Hadal Zone

Chapter 1- Dark Matter

Dark Matter: A particle said to be in space, able to take several forms, but very little is known for sure about it.
— — —
???'s, ???'s and ???'s POV

This is {NAME REDACTED} on {DATE REDACTED}, and after some prompting, I've been told to record my findings from my latest expedition into the civilizations surrounding Base A8-MT with {Name 2 REDACTED}, and everything I found interesting.

(You happy now, Boss?)

We searched the towns within the perimeter set for our mission, but they seem (Boring has been crossed out) run of the mill small towns. Didn't find anything interesting. Blondie might disagree with me but to be fair, he was having more fun than me.

Blondie is taking care of the map so I'm not gonna bother with much of that. The one thing I did note was how there's a lake that the town and a few other houses get their water from. Could be a last resort if we're discovered.

One particular house caught my eye however, or rather, who was inside. Records show it's supposed to be a family of three but I only saw two of them.

The older two at least already have records within our archives. The third was a little harder to find but, as you always say, the job is never done until we know everything. I did some digging and found more than I bargained for. It's actually kinda interesting.

River Norton Pikalus, the child of Professor Niall I. Pikalus and Atlantis Ocean. Already, the famous Pikalus and his 'Hulk' abilities should've sparked my interest, and whether or not it's genetic should've been what I found myself so drawn by.

Don't get me wrong, I'm interested in that as well, but I'm afraid I have something else in mind.

A little research told me everything, I'm surprised River hasn't seen the cracks around them. They're surrounded by lies, Boss. Excuses, misdirections and overall not telling them anything.

You can't tell me that's not (Tempting has been crossed out) interesting.

It wouldn't hurt, would it? Giving them a little push in the right direction.

Oh, who am I kidding, it would hurt like all hell at first but then it would stop. Because then they would know and River could decide from there.

And if I tip that decision in the right direction...

I want to see it happen.

(It's all her fault really- has been crossed out)

I suggest you don't stop me, Boss. I know what I'm doing.

~{NAME REDACTED}, signing off

(The report was scrapped and replaced with a new one later. River was never mentioned by name in that one, nor were they mentioned much at all. The report was found too late)

—

Log Number 131
{Date Redacted}

We have a problem.

Yesterday, {Name Redacted} caught sight of the suspect. Luckily, it was brief and he didn't see her, but I'm still anxious. It doesn't matter that the likelihood of him being able to harm her is unlikely, I wouldn't doubt if he found a way.

He's been so difficult to track down, it's hard to even imagine that I found him. Even now, I'm not even sure where he's saying or where to consistently find him. But, if my suspicions are correct...

I don't know if I can do this. Definitely not alone, and even with either of {Nicknames Redacted}'s help, I don't think I'll be able to win.

But my options are limited. There are lives on the line, what am I supposed to do? Get them involved?

No. I don't have nearly enough to lose as anyone else. It's not theirs to clean up anyways. I failed and now I have to pay the consequences, one way, or another.

I'll watch from a distance for now, I need to know what he wants or what he's doing before I act. He's slippery but I'll see what I can find. He's not here for no reason.

Maybe I just want to preserve my life a little longer-

Scratch that last part.

~From The Personal Audio Journal Of {Name Redacted}

—

June 1st

Quite a bit has happened today!

Niall left me another message! He's hoping he'll be finished by this month but it's difficult to tell when or even if that's true. He doesn't realize it but he's not the best at meeting deadlines as of late. He just gets so absorbed in his work.

I've considered telling River but I don't want to get their hopes up. Feels like they get worse every time he lets them down. If only they knew but Niall swore me to secrecy.

(And wouldn't it be hypocritical to say- has been crossed out)

I also need to visit {Name Redacted}, and I'm planning on doing that soon! Been much too long since I have, and I'm getting worried. He hasn't been returning my calls. Ice actually offered to come with me since the journey can be kinda long and boring without anyone to keep me company.

I tried to get in contact to see if anyone else wanted to join us but apparently it's been a pretty busy summer for everyone. Camps, visiting family, vacations- I'm not joking when I say everyone is pretty much all over the map at this point! Kinda makes my plans a little harder as I was going to have River stay at one of their houses but I still have backup.

Really hoping to see the boys too. Apparently Mac has now grown taller than his momma! Takes after his father that one! Well, not all the way, but I've been talking about that for ages now.

I think I'll send River over to the city of Atlantis while I'm gone. Maybe they can make some new friends while they're there! Niall has a few connections there, I'll see if I can make them feel at home there by pulling a few strings!

I should end off there but if I'm being honest with myself, I got a weird feeling today.

I felt like I was being watched. Probably nothing. Probably just paranoid again.

I wish Niall was back already. Paranoia keeps acting up and I don't know how much longer I can hide it without tipping it off to River. Because then River would ask why I'm being so paranoid in the first place and that's...

Well, that's just a long story.

They always did like stories though...

(I could've sworn I saw- has been crossed out)
Not important.

That's it for today.
Tomorrow is a new day.

~From The Personal Diary Of {Name Redacted}

———————
I've been wanting to start this for ages but it's been kinda a busy summer. Lots of people wanted to hang out so I didn't have as much time to write as I had hoped but I really am excited to get this book going.

That's the start for Hadal Zone! Even though the names are redacted, once you see the characters, it'll probably be pretty easy to figure out who wrote the three journal entries and you can probably take a wack at them now. (Though I'll be surprised if you get the second one, I haven't introduced him formally yet).

Kinda a fitting start for this book to have journal entries about people keeping secrets from other people.

Anyways, I hoped y'all liked this! Be sure to comment what you think as I edited this at least ten times and rewrote 30% of it just now and I'm still not satisfied with the result but hey that's writing for you, and basically I wanna know what it sounds like to someone who isn't me. My updates lately have been really spotty but I'm hoping to improve. I don't think I can handle every day like I used to but I'm gonna try for at least once or twice a week to start and then go from there. Anyways, goodbye!

—JustAnAtlantisWriter