wormwood

Yeah but the percentage of safe I’m feeling is lowering day by day now so I think that’s a sign isn’t it? I had wards on the place. It shouldn’t have even been able to get in.

[PM]: I’m alive and recovering. Almost dying again was a bit of a shock to the system. I’m processing that one.

Glad to hear you’re okay. Yeah… my friend got shot too.

I… um, yeah. I… killed it yeah it’s gone.

It... could be. But it’s still your home, right? And if you feel strongly enough about it, if it’s worth it, then you’ll fight to keep it. I know that’s not exactly easy and I sound like a huge ass hypocrite with how many places I’ve just... let go of, but don’t let anything or anyone drive you out. Maybe there’s another way to protect it? 

[pm] Yeah, of course you would be. Anyone would be shocked. Is there anything you need right now?

Fuck, I didn’t really take this shit seriously before. This town is actually cursed, I’m convinced. But good. Hopefully it stays gone.

Mhmm, okay. If you need assistance, well, in ways that go beyond the standard procedure, let me know. I will always help you. 

You’d be surprised of the willingness to aid anyone with such a thing. Most of my posts are filled with spam, and lonely people wanting to pick a fight. I’d have to really dive into such a search, but– I have time. The Haunted House isn’t quite up yet. 

Probably… I have no idea. Ghosts are fascinating, people claim all the time to see them in town, and I never get too. I think I’d like them on the line of ‘I’m going to murder you’ simply for the aesthetic of being a scary haunted house ride. Hm. Soon. I’ll figure it out soon. I’m very patient, I’ll find the right ones. 

Have you found a job? or are you very preoccupied with your Father’s missing status?

... I’ll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks. 

I think some people are just looking for any way to escape, even for a little while. I can sympathize with them. To an extent. Picking a fight’s not exactly the best way to cure boredom long term, at least. 

No? Maybe that’s a good thing? Not to say that ghosts aren’t like, bad or anything, they aren’t. They’re just people who haven’t moved on yet. Well, and I say this with utmost sincerity, please be careful what you wish for. Dealing with... stuff like this can be, uh, kinda tricky. 

I actually have two jobs right now. They’re keeping me pretty busy, along with some other things. It helps, a little.

I mean I know that, I think I was just trying to convince myself that maybe this is okay. But it really isn’t huh…

[PM]: Ended up in ICU with a collapsed lung thanks to those fuckers. Are you okay?

Maybe it is? Like, y’know, you’re never gonna be safe one-hundred percent of the time wherever you are. But even feeling like you can be eighty percent is better than nothing, right?

[pm] Oh God... I’m so sorry, are you okay now? I mean, like, still in the hospital? I’m fine, but a friend of mine got shot by her... mime clone, thing. Did you kill yours?

Maybe so. I’m not sure I like paranoia being healthy though. Shouldn’t you know… feel safe in the place you live? At least I thought you did. But maybe this is the new normal in this town? I’m still not sure. That’s strange.

It’s weird. Because… well, I’m not usually paranoid. I don’t have anything to be particularly paranoid about.

[ a few days later ]

I was very wrong in that statement… Please look out for mimes.

You’d think that, but, it’s not always the case. People live plenty of places without actually feeling secure where they are. It’s seriously unfortunate, but some just don’t have a choice. I guess that’s not really the answer you were looking for, though - It’s strange, definitely strange.

Mimes. Right. Jesus fuck I’ll uh, do that.

[pm] Did you get whacked by a black-and-white striped monstrosity, too?

[pm] The mime thing has been very for real. Even had one try to stab me in the break room. I feel like I walked into the weirdest horror movie ever and have been reminded why I hate them to begin with. I appreciate it, Margot. 

Nothing too crazy recently. Most of the calls in lately have been mime-related. Why? Is there something you’re worried about? 

[pm] What the hell? Should I-- Nope, don’t mention it. Bad idea. That’s basically White Crest norm for ya’, sad to say it. Horror movie fuckiness all wrapped up in an apparently black-and-white striped package. Yeah, ‘course, ‘course. And uh, you... don’t get stabbed. Please? 

Should’a figured. Compared to mime stabbings? It’s nothing. Just got a stupid prank call the other day and it... worked me up a little, but it’s fine. 

[pm] :///

I was shot with a fictitious revolver by a mime that looked like me. Then we fought on my front lawn until I stabbed her with a fire poker that I used to beat Dario only days before. But I’m stitched up and sore but fine, really. It was just, like, my arm. And I still have it, so it’s chill.

[pm] ...

Is he? How terrible. Are people helping you with it? 

I hope so. I am investing actual money into it. Maybe someone in town who knows about ghosts can put some in there…

Dick ghosts. Mhmmm, I AM NOW. What would I do if I got dick ghosts? That would be so annoying– though still weirdly on brand. Sigh. I want them scary though, how do I guarantee scary ghosts over dick ones? Or lazy ones? Are there really so many out there? Margot, you’re making my mind spin.

Yeah. Couple weeks now. Oh, yes, the uhm, local law enforcement’s been doing their best. It’s just... there’s a lot going on, and uh... It is what it is. 

Might be a good idea to get an expert on ghosts, yeah. I’m sure there’s someone in town who would be willing to help. 

I mean-- as long as they don’t, like, actively try to kill people? Although I have like, zero idea how you can guarantee that... Well, they’re kinda still people? For the most part? Just, not alive. And they harbor really strong emotions, so it just depends on communicating with the right ones. Probably.

[User types and deletes the word “sorry” several times]

I’ll try. Sorry

Ah, not TOO terribly well. He’s the one who sold me a car and he showed me around town afterwards. Do you know him well?

Don’t worry. It takes a while to break a habit. 

Boring? I wonder what you’d think of a place like a tiny medieval village in Europe or something. That is boring. White Crest is… peculiar. 

Well, I’m barely back and I’m already getting angry,  so let’s see how this is going to end. I might need to solve that bloody mime problem myself. I’m gonna give it a thought.

Believe it or not, I’ve known the tiny village life before. Definitely tame compared to a place like this. I almost miss it sometimes. Almost. But whoever’s doing this... weird get-up and freaking people the fuck out? Maybe they just figure it’s a new hobby or something?

[pm] Hey, if you’re seriously down to get your hands dirty, I wouldn’t mind tagging along. Apparently one of these fucks messed with a friend of mine. I’d like to know what’s up.

Margot, thank you. Why are they hectic? Did something happen? 

Okay, so. Actually. There are no ghosts here. I have tried for years and I can’t get one to haunt the place. It’s so frustrating. So, I’m going to build a haunted house and see if I can lure them in that way. 

Yeah, ‘course. Uhm, well, my dad’s... currently missing. So, there’s that.

[pm] Yeah, not normal’s kind of the space I’ve been living in for the past few months… I’m not I try to be a good person. I think most people, in their own way, are trying to do what they think is good, even if it’s kind of off. Hey, though, that’s good! That you’ve been able to feed better. Maybe the mimes are good for something after all. Like I said, super old school parents. One time, my father hurt himself working outside, came in, drank some rum, poured some of it on a scrape, and went back outside like it was no big fucking deal. And, uh, I mean, you know, I like pain as much as the next person. Definitely not something to remember. akjfdljfl

Good. And good luck with it. I hope she can help you out. Okay, rule number one’s easy enough. Rule number two I can work on. Rule number three’s the real winner here, I’ve got to tell you. And thanks. I be sure to remind him that I’m to cool for Hell. I get that. It’s… I’m learning to do that better. I guess going away for a couple of years and coming back makes it a bit easier to just… go with things. Try to work on it. Hope for the best.

:/ Nothing went according to plan. Oh, and I’m fine. I have a gun shot wound, and I’m a bit beat up, but all in all, I’m good. All stitched up and shit. And the mime me is dead.