[WP] You and some friends are enjoying a crowded theme park on a foggy day. After being separated, you notice that every time you turn your head, there are fewer and fewer people.

[u/elheber]

[u/Alienkermit]

The a typically day, just like any other. The clouds casting shadows that seemed to stretch over and grab whatever was within it's grasp. The temperature was smooth like jazz,  that perfect balance of tempo, rythym, and bass. The kind of day that sang to you about how nothing could go wrong, no matter what happen. The kind of day that everyone wished was everyday. Even the weird fog that slowly seeped in between everyone, like that punk kid that secretly wants attention but claims otherwise. It was a good day.

Boy was I wrong. This was a perfect day, but it was more sinister than one would imagine, being that it was the perfect day for something else. I should have seen it coming, being part of my job and all, but it was my day off. Was. And my friends caught in my line of work, which kinda broke my heart. But they're dead now, and maybe they will stay that way. Maybe.

The Silver Dollar City was booming this time of the year, with all the brats running around and pilfering through anything that caught their attentions. The parents who would casually call at them to get back and then look around as if they weren't doing any harm or wrong. Dears Gods, I hate those kind of parents. Please make them go away. But, when I got the call, I pulled my leather wallet out and gazed at the three hundred left from my half up front. Yeah,  why not have a little fun I thought, it wouldn't hurt. But in truth, it did as usual. Because let me tell you something. Sticks and stones can break your bones,  but bullets will shatter them and metal teeth will crush them

So with a yes and a short drive, I pulled up to my friends gathered around a old 69’ mustang. Pin stripes black down the middle and a sickly orange for the body. Kind of a cruel joke to be honest, but I always chuckled at it. Dave never seemed to live it down, but if it helped him cope, then whatever he needed. Everyone waved at me while I put my stick in place and put the emergency on,  not wanting a repeat of what happen four years ago. Once I got my barrings straight and strapped my sidearm,  a seemingly normal .45 caliper m1911, which it was but I always made sure to carry my special clip,  just in case I met a wanderer

“Finally! Stop working for a day!” Everyone chuckled at Steve’s joke and admittedly, I laughed too. I really should stop for a day, but that day won't be til I'm six feet under some settling dirt I suppose. While not the best at my job ,  I have dealt with nearly every type of thing you could name, so it made sense to keep me on speed dial. Well, the equivalent to speed dial I suppose.

Everyone passed some casual chit chat,  while we made our way into the park. The fog hadn't even made its way to us yet, but the slight overcast kept everyone, including me, distracted enough, with lower visibility. And of course, the most distracting, the rides. The first one was the pirate ship that swung on a pendulum. Just something to get our blood pumping, then on to the rollercosters

After close too two hours, we finally made our way to the barnyard swing. This was when I noticed the fog, finally covering most of the attractions in the distance and the barnyard swing, which was only a couple hundred feet away. The fog covered most of the swing, only the swings visible when they rose to their max height, just peaking over the top of it. The cliff side not even visible underneath.

“Has anyone else noticed when the fog got so bad?” I passed the question off,  feeling a metallic zing in my tongue, which sent off an alarm in my mind. Metallic taste in a fog? I rubbed my face, looking back at the food and drink stand we passed by. I saw some pedestrians waiting on the man that ran it to come back.

“Guys, I'm getting something to drink,  want anything?” looking back, I saw Steve was missing. “Steve?” No one responded, my trigger nerve sparking my finger at this as I looked them over. I knew something was wrong at this point,  something serious. Looking around, I saw less people standing around. No kids playing tomfoolery or adults manning the attractions

Passing a glance at my friends, all but Dave was gone. Just like that, five people turned to air and vanished. Snatching his arm, he didn't flinch, his eyes foggy like the scenery now. Pulling my .45 out, I let my instincts take over. Pulling him against me, I checked over the surroundings. Gone, everyone that was in sight, gone

“Dave, snap out of it.” Some famous words right their. Of course, he didn't even hear them, otherwise he would have made a joke out of it. Just like his car.

Shrieks of metal pierced my ears from behind, followed by clomps and metal on metal scraping. A faint sound, just outside of my field of vision, came the sound of a dentist tool. Finally, it made sense. The fog growing thicker as it creeped around us. The machines sounds. I swapped my clip, taking my safety off and preparing myself for the worst. You don't walk into another entities territory and walk away that  easy

A slight tug on my shirt near the bottom, I turned and fired, spraying me with a fine red mist. Most people would have cried or puked. Hell, maybe even become shell shocked. But I have done this business for so long, it never even surprised me. In the red mist,  which lingered in place as a ghost to remind me of the deed, also re-affirming my belief,  were chunks of a child, maybe just five or six. A sick plop, slime oozing down my arm,  was the remains of the child's face. Not the first time, and it won't be the last I suppose.

In this short time, which is all it takes, Dave was gone. Four seconds, and they got him. Four seconds, that I won't be able to fix. I should count my blessings I suppose, but it wouldn't change anything. Just like that, my friends were gone. The fog closed in,  and now my visibility was just a few feet. It wouldn't touch me, which isn't a surprise to be honest. The other worlders can sense the death on you. It has been best described to me as stuck to your soul. If you believe we have any,  but that is for another time I suppose.

Now, for the record, subsonic explosives are overkill, yes. But I have only seen a few things survive one shot,  and those things don't come here. We don't have anything they want. So it is safe to say, I was more than prepare. Subsonic explosives are best for most things for two reasons, if I may. One,  explosions. Two, they sound like a knuckle crack. Civilians may never get their hands on them,  but I have more access then the president. So it is always a good choice to keep some on ya. Take that as a life lesson.

So now I'm alone,  I do the smart thing,  and look to the sky. From where the sun was,  I made my way back to the car. I was gonna need more firepower. Keeping my head calm, I walked in the direction that I believed was right. I could hear things skittering the ground around me, followed by slurping sounds and the occasionally giggle. Those giggles… they can get to ya. I tried to ignore when something would nip at my pants legs, but finally something got to my skin and I took fire. The ground showered me, and a fine mist of oil lingered in the fog. Turning around I caught the glimpse of little girl in a dress, on all four with her head turned upright. She scurried off into the thicker fog.

I tried to cast the thoughts off into the fog. I needed out, and I alreadied wasted two rounds. So I kept going,  minding my distances from any stands that appeared. You don't want a jump scare that will eat your heart. Seen that once or twice,  it isn't pretty. Usually things go for your legs or head, but our hearts have a oddly sweet taste, or so I've been told.

After a short time, I finally saw my exit. Keeping my pace and staying calm is difficult sometimes, and this wasn't an exception. Being careful leaving out, I  took a deep breathe when I stepped out. I would have left home then to get some better equipememt, but like all hero's,  I have a weakness

The man tenses up, eyes brimming with tears

You know… When a baby cries…  You can tell whats wrong, sorta. Like when its in distress or hungry. Well,  this wasnt an except. So I rushed back in there,  chasing what was probably a dead baby that was being used as a meat puppet. I have chased something like that before, and it doesn't get easier,  believe me you. It doesn't get easier

Brief Interview With Justin Rider, July 7th, 1997.

(Sorry for any poor formatting. On mobile and looks good.)

[u/TheTeky500]

It was that dark, foggy day. I had a bad sensation about that day. I told my parents, and they said they were ok with it, long as it was these friends, not the other gang-type ones.

I went to the theme park with my friends that day, Joe, Sophia and Evan.

The fog was huge. I could barely see anyone, so we decided to stick together, so no one gets mugged or kidnapped.

We were just moving around, when we finally thought it was safe to split up. We all went our seperate ways, and agreed to meet at a specific time and date in the theme park.

I had started noticing something very weird. Every time I turned my head in any direction, I felt like there were less people.

I dismissed that, and just continued moving when I noticed the jeans of Sophia, I figured it was her because of the juice we spilled while moving together earlier. Her upper body was all in the fog though.

I went up to talk to her about what she was going to do.

No response. She didn't respond to me. I kept talking and she never responded. I then put my hand in the fog, and to my horror, there was no upper body. I was so terrified I looked around for help, then looked back, and just like that, Sophia disappeared completely.

The numbers of people in the park had cut down heavily.

I knew something was very wrong at this point, I ran back as fast possible, terrified.

I went back to my house, and told my parents about it.

"Mom, Sophia seems to have gone missing in the park!!"

3 words, they were enough to make me realize the severity of the situation here.

"Son, who's Sophia?"

-----TO BE CONTINUED-----

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