Host SM_Selan says:
The Year is 1899 ...

Host SM_Selan says:
... and the end of the century might as well be the end of the world for the town of Arkham.

Host SM_Selan says:
After a mysterious visit to local "writer" Jeremiah Terry, a grisly series of murders [the victims being the local Jones family] have shocked the town. Now, in the midst of a strong storm, something preys on the townspeople ... killing them one by one ...

Host SM_Selan says:
... and the solution to saving lives may lay within Old Man Durnham and young Jeremiah Terry

Host SM_Selan says:
RESUME THE TALE

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::stands with Jeremiah in the hall perplexed by Durnham's statement that he knows about the dreams::

Elizabeth says:
::gasps as she stands transfixed with horror::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::Stands next to his father, not knowing what to expect next::

Martha_Harold says:
::standing outside her house looking horrified::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: can just make out the forms of the Harold sisters fleeing their house in the rain and darkness::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
Durnham: Mr. Durnham, explain yourself.  What dreams?

Constable_Chambers says:
:: Skids to a halt next to Elizabeth, almost losing his footing... faces the house, gun drawn ::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Durnham: Yes, enlighten me ::anxiety mixed with suspicion::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: A large robed figure lands on Elizabeth, forcing her to the ground. Lizard like claws drive themselves into the ground, locking her arms down ... hot, horrible breath fills her nostrils ... two dark, inhuman eyes stare at her within the hood of the figure.

Lily says:
::sits up on the floor screaming at the beast before her:: Aloud: Noooooooooo!!!!!

Elizabeth says:
::screams and begins to struggle::

Martha_Harold says:
::screams and tries to pull the thing off her sister::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: The figure over Lily's father's corpse roars and leaps at her.

Constable_Chambers says:
:: whirls as he senses, more than hears, the attack on Elizabeth ::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: The first creature whips out with its left arm, sending Martha sprawling.

Lily says:
::covers her head with her arms and tries to fend off the beast::

Martha_Harold says:
::goes sprawling::

Martha_Harold says:
Anyone:  Help!

Constable_Chambers says:
:: with Martha clear, he fires three shots at point-blank range into the creature's skull ::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: The second creature slams into Lily, sending her through a table and into the wall. It then lifts her, and hurls her across the room ... nearly breaking one of her ribs.

Martha_Harold says:
::hears shots and screams again::

Elizabeth says:
::is struggling for her life, tears running down her face as the creatures hot breath cascades across her terrified face.::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: The bullets slam into the first creature's head. The sound of inhuman screaming fills the air as the creature leaps away into the darkness, leaving Elizabeth on the ground shaking in terror.

Constable_Chambers says:
:: lifts a booted foot to kick the creature off of its victim ::

Martha_Harold says:
::runs to Elizabeth::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
The Terrys: The nightmares, young Jeremiah ... of monsters and demons and forbidden things ...

Constable_Chambers says:
:: breathing hard, heart pounding ::

Elizabeth says:
::lies there stunned as she wonders why she is still alive.::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: kneels next to Elizabeth ::

Lily says:
::slams against a wall in obvious pain:: Aloud: Ahhhhhh! :;groans as she lands, a pool of blood forming beneath her now::

Constable_Chambers says:
Elizabeth: Are ye all right, Miz Elizabeth?

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::tries not to be startled:: Durnham: And how could you know of the dementors that plague me?

Martha_Harold says:
::is crying::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
The Terrys: The ones that t-that demonic patron have come here about! ::Referring to the Visitor he had had nearly a stroke about earlier this day::

Elizabeth says:
::clutches Martha in a bonecrushing hug as she looks at the constable solemnly.::

Lily says:
:;tries to scramble under a nearby table::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::turns and stares at his son:: Jeremiah: Is this true? Have you had such dreams?

Elizabeth says:
Constable: You...saved my life, Constable Chambers...thank you. ::her teeth begin to chatter::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: Rain begins to come down heavily, preventing the Constable from seeing where the creature went.

Martha_Harold says:
::still crying as she hugs her sister tightly::

Lily says:
::sees her father's mutilated body and looks for her mother, tears streaming down her cheeks::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: The second creature moves at the table, growling for Lily.

Constable_Chambers says:
:: turns to his deputy :: Jack! Get these two t' the station. Put 'em in blankets and get them sumthin warm t' drink. I'm goin' after that monster!

Elizabeth says:
::is rocking Martha as she stares unseeingly into the darkness.::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Dad: Yes. I didn't want to bother you with them. I don't understand how he could know about them. Durnham: Is this creature that visited upon me...is it the killer?

Lily says:
:;kicks and inches away:: Creature: No! Get away!

Constable_Chambers says:
<Jack> Chambers: Yessir!

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::looks back at Mr. Durnham:: Demonic Patron? Surely, Mr. Durnham you cannot believe in such things in such an enlightened age?

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Durnham: I felt a fascination - with a tinge of repulsion at the form of the woman that came to me earlier

Martha_Harold says:
Elizabeth:  Are you all right?  ::lower lip trembles as she asks::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: As Jack responds, and moves to get the women to safety, there is a flash of lightning, and a shadowed figure leaps, hits the ground, grabs the shouting Jack up, and disappears into the shadows with him. Screams are heard ... and soon silenced.

Martha_Harold says:
::stares in disbelief::

Lily says:
::grabs a leg of a broken chair and swings at the creature::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
Jeremiah: That is part of what has been passed to you ... what is still being passed to you. We s-sense ... ::There is a flash of lightning::

Elizabeth says:
::swallows back a scream and scrambles to her feet.::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: whirls about again, sees Jack disappear :: All: Dammit t' hell an' gone!

Elizabeth says:
::shoves Martha behind her::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::::raised voice:: Durnham: What is being passed to me! What do you sense ::looks at his father::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: In the Terry household, a familiar female voice is heard ... "Of course, you sense a lot of things, don't you?" The Visitor stands, her beauty looking frightening in the light of the storm ... meanwhile, Lily gets in a good hit, sending the rapidly moving creature sprawling.

Martha_Harold says:
::is too frightened to even scream any more::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: runs back to where the sisters stand, staring into the darkness :: Both: C'mon, ladies. I'll hafta get ye to the station meself. I've seen enough o' that demon's work t' know that poor Jack's dead already.

Lily says:
::swings again and again at the beast hoping she's connecting with the leg::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::stands transfixed:: Visitor: Who are you:: moves forward to look closer:: Who are you really? ::anger rising::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::is even further perplexed by this old man:: Jeremiah: Do you have any idea what is happening here, Jer....::trails off as he sees a woman standing just beyond the open door::

Martha_Harold says:
::looks up at the Constable::

Elizabeth says:
::closes her eyes briefly as her lips move in a silent prayer for the deputy.::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: The creature roars in anger at Lily's constant attack ... the sound of the roar being heard by the Constable.

Elizabeth says:
::grabs Martha tightly and heads towards the jail.::

Lily says:
:;cries out:: Ma: Ma, Ma, run Ma, get out of here if you can.

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Dad: If there is a demon here it will be here no longer. I will not feed it's sick revulsion that I feel when I write of these things.....the stories I wrote

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
<The Visitor> ::Steps further into the house:: Jeremiah: You waste your talent because of the ramblings of this old man?

Martha_Harold says:
::is being pulled along by her sister::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: frustrated, confused... so much happening, so many duties to fulfill ::

Lily says:
:;blood runs down her face and she clutches at her ribs in pain::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: decides that the lives closest at hand are the ones he is best able to protect ::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: The creature strikes Lily and sends her sprawling, and tries to escape through a window ...

Martha_Harold says:
::keeps her eyes closed in case she sees anything else horrible::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::stares down the Visitor:: Who are you. What have you wrought on this town. My talent is my own business. I will write what I will write.

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
<The Visitor> ::Smiles a wicked smile:: Jeremiah: Your business is a lot more complicated then you know ...

Lily says:
::feels the sharp claws of the beast cut across her back and is flattened to the floor::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
ACTION: The creature bursts through the window and disappears into the storm.

Constable_Chambers says:
Martha, Elizabeth: C'mon, you two. Whatever's happenin' down the road, ye're my responsibility right now. Let's get to the station.   :: moves off, leading the sisters by the hand at the best pace they can manage ::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::comes to stand between the woman and his son:: Visitor: This is my house, madam.  This is my son.  You have no place here.  His talent, no matter what I may think of his use of it, shall carry him and you shall have nothing to do with it.  It is his alone.

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::Thinks....my manuscripts. Casually:: Visitor: And why would you say that.

Martha_Harold says:
::still has her eyes closed::

Martha_Harold says:
::hopes that when she opens them again, she'll be home safe in her bed::

Elizabeth says:
::follows mutely, her once tidy hair hanging in dripping streams around her face, her dress torn, dirty, and soaked, her mind numb with fear.::

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
<The Visitor> Judge: Oh, of course! His gift to give to the world if he chooses ... what a waste, honestly. Why don't you tell them Old Man? ::Glances at Durnham::

Lily says:
::pushes up on her elbows and crawls to her father's body:: Pa: Oh Pa! ::cries over his corpse closing her eyes in pain::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: fumbles with his revolver, reloading it as quickly as he can while still keeping the sisters close by his side ::

Martha_Harold says:
::eyes fly open as she recalls she dropped her doll in the rush to get out of the house::

Martha_Harold says:
Elizabeth:  I left dolly there.

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
Durnham: If you know this woman and what she wants, then speak.

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
::Looks frightened at the Visitor:: Jeremiah: Jeremiah, listen to me ... you cannot trust this demon ... you, just like I, we're different than others ... we are born with knowledge ... knowledge which proves dangerous to her kind ... her demonic gods ... we are the sole protectors of the key to their defeat ... for the day they shall rise ...

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Durnham: Tell me everything. Tell me how to defeat them.

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
::Turns to Jeremiah and gets hold of him:: Jeremiah: We're sentinels of ancient knowledge ... which we alone can use against them!

Host Old_Man_Durnham says:
Jeremiah: You already know ... the key is to unlock the -- ::Is suddenly grabbed from behind by one of the creatures and dragged screaming into the shadows, where he is quickly torn apart::

Lily says:
::looks around, her eyes swollen from her injuries now, trying to see where the beast went::

Constable_Chambers says:
Martha: When this night is through, child, I'll buy you six dollies. Just keep up with yer sister an' me...

Host The_Visitor says:
::Stands smiling:: Jeremiah: Don't mind him, he's occupied right now. ::Steps closer to the Judge and Jeremiah as the shrouded figure kills Durnham::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Durnham: What do we carry? How unlikely this is...you and I. We are nothing alike.

Martha_Harold says:
::hurries to keep up::

Lily says:
::creeps slowly towards the door hoping she can escape from this house of death::

Host The_Visitor says:
ACTION: The beast is long gone from Lily's tomb-like household. Unknown to her, it's gone on to much older prey ...

Elizabeth says:
::hugs Martha tightly to her side as she promises that her dolly will be safe.::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::feels a rush of vision, demons in the fires of hell, all eternity burning, and equation of sorts begins to come into his mind as he silently stares, taken by the vision::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::stares in horror as Durnham dies horribly:: self: it's like the farm...

Lily says:
::reaches the door and places her bloody hand around the knob and pulls it open::

Host The_Visitor says:
::Looks at the expression on Jeremiah's face:: Jeremiah: See ... there it is. Just a bit of the information stored in your mind. That's all I want from you ... and all you need to do is put it down for me. Write a story about what you know. If you do that for me, dear, Jeremiah ... ::Moves closer and closer to him, a twinkle in her eye::

Host The_Visitor says:
Jeremiah: ... I'll free this town. I'll bring back the lost. The dead. The gone.

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::fights the images in his head:: Dad....

Constable_Chambers says:
:: the trio reaches the door to the police station ::  Martha, Elizabeth: That thing could be anywhere. Wait a moment, an' I'll take a look inside...

Martha_Harold says:
::holds tightly to her big sister::

Elizabeth says:
::pushes an unsteady hand through her hair and pauses to look at it, not sure anymore what is real and what is not.::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Dad: Father....::non-chalant:: what can you tell me about a career in law? ::looks at his father::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Visitor: How do I know I can trust you?

Constable_Chambers says:
:: pushes the door open, revolver at the ready, and holds up his lantern to illuminate the interior of the station's front room ::

Host The_Visitor says:
::Suddenly transforms into ... ::

Martha_Harold says:
::feels panicky as the Constable moves away from them::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
Jeremiah: How can you not trust this face, dear son?

Lily says:
::crawls onto the porch, the leg of the chair still in her hand and tries to stand against the railing::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
ACTION: The station appears clear.

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::shudders at the sight of his mother:: Mom: You are dead....you are no longer

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::looks at his son and then the visitor:: Jeremiah: Ummmm, the law is a noble and honorable profession of righteous justice...

Constable_Chambers says:
:: pushes the door open further, gestures to the sisters :: C'mon in... looks like we're alone at the moment...

Martha_Harold says:
::bolts into the station::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
::Holds a hand up to Jeremiah's face, nearly touching it, but refraining ... as if knowing he could not stand the cold touch of a woman long past:: Jeremiah: Death is so relative, dear child. There are beings out there for which there can be no end ... the same could be for those in this forsaken town ...

Elizabeth says:
::follows a bit more slowly::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::Backs away::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: sets the lantern on the desk, raids a couple of cells for blankets ::

Martha_Harold says:
::backs into a corner and begins sucking her thumb::

Elizabeth says:
::sinks soundlessly into a chair::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: puts a blanket around Martha's small form, then places the other around Elizabeth's shoulders ::

Lily says:
::can't keep her balance and falls off the porch and into the rose bushes::

Martha_Harold says:
::clutches the blanket with her free hand::

Elizabeth says:
::clutches the blanket thankfully.::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::he looks at the visitor:: Visitor: Anna?

Host Mrs_Terry says:
ACTION: The falling into the rose bushes manages to hide Lily from another creature that sleaks through the rain toward the police station ...

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Visitor: What do you want me to write for you. What perverse need can you have?

Host Mrs_Terry says:
Judge: I'll be with you in a moment, Edward ... take a seat ... I am certain you have had a long and trying day ...

Lily says:
::feels something cold and clammy beside her:: Self: What is that?

Host Mrs_Terry says:
Jeremiah: The doors are beginning to unlock within your mind as we speak. Write everything and anything you can think of.

Constable_Chambers says:
:: muttering to himself more than speaking to the sisters ::  Martha, Elizabeth: Can't leave you two here alone... gotta get help... nearest town is Burleyville... Frank Loomis will send some of his men...

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Visitor: You have brought with you a terrible slaughter - I will not aid you ::fights the visions::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
Visitor: Anna.  How can this be?  You were gone...

Martha_Harold says:
::looks at the Constable as his voice catches her attention::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: sits at the clerk's desk, pulls out the telegraph key ::

Martha_Harold says:
::wanders into an open cell::

Elizabeth says:
::is starting to feel a little better and seeing Martha enter the cell frowns and follows her in.::

Lily says:
::reaches out and runs her hand over the cold, soft object beside her::

Elizabeth says:
Martha: Are you okay, Sweetie?

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Visitor: So you want me to write for you. ::secrect smile:: How about....a nice love story, full of romance and life

Martha_Harold says:
::feels a little safer in here::  Elizabeth:  I thought it was going to kill you.   ::eyes fill with tears::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
Jeremiah: This cannot be.  Anna would be horrified by the content of some of your work.

Host Mrs_Terry says:
::Gestures to some paper and a ink pen waiting for him on the table::

Elizabeth says:
::hugs her sister tightly:: Martha: Me too!

Host Mrs_Terry says:
::Lifts a finger to her mouth, and makes a quiet "shhh":: Terry: Anna is, and will always, be proud of her son's work. As opposed to you, dear Edward ...

Lily says:
:;feels something slimy and sticky on her hand::

Martha_Harold says:
Elizabeth:  The Constable is very brave, isn't he?

Constable_Chambers says:
:: begins tapping out a message, asking the Burleyville police chief to send reinforcements ::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Dad: Father...help me...I don’t' know what to do

Host Mrs_Terry says:
ACTION: A familiar growl is heard outside of the station.

Elizabeth says:
::nods rapidly:: Martha: Yes, he is!

Martha_Harold says:
::makes a little eeeping noise and hides her face in her sister's skirts::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
Jeremiah: Simply write ... write what you see ... what is in you ... what harm could it do?

Elizabeth says:
::hearing the growl she jumps and tries not to scream.::

Lily says:
::smells the substance and screams:: Self: Blood! ::looks quickly to see what is bleeding::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::grabs the pen and begins writing madly::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: stops, hears the growl.... slowly reaches for the shotgun on the wall rack behind him ::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
::Smiles wickedly. More wickedly than Anna Terry had ever smiled ... tries to look over Jeremiah's shoulder to see what he writes::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
Jeremiah: I do not know what to tell you...but your mother, if she were here, would tell you one thing...speak from your heart and not from your head.

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::yells: Visitor: Is this what you want? ::scribbles some symbols on the paper::

Martha_Harold says:
::is shaking like a leaf::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
ACTION: A creature smashes through a window and lands on the floor between Martha / Elizabeth & the Constable.

Constable_Chambers says:
:: whispers ::   Elizabeth: Miz Elizabeth... close the cell door, lock yourselves in...

Elizabeth says:
::walks to the door of the cell and places a hand on the cold steel bars...needing that sensation to remind her that she is still alive.::

Elizabeth says:
::slams the cell shut::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
::Looks at the symbols ... and suddenly shrieks as an explosive force seems to strike her, sending the late Mrs. Terry flying::

Martha_Harold says:
::squeezes her eyes shut::

Elizabeth says:
::pulls on it and makes sure it is locked::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
ACTION: The figure in the station lands on one knee, and slowly begins to rise, it's robes flowing around it.

Lily says:
::picks up the bloody object and discovers what it is at last::

Martha_Harold says:
::opens her eyes and sees the beast.  Flattens herself into the corner of the cell::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: grabs the shotgun, darts to the side to take the sisters out of the line of fire, begins pumping the gun as fast as it will fire ::

Host Mrs_Terry says:
::Transforms back into her previous guise::

Elizabeth says:
::begins to pray as she backs away from the door.::

Host The_Visitor says:
That ... was ... very ... rude ...

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::looks on at the transformation::

Host The_Visitor says:
ACTION: The creature that was feeding on Old Man Durnham hears something that the others can't, and looks up ... some skin hanging from it's hidden snout ...

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::Pleased:: Visitor: Not what you expected?

Lily says:
::in the moonlight, sees a gold ring on a dead finger and recognizes it as her mother's:: Self: Oh no, not you too Ma!

Host The_Visitor says:
Jeremiah: I will have what's in your mind ... even if it means killing everyone you love one at a time ... right in front  of you.

Constable_Chambers says:
:: exhausts the shotgun, hurls it to the side, brings the revolver out of its holster and fires directly at the creature's face ::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
Jeremiah: Son, I am at this moment giving you permission to be rude to this woman no matter the cost.  Do you understand.  Despite what this creature says or does, I love you and am proud of you.

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::continues to scribble whatever is coming into his mind, shows it to her:: Visitor: How about this? How does this suit you?

Martha_Harold says:
::cowering in the corner of the cell::

Host The_Visitor says:
ACTION: The creature cries out and rushes at the Constable.

Elizabeth says:
::is huddled against to wall with her sister behind her. Her eyes never leave the creature.::

Martha_Harold says:
::screams as the creature cries out::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: the revolver is empty.... pulls a Bowie knife from his boot and slashes at the creature, aiming for its throat ::

Host The_Visitor says:
ACTION: The creature is seemingly, and finally, killed by the well-equipped constable.

Lily says:
::kisses her mother's hand and lays the hand down again and scrambles from the rose bush and looks towards town:: Self: I've got to get me some help.

Host The_Visitor says:
::Screams out as another force slams her back ... causing the ghost-like being to fall literally THROUGH a chair::

Host The_Visitor says:
ACTION: The growling creature in the Terry household moves to the Visitor's side, but is suddenly caught by the same force ... only this time, it bursts into flames ...

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::writes some more:: Visitor: I can do this all day. Can you?

Martha_Harold says:
::doesn't believe its really dead::

Elizabeth says:
::is hardly breathing as she waits for the creature to arise once again.::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: shaking just a bit... picks up the shotgun, reloads it, and pumps two more loads of buckshot into the creature's skull ::

Host The_Visitor says:
::Gets up, parts of it's image beginning to fade away:: This ... was ... unforseen ...

Host The_Visitor says:
ACTION: The creature's head explodes.

Martha_Harold says:
::jumps as the last two shots go off::

Elizabeth says:
::winces but doesn't look away.::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::continues to write::

Lily says:
::moves towards the road but collapses in the wet mud, exhausted from the effort::

Host The_Visitor says:
::Seemingly struggling to stay there ... to keep from fading away ... her voice sounds like it's getting smaller:: ... just because you've learned something today doesn't mean it will be learned forever ... I am eternal ... permanent ... you are but a mortal ... one day I will be back ... and I will find your kin ... or your next of kin ...

Host The_Visitor says:
... or some future spawn of yours ... and I will learn what I need to learn ... there is no escaping ...

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Visitor: Isn't it time for you to be going now? :: Hands her some more paper::

Constable_Chambers says:
:: fishes the cell key out of his pocket and unlocks the door to the sister's cell ::  Martha, Elizabeth: I don't think it will trouble us again.

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::stares in amazement as the visitor begins to fade.  he had not thought it possible that such a creature could exist::

Martha_Harold says:
::stares at the dead thing afraid to walk past it::

Host The_Visitor says:
::The paper falls through "her" hands, and she screams in anger and frustration as she fades away::

Elizabeth says:
::looks at the constable silently and just stands there for a second.::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: All across town, the vicious creatures vanish in flames ... some causing some housings to burst into fire [but not the police station]. Just as they do, the storm begins to pass ... almost vanish ... moonlight cascades down, illuminating dear Lily.

Constable_Chambers says:
:: slumps into the chair behind his desk, opens a small flask :: All: I need a vacation...

Elizabeth says:
::hugs her sister silently::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
Dad: It's over dad. The pen is.....::soft laugh:: you know

Martha_Harold says:
::looks up at her sister tearfully::

Host Judge_Edward_Terry says:
::he looks to where the creature stood moments before and then to his son.  He rushes to his son and grabs him:: Jeremiah: You will be a great writer or anything else you desire.  I forgot for a time, but I am proud of you.

Elizabeth says:
::will never take anything for granted again::

Jeremiah_Terry says:
::Looks his Dad in the eye:: Dad: I will follow that path....you have just made me the happiest son on earth. Take that Brandy now?

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: And as the moonlight illuminates our heroic survivors ... we fade to a time some years later, in the murky yet tantalizing city of New York ... some miles south of dread Arkham ...

Host SM_Selan says:
Dear Father, I write to you now as you have no doubt heard of my name change for my novels ... of course, I wished to explain my ulterior motives in relation to this ...

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: We see Jeremiah perusing several papers in a local bookstore in the city. A young boy peers at him from behind a bookshelf.

Host SM_Selan says:
I still, on occasion, have nightmares of what resides within me ... the knowledge that Old Man Durnham said could save us all. Could defeat the evil. I have no doubt that the 'temptress' ... that devil ... will one day return for her revenge.

Host SM_Selan says:
My name change is a means of perhaps protecting my sons, or daughters ... or their sons or daughters. ..

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: "Excuse me, sir ..." the boy mumbles. Jeremiah smiles and turns to him, "Yes?" The boy gestures to the book he holds, The Quirinus Knights of the Stars. "Aren't you the author of that there book?"

Host SM_Selan says:
... For I fear that one day, her wrath will cause much chaos and horror upon our small world. And I want to afford my children every chance they can have to prevent it, if they must.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: Jeremiah smiles, "Yes. Indeed. You have read it?" The boy nods with a grin, "Yes sir ... I loved it, sir ... it's an honor to meet you, Mr. Terry"

Host SM_Selan says:
I hope, father, you can understand that this is in no way me ignoring my heritage. But merely a means of preserving it. For I fear ...

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: Jeremiah laughs and shakes his head, "No, dear boy ... not Mr. Terry ... Pangborn ... my name is Pangborn ..."

Host SM_Selan says:
... dreadful times are upon us.

Host SM_Selan says:
Dreadful times indeed.

Host SM_Selan says:
Sincerely, your son,

Host SM_Selan says:
Jeremiah

Host SM_Selan says:
END THE TALE