Blackmouth

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Description

Howie finds a clue that could lead him to recover his lost memories in the form of a sequence of letters and a number: PZCY9. His chance at decoding this falls into his willingness to trust his coworkers at The Roundtable, who seem to be hiding secrets of their own.

Foreword

Howie's reality becomes more than just acclimatizing as the newbie bar staff at The Roundtable when his past starts to hunt him down in uncanny ways, leading him to meet people he couldn't remember having met before, forced into a situation he doesn't realize he has always been in. Second chances take on a new meaning as Howie discovers that his new life is really just a game he is playing for someone else.

Possible trigger warnings:

Gore, Body horror, Violence, Death, Drug use, Graphic descriptions, Psychological themes, etc. I may have missed some other things, but they tend to revolve around the aforementioned triggers. Other more specific triggers include: implied/mentioned/explicit cannibalism, weapons (guns, sharp objects, blunt objects, etc), syringes/needles, medical tools/equipments and (detailed depictions of) medical procedures, psychological episodes/responses (ie. self-harm & suicidal ideations/attempts, anxiety/panic attacks, (C)PTSD & traumatic flashbacks, amnesia, depression, etc), unethical/inhumane scientific experimentations, various (physical, mental, emotional) forms of torture, and other things along those lines.

PS: ETC either means the overall trigger revolves around the same theme or include similar themes that have the same general concept or the trigger may be too specific that I am unable to identify them out of unfamiliarity. Trust your own discretion and judgment on that one.

Cast of characters

Author's note

Hello! Thank you for taking the chance to click on my story, Blackmouth. Please take the time to read it, I promise you will like it.

I have had the idea for this fic way back in 2017, and in 2020 I've tried to publish it in Tagalog with the title Different Gods, but had to take more time for the storyline to develop, and I waited until early this October 2023 to restart writing. I used character names for the OOC aspect, but for some other things as well. Yes, I carefully picked the names. I like naming my characters, I think it gives them more of my own personal spin. Honestly everything about this story from the setting to the characters and the plot, up to establishments and terminologies I have made up. This work is very dear to me, I have spent a lot of time and exhausted too many brain cells for it to be born. I hope you like it as much as I do.

PS: I revise and edit even the already published chapters from time to time, so if you have read them already you may see some changes the next time you check the chapters out again. Nothing major, just correcting grammar mistakes and typos, but sometimes I also do add/change bits for continuity purposes.

There will be spoilers in the comments so please don't read them to preserve your own immersive reading experience.

Thank you for reading my thoughts so far. Please comment, upvote, and share so that Blackmouth can get more love. Thank you!

– Ame (lakanamihan), October 24, 2023

Credits

Video trailer:

Blackmouth Trailer by mangoh0e

Playlist:

Doomsday Countdown

This story is an entry for:

Picture Perfect! A Writing Contest by DGNA_Forever *Prompt: #13, Challenge: #9
Black Rose by Soneforever2
Better Things | A Writing Contest by Snowflake01 *Prompts: #4, #28

3TunYjr.jpeg 

© All rights reserved 2023 by Lakanamihan
Intellectual property of Lakanamihan @ AFF, AO3, WATTPAD, TUMBLR, TWITTER, ETC
Original storyline by Lakanamihan. Do not copy or plagiarize in any way, shape or form. If you liked my story, please give it an upvote so it can get more recognition and be featured.
Plesae refrain from leaving "congrats" as well as random numbers then deleting it for KP gain, and other non-story related comments on here. It's disrespecful to me. Thanks for acknowledging and not crossing important boundaries.
For more stories, click on the CLAW logo to be redirected to my work portfolio.

Author's Thoughts
Lakanamihan
Thanks to Carat_Authornim for promoting Blackmouth again! ♥️
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Comments

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Jaesongjoong #1
Comgrats
Charlot1081 759 streak #2
Chapter 9: I can see how Howie's relationship with Santi is a little rocky. It feels like Santi gave up trying to figure out everything and is going with the flow, because there's nothing else he can do. He used to be how Howie is, wanting to know what happened to him; who he was in the past; and why he's the way he is now. Seeing how just following the rules lets him get by, Santi has figured out that he just needs to lay low and enjoy what remaining life he has left (even if it's not preferable). Meanwhile, Howie is gungho about learning everything. This type of situation can lead to them parting ways. However, I feel like Howie can trust Santi. After all, they're all they have, especially if Wolfgang is a double agent. I love how Howie just stole the Z like it was nothing. He's like, "I'll take that, bye~" hahah
Malcolm can't catch a break, poor guy. He's just as confused and overwhelmed as Howie is. Against Charles' orders, he's heading to Sector 17. I wonder if he'll find what he's looking for there. And hopefully not get killed lol
The impromptu surgery in the 24-mart is probably the most normal part of this story. XD Everybody does sketchy things in those bathrooms
DolphinWorld 1996 streak #3
Chapter 14: Ah, they finally confirmed their identities before they were all turned into Blackmouths. Charles, Malcolm and Andreas interaction, discussing stuff. But Mr Jeon walked in on them talking about him behind his back. Wonder how things would go further. Can't wait to read more. Hope to see an update soon.
DolphinWorld 1996 streak #4
Chapter 13: Wait! I'm kinda confused! I mean earlier when I asked about why Howie didn't realise Wolfgang and G are also something like him, you told me that I got things mixed up. But here he mentions about seeing death certificates while he snooped through the files earlier. If that was the case, then what did he think of Wolfgang and G? I mean living humans aren't supposed to have death certificates right? Shouldn't he have doubted something then itself? Nonetheless, I'm kinda relieved that neither Wolfgang nor G ended up being a spy. And that they are gonna be working on this mystery matter together. Also, Corporal Lee is Dino right? But somehow I don't remember who Captain Park (and was too lazy to check it out while reading but will definitely take a look at the characters now) is. I wonder why Corporal Lee started to take back his words about Howie being the courier guy. Anyway, can't wait to see how things would go further. But will be back later to read more ^^
Charlot1081 759 streak #5
Chapter 8: Yay! Dino has made his appearance! Of course, as a rookie, you have to be cautious on what you do on company time. You should have waited to do research until you were at home or in the place a lone ;) Of course, now that you got a promotion, you better be quiet about Tiger Kwon *shhh!* Also.. Boo, Mayor Boo, you are on Jesse and Tiger Kwon's side? Seriously? What, are you getting money from them selling Z too? Ugh, you can't make this any easier, huh?
Okay, but when Howie took his phone out and it worked, I thought back to that one Vlive Hoshi was complaining/crying that his phone was -not- water proof, and he lost all of his data XD kudos for Howie for having a good phone! But then he looked through everyone's files to see how they looked before they died. I was on the edge of my seat, hoping to see Santi as well. But Wolfgang, why you gonna shoot our boy Howie? There must be a mistake, or they really are just using Howie. Or maybe Wolfgang is the double agent. Oh boy.
Charlot1081 759 streak #6
Chapter 7: Poor baby Howie :o I can just imagine his vision getting blurry and his head becoming light as he remembers bits from his past. The song Santi was playing then was the song that was playing with his last memory with Charles. I literally laughed my off with the scene with Wolfgang and G interrogating Howie and Santi. Like yes, to an outsider's view, it seems like they hate each other. They just have this sort of relationship where it sounds like they hate each other, but in reality, they're the closest to each other. I have a few relationships like that. It seems toxic, but really, it's just personality types. I tend to attract the meanest Northern people. *shrugs* I see, Howie is planting evidence to tire Tiger Kwon to the case. How come the PD didn't recognize Howie though? I know that hair changes how a person looks, but the eyes never change. Hm~ Mystery~ Now him jumping like that, it won't kill him, but he might turn a little if he gets hurt too badly. Let's see if he can control himself if he does turn.
Charlot1081 759 streak #7
Chapter 6: Okay, but Isaiah Chew being an underground surgeon.. I dunno if I would trust it, honestly XD Like irl, Vernon gives off that vibe that he could probably do anything. So I guess it's not too out of the question- I still have my doubts 😂 But I'm glad he could operate on Howie and learn more about his state.
Now what surprised me was that Charles- Y'know, that guy that is a detective and all, had Howie as his partner- yes, that Charles... Ahem.. YuR iN On IT?! Like bruh.. He and Jeon were talking as if they had known each other for awhile. Please don't tell me that they're using Santi and Howie as experiments. Especially Howie, he doesn't need that. ;( I was waiting for Jeonghan's appearance! Oh my, I wonder what happened for him to have a prosthetic arm, was it a zombie attack? Jk! Maybe? 🤔But Howie's taking on this role differently that Santi is, I wonder why that is. I suppose I'll learn as I read on. Apparently, this author likes to make plot twists. I'm all for it 😈
Charlot1081 759 streak #8
Chapter 5: I feel like Santi was right, he wasn't the right person to explain everything. I like the detail that you put into the explanation: the different stages and how it affects the person. I'm sure Santi is still traumatized with the memory of just suddenly coming to while eating a corpse. I know that would get to me. >...<' Santi's been through it a lot, but he can remember things before he died. It's only a matter of time before Howie remembers too. I feel bad for Charles. He lost his colleague but somehow he's still around, it must confuse him as well. He's so smart, looking at this case from every angle - even to the point where he "goes missing" his own self. The dedication to cracking the code is admirable and nothing short of what I would expect from our leader. I'm really happy with Malcom's relationship with Carmen. She seems like the best fit for him: so supportive and caring.
Howie's character is slowly coming together too. As he gets to know Santi, it feels like he's getting to know himself as well. Because Santi was just in the same boat until recent, it feels like. Although their relationship isn't the best at the moment, I feel like, in the end, they will be best friends. If not best friends, then definitely worst enemies hahaha XD
DolphinWorld 1996 streak #9
Chapter 12: Ah, it was here he realises what G and Wolfgang are as well... That was some terrible fight and do they retain their memories of what happened when they had turned? I wonder about that since they would be waking up any time now and also wonder how they would react to all that happened there and finding out their identities. Also, who's the man Tiger Kwon tortured? Is he the one who supplied the Z drug to Howie earlier? Anyway, I will be back later to read more ^^
Charlot1081 759 streak #10
Chapter 4: Okay wow. We started with a nightmare and ended with one. I have a feeling that Minghao saw his dead body in his nightmare, but I'm not for sure. I was like super happy when G and Wolfgang were hanging out with Howie. I love the chemistry between G and Howie, it feels so natural. I had a client the other day with the name of Wolfgang. I didn't know it was a famous guy. I was like, "wtf? why would you name yur kid that?" XD Just me being ignorant lol
My heart jumped when Tiger Kwon got a hold of Howie. My poor baby got beaten up, yet Kwon couldn't kill him. So does that mean Kwon left Howie after beating the snot out of him, ad Santi came out of the shadows to get him? Was he watching the whole time? It seems like Kwon has something against Howie and Santi, not only something that happened when they were alive, but now too. I guess he doesn't like the undead. 🤔
Poor Howie doesn't know who to believe though. Like Santi did just have a little bit of a panic attack, you can't get mad at him for not wanting to open up about himself. BUt yeah, if someone was trying to stab me with a needle, I'd freak out. So how often do they inject though? Because if Howie's been a zombie for a few weeks, how many cravings has he had? Or was this his first craving? Or can he drink something that will suppress his cravings?
I'm so excited, we're getting into the meat of this story! (pun intended). <3
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