FINANCIALS

Period: Q2/2023
Filling Date: 2023-06-02
REVENUE:
Revenue: $273.54M
Gross Profit: $67.16M (24.55%)
Result: $39.76M (ebitda)
EPS: $0.650
Outstanding Shares: 32.86M
BALANCE:
Cash: 55.09M
Debt: 87.69M
FINANCIAL EVALUATION/SCORE:
Financial Score - Altman: 4.14
Financial Score - Piotroski: 7.00
Company Description:
Quanex Building Products Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides components for the fenestration industry in the United States, Europe, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North American Fenestration, European Fenestration, and North American Cabinet Components. It offers flexible insulating glass spacers, extruded vinyl profiles, window and door screens, and precision-formed metal and wood products, as well as cabinet doors and other components for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the kitchen and bathroom cabinet industry. In addition, the company provides various non-fenestration components and products, including solar panel sealants, trim moldings, vinyl decking, fencing, water retention barriers, and conservatory roof components. It sells its products to OEMs in the building products industry through sales representatives, direct sales force, distributors, and independent sales agents. Quanex Building Products Corporation was founded in 1927 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Since the greatest parents have been traveling the country teaching their offspring....nothing, does anybody know who takes care of those dogs? Can't someone drive by their mansion and do a welfare check through the glass front door? These animals are better off at a shelter, overcrowded and all...right?

If you take public transit and your phone dies due to a 7 year old battery, you may sometimes get a comedy show straight from Monthy Python himself, such as on a particular thursday evening.
I peacefully sat on the bus after a long day at university, staring out the window, when some male voice interrupts my semi-dissociative state saying: "Please show your tickets everyone". Nothing out of the ordinary, I assume, until I see a woman speedwalking towards the front of the bus in the utmost corner in my eye.
I think nothing of it, show the about 30ish looking ticket inspector my ticket and continue staring out the window, until I overhear the following conversation:
Ticket inspector: "I saw you run towards the front of the bus as soon as I asked for tickets. Get out at the next stop or you will be fined."
Karen: "No, I just hopped on the bus on [Main train station], and thus, I went to buy a ticket."
TI: "We got on at [Main train station] and you were in the bus since before then, as you were not on the bus stop with us."
K: "You are obviously lying. You just didn't see me because I entered before you, on [Main train station]."
Meanwhile, the bus has reached the next stop.
TI: "I don't have time for this. Get out now, or you will be fined."
K: "I am not leaving you liar."
TI: "Alright then, that'll be a €60 fine for you."
The bus left for the next station at this point in time, which is right next to the police station.
K: "No, I was going to buy a bus ticket after I have just gotten on the bus! You pathetic liar!"
TI: "Name and family name?"
K: "No, I will not accept your fine and I will not give you my name."
TI: "Fine by me, then show me your ID and I'll gladly fill out the fine ticket myself."
K: "I don't have an ID with me and you are still a liar."
TI, over the radio: "Uhm yeah guys can 2 of you come over? We got a very uncooperative passenger here who refuses to fill out the fine ticket."
K: "Wait wha... How dare you?!"
Meanwhile, the random guy sitting next to me and I are chuckling.
TI, still over the radio: "Gotcha, awesome. Thanks."
TI: "Well, as you refuse to leave the bus, I will have you escorted off the bus by the police, and the bus will stay here until you get out. And believe me, now you will not be able to go away that early."
K: "This is unacceptable! I will get you fired for this!"
TI: "See you in court lol." Yes, he actually unironically said lol.
K: "It's always you immigrants and young spolied brats who ruin the lives of us hard-working German adults! This is the reason why this country is going to shit!"
TI, with a smirk: "I'm born in Germany but I will gladly accept the compensation for emotional damages."
At that, Karen let ot a shriek of dispair, anger and something else of what I can only describe as demonic qualities.
The bus stopped at the aforementioned stop, waited for two minutes and I saw 2 men in blue approching, looking supremely pissed, as if they were just put on this last assignement as they were about to go home.
PO: "Alright ma'am, I'm going to ask you nicely to get off the bus once."
Karen storms out of the bus, the ticket inspector leaves as well. As soon as the doors closed, some people burst into straight-up laughter, including the driver.
I had a genuine urge to clap after this performance.
What did we learn today: Buy your bus tickets before you go on the bus and sometimes, the real world can be even funnier than the entire Internet combined. Also, if you make such a fuzz about a mere €60 fine, you can get yourself into knee-deep crap.

Context: I work overnights and was coached by a team lead after I refused to do a claim that had broken glass.
Full story: There was 2 boxes on a pallet that had broken glass items when we were downstacking foods. They were put to the side since they have broken glass and I didn't want to be sticking my hands in there to grab the unbroken freight while risking my hands to the glass shards. Later that night the team lead asked me to clean them and stock them. I told him I would not be touching that claim with broken glass, and he said I'd be coached. I told him I wasn't putting my bare hands near broken glass, and he walked away and got another associate to do it. After they were clean, I told him to leave them and took the time to stock them myself. Later that night, I was called in and coached for insubordination AND job performance. I received the comments he put in the system, where he said I refused to clean the claims and work the freight (which I did end up working the freight once it was clean) and the job performance was for "failing task times and leaving freight on floor or carts in backroom".
For the freight he's talking about, they sent me to a new department one night, and I let them know before lunch I didn't think I'd finish because I was new to that department. Coach said there was no excuse for me to not finish and refused to send help. I did get help, but not until 6:30 (shift ends at 7am). I ended up leaving past 7:20, left half a pallet, but worked my claims and threw my cardboard. Next day I finished my department early and was sent to this same one after my second break at 5am. There was 5 pallets, and when I left at 7:30 another associate was working the last small pallet, and I had already cleaned up my cardboard and claims. Third occasion where I "left freight" was this team leads fault, and it wasn't even my freight. I was working soapside with 2 other associates. We ended up with 2 carts and 1 medium pallet of overstock. TL told me to pick up shampoo side's overstock and slot it along with the rest of our overstock (it was already past 6am). When we were slotting, he took one of the associates to go help shampoo side, and 2 of us were stuck finishing up slotting. The second associate left right at 7, and I still had 2 carts of overstock. I slotted mine and left the one belonging to the other associate because it was already 7:30, but I let the coach know and he said it was fine and the TL would slot it.
Should I open door? The coach didn't mind me leaving those 2 days in the new department because in the 8 months I've worked there I've never once left before 8am unless I finished slotting early, and even then I'd stay until 8 to help slot other departments if they needed me to. He's always joking I do the work of 2 associates. I've been having to leave before 8am these last 2 weeks because I'm in the process of starting school and am trying to not do a lot of overtime anymore, which I let the coach know about. And now I feel like the TL coached me on the freight because i made him upset over a claim. It just doesn't sound right to me that he decided to coach me on something that even the coach above him didn't get mad at me over. Thoughts and advice??

• How old are you? What's your gender? Give us a general description of yourself.
31 year old male. From the outside I'm described as looking embittered/resentful, intimidating, hard to approach, but otherwise visibly smart and insightful: apparently when I talk to people I tend to make them question their whole life path or something, this has been said to me. I've been told that I'm smart, self-controlled, upright notably.
• Is there a medical diagnosis that may impact your mental stability somehow?
No.
• Describe your upbringing. Did it have any kind of religious or structured influence? How did you respond to it?
Childhood:
I'm european, no religious or structured influence per say. I'm an onlychild.
My father was schizophrenic, nice but very aloof, careless, nonchalant and rather irresponsible. I would physically fight with him to enter his room, basically for his attention but he would push me out, I remember trying to break the door of the appartment when I was left to myself outside and he wouldn't hear me. He was the one staying at home and taking care of me for most of my childhood.
My mother, as a consequence, was very stressed because she had to carry responsibilities for 2, I remember her as "mean" and demanding, basically always stressed out.
I was always playing outside as a child, I remember my father having to abduct me from outside in order to bring me home sometimes.
Around 8 years old, my parents decided to divorce. I remember ganging up with my mother against my father, I didn't really understand his condition, but I remember understanding he was problematic. So I basically actively supported my mother in her divorce in a "let's get rid of him" way.
Around that age I became more responsible and mature and I would guide my mother on how to do things, decisions to take, etc... I think I implicitely understood that, to get her love, I needed to fill that role, to be reasonable and dependable so she could relax and free herself from her important and ever present anxiety. So I became the parent in many ways.
I was an only child but I had many cousins I loved in another country, I would visit them very regularly. But around the 10yo mark, there was a problem in the family and it's like I was not their family anymore. It felt like a huge betrayal. Like all the veryh strong bonds and the showings of care were a lie.
I could be a weird kid. I remember thinking about death around 5-6 yo and coming to the conclusion that 1- I couldn't get too attached to my parents who were gonna die before me 2-I need to find a way to redeem the meaningless of life, doing something amazing that will grant me some part of immortality.
Teenage years:
Thus I entered teenage years more introverted than I was in childhood. I got social anxiety symptoms. I stayed at home way more reading books or playing videogames. In class I was always a good student, answering questions with a passion, but also cracking jokes regularly, class representative.
I was quite responsible and was fathering myself. I mostly didn't need to be disciplined but when I was, it would made me very (silently but very visibly) resentful, to the point teachers would go to me to defuse the situation calmly, because I guess they knew I was a good kid.
Good grades. But I was a bit spoiled and would be very harsh with my mother which I saw as incompetent. I would criticize her a lot for her shortcomings, telling her how to do things etc...
In class and school, I was known as a know-it-all, boaster, but funny.
• What do you do as a job or as a career (if you have one)? Do you like it? Why or why not?
I'm currently studying for a competitive exam to become a high ranking public servant.
After high school graduation I chose a very demanding but prestigious study path, which I succeeded in, being admitted in a very good business school in my country.
But then I noticed I wasn't interested in studying business. it's like I spent 2-3 years suffering for something and succeeding at it because I thought it was "the best path", only to notice that I wasn't interested in it when I got it. People would hate me for that, because it's like "now that you got in, you will leave this very valuable thing?". But anyway.
So I changed path trying to find some sense in my life.
I like what I'm doing because it's intellectually demanding (contrary to business school) and it serves my ambitions which have a lot to do with the common good. I don't really care about making money on my own, I want to leave a mark.
• If you had to spend an entire weekend by yourself, how would you feel? Would you feel lonely or refreshed?
I would feel depressed but without noticing. I need to get externally stimulated in some way or I get depressive/moody.
• What kinds of activities do you prefer? Do you like, and are you good at sports? Do you enjoy any other outdoor or indoor activities?
I like reading mostly. I liked videogames a lot, but I quit a few years ago because pointless. I mostly like to organize things, even when playing videogames, a lot of the pleasure was planning things out, organizing for maximum output, I get untold satisfaction just spending hours devising the best way to arrange things for optimal outcome.
I've never been either good or bad at sports, average. Mostly in nerdy territory. I do exercize for the aesthetical and productivity/health related benefits.
• How curious are you? Do you have more ideas then you can execute? What are your curiosities about? What are your ideas about - is it environmental or conceptual, and can you please elaborate?
I'm not very curious. I'm very...obsessed? In the sense that I have one thing in mind and everything else seems derisory. I don't like to get distracted, so I don't get out of my way to discover things.
My ideas are mostly about cause and effect. It's mostly about paying attention to intentions, causality to have the best outcome. What are the best guidelines/principles to enforce in order to have the best result, by trying to divine consequences of ways of doing things.
• Would you enjoy taking on a leadership position? Do you think you would be good at it? What would your leadership style be?
Well, that's mostly my aim. I mostly end up leading in one way or another because I tend to think I'm right so I fight for that.
But I can be very... mechanic? In the way I communicate and handle things. Very direct, straight to the goal, no nonsense, focused. Very task oriented. And leadership has to include some people orientation to be fully effective, social skills etc...
So mostly I'd like to lead, but the hassle of dealing with this people-oriented aspect deters me from that, the middle ground being protecting my self-sufficiency and doing things my way, on my own.
• Are you coordinated? Why do you feel as if you are or are not? Do you enjoy working with your hands in some form? Describe your activity?
I'm not coordinated. I've been told so repeatedly by many people. SOme simple manual tasks I fail at because I don't have the coordination. I have a bad physical intelligence/ intelligence of movement.
I don't enjoy working with my hands at all.
• Are you artistic? If yes, describe your art? If you are not particular artistic but can appreciate art please likewise describe what forums of art you enjoy. Please explain your answer.
I'm not really artistic. I don't see the point. I do appreciate art though, in literature, painting (mostly classical, neoclassical. I appreciate beauty more than art to be honest, in the sense that creativity doesn't interest me per say (some innovative way to arrange thigns), but more aesthetical "harmony" like a grandiose neoclassical painting, or monument or classical music that I find beautiful.
• What's your opinion about the past, present, and future? How do you deal with them?
I don't manage to relate to a lot of people emotional attachment to the past. I don't get nostalgia, or it's very dimmed. I think you can study the past to unearth some hidden mechanisms about how things go, like in history, but those mechanisms tend to be universal and not period-bound and that's why they are worth studying, because it can help predict the future in order to take the upper hand.
• How do you act when others request your help to do something (anything)? If you would decide to help them, why would you do so?
really depends.
If it's something you can do yourself but you give up too easily (my mother), then it annoys me a lot and I make it known.
If it's something you need me for because you put yourself in a shitty situation by being inconsequential, it annoys me a lot too, because you get what you deserve and I don't deserve to have this thrown on me.
But it it's something I can help with, even without it being needed, but just because I have a diferent set of skills/strengths and it will compliment yours greatly and improve the situation for someone I care about, then I'm happy to help.
I have to mention that even when I'm really annoyed and don't want to help, if it's from someone I care about and this person don't want my help, I will still help. Because once I know there is a problem in my "vicinity" which needs fixing, I need to do it because it "sticks" in my mind and I can't get rest knowing it's still out there unsolved. So I will be angry, blame but will still do it even when asked not to. It's compulsive.
• Do you need logical consistency in your life?
I guess. I don't like people being unreasonable.
• How important is efficiency and productivity to you?
Quite important, even though efficiency and productivity need to be thought about in the context of the overarching goal, not just for themselves.
• Do you control others, even if indirectly? How and why do you do that?
Yes I do, because others are part of my environment and have an impact on me and I need to control my environment.
I've noticed that I tend to think of people around me as having a "place". Not in the sense of social status, but more like a function, a purpose, for me. So I control others to make sure everybody stay at their place to prevent disordenonsensical scenarios.
• What are your hobbies? Why do you like them?
I don't really have hobbies. I like to read, to watch tv shows or animes. I like to exercize. Most of my time is funneled into what I do. I'm mostly single-minded, I don't see much point to hobbies.
• What is your learning style? What kind of learning environments do you struggle with most? Why do you like/struggle with these learning styles? Do you prefer classes involving memorization, logic, creativity, or your physical senses?
I prefer classes with logic. I tend to learn more based on logical links between things/causality than just blank memorization, even though I'm good at that too. I need to see the links between things to have them all fit in a bigger picture. That's how I learn.
• How good are you at strategizing? Do you easily break up projects into manageable tasks? Or do you have a tendency to wing projects and improvise as you go?
I'm rather good at strategizing in the sense of devising counter measures to potential weaknesses in the future.
I tend to plan a lot beforehand and then correct the planning as I go. I don't "wing" projects, on the contrary.
• What are your aspirations in life, professionally and personally?
Having the bigger impact, fulfilling my purpose so my life is meaningful even after my death.
• What are your fears? What makes you uncomfortable? What do you hate? Why?
I fear betrayal. I fear being stuck in a situation I can't regain control on. I fear being pointless and meaningless.
I hate good intentions without care for consequences. I hate disorder, but not in the physical, more like things not working properly, things being out of control because on some root level, nonsense is being tolerated. I hate nonsense. I hate lack of imagination and lack of ambition. I hate mediocrity. I hate smallmindedness. I hate hypocrisy. I hate conformism.
• What do the "highs" in your life look like?
Efficiency, order, productivity, power, output.
• What do the "lows" in your life look like?
Nihilism, chaos, inactivity, weakness.
• How attached are you to reality? Do you daydream often, or do you pay attention to what's around you? If you do daydream, are you aware of your surroundings while you do so?
I could be more attached to be honest. I tend to daydream quite a bit, in the sense of not paying attention to things I deem derisory in the moment in my physical environment, like someone telling a story, but I'm thinking of something more interesting, like what is the reason why they speak about this, what does it say about their intentions for example.
• Imagine you are alone in a blank, empty room. There is nothing for you to do and no one to talk to. What do you think about?
I think about how to go out of that room. If I can't, I begin to think about a given problem or fantasize about shit.
• How long do you take to make an important decision? And do you change your mind once you've made it?
It's quite fast, rather instinctual really if it's important. It's more the derisory, arbitrary stuff that is hard to decide on.
I can change my mind if there is something I didn't see which appeared to me suddenly.
• How long do you take to process your emotions? How important are emotions in your life?
Not important, I don't really "process emotions", it's more like I either convert it into angeblame or I ignore/numb it entirely.
• Do you ever catch yourself agreeing with others just to appease them and keep the conversation going? How often? Why?
On the contrary, I've been told I can create conflict for small reasons. Like something that doesn't seem right to me, but who seems derisory to most people.
• Do you break rules often? Do you think authority should be challenged, or that they know better? If you do break rules, why?
I break rules if I find them not justified and they are in my way. Otherwise I tend to respect rules because we live in a society etc...
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Welcome to Senthur glass house (Thanjavur) -The Glass House is best understood as a pavilion for viewing the surrounding landscape. Invisible from the road, the house sits on a promontory overlooking a pond with views towards the woods beyond. The house is 55 feet long and 33 feet wide, with 1,815 square feet. The Aluminum composite panel also popularly known as ACP is considered today as on the most popular and preferred material used in construction.Every architecture implementing modern day interior designs today requires the use of aluminum composite panel or ACP elevation. ACP Elevation & Facade Work in Thanjavur a new- age cladding material that's used for building front elevation (facades), interiors, signage,modular kitchen and many more. It is available in a wide range of colors and textures like wood, stone, sand, 3D etc.The unique design of double-glazed products insulates against heat and cold up to four times more effectively than single-glazed windows and doors. The space between the two panes of glass acts as a thermal barrier between your home and the outside environment. There are advantages and disadvantages of single glazed windows. The main advantage is the lower cost compared to double or triple glazing. The main advantage is the poor energy efficiency, which can lead to heat loss, higher heating bills and condensation. Double Glazing is when two panes of glass (separated by a layer of air), are used in a home's window. Single & Double Glazing Doors In Thanjavur, this provides another layer of insulation for your home, decreasing heat loss through your windows.304-grade stainless steel may be the best choice for a railing system designed for both indoors and outdoors – especially if your application is away from large bodies of salt water and won't be exposed to extreme conditions. The price of Steel Railings products is between ₹700 - ₹800per Feet .When it comes to strength and durability, steel is, hands-down, the winner. However, steel, particularly stainless steel, is the most expensive railing material. Casement windows are the most popular type of frame frames. They are also known as crank windows. These windows have hinges on the side walls structure frame that allow them to swing inwards and outwards Generally, the per sq ft cost for UPVC windows ranges between Rs200 and 550 for fixed windows and Rs 250 and 700 per sq ft for casements. UPVC Premium Windows and Doors Manufacturers .The combination style is around Rs 340-460 per sq ft and the sliding style comes at Rs 280-700 per sq ft.Typically lasting around 20 years, which can vary between 10-35 years depending on the quality and upkeep, if your UPVC windows were installed around 1999 it's likely that they could need,replacing or at least repairing by now. Though made from plastic, UPVC windows and doors are not susceptible to warping and cracking when subjected to heat. The frames come reinforced using galvanized iron, which means that they'll always retain their shape and size.

I’m terribly sorry to inform you: No, you don’t. & I know you don’t so don’t lie. Your ears may be open to everything, absolutely everything, but I doubt that you listen to ‘Everything’. God that does my nut in when it’s allowed that people lie like that. “But I do actually listen to everything!“ Oh, my mistake! What’s your favorite Analcunt album then? What about that sexy beast Bach, what of his symphonies do you love? Personally the Goldberg variations (Aria) Rock my world!! What about Cephalotripsy? Yeah, how much do those guys rock! What do you mean you don’t listen to classical? Or Goregrind? I thought you listened to a little bit of everything???? I have this argument with idiots constantly, and it’s starting to piss me off to be quite frank, No you don’t listen to everything, I repeat again. There is a difference between having an open mind, being open to everything and listening to everything.
Here is an exact FB row I had with someone: Them: I love music. Genre is irrelevant. Me: Please don’t go there. T: Yes. I love all forms of music. And? *Sigh* Which is your favorite Analcunt album? What about Cephalotripsy? I think their latest is amazing! What about Bach? Any of his symphonies do it for you? No? Philip Glass Ensemble perhaps? Wormrots last kicked ass!! stoked for the new Napalm Death album!! I wish Akercocke would release a 5th album!! Hans Zimmer, beautifully composed music! Bill Withers, what a guy! T: Most of my friends are musicians. They represent every genre you can imagine. We rarely ever discuss genre. If we talk about someone’s music, we tend to talk about the musician, Perhaps, something he or she does that is different or unique to others. I think the musicians in here will understand. M: So….Which is your favorite Slam Death band? Or Goregrind, I know genre doesn’t matter, but it’ll be nice to speak to someone in a similar vein, name a band or two to kick-start the discussion man M: Or we could go with Goregrind, or Pornogrind, I’m easy. It’s just nice to meet someone who listens to everything, so they know what I’m talking about :) T: I rarely listen to commercial radio. (FYI: These are not commercial radio genre’s/bands) I listen mostly to my friend’s music. I’m not even familiar with the genres you are talking about. I might recognize some of the bands. (He didn’t)
Well I went on to name some bands and bugged him till he admitted he had no idea what I was talking about, therefore in conclusion, he (and subsequently YOU) do not listen to everything. Now, some people are going to get confused here, say I have a closed mind, or that I’m trying to stop them from liking what they like, or that they can be as open minded as they like, which is all essentially wrong, except the last one, You certainly can have an open mind, and Youtube all the shite you want all day long, but what you are saying (lying) when you say ‘I listen to a little bit of everything’ is that you thought Justin Beibers last album was fucking phenomenal and sounds brilliant between N.W.A. and Katalepsy, with a delicious side helping of Lady Gaga and Putrid Pile and some Beyonce to top it off, let’s be fucking crazy and chuck in some Herbie Man too, because you fucking love a little bit of Acid Jazz, it follows on from Pornogrind so well, and after some Acid Jazz, what would go down better than some Brutal Slam Death Metal eh? but wait, not before some Bubblegum Pop in the form of: Rebecca Black, but wait, we wouldn’t want to leave some Death Rap out, so let’s chuck in some Chuggo too, and aren’t we forgetting something? Grindcore, lovely lovely, Grindcore, we’ll go with Nasum today, and what about Black Metal? What about White Metal? What about Hardcore? What about Grunge? What about K-Pop? What about J-Pop? What about Happy Hardcore? What Blackened Death Metal? What about Technical Death Metal? What about Melodic Death Metal? What about Country? Jazz? RnB? Classic Rock? The answer is: There is at least one thing up there YOU DO NOT LIKE! So don’t say it. You may like lots of the above, but I doubt you like it all, and even if you do, what about the hundreds of Genre’s I haven’t mentioned? Well?

A dream is a mental construct. Whenever one falls asleep they experience vivid hallucinations. These are impossible to record or properly re-account.
Psychosis is a mental condition where the victim experiences very disturbing hallucinations or thoughts. Think of things like schizophrenia, Then take the effects of that condition and amplify it. Psychosis victims report hearing whispers, Seeing bugs crawl on their skin and see the faces of people they have never met.
When I studied psychology I learnt about these things and they fascinated me. I went on to get a degree in psychological study and have been working as a psychologist and health scientist for 17 years.
I was contacted by my facility about a matter of a psychosis patient, While rare I have stumbled upon many of them and they act the same. In-consistent nonsensical babbling and severe PTSD. Most of the cases are results of tripping on acid but some are caused from depression and schizophrenia. This case was different.
When i arrived the patient seemed to be normal. When i sat down with her she opened up before i could even speak. "Doctor. Alexander." She took a deep breath. "I see dreams when I'm awake, Not hallucinations. Right now when i look at you, All i see is spots across your face. Like polka dots." I had to process this for a moment. "Dreams you say." I started to think.
"Y-Yeah.. Dreams, Nothing is normal, Every piece of furniture in this room looks different from each other, Like that vase behind you, It’s not right.. It looks.. Folded in.. Like an origami vase.. I can't describe it."
I didn't understand her. Dreams? This doesn't seem like psychosis.After a few hours of talking about what she has been seeing, How she feels and if her mind is feeling foggy, The only thing i could partially diagnose was severe schizophrenia.
"Take this prescription of Haloperidol, Take 2 a day, 1 in the morning and 1 at night. If you have more issues, come back here and we can discuss it. In 2 weeks I will do a mental health re-evaluation so I can see progress."
There were no issues for around a week until I got an urgent call. "Sir. One of your patients, Jane, Shes gone batshit fucking crazy, Like seriously she cant even talk without screaming that something is taking her soul, we need you down here NOW.”
I rushed down to my facility, Thoughts raced through my head "Has she stopped taking her meds?"I shook all those thoughts off as i swerved into the parking lot, As i darted inside the familiar jingle of the bell above the door startled me "Fucking bell.." I whispered under my breath as I ran faster than I have before.
When I arrived at the emergency care block I heard the screaming from the entrance. It was deep guttural wails that filled with so much dread it hurt my heart to listen to. When I stormed in there, Jane stood there on the ground covered in blood.
"THEY ARE HOLDING ME. SOMEBODY STOP THEM. SOMEBODY PLEASE"
She was screaming bloody murder and her mouth was bleeding. When I saw her state I immediately asked one of the nurses for a sedative to reduce her condition.
As she went I stood there with her trying to comfort her."What do you see jane." I overcame her wails with a calm demeanor and all of a sudden everything stopped. She seemed normal.
"They.. They stopped. They are staring at you."I looked at her calmly. I knew these were psychosis symptoms and I started to comfort her."Jane, You are experiencing very vivid hallucinations. It is called schizophrenic psychosis. Have you been taking the prescription I gave you?"
"Y..Yes doctor i have but.. it doesn't work, Everywhere i go i see the same things i saw before, Except this time everything seems more cold.. Beforehand everything seemed more colorful. Now it is damp."
"Jane, I am going to have to check you into this facility for a full psychiatric re-examination and study. If this is not schizophrenia, I will have to figure out what it really is so I can properly diagnose you and get you the help you need."
She began to cry terribly. "w..why can't i just be normal, why me? what have i done?" I began to pat her back as i sighed. "Let me help you up" as i stood i reached my hand out. As she grabbed it i almost yelped. She was extremely cold, Almost frozen. My hand felt pain as she held it but I pushed on as she stood.
"I will have some nurses check you in and we will begin tomorrow. Please signal for help if you see anything, we will try and get you the right medication to stop it.. But I can't guarantee anything, We don't know what we are dealing with."
As I walked off to check out I signaled to the front desk to call the nurses for Jane's psychiatric re-evaluation. They nodded and they called into the intercom "We need 3 available for psych unit 7"
The sounds muffled as I walked out, I felt really bad for jane. But I knew she was getting help.
As i arrived home the warm smell of the autumn trees luminated like a light. I felt more calm as I walked through my door. The gentle creaking of the hinges made me cringe as I shut the door. The warm air rushed out of the room as I walked to the kitchen.
As I grabbed my bottle of rum I got a call. "What the fuck is it now.." I sort of just waddled over agitated. I checked the caller ID and noticed that it was an unknown caller. Out of habit I declined the call and went back to my bench. As I poured the rum the iridescent smell of pleasure filled the air.
The phone rang once more. As I sighed I walked over and answered the unknown caller. "Hello Dr. Alexander, How may I help you."
"Good evening Dr. Alexander, We are here to identify a patient of yours, Jane Myers correct?"
Confused, I confirmed his assumption "Yes that's right, What is it?"
"Sir I work for a certain agency, I can't tell you its policy. Tomorrow we will be at your front desk awaiting your arrival. It's to do with her condition. If you believe this is a wrong contact, please confirm so we can move on."
I was extremely confused at this point, I thought it was a prank at first but it all seemed serious. There was no underlying tone to his voice, it seemed raspy, he sounded too old to be a prank caller.
"Uh.. Okay? I'll make sure to be there by 12:00 PM."
The call ended abruptly as I whispered to myself.
"What the fuck..."
I kind of shook it all off, Maybe it was her family? I don't know but I'll figure it out tomorrow. The rest of the night went uneventful and as i faded off to sleep i thought of jane. I dreamt about terrible black figures standing above me and Jane on the floor of the psychiatric unit. They were almost fuzzy, like blurry, I couldn't properly conceive their appearance, they were just human shaped blurry structures.
When I finally woke up it was 10:30 pm. I woke up later than usual so I rushed to get ready. As I finished getting dressed I poured myself some coffee, as I sipped on the hot beverage the aroma of earth filled my nose. I felt relaxed, I thought to myself "Today will be a good , happy day." I was trying to make myself feel better about the coming events.
When I arrived at my facility I saw a black car with tinted windows outside the front. "Must be them." I said to myself as I wandered through the door, The bell startled me and I kind of froze for a second. I finally collected my thoughts and I saw 2 men in plain black suits. They stood up to greet me as if they knew who I was.
"Hello Dr. Alexander, My name is Harry and this is my partner Sam. We are here about your patient Jane Myers, It is to do with her condition. May we see her?" I said "Why do you need to see her?"
They both adjusted their positions and Sam said
"We are with the government, We are here to review this patient's condition. We cannot tell you why but it is important, It is research and we believe she has a rare condition. "
I thought for a moment before finally obliging. As I led them down the plain white halls I started to get more anxious, I started to overthink "Are they here to kill her?" I shook off the thoughts. They were stupid, Simply just speculation.
As we arrived at psych unit 7 we walked in to see Jane on the bed being talked to by some nurses and another psych doctor. As they walked in they shut the door behind them. "What we are about to tell you is to be upmost classified among only you"
Everyone looked at each other extremely confused but before any questions were asked they opened up.
"Jane, You have a condition called petriscarphy Dream Psychosis. It is a condition where well.. Instead of you falling asleep to dream, You see them awake. You are the only known suspected subject with this rare condition. We want to record what you see. A team will be arriving soon to set-up the right conditions for this to be possible."
As Harry finished his sentence I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing.. Were they being serious? Before I could do anything, The other psych doctor in the room, His name was Terry, Stood up and got in the 2 men's faces. They remained calm as he spouted off at them.
"What the fuck do you think your doing? Are you joking? That is nonsense, I request you leave immediately before I call security."
The 2 men stood there silent as Terry stared at them. He had a crazy look in his eye and then he shoved harry. The moment he touched him, Sam grabbed a pistol out from the underside of his jacket and aimed at Terry.
"Sir. Calm down, I assure you this is not a joke. We are being perfectly cooperative with you but if you try to do anything like that again then I will be forced to put you down."
I remember the phrasing of that sentence "Put you down" He spoke like he was a higher being and was about to just.. Phase Terry out of existence.
As Terry backed up, shocked he sat back down and became silent. I swear I could hear the air in the room, Not for long however. Jane began to sob and wail softly. "They are back.. They are upset, They don't want you recording them, Please.. Go.. Don't do this. They will kill me. PLEASE"
She pleaded with the men but they stood in silence. After 5 minutes of Jane's agonizing wailing we heard the sounds of frantic footsteps and before long, men in white coats and masks entered the room. They had a label on their coats. It was a blue circle with black in the middle, It had the initials above it "N.A.O.S"
"We are here for Ja-" They stood silent as she continued wailing
"JUST LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE"
She grew silent as she sat there un-moving.
That's when she slipped unconscious, Slouching over into her bed and making no sound. We sounded an alarm that a patient had fallen unconscious and nurses rushed in ignoring the men. After around an hour we stabilized her.
The man stood around in silence and once everyone was out but me and Terry, They got to work. I watched as one of the white coated men pulled out a small vial with a blue liquid in it. He grabbed a syringe and started to draw the liquid. It looked viscous and bubbled at the top as he finally pulled out the syringe.
After he was done the 4 other men in the room grabbed out small pieces of equipment and started to arrange it. The parts clacked together and made the same sound as metal being dropped onto a hard surface. The echoes of the screeching sound made me cringe once again.
When it was done it looked like a microscope was attached to a plate with glass in the middle. A camera lens was attached and the coated man squirted a small amount of the viscous blue liquid onto the plate and then he grabbed another device. It looked like something out of some saw movie.
It was a dome shaped metal helmet with tubes running out from 4 holes surrounding where the head should go. These tubes ran to a socket in the device. I started to feel sick "What the fuck is all this" I murmured angrily. "This is a device that is used to transmit the electrical waves inside the patients head and can be transferred to this magnoscope to then print out the photographs. The liquid you see is well.. I actually can't tell you, It's not that simple, But it's classified."
I started to boil with anger. This was inhumane, Finding someone's terrible condition and using it for research instead of helping them? I was considering trying to stop them but I knew they had guns. There's no way I was leaving either.
Finally after a few minutes of assembly they attached the device to Jane's head and a sound started to play. It was like the sound you expect electricity to make, a little quiet constant zapping with the occasional crackle.
As i watched jane she started to twist and turn in discomfort even though she was unconscious, I felt so fucking bad for her, Everything about this was so twisted, It seemed so.. Wrong.
As she squirmed and fiddled the sounds started to fade as the liquid that was on that glass plate had turned to a deep red color, almost like blood. As I stood looking at it I smelt the sensation of chemicals, like bleach and drain cleaner.
I started to feel like I was going to break down. My mind was literally foggy as I stared at this contraption. Another sound started up, It was like that of a printer but much quieter, I could barely hear it. As I stared at the pictures being pushed out from the side I started to feel more nauseous. Something about this felt wrong. I couldn't describe it.
Finally the coated men approached the pictures and they examined them. The moment one of them looked at one of those pictures he froze in place and looked shocked. I could see the look of fear in that man's eyes. As he stared longer and longer he started to shake uncontrollably. After an agonizing few seconds he grabbed the syringe with the remaining liquid and screamed.
"WE HAVE TO KILL IT, WE MUST BANISH IT, WHAT THE FUCK IS IT"
The man's once professional manor turned into malice and hatred as he injected Jane with this syringe full of this liquid. She immediately started to seize, a Black goo was coming from her mouth and she flatlined almost immediately.
Sam and harry immediately upholstered there weapons and aimed at the man
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING" Sam screamed at the man, Finally he lunged at them, Immediately 2 ringing gunshots sounded as the man fell, Everything went to shit, Screaming and crying occurred throughout the unit and that was when i took my chance to run, Not before grabbing the photos however. As I ran the screams echoed and the sobbing and crying of other patients sounded.
I made it out to my car and swerved out of the lot. I almost hit another car but i managed to narrowly avoid it and race home, My heart was beating so fast it felt like i was about to have a heart attack. As I made it into my driveway I took no time grabbing the photos and my bag and rushing right inside.
When i made it in i slammed my door shut, The creaking didnt phase me this time, Nothing did, I was focused on getting away from whatever the fuck had just happened.
When I finally calmed down enough to function I sat down with the photos and looked at them. Dear god, The terrors this woman must have faced.
The first photo had a black and white vivid pattern, In amongst it i could see an opaque face, It was perfectly symmetrical, Almost too perfect, The faded patterns ran through it like a vintage photo but the only detail i saw were the eyes, In the pupils i saw another cascade of photos, It was the same perfect face over and over. I counted how many I could.. I counted 9.
That one disturbed me, It felt ominous and had an almost aura around it, It was clearly a sinister vision, It was... Really odd to me however, This wasn't what Jane had described to me as her visions.
The next photo is why I'm writing this. Why I'm ready to accept death from the organizations that conduct these inhumane things. I saw a structure, In around it was a show with white fade, But the center had a very recognisable shape. It was a single long line with more lines stretching off of it, they formed a pattern that looked like a spider, well kind of. The thing that disturbed me was the one word that stood under it.
It was in an almost unrecognizable state, it was scribbly, faded and pretty much blurred, but I could read it. There stood the single word: Universe.
That was when i thought i was hallucinating, I started to feel sick, I dry heaved and eventually vomited as i stared at the photo, It doesn't sound disturbing when i put it into words but when you look at it... It almost seems fake, like a vision of its own.
It's been a week since then. The facility is closed and I doubt it's gonna open soon. I've been staring at this photo for a long time, A very long time. And I swear whenever I look away I see blurry dark faces staring back at me.
They will be here soon to take what's theirs. This is my final message. Goodbye.

So, my budget is thinly limited to 1500
Sith thag budget id like to equip myself with some starter gesr for photography and video. But im very strained betseen the Sony a6400 and the fujifilm x t30/xt3. I dont make enough money to be able to buy some expensive glass very often, so im aiming to use third party lenses or adapt manual focus lenses. Which one of these two do you think has the best choice of lenses while also being a better all around system? Both have uncropped 4k and log recording, and theyre both at 24mp. If im not mistalen neither have IBIS so k guess thats out the door.
Should I avoid buying aps-c for the sake of having more glass, or should I save up a bit more and get a full frame system? Have been looking at the Nikon z4, but the lens choice seems very very limited. Unless i add an ftz adapter that is
Would love to hear some opinions from experts

As darkened clouds loomed overhead, lightning tore through the sky, illuminating the dark forest with a brilliant burst of light. The crackling energy split the heavens, casting jagged veins of illumination across the landscape. The resounding BOOM that followed reverberated through the air, shaking the very foundation of Cornelia's cozy cabin. Inside, she reclined in her plush chair, enveloped in its welcoming embrace. A soft, crackling warmth emanated from the fireplace, casting a gentle glow that bathed the room in a comforting radiance. She sighed contentedly, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows on the walls, as if they were performers in a mesmerizing show.
"A good sign, isn't that right, Wendy?" Cornelia whispered, her voice a delicate murmur filled with reassurance and affection.
“Wendy wike wain,” said Wendy, with her lustrous ebony-colored fluff, nestled against Cornelia's stomach, her presence a velvety touch against her skin. The room filled with a soft, contented humming as Wendy expressed her happiness.
Cornelia smiled as her pale fingers traced gentle paths along Wendy's back, their movements a tender caress. Her gaze drifted to the window, where nature orchestrated a symphony of raindrops cascading against the glass. Each droplet carried its own rhythm, harmonizing with the crackling fire to create a symphony of soothing melodies.
As Cornelia admired Wendy, a sense of curiosity began to blossom within her. Were there other fluffies out there with the same unique hue? Elves and wealthy humans often boasted vibrant and diverse-colored fluffies in their care, while the "street-rat" fluffies that roamed alleyways possessed more muted variations. Yet, Wendy's fur was a rarity—pure black that held an air of mystique.
Whispers had spread among the villages, snaking through ears and fuelling imaginations. Tales, distorted and embellished, spoke of a sinister pact between Cornelia and the Demon Vlae. In their twisted narratives, the villagers claimed that the evil spirit-lord resided within Wendy, bestowing upon her the cloak of inky blackness.
Cornelia knew these rumours to be falsehoods, mere figments of overactive imaginations, but that did little to quell the villagers' misguided intentions. Not wanting the villagers to burn her at the stake, Cornelia made a deliberate choice to slip away into the embrace of the ancient woods. There, among the towering sentinels of bark and the rustling tapestry of fallen leaves, she sought solace and a life of peace with Wendy.
Just as Cornelia and Wendy began to settle into a tranquil nap, an insistent knocking on the cabin door shattered the serene atmosphere. The abrupt interruption stirred them from their drowsy state, pulling them back into the realm of uncertainty and peril.
Ygor knocked on the door with the force of a strong but controlled thunder. The heavy wooden door swung open by itself, revealing a flaming shadow with crimson eyes that glare into his very soul.
“You do not disturb a witch’s nap you...” scowled Cornelia but she paused upon seeing a sad yet familiar ogre standing before her.
In the ogre's hands, cradled gently like a fragile treasure, was an injured blue fluffy curled up into a ball. The fluffy's delicate hooves pressed against her belly as she whimpered in pain, her soft cries filling the air with a heart-wrenching melody. The scent of fear and desperation clung to her, mingling with the damp earthiness that permeated the cabin.
Cornelia's piercing gaze softened, her eyes lingering on the wounded blue fluffy nestled in Ygor's hands. The dancing flames of the crackling fireplace painted shifting shadows on her face, accentuating the genuine concern etched across her soft features.
“Ygor?” asked Cornelia, her voice a gentle murmur that wrapped around the room.
“Ygor need help, widdle fluffy hurt” replied Ygor, his voice filled with a mix of deep worry and desperation.
"Bring her inside," Cornelia replied, stepping aside and waited for the giant ogre to enter her home. "Don't worry, the cabin is bigger on the inside," she reassured him, her words imbued with a touch of enchantment.
Ygor carefully stepped into the cabin, his massive form casting long shadows against the sturdy wooden walls. Inside, he found himself awestruck by the magic in the cabin. The air is alive with ethereal energy, a tangible testament to Cornelia's formidable abilities.
With deliberate grace, Ygor approached Cornelia, his every movement infused with cautious tenderness. The crackling flames of the fireplace cast a soft, golden glow that danced and flickered, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadows across the room.
Cornelia placed a soft, crimson blanket on the smooth surface of the wooden table, its vibrant hue contrasting against the rustic backdrop of the cabin. Cornelia's voice resonated with warmth and reassurance as she spoke; her words carrying the echoes of countless months spent mastering witchcraft.
"It's one of the first spells I had to learn as a witch, so don't worry about trying to fit in," Cornelia assured Ygor, her tone comforting like a soft caress.
"Now, tell me what happened," Cornelia gently prompted, her voice a melodic invitation to share their burdens.
Her empathetic eyes fixed upon Ygor and the poor fluffy, eagerly awaiting their tale of woe. The fire crackled and the raindrops tapped against the window, forming a soothing symphony that seemed to draw the elements closer, eager to listen and offer solace.
“Ygor fed fwuffy raw meat, now fwuffy tummy hurts,” Ygor explained.
“wed’ meat? Fwuffies nu’ eat wed’ meat” Wendy exclaimed, her eyes widened with fear and confusion.
“Put her on the table!” Cornelia's command sliced through the air, her voice resonating with authority as she directed Ygor to carefully place the injured fluffy on the plush red blanket that adorned the sturdy wooden table.
With eager determination, Wendy scurried towards Cornelia. The little fluffy snatched a flask from a nearby shelf. The green liquid concocted from the nearby river and the roots of an ancient tree glowed inside the flask. The aromatic scent of the potion wafted through the air, mingling with the comforting aroma of burning wood. Ygor's sensitive nose caught a hint of bones in the fragrance, causing him to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Ygor smell bones” said Ygor upon picking up a strange scent coming from the flask.
"It's just the potion, Ygor. You can sit near the bookshelf; I'll handle this," reassured Cornelia as she guided Ygor to a seat beside the collection of well-worn tomes. His heavy footsteps resonated against the wooden floor, creating a gentle vibration that shook the nearby furniture.
Meanwhile, Wendy, her ebony-colored fluff rustling with each hurried step, made her way to the kitchen. The soft tapping of her little legs echoed through the cabin, the sound blending with the crackling fire and the rhythmic pitter-patter of rain against the window. Guided by Cornelia's request, Wendy retrieved a bowl of ash and garlic, their distinct scents mingling in the air, creating a heady mixture of earthiness and protection.
Cornelia's hands moved with practiced precision, like a knife gliding through the cloves of garlic as if guided by an invisible force. With each expert stroke, the pungent aroma of freshly cut garlic permeated the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the wooden table.
Once the garlic lay in neat, small pieces, Cornelia turned her attention to the bowl. She poured the green liquid into its depths, a shimmering cascade that glimmered like emerald flames. As the liquid settled, Cornelia's voice hummed with an incantation, her words carrying the weight of ancient knowledge and power.
In an instant, a flicker of green fire sprang to life, dancing atop the surface of the liquid. Its ethereal glow cast a surreal illumination, transforming the ordinary bowl into a vessel of enchantment. Shadows flickered and played upon the cabin walls, as if the very room had become a stage for magic itself.
Ygor's gaze locked onto Blue, his eyes filled with concern as he witnessed her unconscious. Despite her silent state, his sensitive ears detected faint, almost imperceptible whimpering that tugged at his heartstrings.
In a mesmerizing display of magic, a radiant golden light took the form of Cornelia's hand, delicately reaching towards the green flame. As her hand made contact, a breathtaking transformation ensued. The liquid within the bowl seemed to defy gravity, soaring out of its confines with graceful fluidity. It floated in the air, suspended like a glistening bubble, casting an iridescent glow that bathed the cabin in a surreal radiance.
The floating liquid became a canvas for the dancing and shimmering golden light, which traced intricate patterns written in the runes of magic. With every subtle movement and shift, the elixir responded, guided by Cornelia's hand, as if it were alive. The soft, ethereal hum resonated through the cabin, its gentle vibrations filling the air and contributing to the enchanting atmosphere that enveloped the space.
Ygor's eyes widened in awe as he witnessed this captivating spectacle, his senses fully immersed in the enchantment unfolding before him. The delicate scent of the potion wafted through the air, an intoxicating blend of natural ingredients and mystical energies. It mingled with the comforting aroma of burning firewood, creating an olfactory tapestry that enveloped the room.
“Wemembeh’ jus’ one dwop o’ fwuffy fwend goes fowebah sweepies” Wendy reminded, her voice filled with caution and trepidation. The anticipation was palpable, causing her little legs to tremble with a mixture of anxiety and hope.
“I know, Wendy” Cornelia replied with concern. Slowly, with delicate precision, she reached out and began removing the intricately carved magic runes that encircled the floating bubble. Each rune dislodged weakened the magic, and the room seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
As the runes dissipated one by one, a single drop from the shimmering green bubble fell into Blue's mouth, like a droplet of life itself. In that fleeting moment, the magic took hold, invigorating her senses and drawing her back from the abyss of unconsciousness. Blue's eyes fluttered open, her vision initially blurry as she adjusted to the renewed world around her. Gradually, the fog lifted, revealing the figure of another fluffy sitting in front of her, a woman with a mysterious allure, half of her face veiled by a cascade of hair, and Ygor, the gentle ogre.
Blue wakes up, her vision blurry at first. When they cleared, she saw another fluffy sitting in front of her, a strange woman with half her face covered by her hair, and Ygor.
"Mommeh?" Blue's voice trembled with a mixture of longing and confusion, seeking comfort in the familiarity of a mother's embrace.
"No, sorry," Cornelia replied gently, her voice carrying a touch of sympathy. With great care, she cradled Blue in her hands, providing a sense of security and protection.
The cabin enveloped them in a cocoon of warmth and safety, shielding them from the world's uncertainties.
"Let's give you a bath before I return you to Ygor, is that okay?" Cornelia offered, her words laced with kindness and concern. Blue nodded, a silent agreement to the caring gesture that awaited her.
As Cornelia cradled Blue in her arms, Ygor's curious gaze wandered to the bookshelf, where a plush velvet tome caught his attention. With a gentle touch, he retrieved the book, feeling the smoothness of the fabric beneath his fingertips. Opening it, Ygor's eyes widened at the sight of a meticulously drawn map, its intricate details beckoning him into a world he’s never seen before.
His gaze shifted to the strange numbers inscribed alongside the map, written in elegant script that danced across the aged parchment. Ygor traced the lines and deciphered the enigmatic message contained within.
"Two... tw-twenty-six degrees, twelve minutes, and forty-four seconds, N—No- no- north," Ygor read aloud, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity.
Cornelia emerged from the bath, her bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor, carrying Blue wrapped in a clean towel. Drops of water glistened upon her skin like scattered diamonds, reflecting the warm glow of the cabin's hearth. She approached Ygor, her presence radiating a sense of wisdom and familiarity.
"It seems you've improved since the last time I met you," Cornelia remarked, her voice carrying a tone of admiration.
The scent of lavender lingered in the air, intermingling with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed tea.
“Ygor been reading lots lately, collected many books” Ygor proudly proclaimed. The room resonated with the gentle rustling of pages, as each one whispered a tale of knowledge and discovery.
Gently placing Blue on the floor, Cornelia watched with fondness as the little fluffy’s hooves create a delicate patter against the wooden surface as she scurried towards Ygor. She nuzzled against his massive leg, seeking solace and comfort. A warm smile graced Cornelia's lips.
"That's truly admirable," Cornelia remarked, her voice carrying a gentle cadence. The crackling fire painted flickering shadows upon the walls, enveloping the space in a comforting embrace. The scent of smoldering logs mingled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, creating an enchanting symphony for the senses.
“Until the ‘metal people’ burnt them along with Ygor house” Ygor replied, his voice echoed with a touch of sorrow. The weight of his words hung in the air, mingling with the flickering shadows cast by the crackling flames.
"The metal people," Cornelia mused, her thoughts drifting to the relentless knights of The King. The weight of their armored presence pressed upon her mind, like a looming storm cloud on the horizon. The memory of their arrival, their steel-clad boots treading upon the sacred grounds of the Old World, sent shivers down her spine. Their presence had brought upheaval, disrupting the delicate balance of harmony and magic that once thrived.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Cornelia said, her voice laced with sincerity. "You can stay here as long as you need," she assured, her words offering solace and a sense of belonging amidst the uncertainty of the outside world.
“Thank you, Ygor will find new home soon,” Ygor replied. “By the way, Ygor find black fluffy interesting, never seen one before,” he remarked, pointing towards Wendy.
Cornelia followed his gaze, her eyes tracing the ebony contours of Wendy's fur. The contrast of darkness against light evoked a sense of curiosity and wonder.
“I saw her in an alley a couple of months ago while I was gathering ingredients,” Cornelia recalled as she adjusted her favorite chair, drawing it closer to Ygor's seat. Blue and Wendy sat side by side, their eyes filled with anticipation as they listen to the story Cornelia is about to tell.
Clad in a worn cloak that concealed her features, Cornelia blended seamlessly into the bustling village crowd. The fabric whispered with every movement, a soft rustle against her skin as she navigated the narrow streets. The air was alive with the aroma of freshly baked bread, mingling with the scent of spices wafting from market stalls.
After procuring a bundle of garlic from the local market, the distinct scent of its earthy essence enveloped Cornelia's senses. Its pungency mingled with the vibrant tapestry of smells, drawing her further into the heart of the village. With purposeful steps, she made her way through the labyrinthine streets, seeking the hidden corners where the secrets of her craft could be uncovered.
The alleyway she ventured into concealed itself in shadow, an intimate sanctuary away from prying eyes. She brushed her finger against the rough brick walls as she walked deeper into the alley. Carefully, she extracted small glass jars from her satchel, their delicate clinks echoing in the stillness of the alley. Each jar captured the essence of a captured lizard, their gentle rustling and soft scales brushing against the glass as they adjusted to their temporary confines. Cornelia observed the ethereal dance of light on their vibrant scales, the sight creating a mesmerizing spectacle that seemed to hint at the creatures' otherworldly origins.
As her task neared completion, a hushed whimpering caught Cornelia's acute hearing, piercing through the ambient sounds of the alley. The muffled cries stirred her curiosity and compassion, grounding her in the present moment. The echoes of distress resonated with a palpable weight, urging her to investigate further. With a mixture of anticipation and concern, she followed the trail of whimpering, guided by an invisible thread that led her deeper into the shadows of the alleyway.
“Ugwy babbeh, momma gib’ fowebah sweepies!!!” scowled a fat, ugly fluffy with a distinct rhotacism, muted pink fur, and a stained green mane. Its harsh yet infant-like voice reverberated off the soot-covered walls, creating a dissonant symphony in the alley.
Cornelia's voice cut through the air like a whip cracking, her words carrying an authority that resonated with power and determination.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, street-rat!" she scowled back, her tone laced with both indignation and warning. An ethereal light, emanating from her cloak, bathed the alley in a soft, otherworldly glow, casting long, dancing shadows upon the cracked pavement.
"Smawty mommah beautiful! no gwiv biwth to ugwy babbeh!" the street-rat scowled again with its distinctive speech impediment. The creature turned to face Cornelia, its initial anger giving way to shock as its beady eyes widened in disbelief. The glow from Cornelia's cloak seemed to hold the street-rat captive, its mesmerizing radiance momentarily erasing the malice etched across its grotesque features.
“Hooman?” asked the street-rat, its voice trembling with a hint of hope amidst the chaos of its existence.
"Yes, a human," Cornelia affirmed, her tone firm yet laced with empathy.
The alley seemed to shrink around them, the dilapidated brick walls closing in as the tension mounted.
The street-rat's eyes widened with desperation, and in a flurry of movement, it scurried towards Cornelia, collapsing before her in a pitiful display of submission. Dust billowed around them, filling the air with a gritty haze, while the distant echo of passing footsteps underscored the urgency of their encounter.
“Nice wady, pweese take fwuffy wivh yu!” The street-rat's cries echoed through the desolate alley, its once-malicious tone transformed into a pitiful plea. Its snout nuzzled against Cornelia's leg, a feeble attempt at seeking solace and salvation.
“Fwuffy nu wan’ stay wivh ugwy babbehs!!!” the street-rat begged, its snout nuzzled against Cornelia's leg, a feeble attempt at seeking solace and salvation.
Cornelia, her heart heavy with the weight of the street-rat's anguish, carefully stepped over the pathetic creature, making her way toward the vulnerable baby lying at the end of the alley. Drawing closer, a chilling tableau of horror assaulted her senses. The metallic tang of blood hung in the air, intermingling with the sickly stench of decay. Before her eyes lay a grim testament to the darkest depths of despair. Foals with muted and stained bloodstained fur, their dull hues tainted with their own intestines, bore the scars of a brutal struggle. Bite marks marred their tender flesh, evidence of cannibalistic desperation, while trampled bodies bore witness to the unforgiving nature of this forsaken place.
As Cornelia knelt down to retrieve the fluffy, the air hung heavy with anticipation. The scent of damp concrete and decaying refuse mingled with the disgusting tang of blood, creating an atmosphere of unease. The dim light of the alleyway cast long, haunting shadows that danced along the walls.
But as Cornelia's hand closed around the trembling infant fluffy, a sudden, searing pain shot through her senses. A sharp SNAP echoed through the air, accompanied by the sickening sound of teeth sinking into flesh. Cornelia's cry of agony reverberated off the surrounding buildings, its raw intensity tinged with shock and disbelief.
The pink-furred mother street rat's jaws remained stubbornly clenched, its grip unyielding. Cornelia's vision blurred with tears, her vision shortly distorted by the excruciating pain. With a swift, instinctive motion, fueled by a mix of agony and surprise, Cornelia swung her injured hand in a wild arc, flinging the fluffy across the alley.
“What the?” Cornelia cried out. She has never encountered a fluffy that bites. Let alone, one that bites this hard. She swings her hand and threw the fluffy across the alley.
“MEANIE WADY! WHY TAKE UGWY BABBEH?” the street-rat's shrill voice pierced the air, its cries echoing like the wails of a frustrated toddler. The sound reverberated through the narrow passage, carrying a mix of confusion, anger, and sorrow. It blended with the backdrop of distant traffic, creating a dissonant symphony of chaos and distress.
“TAKE MUMMAH! KIWW UGWY BABBEH!” The street-rat frantically stomped the ground in uncontrolled rage. “nu wan’ meanie wady to take vewy ugwy babbeh!!!” the street-rat charged towards the witch.
As Cornelia clasped the fragile baby in her trembling hand, determination coursed through her veins, lending a renewed strength to her stance. The musty odor of the alleyway saturated the air with a pungent reminder of the harsh realities of this grim world.
But before she could fully process the unfolding situation, a searing pain shot through her leg like a lightning bolt. The sensation was akin to the piercing bite of a thousand needles, laced with the unmistakable pressure of a sharp object. Cornelia's scream reverberated through the alley, carrying her anguish and shock to the distant corners of the forgotten cityscape.
The street-rat's unicorn horn, a menacing weapon honed by the merciless streets, impaled Cornelia's left leg. The relentless strength behind the attack sent a blur of conflicting sensations—a symphony of pain, desperation, and disbelief —piercing through her body like shattered glass.
In the midst of her suffering, Cornelia became acutely aware of the grim reality that governed this alleyway. The countless deaths and constant struggle for survival had forged these street-rats into formidable adversaries. Their resilience and innate strength were evident in their very existence. It was a harsh lesson learned in an instant—the living street-rats were much stronger than one could ever anticipate.
As she fought to maintain her footing, Cornelia's vision swayed with a mixture of pain-induced dizziness and the swirling chaos of the alley. The scent of blood intermingled with the dank aroma of decay, enveloping her senses in a suffocating haze. The gritty texture of the alley's uneven pavement seemed to press against her fingertips, grounding her amidst the tumultuous storm of emotions.
Despite the excruciating torment and the formidable foe embedded in her leg, Cornelia clung to her resolve. With unwavering determination, she focused on protecting the fragile life in her arms, steeling herself for the challenges that lay ahead. The relentless struggle for survival in this unforgiving world had etched itself into her very being, and she was prepared to face its darkest truths head-on.
“Fwuffy stuck!!!” cried the street-rat, her voice trembling with desperation as she attempted to dislodge herself from Cornelia's lower leg. The sharp pain intensified, searing through Cornelia's flesh, eliciting a guttural cry of agony that reverberated through the alley.
In that moment, Cornelia's instincts kicked in, and with a surge of raw magical power, she conjured a blast wave of energy that pulsed through the air. The crackling energy engulfed the street-rat, propelling her forcefully into a nearby brick wall. The impact shattered the ancient masonry, and the street-rat lay there, her body bloodied and broken, her ability to move forever stolen.
“Fwuffy can’t move, hewp!” the street-rat whimpered, her words garbled and distorted by her injuries. The alleyway seemed to echo with her pain and despair.
Cornelia turned to leave the scene, a mix of relief and sorrow weighing upon her heart. But before she could vanish into the shadows, her eyes met the wide-eyed gaze of a villager who had witnessed her extraordinary display of magic. The villager's features contorted with shock, and his trembling voice pierced the air like a thunderclap, “Witch!”
“Witch!” The word reverberated through the alley, igniting a cacophony of shouts and gasps from the onlookers who had rushed to the scene. Their voices swirled with a mix of fear, awe, and accusation, intertwining with the faint scent of damp stone and the distant hum of city life.
Sensing the mounting danger, Cornelia slipped away, melding into the shadows like a ghost. All that remained was the street-rat, now broken and vulnerable, desperately calling out, her voice strained and pleading, “Nu take baby, nu take baby, pwease…”
“Fwuffy not know stweet-wats can make hoomans go ouchies” said Blue, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Her tiny hooves tapped softly on the wooden floor as he shifted in place, The air hung heavy with the scent of burning candles, casting a warm glow upon the room and bathing the scene in a gentle, flickering light..
“The alleyways are so full of death and destruction, only the strongest and most psychotic survive. I feel bad for them” replied Cornelia.
“Is like ogre life too, ogre warriors no longer live in peaceful lands, ogre fight to survive to ‘nother day” said Ygor, his voice, deep and resonant, bore the weight of sorrow.
The crackling fire in the hearth popped and hissed, casting shadows upon the walls, their movements mirroring the flickering emotions of the conversation.
“Well, we don’t have to face that depression anymore… Anyways, let’s eat!” Cornelia offered reassurance, her voice filled with conviction and a sense of determination.
The room seemed to come alive with the aroma of freshly prepared food; as if the very essence of the cast spell carried a tantalizing scent that made the Wendy and Blue’s mouths water. The tables gracefully glided towards them, their wooden legs creaking softly, while the dishes floated gently through the air, releasing a symphony of inviting aromas.
“I cooked meals using a spell the moment you and your fluffy arrived,” said Cornelia, her voice carrying a hint of pride. The room was filled with the tantalizing aromas of the freshly cooked meal. The scents of herbs, spices, and cooked ingredients mingled together in a mouth-watering symphony, infusing the air with the essence of culinary delight.
Ygor's gaze shifted to Cornelia, a newfound admiration gleaming in his eyes. Candlelight filled the room with a warm glow, casting a soft illumination on the scene, while the crackling fire in the hearth provided a comforting backdrop of pops and crackles paired with dancing shadows.
Cornelia's ability to cast multiple spells simultaneously was a testament to her skill and proficiency. Ygor could not help but be impressed by her effortless command over magic. There was a grace and elegance in her gestures, as if the very air around her responded to her every command. Despite the intricacy and complexity of the spells she had cast, there was no trace of fatigue or weariness on Cornelia's face. Her energy remained vibrant and radiant, her eyes sparkling with a sense of fulfilment and contentment. It was as if the act of magic itself invigorated her, filling her with a renewed sense of purpose.
Ygor's massive hand gripped the turkey leg, the savory aroma of roasted meat wafting up to his nose, mingling with the tantalizing scent of herbs and spices.
Amidst the anticipation, Cornelia, Wendy, and Blue bowed their heads in prayer, their hushed voices forming a gentle harmony that resonated through the room. The flickering candlelight cast an ethereal ambiance. The fragrant scent of burning candles intertwined with the aroma of the freshly cooked meal, infusing the air with a sense of reverence and gratitude.
Ygor paused, a deep respect shining in his eyes, as he respectfully placed the turkey leg back onto the plate. The flickering flames illuminated the scene, their golden glow casting a warm and comforting light. The air seemed to hum with a sacred energy, as if the very essence of their gratitude and prayers permeated every corner of the room.
“We pray before meals, we can now eat!” said Cornelia told Ygor when she finished praying.
“For ogres, pray and eating is same thing” replied Ygor.
“I remember,” Cornelia replied.
A touch of nostalgia as memories flooded Cornelia’s mind. She recalled the time spent among the ogres, their solemn devotion to the act of eating. Contrary to human myths, they were meticulous and mindful, making no mess as they communed with their god, Grunferth.
Cornelia delicately lifted a morsel from her plate, savoring the anticipation of the first bite. As she brought the food to her lips, a symphony of sensory delights unfolded within her. The succulent meat yielded to her teeth, releasing a burst of flavors that danced upon her palate. The crisp sound of Ygor's powerful jaws joining the feast resonated alongside the collective enjoyment, harmonizing with the heightened aroma of the meal that enveloped the space in a tantalizing embrace.
As Ygor took the final bite of his turkey leg, his ears pricked up, attuned to the faint but distinct sounds that drifted through the air. The cacophony of rolling wood, stone, and metal reached his senses, causing him to instinctively turn his gaze towards the window, his curiosity piqued.
"What did you hear?" Wendy inquired, her innocent eyes reflecting a touch of confusion.
But before Ygor could respond… KABOOM!!!
An earth-shattering explosion tore through the air, violently rending the walls asunder. The debris-filled chaos revealed a seething mass of enraged villagers, their figures cloaked in heavy rain and darkness. Riding at the forefront were armored knights, their steeds thundering beneath them. Amidst their ranks stood an ominous contraption, an immense rifle-cannon affixed to a sturdy bipod, wisps of smoke curling from its barrel.
The air crackled with a blend of fear and anticipation. The scent of burning gunpowder mingled with the acrid tang of destruction, permeating the atmosphere. Shadows loomed and flickered upon the shattered walls, cast by the flickering torches held by the angry mob.
"Load the slug!" bellowed the commanding voice of the knight leader, his words reverberating through the air like a thunderous declaration of imminent danger. Ygor's heart skipped a beat as the weight of the knight's authority bore down on him, sending a shiver down his spine.
With a sense of urgency, two knights swiftly inserted a sharp metal slag, gleaming like a wicked fang, into the massive barrel of the punt-gun. The weighty clink of metal meeting metal reverberated through the air, accompanied by the subtle hiss of their breaths as they worked diligently. Meanwhile, another knight meticulously poured an entire jar of gunpowder into the giant gun-cannon’s bulky breech, the grains cascading with a soft rustle that hinted imminent danger.
As the thick smoke cleared, the cracked force field revealed Cornelia standing tall, her arm aglow with a radiant aura as she valiantly upheld the shield. The scent of tainted ozone intermingled with the acrid aroma of spent gunpowder, lingering as a testament to the clash of magical forces and weaponry.
"Step out, monster!" the commander's voice boomed, cutting through the tense silence like a thunderclap. "Or you and your friends will taste the fury of two pounds of pure lead, forged stronger than your vile witchcraft!"
Cornelia's brows furrowed in bewilderment. "How did they find us?" she whispered, her voice laced with concern.
"Big, stupid ogres leave big, stupid footsteps!" the knight spat out a response filled with contempt and disdain. His words rang out, a venomous taunt that intensified the looming threat. "That buckshot was only a warning! Now step out, or face the consequences!"
Blue and Wendy, their tiny frames quivering with fear, sought solace behind Cornelia and Ygor, their small hooves instinctively covering their fragile, fluffy heads. Whimpers of trepidation escaped their trembling lips, mingling with the heavy air, adding an undercurrent of vulnerability.
Ygor, his massive form radiating determination, stepped forward, his footsteps reverberating like an earthquake that sent waves of terror rippling through the hearts of the villagers. The ground seemed to tremble beneath him, spreading whispers of fear and uncertainty among those who watched.
“What are you doing?” Cornelia asked, her voice laced with concern and near-panic, questioned Ygor's decision, desperately seeking to understand his intentions in the face of such imminent danger.
“Go find safety! Ygor fight them alone” Ygor proclaimed, his words laced with unwavering bravery.
“Ygow… Bwoo nu wike scawy guns… don’t go” Blue's voice trembled with fear, her eyes pleading for him to reconsider.
Ygor voice softened as he knelt down to her level, his words filled with reassurance. “Ygor had to… must stand up for the little ones… Ygor be strong fo’ Blue” he whispered, his voice a gentle balm amid the chaos.
With a final glance at Cornelia and the trembling foals, Ygor stepped forward, his determination carving a path through the looming danger. The weight of his responsibility settled upon his broad shoulders as he braced himself to confront the impending threat.
Cornelia's eyes locked with Wendy's, a silent understanding passing between them. In that moment, a flicker of determination ignited in Cornelia's gaze, mirroring the resolute nod of the black-fluffed creature. The air crackled with a mix of tension and anticipation, as if the very atmosphere held its breath.
"Bwoo, come wivh Wendy!" Wendy's voice carried a sense of urgency, beckoning Blue to seek refuge deeper within the safety of the cabin. The faint sound of hurried hoof-taps echoed through the wooden floor as the foals scurried away, seeking solace from the impending confrontation.
Cornelia's voice rang out with unwavering conviction, cutting through the charged air. "You don't have to fight alone," she declared, her words infused with a steadfast resolve.
Ygor's eyes stared into Cornelia's, seeking reassurance amidst the mounting peril. His broad shoulders squared with determination as he posed his question, concern etched in his voice. "Are the widdle ones safe?"
A fleeting moment of relief passed over Cornelia's features as she met Ygor's gaze. "Yes," she replied, her voice a steadying anchor in the midst of chaos.
“Last chance monster! My patience has ended!!!” The commander’s final warning reverberated through the air, a surge of adrenaline coursed through Ygor's veins. With each heavy footfall, the commander's armor resonated, the clinking sound echoing the weight of the impending clash. The ground itself seemed to tremble, mirroring the intensity that hung heavy in the air.
With one last determined glance back at Cornelia, Ygor stepped forward, his footsteps leaving an indelible impression upon the soil, each stride a testament to his bravery and the impending struggle that awaited.
"You've made a grave mistake, knight..." Cornelia's voice reverberated with seething rage, her words slicing through the tense air like a sharpened blade.
“We’re not leaving without your corpses, monsters!!!” bellowed the commander, his voice laced with venomous determination.
“I’m a forest witch, and you have entered my domain… LEAVE. MY. HOME!!!” Cornelia demanded as her eyes glowed with magic rage. The air crackled with an electric energy, a palpable tension that hung heavy amidst the looming clash of opposing forces.
The commander's signal sliced through the charged stormy atmosphere, setting the massive punt-gun's sights squarely on Ygor, while the villagers tightened their grips on their spears, preparing for the impending clash., while the villagers tightened their grips on their spears, ready for the impending assault.
SWISH!!!
A floating bubble of shimmering green liquid burst forth from the depths of the cabin, hurtling towards the commander with astonishing speed. The commander's reflexes kicked in, evading the peculiar water just moments before it could make contact.
SPLASH!!!
The strange substance that once healed Blue drenched the gunner’s hapless body. Anguished screams tore through the air, echoing with torment and despair, as the gunner’s flesh withered and decayed, leaving behind a grotesque skeletal figure that sent shivers of terror coursing through the hearts of the villagers. The unsettling transformation gripped them. The sight of this macabre spectacle fueled their fear and deepened their animosity, fanning the flames of their hatred towards the forest witch and her allies.
A momentary hush settled upon the battleground, shattered by the commander's malevolent grin. From the depths of the forest, more guns emerged, revealing a hidden arsenal of lethal force.
“Did you seriously think we only brought one gun?” The commander sneered, his words laced with derision and arrogance.
Yet, Ygor and Cornelia stood firm, their resolve unyielding amidst the encroaching danger. With a single swift gesture, the commander's hand unleashed a swift resounding gesture that sliced through misty powder-laced air.
“FIRE!!!”

We have to talk about Cristina Bergua.
Her case still remains open till this day.
Cornellá, Spain.
March 1997. The last time her parents, Luisa and Juan, saw her she was sitting on her brothers' bed trying to play his guitar. Her mother asked her "aren't you going out?". She replied "Yes I am waiting for you to leave so I can get ready". Her parents went for a walk. She left with 2000 pesetas and her ID.
After 10 PM her parents started to worry as she hadn't come back yet. According to them she was very responsible and wouldn't disappear for that long. She would phone her parents to let them know where she was. As this was strange, her parents phoned her friends and they told Cristina's parents that she went to break up with her then boyfriend Javier Román.
Half an hour later Juan went to the police to file a missing person's report. They didn't accept the report until some hours later as the Spanish protocol didn't allow it. After he came back from the station, his wife, son and himself started looking for her through the town. They yelled her name many times and ran up and down the same streets in the hopes to find her. The following days they spent about 3 million pesetas (18000€) in printing posters with her picture and disappearance notice on it. Her face was around the whole of Spain. Her disappearance was all over the national news and many tv programs. Every one made an effort to find her, except for one person, Javier Román.
The man admitted during the trial that he had been with Cristina that evening, but he had accompanied her to the door of the building where she lived. Then he went to have dinner with his uncle and aunt.
Luisa recalls that they were always on and off. They were not stable and Cristina never really wanted a relationship with him. She wanted to be independent and buy her own house with her own money. Her dream was to be a flight attendant. He was her first boyfriend. Luisa did not agree with Javier's way of life in general. He had many "weird" tattoos and no aspirations as to the future. She saw her daughter as a more mature and independent person that didn't really match with him. He was also older than Cristina.
On the night of her disappearance, Cristina's brother went 2 times up to Javier's door to ask for her sister. But he said in both occasions that he didn't know where she was, that he had left her at the door of the building where they lived. He never worried about her and never joined the family in the search.
​
The start of the investigation
As the investigations started, Javier Román immediately became a suspect. He was the last one to see her. He tried to divert the attention and called his investigation a stupidity. He claimed that she had escaped voluntarily and would come back when she was 18. Or that's what she had told him.
Investigators did not believe his allegations. The family had money in their home as Cristina's brother was going to buy a flat. They said that if she wanted to escape she would have taken some of the money as she knew it was there. She would have also taken more things but she only disappeared with a little amount of money, her ID and keys. Her mother claimed that those things would not take her anywhere.
They interviewed Javier in several occasions but he always maintained the same version of events and the same expression. He was cold and direct. They searched up to 3km of a sewer that was beneath his house but did not find anything. They also investigated many phone calls he made before, during and after her disappearance but there was nothing related to the case. They never stopped investigating him but they didn't have enough proof to actually sentence him for her disappearance.
As he was being chased by many people he decided to leave the country and travel to Santo Domingo. Meanwhile, Cristina's mother was constantly awaiting any sort of calls or news about her daughter standing permanently next to the phone.
​
The last 25 years
During the last years Juan and Luisa have lived all kinds of things.
Many people have called claiming they were Cristina and that she was kidnapped. Or asking for money in exchange of her daughter. Others called to inform them that they had seen Cristina in a theme park or retained inside a brothel. Nothing was real.
What really hit them was the anonymous letter her parents received that stated that her body was inside a dump in Barcelona. This drove the police to search for her corpse in the landfill, but nothing was found.
Till today the case remains open. Nothing has yet been found. Where is Cristina?
​
Links:
https://www.elsaltodiario.com/violencia-machista/desaparicion-cristina-bergua-un-cuarto-de-siglo-sin-pitu
https://www.larazon.es/cataluna/20220309/5hzusogmabendj5iahmv3xgljm.html
https://cronicaglobal.elespanol.com/vida/20220310/cornella-llobregat-dedica-espacio-cristina-bergua-desaparecida/656184461_0.html

i love how in hindsight, it's so obvious that the collector isn't in a doorway, he's your reflection in a mirror. the frame is clearly not a doorframe, there's no hinges or door anywhere, and you can even see a slice of wall behind the mirror. not only that, but you can see the light bouncing off the glass. i like how he's leaning a bit to one side to give the impression that he's leaning on the doorway.
i love it when there's small details like this that play on what you expect to see and reward you for paying attention. i never even questioned that he was standing at the door to the mansion lol. i'm curious whether anyone did figure it out though

I adopted my dog 6 years ago. He was a needy little thing, and I became his person very quickly. My life changed within a blink of taking him home, as I couldn't bear to see him upset. Even crating for short periods of time to spend one on one time with my other dog caused so much barking he would end up sick. It was hard, but slowly he settled for short periods of time.
He was a runner. If the door was open for even a second he was out and on his merry way to freedom. We lived near a BBQ shack when he was younger and that was his destination almost every time. I'd run in, out of breath, yelling "anyone seen a dog??" And there he was, happily getting scraps, no care i was shoeless and in pajamas. He still did it when we moved, only it was a game of chase.
He was reactive to other dogs. I tried when I first adopted him to slowly bring him around "strange" dogs, but he wouldn't let them come near. He would pull and bark and go nuts. He only allowed his brother near him. Walking him was awful. I had to go early morning and late evening and just the backyard in the afternoon. I felt like a failure that he was so isolated.
He chewed so many things, from shoes, to glasses, to toys, to dressers and couches. I didn't think he would ever stop.
But he was happy. He played with his brother, with me, with my partner. He ate with vigor. He got into trouble, like most dogs do. All things the poor little dog in the shelter never would have gotten a chance to do. I still wished things would be different for him. That he could have a full life. But we persevered.
Then he turned 7.
I swear I have a different dog. He allows other dogs near him. Plays with them. Doesn't bark or pull or growl. He goes into his crate sometimes on his own to sleep. He walks himself in the front yard, and comes right back to me. He doesn't chew things or get into the trash anymore.
It was like... a complete transformation.
I've always loved my dog, but I didn't realize how much I disliked his behavior. It was like this weight I had been carrying for 6 years just vanished. He's still my happy go lucky pup, but now he has manners and listens. It's such a wonderful thing!!

(SORRY FOR BAD ENGLISH!!) So, recently I have been experiencing weird things in my room especially when I’m alone.
Let me give you an example: I once entered my room and it had a really foul smell and I saw the silhouette of someone sleeping on my bed but the moment my mom came in the thing ran away and a lot of pressure was released from the springs that were holding the bed.
Another experience is that I astro projected (idk how to write it) and I saw myself sleeping in the bed and I noticed a dark figure behind my curtain it creeped me out and out of fear I woke up and I saw my door open (where I was earlier)
The creepiest encounters I had were these: -I was sleeping one night and my bed faces a big mirror so I woke up and looked at the mirror and saw someone playing with my hair it was again the dark figure I was so creeped out I had a panic attack and fainted. Then the next day this thing came back but this time it was breathing next to my ear. And after that day it came back and this time I felt it’s cold tongue lick my neck it felt so real.
Idk what to do so please help?