DISCLAIMER: The first chapter of the story is one of three different ending scenarios for a recently released indie horror game by Zed Technician called The Man From the Window. I am making a fanmade expansion about how the game's deuteragonist goes on to fight the supernatural. I am not plagiarising, I am just putting this here so you know the first part of the prologue. However, I did add some of my own stuff in, like Junior and Mama Rabbit's real names and Junior's age. Check out the game here: https://zed-technician.itch.io/the-.....rom-the-window

Update: I recently found out that there is a canon first name for Mama Rabbit, so I will Change any and all instances of Alicia to Diane.

My name is Peter McGregor Jr., and this is how I lost my mom and my life would be changed forever. My Mom's name is- or was- Diane McGregor. She was a hard-working employee at a donut shop called Bartleby's Bakery. My dad died from cancer when I was 2, So, it had just been me and Mom. We lived in a very small apartment. One bedroom (my room), one bathroom, a small dinner table, one small and old TV, one living room, a microwave, a small kitchen sink, a small fridge, and no oven or stove. My mom would sleep on the couch. It wasn't very much, but it was home.

I was 9 years old when it happened. When I lost her. Mom came home late at night, tired and exhausted. She placed a box of donuts and her keys on the table, and went to sit down on the couch. "Oh my stars, I am tired! Whew, what a long day." she said in her distinctive southern accent, "Seems like I keep gettin' home later and later... But that's just how it is sometimes. I ain't givin' up. ... I'd better try to get some sleep. Gonna need to be up bright n' early to cook breakfast for the little one."

I ran out of my room into the living room, frightened, carrying a book. A book that would later serve as a reminder of what happened that night. "Mama! Mama!" I said. "Junior, what on earth are you doing up this late?" Mom asked. "You know you have school tomorrow!" "But, mama..." I answered nervously, "The Man from the Book is gonna get me..." "Huh?" she said, confused, "What man? What book?" "The man in my storybook!" I said, "See?!" I held up the book to her. "'The Man from the Window'?" she said, reading the title, "Give it here." I gave her the book and she started to read it.

"The Man From The Window is quite the odd fellow,
With his big beady eyes and sunken nose, why, he just wants to say hello!
As he smiles from ear to ear, the Man wanders the quiet night.
Through alleys and backyards he goes, making sure to stay out of sight!
He silently peers through windows, searching for one thing and one thing only.
A new friend is all he wants, for The Man is very, very lonely!
Once you hear his tap-tap-tapping at the window, you'll know he's found a new friend to play.
For now you have only 5 minutes before he takes you away!
But do not fret, for staying in one place is The Man's only peeve.
Keep him at bay for another 5 minutes, and he'll leave!
The Man will walk then he will lurch
The place under the mirror is where he will search
The man is in his element, doing what he does best.
Next he wil look under the place where you often rest
The Man has no friends, no family, no son, and no daughter
Next he will check the place which holds water!
The Man has no use for trinket or token.
He will now check under the place where bread is broken.
The Man indeed is very, very, bold.
Soon he will check inside the place which is cold!."

My Mom closed the book and sighed, "Junior, this is just one of those scary books people write. You're too young to be reading this kinda stuff! It'll scare your little mind half to death!" But, Mama, I saw him outside! I really did!" I pleaded with all the honesty I could possibly muster. But she still didn't believe me. "It's just a book, sweetie. It ain't real. Now get that cotton tail off to bed right now! At this rate, you won't want to wake up in the- ...Huh?" Before she could even say morning, she was cut off by a noise from the living room window. *tap tap tap* The blinds were shut so we couldn't see who or what it was, but deep down, I knew who it was and I was terrified.

"It's him! He's out there!" I said as i started to panic a little. "Calm- calm down, Junior. Whatever's out there, I'm pretty sure it ain't a monster." she said trying her best to calm me down, but I could tell from the one stutter that she was also nervous. Then it happened again. This time slightly louder. *tap tap tap tap* My Mom paused for a moment. "Junior?" "Yes?" "Where'd you get this book from?" "It was on the table when I got home from school. You got it for me, right?" "Oh, dear lord this ain't good..."

She grabbed her keys immediately. Then she had an idea to buy some time. She opened the box of donuts. Then she locked the front door. She then used the couch to barricade it. This took about 2 minutes, though. She then came back to me. "Huh?" I said. "Junior..." she said, "Follow me." "Okay!" And so I followed her all the way to the fridge. "Junior, It might be a little cold, but you need to hide inside the fridge for a bit. And don't come out until Mama says so. All right?" "I'm scared..." "Don't be! We'll be alright!" At least I would be. But neither of us knew what was going to happen. That was the last time I ever heard her voice. I hid in the fridge. It was uncomfortably cold at first, but then for some reason, it started to become bearable. In fact, it was actually rather pleasant. So pleasant in fact, that it calmed me down. Meanwhile my mom locked the bedroom as a distraction then locked herself in the bathroom and hid in the washtub.

It was exactly 2:00 AM when The Man approached the front door. The door had been locked. The Man spent only thirty seconds ripping the lock apart. A large heavy couch had been pushed in front of the door. It took the man an entire minute to break through the barricaded door. The time was now 2:01 AM. The man spotted a box of donuts sitting on the table. The man took an entire minute to eat them all. The time was now 2:02 AM. The bathroom door had been locked. The Man spent 30 seconds ripping the bathroom door lock off. The time was now 2:03 AM. The Man looked under the sink... But he found nothing. The bedroom door had been locked. The Man spent 30 seconds ripping the bedroom door lock off. The time was now 2:04 AM. The Man looked under the bed... But he found nothing. The Man looked inside the washtub... The man had found his new friend...

I heard the front door close. I knew what that meant. Despite her telling me to only get out once she told me the coast was clear, I got out of the fridge. Besides, I knew it had already been 5 minutes. I looked around, the couch had been flipped over, the donuts were gone, and the door was open. "Mama!" I called out, "The Man is gone! You can come out now!" There was no response. "Really! He's gone!" Still no response. "... Mama?" Again, no response. "You can stop hiding..." Ever still, no response. "... Please...?" Tears started to fall as the realization kicked in. I would never see my mother ever again...

(If every single person who reads this could leave a comment that would be great! Yes, that means you too, Rex. A fave AND a comment.)