Starting Anew

Story by takom13 on SoFurry

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Hello everyone.

In the spirit of Halloween, I wrote a little story to chill your bones and twist your soul!

I do hope you enjoy.


Day 1

I feel so stupid for even picking this thing up. Hello, I guess. My mother bought you to celebrate me finally graduating college and moving into my first real place on my own. Said I should also write my name down and a bit about myself as well. Guess there's no harm and at least if she asks sometime later, I can say that I did 'write' in you. Feels so childish. Or lord forbid, she finds this after I die or something.

My name is Edgar Samsby. I'm a 26 year old zebra that's recently graduated college with a BA in Culinary Arts. Just glad my father finally came around to the fact that I didn't take a focus in Herbivore cuisine. And all of my friends certainly though it was strange that I wanted to just do a general degree but whatever. I don't mind. Figure we've all got to eat so why not make as many people happy as I can! We've all got to go at some point as well so why not. Besides, its not like it was 100 years ago.

I'm getting off track here. This is supposed to be for me to record how things are going each day so that, according to my mother, 'Look back with a sense of awe at how you got to where you currently are.' Said she picked it up from some antique shop on the way here when her and dad came to visit earlier today. The cover of this thing looks ancient but it was completely blank. She only paid five bucks or so. Like something right out of the last century since I mentioned it a bit ago. Kinda funny to think about how far we've really come since way back when.

Guess my little break is getting a bit long. Still plenty of boxes to unpack. Just hoping I can get the bed setup before it gets too late. Besides unpacking, got to start looking for a job. My parents, being the worrisome herd they are, said they'd help with rent and utilities until I could get on my feet here. They even paid my deposits. Probably going to hold it against me when I don't call or visit. Oh, and I still need to cook. Better break open the kitchen boxes first. Guess I'll write a bit more tomorrow. Bye?

Day 2:

** ** It's 8am on Tuesday. I don't know if it's because I'm in a new place or what but I had a hard time sleeping last night. Probably didn't help that apparently one of my neighbors is a hyena with a rather unpleasant laugh. Oh and the icing on the cake? He likes comedies. That was just one thing weighing on me last night.

Still kinda feel silly writing in this thing. At first, I was a little excited to write down what all happened but now it doesn't seem as intriguing. My headache from my poor sleep doesn't help either. I'll have to see if I can find some meds or something. I know there's some in one of these boxes. And guess what else didn't happen last night. For the first time in what feels like forever, I ordered take-out. I've spent so much time learning and prepping and cooking that last night, I just didn't have it in me. Never really occurred to me how heavy some of my stuff was until I was moving it all round by myself. Probably should have bribed some friends to help me move with pizza and beer...

I did manage to, at least, get all of the boxes to the rooms they need to be in. And though it doesn't count really as cooking, I did make some sweet tea. My parents brought some groceries with them so my cupboards weren't completely barren. One of the few 'delicacies' that I've never been able to rid myself of since moving off to college.

Hopefully, over the next couple of days, I'll get to meet the other neighbors. It's a small place with only four apartments and not in the greatest part of town but after seeing the ad and price, I couldn't say no. From the bedroom, there's a great overview of the local park. Sorta reminds me of home...

** Now I'm getting nostalgic. While the grasslands were a wonderful place, it certainly lacks something. Mainly things to do for fun. After writing yesterday, I got about half of the boxes sorta unpacked. Struggled to figure out where I wanted to put things but I'm sure I'll sort it out eventually. Back home, I was told where to put things. This is MY place. I'll put them where I damn well please, once I figure out where that place is.**

Well enough goofing off for today. Yesterday, I thought writing in this thing was going to be a waste but its...almost therapeutic.

Mid-day update: So its around 5pm and I just wanted to make a quick note about meeting my downstairs neighbor. Not sure how old he is but he's a boa. Looked like he'd been around forever though. Spoke in a raspy voice and kinda gave me the creeps. Went out to my car earlier to get my earbuds and he was coming back from the store it looked like. I imagine its difficult not having any arms or legs. I did help him get into the building so he didn't have to put his bags down but when I offered to help him into his apartment, he almost seemed to get agitated that I even suggested it. Whatever, as long as he doesn't cause me any issues.

** I got to get back at it or I'll never finish. So far the living room (if it can be called that), the bathroom, and kitchen are sorted. Again, mostly. Might move the spoons and forks to one of the other drawers. Also, I need to figure out where the closest laundromat is. Bye for now.**

Day 3:

Well, last night wasn't nearly as rough. Managed to fall asleep around 11pm last night while watching the movie, "Grains of Deceit" It's an older movie about a ranch hand who is leading a double life as a secret agent and has to decide which family is more important to him. Well, that's a simple description but I won't spoil it for any future readers. Let's just say that Elliot McEngail is a brilliant actor. Not many chickens do well in action movies but he really owns it.

** Also, I wanted to write down a dream I had last night. One of those strange dreams that feel very real. I was in a small room with only a bed and I was strapped down. Then, a doctor and a nurse cameomesin trying to talk to me but I couldn't understand anything they were saying. Next thing I knoew, they're giving me an injection and I passed back out and jolted awake in my bed. The clock said it was about 3 in the morning. Fell right back to sleep though. Just thought it was kinda strange. They say anxieties can make you have strange dreams and I've certainly got a bit of anxiety right now. I mean, I've got enough money for a while but I worry I won't find a job. It's the whole reason I moved here though. I figured big city = lots of jobs. As soon as I cook a bit of breakfast, I'll start looking now that the apartment is mostly squared away.**

** Update: Its around 10pm right now and I met the neighbor across the hall from me. I was feeling a little closed up so about 4 I decided to take a stroll through the park behind the apartments. Decently nice park but that's not important. What is important is who my neighbor is. Sheila White! She was a Junior when I was a Freshman. I was walking back to the apartment and she was just finishing a jog and we got to the door at about the same time. She still looked just as wonderful today as she did four years ago. And what a body...**

** Anyways, we chatted for about 15 minutes. Said she saw someone moving in and was curious about who it might be. Of course, through the conversation, she realized we went to the same college. Her major was in biology and she was now working for an independent lab. When I told her I graduated with a Culinary arts degree, she kinda smirked and said I'd have to cook for her sometime. It sent me over the moon! I feel like an idiot but I was just a stammering mess after that. That's one deer that I wouldn't mind getting to know a bit better. (If you're reading this mom, I'm sorry).**

** Regardless, I've got to hit the hay. Should really find a routine and stick to it though I fear that my first job is gonna be a late shift. Whatever, just have to get my foot in the door and I'll be golden. And Sheila...maybe? Probably not the best time to jump into anything like that. At least, not a serious thing. Anyways, enough for today.**

Day 4:

Well this is embarrassing. I've definitely got to find a laundromat today. I had another strange dream but it wasn't scary. Oh no quiet the opposite and something I've not done since my college fling with Lisa Walters. I'll start by saying a jizzed all over the fucking bed and I hope like hell I don't have to buy new bedding.

** So the dream man...I don't even know where to start. I was in the park behind the apartments, just sitting on a bench when Sheila came walking up but completely naked. If she's anything like what I dreamed... but she had this giant strap-on attached to a belt. She then DEMANDED that I turn around and drop my pants. And without a thought I did. She then started slapping my ass with this massive dildo and I could feel her pouring lube in between my ass cheeks. Suddenly, I could feel the pressure of the it starting to penetrate me slowly. After she got it all the way in, she grabbed my mane, turned my head so I could see her, and she looked at me as if she was about to fuck the soul out me. The only thing that was strange about the dream is it was completely silent like my last dream. Several times when I looked at her, I could see her mouth moving but I couldn't hear her.**


** After what felt like an eternity of various positions, I was finally laying with my back on the bench, dick waving around as she pounded me good. And just as I was about to cum, she took the entire thing into her mouth, all the way down her throat and I could see her rib cage shift when I flared! After that, she slowly backed off of my dick and slowly pulled out. Actually, now that I think about it, there was a sound. Right as I orgasmed, I started hearing a car alarm. That car alarm was my alarm clock on my phone. Guess a dream can't last forever.**

** Oh well, on to other news. I got a reply from one of my applications this morning. Ha! Denied! 'This listing has already been filled but feel free to keep an eye out for other opportunities in the future.' What a joke. I'm not so bedazzled by 'Greg and Son's Family Grill'. What self-respecting professional chef would work there? Whatever, maybe I'll hear back from the other places.**

** I better get on the 'Great Laundromat Hunt' or this bedding will be ruined if not already shot.**

Daily Update: Apparently, I can't get enough of writing in this damn thing.

** So guess who I ran into once I found the laundromat. The hyena that lives under Sheila. As soon as I walked in, he said, 'Hey, you're that new tenant. I hadn't had a chance to meet you in person yet.' Turns out, he's the owner AND the maintenance guy of the apartment building. Kind of a quirky guy to be honest. Said he'd bought the building about 15 years ago and this is the first time all of the apartments have been filled at one time. I did mention the laughing from my first night there and according to him, he wasn't even home that night. Maybe it was my boa neighbor watching something loudly on his TV. After chatting with him for a bit, my bedding was done and we parted ways. I couldn't help but notice that he stared at me the entire time I was gathering my things and continued to do so as I was packing up my car. Again, kinda quirky but he seems innocent enough.**

** On a positive note, my bedding has faired very well after last nights nocturnal emissions luckily. When I stripped the bedding off, it didn't appear that any soaked down to the mattress so at least I don't have to worry about that. Headed off again. The bed won't make itself and I'm pretty tired.**

Day 5:

I almost don't know where to begin. Had another strange dream last night. This time, I was sitting in a room with a circle of people kinda like what you'd see on TV of a group therapy session. Again, there wasn't any sound but what made it strange is the doctor was my downstairs neighbor, the boa. The nurse was Sheila and the only other person I recognized was Les, my landlord. He was a patient sitting across from me. The entire dream, I could see different mouths moving but no words. Just trying to remember it makes my head hurt. Nothing really happened but its all just a haze. Eventually, we all got up from our chairs and that was it. I woke up. What the fuck is wrong with me? I don't remember having these strange dreams back in college.

** I think maybe I'll go take a walk in the park again today. Seems the last time I did that, I had a wonderful dream. I could certainly go for one of those right about now. Maybe Shelia will show up again wearing a nurse outfit this time...**

** I guess now I should write about the good news I got this morning. Leon Citron wants to hire me for his new restaurant here in town, 'Citron Lion Ristorante' Apparently, the college I went to was asked to provide a list of promising chefs that graduated recently and my name was on the list! I'm supposed to go tomorrow for an interview and skill exam. I'm hoping that I'm able to sleep tonight though. Given the last few nights, it might be hit or miss. **

** I suppose I should be thankful. I've been in this new place for five days now and I've got most of my affairs in order. I've got food, shelter, and a job. Well, potential job that is. Yeah, a walk in the park is what I need today. I didn't go over to the lake side of the park the other day. Maybe I'll go over there and stare across the water for a while.**

** Update: Guess who I ran into at the lake. None other than Sheila and it was magical. We're supposed to have a little get together tomorrow evening but I'll get to that in a minute. I found a nice quiet spot on the shaded side of the lake and as soon as I sat down, I saw her. She was buck naked! Well, I guess doe naked but whatever. She was just going for a late day swim in the middle of this lake. It was a good thing the place was empty or she could have gotten into serious trouble.**

** She was so graceful in the water. Every stroke of her arms and legs seemed to just glide through the water with ease. It was captivating. Well that was until she saw me staring at her like some stalker. She just froze and stared back at me for what felt like a lifetime. I guess she realized who I was and slowly swam back to the shore trying her best to cover up. As she got closer, I offered her my jacket to at least cover up with while she got her clothes. I can't lie, I watched her get dressed as sneakily as I could. My lord is she beautiful...**

** Anyways, she came back with my jacket and we sat talking until just before the sun was fully down. Not wanting to seem like a creep, I explained to her what I was even doing out there and she understood. Just kinda...happened. Told her about my job offer too, which she seemed excited about. She told me about some of her work stuff and how this girl she had been seeing decided to break it off. Never figured she was a lesbian but hey, whatever. We can still be friends I suppose. And being the gentleman that I am, being close to dark and all, I offered to walk her back to her place. She got a good chuckle out of that one. We kept walking and talking about various stuff until we got her place and then it happened.**

** "Hey Edgar, you think we could hang out sometime?"**

** I thought I was going to explode with excitement but I played it cool and just said, "Sure. Name the time and place." And to that she said, "Tomorrow, your place." While giving me a sly look up and down. What the fuck did I do to deserve all of this good luck?! A job offer and a chance to get laid on the same day? I'll need to prepare something special not only for the exam tomorrow but dinner as well. Once again, goodnight my faithful inanimate companion. Maybe this antique journal is blessed with good luck or something.**

Day 6:

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

This is my journal and my reality.

Day 7:

I'm just gonna skip day 6. It's already 1 am and so much has happened, I didn't have time to write it down so I'll just start at the beginning.

** Woke up this morning after a great nights sleep. No weird dreams. No dreams at all apparently. Anyways, shit, showered, and cleaned up for the interview. Knocked it out of the park man! Leon was a super awesome guy too! I was expecting some high and mighty chef with his head up his ass but he was just down to earth. He did make a comment about how rare it is to see an herbivore not sticking to veggies and fruits but he didn't seem to mind. I mean, he IS a lion after all. Regardless, he was impressed at my knowledge and skills. And the best part? He's made me his sous-chef! Like...wow. I wasn't top of my class or anything like that. Average at best. I don't start until next week though. The place still has a bunch of work that needs to be finished before the grand opening. Man I can't wait...**

** So now on to earlier this evening. I've not had a night like that in forever and it was really nice to just have someone to hang out with. Sheila came over around 6pm. I mean, she didn't have to go far, her apartment door is like fifteen feet from my door. Anyways, she was a little timid when she first came in but warmed up quickly. Showed her around the place. She especially liked my 'fancy kitchen stuff' and made a comment about how she had never seen a spice rack like mine before.**

** While dinner cooked, we played a little board game that I had brought from college. It was certainly a lot more fun playing with Sheila compared to that jock Anderson Colby from the football team. At least Sheila understands basic math. We got so caught up playing 'Piggy-less' that I almost forgot about dinner. Luckily, it was just slightly overcooked. Sheila certainly didn't seem to mind and seemed to really love it. After we ate and had a little conversation, we decided the best way to top off the evening was to watch a movie on PlainsMov. Always thought that was a terrible name for an internet movie service but regardless, we both knew where the night was going.**

** We found some cheesy looking movie from a while back. Can't even remember the title. I don't think we were even ten minutes in before our clothes started to come off though. It's strange. Even though I had seen her in all her glory at the lake, she looked so much more beautiful now. With the glow of the television behind her, she looked almost angelic as it shined through her tan coat. She first got on top of me and we began kissing as we each explored the others body with our hands. As her breast rubbed against my chest, I could feel myself getting hard with anticipation. I could feel her ass rubbing against my shaft before she stopped and took a quick look behind her.**

** "I've seen zebra cock on the internet but never in real life. It's bigger than I thought," she said. Then she gave me a little chuckle. "I want to try giving you a blowjob," she said with a giggle and smirk. All I could do was nod my head. I thought I was about to realize the dream I had a few days ago and just like in my dream, she slowly managed to get my entire member down her throat. It was possibly the greatest thing I've ever experienced. Especially watching as my flare expanded. She stared me directly in my eyes for the entire thing too. After that though, I was spent but she wasn't going to let me off the hook so easily. She climbed up on the couch, forced my head back and gave me a mouth full of her own. I've never been with a deer before but it was kinda hot being bossed around by a lady. She rode my face for at least fifteen minutes as I used my tongue and fingers. And just as she was starting to orgasm, she grabbed my head and said, "DON'T YOU FUCKING STOP." That was almost enough to get me hard again.**

** Afterwards though, we just kinda of laid on the couch holding each other while some other movie came on. I guess we passed out though. I came back in here to write everything down after carrying her to my bed. I hope it's big enough for the both of us to sleep comfortably. I guess its lucky she lives right across the hall but I figured why bother when I've got a bed here. Maybe in the morning, I'll cook up some breakfast or something. Anyways, that's all. I've got to be the luckiest son of a mare alive.**

** Today was the perfect day.**

After reading the final line, the detective laid down the antique leatherbound journal on his desk as he breathed in deep and let out a sigh that was sure to have been heard by his secretary in the next room. The smoke of his cigarette mixed with the stinging bite of his bourbon, reminding him that this world is rarely fair and sometimes cruel. This was the path that he chose for himself and getting the facts straight has never been as easy as they make it in the crime shows. As he adjusted and sat up straight, the old chair beneath him creaked and groaned from numerous years of service, almost as if to say it was ready to give up as well. Detective Les Baker stared out the window into the city's glistening lights as the rain continued to come down and his mind began to wonder.

How did it come to this? Why? What had really happened? The crime lab was pretty thorough but even they were having a hard time putting it together.

_ _As the old hyena's mind continued to mull over the various details of the case, a knock came at his door. Startled out of his thoughts, Baker snapped his head toward the door, quickly straightened his tie, and said, "Yeah, come on in. It's unlocked."

His secretary, Stacy Windham, had been by Detective Baker's side since the moment he first came to the force some twenty years ago. And even though there had never been anything intimate between the goat and the hyena, she was still just as impeccable as the first time Les had laid eyes on her. She was married and faithful to a fault. It was a rare quality these days for sure. Les had even met her husband and children on a few occasions. It was a nice family, untainted by the sins of the city. Les hadn't faired so well on the relationship front, however.

The rustic door slowly creaked open as Stacy stepped into the room to introduce two guests who followed a little behind.

"Good evening sir. These are the two that called earlier to discuss your current case. A Dr. Sheila White and her assistant Seth...I'm sorry. How do you pronounce your last name?"

The large boa, slowly lifted his head high and gave Stacy an almost frightening stare before speaking up, "Sssssceserine. Just like it's ssspelled."

"Right...Sceserine. Dr. Sheila White and Seth Sceserine. They're from the Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment Support unit.

Dr. White stepped forward and grabbed the backside of a chair facing Detective Baker's desk. "I'm sure we're all aware of why we're here so let's just get on with it then. I've got plenty of other case files to be working on."

"Calm down Sssheila," the boa spoke slowly and calmly as he slithered toward the desk. "You know thisss cassse isssn't a normal one."

Les thought to himself for a brief moment. "It most certainly wasn't."

"Yes, I know," the doctor said as she placed a box on the detective's desk. "Here are the rest of the journals that we were able to find."

Les grabbed the box and slid it over to his side of the desk and peeked in. There at the bottom of the box were six journals identical to the one that laid on his desk. Just based on how they looked, it would appear that they were from a long time ago. On the other hand, it didn't appear that they'd ever been written in beside the first seven days all being filled out with various situations and details, none of which, seem to be interconnected.

"Just so I've got my facts straight, we've got this guy locked up in a cell? Ain't had any visitors or other unexpected occurrences?"

Dr. White answered. "Yes, that's right."

"And this guy is in a near-comatose state?" Les said as Stacy closed the door on her way out.

Seth curled up his body close to the detective's desk. "Yesss, that'sss right. It'sss been a few daysss sssince he woke up lassst."

Sheila interjected. "And every seven days since he's arrived, these damn journals show up in his hands during daily inspection. No one matching the names found in the journals have been reported as missing or killed. Gives me the creeps."

Les had a similar feeling, especially considering how they found him initially. "Let's stick to what we know here ok. I don't like having what I can only assume is me being mentioned either. Sit down and let's focus."

Sheila moved around the chair she was holding on to and promptly sat down. "You're right. In all my years, I've not had anything quite like this happen in the ward."

"Ssseemsss all three of usss are mentioned to sssome degree," Seth said as he got comfortable. "All the other journalsss have been picked over with a fine toothhh comb. No recordsss of the other people mentioned."

Les continued to stare down at the journals as his cigarette finally burned itself out. Edgar, or at least that's what they assumed his name is, was first brought in 50 days ago now. The man did not have any identification on him and there were no records that could definitively identify him. Les, Seth, and Sheila then began to analyze the events that had transpired so far.

During the arrest, and since, Edgar had not said a single word or given any type of resistance. To make things more interesting, or less so by some measure, he's had the same routine. The day after his arrest, he seemed alert and paid attention to everything that was happening around him. With each passing day up until the fifth, it appeared as if his mental faculties were slowly diminishing until the sixth day. On the sixth day of the cycle, he would not wake up. Even with some of the facilities best doctors weighing in, nothing could be found to cause this and the medications he was given seemed to have no effect. However, on the seventh day of the cycle, Edgar would sit cross-legged in his cell, rocking back and forth while looking down at the ground. On these days, he refused to eat, drink, or anything else. It was recorded that on his twenty-first day in custody, he soiled himself, apparently even refusing to use the bathroom like he should, though this is the only documented case of this happening so far.

Les, while lighting a new cigarette, said, "So...let's go over the night he was found. The responding unit's report says, 'Subject was found rocking while sitting amongst what we assumed was his victim. He was looking up at the ceiling of the room with a very large grin on his face. Subject was completely naked with an unidentified and decomposing canine head sitting in his lap.' What about the forensics team? Any new word from them?"

Dr. White responded. "Nothing yet. The only journal to mention any canines is from journal number 6 and in that one, that appears to be his 'love interest'. With each of these journals, there seems to be at least one person that he fantasizes about having sex with." Shelia then visibly shook as if a chill ran up her spine. "His description from day 6 and day 7 seems to be identical with only the person named being interchanged."

At this Seth, interjected, "Yesss, but if you look back at day one, the writingsss are that of a child. Itsss is so innocent. And mentionsss taking a busss to ssschool and playing with his friendsss. What happened between day 1 and day 2? Could the journalsss be a record of past events and the seventh day a prediction of sssortsss?"

Les paused for a moment to consider this before speaking again. "It's possible but none of the people named throughout the journals have been reported as missing or killed. No obituaries. Even the three bodies found at the scene of Edgar's arrest were completely unidentified. No matching dental records, no matching descriptions, or what little description could be gathered from the state of the bodies, and no identifying scars or tattoos. The forensic team even found a mostly intact arm with a complete sleeve tattoo! Nothing could be linked to anyone alive or dead."

Just after saying this, the phone could be heard ringing in the next room where Stacy was sitting and a muffled, 'Hello, this is the detective's office,' could be heard from the other room. Les sighed as he could only imagine what he could be getting a phone call about so late in the evening. "Excuse me, it seems as if I'm about to have a call to take."

Les began to get up from his chair but as soon as he became steady on his feet, the power was cut. Darkness and an unsettling silence fell over the office. The only sound that could be heard was a small scream from Stacy in the other room. Even the city lights and sounds surrounding the office were muted and snuffed out.

After what felt like a short eternity, Stacy called out, "Hey boss? You guys ok in there?"

But there was no reply to be found. Stacy could feel heart blood pressure increasing as she slowly reached into her desk drawer to get her flashlight out. It wasn't uncommon for this particular block of the city to experience power outages, particularly with heavy rain, but something in the air felt...off. Her senses heightened to a degree that she has not experienced since her younger days when telling ghost stories around a campfire.

Turning on the torch, she pointed it directly at Detective Baker's door. The shine of the light reflecting off of the various surfaces illuminated her small office decently well but being night time, Stacy felt like she had been teleported to a different world. It wasn't often she was at the office so late, especially when there's a power outage.

"Les? You ok in there?" Stacy called out once again but again, there was no reply.

After a moment, Stacy worked up the courage to move from around her desk. It wasn't like Les to not answer her unless he was deeply focusing on a case. Only once, Stacy had caught Les taking a nap but that was after a particularly long night and difficult case. But again, this had all happened during the day time. The sun was shining through the windows and the sound of people and cars could be heard. Now, however, those sounds were missing. It felt as if the world had ceased to function. Stacy slowly made her way to the detective's door and knocked. Still no reply from the other side.

Stacy then reached for the doorknob while calling out once again, "Les? Doctor White? Seth? Answer me, please. You know I'm not a fan of being scared." Stacy then opened the door and shined her flashlight inside. This was not Detective Baker's office. This wasn't even the police station. Stacy was very confused at what was before her. It was as if she had opened a door into a small apartment building.

_"What...the...hell?" _Stacy thought to herself. Making sure she wasn't going crazy, she turned around and she was still standing inside of the reception area of the detective's offices. But looking back, it was a staircase in the middle, a door to the left and right below, and a door to the left and right at the top of the stairs. Stacy stood absolutely still as she tried desperately to make sense of what she was seeing before her. After a few more moments passed, she stepped inside. And just as she passed the doorway, the door shut behind her without warning.

_"Fuck...no, no, no." _raced through Stacy's mind. She tried desperately but quietly to get the door back open but it wouldn't budge. This was just like the old horror movies that her friends and she used to enjoy so long ago. She remembered how many times she had screamed at the screen, "Don't go in!" but this time, she was the one being trapped.

While her mind raced with all of the possibilities of what could or would happen, she suddenly began to hear the sounds of grunting coming from one of the rooms upstairs. Even though it was muffled, since it was the only sound that could be heard, it was easy for Stacy to determine where it was coming from. Again, Stacy tried to open the door she had just entered from but there was no change. Her way back was blocked. Stacy then stopped and thought to herself. "What am I doing? I'm an adult and this is real life. I'm a damn police officer for fuck's sake!"

After more self-confidence boosting thoughts, Stacy decided she needed to find out what it was she was hearing and possibly figure a way out of here. It seemed her answer would come from wherever the muffled grunting was coming from. Slowly, she let go of the doorknob and turned around to face the stairs. It was only now that she really took in her surroundings. The black and white checkerboard floor was filthy and grimy. The off-white walls looked as if water had run down them at some point as there were streaks of slightly more white areas. And then there was the smell. Taking it into her nostrils, Stacy could smell mildew, dust, smoke, and the faint, acrid scent of dried blood. She shuddered thinking about what could lay before her but she had to get out of here. Her kids and her husband needed her and she needed them. They meant everything to her.

Stacy, finding her resolve from deep down inside, began to make her way up the staircase to find out what was making the grunting sounds from the upstairs room. She worried that the sound of her hoofs would clack too loudly or the stairs would creak as she made her way up but there wasn't any sound that could be heard. The closer to the top that she came, the louder the sound of the grunting became. Once she got to the top, she turned to the right and faced the dark green apartment door before her.

With a trembling hand, she slowly reached for the doorknob yet stopped short of turning it. Stacy drew in a deep breath while thoughts of her family and what could be behind this door and then she sighed. _"There's no turning back even if I wanted to." _Taking only a moment longer to steel her nerves, she turned the knob and pushed the door open. As the maw of the doorway opened further and the light of the flashlight illuminated the inner room, the first sights of what Stacy feared came into view.

At first glance, it was as if someone had taken several buckets of blood and threw them around the room at random. The light glistened off the still slowly flowing, crimson liquid as it ran down the walls and continued to pool on the floor. Stacy instinctively put her palm in front of her mouth, mostly out of shock but partly, in an attempt to keep from being sick. Small chunks of various viscera broke up the slowly growing smooth puddle. And then Stacy saw Seth's body or rather, what was left.

Just to the left of the entryway, Seth's body was flayed open from jaw to tail tip, hanging from a meat hook attached to the ceiling and his face was pointing directly at the door. Stacy nearly let out a shriek of terror at the sight before her. The red boa was completely eviscerated and Stacy could only assume that it was his innards that painted this room. "_This isn't real. This CAN'T be real," _continuing to make her way into the room. As she continued to navigate further into the apartment, try as she might, she couldn't help but step into the gore that surrounded her. Stacy's stomach began to churn in a way she's never felt before.

Straight into the apartment led to a hallway and from here, Stacy could see into the kitchen area. Though there was some blood in this room, the oven was the most prominent thing she could see. It appeared as if there had been a fire in the kitchen that emanated from the oven. The walls were charred black, soot had spread from the back wall, and back to the entryway to the kitchen and dining areas. As Stacy turned to the right to view the dining area, she saw her former boss slumped back in a chair.

From what Stacy could discern, on the table lay the charred remains of Detective Baker's coat and hat with smoke still wafting upwards and embers still smoldering with a faint glow. In the chair behind the table sat Les Baker, completely hide-less. As Stacy slowly shined the light further up the wall, the pelt was plastered to the wall and ceiling behind him. The front of the corpse looked singed but the sides were still oozing the innards of his body. It was almost as if the pelt had been blasted off of the body. Tears began to form at the corners of Stacy's eyes at the sight of her former boss in this state.

"_Please no...this can't be happening. What the hell is happening..." _The scenario in which she found herself looked and felt like the worst horror movie imaginable. But Stacy knew this was real. Her senses were filled to the brim with her surroundings. Her mind continued to race with questions that there were simply no answers for.

Stacy was suddenly rushed back to reality. The sound of the grunting she had heard earlier got louder and more intense without warning. The goat turned back out of the entryway of the kitchen and dining area and faced toward the back bedroom where the sounds were coming from. Every hair on Stacy's body was telling her to run but she knew there was nowhere to escape to. She had been trapped from the moment she entered this 'building'.

As she started down the hallway, she noted that the flooring changed from hard to soft. To her relief, when she pointed her light downward, it was just carpet. Bloodstained nonetheless, but not the viscera that her mind first imagined. This small comfort brought her some ease as she finally reached the door where the sounds were coming from. Slowly and carefully, Stacy opened the door and pointed her light inward.

The room was small and her light illuminated nearly the entirety of the room. In one corner, the body of a naked and decapitated Dr. White hung from a meat hook, still twitching and swaying slightly. On the other, a pile of antique, leather-bound journals piled at least waist-high. And directly in front of Stacy, was Edgar, leaning backward on his knees on top of the bed, staring up at the ceiling with a massive smile on his face. In his hands before him, he was holding the head of Dr. White with his massive cock impaled through her skull, flared with thick streams of cum still dripping off. Stacy was so shocked by what she saw before her, she simply froze in place. Her pray instincts once again dominated her mind. She has to run. SHE MUST RUN. And yet, her body simply would not move either out of fear or some mystical paralysis.

Edgar, with his head still completely back, turned in an unnatural ninety-degree twist to face Stacy directly. His eyes were completely black and his teeth and mouth had transformed from a normal zebra muzzle into a twisted amalgamation of predator and prey. Edgar continued to smile widely, looking directly at Stacy. And with a final grunt and thrust of his hips, a long stream of semen shot out of the head of his flared cock. Edgar then spoke.

"You do not belong here."

The words pierced into Stacy's mind and broke the otherwise complete silence that this place seemed to have. After a moment, Stacy mustered the ability to speak. "Are...are you going to kill me? Can I leave?" Her voice quivered fiercely as she pushed the words out.

"Kill you? Oh no my dear, you aren't to be killed. I never said you could come in. I will send you back..." Edgar spoke before lifting his hand and began to wave toward Stacy with only his fingers. As Stacy stared at Edgar, her vision slowly began to fade. The last thing Stacy heard before passing out completely was Edgar saying

"No one will believe you."

Stacy jolted awake, now laying on a gurney staring at the fluorescent lights in the ceiling. Her arms and legs were strapped down tight as she attempted to struggle against the bands. Then she stopped to listen. Her ears could pick up the sounds of other people and medical monitors beeping at various intervals. _"Maybe it all was just a bad dream but why am I in a hospital?" _Just as the thought crossed her mind, a nurse entered her room.

The young Cheetah nurse slowly walked up to her bed while speaking. "Ms. Windham? Are you awake?" she asked.

Stacy's throat felt parched as she began to speak. "Ye...yeah. I just woke up."

"Well, that's good. Do you know where you are?" the nurse further asked.

"No. I have no idea," Stacy replied.

The nurse then picked up a clipboard that was attached to the side of Stacy's bed. "I'm sorry but I can't give you any information but let me get the detective. He's at the nurses' station now." After putting the clipboard down, the nurse turned and left the room.

A wave of relief flooded over Stacy's mind. The detective was alive! So that must mean it WAS all a dream. Thoughts of her husband and kids then flooded into her mind. She was so terrified that she thought she would never see them again. And Dr. White and Seth! All still alive and breathing. Stacy could just barely hear the nurse speaking to someone but couldn't make out what was being said. Then the sounds of dress shoes making their way toward where she was at. She knew the sound of those shoes from years of working with Detective Baker. They made a distinct 'clack' with each of his footfalls.

However, the person who walked into Stacy's room wasn't Detective Baker. It wasn't even a detective that she recognized and she knew everyone on the force. This person was too tall and didn't have the little bits of mane that normally stuck out from underneath the coat like Detective Baker. As this detective removed his hat, the blood flushed away from her face and a chill ran up her spine as her mind tried to make sense of what was happening. The person before her was Edgar.

"This is my journal and this is my reality."