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A Nightmare Realized Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next   (currently a favorite of )    Storygames Home -> -> The Archives View previous topic :: View next topic   Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:05 pm    Post subject: A Nightmare Realized ***WARNING - this story contains the occasional rather nasty description of gore, and some mild language. Reader discretion advised .*** A Nightmare Realized 8:00 – Dusk Running, running, running…Kelsey moaned in fear as she swerved to avoid the mist-shrouded trees. Moss hung from their branches in dark tangles, tangling in her hair and brushing against her arms like spiders. Breathing, heavy panting…was it hers or that of the thing behind her? On she ran, faster and faster, veering, dodging… Abruptly she woke up. With a cry she sat up, banging her head on the ceiling and yelping with pain. As tears formed in her eyes, her little brother Nate’s head appeared in the doorway. “Are you okay?” he asked. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she answered, rubbing her head and trying to slow her breathing. “Well, then can you be quiet? I’m trying to watch TV.” With that he left. Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Sure, Nate, whatever.” 12-year-olds. What could you do? Wincing, she swung herself off her bunk bed, landing on shaky legs. The nightmare remained close in her mind. When had she started having it, anyway? A month ago, just after her 17th birthday, she remembered. Well, I wish it would go away, she thought to herself grumpily. Quietly she padded into the kitchen, grabbing herself a glass of milk. Milk, she had discovered, was excellent for calming nerves. Then she heard the floor creak behind her. Uttering a small shriek, Kelsey jumped and whirled, imagining pale hands reaching for her. There stood Nate, a cookie in hand and a comically quizzical look on his face. After staring for a moment at her now-dripping form and the wide-eyed, frantic look on her face, he shook his head. “You are so weird.” When she glared at him, he simply rolled his eyes and went back to the TV. Sighing, she started to clean up the milky mess she had created. I need to calm down, she thought. Ever since she’d started having that stupid dream, it was as if every shadow housed a hidden menace, and every noise was the sound of…something…sneaking up on her. But what was it? Kelsey didn’t know. In the nightmare, she never saw it, but it was always there. And didn’t it seem lately that it was advancing? Yes, every time she slept, it got a little closer… “Stop it!” she told herself sternly. You’ll get nothing out of scaring yourself over some silly nightmare. But she’d never had it during an afternoon nap before… Not that it was afternoon anymore, Kelsey realized wryly. It was 8 o’clock and the sun had already set. Looking out the window, it seemed as if the world was lost in some kind of misty twilight. Full darkness wouldn’t be too long now. It would almost be a relief; the strange quality of light at dusk had always made Kelsey nervous, though she didn’t know why. I wish Mom and Dad were here, she thought. Maybe I could call them? Then she berated herself. After all, they were supposed to be on a romantic vacation, and would not appreciate being called now. They had earned the get-away, after all, and it would be selfish of her to interrupt it. No, she didn’t need to call them. What she needed to do was relax, read a book, watch a movie…she could watch Van Helsing, the action would surely divert her from her fright for a while. Besides, she thought, what better to take your mind off fear that a monster movie? She laughed at the paradox. Never one to wait when a decision was made, Kelsey hurriedly cooked a bag of popcorn and went to the sunroom, where her DVD player was set up and waiting. Not so long later, as Kelsey watched her beau Van Helsing prowl through the graveyard in search of the Wolfman, she heard a noise from outside. That’s strange, she thought. By now her nerves were quite calmed, and she was able to ignore the strange dread that was creeping into her heart. She turned back to the TV. But then it happened again, an odd thumping sound as if something large had fallen onto the soft earth of the garden. Frowning, Kelsey got up and looked out the window. She couldn’t see anything, however; the dusk had persisted and a patchy fog had risen. In the background, Van Helsing exclaimed, “He’s not your brother anymore!” Kelsey muted the TV and listened carefully. She didn’t hear anything, except- There it was again! Thumping, now accompanied be a shuffle, and could that moan have been the wind? Of course, she thought, duh. The wind. But her heart rebelled against the thought. What should I do? She could, of course, go outside and check it out. That was exactly the behavior some dumb heroine in a movie would display, but if she stayed inside, what if a burglar or something crept in? What should she choose, safety or protectiveness? After a moment’s indecision, Kelsey made her choice. So what do you think? If it’s too tedious, let me know. I’m not the most to-the-point author, and horror isn’t really my genre anyway. Critiques are welcome! _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Last edited by dragon_fire372 on Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:32 pm; edited 8 times in total Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:16 pm    Post subject: eek <from behind the couch> Good start. I say she should hide under the bed! But then I'm chicken. ...No wait! Send her brother out! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:36 pm    Post subject: Hmm…well, it doesn’t seem like I need to do a poll for this chapter. Here’s number 2 (which is quite a bit longer...). 9:00 – Night has Fallen Peering out the window uncertainly, Kelsey thought, I should go out there. After all, she was the oldest in the house, it was her responsibility to take care of these types of things…Glancing at the muted TV screen, she thought, It’s what Anna would do. Then she snorted to herself. Yeah, Anna would definitely rush out there, sword in hand. And look how she ended up! Kelsey shook her head. There was no way she was going to step outside. Instead she looked around the room. If there was a thief or something sneaking around out there, she’d need a weapon in case he broke in. What could she use? Her parents didn’t own a gun. Knife, then? Immediately she shook her head. Kelsey had never done well with sharp instruments – if it came to a fight she’d probably do more damage to herself than any assailant. Then what? Glancing around the room, her eyes came to rest on her brothers big wooden baseball bat. Kelsey nodded. That will do. Thump! Kelsey jumped as the strange noise came back. There was no way she could be imagining it. Grimly she hefted up the baseball bat, then padded as silently as possible to the window. Once again, she tried to peer out. As she did, her heart jumped a little in her chest. Something was out there! She couldn’t make it out very well, it was still too dark. By now the yard light had come on, but its illumination served only to further confuse the shape in the fog. But it was definitely there, and it was coming this way. Kelsey took a deep breath to try to calm her nerves. Tightening her grip on the bat, she squinted and looked more closely outside. As it got closer, she saw that the figure approaching was definitely humanoid, too tall to be a dog or deer. Whoever it was, he didn’t appear to have any weapons…frowning, Kelsey realized that the person wasn’t even trying to cover his approach. He just kept shuffling closer to the windows where Kelsey watched, moaning very slightly. Soon, Kelsey thought, soon he’ll get close enough for me to see him. Just as she thought that, he disappeared. What? Where could he have gone? Almost holding her breath, Kelsey leaned as close to the window as she could. Turning her head, she peered outside with one eye, looking for the stranger. Maybe, realizing he was being watched, he had ran away? But if he had, why hadn’t the girl seen him at least turn around? And suddenly, there was an eye staring her in the face through the window. Kelsey gave a startled gasp as her heart skipped a beat. He must have dropped to the ground and crawled to the window! She fell back a few steps, wheezing and clutching her chest. Then her eyes returned to the face that had appeared outside, and she stopped breathing altogether. As she stared, her eyes widened to the size of saucers, and she gave a small, terrified moan. For the thing that was outside the window was not a man, could not be a man…Kelsey couldn’t see much through glass, because her breath had fogged it up. But she could see enough. She could see the ivory skin, stretched tight over dark, blue veins. Kelsey could see the way the mouth stretched wide in a grimace, so wide that it didn’t even have any lips, the jaw dropped so low that the pasty skin on its cheeks had split, leaving lines of oozing blood over its face. The teenage girl saw how the teeth had decayed, but that the tongue was black and swollen, leaving strings of saliva on the glass. But what Kelsey saw most, the things that would haunt her forever, were the eyes. Clearly she could make out the creature's eyes, the way the irises were a cloudy white and the whites showed up as purple for all the burst blood vessels. They were horrible and dead, and they were fixed on her. A zombie?! Kelsey though breathlessly. There’s a zombie outside my window? But it couldn’t be a zombie, because zombies were slow, and stupid. This…thing outside, was no mere zombie. Although its approach had been slow, it was now banging on the glass with great gusto, and its horrid eyes burned with an intelligence that belied its deceased state. No, not a zombie, something else, something worse. Oh, don’t let it break the glass, don’t let it get in, she thought wildly, her heart galloping with terror as the thing screeched in frustration outside. Then a horrible thought occurred to her – had she locked the door? Kelsey turned her eyes to the door knob, and her stomach plummeted. It was unlocked. The noise outside stopped. Flashing her eyes back to the creature, she saw that it was watching her fixedly. Its gaze turned then from her to the door. A gruesome parody of a grin flashed on its face, and Kelsey knew that it was indeed intelligent. It knew that the door was unlocked, because she had given it away. At the same time they leapt for the door. Kelsey managed to turn the lock, but too late – the creature had already turned the knob and was now pulling on the door. The girl uttered a single sobbing shriek as she pulled on the door, but the thing outside was too strong, and the door stayed open. Even as the creature pulled the door further open, it reached inside with one dead hand to swipe at Kelsey. Its hand, blue veins showing up clearly and with nails that were long, sharp, and darkly discolored, fastened on Kelsey’s wrist. The girl’s next move came purely by instinct. With a savage cry, she swung the baseball bat with all her might down on the creature’s arm. Something cracked (Kelsey hoped it was the thing’s arm and not the bat) and it pulled its arm back with a hiss. Some surreal corner of Kelsey’s mind had time marvel that she had managed so strong a blow at such an awkward angle, with her left hand no less. Another cold, calculating part of her knew that she had but a moment to react. There was no way she could close the door, for the creature had kept its grip on the doorknob. She also knew that there was no way she could beat it in combat, because it was far stronger and its grip was like death itself. Unless she gained the upper hand first… Yelling so fiercely she shocked herself, Kelsey burst out of the door with the bat held high. She swung it savagely at the creature’s head. It managed to block the blow with its free arm, but Kelsey was quick and already striking again, landing a blow on its ribs. The creature hissed again, it’s eyes blazing fury. She jabbed it hard in the stomach, and the force of her blow doubled it over. Then she swung the final hit, bringing it across her body with all the strength she could muster, the hard bat connecting with the thing’s head. Watching the effect of the blow, it seemed as if time had briefly slowed and at the same time happened to swiftly to see. The head crumpled inward, flattened very slightly beneath the power of Kelsey’s attack. Fractures lit its skin, and out of its opposite ear a small fountain a congealed blood shot out. Then the creature fell back onto the deck and lay still. The teenager stood over it, her bat still raised up, panting heavily. Watching the creature carefully, not entirely sure if it was finished or not, she poked it in the gut with the bat. It did not stir. She recalled stories about zombies, saying that the only way to kill one was to end its brain functions. Well, perhaps it is related to zombies, she thought, looking at the strange attacker lying before her. Its body was covered with dirt, and Kelsey realized with a shudder that it didn’t appear to be wearing any clothes. Even so it was difficult to determine its gender, if indeed it had one. She didn’t look very closely. Instead she felt behind her for the door, preparing to step back inside and close if firmly, shutting out the horrible thing forever. Catching sight of its face, she thought that she was lucky. Although the light from its eyes had died, hatred was still evidence in its expression, as well as hunger. Sighing, she turned to go inside. Then a low moan caught her ears, and she looked up again. “No,” she whimpered. No… for approaching now were more of the things, many many more, shuffling and moaning with their angry dead eyes fixed on her. The nearest one had set foot on the deck. Kelsey felt paralyzed. There were so many…shaking her head mutely, she stepped backward, her mind trying to deny what she knew by the terror in her heart was real. One small sound brought her back to reality…click. Her eyes popped wide open. The door, the door! She had pushed it shut behind her. But surely it wasn’t, couldn’t be locked, she hadn’t been that quick! Trying the knob proved her wrong. She had locked herself out. Once again she whirled around to face the creatures. They were still advancing. Watching her, gleefully… Oh God, she thought. What do I do now? Well? Now it’s up to you guys. What should she do? _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:41 pm    Post subject: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahg! girlish scream from behind the sofa. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:43 pm    Post subject: Well-written! I'd say run to a friend's house. You're never going to get them all with your baseball bat, and there's no guarantee of finding a different way into your own house... so it's got to be a friend or neighbour. I'll watch for the next chapter... Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:23 pm    Post subject: Great story For the time being she needs to get in the house and lock the door. That will at least buy her a bit of time. Gather her brother and leave by the front door. Call the police as well if they are struggling to get through the door. And then run.... Well I would. Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 3:43 pm    Post subject: 9:15 – Flee Her heart hammering wildly, Kelsey tried to think. What to do? She had to get inside somehow, call the police, get away somehow…calm down, she thought to herself. The creatures were approaching steadily, but not too quickly, but even so she’d never be able to fight them all off. But if she didn’t move soon, they’d have her blocked into a corner. So, Kelsey took the only available option – she ran. Holding tightly to the baseball bat, she sprinted off the deck, dashing between the side of the house and the nearest creature. It swiped at her as she ran by, and managed to scratch her elbow, but Kelsey didn’t stop. She jumped out over the steps, skidded on the gravel as she landed, and raced around the corner. Looking behind her, the girl saw the creatures shuffling after her, trailing dirt on the ground that writhed with maggots. When she looked ahead again, though, she discovered that they were coming from that direction as well. Kelsey slid to a stop. Behind her – creatures. In front of her – more creatures. To her left was the wall of the house, so that was out. But to her right, the driveway seemed clear. That was the way she ran. Beside the driveway there was an old wooden fence, and on the other side a stream, overhung with low thorny trees, winded alongside the road and up to the hills behind Kelsey’s house. Kelsey had often played beside the stream, and knew the place well. With any luck, she could lose the creatures in the woods, and then double back to her house. Although, I do seem to be running low on luck… She brushed that thought aside and ran again, racing for the fence. Once there she scrambled up and crossed over. Old leaves crunched beneath her feet as she landed. Before running on, Kelsey couldn’t help taking one look back. The creatures were coming, and had broken into a sort of shuffling run. They were not very fast, but not entirely slow, either. Clutching the baseball bat, the girl turned and fled. * * * Inside the house, Nate sat in the living room. The TV was turned to some old monster movie marathon, and he sat comfortably nestled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. The movie playing now was The Blob, the newer one. Nate hadn’t seen it before, but he was enjoying it so far. The boy was a fan of old “horror” movies, finding them highly amusing and not very horrible at all, and this was no exception. Every time the blob caught another victim, he had to laugh, especially when it caught the boy and girl making out in the car. Occasionally he’d glance outside the patio door into the valley below, watching as the rising mist engulfed the faint yard lights below. Inevitably he’d sigh and wish they didn’t live so far out of town – they lived up in the hills of the valley, and a drive to their nearest neighbor was 10 minutes long. Made it a pain to get to school in the mornings. If only I lived in town, he thought, I could have my friends up on nights like this. Such thoughts were fleeting, though, and soon he’d be engrossed in the movie again. It was at one such time when Nate was startled out of his thoughts by a noise in the sunroom. It sounded like Kelsey, yelling about something. “What?” he called back, turning the volume down, but he didn’t hear anything again. After a moment of unease, he shrugged and resumed watching the movie. Some time later, watching with interest as a screaming man was sucked into the drain by the blob, he heard a noise at the front door. It sounded like someone pounding to get in. He waited, hoping that the person would go away, and for a moment the noise stopped. But just as Nate had convinced himself that he was hearing things, the knocking came again, louder. He sighed again and got up. “Coming, coming,” he muttered to himself. He crossed the kitchen and went into the foyer. The handle was now moving as well, but Nate’s parents had said to keep it locked while they were away, so the door didn’t open. The boy was just reaching out to open the door when suddenly, the person outside wailed. The sound of it froze Nate in his tracks. Slowly, he pulled his hand back, shaking his head. Whoever was out there barely sounded human. There was no way he’d let them inside without knowing who they were. What if it was a crazy axe-murderer waiting for him? Instead he creeped out of the foyer and over to a window, where he had a reasonably good view of the front door. Nate peeked out the window, trying to see what was out there. At first, he could only stare – what the heck could that be? Maybe someone had dressed up for Halloween early? He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Nope, it still was there, some naked, dirty, white, rotten…rotten? He gasped. At the sound, the creature at the door turned to look at him. As soon as Nate met its gaze, he knew he wasn’t just seeing things, and that this was no sick prank. Whatever was out there was real, and it wanted inside. The hunger in its eyes was unquestionable. The boy started shaking, and when the thing opened its mouth and screamed at him, he turned tail and booked it to the sunroom. “Kelsey!” he cried, but she wasn’t there. Instead, there were more creatures, with their hands pressed against the window, staring inside. Van Helsing was still playing silently. Outside the dead things started to drum their hands on the glass, slowly…whump, whump, whump, and then more insistently. Their eyes rolled as they watched him malevolently. Nate screamed and ran up to the living room. He immediately locked the patio doors and pulled the curtain over them so nothing outside could look in. No creatures were outside this part of the house. Then, he huddled into a ball behind the couch and pulled a blanket over his head. He lay there, quivering and panting; he had never been so scared in his life. The TV was still playing, but all the sudden, the actors’ screams didn’t seem so funny anymore. He realized he was crying. The boy didn’t know how long he lay huddled there, but it seemed like a lifetime. Then on the patio doors, he heard a quiet tapping. His head jerked up. Was it them? Were they back? He didn’t move, didn’t even dare to get up. The tapping came again, quick and quiet and urgent. He thought he heard a whisper, but it might just be the TV. Hesitantly he peeked at the doors, but the curtains blocked his view. Tap, tap, tap – the noise was insistent. Nate got up and tiptoed to the curtain, listening. A thought intruded – what if it was Kelsey? Nate wanted to believe it, but he didn’t know. If she had gone outside, how could she possibly have escaped the creatures? But if it was her, he couldn’t leave her… The only thing he wanted to do was find somewhere to hide. What will Nate do? Will he risk exposing himself to the creatures and look outside? Will he open the door, or run away? It’s your choice, but remember – there is a 50-50 chance. It could be Kelsey, but then again…what if it’s not? _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 3:51 pm    Post subject: well what is nate personality like? i'd take a look out the door, but is he a coward or does he just not like strangers or something? it depends on his personality however - seeing how its not me and if it is a zombie nothing happens to me i say open the door _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:58 pm    Post subject: very well written! I'd say Nate should stay where he is and not draw attention to himself. If it's a zombie-thing at the window, then he'll blow his cover. If it's someone human, then they'll probably keep knocking, or whisper again at least. Wait and see, for me. Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:10 am    Post subject: Hey, Great chapter. I'm a little confused how Kelsey managed to get so far from the backdoor that it's blocked off. Didn't she leave it open? The things could get in after Nate! I think he should risk it. They know he's inside anyway (not like the curtains are fooling them) and if it's Kelsey then she's in danger and needs help, and she can also help him. I think the risk is worth it. Happy Writing _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:12 am    Post subject: good point smee, the zombies already know he's in there and how many zpmbies do you know that can knock? Afterall, if they are zombies all he needs to do is climb the stairs. Everyone knows zombies can't climb stairs. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:26 am    Post subject: Nah it's not a zombie... Quote: But it couldn’t be a zombie, because zombies were slow, and stupid. This…thing outside, was no mere zombie. Although its approach had been slow, it was now banging on the glass with great gusto, and its horrid eyes burned with an intelligence that belied its deceased state. No, not a zombie, something else, something worse. But my point still applies - even more so. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:33 am    Post subject: Well i guess that puts my stair climbing plan out of action. Now waht am I supposed to do during zombie apocalpses? I will be forced to rely on the truster rotor -bladed lawnmover. *sound of reving engine fills the air* _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author evilhomer28 Guest Items Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:12 am    Post subject: nice, thrilling chapter Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 2:13 pm    Post subject: And now for the fourth, rather long chapter… 10:00 – Now what? As Nate stood shaking, he tried to think past the haze of fear. It seemed to him that if it were zombie-things out there, they would be banging, not tapping. And if it was Kelsey, he couldn’t leave her. I’ll just take a peak, he thought. Even that would take courage that he wasn’t sure he possessed. Hesitantly he walked to the very edge of the curtain, so he was positioned, not right in front of the door, but to the side of it. Slowly, he pulled the heavy fabric out a little bit from the glass and looked outside. So dark it was that for a moment Nate couldn’t see anything. Then as his eyes adjusted, he began to make out the figure standing in front of the door. His courage almost failed him, but he bit his lip and forced himself to wait a moment longer. And then he saw who it was – Kelsey! There she stood half-crouching, covered with dirt and scratches, holding the baseball bat ready. Nate sagged with relief and pulled aside the curtain. He yanked open the door and exclaimed, “You’re alright!” Kelsey jumped with shock when the door opened so suddenly, but seeing it was him, her face broke out in a relieved, tremulous grin. “Thank God,” she said. “Are you ok?” The boy started to nod, but then he looked over Kelsey’s shoulder. Blanching, he mouthed wordlessly. His sister stiffened, and then with startling speed she whipped around, swinging the bat at the same time. There was a creature standing just behind her, reaching for her shoulder. It didn’t stand a chance. Nate’s jaw dropped as he watched his sister viciously attack the creature, striking it again and again until it dropped lifelessly to the ground. It wasn’t until Kelsey had shoved him back into the house and closed the door behind her that he could find any words to say. “Kelsey, you…you took him out! What’s happening?” For a moment she didn’t answer him, busying herself with tugging the curtains closed and checking the lock on the door. Then she sighed. Regarding her little brother, she had never been gladder to see him safe. “Are all the windows and doors locked?” she asked. He nodded. “I checked them all. Kelsey, what’s going on? Where did you go? Why did you…why did you l-leave…” And suddenly he started sobbing. “Oh, Nate,” she murmured, her eyes filling too. She pulled him into a hug and squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t get back inside…” For many moments the two simply stood there, holding each other against the terror, trying their best to comfort each other and themselves. Finally Nate pushed his sister away. Wiping his eyes, he sniffed and said, “Do you know what’s happening?” “Not really,” she said. Briefly she filled him in on what had happened. She tried to contain her fear of what the memories contained, especially when she got to her sneaking trek through the wood. Even so she couldn’t help but recall the how it had felt, to creep along the trees, thorns snagging her clothes as she tried to be silent, never knowing if the creatures were lurking ahead of her in the mist…she shuddered. Once she’d finished her narrative, Nate looked up at her, a measure of awe and respect in his eyes. He could not imagine doing what she had done, and suddenly he saw his sister in a new light. “So,” he said hesitantly, “what are we going to do now?” Considering, she replied, “I think we need to call the police, have them come up here…maybe they can help us.” “And what’ll we tell them?” the skeptical boy asked. “ ‘Officers, help us, zombies are attacking our home!’ They’re sure to believe that.” “No,” Kelsey answered irritably. “We’ll just tell them we’re being attacked and that we need help.” “Why can’t we just stay in here and hide?” “Are you kidding me?” she exclaimed incredulously. “Those things know we’re in here already. If we don’t get help they’ll break in eventually. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be here when they do.” He seemed about to retort, but then he glanced toward the curtain. Shuddering, he nodded. Relieved, Kelsey said, “Alright. I’ll call the police, but stay with me. I don’t want you out of my sight for one minute.” The girl strode to the phone and dialed 911. Nate watched her, waiting expectantly to see if they would come or not. For a moment Kelsey stood with the phone to her ear. Then an odd look crossed her face, one of disbelief and fear. Very slowly and carefully, she put the phone back down. Nate, bursting with impatience, demanded “Well?” Taking a deep breath, Kelsey answered, “It’s busy.” “Busy?” he repeated breathlessly. She nodded. “I think,” she said slowly, her heart aching with dread, “that this isn’t just happening to us.” Looking at each other, they shuddered. “Ok,” Kelsey said. “We know we can’t stay here. We’re going to have to drive into town ourselves.” “What!” Nate cried. “We can’t leave! How do you expect us to even get to the truck? It’s too dangerous, they’ll catch us – ” His eyes were wide with fear, and he sounded hysterical. Kneeling before him, Kelsey said, “Listen to me. Listen to me!” she repeated, shaking him. Finally the boy was quiet, staring into her calm albeit fearful eyes. “We can’t stay, Nate,” she said quietly. “We don’t have a choice. But I think, if you work with me, we can do this.” Seeing her resolution, Nate felt himself grow braver as well. He nodded. Swiftly the two set to work. Going about the house, they gathered things they might need – water bottles, matches, a lighter, batteries and a flashlight, gloves and jackets, some food and several blankets – and stuffed them in their backpacks. They found a sturdy metal pipe in the closet for Nate to use as a weapon, and Kelsey kept her faithful baseball bat. After perhaps 10 minutes, they were ready to go. Except for one minor detail – the creatures were still between the them and the truck. “Great,” whispered Nate, as they peered out a window upstairs. There were about half a dozen creatures milling about at the front door, plus four at the back porch and two on the patio outside the living room where Nate had let Kelsey inside. Kelsey considered the situation, then said, “I have an idea. Running into her brother’s room, she found a set of walkie-talkies and a small battery-run stereo. “Take this,” she said, shoving one of the walkie-talkies and the truck keys at him. “You go downstairs to the front door and wait for me. I’ll turn this on really loud and throw it outside, into the bushes behind the house. Then I’ll watch from up here. Hopefully the noise will attract the creatures. Once the front is clear, I’ll let you know, and you can go out and turn the car on. I’ll come down from here and as long as it’s still clear come out too. Then we can get the hell out of here!” Confused, Nate asked, “Why can’t be both wait at the front?” “Because you can’t see the whole front of the house from down there. You can’t see if any are waiting to ambush you. Up here you can. Understand?” Mutely he nodded. “Alright then, Nate, now listen to me,” she said urgently. “Once you are in the car, lock it until I’m outside and ready to get in. And if I can’t get out of the house, if they figure it out before I can join you…leave without me.” Her brother shook his head, horrified. “I can’t – ” “You must! Promise me, Nate,” she pressed him. Trembling, the boy nodded. Kelsey smiled, relieved, but inside she even more terrified that before. “ ‘K then, let’s – ” The phone rang. Both siblings screamed, whirling on the source of the noise with weapons raised. Then, realizing what it was, they grinned sheepishly at each other. Kelsey answered it. “Hello?” “You’re there? Someone’s there! Thank God, thank God, you haven’t left yet! You need to come, come at once!” Kelsey listened in confusion. “Who is this? Are you being attacked too?” “Yes yes! No time, no time. This is Buck Williams, hurry, hurry, hurry and come.” Now Kelsey was even more confused. Buck Williams was a hermit who lived up in the woods, even further from town than them. He was very eccentric, not bad but just odd. What did he want with them? The man must have sensed her hesitation, because he said, “You must come. You’ve had the dreams, haven’t you?” Kelsey’s breath caught in her throat. The dreams… Buck said simply, “Come.” Then he hung up. Slowly the girl put the receiver down. “What was it?” Nate asked, fearful. “Are we going ahead with the plan?” “Yes,” she said. “The only thing we have to do is figure out where we go after.” Nate looked at her quizzically, and she explained the call, and about her dreams. After she was done they regarded each other hesitantly, neither sure what to do. Should they ignore the call and go to town? Should they put their trust in the strange man who lived even further out in the boondocks than they? If he could explain what was happening…what’s the best choice now? _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 2:24 pm    Post subject: This is an excellent story! I think we should be going to the hermit at this point. He knows about the dreams, he could be able to help with information, weaponry, or at least an extra pair of arms, to slay the zombie hordes! It's a risk... but simply going out of your door is a risk at the moment. As is staying inside Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 4:45 am    Post subject: Indeed an excellent story. I would probably drive straight to town, but Kelsey seems braver than me, so head to the Hermit. Can they drive? If they've never driven before then maybe they shouldn't risk driving further than they need to, and head straight for town instead. But if the hermit can drive then maybe they could make it there. So many possibilities with risks for all. This will be a hard poll. Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 1:20 pm    Post subject: Heh heh...yeah, maybe I should actually put a poll up for this chapter... _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:26 pm    Post subject: How very sad, no one seems to be following this story except Smee and Shady now…oh well, I’m going to keep writing anyway hahaha! Sorry about the lack of a poll. I had every intention of posting one, but it won’t let me with this story. I’ll probably post chapter six in a new post to fix that, so watch out for it. 10:30 – On the Road It took a good deal of deliberation to decide where to go next. At first Nate was all for heading into town despite the strange call, but Kelsey was unsure. Strange as Buck was, if he knew something about what was happening to them, how could they risk ignoring his message? After a while, Nate finally agreed. “At least the truck has 4-wheel drive,” he muttered sullenly. At last it was time to implement their plan. After one quick embrace that Nate normally wouldn’t have endured, Kelsey sent the boy downstairs to the door. Once he was in position, the girl took a deep breath. Looking out the windows upstairs, she saw that the creatures had not moved from their positions earlier, and she couldn’t see that any more had come. Well, that’s good at least, she thought. Then she went to the window at the back of the house. Out that way there was a row of thick lilac bushes, and then a small field that climbed up into the hills that surrounded their home until it was swallowed by the forest. Kelsey planned to through the radio out behind the lilacs. The ground would be softer there. She also hoped that if the radio was obscured by the thick bushes, the creatures would be less suspicious of the noise. They would assume that they couldn’t see what was making the noise because of the bushes, not because there was nobody there to see. That was the plan anyway. Kelsey just hoped it would work. Nate’s voice came over the walkie-talkie. “Are you ready?” “Yes,” she answered. “Here we go.” With that Kelsey opened the window and pushed the screen out. But before she could pull it back inside, she lost her grip on it. Down the screen went, sliding down the roof with a faint scratching till it flipped over the gutter to fall to the ground below. For a moment, Kelsey cringed. Then she relaxed. Even if they had heard the noise, it shouldn’t matter. After all, wasn’t distraction the point? “Kelsey, they heard something I think. A couple are coming around back.” “Gotcha,” she answered. If the things were even moderately intelligent, they’d assume that an escape was being attempted. Which it was, just not how they might expect. Kelsey smiled grimly and picked up the stereo. As she lifted it up, though, her smile slipped away. Looking between it and the line of lilacs, she cursed softly. Although the stereo was light, she didn’t think she’d be able to heave it the entire distance into the field. Great, she thought. Now what? Considering, she heaved a great sigh and clambered out onto the roof, trying not to let her backpack scrape along the sides of the window. Remembering movies like Merlin and Mathilda, and also thinking of earlier physics lessons, Kelsey knew that instead of throwing the stereo, she could instead hold it and spin, letting go of it at the appropriate time so that it sailed across the hedge nearly effortlessly. It was all the girl could think of, and she hoped it would work. She also hoped the stereo wouldn’t break on impact. Praying that she wouldn’t mess up, trying to keep her breathing steady, Kelsey flicked on the radio. Immediately loud metal music burst forth from the speaker, making Kelsey cringe. She had, however, left it on this station for a purpose – the artists were more likely to scream their lyrics that actually sing them, which would make for a better lure to the creatures. Taking hold of the radio by its handle, Kelsey twirled around, making sure to keep her balance on the gently sloped roof. After a few swift turns she released it, and watched as it flew through the night air, over the hedge and into the field. “Yes!” she mouthed. The cacophonous noise blared through the night, and the girl hoped that the angry screams and heavy base could be distorted enough in the fog to sound like terrorized shrieks and running footsteps. Any doubt that the distraction was not working was lost when she heard, once again, the familiar screech, the sound of a hunting creature. Dropping down, she crawled to the edge of the roof and peaked over. Yes! Here they came, shambling along towards the noise, their eyes unerringly fixed ahead as they sought their prey. Kelsey couldn’t get back into the window without making enough noise to attract the creatures (she wasn’t exactly the most graceful girl), so instead she crept along the roof, up over its peak and down the other side to were she could survey the entire front of the house. Nate’s voice, sounding triumphant, said, “It’s working, Kelsey! Can I go?” “No!” she snapped back into the walkie. “Wait a sec.” The last creature had just turned the corner around the house. “Ok, go. Hurry!” Below, the front door opened as Nate stealthily came out. Then he hurried down the steps and hopped into the passenger side of their Dodge pickup. Kelsey could clearly see the palor of his face as he too scanned the front for creatures. “Kelsey, you’re clear, come on!” She, of course, was already sliding her way down the roof, and was easing onto her belly so she could lower herself down by the front door. But just as she was lowering her legs over the side, her brother’s frantic voice came from the walkie-talkie. “No, wait, there’s one coming back!” His words startled Kelsey at just the wrong moment, and she lost her grip on the roof. Down she slid, the gutter scraping her stomach as she fell. She almost managed to land on her feet, but her ankle twisted underneath her and she fell to her back. Winded, she rolled to her side – to look into the mad eyes of a creature, some 12 feet away. It leered at her and shambled forward. Kelsey rolled to her feet and tried to run to the truck, but her ankle now slowed her down. The best she could do was a fast limp. Frantically she tried to go faster, and she saw her brother in the truck, waving hysterically and screaming, “HURRY!” Cursing her carelessness on the roof, she tried her best. The creature and Kelsey now moved at about the same speed, and though she was closer to the truck, her pursuer had a head start, and was almost upon her. She made the mistake of looking back. The driveway was graveled and littered with rocks, some bigger than others. Her foot caught on one of the big ones. Down she went, and her bat flew from her hand. Rolling over, she saw the creature was right in front of her. Even though she knew it was futile, she scrambled backward, crying, “Go, Nate! Get out of here!” The creature bent down and reached out its hands, ready to gouge the life out of her. Its eyes veritably glowed with macabre ecstasy. Kelsey covered her face in her arms. WHUMP. Kelsey opened her eyes. There stood Nate, breathing heavily as he looked down on the body of the zombie-thing. Its face was mashed, and its eyes seemed to have exploded. Nate's pipe was now smeared with grime. The scared boy met her eyes. “Ha,” he said shakily, trying to sound cocky. “Didn’t even see me coming.” He helped her to her feet. Conscious of her impressed and thankful gaze, he shrugged and said, “Can we go now?” Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the indefinite shapes of more creatures coming through the mist. “Oh, yeah,” she said. Pausing only to scoop up Kelsey’s bat, the two siblings hastened to the truck and were soon plowing down the driveway. Both, however, were too exhausted to exult in their successful escape. Kelsey had earned her license two years ago and had reasonable experience driving in disagreeable conditions. So she knew from personal experience how hazardous driving too fast in a fog could be. Despite this, she hurtled down the gravel county roads recklessly fast, desperate to put some space between themselves and the monsters behind them. Thus she did not expect to see a shape materialize on the road ahead of her. She did manage to hit the brakes fast enough, struggling not to go into a ditch as the back end of the truck started to swing to the right. Nate hung onto the edge of his seat as they slid closer to the immobile shape ahead of them – an old farming truck, stopped in the middle of the lane. Finally they came to a jarring halt. “Shit,” Kelsey muttered. “Are you ok?” she asked Nate. “No, I think I’m gonna die of a heart attack,” he said. “Good, you are ok.” Glancing at the old truck in front of them, Kelsey said, “We’d better warn whoever this is about…you know.” Slowly she nosed their Dodge alongside the older vehicle. She could now see its door was open. The eerie feeling of encroaching dread came upon her again; she had felt it far too many times that night. Her feelings were justified. There was no one in the old truck, but there was a ragged straw hat lying in the dust, along with broken glass and drips and splashes of blood. Someone has met his end here, she thought, and shuddered. Nate was staring at the blood with horrified fascination, and he looked sick to his stomach. His sister shared the same sentiments. With a shivering sigh that seemed to come up from her toes, she put the truck in gear and drove on, more slowly now; she had learned her lesson. Unfortunately, driving slowly she was able to see that there seemed to be several dark trails that resembled those left by the creatures at home. Slowing down to a crawl, her suspicions were confirmed when she saw the distinctive shuffling footprints with their intermittent piles of dark earth. Whatever had attacked the truck had come this way. They were driving north along a dirt road. Ahead of them was a four-way intersection. Kelsey intended to turn west, up into the mountains and to Buck Williams. But she stopped, letting loose a string of violent curses that had Nate staring at her, gaping like a fish out of water. Their headlights had illuminated the shapes of 7 creatures. They were arrayed across the road, blocking both the one to the west – into the forest – and the east, which led into town. The north road was unblocked. It paralleled the forested line of mountains and led away from town, up to the old reservoir. Kelsey slowed to a stop once again. Beside her, Nate was spouting out frantic drivel: Which way, what do we do, where now, we’re gonna die, and the like. Kelsey ignored him and tried to think. There were seven creatures, eyeing her hatefully but not approaching. She recalled lessons in history about the American West, and how cattlemen had steered their herds, preventing them from going anywhere undesirable. It seemed to her that that’s what these creatures were doing. But perhaps she was just being paranoid. Considering all that had happened tonight, though, that was excusable and might keep them alive. Which way? Stick to the plan, or into town? Or perhaps, along the unblocked road? West, east, or north? I can almost hear the disgruntled grumbling: What kind of gyp is this, having the same decision point twice? Well, the whole chapter was rather uncooperative for me as I was writing, and it was the only decision point that worked. The next one should have more to it. At least the situation has since changed from the last chapter. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:22 pm    Post subject: Quote: I had every intention of posting one, but it won’t let me with this story. I’ll probably post chapter six in a new post to fix that, so watch out for it. It's because you started the thread as a guest. If I delete the posts until I get to one of yours, and copy Chapter 1 in to that, then you should be able to make polls as normal. Oooh wait, nope, I can't I'm not the mod of this place. However, if you can get the mod to do that then it'll work. I'll read the chapter soon - I love this story. Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:53 pm    Post subject: dragon_fire372 wrote: How very sad, no one seems to be following this story except Smee and Shady now…oh well, I’m going to keep writing anyway hahaha! Don't get discouraged. People are still reading (probably quite a few because this story really is excellent), a lot of them just don't comment. Besides, being nominated for SGotM gets you a whole new audience when it happens. And it will happen, from me if no-one else - as soon as I can actually spare you my vote as well as the nomination. As for what to do next... I think we should stick to our original plan. We're in a four-wheel drive car, they can't block us if we just keep driving. No pansying around at 5miles per hour though. Rev that speed and destroy those undead! Another most excellent chapter, Dragon. Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 2:18 am    Post subject: Ooooh, good chapter. Go Nate with the metal pipe. Don't worry about having the same decision point. Sometimes it's necessary, although the wording is the same the situation is different. Chinaren did it in his Greed story, and it didn't harm his story at all. Getting into the car I would always have assumed I'd be hitting them with the truck at some point. Plow through them, and get to Buck on the double. You've seen what happens to people in vechicles that stop. Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:09 am    Post subject: Quote: How very sad, no one seems to be following this story except Smee and Shady now…oh well, I’m going to keep writing anyway hahaha! I agree, keep at it DF. I have been reading it, but busy just now, so didn't comment. Sometimes it takes a while for people to 'find' the story. Narg the Nasty (which I recommend ) seemed to hardly be read by anyone for about 4 chapters. FtS I agree with Smee Slug. Petal to the Metal baby! Yeah! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:09 am    Post subject: Quote: How very sad, no one seems to be following this story except Smee and Shady now…oh well, I’m going to keep writing anyway hahaha! Never fear, keep at it DF. I have been reading it, but busy just now, so didn't comment. Sometimes it takes a while for people to 'find' the story. Narg the Nasty (which I recommend ) seemed to hardly be read by anyone for about 4 chapters. FtS I agree with Smee Slug. Petal to the Metal baby! Yeah! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author tramp in a storm Honored Citizen Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 1585 Location: You never know...I could be in YOUR dust bin. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:05 am    Post subject: I was asked to delete the posts untill the top one was Dragon fires so that he can do polls and coppy his first chapter into his post. i have done that. My apologies to Shady-Stoat, Shogun, Ravenwing and Phang for having their replies deleted. _________________ Did you know: If you plug speakers into your ears, your thoughts will be heard out loud Back to top Author Ingrothechundyer Guest Items Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:31 am    Post subject: Nice story Time to try to reach that hermit. Stopping appears to be a very bad plan and there is no guarantee that town is any better (and isn't offering help) Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:07 am    Post subject: ye, dont worry DF, im reading it too _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 2:52 pm    Post subject: No poll (although I can post them now, thanks to tramp in a storm). Somehow, it just didn’t seem necessary. Alrighty then, on with the story! 10: 40 – To the Woods Kelsey’s mouth settled into a grim line. Popping the truck into reverse, she looked over her shoulder and backed up. After about 50 feet, she turned to the front again. “Kelsey?” her brother asked hesitantly. “What are you doing?” Once again, she changed gears, and then revved up the engine a little. “Hold on to something,” she said. Then she floored it. The tires spun briefly upon the gravel, and then the truck jumped forward. 50 feet wasn’t fast enough to gain a great deal of speed, but that didn’t matter. Kelsey intended to get to Buck, and those creatures weren’t about to stop her. 5, 10, 20…30 miles per hour when she hit the turn. The creatures had gathered together in the center of the road. Nate screamed something, but Kelsey didn’t hear. She had only one focus – the monsters in her path. Belatedly, they realized that she was not going to stop. Kelsey plowed through them, splattering dirt, congealed blood, and chunks of undead flesh all over the windshield. Nate was shouting non-stop, and although Kelsey didn’t realize it, she was yelling too, screaming obscenities at the creatures who had driven her from her home and caused her more terror than she had ever before known. Through their ranks they flew, whipping around the corner, fishtailing on the gravel but pulling straight, gaining speed as they left the sodden piles that used to be monsters behind them. As the creatures receded into the mist, both siblings ceased their cries. They sat in silence for a few minutes, panting and exhausted, Kelsey gripping the wheel a little too hard. She had to lean across it to peer at the road through a clean area of glass. Then her brother said, “You might want to use the windshield wipers.” The girl blinked. Such a simple statement seemed so absurd at that moment, and she broke out in peals of shaky laughter. A grin slowly spread on Nate’s face and soon he was giggling along with her. Within a few minutes they were into the forest. The trees were silent, eerie in the fog, and Kelsey was forced to drive slowly on the bends. But it seemed to be clear, and they could see nothing out of the ordinary. Once a coyote crossed the road ahead of them, but that was it. They traveled thus for about 20 minutes, until they saw a cleared area ahead of them, about 100 feet wide. A small cabin stood in the center of it, with a truck parked out front. Strangely enough, there were blasted areas on the ground, littered with gore, and suddenly Kelsey realized that they were the remains of the creatures, blown up somehow. As they drove closer, the headlights illuminated the figures of five more of the creatures, all slowly approaching the front door of the cabin. “Kelsey!” Nate cried, but she hushed him. “I see them,” she muttered, as she prepared to flatten these as well. But then she stopped, as someone emerged from the cabin. It was Buck Williams, and he was dressed in coveralls and a welding helmet. He also appeared to be carrying… “A flamethrower? That’s frigging sweet!” exclaimed Nate. And indeed it was. Flames shot out of the nozzle, washing over the monsters in a brilliant orange display, sending them scrambling away, the flesh sizzling. Their screams rose in the night. After a few moments of tortured writhing, they fell to the ground, flames still eating away at them. Buck peered over at them and waved them forward, body language communicating his urgency. Kelsey drove forward and parked beside Buck’s truck, and grabbing their packs the siblings ran to the door. “Hurry, hurry, they might come back!” cried the hermit, peering around through the fog as best he could. Skirting around the smoldering creatures, Kelsey and Nate were soon inside. Buck shut the door behind them, locked it, then lowered a bar across it. Kelsey noticed that the door was one of the old-fashioned, thick metal ones. She also noticed that the windows had steel screens over them. Looking on the table, she saw that a heavy club lay atop it, along with a box of homemade grenades. Seeing all this, she had the feeling that the night’s events had not caught the hermit by surprise at all. “Come in, come in,” he ushered, sitting them at the table. Nate began to ask a question, but Buck hushed him and said, “In a minute, hold on hold up.” Only when they all three were seated with a steaming mug of hot chocolate before them did he speak. “So,” he said unnecessarily, “you came. I’m glad you did. You were supposed to after all.” “Supposed to?” repeated Kelsey. “Buck, could you please explain what’s going on? You seem to have been prepared for it.” The man nodded. “Yes indeed, I was prepared. I knew what was coming. Let me show you.” Abruptly he stood and went into another room. He soon came back, now bearing a thick book in his arms. “This was my great-great grandfathers, and it has been passed down, to my great-grandpa, to my grandpa, to my pappy, and then to me. In it tells the story of an evil man, a madman from long ago.” Buck looked at them earnestly, then whispered, “He was a warlock, a man of the dead.” With that he opened the book and turned it towards Kelsey and Nate. Together they leaned over and read. The passage was written in the spidery handwriting of an older man, brief but chilling. Mort d’Homme A warlock of the late 19th century, he was far older than I when the great catastrophe occurred. He lived alone, which suited everyone because of his strange affinity with the dead. It was rumored that he used to be a mortician before moving to our town. A darker rumor also circulated that he was a grave robber, but none could back that claim. It turned out that the truth was far darker than any rumor we could devise, for the man was insane, bent on destruction and the power it afforded him. He practiced the black magic of communing with and reanimating the dead, and with every spell he worked he lost more of his soul, till it was as dead as those he commanded. And as his madness grew, so did his lust for conquest. Soon enough, he was no longer content to stay hidden in his lair northwest of town, no longer able to remain simply an oddity to the townsfolk. He was going to reveal himself as he truly was, and reap the destruction such a terrible exposure would bring. So he laid his plan, and one midsummer night, when the fog was thick and the new moon raised, he set it in motion. He traveled to the town cemetery, and there cast a spell of incredible magnitude, using powers he had bought from demons at prices that, thankfully, we shall never know. He raised the corpses of the town’s dead, transforming them into hideous wights all bound to his will. Using these creatures as his tools, he invaded the town, attacking the folk living within. Many of my friends, and kin, died in that attack. After the initial shock of the assault, however, we were able to organize a retreat and resistance, pulling all the surviving people together to the town hall. We compared what we knew about the wights there, including the only two ways that they could be destroyed, which were fire and ending their brain function (which could be accomplished by decapitation, or doing significant damage to the brain). We also discussed the culprit behind the attacks – the warlock Mort d’Homme. There was an old woman in the village, almost a witch in her own right because of the strange medicinal powers she possessed. She also was something of a mystic, able to, at times, divine knowledge through unknown methods. Even so, the townsfolk trusted her, because she had often warned them of impending disaster and was known to be a kind and caring woman. She for a month had been having strange dreams of fear and doom, and it was she who determined what our course would be. Under her direction, a force of stout farmers went out to search for any of our own hiding from the wights, and to destroy those creatures they came across. I went out with another force, and it was our task to locate the warlock. Along with us came the old woman, for she would not be left behind, though she would not say why. There followed a night that shall forever haunt me – creeping through the fog, trying to quiet our footsteps and thumping hearts, hunting a man with powers too terrible for us to imagine. Thankfully the woman was able to point us toward our goal, but she could not keep the wights from attacking us. We lost many more good men to their deadly teeth and claws. Finally, though, we reached the cemetery, where it had all began, and where it would end. It was a dreadful sight, the tombstones crooked and defiled, the earth over the graves ripped open. And sitting before the monument in the center stood d’Homme, watching the darkness and grinning a mad grin frightening to behold. That is when we confronted him. I cannot rightly describe the battle that took place. It has faded from my memory into the stuff of nightmares, a dream where my comrades fall to the undead and I am drowning in a turbulent sea of gore. But I do remember, with incredible clarity, the moment when the old woman stood before the warlock. He laughed into her face, and began to cast a spell upon her. I think she must have felt its workings, because she blanched and trembled. I tried to go to her, but found myself unable to move. Perhaps she knew that his powers were beyond her, perhaps she was just too tired. Somehow she knew she could not defeat him wholly. So instead, she cried aloud in a voice of power, “You, creature, are banished! Begone, and trouble us not.” For a moment to my feverish eyes, she seemed to shine. Then a howl, the cry of Mort d’Homme, rose into the night, and he faded before my eyes. The wights surrounding myself and my brother, the last survivors, fell into the ground and disappeared, leaving no trace. The old woman slumped. We ran to her, my brother and I, and it was then she told us her last words – that the warlock and his minions were not defeated, but simply banished, for a time. Someday in the future, on a distant anniversary of this night when the new moon rose and the fog lay down upon us, he would return. It would be then that the battle would play out again, and either d’Homme would be fully vanquished, or we would. She bid me to keep a record of what had come to pass, and to hand it down through my family, to prepare for that time. With her last breath, she told me that my descendent would find on that night one who would hold her power, and then they might destroy the evil. Then she was still, forever more. Since that night, I and my brother have fought to preserve the knowledge, the memory of it, so that when he returned he could be vanquished. I bid my descendents to keep this record so that when the time comes, you too may fight. Kelsey looked up at Buck. “Oh my God,” she murmured. Buck nodded. “Hopefully,” he said. “He was with them before.” Looking between the two, Nate said, “How can this be happening?” “Because tonight is the anniversary, and the conditions have been met. It is time to fight them, fight, me and Kelsey.” In her heart, the girl could feel fear descended, coiling around her and squeezing till she found it hard to breath. Why me? She asked herself. How can I be expected to fight anything? “The only powers I’ve shown are the dreams, Buck. I don’t think -” The hermit shook his head. “You are the only one. We must fight him, or he will win.” “What then?” Buck shuddered. “I don’t know, but I’d rather not imagine it.” In her mind, the girl was frantically trying to talk herself out of it. But in the end, calm descended, because she knew there was really only one choice. “OK,” she said. “We’ll fight.” The hermit nodded. “Okie dokie, yes we will. We’ll have to go to the graveyard again, I think, and –” “Wait a second!” Nate interrupted. “You can’t be thinking of just charging down there right now? What about the people in town, shouldn’t they be warned? And don’t you think we could get someone to help us, or something?” He turned to Kelsey. “Besides, you can’t think you’re going to just charge in and attack. We need a plan, to think things through, or something!” Buck shook his head. “We have to go now, soon. The longer the wait, the more people die, the stronger he gets!” “How do you know Kelsey can even fight him? How do you know we won’t all be killed!” Doubts, fears, determination, hopelessness, all circled in Kelsey’s mind. She held her head in her hands. I don’t know what to do. So now it’s up to you. Decide Kelsey’s path, and try to choose wisely. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:29 am    Post subject: Oh boy! Okay. Kelsey has got this far and found out some valuable information. Very valuable, if my suspicious nature is serving me correctly. I'd say head into town, whether Buck wants you to or not. You have to find some independent validation of this information. A town library, perhaps? A working computer, still with internet access? I know it's dangerous, but you can't afford to head straight to the graveyard with a strange guy you've just met. My vote goes for heading into town. Excellent chapter, dragon! Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:30 am    Post subject: Indeed an excellent chapter. I too think it is a bad idea to head straight to the graveyard. Even if she truly does have the old witch's powers she doesn't know how to use them. I doubt merely repeating the words the witch said before will work. It also said that the witch's power didn't stop the wights attacking them, so they could do with some 'stout farmers' of their own for some protection. To the town. Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 1:27 pm    Post subject: <calls out into the void> Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello? <shrugs and eats an apple> _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author tramp in a storm Honored Citizen Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 1585 Location: You never know...I could be in YOUR dust bin. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 1:36 pm    Post subject: *runs around reading* WOW DRAGON!!!! amazing story!!! i've read up to.......the end of 10:00 now what? I'm saving it on word, changing the font size to 20 so that i can read it easier! lol. maybe i shouldnt have been reading it at 3 am just before i went to bed though. lol. *saves the rest of the story and goes off to read it* keep it up dragon. _________________ Did you know: If you plug speakers into your ears, your thoughts will be heard out loud Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:04 pm    Post subject: Another good one DF! I f5 Stoat and Smee slug about going to town, if only to get some help. The original author of the book said they had people with them to fight the undead, these guys will likely need help too. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author tramp in a storm Honored Citizen Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 1585 Location: You never know...I could be in YOUR dust bin. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:15 pm    Post subject: I've read it! wiiioooo!!!!! well done dragon! looking forward to the next chapter. Enjoy your writing _________________ Did you know: If you plug speakers into your ears, your thoughts will be heard out loud Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:48 pm    Post subject: In an effort to wheedle out more discussion (and stall writing the next chapter cuz I still need to finish the next chapter of Uncertain Quests ) I shall expand the decision point. I thinks it's agreed Kelsey's going into town. But where will she go when she gets there? Search for survivors? Gather the townsfolk in one place? Head to a library and research? Destroy some wights? Order takeout? (Okay, maybe not.) Anyway, post and discuss, it raises my self esteem. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 12:19 am    Post subject: I'm not sure Kelsey would have the power or the charisma to gather all the townspeople into one place - although it would be nice if she could. On the other hand, if she gets a bunch of 'survivors' and takes them to the town library, then maybe she can get what she wants and help a few people out at the same time Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:09 am    Post subject: dragon_fire372 wrote: Swiftly the two set to work. Going about the house, they gathered things they might need – water bottles, matches, a lighter, batteries and a flashlight, gloves and jackets, some food and several blankets – and stuffed them in their backpacks. I say ditch the blankets! They take up a lot of space, weigh us down, and unless we're planning on staying overnight outside (not happening), we won't be that desperate for warmth. And now we're with Buck, we should definitely get properly outfitted. We've got guns right? But keep the bat. It's got good mojo. Then I'm with everyone else. It took a small army to take out the Warlock before, it will take another to take him out now. At the very least, a proper resistance in a common area is needed. Stoat definitely has it right about the library. We need info. But tell Buck he can only play with his flamethrower outside!! ... He's a crazed zealot, and I think we should not let him take control of the group. Kelsey's the new witch, she needs to step up and lead (even if it turns out she doesn't have any powers). You've got it dragon fire! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:14 am    Post subject: Oh yeah, and get Kelsey's ankle wrapped! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:39 pm    Post subject: Hee hee, I love it when people agree. Sorry it took so long. 11:20 – Time to Prepare Are they crazy? The question buzzed in Nate’s head, and he had to admit that it might be possible. Probable, in Buck’s case. Though the lack of planning was not usually a trait of Kelsey’s, and neither was indecision. As he argued with the hermit, Nate watched his sister, with her head bowed and her fists clenched in her hair, and he felt sympathy. She was the one who had to make the decision. The boy had never really thought of his sister as a leader before, but now he supposed she really was. Finally Kelsey lifted her head. “Nate’s right,” she announced. “We can’t go off half-cocked.” Nate smiled triumphantly at Buck, who sputtered, “But, but, we can’t, he’ll get strong, real strong, and – ” “And we are weak enough without rushing in with no protection, no real grasp of the situation, and no idea whether I can do anything or not!” finished Kelsey. Once Buck had fallen silent, she said in a calmer tone, “Look, I’m not saying we’re not going to fight. I’m just saying we need to find out a little more before we do.” Hearing this, Nate could not help but stick his tongue out at the hermit. “Told you so,” he said. “Nate,” Kelsey said reprovingly. Meanwhile, Buck had fallen into a sullen silence. “Fine,” he mumbled, sounding very childish to Nate. Kelsey nodded. “Alright, we’ll head into town, check on people there, and try to get some h – ” She broke off with a gasp, though, as she attempted to stand. Hurriedly, she sat back down again. “What’s wrong?” “Oh, it’s my ankle,” she replied. “When I slid off the roof, I twisted it some.” With a little laugh, she said, “I forgot about it.” “Oh no, she’s hurt, you’re hurt! Wrap it, tape it, we need to move, move.” Nate interrupted, “Yes, we know that. Why don’t you make yourself useful and find us a first aid kit!” For a moment it seemed he would refuse, but Kelsey nodded to him, so the hermit harrumphed and left. After waiting a moment, Nate commented quietly, “Thank goodness! That psycho’s driving me nuts.” “He probably has been alone here too long,” Kelsey agreed. “But try not to aggravate him, we do need him, and he’s just trying to help us.” “Maybe, but don’t let him take charge,” the boy warned. “He’ll lead us on a suicide mission if you’re not careful. So what are we going to do in town?” Sighing, Kelsey shrugged. “See if there’s anyone who needs help. I want to go to the library and see if we can research a little more about what happened.” Seeing Nate’s raised eyebrows, she said hurriedly, “It’s not that I don’t believe Buck, I just think more information would be prudent.” It was then that Buck returned, bearing a large first aid kit. He set it on the table and started to get the tape out. It was obvious he intended to take care of Kelsey himself. “Oh no, you don’t,” said Nate, grabbing the kit away. “I’ll be taking care of her.” “I’m her guide, her guardian!” “I’m her brother,” he replied flatly. Kelsey interceded, “It’s ok, Buck. Maybe you could start gathering anything we’ll need when we do head out. You know, guns, ammo, and did you have grenades?” He nodded and left, not looking completely satisfied with the arrangements but not willing to disobey Kelsey. There was an almost religious fervor about him, and he obviously regarded Kelsey as the boss. After he’d left Kelsey lifted up her ankle and rested it on Nate’s lap. Gently he pulled off the shoe and looked at the ankle. It was slightly swollen, but he thought it would be all right once he had it taped. As he prepared to wrap it, Kelsey asked, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” He nodded. Then an odd feeling came over him, and he set the tape in his lap. With both hands he ran his fingers over Kelsey’s twisted ankle, feeling its contours, pressing it as if looking for something. His sister regarded him nervously. “What are you doing?” “I don’t really know,” he said. Finally his fingers stopped moving. Nate cocked his head and looked at the ankle, then closed his eyes. Suddenly he knew what to do. He pressed down with the pads of his fingers, concentrating intensely. Kelsey gasped. A small shock ran from Nate to her, and he pulled his hands back with a sigh. “What did you do?” she exclaimed. “It feels…well, not healed, but a lot better, and it doesn’t hurt so bad.” Nate shrugged, both proud and confused. “I think I just sped up the process a little. It still needs to be wrapped.” “Well, go ahead,” she said with a smile. “Thanks!” As Nate wrapped her ankle, Kelsey mused aloud. “I wonder what this means. You’ve never had any powers like that before; it must be related to what’s happening tonight. The book said the old woman had medicinal powers… That’s it! Nate, you have her powers too!” The boy shook his head. “How can I? You’re the one who got the dreams.” “I know, but I know it’s true, the same way you knew how to heal my ankle. The old woman’s powers must have been split between us! Maybe she thought it would make us stronger,” she murmured. “I think you’re right.” When she asked Nate what convinced him, he answered, “It just feels right.” Then he looked at her shirt. There were small bloodstains on it. “Kelsey, you’re bleeding.” In truth she was bleeding from several places, minor scratches and scrapes from her run through the woods. But she also had a huge scrape across her stomach, where the gutter had scratched her as she slid off the roof. Kelsey cleaned it with an anti-bacterial wipe from the first aid kit while Nate loosened her shoe ties so her ankle would be more comfortable. As they finished Buck poked his head in. “Are you ready yet? Come on, come on, gotta go.” Both siblings nodded, and they grabbed their packs and headed to the hermit. After a moment’s hesitation, Kelsey grabbed the big book the hermit had shown them and stuffed it in her backpack. She had a feeling they’d need it. Then she followed Nate, barely limping at all. When she joined them, Buck outfitted them each with a pistol, several full clips of ammo, and a handful of grenades each, as well as a weapons belt with a holster, a satchel for their ammo, and little compartments for the grenades. He himself carried a shotgun, a crowbar, and the flamethrower. Nate felt nervous around him, thinking he was far too eager than was healthy considering what they might find in town. At last they were all ready, and they dashed to Buck’s truck (which was bigger than Kelsey’s, and had a large grill on the front that looked like it had been designed with ramming in mind). They turned around and began the drive into town. No one really talked as they drove. They all brooded silently, staring out the windows into the fog. Buck drove a little slow for Nate’s taste, but then just about everything about the hermit annoyed him. He seemed a little cuckoo, and suicidal to boot. But Kelsey was right, his heart was in the right place. Nate glanced at his sister, to see she had fallen asleep. How can she sleep at a time like this? he wondered. Even so, he didn’t wake her. As they left the woods and came closer to town, they passed the driveways of the farms and ranches of their neighbors. Nate examined the homes as closely as he could in the dark. Luckily the fog wasn’t as thick here; with any luck it would pass soon. Looking out the windows the boy could see no sign of the zombies (which is how he though of them, despite what the book said) but he did see evidence of their passing. Windows were broken, screen doors hung off their hinges. There were some bodies, both undead and human. Nate’s heart leapt when he saw that most of the driveways were empty. Perhaps some people had managed to escape, like them! About fifteen minutes out of town they came upon a particularly thin patch of fog. Thus Nate was able to see quite clearly the driveway they were approaching, and the house it led to. Expecting it to be abandoned like the others, he felt a jolt when he saw that not only were there still cars, but there were also zombies. Six or seven circled the house, pounding to get inside. That means there are still people there! He recognized the place now; it belonged to the Mullin’s, a family of five, the three kids still in elementary. It looked like the zombies were going to get in any second. “Buck!” he exclaimed, “Turn here!” “Why?” he asked obstinately. “This family is still here! The z- the wights are about to break in, we need to help them.” Buck shook his head. “No time, we need to get to town.” “No!” Nate exclaimed furiously. “We need to help them. There are three kids, three little kids!” he continued frantically, because the driveway was approaching very fast. “Please, Buck!” The hermit shook his head again, and Nate wondered if he’d even been listening. “Kelsey said, go to town, and that’s what I’m doing. Can’t stop, gotta keep rollin’, rollin along.” Furious, frustrated, and terrified for the family, Nate knew he had to get Buck to stop. They had to go help the Mullin’s, and time was running out. Nate knows what must be done – the family must be saved. It is up to you to decide how he will do it. Hurry, or you may run out of time. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 10:29 pm    Post subject: It's cruel, but maybe we should hurry on. Children will slow us down. If Buck wasn't being difficult, maybe we could spare a little time... but as it is, the best choice I think would be to make a good distraction and hope they start chasing the truck instead. Shooting at them might help. If Nate's intuition is telling him to help the Mullins, then we need Kelsey to say something immediately. Buck might listen to her if she insists. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:27 pm    Post subject: At this point, I think it's dangerous to let Buck call the shots. Obviously, so does Nate. Lebrenth's idea is good. The car radio could be turned up, imitating last time's idea, hoping that the wights will blindly follow. Or Nate could try out the handbrake, or fling himself forward and wrestle with Buck for the wheel, because he's only young and he's desperate to help this family. Or he could simply appeal to Kelsey to say something. As Lebrenth said, Buck would probably listen to her. Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:24 am    Post subject: Drive up, don't stop and open fire. If you don't get them all you can at least lead them away and give the people inside some time to do something. Don't hang around though! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Last edited by Chinaren on Mon May 08, 2006 5:06 pm; edited 1 time in total Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:55 am    Post subject: Hey Lebrenthy (an intermediate stage before you become just Lebby ) Ok - as far as I'm aware Kelsey is asleep which is why she hasn't chimed in on Nate's side yet. I get the impression that Nate also doesn't have the time to wake her, explain the situation and get her to countermand the decision before it's too late. So once again it's down to him. Ramming a couple would be a good idea if it's possible - although if they are just milling about the house it's probably too difficult to hit them with enough speed in the big truck and not actually hit the house. If it's just a wooded house then driving through it could work - land in the living room, get all the kids in and then back out again. But obviously a lot could go wrong there. Distracting them, that sounds plausable as well. If they are smarter than Zombies though then they are unlikely to give up on the so far easy targets in the house in favour of those dangerous gun-wielding ones. We need to sound vulnerable. An engine stall, and some screaming might make them think you are in trouble. All this requires some co-operation from Buck though - and that's not likely unless he gets some of the respect for Nate that he has for Kelsey. Nate is the only one to have tapped into his powers yet, maybe he could try that again, do something that will convince Buck that he is important to. Great chapter Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:56 pm    Post subject: You're right, and keep in mind, that Kelsey is asleep. So the main focus of the decision point here should not be so much about how to deal with the zombies (pardon me, wights), but about how to deal with Buck. He's the one we need to influence here. Not that battle suggestions aren't good, cuz they'll come in handy later, but right now we need to make the battle happen. Of course an option is to heed Buck and leave the family to defend themselves, but it is undesirable to Nate and therefore us. So be creative - how can we get the hermit to listen to us? Have fun thinking about it, cuz I'm still having some problems... _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:57 pm    Post subject: I was going to write the next chapter tonight, but I realized that it would be rude of me to not let you guys vote on the outcome when there was actually some difference of opinion about it. This poll is only up for three days, so vote if you wish before it ends. I find myself hoping that the last option wins, as I already know how that would work out, and it would fit in really well. However, the decision is, as always, only yours. Hurry and vote! _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:19 pm    Post subject: Well, I’m glad to see my first poll in this story was so successful, lol. Here’s the new chapter, hope it fits with what you wanted well enough. Enjoy. 12:00 – Midnight As the Mullin’s driveway came closer and closer, Nate felt a tide of hot anger rising within him. I won’t let him do this, he told himself. “Buck,” he said through gritted teeth, “you will pull into that driveway, right now.” Buck stubbornly shook his head, a hint of smugness in his face. Seeing it, Nate felt the last of his control slip away. Yanking out his pistol, he pointed it right at the hermit’s temple. “Now!” he roared. When Buck turned around again, it was to look straight up the muzzle of a loaded gun, held incredibly steady. He coldly fixed his eyes onto Nate’s, who stared back just as determinedly. Then Nate’s eyes flicked to the road ahead, and the boy screamed, “Look out!” Kelsey had lain in an uneasy sleep, her dreams full of red haze and decomposition. Dimly she heard raised voices, but for a long while couldn’t bring herself to open her eyes. Suddenly she was jerked out of her doze as the truck swerved from side to side and screeched to a halt. Her eyes snapped open, and she was hit with a wave of grogginess. When she looked over, it was to see Buck, his face livid, staring at Nate, who glared back. It took a moment for her to realize that his gun was out, pointing at the hermit. She bolted upright. “What’s going on?” she cried. Both of the others started talking at once. Buck was gibbering about stupid brother, no time, blahdy blah, and Nate was hardly better. “The Mullin’s – three kids – gonna leave them!” he spit out, looking furious. A vein in his temple was throbbing. The girl couldn’t take it anymore. “Shut the hell up and tell me what is going on, Nate!” she yelled. When Buck started to protest, she pointed at him and said, “Be quiet.” He sulkily complied. “We’re at the Mullin’s place,” Nate said, angry tears in his eyes. He pointed out the window and said, “They are being attacked, and they can’t possibly make it! I wanted to help them, but this jackass wouldn’t stop, so I pulled a gun. Then he nearly ran us off the road.” “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” she said, holding up her hands. “You pulled a gun on the driver?!” “That’s not the point!” her brother yelled. “Look out the window!” Kelsey turned her head. Peering through the darkness, she looked and saw… “Oh my God!” she exclaimed, as she saw the wights hammering on the doors and windows of the house, and it finally hit her what Nate had said. “We have to help them!” she cried. “But…” “Now, Buck!” cried Kelsey, unconsciously echoing what her brother had yelled before. Muttering under his breath the hermit slammed the truck in reverse, as they had passed the turn by a few yards. Then he turned it into the Mullin’s driveway and roared ahead. As they approached the wights, Kelsey pulled out her pistol as well, and said to Nate, “Remember, aim for their heads.” “I know,” he muttered, his hand on the door handle. Abruptly the truck slammed to a stop, and the three passengers leapt out. Buck put his shotgun to his shoulder and fired. Nate stood up on the running board and pulled the trigger repeatedly with his right hand while his left clutched the top of the truck. Kelsey, for her part, used the open door for a shield and steadied the pistol on the top edge of the door. Before firing, she yelled at the top of her lungs, “Get down!” to the family inside the house. Surprisingly her voice came out incredibly loud, at a volume she didn’t know was possible for a human to achieve. It left her throat incredibly sore, but could be heard above the screams of the wights and the battle cries of her companions. Then, she opened fire. For less than three minutes the battle raged. The wights, seeing the threat, shambled towards the truck, but Buck had stopped it far enough away that the creatures were only gunned down as they approached. Kelsey fired until the magazine was empty, not always hitting them in the head, but a few. Nate, his eyes narrowed in concentration, pulled shot after shot, and several wights went down because of him. Buck, with his shotgun, had the easiest aiming – he simply pointed and pulled the trigger, and the wights disintegrated from the waist up. By the time Kelsey and Nate were out of bullets, there were none of the monsters left standing. Kelsey stood in a haze of fog and gun smoke, the sudden silence almost as deafening as the tremendous noise of a few moments ago. Before her lay the oozing corpse of the wights, some lying face down, some having been spun around as the bullets hit them in a gruesome parody of ballet. Hesitantly she walked forward, looking around in a daze. Suddenly the quiet was broken by a single gunshot. Kelsey jumped and looked over, to see Nate standing over the body of a wight, his pistol pointing at the thing’s head and a frightening expression on his face. It was the face of an executioner. When he noticed her watching him, he said coldly, “It was moving.” “I thought you were out of bullets,” she replied shakily. He shook his head. “All right,” said Buck grumpily. “They’re dead now, all dead again, can we go?” She shook her head. “We have to check on the family.” Slowly she walked over to the door. Feeling kind of silly, she knocked. “Mr. Mullin?” she called. Pushing on the door, she saw it was open. Shivering, she realized they’d gotten there just in time. The door knob had been ripped out. Looking inside, she saw dust and particles of sheetrock falling from the ceiling from where a few bullets had flown too high and gone through the walls. A few feet away from her, Mr. Mullin laid on the ground, covering his wife with his own body, both of them with their hands over their ears. In the far corner the three children were huddled together. The oldest, a girl in sixth grade, had her arms around the two younger ones. Her face was streaked with tears. “Mr. Mullin?” Kelsey asked hesitantly. “Are you all right?” Finally he looked up. Seeing her, he lay his head back down with a sigh. “Thank God someone came.” Tenderly he helped his wife up from the floor, and immediately their kids surged forward and covered the two parents with hugs. Kelsey averted her eyes for a few moments, allowing the family their relieved embraces. Eventually Mr. Mullin looked up at her. “I’m more grateful than you will ever know,” he told her. “I thought…you know what I thought.” She nodded. “Can you get your family out of here? We’re trying to get people gathered, in – ” “The town hall?” the wife asked. She held the youngest child, a boy in kindergarten, on her hip. “We got a call some time ago, gathering everyone to the city hall, before the phones went out, but we couldn’t get to the van.” Kelsey felt an inexplicable relief that the people were beginning to gather together. All the same, a chill ran down her spine when she considered how closely the evening’s events were following those of the 1800’s. “Yes, go there,” she told them. “If others are gathering there too you’ll be safer. Get some weapons before you go. If you run into any other wights, bash them on the head or torch them.” The family nodded back. As Kelsey turned to leave, she heard the sixth grader ask her, “Is this like what happened before?” “What do you mean?” “Well,” said the girl, “Our great-grandpa used to tell us a story, that his great-grandpa had told him, about how when he was a boy the zombies attacked our town. Is this like that?” Buck’s voice floated in from outside. “They’re wights, not zombies!” he corrected. “Shut up,” Kelsey heard Nate snap. Ignoring them both, Kelsey told the girl, “Yes, this is like that. Everyone in this town is in danger.” Looking now at the parents, she continued, “That’s why you have to be very careful, and group with other people as soon as you can. Arm yourselves,” returning her eyes to those of the girl, she whispered, “Be brave.” Then she turned around and left. Gesturing to Nate and Buck, she climbed into the truck and shut the door. Then she considered her next step. If the townsfolk were gathering at the city hall it would make sense to seek aid there. She might even be able to access some old records. But they still needed information, and they had the best chance of that at the library. But the city hall would be better protected and provisioned… They are finally going to town. But whence from there? To the library and information? To the city hall, protection and aid? What options can you imagine, and which will keep them – and everyone else – alive? _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:32 pm    Post subject: Nice chapter. The town hall is the obvious choice. Get the people informed and then delegate other tasks in the library and so forth. Many hands make light work. Of killing. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:51 pm    Post subject: Excellent chapter, as always I F5 Chinaren. Get the townsfolk to help you with the job. You can take a whole party of them to the library and send others off to get weapons, round up survivors, whatever. Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:40 am    Post subject: F5 cren and shady _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:58 am    Post subject: Nice chapter. I reckon that the library seems like the best plan. Our enemy is already quite a head of us. If I was him I'd secure the library to prevent us getting access or maybe just destroy it. Therefore I think we should get to the library with all haste. I was tempted to go via the townhall to get reinforcements, but that'll be a big delay especially if they don't belive us (which is likely). To the library. Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author jess1561 Guest Items Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:51 am    Post subject: I don't know what F5 means, but I agree with Smee... The library is the best choice, Kelsey and Nate need to be ready to handle the Warlock when the time comes, and they can't defeat him without knowing how to... She can use the phone there to call the people at the town hall and see what their plans are... And then after getting enough information they can head to the city hall where Nate can try to heal the wounded... ... I'm not usually one for Horror, but this is good... -Jess Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:54 am    Post subject: F5 is local-speak for "I agree with". *puts best 'snitch' voice on and points accusingly* Blame Chinaren, he started it! Back to top Author jess1561 Guest Items Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:44 pm    Post subject: Shady Stoat wrote: F5 is local-speak for "I agree with". *puts best 'snitch' voice on and points accusingly* Blame Chinaren, he started it! Thanks, at least I don't feel so ignorant anymore... ... Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:13 pm    Post subject: I think it was more Stoat's fault that mine! One time everywhere I went to comment Stoat had got there first, and said what I was going to say, so after the thousandth time of saying 'I agree with Stoat' I said I was going to assign the phrase to the 'f5' key. So it's Stoat's fault. But you can blame me anyway, everyone else does. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:33 pm    Post subject: *Pats Chinaren and blames him too. * _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author jess1561 Guest Items Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:11 am    Post subject: lmao... Okay, that makes more sense now Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:01 pm    Post subject: Here's a poll for the chapter, it'll be up until I have time to finish the next chapter busy busy busy. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:38 pm    Post subject: went with the hall _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:38 am    Post subject: So I finally get a proper explanation of "f5" huh? I knew it would happen sooner or later, I just thought I'd have to go deep into archives. As it is, I'm totally agreeing with Smee. The library first, city hall afterwards. BUT, I think this is a good time to mention a potential plan. So this is starting to play out a lot like the old story, right? Well I'm sure the Warlock can see it coming (especially if he's slept through the inbetween time, in which case it will seem as if it was only a few hours ago that this plan was used). So let's use his knowledge against him. He knows we're going to make a resistance, so let's get ready to use the resistance as a diversion. He'll see them coming and assume that's the entire force, meanwhile we three (maybe one or two more) make a quick flanking move and catch him relatively unaware. We probably only need to take out the head to win, so this might work really well.... But let's find out more at the library first! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author jess1561 Guest Items Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:10 pm    Post subject: *sits back and waits for the next chapter* Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:05 pm    Post subject: 12:10 – Sensations Kelsey knew that their needs had not changed – they still needed to find what information they could. The city hall would not help them do that. At best it would have rosters of the townsfolk and population, maybe a few old records, but how could that help them? It wouldn’t, really. The library was where they needed to go. Nate and Buck climbed into the truck and Buck started the engine. “We’re going to the library,” she announced. Immediately (she perhaps should have expected this) they raised objections. “What’s the point of going to the library?” asked Nate, wrinkling his nose. “If we go to the town hall with the rest of the people we’ll be better protected, and we can check on everyone.” “We must get to the graveyard!” exclaimed Buck. “D’Homme is getting more powerful with every moment, we must stop him, now now now!” “Would you two shut up!?” Kelsey exclaimed. Her head spun, and she clutched her arm. It was throbbing strangely. Desperately she pushed back the dizziness and concentrated on what they had asked her. Through gritted teeth, she said, “We’re going to the library, because we need more information about how we can defeat Mort D’Homme. After that, we’ll go to the town hall, and after that, we will confront the warlock in the cemetery. If you have a problem with that, get out of the truck and make your own way.” She didn’t mention that she was still uncertain if confronting the warlock was really a good idea, but she hoped that whatever they found in the library would answer that question. Nate sighed and sat back in the seat. Buck muttered, put the truck in gear, and pulled out onto the road. As they neared the town, the fog thickened, and soon you could barely see anything outside of twenty yards. Although they were forced to slow down, Kelsey had to wonder if the fog was a good thing – it prevented them from seeing whatever horror might be surrounding them. Besides the rumble of the truck there was no noise, and with the lack of senses it was almost a surprise when they entered the town. Buildings loomed out of the mist – the school, a church, post office and grocery store. Buck slowed even further, but nothing moved except the fog, swirling and eddying in invisible currents. They passed the street that led to the city hall, and Nate gazed off in that direction wistfully. Soon they’d arrive at the library. They were only a few blocks from their destination when the feeling came. Kelsey, who was sitting in a silent misery of nausea as the truck seemed to sway like a ship on turbulent water, almost didn’t acknowledge it. But instead of fading away, it only grew. Grimacing, the girl focused on it, pulling the strange sensation of knowing into the forefront of her mind. As soon as she did, Kelsey realized what the feeling was telling her – it would be a bad idea to continue this way. So close to their goal, what can Kelsey do? Which is more foolish – to disregard a possible premonition or to forfeit what might be their best chance at gathering more information? Hmm, it’s like a mini chapter. I should try to work in some consistency here… Anyway, these are the choices as I see them – turn around and go back to the town hall, ignore the feeling and continue on…or, find another way in. Be creative, and share your own ideas as well. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:52 pm    Post subject: A great little mini-chapter, DF! I have a few reasons for saying 'ignore the premonition'. 1) It could be somebody invading Kelsey's head and controlling her thoughts, just as much as it could be a true premonition. 2) Unless she goes to check it out and finds out whether or not it's a real vision of the future, she'll never know whether it was real or not. If she carries in blindly obeying every 'premonition' from then on, she could end up being nothing more than a will-less puppet. 3) I don't think Kelsey defeated the warlock with the powers of Premonition. Although it might be a re-manifestation of her powers, are they the sort of powers that she would have imagined her ancestor having? She should doubt until she's proved it, one way or another. Of course, it could be true and they could be driving into terrible danger... but I'm sure it's a lesser risk now that we're not walking into it blind. Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 1:55 am    Post subject: Good mini-chapter. It's nice to cut it short when a decision points appears like this. Makes us readers feel important. I can't argue with Stoat's points though. It's the first manifestation of these powers if it is a premonition, so it needs confirming as genuine. Of course, even if thee is some danger thatoesn't mean it's magic powers. She's going through a day of hell - anyone would be getting 'funny feelings' of danger. Danger is all around her anyway. Unless the preminition expands into a vision detailing the danger, it could just be entirely understandable nerves. Ignore it and continue to the Library. Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 1:36 pm    Post subject: that's all true, but people get 'premonitions' all the time, mostly without realising it. your instinst, a gut-feeling, and womans intution is all based on your feelings without actual fact. i know i've known something thats happened without being told or even before its happened, and thats without any mystical ancestrial power manifesting (or is it?) mainly i feel people should always go with their instinsts, because all of life is a gamble and what else is there to go on _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:10 pm    Post subject: Feelings are given to unpredictability to the effect of unreliability. If Kelsey can become more attuned to her premonitions, we can begin to trust them. As it is, either the author is really trying to steer us away from the library , or an interesting event is about to take place. To the library! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author jess1561 Guest Items Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:11 am    Post subject: I'm not sure what she should do... I do think she needs to go to the library, but she really shouldn't ignore the premonition.... :hm: She should go with her gut... :nod: Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:49 pm    Post subject: I say to the library and be damned! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:20 pm    Post subject: Ah, lovely conflict. <rubs hands together in anticipation> _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:45 pm    Post subject: Woo yeah! First vote. Go me! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:36 pm    Post subject: voted to turn back, and winning _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Ingrothechundyer Guest Items Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:27 am    Post subject: 1-4 is winning? Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:07 am    Post subject: Hey it's Ingro! He hasn't been eaten by the swamp creature! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:53 am    Post subject: yes yes it is _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 7:01 pm    Post subject: 12:30 – All for Knowledge Kelsey forced herself to think logically. You are tired. You are sick to your stomach, partially deaf from gun blasts and paranoid because of all that’s been happening. Just because you were supposed to inherit some old woman’s powers doesn’t mean you can tell the future. Stop being silly and do what you need to do. So, she didn’t say anything. Ahead of them loomed the stately brick edifice, its windows dark and the parking lot empty. Nothing seemed to be amiss. Kelsey, realizing she was tense in her seat, sat back with a sigh. As they pulled up in front of the library, her face broke into a tremulous grin. There was nothing. Despite the apparent tranquility of the area, Buck would not let her leave the truck until he had gotten out and investigated. Soon enough he pronounced it clear and motioned for them to enter. Gathering their things, the siblings hopped (or in Kelsey’s case, hobbled) out of the truck and joined him at the front doors. Unfortunately, they were locked. The girl leaned against the doorframe, her tired brain thinking, Duh. Dumb-ass, of course it’s locked. Buck, seeing her despair, seemed ready to break the glass and enter forcefully, but Nate restrained him. “Let me do it,” he said with exasperation. “The alarm will go off.” Then Kelsey watched bemused as he dug into his pack and produced something the girl couldn’t see. Kneeling in front of the door, Nate concentrated for a few minutes while the hermit looked around edgily. Finally he sat back triumphantly and said, “Ah ha!” With that, he pulled open the door. After they were safely inside, Kelsey turned to him and asked, “You can pick locks?” He nodded nonchalantly. “I thought it’d be nifty to know how, so I taught myself.” Buck interrupted. “Let’s start looking, quick. Hurry, hurry on.” When the hermit wasn’t looking, Nate rolled his eyes expressively to Kelsey, who stifled a giggle. Then they began their search. Buck took it upon himself to be the guard, patrolling between all the doors, checking the windows, his weapons at the ready. He muttered to himself and glanced their way occasionally with consternation. Once he’d turned on a computer Nate began to look for promising titles in the library’s books listings. Kelsey searched in a more old-fashioned way, and went straight to a small room in the back that was devoted to the town’s history. For a while she combed the shelves, occasionally pulling down an old volume, but finding very little of interest. Finally, exasperated, she sat down at a table and tried to think. Where would it be? Then her gaze dropped on a glass display cabinet. Oh my God, she thought. Retard! Crossing to the cabinet, she peered into the large book that lay inside. It reminded her of something, but at first she couldn’t think what it was. Then she realized; it was almost exactly like Buck’s book. There was no title, its cover only stamped and polished leather. Behind the book was a sign, which read: This book is the collected journals of the town’s founding fathers and their descendents. It tells not only the intimate details of the events that shaped our town, but also local folk-lore and myths. Thanks to Gina Albaine for compiling these records in a way that will never die. This has got to be it, Kelsey thought. “Nate!” she called, but when she looked around he was already there. “What did you find?” he asked. “Here,” she said. “I think this is what we’re looking for.” Her brother peered through the glass. “ ‘The collected journals of the town’s founding fathers and their descendants’ ” he read. Nodding, he said, “That should do it. I didn’t really see any others.” Once again he pulled out what Kelsey presumed were homemade lock picks and quickly gained access to the book. He pulled it out reverently and handed it to Kelsey. When he passed it to her, she staggered. “Kelsey!” He helped her to a chair. “Thanks,” she said faintly. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked sternly. “You’ve been acting funny since…well, since we left Buck’s house.” She shook her head. “I don’t know. I – ” “Kelsey!” It was Buck. “Kelsey, come here, hurry, Kelseykelseykelsey!” “What now?” asked Nate crossly. Immediately the girl lurched to her feet, stuffing the library book into her bag beside Buck’s. “Hush, it sounds urgent.” In the mystery section of the library the found the hermit. He was peering through the window, holding his weapon tightly. “Look,” he instructed, pointing. It was one of the only sentences she’d heard him utter that had only one, unrepeated word in it. Nevertheless, Kelsey did look. Peering outside, she blanched. “What is it?” Nate looked too. After the fog had swirled away he was able to see what the others saw, and he moaned. Together the three checked all the windows, looked outside from every direction, and it was the same everywhere. The sound of hungry moans echoing eerily in the fog drifted to them, pierced occasionally by a shriek of hatred. It was the sound of the wights that stood outside, completely surrounding the library. None of them moved forward though. All around the building they stood, three or four deep in unmoving ranks. “They’re waiting for something,” Kelsey said. Her voice shook. “What?” squeaked Nate, in a barely audible whisper. Once again the feeling of knowing came upon Kelsey. She concentrated, and unlike before, the fuzziness in her brain was pieced by fear, and she was able to bring up an image, and a name, to accompany it. “I should have tried harder,” she whimpered to herself. “It’s my fault.” Her companions looked at her oddly. “What do you mean?” Opening her eyes, Kelsey said in an empty voice, “Mort d’Homme.” Glancing outside, she whispered, “He’s coming.” They gained information, but at what price? Will it all end here? There may still be time…for what, is up to you. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:49 pm    Post subject: Kelsey should read, in case there are any extra hints as to how she (and Nate) should use the power agains Mort d'Homme. There's no point in having power if they can't weild it (although that may come naturally at the time, I don't see any guarantees). Nate needs to phone through to the Town Hall (if the library/mobile phones are working) and see if they can get a rescue party together, in exchange for the valuable information about what's happening and how to defeat it. And lots of ammo and weaponry from Buck's van, too Buck could maybe test the wights out. If they're acting on orders, they might not be trickable, but they might also have orders that don't allow for certain situations that arise. For example if all they're doing is waiting for Mort D'Homme to come along, and not attacking until he does, they could possibly be taken out where they stand, clearing an escape path. I doubt it would be so easy, but Buck can definitely check their defensive patterns and 'thoughts' (such as they have). That's all I can think of, for the moment. Very good chapter, though Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:23 am    Post subject: Cool chapter. I have quite happy with did the right thing. Wherever they go the wights would be along eventually. Might as well have here than anywhere else. The important thing is to get reading. Some guidence, clue or detail about what to do. The rest of Stoat's ideas are good ones too. Lob a granade in somewhere and see what happens - do they fill the hole, try to avoid it, or just stand there? Happy Writing. _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:02 am    Post subject: i agree, will post more later _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 11:04 am    Post subject: Smee wrote: I have quite happy with did the right thing. Smee, for the sake of my sanity, please explain to me what happened here. And the words are spelled "grenade" and "guidance"... unless they're more of those British variations.... In any case, I hope whatever hit your head doesn't leave a permanent mark, and that you'll feel better soon. Testing them sounds like a good idea, but I doubt we have time to read the book while being surrounded. We should be focused on getting out of there, or at least keeping an eye open for break-ins or sneak attacks, till we can find a place at least a little more safe to stop and read. If we can't get out, we should try to get on the roof for defense, but I really consider that a last resort. Calling the town hall shouldn't be hard, considering how well the electricity has been working, suggesting there is no damage to the basic utilities. I am not too optimistic about getting help though, so personally, I'd skip that too and try to fight our way out. We're armed and they're not. It really depends on how much ammunition we have and how close we are to the vehicle. Even just two grenades will kill a large number if they're close together. From what I understand a standard grenade has a kill radius of 5 meters, which says nothing of the substantial damage done to those just outside of the kill radius.... So a properly lobbed grenade could do a lot, but if it's anywhere near the tires of the truck we run a risk of shrapnel piercing them.... So we should try to throw the grenades in such a way that the line of wights are inbetween, letting them catch most of the shrapnel and make it less likely to pop the tires. So I would definitely vote for fighting our way out, and doing it immediately before we have a premature encounter with Mort d'Homme. I really dislike the idea of fighting him on his terms. Even Buck doesn't seem to like the idea of facing him there, and we already know how crazy he's been to go on the attack. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:25 pm    Post subject: no, i think Smee just mispelled them _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:30 pm    Post subject: *rubs head* Must have walked through a tornado or something _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:37 am    Post subject: and you yet live? impressive _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:18 pm    Post subject: I'll take a few days to poll since there's almost no way I'll be able to start the new chapter in the next week. (stupid FCCLA! Argh) _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Ingrothechundyer Guest Items Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:45 am    Post subject: I might have missed the chapter but at least I got here in time the poll Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 3:19 pm    Post subject: Voted, and winning. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:28 pm    Post subject: 12:50 – Second Flight “What!?” exclaimed Nate. For once, Buck said nothing. He merely regarded her with intent eyes and waited for her to continue. Kelsey swallowed hard, then said, “When we were on our way here, I had a bad feeling about coming. I ignored it, I – I figured it was just tiredness.” With a tiny laugh, she said, “I guess I was wrong.” Her brother, however, regarded her thoughtfully. “I don’t know,” he said. “If we hadn’t come here, we wouldn’t have found the book.” I hadn’t thought of that, Kelsey thought. Meanwhile Nate continued, “Well, whatever happened, we don’t want to stick around now.” Nodding, Kelsey agreed, “You’re right. We have to get out of here. I don’t want to be close when d’Homme arrives. Ok, Buck – maybe you should, I don’t know, start testing the wights. See if they try to avoid attacks if you lob a grenade at them. We need to get to the truck.” Buck nodded and went. She turned to her brother. “Nate, I think you and I had better start looking through this book. We need to see if there’s anything that can help us, in case…” She didn’t finish the thought. “Maybe you shouldn’t look,” Nate suggested. “I read faster than you anyway, and maybe you can try to keep track of where d’Homme is or something, let us know how much time we have.” After a moment’s thought, Kelsey nodded. She probably couldn’t concentrate on a book right now anyway. So while Nate began sifting through the pages of the book Kelsey sank into a chair and closed her eyes. Tentatively she tried to sense something, some remnant of premonition from before. She could not; instead she felt a tickling in her mind, pushing her thoughts northward, to the cemetery. Probing towards it, Kelsey felt a sickening in her stomach, and she knew who it was she sensed. Closer she felt, to find out his exact location, to see how much time they had. But as soon as she got close enough to see him, he felt her too. “Well, hello there, little witch,” spoke the voice of Mort d’Homme in her head. It was like a physical blow to the girl, leaving her completely winded. Fear gripped her. His maniacal laugh echoed in her brain. “I see you’re speechless, little witch. Good. It makes you even easier to deal with.” He laughed again. “Come, little witch, have you nothing to say to me?” “Why do you call me that?” asked Kelsey, her teeth chattering. From where he sat Nate looked up, wondering to whom she spoke, but seeing her face he was immediately afraid. He had an idea of what was going on. “What, little witch?” said d’Homme. “It amuses me. The other one hated it when I called her witch, and it gave me great pleasure to do so then, as it does now.” The other one? The old woman, Kelsey guessed. Now a feeling of condescending scorn came from him, as d’Homme tsk tsked at her. “Though I’ve never seen a mystic pay so little attention to her premonitions. You should have known better that to come the way you did.” Confused, Kelsey didn’t say anything. But the warlock felt her uncertainty anyway. “Must I explain everything to you?” he asked with irritation. “If you had not come through the streets by the main way, in your idiotic vehicle, my watchers may not have even noticed your coming. Had you paid attention to the premonition you would have known that. Idiot girl. Don’t you know? You and the one before you are mystics, diviners of the future, and wielders of some small amount of power. That’s why the old bitch hated for me to name her as I did.” He chuckled scornfully. “She should have been flattered. Witches have more strength than she ever did – they were willing to pay the price for their power. She was too afraid, and stuck to her paltry ‘gift’.” He sneered the word, as if it were a curse. Kelsey still had almost no idea what he was talking about. Perhaps over a hundred years of…absence…had addled his brain? After all, he had been insane already. Maybe she just felt too scared and sick to comprehend. All she knew was that d’Homme was coming, and what could she do to stop him? Nothing. Still, she felt a certain kinship to the old woman who had been before her, and some defiance welled up inside. “If she was so weak, how did she manage to get rid of you?” she asked, trying to sound as scornful as he had. Once again he laughed, but now she heard anger in his voice, not amusement. “I’m still here, aren’t I?” A wave of dizziness washed over Kelsey, and she moaned without meaning to. “Who do you think you are, little witch?” asked d’Homme quietly. “Do you think you can end me, when she could not? You may be strong, but you’ve been touched.” Once again his tone changed, and jeered at her. “Soon you’ll be mine,” he whispered. His laugh rose in a crescendo of madness, and Kelsey clutched her head, covering her ears. “You are nothing! Where will you run, little witch? I’m almost here.” And he was. He was at the very edge of the town, and soon would be at the library. Kelsey huddled in her chair, trying to think of what to do, as the warlocks mocking laughter echoed in her mind. Then she became aware of Nate, shaking her fiercely. “Kelsey!” he cried. “I may have found something. Don’t listen to him anymore, come back!” So with an effort, she did. With a gasp she became aware of herself, her tear streaked face and throbbing head, and the sound of d’Homme’s mirth was cut off, as with the blade of a knife. “Nate!” she gasped. After a moment, she broke out, “He’s almost here, he’s at the edge of town. We have to get out!” Her brother blanched, but nodded. “I’ve been reading the book, and there’s a whole section about Mort d’Homme and what happened back then. It says that the witch – ” “She wasn’t a witch,” interrupted Kelsey, feeling strangely defensive. “She was a mystic.” Watching her oddly, Nate asked, “Did d’Homme tell you that?” When she nodded, he said, “I thought so. It says that in here too, about her being a mystic. It also says that such powers – ” “Does it say anything about being touched?” Stealing into her heart was a feeling of franticness as she remembered the warlock’s words. “No, I didn’t see anything. But that’s not important right now! Look – if we can get to the city hall, we’ll be alright for a while!” Confused again, Kelsey asked, “Why the city hall?” “It’s built right by the park, and has running water around it! The stream, remember? According to this, undead aren’t going to cross running water. Plus, remember the fire in the park, how the area around the city hall is all dead right now? That’ll slow them down too!” As Nate dragged her from her chair to the entrance of the building, where Buck was waiting, Kelsey asked, “Why would the burnt area make a difference? And what if d’Homme isn’t undead?” “Would you call him alive?” demanded Nate as he dragged Kelsey stumbling along. “The burnt area will slow them because the dead leech off life to keep animated. With the place being all burned up, they can’t pass it as quickly.” Patting the book, he said, “According to this, there are two things the dead really hate – water and fire.” Finally they reached Buck. “He said he could get us to the truck,” Nate said. Turning to Buck, he said, “Do it.” For once, the hermit didn’t look to Kelsey for affirmation, and she was glad of it. She wasn’t really paying attention, was too busy trying to remember exactly what the warlock had told her, in case it could help later. Despite the fact that she’d broken the connection, she could still feel his location, and he was getting perilously close. With a few well-lobbed grenades Buck mostly cleared the area around the truck. As wight body parts filled the air in a gruesome fountain, the hermit ran to the truck, leading with his flamethrower. Perhaps it was a good thing that Kelsey wasn’t paying particular attention – if she had she might have hesitated for a moment before diving after Buck into the throng of undead, momentarily stupefied by the grenades and the flames, which they scrambled away from. That moment may have been all it took to die. As it was, she and her brother kept right at Buck’s heels and were able to climb unmolested into the truck through the driver’s side to their seats. The hermit followed them in and turned the ignition immediately. A few harrowing moments, splashes of gore, raging shrieks and dull thuds later, they were clear. Nate cried, “To the town hall!” and Buck stepped on it. The town, though not huge, was nevertheless of a good size, and the city hall happened to be on the other half of it. Most of the older buildings and homes were located on the eastern side along with the hall, while newer buildings like the library and the school were to the west. The sides were separated by a creek, which was crossed in several places by bridges to link the original town with its western additions. Buck was speeding to one of these bridges when Kelsey screamed. A fiery cold pain crashed into her head, and she writhed in her seat. Buck despite himself slowed down, and Nate cried her name. Kelsey could only look out the windshield ahead and view the source of her agony. Gleaming in the headlights, even more wights stood in close ranks, but that’s not what drew the girl’s attention. Above them, behind them, within their lines it seemed loomed a writhing mass of darkness, swirling and twisting endlessly in the fog. The only light that could touch it was a pale unearthly green, tinged with red, which shone like hellish beacons from a pair of deadlights in the center of the mass. “You are mine, witch,” sneered a voice – the warlock’s voice – from within the darkness. “You have been touched.” The three companions watched paralyzed as tendrils of blackness began reaching toward the truck, while the wights swayed and moaned in their places. At first it seemed they were reaching for Kelsey, but then they paused. “But first,” hissed d’Homme, voice slick as oil and as volatile, “I’ll rend the brat asunder.” Then the altered their course – for Nate. Through the haze of pain, the nausea, the fear, Kelsey’s anger and defiance finally burst through. Her consciousness pushed out through the veil of delirium, and in a dazzling burst of clarity she felt her power rush forth. Thrusting open the door, she stood on the running board of the truck, facing the blackness. “Get ye back!” she cried, holding out her hand. “You desecrate this town with your presence!" Immediately the cloud of darkness that was d’Homme fell in upon itself, the tendrils withdrawing before the light blazing from Kelsey’s eyes. The wights cried out uncertainly, but the warlock didn’t leave just yet. “Foolish girl, to defy me so,” he hissed maliciously. “Force me from the town if you will – my servants remain, as do I. You’ve no power to banish me wholly. I’ll await you by my throne.” With that, the darkness finally compressed and rushed, streaming, to the north. Hesitantly, Nate asked, “Is he…gone? Forever?” They had little time to ponder that question, though, for the mass of wights suddenly surged forward, crying their hatred for the living. Hurriedly Kelsey sat back down and slammed the door shut. “Drive,” she commanded, and the truck roared forward and turned onto the bridge to the east section of town, only moments before the wights converged upon the spot. Their wailing redoubled as they milled about the roadside. The bridge was wide enough that they could pass safely over the creek – but only slowly, in the very middle of it. They had a little time. As they raced through the streets piles of gore and bodies could be seen, but no moving wights. Kelsey counted them lucky for it. At long last they arrived at the town hall. Behind it the park spread out, shifting patches of burned out grass visible only occasionally. Kelsey remembered at the time of the fire a few weeks ago how much of a blight they had considered it. Now she viewed the wide swath of burnt out ground as a boon, one of few that night. Piles of furniture and papers stacked into three piles stood before the stairs of the city hall, burning brightly. A few abandoned cars, doors still left open, were parked outside the circle of light. Buck steered their truck between two piles and stopped right at the steps. The three jumped out of the vehicle and began grabbing their belongings. At the entrance a small group of armed townsfolk had appeared. “Kelsey, Nate! Thank God. Hurry,” they called, “come inside!” “Are there any wights about?” Kelsey called. They shook their heads. “Not now, but they’re sure to come soon. Come on!” The three needed no more urging, and leapt up the steps two at a time. Kelsey was able to make it all the way up and through the heavy doors on her own, running on leftover adrenaline from her confrontation with d’Homme. But as soon as the doors were closed, locked, and bolted shut, she collapsed to her knees. Nate was by her side in an instant, Buck behind him, while the townspeople milled about worriedly. “Are you all right?” Nate demanded. She started to nod, but a throb of pain lanced up her arm at the elbow, and she clutched it with a wince. Looking down, she realized it was bleeding. Red blood welled slowly between her fingers, but it had a brackish look to it that made her queasy. Seeing it, a young woman who had been present at the steps rushed forward and knelt before the girl. Gently but firmly she took hold of Kelsey’s wrist and straightened her arm, and after ripping the shirtsleeve away looked at her elbow. With a furrowed brow she inspected it briefly, then without a word she looked over her shoulder at a large man standing behind her. Though not especially tall, he was strong and had the look of a leader. Apparently he had the authority of one too; when he saw the woman’s glance he began shooing the other people away, finally leaving the three companions and the woman alone. Finally Kelsey was able to recognize the lady who now was wiping away the oozing blood to better inspect her arm. It was Gina Albaine, a widow since a year ago, who had compiled the book from the library. She made her living selling crafts and offering her historian services to people who wanted to study their family ancestries. Though they did not know each other very well, Kelsey’s family and Gina were (distantly) related. Dimly it came to her that Gina had just asked about what had happened to them, and Nate was filling her in. It came out a little garbled and panicky, but that was only to be expected. After all he was only twelve, and he had been through hell tonight. Stood up remarkably well too, Kelsey thought. Most kids his age may not have been able to. The more blood Gina cleared away, the clearer Kelsey’s head became, until she felt almost all right. She couldn’t stop shaking, and she still hurt in numerable places, but she was able to think again. It was as she was breathing a sigh of relief about this that the wound finally became clear. All four of them sucked in their breath when they saw it. It was as ragged gash about three inches long, right by her elbow on her left arm. It still oozed beads of blackish and distinctly abnormal blood, and the skin right next to the wound was black and puckered. Outside of that, extending perhaps a half inch all around it, her skin was sickly white, and reminded her exactly of the wights. “Kelsey, when did you get this wound?” Gina asked. “I- I dunno,” she stammered back. Then a memory flashed – she was running off the porch, and the closest wight had swiped at her. “Around nine o’clock,” she whispered. Putting her hands on Kelsey’s shoulders, Gina demanded softly, “Was it the wights?” Nodding, she shivered as d’Homme’s words rang in her ears. You may be strong, but you’ve been touched…You are mine. Shit. Now Kelsey found herself in another dilemma. Upon arriving at the town hall, Kelsey had originally thought to talk to the mayor, or whoever was serving in his place, to see what was happening and try to explain what she knew. She knew the mayor of town to be a good man – not a fighter, but with a good head on his shoulders, and a caring heart to match. He cared about the town, and maybe could help organize help. But now she found herself with two more options. First was the man who Gina had looked at earlier. He seemed to be the leader – if he was the one really in charge of the town’s armed civilians, maybe he was the one to discuss strategies with. However…her arm did not look good. Though she could think now at least, she was almost positive the cut had caused her dizziness and foggy mind earlier, and whereas before she hadn’t even noticed it, now it throbbed continually. Gina would certainly know more about it; after all, she had put together the book. Kelsey considered quickly – what were her priorities, and who did she need to talk to now? The choice comes to Kelsey – strategy, strength, or information? Should she ignore her own needs and look after the town? Should she gather what strength she can and lead an assault like her predecessor, the mystic of old? Or should perhaps she put aside both these options, and discover what evil has beset her, and how to stop it? The choice, as always, is yours. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Last edited by dragon_fire372 on Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:51 pm; edited 1 time in total Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:29 pm    Post subject: There it be, the lovely new chapter, ready to be readed <heehee>. Enjoy! _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:02 pm    Post subject: Nice chapter. The only problem I have with this is that d'Homme sounds like an aftershave for men. d'Homme, feel the power. Ahem.. Anyway, can't she get her wound seen to AND talk to the man at the same time? _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:58 pm    Post subject: Nate's a magical healer. If we get him to perform his mojo on it, it serves three purposes. 1) The hermit will see that Nate has powers and stop looking to Kelsey for all the answers. 2) The rest of the town will see that they have a new mystic in the making (what does it matter who they believe to be their saviour, as long as they believe that one of you is?) 3) He might be able to reduce or completely null the effects of Mort d'Homme's power over you. Then, when he's done his best (which should take moments, if I remember correctly), you can ask to speak to the leader and try to organise either an attack or a more solidified defence. They'll be bound to listen once they've seen a demonstration of your (or Nate's) power Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:13 am    Post subject: Oooh good idea Stoat Great chapter DF. I'd also add we need to get as much as we can from the book author - saves a lot of reading. Hopefully she can be really helpful. Happy Writing _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author Ingrothechundyer Guest Items Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:54 pm    Post subject: Good points Stoat and Smee Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:38 pm    Post subject: I'd say go for information myself. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:30 pm    Post subject: ok, it's time for a new poll. Since no-one seems to be disagreeing with the stoat's idea of having Nate try to heal the wound, that's what we'll do. For the poll, you only have to decide who to talk to first - the mayor, the leader of the armed civilians, or Gina. If anyone wants to add something, I'll see if I can get it added in too. Thanks for the suggestions and your continued interest in this story. Sorry about the names - I've never really been good at them, I just make stuff up and throw it in. And thanks to tramp in a storm for her nomination! _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:35 pm    Post subject: Voted, and winning. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:30 pm    Post subject: chinaren wrote: Nice chapter. The only problem I have with this is that d'Homme sounds like an aftershave for men. d'Homme, feel the power. Ahem.. Anyway, can't she get her wound seen to AND talk to the man at the same time? Kind of like your old banner for Garden, eh Chinaren? If I may quote it: "Garden, something different, by Chinaren" Stoat has the right idea. I don't know, I think we should talk to both myself. The new leader can tell us how to get a resistance going and Gina can give us more information about the warlock and how to banish him. Hopefully the book will at least refresh her memory on anything she might have forgotten... anyway, we need information from both but if it must be one, let's get it from Gina. Maybe she even has an idea how to reverse the wight curse before it kills Kelsey! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:59 pm    Post subject: The new chapter is underway. Since it's a tie vote, we'll go with Lebrenth's suggestion. Both Gina and the guy in charge will be spoken to, before any other decision is made. Hopefully a couple days, but since it is Easter, I make no guarantees. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Muaddib Comrade Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Posts: 1765 Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:06 am    Post subject: This has been awesome!!!! I can't believe I didn't see this earlier. Back to top Author Ingrothechundyer Guest Items Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:32 am    Post subject: No longer a tie vote Sorry DF I somehow missed that you had a poll up here Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:52 pm    Post subject: I have to apologize for the next chapter. When I started writing it, the vote was tied, so I wrote it talking to both the leader and Gina, beginning with the leader. I didn't see Ingro's tie-braking vote till after I was too far into the chapter to turn back. I do pay attention to your votes, I swear! This one just missed me I guess. Anyway, here's the new chapter. Enjoy! _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:02 pm    Post subject: Where? I can't see it? _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:13 pm    Post subject: My stupid dsl picked a bad time to go on the blink...sorry about that... 1:15 – A Brief Respite “Nate,” Kelsey whispered, “do you think you can do anything for it?” He shook his head. “I don’t know, but I sure as hell am gonna try.” Gina looked between the two. “What do you mean?” The siblings ignored her as Nate took hold of Kelsey’s elbow. Laying a hand over the wound, he closed his eyes and felt inside himself, for his own healing power. Unconsciously his fingers began probing the gash, and Kelsey winced but otherwise endured it. Finally he lay still, and once again the shock ran from him into the girl. This time felt a little different though – the sensation was muted, as though something was blocking Nate’s power from working fully. Still, when he opened his eyes again there was a definite difference in the wound. It wasn’t closed fully, and the blood still looked a little unnatural. But the black area of skin had shrank, and the clammy white skin had all but disappeared. Looking up at Kelsey uncertainly, he asked, “How does it feel?” The girl nodded. “Better. Not fully well, but better.” Gina looked between the two with wide eyes. “How did you do that?” Nate shrugged and replied, “I don’t really know, I just can.” “Then you must be the mystic’s successor!” the lady exclaimed. Exchanging a glance with her brother, Kelsey said, “Well, it’s…actually, I think we both are.” This made Gina look intensely thoughtful, and she sat back. Meanwhile, Buck was regarding Nate with a new measure of respect. “I didn’t know you had power too, no I didn’t,” he said contritely. “Forgive me for not listening to you before, sorry sorry I am.” Nate looked rather unforgiving for a moment, until he caught Kelsey’s eye. “Apology accepted,” he sighed grudgingly. Then he turned to Gina. “Do you have a first aid kit?” he asked. “I think I’d better bandage up her arm.” Gina nodded and said, “I’ll be right back.” As she stood up, Kelsey asked her, “Who is it in charge of everything here? Was it the man from earlier?” The other woman nodded. “He took over when the mayor was… incapacitated. Kelsey winced, then said, “I’d like to talk to him, if you don’t mind.” A moment later Gina returned with the first aid kit. “He’ll be here in a minute,” she said. Kelsey nodded and closed her eyes as Nate bandaged her arm, rubbing liberal amounts of antibacterial cream on it beforehand. As he worked, Gina regarded the girl with concern. “You said you got that wound from a wight?” Kelsey nodded tiredly. “Look, there’s something you should know – ” But at that moment, the leader of the townspeople entered the room. Kelsey rose to her feet (with a little aid from Nate) and accepted the man’s handshake. “Jim Sampson,” he said. “I heard you wanted to talk to me.” When the man entered, Gina had stepped back unhappily, but Kelsey called her back before she could leave. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to you later too,” she said. The other woman nodded and settled back to wait. Then she turned back to Jim. “I’m Kelsey, this is my brother Nate, and this is Buck. My brother and I are…I suppose you’d call us mystics,” she said, feeling a faint flush on her cheeks. It almost seemed silly to call oneself a mystic in the presence of a grown man. Jim didn’t react how she might have expected, with condescending disbelief. Instead he glanced over at Gina and said, “Then you are the ones she’s been telling us about,” he said. “I…I guess so,” Kelsey affirmed. The man nodded, and said, “What are your powers then?” Stuttering, the girl said, “W-well, I think mine are, um, premonitions and…knowing, I guess. Nate – ” “I can heal,” the boy said boldly. With another nod, Jim sighed, “Forgive me for being…hesitant to believe your powers. I suppose after all that’s happened this shouldn’t seem odd. But would you mind…showing me these powers you have? I’ll do anything you ask, if I can see you’re the ones I should be following.” Kelsey and Nate glanced at each other. “I suppose we can try,” the girl said hesitantly. “I’ll go first.” She, unlike Nate, had never really called upon her powers purposefully – they’d just come when she needed them. Still, she had to try, so she closed her eyes and concentrated. After a moment, she found what she needed. To Jim, she said, “When you were ten you had a pet snail named Dr. Doolittle. Your first truck was green, and your first girlfriend had red hair. Her name was Patsy.” Jim raised his eyebrows, impressed. “I’d almost forgotten about that snail. Patsy…that was a long time ago.” Turning to Nate, he said, “And you?” Nate in turn looked to Gina. “Where are you keeping your wounded?” he asked. The woman smiled at him and led them through the building. On their way they passed many other townspeople, who were either crying, shell-shocked, or sleeping fitfully. Most had some sort of weapon near them. Those who were aware of Kelsey and her companions stared at them emptily, reminding the girl eerily of the wights outside. She turned her gaze away. Finally they arrived at a large assembly hall, where rows of injured people were laid out on cots and spare coats and blankets. There weren’t as many as Kelsey has expected, but it was as Gina explained: You either escaped from the wights unscathed, or you fell. The ones who fell usually didn’t make it anywhere ever again. Upon entering the room, Nate looked around the people, until his eyes fell on a little boy, cradling a bound wrist to his chest as he lay on his side. He walked over and knelt beside him. “What’s your name?” he asked gently. The boy looked up at him tearfully. “Ian,” he whimpered. “May I see your arm, Ian?” Hesitant, the boy nodded. Nate supported the wrist carefully and began unwrapping the binding. A young woman hurried over to him; Kelsey recognized her as the school nurse. “Don’t do that! You’ll hurt it more!” The poor girl looked quite beside herself, and Kelsey realized that she was the only qualified nurse or doctor in the room. Dr. Kinsley, the man who ran the health clinic in town, was nowhere to be seen…Kelsey closed her eyes sadly. Nate ignored her instructions and put the wrapping aside. Ian’s wrist was swollen and bruised, possibly broken, but Kelsey was no doctor. The companions watched as Nate placed his other hand over the wrist and closed his eyes. The nurse and the boy looked at him fearfully, but Nate took no notice, and after a moment Ian’s expression changed from one of pain to one of wonder. When Nate released him, the arm looked almost normal, except for some yellowing bruises. “You fixed it!” he exclaimed. The nurse looked between the arm and the young mystic who had healed it with shock and awe. “My God,” she murmured. “You did fix it!” Kelsey turned to Jim. “Are you satisfied?” she asked, and the man nodded. “Absolutely,” he replied. “I will do all in my power to aid you two, if you’ll help us get rid of that…warlock.” The word came tentatively from his lips, as if he couldn’t believe he was actually saying it, but after he did his resolve seemed to harden. It was as if he’d finally accepted all that had happened, and so could finally deal with it as best he could. “Come on, let’s go somewhere we can talk about what we need to do.” The girl began to follow Jim as he led them away, but she realized Nate wasn’t with them. “Are you coming?” she asked him. “Do you need me, do you think?” he asked, looking a little self-conscious. Then, hurriedly, “ ‘Cause if you don’t, I think I’ll stay here. After all,” he said, looking around the room, “I am a mystic. Maybe I can help them.” On the tip of her tongue were questions like, “Aren’t you tired,” and “Shouldn’t you get some rest,” but after a moment’s consideration she halted them. Instead Kelsey regarded her brother with pride, and only said, “Don’t wear yourself out, we have a lot to do yet.” The boy grinned at her and set to work. A few minutes later Kelsey, Buck, Jim, and Gina entered a small office. Jim closed the door behind them and asked, “So, what did you need to know?” Feeling a little like a commando in some military movie, Kelsey said, “What’s the situation in town?” Starting from the beginning, the man began to explain what had happened, with Gina filling in some gaps. It went something like this: Around nine o’clock, the wights began their attack, popping up all around the town, mostly concentrated in the north – at the cemetery. People hid in their houses and called for police help, but they were busy fending off their own attacks, defending their families. Of course, people didn’t really want to believe that the creatures attacking them were anything other than breathing human beings, and couldn’t understand why gunshots and threats failed to scare them off. Even when they were actually fought it made no difference. Bullets didn’t stop them; knife wounds and good old-fashioned punches were ineffectual. Many people died in those first attacks. Eventually though, people began to accept these were no ordinary attackers (some faster than others). Someone figured out that the wights feared fire, and hesitated at crossing flowing water. Finally, others were felled by head wounds, and after that people began to hold their own. A small group of people, Gina and Jim included, found each other and began to try to organize an escape. A policeman began driving through town, running down wights when he saw them, using the amplifier in his cruiser to broadcast the wights’ weaknesses, and telling them to get together their weapons and head to the town hall. The others had already begun calling those who lived out of town. The policeman had covered most of the town before he was beset by a dozen wights, and fell. Still, his sacrifice called those still alive together and most had gathered in the city hall by perhaps 11:30. Since then, the survivors (a frighteningly small number) had concentrated on guarding their refuge and taking care of their wounded. Both Gina and Jim had shown themselves as leaders during this time. Jim had gathered a small force of armed men and woman and gone out to search the town for those still hiding. With his military training as a National Guardsman, Jim was able to lead his people and had helped save quite a few lives, and destroyed some wights in the process. At the city hall, Gina used her knowledge of the town’s history to tell people what was happening, aid the wounded, and fight off any wights that tried to attack. They had held out that way for some time, and Jim had only just returned from the town, with a few they had managed to save along the way. Since then they had only been waiting, and hoping for their promised mystic to appear, as the stories had said. “And now you are here, you and your brother,” Gina said, after Jim finished. “Do you know how to use your power to stop d’Homme?” Kelsey shook her head. “I’ve only really used the powers to find out things – premonitions, and like I did with you,” she said, nodding to Jim. “I can tell where d’Homme is, if I try, and I’ve talked to him mind to mind.” The girl shuddered at the memory. “You talked to him? What did he say?” “He said…” He said I was screwed*, she thought, but Kelsey couldn’t very well say that out loud. Then she remembered the last thing the warlock had mentioned. “He said he’d wait for me by his throne,” she recalled, frowning. “Like I know what that means.” Gina shook her head, lost in thought. “I think…” “He almost had us, in town,” Kelsey said. It popped out of her, but it seemed important to tell this part of the tale. “He was coming for us. H-he said he’d rip Nate apart, and I banished him from the town. But I don’t think he’s gone for good.” “You banished him from the town? Just like that?” Gina looked relieved, even ecstatic. “That means your powers are coming in fully! By the time you face him again, maybe he can be banished not just from the town, but from life itself!” “Maybe,” the girl replied uncertainly. “But I don’t know if I’m strong enough. I mean, if the old mystic couldn’t do it, who’s to say I can?” “Of course you’re strong enough!” Buck exclaimed. Kelsey jumped, having almost forget the hermit’s presence. He had been standing by the door, rather like a sentry, and hadn’t spoken till now. “You are the successor, you have the power! Strong enough, pah,” he finished scornfully. His confidence, rather than reassure the girl, only made her more distraught. It must have shown on her face, because Gina gave her a look that was both concerned and calm. The other woman leaned forward. “You were sick before, weren’t you?” she asked quietly. “Dizzy, aching, unable to think. But even so you banished him, and he’s at the cemetery, not here.” “How did you know that?” Kelsey whispered. The men looked between the two women intently and exchanged glances. Laying a hand on Kelsey’s arm, where Nate had bound it, she said, “Because of this wound. You’ve been touched.” Kelsey shivered, and swallowed hard. “Touched?” Looking into her eyes, Gina said, “There’s an old rhyme, from the legends. Girls used if for a jump-roping song,” she laughed humorlessly. “ ‘Go, go, warlock’s coming, Sends his minions, they come running. Touch, touch, get ye back Blood is gone, all to black. Bite, scratch, all it takes – Light it snuffs, life it breaks. Touched, touched, end is nigh Join his ranks, join and die.’ ” There was silence for a moment after Gina finished her rhyme. Shakily Jim said, “A little morbid for a children’s rhyme, isn’t it?” “You know what Ring Around the Rosie means, don’t you? Anyway, that rhyme was made after the first time d’Homme attacked. It was just another way to keep people from forgetting, or trying to. They forgot anyway. The only reason I’m interested in all this is because my mother told me the story when I was a child. You see,” said Gina, looking down, “My great-great-great grandmother was the old mystic’s niece.” “You’re related to the mystic, the old one?” Buck asked. When Gina nodded, Kelsey said, “But we’re distant cousins, on my dad’s side…which means she was related to me too!” Again the woman nodded. “You see how it all happens again?” she murmured. “We,” with a nod to both Kelsey and Buck, “are the descendents of the originals, and together we stand a chance.” “Except me,” Jim said. Clearing his throat, he said, “I’m pretty sure my ancestor wasn’t some old w – sorry, mystic, or her helper.” “I don’t know, didn’t your grandpa grow up here?” Gina asked. “That doesn’t mean anything necessarily,” Jim said uncomfortably. “Maybe not,” Gina conceded. “But that doesn’t matter. Don’t you see? History is playing itself out again, and we are the result. You are the old mystic’s descendent and heir to her powers, Kelsey. You are the one who can stop the warlock. You’ve already demonstrated your power, and you’re stronger now than you were even then, thanks to your brother’s healing. I’ll bet that after you get a little rest, d’Homme won’t stand a chance.” The girl hung her head. “How are you so confident, Gina?” she whispered. “I’m so afraid.” Gina and Jim exchanged a glance. “You’d be crazy not to be afraid,” Jim said. “But you were given your power tonight for a reason. Lord knows I’m having a hard time taking this in,” he said with a half-laugh, “but even me, when I look at you, believe you can do it.” “It’s your destiny, Kelsey, it is, it is,” murmured Buck. “Destiny ain’t wrong, can’t be wrong.” When Kelsey still looked uncertain, Gina took her hand and said, “You’re here, you and your brother are alive, and you’ve already dealt d’Homme a blow. You’ve accomplished so much already, and your powers will only grow. You can do this, and we’ll be there to help you. You won’t be alone.” Finally Kelsey nodded. “I’ll try,” she said. “You know I’ll try. So help me, I’ll kick his warlock ass or I’ll die trying.” The girl stood up. Her face was hardened with resolve, and there was a light in her eyes that made her both admirable and frightening. “Jim,” she said, “I need you and Buck to go back to your people. Get a group, arm them, prepare them. The time is almost here.” To Gina she said, “I need you to help me through the book you made. If there’s any information about what happened last time, I need to know it too. What d’Homme meant by his throne, how he’ll fight, anything that’ll help. And also…you were telling me about being touched. I need to hear the rest of it.” The men nodded and left, Jim giving the girl’s shoulder a brief squeeze as he passed. Once they were gone, Kelsey lifted the two books out of her bag and laid them on the desk. “Please, start with the rhyme.” She looked at Gina, afraid but determined. “What does it mean?” Gina sighed unhappily. “Mort d’Homme’s wights are formed both from the bodies of those already deceased, and from the unholy magic that d’Homme forced into them. This gives him control over them – they have no will but his. Without him they are nothing. But with him, they have both their parody of life, and the power to steal it from others.” The woman’s eyes clouded with anger as flipped open the pages of the book from the library. She read, “ ‘Wights carry in their bodies more than the power to simply claw and maim. If anyone from them receives a wound, by teeth or claw, d’Homme’s power will begin to work in them. It will sap their mind, steal their strength, and transform their body to the point of death. Then their corpse shall serve the warlock, adding to his strength, his newest minion – until the next unfortunate succumbs to the deadly disease.’ ” Hesitantly Gina looked at the girl. “Which means…” “That’s what he meant,” Kelsey whispered. She was staring ahead with wide eyes, her right hand over her wound. Her eyes were dark and shocked. “ ‘You are mine’…he knew about my wound. How long do I have?” Startled by the change in Kelsey’s tone, Gina stuttered. Looking at her intently, Kelsey demanded, “How long do I have before becoming one of them?” “I-I don’t know,” Gina answered. “When I first saw the gash, I thought not long. But since Nate looked at it…I think he turned back the process a little. In the others who were injured like that, they first became really sick, dizzy and confused. In the last stages, their heads would clear, but the injury would bring them agony. I feared you were at the last stage, when I first saw you. But now…” “It doesn’t hurt at all,” Kelsey said. “Well, it kind of hurts, but no more than it did before. And I can concentrate for the first time since we left Buck’s house.” “So you’re an anomaly,” Gina said with a smile. “I think we’ve been given a little time.” With Gina’s knowledge of the book they were able to read over the stories of the warlock’s first attack, and solved some mysteries. d’Homme considered himself to be the ‘king of dead’, and the cemetery was his domain. So when d’Homme said ‘my throne’ he was referring to the cemetery – or more specifically, the massive monument in the center of the cemetery that had survived since the mid-1800’s. Kelsey showed Gina where the monument was mentioned in Buck’s book. Much of what was in the book about the incident was simply an account of what had taken place, but there were a few details about d’Homme and his powers. Most of them had to do with death; he could reanimate corpses, communicate with the spirits of the dead and force them to his command, bring disease and blight, and kill with a curse. The book also mentioned that he could, with a good deal of preparation and ritual, enslave a living body and rob control of it from the spirit it belonged to. Fortunately he had been banished before he could ever cast such a spell. Kelsey shuddered to imagine what it would be like, trapped in your own body and watching yourself commit the heinous acts of a madman’s will. Gina was also able to tell Kelsey a little about the old mystic’s powers as well. As Kelsey had already known, she was a healer, using both her own power and her vast knowledge of different plants to heal the hurts of the townsfolk. She could divine knowledge from the past and sometimes received premonitions of the future, though those were vague at best. Locating things was another of her skills. Most of her skills were passive or defensive, and not much good in a battle. However, she did have the ability to banish d’Homme and his minions, and it was that skill that Kelsey would need. She only hoped that she would be strong enough in the moment of truth. They spent a long time poring over the two books, until Jim interrupted their reading. Poking his head in the door, the man said, “I have gathered weapons and ammo, and people to use them. All we need now is the plan. What are you thinking?” Jim looked at Kelsey. Gina looked at Kelsey. The girl looked away. “Well…” Now it’s your turn. Is Kelsey ready for battle, or does she need more information? Who is going with her, and what is their strategy? When will they leave, and what must be taken care of before they go? These are the details that could mean victory – or a terrible defeat. *She didn’t really think “screwed”. What she actually thought had to be censored out, because this story can only contain mild language. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:27 am    Post subject: Interesting - we've found more history now, and learnt that time could well be running out for the heroine. I still think she needs more information though - currently she doesn't know how to use her powers to their full extent, I'd say search for more information on them. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:46 am    Post subject: Great chapter DF I would say that Kelsey can learn little more from books at this point. I think time is limited and she needs to confront D'homme before his control over her becomes too great. The townsfolk can get armed and dangerous and face the wights as a unit. While they're getting kitted up though, I think Kelsey can take advantage of the time to try and get a vision of the original encounter. Perhaps this is the missing link she needs, to see what happened between Mort d'Homme and the Mystic last time. She may glean valuable insights into how to defeat him this time around. Other than that, I think we need to act. Go Kelsey and Nate Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:15 am    Post subject: Excellent chapter DF - lots of wonderfully brought together details. The books are proving unhelpful in any form of useful power descrption, let along how to use such powers. She's been marked and time is limited. She'll have to be ready enough. Stoat's idea of a vision is a good one - if she can't reach back to the past that far, then maybe she could try to visualise her confrontation earlier. Perhaps she'll glean some detail as to how her power was triggered thar she didn't realise at the time due to the effects of the injury? Otherwise it's suit up, guns ready and go - with everyone that can adequately handle a gun. Happy Writing _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author Ingrothechundyer Guest Items Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:53 am    Post subject: I agree it seems books arn't much help here. Seeking visions of the past sounds like a good idea. Following that they should head out to the battle and hope for the best. Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:18 am    Post subject: Unless I get a lot more replies with different opinions, Kelsey will try to look into the past, and then she'll take the other townpeople and try to stop the warlock for good. You'll have a few days to make more suggestions if you wish while I work on the new chapter for Uncertain Quests, so post away. If there are any suggestions floating around about how many people to take with them, any particular strategy to use, stuff like that, I'd like to hear it. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:21 pm    Post subject: Well well well, time to get down to brass tacks... or brass knuckles... or maybe brass shell casings? Anyway, I just hope we can motivate people to fight. We need a strong leader to pull them together, hopefully Jim will take care of that. Kelsey and Nate need to practice their powers as much as they can without exhausting themselves, and I think it is very important that they focus on using their powers TOGETHER. It's nice to be able to split the powers, but we'll need a combined effort to banish or destroy Mort d'Homme, and it has a sort of poetic justice feel to it. We have to get more information on this "throne". Does anyone know anything more than the fact it's an 1800's monument in the cemetery? Is it a memorial to any particular person or persons? Why was it erected in the first place? Who is this Mort d'Homme, anyway? Do we know where he came from? What made him powerful? A strategy on defeating Morty should be centered on the throne, or rather getting Nate and Kelsey (and Gina would be helpful) to the throne. If Mort can sense them as well as I think he can, then a simple sneak through the cemetery isn't possible. We might have to just fight through! Maybe we can make some Molotov Cocktails if we find a liquor store, since fire is such a strong weapon. Gas from a gas station might be good too. And though it's very hard to be certain what to do to defeat our nemesis, perhaps destroying his throne will help. Dynamite or grenades, or maybe a bulldozer or something, but something with a lot of power to physically destroy the stone monument, and we can use Kelsey's potential "find it" power to locate these handy dandy things, perhaps. And I agree that meditating on the past is a good idea, as long as we're mindful of the time. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 7:14 pm    Post subject: New chapter has begun! _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author The Meaning Of Fear Respected Citizen Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 980 Location: In a deep, dark corner of the universe, plotting. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 2:04 am    Post subject: I cant wait for the next chappy.....whats this??? it isnt up!?!? guess ill just go ill some mushes on maplestory* if you know what it even is _________________ Cherish all your memories, even the bad ones, for they are what makes you who you are. Doors to the truth, an SG where a boy is propelled into worlds he is unfamiliar with. He crosses many worlds, and sees many things that force him to throw away his innocence, once, and for all. Fourth Chapter, out for viewing! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:51 pm    Post subject: Wow, this chapter is taking a long time...maybe a few days. Hopefully less, but you can never know. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author jess1561 Guest Items Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 5:40 pm    Post subject: Wow. I missed alot, and it just keeps getting better. Can't wait to read the next chapter! This rocks DF! Back to top Author The Meaning Of Fear Respected Citizen Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 980 Location: In a deep, dark corner of the universe, plotting. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 7:41 pm    Post subject: I'VE BEEN AWAY 5 WHOLE DAYS!!!!!!! NO NEXT CHAPPY?!??!?! *heart attack*omg....someone help me!*gasps* _________________ Cherish all your memories, even the bad ones, for they are what makes you who you are. Doors to the truth, an SG where a boy is propelled into worlds he is unfamiliar with. He crosses many worlds, and sees many things that force him to throw away his innocence, once, and for all. Fourth Chapter, out for viewing! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 7:56 pm    Post subject: This is just part one of chapter twelve. It was getting very long, and I needed to post something. With any luck, part two will be along soon. 2:20 – Battle Kelsey pondered the question. What was she thinking? There wasn’t much more she could glean from the book, and they couldn’t readily find more information. But what they had to go on wasn’t very much. Maybe…maybe there was another way to find out more. “Okay, this is what I’m thinking. First off, though, how many people did you get?” “About three dozen all told. I recruited the most able-bodied ones I could get. Hopefully that’ll be enough, but I didn’t want to take too many and leave this place unguarded.” Kelsey nodded her agreement. “I agree. What kind of ammo you got?” Jim shrugged. “A lot of rifles, some privately owned pistols and side-arms from the police station. A few explosives, including some home-made bombs.” The man grinned. “How did it go on that movie? ‘A few household chemicals in the proper proportions.’ Fortunately, I found the ones in town who know what those proportions are. Oh, and a lot of bludgeons. Someone even has a sword from the East.” Turning serious again, the man reassured her, “Everyone has at least two weapons, long range and close-up, with enough left to cover here as well. Though I suppose if we succeed, we won’t have to worry about that.” “There are many grenades in my truck, Kelsey, many bombs,” Buck said. “Guns, and bullets, and rounds. They will go with us too.” “Any flame throwers?” “Only Buck’s.” As she nodded, the girl was struck by an idea. “Do you have any liquor?” A grin spread on Gina’s face. “You thinking of treating the wights to some Molotov Cocktails?” she asked. “I like the way you girls think,” Jim said. “I’ll see what I can do.” “Okay, then this is the plan, I think.” Kelsey frowned in thought and then said, “I need to check how Nate’s doing, and then I’m going to try to use my powers. If I can look into the past, maybe I can see how the mystic battled d’Homme before. While I’m doing that, Jim, I need you tell everyone exactly what’s going to be happening. The warlock will sense us coming, so there’s no point sneaking. We’ll be ambushed every moment, so I think it best if we stick to the trucks till we get to the cemetery. After that we have to find d’Homme, which I can do. There’ll be a lot of wights to shoot on the way. Once we reach the warlock…” Kelsey took a shuddering sigh and said, “Hopefully by then I’ll know what to do.” As Jim nodded and turned to leave, another thought occurred to the girl. “While you’re looking for the booze, see if you can find cans of air-freshener and cigarette lighters.” The latter two supplies had Jim slapping her on the back. “I really like your style, Kelsey.” With that he turned and left, to carry out her orders. Her orders…it was really hard to believe. She sighed and shook her head. Turning to Gina, she said, “Will you be coming with us, when we…you know…attack?” “Are you kidding?” Gina grinned wolfishly and said, “I wouldn’t miss it.” Feeling thus reassured, Kelsey made her way back to where the wounded were being taken care of. Going through the doors, she was surprised to see how much it had emptied. She scanned the large room and finally spotted Nate at the far end, leaning over someone lying on a cot. As she approached them she saw how tired he looked, but still he was kneeling by the wounded man, holding his hand with his eyes closed in concentration. Kelsey waited till he’d opened his eyes to approach him. “Nate,” she said. He looked up at her and smiled. “How’re you doing?” “Fine,” he said. Shaking his head, he said, “Actually I’m bushed, but it was worth it.” Looking around the room, he said quietly, “They’re all healed, Kelsey. Everyone was able to walk out on their own. Except for these ones.” Looking sadly at the remaining cots, he said in a lower tone, “These are the ones who’ve been touched. I can’t heal them completely either. I think…they won’t get better till d’Homme is dead.” The girl nodded, but inside she was terribly afraid. Everything seemed to depend on them. “It’s good you helped so many,” she said. “I’m proud of you.” At another time such a comment would have chafed him, but now Nate just nodded his thanks and smiled. “Anyway, I’ve been talking to Gina and Jim.” Quickly she filled him in on the essence of what they’d discussed, while he sat with his back against the wall and rested. He didn’t speak until she’d finished detailing what she had in mind for d’Homme. “I think it’s a good idea to see what happened before,” he said. “We need all the help we can get. What should I do while you’re, you know…looking back?” “I dunno. Get some rest,” she said. “Maybe see if Jim needs help, but I think it’s best if you just gather your strength.” Nate nodded, then perked up and asked, “Do you think there’s any food? I’m starving.” Laughing, Kelsey said, “There probably is. Go see, I’m gonna try my idea.” In a flash the boy was gone. Shaking her head, Kelsey found a quiet place to sit and leaned against the wall. Closing her eyes, she tried to see something, some hint of the past confrontation. She could feel d’Homme’s presence to the north, and she stayed away from it. Instead she cast about in her mind, trying to fall backwards. Just when Kelsey thought it was a waste of time, she felt her mind latch on to something, and all the sudden her mind was hurtling backwards, colors rushing into darkness behind her closed eyelids. Suddenly the feeling stopped, and she felt a sense of vertigo as she peered into a scene that was so vivid she could almost reach out to touch it. It was the northern cemetery. The night was dark, with fog twining through the headstones and the grass damp and slick with moisture. A stone monument stood wreathed in mist, and she could see why d’Homme called it his throne. It sat on a raised concrete pad to give it precedence, and was composed of two layers. The first was about knee height and shaped in a rectangle, six feet by four feet. Rising from the center of this block was the main section of the monument, rising another six feet into the air, four feet wide, and one foot deep. If you ignored the lack of armrests, it could almost be a throne. There was writing on the front of the stone slab, but whatever had been there originally was no longer readable. The stone had stood in the cemetery since the town had been established, and the writing was largely worn away. Even so it would have been visible, if not for the huge crack that marred the face of the monument, a great gaping fissure that gathered darkness like a spider’s web, tiny cracks like tributaries spreading in all directions. The damage to the monument looked brand new, though Kelsey had seen it before when her family had visited the old graveyard. Looking around, Kelsey realized that the entire cemetery was in a similar state of newly inflicted damage. The other tombstones were cracked, some slanting to the side, and some completely crumbled into rubble. All the cross markers had been ripped up and turned upside down, pointing like accusing fingers from the ground. Before the headstones the sod was broken, as if the earth had been pushed aside from below. Then Kelsey remembered the passage from Buck’s book, and realized with a shudder that that was exactly what had happened. These details held Kelsey’s attention for only a moment before her gaze returned to the monument – and the one who sat upon it. It was the warlock, Mort d’Homme, sitting upon the stone edifice, leaning casually against the tall stone slab as if it were his personal backrest. His arms rested upon two human skulls that grinned into the fog like escapists from an asylum. In the swirling mist his eyes seemed to glow as he watched the group that stood before him with amusement and boredom. The group in question was a large group of farmers and other of the town’s citizens, dressed in 19th century getup, holding old-fashioned firearms, pitchforks, axes, oil lanterns, torches. It was painfully evident they’d been through battle – they were splattered with gore, pale and shivering, clutching their weapons with white knuckles. Surrounding them were ranks of earth-covered wights. None of the creatures were moving forward, but completely surrounded a circular space around the town’s warriors and the monument. They were eerily silent, watching with eyes that glowed malevolently. Nothing moved within that circle – not the warlock, nor the farmers, or even the mist – until one old, white haired woman stepped forward. Kelsey felt her heart speed up. That’s her! she thought. My predecessor…the mystic. The woman stepped forward, and her aged eyes locked on the warlock's. There was a moment of silence…and then the wights surged forward. The clearing exploded with noise. Wights cried hatred, the farmers screamed with rage and terror. Blood spilled, flames crackled, men and undead fell together. And in the center of it all stood the mystic and d’Homme, unmoving, eyes locked in a fight just as desperate as the one being played out around them. Somehow Kelsey sensed that the two were communicating mind-to-mind, as she herself had done with the warlock before, but she couldn’t tell what they were saying. Instead she watched as d’Homme’s face grew more scornfully amused, the mystic grew paler, and then as finally the warlock rose from his seat and held up his hands. The girl felt the power being built around him, and she gasped, forgetting she was just observing and couldn’t be harmed. The magic around him left a sour tang in her mouth, and tasted like rot and darkness. Shifting her eyes to the mystic’s lined face, Kelsey saw the fatigue etched in every wrinkle, just as she saw the determination in her eyes. The woman stepped forward, her arms limp and dangling beside her, her back slightly stooped. She couldn’t have looked more beaten, but then she spoke, and Kelsey felt the force in her voice. In the same way that d’Homme’s magic was dark, the mystic’s power was light; as the warlock’s spell tasted of decay, the old woman’s was laced with the scent of spring. “You, creature, are banished!” she cried, and as she spoke her back straightened, her head rose, and she began to shine with an ethereal light. It stole her age away, and made her appear…not young, but timeless. Throwing her hand out before her, she finished, “Begone, and trouble us not.” All at once the ground seemed to shake as the mystic’s power rivaled that of the warlock. Even then, Kelsey felt that the warlock had lost. She knew it, and so, more importantly, did d’Homme. He screamed, his voice rising and echoing in the mist, as he fell to his knees. His body contorted, and his clenched hands looked more like claws than anything else. Kelsey shrank back from his fury, and felt her mouth dry when d’Homme lifted his eyes once more to the mystic’s. “I’ll return,” he whispered, and his voice was full of menace. Then, he disappeared. At the same time the wights also stopped, their wailings cut out abruptly as their connection to their master, and his magic, was severed. They fell to the ground as piles of thick wet earth, and the sudden silence was unnerving. Kelsey looked around, expecting more shapes to approach through the fog, but none did. Returning her eyes to the mystic, she saw that the woman had fallen, her breathing shallow as she told two men words that were too faint for Kelsey to hear. She peered into their faces and could not miss the resemblance they shared with Buck. They were his father and uncle of old, just as the book had said. At last the mystic laid back, her message finally given. Kelsey moved closer to her, watched as the men bowed their heads, and felt sorrow as this woman – the savior of a town, her own distant ancestor – breathed her last breath. Then something happened that shocked her out of her wits. The old woman’s eyes moved, and locked onto Kelsey’s. The girl’s breath caught in her throat, for she was certain that the mystic saw her, which was impossible…wasn’t it? Then the mystic closed her eyes, and her body went limp. The vision started to fade away, the mist crowding upon her vision, as Kelsey drifted away. She realized she was exhausted, and despite herself, she faded into sleep. She found herself in her old recurring nightmare, in a dark forest, fog twining between the trees. An unseen menace lurked behind her, and she prepared herself to run… As she turned she saw in front of her a spot of brightness, a shining light. It faded softly, and condensed to the form of the old woman. Kelsey gasped. The mystic looked at her with some surprise, then at the woods they were in, and finally over her shoulder, as if fearing pursuit as well. “Well, I’ve never had company here before,” she remarked. Kelsey gaped at the apparition. Then a branch cracked behind her, and she exclaimed frantically, “We have to run! It’ll – ” “It’ll do nothing,” the woman interrupted. “This is a dream, Kelsey. Nothing more. Nothing will hurt us here.” Now that the mystic had said it, Kelsey straightened up from her fearful half-crouch and looked around. She realized she was in the nightmare, something she’d never before known until the moment she woke up. Now that it was pointed out to her, she finally saw the monochromatic quality to her surroundings, the way that she felt no cold or damp, nor the bark beneath her fingers as she touched one of the eerie trees. “It is a dream,” she murmured. Looking to the mystic, she asked, “How did…how are you…” “This is my nightmare too,” she answered. “For the last month it has been mine.” Confused, Kelsey inquired, “How can we be dreaming it at the same time?” Smiling at Kelsey’s bewilderment, the woman said gently, “Dreams are timeless, Kelsey. We can be in one, together though separated by many years, because of that timelessness, and because of the power we share.” Behind them more branches snapped, and moaning could be heard. The girl jumped, and the mystic scowled slightly. “Let’s get rid of them, shall we? Concentrate with me.” Then she closed her dream-eyes, and the sound of the pursuers began to fade. Kelsey caught on and concentrated as well, forcing the fog away. With their combined will the forest ceased to be menacing and transformed into a simple moonlit wood, safe and harmless. The mystic smiled. “That’s better. Now I imagine you have many questions.” Nodding, Kelsey said, “I do. How you know my name, for one.” Biting her lip, she said, “Though that’s not really important. What I really need to know is how – ” “How to defeat d’Homme?” the mystic questioned. “I found your name, and his, in your mind, Kelsey. We are mystics, after all. I heard that knowledge in your thoughts.” “Oh,” Kelsey said, somewhat unintelligently. “Like what I did with Jim?” The old woman nodded. “I see.” Sighing, she said, “I was trying to use my power to look back upon your fight with d’Homme. I needed to see how to beat him. But maybe you could help me?” The hopeful question trailed away as the mystic shook her head. “You don’t need my help, Kelsey, or anything else’s, to learn to use your power. Knowledge is unnecessary; when you’re given power, the ability to use it is within you. You don’t find power by watching. You find it by doing.” “But what if I can’t stop him?” Kelsey asked desperately. “What if I can’t use the power right?” Laying a wrinkled hand on Kelsey’s cheek, the mystic reassured her, “When I go up against d’Homme, I don’t know if I can defeat him beforehand. I don’t know how to use the power against him. But when I face him in the end, I will.” The old woman smiled, and her eyes sparkled kindly. “I know it’s frightening. Any power is. But you have the ability to defeat him, Kelsey. Do not doubt yourself.” All along people had been telling her that she could succeed, that the ability was within her. But hearing it now, from the one person who would really know, accomplished what all the words of reassurance before could not. Kelsey felt herself smiling, and laid her hand over the mystic’s. “Thank you,” she said. Frowning lightly, she remarked, “I don’t even know your name.” The old woman shook her head. “It does not matter,” she said. “I think it is time for you to go. Someone is waking you.” Kelsey nodded. “Thank you again,” she said, and drew away. The mystic sighed, then cocked her head. Her eyes widened momentarily as if she had just realized something, and she caught Kelsey’s hand. “There is one thing you must remember,” she said, and her eyes were intense. But Kelsey felt herself being pulled away, as the dreamscape began to fade. She saw the mystic’s lips move, but couldn’t quite make out the words. What? she called back, What is it? But there was no answer. When she opened her eyes she was once again at the city hall, and Gina was hovering over her, shaking her awake. “Stop it!” Kelsey snapped, angry at being pulled away from the dream in what may have been the most crucial moment. Gina backed off, startled by the girl’s tone, and said, “You’ve been asleep for half an hour now, but I think that’s all the time we can afford. Did you find anything?” Thinking about the vision and the considerably more informative dream, Kelsey replied, “Sort of.” Heaving herself to her feet, she said, “Is everything ready?” The other woman nodded. “Jim’s talked to all the volunteers, everyone’s armed and ready.” “How’s Nate?” “He had some food and zonked out right away. I think all that healing drained him.” “Did not!” Kelsey turned to see Nate approaching. Smiling sheepishly, he said, “Alright, I guess it did some. But I’m ready to go now.” Kelsey saw he was. Besides the gory pipe he’d carried from their home, he was also armed with a pistol, several of Buck’s grenades, a BIC lighter, and several cans of aerosol. With the weapons, Nate also wore a Kevlar vest, and Kelsey saw he was holding one out for her as well. “One of the policemen grabbed a bunch from the station before coming here,” he said by way of explanation. “He wanted us to use them.” Kelsey nodded and slipped it on, then followed her brother to where Buck, Jim, and the promised group of warriors waited. The men were waiting to arm her, similarly to Nate, except she had her trusted bat with her, rather than a pipe. No one felt the need to ask her what she’d found out, or if she’d seen anything at all. They just watched as Kelsey buckled on her borrowed ammo belt, placed the grenades in their compartments, holstered the gun and put the air freshener within easy reach. When she’d finished, Kelsey looked up at the group around her. Everyone looked grim and determined; no one was without fear. Nate stood by her side, and his expression and stance alone made the girl proud. Jim, Gina, and Buck (holding his flamethrower eagerly) watched her expectantly, as did the men and women behind them. For a moment Kelsey’s courage almost failed. They looked so trusting, they’d put their faith in her…what if she let them down? What if she let everyone down? Then Kelsey felt the phantom brush of a hand on her cheek, heard the old mystic’s words. Do not doubt yourself. Trying to push her fear away, Kelsey raised her head and said, “Let’s go.” As she strode to the doors, Kelsey heard Buck mutter, "Finally." Kelsey and Nate have prepared for battle, but the confrontation is still to come. Perhaps soon, we shall see who will prevail… _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author The Meaning Of Fear Respected Citizen Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 980 Location: In a deep, dark corner of the universe, plotting. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:18 pm    Post subject: Very good! Cant wait for the second part! artist impression of buck,eagerly waiting for a fight(without his flamethrower): ROFLMAO _________________ Cherish all your memories, even the bad ones, for they are what makes you who you are. Doors to the truth, an SG where a boy is propelled into worlds he is unfamiliar with. He crosses many worlds, and sees many things that force him to throw away his innocence, once, and for all. Fourth Chapter, out for viewing! Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:39 pm    Post subject: Wonderful telling of the dreams. I love this storygame I know this isn't exactly a DP, but one thought that occurred when I was reading the dream-sequences. Mort d'Homme always appears at the throne. The throne has some writing on it that we couldn't read. Would Gina know what the writing was? Could we ask her before we get to the battle? And if no answer is forthcoming, we should try to destroy the throne this time around. It may be key to his power Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 7:47 am    Post subject: Yes, good one Dragon Fire 0 bring on the next one. I don't know Shady - I suppose it may be worth looking into, but do they have enough time to spare, especially if it turns out to be a lost cause. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 7:53 am    Post subject: Well, I was thinking on the way to the battle, she could ask Gina. Talking wouldn't stop them from travelling. And destroying the chair is once the battle is underway, so it won't lose them any time either Back to top Author jess1561 Guest Items Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 6:49 am    Post subject: Great Chapter, Can't wait for the second part of it... Shady, maybe that was what the mystic was going to tell her before she was pulled away from the dream... :hm: Now I really want to know what happens next. *sits on the edge of her seats and waits* Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 5:24 pm    Post subject: 3:20 – Battle (cont.) The party piled into the abandoned vehicles, taking three trucks, a van, and an old beater car. Windows were rolled down and guns poked out of them, bludgeons were in easy reach. Buck was driving his own truck, which was to lead the procession. Riding shotgun to him was Jim, with Gina, Kelsey, and Nate in the backseats. Even more were crowded in the back, but Buck had insisted that ‘his mystics’ ride with him in the cab. The girl was glad Buck had finally recognized Nate for what he was as well. It was a grim party that drove to the cemetery that night. Morning, rather, Kelsey thought yawning, but inside she was wide-awake and thinking. She was considering her vision and the monument in the cemetery, d’Homme’s ‘throne’. It once had writing on it, but had been obliterated by the cracks. When she had visited the graveyard before Kelsey had never been able to understand more than one or two words of the old weathered inscription, but there had once been something there. “Gina,” she asked, “do you know when the cracks on the monument first appeared?” “According to the official records, sometime in the late 1800’s.” Glancing at the girl, Gina said, “The local lore puts their appearance at the time of d’Homme’s first attack.” Kelsey nodded. It was nothing less than what she’d expected. “Do you know what it used to say?” “Actually, I did find a record of the original inscription. It used to be a tribute to town’s fallen soldiers. I don’t remember the exact words,” she continued apologetically, “but it said something about honoring the town’s dead, and those who gave their lives in defense of ‘home, country, and God.’ ” Of course it would make sense that d’Homme would choose such a monument and defile it for his own purposes. Kelsey’s anger flickered inside her again, and she stared moodily out the window. The rest of the ride passed in anticipatory silence. Outside the streets were eerily silent, the fog lit by streetlamps and the procession’s headlights only. No wights had attacked them yet, which was something that Kelsey found disconcerting. She didn’t feel like mentioning it though – what would it change? They were going forward, for good or ill, till the task was done. Finally they arrived at the gates of the cemetery, a ten minute drive north of town. Its tall stone walls were beautiful in daylight, but intimidating in the darkness, and the wrought iron fence looked very toothy and menacing. It also hung open, the chain that normally locked it in the evenings ripped apart and lying discarded on the ground. The two halves of the gate were separated by several feet, and Kelsey’s gut clenched when she noticed that the ground was littered with piles of the wights’ trail of maggoty earth. Buck saw all this and, though he did slow down, didn’t stop. Instead he drove carefully forward and nudged the gate with the ramming grill on the front of his truck. Kelsey understood his reasoning…she didn’t want anyone away from the safety of the truck for any length of time, even just long enough to push the gates wholly open. As they crawled slowly through the now open gates, Kelsey looked out at the fog and felt a terribly eerie feeling creeping into her. The mists were so thick that nothing beyond ten feet of the trucks was visible. Anything could be out there, and there was no way for them to know what they were driving into. Everyone was silent as Buck led the way along the road. Weapons clicked and jeans creaked as people kept watch, but there was nothing to see. Finally though Buck slowed the truck to a stop, and the others behind followed suit. Kelsey saw in a moment why he’d stopped – the road into the graveyard had widened into the parking space behind the large stone sanctuary beside the gates (which housed memorable plaques remembering people who hadn’t been buried in the graveyard), and beyond that the rows of graves began. There was no driving path between the headstones. They were on foot from here. There was a sudden flux of noise as doors were opened and people hopped onto the gravelly road. Weapons were handed out, and people clicked the safeties of their guns. Kelsey knew they were wondering why they hadn’t been attacked yet, but Kelsey had no answers. This was not what had happened last time, she remembered. The mystic and her people had fought for every inch they gained to the cemetery. When all the town’s warriors were ready, Kelsey led the way to where she felt d’Homme waiting. No one spoke, and everyone was trying to be silent, but every sound they made echoed through the fog clearly. Occasionally Kelsey would think she heard other noises, shuffling footprints and stifled moans, surrounding them, but there was no way to know if it was her imagination. Still they were not attacked. The damage to the cemetery was just as Kelsey had seen it in her vision – not a cross unturned, not a headstone uncracked. There was something different though, and she realized what it was in a moment. The earth over the graves was untouched from below. No wights had pushed themselves up into existence here. Because there are no bodies buried here anymore! she realized. This was the older section of the graveyard – and these bodies had already been used by d’Homme. At last they entered an area clear of headstones. Kelsey knew that in the center of them would be an arc of willow trees, (allegedly to honor those who fell after the warlock’s first attack). In the center of those trees was the monument…and d’Homme. When the entire group had come onto the wide area of cleared grass, the fog suddenly swirled away from them, forming a solid wall that made it seem as though the clearing, the trees, and the townsfolk were the only things in existence. They could suddenly see all the way across the clearing, to the stand of willows that formed a crescent around and behind the monument. The stone glistened and shone as the light of their flashlights reflected off the dampness left behind by the mist. And on that monument… An echoing laugh reverberated off the walls of fog as people moaned in fear. Kelsey’s throat felt dry, and she had trouble swallowing, as she saw what waited ahead. It was the black, shadowy form of Mort d’Homme, the black tendrils wrapping around themselves, hovering over and around the stone slab that was, he claimed, his throne. “A wraith,” Gina whispered. “He came back as a wraith.” The warlock’s laughter only grew louder as the group moved slowly, tremblingly, forward. The light of his eyes glowed a bright venomous green, and as they approached the swirling mass of darkness that comprised his form began to writhe excitedly. It shifted between forms, coalescing into the image of a tall king, shifting into a massive vulture perching above their heads, changing again into the bent skeletal form of the Grim Reaper, scythe at ready. Then it briefly changed again, into the warlock’s living form, lounging easily on the monument, until it spread out again, engulfing the throne and twisting upon itself with macabre delight. “So, little witch,” the warlock crowed, “you’ve come. And you even brought a following!” His ridicule made the girl hot with anger, but it couldn’t burn away the coldness of her fear completely. He looked so massive, so otherworldly…and she had to defeat him. Stepping forward, she said, “Tonight is the night you die for good, d’Homme.” Hearing her brave words the rest of the company was emboldened as well. Someone even cheered, and suddenly the voices of the town’s warriors broke forth, yelling, screaming support for Kelsey, a few of the braver ones hurling taunts at the warlock as well. Perhaps it was fortunate that their numbers and the fog served to confuse the words being said, or d’Homme might have become truly angry. As it was, the red from his deadlights became more pronounced, and he loomed up, spreading his form so it seemed like the wings of a fallen angel were spread over their heads. “Let’s see how brave you are now!” he hissed, and the fog was pushed back again. Now they could see for twenty yards in each direction, and the sight made Kelsey gape. Every visible space they could see was filled with wights, standing in chaotic ranks in a perfect circle, girthing the entire clearing. “Oh my God,” she whispered. So many… “I’m afraid he won’t hear you,” d’Homme sneered. “This is my realm, and they answer to me.” As you will soon, witch! he cried, to her only, as the mass of wights surged forward in a cacophony of noise. Suddenly there was nothing but sound – hissing and hunting screams, guns discharging rapidly, bursts of flame. As the wights got closer, there was thumps of bats and clubs on undead flesh, and the terrified screams of people as they fell where they stood. Everything seemed to be in motion, as Nate, Buck, Jim and Gina surrounded Kelsey and battled anything that approached. They were trying to protect her, but they needn’t have bothered. No wight approached the girl, because her battle was with the warlock, and nothing else. Your end is here, warlock, she spat from her mind, trying to sound confident. She felt her own power rising up, but would it be enough? It felt so small to her… Is that so, little witch? d’Homme sounded both angry and amused. You thwarted me once, that is true. I underestimated you there. You rose to your brother’s defense more assuredly than you would have had I threatened only you. The green glow from his form was fixed on Kelsey as he continued, But there is no such problem here. This is my realm, my kingdom, and you are nothing. As the warlock spoke a rising power pressed down against Kelsey, and it felt cloying and hot to her. Her own power pushed it back, but while hers fought, his kept growing. You see? He sneered. You having nothing to push me back. Already you sweat, little witch. She did. Her body trembled with the effort of holding back his steady wave of force. It was pouring onto her like a wave, slow and inexorable. She couldn’t hold this for long. Desperately she held onto her power, pulling it around herself, ready to throw it against the warlock, to wrap it around him, smother him, and crush him out of this life. She steadied herself, and stepped forward. Taking a breath, she began to cry out the words that would banish him forever. No, he said. It was not a fearful denial, nor any sort of force was behind it. d’Homme said it simply, lazily, as if he had expected her actions. Suddenly his power fell upon Kelsey with force, pressing her, swirling around her, dragging her down. Staggering, she looked into the pale green deadlights that were his eyes, and the red glow within threatened to engulf her. Suddenly her arm throbbed, and the skin felt as if it was burning, so cold did it feel. Her head was filled with fog, and she couldn’t think anything - anything except, I’ve failed. * * * Nate held up his pistol and shot. It wasn’t easy to aim the weapon, but the wights were close enough it almost didn’t matter. The creatures fell as bullets buried themselves into their brains. Buck stood on Kelsey’s other side, going to town with his flamethrower and shotgun. Behind the girl on either side were Jim and Gina, doing their best to keep the wights at bay. Nate didn’t think about any of that, too busy in his own battles. A wight surged forward as Nate’s clip emptied. Nate let go of the gun and felt it swing back and forth from his forearm like a pendulum. During the drive he’d used some thick string from the town hall to tie it to his wrist, so it would never be far from reach. So he dropped the gun and grabbed up the pipe and began swinging with all his might. The wight, and the ones after it, fell after a few minutes of furious battle, and then Nate stuck the pipe between his knees and grabbed a can of air freshener and a lighter. Wights whooshed up in flames before him and stumbled back, giving him enough time to shove a full clip into the pistol and begin firing once again. The boy supposed the battle could have continued like this for some time, as he lost himself in an oblivion of attack, retreat, bullet, metal and fire. But then he felt something hit his shoulder. Spinning around, he saw it was Kelsey. Her face was deathly pale, and her eyes were fixed ahead, on d’Homme. The warlock’s eyes were fixed on her intently, and Nate realized that the air echoed with the evil wraith’s laughter. “No,” he whispered. “No!” Something was wrong; something had gone horribly off track. Kelsey was clutching her elbow, and black blood welled between her fingers. Nate heard himself screaming. “Kelsey!” She didn’t hear. d’Homme’s laughter grew until it could be heard even above the blasts of gunfire, until it was all that could be heard. People stopped in their tracks, wights ended their battles and looked at their master. The wraith’s form was turning back and forth upon itself, twisting with the warlock’s glee. Kelsey fell to her knees. “This is your end, little witch,” d’Homme growled, his laughter ended. For a moment there was utter silence as living and undead alike watched the warlock’s writhing form. Then a thick tendril of darkness shot out, reaching like a clawing hand for Kelsey, whose eyes were squeezed shut and streaming tears. “No!” cried Nate, echoed by more of the townspeople, Jim and Gina included. The boy stumbled forward, but Buck was quicker. Dropping his weapons, he took a step and leapt, colliding with the warlock’s dark appendage. It wrapped around him instead, and he was dragged into the air, yelling defiantly, until d’Homme silenced him forever. Around them the wights began their fighting again while the wraith was momentarily distracted. Jim grabbed up Buck’s flamethrower and stepped in front of Kelsey, keeping any attacking creatures at bay. Nate had a moment to thank Buck for his sacrifice before his eyes fell upon something else that the hermit had dropped before his leap. His artillery belt. In only a moment Nate was lunging forward, grabbing a bomb with his right hand while his left grabbed for his lighter. He knew only one thing – something was wrong with Kelsey and d’Homme couldn’t be defeated until they figured out what it was. It didn’t seem likely he’d give them that opportunity. They needed a distraction, and Nate would provide it. The boy lit the fuse and hurled the bomb forward, and watched as it arced perfectly to fall on the seat of the monument. “Get down!” he yelled as he ducked down, dragging Kelsey with him. An instant later the bomb exploded. Shards of stone flew up into the air as the monument shattered completely, right in the center of the wraith. He howled as flames exploded outwards, hitting the nearby willow trees and igniting them as well. The dark mass of d’Homme gathered itself into a dense ball and shot away, fleeing the flames that undead fear. The fog slammed back to its original place, no longer held by the warlock’s will. All around them, wights cried out in panic and scrambled back from the flames as the fire spread to all the willows, lighting the fog with a terrible, beautiful glow. People too screamed in panic and tried to get back, but Jim saw their moves and called out, “Run to the trucks! Clear the way with Molotov cocktails!” It was surprising that he could be heard in the din, but someone on the other end of the group had enough sense to follow his instructions, and they began a wild flight through the fog to their temporary safety. Nate raised his head to see nothing but the last traces of fleeing figures hurrying away. Every fearful instinct within told him to follow, but instead he turned to his sister. “Kelsey!” he said, shaking her. “Get up, come on! We have to run!” Groggily the girl lifted up her head. In her eyes was the same fuzzy expression Nate had noticed earlier, on the drive into town, till the moment the reached the town hall. It was the expression he’d seen on all the people he’d healed at the town hall, the one’s who’d been ‘touched’. He looked desperately into her eyes. “Kelsey,” he pleaded. “Please, get up.” She staggered to her feet, but as she rose her hand flew to her head and she stumbled, as though dizzy. Nate didn’t care. They were all alone in the mist, and he knew that she needed a place to rest, so he could push back d’Homme’s deadly illness once again. Hand in hand the sibling stumbled after the group, dodging around headstones in an effort to get to safety. Soon Nate noticed that the ground was broken up before the headstones, where the wights had pushed their way out of the earth. Something about this bothered him, but he couldn’t place exactly what just then. Together they struggled on. The ground began to rise under their feet. We didn’t come downhill, Nate thought. An instant later he realized that they ought to have come across the others by now. Stopping, he turned to look back. The fog was just beginning to thin, and he could see through it barely. There was the wall, that was the gate, and there was the building beside the gate, where everyone had run for refuge, bypassing the vehicles. Nate saw why an instant later – the engines had all been torn apart. The doors of the sanctuary slammed shut, and not a moment too soon. The boy groaned aloud as he saw how far off course he’d taken them through the fog, and felt hopelessness sweep though his soul as he saw that it would be almost impossible for them to reach in now. The way to the building was blocked by wights, hundreds of them, all shambling after the survivors, bloodlust in their every movement. Looking around, Nate took stock of where they were. He’d managed to direct them to the edge of the cemetery, and the woods stretched out before them. The trees were tall and menacing in the fog, moss hanging from their branches until they faded out of existence in the mist. The wights blocked the way downhill…it seemed suicide to go that way. But he’d been wrong before…where do I go? It seems that their hopes were in vain, but the mystics are still alive…where do you direct them next? In an attempt to battle through wights fifty thick? Downhill to a very tall stone wall separating them from town? Or perhaps, through the woods, which should seem very familiar… _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author jess1561 Guest Items Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 6:08 pm    Post subject: Oh My, I think he should follow his instincts, anything to find some sort of safety. He may be able to defend his sister for a little while, but I don't think he could do it for long, and it doesn't seem as if she has much time before she becomes a whight herself. So, I say that there has to be some way for Nate to tap into Kelsey's powers, They are siblings... :hm: Maybe he can do that and amplify his healing power once he finds a safe place to try it. Now I'm all worried, I don't want anything to happen to either of them! :eek: Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 11:29 pm    Post subject: Fantastic chapter DragonFire! A very gripping read Okay, I think it's time for Nate to get in touch with his own powers. Kelsey isn't the mystic here - they both are. He only found out he could heal through chance. Who's to say what else he can do? I think he should go into the woods first and try to heal the wound again. Kelsey's obviously in bad shape. Then, as Jess said, they should try to find a way to combine their powers to defeat the wights. A strange thought... but I'm wondering whether wights can be defeated by the healing touch? Obviously they wouldn't have the power to do it en masse - and it would be dangerous - but if the worst comes to the worst, it might be worth a shot. Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 7:10 pm    Post subject: Yes, that'll show the foolish girl. See, I really like this story, because the bad guys are not only Evil, but lazily winning as well, which is always a good thing. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author The Meaning Of Fear Respected Citizen Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 980 Location: In a deep, dark corner of the universe, plotting. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:47 am    Post subject: Dunno why, but i knew lordy would say that.... Hmm....intresting. Could it be that D'homme's magic speeded up the process of Kelsey turning into a wight? I think they should go to the woods. More chance of survival there, if any. Otherwise, run out wildly and take as many of the F****** B****** with you as possible. Personally, i wouldn't mind if Kelsey became a wight/died. Her becoming a wight would result in Nate or some other character having to kill her, which would be very exciting to read. If, you are as sad as me, that is. If she dies, then too bad. then what'll happen is that nate and the others will probably bury her and nate will say something random like "noooooooooooO!" or " I will avenge you!" ~holds breath~ * * sorry soily if im pissing you off using this. _________________ Cherish all your memories, even the bad ones, for they are what makes you who you are. Doors to the truth, an SG where a boy is propelled into worlds he is unfamiliar with. He crosses many worlds, and sees many things that force him to throw away his innocence, once, and for all. Fourth Chapter, out for viewing! Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 2:41 am    Post subject: Hey DF, Sorry my commenting has slipped recently, although I've been reading everything as usual. A great chapter I think the comments so far have said it. Before there was the one mystic, now there is the two of them. It makes sense that d'Homme would be as laid back as he is when he knows he's facing half the power. Although it seems to be Kelsey that has the particular power to face him, I think the support of somehow being linked to her brother is going to be needed to defeat him. Even if Nate is only a constant healing force, as her defence, whilst she attacks d'Homme. I can't wait... Happy Writing _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 9:22 am    Post subject: Maybe it's going to be the old classic of healing the Necromancer that defeats him, and therefore bringing him back to life. So then you can kill him properly. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author The Meaning Of Fear Respected Citizen Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 980 Location: In a deep, dark corner of the universe, plotting. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 1:54 pm    Post subject: hmmm... the healing trick, huh? Me like it. HIYA! *uses healing spell on lordy* ooops! i 4got you were a demon, not undead. _________________ Cherish all your memories, even the bad ones, for they are what makes you who you are. Doors to the truth, an SG where a boy is propelled into worlds he is unfamiliar with. He crosses many worlds, and sees many things that force him to throw away his innocence, once, and for all. Fourth Chapter, out for viewing! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:28 pm    Post subject: Over the graveyard and through the woods, to gettheheckawayfromhere we go! Lalala... Um, anyway...into the woods it is! _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author The Meaning Of Fear Respected Citizen Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 980 Location: In a deep, dark corner of the universe, plotting. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 6:43 pm    Post subject: LAlalalalala......Into the woods we go, to run away from some s***ing mutha f****s who want to kill us, lalalal! _________________ Cherish all your memories, even the bad ones, for they are what makes you who you are. Doors to the truth, an SG where a boy is propelled into worlds he is unfamiliar with. He crosses many worlds, and sees many things that force him to throw away his innocence, once, and for all. Fourth Chapter, out for viewing! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:54 pm    Post subject: 3:45 – Last Flight Nate gazed for one more moment downhill, to where their friends and last hope of real refuge sat, lost to them. What would they do when they found that their mystics were missing? The boy sighed. “Come on, Kelsey,” he said, and together they entered the woods. It was like an eerie other world beneath the trees, the fog hiding the ground, leaves crackling sullenly underfoot. Nate shivered as moss trailed across his scalp. There was almost no sound, except for what they themselves were making. Until, from behind them, the unearthly wail of the wights broke through the mist. Nate urged Kelsey on at a greater pace, and they passed as quickly as they could through the woods in a staggering jog that left Kelsey gasping. They could not let up, though. It was impossible to tell if any of the wights had begun to follow them, and Nate was unwilling to stop and look at Kelsey’s wound until they were much farther away from the graveyard…and d’Homme. Speaking of the warlock, where was he? When last Nate had seen him, the wraith had been fleeing the flames of the bomb, but there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t return, to finish Kelsey and the rest of them off. I wish I could sense where he was. Nate couldn’t locate d’Homme, but Kelsey could. He slowed them down to a walk and faced his sister. “Kelsey, where is d’Homme now? Is he following us?” For a moment she only looked at him, not comprehending. Then his meaning seemed to sink in, and she gasped, “N-no, not yet. But he will. He’ll be able to see me, Nate, like I can see him. He’ll… you have to hide us, Nate! You have to stop him from seeing me, so that we can be safe for a little while!” “What? I can’t – what are you talking about?” “You can, Nate, you can keep him from…seeing us…your power – ” Then she broke off, gasping and coughing. Her hands clutched Nate’s neck, in an effort to stay upright and moving. “Alright, Kelsey, okay. I’ll try. Just keep going.” She nodded and receded into herself again. Nate hated that look in her eyes, as if she was loosing herself, or sleepwalking. “As soon as we get the chance, I’ll help you,” he muttered. Then he turned his attention to her words. She’d said he had the power to hide them from the wraith’s senses. If that was true, it would buy them precious moments to rest, and figure out what to do next. If he could figure out how… Nate turned his attention inward, searching for his powers as he had every time he healed someone else. This time though, he didn’t stop when he found that power. He kept delving, searching, until he found something else. Somehow he sensed, much the same way Kelsey had, that this was power he could use for something other that healing. Nate grasped hold of the power, stretched it, and threw it over himself and Kelsey as if it were a blanket. He could feel it settle over them, cloaking them, and hoped desperately that it worked. “Good, Nate,” Kelsey wheezed. “Good.” She sagged against him, and together they ran through the mist. The boy didn’t know how long they continued after that. He guessed it was about fifteen minutes, but everything looked the same, and his senses were so skewed from trying to maintain the cloak around them, that it could easily have been twice that. Eventually, thought, Kelsey begged, “Please, stop. I can’t keep…going…stop.” Nate did not object, and they slid to the ground, leaning against a tree. The only sound in the forest was that of their labored breathing. After a moment of rest, Nate crawled around to his sister’s other side, and looked at her arm. Gently he stretched it out, and Kelsey hardly seemed to notice; she just continued leaning against the rough bark, eyes closed, one hand on her throat. The scratch on Kelsey’s elbow had been bleeding in the cemetery, but was clotted over now, dirty and ugly looking against the paleness of the rest of her skin. Nate wished desperately for some water to clean it with, but there was none around, and they hadn’t brought any of their own. When he tried to rub the skin clean, Kelsey whimpered and drew away weakly, so he stopped. He didn’t want to hurt her more. Finally the boy just sighed. “I don’t need to see it,” he muttered to himself, and laid his hands over the wound. Probing with his power, he tried to force healing into the wound. It resisted his efforts, as it had before, and though he battled with it for several minutes, Nate could not feel any sort of difference. In the end, frustrated but knowing he couldn’t push past d’Homme’s magic, he simply tried to send some strength to the rest of her. If her head could clear even a little, maybe they could make a plan, and find a way to try again. If only he could convince himself it wasn’t already too late. Something of his efforts must have worked, because Kelsey turned her head to face him, and her eyes opened. “Thanks,” she said, but her gaze wasn’t really clear, and though she may sound lucid, she was still weak. “No problem,” he murmured, feeling hopeless. Turning to gaze behind him, he asked, “Where’s the warlock now?” “At the cemetery,” she replied after a minute. “I think he’s looking for us, but he can’t find us…just yet.” Nate sighed and bowed his head. “We better keep going.” Kelsey struggled to her feet and together they continued their way through the woods. They had not gone very far, though, before Nate heard an odd creaking noise. “Do you hear – ?” Then they were falling. They landed in a heap of earth and rotting boards some fifteen feet down, and covered their heads as more rained down on them. After a moment it stopped, and gingerly they sat up and looked around. “Are you okay?” “Yeah, you?” “Yes.” Together they stood up. Nate gazed above the, and looked out the hole they’d fallen down through. Mist swirled above it benignly over them, sending a few questing tendrils downwards, lit faintly by the stars above. It was dark down where they stood, and Nate couldn’t immediately see a way out. After looking around for a minute though, he realized it wasn’t pitch dark. As his eyes adjusted, the faint outlines of objects in the room before them came into view. Faint light was coming from something down here, but he couldn’t tell exactly what. “Where are we?” Nate wondered aloud. He fished out his lighter and held it up before him. The flame whooshed up, and by its light Nate could finally begin to see where they were. The ceiling above them was made of thick beams of wood, course and unfinished, covered in cobwebs. The walls were similar, and the floor was simply packed dirt. It had obviously been abandoned for years, decades even. There were two rows of tables leading away into the far side of the room, where Nate’s light couldn’t reach. They were covered in strange apparatus, all of it looking rather ancient. Late 1800’s? Nate wondered, and felt a chill. Though it was difficult to make out what much of the equipment was, because of the spiders and thick layers of dust and grime, some of it was quite obvious. There were beakers and tubes, tongs, a Bunsen burner, and a huge ancient battery. There was chemistry equipment, electrical devices, and medical gear, grouped on the long steel tables – a freakish 19th century laboratory. Nate ventured a little further into the room, Kelsey following behind. His little flame served to illuminate more than he wished to see – unnatural sludgy moss escaping from a test tube, dark stains of what looked like dried blood, bodies of fat grotesque spiders curled up beside the beakers. A cast-iron pot on one table was filled with some kind of viscous sludge that bubbled and churned sluggishly. The smell in the lab was repulsive. By now the siblings both suspected that they had stumbled upon the warlock’s lair of old, which had always been rumored to be northwest of town – the direction they’d been running. The thing that really made it obvious, though, was found on the fourth table. A human skeleton was stretched out upon it, the wrists and ankles still trapped in steel restraints. There were stains on the table beneath it, and some parts of the bone were bulged and warped unnaturally. The jaw was fixed open wide, and Nate imagined that the poor person had died screaming. They continued their nightmare walk. The room seemed never ending as evidence of d’Homme’s perversions appeared in the flickering light. More tables with bodies chained upon them, more bones scattered on the floor. Further on the tables were filled with glass jars, full of organs, eyes, brains. One table had upon it the heartbreaking sight of a fetus, perhaps only weeks from birth, floating in the jelly-like fluid. Worse was the sight of the mother in the larger container next to it, her face twisted in pain, only partially obscured by the hair floating around her, like a halo. Her stomach was cut open, where the child had been removed. Nate took only one look at the pair before turning aside and vomiting. Behind him, he heard Kelsey do the same. Wiping his mouth, he said, “Let’s get the hell out of here.” From there on they did not look at anything around them, instead concentrating on going forward and finding a way out. The room they walked was narrow, but impossibly long, and Nate soon began wondering if they’d ever find their way out. It was like being trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape the horrors around them no matter how they refused to look. They were still there, right on the edge of vision. You could try to ignore them, but they were always present, regardless. Inescapable. Suddenly Kelsey grabbed Nate’s arm. He jumped and whirled on her. “Don’t do that!” She didn’t reply, but instead pointed ahead. “What is that?” Her voice was shaking, and there was fear beneath the fog in her eyes. Nate turned to look. There were three faint lights ahead, and there seemed to moving forms in the darkness. The flame trembled in his sweaty hand as Nate took a step forward. “What the – ” The light fell upon three vaguely human shapes that writhed pathetically in the darkness. They looked similar to d’Homme, but had no eyes, and were more of a smoky gray than the pure black of the wraith’s form. As soon as the light fell upon them they cringed, throwing their hands up before them. There was a faint light hidden in their forms, sulky and small. They looked entirely pitiful, shrinking away from the two humans. “What are they?” Nate whispered. “Experiments,” Kelsey replied. “Early experiments of d’Homme.” Nate looked behind the shadowy creatures, now mewling painfully. There were three small cages set up, four-foot cubes that stank faintly in the boy’s senses. Some kind of archaic writing showed up on the metal, but he couldn’t make it out. The bars were rent apart. “That’s where they were kept,” he said, understanding. “They must have escaped sometime after d’Homme was banished.” He took a step forward. “Nate, don’t!” The creatures raised their heads. Their hands fell down, and they began hissing in anger and pain. The light hurt them, and they did not want to hurt anymore. They began moving forward, seeming to stretch and warp as they approached. Nate fell back a step, but they came on. Behind him, Kelsey gasped. He whirled around to see her doubled over, clutching her arm. Blood was pouring out of it, and she fell to the ground, curled up in pain. “Kelsey!” Intense cold drew his attention to his front. The creatures were only feet away now, and frost radiated from their forms. They reached out to touch him, screaming softly, sounding like wind over hollow reeds. Until that moment, Nate was sure that Kelsey was right about their powers. She was the one to defeat d’Homme – she was the one who could sense him, she had fought him before. Then it had seemed the best he could do was to heal, and hide them from the warlock. But now, seeing the creatures approaching and Kelsey helpless, knowing that they were within seconds of cold icy death, he found that this was not so. The power welled up, spilled over, and he looked at the creatures without fear. “I release you,” he said, and reached out his hands. Light shone from his eyes, and fell upon the creatures, who instead of trying to escape it seemed to drink it up like sweet wine. The raised their hands above their heads and dissipated into the darkness. Behind him Kelsey laughed tiredly. He whirled around to see her standing, holding her elbow painfully but with eyes as clear as dawn. “I’ve been a fool, Nate,” she said. “I almost missed seeing the truth.” “What do you mean?” he asked. “I know what she said now,” Kelsey murmured, staring off into the darkness. “She spoke to me in my dream, but I couldn’t hear the last thing she said.” Turning her smiling gaze onto her brother, Kelsey said, “Nothing worth doing was ever done alone.” Now they know the secret, the mystic’s last advice. Together they will stand, but will it be enough to defeat the wraith, to succeed where before they failed? Soon, we shall see… _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Last edited by dragon_fire372 on Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:11 am; edited 1 time in total Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:57 pm    Post subject: Part one of chapter thirteen is now up! Congratulations, you all have succeeded in guessing what I'd had in mind for some time. Kelsey and Nate will stand together against d'Homme, and we shall see how that battle plays out soon. Pat yourselves on the back, and hold on for the next part! _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:56 pm    Post subject: *pats and waits* Good chapter (part) Dragon-Fire. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:53 pm    Post subject: Wonderful chapter, Dragonfire. Looking forward to the showdown now Just one minor niggle. You said the warlock's lair was on the northeast edge of town. In that case, you might want to go back and correct the passage in Buck's original text that said he was holed up in the northwest. I know it's nerdy to point it out, but I only remember because Buck was also northwest of town, and for a while, I had my suspicions that he was the warlock and he was just playing with Kelsey and Nate Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:11 am    Post subject: You're right! I hate it when I do that. I do know my compass directions, I promise. Sigh. Ok, I'll go fix it. It's supposed to be northwest, not northeast. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author The Meaning Of Fear Respected Citizen Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 980 Location: In a deep, dark corner of the universe, plotting. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:49 pm    Post subject: Ooooh! YAY!!! A NEW CHAPTER!!! WOO! *A few moments after reading* Cooooool! *Claps* Koooooool. Maybe he can try this new power on Kelsey, and see if he can banish the curse/spell thing. Or he could just run madly to D'homme and banish him. _________________ Cherish all your memories, even the bad ones, for they are what makes you who you are. Doors to the truth, an SG where a boy is propelled into worlds he is unfamiliar with. He crosses many worlds, and sees many things that force him to throw away his innocence, once, and for all. Fourth Chapter, out for viewing! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:37 pm    Post subject: 4:45 – Last Flight (cont.) After d’Homme’s last attack, Kelsey had been gripped with pain. She could almost feel the wound growing, it seemed. Since that time, she had felt lost in a haze, in that horrible place where ordinary thought is just a step out of reach. The pain faded, but the fog remained. Now, though, it was like waking up again, stepping out of the maze, finally able to feel the pre-dawn chill in the air, hear the wind rustling the branches, experience the pain. Her head was clear, and in that first moment of clarity she had finally realized the mystic’s last words to her, and what they meant. Nothing worth doing was ever done alone. It all made sense now. Kelsey had almost realized it once, when Nate first demonstrated his power. He had helped her ankle, and she had seen that the mystic’s powers were split between the siblings, though she hadn’t been able to guess why. Now she could. Now she knew, and the knowing gave her hope again. Nate could heal and hide, she could sense and search for knowledge, and they were strong in their individual abilities. But both had the ability to banish undead creatures, and with their powers combined… though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. “We can do this, Nate,” she said. “We can defeat him, if we do it together!” “What do you mean…you’re bleeding again!” Kelsey shook her head as her brother peered at her elbow. “It’s d’Homme’s illness. I think it’s the last stage. It doesn’t matter now.” He looked up at her in concern. “Don’t you see, Nate?” she cried with excitement. “Apart we are strong, but not strong enough to defeat the wraith. But if we combine our powers, I think we can banish him for good! If we can do that, it won’t matter what happens to me. The wights will be gone, everyone will be safe again. We can do this, I know it!” She winced as pain lanced up her arm. “At any rate, we’ve got to try, soon. Before the touch takes me completely.” “Let me heal it, maybe I can set it back again – ” “No, don’t,” she said. “Save your power. I think we’ll need all we can get.” The boy hesitated for a moment, then said, “Alright, then, but we’ve got to find some water, to wash it at least.” “Okay. Let’s get out of here then.” Nate held his lighter up before them, and Kelsey held up hers as well. Together they veritably ran along the long aisle between the tables, trying not to sneeze as dust billowed up with each step. Before long their light fell upon a wall. There seemed to be a doorway. “That must be it!” The doorframe was lined with cobwebs, but Nate burned through them and they stepped inside. They looked up to see crumbling earthen steps carved up through the ground, leading upwards. Roots hung from the ceiling, thin and trembling in the wind of their passing, and there was a hint of freshness to the air that hadn’t been there before. Treading carefully up the steps, they came upon a wooden trapdoor, made of thick bands of splintery wood, reinforced with rusty iron bands. “I hope we’ll be able to push it up,” Kelsey remarked, eyeing it uneasily. Together they put their hands upon it and heaved, and the wood crumbled beneath their fingers, weak after two hundred years of rot. They stepped up into the air. They found themselves at the edge of a clearing about thirty feet wide. Fog swirled around them, but it was low to the ground and very thin. Above them the sky was lightening, becoming transparent and pale in the east. Dawn was coming. “Kelsey, look,” said Nate, pointing. The girl turned and saw a stream passing near the edge of the clearing, trickling down a little rock shelf naturally formed by shale, protruding from the hill it was set in. Her brother led her to it and tore off his shirtsleeve to wash the fresh blood away. Carefully he peeled off the bandages and sucked in breath. The gash on her elbow seemed to have expanded, and was now nearly a foot in length and a full inch wide. It was oozing blood steadily, and the black skin stank of rot. Much of her arm was now white and pasty, and Kelsey found that it was difficult to move it, as if it had fallen asleep. “Kelsey,” Nate began apprehensively. “Don’t,” she said. “It doesn’t matter. We just need to get d’Homme here in a hurry. Drop the cloak.” When he looked at her uncomprehendingly, she elaborated, “Stop shielding us. I’ll call him.” The boy nodded, and Kelsey immediately felt the hidden feeling of Nate’s power drop away. Suddenly she felt the wraith’s presence in her mind, as well as his explosive anger. We’re here, she called to his mind. Come for us. He responded with a roar that left her ears ringing and her arm throbbing painfully. Suddenly he was approaching. “Is he coming?” Nate asked. His face was fearful but resolute, pale and determined. Kelsey couldn’t help but feel that he had grown up tonight, grown up fearfully fast. “Yes,” she murmured. “He’s coming.” “I hope we’re ready,” he said, and his voice trembled ever so slightly. His sister nodded. “I think we are.” I hope we are. Soon, they would know for sure. They felt the warlock’s presence before actually seeing him. The woods were silent before him, and the mist gathered like a herald at his approach. Then, suddenly, he was there, halted at the edge of the clearing. His eyes glowed malevolently. “So, here you are, little witch.” It was a very different scene than the one they had met before. Gone was the utter darkness, the wall of mist. There were no defiled graves, no monumental throne to flaunt the wraith’s power. No weapons were held, no friends accompanied them; there were no wights to attack mindlessly, soulless marionettes. It was just d’Homme, and them, facing off in the woods of Kelsey’s dreams, where somehow she’d known it would all end. They stared across the clearing at each other, the warlock on one side, the siblings on the other. Fog rolled away from d’Homme’s dread form on either side, but between the adversaries it was clear. The dark tendrils of his form briefly condensed into the figure he had worn in life, tall and strong and horribly handsome, with eyes glowing red. They met Kelsey’s own resolute eyes…and attacked. Thick arms of blackness shot out, all grasping for Kelsey with cold fingers. There was no laughter in the wraith’s gaze now, only bloodthirsty intent, and he seemed unstoppable. But he only made it halfway. Without thinking, Kelsey and Nate clasped hands. Both stepped forward and held up there free hands. “Stop!” they cried, and their voices wrapped around each other with grave intensity. d’Homme’s movement ended abruptly, and the blackness of his form beat the air with rage. “No!” he cried. “Do not forget, you are mine!” His form twisted and his power lashed out. Kelsey’s arm spasmed and she gritted her teeth with pain. For an instant, her outstretched hand wavered. The tendrils shot forward again. The barreled across the clearing, twisting and groping madly, but once again, they never hit home. Swifter that ought to have been possible for a twelve-year-old boy, Nate reached out and grasped the darkness in his hand. Light flashed from his fingers, and d’Homme withdrew with a cry of pain. Color shot in a wide band up his form, from where Nate had touched him, to where the warlock’s reaching arms met the main part of his body. His darkness gathered upon itself, and Nate fancied he could see the form of a doubled up man, kneeling in pain, within. “Well done,” Kelsey gasped, standing up straight again. She was still in pain, but she gritted her teeth and ignored it. There were larger things at stake. Once again d’Homme let loose a cry of rage. He appeared as a swirling cyclone, and black lightning shot from his form in anger. “It is not possible!” he screamed. “You cannot have tried to heal me!” Thunder rumbled, darkness flashed, and the wraith howled loudly enough to shake the branches in the trees. “There can only be one mystic!” “Yeah?” Kelsey growled. “Well, now there are two.” The wind whipped her hair behind her face, and as she faced the spinning warlock’s form she felt only wrath. She glanced once down at Nate. Her expression was mirrored in his eyes. She nodded, and he nodded back. For good or ill, they thought. Together the siblings called upon their power. Light grew within their clasped hands, building steadily. Suddenly it flashed, racing up their arms, down their legs and out of their eyes, till they shone with the brilliance of a star. Their light beat upon the wraith, and the light of his eyes dimmed. “No!” he cried. “I will not have it!” The tornado of his form crashed forward, reaching to sweep them up into his depths. His arms reached out to smother them within his darkness, and the red of his eyes glowed like spilled blood. He could not touch them. Brightness spilled out of the siblings’ forms, throwing shadows on the ground, competing even with d’Homme’s darkness. It reflected the growing light in the eastern sky, and it would not be quenched. The wraith’s entire body of shadow surrounded them, but he could not reach them. Their power reached out to grasp him, and he tried to twist away. Too late. “Mort d’Homme, warlock, wraith, dealer of death!” they cried, their voices as one, like strong cables twisted together, never to break. “False king, servant of evil, defiler, destroyer, eater of pain! Your end is nigh, your rule is ended. You do not belong to this place any longer! Justice awaits you.” Their power surrounded him, their light was too bright for his fell eyes. He tried to escape, but the brightness grasped him. He turned to flee, but he was trapped. “NO!” The wind howled, fog swirled all around. Lightning struck down; in the forest, trees were toppling. “NO!” “Too late,” Kelsey murmured, watching the wraith’s frantic gyrations. “Eat shit and die, warlock,” Nate growled. Raising their clasped hands above them, the siblings cried out, “Begone!” One last time, d’Homme poured his rage forth. The darkness trembled against the light, but it could not hold. Wrath turned to pain, turned to fear in his cry, and was then abruptly cut off. Silence reined absolute, and then the world exploded. The light fell inwards, a band of darkness shot away, and the blast echoed throughout the entire forest. Nothing was left of the warlock. Mort d’Homme was gone. Then it all faded away. Groggily, Nate opened his eyes. He found himself staring into a pale blue sky, clear and cold. Slowly he sat up, aching and stiff. In the trees, a bird chirped. With a groan he crawled over to where a dirty, tear streaked, leaf-covered lump lay curled up in the grass. He shook her shoulder. “Kelsey?” Blinking slowly, the girl opened her eyes. She saw her brother and smiled. Then her eyes flicked away, and focused on the sky above them. “Look,” she said sleepily. “The sun has risen.” _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author dragon_fire372 Citizen Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Montana Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:45 pm    Post subject: Thus marks the end of my first storygame. Yay! I hope you all enjoyed it, and thanks for reading! Any suggestions you have for future games I may post, about my style of writing, gramatical or spelling errors, how I handle the plots and characters, or whatever, would be very appreciated. In other words, if there was any way you think I could have improved the story, let me know. Also, two notes - in the first chapter I've edited it so that Kelsey's dream started about one month ago, rather than several months. And in the last chapter, the quote I used Quote: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. is a bible verse, ecclesiastes 4:12, just so you don't think I made it up on my own. The other quote (the mystic's last advice) was mine. Anyway, thanks again, and send me your lovely comments. _________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete! Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:24 pm    Post subject: Earmarked, one lovely comment. Congradulations on finishing your first storygame Dragon, and well worth it as well. I'm not worried though, Mort D'Homme will be back - they always come back - so you can get cracking on the sequel now if you like. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Smee Revered IFian Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 5215 Location: UK Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:30 pm    Post subject: Well done Dragon. What a ride it's been. I found the plot excellent - we had our action areas, our research areas, and the exploration/travel parts - all combined into a well told story About the only thing you didn't do is let us know of any survivors amongst the crowd that set off from the townhall. We lost Buck, but is Gina ok? What about Kelsey's and Nate's parents? I guess I'm questing for the big bunny chapter where everyone is ok and happy - but your ending has a certain style so lets leave it as is. I look forward to any new ventures from you. Happy Writing _________________ The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd! Last edited by Smee on Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:54 pm; edited 1 time in total Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:52 pm    Post subject: Well done DF! A finished SG is a good feeling! Just a few niggles: Quote: Suddenly she felt the wraith’s presence in her mind, as well as his explosive anger. We’re here, she called to his mind. Come for us. He responded with a roar that left her ears ringing and her arm throbbing painfully. Suddenly he was approaching. Suddenly twice in quick succession. I also think this is a little artificial. Calling him seems too obvious somehow. Perhaps just let him detect them? Quote: It was a very different scene than the one they had met before. This sentence seems a bit arkward to me. Doesn't flow so well. Quote: but once again, they never hit home Don't think you need the comma here, though that is only my opinion of course! Quote: For an instant, her outstretched hand wavered. Again, I don't think the comma is needed. Quote: Suddenly it flashed, racing up their arms, down their legs and out of their eyes, This sounds a bit funny, like the light races down their legs and out of their eyes (at the bottom of their legs). I know what you mean, but it may be worth altering slightly. Anyway, congratulations once again!! Now you can get started on your next tale... _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:41 pm    Post subject: Great story DF. I've thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish For me, the best part is the way you've adapted the readers' choices so well into your tale. I don't think I've read one chapter where the plot has been weaker or the action less readable because of something that we've decided. Well done on that I tend to agree with Smee about the ending. Personally, I would have said it needed a couple of paragraphs of prologue at the end, just to make sure Kelsey didn't die and to have that tiny bit of closure, one way or the other. I'm not so bothered about having a happy ending for all the sub-characters, just some sort of ending. But I do like the sunrise as the final line Anyway, this will be one for the archives. As chinaren would say, don't forget to claim your 100Fables from the Mayor - and well done again Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:14 pm    Post subject: Quote: Anyway, this will be one for the archives. As chinaren would say, don't forget to claim your 100Fables from the Mayor - and well done again Gosh darn it, I can't believe I forgot to say that! I must be losing my touch. I don't mind the ending actually, it's kinda cool. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:44 am    Post subject: I think adding in something about the other characters would ruin it. Even if Kelsey does die, it doesn't really matter, as they have done what they needed to in defeating him. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Shady Stoat Elder Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 2950 Location: England Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:51 am    Post subject: For me, it wasn't entirely about defeating the Warlock though. It was about Kelsey and her struggle with a power she didn't understand. It was about her trying to defend the people she loved and trying to survive at the same time. When you put it into that context, I think her eventual fate does matter. It's all a matter of how you see the story Back to top Author The Meaning Of Fear Respected Citizen Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 980 Location: In a deep, dark corner of the universe, plotting. Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:42 am    Post subject: Cool! Although i would like to see some klind of epilogue. _________________ Cherish all your memories, even the bad ones, for they are what makes you who you are. Doors to the truth, an SG where a boy is propelled into worlds he is unfamiliar with. He crosses many worlds, and sees many things that force him to throw away his innocence, once, and for all. Fourth Chapter, out for viewing! 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