The Journal of Malcolm Buck

Welcome back, one and all All as one we Welcome you back.

I don't know where Etrius and Vela are going but I feel very alone. And very afraid. I don't know what is happening, I can't explain the things I've seen these past few weeks. I can't explain anything in the god damn world. This is Malcolm Buck, signing off for a while. I need some sleep.

I am seeing red. I came home from the video store and the door was unlocked, there was blood on the floor. At least, I assume it's blood. I didn't stop to do a full chemical fucking analysis. There is a mask nailed to my wall. It is red with black and white eyes. By what I've heard from Etrius, this is Exxius' mask. Who is Exxius, what does he want from us? What can I do? There was more blood at the base of the mask. Why is it always blood. It is the middle of the day but I am seeing black and red. I can't be sure what I am seeing. Etrius, Vela... Is this real? Who is Exxius and why is his god damn mask in my house?

According to Etrius, I broke the rules. I went out after dark to take out the trash. I ran to the video store so I had an excuse to stay inside. I have started seeing things, red lights in the dark, shadows moving beyond my windows. Things in my mirror. I cut my finger while chopping onions the other day. That was the bleeding. I am afraid. Vela, Etrius, Mal... Mal is dead, I think. What is going on? Please...

I'm bleeding

There's something in the trees. That shadow I talked about? I knew something was off. There is something in my tree.

My power went out. I can't describe in words the fear I felt. The last two days have been the worst of my life. The thing is here. It has been. I don't know how long and I don't know why. I have come to understand that I don't know much of anything. I'm always asking questions and acting smart but... What good are questions when you're already dead?? Etrius, Vela, Mal. Someone... Please. I am so afraid.

Questions are important. Without questions there are no answers. Obviously. But what if there are never any answers? You may be able to ask the question, but that is a permanent problem with a nonexistent solution.

Who is Exxius. What is he. When will this stop. Where is he. Why is he doing this. How do we stop him.

I have seen things. There are lights in the dark, colors that shouldn't be there. Specifically, two points of red. Glowing blood red rubies in the dark. My spine shivers when sleep is all I can do. Etrius says not to leave the house at night, but I can't help it. The darkness calls my name, and I want to answer. "Malcolm. Malcolm, come here." My phone rings, and it is my mother's voice, telling me to go outside. I don't have answers. I just have one question. Why is this happening to me? Why any of us? Why does anything happen...

Vela called me earlier, she suggested I lay low. I would go stay with her, but I don’t want to leave my house…

It would be my mom’s birthday tomorrow. I find myself sitting at home watching Netflix. My TV got fixed. How many of us are left? Is anybody there?

I heard Etrius is gone. The beast is coming. etrius-journal, I hope you're okay.

There's a shadow outside my window. A tree usually causes the shapes on my curtains but it's somehow different. This shadow looks like it does any other night, but more defined. Now, it's always possible they replaced the bulb in the streetlight. Or maybe the neighbors are staying up late. I just don't remember the shadow moving quite this way.