Roswell // kalon tryout form

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entry for this competition !

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A dusty file labeled "CLASSIFIED" sits on the desk before you with an audio recorder holding it down. You open the file and pick up the first piece of paper. Upon further inspection, it appears to be a report.

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July 7th, 20XX
10:45 PM
A massive spacecraft has crashed in the desert just outside the town. Our team are gearing up to go out and investigate, but we don't know what to expect. I've never been on a mission like this before.

July 8th, 20XX
12:13 AM
We've collected all of the debris and brought it back to the base. I wasn't at the front of the operation but I heard whispers of something else... something living being found within the rubble. Some say it was a child. Other say it was a monster. I'll try to gather more information.

06:05 AM
The door to the laboratory was open, so I let myself in. I... I don't know what I saw. There were two of them. A child and an adult resting side by side on a metal table. They were strange colors... nothing like I've ever seen before. Blue, green, red, yellow -- bright colors that you would expect from a painting or plastic, but not something found in nature. Their fur had a strange pattern on it. I didn't get a good look at it, I wasn't interested in sticking around. It was dark in the hallways so I don't think anyone saw me go in, but it's hard to be sure. Never know who's watching. I can only hope that whatever we've found out in the desert isn't dangerous or armed.

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PROJECT FILE: EXPERIMENT OMEGA B37, "ROSWELL"

name: "Roswell," original name unknown
experiment number: Ω-B37
age: unknown
birth date: unknown
classification: alien [home planet unknown]
gender: agender [he / they pronouns preferred]
sexuality: asexual, romantic preference unknown
eye color: red iris with swirled pupil, yellow sclera
build: lithe
height: 5'9"
mutations: none observed so far
likes: classical music, lavender, heating blankets, crossword puzzles
dislikes: intense light, deep water, sirens, television and monitor screens
notes: ears are tattered, cause unknown. creature is sentient and able to speak, developed skill after a singular short interaction with other kalons. origin is unknown, parent has passed away and was uncooperative during captivity. creature seems to have little to no memory of their home world and origin. amnesia is not a suspected cause.

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The rest of the papers seem to be damaged and unreadable. You push them aside, pressing the "play" button on the old voice recorder. A weak voice emits from the speaker, and there seems to be an accent present, though it's not one you've ever heard before.

Today I was given a small box with a cassette tape inside of it. I am allowed to record my thoughts once a day. The caretakers said that it's to track progress and boost morale. I'm not sure what they mean, but I welcome the change.




Hello journal. I was told that some people call their short recordings "journals" or "vlogs" by a nice assistant today. I had a chance to talk with her in the cafeteria this morning. She was kind and answered all of my questions with a patient attitude and a warm smile. Most of the scientists ignore me or give me fearful looks. I do not understand why. The assistant did not know either. She looked guilty when she said that. She had to leave after that, and said she would see me tomorrow. I look forward to it.




This morning I was given a physical exam by one of the scientists. He shined a light in my eyes and asked me about where I grew up. I do not remember. The man wrote down a lot of things on his clipboard, but did not say anything to me. He nodded his head a few times and chewed on the end of his pen. When he concluded his exam he told me I was as healthy, according to the facility's knowledge.

The assistant was in the cafeteria again, and I sat with her to eat my meal. She told me about a book she was reading. She called it a "mystery novel" and described the contents and characters she's encountered so far. I found it fascinating. She said she may bring me a book tomorrow. She seemed to be in a good mood.




I met with the assistant again today. She handed me a hardcover book underneath the metal table, and gave me a signal with her hand to keep quiet. I think she may be breaking the rules. I am unsure how I feel about this, but she seemed to think it was a good idea. She asked me about my living situation. I described the simple room that I occupy and she seemed to look a bit sad. She apologized, but would not say why. I feel a bit confused after our encounter today.




Today was a fitness test for the majority of the subjects at our facility. They called it the "Pacer Test" and had us gather in the gymnasium. We ran to the middle of the room and back until we could not continue in the process. Many of the assistants stood present in the room, writing something down each time one of us stopped or slowed down. I have to wonder what it is they do with this information.

I did not see the assistant I sit with in the cafeteria today. I ate alone.



There is a short gap on the tape, and the next entry has skipped a few numbers.



I have learned that the place we are in is a part of the scientist's government. The people in charge of here have a lot of power, and seem to have interest in strange people. I know that I am not normal. I have heard some of the others call me an alien, and I think this is accurate. I do not look like the other beings in the facility. I wanted to ask the assistant more, but I did not know what to say. She seemed to understand.

I want to remember where I came from, but the memories are distant. I remember my mother, and I remember waking up in our ship after crash-landing. I do not know where we were going or why we left our home in the first place. I wish I could ask her myself... I do not know where she is being kept. She has not been in the cafeteria or the common room.

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The report goes on. Some of the entries are short, or contain no information aside from the designated number and an eerie section of silence. About 30 entries in, a serious change seems to be present. The creature's voice is shaky, confused. Quieter than before.

Today the assistant handed me something under the table. It was warm to the touch, and triangular in shape. She urged me quietly to hide the amulet, and so I did, placing the item in my pocket. We spoke about my mother. I have not thought about her in a long time... I cannot remember where she went, or how we got here. The details of her face is fuzzy in my mind. I worry that I am going to forget her.

When I asked where she was, the scientist looked grim. I do not think I will see mother again.

But she has left me with this amulet. It was her request that it be given to me, when the time is ready. The assistant told me not to speak of the item to anyone else, but to keep it with me. I have hidden it in my room.




Hello journal, today was quite rough. I had to sit in a room with some of the scientists and a man I have not seen before. I do not think he works at the facility. They asked me many questions. When I did not give them the answers they wanted the strange man became angry. I did not know what to tell him. He began screaming and I was escorted out of the room.

I found my friend the scientist at our table and we sat together again. I was glad to see her after the long conversation. She told me about her garden, and the plants she has started to grow now that the weather is nice. I cannot remember what it looks like outside of the facility. She told me it was beautiful. I hope some day I get to see it.




The friendly scientist that I sit with seemed worried this afternoon. When I sat down with her, she looked around the room suspiciously, and asked me if I still had the amulet. I told her that I hid it in my room, and she seemed satisfied. She asked me if I could keep a secret. I said yes, but she did not say anything further on the matter. We discussed some of the new additions to the facility and she gave me the rest of her lunch.




Hello journal. I have news to tell you. The scientist that I sit with is going to take me on a trip outside of the facility. I think this was her secret. She said to make sure that I have the amulet when the time arrives. I asked her where we are going. She said she could not tell me yet.




I had a few bloodwork tests done today, and met with the physician in the medical ward. He said that everything looks good, as he usually does. He asked me how I was doing. I told him that I am happy. He was pleased with this answer.

I met the assistant in one of the hallways between my room and the common area. She told me to meet her at the door in the back corner of the cafeteria after the guards do their last round tomorrow night, and to bring the amulet. We are going on a trip. I can't help but feel that we are doing something wrong. She reassured me, and gave me a warm smile before sending me on my way.




Today is the day, journal. We did not sit together at lunch. I have the necklace in my pocket, and have been tracing the edge of the metal symbol all morning. It brings me comfort. I saw the scientist walk past me in one of the hallways. She gave me a knowing look, but did not say anything. I am both scared and excited. I must wait now until the guards are done for the night, and then I will get to leave. Now I must go. I have to pretend to sleep so that I don't look suspicious.



The next entry is difficult to hear, the sound of rain and treading footsteps nearly drowning out the voice of the kalon. The creature's voice is clearly out of breath, and between statements he breathes deeply.



We have done it, journal. I am outside of the facility.

When I met her in the cafeteria, all of the lights were out. She gave me what she called a rain poncho, the plastic-like fabric a dark blue color. She told me to put it on, and she donned her own before we stepped through the door. She locked it behind us. We stood in a dimly lit staircase, the steps made of concrete. She lead me to the top of the steps, and down a strange looking tunnel. At the end there was another door, and she stopped to unlock it. What I saw next was incredible.

It was the outside. There were trees and dried leaves surrounding the exit, and rain was falling from the sky. The assistant allowed me a moment to take all of it in, before motioning for me to follow her again. There was a long strip of concrete, and then the earth, covered in dirt and leaves and grass, the colors of them dull and fading. She told me that it is approaching the end of the harvest season, so they are not as vibrant. I thought that it was beautiful, regardless.

It was dark, but the clouds that hung overhead seemed to glow. We travelled a long way through the forest, and it seemed as if we were lost. But my friend had some way of knowing where to go. Once she thought we were far enough away from the facility, she began to speak. She told me what to do next, and gave me instructions on how to follow the forest trail when we split ways. I felt uneasy, but she smiled at me and I felt calm again. She reminded me that I have the amulet.

The scientist and I travelled all night, and I am on my own now, following a trail through the trees of the forest to a safe place. I am looking for a large red building, and inside there are supplies stashed away for me in the attic of the building. I am tired, and my feet ache, but I have not seen the outer world in so long. The brisk cold and the drizzling rain is a nice change. I am glad that she decided to help me. I am more grateful than I will ever be able to convey.



There's a muffled sound over the microphone, and another section of silence. It seems as if the remaining tape is blank...

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After a few minutes of deafening silence, the voice pipes up again. There's something else here.

The kalon's voice is hushed, and the sound of rustling hay and farm animals accompany the message in the background.



I have finally made it to the building. There were other creatures inside, but they did not seem to mind my presence. I climbed up to the upper level and dug through the items that were left for me. There are clothes, and a knapsack with dried food and water bottles, as well as a box of matches. I am resting now, but in the morning I will begin my new journey. There was a slip of paper in the bag that looked familiar. I do not think it was written in the language of this earth's people. I think it was written by my mother. I have not seen our written language in so long. It was difficult to read, but I am certain it told me to wear the amulet, and to find a large open space. Then it will lead me home.

I am fearful, journal, but I also feel alive. I do not know what the facility that was holding me intended to do, but I am glad that I have been given a chance to leave. I am unsure of where I will go from here, but I am hopeful. Perhaps I will be able to go home after all.



There's a skip, and then the tape stops. This is all that was left for you. As you put away the file and rewind the tape, you wonder where that creature might've ended up...

[deerbroken]

[deerbroken]

𝙚𝙣𝙙.

thanks for readin' ✌️
art on the last page by me!
image credits - x x x