Where are you, anyway?

Zip up that jacket; you'll retain more body heat that way.

check out what's in that trash

>>282168
don't go in the ally!

there might be bad people in there!

Wear your jacket backwards and go over to one of those trash bags and dump it out over yourself.

Hey Laura, do what we tell you! We're really smart and important and stuff and we will guide you to great success.

So, first, put your shoe on your head for a minute.

Laura 2011/02/17(Thu)20:06 No. 282173 ID: 8c0848
File 129800199182.png - (195.36KB , 1000x750 , 2.png )

I'm at a bus stop on Hollen St, on my way home from work.

>check out what's in that trash.
It's garbage. I don't think I need to look into it too much.

>don't go in the ally!
I'm not missing my bus to check out some dark alley all alone. It look empty anyway.

Wait for the bus, stupid.

Laura 2011/02/17(Thu)20:24 No. 282179 ID: 8c0848
File 129800308156.png - (142.99KB , 800x600 , 3.png )

>Wait for the bus, stupid.

I am waiting for the bus. Suddenly the trash can in the alley flips over and spills all over the ground. I can hear something in the darkness yowling as it runs off. Oh god!

I mean... Just a cat.

Do you have a flashlight? If so, equip it.

>>282179

A cat, big deal.

Put your shoe

on

your

head.

>>282185

Why stop at one shoe? Optimal strategy would be two shoes on the head.

>>282179
Cats are good eating, try and catch it.

>>282179
This is stupid. Don't follow the cat down a dark alley. Put in some earplugs and listen to some music or something instead. Something to pass the time while waiting for the damn buss.

Also, consider the possibility that there might be some sort of alternate travel guarantee thing with the buss. In some places you can get a free cabride out of the buss company if they're too late.

Go check out the cat. Maybe it's adorable and you'll want to take it home.

Laura 2011/02/17(Thu)20:54 No. 282207 ID: 8c0848
File 129800484564.png - (198.56KB , 1000x750 , 4.png )

>Do you have a flashlight?
Nope. I'm done trying to scare myself anyway. I just want to get out of here.
No cars on the street at all. Kind of strange, it's only about 9:30.
If that bus doesn't come soon, it'll be faster to just walk home.

>>282207
You should probably just get walking. Atleast towards the next stop on the route. It's more fun than just standing around and waiting for time to pass.

Uh... the garbage bag seems to have a pair of glowing eyes.

You might want to start walking home.

>>282207
Lone female at night next to a dark alley where there are no witnesses?
See that stick in the trash? Grab that so you can smash in the face of anybody that tries to ambush you.

>>282210

That's a cat, you craven voice.

>>282215

Cats are evil at night. Everybody knows that!

Laura 2011/02/17(Thu)21:38 No. 282228 ID: 8c0848
File 129800750997.png - (193.43KB , 1000x750 , 5.png )

>>282210
>>282215
>>282216
Cats like to do that thing where they sit in the dark and stare at you with the light reflecting in their eyes. They know it's creepy, that's why they do it.

>>282228
Well then ignore that fucking cat and get started on walking home. You're not going to get there any sooner by standing around and having a staring contest with a cat.

>>282228
Investigate cat further.

Inevitably miss bus.

Laura 2011/02/17(Thu)21:52 No. 282242 ID: 8c0848
File 129800833157.png - (37.86KB , 800x600 , 6.png )

I'm not interested in the cat. I'm just going to start walking, since the bus is obviously not on schedule.

Krrrrssssssssss...

>>282228

How about this: if you miss the bus you must put your shoe on your head before you walk home.

That is NOT a cat.

Run. RUN!

>>282242
I... think you might be interested in suddenly being a lot more interested in the cat.

>>282242
You know what, start jogging instead. It's faster than just walking and it's good excersice. Maybe you should start making a habit out of it, after all it's quite easy to shower once you're back home.

You could use the exercise anyway, you're getting a little fat.

>>282242
Oh hey that sounds like the bus stopping, is it here? Get on board!

Laura 2011/02/17(Thu)22:27 No. 282265 ID: 8c0848
File 129801042628.png - (199.47KB , 1000x750 , 7.png )

>Oh hey that sounds like the bus stopping.
No. It's a... something. Oh God. What is that?

>put your shoe on your head.
No. No. No. No. No. No. Shoes stay on feet.

>>282265

CHUPACABRA! THE GOAT SUCKER! RUN FOR IT!

>>282265
Looks like some tiny creepy fucking thing. Which we should totally not investigate. Time to run the fuck away and find someone else who can investigate it and then die horribly so that you can run away some more.

>>282265
Take your coat off and hold it out in front of you, then crouch down. If it springs for you it will get caught in the coat, tangle it up and stomp on it at your leisure.

Or you can book it, but we have no idea how fast that thing is. It's still in stalking mode.

Start running, dammit!

>>282265
CHUPACOCKBRA! THE DICK SUCKER! GO FOR IT!

>>282265

Yeah use the jacket like a cape! Matadora de chupacabras!

>>282265
Do you have a cellphone? Call animal control.

it's some horrible freaky thing

RUN AWAY!

Laura 2011/02/17(Thu)23:08 No. 282282 ID: 8c0848
File 12980129353.png - (159.86KB , 800x600 , 8.png )

>Call animal control.
No signal? I'm in the middle of town, there should be plenty of signal!

>Catch it in your coat
What would I do with it even if I did catch it? It's below freezing out here too. I'll try to think of something else.

>>282282
While you're standing around being confused it's getting closer. Now fucking run before it starts touching you or something.

>>282282

No signal, no bus, freezing cold, freaky thing approaching...

Run, but don't be surprised if you don't see anyone, and if you can't find your way home.

>>282282
You would stomp it to death, but if killing random deathfetuses is not your thing... There's a window next to you, knock on the door and ask to be let in, or just walk in. You can wait for the bus in there and there will be a barrier between you and the freaky little thing. Plus, it'd have to be a hell of an emergency before the landlines are out.

Stomp it.

Take a photo. Several if possible, or a video. Evidence of not-insanity is always a good thing. It's small, and weak enough to be rummaging in garbage. Keep your distance, and yell at it to keep it back. A good kick if it gets too keen wouldn't go amiss.

Also, check behind you.

>>282282
What's your city's name?

In my restless dreams,
I see that town...

Anyway yeah, seconding the suggestons to run

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)10:19 No. 282341 ID: 8c0848
File 129805316953.png - (185.58KB , 800x600 , 9.png )

>Take a photo.
It might help people think I'm not crazy later.
Oh God, that's awful.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)10:20 No. 282342 ID: 8c0848
File 129805320769.png - (204.01KB , 1000x750 , 10.png )

>Run
I'm getting out of here. This thing keeps coming closer and it's freaking me out.

>>282341
Scare it away with MIGHTY KICKS!

>>282342
Do not stop running until you are completely lost and too exhausted to defend yourself.

>>282342
Pace yourself, you don't want to get completly exhausted, it's good to have some left if you need to sprint like a motherfucker.

And keep an eye out for stores or shit that looks open. Some place where you can find some other people or maybe a landline telephone.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)11:09 No. 282355 ID: 8c0848
File 12980561621.png - (206.58KB , 1024x768 , 11.png )

What the hell is going on? That was just bizarre and now it's starting to snow. At least it's nice, normal snow.

>keep an eye out for stores or shit that looks open.

There's a gas station to the right and the hospital is straight through the intersection. Neither of those should be closed. I should choose one before the weather gets worse.

>>282355
Gas station. The attending dude might have a gun or something. If nothing else there should be flammable materials, lighters, stuff to make rags out of and bottles. Molotov cocktails and improvised flamethrowers here we go!

>>282356
That's, uh, bit paranoid. Gas station is a go, though.

>>282357

Go to the gas station and use their phone to call a cab. You don't want to walk home in a snow storm.

I'm gonna vote hospital

it's more likely to be open

>>282361
Gas stations never close. Plus, she said she just got off work. What time is it, by the way?

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)13:37 No. 282373 ID: 8c0848
File 129806504135.png - (439.95KB , 1024x768 , 12.png )

>Go to the gas station.
I walk a few blocks and some to the gas station. There's no vehicles in there, but it's lit up and should be open.

>What time is it, by the way?
It's 9:41 now.

It's still eerie silent around here.

Run to the gas station. Go go go!

>>282373
Ah, a blood smear and a broken window. You should cross to the other side of the street before continuing.

>>282373
Stay away from the car woman, there could be something under there. Run, bitch, RUN!
Then we can get a twinkie and slushie.

>>282373
Go for the gas station. You can find useful tools and shit there.

>>282377
I'm supporting this, stay away from that side of the street

Panic and sprint to the gas station.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)17:25 No. 282415 ID: 8c0848
File 129807873739.png - (130.63KB , 800x600 , 13.png )

I run past trying to get to the station, but can't help taking a look. There's blood like something was dragged from the car to the window.

Don't follow the blood. Nothing good can come of it.

Keep hoofing it to the gas station!

>>282415
That's something to tell the cops when we get to a phone. If it works. Don't stop.

>>282415
Don't stop, and don't stop looking around. Situational awareness at all times. Attention to detail. Never let anything sneak up on you.

When you get to the gas station, see if you can get a good look inside through the windows/glass walls before you actually go in.

keep moving, get to that gas stations

and pray real hard there's someone there

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)17:51 No. 282430 ID: 8c0848
File 129808029098.png - (303.54KB , 1024x768 , 14.png )

The inside of the gas station is warmer and brighter than outside. That's a good sign. I don't see anyone around, though.

Look for a phone behind the counter.

Call the police.

>>282430
Priority one: Sweep the building. Check the bathrooms if they're connected to the main part of the building, behind the counters, etc. for anything nasty or anyone else. Make as little noise as possible while doing this.

>>282430
Check behind the counter.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)18:26 No. 282444 ID: 8c0848
File 129808239373.png - (298.02KB , 1024x768 , 15.png )

>Call police
It seems to be ringing, but there's no answer.

>Sweep the building.
The main area of the store has nothing in it. I haven't checked the bathrooms or the storeroom.

Check the storeroom. Maybe you can get a crowbar or some other long blunt instrument for use as a weapon.

Or if you're very lucky, a gun. Hmm. Do you know how to use one?

Canned goods also make for some damaging projectiles.

>>282448
Glass bottles. Specially once you smash them.

>>282444
Storeroom first. Grab anything useful, as viewed through the lens of someone extremely nervous and paranoid. Then the bathrooms.

check the other rooms, but only if they're connected to the same building

also try to bar the doors if you can

You should get a slushie. The city seems to be in turmoil with weird shit and I suppose drinking something to help calm your nerves without paying for it would be the least of its problems.
Or a pop if there's no slushie machine. Then grab your favorite candy.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)19:16 No. 282466 ID: 8c0848
File 129808540322.png - (300.15KB , 1024x768 , 16.png )

>long blunt instrument for use as a weapon.
There's a baseball bat behind the counter. Probably for robbers or something.

>grab a slushie, pop, candy bar
I'm not in the mood right now.

>>282466
Excellent. Now the storeroom.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)19:22 No. 282468 ID: 8c0848
File 129808572227.png - (121.08KB , 800x600 , 17.png )

The door to the store room is slightly ajar.

>>282466
Grab a bag or two of beef jerky. If something attacks you again maybe you can distract it with the meat. Eat one too, maybe drink a V8. You need the calories. You don't eat you don't think well, you get tired more easily, etc. This isn't a fun meal, this is a necessary step.

>>282468
Use the baseball bat to carefully open it.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)20:38 No. 282482 ID: 8c0848
File 129809029560.png - (187.74KB , 800x600 , 18.png )

Nothing? Something's wrong here. Why is no one around?

There isa box with a stain on it foward and to the left, jab the side three times violently, if you hear noises that arn't shattering sound or a thud, smash the hell out of it, if you hear any of the prevoius two, open it carefully.

>>282482
Uhm... hmmm maybe a mass abduction? Or perhaps you got slightly timelagge-wait no, that was a very silly story, all the stuff would be gone too anyhow.

Aren't there flashlight keychains sold here? Grab one and... wait, grab several, and keep them handy.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)21:34 No. 282500 ID: 8c0848
File 129809364080.png - (174.85KB , 800x600 , 19.png )

Just a box.

Examine box closer.

Investigate the rest of the store room.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)22:19 No. 282507 ID: 8c0848
File 12980963464.png - (62.13KB , 800x600 , 20.png )

>examine the rest of the store room
Oh god, there's a body back here. Is this what happened to the clerk?

Ho boy...

Move closer cautiously, bat at the ready, and examine the body.

>>282507
Go back and get a light, shine it on him.

You might want to fill some pockets with jerky.

I know it doesn't seem like it now but they could become rations later.

>>282510


Yeah, that doesn't look quite right. Do not investigate closely without a light. Retreat to the main part of the store and grab ye some keychain flashlights.

poke it with a stick

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)22:44 No. 282519 ID: 8c0848
File 129809786153.png - (304.37KB , 1024x768 , 21.png )

I go back out and find a flashlight. Looking at bodies in dark rooms is just too freaky. I need some light.
I grab a flashlight and put some batteries in. I should be good now.

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)22:56 No. 282522 ID: 8c0848
File 129809858952.png - (97.30KB , 800x600 , 22.png )

I go back to the store room and check out the body...

>>282522
fuck fuck fuck RUN!

Behind you.

Grab beef jerkey.

Then RUN RUN RUN.

RUN TO THE HOSPITAL.

only flee to the well lit part of the store, don't leave yet, it might just be a hobbo

Laura 2011/02/18(Fri)23:53 No. 282544 ID: 8c0848
File 12981019952.png - (306.59KB , 1024x768 , 23.png )

There's nothing out here. Where did it go then?

It could be hiding in a box or on a shelf. Or maybe it vanishes in the light.

>>282544
You're freaked out. Calm down, get something to eat. As long as the lights are on it can't sneak up on you.

Laura 2011/02/19(Sat)00:12 No. 282552 ID: 8c0848
File 129810317652.png - (312.61KB , 1024x768 , 24.png )

>It could be hiding in a box or on a shelf. Or maybe it vanishes in the light.
That's crazy. That doesn't happen...

>As long as the lights are on it can't sneak up on you.
Right. Deep breaths. I'll be fine as long as I stay in the light.

>>282552
DIVE FORWARD IT'S BEHIND YOU

Turn around.

Laura 2011/02/19(Sat)00:28 No. 282556 ID: 8c0848
File 129810409948.png - (325.26KB , 1024x768 , 25.png )

>Turn around
I can tell something's behind me and spin around to look.
I wish I hadn't.

I believe now is a time for diplomacy.
I propose the homerun approach type of conversation, don't you agree?

>>282556
Use baseball bat on can into monster's face.

>>282556
Rushing it gives it the initiative. Move so the monster, the outside door, and the door to the back are all in your field of vision.
"Who are you? What's going on around here?"

>>282561
Seven

It

It has NO FACE

No mouth

No ears

No eyes

Now is not the time to be talky.

Seven, my form of diplomacy is infallible in all situations. Bat's were humanity's first engagement ring, but back then we called them clubs.

Show him your love and passion Laura. Release the tension all over his non-existent face. Didn't that feel nice, Laura?

>>282563
Yes, now is the time to be smashy, but talking is a free action. Do both.

The body in the back was moved and this thing is in the front. Either it's fast enough do both and rushing it is a very bad idea, or there's another creature flanking from the back.
It's more likely that there are multiple monsters in here, but caution saves lives.

Who knows it could be friendly.

>>282556
Bash its head in.
Don't flap your jaw about like an idiot while fighting.

Aim for the joints if it attacks, keep mobile, and above all keep your balance when you swing out at it. Hit it with the tip of the bat, you want to keep as much space between you and it.

Laura 2011/02/19(Sat)08:59 No. 282585 ID: 8c0848
File 129813478461.png - (159.90KB , 1024x768 , 26.png )

It has a mouth, because it can scream. I have to drop the bat to cover my ears. The florescent bulbs burst and the glass on the windows and doors begins to crack.
Once it stops, the whole store is shrouded in darkness.

>>282585
Oh fuck, that's a very big mouth. Ok, time to run again. Grab the bat, smash down a window and run away. We need a better place to stay at. Might have to break into some place and ransack it for more survival stuff.

>>282585
If you can't see well enough to fight in here then get outside.
Otherwise? Smashy smashy!

>>282585
One hand, bat. The other hand, flashlight. Flee.

Well Laura, you're in some sort of weird nightmare or something. Certainly in "through the looking glass" territory, except the Red Queen is less "mad" and more "batshit homicidal."

Run away and live to fight another day. We're going to have to figure out a way to get home. Or turn everything back to normal, if the looking glass came to you.

Laura 2011/02/19(Sat)16:13 No. 282660 ID: 8c0848
File 129816081155.png - (211.22KB , 1024x768 , 27.png )

I don't know if I can get past it with it grabbing me. It's not moving very fast, but it's arms are so long. It would be a gamble.

>>282660
Most gas stations have large glass windows forming at least one of their walls. Taking your eyes off it long enough to smash one and go out that way might be slightly less risky.

Break a window and run to the hospital!

>>282660
Go backwards around the aisle. Then you should be able to reach the windows without it reaching you. Smash out a window pane, get through without cutting yourself and then fucking run. Hospitol might be as bad as this. You want to find a apartment or something similar.

This thing was a corpse shortly before it was a thing. The hospital might not be such a good idea if the morgue happens to be unlocked.

>>282664
>>282662
Police station and/or gunshop. We could get guns at walmart or something, but that kinda place is gonna be packed with baddies.

>>282660
Break one of the windows to your right and climb out. Watch out for broken glass.

why didn't the flashlight lens crack? Or for that matter, the refridgerator glass?

>>282675
Plastic.

Laura 2011/02/19(Sat)21:28 No. 282748 ID: 8c0848
File 129817972532.png - (210.90KB , 1024x768 , 28.png )

It lurches off the countertop and starts coming down the aisle at me, hissing and thrashing it's head.

I need to get out of here, now.

Laura 2011/02/19(Sat)21:29 No. 282749 ID: 8c0848
File 129817977670.png - (108.07KB , 800x600 , 29.png )

run around the end of the aisle and smash the window with the bat. It shatters and I jump through into the cold.
Better than being in there with that thing.

>>282749
All right, beat feet. For your initial move, I would recommend moving into an open area where you can be sure that there's nothing coming for you from any direction. A large parking lot or the middle of an intersection with decent sidewalks should suffice. Once you're sure that you've either gotten away or have a minute to think, you can plot out your next move.

The lack of any other people at all is highly disturbing. Surely there should have been someone else around by now- or at least something more than... that. When was the last time you saw another person?

Laura 2011/02/19(Sat)23:49 No. 282773 ID: 8c0848
File 129818816084.png - (433.33KB , 1024x768 , 30.png )

I'm out of the station and nothing seems to be following me. I get well away from the window, though.

>When was the last time you saw another person?
Everything was normal until I left work to wait for the bus and it never came.

All I can hear is the snow falling and the buzz of the streetlamps. It gives me a strange, nervous, tingling feeling.

Go to the police station, quickly.

Did you snag some snacks back there?

Maybe run back to your workplace? If you have to use the bus to get from there to home it shouldn't be very far. You might have a few coworkers there, barricaded in due to similar problems.

Let's check out the blood.

>>282774
There may or may not be a police station within a reasonable distance- it could be miles away.

>>282776
Where there's blood, there's danger- and someone who fought it and lost. Why take that risk?

>>282775
This seems reasonable enough. Go back to the last place you saw people- if it wasn't too long ago, hopefully there'll still be some there. You don't want to face the monsters alone.

Okay, you'll need a few things. A hit list of items.

1) A bag or a backpack. Prreferebly something that distributes the weight evenly when you wear it.

2) a crowbar or similar metal lever. This is for opening doors and similar things.

3) [strike]A close range weapon, preferebly metal. [/strike] The bat will do fine, for now.

4) [strike] A light source [/strike] Well-done. Keep getting batteries.

5) A long range weapon. Rocks you keep in your pockets, a bow and arrow, a handgun, it doesn't matter. You need an option for long-to-midrange.

6) A safe place to sleep, craft, and relax.

>>282773
Ok, now that we have a moment there are some questions we need to ask:

1: Where do you work?
If things were normal until you left then it could be the source of the problem, or these things could have intentionally avoided it.

2: What is the name of this city?
There are several places that are known for strange events of this sort.

You said there was a hospital nearby, right? Go there next, unless there's a gun shop in the area.

1. How is your mental state doing?

2. What's your general status?

3. Is there any gun shops within reasonable distance?

4. Where do you work? And how far away is it.

5. How far away is the police station?

6. How big is the city?

7. Where is your house located, and how far?

You should either go to the police station, or the nearest gun shop. If both of them are farther away from your work, you should go there.

>>282787
Are you crazy? Hospitals are always hot spots for monster activity. Going there would be suicide.

>>282773
Lets get back to your workplace. It's a place you already know, so it will be easier to find stuff there. And with any luck there might not be any monsters there. Or we can catch them sleeping again and beat the shit out of them before they start standing up on their arms and screaming and shit.

>>282773
That's just the mutagenic effect of the "snow".

To the workplace!

>>282773
A few questions:

Do you know of any places nearby where you can find a decent ranged weapon (firearms etc)?

Do you know how to use a gun?

Which way is your home?

>>282787
Clearly she lives in Arkham, Massachusetts.