1/8/32
From: Amy Fin
To: Shellendorf Institute
A worker discovered a box containing schematics and what appears to be a guide. After a lengthy translation process, we managed to decipher it as follows:
"If you find blackout, use these rules.
NOTE: Rules only for homes in thick forests near water like lakes or ponds.
Rule one: Find light, need it to move in house.
Rule two: Lock doors, someone might break in and take valuable things.
Rule three: Keep weapon always, if break in, need weapon for protect.
Rule four: Close windows, keep warm air inside, stay warm in house.
Rule five: Avoid open windows, they weak for intruders.
Rule six: If see dead family outside, stay away, they will try to get you out.
Rule seven: If outside because not follow rule six, don't go back in, they inside house. Ignore them, go to nearest car, drive to nearest place with people, they not find you there.
Rule eight: If back in house and they find, look at ground and count to five, then they not there."
The translation is rough, but it seems to be some form of folklore or mythology from the area. What's peculiar is the mention of burglars as if they don't experience the same strange occurrences, such as the "dead family" (which is quite unsettling). I might be reading too much into what could be just an urban legend or creepy story.
I'll link the schematics we found. It appears to depict a two-story house with several bedrooms, bathrooms, and various rooms, including a "fire room." One theory Kaeng strung up is that it might translate to "smoke room," but the purpose of one remains unclear. One suggestion is that it could be a room for heating, featuring a large fireplace, similar to how we used to heat our homes. This could explain the presence of furniture, as the room would be used to warm up quickly. Another theory is that it might be used for storing supplies for starting or extinguishing fires, though that doesn't account for the furniture or fireplace, so it seems less likely. Jefferson thinks it might be related to a different type of fire, but that was probably just him flirting with Shelda. I don't even know why you hired him; there's nothing here except the local military, the research station, and us. The Octarians haven't moved this far north and probably won't for a long time, so there's no need for him, and he's been acting oddly throughout.
The image shows two papers, each with floor plans of a house. The layout is detailed, highlighting the various rooms, including the mysterious "fire room."