Sorry.

The network I was leeching off of went down a few weeks ago, and just a few hours ago it came back on. Since I'm in a relatively safe place, I didn't want to move and risk getting caught.

Anyway, I promised I'd tell you what happened over the past few months, so here it goes.

I don't remember much about what happened the night I ran. I can get a vague outline by reading the post from that night, but other than that all I can remember is darkness and trees. If I encountered anything later that night, I don't remember it.

I woke up in the early afternoon and found myself in a town about two states away from where I lived. I had this long scab on my arm, too, but it didn't look like someone had cut me. I think it might have came from landing on a stick, but I probably won't know for sure. I did have my belongings with me, so whatever managed to move me was nice enough to let me keep my stuff. It's a lot tougher than it sounds, though. I'm able to wash my clothes at this place in town, but that doesn't stop them from being beat up. My shoes are about ready to fall off my feet, too.

It's not that I can't buy clothes. I could if I wanted to. I just need the limited amount of money I have in my wallet for food, and even that has almost ran out. I do have a debit card, but I really don't want to use it because it'd be easier for someone to find me that way.

I guess my savior in all of this has been these yard sales. Around here, every Saturday someone is selling a bunch of junk that I can use. I've already replaced a few of my clothes for only a couple of dollars, and I'm going to guess that it'll probably be a few months until I need to replace them again. Not all of them fit, of course, but you have to make do with what you got, right?

Right, anyway, getting back on topic. I was expecting to see the monsters coming after me as soon as possible, but it's like they've lost my scent or something (although to be honest, I'm probably tempting fate by saying that). There's been some weird stuff that's happened, but nothing to do with me. A few disappearances, really, and those were in another state.

I guess the weirdest thing has been picking up on things that I haven't seen before. For instance, that monster I talked about in my last post... I mentioned how I didn't believe the person at first, but I continued to read about it until I did my homework. Normally, I would have just blown them off and went about my day, but in the position I am in, I don't know... It's hard to put into words. I guess I felt sorry for them. I wanted to help, but being just text over the Internet isn't very helpful..

Just letting you know, I'm not running. I've thought about it, but I figure it costs a bit too much to keep running from town to town. I'll stay where I'm at; nice and safe-like. Once the things get here - and they will get here - I'll consider running, but I have to have a plan first. That night, I didn't have a plan and I almost had  an abrupt organ transplant thanks to the Suited Surgeon.

In the mean time, I'll try and update as often as I can, but don't expect too much. If that wifi goes down again, you might not hear from me for a couple of weeks again.

- Arthur

Theories

Every time I open my eyes, I'm afraid I'll see them. One with nothing to hint at its motives, the other with those cold, calculating eyes.

While Slender Man's appearance seems to have reached a sort of memetic status, the Rake's is a lot more debated. I've read stuff that says the claws are like some sort of glove, and others believe they're natural. From what I can tell by the thing appearing to me, they're not connected to any sort of glove. But the stuff that says the Rake is pretty much a hunched over, pale-skinned being is true. But the eyes... good God, the damned eyes. They're what I remember most about the thing. Some say they're all black, but... that's not what it looked like to me. They looked almost human. But they seemed... old, like they'd seen too much. And there was something to that gaze... an edge to it that makes me cringe.

I've been playing with the differences in my head for a while now, trying to make sense of them. Why do some people claim they can see a face on Slender Man while others see nothing? Why do some people think the Rake is just a brutal being rather than a clever hunter?

I think it all comes down to this theory I've read called the tulpa effect. It pretty much means that if you believe in something enough, it'll come into existence. Now, I don't personally believe in this myself, but there are aspects about it that make sense.

For instance, believing in something is pretty much what happened to me. I got so paranoid, I started thinking that Slender Man was coming for me (Little did I know, something else was already hunting me). Then... poof, shit hit the fan. But I don't think it necessarily brings the being into existence; if that were so, there'd be so many monsters out there, we'd be overrun. That brings credibility to the theory that one being exists.

So, why the difference in appearance? Does that show the mental health of the person being tormented? Maybe.

Over these past four months, I've had a lot more free time than I normally do. It's allowed me to find things that are normally overlooked. For instance, I found an urban legend of sorts about a monster over in North Carolina. At first, people claimed that it had its origins in Native American culture, but that was added for credibility reasons.

According to the original poster, the story originated about ten to fifteen years ago. Apparently, there was this demon with wild spikes, bulging eyes, and patches of skin stitched onto its own body. Now, here's the weird part: This demon could turn people to stone over time just by touching people once. Holy shit.
I was ready to skip over it, but the original poster continued to say that lately the story had been appearing again, but in a much darker fashion. A girl named Beth contracted a disease called "fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva", otherwise called FOP and Stone Man Syndrome. Oh, that's interesting, isn't it? Stone Man Syndrome? You are damn right it is, because Beth progressively got worse at a rate that's unusual for someone with FOP. She died a year later, but if she had her way she would have killed herself a long time ago because she was in constant agony.

But not from FOP; oh, no, that's not it at all. Whenever she was around a large amount of people, such as a city or a decently-sized town, she'd claim that she was hurting in spots that made no particular sense. For instance, one time she claimed that her entire head felt like it was being cleaved in half... and at that moment, there had apparently been a car wreck where someone had half of their head taken off.

Then, there was another person who lived in another part of the United States. He had been on vacation in the region where the story had originated, and during his stay he had apparently been attacked by a homeless guy who had dreadlocks, big glasses, and patches pretty much everywhere on his person. Read the description of the demon again if you don't understand what I just said.

A few months later, the guy contracted FOP and ended up dying almost a year later, but not before claiming he had pains in pretty much every place on his body. His doctors couldn't find anything wrong with him, though...

Maybe the original poster was grabbing at straws here, but isn't it kind of strange that two different people, both in the same region and around the same time, ended up getting this very rare disease with both having weird psychological problems? Combine that with the similarities between the demon in the story and the homeless guy, and it seems incredibly fishy.

Okay, back to my main point (sorry for getting sidetracked): These monsters exist, but they're not confined to specific descriptions. For Slender Man, it's the tall, thin exterior; for the Rake, the pale skin and the claws; and for the demon I just told you about, it's the wild hair, the bulging eyes, and the patches that cover it.

Now, ability-wise, I think that these creatures can be capable of almost anything, but because we give them an identity, they're restricted to it. So, when we believe that Slender Man exists, one person may believe he can burn shit to the ground while others believe the exact-opposite. So, the creatures behave accordingly.
So, what does this mean? Well, it means that if this theory is true, maybe these creatures do have weaknesses and we just haven't thought of them. Okay, sure, some have tried thinking of ways to kill the Slender Man, but none of them have worked because for them, the being was created due to a specific description... namely, the creature being unstoppable.

So, what if someone was introduced to one of these monsters with the belief that they could be killed a certain way? In essence, they'd create a monster that they could kill... and get rid of the problem for us. I'm not going to try it myself because I've already killed enough people, but it's something to think about for the people attempting to destroy these things.

Tomorrow I'll try and make a post about what I've been up to, but no promises. I know I said I'd do it today, but I had to get that out of my head.

See you all tomorrow.

- Art

Safe (?) and a Recap

You know, I've been staring at this brand new laptop screen trying to think of something to say. "I'm back!" sounds a bit too childish, and ignoring what has happened is kind of a jerk move. Since my sanity is most certainly questionable, I might be better off recounting what's happened to me throughout this year.

That has the added benefit of bringing everyone up to speed, too. Awesome.

So, about a year and ten days ago, I started this blog with every intention of trying to help my writer's block. It worked for a little while, and I eventually attracted a bit of a following! That's when the weird stuff started to happen. I noticed that a few of my followers were into what I previously thought was an Internet meme: The Slender Man. I started to get into it, even started writing my own little short story featuring the faceless creep.

Not my brightest idea ever, but how could I know a lot of crap was about to happen? I didn't know about the shitstorm that was about to happen in my town. The first major event was my friend's dad disappearing, only to reappear and get killed soon after. I think I know what killed him, but more on that later.

Throughout that period of time, kids were disappearing. Though I found out later that I was so wrong about Slender Man taking them, this still had a tremendous impact on my psyche at the time.

The next thing I know, I'm having these dreams where I'm a kid again and finding bones in presents and shit like that. There was this one dream that had me going to a house in the middle of the woods, and later I found a place exactly like it. And that's when I had my first encounter with the damn monster. This was my first encounter with the Slender Sonuvabitch, and it was actually my only encounter for quite a few months. But that didn't stop me from being terrified, now did it? It didn't stop me from 'warning' people that their children were being abducted by a nicely-dressed bogeyman. Not many believed me, but some did - and that's when the disappearances started to happen. Disappearances that I caused. Yeah, that did a number for me, didn't it...

And then Charlie disappears off the face of the earth. I'm being serious, too! I talked to our friends, his parents, anyone that had any connection to him. It was like I had imagined him...

Oh, and some asshole named 'amiwhereallcry' started putting up anonymous comments on previous blog posts. (This was before he made the account he's been using to hijack my blog.) I started to connect the dots, and thought that maybe this son of a bitch was my own personal 'proxy' (the name for people controlled by the Slender Sonuvabitch), the painted hobo. Someone tried pretending to be him, and next thing I know, amiwhereallcry puts another video on his YouTube channel saying "not to do it again". Ever since then, no one's pretended to be him. I have a really bad feeling that someone who tried to screw with me ended up dead, so that's another life added to the count.

Then the motherfucker burned down my house. I don't know which one of them did it; it could have been the Slender Man and his "magical powers" (my God, that sounded so corny it brought back memories of The Sorcerer's Apprentice; DAMN IT!), or it could have been the hobo. However, I noticed that the dickhead with the warpaint on (no, really) seemed to be protecting me.

Oh, and did I mention the whispers? The damn whispers that almost drove me insane? Yeah...

Once people started disappearing, it had a ripple effect. Some paid more attention to what I said, and they went bye-bye, too. My fault, again.

So maybe that's why I feel like I deserved the attack around Halloween. You see, the thing that was causing the whispers - this ugly bastard people call the Rake - assaulted me and put me in the hospital for a few days. It wasn't anything major (aside from losing a lot of blood, which is kind of major? Not sure), but it still freaks me out.

Around Christmas time, I wanted to take a more offensive stance on the issue. I discovered that the whispers I had been hearing were a kind of subliminal messaging, trying to make me forget about... well, everything. Mostly just the other monster, though. And that's when I got my bright idea to tape the whispers and see if they worked on people that are being affected by the Slender Man. You know, maybe I could stop what I had started, right?

Then I had to announce it to the entire bloody world, leading to one of the final events of this wonderful chapter I like to call "The Fall of Arthur Pierce":

I was driven out of my home as I was being hunted by two paranormal creatures, one of which I planned on using against the other, while the other being kind of pissed off that I was about to cut off its food supply.

So, there you have it. A whole year's worth of stuff that's been going on in my life.

I plan on making another update tomorrow explaining what I've been up to and how I'm still alive, but until then...

- Art

P.S. Don't worry about the last post. It's a scare tactic being used by amiwhereallcry in order to draw me out. Trust me, my family and whatever friends I have left are safe.

Come out to play.

Family and friends continue to look, but no trace can be found.

But he has not been taken. Not yet.

Find him. Find Arthur, and this game can end. Find him before more die.

Arthur, would you sacrifice your family and friends to save your own life?

You have two weeks before the first is taken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIxfI56RsZo

Not sure if this thing is working or not. If it is, then you all are reading this after I'm gone. Well, not sure if gone is the correct term. Dead, disappeared, whatever. All that matters is that I'm gone.

I'm being hunted. No matter where I go, no matter what I try to do to defend myself, they're coming for me. Ever since I made that last post, that painted hobo has continually appeared outside. And the whispering doesn't stop. It's there every night, and each day my resistance weakens.

I fear for my family, so by the time this is up I'll be gone. Maybe dead, if they get me, but I don't need that bugger going after them.

I do have some relatively good news, though. The taped whispers that I mentioned previously work. I sent it to someone who had seen Farstrider around them, and wait what the hell did I just say? No, slender man. Not Farstrider. What the hell?

I'm starting to lose my damn mind.

Oh, look at that. The tall son of a bitch is standing right outside my window. I'm on the second floor. The stories are true, then. Wow. I've never gotten a good look at It because It's always been either far away or in my dreams. Up close and personal, though, is a different thing.

Piss off, you bastard.

Not sure if it's picking this up, but I'm starting to hear voices. Not sure if It's causing it, or if I'm just going crazy. They seem familiar.

That's right, I can see you! Piss off!

Funny thing is, I thought this bastard wasn't coming after me because the other thing was after me. I guess I was wrong. Isn't that right, asshole?

Looking back on it now, maybe the Rake was just softening me up for this moment. Maybe all this time, it had other plans in store for me. Plans for every single outcome. If I resisted, Farstrider would get me. If I didn't, the Rake would get me.

I've played it close to the edge, but now I've strayed too far. They're coming for me.

Wow, I'm depressing myself. Better to go out with a bang instead of sitting here waiting to die.

I recognize the voices now. Each and every one of them is someone I've hurt. All of those people I helped Farstrider get. All of them are blaming me.

Or maybe It's get messing with my head.

No, no, no, no.

I need to get those whispers online. I need to. I need to help you all. How do I do that without It disappearing out of my sight?

I'm dead, or worse. I need to go. I need to get out of here. If I turn my head, though, It'll be gone. I just have to get to the door.

Okay. Turned my gaze. I can't see It now.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Why is this hallway so fucking dark?

I need to stay quiet. Parents will wake up if they hear me. I think I'm packed enough to get out of here. Maybe I am. Maybe.

Living room is also really dark. Anything could be hiding in those shadows. Oh, this is not good, this is not good, this is not good.

Okay. Almost out of here, and I haven't seen any of them yet.

In the car. Made sure to check the tires and the backseat, plus the sides of the car. Didn't want to get jumped again.

Okay. I think I'm in the clear.

Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Right as I turn on the fucking headlights? Are you kidding me? That's like a cheap horror movie scare. Fucking painted hobo.

Is this thing still recording? I don't even know anymore. I don't think it's a good idea to keep this running while I'm driving, but talking to myself is helping me concentrate right now. Odd.

Anything could be hiding in the treeline. Keep steady, Art, keep steady.

There It is again. Hi, asshole, are you stalking me now?

It's like It keeps teleporting in front of me. What a fucking cheater.

Don't try and run into it, don't try and run into it. Doesn't work.

Holy shit!

Okay, the radio just blasted on at full volume. Scared the shit out of me. It's acting weird now, not sure what's going on.

How the hell am I almost out of gas? That's bullshit! Absolute bullshit! I made sure to fill it up!

No no no no no.

No.

There's no way out of this, is there?

All I can do is wait here and die. Not much of a way to go out.

I can see It now. It's just standing there at the treeline. I almost didn't see it at first, but it's like one of those where's Waldo things. You skim over it, and then you look back and see what you were looking for.

I need to make a run for it, guys. I need to. It's really my only way out. Sooner or later, It's going to get me in here.

I can't keep this recording any longer. I'm sorry everyone for everything I did.

Here goes nothing.

MESSAGE

Greetings.

My senses are gone.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I used to be human... am I still?

I am a courier for those you fear.

The whispers.... They changed me.

You run and you hide, and some of you even fight.

I thought giving in would stop the torture.

In the end, though, it all ends the same.

It didn't. I can't run now, can't fight.

You are marked from birth, and set for slaughter.

Now, They're using me for... what? I don't know.

You cannot outrun the inevitable.

Sometimes, it's like a dream to me.

This is obvious to some of you; to others, it will become clear very soon.

I see my family... They have forgotten me.

But I did not come to restate a message preached time and time again.

My friends... They do not answer when I call their name.

Some of you have already answered the Calling.

Only one fights, but I fear I've doomed him, too.

Most of you are too ignorant to obey.

He believes he is at fault for my research. 

It need not end with death and destruction.

That name... in my head. Farstrider, Farstrider...

All They ask for is your immediate surrender.

It's His name, isn't it? The being without a face.

Soon, the dominant species of the planet will no longer be humans. Your very existence will be insignificant to Them; you will be a fly in their sight.

He had no identity until we gave Him one.

At best, you'll be excellent pets - but only if you serve faithfully.

And we humans, the bastards of life, forgot to give Him a face.

They have crossed countless realities, and they have noticed yours.

Maybe He's pissed because of that.

Some have already crossed the gap.

I focus too much on Him, when I serve another.

And if you thought that running was the appropriate answer to Them, death will be the only escape from Those who cross next.

I can feel that presence in my mind... The claws tearing my mind.

But even death may die.

I do not feel pain; in fact, it's almost... pleasing.

My time draws to a close.

A kind of escape; a dream. 

The first message has been sent; the second is hidden in plain sight.

I feel so empty. I fear that when I am next seen, my mind will be gone.

I return to my place.

And the sad part about this is that it isn't even the beginning.

I am where all cry.

If anyone gets this message, I am Charlie Al Wymer... And I'm sorry for all of this. Don't give in, like I did - fight. I am so sorry.