Oscar Marcus Video log #1:
Foreword: The camera quality is unfortunately substandard at a resolution of 144p in addition to motion blur during quick movements.
<Begin Video Log>
(The camera is aimed at the face of an Oscar Marcus, who can be seen confirming its operation.)
Alright.
(Oscar clears his throat.)
My name is Oscar Marcus. I am 21 years of age and was born in Arizona. After hearing reports about people going missing in Copper Canyon, I've decided to spend my vacation days in Mexico cryptid hunting. Oooo! Spooky stuff, am I right? I even applied for a "cryptid hunters wanted for Copper Canyon expedition" request I found on a conspiracy site. Shady stuff, I know, but look for yourself.
(Oscar turns the camera around, aiming it at a camp with people equipped in hiking and hunting gear, then aiming it back at his face.)
Yep, it was legit; there are actual cryptid hunters here! I've only seen them in documentaries. They were a very welcoming bunch, too. A guy named Salvador gave me this headcam and a big-ass machete. The quality is pretty shit, though. I hope the footage is clear later.
(Oscar scratches the lens, removing a smudge that was impeding vision.)
Right! Before I forget, this camera has a pretty nice data processing feature. I set it up so that any footage I record gets uploaded to a private database on my laptop back at the hotel, which uses the establishment’s Wi-Fi to send the files to the cloud.
(Silence.)
Whoever made this thing had weird priorities, huh?
(Someone calling Oscar's name can be heard from the camp.)
I guess that’ll have to do for an introductory video.
<End Video Log>
Salvador Agustin Note #1:
The following note was recovered among others by the Protectorate from Lyn Agustin shortly after she exited RPC-819's sphere of influence. The contents have been translated into English.
Day 1 of the Copper Canyon Cryptid Expedition. After posting the cryptid hunter request, I didn't expect much outside of familiars in the hunting community. However, I was proven wrong by the arrival of a newbie American, believe it or not! He said he came because he found cryptid hunting exciting, and a lack of friends stopped him. Foolish and degrading reason. I initially believed, but after seeing him gearless, I was reminded of my own debut in the industry. Anyway, I got a good feeling in my gut about this one. The cryptid inside these woods will be the one who gets me and Lyn out of this country and into a better life. I even upgraded my camera, which set me back quite a bit, but that's a gamble I'm willing to take since it'll help me expose whatever's been causing the disappearances clearer. Speaking of exposing cryptids, I better rally the expedition team and prepare for the first search. -Salvador Agustin, Veteran Cryptid Hunter.
Oscar Marcus Video Log #2:
<Begin Video Log>
(Oscar can be seen hiking through forest with other hunters, Salvador at the lead.)
Oscar: Alright, so we've started our first search and are now walking through-
Salvador: Why are you talking so much?
Oscar: Excuse me?
Salvador: Talking much will alert the monster.
Oscar: Right, sorry.
(The team continues for 2 hours and 38 minutes without encountering anything.)
Oscar: Is hiking this long without finding anything when hunting normal?
Salvador: Yes.
Oscar: Cryptids seem to be pretty introverted creatures, eh?
(Salvador chuckles slightly, before clearing his throat.)
Salvador: Cut the chit-chat.
(After another 10 minutes of walking, Salvador suddenly stops and signals to the rest of the team to do the same.)
Oscar: Why'd we stop?
Salvador: Look, but don't approach.
(7-10 meters away is the corpse of a black bear, shriveled and dried up with what appears to be a hole at its hindquarters.)
Oscar: Crap.
(Gagging can be heard.)
Salvador: Oh no. Hey! Anyone got a bag?
(Oscar pukes.)
Salvador: Goddamnit.
Oscar: Sorry.
(The black bear's corpse shifts slightly, as a root moves into the ground. None of the hunters seem to notice, however.)
Salvador: It's fine. We should go back. Whatever did this is probably nearby anyways.
(The team heads back to the camp.)
Salvador: Alright, everybody, rest up. The situation could be worse than anticipated, and I need to revise our plan.
(Salvador can be seen entering his tent.)
Oscar: Holy shit. There might actually be something in here! I don't know if I should be scared or excited! Good thing the guys are experienced. God am I happy I decided to come.
<End Video Log>
Salvador Agustin Note #2:
Day 2 of the Copper Canyon Cryptid Expedition. My mother used to tell me stories about a four-legged creature that required blood for sustenance. It would use its suction-capable mouth and razor-sharp teeth to anchor itself onto the flesh of its prey and suck out all of the poor victim's blood. This monster is called the "Chupacabra." From memory, I've drawn some sketches and placed them in visible portions of the camp, so that everyone knows what we're looking for. My daughter heard my descriptions of it and is now adamant on wearing a garlic necklace. I've told her that the Chupacabra isn't a vampire, but she refuses to listen. Whatever calms her heart, I suppose. God knows she needs it. -Salvador Agustin, Veteran Cryptid Hunter.
Oscar Marcus Video Log #3:
<Begin video Log>
(Oscar can once again be seen looking into the lens of the camera.)
Oscar: So I'm a bit away from the camp since Salvador seems to get annoyed when I turn this thing on outside of expeditions.
(Oscar turns his head, examining his surroundings, before hunching down to grab something on the floor.)
Oscar: Take a look at this.
(A picture can be seen, featuring a rough artist's rendition of the cryptid "Chupacabra".)
Oscar: This little bugger is what Salvador thinks caused that bear incident. Looks pretty cute, no?
(Oscar chuckles at the joke.)
Lyn: What're you laughing about?
Oscar: Woah!
(Oscar jumps, before putting the camera in his pocket.)
Oscar: My own joke.
Lyn: Uh-huh.
Oscar: Yeah… Did you need anything, by the way?
Lyn: Not really. Dad saw you sneaking off and sent me to check.
Oscar: Oh.
Lyn: I told him it's probably nothing but, y'know.
Oscar: Yeah, I know. Was he always like that? Paranoid, I mean.
Lyn: Only after my mom died.
(Silence.)
Oscar: I'm sorry fo-
Lyn: It's fine.
(Silence.)
Oscar: If you don't mind me asking, how?
Lyn: Dad and I were sleeping at home while she was out shopping, day-to-day stuff. Never came back, though. The police didn't figure anything out either. Finding which van she was stuffed into among the thousands of others would be impossible.
(Silence, again.)
Oscar: It's that bad here, huh?
Lyn: As bad as we admit it to be. It's why he's obsessed with cryptids and thinks it'll get us a big enough payday to get out.
Oscar: I see.
Lyn: Anyways, better leave you to your little video diary.
Oscar: You knew-
Lyn: See ya.
(Oscar takes the camera from the pocket.)
Oscar: Oh damn, thing's still on. I'll have to edit that part out. And maybe also get more serious with this hunting thing. It seems like they really need it.
<End Video Log>
Oscar Marcus Video Log #4:
<Begin Log>
(A smaller team is once again hiking through the forest, this time equipped with makeshift wooden armor protecting their torsos, backs and thighs.)
Salvador: We'll go in the same direction as last time.
(The team continues for 15 minutes before Oscar's camera centers on a four-legged figure behind a fallen log.)
Oscar: 7 o'clock, guys.
Salvador: That's it.
(Salvador takes aim with a crossbow and fires, the bolt pierces the creature's side and it promptly flees.)
Salvador: GPS tracker bolt is engaged! All we have to do now is prepare the rest of the team. Gentlemen, one final hunt and the Chupacabra, will be ours!
(After a slight vocal celebration, the team starts returning to camp.)
Salvador: Hey Oscar?
(Silence.)
Salvador: Oscar?
Oscar: Hm? Sorry, what is it?
Salvador: I just wanted to say that you did well. Spotting that monstrosity.
Oscar: Oh! Thanks.
(The team continues for another minute.)
Salvador: Boy, how about you cheer up? Aren't you excited about hunting earlier?
Oscar: Sorry again; I'm happy we can track it now, really.
Salvador: Of course you are. Still, tell me what's on your mind.
Oscar: I don't know. I just feel watched. I guess? The way the Chupacabra was positioned behind the log, it felt like it was, stalking us.
Salvador: I was also nervous about these things when starting out. You'll learn not to be.
Oscar: If you say so.
<End Video Log>
Salvador Agustin Note #3:
Day 5 of the Copper Canyon Cryptid Expedition. We were finally able to pin the animal with a tracker. It's in our sights now, and it's time to bring out the big guns. We'll find and kill it tomorrow; then, I'll sell the corpse along with the footage from my camera to some connections. I can't wait to quit my day job and leave Mexico with Lyn. The girl has been through enough; she deserves to live somewhere more peaceful. Speaking about her, she's been spending quite a bit of time around Oscar lately. The father within me wants to separate them, but he seems like a good enough kid. Maybe he'll help us get integrated into America after the sale? -Salvador Agustin, Veteran Cryptid Hunter.
Oscar Marcus Video Log #5:
<Begin Video Log>
(Footage is hard to decipher, as Oscar seems to be running.)
Oscar: The GPS tracker has pinged just 5 minutes from the camp! The entire expedition team is heading there now!
Salvador: Keep quiet!
(The team continues moving towards the destination.)
Salvador: Everybody slow down. It should be just ahead.
(Salvador sneaks past obstructing bushes, and suddenly stops.)
Salvador: What the-
(Salvador stares for a moment.)
Oscar: Salvador?
Salvador: Move up.
(A four-legged figure can be seen sitting down in a small open patch of the forest. The tracker lies in front of it. Mumbles can be heard amongst the team.)
Salvador: What is it doing?
Oscar: Who cares? Shoot it!
(Salvador raises his hunting rifle and aims it directly at the creature.)
Salvador: Let's welcome the riches.
(As Salvador pulls the trigger, the creature's head is obliterated.)
Salvador: Undeniable proof, finally.
(The team is quiet for a brief moment.)
Oscar: Why is it not falling over?
(The creature's body begins to unravel into prehensile tendrils of varying sizes, which exhibit a motion similar to waving towards the team, before sinking into the ground.)
Oscar: What the fuck?
(A scream can be heard from the back of the group. After Oscar hastily turns around, one of the team members can be seen elevated into the air, as one of the tendrils have pierced his stomach.)
Salvador: Miguel!
(More tendrils start appearing from the ground, and the grass has started to shake.)
Oscar: Fuck!
(Another tendril emerges, piercing yet another group member.)
Salvador: Run!
(The team splits up, Salvador and Oscar start running in the same direction.)
Oscar: Where the hell is the camp?
Salvador: Miguel was the goddamn navigator!
(Tendrils start ascending from the earth, though as both Salvador and Oscar manage to avoid being pierced, they continue to run.)
Oscar: Where are we going then?
Salvador: Just run, damn it!
(After a period of fleeing, Salvador drops his camera, and both stop.)
Oscar: Forget about that, just go!
Salvador: Wait.
Oscar: What? No!
Salvador: Stop moving and wait!
(The pair stand still, no tendrils appear.)
Salvador: It stopped attacking. Whatever those tentacles are attached to doesn't have eyes! It can't see us!
Oscar: You gonna tell that to Miguel?
Salvador: You idiot! It detects us through movement and pressure on the soil! Watch.
(Salvador picks up a stone, and tosses it halfway toward the camera. At impact, a tendril emerges and destroys said stone.)
Salvador: See?
(Oscar is silent for a moment.)
Oscar: I still don't think you should risk it.
Salvador: Shut up! All the proof of everything is stored inside that thing!
Oscar: We still have my headcam! Sell what's in that instead!
Salvador: Oh please, that shitty camera will get me accused of faking it. I won't let that happen again!
Oscar: Come on Salvador! Think about what you already have! Your wife wouldn't have wanted you to leave Lyn, would she?
Salvador: Who the hell told you about her?
(Oscar doesn't respond.)
Salvador: It was Lyn, wasn't it? Listen here, goddammit, you don't know anything about our situation, alright? But I do and will risk everything to get Lyn and me out of it.
Oscar: You can't be serious!
Salvador: Oh, I can, and I am. I saw you gearless and thought you were an American that could actually empathize with us. But you don't know how bad it is, living in constant fear, praying with all your might that you won't lose the only thing you have left. Being forced to take her with you when hunting since if you don't, yet another fucking bastard will seize that opportunity!
Oscar: Salvador, please listen. I'm only trying to help y-
Salvador: And I'm trying to help her! I'm not allowing no fucking kidnapper to— t-to do only God knows what! So please, please just shut the hell up!
(Salvador starts carefully approaching the camera, and takes the first step safely.)
Salvador: Oh my god.
(He takes another step.)
(Salvador looks back at Oscar, before turning forwards again.)
(When the third step is halfway completed, a tendril emerges and pierces Salvador from crotch to skull.)
Oscar: Salvador!
(Oscar hesitates, but continues to stand still.)
Oscar: Fuck, fuck, fuck!
(Oscar begins to hyperventilate. Meanwhile the headcam records blood exiting Salvador's corpse and entering the tendril.)
Oscar: God! No!
(Oscar stands still for an additional 17 seconds. After which a tendril penetrates his back and emerges from the stomach.)
<End Video Log>
