When Violence Ensues: Slenderverse Short Stories.

Story Thirty One: Tape.

The word tape had two different meanings to Jay. One being the camera video recordings that he had possessed and posted to YouTube, and the other being the old and worn warning tape that was wrapped around the rusted bars and broken doorways of the abandoned buildings that he had been forced to explore in search of answers to the questions that had been piling up, due to Alex's disappearance and reappearance- among the fact that an otherworldly monster was following close behind. That otherworldly being had seemingly attached itself to Alex's psyche- forcing him to become seriously violent and show homicidal tendencies- that frankly did not bode well for Jay or the others around him such as Tim or Brian.

God knows where Brian had gone.

Brian's disappearance had really taken a toll on Tim- after all, they were the best of friends. Had been since high school, considering Brian was one of the only people that had made any sort of effort to befriend and understand him- past all of the sarcasm. Jay felt a little smile pull at the corners of his lips as he thought over that memory.

During the brief time of the filming of Marble Hornets, he had become quite close with Brian; he was the funny, light-hearted guy that kept everyone's stress from becoming too difficult to handle. Brian was the lifesaver of the group, to be entirely honest. During a coffee break, he had told the blue eyed male more about Tim, considering none of them really knew much about the dark haired man other than he acted, smoked and much of his speech consisted of sarcastic remarks.

Shaking his head, Jay inhaled slowly and logged into his YouTube account through his laptop, bringing up a hand and running it through his hair. He hadn't slept well since Totheark had been hacking his account, posting cryptic videos in reply to his own videos- it was unnerving at best and completely terrifying at worst. Holing up in various hotel rooms, it wasn't safe to stay in one place- Jay had concluded. He didn't know the motives of Totheark, nor did he know who they were. That in itself was a huge problem and a massive obstacle that Jay needed to face in the near future in order to have a better chance at surviving the entire situation.

Blue eyes widening, Jay gritted his teeth as he noticed yet another video he did not recognise uploaded- and another upload on Totheark's channel. "What the hell is this?" He questioned, to the dark hotel room he sat in. No one but him, with his camera and laptop and other pieces of equipment. Tim wasn't exactly on talking terms with him- which was understandable, but also dangerous. Jay had fucked up pretty badly by uploading footage of Tim's personal medical records for everyone to see- which was accidental. Tim had a perfectly good reason to be pissed. However, Jay wasn't happy about having to do all of this alone- and having to leave Tim alone when there was obvious danger concerning him.

After all, safety in numbers?

Jay heaved a frustrated sigh and logged out of his YouTube account after watching the new and horrifying Totheark video, and the mysterious tape that had been uploaded to his account by, most likely, Totheark. Shutting his laptop down and setting it on the bed beside him, Jay sat with his head in his hands for a moment- trying to ground himself from the panic that was bubbling in his chest. Something had to be done before Tim or himself died with no answers to questions. Before someone else succumbed to what was going on, Alex needed to be stopped and his monster needed to die, or leave.

Jay didn't particularly care whether it lived or died at this point- its death was probably the only way they would survive. Or Alex's death- but Jay didn't really want to think about that, considering Alex had been his good friend for a few years. He meant a lot to him.

Maybe that's what would be the death of Jay- his sensitive conscience that screamed at him anytime he did something even remotely 'morally wrong' or thought badly of Alex. Even if Alex wasn't Alex anymore- Jay didn't think he could ever bring himself to inflict harm upon him. He was a loyal friend.

Maybe that's why he would die at the hands of Alex- or the rage that wore his face.

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I'm sorry this isn't as long as usual!! A longer chapter is coming soon!!

I'm also really sorry for the long absence from updates of this book- show rehearsals and schoolwork have literally sucked all of my motivation and energy out of me.

I hope you enjoy this little chapter, and if you have any comments, questions , criticisms or requests, please let me know!!

Thank you so much for your support!!