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Steve
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Amber
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Grace
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Daniel
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Grace
Ah, here they are. Are you two done already?
Amber
Hey, Grace. Yeah, we're done. Thanks for letting us look through the bedroom. We appreciate it.
Grace
You find what you're looking for?
Daniel
Maybe. Would it be possible to ask you a few more questions? Do you have the time?
Grace
Sure. Take a seat. What's on your mind?
Amber
We found this in one of the drawers in Christina's room. Have you seen it before?
Grace
Oh, her diary. Yeah, sure, I've seen it. Christina wasn't exactly regular with her entries, as far as I recall. That is, it was more of an. Well, I guess you could call an outlet for when something was bothering her. She'd write down a few words and get things off her chest. And after that, she'd always feel better.
Amber
Did she share the diary with you?
Grace
I'd poke my nose in now and again if I saw her using it. She wasn't particularly secretive about what was in there. But if you're asking whether I've read it cover to cover, no, I haven't.
Daniel
Not even after she went missing.
Grace
I flicked through it, sure. But there were no messages or clues that I could see. Did you find something?
Amber
We don't know yet. Maybe. That's why we wanted to ask you about a few things.
Grace
Shoot. What have you got?
Amber
Okay, so we read through some of these diary entries like you, hoping to find something that might explain why Christina disappeared so mysteriously. The first handful of entries are pretty standard, the kind of thing you'd find in any young woman's journal. But then closer to the back, things turn a little strange.
Grace
Strange how?
Amber
After a while, the entries just stop. The last few pages are scribbles and sketches. And there are messages scrawled here. See? Hear the voice. And then here. Follow the voice. And. Yeah. Heed the voice.
Daniel
Do you have any idea what that could mean? Did you hear her say those words out loud?
Grace
No. Never. I saw the writing when I flicked through the diary, but I just assumed they were lyrics to a song or something like that.
Amber
I'm. I'm not sure they are.
Grace
So what are they, then?
Amber
We think this might have been a reflection of Christina's state of mind. Something was happening to her.
Grace
Do you think my girl was crazy?
Daniel
We're not saying that. Not at all. But we think someone might have been manipulating her somehow, messing with her psychologically.
Grace
But who would do that? And why?
Amber
That's what we're trying to figure out. There are some sketches here. See this, the bridge. And this one, the woods.
Grace
How are these relevant? They're just drawings.
Amber
We think they might tie into her disappearance somehow. And this one. A house surrounded by statues. Do you know it?
Grace
This? No. Never seen it before in my life.
Daniel
Think, Grace. Is there anywhere in Oakwood that looks like this?
Grace
In Oakwood? Not a chance. We don't have anything like that around here.
Amber
Are you sure?
Grace
I've lived here a long time, and I'm telling you, I've never seen anything that even comes close.
Amber
Okay. What about this? See this man?
Grace
Yeah, I see him.
Amber
Does he look familiar?
Grace
This is just a doodle in the back of a diary. You two are really clutching the straws here, aren't you?
Daniel
That's not an answer.
Grace
No, I don't know him.
Amber
Take a closer look. Could this be someone who worked at the car dealership? Christina writes about a man named Jay. Or maybe it could be some other man she knew, a relative or a friend.
Grace
If you're asking about her father, I can tell you that he's been out of the picture a long time. Left town before she was Born, actually. Bastard never even bothered to come back and meet his own daughter.
Amber
So this. This isn't her dad?
Grace
Not even close.
Daniel
Grace, if you can.
Grace
Listen, Daniel, Amber. You two seem like nice folk, you really do. And I'm grateful that you would take an interest in Chrissy's situation. But I'm not sure you're gonna get anywhere with this. Picking apart these old sketches and scribbles. This is all just fragments of Chrissy's imagination. The bridge, the house, the man. None of it really fits.
Amber
We think it does.
Grace
Well, I admire your tenacity.
Daniel
Do you mind if we borrow the diary for a while? We'd like to make copies of some of these pages for our investigation.
Grace
Sure. Take it. But just make sure you get it back to me before you leave. The things up in that bedroom. They. They're all I have left of her.
Amber
We'll get it back to you, Grace. I promise.
Grace
There's something out there, isn't there? Something in this town that's wrong.
Amber
Yes, we believe there is.
Grace
Do you know what it is?
Daniel
We have a pretty good idea. But we don't know where to find it.
Amber
It's old.
Grace
Old as the trees. Old as the hills.
Daniel
Yeah, it is.
Grace
Maybe you should just leave. Get out while you still can.
Amber
We came here to destroy it, Grace. This sickness that's infected this town all these years. We intend to take it down.
Grace
Is that even possible?
Amber
One way or another, we're going to find out. Then when we're done, maybe Oakwood can finally begin to heal.
Daniel
Are you sure about this, Amber? Really want to start here?
Amber
I figure it can't hurt. And even though it's a long shot, it won't take up much of our time. Hey, maybe we'll get lucky.
Daniel
They're probably going to be suspicious if we just turn up and start asking questions out of the blue.
Amber
I've got an idea. Leave the talking to me.
Daniel
Hey there.
Steve
Welcome to Oakwood Motors. How you doing this morning?
Amber
Hi there. How are you?
Steve
Well, much better now that you fine people have wandered into my showroom. What can I help you with today? Looking to upgrade the family sedan, maybe a new station wagon? We've got a brand spanking new model, just rolled in here last week. And let me tell you, this one has got all the bells and whistles.
Amber
Actually, we're here to ask about one of your former employees, if that's okay.
Steve
Uh, come again?
Amber
We need to ask a few questions about Christina Evans. Do you have a few moments?
Steve
Hang on a second here. What's this all about?
Amber
Oh, we're from a company called dtfs. There's just a small matter we need to take care of.
Steve
You're from the what now?
Amber
Dtfs. We specialize in genealogy. Family trees. Lineages, family histories, that kind of thing. Inheritances, too. We've worked on some big estates in our time.
Steve
Oh, there's money involved?
Amber
There certainly could be. Steve. Is that your name?
Steve
That's what it says on my name tag.
Amber
Steve, I don't want to waste your time. I can see you're a busy man. Why don't we just get this over and done with?
Steve
You want to talk about an inheritance of a former employee? I'm not sure I can help you, if that's what you came for.
Amber
Oh, no, no, no, no. We don't want your money, Steve. Although I bet you have plenty of it. Am I right?
Steve
Well, I do all right.
Amber
I bet you do. You seem like the kind of guy who has his shit together.
Steve
Uh, yeah, I. I guess I. What is it you want again?
Amber
Oh, we just need some information about Christina Evans. We're led to believe she worked here a couple years ago.
Steve
What do you need to know specifically?
Amber
We just need to verify some details, some employment history for a client of ours.
Steve
This all sounds pretty official. And look, I'm sorry if you find this insulting, but the two of you don't look too official to me. More like tourists.
Amber
Oh, you mean our clothing? Well, we do a lot of walking in this job, cover a lot of miles. And sometimes we have to hike through God knows what. Swamps, forests, you name it. You know how it is in these backwater towns.
Steve
Uh, yeah.
Amber
Back in the office, you'll find us wearing power suits and shoulder pads the whole nine yards. But out here, well, when in Rome, as they say.
Steve
What was the name again of the employee?
Amber
Christina Evans.
Steve
Doesn't ring a bell. Sure you've got the right place?
Amber
That's what her records indicate. Oakwood Motors. It was a couple of years back, though. Have you worked here long?
Steve
Almost 10 years.
Amber
And you don't remember Christina?
Steve
Can't say I do. Maybe there was a mistake somewhere.
Amber
Is there someone else here who might have known her?
Steve
I really don't think so. Well, there are customers out there on the lot, so I really should.
Amber
Is it possible for us to check your employee records?
Steve
I don't think so.
Amber
Just two minutes of your time, Steve, then we'll be gone. You'll never hear from us again.
Steve
Well, if it'll make you happy. But I really don't think you'll Find anything?
Amber
At least we'll know one way or the other, right?
Steve
Yeah, I guess. Follow me.
Daniel
Wow, you can really crank out the bullshit when you need to.
Amber
No, just a bit of role playing. Nothing to it.
Daniel
What the hell is dtfs?
Amber
I made that up on the spot. It stands for Death to Fucking Shadows.
Daniel
Actually, I kind of like that.
Amber
Well, I figured it was appropriate. I mean, that is our business, right?
Daniel
Damn right.
Steve
When did you say this was?
Amber
Back in 1981, maybe early 1982.
Steve
And it was Christina Evans. Okay, we have payroll records here, but I'm telling you, this is a waste of time. I'd remember if we had.
Amber
Oh. What is it?
Steve
Well, I'll be damned. There it is. Christina Evans worked as a secretary.
Amber
By the looks, that sounds right.
Steve
Maybe she didn't work here long. That must be it. Otherwise I would have remembered.
Amber
Is there any more information in her personnel file?
Steve
There's not much here but a few pay slips. We don't keep a lot of records, to be honest. For salesmen, we keep track of the important stuff. Units sold, bonuses and a bunch of other metrics. But for secretaries, not so much.
Amber
Maybe there's someone else around the office who might have known her better. Do you think we could ask around?
Daniel
Do you have someone working here whose name starts with the letter J?
Steve
The letter J? Well, what in the fuck does that have to do with anything?
Amber
It's mentioned in the inheritance.
Steve
And sorry, but we're very busy here at Oakwood Motors. I've got customers waiting, and I've already wasted enough time on this. I'm sorry, but I can't help you further. And neither can anyone else who works here.
Amber
Are you sure? If we could have just a couple more minutes.
Steve
No, that's final.
Amber
Well, if that's the way you feel.
Steve
I do. Now, if you'll please head toward the exit, I'd appreciate it.
Amber
Sure. Thanks for your help, Steve.
Daniel
Well, not exactly what we were hoping for.
Amber
Well, at least we verified Christina worked here.
Daniel
And we found another example of memory loss. There's no way Steve should have forgotten Christina in just a couple of years.
Amber
Does that mean the shadow has gotten to everyone? Has this whole damn town lost its mind?
Daniel
I can't say for sure whether it's everyone, but it's more than a few.
Amber
Did you see the photo wall at the back of the office? The one with all the grinning mugshots of the salesman?
Daniel
Yeah, I saw it.
Amber
Did you see anyone there whose face might have matched the sketch in Christina's diary?
Daniel
No, not even close.
Amber
Me either.
Daniel
So that means the guy in the sketch doesn't work here at Oakwood Motors. None of the names started with J either.
Amber
It could be a former employee.
Daniel
Should we try to catch more of these salesmen to ask some questions?
Amber
I don't know about you, but I have a low tolerance for car salesmen. Can I suggest somewhere else to do our research?
Daniel
Yeah, sure. And I bet I can guess what you're going to say.
Grace
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Amber
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Steve
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Grace
Ask your doctor about eglis and visit.
Amber
Epglis.Lily.Com or call 1-800-lilyrx or 1-800-545-5979.
Daniel
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Daniel
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Steve
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Daniel
Okay, here's the last stack. I think we finally reached the bottom of the pile.
Amber
Great. Thanks. You take the top half and I'll grab the rest.
Daniel
Can't wait.
Amber
You okay? Daniel? Is something the matter?
Daniel
Look, you know I love kicking back in the library as much as you do, but I'm starting to wonder if maybe this isn't the best use of our time.
Amber
Hey, if you want to take a break, that's okay.
Daniel
We're getting closer to the end. We might as well keep pushing on the end.
Amber
Oh, no, no, no. We're just getting started here. There are still other resources we can go through. The microfilm collection, for a start.
Daniel
I thought you said you went through that already.
Amber
I've been through a lot of the local stuff, sure, but not everything. And then after that, there's more publications from around the state.
Daniel
Why are you looking at those?
Amber
Just being thorough.
Daniel
But we're searching for photos of the house, right?
Amber
Yeah.
Daniel
So why would a publication from the other side of the state feature a photo of a random house from Oakwood?
Amber
I don't know if I would call this just a random house. Take a look. It's big, elaborate, distinctive. Especially with all of these statues around it.
Daniel
Yeah, so what?
Amber
Maybe there's history attached to this place. Maybe, I don't know, someone famous lived in it or something.
Daniel
Sounds like a long shot.
Amber
Well, at the very least, let's finish going through these local publications. Who knows? Maybe there was an auction at some point. Or a feature story. With the fancy statues and the strange architecture, this place could have even been historically significant at one point.
Daniel
Well, one thing's for sure. This mansion isn't located within the township. Something as distinctive as this, we would have seen it by now.
Amber
Yeah, I agree with you there. It has to be somewhere remote, like Susan Blake's farmhouse was. It was situated in the countryside outside of Blackridge, remember?
Daniel
But we've already checked the highway for miles around Oakwood. It's not here.
Amber
So it has to be somewhere even more remote.
Daniel
What about that word that keeps popping up in the diary? Greystone. Did we ever find any references to that?
Amber
No, nothing. There are no streets called Greystone, no people with that surname.
Daniel
Could it be a reference to another town?
Amber
Not that I could find.
Daniel
Let's Go back to the diary again.
Amber
Okay, so Christina's sketches, right? The bridge, then the woods, then the house. This could be a sequence, like waypoints on a journey.
Daniel
That would suggest the house is somewhere in the woods. Maybe somewhere deep where no one goes.
Amber
Well, there must be a way to get to it. A road or a laneway. It has to have an address.
Daniel
There is one other possibility.
Amber
Yep. I think I already know what you're gonna say.
Daniel
That the house doesn't even exist, that it never existed, it was just a figment of Christina's imagination.
Amber
I mean, the bridge is a real location, and she drew that.
Daniel
So what?
Amber
Those three drawings. The bridge, the woods, the house, and the man's face. I'm certain they're connected. They're grouped together in their own section of the diary, and they're all drawn in the same style.
Daniel
That doesn't prove the house is real. What if it's symbolic in some way, rather than a real place made of bricks and mortar?
Amber
Symbolic?
Daniel
Yeah, like maybe it symbolized a destination or a place in her mind. Something daunting or intimidating that she was concerned about.
Amber
Hmm. I don't know, Daniel. I just have a feeling about this one. I think it's out there somewhere. For real.
Daniel
I wonder.
Amber
About what?
Daniel
What if the house itself isn't real, but the image is real?
Amber
Uh, I'm not following you.
Daniel
Maybe the sketch that Christina drew is based on a painting or a photograph. A piece of art that belongs to the Shadow.
Amber
Shadows don't really go for artworks, though. We know that from past experiences with Schilling and Susan Blake.
Daniel
It could still be relevant somehow.
Amber
If that's the case, we'd have almost no chance of finding it. We'd have to look at every wall inside every building in the whole damn town.
Daniel
Yeah, that would take forever. Assuming we could somehow figure out how to gain access to all those places.
Amber
I understand where you're going with this, though. By that reasoning, the house could even be an illustration in a book.
Daniel
See, now you're just coming up with excuses to spend more time searching through the library.
Amber
There's nothing wrong with that.
Daniel
The symbolism side of things has got me thinking, though. It's possible we're just taking the wrong approach here. Maybe we need to understand how these pieces all fit together first, rather than just systematically going through every single resource in the library.
Amber
I'm open to suggestions.
Daniel
Is there a deeper meaning to these images? The bridge, for example. What could that signify?
Amber
Well, a bridge can be many things. A way to get over an obstacle, a Method for creating a connection between two places.
Daniel
Do you think that's it? Could the bridge be a symbol of Christina forming a link with the shadow?
Amber
That could certainly be a part of it.
Daniel
What about the woods, then? What does that symbolize?
Amber
That's a tough one. The idea of a forest has represented a lot of things in literature over the years. Exploration and danger, mystery, being lost. Yeah, that too.
Daniel
So if we correlate these images with Christina's state of mind as she was being drawn in by the shadow. First we have the bridge, a connection between the two.
Amber
And then the woods. Not just a place of mystery and danger, but a whole new world in which she became enveloped. A place where she slowly but surely began to lose herself.
Daniel
And then the house. What could that mean?
Amber
Well, a house would normally symbolize safety and security, family, comfort. But that clearly wasn't the case here.
Daniel
What if the house is just a representation of the shadow itself? Something grand and gothic, intoxicating, lavish and.
Amber
Luxurious, but at the same time, intimidating, daunting.
Daniel
Right.
Amber
I guess it all fits. The connection. The feeling of slowly becoming lost. And at the center of it all, a creature of immense power. All encompassing.
Daniel
The last sketch is the man's face.
Amber
The shadow finally revealing itself once it had taken over her mind.
Daniel
If it's true that these sketches are symbolic, then as far as I can tell, we're wasting our time here. The entries in Christina's diary are worthless. They're just a reflection of the fact that she was slowly but surely losing her mind.
Amber
But on the other hand, if they're not symbolic, if they in fact have some basis in reality, they could be the key to everything. These could have been instructions from the shadow, telling Christina how to find him, step by step.
Daniel
Either way, I feel sorry for her. I can't imagine what it must have been like to have some parasite burrowing inside her mind and slowly eating away everything that made her who she was.
Amber
The bastard got deep in there, that's for sure. How far do you think the shadow can reach out to people? Does it have to be within a certain proximity?
Daniel
If we knew that, it sure would narrow down our search area. For all we know, the shadows could have the ability to reach out from the other side of the world.
Amber
Yeah, well, in my situation with Dragisa, I don't get the impression she's close. It feels like she's reaching out from hundreds of miles away.
Daniel
Hey, that's it. I can't believe we didn't think of it before. The answer has been staring us in the face. This whole time?
Amber
It has, yeah. Do you want to fill me in?
Daniel
We already know that you have a connection to them. Drugisa has been visiting you in your dreams.
Amber
And sometimes in broad daylight when I'm standing in the kitchen.
Daniel
There's a link between you. Shadow to Nostromo. What if that connection also runs in reverse?
Amber
Nostrama to Shadow.
Daniel
Exactly.
Amber
So you're saying what, that I somehow connect with them through my mind, right? Enter their dreams or something?
Daniel
I don't know exactly how, but yeah, I guess so.
Amber
Daniel, I have no clue how to do that.
Daniel
Have you ever tried?
Amber
I.
Daniel
It might be possible. I mean, why not?
Amber
You think I can just close my eyes and click my fingers and poof, problem solved?
Daniel
It won't be as easy as that, no.
Amber
So what then?
Daniel
I'm saying that if it's somehow possible, if we can find a way, then the key to this whole thing isn't inside all of these books and the newspaper articles like we thought. It's right there in your head. The Road of Shadows is created by Mark R. Healy. Want to hear more stories just like this one? Head over to Patreon to hear other audio productions by Mark R. Healy. There you'll also find lots of bonus content, free stuff and ad free episodes that you can hear a week early. All of that and more is available now at patreon.com beyondtheduck. You can also hear more at the roadofshadows.com the Road of Shadows Season 4 stars Hamish Plagemark, Marta Da Silva, Liz Morey, Joseph Tweedau, Chloe Elmore, Larry o', Blander, Sian Luxford, Cameron Alexis, Thomas Barker and Alejandro Pedrosa. The Road of Shadows is a beyond the Dark production.
Amber
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Daniel
Packages by Expedia. You were made to occasionally take the hard route to the top of the Eiffel Tower. We were made to easily bundle your trip Expedia Made to travel flight inclusive packages are atoll protected.
Podcast: The Road of Shadows
Host: Mark R. Healy
Episode: 4.7 – Connection
Date: September 2, 2025
Set in 1984, this episode sees Daniel Knox and Amber delving further into the mystery of the Shadows and the disappearance of Christina Evans in the remote town of Oakwood. Their investigation uncovers cryptic diary entries and pushes them to question the boundaries between reality and manipulation—while a chilling realization dawns about the true nature of their connection with the Shadows.
[02:06–07:22]
[09:06–15:19]
[18:36–26:13]
[26:13–27:09]
Grace’s resigned warning:
“Maybe you should just leave. Get out while you still can.” (Grace, [08:02])
Amber, on their mission:
“We came here to destroy it, Grace. This sickness that's infected this town all these years. We intend to take it down.” (Amber, [08:09])
On the potential metaphorical meaning of the diary drawings:
“A bridge can be many things. A way to get over an obstacle, a method for creating a connection between two places.” (Amber, [23:19])
Daniel’s key insight:
“The key to this whole thing isn't inside all of these books and the newspaper articles like we thought. It's right there in your head.” (Daniel, [27:09])
Amber cracking under the tension, showing empathy for Christina:
“The bastard got deep in there, that's for sure.” (Amber, [25:38])
The episode’s tone blends noir-style paranoia and investigative intensity with vulnerable moments of hope and empathy. The dialogue maintains a tense, urgent energy but is punctuated by personal warmth—especially between Daniel and Amber—and the resigned sorrow of supporting character Grace. The narrative leans into surreal, psychological horror as reality and illusion blur.
In this gripping and atmospheric installment, Daniel and Amber dig into a woman’s disappearance, closely examining the cryptic contents of Christina’s diary, enduring hostile small-town resistance, and questioning the very nature of perception and connection. With clues that blur the lines between symbolism and reality, and the townsfolk seemingly under a collective amnesia, they confront the possibility that the only way to solve the mystery might be through the psychic bond Amber shares with the Shadows themselves. The haunting realization closes the episode: the only way forward is inward—into the minds of both hunter and hunted.