>>5747020“I <span class="mu-i">can’t</span>.” The old man growls with an impressive frown! “I saw plenty of construction around the island, but they kept me outta’ the loop on which one <span class="mu-s">B</span> is. Could be around the <span class="mu-s">GOLF COURSE,</span> could be on the <span class="mu-s">WEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND</span>, could even be beneath one of those <span class="mu-s">CAMPS</span>, but wherever it is that’s where those <span class="mu-s">BIG BASTARDS</span> are bein’ churned out of.”
Hold on, you stammer as you motion for him to stop, bastard<span class="mu-i">S</span>!? There’s <span class="mu-i">MORE!?</span>
“<span class="mu-i">DOZENS</span>,” The groundskeeper replies with a grim nod, “An’ there’s gonna be more by the time morning comes around.” His eyes narrow at you. “... not to mention whatever the hell she’s cookin’ up inside of you…”
Puzzle pieces slowly connect inside your pounding head. How… how did I get here? Where are my friends?
“Like I said, I found you running through the woods howlin’ like a goddamn animal.” Chuck sighs with growing frustration in his voice. “Thought you were goin’ hysterical so I put a dart in ya… those things could take a charging bear down, so when you kept going, well…” He pauses as a hint of concern crosses his stony face. “Anyways, I brought you back here and gave you some pills to calm ya’ down. Sounded like you were angry about somethin’, so I improvised.”
Well whatever he did, it freed you from whatever’s trying to take control… but did he see anyone else? A guy in an orange hoodie, maybe? Or a blonde in a snakeskin jacket?
You pause.
Or… a redhead with a sweater vest and a plaid skirt?
“Seen a few people tonight:” He replies with an apologetic sigh, “Smythe, some kids in some kind of band, two jackasses in red and blue jackets… think I saw two of your pals head up the mountain towards the antenna, too, but they’re probably done for by now.”
Confusion hits you like a water balloon to the face. Wait, why?
“The mountain path’s a deathtrap, is why–hasn’t been maintained worth shit.” Growls Chuck with disdain! “Me and my guys have tried, but without the right materials it’s one big patch job–been bugging Hauser about it for ages and the sonnovabitch never got back to me.”
So just to be clear, you continue, head still muddled by all the new info, he didn’t see anyone by the mine?
This time it’s Chuck’s turn to blink in confusion. “Kid, I found ya on the <span class="mu-s">NORTH POINT</span> of the island. If you were by the mines you musta’ ran a few <span class="mu-i">miles</span>.”
<span class="mu-i">SHIT.</span>
>CONTD. 