No Surprises

Main Story

Chapter 1

Ed O'Brien sat at his kitchen table, rubbing his temples as he scanned the latest headlines. Thom Yorke, his bandmate and longtime friend, had been missing for ten months now. Yet every day, it seemed like some reporter or fan was asking him if he had any idea where Thom could be. It was enough to drive a person mad.

He took a long sip of his coffee and checked his mail. Amongst the usual bills and junk mail was a note, with no return address or signature. The paper was adorned with the modified bear logo of Radiohead, their iconic symbol. Written below it were the words "Save Him," scrawled in hasty handwriting.

Ed's heart raced as he read the note again. Was it a prank, or some sort of clue as to Thom's whereabouts? He didn't hesitate for a moment before jumping in his car and driving to the abandoned concert hall listed on the note.

As Ed walked through the dimly lit hallways, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he felt a strange tingling sensation spread throughout his body. It was almost painful, but it faded just as quickly as it came.

He was determined to find Thom, whoever may have taken him. Ed's thoughts raced as he navigated the maze-like interior of the concert hall. As he turned a corner, he saw a figure up ahead, but before he could make out any details, he heard footsteps hurrying away from him.

Ed followed the sound, his heart racing. He didn't know what he would find, but he knew he had to keep going.

Chapter 2

Ed's heart races as he approaches the soundproof doors. He can feel the sweat pooling on his palms as he reaches for the handle, unsure of what he'll find on the other side.

As the doors swing open, Ed is hit with a wall of sound. The concert hall is packed with fans, all dressed in Radiohead t-shirts and swaying to the music. Thom is on stage, playing his guitar with intense precision, but something about him seems off.

As Ed gets lost in the music, he notices the audience's movements and reactions are too perfect, like they're following a script. They sway and clap at exactly the right moments, and their cheers sound choreographed. Ed begins to feel uneasy.

Then, he notices Thom's movements. They're calculated and robotic, lacking any of the passion or spontaneity that usually drives his performances. Thom's expression is blank, and he looks more like a machine than a musician.

As the concert approaches its climax, the audience begins chanting the lyrics to "Fitter Happier" in unison. The sound is haunting and surreal, and Ed can feel his stomach churning with anxiety.

Suddenly, a person he's never seen before is brought onstage. They're bound and gagged, and their eyes are filled with terror. Thom seems unaffected as they're sacrificed to him, like it's just another part of the performance.

The chanting reaches a crescendo, and Ed knows he can't stay any longer. He flees the concert hall, feeling sick and disoriented.

As he wanders through the maze-like halls, he realizes he needs to find out what's going on. Thom is in danger, and he might be the only one who can save him.

Chapter 3

Ed cautiously enters the small office room. The room is dimly lit and filled with dusty files and papers scattered across the desk. He notices a computer sitting on the desk and quickly rushes over to it. As he turns on the computer, he is relieved to see that it works. Ed scrolls through the computer and finds a file containing archived security footage from the abandoned concert hall.

He begins to watch it.

Over the next few hours, Ed watches Thom's transformation from the person he knew and loved into a mindless drone, a member of the Radiohead-worshipping cult. He watches as the cult leader, a man in a Radiohead t-shirt, slowly breaks down Thom's will, manipulating him to do his bidding.