She's with my, boys.

Dear little Clarice is currently curled up in the corner humming some nursery rhyme. Come and get her, Jack and Pete.

I was just on the phone with a fed.

They're good. I thought I had shielded my number from them, but whatever. They want me to back off Black Leaf because Fisk wants him for something. Looks like I may need some back-up after all as the fed said they were going to get serious about stopping me from finding him and killing him now.
They weren't serious before when I was laid siege to? Thankfully, I just got a message from The Master. I heard His voice in my head as He said He's found me suitable help. He also said He doesn't want me to reveal who it is until I've met them. So this game of cat and mouse has become a game of war, then. This is going to be fun.

A thought

I'm turning back and heading to Boston. It dawns on me that Leaf can't get any good done just hanging out in the mountains. He'll head to a hot spot where he can get comes leads.

This is supposed to be some kind of April Fool's joke?!

I just got an email from my brother's e-address that said this.

73 74 6f 70

110 111 119

Translated: Stop now.

Two words: the hell?

Where the fuck are you?!

West? Into the mountains?! I should be able to pick up the Traitor's trail! Montana? Colorado? Where is he?! Damn it! I will find you, Traitor. And when I find you I will have your guts for guiter strings!

On the road again.

Hey, Fisk, you need about eleven body bags.

Just a little closer.

Come on, boys. I've never been so bored waiting for some idiots to decide they're tired of waiting for me to come out willingly. Look, I know you guys are reading. It's either come on in and take me by force or leave.

May the rats eat your eyes, Fisk.

Buddy, your goons are interfering with my hunt. I have to hand to you, though. You do mean business. That was quite a leap going from those two chuckleheads in the parking lot to a full on assault team. The ambush and following siege to my current higing place were a nice touch, too.

Yep. You have me pinned perfectly. Now all you have to do is wait me out and either take me in alive and drag in my corpse. Nothing can go wrong at this stage. Nope. Your strategy is absolutely perfe... Look, just take the fucking hint and order your men to stand down. As much as I'd love to send all eleven of them home in body bags, I have other matters to attend to. Understood?

Lastly, no, I require no assistance, Morningstar. I have this handled. I thank you for the offer all the same, though.

Damn vermin!

The Traitor isn't the only one having problems with white vans and the clowns that drive them. I was stepping out of the hotel I stopped for the night in when they tried some funny business. One's now missing his eyes, while the other guy, well... He screams nicely.

I've found your trail, Traitor.

Little pig, little pig, you will let me in,
No matter how much you say, 'No, no, by the hair on my chiny, chin, chin.'
Then I'll hack, and I'll slash, and collapse your ribcage in.

So the word's out on me, eh?

You really think your friends at NAPPA and SMD can stop me, Blake? Think again. I will have your skulls for coffee mugs, you insignificant insects.

That'll be some good fucking coffee.

Enter The Lone Hunter

Miserable rodents, you have slain my brother, Allen. Blake Andrew Fletcher, you are the most guilty of all, traitor. First, I will hunt you, Blake. Then after I'm done with you, I will go after Slice, Core, Pete, and Ron. You will know me as The Lone Hunter, and your worst nightmare since The Master.

Prepare yourselves for Hell. You will all wish you had never been born when my work is done.

-The Lone Hunter

the Black Leaf returns for one final post.

Hmm. Some password. I must really know you inside out, Allen. Allen Smith, "Al(x)ne", is dead. I turned against my former master and helped slay him, myself, in the process of rescuing Ron Foster.

You won't be missed, Smith. You can just rot in the Hell you've made for yourself. Come and get me, Lone Hunter, if you think you can. You won't catch me. You can't catch me. I'm the gingerbread man!

If you want to read any further posting from me, come my new blog, Casting Aside My Sins. Shameless self-advertisements and gloating abound!

-BL

You know what they say about all good things?

Well, it seems I went a bit too far and broke the Hellbeast in a way we couldn't fix. How I will miss his screaming and begging. Oh well, in just two more days, I can hear all new screams. Look on the bright side. Now you only have to rescue one living person.

Regards,
Al(x)ne

Aw, Dead Leaf, you ruined the surprise.

I was going to be the one who announce that I've stabbed the Hellbeast's eyes out. Bad boy. If you hadn't already been cut down to nine, I'd punish you some. Alas, we must wait two more days before we can see what the Master has planned for you.

So, "Pete", you will come on the 20th, eh? Hmm. Well, we will be ready for you, I can assure you of that. As for the identity of the "contact", I call bluff. There is no contact. You're lying to unnerve us and make us search for betrayal where there is none to make it easier for you to try to sneak in some crack. Who in their right mind would turn against the Master? For that matter, who has it ever paid off for? You can't even enter The Ruins without a high level Agent of The Master to lead you in. I don't know what pathetic strategy you have planned, but it isn't going to work, especially not from outside.

Oh dear, it seems like I will have to wrap this up. It looks like the Hellbeast is fading on me. Can't let that happen. I'll keep in touch and let you know how he's recovering.

Regards,
Al(x)ne

Squirming under foot

My my my, how the Hellbeast does squirm and whine when I step on him. Smash his bones, break them, grind them. Let the blood flow. Scream, Hellhound, scream.
He just keeps muttering Clarice's name. How pathetic. Truly it is so.

The fools just keep coming!

Honestly! What is so special about one Ronald Foster? Prey the 2nd now comes to Boston to try his hand at a rescue mission. And the Core and the Slice still offer their services? Is this worm honestly worth risking getting caught and meeting the same fate as him and the Hellhound? Why does this one boy matter so to you all?

It makes absolutely no sense to me that so much fuss is being made over him.

Well, come on then. If you insist. There's more than enough room down here for more. The Master always does enjoy guests. I'll put on some tea.

Regards,
Al(x)ne

So Annoying

After a while, the begging to see Clarice, instead of just screaming like he's supposed to just gets old.

Black Leaf, a traitor? I doubt it. Not if he kows what's good for Lucy.

You know the deal, Black Leaf. Detray us and your wife will be Taken. Just remember that. Oh, and quit badgering me in Clyde's favor. It's grown very old.

The Hellhound falls, yet Slice escapes

You failed. The Hellhound begs for mercy, and Slice flees. I'm sure he'll disclose more details. In the meantime, it's playtime with Clyde.

So those who want to die flock to Boston

It matters not. It will be all the same in the end.I just cannot wait to see you all burn.

Slip in through any cracks you want. It will all end the same, fools. You could have just been happy with Gwen, Slice. You could have just run with Clarice, Clyde. Alas, no, you both throw your lives anyway on this fool's chase. Ronald is beyond saving, but if you feel so strongly about it, just come on, then. Your next task will, of course, be getting him "Unindoctrinated" if by some miracle you can get him out of The Runs, let alone Boston. Good luck with that. It's worked so well for others who have tried, right, Fizzy and Zero?

Regards,
Al(x)ne

Little Prey does enjoy his poems.

Look at him go. I think he was about four more left in him. Come and get him if you can.

Miserable Little Vermin

Did you honestly think you could enter The Ruins to find Ronald again so easily? Alas, the little Hellhound scratched ar our front door and we drove him away. Too bad we couldn't catch him to send him away to the Master.

If and when we disclose the caught Prey's location is our concern. If you think you were so clever in figuring out my clues, then just wait for tomorrow. Int he meantime, cease in interrupting our affairs, Hellhound.

If only it were so easy to just make you unable to enter there. Alas, only the Master can give and remove the power to enter and exit The Ruins at will. Rest assured, Clyde. We will catch you and the Master will rip the power he gave you to enter such sub-realms right from your bleeding body!
Regards,
Al(x)ne

Go ahead

Guess

10

Rock your body , c’mon everybody
Somebody stop me , when I dance I’m losing control
You see me yo , this is stereo
I wanna hear my song one time on the radio

I’m gonna do this step by step do it anyway got to feel your loving
I’m gonna break even the law of the gravity to see you in the morning

Let me see your body move on the floor like ten minutes ago
Shake shake shake your body, move on the floor like ten minutes ago
Winning in every place cuz your my lucky ace, dj turn off the bass
Winning in every place cuz your my lucky ace , everybody do it on the floor

I’m gonna do this step by step do it anyway got to feel your loving
I’m gonna break even the law of gravity to see you in the morning

Let me see your body move on the floor like ten minutes ago

5

If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
a hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles

Lord I'm one, Lord I'm two, Lord I'm three, Lord I'm four
Lord I'm 500 miles from my home
500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles
Lord I'm five hundred miles from my home

Not a shirt on my back, not a penny to my name
Lord I can't go a-home this a-way
This a-away, this a-way, this a-way, this a-way
Lord I can't go a-home this a-way

If you miss the train I'm on you will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles

---

3

Three blind mice. Three blind mice.

See how they run. See how they run.

They all ran after the farmer's wife,

Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,

Did you ever see such a sight in your life,

As three blind mice?^[

15

Fifteen birds in five firtrees,
their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze!
But, funny little birds, they had no wings!
O what shall we do with the funny little things?
O what shall we do with the funny little things?
Roast 'em alive, or stew them in a pot;
fry them, boil them, eat them hot?
Bake and toast 'em, fry and roast 'em!
till beards blaze, and eyes glaze;
hair smells and skins crack
fat melts, and bones
in cinders lie
beneath the sky!
So the dwarves shall...
Fifteen birds in five firtrees,
their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze!
But, funny little birds, they had no wings!
O what shall we do with the funny little things?
O what shall we do with the funny little things?

The Hunt Ends.

Ronald Foster has fallen before the Master. The Mark fades, now of no use. A chapter closes and those still living march on. Pathetic. All that for one insignificant insect and his mate.
Yet the prey still casts one more annoyance our way by getting the Hellbeast's tramp through the Gate before being caught. Now Cerberus and her attempt to flee Boston with the Black Leaves and company on their heels.

Go forth, and hunt the miserable hound and his tramp until the end of their days! Isn't it ironic? Ronald threw away his one chance of escape for her, and still saved no one.

Pitiful

Last night was pitiful as far as performances go. That fool, Black Leaf, revealed that he once let slip the workings of The Mark and The Brand to Cerberus at some point before he defected. The fool shared classified information with someone halfway across the country! That was how Cerberus was able to temperorily counteract The Mark to smuggle Ron off to safety.
A lovely piece of information to keep to oneself until after the damage has been done. I know your game, Black Leaf. You attempt sabotage me and get your old position back. To make the Master question my decision in demoting you. If you want your rank back so badly, then perhaps your time might be better spent capturing Cerberus and not trying to make me lose favor with the Master.

On a related matter, the Master grows bored of the Hunt and has decided to end it a week from tomorrow. Think you can manage to collect Ron and bring him to The Ruins for disposal if left to your own devices, Black Leaf?
You have one week left, Ronald Foster. I suggest you get your affairs in order and your goodbyes said.

Regards,
Al(x)ne

Well played, Clyde

You certainly knew how and where to hit us with whatever it was you did to help Little Prey hide himself from us. You announced your presence on a public blog, guaranteeing that proxies and agents, but more importantly, The Lone Hunter, would be sent out into the city to find you.
You also knew the Master would go into a rage if the Hunt were interrupted by something like this and that He would take it out on us. You used the chaos and panic that you stirred up to slip in and find Clarice and the Brand while the real threats were struggling to regain control or were searching in all the wrong places for you. Clever. Of course, hiding Prey from sight to smuggle him off to that Inn room also gave you a location you knew about to place him in and thus be able to find and Unmark him.
Congradulations, Clyde, you have played the Master and put most of the pieces where they needed to go in order for this gambit to work. A feat few others are capable of.
The thing you didn't see coming was Al(x)ne instead holding The Lone Hunter back and stationig him with Clarice instead of sending him out. That was where your plan came crumbling down and Al(x)ne saved face.
Now you have been injured, chased from the Master's property, and hidden in a cluster of abandoned facilities.
You have nothing to be ashamed of, Clyde. You played your hand well, but it just wasn't good enough. What will you do now?

Sincerely,
Your Friend,
Black Leaf (Al(x)ne is feeling a bit under the weather)

What is this?!

Impossible! Impossible, I say! How did this happen?! The prey, Ronald Foster, has vanished from our sight!
The Master is very angry right no
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thepreyhasvanished
vanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanishedvanished
themasterisangrywithusweallsuffernow
damn you clyde

I am Al(X)ne

To all concerned,

I am Al(x)ne, and the new keeper of this blog, and Overseer of the Boston and The Mark. Black Leaf has exposed himself as incompetent and without the resolve to do what is necessary to rid our organization of pests like Cerberus. As such, he has been demoted and I now run things around here until a fulltime replacement for Black Leaf can be found.

You want your dear Clarice, Cerberus? Come and get her if you can.

Regards,
Al(x)ne

All Variables Eliminated At Last

The mad bomber Slice is out of commission, Cerberus is fallen, the Core has joined Master, and the Downsman follows the Core. At last the Hunt can continue without outside interference. If this doesn't work, Clyde, they'll make me kill her. I will not take direct action against the Master.
As usual, all the pieces have fallen into place in the Master's favor. That is a constant that will never change. I've set up a small window of opportunity for you. Fifteen minutes at the stroke of midnight in which Clarice will not be watched. That is the best I can do.
Never.

And Little Prey still just doesn't get it.

You still search even though you got a live warning straight from the mouth of Al(x)ne. Fine. He has issued your punishment. Enjoy.

Oh, My Dear, We Have A Guest

The Master has withdrawn from our sight with the one called Slice. You are alone now, Little Prey, and it is high time you relearned what tue fear is. You're coming for me?! No, no, no. I'm coming for you this night. Know your place. Clarice is well, Clyde.
And..."Pete". The others cannot help.

Fires Light Up The Night Sky

In Charleston, two fools, the Slicer and Little Prey, set aflame the homes of the Master. This will not go unpunished. Him vengeance will be great, swift, and painful. The way is clear for you to enter Boston, Clyde. Stay out of sight.
The Master's faithful head out now to do His work.

The Hell Hound Perishes, But Takes His Foe With Him

Alas, poor Yancy. I knew him well. A Revenant of excellent quality. I knew him, Horatio. The Hell Hound went into the river with him and they have both been lost. We've recovered Yancy's body. He clutched Cerberus's shirt in his fingers. It was also torn, but I'll keep that to myself when presenting an undamaged shirt to Al(x)ne.
Little Prey is the on the move. At last I can concentrate my efforts where they were intended once again. Fairwell, Cerberus.

Hellhound caught in a trap.

What will you do now, Cerberus? Your back to the river. Will you swim the distance, or take your chances ashore where you don't have a Revenant of a chance. I'm sorry, Clyde, but I could not hold Al(x)ne from insisting on pulling out our heaviest forces any longer.
Perhaps you should have planned this out a might more thoroughly, or just remained loyal to the Master. Clarice has been moved to The Ruins. I couldn't stop Al(x)ne.

Little Prey, I will give you a clue. You're so cold at this point you're on ice. Thin ice.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow. Fore this day...

Alas, alas, your trail is fresh and my charges head out now, Cerberus. Would you like a word in fuchsia from Clarice, hmm? ...They'll meet you at the Crossing, Clyde, be ready. If you can make it to Boston, she's at my house, in Charleston. Just take her and leave.
Clyde, this is me. Clarice. Please stop. "Black Leaf" told me they'd kill you if they find you if you don't surrender peacefully. Clyde, please. Just stop! I'm alright! BL hasn't hurt me, or let them hurt, or let that...that...thing, near. They say they'll let me go back to you if you just stop now. The Master has taken an interest in her. I don't know how long I can convince Him to let me handle this.
See, Clyde, she'll go free, and so will you, if you just turn yourself in. Forget Ron, just grab Clarics and run.
Little Prey knows not where he goes, even with his silly little list. He would do better just embracing the hunt.

So the Prey Comes Willingly to the Belly of the Beast.

There is no turning back from this path now, Little Prey. Once you have began your descent into the Darkess, there will be no Light to guide you back. You can't enter The Ruins, anyway. Not without the help of one who serves the Master.
The unfaithful Hellhound falls from my gaze. Did perhaps the Master claim him, or does he hide? Only time can tell. Give it up, already, Cerberus. You won't reach Boston.

The Hell Hound comes to Boston and Little Prey takes to the streets once again.

Cerberus has fallen off the map as he takes roads off the beaten path across the land. A bold and brash move considering many of those are the Master's domains. Clarice is fine, Clyde. She's a little distressed about being taken from you, but I've let no harm come to her.
Little Prey comes to the Hunting Grounds. It begins for today. He urges organization of the White King, Queens, Rooks, and Pawns. Futile.

The Picture Becomes Clear

I think I begin to under you now, old friend. Is all this really for that? Come now. It was so short a time. Does not our friendship mean far more? Have you forgotten we joined Him together? What have we worked for all this time if you're just going to throw it away? For her? And over them?
Talk to me.

Reassessment Response:

You learn quickly, Little Prey. So you plan to remove The Mark, do you? Well, I'm afraid that you have all of the Master and Father's children standing between you and that goal, and that is assuming you can even conprehend how to remove it IF you discover how. Very well, though. If you are intent on accomplishing this, then come and get us. We await you on the streets below and places Elsewhere.

With that, the board is set, the challenge has been roared, and the pieces have been placed. It's your move, Little Prey. Once the pawn has moved a square, it is the Other Side's turn again. When you come for us, you will be met and countered. Can a challenger move a single pawn to achieve anything significant? Well, there's always the first time, isn't there?

Blood Stained Blade

Rubies fall from the edge of the blade once possessed by a friend. Little Prey is filled with anguish, but knows not the extent of his crimes. He searches for answers from the Cryer and bulletins. Your deed was detected by no source Man can muster. Your actions are known only to Us. What it was is not my place to reveal. You want to know? Come and find out for yourself, Little Prey. Brave The Hunt as you were instructed and you just might get lucky.
Decline our gracious invitation again, and the consequences will be worse yet the next time. This is your only warning.

Other Prey, you dare anoint yourself with identity other than that which has been given to you by His Grace? Your punishment will come on swift wings.

I have returned.

See you around...noonish, Little Prey.

Cerberus, a new player enters.

I have been reading your handiwork across the blogs, old friend, and I demand to know what machinations you are laying. I have received no word that you would be taking the stage, so you cannot be working at the behest of the Master. Neither The Master nor I will take kindly to disruptive stagehands, Cerberus, I warn you.

Little Prey and Prey the 2nd stir.

Why yes, your circumstances are intertwined, boys.

The fox seeks friendship? If The Mark allows you might be able to receive a Slice of companionship, but you cannot leave Boston.

One Lantern If By Land

Little Prey sought public commute to the iron horse leading back West. He bought a ticket and laid himself down to rest while in wait. It was then that the Master invaded his puny mind. Little Prey fought back but ended up down a flight of stairs when he bumped a man of ill disposition. Now he's been carted off by men of medicine to their facilities. Poor Little Prey. The hunt can begin when the fox knows his place.

Alas, he will not receive a Slice of reprieve nor will he be able to seek solace in the Downs.

Perhaps now if Two If By Sea?

Hmm? What is this? Another prey finds himself waking? Ah, he is for You to give chase.

The Little Prey Runs and Runs and Runs and Runs...

...but we can catch him. He's no Gingerbread man.

Little Prey leaves the Inn to brave the streets, movements fast and breaths quick. Hails a cab and leaves my vision. Poor Little Prey. He Runs and my fun begins.

The Master laid a trap, then and now. Before when he failed to catch the boy on foot. Poor Little Prey thought Fighters' plan for the Longest Night had worked. Alas, he went back to test my dear Master again and was thus caught in His web.
Now, Little Prey flees the Land of Rebellion for "safer" ground. Black leaves surround all, alas.

The Servant wishes you ado.

The Servant Goes Forth

http://drewsboxostuff.blogspot.com/ Alas, alas, a poor lost lamb wonders with no shepard in this big cruel world of ours. If only he knew. Such much to know. So much to see. Yet so little time, a fleeting thing.

Go now and Run, little Runner. I will surely follow, o Ronald Foster of the Land of Lincoln, lost in the town of Rebellion and Tea Parties. You thought you saw so much, yet it was only what the Lion wanted you to see. Once ensnared, you did see so much, in The Land of the Black Leaves. The Master, The Black King, calls from his house. I must leave you now, but I am return.

So I go, but with the answer one Roninator seeks. Little Runner has been unchained for the Master's amusement. Go forth, prey, the hunt begins.