Local58

Kris Straub's horror webseries, which is slowly becoming an ARG. The Local58 channel depicts a news station going by the name of Local58; however, footage on the channel is constantly corrupted, hijacked or contains hidden messages. The series is ongoing, with 9 videos, and currently is linked to a website. This wiki will describe each video in the order of posting, then list them in the different theorized chronological orders, and finally will theorize the meaning of different videos and overall pick apart the continuous Local58 story.

Videos:

#### You Are On The Fastest Available Route

The first posted video on the channel is "You Are On The Fastest Available Route" (posted October 17th, 2017). The video contains footage from the inside of a car. The driver neither talks nor appears onscreen, but a GPS speaks during the video. The video starts with Local58's 'TONIGHT' screen, showing "The Midnight Movie" playing at 12:05 AM, and "Paid Programming" at 1:55 AM. The "Paid Programming" text is erased, and the video switches to footage from the dashboard of a car. The GPS provides directions to the driver, and rain can be seen on the car window. Outside, other cars drive along with the driver shown in the footage. The date in the left corner is "2014/11/21", implying that the footage was taken 3 years before the video was posted. The video continues with the GPS calculating different routes based on speed. The video switches (at around 1:33 in the video), and the driver is alone on the road. The text in the corner suggests that three hours have passed since the last clip. During the second driving clip, the GPS claims that the driver "will arrive in 14 minutes". The video switches again to a 3rd driving clip. There is silence for a few seconds, until the GPS says "Rerouting...make a U-Turn.". Another clip plays, implying that around 10 minutes have passed. The road is poorly paved, and no other vehicles could access at the same time, thus completely isolating the driver. The GPS instructs to "follow signs for 'Do Not Enter'", and then "continue on unnamed road. In 300 feet, turn off your headlights.". At the end of the clip, the driver stops, surrounded by trees and apparently in a forest of some kind. Faint noises (seemingly some type of animal or creature chirping) can be heard, and then a loud roar. The headlights flash and for about half a second a bony creature appears onscreen:

The clip cuts out, and is replaced with a clip of the car moving quickly across the same road. It is implied that the previously seen creature is chasing the driver. The GPS continuously instructs the driver to turn around, because "your destination is behind you". The GPS then measures how far away the creature is: "300 feet", then "200 feet", "150 feet", and finally for the clip, "You will arrive at your desti-". The clip cuts off, and switches again. The car is no longer moving, and the camera cuts out. The screen goes black. Another clip is shown, of the cracked glass of the front car window, along with another noise from the creature, similar to the previous noise. The GPS says, "You have arrived,", and the video glitches out. Credits are shown.

#### Contingency

"Contingency" is by far one of the most well-known videos of the series. It begins as many Local58 videos do: showing the logo and then an "UP NEXT" screen. The "UP NEXT" in Contingency, unlike its similar screens in other videos, consists of only one program: End of broadcast day (at 0:07 in video), which happens at 3:00 AM. The music glitches briefly and then changes to the Star Spangled Banner playing over text that reads "THIS CONCLUDES OUR BROADCAST DAY.", and following that, "HAVE A GREAT NIGHT". The footage cuts out, and another logo appears: "U.S Department for the Preservation of American Dignity". After the logo, text is shown that reads: "Do not use after 11/13/1970, Contingency message reel. Locator: US-DFPAD / 393-H-15A. To be used only in the event of United States complete surrender to insurmountable enemy forces. Public broadcast only upon confirmed condition. Twelve Omaha Solemn Certainty.", and then "Contingency message will now begin. Please comply with the following instructions. God bless America.". A warped version of the Star Spangled Banner begins to play, and the following text is shown:

"The worst has come to pass. Despite the sacrifices of our citizens and the might of our armed forces, the UNITED STATES has been forced to surrender to her enemy. Though they may occupy our borders, our streets and our homes... the enemy will never occupy our SPIRIT. That is why all Americans are now called upon to ACT... to preserve the memory of the United States, clear and bright... untarnished and uncompromised. Know that I have already TAKEN ACTION in the company of family and loved ones. Now ALL AMERICANS- every man, woman, and child- are called upon to ACT before the moment passes by. Let our united resolve echo through history: Even in defeat, we refuse to yield. Even in defeat we claim VICTORY.

-Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States"

To summarize the rest of the message, the ACT which Johnson requests Americans to do is to kill themselves and those around them, seemingly so whoever or whatever the enemy is takes no prisoners. (Basically rage quitting.) After the whole sequence, Local58 plays a message that claims "technical difficulties" have occurred. Following this is an apology, claiming that the whole victory message was a hoax. At the very end, a date and a similar card to the previous Contingency message reel card are shown. The date is 5/14/1975. Credits are shown.

#### Weather Service

"Weather Service" is the 3rd and final video of what Straub regards as "Season 1" of the series. It starts with a TONIGHT screen, showing "Public Eye" at 12:15 AM, "Paid Programming" at 1:00 AM, "City Council Minutes" at 1:30 AM, and "Focus on... Faith" at 2:00 AM. The screen fades to just the logo, and then glitches into a weather alert. The weather alert reads, "Emergency Alert System, County Authorities Issued, Weather warning for your area.". The screen then switches to CAM B, which briefly shows a part of the moon. After the video is another Weather Warning screen: "The County Weather Service has issued a warning for a meteorological event. This warning is effective immediately and continues until sunrise tomorrow morning. Citizens are advised not to observe this event with the naked eye.". The warning ends, and a different TONIGHT screen is shown. It shows a program scheduled for 2:15 AM, and before the title can fully show it is cut off. What is shown reads, "Blood of B-". Another Weather Warning screen shows, this time an "Emergency Alert System". The warning is similar to the previous one, but says "Civil danger alert" instead of "Weather warning for your area". The warning continues, "The County Weather Service has issued the following correction for the weather warning in effect: For your safety remain indoors. Do not look at the night sky. More information to follow.".

The warning follows with a contradiction, (notably in different font,) reading: "The meteorological event is safe for all to view. Warning has been lifted.". The text is clearly being typed as it airs. The message continues, "Go outside now.", The screen glitches out, and shows another message: "...N YOU READ THIS, LOOK AT THE MOON". The message is highlighted in white, thus making it easier to read because of its red and black background. It then reads, "DO NOT LOOK AT THE MOON," and then, "STAY INSIDE. DON'T LOOK AT THE NIGHT SKY.". After this the screen is black and white and says, "FACE AWAY FROM ALL WINDOWS. AVOID MIRRORS. DO NOT LOOK UP. XXXXXXXXXXX.". The logo shows again, and then yet another weather message:

"The following is a message from the County Weather Service: ITS IN THE LIGHT. THE MOON CAME IN. HE FOUND ME. THRU THE MIRROR. MOONLIGHT WHITE. WHITE LIKE EYES. NOT LIGHT BUT BLOOD. I DROWN IN HIM.". There is a pause. "IF YOU ARE AFRAID. WE WILL LOOK TOGETHER." The screen shows CAM B again, which records a large, bright moon. Credits are shown.

(TBC)