Log Date: 30/06/18*. Location: Lexington, Kentucky.

It's been a difficult month or so. I've lately had to cross through the Candar Empire and a variant of the undead – Deadites I believe they're called – have been not only rude but fairly annoying. Still, it's thanks to this body of mine that butchering them or any other demon that tries to prey on me hasn't been that difficult. So far, it seems that I'm beneath their ruler's notice. Maybe it's because I've not a living being, maybe it's because Skynet technically is my ruler, I don't know.

However, the more pressing concern I was faced with as I trekked through the North East was a gelatinous creature that was 50 meters large and consumed everything organic it came across. And I do mean everything: there have been long stretches of barren lands complete with dead trees and bare shrubs. Fortunately, I've managed to avoid any close encounters with this entity and successfully made it to what used to be Lexington, Kentucky.

And then, well, I found myself meeting the only person ever since I passed through Candar that wasn't a cultist or possessed. She was young, had a petite body, and seemed to be no worse for wear physically… until I saw her eyes. They were a pair of cold, dead gray orbs that someone of her appearance wouldn't have.

It was after some minor conversation that she agreed to be interviewed at the ruins of an old café. We sat down outside and, once I was ready, began.

So, Miss, how-

Hope.

Excuse me?

My name. It's not Miss, just Hope. Sorry, people tend to assume or call me something else whenever I speak with them. (She has this uneasy smile on her face, but it seemed disingenuous.) You'd think I'd get used to it by now, but I-I'd like to have someone know my name.

Alright then. Hope how did you to Lexington? Did you follow that gelatinous mass's trail?

Yeah. It seemed the most direct route in all this and I could use a break; it's still a bit too recent after all. I guess I should be happy that I got a break and all, but maybe it's just me being difficult… (She seemed to contemplate something.) Nah, I don't even know how that thing works anyway. I'm better off sticking to my plan.

Your plan?

Yeah. Go westward and hit Nebraska, or whatever they're calling it these days. By the time I get there, I should be ready. Though if that rumor about feeding random people to corn is true or not. I suppose I'll know when I get there. (She looked to me, yet her eyes still seemed hollow.) Have you ever been to Nebraska?

I had actually avoided Nebraska after leaving Zero One. Partially because of the lavalantulas, being made of liquid metal made encounters with those creatures a death sentence, and then the annoying giants running amuck. However, one of the reasons I had for avoiding Nebraska was the strange information Skynet had on it. Something about a cult that worshiped corn stalks.

I afraid not, Hope. There were too many dangers around that area; made it too difficult for me to reach it. Why are you going to Nebraska?

(She looked at me with a vacant look. Her disingenuous smile returned.) What's your name again?

This was odd because I introduced myself to her before. But I shook it off and resumed.

It's Noah. Now-

Have you ever heard of Hobb's End, Noah?

Thanks to my body's data-link with Skynet, I do have access to Skynet's database and that included some information from before the world went insane and some satellite images. However, in the few seconds it took for me to search, I didn't get a single result back.

Uh, no. What does that-

It's in New England, or whatever New England is now. It was a small town, a bit rural in some places, but still like anywhere else in America. I remember having fun summers in the lake when I was young, back when I was with my parents and things seemed to be fine. (She brushes her brunette hair back, yet she still had that vacant look in her eyes.) It'd be nice to see it again.

This was kind of interesting, but didn't answer my question.

Well, that sounds nice but-

Have you ever read Sutter Cane, Noah?

Okay, getting interrupted more than once was rude. Not answering my questions answered? Rather impolite. Besides, even not using the data-link, I know that this "Sutter Cane" wouldn't be anyone I've ever heard of.

No. Why?

(Disingenuous smile grows slightly.) He's an author. He'd spend time at Hobb's End every now and then to write his newest book. I think there was a rumor that he had strong ties to Hobb's End. I wasn't old enough to really read his books, but I knew he was important. Just like Hobb's End was supposed to be. It didn't turn out that way, though. It's a shame because it was a nice day. (She stops to ponder something.) I wonder if he ever saw me. I remember seeing him once, clacking away on that typewriter. I was with the other kids when he worked on his last book. It was supposed to be really big, if I remember correctly, like it'd change the world when it was finished big. I was could have read it.

I'm losing my patience.

Hope. What does this have to do with Nebraska? And, if this "Hobb's End" place actually existed, then why are you in Kentucky?

This seemed to draw her attention. There was some vibrancy that returned to her eyes, although she seemed slightly offended by what I just said.

I'm getting to it, Noah. (She said my name with a scowl.) I don't remember exactly what happened that day. I do remember that Sutter Cane was finishing his last book, the big one. I remember going to him with the other children, but something happened. I remember hearing Sutter Cane screaming in anguish at one point, and then… (she seemed pain by the memory) t-then I don't know what else. I think I saw my parents. But I remember waking up outside of where Hobb's End should be. And no matter what I tried, or did, I could never get back. And then, then that's when it started.

It?

Yes, it. I wandered for a bit, uncertain and unsure of what to do. I was still a kid and my head was confused. Somehow, I wound up getting taken in by this couple for no real reason. I wound up doing well for a time, practically adopted into their family. I missed my real parents in Hobb's End, but hey, New Jersey wasn't that bad really. But, then, things got sour. (She shivers slightly.) See, their son Ryan did a terrible thing. You wouldn't think it's terrible, but in that part of New Jersey it was taboo along with other certain stuff. He suffered for it, he and his friends.

What happened to them?

They died. They were all killed because he and that blonde couldn't keep their hormones under control. I saw him do it though. (She physically stiffens.) He wore this mask, it had holes on it but I couldn't really see his eyes through the eye holes. If it's quiet enough, I can hear their screams and cries for pain. They weren't that quick, but fairly brutal anyway.

Based on what she's said, somehow she wound up at Crystal Lake. Rumor had it that it was run by this mad woman who had this insane set of rules. After she died, though, her son apparently came back from the dead to enforce them. For Hope to have survived him, however, is interesting and that I would like to know.

So, how did you escape?

I didn't.

What?

What do you mean?

I told you, I didn't. I thought he was going to kill me, but then he… decided not to I guess. He just stomped away while dragging the bodies with him. I remember throwing a rock at the back of his head, but he didn't even notice it. He just left me there, alone. I screamed at him, "you fucking bastard! Don't you dare do this to me! Don't you dare!" Nothing. I laid there for a bit, and then left myself. I decided to leave Crystal Lake, so I stole Ryan's old bike and left. Still, though, it wasn't over.

How so?

I don't know how to best explain it, but wherever I went after Crystal Lake, whoever I met and befriended or joined up with, there'd be this pattern. We'd be a small group, relatively a few people like four or five, and then… then they'd die or something would happen to them. I'd be the only one left and I'd suffer. (she closed her eyes and adopted a solemn tone.) No matter where I went, or who I met, they would die and I would be spared only to suffer again. People would just assume what my name is, I'd been given plenty of names by different people I'd met, and then those people would die. Didn't what I tried to do, they'd just die.

By now, I was starting to realize what she was talking about. Or at least, figure out the full 'picture' of everything. With a great deal of caution and hesitation, I phrase my next question carefully.

Do you want to die, Hope?

She didn't answer immediately. There was a small period of silence that was scarcely broken by the wind's doing. It felt like forever until she finally gave me an answer.

I don't know what I want, Noah. (The smile was gone, and yet her eyes seemed haunted and hollow.) I don't know if I even can die. I managed to get inside of Springwood. I went to bed every night, didn't stay up or do anything to prevent it. I wanted to dream that I would be freed, and yet it happened again. Taken in, a new name, and then a group of people that I grew close with, despite not wanted to, all died. (she hung her head, closing her eyes as a solemn atmosphere came in.)

This was… rather disturbing. I can't imagine all the people she's met only to later watch them die. How long has this been happening?

You asked me why I'm going to Nebraska, and the reason why is because I'm tired of reliving the same chain of events. Maybe whatever goes on there can free me from what I'm stuck with. Maybe it'll be another failure and I'd just wasted my time. I don't know, and honestly, I don't really care anymore.

Then why are you letting me interview you?

Because, as Sutter Cane once said, "reality is just what we tell each other it is." If, by some sheer luck, maybe there never was a Hobb's End and I'm just delusional. If that saying of his has any weight, by leaving you with this interview, I'll get the release I want. If not, then I'll have to try again. If the universe has any shred of kindness to it, it'll give me a mercy kill. (she leaned in close, an almost insane look in her eyes.) That is why I'm going to Nebraska, Noah. Nowhere else and no one else, but me.

It was only a few hours later that, in hindsight, it occurred to me that I should have offered an assisted suicide. However, that psychosis she displayed – and based on what she told me – I'm fairly certain that she would have rejected it. Someone like that, that has a literal death wish, wants to die in a very specific manner. If I had to guess, she wants someone else to be the last one left. She wants someone to kill her like they killed other people. Nothing special and nothing else.

Makes me wonder about the human psyche sometimes…