going on. I haven't spotted a bit of land since we've been out at sea. Mostly I've seen fog and that's about it.

I've decided it best to avoid chef. Doesn't matter what happened between us. As long as I avoid him, everything should be fine...I hope.

Entry 31

Land! We've finally managed to hit land! Talk about a blessing in disguise. I'm home. I have made it home. It's bittersweet on what has transpired over the last one hundred and twenty some days.

I feel like going home. But there are so many issues felt along with that place, I'm unsure if I should go home. So many bad memories and experiences happened in that house...I'm not sure what to do about it all.

Letter 1

Dear Beatrice,

We've landed! Oh how we've landed. You won't believe everything that's happened. I'll be seeing you soon.

-Z

44. Entries 11 threw 30 have seem to either been omitted or they have disappeared. It is unsure where those entries have gone to. -Ed.

Letter 2

Dear Beatrice,

I visited the house, it appears to be in great shape. You wouldn't believe how much it's changed. So many things have happened since I've been away, I want to catch you up with everything that has transpired.

When can I see you? I need to see you again. Please sister. I need to talk with you.

-Z

Entry 32

I sure hope Zwendel doesn't mind me writing in his diary...man he has lost it. Going on about how we've found land and everything. The boy must be sick or something. All those mind issues coming and going. The fever seems to still be around, but I think it might break tonight. Who's to know.

-Ziriski, 2^nd Mate

Letter 3

Dear Beatrice,

I've waited to hear back from you without anything coming through. What's going on? Can you tell me? Please write back, there must be something for you to say to your own brother!

Mom won't contact me either. I went past her house only to find it had gone up in flames. What's going on with all of that?

Dad said something mean about mom the other day. Have they split up? I honestly don't know what's going on here!

In other news, I'm thinking of selling the house. There's no point in leaving it around to rot. Phillip thinks it's a great idea to do. But well you know how Phillip is...always trying to flip a house, make a buck. It's all in the money.

Please respond. I miss you sis.45

-Z

Entry 34

Woke up this morning with my fever gone. My shirt was dripping with sweat. Looks like my leg is in a cast of some sort. What in the hell happened while I was out? Doesn't make any sense to me. Some of the things they said I did while I was out? I'd rather not talk about any of that. No worries though, I'll be sure to get over it.

It's a shame we never hit land.

Talk about a waste. I hope we'll find land soon. I can't send out any of those letters though. It would be a waste. Beatrice would be confused...I'm not even sure I know a Beatrice. Certainly don't have a sister name Beatrice, at least I don't think I do.46

45. It should be noted this was one of the more delirious letters Zwendel managed to write. I can only imagine how terrible life was for him aboard ship. All that heat, the salt water, strangers entering the hold while he was trying to recoup. Whatever happened to him, he sure lost it. I think I saw a partial snippet where he managed to speak to a fish or two while eating. But I could be wrong about that...the snippet was badly burned by a fire. There didn't seem to be much going on aside from that. -Ed.

46. Zwendel doesn't have a sister name Beatrice. I've personally checked his family tree and there is no mention of a Beatrice. He has a brother-in-law named Phillip though. Perhaps Beatrice is a long lost sibbling he managed to forget about? Who knows. -Ed.

Entry 36

Our passengers have found their home. Well another ship came up to us and took them away. I'm guessing it's their home they're going towards. I will miss them. I think I'll probably miss Pip the most. She didn't talk much but she always managed to keep things real even during the most difficult part of the journey...I think. I mean that's what I was told.

Oh well, she'll go on with her own life in an attempt to figure it all out. Who's to know what will occur beyond that. It's all up to the great powers that be. Whoever seems to be in charge that is. I mean, I don't know if there's a God out there...but if there is, then I sure hope He/She will have an understanding of my actions.

And the actions of my wife. May she be having an experience wherever she is and whatever she is embarking on. You know, I don't blame anything on her. She manages to just get away with anything I'd imagine. Whatever becomes of her, may she rest in peace.

I figure she's dead to me, so why not be dead in real life to me? That's what I'm thinking. It works. It just works for me.47

47. There isn't much said about his pre boat life beyond this last thought or idea about his wife. He really thinks she's dead at this point. She left him, so why not believe that she is dead? It makes sense to me, but I am but the person compiling this record. He (Zwendel) just doesn't care about her anymore. There are other papers that said straight up “I hate her” and “I hope she really is dead” etc. Who knows what mental state he was in at this point. Personally I think he lost it. Probably needed a psych consult long ago, but well he never seemed to get one. It's been speculated that Zwendel even hired a hitman on his wife. -Ed.

Entry 37

I can't believe it! We're in a storm. The ship is tossing to and fro like you wouldn't believe. There's not much we can do except tie ourselves down to the deck of the ship. There seems to be almost a certain death that will be upon us tonight. I'd rather not think about that right now though.

We're just holding on for dear life. Most of the shipmates seem to be use to such horrible conditions. Well I think they're use to it. Who knows what they're use to, I've not had much conversations with them. They keep an eye out for me though. Old Left Eye managed to keep me from falling overboard twice. I'd tell you why they call him Left Eye, but well I think that's pretty self evident. I don't think you'd need to know he stabbed himself in the eye with a harpoon. Oh well now you do know that. How fun and exciting that is!

Personally I'm glad I wasn't around for such an accident to occur. Sounds like it was pretty painful.48

Tomorrow we should be hitting land. At least that's what they tell me we'll be doing. Ah land. Talk about an adventure. I'm sure it's not the States we'll be visiting. Maybe a small island or something, I'm not entirely sure.

48. You should see the picture of “Old Left Eye” as it were, talk about a keeper. No really, I'm sure whoever he ended up with must have loved him a lot. I do mean a lot. I think it was more than his eye that was missing. I mean talk about a botched whatever happened to him. It could have been a procedure gone wrong, but Zwendel sticks to his harpoon story. Whatever happened beyond that? I just don't know. -Ed.

Entry 38

Well we've found the island. Yep it's an island for sure. Quite something small actually. I'd say a good one hundred yards across, who knows how long the thing was...maybe half that. I'm not sure.

We picked coconuts and put them on the ship. Whatever other fruit we found on the island managed to find its way on our ship as well.

I think one of the lower deck hands found a monkey. He tried smuggling it on board ship, but the captain would have nothing of it. No monkeys on board. Oh how he roared about that rule. But the captain wouldn't budge. There wasn't any reason for him to either. His ship, his rules. Good ol' captain.

You'd think people would learn the rules by now. I mean, if the captain says no pet monkeys, he means no pet monkeys. Whatever. The snakes didn't find a good place on the ship either.

Out of all the food we managed to gather, I think the mangoes are my favorite. I could eat those everyday from here on out. Talk about some good food. Almost as good as crack...uh not that I've ever done crack. No not me. Never have done the stuff, and I never want to do it. Drugs have a way of fucking your mind up. I mean so I hear.

I wonder if the chef, when he was taking care of me, gave me anything that helped my fever and such or if I just got over it all by myself. I don't know.

It was fortunate we didn't run into any inhabitants on the island. To do so would have probably been unfortunate. Who knows what kind of aborigines are out here wearing Coke T-Shirts and not even knowing what that stands for.

We're to set sail soon, I don't have much time to write anything else. I hope we'll be able to find some more adventure out there soon, maybe tomorrow. The captain hasn't managed to tell us much upfront about how long it will take to get back home. Shoot, I don't even know if we'll even make it home.

Letter 4

Dear mom and dad,

It's been so long since I've heard from you. By the time you read this letter, I'm sure I'll be long gone. I doubt I'll make it through this journey alive.

I think one of the other shipmates has it in for me. I can't say which one, but I'm sure it's one who's been keeping their eye on me while I sleep, or while I'm working or something.

It's like clockwork, the work we do. It's probably the most structured life I've ever had. But it's just not for me. I really need to get home soon. Is that such a wrong thing? To simply want to get home? I don't know.

I hope to eat your homemade cooking again soon mom. I miss you guys.

Love

-Z

Letter 5

Dear Phillip,

Hey bro, what do you have going on these days? You know me, one adventure to another. Talk to you soon.

-Z

Letter 6

Dear mom and dad,

One thing I forgot to mention, if you're ever in the Bermuda Triangle? Don't go there. Well I suppose if you're already there you're in trouble and you know this.

I swear we're in the Bermuda Triangle now. I don't know what to think about it, except the compass is going haywire. I hope we'll be able to get out of here soon.

Probably will die here.

No, make that a for sure we'll probably die here. People disappear from this place don't they? Yeah I would think they do. Who knows though because there's nothing else to be said about it.

The captain doesn't seem too afraid to be out here, but well you know how captain's are. They always want to make sure their crew don't panic and stuff.

I'm totally panicking. But I can't let others in on it. They would think me a freak.

Honestly, if this is the last you hear from me? I love you guys. You were the best parents ever. I just hope I've been able to keep up with whatever it is you've been imagining me to be like. The man you hoped me to become.

If I haven't? Then I hope you can forgive me.

Love

-Z 49

49. This appears to be Zwendel's last correspondence to anyone in the outside world. The communications end here. So do the diary entries. The rest of it all appears to be quiet. Such a sad way to end a life as it were. I can only hope he died with his boots on and that he went down fighting.

Such a wasted lifetime.

Well I suppose that pretty much wraps up Zwendel's own experience with the house and the ship. It is a sad loss. Such a great and wonderful mind has been lost at the hands of such an evil phenomenon.

There's another thing to take into account. More pages with random writings on it, as it would seem. Well not more pages, the same pages.

Seems long before the house, Zwendel was in another part of the world on some sort of adventure, or something. Here's what was discovered when the pages were exposed to a black light.

The dead tell tales of trust and light.

But they won't tell you the truth at night.

There isn't much to be said about this life. You'd think coming from a low income family would have taught me a thing or two. But then the war came. What did you expect when wars come, you either join up or you end up in prison.

I didn't want to go to prison.

Fear has a way to get to a person. It's the fear of nothing that scares me the most. If I come to an end, if my life is terminated for some reason...what happens to me? What happens to my existence? If there is nothing beyond this and it all just ends up a meaningless death, then why bother living?

But if there is something on the other side of this life, when I am dead, what happens? Where do I go? What kind of experience will be had at that point?

So I went off to war with that fear at the foremost of my mind the entire time I was there.

Boot camp wasn't the best experience. I'd say it was humbling though. The sergeant in charge didn't take any bullshit. If you were having a bad day, he didn't care. He just ran you that much harder into the ground until you ended up forgetting about your bad day and started thinking how his bad day was for you.

The guy in the bunk next to me, his name was Johnny. Johnny and I would have talks late at night. We'd talk about girls, guys, everything in-between. People we liked, people we hated. What we would do once we got out of the army. Course that was a long way off, we had signed up for a long tour of duty. The end wouldn't be in sight for a while. That was okay with me though. I didn't have anything else going on it would seem.

Tweets

The following tweets were recovered on scraps of paper. Strewn out among garbage and other newspaper clippings. The newspaper clippings could be some form of higher translation upon which nothing else would matter. Who is to know exactly what they are.

So this is life...the darkness falls and waits for day to come. If only there were peaceful memories, a mind exposed cannot function. [6/10/15]

Oh but a moment in this life to realize it is not what you had expected, learning to survive that and understand it...can be difficult. [6/11/15]

The darkness consumes the person involved...something doesn't feel right. It's not a mist or anything else, but something odd. Death waits. [6/15/15]

Darkness comes in many forms. The light cannot always be there when the darkness is around. It manages to take you and swallow you whole. [6/26/2015]

DreamSense

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Blast From The Past: January 7, 2020

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