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Home > Expos > Event 11 > Page 6
A RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS▼
A RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
Cowboy
"Hey Cargo. I know you're likely not going to be online over what happened at the debates yesterday."
Cowboy
"I want to say that things are going to be ok, but I don't think that's going to calm you down. If anyone messages you over that one comment Az made, just delete it ok? I fully understand if you don't want to be online for a few days, but consider just sending me a message so I know you're ok."
Cowboy
"Remember. What happened was an accident. Even Az said so. Just an unfortunate accident. Stay safe. I love you. Please contact me soon."
Cowboy knew it was a fool's goal to get Cargo to respond.
[brb - Eyeliner]
Cowboy
Cowboy waited for WormWood to prepare for work in the living room. The small child of Siete had taken a liking to him. He distracted himself, avoiding the gaze of the kid's nearby parent.
Cowboy
Until a question crosses his mind. "Uh....not to be rude or nothing but......"
Cowboy
"Is this WormWood's kid? Don't look nothing like him."
Siete
Siete lounged against the kitchen counter, cleaning up after breakfast. He wrinkled his brow, glancing back over his shoulder. “Yeah, actually! Scooped it up out of a grate just outside. All his.”
Cowboy
Cowboy nods. "Oh I guessed so."
Siete
“No, it’s not his fuckin’ kid.”
Cowboy
"Ah......"
Siete
“I think a child might actually, literally kill the guy at this rate.”
Cowboy
2026-04-02 17:10:45
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 17:10:56
"Well, who's this little guy's other daddy? Is he off on a trip?"
Siete
“No, he’s not on a…” He sets down a dish, the comment giving him pause, “No. Uh, he’s not around anymore.”
Cowboy
2026-04-02 17:13:49
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 17:14:00
"He ain't die right?" Cowboy blurts out.
Cowboy
2026-04-02 17:14:28
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 17:14:54
Though after a pause he makes a more reasonable assumption. "Or was he a sex worker? My daddy was one."
Siete
“Huh! Fuck if I know, haven’t seen him in forever.”
Siete
2026-04-02 17:18:47
Siete Profile
Posted by ID #7
Last edit: 2026-04-02 17:19:29
“Whoever he was, wasn’t the Sun’s. Like whatever your… daddy, was.” Siete makes his way over to the other side of the counter to face Cowboy. “He doesn’t live on Earth. We met when I was still living off-planet.”
Cowboy
"How sad. This fella ain't ever going to meet his. Uh, not that this is judgement on you or nothing. Just an idle thought. Why'd you get sent back if you had a kid off world? Seems mighty cruel."
Siete
“You ask a lot of questions for a piece a’ furniture in the corner.” He sighs, “I don’t blame you, not exactly something I’m thrilled about either…”
Siete
“Bad behavior, Apparently? Don’t feel like I was doing’ anything out of the ordinary, honestly. My job was fine. My city was tight-knit. I liked it there, a lot…”
Siete
“…Maybe if that asshole stuck around once he knew a kid was on the way, I’d have a better shot at keeping my little place in paradise.”
Siete
Siete cracks a smile, watching his child clamber around Cowboy’s wings, “Between you and me, I think it’s cause I just got a lot less cute once I got knocked up. ‘Specially since dad didn’t even live in the city, and now the mail guy can’t work. Owner got scared. Imagine that!”
Cowboy thinks it's the attitude for sure.
Cowboy
"Ah! I've heard about stuff like that. They get a bunch of humans, but they make sure to fix them all so they can't breed cause they don't want a whole population running around. You need a lot more humans if you're going to have them popping out kids."
Cowboy
"Guess your owner forgot to get you fixed, or did you come from a planet where there's just one type of human? I once met a guy who was from a setup of only dudes."
Cowboy
2026-04-02 17:34:33
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 17:35:02
"When he was sent back to Earth he was shocked! He ain't even know that women existed!"
Cowboy
"He thought women were a subspecies. Asked what type of species they were and was surprised when women could be any species under the Sun."
Cowboy
2026-04-02 17:37:14
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 17:37:40
"I've heard about owners that don't check their humans when they pick them up, so they accidentally grab a couple of gals for their bachelor only set up, and woops, you look away for a few years and come back to a population explosion!"
Cowboy
2026-04-02 17:38:28
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 17:38:46
"That wasn't what happened to you right? I mean, if I was just picking some guys up I'd point to you for sure! No questions asked!"
Siete
“Alright alright, buddy, calm down.”
Siete
“Lot weirder when you talk about breeding n’ shit… no, uh, we had girls. Have? There were girls.”
Cowboy
"Well that's just weird then. Why not just get another temp mailman? Just gotta wait like 4 years for your mailman to be back into action, and then in a few years more, you'd get a second mailman. Seems a bit silly to throw you away like that. Could have doubled the workforce."
Cowboy
"Especially cause they separated a family like this!"
Cowboy
"But then again, you don't seem too bothered, so I think I'm misassuming. Likely wasn't anything more than a fling I guess?"
Siete
“A family. Yeah, sure…” Siete shrugs, “I mean, I won’t lie. It was stressful on my own. Fuck if I was ready for a kid, but I wasn’t really ready for… all the attention. Everybody hovering over us but dad. Owner was probably as unprepared for the kid as I was.”
Siete
“It’s none of their damn business.”
Siete
“…So when I go back, it’ll all be fine. Lil’ slimer here and I will be on our A-game and we should have a job waiting for us there!”
Siete
His mood lightens at the notion of traveling off-planet. “Maybe if dad’s ever in town again, he can actually stick around to say hi. It’ll be nice to catch up.”
Cowboy
"..........................................."
Cowboy knows Siete is never going back home.
Cowboy
"I'm sure your owner will be back to pick up back up from this place!"
Cowboy
"Might just not have anything set up for little guys is all. Maybe when this fella is four or five?"
Siete
“Yeah, he’ll probably be a lot better delivering folks’ taxes once he knows how to eat solid food.” Siete chuckles to himself, returning his focus to the dishes, “…You watch your fuzzy bits around him. If my kid gets stuck in your mane you’ll never hear the end of it.”
Cowboy
2026-04-02 18:09:15
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 18:09:27
"I should put this little guy back in his bowl anyway. I think WormWood should be ready any moment now."
Cowboy
"Thanks for trusting me with your little fella. Always wanted one myself. Maybe one day, and if not, maybe you can name me Godfather or something."
Siete
“..…Yeah. You seem like the kinda guy who’d make a good dad.” Siete hesitates, but reaches down to scrape his son off of the eagle, “You let me know how that works out, buddy. If you die childless I’ll let him know.”
[Cabiria's Waltz]
WormWood
Bean takes a deep breath. He knew he was prolonging this by stressing. I can't do this. I'm actually fucking insane for this. Am I really going to do it this time? Today? Now?
WormWood
Bean splashes some water on his face. To his side, right of the sink, his phone sits quietly, waiting for him. It's been quiet since yesterday morning.
WormWood
...I've got to do this.
WormWood
He winces, and puts on a brave face as he comes out into the kitchen. "I'm uh.. I'm ready to go, if you are."
Cowboy
Cowboy tilts his head. "You sure you are? You can tell me if you're scared. It'd be normal."
Cowboy
"I don't know much about your bro, how do you think he'll react to all this?"
WormWood
Bean deflates slightly. "Normal or not, I can't go into this lookin' scared. Supervisors smell fear, dude."
WormWood
"And uh, probably not well. We're kinda tight knit if you haven't picked that up."
Cowboy
"Hmmmm......"
Cowboy
"We'll I'll make sure to put on the charm! Maybe even make a friend out of him!"
Cowboy
"It's just like Space Fantasy. You can solve just about anything with the power of friendship.~" Cowboy sings with a laugh.
Cowboy
"Wonder if I could convince him to make me into an act!" He jokes as he leads WormWood outside, hoping to lighten the mood.
WormWood
"Haven't played that one but uh, I trust your judgement." Bean picks up his suit pieces, and heads out after him. His feet feel like there's lead weights tied to them as he trudges after Cowboy.
WormWood
"...I don't know how this is going to shake out but. It's going to be hard. It's going to be really hard."
Cowboy
Cowboy peers around at the area. "Hmmmm maybe I could get a job here? I don't think my wife would mind moving. She stays inside all day......" He ponders.
WormWood's brother had to be fed employees. The place was clearly understaffed.
Cowboy
"I know it's hard to find new hires after all! I bet your brother is trying his hardest at this."
WormWood
"You're preachin' to the choir, man. You already know I'm bustin' my ass for this job, I'd kill for a few extra hands."
WormWood
"I've had been hearing the promise of more breach suits for years. I don't know what they make that shit out of, but they're expensive shit. I'd be fine if they were just.. more costumes and not necessarily breach suits. But uh, I guess that's not exactly safe."
WormWood
"The last real good employee was one of my brothers. At least uh, that's what I was told, he got scooped up by a collector before I'd be workin' for the park for real. Not like, uh... Internship, is what they called it when I was young."
Cowboy
"Huh, how much of your family still works here anyway? Seems it's a real family situation."
WormWood
"Thaattt would be me and Warner. We're the only folks left."
WormWood
"Everyone else is out there with different owners, and Mom and Pop aren't around anymore. I don't know what nails Warner to the floor, but I've been passed around a couple times before I was sent back to earth. Guess I don't really mind that..."
WormWood
"The job gives me somethin' to do. It's.. just a lot. Y'know?"
Cowboy
"Oh I see. Well........."
Cowboy
"Then we'll just have to up this friendship plan to an adopted family plan!"
WormWood
"You're crazy."
Cowboy
"A lot of people call me that when they meet me in person."
Cowboy
"Is that the backstage over there? You go in first. I don't want to spook him by going in first....by the way......"
WormWood
"Some folks need a lil' crazy, gets y'through it all." He pauses. Bean digs his nails slightly into his arm as he eyes the door to backstage, nervous habit.
Cowboy
"What's your real name? I can't go in there going "WormWood" I doubt your brother calls you by your online handle!"
WormWood
"Winnie. I don't mind y'callin' me that whenever. ...Do I keep callin' you Cowboy, or do you gotta name for yourself?"
Cowboy
"Oh, well, my name is Cowboy! Just Cowboy!"
Cowboy
2026-04-02 18:55:19
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 18:58:16
"I forgot what name my momma gave me!" He laughs.
Cowboy
"I got a little hat put on my head and been Cowboy ever since."
WormWood
"Goottcha. Just Cowboy. Noted." ...Just Cowboy?
WormWood
Worm glances up towards him, pausing on the hat he dons. There's an inscrutable sense of dread he has a hard time putting a finger on.
WormWood
Maybe it's familiarity. Bean buries the feeling as he leads Cowboy over, opening up to backstage and peeking in to check for his older brother. He should be on the clock by now, anyways.
Warner B.
Warner stands in front of a mirror, making sure he's ready for the day ahead and greeting guests. He might not have been a character actor, but the people of the park expected him to play the part of a charming park manager. As he hears his brother enter he doesn't bother to turn around. "Ah, Whinny, how is the back? Those heavy footsteps of yours tells me you're in tiptop shape aye?"
Warner B.
"I need you to take an extra shift again today, but don't worry, no Orphans this time! I told them they could roam the park all they want but they are to firmly keep their hands off you for the next week for their terrible behavior." Warner takes out his whip and tightens it, a slight smile growing on his face.
Warner B.
"Ain't it good that ole Dad, bless his soul, beat that singularity into submission? Maybe we should demand it'd give us all a break more often!"
Warner B.
Snap
Subspecies: Pedigree Jersey Giant Beetle
Status: Alive and Healthy.
Social name: Warner
Temperament: Bright, headstrong. Loves meeting other animals and showing off. However, he has a tendency for aggression towards people. Not suitable for adoption.

Genetic Future: Male. Voluntarily separated from his one offspring and former mate. Outlook could be brighter, as of now he seems unconcerned with seeking another mate.

Past History:The one of two members of this breeding project that have not been adopted out. Has a clear attachment to his family, and has shown a great deal of distress over their gradual departures. In spite of this, he bounces back from stress quickly. Has a history of occasionally snapping at my hand when I get too close. No incidents thus far, calls for extra caution when handling.

Notes:

  • Did not inherit the lovely metallic sheen that his father had, unfortunately. Has however, developed an interesting thin 'pinstripe' pattering as opposed to typical stripes.

  • Seemingly happiest while immersed in his work. Spends much of his time at his place of work as a result.

  • Horns need a trim, has a poor habit of letting them grow too long.

WormWood
Bean opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. He's only just got here, and every instinct was telling him to fall back into line. Please, please just say something.
WormWood
"Actually uh, can uh. Can we talk for a moment before... I clock in, Warn?" ...From behind the door, Bean gestures for Cowboy to come in after him.
Warner B.
"Look, Whinny, I'm sorry you have to take the extra shift, but I tried calling the person who was supposed to have the evening shift today and uh...." Warner sighs and turns around.
He freezes. Eyes locked with Cowboy's.
[The Beginning of the Nightmare]
Cowboy
2026-04-02 19:12:55
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 19:18:36
"Fella killed himself last night. Jumped from a roof."
WormWood
He couldn't keep the brave face. The immense weight of guilt climbs up upon his shoulders.
Warner B.
"Whinny! What are the COPS doing here?"
Warner B.
"Heh, officer, actually....you should really help us out...."
WormWood
"L-look I just. We just need to talk." He holds his hands up. He's so small against the backdrop of eagle behind him. "He's not the police, he's just a friend of mine."
Warner B.
"Not the police! For Sun's sake, Winny, are you out of your mind! Look at the size of that eagle. What else could it possibly be except for a cop! No one else would hire him for anything else."
Warner B.
"Not to be offensive to you Mr. Officer. I'm sure you do your job greatly so."
Cowboy
"................................................." There's a small clicking sound that comes from the metal device on Cowboy's arm.
WormWood
"Can y'just hear us out for a moment, man?"
Warner B.
"I don't think I could reject hearing you out if I wanted to, Winny. To think you'd call the officers instead of talking to me FIRST. We're suppose to be family!"
WormWood
"We play Tuna together sometimes, he was just stoppin' by for a place to stay and offered to help me out. He's uh.. he's here to, uh..." Bean's throat is dry.
Cowboy
Cowboy steps in front of his friend, nudging him to let him know that he's taking over for him. "You ain't treating your brother right, sir."
Warner B.
"Ain't treating him right? How dare you assume such a thing! I love my brother dearly. He's all I have left after your little ray of sunshine took all the rest from me!"
Cowboy
"I doubt the Sun took them. Frankly considering how you treat your family I'm sure they begged to be removed from this place."
Warner B.
"Say that again, officer. I don't think I heard you correctly."
WormWood
Somehow, that's never occurred to Bean.
Cowboy
Cowboy shakes his head. "Sorry, I misspoke, I can't assume such things."
Cowboy
"But I can tell you right now, you're going to lose this brother if you don't fix your act."
Cowboy
"I must be honest, the reason I came here was a bit more selfish than I'm letting on. I care about my friend Winny here, but frankly what's upsetting me more is that this island is doomed to collapse if you keep your act up like this. Putting all this pressure on one man."
Cowboy
"What if he dies? What then? You're just going to bank on that? If he goes, this whole place collapses."
Warner B.
"I don't know officer, it's starting to sound like you're threatening me and my brother. Are you really a friend of Winny's?"
WormWood
"Warn." ...Bean rubs his side. "..The other day wasn't the first time the kids have squeezed me, y'know. That shit scares us both."
Warner B.
"You don't think I'm not trying to get this place in better working condition? In fact, just before I got interrupted, I was going to ask YOU to finally do your damn job around here! We got aliens tricking people off of roofs! How the BLUE HELL am I suppose to keep employees around when the ones I get kill themselves, and no one wants to put in a job application?!"
Warner B.
Warner snaps at his brother. "Those stupid damn Orphans wouldn't hurt you so much if you just let me whip em like dad used to, Winny!" He accuses, hand tightening around the aforementioned weapon.
WormWood
"I-I know." C'mon man, don't fucking fold.
Warner B.
"I see a simple plan here."
Warner B.
Warner's tone becomes casual as he strides up to the two. "We get the cops rolling in here more."
Warner B.
"And we lock down the orphans more. Go back to the "circus beast treatment.""
Cowboy
"Ain't your momma die cause of your papa's "Circus beast treatment?""
Warner B.
"You told him about that, Winny?"
WormWood
... "I uh. Didn't mention that actually..."
Warner B.
Warner takes a step back. "Who in the world is this, Winny. What did you bring into my office?"
Warner B.
"Do you even know who this man is?"
WormWood
"Cowboy. Please call him Cowboy."
Warner B.
"Winny, that ain't a real name."
"I'm not real to anyone." Cowboy thinks to himself.
WormWood
2026-04-02 19:44:50
WormWood Profile
Posted by ID #3
Last edit: 2026-04-02 19:47:26
The dread deepens the longer he's in here between the both of them. It really is dawning that, he just let someone whom he speaks to casually online to come in here and talk to his boss and brother. He knew he was insane for this.
He thinks about how all his friends only know a fabrication of him. A lie.
The Orphans
A small sobbing breaks through the growing argument in the office. The orphans, head pressed against a window weep. "This is all my fault."
The Orphans
"E...every....everyone fights because of me! You wouldn't hate each other if I wasn't here....."
The Orphans
"Mom and dad would still be around......brothers too......."
Warner B.
"Shit....!"
Warner B.
"Haha! Orphans, how long have you been listening?"
WormWood
"Oh, fuck. Fuck, fuck we made the kids upset." Bean fumbles with his suit.
Warner B.
"Please, calm down, and....uh don't do anything rash. I promise, we're all a happy family here!"
Warner B.
"Right?????"
Warner B.
"Winny. Put. On. The. Suit!" He harshly whispers.
Cowboy
"Don't. Do. That."
The Orphans
The Orhpans press their hands on their face. "If I leave, everything would be better."
WormWood
"A-are you nuts?" Worm speaks through clenched teeth. "They're gunna start throwin' a fit, I gotta do somethin'!"
The Orphans
"I don't need Wilmore! Wilmore can't help me! Wilmore needs to be free from me! Please! Please leave me alone! I'm bad! Bad! Bad!" The Orphans scream with the voice of a hundred children. "I ruined your family! I keep ruining families.....everyone is happier when I'm gone! That's why they keep leaving me!" The Orphans start pulling themselves away.
Alarms start to ring. The humans couldn't tell what they were saying, only a sudden dread in their body that made them want to freeze in place.
Warner B.
Warner is the first to break out of it. "The punishment! We have to stop it NOW!" He yells as he rushes out.
WormWood
Code red. A park wide evacuation would be soon to follow. Wormwood trembles in place, trying to get his suit on through shaking hands.
Cowboy
"WormWood. Do not do it."
Cowboy
"Let me handle it."
Warner B.
"Fucking police birds always think they have the right idea!"
Everywhere he goes, he's nothing but a cop. An enforcer of what is right and wrong in people's eyes.
WormWood
"Please, Cowboy. I'm the only one that the orphans really like. If you go out there and try to wrangle them, they're gunna hurt you and they're gunna hurt you Bad." Bean puts his headpiece on. "I can do it. I have to do it."
When he meets his friends in real life. They treat him with fear. For a few moments, they don't see their friend Cowboy anymore. Even WormWood did so as well.
WormWood
Wormwood pauses, twisting the head on correctly for him to see properly. Looking up at cowboy... "..H-hey, are you alright man? I promise I got this..." His voice trails off.
But, maybe, that was ok.
After all, Cowboy couldn't see WormWood as his friend either in this moment.
[ULTRAKILL That one part from War Without Reason]
Cowboy
2026-04-02 20:07:40
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 20:12:58
Subspecies: Eagle
.......
Notes:

  • Unsightly" habit of defacing non-living objects that resemble animals. This is common in eagles but due to his friendly temperament others "expect better."

WormWood
"C-cowboy? COWBOY-?!" It did occur to him in that moment that, he may of forgotten something. But it was overshadowed by the impending doom and the length of Cowboy's talons.
Warner B.
Warner slides as he hears his brother scream. "Winny???" He runs back, abandoning the chase.
Warner B.
He shoulder smashes into Cowboy to get him off his only remaining brother. "Who the fuck are you!?! What kind of cop acts like this?"
Cowboy
"I.....am......not........"
Cowboy
"....a cop."
2026-04-02 20:19:55
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 20:20:08
All people have echoes and all people make echoes.

This is a fact of life that cannot be avoided no matter how much we want to avoid it. When you look at someone across a street you make a judgement.

But our judgements, are not reality.......

....Usually.
2026-04-02 20:22:21
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Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 20:22:28
Destabilization is a rather unique thing. It happens when many genuinely believe in an echo they have created in their mind.

A few scattered echoes has no effect, but say one human shares their echo of you to another, and that human shares it with two more who share it with ten more each and so on. The destabilization (dehumanization in truth) of you via your echo grows great.

More people know you for a false echo, than they do from anything created from reality.

You are a talking point more than you are a person.
2026-04-02 20:28:01
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Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 20:28:32
Worse yet. While destabilization only happens if people believe that the echo is true, it can start with a lie. A manufactured echo of you could be created by someone who hates you-

"He's a monster really. Heard he kills people at night."

or..........even people who like you.
"My son is the best! He's top of his class you know. He always gets the best grades. He's so tall too!"

But there is one more competent to destabilization of this type. It has to affect the person the echos point to negatively.
If they don't care, destabilization will never happen.

Some, may start to have invasive thoughts.
If they're going to call me a monster, I should just be a monster.
Warner B.
"W-What!?!? The gas hasn't even started to kick in yet! What ARE YOU?"
2026-04-02 21:11:57
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Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 21:12:44
If all these things align, and if the mental health of the person is bad enough, they may become a caricature of themselves. Something that does what it does because others believe that it MUST, and it has given up and submitted to its ECHO.
Cowboy
"A no good nosy son of a literal bitch."
Cowboy
Cowboy points his wing, consumed by living weaponry at the singularity. "Move out the way, Warner."
Warner B.
"They're just children!"
Cowboy
"Shut the fuck up, and go kill yourself if you want to so badly."
Warner hits the floor as a torrent of bullets fly at the singularity. The final alarm plays as the punishment of the island activates.

The nightmare gas is released upon the whole island.
WormWood
Everything was moving so fast. Bean rolls over, patting himself down. Fuck. Cowboy should not of been able to put a tear in it, but he feels the costume's open wound over his chest.
WormWood
He needed to get out of here. People were going to die. He gets up, and starts moving.
Cowboy
The nightmare was spreading. The joyful screams of the early morning crowd had become horrified. Rides became beasts that tormented their riders. Families ran away from their own kin, scared of the monsters their relatives had become. Cowboy's vision had become obstructed by the manifesting nightmares but he wasn't going to let the singularity escape.
Cowboy
2026-04-02 20:51:11
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 21:12:17
"You're not WormWood."
WormWood
"FUCK, DUDE!" He struggles against the binds. "I'M WORMWOOD! I-IT'S WORMWOOD MAN, PLEASE!" He wheezes, tugging at his arms. "I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry I forgot the fucking, the thing that thing from earlier-"
WormWood
"Let me go man, Please. YOU need to get out of here! You've probably already huffed a ton of the gas by now." He frees one of his arms, but it's not enough.
WormWood
This was a bad decision. But it didn't matter- his suit was already torn. His vision blurs at the edges, his lungs burn and his ribs ache. But with his one free hand, he starts working the head piece off.
WormWood
"Look. Look, look see? It's me! It's..."
WormWood
The mask rolls off to the side as it falls to the floor. The world shifts. He feels sick. "It's me. It's me, man. Please believe me."
WormWood
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry about the suit. P-people are going to get hurt."
WormWood
"Please tell me you're fucking listening to me."
Despite the nightmare distorting his perspective, Cowboy recognizes WormWood.

But WormWood doesn't deserve to be fucking recognized.
Cowboy
"How strange...."
Cowboy
"I don't think I recognize you at all. I don't think you recognize yourself to be honest. Is this the person you want to be?" Cowboy lifts his burdened wing, the metal reflects back a terribly distorted version of a man already ripped apart by nightmares.
WormWood
Failure gawks at its own miserable reflection. "I'm trying so fucking hard, dude."
WormWood
"This isn't what I wanted. I'm exhausted. And I can't protect anyone like this."
Cowboy
"You say that like you tried to protect anyone but yourself in the first place! You just want to be unchallenged. It doesn't matter if you're part of the problem as long as things don't change!"
Cowboy
"Now, you're your worst nightmare."
WormWood
2026-04-02 21:25:39
WormWood Profile
Posted by ID #3
Last edit: 2026-04-02 21:25:56
"You're right. You're right." Winifred clutches at his head, as if trying to pull this identity away from himself.
Warner B.
Warner slashes Cowboy's rope off his brother. The rope bleeds, clearly apart of Cowboy's body instead of a tool.
Warner B.
"Haven't you caused enough damage you damn bird? You're going to push my brother's face in the mud while you're at it?"
WormWood
He glances Warner's way and sees someone else. Wormwood chokes. "So many people are going to die and it's going to all on me, Dad. I'm scared and I don't know what to fucking do."
Warner B.
"Dad? No. Winny I ain't...."
Warner B.
"Winny....I ain't dad!"
Cowboy
"You might as well be. I bet you haven't changed one bit from him."
Cowboy
"Following in his tainted footsteps because NONE OF YOU can fucking change!"
WormWood
"I'M FUCKING SCARED." Failure gestures to itself. "I can't fucking do ANYTHING, because I'm SCARED."
Cowboy
"Well your damn fear is why you're never going to get out of here."
Cowboy
"Unless someone puts a gun to your fucking head. Who cares if other people get hurt as long as I don't have to change?"
Cowboy
"I don't know how far this infection has spread. But I'm looking at it now and this whole family has been rotten to the core. Is this what you want to be? Abused forever?"
WormWood
"I-I don't. I want to feel like I'm worth something. Anything."
Cowboy
"Bullshit."
WormWood
"I hardly feel worth anything at all."
Cowboy
2026-04-02 21:40:44
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 21:41:33
"You don't want to be FUCKING ANYTHING! You could leave, but you don't try! Anytime there's a way for you to escape, you slide right back down that hole. Find ANY damn excuse to not leave! You're only what people want you to be. A walking doormat!"
WormWood
"I'm miserable. I make myself miserable. The upward climb feels fucking impossible. I've let too many opportunities fall out of my grasp."
WormWood
"I've spent so long here. I hate it just as much as I hate myself."
WormWood
"I'm going to fucking die down here."
WormWood
"I'm going to DIE having done NOTHING with myself."
WormWood
"I think I deserve this."
Cowboy
"You do deserve it."
Cowboy
"It's never going to end unless you stop it now!"
Cowboy
"If you're already thinking about all the things in your life your job and family took away from you right now, then is it really going to get better in 5, 10, 20 years from now?"
Cowboy
"No. Your only hope on the path right now is that your brother retires, and you do the same thing that your brother did to you, that his father likely did to him, to who even knows who!"
Warner B.
"Don't slander my father's name. Our family linage!"
Warner B.
"We kept this singularity contained for generations. Suddenly you want to question us on this? You don't know what it means to be a Bakkensfield! It's all about hard work. Doing right by the people!"
Warner B.
"Winny has never asked for much, cause he know that's how it is. You think I'm taking a fat paycheck?!"
Warner B.
"I'm working my ass off just as much as Winny. I don't even have a day off in the week. Nor did my father! To accuse me of abusing him......of my father abusing me is disgusting! I would do anything for Winny, and Winny would do anything for me. We are FAMILY."
Warner B.
"It feels like you know nothing about that! The sacrifices family makes for each other!"
Cowboy
"..................................."
Warner B.
"We're doing what dad would have wanted. Doing what would have made him proud. He made this kingdom for US to inherent!"
WormWood
"Dad's dead." Winifred repeats the phrase a few times over. "Dad is dead. He's been, dead."
Warner B.
"............................"
Warner B.
"Yes......."
Warner B.
"But everything he has made for us still stands."
WormWood
"We don't fucking know what dad would of wanted because he's fucking DEAD, dude!"
WormWood
"How am I supposed to make a dead man proud? The man fucking killed himself before I could even talk!"
WormWood
"We don't even know why. You don't fucking know why, man."
WormWood
"I can't keep picking up the pieces after someone who didn't stick around for me."
Warner B.
"It....it was those aliens. It had to be those aliens that killed him. He....he would have never killed himself on perpose!"
Warner B.
"He loved us, Winny. He didn't abandon us. He was TAKEN from us!" Warner grabs his brother's shoulders. "He wouldn't have left us alone! You CANNOT accuse him of this, Winny!"
WormWood
Bean exhales. The nightmare wavers, momentarily. "W-warner. We're going to die down here if we keep following in those footsteps."
WormWood
"You're fucking hurting me."
Warner B.
"Winny.......I've been out there......Things aren't much better out there. At least here, we have each other. When I went out there, I became a nobody! A man shoved under a rug. Disowned!" Warner falls to his knees. "I tried surviving out there. I. Was. Nobody."
The Orphans
2026-04-02 22:04:24
The Orphans Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 22:04:54
"Wilmore........"
Cowboy
Target spotted.
The Orphans
2026-04-02 22:06:34
The Orphans Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 22:06:43
"You can't leave, Wilmore." The singularity took a splitting image of the park's mascot. A manifestation of the park itself.
The Orphans
"They'll hurt me if you leave. You have to stay."
The Orphans
"I.....I'm sorry for never getting better. I'm trying. I'm trying! I want to get out of here. I don't want to be trapped here anymore!"
Cowboy
2026-04-02 22:08:34
Cowboy Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 22:10:05
"Sure does sound like a coward I know."
WormWood
Failure staggers on its feet, filled with terror upon the sight of the orphans. Flailing limbs reach out, grabbing at anything and everything it can. It's nauseating. "No... No no no no."
WormWood
"Not you. Please, not you too. Don't do this to me buddy."
WormWood
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
WormWood
"I know you're tryin'. I know it's hard. I'm so tired."
The Orphans
"We'll get out of this together, Wilmore! Just...I need more time. With your help I know I'll get better!"
The Orphans
The singularity starts throwing itself against the floor. Ragdolling around as it flips over barriers and displays. "IF YOU LEAVE ME. YOU'RE AN EVIL PERSON!"
The Orphans
"YOU KNOW I'LL SUFFER BECAUSE OF WHAT YOUR FATHER MADE! IT'S YOUR FAMILY'S FAULT!"
The Orphans
"You should have never given me hope that things could get better for me!"
Cowboy
"....................................."
The Orphans
"Wilmore Worm would never give up!"
WormWood
"Stop."
WormWood
"I'm tired. Please stop. Stop."
WormWood
"Stop. Fucking Calling ME WILMORE."
WormWood
"MY NAME IS WINNIE! MY NAME IS WINNIE YOU, DUMB FUCKING WORM!" He takes a couple steps forward towards the singularity.
WormWood
"I'M A PERSON! I'M A FUCKING PERSON AND I'M EXHAUSTED! YOU- YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH I BUST MY ASS TO KEEP YOU FROM KILLING EVERYONE?"
WormWood
2026-04-02 22:25:41
WormWood Profile
Posted by ID #3
Last edit: 2026-04-02 22:25:55
"YOU MISERABLE PILE OF SHIT!" He reels back, and slams his knuckles into the soft flesh of the singularity. And does it again. And again.
WormWood
"I CAN'T FUCKING DO IT ANYMORE! YOU SHOULD OF FUCKING ATE ME WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE! I'M DONE DOING THIS STUPID LITTLE DANCE FOR YOU!"
WormWood
2026-04-02 22:28:54
WormWood Profile
Posted by ID #3
Last edit: 2026-04-02 22:29:03
"YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET ANY FUCKING BETTER AND I'M NOT GOING TO GET ANY FUCKING BETTER IF I STAY HERE." He swings at the singularity until his fists are sore.
WormWood
"Fuck you."
The Orphans
The Singularity curls up, weakly trying to defend itself. "Yo-you're just like your dad."
WormWood
"AND WHAT IF I FUCKING AM?" He kicks it again.
WormWood
"Maybe there was somethin' to learn from a dead man."
The arms bubble up and out of the mouth of the singularity.
The Orphans
"I should have eaten you when you were a child. You would have been safe."
The Orphans
"Now the world has ruined you. You're not the person I used to know anymore. But I can still protect you."
The Orphans
"Even if you escape. I'll escape as well. I'll find you myself and bring you back. You're the only person who has ever understood me, and I can't lose that. I can't. I'm sorry Wilmore."
The singularity charges forth.
Cowboy
"For the love of........."
Cowboy
"THIS!"
Cowboy
"ISN'T."
Cowboy
"ABOUT."
2026-04-02 22:43:02
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 22:44:05
"YOU!!!!!"
SINGULARITY OF SCREAMING HILLS NEUTRALIZED
[It Snows Again - Polar Bear]
The park closing tune played despite it being midday. Vents around the park opened, sucking in the nightmare mist. The screams slowly but surely died out as the effects disappeared and reality pieced itself back together again. The singularity laid in a crumpled heap.

Singularities did not die.....but they did "break."

As far as it mattered to the humans of Screaming Hills, it might have as well been a death, for when this happened the singularity's body would be taken away within weeks, and the island would be finally freed of a prisoner.

It was something worth celebrating.

Except for one human.
Warner B.
Warner laid a hand on the neutralized being from the stars. "Dad tamed this for us. To make sure our family would always be kings of this island. To make sure we'd always have something to be proud of. Something we could all relate to and care for as a family." Warner shoves his hand under his glasses, wiping away tears.
WormWood
Reality had coalesced a while ago, but Bean still felt as though the world was spinning around him. As though his mind was still catching up with him.
WormWood
He couldn't bring himself to walk up to his brother and the beast. It was a miserable sight. So he stood by, clenching and unclenching his fists over and over.

WormWood
"We couldn't keep doin' this forever, Warner. Neither me nor you."
Warner B.
2026-04-02 23:00:25
Warner B. Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 23:00:36
"I couldn't keep the family together no matter how hard I tried."
Warner B.
"The bird.......Cowboy is right, Winny." Warner covers his face and sobs, trying to speak between the tears. "Everyone left because of me."
Warner B.
"I thought, because I went out there and had a terrible life, that it must have been like that everywhere....and then by the time I came back. Father was dead."
WormWood
...Bean relents. In spite of the singularity's corpse. Bean just keeps his eyes off of it as he approaches. "...Y'know man."
WormWood
"I miss when you were my brother, and not my boss."
WormWood
"I don't think everyone left because of you. Maybe they were happy to be somewhere other than here, but that wasn't your hand takin' them all somewhere else."
WormWood
"I didn't get to know mom and dad. But in hindsight, I don't think dad left behind.. the greatest thing ever." He takes a quick look at what was left of the orphans. "...But I'm sure, he thought he did."
Warner B.
"Winny, you're one of the nicest souls I've ever known. I've.........I've ruined your life and mine, and even after all of that, you're still trying to comfort me."
Warner B.
Warner hugs his brother. "I can't ever make it up to you Winny. Thank you for being here despite it all. I hope we can.....learn to reconnect again, but you're not going to be able to do it here. It is with great pain that I tell you......"
Warner B.
"You're fired."
WormWood
"Y'can't fire me man."
WormWood
"I quit."
WormWood
"...Unless I'm getting unemployment benefits. Am I getting benefits?"
Warner B.
"Heh............Winny......"
Warner B.
"I called "You're fired first" so no way!"
Warner B.
"Gotta be faster next time, Winny!"
WormWood
"Dang."
Cowboy
"......................................................"
Warner B.
"Uh...."
Warner B.
2026-04-02 23:16:24
Warner B. Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 23:17:02
"Sorry Mr. B-Cowboy! I was joking! I promise! Winny, you get benefits, I promise! Just keep your "friend" away from me!"
WormWood
"...But. Like... Don't get it twisted man. I'm sick of the shit y'put me through." He gestures. "But we were both stuck in that shit."
WormWood
"I need to get out of here. That doesn't mean I don't love you or anything."
WormWood
"I'll call you. Let y'know I'm safe."
Warner B.
"Thank you Winny. I'll wait for you to call, and won't bother you until then, ok?"
WormWood
"Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
Warner B.
2026-04-02 23:20:01
Warner B. Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2026-04-02 23:20:54
Warner lowers his head and turns to Cowboy. He wrings his hands. "Sir. It appears I may have....misjudged you. I would like to say I am sorry."
Cowboy
"..............................................................."
"That's ok, everyone misjudges me a little." Cowboy thinks.
Cowboy
"Fuck off. You're not sorry. You still have your little rotten kingdom here all to yourself."
Warner B.
Warner bows to Cowboy. "And it is you who has freed this island from the singularity. There won't be another one brought in for at least 20 years, maybe 30. In a sense, you have freed me from this terrible cycle for the rest of my life to come."
Warner B.
"If there is anything I can do for you....please tell me."
Cowboy just wants to tell Warner to try harder this time.
Cowboy
"You can do me a favor....."
Cowboy
"If you don't turn this park immediately around...."
Cowboy
"....climb up a building and follow in your daddy's footsteps."
Warner B.
Warner takes a deep ragged breath. He balls his hands into a fist against the legs of his pants.
Warner B.
"Harsh, but.....warranted. I will do my best, sir. Please take care of my brother. He's all I have left."
WormWood
"...Uhm.. don't take Cowboy's advice for me, man. We're all real stressed right now." He pats Warner on the back as he passes by him. "Take care of yourself. You're gunna need it."
WormWood
"........" Bean looks up at Cowboy. "...Uhm.. Can you, take me home if you don't mind it? I think I need an aspirin and a ten hour nap after I break the news to Siete that I'm both unemployed and moving."
WormWood
"Thank you for everything. I don't know if any of this would of happened without you."
Cowboy
"We got you out of this in time." Cowboy spits out as he takes the lead out of the park.
Cowboy
"If you stayed in this situation any longer......."
"You would have lost your true self forever."
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