So I set out to make something creepy, but it wound up being kinda cute? IDK I kinda like it. If you read a lot of my stuff you've probably noticed that I love the idea of somebody going really far away and coming back changed somehow. And I also love lost cities and the American Midwest and casting spells via smooches.

So Y'know this is pretty on brand.

Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/timeraft

Archive: https://www.reddit.com/r/ASMRScriptHaven/comments/x9hb9v/script_archive/

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[I was inspired by this song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBy2qRG1PA0)

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In a small city at the far north of the prairies there is rule. "Don't go beyond the Pines" Nobody really knows why, but its ingrained in everyone's psyche. Almost like a compulsion. But over a year ago an outcast who lived right near the treeline went missing. There was a search party but they didnt get very far. Everyone moved on and left the outcast for dead. Everyone but one person. Every night they go into the woods looking for their lost love, its a fruitless search. Until one night, when they go deeper than they've ever gone before. And they finally find who they've been looking for. They're back, but somethings different. They've changed in a way even they're only just starting to realize.

Dialogue

Context

SFX

Context that changes the audio

Listener is lost in a pine forest looking for a friend who went missing a while ago. When to their shock the person comes out of the pines. They look the same as when they left but something is different. They've changed. They almost seem unhinged; they talk like their mind is racing.

Hey! Hey! I heard you calling my name!

Fancy meeting you out here. Don't you know it's a bit too dark for hiking?

Well I suppose I've got no right to tell you what you can and can't do out in the woods on your own time. Still though you gotta be careful y'know? Never know who you might meet! Good thing it was just me eh?

I heard you've been looking for me. How long have I been gone? I kinda lost track of time out here.

They've been missing for over a year.

It feels like it was so much longer and so much shorter. It's strange. You say it's been ages. But it feels like only days.

And you're still out here looking for me? After all that time?

I'm so sorry- I didn't realize- I heard you call to me- but it took so long to find you.

I didn't mean to scare everyone, I was just out cutting up slab wood for my furnace and I heard a voice. It called my name from the treeline and I followed it into the pines.

Listener asks why they followed it

No you don't understand, I didn't have a choice.

I just heard it and went. It was so beautiful. The voice was like a warm breeze on a hot summer night. It rolled across the prairie and ran its fingers through my hair. Kissing me on the forehead. I didn't even think.

By the time I knew what was happening I was a mile deep in the pines, maybe more. And I didn't care. I kept going and going and going until I reached the old gravel pit. And then I was alone. Truly alone.

It was dark, darker than I ever thought it could be. And silent. Too silent to be real.

I've always been so afraid of the dark and that night wasn't any different. I was terrified. I shook and wept silently. Silent as a lost little lamb.

Oh but the darkness, the darkness was kind to me.

They lean into the story with an unhinged dramatic flourish

She took me in her arms, wrapped me in her mantle and she scooped me up like a child. I've never felt such warmth. I dove into the inky black waters of the old pit and it was as if I'd been baptized. Like that revival thing we went to once. I was born again. Remade anew.

She took me to the place beyond the pines. To the city in the depths of the forest. I thought it was a myth but it was real. Oh so real.

I saw it, I saw every brick, every street. All wrapped in beautiful beautiful shadows.

And I danced with forces that the eyes can't see. I danced in the streets all night. Wild and free.

It was empty and yet full of life. I was alone and yet never alone. My dance was slow and fast and warm and cold. To the music of a silent symphony. I've never felt anything like it. It could have been hours or it could have been years I don't know. But it changed me. It made me into this.

I was so silly, to be afraid! I mean seriously! Look upon me and know the beauty of the night! It's gentle and kind. It's not a place to be afraid! It's a place to rest! To reflect! A sanctuary!

And I'm part of it now! I'm its herald! Its servant! Its child! I've embraced every aspect of it. I embody it and it embodies me.

I feel so beautiful, so powerful, so wise. I've never felt this way before. The holy darkness got a hold of me, and I hope she never ever lets me go. I want to be hers for eternity.

Slightly unhinged Laughter

I heard you call my name and I came towards your voice, but it took longer than I planned. I suppose from your perspective that was a long time ago. I'm sorry again I'm still not fully used to this. I have trouble with the rushes. Honestly I think I might be just a little unhinged.

Thanks for coming to find me though. I think I must have missed you. Otherwise I'd have never heard you call.

Hey, answer this question for me. It just sort of popped into my head right now. Why were you the only one still looking for me? It sounds like I've been gone long enough that the search has been called off. What made you keep it up?

Actually never mind don't answer, just hold still. I want to try something.

Shhhh just… hold…. Yeah and….. There!

The shadows come out of the trees and absorb the shadow of the listener. Listener is paralyzed with fear

I just sort of merged your shadow with mine, don't worry about it. Now let me just absorb it a little bit. I'm just gonna gobble up a little piece of you. A tasty little morsel.

Deep Breath

Wait a minute

Laughter

Singsong voice

You got a thing for me! You got a thing for me!

They kinda squee over it

Oh my God, that's so cute!

Was I your lost Lenore? Your Odysseus? Did you get all lonesome and look out over the lone prairie with a heavy heart? Write any poems?

Nonono its super sweet! I just never would have guessed. Oh I must have hurt you so much! I'm so sorry!

I never realized you felt that way. I always sort of thought you just felt sorry for me. Because I was so alone. You were always so kind to me. It was hard living out at the edge of the forest alone in that trailer, but being too shaky and afraid to talk to people. Everyone thought I was cursed or something because of how close I was to the pines. It's not like I chose that life. It's just all I could afford. But everyone was so mean. I always felt so disconnected from them and now I know why.

I can see them now, in their little cozy homes. All huddled around their light. Refusing the gift of the shadows. Maybe I'll get back at all of them later. Maybe I’ll drag them into the darkness one by one by one.

Listener is terrified and the speaker catches on to it.

Ok ok maybe not. Revenge is beneath me now. You're such a softie you know that? I really like you.

I was so bad at talking to you back then, but you were always so patient with me. It was really sweet. You always make me so gooey inside and I can't handle it! Oh I just wanna snatch you up!

Well let me make it up to you for vanishing into the shadows. I'll do something really drastic for the one who waited so long. Something just totally extra! You deserve it after all my little Penelope.

See all those stars up there? Pick one.

Shhh just take your pick, you'll see.

That one right there? That cute little red one? You sure? The brighter ones are on the table too. Hell you can pick more than one if you like.

Well Alrighty. What you want is what you want.

Let me just reach outtttt andddddd

Yoink!

They pluck a star from the sky

Here you go.

Careful! It’s still a little hot!

Listener is completely freaked out.

What?

I told you. I came back changed. I command miracles now. I am one with the night. And that includes the starry sky.

Here I'll rearrange a couple. Let me just……

There! A heart in the sky for you! Although I suppose it looks a bit more like an apple. I'm not very artistic. Apples are nice too though I guess.

Well do you like the new me as much as the old one? Because I don't have any plans to go back.

Listener nervously agrees

Heh, good answer.

Come closer. Let me hold you.

Come on don't be shy, the night belongs to lovers after all. Let me wrap you in the sacred darkness. Fall into my arms. You have nothing to be afraid of. I will NEVER hurt you.

Listener comes closer, almost like they're under a spell.

There we go. Safe and warm. Melt into me.

Oh I think I missed you. I missed you a lot. But I've got you now. No need to fear. We never have to part again if you don't want to.

Listener is overcome with emotion and begins to silently weep

Shhhhhhhhhhhh it's all good. We don't need to worry about that right now.

No need to weep. I know you're touch starved and that's alright. I am too. I’m sorry that I went away for so long- so so sorry, but I’m back now. I’ll make the waiting worth it.

Let me give you the blessing of darkness. My blessing. A sign to the world that you're with me now. That I've claimed you as my own.

Smooch

Now things are going to be different. Whether anyone likes it or not, things are going to change.

-30-