S2: E01 - Onward

S02-E01: Onward

[Intro music]

Narrator: Wake Of Corrosion Season 2 - Episode 1 - Onward

[Radio Tuning]

[Muffled sounds can be heard as someone switches on a recording device and moves it into the correct position]

Prof Ryan: This is Professor Ryan of Bunker A:12. This is a public broadcast to any Survivors out there. Before I begin, please be aware that I advise listener discretion going forward, as some of the content of this broadcast can be unsettling or disturbing.

[SFX: Switches] 

Over the last year I have been sharing the story of Roman and Elliot. Two brothers who found themselves caught up in the disastrous apocalypse we find ourselves in the embrace of.

During that time we’ve heard tales of life changing events and listened to the brothers overcome nightmarish encounters. However, their story is far from over.

If you’re still out there, still listening, then you are the one of the lucky few who have managed to survive in the wasteland this long and you have now been joined by Claire, the survivor we have to thank for the story of Roman and Elliot. Whilst I disagree with her journeying out from the safety of our bunker, I do see its merits and wish her the best of luck in her endeavour.

We will, when we can, receive updates from Claire on her journey to Ralford Observatory. It is my hope that once there, we can unlock more secrets of this bizarre and unforgiving world.

[Speaker clears their throat]

Let us begin

[SFX: Morse Code signal]

Our first entry comes from Claire. This is a recording of her initial exploration outside of the Bunker.

Entry: 35

[SFX: Switch]

[SFX: Long range radio static and beeps]

Claire: Come in Ryan, can you hear me?

Ryan: Loud and clear Claire. like I said before, we shouldn’t have many issues at all with communication all being well. How is it out there?

Claire: It’s, well at first glance everything looks fine. Like it always has been I guess Grassland surrounding the bunker, the wire fences and open gate. The path leading through the woods out to the road. Anyone coming out would think everything was fine.

Ryan: But it’s not is it?

Claire: Far from it, I’m afraid.

Ryan: Are you sure you want to do this? 

[Footsteps on dirt track] 

Claire: No, but I have to. For Roman, for my children. [SFX: Gate scraping]I’m heading out of the gate now and through the forest path. I’ll radio again when I’m through. I need to keep quiet until I know it’s safe.

[SFX: Fast fwd]

[SFX: Rapid Footsteps on gravel/road]

Claire: [out a breath] I’m on the open road, I...I heard things in the forest. Ryan, I heard things in the forest! There’s one of those screeching creatures close to the bunker. The one I heard when I first arrived, the same as the brother’s encountered. There’s one right by the bunker Ryan!

Ryan: We’ll be fine... It’s you I’m concerned about, are you safe?

Claire: I...I think. I think I am. I don’t think it heard me, but I’m not going to stick around to find out. Make sure the engineers don’t linger too long the next time they head out.

Ryan: I shall, I shall.

[SFX: Map moving sounds]

Claire: I’m on the main road now, heading in the direction of Ralford. There’s more signs of the effects of whatever is going on out here. They’re similar to what the brothers described before. [a pause]  Just-Just one second.

[SFX: Rapid footsteps]

[Explaining whilst walking] So there’s this patch of road out in front of me. The asphalt is worn away, probably in about a 15 foot area. About half of that is covered with some plants that have grown over from the side of the road, I’m not sure which variety they are. [a pause] Wait, there’s something more. ...Oh, well that’s interesting. [SFX: Radio crackles]

Ryan: [SFX: Static clicking, breaking signal] Claire? Claire, what is it? What do you see?

Claire: Ryan, I...I can’t hear you. If you can hear me, I, I’m okay but what I’m seeing right now, is...uh...I’ll describe it as best I can.

There’s the remains of a tent here, half a tent. And a rusted signpost. It, it’s a signpost for the next town over, I think, and A:12. It’s hard to read with how much it’s damaged. [SFX: Crumbling, metal scraping, dust] Urgh, oh God, what’s happened here?

Part of the tent just crumbled in my hands as I moved it but the other section is just fine, it looks worn but barely damaged at all. One moment…

Oh Jesus, [wretches lightly] There’s...Oh God, there’s someone in here Ryan...well [pause] part of someone.

Ryan: Claire, what do you mean, part of?

Claire: Inside the tent, there’s…[hesitating as she confronts the gruesome sight] There’s someone’s torso. Their body has been severed from the waist down, yet the rest of them, well it’s not here. There’s no sign of it at all. Just hold on a sec.

Ryan: Claire, you don’t have to explore more if you don’t want to.

Claire: I’m fine, just [SFX: Metal scraping, tent rustling] Yeah, yeah I thought so. Ryan, the way this body is severed, it’s so clean. It’s not exactly a perfectly straight line, but the cut itself, it’s as though they were dissected with incredible precision. It’s hard to tell due to how decomposed the body is, but the way the spine is cut in such a neat line, there’s no way this is a normal break.

Ryan: You, well I’ll be honest, you don’t sound surprised Claire.

Claire: In a way, in a way I’m not. I think whatever I used to do before, I dealt with things similar to this pretty often. My mind is telling me I should feel repulsed, but it’s really not bothering me as much as I thought it might, not anymore anyway. [SFX: Crouching down] Ryan, I’m taking a closer look. [pause] [SFX: Gravel footsteps] This tent, the body and the ground and they all seem to match up, in a strange sort of way.

The severed torso lines up perfectly with the degrading edge of this tent and where the paved road goes from solid asphalt  to crumbling pieces. It’s as though they were all affected by something across the same path. I could almost line a branch up to perfectly match the severing and degradation.

Ryan: I find that to be quite fascinating...what you’ve discovered has given me some thoughts on the matter.

Claire: Oh, care to elaborate on those Professor?

Ryan: I’d need some time first. I’m not one to promote baseless theories, well, not completely anyway. Perhaps next time we talk I could discuss them with you.

Claire: Suit yourself! I’m heading out now anyway. I’m still too close to that forest for my liking. I’ll radio again when I set up camp for the evening. Claire out.

Ryan: Very well. Ryan out

.

[SFX: Radio bleep and switch]

Ryan: I’ve had time to think about what Claire discovered since that recording. Whilst it’s concerning that there is something so monstrous so close to our sanctuary, her findings by the tent do share some similarities with what our brothers discovered early on in their journey.

For those of you who have joined us for the whole broadcast, you may recall when the brothers first left for their camping trip. During one of the early days of their trip, they encountered a bird whose wing had been completely severed. I distinctly recall Roman noting the precise way in which the wing was severed. Not to mention the unusual decomposition that took place on the underside of the creature. Another link, though tenuous and perhaps from an unreliable source, is from Mia. The survivor the brothers met and subsequently fled from. I went back through the recordings and she clearly states that someone saw a man disappear and a disembodied pair of legs.

I believe it’s possible that these incidents are all linked and that there are probably many more just like it that we’ve yet to discover.

As for what this means regarding the apocalyptic events that have taken place, well, I’m still uncertain.

Let’s move on and pick up where we left off with the brothers. 

Entry 36 is from Elliot’s journal, following them fleeing Roman’s family home.

[SFX: Writing]

Elliot: We’ve stopped for a rest, so I thought I’d catch up on some journaling. I’m torn between how ridiculous it feels to be writing this journal and how it could really mean something to someone, someday…Maybe.

I’ve been sort of afraid to address this before, but I can’t just carry on ignoring it. Before we left for the camping trip, I was trying this policy of being really honest about everything, even when I didn’t want to. Even when I thought it might get worse before it got better. I just wanted to live fully in truth. I feel like I’ve failed miserably at that over the past week and especially since we left the forest.

Everything we saw and heard in the whilst we were there: Our rusted car, the noises outside our tent, the fact that we’ve seen no-one….Oh fuck it. It’s the creatures we’ve seen, I’ve seen! The fucking nightmares that seem to have become real. It’s everything, everything we’ve encountered and then those things! I can’t even look at Roman’s fingernails anymore without feeling physically sick...It makes mine itch, I want to pull them off. And every so often I get a hint of that vinegary stench.

What is happening? Someone, please, just tell me what the hell is going on! I can’t deal with the fact that the creatures we saw are actually real. Real and have actively tried to kill...wait, no not kill. To, trap, ensnare, assimilate us. Whatever it is that they have tried to do. It makes death seem like the better option.

How are they even here? Have they always been here or did something bring them? Create them? Release them?

Damn it. God damn it! I’m not going to answer any of these questions by writing them to myself. And Roman is already sick of me asking, he’ll just ignore me if I keep on.

In the words of Roman, onward we go then.

Onward to Bunker A:7. Although it seems like it’s a bit further than we thought when you’re walking. One of those typical moments. You picture a journey in your head and it’s a breeze. Then half an hour in, you’re wondering how the hell you aren’t already there yet.

We agreed to stop off at a shop if we could, no doubt it’ll be deserted like everywhere else.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I agreed to steal something. I’m beyond concerned about the real world consequences at this point. I just want to make sure we’ve got plenty to eat and drink. And whilst Roman’s house had a bit of food, none of it would be particularly effective for a long journey. And we’ll need some more water bottles so we don’t have to keep stopping at random people’s houses. I miss filling our water from a spring in the forest. God it seems so long ago. I miss the innocence of those first few days. When the most unusual thing we saw was a meteor shower.

I’d better stop now. Roman’s gathering his things and doing that thing he does when he glances at me a lot to see if I’m doing the same but actually it’s a hint to get a fucking move on.

Here’s a truth to end on. Sometimes, it’s like there's been something different about him since we left his house. Something less...or, I don’t know, perhaps more.

Onward we go.

[SFX: Radio]

Ryan: We’re all exploring new territory now. In getting Claire equipped for her journey outside, I’ve not had a chance to review the evidence in advance. It may be that we’ll make discoveries together as we move forward.

Entry 37: A voice recording as they approach their supply point.

[SFX: Recorder click]

Roman: It’s getting darker earlier, isn’t it Elliot?

Elliot: I hate the end of summer for that reason alone.

Roman: Still, not quite the end of summer yet though bro, but it’s definitely getting dark sooner. Let’s head inside so it’s still light when we come back out.

Elliot: Yeah, alright.

[SFX: Footsteps]

Roman: Remember what you’re getting?

Elliot: Aye aye captain, but we’re staying together for a bit first, right? Make sure there’s no-[interrupted]

Roman: ‘Course we are. Just gotta make sure we don’t forget anything.

Elliot: I’ve written it down in the back of my journal. We’re all good.

Roman: [sarcastic] By god, you’ve used it for something useful for once!

Elliot: You can be a real dick sometimes, you know that?

Roman: Ab-so-lutely!

[SFX: Footsteps stop]

Elliot: D’you remember that abandoned hospital near to where I used to live?

Roman: Random, but yeah. Why?

Elliot: This supermarket is giving me the same vibes as that place. Look Roman, there’s things growing up on the roof and everything and if you look down the left hand side it’s started to collapse a little. It’s just like that place was. As though it’s just been left to the wild for years.

Roman: Except, it’s not fully the same is it.

Elliot: No. It’s really not.

Roman: Because for most of the middle and right hand side, it’s fine. Like, it looks abandoned as hell, but it’s not degraded at all.

Elliot: I suppose we should see that as a positive shouldn’t we?

Roman: That we should. Who’s going in first? [a pause] Yeah, daft question really. Pass me that bayonet.

[SFX: Backpack, metallic scrape]

Elliot: I still can’t believe you saved this from Grandad’s.

Roman: Well I’m bloody glad I did! Cheers, alright, let’s go. You get the doors.

Elliot: [Struggling to prise electric doors open, [SFX: Metal scraping] I’m glad nobody managed to lock these! They’re still bloody heavy though.

[SFX: Footsteps, scuff]

Roman: Fuck me it’s dark in here.

Elliot: Oh balls, why did I not think of that. Supermarkets don’t have any windows do they! For fucks sake. And it stinks as well.

Roman: Yep, a supermarket full of food...some of it is bound to have gone off.

Elliot: This is grim. C’mon, let’s get this over and done with.

Roman: Battery aisle it is first then bro. Looks pretty quiet here. Can’t hear anything moving around.

Elliot: I’m not convinced.

[SFX: Footstep, scuff]

Roman: Don’t worry man. We’re prepared this time. Now we know there’s some freakshows wandering around and I’m armed. We’re all good.

Elliot: [sarcastic] Oh what endless hope that fills me with.

Roman: Right, let's be quick with those batteries. I’m not sure how much longer my torch is gonna last [SFX: Torch click]. Grab a trolley.

Elliot: I’m sorry, what?

Roman: Grab a trolley dick head. We can grab everything we think we might need, shove it in and then sort it out when we’re back outside.

Elliot: Alright, alright. Sassy!

[SFX: Trolley sounds]

[SFX: Walking]

Elliot: Roman? [panicked] Roman, where have you gone?

Roman: [in a mock voice] Step into the light dear brother. And you shall be saved!

Elliot: Don’t do that to me! Seriously, my heart is pounding.

Roman: [seeing that Elliot is serious] Sorry dude, didn’t mean to. I’ve got some batteries though. So we’rel good. 

[SFX: Tappy feet movement above]

Elliot: Did you hear something just?

Roman: Yeah, it’ll be some birds that’ve come in to nest or something

Elliot: Okay, two things. 1) How can be you be sure? 2) When was the last time you saw an abundance of birds around?

Roman: Dad and I used to have to get them out of supermarket rafters all the time. They fly in, get stuck and inevitably try and inevitably build a nest or something. Given that no-one is around, I figure the birds haven’t had a reason to panic or try to leave.

Elliot: You didn’t answer my second question.

Roman: Well, I can’t really say I’ve been bird watching this whole time Elliot. What with the whole trying to keep us alive thing going on.

[SFX: Tappy feet movement]

Elliot: Okay, that did sound pretty bird-like.

Roman: [sarcastic] I’m so glad the expert is here!

[SFX: Trolley]

Roman: Where to next then journal boy?

Elliot: Tins. All the tins.

Roman: Onward we go then.

Elliot: [laughs]

Roman: What?

Elliot: [laughs] Nothing. Nothing.

[SFX: Recording stops]

[SFX: Recording starts]

Roman: How did you manage to drop the batteries twice before getting them back in the recorder?

Elliot: Oi, it’s dark and we’re walking at the same time!

Roman: I am a bit confused why you’re adamant to record our shopping trip. Aren’t you scared it’s undeniable proof that you’re a petty petty thief?

Elliot: Ha ha, very funny. I’m afraid of something happening, actually.

Roman: Ah, and the best defense is a recording, right? That’ll scare the gribblies away!

Elliot: No it’ll-

Roman: I know, I know. Serve as a record for whoever finds this. Whatever happens!

Elliot: Yes…Exactly.

[SFX: Louder tapping above]

Roman: Man those birds do keep making me jump a little.

Elliot: Same.

[SFX: Tin, trolley movement]

Roman: Right, I’m just gonna go to the end of the aisle and see if there’s any decent coffee left on the back shelves. I’ll be two secs.

Elliot: Alright, don’t go out of sight though.

Roman: I won’t. I know it’ll break your little heart if you can’t see me.

Elliot: Urgh, idiot.

[SFX: Footsteps, away, distant]

[SFX: Tapping above]

Elliot: [scared by birds] Fuck’s sake, every time.

[pause]

[SFX: Creature growl, sudden clattering on shelf]

Elliot: Holy fucking, shit [SFX: Drop stuff, running] [shouting] Roman! Roman! [fast breathing]

Roman: What, wha-Oh my-[SFX: Creature sound louder] Run Elliot, run!

[SFX: Rapid footsteps]

[panicked breaths]

Elliot: [out of breath] Where is it? Where is it? I can’t see it.

Roman: Doesn’t matter, just keep running.

[SFX: Clatter as Elliot runs into something]

Elliot: Shit, ahh. My leg.

Roman: Get up, get up!

[SFX: Getting up]

[SFX: Creature sound, grabs Elliot]

Elliot: Aah, Roman! Roman help!

[SFX: Muffled movements, panic grabs]

Roman: I’m trying [grunting sounds with effort]

Elliot: Aaaahhhh

Roman: [has let go of Elliot] Shit! Shit!

Elliot: [muffled] Roman! Roman!

Roman: [growing distant] I’m coming Elliot! Hold on!

Elliot: Oh shit…

[SFX: Creature sound and movement]

Elliot: Mfffh, mfffh, [tries to speak but can’t anymore]

[SFX: Creature movement]

[Creature has taken Elliot somewhere and left him]

Elliot: [muffled crying and heavy breathing]

Survivor: Ssh, ssh don’t move too much. That’ll fall off in a moment…

[SFX: Squelching sound as mask falls]

Elliot: Urgh, what the fuck was that!

Survivor: Ssh, quiet now. Quiet.

Elliot: What. The fuck. Was that.

Survivor: Mad right? I mean, it’s so dark in here, I’ve only ever felt its leathery skin brush against my face. I’ve never actually seen it...not fully.

Elliot: Is...is it human?

Survivor: [laughs, unusually abrupt] No. How’s the numbness by the way?

Elliot: The what? Oh, fuck, I can’t move. Why can’t I move? Why can’t I move?

Survivor: Yep. Just its saliva is enough for that.

Elliot: Shit, shit, shit….Fuck. What is it going to do to us?

Survivor: [deadpan] Well given that the other person in here stopped speaking earlier today, I…I think it’ll consume us.

Elliot: Oh god, [hyperventilating] Oh god, oh god. I have to shout my brother. I have to shout him! He could come to us [panicked breathing]

Survivor: I wouldn’t do that if I was you, it’s the sound that attracts it. Last person who shouted for help...well it ended pretty quickly. [says with something like excitement] Unless...Unless you want that?

Elliot: What?!? Why are you…Why are you so calm about all this? You just told me that this thing might consume us! Why aren’t you freaking out?

Survivor: Oh. It’s fine. I mean really, it’s fine isn’t it?

Elliot: Excuse me?

Survivor: Well, it eats. It lives. It grows. It thrives. Life, life goes on.

Elliot: No, no life doesn’t go on. You freaking die!

Survivor: Oh sure, I do. But the Gorgon lives.

Elliot: The Gorgon?

Survivor: I mean, it can stop people moving like Medusa, right? So why not? A mighty Gorgon, in our presence!

Elliot: Jesus Christ.

[SFX: Distant monstrous howls, growing closer]

Survivor: [as though saying a mantra] Here it comes. Here, the end. The cycle. The start of something bigger. Something stronger, something…[in awe] more!

[SFX: Creature gross sounds]

Survivor: [laughs] I can’t, I can’t even feel it! What wonder is this? 

Elliot: [panicked breathing]

Survivor: [manic laughter] You’re next friend, a glorious sacrifi...[gargles and cuts off abruptly]

[SFX: Wet creature sounds]

Elliot: [panic breaths, whisper] Fuck..Fuck [Trying to control breaths] Okay.

[SFX: Creature sounds, growing distant with panicked breaths and a whimper from Elliot]

[SFX: Radio]

Ryan: [shaken] Survivors, I...I’m going to leave the broadcast there for today. I know, I know, I’m sorry. I want to find out what happened as much as you do. But I’m reaching the limit of available power and I think I’ll need to fast forward the recording a little. I’m not sure how long Elliot spends in this state and I'd rather not subject you, my listeners, to…to that.

Rest assured [a pause] Elliot, in some way, must make it out of this. There are still many entries in his journal that we’ve not yet read. There is hope, I’m not sure how much, but it’s there.

I hope you’re safe and secure survivors. If you know anything of this [in disgust] creature - Reach out to us. [SFX: Outro music] Our broadcast signal is A-12. Find us. Share the message.

Until next time, Survivors. Don’t wander in the dark.

[Credits]

Thank you for listening - If you’d like to support the show and get hold of some audio extras or merch check out our patreon at patreon.com/wakeofcorrosion

For news and updates then follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wakeofcorrosion

Wake Of Corrosion was written, directed and produced by Shaun Pellington

With voice acting from:

Kieran Walsh as Professor Ryan

Lee Pellington as Roman

Shaun Pellington as Elliot

Brianne Leeson as Claire

Harlan Guthrie as Unknown Survivor

Title and credits read by Adele Cliffe

Our introduction theme Shadowlands 5 - Antechamber and outro theme Phantasm were created by Kevin MacLeod sourced from incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Both pieces have been reduced from their originals with fade out, added voice over and radio static effects.

Morse Code SFX courtesy of Stephen C.Phillips of morsecode.world

All other sound effects are self recorded, from soundsnap.com or zappsplat.com

For our full list of credits visit the website in our show notes. 

Thank you again, for listening.

[SFX: Music fades out]

[End]