The Belen Archives (TMA fic)

Watched

Statement #0141604

ARCHIVIST

[CLICK]

[TAPE RECORDER WHIRRING]

Is it-? Oh ok!! I think it's running; hopefully it's running... uhh, my name is Mina, Mina Lavanya. I work at the Belen Institute, London, an academic institution that studies the esoteric and the supernatural. The head of the Institute, Mr. Ted Green, has employed me to be the new head archivist. Currently, I'm talking into a rattling old tape recorder I found in the back; I've tried to record audio backings of the statements on my phone and laptop, but both were significantly distorted. Sorry for the bad audio quality; please know that I'm trying my best.

My predecessor, Emma Watts, is someone I know very little about. I know she exists, and she no longer works here; that's the extent of my knowledge. I'm looking around and things are a bit of a mess, to put it lightly, I see random papers stuffed into unmarked boxes. So, I know one more thing about Emma now, she's not the most organized.

But it's ok; I've secured the help of 2 researchers. One Leon Evan Shaw and Renee Fardin. Renee is relatively new here; I think she started working in the library a few months ago. Leon has been here for a while longer, he can be a bit difficult to get along with but is known as one of the best researchers in the institute, so hopefully these two will get along.

Sorry, I'm not really used to talking to myself, um, I guess I gotta...

[RUSTLING PAPERS]

Ok, ahem, Statement of Alison Parker regarding... regarding an unusual neighbor? Original statement given May 16, 2014, audio recording by Mina Lavanya, head archivist of the Belen Institute, London.

Statement begins:

ARCHIVIST (STATEMENT)

I know what you're thinking. They told me I had to put something in the subject line. Whatever you're thinking, it's wrong. An unusual neighbor is just the best way I can describe it without taking up too much space on the page. This was more than that, more than unusual. I talked to my boyfriend about this, and he told me to talk to you guys after the police were no help. You usually help with these kinds of things. They're still living across from me, ya know, so whatever you're gonna do, please do it soon. They're still watching me.

Ah, wait, I should probably start at the beginning. I live in Baxley On St. Thomas Court. I live alone, though I'm quite happy with that arrangement, or I used to be. It was a modest-sized home with a telescope in the attic. I'd often enjoy stargazing, so I spent hours every night looking through it, spotting my favorite constellations. I've lived there for the better part of the last 2 years, this neighbor moved in a few months ago.

They.... it... moved into Henry's place, right across the street from me. Henry was a very sweet old man. He often left his door open for any passerby, he made his home into some sort of hostel for runaways at one point. His moving out was a bit of a shock to everyone on our street, especially considering the fact that he didn't tell anyone. He just up and vanished. The kids who'd lived with him also disappeared. I didn't really think much of it honestly, I'd assumed he'd passed on and had no family to handle the funeral for him, and the kids were kicked out being that he wasn't their legal guardian.

It went by Jacob, just Jacob, it moved into Henry's home a few days after his disappearance. Unlike Henry, who kept his door open, it left the door locked shut. I think it even got some extra locks put in.

It was a bit of culture shock, I guess; our street was fairly small, everyone knew everyone else, it felt like a little community, a little family if you will, and this unforeseen presence, this sheer otherness who came barreling in, it just didn't sit right with me. At the time, I think I just thought Jacob was a bit of a recluse, thought if I gave it some time, Jacob would warm up to me.