The Last Tape

    By Fathimath Shaima

    The Last Tape cover image

    16 Oct, 2024

    a woman in a suit sitting at a table with a book in front of her and a light above her, a character portrait, Eva Gonzalès, academic art, promotional image

    Dr. Emma Taylor, a renowned psychologist, was intrigued by a mysterious package that arrived at her office.

    a woman sitting at a desk with a record player and a book in front of her, with a record player on the desk, a colorized photo, Brigid Derham, private press, promotional image

    Inside it, she found a worn VHS tape labeled 'Patient 13' and a note: 'For Emma's eyes only. Play me.'

    a woman sitting at a desk with a computer and a monitor on it, in front of a wall, a character portrait, Anka Zhuravleva, serial art, promotional image

    Curiosity piqued, Emma inserted the tape into her old VCR. A grainy video started playing.

    a man sitting in a chair in front of a tv in a dark room with a window and a light on, a black and white photo, Bedwyr Williams, video art, promotional image

    The video showed a patient, strapped to a chair. Emma's own voice echoed in the background, 'Describe your fears.'

    a woman in a white shirt and tie in front of a tv with a man on it and a desk with a monitor, a screenshot, Doc Hammer, institutional critique, vfx

    The patient's eyes locked onto the camera as he spoke, 'I fear... being trapped... in my own mind.'

    a woman sitting in a chair in front of a tv with a doctor on it and a nurse standing next to her, a screenshot, Clarice Beckett, institutional critique, promotional image

    Suddenly, the patient's face contorted, and Emma's voice whispered ominously from the TV, 'You will never escape.'

    a woman sitting at a desk talking on a cell phone and holding a book in her hand while holding a pen, a character portrait, Clarice Beckett, serial art, leesha hannigan

    The tape ended abruptly. Emma sat there, a chill running down her spine. Her phone started ringing, breaking the silence.

    a woman in a suit holding a phone to her ear while sitting at a desk with a computer and a keyboard, a screenshot, Clarice Beckett, tachisme, promotional image

    She answered the phone, but all she could hear was static. 'Hello?' she asked, her voice trembling.

    a woman in a tie sitting in an office cubicle with other people in the background on the desk, a character portrait, Brigid Derham, institutional critique, leesha hannigan

    A faint whisper replied through the static, 'You will never escape.' Emma spun around, but she was alone in the office.

    a woman sitting in a chair watching a tv show in a dark room with a portrait on the wall, a matte painting, Brigid Derham, video art, vfx

    Suddenly, the TV flickered back to life, displaying 'Patient 14'. Emma's heart pounded as she turned to look at the screen.

    a woman in a white coat sitting in a chair in a room with a lamp on the wall and a mirror behind her, a character portrait, Clarice Beckett, international gothic, promotional image

    To her horror, she saw her own face staring back from the screen, strapped to the chair just like 'Patient 13'.

    a woman sitting at a desk in front of a computer monitor with a creepy face on it's screen, computer graphics, Clarice Beckett, video art, promotional image

    The tape started to rewind and Emma's screams filled her office, drowning out the static.

    The Last Tape

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