It was desperation, pure and simple.
When the women of the village accused us of the crime, their husbands wasted no time in getting their tools. We tried to plead our case, that we had just arrived this morning, that we had nothing to do with the bodies.
I distinctly remembered the satisfied grin on the village head's face as his axe cleaved my brother's skull in half.
There was no way they would believe one of their own was the murderer, no way we could prove he was the one who desecrated their bodies.
No way we could prove that he was the one consorting with demons.
So we ran, the three of us. It had been myself and my brother, along with the two strangers, who were traveling. My brother and I were going to pay our respects to our mother, who had passed away in the winter.
I choked back the sobs, especially when I heard the village head maniacally screaming for us to be burned alive. "Even just one will do, for our vengeance!"
We weren't prepared for the forest, but in we ran, knowing that the twisting boughs were more likely to offer us protection than not.
Still, they persisted. No matter the paths we took, the twisted turns we made, the rivers we crossed, they were on our heels far beyond the point of sanity.
Indeed, it was likely they were all possessed.
I saw the glow before the others, stopping short in my tracks like a deer that realizes its being stalked.
I'd never seen the entrance to a dungeon before, but I knew the tales. Twisting labyrinths full of wonders and dangers alike, I looked at the others pleadingly, "Is there any other way?" The man asked.
"We're going to die regardless." I said. "Would you rather die to a random monster, or sacrificed to demons?"
it wasn't even a choice, we dove into the dungeon, scrambling over our feet, somehow managing to get past traps that would have otherwise killed us.
That would have been a mercy, yet as the rabid voices of the townsfolk faded to a distant roar- still present, the occasional word indicating they had followed us in without hesitation, only to be stymied by the traps, we knew our safety was only going to be short-lived.
"John, we're safe, John." The woman said.
"I know." John said, "Hell's bells, I need a strong drink and a sheep."
"I wasn't aware you were into that, John." I said. "Need a hard one before you give the sheep a hard one?"
"Aye nay, you get the sheep drunk first."
We stared at each other for a few moments, then we laughed. The woman shook her head, she was trying to look exasperated, but I could see the smile on her face.
"Bloody fuck, sorry about your brother, aye? Least he got a quick death, unlike us three."
I nodded, my heart was still thundering.
"Well, we en't gonna fouckin' go back." The woman remarked. "Bloudy starve to death in 'ere before they let us out."
I gestured toward them. "Siblings?" I asked.
"Aye nae, lad. This woman's the scourge o' the damned, she is." The woman punched his arm, he let out a pained cry.
"Don't you bloudy do that, you fouckin' weasel-arse!" She snapped. "The name's Jimmy, bloody wizard turned me into a woman on a lark. It's been months and we've been trying to find the prick."
"My condolences." I said sincerely. "For your manhood, and the manhood of every man who's tried to touch you."
Jimmy chuckled. She- fuck- He nodded and said, "I'll tell you this mouch, that wizard could have turned our cousin into a woman and made her the happiest lass in the land. But no, I'm the one who got the bad end of it."
"My condolences to your cousin, for her manhood as well."
Jimmy laughed. "Aye, fouckin' brilliant, this. Trapped in a bloudy dress. Can't even put me bloudy pants on, they burst into flames. Now this."
"Aye, sorry lad. T'was just a joke, aye?" John said.
"Aye, a joke, one you keep makin', like I give a damn."
"How do you two know each other?" I asked.
"Cousins." John said. "Not that it hasn't stopped her- bloody fuck- his father from tryin' to marry him off on me."
"Is it really that hard to keep her- his..? My head began to hurt. His?
"The curse makes people think I'm a woman." Jimmy said. "Doesn't make me think it, else we'd not be in this bloudy mess, now, would we, John?"
John nodded. "Aye, and on yer wedding, too. Saw yer bride to be forget all about you."
The screams of the villagers were getting louder. I looked at the others. "We have to keep going. Sometimes these dungeons loop around on themselves, we could get out."
"How do you know so bloudy much about dungeons?" Jimmy asked.
"My brother was an adventurer." I said, forcing myself to stand up. "He hung up his sword a year ago, nearly lost his life, got tired of it. We really could have used it."
They didn't say anything to that. What could they say? Our best chance of getting out of here alive was currently dead, and we would be too if we didn't hurry up.
I took the lead, knowing at least something about dungeons was better than nothing. I kept my eye out for raised tiles, pointing them out and getting us safely past them.
When Jimmy's dress got caught on a trap we missed, we helped him tear he dress enough that he still had some decency.
"A nice kilt couldn't have worked, now, could it?" I asked.
"A kilt isn't a bloody dress." John said. "We should know, Jimmy tried it."
We carefully walked around the edge of a pit, that's when I saw it. A treasure chest, at the end of a hallway. That could be anything, hell, even a cursed weapon would be an improvement.
I carefully moved through the hallway, reaching the far end and- remembering my brother's words- I carefully checked to see if it was a mimic.
Mimics were stupid creatures, they only reacted to touch, so you could look at them all you want and it wouldn't wake up.
"What're you bloudy doin', mate? It's just a bloudy box!"
The 'box' in question just opened its mouth and inhaled, before closing back up.
I carefully walked back.
"You were saying, Jimmy?" I asked.
"What the bloudy fuck was that?" He asked.
"A Mimic. Chest monster. They have all sorts of powerful items, but you so much as touch one, it eats you alive."
Both John and Jimmy nodded, and proceeded to have nothing else to say on the matter aside from a short string of curses.
Still defenseless, I was getting worried that we hadn't seen a single monster in the dungeon.
I tripped, hitting the ground, we all froze, breaths held, then relaxed when nothing happened.
"We need to rest again." I said. "My feet hurt, feels like they're swelling in there."
"Here, sit down and I'll check."
I sat down, wincing as my boots pressed against my feet in awkward and unpleasant ways. Getting the thing off was torture, but Jimmy was able to get it off.
I felt immediate relief as stretched out my toes and- Wait. I looked at my foot, and stared uncomprehendingly at the lizard-like one where it should have been.'
"What in the bloody fuck is that?" John asked.
"That's a Kobold foot." I said. "My brother showed me a stuffed Kobold once, they're vicious little bastards, but they'll leave you alone if you leave them alone."
Jimmy got to work on my other boot, which once gone had done a number on making me more comfortable.
"Why are your feet bloody Kobold feet?" John asked.
"It's something called 'Goblinification'," I said, he shot me a confused look. "It was first seen with Goblins" I explained. "Basically, when a dungeon is brand new, it comes into being without any monsters, any animals that wander in get turned into them. But, in rare occurrences, a dungeon is found before it has a stable population. Any Humans who go in begin undergoing Goblinification."
I touched my feet, the scaly texture was pleasant, left me with a feeling of excitement. "You can check how far along you are by touching the affected parts. If you're afraid, it's only just begun and will reverse in a few days. If you're indifferent, it can still reverse, but it'll take anywhere between a month to three months. If you start feeling excited, it means it can be reversed in a year."
I looked at them, my hands idly rubbing my feet. "When you want it to spread faster, you've hit the point of no return, it's permanent. You can leave, certainly, and you might be able to go back to a somewhat normal life, but you still change, and when the transformation is complete, you have to resist any nearby dungeon's call to break free."
'What happens if you don't leave?" John asked.
"You become a dungeon monster." I replied. "Your thoughts become fixated on protecting the dungeon, depending on how much you embrace it, you could remain extremely intelligent, but if you resist it, you become nothing more than a wild animal."
I unbelted my pants and pulled them off, I could see the slow progression of the transformation, my legs changing to accommodate animalistic legs.
"I can't go anywhere." I said. "Not without help."
"What? Why?"
I looked at John. "Kobolds can't keep their balance without a tail, and I'm at least an hour away from that happening. By that point, I'll be wanting the transformation to quicken."
He nodded and helped me stand up. I needed to lean on him heavily to support my weight.
We continued on, I was finding it easier to notice the traps, it was like they were more obvious to me. In fact, I was beginning to feel excited at the prospect of them going off.
"Kobolds are trapmasters." I said, "We can innately sense what they do and where they are."
"'We'?" Jimmy asked.
"Yeah, we." I said. "Just follow my directions, we'll avoid any traps I set." I paused. "That I set..?"
I distinctly remembered laying those traps down, and couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for my handiwork.
I wasn't at the stage where I wanted the transformation to happen faster, but the pride I felt was making it hard not to wish for it.
"Your face is beginning to change." John said.
"Nak, I know." I said. I let go of the Humans and looked at them. "I have enough tail to walk, I can still guide you out, but you can't come back, understood?"
"What are you saying?" John asked.
"That's always the problem with you, Humans. Just because you're in a hurry, you just barge into people's homes and-" I rubbed my head. "Oh, sorry. I forgot who I was for a moment." I looked at my body in annoyance. "Can't this thing hurry up!?"
"You're at the point of no return." John said morosely.
"Yeah, I am." I said. I walked over to a wall and slid open a panel. "But it also means I know where there are hidden paths. This will be a tight squeeze for you." I looked at Jimmy. "You okay, Human?"
"Aye." He said. "Just wonderin' why we're not fouckin' turning into bloudy Kobolds."
"The dungeon's focusing all its attention on me, it knows we're trying to get out, so it's trying to get as many monsters as it can." The Humans crawled behind me as I let them through the passageway. We came out on the other side, inside a small treasure room.
I looked at them. "Every instinct is telling me if you so much as touch a shiny, you die." I warned. I walked over to the treasure and picked up a dagger, then a sword, and then a bow and arrows. "There are no rules that say I can't give them to you."
John took the bow, while Jimmy took the sword. I then picked up a ring and held it out to Jimmy. "This is a cursed item, it forces men to become women and the reverse. It only works once. Put it on."
"What?" He asked.
"Now, unless you like having breasts and being ogled at."
He took the ring and put it on. As his body physically changed, he drew in a shuddering gasp and began crying.
I sighed. "Look, we've got three hours before I'm stuck here for good, I'm starting to get annoyed with you Humans, and the one of you is going to start changing." I looked at them both. "Unless you want it, we can't waste time."
They nodded.
I scoured the rest of the room for anything of immediate use, then grabbed a bag of holding, shoved as much gold inside of it as I could, and carried it on my back. "When we get outside, you are going to need to drag me out of here. I am going to get violent. No matter what I do, keep me away from this place."
They nodded.
We kept moving, going faster because I knew where we were, and I knew the quickest path outside.
We stepped into a hallway, and I saw the bastard who killed my brother.
"If you walk forward past two hallways, the third one will take you to the entrance." I said, handing them my bag.
"What?" John asked.
"Are you bloudy fouckin thick, mate?" Jimmy asked.
I looked at them. "I can't let that man live. Not only did he kill my brother, but if he gets taken by the dungeon, he'll take control of it. I'll die before I let that happen. So go, and don't wait for me."
I started running down the hallway, dagger grasped in hand, seething hatred burning in every fiber of my body. I stepped onto a pressure plate and leapt, letting out a mighty battle cry. The man looked up at me, grinned, and then was speared in the side by a trap. Before he could even react, I landed on his shoulder and slit his throat.
The dungeon was safe, the treasures were safe, except there were two Humans leaving. I yanked my dagger out. "Nak nak nak nak nak!" I snapped as I raced down the hallway. There they were, just outside. Waiting for me.
I snarled, running headlong at them. "Humans!" I screeched. "Those shinies belong to the dungeon!"
I leapt at the nearest Human, who kicked me out of the air. I felt the wind get knocked out of me, my dagger flew out of my hand, an for a moment, I was completely stunned. The Human grabbed hold of me and I struggled to fight him off.
"Calm down!" He shouted. I froze. "Calm down, please. It's me, John."
"Shit." I said. "I was about ready to kill you."
"About?" He asked. "If Jimmy didn't kick you out of the air like that, you'd have bloody stabbed me."
He let go of me, I walked over to get my dagger, picked it up, and looked back at my home.
My home.
I looked at John. "I can't abandon my home like this." I said. "Who will maintain all of the traps? Who is going to empty out the pits? Who is going to kill the foolish Humans who come seeking our treasure?"
John knelt down to my height and grabbed my shoulders.
"You used to be Human." He said. "You helped us escape, even to the very end. You asked us to take you with us, and we will."
I looked back at my home, then started walking away from it. It hurt, it felt like my soul was being ripped out. I didn't have any memories except as a Kobold, I didn't know anywhere except the dungeon.
Two hands grabbed hold of me and lifted me up before placing me down on a pair of shoulders.
"Don't worry, we've got you, you bloody reptile."
"Keep talking like that, you smelly Human, and I'll-!" I cut myself off. "Sorry."
They kept carrying me through the forest. Every now and again, I looked back, the dungeon was still calling me, telling me to come home.
But I couldn't.
We walked into an empty village, John and Jimmy hesitated for a moment.
"Let me down." I said. He did so, and I pushed open a door. "Help me loot the place, we're going to need food and water."
"Bout, that's immoral." Jimmy said.
"Says the Humans lugging around a bag of dungeon gold!" I snapped. "Bloody ingrates, can't even appreciate when a Kobold's trying to help them survive."
We went through the village's stores, helping ourselves to anything that was still good.
I paused as I passed by a dead Human on the ground. I looked at him, his head caved in half by something, maybe an axe.
I searched through his pockets and found some coins, a silver identification tag, and a letter. I opened the letter, read the contents, then threw it aside.
It was unfortunate for those two, but it didn't matter a whit to me. I looked at the Human again, my vision blurring. I wiped my eyes and looked at the tears that stained my beautiful scales.
My breathing hitched, and though I didn't understand why, I began to weep.
Why did I care about some dead Human?

I (20 F) chose not to give my mom a plus one to my wedding. My mom played both parental roles in my sister & I’s life & did her best with support from her family. While I acknowledge the difficulties my mom faced in raising us & her desire for love & companionship, she often prioritized her relationships over our well-being. Bringing new partners into our lives after only a few dates or neglecting her parental responsibilities became a norm. Despite my own personal issues & attachment to these men, their presence was often fleeting, leading to disappointment & instability. After my mother & “Mitch” divorced in December 2018, she quickly moved her boyfriend “Gabe” into our home. My sister & I expressed our discomfort with this situation, but our concerns were dismissed. This pattern repeated with other men my mom dated, as they would come into our lives, only to disappear shortly afterward. My mom's relationships had varying durations; some lasting a few weeks while others a few months. My mom began dating "David" in August 2019, & he soon asked my sister & me for permission to propose to our mom. However, just weeks before Christmas, we discovered he had a fiancée. My mom had my sister & I help remove his belongings from our home. Despite subsequent attempts by my mom to conceal David's visits through lies, we could see everything through the ring doorbell. When I expressed my discomfort & lack of trust, my concerns were disregarded. Eventually, my mom found drugs hidden in her bathroom, leading to David's final departure. Following these events, my mom entered a new relationship with “Jean” in April 2020. He quickly moved in, & they married that August. I formed a strong attachment to “Jean”, & for a while, it felt like a genuine family dynamic, especially during COVID-19 when we spent significant time together. I decided to move out in September 2020 to live with my current fiancé. Over the next year & a half, my mom frequently called me to discuss her relationship issues, expecting my sister & me to treat “Jean” as a father figure but also side with her whenever problems arose. In January 2022, I expressed my discomfort with this dynamic & decided it was best for my mom to seek guidance elsewhere. Due to this, I am unaware of the cause, but my mom & “Jean” separated in August 2022 & finalized their divorce this year. Now that my sister & I are living on our own, we have communicated to our mom that we don't want to be involved in her dating life & prefer not to meet her partners until we are ready. When my mom received the invitation to my wedding addressed only to her, I reminded her of my discomfort with meeting her romantic interests, especially at such a significant event. Since then, she has been distant, & her texts have reflected a change in her tone. It's worth noting that my mom is providing financial assistance for a significant portion of the wedding. AITA? 

The mission to attack the Icarus begins. So John and his squadron go off to... fight other pirates? I hope you enjoy.
I am on vacation until next Tuesday. I am looking forward to some downtime. I am still planning on getting a chapter out on Tuesday.
Terran Space Story: The Lieutenant Saga
Academy Days First Previous Next

Chapter 116: Attack

3 Days Later. March 3rd, 2267. 0:22 Paximus System – Inner Asteroid Belt
The CNS Waukesha and Ugley blasted through the dimensional portal back into real space. The portal behind them grew distant to them by the second before it faded to nonexistence. They were moving at a speed only military craft can achieve during the transition. There was a certain urgency found in both ships.
“Barbara, point us down ten degrees, all ahead flank,” John said, “Emily, make sure the Ugley stays in close to us.”
“On it,” both women said in unison.
“You are really banking on the pirate’s systems being that shit, sir?” Brian, the rather outspoke petty officer, said from his station.
“Not going to matter one way or another if they are better than assumed. That station will cease to be,” John answered in his monotone matter-of-fact tone.
“I’m getting a communique from Paximus Ultra, the governor is asking us to cease hostilities…”
“Advise the governor that should he enjoy his position in this system he had best adhere to Confederate doctrines and policies. Replacements for him and others of his ilk can easily be found.”
“Telling the governor to go fuck himself,” Emily grinned as she then whispered over to Barbara, “Never a dull moment.”
“Contacts, bearing three-three-two, effectively dead ahead of us,” Willy said, “Eight confirmed pirate vessels.”
John pushed a button on his armrest, “Captain Taylor, I suspect your marines are ready to go?”
“That they are. Three shuttles are prepped and ready. We’re sending a fourth over to bring back prisoners.”
“Once we deal with the initial attackers, we’ll get y’all dropped off nice and cozy like to their base. Standard rules of engagement are to be followed,” John said, “Remember, no massacres. That will draw them out of hiding but we don’t need that bullshit to follow us.”
“Understood. We’ll give them the kid glove treatment.”
John grinned. The bridge crew was focused and executing. The moments of brief levity, though few and far between, helped cut the tension a bit. There was a time and place for them, now being one of them. John looked at the tactical map and the distance between ships was closing at a horrifying pace.
“Out weapons range in ten seconds,” Brian said.
“Weapons hot, all power to forward shields,” John said before looking back at Emily, “Tell the Ugley to break off and attack in ten seconds on my mark. Mark.”
Exactly ten seconds later the Ugley engaged its maneuvering thrusters and accelerated away from the Icarus. Where the pirates thought there was one ship, there were now two. The Confederate ships only needed the pirates to lose concentration for a moment.
That moment was the brief hesitation in seeing the tactical contacts increase to two and not decisively acting at that precise moment. John thought that was a bit of a stretch since the moment they got into guns range they were effectively dead men, but there was no now hope for escape.
Rail turrets and lance batteries began firing off into the void. The Ugley coordinated its movements in a way that kept it out of the Waukesha’s line of fire. Getting tapped by a friendly rail round would not end well. Their attack ran started above the plane the Waukesha and pirates were on.
The Ugley only had the spinal-mounted railgun. It fired a solitary round, though it was of a much higher caliber and was far more deadly than the rail turrets the Waukesha had. Her accuracy needed to be of much higher accuracy to be effective. Its attitude changed abruptly with the firing of maneuvering thrusters and killing the primary thrusters.
Her bow was now pointed in the direction of the pirate ships. The telltale sign of electromagnetic whining followed by a thump internally told everyone onboard the Ugley that the main railgun was firing. The lances were firing off bursts of fire constantly as well, though the ship’s systems did a much better job of hiding the noise pollution inside the vessel from that weapon system.
To an outside observer, it would appear like the Waukesha was just blasting at the enemy. But each turret was tracking a different target and was volley-firing the turrets at each turret. Like the Ugly the Waukesha had cut its main engines and used her maneuvering thrusters to force the stern towards the enemy ships. This way seven of her turrets could be fired.
Forty-nine seconds was all it took between the time they reached the outer engagement range and the last time they fired a shot in anger to clear out the enemy pirate ships. The lance batteries pierced the enemy ships’ hulls but didn’t cause a massive explosion. The life of the ship just ceased to be. Unlike the five that were put down by railgun fire, each of them blew up in a bright explosion of plasma.
“Barbara, come about to one-three-four. Brian, begin targeting any defensive batteries on the enemy station,” John said calmly, “We’ll stay on red alert until we’re done with the combat portion of this operation.”
“My scans aren’t showing any defensive weaponry,” Brian sounded confused but looked even more given the scans he was reviewing, “We are on the wrong side of the asteroid though.”
“I am confirming the same thing. If they have any, they aren’t on the surface of the asteroid that we can see,” Willy added.
“Captain Taylor,” John said after pushing the button on his chair, “We’re going to delay green lighting your step of this operation until we can see the other side of this asteroid. I’m not going to send your Marines into that base without us being able to cover them.”
“Understood.”
“Emily, tell the Ugley to scan the remaining wrecks for any life signs. Then have her go to a high orbit scanning for any hostiles. Also, contact the Basilone, I want to know if our sneaky boy has identified any recent pirate activity.”
“On it, sir,” Emily said.
“Twenty seconds until we can see the pirate base,” Barbara said from the helm.
“Willy, full power to bow shielding. Brian, prep the lances and laser batteries. No railguns, I don’t want to crack the rock,” John said as he looked at the tactical readout.
The base defenses were unlikely to offer much deterrence to the attacker in this case. But John didn’t want a random rail round smacking the Waukesha in a tender place. Explaining how they were pulling out of the operation because of damage sustained in a barely justifiable attack on a pirate stronghold would be difficult.
Nevertheless, John was committed to this course of action. If they didn’t do something the Icarus could just lay low in places unknown. It was up to the Confederate Navy to lure them out. John was surprised that the admiralty hadn’t properly considered the best way to lure them out of hiding.
“Firing port laser batteries,” Brian said, “Tracking multiple missile batteries.”
Red beams of light shot out from the laser batteries one after another. Multiple anti-ship missile systems were struck before they could lock on and fire at the Waukesha. John was quietly happy that their tracking systems were as shit as he had hoped they were. It appeared that the pirate base required a line of sight for proper target tracking.
The lances activated and targeted the few rail batteries that the pirates had set up. Unlike the missile batteries, their operations seemed to not have any proper tracking but were manually operated. John shook his head when saw how their defenses were set up.
“The rail cannons were set up like anti-aircraft batteries on old U.S. naval ships from the second world war,” John said.
“Like shooting fish in a barrel,” Brian said, “Defenses are now eliminated.”
John stood up and walked forward to stand between his helmsmen and communications officer. He let out a deep breath and then looked down at Emily. He made a quick gesture which she picked up on immediately.
“Captain Taylor, you have a go,” John stared at the screen, “Remember, kids' glove treatment.”
“Oorah,” Bart’s response was as simple as it was telling.
“Emily, I don’t suppose the prison ship has gotten back to us?”
“They have, actually. They will transition into this system in three hours. Which means they should be here in five hours.”
“Perfect timing. We should be able to begin sending over those we captured by the time they arrive,” John turned to look back at the rear of the bridge, “Willy, how long were the estimates to clear that base?”
“Eight hours on a good day. Twelve on a bad one.”
“The Ugley reports back that there were no survivors from the pirate attack force,” Emily said, “The Basilone isn’t reporting any additional pirate traffic, but the amount of coded chatter has increased substantially.”
“Another base?” John asked.
“Seems to be the case,” Emily said firmly.
“I want the location of that base ASAP,” John said as he walked back to his chair, “Please let both ships know about their great work thus far. Stay on edge though, I don’t think we’re done with pirates.”
Four hours later a shift change took place on time. While the ship remained at alert stations no new pirate activity was found. The prison ship would arrive on schedule, a first in John’s recollections. The Marines would begin ferrying over those that they captured on the base.
The planetary governor’s protestations at the military action fell on deaf ears. That wasn’t entirely untrue, they did fall on uncaring ears. The Waukesha would forward the communique and requests sent by the planet to Naval Intelligence. The boogeymen could clean house on the planet if they saw fit, John’s focus was elsewhere.
The next phase of this process involved tracking down and attacking the other pirate stronghold. John found it somewhat curious that Naval Intelligence hadn’t heard about a second one in this station. Either Naval Intelligence was slipping, or the pirates had done an excellent job in keeping this one a secret. Though in the end, it didn’t matter, it would follow the same fate as the base they were orbiting now.
The operation took a few minutes, over ten hours to finish. Once the Marines left the pirate base the Waukesha unloaded several volleys from her railguns. The base, and the asteroid, were shattered. Never again would they be whole or rebuilt here.
March 4th, 2267. 16:15 Paximus System – En Route to the Outer Asteroid Belt
The inner asteroid belt was a fantastic source of silicon and carbon. The rocks there lacked the mineral wealth that most miners desired. That wealth was found in the outer belt. Virtually every rock prospected there held trace elements of platinum group metals or gold. In many cases, they also contained high amounts of other in-demand minerals.
As a result, there was far more traffic in the outer reaches of the solar system than in the inner belt or near where the system’s colony was located. Not surprisingly there was a much higher probability of interacting with pirates here than anywhere else in the system.
Either the pirates had been smart and avoided people, or they were simply laying low for a time. The CNS Basilone had identified and tracked down the hidden pirate base. The sneaky bastards had used the other base as a front for their real actions.
“Oscar, fucking brilliant work,” John said cheerfully, “But now you’ve opened up Pandora’s fucking box for us. God damn locals have been using pirates as their local militia.”
“Thanks to the other attack there’s plenty of traffic going through this station,” Oscar said, “How do you want to play this?”
“Easy, Tessa and I are going to assault them. I want you covering our rear. Stay hidden but if any ships try to flank us or escape, pop them.”
“There are a lot of defenses on this base. And it’s about five times the size as the other one,” Tessa said, “Wait, Oscar, am I seeing this right?”
The image on the screen zoomed in. All three captains could see what Tessa was looking at. There were hundreds of rail cannons scattered across the surface of the asteroid.
“Small caliber. They outrange our laser batteries, but our lances outrange them in turn,” Oscar said, “The problem is there are hundreds of these things.”
“How sure are we that their targeting systems work?” John asked.
“It tracks things, but does so poorly,” Oscar shrugged, “That’s at least from what we’ve been able to determine.”
John stared at the image. It wasn’t an impossible ask, but if they did attack the base, they’d have to go all in to achieve success in the assault. The truth of the matter is the defenses and pirate ships were gnats or mosquitos compared to their military vessels. Even still, it wasn’t a guarantee that they’d get off without taking damage.
“Fuck it, let’s just charge in at them,” Tessa said.
“Ahh, the good ol’ fuck it strategy. That always works,” Oscar tried to sound respectful but utterly failed in doing so.”
“Tally ho,” John was grinning.
“You cannot be serious,” Oscar looked at John, “The risk-reward here…”
“Oscar, you plot a wide course around us. Try to avoid the firing arcs aimed at us,” John said, “They shouldn’t detect us for another ten minutes. By then it’s going to be too late to do much of anything. Tessa, I want the Marines onboard the Ugley to coordinate with Captain Taylor. We’re going to need everyone to clean that shithole out.”
“I’ll get on the coms to get another prison transport. Might be a while before we can get another one to be here in the system. That was a stroke of luck that we had earlier.”
“Good hunting to us all,” John said as he stood up from his chair.
He strode onto the bridge and walked over to the captain’s chair. Ingrid had moved over to the reserve officer’s seat to the right of the captain’s seat. She looked up at John.
“What’s the plan, Captain?”
“Opted for the ‘fuck it’ strategy,” John said calmly.
Walter snickered at the weapons console behind him, “Spooling up the VIs. How difficult are you going to make it for us?”
“Hard. We’re going to be going balls-to-the-walls fast. We need to strike as many targets as possible to soften their defenses,” John said, “Tess, let the CAG know we’re going to need all the drones we have available for this. I’m hoping we only need to orbit that hunk of rock once to wipe out their defenses.”
“Letting them know now,” Tess said as she was typing away at her console.
“Helm, all ahead full.”
Rex nodded, “Aye aye. All ahead full.”
The Waukesha’s primary drive core received the command for more power. It delivered that power a split second later. Even with the artificial gravity and inertial dampeners, spikes of acceleration could still be felt inside the ship, though they were greatly weakened to ensure they wouldn’t pulp the crew.
Just a moment later the force placed on the crew disappeared. They were still accelerating forward. The Ugley followed close by the Waukesha and matched the maneuvers gracefully. Both ships looked angry. And in minutes that anger was going to be unleashed on their enemy. The pirates were hopelessly outmatched.
But their enemy being outmatched made them dangerous. An enemy with no hope could do any number of things. So, despite their foes being outmatched, John and company needed to be smart. An enemy that was willing to lash out in rage was one to be wary of.
The Waukesha and Ugley sped through the asteroid belt. The Basilone was well ahead of the angry warships but was running quietly. None would know if that warship was present unless they were directly behind them.
Five minutes later the lead warships could finally see the enemy asteroid. Long-range scans showed several pirate vessels orbiting the station. Engine plumes could be seen from ships that were docked along its outer docking ring. The pirates knew the Confederates would come, but they had caught them flat-footed.
“Time to outer rail gun range?” John asked.
Walter grinned, “That is a target-rich environment. Sixty seconds until outer range.”
“What’s the estimate on those docked ships moving?” John asked, “And can you shoot them without causing catastrophic damage to the station.”
“Well,” Walter stopped and began thinking about the question more deeply, “They might lose the outer docking rim.”
“Acceptable risk, red alert. Weapons hot,” John said as he looked at the tactical display, “Fire when ready.”
“CNS Ugley requests permission to engage the ships in orbit,” Tess said.
“Permission granted, happy hunting,” John said.
The Ugley fired its maneuvering thrusters, and it shot up away from the plane the two were on. It was time to hunt pirates. Despite the actions from a few days ago, this ship was itching to score more pirate kills.
Moments later the four forward-facing rail turrets began opening fire on the Waukesha. Each turret fired a volley at a docked ship. At these ranges, there were some concerns about stray rounds striking the asteroid the station was built into. One or two rounds wouldn’t likely crack the asteroid, but they risked causing a rapid decompression in parts of the pirate base.
That risk would be worth taking if it eliminated potential hostile ships. The biggest issue is if family members or children were killed. While the pirates hated the Confederate policy of sending the wives and children they weren’t simply killed off.
There was hope, however small and faint, that they could be reunited or see one another later. Obviously, that hope is gone forever the moment they die. Pirates may not like the Navy, but the prisoners were generally treated well enough. But if those family members end up dead that treatment could change.
John wasn’t worried about politics. There was one more base to eliminate. That was all that mattered. Just as he thought about the potential issues the first rail rounds found their targets. Several ships suffered catastrophic damage. One’s fusion core was struck, vaporizing everything in a three-hundred-meter circle.
“Nice shootin’ Tex,” John smiled.
“Like shooting fish in a barrel.”
“Keep it up, we have more pirates to put down and a base to kill. Let’s get properly stuck in.”
The Waukesha’s primary engines continued to flare at full power. It was closing the distance rapidly. The lances and laser batters opened up. They were now getting properly stuck in. The Ugley, well they were a step ahead of the Waukesha, she was already engaged with multiple pirate vessels. John couldn’t help but grin at the combat, a feeling shared not only by his crew but his squadron mates as well.

​
Re:
​
Over the past year and a half, following my complaint to the EEOC, I have continuously been subjected to harassment and retaliation by my former employer. The situation escalated when I came across an audiotape revealing the company's VP of Finance discussing financial fraud. I have attached my EEOC complaint and rebuttal to provide you with a better understanding of this situation. The company has embarked on a campaign of retaliation and attempts to cover up the truth. Recently, I discovered that my phone was under surveillance by private investigators hired by my previous employer, Socure Inc. As mentioned earlier, this harassment began at my local YMCA, where multiple individuals were instructed to participate in a planned campaign targeting me. Socure extended their actions beyond the YMCA by continuously tracking my cellphone's location wherever I went. Initially, I suspected I was being followed, but I later realized that my phone had been compromised. My messages and calls were being monitored, and even my home internet seemed to be tapped into. Furthermore, I have reason to believe that my bank transactions were being monitored as well. I am being targeted because I disclosed illegal activities involving the VP of Finance, which he was afraid to share. I’m one hundred percent certain that Socure hacked into my cellphone to eavesdrop on all conversations. Any and all things that I discuss with my wife would later be discussed amongst gym goers, at multiple Mosque, and random places I often visit. I have attached my EEOC compliant for further assessment of this situation.
​
The following individuals, whom I suspect were compensated, were involved in collecting information about me and fabricating false allegations:
* Sonia Atherly, the Director of the YMCA
* Stephin Roberts, a YMCA member who became a friend
* Ade A. (last name unknown), a YMCA member who became a friend
* Andre Nelson, a friend from Downtown YMCA Brooklyn whom I haven't spoken to in two years
* Austin Hill, a YMCA member who accompanied Andre Nelson
* Ethan, a YMCA member (last name unknown)
* Torell Taylor, a YMCA member
* Multiple neighbors: units 5A, 5F, and 2X PHE
* Serdar Cam, former neighbor and new neighbor at 322 Gates Ave
* Trevor (last name unknown), a YMCA member
* Justin (last name unknown), a YMCA member
* An unidentified female YMCA member who unexpectedly appeared at a restaurant where my wife and I were in Puerto Rico
* Gavin Tseng, a former friend who orchestrated a scheme involving real estate and a startup concept
​
Retaliations took place at the following locations:
* Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA: 1121 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216
* Brooklyn Mosque Khalifa: 120 Madison St, Brooklyn, NY
* Islamic Mission of America/Dawood Mosque: 143 State St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
* Airport Travels: JFK AirTrain
* Puerto Rico Vacation: Hilton Hotel
* Trip to Milwaukee: Airbnb rental at 1028 East Juneau Avenue, Unit 416, Milwaukee, WI 53202
* Supermarket in Brooklyn: 1420 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11216
* Multiple Banking Institutions: Chase at 1380 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11216 & TD Bank at 957 Marcy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216
* Multiple NYC Train Platforms: Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station & 125th Street Station
* Apartment Building: 322 Gates Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216
​
Types of framing and allegations being built against me:
* Resume fraud
* Real estate fraud
* Influencing people to file lawsuits
* Influencing neighbors to complain
* False restaurant reporting
* False robbery attempt
* And more...
​
​
Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA Director, Sonia Atherly - Staged Office Phone Video Recording:
Sonia Atherly, the director of the Bedstuy YMCA, participated in a retaliatory campaign. On September 29, 2022, she requested a meeting with me in her office. During our conversation, she pulled out her phone and began recording from her work monitor, alleging that a masked individual had entered the gym. She even asked me to view the video footage. While I complied, her phone continued recording, capturing my voice in the process. This action appears to be an attempt to counter the accusations made by the VP of Finance regarding fraudulent activities and manipulate my voice recordings to paint a negative picture of my behavior. In response to my concerns, the YMCA director provided the following reply: "Hi Lou. I believe that it was on Tuesday, and I was actually taking photos, so no, your voice would not have been captured in any way. To be clear, we do not record conversations at the Y in any way, shape, or form unless we have signed event waivers. I hope this clarifies the matter for you." On September 30, 2022, Sonia orchestrated an incident where the same individual showed up at the front desk as I was leaving, hoping to provoke a response from me and involve me in their investigation. For months, non-members of the YMCA were allowed to come into the facility and harass me while surveillance cameras were purposely turned off to destroy any possible evidence.
​
Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA Program Coordinator, Jeff (Damian Best):
Upon my arrival at the basketball gym, Jeff, the program coordinator, and a parent with her child were already present. After requesting Jeff to wait a few more minutes, the parent engaged in a heated argument with him, demanding to know why her child couldn't participate since no one else was there. I reassured her that while I didn't mind, Jeff was responsible for setting the rules. She eventually left the gym in an angry state. Their intention was to have me report the incident to management and portray me as someone who constantly complains. On October 4, 2022, I sent an email to myself for record-keeping purposes.
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Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA Member, Ade (last name starting with "A"):
On Saturday, October 8, 2022, Ade and I agreed to meet for a late lunch at "The Green Place" in Brooklyn. I noticed that he kept referencing financial figures related to specific people he worked with. I suspect he has also been recruited to participate in Socure's retaliation against me. Their goal is to capture recordings of me to use them against me, claiming that I habitually record people. Ade also expressed dissatisfaction with the YMCA's adult open gym times during Saturday's basketball hours. He mentioned having discussed it with the front desk. On October 9, 2022, Ade sent me a screenshot of the YMCA's response to his request. It's important to note that I never made any complaints. As someone who lives near the YMCA and often wakes up early, I told him, "I don't want to play." Once again, Socure is attempting to build a case portraying me as someone who incessantly complains and records people to divert attention from their own misconduct. Multiple members were instructed to complain to me so that my name can be implicated. I believe that individuals are being compensated to assist them. In early May 2023, both Ade and Stephin Roberts repeatedly interrupted my workout in an attempt to initiate a conversation with me.
​
Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA member, Stephin Roberts - Staged information gathering:
Stephin Roberts, a fellow YMCA member, unexpectedly called me after we crossed paths at the gym, which was an unusual occurrence. We exchanged brief greetings, and I proceeded with my workout. I suspect that his intention in calling me was to record our conversation and use it against me, falsely claiming that I frequently record people, which is entirely untrue. Given that my cellphone was being tracked, it seemed that whenever I left my home, I would coincidentally encounter Mr. Roberts. He had been instructed to fabricate a false DUI incident to elicit personal information from me regarding a case on my record that had been expunged. During our conversation, I shared a past experience of mine involving a car accident I had when I was younger while dating someone, as well as my advice on expungement, recounting a personal incident that happened to me. At the time, I thought Mr. Roberts was a genuine person with good intentions. I believe Socure will be attempting to coordinate and get me arrested for theft or burglary based on the previous expunged records, trying to paint a negative image of who I am. I believe Stephin Roberts has been recording me as a tactic instructed by Socure's private investigator.
​
Friend from Downtown YMCA Brooklyn whom I haven't spoken with in two years, Andre Nelson at Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA:
I haven't had any communication with Andre Nelson for more than two years. However, he unexpectedly appeared at the gym I regularly attend on a Wednesday evening, despite it not being in close proximity to his residence. Subsequently, Mr. Nelson started frequenting the gym with his friend Austin Hill. Together, they began coordinating with YMCA members, informing them about my situation with Socure. Within one week, one of Austin Hill's Facebook friends reached out to me, mentioning a potential collaboration with someone they knew, namely Austin Hill. As I stated, I've never met Mr. Hill nor had any connection with people he knew outside of Mr. Nelson. When I encountered Mr. Hill during the following open gym session, he acted as though nothing had transpired, and I played along. Additionally, Austin requested certain documents from me for his business, but I never fulfilled his request. To confirm my suspicions that Austin was attempting to set me up, I orchestrated an event by telling him, "Yeah, man, girls don't care if you have a ring on. They will approach you. Come to this bar tonight." Upon my arrival at the bar a few minutes later, a woman wearing a wedding band tried to get my attention. However, I sensed that it was a staged occurrence. When Andre Nelson and Austin Hill arrived, they infiltrated the group of members, instructing them to provoke me during the basketball game while secretly recording my reactions. At one point, a member named Justin threw a water bottle, and the situation escalated.
​
Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA member, Trevor - Staged information gathering:
Trevor started asking and mentioning multiple work-related questions. On October 7, 2023, he mentioned having a quarterly review and asked for suggestions. Within weeks later, Trevor asked me if I knew any lawyers as he was dealing with a housemaid who was suing him. This same situation happened with more than two other members (Stephin Roberts, Kadeem Kirsten) in which they asked me attorney-related questions. I believe he was instructed to record our conversations.
Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA member, Torrell Taylor:
As previously mentioned, I believe that the YMCA's Director is monitoring my interactions with other gym members in order to collaborate with them. Their objective is to falsely claim that "Lou is influencing people to document incidents," all with the intention of tarnishing my reputation. Additionally, Socure allegedly requested Torrell to open a restaurant in downtown Brooklyn as part of their scheme to build a case against me. YMCA member Justin repeatedly approached me, informing me that Torrell had opened a restaurant with poor-quality food and suggested I visit. Upon receiving this information from Torrell himself, I decided to pay the restaurant a visit. However, Torrell was not present during my first visit. I attempted a second visit, only to discover that the restaurant was closed. When I texted Torrell to inquire about the closure, he responded that there had been an issue with the owner's licensing. It is apparent to me that this was a staged event orchestrated by Socure to fabricate a case against me by falsely claiming that I reported violations against Torrell's restaurant. As mentioned earlier, I strongly believe that my phone was being tracked, and it is possible that a separate line was used to make false reports under my information.
Furthermore, my emails were also subjected to hacking.
​
Wireless Earbuds Planned at the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA open gym by Kadeem Kirsten - early 2022:
To ensure my privacy and personal space during the YMCA open gym sessions, I started choosing a spot away from others. I made sure to thoroughly clean the area where I sat, removing any bottles, wipes, or other items. After finishing my workout, I briefly went to the bathroom, and upon my return, I noticed a wireless earbud near the window close to my chair. I suspect that Khadim Kirsten intentionally placed the earbud there as he kept watching me closely. Mr. Kirsten also asked me for legal advice as well as a UX Designer, the same exact topic that Gavin Tseng asked me. Mr. Kirsten is one of those new members who never came to the YMCA. Upon rejecting Socure's settlement offer in January 2023, that's when all of these new members started coming to open basketball nights.
​
Mosque Khalifa on Bedford Ave: Sept 2, 2022, at 120 Madison St, Brooklyn, NY, United States, New York:
During the service at Mosque Khalifa on Bedford Ave, the preacher persistently addressed a specific topic related to my case. He made references to "a brother within this community, one of our own, who made a recording" in an apparent attempt to divert attention to the tape I had recorded. Following my complaint to the EEOC through email, the recording was promptly deleted on the same day, which I later submitted to the EEOC. I started attending Islamic Mission of America/Dawood Mosque at 143 State St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, and immediately, I was followed by an individual who repeatedly tried to have a conversation with me. I was also followed to a Mosque in Harlem, NY.
​
T-Mobile Visit Tracking / Unauthorized new number added at 574 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217:
Concerned about the security of my internet connection with Verizon, I visited T-Mobile to add a new line specifically for internet access. To my surprise, shortly after arriving at the store, a male approached the same register I was standing at and started asking questions. A few days after leaving the store, I discovered that a new phone line had been added to my T-Mobile account without my knowledge or consent. I promptly contacted T-Mobile customer service to inquire about the data usage associated with that particular number, but unfortunately, I did not receive the requested information. I believe Socure hacked my home network, such as my laptop, tablet, Television and home camera. For the past year and a half, Socure has managed to view all of my browsing history. I believe they kept contacting lawyers that I reached out to after every visit I made on their website to avoid me from being represented. In additional, after noticing that my email accounts were hacked, I wrote a statement indicating that my emails were hacked in which I got notarized at TD Bank.
​
​
Grocery Shopping Brooklyn:
During my visit to the local supermarket, I noticed several individuals following me closely, paying particular attention to the food items I was selecting and the card I used for payment. I believe I was being followed long before I started to notice.
* May 8, 2023, at 1420 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11216
* May 1, 2023, at 1420 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11216
​
Online Job Targeting:
I have been repeatedly targeted for specific jobs and companies, which I believe are staged by Socure, just as they did by involving me in a company backed by their investors to stage multiple events against me while interfering with my employment. I was lured into Plural, formerly known as Civic Eagle, where multiple African American candidates who did not qualify were being hired without my knowledge. All whom I’ve never spoke with. I suspect that Socure somehow gained access to my T-Mobile account and requested my entire call history to monitor my communications. Furthermore, I believe that when I sought legal counsel after receiving the EEOC's authorization to file a lawsuit, Socure clandestinely intervened in my calls to every law firm I contacted.
​
Puerto Rico Vacation on Dec 23, 2022:
Upon our arrival at our room in Puerto Rico, we noticed a black male who entered a room adjacent to ours shortly after us. However, after a couple of days, we did not see him again.
During a visit to a restaurant in Puerto Rico, I recognized the hostess as the same woman I had encountered multiple times at the YMCA. She had her head covered with a white scarf. As I was seated facing the entrance, she deliberately made eye contact with me, seemingly aware that I recognized her. After finishing lunch, this same woman followed us to the waterfront and watched us closely.
​
Neighbor Tracking Movement at 322 Gates Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216:
Every time I left my building, I noticed a consistent pattern where the neighbor from 5F would coincidentally head towards the elevator, wait in the lobby, and enter the building exactly at the same time. This behavior raised suspicions and led me to believe that individuals from 5A were strategically positioned next door, potentially tapping our walls to eavesdrop on our conversations. The neighbor in 5A, whom I knew through the YMCA, repeatedly complained about the building while urging me to submit a work order. I also suspect that Socure assisted one of my former neighbors, Serdar Cam, in moving into the building after they discovered my text messages about potentially moving there. Immediately after moving in, Serdar started complaining as well. I believe Socure was involved in placing a previous female tenant in the building, who also complained to me on multiple occasions about the building.
​
Uber License Training:
Once again, Socure monitored the location of my phone and deployed individuals to the classroom where I was attending classes in Long Island City in early March 2023. After completing the classes, I became too afraid of potentially facing false rider allegations.
​
New Open Gym Invitation by Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA member Ethan, Andre Nelson was present on March 2, 2023, at 300 Adelphi, Brooklyn, NY 11205:
Ethan, a fellow YMCA member, invited me to join him at a nearby gym. To my surprise, Andre Nelson was also in attendance. While playing on the court, I noticed one of the players guarding me had a conspicuous microphone attached to them, and an Asian woman diligently captured footage from different angles with a video camera. I believe they were recording my voice and actions on the court. Additionally, it seems that after complaining about what happened at the YMCA, members are being instructed to engage me outside the YMCA to diffuse the situation. This incident further raised my suspicion that our apartment might be under surveillance, as I had previously mentioned Andre Nelson's presence at the open gym to my wife. Moreover, during the open run, I noticed the unexpected presence of multiple YMCA members from the Downtown Brooklyn location, whom I hadn't encountered in the past four years. I firmly believe that Andre Nelson orchestrated their participation and that they were strategically placed as collaborators by Socure.
​
New Gym Invites
After fully understanding that I knew about all of the plans in place at the YMCA, with the help of the YMCA Director, Sonia Atherly, multiple members were told to invite me to other gyms to built a campaign of “ this is Lou everywhere he goes”. Over six plus individuals were asked to invite me to new open gyms and men’s league to play in. This is all to avoid further problems at the gym.
​
Real Estate / Startup Venture Inquiry by Gavin Tseng:
Due to ongoing targeting, I decided to distance myself from everyone for months. However, my friend Gavin Tseng, whom I knew while living in Downtown Brooklyn, repeatedly invited me to his upstate home and wanted me to see properties he was interested in purchasing. It was quite unusual that Mr. Tseng would frequently text me, asking about my availability on specific days. I suspect that Mr. Tseng was recording our conversations during the trips and multiple phone calls, where he sought my help with UX Designing for his apartment rental car service. I believe Socure conducted research on my past work history, including my involvement in a Delegate campaign in Maryland for a real estate professional. I suspect that Socure fabricated false accusations against this individual and used my information to create misleading claims, leveraging my network and devices.
​
Subways / Stores Staged Evidence Building:
Regardless of the subway station I find myself in, I consistently experience being followed by random individuals who are instructed to approach me closely while holding their cellphones up to my face and posing questions. On multiple occasions, I recall three females approaching me seeking guidance regarding subway directions, and I willingly offered my assistance. However, I have recently become aware that individuals, including camera operators, have been capturing these interactions on film as part of what appears to be a deliberate campaign to discredit me.
​
March 28, 2023 - Travel to Milwaukee:
While traveling to Milwaukee for a getaway from my wife after several disputes, I noticed that I was being followed at the airport. The surveillance continued throughout my stay at the Airbnb located at 1028 East Juneau Avenue, Unit 416, Milwaukee, WI 53202, from March 28, 2023, to April 11, 2023. I also experienced being followed at the Hertz car rental at 804 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, on April 6, 2023, and at the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlet at 11211 120th Ave, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158, on the same day.
​
April 12, 2023 - Returning back from Milwaukee:
Immediately after arriving back in New York City from my two-week vacation, at around 3:45 pm ET, just two minutes after landing, I received a text message from a YMCA member whom I hadn't communicated with in over three weeks. The message mentioned something along the lines of "See you tonight," which I promptly deleted. This unmistakable occurrence served as a clear indication that my phone was under surveillance and being tracked.
​
April 21, 2023 & May 7, 2023 - Vitamin Shoppe at 12 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217:
As I entered the Vitamin Shoppe in Downtown Brooklyn on Atlantic Ave, I noticed that I was being followed. While at the checkout counter, an African American gentleman positioned himself next to me, seemingly eavesdropping on my account information and the items I was purchasing. I strongly suspect that a similar incident occurred during my previous visit on April 21, 2023, although I was not actively observing at that time.
​
On May 6, 2023, between 11:30 am - 12:45 pm - JFK AirTrain:
Once again, I became aware that my phone was being tracked. I accompanied my wife to the airport as she was departing for Milwaukee. Upon arriving at the station, an assertive African American woman in her late 30s hurriedly approached us, despite the presence of multiple station operators. She aggressively stopped us and began asking for directions. Sensing something amiss, I promptly distanced myself from the situation while my wife attempted to assist her with the directions.
​
Friday, May 11, 2023 at Costco Eyewear at 517 E 117th St, New York, NY 10035: While I was sharing my information, a woman in her late 50s approached the counter and closely observed my personal details. I have come to believe that Socure has someone at Chase informing them of my location whenever I use my Chase bank card. The day before, I made purchases with my Chase card at Costco.
​
Friday, May 11, 2023 at Costco at 517 E 117th St, New York, NY 10035: While conversing with a product representative at Costco, a young female employee in her late teens or early twenties approached with an older Senegalese gentleman in his late 60s. The gentleman sought assistance with a product due to his limited English proficiency. As he showed me his phone up close, I noticed someone recording our interaction from a distance. Once again, I felt as though I was being followed. It seems that a private investigator was aware of my recent purchase of fish oil at Vitamin Shoppe on May 7, 2023, as well as my pursuit of becoming a personal trainer. They orchestrated the scenario with the gentleman asking me specific questions about fish oil. It's worth noting that the material I was studying for personal training explicitly states that trainers should not recommend any medication to individuals.
​
Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Hoyt Station in Brooklyn: Once more, I found myself being followed into the train station. While I was waiting there, a woman approached me once again, seeking directions. Without hesitation, I gestured towards someone else nearby and firmly replied, "No, ask her." Interestingly, there was a man across the platform holding two cameras, capturing the entire interaction between us. Following the unsuccessful attempt, the woman conversed with the man briefly before they both boarded the train.
Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Bedford and Quincy in Brooklyn: As I neared my apartment building, I noticed two cameramen once again attempting to record me. Sensing their presence and their intention to cross the street, I quickly changed course and crossed over to the other side, putting some distance between us.
​
Saturday, May 13, 2023 - TD Bank at 957 Marcy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216: While I was withdrawing cash from the ATM, a white male in his late 20s, accompanied by a dog, was recording me from outside. I also believe Socure did some digging into all of my transactions at my local banks, such as Chase and TD Bank.
​
Saturday, May 13, 2023 - Credit Card information altered: When I logged into my Discover Credit Card account, I observed that my information had been modified.
​
Monday, May 14, 2023 - Best Buy Brooklyn at 625 Atlantic Ave Ste A7, Brooklyn, NY 11217: Upon reaching the printing department at 12:14 pm ET, I was harassed by an African American woman in her late 60s. I ignored her and left through the opposite side, but she continued to follow me and tried to engage in a conversation.
​
Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Target 517 E 117th St Suite 201, New York, NY 10035, at 10:46 am ET: Upon realizing that I was aware of the cover-up occurring, where individuals were tailing me and inquiring with their phones in hand, Socure strategically positioned an African gentleman near the entrance of the targeted bathroom. They had been closely observing my actions. Remarkably, this man was dressed identically to me during the incident that unfolded on Friday, May 11, 2023
​
While waiting in line, I believe a Senegalese couple were instructed to chat about illegal activities intentionally while I was behind them and they absurdly moved to another line.
​
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - Cohen’s Fashion Optical at 86 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027: While retrieving my reading glasses from Costco, I discovered that the prescription was stronger than what was indicated in the eye examination. The lenses ended up negatively impacting my vision. I requested to review the physician's notes from the exam, but despite waiting for over 30 minutes, they were unable to provide any documentation as the physician was acting very strange. Instead, they gave me evasive responses, leading me to ultimately leave without a resolution.
​
May 18, 2023 - Chase Bank at 1380 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11216 @ 12 PM ET: Around 12 PM ET on May 18, 2023, at Chase Bank on Fulton Ave in Brooklyn, I experienced another incident I believe involves Socure. An individual was sent to tail me, and it began at TD Bank where this person approached the teller in an ostentatious manner, loudly expressing their intentions. I suspect this encounter was being recorded in an attempt to frame a robbery on me. It seems that Socure is continuously monitoring my activities, possibly as a diversion from the fact that their former CFO was untrustworthy. Regardless of where I go, I am constantly being followed, with new tactics being devised every time I step outside my home.
I’m writing to put a stop to this targeting and ongoing harassment.

It was time for Zaven to marry. He had chosen a bride, and petitioned her mother, who was from a powerful clan with a well placed home. His hair was a short stubble on his head now, no longer than the bend of his thumb. He had a foal and a new pup to give, as was traditional, but all that he needed was the gift of sea-light. He had not often gone to the shore to fish, but neither was he totally unaware of it, either. And besides, he would need to fish as such, merely look for the shells along the shore with the beautiful sea-light inside. He knew that his bride would be making her preparations now, too. She was not the hara of her mother, but had one younger sister. They would not inherit her mother’s home, but Rina had inherited more of her mother’s good sense, which would be better in the long run. Their home was prosperous, and Rina’s mother had seven children who survived infancy, though one had died as a young man. Such things happen. Coyote and Raven would take him and turn death into life. Zaven thought on such things as he rode towards the shore with a lightfooted horse, golden of hair, and his favourite hunting dog running at his side. This particular dog reminded him of the coyote, with pointed ears and a slim figure, and mischevious ways. He’d been hard to train, harder than usual, but perhaps that was Coyote also. Nevertheless, he was a good hunter, and fiercely protective. The pup he was giving to Rima was one of his lineage. Hopefully it would also look like Coyote as it grew.
At the shore, he swung down off of his horse, and reached into the bags on either side of the saddle, rummaging for something to eat. Sorghum bread and dried bison, washed down with lasaran lavan. Then he tied the horse to a stake and wandered among the fishermen, with his dog at his side, examining all the shells left behind from the fisher’s catch. Some were cracked, others did not capture enough of the sea-light, and it was almost a full day before he had enough good shells to make her an ornament for her hair. Women, unlike men, almost never cut their hair. Only the tatatul, who would sometimes go bald and in leather, as if they were men, but working the fields (or more likely, Zavan thought, picking the best grapes and eating them right off the vine). Zavan had had wine, of course, but had never tasted a grape. It would be unseemly, women’s food that it was, too sweet for men. But still, he was curious. He wondered if Rina was also curious about fish. He liked fish, particularly cooked, when it flaked beneath the fingers and the oil ran down your fingers.
The next few days he spent preparing the bridal clothing that he would give to Rina - the nacre ornament for her hair, in the shape of a dolphin and a tanned leather skirt, made from horse and ray leather. While he worked, he thought of her, particularly the thought of her eating ripe blackberries off the bush, with the dark juice running down her chin. The sort of thoughts only to have for one’s wife, or future wife. Zaven might have blushed, but the tan of his skin kept his embarrassment hidden.
----
Rina sat in the cool of her home, out of the midday sun and worked at her loom tirelessly. She had been out hunting for wild cotton, which was notoriously difficult to find in the quantities needed for a good gift. She was making a pain of cotton trousers for Zavan, that he would be able to ride more easily in them. Back and forth went the loom, and bit by bit the fabric grew. Some women gave hemp as their marriage gift, she knew, and as an elder daughter, no one would look down on her for doing so, but she was determined to give the best, and her fingers were quick at the loom, quicker even than her little sister’s, who would nevertheless inherit their mother’s loom. Rina studied the construction of the loom carefully, as if looking at it for the very first time, so that she would be able to build one of her own easily when she and Zevan broke new ground for their home and garden. Around the waistband of the trousers, she stitched raven feathers, for they were plentiful here; their coop was almost always full and Raven protected them. There were also a couple of owl feathers that she had found while out hunting for wild cotton.
While she worked, Rina nibbled at dried grapes and sunflower seeds. In her mind, she was already working on her next task, the bright copper crown that she still had to make for him. It would look lovely against his growing hair. Rina hoped he kept his hair long, and did not need too much violence to thrive. She would make it a simple circlet of thrice bound copper, braided, the same way she braided her hair, and in the middle of it would be a turquoise stone. Then her mind moved to how the home she had been building over the last moons, since the marriage was approved by her mother. Traditionally, the Qet-Šavaq women kept three-room homes, one for sleeping, one for cooking and food storage, and one as a sort of workshop, with looms and pottery and a tanning rack among the other tools of day to day living. She did not think she would be one of the medic women, capable of setting bone, guiding infants into life, and curing the coughs and fevers that were part of life. No, Rina had a mind for building and creation. She was tireless at the wheel, the loom, and even helped others in the village with building or repairing their homes, with a keen eye for how to best stack stones so they wouldn’t fall. Her home would be beautiful and strong. She had an idea for water too. In her mind’s eye, she saw the rain fall, sink into the earth, where the roots of the plants could get to it. She imagined digging down, down, down, like a root, and finding water. Not just a stone-lined pit for storing rain water during the rainy season, but deeper, to get to wherever the plants drew their water from, creating her very own spring. She would be the envy of all her sisters, and her own hara would be powerful.
----
The day of the wedding was a happy one, as such things usually were. It was a sunny day, though not yet the height of the dry season. Flowers were in bloom, and the center of the village was beautiful with growing things. A space along a cliffside had been cleared for the ceremony, and they were close enough that the sea could be seen, far off in the distance. A good place, with Earth, Sea, and Sky together. Zevan came from the west, riding one horse and leading another, with a pup in his arms and bundles in his saddlebags. Rina came from the east, carrying a bundle of sunflowers and allium blooms, bright and colorful, with a couple of young boys pulling a small sledge behind her, with wrapped bundles. They walked the spirals together, circling in towards each other until they were standing side by side before a small fire pit like a miniature oiled pyre, ringed with stone. The tatatul shouted reasons they would not be a good couple, which were rebutted by members of both families, and they exchanged gifts, with Zaven giving away his beautiful hair ornament, skirt, foal, and pup (who, he was pleased, did also have the pointed ears and slender build of Coyote, a good blessing), and was humbled to receive his groom-loaf of chia, circlet, and cotton trousers in return, symbols of the provision and artisanal work of a kept man, who did not need to rely fully on his own labours. Then torches were brought forward, to Rina from Zaven’s family, and vice versa. Together they pledged to care for one another from now until death and whatever lay beyond. They threw their burning branches onto the fire. Now no one could ever tell Rina’s flame from Zaven’s, and together the flame burned brighter than ever before. They would start their new life in Rina’s village, but further out the spiral, further from Raven’s coops, but with more room to grow for all that. They would spend the turn of a moon together before Zaven would have to return to his duties, but hopefully Rina would be bearing a child by then.

Part 23: https://www.reddit.com/Viidith22/comments/13o2jsg/my_roommate_is_slenderman_part_23_revised/
Pushed off the left of my desk, I worked on the laptop. I’d gotten through to the data Scott stored on the drive, and while it wasn’t encrypted, it was definitely corrupted. Some of it was in tact, but for the most part, the documents were filled with errors and random text. After scrolling through a few more useless documents, a familiar ache took over my side. I raised my fist then hesitated, taking a deep breath, I relaxed. Standing, I headed to the kitchen to make some food.
I turned on the TV as I heated water for the rice, opting to just throw on cable, happening across a show about a guy that went by the name Earl. I turned back to my stove, throwing a couple pans on the available spots. I opened several cans of veggies, pulled out the mildly expired ground beef, sniffed it, and set to work with a canned stir-fry and rice, topped with some seasoned beef.
“...two unknown wayfarers discovered just outside the city limits…” A news station had caught my attention. The voice was distorted with an audio mixer, but something about it sounded familiar, “...one male, one female, both seemed to be wearing suits at the time of their deaths…” I looked at the tv, two scorched corpses side by side.
“What the hell?” It was staticky, and the quality wavered. For a brief moment, Earl made an appearance through the static, but the news footage overtook it.
“Their IDs are melted along with their wallets and clothing, however, considering there are no missing person reports in the area, I’ve concluded they were from out of town…” I stared as the amateur camera work scanned the area, a small patch of forest within city limits.
“It’s fair to say government officials likely weren’t responsible given the people’s confinement within the walls. However, it’s im–” there was a brief period of static, “...eir intentions were unknown, as for why they’d come here is anyone’s guess.” The camera panned over the bodies again, their height giving me pause.
Heading to the living room, I scanned the ground, eventually finding the card under the TV stand. I looked it over,
“The Remnants of the Crystal Age
“If you need help, give us a call
“But remember, we expect the same help from you”
Flipping it revealed three phone numbers. Ryouka, Jericho, and Kalthrulre. “Was it really them?” I looked back up at the silent screen, static overwhelming the bodies, an actual news station taking over.
“We apologize for the interruption, it seems someone decided to play some kind of prank, and our signal was taken over. To quell any worries, there were no unmarked deaths as of late. Why anyone would pull such a sick joke is anyone’s guess.”
The co-anchor laughed nervously, “Quite a mystery. Let’s get onto the weather now, shall we?” A sizzle came from the kitchen, followed by burning starch and a wave of steam. I dropped the card, rushing to pull the rice off the stove. For a split second, it crossed my mind that the show I’d been watching never continued.
-------------------------------------------
Once I’d gotten back to the laptop, I did find traces of intact information. I made note of all of them, but unfortunately there wasn’t much in the way of useful data. I had an address, a few notes about other organizations in town, and my name completely out of context. That last one was in an over 100 page file of nonsense thanks to the corruption.
Not having much else to go on, I took to checking out the address, have a look around, see if anyone was living there, assuming it was a house. Then if the stars, planets, and moon alined, I might actually learn something.
As I zipped my hoodie, I looked to the liquor cabinet above the fridge, craving a bottle. But I turned away, promising myself I’d have one when I had answers.
Having left the chains on my car, it wasn’t much of a pain heading to as bumfuck nowhere as you could get in town. Next to the small amount of forest we had access to, only accompanied by a few other homes, there was a dingey, unkempt crackhouse. There was only one car, but having lived in Salem most my life, I knew a crackden when I saw one.
I parked a couple blocks away. Sighing, I got out of my car and took to walking around the house. All the windows were intact, the backyard was a mess, patches of random objects only obscured by the snowfall stood out in the otherwise flat foliage. Looking closer, it was less of a crackhouse, more of a farm house, just without the space. Sheet metal laid propped against the house and other currently invisible objects, random patches where tools and other metal things lay discarded seemed to melt the snow in their wake.
Strolling around the rest of the house told me nothing about who was actually living there. Despite my better judgement, I went up to the door and knocked, and knocked, and knocked. When I hit the doorbell, a shuffling sounded from the other side.
A familiar voice lifted the mail slot, “Who is it?”
A whiff of stale weed smoke wiggled its way into my nose, making me cringe as I groaned, “No, fucking, way.”
“Oh God.” There was a metal clink as the slot fell into place.
Shink, clunk, rattle, rattle, clunk, clunk, shink, rattle. The door opened leaving me to stagger for just a moment. The overwhelming power of days old mexican food and bong water causing my head to go light for a moment, “How the hell did you find me?”
Once I’d regained my composure, I stared Scott right in the eyes, “You really needa find a way to encrypt your drives.”
“Allow me to rephrase. The fuck do you want?”
“Information.”
He looked around behind me, “You might wanna come in.”
He stepped to his side gesturing for me to enter. I hesitated, making sure he didn’t have any weapons at the ready. When nothing immediately stood out to me, I took a deep breath, trying to focus on my ears like I had when we were kidnapped. A few seconds later, I crossed the doorframe, and braced myself.
Scott took the lead, glanced back at me, then led me to the livingroom. A bong sat along side an open grinder and air tight metal case at the center of a dusty coffee table. He flopped onto the pleather couch in front of it, a cloud of ash puffing up thick enough to rain.
I stood across from him as he packed a bowl. He gestured to me before lighting, “After all that shit, you really are just some fuckin asshole.”
He a blew out a cloud, packing the bowl back down, “You got that right.” As he took another massive toke, I noticed the dark yellow water, and gagged, “So?”
“You know who I am.”
“Yeah, we’ve met–”
I rolled my eyes, ready to put my fist through his mouth, “Really, that’s what you’re going with?”
He paused, setting the bong and lighter down. He twiddled his thumbs for a moment, testing a few facial expressions before resigning to a neutral dead-eyed gaze. He stood with a groan, “Come on.” With a wave, he headed to a new room. It was an office, desk against the back wall, the laptop Darren gave him sitting in the center of it, “You should be able to read them now.”
He turned it on, clicking a few times before hopping out of the seat, “You’re up.”
I sat, keeping the bat in my right hand, one ear out for anything, “This it?” The door shut without a response, looking around, he was gone.
I sighed, swiveling to the screen. My vision seemed to collide in on itself, the image left behind was oversaturated. I dry heaved, clutching my stomache, desperately vacuuming in air. The air around me held a bloody mist as I struggled to face the screen again. A lengthy document, the first page listed every basic aspect of my life like a table of contents. Each word on the screen shocked a different neuron starting it back up like a mini defibrillator. A migraine pulsed from the back of my head, amplified in the front, sending waves of nausea straight to my stomach, making me lightheaded.
When the door opened, I stood, hanging onto the chair stand upright. Just behind my right eye sat a knife, stabbing me any time I moved too suddenly. Eventually balancing myself, I stared at Scott who held a steaming mug, “Sit your ass down. I’m not gonna hurt you.” I collapsed to the chair, rolling back a few inches, “Here, man.” He put the mug on the desk, “It’s ginger turmeric.” The smell of it brought me back a bit, the pain receding just that bit to let me set my hand down.
I took a sip from the mug, my throat warmed, and I sat back in the chair. “What the hell man?” I let out a sigh filled with stale, moist air.
“I think old memories coming back. Never had it happen so I’m not sure.”
I took another swig, “Really?”
“Really.”
He stood there for a moment, hesitating at the thought of turning around, then went through with it.
Taking the hottest gulp of my life, I finished the mug off and turned back to the screen, finally able to read what it held. I drank in the summary of my life, it went down just as hot as the tea, a nail hammered into the back of my head, but I managed. Though as the pain waned, fresh memories made themselves known. Not new, but it was like they’d been vacuum sealed, saved for later. As if the information was compressed into a file, and reading what was on the screen decompressed it. Tears streaked down my face as I remembered Jane, my Jane, and I suddenly pieced the odd experience in Darren’s doorway together. My mind had been fighting to remember ever since… ever since the mushroom incident. A mental exhaustion tried to take over as the pain left me entirely. So I scrolled to the first written page of my life.
Everything dimmed, and suddenly my brain wasn’t decompressing a gigabyte over five minutes, but ten terabytes in seconds. My skull throbbed, fluid sloshed around my brain, my vision went black, and every single memory since I was a baby reformed more vivid than ever, even before the town. Like dropping a match into a puddle of nitro glycerin, my entire body was on fire, the air in my body sucked out until everything stopped.
When I awoke, the room was too bright to see anything, I squeezed my eyes shut. I screamed and could hardly move, “We still have one more, hang in there miss.”
I tried to stop and ask what the hell was going on, but the atmosphere was oppressive, I was weak, and everything was hot and cold and wet. Someone moved me, but my skin was wrong, I couldn’t tell what I was laying on.
“1, 2, 3, push. 1, 2, 3, push. Come on, give me one more of those, we’re almost there.” I heard a woman screaming over me, when suddenly everything stopped. All that could be heard was panting and concerned murmuring. “He’s not crying, someone get a flashlight!” I noticed then that the light wasn’t torturing my eyes anymore. Slowly, I opened them, I was in a hospital, laying in a bassinet. Understanding filled me as I looked around. My mom and dad looked so young, and my twin brother… twin brother?
A suckerpunch came in that moment, the shards of glass finally coming together, just needing the glue, “Is Scott okay?”
A flashlight flicked on, and a nurse made her way out of the room, the doctor observing my brother, “He’s responsive, just not crying. I’m sorry, I’ll have a nurse come to keep you all updated.” The doctor left the room, baby in his arms. My mom cried, the darkness enveloping us before the emergency lights flicked on.
It shouldn’t have taken this long. Should it? We stayed there for a good half hour, in that time I’d been given to my mom. She held me, stroking my head, tears flowing down her cheeks. My dad had tried to get information out of the nurse several times but in the end simply paced around the room.
That was when a man in a suit came in, nothing but emergency lights illuminating him, “His name is Joseph right?” My mom nodded, and the suit nodded to the nurse, “Take care of Joseph for a moment will you? Take him to the infirmary.”
“No! You can’t have him!”
“Miss, please, Joseph is fine, he’ll just be resting.”
My dad sized the suit up, chest puffed up, his serious face on, “What authority do you have to make a call like that?”
The man flashed a badge, one that look almost, but not quite like it said FBI, “We’re inspecting the power outage, we suspect it’s come from somewhere in this hospital. It’s possible this is a terrorist threat. As such, we are securing all the children first. We’re on top of the situation sir, I assure you this will be the safest option for your child.”
The nurse attempted to pull me from my mom a couple more times. By the third, she’d given me up, and I was taken. But as the door shut, a muffled voice made it’s way out, “Unfortunately, Scott didn’t make it–” before he was cut off by the diminishing sound of screaming.
-----------------------------------
I woke in high alert, thrashing, but I was handcuffed to a medical table. I looked down and saw some of the links were misshapen, almost stretched. I scanned the room, lifting my head as far as it would go before something around my neck tugged me back down. It was mostly barren aside from a rolling table of medical supplies, and a chair with a single person sitting in it.
“You’ve got to be the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.”
He feigned sadness, wiping a crocodile tear from his eye, “I can’t believe you’d treat your own brother so harshly.” His face rose to neutral.”
I looked him in the eyes, a strange sense of calm washing me, pacifying me, “You’ve got more faces than a d6 I swear.” I tried to force a laugh, but it just made me cringe, “God, how do you keep that shit up?”
“I do what’s necessary, I’ve gotta think about myself here.”
I grimaced, “What the hell man? I mean seriously, who the fuck are you really? What’s your game?”
“Eh…” He glanced at the door, then shrugged, turning back to me with a smile that never reached his eyes, “Well, had you joined in with the revolution, you might not be here. Heavy maybe though, vampires are rare, and humans that have turned, even partially, oh well that’s a commodity. So whether or not you being with them would change the minds of the Axons, eh, come to think of it…” He trailed off, “But yeah, everyone in this town wants a piece of you for a different reason, whether they know what you are or not.”
I remembered the guy who spoke in metaphors, my brain tagging something. “What about that news interruption? The voice was distorted, but that was definitely you.”
He threw up a “whoopsie” gesture, then laughed to himself, “Well, guess the jig is up on that one. You can call it… brushing the pond, gotta bring the scum up every so often to keep things interesting.”
“So what’s that? Number three?”
“Four if you count…” His face went blank, “Damn, guess I am a bit soft on you.”
“Who’s four?”
“Eh, you wouldn’t know them, I think they go by the mechanics or something though?”
“Metaphor man?” I mumbled to myself.
“Well I’ll be.” He looked panicked for a moment before the door opened.
The man held a clipboard and wore a white apron over scrubs, the lack of a mask showing the tip of his nose was missing and scarred over, as well as three scars down his bottom lip, giving it separation lines when he smiled, “I am very excited to work with you Joseph.”
Scott walked to him, whispering in the man’s ear.
“Oh, I see. Feel free to check his belongings. If it’s there, make sure it’s taken care of.” My brother left in a hurry, leaving the doctor and I to ourselves. He sat in the rolling chair Scott had been in, rolling over to me and pulling a lamp from behind me over my face, “Hello, my name is Doctor Fräger.” He peeled my eyes open wide, observing them, “I am a crypto anatomist, and I will be giving you a FULL checkup today. It is my understanding that you have been uh…” He let go of my eye lids, pulled down his glasses, and looked down at his clipboard, “Genetically modified through a vampire bite by your wife.” He looked at me with feigned sadness, “I am so very sorry to hear that. Now, before we get started, do you have any unusual pains or discomforts you’d like to discuss with me?”
I looked at him with as much “what the fuck” as I could manage, my emotions coming back to me, “Yeah, these fucking chains!”
He looked down at his clipboard, “I would love to help you, however it says right here that if I were to do that you’d likely rip my throat out. That doesn’t sound pleasant, so I’ll have to leave you with them on. I’m sure you can understand.” He stood, setting the clipboard on a metal table out of sight. Pulling a wooden stick out, he asked me to open my mouth. When I tried to say something, he grabbed my lower jaw, forcing it open with his grip on a couple pressure points, “Very good, now say ‘ahhhhh.’”
I bit down , chopping the stick in half, then spitting it in his face, “Let me go.”
His face dropped for the slightest moment, revealing the dry ice behind his gaze, “But there’s just so much to learn! Now, if you’ll follow me.” He walked to the feet end of the table, dragging me out the door to a few rooms down.
An x-ray welcomed me into the sterile white room, “While we wait on your MRI results, what say you and I have some fun in here. I’ve never gotten a good look at how vampires tick.” He set me up, the x-ray hovering over my right hand, before snapping my thumb, I yelped, but the pain hadn’t been as bad as I expected. I remembered all the broken bones I’d gotten during the bunker. A massive gap in my memory suddenly filled in, clearer than ever, as if the memories were just waiting their turn. I remembered Terry, the way he’d treated me. Somehow, it felt odd, the caring nature he had for my well being, it didn’t feel real.
The doctor hurried behind a wall, and a few moments later let out a, “Fascinating!” that came from somewhere on my left, “I’ll definitely need some blood samples too, so if you don’t mind, once we’re done here we can get you a proper blood panel.” We spent another hour in the x-ray room, enough time to regrow a couple fingers and start on one of my thumbs.
My body vibrated as Fräger shoved me through the door, “How about some grub before we get some of that red nectar of yours. I hear vampires have quite the appetite.”
“Sure.” I dwelt on how everyone had treated me back then. Despite everything Fräger had put me through, it was like I had a shark on my line, but it was only meant for salmon fishing. The thread could snap any moment, and I’d lose whatever revelation was sitting there.
“I must say, you’ve been one of my best patients to date. I’ll be sure they supply you with plenty of nutritious food for your politeness.” As we entered another room, the smell of garlic and onions soothed my mind, “If you want the truth, I wasn’t planning to feed you, I wanted to see what would happen. But we’ll save that for later, sound good?”
“Yeah, sounds great doc.” He smiled.
I was fed two full chicken breasts, a large helping of rice, and a side of grilled vegetables along with a fruit smoothie. Then I was quickly carted into an empty room, the pain in my side already fading.
“Now, before I leave you here, is there anything at all you need?”
“Yeah, a bathroom.”
He laughed, “Please, like we’re going to let a vampire walk around all willy nilly. Once I’m done testing you, we will set up a room just for you. But for now a catheter and a bedpan will have to do. My sincerest apologies we won’t be able to accommodate you a toilet.”
I didn’t respond.
“Alright, enjoy the next few days. I have someone coming in to take care of you in just a moment.”
When he opened the door to leave, I heard a familiar set of footsteps take the doctor’s place. The unsettling relaxation taking me over yet again, “Hope you enjoyed your meal.”
“So what are you, the baby sitter?”
“Depends on how you look at it.” He grabbed my face, sticking things around it before moving down to my chest and so on. By the end, my body was covered in sensors. At some point someone had rolled in a machine that let out a continuous beeping. Leaving nothing but a metronome-like ticking to fill in the gaps.
“I’m tired of beating around the bush, what’re you guys really doing?”
“It’s a study, I figured that was obvious by now.”
“And you’re fine knowing I’m the one they’re putting through all this?”
“You’re still on that?” He blew a raspberry, chuckling to himself, “Yeah, okay, I’m real choked up about it.” He shook his head, rolling his eyes, “You can starve, I don’t mind.”
“Fuckin psychopath.” I muttered, letting out a sigh.
“Pretty sure they call it antisocial personality disorder these days.”
“I don’t hear you denying it.”
“Who said I would? You’re kind of an arrogant asshole you know that? I’m almost excited to see what’s going to happen.” He finished putting the last sensor on, heading to the door, I could him murmuring to himself, “...doesn’t kill this one…” Then, I was alone.
The first day wasn’t too bad, aside from the boredom, beeping, and having to piss and shit myself whenever the occasion arose. The lack of food did start getting to me after those first 24 hours though. I was overly aware of every little thing, the beeping behind me that initially fell into my subconscious became the only thing I could focus on. Every little movement of my body sent a miniscule echo of sound bouncing around my skull. It was around that time the throbbing in my side returned. What started as a mild ache eventually became the only physical sensation I noticed. It became a beacon of sensation that compiled with the beeping to piss me off. Everything was annoying, the way the ceiling looked, the faint buzz from the presumable monitor behind me, the way the ceiling was just barely lit, the fact my toes were just slightly cold, it was all so frustrating.
A craving began to emerge then, the desire to rip someone’s arm off, just cause that pain to someone, then eat it.
Around 36 hours, my attention shifted, every light flicker of light caused me to jump, everything just out of my line of sight was suddenly a person watching me. The tingle in my feet was someone dragging their fingers along them, I wanted to rip their throat out with my teeth. I tried to sleep, but my body was too alert, it wouldn’t allow it.
By day two, I was wide awake, I could feel the difference in time between each beep. It was no longer a sound, but a measurement of time. I could tell, it’d been approximately 173,000 beeps since I was locked in. The pain in my side was fire, I could feel the magma churning in a tiny spot on my right side. It wasn’t just a vague ache anymore, I could feel every nerve fiber that interacted with whatever the pain was coming from. A 3D model had formed in my head, it was like a worm wrapped around my intestine, as thick as a hose and about 6 inches long. With each pulse, I saw the worm grow just that much larger.
By hour 60, my vision had tinted red, the pain wasn’t a part of me anymore, I was pain. I couldn’t think anymore, I just needed food. I felt the chains strain against me, slowly bending as I pulled at them. I screamed and a metallic snap reverberated in the claustrophobic room. I screamed again yanking the other chain off. I tore the chain from under my neck when someone rushed in. He shoved me down, trying to hold me in place, but my body ran on instinct. I sat up with enough force to shove him back, immediately grabbing his wrist, pulling him in, and ripping a chunk out of his forearm.
The man screamed, stumbling back, giving me enough time to rip my legs free and yank out the catheter, a pain that somehow eclipsed all others in that moment. I jumped on the man, ripping chunk after chunk out of him. When he stopped moving, I took a moment to breath, my vision clearing, and my brain easing up on adrenaline. I was able to think again, but despite my desire to cry, my brain wouldn’t allow it.
I stumbled to my feet, wiping the blood from my chin. Then I was on the ground, my head pressed against the linoleum floot. I tried lifting my head, but it was to no avail. The person flipped me onto my stomach, one arm behind my back giving me a chicken wing. I chuckled, the pain throughout my body already subsiding. He had both legs on the backs of my knees, but it took both arms to keep my right in check. So with the left, I grabbed his left arm at the elbow and yanked, it took a few more tries, but when his arm was loose enough, I freed my right, pushing myself as hard as I could, flipping him onto his back.
His cheek bones were sharp, and as each of my fists made their mark, it sent a shrill pain through my knuckles. But as fist met face over and over again, he fell unconscious.
With the pain still agitating my side, I took a few bites from the man. My human and vimpiristic mind at odds, but with each taste of human flesh, my humanity was persuaded just that much more. My body didn’t stop until my mind allowed it, and when I stood, the only sensation that didn’t feel right was my sleep deprivation.
I bolted out of the room, seeing a few doorways in a short hallway with an elevator at the end. I ran for it, but just as I got there to press the button, it opened, revealing two men with pistols waiting for me.
The banging deafened me, forcing me into the elevator. The guy on the right lost his gun as I slammed my fist down on his wrist, snapping it, the guy on my left grabbed me by the back of my neck, shoving me into the metal wall. He put a bullet through my tailbone, sending molten tungsten through every nerve fiber in my body. My vision flashed, then flickered, then went black momentarily.
When I came to, both the men were on the floor, throats ripped out, and I was laying between them, mostly unable to move. I twitched my finger and felt the metal fragments pushing out of my tailbone in slow motion. With each piece of metal, a new wave fried my nerves like thermite. Before I could stand, the elevator door dinged, opening. I pulled myself up with the railing when five prongs dug into my back, like were trying to grab my spine. I was yanked from the railing and thrown into the short hallway, one that looked identical to mine.
I looked over, staggering to my feet, it was a skinwalker, looked like a more traditional one, “God you’re weak, Jacob would mop the floor with you.”
The creature lunged at me, “I’m getting out of here!”
I put up a forearm, unable to dodge. He scraped down to the bone, but couldn’t break it. I grabbed him with my other arm, yanking him down and kneeing him in the face. He staggered, attempting to reorient, but I kicked him in the jaw, knocking him to the floor, jumping on top of him. I punched, my fist crunched into his face like a scarecrow. I kept going until he stopped moving.
I panted as I made my way back into the elevator, taking a few bites from one of the security guards for good measure, and hitting the “ground floor” button. I leaned against the railing, looking down at my arm, which is when I first noticed I was healing faster than usual. It wasn’t quite scabbed over, but the wounds were already about half their initial size. The elevator dinged and I readied for a fight.
After a few seconds, I took my first step out, then another. When I made it into the room, I looked around. Desks, computers, and monitors galore took up most of the room. The chairs were flung about, and nobody was around. Doublechecking my surroundings, I took off through one of the door looking for anything to cover up.
Eventually, I came across a “personal belongings” hall that was really just a bunch of lockers like one you’d find in a school. They all had padlocks, but when I found mine, I yanked a metal snapping bouncing around the hall. Everything I had on me when Scott knocked me out was in there, except my phone. “Better hope you never see me again shitstain.” I muttered, before getting dressed and running to find an exit.
After some searching, I made my way out, revealing I’d been in one of the few abandoned buildings in town. It was an old office complex that I remembered being open when I “moved in” but I couldn’t say for certain, the building looked about a month overdue for a power washing.
It was about a 5 minute jog to my house, and while the snow had melted some, there were still a few inches, and by the look of the clouds, that night it’d be coming down again. When I shut the door behind me, I hoped no one had see the blood and called the cops, but it couldn’t be helped even if they did.
I took the most satisfying shower of my life, it felt like I hadn’t had one in a month, and as I scrubbed myself down, it felt like I was the grill boy scraping gunk into the grease traps. When I slipped on a fresh set of clothes and had a minute to take a breath, the exhaustion took hold. Surprisingly though, it only felt like I’d had a 14 hours shift… after not sleeping for a couple days. Either way, I knew I couldn’t fall asleep in my bed, everything about the town was fucked. I felt like if I fell asleep, I’d be waking up somewhere new and I’d have to escape again, I needed to get somewhere safe, somewhere I knew I could sleep without being captured. That was when the realization struck me, “The revolution.”
Part 25: Coming Soon!

Prices FIRM - CashApp/Venmo/PayPal Friends & Family
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10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6 (Vudu/HD) $4
12 Monkeys (1995) (MA/4K) $3.50
12 Years a Slave (2013) (MA/HD) $3.50
13 Hours: Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) (Vudu/4K) $5.50 (Vudu/HD) $2 (iTunes/4K) $3
1917 (2019) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $3.50
21 Bridges (2019) (iTunes/4K) $3
21 Jump Street (2012) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $2.75
355, The (2022) (MA/HD) $5.75
47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/4K) $4.75
47 Ronin (2013) (MA/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) $4 (MA/HD) $3.50
80 for Brady (2023) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/4K) $6.50
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $5.75
A Clockwork Orange (1972) (MA/4K) $6.50
A Cure for Wellness (2017) (MA/HD) $4
A Dog's Way Home (2019) (MA/HD) $3.75
A Man Called Otto (2022) (MA/HD) $7.50
A Most Wanted Man (2014) (Vudu/HD) $3.50
A Wrinkle in Time (2018) (MA/HD) $3 (GP/HD) $2
Abominable (2019) (MA/4K) $7.50 (MA/HD) $6.25
About Time (2013) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $5.25
Ad Astra (2019) (MA/HD) $4.75
Addams Family 2 (2021) (iTunes/4K) $5.50
Adrift (2018) (iTunes/HD) $2.50
Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) (MA/HD) $5.75 (GP/HD) $4.25
Aladdin (1992) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $3.25 (GP/HD) $2.25
Aladdin (2019) (MA/4K) $6 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.25 (GP/HD) $1.50
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014) (MA/HD) $4.75
Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) (MA/HD) $5.50 (GP/HD) $4
Alien Collection 1-6 (MA/HD) $19.50 1-4 (MA/SD) $9
Alita: Battle Angel (2019) (MA/4K) $5.50 (MA/HD) $4
All Eyez on Me (2017) (Vudu/HD) $2.50 (iTunes/HD) $1.75
All is Lost (2013) (Vudu/HD) $4
Allied (2016) (iTunes/4K) $4.50 (Vudu/HD) $3.75
Almost Famous (2000) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.25
Alpha (2018) (MA/HD) $4.25
Amazing Spider-Man (2012) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $4.50
Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $5.50
Ambulance (2022) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $4
American Assassin (2017) (Vudu/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3
American Gangster (Extended Edition) (2007) (MA/4K) $7.25 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $6.25
American Made (2017) (MA/4K) $7.25 (MA/HD) $4.25
Amsterdam (2022) (MA/HD) $5 (GP/HD) $3.75
Amy (2015) (Vudu/HD) $6
Anastasia (1997) (MA/HD) $6.25
Angel Has Fallen (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $5.25
Angel Heart (1987) (Vudu/4K) $6
Angels & Demons (2009) (MA/HD) $5.75
Anna (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $4.50
Annihilation (2018) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/4K) $2.50
Antebellum (2020) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $5.50
Ant-Man (2015) (MA/4K) $6.25 (iTunes/4K) $5 (MA/HD) $4.50 (GP/HD) $2.25
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) (MA/4K) $8 (iTunes/4K) $6.25 (GP/HD) $3.25
Antz (1998) (MA/HD) $5.75
Apocalypse Now (3 Versions) (Vudu/4K) $6.50
Apollo 13 (1995) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $4.75
Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm (2022) (MA/HD) $4.75
Arctic (2019) (MA/HD) $5.75
Arnold Schwarzenegger 6-Movie (Vudu/HD) $13.50
Arrival (2016) (Vudu/4K) $6.75 (Vudu/HD) $2.25 (iTunes/4K) $4
Assassination Nation (2018) (MA/HD) $4.75
Assassin's Creed (2016) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2
Atomic Blonde (2017) (MA/4K) $5 (iTunes/4K) $3.25 (MA/HD) $2.25
Avengers 1-4 (iTunes/4K) $20 (GP/HD) $7.75
Baby Driver (2017) (MA/HD) $3.75
Babylon (2022) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/4K) $6.25
Back to the Future Collection 1-3 (MA/4K) $15 (MA/HD) $7.50
Backdraft (1991) (MA/4K) $7
Bad Boys Collection 1-3 (MA/HD) $12
Bad Boys for Life (2020) (MA/4K) $5.75 (MA/HD) $3.50
Bad Guys, The (2022) (MA/4K) $8 (MA/HD) $4.25
Bad Times at The El Royale (2018) (MA/4K) $7.75 (MA/HD) $5.75
Bambi II (2006) (MA/HD) $6.25 (GP/HD) $4.50
Bank Job, The (2008) (Vudu/HD) $3.25
Banshees of Inisherin (2022) (GP/HD) $4.50
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5
BASEketball (1998) (MA/HD) $5
Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $4.75
Batman Year One (2011) (MA/4K) $5
Batman, The (2022) (MA/4K) $5.25 (MA/HD) $2.50
Batman: The Long Halloween Deluxe Edition (2022) (MA/HD) $6
Baywatch (2017) (Vudu/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) $2 (Vudu/HD) $1.50
Beast (2022) (MA/HD) $5.75
Being John Malkovich (1999) (MA/HD) $3.50
Belly (1998) (Vudu/4K) $4.75
Beverly Hills Cop (1984) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $4.50
Big Hero 6 (2014) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.50 (GP/HD) $1.50
Big Short (2015) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $3.25
Birdman (2014) (MA/HD) $4.75
Birth of the Dragon (2017) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $4.25
Black Adam (2022) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $4.25
Black Panther (2018) (MA/4K) $6 (iTunes/4K) $4.25 (GP/HD) $1.75
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) $3.75 (GP/HD) $2.50
Blacklight (2022) (MA/HD) $4.25
Blindspotting (2018) (Vudu/4K) $5.25 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4.75
Blockers (2018) (MA/HD) $3
Blues Brothers (1980) (iTunes/4K) Ports to MA $6
Blues Brothers + Unrated (1980) (MA/4K) $7
Bob's Burgers Movie (2022) (MA/HD) $3.25 (GP/HD) $2.25
Bodyguard, The (1992) (MA/HD) $5
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) (MA/4K) $5 (MA/HD) $3.25
Bond: Skyfall (2012) (Vudu/4K) $5.75 (Vudu/HD) $1
Book Club (2018) (Vudu/HD) $2 (iTunes/4K) $1
Book of Henry (2017) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $5
Booksmart (2019) (MA/HD) $5.25
Boss Baby (2017) & Family Business (2021) (MA/HD) $5.75
Boss Baby (2017) (MA/HD) $1.50
Bourne Collection 1-5 (MA/4K) $25 (iTunes/HD) $19 (MA/HD) $15
Bourne Identity (2002) (MA/4K) $5.50 (iTunes/HD) $4.50 (MA/HD) $3
Bourne Legacy (2012) (MA/4K) $5.50 (iTunes/HD) $4.50 (MA/HD) $3
Bourne Supremacy (2004) (MA/4K) $5.50 (iTunes/HD) $4.50 (MA/HD) $3
Bourne Ultimatum (2007) (MA/4K) $5.50 (iTunes/HD) $5.50 (MA/HD) $4
Boxtrolls, The (2014) (iTunes/HD) $4.75
Brave (2012) (iTunes/4K) $6.25 (GP/HD) $4.50
Braveheart (1995) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.25 (Vudu/HD) $5
Breakfast Club (1985) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $5.25
Breakfast Club (1985), Weird Science (2008), Sixteen Candles (1984) (MA/HD) $11.50
Brian Banks (2019) (MA/HD) $4.25
Bridesmaids (2011) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $3.50
Brightburn (2019) (MA/HD) $6.75
Bullet to the Head (2013) (MA/HD) $3
Bullet Train (2022) (MA/4K) $5.75 (MA/HD) $4.25
Bumblebee (2018) (Vudu/4K) $4.75 (Vudu/HD) $1.75 (iTunes/4K) $2
Cabin in the Woods (2012) (iTunes/4K) $2.75 (Vudu/HD) $2
Call of the Wild (2020) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $1.50 (GP/HD) $1.25
Candyman (2020) (MA/HD) $4.50
Captain Fantastic (2016) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $4
Captain Marvel (2019) (MA/4K) $5 (iTunes/4K) $4 (GP/HD) $1.75
Card Counter, The (2021) (MA/HD) $5
Cars 1-3 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $16.50 (GP/HD) $9
Casablanca (1943) (MA/4K) $6.25
Case for Christ, The (2017) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $4.50
Celebrating Mickey (2018) (MA/HD) $5.50
Chaos Walking (2021) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $5
Charlie's Angels (2000) (MA/4K) $7.75
Charlie's Angels (2019) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) $5.50
Chasing Amy (1997) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $3.75
Chicago (2002) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $5
Chicken Run (2000) (MA/HD) $5.25
Choice, The (2016) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $3.25
Christopher Robin (2018) (MA/HD) $5.25 (GP/HD) $4
Chronicle (2012) (MA/HD) $4.50
Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) (MA/HD) $7
Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007) (MA/HD) $6.50 (GP/HD) $5
Clerks III (2022) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $5.50
Cloverfield (2008) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.75
Coco (2017) (MA/4K) $6.50 (iTunes/4K) $5.25 (GP/HD) $2.25
Cold Pursuit (2019) (Vudu/4K) $6.50 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3
Coming to America (1988) (Vudu/4K) $4.75 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3.25
Commuter (2018) (Vudu/4K) $6.25 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $2.50
Conan The Barbarian (2011) (Vudu/4K) $5
Constantine: The House of Mystery (2022) (MA/HD) $3.50
Contractor (2022) (Vudu/4K) $7 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4.50
Courier, The (2020) (Vudu/4K) $5 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4.50
Crash (2004) (Vudu/HD) $5.25
Crawl (2019) (Vudu/HD) $3 (iTunes/4K) $2
Croods (2013) & A New Age (2020) (MA/HD) $6.75
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001) (MA/4K) $7.75
Da Vinci Code (2006) (MA/HD) $7
Daddy's Home 1-2 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5.25
Daddy's Home 2 (2017) (Vudu/4K) $4.50 (iTunes/4K) $2 (Vudu/HD) $2.25
Dances With Wolves (1990) (Vudu/HD) $6
Daniel Craig Collection 5-Movie (Vudu/4K) $20
Dark Tower (2017) (MA/HD) $3
Dark Waters (2019) (MA/HD) $5.75
Darkest Hour (2017) (MA/HD) $3
Dawn of The Planet of The Apes (2014) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4
Day After Tomorrow (2004) (MA/HD) $6.75
DC League of Super-Pets (2022) (MA/4K) $8 (MA/HD) $5
Deadpool (2016) (MA/4K) $6 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2
Deadpool 2 (2018) (MA/4K) $6.25 (MA/HD) $3.25
Death on the Nile (2022) (MA/HD) $5 (GP/HD) $3.50
Death Wish (2018) (Vudu/HD) $2.25
Deepwater Horizon (2016) (Vudu/4K) $5 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $2.50
Dentist Collection 1-2 (1996-1998) (Vudu/HD) $5.50
Detective Knight Collection 1-3 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $15 $5.75 Each
Devil's Due (2014) (MA/HD) $2.75
Devotion (2022) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $6.50
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) (MA/HD) $4.50
Die Hard (1988) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $4
Die Hard 1-5 (MA/HD) $16 $4.75 Each
Dirty Dancing (1987) (Vudu/4K) $5 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4.50
Dirty Grandpa (2016) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6
Disaster Artist, The (2017) (Vudu/HD) $6.25
Django Unchained (2012) (Vudu/HD) $2.50
Do the Right Thing (1989) (MA/4K) $6
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $2.75 (GP/HD) $2
Dog (2022) (Vudu/HD) $3.25
Dolittle (2020) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $3.50
Don't Worry Darling (2022) (MA/HD) $5.50
Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) (Vudu/HD) $5.25 (iTunes/4K) $4.25
Downsizing (2017) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $1.25
Downton Abbey (2019) (MA/HD) $5.50
Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) (MA/HD) $3.75
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) (iTunes/4K) $5.50 (MA/HD) $5
Dracula Untold (2014) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $2.75 (iTunes/4K) $4
Draft Day (2014) (Vudu/HD) $3.25 (iTunes/HD) $2.50
Dragged Across Concrete (2019) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3.25
Dragonheart 5-Movie (MA/HD) $15
Drive (2011) (MA/HD) $4.25
Dumbo (2019) (MA/4K) $6 (iTunes/4K) $5.25 (GP/HD) $2.50
Dune (2021) (MA/4K) $5
Dying of the Light (2014) (Vudu/HD) $2.25
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) (MA/4K) $6 (iTunes/4K) $5 (MA/HD) $3
Earth Girls Are Easy (1988) (Vudu/HD) $5.75
Edward Scissorhands (1990) (MA/HD) $3
Eighth Grade (2018) (Vudu/HD) $5.75
Elvis (2022) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $4
Elysium (2013) & District 9 (2009) (MA/HD) $7.75
Elysium (2013) (MA/HD) $3.25
Emoji Movie (2017) (MA/HD) $2.25
Epic (2013) (MA/HD) $1.75 (iTunes/SD) $1.25
Equalizer 2 (2018) (MA/4K) $7.25 (MA/HD) $2.75
Escape from L.A (1996) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6
Eternals (2021) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $4.50 (GP/HD) $3
Everest (2015) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) $3 (iTunes/4K) $4
Ex Machina (2015) (Vudu/4K) $6.50 (Vudu/HD) $4
Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $3
Expendables 1-3 (Vudu/HD) $4.50
Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) (GP/HD) $4.25
Fabelmans (2022) (MA/HD) $6.50
Fahrenheit 451 (2018) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $4.50 (GP/HD) $3
Fantastic Beasts Collection 1-3 (MA/HD) $8
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) (MA/4K) $5.25 (MA/HD) $3
Fantastic Four (2015) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.50
Farewell, The (2019) (Vudu/HD) $5.50
Fast & Furious Collection 1-9 (MA/HD) $10
Fatale (2020) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $3.75
Father Stu (2022) (MA/HD) $5.50
Fatherhood (2021) (MA/HD) $3.75
Fault in Our Stars (2014) (MA/HD) $1.75
Fences (2016) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $1.75
Ferdinand (2017) (MA/HD) $3.50
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $6
Field of Dreams (1989) (MA/4K) $7.50 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $6
Fifth Element (1997) (MA/4K) $8 (MA/HD) $6.75
Fifty Shades of Grey 3-Movie + Unrated (MA/HD) $9.75
Finding Dory (2016) (MA/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) $3.50 (GP/HD) $1.25
Finding Nemo (2003) (MA/4K) $6.75 (iTunes/4K) $5.25 (GP/HD) $3
Finest Hours, The (2016) (MA/HD) $6.25 (GP/HD) $3.75
First Cow (2019) (Vudu/HD) $6.50
First Man (2018) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $4.25
Flashdance (1983) (Vudu/4K) $6.75
Flatliners (2017) (MA/HD) $4.25
Footloose (2011) (Vudu/HD) $5 (iTunes/HD) $3.50
Ford v Ferrari (2019) (MA/4K) $7.75 (MA/HD) $4.75
Forever My Girl (2018) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $3.75
Forrest Gump (1994) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5.50
Fox and the Hound (1981) (MA/HD) $6.50 (GP/HD) $5
Fox and the Hound 2, The (2006) (MA/HD) $4 (GP/HD) $3
Frankenstein (1931) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $4.50
Frozen (2013) (MA/4K) $5.50 (MA/HD) $3.50 (GP/HD) $1.50
Frozen 2 (2019) (MA/4K) $4.50 (MA/HD) $4 (GP/HD) $1.75
Fruitvale Station (2014) (Vudu/HD) $4
Fury (2014) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) $4.50
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3.75
Gamer (2009) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5.50
Garfield (2004) (MA/HD) $6.50
Gate, The (1987) (Vudu/SD) $4.25
Gemini Man (2019) (Vudu/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $2.25
Ghost in the Shell (1995) (Animated) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $4.75
Ghost In The Shell (2017) (Vudu/HD) $2.25 (iTunes/4K) $2.75
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012) (MA/HD) $6.75
Girl on the Train (2016) (iTunes/4K) $2.25 (MA/HD) $2.50
Girl with All the Gifts, The (2016) (Vudu/HD) $5
Gladiator (2000) (Vudu/4K) $6.25 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5
Glass (2019) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) $4.50
Glory (1989) (MA/4K) $7.75
Godfather (1972) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/4K) $4.75
Godfather Trilogy (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $14
Gods of Egypt (2016) (Vudu/4K) $5.25 (Vudu/HD) $2 (iTunes/4K) $1.50
Godzilla (1998) (MA/4K) $8
Gone Girl (2014) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $5.75
Good Boys (2019) (MA/HD) $3.75
Good Will Hunting (1997) (Vudu/HD) $5.25
Goodfellas (1990) (MA/4K) $6.50
Goosebumps 2 (2018) (MA/4K) $7.50 (MA/HD) $6.50
Gotti (2018) (Vudu/HD) $2
Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) (MA/HD) $3.75
Grease (1978), 2 (1982), Live! (2016) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $14
Greatest Showman (2017) (MA/HD) $2.25
Green Book (2018) (MA/4K) $7.25 (MA/HD) $5
Green Knight (2021) (Vudu/4K) $5.50
Green Lantern: Beware My Power (2022) (MA/HD) $3.25
Green Mile, The (1999) (MA/4K) $6
Greta (2019) (MA/HD) $5.25
Grey, The (2012) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $2.75
Groundhog Day (1993) (MA/4K) $8
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) (MA/4K) $6.75 (iTunes/4K) $4.25 (GP/HD) $1.25
Hacksaw Ridge (2016) (Vudu/4K) $4.50 (iTunes/4K) $3.50 (Vudu/HD) $2.25
Halloween (2018) (MA/4K) $6.25 (MA/HD) $4.25
Halloween Ends (2022) (MA/4K) $6.25 (MA/HD) $4.50
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $2.50
Happytime Murders (2018) (iTunes/4K) $1.75
Hardcore Henry (2016) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $3.50
Harriet (2019) (MA/HD) $4.25
Hate U Give (2018) (MA/4K) $7.75 (MA/HD) $4.50
Haunting in Connecticut (2009) (Vudu/HD) $6.50
Heat, The (2013) (MA/HD) $2.25 (iTunes/SD) $1
Heaven is for Real (2014) (MA/HD) $2.75
Hell Fest (2018) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $3.75
Hell or High Water (2016) (Vudu/4K) $5.25 (Vudu/HD) $2.25 (iTunes/4K) $3.75
Hellboy (2004) (MA/4K) $7.75
Hellboy (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $4.25
Hercules (2014) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $1.50
Hereditary (2018) (Vudu/HD) $3.75
Hidden Figures (2016) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2
Highlander (1986) (Vudu/4K) $5
Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) (Vudu/4K) $6.25 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4.25
Hobbs & Shaw (2019) (MA/4K) $5.75 (MA/HD) $3.75
Hocus Pocus (1993) (MA/4K) $6.75 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.75 (GP/HD) $2.25
Holmes And Watson (2018) (MA/HD) $3.75
Home (2015) (MA/HD) $2
Home Alone 1-2 (MA/HD) $7.50
Hope Springs (2012) (MA/HD) $2.50
Hostiles (2017) (Vudu/4K) $4.75 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3
Hotel Mumbai (2019) (MA/HD) $5.25
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $4.50
House of 1,000 Corpses (2003), Devil's Rejects (2005), 3 From Hell (2019) (Vudu/HD) $6
House of Gucci (2021) (iTunes/4K) $5
House of the Dragon: Season 1 (2022) (Vudu/4K) $9 (Vudu/HD) $5.50
House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $3.75
How to Train Your Dragon (2010) (MA/4K) $6.50
How to Train Your Dragon Collection 1-3 (MA/HD) $7.50 $4.75 Each
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $4.25
Howard the Duck (1986) (MA/4K) $7
Hunger Games Collection 1-4 (Vudu/HD) $6 (iTunes/4K) $12
Hunter Killer (2018) (Vudu/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $2.75
Hurt Locker (2008) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.25
Hustle, The (2019) (iTunes/4K) $2.75
Hustlers (2019) (iTunes/4K) $3
I Feel Pretty (2018) (iTunes/HD) $1
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007) (MA/HD) $3.50
I See You (2019) (iTunes/HD) $2.50
I, Frankenstein (2014) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $1.75
I, Tonya (2017) (MA/HD) $5.75
Ice Age (2002) (MA/HD) $5
Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) (MA/HD) $6
Identity Thief (2013) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $3.75
If I Stay (2014) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5.75
Imitation Game, The (2014) (Vudu/HD) $3.25
Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks (2017) (iTunes/HD) $3.50
In the Heights (2021) (MA/4K) $5
Inception (2010) (MA/4K) $6.50
Incredibles (2004) (MA/4K) $7.75 (iTunes/4K) $6.25 (GP/HD) $4.75
Incredibles 2 (2018) (MA/4K) $6.25 (iTunes/4K) $4.50 (GP/HD) $2
Independence Day (1996) (MA/4K) $7.75 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $5.50
Indiana Jones 1-4 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $20
Inglorious Bastards (2009) (MA/4K) $7
Inside Out (2015) (MA/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) $4.25 (GP/HD) $1.50
Instant Family (2018) (Vudu/HD) $2 (iTunes/4K) $1.50
Insurgent (2015) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $4.25 (Vudu/HD) $3.50
Interstellar (2014) (Vudu/4K) $6 (iTunes/4K) $5.75 (Vudu/HD) $4
Invisible Man (2020) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) $3.75
Iron Man 1-3 (MA/4K) $21 (iTunes/4K) $16 (GP/HD) $7.50
Iron Man and Hulk: Heroes United (2013) (MA/HD) $5.50
It Follows (2015) (Vudu/HD) $4.50
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) (Vudu/HD) $6.75
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) (Vudu/4K) $5.25 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5
Jack Reacher Collection 1-2 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $7
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) (Vudu/4K) $5.50 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $2.75
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3.25
Jackass Forever (2022) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4
Jane Got a Gun (2016) (Vudu/HD) $5.75
Jason Bourne (2016) (MA/4K) $5.50 (iTunes/HD) $3.50 (MA/HD) $3
Jason Statham 6-Movie (Wild Card, War, Bank Job, Transporter 3, Crank, Crank 2) (Vudu/HD) $11.50
Jaws (1975) (MA/4K) $6.25 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.75
Jaws (1975) Jaws 2 (1978) Jaws 3 (1983) Jaws: The Revenge (1987) (MA/HD) $15.50
Jexi (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $4.50
Jigsaw (2017) (Vudu/4K) $5 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $2
Jingle All the Way (1996) (MA/HD) $5.25
JOBS (2013) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $3.75
John Wick Collection 1-3 (Vudu/4K) $16.50 (iTunes/4K) $14.50 (Vudu/HD) $8
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $4
Judy (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $3.75
Juice (1992) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.50
Jumanji (1995) (MA/HD) $6.50
Jumanji: Next Level (2019) & Welcome to the Jungle (2017) (MA/HD) $7.50
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) (MA/4K) $7.75 (MA/HD) $5.50
Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2017) (MA/4K) $5.50 (MA/HD) $2 (MA/SD) $1
Jungle Book (1967) (MA/HD) $6 (GP/HD) $4
Jungle Book (2016) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $5.25 (GP/HD) $2.75
Jungle Book 2 (2003) (MA/HD) $6.50 (GP/HD) $5.50
Jungle Cruise (2021) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $3.75 (GP/HD) $3
Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1997) (MA/4K) $6.50 (iTunes/4K) $3.75 (MA/HD) $3
Jurassic World Collection 1-5 (MA/4K) $20 (iTunes/4K) $17.50 (MA/HD) $10
Jurassic World Collection 1-6 (MA/4K) $23.50 (MA/HD) $11.50
Jurassic World: Dominion + Extended Cut (2022) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) $4.25
Justice League x RWBY Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part One (2023) (MA/HD) $4.25
Kick-Ass (2010) (Vudu/4K) $5.75 (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $4.50
Kid, The (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $5.25
Killer Elite (2011) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $3.25
Killing Kennedy (2013) (MA/HD) $6.50
Killing Lincoln (2013) (MA/HD) $5.25
Kin (2018) (Vudu/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3
King Kong (2005) (MA/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) $3.75 (MA/HD) $3.50
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016) (MA/HD) $4.50
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2.75
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.25
Knight and Day (2010) (MA/HD) $6.50
Knives Out (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $5.25
Knock at the Cabin (2023) (MA/HD) $5.50
Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) (MA/HD) $2.50
Kung Fu Panda Collection 1-3 (MA/HD) $12.50
La La Land (2016) (Vudu/HD) $2.25 (iTunes/4K) $3.75
Lady and the Tramp (1955) (MA/HD) $5.75 (GP/HD) $3.75
Last Duel, The (2021) (MA/HD) $5.25 (GP/HD) $4
Last Witch Hunter (2015) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $1.50
Last Word (2017) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $4.75
Legion of Super Heroes (2023) (MA/HD) $6
Les Miserables (1998) (MA/HD) $7
Les Miserables (2012) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $2.75
Life of Pi (2012) (MA/HD) $2.50
Lightyear (2022) (MA/4K) $5 (MA/HD) $2.75 (GP/HD) $2
Lilo & Stitch (2002) & Stitch Has a Glitch (2005) (MA/HD) $10.50 (GP/HD) $6
Lincoln Lawyer (2011) (Vudu/4K) $5.25 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4.50
Lion King (1994) (MA/4K) $7 (iTunes/4K) $4.50 (GP/HD) $2.75
Lion King (2019) (MA/4K) $6 (iTunes/4K) $4 (GP/HD) $1.25
Little (2019) (MA/HD) $4.50
Little Fockers (2010) (MA/HD) $5
Little Mermaid (1989) (MA/4K) $7.25 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $5.75 (GP/HD) $3.75
Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow (2014) (MA/4K) $5
Lock Up (1989) (Vudu/4K) $5
Logan (2017) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2.75
Logan Lucky (2017) (MA/HD) $1.50 (iTunes/4K) $2.25
Lone Ranger (2013) (MA/HD) $4.50 (GP/HD) $2.50
Lone Survivor (2013) (MA/4K) $6.75 (iTunes/4K) $2 (MA/HD) $1.50
Long Shot (2019) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4
Longest Ride (2015) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $1.50
Looper (2012) (MA/4K) $5.75 (MA/HD) $3
Lost City, The (2022) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6
Love and Monsters (2020) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $7
Lucy (2014) (MA/HD) $2
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022) (MA/HD) $5.50
Mad Max Collection 1-4 (Vudu/4K) $20
Madagascar Collection 1-4 (MA/HD) $14
Magnificent Seven (2016) (Vudu/4K) $6 (Vudu/HD) $2.50
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) (MA/4K) $6.50 (MA/HD) $1.75
Man on a Ledge (2012) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.50
Marry Me (2022) (MA/HD) $6.50
Marshall (2017) (MA/HD) $4.75
Mary Poppins Returns (2018) (MA/4K) $6.50 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.50 (GP/HD) $2
Matrix: Resurrections (2021) (MA/4K) $5
Maze Runner (2014) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $5.50
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $6
McFarland, USA (2015) (MA/HD) $6.25 (GP/HD) $4.50
Mechanic: Resurrection (2016) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3
Megan Leavey (2017) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $1.75
Memory (2022) (MA/HD) $3.50
Men (2022) (Vudu/HD) $3.75
Men in Black (1997) (MA/HD) $6.50
Men in Black 3 (2012) (MA/HD) $2.50
Men in Black Collection 1-3 (MA/HD) $15.50
Men in Black II (2002) (MA/HD) $6.75
Menu (2022) (MA/HD) $5.50 (GP/HD) $4
MIB: International (2019) (MA/4K) $5.75 (MA/HD) $4.75
Mickey & Minnie 10 Classic Shorts - Volume 1 (2023) (MA/HD) $5.75 (GP/HD) $4
Midway (2019) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $4
Mile 22 (2018) (iTunes/4K) $1.75
Minions (2015) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2.75
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) & Minions (2015) (MA/HD) $8
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $5.25
Miss Bala (2019) (MA/HD) $3.75
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2015) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2
Mission: Impossible Collection 1-6 (Vudu/4K) $25 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $20
Moana (2016) (MA/4K) $7 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.75 (GP/HD) $2
Money Monster (2016) (MA/HD) $3.25
Moneyball (2011) (MA/HD) $2.75
Monster Hunter (2020) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $4.25
Monsters University (2013) (MA/4K) $6.75 (iTunes/4K) $5.75 (GP/HD) $3.50
Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) (MA/HD) $4.75
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) (MA/4K) $7.25
Moonfall (2022) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $5
Moonlight (2016) (Vudu/HD) $4
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) (MA/HD) $4.75
Morbius (2022) (MA/4K) $5.25 (MA/HD) $3.25 (MA/SD) $2.25
Mortal Engines (2018) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $3.25
Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2014) (MA/HD) $3.50
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind (2022) (MA/HD) $5.50
Mother's Day (2016) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $5
Mountain Between Us (2017) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $1.50
Mr & Mrs. Smith (2005) (MA/HD) $5.75
Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014) (MA/HD) $3.25
Mulan (1998) (MA/4K) $6.75 (iTunes/4K) $5.75 (GP/HD) $3
Mulan (2020) (MA/4K) $6.25 (MA/HD) $4 (GP/HD) $2.25
Mulan 2 (2005) (MA/HD) $3.75 (GP/HD) $2.75
Mummy, The (2017) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2.75
Muppets Most Wanted (2014) (MA/HD) $6.25 (GP/HD) $4.50
Murder on The Orient Express (2017) (MA/HD) $2.75
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $4
My Boss's Daughter (2003) (Vudu/HD) $6
My Fair Lady (1964) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5.50
My Little Pony: The Movie (2017) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $3.25
Natural, The (1984) (MA/4K) $5
Nebraska (2013) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $2.25
Never Grow Old (2019) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $4.50
New Mutants (2020) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $5.25 (GP/HD) $2.75
News of the World (2020) (MA/4K) $6.25 (MA/HD) $3.75
Night at the Museum 3-Movie (MA/HD) $13.50 $6 Each (MA/SD) $9
Night Before (2015) (MA/HD) $4.75
Night School (Extended) (2018) (MA/4K) $7 (MA/HD) $3.75
Nightmare Alley (2021) (MA/HD) $4.50 (GP/HD) $3.50
No Country For Old Men (2007) (Vudu/HD) $5.50 (iTunes/HD) $6.50
Noah (2014) (Vudu/HD) $1.75 (iTunes/HD) $1.50
Nope (2022) (MA/4K) $8 (MA/HD) $5.75
Nope (2022), Get Out (2017) & Us (2019) (MA/HD) $10
Northman (2022) (MA/4K) $7.25 (MA/HD) $4.50
Notting Hill (1999) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $3.75
Now You See Me 1-2 (Vudu/HD) $4 (iTunes/HD) $6.50
Nut Job (2014) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $1.75
Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) (MA/4K) $6 (MA/HD) $3 (GP/HD) $2.50
Oblivion (2013) (MA/4K) $7 (iTunes/4K) $3.50 (MA/HD) $2.25
Office Space (1999) (MA/HD) $7
Olaf's Frozen Adventure Plus 6 Disney Tales (2017) (MA/HD) $4.50 (GP/HD) $3
Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood (2019) (MA/4K) $6.75 (MA/HD) $5
One Direction: This is Us + Extended Fan Edition (2013) (MA/HD) $3.25
Only The Brave (2017) (MA/HD) $5.50
Onward (2020) (MA/4K) $5.50 (MA/HD) $4 (GP/HD) $2.25
Operation Finale (2018) (iTunes/4K) $2.75
Other Woman (2014) (MA/HD) $2.25
Ouija (2014) (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $2.50
Our Kind of Traitor (2016) (Vudu/HD) $3.25
Overboard (2016) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $5.75
Overlord (2018) (Vudu/4K) $5 (Vudu/HD) $2.75 (iTunes/4K) $4
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) (MA/HD) $2 (GP/HD) $1
Pacific Rim Uprising (2018) (MA/4K) $7.75 (MA/HD) $4.50
Parasite (2019) (MA/HD) $4.75
Passengers (2016) (MA/HD) $2.75
Paterno (2018) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $4.25 (GP/HD) $2.75
Patriot Games (1992) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $5.50
Patriots Day (2017) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $2.50
Paul, Apostle Of Christ (2018) (MA/HD) $4.50
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $6
Peanuts Movie (2015) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $2.25
Pearl (2022) (Vudu/HD) $5.50
Penguins of Madagascar (2014) (MA/HD) $2.75
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013) (MA/HD) $2.25
Pet Sematary (1989) (Vudu/4K) $6 (iTunes/4K) $4 (Vudu/HD) $3.75
Pete’s Dragon (2016) (MA/HD) $6.25 (GP/HD) $4.25
Peter Pan (1953) (MA/HD) $6.25 (GP/HD) $4.75
Peter Pan: Return to Neverland (2002) (MA/HD) $6 (GP/HD) $4.50
Peter Rabbit (2018) & 2 (2021) (MA/HD) $8.50 $4.75 Each
Philadelphia (1993) (MA/4K) $7.75
Pineapple Express (Unrated Edition) (2008) (MA/HD) $6.50
Pitch Black - Unrated Director's Cut (2000) (MA/HD) $6
Pitch Perfect (2012) (MA/4K) $5.75 (MA/HD) $2.75 (iTunes/4K) $3.75
Pitch Perfect Collection 1-3 (MA/HD) $11.50
Plane (2023) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $8
Planet of the Apes 1-3 (Newer) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $12
Power Rangers (2017) (Vudu/4K) $5.50 (iTunes/4K) $3.25 (Vudu/HD) $2.75
Precious (2009) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $6.25
Predator (1987), 2 (1990), Predators (2009), Predator (2018) (MA/HD) $11
Predator (2018) (MA/4K) $6.25 (MA/HD) $3.50
Pretty in Pink (1986) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4.75
Prey for the Devil (2022) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6
Priceless (2016) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $5
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) (MA/HD) $6.50
Prophecy Collection 1-5 (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $14.50
Proud Mary (2018) (MA/HD) $4.25
Psycho (1960), Rear Window (1954), The Birds (1963), Vertigo (1958) (MA/4K) $17
Pulp Fiction (1994) (Vudu/4K) $5.50 (Vudu/HD) $4.25 (iTunes/HD) $5.25
Punisher, The (2004) (Vudu/4K) $5.75
Punisher: War Zone (2008) (Vudu/4K) $5.75
Purge: Anarchy (2014) (MA/4K) $5.75 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $4.75
Puss in Boots (2011) (MA/4K) $6.75
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) (MA/HD) $7.50
Queen & Slim (2019) (MA/HD) $4.50
Queen of Katwe (2016) (MA/HD) $3.50 (GP/HD) $2.50
Raid 2 (2014) (MA/HD) $5.75
Raid: Redemption + Unrated (2012) (MA/HD) $5.75
Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) (MA/4K) $5.25 (iTunes/4K) $4.50 (GP/HD) $1.50
Rambo Collection 1-5 (Vudu/HD) $13
Ray (2004) (iTunes/HD) Ports to MA $5.25
Ready or Not (2019) (MA/HD) $6.25
Rear Window (1954) (MA/4K) $4.75
Red 2 (2013) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.25 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $1.50
Red Sparrow (2018) (MA/HD) $4.50
Replicas (2019) (Vudu/4K) $5.50
Requiem for a Dream - Director's Cut (2000) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.25
Rescuers, The (1977) (MA/HD) $6.50 (GP/HD) $4
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017) (MA/4K) $7.25 (MA/HD) $3.25
Revenant, The (2015) (MA/4K) $5.25 (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $3.25
Rhythm Section (2020) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $4.25
Riddick Collection 1-3 (Unrated) (MA/HD) $14
Ride Along 1-2 (MA/HD) (iTunes/HD) $5 $2.75 Each
Rings (2017) (Vudu/HD) $2.75 (iTunes/HD) $1.50
Rise of the Guardians (2012) (MA/HD) $3.25
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2010) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $5.75
Robin Hood (2010) (MA/4K) $6.25
Robin Hood (2018) (Vudu/4K) $5 (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $3.25
RoboCop (2014) (Vudu/HD) $2
Rocketman (2019) (Vudu/4K) $4.75 (iTunes/4K) $2.50 (Vudu/HD) $2.25
Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) (MA/HD) $5.25
Rogue (2020) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $3.50
Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017) (MA/HD) $3.50
Rookie of the Year (1993) (MA/HD) $7.50
Room (2015) (Vudu/HD) $5
Rough Night (2017) (MA/HD) $4.25
Rumble (2022) (iTunes/4K) (Vudu/HD) $5.75
Running Man, The (1987) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.25
Same Kind of Different as Me (2017) (Vudu/HD) (iTunes/HD) $2
Sandlot, The (1993) (iTunes/4K) (MA/HD) $5
Saturday Night Fever (1977) (Vudu/4K) (iTunes/4K) $6.25
Sausage Party (2016) (MA/HD) $4.75
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First, Previous

Caritol Tanbrice,

Seneschal of the Lady Elissa Ganthul

John Rosco's departure precipitated an immediate uptick in the frantic (and to Tanbrice's eyes at least, unproductive) activity and volume. Rex barked commands at an effortless volume that cut through the din and directed people to their various tasks, sometimes physically. Such as when he grabbed one of the little lizard people by the crown of it's head and aimed it at it's destination. This appeared to be the chieftan of the lizards, as it chirped out some noises that Tanbrice's translation implant could do nothing with, and the gaggle of chittering reptiles tottered off under their assigned burdens. That was when he smelled the smoke and turned around in a panic. One of these barbarians had started a fire! Probably to cook some crudely carved joint of meat...
Then he saw the source of the smell. A small, presumably young, yellow wulfen had a small cylindrical object in it's mouth that was emitting smoke from the end. The lit end glowed as he inhaled through the cylinder. Tanbrice locked eyes with the pup, but before he could scold the miscreant an ebon blur blazed by on his left and crushed the yellow beast to the floor! Tanbrice nearly fell from flinching away, but a looming pogrin caught him and kept him upright. After only a few seconds of grappling that scattered the mercenaries in their path, Rex had pinned the offending and squealing wulfen to the floor. A few whispered words directly into the miscreant's ear followed by the snapping of vise-like jaws near his face, and Rex relented and stood. The yellow one slowly regained it's feet, and darted off to carry some baggage... somewhere. After that display of callous violence everyone seemed to calm down, and Rex split everyone into various groups with appointed tasks, and left with Tanbrice to meet with Rosco and the Lady. The Senschal was certain that the next time he saw their housing complex it would be a vandalized bunker. Or razed to the ground.
​

Rex

I learned to recognize aelflung fear hormones the first time we'd come here. Poor Fancypants reeked of it, and while it subsided after we left the compound and got in the chauffeured ground car, it was still rolling off of him in waves. Hell, it had soaked into his ridiculous clothes.
Who the fuck wears frilly lace collars and tights?
"Lord Rex, I wouldn't dream of countermanding an order to your men, but I assure you that your quarters were rigorously cleaned in preparation for your arrival. The Lady Elissa insisted that you be treated as dignitaries."
Spoken like someone who wears frilly lace collars and tights. And who now stinks, I strongly suspect, of an inflated sense of superiority.
"Heh, I didn't tell them to clean because the place was dirty. I told them to clean because they need something to do. Idle paws are Nithug's playground."
"Ah, yes. They do seem, er, rambunctious."
I nodded.
"Tell me," he said after a few seconds of silence, "how did you come into your master's service."
"John Rosco is no one's master," I growled. A little harsher than necessary. "I doubt you meant any insult, but you would do well to never call him that. Especially in his presence."
The smell of aelfung fear enveloped me again. But he stayed calm and measured. Easily frightened, but very self controlled. Interesting.
"My apologies and thank you, I had no idea. But, if I may restate the question, how did you come to work for him?"
"We met a long time ago. He was my boss when I started at that... occupation and he was the best leader I've ever had. We became good friends and helped each other escape a bad situation, been with him ever since."
"That sounds like you've worked together for a very long time." I nodded and he continued, "House Ganthul is engaging you in a very delicate and vital bit of work. It's not my place to tell you much in the way of details, and I don't know everything that you'll come to know, but the Gallowglasses come highly recommended. That's in addition to the service you've already provided by keeping the Lady safe seven years ago. I would like to offer you my thanks for that, and I understand you were wounded in that action. I hope you have healed?"
That actually sounded sincere. Should sincerity from a Fancypants make you suspicious? It makes me suspicious. I really need to remember this guy's name before I fuck up and call him Fancypants out loud.
"Yes, a bullet through the thigh and one that slipped through a joint in my armor and carved a big gouge across my shoulder and around my back. The armor caught everything else that hit me. Some good meat patches and wound stabilizers had me back in action within a few hours, a few weeks later it was like nothing had happened."
We pulled up to a modestly pretentious building that acted like it wasn't an understated palace and got out. I checked my pistol, dirk, pocket knife, backup pistol, and slung shot at the security station, and the subsequent search didn't find the three hard plastic shivs I keep on me, or the saw blade in my boot heel. The inside of the palace was nowhere near as subdued as the exterior. Opulent drapes and tapestries let our step ring on the porcelain tile, but not echo. Portraits and busts, mostly of aelflung and presumably Ganthul family and ancestors, lined the walls. Servants in House Ganthul livery bustled around doing servant things. Fancypants led me through a locked door and into a well furnished but decidedly less ornate room with a bank of elevator doors.
"The conference room is in the heart of the palace, in a restricted area. This capsule will take us there, it's three levels down in the spinward wing."
The attendant opened the door and ushered us in, remaining behind as the doors closed and I felt a very faint acceleration as we were whisked away.
"All unrestricted areas of the palace are monitored, as well as all commute capsules. The restricted areas are a patchwork of monitoring. It's best to assume that everything you do and say here is seen and heard."
I studied the little aelflung. "That's very generous of you. Why are you telling me this, especially since they know you're doing it?"
Fancypants gave a human-like shrug. "I serve the Lady Elissa. She wants you here. Telling you about certain dangers seems like a good service to her." The capsule door opened into a hallway and we headed to the left. I could see the conference room ahead on the right. I was almost done with Chatterbox Fancypants! "Apologies for changing the subject, but something about Lord Rosco has me intrigued and I cannot move past it."
I stopped and stared at him.
"Part of my duties involves identifying luxury goods for a variety of reasons. His boots, belt, holster, and other accoutrements are all made of a most peculiar kind of leather. It's clearly well used, yet it shows no wear. I could swear I've seen it's like before, but I simply cannot identify it. Would you happen to know what it is?"
I grinned, he was about to be Mr. Shits-his-pants. "Yes. It's drakken-hide leather."
Yup. Well, he didn't literally shit his pants. But he did stand there slack jawed. I started walking toward the conference room when he regained his composure enough to speak again.
"Drakken-hide leather is priceless! House Ganthul's family jewelry contains only one set of earrings and a bracelet made of drakken-hide, how did Lord Rosco obtain so much?"
I smiled at the poor befuddled bastard and told him, "He killed the drakken."
Then I opened the door and walked in.

My dad passed away just over six months ago from cancer. My mom and him were together for over 40 years. The last month or so my sister and I noticed that she was getting a lot of attention from men in her past, all who know my dad have passed, and she seems to be enjoying it. We knew she would move on at some point and we want that for her, it just feels very very early. One of the men she has been spending time with my dad hated apparently (and she seems to be talking about this guy a lot). We also realized that the last month or so she has stopped wearing her wedding ring and talking about dad as much. It all seems to line up around the same time these men from her past started asking for dates and motorcycle rides. I don’t want her sad and I knew her moving on was a possibility and most likely going to happen but once again it seems so fast after such a long marriage. My sister and I don’t want to be mad but it is causing some odd feelings. Just wondering if anyone else has struggled with this or been in a similar boat. I just can’t imagine moving on from my husband after only 6 months.

>butterbean emerges in the middle of the three seas >mildly conservative, protestant muh 'merica civic nationalist >in the middle of late iron age savagery where decadent aristocratic slavery is rampant, everyone is a pagan, and unnatural sorcery exists >separated from his wife and two kids, even though he's back in his prime he can't handle it >breaks from the loss and almost goes into alcoholism but has no money to spend >thanks god for taking him here destitute >goes back into roofing tiles and making a pittance >discovers that underground fighting rings exist because of course they do >enters and becomes an instant novelty >gets a noble patron who funds his diet and organizes fights >he continues for a year and then the holy war comes to the three seas >never converted to local paganism, has no interest in the fight >his noble patron goes on the warpath and he's left hung to dry >saved a decent amount of money, enough to retire on but he refuses to >he goes back to roofing and makes due, until he sees a woman getting beaten by two thugs >beats them into a coma with his bare hands and talks to the woman >turns out she's a noblewoman turned beggar after her father was killed during the vulgar holy war and she was disinherited >with nowhere else to go but prostitution, butterbean refuses to allow it and takes her in >he asks nothing in return and refuses premarital sex but she falls in love with him and over time, her delicate sensibilities tear away at his heart >eventually he falls into love with her and despite him being a bizarre commoner from a distant land, and her a delicate noblewoman from a fallen house, they get married >butterbean insists on the christian tradition, as best as he can remember, she interprets it as fanim heresy but loves him so much she doesn't care >they have a wedding in secret on a rooftop, known to nobody but themselves and the stars
>the end of the week, he decides that the city isn't a place to have a family and so they leave for the wilderness >he builds a home for them by his own sweat, tears, and two hands >gets into farming and loses most of his weight, but kept some of his bulk >years go by and they have fourteen kids, only three of them stillborn. buried in a shallow grave out back >at several points their livelihood is threatened, butterbean is forced to fight bandits, scylvendi, and at one point, a pack of sranc that ventured into the south >he's scarred and one of his sons died but he holds onto the promise he made, that he would make a better life for her than the one she left behind >his wife lost her looks long ago but she's still beautiful to him >he's begun to age and slow down again, he knows this and is content because he's lived a good life >living in a crude, two-story fortified house surrounded by a palisade and farmfields >but more importantly, alongside his surviving family and their loved ones and their children >it's a new generation and in another time, in another place, it could've been the start of a noble lineage >meanwhile, Kellhus drops the ball beyond human comprehension and the great ordeal is doomed >the consult is, if not victorious, triumphant and the No-God reigns >numberless hordes of sranc spill over the countryside baying for blood >at first butterbean is forced to fight refugees who want to steal his livelihood >he's wracked with guilt for every life he takes but his family is more important >then scattered mobs of desperate peasants and opportunistic bandits >spear in hand, sons at his side, an aged-butterbean fights like he has never has before >he loses almost everything but holds on, most of his family survives, then comes the winter
>a lone sranc he slays turns out to be only a scout for much more horrible danger >the forces of the consult have arrived in force >butterbean's homestead isn't a strategic consideration, it isn't even tactically noteworthy >swarms of sranc overwhelm the palisade and tear boys, now men, from their defenses >they're forced to fallback into the house itself but the sranc are simply too many >for every one to be slain a hundred more are baying for blood >they lacerate butterbean, sink their teeth into him, and rip the flesh from his bones, yet he fights >he knows his loved ones are depending on him and doesn't have any regard for his own safety >somehow, a dozen got past him into the nursery, bedrooms, and very large kitchen >in the midst of frenzied rage, he hears the wailing of his grandchildren and worse, of his wife >the second love of his life begs him, her hero, to save not her, but the baby >he turns, sranc clinging to his shoulder and sees a swaddled toddler ripped from her hands and devoured >an instant after, her throat is torn open and she dies a gasping death >the will of butterbean is broken but he fights on and finds strength to give a bashrag pause >it isn't enough, the bloodloss piles on, his spear is broken, his knife is taken away, he's left boxing >one sranc falls, then two, then a third, but no more >their numbers are too vast, they overwhelm him and he is ripped asunder >twenty-eight sranc lie dead, two-score more mutilated and soon to die >in his dying moments, he throws a torch onto a curtain, setting his home ablaze with sranc in it >he loses feeling in his body and prays to god, he mourns the loss but knows that he'll soon see his family again in heaven
​
>butterbean's eyes close for the last time and his soul leaves his body >a moment before he crosses the barrier to the outside, he feels the weight of what is to come surrounding him >in that instant stretching into eternity, he instinctively knows that he never had a chance >he was damned from the moment he first drew breath

I’m in my mid-40s and have been divorced for almost 20 years after a short toxic marriage. For years after my divorce at 27, I looked and looked and dated and dated some more, and could never find the right person.
My last long term relationship before this one was on and off for 8+ years. I spent my 30s breaking up and getting back together with someone I loved dearly…but finally realized was never going to marry me, despite having lived together TWICE.
The fall before Covid hit, we finally broke up for the last time. I didn’t want to be a perpetual girlfriend for the rest of my life. I WANT to get married again, and DESERVE to have that chance after all the shit I’ve been through!
In March 2021, I was literally one day away from deleting my dating profile. I had started looking to buy a house by myself, and had decided I was just EXHAUSTED from trying so hard in the dating game.
The last night before I was scheduled to delete Hinge…I got a message from a really handsome man. I was intrigued, because handsome men usually didn’t reach out to me (first). We started chatting, and quickly moved to a Friday morning coffee date.
Within an hour, I knew that someday, I was going to be his wife.
We dated and met families and I got to know his kids, and we fell in love and moved in together. Because of my history with my ex, and knowing that my BF had been divorced twice and was really skittish about the idea of getting married a 3rd time, I was always really hesitant to bring up the idea. We had a conversation about it in August 2022 and he said he “didn’t really think about it”, so I clammed up as I didn’t want to push him. I left the conversation with, “Not getting married is not an option for me, so you should start thinking about it.”
Our 2 year anniversary was 2 months ago in March. We had one more short and scary conversation about it. I still felt like he was holding back a bit.
Then a couple of weeks ago, I got up my gumption and just simply said, “Why are you so opposed to/afraid of getting married again?” He surprised me and said, “I’m not opposed to it or afraid of it.” I said, “Well, when we’ve had our previous conversations about it, I’ve felt like you’re holding back and it makes me feel like I’m not good enough to want to marry. It doesn’t have to be soon, I just want to know that you WANT to marry me.”
And for the first time ever, he said, “I DO want to marry you. I love and adore you.”
I had to fight back tears of joy.
Before my disaster of a 1st marriage, I was engaged to 2 different other men in my early 20s and neither one of them got to the wedding date. I’ve been “play proposed to” by 3 other men since my divorce, and then dealt with the 8 year guy. I have a super strong complex regarding the feeling of not being good enough to marry, that I’ve done surprisingly well at working through emotionally before I got into this relationship, but it’s still a lingering feeling. Who wouldn’t feel that way after so many let downs?
Well, the day after he said that, I sent him a link to an Etsy engagement ring I liked.
It arrived in the mailbox this week.
Because I finally let on how much I was hurting over it, he just freakin DID IT. Without question. Willing to risk a 3rd marriage despite being initially scared, FOR ME. And that’s how I know he’s the right one.
The right one will not watch you be upset for YEARS about not being married and still drag his feet. Period.
Last night while my darling was snoring beside me, I was scrolling through Pinterest, researching wedding rings and dresses and hairstyles and venues, etc. And I literally bawled in my bed because I realized that for the first time in 20 years, I was actually planning my REAL wedding to someone that adores me. Not just “my one day hopeful wedding to someone”, but my actual honest to God wedding. I cannot tell you how emotional I am over this. I’ve never been so happy before, and truly FEEL loved.
I want this for all of you. Every last damn one of you! So if your boyfriend is stalling and causing you heartache for WHATEVER REASON, I want you to feel like you owe it to yourself to STOP THE MADNESS and stop letting the excuses pile up and stop letting your boyfriend keep you from finding your husband.
You deserve more.

What’s up swappers! I’ve got some new shipwrecks and stuff to share with ya.   Sales are open to US only (sorry not worth the additional risk or hassle for shipping outside the US). PayPal Friends and Family Preferred. I’ll only accept Venmo or Zelle, if you have no other options. No PP G&S and NO NOTES. Know your own state knife laws.   YOLOs take precedence over PM. I do have some duplicates in here, so take note of that when yoloing. For examples, if you say “yolo PM2” I won’t know which one you’re referring to and someone else may sneak in before you with a more specific yolo.   NO TRADES and THESE ARE CROSSPOSTED and availability may change!   Assume all of these are 2+ Owners unless noted otherwise.   FYI, many items may not ship until Tuesday AM. All items $20 and below are add-ons only.  
Disclaimer: There is a LOT of information on this page and I’m not perfect so if you see an error, please let me know. All items are described to the best of my ability, and if you need to see something upclose, please ask.   TIMESTAMP
   

KNIVES

 

Chaves Ultramar Redencion Tanto Micarta - $350

• Video: https://imgur.com/dgX0FLT
• Handle: Titanium Green Ceracoat
• Blade Steel: S35VN
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Box
• Condition: fantastic condition, minor snails on clip
• Notes: This is a crazy Chaves. The green highlights throughout are very well done.

 

SOC J-Cape Mini Burlap (REC Exclusive) - $325

• Video: https://imgur.com/XIo95YN
• Handle: Titanium and Burlap Carbon Fiber
• Blade Steel: 20CV
• Centering: Slightly Favors Show Side
• Packaging: Original
• Condition: Like new, only cut paper and flicked a bunch Notes: This is am REC Exclusive and only 50 of these were made. Really freaking cool knife. Comes with all the original goodies including additional clip

 

Vero Impulse Mini - $250

• Video: https://imgur.com/HcdkirD
• Handle: Titanium
• Blade Steel: M390
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Pouch, etc
• Condition: Like new

- Notes: Great knife! Catch and release for me. Glad I tried it but ultimately too big for me.

 

Benchmade Bugout Mini - $110

• Video: https://imgur.com/OIdcbv9
• Handle: G10
• Blade Steel: s30v
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Box
• Condition: Great condition on the blade, minor marks on scales
• Notes: Picked up on a trade and already have two!

 

Spyderco Endura - $70

• Video: https://imgur.com/m05LRS4
• Handle: FRN
• Blade Steel: VG10, partially serrated
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: None
• Condition: Good, some rope cutting a couple times but that’s about it.
• Notes: I originally thought I’d make this a camping knife. It’s just too freaking big for me.

   

SHIPWRECKS

  I use a very high quality and patina specific clearcoat called ProtectaClear on most of my shipwrecks. That being said the clearcoat will eventually wear through, it all depends on the amount of handling and the acidity of your hand oils, so I provide no warranties on the finishes. It’s always possible to reclearcoat down the road and I’d be open to provided that for you for a small fee as well.
 

First Shipwrecked Spyderco PM2 with REX45 - $265

• Video: https://imgur.com/wzkgaye
• Handle: Linerless Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: REX45
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Box
• Condition: Great Condition, Blade looks like new and if hasn’t been carried after the Shipwrecking.
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: This is the BladeHQ exclusive Linerless PM2 with Copper Scales and REX45 blade steel. It has a shipwreck patina and 3-4 coats of ProtectaClear Patina Specific Clearcoat.

 

Second Shipwrecked Spyderco PM2 with REX45 - $265

• Video: https://imgur.com/b23iVxe
• Handle: Linerless Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: REX45
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Box
• Condition: Great Condition, Blade looks like new and if hasn’t been carried after the Shipwrecking.
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: This is the BladeHQ exclusive Linerless PM2 with Copper Scales and REX45 blade steel. It has a shipwreck patina and 3-4 coats of ProtectaClear Patina Specific Clearcoat.

 

Shipwrecked Spyderco PM2 with Copper Frag and DLC - $265

• Video: https://imgur.com/tZSDcjB
• Handle: Frag Patterned Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: s45vn
• Centering: Favors clip side
• Packaging: Box with sticker that doesn’t match
• Condition: Great Condition, Blade looks like new and if hasn’t been carried after the Shipwrecking.
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: I got these scales on a trade so I’m not exactly sure whose they are but I tried something different but shipwrecking them and then sanding it down so the shipwreck was only in the grooves. Cool effect in my opinion.

 

Shipwrecked Spyderco PM2 with Brass scales - $210

• Video: https://imgur.com/b4bsBaM
• Handle: Brass Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: S30v
• Centering: Favors Clip side
• Packaging: I don’t think I have the box
• Condition: Blade has light use, including a very slight broken tip. Scales haven’t been carried after the Shipwrecking.
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: This is a more rough style shipwrecking with a little texture. Cool different colors!

 

Shipwrecked Copper Vero Axon Mini - $260

• Video: https://imgur.com/rrln2ts
• Handle: Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: M390
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Pouch
• Condition: Blade is like new, small snail on pocket clip, hasn’t been used or carried since the shipwreck.
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: The Vero Copper always turns out extra nice when shipwrecked. This one is no exception.

 

Shipwrecked Copper Kizer Towser K - $110

• Video: https://imgur.com/0yNxTvK
• Handle: Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: 154CM
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Box
• Condition: Knife is Brand new (other than shipwreck patina) and never cut.
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: Brand new knife that I purchased for shipwreck work. Never cut! Amazing action on these Towsers!

 

Shipwrecked Copper Civivi Elementum Black Tanto - $90

• Video: https://imgur.com/Uc5quGM
• Handle: Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: D2 Tanto
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Box
• Condition: Knife is Brand new (other than shipwreck patina) and never cut.
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: Brand new knife that I purchased for shipwreck work. Never cut!

 

Shipwrecked Copper Civivi Asticus Mini - $90

• Video: https://imgur.com/UDnoz4a
• Handle: Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: 10Cr15CoMOV
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Box
• Condition: Knife is Brand new (other than shipwreck patina) and never cut.
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: Brand new knife that I purchased for shipwreck work. Never cut!

 

Shipwrecked Brass QSP Hawk - $80

• Video: https://imgur.com/t4Varsc
• Handle: Brass Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: 14C28N
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: Box
• Condition: Light use, hasn’t been used or carried since the shipwrecking
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific

 

Shipwrecked Copper Boker Kansei - $80

• Video: https://imgur.com/Ybn72hU
• Handle: Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Blade Steel: VG10
• Centering: Centered
• Packaging: No Box
• Condition: Light use
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific
• Notes: I carried this nice to a couple of weddings but that’s about it. VERY slicey, and unique flipper but great action. I like to use my thumb to flip this one.

 

Shipwrecked Copper Bugout Flytanium Crossfade SCALES ONLY - $90

• Video: https://imgur.com/vZOaGAT
• Handle: Copper Shipwreck Patina
• Packaging: Original
• Condition: NEW
• Clearcoat Type: Protectaclear Patina Specific

   

OTHER (UNDER $20 ARE ADD ON ONLY)

 

PM2 Titanium Back Spacer and Clip Teal Ano - $30

• Video: https://imgur.com/j85Lgg6
• Handle: Titanium with Teal Ano
• Packaging: None
• Condition: Great Condition

 

Bugout Scales Blue Gradient - $10 (ADD ON ONLY)

• Video: https://imgur.com/Ty20Lgc
• Handle: G10 or Grivory (what ever benchmade calls these)
• Packaging: None
• Condition: Like new, not sure these were ever carried
• Notes: Stock Tan scales with a blue dyed gradiant

 

PM2 G10 Scales Orange Gradient - $10 (ADD ON ONLY)

• Video: https://imgur.com/TadOSlz
• Handle: G10
• Packaging: None
• Condition: These had light use before the dye job. But cleaned up great.

 

PM2 G10 Scales OD Green Gradient - $10 (ADD ON ONLY)

• Video: https://imgur.com/F7zOtUN
• Handle: G10
• Packaging: None
• Condition: These had light use before the dye job. But cleaned up great.

EDIT: i stupidly made a typo. I am 29F.
Context: My bf and I live in a conservative country, where there is still expectation for men to be provider of the household. I earn very high compared to my peers, while my bf of 5 years earns average.
Me earning more (3x than him) has never been a problem while dating. My bf has been extremely proud and supportive of my success. We mostly split expenses 50-50 and the partnership has always felt equal. I’m very grateful to him and he has supported and helped me in ways money can’t ever buy.
However bf in the recent years have had financial struggles with his business and entire industry heavily affected by the pandemic and suffering heavy losses. His parents also both got diagnosed with terminal illnesses, he chipped in for healthcare, and one parent passed away. Now, he’s managed to stabilize his business (earning but not as well pre-pandemic), took on an additional FT corporate job where he is a top performer, and is in the process of rebuilding his savings.
But because of this blow in his finances he does not feel confident in his current ability to be the main provider of this relationship, or even an equal contributor. He’s confided to me that he feels stressed and rushed by his family and friends to already propose to me, when he’s still currently saving up for the ring + atleast half of our planned wedding fund, and other financial worries.
I assure him I love what we have and am willing to help more financially, but he says its important for him to feel he is contributing atleast equal money and pulling his weight. He says the emotional support I give him is already more than enough help and he wants to be in a position to give back more.
Right now I am ready to get married but am patiently waiting until he feels more secure w/ his finances and thus his part in the relationship.
I need advice so that this does not become a bigger issue. How can I help him feel good in the relationship regardless of how much we contribute financially? How can we meet halfway on our shared goals - when I am ready to cover more now and he wants to wait til he can cover half of it?

So this happened some time ago and was not recently. For what I think are obvious reasons, I won't tell you where it was, when this happened and most importantly with whom this occurred. Also, I will not disclose any other detail that could help to identify any of the persons involved.
So a friend and I went to this famous artist's concert. Both of us had a great time, we are big fans and the concert was great. When we left, we were approached by this gorgeous woman that had some kind of card hanging around her neck. She asked if we wanted to get to know the artist backstage and we of course said yes. We were then told to wait a few metres over by the side where three girls were already waiting. After she got like four other women, some security guy lead us to the backstage area.
There, some women were already present and after us, two other cohorts came in. So in this large room there were easily 25 to 30 women (most of them very attractice I'd say) present. The artist wasn't there yet but the woman that approached us arrived shortly after the last group of girls. She initiated small talk with us, told us that we were welcome to grap the food and drinks that were on the table. She talked to us in groups of five to six women at once and asked stuff like how excited we were to meet XYZ but also wanted to know if we were of age and asked us if we could show her our IDs or some other document of proof which we did. She also asked all the girls whether they're single or in relationships. She was also seemingly typing notes into her phone while doing that.
My friend and I of course knew what this was probably about. Both of us had boyfriends at the time but we agreed that we would both fuck the artist if the opportunity arised. We were a little tipsy and had like hundreds of conversations in the past about how hot and sexy he was. Also fucking someone like that is a rare opportunity so we felt like we had to take it, even if it meant cheating on our boyfriends.
After the woman talked to all groups (that took about half an hour I'd say), she seated like half the girls on a couch in the corner of the room and we were among them. Virtually directly after that, the artist arrived and also sat on the couch. You could tell that everyone was star struck but he did his best to loosen up the atmosphere and asked how everyone liked the show, things like that. He got flirtier over time and I could see him touching the shoulders and thighs of the girls seated next to him. They also got touchy with him and I noticed that both of these girls had a ring on their ring finger...
He also asked me some things and joked with me (among a few other girls) so I got the impression that he liked me which made me horny. All of this didn't go on for too long and after some time he asked some of the girls directly if they wanted to come to the "after party" in his hotel suite. The two he sat in between of were the first he asked and after a couple of others he asked me and I immediately agreed. My friend was not among those asked so we had to say good bye. She was excited for me and promised me to not tell anyone. She wished me much fun and then I was guided by a security or road crew type of person to the woman that approached us in the first place. My friend and the other women that were not asked to go to the hotel were sent home (but she got her taxi paid for by them), some of the girls had already left on their own when the artist didn't talk to them.
Us chosen few were lead to some kind of minibus. We were told to get in it and wait for a few minutes, then the woman went to another car and left. After two or three minutes a driver for the mini bus arrived and he drove us to the hotel. We were eight girls in the bus, two groups of two women that went to the concert together and knew each other and four girls that were there on their own. The atmosphere in the mini bus was a little bit awkward. One of the girls had a phone call with someone she called "honey" to explain to him that she couldn't come home tonight because she had to help her drunk friend get thome or something like that.
After we arrived at the hotel, we were already received by the woman again. She lead us through the lobby to the elevator and then to the suite. The artist was not there yet. The woman told us that we would probably know what this is about: The artist wants to have sex with us. She told us that if we didn't want to sleep with him, we could leave right now, that wouldn't be a problem at all. Everyone stayed though, the woman then had us sign agreements that we wouldn't make anything happening there public and that we gave our consent to participate in sexual acts with the artist. We then had to turn our phones off and put them in a bag she brought with her.
After that, she introduced herself as XYZ's "pussy coordinator" and gave a little speech that we were chosen for two reasons: 1, the artist found us hot and 2, we all stated that we were in relationships and that he prefers to fuck taken women. I think my jaw dropped a little bit because although there were some obvious signs I didn't think that this was not a coincidence until now. The woman then told us that the artist likes to be wanted, adored and worshipped and that we were expected to do that for him. Also, he'd like us to compare him to our significant others and remind him that he is taking another man's girl when he is taking us. She said that she knows that this sounds weird but then pointed at her own ring and said that she can tell from experience that it was worth it. After that she asked if there were any questions and if not so, she asked us to undress completely (only thing that should stay on would be wedding and engagement rings) and get on our knees while she was going to receive the artist.
All of us did as told, I chatted with one of the girls next to me and we told each other how excited we were. I told her how my boyfriend would probably be in tears if he saw me right now but that this somehow doesn't really bother and she told me that her fiancé would be the same. She also said that she was ready to do anything the artist wanted her to do, "I would even let him piss on me but hopefully he is not into that" and we laughed.
Then, the "pussy coordinator" finally lead the artist in. He was already shirtless and you could tell how happy he was. He positioned himself a few steps away in front of us and told us to crawl towards him. I was uncontrollably horny and basically dripping, he was so attractive and this whole situation was so exciting and new. So the other seven girls and I crawled towards him and when all were in front of him, he told us to beg for his cock which we did. After maybe half a minute he allowed us to unpack his thing and two or three of the women in the front did so. His penis was massive, the biggest I ever saw and you could tell he liked how all of us were surprised by that.
I don't want to get into too much detail about what followed. I think everyone sucked his cock, I did for a few minutes and I think I gave the best blowjob of my life. I told him that he was much bigger than my boyfriend and that he was able to just take me from him, like the woman told us to. The other girls did similar things, we told him about how much we adored him, that he is a famous musician that can get every woman and how much better he is than our men. Of course, not all of the girls could get a piece of him at the same time, when I couldn't get my hands or mouth on him I chatted with other girls, made out with them or played with my pussy. The "pussy coordinator" was still in the room btw, sitting on an armchair, watching closely.
After some time the events got relocated onto the huge bed. He laid on his back and we took turns playing with his dick, his abs, making out with him, having him lick over and play with our bodies etc. I licked his great abs, pressed my tits onto his face and had him motorboat them, told him that those were his now and suck his big cock a little more. He also talked about stuff like how he could just turn up and steal a bunch of guys their girls and that he is a star that gets to make other men's wives his whores and much more like that.
The foreplay took an eternity but after some time he reached for the box of condoms next to the bed, put one on and started fucking the first woman. From then on, we took turns fucking him, he changed condoms a lot and at one point I was riding him while a few other girls were making out with him and worshipping his body. It was weird having sex with someone who is not primarily focused on you at first but when he slapped my ass, giving me a little more attention, I orgasmed, screamed somehting like "Oh my god, I am fucking XYZ" and then after falling onto him was pushed to the side and after another condom switch replaced by the next woman.
I think he fucked all of us, he fucked me again, this time missionary and with more attention for me. He made me praise him and talk bad about my boyfriend again and did so himself. After a few minutes, I came again. Not too long after that, he was close to finishing as well. For that he put his condom off and as a final sign of dominance had the four girls with husbands/fiancés lay their rings on the chest of the woman with the largest breasts. He came onto the rings and then had the "pussy coordinator" make a photo of that.
We were then asked if we wanted to go home or stay the night in the suite. Three of the women went home (it was in the middle of the night by then) but as I was not living with my boyfriend and as I didn't have to work the next day, I preferred to stay. The "pussy coordinator" handed the three women leaving their phones and went to her hotel room while we were sleeping in the bed with the artist. I was lucky enough to get a spot right next to him and cuddled with him. He groped my ass the whole time and I was whispering into his ear how great that was before falling asleep.
The next morning, we had another orgy before we all had to leave before noon. We weren't allowed to shower which made me feel a little disgusting. When I came home, I took a shower and had to catch up on some sleep. I met up with my friend later and told her everything, she was super jealous but also excited for me. Later the evening, I met up with my boyfriend. He wanted to know how the concert was and I told him it was the best concert ever. He still doesn't know about what I did after it. It was the best night of my life.

Eat a fiber-rich diet. Foods containing flavonoids like apples, celery, cranberries (including cranberry juice), onions, garlic, and tea may stop the growth of H. pylori. Avoid high-fat foods. In animal studies, high-fat foods increase inflammation in the stomach lining.
Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:
Foods containing flavonoids, like apples, celery, cranberries (including cranberry juice), onions, garlic, and tea may inhibit the growth of H. pylori.
Eat antioxidant-rich foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
Eat foods high in B vitamins and calcium, such as almonds, beans, whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), and sea vegetables.
Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
Eat lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein.
Use healthy oils, such as olive oil.
Reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in commercially-baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
Avoid beverages that may irritate the stomach lining or increase acid production including coffee (with or without caffeine), alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.
Identify and eliminate food allergies.
Thoughts?!?!
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/condition/gastritis