"Stanley"
Day 1:
I woke up. I had been asleep, lying on my back for what would appear to be a very long time due to the impression on what would seem to be the ground? This looks like dirt. I hope its dirt. Where am I and why was I asleep? What was I doing before I fell asleep? Did I even “fall asleep”? I found this parchment, which feels like dried out skin, but it doesn’t feel like any sort of animal skin I’ve ever felt. How am I writing this? With what I hope is charcoal. Its leaving solid black lines which make it formidable to write with. I have so many questions and there doesn’t seem to be anyone around who could answer any of them.
Day 2:
I didn’t notice the first day, but I don’t think I’m human anymore. I don’t think this world is human anymore. My skin is an earthy gray color and my bones don’t feel like how bones should. My hands seem very rugged and large, and I’m nervous to wonder what my face looks like seeing as how there are no mirrors in a place like, where ever this is..
Day 3:
I’m curious as to if I’m going insane or not. I think it’s been about 3 days but the days seem to go on longer, as do the nights. It feels like I’ve been here for 5 days. I haven’t felt hungry, which concerns me. Am I even alive? I still succumb to sleep which is good. I’ve been sleeping next to a cliffside with weird trees growing out the side. At least it provides shade and somehow comforts me.
Day 4:
I’m not alone. I heard what I think to be a growl. At least it sounded like it came from something alive. And just now as I write this, I see those weird trees moving. I’ve removed several branches and have sharpened the tips by rubbing them against the cliffs. The stone is so sharp to the touch; it feels like an intense form of sandstone without the crumbling. Hopefully this will be enough to defend myself. I’m getting very anxious knowing as to what’s out there. I think something is coming...
Day 12:
Purgatory. I am in Purgatory. At least that is what some of the “creatures" here have told me. I never thought a place like this would have existed. The things that live here, how did they get here? How did I get here? I still don’t know. 8 days ago I was scared, camping next to a cliff with no fire. Now I feel as if I’ve been in this place for months. I’ve killed, I’ve seen, and I’ve wandered these so called lands covered in an eerie mist, surrounded by souls and death. I’m still trying to find answers. It’s slowly starting to feel like home.
Day 14:
I’ve just slain another creature. Though he was ferocious, he caused me no harm. I went looking for him. I feel this place is changing me, changing who I am. I’m hunting for the thrill now. I’m killing for the fun of the “game". I’ve removed the head of the creature I’ve slain, wearing it to conceal the scent of, what ever I am. I also find enjoyment of wearing my kills, as a “Trophy” of some sort. I still don’t know what my face looks like. So I can only assume this is appropriate.
Day 17:
I’ve given up when it comes to finding out who I was. All I know is who I am. And all I am is a hunter.
Day 19:
How many days have I been here? How many days since I first arrived in Purgatory? The days feel like weeks, and the weeks feel like years. I’ve lost count of how many “things” I’ve killed. And as for the purpose of my killing, I still don’t know. My last hunt didn’t go as planned. I was reckless, conceited. My attack was evaded and I was struck very hard, not a lethal blow. I slammed my head against some cobblestone and just remember waking up with the name “Stanley” running through my head.
Day 20:
Stanley. Stanley. Stanley. Stanley. Who is Stanley?
Day 21:
STANLEY. STANLEY. WHO IS STANELY?
Day 22:
I am Stanley. I am sure of it... I am Stanley.
Day 24:
If it’s one thing I’m positive of now, it’s that my name is Stanley. I don’t know how, or why. But I feel like I can remember that being my name, when I was… human.
Day 26:
And now it’s begun to spread across Purgatory. The creatures here, find some fascination with my being human once. They fear me. But they have not seen my face. I have not seen my face. I’ve worn the heads of creatures since this has started.
Day 27:
I killed 3 more creatures today. Some speaking different tongues than others. Being able to recognize only a few words, of course one of them being “Stanley".
Day 28:
Every day, another hunter, another hunted, another kill, another death, another trophy, another mask to hide behind.
Day 29:
I’m being hunted. Blood. Death. No matter where I go. This is Purgatory.
Day 30:
I am Stanley.