Journal Entry 1 – Day 1
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
– GOAL: Escape out of this place
– Limited candle bits, use sparingly (7, now 6 left)
– DO NOT burn or cut the strings (until it’s time)
– Clear all traces after the end of everyday
– You are being watched during the day
– DO NOT GET CAUGHT NO MATTER WHAT
Today has been a crazy day. I don’t know how long will this candle last me but I’m gonna try my best to note down everything before a new day starts and my memory resets, or so mentioned in the note from them. To summarise, I woke up this morning alone in a forest with a note beside me, supposedly from a friend (maybe?) that was previously with me. I’m not too sure myself as I don’t seem to have any memories from before I woke up. Writing this down is supposedly gonna help me record down my progress and remind me every morning about what is to come.
The note mentions that I’m the last one of the seven that was originally here together. I should also mention there’s 6 of these journal entries, similar to what I’m writing now, that comes with this note that is dedicated to me. In each of those journals, only 7 days were recorded, whether they made it out or not. Out of where precisely, I’m not sure. But I’m guessing, 7 days the maximum time I have to figure things out. I have never questioned nor realised the strings on my arms and legs but the note tells me to never burn or cut any of these strings, until it’s time. I can’t see the end of the strings but they seem to be attached to somewhere high up in sky.
The note also mentions that now that I have “wakened up”, I mustn’t act out of the norm to spark the suspicions them, whoever that might be. Since I was awakened, I’m starting to take notice of my surroundings. A factory can be seen from afar that seems to be operating 24/7, judging from the constant smoke from its chimneys. Apparently, before any one of us awakened, everyone were all mindlessly harvesting a 7 legged shiny blue insect that can only be found at least 3 feet underground, for whom I’m not sure. Today, whilst wandering around, I saw others that were like me but they were just mindlessly digging with soulless eyes, none of them talked or interacted with each other. The note specifically warned me to not get in contact or talk to anybody else I see as waking other people and working in a group could spark the suspicions of the people up there. At sunset, a loud bell was sounded and a bright light is lit up from the top of the factory like a lighthouse, and everyone would start walking towards the factory. It’s almost like they were all hypnotised by the light. That is when everyone would gather and deposit their loots for the day into the factory and return to where they were last digging. It’s then when all lights will go out and everything turns pitch black.
As said from the note, we were a division that consisted of 7 of us that’s in charge of searching the north-east area, which is the area furthest from the factory; until one day, one of us was somehow awakened (lets call him 1 for now) and discovered a way out of this place. No one knows what lies beyond this world that we know of, but 1 managed to figure it out and when he escaped, he passed on the information to the next person.
Today has been an absolutely sensory overload day, I don’t know how long has passed since the last person left and if all of these is true. I guess I can only take this one step at a time and see where all of these gets me. If whatever they said was true, I would most likely not remember everything that has happened today and would have to rely on this journal of mine to remind myself about what’s happening. The candle is almost burnt out, I’m going to list some final stuff down before it gets too dark to see anything at all.
EXTRA NOTES TO THE TOMORROW ME
– Some big foot markings were spotted on the mud today, don’t know what they were, not mentioned in note
– Search for some kind of map in past journals that states the possible location of the exit
– Use the night time wisely as I only have the time of a candle to provide light at night
– Use the night time to read up on past journals and record down all findings
Photo Credit: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-9726302-time-lapse-letter-being-hand-written-fountain-pen
Journal Entry 2 – Day 2
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
– GOAL: Escape out of this place
– Limited candle bits, use sparingly (7, now 5 left)
– DO NOT burn or cut the strings (until it’s time)
– Clear all traces after the end of everyday
– You are being watched during the day
– DO NOT GET CAUGHT NO MATTER WHAT
I feel slightly more aware of the situation, but there is much more that I need to find out. When I woke up today, I was in the harvesting area. I found the notes and journal entries tucked under my shirt and I believe I had done so yesterday to keep them safe. Reading my previous journal entry, I knew I had no time to waste.
The notes and other journals were filled with information I had yet to explore. I was initially skeptical of the notes, but yesterday’s me had been convinced, and I trusted myself if no other.
Yesterday’s me had taken note of large foot marks on the floors, and reminded me to search for possible escape routes. I had wanted to more of the journals for additional clues, but I know I am watched. There was little I could do openly. I had indeed spent some time reading my previous entry and number 5’s entries after i awoke, and I can only hope this would not be my downfall.
I had grabbed my shovel, and moved around the place, occasionally stopping to dig at the ground, careful not to raise suspicion. The North-East area had been empty except for me as mentioned in the previous entry. It had felt weird to be so wary while I was in solitude, but I knew I could not let my guard down.
True enough to notes yesterday’s me had left, I saw enormous foot marking scattered across the floors. I made my way to the markings, harvesting the bugs along the way. They were almost as big as me, and looking at the depth of the print, they must have without a doubt been humongous. I felt a shiver run through my body. My instincts had told me to forget about them and head elsewhere, but I had seen 5’s writings, and I knew along the path the enormous beings walked, there had been a blind spot, where I would not be watched. 5 had greatly warned not to be caught by them, or face a fate worse than death.
To get to there was something I would have to figure out. No doubt rushing after the footprints would ascertain my death as those who watch me would see through me.
5 had also mentioned using a map that 3 had written, to find a key of sorts. 5 seemed to have known what “the key” was for, and I can only assume it was stated in the other journals (I must find a way to read them).
The factory had been described as “the enemy” by 5, and I fear the dangers of the place. The light near the top of the factory can be seen from where I had stood, and the thought of going a place said to be against me had been unnerving. I had not wanted to visit there apart from when needed. Nevertheless, the empty land where I stood had provided me no more clues apart from the enormous prints leading into the horizon. To know more about the situation, I had to move closer to the factory.
As I reach it, I realised that there had been no one manning the factory, instead, lines of machines covered the factory. I had not written this down yesterday. Perhaps it was not of importance, but I hope writing this may change something for the me tomorrow. Near the inside of the factory lies a few doors, one in particular catching my attention, its red colour different from the rest of the factory.
I wonder if it is locked, and ask myself if the key 5 had gotten was for the door. There seemed to be more to the situation, and I believe it would not be so easy to escape this place.
The light of the factory was soon turned on, and the darkness returned. My candle is almost up, but I hope this entry gives the me tomorrow more help for the days to come.
EXTRA NOTES TO THE TOMORROW ME
– Red door in factory? Related to map to find “key”?
– How to find the hidden spot near the Giants?
– Use the night time wisely as I only have the time of a candle to provide light at night
– Use the night time to read up on past journals and record down all findings
Journal Entry 3.5 – Day 3 1/2
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
– GOAL: Escape out of this place
– Limited candle bits, use sparingly (7, now 5 left)
– DO NOT burn or cut the strings (until it’s time)
– Clear all traces after the end of everyday
– You are being watched during the day
– DO NOT GET CAUGHT NO MATTER WHAT
_________________________________________________
Overview: This is a half-written entry,
I had a particular merry dream this morning, It was usually lucid and in the dream, there was a thunderstorm, where it rained crystal clear golden water…. I remember frowning upon in the dream as the amber yellowish clouds being dawned upon a dark merciless power. As cold and refreshing raindrops fell on my face, I woke up to the sound of a downpour.
One glance at the shovel lying aside the corner of the wall, I hesitated for a while before grabbing it and head outside regardless of the pouring rain. Even though I managed to some digging yesterday, I need to treasure my remaining candles. in case any mishap was to occur. Stay Cautious. I should/could never let my guards down. ever
As I bend over I noticed a small scratch on the side of the shovel. I took a looks at the shovel and realize that it was not just a scratch, there were engravings of initials carved onto the shovel. What would it possibly mean? There was a little lock icon on onside of the shovel next to a series of alphabets. I mumbled the words out ….. “MURLAI”. I stopped in my tracks. Wait, Could it be… no, it would not be so simple…but what if?
“Alright, I know what to do next”.
I took a deep breath I walked into the red seemingly shabby grumpy building. It had a foul-smelling odor that runs throughout the area. I shrugged away the stench that continues to builds up in the corner, up into my nostrils. This is maybe a minor issue but not insignificant, the thickness of it is too overpoweringly fetid. Each step made me had more confidence, more hope, more faith I had for myself. I stood before the queer red door with the lock. This must be it.
A strong gust of wind blew past me, caressing me as I stretched out my palms holding on the lock. I held my breathe as I punched in the numbers “6….8……0…..5….2….4” The brass of the metallic lock clangs against it’s bolt, as the tumbler snapped into its respective position, my mind begins to drift into deep thoughts.
Clink clang. Oh what the lock is unlocked?
I was in disbelief upon the smooth sailing success of figuring out the passcode.
Wait. This is a trap-
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EXTRA NOTES TO THE TOMORROW ME
– Red door in the factory?
– Related to map to find “key”?
– How to find the hidden spot near the Giants?
– Use the night time wisely as I only have the time of a candle to provide light at night
– Use the night time to read up on past journals and record down all findings
Journal Entry 3 – Day 3
continuation from previous*
The door opened to reveal a couple of people dressed in all black holding a taser. I was zapped and went unconscious for abit. When I woke up, I was being carried over the shoulder by someone heading towards somewhere. I guess the notes that I hid in my clothes help to block out some of the current and I wasn’t unconscious for as long as they had expected. I peeped through from underneath my hair as we walk pass some gigantic tanks of suspicious glowing blue liquid connected to a contraption with pipes. I watched as the factory workers activated the machine and the blue liquid vaporised into a light blue coloured gas. Was this what the insects that we were harvesting was for? I was soon carried along a row of cells and being thrown into one. I relaxed my body as they threw me so as to not get suspected. When I opened my eyes, I realised I was in a cell with only a small window behind me. Also, I’m not the only one captured. I was surrounded by other people who were locked up as well. I spoke to one of them and apparently he also got in the same way as me today. Was he awake too? But he would have forgotten all of these happened once tomorrow comes right? I wondered what was their intention of tricking us into the factory. Now I can only hope I can get through tonight safely.
I had some time to browse through the journals and no one mentioned anything about what’s inside the factory. Am I the first one that ever got caught in the factory? Now that I’m captured, I had the time to settle down and think and I realised that I should be searching for the door (exit maybe?) instead of the key since 5 would have already gotten to the key and escaped. Hopefully he left the key somewhere near the exit. And I also found a map in 5’s journal with a cross marking out an area in the North area. Is that where the exit lies? I have to find a way to escape out of the factory tomorrow to investigate that area.
EXTRA NOTES TO THE TOMORROW ME
– What is the blue gas for?
– How to find the hidden spot near the Giants?
– Use the night time wisely as I only have the time of a candle to provide light at night
– Use the night time to read up on past journals and record down all findings
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!********************************
OMG something is happening. i need to scribble this down before i lose conscious. the blue gas is being released in here. people are fainting one by one. what’s is goin
Journal Entry 4 – Day 4
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
– GOAL: Escape out of this place
– Limited candle bits, use sparingly (7, now 3 left)
– DO NOT burn or cut the strings (until it’s time)
– Clear all traces after the end of everyday
– You are being watched during the day
– DO NOT GET CAUGHT NO MATTER WHAT
What a day. So I woke up today and found myself back in the forest. Luckily my journals are all still with me. I have came to a conclusion that the blue gas might be the reason of us losing our memory at the end of every night. I’m planning to test this out tonight by going somewhere deeper into the shrubs, hoping it will filter out some of the gas; along with wearing a makeshift mask from my torn shirt to get through the night.
Anyway after I woke up today, I found myself in the area beside the factory. So I decided to slowly dig and make my way back to the North area. As I was digging and making my way towards that area to prevent suspicion, I came across some giant foot prints and I decided to follow and go in the opposite direction of the prints to see where it leads me. As I was walking, I suddenly felt trembles on the ground and the sound of footsteps from behind me. I quickly hid inside the bush and tried to keep myself as out of sight as possible. I waited for the giant to pass and caught a glimpse of it. Rather than giants, I would probably say they look more like trolls. The one I saw had a lot of trinkets hanging from his neck and if I wasn’t mistaken, which I hope I did, the trinkets looked like human heads.
Just as I was recovering from shock, I realised the bushes that I had retreated in had an empty spot with some remaining candle wax on the floor. It filled me with joy to finally verify the fact that there were really people before me that were on the same quest. I guess this was the blind spot that the journals were mentioning about? If not they wouldn’t have carelessly left the candle wax here without clearing it. I cannot believe my luck. Along with the candle wax, I also found a gun. Rather than self defence, I have other plans for the gun. What if, JUST WHAT IF, I’m able to sneak back into the factory with this to destroy the machine. Would that help the other people trapped here escape too?
Or is this a stupid idea that would risk my chances of escaping alone. But before I do anything, I think it would be wise to first locate the door and the key.
Looks like the candle is dying out soon. I’m going to be testing out my theory of the blue gas tonight. Hopefully I would wake up tomorrow with recollections of today without the help of the journals. Who knows? Maybe I was wrong about my deductions.
EXTRA NOTES TO THE TOMORROW ME:
-Find the door in 5’s note
-Find the key to that door (hopefully it’s near the door)
-Decide if I will be going back to the factory
-Use the night time wisely as I only have the time of a candle to provide light at night
-Use the night time to read up on past journals and record down all findings
Journal Entry 5 – Day 5
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
– GOAL: Escape out of this place
– Limited candle bits, use sparingly (7, now 2 left)
– DO NOT burn or cut the strings (until it’s time)
– Clear all traces after the end of everyday
– You are being watched during the day
– DO NOT GET CAUGHT NO MATTER WHAT
As I awoke today, my mind had been a clean slate once again. Reading the journals, it had been most upsetting to know my hypothesis had not been correct after all. Looking at the scraps of cloth I removed from my face, I had tried to reason with myself that it had been due to inappropriate equipment, yet, it was obvious the blue gas not been the reason for the memory lost.
I had distraughtly stared at the journals in my hands, thinking of the time I could have saved if I had not needed to re-read them all over again. Time was limited. And it had been trickling away.
Nevertheless, I forced myself to keep my hopes up, knowing where I stood kept me hidden away from the eyes of those who imprison me and the others. Finding this spot was certainly a silver lining in this situation, and without any time to waste, I quickly started flipping through the journals of those who had “awaken” before me.
Reading through the journals, I soon gained a new confidence in escaping this situation, the six before me having provided me with help and advice. From the previous journals, it seems they had all left alone, not having the equipment to save the others, and having far too many obstacles to do so. However, the presence of the gun had opened new doors for me. Perhaps this time, I could put an end to the dystopia that this place was.
Firstly, following the failure of my hypothesis just this morning, the entries from 4 suggest I had not been far from the truth. While the blue gas had not been responsible for the memory lost, it had been a sleeping gas, which had resulted in the entire community to fall into deep slumber. 4 also had mentioned that the gas had made people more susceptible to external influence. Hence, the people had been also easily hypnotised by the light. Perhaps this could help me in the future.
What in fact had caused the memory lost had been a sound projected by the factory at midnight, a possible unique wavelength causing us to lose our memories and begin with an empty mind the next day. 6 had proposed that perhaps the 6 of them and now I, had some slight immunity to the sound, and thus had gained more awareness of the situation than the others.
This had been much to my dismay, as there had been no escape from losing my memory. However, there had been no time to waste wallowing in self pity. Reading the notes given by yesterday’s me, I plucked myself up and went in search for the door 5 had mentioned.
Using the directions provided by 3 and 5, I quickly made my way stealthily through the north area. The advice given by the others had helped me greatly in reaching my destination safely.
As I hid behind a bush, I carefully peeked through the leaves, and to my pleasant surprise, the door 5 had mentioned was indeed there. It had been a large door made of wood, stone carvings as its frame, and two torches lighted by its sides even in the daylight. Such description had fit what 1 had written and my escape from here did not seem like a dream anymore.
While the key had been yet to be found, another issue had arised – two trolls, stood tall by the doors, and I found myself wondering if evading them had been plausible. Surely, if I had gone back to save the others, a group of us would be easily noticeable.
Keeping this in mind, I set out to find the key, following the map that 6 had provided, I soon reached a tree hole in a tall tree near the north area’s forest. Reaching in, I found myself holding a silver key, not different from the colour of the lock on the door. 6 had apparently specially returned to place the key for any potential people who would likewise “awaken”. The key had been a duplicate for the door, found by 1 in his escape.
With key in hand, I had to make a decision if I should save the others from the clutches of the factory. The trolls at the door suggest moving in a large group would increase the risk of getting caught. How then, should I move a large group of people, and not to mention with only 2 days left to spare.
My mind floats back to the blue gas. It had been said to put people to deep slumber and I wonder if it worked on trolls the same way.
I could just leave tomorrow; the sun setting, making it hard for me to leave now. Or I could head back to the land of dangers. Knowing I could not escape losing my memories meant I also could not afford to lose my notes.
With that, I head back to the hidden spot, where I now sit. Gun resting in my pocket, my candle is reaching its end, and who knows what tomorrow’s me will decide.
EXTRA NOTES TO THE TOMORROW ME:
-Leave? Go back to factory?
-How to evade trolls with large numbers if escaping as a group?
-How to destroy the factory?
-The strings? When to cut them and why?
-Use the night time wisely as I only have the time of a candle to provide light at night
-Use the night time to read up on past journals and record down all findings
Journal Entry 6 – Day 6
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
– GOAL: Escape out of this place
– Limited candle bits, use sparingly (7, now 1 left)
– DO NOT burn or cut the strings (until it’s time)
– Clear all traces after the end of everyday
– You are being watched during the day
– DO NOT GET CAUGHT NO MATTER WHAT
____________________________________________
I only had 1 candle remaining, and tomorrow is the last day, my final attempt to escape this place. I peeked out of my hiding place and spotted the trolls guarding the big wooden door. My mind switched back and forth, contemplating whether to return back to the factory or make a run for it. As I took a step out of the bushes, fate decided to play with me. I accidentally tripped over a twig, and fell to the ground. A loud gasp escaped from my lips, and what followed was a deafening roar. I froze on the spot, not daring to take a look towards the direction of the roar.
My hands shivered and trembled as the ground shook with each footstep. It was approaching.
A broad and disproportionate figure drew closer and closer, casting shadows that grew bigger and bigger. I squirmed to my feet, turning around in hopes that my legs would save me. Right in my face was the one creature I told myself to avoid no matter the situation. The creature raised its right arm above its head…
In a state of hysteria, I fidgeted my pockets in search of my guns. There was no sign of it, I must have dropped it back at the bushes when I fell. My hands scampered on the ground, picking up some rocks and throwing them. The troll grunted when they hit him, but it had barely damaged the troll, only further provoking it.
Without a second thought, I took the opportunity to flee and ran towards the direction of the factory. The now agitate troll bawled again before chasing me down. I wailed as I tried to run for my life, but the troll caught up. Both hands came smashing down on the ground, and I quickly dived onto the ground.
Just before I thought was the end of me, a blue-colored ray was cast upon his disfigured face. It triggered something in the troll, and it fell to his knees, shrieking in agony. There were steams and holes begun emitting out of his gigantic body, looking as though he was burning from the light ray. It fell to the ground grunting, my eyes widen as I watched the troll evaporate into an unknown gas.
I hid against the wall, gasping for air. Quickly, I tried to recall what just happen and jotted down my journal.
“Could it be that the trolls are vulnerable to light? Is it specifically, artificial lights? The trolls seem to have sharp senses yet only noticed my presence when I made a sound. Perhaps they have bad eyesight?
As I pondered, blue gas started emitting out from the factory
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EXTRA NOTES TO THE TOMORROW ME:
-If were to use a bait to lure the trolls away from the door, it would seem possible to get a large group to escape?
-Use the strength of the trolls to destroy the factory?
-The strings? When to cut them and why?
-Use the night time wisely as I only have the time of a candle to provide light at night
-Use the night time to read up on past journals and record down all findings
TO WHOEVER READING THIS
– This journal can help you escape this place
– You lose your memory at the end of every day
– Record your progress everyday
– DO NOT burn or cut the strings (until it’s time)
– Clear all traces after the end of everyday
– You are being watched during the day
– DO NOT GET CAUGHT NO MATTER WHAT
So I decided I’m going to just make a run for for it. I know there is no point for me to still write this down but since I didn’t end up being able to help everyone here, I hope the person who picks up this journal after I leave can benefit from my entries. (whether I make it out safely or not) The truth is, I don’t know what even lies beyond that very door. It might very well even be a world that is worse that this but you know what, I have never felt more alive than this, ever. I don’t even remember what it’s like to even wake up with recollections of anything at all. I think as a living human being, I have the rights to at least decide my own fate.
I shall start with my daily entry before I run out of time. So I woke up today as usual without having any prior memories. I headed back to the hiding spot knowing today is the d-day. After reading my log from yesterday, the today me decided without the help of my missing gun, it would be rather foolish to attempt breaking into the factory to help safe everyone trapped here. Knowing today is my last possible day to escape this place really does change how I think and make decisions. Judging from my previous entries, I could sense the “me” from the past wanted to help the people here. But I wanted to be selfish for once and put myself before anything else. Although I do feel a sense of guilt but I hope by leaving this journal behind, I can still help others in another less direct way.
So back to today’s events, I made my way back to where the wooden door was and realised the troll that had evaporated yesterday hadn’t been replaced so there was only one troll guarding the door. That was when I formed the plan to pull the same stunt I had yesterday to get this other troll out of the way before going forward to unlock the door.
So the plan is to trip out of the bushes and make sure the troll sees me and starts chasing me. I will then lead him to the factory and hopefully have him evaporate the same way the other one did yesterday. Otherwise, I will have to try to pull a bigger gap between me and the troll so that I will have ample time to unlock the door in time before he gets me. All these are just plans but I would have to act on instinct when I’m out there later. Hopefully my plans work if not, I guess I would be an add on to that troll’s collection of trinkets on his neck.
I will place this journal near the hiding spot before I go out to lure the troll out and try my very best to return the key back to where I found it or at least, near where I found it. Before I start making a run for it, I would burn these strings that are tied to my wrists with the very last candle I have left. Hopefully once I’m out of here, I could get some answers as to who placed us here and why we are trapped here.
I guess this marks the end of my journey. I don’t know what will become of me in the next hour or so but I’m feeling hopeful for now. I hope this journal has been some kind of help to you. To whom ever is reading this and is attempting your escape, I wish you all the best and hopefully we will have a chance to meet someday on the outside.
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