Humans are amazing creatures from a biological and psychological standpoint. We have evolved in a way that allows us to adapt to most if not all environments on earth. From the coldest mountains to the hot deserts, to the seas and even the highest of mountains. Our race was designed from an evolutionary standpoint to be able to adapt and overcome almost anything. I once had to do a psychological college paper on how our minds also will adapt to environmental factors as well.
Our minds will normalize these things, accept them as a fact of life. I knew from my past life that this was a fact. You almost always hear someone say "I couldn't do that" or "Man if it were me" but they weren't adapted or hadn't atoned to the situation or event that the other person had gone through.
How could someone live with an abusive person? How did people in hard or downright hellish places live like that? The answer they adapted to it.
I adapted. I woke up, in the air vents just above the nursey area. It had been a long few months, with some of it having been a blank from the depression. I had set up basic traps to prevent the enemy from reaching their targets. I tried to save as many as possible, but sometimes your best isn't good enough.
The red smoke had been an almost impossible thing to beat. I couldn't hold my breath long enough to do anything meaningful, but not only that but it only took 30 seconds for it to start its effects.
With that kind of obstacle in my way, I decided to make their life hell. I made it hard to get to whatever point I could. Every night I did my room, went into the vents, then into the nursey, to another room if I had time for it, and then waited back in the vents.
The staff didn't come around until after CatNap made his rounds. The cameras once you knew where they were had become almost laughable to avoid. To hide in the blind spot of the cameras, avoid motion sensors, avoiding CatNap. Avoiding CatNap was the hardest part of the whole thing, but again once you learned his patterns it was easy.
He moved like the undead in the 'other world'. Didn't deter much from his routine or set pattern. It was almost always lower rooms first, then second floor, and finally third floor. However, he would sometimes change it up. He would start with the nursery, then the youngest girls room, to the youngest boys room, followed by the same pattern for the older kids.
You could, if you paid attention like I did, figure out what pattern he would take. Because when he entered the first room if there was even a slight pause, that was the sign he was going for the nursery first. If there was no pause, just continuous movement it was the floors.
From the top of the vents, I marked each of the babies, toddlers and newborns. Ensuring that each one was account for. Each one was breathing, healthy and safe. Once that was confirmed, I took out my journal
[Long entry # 40
Mission: Map out city: Status=ongoing
Mission: Find a way out: Status=ongoing
Objective for tonight: killing one of the lower demons: Status=failure
Objective for tonight: find safe shelter: Status=..Failure
Notes
Tonight had been another failure of a night in 'otherworld'. Was able to map out the most of the eastern, Western and southern part of the town, with sewer ways included. Outside wall surrounding the town is still unavailable, even after repeated use of the Eastern, Western and southern gates. This has led to my final theory of 'escape' not possible all the more likely. Sewer system, which I originally thought was safe had been compromised at the 7th bell. The theory of being able to choose my 'spawn' point has been invalid. The choosen spot is completely randomized. I can not enter the church, even after spawning directly outside of it.
Enemies detail notes
Humanoid undead= Will not engage the target until the 1st bell rings. Once 1st bell ring starts, they will attack any 'life' forms. This includes the demons. Lower demons have been shown to eat these undead fairly often. These undead have poor eyesight, lack of hearing, and smell. How they can identify, and track 'life' forms is a mystery. Have yet to understand. Make objective for future mission. Can not be killed by any physical means
Giant humanoid undead= Will follow small undead as if a guard dog. Will not engage even after the 1st bell ring, will only start rampaging after the 3rd bell ring. Undead will attack, regardless of time if the smaller undead is attacked. Giant will engage in the threat and will not stop until it has confirmed that threat is either neutralized or when the small undead is safe. Giant undead is almost impossible to kill. Note do not engage target
Beast undead= Same as humanoid undead, will not engage or leave sewer system nor their homes until the 2st bell ring. They, unlike humanoid undead will not move from their spots, will not repeat their lives. They only stand and wait like statues. Can either fly, climb walls and other beast movements. Possible to kill, but can be stopped.
Small undead- MOST DANGEROUS. Undead will actively engage in the interaction of other beings. It will then fake an injury or other incident to get Giant undead to act. It will also lead other enemies to myself for what seems to be enjoyment. Small undead can also use basic magic. HOW I do not know nor understand. Small undead appears to be a small child, sometimes boy sometimes girl difficult to determine. There have been multiple sightings of them, when they meet together, they combine to form a single slightly larger undead. This also leads to the combination of the Giant undead. Once all small undead and Giant undead form, then small undead will become complete Witch. Please see note for Giant undead. Killing small undead before combination is impossible at this time, due to giant undead.
Witch undead-unknown, can not live long enough to see what the scope of its powers are. Nor, can I live long enough to see its patterns and behavior.
Demon entry:
IMPOSSIBLE. TO Kill. Lower class demons are immune to most injuries if not all physical injuries. Only known way to slow it down is to get multiple giant undead to fight them, however with smaller undead this makes it nearly impossible.
Middle demon will ONLY come after the 7th bell, along with Witch, and complete giant undead.
Upper demons. UNKNOWN. Side objective…make it that far kid.
Objective for tomorrow mission- survive/explore/kill/learn
End log]
After finishing the entry, I put the journal back in my small bag that hung by my waist. I had bought it from the Store, after saving up some chore money. It had been a good purchase.
I slowly left the vents, placed everything back just right, and then avoided the cameras. Just another Tuesday. I went to my room and got ready for the day. I needed to go to the counselor`s office to get my medication, Go to school, and I think this week is test week.
So, basically, I aint going to be doing shit today. PERFECT my kind of day.
The counselor`s office was the usual deal with Dr. Keckler trying to talk to me, and me ignoring him. What could I even talk to this man about, not only that but who could I talk to about this. No sane person was going to believe me, I was on my own. There was silence, then I took my medication, when that was done with I decided to get some breakfast. I was hungry and hopefully I could make it in time to get a good snack. The lunchroom wasn't too far away from the Counselor`s office so I should be good.
When I came out of Dr.Keckler`s office, I chatted and talked to the other kids who were waiting for their turn to talk to someone. I even talked to the kid who punched me, we were cool now. I had apologized to him, his friends, and the kid I hit named mike.
A few days after that incident and getting somewhat use to death. I felt bad for hitting a 9-year-old in the throat for his comment that shouldn't have even bothered me. It was a stupid thing I had done, so I manned up apologized and we were cool.
The other kids greeted me back, said their hi and hellos. When I went outside more kids had come to greet me, asked me for help with this and that. Told me about how they felt good about interviews with parents. Asked me about how to do something or another. Asked me about the homework they had or if I was going to have a story time with them. The younger kids mostly, but even the older kids had tried hard to play it off. It failed I could see it from a mile away.
One by one I answered their questions.
"Good job on the interview, Billy and don't worry about the scores that you got. It doesn't mean anything. Remember just being yourself is enough."
"Yes James, I will show you how to do a flip in the water and yes in the air too"
"No, taylor I wont tell you what hunter said about Jocelyn. If you want we can talk later."
"Yes larry I am doing the nursey again today. And yes if you help I will give you and your friends the money. No, I don't need it and don't feel bad about it. Just make sure to help the other kids out. Alright."
"The answer to math question is 2, when we get in class I will show you how. No math is not stupid it is science. I know but we all have to learn math"
"Yes there will be another story. Which one…lets see..lets see. Oh how about…hmm a new one leo and stich. Yes James it has action in it, no Taylor there isn't romance in it."
As our large group got closer to the door, I saw a little girl waiting. She looked nervous and scared so I told the group that I would be back. They followed my order and left saying "Goodbye" along the way. I watched them go, with a smile. I enjoyed helping them as much as I could. I took a hard look at myself, in that "otherworld". I was angry at everything and everyone but had realized that these kids didn't do anything to me. They didn't deserve my anger, my frustration, or any of the negative emotions that I held. It took some soul searching, but I realized that helping them made me feel just a little bit better about myself and that place. Giving them that feeling of being safe, of having friends, of being able to be happy was something I held on to, 1 to keep me sane and 2 because it made me feel human.
Kids were our future. In my last life I had always been good with kids. When my friends or family members needed a babysitters, I was usual the go to person. My female friends constantly told me that I would make a great dad. Looking back on it I was a man with high morals to not get any girl pregnant or have sex until I got engaged. I wonder if she…no my family is here in this place.
She was about my age maybe a little less. Her name was Samatha or sam as was her nickname that she went by. She came here about a week or so ago. She was a shy girl, with a fear of adults or at least that's what I gathered. She didn't like talking to adults, or kids older than her really.
She would flinch, cry or sometimes even run away. I don't know why she did it. If she was abused or something like that, then I didn't know and didn't want to ask. I was able to talk to her, get her to open up about things she liked. She didn't like a lot of things, mostly stuff animals, my stories, and…Pokémon. Yes, I copied Pokémon sue me. I was still working on making my first one Pikachu, which was probably why she was here.
"Hi Sam. You feeling okay?"
"Y-yes I am. Did you make it yet?"
"It is almost done, I promise."
"O-okay"
"Come on let us get you inside. Class is about to start; do you need help with the homework?"
We made our way into the school, with the other children. I sat down in class with Sam, along with the other children my age. There was one or two kids that was held back, but nothing too crazy.
I didn't pay attention to the lesson or what was taught. The staff, notice that I was way smarter than my peers about a week in this palce. They tried to get me to take a test to see where I was at, and I refused. They told me I needed to be placed in another class, and I refused. I knew the staff didn't like me, and I didn't like them. It was a mutual hatred.
They knew I was a genius because when I helped the other kids with their homework, it slipped that I was the one that helped them. Sometimes, and I knew it was more than sometimes that the staff would give hard assignments just to see if I could complete it. It was sending in the middle guy to find what was going on, on the other side.
I saw through it…eventually and decided that I would only help on certain days or at certain times.
School ended, and our class was dismissed. When all the students were outside the sound of an announcement come be heard.
"GROUP 1! GROUP 1! All of GROUP 1 to the train please"
"I REPEAT"
"All of GROUP 1 to the train please"
"huh…well that's my group. See you later Sam, and sorry about not be able to complete Pikachu like I had promised after school."
"That okay. Maybe..later..sometime"
"Yeah. I will try my best for you. Bye, and see you later tonight I am doing story time."
"Bye"
As my group loaded onto the train, I caught two staff members with that stupid grabpack thing. It looked stupid, but I couldn't deny that it was handy. If I every get a chance I should grab one. I laughed at the stupid joke…grab, a grabpack.
The train whistle, last calls were made and finally the trained started to move. Some kids were excited other, were nervous and scared. Somehow, they were convinced that these exams, meant adoption. The better the score not only could you get money, but also the possibility of getting adopted faster. It was a load of shit that I tried to dismiss but rarely was trying my best good enough.