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Date: September 21, 2023

Mission: Investigating Paranormal Activity

Tonight’s mission veered into territory I never imagined we’d explore. It started with a call from an old friend of Phreak’s, a woman named Clara. Clara considers herself a Wiccan, deeply in touch with the paranormal. She was convinced that an abandoned house down the street was haunted by demons. Phreak, who has had his own brushes with the spirit realm and claims to see ghosts, was immediately intrigued.

I, on the other hand, am a skeptic. Phreak dragged me along, determined to investigate. “Come on, Kamen,” he said, eyes gleaming with excitement. “Let’s see what we’re dealing with.”

The Investigation

We arrived at the house just as the sun set, casting long, eerie shadows across the overgrown yard. The house itself was a dilapidated mess, with boarded-up windows and a sagging roof. Clara met us there, looking worried but hopeful.

As we entered the house, strange things began to happen almost immediately. Cold drafts, whispers in the dark, and the unmistakable feeling of being watched. I tried to rationalize it, attributing everything to the wind and our imaginations, but Phreak was unfazed. He seemed to sense something I couldn’t.

After a particularly intense gust of cold air, I decided to have a discussion with Bizzy through the HeroNet interface. I needed to understand what was happening. We brainstormed and conjured up a device: the HeroPAD (Hero Paranormal Activity Detector).

Creating the HeroPAD

Bizzy and I spent all night collaborating on the device. Using a 3D-printed case, a Raspberry Pi, and various sensory devices, we created the HeroPAD. It compiled environmental data from the area and aggregated it. When there was a deviation, it allowed for a random word to be spoken from its library.

Exhausted but determined, I finally caught up on some sleep. The next night, Phreak and I returned to the house, HeroPAD in hand.

The Encounter

We set up the HeroPAD in the center of the living room and waited. The air was thick with anticipation. The device began to speak: “I…” The word echoed through the room, sending shivers down my spine. “Cannot…” I exchanged a glance with Phreak, who remained calm and focused. “…Rest.”

A chill ran down my back as the words reverberated in the silence. Phreak, remarkably composed, spoke to the empty room. “Why can’t you rest? What is keeping you here?”

The HeroPAD lit up immediately. “Murder…betrayal…Loss.” The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. There was a long pause, and then the device spoke again, one word that was not part of the database, something it should not have been able to say based on its programming: “PHREAK!”

The chill that went down my back was indescribable. I looked at Phreak and saw the blood drain from his face. He looked at me, and we made an unspoken agreement to get out immediately.

The Aftermath

We quickly got into his truck, the silence between us thick with unspoken fear. As we drove away, Phreak muttered, “It wanted me there. It baited me.”

I asked no more questions. This was something I had no understanding of. The HeroPAD, our creation, had communicated something beyond our comprehension. As a skeptic, I was left questioning everything I thought I knew.

Reflection

As I sit here writing this entry, I’m still grappling with the events of the past two nights. The HeroPAD worked beyond its intended purpose, and the experience has left me shaken. Phreak’s calm in the face of the unknown was both impressive and unnerving.

Tonight’s mission has reminded me that there are things in this world we may never fully understand. It has opened my eyes to possibilities I never considered and left me with more questions than answers.

Until the next adventure,

Kamen

Date: June 3, 2023

Tonight’s mission tested our tactical skills and showcased the bravery and daring that defines the Everyday Heroes. It began with a frantic call from a neighbor who reported that a family was in danger. The neighbor was concerned about a drunk and violent stepfather who had taken his family hostage with a shotgun. The police were on the scene but struggling to handle the delicate situation. The neighbor, aware of our reputation, asked for our help.

Phreak and I geared up and arrived at the scene, staying out of sight of the police to avoid confrontation. The stepfather had holed up in a small, two-story house, and the family—a mother, father, and two young children—were being held at gunpoint in the living room. The man demanded that no one come near, threatening to harm the family if his demands weren’t met.

The Plan

I took a moment to assess the situation, formulating a plan. “Phreak, we need to approach this with precision. Any mistake could put the family in danger.”

Phreak nodded, his usual humor replaced with serious determination. “What’s the plan, Commander?”

“We need to create a diversion to draw his attention while we extract the hostages. Here’s what we’ll do…”

I outlined my plan in detail. We would use a combination of stealth and tactical maneuvers to infiltrate the house. Phreak would create a diversion, drawing the stepfather’s attention to one side of the house while I entered from the opposite side to secure the hostages.

The Execution

Phreak positioned himself near the front of the house, where he began making noise to attract the stepfather. He knocked over trash cans and shouted, pretending to be a lost and confused passerby. The stepfather, agitated and curious, came to the window with his shotgun, shouting obscenities.

Meanwhile, I approached the house from the rear, using the shadows to stay hidden. I picked the lock on the back door and slipped inside. The layout of the house was simple, and I quickly made my way to the living room where the family was being held.

The mother and father looked terrified, but the children seemed to be holding up well under the circumstances. I signaled for them to remain quiet as I moved closer. The stepfather’s attention was momentarily distracted by the noise outside.

The Diversion

Phreak’s diversion was working. He had the stepfather outside chasing shadows, giving me the opportunity I needed. I inched closer to the hostages, signaling to the father to be ready to move when I gave the signal.

Suddenly, Phreak burst through the front door, shouting, “Hey! Over here!” He ran through the house, drawing the stepfather’s attention away from the hostages. The man turned, momentarily stunned by Phreak’s audacity.

The Rescue

With the stepfather distracted, I sprang into action. I tackled him to the ground, disarming him in one swift motion. The man tried to react, but Phreak was on him in an instant, knocking the shotgun from his hand and subduing him with a well-placed strike.

“Move now!” I shouted to the family.

The father grabbed his children, and they hurried towards the back door where I had entered. The mother followed closely behind, her face a mixture of fear and relief. I quickly secured the stepfather, tying his hands behind his back, and joined Phreak in ensuring the family was safe.

The Aftermath

The police stormed in, taking the stepfather into custody. The family was safe, and the situation was under control. The mother hugged her children tightly, tears of relief streaming down her face.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling. “Thank you for saving us.”

Phreak, catching his breath, flashed a grin. “Just doing our job, ma’am.”

The police, though they tolerated our presence, gave us a nod of acknowledgment. They couldn’t openly commend our actions, but we knew they appreciated the help.

Reflection

As I sit here writing this entry, I’m reminded of the importance of tactical planning and bravery in our line of work. Tonight’s mission showcased our ability to work as a team, using our skills to protect those in danger. Phreak’s daring diversion and my careful planning ensured the success of the operation.

This mission was a stark reminder of why we do what we do. It’s not just about stopping crime; it’s about saving lives and making our community safer. Together, Phreak and I make a formidable team, ready to face whatever challenges come our way.

Until the next adventure,

Kamen