5/29/26 - Video Footage (2), 104 Simova St.
Diamond - @crimsondiamondintherough
Cake - @ssweet-ascake
Ellen - @lovedearestellen
Trigger warnings: manipulation of a child, implied abandonment, implied gore
A human mind, put inside a machine.
Since it saw such a grotesque beautiful such a sight, the image kept playing in the wanderer’s thoughts over and over. It had to understand.
The wind was blowing fiercely outside, passing over its car as it ran 50 in a 25. It was fine. It couldn’t afford to attract attention, but it simply couldn’t wait any longer either.
Climbing over the terrain, it finally parked outside the familiar cabin, almost sprinting inside. Past the open front door, past every other room. None of this mattered. None of this was important. The only important thing was lying on the other side of that… door.
The small wheelchair-bound boy had ceased his sniffles and cries, looking up and around as he heard footsteps behind them. He rubbed his left eye, given that the right one—and the rest of that side of their face—had an awful burn, not allowing them to open more than halfway. Not that he was able to see even with half his eye open, anyway.
They looked at the newcomer up and down, trying to see if it's somebody they already know. Reassuring himself that it wasn’t, he spoke up with a quiet, trembling voice
Speakers crackled before going quiet soon after. A pause.
Barely visible in the camera footage, questions flashed on the command center- [“My speakers went out. Who is this? Are you okay?”]
And… one, two, three, and-
The stranger tipped its hat, a performatively wide smile spreading over its face as it sauntered into the room.
“My, my, kiddo, what are you doing all alone out here? It certainly does not seem like your… relatives are anywhere near?”
Hold on. That face. It saw this face before so, so many times. Over and over and over again, watching that footage it was this very face that stared back, listening to its big sibling arguing with the agent.
“Are you certain you will be alright all the way out here?”
[“Cake, is this a stranger?”]
[“You shouldn’t talk to a stranger, but…”]
[“I did, and it’s always worked out okay for me.”]
He blinked in silence for a bit before tilting his head. Wren had warned them about stranger danger, but the person in front of them didn't seem to be harmful, so it probably didn't count.
Cake looked back at the laptop (managing to ignore everything else) as if to confirm his choice, then looked back at it, turning his chair ever slightly so they wouldn't hurt their neck.
“I- Uhm- I'll be fine, I'm with my friend. Who- Who are you?” They'd ask, tensing a bit where he sat; Old habit, his muscles rather hurt from doing that so often.
“Just a wanderer, dear. Is it alright if I stay to make sure you are unharmed?”
The eccentric appearance of this magician was not making things any less weirder. It stepped into the room, its cane clicking softly against the floor, and sat down onto the floor in front of Cake.
“I trust your words, but I simply could not bear to leave a child alone here. A mean lady watches over this cabin, and I cannot bear the thought of her finding you, kiddo.”
Its cane comes down to rest on its legs, almost rolling down onto the floor before coming to a stop.
“I could offer you a ride back home, but that does not seem to be something you want.”
["CAKE MY BROTHER SAID THAT IT'S
[Ambert Alert: 14 year old in Ness Anne, MA…]
BAD TO TAKE RIDES FROM STRANGERS”]
They scoffed at the mention of the “mean lady”. He's well-aware of her. He remembers how Wren protected him from her, screaming when it usually keeps quiet. His memories do nothing to help them feel better; in fact, he felt tears pooling in his eye again. Crybaby.
“No, no no no..! Please, I don't wanna go back, she's-” They don't finish the sentence, closing their eyes to prevent the tears from bursting out.
Instead, they just speak in a whispered tone, changing the subject. He can't cry in front of..wanderer, they'll call it. It's a potential new friend. “.. wanna stay with Ellen.”
[“...you can go back to your sister if you want, Cake.”]
[“But I’m glad I bring you-”]
[MALWARE FOUND: 5. MALWARE QUARENTINED: 5.]
“Of course. That is more than alright, kiddo.”
It leans forward ever-so-slightly, very slowly moving its hand forward to give Cake a bit of a side hug, its other arm still clutching the cane.
“Would you like me to go and get you some food while you stay here? There is a small store nearby, so I should be back in around 15 minutes. Anything you would like in particular?”
The stranger doesn’t pull him any closer, doing its best to not be too overwhelming. It’s just… there, watching over them to avoid anything bad happening. Like a guardian angel of sorts.
“...y-yeah, I'd like that. Hm.. May-maybe cake? It's my favorite dessert.”
Cake leans closer to it, wrapping his small arms around the taller person’s waist and hugging it tight. They missed cuddling with Wren, he didn't get to do that this time.
“Nnm.. Cake doesn't sell in many stores though..” He thought out loud, mumbling behind his hand. Then he speaks in a more audible tone: “If, uh- If there's no cake, can- can you just bring me something sweet? I like sweet stuff.”
“Most certainly. But, there is one thing I have to ask in return.”
Cake doesn’t know it, but those he’s talking to do. It couldn’t let them accidentally snitch on them. Not just yet.
“You would not want that mean lady finding you while I am away, yes? Well, the people she is working for are… powerful. They could find you just from your phone alone. So be a good kiddo and turn that thing off while I am away, alright?”
It raises its hand to give Cake a bit of a headpat, a quiet scoff escaping it in the process.
“You have a friend to accompany you, and I will only be away for a little while, okay? I promise, and I assure you I would never break a promise.”
[“Cake, who is he referring to?”]
He could think of someone else who would never break a promise- No, Cake. Don't think like that. It's not their fault—Wren despises lying, you know this. God, where can she possibly be..?
Cake visibly relaxed at the headpat, leaning closer to the stranger.
“Mhm..wait, they can find me only through my phone? Isn't that- Only smart people can do that! Like, the police and stuff.”
Cake felt the person letting go of them, gaining a pout on their lips. They had nothing to hold on to and, currently, he needed comfort above all. Why isn't she home?
He hummed in response, hearing his stomach growling and clutching it.
“Indeed. And the mean lady works for the police.”
Not the truth technically, but functionally true in spirit. A 12 year old doesn’t need a lecture on the inner workings of the American Government, and certainly not in this position.
“You would not want to deal with the police right now, I assure you. So just sit here and wait for me, okay?”
Gently letting Cake off itself, the wanderer begins to stand up again, leaning on the cane for minor support.
“I will be back before you know it.”
They nodded, watching the stranger walk away. It had a cane, could it also have problems walking just like himself? That was..soothing. At least they won't be called slurs this time.
Without another word, witnessing it close the door and leave, he turned back to Ellen, putting his blindfold on once more. He really hopes she doesn't take offense to that.
14 minutes and 42 seconds. That’s how long it takes for the door to open again after it was closed.
“Hey, kiddo. Still me, worry not.”
The stranger steps into the room once again, holding three small boxes and a semi-transparent bag.
“The store was not selling any cake, but I bought you some cheesecake. They said it should be fairly sweet. Was not sure which flavour you would prefer, so I bought different ones.”
The boxes are promptly presented before Cake — one chocolate, one vanilla, one strawberry. They were all pretty small, but having three pieces made up for that. A small plastic spoon was inside each box, patiently waiting for its time.
“Also grabbed some cherries for myself. I could share if you like them. They are usually pretty sweet as well.”
[“...nobody is reading this, are they?”]
[“...Cake, I’m going to leave you alone now.”]
[“Well, not alone! So it’s okay.”]
[“I want to watch Gravity Falls.”]
[“It was Camfee’s favorite.”]
The boy smiled at the now-recognizable voice, turning around again. He waved with his right hand a bit, allowing the stranger to see his finger—or lack thereof. What the hell happened to this child, anyway?
“No, it's okay..! The cheesecakes are already good enough, thank you.” Their voice appeared calmer now, Ellen has probably managed to calm them down. “May I eat the strawberry one?”
“All of them are yours, kiddo. Unless you dislike either of the other two?”
Strange things happen in Ness Anne. Seems like this poor child wasn’t immune to that fact, either.
“I do happen to know someone whose favourite food is strawberry cheesecakes. I think you two would get along well.”
The wanderer sat back down, looking over at Cake with a cherry already in its hand.
Cake had begun stuffing his mouth of cheesecake, making it rather clear he was hungry..again. He looked at the person with big eyes, curiosity perhaps?
“Hhhhmmmwffh?” They mumbled with their mouth full, not attempting to stop eating to speak.
At the wanderer’s words, he grabbed the other two cheesecakes and put them on his lap, protecting them from possibly being taken away.
The stranger lets out a hearty laugh, tossing a cherry straight into its mouth and closing its eyes for just a second.
Putting the bag down beside it, it reaches for its cane, waves it in the air and with a flick of its hand, the cane vanishes completely.
Then, with its now free hand, it tips its hat to the only viewer, takes it off and momentarily presents its insides to them. Huh. Despite the pure white outside of the top hat, it’s adorned with black fabric on the inner side.
Pulling its empty hat back, it reaches inside with the other hand and swiftly pulls out the cane again, putting it back on in the same move.
The child gasped, leaving the food in his lap as he now paid full attention to the magic tricks. So, his new friend was a magician? That's so fun!
“Wh- How did you do that?? Can you do it again?” They said, excitement spilling from their mouth, eyes lighting up.
With a self-satisfied smirk, the wanderer repeats the trick once more. However, as it reaches into the hat, the hand comes out empty, much to the confusion of both the performer and the spectator.
“Wait, what- Ah, right there of course.”
Before Cake could question Diamond’s reaction, it reached forward and pulled the cane out from behind their ear.
“It gets misplaced sometimes, how silly of me.”
His jaw was left wide-open, and he felt behind his ear, laughing in surprise. They looked up once more, covering their mouth. Magic was real after all, they knew it!!
“I didn't notice it behind my ear, I wanna know how to do that too! You're like- you're a magician! Is that why you dress so weird?”
His voice was now tainted with curiosity and childish joy, the sadness that covered his features now changed for pure amusement. Oh, how easily Cake could get distracted from their worries.
“I suppose you could say so, huh? A travelling magician, if that is how you want to look at it.”
The cane comes to rest at Diamond’s feet once more, and the ivory top hat slides right back onto its head.
“A magician never reveals their secrets, kiddo. But I have a lot more of them up my sleeve, so you might just be able to catch me in the act for some of them!”
Excitement – actual, genuine excitement seems to slip into the magician’s voice as it takes its hat off with the other hand and pulls out a small, hand-sized white rabbit plushie, before placing it into Cake’s hand.
“I do hope the show cheers you up a little.”
Cake looked down at the plushie; it reminded him of the one he had back home, albeit smaller. They held it tight, protectively, afraid that letting go will cause it to disappear. Just like she did.
“Is it- Can I stay with it, mister magician?” He'd ask, clutching the stuffed animal in one hand and with the other, playing with their moon necklace; a crescent moon, to be exact.
“...I can name it ‘Magician’, so whenever I have it, it's like you're with me! If- If I can stay with it..” Their voice got quiet again, looking away from the stranger they deemed a friend.
“It is all yours. I assure you I have plenty more.”
It reached towards the stack of cheesecakes on Cake’s lap, before pulling out a playing card from between them and placing it in their other hand.
“Keep this as well, kiddo. You could give it to Magician so they always stay together.”
He gripped the card tightly, but then immediately let go, afraid of breaking in and ruining the gift.
“Okay! It's Magician's card now! He can play cards with me and Wren now!” They say, ignoring the pain from deep within their heart.
They hoped the wanderer decided to ignore the way they sprung forward when it got close to his food.
About half an hour into the festival of illusion and magic tricks, the stranger finally thought it’s time for some small talk, its left hand spinning and twirling the cane at phenomenal speeds.
“So, kiddo, why are you so far away from home, anyway?”
Enough time has passed for them to talk about it, certainly? It could simply back off and try again later if not, but by now it should’ve probably been enough?
“I do not mean to pry, of course. Merely starting some small talk.”
Cake blinked, then whispered something like “..I was- Uhm- angry. And I..ran away from home.” He didn't specify that they regretted that decision deeply, or that just thinking about it made their eye start getting wet with tears.
“..Then Kalei texted me asking where I was.” He added, looking at his plushie instead of anywhere else.
Solid start. They were willing to talk, and he was actually opening up about it.
“Angry?... Angry at what, if I may ask?”
Careful. Do not spook him. Just some very careful probing to guide him to the correct answer.
“Ah, I am not asking to judge, of course. I am sure you have had a good reason.”
He shrugged a few times, as kids often do.
“Just…Wren did something and. And she doesn't like doing it, but- but they did it, and it annoyed me because I wasn't able to talk to my friends for days!!” They'd say, their voice getting louder. Then got quieter. How fast he was in changing emotions.
“...but now I feel bad for running away.”
Come on. The answer is within its reach now. Just give it the opening to strike.
“Do pardon my persistence. I doubt this is something you want to talk about much. But I do think what ‘she’ did is… the most important part in this case.”
Remember, you don’t know who Wren is.
“I will not push any further after this, I assure you. I am just wondering whether you would like to tell the whole deal.”
The child played with the tips of his curly hair, seemingly very interested in them; they were getting nervous, clearly. Perhaps anxious might be a better word. And upset, oh was he upset.
“...Wren said that Tumblr was down. But then I looked it up on my phone and just- didn't find it! They never lied to me, they hate lies!! …but they did it anyway.”
He hugged the plushie now, hiding his face from view.
“...I see. I… do understand, actually.”
If it sounded nice before, the sheer amount of compassion in its voice made it sound almost heavenly now. With its tone gentle as a morning breeze and dropping the tone half a tone quieter, it slowly continued.
“It is something we share quite well, this feeling. I despise lies just as much as you do, kiddo. Perhaps it was destiny for us to meet here.”
Keep your composure, now. Slow and steady.
“...you mentioned Kalei earlier, did you not? I suspect it might be the very same Kalei that lied to me just yesterday.”
That surprising tenderness drops just the slightest bit, quiet and seething irritation leaking through.
“...the world is full of liars, kiddo. Even among those you think you can trust. Guess we were both due for a lesson, then.”
Cake perked up at the mention of his other sibling-figure. Kalei? A liar? That must not be right. They're so nice to him, they'd never lie.
“K-. Kalei? Lying to you? Wh..no, they wouldn't..! Kalei is a good person, they don't lie!” They said, protective of their beliefs. Are they a good person though?
“They said that-” He paused. Kalei had never admitted to not lying, have they? “...Why would they lie to you?”
“Was ‘Wren’ not a good person in your eyes?”
It swiftly deflects the question, returning the topic back to the fact itself.
“I have not met this ‘Wren’ myself yet, but you speak of her quite fondly. I cannot imagine you thought of her any less than dear Kalei. Yet she has lied, has she not?”
It waits patiently as Cake processes the thought, a mildly somber expression on its face.
“It is just how this world works. No matter how good we think some people might be, we are all people in the end. And people are prone to mistakes, lying included. I… do apologise that you had to learn like this.”
‘Dear Kalei’. He's heard Wren call Kalei that a few times. They were happy that his favorite people were getting along. Speaking of favorite people, they don't hear from Eye in quite a bit; he hopes he's alright.
Back to the topic at hand, Elias. Don't distract yourself.
“Wren.. N-No. I mean, like-” They kept stuttering, annoying themselves. “Ugh!!!”
He took a deep breath, crossing his arms. Clutching them.
“..Wren's good. And- and so is Kalei. I don't even mind lies all that much, I don't- …don't get why I acted that way, or why it upset me so much..” His voice was losing volume as he curled in on himself.
Why was today going so wrong?
And now we de-escalate. Let the tension point remain.
“I understand. I do not mean to deny that they can be good people, of course. I simply mean that if one lied, is it truly so unbelievable the other may have lied as well?”
With an ever-so-slightly shaky breath, the magician regains its cool once more.
“...forgive me, I appear to have lost my temper for a moment there. I just… do not enjoy bringing up that conversation. I would leave it if it was not relevant to ours.”
With another sigh, the stranger tosses a cherry straight into its mouth, silent for a moment to enjoy the sweetness.
“...I believe we should move on. Doubt either of us wants to continue this train of thoughts. Just think of what I told you, alright?”
The kid nodded his head, letting out a noise of agreement. They kept tensed up and quiet, going back to their food.
The following hour was largely uneventful: Diamond was pulling off one magic trick after another, its arsenal seemingly neverending with no trick repeated twice unless Cake explicitly asked for an encore. Cheesecakes vanished one after another, and so did the cherries, until by the end of the show the duo finally ran out.
“...ah, I appear to have run out of both cherries and tricks up my sleeve. Would you say you are ready to call it a day and return home now? I reckon your relatives are worried sick, and whatever happened, I doubt you would want to scare them too much.”
The magician slowly reached for the empty boxes as it spoke, tossing them into the bag to gather the trash in one place.
The smile the child had gotten was quick to fade, going silent. They do that a lot, it seems.
“..Do I have to…? Wren- She's not home. They're not home and Kalei didn't tell me where they went. I- I’m scared…Don't wanna go back to an empty house, mister..”
He tensed in his chair, holding the small stuffed rabbit closer. He misses Wren so badly. He's such an awful little brother.
So mean, so bad. Wren didn't deserve such a troublesome child.
He started trembling, hiding their face from view as a sob left his lips.
Oh yeah. It read about something like that on Tumblr while driving to the store. Wasn’t actually focused on the blogs much, just keeping up with the local news.
“...it is alright. I will stay with you until your…”
Remember, you don’t know who Wren is to him just yet. But it’s fair to assume they wouldn’t call their parent by their first name, so…
“...sister? comes back. I am sure she will understand that someone needs to make sure you are safe and sound.”
Cake slowly looked back at Ellen, then up at the wanderer. He hesitantly nodded, still gripping the plushie tight; it probably was an item of comfort now. They loved and cherished every single one of the gifts given to them, and this was the closest to a hug he had at the moment.
“Mhm, my sister…i- it's okay with you, right? I'm not”—A quiet, shaky breath, then—“..not a bother, am I..?”
“Most certainly not, kiddo. For the next week or so, my schedule is entirely clear.”
The magician stands up straight, once again simply towering over its companion, one hand clutching the cane while the other holds the small trash bag.
“I promise you are not being a bother to me. Not at all. And I really, really have to – and want to – make sure you will be alright until your sister comes back.”
“..Have to? Why? Did- Did she ask you to..?” They gripped the sides of their chair, breathing picking up again.
Wren asking someone to take care of him? That's. That's not normal.
“...Kalei didn't say where she was. Or if they were okay. Mister magician, is- is my sibling okay..?”
“That, I fear I would not know. I was not sent by her, or have ever spoken to them face to face before.”
The wanderer sighs quietly, before walking over to Cake and giving them a sidehug once more.
“I just know that this heart would not bear seeing a lone kid without aid. I do wish I could reassure you, but I would not wish to lie.”
He began not liking them either.
“Oh…s-sorry, I'm- uh..’bit panicked.” He muttered under their breath.
They held the magician again, hugging it tightly. Tears started soaking its shirt as the child cried, trembling in its arms.
If it was Wren, he'd play with his hair and whisper nice things; talk about how it would all be okay, how they were safe with her.
He wants his big sister back.
He's sorry, he's so so sorry.
It was all their fault, wasn't it? They wrote those words to her, and now it's gone.
They started sobbing loudly now.
It holds the child closer still, now embracing it fully but still not holding with any strength.
“It is alright. If it consoles you any, I am certain she is still alive at least. I understand it is not much.”
With that said, it shuts up for now, surrendering itself to simply hold Cake closer until the fear passes. Words likely couldn’t help the situation much.
A few long minutes pass by and Cake slowly calms down.
His new friend kept holding him without any complaints and it's hands were warm to the touch, making him feel safe and rather drowsy; more than he was already from bawling their eyes out.
“..home.” They whispered, snuggling closer to the magician’s midriff.
“...yes. Let us go home now, kiddo.”
Slowly, very slowly, the wanderer pulled back from the hug, separating the duo once again.
“Do you need any help getting to the car? It is parked just outside of this cabin.”
It certainly didn’t work out last time – Kalei was untrusting, and more than capable enough of handling themselves – but this was a child. A panicking one at that. A bit of assistance was likely going to be needed.
Cake rubbed his eye, yawning ever so slightly whilst nodding their head. They really didn't want to overexert their arms right now, especially because of how tired he was quickly becoming.
A soft “..’hm.” was all they let out, looking up at the wanderer who towered over him.
He cuddled into his chair, holding the small stuffed animal close to his heart as he decided—too trustfully—to close their eyes and allow the stranger to guide them.
By the time the duo reaches the car, Cake is already soundly asleep. Trying its damn hardest not to take them, the stranger gently places them into the backseat, straps them in and puts the wheelchair in the trunk.
At least the ride to his house was promising to be uneventful.
