Tower 4 - S3E6: The Truth

Episode Date: March 18, 2024

Orders were given to take care of Amber. Too dazed and injured to move, she waits for the inevitable. Meanwhile, Mike is on the run and being followed. Will their paths cross?Music provided by:Taako @... Soundcloud.com/madebyTaakoAdditional Music Tracks:"Sierra's End" by Excantibusgaudium on Pond5.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 Hello everyone, Robert here to not give bad news, but to just kind of explain some things for the next month or two. Releases might be a little wonky. We're going to still try to hit our once a month, but the next release of Tower 4 might be a little bit later than normal in April. One, it's my birthday, but two, I am leaving right after my birthday for two weeks to go to a cabin and just to. write. This isn't a vacation. I just needed a place where I could go somewhere and just write. There's a lot of distractions when it comes to editing and voice acting and listening to auditions and all the other stuff behind the scenes here at Seven Lamp fixing up our studio, working on the Patreon page that I was getting distracted too much with the writing, so I wasn't
Starting point is 00:00:54 getting much done. And now I'm a little bit behind, so I want to get caught up. So I rented a cabin, going to go to the woods, work on not only Tower 4, but I'm going to probably write new episodes of End of All Hope and Paralyze. We're going to work on a lot of our shows. So just bear with me. I don't know if we'll get the next episode of Tower 4 out exactly on like the 17th or 18th, because that's where we've been kind of aiming for, like the middle of the month. So it might take a little bit longer for the next episode, but just know that I am working and I am writing more episodes of Tower 4 and fingers crossed. I think I might even be able to get the whole season finished in my cabin.
Starting point is 00:01:38 That doesn't mean that it won't take long to edit the episodes since they're all nearly an hour long. So that takes a long time plus recording and everything. But if I can get them all written, that'll be a big step. So I just wanted to say this so that way everybody could kind of get an understanding of why. the next few episodes might be a little bit wonky, but, you know, maybe it's just the next episode. I don't want to say anything for sure, but definitely follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at 7LAM podcasts, because we do try to keep people updated on all of our projects, not just Tower 4. We know that that's something that people always ask of us to release more, at least updates of how projects are coming along.
Starting point is 00:02:23 but they get hard to keep up with with recording feed drops. So that's why we just try to stick to social media. So definitely follow us on social media if you can. That way you can kind of see where we are at with all of our shows because we are working on every one of our shows has new episodes coming out. And hopefully this two weeks in a cabin will allow me to write a lot of episodes for everything and get more stuff on the way, especially over the summer, We want to really kind of build up and get more releases out.
Starting point is 00:02:56 So thank you, everyone who listens. Thank you for listening to this. We hope you enjoy this next episode of Tower 4, and we hope we can get the next few episodes to you sooner than later. Thanks, guys. Enjoy Tower 4, Season 3, Episode 6. 7 Lamb Productions presents Tower 4. Season 3. Episode 6. The Truth
Starting point is 00:03:29 What the hell? Was I shot? I'm a son of a bitch. No, no, I wasn't. The man was. But how? I turned to see a figure coming out of the darkness. Mike? Don't go for your gun. He ignored me. His eyes fixated on the injured man who slowly crawled back, bleeding from his chest. Don't do it. Okay. Okay.
Starting point is 00:04:23 standing over me, still pointing his gun at the man no more than ten feet away. Hey, you okay? Oh, yeah? I think so. I tried getting up. Here. Mike offered his hand, but just at that moment, the injured man to my left moved. Hey, hey!
Starting point is 00:04:44 I ducked my head as the shots were fired. God damn it! When at Mike, two, into... To into the man. The body now laid still. Son of a bitch! What the hell was that? I didn't want to shoot him.
Starting point is 00:05:09 What is with these people? Mike paced back and forth, rubbing his face. Oh, Mike? I mean, I told him not to. I told him. Mike. He didn't listen. And he was going to hurt you. Mike.
Starting point is 00:05:26 And you? He spent around to face me. He was seething. I saved your life after everything. I know. Why are you even here? I'm sorry, Mikey. I touched my head, feeling the wetness.
Starting point is 00:05:41 I pulled my hand away to see blood. Mike saw it too. Oh, shit. What happened? He hit me with a damn rock. Let me see. He knelt beside me and examined the back of my head. Well...
Starting point is 00:05:58 You'll... You'll live. Thanks to you. Where... Where did you get the gun? I thought you had nothing. He stood, looked around. I did.
Starting point is 00:06:11 Until... Where are you? I know it's you, Mike. I saw you. You don't move like that. the others. Shit. Arlo, that you?
Starting point is 00:06:35 Yeah. Where you at? Where the hell did you go? Me? I'm talking to you, yeah? I found the guy. Mike, he's close. Are you sure?
Starting point is 00:06:45 You sure it's not one of the rats? No, man. No, it was him. Get to my location. Statt. You copy? Arlo. Goddamn radio. Arlo. You copy? Hello?
Starting point is 00:07:03 Is anyone on this channel? Amel? Hello? Shit! I hear you! I hear you, Mike. Come out. I just want to talk. But I didn't buy that for a second. That one dude tackle me to the ground, forcing me to stab him in the leg. He pulled his gun and I ran, leaving the knife in him as I fled. Now after they took a time out to check on Tower 3, they were hunting me again. I knew this guy, Kyle, saw me as I ran away from my quick meeting with Amber.
Starting point is 00:07:39 So now I hid behind a tree trying to figure out my next move. Seriously, I just want to talk. You're in danger. No shit. Just come out. I'll leave him put my gun away. I heard him getting closer. Where are you? I held my breath as the footsteps got closer. Eventually, Kyle's shadow appeared.
Starting point is 00:08:00 I could clearly see the outline of a gun being held. What a liar. Mike! I bent down, grabbing a large stick as he approached. Where the hell are you? He was no more than 15 feet away. I tossed the stick to my right. Spun, facing the noise.
Starting point is 00:08:21 Now was my chance. I came around from the other side of the tree and pounced. Did you kill him? No. But you took his gun? After tying him up, yeah. Come on, man. Don't do this.
Starting point is 00:08:57 Shut up. Seriously. Oh, was this not serious? Come on. You really think this is going to hold me? All I care about is you staying put for the time being. I held up the gun and smirked. I don't expect you to try and get loose because you're not going anywhere.
Starting point is 00:09:15 I pointed the gun at him. You have this all wrong. I wasn't going to do anything. I swear. After wrestling on the ground for first. five minutes, I was able to subdue him with a good elbow to the temple. In his days, I dragged him to a thin tree and leaned him against it. I wasn't sure what to do with him at first, but I made sure to find his gun and quickly
Starting point is 00:09:33 patted him down before he came to. Whatever you think you know, you don't. That may be true, but I know you and all your friends lie, so I'm not taking anything at face value. He didn't have too much on him, but he did have a key card with his zip cord attachment. I used that to wrap around him to keep him snugly secured. the tree. I knew it wouldn't hold, but it didn't need to. I just needed to keep him sitting long enough for us to have a little chat. The rest of the stuff I found in his pockets, I piled a few feet
Starting point is 00:10:02 away. Come on, let me out of this. If you do, I'll go, I'll leave. And go back to your other police friends? Give me a break. What do you plan to do? Well, I just wanted to leave, but now that I have you here, I plan to ask some questions. I can't. You can. I motioned of the gun that was still pointed at him with a slight head nod. Please. Just answer my questions. I don't know much. Well, let's find out.
Starting point is 00:10:34 He faced down, staring at his lap. Hey, I kick leaves in his face to get him to look up at me again. Who are you? What? That's the first question. Who are you? I know your name's not Kyle. It's Aaron.
Starting point is 00:10:49 You're not a cop. Is that a question? No, I already know. the answer. You're not a hiker, either. So, who are you? What are you doing here? I work out here. Doing what? He faced down again, trying to play defeated. But I knew there was a lot more I could get out of him. I kicked more leaves into his face. What do you do out here? Whatever they tell me to do. Who are they? The company. What company? I... I... I... Come on. What? What company? I... I... Come on. What? What? What? I... I... I... I... Come on. What? What? What? I...
Starting point is 00:11:20 Come on. What company? I can't. Fine. You're right. You don't have any incentive. And I can't threaten you with death because what would you have to lose, right? Plus, you'd be dead, and I wouldn't get any answers. My mind was racing, and I couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. I pointed the gun at his leg. Maybe I'll just start blasting different body parts until you start talking.
Starting point is 00:11:49 You won't be as lucky as your friend. stabbed and had to be airlifted out. Please don't. What company? They're... They're called Iris, okay? A private company out here that owns a section of the woods. Iris.
Starting point is 00:12:05 That's what Lance said. Lance? You knew Lance? I didn't answer him. I didn't want to give anything away. Lance is... Lance is dead, man. I know.
Starting point is 00:12:20 How? But I shook my head. I wasn't explaining shit to him. I was the one asking questions. What do they want with me? What? You heard me. What do they want with me?
Starting point is 00:12:30 I don't know. Bent down and pointed the barrel of the gun right at his kneecap. He squirmed and pulled his feet up. No, no, no. I want answers. Fine, fine, fine, fine, just relax. I stood and took a step back from him. I didn't want to remain too close just in case he tried something.
Starting point is 00:12:49 His legs were still free. Tell me. Well? Iris is funding some project out here. I don't know what it is. I shook my head frustrated. I'm telling the truth. I don't know what they do.
Starting point is 00:13:05 I'm a lower-level employee. I do what they tell me. When they tell me. They pay well and everything is under NDA and privacy agreements. I'm not allowed much access because I'm not supposed to know anything. So you don't know why you're chasing me? I'm chasing you because they told me to. They told us to.
Starting point is 00:13:20 But I don't know why they want you. Jesus, all I did was sign up for some fire lookout job to get away from my shitty life for a while. No. What? No, you didn't sign up for this. They chose you. I started. His radio, which sat in the leaves by my feet in the pile with all his other stuff crackled.
Starting point is 00:13:43 The radio was bashed during our wrestling, but it seemed like it still worked. Aaron, you copy? He's going to look for me. Arlo is close I don't care I want to know more about what you just said They chose me Yes
Starting point is 00:14:00 How How the hell should I know Well you know that they chose me Sure yeah they did it with all the guys in Tower 4 So what Aaron Amil Why would they choose me and how
Starting point is 00:14:16 Hey listen man I don't know how they operate out here I pick up some things from conversations, water cooler talk, rumors. How long have you worked with the company? Several years, but like I said, the company is funding a project out here. I don't know what the project is, who's in charge, or why they're here. I answer to Fisher. Fisher answers the higher-ups. And other than some nice scenic views, this place sucks. The bunker? What about it? There's a bunker out here. That's where you all came from? That's where we all work. But it's not a bunker. At least that's
Starting point is 00:14:50 not what I would call it. It's a lab. Everything I'm saying is the truth. I don't know why they want you. They just do. That's why they send me with that guy's backpack to come out here and try to talk to you. Find out what your mindset was. Find out why you were leaving that day. They were tracking me. Yeah, but somehow they didn't know you weren't at your tower when we went to retrieve that body today. Because I fucking took it out. I showed him my arm, pointed at the crevice. Nice one. N. N.J. was right. You You guys weren't going to let me leave. N.J.?
Starting point is 00:15:22 The dead body you went to retrieve. His fucking name was NJ? I didn't know his actual name. Neither did we. His number was 1-4-2. 1-4-2. What the hell are you talking about? The guy didn't have a name.
Starting point is 00:15:35 He was a rat. Like the others? Sure. He escaped from your little lab. What? It's not so little. But he did escape. Sure, yeah, that happens sometimes.
Starting point is 00:15:47 We move them around and they get... Yeah, feisty. We've also been operating as a skeleton crew for quite some time, mistakes get made, accidents happen, subjects escape. Am I a subject? We locked eyes. If you mean, are you like the rats? No, I don't think so. But again, I don't know why you're here.
Starting point is 00:16:11 I paced before him wondering my next move. I have no hard feelings against you. Just let me go and I won't say I saw you. They can't track you. Right? So it's not like they'll know I'm lying. What about all your stuff? I motioned to the pile, which consisted of another key card. This one yellow like the one I still had.
Starting point is 00:16:29 A flashlight, two extra clips, and some random electronic gizmos. They can't track this stuff? Sure. That thing has GPS. That's how we navigate out here. But it can't track you and it doesn't record. No one knows that we're together right now, unless you were to respond to that radio. All I want to do is leave these woods. You can, but... He started to look around nervously.
Starting point is 00:16:53 But what? I would just be careful with any roads, especially the highway. Why? They watched the highway. Iris? He nodded slowly. I remembered N.J. saying the same thing. Just between us, this is worse than before.
Starting point is 00:17:09 Your dead friend, N.J., he fucked us over. Let a lot of those rats loose during a transfer. Iris sent out a team to dispose of them, and they took out some. But there's still some. several out here. What about in the lab? There's a lot more in the lab. Lucky for us, the transfer only consisted of 12 subjects. Only 12. But you don't know who these people are? The rats? Because they are people. Maybe at one time they were. You know, they tried to kill me. Tried to bash my face in like they did Lance. You saw it happen to him? I was there. He seemed shocked by this.
Starting point is 00:17:47 Wow They're fucked up In the head You can't talk to them You can't reason with them Except I did talk to NJ While it was hard to communicate with him He never tried to kill me
Starting point is 00:18:00 Although he did hit me in the head And drag me to his cave on our first meeting They're disgusting monsters And when there's a group of them They can be way worse than the big one The big one Are you talking about the creature that knocks over the trees Yeah
Starting point is 00:18:15 That's a rat No, that thing is something different entirely You should be thanking us for recapturing it And locking it away for good So that's why it hasn't been around Aaron smirked What the hell could it God damn it
Starting point is 00:18:30 I went over to the pile and grabbed the radio I was just about to smash it into a tree when Fisher You copy So you heard him Talking on the radio Yeah Yeah, and the little GPS device they had showed where he was.
Starting point is 00:18:49 They couldn't track me, but they tracked each other. Oh, well, I'm glad you came to my rescue. I stared at her a moment, wondering why the hell she was even here. Did he... Did he really say all that? About the rats and the creature? Yeah. Jesus!
Starting point is 00:19:10 Finally, for the first time talking to Amber, I didn't feel crazy. Or at least the not as to... as crazy as I had in the past. I'm in big trouble, Mikey. Stop. Stop with the Mikey stuff. After everything I told you, after everything I told you at the fire pit, you didn't think once, just once to mention you and Jean are romantically fucking involved? She lowered her head in shame, at least I thought.
Starting point is 00:19:37 I knew this wasn't the most important matter right now, but I was just so angry with her. I want to explain everything. Yeah, now. Of course now. Look, Mikey, I mean, Mike. I came after you. Sure. Why?
Starting point is 00:20:01 Because I want to explain everything. You had your chance. No, no. You... Shut me down. Told me to wait because you were so eager to talk to the cops. I wanted to clear some things. up, but I just couldn't do it in two minutes.
Starting point is 00:20:22 She had trouble standing. I felt I should offer help again, but yet I didn't move. What about 30 minutes ago off the trail? We didn't have a lot of time then either. She closed her eyes a moment, touched the back of her head again, and rubbed that same hand on her pants leg. She was still bleeding. Are you okay?
Starting point is 00:20:44 It's not bleeding as much. But I need to cover it. Should have something in here. She started searching her backpack, but again, wobbled. I went over to her and eased her back down to the ground where she sat and continued to dig through her backpack. Thanks. As she looked through her stuff, I went back to pacing. My adrenaline was still high.
Starting point is 00:21:08 They kept coming after me. I know. I didn't want to stab that guy. I figured that. And that guy there? He was going to shoot you. I know that too, Mike. But why?
Starting point is 00:21:20 Why? I'm not sure, but I have a feeling it has to do with the fact that I came after you. I'm not the dangerous one. I believe that. Gene's been lying to me. You one of your cheater boyfriends? She hesitated a moment. Yes.
Starting point is 00:21:37 I'm not sure why, but that caught me off guard. Amber stopped searching a moment and looked over at the dead guy, Arlo. After he hit me, he tried to apologize. Said he thought it was you or a rat. Not surprising. Pushed past her and open to the man. He started checking his pockets. What are you doing?
Starting point is 00:22:01 Checking to see if he has the same type of stuff on him. As the other guy? Yeah. What are you going to do with the other guy? Nothing. Odds are he's not even there anymore. You think? He probably slid out from that zip cord the moment I ran off.
Starting point is 00:22:19 Arlo had a knife, which I pocketed. I also took his gun, an extra clip, and his flashlight. Everything else I left, cigarettes, lighter, combed keycard. I stomped out the GPS and radio. What are you doing now? I want to give myself more time. You didn't want to take that stuff with you? I'm not taking any chances if I'm listening in or tracking me.
Starting point is 00:22:42 Oh. She pulled out a long-sleeved shirt and started tearing. You don't have any gauze? Didn't pack it. But don't worry. This shirt was ripped anyway. It'll do. Can you, um, help me with this?
Starting point is 00:22:57 Sure. I took a strip that she ripped and went behind her. I knelt down and wrapped it around her head. I lifted her hair and tied the cloth as best I could. There you go. How's that? If it stays. we're good. Is it seeping through?
Starting point is 00:23:18 There's a little blood spot. Here. I carefully tied the new strip around her head and over the other one. That should be good. My head is still throbbing like a motherfucker, though. Wish I packed some Advil. I bet. He got you good. Amber, I have to get out of here.
Starting point is 00:23:37 I know. So do I. I wasn't so sure about having her come with me. And I think she knew that just by. looking at my face. Mike, I get it. I get you're worried about me. You have reason not to trust me. But I came out here because I believe everything you've said.
Starting point is 00:23:56 And you have to believe that this isn't some setup. Because they were going to kill me, Mike. You heard that. She had a point. Do you have a radio? No. I left it at the tower. I was supposed to be on that helicopter heading back to the Ranger station.
Starting point is 00:24:12 Right. I looked down at the gun of my hand. I clicked the safety and slid it into my waistband on the other side of Aaron's gun. Two guns? You never know. Just so you feel better. I don't want one.
Starting point is 00:24:27 Good. She wasn't getting one. Mike, I know you're questioning whether to let me come with you or not, but I can't go back. Not now. And after everything you and that guy said about the rats? You explained yourself at my tower. You told me everything. Mostly everything.
Starting point is 00:24:45 Let me do the same for you. We have more time now. And I have a lot to say. She may have had a lot to say, but again, I told her I didn't want to talk just yet. Not until... Yep, that's what I thought. This is where you tied him up?
Starting point is 00:25:16 Yeah, but there was no making him stay, and I didn't want to take the time to drag him with me. Not when I knew you were. The lock dies. You know, she smiled weakly and nodded. I could still see the imprint where Aaron was sitting, and there were still some plastic pieces from his radio littering the leaves to my right.
Starting point is 00:25:37 Okay, come on, you said you know the way. Are you sure you want to head to the highway now? He said we shouldn't, but... Where else can we go? I just want out of here. Me too, but he's probably right about the highway. Well, maybe we just walk near it, not on it. But we need to get to a town.
Starting point is 00:25:54 We need to get to the real police. Should we avoid trails for now, too? Can we do that? Sure, I have a compass. She flicked the small dangling thing that hung from her backpack zipper. It was a bright blue and yellow. Looks like a kid's toy. It was a gag gift for my friend Ace, but it works.
Starting point is 00:26:12 They'll lead the way. I wasn't sure what we would do when we got to the highway. Even if we walked near it, we might be spotted. I figured we could see what it was like and then make a decision. I felt a little safer now that I had two guns. Maybe Aaron will report back and let them know not to mess with us. And, well, I was just in a rough place. Amber was trying to explain herself now.
Starting point is 00:27:12 We walked through the woods using only the moonlight and amber's compass to guide us. No flashlights, just in case. So Gene was an ex? Yeah, I, uh, mentioned him to you. Just changed his name a bit. Oh, yeah? Peter, remember? Vagely. I remember he wasn't the architect.
Starting point is 00:27:34 No, he wasn't. See, I left Gene after finding him cheating for like the 50th time. I couldn't handle him. handle it anymore and I just want it out. I finally got the courage to go and I did. It clicked for you. Sure, yeah. Like, I finally realized I was in a rut and needed out.
Starting point is 00:27:55 I knew things weren't going to get better. So I left and he tried to get me back multiple times. But I unfriended him on all of my socials and blocked his number and just said, Enough is enough. I'm okay with being alone. And were you? Huh. Uh, no. But that final night was the final night. It sucked, though, because I realized I didn't like being alone. I couldn't handle it.
Starting point is 00:28:27 I dated a little here and there after Gene looking for something, anything, and eventually met Trevor. He was the architect? Yeah, but he was also a scumb bag. And I fell into the same rut again, scared to leave. But you did? Yeah, after a long time and after many long talks with my friend A's. So all this stuff you told me over the radio? Most of it was true, Mike. Sure, I embellished from time to time, maybe added in a little fib here and changed the name there.
Starting point is 00:29:00 Stuff like that, but I never set out to deceive you. But what was the point? You said Gene got you this job? That's what I'm getting to. Right. So after I leave Trevor's... sorry ass. Gene appears. Out of thin air? Like a magician? No. He shows up at this club I used to frequent.
Starting point is 00:29:22 See, he moved away but was in town visiting friends. Was it a fate? Is it a meaningful coincidence? Who's to say? But we got to talking. And you took him back? No. At least, not right then. We exchanged numbers since he had a new one and we talked on
Starting point is 00:29:42 all for like a year. Then, one day, we get to talking about the future. He tells me he still has feelings for me, that he misses me. Of course. Yeah, but I shoot him down. More time passes. I have trouble paying all my bills. I can't land a good job. The only meaningful thing I do is volunteer some time in an animal shelter. But that doesn't pay the bills. The only friend I have in the city is in a serious relationship. I'm feeling lonely. Vulnerable. And all of a sudden, Gene doesn't seem so bad anymore.
Starting point is 00:30:17 Yeah. But still he lives far away, so there's no real temptation. But something had to happen. It did. He offered me a job. This job. She suddenly stopped. What?
Starting point is 00:30:32 She looked at her compass. Uh, we need to go this way. You sure? Yeah, but it gets pretty steep over here. This is close to Windwalk. Wind walk? I thought windwalk was between our towers. My heart began to beat a little faster,
Starting point is 00:30:47 wondering if I made the right decision to let her lead. It does, but it also goes all the way to the highway. Oh, I don't remember that. It's because you never had to come this far. The path splits, but it's the same path. You just have to travel north a bit to get back on it. Are we close to the trail? No, no, no, no, no.
Starting point is 00:31:04 How do you know this area so well? I'll get to that too I was looking about getting away from city life thought about Florida for a time but when Jean offers me this cushy job living out in the wilderness by myself You didn't think you'd be lonely out here? I did
Starting point is 00:31:22 I was worried about that at first but then it dawned on me I don't feel as alone being in the woods or on the beach and nature as I do in the city Does that make sense? Yeah, it does. Like you, I wanted to get away.
Starting point is 00:31:44 And maybe Gene had a little to do with helping me not feel lonely, since he told me I'd be able to talk to him any time I wanted. Which is almost like the perfect relationship with Gene. Long distance? Yeah. So you took the job? And got back together with him, even though I swore to ace that it wouldn't happen.
Starting point is 00:32:05 Okay. Okay, so your first year. As we walked and climbed, I could feel my body wearing down. I was exhausted. And as intrigued as I was to listen to Amber's story, or real story, I could feel myself slowing. So that's the thing. I move up here, right? And I don't have much, so it doesn't take long to pack.
Starting point is 00:32:26 I plan to stay in a motel for a little while until everything gets situated and I can start. I figure I'll just put all my stuff in a storage unit and the rest I'll take with me out here. Gene picks me up from the airport, and as we drive to the motel, he comes up with this fantastic idea that we should try us one more time. Tells me I can keep all my stuff at his place, but he also tells me I don't have to think about it right now, that I can take the whole season to make my decision. But ultimately you chose to. Did it take the whole first season? Didn't even take the whole car ride to the motel. I said we can give it another shot. I figured, what the hell? We'd see each other in the off season, but... Even then, he'd be working year-round as a ranger, so it's not like we'd be stuck in the house 24 hours, seven days a week.
Starting point is 00:33:12 It was really just two days a week normally, and like three or four nights. Plus, he said he changed, and I figured with him being a ranger now, it would have to be a lot harder for him to sleep around. Was it? He hasn't cheated on me since I arrived, as far as I know. So things were better? In that area, sure. But he still has gambling problems, especially with all his own. online poker and sports betting now.
Starting point is 00:33:38 And after that first year, our communication was severely lacking. Once again, I felt like I was in a rut. But you still like this job? That's what you told me in your introduction. I liked being out here, but I still wasn't sure about the job. And now I can honestly say I fucking hate it. Okay, but what was the job exactly? She turned to face me.
Starting point is 00:34:08 While the moon was out, much of the light didn't reach us under the canopy now. The job was supposed to be a fire lookout. That's it. But two days before I start my first season, Gene tells me there's a little more to it. Which was? Talking and keeping track of the person in Tower 4. Mostly just keeping them company. Why?
Starting point is 00:34:29 I don't know, Mike. And that's the truth. Thank you. You're good? Sure. You don't toss and turn in your sleep, do you? You sat next to me in the tent while I napped. Did I then? That was more than a nap. You straight up passed out.
Starting point is 00:35:23 Still. Did I? Not much, but I move a bit. So, maybe we should move in a little more. We were on a rocky cliff about 10 feet from the edge. I didn't bring a sleeping bag or anything, but I have some clothes if you want to make a pillow. We decided to call it a night and get a few hours of sleep. My adrenaline was gone, and I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open. Even though Amber was still explaining how she got involved with this place,
Starting point is 00:35:55 I was too exhausted to pay attention. I wanted to know more about her, Jean, and the job, but I could wait till tomorrow. I went to the other side of a large spruce tree, so I wouldn't accidentally roll over the side. Amber grabbed some clothes from her pack. She held out a flannel over shirt. Here. I'm not cold. For a pillow.
Starting point is 00:36:18 Oh, yeah, okay. But before we sleep, can you check my head? Sure. I shoveled over to Amber, who was also now sat by the tree. There was one large reddish-brown spot on her bandage. Can we change it? She held out the rest of her ripped shirt. Tear away.
Starting point is 00:36:39 Hopefully this is long enough. My head is still throbbing. I bet. This looks nasty. I slowly remove the other fabric and tossed it to the side. I then wrapped the new strip around her head, lifting her hair out of the way again to make sure it was against the wound as best it could be. You okay? You okay?
Starting point is 00:37:03 Yeah. I tied it, then sat back against the tree, putting the overshoot between my head and the trunk. Hell of a day, huh? Hell of a few days. No, a week. A month. Shit. Whole damn time I've been out here. She leaned against the tree, too. Our arm's now touching. I don't know why I trusted Gene. He was never trustworthy
Starting point is 00:37:32 You believe me about everything then? I have no reason not to When you were telling me everything by my fire pit I believed then This kind of thing never happened with Sam or Jerry Not to this extent I knew it was serious And I knew it wasn't a mental breakdown
Starting point is 00:37:50 Her hallucinations Yeah but took a lot of convincing Well, come on Bunkers, monsters, crazy mutant people I know But I told you Gene mentioned the company Iris
Starting point is 00:38:04 Yeah And just like that guy said Iris owns the woods over here So they're obviously doing something shady That's why we have to get out of here She nodded And you never finished telling me Why Jean said it was important
Starting point is 00:38:18 I stay He never Told me Aaron said I was Chosen Maybe Sam and Maybe Jerry were chosen too. However.
Starting point is 00:38:36 What? What could they possibly want with me? I don't. I don't know, Mikey. I really don't. Can we talk about it in the morning? Okay. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:38:53 I thought one of us would stay awake to keep watch, but Amber already had her eyes closed. Her head slunk to rest. on my shoulder. I was struggling to stay awake. My eyes fluttered and eventually they shut. I was out in seconds. There was my own. M. M.
Starting point is 00:39:36 There was my young self again. I was my young self again, walking towards a large steel door. Monster, big one that Aaron mentioned was there, just beyond the door. It was trapped, like I was for a time. I heard chains. But where did that noise come from? Was the creature tied down? No, the chains are around my tiny 12-year-old wrists.
Starting point is 00:40:37 I couldn't move any further. The steel door was right there. I wanted to touch it for some reason. I could hear the creature beyond, breathing, waiting for me. I tugged and tugged, unable to break free from the chains. Unable to get further down this dark hallway of flickering fluorescent balls. I turned around following the chains with my eyes. All the way down the hallway to the pile of rubble at the end.
Starting point is 00:41:06 They are sitting on the rocks and debris. My bed. My childhood bed. Let me go. Why couldn't I get free? I tugged and thrashed but couldn't bring free. Why? Why? Why?
Starting point is 00:41:27 My eyes shot open. I was still sitting up against the tree. How did I fall asleep like this? I stared out at the dark woods before me trying to shake myself of another nightmare. But just as I was about to be rid of the nightmarish roars and shriek, I found I had something else to worry about. Amber. She was gone. No.
Starting point is 00:41:57 Not only was she gone, but now so was her backpack. You've got to be kidding me. Amber. What the hell? Where did she go? Where would she go? Amber! I couldn't believe it. Was this for real? After everything she told me she up and leaves? She ditches me out here?
Starting point is 00:42:21 Then I felt my waistband. Oh no. One of the guns was missing. A freaking way she took it and left. Anger continued to rise in me. I trusted her again, again. Amber! Tower Four, written and edited by Robert M. Lamb.
Starting point is 00:43:07 Starring, Jack Austin as Mike, Gina Coyle as Amber, and Brian Messick as Gene. Co-starring, Corey Pettettit, Nick Keeney, Austin Medlin, Hacta, Bonesy rather, Jarvis Bailey, Zillong Zoe, Clifton Smith. and Stephen Rhodes Music provided by Taco at soundcloud.com slash made by taco additional tracks from
Starting point is 00:43:35 pond5.com and artless. And Brett Wilkins at Facebook.com slash Wilkins MusicFL. If you enjoy Tower 4, visit 7lam.com for more podcasts such as this one. Don't forget to rate and review
Starting point is 00:43:50 and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at 7LAMP podcasts. And we want to give a special thank you to everyone who has donated via our website or on Patreon. We wouldn't be able to do this without you. So from everyone here at Seven Lam, thank you.

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