Hi everyone!
Today marks the beginning of our regular series of news posts in the lead-up to launch where we’ll slowly be revealing more information about the characters, world, and mysteries that await in They Are Here: Alien Abduction Horror.
In this post we’ll be focusing on Taylor Fox, the local journalist who you’ll be playing as throughout your investigation. We’ll reveal his backstory, learn more about his latest assignment, and take a look at some of the tools he’ll be using in his search for the truth…
Who is Taylor Fox?
The clock strikes 9pm as Taylor looks out through the rain-streaked kitchen window into the darkness beyond. The low hum of a refrigerator and slow drip of filtered coffee mix with the steady beat of rain and low rumble of thunder outside. Down the hall the muffled sound of the front door closing signals that Taylor is once again the last one to leave the office. You see, despite the fact that the Grayswood Chronicle is a small newspaper in a backwater town, its editor Mr Peterson works his ‘top writer’ to the bone, and he wants the Thomas Brandon article on his desk by morning. No excuses.
The Brandon case is a strange one. Taylor doesn’t believe in the paranormal or supernatural, but the details from the police report are downright creepy. Why did he suddenly abandon his car in the middle of nowhere? And how did his clothes end up in a tree two kilometers from the highway? On top of that, four people have now gone missing from the county this month, and there are way too many similarities between each case for this all to be a coincidence.
Returning to his office Taylor settles into his chair, the glow of the computer monitor spilling onto the piles of notes, witness statements, and photographs strewn across his desk. Suddenly, his cell phone rings.
Disturbance at the Sherman Farm
“Hello? Ah, Taylor, thank God you’re still there” Peterson barks down the phone.
“I need a favor. Remember Peter Sherman? He's p*ssing me off, head over there and do this damn interview he wants. Listen, Taylor, he's been at me all day. I think it’s easier to just go, calm him down. Try to, I don’t know... pretend it’s serious, write everything down in your notebook. Hear him out”
Taylor sighs, the Sherman Farm is in a remote area of the county surrounded by dense forest. It’ll be a long drive to get there, and cell phone reception might be patchy. Strange though, the Shermans have always kept themselves to themselves, why the sudden change in behaviour? What could have shaken Peter up so badly?
Reluctantly Taylor agrees and hangs up the phone. Rising from his desk Taylor scans his office, something seems off about this assignment, he’ll need to be prepared.
Tools of the trade
In They Are Here: Alien Abduction Horror Taylor will rely upon several important items and pieces of equipment to help him with his investigation.
Notebook: A journalist’s most important possession, Taylor will frequently update his notebook with new tasks and objectives.
Dictaphone: A compact voice recording device useful for interviews that was given to Taylor by his brother Sam. Taylor likes to use the dictaphone to document his thoughts and findings.
Video camera: A handheld video camera equipped with a zoom and night vision mode. Taylor can use the camera to record evidence and capture any strange phenomena that he encounters.
Flashlight: A high-power flashlight with a focused beam, Taylor can rely upon the flashlight to illuminate dark spaces.
Cell phone: A cheap, handheld cell phone. If it rings it’s usually the boss with a last minute demand, or Taylor’s younger brother Sam, Deputy Sheriff of Grayswood county. Taylor frequently uses Sam’s connections to run searches and pull evidence to help him with his assignments.
News van: An old OB Van that used to belong to a local news station that has since shut down. With the Grayswood Chronicle operating on a shoe-string budget, Taylor shares the van with other writers at the office. He can use the van to travel across the county and reach the remote Sherman Farm.
With his bag packed, Taylor steps out into the cool night air. The rain has stopped and the asphalt glistens in the moonlight. He walks over to the old OB van parked by the sidewalk, opens the door, and pulls himself into the driver's seat. Starting the engine he adjusts the radio to his favourite station and shifts into drive…
That’s all for today but we hope you’ve enjoyed learning a bit more about Taylor! In our next post we’ll be revealing more about the strange occurrences that have been happening at the remote Sherman farm.
DEKLAZON and PQube