{
    "title": "King Reality Collapse and Combat",
    "date": "2019-10-26 20:00",
    "reportcode": "GT/GL-191026-077260416",
    "url": "https://teeth.zarquan.fyi/reports/gt-gl-191026-077260416/index.json",
    "description": "△▼△TOP SECRET//SI//DGO△▼△",
    "content": "\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReport No:\u003c/strong\u003e GT/GL-191026-077260416\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocation:\u003c/strong\u003e\nKick Springs, Pennsylvania\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgents:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/cells/d/#mccarter\"\u003eMcCarter-2\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/cells/d/#booth\"\u003eBooth\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/cells/d/#smith\"\u003eJustin Smith\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/cells/d/#farrington-cowles\"\u003ePhilomena Farrington-Cowles\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMASTICATE Cell engaged in a split-reality incursion at the residence of Vicki King, involving simultaneous occupation of two divergent versions of the same structure. Agents encountered hostile extradimensional duplicates (“Reapers”) and evidence of continued Picky Eater propagation. Two minors were identified as having independently recreated the Picky Eater construct, resulting in further dimensional destabilization and entity incursion. Hostile duplicates of Agents were neutralized. The King family was recovered alive but psychologically compromised.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperation Report:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgents arrived at the residence of Vicki King, identified as a potential origin point of the Picky Eater construct. Upon exiting their vehicle, the team was split into two groups across separate versions of the same property:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne version: occupied, inhabited, containing two pre-teen girls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne version: abandoned, sanctioned structure with generator power and evidence of systematic search.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroup 1 (Justin, alternate McCarter):\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForced entry into the inhabited residence.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEncountered two girls behaving erratically and exhibiting paranoia regarding “Reapers.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConducted a sweep of the structure:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo active electronics located upstairs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA destroyed desktop computer recovered in the master bedroom.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA prototype chip consistent with Picky Eater architecture was located and secured.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGirls attempted to interfere, one armed with a knife; she was disarmed and incapacitated.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth children entered fluctuating states of panic, catatonia, and distress.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBasement search revealed a manually powered charging station (recently used), but no active devices.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroup 2 (Frank, Philomena):\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEntered alternate version of the residence.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetected generator power and active audio (music) from the second floor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBreached locked room and encountered Vicki King:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult female, armed, paranoid, and highly agitated.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoom contained extensive conspiracy materials (maps, clippings).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActive desktop computer present, running Picky Eater.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKing confirmed:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrior involvement in development of Picky Eater.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBelief that it protects children from government “Reapers.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtended subjective timeline (years vs. months discrepancy).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgents attempted de-escalation; King became unstable and began destroying evidence.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgents disabled the active computer system.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensional convergence event:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpon disabling the device, environmental shift occurred (night → day).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHostile entities entered through the front door:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo individuals resembling Justin and Matthew McCarter.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWearing ritualized leather cowls with markings.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdentified as “Reapers” affiliated with “National Child and Family Services.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngagement initiated:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHostile McCarter displayed anomalous ability: mouth embedded in hand projecting a prehensile, weaponized tendril.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHostile Justin exhibited ritualistic casting behavior, including:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDirected attack causing localized tissue destruction (Agent McCarter’s finger).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTelekinetic manipulation of a child as a projectile.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFriendly Agents engaged:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirearms used to neutralize hostile Justin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClose-quarters combat used to subdue hostile McCarter; execution completed by Agent McCarter.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring combat:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne child was briefly lifted and weaponized via unknown force.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAgent McCarter successfully intervened and extracted the child from the effect.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePost-engagement:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBodies of hostile duplicates recovered.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdentification confirmed: alternate Justin and Matthew McCarter.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCredentials indicated affiliation with a government-like child services authority.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki King and daughters reunited:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKing exhibited severe psychological breakdown upon exposure to altered reality state.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChildren provided account:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey constructed a functional Picky Eater device from recovered schematics.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActivated device transported them to an anomalous environment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEncountered unidentified entities, including a tall robed figure and an unknown male near a machine.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpon requesting information about their father, they were returned to the house in the altered timeline without their mother.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvidence of continued Picky Eater contamination:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevice present on a concealed BlackBerry phone used by the children.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevice powered down by Agents.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgents confirmed:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePicky Eater present on all personal devices.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower removal halts activity but does not destroy functionality.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional intelligence gathered:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFather of the children identified as Wesley Kuhl, mathematics professor at MIT.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnection established to prior MIT-linked anomalies.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnalysis and Recommendations:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensional Instability:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple overlapping realities confirmed within a single physical location.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevice deactivation appears to trigger partial reversion but not full containment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContinued convergence events likely if Picky Eater instances remain active.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePicky Eater Proliferation:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConstruct is replicable by non-expert users (children successfully recreated it).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExists as both software and hardware hybrid.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCapable of cross-device propagation and reality manipulation.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommendation: Immediate shift from containment to total eradication protocols. Destruction of all hardware instances should be prioritized.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReaper Entities:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrganized, coordinated, and equipped with anomalous abilities.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePossess authority structures mimicking government agencies.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDemonstrate hostile intent toward children and Agents.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommendation: Classify as persistent extradimensional adversary group. Further encounters expected.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgent Duplication Risk:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfirmed existence of hostile doppelgängers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo guarantee of visual or behavioral differentiation prior to engagement.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommendation: Establish identification protocols for field teams (non-verbal signals, physical markers).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMIT Connection:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRepeated linkage of Picky Eater development and anomalies to MIT personnel.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWesley Kuhl identified as a new point of interest.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommendation: Immediate investigation into Kuhl and associated departments. Cross-reference with prior cases (Boyer, Bridget, Bauer).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePsychological Impact:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCivilian exposure resulted in acute psychological collapse.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChildren exhibit trauma and partial comprehension of anomalous systems.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommendation: Recovery and containment of King family or deployment of disinformation measures.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperational Risk:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAgents demonstrated increasing exposure to high-intensity anomalous phenomena.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvidence suggests escalation trajectory toward broader systemic breach.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommendation: Reinforce MASTICATE Cell or reassign additional assets.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cdetails \u003e\n  \u003csummary markdown=\"span\"\u003eSession Notes\u003c/summary\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Handler opened with a recap of the previous session:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMASTICATE had taken over handling a fatal accident on the side of a rural Maine highway.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the team was deciding what to do with Matthew McCarter’s dead body, Frank Booth received a phone call from someone who sounded exactly like McCarter.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe caller told Frank to clear the IDs off the body lying on the road and asked to meet at a Denny’s.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe man who arrived at the Denny’s appeared to be McCarter: same face, voice, and bearing, but noticeably different.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe was colder and more controlled than the McCarter they knew.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe had a scar that their Matthew had never had.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis alternate McCarter said he had been sent from another world and that their McCarter’s death had served as an anchor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe explained that, in his world, organizations like Delta Green had gone public in the mid-1990s.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe briefed the team on Picky Eater:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePicky Eater was a ritual embedded in hardware.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt profiled its user.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt fed the user a confirming worldview.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEventually, it drew the user into the reality from which that worldview originated.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt spread through any device an infected person touched.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe longer it ran, the more it weakened the walls between worlds.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt had originated in the team’s reality.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter’s mission aligned with MASTICATE’s: find the source of Picky Eater and shut it down.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank updated Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonia Pitzerelli.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePitzerelli did not ask to be convinced.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe asked whether alternate McCarter was useful.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank answered that he was.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team drove south toward Kick Springs, Pennsylvania, looking for Vicki King:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA former MIT graduate student.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Penn State IT worker.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA single mother of twin girls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe had stopped showing up to work in early 2018.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHer house was locked in foreclosure limbo with no confirmed eviction.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe water was still running.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpon reaching the property, the investigation split into two realities:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin and alternate McCarter reached the front door of the actual house.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter a raccoon ambushed them from the roof, they forced their way in.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInside, they found two girls who appeared older than Vicki King’s twins should have been.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne girl backed into a corner.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe other held a kitchen knife.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe girls asked whether Justin and McCarter were “Reapers.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey also reasoned that, if Justin and McCarter were Reapers, they would have killed them already.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank and Philomena did not reach the same front door.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey stepped or fell out of their car into a different version of the property.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis version was a boarded Victorian house under official sanction.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA notice declared Vicki King excommunicated for failure to surrender “the fruit” to lawful custodial authorities.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInside, power came from a generator running in the basement.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe living room had been torn apart by a methodical search.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth teams were now inside different versions of the same house.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe session picked up with Justin and alternate McCarter in the house with the two girls:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls had accused them of being Reapers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls had given conflicting accounts of where their mother was:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe was upstairs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe was in the basement.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe was busy.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey should not bother her.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin and McCarter had previously asked about computers, phones, and other electronics that might contain Picky Eater, but the girls had deflected instead of answering.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter began clearing the house:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe moved through the first floor professionally, checking the living room, kitchen, garage, and other rooms.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kitchen had a back door leading into an overgrown backyard.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe attached garage was dusty, cobwebbed, and mostly empty except for old moving boxes that looked like they had never been unpacked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA circuit breaker box was visible in the garage.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin noted the breaker box as a possible way to cut power to the house if needed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe house was completely quiet:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere were no sounds of someone moving around.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere was no music or speaker noise.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere was no sign of activity upstairs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin stayed relatively close to McCarter:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe wanted to observe this new version of McCarter.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe also wanted to avoid being stabbed from behind by one of the girls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcCarter and Justin found the basement door:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe door was closed but unlocked.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt led down to an unfinished basement.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA light switch at the top of the stairs did not work because the house had no power.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe basement was dark and quiet.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin called down into the basement for Vicki King, but there was no response.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin and McCarter moved toward the stairs to the second floor:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin rolled poorly on a check and did not notice much beyond the obvious.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Handler described that the girls had been following them around the house, but not closely.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe girls had been watching them from corners.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBy the time Justin and McCarter returned to the stairs, the girls were no longer behind them.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin and McCarter did not know where the girls had gone.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focus shifted to Frank and Philomena in the other version of the house:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe house had been broken into, damaged, and thoroughly searched.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe search had been conducted with little regard for the owner’s property or rights.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe living room and kitchen area had been torn up.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank and Philomena made Alertness checks at a bonus.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank succeeded.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOver the thrum of the generator in the basement, Frank heard music playing from the second floor.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe music was country music from roughly the late 1990s or around 2000.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe sound was tinny, like it was coming from a small radio.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena did not make out the music over the generator.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank indicated silently to Philomena that someone or something was upstairs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank drew his gun.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank and Philomena attempted to move quietly upstairs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena achieved a critical success on Stealth.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank also moved quietly.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey reached the top landing:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere appeared to be several rooms upstairs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne open room looked like a child’s bedroom.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLike the living room, the child’s bedroom had been torn apart.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere was also a small bathroom, a narrow linen closet or similar small door, and another bedroom door that was closed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe music was coming from behind the closed bedroom door.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe closed door had a deadbolt with a keyhole on the outside.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe door itself did not look recently forced or damaged.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank checked the time:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHis watch still showed the time from when they arrived at the Pennsylvania house, which had been mid-afternoon.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe outside of the house, however, was now clearly dark.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena checked her phone:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt showed 9:15 p.m.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHer phone still showed the network she had been using since arriving in the United States.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank investigated the locked bedroom door:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe quietly tried the knob.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knob turned, but the deadbolt held the door shut.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank believed he could pick the lock, which appeared to be a standard residential deadbolt of decent quality.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe difficulty would be doing it silently.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank holstered his gun and began picking the lock.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank failed the Stealth check for quiet lockpicking by a narrow margin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom inside the room, a panicked adult woman yelled:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Who are you?”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“I have a gun!”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Go away!”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe woman’s voice sounded adult, not like a child.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena began talking to the woman through the door:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena identified herself and Frank.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe said they were not there to harm her.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe said they were there to help.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena told the woman they were “from where you should be.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe woman did not understand and asked what Philomena meant.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena said they were there to help her and get her home, “home to where you truly belong.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe woman asked whether they were there to help her find her girls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena immediately answered yes.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena told her that this world was not right.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe woman replied that this world was “the way they made it.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe asked whether Philomena and Frank were from “the underground,” suggesting they helped hide children away.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena said yes.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe woman told them to stand away from the door.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank stepped to the side, drew his gun again, and positioned himself out of sight while remaining ready.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena held her hands up.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe woman opened the locked bedroom door:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was a tired, harried woman in her mid-to-late 30s.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe held a small pistol close to her chest, not aimed directly at Philomena.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank remained just out of sight, very close to the woman.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe woman was wary and aware that someone else might be nearby.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena told her there was just herself and her partner.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena brought up the USB drive sent to her cousin Cordell Wallace and said it had Picky Eater on it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki initially looked confused when Philomena mentioned the USB drive.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Philomena mentioned Picky Eater, the name registered with Vicki.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki said Picky Eater had been a long time ago.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena realized or stated that time may move differently between dimensions:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat seemed recent for them might have been a long time for Vicki.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki did not understand the explanation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena asked whether Vicki was still running Picky Eater.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki said yes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe said it had kept her safe from the Reapers for years.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe thought that meant Philomena and Frank were probably not Reapers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki began raising the gun slightly and demanded real answers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe asked where Philomena’s partner was and whether he was wandering around her house.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe said her girls were not there if that was what they were looking for.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank disarmed Vicki:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank saw enough of the gun’s movement or shadow through the doorway to act.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe lunged from the side and grabbed Vicki’s gun arm.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank succeeded on an Unarmed Combat check.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki did not resist effectively because she had not known Frank was there.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank twisted the gun away and took it from her.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki’s finger had been on the trigger, but Frank moved quickly enough that the gun did not fire.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank made sure to block the door so Vicki could not close it again.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki backed away into the bedroom.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe bedroom was covered in maps, newspaper articles, and conspiracy-board-like materials.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA desktop PC was humming in the corner.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focus returned to Justin and alternate McCarter:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey were climbing the stairs toward the second floor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs they neared the top, they heard the girls shrieking from behind them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls ran up the stairs after them, screaming “no.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne girl still had the kitchen knife and was running with it pointed outward.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin was behind McCarter, allowing McCarter to conduct the sweep.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin raised his empty hands and tried to calm the girl down.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe told her he would come down the stairs and asked her to put the knife down.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin was prepared to kick her down the stairs if she lunged at him.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcCarter assessed that the girl was running with the knife and did not know how to fight with it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcCarter intervened preemptively:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe stepped past Justin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe kicked the girl’s forearm.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe knife flew out of her hand and across the room.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe girl spun and fell down the stairs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe was knocked hard and winded, but did not appear to suffer obvious broken bones or serious lasting injury.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second girl stopped and stared at them, terrified and crying.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcCarter told the girl not to run at someone with a knife and asked whether her mother had taught her that.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe failed a Human Intelligence or Psychotherapy-type check.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girl stared blankly at him.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe injured girl looked to her sister for comfort or guidance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeeing her sister’s blank stare, the injured girl’s eyes rolled slightly back and she curled into a fetal position.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin retrieved the knife from where it had landed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls were temporarily incapacitated and no longer screaming.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin and McCarter finished checking the second floor:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcCarter cleared the rooms.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper floor had two bedrooms, a bathroom, and possibly a linen closet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne bedroom was an infant nursery with a crib and supplies for newborn children.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother bedroom appeared to be an adult bedroom.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upstairs rooms were filthy and dusty.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the master bedroom, they found a computer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe computer was completely torn apart:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal components were outside the case.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoards were snapped.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe monitor was broken and gouged.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt looked impossible for it to function.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin searched through the broken electronics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe found a lab-assembled Picky Eater component:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt looked like an early or prototype-style electronics assembly, likely made in a real lab.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt included a chip or board mounted in a way that suggested laboratory construction, with ribbon cables and debugging-style hardware.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe component had been pulled loose but was not deliberately smashed to pieces.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin pocketed the Picky Eater component.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe room and the broken computer area were dusty.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt did not look as though anyone had been in the upstairs rooms for quite some time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo one else was found upstairs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo other electronics were visible upstairs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls recovered enough to react again:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter several minutes, the girls came out of their stunned state.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey began clambering back up the stairs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey asked what Justin and McCarter were doing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey insisted that Justin and McCarter could not bother “mommy” because she was working.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen confronted with the fact that Vicki was not upstairs, the girls contradicted themselves again.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne said Vicki was in the basement.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey claimed she had gone downstairs after lunch.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne said she was fixing a fan.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey both agreed with and reinforced each other’s story.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin pointed out that the house had no power, so fixing a fan would not be useful.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls reacted badly:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne clenched her teeth, widened her eyes, and began hyperventilating.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe other began making a high-pitched tone.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey began screaming and crying.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin was adapted to helplessness, so watching their distress did not require a Sanity check for him.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcCarter was not adapted to helplessness, but since he had not caused the immediate distress, the situation did not require a Sanity check for him.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upstairs rooms still appeared unused and dusty.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin reasoned aloud that the Picky Eater device keeping them in another dimension might be located in that other dimension, not in this version of the house.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin and McCarter checked the basement:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls remained in a manic, screaming state in the living room.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin and McCarter went downstairs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey found no phones or computers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey did find a hand-crank camping or survivalist charger:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt had a USB block and a charging cable.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt looked like it could charge a phone.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo phone was attached.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnlike many items on the basement workbench, the charger had no real dust on it.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt appeared to have been used regularly.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin rendered the charger nonfunctional by cutting the charging cable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin considered asking the girls for their mother’s cell phone number.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe reintroduced himself and told them he had a phone and could try calling their mother if they knew her number.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girl McCarter had kicked said, “Mom doesn’t keep no phone. Reapers follow phones.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin asked about “a phone with Picky Eater.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin failed to read the girl’s reaction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcCarter succeeded at reading her:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe girl glanced furtively toward her sister.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHer body language suggested guilt or shame.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe did not answer Justin’s question.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focus returned to Frank, Philomena, and Vicki:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank unloaded Vicki’s gun:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe ejected the chambered round.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe removed the magazine or cartridges.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe put the unloaded gun down.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank told Vicki they were not there to hurt her, but he could not let her hurt them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank critically failed a Persuade check.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki ignored his attempt to reassure her.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe froze briefly, then jolted into action.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki ran to the walls and began tearing down maps, articles, and papers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe shredded whatever she could while screaming that they would never find “them” and could not take “them.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena tried to calm her:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena told Vicki they were not there to harm her or her children.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe said they wanted to help get Vicki and themselves back where they belonged.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe asked Vicki to take a breath and sit down.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena succeeded on a Persuade check.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki, exhausted and defeated, slumped against the wall and slid down, holding torn papers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena asked when Vicki had last seen her children.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki said it had been a long time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe said she did not know what had happened.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe thought they had left the house and had not been taken because she had not received her “hush check” from the government.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki said that meant they were safe.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank and Philomena questioned Vicki about Picky Eater:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank asked whether Vicki built Picky Eater.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki said she worked on it.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe asked whether the underground used Picky Eater.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank said they were trying to stop what Picky Eater did because it was harming too many people.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena added that it was harming Vicki as well.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki denied this and said Picky Eater was the only way children could evade “health and family services.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki said she did not know anyone else had Picky Eater and believed she was the only one who had it.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank told her she had sent it to her cousin and that his son distributed it to people.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki became tense and confused.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank identified himself as being with the FBI and showed a badge.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki’s eyes widened and she asked whether they were Reapers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena denied that they were Reapers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAt that moment, the downstairs front door was violently thrown open.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank ran to the computer and unplugged it.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena closed or moved to secure the bedroom door with the deadbolt.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePulling the plug on Vicki’s computer caused a shift:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank unplugged the desktop computer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe running computer suddenly became a broken, dusty heap on the floor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe room changed to match the abandoned version of the house.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was now daylight rather than night.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank and Philomena were now in the same version of the house as Justin and alternate McCarter.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDownstairs, Justin and McCarter saw sunlight streaming through the front door.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigures entered the house:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo men in dark suits.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey looked like alternate McCarter and Justin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey wore thick, rough leather hoods or cowls with shoulder-covering cloak-like pieces.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe cowls were cinched at the throat.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the men, the version who looked like McCarter, had a salt-and-pepper red-haired beard.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second, younger man resembled Justin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter shouted “Freeze!”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe McCarter-looking intruder yelled, “Yield the fruit!”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe intruders seemed to be agents of National Child and Family Services from the other reality.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe intruders had not clearly spotted the children yet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter confronted the Reaper version of himself:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bad McCarter raised his empty hands.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter shouted, “Get on the fucking ground!”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBad McCarter did not comply.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe said, “Surrender by the authority of Family Services.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter shot at him.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter failed the Firearms roll:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHis shots struck the doorframe and possibly a window.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBad McCarter raised his hand.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mouth was visible in his palm.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mouth opened, and a long blood-red, toothy tongue-like tendril lashed out toward alternate McCarter.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tendril missed:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt whipped through the doorway.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt tore part of the doorframe or wall.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt failed to hit McCarter.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCombat began against “bad Justin” and “bad Matthew”:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bad Justin was faster than Justin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter was faster than bad Matthew.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBad Justin used hypergeometry or magic against alternate McCarter:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Justin raised his hands, pricked his fingers, traced a symbol, and screamed words in an unknown language.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlternate McCarter failed a Willpower roll.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCarter felt a flare of heat and excruciating pain.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe flesh on his left pinky and part of his left hand began to melt, char, and render fat.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCarter succeeded on his Sanity roll and held himself together.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe took 2 damage.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin tried to throw the kitchen knife at the attackers and dive behind the couch.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause the knife was not balanced for throwing, he rolled at a penalty.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe result became a critical failure.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin realized that, if he released the knife, he would throw it into alternate McCarter’s shoulder as McCarter lurched forward in pain.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin held onto the knife too long, cutting his own hand badly.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin took 2 damage.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter fired at bad Justin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe succeeded with a Firearms roll.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe dealt 7 damage.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe put several rounds into bad Justin’s chest.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBad Matthew lashed out again with the tongue tendril.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt whipped through the doorway and raked the wall.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt missed alternate McCarter again.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena, upstairs, saw the red tendril whipping around below and called for Frank.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank moved downstairs with his gun up, ready to shoot when he had a target.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena noticed daylight around the upstairs curtains and pulled them back in the bedroom.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutside, she saw the same semi-rural street the team had arrived on.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe believed or at least suspected they were back in their normal world.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBad Justin attempted to seize one of Vicki’s daughters:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Justin shifted his gaze from alternate McCarter.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe made another hand sign and spoke more strange words.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe girl who had been slumped at the base of the stairs arched her back, flew into the air, and hurtled through the room toward the Reapers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlternate McCarter used his action to grab her out of the air.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe succeeded on an Unarmed Combat check.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCarter caught her by the arm and held her.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA force continued pulling her toward the Reapers, leaving her stretched painfully between McCarter and the unseen force.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe screamed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCarter moved her out of the Reapers’ line of sight.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce she was around the doorframe and out of sight, the pulling force broke.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCarter ended up holding her in his arms.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin attacked bad Matthew directly:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin ran at bad Matthew and tackled him.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew was standing in front.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin achieved a critical success on Unarmed Combat.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe slammed into bad Matthew with full weight and momentum.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew tried to raise his mouth-hand and tongue tendril, but Justin hit him first.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin knocked bad Matthew off his feet and drove him to the ground.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin landed hard on him, catching him in the throat with an elbow.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin dealt 3 damage.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew was temporarily controlled on the floor.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank joined the fight downstairs:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom the stairs, Frank could see Justin wrestling one hooded figure and another hooded figure still standing.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank chose not to shoot into the grapple.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe aimed at the standing hooded figure, bad Justin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank fired and hit.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank dealt 10 damage.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Justin dropped dead in the doorway after Frank put multiple rounds into him.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter the gunfire, Frank heard scuffling and choking sounds upstairs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki attacked Philomena upstairs:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhile Frank was downstairs, Vicki grabbed Philomena from behind.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki put her hands or arm around Philomena’s throat and screamed, “You’ll never find them!”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena tried to strike Vicki with the butt of her gun.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki fought back and prevented the blow from landing.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki shifted into a better chokehold.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena took 2 damage.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena shouted at Vicki to get off her.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin, alternate McCarter, and bad Matthew continued fighting:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin attempted to choke out bad Matthew.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin succeeded on Unarmed Combat.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew fought back but lost by a narrow margin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin pressed his weight into bad Matthew’s throat and began choking him.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew started to turn blue.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlternate McCarter moved to pin bad Matthew’s mouth-hand under his boot.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCarter succeeded on Unarmed Combat with a bonus because Justin had control of the grapple.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe toothy tongue lurched from under bad Matthew’s pinned hand and slapped across the room, but could not reach McCarter properly.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank interrupted Vicki’s attack on Philomena:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank looked upstairs and saw Vicki choking Philomena.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe aimed his gun toward the struggle.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank had seen at least one of Vicki’s daughters downstairs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe told Vicki, “Your daughter’s downstairs. Let her go.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki’s body language immediately changed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe began releasing Philomena.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe hope that her children were downstairs completely changed her focus.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena wanted to strike Vicki but restrained herself.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fight with bad Matthew ended:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin tried to finish choking bad Matthew.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin critically failed the Unarmed Combat roll.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause his hand was bleeding from the knife cut, his grip slipped.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew took advantage and got on top of Justin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew began trying to press his weight into Justin’s throat.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlternate McCarter was standing right there.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCarter put his gun to the side of bad Matthew’s head and fired.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew was killed instantly.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlood sprayed on the doorway and nearby wall.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBad Matthew’s body slumped down on top of Justin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki reunited with her daughters:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki ran past Philomena and down the stairs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki saw her daughter.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki and the girl cried out with a mixture of joy and anguish.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe other girl, who had scrambled away during the chaos, returned at the sound of her mother’s voice.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki and both girls held each other and sobbed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team secured the immediate scene:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank wanted to pull the bodies inside and close the front door.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bodies were dragged inside.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front door was closed, though there was blood on it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank recognized that the dead bodies were versions of Justin and Matthew.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bodies wore thick cowls made of rough leather.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather cowls were covered in runic marks, drawings, and shapes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe marks seemed to be in the leather rather than painted on.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank told Philomena that the cowls seemed like something for her to examine.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank and Philomena attempted Occult checks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena critically failed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank failed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena was angry and disgusted by the whole situation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe grabbed the cowls and carried them out to the car to cool off.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team searched the bodies:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey found no electronic devices.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey found badge wallets.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe IDs identified them as part of the National Child and Family Services.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheir names were Matthew McCarter and Justin Smith.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank covered the bodies’ faces with a quilt so Vicki would not have to see dead doppelgängers of their allies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter processed the appearance of the dead doppelgängers:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Handler called for a Sanity roll from alternate McCarter.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCarter succeeded.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe briefing he had received had warned him that the barrier between worlds was thinning.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeeing another version of himself so soon was disturbing but not beyond what he had been warned might happen.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team tried to understand what had happened:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank addressed alternate McCarter and asked what was going on.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlternate McCarter asked which world they were in: theirs or the Reapers’ world.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank said it had been nighttime where he and Philomena were, and now it was daytime again, like when they originally arrived.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank and Philomena had appeared upstairs when Frank unplugged Vicki’s computer.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin and McCarter reported that upstairs they had found only broken electronics.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank explained that, in the other world, the computer had been running.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe group questioned how the girls had returned and how the Reapers came through.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin questioned whether there should be doppelgängers of the children and how the girls knew about Reapers if they had been in the other dimension.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank asked Vicki how she had gotten her children out.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki, still holding her girls, said Frank and the others had brought them back.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki thanked them for killing the Reapers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShe said more Reapers would be sent and they needed somewhere safe to hide.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank asked whether Vicki remembered working for Penn State.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki said that was ten years ago.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank showed her the date on his phone and said it had been months ago.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki was confused and said it did not make sense.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank told her Picky Eater had taken her somewhere and that she had done something to let her girls come back.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki denied doing that and said the team had brought them back.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank told Vicki to go look in her room and see that nothing was on the walls, and that it had been nighttime while they were talking but daytime now.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki went upstairs with an iron grip on both girls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter seeing the room, she howled and broke down.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank followed Vicki and the girls upstairs:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank succeeded on an Alertness check.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki was kneeling or collapsed, undergoing a complete breakdown.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls knelt beside her and held her hands.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank noticed what looked like a cell phone sticking out of one girl’s back pocket.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank grabbed the phone.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girl turned and saw he had taken it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe cried and apologized.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe said they had only wanted to know about their dad.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank told the girls they were safe and asked what they had done.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girl explained, between crying, what had happened:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheir mother had told them Picky Eater kept them safe.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey found plans on their mother’s computer to make their own Picky Eater.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey wanted to learn about their father because their mother had never told them about him.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey thought Picky Eater could help them find out.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey made their own Picky Eater and put it into their mother’s old phone, which Vicki had hidden away.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen they turned it on, they went to a different place.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe sky there was strange and had colors they had never seen before.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere was an old, confused man near a strange machine and big stone blocks.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe man seemed to be waiting for someone.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA very tall man in a strange robe came from the mist.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe old man tried to tell the girls something, but the tall man held up a long finger and went, “shush.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe tall man spoke strangely.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe girls told him they wanted to know more about where they came from.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThen they were back in the house, but their mother was gone.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey hid so the Reapers would not find them.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheir mother had told them not to use the computer when she was not watching.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki responded to the girls’ confession by telling them it was okay.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank asked Vicki for more information:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank asked what department she worked for, referring to the “government hush checks” she had mentioned.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki explained that when family services people took children, they sent money so parents would not say anything.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Handler noted that getting more useful information from Vicki at that point would likely require Psychotherapy.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank had some ability in Psychotherapy but not enough to get useful results then.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team examined the girls’ phone and the remaining Picky Eater devices:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank gave the girls’ phone to Justin and said they had built their own Picky Eater.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank asked Justin whether he could figure out what it was doing.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin believed the goal was to destroy all Picky Eater devices.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlternate McCarter said he had been told to cut them off at the source, but he did not know what the source was.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank questioned whether they might still be inside the girls’ Picky Eater reality and what would happen if they simply yanked it.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin argued they should keep pulling or disabling Picky Eaters until they reached the bottom of the “turtle stack.”\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin pulled the battery out of the girls’ phone.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNothing obvious changed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe phone was identified as a BlackBerry.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe team debated whether they were truly back in their own reality.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilomena suggested verifying reality by checking whether brands, books, or technology in the house looked out of place.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe team looked around the house at appliances, books, and other objects.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNothing seemed out of place.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank checked his Delta Green burner phone and found Picky Eater on it.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJustin checked his own phone and also found Picky Eater.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe team pulled batteries or powered down their devices.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNothing changed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Handler noted that alternate McCarter still had his hardened dedicated Picky Eater hardware, which had been shielded to prevent Picky Eater from spreading.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe team discussed whether Picky Eater had appeared on their phones before or whether they had simply not noticed it because it was on app pages they did not usually check.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe group discussed whether to smash Picky Eater devices:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin asked whether they had previously smashed Picky Eater chips.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Handler said they had not smashed them; they had only powered them down and confiscated them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank asked whether the Picky Eater chip from upstairs was destroyed or only ripped out.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Handler said it had been ripped out and that the components around it were badly damaged, but the Picky Eater component itself might still be functional.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternate McCarter recalled that he had been told:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWithout power, Picky Eater should not function.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf power was restored, it would resume where it left off.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe only way to ensure it never functioned again was to smash it to bits.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena wanted to smash the Picky Eater device.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena questioned the girls about their father:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena went upstairs and asked whether they had been trying to find their dad.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girls nodded meekly.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena asked their father’s name.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki answered for them:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHis name was Wesley Kuhl.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe was a professor at MIT.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVicki said Wesley Kuhl was not her advisor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki had been in computer science.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWesley Kuhl was in mathematics.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilomena returned downstairs and reported:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe girls’ father was Wesley Kuhl.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe was an MIT mathematics professor.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name and connection caused concern among the team.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank asked whether the other Picky Eater professor had also been at MIT.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Handler confirmed that Kim Boyer, the theater professor, was also connected to MIT.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Handler also reminded the group of other MIT connections:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKim Boyer and Nora Bridget were from MIT.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey intersected with the persistent visual drone incident.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank had previously reached out to Pitzerelli, who said she would try to connect him with Boyer and Bridget.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Handler also reminded the group that Anthony Cooper had knowledge of things similar to the current situation and was supposedly in Program custody.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrank noted that he was now the only surviving member of the group who knew about the drone-related events from God’s Eye and Reno.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe session ended with unresolved next steps:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team had Vicki King and her daughters alive but deeply traumatized.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo National Child and Family Services “Reaper” doppelgängers, bad Justin and bad Matthew, were dead in the house.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team had recovered the Reapers’ leather cowls.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team had recovered or identified multiple Picky Eater devices:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe lab-built Picky Eater component from Vicki’s broken upstairs computer.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe girls’ BlackBerry containing their homemade Picky Eater.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePicky Eater appearing on the agents’ phones.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlternate McCarter’s shielded dedicated Picky Eater hardware.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team had learned that Vicki’s daughters made their own Picky Eater to learn about their father.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team had learned that the girls encountered:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA strange place with impossible colors.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStone blocks.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA strange machine.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn old confused man waiting beside the machine.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA very tall robed man who silenced the old man.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team had learned the girls’ father was Wesley Kuhl, an MIT mathematics professor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team identified MIT as a recurring connection in the investigation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team needed to decide what to do with:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVicki and the girls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe bodies.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Picky Eater devices.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe cowls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe next investigative threads involving MIT, Wesley Kuhl, Kim Boyer, Nora Bridget, and Anthony Cooper.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin had a hand wound from gripping the knife and likely needed urgent care or stitches.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team discussed needing less vulnerable phones, such as dumb phones, because Picky Eater had appeared on their devices.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c/details\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n"
  }