Game 15

[Music of the Night]

Stephine had been in love with The Blair Witch Project ever since her cousins forced her to watch it when she was nine years old. At first, it freaked her out, but as she grew older and learned that the documentary was really just a movie, she loved it just like the other horror movies she saw, maybe more. In high school, she became friends with others who liked the movie, and they formed a club. Then, they found out about a trip to the woods where the movie took place, in honor of the ten year anniversery of the movie's release.

Stephine sat in the lawn chair set up next to the campfire, roasting a marshmallow. She smiled at the others on the trip with her and her friends. She didn't have a care in the world. The legend from the movie was just a story made up by the creators... right?

[Tweek]

A silent figure sits in a rusty lawn chair just beyond the reach of the dancing campfire light. He wears a large gray hoodie that conceals his face, worn bluejeans, black gloves, and black hiking boots that appear brand-new. A bulging backpack rests next to his chair, within easy reach. Only with the occasional flare-up of the campfire are his eyes visible beneath the hood. Bright lucid eyes that dart nervously at the slightest of forest sounds. Eyes that seem to be watching for something. Waiting.

This is TWEEK.

[Music of the Night]

Stephine laughed at a joke one of the guys from Ohio made. The night air was cold, and she put her hood up. She got up from her chair to get some graham crackers for her marshmallow, when something caught her eye. She looked at the man, so far from the laughing, chatting, and light of the other campers. Stephine put together the s'more and walked out to the man. "Hey, you want a s'more, dude?"

[Tweek]

TWEEK sits motionless, gloved hands locked in a death grip on the arms of the lawn chair. The only thing that moves are his eyes, shifting very slightly upward to regard the approaching stranger. The reflection of the firelight gives his eyes a disturbing glow, like that of a cat or other night creature. He clears his throat and begins to speak.

"Thank you... but no..." he answers in a voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps later. I'm TWEEK, by the way. And you are?"

[Music of the Night]

Stephine started to feel uneasy, looking at the man. His eyes seemed almost like something from a ghost story. She shook the feeling when he spoke. She took a bite of the s'more and shivered as a gust of cold wind blew threw the trees. The gust was so strong it blew the her hood right off her head. Stephine pulled it back up. "Strange... Anyway, nice to meet you. I'm Stephine." She smiled kindly at him and finished her toasted treat.

[Tweek]

CRACK!!!

There is a loud noise, like wood splintering. Or sticks being snapped. To the north of the campsite. Very near.

Then another sound. From the south this time. Footsteps in the leaves. Moving. Also very near.

[Music of the Night]

Stephine jumped, startled by the sudden loud noise. She looked around. "H-Hello... Stop trying to trick us..." Stephine thought one of the other campers were having some fun at their expense. "It... It's not funny!"

[Tweek]

TWEEK's eyes turn in the direction of the noise. He listens intently for a long moment, then turns his gaze back to the dancing campfire.

"It's not her. But she's close. It won't be long now..." he whispers, to no one in particular.

[Music of the Night]

Stephine looked at Tweek as he spoke, barely hearing him. "Wh-what are you talking about... Who is she ...?" She shook slightly, but she told herself it was just from the cold. She wrapped her arms around herself as she stared at the man.

[Tweek]

The rest of the night passes without incident. Sunrise brings a flurry of activity. Tents are broken down and packed up, empty bottles and trash are gathered, and the day's schedule is reviewed. A hike to the Parr ruins is on for today; a long walk very deep in the forest.

Tweek looks as though he hasn't slept. He folds up his rusty lawn chair, gathers his backpack, and follows the last of the group as they leave the campsite. The woods looks very different in the light of day. It looks safe. Harmless. No sign of those dark things lurking just beyond the reach of the sunlight...

[Music of the Night]

Stephine had had a rough night. Waking up several times, hearing something in the woods. She hadn't been so scared until she went over to talk to that Tweek guy. Was he the cause of her newfound paranoia? Naw, couldn't be. It was just the woods and the fire and the people telling ghost stories. Stephine told herself this as she got ready to go to the ruins. She might as well enjoy the rest of the trip, and not let the night before's events get to her.

[Tweek]

The ruins are quite unimpressive, Tweek thinks. Just a big pile of rubble. Not the two-story monster of a house seen in the movie. Seeing it in the daylight makes it seem quite harmless and ordinary.

Still, there was a creepy vibe to the site. Something in the air that made more than a few of the group shiver in spite of the warm sunshine. As though something lurked just below the surface of that pile of wood and stone. Something ancient. Hiding from the light. Waiting for the darkness.

[Music of the Night]

Stephine takes her camcorder out as they near the ruins. She was making a video of the high points of the trip so she could always look back on them. "Here we are at the Parr ruins. Spooky!" She laughs nervously, taking a shot of the remains of the house. Stephine shivers and tightens her jacket around her.

[Tweek]

There is a loud commotion near the edge of the site. Something has been discovered in the debris. In moments the whole group has gathered in a circle, studying the object carefully.

It is a knife. Old and rusty, with a wood handle that has mostly rotted away. There are old stains on the blade. It is still sharp.

Someone comments that this might have belonged to Rustin Parr. There is nervous laughter at the remark. The man who found it wonders aloud what it would be worth on eBay.

TWEEK does not respond to the discovery except to shrug his shoulders and whisper something under his breath. His attention is directed elsewhere. Towards the setting sun low on the horizon.

[Music of the Night]

"Oh my God..." Stephine mutters. She turned the camera on the knife. "This is insane..." The sight of the knife, especially the stain, sent a chilling tingle down the girl's spine. She took a deep breath, trying not to let the anxiety building in her chest ruin her trip.

[Blake]

A mysterious figure is standing about 10 feet parallel to them. He looks about 18-20. He's wearing a black jacket, a black shirt, and blue jeans. He's about 6'3." It looks as if he hasn't shaved in about two days, so he has a small amount of scruff. He lets out a small chuckle before lighting a cigarette. He inhaled deeply. "You kids make me laugh. Tweek, I haven't seen you in a while. Still hunting that old lady? I am, as well."

[Tweek]

TWEEK nods and lets a cruel smile spread across his face.

"We meet again. I am pleased that you survived our last trip in the woods. I warned you this path was a dangerous one."

He motions to the cheerful tourists nearby. The smile on his face melts away, replaced by cold blankness.

"They know nothing. They think it was 'just a movie'. But we know better, don't we? You and I shall witness something here we shall never forget. She is coming..."

[Music of the Night]

Stephine took deep breaths, trying to came down. She tried desperately to think rational thoughts. The people in charge of the trip probably just planted it there, and It could be a hunter's knife... maybe he lost it after he skinned a deer out here... The girl shivered again as the sun set over the horizon. As the darkness increased, she turned the nightvision function of her camcorder on.

[Blake]

"I see. I've been having vivid dreams, lately. Dreams of finally putting her to an end. We need to keep them safe. I don't want yet another "missing children" incident. Especially to highschoolers. College kids are one thing. They're adults. But if something happens to these kids, we'd be portrayed as pedophiles." He flicked the cigarette, rubbing his chin. The ignorant highschoolers only have blank expressions before hearing a loud *CRACK,* like in the movie, when the three hear "noise all around them." "She's here," he mutters.

**EDIT** Out of character (taco): I've changed my name to "Blake" to sound more human, rather than an alien/demigod.

[Tweek]

Nightfall brings a flurry of activity, as tents are quickly assembled. A light breeze rises, rustling the leaves on the trees and disturbing those on the ground. A barking dog can be heard in the distance. A large owl is perched atop the highest point of the ruins. It seems to be watching the group carefully.

TWEEK sets up his lawn chair at the edge of camp, in a spot where he has a clear view of everyone. He digs into his backpack and brings out several small sticks and a ball of twine. He sits back, removes his gloves, and sets to work constructing a small stick figure.

[Blake]

"Here, let me help you." Blake exclaims. "Cig-" he's cut off by Stephanie, who's staring off in the direction of the sound. She seems to be in a trance. "Hey, kid. What's bothering you?" he asks.

[Music of the Night]

The sound of Blake addressing her brings Stephine out of her trance. "N-Nothing..." She lied, shaking her head. "Nothing." She turned her camera back on and started walking over to kids from her group. Stephine kept taking deep breaths, trying to calm down. "It's nothing, it's nothing, it's nothing..." She kept whispering.

[Blake]

"I.... see. Well, here. Cigarette? I'm assuming you're 18. I only have menthol. I hope you like those." All of a sudden, the group hears footsteps all around them. "Damn old lady..." Blake hisses. "Tweek, almost done with those stick figures?!" he screams as the pack catches aflame. "F*ck... at least I have a few more cartons." he says.

[Music of the Night]

"N-No thank you." Stephine shakes her head. "I'm only s-sixteen. Plus, those things'll kill y-" She screams when she hears the footsteps. She shrieks again when the cigarette pack practically combusts. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?!"

[Tweek]

Stickman completed, TWEEK puts the twine away and sits with the twana in his lap. He sits motionless, listening to the footsteps in the darkness. He looks eager for something to happen. The expression on his face is a mix of dread and excitement.

"Stay close and you'll be safe. I've encountered her a few times before and these objects seem to offer some protection. It also helps if you show the proper respect when you are in her woods. This place belongs to Elly. Disrespect her at your peril..."