Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Like any other day, Tommy walked home from school, taking the scenic route during this nice spring day. Like any other day, he would walk up the steps to his house, getting out his keys, ready to head inside after a long day. Like any other day, it was routine, the same old same old. Nothing special, nothing different, nothing to change as it was comfortable.

Until today...

Today, sitting innocently on his porch was a medium-sized box. Taped up, nothing but a note on its lid, right in front of his door. Strange, Tommy tilted his head, 'Who the fuck left me a package?'.

He bent down, picking up the smooth cardboard box then looked at the note on it.

'There is more going on here than you understand - Clay'

Tommy felt his blood run cold for a moment, rereading, again and again. He wasn't seeing things, he wasn't imagining things. Clay, a name he hadn't seen in a while save for on the posters, in the papers, and spoken now only in sadness. 

Clay was a friend of his, a missing friend of Tommy's actually. A month by now, no trace, no words spoke, just up and vanished. Tommy wasn't sure why either, Clay and he were friends, but even he didn't even know why his friend vanished. Kidnapped? Killed?
Tommy shook his head of such thoughts but found himself still holding the package. And without much hesitation, he went into his house. 

This here was different, could it be a prank? Tommy wasn't sure who would be so tasteless to do a prank like this. But he was curious. Tommy bent down, opening the box carefully with a knife, cutting through the green duct tape on it, and opening the box. 
Tommy wasn't sure why he felt hesitant, if it was a prank he wasn't sure how he'd react. But, he could also contact the police... though the package was innocent enough. Taking a breath, he opened the flaps to see a group, series if you will, of discs.

Now Tommy had quite a few of these, mostly music disks he got from friends. He picked up one, flipping it over his hand. They were worn, dull edges, but still in good condition. The center was of a bitch forest, with words in soft red.

The Bitch Man

"Is this one of those fucking story discs?" Tommy grumbled a bit, looking in to see others, but they weren't labeled. Not like this one, the one on top and front and center. "So it is a tasteless prank?" he huffed, but still the curiosity gnawed at his mind.
And he did have a jukebox? The worst that could happen was it didn't work or it might just be some creepy screams and other stupid shit.

With this in mind, Tommy decided to go play it. He left his bag on the kitchen table. Not like anyone would mind, his parents were away, this was just the summer home he was using to take his classes. He went to a bigger named school and was taking college credits, here was closer than his family home. 

Spinning the disc in his hands as he walked, humming to himself, and with nothing to do, Tommy put the disc into the box. He settled back on the couch, as the machine turned on, getting something to snack on. He was hungry after school, and the walk, while not long, was still tiring. 
There were a few moments of silence, crackling, then the disc took and started up.

. . . .

Tommy frowned at the silence though, the disc was working, right?

Then he heard it, soft coughing and deep breaths. "He's here." the voice spoke softly, gravely, was that Clay's voice? 

-0-0-0-0-

Raspy breathing, in and out, as if the person was having issues. Like they just ran miles and were trying to cover their breathing.

"They know I'm here." the voice spoke again, Clay? 

A few more breaths, the sound of crickets, there was also the gentle wooshing of the wind through the trees. Night, in the forest. 

"He can hear a pin drop, he can find his prey quickly," Clay whispered to the recording softly. "The Bitch Man."

There was a sharp snap, the sound of fabric shuffling, quiet breathing as one could tell Clay was trying to silence himself. 

Silence rang again, "Close, too close. Coming to the forest was a bad idea tonight, but I need to get this done." Clay breathed out softly. "But he knew this, of course, he knew I'd need to do this."

There was a shaky breath, the sound of shuffling again, "I'd not be surprised if he planned this if they planned this. Always two steps ahead."

Another shaky breath, the sound of a soft sob, a hand over skin. "I can't keep doing this, he's dragging me down. He's always there, always following me. I can't keep this up." Clay said with a shaky, fearful voice. 

It was quiet again, save for the soft, faint sobs. 

Then a loud snap, the sound of Clay's gasp. The creaking was heard, snapping, the wind was heard again. 

Silence...

"Shit!" Clay suddenly swore loudly, then the sound of running footsteps. Branches snapping, the wind picking up, there were another pair of steps over Clay's own though. Faint, cracking, catching up.

The wind whipped harshly.

The sound of water, a loud splash.

-0-0-0-0-

The music disk crackled, then ended with a click. Tommy sat there, a white-knuckled grip on his water bottle. His eyes were wide as he stared at the disc, baited breaths of silence in the lonely house.

What the fuck was that?

Tommy got up after a few tense moments of nothing. Then took out the disk, looking it over with a slight frown. That did sound like Clay's voice, was he being chased? This all seemed too strange? 

For a joke, it sure felt real.

"The Bitch Man?" Tommy echoed again in a confused tone looking at the disk over and over again. Short, cryptic, strange, but all too curious, all too enticing, and Tommy found himself growing more curious of the other disks... but this was also confusing.

Swiping up his phone, and holding it to his ear Tommy let it ring. "Hey Tommy!" a voice cheered on the other side. "What's up?"

"Hey, Tubs... I think I found something, can you come over?" he asked curiously as he stared at the disk in his hands. 

Toby hummed, "Something like?" he asked Tommy with a curious tone.

"Looks it's hard to explain over the phone, just can you come over tonight?" Tommy asked a little amused and huffing. Toby liked to poke the sleeping bear so to speak.

There was a small scoffing laugh, "Yeah I can big man, I'll be over in fifteen, better be good though." he said in a slightly teasing tone.

Tommy hummed now, looking again at the package in the kitchen. "Yeah, but you'll have to knock, doors will be locked," he told him.

"Any reason why?" Toby asked, slight concern in his tone.

Tommy went over to the doors and windows making sure they were locked. Not sure why himself, but he felt the need to. "It'll make sense soon, don't worry about it Big T. Sorry for the cryptic bullshit but... it's hard to explain." he said honestly, even he wasn't sure what to make of this.

"Nah it's fine, I get it, surprises and all." Toby chuckled, "See you in a bit!" he said and with a beep, the other hung up

Taking a breath, Tommy put his phone in his pocket and back over to the kitchen table. His eyes lingered on the rest of the discs in the box. Innocently laying still, despite the contents of the first one.

Odd, strange, and all sorts of freaky vibes.

But Tommy tapped the table, he wanted to know more, not sure why, but he did. If this was just a prank, nothing to worry about, Toby would agree too. Just some tasteless prank with a mystery.

And Tommy liked mysteries. 

Chapter Text

Tubbo sat there on the couch with a thoughtful face, he looked over at Tommy. They sat in the main room, a comfortable place at least. The TV sat across from them, and to the right from the couch were the large glass doors to the backyard. Currently, the large shutters were closed around them, as it was growing dark and cold.
The lamps were on, bathing the room in soft yellow light, scatter on the table was the discs. Most only were sound, others were a garbled mess, and some had no sound at all. Though they all did paint a picture, something had been supposedly hunting Clay.

"The Birch Man is an old legend in town," Tubbo told his friend after looking thoughtful. Tubbo liked to say he was a well of creepy knowledge about the town. And yeah, Tommy would have to agree, Tubbo knew all sorts of strange things that happened in the town and forest around them.

Tommy looks at his friend, "So this thing is like some fucking urban legend of something?" he asked him as he gave Tubbo a soda can.

Tubbo taps the can, "Pretty much," he opens it and happily takes a slice of pizza. Tommy looks back at the discs then back at Tubbo as he continued after taking a bite of his food. "lots of stories that connect into a being that supposedly kidnaps children and kills them. They say he takes their hearts to ground into a paste and cleans his wings with them. Other stories state he only takes people he sees potential in and they will never be seen again."

Tommy makes a face at that, scrunching up his nose, "That's just fucking gross to think about. Any 'encounters' you know of? Or stories?" he asked, he did like learning about this, gross or not they were interesting stories. This place was always strange, Tubbo said something always happened here, normal or paranormal.

Tubbo nods to Tommy, he grins, "There is the story of Willam Gold, about our age when he went missing. William was supposedly a very good survivalist, was known to go into the woods for weeks on end and just live out there during the summer months. He even had a cabin, I think we can even find it still if you want tomorrow." he said, sounding excited.
Leave it to Tubbo to want to go looking and poking around supposed haunted places. Tommy just sighs but nods as Tubbo grins wider. "Anyway, one day he went during the Summer of 1998, and just... vanished," he said ominously.

"Vanished?" Tommy scoffs a bit at that "Gonna have to be more specific than that Big T." he grumbles finishing off his slice. The sun had vanished by now, the sound of crickets outside was heard.
Tubbo snorts a bit, "Alright alright, no appreciation for a creepy ending. Details say that they found the cabin unlocked, an unskinned rabbit on the table, rotting at that stating he hadn't been there in a while. Most of the house was untouched, all valuables still left behind." he explained

Tommy frowns slightly, "And how the fuck does this pertain to the Birch Man?" he asks his friend.
"I'm getting there." Tubbo slightly whines, "See, supposedly the cabin is in the middle of the birch forest, at least mostly that kind of tree grows there, there is also some ash trees and maples. I digress, but that's not all, there were signs of a struggle a few ways out, marks that weren't really footprints, but rather drags. Like roots had stuck into the ground and pull Will along into the forest."

Silence rang at that as Tubbo sits back against the couch, "There are other stories too. One about a guy named David, this was back around the time of the witch trials." he starts after letting Tommy sit on that story.
"This one is more obvious of Birch Man activity, the legend of him in that time was about a supposed demon in the woods. Children would go missing, and found later by hunters, strung up in trees by their guts, their hearts missing, and feathers sticking in their flesh." Tubbo said in a grave tone.

Tommy grimaced, "How the hell do you find shit like this?" he asks.

Tubbo then grins easily again, "I spend way too much time in the library and digging through old records." he says simply as Tommy shakes his head at his friend. With a wave of his hand, a way to tell his friend to continue.

"David was a farm owner nearest to the walls that protected the people of this town. Back then it was called Birch Falls, named after the spring in the forest. Side note, they renamed it after David went missing, stating this demon shouldn't be the name of the town." Tubbo snickers a bit, "People were superstitious back then. But, David wasn't much of a... believer in God or such, people tried to accuse him of witchcraft, but given he had good ties with higher people, nothing stuck. Guess it did nothing for the claims he used black magic."

Tommy did laugh a bit at that also, yeah, if The Crucible in school is anything to go by for how insane puritans were. Tubbo continues on, "One day, and the records are rather vague, David went out hunting alone. It wasn't seen as normal to go into the woods alone, you know the 'devil' and his 'demons' lived there. But David did a lot, however that day, by twilight, the dogs he had come back alone with the man's cloak, torn to shreds and smelling of mint. David wasn't found, his property was sold."

"Not freaky at all." Tommy deadpans to his friend as he taps his bottle in thought.

Tubbo snickers, "You're telling me, big man, creepy part is when reports came in about a man covered in blood dragging greedy people into caves. People state that David gave up the last of his soul, and the 'Devil' turned him into a demon that craves human flesh." he makes a face, "Kind of gross, as people back then didn't bath a lot, so I'd have never eaten them."

Laughter rang up at that statement, easing some of the tension before. "Ew," Tommy said with laughs, "can't say I would have either, not unless I washed them four times after death, even then certain parts wouldn't be any near my mouth," he states firmly as they joke about it. Call it coping with the freakiness of the discs and the fact it was dark outside with no moon.

Tubbo takes some breaths, composing himself, "There are other stories, smaller ones, but not really anything big like these two. Even them, evidence of this supposed Cryptid are few and far between." he hums slightly. "But, what we do know about him is that he's very tall, has dark black wings, and is made of branches and bark, the curl to form antlers on his head. Some even say his eyes are blue and he has... hair, one account said it was blond."

"Who the fuck had time to see all that and still live?" Tommy snorted in disbelief.

Tubbo shrugs, "These are all accounts pull together into one. Some have seen him when hiking, other stories I found in forums state he's been seen in other countries, not just here. One account was in the state of Oregon, where they saw something akin to the Birch Man. But they all remain the same, saying it's a man with wings, antlers, and bark-like skin." he says honestly. "Though others state he can look human, whether it's true or not is up for debate."

Tommy gazes back at the discs, "You think Clay was being hunted by this thing?" he asks, these discs sure did state that. If they were to be believed as well, and they were really from Clay.
"I mean, his vanishing fits," Tubbo says awkwardly, rubbing his arm, his hoodie shuffling a bit as he did so. "But the fact we know little about the Birch Man, other than Clay saying it's him, makes it questionable."

"Then," Tommy trailed off looking a little thoughtful, his eyebrows scrunching together. "Should I give this to the cops?"
"And tell them what?" Tubbo asks him, "Hey this was left on my porch, and I think Clay was being hunted by a cryptid... they'd think you'd playing a joke." he says in blunt, brutal honesty that only Tubbo can.

Another grimace, "Alright, fair enough, fuck this is just," Tommy runs his hand over his face, pinching his nose. "if this is to be believed Tubs then-"

Tubbo nudges him, "Hey, like I said, how about we head to the cabin ourselves, a good place to state fake or not, at least it can be a scary adventure!" he cheers a little.
"And if we actually see this supposed 'Bitch' Man?" Tommy says with a small, smirking smile.

Tubbo pauses, looking thoughtful, "We'll bring an axe then, trees don't like axes... or should we bring pesticides? Wait, would that help or hinder it?" he asks in thought.

Tommy laughed again at his friend's mutterings, a scary adventure to a cabin in the woods... where someone supposedly was kidnapped by a cryptid. Yeah, sounds like fun!
For now, the discs were forgotten in favor of the idea of mystery hunting a cryptid like some YouTubers they watch online.

Chapter Text

The sun was bright in the sky, blue with hardly a cloud. Wind moving through the leaves of early spring, cool, crisp, and fresh in the lungs after a long winter. The first nice, warm day of the season. Seemed all like the best time to be heading out into the woods to be hunting for a supposed cryptid that kidnaps, and kills, anyone who dares enter into its territory.
Tommy looked around at the many birch trees, the normal Paper Birch that was everyone's first thought when you say 'birch'. There was also the River Birch with i's more peeling bark, and grayish-brown bark. And even a few Silver Birch here and there, this place in the first stretched out very far and mostly only birch trees grew. Though the occasional Ash and Maple were seen.

All around the forest was dense and the new green leaves made it hard to see in certain areas. "So did you drag me out here because this will give us answers, or because you wanted to go to a creepy cabin in the woods?" Tommy asked Tubbo, who was ahead.
"Er... both?" Tubbo said with a grin, Tommy stared at him slightly amused. "Look at it this way, we get to see a creepy cabin of a supposed kidnapping sight! And maybe get some more clues, don't know about that part." Tubbo waves his hand at that.

Tommy rolled his eyes, "Right, if we die, it's your fault bitch!" he tells him, as Tubbo just flashes a grin at him.
Their feet crushed through dead leaves of last fall, branches, and carefully avoiding any briar patches. Tommy looked around again, taking in the area as they moved through the narrow deer trails.

The area felt peaceful, the occasional caw of a crow here and there. At least it wasn't completely silent, that would have been unnerving horror movie moment 101. Though, Tommy did get the feeling they weren't alone. That could just be an overall feeling the forest gave though. Tommy pushed his hands into his pockets as he gazed around again, keeping a few paces behind his friend.

There was a snap, Tommy turned his head to the noise to see nothing. And took a small breath and chuckled to himself, he was letting those stories Tubbo told him get to him. That or the prankster guy, if he existed, was around.
"There it is!" Tommy jumped at the sound of his friend and turned to see Tubbo moving to a brown cabin in the distance.

Tommy hums, "Shocking it's even still standing." he mumbled as he moved to catch up with his friend. The cabin was bigger than he thought once he got close enough to it.
The walls were dark in color so it stood out against the many brighter trees, the windows however had collected a lot of dust. The inside was dark, and the porch creaked as they stepped up onto it. There was still an old, rotting chair on the porch, "It's like no one has been here in years, not even to loot the damn place." Tommy comments.

Tubbo shrugs, "People here are superstitious to all hell. I couldn't even find one guy wanting to come with me here."
Tommy makes a face, "So you dragged me instead?" he asks as Tubbo looks at him unapologetic with a smile.

Walking up to the door, Tubbo started to see if the door was locked. Tommy gazed back for a moment, the place at a nice scenery, on a small hill overlooking some trees below, with many trees around it. There was also a bench nearby that looked out over the hills between two ash trees. Overall a calming feeling this place gave off.
There was then a loud bang, Tommy swore as he turned to see Tubbo holding the knob in his hand and the door just... fell off its hinges altogether and hung limply on its side. A giant hole where the knob should have been.

"It wasn't locked." Tubbo said to him looking at the knob in his hand, "Well it kind of was, but all I did was tug on it and it just... fell off... Does this count as breaking an entering, Tommy?" he asks his friend.
Tommy looked at him for a long moment, "Not if it wasn't intentional." he tells Tubbo with a firm nod.

With that the two moved inside, Tommy getting out of his small bag his flashlight, turning it on, and shining it around. He coughed at the dust that the door had kicked up, and looked at the sheets covering what was old furniture.
The floor creaked under him, their boots making prints in the dirty floor. "Well, this is homey," Tubbo commented as he looked at the cabinets and then at the counter. He moved over to the sink and hummed, "The water still works." he snorted laughter.

Tommy snickered with him, from the front door to the left was a living room and to the right was the kitchen. There was also a long hallway that leads to possible a bathroom and bedroom. There were also stairs that lead up into the darkness. Tommy took a step on one, it creaked, but he found it held.
"Gonna head upstairs Big T!" Tommy said as Tubbo just hummed at that. And up Tommy went into the yawning darkness, the stairs creaking under him. Tomy went slow for once, not chancing the stairs breaking under him. The landing leads to three rooms, so this cabin was also built for guests? He wondered if it was only Wilbur who used it.

Downstairs Tubbo frowned when he saw the cabinets had things inside them. Had someone been here? But the door was locked. Unless the food was just no perishables that were leftover from when Wilbur had been here.
Tommy moved over to one room, finding it empty, with pink sheets under the one that covered the whole bed. There was also another bed in the room that had blue sheets, a twin room? Walking back out, he moved down the hall to another room. Finding the bed had soft red sheets on it, seems a color code thing had went on when this place could be used?

"Toms!?" Tubbo called downstairs, "Better come see this!" he said to his friend upstairs. Tommy however paused when he saw something. The shoe size was too small for his own, footprints in the dust leading away from the room he had just been in down the hall to the last room.

Dread pooled in his stomach at that, "Tommy!" he heard Tubbo call again as Tommy knew he shouldn't go forward. He didn't want to be that dumb horror guy that followed in the footsteps when he knew the only person that should be here was just downstairs.

Tommy turned to quickly leave, "Tommy?" he felt ice in his veins. A softer voice, just barely a whisper, he swallowed and refused to look moving down the stairs. "Tommy?" it said again, there was a creak, and Tommy didn't bother he ran for it. The sound of footsteps thundering behind him.

"Tommy!?" Tubbo said staring up the stairs, Tommy didn't look back, gripping his friend's arm as they ran for it to the door. Out of the darkness to the sunlight outside, bursting through the doors of the porch.
Chancing a glance now that he could see, the guy following them didn't let up. Yellow, dull turtle neck, a red beanie on his head. Face littered with many scars, his eyes were red against this black band-like mask around his face.

Tommy felt terror hit his chest, and they tore through the deer path, hoping they could outrun this guy. Tubbo didn't say anything as they ran for it, then yanked Tommy off the path to another that leads them into a lighter part of the forest, fewer trees, and brush. Shouting all the way in terror though, even if they didn't speak, just spurring themselves faster.
Then up ahead they saw the parking lot, and their car at that, Tubbo's car at least as he had his license. They didn't stop, pushing into the car, and once the doors were locked, they went to start it. Tommy turned back to see... the guy was standing at the tree line, just out of a few. Claw-like hands gripping the tree, with something glinting off his hands, were they scales?

Tubbo floored it out of there, and Tommy could only watch, unable to take his eyes away now. As he felt the guy stared at him as well, the details getting less and less as they drove away.
Tommy then blinked when he heard his name, and turned to see Tubbo casting him occasional worried looks. "Big man you alright?" he asks worriedly, as Tommy takes a few breaths.

"Y-Yeah, I think I am." Tommy said shaking his head, "W-What the fucking hell was that!?" he asks Tubbo.
The other shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "I'm... not sure, some prankster?" but he didn't sound convinced. "Sure is a fast one, given he was running on all fours behind you when you came down the stairs," he mumbled.

"What!?" Tommy asked in horror, "It was what!?"
Tubbo shook his head, "Look man, could have just been some homeless guy. I found food in the cabinets anyway, seems logical." Tommy found that his friend's voice didn't sound as convinced.

"You said it was running on all fours though like some animals. And its eyes were way too big to be human, plus it had claw-like hands!" Tommy snapped a bit.
Tubbo shook his head again, "Look let's just get back to your place." he said sharply, eyes cast on the road, a seemingly scared look to them.

Tommy opened his mouth but was shocked by the glare Tubbo gave him. He snapped it closed and turned away looking out the window. His thoughts swirled in his head, what the hell was that thing? Why was it living in that cabin? And why the hell did it look like a fish boy?
He remembered when it said his name, the cold feeling he got, but also the sense he... wanted to move over to it. Though it was very faint, he wanted to follow that voice that called his name. And it seemed to have been waiting for that, only coming out when he ran.

It even chased them through the forest, like some sort of rabid animal. Only not coming out of the tree line. Gripping the paperwhite tree with clear intent. It's eyes gods those eyes seemed to be staring at him, the more Tommy thought about it, the more confused he got.
First, these discs, leading him to the cabin at Tubbo's choice because of something called the Birch Man. Not an insane homeless guy that looked like a fish boy chasing them out to their car. What next a pigman out to murder them?

Tommy didn't want to think about that idea, Tubbo was silent the way back, and Tommy was just lost in his thoughts. Curiosity gnawed though at his mind, what was that thing he saw? And why did it try to lure him away, why did it chase them out? Were they close to something?

As they pulled up to his house, Tommy froze at the sight with Tubbo. There, on his porch, was another package, this time wrapped up in black and white duct tape.

Chapter Text

Coming in, taking off their boots, and now staring at the box on the table. Both boys were on edge, having locked all the doors and windows. The blinds were also closed, and the lights were on in the living room and kitchen. Tubbo and Tommy could only stare at the box, small in size really, seemed harmless enough. But after what happened this afternoon, both were on edge.

"One of us will have to open it," Tubbo grumbles a bit to Tommy. His friend hums in agreement at that.

Another round of just staring silently at the box, the sound of the clock ticking in the room.

"Well go on, open it," Tubbo said to Tommy as he nudged his friend.
Tommy looked at him, "Why do I have to be the one to open it?" he asked him a little incredulously.

Both looked at each other then back at the box again, as if it was going to start moving or making noise. Nope, just dragging silence. This was getting them nowhere.

Taking a breath, Tommy finally moved to the box, Tubbo jump a bit at his friend's movement. And watched with large eyes as Tommy took a knife and cut open the duct tape on the top lid, and with a grimace opened the box with a small sound.
Tommy looked inside and blinked, a letter with his name and Tubbo's name on it in neat calligraphy. Beside that was an old phone, Tommy pulled it out opening it to find it didn't work and was very busted. There were also many leaves inside, and it smelled heavily of mint.

"Well, that was slightly anti-climatic," Tubbo said coming over beside Tommy and looking at the contents as Tommy opened the letter. Tubbo looked at the phone also, being the more tech-savvy of the two, while Tommy looked at the letter inside.

It was worn down the paper, the scent of mint on it as well. He frowned a bit and turned it over to Tubbo, that was a little unsettling.
All over the paper, scrawled out was the words 'mine' in harsh black ink. There was also the words 'Blood' and 'Unfinished' but they weren't as prominent.

There was also another smaller paper that had actually some writing "It's 4/4, not 5/4." Tommy read out loud, he frowned a bit. "The fuck does that even mean?"
Tubbo shrugs at that, "The phone is pretty busted, but Karl might be able to help me get audio or picture files off of it." he said to Tommy.

Tommy looked around in the box again for good measure, finding a roll of green duct tape, but nothing else. "Well this was something," he grumbles a bit, placing the tape on the table.
"Wasn't that the tape the box with the discs had?" Tubbo asks Tommy looking at it also.

"Oh right!" Tommy said going to go get the box, Tubbo also scans over the paper. It was worn down and the ink near bled through the back. Dirt smudges were also on the paper, indicating it had been possibly outside at one point, or the person writing had dirty hands.
"What the fuck!?" Tommy yelled out as Tubbo looked up at that "Tubbo! Where did we put the discs!?" he asked from the kitchen.

Tubbo felt dread settle in his stomach, "Didn't we leave them on the kitchen counter?" he asked Tommy getting up and going in to see that the box was gone. The two knew they never took it upstairs, and it wasn't in the living room, hallway, or kitchen.

"How the hell does that make sense, we've been the only ones in the house," Tommy said to Tubbo with a frustrated frown.
Tubbo however looked a little shaken "But that could only mean... someone came in and stole them." his voice was a little tight at that.
Tommy however looked worriedly around, "Another question big man, and one that we should have thought of for being horror buffs... are we alone in the house?" he asked.

Sure they went and locked everything, but they didn't check the house for intruders, despite signs that someone left a package. How could they be so stupid, thinking that someone might not be inside!?
Tubbo stares wide-eyed at Tommy, then they both look upstairs, they had checked all around down here, but not upstairs. And the lights up there were off as they weren't using them.

They also had been making a lot of noise, so if someone was in here, they knew it. Tommy nudged Tubbo to the closet, getting out two bats he had in there for his time playing baseball before settling on football (soccer).
They could call the police, but they weren't sure if someone was here, and the likely hood they'd get here quick enough was slim. Especially if the person in the house heard them calling, and tried to make a move.

So, with hesitant breaths, they went upstairs slowly. Onto the steps and turning on the hall light. Nothing in the hallway. Next was the room, Tubbo took the rooms on the left, Tommy the right.
Intense is what Tommy felt this was, sliding in his hand first and turning on the light before opening the door. And make sure to check hiding spots, under the bed, in the closet, and such.

Tubbo was doing the same, coming to the last room and finding the light switch was a few inches in front of the door. Having to open it, the light from the hall barely lighting up the room.
So far, it seems their fears were unfounded. Until Tubbo heard something and turned to hold the bat. In the darkness, just as he was near the light, something white moved.

Tubbo squinted and felt his heart freeze, a white mask with a smile on it stared back at him. The two stared at each other, and slowly the masked person tilted their head at Tubbo, who swallowed hard.
There were breaths of silence, Tubbo found he couldn't call for Tommy. In a staredown with possible danger. Then the man moved too fast, Tubbo yelled out in fear and heard Tommy coming down the hall as he did so.

He was shoved into the wall as the masked person bolted out shoving past Tommy too. Down the stairs, as Tommy swore loudly, "He's getting away!" Tubbo was taking deep breaths as he heard Tommy giving chase.
The front door opened, there was silence. There was the sound of footsteps and Tommy let out a slew of curse words.

Tubbo shakily turned on the lights to see the discs were sitting there in the room. All of them intact, but arranged in a strange order in the box. Tommy soon came back upstairs.
"Well, at least they weren't stolen," Tommy grumbled, checking them over. "You okay Tubs?" he asked worriedly.

With a small nod, Tubbo sat on the ground. "Just a little shaken up," he mumbled, looking around the room for a moment. "Toms..." he said.

Nearby, on the window were claw marks, the room was a mess also. Looking like a fight broke out here, and it wasn't Tubbo's doing. There was also a hatchet buried into the wall. The handle stained with wear and tear, scratch marks were also on the handle.
It was pretty deep in the wall too, and both didn't want to touch it. Whatever happened here was big, there were also footprints on the carpet from mud and dirt. But, some didn't even look like feet but were cloven.

"Tubs." Tommy's voice broken Tubbo out of his thoughts, "I think we need to call the police now." he mumbled. "At least about the break-in, we can keep the other stuff to ourselves."

Tommy didn't trust the cops, they'd take away the discs and everything. How to tell that you were chased by a monster. Besides, the break-in needed to be reported at least, and he'd need help getting the hatchet out of his wall.
Tubbo nodded to that as the two left with the discs to put them in the closet with the other box before the cops got here.

The guy was wearing a green hoodie from what Tommy saw, and with the white mask, it'll be something for the cops to find him on. Possibly. As for the weapon, well, neither had any explanation on that. Much less why the masked man wanted to discs so badly.

Just more pieces to this ever-growing puzzle.

Chapter Text

Tommy feels like the weight of the world sits on him, as he bids Tubbo a goodnight. The other just wanted to get home after today and seemed more than just shaken. Not that Tommy could blame him, today has just been one horrible thing after another.
The police took their statements and had a car patrol around the area. Didn't ask many questions, took it as a simple break-in. They didn't say anything about the discs or notes. The hatchet was taken in for an examination to see if the blood could be traced to anyone. And Tommy now has a decent size indent in his wall.

Sitting down again and looking at the contents of the box, Tommy felt annoyed and frustrated. Most questions, and no answers. Who the hell was it that chased them at the cabin? Who was the masked guy in his home? And what did all this even mean?
Tommy rubbed his face, he was getting a headache just trying to think about it. By this point, he can admit it was too elaborate to be a prank. But Tommy wasn't sure how much of his life was in danger... was this cryptid thing, The Birch Man, even real?

Pushing away from the things, and setting down the freaky note, Tommy decided he'd worry about it in the morning. He was hungry, tired, and just overall drained from today. A shower sounded great after stomping through the forest and getting the piss scared of him twice today.
Heading upstairs, with some shaky hesitance, but steeling in knowing the police checked the house, and everything was locked. Tommy went to his bedroom, the last door on the right side of the landing. Turning on the light, and searching around for some sleep clothing.

Shirt, boxers, pants? He paused at that, yeah, he'll wear some soft pants tonight. He placed them on his bed. His room was typical, with posters on the wall of many games. On the bed of a blue comforter, and under it gray sheets though his pillowcases were mismatched colors of red and green. Tommy had lost the gray ones some time again, and just found those in the closet... they work.
Just into some normal, work on homework before bed while eating, and he has the weekend to himself. Spring break was also coming up, so there was that.

Popping his back and sighing, Tommy paused at the window. The blinds were up, though the window was closed and locked. The dread still settled in him, though he lived near a neighborhood, his window overlooked the woods beside the house. He was a walks away from the houses. Semi-private, his parents liked it that way, but Tommy was now thinking about the stories.

Watches in Birch Trees.
His eyes lingered on the darkness outside, the moon barely casting any light, just able to slightly make out the tree line. Tommy takes a breath, it's just trees. Even if it wasn't a prank, Tommy shouldn't get worked up about two crazy people just because it happened twice in a day. What were even the odds related?

Sighing, Tommy moved over and pulled on the string closing the blinds. He supposed in their primitive brains, it was all the matter of 'if it can see you, you can't see it.' or something like that.
It's fine, it'll be fine, at least Tommy trie to reassure himself that. Taking a shower and getting him something to eat. Falling slowly in the late-night routine of getting things done.

And soon turning off the lights, reluctantly, and crawling into bed for the night.

Tettering on the edge between awake and asleep, Tommy started to slip away into dreams when there was a sound. Could be nothing, the house always makes noises. But he heard it again, tapping against the glass?
Just ignore it, Tommy, just a bird they do that sometimes. Even if it's late at night for them to be doing anything.

He started to doze off again, somehow the tapping sound was a lull in a way as it was just constant noise.
Tommy then shivered, did it just get colder? He pulled the covers closer and curled up slightly.

'Caw!'

Tommy's eyes flew open as he gazed around his darkroom. Squinting in the low light that the moon cast. There, on his nightstand, beady amber eyes gazed at him. A... bird?
Tommy was now suddenly aware of how hard his heart was hammering in his chest. He could feel it in his throat, but, how did a bird get in his room? His windows were closed!

Taking slow breaths, not wanting to move, but having to move to check his window. All too aware of the bird's eyes watching him, scared to move, but finding somehow the will to sit up.
The bird made no movement, staring at him as he saw up. Taking slow breaths, other than the animal there was nothing else in his room. He slowly turned his head o see the blinds were open, and so was his window. Letting in the cold night air, the wind shuffling the dark curtains.

'Caw!'

Tommy jumped a bit as he turned sharply to the crow, which he guessed it was by the sound. Looking at him pointedly, before Tommy got up. He was a bit peeved now at this rat with wings.
The crow honked again before flying away when Tommy got up and out the window. Tommy scowled a bit, trying not to think about how the damn thing got in a locked window!

He moved over there and gripped the seal to closed the window. And catch a glimpse outside, he stared at crows, hundreds of them. They all sat in the trees, eyes glinting in the low light staring at him and his house.
Blue eyes stared back a little in shock, the fucking hell were all these birds doing outside staring at his house? Crows in general were confusing to Tommy, smart little fuckers who seemed to be up at all hours of the day and night.

Shaking his head he went to close his window until he noticed something else. Tommy squinted a bit, something was moving through the trees? No, it was just a tree swaying in the wind, right? Tommy couldn't make it out, the light was too little.

Just, close the window. Tommy moved his hand sup and pushed down. The window snapped closed, and he locked it again. Closing the blinds. It was nothing, just his mind playing tricks on him. Crows were just being weird again. Too much happened today, he was just on edge, that was all.
Moving back to his bed, Tommy crawled under the covers again, he'll forget about this by the morning. Pressing his face into the pillow and hugging it close. The soft fabric of the sheets hugged his skin. He started to doze off again.

Tommy smiles faintly to himself, then turns over on his side.

*Crunch*

Tommy opened his eyes and moved his hand again to hear shuffling. His soft bed was gone, and he was laying on dead leaves and something that smelled old. He sat up and looked around in a little distress a fear.
This wasn't his bedroom, light barely filtered through the boarded-up window. The sheets were an old red color.

He looked down to see he was in a red jacket with a black shirt under it and pants to match. His shoes were messed up, torn in some places at that. "What the fuck?" he whispered out, looking around again as he got to his feet.
He stumbled out of the room and down the stairs past a broken door.

Then out into the sunlight of the day, birch trees were everywhere, and he turned back to see... the cabin? Dread filled Tommy's stomach at that, "how the..." he breathed to himself stumbling back.

How the fucking hell did he end up here at the cabin?!

Before he could ponder more, he jolted at the buzzing in his pocket. And opened the zipper to see his phone was still there. Tommy wondered if he had been lucid enough to know to take his phone, even if he couldn't remember even getting dressed and coming out here.

He opened it with shaky hands.

Messages from Tubbo.

'Where are you?'
'Dude something crazy happened to me last night'
'Don't worry I'm okay...'
'Just... please... come to Karl's when you can.'
'Please Tommy, let me know you're okay!'
'Tommy?'

Tommy blinked at that as he started to type out a response.

'Tubbo? Are you okay?'

Tubbo: Oh thank god Toms! I thought you had been attacked!
Tommy: Attacked? What do you mean?
Tubbo: . . .

His friend stopped typing for a moment, and Tommy started to walk back looking at his phone.

Tubbo: Someone- SomeTHING broke into my house last night Toms.

Tommy felt dread hit him in the stomach, his grip tightening on his phone for a moment.

Tubbo: I'm fine, even though it near killed me... Just, I'll explain it in person, please Tommy, I'm at Karl's house right now.

With an 'okay' message back, Tommy slid his phone into his pocket. He looked around the woods again, then at himself. He felt confusion and dread, how did he end up here? What happened to Tubbo?
His head hurt when he tried to think about it, wincing as he placed two fingers on his temple.

'Caw!'

Tommy turned to his left and saw a few crows in the trees. He stared at them, and they stared back. He moved faster after that, wanting to just get out of these woods. Luckily his car was here at the parking lot, somehow, and the keys on the seat.
At least he didn't have to walk all the way home.

First check on Tubbo, then...

Then he can panic about this, about the crows following him, about waking up in the cabin here, about it all.
Right now, check on his friend.

Chapter Text

The drive to Karl's was quiet for Tommy, pulling into the driveway and meeting Karl at the door. Seems the older male was expecting him to show up. Karl used to be a substitute teacher at their school, he lived in a small apartment house with his two lovers, Sapnap and Quackity.
They were cool, and Tommy felt at ease when he walked into Karl's house. Like the dark presence was gone. He did note that at the door was some lavender and sage hanging, and the house smelled like incense.

Taking off his shoes, and moving into the main room Tommy felt relief when he saw Tubbo. He was sitting next to Quackity, the other talking to Tubbo who had a warm drink in hand.
"Tubbo." Tommy said sitting beside him and hugging his friend close. Tubbo leaned into the embrace as Quackity took the drink and set it on the table.

"Are you alright Tommy?" Karl asked as he sat on the couch also. "Tubbo sort of filled us in, in a panic-induced state over the phone."

Tommy hesitated for a moment, but Tubbo nudged him with a nod. "Sort of... it's a long story for me. But what happened to you, are you okay?" he asks. He was unconcerned for his own safety, he was more worried for Tubbo.

Tubbo sniffled a bit, "No, Tommy someone broke into my home and tried to kill me." he near whines in fear. He gripped Tommy tighter, "There was this boar of a man standing in my room if I hadn't reacted fast enough..." Tubbo rubs his neck a bit looking fearful.
Those eyes turned to look at him, "Tommy you have to get rid of all that was given to us. Whatever this thing is, it's no longer fun." he says to Tommy.

The three boys listened quietly, until Sapnap stared, "Tommy, you're bleeding." he said as Tommy looked confused then down at his leg where the other was staring. And yeah, he was bleeding.
"Oh." Tommy said as Karl rushed to get the aid kid, looking at the makeshift bandage on it and making sure to clean it.

"Alright, what happened to you?" Karl asked firmly, giving a 'dad' look to Tommy with a deep frown as he treated him.

Tommy shifted at the look, then explained what happened last night and where he woke up. Karl stared at him, disbelief, worry, and fear on his face. He finished putting the bandage around Tommy.
"Right," Karl huffed a bit, "you two are in something that you really shouldn't be." he tells them in a firm tone.

Quackity scoffed, "I'll say, these two have a fucking cryptid out for their blood and trying to control them." he near yells at Karl.
Sapnap looks away, his eyes far away and deep worry in them. Tommy looks between them very confused, "Wait you know of the Birch Man?" he asks.

Karl winces at that, "At least you're only using that name. Never say his real name Tommy, it will tell you where he is." he tells them. He sits back down worry on his face as Quackity also take up places to sit. "And yes, we know of him, given how long we've lived in this town, we know."
Quackity grins, "See you two, you're looking at your three local witches!" he said happily. "Normally we don't go telling people, but with what Tommy just told us, it's getting serious fast."

"What?" Tommy asked in confusion, "Witches? I thought they could only be fucking female." he tells them.
Karl shakes his head, as Sapnap just goes to make something to eat. "No, witches can be both genders. Warlock is something entirely different from what we are. But, that's off-topic, what matters right now is getting you two protected."

Tubbo looks at them confused now also, "Protected?" he asks in a small voice.
"Believe it or not you two, you both aren't the first, nor last, that have been stalked by this local cryptid," Karl tells them as he gets up and gets a box from the draws of the coffee table.
Tommy frowns, "So he does exist?" he asks a bit unsure, but after last night... Tommy decided to go with it.

Quackity picks up where Karl is getting things together, "Oh he does exist, seen him myself, nearly got killed that day also if Karl hadn't shown up." he mumbles something in Spanish then sighs. "This thing, it's been here longer than the settlers came. We aren't entirely sure what it is, just that it changes form freely. Currently, the newest form it's chosen is a male with blond hair and blue eyes."

Karl nods in agreement with a hum to get the boy's attention. "And you two aren't his first victims. Clay was one of them, came to me for protection and info about this being." he had a ting of regret in his tone. "I couldn't protect him."
"It's not your fault." Sapnap's voice cut in, "Clay was in too deep, much deeper than you two are." he tells mostly to Karl, Tuboo, and Tommy.

"Okay, start from the fucking beginning, I'm still reeling from last night. What's going on?" Tommy asked them quickly before his head could spin anymore.

There was silence, the three looking between each other. Then Karl spoke up first, "What you experience last night Tommy was his control over you. It's the first stage." he explained slowly.
Tommy feels dread in his stomach, "The first stage?" he echoes in slight worry, Tubbo tenses beside him.

"The Birch Man, he's an old legend. Known for kidnapping children as you know, the reality is he kidnaps anyone he takes an interest in. And, either they are never seen again, or he kills them. It's unknown why, our guess is he uses them to prolong his existence." Karl shrugs faintly at that. "But we do know what his methods are."
Placing out many herbs, stones, and paper with pens, Karl continued, "What he's doing Tommy is trying to 'claim' you. It's the sea thing that was happening to Clay." he explained to the other, aware Tommy was growing frightened.

"I won't sugar coat it Tommy," Karl looked at him, "you should be very afraid." he deadpanned to him. "This thing wants you and he going to try and break you down till nothing remains of who you used to be. Before snatching you up, and rebuilding you in how he wants. Into a twisted form of what you used to be."

Tommy felt ill at that, covering his mouth and started to tremble at the words Karl spoke to him. For once, he had no witty come back to that. Just put dread settled into the pit of his stomach.
"Why Tommy?" Tubbo asked softly, "And why was I attacked?"

Sapnap came in with something simple to eat, "You got in the way." he tells Tubbo. "The Birch Man works only with one person at a time. No doubt, he's pissed that he didn't capture Clay before my friend ran away."
Quackity puts an arm around his lover to comfort him, Karl finishes up a strange symbol on the papers. "Basically Tubbo, from what you told me, one of his proxies were sent to deal with you. You're stopping the progress he's wanting to make on Tommy, and given it's only been three days and already he's started stage one, he's working fast. Possibly doesn't want to lose you like he did Clay."

Tubbo stared at that, horror on his face at that, "They are trying to kill me?" he near whispers. Tommy stiffens at that, his grip on Tubbo slightly tightening.
Karl nodded gravely with a grimace, "Yes, no doubt they want you dead to break Tommy further." he looks at them with sympathy.

The two kids looked at each other, crazy as this all sounded, it was the most plausible thing to believe. And Karl, though friendly and happy go lucky, wouldn't lie to them.
"There has to be something we can do to fucking stop this," Tommy tells Karl, near jumping to his feet if Tubbo hadn't held him down.

Karl then held up two papers, "These things right here, they will protect you. Hang them up in your home, in your room preferably for you Tommy. I'll also be giving you all necklaces to wear. They will be blessed, and will hide you from The Birch Man and his proxies." he explains to the two, a serious tone to him.
"Never take off your necklaces for anything, and anything you go from him, burn it with salt. I'll be taking the discs, as they seem to be from Clay. You shouldn't even have them, but no doubt it was left on your doorstep to lead you down this rabbit hole." Karl hands them their papers, then necklaces next.

Tommy puts on the bluestone necklace and finds it's warm against his skin. "Is that why I felt safe when I entered here?"
Karl gave him a look at that, "I did sense something was following you, crows. Yes, I have my house warded all to hell. The crows are omens and messagers of his."

Quackity looks at the two, "Basically, if you see a crow, just toss something at it. If you see a murder of them, get the fuck inside somewhere until they leave, or get back to your house." he tells the two, still hugging Sapnap close.

Tommy looks down at the paper in his hand, and frowns, "Why us?" he asks softly to the three.
Karl shrugs, "Unsure really Tommy, perhaps it's because you look like his current form. Or he's been stalking you for a while. It's unknown, but all we can do now is stop it from consuming you." he places a hand on the kid's own. "Just trust us, okay?" he asks softly to Tommy.

Blue eyes met Karl's brown ones, and slowly he nodded "If this will work, and I won't be waking up in the woods again. Then I trust you." he tells Karl, who nods with a small smile at them.
"You two will be okay." Karl promises, "and if anything happens again, come directly to me."

He hoped these two kids would listen to them, he failed Clay... he didn't want to fail them.

Chapter Text

The thing about mysteries, you always want to see the end of them. But Tommy heeded Karl's warning, giving to him the discs and everything that came in the box. Waking up in an old cabin where he almost got attacked was not ideal, and it was enough to put fear in him.
And after putting the charm in his window, and wearing the necklace, things started to go back to normal. No more crows at his window, or following him around. And Tubbo had managed to sleep without anyone out to kill him.

The past three days before then escalated quickly for both of them, but since getting Karl's protection charms, it was alright again. No more packages, no more creepy people, no more sensing that someone was following them.
And slowly, Tommy started to fall back into normal again. Having had his fun this weekend, almost ending up a puppet to a cryptid, and possibly believing more in the supernatural. School started back up, and just like that, it ended before it really happened.

Perhaps it was for the best.

Tommy doodled in his book, half paying attention to the teacher, it was just music theory. He was only taking this as a filler class as all the other options were either full or boring. Not to say this class was any fun either, but it at least took up a slot to where he didn't have to do study time in a stuffy room.
"Class!" most jumped at the yell, coming back into awake, lunch coma as teachers called it. Just after lunch, most students were tired again, and half paid attention.

"We have an assistant teacher joining us for the next few weeks, he is going to helping me out and you guys out to gain hands on learning," she told them, Ms. Farris was a bitch of a woman, tended to only love classics and piano, all the while critiquing anyone who liked different. Very stuck in her ways.
Tommy held back an eye roll at her hard stare at them, "I expect you all to behave, but let me introduce Wilbur Craft." she said to them.

Tommy raised an eyebrow at the man that walked in, brown hair that was fluffy brown, yellow sweater, red beanie on his head, and dark blue jeans. He wore a grin on his face, rather white teeth with warm brown eyes. He looked rather young, possibly only early twenties.
"Nice to meet everyone!" Wilbur said in a cheerful tone, and that seemed to be enough for most of the girls to simp. On his back was a guitar at that as he took up a place to sit, setting the case next to him.

Tommy didn't think anything of it as the class continued on as normal after that. But the whole time, Tommy did get the feeling Wilbur was looking at him. Sometimes the guy would interact with the class, telling a bit more about himself. Yup, he'll be the pretty, soft boy, hottie teacher by the end of the day.
Trying not to roll his eyes, Tommy tuned out everything the rest of class playing with the gemstone on his necklace.

The bell rang before he knew it, and Tommy started packing up his last stuff for his final class of the day. "You alright Tommy?" he looked up to see Wilbur looked at him with a while on his face. "Seemed kind of out of it through the class, can't be that boring right?"

Tommy gives Wilbur a look, "I'm fine, just not one for this class" he said casually, no point in lying really, and he's always been known to be blunt about things.
Wilbur chuckles, "Yeah, learning about music is nothing to playing it. It's how I taught myself, mimicking other songs to learn chords and such. Guitar is the easier to get started on." he beams at him.

"I guess." Tommy said simply as he got his bag, "Something you needed?" he asked him.
Wilbur shrugs at him, "Just was worried about you." he said simply.
"Creepy." That was all Tommy said as Wilbur laughed at that shaking his head at Tommy's bluntness.

"Ever been interested in learning guitar?" Wilbur asked him curiously, "I could teach you." he offered with a smile at him.
Tommy gave him a look that was kind of weirded out, "Any reason you're so interested in me?" he asked bluntly.

Wilbur shrugs casually, "Local problem child is what Ms. Farris calls you. Asked me to keep a good eye on you." he said honestly.
Tommy rolls his eyes at that, "Of course she did, she hates the fact I can play piano but I refuse to do so for the class." he grumbled to Wilbur.

"You can play, that's cool!" Wilbur said happily, "Well if you ever want to learn or wouldn't mind me watching you play, I'll be around this side of the school." he offered to Tommy.

Blue eyes met brown, and Tommy shrugged, "Uh thanks." he said and quickly left to hurry to class. Well, what was odd, but Tommy just shrugged it off, possibly just being nice to keep an eye on him.

-0-0-0-0-

Tommy tried to put Wilbur out of his mind, meeting up with Tubbo after classes, "Seems we got a new assistant music teacher." he comments to Tubbo, then pauses as his friend looks exhausted. "You alright?"

Tubbo grunts a bit, "We also have a new assistant gym teacher, the bastard was making us actually work over play games. Mr. Rain was amused the whole time." he grumbles a bit, "I'm so sore right now, though I'd hate to see what he made Advance Gym do."
Tommy grimaces, he had gym tomorrow "Well that's just great, how did this new hard-ass get hired?" he asks his friend.

Tubbo slightly shrugs, wincing at the ache he felt, "Not sure, but he's got to be sadistic, calls himself Techno of all things, refuses to go by his real name." he mumbles to Tommy.
"Edgy as shit much?" Tommy snorts some laughter, which does get Tubbo to smile back at that.

Tubbo sighs heavily, "Things been alright for you, nothing strange?" he asks him.

"Other than Mr. Craft being a bit creepy, nothing paranormal. Apparently, Ms. Farris wants him to keep an 'eye' on me. She has it out for me, I fucking swear." Tommy scowls faintly, he really hated that class, but it was better than study session and philosophy, where at least one student a year had an emotional breakdown.

"That's not so poggers." Tubbo agreed seriously, which easily lighten the mood and made Tommy and him laugh a bit.
The rest of the trip after that was just them sharing what happened to them in class. Apparently, Techno was a fitness nut and was a large, buff man with long pink hair. And they thought their philosophy teacher was eccentric looking. "Guy apparently even got tusks implanted in his mouth! I thought people filing their teeth to vampire-like was weird!" Tubbo told Tommy.

Tommy hums, "Mr. Craft had pointed ears now that I'm thinking about it. Guess it's not the fucking weirdest though, it's 2021, there are all sorts of eccentric people out there." he shrugs at Tubbo.
Tubbo does nod in agreement to that, "Still, guys scary looking, no one wanted to talk back. Especially when his hand is as big as your head!" he winces when he moves too much.

"Whelp, I'm gonna piss him off then." Tommy laughed as Tubbo gave him a look.

"You're funeral bro." Tubbo said seriously to him, as they soon got to their stop and walked the rest of the way home. Parting ways with waves and promises to call, Tommy made his way home.

"Hey Tommy!" Tommy turned to someone saying his name and stared at Wilbur of all people. He jogged over, and behind him was another guy. "What brings you down here?" he asks.
Tommy gives him a look, "Could ask you the same." he said, at Wilbur's grin, he sighs. "I live here," he mumbled.

"Funny, I and Techno live in the house just across. Thought you looked familiar." Wilbur grins at him.
Tommy frowned at that, "Really? Never seen you around?" he said bluntly, not trusting them.
"That's because we went to college nearby.' Techno picks up, Tommy turns to him and stares. If this was the same Techno, Tubbo was right, bear of a man. He easily had a few inches over Tommy, his fucking eyes were red too! "Just moved back here for the few weeks we'll be doing our assessments," he said in a nonchalant tone.

And Tommy already didn't like him. "Right, well, nice to see you two," he said.

Wilbur however was quick to follow him, "Actually Tommy, we wanted to ask you something, well I did!" he said cheerfully as Tommy tried to ignore him. "heard a lot of local legends and such around here, would you happen to know where the supposed Cabin where a guy got kidnapped is?"
Tommy pauses at that, "Why would you ask?" he asks them curiously, damn his curiosity.

"Well Techno here doesn't believe in ghost-" Wilbur starts up.
Techno scoffs, "Neither do you." he comments.
Wilbur ignores him, "And the guy who got kidnapped has the same name as me, so we wanted to see if we could go ghost hunting." he grins widely. "Want to join us, if not it's fine, we just need directions to the cabin."

Tommy shakes his head, "Look guys, some fucking weird-ass, feral homeless guy lives there. Chased Tubbo and me out when we last went."
Techno snorts laughter, "I think we'll be fine." he said flexing his muscles a bit. "I can protect you and Wilbur kid, and my brother here isn't a slouch either."

Tommy bristled at that, but for once held his tongue. But that did pique his interest, they were brother? Didn't even look alike. Wilbur was a stick figure compared to Techno. "Come on Tommy, it'll be fun!" Wilbur near whined to him.

If Tommy was honest with himself, he was curious about that place, why did he wake up there of all places? Was that weird-ass guy still there? And among other questions, plus he had Karl's protection charm on, and Techno seemed capable, though he'd never say that out loud.
"Fine, I'll show you," Tommy grumbled, Wilbur looks very happy at that and Techno just nods.

"Great!" Wilbur said, "We'll go tonight, seeing as the school will be closed tomorrow."
Tommy blinks at that, "It will be? How do you know?"
"Teachers assistants know things before students," Techno says easily to him. "See you there at 8 tonight kid?" he asks. Tommy just nods, not questioning the fact they'd be going at dark.
"Bring a flashlight!" Wilbur called as they turned to leave, Wilbur waving to him as he followed Techno

Tommy watched them for a moment, before he heard a loud cawing sound, and turned sharply to see a crow sitting on his mail box. He glared at the bird, then turned back to see they were gone. They must have run inside or something, freaky though nonetheless.
Shaking it off, and resolving to keep this from Tubbo, Tommy went inside. His friend would kill him if he said he was going back to that cabin.

The two might be odd, but he'll leave a note at his house just in case something went wrong. And he'd bring a knife for protection, he wasn't an idiot, but he was a big man. He could take care of himself.

Chapter Text

Tommy swore as he pulled his pants leg out of a briar bush, his flashlight did nothing to make seeing easier, and he was getting fed up with Techno's snorts of laughter. "Shut up." he snarled at him as he caught up with the two.
The new moon made it to where no light penetrated the forest, the only sound was the crickets and wind through the leaves. Techno smirks at him over his shoulder, "You've hit every bush on the way in here, you never would make it as a spy." he teases the kid.

"Then maybe I shouldn't have agreed to this in the first place," Tommy grumbles as soon the outline of the cabin comes into view. "Right, well, you guys have fun, I'm staying out on the porch," he tells them as soon as he sees it.

"Awe come on Tommy, no fun!" Wilbur says to him, "Nothing is in there." he grins at Tommy in a strange way, but Tommy shakes his head. He somewhat doesn't trust these two, he'd rather be in the open to run if need be than in a confined house.
Wilbur pouts at that, "Gosh, fine, we won't be long, if you get bored just come inside." he huffs a bit, only saying that after Techno nudges him.

As they near the area, Tommy shines his light around. This place was even more creepy in the dark, the trees overhanging the area, the silent sound of wind whistling through the area. It was both uneasy and tranquil in a way.
Tommy supposed if someone liked to get away from the world, this would be a wonderful place to be. He sat down on the porch as Wilbur frowns, "Sure we can't convince you?" he asks.

Giving them a glare, "I'm pretty fucking sure." he's said, after waking up in the bed upstairs, the guy chasing him and Tubbo, he was certain he wanted to stay out of the building. He brought them here, that was enough for him.
Techno shoves Wilbur into the doorway, "We'll be back out in two hours then." he said calmly to Tommy, walking inside after a huffing Wilbur.

Leaving Tommy alone on the porch as their footsteps faded inside.

His phone was at full charge, and shockingly he was able to still play games at least. So Tommy found his own entertainment in that as he waited for the two to have their fun investigating the house. Scrolling through his cat tower and crafting new materials for the game.

A loud cawing sound was heard, Tommy jumped and looked around frantically at that. He shined his flashlight around as well and saw crows had gathered in the trees. The light reflected off of their eyes, and Tommy got the feeling they were staring both at him and the house.
Tommy also became painfully aware of how quiet it was, there wasn't even any rustling in the house. How? Shouldn't they still be inside? Should he go check? Half his mind said to leave them here if they were going to take too long. But it had only been an hour.

Minutes ticked by as Tommy mulled over his options, the crows making things even more uneasy. Then it occurred to him, why the hell did he agree to this again!? He was an idiot, agreeing with two fucking strangers to come to a cabin in the middle of nowhere on a new moon night! The fucking hell was he thinking!

A loud snap had him turn to the woods line. Tommy got to his feet, adrenaline rushing through him as his heart started to beat fast in his chest. Something was... moving out there. Just barely through the trees.
He could hear a dragging sound through leaves and grass, like someone shuffling their feet through them. The thing was tall, taller than even Techno. He could make out a body shape, but no details. And it seemed to even move through trees.

Tommy felt his hand trembling, hoping that he was just seeing things cause it was dark. His eyes trained on the creature as he moved around the perimeter, seemed to not even notice he was there.

"Hey Tommy!"
Tommy yelled and turned sharply behind him, Wilbur's voice was coming from inside the house. It was dark inside too, Tommy turned back to see... the thing was gone, just still trees.

"Tommy!" Wilbur said again, "You gonna come inside now?" he asked in a teasing tone.

Tommy turned fully to look inside the doorway, he couldn't see Wilbur but could hear him. "I already told you, Wilbur, no," he said calmly.
"Ah come on, Techno is upstairs, don't you wanna see it?" Tommy frowned a bit at Wilbur's tone, his head felt fuzzy when he tried to think about it. Upstairs, where the bedrooms were, Tommy felt exhaustion creep in him as his heart had stopped pounding. "Are you tired, Tommy?" Wilbur's voice asked him.

Soft, concern, slightly teasing, it was like being wrapped up in warmth. Tommy shook his head to clear the fog, "Wilbur, can we go now?" he asked him in a slightly tired tone.
"Why do we need to go again, Tommy?" Wilbur asked him calmly, "Just come inside Tommy."

Tommy felt his feet sway at that, he wanted to listen, but part of his mind still screamed at him this was bad. The necklace around him felt warm, really warm, almost burning.
A faint growl was heard, "Tommy, take off the necklace." more force was put into this, Tommy felt like his hand was lead and they were on strings, going up to his neck.

No.

He paused in this, no, something was wrong. He tried to shake his head clear again, the growling was getting louder. With a click that felt like he was pushing through thick water, his flashlight illuminated the inside of the doorway.
The sight snapped Tommy back into awareness and he screamed backing away. This, thing that looked like Wilbur was on all fours. Tommy got flashbacks again to last week, the creature that chased them.

This thing that looked like Wilbur glared at him, "Why can't you just listen!" it said in Wilbur's voice lunging at him.
Tommy scrambled back as 'Wilbur' missed, and without missing a beat himself he turned to run. Not sure where he was heading, just away from that thing. He heard another snarl but didn't turn back as he ran.

He could hear sets of footsteps running for him, Tommy blindly tearing through the forest. His breathing was ragged, he pushed past branches, swearing when they hit his face and tore at his clothing. Blood roared in his ears, the crows had scattered when he ran past them.
He then felt the ground leave his feet, and down he tumbled down a bank of leaves and small rocks. Tommy cried out in pain as he hit the bottom. The wind was knocked out of him as he coughed a few times.

Tommy laid there a moment, groaning in pain as he held his chest. His flashlight was near his left hand, and his backpack had fallen off and was a few feet from him. He took a few breaths, trying to regain it, then sat up.

That's when it occurred to him, he had no idea where he was. Looking at all the Birch trees in the darkness. No idea which way the cars were or which way he really came other than the hill beside him.
Tommy looks around frantically, his heart pounding, oh gods he couldn't be lost, could he!?

Before he could even grasp that thought the sound of moving was back. He turned around to see nothing anywhere near him. Where was the sound coming from then!?

He whirled around a few times over and over, until his eyes paused to see something. His breath hitched a bit at the sight.

Standing there, a few feet from his bag, was this tall being. Blue eyes glowed in the dark and held Tommy's gaze. It had blond hair too, from what Tommy could make out. A very human face at that, with branches like antlers. Its entire body was also made of bark and long branches too. Wearing a green robe with large black wings on its back.
The crows were gathered around it, peering at Tommy who felt frozen in place under the blue eyes.

Static filled his head, Tommy found his vision fading in and out, two more people were behind the being. Tommy's vision was like that of TV static, fading in and out. His ears were ringing too, his head started to hurt.
The being was getting closer between moments of Tommy's awareness. He couldn't move, only could groan in pain as his hands held his head. It felt like his head was being split in half, and as the creatures neared it kept getting worse.

He soon couldn't even hear it moving over the loud ringing in his ears. Until he was face to face with the creature. The scent of mint was strong around it, and a smile that seemed too wide was on its face.

Tommy felt thing fingers traced his face, from his nose to his cheeks and chin. Another feeling of fingers running through his hair. Everything hurt, everything was spinning, he felt like he was going to hurl!

Then... it all went dark as his head hit the ground... and the world faded.

-0-0-0-0-

Coughing, Tommy came too again, he was laying on the leaves in the forest. The sky was blue and bright, and clouds rolled by. It was also warm, the sound of birds chirping.
Sitting up with a groan at how sore he felt, Tommy looked around to see in the distance was the parking lot. But he couldn't see any cars parked there... had Techno and Wilbur left him!? Those jerks!

Digging in his bag he soon found his phone... or what was left of it, shattered and broken. Shit! The fall must have damaged it. Looks like he was walking home then.

His mind felt fuzzy, trying to recall things hurt, he remembers running from the feral... thing again. But after that, it all goes black. Like static on a television screen. And to think about it caused a headache to form behind his eyes and around his temples.

The walk back was long, Tommy stumbling every few minutes, no cars passed by, not many came to these woods. Luckily it wasn't too long, the forest was two hours walk away from his house.
His legs hurt, but nothing at least was broken. His clothing was dirty and messed up with a lot of holes in his hoodie and pants.

Stumbling through the door, after seeing no car at the brother's supposed home for him to go berate them for leaving. Tommy noted how the house felt and seemed different.
He went over to find the note he made was gone. Finding the phone, he dialed Tubbo's number. Ready to tell him the night he had and get berated.

"Hello?" a shaky voice asked on the other end.

Tommy groaned, "Hey Tubs you wouldn't believe-"

"TOMMY! OH MY GOD, WHERE ARE YOU!?" Tommy winced and pulled the fun away at Tubbo's frantic yelling.

"What do you mean, where am I?" Tommy scowled, "And don't fucking yell in my ear bitch!"

There was a pause, Tubbo then shakily said, "Tommy where are you?" he asks softly.

Tommy frowned at this, "At my house, it's been a long night Tubs." he sighs heavily.

The silence on the end was deafening, and the sound of sobs was heard with shaky breathing. Tommy frowned as Tubbo took a few deep breaths, "Tommy." he cracks out. "You've been missing for three weeks."

Chapter Text

Tommy's leg bounced as he sat in the living room of Karl's again, the procedure was standard and to the point. The police questioned him, but Tommy restated over and over again he had no memory. He told them of the cabin, of Techno and Wilbur, of waking up in a ditch and making his way home.
He was tested negative for drugs, so that was ruled out. Nothing seemed to stick, and thus within the time he was let go. Tubbo came and picked him up with Karl of all people. It was found he was missing his necklace.

Karl sighed heavily from where he sat, "Wilbur and Techno have vanished altogether, the police I bet have found no leads on them. I ran searches myself, no one by their names is from any of the colleges. No one thought to link them to your disappearance given no one saw them hanging around you." he tells Tommy.

Tommy hums as he takes another bite of his mac and cheese, he was so hungry, not really sure why he was. "That's pretty sus." he says after swallowing, "That whole night was a blur to me."

Quackity gives him a look, "So you really don't remember anything after running from what we can assume was Wilbur?" he asks Tommy.

Tubbo frowned now when Tommy shook his head again, "Nothing, man fucking chased me with Techno I think. During the run I might have lost your necklace or something, then I woke up at the bottom of a hill." he shrugs at them.

"And?" Tubbo asks softly, gripping Tommy's arm, "You feel alright?" he asks worriedly to his friend. Afraid if he let go Tommy would vanish again.
The school had been canceled the day Tommy went missing, a murder happened on the school grounds. Tubbo didn't know the kid, but the school was closed for police investigations, then Tommy went missing. Most assumed the murder was to cover up Tommy's disappearance.

Tommy looks thoughtful, "Other than sore, no, nothing seems different." he admits to them. "I feel like myself, just a little in shock that I am missing three fucking weeks from my memory!" he laughs a little hysterical at that.

"Taking it better than I would." Sapnap deadpanned to him, Karl gave his lover a look at that. "What, just being honest," he said holding up his hands.
Karl sighs at that shaking his head and pinching his nose bridge. "Regardless Tommy, this is still something to worry about. I'd guess this is the second stage, hell you could be on the third stage for all we know!" he huffed leaning back.

Tommy shifts at that, "Really not helping my mood either Karl." he deadpanned to him biting his lower lip.

Karl looks at him sadly, "Sorry Toms... but for now there isn't much we can do I can make you another necklace, see if it works. But Tubbo will be staying with you to monitor you for a few days."
Tubbo nods to that, "Damn straight I am, I'm not letting you vanish again!" he says to Tommy who just nods to that.

"Alright yesh, clingy," he says, trying to joke, but his laugh falls short at Tubbo's look to him. "Sorry," he says softly to Tubbo looking away.
"Just," Tubbo hugs Tommy's arm, "never vanish again," he mumbles to him his tone shaking a bit.

The ride back to Tommy's place was silent, Tommy staring out the window as Tubbo drives, apparently, he got his license while Tommy was away. To go looking for him himself on the weekends.
All the creepy stuff had stopped when Tommy vanished, and no one was sure why. Not like Tommy could tell them why, as his memory was jacked.

Tubbo had packed for staying the month with Tommy to monitor him. Karl would check up on Tubbo's house every other day. And this, for now, would work out. Tommy wasn't against Tubbo staying with him, what could happen?

-0-0-0-0-

Sleepwalking.

Tommy was sleepwalking a lot. Tubbo started to notice when Tommy woke up on a Friday morning, taking to homeschooling now to catch up, to Tubbo telling him what had happened.

Tubbo woke up to hearing Tommy walking down the hallways of the house. Staring into his room from the doorway, Tommy's eyes were vacant, just blue orbs watching him in the darkness.
Tommy admits to having no memory of that at all. "Tubbo, I didn't do that, I slept all night." he tells his friend.

Tubbo gives him a look at that, worry on his face.

Then comes lucid dreaming.

Tommy starts to have very vivid dreams.

He's in a house, it's old, dark, dusty. He sees someone in front of him, a green hoodie, giving him the 'shush' sign. Holding out his hand, the cold white mask glints in the darkness.
Tommy reaches out to him, there was a loud crash. Techno... he slammed into the guy. someone grips his arm, he turns to see the cold eyes of Wilbur.

Tommy woke up panting at that, he looks around his room as he wonders what woke him. Tapping at his window again? He sighs at that, laying back down, he hadn't told Tubbo, for some reason he didn't feel a need to. But there has been tapping on his window many nights.
Some nights, Tommy wakes up to find the window is open. He should tell Tubbo, but when he goes to the words die in his throat. Or something comes up and he can't tell Tubbo.

The crows are there also, but Tommy finds they aren't so bad. He gets used to them taking up the trees near the house. Or in small places when he goes out. He goes about his days, feeling like he's getting to a routine.

Save for the nights he freaks out Tubbo with his sleepwalking.

Like this night, when Tubbo finds outside, sitting on the back patio. Tubbo hears soft talking as he turns down the stairs. "But he's my friend." he hears Tommy say. "Yes, I know." he rubs the sleep from his eyes and walks to the open back sliding doors.

Tommy stands there in the darkness and low moonlight, but no one is with him. "I don't remember." Tommy says out loud, "Is that normal?"

"Tommy?" Tubbo said tiredly, Tommy turns to him, blue eyes meeting Tubbo's brown ones. Vacant, was he sleepwalking again? Tommy then turned back to the nothing in front of him. "Who were you talking to?" he asks him.

"Dad." was all Tommy said, "But, he left, he doesn't like you," he said his voice far away.
"He doesn't?" Tubbo asked taking Tommy's hand, leading him back inside slowly.

Tommy just nods following Tubbo back upstairs and to his bed. "He wants me to come home with him," he tells Tubbo.
"Well you are home Tommy," Tubbo said with a strained smile.

Tommy merely hums and nods, and Tubbo moves over as his friend falls back into a deep sleep, closing the window. But as he goes to close the curtain, Tubbo sees something in the treeline. Two blue orbs staring at him, and Tubbo could feel the anger behind them.
Tubbo closes them quickly and turns sharply when he sees something move in the hallway. Swallowing hard, Tubbo picks up the bat in Tommy's room and moves to investigate.

Tommy's been acting weird, and Tubbo guesses this intruder might have answers.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Tommy wakes up the next morning, wakings in expecting Tubbo to say he was sleepwalking again. But the door is open and Tubbo is nowhere to be found.

Chapter Text

Tubbo stared out the window in deep thought, the police still had no leads on Tommy at all. He was worried, it wasn't like Tommy to leave, to give no warning. He had found the not at Tommy's house, but the police found no leads with it. Even with Wilbur and Techno's name on it.

But it was kind of hard with something stalking him day by day. Tubbo noticed it started to happen when they got back from that cabin. Someone had broken into his home and nearly put an ax through his face.
He had woken up to something shuffling, and only barely turned when the ax had ripped through his pillow. Tubbo hadn't wasted time, running out of the house with loud, clomping footsteps chasing behind him.

He managed to get away, and call Karl. The witchy man had said something fled when he showed up and broke down his back door in the process. Whoever it was, they were strong and big for their size.
Tubbo hadn't felt comfortable sleeping in his room after that night. But that wasn't the only thing that had happened, he didn't tell Tommy about the crows following him. Eyeing him up, sometimes downright chasing him when he left the house. After he got the necklace from Karl it slowed down, but until then it was horrible.

But, he was an idiot for this he knows that, he thinks the worst of it was because he took the phone Tommy was supposed to give Karl. He knows, stupid of him, completely stupid. But, it had answers he needed, he knew it, so he got to work taking it apart and getting the card out to see what was on it.
He was close, today after school he'd get to see what was on that damn card that they sent to Tommy. He'd find his friend, he knew he would, they wouldn't kill Tommy, not with how badly they wanted him.

The final bell rang, and Tubbo moved quickly down the hall. "You know he's gone." he paused at that turning to see Wilbur looking at him.
Anger ran through him, this man knew something, if the letter Tommy left him before he vanished was anything to go by. But, the police found no leads, and Wilbur was sent home.

"I know you're hiding something," Tubbo said in an angry tone to Wilbur, eyes blazing almost.
Wilbur just smiles at him, "But you have no proof, do you?" he asks in a condescending tone. "Just give up on him Tubbo, and maybe you won't end up missing as well," he said in a warning tone.

"I could tell the police you're threatening me," Tubbo said in a harsh tone, gripping his bag tightly at that.

The assistant teacher hums at that, "But that won't stick, and you know it. Please Tubbo, Tommy wouldn't want you dead." he says in a soft tone to him. Tubbo felt like his head was spinning at the tone Wilbur used, but the necklace on him warmed and it faded.

Tubbo bristled a bit, "I will find him, no matter the cost." he snarls at Wilbur, turning to leave.

"See you tonight then," Wilbur said, and that made Tubbo's blood run cold for a moment, but he didn't turn back as he jogged away from Wilbur.
He hated him, that bastard knew something, but Tubbo couldn't pinpoint what other than he shared a name with the Wilbur that went missing.

He got home via the bus, the crows outside his house, but didn't come close as they watched him swiftly enter. He got to work again on the card, after closing the blinds, and finally managed to get the card onto his computer.
Tubbo bit his lip and waited as the files came up, and he opened the pictures. They were... of the cabin in the woods. Why did it always end up back there? The cabin was newer looking though, and there were pictures of a guy who looked a lot like Wilbur taking photos with something. A camera? But how did a card on a shitty old phone, end up there?

Tubbo moved through the files, finding nothing else on them. And he sat back with a growl, this gave him nothing but confirmed his suspicions that Wilbur was involved, and it seems Techno was also as he was seen lurking in the background of some of the pictures. Just barely seen behind trees... was Techno trying to stay hidden in them?
None of this was adding up and it annoyed Tubbo.

But it seems the cabin held the answers again, and Tubbo was ready to head out now to find them. Consequences are damned, he wanted to find his friend now!

-0-0-0-0-

Which was how we end up here, at night, stomping through the leaves and bushes to get to the cabin before the sun fully sets. If Tommy wasn't there, Tubbo didn't know what he'd do.
It was silent, the wind didn't even stir, and not a bird in sight. Tubbo didn't know if he should feel comforted by no crows or not. As he stepped into the clearing to the cabin, looking around the area. The door was gone as if someone moved it.

Stepping up on the creaking porch, and gripping the knife in his hand just in case, he stepped inside. Looking around, nothing seemed to change inside. As if no one had come here at all, but the door had been moved.
Tubbo steps around, making sure to look everywhere with his light, a more powerful flashlight than before. Glaring at anything, and being ready for any movements.

Slowly, he moved up the stairs, and looked up and down the hall. The bedroom Tommy had said he woken up in was open, and... Tubbo moved to the door, opening it a bit more, he looked around...

Nothing.

Tubbo felt like crying in frustration, where was Tommy if he wasn't here!? A creak was then heard, Tubbo whirled around and looked down the hall. The door at the far end wasn't it open before?
No, the door wasn't closed, something was standing there to block the view. Whatever it was was huge, easily as tall as the doorway, and red eyes stared at him. Tubbo knew it was staring at him, lips peeling back to show sharp teeth and tusks.

They stood there, staring at each other for a long moment, then Tubbo bolted. The thing lunged. Tubbo felt the wind of it's hand barely missing him. It let out a growl that shook Tubbo's chest to it's being, he swiped the knife, barely missing the thing as it moved back. The sound it let out was huffing anger, and Tubbo felt it's hot breath also.
The scent of blood was strong, and Tubbo knew this tight cabin wasn't a place to fight as he rushed for the door. As he turned down the stairs, he barely missed a claw hand swiping at him as he leaned back.

The second monster snarled at him, black, wide eyes staring at him with a snarl of sharp teeth. It smelled like lake water at that and was hunched over on all fours with a deformed body. Looking like a drowned victim.
Tubbo moved away, using a chair to knock the thing back. There was a crack as he saw something moving into the house that was taller than the other guy, who was blocking the other direction.

Static filled Tubbo's head, but he refused to faint. He moved around, and heard a yell of anger as he crashed through the window. Glass flew everywhere.
Tubbo did cry out when some glass cut him, and the sound of them giving chase was heard.

Tubbo crashed through the trees, jumping at any sound. Something large was moving through the trees at speeds Tubbo didn't think as possible. His flashlight caught blond hair and blue eyes like Tommy's, but on a face made of tree bark.

He barely would move when it reached for him, turning down another way, his knee forgotten in his haste. Flashing at another being with red eyes, that snarled at him and lashed out, clawing at his jacket the ripped under claws. Tubbo squirmed away and tore down a path that he hopes lead somewhere.

Then he skidded to a stop as his flashlight caught something. A red coat and blond hair gripping at a log on the ground. Tubbo turned to hear nothing following him anymore.
He turned back to see the person shifting on his feet, "I can't. I want. Home." that voice, mumbling to himself.

"Tommy?" Tubbo managed out through his harsh breathing. His pulse moving rapidly, he took a step, Tommy's head did turn, he heard him. "Tommy?" he asked again.
Tommy's mumbling to himself stopped, Tubbo took another step. "Tommy where have you been? We need to get out of here." he harshly whispered to the other.

Tubbo neared again, Tommy didn't move, dread-filled Tubbo's stomach. "Toms?" he asked, another step. In a movement Tubbo didn't expect, Tommy whirled around with a snarl.
His blue eyes were feral, and not in a funny way. Pupils were shrunken as he tackled at Tubbo, teeth sharp now also. His eyes were sunken in, and he clawed at Tubbo as the smaller let out a shriek.

Tommy's hair was dirty, his jacket full of holes. His face had dirt on it too and was looked to be dried blood on his cheeks. Tubbo gripped Tommy's wrists trying to get him off, "TOMMY! GET OFF!" he yelled loudly, as he pushed at him, Tommy snarled at him, pushing harder, claws scratching at Tubbo's arms. Like some wild animal, out for blood, Tubbo's blood to be exact.

Tubbo felt warmth on his arms, as some of Tommy's claws did break skin. He grunted, and with all his might shoved Tommy off. Scrambling too his feet as Tommy hit the ground with a thump, Tubbo gripped his flashlight.
Tommy snarled at him, eyes nothing like the warmth of his old friend. He looked like a caged, feral beast and Tommy wasted no time tearing after Tubbo again.

Tubbo knew something was wrong, but right now he couldn't do anything except run. Whatever this thing was, it wasn't his best friend. Tubbo ran for it, not knowing it Tommy followed, not knowing it that even was Tommy.
The ground vanished beneath his feet as something gripping his foot. He hit something hard with his face.

Then blacked out.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Coming too with a groan, Tubbo leaned over on the old leaves to see it was daylight out, the sun shining through the clouds, it was morning, nearing afternoon. Tubbo winced a bit, everything hurt, his legs were sore from running, his arms stung painfully.
He looked down to see dried blood on them through the fabric of what was left of his clothing. He sat up and looked around, he was in the woods, but around him were ash and maple trees, not a single birch insight.

And somehow Tubbo thinks that's what saved him last night when he blacked out.

Wincing as he got to his feet, and found the necklace was still on him somehow, but was broken in half, he picked up his flashlight. It stilled worked somehow.
Looking around again, and finding in the distance was the road, Tubbo was more than thankful for that.

Last night's events still had him reeling, what the hell was that thing that looked like Tommy that attacked him. Did he really just see the Birch Man? And was that Wilbur and Techno in the cabin? Why did they look like they had been killed or twisted in some violent way?
Karl... he needed to go visit Karl!

Stumbling down the paved road, and avoiding the treeline when he saw Birch Trees in the distance, Tubbo made his way to his car. However when he arrived there was a note on his windshield.

It was a picture of him and Tommy, or what should have been. The part of him was torn off and missing. Tubbo looked around the parking lot to find nothing but him and his car. But got the feeling he was being watched.
Tubbo didn't stick around to find out, he'd head to Karl's place, and far away from here.

Chapter Text

Right gonna delete this chapter later.

But, I am going to update soon guys, I've just been caught up with things in my real life. Just letting you know why I am off schedule right now.

I'll delete this chapter note once I update! We are getting close to the end though. So what prompt do you guys want me to do next into a full story?

Chapter Text

Being friends with Tommy Innit was a ride in and of itself. Each day was something different, carried by jokes, rude banter, and loud laughter. Being friends with him also wasn't a cakewalk, Tommy never did have many friends, people he talked to perhaps, but Tubbo really only gained the attention of 'friend'.
The two had always been a duo, and no one really could take them away from each other. Suppose that was why Tubbo found himself in alot of trouble at the hands of his friend. But he was always willing to go through hell and back for him.

This felt like purgatory more than anything.

The area was dark, always ending up back here, the cabin in the woods. Tubbo was half convinced this place might be where the area between the mystery and real was the thinnest for these creatures. With how they materialized out of the shadows, shambled about the cabin, no doubt waiting for Tommy.

It was light out, so Tubbo, sadly, could see their features very well.

Two of them were the most prominent, one was lanky, sometimes would crawl on all fours. Having long talons for fingers, webbing between them, the skin was gray, the mouth was filled with sharp teeth and leaked with black blood-like substance. His eyes were large, black, with hints of brown in the pupils that stared at him.
The other was tall, hunched to fit into the doorway, fluffy fur that was pink, he had the face of a boar, tusks cracked and worn into a dull white and yellow. Red eyes gazed into his own, huffing through its nose when Tubbo would just stare back. Its hooves clacked on the old floorboards.

Tubbo had a feeling he long since passed fear, as he watched the two move about. He got the feeling there was a third, but Tubbo knew the elusive Birch Man wouldn't show his face in daylight.
"You've sure caused dad a lot of problems." a voice spoke, sounding like a gurgle in water. Tubbo turned sharply as the one on all fours moved over to him, long brown hair hanging on his hair, damp and the scent of the lake strong on him. "Techno here was supposed to kill you." he snickered

"Wil." Techno said in a gruff tone, "We aren't supposed to talk to the prisoner." he huffed out to him.
Wilbur let out a whining sound, it was high pitched, and make Tubbo's ears ring. "I'm bored though, it was a lot of fun when Tommy was around. If Dream hadn't gotten in the way, we could have left with him." he pouted a bit.

Techno sighed at that shaking his head, "Tommy will come, dad has assured us of that, but we are to wait for the right moment." he said looking back outside at the dimming sunlight.
Scoffing Wilbur turned back to Tubbo who looked confused, "Not like it'll matter Tech, once Tommy comes through that door he'll be as good as dead." he mumbled a bit.

Tubbo felt his blood run cold, "W-What?" he croaked out, wincing as the eyes turned to him.
Techno grunted, "You've been quite the thorn in our side, his attachment to you keeps him from embracing his cryptid nature. Originally we planned on pulling him away, and that almost worked." he mused, seeing no reason to hold secrets, Wil was right, he wouldn't last long.

Wilbur then makes a hissing sound, "Then Dream had to come and remind him, he took our Tommy away. Dad was furious." he scowled at the ceiling, laying back on the old wood. "But, once you're gone it'll go smoothly." he did have a faint smile at that turning over on his stomach to look at Tubbo, the yellow sweater seemingly heavy with water, yet none came off him.
Tubbo was now trying not to panic at that but had to keep probing, "So what's so important about Tommy?" he asked them.

"Dad likes him." Wilbur shrugs, "Dad rarely gets attached to mortals, and Tommy is going to make a perfect proxy to him. Well more so 'son', but you humans don't seem to think we are capable of adopting." Wilbur scoffs lightly at him.
Techno's large form moves to cover the window, "Wilbur, we can't give away too much, dead or not, you know the risks." he says to his brother.

"At least he's making good at conversation," Wilbur grumbled a bit resting his chin on his arms crossly.
Techno sighs at that giving the other a pointed look, met with Wilbur sticking out his tongue at him. Turning away Techno sits up, "What we can tell you is Tommy will be taken care of, father will take him in, regardless of how you feel." he tells the other calmly.

Tubbo didn't like the sound of that, what would they do to him? Take care can mean something different to them than to humans. The thoughts of that night, Tommy having a feral look to his blue eyes. Clawing at him with a gleam for blood and death in the once kind face. He looked like a monster that night in the woods.
And that's exactly what he'd be if these... things got what they wanted. Tubbo couldn't let that happen, looking around the room.

"Don't bother." he jumped looking around at the voice that seemed to echo in the air, "It'll be painless, maybe I'll bring you back as a pet for him."
Where was that voice coming from? Tubbo couldn't tell until he saw something just form from the darkness, taller than Techno, antlers scraping the ceiling as he was bent over. "Perhaps as one of my crows." spindly fingers moved over his jawline.

The face was human, yet looked all wrong, blue eyes peered into Tubbo's. "He comes soon, Techno." he said, his voice sounded far away, like a mix of many voices overlaying one male one.
Techno grunted as he went over, and gripped Tubbo's head, the cold metal pressed to Tubbo's skin, his neck. "It won't let you suffer, dad will take your soul before you even have a chance to feel pain... pity though, I would have made you suffer," he growls into his ear. Breath warm against his ear and neck.

The Birch Man tilts his head slightly at Tubbo, fingers tracing over his skin as if he was envisioning what Tubbo would be when brought back. "You'll have some interesting markings." the cryptid commented, before turning away, and with a sweeping motion he left out the door.

Tubbo felt his heart pounding, eyes fixed on the door, he could hear Tommy calling for him. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. Wilbur crouched low in the corner, a look of sadistic glee on his face.
And he could only wait, unable to move, for Tommy to come in.

Blood rushed into his ears, the frantic beating of his heart. The sounds got closer, Tommy broke the clearing. He was sprinting to the cabin, the cold knife pressed closer.
The sound of feet on the wood, the world seemed to slow.

Brown met the blue eyes, wide and fearful.

A scream rang out, rage, fury, pain.

Tubbo didn't feel any pain, but he could feel the warm liquid run down his neck. He hit the ground, he couldn't tell if he was breathing.

Then it all went black as worn shoes, the open door to the outside, and cold dusty floors was the last thing he saw.

Chapter Text

They had the kid in the past, it was going perfect. But attachments always held people back, if they had something to go back to, they wouldn't reach their full potential. Most of his kids never had anything left for them when he found them. He was always drawn to those who sought the comfort of a parent. He just wanted someone to care for them as they were.

This crypid wouldn't say he was a kind man, far from it, he enjoyed the rush of killing the weak and helpless. The ones they ran until their lungs burned with effort until they could only cry on the ground.
The feeling of his claws digging into their soft skin, yanking out their lungs, their heart, their stomach. The weak never survived their transformation into full monsters of the night, and as such, he never paid them a second glance like some other cryptids did.

Dream was an interesting one, though he had two friends, the boy didn't have a soul outside of this trio of friends. He was willing to offer him a chance to be greater, if only he had just killed the damn boy George.
But alas, the could have been proxy just couldn't bring himself to cut out the things in life that would only hold him down.

But, the most annoying part had been that Dream now actively worked against him. Seeking to stop him from getting what he wanted. Reminding Tommy of his friend Tubbo, of what he had left behind. Just when the other was so close to breaking, just when the haze was ready to take Tommy's mind. He remembers and escapes the grasp as Dream dragged him away from the birch trees.

Though one good thing came of it, Tommy couldn't escape the longing. And though he couldn't recall what all happened, he still wasn't totally a lost cause. Still, his magic lingered in the dark corners of Tommy's thoughts.
And all he had to do was whisper to him, and Tommy would sit outside and talk to him for hours on end. With that Tubbo boy being none the wiser.

Getting Tubbo was easier than he expected, and his sons were itching to destroy what kept the youngest from them.

Philza wasn't a kind man, but he wanted his sons happy.

So as he ran his fingers down the crow with green eyes, and yellow wingtips, he knew he had won.

Tommy broke down into hysterical sobs, blood pool at his feet. He didn't remember screaming, but his throat still hurt. He didn't remember how he got into the arms of the giant pig-like man, but he leaned into the comfort regardless.
The darkness of the cabin seemed to swallow him up, there was no escaping from its grasp. And Tommy silently let himself fall into it, the pain faded with the floor and walls.

Tommy couldn't remember why he had been so upset, but the rage lingered. But what was this rage directed at. A hand placed on his back as he was lead out the door into the wooded clearing, it was numb... so numb.
He was crying, sobbing softly as he ran his hand over his face. A small whine was beside him, as something nudged his face, brushing away the tears.

"We'll be a family now Toms, it's going to be okay."

Would it ever be? Tommy was lead deeper into the woods, his tears soon dried up, no longer having the energy to cry. But the simmering anger remained, unable to find an outlet.
The larger one left the area, at the orders of dad... of dad. He would make sure Tommy couldn't leave again. And somehow Tommy knew he didn't want to leave. As hey neared the clearing, neared an area that had noise around it.

Tommy's eyes laid on the campers laughing in the distance, rage boiled in his stomach again. Tommy wanted blood, he wanted the rage to fade with the numb, and whispered into his ear was a promise.

"Kill them, and we'll take you home, promise." a hand petted his hair, soft, gentle, Tommy's eyes burned a bright orange, like the flames of the fire. He wanted blood.

There was a flutter beside him as the yellow wings of the bird looked at him. Tommy peeled back his lips into a snarl, and with his brothers, they lashed out at the group.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Police found the bodies of Dream and Tubbo at the abandoned cabin after both had been missing. Tubbo had been missing for a week along with Tommy. And though the older was found, the youngest never was.
Sapnap wasn't in the mood for a lot of things after that, Karl could only comforting him with Quackity.

Karl knew they tried, but ultimately when a cryptid wanted something... eventually they would get it. It was your only hope they'd lose interest.

The Birch Man was spoken softly in the town, as the cause. Some stated Tommy would never be found. Like Wilbur, he would forever vanish into the birch tree woods, never to be seen or heard from again.

Karl doesn't believe Tommy is dead, no, he isn't dead.

Perhaps in the future, another legend would be spoken. Of a man with wings that burn like fire, who's hands make your very blood boil under the skin. They would say that the smell of burning wood was the sign he was near.
But, by then it was already too late.

Take notice of any strange birds with yellow wing tips contrasting with the dark feathers of a crow.
Maybe then you'll have a chance.

Until then, remember, Beware the Birch Man.

Chapter Text

This chapter is just me rambling about this story, and a bit on my original ideas and how they deviated. Along with the inspiration I got.

So the answer somethings that popped up alot.

- Dream? What is he? What happened?

Well, my original thought was something like Masky or Hoodie from Marble Hornets. He isn't a proxy or cryptid of Phil's, Dream was once a kid in Tommy's school, a senior when he was a freshman. Dream went missing at the time Tommy became a sophomore, no one is sure what happened to him.
Originally he was to play a bigger role, but time constraints and unable to really incorporate him as much as I wanted were getting in the way. So really he just comes in small instances.

A scene I had wanted to do was more on things Tommy got in the mail from Dream, showing that he was on the run from Phil, Techno, and Wilbur. Techno being the main guy hunting him down, which would explain why Techno wasn't around as often as Wilbur. 

- Ranboo? He was once on the main character list.

Yes, he was, I had to cut him because this would have gotten long. And I'll be honest guys, I don't have the attention span for a 20 chapter story. Too many ideas, too much to do around the house (I help cook and clean the most), and I were unable to come up with how to put him in. 

But originally Ranboo was to be a kid named Markus who went missing in a few towns over. By the time Tommy gets chosen, Ranboo is already completely brainwashed and works closely with Techno. 
He was to be like a runner type, meant to really just scare Tubbo and Tommy with how he'd follow them around. Always seemed to know where they were, or would charge at them to freak them out. Feral Ranboo, a mix of his Enderwalk State and his awake self. 

- What even was Philza?

I know these are joke questions here, but I love talking about him. I did have a thought of how Phil came to be. 
He once ran an orphanage, had kids and such, took care of them. But something tragic happened, really in my mind he was always hearing crows speak to him. This leads the village to think he possessed by a dark creature, and blindfolded him, taking him to an unknown part of the woods, knocking him out, and leaving him there to die.

Time pretty much changed him, those woods weren't... normal. The birch trees had magic in them, and it just sort of warped his mind even more. Kind of based on the idea that lands are cursed, and this curse took to Phil to twist him into a being that guardian the forest. 
This would have explained a bit more on why he targets kids, and why he kidnaps people he likes. In truth, Phil is lonely, but he also hungers for life. He drains most people of their magic and life force. Such as how Techno hungers for blood and Wilbur for human flesh. 

It's not perfect, but it was a thought that entered my head. 

- SBI Scenes :3

I was gonna have more SBI scenes, but just wasn't feeling it. But if you all want more scenes and one-shots with this, I'll try to post some on my SBI Oneshots. (Which maybe I should start a new prompt book?)

But I just wasn't sure how a domestic lifestyle with creepy cryptids would do for this story. So instead decided to go for the mysterious, we don't know, vibes.

- The cabin, what was it?

the cabin that Wilbur died at is in the middle of the birch forest. It's sort of in a clearing, and in my mind, it's where the veil between the supernatural and human world was the thinnest. Wilbur wasn't in the right mindset when he went there, drowning in his depression, voices, and already hallucinating thanks to Phil messing with his mind.
This just made it a negative hotspot for many weaker creatures passing through. But Phil decided to make it his to and go place for this particular forest.

This was why everything always leads back to there. I just never got around to explaining that part as in detail as I wanted to. 

- Why did they give up Tommy in chapters 10 to 12?

My idea was Tommy still was too attached, and Dream managed to pull him out of the foggy haze Phil put on his mind.

See the way Phil's magic can delete memories ONCE the person has nothing to tie them down to the human world. To become a monster, he must give up on many humans things, like attachments to humans. It's why Phil turns those he likes into cryptids like him. 

But Tommy still had Tubbo, and this kept him from truly becoming a cryptid. So they let him go to destroy Tubbo, or at least pull Tommy away bit by bit. This is why he sleepwalks, why he has flashes of memories.
Phil doesn't change much of your personality, just mostly cosmetics. Really the person chooses to forget over time, especially if it's painful. 

- Not dark enough?

I was gonna have more mind tactics, more moments of Tommy breaking down in hysterics. But I wasn't sure how to play this out, and just never got into it.

I was gonna have Tommy just have moments of freaking out after he swore he saw Phil in the trees. Or just breaking down into sobs when he couldn't remember moments that he should, but just can't. 

Sadly this never came to be, and I'm upset that it didn't. 

- the crows? Other proxies? Crow Tubbo?

I use the term 'Proxy' loosely. As it was the only thing I could think of, really Phil sees them as 'Kids' or 'Helpers'. The only reason Ranboo, Techno, Wilbur, and now Tommy had human forms is because Phil favors them heavily.

But all of them can turn into crows, Phil has chosen other kids. But all these kids he's killed or change are the crows. They follow him around, he can see through their eyes and are completely loyal to him.
Tubbo by comparison is also a Crow to Phil, set to only watch Tommy. The reason he 'warns' people of Tommy coming, is really just a game to him. Tubbo can't go against Phil anymore. 

- Possible sequel?

I'll be honest, I've not planned for a sequel, if I were to do one, it'd just be a group of one-shots or scenes I never got to put into the main book. World expansion, and more in detail on Tommy as a cryptid. 

If I were to ever come up with the main plot for one, perhaps, but for now this is really just a stand-alone book. :)

- Why not much Technoblade?

Short answer: because I am not good at writing his character.

Long Answer: Techno really doesn't show his face much to begin with, in my mind. He sticks to himself as a cryptid, and thus wouldn't come around often. Wilbur does most of the talking, stalking, and creeping around. 
Originally I was gonna have him try and kill Tubbo every turn, but never got around it. And he was also gonna be hunting down Dream, which was to explain why he wasn't always near Wilbur or Phil. 

- Lack of Philza too?

I wanted Phil to be a mysterious character, one that barely speaks, just watches, and doesn't show his face either. He was to be the scary one, the one that shows up when shit about to get real. 

To have Tommy or Tubbo think they see him, but really it's just branches that look like a person. But could it be him? After all, Phil is made of bark and branches. It was to be a paranoia thing, but I just didn't want too many chapters of dragging this thing out into an over-hype, over suspense thing. 
This story was to be short and to the point, I'm not a genius writer, I jump around too much. but have great ideas. It's why I make a prompt book because there are better writers than me. 

Anywho, the lack of Phil was for the suspense, if you always show your main monster, then he or she or they lose their scary factor. It was to give the idea that you never knew if you were looking at a tree or if it was Phil hiding in them. 
He was to be a cryptid through and through. Something not many knew anything about, might be why I scrapped the backstory idea as something only for a one-shot later down the line.

- Thoughts now that you've finished the story?

Honestly, I feel I could have done better. I jumped around alot, most of it was flying by the seat of my pants. I had a general plot, but not really any idea how to get from point A to D, without having to jump over B and C to get there. 
This lead to me trying to come up with filler, while also making it fit together. 

Making the story, in my mind, feel sloppy and/or rushed in other places. This does annoy me as I had SO MANY ideas for this, but no idea how to fit them, and no time to really take to make this into a longer story without some suspense becoming too overdone.

That's the hard part about horror, having just enough without having too much. It's why long horror stories tend to lose their edge after a while, one example, in my opinion, being Everyman Hybrid or how The Conjuring movies have become.

But then again you are your worst critic. 

- Final Thoughts?

I am proud I got this done, proud I sat down and finished it. While I'm not 100% with it, I can roughly say I have 80% satisfied with the end result, and at least that's a passing grade!

I plan to write more one-shots, but right now I'm content with the story as it is. 

If you have any questions, I'll answer them as I can. For now, thank you all for reading this story, and giving me the support for it!